Adventure Time Essay

Have you ever gazed upon one of Salvador Dali’s surreal paintings, and it left you in a bewildered state? You’ve pondered what he was trying to display, or perhaps you were left wondering, is there a story behind this? Well, I am here today to tell you of such a story. See, we live in a time where people tend to take things much too seriously, far too often. When the world seems to erase happiness from one’s life, there lays Adventure Time, shimmering in the horizon in all its pastel glory. It is a beacon of happiness, joy, abnormality, and an escape route for all those trapped in a calloused hand of disappointment. The show may appear to disguise itself as a children’s program, but I can tell you confidently, that it provides material for more than one target audience. There’s a reason why high school and college students enjoy watching Pixar films or shows from their youth, and Pendleton Ward, the show’s creator, really hits home with a cartoon that may well be the most creative, and entertaining TV program of it’s kind. This is a fine example of the phrase â€Å"do not judge a book by its cover†, because underneath Adventure Time’s amazing array of bright and colorful characters, lies a subtext that involves a very large portion of dark and rather bizarre moments. This world that you are diving into and sharing with these characters is not as â€Å"sugar coated† as it leads you to believe. Adventure Time is set in a post-apocalyptic Earth, where The Great Mushroom War wiped out it’s inhabitants, leaving one human child alive. Which brings us to our stories main protagonist, Finn the Human, who was raised by a family of elasticated, shape-shifting dogs. Jake the dog, Finn’s brother and best pal, joins Finn on his Adventures of saving princesses from the evil Ice King, exposing themselves to constant dangers while they protect the kingdom of living candy from horrifying terrors. Although it sometimes may be weird yet amusing, like when our heroes place themselves inside the stomach of a giant to prevent the bears that are partying within from being digested and melted by lava, Adventure Time can become serious when the characters portray real emotion. A cartoon needs more than just mind-blowing implications to entertain an older audience. In more recent episodes, it was shown that the main antagonist of the show, was once a human antiquarian (someone who studies ancient artifacts), who discovered a cursed crown sometime before the Nuclear fallout. When he placed it on to make his fiancee laugh, he blacked out and started experiencing horrifying visions. When he came to, something happened that drove his fiancee away. This later connects to why he steals princesses, to fill the gap in his heart from when his own princess left him. Also, our hero is in love with a princess made entirely out of bubblegum, but cannot be with her due to the fact that she is 18 and he is 13, causing him emotional stress. He later falls in love with a princess made out of flames, who is highly unstable when she is angry. Finn has a hard time being with her because she burns him whenever he tries to hold her. I’m sure some of you may connect with the feeling of wanting someone, but something prevents you from being with that person or simply, the person has no feelings for you. This show is stacked to the brim with moments like these. Not only is there an emotional intelligence to balance the show’s oddness, but there is a very artistic and poetic vibe behind the story. There are numerous musical numbers, and remember able quotes that make you think. A couple of my personal favorite quotes from the show are: â€Å"In the dark recesses of the mind, a disease known as FEAR feasts upon the souls of those who cannot overcome its power†¦ And so fear forces deep within the soul of a hero. Conquered†¦ at least, for now. † â€Å"I am the true coward. Hiding from sincere expressions like a vampire in the nude who hides from the light. Thank you brave hero. I was freed from bottle jail, but my new prison is shame. † Can we pull back the veil of static and reach in to the source of all being? Behind this curtain of patterns, this random pattern generator. So clever. Right here in every home, watching us from a one-sided mirror. † When a cartoon is able to be demented and touch the heart at the same time, I believe it is a show for everyone to enjoy. So grab your friends, and experience many different lands, with Jake the Dog and Finn the Human, a show where the fun never ends, it’s Adventure Time. Adventure Time Essay Adventure Time (originally titled Adventure Time with Finn & Jake[2]) is an American animated television series created by Pendleton Ward for Cartoon Network. The series follows the adventures of Finn (voiced by Jeremy Shada), a human boy, and his best friend and adoptive brother Jake (voiced by John DiMaggio), a dog with magical powers to change shape and grow and shrink at will. Finn and Jake live in the post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo. Along the way, they interact with the other main characters of the show: Princess Bubblegum (voiced by Hynden Walch), The Ice King (voiced by Tom Kenny), and Marceline the Vampire Queen (voiced by Olivia Olson). The series is based on a short produced for Frederator’s Nicktoons Network animation incubator series Random! Cartoons. After the short became a viral hit on the internet, Cartoon Network picked it up for a full-length series that previewed on March 11, 2010, and officially premiered on April 5, 2010. The series, which is heavily inspired by the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons as well as video games, is produced via hand-drawn animation. Episodes are created through the process of storyboarding, and a single episode takes roughly nine months to complete. The Adventure Time cast records their lines together in group recordings as opposed to different recording sessions with each voice actor, and the series also regularly employs guest actors and actresses for minor and recurring characters. Each Adventure Time episode is about eleven minutes in length; pairs of episodes are often telecast in order to fill a half-hour program time slot. The series has completed four seasons of twenty-six episodes each, and is currently on its fifth, which debuted on November 12, 2012. Ever since its debut, Adventure Time has been a ratings success for Cartoon Network. As of March 2012, the show is viewed by approximately 2 to 3 million viewers per week. The show has received positive reviews from critics and has developed a cult following among teenagers and adults, many of whom are attracted due to the series’ animation, stories and characters. Adventure Time has also been nominated for five Annie Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, two Critics’ Choice Television Awards, and a Sundance Film Festival Award, among others. In 2013, the series won a Motion Picture Sound Editors Award for the episode â€Å"Card Wars†. In addition, the series has also produced various clothing and merchandise, video games, comic books, and DVD compilations.

Brief of US v. Leon

Should the Fourth Amendment exclusionary rule include as one of its exceptions the evidence obtained by officers acting in reasonable reliance on a search warrant issued by a detached and neutral judge but found to be unsupported by probable cause? Statement of Facts: The Burbank Police Department, upon receiving tips from informants, conducted a drug trafficking investigation upon the respondents. Extensive surveillance operation was made on respondent’s three residences and several cars. After sufficient evidence was gathered an officer prepared an application for a warrant to search respondent’s three residences and several vehicles.A search warrant which is facially valid was issued by the judge after examining the supporting affidavits and documents. The search later on yielded large quantities of drugs and other evidence. Respondents were eventually indicted for federal drug offenses. They then filed motions to suppress the evidence seized by reason of the defecti ve warrant. After an evidentiary hearing, the District Court granted the motions in part and concluded that the affidavit was insufficient to establish probable cause.It also concluded that the officer who applied for a search warrant had acted in good faith but rejected their argument that the Fourth Amendment Exclusionary Rule should not apply where the evidence is seized in reasonable and good-faith reliance on a search warrant. The Holding/Decision of the Court: The Fourth Amendment exclusionary rule should not be restrictively applied so as prevent the prosecution from presenting pieces of evidence obtained by officers who acted in reasonable reliance on a search warrant issued by a detached and neutral judge but ultimately found to be invalid and unsupported by probable cause. Reasons/RationaleIn holding in favor of the law enforcement officers, the Supreme Court ruled that the Fourth Amendment Exclusionary Rule was not designed to serve as a personal constitutional right of t he injured person. The use of the evidence taken during an unlawful search does not necessarily constitute a violation of the Fourth Amendment rather the exclusionary rule merely seeks to safeguard Fourth Amendment right by deterring officers from conducting unlawful searches. In determining whether the exclusion of evidence is an appropriate sanction, the court weighed the costs and benefits of preventing the use of evidence illegally obtained.According to the court, the upholding of the Fourth Amendment Exclusionary Rule has serious repercussions for the truth-finding functions of the judge and the jury. This principle has allowed defendants to go free or receive reduced sentence even if they are guilty. The indiscriminate application of this rule hinders and hampers the efficient and effective administration of justice. Although it was clear that they did not question the application of the rule that evidence obtained in substantial and deliberate violation of the Fourth Amendmen t should be made inadmissible in court.However, the court thought that it was time to weigh the cost and benefit of the Fourth Amendment Exclusionary Rule and to modify it to permit the admission of evidence obtained in the reasonable and good faith belief that a search or seizure was in accord with the Fourth Amendment. The court reasoned that the search warrant in this case was issued by a judge after application by a seasoned narcotics investigator. The affidavits were even reviewed by Deputy District Attorneys before it was submitted to the State Superior Court Judge.It stressed that the warrant issued to the law enforcement officer prior to the search and seizure of the pieces of evidence provides a more reliable safeguard against improper and illegal searches compared to the hurried and often impartial judgment of a law enforcement officer. Indeed, there may be differences in opinion insofar as determining whether there is probable cause for the issuance of a warrant, but we a ll agree that search with a warrant is still better than search without a warrant. ,Moreover, according to the Supreme Court, it would not be in keeping with the administration of justice if the law enforcement officers who have diligently conducted their investigation and prepared the necessary affidavits to be punished for the errors of judges. Although it is true that the reason behind the Fourth Amendment Exclusionary Clause is to deter police misconduct and to encourage the law enforcement officers to respect the Fourth Amendment rights of the people, the rule should not be strictly applied to hinder the enforcement of law and order.To suppress therefore the evidence obtained based on the reasonable and good-faith reliance on a search warrant would not be in keeping with the spirit and purpose of the Fourth Amendment Exclusionary Rule which is to render inadmissible any evidence obtained in substantial and deliberate violation of the Fourth Amendment. The purpose of this policy is to force the law enforcement officers to respect the people’s Fourth Amendment right not to punish the law enforcement officers for the errors of a judge.But the Supreme Court also clarified that different result will be reached if the warrant in this case was obtained after the law enforcement officers have misled the judge by indicating in the Affidavit submitted to the judge information that the affiant knew to be false or would have known to be false or if the judge gravely abused his discretion in issuing the warrant. In these cases, suppression of the evidence is the appropriate remedy. Suppression may also be the appropriate remedy if the warrant on its face is so defective that it clearly appears that there was no probable cause for its issuance.Concurring Opinion of Justice Blackmun Justice Blackmun agrees with the finding of the majority that evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment by officers acting in objectively reasonable reliance on a search warrant issued by a neutral and detached judge need not be excluded. He however stressed that the statements made by them in this case is provisional in nature. This should not be taken as an absolute rule as every case will have to be evaluated in the light of its peculiar fights and circumstances.Dissenting Opinions of Justice Brennan and Justice Marshall In their dissenting opinions, Justice Marshall and Justice Brennan expressed their apprehension about the gradual erosion of the constitutional right of the people under the Fourth Amendment. According to them, this decision which allows the prosecution to present in chief the evidence obtained illegally from a person whose rights have been violated is a signal that the court is breaking away from the requirements of the Fourth Amendment.In my opinion, the dissenting Judges fear that time will come when the protection under the Fourth Amendment will merely be an ideal. They fear that someday this decision will be used as a tool t o destroy the Fourth Amendment. For them, they see the situation as that the issue of constitutional rights is incapable of cost and benefit analysis. They think that though it is important to put a stop to crime and to convict the guilty, this should be not made at the expense of sacrificing our most cherished rights.

