Wednesday, August 26, 2020

School Uniforms Are a Necessity

Perusing books is superior to TV! Perusing books is superior to TV! Perusing books is far superior to sitting in front of the TV! What number of you sit in front of the TV? Presumably every one of you do every single day. It is so natural to simply plunk down on a love seat and press 1 little catch and waste hours on sitting in front of the TV shows and motion pictures! Books are better for our Health our Electricity and Education. Great Morning/Good Afternoon Mrs Millward and 7AC today I am going to explain to you regarding why books are better and I mean way better then TV. Television can influence our Health in a manner which is plunking down a lot on the love seat and not doing physical exercises outside.A incredible arrangement is thought about youngsters and TV, on the grounds that there have been a great many investigations regarding the matter. Specialists have concentrated how TV influences children's rest, weight, evaluations, conduct, and that's just the beginning. When ut ilizing a book perusing is practicing your mind and learning words you didn’t think about yet when TV comes in everything you do is watch and that can without much of a stretch influence your eyes and afterward it can influence you conduct and your evaluations. When sitting in front of the TV for a considerable length of time and when your folks get a bill for the power half of the bill is brought about by staring at the TV obviously on the grounds that that is the principle problem.In my home we possibly turn on the TV in the event that we are watching the cricket of viewing the News or watching our game group play and that is all my family use it for. In any case, this isn’t consistently brought about by messes with it is caused from guardians that work in any event once per week and that happens when they have nothing to do. State on the off chance that you are doing a task for school and you have been working for quite a long time without getting anyplace. Lion's s hare of you would sit in front of the TV for some time, while watching you will at present be agonizing over the task and when you hit it up you will be stressed.And on that books are a phenomenal method to learn new jargon without you in any event, knowing, that’s right, while perusing books you automatic learn new words and the spellings. Envision you have this immense test the following morning and afterward you’re sitting in front of the TV and afterward you’re studding while in transit to class and afterward you get a FAIL!!! On your test. How awful would that be? In the event that it was me I would feel truly humiliated. So you have recently heard a few things that can influence your wellbeing and your folks bills and your own training that your folks are paying for however lso when our folks where alive they possibly got a TV when they were around 16 or 17 old enough. Also, look us and afterward think about your folks back previously. Also, they didn†™t have PC games either. So 7AC and Mrs Millward I think I persuaded you that books are vastly improved then Television. Thus when you get I need you not to go to the family room and turn on the TV I need you to Study on your Math test and get your Work done!!! Don’t Touch the TV Do Your Homework Don’t Touch the TV Do Your Homework

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Letters Home Essay

She had been circumventing everywhere and Frederick will undoubtedly be hauled in to the circumstance. I generally realized it would just ever end in catastrophe. Everybody was discussing her everything over Rome. She would be seen everywhere throughout the town with an alternate man on her arm inevitably. The Americans never had any regard for the way of life in Europe. Possibly over yonder she would not have stuck out, yet her activities in Rome were not worthy under any conditions. Frederick is so guileless. I could generally observe that he would wind up being harmed by this young lady, be that as it may, not exactly in the manner in which it turned out. Maybe her passing is generally advantageous. Ideally Frederick won't be so dumb next time he sees some normal young lady strolling the avenues. I’ll leave you now; my head is pounding once more. These headaches come increasingly more frequently right now. I can just stay here and trust it will pass. Yours earnestly, Mrs. Costello Character study: Mrs. Costello is Winterbourne’s auntie and albeit additionally not initially from Europe she has an extremely European demeanor to specific things. She will not blend in with individuals who are lower in the public eye than she is, for instance the Millers. She can maybe be viewed as somewhat vainglorious and she likewise appears to know all that goes on off camera. The letter is very casual as Mrs. Costello is keeping in touch with her sister. She utilizes short sentences and is basic. Rosalind Tamman 17 mourn de Groggos Vevey Dear Rosalind, Since Daisy’s passing, numerous things have changed in my life. I let her lead her life as she wished, never guiding her, and this is the outcome. I kept in touch with Mr. Mill operator educating regarding Daisy’s passing and he surged over to Rome right away. I was extremely satisfied to see him, as was Randolph. We have been to left to comfort each other since Daisy kicked the bucket, yet my son remained solid for me. Since daisy kicked the bucket, Randolph has been peaceful, saying close to nothing and reacting graciously to my guidelines undeniably. He was satisfied to see his dad, yet he is obviously disheartened without his sister around. He is so youthful to be dependent upon such hopelessness. Mr. Mill operator indicated little feeling when he came to Rome, yet we have now returned to Schenectady. Randolph and I would not have had the option to adapt on out own without our dearest Annie. It appears we had scarcely any companions in Europe, so we are happy to be back in Schenectady. I can just censure myself for Daisy’s demise. I ought to have held her back on occasion when she needed to go out. Mr. Winterbourne was a decent man. Perhaps I ought to have halted her seeing Mr. Giovanelli. My life feels so unfilled without Daisy. I would effectively bring her back. Randolph is growing up, however we will always be unable to supplant Daisy. We are for the most part missing her beyond all doubt, yet maybe we knew the end was unavoidable. She was continually circumventing everywhere. She will undoubtedly get the fever at some point. Maybe I ought to have accomplished something, said something, yet now it is very late. Yours, Mrs. Mill operator Character study: Mrs. Mill operator is mother of Randolph and Daisy. She is an apprehensive and sick lady and this can be found in the letter. Because of her absence of authority over Daisy’s activities, she is viewed as low class and a terrible mother. This letter is exceptionally close to home and enthusiastic after Daisy’s demise. It is cozy and casual, maybe indicating an absence of class in the language and casualness. Show see just The above review is unformatted content This understudy composed bit of work is one of numerous that can be found in our GCSE Arthur Miller segment.

