Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Prelude to Foundation Chapter 14 Billibotton

DAHL-†¦ Oddly enough, the best-known aspect of this sector is Billibotton, a semi-legendary place about which innumerable tales have grown up. In fact, a whole branch of literature now exists in which heroes and adventurers (and victims) must dare the dangers of passing through Billibotton. So stylized have these stories become that the one well-known and, presumably, authentic tale involving such a passage, that of Hari Seldon and Dors Venabili, has come to seem fantastic simply by association†¦ Encyclopedia Galactica 66. When Hari Seldon and Dors Venabili were alone, Dors asked thoughtfully, â€Å"Are you really planning to see this ‘Mother' woman?† â€Å"I'm thinking about it, Dors.† â€Å"You're an odd one, Hari. You seem to go steadily from bad to worse. You went Upperside, which seemed harmless enough, for a rational purpose when you were in Streeling. Then, in Mycogen, you broke into the Elders' aerie, a much more dangerous task, for a much more foolish purpose. And now in Dahl, you want to go to this place, which that young man seems to think is simple suicide, for something altogether nonsensical.† â€Å"I'm curious about this reference to Earth-and must know if there's anything to it.† Dors said, â€Å"It's a legend and not even an interesting one. It is routine. The names differ from planet to planet, but the content is the same. There is always the tale of an original world and a golden age. There is a longing for a supposedly simple and virtuous past that is almost universal among the people of a complex and vicious society. In one way or another, this is true of all societies, since everyone imagines his or her own society to be too complex and vicious, however simple it may be. Mark that down for your psychohistory.† â€Å"Just the same,† said Seldon, â€Å"I have to consider the possibility that one world did once exist. Aurora†¦ Earth†¦ the name doesn't matter. In fact-â€Å" He paused and finally Dors said, â€Å"Well?† Seldon shook his head. â€Å"Do you remember the hand-on-thigh story you told me in Mycogen? It was right after I got the Book from Raindrop Forty-Three†¦ Well, it popped into my head one evening recently when we were talking to the Tisalvers. I said something that reminded me, for an instant-â€Å" â€Å"Reminded you of what?† â€Å"I don't remember. It came into my head and went out again, but somehow every time I think of the single-world notion, it seems to me I have the tips of my fingers on something and then lose it.† Dors looked at Seldon in surprise. â€Å"I don't see what it could be. The hand-on-thigh story has nothing to do with Earth or Aurora.† â€Å"I know, but this†¦ thing†¦ that hovers just past the edge of my mind seems to be connected with this single world anyway and I have the feeling that I must find out more about it at any cost. That†¦ and robots.† â€Å"Robots too? I thought the Elders' aerie put an end to that.† â€Å"Not at all. I've been thinking about them.† He stared at Dors with a troubled look on his face for a long moment, then said, â€Å"But I'm not sure.† â€Å"Sure about what, Hari?† But Seldon merely shook his head and said nothing more. Dors frowned, then said, â€Å"Hari, let me tell you one thing. In sober history-and, believe me, I know what I'm talking about there is no mention of one world of origin. It's a popular belief, I admit. I don't mean just among the unsophisticated followers of folklore, like the Mycogenians and the Dahlite heatsinkers, but there are biologists who insist that there must have been one world of origin for reasons that are well outside my area of expertise and there are the more mystical historians who tend to speculate about it. And among the leisure-class intellectuals, I understand such speculations are becoming fashionable. Still, scholarly history knows nothing about it.† Seldon said, â€Å"All the more reason, perhaps, to go beyond scholarly history. All I want is a device that will simplify psychohistory for me and I don't care what the device is, whether it is a mathematical trick or a historical trick or something totally imaginary. If the young man we've just talked to had had a little more formal training, I'd have set him on the problem. His thinking is marked by considerable ingenuity and originality-â€Å" Dors said, â€Å"And you're really going to help him, then?† â€Å"Absolutely. Just as soon as I'm in a position to.† â€Å"But ought you to make promises you're not sure you'll be able to keep?† â€Å"I want to keep it. If you're that stiff about impossible promises, consider that Hummin told Sunmaster Fourteen that I'd use psychohistory to get the Mycogenians their world back. There's just about zero chance of that. Even if I work out psychohistory, who knows if it can be used for so narrow and specialized a purpose? There's a real case of promising what one can't deliver.† But Dors said with some heat, â€Å"Chetter Hummin was trying to save our lives, to keep us out of the hands of Demerzel and the Emperor. Don't forget that. And I think he really would like to help the Mycogenians.† â€Å"And I really would like to help Yugo Amaryl and I am far more likely to be able to help him than I am the Mycogenians, so if you justify the second, please don't criticize the first. What's more, Dors†-and his eyes flashed angrily-â€Å"I really would like to find Mother Rittah and I'm prepared to go alone.† â€Å"Never!† snapped Dors. â€Å"If you go, I go.† 67. Mistress Tisalver returned with her daughter in tow an hour after Amaryl had left on this way to his shift. She said nothing at all to either Seldon or Dors, but gave a curt nod of her head when they greeted her and gazed sharply about the room as though to verify that the heatsinker had left no trace. She then sniffed the air sharply and looked at Seldon accusingly before marching through the common room into the family bedroom. Tisalver himself arrived home later and when Seldon and Dors came to the dinner table, Tisalver took advantage of the fact that his wife was still ordering some last-minute details in connection with the dinner to say in a low voice, â€Å"Has that person been here?† â€Å"And gone,† said Seldon solemnly. â€Å"Your wife was out at the time.† Tisalver nodded and said, â€Å"Will you have to do this again?† â€Å"I don't think so,† said Seldon. â€Å"Good.† Dinner passed largely in silence, but afterward, when the daughter had gone to her room for the dubious pleasures of computer practice, Seldon leaned back and said, â€Å"Tell me about Billibotton.† Tisalver looked astonished and his mouth moved without any sound issuing. Casilia, however, was less easily rendered speechless. She said, â€Å"Is that where your new friend lives? Are you going to return the visit?† â€Å"So far,† said Seldon quietly, â€Å"I have just asked about Billibotton.† Casilia said sharply, â€Å"It is a slum. The dregs live there. No one goes there, except the filth that make their homes there.† â€Å"I understand a Mother Rittah lives there.† â€Å"I never heard of her,† said Casilia, her mouth closing with a snap. It was quite clear that she had no intention of knowing anyone by name who lived in Billibotton. Tisalver, casting an uneasy look at his wife, said, â€Å"I've heard of her. She's a crazy old woman who is supposed to tell fortunes.† â€Å"And does she live in Billibotton?† â€Å"I don't know, Master Seldon. I've never seen her. She's mentioned sometimes in the news holocasts when she makes her predictions.† â€Å"Do they come true?† Tisalver snorted. â€Å"Do predictions ever come true? Hers don't even make sense.† â€Å"Does she ever talk about Earth?† â€Å"I don't know. I wouldn't be surprised.† â€Å"The mention of Earth doesn't puzzle you. Do you know about Earth?† Now Tisalver looked surprised. â€Å"Certainly, Master Seldon. It's the world all people came from†¦ supposedly.† â€Å"Supposedly? Don't you believe it?† â€Å"Me? I'm educated. But many ignorant people believe it.† â€Å"Are there book-films about Earth?† â€Å"Children's stories sometimes mention Earth. I remember, when I was a young boy, my favorite story began, ‘Once, long ago, on Earth, when Earth was the only planet-‘ Remember, Casilia? You liked it too.† Casilia shrugged, unwilling to bend as yet. â€Å"I'd like to see it sometime,† said Seldon, â€Å"but I mean real book-films†¦ uh†¦ learned ones†¦ or films†¦ or printouts.† â€Å"I never heard of any, but the library-â€Å" â€Å"I'll try that.-Are there any taboos about speaking of Earth?† â€Å"What are taboos?† â€Å"I mean, is it a strong custom that people mustn't talk of Earth or that outsiders mustn't ask about it?† Tisalver looked so honestly astonished that there seemed no point in waiting for an answer. Dors put in, â€Å"Is there some rule about outsiders not going to Billibotton?† Now Tisalver turned earnest. â€Å"No rule, but it's not a good idea for anyone to go there. I wouldn't.† Dors said, â€Å"Why not?† â€Å"It's dangerous. Violent! Everyone is armed.-I mean, Dahl is an armed place anyway, but in Billibotton they use the weapons. Stay in this neighborhood. It's safe.† â€Å"So far,† said Casilia darkly. â€Å"It would be better if we left altogether. Heatsinkers go anywhere these days.† And there was another lowering look in Seldon's direction. Seldon said, â€Å"What do you mean that Dahl is an armed place? There are strong Imperial regulations against weapons.† â€Å"I know that,† said Tisalver, â€Å"and there are no stun guns here or percussives or Psychic Probes or anything like that. But there are knives.† He looked embarrassed. Dors said, â€Å"Do you carry a knife, Tisalver?† â€Å"Me?† He looked genuinely horrified. â€Å"I am a man of peace and this is a safe neighborhood.† â€Å"We have a couple of them in the house,† said Casilia, sniffing again. â€Å"We're not that certain this is a safe neighborhood.† â€Å"Does everyone carry knives?† asked Dors. â€Å"Almost everyone, Mistress Venabili,† said Tisalver. â€Å"It's customary. But that doesn't mean everyone uses them.† â€Å"But they use them in Billibotton, I suppose,† said Dors. â€Å"Sometimes. When they're excited, they have fights.† â€Å"And the government permits it? The Imperial government, I mean?† â€Å"Sometimes they try to clean Billibotton up, but knives are too easy to hide and the custom is too strong. Besides, it's almost always Dahlites that get killed and I don't think the Imperial government gets too upset over that.† â€Å"What if it's an outsider who gets killed?† â€Å"If it's reported, the Imperials could get excited. But what happens is that no one has seen anything and no one knows anything. The Imperials sometimes round up people on general principles, but they can never prove anything. I suppose they decide it's the outsiders' fault for being there.-So don't go to Billibotton, even if you have a knife.† Seldon shook his head rather pettishly. â€Å"I wouldn't carry a knife. I don't know how to use one. Not skillfully.† â€Å"Then it's simple, Master Seldon. Stay out.† Tisalver shook his head portentously. â€Å"Just stay out.† â€Å"I may not be able to do that either,† said Seldon. Dors glared at him, clearly annoyed, and said to Tisalver, â€Å"Where does one buy a knife? Or may we have one of yours?† Casilia said quickly, â€Å"No one takes someone else's knife. You must buy your own.† Tisalver said, â€Å"There are knife stores all over. There aren't supposed to be. Theoretically they're illegal, you know. Any appliance store sells them, however. If you see a washing machine on display, that's a sure sign.† â€Å"And how does one get to Billibotton?† asked Seldon. â€Å"By Expressway.† Tisalver looked dubious as he looked at Dors's frowning expression. Seldon said, â€Å"And once I reach the Expressway?† â€Å"Get on the eastbound side and watch for the signs. But if you must go, Master Seldon†-Tisalver hesitated, then said-â€Å"you mustn't take Mistress Venabili. Women sometimes are treated†¦ worse.† â€Å"She won't go,† said Seldon. â€Å"I'm afraid she will,† said Dors with quiet determination. 68. The appliance store dealer's mustache was clearly as lush as it had been in his younger days, but it was grizzled now, even though the hair on his head was still black. He touched the mustache out of sheer habit as he gazed at Dors and brushed it back on each side. He said, â€Å"You're not a Dahlite.† â€Å"Yes, but I still want a knife.† He said, â€Å"It's against the law to sell knives.† Dors said, â€Å"I'm not a policewoman or a government agent of any sort. I'm going to Billibotton.† He stared at her thoughtfully. â€Å"Alone?† â€Å"With my friend.† She jerked her thumb over her shoulder in the direction of Seldon, who was waiting outside sullenly. â€Å"You're buying it for him?† He stared at Seldon and it didn't take him long to decide. â€Å"He's an outsider too. Let him come in and buy it for himself.† â€Å"He's not a government agent either. And I'm buying it for myself.† The dealer shook his head. â€Å"Outsiders are crazy. But if you want to spend some credits, I'll take them from you.† He reached under the counter, brought out a stub, turned it with a slight and expert motion, and the knife blade emerged. â€Å"Is that the largest you have?† â€Å"Best woman's knife made.† â€Å"Show me a man's knife.† â€Å"You don't want one that's too heavy. Do you know how to use one of these things?† â€Å"I'll learn and I'm not worried about heavy. Show me a man's knife.