Family’s Influence on a Child’s Educational Success Essay

The family is a key element in every person’s life; they have the greatest impact on a child’s socialization (Macionis 70). Socialization is a learned behavior that remains with a person his entire life. Family influences nearly every aspect of children’s life, including their education. Increasing evidence indicates that â€Å"schools are not solely responsible for promoting our young people’s academic success; rather, families must be engaged in helping youths develop the knowledge and skills they need to function in tomorrow’s workplace† (Israel 43). Therefore, the question is not whether parents influence education, but rather how and to what extent they do. A variety of explanations exist, including the size of the family, the parenting techniques, and the family’s economic status. Read more:  Factors that influence child development essay Why do some parents become involved in their children’s elementary and secondary education? Three major constructs are believed to be central to parents’ basic involvement decisions. First, a parents’ role construction defines parents’ beliefs about what they are supposed to do in their children’s education and appears to establish the basic range of activities that parents construe as important, necessary, and permissible for their own actions with and on behalf of children. Second, parents’ sense of efficacy for helping their children succeed in school focuses on the extent to which parents believe that through their involvement they can exert positive influence on their children’s educational outcomes. Third, general invitations, demands, and opportunities for involvement refer to parents’ perceptions that the child and school want them to be involved. However, even well-designed school programs inviting involvement will meet with only limited success if they do not address issues of parental role construction and parental sense of efficacy for helping children succeed in school. One theory suggests that the chief reason why a student’s family life affects his/her education is based on the size of the family. More specifically, it suggests that those coming from a family with fewer children perform better academically than those coming from a family with many children. One main reason for this is attributed to the â€Å"dilution of familial resources  available to children in large families and a concentration of such resources in small ones† (Blake 11). For example, in families with many children the parents have less time, less emotional and physical energy, less attention to give, and less ability to interact with children as individuals (Blake 11). Another reason that attention may be diluted is because of the many siblings. Often the mother is pregnant or recovering from pregnancy, which lessens her ability to care for the children. In addition, money is also often diluted. Blake says of that: This type of dilution involves not only the parents’ treatment of individual children–the ability to provide personal living space, cultural advantages such as travel, specialized instruction such as music lessons, specialized medical or dental care, as well as continuous and advanced schooling–but, as well, to provide settings the advantages of which are not divisible: living in a desirable neighborhood, or having a wide range of excellent reading material or recorded music in the house. (11) This suggests that children coming from a poor background are already at an educational disadvantage, possibly even before any formal schooling occurs. Travel enables a child to become a more cosmopolitan person and teaches children about the different cultures of the world. Music teaches dedication and helps with memorization skills. Other problems are associated with large families as well. A study by Lori Heise and Jane Roberts showed that children from large families don’t interact with others outside the family group as much as those in a smaller family, which can limit their understanding of certain social roles (Blake 11). It also places them at a disadvantage in school, where they make not have many friends or feel â€Å"left out.† This can lead to poor grades. This is so because the child may become depressed and find it hard to focus on schoolwork. Without friends to greet them, many times the child chooses not to even go to school. In addition, in families where lots of children are around, the intellectual level may be more â€Å"childlike,† so kids aren’t exposed to adult conversation,  vocabulary, and interests (Blake 11). The children spend most of their time playing with other children. In a family with one or few children, the child often has no other choice than to play with their parent/s. Similarly, the older siblings may often baby-sit or be treated as the â€Å"adult figure,† meaning that the parents are not as involved. The older children are often expected to help take care of his or her brothers or sisters. The parents are not home as often when a babysitter is available. Having a large family can also lead to financial burden and in turn a burden on the child’s academic success. It is often thought that income does not affect one’s education until college; after all, education until that point is free. Studies have shown otherwise. It was found that only-child boys were twice as likely to graduate from high school as boys from families of seven or more, and the same holds true for girls (Blake 41). Of the graduates, there is again a large gap between the two groups for college attendance (meaning that children without siblings are much more likely to attend college than those from large families). However, the distinction is not as large as in high school graduation rates. Once in college, family size has a relatively small effect on the number of years of college schooling a student receives (Blake 45). This indicates that the higher the level of schooling, the less family size is influential. Blake suggests that this is due to the many from large families who drop out of school and who are retained multiple times (Blake 45). One study shows that students coming from a small family do better on achievement test. Twenty-seven percent of boys in grades 1-5 with five siblings or more scored below average on these tests. Compare that number to the twenty percent of boys in the same grade level who were only children (Blake 262). As the number of siblings in the family increased, his or her score on the test decreased. Having many brothers and sisters could also be seen as beneficial to students, especially if a child is the youngest. Parents have often graduated twenty years prior to when their children are attending school.  Therefore, they may not remember the material in order to help their children. Older brothers and sisters, on the other hand, would be more familiar with the subjects and could tutor their siblings. Therefore, students could improve by having a large family. While this theory of family size affecting one’s education is valid and holds true in many cases, it is not solid enough to be the sole explanation. A second explanation as to why family plays such a large role in education is parenting techniques. Problems of school adjustment such as academic failure, underachievement, and disciplinary problems often arise from a combination of information-processing difficulties, attention-deficit disorders, school or performance anxiety, and low motivation. These problems in turn have been linked to specific domains of family life (e.g., family conflict, communication, and organization). (Medway and Cafferty 137) Studies have shown that many of the problems that children have in schools are associated with different parenting styles. Learning disabilities, poor task orientation, attention deficits, and low academic achievement can be caused by an unstable family life, where conflicts are handled through threats, counter-threats, and poor communication (Medway and Cafferty 138). Parents of children with disabilities are found to be more authoritarian and controlling than parents of â€Å"normal† children. Problems of underachievement in schooling can be attributed to parent-child conflicts, low levels of parental availability, and lack of openness between the parent and child. Studies have shown that students with performance anxiety, procrastination, and passive aggressive behavior in school are likely to come from over organized families, where parents are overprotective, restrictive, intrusive, controlling, and dominating (Medway and Cafferty 138). According to psychologist Glenn Israel, a more recent study produced similar results, stressing that parents should help their children with their homework, discuss important school activities with them, and hold high educational aspirations for them (48). They should also limit television  viewing, provide adult supervision when their children come home from school, and monitor homework. Doing so was proven to result in better academic performance and staying in school (Israel 48). Other causes for students to perform better in school involves the child’s social behavior, which are a reflection of the family, particularly the parents. For example, children who move frequently are generally unable to feel integrated in the community’s social structure. On the other hand, the more groups a student is involved in (scouts, religious affiliations, etc), the greater his/ her socialization skills. Better socialization skills can in turn be linked to better school performance (Israel 49). Parenting techniques contribute largely to a child’s academic performance, though this theory is probably the least credible of the three. It is obvious that a parent’s behavior affects his/her child, and their education, but the evidence was too stereotypical. It is outrageous to assume that because a child has a learning disability he/ she comes from an unstable home life. There are many other reasons that influence that, including biology and genetics. However, I strongly agree with the socialization aspects of this argument. Dr. Urie Bronfenbrenner says, â€Å"Children are most significantly influenced by their parents; therefore, if parents have few friends and are uninvolved in community activities, children are likely to be the same way† (40). Socialization definitely plays a role in academic performance, especially at the age of adolescence, when â€Å"fitting in† is so important to students (Bronfenbrenner 40). It is also obvious that parents playing a role in their child’s education is beneficial. Students need the motivation to perform well. If they don’t receive it, they will not be as successful. True as this may be, parenting technique is not the sole answer to this question of how parenting styles affect a child’s academic success. The third reason often used to explain the connection between family life and a student’s education is the economic position of the student’s family. Children often base their goals on their parents’ achievements. A study showed that while all parents would like their children to receive  high levels of education and a prestigious career, low-income parents seem to set lower standards. They are satisfied with lower levels of education and less prestigious jobs Students from lower-income families suffer other disadvantages as well. Economic hardship and stress have been known to affect the relationship between the parent and child. In addition, if the socioeconomic status of the student is low, the amount of parental support, control, and consistency is often low as well. A study by Saucier and Ambert revealed, â€Å"Adolescents from intact families have been found to be more optimistic about the future than those from homes in which there has been a separation, divorce, or parental death† (Brantlinger 154). The amount of parental involvement with education was also found to vary with income. Most students studied claim that their parents attended conferences and activities in elementary school, but there became a gap during junior high and high school. High-income students say their parents still attended, while low-income students’ parents did not. Additionally, high-income adolescents’ parents were much more likely to receive help with schoolwork, such as editing written assignments, than were low-income parents. This could be a result of the education the parents had received. After all, low-income parents had often dropped out of school prior to graduation, while high-income parents had high-levels of educational attainment (Brantlinger 156). A study by Carlos Torres and Theodore Mitchell showed that powerful more affluent parents played a significant role in maintaining a â€Å"†¦hierarchical track structure†¦Ã¢â‚¬  for their child. These parents ensured that their children did well in school. This was made achievable possibly through extra help, tutoring, and increasing the pressure placed on the child to do well (163). Family size and parenting techniques can be related to wealth differences. For example, the smaller the family, the higher the proportion of the income can be spent on the child(ren). Those with better parenting techniques also have a higher economic standing than other parents. Better parenting methods can be linked to the parents having received a higher education. In turn,  they often have more money. While it was found that family size and parenting techniques affect one’s education, it is merely because of wealth. For example, it is not the actual number of people in the family, but the amount of money the family has because of the number of members. Economics are the key factor as to why one’s family life affects one’s education, and it’s a cycle. Children often grow up to be in the same economic class as the family he came from. Therefore, if a parent didn’t attend college, the student is less likely to (Shumow 37). So why does one’s family life affect his education. The answer can be summed up in one word: money. So what can we do about this problem? How can we give economically disadvantaged children a good education? There are several options: For one state funding for poorer schools could be increased. Also, if poor communities applied for grants, they could use them to fund their schools. There are also programs out there to help poor schools. The SETA Head Start Program and the Equity in Education Project were developed for the purpose of improving the lives of low-income children by providing â€Å"quality, comprehensive, child development services that are family focused, including education, health, nutrition, and mental health† (Head Start Home Page Screen 1.) By getting communities involved and educated about programs such as these it is very possible to prevent educational disadvantages like coming from a low-income household or neighborhood. No matter how many elected school officials declare that â€Å"poverty is not an excuse† for poor school performance, the fact remains that children in poverty do not achieve well in school. In a study by Abt Associates, researchers examined the performance of children in high- and low-poverty schools. High-poverty schools were defined as those with 76% or more of the student body eligible for free or reduced-price lunches; low-poverty schools had 20% or less of the student body eligible for federally subsidized lunches. The researchers first divided the students into categories A, B, C,  or D–depending on what grade they commonly took home on their report cards. Then they looked at performance on achievement tests. Students in low-poverty schools who got A’s on their report cards scored as one would expect: 87th percentile in math, 81st in reading. Students in high-poverty schools who got A’s scored higher than their classmates who got lower grades, but they attained only the 36th percentile in reading and the 35th in math (Cirasulo 44). One can only imagine the sledgehammer that will hit these students when they have to compete with students from more affluent schools. What is so depressing about this is the fact that education is the only way to get out of poverty. Education is the only intervention that can help children from poor families escape the cycle. In addition to giving young people basic skills, education can make them aware of opportunities beyond the ghetto. The few who escape the problems of crime, drugs, prostitution, and unwed motherhood are those who have received help from committed teachers and social workers. Schools cannot create jobs or carry all the burdens of a community, but they can make a vital contribution if they are allowed to focus on their primary mission of education. Teachers do not create jobs for poor people, and they cannot erase the damage done by drugs. Granted, schools cannot take on all the burdens of the communities they serve; they should be allowed to focus on what they insist is their reason for existence — the education of children. When it comes to the educational success of a child, money should never be a factor. Unfortunately money is a factor and there is never enough to fulfill the needs of a child.

