Pursuasive Speech Outline

To persuade. Specific purpose: At the end of my speech my audience will Identify 2 consequences of drinking and drunk driving, and also 2 safe ways you can avoid those consequences. Central Idea: Drunk driving Is against the law and It causes harm to many people, but with the right precautions, many lives can be saved. Introduction Imagine receiving a call from a police officer telling you that there's been a terrible accident due to a drunk driver, and they need you to come in and identify a body.We all know that drunk driving is a serious thing that has killed many, but yet some still whose to get behind the wheel and endanger not only themselves, but the others that are on the road. Just think, how would you feel if you were to receive that horrific call? Many of people have unfortunately received this phone call and lost a loved one due to some stupid decisions. I myself have been through this experience. I lost my uncle to a drunk driver. He was riding his motorcycle one night, when a lady who had been drinking earlier that night, crashed Into him causing him to fly off of his motorcycle and Into a wall.The pain that my family went through was unbearable, ND unfortunately many other families have gone through the experience. Whether you're the person drinking and driving, or you're a victim of another person's inconsiderable actions, it's a problem that is much too common. I'm here today to talk to you about what drinking does to you and your health, the dangers of getting on the road while drinking, and some ways you can ensure the safety of yourself and others (if you do decide to drink).There are multiple ways to avoid going from a fun night out, to a deadly night that you'll never forget. Body l. What does drinking do to your mental and physical health? A. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol affects many parts of your body. 1 . Along with the blackouts and memory impairment, alcohol affects the way the brain wor ks, which changes mood and behavior. A. This alteration makes decision making harder, which makes driving harder. 2.Drinking In excess, causes multiple problems to your heat, such as: cardiopulmonary, Irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, or even result in a stroke. 3. Heavy drinking also causes problems to your liver, such as swelling or your liver. 4. Drinking increases your chances of developing liver, mouth, throat, and other types of cancer. 5. Alcohol damages and weakens one of the most important parts of your body, your immune system. A. â€Å"Consuming a lot of alcohol in one occasion slows down your immunes system, even up to 24 hours after getting drunk† (â€Å"Alcohol's Effects on the Body. ). B. Alcohol is also high in calories, which causes weight gain. C. Many think that alcohol helps relieve stress and helps in difficult situations, but it actually increases your chances of developing mental problems. 1 . Overuse of alcohol often causes depression, anxiety or even bipolar disorder (Salsas). Transition: Now of course If It's causing changing your Judgment, driving Is an absolute no! II. Every time you get behind the wheel while drinking, you risk your life, and those around you. A. Alcohol- impaired motor vehicle crashes cost more than an estimated $37 billion impaired driving crashes – one every 51 minutes† (â€Å"Impaired Driving†). C. â€Å"Among drivers with BACK levels of 0. 08 % or higher involved in fatal crashes in 2010, more than one out of every 3 were between 21 and 24 years of age† (â€Å"Impaired Driving: Get the Facts†). Transition: Now the last thing I'm going to talk about, which in my opinion is the most important, is how to avoid anything dangerous happening to you or anyone else. Ill.It would be unreasonable to ask people to not drink at all, but Just take precautions if you do plan of having a drink or two. A. If you're going out with a group of friends, assign the designated drive r position to a friend that is okay if he/ she doesn't drink that night. B. If you're by yourself and you've been drinking, call a trusted person to come pick you up. C. Never get in a car with someone who has been drinking. 1. Offer to drive, if you haven't had anything to drink. D. Be very careful and observant while driving, even if you haven't been driving. ConclusionNow that Eve talked about the harm that drinking does to your health, the dangers of driving while drinking, and ways to ensure your safety; I hope this encouraged you to be careful and be smart enough to never get behind the wheel while driving, or even get inside of a car with someone who is drinking and driving. Some people don't realize how their actions can affect those around us, and that is why we still have, to this day, people dying from an accident that could have been avoided. There are plenty of people that care about each and every one of you, so please don't risk your entire life, for a couple of shots and a good night.

Materialistic Americans Essay

â€Å"With these words I can sell you anything† by William Lutz and â€Å"At sale at Old Navy: Cool Clothes for Identical Zombies! † by Damien Cave the readings explain how Americans are fooled into purchasing so many unnecessary things that most of the time don’t do what they promise when advertised as well as how the buyers themselves are blinded and don’t realized that they are wasting money, all because of the value of their pride and their need to be better than everyone else yet they are doing the same things as millions of other Americans. Although it seems correct that most people should be materialistic, it’s not a good thing because this form of living is damaging American’s values in many ways and advertisements are just making it worst. In Cave’s excerpt he explains how most Americans have become so materialistic now and that it’s becoming a big issue. In one part Cave says, â€Å"Consumers are being scammed, says Klein, arguing that stores like Old Nave and Ikea are duping millions, inspiring mass conformity while pretending to deliver high culture to the masses† (109). This explains how Americans are so gullible when it comes to buying products because most of the time they don’t really look into what they are buying they just want to own what everyone else has because that makes them â€Å"fit† it into this materialistic society because it’s all about hierarchy and who’s on top of everyone else. â€Å"Klein and Frank say that few consumers recognize just how conformist their consumption habits have become† (Cave 109). Some people do realize that they do over spend but they still don’t do anything about it because they always want more. There are many adults that think that buying so many things for themselves and their families is good because people always want to have the best things that are out there for their loved ones without realizing that they’re just giving money away to things they don’t really need. â€Å"At virtually every opening of Old Navy’s and Ikea’s stores-in the New York, Chicago, and San Francisco areas, for example- tens of thousand of people appeared in the first few days. Even now, long after the stores first opened, lines remain long† (Cave 110). Americans value so much their pride to be over achievers and be better than everyone else they come across but yet they aren’t much different from other people because they spend as much as every other person who might not have that much money because everyone’s values are similar. In Lutz’s excerpt he explains how Advertisements usually don’t promise what they offer and take people for fools but yet people keep buying more. He states, â€Å"The biggest weasel word used in advertising doublespeak is ‘help’† (114). He explains how people are manipulated into buying products all the time that will help them with a desire objective and they are influenced by the advertisements. The things that people wear, drink, eat, etc are all influenced by something or someone, how else did they ever hear or see about those products. Advertisements are everywhere, people that see all these advertisements of products think those products apply to them because they know everyone else that will see them will want them too and they don’t to feel left out in not being part of the revolution of that product. Lutz also says, â€Å"Whenever advertisers want you to stop thinking about the product and to start thinking about something bigger, better, or more attractive than the product, they use that very popular weasel word, ‘like’† (119). American’s values are on risk when it comes to advertisements because people want their families to be well and grow a certain way, but that can’t happen when their television and billboards selling things that are out of the comfort of some people. Only by becoming an active, critical consumer of the double speak of advertising will you ver be able to cut through the doublespeak and discover what the ad is really saying† (Lutz 120). Americans value so much their pride and the liberty to do whatever they want that they think buying so much stuff applies to them. Americans also value their Independence in this country but it’s also being ruined by advertisements because how can people be independent when they are buying the same things as everyone else and are being exploited all at the same time? If people keep getting sucked into buying every little thing they see hey will doing the opposite of what they believe in, they will just be shaming who they are as Americans. Americans need to realize that buying everything that is advertised isn’t doing them any good. they will lose so much money on things they don’t really need and all for what? to be better than everyone else? People have forgotten about being independent and doing their own thing when it comes to having a different lifestyle from others. How can they take pride in themselves when they are just alike to everyone else and that’s what the readings explain, to not be gullible when it comes to this topic

Advantages Of The Plasma Antenna Information Technology Essay

Advantages Of The Plasma Antenna Information Technology Essay An antenna is a device that sends or accepts electromagnetic waves. It changes electromagnetic waves into electric currents, and electric currents to electromagnetic waves. Antennas are used to send and receive waves from the radio frequency of the electromagnetic spectrum. Antennas are used in radio and television broadcasting, spacecraft communication, point-to-point radio communication like walkie-talkie system, hand phones, radar, and wireless LAN. An antenna is a setup of one or more electrical conductors, also called elements. In the transmission of an antenna, a voltage is applied at the antenna terminals to produce an alternating current (A.C) in the elements, thus causing the elements to produce an electromagnetic field as an effect. In reception, the reverse happens: an electromagnetic wave from an external source induces an alternating current in the elements and a matching voltage at the antenna’s terminals. Some receiving antennas use shaped reflective surfaces t o collect the radio waves hitting them and direct or focus them onto the elements. Heinrich Hertz (1857-1894) built some of the first primitive antennas in 1888 in his experiments to prove that electromagnetic waves exist as inferred by the James Clerk Maxwell’s theory. One of the antennas he built was the dipole antenna, which will be explained in detail in the Supporting Theory section of this report. He published his work and installation design in Annalen der Physik und Chemie (vol. 36, 1889). In 1919, J Hettinger was granted a patent for the concept of a plasma antenna. A plasma antenna is a type of antenna that is currently in development in which plasma is used to replace the metal elements of a normal antenna. A plasma antenna can be used for transmission and reception, just like normal radio antennas. Plasma antennas have only become practical in recent years, where high speed internet connection is an important necessity to all. Currently, Plasma Antennas (a company ) in Winchester of the United Kingdoms have developed a plasma antenna which they named Plasma Silicon Antenna or PSiAN. FINDINGS 2.1 – SUPPORTING THEORY 2.1.1à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ ANTENNA Here is an explanation of how a traditional antenna works. There are many types of antennas that have been designed by humans over the years but for simplicity’s sake, the explanation here will describe how a dipole antenna works. A dipole antenna is an antenna that can be built using a simple wire with a driven element in the centre. It consists of two metal conductors of rod or wire, arranged parallel and in line with each other, with a small space between them. The radio frequency voltage is applied to the driven element at the center, between the two conductors. These antennas are the most primitive practical antennas. They are used mostly in traditional â€Å"rabbit ears† television antennas. 450_wide.jpg How the antenna transmits signals: First, a voltage is applied to the ant enna terminal (in this case, the driven element in the centre) to produce a potential difference in between the opposite ends of the two conducting wires. When a potential difference exists, there will be a flow of electrons, which in turn produces a current. Say that the electrons from end A are moving towards end B at maximum speed. When they reach end B, they will stop instantaneously. End B is now negatively charged whereas end A is positively charged. The electrons are attracted to the positive charges at end A and move back towards A at maximum speed. Now, the charges at both ends are reversed. This back and forth movement of the electrons produces an alternating current in the conducting wires. When there is an alternating current in the metal conductors, electromagnetic waves are produced. These waves are the signals being transmitted by the antenna.