Friday, August 21, 2020

Peyote Myths, Effects, Risks, and How to Get Help

Peyote Myths, Effects, Risks, and How to Get Help Addiction Drug Use Hallucinogens Print What to Know About Peyote Use By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on September 01, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 14, 2020 kedsirin jaidee / Getty Images More in Addiction Drug Use Hallucinogens Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Opioids Prescription Medications Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery In This Article Table of Contents Expand What Does Peyote Do? Common Side Effects Signs of Use Myths & Common Questions Tolerance & Withdrawal How to Get Help View All Back To Top Peyote (Lophophora williamsii or Lophophora diffusa) is a small, spineless cactus that is found in the southwest United States, northern Mexico and Peru. The plant has been used for about six thousand years by native tribes for religious and healing purposes. Peyotes principal active ingredient is mescaline, a psychedelic  compound that can also be man-made through chemical synthesis.?? The peyote buttons, protrusions found on the tops of the cactus plants, are usually dried and then chewed or soaked to be made into a liquid such as tea for consumption. They can also be ground into a powder and used in capsules or smoked with tobacco or cannabis.?? As a Schedule I substance, peyote is considered an illegal and addictive drug in the United States. However, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) Amendments of 1994 gives Native Americans the legal right to use peyote for their religious services.?? This exemption has been an ongoing and contentious issue for many years, although case law has determined that even members of the Native American Church who do not have Native American ancestry can legally use peyote in this context. Also Known As:  Peyote is also known as  buttons, cactus, mesc, peyoto, blue cap, broken, bad seed, britton, hikori, hikuli, half moon, hyatari, P, nubs, seni, and tops Drug Class: Peyote is classified as a hallucinogen. Common Side Effects: Peyote is known to cause nausea and vomiting, increased body temperature, hallucinations, altered perceptions of space and time, impaired motor coordination, euphoria, and anxiety.?? How to Recognize Peyote Peyote buttons (the “crown” or top of the peyote cactus) look like disc-shaped buttons. They can be fresh or dried and users can chew them or soak them in water to make an intoxicating liquid. Since peyote has a bitter taste, it is also ground into an off-white powder that is placed inside a capsule to be swallowed or sprinkled into a cigarette or marijuana joint to be smoked. What Does Peyote Do? Peyote is a hallucinogen, meaning it can cause profound distortions in a persons perceptions of reality (known as hallucinations), including seeing, hearing, and feeling things that seem real but are not. Hallucinogens are thought to affect neural circuits in the brain involving the neurotransmitter serotonin, which plays a role in mood, sensory perception, sleep, hunger, body temperature, sexual behavior, and muscle control.?? The effects of peyote, which can range from a deeply mystical transcendental state to a “bad trip” and dysphoric symptoms, depending on the potency and amount ingested, as well as the user’s expectations, mood, surroundings, and mental health history. Many describe the high as dream-like.?? The effects are often intensified when the drug is combined with substances like alcohol or stimulants, which can be potentially harmful to a persons mental health.?? As soon as 30 minutes after ingesting peyote, people can begin to experience its effects as well as physical discomfort (including nausea, sweating, and chills) that can last up to two hours before reaching a peak. The hallucinogenic effects typically peak around two hours after ingestion, and gradually decline over the next eight to 12 hours.?? Some users compare these peaks to LSD trips in that they profoundly alter perceptions of self and reality and can intensify emotions. The effects are also similar to other hallucinogens like psilocybin (the hallucinogen in magic mushrooms) and PCP.?? What the Experts Say According to a 2014 study on the prevalence of peyote use in Native Americans, there was a fairly large surge in the number of Native Americans who used peyote for roughly four years after the AIRFA passed.?? Researchers believe the increase in use was likely due to more people admitting to using peyote once it was legal. Since that time, the number leveled to just under 10%. Peyote use in the rest of the U.S. population is between 1% to 2%, although most data sources that quantify drug use exclude peyote, so it is hard to gauge the full scope of the use.   Though peyote can certainly cause negative effects such as those mentioned above, the research that has been done indicates that ingesting peyote doesnt appear to be life-threatening and most adverse effects go away in time.?? The mescaline in peyote, however, is known to be potentially harmful to developing fetuses, so if youre pregnant or think youre pregnant, you should not use peyote.?? Off-Label or Recently Approved Uses Peyote has been used by Native Americans for thousands of years in religious ceremonies and for the treatment of various physical ailments. The use of peyote is illegal in the United States and classified as a Schedule 1 controlled drug, although there remains an exception for members of the Native American Church who, when assisted by a a healer or roadman (similar to a priest or minister) use the drug to facilitate communication with the Great Spirit, also called the Creator. Peyote and other hallucinogens have also been studied as a possible treatment for a variety of mental health conditions including schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, and dementia, which are all associated with perceptual distortions.?? Common Side Effects The amount of mescaline needed to produce hallucinations is very smallâ€"usually 0.3 to 0.5 grams. The effects can last up to 12 hours, but this depends on your size, metabolism, and how much you ingest. The physical effects of peyote tend to be similar to those of LSD and include:?? Increased body temperatureIncreased heart rateUncoordinated movementsWeaknessProfound sweatingSevere nausea and vomitingIncreased blood pressureNumbnessAppetite lossFlushingDifficulty sleeping Mental effects that can occur include:?? HallucinationsAnxietyEuphoriaAltered sense of time (i.e., it passes slowly or quickly)Altered awarenessInability to focus or concentratePanicParanoiaA sense of relaxationAltered feelings and perceptions According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there isnt much known about the long-term effects of the majority of hallucinogens, including peyote.?? However, it is known that repeated or long-term use of hallucinogens can cause the following effects: Prolonged psychosis: Though this condition is rare, symptoms include visual disturbances and scattered thinking, as well as periods of paranoia or mood disturbances.??Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD): Rarelyâ€"about 4% of people who use hallucinogensâ€"will use of peyote and other hallucinogens such as LSD contribute to the development of HPPD, which is when you develop flashbacks of hallucinations and visual disturbances that dont go away and may even begin to interfere with your daily tasks of living.?? These symptoms can be mistaken for neurological disorders such as a stroke or a brain tumor. Though both persistent psychosis and HPPD are rare among people who use peyote, they can occur without warning and have been reported even after a single exposure to peyote. Generally, these symptoms occur in people with a history of psychiatric problems. Signs of Use According to the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, if a loved one is using peyote, there will be some telltale signs, including:?? Flushed skinLoss of appetiteDry mouthSleep problemsUncoordinated movementsExcessive sweatingPanicParanoiaSensory confusion (such as “seeing” sounds or “hearing” colors)Disordered thinking or detachment from reality When to Seek Help If you feel physically ill or mentally out of control, call 911 or ask a trusted friend (preferably someone who is not intoxicated) to go with you to the nearest emergency room. The ER staff is not looking to get you in trouble but to keep you safe and help you get the best treatment for your current state. Myths Common Questions Peyote is often considered a relatively safe drug due to its presence in nature and long history of use in religious ceremonies, but peyote use is not without its negative effects. There is also often confusion about peyotes legal status under the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, which ensured that native people can exercise their traditional  religious ceremonies, including those that incorporate peyote use. While legitimate religious use is permitted under the law, the recreational use of peyote is illegal in the United States. It is legal to grow peyote in Texas, however, so long as licensed peyote distributors are registered with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.?? Tolerance, Dependence, and Withdrawal Like other psychedelics, peyote is not necessarily addictive when used sparingly, and in some cases, can be used to treat addiction and substance abuse. However, peyote users are more susceptible to building a high tolerance, requiring the use of more and more peyote to achieve the same effects. Peyote tolerance can build quickly with regular use and in as few as three to six days.?? How Long Does Peyote Stay in Your System? Peyote can be detected in the human body for as few as two days and for up to three months.  The length of time that peyote stays in your system depends on individual factors, such as your  metabolism, body mass, age, hydration level, physical activity, and health conditions. Due to all of these factors, there isnt a definite period of time that peyote can remain in your body. However, there is an estimated range of times during which peyote can be found with certain tests, including:?? Urine: 2 to 3 daysBlood: Up to 24 hoursSaliva: 1 to 10 daysHair follicle: Up to 90 days Screening for peyote use isnt included in routine drug tests, so mescaline must be tested for specifically. Addiction Peyote does not appear to be addictive, but further research is needed to determine if addiction is possible. Some general signs of addiction you may want to watch out for: Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from the tripUsing peyote, despite any consequences or negative effectsTaking higher doses than necessary for a greater highTolerance, or needing more of the drug to get the effects experienced the first time Withdrawal While more research is needed to determine the specific withdrawal symptoms linked to peyote, the drug has been known to cause psychological symptoms of withdrawal, such as depression or dysphoria.?? How to Get Help If you or someone you love is showing signs of peyote misuse, or any other type of illicit substance, its important to know that help is available. While theres no specific treatment for peyote addiction, there are evidence-based addiction treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), support groups, life skills training, and relapse prevention that may be a good fit.