The Philosophy of the Buddhists

I will give you a glimpse into the world of the Buddha and the philosophy that he used to practise and preach. He was born as Siddhartha Gautama in the year 563 BC in Lumbini a place situated near the Indo – Nepal border. His father was the ruler of a petty kingdom of the Sakya tribes. Initially Siddhartha led the luxurious life of a prince in their palace at Kapilavastu, subsequently, he was married to Yasodhara. He had been living in marital bliss for thirteen years, when he saw an extremely sick person, a frail old man, the corpse of a deceased person, a corpse being cremated and a sadhu or holy man.This had a major impact on Siddhartha, who realized that the normal phases in a person’s life were old age, sickness and eventually death. In the year 528 BC, Siddhartha experienced the Great Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Gaya, consequently, he was known as Buddha or the enlightened one. His exhortations are known as dhamma. He attained Nirvana at the age of eight y, in the year 483 BC (Siddhartha Gautama). The Dhamma consists of four noble truths. The first of them states that life means suffering. It is essential to realize and accept that you have to undergo suffering in order to live in the world.The world and human nature are imperfect. According to the Majjhima – Nikaya, Sutta 63, the cycle of birth and death are continuous and humans have to experience old age, sorrow, lamentation, misery, grief and despair. There are pleasures such as ease, comfort and happiness. Hence from birth to death, humans experience both suffering and happiness. This serves to render the life pattern imperfect and incomplete. The world is essentially unpleasant and bereft of perfection. The second truth is that sufferings are caused by desires and to some extent due to ignorance.Attachment towards impermanent things and ignorance of the fact that those things are temporary causes suffering. Moreover, suffering is caused by desire, passion, ardor, and cr aving for wealth and fame. A very important precept in this context is that desire causes ignorance and vice – versa (L. Ross, 2007). The third noble truth is regarding the truth of cessation. Sufferings can be avoided and the complete cessation of suffering can be attained through nirodha or the unmaking of sensual craving and conceptual attachment.In order to end sufferings, one should identify their origin and remove them. This can be achieved through dispassion towards material things, which are transient in nature. In other words, suffering can be removed by realizing the cause of suffering and then removing the very cause. This is a continuous process, which eventually culminates in Nirvana or that supreme state of being that is free from all worries, complexes, fabrications and the individual ego (The Four Noble Truths).The fourth Noble truth is the truth of the way, which represents the via media between the extremes of asceticism and indulgence. There is an eight â⠂¬â€œ fold path by which a human can attain Nirvana and end sufferings permanently. This way comprises of right knowledge, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right meditation. This path removes all sufferings from life and extends over many lifetimes of a human (L. Ross, 2007). Therefore, Peter, you have to follow this eight fold path.The Buddha institutionalized a monastic order with five basic precepts. These precepts require abstention from killing others, stealing, indulgence in unchaste activities and the consumption of alcoholic drinks. These fundamental precepts are mandatory for every Buddhist and Peter you have to make them an integral part of your life. The Buddha had preached that the practise of these precepts resulted in Nirvana. Buddha refused to expatiate on the term Nirvana. According to Buddhism, both existence and nonexistence are meaningless. This philosophy is termed as the Fourfold Negation.It is the fundamental concept on which the Buddhist philosophy is based (L. Ross, 2007). Some very important and basic philosophical doctrines in Buddhism are first, momentariness; which states that nothing exists for a long time and that things do not have substance or duration. Moreover, every moment is a new existence and is succeeded by another new existence and their interconnection results in the next moment. The second doctrine is that of relative existence, which states that nothing has nature and character. In isolation, things are shunya, which means emptiness or a vacuum.Existence is therefore completely relative and the only unconditioned state is that of Nirvana. The third major doctrine is that there is no atman or soul. According to Buddhism, human beings consist of a body, feelings, ideas, impressions and momentary consciousness. Fourth, Buddhism does not accept the existence of God, Brahman or any other ultimate substance in the universe. Fifth, everything has a cause, which is dependent on a previous momentary existence. Sixth, karma, is only a causation and reincarnation is caused by the actions of people in the past.Therefore, karma is the effect of past actions (L. Ross, 2007). Another important concept of Buddhism is emptiness. A major philosophical paradox of Buddhism is that form is emptiness and emptiness is form. It is the mantra of Buddhism, whose origin is the Prajna Paramita Hridaya Sutra or the Heart Sutra. There are misconceptions about this concept of emptiness; western scholars defined it as nihilism. Nihilism states that reality is unknown, that nothing exists, that nothing meaningful can be described about the world.However, the Buddhist concept of emptiness is dissimilar to nihilism, because it states that the ultimate reality is knowable. It also states that there is a lucid ontological basis for phenomena. Further, human beings can communicate and obtain knowledge of the world. Sunyata or emptiness cannot be construed as nothingnes s. In other words, emptiness is not non – existence and it is also non – reality (Emptiness). Pay great attention to these thoughts, assimilate them and meditate upon them. Your preceptor,Bodhidharma Karmapang. References Emptiness. (n. d. ). Retrieved September 11, 2007, from http://www. thebigview. com/buddhism/emptiness. html L. Ross, K. (2007). THE BASIC TEACHINGS OF BUDDHISM. Retrieved September 11, 2007, from http://www. friesian. com/buddhism. htm Siddhartha Gautama. (n. d. ). Retrieved September 9, 2007, from The Big view: http://www. thebigview. com/buddhism/buddhasresume. html The Four Noble Truths. (n. d. ). Retrieved September 11, 2007, from http://www. thebigview. com/buddhism/fourtruths. html

The Conflict between Territorial Integrity and Self-Determination Essay

The Conflict between Territorial Integrity and Self-Determination - Essay Example Such a classic perspective of statehood with respect to territorial integrity has manifested a simmering tension with another international principle. Recent events, equated with the collapse of the USSR, illustrate that the concept of self-determination shows a tendency to conflict with this long-held principle in international law. The embrace of territorial integrity by international law has something to do with international security and stability and there is a gnawing concern that the burgeoning concept of self-determination may pose a challenge to the status quo. Nonetheless, one need not necessarily neutralize or render the other principle void. While territorial integrity still finds relevance in the present times, the world must find a place for self-determination for the purpose of resolving existing conflicts and avoiding the escalation of violence or the eruption of wars. The international community must seek ways to moderate the build-up of tension between these two see mingly contending international principles. Territorial Integrity and Self-Determination: Definition of Concepts The origin of the concept of self-determination can be traced back to the 1789 American Declaration of Independence and later in the 1792 French Declaration. It originally refers to the entitlement endowed to the state by the populace to govern on their behalf with their consent as well as represent them in the international community as a separate, independent and co-equal entity alongside other states (Castellino p.11). Simply put however, self-determination was just perceived as â€Å"the right of nations to sovereign independence† (cited Schwed p. 447) According to the Finnish international law professor Koskenniemi, the concept of national determination can be viewed from two perspectives. The first has a patriotic facet while the other a secessionist element. The first model has a classical or Hobbesean underpinning because it sees the nation as a state and s elf-determination as closely related to the presence or absence of procedural mechanism that the state adopts to allow its citizens to participate in decision-making. Anything outside of this decision-making procedure, therefore, is â€Å"destructive, irrational passion† according to this model (Castellino pp. 9-10). The implication of this perspective is that the state is placed at the center of everything and that self-determination is legitimate only when it preserves the state as an organized body and when it prevents bellum omnium or what Hobbes called â€Å"a war by all against all,† which occurs in the absence of a civilized society (Leviathan Chapter 13). On the other hand, the second model of self-determination has a more romantic underpinning to it as it is largely based on Rousseau’s social contract theory. In this model, procedure is relegated to the background while purpose and goal take center stage. Moreover, this model does not see a nation as me rely an artificial entity, but as an authentic community. Self-determination from this perspective is thus, an expression, rather than a procedure, of the will of the community geared towards the collective good, not necessarily of the state (Castellino pp. 9-10).An example of the classical or Hobbesian model is the Palestinian claim against Israel, while the South Ossenian-Georgia conflict illustrates the romantic or Rousseauesque model. On the other hand, the concept of territorial integrity has underpinnings from the concept of state as a person of international law under the

