Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 178

Essay Example Media practices engross a course of communication between people, and such communicative processes shape societal behavior. This is evident in the materialistic role that cinema, as a form of technology, plays in the society. Larkin cites Nigeria as a country in which cinema creates a fantasy space that comprise the entire sensory experience of urban living and modernity (Larkin, 2002). Technological determinism changes the traditional structures of sociability. Michael Warner asserts that the cultural structure of a medium is a set of political conditions of discourse, such as practices and structured labor referred to as technology (Warner, 1990). News making in the digital era is guide by clicks and spins, as explained by Dominic Boyer (2013). The author explains the communicative process in the digital process from a perspective that sees the process as an unconscious way of reading the mood of the society, who is the object. Similarly, Amanda Weidman confirms that the association of class structures and technological media shape notions of power and realism by dictating which information circulates across the public (Weidman, 2010). Mediating technology and mediated content, which are the subject and object respectively, determine people’s listening practices and psychological

Peer Review of Strategic and Implementation Plans Essay Example for Free

Peer Review of Strategic and Implementation Plans Essay Team members provided feedback on the individual draft papers posted. The assignment was to provide a strategic plan for our chosen organization. The plan needed to include implementation for objectives, functional tactics, action items, milestones and deadlines, tasks and task ownership, and resource allocations. Organizational and management changes, financial forecasts, and risks with contingency plans also needed to be addressed. One of the draft papers contained excellent breakdowns on the financials for a startup company along with specifics on which participating individuals would be responsible for key action items. The budget and sales forecast were realistic for what would be expected with a new business. The identified risk of low participation volume from clients was identified, but there was no contingency plan for this in terms of additional marketing. Another team member’s paper was clear in how customer needs could impact the success of the strategic plan. Internal and external factors addressed employee relations and shareholder expectations. The approach the company needs to take with delivering service to customers is identified as factor that needs to change as the plan is implemented. A SWOT analysis would be conducted and contingency plans made on an as-needed basis. The company may want to develop several contingency plans for common issues within its industry to be prepared for these scenarios. The third draft reviewed focused on short and long-term objectives and the use of a balanced scorecard approach to evaluating and monitoring the plan’s implementation. The critical components for objectives, functional tactics,  action items, and resource allocation were identified. Major changes to the organizational structure and management positions were key factors to the company’s plan. Conclusion Although all team members did not post drafts or offer feedback those that did provided details pertinent to the assignment. Team members identified the items outlined in the assignment and appear to have strong knowledge of what a strategic plan needs to address to be successful in meeting goals.

Eliminating Cancer with the Mind :: Biology Essays Research Papers

Eliminating Cancer with the Mind Over 1 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer each year and over 1,500 lives will be lost to cancer today (1). Many people undergo grueling hours of chemotherapy and radiation to discover that their cancer has spread to other parts of their body and that the treatments need to begin all over again. Unfortunately, there is no cure for cancer at the present time. Modern medical treatments attack the cancer and treat the organs affected by the disease, but pay little attention to the other areas of significance in the person's life. This calls for a new treatment that extends beyond the organs overcome by the disease and focuses on the person as a whole. Guided therapy, relying on the idea that the mind can affect the functions of the body and thus make people feel better, claims to do just that. But does it really work? Throughout history, the power of the imagination has helped people heal. In Eastern Medicine, envisioning one's well being has always been a large part of the healing process. In Tibetan medicine for example, physicians believe that creating a mental image of the healing god improves one's chances for recovery (2). The ancient Greeks, including Aristotle and Hippocrates, also had their patients use forms of imagery to help them heal. People continue to rely on imagery to hasten the healing process. Psychologists and neuroscientists use evidence from Positive Emission Tomography (PET) scans of the brain to demonstrate that guided imagery is effective. In a PET scan, the subject is injected with a small amount of radioactively labeled water. When an area of the brain is working hard and processing information, more blood flows through it and higher levels of the radioactive water are detected (3). In terms of brain activity, there is ample scientific evidence that imagining an experience stimulates the visual cortex, the same region of the brain activated by the actual experience (4). Stimulating the brain with imagery can have a direct effect on the nervous and endocrine systems, which ultimately affect the immune system. Thus, in terms of brain activity, picturing something and actually experiencing it are equivalent. Psychologists believe that relaxation, an essential part of guided imagery, is responsible for producing images and triggering the unconscious, which generates emotions (5). Research has shown that the physiological impact of relaxation is due to its inhibition of cortisol, a hormone released by the body in response to stress.