Peyote Myths, Effects, Risks, and How to Get Help

Peyote Myths, Effects, Risks, and How to Get Help Addiction Drug Use Hallucinogens Print What to Know About Peyote Use By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on September 01, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 14, 2020 kedsirin jaidee / Getty Images More in Addiction Drug Use Hallucinogens Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Opioids Prescription Medications Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery In This Article Table of Contents Expand What Does Peyote Do? Common Side Effects Signs of Use Myths & Common Questions Tolerance & Withdrawal How to Get Help View All Back To Top Peyote (Lophophora williamsii or Lophophora diffusa) is a small, spineless cactus that is found in the southwest United States, northern Mexico and Peru. The plant has been used for about six thousand years by native tribes for religious and healing purposes. Peyotes principal active ingredient is mescaline, a psychedelic  compound that can also be man-made through chemical synthesis.?? The peyote buttons, protrusions found on the tops of the cactus plants, are usually dried and then chewed or soaked to be made into a liquid such as tea for consumption. They can also be ground into a powder and used in capsules or smoked with tobacco or cannabis.?? As a Schedule I substance, peyote is considered an illegal and addictive drug in the United States. However, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) Amendments of 1994 gives Native Americans the legal right to use peyote for their religious services.?? This exemption has been an ongoing and contentious issue for many years, although case law has determined that even members of the Native American Church who do not have Native American ancestry can legally use peyote in this context. Also Known As:  Peyote is also known as  buttons, cactus, mesc, peyoto, blue cap, broken, bad seed, britton, hikori, hikuli, half moon, hyatari, P, nubs, seni, and tops Drug Class: Peyote is classified as a hallucinogen. Common Side Effects: Peyote is known to cause nausea and vomiting, increased body temperature, hallucinations, altered perceptions of space and time, impaired motor coordination, euphoria, and anxiety.?? How to Recognize Peyote Peyote buttons (the “crown” or top of the peyote cactus) look like disc-shaped buttons. They can be fresh or dried and users can chew them or soak them in water to make an intoxicating liquid. Since peyote has a bitter taste, it is also ground into an off-white powder that is placed inside a capsule to be swallowed or sprinkled into a cigarette or marijuana joint to be smoked. What Does Peyote Do? Peyote is a hallucinogen, meaning it can cause profound distortions in a persons perceptions of reality (known as hallucinations), including seeing, hearing, and feeling things that seem real but are not. Hallucinogens are thought to affect neural circuits in the brain involving the neurotransmitter serotonin, which plays a role in mood, sensory perception, sleep, hunger, body temperature, sexual behavior, and muscle control.?? The effects of peyote, which can range from a deeply mystical transcendental state to a “bad trip” and dysphoric symptoms, depending on the potency and amount ingested, as well as the user’s expectations, mood, surroundings, and mental health history. Many describe the high as dream-like.?? The effects are often intensified when the drug is combined with substances like alcohol or stimulants, which can be potentially harmful to a persons mental health.?? As soon as 30 minutes after ingesting peyote, people can begin to experience its effects as well as physical discomfort (including nausea, sweating, and chills) that can last up to two hours before reaching a peak. The hallucinogenic effects typically peak around two hours after ingestion, and gradually decline over the next eight to 12 hours.?? Some users compare these peaks to LSD trips in that they profoundly alter perceptions of self and reality and can intensify emotions. The effects are also similar to other hallucinogens like psilocybin (the hallucinogen in magic mushrooms) and PCP.?? What the Experts Say According to a 2014 study on the prevalence of peyote use in Native Americans, there was a fairly large surge in the number of Native Americans who used peyote for roughly four years after the AIRFA passed.?? Researchers believe the increase in use was likely due to more people admitting to using peyote once it was legal. Since that time, the number leveled to just under 10%. Peyote use in the rest of the U.S. population is between 1% to 2%, although most data sources that quantify drug use exclude peyote, so it is hard to gauge the full scope of the use.   Though peyote can certainly cause negative effects such as those mentioned above, the research that has been done indicates that ingesting peyote doesnt appear to be life-threatening and most adverse effects go away in time.?? The mescaline in peyote, however, is known to be potentially harmful to developing fetuses, so if youre pregnant or think youre pregnant, you should not use peyote.?? Off-Label or Recently Approved Uses Peyote has been used by Native Americans for thousands of years in religious ceremonies and for the treatment of various physical ailments. The use of peyote is illegal in the United States and classified as a Schedule 1 controlled drug, although there remains an exception for members of the Native American Church who, when assisted by a a healer or roadman (similar to a priest or minister) use the drug to facilitate communication with the Great Spirit, also called the Creator. Peyote and other hallucinogens have also been studied as a possible treatment for a variety of mental health conditions including schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, and dementia, which are all associated with perceptual distortions.?? Common Side Effects The amount of mescaline needed to produce hallucinations is very smallâ€"usually 0.3 to 0.5 grams. The effects can last up to 12 hours, but this depends on your size, metabolism, and how much you ingest. The physical effects of peyote tend to be similar to those of LSD and include:?? Increased body temperatureIncreased heart rateUncoordinated movementsWeaknessProfound sweatingSevere nausea and vomitingIncreased blood pressureNumbnessAppetite lossFlushingDifficulty sleeping Mental effects that can occur include:?? HallucinationsAnxietyEuphoriaAltered sense of time (i.e., it passes slowly or quickly)Altered awarenessInability to focus or concentratePanicParanoiaA sense of relaxationAltered feelings and perceptions According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there isnt much known about the long-term effects of the majority of hallucinogens, including peyote.?? However, it is known that repeated or long-term use of hallucinogens can cause the following effects: Prolonged psychosis: Though this condition is rare, symptoms include visual disturbances and scattered thinking, as well as periods of paranoia or mood disturbances.??Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD): Rarelyâ€"about 4% of people who use hallucinogensâ€"will use of peyote and other hallucinogens such as LSD contribute to the development of HPPD, which is when you develop flashbacks of hallucinations and visual disturbances that dont go away and may even begin to interfere with your daily tasks of living.?? These symptoms can be mistaken for neurological disorders such as a stroke or a brain tumor. Though both persistent psychosis and HPPD are rare among people who use peyote, they can occur without warning and have been reported even after a single exposure to peyote. Generally, these symptoms occur in people with a history of psychiatric problems. Signs of Use According to the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, if a loved one is using peyote, there will be some telltale signs, including:?? Flushed skinLoss of appetiteDry mouthSleep problemsUncoordinated movementsExcessive sweatingPanicParanoiaSensory confusion (such as “seeing” sounds or “hearing” colors)Disordered thinking or detachment from reality When to Seek Help If you feel physically ill or mentally out of control, call 911 or ask a trusted friend (preferably someone who is not intoxicated) to go with you to the nearest emergency room. The ER staff is not looking to get you in trouble but to keep you safe and help you get the best treatment for your current state. Myths Common Questions Peyote is often considered a relatively safe drug due to its presence in nature and long history of use in religious ceremonies, but peyote use is not without its negative effects. There is also often confusion about peyotes legal status under the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, which ensured that native people can exercise their traditional  religious ceremonies, including those that incorporate peyote use. While legitimate religious use is permitted under the law, the recreational use of peyote is illegal in the United States. It is legal to grow peyote in Texas, however, so long as licensed peyote distributors are registered with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.?? Tolerance, Dependence, and Withdrawal Like other psychedelics, peyote is not necessarily addictive when used sparingly, and in some cases, can be used to treat addiction and substance abuse. However, peyote users are more susceptible to building a high tolerance, requiring the use of more and more peyote to achieve the same effects. Peyote tolerance can build quickly with regular use and in as few as three to six days.?? How Long Does Peyote Stay in Your System? Peyote can be detected in the human body for as few as two days and for up to three months.  The length of time that peyote stays in your system depends on individual factors, such as your  metabolism, body mass, age, hydration level, physical activity, and health conditions. Due to all of these factors, there isnt a definite period of time that peyote can remain in your body. However, there is an estimated range of times during which peyote can be found with certain tests, including:?? Urine: 2 to 3 daysBlood: Up to 24 hoursSaliva: 1 to 10 daysHair follicle: Up to 90 days Screening for peyote use isnt included in routine drug tests, so mescaline must be tested for specifically. Addiction Peyote does not appear to be addictive, but further research is needed to determine if addiction is possible. Some general signs of addiction you may want to watch out for: Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from the tripUsing peyote, despite any consequences or negative effectsTaking higher doses than necessary for a greater highTolerance, or needing more of the drug to get the effects experienced the first time Withdrawal While more research is needed to determine the specific withdrawal symptoms linked to peyote, the drug has been known to cause psychological symptoms of withdrawal, such as depression or dysphoria.?? How to Get Help If you or someone you love is showing signs of peyote misuse, or any other type of illicit substance, its important to know that help is available. While theres no specific treatment for peyote addiction, there are evidence-based addiction treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), support groups, life skills training, and relapse prevention that may be a good fit.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