Using Experiments To Identify An Unknown Compound Environmental Sciences Essay

Abstract. The intent of this experiment was to place the unknown compound. The trials that were done to find the individuality of the compound include qualitative solubility trials, quantitative solubility trials, mensurating solution conduction, anion and cation trial, fire trial, and formation of precipitate. It was found that the compound had no odor, was soluble in H2O, and non soluble in methylbenzene and propanone. The ions dissociated in the H2O, making conduction. When the ammonium hydroxide trial was performed no ammonium hydroxide odor was produced. The flame trial yielded a colour that matched that of Na hydrogen carbonate indicating that the unknown compound contained Na. The anion trial for chloride proved to be positive, ensuing in the summing up that the unknown compound was sodium chloride.IntroductionThe group is employed by an Environmental Protection Agency to indentify a compound in the landfill in your place town. The group must besides detect as many chemical an d physical belongingss of the compound as we can. We need to invent two syntheses of the compound, and compare them for cost effectivity, safety, and possible output of the compound. To place the compound, the physical belongingss ( odor, colour, and province ) demand to be established. Next, the qualitative solubility of the compound was tested in H2O, methylbenzene, and propanone, which would find whether the compound would fade out from rain H2O or other chemicals that may be present in the landfill and make overflow. Conductivity was besides tested with a voltmeter in order to find whether or non the compound would be unsafe when dissolved in H2O. If the compound was conductive it would fade out in H2O and produce an electric current. The flame trial was performed to stipulate one of the elements. A solution of H2O and the component was used to put the nichrome wire in, and so the nichrome wire is placed into the fire. If the fire produces a colour it is declarative of a certain metalloid ion or metal. A colour is produced in the fire when the heat of the fire changes the metal ions into atoms which so become aroused and bring forth visible radiation that can be seen with the bare oculus. It is besides of import to analyse the presence of certain cations and anions utilizing trials that identify the presence of the anions chloride and sulphate, and the presence of the cation ammonium. The anion trials for chloride and sulfate prove to be positive when a white precipitate signifiers and the ammonium trial proves to be positive when an ammonium odor is produced. After all of the physical and chemical trials were performed, a solution of the unknown compound and a solution of what was deduced to be unknown compound were reacted with an acid ( azotic acid ) , a base ( potassium hydrated oxide ) , silver nitrate, K sulphate, and K nitrate in order to find if they produce the same consequences. Gravimetric filtration was so performed with the known and unknown s ubstance. A precipitate was formed utilizing Ag nitrate, which could so be weighed. After the filtration procedure, the unknown compound was so synthesized to bring forth a per centum output.ConsequencesTable 1 Physical Properties TestColor White State of Matter Solid Olfactory property None Solubility in Water Soluble Conduction 0.35 VsTable 2 Anion TrialsTrials PerformedConsequencesTrial for Chloride White Precipitate Formed Trial for Sulfate No Chemical reaction Trial for Nitrate No Brown Ring Trial for Carbonate Clear Trial for Acetate Clear, OdorlessTable 3 Cation TrialsTrials PerformedChemical reactionConsequencesTrial for Ammonium NH4Cl + NaOH i? Ammonium Smell No Odor Fire Test Bright Orange/Yellow Fire SodiumTable 4 Chemical reaction TrialsType of Chemical reactionBalanced EquationChemical reactionAcid NaCl ( aq ) + HNO3 ( aq ) – & A ; gt ; NaNO3 ( aq ) + HCl ( aq ) None Base NaCl ( aq ) + KOH ( aq ) – & A ; gt ; NaOH ( aq ) + KCl ( aq ) None Double Supplanting NaCl ( aq ) + AgNO3 ( aq ) – & A ; gt ; AgCl ( aq ) + NaO3 ( aq ) Precipitate formed Double Supplanting NaCl ( aq ) + K2SO4 ( aq ) – & A ; gt ; Na2SO4 ( aq ) + 2 KCl ( aq ) None Double Supplanting NaCl ( aq ) + KNO3 ( aq ) – & A ; gt ; NaNO3 ( aq ) + KCl ( aq ) NoneTable 5 Gravimetric AnalysisNaCl ( aq ) + AgNO3 ( aq ) – & A ; gt ; AgCl ( s ) + NaNO3 ( aq ) Vacuum Filtration Trial # Sum of Precipitate Produced ( gms ) Percent Output Known Trial 1 1.081 88.18 % Known Trial 2 1.196 97.56 % Unknown Trial 1 1.211 98.78 % Unknown Trial 2 1.185 96.66 % Unknown Trial 3 1.170 95.44 %Table 6 Synthesis Chemical reactionChemical reaction Sum Produced ( gms ) Theoretical Output ( gms ) Percent Output HCl ( aq ) + NaOH ( aq ) i? NaCl ( s ) + H2O ( cubic decimeter ) 1.971 2 98.55 %DiscussionFirst, the physical belongingss of the unknown compound were observed and recorded. It was found that the compound was crystalline in construction, a solid, white, with no olfactory property ( Table 1 ) . All of these belongingss suggest that the compound was ionic because ionic compounds do non hold a distinguishable olfactory property and are solid at room temperature because of their high thaw points. The unknown compound was so tested for solubility in H2O, methylbenzene and propanone. The compound was soluble in H2O, bespeaking the compound was a polar or ionic compound, and non soluble in methylbenzene or propanone which eliminates it being polar or nonionic. Therefore, this points to the compound being ionic. After the compound was dissolved in H2O, the conduction was tested with a voltmeter, which produced a electromotive force of 0.35 Vs turn outing that the substance is conductive since it is over 0.1 Vs. This farther proves that the unknown compound was io nic since merely ionic compounds dissociate in H2O and make an electric current. The fire trial was performed to find one of the elements in the compound. Four known compounds, Na hydrogen carbonate, Mg nitrate, Ca sulphate, and K nitrate were put under the fire trial to compare the unknown to. When the unknown compound was put under the fire trial it produced the same colour as Na hydrogen carbonate, bright orange/yellow, bespeaking the presence of Na ( Table 3 ) . The ammonium trial was besides performed to verify that the compound did non incorporate ammonium hydroxide. No odor was produced when the unknown solution and Na hydrated oxide were assorted, and a odor would bespeak the presence of ammonium hydroxide. Therefore, the compound was proven to incorporate Na. When the anion trials for chloride and sulphate were performed, a white precipitate was produced from the chloride trial, bespeaking the presence of chloride while the sulfate reaction created no precipitate bespeaking the absence of sulphate ( Table 2 ) . In add-on, the unknown compound was put through a series of reactions along with what was believed to be the compound in order to compare the reactions to find if they produce the same reactions. First Na chloride, what is believed to be the unknown compound, and the unknown compound were reacted with Ag nitrate, which produced a precipitate because it was a dual supplanting that produced AgCl which is non soluble in H2O. Sodium chloride and the unknown compound were reacted with K sulphate but produced no reaction because the merchandises sodium sulphate and K chloride are both soluble in H2O. Sodium chloride and the unknown compound were so besides reacted with K nitrate, making a dual supplanting reaction which produces Na nitrate and K chloride, which are besides both soluble in H2O, hence bring forthing no reaction. When Na chloride and the unknown compound were reacted with an acid, azotic acid, but the presence of the Na chloride did non impact the pH of the azotic acid becaus e it was an ionic compound. When the Na chloride and the unknown compound were reacted with a base, K hydrated oxide, there was besides no reaction or alteration in the pH of the K hydrated oxide because the Na chloride is an ionic compound. Both the Na chloride and the unknown compound produced the same consequences in every reaction further turn outing that they are one in the same ( Table 4 ) . Once it was found that Na chloride and Ag nitrate bring forth a precipitate when reacted, the reaction was used to bring forth a certain sum of precipitate which was so used in hydrometric analysis to see if both the known and unknown compound would bring forth the same sum of precipitate. The reaction that was filtrated was NaCl ( aq ) + AgNO3 ( aq ) – & A ; gt ; AgCl ( s ) + NaO3 ( aq ) . The consequences from the known reaction were 1.77 gms of filter paper and 1.081 gms of precipitate entirely, while the theoretical output was 1.225 gms. The unknown reaction has yet to be found. The per centum output for the reaction was 97.56 % ( Table 5 ) . A synthesis reaction was the concluding trial preformed. The undermentioned chemical reaction occurred: HCl ( aq ) + NaOH ( aq ) i? NaCl ( s ) + H2O ( cubic decimeter ) . Once all of the H2O was evaporated out with the usage of a hot home base, the precipitate was able to be weighed and the per centum output could be calculated. The reaction had a percent output of 98.55 % ( Table 6 ) .DecisionAfter being employed by the Environmental Protection Agency, the group was able to place the compound in the landfill. After all of the trials and reactions were performed, it was found that the unknown compound was sodium chloride. Its solubility in H2O, conduction, and crystalline construction points to the fact that the compound is ionic. The positive fire trial for Na indicates that Na is one of the elements in the compound because it produced a bright orange fire. The positive chloride trial, when a white precipitate was formed, indicates that chloride is the 2nd component in the compound. The unknown compound and Na chloride were put through the same reactions and systematically produced the same consequences, farther indicating that the unknown compound is sodium chloride. The gravitative analysis of the known and unknown substances provided similar consequences, endorsing up that the unknown substance was sodium chloride. The synthesis reaction produced a percent output of 95.05 % .Experimental Procedure:Physical Properties TrialsThe physical province of the unknown compound was observed. This included the province of affair, odor ( utilizing the wafting technique ) , colour, and construction. A little sum of the unknown compound was placed in about 50mL of H2O and stirred to see if it would fade out. The same solution was used for the voltmeter and the conduction was recorded.Anion TrialsChloride Ion TestApproximately 1 milliliter of the unknown solution was placed in a trial tubing and 1 milliliter of 6 M HNO3 was added. After that another 1 milliliter of AgNO3 was added. Whether a white precipitate was formed or non was recorded. If a white precipitate is observed, a chloride ion is present in the solution.Sulfate Ion TestApproximately 1 milliliter of the unknown solution was placed into a trial tubing and 1 milliliter of 6 M HCl was added. After that another 1 milliliter of BaCl2 solution was added to the same trial tubing. Whether or non a white precipitate formed was recorded. If a white precipitate is formed, sulphate is present in the solution.Cation TrialFire TestThe heat from the Bunsen fire was used to cleanse the nichrome wire. A little sum of the unknown compound was placed onto the nichrome wire and held over the fire. The colour of the fire was observed.Ammonium TrialApproximately 1 milliliters of 6 M NaOH was added to 1 milliliter of the unknown compound solution. The pennant technique was used to observe if there was any olfactory property. If the odor of ammonium hydroxide was present, there were ammonium ions nowadays in the solution.Responsiveness TrialsChemical reaction with an AcidA solution with a little sum of unknown compound was assorted in 50 milliliter of H2O and a separate solution of a little sum of ammonium chloride and 50 milliliter of H2O. A little sum of the two solutions were placed in to two separate trial tubings and a little sum of HNO3.Double Displacement Chemical reactionA solution of a little sum of unknown compound was placed into 50 milliliter of H2O and a separate solution incorporating a little sum of Na chloride and 50 milliliter of H2O. A little sum of the two solutions wa s placed into two separate trial tubings and a little sum of K2SO4 was added into each trial tubing. The trial tubings were so swirled and assorted.Double Displacement Chemical reactionA solution of a little sum of unknown compound was assorted with a solution of 50 milliliter of H2O and a separate solution of a little sum of Na chloride and 50 milliliter of H2O. A little sum of the two solutions were placed into two separate trial tubings and a little sum of AgNO3 was added into each of the trial tubing. The trial tubings were so swirled and assorted.Double Displacement Chemical reactionA solution of a little sum of unknown compound was assorted in 50 milliliter of H2O and a separate solution of a little sum of Na chloride and 50 milliliter of H2O. A little sum of the two solutions were so placed into two separate trial tubings and a little sum of KNO3 was added to each trial tubing. The trial tubings were so swirled and assorted, and whether or non a reaction occurred was recorded .Chemical reaction with a BaseA little sum of unknown compound was assorted with 50 milliliters of H2O and a separate solution of a little sum of ammonium chloride and 50 milliliter of H2O. A little sum of these two solutions were so placed into two separate trial tubings and a little sum of KOH was added.Hydrometric AnalysisA Buchner flask was used with a funnel placed over the top. The filter paper was weighed and so wetted with H2O somewhat. The solution incorporating the precipitate was poured onto the filter paper and left until most of the liquid had seeped through. The filter was so removed from the funnel and placed into an oven for 10 proceedingss until the precipitate and paper had wholly dried. The filter paper was so weighed with the precipitate still on top. The weight of the filer paper was subtracted from the new weight to obtain the most accurate consequence. The process was completed three times with the unknown substances and twice with a known substance.Synthesis Chemical reactionApproximately 12.3 milliliters of ammonium hydrated oxide was assorted with 6.2 milliliters of hydrochloric acid in a beaker. The solution was placed on a hot home base ( under a goon ) and allowed to boil until all of the liquid evaporated. The staying precipitate was removed from the beaker and weighed.