The Impacts Of Global Warming And Ways To Avoid Them Research Paper

The Impacts Of Global Warming And Ways To Avoid Them - Research Paper Example Critics of the global warming phenomenon argue that global warming is in fact not an environmental crisis but a manufactured issue artificially created for a variety of unsavory and politically-inspired reasons. Despite the shrinking number of detractors, global warming is a phenomenon which affects our planet every single day. Seeking to address the political issues surrounding global warming, this research paper will provide a comprehensive and in-depth overview of the global warming phenomenon. We will begin with a discussion of the evidence in support of global warming and explore the connection between global warming and climate change. Although the focus of this analysis will be the political ramifications of global warming, an introductory section must explain what global warming actually is. We then explore the Kyoto Accord and discuss the detractors of this international climate agreement. Due to the politically-charged nature of this international agreement, this essay will explore whether or not there will be a â€Å"post-Kyoto† international climate agreement, and discern whether or not it would be effective at reducing carbon emissions. Although the United States has controversially not implemented Kyoto, we will explore the possible consequences to the United States of the continuation of global warming. Global warming and climate change are two terms which are often used interchangeably. Has a link between global warming and climate change been established? Yes, global warming is caused by an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. As we shall see below, the effects of global warming include changes in atmospheric temperatures and rainfall, which can lead to climate change (Arnella & Reynard 397). Global warming is most generally described as an average increase in the Earth’s temperatures.

Climate change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Climate change - Essay Example The human factor is highly credible in causing this climate change. One of the human causes is the ever-growing population. This trend has been observed all over the world from census statistics. The increasing number of people results in a growing need for more space and demand for usage of natural resources to sustain them. In these modern times of the 21st century, more settlement will be needed. The process of building houses releases gases from machines. Settlement brings about purchase of cars, use of electricity brings about release of vehicle gases, and the process by which electricity is created causes pollution of the air. Overpopulation also contributes to deforestation to create space for settlement and farming activities. Deforestation decelerates rate of carbon dioxide-oxygen conversion (Seymour 23). Pollution is another major factor contributing to global warming. It falls under the broad categories of air and land pollution. The glasshouse effect affects the atmosphere where the expulsion of greenhouse gases whose high concentration entraps heat in the earth’s atmosphere. The gases are released from automobiles, residential areas, and industrial plants, which are the major contributor. Because the human race is highly dependent on energy, constant production requires high combustion of coal, generally fossil fuels, to meet the high demand. A higher percentage is taken by vehicle emissions, and in overall the transportation industry. Fields contain landfills, which are nowadays occupied by garbage waste. The erosion of compost soils, together with the burning of this waste releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In addition to this, clearing of trees or deforestation increases amount of carbon dioxide in the air (McKibben 30). Although many may argue that agricultural farming is a life-sustenance practice, it is a surprising fact that it is a

Upstream, Downstream Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Upstream, Downstream - Essay Example According to the discussion â€Å"Rule of capture† illustrates ground water; landowners have the resources, and the right to use water under their land. Surface water usage is regulated by the Texas state. Individuals or organizations using the surface water must continuously get water right permission from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). For the Colorado River basin, Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) grants the water usage rights. Due to the worse drought conditions LCRA and TCEQ implemented an emergency relief partnership. This ensures efficient water usage by all stakeholders in Texas. The Austin area of the state utilizes water for diverse purpose. These include industrial usage, domestic usage, and agricultural usage. The continuously increasing population is the Austin area calls for efficient water usage plans to be effectively implemented. TCEQ usually directs the LCRA to change the water plan, so as to effectively manage the downstream releases. This ensures efficient water usage in the state by all the stakeholders. TCEQ has the authority of controlling surface water like spring deliveries. Controls minimizing deliveries negatively affects wildlife and agricultural activities. For instance, the rice industry in Texas is negatively affected but to inadequate irrigation water supply. The TCEQ action is a painful decision, as a result of inadequate rainfall that led to reduction in water volumes of Highland.

Leadership and Management for Service Improvement Essay

Leadership and Management for Service Improvement - Essay Example This stage of our group formation had been lagging for a while before I emerged as a facilitative leader. When this stage passed, our relationships became more harmonious with agreed upon values and rules of operation. Each member began to take responsibility, as they understood their other team members, with the group leader taking a back seat to proceedings. As the group leader, I think I took up a democratic style of leadership. These types of leaders make decisions at the final stage but include the other team members in the process of decision-making (Gillam, 2011: p65). While I took care of coordinating the team and their work delivery, I allowed them to carry out their research without giving instructions. However, whatever went into the report was finally decided upon by me, with any additional material needed communicated to the team member responsible. The benefits of this sort of leadership are numerous. The team members got job satisfaction since they all participated in drafting the final assignment. This style also helped to develop their research skills. The members of the team felt that they controlled the destiny of their assignment marks thus felt more motivated to do their best (Hartley & John, 2010: p26). However, since participation by all members takes time, the decision-making process was slow. Coulin’s absence caused the assignment’s timeline to stretch. ... Overall, this leadership style made me feel in charge although giving everyone a chance to give their opinion brought on some conflict. During the initial stages of the holiday, my inability to access the University’s homepage on my computer proved to be a hindrance. It actually raised a storm with some of the members when I told them that I had not handed in the assignment because of this problem. In the future, it would be better if this sort of assignments were held face to face rather than online since team members are generally least interested in the assignment over the internet. It is possible that some had multiple pages on their computer screens and were multi-task during teamwork (Muller et al, 2006: p9). The team’s five-team members could be fitted into at least five Belbin’s team roles (Gold et al, 2010: p15). Ken could be considered a resource investigator, as he was enthusiastic, extroverted, and communicative. He explored the different sources of i nformation that we had and, through his contacts in the library, was able to get more information sources. Stacy was the implementer, as she was efficient, conservative, reliable, and disciplined. Danny was the shaper, given her dynamic and challenging nature. She never lacks the courage and drive to overcome obstacles. I acted as the leader and doubled up as the coordinator. My confidence and maturity cut me out of this, in addition with my clear goals, promotion of decision-making and proper job delegation. Finally, Coulin was supposed to be the plant, especially given her unorthodox, imaginative, and creative mind. However, she was rarely available and brought about a lot of frustration for the other team members. On the days when she showed up for meetings, though, she was very

Orginators of socialst thought and action Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Orginators of socialst thought and action - Essay Example Socialist was predominantly striking for Jews worried to leave Ghetto behind them and who, frustrated with the slow advancement of 19th- century liberalism, were eager to embrace a different worldwide faith. In France some considered the emancipation of the Jews as being one of the preconditions for the freedom of humankind. They alleged that Jewish monotheism foreshadowed the forthcoming harmony of mankind and their followers incorporated many French Jews. Socialism began in Russia later than Western Europe, in the next half of the 19th century. Following the death of Nicholas I and the accession of Alexander II led to the emancipation of the serfs and reduction of the repressive regime. Jewish became less secluded from broad stream of Russian communal life. Lots of Jewish socialist came from conventional homes and were slanted by the writing of Russian philosophers, whose effort they read at schools (Silberner, 36). Jews largely favored integration, since they regarded Judaism as outdated and thought that Jewish liberation would come about in the course of the liberalization of Russian citizens with whom the Jews should incorporate. Thus, most of the early Jewish socialist regarded the Russian socialism as more important than Jewish emancipation (Silberner, 44). Jews chose to join the revolutionaries and go to the people. A number of Jewish socialists transformed to Christianity to ease their actions amongst the public, while Jewish women socialist became estranged from Judaism by marriage to non-Jewish revolutionaries. The establishment of socialist regimes in European countries led to the repression of socialist parties and thus brought to an end the lengthy part of Jewish contribution in the fight for democratic socialist ideas in Russia (Silberner,

Product Campaign Plan Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Product Campaign Plan - Research Paper Example Over the past two decades, there has been an increased number of Japanese restaurants in the US with the numbers more than doubling and the business environment becoming increasingly competitive. The 2010 Jetro Japanese Restaurants trends have shown that Japanese restaurants in the period 2005 to 2010 have increased by 54.8% (1). Furthermore, Lim (2) in his study acknowledges that increasingly over the past years American customers have come to appreciate Japanese food, and most specifically its famous sushi dishes. Such resign appreciation for the Japanese food and the increasing number of Japanese restaurants implies that Japanese restaurants will have to operate effectively within the growing competitive environment to be profitable. For Miyagi, one of the highly rated Japanese restaurants in Mclean VA, the need to be efficient and competitive in a changing environment is even greater if it is to retain its top spot in the region. Miyagi is a family-owned Japanese restaurant in Mclean VA, with the restaurant having been founded in the late 1980s, according to Lei a waitress in Miyagi, after the family immigrated to the US. The restaurant serves Japanese meals such as sushi, to the widely diverse population in Mclean region. However, based on observation, the ratio of Japanese vs. other residents frequenting the restaurant as compared to the ratio of the Japanese vs. other residents in Mclean VA region is higher. While the population in the region is 38929 residents that have different race backgrounds, Japanese population in the region are 514, presenting only 1.32% of the population and not enough market for the all Japanese restaurants in the region. This, therefore, implies Miyagi needs a campaign strategy that will elevate its prominence in the region as the place to be.