† The dealer smiled. â€Å"Well, if you want to see one-â€Å" He moved farther down the counter and brought up a much fatter stub. He gave it a twist and what appeared to be a butcher's knife emerged. He handed it to her, handle first, still smiling. She said, â€Å"Show me that twist of yours.† He showed her on a second knife, slowly twisting one way to make the blade appear, then the other way to make it disappear. â€Å"Twist and squeeze,† he said. â€Å"Do it again, sir.† The dealer obliged. Dors said, â€Å"All right, close it and toss me the haft.† He did, in a slow upward loop. She caught it, handed it back, and said, â€Å"Faster.† He raised his eyebrows and then, without warning, backhanded it to her left side. She made no attempt to bring over her right hand, but caught it with her left and the blade showed tumescently at once-then disappeared. The dealer's mouth fell open. â€Å"And this is the largest you have?† she said. â€Å"It is. If you try to use it, it will just tire you out.† â€Å"I'll breathe deeply. I'll take a second one too.† â€Å"For your friend?† â€Å"No. For me.† â€Å"You plan on using two knives?† â€Å"I've got two hands.† The dealer sighed. â€Å"Mistress, please stay out of Billibotton. You don't know what they do to women there.† â€Å"I can guess. How do I put these knives on my belt?† â€Å"Not the one you've got on, Mistress. That's not a knife belt. I can sell you one, though.† â€Å"Will it hold two knives?† â€Å"I might have a double belt somewhere. Not much call for them.† â€Å"I'm calling for them.† â€Å"I may not have it in your size.† â€Å"Then we'll cut it down or something.† â€Å"It will cost you a lot of credits.† â€Å"My credit tile will cover it.† When she emerged at last, Seldon said sourly, â€Å"You look ridiculous with that bulky belt.† â€Å"Really, Hari? Too ridiculous to go with you to Billibotton? Then let's both go back to the apartment.† â€Å"No. I'll go on by myself. I'll be safer by myself.† Dors said, â€Å"There is no use saying that, Hari. We both go back or we both go forward. Under no circumstances do we separate.† And somehow the firm look in her blue eyes, the set to her lips, and the manner in which her hands had dropped to the hafts at her belt, convinced Seldon she was serious. â€Å"Very well,† he said, â€Å"but if you survive and if I ever see Hummin again, my price for continuing to work on psychohistory-much as I have grown fond of you-will be your removal. Do you understand?† And suddenly Dors smiled. â€Å"Forget it. Don't practice your chivalry on me. Nothing will remove me. Do you understand?† 69. They got off the Expressway where the sign, flickering in the air, said: BILLIBOTTON. As perhaps an indication of what might be expected, the second ‘I' was smeared, a mere blob of fainter light. They made their way out of the car and down to the walkway below. It was early afternoon and at first glance, Billibotton seemed much like the part of Dahl they had left. The air, however, had a pungent aroma and the walkway was littered with trash. One could tell that auto-sweeps were not to be found in the neighborhood. And, although the walkway looked ordinary enough, the atmosphere was uncomfortable and as tense as a too-tightly coiled spring. Perhaps it was the people. There seemed the normal number of pedestrians, but they were not like pedestrians elsewhere, Seldon thought. Ordinarily, in the press of business, pedestrians were self-absorbed and in the endless crowds on the endless thoroughfares of Trantor, people could only survive-psychologically-by ignoring each other. Eyes slid away. Brains were closed off. There was an artificial privacy with each person enclosed in a velvet fog of his or her own making. Or there was the ritualistic friendliness of an evening promenade in those neighborhoods that indulged in such things. But here in Billibotton, there was neither friendliness nor neutral withdrawal. At least not where outsiders were concerned. Every person who passed, moving in either direction, turned to stare at Se ldon and Dors. Every pair of eyes, as though attached by invisible cords to the two outsiders, followed them with ill will. The clothing of the Billibottoners tended to be smudged, old, and sometimes corn. There was a patina of ill-washed poverty over them and Seldon felt uneasy at the slickness of his own new clothes. He said, â€Å"Where in Billibotton does Mother Rittah live, do you suppose?† â€Å"I don't know,† said Dors. â€Å"You brought us here, so you do the supposing. I intend to confine myself to the task of protection and I think I'm going to find it necessary to do just that.† Seldon said, â€Å"I assumed it would only be necessary to ask the way of any passerby, but somehow I'm not encouraged to do so.† â€Å"I don't blame you. I don't think you'll find anyone springing to your assistance.† â€Å"On the other hand, there are such things as youngsters.† He indicated one with a brief gesture of one hand. A boy who looked to be about twelve-in any case young enough to lack the universal adult male mustache had come to a full halt and was staring at them. Dors said, â€Å"You're guessing that a boy that age has not yet developed the full Billibottonian dislike of outsiders.† â€Å"At any rate,† said Seldon, â€Å"I'm guessing he is scarcely large enough to have developed the full Billibottonian penchant for violence. I suppose he might run away and shout insults from a distance if we approach him, but I doubt he'll attack us.† Seldon raised his voice. â€Å"Young man.† The boy took a step backward and continued to stare. Seldon said, â€Å"Come here,† and beckoned. The boy said, â€Å"Wa' for, guy?† â€Å"So I can ask you directions. Come closer, so I don't have to shout.† The boy approached two steps closer. His face was smudged, but his eyes were bright and sharp. His sandals were of different make and there was a large patch on one leg of his trousers. He said, â€Å"Wa' kind o' directions?† â€Å"We're trying to find Mother Rittah.† The boy's eyes flickered. â€Å"Wa' for, guy?† â€Å"I'm a scholar. Do you know what a scholar is?† â€Å"Ya went to school?† â€Å"Yes. Didn't you?† The boy spat to one side in contempt. â€Å"Nah.† â€Å"I want advice from Mother Rittah-if you'll take me to her.† â€Å"Ya want your fortune? Ya come to Billibotton, guy, with your fancy clothes, so I can tell ya your fortune. All bad.† â€Å"What's your name, young man?† â€Å"What's it to ya?† â€Å"So we can speak in a more friendly fashion. And so you can take me to Mother Rittah's place. Do you know where she lives?† â€Å"Maybe yes, maybe no. My name's Raych. What's in it for me if I take ya?† â€Å"What would you like, Raych?† The boy's eyes halted at Dors's belt. Raych said, â€Å"The lady got a couple o' knives. Gimme one and I'll take ya to Mother Rittah.† â€Å"Those are grown people's knives, Raych. You're too young.† â€Å"Then I guess I'm too young to know where Mother Rittah lives.† And he looked up slyly through the shaggy halt that curtained his eyes. Seldon grew uneasy. It was possible they might attract a crowd. Several men had stopped already, but had then moved on when nothing of interest seemed to be taking place. If, however, the boy grew angry and lashed out at them in word or deed, people would undoubtedly gather. He smiled and said, â€Å"Can you read, Raych?† Raych spat again. â€Å"Nah! Who wants to read?† â€Å"Can you use a computer?† â€Å"A talking computer? Sure. Anyone can.† â€Å"I'll tell you what, then. You take me to the nearest computer store and I'll buy you a little computer all your own and software that will teach you to read. A few weeks and you'll be able to read.† It seemed to Seldon that the boy's eyes sparkled at the thought, but-if so-they hardened at once. â€Å"Nah, Knife or nothin'.† â€Å"That's the point, Raych. You learn to read and don't tell anyone and you can surprise people. After a while you can bet them you can read. Bet them five credits. You can win a few extra credits that way and you can buy a knife of your own.† The boy hesitated. â€Å"Nah! No one will bet me. No one got credits.† â€Å"If you can read, you can get a job in a knife store and you can save your wages and get a knife at a discount. How about that?† â€Å"When ya gonna buy the talking computer?† â€Å"Right now. I'll give it to you when I see Mother Rittah.† â€Å"You got credits?† â€Å"I have a credit tile.† â€Å"Let's see ya buy the computer.† The transaction was carried through, but when the boy reached for it, Seldon shook his head and put it inside his pouch. â€Å"You've got to get me to Mother Rittah first, Raych. Are you sure you know where to find her?† Raych allowed a look of contempt to cross his face. â€Å"Sure I do. I'll take ya there, only ya better hand over the computer when we get there or I'll get some guys I know after you and the lady, so ya better watch out.† â€Å"You don't have to threaten us,† said Seldon. â€Å"We'll take care of our end of the deal.† Raych led them quickly along the walkway, past curious stares. Seldon was silent during the walk and so was Dors. Dors was far less lost in her own thoughts, though, for she clearly remained conscious of the surrounding people at all times. She kept meeting, with a level glare, the eyes of those passersby that turned toward them. On occasion, when there were footsteps behind them, she turned to look grimly back. And then Raych stopped and said, â€Å"In here. She ain't homeless, ya know.† They followed him into an apartment complex and Seldon, who had had the intention of following their route with a view to retracing his steps later, was quickly lost. He said, â€Å"How do you know your way through these alleys, Raych?† The boy shrugged. â€Å"I been loafin' through them since I was a kid,† he said. â€Å"Besides, the apartments are numbered-where they ain't broken off-and there's arrows and things. You can't get lost if you know the tricks.† Raych knew the tricks, apparently, and they wandered deeper into the complex. Hanging over it all was an air of total decay: disregarded debris, inhabitants slinking past in clear resentment of the outsiders' invasion. Unruly youngsters ran along the alleys in pursuit of some game or other. Some of them yelled, â€Å"Hey, get out o' the way!† when their levitating ball narrowly missed Dors. And finally, Raych stopped before a dark scarred door on which the number 2782 glowed feebly. â€Å"This is it,† he said and held out his hand. â€Å"First let's see who's inside,† said Seldon softly. He pushed the signal button and nothing happened. â€Å"It don't work,† said Raych. â€Å"Ya gotta bang. Loud. She don't hear too good.† Seldon pounded his fist on the door and was rewarded with the sound of movement inside. A shrill voice called out, â€Å"Who wants Mother Rittah?† Seldon shouted, â€Å"Two scholars!† He tossed the small computer, with its small package of software attached, to Raych, who snatched it, grinned, and took off at a rapid run. Seldon then turned to face the opening door and Mother Rittah. 70. Mother Rittah was well into her seventies, perhaps, but had the kind of face that, at first sight, seemed to belie that. Plump cheeks, a little mouth, a small round chin slightly doubled. She was very short-not quite 1.5 meters tall-and had a thick body. But there were fine wrinkles about her eyes and when she smiled, as she smiled at the sight of them, others broke out over her face. And she moved with difficulty. â€Å"Come in, come in,† she said in a soft high-pitched voice and peered at them as though her eyesight was beginning to fail. â€Å"Outsiders†¦ Outworlders even. Am I right? You don't seem to have the Trantor smell about you.† Seldon wished she hadn't mentioned smell. The apartment, overcrowded and littered with small possessions that seemed dim and dusty, reeked with food odors that were on the edge of rancidity. The air was so thick and clinging that he was sure his clothes would smell strongly of it when they left. He said, â€Å"You are right, Mother Rittah. I am Hari Seldon of Helicon. My friend is Dors Venabili of Cinna.† â€Å"So,† she said, looking about for an unoccupied spot on the floor where she could invite them to sit, but finding none suitable. Dors said, â€Å"We are willing to stand, Mother.† â€Å"What?† she looked up at Dors. â€Å"You must speak briskly, my child. My hearing is not what it was when I was your age.† â€Å"Why don't you get a hearing device?† said Seldon, raising his voice. â€Å"It wouldn't help, Master Seldon. Something seems to be wrong with the nerve and I have no money for nerve rebuilding.-You have come to learn the future from old Mother Rittah?† â€Å"Not quite,† said Seldon. â€Å"I have come to learn the past.† â€Å"Excellent. It is such a strain to decide what people want to hear.† â€Å"It must be quite an art,† said Dors, smiling. â€Å"It seems easy, but one has to he properly convincing. I earn my fees.† â€Å"If you have a credit outlet,† said Seldon. â€Å"We will pay any reasonable fees if you tell us about Earth-without cleverly designing what you tell us to suit what we want to hear. We wish to hear the truth.† The old woman, who had been shuffling about the room, making adjustments here and there, as though to make it all prettier and more suitable for important visitors, stopped short. â€Å"What do you want to know about Earth?† â€Å"What is it, to begin with?† The old woman turned and seemed to gaze off into space. When she spoke, her voice was low and steady. â€Å"It is a world, a very old planet. It is forgotten and lost.