Airline Economics Essay

The purpose of this note is to provide background to the study of the airline industry by briefly discussing four important economic aspects of the industry: (1) the nature and measurement of airline costs; (2) economies of scope and hub-and-spoke networks; (3) the relationship between yields and market characteristics; and (4) the S-curve effect. The Appendix to this note contains a glossary of key terms used throughout the discussion. Airline Costs Airline costs fall into three broad categories: flight sensitive costs which vary with the number of flights the airline offers. These include the costs associated with crews, aircraft servicing, and fuel. Once the airline sets its schedule, these costs are fixed. traffic-sensitive costs which vary with the number of passengers. These include the costs associated with items such as ticketing agents and food. Airlines plan their expenditures on these items in anticipation of the level of traffic, but in the short run, these costs are also fixed. fixed overhead costs which include general and administrative expenses, costs associated with marketing and advertising, and interest expenses. The largest category of costs is flight-sensitive. An important point about an airline’s cost structure, and a key to understanding the nature of competition in the industry, is that once an airline has set its schedule, nearly all of its costs are fixed and thus cannot be avoided. Because it is better to generate cash flow to cover some fixed costs, as opposed to none at all, an airline will be willing to fly passengers at prices far below its average total cost. This implies that the incidence of price wars during periods of low demand is likely to be greater in this industry than in most. There are two alternative measures of an airline’s average (or, equivalently, unit) costs: cost per available seat mile (ASM) cost per revenue passenger mile (RPM) Cost per ASM is an airline’s operating costs divided by the total number of seat-miles it flies. (An available seat mile is one seat flown one mile.) It is essentially the cost per unit of capacity. Cost per RPM is the airline’s operating costs divided by the number of revenue-passenger miles it flies. (A revenue passenger mile is one passenger flown one mile.) It is essentially the cost per unit of actual output. These two measures are related by the formula: Cost per RPM = cost per ASM ( load factor where load factor is the fraction of seats an airline fills on its flights. In the end, it is cost per RPM that an airline must worry about, for it must cover its cost per RPM to make a profit. Airlines differ greatly in both their costs per ASM and costs per RPM. For example, in 1992 Southwest had a cost per ASM of 7.00 cents, while USAir had a cost per ASM of 10.90 cents. Similarly, Delta had a cost per RPM of 15.33 cents while American had a cost per RPM of 13.81. Differences across airlines in cost per ASM reflect differences in: 1) average length of flights (cost per ASM declines with distance). 2) fleet composition (cost per ASM is smaller with bigger planes). 3) input prices, especially wage rates. 4) input productivity, especially labor. 5) overall operating efficiency. Differences across airlines in cost per RPM reflect differences in cost per ASM plus differences in load factor. Two airlines might have very similar costs per ASM, but quite different costs per RPM because of differences in load factor. For example, in 1992 USAir and United’s cost per ASM differed by less than 2 cents (USAir 10.90, United 9.30), but their costs per RPM differed by nearly 5 cents (USAir 18.54, United 13.80) because of USAir’s lower overall load factor (USAir .59, United .67) Economies of Scope and Hub-and-Spoke Networks Economies of scope play an important role in shaping the structure of the U.S. airline industry. The source of economies of scope in the airline industry is the hub-and-spoke network. In hub-and-spoke network, an airline flies passengers from a set of â€Å"spoke† cities through a central â€Å"hub,† where passengers then change planes and fly from the hub to their outbound destinations. Thus, a passenger traveling from, say, Omaha to Louisville on American Airlines would board an American flight from Omaha to Chicago, change planes, and then fly from Chicago to Louisville. In general, economies of scope occur when a multiproduct firm can produce given quantities of products at a lower total cost than the total cost of producing these same quantities in separate firms. If â€Å"quantity† can be aggregated into a common measure, this definition is equivalent to saying that a firm producing many products will have a lower average cost than a firm producing just a few products. In the airline industry, it makes economic sense to think about individual origin-destination pairs (e.g., St. Louis to New Orleans, St. Louis to Houston, etc.) as distinct products. Viewed in this way, economies of scope would exist if an airline’s cost per RPM is lower the more origin-destination pairs its serves. To understand how hub-and-spoke networks give rise to economies of scope, it is first necessary to explain economies of density. Economies of density are essentially economies of scale along a given route, i.e., reductions in average cost as traffic volume on the route increases. Economies of density occur because of two factors: (1) spreading flight sensitive fixed costs and (2) economies of aircraft size. As an airline’s traffic volume  increases, it can fill a larger fraction of seats on a given type of aircraft and thus increase its load factor. The airline’s total costs increase only slightly as it carries more passengers because traffic-sensitive costs are small in relation to flight-sensitive fixed costs. As a result, the airline’s cost per RPM falls as flight-sensitive fixed costs are spread over a larger traffic volume. As traffic volume on the route gets even larger, it becomes worthwhile to substitute larger aircraft (e.g., 300 seat Boeing 767s) for smaller aircraft (e.g., 150 seat Boeing 737s). A key aspect of this substitution is that the 300 seat aircraft flown a given distance at a given load factor is less than twice as costly as the 150 seat aircraft flown the same distance at the same load factor. The reason is that doubling the number of seats and passengers on a plane does not require doubling the number of pilots or flight attendants or the amount of fuel. Economies of scope emerge from the interplay of economies of density and the properties of a hub-and-spoke network. To see how, consider an origin-destination pair – say, Indianapolis to Chicago – with a modest amount of traffic. An airline serving only this route would use small planes, and even then, would probably operate with a low load factor. But now consider an airline serving a hub-and-spoke network, with the hub at Chicago. If this airline offered flights between Indianapolis and Chicago, it would not only draw passengers who want to travel from Indianapolis to Chicago, but it would also draw passengers from traveling from Indianapolis to all other points accessible from Chicago in the network (e.g., Los Angeles or San Francisco). An airline that includes the Indianapolis-Chicago route as part of a larger hub-and-spoke network can operate larger aircraft at higher load factors than an airline serving only Indianapolis-Chicago. As a result, it can benefit from economies of density to achieve a lower cost per RPM along the Indianapolis-Chicago route. In addition, the traffic between Indianapolis and the other spoke cities that will fly through Chicago will increase load factors and lower costs per RPM on all of the spoke routes in the network. The overall effect: an airline that serves Indianapolis-Chicago as part of a hub-and-spoke network will have lower costs per RPM than an airline that only serves  Indianapolis-Chicago. This is precisely what is meant by economies of scope. Relation Between Airline Yields and Market Characteristics An airline’s yield is the amount of revenue it collects per revenue passenger mile. It is essentially a measure of the average airline fares, adjusting for differences in distances between different origins and destinations. Airline yields are strongly affected by the characteristics of the particular origin-destination market being served. In particular, there are two important relationships: Shorter distance markets (e.g., New York-Pittsburgh) tend to have higher yields than longer distance markets (e.g., New York-Denver). Controlling for differences in the number of competitors, flights between smaller markets tend to have higher yields than flights between larger markets. The reasons for relationship 1) are summarized in Figure 1. shorter distance higher cost per RPMlower load factor higher cost per RPM higher yield Figure 1 Cost per ASM generally falls as distance increases. This is because, say, doubling trip mileage does not require doubling key inputs such as fuel or labor. Thus, shorter flights have higher cost per ASM than longer flights, and airlines must achieve higher yields to cover these higher costs. In addition, shorter distance flights generally have lower load factors than longer distance flights, which implies a higher cost per RPM for shorter distance flights, again requiring higher yields. Why are load factors lower for shorter flights? The reasons has to do with the greater substitution  possibilities that consumers have in short-distance markets (e.g., car of train travel are more viable options). In short –distance markets, we would therefore expect that some fraction of time-sensitive travelers (e.g., vacationers) would travel on these alternative modes, so short distance flights would have a higher proportion of time-sensitive travelers (e.g., business persons) than longer distance flights. Competitive pressures thus force airlines to offer more frequent flight schedules in short-distance markets, which leads to lower load factors. The reason for relationship 2) has to do with the economies of density discussed earlier. Smaller markets will have lower traffic volumes, and airlines will generally operate smaller aircraft at lower load factors, increasing costs per RPM and yields. The S-Curve Effect The S-curve effect refers to a phenomenon whereby a dominant carrier’s market share (share of RPM) in a particular origin-destination market tends to be greater than the carrier’s share of capacity (share of ASM). Thus, for example, if United offers 70% of the seats flown between Denver and San Francisco, and Continental flies the remaining 30%, then the S-curve effect says that United’s share of the actual traffic in this market will be greater than 70% and Continental’s will be less than 30%. This translates into an S-shaped relationship between â€Å"share of capacity† and â€Å"market share,† as shown in Figure 2. The S-curve effects stems from two sources. First, an airline with a greater share of capacity in a market is likely to have greater visibility in that market, so passengers are likely to contact it first. Second, an airline with a greater capacity share is likely to have more frequent – and thus more convenient – departures. This, too, works to boost its share of the actual traffic. The S-curve phenomenon makes capacity an important competitive weapon in the rivalry among airlines. An airline with the financial resources to purchase  aircraft and airport gates to achieve a dominant capacity share on key routes is likely to win the fight for market share. This suggests that, in general, it will be very difficult for a small carrier to challenge a dominant carrier at a hub airport, unless the small carrier can achieve significant cost advantages unrelated to scale. The history of competition in the post-deregulation airline industry seems to bear this out.