The Speckled Band Essay Example for Free

The Speckled Band Essay The social and historical settings in the stories mean that although both stories are about crime and detectives, they are almost seperate genres as far as detective stories go. However, they have a very similar structure. Both stories start with a desperate young woman asking for help in solving a crime. In the middle of both stories, the detectives investigate the crimes and find evidence. Holmes does this mostly at the scene of the crime whereas the Op goes to the police station and peoples apartments to interview people involved. Both storied have similar endings in that the detectives solve the crimes very cleverly and then explain to the other characters how they did it. This is a way to explain to the reader how they did it, so the plot makes sense. However, Death on Pine Street ends with a display of the roughness of the Op, as he knocks the tennant down the steps. Holmes did not act in this manner. The differences also lie in the characters other than the detectives. The Speckled Band has far fewer characters, as it is focused on a far smaller location. The victims of the stories are different. In The Speckled Band we feel sorry for Miss Stoner and her sister, they are innocent young girls being cruelly mistreated by a vicious stepfather. We cant really feel very sorry for Gilmore as he is a crook and a serial adulterer. His death may have been an accident, but he probably did deserve it. Dr. Roylott is obviously made out to be the evil, vicious villian of The Speckled Band, but Death on Pine Street is set in an environment where just about everyone is unpleasant and involved in some sort of shady activity; this is again due to the socio-historic setting of the story. The Speckled Band takes on a typically Victorian view of woman, innocently in need of rescue by a heroic character like Holmes. In Death on Pine Street it is just the opposite; the women are tough, they can do things for themselves, and like Cara Kenbrook, are far from innocent. There is also a lot more violence in Death on Pine Street than in The Speckled Band, this again, shows us the difference between 1890s England and 1930s America. The language difference is also clearly seen, Holmes story being spoken in standard english, and Death on Pine Street full of slang terms and americanisms. Both stories give us a good representation of what it was actually like in those periods of time. Because Sherlock Holmes was the first fictional detective it is easy to see how later detective stories like Death on Pine Street were influenced by him. But the whole atmosphere and morality of the two stories is different. The different historical and social circumstances are easily noticable.The language spoken, the attitude of the characters and the overall morals are different. The Speckled Band is a classic, simple Good Versus Evil story, with Good prevailing as usual. However Death on Pine Street has a general feeling of corruption, distrust and seems full of double crossings. The more modern story is influenced by classic features of Holmes such as his strength of character, brilliant mind and use of a complex mystery, however the modern American setting has meant changes to the classic English style. Death on Pine Street blurs the borders between good and evil, which I find interesting. The classic Holmes approach, whilst enjoyable, can seem unrealistic, considering present day life. Both stories are very enjoyable in their own way, as I stated before they could almost be in seperate genres. The element of mystery is used well in both stories, and both stories have interesting characters. I think the fact that they are both so ingenious is what compells us to read on; we want to know how they managed to solve such a complex puzzle. Although from differing times and places, they are both prime examples of what a detective story should be.

The structure and organization of the human body

The structure and organization of the human body Unit 3 The Structure, Function and Organisation of The Human Body Outcome 1 Handout UNIT 3: THE STRUCTURE, ORGANISATION AND FUNCTION OF THE HUMAN BODY OUTCOME 1 The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. It is the smallest unit of life that is classified as a living thing, and is often called the building block of life. It is usually a microscopic structure containing nuclear and cytoplasmic material enclosed by a semi-permeable membrane. Some organisms, such as most bacteria, are unicellular(consist of a single cell). Other organisms, such as humans, are multicellular. Each cell is at least somewhat self-contained and self-maintaining: it can take in nutrients, convert these nutrients into energy, carry out specialized functions, and reproduce as necessary. Each cell stores its own set of instructions for carrying out each of these activities. Comparison of structures between animal and plant cells Typical animal cell Typical plant cell Organelles Nucleus Nucleolus (within nucleus) Rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Smooth ER Ribosomes Cytoskeleton Golgi apparatus Cytoplasm Mitochondria Vesicles Lysosomes Centrosome Centrioles Nucleus Nucleolus (within nucleus) Rough ER Smooth ER Ribosomes Cytoskeleton Golgi apparatus (dictiosomes) Cytoplasm Mitochondria Vacuoles Cell wall ORGANELLES Nucleus- Controls the cell. It consists of the nuclear envelope, nucleolus, chromatin, and nucleoplasm. Nucleolus- are non-membraneous matrix of RNA (ribonucleic acid) and protein. found in the nucleus. Instructions in DNA are copied here. It works with ribosomes in the synthesis of protein. Chromosomes- Determines what traits a living thing will have, passes information from parent to offspring. Cell Membrane- same as unit membrane. Gives the cell shape, holds the cytoplasm, and controls what moves into and out of the cell. acts as a boundary layer to contain the cytoplasm (fluid in cell) interlocking surfaces bind cells together. Cytoplasm- Jellylike material (cytosol and organelles), most of the cells chemical reactions take place there, and made up of mostly water and some chemicals. Vacuoles- Liquid-filled, may store food, water, minerals, or wastes. There maybe more than one. In plants it takes up a lot of space, produce turgor pressure against cell wall for support. Mitochondria- Produce energy when food is broken down, often called the powerhouse of the cell. Its structure is composed of modified double unit membrane (protein, lipid). Its inner membrane infolded to form cristae. It is the site of cellular respiration i.e. the release of chemical energy from food Glucose + Oxygen > Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy (ATP) Ribosomes- Where proteins are made, and often connected to the endoplasmic reticulum. A cell may have as many as 500,000. They are non-membraneous, spherical bodies composed of RNA (ribonucleic acid) and protein enzymes. They are the site of protein synthesis. Endoplasmic Reticulum- The transportation system in the cell, connects the nuclear membrane with the cell membrane. Used in detoxification of the cell. ER. Forms a tubular network throughout the cell. Provides a large surface area for the organization of chemical reactions and synthesis. Centrioles- Found only in animal cells, is used in cell reproduction to help the chromosomes arrange before cell division. They are nine triplets of microtubules form one centriole. Two centrioles form one centrosome. They form spindle fibres to separate chromosomes during cell division. Golgi apparatus(bodies)- Stacks of flattened sacs of unit membrane (cisternae) vesicles pinch off the edges. Modifies chemicals to make them functional. Secretes chemicals in tiny vesicles. Stores chemicals. May produce endoplasmic reticulum. Lysosomes- digests food particles with enzymes, pinched of pieces of golgi apparatus. Are membrane bound bag containing hydrolytic enzymes. Are hydrolytic enzyme = (water split biological catalyst) i.e. using water to split chemical bonds. They break large molecules into small molecules by inserting a molecule of water into the chemical bond. Cell Wall- Found only in plant cells. Forms a thick outer covering outside the cell membrane, gives the plant support and shape. Is a non-living secretion of the cell membrane, composed of cellulose. They are cellulose fibrils deposited in alternating layers for strength. Cell wall contains pits (openings) that make it totally permeable. It provides protection from physical injury and together with vacuole, provides skeletal support. Chloroplasts- Found only in plant cells. Found in the cytoplasm of green plant cells, contain chlorophyll, traps the energy from light, and is where photosynthesis takes place. It is composed of a double layer of modified membrane (protein,chlorophyll, lipid). The inner membrane invaginates to form layers called grana (sing., granum) where chlorophyll is concentrated. It is the site of photosynthesis chlorophyll Carbon Dioxide + Water > Glucose + Oxygen radiant energy (food). TISSUE There are many different types of cells in the human body. None of these cells function well on there own, they are part of the larger organism that is called you. Tissue is a cellular organizational level intermediate between cells and a complete organism. Hence, a tissue is an ensemble of cells, not necessarily identical, but from the same origin, that together carry out a specific function. Organsare then formed by the functional grouping together of multiple tissues. Cells group together in the body to form tissues a collection of similar cells that group together to perform a specialized function. There are 4 primary tissue types in the human body: epithelial tissue, connective tissue, muscle tissue and nerve tissue. 1. Epithelial Tissue- The cells of epithelial tissue pack tightly together and form continuous sheets that serve as linings in different parts of the body. Epithelial tissue serve as membranes lining organs and helping to keep the bodys organs separate, in place and protected. Some examples of epithelial tissue are the outer layer of the skin, the inside of the mouth and stomach, and the tissue surrounding the bodys organs. 2. Connective Tissue- There are many types of connective tissue in the body. Generally speaking, connective tissue adds support and structure to the body. Most types of connective tissue contain fibrous strands of the protein collagen that add strength to connective tissue. Some examples of connective tissue include the inner layers of skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bone and fat tissue. In addition to these more recognizable forms of connective tissue, blood is also considered a form of connective tissue. 3. Muscle Tissue- Muscle tissue is a specialized tissue that can contract. Muscle tissue contains the specialized proteins actin and myosin that slide past one another and allow movement. Examples of muscle tissue are contained in the muscles throughout your body. 4. Nerve Tissue- Nerve tissue contains two types of cells: neurons and glial cells. Nerve tissue has the ability to generate and conduct electrical signals in the body. These electrical messages are managed by nerve tissue in the brain and transmitted down the spinal cord to the body. ORGANS Organs are the next level of organization in the body. An organ is a structure that contains at least two different types of tissue functioning together for a common purpose. There are many different organs in the body: the liver, kidneys, heart, even your skin is an organ. In fact, the skin is the largest organ in the human body and provides us with an excellent example for explanation purposes. The skin is composed of three layers: the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous layer. The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin. It consists of epithelial tissue in which the cells are tightly packed together providing a barrier between the inside of the body and the outside world. Below the epidermis lies a layer of connective tissue called the dermis. In addition to providing support for the skin, the dermis has many other purposes. The dermis contains blood vessels that nourish skin cells. It contains nerve tissue that provides feeling in the skin. And it contains muscle tissue that is responsible for giving you goosebumps when you get cold or frightened. The subcutaneous layer is beneath the dermis and consists mainly of a type of connective tissue called adipose tissue. Adipose tissue is more commonly known as fat and it helps cushion the skin and provide protection from cold temperatures. Nervous tissue: is one of four major classes of vertebrate tissue. Nervous tissue is the main component of the nervous system-the brain, spinal cord, and nerves-which regulates and controls body functions. It is composed of neurones, which transmit impulses, and the neuroglia, which assist propagation of the nerveimpulse as well as provide nutrientsto the neuron. Every time you get pinched, part of your nerve tissue is damaged. Nervous tissue is made of nerve cells that come in many varieties, all of which are distinctly characteristic by the axon or long stem like part of the cell that sends action potential signals to the next cell. Functions of the nervous system are sensory input, integration, controls of muscles and glands, homeostasis, and mental activity. All living cells have the ability to react to stimuli. Nervous tissue is specialized to react to stimuli and to conduct impulses to various organs in the body which bring about a response to the stimulus. Nerve tissue (as in the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves that branch throughout the body) are all made up of specialized nerve cells called neurons. Neurons are easily stimulated and transmit impulses very rapidly. A nerve is made up of many nerve cell fibres (neurons) bound together by connective tissue. A sheath of dense connective tissue, the epineurium surrounds the nerve. This sheath penetrates the nerve to form the perineurium which surrounds bundles of nerve fibres. Blood vessels of various sizes can be seen in the epineurium. The endoneurium, which consists of a thin layer of loose connective tissue, surrounds the individual nerve fibres. The cell body is enclosed by a cell (plasma) membrane and has a central nucleus. Granules called Nissl bodies are found in the cytoplasm of the cell body. Within the cell body, extremely fine neurofibrils extend from the dendrites into the axon. The axon is surrounded by the myelin sheath, which forms a whitish, non-cellular, fatty layer around the axon. Outside the myelin sheath is a cellular layer called the neurilemma or sheath of Schwann cells. The myelin sheath together with the neurilemma is also known as the medullary sheath. This medullary sheath is interrupted at intervals by the nodes of Ranvier. Neuronal Communication Nerve cells are functionally made to each other at a junction known as a synapse, where the terminal branches of an axon and the dendrites of another neuron lie in close proximity to each other but normally without direct contact. Information is transmitted across the gap by chemical secretions called neurotransmitters. It causes activation in the post-synaptic cell. All cells possess the ability to respond to stimuli.