† Dors said, â€Å"It is not part of history. We know that much.† â€Å"It comes before history, child,† said Mother Rittah solemnly. â€Å"It existed in the dawn of the Galaxy and before the dawn. It was the only world with humanity.† She nodded firmly. Seldon said, â€Å"Was another name for Earth†¦ Aurora?† And now Mother Rittah's face misted into a frown. â€Å"Where did you hear that?† â€Å"In my wanderings. I have heard of an old forgotten world named Aurora on which humanity lived in primordial peace.† â€Å"It's a lie.† She wiped her mouth as though to get the taste of what she had just heard out of it. â€Å"That name you mention must never be mentioned except as the place of Evil. It was the beginning of Evil. Earth was alone till Evil came, along with its sister worlds. Evil nearly destroyed Earth, but Earth rallied and destroyed Evil-with the help of heroes.† â€Å"Earth was before this Evil. Are you sure of that?† â€Å"Long before. Earth was alone in the Galaxy for thousands of years-millions of years.† â€Å"Millions of years? Humanity existed on it for millions of years with no other people on any other world?† â€Å"That's true. That's true. That's true.† â€Å"But how do you know all this? Is it all in a computer program? Or a printout? Do you have anything I can read?† Mother Rittah shook her head. â€Å"I heard the old stories from my mother, who heard it from hers, and so on far back. I have no children, so I tell the stories to others, but it may come to an end. This is a time of disbelief.† Dors said, â€Å"Not really, Mother. There are people who speculate about prehistoric times and who study some of the tales of lost worlds.† Mother Rittah made a motion of her arm as though to wipe it away. â€Å"They look at it with cold eyes. Scholarly. They try to fit it in with their notions. I could tell you stories for a year of the great hero Ba-Lee, but you would have no time to listen and I have lost the strength to tell.† Seldon said, â€Å"Have you ever heard of robots?† The old woman shuddered and her voice was almost a scream. â€Å"Why do you ask such things? Those were artificial human beings, evil in themselves and the work of the Evil worlds. They were destroyed and should never be mentioned.† â€Å"There was one special robot, wasn't there, that the Evil worlds hated?† Mother Rittah tottered toward Seldon and peered into his eyes. He could feel her hot breath on his face. â€Å"Have you come to mock me? You know of these things and yet you ask? Why do you ask?† â€Å"Because I wish to know.† â€Å"There was an artificial human being who helped Earth. He was Da-Nee, friend of Ba-Lee. He never died and lives somewhere, waiting for his time to return. None knows when that time will be, but someday he will come and restore the great old days and remove all cruelty, injustice, and misery. That is the promise.† At this, she closed her eyes and smiled, as if remembering†¦ Seldon waited a while in silence, then sighed and said, â€Å"Thank you, Mother Rittah. You have been very helpful. What is your fee?† â€Å"So pleasant to meet Outworlders,† the old woman replied. â€Å"Ten credits. May I offer you some refreshment?† â€Å"No, thank you,† said Seldon earnestly. â€Å"Please take twenty. You need only tell us how to get back to the Expressway from here.-And, Mother Rittah, if you can arrange to have some of your tales of Earth put into a computer disc, I will pay you well.† â€Å"I would need so much strength. How well?† â€Å"It would depend on how long the story is and how well it is told. I might pay a thousand credits.† Mother Rittah licked her lips. â€Å"A thousand credits? But how will I find you when the story is told?† â€Å"I will give you the computer code number at which I can be reached.† After Seldon gave Mother Rittah the code number, he and Dors left, thankful for the comparatively clean odor of the alley outside. They walked briskly in the direction indicated by the old woman. Dors said, â€Å"That wasn't a very long interview, Hari.† â€Å"I know. The surroundings were terribly unpleasant and I felt I had learned enough. Amazing how these folktales tend to magnify.† â€Å"What do you mean, ‘magnify'?† â€Å"Well, the Mycogenians fill their Aurora with human beings who lived for centuries and the Dahlites fill their Earth with a humanity that lived for millions of years. And both talk of a robot that lives forever. Still, it makes one think.† â€Å"As far as millions of years go, there's room for- Where are we going?† â€Å"Mother Rittah said we go in this direction till we reach a rest area, then follow the sign for CENTRAL WALKWAY, bearing left, and keep on following the sign. Did we pass a rest area on the way in?† â€Å"We may be leaving by a route different from the one we came in. I don't remember a rest area, but I wasn't watching the route. I was keeping my eye on the people we passed and-â€Å" Her voice died away. Up ahead the alley swelled outward on both sides. Seldon remembered. They had passed that way. There had been a couple of ratty couch pads resting on the walkway floor on either side. There was, however, no need for Dors to watch passersby going out as she had coming in. There were no passersby. But up ahead in the rest area they spotted a group of men, rather large-sized for Dahlites, mustaches bristling, bare upper arms muscular and glistening under the yellowish indoor light of the walkway. Clearly, they were waiting for the Outworlders and, almost automatically, Seldon and Dors came to a halt. For a moment or two, the tableau held. Then Seldon looked behind him hastily. Two or three additional men had stepped into view. Seldon said between his teeth, â€Å"We're trapped. I should not have let you come, Dors.† â€Å"On the contrary. This is why I'm here, but was it worth your seeing Mother Rittah?† â€Å"If we get out of this, it was.† Seldon then said in a loud and firm voice, â€Å"May we pass?† One of the men ahead stepped forward. He was fully Seldon's height of 1.73 meters, but broader in the shoulders and much more muscular. A bit flabby at the waist, though, Seldon noted. â€Å"I'm Marron,† he said with self-satisfied significance, as though the name ought to have meaning, â€Å"and I'm here to tell you we don't like Outworlders in our district. You want to come in, all right-but if you want to leave, you'll have to pay.† â€Å"Very well. How much?† â€Å"All you've got. You rich Outworlders have credit tiles, right? Just hand them over.† â€Å"No.† â€Å"No point saying no. We'll just take them.† â€Å"You can't take them without killing me or hurting me and they won't work without my voiceprint. My normal voiceprint.† â€Å"That's not so, Master-see, I'm being polite-we can take them away from you without hurting you very much.† â€Å"How many of you big strong men will it take? Nine? No.† Seldon counted rapidly. â€Å"Ten.† â€Å"Just one. Me.† â€Å"With no help?† â€Å"Just me.† â€Å"If the rest of you will clear away and give us room, I would like to see you try it, Marron.† â€Å"You don't have a knife, Master. You want one?† â€Å"No, use yours to make the fight even. I'll fight without one.† Marron looked about at the others and said, â€Å"Hey, this puny guy is a sport. He don't even sound scared. That's sort of nice. It would be a shame to hurt him. I tell you what, Master. I'll take the girl. If you want me to stop, hand over your credit tile and her tile and use your right voices to activate them. If you say no, then after I'm through with the girl†¦ and that'll take some time†-he laughed-â€Å"I'll just have to hurt you.† â€Å"No,† said Seldon. â€Å"Let the woman go. I've challenged you to a fight-one to one, you with a knife, me without. If you want bigger odds, I'll fight two of you, but let the woman go.† â€Å"Stop, Hari!† cried out Dors. â€Å"If he wants me, let him come and get me. You stay right where you are, Hari, and don't move.† â€Å"You hear that?† said Marron, grinning broadly. † ‘You stay right where you are, Hari, and don't move.' I think the little lady wants me. You two, keep him still.† Each of Seldon's arms were caught in an iron grip and he felt the sharp point of a knife in his back. â€Å"Don't move,† said a harsh whisper in his ear, â€Å"and you can watch. The lady will probably like it. Marron's pretty good at this.† Dors called out again. â€Å"Don't move, Hari!† She turned to face Marron watchfully, her half-closed hands poised near her belt. He closed in on her purposefully and she waited till he had come within arm's length, when suddenly her own arms flashed and Marron found himself facing two large knives. For a moment, he leaned backward and then he laughed. â€Å"The little lady has two knives-knives like the big boys have. And I've only got one. But that's fair enough.† His knife was swiftly out. â€Å"I hate to have to cut you, little lady, because it will be more fun for both of us if I don't. Maybe I can just knock them out of your hands, huh?† Dors said, â€Å"I don't want to kill you. I'll do all I can to avoid doing so. Just the same, I call on all to witness, that if I do kill you, it is to protect my friend, as I am honor-bound to do.† Marron pretended to be terrified. â€Å"Oh, please don't kill me, little lady.† Then he burst into laughter and was joined by the other Dahlites present. Marron lunged with his knife, quite wide of the mark. He tried it again, then a third time, but Dors never budged. She made no attempt to fend off any motion that was not truly aimed at her. Marron's expression darkened. He was trying to make her respond with panic, but he was only making himself seem ineffectual. The next lunge was directly at her and Dors's left-hand blade moved flashingly and caught his with a force that pushed his arm aside. Her right-hand blade flashed inward and made a diagonal slit in his T-shirt. A thin bloody line smeared the dark-haired skin beneath. Marron looked down at himself in shock as the onlookers gasped in surprise. Seldon felt the grip on him weaken slightly as the two who held him were distracted by a duel not going quite as they had expected. He tensed himself. Now Marron lunged again and this time his left hand shot outward to enclose Dors's right wrist. Again Dors's left-hand blade caught his knife and held it motionless, while her right hand twisted agilely and drew downward, even as Marron's left hand closed upon it. It closed on nothing but the blade and when he opened his hand there was a bloody line down the palm. Dors sprang back and Marron, aware of the blood on his chest and hand, roared out chokingly, â€Å"Someone toss me another knife!† There was hesitation and then one of the onlookers tossed his own knife underhanded. Marron reached for it, but Dors was quicker. Her right-hand blade struck the thrown knife and sent it flying backward, whirling as it went. Seldon felt the grips on his arms weaken further. He lifted them suddenly, pushing up and forward, and was free. His two captors turned toward him with a sudden shout, but he quickly kneed one in the groin and elbowed the other in the solar plexus and both went down. He knelt to draw the knives of each and rose as double-armed as Dors. Unlike Dors, Seldon did not know how to handle the blades, but he knew the Dahlites would scarcely be aware of that. Dors said, â€Å"Just keep them off, Hari. Don't attack yet.-Marron, my next stroke will not be a scratch.† Marron, totally enraged, roared incoherently and charged blindly, attempting by sheer kinetic energy to overwhelm his opponent. Dors, dipping and sidestepping, ducked under his right arm, kicked her foot against his right ankle, and down he crashed, his knife flying. She then knelt, placed one blade against the back of his neck and the other against his throat, and said, â€Å"Yield!† With another yell, Marron struck out against her with one arm, pushed her to one side, then scrambled to his feet. He had not yet stood up completely when she was upon him, one knife slashing downward and hacking away a section of his mustache. This time he yowled like a large animal in agony, clapping his hand to his face. When he drew it away, it was dripping blood. Dors shouted, â€Å"It won't grow again, Marron. Some of the lip went with it. Attack once more and you're dead meat.† She waited, but Marron had had enough. He stumbled away, moaning, leaving a trail of blood. Dors turned toward the others. The two that Seldon had knocked down were still lying there, unarmed and not anxious to get up. She bent down, cut their belts with one of her knives and then slit their trousers. â€Å"This way, you'll have to hold your pants up when you walk,† she said. She stared at the seven men still on their feet, who were watching her with awestruck fascination. â€Å"And which of you threw the knife?† There was silence. She said, â€Å"It doesn't matter to me. Come one at a time or all together, but each time I slash, someone dies.† And with one accord, the seven turned and scurried away. Dors lifted her eyebrows and said to Seldon, â€Å"This time, at least, Hummin can't complain that I failed to protect you.† Seldon said, â€Å"I still can't believe what I saw. I didn't know you could do anything like that-or talk like that either.† Dors merely smiled. â€Å"You have your talents too. We make a good pair. Here, retract your knife blades and put them into your pouch. I think the news will spread with enormous speed and we can get out of Billibotton without fear of being stopped.† She was quite right.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