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Owners Equity

Fundamental Concepts Professor Deanna McKenzie Accounting Module – Practice Questions Name: Date: 1 . Identify the Assets, Liabilities and Owners' Equity below: Assets Liabilities Owners' equity Truck Accounts Payable Retained Earnings Wages Payable Cash Salaries Payable Equipment Pre paid Rent Land Note Payable Office Supplies Building Furniture Prepaid Insurance Accounts receivable Common Stock 2. ABC Company issued common stock and received $4000. Please complete the accounting equation below: Assets 4,000 = Liabilities + Owners' Equity + 4,000 3.ABC Company then purchased Office supplies on Account for $200. Please complete the accounting equation below (after the purchase): cash 4,000 = Liabilities + Owners' Equity Office Supplies 200 †Accounts Payable 200 + 4,000 4. a) The owners of XYZ Corporation received $5000 from Mr. Brown and issued him common stock. The company then borrowed $20,000 from the bank and purchased a delivery truck (cash) for $7000. What type of accounts on the balance sheet (Categories) are affected? Owners' Equity Liabilty b) List the specific accounts affected and the amounts.Common Stock 5,000 Cash 18,000†¦20-7+3) Notes Delivery Truck 7,000 c) Write the Accounting Equation below: 5. A company generates $200,000 in revenue in 2011, the gross profit was recorded as $175,000. What their cost of Goods sold? ANSWER: 25,000 200,000 -COGS 175,000 6. XYZ Company's total expenses for 2001 was $450,000. The net Income recorded was $100,000. How much did they generate in revenues? ANSWER: 550,000 Revenue -450,000 1 oo,ooo 7. Stewart's Company purchased an asset with useful life of 5 years for $40000. The salvage value of the asset is $5000.Using the straight line depreciation method: a) How much is the asset depreciated by each year? ANSWER:7K 40,000-5,000 35,000 b) What is the depreciation expense at year 4? 7K c) What is the accumulated depreciation at the end of year 3? 21 K d) What is the value of the asset at the end of year 4? 12K 8. Company A purchased an equipment to print T-shirts. This equipment cost $30,000 and is expected to remain useful for 7 years. The residual value of the equipment is $2000. Find the depreciation expense and the accumulated depreciation after 5 years.

Differences Between Personnel Management And Hr Management Commerce Essay

In this chapter of the thesis, I will discourse the chief maps of an HR director, Personnel Management, differences between Personnel Management and Human Resource Management like joy analysis, forces planning and recruiting, employee testing and choice every bit good as preparation and development.2.1 Challenges of Personnel ManagementDay to twenty-four hours challenges are faced by Personnel Management. Personnel Management have to cover with a work force that includes struggle between the staff members or sometimes with the direction. Analyzing the statistics of the concern which includes day-to-day analysis of the employees like the absence of employee, predictable market forces that impact on concern results. Changes in engineering, is one of the chief challenges that is included on the top challenges of Personnel Management. Business are trade with limitations which is caused by budget restraints, non holding accomplishments within the work force Personnel direction are responsible for happening out the solution and get the better of this state of affairs. Practical jobs like failure of equipment and machinery can besides take to this job. The direction should maintain be cautious that no employee is idle.2.2 Differences between Personnel Management and HR ManagementThe chief difference between forces direction and human resource direction is: forces direction is the traditional attack and human resource direction is the modern attack towards pull offing employees in an endeavor. We compare personnel direction and human resource direction, forces direction is a preponderantly administrative record-keeping map that establishes and manage just footings and conditions of employment contract, whereas human resource direction integrates the traditional forces direction maps to corporate ends and schemes, and performs extra people centered organisational developmental activities. Significant difference exists between forces direction and human resource direction in footings of range, attack, and application.2.2.1 Differences in ScopeThe range of forces direction includes activities like work force planning, enlisting, occupation rating, occupation analysis, developing disposal, and related undertakings. Human resources direction includes all the above activities and organisational developmental activities like leading, motive, developing organisational civilization, communicating of shared values. The human resource direction attack remains integrated to the company ‘s nucleus scheme, and seek to optimise this usage of human resource for the accomplishing organisational ends. This strategic and doctrine context of human resource direction makes it more purposeful, relevant, and more effectual compared to the forces direction attack.Difference in ApproachPersonnel direction attack tends to attach much importance to norms, imposts and established patterns, where theA HR approachA gives importance to values and mission. Personnel direction attack besides concerns itself with set uping regulations, policies, processs, and contracts, and strives to supervise and implement conformity to such ordinances, with careful word picture of written contract. The human resource direction attack remains impatient with regulations and ordinances, and attempts to loosen up them based on concern demands and exigencies, and purpose to travel by the spirit of the contract instead than the missive of the contract. An illustration of this difference in attack prevarications in the intervention of employee motive. The personnel direction attack holds employee satisfaction as the key to maintaining employees motivated, and institute compensation, fillips, wagess, and work simplification enterprises as possible incentives. The human resource doctrine hold improved public presentation as the driver of employee satisfaction, and invent schemes such as work challenges, squad work, and creativeness to better motive.Difference in NatureAnother dimension of the difference is attack between human resources and forces direction is the nature of human resource direction compared to the nature of forces direction. Personnel direction remains distant from nucleus organisational activities, maps independently, and takes a reactive attack to alterations in corporate ends or scheme. Human resource direction remains incorporate with corporate scheme and takes a proactive attack to aline the work force toward achievement ofA ends. Example, the forces direction attacks concerns itself with public presentation assessment procedure, human resource direction attack has a more comprehensive public presentation direction system that aims to rectify public presentation instead than do a study card of past public presentation.Difference in ApplicationPersonnel direction is an independent staff map in the organisation, with the actions from directors, and no linkage to the organisations core procedure. Human resource direction remains integrated with the organisations core scheme and maps. Though a distinguishable human resource section carries out much of the human resource direction undertakings, human res ource enterprises involve the direction and runing staff strongly. Personnel direction besides strives to accommodate the aspirations and positions of the work force with direction involvement by institutional agencies such as corporate bargaining, trade brotherhood based dialogues and the similar. This leads to arrested development of work conditions applicable for all, and non needfully aligned to overall corporate ends. Human Resource Management gives covering with each employee independently and provides more importance to client developmental activities and easing single employees ( non dickering or negociating with trade brotherhoods ) . Finally, in our treatment of forces direction and human resource direction, we find that forces direction lays down stiff occupation description with many classs and a fixed publicity policy – normally based on senior status and public presentation assessment evaluations. Human resource direction on the other manus has comparatively fewer classs and ranks, with loosely defined occupation duties supplying much range for using creativeness and enterprise, and plentifulness of calling waies, with accomplishments, endowment and committedness the cardinal drivers of calling promotion.2.3 Use of occupation analysis information[ 1 ]This includes several HR direction activities: Recruitment and choice: It has information on human features required to execute activities every bit good as what the occupation intends. This is described by occupation specifications and descriptions and it besides helps the direction to make up one's mind what sort of people they should engage. Compensation: The HR director usage occupation analysis information in order to make up one's mind appropriate compensation ( such as salary and other inducements ) . Compensation of an employee is depend on occupations required accomplishments and instruction degree, the grade of duty every bit good as on other factors which can be assist through occupation analysis. By and large, the employee classs their occupation into categories ( like secretary in grade III ) .Job analysis besides contains information on the comparative worth of each occupation. Performance assessment: This is a procedure through which existent public presentation is compared in relation with his public presentation criterions. With the aid of occupation analysis, directors determine public presentation criterions every bit good as occupation specific activities. Training: The preparation demands of a occupation are by and large mentioned in the occupation description. Detecting unassigned responsibilities: With the aid of occupation analysis, the directors can apportion even assigned responsibilities. For illustration, the company ‘s production director may be responsible for a twelve of responsibilities like production programming, natural stuff buying. Missing, nevertheless, is any mention to pull offing natural stuff stock lists. After diging deeper, one learns that other fabrication people are non responsible for stock list direction. So, the directors teach whom to delegate all those exposed unassigned responsibilities. EEO complains: EEO complains should be considered by HR directors as reflect to the US federal bureaus uniform guidelines on employee choice. For illustration, employers must be able to turn out that the choice standards and occupation public presentation are really related.

Nutritional assessment and management of patient with Acute Essay

Nutritional assessment and management of patient with Acute Pancreatitis - Essay Example Both these types may lead to the development of pancreatic cancer. Various factors are attributed to the aetiology of acute pancreatitis. The risk of development of pancreatitis differs with age and sex, and it most commonly occurs among the black population than any other race (Yadav & Lowenfels 2012). The most common cause of acute pancreatitis is gall stones and can be eliminated with the help of early cholecystectomy (Yadav & Lowenfels 2012). Alcoholism and smoking lead to be independent factors in the development of pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis can occur within hours or 2 days following the consumption of alcohol. Other causes of acute pancreatitis include abdominal trauma, infections, medications, tumours, and genetic abnormalities. The symptoms include upper abdominal pain which may be gradual or sudden followed by consumption of food. The pain may be mild initially and may result in severe form later. Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, fever, rapid pulse may be present. Seve re acute pancreatitis may be fatal to the patient with failures of the kidney, the lungs and the heart. In the following essay, an attempt is made to critically evaluate the clinical condition of Mrs. Barrowman diagnosed with acute pancreatitis and to identify the factors that may affect her nutritional status, and to assess her nutritional risk status using ‘MUST’ (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool). Mrs. Barrowman, 54 years, got admitted in the ITU with the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. During admission, the patient was presented with symptoms of severe abdominal pain and vomiting, which are one of the main signs of acute pancreatitis. Physically, height of the patient is 1.78 m and weight 58 kg prior to the period of ill health, and might have possibly lost 1-5 kg during her illness. Third day observation charted the following: BP: 105/75 mm Hg, heart rate: 130 bpm and is presented with sinus tachycardia. She has pitting edema all over the body. Other laboratory