Much Ado About Nothing Essay: Illusions in Much Ado About Nothing

Social Illusions in Much Ado About Nothing In Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare presents us with a romp through the realms of truth and illusion. The play is full of characters plotting and deceiving, for both noble and repugnant reasons. It is a study in the importance and necessity of illusion in our everyday lives, and shows how deeply ingrained deception is in our social behaviors. Everybody is involved in some kind of illusion, from the masked celebration to the unveiling of Hero's "cousin." Two of the major conspiracies in the play are the Claudio/Hero plotline and the Benedick/Beatrice story. Both of these situations contrast the multiplicitous nature of illusion. Claudio and Hero do not operate in the realm of illusion. Their intentions and emotions are easily visible, so much so that they come off as transparent. Their utter lack of ability to engage in social illusion makes them unbelievable: Claudi... ...e's dead, that things are finally resolved. By showing the deep tangles of illusion that exist in normal social relationships, Shakespeare reminds us of our dependence upon fabrication. He shows us that we both desire to be and have a deep need to deceive ourselves and others. It's why we watch plays and read literature. But Shakespeare also shows us the precarious balance of illusion in our lives and the ease with which we can lose our grip on reality and fiction. Much Ado About Nothing Essay: Illusions in Much Ado About Nothing Social Illusions in Much Ado About Nothing In Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare presents us with a romp through the realms of truth and illusion. The play is full of characters plotting and deceiving, for both noble and repugnant reasons. It is a study in the importance and necessity of illusion in our everyday lives, and shows how deeply ingrained deception is in our social behaviors. Everybody is involved in some kind of illusion, from the masked celebration to the unveiling of Hero's "cousin." Two of the major conspiracies in the play are the Claudio/Hero plotline and the Benedick/Beatrice story. Both of these situations contrast the multiplicitous nature of illusion. Claudio and Hero do not operate in the realm of illusion. Their intentions and emotions are easily visible, so much so that they come off as transparent. Their utter lack of ability to engage in social illusion makes them unbelievable: Claudi... ...e's dead, that things are finally resolved. By showing the deep tangles of illusion that exist in normal social relationships, Shakespeare reminds us of our dependence upon fabrication. He shows us that we both desire to be and have a deep need to deceive ourselves and others. It's why we watch plays and read literature. But Shakespeare also shows us the precarious balance of illusion in our lives and the ease with which we can lose our grip on reality and fiction.

A Comparison of Computer Graphics Cards :: Compare Contrast Video

A Comparison of Computer Graphics Cards In today’s world of advanced computer games, the requirements that computers must meet to run these games are very, very steep ones. A major requirement of almost all high tech computer games is a decent graphics card. With most of the games today being developed in 3-D, unlike the games a decade ago which were almost always 2-D, an advanced graphics card is a must to get any amount of fun from these games. Two companies that are heavyweights in the ring of computer graphics are ATI and NVIDIA. ATI and NVIDIA are two main suppliers of almost all computer graphics cards in the U.S. and abroad, and while they supply cards for many different clients (engineers, graphic designers, architects), they’re main consumers are computer gamers. Computer gamers want to have the best performing computer possible to run these new advanced games. What this translates into is a need to have the best graphics card, and since the latest graphics cards don’t come cheap ($250-$550), computer gamers always do their homework when it comes to shopping for the latest graphics card. And when it comes to ATI’s and NVIDIA’s latest graphics cards, there is no end to how much analyzing and comparison their latest graphics cards will go through. ATI’s most recently released graphics card is the X800 and NVIDIA’s newest graphics card is the 6800. These two cards are in direct competition with each other and face a never ending comparison. When comparing these cards there are a number of technical specifications to draw upon, but there are a certain few detailed specifications which most gamers will look at in depth. The tech specs that most computer gamers will look at are the AGP speed supported by the card, the DirectX version supported by the card, and the speed of the core and memory processors. Now although gamers look at those specifications in detail, there are a few other issues that most will look at before even getting that far into researching a graphics card. One of the prime concerns about these next generation cards is how much power the draw.

Lao-tzu: The Moderation Of Rule Essay -- essays research papers

Ruling a country effectively is executed through a variety of methods. Lao-Tzu, a follower of Taoism, expresses his belief on the most efficient way to govern. "The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be. The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be. The more subsidies you have, the less self-reliant people will be" (25). This quote from Lao-Tzu can be interpreted many different ways. The author discusses what he feels the role of a leader should be, the restrictions and the privileges that should be given to the people. There are various views on this particular passage even among Americans. Lao-Tzu feels that taking action in order to make people feel safer and ensure their well being will actually be detrimental; although I agree with Lao-Tzu's tactics, most Americans hold differentiating views.The more restrictions you place on a people, the less moral the people will be. Americans encounter this on a daily basis. American society was founded upon and is enraptured by rebellion. The early American colonists revolted against the English government. The more laws and restrictions the King would place on them the more they would rebel and fight. When the American people feel oppressed by any law or prohibition set forth by the government the people will challenge it in an effort to change it. America is one of the only countries where its people actually believe they can make a difference and change what they feel is not righ...

William and the Khans

With little gifts to bear, William is advised by the merchants of Constantinople that the captains and the Mongol Khans must be greeted with gifts, otherwise he will not be looked upon properly (William, p. 49). William embarked on this mission to deliver a letter on behalf of King Louis IX to Scratch, and to encourage conversion to Christianity. However, In his encounters with Scratch, Abate, and Managua Khan the purpose of his visit is misunderstood by a linguistic misinterpretation.Despite his allure to convert many people to Christianity, his letter is significant in presenting some of the educational and religious movements occurring within Europe, and the relations that were emerging through commerce In the thirteenth century. Rupee's growing emphasis on education would broaden the horizons of Christianity, and commerce created interconnectedness among cultures regardless of religious differences. Western Europe developed a growing desire for advancements In education during th e twelfth century.Places such as Toledo, spawn was â€Å"renowned as a center f learning where Muslims, Jews, and Christians freely intermingled† (Smith, Crossroads p. 414). After the Latin translations of Aristotle works began to enhance the method of thought towards the natural world, Pope Innocent Ill, along with the other popes of Rome, â€Å"placed Pearls schools of theology under their own supervision†, and recognized them as the first university (Smith, Crossroads, p. 414). The school's basis on Christianity was built on language of religion, translation of texts, and the notion of spreading Christian values.With driven by such educational ND religious values, William Informed King Louis IX that his letter had been translated into Arabic and Syrian, so that it could be interpreted for Scratch Khan (William, p. 105). To his misfortune, the lack of linguistic accuracy did not allow the letter to be delivered as he expected. From this mistake, he was sent to see Ab ate, who then sent him to see Managua Khan. Upon seeing Managua, William was Informed that Abate had sent a letter to Managua informing him that he had â€Å"asked for troops and aid from Scratch against the Saracens (William, p, 166). Pone hearing this, William as overcome with a sense of astonishment and annoyance toward what he believed to be a misinterpretation. However, during this period Europe was heavily involved In the Crusades, and a plea for assistance from King Louis IX by letter might have been a probability. Western European universities promoted a sense of support for the 1 OFF to be overcome to properly interact the religious teachings. Williams attempts, though futile, were agreeable with the church and universities in the spread of Christianity.Along the way to Khartoum, William encounters many people of diverse cultural ND religious backgrounds. Some of which include Muslims, Tibetan, Buddhists, and Insertion Christians. With such a willingness to allow the exist ence of other religious sects in the Mongolia Empire, there is a better sense of commercial mentality throughout the land. During this century, economic growth â€Å"was driven by rising agricultural productivity, population increases, and the expansion of markets, rather than revolutionary changes in industrial organization and technology' (Smith, Crossroads, p. 381).European benefactors that contributed to this growing immemorial environment include, innovations in navigation such as the nautical compass, Portland, and the astrolabe (Smith, Crossroads, p. 382). Intercultural commerce became interdependent and more efficient. In the sass's â€Å"the Mongol conquests dominate the history of Eurasia†, which allowed them to control many components of commerce along China, the Pacific Ocean, and the Mediterranean (Smith, Crossroads, p. 443). This reign in intercultural trade and commerce was expressed in the Mongol's excessive representation of pride in their culture, and apath y towards others.Before Williams encounter with Abate, he mentions that â€Å"they have risen so much in their pride, that though they may believe somewhat in Christ, yet will they no be called Christian, wishing to exalt their own name of Moll above all other† (William, p. 107). As a leading culture, the Mongols represent their religious and political dominance by moral expressions, and a vast control in agricultural trade around the time of Williams visit. The connections between Williams visit to Khartoum, and Rupee's new found sire for educational institutions can be drawn together by a desire for advancement.Just as educational acknowledgements in â€Å"Christian teachings, Summary Theological† were core ideas for progress in the overgrowing number of Universities, the spread of Christianity had a similar drive within European society (Smith, Crossroads, p. 414). Williams attempt to translate the French Kings letter was done in a hopeful effort to make it understa ndable to Scratch, and to show his acceptance of Christianity as suspected prior to the mission. Rather than converting Scratch, he as sent to see Abate, where his mission and efforts of conversion continued.Williams experience throughout his Journey was one of constant struggle. He was thoroughly misunderstood by the Mongolia people, and was looked down upon at various times. During this period the Mongolia Empire had a sense of superiority for their culture, which was a reflection of their successes. Controlling and preserving China's â€Å"agriculture way of life would generate far greater rewards†, and would allow them ample opportunities in the trade market (Crossroads and Cultures, p. 42).Despite Williams detailed recollections, the events and circumstances that surrounded him superseded the importance of a single friar on a conquest to covert people into Christians. Following his Journey, he noted that his efforts only allowed him to convert six people. Whether this ac count is truthful is unknown. His recollections must be taken as observations of a time period, rather than an when we observe how the outside world reacted towards the writer, we are able to get a better perspective of the time and context of discussion.