The Rising Cost of Healthcare Essay

Without a doubt healthcare costs are rising out of control. Not one of us are happy with the increases, but we have to understand what the reasons are for the increases in healthcare. American people look at their insurance bills, co-pays and drug costs, and do not understand why they continue to increase. The insured should consider all reasons behind the increase before getting upset. In 2004, employer health care premiums increased over 11 percent, four times more than the rate of inflation. In 2003, premiums rose 10.1 percent and in 1002 they rose 15 percent. Employee spending for coverage increased 126 percent between 2000 and 2004. These increases were lower than expected. The site to look up information on the cost of health care coverage and the breakdown on the cost is (National Coalition on Health Care, Facts on health care costs). Premiums have risen five times faster than workers’ wages, if medical spending continues to rise by just two percent more than a personâ €™s personal income, by 2040 Medicare and Medicaid will rise 8.4 percent of gross domestic product this year’s 15.6 percent by 2040, according to Congressional Budget Office projections. If all government programs stay at the same size relative to the economy, the budget will grow from 19.9 percent of GDP in 2003 to 27.1 percent by 2040, (http://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/tbb-0306-15.pdf). There are huge impacts of the rising costs of healthcare. Many people cannot afford health insurance today and struggle to pay for their medical needs. Of the families that do have health coverage, 50 percent are concerned about having to pay more for the coverage in the future, while 42 percent fear they will not be able to afford coverage at all if the rate increase keep s going the way it is. This leads to believe one of the reasons for health care cost increases: cost sharing or cost shifting. When an individual or a family does not have insurance, and cannot or does not pay their medical bills, the cost of health care rises. Over years the American healthcare system has been plagued by the continuous rise of healthcare cost. These costs include but are not limited to insurance premiums, co-pays as well as prescription drugs. One of the significant reasons for the increase is that nowadays people are living longer lives than they once did and this gives higher rates to contracting chronic diseases or developing life threatening injuries, this cause the United States healthcare system to suffer a finical  crisis. The three major parts to industries health care sector are as follows: the healthcare service industry consisting of providers such as medical practices, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home health care agencies, next is the healthcare insurance industry consisting of both government programs such as Medicare and commercial insurers, and last is the managed healthcare industry consisting of organizations such as health maintenance organization (HMO’s) that incorporate both insurance and provider functions. Citizens of the United States are currently spending up to 15 percent of the income expenditures on healthcare. It has been estimated that the expenditures are likely to rise to about 29 percent of gross domestic product by the year 2040. The Medicare insurance program that was created in the mid-1960’s to cover the elderly that is funded by the payroll system is costing more than $5,000 per enrollee, a national cost of more than $200 billion annually. Projected cost for the Medicare will rise rapidly from 2.5 percent to 5.5 in 2030. For HMO’s they often emphasize their ability to contain costs through oversight of physician’s decisions or by implementation of capped payment scheme that aligns physician’s incentives with those of the healthcare plan. HMO’s do have lower hospitalization than traditional healthcare providers. Some people also argue that the increasing use of managed care generates positive externalities that benefit consumers enrolled in non HMO health plans. This argument typically invokes some notion of market discipline, arguing that traditional insures or healthcare providers will have to lower premiums to remain viable in a health insurance market. It may be difficult to measure the effect of HMO participation on spending and outcomes because enrollment in managed care plans often voluntary, and those who choose to enroll are likely to differ in unobservable ways from those who do not. Using data on 300,000 welfare recipients the average effect of the mandate is to increase spending by 12%. This increase may be due to higher payments to providers, higher administrative costs, the inclusion of normal level of profit for the HMO’s, or a mark-up of bids above cost. Check out this site that goes deeper into the HMO and the reason of increase to healthcare cost at; (http://www.nber.org/bah/winter03/w9091.html). Looking at healthcare outcomes it is looking like switching to a HMO does not improve the efficiency of the Medicaid program because they lead to substantial spending  increases with no demonstrable quality improvements.

