Saturday, August 31, 2019
The Da Vinci Code Chapter 84-86
CHAPTER 84 In a rubbish-strewn alley very close to Temple Church, Remy Legaludec pulled the Jaguar limousine to a stop behind a row of industrial waste bins. Killing the engine, he checked the area. Deserted. He got out of the car, walked toward the rear, and climbed back into the limousine's main cabin where the monk was. Sensing Remy's presence, the monk in the back emerged from a prayer-like trance, his red eyes looking more curious than fearful. All evening Remy had been impressed with this trussed man's ability to stay calm. After some initial struggles in the Range Rover, the monk seemed to have accepted his plight and given over his fate to a higher power. Loosening his bow tie, Remy unbuttoned his high, starched, wing-tipped collar and felt as if he could breathe for the first time in years. He went to the limousine's wet bar, where he poured himself a Smirnoff vodka. He drank it in a single swallow and followed it with a second. Soon I will be a man of leisure. Searching the bar, Remy found a standard service wine-opener and flicked open the sharp blade. The knife was usually employed to slice the lead foil from corks on fine bottles of wine, but it would serve a far more dramatic purpose this morning. Remy turned and faced Silas, holding up the glimmering blade. Now those red eyes flashed fear. Remy smiled and moved toward the back of the limousine. The monk recoiled, struggling against his bonds. ââ¬Å"Be still,â⬠Remy whispered, raising the blade. Silas could not believe that God had forsaken him. Even the physical pain of being bound Silas had turned into a spiritual exercise, asking the throb of his blood-starved muscles to remind him of the pain Christ endured. I have been praying all night for liberation.Now, as the knife descended, Silas clenched his eyes shut. A slash of pain tore through his shoulder blades. He cried out, unable to believe he was going to die here in the back of this limousine, unable to defend himself. I was doing God's work.TheTeacher said he would protect me. Silas felt the biting warmth spreading across his back and shoulders and could picture his own blood, spilling out over his flesh. A piercing pain cut through his thighs now, and he felt the onset of that familiar undertow of disorientation ââ¬â the body's defense mechanism against the pain. As the biting heat tore through all of his muscles now, Silas clenched his eyes tighter, determined that the final image of his life would not be of his own killer. Instead he pictured a younger Bishop Aringarosa, standing before the small church in Spainâ⬠¦ the church that he and Silas had built with their own hands. The beginning of my life. Silas felt as if his body were on fire. ââ¬Å"Take a drink,â⬠the tuxedoed man whispered, his accent French. ââ¬Å"It will help with your circulation.â⬠Silas's eyes flew open in surprise. A blurry image was leaning over him, offering a glass of liquid. A mound of shredded duct tape lay on the floor beside the bloodless knife. ââ¬Å"Drink this,â⬠he repeated. ââ¬Å"The pain you feel is the blood rushing into your muscles.â⬠Silas felt the fiery throb transforming now to a prickling sting. The vodka tasted terrible, but he drank it, feeling grateful. Fate had dealt Silas a healthy share of bad luck tonight, but God had solved it all with one miraculous twist. God has not forsaken me. Silas knew what Bishop Aringarosa would call it. Divine intervention. ââ¬Å"I had wanted to free you earlier,â⬠the servant apologized,â⬠but it was impossible. With the police arriving at Chateau Villette, and then at Biggin Hill airport, this was the first possible moment. You understand, don't you, Silas?â⬠Silas recoiled, startled. ââ¬Å"You know my name?â⬠The servant smiled. Silas sat up now, rubbing his stiff muscles, his emotions a torrent of incredulity, appreciation, and confusion. ââ¬Å"Are youâ⬠¦ the Teacher?â⬠Remy shook his head, laughing at the proposition. ââ¬Å"I wish I had that kind of power. No, I am not the Teacher. Like you, I serve him. But the Teacher speaks highly of you. My name is Remy.â⬠Silas was amazed. ââ¬Å"I don't understand. If you work for the Teacher, why did Langdon bring the keystone to your home?