Basic Military Training

Basic Military Training (BMT) is a rite of passage that every 18-year-old male Singaporean must complete. BMT is in fact an organization, within the Ministry of Defence, where young males are required to participate in rigorous exercise routines and armed combat training at Pulau Tekong, an offshore Singapore island. This compulsory training consists of basic soldiering skills, including weapon handling, individual field craft, and bayonet fighting. This military training helps to prepare these young men for battlefield survival, should the need arise.The organization has its own rules and regulations, culture, and principles. As such, we have shared our experience at BMT, and compare some aspects of it to Henri Fayol’s Classical Approach. New recruits are bombarded with information, directives, orders, and instructions from senior ranking officers. For example, we are told â€Å"Lights off at 10pm! † and â€Å"Everywhere you go, you are to get my permission. † A lso, if any of us want to voice a grievance, we must approach our superiors. They are authorized to decide if anything can or should be done to resolve the matter.These superiors are specialists (sergeants) who are directly in charge of new recruits, and the CO(Commanding officers) generally are not involved in these matters. BMT entails a wide variety of tasks and comprehensive military training, Therefore, the recruits face danger, but with every attempt to avoid life-threatening scenarios. Being in BMT is similar to being in a highly sensitive organization. Recruits are not allowed to divulge any army secrets outside the organization, and they must be wary of any statements they make in public.All recruits must take an oath of allegiance and pledge their loyalty and honesty to Singapore. In accordance with Fayol’s principle of â€Å"subordination of individual interest to general interest†, there is no room for the word â€Å"I† in BMT. Accordingly, every rec ruit works together with the team or company that he is assigned to. If an individual recruit makes a mistake or fails to follow an order, the whole company will be punished. For example, during my second week of BMT, all recruits were to report for physical training at 6 a. m.All reported except for one of my bunkmates, who overslept and was late. As a result, not only was he punished, but all the others from that platoon were punished as well. In BMT, recruits do not focus on their individual wants and needs, but instead they work as a team toward the betterment of their organisation. Hence, based on these illustrations, we can clearly state that communication within BMT is indeed task-oriented. In a high-security government organization like this, a formal style of communication is appropriate and required.Ranks differentiate superiors from subordinates, and usually the higher the rank, the more respect and power you command. For instance, ranks of ‘Cpt’ (Captain), à ¢â‚¬ËœLt’ (Lieutenant), and ‘Sgt’ (Sergeant) tend to increase the distance between individuals and hinders familiarity with each other. A recruit who approaches anyone of higher rank will probably feel some apprehension. All new BMT recruits are required to greet not only their company IC (in-charge), but also anyone else of higher rank. Required salutes and greetings include â€Å"Good morning Sir,† and all answers are to be proclaimed with â€Å"Yes Sir!† or â€Å"No Sir! † The word â€Å"Sir† conveys the respect that is required from fresh recruits toward their superiors. After two years in BMT, I came to realise that it is one’s rank, not one’s age, that determines the level and amount of respect that they receive. BMT’s formal approach becomes immediately apparent as new recruits enter the camp’s gate. Slippers, sandals, and t-shirts are forbidden, and shirts must be tucked into pants or jeans. Bermudas and shorts are banned as well. In short, all recruits are expected to wear proper attire.Hence professionalism, respect for superiors, and self-respect are the hallmarks and defining attributes of this bureaucratic and professional organisation. Fairness is another factor that contributes to BMT’s formal culture, and it affects the style of communication. In keeping with Fayol’s â€Å"principle of organisational reward,† all recruits, whether they be a minister’s son or a national sportsman, are awarded identical pay and receive identical treatment. The army does not discriminate against any background.Everyone in this military organisation shares the same facilities and consumes the same food. In addition, monetary rewards are granted to recruits who have done well in their physical fitness test (IPPT Test). Therefore, these examples demonstrate â€Å"remuneration of personnel† and â€Å"equity† in the classical model. While completing tra ining at BMT, officers’ and superiors’ messages and announcements are usually issued in the form of letters and memos. These letters generally begin with the recruit’s rank or with the simple salutation of â€Å"Mr.† and are issued to the recruit’s home address. Less formal notes or a thank you on a â€Å"post-it† are unlikely. Friends of the same rank are virtually helpless to aid peers during their stint at BMT. Hence, all recruits must rely on their superiors. However, this does not mean that there is no horizontal flow of communication or â€Å"gangplank† in the army. Recruits routinely turn to one another for minor favours, consolation, and motivation. Thus, BMT recruits indeed get to mingle around and talk to fellow trainees.In addition to the usual letters, memos, and emails, face-to-face communication does exist in BMT. For instance, in the middle of my training stint at BMT, three of my platoon mates and others from various c ompanies were selected to meet the Captain for a face-to-face chat. During that meeting with our superior, we received some feedback on how we were coping with issues and situations in the Army. In closing, the army may seem like a very authoritative organization, but there are some exceptions that exclude them from being a total role model for the Classical Approach.