Socrates Account of Wisdom in Apology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Socrates Account of Wisdom in Apology - Essay Example Socrates also claims that the sophists are wise and posses’ wisdom that lacks in him. When Delphi asserts that Socrates is the wisest person in the universe, Socrates remembers of his acquaintance that accompanied him to Oracle and questioned him whether there existed a person wiser than Socrates. The Oracle response, that there was no one wiser than Socrates was, threw him to a lot of confusion embarked on a mission to find the truth about wisdom. Socrates thinks it is important to pursue wisdom, as it will help realize the human ignorance on the perception of wisdom. Socrates further thinks and claims that only the God can be wise. According to Socrates, human wisdom is limited and by realizing that he knows nothing he can achieve a lot. Remarkably, Socrates believes pursuing wisdom, will lead to human happiness since one will be able to realize and reject unjustified beliefs. Socrates wisdom is valuable to man as it is humble and does mislead, threaten and misinform others by advocating false knowledge. Therefore, knowing and possessing the true wisdom leads to human happiness Plato argues that for the city to be just, measures must be taken to control the level of poverty in order to avoid social strife that may bring injustices (421d). In addition, for the city to be unified and stable, it must be big enough in size (423b). Socrates proceeds to discuss justice in the already founded city. He claims that the founded city is completely virtuous and good and hence it is courageous, wise, just and moderate (427e). He further argues that justice will be found when the other virtues are discovered: wisdom, moderation, and courage (428a). Socrates shows that the city rulers possess the wisdom of ruling, the military possesses the courage, and moderation is found by following the structure of the city on who rules and who is ruled. Socrates further believes that the four virtues of the city are found in the individual, which he compares with the city analogous

Specific Behaviour Problems Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Essay

Specific Behaviour Problems Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - Essay Example An explanation given for this kind of disparity is the psychological view that female gender is able to learn how to direct the behaviour issues they experience and have more control over them as is opposed to males. However, the likelihood that females will still exhibit criminal behaviours after having developed ADHD is still as possible as that of the male gender. One of the most important points to note is the fact that not all people who have been diagnosed with this disorder have to develop criminal behaviours. The only thing is that the rate of this criminality occurring is higher than it is for normal children (Siegel & Senna, 2004). ADHD has been widely covered in terms of research due to the interest it has elicited in many behavioural outcomes in society. The fact that criminal practice is of greater interest to society has made this disorder receive much attention as forming the basis of explanation given to future criminal practices by these individuals that exhibited th e behaviour in their growth stages. This could be attributed to the aspect of co-morbidity that has been established with this disorder as having a link to other external behaviours (Johansson, et al., 2005). This paper takes a critical look at ADHD, its implications for schools and schooling environment, intervention measures, and how this behaviour is likely to be applied in the current and future educational practices (Ghodsian-Carpey & Baker, 1987). Review on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Some form of dysfunctions in the brain or abnormalities on the cerebral structures does affect people leading to them experiencing explosive rage which could be in form of violence episodes. Such explosive rage is thought to cause antisocial behaviour. The ADHD levels in children who pose antisocial behaviours in class have been established to be higher. In addition to that, ADHD has been linked to some conditions known to be risk factors in carrying out offenses, and they cou ld be exhibited as neuropsychological deficits, poor cognitive and academic skills, defiance, aggression, psychological problems, and truancy (Moffitt, 1993). Indeed a real cause of ADHD has not been fully established and all the explanations available are merely based on some intuitions derived from known biological and psychological developments (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Many think it is as a result of chemical imbalance within the central nervous system which is caused by exposure to certain environmental factors such as exposure to toxin at pregnancy, additives taken in food and allergies, including reactions to sugar, caffeine and other foods and colourings, or genetic factors. For those in favour of biochemical imbalance explanation, they pose that this results from a neurotransmitter deficiency and where this imbalance is not treated, such a child develops and shows maladaptive behaviours and these could be followed by long periods of emotional and physical pr oblems (Reiss, 1997). The most common way of identifying ADHD is observing a student in the way he or she behaves. This student will have difficulties in being attentive in class, could be very active and thus hyperactivity, or may carry out an action before thinking, a condition known as impulsivity (Babinski, et

Corporate Governance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Corporate Governance - Essay Example Must have the capability and is responsible for individual decision-making Each director must execute calculated and independent judgment in his or her decision making process. Must be able to exercise concern, meticulousness and dexterity In the duties executed by the directors, the directors have the responsibility of exercising significant concern, dexterity and meticulousness. The aspects of ‘significant concern, dexterity and meticulousness’ are weighed according to what is generally expected from a person performing the role of a director. It is also weighed as per the experience, skill and general knowledge of the individual director (Mallin, 2010). Must never accept benefits from third parties. Benefits from third parties can give rise to conflict of interest and make an impact (or affect) on the company. Therefore, Directors must never accept such benefits. Must declare interest in proposed transaction. If a director has a personal interest in the companyâ€℠¢s proposed transaction, then the details of the particular of the interest must be declared to the other directors before the transaction or arrangement takes place. Must act honestly towards the company and must act only within the powers sanctioned to him and use the same only for purposes which would be beneficial to the organisation. Must take charge of all meetings of the Board when a Chairman is not present, and review plans, agendas and information that are sent to the Board for Board meetings and check on the meeting schedules to assure that there is enough time for discussion of all agenda items. Must serve as liaison between the independent Directors and the Chairman of the Board. Must monitor the self evaluations of the Directors in coordination with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Rights and Responsibilities of the board of directors at the Collective level Primary decision-making body of the company are the board of directors (Hopt & Wymeersch, 1997) . The collective responsibility of all aspects of the company is on the board of directors. The various activities of the company that the board of directors are responsible are: To establish and maintain the company’s motto that can otherwise be categorised as vision, mission, and values. To have full and effective control of the company To establish its structure, strategy, and risk profile by identifying and monitoring key risks and making sure that the company has the necessary control systems to manage risk within permissible levels. To ensure compliance by the company with all laws and regulations and must delegate authority to management, and monitor the execution of the company’s plans – strategic, tactical and operational moves. To responsible and accountable to all the stakeholders of the company which include, shareholder, employees, customers, clients, etc. Be transparent while communicating to the shareholders and explain on the details of resolutio ns that are to be passed at the

Fast Food Restaurants are Responsible for Obesity in U.S Research Paper

Fast Food Restaurants are Responsible for Obesity in U.S - Research Paper Example Moreover, it has been noted that the fast-food sector attracts the middle class by locating restaurants along highways and offering foods that attract a large number of Americans. Lower prices, free toys and convenience target the middle class particularly those who are budget-conscious (Strom, 2011). Furthermore, advertisements for fast-food restaurants are normally immensely appealing and thus attract many customers to visit the restaurants in order to get the deliciously served foods they see on advertisements. As a result, these people are likely to visit the restaurant frequently due to increasing appeals the advertisers pose. Even-though, it is clear that fast foods are to some extent responsible for Obesity in America, the restaurants are not responsible for notifying the public about the risks because people are free to make their decisions concerning what to eat or not. Research has shown that working class persons visit fast foods more often than the rich people do. This means that these people are learned and; therefore, they are aware of the dangers of consuming fast foods. In addition, one can argue that Obesity does not result solely from eating fast foods; it can result from cigarette smoking, and lack of exercise. Strom, S. (November 30, 2011)Toys Stay in San Francisco Happy Meals, for a Charge. The New York Times. Retrieved from

Business Structures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Business Structures - Essay Example Sole proprietorship is a business structure run by one person. As such, the major advantages of a sole proprietorship are that the owner has full control of the business and does not share the profits with anyone. This type of business structure is also advantageous since decision making is faster as the owner makes all the decisions affecting the business without having to get anyone’s approval. Additionally, sole proprietorship is the simplest business venture to start as there are not many legal requirements. Nevertheless, sole proprietorships also have certain disadvantages, which a business entrepreneur must consider. Firstly, the sole proprietor bears all the liabilities of the business, which is disadvantageous. Additionally, raising capital for business expansion may be difficult. Partnership is a business structure formed by two or more individuals. A partnership may come in two forms: general and unlimited liability. Limited liability partnership is that which protects owners from liabilities arising out of the business failure. In this regard, in case a business fails, limited liability partners are only liable to the creditors to the extent of the capital contributed. This implies that creditors cannot claim the private properties of the partners in case of business failure, which is advantageous. Secondly, partnerships are advantageous in that management is shared among all partners. Thirdly, partners are only taxed personal earnings. Additionally, partnerships are advantageous since it is easy to raise capital for business expansion as each member ploughs in capital in the business. Partnerships are, however, disadvantageous since profits are shared among partners. Secondly, decision making might be time consuming due to differences in opinions among pa rtners (Films for Humanities & Sciences, 2011). The video also discusses quite a number of corporate structures, including general corporations, subchapter S

Critical Thinking Assignment Part Two Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Critical Thinking Part Two - Assignment Example The phenomenon of interest for the study appears to be risk of reoccurrence of cancer in cancer survivors 4. Abstract: The essential contents of the research are included in the abstract. The research question, focus methods, analysis, and major findings were summarized in the abstract: Background: Recent research shows that cancer survivors are at greater risk of developing cancer than the general population. Although recommended, many cancer survivors receive no regular cancer screening. Cancer survivors’ perceptions of their second cancer risk are, in part, suspected to influence their participation in cancer screening. Objective: This study was conducted to explore how cancer survivors define and interpret second cancer risk. Methods: An interpretive descriptive approach was taken whereby semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 cancer survivors (16 women and 6 men) drawn from a provincial cancer registry. The sample ranged in age from 19 to 87 years. The cancer h istory of the participants varied. Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method of data analysis. Results: The overall theme, ‘‘life after cancer living with risk,’’ described cancer survivors’ sense that risk is now a part of their everyday lives. Two themes emerged from the data that speak to how cancer survivors lived with second cancer risk: (1) thinking about second risk and (2) living with risk: a family affair. Conclusions: Effective risk communication to support the decisions made by cancer survivors with respect to cancer screening is warranted. Implications for Practice: Study results provide foundational knowledge about the nature of second cancer risk that may be used to develop and refine standards for survivorship care including how second cancer risk can be best managed. 5. The Research Problem: The research problem is to determine how cancer survivors define and interpret second cancer risk (488). The question objectives a re clearly identified: to understand the risk of second cancer and be able to communicate that risk to a cancer survivor in an effective manner. The rationale for selecting the significance of the problem is clearly identified. According to the study, there is a lack of information regarding cancer risk among cancer survivors. Performing a study that analyzes this risk helps cancer survivors understand their risk of reoccurrence better. While no independent or dependent variables were identified, the study was carefully outlined by the author to include sample size, age range, and data collection methods. Operational definitions of terms were provided for a clear understanding of the study. A person-centered, open-ended interviewing approach was used when the participants were interviewed (489). 6. Review of Literature: Review of the literature is not relevant to the study, because there have been no conclusive studies in the past involving cancer survivors and their risk. The relat ionship of the problem to previous research is clear. The authors use statistics about the possibility of reoccurrence to provide a baseline for their own research. Primary sources are used, since the authors cited 19 other sources when writing their article. Secondary sources are not used, only primary sources. The range of years for the review of the literature is from 1999 to 2010. The authors clearly identify what is known and not known about the phenomenon of interest, and use that information as a baseline for th