â⬠ââ¬Å"Not my home. The home of the world's foremost Grail historian, Sir Leigh Teabing.â⬠ââ¬Å"But you live there. The oddsâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Remy smiled, seeming to have no trouble with the apparent coincidence of Langdon's chosen refuge. ââ¬Å"It was all utterly predictable. Robert Langdon was in possession of the keystone, and he needed help. What more logical place to run than to the home of Leigh Teabing? That I happen to live there is why the Teacher approached me in the first place.â⬠He paused. ââ¬Å"How do you think the Teacher knows so much about the Grail?â⬠Now it dawned, and Silas was stunned. The Teacher had recruited a servant who had access to all of Sir Leigh Teabing's research. It was brilliant. ââ¬Å"There is much I have to tell you,â⬠Remy said, handing Silas the loaded Heckler Koch pistol. Then he reached through the open partition and retrieved a small, palm-sized revolver from the glove box. ââ¬Å"But first, you and I have a job to do.â⬠Captain Fache descended from his transport plane at Biggin Hill and listened in disbelief to the Kent chief inspector's account of what had happened in Teabing's hangar. ââ¬Å"I searched the plane myself,â⬠the inspector insisted,â⬠and there was no one inside.â⬠His tone turned haughty. ââ¬Å"And I should add that if Sir Leigh Teabing presses charges against me, I will ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Did you interrogate the pilot?â⬠ââ¬Å"Of course not. He is French, and our jurisdiction requires ââ¬â ââ¬Å"Take me to the plane.â⬠Arriving at the hangar, Fache needed only sixty seconds to locate an anomalous smear of blood on the pavement near where the limousine had been parked. Fache walked up to the plane and rapped loudly on the fuselage. ââ¬Å"This is the captain of the French Judicial Police. Open the door!â⬠The terrified pilot opened the hatch and lowered the stairs. Fache ascended. Three minutes later, with the help of his sidearm, he had a full confession, including a description of the bound albino monk. In addition, he learned that the pilot saw Langdon and Sophie leave something behind in Teabing's safe, a wooden box of some sort. Although the pilot denied knowing what was in the box, he admitted it had been the focus of Langdon's full attention during the flight to London. ââ¬Å"Open the safe,â⬠Fache demanded. The pilot looked terrified. ââ¬Å"I don't know the combination!â⬠ââ¬Å"That's too bad. I was going to offer to let you keep your pilot's license.â⬠The pilot wrung his hands. ââ¬Å"I know some men in maintenance here. Maybe they could drill it?â⬠ââ¬Å"You have half an hour.â⬠The pilot leapt for his radio. Fache strode to the back of the plane and poured himself a hard drink. It was early, but he had not yet slept, so this hardly counted as drinking before noon. Sitting in a plush bucket seat, he closed his eyes, trying to sort out what was going on. The Kent police's blunder could cost me dearly. Everyone was now on the lookout for a black Jaguar limousine. Fache's phone rang, and he wished for a moment's peace. ââ¬Å"Allo?â⬠ââ¬Å"I'm en route to London.â⬠It was Bishop Aringarosa. ââ¬Å"I'll be arriving in an hour.â⬠Fache sat up. ââ¬Å"I thought you were going to Paris.â⬠ââ¬Å"I am deeply concerned. I have changed my plans.â⬠ââ¬Å"You should not have.â⬠ââ¬Å"Do you have Silas?â⬠ââ¬Å"No. His captors eluded the local police before I landed.â⬠Aringarosa's anger rang sharply. ââ¬Å"You assured me you would stop that plane!â⬠Fache lowered his voice. ââ¬Å"Bishop, considering your situation, I recommend you not test my patience today. I will find Silas and the others as soon as possible. Where are you landing?â⬠ââ¬Å"One moment.â⬠Aringarosa covered the receiver and then came back. ââ¬Å"The pilot is trying to get clearance at Heathrow. I'm his only passenger, but our redirect was unscheduled.â⬠ââ¬Å"Tell him to come to Biggin Hill Executive Airport in Kent. I'll get him clearance. If I'm not here when you land, I'll have a car waiting for you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thank you.â⬠ââ¬Å"As I expressed when we first spoke, Bishop, you would do well to remember that you are not the only man on the verge of losing everything.