Differing Cultures

One society that significantly differs from the United States in terms of values and beliefs are the Chinese. Possibly the most significant difference between the two is that the Chinese is generally a conservative society while the United States is more liberal-minded. This is best shown in their attitude towards sex and religion, among many others. Based on recent survey and studies, there were a lot of Americans who have had sexual intercourse in their teenage years.In short, most Americans, particularly the youth, view sex as more of a casual thing as compared to the Chinese who have strict prohibitions regarding sex. Moreover, the Americans are more vocal about sex as well as other sensitive issues regarding race and gender, among others while the Chinese prefer not to talk about these issues publicly. In addition, the Chinese are more superstitious than the Americans. This is shown in their popular practices such as feng-shui and various rituals during death and marriage, to na me a few.Furthermore, the Chinese has a more preserved culture than the United States as shown in their various traditions that are still being practiced today. They also maintain and practice their cultural beliefs and principles no matter where they go, which is shown in the various â€Å"Chinatowns† across the world wherein the population is predominantly Chinese. On the other hand due to the United States’ cultural diversity, it is hard to determine exactly what their practices are except during holidays.Basically, the vast differences between the two societies can greatly affect marketing strategies and decisions since commercial companies and businesses, particularly the international ones, would always have to ensure that their advertisements would not offend a certain society. For example, it would be hard for a liberal product to penetrate markets in China or in Chinese societies if its advertisements contain things that are offensive to them. In other words, this difference in culture would more often than not alter marketing decisions in a way that would be fair to all cultures and societies.

ACLE Season 2: Speak Out! Essay

Last January 24, 2013, classes were suspended beyond 12 pm by the chancellor, to give the students a chance to attend one of the lectures of ACLE or Alternative Classroom Learning Experience. I was able to attend the lecture organized by the Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines (GSUP), a non-profit non-partisan academic organization composed of undergraduate students dedicated to promote the discipline of geography in the Philippines. The title of the lecture was, ‘Cyberspace: the Geography of Social Media’. It was about how the internet is connected with reality, what our responsibilities are when using the internet, and learning how to express ourselves. There were five invited speakers. First was Johnson Damian, a geography instructor in UP Diliman. Second was Sam Gogna, or popularly known as ‘Samyg’, a radio DJ of Magic 89.9 and a TV host. Third was Lloyd Cadena, a student of Colegio de San Juan de Letran taking up BA Financial Managem ent, who is now famous on Youtube because of his comedic videos. Fourth was Joyce Pring, a student of UP Diliman from the College of Fine Arts taking up Visual Communication, who was once a vj on myx, a music channel. The last was Xeres Guia, a TV host. The lecture was held at Palma Hall, room 108-110. There were several points on the lecture that caught my attention. One was when Johnson Damian said that the internet is a place of self expression. You can be you, or not you. This means that in real life you may be anti-social, but in the internet the spotlight’s on you. I agree with this point of his. Many of us have the guts to say whatever we want to say in the internet, but we keep our mouths shut in the real life. Another was when Sam Gogna said that everything is possible through the internet. I agree with him because the internet is such vast place. Nowadays, you can connect with your loved ones from the other countries easily. You can order food when you’re hungry just by simply clicking. He also said that to be an influencer, you have to be interesting. It’s true because how can you possibly influence somebody when you’re dull, and the things you say are irrelevant. Another point was when Lloyd Cadena said that we should know our responsibilities when using the internet. A lot of people can see what we do on the internet. They may use it for us or against us. We have to be careful with the things we say. We may not be aware of it but there are young children who might see our posts that contain profanity, and we would not want to be a bad influence to them. The last point was when Joyce Pring said that the biggest fires start with the smallest sparks. This is true especially in social networks. Social networks help us connect with people who are far away from us, but these may also be the reason on why relationships get ruined. One comment of yours would be the cause of a huge argument. Overall, I really enjoyed the lecture. Besides the fact that the invited speakers were people which I’m a fan of, I definitely learned a lot. It was also very entertaining. Most of the time I was laughing. Although with the venue, it would have been better if it was held in a bigger room, since the speakers invited are very much known. It was definitely a full house. And I’m glad that I came early or else I’d be standing the whole time.

Fun Fair in Sat Hill Park Essay

It all started out unexpectedly. The storm began to get worse, sounds of the storm roared the atmosphere, with rage. Everything felt like a blur. Fog spurred over the plains of the path, it was as if the path was abandoned, because of silence that brought cries to each to each soul. I could see the people getting ready, taking their places in line. Time was running, fast as an earthquake destroys land within seconds. It was coming to dawn, not waiting for a hold. It was as only one person was allowed to move and goes on hold as a mobile phone. Less than a second ,the storm stopped, happier faces came and they started to run as fast as a bull, hunting its prey. For a while, everyone was in a mind of their own , having fun; and much more. But not for long.Out of no where came 3 men dressed in black with faces hidden and bodies covered with leather jacket and jeans with trainers.They had the same clothes, it was like a uniform. Then ,one man aimed the gun up high;asking for attention but before we knew it ; it was aimed at the nearest person near him..The ground was scattered with body parts detached from the dead body: hands, arms, feet’s and heads. Many started screaming; many cried. But most of all who’s in pain was the mother.She lost her son. All of a sudden, I had an urge of walking across the battlefield, screaming to us to be quiet or we’re dead .It was an awakening response, my heart was racing fast, as I slowly walked through the jaws of death. As I was walking I stopped, it got to a point where I could’t talk no more. I stood still and froze in isolation and a thought, cropped up in my mind, though, I don’t want to die and i don’t want anymore to die. This thought was eating me inside, the sense of reality had been established, I knew this wasn’t a dream. I didn’t know what to do. I don’t mind looking at dead flesh but i don’t want to make life hard for my parents. I knew without me, they are nothing. All I felt was loneliness and pain, as one day every living soul will bear such a punishment.Another one of them wanted to grab our attention again as everyone’s lost in their world.The young fellow aimed a bullet at dog. We could see it’s puppy dog eyes fainting in fear. Suddenly, someone else came and saved the day. The man who was ready to risk his life for all of us spoke for humanity. Asking them for what they want.The answer was nothing. They ran away as soon as a police car came pass.

A History of Consumerism In The United States Essay

A History of Consumerism In The United States - Essay Example According to Professor Peter Stearns at George Mason University a reasonable shorthand definition of modern consumerism can be given stressing two distinct features: "1) a serious commitment to the acquisition, display, and enjoyment of goods and commercial services clearly not necessary to subsistence however generously defined, and 2) participation in the process by social groups outside the upper classes." (Stearns 2003, para. 5). These definitions are very important to consider as they shed light upon the use of the term "consumerism" in the present essay about the history of consumerism in the United States. In order to study the history of consumerism in the United States two different approaches will be taken. First, the rise of consumerism in the United States will be seen from a general point of view emphasizing some philosophical and ideological aspects of consumerism in modern society. Second, a brief history of consumerism in the United States will be undertaken under a chronological point of view making emphasis on some relevant dates and cornerstones of consumer culture in the United States up to the present. All along the way certain significant features of consumerism in the United States will be taken into account in order to give a broader idea of the implications and causations of consumerism in the United States.1 As consumerism and globalization are closely interlinked, it is necessary to understand the present interactions of both in the United States. History Of Consumerism In The United States The rise of consumerism in the United States has been a steady process along the years, especially throughout the twentieth century around World War I. Charles Kettering, from General Motors, put it simply this way: "The key to economic prosperity is the organised creation of dissatisfaction". (FAIR n. d.). In the first quarter of the twentieth century in the United States there were technological advances that helped to enhance production processes. There was overproduction, and consumers couldn't afford what was being produced at such a high pace. A little earlier, back in 1907, economist Simon Nelson Patten had said: "the new morality does not consist in saving, but in expanding consumption". (FAIR n. d.). So the creation of "the dissatisfied consumer" was a necessity of those times. Time passed by and after World War II a new boom period promoted consumerism in the United States. During the sixties with the Hippies and the seventies with the petroleum crisis the consumer habits were strongly questioned. The bold statement by Jimmy Carter in 1979 against consumerism has been pinpointed as one of the reasons for his loss to Ronald Reagan for the Presidency of the United States. It is interesting to note that consumption patterns soared immediately after the Reagan Administration took office. Throughout this period the widespread use of new marketing techniques for the creation of need has been a prominent sign of the times. The rise of cons

Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 2

Security - Essay Example Authority, source and control are the major resources of the information. In fact, the key to success is the right access towards the information. As a result, the social and political relationships are also involved in the development and growth of information systems (Hilton, Se-Hyung "David" Oh et al. 2006). It is more important and ethical that how this information is been utilized by the people. For instance, government levels, headquarters and homes include the electronic systems (Hilton, Se-Hyung "David" Oh et al. 2006). This involvement is increased so much that the people without access to these systems are exaggerated in a particular way. For this reason, new and modern techniques, innovative ethical and lawful decisions are needed in order to balance the requirements and privileges of every person (Stahl 2011). The legal decision lags lies as in modern technological field behind technical development and growth. These gaps are filled through confronting on the issue and by discussing the facts on how to use the electronic information should be proceed. Furthermore, the above observation delineates the ethical issues in a broad way. On the contrary, the deciding laws include some characteristics related to the issues. These legal issues should be resolved in Electronic Information Systems. In relation to the entire community, the ethics consists of moral options choose by the individuals or users. These include standards of acceptable behavior and rules governing members of an occupation. Moreover, these extend to the Electronic Networks, Electronic Databases and significantly to a Geographic Information Systems. The problems that are present particularly in the three areas require a little different type of ethical decisions. In general, the Electronic Systems, Geographic Information Systems and Networks are being described individually in the later section of this study. Starting from a fundamental definition of computer networks, a