Environmental Education Essay Example for Free

Environmental Education Essay Environmental education and play in Swedish and Australian early childhood curriculum. Environmental education and play are two important facets of both Swedish and Australian early childhood curriculum. Sandberg and Arlemalm-Hagser (2011) provide us with an overview of the Swedish curriculum, the current landscape of environmental education and the place of play in environment curriculum. An Australian perspective is demonstrated by Edwards and Cutter-Mackenzie who examines domestic responses to environment curriculum in early childhood settings and the importance of play in this context. A synthesis of both accounts provides us with an overview of environmental education across the two nations and the way in which place of play in the curriculum. Sandberg and Arlemalm-Hagser (2011) argue that Swedish early childhood education is influenced by sociocultural theory with a child-centred focus. Values of Swedish society are transmitted through the curriculum with sustainable development featured. Children are stakeholders because they are citizens and future leaders. Learning for sustainable development is implemented via the Pedagogical Programme for the Preschool which was adopted in 1987 which aims to promote environmental awareness. A key difference between the Swedish and Australian stances on environmental education is that Swedish curriculum explicitly refers to the concept as â€Å"learning for sustainable development† while the Australian documents use terminology such as â€Å"environmental education. † Sweden makes it clear that the purpose of environmental education is to equip children with tools and dispositions to address sustainability as adults. The Australian perspective may appear to have more emphasis on biodiversity and appreciation of outdoor environments, however Edwards and Cutter-Mackenzie point out that sustainability is dealt with through one indicator of the EYLF’s Learning Outcome Two which states: † (children) develop an awareness of the impact of human activity on environments and the interdependence of living things† (DEEWR, 2009, p. 29). For both Sweden and Australia, play permeates early childhood curriculum and is the basis for learning and development. Play can advance problem solving skills, and provide opportunities to practice creative instincts (Sandberg Arlemalm-Hagser, 2011). With regards to environmental education, both articles point out that many opportunities for environmental education take place during play activities in the outdoor. For Sandberg and Arlemalm-Hagser (2011), the principle of pleasure creates a joyful learning environment where the children are actively engaged. Similarly, Edwards and Cutter-Mackenzie highlight the uniquely Australian environment can be used to engage children with nature. For Edwards and Cutter-Mackenzie, play and environment education in Australia are two key features of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations , 2009). The EYLF presents play as a pedagogical tool for connecting learning and environment involves children’s learning spaces. Play in the outdoors is highlighted and educators are encouraged to use the Australian learning environment to offer children groundwork for lifelong environmental education. Also, play develops social skills. Through play, friend making and social interactions take place. â€Å"Children become conscious of themselves through others† (Sandberg Arlemalm-Hagser, 20011, p45) and play promotes awareness of society as children grow to see themselves in relation to others, and as part of a group. Edwards and Cutter Mackenzie suggest that social skills can be developed through play as children begin to take moral standpoints. This dynamic relationship building and social experimentation can, as Mead (1995, in Sandberg Arlemalm-Hagser, 2011) suggests, lay the fundamental groundwork integral for a child’s development. In conclusion, both Swedish and Australian early childhood curriculum approaches environmental education in similar ways. While there are differences in terminology and focus, a key aspect of successful early childhood education is a consideration of context and making curriculum relevant. This accounts for the contrast in environmental education approaches. Play is seen as significant across both nations and creates a pleasurable learning experience that children can actively engage and learn in. In the future, it is likely that a global trend to environmentalise early childhood curriculum will develop as educators see a growing need to develop sustainable thinkers for the future. References: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. (2009). Belonging, Being Becoming. The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia. Canberra, ACT: Commonwealth of Australia. Edwards, S. and Cutter-Mackenzie, A. , (2011). Environmentalising early childhood education curriculum through pedagogies of play. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood; v. 36 n. 1 p. 51-59; Retrieved from http://search. informit. com. au/fullText;dn=185912;res=AEIPT ISSN: 1836-9391. Mead, H. G. (1995). Mind, Self and Society. From the standpoint of a social behaviorist. Lund: Argos. (Cited in Sandberg Arlemalm Hagser, et. al. ) Sandberg, A. and Arlemalm-Hagser, E. , (2011). The Swedish National Curriculum : play and learning with fundamental values in focus. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood; v. 36 n. 1 p. 44-50; March 2011. Retrieved from http://search. informit. com. au/fullText;dn=185911;res=AEIPT ISSN: 1836-9391. Tysan Allen: 43053157 ECH120.

Effect of Blow Moulding on Bottle Weight and Dimensions

Effect of Blow Moulding on Bottle Weight and Dimensions Abstract Blow moulding, which is also called blow forming, is a manufacturing process for production of hollow-form plastic products. The present report is intended to deal with the effect on bottle weight, bottle dimensions and machine output of the various process factors. By reference to Rheological properties of plastics, the correlation between the share rate and screw speed, melt temperature, die swell, bottle thickness were discussed. Also, the influences of elongational viscosity were suggested. 1. Introduction Blow moulding, also known as blow forming, is a process used to produce hollow productions by â€Å"blowing† thermoplastic molten tube into the shape of a mould cavity. Generally, blow moulding can be divided into three main types including stretch blow moulding, injection blow moulding, and extrusion blow moulding. In this experiment, extrusion blow moulding was studied to examine the effects of process variables on bottle weight, bottle dimensions and machine output. In extrusion blow moulding, plastic particles are melted into fluid with heat applied. Then the melt plastic is extruded through a die, forming a hollow tube, which is usually called a parison. After that, the parison is captured by closing it around a mould. Next, air is pumped in to the parison when the ends of the parison keeps sealed at the mould parting line during forming. The parison deforms, forming a shape very closed to the mould. The mould is opened after the component is well cooled. Finally the component is ejected and the procedures are repeated. More and more products are made. In this experiment the plastic particles are High-density Polyethylene, the density of which ranges from 0.941 to 0.967 g/cm3. The High-density Polyethylene is preferred for production by blow moulding as it is more rigid and usually has a matt finish compared with Low-density Polyethylene. 2. Experimental Equipment Hayssen extrusion blow moulding machine Materials High density polyethylene (HDPE), Blow moulding grade, BS2581, Borealis. Procedures Firstly, HDPE particles were pumped into the hopper though a pipe. After that, the parameters of process variables and the temperatures of different zones were set according to Table 1 2, respectively. Then the machine was set in automatic mode and continuous cycle. Each group needs 10 samples, marking 1 to 10. Before the Process Variables were changed, the weight of parison extruded per unit minute was measured. Finally weight of each bottle, was measured along with thickness distribution along the length circumference. 3. Results And Discussions Experimental Results The original records including weight of bottle, bottle thickness distribution, output rate and crew speed are shown in Appendix I. In addition, the calculation of share rate and modified prison length are shown Appendix II and the general results are summarized. Experimental Discussions Influences Of Machine Variables On Bottle Weight And Dimensions Generally the bottle weight and dimensions is influenced by screw speed, melting temperature, and vent time. Screw speed. By comparing group A and group C, it is clear shown that output rate increasing with the increasing screw speed due to low viscosity and high die head pressure. By referring to the rheological properties of plastic, thickness and weight of group A should be higher than that of group C, because the higher sagging brings decreasing of weight and thickness. However, the records of the experiment do not accord with the theoretical analysis. The reason is that the machine is too old. Melting temperature. By comparing Group C and Group D, it is found that the bottles of group D are lighter and thinner than those of group C. The higher the melt temperature is, the lower the viscosity of polymer is. Lower viscosity reduces bottle weight and dimensions. Vent time. By comparing Group A and Group B, the result is that the bottles of group B are lighter and thinner than those of group A. If the vent time is too short, it will cause insufficient cooling and less sagging. Share Behaviours According to the equation ÃŽ ³= (6Q)/ (WH ²), the results of apparent share rate are given in Table 4 (all steps in calculation is shown in Appendix II). Experiments runs A B C D Shear Rate (s⠁ »Ã‚ ¹) 234.94 232.86 398.41 458.62 Table 4: Apparent shear rate Generally shear rate is related to screw speed, melt temperature, die swell and bottle thickness. Screw speed. The output rate is proportional to the screw speed. According to the equation ÃŽ ³= (6Q)/ (WH  ²), as the mean circumference (W) and die gap (H) are constant in this equation, the shear rate (ÃŽ ³) increases as output rate (Q) increases, in other words, screw speed increases. Melt temperature. The viscosity of polymer becomes lower at higher melt temperature. Lower viscosity results in high output rate (Q), which brings out a higher shear rate (ÃŽ ³). Die swell. â€Å"An increase in die swell results in a lower linear output rate. Since extrusion is usually continuous, further adjustments to the process dynamics are sometimes inevitable. Parison length sensors are available, to ease the effects of the problem†. In consequence, larger die swell results in larger output rate, which brings out larger shear rate. In one word, shear rate is proportional to die swell. Bottle thickness. Bottle thickness is related to the viscosity of polymer. Higher viscosity results in lower shear rate. So, shear rate increase as bottle thickness decrease.. Elongational Behaviours According to the equation ΔL= (Ï gtL ²)/ (2ÃŽ »), the results of Modified Parison Length are (all steps in calculation is shown in Appendix II). Experiments runs A B ΔL(mm) 0.566 0.944 Modified Parison Length (mm) 17.566 17.944 According to Table 5, it can be found that the longer the cycle time is, the longer the parison becomes. The result can be explained in this way: the parison will be elongated if more time is given under the gravity force. The elongational viscosity is influenced by molecular weight and temperature. High molecular weight and high temperature cause a decreasing of the elongational viscosity. 4. Conclusions Blow moulding is a manufacturing process for production of hollow-form plastic products. Process variables have the effects on bottle weight, bottle dimensions and machine output. Specifically, high screw speed, low melt temperature, and short vent time results in the increasing of bottle weight and thickness. High screw speed, high melt temperature, large die swell and thin bottle thickness lead to high shear rate. Longer cycle time results in larger parison length. High molecule weight and high temperature cause a decreasing of the elongational viscosity References [1] A. W. Birley, B. Haworth and J. Batchelor, Physics of plastic, Hanser, 1991 [2] Edwin G. Fisher, Blow moulding of plastics, The Plastics Institute, 1971