â⬠CHAPTER 85 You seek the orb that ought be on his tomb. Each of the carved knights within the Temple Church lay on his back with his head resting on a rectangular stone pillow. Sophie felt a chill. The poem's reference to anâ⬠orbâ⬠conjured images of the night in her grandfather's basement. Hieros Gamos. The orbs. Sophie wondered if the ritual had been performed in this very sanctuary. The circular room seemed custom-built for such a pagan rite. A stone pew encircled a bare expanse of floor in the middle. A theater in the round, as Robert had called it. She imagined this chamber at night, filled with masked people, chanting by torchlight, all witnessing aâ⬠sacred communionâ⬠in the center of the room. Forcing the image from her mind, she advanced with Langdon and Teabing toward the first group of knights. Despite Teabing's insistence that their investigation should be conducted meticulously, Sophie felt eager and pushed ahead of them, making a cursory walk-through of the five knights on the left. Scrutinizing these first tombs, Sophie noted the similarities and differences between them. Every knight was on his back, but three of the knights had their legs extended straight out while two had their legs crossed. The oddity seemed to have no relevance to the missing orb. Examining their clothing, Sophie noted that two of the knights wore tunics over their armor, while the other three wore ankle-length robes. Again, utterly unhelpful. Sophie turned her attention to the only other obvious difference ââ¬â their hand positions. Two knights clutched swords, two prayed, and one had his arms at his side. After a long moment looking at the hands, Sophie shrugged, having seen no hint anywhere of a conspicuously absent orb. Feeling the weight of the cryptex in her sweater pocket, she glanced back at Langdon and Teabing. The men were moving slowly, still only at the third knight, apparently having no luck either. In no mood to wait, she turned away from them toward the second group of knights. As she crossed the open space, she quietly recited the poem she had read so many times now that it was committed to memory. In London lies a knight a Pope interred. His labor's fruit a Holy wrath incurred. You seek the orb that ought be on his tomb. It speaks of Rosy flesh and seeded womb. When Sophie arrived at the second group of knights, she found that this second group was similar to the first. All lay with varied body positions, wearing armor and swords. That was, all except the tenth and final tomb. Hurrying over to it, she stared down. No pillow. No armor. No tunic. No sword. ââ¬Å"Robert? Leigh?â⬠she called, her voice echoing around the chamber. ââ¬Å"There's something missing over here.â⬠Both men looked up and immediately began to cross the room toward her. ââ¬Å"An orb?â⬠Teabing called excitedly. His crutches clicked out a rapid staccato as he hurried across the room. ââ¬Å"Are we missing an orb?â⬠ââ¬Å"Not exactly,â⬠Sophie said, frowning at the tenth tomb. ââ¬Å"We seem to be missing an entire knight.â⬠Arriving beside her both men gazed down in confusion at the tenth tomb. Rather than a knight lying in the open air, this tomb was a sealed stone casket. The casket was trapezoidal, tapered at the feet, widening toward the top, with a peaked lid. ââ¬Å"Why isn't this knight shown?â⬠Langdon asked. ââ¬Å"Fascinating,â⬠Teabing said, stroking his chin. ââ¬Å"I had forgotten about this oddity. It's been years since I was here.â⬠ââ¬Å"This coffin,â⬠Sophie said,â⬠looks like it was carved at the same time and by the same sculptor as the other nine tombs. So why is this knight in a casket rather than in the open?â⬠Teabing shook his head. ââ¬Å"One of this church's mysteries. To the best of my knowledge, nobody has ever found any explanation for it.â⬠ââ¬Å"Hello?â⬠the altar boy said, arriving with a perturbed look on his face. ââ¬Å"Forgive me if this seems rude, but you told me you wanted to spread ashes, and yet you seem to be sightseeing.â⬠Teabing scowled at the boy and turned to Langdon. ââ¬Å"Mr. Wren, apparently your family's philanthropy does not buy you the time it used to, so perhaps we should take out the ashes and get on with it.