Practicum nursing service administration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Practicum nursing service administration - Essay Example ANA is a professional organization that represents interest of registered nurses in the US. The standards of professional performance by ANA describes the behavioral competency in the role of the profession in activities that commensurate with quality while providing care; education; and appraisal of performance among many others. It has its constituents that such as state nurses association and other affiliate organizations that aid in its practices. It promotes nursing profession by advocating for high level or standard practices in nursing; ensuring that the rights of nurses are catered for at the work place; and liaising with regulatory agencies and as well as the congress on issues concerning healthcare that affect the public and nurses. Nurses have an obligation to integrate ethical conducts in the different facets of their practices. There are ethical codes that guide these practices such as interpretive statements for nurses. Furthermore, the nurses in the profession have a m andate not only to establish and maintain professional therapeutic and patients and nurse relationship but also discharge health care in such a way that the patient’s dignity, autonomy and rights are upheld. They are also required to make ethical decisions while at work; report cases that are incompetent and illegal; and maintain and ensure patients on confidentiality within the boundaries of regulations and legal requirements. The sole commitment of a nurse is the patient irrespective of individuals or groups of individuals. It is a nurse responsibility to be accountable for nursing practices and evaluate ideal and correct task delegation mechanisms that are consistent with their duties to provide maximum care for the patients (ANA, 2010). The codes of ethics also stipulate that nurses have self obligations or duties which entail having the responsibility of upholding integrity and preserving safety; and

Treatment-Based Drug Courts Significantly Reduce Criminal Recidivism Annotated Bibliography

Treatment-Based Drug Courts Significantly Reduce Criminal Recidivism Rates - Annotated Bibliography Example These programs are developed with an aim of reducing crimes that are usually committed because of drug abuse (MacKenzie 2008). Within the programs, people are offered training based on their skills with the aim of making the sign in the community. Through the education offered in these programs, people change their habits and develop positive thinking (MacKenzie 2008). Individuals who undergo proper training in the programs are not likely to get involved in criminal activities. While those who do not get training end up going back to prison because of committing crimes (Vacca, 2004). Despite the development of these programs in most societies, there is limited research conducted on the effectiveness of the program (Vacca, 2004). It is typically very problematic to determine the effectiveness of these programs because of different judicial procedures used in most of the programs (Vacca, 2004). It also very difficult to determine the factors that affect the programs within the rehabilitation centers (Vacca, 2004). This study will, therefore, test the hypothesis Treatment-based drug courts significantly reduce criminal recidivism rates. Participants in this program most of the time are given counseling services and educational training services that help them change (MacKenzie 2008). The researcher will use a meta-analysis of several studies collected that combines the importance of an association between the study variables (Vacca, 2004). This method is the most suitable because they can be used to describe the efforts made by the respondents under investigation.

Violations of human rights Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Violations of human rights - Essay Example In some other countries, financial and community privileges are not applied, therefore, the primary impression behind focusing human privileges is that all government authorities should try to maintain these important privileges and get that all kinds of elegance in this regard are exterminated. The United Nations on Decembers 10, 1948 implemented the worldwide announcement of Individual Rights and called upon the different member countries to guarantee all a person’s privileges to their individuals. Dec 10 thus became an ancient day in the history around the globe history. As such this day, i.e. Dec 10 is therefore recognized all over the globe every season as Individual Rights Day. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights enumerates two sets of human rights or privileges. The first set of privileges is civil and political rights such as right to independence of conversation or expression, right to lifestyle and freedom, right to equivalent rights before law, right to have legal remedy, right to shift easily and right to elect or take aspect in the government of ones nation. The second set of privileges is economic and social rights. These privileges consist of right to perform, right to have rest and enjoyment, right to have a good quality of lifestyle, right to details and right to have equivalent pay for equivalent performance. Many kinds of breach or violations and discrimination of human privileges are seen in different areas around the globe. For example, Amnesty International’s 2009 World Report and other sources display that in 81 countries individuals are tormented or misused, Face biased trials in at least 54 countries, Limited in their independence of appearance in about 77 countries. (Amnesty.org) Functions of pain and ill therapy are regularly dedicated by government security solutions and equipped categories, such as continual thrashings, attacks

Ip4 diversity in the workplace Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ip4 diversity in the workplace - Research Paper Example The civil rights of 1964 prohibits any form of discrimination on the basis of race, religion, colour and national origin and sex. The document is a judicial reference that fosters equality among all the citizens of the United States (Hasday, 2007). The Civil Rights Act, Title VII of 1964 legislation was aimed at promoting equality among the citizens of the United States of America thus allowing them to exercise their basic rights such as the right to vote and acquire education. The act was also designed with the aim of extending the commission of civil rights; prevent discrimination in all federal assist programs and to form a commission on equal employment opportunities (Hasday, 2007). This stipulates the rights of an American citizen to participate in any job application program regardless of the discrimination elements such as race, skin colour and originality. A religious accommodation is any necessary adjustment to the work environment that will allow an applicant of an employee to practice his or her religion. Chapter VII necessitates the job of federal agencies in reasonable accommodation of religious practices or beliefs practiced or performed by employees which may conflict with the working requirements, unless the accommodation would create undue hardship (Gregory, 2011). If it does not pose any undue hardship, the employer is obliged to abide by the federal rule and grant the employee the accommodation. Some of the undue hardships that might lead to the employer denying religious accommodation rights include: if the accommodation is costly, decreases workplace efficiency, compromises work place safety or if the practice conflicts with special requirements. Application process or tasks entailed in the working environment (Gregory, 2011). Religious accommodation may be inform of dressing, for instance, nuns and Muslim women are excep ted from job dressing requirement as they are bound by their religion

The Image of the Cyborg as it Appears in Metropolis and Blade Runner Essay Example for Free

The Image of the Cyborg as it Appears in Metropolis and Blade Runner Essay The appearance of the â€Å"cyborg† in science-fiction cinema began with the emergence of the dystopian science-fiction film— both events started with Fritz Lang’s silent film â€Å"Metropolis,† released in 1927 in Weimar Republic Germany, just before the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. Lang’s film, made as political allegory, shocked audiences with its complex plot, special effects, and political and religious themes. â€Å"Lang described Metropolis as a battle between modern science and the occult a kind of romantic fatalism that became the directors trademark in later works–[] scene after scene depicting a mechanized world gone madwhich influenced countless other filmmakers. † (Roberts 33)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Among these filmmakers was Ridley Scott, whose 1982 film Blade Runner (based on Philip K. Dick’s novel â€Å"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?) stands as an accomplished descendent of Lang’s pioneering work.   While neither film features traditional cyborgs (which are beings created from a synthesis of biological and robotic components) each film features the concept of technologically engineered, sentient life, which closely resembles human life, as a central symbol for the exploration of spiritual and moral themes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Central to Lang’s dystopian vision is a â€Å"mechanized world gone mad,† personified by the creation of a robotic double for the film’s heroine, a Christian leader named Maria, who is opposed by an evil scientist, Rotwang. The opposition of science and religion indicated by the character’s conflict demonstrates Lang’s intention to use themes which inject modern concerns (robotics and science) into the ages-old debates that had historically been associated with religion and philosophy. Lang’s vision is of a robotic construction of artificial life, whereas Ridley Scott, in Blade Runner used genetically engineered â€Å"replicants† as an example of artificially created life. The image of the â€Å"cyborg† is, for Lang, part-human and part-The Image of the Cyborg as it Appears in Metropolis and Blade Runner  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Page   -2- mechanized, a mechanical recreation of human form; for Ridley Scott, â€Å"replicants† are the image of the cyborg, being genetically altered, genetically specified humans designed by a corporation. For both film-makers, the image of the â€Å"cyborg† resulted in an image of evil and danger for humanity.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     The very inclusion of modern technologies, or technologies which are closely extrapolated from existing technologies, presents a deviation from the hitherto prevailing â€Å"classical† visions of the Church. â€Å"Dystopia is very much part of the late twentieth-and early twenty-first-century mindset. We see it in films and adverts that dwell on dank futuristic images from a world where the last vestiges of individualism are slowly being expunged and machinery is our enemy.† (Mourby)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The enemy in â€Å"Metropolis,† as personified by Rotwang’s â€Å"evil† robotic doppleganger, presents a new hazard in the modern landscape: if human beings can create sentient life, what are the repercussions of this god-like power and for what purposes will this power be unleashed? The mission of Rotwang’s creation is to vilify and destroy the saintly Maria and in doing so, obfuscate her vision and her message of self-liberation to the oppressed laborers of Metropolis. Rotang aims to â€Å"ruin Maria by creating a robot in her imagea mechanical evil twinto deliver false testimony.† (Roberts 33)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Lang’s use of the robot as a symbol of oppression and of deception marks his prosecution of the film’s religious allegory: the robot facsimile of Maria is intended as an ironic variation of the Creation myth, the Biblical notion of the creation of Adam and Eve. Rotwang functions as an inversion of God the Creator, and as Man the Creator â€Å"his main evil act is creating a false robot copy of a Christian leader, Maria. In other words, he gets his minion to pass as a Christian. He The Image of the Cyborg as it Appears in Metropolis and Blade Runner   -creates the robot to foment riots which will lead to the dictatorship of the master of Metropolis† (Tratner). In â€Å"Metropolis† the robot looks and appears as human, though it is actually a mechanical construction; in Ridley Scott’s later film â€Å"Blade Runner† the replicants are indistinguishable from human beings without a sophisticated series of psychological and neurological tests.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The concept of robotics functions, for Lang, as a direct inquiry into the moral bearing of humanity and what significance human ethics play as the role of technology expands in society. If robots can be constructed so cleverly, so efficiently that they can â€Å"pass† for humans in society, then what societal consequences arise from this technology? In â€Å"Metropolis† the robot is envisioned as a minion of perverse human will; its likeness to humanity presents a special problem of evil int hat the robot, programed with foul intentions, can walk among humanity undetected for what it really is— as in the (particularly Hebrew) legends of the golem. However, the robot in â€Å"Metropolis,† while being similar to the golem myth, is a distinctly modern conception and one which carried the ancient Biblical connotations of Creation Myth and the human will to power, which in both traditional Christian terms and in the context of the film â€Å"Metropolis† is portrayed as â€Å"sinful.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Lang’s strategy, as revealed in â€Å"Metropolis,† is to contrast the human will-to-power as illustrated by the mad scientist, Rotwang’s, efforts to gain the power of Creation, with the human will-to-individuality and liberty, which is portrayed via the workers’ struggle and Maria’s spiritual vision. In the end, Joh and Rotwang’s scheme â€Å" backfires as the socialites debauch and the workers revolt, unleashing a flood that nearly drowns a horde of innocent children. In the end, Freder and Maria prevail, reconciling Joh with the workers with the slogan, The mediator The Image of the Cyborg as it Appears in Metropolis and Blade Runner between brain and hands must be the heart. (Roberts 33)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Lang’s ground-breaking film influenced untold subsequent film-makers and artists in all mediums; among them, Ridley Scott, whose dystopian science-fiction film â€Å"Blade Runner† incurs much debt to Lang for not only the visual and thematic ideas of â€Å"Blade Runner,† but for- the film’s central theme of genetically engineered human life-forms, which, like Lang’s treatment of robotics in â€Å"Metropolis,† comprises a symbol for ethical and religious themes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Scott’s genetically engineered life-forms are called â€Å"replicants† and, as such, they are dissimilar from Lang’s robot in that replicants are biological, rather than mechanical, beings with physical, emotional, and mental characteristics selected and engineered by human scientists.   The central premise of the story is that a number of the replicants, having discovered that they were engineered to have only 3 year life spans, escape from their assignments in the off-world colonies and become renegades on earth in search of their creators, in search of life-extension.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   While Lang’s film asked â€Å"What would happen if man could create a perfect robotic likeness of man and program it to do malevolent things?† Scott’s film asks â€Å"What moral decisions would artificially engineered beings make once they realized they were alive?† The resulting narrative, with its dystopian overtones, presents a variation on the Biblical Satan-as-God’s-Enemy. Satan, being the most glorious of God’s angels, rebels against his Creator, God, because of his great pride. In â€Å"Blade Runner† the replicant, Roy, is received by his creator Tyrell as the â€Å"prodigal son;† he then proceeds to murder his creator, Tyrell, because of his existential angst, being a mortal creature with merely his subjective experience in three years as â€Å"eternity.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Scott’s take on the â€Å"man against machines† paradigm is a near-future vison for humanity, severed from superstition or magic (where there are traces of occultism in â€Å"Metropolis†) and The Image of the Cyborg as it Appears in Metropolis and Blade Runner lodged firmly within the capitalistic, technology-driven society that is our modern experience. The idea of hostile machines seems all-too-familiar and in fact plays a central thematic role in mid-to-late twentieth century American medai:   this innovation might result in   the creation of machines that would one day prove intelligent enough to attack us, an idea that lies behind such classic dystopian films as Metropolis, Bladerunner and the Terminator trilogy. (Mourby)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"Blade Runner’s† replicants evolve the notion of apocalypse as being human engineered, rather than as the will of God. Humanity will bring about its own apocalypse, and part of this apocalypse are the replicants themselves, a symbol, not of man (or Satan’s) vanity, but of his greed. For Scott capitalism and greed take the place of â€Å"evil† and â€Å"sin† in Biblical reference. Where previously men had imagined: â€Å"The end would occur when the Divine Being had finally had enough of us and it would all be pretty nasty for all except those who had managed to get on the right side of him† man must now manage (by Scott’s reckoning) to throw â€Å"off its glum medieval certainties† and dare, like Lang, to speculate â€Å" about what life might hold in store for us long term.† (Mourby)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   For both film-makers, the image of the cyborg, robot, or replicant offered a glimpse into the negative capacities of technology and scientific knowledge. Because in each case, the â€Å"cyborgs† closely resemble human beings, the image of the artificially created life-form is viewed as both negative and dangerous to humanity. The lesson of the images seems to be that the act of the Creation of life, though possible for humanity, is better left to God or Nature than to mankind. Works Cited Mourby, Adrian. Dystopia: Who Needs It? Adrian Mourby Shows That the Nightmare Scenario Can Be Both Dire Warning and Escapist Fantasy. History Today Dec. 2003: 16+. Roberts, Rex. Auld Lang Syne: A Restored Print of the Silent Classic Metropolis Includes Footage Not Seen since 1927. Insight on the News 5 Aug. 2002: 33. Tratner, Michael. Lovers, Filmmakers, and Nazis: Fritz Langs Last Two Movies as Autobiography. Biography 29.1 (2006): 86+.