Changes to Stoke Bruerne between (1800 – 2001)

Stoke Bruerne was a small farming and market village. The main function of Stoke Bruerne changed because of transport. The Grand Junction canal got its act of parliament in 1793. (Canal side walk). The canal had a major impact on the village of Stoke Bruerne. The village of Stoke Bruerne developed around the canal. (Maps). Before the canal arrived, Stoke Bruerne was a very small-populated area with about 150 people living in, what was a very agricultural village. The first major canal was built between London and Birmingham, this runs through the village of Stoke Bruerne. (Visit). There was a major objection to this plan by the Rector, the two plans that were drawn up went straight through the middle of his garden cutting it in two. He lost his battle and the chosen plan went ahead. When the canal was built the canal company built the Rector a bridge so that he could walk from one side of his garden to the other. (Visit). When the canal was built many jobs were created and with it people to fill the vacancies. (Whittaker Minutes). Houses were built for the people who worked on the canal, this was the start of Stoke Bruerne becoming a busy area during the canal era. (Visit). The boats struggled to get across the canal and so pathways were made either side of the canal so horses could walk along pulling the boats behind them. The horses could not pull the barges through Blisworth Hill so ‘legers' would walk the barges through the tunnel, where the horses would again take over. The horses stayed in the tunnel stables when there were no barges to pull. While the legers were waiting to pull barges through, they would wait in the legers hut. This was a small shed in which they could keep warm and dry. (Visit). The barges also struggled up the hill of the canal, and so locks were put in. Evidence that the canal became more congested is that double locks were built in 1835, although only locks 14 and 15 affected Stoke Bruerne. (Canal Company Minutes) Many businesses were set up on the side of the canal this was because businessmen new it was a quick, easy and cheap way of transporting goods to many places like London using barges on the canal (Booklet). Many wharfs were set up so that goods could be loaded and unloaded. The goods being loaded on the barges would have been brought from local factories and people who made things that could be sold. The goods being unloaded from barges would have been taken to the local market and sold. (Visit/Booklet). A steam-powered Corn Mill was set up and this attracted many people to move to Stoke Bruerne because off the work on offer. Four Mill Cottages were built beside the mill so the workers could live there. So the canals arrival really gave the world of Stoke Bruerne a whole new way of life. In 1851 the double lock shut (Canal Company Minutes). Railways took over from canals as the main form of transport about 1851. The reasons why people started to use the railway more is because it was: * More direct and Quicker – the trains could travel a lot faster than the boats, which meant they could get to their destinations more efficiently. * Easy to extend – the trains were more direct, and a lot less hassle for companies that extend the track because unlike the canal no digging was required only a flat piece of land (Visit). * Transporting goods – Transporting heavy goods and pottery was easier and safer because it was less likely to break because the ride was smoother than the barges had been. The best thing with trains and transporting goods was food. Food could finally be transported over large areas. It could get there quickly and so it would stay fresh for markets and stalls the following day. Between 1874 – 1879 the Navigation Inn shut closed (Whittaker).The Corn Mill shut down at the start of the 1900's (Guide book). Work hours were cut in 1938 and so people had more leisure time. The railway had an impact on Stoke Bruerne because people could get there and go to various other places (Visit). One of the first motorways built was the M1.It is still very much used today by workers who commute to and from work. The roads in 1960 were not the same in quality as they are today. People did however prefer these to railways because their car was more convenient, they could leave there home when they wanted. Also people had more leisure time because they had paid holidays and worked fewer hours. So people looked for leisure pastimes. Tourism in Stoke Bruerne really started to flourish. Many of the old buildings were changed into businesses that would make money from tourism. The old corn Mill became a museum in 1963 and for many years previously a disused warehouse. The mill had its own docks, which has been made into the picnic area and car park (Canal side walk, booklet). The Boat Inn, a pub to go and have a drink in while visiting was a pub, a butcher, then a stable. It changed as the needs changed (Visit). The wharf office shop sells souvenirs, but was previously used to sign for documents, send letters. Etc. (visit) The mill cottages that were built for the workers to live in are now split in to two groups of two. Two are privately owned and two are rented out to tourists. The chapel tearooms used to be used as a dock to the toe path to bring coal to the steam engine to run the mill. The land cutaway known as the Blisworth tramway where the horses worked is being made in to a nature reserve by the British Waterway. As you can see Stoke Bruerne has changed dramatically in the last 250 years. Stoke Bruerne Sources. The best source I used was the visit because it gave a full picture of what Stoke Bruerne was like and the way it changed, for example: * The roofs on the buildings all had different styles e.g. slate, tile, etc. The visit also gave us a visual view, I picked up lots of little facts from our tour guide and the museum. Also the Whittaker Minutes and the Canal Side Walk were very useful for the certain information that I got for it although it was only 1 or 2 facts from each. The postcard disagreed with my visit because we saw quite dull boats, but the postcard showed bright boats, which we were also told, would not have been the case. Postcards are painted in the light of being sold and so make the village look a great place, this makes it bias. A historian could use the Whittaker Minutes and the Canal Side Walk to gain key information of what stoke Bruerne was like. These are documents from the time of the canal and so are likely to state the facts. This would be a reliable source as well as the land and its shape at Stoke Bruerne, for example you can see where the horses walked and so proves this did happen.