Monday, July 29, 2019

An examination of the connection between sexuality and suffering Essay

An examination of the connection between sexuality and suffering - Essay Example Journal du voleur is the closest Genet came to writing a traditional autobiography. As D’Asciano (1998) points out, though his other novels incorporate names from the author's life experience, the focus of these novels is to create mythical characters out of names pulled from Genet’s reality. The character â€Å"Genet† figures in these other novels as the creator/narrator, but it is in the Journal that Genet concentrates on recounting his life experience (D’Asciano, 1998). As White has shown in his biography of Genet, the chronology of events in Journal, while loosely followed, does, in fact, correspond with Genet's life in the late 1930's. What is most important to Genet, however, is not a simple recounting of his life story, but rather the elaboration of his aesthetic preoccupations. It is in this narrative that Genet identifies most clearly his means of literary production, and discusses the relationship of body to text. It is within the context of the stated reality, and as influenced by Genet’s own sexual proclivities, that the theme of sexuality and suffering asserts itself. Traditionally, autobiography is a narrative form that has as its primary theme the recounting of the life of the author. The key element in identifying a narrative as autobiographical is, to use the terminology of Philippe Lejeune (1975, p. 1), the pacte autobiographie By identifying the pacte the ideal reader realises without a doubt that the character denoted by â€Å"I† is indeed a projection of the author on the page. Genet accomplishes this in Journal principally by providing verifiable statistics regarding his â€Å"statut civil,† - his date of birth and the circumstances which surrounded it. ... Genet accomplishes this in Journal principally by providing verifiable statistics regarding his "statut civil," - his date of birth and the circumstances which surrounded it. Though a Genet character exists in Genet's other novels, this information appears only in Journal du voleur. What is most remarkable about this fact is that, rather than stabilizing the identity of the author, by its very nature it destabilises. The fact that Genet was orphaned at a young age, and that he knows only the name of his mother, and not that of his father, puts the author character in an awkward position in a society more patrilineal than most. The Journal is in many ways, an aesthetic treatise, an examination of the ideas and practices that have made Genet a creator. The two fundamental concepts that drive his creation are "beauty," and a vertiginous space that we could call the "vide," or, "nothingness." As may be inferred from Barber's (2004) analysis of Journal, Genet's writing exists in a tense space between the aesthetic attractions of the physical world, and the intellectual imperative of the contemplation of the emptiness of existence. Genet attributes his attraction to the physical world to its beauty. Pinning down a precise meaning of beauty is difficult. In the short entry on "beauty" in the Oxford Companion to Philosophy, Aquinas is quoted as defining beauty as "that which pleases in the very apprehension of it" (Hondrich, 1995, p. 80). This definition, though vague, does point to two components of the assessment of beauty, the observer and the observed. There is no beauty without a subjectivity to apprehend it. The article goes on

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Communication Factor in Employee Motivation Essay

Communication Factor in Employee Motivation - Essay Example This message is then sent through a channel. Once this message is received, the receiver translates the original message from the words and symbols into a concept or information that he or she can understand. Throughout the transmitting of the message, two processes are received by the receiver: content and context. Content is the actual words or symbols of the message which is known as language. This is the spoken and written words combined into phrases that make grammatical and semantic sense. We all use and interpret the meanings of words differently, so even simple messages can be misunderstood. And many words have different meanings to confuse the issue even more. Context is the way the message is delivered and is known as Paralanguage. It includes the tone of voice, the look in the sender's eye's, body language, hand gestures, and state of emotions (anger, fear, uncertainty, confidence, etc.) that can be detected. Although paralanguage or context often causes messages to be misunderstood as we believe what we see more than what we hear; they are powerful communicators that help us to understand each other. Indeed, we often trust the accuracy of nonverbal behaviors more than verbal behaviors. [4] A message is not communicated unless it is understood and decoded by the receiver. By the two-way communication or feedback the sender knows that it has been properly received. This feedback tells the sender that the receiver understood the message, its level of importance, and what must be done with it. Communication is an exchange, not just a give, as all parties must participate to complete the information exchange. [4] How Effective Leaders Communicate Communication is now understood as the exchange of information which is understood. Following this concept, communication is easy. However people don't seem to understand what and do effective leaders communicate to make them effective. Effective leaders stress the importance of 'active listening'. The key to effective leadership communication is to be able to draw good ideas out of others. To lead effectively, therefore, you need to be good at active listening. This means asking questions about what other people think and probing them on the pros and cons of their proposals. Asking people for their opinions is the best way of showing that you value them, another essential leadership trait, if you want to engage and retain key talent. [9] Another characteristic that effective leaders possess is the vision of the future that they provide to the members of the organization. Although creating an uplifting and inspiring vision is difficult enough, it is not where most would be leaders fail. They fail in communicating the vision in a way that continues to enlist the dedicated, emotional commitment of the people throughout the ranks. [10] To communicate this vision, communication whether it is a private direct communication or with a few is absolutely vital to ensure that the intended message is getting through. There is no other way for a leader to genuinely understand how the message is being received, including whether people actually do believe it. Employees respect this characteristic as the leader seems interested in the other person. [10] The one thing a leader can always have in common with another person is his or her best interest. A message should be communicated in such a

Saturday, July 27, 2019

MTV Network Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

MTV Network - Case Study Example MTV’s strategy in the Middle East is mostly based on the population, which comprises a large portion of teens whom it was targeting. The company saw the large population as an opportunity despite acknowledging that the challenges would be immense. MTV saw that the Middle East was an opportunity for expansion with respect to an audience of 190 million people that was unexploited. In addition, the company had undertaken adequate market research on the Middle East market and found out that there were no other channels providing similar content as MTV does with regard to international content. In the quest to fit in, MTV decided that it would produce 45% of the Arabia’s content locally to ensure that it met the standards of the conservative society. This would include a variety of programming ranging from music videos and reality shows to documentaries. Broadcasting 45% of local content would be a strategy that would help in unifying the area, which is known for constant po litical tensions. To beat the competition, MTV strategized a way of enabling the youths to voice their concerns and advertise their talents. In addition, usage of the Internet to allow people to access the channel anytime and anyhow they wish was also a good strategy that MTV devised to help in dealing with the competition of approximately 50 other local channels. The entire strategy is good and could work in this environment but with caution. This implies that the company should be very cautious on the content that it broadcasts.

Friday, July 26, 2019

Does the implimentation of the national health insurance program in Research Proposal

Does the implimentation of the national health insurance program in Ghana help reduce HIV AIDS which is prevlant in rural Ghana - Research Proposal Example The government marginalizes sex workers as not of interest, therefore the disease is not given the due consideration in the newly democratized stated (Howley, 2010, p. 367). The prevention of HIV/AIDS through behavior modification has been a primary resource for addressing the disease (Howley 2010, p. 186). According to the International Monetary Fund (2006), HIV/AIDS issues are recognized as a threat to the â€Å"socioeconomic development of the country through its potential impact on human capital development, productivity, and social services deliveryâ€Å"(p. 109). In 2006 the following measures were taken in working towards prevention of the disease within the nation of Ghana: The following table shows the number of people who were benefiting from ART as of December of 2006. At that time, there were 50,942 people in need of services with only 7,338 benefiting from art which represents only 14.4% of those in need(International Monetary Fund, 2006, p. 109). Ghana has seen a decline in poverty from 39.5% in the 1998 to 1999 years to 28.5% in 2006 (African Development Bank., & OECD, 2008). In addition, there has been a concerted effort on the part pf the government to address the needs of their citizens in regard to health care. According to former President of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings, Ghana suffers from a poor system of health care that is lead by a staff of insensitive and unprofessional medical personal and complicated by poor infrastructure and a lack of equipment. The staffs of hospitals are burdened by a lack of everything, thus leaving them jaded and without motivation (Modernghana.com 2010). In addition, the National Health Insurance Scheme that has been put into place is beleaguered by problems and is not providing the much needed services that the people need in order to have adequate health care. The National Health Insurance Scheme is the product of the administration led by John Kufuor. However, one of the exceptions to

Seasonal Decomposition Output Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Seasonal Decomposition Output - Essay Example 1. An insurance company is examining its automobile collision claims in order to understand what factors might contribute to the size of a claim. It analyzes data from 40 claims, including the year and model of the car, the age of the driver, the weather conditions, and other information from the police report. Considering what you have studied so far in BUS 305, suggest an analytical process that would be appropriate for the insurance company to use to predict the size of a claim. Support your suggestion with explanations.   Regression analysis is the most appropriate analytical process that would help predict the size of the claim. The analytical process is appropriate since it estimates the relationship between the variables   2. Exhibit 3 provides time series data. Create a time series plot of this data. In your essay, describe the features you find and explain which of these four forecasting methods—linear trend, nonlinear trend, seasonal decomposition, or simple exponential smoothing—would be best suited for forecasting.   The values of Y exhibit an upward trend i.e. the values have maintained a steady increase thus the linear trend would be more appropriate to be used for the forecasting purposes. The forecasting equation for the linear trend model is given as:   Where  is the time index? The parameters  and  (the "intercept" and "slope" of the trend line) are usually estimated via a simple regression in which Y is the dependent variable and the time index t is the independent variable.