Discussion paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Discussion paper - Essay Example The IT issues draught down by authors and researchers are numerous, but some of them which can be highlighted; such as, job security risk, IT network security risk, difficulty in learning new trends of the society, misuse of IT, vulnerability of IT from outer sources of education, hardware/software selection, access, equity, educational society issues in IT, censorship, privacy policies, home use or school use of IT, staff development and training, funding, copyright issues, plagiarism issues and ethics (Sanders 56). All these matters would be judged in provisions of the impact of IT as it has altered the way in which we function in our society. This topic would highlight the aspects of Information Technology which have supported the teaching and learning process in the education sector. The applications of IT has changed a lot in the education field since the last 15 years and all educational institutions including students are availing this facility for learning and teaching purposes with the help of IT (Pea, Wulf, Elliott, Darlin 5). However, the availability of computers at school and home for students have also raised many issues for the educational leaders.

Children and consumerism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Children and consumerism - Essay Example According to Schor and Henderson (2008), children can be viewed through different paradigms. On one hand, children can be viewed as the innocent, naà ¯ve, and vulnerable targets of well-informed marketers who have to be protected by legislation in order to save them from negative messages channeled through the mass media. Proponents of this view oppose all marketing messages that target children and support their physical and emotional regulation in the hands of adults. A different paradigm, that of the ‘empowered child’, supports the notion that children have authentic interpretations of what they want that should not be affected by adult interpretations (Scor and Henderson, 2008). Proponents of this paradigm, most of whom are marketers, contend that children today are far more developed than those of past eras in that they can easily identify lies in advertising messages. According to Pine and Nash (2003), children can easily identify advertisement breaks in their tod dler years through symbols such as sound effects or logos, which they link with the product. Moreover, they may not be able to differentiate between how they feel about the product being advertised and their attitude towards the product. The interpretation that the advertisement is actually trying to sell them a product may come in the pre-teen years of 11 or 12 years. While both researches have documented statistics on studies conducted into child advertising, their respondents do not represent all the nations that are affected by marketing content that targets children. Both of the researches documented by Pine and Nash (2003) and Schor and Henderson (2008) feature participants who come from nations such as Australia, America, Britain, and Scandinavian nations. They do not address upcoming market trends in nations like Turkey, China, Mexico, or India, in which marketers are increasingly targeting children with messages

Ethics in Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Ethics in Finance - Essay Example This paper will evaluate the various ethics theories and analyze how they can be used to solve the ethical dilemma. Utilitarianism Utilitarianism ethics theory holds that the right action is the one giving the ultimate form of satisfaction for every one that is affected (Snoyenbos & James 17). It is notable that utilitarianism is a consequentialist moral theory that seeks to evaluate the outcomes of an action rather than the action itself (Van Staverin 21). According to this theory, the rightness or wrongness of an action is dependent on the general effect that the action has on the people it affects. Suffice to say, utilitarianism holds that an action cannot be judged in isolation to be good or bad. In this regard, an action is right if it produces more intrinsic good than any other action that would have been taken. For instance, utilitarianism could hold that cheating is right if it resulted in the saving of lives of people in danger. Actions are right when they maximize happiness and good for all the affected persons. One of the basic objections of the utilitarianism ethics theory is that the judgment of an act is based on its future outcomes (Singer 41). It is not possible for a person to know the precise consequences of his or her actions in the future. Thus, the utilitarianism ethics theory cannot be applied to justify the morality of present actions since the outcomes have to be evaluated first. However, the counter-argument to this objection is that a person can use the subordinate rules to choose the course of action in a particular situation. If in the particular circumstances greater good would result by discarding the subordinate rules, the utilitarianism ethics theory can be applied to justify an alternative action (Van Staverin 23). In the case study, the manager has to make a decision that would result in greater intrinsic good for all the people affected. Linda has had a good financial history with the bank for the past twenty years. In her twe nties, she was financially prudent and made significant savings. In the recent past, she has been in a financial turmoil culminating in frequent overdrafts and exceeding her credit card limits due to depression. Despite this, she has never defaulted on her repayments although her sister Sophie has had to bail her out twice in the recent past. Linda points out that she took care of their mother, Catherine, when Sophie was setting up her businesses. Catherine has been a faithful customer of the bank for the past fifty years. In fact, her account with the bank has been prudently managed over the years and she managed to save some money for her funeral. Her financial position has changed only in the recent past since she has to cover the costs of accommodating her daughter Linda. Sophie has successfully established herself as a business lady with a growing empire of companies. She has bailed out Linda and Catherine twice but she insists that they have to take charge of their financial i ndependence. She proposes that the bank should cut of off their credit card facility as well as overdrafts. According to utilitarianism ethics theory, it would be appropriate for the manager to keep the credit facilities for both Catherine and Linda. The credit facilities would help Linda to obtain money to fulfill her personal and family needs considering the fact that she was no longer working. Also, the credit facility would help Catherine to pay rent and buy food for herself and Linda’