Capital Punishment Essay -- essays research papers fc

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Capital punishment is a method of retributive punishment as old as civilization itself. Anti-death penalty supporters argue the death penalty is unconstitutional. Capital punishment is a barbaric remnant of an uncivilized society. It is immoral in principle, and unfair, and discriminatory in practice. It assures the execution of some innocent people. As a remedy for crime, it has no purpose and no effect. The arguments against capital punishment are many and cogent.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Capital punishment is irrevocable, and the errors of justice cannot be rectified. All possibility of reconsideration is taken away. Innocent persons have been hanged, and judge, jury, and the legal machinery involved have thereby been made a privy to the very crime they sought to punish. The only way to destroy a criminal is by reforming the man who is a criminal. To destroy a criminal is by reforming the man who is a criminal. To destroy his bodily life is nothing but a stupid blunder.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The strongest argument against using capital punishment for retributive purposes, is the argument that capital punishment is cruel and unusual punishment. The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution, condemning cruel and unusual punishment, is used to protest capital punishment. Officials often defend this punishment as not being cruel and unusual, but how can they defend this opinion in the case of John Evans, who was executed by electrocution in 1983? According to witnesses at the scene, Mr. Evans was given three charges of electrocution over a period of fourteen minutes. After the first and second charges, Mr. Evans was still conscious and smoke was coming from all over his body as a result of flesh burning. An official there even tried to stop the execution on account of it being cruel and unusual punishment, but was unsuccessful. Witnesses later called the whole incident a â€Å"barbaric ritual.† Studies show that in this century at least four-hundred innocent people have been convicted of capital crimes that they did not commit, and of those four-hundred, twenty-three were executed. The wrongful execution of an innocent person is an injustice that can never be rectified. Maybe the punishment would not be as bad if there was absolute surety that the person the jury was putting on death row was guilty, but as most... ...nbsp;  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ten Commandments radio program delivered in the early 90's.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Gross, R. and Robert Mauro. Death and Discrimination.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Northeastern University Press, 1989   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Bohm, Robert M.. ed. The Death Penalty in America: Current Research.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Anderson Publishing Co., 1991   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Radelet, Michael L. ed. Facing the Death Penalty.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Temple University Press, 1989 Capital Punishment Essay -- essays research papers fc   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Capital punishment is a method of retributive punishment as old as civilization itself. Anti-death penalty supporters argue the death penalty is unconstitutional. Capital punishment is a barbaric remnant of an uncivilized society. It is immoral in principle, and unfair, and discriminatory in practice. It assures the execution of some innocent people. As a remedy for crime, it has no purpose and no effect. The arguments against capital punishment are many and cogent.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Capital punishment is irrevocable, and the errors of justice cannot be rectified. All possibility of reconsideration is taken away. Innocent persons have been hanged, and judge, jury, and the legal machinery involved have thereby been made a privy to the very crime they sought to punish. The only way to destroy a criminal is by reforming the man who is a criminal. To destroy a criminal is by reforming the man who is a criminal. To destroy his bodily life is nothing but a stupid blunder.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The strongest argument against using capital punishment for retributive purposes, is the argument that capital punishment is cruel and unusual punishment. The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution, condemning cruel and unusual punishment, is used to protest capital punishment. Officials often defend this punishment as not being cruel and unusual, but how can they defend this opinion in the case of John Evans, who was executed by electrocution in 1983? According to witnesses at the scene, Mr. Evans was given three charges of electrocution over a period of fourteen minutes. After the first and second charges, Mr. Evans was still conscious and smoke was coming from all over his body as a result of flesh burning. An official there even tried to stop the execution on account of it being cruel and unusual punishment, but was unsuccessful. Witnesses later called the whole incident a â€Å"barbaric ritual.† Studies show that in this century at least four-hundred innocent people have been convicted of capital crimes that they did not commit, and of those four-hundred, twenty-three were executed. The wrongful execution of an innocent person is an injustice that can never be rectified. Maybe the punishment would not be as bad if there was absolute surety that the person the jury was putting on death row was guilty, but as most... ...nbsp;  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ten Commandments radio program delivered in the early 90's.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Gross, R. and Robert Mauro. Death and Discrimination.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Northeastern University Press, 1989   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Bohm, Robert M.. ed. The Death Penalty in America: Current Research.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Anderson Publishing Co., 1991   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Radelet, Michael L. ed. Facing the Death Penalty.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Temple University Press, 1989

Conservative Legislation and Trade Union Power Essay -- Essays Papers

Conservative Legislation (during the 1980s and early 1990’s) and Trade Union Power Trade Unions can be defined as: ‘ Organisations of workers set up to improve the status, pay and conditions of employment of its members’. Salaman, ‘Industrial Relations’, P77 From the end of the second world war, and up until the 1970’s trade unionism was continually growing. By 1979, 57.3% of all people employed were members of trade unions. Annual abstract Statistics, 1990, ‘Industrial relations’, M.P. Jackson, 1991, P57 ‘Trade unionism may be seen as a social response to industrialisation and capitalism’ Salaman, Industrial relations, P79 In the early days of trade unionism, there was a direct need for workers to be represented, in areas such as manufacturing, there were little channels of communication and as a result of this workers had little or no representation. The collective bargaining approach, is a system used by trade unions to regulate industrial conflict. If conflict arises, the collective bargaining approach allows the trade unions to come together in a public forum to discuss any conflicting issues. The collective barganing approach in Trade Unionism assumes that the Trade Union is bargaining for the collective group rather than individuals. The collective bargaining group is given the opportunity to resolve any conflicting issues and in some cases but not all can prevent disputes from occurring. Harbison concludes that collective bargaining ‘Provides a drainage channel for worker dis satisfaction’ Harbison in Industrial Relations, M.P.Jackson In 1970, Britain saw the return of the Conservative government under the power of Edward Heath. After the minors strike, the Conservative government lost power and Britain reverted back to a Labour government. After the ‘winter of discontent’ in 1979, Britain once again saw the return of the Conservative government, however this time it was under the power of Margaret Thatcher. Previous to Margaret Thatcher, the government had always seen their main focus to be the achievement of ‘full employment’, a solution which in times of 1979 could prove somewhat impossible. The new Conservative government saw their future, as one of creating more jobs and encouraging greater success in competitive product markets, this was in an attempt to achieve full employment. The main priority of the new Conservati... ...strial Relations in Britain Edited by: Geoge Sayers Bain Published : 1983 Basil Blackwell Publisher Ltd, Oxford 2. The Origins of British Industrial Relations By: Keith Burgess Published: 1979 Croom Helm Ltd, London 3. The Free Economy and the Strong State- The Politics of Thatcher, second edition By: Andrew Gamble Published: 1994 MacMillan Press Ltd, Hampshire 4. Contemporary British Industrial Relations By: S Kessler & F Bayliss Published: 1988 MacMillan Press Ltd, London 5. Human Resource Maanagement Rhetorics and Realities By: Karen Legge Published: 1995 MacMillan Press Ltd, Hampshire 6. Workplace Industrial Relations in Transition By: Millard et al. Published: 1997 Dartmouth Publishing Co., Aldershot 7. Industrial Relations in the Future By: Poole et al. Published: 1984 Routledge & Kegon Paul Plc, London 8. Human Resource Management: A Strategic Introduction, second edition By: G Salaman & C Maby Published: 1988 Blackwell, Oxford 9. Industrial Relations: Theory & Practice By: Micheal Salaman Published: Prentise & Hall, Hemel Hamstead

Outsourcing and on-Demand Computing

Outsourcing and on-demand computing are two of the fastest emerging business tactics in the industry today. In outsourcing, businesses contract out certain services to an outside provider or manufacturer, often overseas. On-demand computing is similar to outsourcing only here businesses contract out their computing resources, such as computation and storage, rather than an actual business services. The computing is tracked as a metered service, similar to physical public utility such as electricity, water, natural gas, or telephone network. In either case, some piece of the company is broken off and run by an outside source. Organizations can outsource any aspect of their information system, including hardware maintenance and management, software development, database systems, networks and telecommunications, Internet and intranet operations, hiring and staffing, and the development of procedures and rules regarding the information system† (Stair, 348). For the most part, outsourcing and on-demand computing have had a positive financial impact on US businesses. They are able to â€Å"reduce costs, obtain state-of-the art technology, eliminate staffing and personnel problems, and increase technological flexibility† (Stair, 348). However, from a consumer standpoint, there has been much controversy over these tactics. For example, many believe that by outsourcing services to foreign companies for cheaper rates, businesses are damaging the local labor markets. Often times there are language barriers making communication difficult between consumers and foreign workers conducting companies’ services. Staff â€Å"turnover is higher under an outsourcer and key company skills may be lost with retention outside of the control of the company† (http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Outsourcing). Qualifications of outsourced staff are often well under those of actual business employees and because they haven’t been trained under the original company, they also often lack company knowledge and fail to realize the business’s values. All of these factors can be very frustrating for a consumer trying to conduct unfinished business with a company whom they have already finalized a purchase with. I speak from experience when I say this as well. I purchased a laptop computer from Dell in December of 2006 and was sent a defective mouse. I have YET to be issued a correctly working, adaptable piece of equipment and have spent hours  on the phone with their ‘customer service’ representatives who are based in India and barely speak English. The connections are horrible, we can’t understand each other, I have never spoken with the same representative, and have been told something different every time I have called. Because of this experience alone, I will never again purchase anything from Dell and have started asking companies if their services are outsourced before making purchases from them. So in discussing the impact outsourcing and on-demand computing are having on the economy, I think the effects are positive for the businesses up front, but I think if this trend continues, organizations may start to lose clients who, like myself, have become extremely frustrated in dealing with outsourced services. On the flip side of that, if the trend continues and more companies get on board with these tactics, this may be the way of business in the future. I certainly hope not though!