Preparedness of Intensive Care Unit Nurses Case Study

Preparedness of Intensive Care Unit Nurses - Case Study Example Just by the looks of it, not only are researchers in agreement as to what good palliative care is; there is also a tall task that is assigned to nurses in palliative care. Amidst constant cry for better training and preparation, palliative care nurses are expected to perform these tasks that entail not only academic inputs but psychological and emotional preparedness as well. As we have seen above, even oncology nurses find themselves still wanting when it comes to providing quality end-of-life care, though, no one can deny that palliative nurses are supposed to be the model for end-of-life care. Given these demands of palliative care, and given the fact that even the conference cites palliative care as the guide for quality end-of-life care in the ICU, let us now turn to examine the present situation of UK ICU nurses. After which, we shall see whether they are prepared for end-of-life care, as discussed above, or if they are still wanting. Let us first look at some facts about UK IC U Nurses. We will do the assessment as to their preparedness or unpreparedness after.   ICU nurses may receive training for advanced life support skills.   That nurses may undergo training to be able to provide the following: manual defibrillation, shock advisory defibrillation, intravenous cannulation, intravenous adrenaline administration, laryngeal mask airway insertion, and tracheal intubation (O’Higgins et al. 2001: 46-47). This is an improvement in line with an earlier survey which states that only â€Å"12 percent of British nurses regularly performed arterial puncture† compared to 75 percent of Swedish nurses that regularly do such a procedure (Depasse et al. 1998: 939). Within the same report, it was also stated that British nurses are less involved in invasive procedures, in spite of higher levels of staffing (1998: 944). In the magazine, Nursing (2000: 32 cc6), it was reported that aside from ICU nurses being overworked which may result in increased mortality rate, other factors exist that may contribute to higher mortality rates during peak hours.

Rhetorical analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Rhetorical analysis - Essay Example He established his logos or logic to be more credible with the help of ethos or credibility by inferring to his lineage that he is the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy. His used of concrete figures also helped in making his arguments in the essay to be more logical and thus, more credible. Scholossberg use emotional appeal or pathos is not through the use of dramatics that would move the audience to cry but rather on appealing to their patriotic sense and love for America. The primary purpose of the essay wasa to voice America’s youth of concern that they too would like to get involve that they care for their country because what is stake in the election is their future in the first place. They are not as apathetic or self-absorbed as they were projected. It is just they reject the petty posturing of politicians, their partisan gridlocks and political inaction to get things done. Give them real leaders and they will respond – through involvement and willingness to work. While the youth may seem unaware and apolitical, Jack Scholossberg clarified that his generation knows what is going on. They know that his generation is burdened with a misguided war that damaged [America’s] credibility abroad. This resulted to America’s numerous implacable enemies that resorted to terrorism out of their hatred for America. Those misguided wars also costed America billions of dollars that they it has to borrow to the point that its national debt has grown so large that they do not know if they can still pay it back. According to Scholossberg, the youth may be silent (evident with their previous non-particpation) but they are very observant. Thus, in writing an essay to the Yale Daily News and The Yale Herald as his contribution, he would like to relay to his fellow students and youth (the paper being an

E learning Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

E learning - Thesis Example The people in the country mainly follow the culture of Sunni Muslims, which directly resembles with Islamic values and beliefs. The economy of the country has also been on a continuous growth spree over the years owing to the commendable growth in the business sector. E-learning has been a particular domain that has focused towards implementing internet as means of educating people. In Saudi Arabia, the government is largely focused towards using internet extensively in the primary educational sector. The increase in internet in academic purpose has been seen from the year 2007 in Saudi Arabia. Its use can be visualized in primary as well as secondary educational sector of the country. The findings of the study were deemed to be in alignment with the predetermined objectives of the research study which are further discussed in detail hereunder. The study has certain predetermined questions that need to be answered based upon the needs of the study. It is quite apparent that the research study has been conducted with the intention of depicting the problems of e-learning in Saudi Arabia especially in the domain of primary schools. The research study has also aimed at depicting the impact of both financial and technical problems with regards to the growth of the educational sector in Saudi Arabia especially in the domain of primary public schools of the nation. The objectives of this particular research study have been provided in detail hereunder. The objective of this particular research study is to determine the barriers experienced by primary public schools in Saudi Arabia when adopting e-learning. With this objective in mind, several research questions are framed below: In order to provide comprehensive set of answers for the research questions framed above, proper set of research objectives have been ascertained in this particular research study. However,

Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman - Essay Example Hughes is famous for writing about the ordinary lives of black people from the 20s to the 60s. Hughes claimed that his writings were influenced by Paul Lawrence Dunbar, W.E.B. Du Bois, Carl Sandburg, and Walt Whitman. On the other hand, Walt Whitman was born on May 31, 1819 in New York. Whitman worked as a printer, teacher, journalist, editor and during the war, he volunteered as a nurse in hospitals. His literary inspirations are Homer, Dante and Shakespeare. The era when Hughes became very popular was during the Harlem Renaissance (1918 to 1930) which was during the time when the Blacks were discriminated against. Being a Black himself, his themes were about social injustices against the Blacks and what it meant to be black, which earned him the title â€Å"The Black Poet Laureate†. Hughes also believed in socialism and became a member of the Communist Party. In contrast, Whitman’s epoch was during the Civil War. He witnessed the rise of the United States as a commerc ial and political power. He witnessed both the peak and the abolition of slavery. This is why the themes of his poems are mainly on the ideas of democracy, equality and brotherhood (SparkNotes Editors, par.6). With regards to writing style, both Whitman and Hughes use rhythm and repetition which creates a captivating quality of incantation. Both of them use anaphora, which is a literary device where several lines in a row begin with the same word or phrase. In Whitman, an example of this is his poem â€Å"When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer† (1865), where the first four lines each begin with â€Å"when†, as illustrated below: When I heard the learn’d astronomer; When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me; When I was shown the charts and the diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them; When I, sitting, heard the astronomer, where he lectured with much applause in the lecture-room, In Hughes’ â€Å"Let America Be America Againâ₠¬ , the first three lines begin with â€Å"let†. Let America be America again. Let it be the dream it used to be. Let it be the pioneer on the plain Unlike Whitman, Hughes’ poems are more pessimistic about the nature of America; but at the same time he offers a call to change, as can be seen in his poem above. The themes of Whitman’s works revolve around democracy as a way of life, the cycle of growth and death and the beauty of the individual. On the other hand, Hughes’ themes are based on his personal life, his travels, his involvement in radical and protest movements, his interest in Africa and South America as well as the Caribbean. With regards to the use of language, Whitman widened the possibilities of poetic diction by including slang, colloquialisms, and regional dialects, rather than employing the stiff, erudite language so often found in nineteenth-century verse (SparkNotesEditors, par.2). In contrast, Hughes language style incorporates rhythm ical language, jazz, blues structures, dialects and colorful verses. Hughes’ poetry is best read aloud because of its cadence. Whitman and Hughes are poets who were largely influenced by the political and social issues during their times. Their works goes beyond literature, crossing the boundaries of political and social content. Both the subject matter and language contribute to its aesthetic value. This is what made their poems more memorable and considered to be among the masterpieces of world literature. Work Cited â€Å"Poets.org. Guide to Langston Hughes.† Poets.org. Web. 18 May 2011. http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/323 SparkNotes Editors. â€Å"SparkNote on Whitman’s Poetry.† SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2002. Web. 18 May 2011.

Should foreign policy be about promoting values in the world or simply Essay

Should foreign policy be about promoting values in the world or simply about protecting the national interest - Essay Example ntain elements that attempt to promote useful ethical and moral values that are thought to be important for the progress of humanity (Donnelly, 2004, Pp. 1 – 16)? After having lost millions of lives and having endured two World Wars, a broad consensus has now finally emerged in regard to what may be considered to be ethical behavior by a state and international institutions do exist to protect and promote international law(Dongyan, 2006, Sections I to IV) and (Harries, 2005, Pp. 1 – 10). These institutions also encourage mediation and dialogue between nations. Nation states have always tried to influence other nations through intimidation, coercion or rewards, but in an era of globalization which has had a profound influence on the manner in which the world works, communicates, trades and acts in concert on important issues, perhaps promotion of ethical and moral values are as important as safeguarding the national interest (Reisman, 1999, Pp. 1 – 15). However, t his is also an era of global economic competitions, with many nations only paying a lip service to values associated with human rights, democracy and morality in interstate relations, preferring to constantly receive, but never give. Thus, a greater emphasis needs to be placed on the protection of national interests rather then on the promotion of values. This brief essay presents a discussion of this issue. Interest has been a guide for the diplomatic conduct of states since the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries when the concept of modern sovereign states was being formulated (Shembilku, 2004, Pp. â€Å"The Concept of National Interest†). Interest was then considered in terms of those aspirations which were prompted by rational calculations and pursued with prudence. Thus, it was important for those who were at the helm of power to know when to use power and when to desist from the use of power. Prudence was a term that was used in relation to the carrying out of actions to achieve political