A True Hero Essay - 3569 Words

A True Hero As I read David Halberstam’s ideas in his essay, â€Å"Who We Are† (2004), I started thinking about our nation’s leaders and heroes. September 11th came to my mind and the many firefighters and rescue workers who heroically risked their lives to save complete strangers. Then, I remembered that the media dubbed Jessica Lynch a hero when she came back to the United States. Not only Jessica, but also many other American soldiers fighting abroad are called heroes. I started wondering if their bravery actually makes them true heroes or not. I asked myself, what is a hero? Do people need heroes? Where does the belief that we need heroes come from? This belief has caused us to over apply our use of the word to almost everyone:†¦show more content†¦Thinking under such an old light causes unclear shadows to be cast on our ideas of who we call heroes. II. Popular Definitions of a hero Today, the archaic meaning of â€Å"hero† has transformed so that there are not only larger-than-life heroes, but also ordinary people with the title. Instead of looking far and wide for a hero, we just have to look near and close for heroes. These heroes most often exist in the unlikeliest of places, right among us. Helen Keller once said, â€Å"The world is moved along not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker† (Think Exist Quotations, 2005). Honest workers are ordinary people who perform extraordinary accomplishments. They make the world a better place by simply doing their jobs and being the best person they can be. In A Choice of Heroes, Mark Gerzon (1982) discusses men who â€Å"symbolize the emerging masculinities† or archetypes, which he calls The Companion, The Mediator, or The Nurturer, for example. However, these men that Gerzon describes as his leaders â€Å"are not superheroes; th ey are real men with ordinary faults. They are ordinary heroes† (p.236). These ordinary heroes that Helen Keller and Gerzon describe could be a father, a preacher, or a doctor. Often, times of tragedy unearth other everyday heroes. For example, on September 11, 2001, policemen, firefighters, and rescue workers became the face ofShow MoreRelatedHero As A True Hero1427 Words   |  6 PagesThe great and mighty Hercules once said, â€Å"A true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart.† The word hero comes from the Greek, literal meaning of â€Å"protector† or â€Å"defender†. A great example of a tenacious protector is Beowulf, â€Å"Higlac’s follower and the strongest of the Geats - greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world,† (Beowulf 195). A man beloved and looked up to by his people- a noble warrior at heart. On the other hand, there are kingsRead MoreHero Essay : A Hero Is A Tr ue Hero805 Words   |  4 PagesReeve states, â€Å"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to preserve and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.† In other words, a hero is a everyday person that has the courage, bravery, and strength to overcome any challenge they are going through or as a challenge to help someone no matter what it takes. Even though there could be many struggles, a hero has to endure the strength to do anything to help in any way they can. Many people think they know what a hero is, but do theyRead MoreIs Odysseus A True Hero1352 Words   |  6 PagesMccann Mrs.Carroll English 01 February 2016 Is Odysseus A True Hero In the story The Odyssey the main character Odysseus is not a true hero. A man with so much hatred and anger should not be someone to hold to a high prestige, or want to be. The needless killing and disrespect to other people s wishes is not part of what a hero should be, or is to endanger the people that he is in charge of. This is why odysseus is not a true hero. â€Å"A favorable wind brought us from the land of Troy to theRead MoreOdysseus : A True Hero1227 Words   |  5 Pageshave held debates about Odysseus. The discussion is whether Odysseus was a true hero, as read in The Odyssey. There is abundant supportive evidence to verify all sides of the debate and opinions held about Odysseus. Odysseus had encompassed many qualities that I believe make him a hero. The qualities he embodied were mental strength, physical strength, and spiritual strength. I would like to advocate for why Odysseus was a hero. To support my thesis, I want to explore Odysseus, first in the area ofRead MoreOdysseus Is A True Hero1233 Words   |  5 Pageswhether Odysseus was a true hero, as read in The Odyssey. There is much supporting evidence to prove all sides of the debate and opinions held of Odysseus. It is of my opinion that Odysseus is a hero in his homeland, his family, the Greek people, and for us to learn from to this day. Odysseus had encompassed three many qualities that I believe made him a hero. He embodied, mental strength, physical strength, and spiritual strength. I would like to advocate for why Odysseus was a hero. To support my reasonsRead MoreHeroism : A True Hero1283 Words   |  6 PagesGeorge S Patton, a senior officer of the U.S. Army, once said, â€Å"The real hero is the man who fights even though he is scared.† The online dictionary from Merriam-Webster defines a hero as, â€Å"One who shows great courage.† People notice that a hero shows courage and perseverance in overwhelming positions. People can even be inspired to show the same in the problems they are going through. Maybe inside the hero they are nervous, or even scared, but outside they show that they will power through whateverRead MoreThe True Meaning Of A Hero1240 Words   |  5 PagesTo many the true definition of a hero varies. The true meaning of a hero varies according to the individuality of a person due to our uniqueness. A hero to some if not many, is a person who acquires courage, intelligence, strength, and has risked and sacrificed his life for the dignity of himself and the wellbeing of others. A h ero bears the characteristics of a leader, by not only possessing physical strength but most importantly intellectual strength. A hero is also described as someone who landsRead MoreBeowulf : A True Hero1763 Words   |  8 Pagesimpressionable king. Beowulf displays four key characteristics, courage, strength, knowledge, and respect/trust, which are extremely important to the plot, as well as for the life of the Geats, the Danes, and Beowulf’s true identity. From the beginning, Beowulf is viewed as the epitome of a true hero. He may have been somewhat selfish at times and boast about his achievements, but when it really mattered he is there for his people. These traits truly expose the heroic king he becomes. The courage and braveryRead MoreA True American Hero637 Words   |  3 PagesA True American Hero After reading about Alexander Hamilton we can definitely see the importance that he provided in establishing the United States. The author also did a very good job of explaining how Hamilton was able to do this. When we reading the story we can see that Hamilton was able to use his intelligence, Finical knowledge, hard work ethic,background, patriotism, and the respect that others had for him to influence and help establish the United States. It was by successfully obtainingRead MoreThe True Hero: Odysseus623 Words   |  2 Pagesan epic hero. Epic heroes all have good and bad qualities, for example Hercules is known as the strongest man in the world, but he is not that smart. Odysseus is a great example of an epic hero. He is smart, strong, and protected by gods and goddesses, but he does have faults in his actions considering he is only just a mortal. In Homer’s book, The Odyssey, Homer shows how Odysseus is truly an epic hero, by showing his journey back home to Ithaca. Odysseus’s most known trait of an epic hero is his

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Fast Food Nation The Inconvenient Truth of Fast Food Essay

‘Fast Food Nation’ by Eric Schlosser traces the history of fast food industry from old hot dog stands to the billion dollar franchise companies established as America spread its influence of quick, easy and greasy cuisine around the globe. It is a brilliant piece of investigative journalism that looks deep into the industries that have profited from the American agriculture business, while engaging in labor practices that are often shameful. In Fast Food Nation, Schlosser goes beyond the facts that left many people’s eye wide opened. Throughout the book, Schlosser discusses several different topics including food-borne disease, near global obesity, animal abuse, political corruption, worksite danger. The book explains the origin of the†¦show more content†¦It also illustrates how the fast food restaurants made big money by using new ideas, for example quick service, drive-in. Scholsser analyzes how the fast food industry has affected and influenced today’s society as well as the advertisement process and the break down of individuals’ behavior and thinking process towards today’s fast food society. A Fast Food World? Since the evolution of fast food restaurants, the value of the all American meal has been transformed by many means. Not only have fast food restaurants altered people’s eating habits, but they have also revolutionized the way people live and society itself. Schlosser says about 100,000 of us get sick each year from bacteria in beef. And that says these animals we eat are what they eat. Despite fears of quot;mad cowquot; disease, federal law says its still okay to feed them such food as dead pigs, dead horses, dead poultry and poultry waste. Theres also another potential problem, according to our report. If you dont get sick, fast food could just make you fat. Schlosser says, quot;The United States eats the most fast food in the world.quot; Were the weightiest warm bodies in the Western Hemisphere and as a result were all becoming super-sized. This is causing big problems for the kids who are really growing up and out. In the last twenty years, the obesityShow MoreRelatedThe Need For A Job For American Society1625 Words   |  7 Pagessee a fast food restaurant of some sort, waiting for potential consumers in the street corner, illuminated by an infamous neon sign. The temptation to stop by and grab a quick meal is overwhelming, but there is always one jumbled up thought that suggests preparing a meal at home would be wiser. The typical American citizen has to fight a mental battle on deciding where they should take their health and how it will benefit them in the long run. Though most individuals who visit these fast food establishmentsRead MoreThe Issue Of Global Politics1523 Words   |  7 Pagesissue in global politics today? â€Å"Climate change is a large-scale, long-term shift in the planet s weather patterns or average temperatures† . In 2006, Al Gore highlighted a problem hinted at for years, climate change, in his documentary The Inconvenient Truth, and this essay will explain why this problem is still the most important issue in global politics, despite receiving less coverage in world press. With major problems such as rising sea levels and more extreme temperatures already being seenRead MoreGlobal Warming Research Paper1893 Words   |  8 Pageslittle girl. I was watching the TV and a commercial came on, it was a cartoon with two kids and an adult. They were in the park enjoying the day. The adult started talking about Global Warming, the kids didn’t know what he was talking about, so he fast forward the time and showed them what the earth is going to look like when they are his age. That tow grow up kids were arguing who over heat the car in an island surrounding by water. The i sland that they lived in is barren and desert. There wereRead MoreEssay on Global Warming2299 Words   |  10 Pagesissue, the saying doesn’t sound so out of place. Most people might say: what is global warming? That’s the question that was running through my mind when I first heard we were watching a documentary on it in my class. The film is Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth and it is about the causes of global warming and what it is doing to our planet. Being an environmentally involved citizen and growing up with conservative Republicans as parents, I was torn between not really liking Gore and this extreme realityRead MoreBusiness Ethics6288 Words   |  26 Pagespsychological well-being, and explores the fast food industry s corporate influence, including how it encourages poor nutrition for its own profit. The reason for Spurlock s investigation was the increasing spread of obesity throughout U.S. society, which the Surgeon General has declared epidemic, and the corresponding lawsuit brought against McDonald s on behalf of two overweight girls, who, it was alleged, became obese as a result of eating McDonald s food [Pelman v. McDonald s Corp., 237 F.Read MoreThe Demon -haunted World : Science As A Candle2173 Words   |  9 Pagesintellectual curiosity is to science. He expressed his love of science and unhappiness about American students being behind other industrialized nations on basic science and math skills. He takes on pseudoscience verses scientific science. I too, see the importance of Scientific Science which allows one to pursue the truth and validate those truths. Many times if we are not pursuing the scientific part of a problem, superstition and theories claims that are not true get in the way for laypersonRead MoreA New Phase of Japan’s Immigration Policy Es say2314 Words   |  10 PagesIn 2000, the United Nations reported that an average of 609,000 immigrants per year from 1995 through 2050 is needed for Japan in order to maintain its workforce at the 1995 level (U. N. Population Division 53). The news surprised many people in Japan, and they were forced to face the immigration issue sincerely. This controversial issue has been discussed for last 150 years. Facing today’s low birth-rate and ageing population, Japan should now accept more immigrants and become a multi-ethnic countryRead MoreEssay about Beyond the Climate Crisis2577 Words   |  11 Pagesnot all options are being pursued. Reasons for this go beyond the general skepticism of global warming and the like. There is both economic and political favorability in environmental negligence, and behind every one of these reasons, one simple truth comes out: it’s simply easier to harm the planet than to protect it. Because of this one statement, most businessmen and leaders of the world (with a few exceptions) completely ignore climate change. They will not listen to the constant droningRead More Religion and Cultural Identity Essays5058 Words   |  21 Pageseffectively be a Muslim or a Christian without really even believing the fundamental precepts of the faith. Of course this is not always or even usually the case. The point is, religion as a determinant of culture identity goes far beyond the agreed upon truths of the faith. For the purposes of this study I have defined cultural identity as the feeling of self-definition an individual has which is formed through a sense of belonging to a certain group. In this presentation I will be looking specificallyRead MoreLocal Movie Are Far Behind Than Foreign Movie3590 Words   |  15 Pagesaudience for their interesting and informative content. In the last decade, docos have gained a new momentum and a whole new sense of impact on the society altogether. Take for example, Food Inc, Fast Food nation, Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11, The Wasteland, Coco Before Chanel, Born Into Brothels, An Inconvenient Truth, The Cove, The Century of the Self. The rise in popularity of the doco genre has helped the audience get used to seeing different editing styles, formats, misc-en-scene and use of