The benefits that a company can gain simply by implementing the Essay

The benefits that a company can gain simply by implementing the sustainability concept - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that sustainability is one of the most emerging concepts that have gained a lot of attention in a couple of decades. In a wider sense, sustainability refers to the improvement of society and the environment. The sustainable environment is considered more than a responsibility by most of the multi-national company and for these companies providing high-quality life to children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren is a priority. It means that sustainable environment is improving the quality of life in the present without harming or compromising the future generation’s ability to meet their needs effectively. To make the point more clear regarding the sustainable environment it could be said that all the resources that the business needs in order to operate eventually comes from the environment but meeting the eternal needs of the customers, the businesses are ultimately moving in such directions that would perish the resources. This would not only create hurdles in improving the lives of the people but also for the future generations to meet their needs efficiently. It has become a necessity for every business to make their contribution towards the environment so that the future needs of the people could be met while maintaining the balance between the environment and its resources. It is essential to take certain steps that would ensure the elimination or reduction of those factors that could create hurdles in the achievement of a greener and better future. For businesses, it is essential to make contributions in the development of sustainable environment as it contributes the most in damaging the environment. Sustainability is not just linked to the reduction of waste or pollution but in a broader sense, it is concerned with enhancing those practices that would reduce the damage on the environment that would ultimately lead the business to be completely sustainable.

Focus Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Focus Strategy - Essay Example case, when a business decides to venture into a new and unique line of products or services, the initial costs incurred in developing them does not affect the overall returns. This suggests that the consumers may be willing to pay a premium price for the differentiated products and services that will help offset the costs incurred in making the new products. Furthermore, is because the uniqueness of the products and services allows the firm to enjoy a large percentage of the market share, allowing for immediate returns. The results also indicate that the focus strategy in itself is sufficient to generate returns to the business. This view actually contradicts what was suggested by Michael Porter, who claimed that the focus strategy is not sufficient to assure returns to the business. Therefore, a business may decide to use either the differentiation or the focus strategy or both and still be assured of returns in the short and long term. Secondly, it is clear from the article that when a firm explores strategies that represent unique and rare resources, it is likely to gain a competitive advantage. This is based on the idea that the resources cannot be duplicated by the firm’s competitors. Furthermore, such resources cannot be substituted, making it difficult for other firms to match the competition. If a firm makes use of a resource that is possessed by its competitors, it is likely that the competitors will exploit that resource in a similar way, making it difficult for the firm to use it to gain a competitive advantage. This suggests that for a business to use this strategy, it is important to understand the resources that exist in the business and understand how these resources can be made more profitable by either improving them to make them unique or exploring a completely unique set of resources. This calls for a careful examination of the market trends and the needs of the customers. This will help un derstand the unique products and services that can be

World War One Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

World War One - Research Paper Example For over twenty years, many nations in Europe had been developing alliances. The alliances were assumed to promote peace. This is because states believed that they would defend each nation in case war arose. The dangerous thing about the alliances was that a conflict between two nations would lead to all other nations joining in the war. Therefore, when a dispute arose between Austria-Hungary and Serbia it resulted to world war one1. The war originated in Balkans, a place famously known for a number of small wars. The murder of Archduke Francis Ferdinand the successor of the Austria-Hungary throne, who thought that his mercy for the Slavs would reduce the anxiety between Austria-Hungary and Balkans. The archduke and his wife had planned to visit Bosnia, as they travelled through Sarajevo on June 28 of the year 19142. An Asian better known as Gavrillo Principe jumped onto the car that carried the heir and his wife and shot them. The Archduke and his wife died instantly. The assassin w as said to be a student related with a Slav nationalist terror group famously known as block hand, which was fighting for freedom from the Austro-Hungarian Empire for the Slavic minorities. From the start, the Austrians alleged that Serbia, an independent and fundamentally pan-Slavic state bordering the Austro-Hungarian Empire was accountable for the assassination. This later was proven to be true because the Serbian chief of staff had assisted in planning the assassination3. Preliminary worldview believed that Serbia was accountable for the assassination, and the early world reaction denounced the act. This factor gave Austria a valid reason for payback. However, the Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy operated on a slow pace. This is because Austria could not do anything without being certain of German support. After getting Germany promise to support them in any action they embarked against Serbia, they sent a list of degrading needs on July 23. Serbia obliged to most of the demands a nd promised to settle the rest through an international conference. Nevertheless, Austria-Hungary refused the offer and proclaimed war on Serbia on July 28, 1914. Austria-Hungary thought the war would result to a quick victory4. Outstanding among the war origination were the imperialist, terrorist and economic battles of great powers. For instance, Germany as an empire advocated to develop itself as the greatest power on the continent. The Germans were also determined to challenge Britain on the subject of superiority. Therefore, the conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia paved way for nations like Germany to show their power and might5. Thus, when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, other declarations followed suit. Nations controlled by other states started developing feelings of nationalism. Nations grouped together in rival military coalitions to fulfill their objectives. They fought to achieve colonies and land. In the end, a number of governments clouded international friendships by undertaking secret diplomacy. Many countries were involved in the war; however, countries joined the war in different periods. The war consisted of three sides where nations could join. One choice was â€Å"the central powers, which consisted of Germany and Austria-Hungary† who were later joined by Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire who initially were neutral before joining the central powers. The allies consisted of Ireland, Great Britain, France, Belgium, Russia, Montenegro and Serbia. Portugal, Italy, Greece and Romania later joined the allies. The â€Å"neutral nations consisted Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland, Albania and Spain†6. The western front Immediately after Austria-Hungary d

Transfer of HRM practices by MNCs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Transfer of HRM practices by MNCs - Essay Example As Multi National Companies (MNCs) come into the picture, the scenario gets a little different. MNCs typically misjudge the effect that disparities in Industrial relations methods, workplace settings, and defiance from local people to several HRM practices can all have on their workings and operations. In addition, Unions also time and again, weaken to establish effectual transnational strategies to provide their memberships and associations in other countries in an improved manner. A question therefore arises that whether the MNCs can effectively transfer their HRM practices abroad, particularly when the notions that lie beneath these practices do not coincide with the norms, values, and cultures of the host-countries. The U.S. MNCs into the Chinese market have been taken into account in this paper Under the HRM practices, it is also important that one administers their approach toward the assistance and recompense for the employees, employee accounts and programs. However it is also critical that they make sure that their staff has, and is informed about, the personnel policies that coincide with the existing code of practice. Drivers of Change The world is moving on the path of change, with two significant drivers, i.e. globalization and technological revolution. The two influences actually pose as the foundation for a new way of sharing out the workforce concerning countries and organizations that has come to light throughout the preceding few decades. Different attitudes and opinions about globalization, divide countries and corporations, and also their volume and capability to transform or update themselves with new technologies. Basically the search for new markets and the means for resources has been the driving force toward globalization. As competition gets highly international, and in fact in some businesses, completely global, new production processes and organizational practices are seen to have emerged. (Competitiveness in Developing Asia, pp.58, 2003) The method, by which production at a transnational level is embarked on at current time, varies a lot from the way it was done some years ago. The argument remains in the intricacy of the production procedure, accompanied by the pace and extent of the transnational movements of goods and information. A large variety of highly innovative products, these days, are manufactured by Multi National Corporations (MNCs) in significantly competitive markets. Although MNCs have been there for quite a while now, their existence is very much sensed at current time. The uniqueness of MNCs nowadays is that they have production plants positioned worldwide, with the concern that production consists of planning, management, and coordination of innumerable operations. This lets MNCs to cut up the sequence of their

Science and Technology in Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Science and Technology in Education - Essay Example The journal article has introduced very important points which could provide readers more understanding of the teaching process. One of the key points was about recognizing that teaching is individual and how important is to reflect and maintain reflection as a tool for doing so as proposed by Flick. The teacher who recognizes individual differences among his pupils has an edge over those who do not recognize the same. Recognition of these variations helps the teacher maximize learning. Different students with different abilities and personality types learn more with varying techniques. Students low in authoritarianism, low in tendency to dichotomize, low in the need for structure, and high in the ability to tolerate frustrations have been found to learn more when the Socratic questions and answer method is used while children of different reasoning skills learn more with the discovery and expository methods. The setting in which teaching and learning takes place has different effects on students with different aptitudes, personalities, and motivations. ... I believe that whatever strategy I will use should be based on my own assessments of my pupils. A general rule is to recognize the worth and dignity of the learners at all grade levels. The strengths of the journal article are its reliability, significance, credibility of authors. The aim of the study is clearly stated and conveys what the researcher is setting out to achieve. The aim of the pilot study is to explore the value of microteaching and technology in relation to teaching students science subjects or concepts in relation to their learning needs. To describe, the aim is very purposive and is geared towards further understanding of the needs of students and how the current teaching strategies affect these people. Research literature found on the research is composed of discussions of facts and principles to which the present study is related. The materials that were used were usually printed and found in books, encyclopedias, professional journals, magazines, newspapers, and other publications. The literature review should reflect the current state of knowledge relevant to the study and identify any gaps or conflicts. It should include key or classic studies on the topic as well as up to date literature. There should be a balance of primary and secondary sources. The surveyed materials were as recent as possible. This is important because of the rapid social, economic, scientific, and technological changes. Findings several years ago may be of little value today because of the fast changing life style of the people. Materials reviewed were objective and unbiased. Some materials are extremely or subtly one-sided, either political, or religious,