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Govenance,Reporting and Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Govenance,Reporting and Ethics - Essay Example However, a company should not pay more than required for this case but the remunerations should commensurate with individual performance (Bebchuk & Roe, 1999). The committee for remuneration should also judge where to place their Company in relation to other companies. However, these comparisons should be made wisely such that remuneration levels correspond with performance improvement. According to the Combined Code address on accountability and auditing, the company's board should be able to show a balanced as well as an assessment that can be understood in order to determine the position and prospects of the company. This can simply be termed as financial reporting. The code provides that the directors in an annual report should explain their responsibility of Code Provisions The directors should explain in the annual report their responsibilities for account preparation and there should also be auditor's statements concerning their reporting responsibilities. The main roles and responsibilities of the committee for auditing include: It also recommends that, all directors including the non-executive directors should be re-elected at regular intervals by the shareholders. This contributes to continued improved and satisfactory performance. Th The code requires that a company should produce disclosure statements and also report on how they apply the principle of management and governance (La Porta et al. 2000). Companies should be free to explain the governance policies that they as well as any circumstances that have led them to employing a particular approach. The company has also to confirm that it adheres to the provisions of the Combined Code and if it does not, then it is liable to giving an explanation as to why it cannot comply. This is referred to as "comply or explain" approach and has been in existence for long whereby it is widely accepted by the investors as well as company boards. The people who are concerned with governance evaluation should do this with an aim of promoting partnership as well as trust in the company. They should consider company's nature of risks as well as the challenges that it faces. They should also consider the size as well as the complexity of the company. ISSUE 1. Non-executive directors and Independence. Non-executive directors play a very key role and are believed to be very effective in the building of good corporate governance structures. The chairman has the capability of holding meetings with non-executive directors even in the absence of executives. The non-executive directors also meet annually under the leadership of the senior independent director but in the absence of the chairman to give an appraisal on the performance of the chairman.The non-executive directors are usually provided with professional advice at the expense of the company whereby they consider it important to discharge

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Lady in the Water Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Lady in the Water - Essay Example From the essay "Lady in the Water" it is clear that this film is the story which was a spontaneous and unplanned story told by the writer and director of this film, M. Night Shyamalan to his children. But when this kids’ story came in form of the film, it has not become a mere kids’ story. It was because some of the scenes shown in the film are not suitable for kids. Fairy tales can work effectively on pages as well as on screen. They take you in the world of fantasy and imagination. â€Å"Lady in the Water† also has the same attributes. It is a complex and fantasy-filled bedtime story. It is the story based on the current situation. The story conveys the message to the adults who have lost their capacity for deep thinking due to materialism and excess of individualism. According to the writer, we have lost our capacity of deep listening. Today we are surrounded by the bogus stories which are actually far away from reality, especially on television. These stories contain a certain amount of violence, and horror as well as humor. But the real purpose of the bedtime story cannot be attained in television programs. According to Christian Hamaker, "The film is often inspirational, contemplating the worth of humankind, showing how those who are emotionally deadened can be reawakened by a power beyond themselves, and demonstrating how the bonds of a loosely knit community can be strengthened in a common cause. †¦ Although not quite on par with some of the director's earlier work, Lady has its rewards." (Christian Hamaker, July 20, 2006). The power for cherishing goodness by defeating the evil things is there in every human being. Once it gets awakened, the evil has to be defeated. Every human and every living and non living thing on the earth have occupied with divine soul. But unfortunately the materialism of life has made us to forget the divine qualities in us. The water in the film is associated with purity so as the aquatic creature. Again here there is an essence of Hindu theology of incarnation of Lord Vishnu. In the troublesome period, to save the mankind, Lord Vishnu, one of the prim e Hindu Gods incarnate himself and became a fish. This incarnation is known as Matsya (Fish). In this film also Story comes from water to assist mankind. Thus the water is associated with purity, sacredness, innocence while the land is associated

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Ratings In Schools And Accountability Systems Research Paper

Ratings In Schools And Accountability Systems - Research Paper Example Administrators also feel pressure when accountability systems are adopted. They report that they must spend additional hours defending their schools' competitive standing with parents, teachers, and the media--hours that they once spent more productively. In response to these worries and pressures, educators also begin to adjust the focus of their efforts. Their curricula and teaching efforts become more standardized and superficial. Moreover, since they want their schools to look well on competitive tests, they tend to restrict instruction to the topics assessed by those tests. A sad example of how this process works was recently described by sociologists Jere Gilles, Simon Geletta, and Cortney Daniels. In 1993 the State of Missouri created an accountability program designed around a new assessment instrument, the Missouri Mastery Achievement Test. This test was tied to a new curriculum that had been developed by the state's department of education, and all schools were required to administer it so that it could be used as a "report card"--letting the public know how well their own schools were doing compared with others in the state. As Gilles and his colleagues describe the outcome, results of this. Quality programs and textbooks were scrapped in order to replace them with materials that directly taught the test, and an unholy competition emerged between districts and communities over test scores. In some districts a week or more of instructional time each year was devoted to this test.... scrapped in order to replace them with materials that directly taught the test, and an unholy competition emerged between districts and communities over test scores. In some districts a week or more of instructional time each year was devoted to [preparing for] this test (Gabbard 67). Moreover, this was not an isolated incident. As testing specialist George Madaus has suggested, when you have high-stakes tests, the tests eventually become the curriculum. It happened with the Regents exams in New York. Items that are not emphasized in the testare not emphasized in school. That's a fundamental lesson that cuts across countries and across time. Teaching has not changed that much; it's an art form. Given basically the same set of circumstances, teachers will behave in much the same way. . . . But if you go to Europe, to the British Isles, or to Australia and look at comparable literature, [worries about] the external achievement exams . . . appear often. And they write about cramming, about how they prepared for the exams. They write about how, after taking the exams, they purged their minds of the answers that they had learned (Gabbard 59). Somehow, we doubt that most Americans are interested in promoting school learning that is narrow, test-specific, standardized superficial, and easily forgotten--but that is exactly what accountability programs promote. It also takes a great deal of time and money to conduct accountability programs. According to a leading scholar, Arthur Wirth, citing the National Commission on Testing and Public Policy, mandatory testing in America now "consumes annually some 20 million school days and the equivalent of $700 and $900 million in direct and indirect expenditures." What this means, of course, is that schools regularly shortchange