â⬠Teabing turned to Sophie. ââ¬Å"Mrs. Wren?â⬠Sophie played along, pulling the vellum-wrapped cryptex from her pocket. ââ¬Å"Now then,â⬠Teabing snapped at the boy,â⬠if you would give us some privacy?â⬠The altar boy did not move. He was eyeing Langdon closely now. ââ¬Å"You look familiar.â⬠Teabing huffed. ââ¬Å"Perhaps that is because Mr. Wren comes here every year!â⬠Or perhaps, Sophie now feared, because he saw Langdon on television at the Vatican last year. ââ¬Å"I have never met Mr. Wren,â⬠the altar boy declared. ââ¬Å"You're mistaken,â⬠Langdon said politely. ââ¬Å"I believe you and I met in passing last year. Father Knowles failed to formally introduce us, but I recognized your face as we came in. Now, I realize this is an intrusion, but if you could afford me a few more minutes, I have traveled a great distance to scatter ashes amongst these tombs.â⬠Langdon spoke his lines with Teabing-esque believability. The altar boy's expression turned even more skeptical. ââ¬Å"These are not tombs.â⬠ââ¬Å"I'm sorry?â⬠Langdon said. ââ¬Å"Of course they are tombs,â⬠Teabing declared. ââ¬Å"What are you talking about?â⬠The altar boy shook his head. ââ¬Å"Tombs contain bodies. These are effigies. Stone tributes to real men. There are no bodies beneath these figures.â⬠ââ¬Å"This is a crypt!â⬠Teabing said. ââ¬Å"Only in outdated history books. This was believed to be a crypt but was revealed as nothing of the sort during the 1950 renovation.â⬠He turned back to Langdon. ââ¬Å"And I imagine Mr. Wren would know that. Considering it was his family that uncovered that fact.â⬠An uneasy silence fell. It was broken by the sound of a door slamming out in the annex. ââ¬Å"That must be Father Knowles,â⬠Teabing said. ââ¬Å"Perhaps you should go see?â⬠The altar boy looked doubtful but stalked back toward the annex, leaving Langdon, Sophie, and Teabing to eye one another gloomily. ââ¬Å"Leigh,â⬠Langdon whispered. ââ¬Å"No bodies? What is he talking about?â⬠Teabing looked distraught. ââ¬Å"I don't know. I always thoughtâ⬠¦ certainly, this must be the place. I can't imagine he knows what he is talking about. It makes no sense!â⬠ââ¬Å"Can I see the poem again?â⬠Langdon said. Sophie pulled the cryptex from her pocket and carefully handed it to him. Langdon unwrapped the vellum, holding the cryptex in his hand while he examined the poem. ââ¬Å"Yes, the poem definitely references a tomb.Not an effigy.â⬠ââ¬Å"Could the poem be wrong?â⬠Teabing asked. ââ¬Å"Could Jacques Sauniere have made the same mistake I just did?â⬠Langdon considered it and shook his head. ââ¬Å"Leigh, you said it yourself. This church was built by Templars, the military arm of the Priory. Something tells me the Grand Master of the Priory would have a pretty good idea if there were knights buried here.â⬠Teabing looked flabbergasted. ââ¬Å"But this place is perfect.â⬠He wheeled back toward the knights. ââ¬Å"We must be missing something!â⬠Entering the annex, the altar boy was surprised to find it deserted. ââ¬Å"Father Knowles?â⬠I know Iheard the door, he thought, moving forward until he could see the entryway. A thin man in a tuxedo stood near the doorway, scratching his head and looking lost. The altar boy gave an irritated huff, realizing he had forgotten to relock the door when he let the others in. Now some pathetic sod had wandered in off the street, looking for directions to some wedding from the looks of it. ââ¬Å"I'm sorry,â⬠he called out, passing a large pillar,â⬠we're closed.â⬠A flurry of cloth ruffled behind him, and before the altar boy could turn, his head snapped backward, a powerful hand clamping hard over his mouth from behind, muffling his scream. The hand over the boy's mouth was snow-white, and he smelled alcohol. The prim man in the tuxedo calmly produced a very small revolver, which he aimed directly at the boy's forehead. The altar boy felt his groin grow hot and realized he had wet himself. ââ¬Å"Listen carefully,â⬠the tuxedoed man whispered. ââ¬Å"You will exit this church silently, and you will run. You will not stop. Is that clear?â⬠The boy nodded as best he could with the hand over his mouth. ââ¬Å"If you call the policeâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ The tuxedoed man pressed the gun to his skin. ââ¬Å"I will find you.