Secretors and Non-secretors Disease Susceptibility

Secretors and Non-secretors Disease Susceptibility Human population can be categorized into secretors and non-secretors based on A, B and H antigen on basis of presence or absence of these blood group antigens in the body fluids and secretions, such as saliva, sweat, tears, semen, serum, mucus present in the digestive tract or respiratory cavities etc. Secretors are individuals that secrete blood group antigens in their body fluids while non-secretors are the individuals that do not secrete them in their body fluids and secretions. It is a known fact that ABO blood type is controlled by blood type coding genes present on the chromosome 9q34 but the secretor status of an individual is decided by interaction of a separate gene (called secreting gene) with these blood type genes. The presence of the secreting gene in a persons genome makes him a secretor and absence makes him a non secretor. The gene is designated as (Se) for Secretors and (se) for Non-secretors and it is entirely independent of the blood type A, B, AB or O. The individuals secreting antigens in the body fluid are designated as ABH secretors in blood banks. Individuals having O blood group secrete antigen H, A blood group secrete A and H antigens, B blood group secrete B and H antigens in the fluids. A secretor gene helps a person to gain a degree of protection against different environmental conditions especially the micro flora of a particular environment and also the lectins present in them. It helps them in promoting the growth of friendly, stable blood type intestinal bacterial ecosystem which depends on the blood type antigens present in the mucus of an individual. Secretor status does modify carbohydrates in the fluids present in the body and their secretions and it also affects and influences the attachment and persistence of the micro flora present in the body. Secretors are at a higher advantage than non-secretors. Non-secretors have a potential health disadvantage. They possess many metabolic traits such as carbohydrate intolerance, immune susceptibilities. Different tests are available for determining an individuals secretor status. Most common test uses saliva or other body fluids of an individual for testing the secretor status. These tests are based on the principl e of Agglutination Inhibition where the antigens are neutralized by the corresponding antibodies so that these antibodies will not be further be available to neutralize or agglutinate the same antigens residing on the red blood cells. ELISA could also be used for determining the presence of the secreted Lewis antigens in the saliva or other body fluids. The alleles Se and se differ in the frequency and have an anthropological value. They occur in different frequency in different populations. They have a high frequency in the American Indiana and a low frequency in the southern Indians. In US 20% of the population is secretors whereas 80% of the population consist of non-secretors. The fusion allele of the FUT2 (secretor type alpha(1,2)-fucosyltransferase) gene at a high frequency and a new se385 allele in a Korean population SECRETOR AND NON-SECRETOR A person secreting blood group antigens into the body fluids and other secretions like saliva, semen, tear, mucous in the digestive tract and respiratory cavities are named as secretors. In similar terms they put their blood type antigens in the body fluids. They secrete antigens according to their blood type, A secrete antigen A and H, B secret antigen B and H, O secrete antigen O and AB secrete A, B and H antigen. Secretors expresses Lewis b (Leb) antigens on the RBC where as non-secretor expresses Lewis a (Le a) on their RBC.These antigens in the body fluids give additional protection to the individual against the various microorganisms and the lectins present all around us. 15- 20% of the population consists of non-secretor. These individual fail to secrete the blood group antigens in their body fluids hence they become susceptible to bacterial and superficial yeast infections. A large no of them sometimes also suffer from the autoimmune disorder. This could also be correlated with the secretor and non-secretor phenotype. The body secretions of secretors and non-secretors differ quantitatively and also qualitatively. The type and quantity of the antigens present in it differ among different individuals. In some cases the non-secretors may contain the A and B antigens in the saliva but the quantity is less and even quality is very low hence they have similar functional problem. There are certain properties which are specific for secretors and differ in non-secretors. Some are listed below: Intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity ABH secretor correlates the activity of alkaline phosphatase and serum alkaline phosphatase present in the intestine. Non-secretors have low activity of alkaline phosphatase and serum alkaline phosphatase which is responsible for the breakdown of fat and assimilate calcium. Low molecular weight alkaline is present in both secretors and non-secretors and high molecular weight alkaline phosphatase is present only is secretors. Bacterial flora The ABH blood types influence the population of bacteria residing in the local vicinity of the gut mucin glycoproteins. Bacteria produce enzymes that have the capability to degrade the end sugar of A, B, and H blood antigens and which are consumed as food by them. The B antigen degrading bacteria produce enzyme to remove the end alpha-D-galactose and A antigen degrading bacteria produce enzyme to detach N-acetylgalactosamine which are used as a source of food by them. Blood clotting The secretor and the ABO genetics influence each other and effect upto 60% of the vWf concentration variation in plasma. Raised levels of factor VIII and vWf may cause thrombotic and heart disease in future. Secretors have the slowest clotting time, thinnest blood, least tendency of platelet aggregation, low amount of factor VIII and von Willebrand factor (vWf). The non-secretors have highest clotting time, thick blood, high amount of factor VIII and von Willebrand factor (vWf) and low bleeding time. The blood viscosity is also influenced by the secretor status of that individual. Phenotype Lewis Characteristics of Clotting Le (a- b-) maximum action of factor VIII and vWf Very Low bleeding times (seen in A, B and AB) Le (a+ b-) intermediary action Low bleeding times (seen in O) Le (a- b+) minimum action of factor VIII and vWf Very Long bleeding times (seen in O) Blood Type Lewis and Factors effect Blood Clotting Immunoglobulin Variations ABH non-secretors express low concentration of IgG immunoglobulin. The secretion of varying concentration of diverse constituents of the blood group is controlled by the secretor gene and it also affects the phagocytic activity of the leucocytes which provides an added advantage to the non-secretors. The leucocytes of the non-secretors possess a greater ingestion power when compared to the secretors. The O and B blood group non-secretors have the highest phagocytic activity. The presence of different concentration of anti-I in the an individuals serum is affected by the ABO group, secretor status and sex of the individual. The secretors females have a high level of anti-I in the serum as compared to the males. The non-secretor have low levels of IgA and IgG antibodies and hence have frequent problems with the heart valve. Genetics and Biochemical pathways The secretion of the blood group antigens in the body fluids and other secretions are genetically influenced by certain allelomorphic genes. Secretor gene contains two alleles (Se) and (se). The dominant gene Se is present in the homozygous or heterozygous condition in the secretors which lead to the secretion of antigens into the body fluids. se is recessive allele and is present in non-secretors in the homozygous condition. SeSe and seSe produces a dominant secretor phenotype and sese produces a recessive non-secretor phenotype. Basically three genes are responsible for the formation of the A and B antigens. They are namely ABO, Hh, and Sese genes encoding glycosyltransferases which produces the A and B antigens. H antigen present in the individual with O blood group is the precursor for the formation of A and B antigens. H antigen act as a backbone for A and B antigens. The O gene is considered as amorphic. The allele Hh and Sese reside on each locus and are closely linked together. It is also suggested that one of the allele has arisen by the gene duplication of the other. The second allele on the same locus is really rare. The product related to this allele hasnt been discovered yet and hence it is considered as amorph. The oligosaccharide responsible for the formation of the A and B antigen can exist in a simple linear fashion or a complex branched fashion. Infants A, B and H antigens contain high amount of linear chained oligosaccharide whereas oligosaccharides present in an adult contain high amount of branched chained oligosaccharides The A and B antigen is synthesized from a common intermediate known as substance H. The conversion is carried out by the addition of a sugar molecule to the non reducing end of the H oligosaccharide chains. This addition affects the reactivity of H antigen. The ABH substances are secreted in the Urinary respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract by mucous glands residing there. The secretor gene regulates the synthesis of blood group antigens in the glands of small intestinal mucosa. The secretors and non-secretors produce A and B substances which are basically glycoproteins in pylorus and Brunners glands and produce A and B substances those are soluble in alcohol and glycosphingolipids in nature. The secretors also produce ABH substances in the prostate and lactating mammary glands. The secretion of breast is rich in H substance but poor in substance A and virtually absent in substance B. The synthesis of these constituents in the pancreas and secretory cells of sweat gland is not controlled by the secretor gene. The blood groups substances were also found in the calyxes and collecting tubules of the secretors (Se) but it could not be concluded that whether they are produced by the kidneys or are generally excreted. These secretions were noticed in the eight to nine weeks old salivary glands and stomach and later it appears throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Glycosphingolipids carrying the A or B oligosaccharides are present on the membranes of RBCs, epithelial and endothelial cells and are also present in the plasma in the soluble form. The glycoproteins carrying the similar A and B oligosaccharides are responsible for their activity in the body fluids. In the body fluids they are present in the secreted form. The A and B oligosaccharides which do not contain the carrier proteins are present in the milk and urine. The chromosome 19 containsFUT 1 and FUT 2 genes which code for fucosyltransferase. FUT genes numbered from 1-7 and form clusters which are responsible for the production of enzymes called as fucosyltranferases. The cluster is located on chromosome 19q13.3. Fucosyltranferase helps in the formation of fucose moiety which is added to the H antigen and further gylcosylate the A or/and B antigens. H antigen is a basic blood group antigen present in each and every human being but the content varies in different individuals of the same ABO group. A general pattern indicates that its strength varies as O>A2>A2B>B>A1>A1B. Water soluble H antigen has been demonstrated in the saliva and the body fluids of the individuals.H antigens are fucose containing glycan units which are present on the glycolipids or glycoproteins residing on the erythrocytes membrane or in the secretions. The fucosylatedglycans are the substrate for the enzyme glycosytransferases that are responsible for the formation of the Lewis and A, B blood group antigen epitopes. Secretors contain both the alleles whereas non secretor contains the null allele for FUT2 gene. The FUT 2 gene codes for fucosyltranferaseenzyme in the exocrine tissues which lead to formation of antigens in the body secretions and body fluids. The A and B genes produce glycosyltranferase that add sugar to oligosaccharide chains that is converted to H antigen. The H antigen are constructed on the oligosaccharide chain. The oligosaccharide chains could be of two type : Type 1 and type 2. The glycosphingolipids present in the plasma and on the membranes of glandular and parenchymal cells and glycoproteins present on the cell surfaces or body fluids carry either the type 1 or type 2 chains. The glycolipids antigens present on the RBC contain type 2 chains. A gene encodes N-acetyl-galactosaminyl-transferase and B gene-encodes galactosaminyl-transferase and add   GalNAc   and  Gal   in alpha (1-3) linkages which is acts on the H gene transferase. The H gene produces fucosyltransferase that add fucose to the terminal Galactose molecule of type 2 chain. It forms an alpha (1-2) linkage. A and B antigens are constructed when the A and B transferases attach respective sugars to the type 1 or type 2 chain substituted with Fucose. The secretor gene FUT2 located at 19q13.3 and codes for the activity of the glycosyltransferasesin concert with the FUT1 gene coding for H antigen, needed to assemble both the ABO