Changes in Prisons in Twentieth Century in Britain Essay Example for Free

Changes in Prisons in Twentieth Century in Britain Essay In 20th century a lot of important changes was made in Britain prison system. A lot of crucial moves in this matter were made, which made changes to the system, and create the current system in prisons. A lot of reports and changes plans were made in this crucial for the matter period. The beginning for this period was made in 1895 with Gladstone report, which was highly critical of the current penal policy. It criticised existing regimes for crushing self respect and starving all moral instinct. The report argued that reformation should coexist with deterrence and that rehabilitation should be given priority. Victorians focused upon repression and punishment. They used inflexible and punitive methods of control. Gladstone felt these should be replaced with more scientific methods of treatment. In addition, prison commissioners for the first time in 1898, defined the purpose of prison as the humanisation of the individual1. Sir Evelyn Ruggles-Brise insisted that each man convicted of crime is to be regarded as an individual, as a separate entity of morality, who by the application of influences, of discipline, labour, education, moral and religious, backed up on discharge by a well organised system of patronage is capable of reinstatement in civic life2. Weiner (1990) stated, It is now recognised that primitive measures alone are not corrective, and effective reformation of criminals can only be attained by making our prisons true schools and moral hospitals. Forsythe (1991) argues that new projects often fell short of the claims made for them. He says that in particular, the local and convict prisons clung tenaciously to the concepts of measured punishment, moral culpability, limited deterrence and uniformly administered discipline. It is a fact that the process of reform was often slow and not al all easy to perceive. From 1900 onwards a number of radical changes were made to the standard prison regime: 1) Unproductive labour was officially abandoned and replaced by prison industries and work considered useful, 2) The separate system was gradually eroded, allowing prisoners to work in association, 3) Education was increased and improved, 4) Internal discipline was maintained through a reward/punishment system related to the introduction of remission, 5) Specialists such as psychologists were appointed, 6) Prisoner categorisation was extended, 7) The Borstal system was introduced for juveniles, 8) A commitment to reformation became enshrined in the Prison Rule that stipulated that the purpose of imprisonment was to encourage prisoners to lead a good and useful life3, 9) During the 1930s the treadmill and arrows on convict uniforms were abolished. According to Garland (1985) the most radical reforms of this era took place outside of the prison system: 1) The introduction of the probation service, 2) Alternatives to custody emerged, 3) Construction of specialist institutions4. Garland views these major transformations as the beginnings of our current practice. Garland prefers to talk of developments in a whole realm of penality rather than prison reform5. Additionally, in 1908 Borstals6 were put on a statutory footing implemented by Herbert Gladstone. The name Borstal comes from the village in Kent where the first Borstal scheme got its first full-scale trial. Borstals took English public schools as their model and their sentences were indeterminate. Criminals aged between 16 21 could be sent to Borstal for between one and three years. The prison Commission could release on licence at any time after six months (or three months for girls) and could also recall for misbehaviour. Borstal faltered after 1945 really because success rates were measured by reconviction rates. 1982 the administration of Margaret Thatcher formally abolished the Borstal and replaced it with the Youth Custody Centre with determinate sentences of imprisonment. Paterson7 replaced military type training with delegated authority and encouragement of personal responsibility. Staffs wore civilian clothing and were encouraged to get to know the lads personally considered revolutionary in the 1920s. The Borstal notion of training prisoners through personal relations, trust and responsibility gradually had an impact on the prison system as a whole. Two borstal elements were transplanted into the adult system with long lasting effects: 1. 1936 the first minimum-security (open) prison was established at New Hall, near Wakefield. 2. The housemaster was renamed assistant governor. The post war developments where about the Easier bail, Probation, Time to pay fines, a reduction in time to be served for a partial payment of fines, Reformatories for juveniles, Curtailment of imprisonment for debt and, More facilities for the insane and for habitual drunkards. In 1928 the then Home Secretary had described Dartmoor convict prison as the cesspool of English humanity I suppose there must be some residuum which no training or help will ever improve8. Furthermore in 1948 Paterson and his colleagues framed Criminal justice Act. This was a highly influential piece of legislation. Borstal had represented the opposite view and resurrected the possibility of reformatory prison. Borstals and Detention Centres began to lose favour: neither for deterrence or reform was the short sentence acceptable. This is one of the elements in the English prison-crowding crisis which became acute in the 1970s and 1980s and with which the country is still wrestling. Deterrence Youth prisons known as Detention Centres were intended to subject boys (and half-heartedly, girls) who were thought to be on the verge of a custodial career to a last chance short, sharp, shock. Separate institutions for pre trial prisoners were planned but never created: these would be custodial but non-penal institutions. Due to the war, there were no funds and little sympathy for unconvinced detainees. McConville states that thick skins and short purses ever since have ensured that English pre trial prisoners were treated worse than they were for virtually all of Victorias reign and much worse than their fellows who were convicted and sentenced. The 1960s and early 1970s are seen as the beginning of the crisis years with British prisons. At last we can refer to System of Concentration. Mountbatten referred to the obvious advantages of an island prison holding all prisoners who posed a threat. A new prison was to be built on the Isle of Wight. This was rejected and the dispersal system became the preferred way of housing inmates. Since early 1966 new measurements of security have been implemented in selected prisons. Between 1969 and 1979 the prison service went through a number of riots. 70s and 80s dogged with accusations of brutality and violence directed at prisoners from the prison staff. Serious disturbances and riots had occurred in maximum-security prisons, which had led to reprisals against prisoners. British riots occurred within the new dispersal system: Parkhurst 1969, Albany 1971 1972, Gartree 1972, Hull 1976, and Gartree 1978. Hull riot will go down in history, as it was the prison staff who were ultimately tried and convicted. Special control units were introduced after the Gartree riot of 1972 for troublemakers over and above the existing segregation units. 1970s represent the years when reform and treatment had dwindled away and the whole prison system ran on the notion that nothing works. By 1978 both the courts and the prisons were in danger of serious collapse. Industrial relations were poor with prison staff. May Committee 1979 reported as a response to the previous troubled decade. They explored the issues of what the aim of imprisonment was; they agreed that the rhetoric of treatment and training had had its day. Finally, King and Morgan proposed the term humane containment: 1. Minimum use of custody 2. Minimum use of security 3. Normalisation. The current organisation of the prison system is heavily influenced by past practice. This has shaped the system that we now have today. So, it is difficult to assess progress of 20th Century. Harsh and punitive experience of prison overrides any idea of progressive treatment. Biggest rises can be seen from 1974 onwards. It is a fact that this matter is very important and serious for the society and has to be developed according to the needs of the society according to its progress at times. BIBLIOGRAPHY: 1. Goffman, E. (1961) Asylums, Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates. Harmondsworth 2. Jones, K. (1993) Asylums and After: A Revised History of the Mental Health Services from the Early Eighteenth Century to the 1990s. 3. Morris, N and Rothman, D.J (eds). (1995) The Oxford History of the Prison. Oxford University Press. 4. Porter, R. (2002) Madness: A Brief History. Oxford University Press. 1 Weiner, 1990. 2 Ruggles-Brise quoted in Garland 1985. 3 Prison Rule 6 in 1949 but Prison Rule 1 since 1964. 4 such as Borstal where principles of rehabilitation were initiated. 5 the prison was decentred, shifted from its position as the central and predominant sanction to become one institution among many in an extended grid of penal sanctions. Of course it continued to be of major importance, but it was now deployed in a different manner, for a narrower section of the criminal population and often as a back up sanction for other institutions, rather than a place of first resort. 6 The Borstal System. 7 Alexander Paterson. 8 Sir William Joynson-Hicks.

The Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases

The Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases Infectious diseases have always existed and have had a major impact on human development. It is widely believed that our immune systems and genetic makeup have evolved over many years under the selective pressure of potentially fatal diseases, such as malaria (Haldane 1948; Weatherall 1996). In addition, epidemics of infectious diseases have decimated entire communities, and have sometimes changed the course of history. Examples In Europe in the 14th Century, there were about 25 million deaths from bubonic plague out of a population of approximately 100 million. In 1520 the Aztecs lost about half of their population of 3.5 million from smallpox, introduced by the more immune invading Spaniards. This has been proposed as an important feature in the defeat of the Aztecs by the Spanish invaders. In 1919, after the First World War, the global epidemics of influenza killed an estimated 20 million people during one year more than died as a result of the war. During the 20th century, important advances in the prevention and control of many infectious diseases were achieved with the development of vaccines and antibiotic drugs. This has sometimes created the impression that infectious diseases are no longer a major threat to public health. However, this is far from being the case. The following is a quote from Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, the Director-General of the World Health Organization: Illness and death from infectious diseases can be, in most cases, avoided at an affordable cost. It is in everyones interest that these obstacles to development be removed. Because of drug resistance, increased travel and the emergence of new diseases, we may only have a limited time in which to make rapid progress. In the following, you will see some of the reasons why infectious diseases are still an important challenge to public health at the beginning of the 21st century. Mortality Infectious diseases are a leading cause of global mortality, causing more than 13 million deaths a year. They are still the main cause of death among children under 5 and the main single cause of premature death in persons under the age of 45. Morbidity Infectious diseases are also a major cause of global morbidity. They are responsible for a huge amount of disability and suffering in the world as measured in DALYs. DALY Disability Adjusted Life Years, a measure of disease burden. It includes years of life lost due to premature death, and years of healthy life lost due disability or illness. Recurring episodes of illness and long-term disability have a major economic impact on the developing countries most affected by infectious diseases. Role in chronic disease Infectious diseases are increasingly being implicated in the pathogenesis of many important diseases that were previously thought to have a non-infectious origin. Cervical cancer is now known to be associated with human papillomavirus infection. Cervical cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the most common cancer in women in many developing countries. In the past two decades, evidence has grown on the role of Helicobacter pylori infection in gastritis, duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, gastric cancer and gastric-mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Chronic infection with hepatitis B or C can cause primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is among the most common cancers in many parts of Africa and Asia. Potential for epidemic spread A specific feature of infectious diseases is their ability to be transmitted between individuals. This can result in the occurrence of large outbreaks. Between 1997-2000 there were more than 600 outbreaks of disease considered by the WHO to be of international importance. Outbreak The term used to describe a localised epidemic, e.g. in a village, town or city. The term large outbreak is increasingly being used instead of epidemic, as it is less emotive. With increasing urbanisation and international travel, the world is becoming a smaller place, and the routes for transmission of infection are increasing. Aeroplane journeys enable individuals to travel within the incubation period of most infectious diseases. This allows infections to spread to distant places within very short periods of time. An example of this is the annual global dispersal of meningococcal meningitis by pilgrims returning from the Haj Muslim religious festival (Saudi Arabia). Newly emerging diseases Over the past three decades, over 30 new infectious diseases and pathogens have been identified for the first time in humans. These include diseases with a very high case-fatality rate, such as new variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (nvCJD) and Ebola haemorrhagic fever. Some of these new infections are highly prevalent, for example Hepatitis C and rotavirus. Other infections, such as HIV, have rapidly spread around the world. New variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (nvCJD) A new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease was described in the United Kingdom in 1996. The agent is considered to be the same as that causing bovine spongiform encephalopathy, a disease that emerged in the 1980s and affected thousands of cattle in the United Kingdom and other, mainly European countries. Ebola The first outbreaks of Ebola haemorrhagic fever occurred in 1976 and the discovery of the virus was reported in 1977. Cases reported to WHO up to June 1997 indicated a case-fatality rate of over 70%. A major outbreak in Uganda in 2000 was thought to be associated with spread of the virus by soldiers moving across the country. Hepatitis C This virus was identified in 1989, and is now known to be the most common cause of post-transfusion hepatitis worldwide. So far, up to 3% of the world population are estimated to be infected, among whom 170 million are chronic carriers at risk of developing liver cirrhosis and/or liver cancer. Rotavirus First recognised in 1973, rotavirus is the most common cause of childhood diarrhoea worldwide. 20% of all diarrhoeal deaths and 5% of all deaths in under-5 year olds are due to rotavirus. HIV Although the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was recognised in 1981, the causal virus, HIV, was first isolated in 1983. It is estimated that, since the start of the epidemic, 30.6 million people worldwide have become HIV-infected and nearly 12 million have died from AIDS or AIDS-related diseases. Re-emerging diseases In addition to the emergence of new infectious diseases, many old diseases that had previously been under control are starting to appear in increased numbers or in previously unaffected populations. Resurgence of infectious diseases can occur because of any of the following reasons: changes in social or environmental conditions, failure to maintain immunisation programmes, increased drug resistance Drug resistance is currently an increasing problem for a number of diseases worldwide, and we are often in a race to develop new treatments faster than the pathogens can develop resistance. Example Since the mid-1980s there has been a major resurgence of diphtheria in several countries of Eastern Europe, which had previously been progressing towards elimination of the disease. In 1993, 15,211 diphtheria cases were reported in Russia and 2,987 cases in Ukraine. The main reason for the return of diphtheria in these countries was a decreased immunisation coverage due to an irregular supply of vaccines and large-scale population movements (Galazka et al 1995). Example Mortality and morbidity rates from tuberculosis (TB) in industrialised countries declined during most of the 20th century. However, from the mid-1980s onwards, many of these countries have seen an important increase in the incidence of TB. This is mainly due to a decline in TB control programmes, the increased incidence of multi-drug resistance TB and the effect of the HIV epidemic (Grange 1998). Potential for prevention and control The mechanisms involved in many infectious diseases are well understood, from the molecular aspects of the infectious agent to the demographic characteristics of host populations. This level of understanding has enabled potentially very effective prevention and control measures to be developed for some infectious diseases. With efficient intervention strategies and the advent of national public health agencies, elimination of specific infectious diseases has become feasible. In some cases, there has even been the possibility (or reality) of global eradication. Following the successful WHO programme for the global eradication of smallpox through vaccination, the last naturally acquired case of this disease occurred in October 1977 in Somalia. The countries of the Western Hemisphere have set a target for the elimination of measles by the end of the year 2005. Polio and guineaworm are now also on the verge of eradication, after intensive, globally co-ordinated programmes. Strategies to immunise millions of children on the same day have resulted in few countries now reporting cases due to wild poliovirus. Infectious disease epidemiology In epidemiology, we are interested in describing and explaining the distribution of diseases in populations. The distribution of an infectious disease depends on the transmission of the infectious agent within the host population. This is a dynamic process, which is influenced by characteristics of the specific infectious agent, characteristics of the host population and characteristics of the relationship between the infectious agent and the host.