Analysis of the Sam Shepard’s Play Buried Child Essay

In my paper I am going to analyze one of the Sam Shepards play. Its name sounds depressive but it completely fulfils the main idea of the play – Buried Child. From the information I read about the author I deduced that he wrote it on the basis of his own personal experience in his childhood. Sam Shepard grew up on the farm in California and was a member of a broken family because his father was an alcoholic. The play was firstly produced in the year 1978. From this and from the story itself implies my presumption that the whole story is set in the 1970’s when the USA was in a hard economic situation caused by the war in Vietnam. To be more concrete it is set in Illinois on the farm where nothing grow anymore. I think that only through the description of the characters you would be able to see the main points of why I titled my work American Nightmare. Dodge is supposed to be the head of the family but he is broken by things that happened in the past. He is an old dying man and he is paranoiac but he has a reason to be. He is considered poor man whom doesn’t like even his family. He failed in building his American Dream because his family is no more working and the farm he built up many years ago is left without any interest. He left everything after the biggest secret of the family happened. He killed his wife’s son but not without reason, as his son Tilden in the play says, â€Å"He said he had his reasons . . . He’s the only one who knows where it’s buried.† (Shepard 104) The reasons I found out in the text were that she, Halie, had the baby with another man. There are some hints which led me to think that the man might have been Tilden, her own son. Then it would have been much worse because the act of incest is totally against the modern society. We don’t know the background, how everything happened, if Halie was raped by her son or he was seduced by his mother. Nevertheless killing the baby was no solution because the family fell apart anyway. Halie, the only women in the family, is the one who tries to have a normal life but it is full of hypocrisy and fear of that other will find out the family secret. Interesting is that even though Dodge killed her son she lives and communicates with him like nothing happened. Even though it is obvious that she is having an affair with a Protestant minister Father Dewis. This is also an irony because he should be a symbol of temperate life. Instead of that he drinks alcohol and seduces women. In the play I feel that the fear  of not being relieved have everyone in the family. They made a deal that they won’t talk about the past and they are hoping that they will simply forget. Halie’s only light in the life was her son Ansel who was murdered in a motel room after m arrying a Catolic Italian girl. Halie hated that girl from the beginning and she argued that she was a â€Å"Devil incarnate† (Shepard 74). Ansel had no time to go bad so he looks like an ideal son in Halies eyes. She is so obsessed with him that she wants to unveil his statue. She remembers him as a son who played basketball and was a soldier, a hero, an All-American. In her monologues then we can find the importance of doing some sport in youth and being a Protestant. The character of Tilden is very interesting and mysterious for me. He is the oldest son and he was supposed to take care of the family, the parents, which is matter of fact in the American Dream (children should take care of their parents). Nevertheless he got into trouble somewhere in New Mexico, maybe he was kept in prison, because he returned back to his parents’ house after 20 years completely broken, especially mentally. His liberty had to be taken away from him because in one of his monologues about driving he described how it was like to have a car, which is also one of the symbols of American independence: I drove all day long sometimes. Across the desert . . . I drove past towns. Anywhere. Past palm trees. Lightning. Anything I would drive through it. I would drive through it and I would stop and I would look around and I would drive on . . . There was nothing I loved more. Nothing I dreamed of was better than driving. (Shepard 102) Freedom is defined in American Ways as â€Å"the desire and the right of all individuals to control their own destiny without outside interference from the government† (Datesman, Crandall, Kearny 33) and exactly this was in Tilden’s life broken. He was in prison and he is under the control of his parents now. Also his brother Bradley is not independent due to the accident where he lost his leg. With the character of Bradley I connected one question: Why he could live and the other baby not? Because from the story it is obvious that Bradley also isn’t Dodges son. The only solution I have is that the murdered baby really had to be a birth from incest. The only light in the story, at least at the beginning, is Shelly. She came to visit his boyfriends grandparents house and she had the typical American,  that means ideal, image of how it would be like: â€Å"I thought it was going to be turkey dinners and apple pie and all that kinda stuff.† (Shepard 91) Obviously she was confused from all these people in the house and she was the one who forced them to talk about things. Nevertheless it was to much for her and she left the house and her boyfriend Vince. To be honest there were some symbols in the play I didn’t understand. For example the act of symbolic Dodges burying on the end of the two acts. The only thing that came up my mind was that his sons blame him from everything and they think that killing the baby was the main reason why the family fall apart. In my opinion that’s not true because each member of that family has his own guilt. Another mystery for me is the character of Vince, Tilden’s son. I didn’t get the message of his character especially at the end of the play where, after Dodge is dead, he puts on Dodges cap and lay down on the couch, totally out of his mind. Maybe he was so shocked and ashamed of the family secret that he just adopted to the fact and started to live the same life as his grandfather lived. The play perfectly describes the opposite of the American Dream which is the life goal of most Americans and it also shows what a big difference is â€Å"between idealism and reality.† (Datesman, Crandall, Kearny 34)

Gambling casino Essay

Companies in the gambling industry include those that offer gambling or gaming activities. These may be casinos, casino resorts and hotels, betting and lottery companies. Though legally restricted by many governments all over the world, gambling industries are a major source of revenue to the government. The gambling industry has also helped in eradicating unemployment as it has created new job opportunities and often with higher wages. Major gambling companies in this industry globally are MGM Resorts, William Hill, Caesars Entertainment and Las Vegas Sands among others. The gambling industry is one of the most competitive and risky industries all over the globe. The demand for gambling is influenced by consumer income growth and state spending (â€Å"Hoovers†, n. d). Effective operations and marketing strategies of individual companies in this industry determines the profit rates and levels of the companies. Large gambling operators in this industry can be able to make large investments in gambling facilities and efficient computer operations, and are also exposed to cross-marketing opportunities (â€Å"Hoovers†, n. d). Small gambling operators, on the other hand, are not well exposed like the large gambling operators. They operate in their local areas and centers where the locals may not afford travel to major gambling facilities. SWOT Analysis Strengths The gambling industry has distribution and sales network that enable them to reach everybody. These networks allow the firms to distribute their products and services effectively. The management in the gambling industry is growing as the employees are receiving training. Lower costs in products lead to higher profits to the gambling industry. Technology acts in favor of the gambling industry as they enable them meet the needs of their customers (Jueves, 2013). THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY 3 Unique products of the gambling industries enable them to differentiate themselves for their competitors. High tax and fee to start gambling companies enables the strong to survive in this industry and kills unnecessary competition. Bigger companies tend to have more resources than their minorities making them to pursue new markets and secure themselves against rivals. Weakness The industry is marked by inefficiencies in work as the goods and services are not being utilized properly. Online presence by these companies is important displaying their information and products to customers. Most of the gambling companies are not present online and those that are present do not have proper websites. Supply chains that are weak tend to delay arrival of consumer’s products in gambling spots. Opportunities The gambling companies can take a step and manipulate the online market where most of the customer base is found nowadays. This enables the companies to expand. New products and services can enable the companies to increase their customer base. Gambling companies can tap the untouched markets available in other countries that do not have or have fewer gambling facilities. Threats A strike by workers and the government’s requirements of the industry’s participants to increase the income of their employees tends to act as a threat to the industry. Increased income leads to reduced profits by the firms. Government regulations against the industry is also a big threat to the companies. Rising companies within the industry act as threat as they pose stiff competition. A shift of customers’ taste from one company to another lead to losses. THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY 4 STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES ?Distribution and sales network that exist. ?Potential strong management. ?Monetary assistance is guaranteed. ?Cost advantages. ?Technology. ?Unique products. ?Barriers to entry of market. ?Domestic market. ?Size advantages. ?Work inefficiencies. ?Online presence ?Supply chains that are weak ?Lack of scale as cost per unit of output is quite high. ?Structure of cost that are high compared to competitors. OPPORTUNITIES THREATS ?Online market. ?New products ?New services ?Increasing income levels ?International expansion. ?Venture capital ?Increment in labor costs ? Currency tends to make gambling investment complicated. ?Regulations from the government ?Fast rising competition and lower profitability. ?Tax charges. ?Business risks from external environment. Every customer and guest that goes to gambling spots or facilities always looks to have an exceptional experience. An experience that keeps them coming to this facilities even if they will always leave with little money than they came in with. This therefore calls for good customer service and innovativeness in the way the customers are treated. Change in the gambling industry is difficult. Customers do not want to play new games or gamble on new things that they have no knowledge of. This aspect is the same to everybody as no person is open to change unless it is a major or there is some good reason to change (Baird, 2002). Due to this, when managers in gambling facilities try to develop a new customer service culture among employees, it fails or does not happen quickly. Change in gambling facilities takes THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY 5 a high repetition level and people need to be interested in it. Therefore for customers to adapt to new changes and like them, the gambling facilities owners should make the change to be very interesting to both the employees and consumers. Trained employees in gambling facilities are an important asset. Most gambling facilities choose the best candidates to fill in their empty job positions but fail to train them on how to handle customers and heighten their experience in the gambling facilities. Gambling facilities should invest in training programs for their employees so that customers get to experience good customer service. Hiring and firing of employees’ wastes a lot of time and funds, and many gambling facilities do this (Baird, 2002). The training programs should be involving and fun for the employees being trained for them to grasp every aspect of the program. Good training program translates to good customer service and great customer satisfaction which is good for business. Improving retention strategies for consumers in gambling is one area that needs improvement. If these strategies are improved, the gamblers’ lifetime value and loyalty is increased and guaranteed. Improving the efficiency of customer service is one such strategy. The gamblers can also be motivated by boosting their confidence. Customer experience can also be advanced by introducing mobile applications and social media platforms that allow the gamblers and the gambling joint owners to interact. This boosts the confidence of the customers and encourages them to visit the gambling joints whether physically or through online services. The gambling industry has its own strategic evaluation marked with its own goals and objectives. The industry has recommendations on gambling research methods, ways to educate and prevent harm to gamblers and treatment. Within the gambling industry, research is being THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY 6 done to identify and minimize the risks and harms associated with high stake, high prize gaming machines and support for harm prevention strategies and projects (â€Å"Responsible Gambling†, 2012). The following are the goals for gambling industries via their strategic evaluation: creating public awareness to the general public mass of the potential and associated risks with gambling. This is by informing the mass about the problem of gambling issues and helping them know responsible gambling and making them aware of ways to make healthy choices. This is through education and training. Another goal is to deliver gambling in a manner that promotes responsible gambling and informed choices among gamblers and potential gamblers. This is can be backed up by developing policies that encourage responsible gambling and improving the skills and knowledge about responsible gambling among gamblers. Finally, the industry tries to provide treatment and support to those gamblers impacted by the problem of gambling (â€Å"Ministry of Public Safety†, 2011). Barriers to effective strategic evaluation in the gambling industry include; high taxes that gambling companies are charged by the government, intense competition and the rising labor costs. High taxes levied against the industries tend to make it hard for the companies to make their evaluations effective as most of the money assembled is charged by the government in form of tax. Intense competition amongst the gambling companies also acts as a barrier to evaluation as some companies are facing reduced profits from losing customers. The high cost of labor tends to reduce the profit levels of the companies too. With increased labor requirement for growth and the increase in labor costs, gambling firms are facing a loss of some funds. With the free and global access to the internet, the gambling industry can use this medium as a way to make their strategies effective. Some industries have built platforms on the THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY 7 internet such as websites where they can reach their customers from anywhere in the world. Online gambling games can also be created. Applications that can be installed on mobile phones and computers are being developed to enable gamblers to play their favorite games on their accessories. References Hoovers. (n. d). Gambling Report Summary. Retrieved from http://www. hoovers. com/industry- facts. gambling. 1431. html Martin Baird. (2002). Seven Keys to Improving Casino Guest Service. Retrieved from http://www. urbino. net/articles. cfm? specificArticle=Seven%20Keys%20to%20Improving %20Casino%20Guest%20Service Jueves.(2013). Casinos in the World: SWOT Analysis. Retrieved from http://casinosintheworld. blogspot. com/2013/02/swot-analysis. html THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY 8 Responsible Gambling Strategy Board. (2012). Responsible gambling strategy prioritises its focus for the next three years. Retrieved from http://www. rgsb. org. uk/press- releases/responsible-gambling-strategy-prioritises-its-focus-for-the-next-three-years. html Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. (2011). B. C. ’s Responsible Gambling Strategy and Three Year Plan (2011/12 – 2013/14). Retrieved from https://www. gaming. gov. bc. ca/reports/docs/plan-rg-three-yr-2011-2014. pdf.