Monday, July 22, 2019

Program Summary Essay Example for Free

Program Summary Essay The process of a program’s development is to acknowledge what exactly the program is, and what mission they set forth to achieve. Regarding the Far West Elementary School’s organization mission where they work as a team filled with parents, and staff who are dedicated to creating a caring, exciting environment that promotes responsibility, self esteem, and academic achievement where differences are valued and learning is a lifelong goal. Although the mission promotes responsibility the school lacks in English proficiency. This program curriculum is undeveloped because the staff is lacking the qualifications; they are teaching the children using non certified or non licensed skills. The material needs to be upgraded via the English curricula. In order for the limited English proficiency (LEP) skills to grow the qualifications of the staff must be qualified. Within this program it will provide thoroughness, communication, and financial management. These elements are needed because it will build the morale of the program, the current staff and students skills, and the community of the low cost area of Far West Elementary School. Assessments: Assessments will be to analyze the programs purpose and its empowerment. According to, Gutierrez (1994) defines empowerment as the â€Å"process of increasing personal, interpersonal, or political power so that individuals, families, and communities can take action to improve their situations†. I chose this quote because I felt it works well with the school and how one can increase their skills when it comes to defining the process and determining the goal. The assessments determine if the faculty member is qualified to teach in a professional manner? The assessments will be constructed by licensed bilingual counselors who document the knowledge, skills, and beliefs of the staff; it will focus on the case studies, the learning styles, and experimental work (Wikipedia, 2009) of students as well. Once the staff members are increasing their English proficiency skills the students will then become more advanced. This will serve as the process used for the staff being a positive outcome. The process will prove that the development of the plan was evaluated; it will identify the measure used to develop the plan, which were the workshop sessions. The data collected will be the presented through the students and their English skills increasing. The reporting and results will follow by the many programs that will be offered, by the families of the students skills improving, and the preparation of enrolling new students and staff within the school. The thoroughness the program will reflect will show how eager it is increasing the English skill in the community. It will drain all energy taken with the counselors using with their senior skills, in making sure all aspects of the program’s session are passed. This will include the performance of the community, the faculty, and the productiveness of the students. The measures the program assessments will take will be resourceful in present and future lives of the students. They will be constructed to abide by the mission of the school. Needs and Problem Statement: The programs needs and problem assessments would be to evaluate the staff and improve their proficiently in teaching the English language. Specific needs of the program to be focused on are alternative certification program, special support for teachers, and improving the skills for higher education. The influences and expectations play in a role in administrator’s role of the agency because the significance of it is to connect with their staff and oversea that duties of the agency are being done. According, to Far West Elementary School administrators their needs are to make sure that the (LEP) skills are increased by making sure the staff are taking advantage of all the training programs offered by the counselors and funders. Administrators are to make sure the pressure is on in understanding the fact that achieving the (LEP) skill betters the elementary school, the staff guiding and forcing the direction. The problem occurs when there aren’t any funds being allocated for the program. Program Planning: Grant funding will be set through the proposal planning for the program. The program will propose the government with its attribute and prove the program should is qualified enough for their funds. By, introducing yourself and introducing the program that you want funded, it will benefit the people of the community. The function of the grant proposal is to allow you to communicate and present your proposal of the plan or program is looking for funding. The purpose of the proposal is to gain funds for a program that will better someone or families. The purpose is to present your program before it is even considered a program. Grant proposals relates to a program plan by proposing ideas, suggesting programs or simply bringing new ideas to the table that need to be approved and funded. They both take in considerations to help others and address problems within a community. Communication is the element the program will be best at and portray. The relevance of communication in the program is top high because it’s used to connect the staff, students and their families and show what’s most important each other. Talking and expressing their needs of why increasing the limited English proficiency skill is the number one key within this program. Alternate funding: Alternate funding will be the bonding aspect within the program. It will include Ideas of nontraditional funding which includes activities that involve the community more than the government. The program is locating funding through fundraising like raffling off tickets for prizes; therefore more people will participate knowing they can win a prize. Another alternate funding strategy would be selling dinners in the community for reasonable prices; the program staff will present talent shows for the community which they will participate in as well. Activities will be listed as, special events like face painting and relay racing would bring more funds to the program. Another idea would be client donations where the staff will donate to the program, whether it’s volunteering or giving a money donation. A funding institution that works with human service organizations is Administration for Children amp; Families (AFC). Its mission along with Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for federal programs that promote the economic and social well being of families, children, individuals, and communities, (AFC, 2011). The expectations for evaluating this funding institution are campaigning to rescue and restore families, family and youth services, administration development, child care bureau and many other programs they set to fulfill through their expectations of the ommunity. These expectations influence the evaluation plan and programs by staying true to their mission and achieving their goals. Implementation: The implementation of the program will be tedious, long and drawn out however it’s all for a good cause. During the process and outcomes stage, the process will evaluate the documented and monitored interventions taken for the staff and describe the importance of the program. The data will acknowledge and understand why the skills need to be improved. It will prove why it acceptable in the targeted community. The implementation that will be put forth and fulfilled will show through the structure of the program. Also the stakeholders are the people who invest in the program to develop the skills therefore they are implementing the program as well. Once the proposal was presented to them their share and interest in the program wasn’t just want they invested in the agency but an actual investment. With having a better understanding of the mission of the agency and what the team, parents and staff are dedicated in achieving the stakeholders know for a fact that the group they are investing in has significant obligations they wish to fulfill. Evaluation: The evaluation of the program will be based on the community of Far West, a suburb of New Hampshire Far West community that holds a population of 30,000 where the elementary school holds 700 with 30% of the students who have relocated from a foreign country. Being that the students are from an Asian decent background they have limited experience in English writing, reading and speaking skills. The evaluation of the program opportunity is to improve the limited English proficiency (LEP) skills for teachers, students, and their families. It will evaluate what it negative in the program that needs fixing, it will allow the individual to see the reality of how building a program can really determine whether the program is qualified or not. Conducting assessments will provide the program with information of services at that are needed or services that are not, therefore funds will be saved in the program. Judging whether or not the staff is qualified will also demonstrate evaluations for further training. The evaluation of the program will cover needs being addresses, staff nderstanding and building a rapport with the students and staff and always and follow the mission and value statements of the agency. The evaluation will make sure projects being funded properly, all and outcomes of the programs strengthens the organization. During the empowerment evaluation process it will acknowledge who exactly needs their skills to be improved. Counselors will overlook classroom settings and become involved with the students, and allow them to give me their reasons on why wanting to improve their LEP skills. Staff and students participate with each other in improving the (LEP) skill. It will offer workshops with professional leaders who will oversee activities in upgrading certificates to licenses; therefore the teachers are developing the programs for the students and promoting a professional outlook of the programs. The importance of this program is to improve the skills of limited English proficiency, in the Far West Elementary School located in a low income housing community. This program was chosen for this location because of the presence of families with foreign backgrounds. The program focuses on improving the skill for parents as well, being they involved in the community as well. Overall the importance of the program summary is to provide thoroughness, communication and build the morale of the program; the current staff, students and parents to work together and achieve its mission to better the skills within the school, and the community of the low cost area of Far West Elementary.

Effect of Policy on Hand Washing Effectiveness | Article

Effect of Policy on Hand Washing Effectiveness | Article In the article â€Å"Bare below the elbows: does this policy affect hand washing efficacy and reduce bacterial colonisation?† published July 2010, the authors Wijwardena Greatorex main focus was to establish whether dress code affects bacterial colonisation before and after hand-washing. Research was conducted using questionnaire and results were collected in the form of quantitative data. The result shows that there were no significant difference between BBE and NB (Mann-Whitney, P The authors’ use of a critical abstract in regards to the main findings, results, conclusion, subjects and methods gives a detailed overview of the research study, allowing the reader to assess and understand whether the research is relevant without having to examine the whole article (Galdon, Graves and Kelly, 2011). McNiff and Whitehead (2010) states that it is important for an abstract to always be succinct to allow the reader to gain an insight into the research and its importance (Chatburn, 2011). In addition, the abstract is clear, concise and free from jargons making it easy for the reader to understand and not become confused about the content of the research. Secondly, the complexity of the results collected, charted and plotted on the table and graph was simplified, making it easier for the reader to interpret and make sense of the findings. In addition, the results gathered also represent the research as a whole, for it clearly reflects the aim and objective of the study. Hence the research is valid and reliable (Wood and Ross-Keer, 2011). However, the research is plausible as to whether it can be applied into practice and good enough to be represented to the targeted population. This is due to the small sample size, which was sixty-sixty doctors, as a larger sample size can estimate population parameters (Sim and Wright, 2000). And also, there was an ethical aspect of the research which give cause for concern, as the authors clearly states that the participants were not give advance warning about the study and was conducted throughout the working day. This suggests that the participants did not give informed consent, as it was the authors’ obligation to fully inform participants of the study before carrying out the research (Cottrell and Mckenzie, 2011). In the article â€Å"Effects of ‘bare below the elbows’ policy on hand contamination of 92 hospital doctors in a district general hospital† published in December 2009, the authors Willis-Owen, Subramanian, Kumari and Houlihan-Burne, main purpose of the research was to establish whether the hands of doctors who are bare below elbows (BBE) compliant are cleaner than those who wore traditional attire (non-BBE). A prospective cross-sectional observational study was carried out and the result was presented using qualitative method. In the author’s main findings, there were no significant difference in between those doctors who were BBE and those that were not. The aim of the research was clear and precise, as the authors avoided the use of jargons. In support to this, Schneider, Whitehead, LoBiondo-Wood and Haber (2013) report that, aims of a research should be clear, broad, achievable and unambiguous as this guides the reader on how to interpret and analyse the data from the result. This of significance as it outlines the author’s overall intentions for carrying out the research; as a result, the reader is given a clear outline on whether the research is of value and worthwhile (Taylor, Kermode and Roberts, 2006). Furthermore, the use of secondary sources used within this research to support findings, such as works from Fierer et al, informs the reader that there have been similar work done by other researchers (Brockopp and Hastings-Tolsma, 2003).This was also accompanied by a referencing system which clearly states all the literatures integrated, along with the dates so that the reader has enough information to find the original sources used within the study (Collins, 2010). This aids the reader to consider whether the literatures used were current and relevant to the study, and also gain an insight into how the authors went about conducting their research. On the contrary, the results gathered failed to establish the cause-effect of the research (Balakrishnan, 2010) of establishing the effects of BBE policy on hand contamination, which therefore lacks reliability (Wood and Ross-Keer, 2011). Consequently, the reader is unable to apply the findings provided into practice as it lacks logic and relevance. The authors’ use of language to analyse results in discussion was substandard, as they went to discuss patients’ preferences which was confusing, irrelevant and misleading. The article â€Å"The Feedback Intervention Trial (FIT)-Improving Hand Hygiene Compliance in UK Healthcare Workers: A Stepped Wedge Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial†, published October 2012, authors Fuller et al used randomised control trial to collect quantitative results. The main findings included all 16 trusts were randomised, 33 wards implemented intervention (11 Intensive therapy units, 22 acute care elderly), mixed effects regression analysis (all wards) accounting for confounders, temporal trends, ward type and fidelity to intervention (forms/month used). The authors carried out their study in a randomised control trial (RCT). RCT according to Andrew and Halcomb (2009) is a study whereby participants are divided into treatment and control group to determine the effectiveness of a policy and practice interventions. This was appropriate within this research as the number of participants that took part sixty wards and the result obtained can be used to represent the general population. Hence in quantitative research, Chow, Shoa and Wang (2003) states that it is important to have a larger sample size, for the research to be valid and reliable (Solomon, Cavanaugh and Draine, 2009) and assures accuracy and integrity (This means that the reader is able apply theory to practice obtained through the research due to the credibility of the research. In contrast, the research lacked purpose and an aim, as it does not address a significant problem that prompted research (Monsen and Horn, 2008). As a result fails to inform the reader about what the study is trying to achieve by carrying out the research. For this reason the research fails to grab the reader’s attention as there is no clear reason as to why the research is of significance. The authors illustrated that informed consent was established before the research was conducted. This is important within any research as this demonstrates that the participants were content to take part in the research and that ethical values were upheld. This is important to the reader as this shows that Cohen, L., Manion, L Morrison, K. (2011). Research methods in education. (7thed.). Abingdon: Routledge. Monsen, E. R. Horn, L V. (2008). Research: Successful approaches. (3rded.). USA: Diana Faulhaber. Andrew, S. Halcomb, E .J. (2009). Mixed methods research for nursing and the health sciences. Chichester: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Cottrell, R. R. McKenzie, J. F. (2011). Health promotion education research methods: Using the five-chapter thesis/dissertation model. (2nded.). Sudbury: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC. Sim, J. Wright, C. (2000). Research in health care. Cheltenham: Stanley Thomes (Publishers) Ltd. Wood, M. J. Ross-Kerr, J. C. (2011). Basic steps in planning nursing research: From question to proposal. (7thed.). Sudbury: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Schneider, Z., Whitehead, D., Biondo-Wood, G. L. Haber, J. (2013). Nursing and midwifery research 4e: Methods and critical appraisal for evidence-based practice. (4thed.). Chatswood: Elsevier. Balakrishnan, N. (2010). Methods and applications of statistics in the life and health sciences. New Jersey: John Wiley Sons, Inc. Kermode, S. Taylor, B. Roberts, K. (2006). Obtaining approval and support for your project. In B. Taylor., S. Kermode. K. Roberts (Eds.), Research in nursing and health care: Evidence for practice. (pp. 131-169). Australia: Cengage Learning. Chatburn, R. L. (2011). Handbook for health care research. (2nded.). Sudbury: Jones and Baartlett Publishers. Collin, H. (2010). Creative research: The theory and practice of research for the creative. Switzerlan: AVA Publishing SA. Brockopp, D. Y. Hastings-Tolsma. (2003). Fundamentals of nursing research. (3rded.). Sudbury: Jones and Bartlett. McNiff, J. Whitehead, J. (2010). You and your action research project. (3rded.). Abingdon: Routledge. Rees, C. (2010). Evaluting and appraising evidence to underpin nursing practice. In K. Holland., C. Rees (Eds.), Nursing: evidence based practice skills. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Galdon, R. J., Graves, W. R. Kelly, J. M. (2011). Getting published in the life science. New Jersey: Wiley-Blackwell. Solomon, P., Cavanaugh, M. M. Draine, J. (2009). Randomized controlled trials: Design and implementation for community based psychosocial interventions. Oxford: Oxford University Press Inc.