â⬠The next thing the boy knew, he was sprinting across the outside courtyard with no plans of stopping until his legs gave out. CHAPTER 86 Like a ghost, Silas drifted silently behind his target. Sophie Neveu sensed him too late. Before she could turn, Silas pressed the gun barrel into her spine and wrapped a powerful arm across her chest, pulling her back against his hulking body. She yelled in surprise. Teabing and Langdon both turned now, their expressions astonished and fearful. ââ¬Å"Whatâ⬠¦ ?â⬠Teabing choked out. ââ¬Å"What did you do to Remy!â⬠ââ¬Å"Your only concern,â⬠Silas said calmly,â⬠is that I leave here with the keystone.â⬠This recovery mission, as Remy had described it, was to be clean and simple: Enter the church, take the keystone, and walk out; no killing, no struggle. Holding Sophie firm, Silas dropped his hand from her chest, down to her waist, slipping it inside her deep sweater pockets, searching. He could smell the soft fragrance of her hair through his own alcohol-laced breath. ââ¬Å"Where is it?â⬠he whispered. The keystone was in her sweater pocket earlier. So where is it now? ââ¬Å"It's over here,â⬠Langdon's deep voice resonated from across the room. Silas turned to see Langdon holding the black cryptex before him, waving it back and forth like a matador tempting a dumb animal. ââ¬Å"Set it down,â⬠Silas demanded. ââ¬Å"Let Sophie and Leigh leave the church,â⬠Langdon replied. ââ¬Å"You and I can settle this.â⬠Silas pushed Sophie away from him and aimed the gun at Langdon, moving toward him. ââ¬Å"Not a step closer,â⬠Langdon said. ââ¬Å"Not until they leave the building.â⬠ââ¬Å"You are in no position to make demands.â⬠ââ¬Å"I disagree.â⬠Langdon raised the cryptex high over his head. ââ¬Å"I will not hesitate to smash this on the floor and break the vial inside.â⬠Although Silas sneered outwardly at the threat, he felt a flash of fear. This was unexpected. He aimed the gun at Langdon's head and kept his voice as steady as his hand. ââ¬Å"You would never break the keystone. You want to find the Grail as much as I do.â⬠ââ¬Å"You're wrong. You want it much more. You've proven you're willing to kill for it.â⬠Forty feet away, peering out from the annex pews near the archway, Remy Legaludec felt a rising alarm. The maneuver had not gone as planned, and even from here, he could see Silas was uncertain how to handle the situation. At the Teacher's orders, Remy had forbidden Silas to fire his gun. ââ¬Å"Let them go,â⬠Langdon again demanded, holding the cryptex high over his head and staring into Silas's gun. The monk's red eyes filled with anger and frustration, and Remy tightened with fear that Silas might actually shoot Langdon while he was holding the cryptex. The cryptex cannot fall! The cryptex was to be Remy's ticket to freedom and wealth. A little over a year ago, he was simply a fifty-five-year-old manservant living within the walls of Chateau Villette, catering to the whims of the insufferable cripple Sir Leigh Teabing. Then he was approached with an extraordinary proposition. Remy's association with Sir Leigh Teabing ââ¬â the preeminent Grail historian on earth ââ¬â was going to bring Remy everything he had ever dreamed of in life. Since then, every moment he had spent inside Chateau Villette had been leading him to this very instant. I am so close, Remy told himself, gazing into the sanctuary of the Temple Church and the keystone in Robert Langdon's hand. If Langdon dropped it, all would be lost. Am I willing to show my face? It was something the Teacher had strictly forbidden. Remy was the only one who knew the Teacher's identity. ââ¬Å"Are you certain you want Silas to carry out this task?â⬠Remy had asked the Teacher less than half an hour ago, upon getting orders to steal the keystone. ââ¬Å"I myself am capable.â⬠The Teacher was resolute. ââ¬Å"Silas served us well with the four Priory members. He will recover the keystone. You must remain anonymous. If others see you, they will need to be eliminated, and there has been enough killing already. Do not reveal your face.