and Lewis blood group and are active in mucous gland and goblet cells which interact with each other and lead to secretions of antigens in the fluids. The expression patterns of both the genes are different. The FUT1 (H) gene is dominantly expressed in the erythroid tissues which lead to the formation of the H enzyme whereas the FUT2 (secretor) gene is expressed in the secretory tissues and lead to the formation of secretor enzyme. The product of the H enzyme or H gene resides on the erythrocytes and product of secretor gene resides on mucins in secretions. If an individual lack these alleles, he/she will not be able to express the above active enzymes therefore they would be deficient of the substrates which are required by the A or B glycosyltransferases. Therefore they would not express the A and B epitopes. Correlation between Lewis Phenotype and ABH Secretor status The Lewis typing also helps in finding the ABH secretor status. The production of Lewis antigens is genetically controlled. Individuals possessing the Lewis (Le) gene would produce the Lewis antigens which are carried in the plasma by different substances and are absorbed onto the Red blood Cells present in ones blood. The ABO determinants and H/h blood groups factors seem to show structurally corelation to Lewis blood determinants. FUT1 provide the glycans for glycosyltransferases which convert Lewis antigen to ABH antigens. FUT2 allele is expressed in the secretor and is responsible for the expression of type1 H determinant. The secretors convert their Lewis a antigen to Lewis b therefore they are (a-b+) and the non-secretor are (a+b-) as they lack the FUT2 responsible for glycosyltransferase which could convert Lewis a antigen to Lewis b antigen. Lewis (Le) gene and Secreting (Se) gene interact with each other. Initially Lewisais formed and if Se gene is absent in an individual the Lewisa substance is absorbed on the RBC and the individual is typed as Lewisa but in secretors the Se gene controls the activation of the H gene which causes addition of an additional sugar to Lewisa which convert it to Lewisb. Secretors contain both Lewisa and Lewisb in their plasma but absorb Lewisb preferentially on the red blood cells and the individual is typed as Lewisb. Hence we could interpret that presence of Lewis gene would type an individual as Lewisa positive or Lewisb negative or vice versa. An individual could not be positive for both. A person containing both Lewis gene and Secreting gene are typed as Lewisa negative and Lewisb positive whereas a person having the Lewis gene but not the secretor gene is typed as Lewisa positive and Lewisb negative. Individual who does not have Lewis gene regardless of secretor gene is typed as Lewisa negative and Lewisb negative. Note: Lewis Double Negative (LDN) is a sub type of non secretors but Lewis typing cannot be used for them to determine the ABH secretor status. Detection methods The presence and absence of the antigens in the body fluids could be detected by Agglutination Inhibition and Lewis typing. Agglutination Inhibition test could be divided into two parts:- Part I Antibody Neutralization: To determining ones secretor status, the saliva of the individual is mixed by the antiserum (Anti-A, Anti-B or Anti-H) available commercially. In secretors the soluble substances i.e. blood group antigens will react with the antibodies present in the antiserum and will get neutralized. Part II Agglutination Inhibition: The bed blood cells obtained commercially are added to the test mixture. In secretors agglutination of the RBC do not take place as no free antibodies are available to agglutinate them. All the antibodies have reacted with the soluble antigens present in the saliva whereas in non-secretors agglutination would occur upon addition of the RBC as no blood group antigens are present in the saliva so antibodies present in the antiserum are not neutralized and hence would be free to react with the test RBC cells which are added to the test mixture. Hence agglutination is a negative test for secretor status and positive test for the non-secretor status. Note: Anti-H lectin containing phytohaemagglutinin virtually specific for human RBC. Thirteen Cucurbitaceaespecies have been investigated for the anti-H activity present in their seed lectins. Lectins has been extracted and purified from Ulexeuropaeus seeds. It could be used to demonstrate the H secretor status of blood group O individual and also for subgrouping the blood group A individuals. Lewis typing: Individuals carrying the Lewis gene produce Lewis antigens that are carried by the plasma and are also adsorbed on the red blood cells. Lewis antigens do not reside only on the red blood cells. Initially the gene gives rise to Lewisa. If Se gene is present it activates H gene which interact with the Lewisa and add a sugar to Lewisa and hence get converted it to Lewisb. Both Lewisa and Lewisb in present in the plasma of the secretors. If the Se gene is not present then the Lewisa substance is adsorbed on the red cells and individuals are typed as Lewisa. The secretor status of an individual could be determined with help of Lewisa and Lewisb antibodies mixed with an individuals saliva and observing the agglutination macroscopically. Disease Susceptibility among Secretors and Non-secretors Digestive system Non-secretors are more prone to the diseases caused by the oral bacteria in the digestive system of an individual. It includes ulcers, celiac diseases gastric carcinoma pernicious anemia etc. It could lead to dysplasia or increase in the number of cavities present in the digestive tract. Non-secretors are less resistant to the infection caused by Helicobacter pylori which could lead to the formation of peptic and duodenal ulcers. It could easily colonize and cause inflammation in the non-secretors. The non-secretors lack the blood group antigens in the mucus secretions therefore H.pylori attach to the walls of the digestive tract and cause infection. The secretors have a tendency to secrete free ABH antigens in their intestinal secretions which effect the bacterial and lectins adherence to the microvilli present in the gut. The secretors produce these antigens and prevent H.pylori attachment. These antigens act as a decoy in the secretors which prevent them from attaching with the ho st tissues. The non-secretors also show a lower IgG immune response to the H.pylori. They have extreme rate of bleeding and stomach ulcers but correlation between these complications and the secretor status have not been documented yet. The non-secretors are not able to turn off the digestive enzymes and hence they produce large amount of enzyme pepsin and hence are more prone to duodenal ulcers. 50% of the duodenal ulcers are present in non-secretors. 30-40% of group O individuals are affected by the duodenal ulcers and 15- 20 % are affected by the gastric ulcers. They show a high risk factor along with the gene coding for hyperpepsinogenemia I which impact in the risk of duodenal ulcers. Group A individuals have a higher tendency of having gastric cancer and pernicious anemia. Statistics shows that 20% of the group A individuals are affected by gastric cancers and 25% are affected by the pernicious anemia. Oral pathology The non-secretors are more prone to oral diseases like mouth and esophagus cancer, epithelial dysplasia etc. They have more cavities than secretors. Diabetes The ABH non-secretors and Lewis negative (Le a-b-) individuals have a high risk of developing insulin dependent diabetes or complications arising from diabetes. Secretors with juvenile diabetes have a low chance of developing retinopathy. The ABH non secretors which are affected by insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, they show mean levels of C3c and C4 is lower as compared to ABH secretors. Metabolic Syndrome X The Lewis negative men are predisposing to syndrome X and prothrombic metabolism. They have high levels of BMI, SBP, triglycerides and low levels of insulin in serum and plasma glucose while fasting. This relationship is not true for women and is only applicable for the men. Respiratory System   Secretors have an added protection against the harmful environmental assaults directed towards our lungs and as usual non-secretors have a health disadvantage. They are over represented among the people suffering from influenza viruses A and B, rhinoviruses, respiratory synsytial virus and echinoviruses. The secretors who are miners or smokers do receive a protection against the disastrous effects of the cigarette smoking. Asthma is very common among the individuals working in the coal mines. Upon research it was concluded that asthma among them is also related to the non-secretor phenotype present in them. The non-secretor has a tendency to snore and are more prone to COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Heart disease The ABH non-secretor phenotype have a high risk of developing myocardial infarction and Lewis negative individuals have a high risk of developing chronic heart disease (CHD) and also ischemic heart disease (IHD). They contain high levels of triglycerides. Alcoholism has a positive interaction with the Lewis negative individuals. Alcohol consumption is protective in these individuals. Autoimmune Disease   Autoimmune disorders such as Sjogrens syndrome, spondylitis, sclerosis, arthropathy, arthritis, and Graves disease are more prone in non-secretors. The ABH non-secretors affected with graves disease produces high levels of antitubulin antibodies as compared to secretors and are unable to produce the water soluble glycoproteins in the saliva. Fetal Loss and Infertility ABO antigens are also found on the sperm of the secretors. These are obtained from the seminal secretions present in them. ABO incompatibility could exist between the wife and husband if could affect the fertility of an individual. This issue has not been properly studied and is therefore under research. Rheumatic Fever The secretors and group O individuals are resistant to Rheumatic fever and more number of cases have been recorded in the non-secretors. Secretor status could also determine whether the rheumatic fever would be followed by streptococcal pharyngitis or not. Neisseria species The non-secretors who do not produce water soluble antigens in the saliva are at the risk of getting infected by Neisseria meningcococcal disease. The immune capabilities of the secretor provide a relative protection in the secretors. The ABH non-secretors produce low level of anti-meningococcal salivary IgM antibodies which provide protection to the secretors against the microorganism. Candida species Non-secretors are barriers of candida species and therefore are frequently affected by the candida infections. The glycocompounds secreted by secretors in the body fluids inhibit adhesins present on the yeast which are responsible for their adhesion with the body tissues. This leads to the development of the chronic hyperplastic Candidiasis. Statistics shows that 68% on the non-secretors are affected by chronic hyperplastic candidiasis. Non-secretor women are affected by recurrent idiopathic vulvovaginal Candidiasis. An individual with a combination of non-secretors and absence of Lewis gene are at relative risk of developing recurrent idiopathic vulvovaginal Candidiasis. Tumor Markers The individuals with homozygous active Le alleles (Le/Le) and inactive (se/se) alleles shows a highest mean value of CA19-9 tumor marker. The Lewis negative individuals irrespective of Se genotype have negative values for CA19-9. The Lewis negative individuals have higher mean value for DU PAN-2 as compared to Le-positive individuals. We can conclude that CA 19-9 marker is not an appropriate tumor marker for Le-negative individuals but DU-PAN-9 is an appropriate tumor marker. UTI Non-secretors show a higher risk of getting recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) and renal scars as compared to secretors. This susceptibility is higher among negative Lewis subset. Statistics of a study done on women affected with recurrent urinary tract infection stated that 29% of the non-secretor women were affected by UTI and 26% of Lewis (a-b-) women were affected by the UTI. The non-secretor phenotype and blood group B and AB phenotype work together to increase the risk of UTI among women. Women and children suffering from renal scarring with and without the antibiotic treatment for UTI are prone to UTI and pyelonephritis. 55-60% of non-secretors develop renal scars and 16% on secretors develop renal scars. C-reactive protein levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and body temperature are higher in the non-secretors that in secretors with recurrent UTI. Conclusion It concludes that there exist a statistical association between the individuals blood-group secretor phenotype and the diseases they are susceptible to. So knowing your secretor status is advantageous as we can use the nutritional supplements more intelligently and effectively. It also makes us aware of the diseases, illness and metabolic dysfunction we are prone to, difference in the levels of intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity, propensities towards blood clotting, tumor markers and different ingredients of breast milk so that we can manage them before hand and would be prepared for them in the near future.