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Women Are The Soul Of Our Community Sociology Essay

Women Are The Soul Of Our Community Sociology Essay Introduction: Status and Social Position of Women The women are the soul of our community and they are self build and self trained human responsible for the morale development of their children, inspiration for the family and an example for the community to follow. As a wife, woman is his best friend and inspiration. The history conveys that, Each successful man has an inspiring woman responsible for success.  [1]   According to Swami Vivekananda- That country and that nation that do not respect women have never become great, nor ever be in future. According to Historian Romilla Thapper- Within the Indian sub-continent there have been infinite variations on the status of women diverging according to culture malice, family structure, class, caste, property rights and morals. Tagores said, Womens are the ornaments of society. The society was male dominated and he ruled mainly by ethics and morals. But now a days womens are enjoying the topmost supremacy and these have won over intelligence and mental capacity of the men. Today if it was that the society was Male-Dominated then india wouldnt have produced highlighting examples such as P.T.Usha-The Women Athlete, Lata Mangeshkar-The Nightingale and the Singer, Sonia Gandhi-Political and Klpana Chawla-The Indian Astronaut. Today the proverb given above has proved true. A woman is the pillar of a family, and concussively that of a nation. The statue of liberty which is symbol of peace and liberty is none other than that of a woman. Therefore, respect women and every life.  [2]   In spite of fifty percent of the population on the world wide, women were not in equal status with men. This differential position causes socialization raises from boys and girls are different roles. As a traditional form, the status and social role of the women in every society, specific Indian society have been women are weaker than men. Women are the teachers of the society and they are not competitors. Woman as the mother is the best friend and teacher for the child, especially girl child (Firestone, Catlett, 1993, the Mother-Daughter Bond). Woman as friend is an inspiring support for any task. Woman as wife is a best friend and supportive partner for the husband. Woman as a family member is a best family manager and care taker of family values and traditions. Women as a community member are an example of love, friendliness, inspiration and the best worker. These are the normal roles and responsibilities performed by the women community around the world. Woman is an all-round pla yer in the game where, playground is family. The only difference is that, woman is an all-round player at almost all such play grounds around the world. In family, woman is an excellent manger cum worker.  [3]   The social stratification of women in-India however leaves them as a second rate citizen. This is no more evident than the violence to which a woman is subjected in her domestic setup. Violence against woman is present is every society cutting boundaries of class, culture, education and age. Even though most societies proscribe violence against woman, the reality is that she is tortured physically, psychologically, sexually and economically, the right to equality, security dignity and self worth are denied to woman. At times the place where a woman seeks love, safety, security and shelter, becomes a place of terror and violence at the hands of somebody close to them whom they trust.  [4]   If we visualize the multiple view of the, woman from various families working for her children, family and herself; we will find that there several women working for the development of their respective families. In broad sense, they are working for combined development of the family, community and society in which they live because; community is the united from of varied families. A woman is never appreciated for her indirect participation in this strong development and in the progress of her children, family or external community. She can be said as a silent and selfless leader. We take woman as a strong pillar on which the progress of the family and community depends. If she is educated enough to utilize and manage the family resources in smart manner and every woman does so, than such community will definitely progress irrespective of the variations in the religion, tradition, culture and financial background that are present in any community around the world. There can be many ci rcumstances that can prevent woman from performing at her best. It can be lack of peer support, illiteracy, lack of knowledge, lack of resources or lack inspiration to name few.  [5]   Crime, atrocity and violence against woman is a manifestation of the historically unequal power relations between (revelation of the factual disproportionate power relation among) man and woman, which led to the domination of a womans fuller advancement. Violence in the domestic spare is usually committed by them who are or who have been, is position of trust and intimacy and power-husbands father, brother, uncle sons or other relatives. It does not mean that women are not violent but their actions account for a small percentage of domestic violence. Such as outside homes these type activity boy friend and unknown person. The criminals, atrocious abuser and the abused are tied together because of emotional, physical, biological, familial, residential and financial ties, and are often their intimate partners.  [6]  Perpetrators of domestic violence seek power and control over their survivors. The factors which contribute to the continued prevalence of violence are mainly the womens lack of access to legal information, aid or protection (womans lack of deprivation of approach to legal information, to provide support or safeguard) and also the lack of laws that effectively prohibit violence against women.  [7]  There is also failure to reform existing laws and the efforts made on part of public authorities to promote awareness of and enforce existing laws are also inadequate. The absence of educational and other means to address the causes and consequences of violence is also the reason behind the prevalence of violence. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) declares that Motherhood and childhood are entitled for special care whether born in or out of wedlock shall enjoy the same protection.  [8]  The Indian constitution enshrines in Art.14, 15, 39(a) (d) and (e) that the state shall ensure a just social order for women based on equality and dignity. In spite of all these, and on the sacred land of Sita, Sabitri and Damayanti it found that women are being seduced, tortured, and enjoyed and betrayed. In spite of Constitutional guarantees and legal protection there is a rise on the trend of committing offenses against women and the domestic violence is one of them. Women have always played a specific and crucial role which has been veiled in society and history. Traditionally, the Indian woman has been the keystone of the family and society in general. She creates life, nurtures it, guards and strengthens it. In her task as mother, she plays a vital role in the development of the nation.   [9]   Status and social position of women in India Women in India have been always topics of concern since ancient period. They can as a exact example of perfect home-makers. With their incomparable quality of the calm ness of mind they easily handle even toughest situation as well. The Indian women are fully devoted to their families. They are preached in the names like as Goddess Durga, Goddess Saraswati, Parvati and goddess Kali.  [10]  The evolution of the status and social position of women in India  [11]  has been a continuous process of ups and downs throughout history. For the purpose of depicting a brief survey of the changing position and role of women in India throughout history, four broad periods are considered: Ancient Period Medieval Period Modern India Period British-India Period. After Independence Period Brief described each period on following as:-

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Essay --

Why? Why should parents have to worry about sending their child to school everyday? Why should students have to sit in class with thoughts in the back of their head like, what if that were to happen here? Why? The question everyone wants answers to is why do school shootings even happen. There is no single, certain answer to these questions. By finding out why school shooting occur, preventing them will be much easier. 1st Sub-topic: Where and why 60% of school shootings in the US happen in small towns. Research on earlier shootings showed the attack is on a school because that is the center stage in a small town, where the shooter can affect the entire community. School shootings are far more frequent in America than in other countries. Although school shootings seem to be on the rise, school is still considered one of the safest places. In 2012 out of all youth homicides, less than 2% occur at school, and this percentage has been stable for the past decade. In 2010, there were about 828,000 nonfatal injuries at school among students 12 to 18 years old. Deaths resulting from schoo...

Friday, July 19, 2019

Benjamin Banneker :: History

Benjamin Banneker Benjamin Banneker was an astronomer, scientist, mathematician, surveyor, clock-maker, author, and social critic. Most notable about his accomplishments was that despite racial constraints and little formal education, he was a self-taught man. By the end of his life, his achievements were well-known around the world. Unlike many blacks of his time, Banneker was not born into slavery. The maternal side of his family determined this fate. His grandmother Mary Walsh was a white Englishwoman who was sentenced to seven years of servitude for stealing milk. She was sent from England to America to serve as an indentured servant. After she finished her sentence, she bought some land and two African slaves. She married one of them, named Bannaky, and they had many children, one of whom was named Mary. Like her mother, when Mary married, she bought a slave and married him. Mary and Robert had several children, including Banneker. Banneker was born in 1731 just outside of Baltimore, Maryland. Banneker's education began in the early years of his childhood. Banneker and his siblings were taught to read by their grandmother Molly, who used the Bible as a lesson book. When Banneker was twelve, a Quaker named Peter Heinrich moved next to the Banneker farm and established a school for boys, which Banneker attended. He excelled in mathematics and even progressed beyond the ability of his teacher. At the age of twenty-one, his abilities were finally utilized. He met a man named Josef Levi who showed him a pocket watch. Banneker was so fascinated that Levi gave him the watch. He studied how it worked, drew a picture of it, and made mathematical calculations for the parts. He worked on building the clock for two years. In 1753, it was completed. It was made of wood and he had carved the gears by hand. This was the first clock built in the United States. For more than forty years, the clock struck every hour. In addition to creating America's first clock, Banneker had an interest in astronomy. When Banneker's friend Andrew Ellicott died, he left him books on astronomy, scientific instruments, and a telescope. Banneker began to study astronomy and made mathematical calculations of the stars and constellations. He used these calculations to correctly predict a solar eclipse that took place on April 14, 1789. His abilities in astronomy and mathematics led him to create an almanac in 1792.