Show Dont Tell and Leads and Conclusion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Show Dont Tell and Leads and Conclusion - Essay Example Showing: Slowly, I browsed through the editorial page of the newspaper. The freshness of the ink and paper began to permeate my nostrils as I let my eyes wander over the lines that initially caught my attention. I felt a bit of agitation from inside me as I quietly read the sharp contrast of the quotes between the Republican and Democratic parties. The Republican reaction appealed more to my logic. They seemed to be created from an impartial reasoning fused with tact and conciseness. In contrast, the Democratic reaction felt as if they were aimed at me personally. That is how offensive they sounded. Original: It was time for the announcement of results. The administrator began announcing the results. Results were being announced in the order of seniority. So my turn was after the announcement of results for the fifth and the fourth grade. It did not take the administration long to announce the result of the senior batches, and it was the turn of third grade. Suddenly, I heard my name. The administrator had requested me to come up to the stage. The speaker had a trophy with a green ribbon on it in his hand. I was stunned, and tottered up to the stage in huge amazement. Oh! It was really for me. I had the time of my life. The silver shine gleamed in the sunlight and was a reflection of my joy. I had stood third. I had a green trophy in my hand. It was the first trophy of my academic career and opened the doors for many more to follow. First conclusion: It was time for the announcement of results. The results were announced in order of seniority. The third grade’s turn came after the announcement of results for the fifth and fourth grade. I know I did not stand a chance for my coveted award. I had been sick for the better part of the school year and my grades suffered a lot. I looked at my parents and saw in my mom’s eyes a look of understanding. She

Kant & Deontology Essay Example for Free

Kant Deontology Essay When people think of Ethical Theory then the word morals, respect, and honesty seem to come to mind. Kant devised an ethical theory that is broken down into major elements to explain what he believes is ethical for society to believe. This is where the act of good will comes to existence and the nature of a person’s demeanor comes into how he or she decides what is the right or wrong thing to do. When the laws are put into place to help people know what society has decided what is ethical. Next, would be the decision making process of doing what is right or wrong. Looking at personal gain is not morally correct and having no respect for what is right is hard for a person to decide. He or she must have the decision making process developed or taught to ensure successful outcomes in ethical dilemmas. The major elements of Kant’s ethical theory is a person should not use another as a means to satisfy a personal desire and that morality is based on universal rules much like what is referred as the Golden Rule. The principles of Kantianism have hypothetical and categorical imperatives. We have a duty to ourselves and to others and while we have the ability to rationalize, our actions are not always rational. When using another as a means it should be without coercion or lying and the end should be such that they would be willing to being used. Actions requiring the use of deception are wrong and unjust. One does not make false promises. â€Å"For Kantians, respect for another person is fundamental. The fact that we are rational is of infinite value: we can plan, choose, and anticipate our future. † (Stairs, 1997.Pg 4). In Kantianism, justice ranks higher than happiness and if the act is not unjust then it is not immoral or wrong. Kant thought of â€Å"good will† as a deed done for wise regulation motives from a purpose of responsibility. This instructs and benefits as a categorical imperative for all ethical judgments rather than speculative or relying facts (Deontology Kant, 2005). Kant’s theory is basically an example of deontological, which judges morality by reviewing the nature of actions and the will of agents rather than goals obtained. The system of deontology is supported by rules and principles, which verify decisions. Kant proposed the categorical imperative, the views that every person should act on only those methods that he or she, as a wise person would direct as popular laws to be pertained to the whole of mankind (Ethical Theories Approaches, 2001). Imperative includes treating others how he or she as a person wants to be treated basically respecting others. Categorical imperatives are essentials: * Actions pass or fail * No grey areas * But the cracks appear in unlikely places (Deontology and Kant, 2005). In the decision making process within the Kantian approach, ethical decisions are based on his or her sense of duty. The word duty is derived from the Greek word Deon (deontological). Duty refers to the acts of a person based on the principles of morality. In this decision making approach a person must make decisions based on what is right rather than the good consequences that will follow. A person must make the morally right decision regardless of the good or bad outcome. Categorical imperative is what determines whether an act is morally right or wrong. The requirements of categorical imperatives are that moral principles are applied by respecting humanity. All humanity is to be respected and no one is allowed to be exploited. In this deontological point of view a person should act rational person and make self-imposed decisions. In conclusion, Kant wants people to understand how to understand the ethical theory that society should follow. If a person is looking for something in return for doing a good deed it is not considered a good deed. If he or she does unto others how they want to be treated then that is the moral duty to do right by everyone. Good will is an important ethical element in Kant’s theory because if a person is not willing to do for others and not expecting anything in return then the nature of things will be chaotic and order will be lost. This is where the decision making process comes into play meaning if society chooses to help others without thinking of what is in it for them than good will has happened. Nature is where everything comes in balance and works in harmony with one another. People are part of nature and following the elements of ethical theory is essential to everyday living in order to live in a peaceful world. Reference Stairs, A. (1997). Kant’s Ethical Theory. Retrieved from https://www. stairs. umd. edu/140/kant. html Ethical Theories and Approaches. (2001). Ethical Theories and Approaches. Retrieved from: http://techsci. msun. edu Deontology and Kant. (2005). Business and Ethical Thinking: An Ethic of Duty. Retrieved from: www. bola. biz.

Red Bull and Beverage Industry Essay Example for Free

Red Bull and Beverage Industry Essay What are the underlying drivers of change and how might those forces individually or collectively make the industry more or less attractive? Now energy drink, sports drinks and vitamin-enhanced is evolving. Energy drink, sports drinks and vitamin-enhanced in the beverage market, external and internal environment under pressure, causing it to change. The energy drink, sports drinks and vitamin-enhanced from 2009 began to develop, to grow from $1. 58 trillion in 2009 to nearly $1. 78 trillion in 2014. Market is very rapid. I feel the market underlying drivers the following: 1. The influence of Globalization: the global beverage industry was project to grow from $1. 58 trillion in 2009 to nearly $1. 78 trillion in 2014 as beverage producers entered new geographic markets, development new types of beverages and continued to create demand fir popular drink . These new products to market has generated new creativity and new applications, so as to increase the intensity of competition in the market, the beverage market is booming. Because globalization, lead to product innovation development, Each enterprise according to new market policy undertook a series of adjustment. . Buyers demand increases, resulting in the beverage industry development: Now many of the buyers to pay attention to nutritional balance and complement, so energy drink, sports drinks and vitamin-enhanced have a more broad market. 4. What  does  your  strategic  group  map  of  the  energy  drink,  sports  drink,  and  vitamin-enhanced  beverage  industry  look  like? Which  strategic  groups  do  you  think  are  in  the  best  positions? The  worst  positions? The  Red  bull  energy  drinks  was  created  in  1966. It  became  the  one  of  the  first  energy  drinks  in  the  world. In the fast moving consumer goods, beverage industry belongs to the keen industry, but the huge demand, walk quantity is the most effective way to enlarge its profit, small profits but quick turnover is also the retailers general technique, so the enterprise sales also often in several hundred million, billions of above, but the investment funds is very big, so the new industry enterprise also often be some big corporations. Marketing force, marketing force, it refers to the marketing strategy and the marketing ability of organization. For example in china, , want to stand out in many products, must be competitive marketing strategy and a good marketing organization system. Channel force, it refers to the channel management ability, in the fast pin product, channel for the king, even if you have good products, put a great amount of expenses to do publicity without to channel intensive cultivation, or do bad market, can not reach walk quantity task, meager profit but high turnover pin link will break chain, will give enterprise to bring the serious loss. . What recommendations would you make to Coca-Cola to improve its competitiveness in the global alternative beverage industry? To PepsiCo? To Red Bull GmbH 1 internal Strengthen control of quality and learn more information about requirements for energy beverage in different nation. And I saw that lots of news about Red bull which include illegal composition in recent years. In 2009, Germany check out Red Bull Cola (Red Bull Cola) contains 0. PPM of cocaine 30 may 2 009, Taiwan police check out Austria import red bull energy drinks contain extremely trace level of drug cocaine 1 June 2009 Hong Kong, 11 February 2012 China, Negative news would significant impacted a company or industry, especially Drinking and food industry. Everything about eating. In addition, there are lots of new beverage brand in the world. If Negative news led to lose market, company would very hard to get market back

Sociological Theories of the Family Essay

Sociological Theories of the Family Essay Sociological theories are usually thought of as, systematic sets of ideas and statements about the social world that aim to make sense of the social world. {http://uregina.ca/~gingrich/j799.htm}. The conclusions drawn from empirical observation and testing help individuals and society to be improved in the ways they lead their lives in this world. This essay is going to explain three mostly commonly mentioned sociological theories of the family which are Functionalism, Marxism and Feminism. Functionalists believe that each part of society has a function, and they are very positive about society so they always see the good in all things. By looking at society on a large scale they argue that society is based on consensus, meaning that we are socialised to agree on the norms and values in order to survive. Functionalists believe that the family should be seen to perform functions which benefit both its members and society in general. According to Murdock (1949), the family is a universal institution with universal functions. {Haralambos M Langley P. (2003) page 76}. In other words, families are found in all societies regardless of for example culture differences. Functions performed universally are; reproduction which keeps the human race, primary socialisation which teaches children the norms and values of society, economic and educational. Functionalists believe that the following functions are important for the wellbeing of society. Murdock strongly believes that the nuclear family represents all the above functions and he argues that no adequate substitute can replace it. In other words all other family structures are damaging to society. However, Marxists refuse the functionalists views. They are very negative about the society we live in and see the bad in everything. They believe there will be a revolution, because of their belief that society is being dominated by the ruling class, therefore because of the working class being exploited they will get rid of the ruling class and capitalism. They believe in equality though their main interest is on capitalist societies such as; Britain, Western Europe and America. Their main argument is that institutions such as families are shaped by the requirements of capitalism and serve to support and maintain it. Main emphasis is on the nuclear family, Marxists argue that female have no rights and that men have all the power. Marxists believe that society is based on differences between the working class and ruling class. The family makes it easier to uphold class differences in society as the rich can be able to give their children a good beginning in life than the poor, for example by paying for good education and getting them good jobs either in their own business or their friends businesses, whereas the unemployed and poor families would struggle in those terms. Marxists believe the family socialises the working class to believe that it is normal that the classes are not the same. Feminists on the other hand see the family as patriarchal (all is dominated by men); some of them are negative about society. They look at society on a large scale, and they do generalise their ideas about males and female to the whole society. Overall they see the family as one of the main areas in which women are oppressed by men. They argue that domestic labour is done by women, regardless of being in employment or not. Women make the main contributions to the family life, men receive the main benefits. (Delphy Leonard, 1992) {Haralambos M Langley P. (2003) page 80} Feminists believe the family is bad for women, they argue that units like the nuclear family influence girls and boys to learn their different gender roles within the family through socialisation. Mothers are role models to the girls who learn all house chores, whilst boys learn from their fathers, to do male duties. They then gain knowledge of how male and female roles should be. The purpose of the family is to reinforce the dominant position of men within a patriarchal society. The nuclear family is not an ideal family according to the feminist, lone parent families especially those headed by women are seen as the ideal families. Overall, the family unit today has changed since the time of Functionalism, Marxism and Feminism, however, they are relevant issues to some part of family life for example; roles of men and women are different because of anatomy. Men cannot physically be pregnant so they can go to work without any ties on the other hand women are biologically designed to have children. Marxism and Functionalism would agree with this statement. However feminists say this should not jeopardise womens right to work, it could be agreed with what feminists say that women can have children and work but should balance looking after their children with employment. Haralambos M Langley P. (2003) Sociology in Focus Causeway Press http://uregina.ca/~gingrich/j799.htm