Different cultures have different truths Essay

â€Å"Different cultures have different truths.† â€Å"A truth is that which can be accepted universally.† What are the implications for knowledge of agreeing with these opposite statements?  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set yet free.† A powerful, simple statement, taken from the bible. The eternal struggle of mankind, however, has been to find the truth, and this has proven rather difficult. Is there, as suggested in this quote, only one truth? Or are there different truths, dependant on cultural background or society? Unfortunately, the question as it is phrased is flawed. Both statements are false, so any knowledge gained from either one is also false. Truth is not determined by how many people accept something, whether those people all belong to a single culture, or to the whole world. Truth is determined by reality, and â€Å"truth† is the quality of any statement that correctly describes any aspect of reality. If a thing is true, it does not matter if nobody accepts it, it is still true. If a thing is false, it does not matter if everybody accepts it, it is still false. Everyone in the 12th century accepted that the Crusades were for a good cause, although with historical insight we can see that they were not. Another problem with this question is that there is a difference between accepting something and believing in it. People often accept things they are told because authority tells them, or because they do not know enough to find a better answer. Many people are also willing to accept answers because they make them feel good, not because they have any basis in fact. It seems impossible to agree with both of these statements, since they are both false. If, however, we do agree with these two statements, we find that they are mutually exclusive. If we look at them logically, statement A excludes statement B and vice-versa. This means that either one of them is false, or they are both right in certain situations and wrong in others. To answer this question, we must also ask ourselves â€Å"What is truth?† If we define truth as a reality, as something that is always correct no matter what, and as something that can be accepted as fact, than the first statement is cannot be agreed with. If different cultures have different truths on the same subject, than there is no truth. Just because my culture says that the world was created by God in seven days, that does not mean it is the truth. It is what we believe, but that does not make it true. Contrarily, scientists say that we evolved from lesser beings, and that the world was created through a ‘big bang’ which created the universe. This is what they believe to be the truth: it does not mean it is. If nothing can be agreed upon, and there are differing opinions, than there is no truth. The opposite statement, that truth is something that everyone agrees with, is more valid, at least in my opinion. Everyone can agree on some things, and would consider them truths: the world is round, people should be born with two eyes, the Second World War started in 1939. That there is a group agreement on these issues, from both those who are expert on these topics and amateurs, means that we can most likely accept them as being of reality. However, this method also has drawbacks: just because everyone agrees with something does not necessarily make it true. For hundreds of years everyone agreed that the world was flat, although it is not, and with photographs to show it, it has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Each statement’s value also depends on what area of knowledge we are considering: for logic-based disciplines, like the Natural Sciences and Mathematics, there should be no differences in what is considered truth. Algebra does not change no matter what country you go to, and neither does the rotation of the earth. Although there may be religious or cultural differences concerning these truths, such as in Kansas where they banned evolution from textbooks, this does not change that the facts are still the same if you talk to people who are knowledgeable about the subject. For disciplines that are based more on perception, emotion, and language it can be much more difficult to come to a conclusion: these cannot be proven with figures and objective data. What is learned in an Ethics class is more a matter of cultural influences. People in Nigeria may believe that they have the right to stone a woman to death for adultery, while in Europe we would consider this a most improper thing to do. In Japan, it is considered rude to look a superior in the eye whist talking to them, but in America it would be considered rude to not face them. Because of these differences, it is most certainly not true to state that â€Å"Looking someone in the eye is rude.†, although that is the truth of the culture. As I said earlier, truth cannot be changed. What would be correct is to state that â€Å"In Japan, looking someone in the eye is rude.† This is true everywhere to everyone. These two statements also come from opposite schools of philosophy: those that believe in subjective truth and objective truth.  To agree with both of these statements is impossible, since they both contradict each other. Agreeing with either of them, however, is also wrong. Even if no one knows the absolute truth about something yet, that does not mean that the present answers are a suitable replacement. Truth does not change, no matter who accepts it.