Eulogy for Grandfather :: Eulogies Eulogy

Eulogy for Grandfather My grandfather and I had a number of secrets between us. Most of these, I can't tell; the salient feature of a secret is not the matter contained within the secret, but the trust implied. But I'll tell you one secret, because I think it's important, and because I think that my grandfather won't mind. It's a little secret, without much drama to it: My grandfather once told me that he would have liked to have been a history teacher. Like I said, it's a little secret. It's a little dream. But ever since he told it to me, four years ago now, the image of my grandfather in front of a class, teaching history, has stayed fixed in my memory. It is something that seems right and true. Part of this may have to do with the fact that, in a very real sense, my grandfather embodied history to me. I have only just now come to that point in my life where time has loosed itself from its moorings, and memory has begun to develop an appreciable depth. But to me, my grandfather always seemed to have that depth. We can all remember asking our grandparents about their lives; it's fascinating to a young person, because here is someone talking about a time and a place that never existed or could exist for that young person. Here, before you, is someone who has traveled through time. And as you reconstruct the past with a grandparent, you also reconstruct the person. My grandfather had always been my grandfather: Older, balding, and grumpy. But he was also once a child, who didn't speak English until he was five years old. He was a teenager who used to play baseball. He was a young man who was dragged to a USO dance by a buddy, there to meet the woman he would marry. There's a richness of a life that can only be told though a recitation of its history. My grandfather came truly alive to me when I knew his life. A place and its history are meaningless unless there is a context in which to place it. The proper context for my father was within his family. Families are also the embodiment of history: The individual elements change as the men and women of it pass though time, but the family remains. My grandfather told me that in the little Italian town from which our family came, there is a book that lists the names of our family back hundreds of years. Eulogy for Grandfather :: Eulogies Eulogy Eulogy for Grandfather My grandfather and I had a number of secrets between us. Most of these, I can't tell; the salient feature of a secret is not the matter contained within the secret, but the trust implied. But I'll tell you one secret, because I think it's important, and because I think that my grandfather won't mind. It's a little secret, without much drama to it: My grandfather once told me that he would have liked to have been a history teacher. Like I said, it's a little secret. It's a little dream. But ever since he told it to me, four years ago now, the image of my grandfather in front of a class, teaching history, has stayed fixed in my memory. It is something that seems right and true. Part of this may have to do with the fact that, in a very real sense, my grandfather embodied history to me. I have only just now come to that point in my life where time has loosed itself from its moorings, and memory has begun to develop an appreciable depth. But to me, my grandfather always seemed to have that depth. We can all remember asking our grandparents about their lives; it's fascinating to a young person, because here is someone talking about a time and a place that never existed or could exist for that young person. Here, before you, is someone who has traveled through time. And as you reconstruct the past with a grandparent, you also reconstruct the person. My grandfather had always been my grandfather: Older, balding, and grumpy. But he was also once a child, who didn't speak English until he was five years old. He was a teenager who used to play baseball. He was a young man who was dragged to a USO dance by a buddy, there to meet the woman he would marry. There's a richness of a life that can only be told though a recitation of its history. My grandfather came truly alive to me when I knew his life. A place and its history are meaningless unless there is a context in which to place it. The proper context for my father was within his family. Families are also the embodiment of history: The individual elements change as the men and women of it pass though time, but the family remains. My grandfather told me that in the little Italian town from which our family came, there is a book that lists the names of our family back hundreds of years.