Ancient Greek Musical Instruments

Lyra: originally called Chelys, because of the tortoise shell used as its sound box. According to Nicomachus of Gerasa (Ist cent. AD), the tortoise-shell Lyra was invented by god Hermes, who gave it to Orpheus. â€Å"Orpheus taught Thamyris and Linos, and Linos taught Hercules. When Orpheus was killed by the Thracian women, his lyra was thrown into the sea, and washed ashore at Antissa, a city of Lesbos, where it was found by fishermen, who brought it to Terpander, who in turn carried it to Egypt and presented it to the Egyptian priests as his own creation. We don't know how many strings the original Lyras had. By the time of Terpander (8th-7th cent. BC) Lyra was a seven stringed instrument and from many ancient sources we know that this type remained in use for a long time during the classical period. The addition of an eighth string in the 6th century BC is credited by Nicomachus of Gerasa to Pythagoras. By the fifth century there were Lyras with anything from 9 to 12 strings. The strings (neura) were made of animal gut of sinew, but there are also references of strings made of linen or hemp.Lyra was mainly used for the musical education of the young, and by amateur players in general. Cithara plucked instrument with 5 strings originally, but later with as many as 12 strings. Cithara was bigger than the Lyra and it was the principal concert instrument played by professional musicians, the citharodes. According to Plutarch, cithara was designed by Cepion, a student of Terpander. Many instrument names like guitar, cittern, zither etc. derive from the word cithara. Barbitos or Barbiton is an instrument of the Lyra family and resembles a Lyra, but it has longer arms and narrower sound box.Musicians of the School of Lesbos, like Alcaeus and Sappho, are frequently depicted in vases playing the Barbitos. Phorminx probably the oldest of the Cithara type instruments. From references in ancient sources (Homer, Hesiod, Aristophanes) we know that Phorminx was richly dec orated with gold and ivory, and accompanied the singing of the epic singers called rhapsodes. Epigonion belongs to the psaltery family and it is the instrument with the largest number of strings, sometimes as many as forty (Polydeuces).It may owe its name to the fact that it was played ‘on the knee' – Greek ‘epi gonu', or maybe because its inventor was someone named Epigonus. Pandouris or pandourion, also called trichord because it had three strings, is the first fretted instrument known, forerunner of the various families of lutes worldwide. Source of our knowledge about this instrument is the Mantineia marble (4th cent BC, now exhibited at Athens Archaeological Museum) depicting the mythical contest between Apollo and Marsyas, where Pandouris is being played by a muse seated on a rock.