Military Ethics †Humanitarian Aid in Somalia Essay -- Somalian Histor

In August of 1992, President George Bush Sr. sent US soldiers into Somalia to provide humanitarian relief to those Somalis suffering from starvation. The major problems in Somalia started when President Mohammed Siad Barre was overthrown by a coalition of opposing clans. Although there were several opposing groups, the prominent one was led by Mohammed Farah Aidid. Following the overthrow of Barre, a massive power struggle ensued. These small scale civil wars led to the destruction of the agriculture in Somalia, which in turn led to the deprivation of food in large parts of the country. When the international community heard of this, large quantities of food were sent to ease Somali suffering. However, clan leaders like Aidid routinely hijacked food and exchanged it for weapons leaving thousands to starve to death. An estimated 300,000 Somalis died between 1991 and 1992 (Clancy 234-236). US soldiers were later sent into Somalia to capture Aidid, but when the operation got bloody, dis pleasing the American public, Clinton withdrew troops (Battersby 151). In The Morality of War, Brian Orend outlines ethical guidelines that should be followed in all three stages of war: jus ad bellum, jus in bello, and jus post bellum. Orend states that a nation can be moral going into war, but immoral coming out of one. Did the US act justly in all facets of the Somali conflict? The United States espoused all the guiding principles of jus ad bellum but right intent, upheld the principals of jus in bello, and clearly failed to uphold several aspects of jus post bellum during the armed humanitarian intervention in Somalia. Jus ad bellum is defined as â€Å"justice of war† and is recognized as the ethics leading up to war (Orend 31). Orend contends that an... ...ed to uphold to the standards of jus post bellum. It is evident when one looks at Somalia today. Somalia still lacks a strong central government and several thousands, if not millions, of Somalis are at risk of starvation due to drought. Again, the United States entered the conflict failing to adhere to all the principals of jus ad bellum, espousing the principles of jus in bello, and inadequately upholding those of jus post bellum. The US entered the war an unjust nation, and left the conflict in a rather unjust manner. As a result, Somalia faces hardship over two decades later with no signs of a hasty recovery. Even worse, with the problem lingering and the international debt crisis, few countries are willing to intervene in Africa to cut out a solution. How long will the world let Somali people starve and whose job is it to intervene if America is unwilling?

MacBeth :: Character Analysis, Classics

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the three witches give Macbeth a false sense of security with their apparitions of truths. Instead, they prove to be harmful for Macbeth who takes too much comfort and confidence in his interpretation of the truths.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the first apparition, a floating head warns Macbeth to beware Macduff. The apparition confirms Macbeth’s own fears saying he has already guessed as much. In the second apparition, a bloody child tells Macbeth, â€Å"None a woman born shall harm Macbeth† (4.1, p. 96). Believing everyone is born of woman, Macbeth takes relief in the idea that he will never be harmed. Although, the apparition does provide a truth, but unbeknownst to Macbeth, Macduff was not of â€Å"woman born† rather â€Å"from his mother’s womb / untimely ripped† (5.9 p. 349). Macduff was born through cesarean section after his mother died hence the bloody child in the apparition. In the third apparition, a crowned child holding a tree, tells Macbeth he is safe until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill. Again, the apparition deceives Macbeth the way he perceives it thinking Birnam Wood cannot move to Dunsinane Hill. Later, a messenger tells Macbeth the trees of Birnam wood are advancing toward Dunsinane. Malcolm’s soldiers carry the tree branches to Dunsinane making the apparition truthful. The crowned child in the apparition is Malcolm—the future king after Macbeth. Finally in the last apparition, a procession of eight crowned kings walks by, the last one carrying a mirror. Banquo’s ghost walks at the end of the line. The witches vanish before Macbeth could get a meaning behind the apparition.

AFGHANISTAN A Second Chance to Transform a Nation :: Essays Papers

AFGHANISTAN A Second Chance to Transform a Nation GRAPH I. Historical Background, Pre-European Intervention Before Western European intervention in its affairs, Afghanistan progressed relatively well while resisting the interference of invading foreigners. The region was among the first to domesticate plants and animals over 50,000 years ago, and in the 2000s BCE, urban centers served as important centers of commerce and craft. The city of Mundigak, located near the modern city of Kandahar, possibly invented bronze and served as an important passage between Mesopotamia and other Indus valley civilizations. Its relative prominence and strategic value led Darius the Great to expand the Persian Empire into the majority of Afghanistan in an invasion around 500 BCE that included some of its most metropolitan areas. In a foreshadowing of conflicts to come over the next few thousand years, the Afghan people constantly revolted against and attacked the Persian authority with their tribal groups, particularly in the Arachosia region. After 200 years, Alexander the Great conquered Persia, whic h consequently led to another invasion into Afghanistan met by constant and bloody revolt. In 50 AD, Kushan rule was established by King Kanishka, but the empire fragmented into hostile dynasties 170 years later, setting up the stage for the White Hun invasion of 400 AD that resulted in the destruction of Afghani Buddhist culture. In 550 AD, Persians reaffirmed control over roughly the modern boundaries of Afghanistan, but once again, Afghan tribes revolted fiercely against the Persian occupiers. These events should have served as important and noted precedents for future generations of invaders (Chronological History of Afghanistan). II. Early Precedents of Failed Western Intervention in Afghani Affairs The region of Afghanistan became strategically significant with Great Britain’s colonization of India. By the early nineteenth century, India provided vast amounts of resources, land, and profit for England, and the British considered India the jewel of their â€Å"imperial crown† that needed to be protected at all costs (Chirnside). Under its tsarist rule, Russia had been expanding in many directions, and southward seemed to be the next logical alternative. Russia sent various diplomatic envoys that began to gain favor with Dost Muhammad, the acting ruler of Afghanistan during that time.

Why K-Pop Should Be Banned

Argumentative Essay K-Pop wave should be banned in Malaysia. Nowadays, in the fast pacing world, the explosion of technology has brought everything underneath our hand. We can clearly see the generation gap that made the world now and the past ten years is different. The patterns of life changing and all sorts of routine thing that involved us are different too. In the past ten years, the outside culture will take a long time to absorb in our country.It’s a different situation now, with everything at our fingertip, and the simple example would be in the entertainment industry. The latest fashion, style, music, film, movie and in a simple word, an entertainment will easily enter our country without hesitation and no boundaries. I don’t agree that K-pop culture should be banned in Malaysia. We should see this matter in a positive side essay writer no plagiarism. There may be advantages of this wave. For example, it will add a variety of music in our country.If we can acce pt the western culture and their entertainment, why should we ban others? We should be more open-minded but it doesn’t mean that we should just blindly receive; we are now in the world of 21st century where all people are gifted with education and high knowledge so, we need to consider all the good and bad sides of the entertainment that will get into our country. Next, most of teenagers are attracted to K-pop culture because they want to release their tension or stress from their work because sometimes the day just won’t go the way you wanted it to be.The bands from Korea are known for their energetic performance and full of spirit. They gave their all when they stand on the stage and treat their fans will lot of love. When we are bored, the vitamin that we need is their ambitious performance that will surely rise up our mood and make us smile and completely cure our fatigue. Although some might said that k-pop will only addicted and wasted our time but as long as we can manage our life and make everything under control, we can handle everything. It’s all depend on us. We are the one who ave the right on ourselves. So make sure we control and manage our life, consider everything and take only a good thing and avoid all the bad influence that may come after us. As a conclusion, I strongly believe that k-pop shouldn’t be banned in Malaysia because we should spice up our entertainment industry with lot types of music genres. As long as we still consider every good and bad side of the things, we will surely not make a wrong decision. We also can raise up our own music industry and compete healthily with the current trends.