How the Media Portrays the Occupy Wall Street Movement Essay -- Media,

The fact that media can influence politics is readily evident from the campaign trail, to the passing of laws, to grass roots campaigns such as Occupy Wall Street. The Occupy Wall Street campaign has been portrayed negatively by the mainstream media outlets. Newspapers, radio, television, and the internet have painted the movement with offensive undertones, reporting the lows of the movement rather than the revolutionary aspects of the movement. A possible reason that the media has consistently framed this movement in a negative manner is that the movement is operating against the forces of society. This opposing issue between the rich conservative mass media and the Occupy Wall Street movement has drawn the interest of the public from all walks to life to witness the song and dance being framed against the Occupiers. Who is winning this dance off? An examination of the facts will reveal how well this framing is influencing the political forces. The four forces of socialization, or how an audience, technology, the media industry and the product of the various media outlets react in the social world and the social construction of reality or the power to influence have concentrated on the Occupy Wall Street (Croteau, Hoynes, & Milan, 2012). Audiences have tuned into this movement since the first protest in September of 2011 (Occupy Wall Street, 2011). Protestors have been painted as â€Å"a motley collection of punks, anarchists, socialists, hackers, liberals, and artists† (Scherer, 2011, p. 22). A report by CNN (2011) stereotyped the protestors as hypocrites, because they have recently occupied an office near Wall Street, with a copier and furnishings, instead of the parks they had formerly protested from. An Occupy rep resp... ... that the one percent is thriving, while the rest of America is starving, all because big business controls politics in America (Occupy, 2011). It is too early to call, but in the end if Occupiers lose the competition, at least they danced. Works Cited CNN. (2011). Exclusive: Inside offices of Occupy Wall Street. Retrieved from, http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/01/exclusive-inside-the-offices-of-occupy-wall-street/ Croteau, D., Hoynes, W., & Milan, S. (2012). Media/society (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Occupy Wall Street. (2011). About. Retrieved from, http://occupywallst.org/about/ Scherer, M. (2011). Taking it to the Streets. Time. 178(16). P. 20-24. Tharoor, I., & Rawlings, N. (2011). ‘The whole world is watching’: Occupy Wall Street stares down NYPD. Retrieved from, http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2096976,00.html

Computers And Marketing :: essays research papers

Computers And Marketing Marketing is the process by which goods are sold and purchased. The aim of marketing is to acquire, retain, and satisfy customers. Modern marketing has evolved into a complex and diverse field. This field includes a wide variety of special functions such as advertising, mail-order business, public relations, retailing and merchandising, sales, market research, and pricing of goods. Businesses, and particularly the marketing aspect of businesses, rely a great deal on the use of computers. Computers play a significant role in inventory control, processing and handling orders, communication between satelite companies in an organization, design and production of goods, manufacturing, product and market analysis, advertising, producing the company newsletter, and in some cases, complete control of company operations. In today's extremely competitive business environment businesses are searching for ways to improve profitability and to maintain their position in the marketplace. As competition becomes more intense the formula for success becomes more difficult. Two particular things have greatly aided companies in their quests to accomplish these goals. They are the innovative software products of CAD/CAM and, last but not least, the World Wide Web. An important program has aided companies all over the world. Computer- aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) is the integration of two technologies. It has often been called the new industrial revolution. In CAD, engineers and designers use specialized computer software to create models that represent characteristics of objects. These models are analyzed by computer and redesigned as necessary. This allows companies needed flexibility in studying different and daring designs without the high costs of building and testing actual models, saving millions of dollars. In CAM, designers and engineers use computers for planning manufacturing processes, testing finished parts, controlling manufacturing operations, and managing entire plants. CAM is linked to CAD through a database that is shared by design and manufacturing engineers. The major applications of CAD/CAM are mechanical design and electronic design. Computer-aided mechanical design is usually done with automated drafting programs that use interactive computer graphics. Information is entered into the computer to create basic elements such as circles, lines, and points. Elements can be rotated, mirrored, moved, and scaled, and users can zoom in on details. Computerized drafting is quicker and more accurate than manual drafting. It makes modifications much easier. Desktop manufacturing enables a designer to construct a model directly from data which is stored in computer memory. These software programs help designers to consider both function and manufacturing consequences at early stages, when designs are easily modified. More and more manufacturing businesses are integrating CAD/CAM with other aspects of production, including inventory tracking, scheduling, and marketing. This idea, known as computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM), speeds processing Computers And Marketing :: essays research papers Computers And Marketing Marketing is the process by which goods are sold and purchased. The aim of marketing is to acquire, retain, and satisfy customers. Modern marketing has evolved into a complex and diverse field. This field includes a wide variety of special functions such as advertising, mail-order business, public relations, retailing and merchandising, sales, market research, and pricing of goods. Businesses, and particularly the marketing aspect of businesses, rely a great deal on the use of computers. Computers play a significant role in inventory control, processing and handling orders, communication between satelite companies in an organization, design and production of goods, manufacturing, product and market analysis, advertising, producing the company newsletter, and in some cases, complete control of company operations. In today's extremely competitive business environment businesses are searching for ways to improve profitability and to maintain their position in the marketplace. As competition becomes more intense the formula for success becomes more difficult. Two particular things have greatly aided companies in their quests to accomplish these goals. They are the innovative software products of CAD/CAM and, last but not least, the World Wide Web. An important program has aided companies all over the world. Computer- aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) is the integration of two technologies. It has often been called the new industrial revolution. In CAD, engineers and designers use specialized computer software to create models that represent characteristics of objects. These models are analyzed by computer and redesigned as necessary. This allows companies needed flexibility in studying different and daring designs without the high costs of building and testing actual models, saving millions of dollars. In CAM, designers and engineers use computers for planning manufacturing processes, testing finished parts, controlling manufacturing operations, and managing entire plants. CAM is linked to CAD through a database that is shared by design and manufacturing engineers. The major applications of CAD/CAM are mechanical design and electronic design. Computer-aided mechanical design is usually done with automated drafting programs that use interactive computer graphics. Information is entered into the computer to create basic elements such as circles, lines, and points. Elements can be rotated, mirrored, moved, and scaled, and users can zoom in on details. Computerized drafting is quicker and more accurate than manual drafting. It makes modifications much easier. Desktop manufacturing enables a designer to construct a model directly from data which is stored in computer memory. These software programs help designers to consider both function and manufacturing consequences at early stages, when designs are easily modified. More and more manufacturing businesses are integrating CAD/CAM with other aspects of production, including inventory tracking, scheduling, and marketing. This idea, known as computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM), speeds processing