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Essay Technological Determinism - 1184 Words

Technological determinism is a term developed by Marshal McLuhan, a theorist in the study of new media. By technological determinism, McLuhan refers to technology having the power to change societies and influence our cultures. In this essay I will argue that technology does have the power to change society and influence a civilization, using ideas put forward by Marshal McLuhan. I will also discuss the debate around technological determinism recognizing the claims made by Raymond Williams that society shapes technology as we look back at its emergence and their subsequent control. Both theorists have an interest in new media but it is the argument between weather technologies can shape society or is society shaping technology (LM†¦show more content†¦From experience, I for one believe that technology has had a major impact on my culture , In Fiji if a man wished to be with a woman by our culture he has to go and let the woman’s family know about his intentions of being with the woman and ask them for permission before taking her out on a date. Nowadays this important part of our culture is history, a man just has to call the woman on her cell phone and ask her out on a date without her parents knowing. Now that I look at the changes that have happened in my culture, I think that it is a shame to watch our culture and traditions being influenced by technology. McLuhan with his writing’s makes us think about the power of technology and its abilities to rearrange society. Raymond Williams on the other hand claims that technology does not shape society as he studies the emergence of technology and comes to the conclusion that is society that has control over technology and determines its uses and ability. Williams argues that technology should not be looked at as a totally different sphere that was separate form human life. Williams argued that technology is a social need in which it was invented. William’s argues against McLuhan’s claims that the forms of technologies are predetermined and says that technologyShow MoreRelatedSocial Shaping of Technology and Technological Determinism1417 Words   |  6 Pagest Social Context of Society Social Context of Technology – Essay â€Å"Technology is an independent factor impacting on society from outside society† Discuss with reference to both the Technological Determinist and the Social Shaping of Technology perspectives. The power technology obtains is incredible. In recent years it’s advanced greatly and I believe its limits is only our imagination. It is evolving at a quicker rate than ever and its Read MoreSocial Shaping of Technology and Technological Determinism1431 Words   |  6 Pagest Social Context of Society Social Context of Technology – Essay â€Å"Technology is an independent factor impacting on society from outside society† Discuss with reference to both the Technological Determinist and the Social Shaping of Technology perspectives. The power technology obtains is incredible. In recent years it’s advanced greatly and I believe its limits is only our imagination. It is evolving at a quicker rate than ever and its happeningRead MoreThe Focus Of This Essay Will Be An Argument By Peter Van1902 Words   |  8 PagesThe focus of this essay will be an argument by Peter Van Inwagen known as the â€Å"Consequence Argument.† The argument’s main goal is to refute compatibilism, or the idea that free will and determinism are reconcilable. Van Inwagen’s argument can be expressed as follows: 1. Assume determinism, the idea that the laws of nature and the state of the past are consistent with exactly one future outcome, is true. 2. A person p has no choice about what happened in the past. 3. P also has no choice about whatRead MoreWhat Are Technological Determinism, Scot, Feminism, Semiotic Approach, Cultural / Media Studies Approach?1175 Words   |  5 PagesWhat are: technological determinism, SCOT, feminism, semiotic approach, cultural/media studies approach? Technological determinism is a reductionist theory that presumes that a society s technology drives the development of its social structure and cultural values. Social construction of technology (also referred to as SCOT) is a theory within the field of Science and Technology Studies. Advocates of SCOT—that is, social constructivists—argue that technology does not determine human action, butRead MoreEnvironmental Determinism and Biological Determinism600 Words   |  3 PagesEnvironmental Determinism and Biological Determinism can set restrictions on a person’s behavior. Environmental Determinism is the view that the environment can have a great impact on a person’s behavior. Environmental Determinism is known as the name Climatic Determinism or the name Geographical Determinism. Biological Determinism is the view that a person’s genetic material can set limits on a person’s behavior. Environmental Determinism and Biological Determinism are different because they limitRead MoreInformation System Essay2713 Words   |  11 Pagesï » ¿Information System Essay Candidate Number: 135702 Draw from the sociotechnical debate to discuss the emergence of two technologies - one developed before 1920 and one after. What are the implications of your analysis for our understanding of technological innovations? You are advised to choose technologies we have been discussing in the lectures and seminars. There is no denying that technology has been an ever-apparent part of the human society. Today, technology is used in a variety of ways andRead MoreSocial Construction of Technology3292 Words   |  14 Pagesfinally agrees to the fact that the technology transformed his life. Technology is considered as a driving force for human evolution, today technology is considered to have an independent existence rather being considered as a human creation. Technological determinists are of the opinion that technology follows a path which is self-predicted and does not have a social or political influence over it. This ideology defeats the belief that humans are the creators of the so called technology. The existenceRead MoreJared Diamonds Views on Environmental Determinism Essay794 Words   |  4 Pagesshines where most do not. His book, Guns, Germs, and Steel, proposes an idea that has long been established called environmental determinism. Most view environmental determinism as a racist theory attributing a peoples’ intelligence only to their oppressive climates and geographical barriers. Diamond instead has created a theory that applies environmental determinism to only a peoples’ technology—not the people themselves. This has given researchers valuable tools that allow them to explain whyRead MoreThe Circle Theme Essay1400 Words   |  6 Pagestechnologically advancing community. By applying ideas like technological determinism and McDonaldization to the Circle’s intrusive security measures and inauthentic interaction, Eggers draws a direct parallel to America’s modern society and forces the readers to question the possible dystopian implications of a technocentric culture. Through the character of Mae Holland, The Circle reflects the misconstrued value of modern day technological determinism. Throughout the novel, Eggers presents the CircleRead MoreTechnology Is A Force For Social Change1257 Words   |  6 PagesFacebook has been a one of the biggest phenomenons for the past decade and has had a huge affect mostly on the younger population. Technological determinism is that technology is a force for social change and Facebook does have some of the aspects of this. It is factor of â€Å"The Global Village† because we rely on it to connect with other people from all over the world. Facebook has fortified behaviors such as narcissism and shyness. In the younger generations Facebook has problems with dependency and

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Youth Unemployment Essay Example For Students

Youth Unemployment Essay Introduction Youth Unemployment Essay is a term used for people between the ages of 15-19, that do not attend school or tertiary level and dont have any form of paid job. There are reasons causing this growing problem. These being; employers not wanting inexperienced woorkers, the low rate of pay and the transition period from education to the work force after the completion of year 12. Fortunately, there are a vast majority of youth friendly industries. This implies that, when certain companies are labelled a youth friendly industry not only do they employ trained adults but also the inexperienced youth of society. To further develop skills and decline the rate of early school leavers, the government has intervened to counteract this situation in a few ways. Three of the most popular programs are; Aus Study Payments, VET courses and facilities to train people undergoing transition from schooling to work. It is predicted that all jobs created between 1990 and 2000 will require more than sixteen years of education. This number will keep on rising in the future. The unemployment rate for high school drop outs is more than double the rate for university graduates. People that enter the labour market without any extra training or post-secondary education have a tremendous chance of being unemployed. Companies are hiring the most skilled and experienced workers, letting go workers with less experience, usually youth. Youth with the least amount of experience are usually the last people that are hired. Where do you get experience and skills from; post-secondary education. The hardest hit youth group in the 1990s by far have been those with only a high school education or less. For them in 1995 there was 997, 000 less jobs than 1990, this number has been increasing dramatically. In just about every case the more experienced worker will get hired. The present education system is doing a good job at providing students with the tools to gain employment. The government and business are not doing a good job to help provide opportunities for employment. The goals of the education system must remain as they have always been, that is, to teach us how to read, write, analyze, grow, create, and build. We must strive to get the youth to think for themselves. These are the most important skills to bring to the job market. There are some improvements that the government can do on the education system, but it would require some investment in teachers, resources, technology, buildings, and student development. University and college investments, research, and development must be a priority in order to keep many young Canadians competitive. The government must get a more affordable post-secondary education system. Students must not always be faced with the decision of whether to apply for a student loan because the worry that they might not be able to pay it back. The government must expand the child care system so young parents can go and get a good education. Most youths are working part time jobs while they attend post-secondary education or that is the only position they can find available for them. Part time jobs are not very stable, generally there are no benefits available, and there is not that much money involved. The chances for many young people to move past these jobs are bleak, especially with the spread of technological unemployment. Youth make up just about half of the people working part time jobs. .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189 , .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189 .postImageUrl , .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189 , .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189:hover , .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189:visited , .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189:active { border:0!important; } .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189:active , .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189 .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u75f787682bb97ece20626684281e3189:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Plot Essay Summary The government is trying to help with this problem by forming the Public Policy Forum. The Forum is made up of members of the CGA-Canada, CIBC, HRDC, and hundreds of Canadas leaders from the public, private, labor, and voluntary sectors. The goal is to create awareness and calls on youth employment. The government is also addressing the situation by a Stay in School program and the Youth Internship program. These programs are incomplete solutions for Canadas rapidly growing economy. In 1997, the government of .