What Is Risk Stratification Health And Social Care Essay

Accurate stratification of the hazard involved with the patient is a cardinal constituent in wellness attention appraisal of the procedural results.An increasing no of wellness attention organisations are acquiring dependant on the wellness attention appraisal through such plans as a agency for aid in doing patient risk-stratification determinations. The lone trouble persist that the procedure of outcome theoretical account development is both clip consuming and hard due to the preliminary phase. Many techniques can be used for medical appraisal of hazard like patterning techniques ( logistic arrested development, unreal nervous web ( ANN ) , and Bayesian ) to quickly develop theoretical accounts for hazard stratifying patients. The lone difference is their method of analysis. The job pertains that none of the technique give accurate consequences or are or hundred per centum dependable. Thresholds are mark based research technique based on grounds that provides numerical marks for healthy development. Targets are derived by careful rating of the given literature on history of the instance surveies agree on a peculiar phenomenon. Assorted different bomber populations like Hazard stratification theoretical accounts can help clinicians in doing determinations on the topic of the demand for extra testing one time a preliminary clinical estimation has been performed. The American Society of Anaesthesiologists ( ASA ) classification of Physical Status was the first clinical manifestation developed to calculate hazard. Introduced in 1941, it was remodelled to its current signifier in 1962 [ 4 ] . Patients are categorized into one of 5 major categories based upon the presence and manifestations of attached medical upsets and whether exigency surgery is required. The public-service corporation of this index is limited by intra spectator incompatibility in evaluation and fluctuations in the prognostic power for postoperative enlistments. Disease Stage, Prevention, and The Care Management Process are correlated in a manner where at an initial phase the patient visits a GP based on early symptoms or hurt at this phase the practician accesses the patients intervention needs or suggest certain trials t the patient. At the following phase where after rating of the disease the future postulation is made on the demand of hospitalization and therefore the population is sorted into the religious orders required. On meeting a major disease where reoccurrence of disease or mortality is a status a set of rules for disease direction in performed by the practicians if hospitalization is required an operative demand arises instance direction under infirmary disposal is the concluding phase which may take to either complete intervention of the high hazard patient or mortality, complication or reoccurrence. Models are specified utilizing the PRISM modeling linguistic communication for the Reactive Modules formalism based on province alteration. Systems are described faculties arranged parallely for treating. Each faculty ‘s province is controlled by the assigned probabilistic guarded bids. The linguistic communication besides supports assorted procedure algebraic operations with agencies of planetary variables and synchronism. See the PRISM certification and illustration depository at [ 6 ] for more information. The PRISM model identifies strengths and failings in RHIS public presentation bridging the spreads hence found, taking to the sweetening of wellness system public presentation. Routine wellness information systems ( RHIS ) attempt record and present quality information about the wellness sector organisations. This information is so used as a usher to daily interventions, path modus operandi, rectifying the past consequences, and therefore increasing the answerability. But the information available in such instances falls short the ideal demands to bring forth high quality systems, informations quality may be low, intermediate procedures of informations other may non be, or directors and staff may hold limited cognition sing information public-service corporation and usage of systems, inducements to give attending to the direction of information system processes may be few. Looking narrowly at proficient issues such as informations aggregation forms we understand the troubles associated with bettering the RHIS systems through PRISM. Refined ways to place and use multiple, frequently aggressive, therapies to accomplish maximum malignant neoplastic disease control its indispensable to assist bad patient. Clinician can besides give these patients the option to inscribe in clinical tests that offer fresh therapies. Classification of patients into established and consistent hazard classs is besides of cardinal importance in doing comparings between patients in clinical databases. Sophisticated analytical instruments incorporate hazard grouping of similar preoperative clinic pathologic parametric quantities like pre-treatment serum PSA, biopsy mark and capacity parametric quantities, and medical tumor phase. Stiring research in the word picture of prostate malignant neoplastic disease may one twenty-four hours supply more accurate and individual-specific hazard appraisal. First introduced in 1966, Gleason mark was introduced to measure prostate malignant neoplastic disease. In many multivariate instances, the Gleason mark proves to be an independent forecaster of both diseased tumor phase and clip to biochemical return. Gleason class may be the most powerful preoperative predictive factor. Preoperative hazard tonss are a critical tool for hazard rating, cost-benefit analysis, and foreword of new tendencies. A series of mark systems have been developed to foretell mortality after executing an grownup bosom surgery these mark systems are based on patient derived informations, such as age, gender, and so forth, but there are considerable differences between tonss with respect to their design and cogency for bosom surgery with respect to their prognostic values and clinical pertinence for our patient population. Although most of the peculiar mark systems were first and first designed to foretell mortality, postoperative morbidity has been acknowledged as the major determiner of infirmary cost and quality of life after surgery. Therefore, we analyzed the selected hazard scores non merely with respect to their prognostic value for mortality, but for postoperative morbidity every bit good. Diabetess may be nowadays for up to 7 old ages before diagnosing early diagnosing, lifestyle alteration, and tight glycemic control are necessary to cut down complications ; nevertheless, these can non happen if diabetes remains undiagnosed. There is deficient grounds for or against everyday diabetes testing. Reason being the load and incommodiousness caused by fasting visits to run into the diagnostic Centres. Diabetess is normally diagnosed by fasting plasma glucose, values which require verification on a 2nd visit [ 7 ] . Opportunist programme for bad persons during unscheduled outpatient, pressing attention, or hospital visits may better rates of diagnosing. From the family interview informations, we analyzed information on self-reported age, sex, race/ethnicity, instruction, and income. While suppliers may take to utilize different tools for hazard stratification, the rule of deducing a low ( & A ; lt ; 0.5 % ) , moderate ( 4 % to 5 % ) and high pre-test chance ( & A ; gt ; 10 % ) could stay similar. [ 8 ] Prior studies of diabetes testing in community and clinical locales have yielded assorted consequences, frequently limited by low prevalence rates and hapless followup. Similar to any disease showing, patient attachment with collateral testing and subsequent therapy is critical to the successful execution. Additionally, the cost-effectiveness of timeserving diabetes testing is ill-defined and will necessitate farther probe. The proposed algorithm of hazard stratification relied on practical logica l thinking and reading of the informations ; others may propose thresholds matching to different prognostic values, and cost effectivity analysis would farther clear up optimum thresholds for clinical pattern. Finally, this analysis provides a proposed algorithm, which, if validated, can function as a guideline for suppliers, but should non replace for sound clinical judgement for single patients. As disease direction plans have started maturating in size and capacity at that place exceeds an importance in the undertaking of warranting their disbursal by showing fiscal. It is no longer sufficient to support a plan based on an illustrated ROI. Insurers and investors seek in bend the factual relevancy, about which members are being identified, the hence taken intercessions that can perchance be applied to them with most effectivity, and which approach leads to genuine public presentation alteration and nest eggs. These demands for informations will merely magnify in the hereafter, which will take to insurance companies and plan designers deriving extra concern about economic optimisation of disease direction attempts. Intensive hazard profiling, prognostic modeling and stratification will be therefore mandatory demands on the portion of all who are involved in plan design and executing. [ 2 ] Hazard stratification and prognostic modeling applications are used in a assortment of disease province categorization systems derived utilizing claims informations. Algorithms based merely on pharmaceutics claims have the recompense of seasonableness, hygiene, and handiness, while still being robust and efficient in the anticipation of prospective health care results and the costs relative to their incorporated curative and pharmaceutics opposite numbers.

“The Lady or the Tiger”: What Really Happened?

Dustin Powers Mr. Lamon AP Language 3 December 2012 â€Å"The Lady or the Tiger†: What really happened? The Lady or the Tiger, a captivating short story of love and loss, teases your imagination by integrating the rising action at the end of the story only to leave you to make your own interpretation of how the falling action concludes. The author uses a third person omniscient narrator so to make it seem as though the he doesn’t even know how the story truly ends. The finale to the short story has been conversation of much debate.What is behind door he opens? Does he die on the princess’s accord? What happens, no one essentially knows, but him dying is the only logical ending that could subsist. The tale starts out with a fascinating introduction by classifying the king as â€Å"semi barbaric† â€Å"florid† and â€Å"untrammeled,† but on the contrary the narrator begins to describe him as â€Å"†¦somewhat polished and sharpened by the progressiveness of distant Latin neighbors†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Although it is not directly stated where the tale takes place, one can pin point the story to Medieval Europe c. 00-400 AD, a very tumultuous time. Influenced greatly by the Roman Empire, as they were a prominent society at the time, the European continent was at a crossroads between the liberalism of the Latin culture, and the less enlightened methodologies that were prerequisite to the changes at the time. This setting is what the root of the king’s brutality and the passing of these traits develop. The fictional account tells of the king’s daughter being â€Å"†¦as blooming as his most florid fancies, and with a soul as fervent and imperious as his own. As unlikely as it seems the princess seems to create a bond with a young man that is of â€Å"lower station† than she. This short lived relationship of a few months was cut to an abrupt end by the Barbaric King. Never once does the story mention th e princess make any attempt of arguing the innocence of her lover. This abandonment can only be explained by her savage nature. It says that she could have possibly never loved him in the first place, and that maybe she was just using him to fill a void her over protecting father created by sheltering her from finding a ompanion. With the slightest possibility that the arrogant and haughty princess had come to truly love this man then she would know for a fact that he would be safe of this cruel justice, because as the decision was left up to fate then there would be no question of what was coming out of the door. If she truly had any admiration for her lover, and trust of his innocence in his love then she would allow him to make his choice uncompromised by her instruction. She would allow him to open the door to the chamber with the â€Å"fair maiden†. But she did not.With a slight notion to her right she indicates which door needed to be opened. Turning to face his fate th e young man opened the door to his right leaving his destiny in the hands of the demented princess. Possibly scared of his innocence and fate’s compassion, considering the true love he possessed for her, she directed him to door with the lion. This is just a sadistic favor of disposing this inconvenience for her father. Once again if the princess did actually truly have feelings for him then she had proven to be very jealous of the lady behind the door.While if she had not had those impulses toward him the animosity she had toward the damsel was strictly out of the hatred of the young girls lust over one of her possessions. Either way it was not left unknown that she had much discontent with her by saying, â€Å"Often had she seen, or imagined that she had seen, this fair creature throwing glances of admiration upon the person of her lover, and sometimes she thought these glances were perceived, and even returned. With the princess in possession of the knowledge of the locat ion of the tiger she had the power to control the future of both the young man and the young woman. The real or unreal passing of glances between the two would be the end of him, because the jealousy she had towards the maiden would cause an â€Å"If I can’t have you no one can† mentality. The princess couldn’t bear the thought of them being happy together so she sends him to the tiger.