The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 30. Irresistible

There was so much to think about. How was I going to find time alone to hunt down J. Jenks, and why did Alice want me to know about him? If Alice's clue had nothing to do with Renesmee, what could I do to save my daughter? How were Edward and I going to explain things to Tanya's family in the morning? What if they reacted like Irina? What if it turned into a fight? I didn't know how to fight. How was I going to learn in just a month? Was there any chance at all that I could be taught fast enough that I might be a danger to any one member of the Volturi? Or was I doomed to be totally useless? Just another easily dispatched newborn? So many answers I needed, but I did not get the chance to ask my questions. Wanting some normality for Renesmee, I'd insisted on taking her home to our cottage at bedtime. Jacob was more comfortable in his wolf form at the moment; the stress was easier dealt with when he felt ready for a fight. I wished that I could feel the same, could feel ready. He ran in the woods, on guard again. After she was deeply under, I put Renesmee in her bed and then went to the front room to ask my questions of Edward. The ones I was able to ask, at any rate; one of the most difficult of problems was the idea of trying to hide anything from him, even with the advantage of my silent thoughts. He stood with his back to me, staring into the fire. â€Å"Edward, I – â€Å" He spun and was across the room in what seemed like no time at all, not even the smallest part of a second. I only had time to register the ferocious expression on his face before his lips were crushing against mine and his arms were locked around me like steel girders. I didn't think of my questions again for the rest of that night. It didn't take long for me to grasp the reason for his mood, and even less time to feel exactly the same way. I'd been planning on needing years just to somewhat organize the overwhelming passion I felt for him physically. And then centuries after that to enjoy it. if we had only a month left together†¦ Well, I didn't see how I could stand to have this end. For the moment I couldn't help but be selfish. All I wanted was to love him as much as possible in the limited time given to me. It was hard to pull myself away from him when the sun came up, but we had our job to do, a job that might be more difficult than all the rest of our family's searches put together. As soon as I let myself think of what was coming, i was all tension; it felt like my nerves were being stretched on a rack, thinner and thinner. â€Å"I wish there was a way to get the information we need from Eleazar before we tell them about Nessie,† Edward muttered as we hurriedly dressed in the huge closet that was more reminder of Alice than I wanted at the moment. â€Å"Just in case.† â€Å"But he wouldn't understand the question to answer it,† I agreed. â€Å"Do you think they'll let us explain?† â€Å"I don't know.† I pulled Renesmee, still sleeping, from her bed and held her close so that her curls were pressed against my face; her sweet scent, so close, overpowered every other smell. I couldn't waste one second of time today. There were answers I needed, and wasn't sure how much time Edward and I would have alone today. If all went well with Tanya's family, hopefully we would have company for an extended period. â€Å"Edward, will you teach me how to fight?† I asked him, tensed for his reaction, as he held the door for me. It was what I expected. He froze, and then his eyes swept over me with a deep significance, like he was looking at me for the first or last time. His eyes lingered on our daughter sleeping in my arms. â€Å"If it comes to a fight, there won't be much any of us can do,† he hedged. I kept my voice even. â€Å"Would you leave me unable to defend myself?† He swallowed convulsively, and the door shuddered, hinges protesting, as his hand tightened. Then he nodded. â€Å"When you put it that way†¦ I suppose we should get to work as soon as we can.† I nodded, too, and we started toward the big house. We didn't hurry. I wondered what I could do that would have any hope of making a difference. I was a tiny bit special, in my own way – if a having a supematurally thick skull could really be considered special. Was there any use that I could put that toward? â€Å"What would you say their biggest advantage is? Do they even have a weakness?† Edward didn't have to ask to know I meant the Volturi. â€Å"Alec and Jane are their greatest offense,† he said emotionlessly, like we were talking of a basketball team. â€Å"Their defensive players rarely see any real action.† â€Å"Because Jane can burn you where you stand – mentally at least. What does Alec do? Didn't you once say he was even more dangerous than Jane?† â€Å"Yes. In a way, he is the antidote to Jane. She makes you feel the worst pain imaginable. Alec, on the other hand, makes you feel nothing. Absolutely nothing. Sometimes, when the Volturi are feeling kind, they have Alec anesthetize someone before he is executed. If he has surrendered or pleased them in some other way.† â€Å"Anesthetic? But how is that more dangerous than Jane?† â€Å"Because he cuts off your senses altogether. No pain, but also no sight or sound or smell. Total sensory deprivation. You are utterly alone in the blackness. You don't even feel it when they burn you.† I shivered. Was this the best we could hope for? To not see or feel death when it came? â€Å"That would make him only equally as dangerous as Jane,† Edward went on in the same detached voice, â€Å"in that they both can incapacitate you, make you into a helpless target. The difference between them is like the difference between Aro and me. Aro hears the mind of only one person at a time. Jane can only hurt the one object of her focus. I can hear everyone at the same time.† I felt cold as I saw where he was going. â€Å"And Alec can incapacitate us all at the same time?† I whispered. â€Å"Yes,† he said. â€Å"If he uses his gift against us, we will all stand blind and deaf until they get around to killingus – maybe they'll simply burn us without bothering to tear us apart first. Oh, we could try to fight, but we'll be more likely to hurt one another than we would be to hurt one of them.† We walked in silence for a few seconds. An idea was shaping itself in my head. Not very promising, but better than nothing. â€Å"Do you think Alec is a very good fighter?† I asked. â€Å"Aside from what he can do, I mean. If he had to fight without his gift. I wonder if he's ever even tried___† Edward glanced at me sharply. â€Å"What are you thinking?† I looked straight ahead. â€Å"Well, he probably can't do that to me, can he? If what he does is like Aro and Jane and you. Maybe†¦ if he's never really had to defend himself†¦ and I learned a few tricks – â€Å" â€Å"He's been with the Volturi for centuries,† Edward cut me off, his voice abruptly panicked. He was probably seeing the same image in his head that I was: the Cullens standing helpless, senseless pillars on thekillingfield – all but me. I'd be the only one who could fight. â€Å"Yes, you're surely immune to his power, but you are still a newborn, Bella. I can't make you that strong a fighter in a few weeks. I'm sure he's had training.† â€Å"Maybe, maybe not. It's the one thing I can do that no one else can. Even if I can just distract him for a while – † Could I last long enough to give the others a chance? â€Å"Please, Bella,† Edward said through his teeth. â€Å"Let's not talk about this.† â€Å"Be reasonable.† â€Å"I will try to teach you what I can, but please don't make me think about you sacrificing yourself as a diversion – † He choked, and didn't finish. I nodded. I would keep my plans to myself, then. First Alec and then, if I was miraculously lucky enough to win, Jane. If I could only even things out – remove the Volturi's overwhelming offensive advantage. Maybe then there was a chance†¦. My mind raced ahead. What if I was able to distract or even take them out? Honestly, why would either Jane or Alec ever have needed to learn battle skills? I couldn't imagine petulant little Jane surrendering her advantage, even to learn. If I was able to kill them, what a difference that would make. â€Å"I have to learn everything. As much as you can possibly cram into my head in the next month,† I murmured. He acted as if I hadn't spoken. Who next, then? I might as well have my plans in order so that, if I did live past attacking Alec, there would be no hesitation in my strike. I tried to think of another situation where my thick skull would give me an advantage. I didn't know enough about what the others did. Obviously, fighters like the huge Felix were beyond me. I could only try to give Emmett his fair fight there. I didn't know much about the rest of the Volturi guard, besides Demetri___ My face was perfectly smooth as I considered Demetri. Without a doubt, he would be a fighter. There was no other way he could have survived so long, always at the spear point of any attack. And he must always lead, because he was their tracker – the best tracker in the world, no doubt. If there had been one better, the Volturi would have traded up. Aro didn't surround himself with second best. If Demetri didn't exist, then we could run. Whoever was left of us, in any case. My daughter, warm in my arms†¦ Someone could run with her. Jacob or Rosalie, whoever was left. And†¦ if Demetri didn't exist, then Alice and Jasper could be safe forever. Is that what Alice had seen? That part of our family could continue? The two of them, at the very least. Could I begrudge her that? â€Å"Demetri†¦,† I said. â€Å"Demetri is mine,† Edward said in a hard, tight voice. I looked at him quickly and saw that his expression had turned violent. â€Å"Why?† I whispered. He didn't answer at first. We were to the river when he finally murmured, â€Å"For Alice. It's the only thanks I can give her now for the last fifty years.† So his thoughts were in line with mine. I heard Jacob's heavy paws thudding against the frozen ground. In seconds, he was pacing beside me, his dark eyes focused on Renesmee. I nodded to him once, then returned to my questions. There was so little time. â€Å"Edward, why do you think Alice told us to ask Eleazar about the Volturi? Has he been in Italy recently or something? What could he know?† â€Å"Eleazar knows everything when it comes to the Volturi. I forgot you didn't know. He used to be one of them.† I hissed involuntarily. Jacob growled beside me. â€Å"What?† I demanded, in my head picturing the beautiful dark-haired man at our wedding wrapped in a long, ashy cloak. Edward's face was softer now – he smiled a little. â€Å"Eleazar is a very gentle person. He wasn't entirely happy with the Volturi, but he respected the law and its need to be upheld. He felt he was working toward the greater good. He doesn't regret his time with them. But when he found Carmen, he found his place in this world. They are very similar people, both very compassionate for vampires.† He smiled again. â€Å"They met Tanya and her sisters, and they never looked back. They are well suited to this lifestyle. If they'd never found Tanya, I imagine they would have eventually discovered a way to live without human blood on their own.† The pictures in my head were jarring. I couldn't make them match up. A compassionate Volturi soldier? Edward glanced at Jacob and answered a silent question. â€Å"No, he wasn't one of their warriors, so to speak. He had a gift they found convenient.† Jacob must have asked the obvious follow-up question. â€Å"He has an instinctive feel for the gifts of others – the extra abilities that some vampires have,† Edward told him. â€Å"He could give Aro a general idea of what any given vampire was capable of just by being in proximity with him or her. This was helpful when the Volturi went into battle. He could warn them if someone in the opposing coven had a skill that might give them some trouble. That was rare; it takes quite a skill to even inconvenience the Volturi for a moment. More often, the warning would give Aro the chance to save someone who might be useful to him. Eleazar's gift works even with humans, to an extent. He has to really concentrate with humans, though, because the latent ability is so nebulous. Aro would have him test the people who wanted to join, to see if they had any potential. Aro was sorry to see him go.† â€Å"They let him go?† I asked. â€Å"Just like that?† His smile was darker now, a little twisted. ‘The Volturi aren't supposed to be the villains, the way they seem to you. They are the foundation of our peace and civilization. Each member of the guard chooses to serve them. It's quite prestigious; they all are proud to be there, not forced to be there.† I scowled at the ground. â€Å"They're only alleged to be heinous and evil by the criminals, Bella.† â€Å"We're not criminals.† Jacob huffed in agreement. â€Å"They don't know that.† â€Å"Do you really think we can make them stop and listen?† Edward hesitated just the tiniest moment and then shrugged. â€Å"If we find enough friends to stand beside us. Maybe.† If. I suddenly felt the urgency of what we had before us today. Edward and I both started to move faster, breaking into a run. Jacob caught up quickly. â€Å"Tanya shouldn't be too much longer,† Edward said. â€Å"We need to be ready.† How to be ready, though? We arranged and rearranged, thought and rethought. Renesmee in full view? Or hidden at first? Jacob in the room? Or outside? He'd told his pack to stay close but invisible. Should he do the same? In the end, Renesmee, Jacob – in his human form again – and I waited around the corner from the front door in the dining room, sitting at the big polished table. Jacob let me hold Renesmee; he wanted space in case he had to phase quickly. Though I was glad to have her in my arms, it made me feel useless. It reminded me that in a fight with mature vampires, I was no more than an easy target; I didn't need my hands free. I tried to remember Tanya, Kate, Carmen, and Eleazar from the wedding. Their faces were murky in my ill-lit memories. I only knew they were beautiful, two blondes and two brunettes. I couldn't remember if there was any kindness in their eyes. Edward leaned motionlessly against the back window wall, staring toward the front door. It didn't look like he was seeing the room in front of him. We listened to the cars zooming past out on the freeway, none of them slowing. Renesmee nestled into my neck, her hand against my cheek but no images in my head. She didn't have pictures for her feelings now. â€Å"What if they don't like me?† she whispered, and all our eyes flashed to her face. â€Å"Of course they'll – ,† Jacob started to say, but I silenced him with a look. ‘They don't understand you, Renesmee, because they've never met anyone like you,† I told her, not wanting to lie to her with promises that might not come true. â€Å"Getting them to understand is the problem.† She sighed, and in my head flashed pictures of all of us in one quick burst. Vampire, human, werewolf. She fit nowhere. â€Å"You're special, that's not a bad thing.† She shook her head in disagreement. She thought of our strained faces and said, â€Å"This is my fault.† â€Å"No,† Jacob, Edward, and I all said at exactly the same time, but before we could argue further, we heard the sound we'd been waiting for: the slowing of an engine on the freeway, the tires moving from pavement to soft dirt. Edward darted around the corner to stand waiting by the door. Renesmee hid in my hair. Jacob and I stared at each other across the table, desperation on our faces. The car moved quickly through the woods, faster than Charlie or Sue drove. We heard it pull into the meadow and stop by the front porch. Four doors opened and closed. They didn't speak as they approached the door. Edward opened it before they could knock. â€Å"Edward!† a female voice enthused. â€Å"Hello, Tanya. Kate, Eleazar, Carmen.† Three murmured hellos. â€Å"Carlisle said he needed to talk to us right away,† the first voice said, Tanya. I could hear that they all were still outside. I imagined Edward in the doorway, blocking their entrance. â€Å"What's the problem? Trouble with the werewolves?† Jacob rolled his eyes. â€Å"No,† Edward said. â€Å"Our truce with the werewolves is stronger than ever.† A woman chuckled. â€Å"Aren't you going to invite us in?† Tanya asked. And then she continued without waiting for an answer. â€Å"Where's Carlisle?† â€Å"Carlisle had to leave.† There was a short silence. â€Å"What's going on, Edward?† Tanya demanded. â€Å"If you could give me the benefit of the doubt for just a few minutes,† he answered. â€Å"I have something difficult to explain, and I'll need you to be open-minded until you understand.† â€Å"Is Carlisle all right?† a male voice asked anxiously. Eleazar. â€Å"None of us is all right, Eleazar,† Edward said, and then he patted something, maybe Eleazar's shoulder. â€Å"But physically, Carlisle is fine.† â€Å"Physically?† Tanya asked sharply. â€Å"What do you mean?† â€Å"I mean that my entire family is in very grave danger. But before I explain, I ask for your promise. Listen to everything I say before you react. I am begging you to hear me out.† A longer silence greeted his request. Through the strained hush, Jacob and I stared wordlessly at each other. His russet lips paled. â€Å"We're listening,† Tanya finally said. â€Å"We will hear it all before we judge.† â€Å"Thank you, Tanya,† Edward said fervently. â€Å"We wouldn't involve you in this if we had any other choice.† Edward moved. We heard four sets of footsteps walk through the doorway. Someone sniffed. â€Å"I knew those werewolves were involved,† Tanya muttered. â€Å"Yes, and they're on our side. Again.† The reminder silenced Tanya. â€Å"Where's your Bella?† one of the other female voices asked. â€Å"How is she?† â€Å"She'll join us shortly. She's well, thank you. She's taken to immortality with amazing finesse.† â€Å"Tell us about the danger, Edward,† Tanya said quietly. â€Å"We'll listen, and we'll be on your side, where we belong.† Edward took a deep breath. â€Å"I'd like you to witness for yourselves first. Listen – in the other room. What do you hear?† It was quiet, and then there was movement. â€Å"Just listen first, please,† Edward said. â€Å"A werewolf, I assume. I can hear his heart,† Tanya said. â€Å"What else?† Edward asked. There was a pause. â€Å"What is that thrumming?† Kate or Carmen asked. â€Å"Is that†¦ some kind of a bird?† â€Å"No, but remember what you're hearing. Now, what do you smell? Besides the werewolf.† â€Å"Is there a human here?† Eleazar whispered. â€Å"No,† Tanya disagreed. â€Å"It's not human†¦ but†¦ closer to human than the rest of the scents here. What is that, Edward? I don't think I've ever smelled that fragrance before.† â€Å"You most certainly have not, Tanya. Please, please remember that this is something entirely new to you. Throw away your preconceived notions.† â€Å"I promised you I would listen, Edward.† â€Å"All right, then. Bella? Bring out Renesmee, please.† My legs felt strangely numb, but I knew that feeling was all in my head. I forced myself not to hold back, not to move sluggishly, as I got to my feet and walked the few short feet to the corner. The heat from Jacob's body flamed close behind me as he shadowed my steps. I took one step into the bigger room and then froze, unable to force myself farther forward. Renesmee took a deep breath and then peeped out from under my hair, her little shoulders tight, expecting a rebuff. I thought I'd prepared myself for their reaction. For accusations, for shouting, for the motionlessness of deep stress. Tanya skittered back four steps, her strawberry curls quivering, like a human confronted by a venomous snake. Kate jumped back all the way to the front door and braced herself against the wall there. A shocked hiss came from between her clenched teeth. Eleazar threw himself in front of Carmen in a protective crouch. â€Å"Oh please† I heard Jacob complain under his breath. Edward put his arm around Renesmee and me. â€Å"You promised to listen,† he reminded them. â€Å"Some things cannot be heard!† Tanya exclaimed. â€Å"How could you, Edward? Do you not know what this means?† â€Å"We have to get out of here,† Kate said anxiously, her hand on the doorknob. â€Å"Edward †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Eleazar seemed beyond words. â€Å"Wait,† Edward said, his voice harder now. â€Å"Remember what you hear, what you smell. Renesmee is not what you think she is.† â€Å"There are no exceptions to this rule, Edward,† Tanya snapped back. â€Å"Tanya,† Edward said sharply, â€Å"you can hear her heartbeat! Stop and think about what that means.† â€Å"Her heartbeat?† Carmen whispered, peering around Eleazar's shoulder. â€Å"She's not a full vampire child,† Edward answered, directing his attention toward Carmen's less hostile expression. â€Å"She is half-human.† The four vampires stared at him like he was speaking a language none of them knew. â€Å"Hear me.† Edward's voice shifted into a smooth velvet tone of persuasion. â€Å"Renesmee is one of a kind. I am her father. Not her creator – her biological father.† Tanya's head was shaking, just a tiny movement. She didn't seem aware of it. â€Å"Edward, you can't expect us to – ,† Eleazar started to say. â€Å"Tell me another explanation that fits, Eleazar. You can feel the warmth of her body in the air. Blood runs in her veins, Eleazar. You can smell it.† â€Å"How?† Kate breathed. â€Å"Bella is her biological mother,† Edward told her. â€Å"She conceived, carried, and gave birth to Renesmee while she was still human. It nearly killed her. I was hard-pressed to get enough venom into her heart to save her.† Tve never heard of such a thing,† Eleazar said. His shoulders were still stiff, his expression cold. â€Å"Physical relationships between vampires and humans are not common,† Edward answered, a bit of dark humor in his tone now. â€Å"Human survivors of such trysts are even less common. Wouldn't you agree, cousins?† Both Kate and Tanya scowled at him. â€Å"Come now, Eleazar. Surely you can see the resemblance.† It was Carmen who responded to Edward's words. She stepped around Eleazar, ignoring his half-articulated warning, and walked carefully to stand right in front of me. She leaned down slightly, looking carefully into Renesmee's face. â€Å"You seem to have your mother's eyes,† she said in a low, calm voice, â€Å"but your father's face.† And then, as if she could not help herself, she smiled at Renesmee. Renesmee's answering smile was dazzling. She touched my face without looking away from Carmen. She imagined touching Carmen's face, wondering if that was okay. â€Å"Do you mind if Renesmee tells you about it herself?† I asked Carmen. I was still too stressed to speak above a whisper. â€Å"She has a gift for explaining things.† Carmen was still smiling at Renesmee. â€Å"Do you speak, little one?† â€Å"Yes,† Renesmee answered in her trilling high soprano. All of Tanya's family flinched at the sound of her voice except for Carmen. â€Å"But I can show you more than I can tell you.† She placed her little dimpled hand on Carmen's cheek. Carmen stiffened like an electric shock had run through her. Eleazar was at her side in an instant, his hands on her shoulders as if to yank her away. â€Å"Wait,† Carmen said breathlessly, her unblinking eyes locked on Renesmee's. Renesmee â€Å"showed† Carmen her explanation for a long time. Edward's face was intent as he watched with Carmen, and I wished so much that I could hear what he heard, too. Jacob shifted his weight impatiently behind me, and I knew he was wishing the same. â€Å"What's Nessie showing her?† he grumbled under his breath. â€Å"Everything,† Edward murmured. Another minute passed, and Renesmee dropped her hand from Carmen's face. She smiled winningly at the stunned vampire. â€Å"She really is your daughter, isn't she?† Carmen breathed, switching her wide topaz eyes to Edward's face. â€Å"Such a vivid gift! It could only have come from a very gifted father.† â€Å"Do you believe what she showed you?† Edward asked, his expression intense. â€Å"Without a doubt,† Carmen said simply. Eleazar's face was rigid with distress. â€Å"Carmen!† Carmen took his hands into her own and squeezed them. â€Å"Impossible as it seems, Edward has told you nothing but truth. Let the child show you.† Carmen nudged Eleazar closer to me and then nodded at Renesmee. â€Å"Show him, mi querida† Renesmee grinned, clearly delighted with Carmen's acceptance, and touched Eleazar lightly on the forehead. â€Å"Ay caray!†hespit, and jerked away from her. â€Å"What did she do to you?† Tanya demanded, coming closer warily. Kate crept forward, too. â€Å"She's just trying to show you her side of the story,† Carmen told him in a soothing voice. Renesmee frowned impatiently. â€Å"Watch, please,† she commanded Eleazar. She stretched her hand out to him and then left a few inches between her fingers and his face, waiting. Eleazar eyed her suspiciously and then glanced at Carmen for help. She nodded encouragingly. Eleazar took a deep breath and then leaned closer until his forehead touched her hand again. He shuddered when it began but held still this time, his eyes closed in concentration. â€Å"Ahh,† he sighed when his eyes reopened a few minutes later. â€Å"I see.† Renesmee smiled at him. He hesitated, then smiled a slightly unwilling smile in response. â€Å"Eleazar?† Tanya asked. â€Å"It's all true, Tanya. This is no immortal child. She's half-human. Come. See for yourself.† In silence, Tanya took her turn standing warily before me, and then Kate, both showing shock as that first image hit them with Renesmee's touch. But then, just like Carmen and Eleazar, they seemed completely won over as soon as it was done. I shot a glance at Edward's smooth face, wondering if it could really be so easy. His golden eyes were clear, unshadowed. There was no deception in this, then. â€Å"Thank you for listening,† he said quietly. â€Å"But there is the grave danger you warned us of,† Tanya said. â€Å"Not directly from this child, I see, but surely from the Volturi, then. How did they find out about her? When are they coming?† I was not surprised at her quick understanding. After all, what could possibly be a threat to a family as strong as mine? Only the Volturi. â€Å"When Bella saw Irina that day in the mountains,† Edward explained, â€Å"she had Renesmee with her.† Kate hissed, her eyes narrowing to slits, â€Å"irina did this? To you? To Carlisle? Irina?† â€Å"No,† Tanya whispered. â€Å"Someone else †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Alice saw her go to them,† Edward said. I wondered if the others noticed the way he winced just slightly when he spoke Alice's name. â€Å"How could she do this thing?† Eleazar asked of no one. ‘Imagine if you had seen Renesmee only from a distance. If you had not waited for our explanation.† Tanya's eyes tightened. â€Å"No matter what she thought†¦ You are our family.† â€Å"There's nothing we can do about Irina's choice now. It's too late. Alice gave us a month.† Both Tanya's and Eleazar's heads cocked to one side. Kate's brow furrowed. â€Å"So long?† Eleazar asked. â€Å"They are all coming. That must take some preparation.† Eleazar gasped. â€Å"The entire guard?† â€Å"Not just the guard,† Edward said, his jaw straining tight. â€Å"Aro, Caius, Marcus. Even the wives.† Shock glazed over all their eyes. â€Å"Impossible,† Eleazar said blankly. â€Å"I would have said the same two days ago,† Edward said. Eleazar scowled, and when he spoke it was nearly a growl. â€Å"But that doesn't make any sense. Why would they put themselves and the wives in danger?† â€Å"It doesn't make sense from that angle. Alice said there was more to this than just punishment for what they think we've done. She thought you could help us.† â€Å"More than punishment? But what else is there?† Eleazar started pacing, stalking toward the door and back again as if he were alone here, his eyebrows furrowed as he stared at the floor. â€Å"Where are the others, Edward? Carlisle and Alice and the rest?† Tanya asked. Edward's hesitation was almost unnoticeable. He answered only part of her question. â€Å"Looking for friends who might help us.† Tanya leaned toward him, holding her hands out in front of her. â€Å"Edward, no matter how many friends you gather, we can't help you win. We can only die with you. You must know that. Of course, perhaps the four of us deserve that after what Irina has done now, after how we've failed you in the past – for her sake that time as well.† Edward shook his head quickly. â€Å"We're not asking you to fight and die with us, Tanya. You know Carlisle would never ask for that.† â€Å"Then what, Edward?† â€Å"We're just looking for witnesses. If we can make them pause, just for a moment. If they would let us explain †¦Ã¢â‚¬  He touched Renesmee's cheek; she grabbed his hand and held it pressed against her skin. â€Å"It's difficult to doubt our story when you see it for yourself.† Tanya nodded slowly. â€Å"Do you think her past will matter to them so much?† â€Å"Only as it foreshadows her future. The point of the restriction was to protect us from exposure, from the excesses of children who could not be tamed.† â€Å"I'm not dangerous at all,† Renesmee interjected. I listened to her high, clear voice with new ears, imagining how she sounded to the others. â€Å"I never hurt Grandpa or Sue or Billy. I love humans. And wolf-people like my Jacob.† She dropped Edward's hand to reach back and pat Jacob's arm. Tanya and Kate exchanged a quick glance. â€Å"If Irina had not come so soon,† Edward mused, â€Å"we could have avoided all of this. Renesmee grows at an unprecedented rate. By the time the month is past, shell have gained another half year of development.† â€Å"Well, that is something we can certainly witness,† Carmen said in a decided tone. â€Å"We'll be able to promise that we've seen her mature ourselves. How could the Volturi ignore such evidence?† Eleazar mumbled, â€Å"How, indeed?† but he did not look up, and he continued pacing as if he were paying no attention at all. â€Å"Yes, we can witness for you,† Tanya said. â€Å"Certainly that much. We will consider what more we might do.† â€Å"Tanya,† Edward protested, hearing more in her thoughts than there was in her words, â€Å"we don't expect you to fight with us.† â€Å"If the Volturi won't pause to listen to our witness, we cannot simply stand by,† Tanya insisted. â€Å"Of course, I should only speak for myself.† Kate snorted. â€Å"Do you really doubt me so much, sister?† Tanya smiled widely at her. â€Å"It is a suicide mission, after all.† Kate flashed a grin back and then shrugged nonchalantly. â€Å"I'm in.† â€Å"I, too, will do what I can to protect the child,† Carmen agreed. Then, as if she couldn't resist, she held her arms out toward Renesmee. â€Å"May I hold you, bebe linda?† Renesmee reached eagerly toward Carmen, delighted with her new friend. Carmen hugged her close, murmuring to her in Spanish. It was like it had been with Charlie, and before that with all the Cullens. Renesmee was irresistible. What was it about her that drew everyone to her, that made them willing even to pledge their lives in her defense? For a moment I thought that maybe what we were attempting might be possible. Maybe Renesmee could do the impossible and win over our enemies as she had our friends. And then I remembered that Alice had left us, and my hope vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?