Duty of Care and Contractual Agreements in Architecture

Duty of Care and Contractual Agreements in Architecture Section 1 Clearly explain what particular requirements must be in place for a Contract to exist between two parties? For a contract to exist between two parties there must be evidence of three key principles. An intention between all involved parties to form a legally binding relationship. A consideration (usually monetary) for the agreement. The offer and acceptance of the stated agreement. The intention of a legally binding relationship from each party must be formal; a moral obligation alone is insufficient. As such, articles such The Memorandum of Agreement outline the requirements of parties when intending to enter a contract. For a contract to exist the promise must be enforceable with a consideration. It is the party who provides this bargain who enforces the contract. Once a consideration is provided, all parties are drawn into privity of contract. The consideration is decided by the parties involved and the level of adequacy is irrelevant, it must be offered and accepted for the agreement to mature into a contract. As such, an offer without an acceptance is merely a pre-contractual agreement, not binding in law. In any case, for a contract to exist all terms of the offer must be accepted and a consideration provided. However, there is no requirement for a written document for most types of contract. An oral contract is legally binding providing there has been acceptance of an offer. From a legal stand-point, difficulty can be avoided if documentary evidence is provided of an agreement. The four corners rule allows a contract to be recorded and subsequently is easier to enforce in law. Explain what is meant by the term Duty of Care and what are the implications upon the architect? A duty of care is a legal obligation in tort law imposed on the Architect requiring they exercise a standard of reasonable care and diligence whilst carrying out professional work that could foreseeably harm others. Any failure in an Architects duty of care can result in an action in negligence where they become liable in tort law. Furthermore, a duty of care is also applicable in agency outside of any contractual arrangement. It is not required that a duty of care be defined by law, however, it often develops through the jurisprudence of common law. In this respect, a duty of care can be interpreted as a formalisation of the social contract and implicit responsibilities of the individual towards others in society. It is an ARB requirement that Architects adhere to the established standards of the profession and exercise due skill, care and diligence,whilst carrying out professional work within agreed time-frames and without unnecessary delay. For a duty of care to be breached, the following must be true: Harm must be reasonably foreseeable of the defendants conduct. A relationship of proximity between the defendant and the claimant. It must be fair, just and reasonableto impose liability. Explain the term Joint and Several Liability and how does it impact upon particular forms of architectural Practice? Under Joint and Several Liability, a client may pursue an obligation against any single party as if they were jointly liable. The responsibility then passes to the defendants who must establish their respective percentages of liability and monetary payment. Therefore, if a claimant pursues a single defendant and receives all the damages, that defendant must then pursue the other libelous parties to obtain contributions proportionate to their share of liability. Joint and Several liability is most relevant in tort claims and most often invoked in cases of negligence. Architects seek to establish a clear and properly defined agreement with specific reference to the understanding and expectations of the client. These agreements provide an assured basis on which the commission can be undertaken. Furthermore, the chosen form of appointment will determine the limit of the Architects liability and accountability. Architects also seek to limit their risk and liability through their chosen form of architectural practice. For Example, Limited Liability Partnerships and Companies cannot be jointly or several liable with its members liability determined by their stakehold in the partnership or shareholding in the company. Explain what is meant by the term Lean Construction. Lean construction is a method of designing production systems to minimize the time, effort and material waste of a project to generate the maximum amount of value. The process itself is derived from the lean production system within the manufacturing industry. It is fundamental that the production system is designed through a collaboration of project participants (Client, Architect, Engineer, Contractor, Building Owner) at the earliest stages of the project. It is based on the premise that desired ends affect the means to achieve these ends, and that available means will affect realized ends. The principles of Lean Construction are as follows: Allow value to flow by systematically removing obstacles to value creation and dispensable processes that create no value. Optimisation of the system through collaboration and systematic learning. Priority on delivering the Client/End-user/Building Owners expected value. Creating Pull Production. The pursuit of perfection/continual improvement, involving everyone in the system. Lean construction supplements traditional construction management by considering material and information flow, focusing on the enhancement of the production systems value generation. Therefore, a project using the Lean Construction method should: Deliver maximum functionality. Benefit end-users with the lowest optimum cost of ownership. Eliminate the inefficiency and waste in the use of labour and materials. Involve specialist suppliers in design from the beginning to achieve integration and buildability. Establish performance and improvement achievements by measurement. Use a single point of contact for effective co-ordination and clear responsibility. Explain and define what is meant by a Letter of Intent. What are the circumstances under which it may be issued, what may be its objectives and what are the principal matters that it should contain? A Letter of Intent is a document that outlines an agreement between two or more parties before the agreement is finalised. They resemble written contracts but are not legally binding for the parties involved. However, letters of intent can contain provisions that are legal binding such as a covenant to negotiate in good faith, non-disclosure agreements and stand-still provisions that promise exclusive negotiation rights. It can also be interpreted as binding if it resembles a formal contract too closely. Therefore, the letter of intent is enforceable by the courts both in terms of the remuneration and the act. However, the letter of intent is not a contract; instead it is a unilateral agreement in which one party confirms an intention to enter a contract with another party. Most importantly, it must contain an instruction to act and confirmation of a consideration as payment. Letters of intent are usually issued to: Clarify the nature of complex transactions for the convenience of the parties involved. Provide safeguards in case of collapsed negotiations. Officially declare interest or intent. Allow work to continue quickly based on trust. Architects mainly use letters of intent for the purpose of negotiation. For example, following the first stage of tender, a letter of intent maybe issued to inform a contractor of their approval based on their proposal. The contractor can then contribute to the design before the second stage of tendering by providing detailed pricings and an overall building cost. Once the second stage of tendering is complete, a formal contract can be established between the parties. What are the principal factors that determine the choice of a particular contract form? To determine the most appropriate contract form, the Architect and client must first consider the priorities of the project in terms of time, cost and quality. These three factors are linked through a trade-off paradigm: Time results in increased cost and decreased quality. Cost results in increased time and decreased quality. Quality results in increased cost and increased time. They are all related and inter-dependant. If time is the priority, then the procurement method must allow sufficient time to consider all of the design issues properly at the pre-contract stage. The client is afforded predictability and additional time can be saved by allowing the contractor to resource their own materials, effective management, real-time planning and overlapping detailed design phases with actual construction. If cost is the priority, then a financial limit must be established that a contract sum cannot exceed. Certainty of cost is dependant upon comprehensive design, drawings and specification that accurately assesses cost at the tender stage. If quality is the priority, the issue and degree of quality in the finished building must be clearly defined and established from the outset through a specification. Also, the measure of quality must also be defined. The choice of contract type is also directly related to the chosen type of procurement. Each type of procurement type uses standard contract forms that are known and accepted by the industry. Most architects choose to use these standard forms as they are comprehensive, address common construction situations and take account of current legal decisions. Factors such as the complexity, size and overall value of the project may also inform the procurement route or contract type. In all situations the Architect as the lead consultant has the duty to advise the client of the long-term implications of their decisions. Section 2 The Design and Build process of procurement has been endorsed by the Public Sector as the preferred procurement option, on the basis that it is claimed that it offers certainty of contract sum and brings certain cost benefits. Consider and discuss the merits or otherwise of this approach in comparison with the Traditional method of procurement with particular reference to the role of the architect. (70 marks). Design and Build is a procurement method for project delivery whereby an individual contractor is contractually responsible for both the design and construction of a project. In recent years, the public-sector has moved towards Design and Build as the chosen procurement path as opposed to the traditional, three-party arrangement where design and construction are separately contracted. The public-sectors interest in Design and Build can be attributed to several potential benefits that are not always obtainable through alternative procurement methods. The following points outline the advantages. The Design and Build procurement route provides a single source of responsibility as the contractor is singularly responsible for any defect in both the construction and design of the project. This is of particular benefit to the building owner or client, who does not have to define whether such defects are brought about by a deficiency in design or construction. Instead, the contractor is jointly and severly liable for the complete works. In a traditional contract, it is the client who must first determine the nature and cause of a problem, before deciding whether it is the designer or contractor who is at fault. Design and Build is also a popular route for the public-sector client as the contractor is obliged to bear any additional cost that results from inadequate or defective plans provided by the design team. In a traditional contract, the client warrants the sufficiency of the plans and as such is liable for any increased cost because of inadequate design. In the Design and Build contract, it is the contractor who is responsible for the projects design as well as the construction. They are hired to meet the clients specific performance specifications rather than merely construct the building as in the traditional contract procurement. Hence, if the plans are inadequately drafted or designed, the contractor is unable to seek compensation from the client. It is widely recognised that Design and Build contracts enable a project to be completed within a shorter time-period than the traditional three-party arrangement. The interface between the designer and contractor, often adversarial in the traditional method, can become more open and hence foster a more co-operative arrangement and exchange of ideas that can make the project a faster process. Time savings are also made by fast-tracking construction of known elements before the specifications and drawings of unknown elements are complete. The phased-nature of the design essentially allows work to commence on site whilst the later phases of the project are still being designed. The same time-savings are unable to be made within a traditional contract as the contractor does not usually even submit a tender, let alone start work on-site, before the design and drawings of the Architect are finalised. The responsibility for meeting local controls such as planning, bylaws and legislation is placed with the contractor, which usually results in increased efficiency. The phased nature of the Design and Build method also allows the contractor to have increased control of the project and can result in lower costs for the client. The specific control of detailed design enables the contractor to use familiar construction methods and materials which increase the efficiency of the build process. By staggering the construction process, the contractor is able to order materials for upcoming phases, ahead of time and at a lower cost. The savings made on labour, materials and time are all passed on to the benefit of the client. It is considered that the Design and Build method reduces the requirement for independent professional representation. Public sector clients often prefer to limit the number of points of contact to restrict the amount of time, effort and in-house staff it requires to undertake a project. Often it will use Design and Build in conjunction with privatisation, whereby it contracts an independent party to undertake responsibilities previously held by the Government, such as land acquisition, project finance, design, construction, operation and ownership. This method, in its most complete form is represented by the turnkey and package deal options, whereby the client is uninvolved for the majority of the project and presented with the completed building. However, it is desirable to have an independent third party (usually an Architect) for the purpose of quality control. Without a third party, the contractor, who is hired to complete the project promptly and economically, also has the task of assessing the quality and quantity of its own work. Hence, the contractor has a potential conflict of interest and is likely to reduce quality in order to satisfy the clients other requirements. With the presence of a third-party, the client/owners interests are represented during the design and construction. Clients choose Design and Build contracts as usually a fixed price and contract sum can be negotiated. The client specifies the maximum price it is willing to pay for the project before it solicits a proposal from the Design and Build contractor for its specifications, configuration and materials. However, difficulty can arise when there is an increase in the cost of work and construction. The contractor can sometimes abuse the situation by recouping costs in other areas of the project and without a third party, the client finds it far more difficult to detect and control such situations than in a traditional contact form. Therefore, most Design and Build contracts are lump-sum and fixed price, but payments are completed on a cost-plus basis to facilitate potential increases in cost. Also, payments tend to be dependant on the achievement of project milestones. This allows the contractors progress to be measured and assessed by the client, allowing easier negotiation in terms of compe nsation where costs have significantly increased under a fixed-price contract. However, the Design and Build route is not without potential problems. Many architects, clients, building owners and contractors have varying opinions about the successes of this procurement type. The following points are amongst the potential disadvantages to using Design and Build in the public-sector. If a public-sector client chooses the Design and Build procurement path it is difficult to actively compare preliminary proposals from multiple contractors. The contractor is only responsible for satisfying the clients performance specification; therefore the designs may be wide-ranging in aesthetic and prioritise different issues depending on the contractors individual stand-point. As in the turnkey approach, the client or eventual building owner has little input into the design and final appearance of the building and as such, may be unsatisfied with the result. Also, as the contract is entered into by negotiation rather than competitive tendering, the client may not always achieve the lowest cost for the building. Therefore, unlike the traditional route, if a client wants to attract multiple preliminary proposals, they must provide an individual consideration for each contractor that submits a design package. This is a cost often overlooked in debating the value of Traditional vs. Design and Build procurement, as these fees are separated from the contract sum in the case of Design and Build. Another problem with tendering a Design and Build contract is the potential for the building to become a competition in under-design. Contractors will seek to meet the clients outline requirements whilst sacrificing quality, life-span, ease of maintenance, and value in a bid to offer the minimum price. In placing responsibility for both the design and construction in the contractors hands, the client forfeits control. Therefore the client has little input in assessing sub-standard work, claiming for variations, debating extensions of time or even using a termination clause due to excessive delay. To combat against this, it is again advisable to use a third-party design professional who can check the value and realism of the tendered bid. However, the monetary and time savings inherent to Design and Build contracts then become nominal as the time-period and expertise needed by the third-party to check the work of the contractor is both expensive and time-consuming. Such a third party can be appointed independently by the client, or be appointed through consultant switch or novation if they are the original designer/design team. Also, contractors seek to recoup the outlay of unsuccessful tenders with their successful tenders; therefore, the client will always pay a small premium for the work of their chosen contractor. Another disadvantage to the Design and Build arrangement is the difficulty of obtaining long-term contractual protection in terms of the suitability of the work. Many contractors use contracts where such insurance is prohibitively expensive and resultantly, commercially unviable for the client. Therefore, it is the clients responsibility to be aware of the extent of coverage of the contractors liability insurance. In the event of a defect in the design or construction of the project, the client may be unable to recuperate anything if the contractors insurance coverage or assets are insufficient to pay compensation, regardless of whether liability can be determined. Public sector clients often choose the Design and Build procurement route as the available financial resources of a contractor are normally greater than that of the professional individual or architectural practice, in the event of a post-completion failure. A potential problem with liability can arise when the Design and Build contractor hires an Architect as a sub-consultant. Most contractors professional indemnity insurance does not cover damages caused by defective design or specifications prepared by the Architect. Conversely, the Architects professional indemnity insurance does not cover damages caused by defective labour, materials or operations during the contractors construction process. Therefore, the contractor offers a warranty for an agreed (but usually limited) time-period based on the notion of negligence. However, the commercial and financial pressures of the Design and Build contract compel the contractor to essentially under-design the building as far as possible making failures within the building an increased likelihood. As a result, there is often a need for litigation to define whether the economy of the project surpasses the expected level of professional responsibility at the time of design and construction. Therefore in order to protect their building, the client should seek to obtain a warranty that guarantees the completed building is suitable for its intended purpose, regardless of defects incurred by the contractor. In the public sector, Design and Build contracts are usually awarded on subjective criteria such as value, experience and qualification. The public sector in particular has developed contractor evaluation and selection policies that try to mitigate against the risk of such subjective judgments. In many cases this is achieved by awarding contracts based on a point-scoring system with the highest scorer being appointed. However, this discretional points system implemented by public managers offers little objectivity in determining the adequate point allocation for individual elements of the proposed scheme. For instance, there is hardly any way to decide whether one contractors foundation system warrants 20 points or a different contractors warrants 22, it is completely subjective. Also the criteria used for marking generally do not relate to the specific building type, therefore analysing a contractors qualifications and experience presents a measure of competence but does not guarant ee a successful project outcome. There is also difficulty in reasonably comparing alternative design proposals in an effort to determine which represents the best value. For example, some contractors may offer higher quality plumbing whilst others offer better electrical systems. Therefore it is impossible to draw reasonable conclusions from dissimilar bids in terms of which proposal offers best value. Often, value can only be determined after the building has been completed. In conclusion, public owners look for procurement systems that meet the needs of the public whilst mitigating against legal problems and reducing administrative burden. The public-sector has favoured the Design and Build approach as the client can guarantee a total fixed project cost early in the process and the building can be constructed in a shorter time-period with more efficiency than other procurement systems. The contract type also allows an exploration of new solutions through an open dialogue between architect and contractor, in which the public benefit from the innovation and lower costs. As a result, the public-sectors involvement with Design and Build has increased over recent years. Fundamentally, the public requires its construction projects to be durable, environmental, functional and most importantly, fit for purpose. At the same time, it expects the government funded projects to represent good value and be economic in nature. Therefore, the public itself has little involvement or interest in which procurement system is utilised, however, they expect each project to fulfill its stated requirements within its allocated budget. It is the view of the public-sector, that Design and Build is the system best equipped to meet the publics expectations and provide the most transparent value for projects that are ultimately funded by the tax-payer. Bibliography Lupton S. Architects Job Book. (RIBA Enterprises 7th ed.) Chappell D Wills A. The Architect in Practice. (Blackwell Publishing 10th ed.) ARB. Architects Code: Standards of Conduct and Practice. (November 2002) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_and_Build http://www.lao.ca.gov/2005/design_build/design_build_020305.htm