How to manage time Essay

The two most powerful warriors are patience and time Tolstoy Why use time management skills? It’s important that you develop effective strategies for managing your time to balance the conflicting demands of time for study, leisure, earning money and Job hunting. Time management skills are valuable in Job hunting, but also in many other aspects of life: from revising for examinations to working in a vacation Job. Sometimes it may seem that there isn’t enough time to do everything that you need to. This can lead to a build up of stress. When revising for examinations, or during your final year when you have to combine the pressures of intensive study with finding time to apply for jobs good management of your time can be particularly important. Once we have identified ways in which we can improve the management of our time, we can begin to adjust our routines and patterns of behavior to reduce any time-related stress in our lives. What skills are required for effective time management? Some of these skills including setting clear goals, breaking your goals down into discreet steps, and reviewing your progress towards your goals are covered in Action Planning. Other skills involved include prioritizing – focusing on urgent and important tasks rather than those that are not important or don’t move you towards your goals; organizing your work schedule; list making to remind you of what you need to do when; persevering when things are not working out and avoiding procrastination. Using Lists Keeping a to-do List TO DO Work Write up lecture notes. *Prepare for seminar on Thursday Decide on subject for project Go to library to get material for essay. Other *Pay rent Research employers I want to apply to. Card for Sue’s birthday Prepare draft CV Buy iron Get two tickets for concert Visit Simon Go to bank to remember everything in your head as this is a recipe for disaster! Carry a pen and paper or organizer wherever you go. At the simplest level your reminder system could simply be to use your diary to write down the things you need to do, including appointments and deadlines. Before interviews, it’s fine to write down the questions you wish to ask on a small piece of card or notepad â€Å"To stay on schedule I devised a timetable which I had to stick to. I used an electronic calendar which I programmed to send out emails as reminders to myself and my team. This was a very useful tool and it is one that I have used continuously to manage my time effectively. † Kent student. A daily list of tasks that need to be done is an essential part of action planning. Refer to and update this regularly. Priorities items on the list into important/not important and urgent/non-urgent. Such a list can take a variety of formats but an example is given to the right. Update your list daily, crossing off completed tasks and adding new tasks that need to be done. Urgent or important tasks can be highlighted with an asterisk. Advantages of using a to do list Focuses your mind on important objectives You are less likely to forget to do tasks Writing a list helps order your thoughts It helps show the bigger picture You dont need to hold everything in your head. It saves time It helps you decide on priorities: the most important and the most urgent You are less likely to become sidetracked You get the reward of ticking off your achievements You feel more in control You have a record of what you’ve done You always have something to work on Setting Goals Set yourself specific and clearly defined goals, and make sure that these are realistic and achievable. To do this, you first need to examine your present situation and assess what goals are important to you and what action you need to take to achieve your target. Have a contingency plan or alternative route to your goal in case you have to change your plans, for example, taking a relevant postgraduate course if you can’t get a Job. See Action Planning. In a survey by Accountemps 150 executives were asked, â€Å"On which day of the week are employees most productive? † Their responses: Monday 12% Tuesday 57% Wednesday 11% Thursday Friday 3% Don’t know 6% Prioritizing Efficiency and effectiveness are not the same. Someone who works hard and is well effective. To be effective, you need to decide what tasks are urgent and important and to focus on these. This is called prioritizing. It’s important to list the tasks you have and to sort these in order of priority, and then to devote most time to the most important tasks. This avoids the natural tendency to concentrate on the simple, easy tasks and to allow too many interruptions to your work. Differentiate also between urgent and important tasks: an urgent task may not necessarily be important! When job hunting, you wont be able to apply to every employer. You will need to carefully riorities those you wish to apply to, based upon factors such as closing date, location, degree class required, and chances of getting in. Avoiding Procrastination â€Å"Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today. † Benjamin Franklin Procrastination is the scourge of action planning. It’s important that you manage ‘Your fear of doing things’ you dont want to do and realize that the fear is often far worse than any possible negative results. Try to take decisions immediately when possible and when you don’t need to gather more information pertinent to the decision. The best time to do something is usually NOW. Taking action generates the impetus for further action. Many applications to prestigious employers now need to be made in the first term of your final year and if you procrastinate you’ll miss the deadlines. Breaking down tasks Break goals down into their components so that you can accomplish them one step at a time. Write these steps down, and try to be as specific as you can when you do this. Try to complete one task before you go on to the next. Reward yourself for achieving these goals to maintain your enthusiasm. For example, when you are invited to your first interview, treat yourself to a good meal with friends. Regularly review your progress towards your goals and revise plans as appropriate to take account of unforeseen changes. Persevering Inevitably, things will not always run smoothly as you progress towards your goals. When things are not working out, you need to persevere and learn how to take a positive attitude towards frustration and failure. Mistakes are a crucial part of any creative process and each is a lesson leading you towards the right solution. Fear of making or admitting mistakes is a major handicap to taking effective action. It is said that the people who have achieved the most have made the most mistakes! Try to be aware that satisfaction comes as much from pursuing goals as from achieving them. Work at effective strategies to deal with pressure – these can vary from taking exercise, to relaxation techniques such as Yoga, to simply sharing problems with friends. Being assertive can also help here, for example, politely saying no to the demands of others when you are pushed for time. Sharing tasks and problems with others will spread the burden and will bring a fresh perspective to them. Organizing your time Identify areas of your life where you are wasting time and try to reduce these. A good ay to do this is to log everything you do for a week in meticulous detail and then examine your record to see how you use (or misuse! ) your time. Develop a regular work routine. Keep your work space tidy so that you can work efficiently – it’s hard to so that you meet deadlines in good time – dont leave everything until the last minute. If you have a difficult essay to write, start by drafting out the structure first- this will break the ice. When applying for Jobs keep copies of all the applications you have made and keep a log of the date you applied, result, and a record of all your nterviews, plus you were questions asked.

Anazlyzing George Bush's speech Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Anazlyzing George Bush's speech - Case Study Example He also uses pathos to evoke the feeling of sympathy from his audience when he says â€Å"Sadam Hussein has placed Iraqi troop and equipment in civilian areas attempting to use innocent men, women and children as shield for his own military- a final atrocity against his own people.† The audience cannot avoid feeling sorry for the Iraqi citizens and supporting the course of the United States army. Bush cleverly woos the support of the audience by asserting that the main objective of America is to ensure peace and liberate the people of Iraq. He also uses ethos effectively, deriving the credibility of his status as the president of the most powerful nation of the world. He gets people to believe that the war in Iraq is nothing but over with the United States registering victory. Bush also uses logic fallacy, when he created an impression that the war against Sadam Hussein was over when the reality was that he was diverting attention from ailing economy of the United

Wall street journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Wall street journal - Essay Example health, a description of how UNCTAD, the WTO as well as other international trade organizations tend to influence trade, details on the five established levels of economic integration and their overall implications for the international marketing manager. In discussing the global economic environment, the author emphasizes on the importance of international trade theories. There are three key international trade theories; these are absolute advantage, comparative advantage and product life cycle. These theories generally emphasize that firms seeking to expand internationally need to ensure that they appreciate how their various international activities tend to match with a given country’s goals for international trade. The balance of payment is widely considered to be a lead indicator of the international economic health of a given country and as such, it may tend to have a direct influence on a firm’s expansion decisions. This is it essentially indicates how money is currently going into and out of a given country and whether this movement of currency has resulted into deficits or surpluses for the country. BOP data can aid firms in identifying their competitors as well as possible consumer locations and evaluate the possibility of trade restrictions. Government policy and trade is also another crucial aspect to be considered as firms are directly impacted by government in a wide range of areas such as tariffs and non-tariffs barriers. According to the authors, some of the government policies and trade that might impact a firm include specific duty, tariff engineering, ad valorem duty, exchange controls, quotas and non-tariff barriers (NTB’s). Institutions such as the WTO and UNCTAD had a great influence on trade policies. In this respect, the authors are keen on stressing that they can heavily influence a given firm’s global strategy. Whereas the WTO essentially serves to provide a crucial forum that can be used by countries for mediation,

Willam Blake (1757-1827) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Willam Blake (1757-1827) - Essay Example Industrial revolution that swept across Britain can be attributed to the emergence of romantic writing. Among the advocates of Romanticism, Blake’s poems and paintings demonstrated deep emotions including romance, passion, and aspiration to freedom as a genuine response to the chaotic social conventions of the time. William Blake, the prominent poet and painter was born in London as the son of a hosiery shop owner on 28 November 1757. He started his initial formation as a painter at the age of ten, at the art school run by Henry Pars in Strand. After his four years of learning at Pars, he was apprenticed to James Basire and seven years later by 1778 he joined the Royal Academy where he mastered drawing using living models (William Blake1757-1827, BBC). Blake’s first volume of poetry was published in 1783 encouraged by the great artist of the time, Flaxman. Blake explored the scope of integrating painting with book writing and in 1788 he initiated illuminated book Ã¢â‚¬Ë œThere is no Natural Religion’ followed by Songs of Innocence, Songs of Experience, Book of Thel and many more throughout the subsequent years. He was indeed a versatile writer and poet who performed all efforts himself for printing his illuminated books. Blake’s other famous works include the Book of Job (1825), and Pastorals of Virgil (1821).