Business: International Trade and B. Technology

BUS100 Sample Exam 1 Student: 1. Which of the following organizations is an example of the goods-producing sector of the economy? A. Ford Motor Company B. Florida State University C. Children's Hospital D. H ; R Block Tax Consulting 2. Which of the statements about demography is most accurate? Demographic studies: A. focus on factors that have great political relevance, but little relevance to business firms. B. suggest that the number of two-income families will decline in the future. C. rovide business and individuals with insights into business and career opportunities of the future. D. are an important source of information about changes in weather and climate. 3. Public schools, charities and government agencies are not classified as businesses because they: A. have not been incorporated. B. do not seek to earn a profit. C. provide services rather than goods. D. do not have any stockholders. 4. In order to make an intelligent investment decision, entrepreneurs should: A. limit their options to those business investments that are backed by the U. S. government. B. nvest in businesses that have generated a stable rate of profit for at least the past ten years. C. invest only in business opportunities where it is possible to take an active role in management. D. compare the risks of potential investments to their expected profits and find the right balance between profit and risk. 5. Which of the following entails the greatest amount of risk? A. Working for the government. B. Working for a large business. C. Working for a small business. D. Starting a business. 6. Which of the following policies would tend to foster entrepreneurship? A. establishing a currency that is tradable on world markets. B. establishing more regulations to protect the environment. C. developing policies to reduce corruption between individuals. D. allowing public ownership of businesses.7. When businesses sell to other businesses over the Internet, these transactions are known as: A. B2C transactions. B. e-wholesale transactions. C. B2B transactions. D. intermediate e-commerce transactions.8. Which of the following is an advantage of utilizing technology? A. Technology increases the cost of production. B. Technology reduces the need for a marketing plan. C. Productivity increases. D. Management becomes isolated from the demands of stakeholders.9. All around the world, countries are trying to create more wealth by: A. raising taxes. B. selling government-owned businesses to private individuals. C. restricting trade with other countries in order to protect local busine sses. D. attempting to attain more gold through foreign trade.10. ___________ means producing items with the least amount of resources. A. Efficiency B. Technology C. E-production D. Productivity11. In the nation of Equalia, many businesses are privately owned, but the government owns some of the basic businesses and has developed many social programs designed to promote social equality. The economy of Equalia would be considered an example of: A. pure capitalism. B. socialism. C. mercantilism. D. communism.12. __________ unemployment refers to those people who have quite work because they didn't like the job, the boss, or the working conditions and who haven't yet found a new job. A. Frictional B. Structural C. Cyclical D. Seasonal13. One benefit of the rights and freedoms of capitalism is that: A. people feel safe and don't take any risks in business. B. people are willing to take more risks than they would otherwise. C. eople don't have to choose where they will work. D. the pric es of needed products are always very low.14. __________ unemployment refers to unemployment caused by the restructuring of firms or by a mismatch between the skills of job seekers and the requirements of available jobs. A. Frictional B. Structural C. Cyclical D. Seasonal15. Which of the following statements provides the most accurate comparison of socialism and communism? A. Under socialism the government owns most businesses, while under communism the church owns most businesses. B. Both socialism and communism want to achieve a more equal distribution of income and wealth, but under communism the government takes more control over people's lives. C. Socialism strives for an equal distribution of income but communism wants income to go primarily to those who own and operate private businesses. D. Communism believes that the government should always strive to balance its budget, while socialism accepts deficit spending as the price of achieving true equality.16. A collapse in the n ational banking system of Lasia has resulted in a condition where prices are actually declining. This condition is known as: A. disinflation. B. deflation. C. contra inflation. D. overproduction.17. One of the most significant problems faced by communist economies is: A. a great inequality in the distribution of wealth and income. B. severe inflationary pressures due to rapid economic growth. C. too little government regulation of economic activity. D. persistent shortages of basic goods such as food and clothing.18. Thomas Malthus was pessimistic about the ability of societies to achieve high standards of living for most of their citizens because he believed that: A. the government had a natural tendency to run deficits that would eventually bankrupt the country. B. population growth would result in shortages of food and resources. C. owners of businesses would deliberately exploit their employees in an attempt to earn greater profits, and this would ultimately lead to a worker's r evolt. D. high tax rates would eventually undermine people's incentives to work hard and create wealth.19. Which of the following statements about the Federal Reserve System (the Fed) is most accurate? A. The Fed is an agency of the U. S. Treasury Department that has the responsibility of collecting tax receipts for the IRS. B. The Fed manages the U. S. money supply and interest rates. C. The Fed is the primary government agency involved in carrying out our nation's fiscal policies. D. The Fed is the agency of the government that ensures the U. S. maintains enough gold reserves to pay any foreign debts that result from international trade.20. The nation of Nadiria is in the midst of a terrible economic downturn. The nation's GDP has been declining steadily for over five years and is now at its lowest level in over fifty years. Nadiria's unemployment rate is at an all time high and the nation's CPI is falling. Nadiria is experiencing a: A. period of stagflation. B. balance of trade d eficit. C. depression. D. retraction.21. Mortavia is a small nation that has followed protectionist policies for many years. Which of the following would be an example of a nontariff barrier established by Mortavia? A. Establishment of a tax levied on imported goods so that foreign products are more expensive than competing domestic goods. B. Establishment of a tax levied on imported goods designed primarily to raise money for the government. C. Establishment of restrictive quality standards requiring foreign firms to make expensive modifications in their products before they can be sold in Mortavia. D. Participation in the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations.22. The two basic types of tariffs are: A. goods and services. B. general and limited. C. comparative and absolute. D. revenue and protective.23. __________ is an arrangement whereby someone with a good idea for a business sells the rights to use the business name and sell a product or service to others in a given territory in a specified manner. A. Franchising B. Contract manufacturing C. Import trading D. Export trading24. The difference between money coming into a country (from exports) and money leaving the country (for imports) plus money flows from other factors such as tourism, foreign aid, and military expenditures is referred to as the: A. balance of payments. B. balance of trade. C. balance of money flows. D. exchange rate.25. The largest importer in the global market today is: A. Japan. B. Russia. C. Germany. D. the United States.26. The emerging nation of Lancerland has enacted a tariff on imported petroleum in order to raise money for their new government. This trade restriction is an example of a(n) ________ tariff. A. revenue B. rotective C. percentage D. fixed27. A Mexican firm has agreed to trade petroleum to an American importer in return for U. S. made computers. This arrangement is an example of: A. a letter of credit arrangement. B. a nontariff trade. C. arbitrage. D. barter.28. The â €Å"second wave† of offshore outsourcing refers to: A. moving jobs to South America in addition to China. B. moving skilled service jobs such as those in accounting offshore. C. moving jobs to India in addition to China. D. moving manufacturing jobs offshore.29. One advantage of free trade is: A. jobs are shifted to low-wage global markets. B. service jobs are moved overseas. C. advanced production operations are built in low-wage countries. D. innovation for new products occurs and keeps firms competitively challenged.30. Casey is typical of many U. S. businesspeople. Casey feels the U. S. culture should be the model for the rest of the world, and that the â€Å"American way† of doing things is the best. Casey is guilty of: A. ethnic plagiarism. B. ethnocentricity. C. culture shock. D. counter culture.31. After developing a code of ethics, it should be communicated to: A. everyone with whom the business has dealings. B. the Attorney General in jurisdictions where the business has operations. C. all levels of management. D. stockholders.32. Management and employees at Boyer Enterprises are given time off each year to work in local charities. This firm clearly practices: A. corporate philanthropy. B. social irresponsibility. C. community mediation services. D. participative funding.33. A friend offers to share with you a term paper she prepared for her Introduction to Business class last semester. When you tell her that it wouldn't be fair, she reminds you of your habit of reading an entire Harry Potter book at the local bookstore without paying for the book. Which ethics-based question would be the most helpful in evaluating these situations? A. Is it legal? B. Am I acting fairly? C. Who wins and who loses? D. Will I get caught?34. Environmental quality is considered to be a public good. This means that: A. ultimately it is the public that pays for environmental clean up. B. businesses have a responsibility to minimize their environmental polluti on. C. everyone enjoys a cleaner environment regardless of who pays for it. D. society places a higher value on private goods and services.35. The first step when facing an ethical dilemma is to ask: A. â€Å"Is it legal? † B. Is it balanced? † C. â€Å"How will it make me feel about myself? † D. â€Å"Is it ethical? â€Å"36. When working with international firms, U. S. businesses: A. tend to ignore the ethics of their international partners. B. expect socially responsible behavior from their business partners. C. feel that their responsibility is limited to the United States. D. try to avoid judging our international business partners by U. S. standards.37. Which of the following is the most important step to help improve America's business ethics? A. middle management support B. training C. enforcement D. identification of the organizational ethics officer38. The danger in writing new laws to correct behavior is that: A. people may begin to think that any be havior that is within the law is acceptable. B. people will see the difference between ethics and legality. C. legal behavior will reflect the totality of people's proper relations with one another. D. there will not be enough jails to house those who break the law.39. Critics of corporate social responsibility view spending money on CSR as: A. a necessary evil. B. stealing from investors. C. important for America. D. moving toward capitalism.40. Obeying the law is ________ ethical behavior. A. essentially the same as B. the first step towards C. the opposite of D. unlikely to lead to41. One of the newest items on the Cajun Cookin' menu is a spicy Cajun-burger. Sondra was quite surprised to learn that how she made this burger was regulated by the: A. Federal Trade Commission. B. Food and Drug Administration. C. Federal Nutritional Association. D. State Board of Food Examiners.42. One of the reasons you bought your mom a name-brand mixer for Mother's Day was that it came with a full warranty. This means that: A. the mixer is guaranteed to last for 10 years with normal use. B. the mixer will make wonderful baked goods as well as pasta. C. the mixer will be repaired or replaced at no charge if it is defective. D. only the motor is covered by the mixer manufacturer.43. One result of deregulation in the airline industry has been: A. less intense competition. B. increase aviation related fatalities. C. higher prices for consumers. D. lower prices for consumers.44. You agree to sell your car to your neighbor for $5,000. You and your neighbor have provided each other: A. duress. B. consideration. C. an endorsement. D. an expressed warranty.45. Which of the following do school districts utilize to generate needed funding? A. sin tax B. sales tax C. property tax D. income tax46. The remedy for a tort is: A. imprisonment. B. a breach of contract. C. bankruptcy. D. monetary compensation.47. Which of the following protects the original work of authors and artists (i. e. , their books, photos, or cartoons)? A. a trademark B. a copyright C. the Uniform Commercial Code D. a patent48. The Griggs v. Duke Power Company (1971) case established a precedent on the need to use job-related tests in employment practices. Similar court cases have been decided based on this decision. This is an example of: A. common law. B. statutory law. C. administrative law. D. criminal law.49. Which of the following is a requirement for commercial paper to be considered a negotiable instrument? It must: A. be signed in approval by a third party. B. contain a conditional promise to pay. C. be a promise to pay a specified amount of money. D. be an oral agreement between two or more parties.50. In which of the following does the creditor start legal procedures? A. debtor initiatives B. voluntary bankruptcy C. involuntary bankruptcy D. creditor restructuringBUS100 Sample Exam 1 Key 1. (p. 20)A 2. (p. 16)C 3. (p. 7)B 4. (p. 4-5)D 5. (p. 8)D 6. (p. 12)A 7. (p. 14)C 8. (p. 13)C 9. p. 12)B 10. (p. 13)A 11. (p. 41)B 12. (p. 47, figure 2. 6)A 13. (p. 36)B 14. (p. 47, figure 2. 6)B 15. (p. 42)B 16. (p. 47)B 17. (p. 42)D 18. (p. 31)B 19. (p. 51)B 20. (p. 49)C 21. (p. 76)C 22. (p. 75-76)D 23. (p. 67)A 24. (p. 64)A 25. (p. 60)D 26. (p. 76)A 27. (p. 74)D 28. (p. 81)B 29. (p. 62; figure 3. 2)D 30. (p. 71)B 31. (p. 97)A 32. (p. 99-100)A 33. (p. 92)B 34. (p. 106)C 35. (p. 92)A 36. (p. 108)B 37. (p. 97)C 38. (p. 90)A 39. (p. 99)B 40. (p. 90)B 41. (p. 585, figure A. 4)B 42. (p. 579)C 43. (p. 588)D 44. (p. 580)B 45. (p. 584)C 46. (p. 576)D 47. (p. 578)B 48. (p. 574)A 49. (p. 580)C 50. (p. 586)C