Free Great Gatsby Essays: Reflection of an Era :: Great Gatsby Essays

The Great Gatsby - Reflection of an Era During the 1920's America was a country of great ambition, despair and disappointment. The novel The Great Gatsby is a reflection of this decade, it illustrates the burning passion one man has toward his "American Dream" and the different aspects of the dream. Fitzgerald's work is a reflection of America during his lifetime. The Great Gatsby shows the ambition of one man's reach for his "American Dream," the disappointment of losing this dream and the despair of his loss. In the 1920's the spirit and ambition of the American people soared.   Unlike their European counterparts who were trapped in the social class to which they were born, the American people knew that if they worked hard then they could rise to a higher social class. The flappers and the women's liberation movement were just two examples of how Americans expressed their newly discovered social freedom.   It seemed that nothing was impossible to achieve. James Gatz, shared the spirit and ambition on the American people and fought long and hard to earn his place in the world. He had dreamed of transforming himself from the poor, young man that he was into the wealthy celebrity that he would soon become. Gatsby, as a child, had a daily schedule that he followed. He knew from childhood that he had to work for his fame. "Jimmy was bound to get ahead. He always had some resolves like this or something" (175). Gatsby's ambition lay not only in his future, but as he grew older it would be found in his love. He had an obsession with Daisy Buchanan and tried everything in his power to bring things back to they way they used to be when they first met. He thought he could relive the past. He threw lavish parties to get her attention. He did everything in his power to be near her. " ‘Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay' " (79) He earned his wealth so that they could finally be together. Like Gatsby, the American people of the 1920's followed their hearts, and their ambition. Through World War One, American men fought to save their country and woman fought to win the right to vote. Even in fashion women were liberated, as the hemline on an average skirt was raised.

Hamlet :: essays research papers

There are many interpretations to why Hamlet was hesitant in fulfilling his duty to avenge his father’s death. “We find it hard, with Shakespeare’s help, to understand Hamlet: even Shakespeare, perhaps, found it hard to understand him: Hamlet himself finds it impossible to understand himself. Better able than other men to read the hearts and motives of others, he is yet quite unable to read his own.';1 “What hinders Hamlet in his revenge is for him himself a problem and therefore it must remain a problem for us all.';2 Each observer of Hamlet forms their own opinions as what was they believe to be the Hamlet problem. The theory containing the most supportive facts leads to Hamlet being a procrastinator.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, is a tragedy. A tragedy is a drama characterized by the downfall of the main character, usually a noble person, due to a fatal personality flaw. In Hamlet, Young Prince Hamlet is this such noble man, his fatal flaw being procrastination.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One may ask why did it take Hamlet so long to kill his incestuous uncle, whom he regarded with the utmost repugnance. This has become a very controversial issue. Many critics and readers have different opinions as to why they believe Hamlet delayed the slaying of Claudius. Some believe it is due to Hamlet’s insanity. Others say he was in love with his mother, or that he secretly had sensual 2 feelings toward his uncle. Some think Hamlet was just simply a coward, and the list goes on. But the most probable reason for Hamlet’s hesitancy is that he was merely a procrastinator. There are many supportive facts to prove this point throughout the play.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A perfect example of procrastination is when one has a job to do which this person despises. For example, cleaning a filthy room. In this case, a procrastinator will find any possible excuse to get out of doing his/her task. Such as: calling an old friend who one may have lost touch with, grabbing a quick bite to eat and somehow it turns into a three hour ordeal, taking one last flip through the channels and it just so happens that one finds his/her favorite movie just started, and so on. So of course these five, maybe ten minute minor setbacks turn into hours. These long delays enable one to even forget the task at hand. And the next thing that winds up happening is this person will put the room off for another day or two. Hamlet :: essays research papers There are many interpretations to why Hamlet was hesitant in fulfilling his duty to avenge his father’s death. “We find it hard, with Shakespeare’s help, to understand Hamlet: even Shakespeare, perhaps, found it hard to understand him: Hamlet himself finds it impossible to understand himself. Better able than other men to read the hearts and motives of others, he is yet quite unable to read his own.';1 “What hinders Hamlet in his revenge is for him himself a problem and therefore it must remain a problem for us all.';2 Each observer of Hamlet forms their own opinions as what was they believe to be the Hamlet problem. The theory containing the most supportive facts leads to Hamlet being a procrastinator.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, is a tragedy. A tragedy is a drama characterized by the downfall of the main character, usually a noble person, due to a fatal personality flaw. In Hamlet, Young Prince Hamlet is this such noble man, his fatal flaw being procrastination.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One may ask why did it take Hamlet so long to kill his incestuous uncle, whom he regarded with the utmost repugnance. This has become a very controversial issue. Many critics and readers have different opinions as to why they believe Hamlet delayed the slaying of Claudius. Some believe it is due to Hamlet’s insanity. Others say he was in love with his mother, or that he secretly had sensual 2 feelings toward his uncle. Some think Hamlet was just simply a coward, and the list goes on. But the most probable reason for Hamlet’s hesitancy is that he was merely a procrastinator. There are many supportive facts to prove this point throughout the play.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A perfect example of procrastination is when one has a job to do which this person despises. For example, cleaning a filthy room. In this case, a procrastinator will find any possible excuse to get out of doing his/her task. Such as: calling an old friend who one may have lost touch with, grabbing a quick bite to eat and somehow it turns into a three hour ordeal, taking one last flip through the channels and it just so happens that one finds his/her favorite movie just started, and so on. So of course these five, maybe ten minute minor setbacks turn into hours. These long delays enable one to even forget the task at hand. And the next thing that winds up happening is this person will put the room off for another day or two.