Saturday, April 4, 2020

The LEGO Group Working with Strategy

Introduction Investors must evaluate the effectiveness of their strategies to ensure they do not waste time and resources on unnecessary expeditions. The need to develop management strategies pushes managers and other senior employees to invest in research and consultations to ensure they have the relevant knowledge about various approaches used to improve performance (David 2012).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The LEGO Group: Working with Strategy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is necessary to explain that business strategies are not static; therefore, managers should continue to develop new approaches that will ensure the operations of their companies are relevant, acceptable and reward their factors of production. This discussion presents an analysis of a case study about how LEGO Group worked with strategy to influence its performance. Company Background The management of The Lego Group has never left the family of its founder Ole Kirk Christiansen. It was established in 1932 in Billund, Denmark and used to manufacture wooden toys, ironing boards, stools and stepladders. However, the demand and market for wooden toys surpassed those of other products and this forced this company to specialise in this line of production. Today, it is the fifth largest company in the world that manufactures plastic and to some extend wooden toys. It has been managed by Ole Kirk Christiansen, Godtfred, Kjeld Kirk and Jorgen Vig Knudstorp. A report prepared in 2012 the revenue of this company was estimated to be 2.956 billion Euros. In addition, it had an operating capital of 1.001 billion and net income of 706 million Euros. It has more than 10,000 employees working in different branches located in Germany, America, Malaysia and other countries. This company started facing financial difficulties in the 1970s and 1980s, when its future was threatened by strategic uncertainty and poor performance. It took this company more than a decade to restructure and regain its excellent performance and this highlights the need for it to evaluate important strategic management issues. Features of Its External Environment The LEGO Group has been influenced by various external environmental features that have shaped its management strategies. PESTEL, 5 Forces and strategic group models will be used to explain how this organisation has adopted different strategies in ensuring that it succeeds in developing an effective performance strategy. PESTEL Analysis This analysis examines the macro-economic factors that affected this company and led to the development of performance and management strategic plans (Schroeder and Goldstein 2010). These factors involve political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal features that played significant roles in shaping the practices of The LEGO Group.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Ge t your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Political factors refer to organisational aspects that were influenced by the government and which affected its activities (Reeves 2012). Denmark offered conducive conditions for the activities of this company to thrive. The education system allowed this company to supply toys that were used to enhance learning in children. This promoted the popularity of this company and ensured its products fetched good prices in the local market. Taxation policies did not affect its performance; therefore, it had ample time to concentrate on its activities without worrying about the levies imposed on its products by the government. However, environmental laws played minor roles in limiting consumers’ demand for plastic toys. The government required companies to use environment-friendly ways of production; therefore, this limited the popularity of plastic toys. Political stability in Denmark helped this company to perform its duties withou t interference. Secondly, economic factors like inflation, exchange rates and the oil crisis were responsible for the slow growth of this company witnessed in the 1970s and 1980s. The economy of Denmark did not grow as it was anticipated by many investors and this means that companies like The LEGO Group were forced to reduce their recurrent expenses to cushion their capital against inflation. This company registered poor sales before 2008 and this was orchestrated by a decline in the international economy. Most people concentrated on the need to reduce their budgets to cut their expenses. In addition, competitions from other companies like Mattel, Bandai-Namco, Hasbro, Tomy-Takara and MGA Entertainment forced this company to lower the costs of its toys. This company experienced economic difficulties and this forced it to sack 1000 employees in 1999. Lastly, the exchange rate of the USS weakened and traded poorly against the Danish Krone. The social factors that affected the perform ance of this company include the resistance of customers from buying plastic toys. They were used to wooden toys because of their health concerns and long life. In addition, lifestyles were changing and children wanted toys that reflected current developments in the entertainment industry. This forced this company to struggle to adopt themes and models that reflected trends in the entertainment industry’ for instance, the successful production and launch of Harry Porter and Star Wars led to an increase in demand for toys that portrayed the themes of these movies. However, lack of new movies in 2003 led to a slump in production and sales of this company. Moreover, children were learning very first and thus they required sophisticated toys and this threatened the lifespan of the products of this company. In addition, this company faced barriers to entry because of changes in technology. The need to shift from wooden to plastic toys meant that it had to spend more money on the p roduction and marketing of its products. However, this was not proportional to the demand for plastic toys because consumers did not receive the new products positively.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The LEGO Group: Working with Strategy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Even though, this company innovated new products it started most of its financial calendars with high inventories in the shops and this forced it to offer discounts or wait for retailers to finish old stocks. Parents with young children are the main clients of this company and this means that it has limited ability to retain its customers. Lastly, technological factors impacted negatively on the performance of this company during the 1970s and 1980s. Consumers were reluctant to purchase plastic toys because of the need to preserve their traditional tastes. The company was at cross-roads because of the need to keep pace with the demands of moder n technology that was adopted by its competitors. In addition, toys differ depending on the era and generation targeted. This forced this company to keep inventing new techniques and modify its products to reflect changes in technology. Porter’s Five Forces Michael E. Porter proposed five forces that are responsible for shaping the strategies used by a company in planning its management and production processes (Pynes 2013). He defined industries depending on their attractiveness and claims that pure competitions drive organisations to get normal profits. On the other hand, attractive organisations combine the five forces of Industrial Organisation Economics (IOE) to initiate change and ensure they generate profits. The forces he identified include the bargaining power of suppliers and consumers, threats of new entrants and new products and competitive rivalry within an industry. These forces help companies to offer attractive services and products and generate higher profits than their competitors in the industry (Stevenson 2011). These forces have influenced the strategy development of the Lego Group in the following ways. Threat of new entrants refers to competition offered by other companies that wish to invest in business activities (Rosenbaum 2013). The Lego Group specialises in the production of toys that have high demand in local and international markets. This means that this industry attracts investors from different spheres. New entrants reduce market for products and services because of increased supply. In addition, they lower the prices of products in the market to attract customers and this reduces the profits generated by a company. Competition makes companies to struggle to acquire modern technology, give discounts and invest in marketing strategies to protect their brand names from copyright infringement and manipulation by their competitors. Even though, this company had established its brand name in the toy industry new entrants like Sony, Activision, Nintendo and Visual Arts were serious threats to the success of this company. Their entrance in the toy industry had huge impacts because they used sophisticated technology and produced advanced electronic games for children. The demand for Lego’s products was reduced because this company was unable to immediately keep with the pace of new entrants in producing new and more exciting products.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Therefore, it was necessary for it to diversify the production of toys and formed partnerships with film, clothing and games companies. In addition, it started offering other entertainment activities like parks and social centres to market its products and diversify its risks. In addition, the threat of substitute products or services started hitting this company when it invested in plastic toys. This move had serious consequences on this company even though it had long-term benefits. Other companies like Mattel and Hasbro had started producing plastic toys and did not have serious impacts in penetrating their markets. However, this company was traditionally concerned with wooden products and this made it difficult for it to persuade its customers to buy its products. In addition, it had already saturated its market with wooden products and retailers were not ready to add new stock yet they had huge inventories of wooden toys. In addition, parks are frequented during holidays like E aster and Christmas and this means that this company had limited products and services. Therefore, it had to develop products that would be used during other times of the year. Chase boards and other indoor games were introduced and this reduced competition from substitute product. In addition, it started to focus on family games and this supplemented its sales during low seasons. The high quality of the toys produced by this company is perhaps the only factor that enabled it to retain customers. The bargaining power of customers affects the volume of services of goods a company produces. In addition, it determines the production and supply strategies organisations use to market their products. It is the ability of clients to ensure a company is put under pressure to produce quality, cheap, affordable and adequate products to satisfy their demands. The LEGO Group failed to implement a loyalty plan to ensure it reduced the power of its clients. The need to reward loyal customers is a strategy employed by most companies to ensure their clients are loyal and have minimal influence on their production processes. For instance, the resistance of customers to buy plastic toys produced by this company shows their power in controlling the activities of this organisation. This company had minimal bargaining leverage powers and this exposed it to financial uncertainties that saw it register different performance records within a short time. Buyers were not sensitive to the prices of toys, but they concentrated on the uniqueness of the products offered by all companies in this sector. Some clients preferred wooden toys because of their health advantages and durability. However, they were very few and this means that the process of adopting the production of plastic toys was inevitable. In addition, the bargaining powers of suppliers bring long-term benefits to organisations (Zenger 2013). The need to reduce operation costs enabled it to sack 1000 workers, even though the impacts of this were not realised as soon as they were expected. In addition, this company realised the need to use professional skills to ensure its production met the demands of consumer and compete effectively with other similar investments. For instance, this company decided to seek the services of experts and hired a Chief Operating Officer (COO). This helped it to develop a restructuring and cost cutting programme that reduced the number of its employees and the launch of Lego Star Wars products and opening of LEGOLAND in California. Strategic Groups This company used this strategy to reduce competition and diversify its products in the international and local market. Strategic groups are links and partnerships formed by companies that have similar activities or specialise in offering related services. This company is ranked highly in the global production and sale of toys. However, this does not exclude it from competitive rivalry witnessed in this industry since the 1940s. I t tries very hard to change its products and services to ensure consumers are offered the best value for their money. For instance, it rebranded its product name from LEGO DUPLO to LEGO EXPLORER even though this step did not have positive