Nature of logic and perception

Introduction/Thesis StatementThis paper entitled â€Å"Nature of Logic and Perception† intends to carry out the following:First of all, to reintroduce the following psychological concepts or terminologies by explaining the nature of logic as it relates to critical thinking and how I personally understood it.  Second is to outline my own perceptual process.  Third is to describe the types of perceptual blocks that influence my views.  The fourth is to explain the critical thinking process and how it is altered by perception.Last but not least is to: recognize an instance in my life where my perception of the reality situation was far from the actual reality; to tell what I believe is actually occurring; to state what is really happening; to indicate the difference of the two; the occurrences after; the things I have learned; and finally how the process of my critical thinking changed.Perceptual Process Definedâ€Å"Perceptual Process† is technically defined as â₠¬Å"the order of steps that commence with the surroundings or atmosphere and directs to our perception of a stimulus and an action as a reaction to the stimulus† (The.., n.d.).Perceptual Blocks Definedâ€Å"Perceptual Blocks†, however, include the following: 1) difficulty in isolating the problem; 2) inclination or possibility to draw up the boundaries of the dilemma too closely; 3) failure to see the predicament from an assortment of perspectives; 4) seeing or bearing in mind what you look forward to to see (stereotyping); 5) saturation; and last but not least 6) failure to make the most of all sensory contributions (Perceptual.., n.d.).Critical Thinking DefinedLast but not least, â€Å"Critical Thinking† is defined as â€Å"the mental procedure of analyzing, scrutinizing, or evaluating statements or propositions that people have offered as true† (Wikipedia, 2007). It also entails â€Å"reflecting on the denotation of assertions, exploration of reasoning, as well as, developing judgments based on the truth† (Wikipedia, 2007).Instance in My Life Where My Perception of the Reality Situation was Far From the Actual RealityThere was a time when I was torn between two jobs that I believe I would love to make a career of or focus on. It actually began when, fortunately, I have been accepted to become a part of a certain research/consultancy firm. I extremely wanted to do research but I have also been promoted at my mother’s bakeshop, from just being one of the helpers running errands for her, I was given the opportunity to become one of the cake designers. This has been exceedingly agonizing and excruciating on my part.So what I primarily did was to request for the Human Resources Department of the bakeshop, as well as, that of the consultancy firm, if I may be given a week more before I finally sign the contract. This move of mine would buy me some time to rethink things over, sort everything out, and finally come up with a sound decision. Auspiciously for me, both the representatives of the Human Resources Department agreed to what I have asked.I took advantage of the time provided to me and thought of a decision-making model that I could bring into play to be able to guide me through (Perceptual.., n.d.). Since critical thinking should be involved in the crucial decision that I have to make, I resorted to the four-step sequence decision-making model technically referred to as the rational model (Decision.., n.d.). The four steps referred to include the following:1) Recognition and identification of the quandary, wherein I had to accept and recognize that in spite of the happiness I felt when I was picked by the consultancy firm, as well as, when I was promoted as a cake designer in the bakeshop, it is not at all easy to sacrifice or relinquish one for the other (Decision.., n.d.).   I cannot just leave my responsibilities at the bakeshop, where I have worked for seven years already (Decision.., n.d .).   I cannot just repudiate the promotion that I am worthy of for the perseverance, dedication, and passion that I exhibited (Decision.., n.d.). On the other hand, I cannot just say no to the consultancy firm, which I passed an excruciating interview, as well as, examination from and which I am so grateful of (Decision.., n.d.).2) Bringing into being alternative solutions, for instance, when I contemplated that maybe it is achievable or doable to keep both jobs and that it is possible not to pick one over the other (Decision.., n.d.).3) Selection of solution, wherein I considered that since consultancy may actually be taken home, and the bakeshop is very near my home and that I can be on-call, I chose to accept the promotion and took the job offered by the consultancy firm, as well (Decision.., n.d.).4) Execution and assessment of the solution, wherein, immediately after such critical thinking, I made up my mind, I signed the contract the consultancy firm gave (Decision.., n.d.) . Then I also assumed the cake designer position in the bakeshop (Decision.., n.d.).EtceteraComing from the personal occurrence detailed above, the instance in my life where my perception of the reality situation was far from the actual reality is the fact that I optimistically saw that I could manage two full-time jobs at the same time (Perceptual.., n.d.).I am extremely hopeful and confident during that time that I actually thought or focused only on the opportunities that were presented to me, all ready to be taken hold of (Perceptual.., n.d.). The setback is that things turned out not the way they seemed, those opportunities were not just chances; they are also challenges and excruciating choices that I have to think about before making any decision, much less taking on both jobs (Perceptual.., n.d.). This is the part where some of the â€Å"perceptual blocks† presented itself (Perceptual.., n.d.).   First of all, I had difficulty in isolating the problem (Perceptual.., n.d.).Secondly, I also was not able to see the problem from certain viewpoints, in fact I just saw the good side of it, and I did not entertain the other aspects or the negative side (Perceptual.., n.d.). Last but not least, I also experienced stereotyping, I only saw what I anticipated or expected to see and this is the fact that those two jobs are opportunities (big ones) to me (Perceptual.., n.d.).There was a difference between what I saw and what was really going on because of the â€Å"perceptual blocks† (Perceptual.., n.d.).   Unfortunately, what happened to me was I ended up making the incorrect assessment and decision even if I thought I already applied the best critical thinking model there is (Perceptual.., n.d.).It is fortunate, however, that I learned: more about critical thinking; that it is imperative to evaluate logically everything before making a decision since things are not really the way they seemed to be; that there are perceptual blocks that needed to be considered before finalizing any notion and position that I have; and last but not least, that it altered the critical thinking process that I usually carry out because of the perceptions that presented itself in the personal experience that I went through (Perceptual.., n.d.).ReferencesThe Perceptual Process. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2007 fromhttp://www.csun.edu/~vcoao0el/de361/de361s101_folder/tsld003.htmWikipedia. (2007). Critical Thinking. Retrieved April 24, 2007 fromhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_thinking Nature of logic and perception This paper entitled â€Å"Nature of Logic and Perception† intends to carry out the following:First of all, to reintroduce the following psychological concepts or terminologies by explaining the nature of logic as it relates to critical thinking and how I personally understood it.Second is to outline my own perceptual process.Third is to describe the types of perceptual blocks that influence my views.The fourth is to explain the critical thinking process and how it is altered by perception.Last but not least is to: recognize an instance in my life where my perception of the reality situation was far from the actual reality; to tell what I believe is actually occurring; to state what is really happening; to indicate the difference of the two; the occurrences after; the things I have learned; and finally how the process of my critical thinking changed.Perceptual Process Definedâ€Å"Perceptual Process† is technically defined as â€Å"the order of steps that commence with the surroundings or atmosphere and directs to our perception of a stimulus and an action as a reaction to the stimulus† (The.., n.d.).Perceptual Blocks Defined  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Perceptual Blocks†, however, include the following: 1) difficulty in isolating the problem; 2) inclination or possibility to draw up the boundaries of the dilemma too closely; 3) failure to see the predicament from an assortment of perspectives; 4) seeing or bearing in mind what you look forward to to see (stereotyping); 5) saturation; and last but not least 6) failure to make the most of all sensory contributions (Perceptual.., n.d.).Critical Thinking DefinedLast but not least, â€Å"Critical Thinking† is defined as â€Å"the mental procedure of analyzing, scrutinizing, or evaluating statements or propositions that people have offered as true† (Wikipedia, 2007). It also entails â€Å"reflecting on the denotation of assertions, exploration of reasoning, as well as, developing judgments bas ed on the truth† (Wikipedia, 2007).Instance in My Life Where My Perception of the Reality Situation was Far From the Actual RealityThere was a time when I was torn between two jobs that I believe I would love to make a career of or focus on. It actually began when, fortunately, I have been accepted to become a part of a certain research/consultancy firm. I extremely wanted to do research but I have also been promoted at my mother’s bakeshop, from just being one of the helpers running errands for her, I was given the opportunity to become one of the cake designers. This has been exceedingly agonizing and excruciating on my part. So what I primarily did was to request for the Human Resources Department of the bakeshop, as well as, that of the consultancy firm, if I may be given a week more before I finally sign the contract. This move of mine would buy me some time to rethink things over, sort everything out, and finally come up with a sound decision. Auspiciously for me, both the representatives of the Human Resources Department agreed to what I have askedI took advantage of the time provided to me and thought of a decision-making model that I could bring into play to be able to guide me through (Perceptual.., n.d.). Since critical thinking should be involved in the crucial decision that I have to make, I resorted to the four-step sequence decision-making model technically referred to as the rational model (Decision.., n.d.). The four steps referred to include the following:1) Recognition and identification of the quandary, wherein I had to accept and recognize that in spite of the happiness I felt when I was picked by the consultancy firm, as well as, when I was promoted as a cake designer in the bakeshop, it is not at all easy to sacrifice or relinquish one for the other (Decision.., n.d.).   I cannot just leave my responsibilities at the bakeshop, where I have worked for seven years already (Decision.., n.d.).   I cannot just repudiate the p romotion that I am worthy of for the perseverance, dedication, and passion that I exhibited (Decision.., n.d.). On the other hand, I cannot just say no to the consultancy firm, which I passed an excruciating interview, as well as, examination from and which I am so grateful of (Decision.., n.d.).2) Bringing into being alternative solutions, for instance, when I contemplated that maybe it is achievable or doable to keep both jobs and that it is possible not to pick one over the other (Decision.., n.d.).3) Selection of solution, wherein I considered that since consultancy may actually be taken home, and the bakeshop is very near my home and that I can be on-call, I chose to accept the promotion and took the job offered by the consultancy firm, as well (Decision.., n.d.).4) Execution and assessment of the solution, wherein, immediately after such critical thinking, I made up my mind, I signed the contract the consultancy firm gave (Decision.., n.d.). Then I also assumed the cake design er position in the bakeshop (Decision.., n.d.).EtceteraComing from the personal occurrence detailed above, the instance in my life where my perception of the reality situation was far from the actual reality is the fact that I optimistically saw that I could manage two full-time jobs at the same time (Perceptual.., n.d.).I am extremely hopeful and confident during that time that I actually thought or focused only on the opportunities that were presented to me, all ready to be taken hold of (Perceptual.., n.d.). The setback is that things turned out not the way they seemed, those opportunities were not just chances; they are also challenges and excruciating choices that I have to think about before making any decision, much less taking on both jobs (Perceptual.., n.d.). This is the part where some of the â€Å"perceptual blocks† presented itself (Perceptual.., n.d.).   First of all, I had difficulty in isolating the problem (Perceptual.., n.d.).Secondly, I also was not able to see the problem from certain viewpoints, in fact I just saw the good side of it, and I did not entertain the other aspects or the negative side (Perceptual.., n.d.). Last but not least, I also experienced stereotyping, I only saw what I anticipated or expected to see and this is the fact that those two jobs are opportunities (big ones) to me (Perceptual.., n.d.).There was a difference between what I saw and what was really going on because of the â€Å"perceptual blocks† (Perceptual.., n.d.).   Unfortunately, what happened to me was I ended up making the incorrect assessment and decision even if I thought I already applied the best critical thinking model there is (Perceptual.., n.d.).It is fortunate, however, that I learned: more about critical thinking; that it is imperative to evaluate logically everything before making a decision since things are not really the way they seemed to be; that there are perceptual blocks that needed to be considered before finalizing any notion and position that I have; and last but not least, that it altered the critical thinking process that I usually carry out because of the perceptions that presented itself in the personal experience that I went through (Perceptual.., n.d.).ReferencesPerceptual Blocks. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2007 fromhttp://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/rest-just/ch4/cul&div.htmlThe Perceptual Process. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2007 fromhttp://www.csun.edu/~vcoao0el/de361/de361s101_folder/tsld003.htmWikipedia. (2007). Critical Thinking. Retrieved April 24, 2007 fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_thinking