In the film Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter (1957), Rock Hunter’s fiancà ©, Jenny Wells (Betsy Drake), realizes that attending college to just develop her mind was a serious mistake. Fearing that Rock will leave her for the buxom and vapid Hollywood star, Rita Marlowe (Jayne Mansfield), Jenny initiates an exercise regime designed to develop her modest bust line. Upon visiting her apartment after work, Rock discovers his fiancà © comatose on the ground and frozen in a perpetual push-up. When Rock informs her doctor that the malady was caused by too much exercise – specifically push-ups – the doctor nods knowingly. â€Å"Push-ups are a waste of time,† the physician tells the advertising executive. â€Å"It’s really better for women to just go to a store, if you know what I mean.† When Rock Hunter returns to his own apartment that night and checks in on his teenage daughter, he finds her sleeping in bed, her arms above the covers in a frozen push-up. Prescriptive literature, Hollywood films, and popular culture in general created and perpetuated the postwar feminine ideal of the â€Å"Sweater Girl† – a busty, curvaceous figure more sexual than maternal. Yet, this ideal gave way in little more than a decade. One of my earliest childhood and most lasting memories of my mother is watching her inspect herself in the full-length mirror of our family bathroom. She would stand, twisting and turning, her eyes intensely scrutinizing the curves of her body. Then she would turn to me and simply sigh, â€Å"We were born in the wrong decade.† Those same eyes that had just previously scrutinized her own shape would gaze on me as if to say that I was destined (doomed?) to follow in her footsteps. I would file away her beauty tips and hints and embarrassingly chant, â€Å" I must, I must, I must increase my bust† with my middle-school friends, thanks to the influence of young-adult author, Judy Blume, a woman who experienced her own teen years in the 1950s. My mother, neither unattractive nor â€Å"overweight† was born in 1960. Like many women of her generation, she clung to the urban legend that the Hollywood sex symbol of the 1950s, Marilyn Monroe, wore a size 12 dress. She came of age during an era where youth culture placed a cult-like status on Twiggy, a model with a 31-inch bust and 32-inch hips. How had the ideal female body type changed so quickly and so drastically? How did we go from a society that worshiped full, buxom blondes to child-like waifs in just over a decade? Previous scholars have not recognized how malleable these ideals were and how susceptible the female figure is when seemingly disparate factors like consumerism, fashion trends, foreign policy, medical opinion, and mortality collide. While many women conformed to the Hollywood â€Å"sweater† model and then later looked to Twiggy as the fashionable ideal, most did not exhaust themselves in efforts to remold their bodies to replicate these unique body types. This dissertation explores and analyzed how women of different ages, races, and sexual orientations imagined and actively altered their own bodies in their efforts to mimic or reject this body ideal from 1945 to 1970. At least once scholar has argued that women face more pressure to conform to an ideal standard of beauty than men because women learn early on that their future – economic, social, and reproductive opportunities – hinges on their personal appearance. Moreover, as historian Kathy Peiss notes, â€Å"Beauty signifies difference†¦ making distinctions between high and low, normal and abnormal, virtue and vice. In so doing, beauty helps to define morality, social status, class, gender, race, and ethnicity. † Women’s bodies are constantly under surveillance. Borrowing Foucauldian language, Dina Giovanelli and Stephan Ostertag refer to the media as a â€Å"cosmetic panopticon† which dictates women’s clothing, hairstyle, body size, and shape. By â€Å"violating expectations† such as being fat and female, women are subjected to discrimination. And even though we are mostly cognitive of the images and messages thrown at us in the mass media today, some are harder to resist than others. Read More: – Horace Miner – Body Ritual among the Nacirema by Horace Miner