impacts on its sales. In addition, it established a sustainable growth programme that included the opening of its own distribution shop in the U.S. in 2003. Moreover, it started inviting users to assist and participate in the development of its products. The development of its digital strategy that led to the production and launch of its first online multiplayer game (LEGO Universe) had major positive impacts on its sales and enabled this company to attract new clients and develop trust in existing ones. The partnership between the Lego Group and Warner Bros was welcome by investors and the public because it would promote diversity in the entertainment industry. However, transparency became a serious issue in this industry as other players like Tia njin Coko Toy, Best-Lock Construction Toys and Mega Blocks infringed on the patent rights of the Lego Group brick products. Impacts of the Resources and Competencies The Lego Group is a successful company because of its large capital base that enables this organisation to invest in different approaches to boost its performance. Even though, it faced financial difficulties in 2003 that led to huge losses. It has an operating capital of 1.001 billion Euros. This capital is adequate to enable this company to invest in modern technology, research, recruitment of professional staff and market its products. New entrants do not have this amount of capital to compete with this company; therefore, the Lego Group’s foot is ahead of most of its competitors. In addition, it has experienced staff and recruits professional workers in its key departments to ensure it offers quality services to consumers. The toy industry is experiencing tremendous changes, especially because of the need to incorporate various technological aspects in its products. This company has formed partnership with leading film producers like Warner Bros to ensure all latest movies are used to develop the themes of its parks. In addition, the company has invested in high cost countries and those that compete with China in political interests. This is an effective strategy of ensuring that the market for its products is protected from cheap products from China. Manufacturing products through outsourcing is another strategy adopted by this company to reduce its production costs. For instance, the company signed an outsourcing agreement with Flextronics and this enabled it to manufacture 20% of its products in Billund; therefore, other processes to be done in regions like Eastern Europe that offer cheaper options. Moreover, the management board did not fear to accommodate risks and thus it decided to order new equipment and increase production. Lastly, its foundation is based on the LEGO bricks and no matter what the global economy offers to this company it will not relent its quest to diversify its processes along this line. Redundant and dynamic capabilities of this business enabled it to regain its success in producing, marketing and selling toys. The CEOs managed to learn the demands of its customers and at the same time use current technology in manufacturing its products. Some aspects of technology may reduce the impacts of new products on consumers, but this organisation ensured there were less drawbacks associated with changes in technology used to produce toys. For instance, the procurement processes were reviewed and suppliers reduced to cut costs. Secondly, the company embraced partnership and outsourced some services like the production of some products from cheap locations to reduce operation costs. This enabled this company to sense opportunities and shape them to meet the demands of its clients. For instance, the introduction of family games was a major boost t hat ensured this company manufactured products that would fetch high demand throughout the year. In addition, its employees learn very fast and adopt new strategies like the use of modern technology in communication, marketing and distribution of its products. The CEOs effectively coordinate, integrate and use strategic resources like capital, machines, technology and company’s rich history to improve the performance of this organisation. The specialisation of the company’s employees, products and intellectual property provided energy and complemented the available financial assets. The combination of these assets ensured this company had a competitive advantage over other firms even if they offered cheap and a variety of products. The distinctive characteristic of this company is marked by its structure and history. It has been led by the Christiansen family and only seeks expert management in issues that are beyond their abilities. For example, the recruitment of the Chief Operating Officer in 1999 by Kjeld portrayed how this company had a unique way of outsourcing expert services in instances where its traditional managers were unable to offer quality services. In addition, it sought collaboration with other companies like Warner Bros, Flextronics and Wal-Mart to ensure its products penetrated into tough markets dominated by other giant toy producers. The VRIN strategy employed by this company involved the identification of the key resources of this organisation. This includes the huge capital that helped the company to invest in research and innovative processes to ensure it produced quality products. The identification of the capabilities of this company is a key aspect that helped CEOs to plan and execute their strategies properly. The need to combine the efforts of employees and company potentials enabled companies to rise every time they have financial difficulties (Williams 20110. 1999, was a period marked by financial difficulties that challenged the management and suitability of the operations of this organisation. It was almost being declared bankrupt and sold to the Merlin Entertainment Group. In addition, the laying off of workers was a significant step towards developing effective cost reduction and sustainable programmes that would help this organisation to be on its feet once the financial crisis of 2007 subsided. This company had strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that played important roles in influencing the decisions of this organisation. First, its long standing tradition of producing wooden toys was a major strength that made it easy for this company to enter high cost markets. In addition, the introduction of modern technology offered various opportunities for this organisation to develop diversify and improve its toys. However, it faced major threats from new entrants that had huge capital, experience and resources to invest in the international market. Conversely, its management syste m was decentralised and this was a major weakness before Jorgen introduced a decentralised form of leadership that allowed other employees to participate in key decision making. Lastly, this company considers its products unique and its market sustainable. The demand for toys will never fade because people will continue to give birth and create new market for the products of this company. It is necessary to explain that this company aspired to maintain the value chain of its products to ensure it embraces a unique way of marketing. This will help it to compete effectively with similar companies and reduce confusion associated with brand names and qualities (Slack, Chambers and Johnston 2009). Alternative Strategies This company focuses on the internal mechanisms of generating capital and this is why it has limited abilities to expand and explore international markets. Therefore, it should consider other ways of generating additional capital through the following ways. First, it has a well established history and no financial institution can deny it loans to boost its working capital. This is a simple way of ensuring the company has adequate funds to manage its activities and invest in technology, research and recruitment of professional workers (Martocchio 2012). Additional capital helps companies to explore investment opportunities in foreign markets. It is not easy for a poor or newly established organisation to penetrate into new markets if it does not have the financial muscles necessary to manage the impacts of competition, inflation and the need to observe local conditions that allow investors to achieve their objectives. Moreover, the huge capital enabled this organisation to mitigate the effects of inflation and competition that causes huge inventories in retail outlets. This strategy helped this organisation to manage various economic challenges that affected it in 1999 and 2003. Secondly, this company can merge with other similar organisations that a re struggling to succeed in toy manufacturing. Mergers enable companies to boost their capital because it injects additional funds that will help strengthen their financial bases. Moreover, it is necessary to explore the skills and abilities of different specialists from other companies because this enables companies to produce quality products and services. The need to equip employees with the relevant skills and knowledge regarding various operations highlight the importance of merging with companies that have experience, skills and knowledge that are relevant in this industry. It is necessary to explain that this company will reduce its operation costs if it merges with another company. It will enjoy economies of scale and diversify its marketing strategies to promote its products. Different companies use different ways to market their products and this will be imported to this organisation if it decides to merge with such investments. The cost of purchasing modern equipment is v ery high and most organisations cannot afford to acquire new machines after every few years. This means that they must seek the assistance of other organisations so that they can reduce their expenses. This means that merging with other organisations will ensure this company acquires modern technology without incurring huge expenses. In addition, it can acquire small firms to ensure it expands its ability to market toys in all regions. This is an effective way of minimising the influences of its competitors in international markets. Acquisitions enable organisations to get huge assets (physical, human and financial) that are available within a short time. This enables companies to get already established investments and boost their performance. Moreover, it has to diversify its management and develop a decentralised strategy that will ensure all key employees play important roles in making the decisions of this company. Decentralisation of management will delegate responsibilities t o workers and this will ensure every employee contributes his or her skills, experience and time to the success of this company. Lastly, this company can outsource some of the services it has not attained professional experience in it. This includes web hosting, call centres and some roles of the human resource department. This will enable this company to get professional services from qualified and experienced services from other firms. In addition, it will reduce the costs of recruiting workers and ensure this company focuses on its core competencies. Extent of LEGO’s Strategy Orientation The Lego Group is a highly strategy oriented organisation and most of its plans seem to bear fruits and give it a head-start when competing with others. In addition, it failed and managed to rise in different occasions and has never been on its toes since it started its operations. The strategies executed by its current and last two CEOs continue to yield good results for this organisation and enable it to generate profits, diversify products and services and control the impacts of competition on its markets. It is evident that this organisation has employed strategic management practices that ensure its practices reflect the demands of its consumers. The introduction of plastic toys was a major investment that was supposed to transform the performance of this organisation. However, this did not happen as it was expected and the company decided to focus on introducing new models and children parks to diversify its investments and cushion itself from imminent collapse. References David, R. F 2012, Strategic Management Concepts and Cases, Pearson, New Jersey. Martocchio, J. J 2012, Strategic Compensation: A Human Resource Management  Approach, Prentice Hall, New Jersey. Pynes, J. E 2013, Human Resources Management for Public and Non-profit  Organizations: A Strategic Approach (Essential Texts for Non-profit and Public  Leadership and Management), Jossey-Bass, New Jersey. Reeves, A 2012, Telecommuting – A Guide on How to Be a Successful  Telecommuter, Anthony Reeves, Washington. Rosenbaum, J 2013, Investment Banking: Valuation Leveraged Buyouts, and Mergers  and Acquisitions, Wiley, New York. Schroeder, R. and Goldstein, S 2010, Operations Management: Contemporary  Concepts and Cases, McGraw-Hill, New York. Slack, N., Chambers, S. and Johnston, R 2009, Operations Management and  MyOMLab, Prentice Hall, New Jersey. Stevenson, W 2011, Operations Management (Operations and Decision Sciences), McGraw-Hill, New York. Williams, T 2011, Mergers and Acquisitions, Cases and Materials, Aspen Press, New York. Zenger, T. (2013). Strategy: The Uniqueness Challenge, Harvard Business Review, New York. This essay on The LEGO Group: Working with Strategy was written and submitted by user Alissa P. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Sunday, March 8, 2020