The eNotes Blog Familiarity BreedsUmmmModerate BookSales

Familiarity BreedsUmmmModerate BookSales Its no secret that breaking into the best-seller ranks, especially in hardback sales, is becoming increasingly difficult for new fiction authors. This week, Publishers Weekly reported on the top-selling hardcover authors in 2010. The big dogs dominated, and most have been successfully keeping others away from the kibble for several years. Airport kiosk favorite  James Patterson held six of the top spots on the list of thirty. Other familiar names crowded the field, including horror author Clive Cussler, mystery writer Janet Evanovich, and romance novelist Nora Roberts. Dominating not just hardback sales but trade paper, paperback, and e-books as well was Stieg Larsson, author of the The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest as well as the other novels in the Girl series. A few newcomers did manage to muscle into the top spots, among them Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War by Karl Marlantes, The Postmistress by Sarah Blake, The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman, and Major Pettigrews Last Stand by Helen Simonson. First-time novelist Kathyrn Stockett made the bestseller list with her novel, The Help, in 2009 and maintained her status in 2010. But for veterans and the lucky few newbies to make top sales alike, the news really isnt all that great. Sales are way down across the spectrum, and hardcovers   perhaps not surprisingly, given the economy and the popularity of e-readers, are seeing the lowest sales in years.   PW says that only 126 works of fictionclaimed sales of more than 100,000, only slightly fewer than the 130 in 2009, but 19% fewer than the 156 in 2008. In order to encourage sales in hardcover, many vendors offer steep discounts on bestsellers, often 25% to 30% off list prices, but of course, this cuts into the bottom line. When was the last time you bought a hardcover book? Did you pay full price?

Continuous Reform of the Middle East essays

Continuous Reform of the Middle East essays A lot of changes have happened to the Middle East since the United States of America made a self-declaration that it would commit to helping and bringing a new life to the said country. A new form of governance has been trying to establish, different business activities were gradually initiated, and several political and economic systems were planned and laid down. All these are still in the initial phase of change and reforming the Middle East. But what will happen when the US changed its present leadership? What will happen tight after the election that will commence in 2009? What are the next possible course actions concerning the Middle East? Continuous Reform of the Middle East It should be noted that during the past couple of years, majority of the citizens in the Middle East (from the Islamist-inspired urban poor to emancipated women concerned about personal status rights) have been so keen and involved about their country's political system. They are so involved that they are willing to do any, accept ideas or debate over anything that will reinforce the use of their own government system "as a tool for exploring political dynamics in the region" (Kipper, 2001). Many are thinking that Middle East is not ready for the proposed reform of the Bush administration and that the country is not welcoming the idea of having a civil society. However, the current situation of the country speaks clearly that it is indeed ready to have a civil society. In fact, the factors that were initially thought to be unfavorable for the development of civil society are now seen as the opportunities to create one. These factors are now perceived as the possible "forces for the development of civility, civisme, and the rights of citizenship" (Kipper, 2001). Combined with social developments once celebrated by the "modernization" school (e.g., rising literacy rates, and growing middle classes . . .), conditions are not altogether unfavora...