Why 16 year olds should not get their driver license Essay

Why 16 year olds should not get their driver license - Essay Example Given the current statistics on accidents related to teen driving, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the issuance of driving licenses to teenagers needs to be reviewed. A sixteen year old is still not an adult and is not able to make critical decisions when required to do so. There are several reasons to support the fact that a sixteen year old should not be issued with a driving license as discussed below. For a good driver, anticipation is very vital in making correct judgments on the road while driving. A driver needs to look beyond his/her bonnet in order to drive according to the surrounding and be able to make quick decisions in accordance with the prevailing factors around him/her. A teenager of 16 years cannot quickly comprehend the happenings around him/her and will not look beyond the bonnet while driving. The fact that they cannot react quickly to any changes around them that can potentially be risky makes them very vulnerable to accidents and, therefore, not fit to hold driving licenses. Teenagers like taking unnecessary risks in almost everything that they do. A good example is in video games, where after playing street race games, they will normally want to do the same practically on the road. For a sixteen year old kid with a driving license, imitating video games will lead to overspending. One fact about driving at very high speeds is that getting to control the vehicle becomes a big challenge. According to recent reports, most deaths of teenagers between the age of 15 and 18 are caused by crashes that are, as a result, of overspending. Most teenagers at sixteen years cannot make out the difference in the working principles of a vehicle and what they play on video games. Mastering the rules of the highway may also be a problem for most teens at sixteen years. Consequently, this may lead to accidents that may cost lives. Most teenagers are fans to loud music and other channels of entertainment. They are characterized

Starkey HR Ltd Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Starkey HR Ltd - Essay Example Redundancies should be a matter of last resort. Starkey must initially make efforts to identify the employees with special skills and experience and retain them. Reducing working time, pay cut, temporary leaves, less dependence on casual staff are some of the desirable measures. If redundancies are inevitable, a voluntary redundancy scheme should be employed. The offers of the scheme should be clearly outlined and sent to all applicable employees. In case of forced redundancies, the method of selection should be fair and non-discriminatory that takes the expertise and experience into consideration.Redundancy is enhanced in companies where statutory entitlements are low. The redundancy packages in most EU countries are quite high in comparison to the UK with a few exceptions such as the Netherlands and France. The average redundancy pay in the EU is more than twice the amount paid by employers in the UK. Under EU regulation, workers are supposed to be informed and consulted in any cas e of redundancies. Additionally, companies need to determine a threshold level for the redundancy and are determined by the size of the workforce and number of required redundancies.Forecasting allows a business to create and modify the financial and promotional strategy of a company in addition to allowing it to keep track of the performance of all requisite parameters, which play a crucial role in decision making and implementing the required changes to existing strategy.

Political science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 4

Political science - Essay Example The in – depth study of the loan syndrome of the poor nations reveal the fact that most of the nations fail to repay the loan, not only the interest but also the principle. It has raised the burning question whether the developed countries accept such lack of repayment! In other words, should the citizens of wealthy nations bear the burden of development of the poorer countries! Though there are valid arguments in both the sides as this a topic of debate but still the general consensus and majority of the experts feel that the rich nations should bear extra responsibilities for the development in their poorer counterparts, if not full. Therefore, it is argued in the essay that not all but majority of the debts of the poorer nations should be written off. The under – developed nations of Africa and Latin America, have been borrowing consistently from the international markets. The purpose of such borrowing includes building of infrastructure like roads, dams and bridges and contributing towards the livelihood of the people like agriculture and fisheries. Among the major lenders, the developed nations of the world like the United States, Great Britain, Germany and France are notable. Along with the individual nations, the international bodies like International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB) are also mention worthy. The Mexican crisis in 1982 led to an international strategy on debt. The major stake holders of such strategy included the major creditor countries and the multilateral organisations. The prime motto of the strategy was to deal with the commercial bank creditors and the official creditors. The strategy evolved three fold initiatives: The noted scholar William Easterly held the view that though the aids and donations did not reap the intended benefits in the African nations still those should not be discontinued. The economist is of the view that it is easy for one party to blame the other as the western nations did not get

Say no to Racism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Say no to Racism - Research Paper Example Racism takes several forms ranging from verbal to non-verbal. Verbally, irritating words are used against individual’s f the minority race. Non-verbal racism is the most common. It may involve denial to access certain facilities such as restaurants as well as job access based on racial background. Non-verbal discrimination is evident in particular attitudes and character that not only undermines a certain race but also denies them expected favours. Reverse racism is another form that has evolved in 21st century. As a result of activists fighting against discrimination against blacks, the white’s rights have been neglected. Internalised racism refers to discrimination among members in the same race based on minute differences in their physical appearance. For instance, among the blacks, lighter skins might be preferred to darker skinned individuals. Historically people were grouped into different races based on their skin colour that lived differently. This historical contexts as well as existing myths made individuals believe that some races are superior to others. Conservative people maintain this perspective and resist to global efforts of turning the world into a global village. Equalityhumanrights.com, (2015). What forms does racial discrimination take? | Equality and Human Rights Commission. [online] Available at: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/your-rights/equal-rights/race/what-is-race-discrimination/what-forms-does-racial-discrimination-take [Accessed 26 Jan. 2015]. Nittle, N. (2015). Four Different Forms of Racism. [online] About.com News & Issues. Available at: http://racerelations.about.com/od/understandingrac1/tp/Four-Different-Forms-Of-Racism.htm [Accessed 26 Jan.

Professional meeting report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Professional meeting report - Essay Example As being a completely new topic for me, the presentation was quite helpful in developing my understanding regarding how I might get confused if I remain focused on following initial illness evaluation procedures such as signs along with symptoms. The presentation also helped me in understanding the fact that the presence of an open mind and close attention to every minute detail might help me in attaining better returns. As a learning outcome, I understood that the place and profession undertaken by an individual also impacts his / her physical and mental conditions as can be appropriately understood from the second case (University of Washington, â€Å"Cultural Relevance in End-of-Life Care.†). In an overall manner, this presentation will certainly aid me in helping the patients suffering with varied diseases from a wider and effective perspective. For attaining this particular objective, I need to evaluate each and every detail about the patients like preferred foods, profession, locality and subjection period to illness. Knowledge regarding aspects such as cultural back ground and financial condition of the patients will also help in enhancing my career as an effective dietician (University of Washington, â€Å"Cultural Relevance in End-of-Life

Meaning of life - Anthropology Essay Example for Free

Meaning of life Anthropology Essay The Meaning of Life and Cultural Relativism What is the meaning of life? â€Å"What’s the meaning of life? † is today a question generally meant as a joke. This apparently wasn’t true in the past. Religious teachers, from Jesus to Buddha to Mohammed, offered a clear meaning of life. Philosophers from Plato to Augustine to Voltaire to Nietzsche to William James also offered such a meaning, although in progressively less certain ways. Today, however, philosophers have mostly turned away from questions of the meaning of life (or when they discuss it, they may proclaim life’s meaninglessness, as does Nagel in this week’s reading). A big reason for this is that there are so many different beliefs in the world today: they relativize all beliefs, and make certainty problematic. A key principle of anthropology is â€Å"cultural relativism†: this has become a central principle in today’s world at large. How can you know that your sense of â€Å"the meaning of life† is truer than someone else’s sense of â€Å"the meaning of life†? This is why it may be difficult to be both a Christian and an anthropologist. And this is why this course cannot offer much advice as to â€Å"the meaning of life. † Meanings of Life in Anthropology Anthropologists thus can’t discuss â€Å"the meaning of life†; but they can analyze people’s personal meanings of life, as a way of better understanding how people are culturally and socially shaped. There is a fundamental difference between â€Å"the meaning of life† and â€Å"meanings of life,† and only the latter can be fully explored by anthropologists. Anthropologists explore culture: the ways of thinking by which people live. Anthropologists study a range of different culturally-shaped fields, from economics to politics to religion to gender in different societies. However, few anthropologists have directly studied â€Å"meanings of life† (maybe none, except for me! ) This is because in most societies that anthropologists study, there is no ordinary word that people use to describe what’s most important to them in their lives. However, the Japanese language has such a term: ikigai. Ikigai means â€Å"that which makes your life worth living,† or, more practically speaking, â€Å"what’s most important to you in your life. † Common ikigai are work, family, religious belief, creative endeavor, or personal dream. 1 Why does only Japanese have the term ikigai? Why don’t other languages have ikigai? In any case, even if other languages don’t have the term ikigai, people everywhere can understand what ikigai means. It is â€Å"what’s most important to you in life,† â€Å"what makes your life worth living. † What is your ikigai? This is difficult for students, because you haven’t yet made the life choices of work and family that you probably will make over the next few years. But you can get some idea: Is it pleasing your parents? Finding a boyfriend/girlfriend? Gaining knowledge? Getting good grades and a good future job? Helping the world become better? Pursuing creativity? Being close to God? The Sociocultural Analysis of Ikigai . Most Japanese books about ikigai talk about it in a psychological sense: how individuals seek and find and lose ikigai. However, ikigai is also social: all ikigai involve us in the world of other people: whether you live for family, for your personal dream, for God, or for alcohol, all of these are social. Ikigai in this sense I define as â€Å"that which most deeply links the self to the social world†: ikigai is what ties you to the world around you. This can take two broad forms: ikigai as self-realization, and ikigai as commitment to one’s group: both are fundamentally social. Here is a one-sentence cross-cultural theory of ikigai: â€Å"On the basis of culturally and personally-shaped fate, individuals strategically formulate and interpret their ikigai from an array of cultural conceptions, negotiate these ikigai within their circles of immediate others, and pursue their ikigai as channeled by their society’s institutional structures so as to attain and maintain a sense of the personal significance of their lives. † We have ikigai because ikigai gives us a sense of the purpose and significance and worth of our lives; but we necessarily hold these ikigai within the context of the society around us, with which we constantly interact in forming and maintaining ikigai.