Accelerated Reader Student Software Program Review

Accelerated Reader Student Software Program Review Accelerated Reader is one of the world’s most popular reading programs. The software program, commonly referred to as AR, is designed to motivate students to read and to assess their overall understanding of the books that they are reading. The program was developed by Renaissance Learning Inc., which has several other programs closely related to the Accelerated Reader program. Although the program is designed for student’s grades 1-12, Accelerated Reader is especially popular in elementary schools across the country. The programs main purpose is to determine whether or not the student has actually read the book. The program is designed to build and encourage students to become lifelong readers and learners. In addition, teachers can use the program to motivate their students by providing rewards that correspond to the number of AR points earned by the student. Accelerated Reader is essentially a three-step program. Students first read a book (fiction or nonfiction), magazine, textbook, etc. Students may read individually, as a whole group, or in small group settings. Students then individually take the quiz that corresponds to what they just read. AR quizzes are assigned a point value based on the overall level of the book. Teachers often set weekly, monthly, or yearly goals for the number of points they require their students to earn. Students who score below 60% on the quiz do not earn any points. Students who score 60% - 99% receive partial points. Students who score 100% receive full points. Teachers then use the data generated by these quizzes to motivate students, monitor progress, and target instruction. Internet-Based Accelerated Reader is Internet-based meaning that it can be accessed easily on any computer that has Internet access. Being Internet based allows Renaissance Learning to automatically update the program and to store key data on their servers. This makes it much easier on a school’s IT team. Individualized One of the best things about Accelerated Reader is that it allows the teacher to dictate how the program is used including the ability to limit students to a reading range that is on their level. This keeps students from reading books that are too easy or too difficult. Accelerated Reader allows students to read on their own levels and to read at their own pace. It does not dictate which book a student reads. There are currently over 145,000 quizzes available to students. In addition, teachers may make their own quizzes for books that currently are not in the system or they may request that a quiz is made for a particular book. Quizzes are added continuously for new books as they come out. Easy to Set Up Students and teachers can be quickly added to the system either through large batch enrollment or individualized addition. Accelerated Reader allows teachers to customize individual reading levels. Teachers can get these reading levels from a STAR Reading Assessment, standardized assessment, or individual teacher assessment. Classes can be quickly set up to allow the teacher to monitor whole class reading progress and to compare individual students within that class. Motivates Students Every quiz in the Accelerated Reader program is worth points. Points are determined by a combination of the difficulty of the book and the length of the book. Teachers often set goals for the number of points each student must earn. The teacher then rewards their students by giving things such as prizes, parties, etc as motivation to meet their goals. Assesses Student Understanding Accelerated Reader is designed to determine whether or not a student has read a particular book and the level at which they understand the book. A student cannot pass the quiz (60% or higher) if they have not read the book. Students who pass the quizzes demonstrate that they not only read the book, but they have a proficient level of understanding of what the book was about. Uses the ATOS Level The ATOS book level is a readability formula used by the Accelerated Reader program to represent the difficulty of a book. Each book in the program is assigned an ATOS number. A book with a level of 7.5 should be read by a student whose reading level is somewhere around the 7th grade and fifth month of the school year. Encourages Using the Zone of Proximal Development Accelerated Reader encourages the use of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). The Zone of Proximal Development is defined as the range of difficulty that will challenge a student without causing the student to become frustrated or lose motivation. The ZPD can be determined by the STAR Reading assessment or the teacher’s best professional judgment. Allows Parents to Monitor Progress The program allows parents to do the following: Monitor a student’s progress towards reading goals.Conduct book searches.Review results, view the number of books read, words read, and quizzes passed. Provides Teachers With Tons of Reports Accelerate Reader has about a dozen fully customizable reports. These include diagnostic reports, history reports; quiz usage reports, student point reports, and many more. Provides Schools With Technical Support Accelerated Reader allows you to receive automatic software updates and upgrades. It provides live chat support to answer questions and provide immediate resolution to any issues or problems you have with the program. Accelerated Reader also provides software and data hosting. Cost Accelerated Reader does not publish their overall cost for the program. However, each subscription is sold for a one-time school fee plus an annual subscription cost per student. There are several other factors that will determine the final cost of the programming including the length of the subscription and how many other Renaissance Learning programs your school has. Research To date, there have been 168 research studies that support the overall effectiveness of the Accelerated Reader program. The consensus of these studies is that Accelerated Reader is fully supported by scientifically based research. In addition, these studies concur that the Accelerated Reader program is an effective tool for boosting students’ reading achievement. Overall Assessment Accelerated Reader can be an effective technological tool for motivating and monitoring a student’s individual reading progress. One fact that can’t be ignored is the program’s immense popularity. Observations show that this program benefits many students, but the overuse of this program can also burn many students out. This speaks more to how the teacher is using the program than it does to the overall program itself. The fact that the program allows teachers to quickly and easily assess whether a student has read a book and the level of understanding they have from the book is a valuable tool. Overall, the program is worth four out of five stars. Accelerated Reader can have immense benefits for younger students but can lack in maintaining its overall benefits as students get older.

Friday, February 21, 2020

Answering a specific question from the novelTo Kill a Mockingbird by Essay

Answering a specific question from the novelTo Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - Essay Example ted by Jem, that he was â€Å"about six feet tall, judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that’s why his hands are bloodstained†¦There was a long jagged scar that ran across his face; what teeth he had were yellow and rotten, his eyes popped and he drooled most of the time.† But was he really a monster who deserved to be imprisoned? Since there was no clear indication whether Boo was insane or not, we cannot easily define the purpose for his imprisonment. What we know is that his father does not want him in the asylum. He might not have been crazy during the earlier days but who wouldn’t go crazy if you are kept from the outside world for decades? This was understood by Gill when he asked his friends how they would feel â€Å"if you’d been shut up for a hundred years with nothing but cats to eat?† This implied that the people really believed he was crazy. But crazy or not, it was just plain mean to imprison someone in the house. If he was crazy, it was actually better if he was left in the asylum for treatment. And there, he would have the appropriate environmental and social conditions needed by those people with disorder. With this, I don’t think there was any good thing about his father and brother’s way of protecting him, if that was what they insist on doing. And I agree with Scout when she understood â€Å"why Boo Radley’s stayed shut in his house all this time†¦it’s because he wants to stay inside† to escape the horrible things that the townspeople can do to each