Information mangment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Information mangment - Essay Example According to Nonaka, Krogh and Voelpel (2006), â€Å"organizational knowledge creation is the process of making available and amplifying knowledge created by individuals as well as crystallizing and connecting it with an organization’s knowledge system.† Studies have shown that creation of knowledge, retention as well as managing it is very important for the survival of the organization during the contemporary period as we move towards a digital economy (Alavi & Leidner, 2001). One way of generating knowledge in an organization is achieved through the use of learning. Learning in an organisation is particularly concerned with creating, acquiring and transforming knowledge and transforming this knowledge to improve the overall performance of the employees and the organization as a whole (Andriopoulos & Dawson 2009). Knowledge may be explicit and/or tacit, individual and/or collective. Basically, explicit knowledge refers to details of processes that have been codified an d it often acts as a manual to deal with certain queries or problems in the organization while tacit knowledge is knowledge of experience (Polanyi, 1983). In as far as tacit knowledge is concerned so the person concerned uses his or her experience to deal with a certain problem. As noted above, knowledge is a business asset given that much of organizations’ value mainly depends on their capacity to create and generate knowledge which can be used to transform the operations of the organization during changing period. It is important for an organization to create knowledge and transfer it to other employees since this can help the whole organization. As illustrated in the model of knowledge creation and diffusion illustrated above, it can be seen that there are various techniques that can be used to transfer knowledge from one person to the other in the organization. According to Nonaka & Takeuchi (1995), knowledge can be transferred through the following strategies in the comp any: tacit to tacit through socialization, tacit to explicit through a process of externalization, explicit to tacit through a process of internalization as well as explicit to explicit through a process of combination. Tacit knowledge can be transferred to tacit knowledge through the process of socialization. Basically, socialization is a process that loosely describes the way people in an organization are socialised or interact. Through interaction among employees in an organization, knowledge can be transferred from one person to the other. In this case, it is individual to individual where an experienced employee can impart his or her ideas and experience to the other employee who also can capitalise on this wealth of knowledge in his or her operations. Explicit to tacit knowledge can also be transferred through a process of internalization in the organization. Internal structures in the organization are created and these are meant to transform knowledge that is codified into ac tual experience that can help the employees to deal with different situations they may encounter in their operations. This process involves transfer of knowledge from the individual, group as well as organization. This helps to improve the overall performance of the employees as well as the organization a whole. The other strategy is tacit to explicit

Recognize the relationship of the general journal to the general Essay

Recognize the relationship of the general journal to the general ledger - Essay Example General journal usually records the transactions that are not recorded in other journals thus they are non routine transactions such as depreciation, bad debts, sale or purchase of non-current assets. In short, it would be right to say that the transactions for which there are no specific journal, they ended up with general journal. The main purpose of general journal is adjustment (Gilbertson and Lehman, 2012). General ledger is the summarized version of all the entries. It serves as the main record for financial accounts. Ledger breaks accounts by their nature and type such as inventory purchases, office supplies, and equipment purchases. Thus each account reflects particular information regarding a specific group of transaction. It includes the involvement of cash as purchases and payments. The general ledger should include the date, description and balance or total amount for each account. It acts as the backbone of any accounting system which holds financial and non-financial data for an organization (Porter and Norton, 2011). Thus the difference between the two is that general journal is the place where the transaction is first recorded where as general ledger is the group where all similar transactions are recorded together. But there is a significant relationship between the two, as for the preparation of general ledger, the information derived from general journal serves as an input. As each general ledger account does have a debit and credit account in it which is the result of general journal entries. When accountants are preparing general ledger entries, they need to refer to general journal first (Gilbertson and Lehman, 2012). Both of these accounting tools have some specific purposes. Businesses depend on ledger when it comes to monthly reporting. It shows the total expenses for the month. However, few details are lacking from the transactions. For example off setting. On the other hand, General journal shows the amount of total sales for