Foley

Foley effects are sound effects added to the film during post production (after the shooting stops). They include sounds such as footsteps, clothes rustling, crockery clinking, paper folding, doors opening and slamming, punches hitting, glass breaking, etc. etc. In other words, many of the sounds that the sound recordists on set did their best to avoid recording during the shoot. The boom operator's Job is to clearly record the dialogue, and only the dialogue. At first glance it may seem odd that we add back to the soundtrack the very sounds the sound recordists tried to exclude.But the key word here is control. By excluding these sounds during filming and adding them in post, we have complete control over the timing, quality, and relative volume of the sound effects. For example, an introductory shot of a biker wearing a leather Jacket might be enhanced if we hear his Jacket creak as he enters the shot – but do we really want to hear it every time he moves? By adding the fole y sound fx in post, we can control its intensity, and fade it down once the dialogue begins.Even something as simple as boots on gravel can interfere with our comprehension of the dialogue if it s recorded too loudly. Far better for the actor to wear sneakers or socks (assuming their feet are off screen! ) and for the boot-crunching to be added during Foley. How is Foley Done? Foley is usually performed by Foley artists. Ideally they stand on a Foley stage (an area with a variety of possible surfaces and props) in a Foley studio (a specialized sound studio), though any post production sound studio will do with a little modification.The Foley artists can clearly see a screen which displays the footage they are to add sound fx to, and they perform their sound effects while watching this creen for timing. The actions they perform can include walking, running, Jostling each other, rubbing their clothing, handling props, and breaking objects, all while closely observing the screen to ens ure their sound fx are appropriate to the vision. Increasingly, many simple Foley sound fx are done without Foley artists – the sound effects are stored electronically and performed by the post production sound engineer on a keyboard while watching the visual.Done poorly this type of â€Å"Foley† sounds bland and repetitive, and it is nowhere near as flexible as the real thing, but t is much cheaper than renting a Foley stage and paying Foley artists to create the foley sound effects. Why do we Bother with Foley? Without Foley, a film sounds empty and hollow – the actors seem to be talking in a vacuum. The sound recordist, if they did a good Job, has given us the dialogue and excluded everything else, but our films needs more than this for the picture to come alive.We need to hear the little sounds of clothes, furniture, etc – but we need to control those sound effects so they don't obscure any of the dialogue. Another historical film seems lifeless when it is screened without sound, and adding foley to it elps bring those long dead images to life. Next time you watch a history documentary that uses silent archival footage, listen closely and you should hear at least minimal Foley sound fx, mostly footsteps, behind the narration. Foley can also be used to enhance comedy or action scenes.Watch most comedy films and you'll notice that many of the sounds are enhanced for comic effect, and sometimes the Foley sound is the Joke. As for action, most fist fghts do not involve the actors really hitting each other, and even if they did we would not be able to record a satisfying punch sound. By punching and variously molesting such objects as cabbages, celery and sides of beef, Foley artists can record unique and much more ‘realistic' action sounds. What is Foley and Why Should You Care? What is Foley and Why Should You Care?Here's everything you need to know about Foley. Foley effects are sound effects that are easier and more efficie nt to perform to picture. You project the movie in a studio and one or two people actually perform the sound effects to the picture. The sound effects are recorded live and are used in the final movie. The most common Foley sound effects are foot steps and clothing rustle. Some specific effects are actually much easier to do in Foley than cutting them individually. In Finding Forrester, there were lots of scenes with basketballs.The main character was a high school basketball player. It was much easier for us to have the Foley artists do the basketball dribbling for the movie then to sync each basketball hit by itself. Foley is used mostly when you have to deliver a foreign mix of your movie. You use Foley footsteps when you can't use the footsteps on the production recordings because you have to remove the dialog so that it can be dubbed into whatever language a particular country uses. We had the basketball effects on the dialog (or production) tracks and they were in sync.If ther e was any conversation going on during any of the dribbling, then when it came time to deliver the foreign version of the sound mix, we couldn't use any of the production basketball effects. There was dialog on it. In the case of Far From Heaven, the Todd Haynes film, Todd wanted us to do all of the Foley footsteps so they sounded like they came from a sound library that was put together in the 1950s. In fact, he wanted all of his sound to sound like it was from the 1950s and this was a studio picture. That was a challenge. Any time you do a period film it's a challenge.I had to find telephone effects with bell ringers, typewriters, and real V8 automobile engines. Most sound libraries don't have these effects anymore. And finding the real thing can be tough. As a sound designer, you learn to be resourceful trying to find some of these effects. We went out and recorded some old automobiles to get some realistic sounds of heavy old car doors closing. I mean, let's face it, a 55 Buick door certainly sounds a lot different from a Honda door. But back to Foley. If you're doing a small ndependent movie, the odds are you're not going to use much Foley.With Kicking Bird, I did all of the Foley myself with two of the effects editors, and we recorded it effects right in the editing room. I knew exactly what I needed, so I Just did the effects that were absolutely necessary. I had decided all of the running sequences would be done to music so I didn't even worry about doing footsteps for the runners. That would have driven me crazy if I had to do all of that. I Just fgured out what I needed to get the Job done and did exactly what I needed. Since I was going to be doing some f the mixing myself, and after 20 years of doing this, I knew what I needed and what I didn't.It may have passed you by, but the packaging for cornflour is changing – and, in one tiny part of the British film industry, it has created panic. Foley artists are responsible for beefing up a film's background noise – to make it sound as â€Å"real† as dialogue. For instance, they recreate the sound of a bird flapping its wings by blowing up a pair of kitchen gloves and then slapping them together in time with the action on screen. And, by squeezing paper cornflour packets tightly together, they recreate the sound of somebody walking on now. But now theyre starting to pack cornflour in tins. And tins won't do.When directors shoot a film, theyre worried about capturing the action and the actor's voice. Nothing else. Not the sound of a sword scraping against a tree, or a court shoe tiptoeing across a marble floor. Well, the sword is probably made of plastic – and the â€Å"marble† floor is probably painted plywood. So, when it comes to the edit, things don't sound like they're supposed to. Which is where the Foley artist comes in – to make the film sound â€Å"real†. A few years ago Alex Joseph, one of the countrys premier Foley uperviso rs, was asked to recreate the sound of a head being chopped off for Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven. Some people would have gone with a watermelon,† he tells me. â€Å"Or a frozen cabbage. † Instead, Joseph opted for green coconut: â€Å"The outside is fibrous. So it cuts like skin. And the hard shell sounds like bone. Inside is the Jelly, which sounds like blood. When you slice into it, it sounds Just like a human head. I imagine. † When Joseph is using organic material, he will buy or cut it on the day of recording. That's because, in the rarefied world of Foley, a plant that was picked two ays ago will sound different from one picked five days ago.For the scene in Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire, where Harry has to negotiate a living maze, Joseph says he went to great lengths to get â€Å"the sound of a privet maze and all its nuances – it had to sound alive and dangerous†. For Quantum of Solace, Joseph hired in some scaffolding and mocked u p a Tuscan roof with tiles that he bought on eBay. And, in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, he actually Jumped into a makeshift swimming pool with a sack of Nutrient Agar powder to make sure the chocolate river sounded thick enough. l was swimming about in the stuff all day,† he says. But it was very gloopy. I had to take four showers to get it all off. † Related Articles Sound of Hollywood could soon be virtual 030 Jul 2010 over 2 you 013 Jul 2005 The art of sound began in 1927 – when Universal employee Jack Foley helped turn the film studio's â€Å"silent† Show Boat into a full-on musical extravaganza. Because microphones could only pick up on dialogue, Foley had to add in the other sounds later. He projected the film onto a screen and recorded the footsteps, the movement, people. He acted out the film, all over again. Digital has made the business of Foley much easier.In the early days, the â€Å"sync† was fundamental – the sound had to m atch exactly what was going on. Now, it can be manipulated to fit. Technology has moved on, but Foley is still all about the â€Å"performance†. â€Å"A Foley artist can be playing a big brute one minute and a cute little girl the next,† says Joseph. â€Å"A footstep is not Just a footstep – it can be angry, happy, sad, confused, clumsy, slick, swaggering, light, heavy, wet, dry, young, old, male, female, slutty, sophisticated†¦ the list goes on. It's the performance that gets across the meaning to the viewers.And that performance could only ever come from the human mind. † Down a tiny lane, in the Buckinghamshire countryside, is the only studio in Britain to specialise solely in Foley. From the outside, Universal Sound looks like the home of a successful accountant. There's a swimming pool in the basement, where the audio effects for Narnia were recorded, and the sounds for the Harry Potter computer games. In the middle of the house is the heart of the operation – three studios, with bunker-thick walls. The main studio of Universal Sound looks like a student bedsit.In one corner there's a car door, eat and steering wheel. In another there's a kitchen. There's also a bathroom and a living room with a sofa. â€Å"Each Job brings a new prop,† says Foley artist Paul Hanks. And, by the looks of it, they never leave. There's a suit of armour that Hanks wore for the fantasy series Game of Thrones, while Simon Trundle, Foley mixer, hit him with a mace. Running along the wall of the studio, a Canadian miniseries is playing out in stop-start chunks. Hanks watches, and listens, picking out the important sounds.He then starts again, and records the Foley. Right now he's struggling with the sounds of able football. If this was a different project – with a different budget – he would have rented a table. Instead, he's ramming the handle of a broom into the spring mechanism of a toaster. â€Å"Too tinny,† s ays Trundle. There's no brief from the director of the Canadian miniseries. So it's up to Hanks and Trundle to decide what needs to be recorded – and how. The best Foley allows for five days to produce a 20-minute film sequence – Hanks needs to have this 50-minute episode finished today.The action culminates in a car, pulling up at speed, as a protagonist runs away. Hanks eaches for his box of â€Å"surfaces†, which contains everything from sand to gravel. He runs his suede gloves across Tarmac to recreate the sound of tyres. He then roots around in a box of shoes for â€Å"running†. He doesn't match what the protagonist is wearing on screen – they wouldn't sound right. miou don't often walk in leather-soled shoes,† says Hanks. â€Å"Theyre too click click. Desert boots are better. † Foley is the director's friend. Often more than 80 per cent of film dialogue isn't recorded â€Å"clean†.Maybe there was noise in the distance â₠¬  a car, for instance. Foley can cover that up. It can fill in blanks, too. â€Å"l remember on The Darling Buds of May,† says Hanks, â€Å"the story required there to be a horse in the stables behind the camera. But they had forgotten to film it. So they created the feeling' that there was another horse – with sound. † Foley can also be used to rectify a continuity problem. If an actor is holding a file, but then forgets to bring it back into shot, a Foley artist can insert the sound of the file being put away off camera.Joseph is in the studio next door, overseeing the Foley on Outside Bet, Bob Hoskins's latest offering. Joseph has been responsible for he Foley on a wide range of film and television. But he still finds it a weird world. You do hear some stories about people doing horrible things to vegetables. † Foley artists need imagination. â€Å"l go around Chinese supermarkets and select rather odd fruit and vegetables – things with odd te xtures,† says Joseph. He likes to use the scaly skin of a dragon fruit, for instance, as the scaly skin of a dragon. And for the floating books in Harry Potter, I went down the Charing Cross Road in London to buy a lot of antique books. A newer book Just wouldn't have made the same sound. Joseph even reworked classic Abba songs on Mamma Mia! , convincing a sceptical Benny Andersson to allow him to re-record the tunes with Foley artists cavorting in the dancers' clothes. Maybe it's because of his training as a psychologist, but Joseph is interested in subliminal messaging. â€Å"Like the way Derren Brown flashes subliminal images to tell you something. But I use sound instead. It's a bit of a dark art. And one that he's convinced will become ever more prevalent in the next few years, in computer games, for example. miou can really play with people's heads,† he says. mfou ould be implanting things that shouldn't be there. I set up characters before theyVe even appeared in a game. Bad guys make a nasty sound, so that when they run on screen, before you even hear them speak, youVe attached some psychological value to them. But you're given the information in your subconscious. † The work that Joseph is most proud of is the entire opening of Casino Royale.It's a high-energy sequence, involving Bond and a villain chasing across a mess of girders and construction materials. â€Å"Most of what dominates the soundtrack of that sequence is Foley,† says Joseph. It was quite a â€Å"literal† piece of Foley, and Joseph started by ordering four huge steel girders from a builder's merchant. It then took five Foley artists to get the girders into the studio. The team then stuck microphones onto the girders – one at each end – with microphones on two Foley artists who then â€Å"recreated† the chase sequence in the studio. It all went brilliantly,† says Joseph. â€Å"But I'm afraid the girders are still stuck in the studio. † Foley doesn't begin and end in the studio – artists like to listen out wherever they go. Which is why Joseph ended up recording his own dental ork – â€Å"l record anything that I don't have in the library. â€Å"When he was doing the Foley for Cold Mountain, the Anthony Minghella film set at the end of the American Civil War, Joseph hung out at a Wild West village near Gatwick. â€Å"As long as it was early in the morning,† he says, â€Å"before the planes started taking off. Foley is bespoke, which is why Foley artists hate the stock nature of off-the-shelf library sound effects. Take the so-called Wilhelm scream – a sound effect first used in 1951 for the film Distant Drums. It has become Hollywood's go-to shriek. It's a cinematic sound clich © – Joke among sound designers – and has now been used in well over 200 movies, including everything from Star Wars to Transformers. â€Å"If you watch 30 films,† says Jos eph, â€Å"l guarantee that you'll hear 100 sounds youVe heard before. After a while it's annoying.It's not Just the Wilhelm scream. There's a fox you hear in Just about every film – including Gladiator, in the middle of a desert, even though it's a fox from the UK. I suppose there's nothing wrong with it, but that's what I like about Foley. It's absolutely unique in every film. † ball hitting ball ball going into pocket Foley does not cover sounds like car engines, explosions or other mechanical stuff – driving a car around in the studio or blowing up a building is usually not possible although we have tried!We don't do birds, laser blasts, dog barks or rain storms either! These are the domain of the Sound FX Editor who draws upon a sampled Sound FX library and computer technology. Everything from helicopters to thunder can be layered and mixed in to an SFX track. FX Workstation While a Sound Editor can do very precise and repeatable effects, they have a harder time when it comes to footsteps for example, since every step is different and unique, he pace changes and the mood of the step is always different.With a good pair of shoes and years of practice, a Foley Artist can perform an actors walk perfectly on the first take while making it sound natural! In fact, one of the great ironies of Foley is that if you can tell it's Foley, then it isn't very good! My Job is to make the sound so real that the audience would never know it wasn't. C'est domage†¦ An Example†¦ Let's say in a scene the actor grabs his gun, walks to his motorcycle, starts it up and drives away†¦ Foley would recreate the sound of the leather Jacket and Jeans as the actor walks, ootsteps (heavy cowboy boots! , the gun pickup and handling, handlebar grab and bike moves – and maybe some key sounds as he puts them in the lock. 0 The Sound FX Editor would create the roar of the motorcycle engine starting and driving away, a tire squeal and background ambi ances (birds, wind etc. )0 In an ADR studio the actor would rerecord his line, â€Å"I'll be back†¦ â€Å", which was inaudible on location with the motorcycle engine running. The Dialogue Editor would conform the production and ADR into one. When played together, the tracks produce a seamless tapestry of sound.