â⬠My face will change, Remy thought. With what you've promised to pay me, I will become an entirely new man.Surgery could even change his fingerprints, the Teacher had told him. Soon he would be free ââ¬â another unrecognizable, beautiful face soaking up the sun on the beach. ââ¬Å"Understood,â⬠Remy said. ââ¬Å"I will assist Silas from the shadows.â⬠ââ¬Å"For your own knowledge, Remy,â⬠the Teacher had told him,â⬠the tomb in question is not in the Temple Church. So have no fear. They are looking in the wrong place.â⬠Remy was stunned. ââ¬Å"And you know where the tomb is?â⬠ââ¬Å"Of course. Later, I will tell you. For the moment, you must act quickly. If the others figure out the true location of the tomb and leave the church before you take the cryptex, we could lose the Grail forever.â⬠Remy didn't give a damn about the Grail, except that the Teacher refused to pay him until it was found. Remy felt giddy every time he thought of the money he soon would have. One third oftwenty million euro.Plenty to disappear forever.Remy had pictured the beach towns on the Cà ´te d'Azur, where he planned to live out his days basking in the sun and letting others serve him for a change. Now, however, here in the Temple Church, with Langdon threatening to break the keystone, Remy's future was at risk. Unable to bear the thought of coming this close only to lose it all, Remy made the decision to take bold action. The gun in his hand was a concealable, small-caliber, J-frame Medusa, but it would be plenty deadly at close range. Stepping from the shadows, Remy marched into the circular chamber and aimed the gun directly at Teabing's head. ââ¬Å"Old man, I've been waiting a long time to do this.â⬠Sir Leigh Teabing's heart practically stalled to see Remy aiming a gun at him. What is he doing! Teabing recognized the tiny Medusa revolver as his own, the one he kept locked in the limousine glove box for safety. ââ¬Å"Remy?â⬠Teabing sputtered in shock. ââ¬Å"What is going on?â⬠Langdon and Sophie looked equally dumbstruck. Remy circled behind Teabing and rammed the pistol barrel into his back, high and on the left, directly behind his heart. Teabing felt his muscles seize with terror. ââ¬Å"Remy, I don't ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"I'll make it simple,â⬠Remy snapped, eyeing Langdon over Teabing's shoulder. ââ¬Å"Set down the keystone, or I pull the trigger.â⬠Langdon seemed momentarily paralyzed. ââ¬Å"The keystone is worthless to you,â⬠he stammered. ââ¬Å"You cannot possibly open it.â⬠ââ¬Å"Arrogant fools,â⬠Remy sneered. ââ¬Å"Have you not noticed that I have been listening tonight as you discussed these poems? Everything I heard, I have shared with others. Others who know more than you. You are not even looking in the right place. The tomb you seek is in another location entirely!â⬠Teabing felt panicked. What is he saying! ââ¬Å"Why do you want the Grail?â⬠Langdon demanded. ââ¬Å"To destroy it? Before the End of Days?â⬠Remy called to the monk. ââ¬Å"Silas, take the keystone from Mr. Langdon.â⬠As the monk advanced, Langdon stepped back, raising the keystone high, looking fully prepared to hurl it at the floor. ââ¬Å"I would rather break it,â⬠Langdon said, ââ¬Å"than see it in the wrong hands.â⬠Teabing now felt a wave of horror. He could see his life's work evaporating before his eyes. All his dreams about to be shattered. ââ¬Å"Robert, no!â⬠Teabing exclaimed. ââ¬Å"Don't! That's the Grail you're holding! Remy would never shoot me. We've known each other for ten ââ¬â ââ¬Å" Remy aimed at the ceiling and fired the Medusa. The blast was enormous for such a small weapon, the gunshot echoing like thunder inside the stone chamber. Everyone froze.â⬠I am not playing games,â⬠Remy said. ââ¬Å"The next one is in his back. Hand the keystone to Silas.â⬠Langdon reluctantly held out the cryptex. Silas stepped forward and took it, his red eyes gleaming with the self-satisfaction of vengeance. Slipping the keystone in the pocket of his robe, Silas backed off, still holding Langdon and Sophie at gunpoint. Teabing felt Remy's arm clamp hard around his neck as the servant began backing out of the building, dragging Teabing with him, the gun still pressed in his back. ââ¬Å"Let him go,â⬠Langdon demanded. ââ¬Å"We're taking Mr. Teabing for a drive,â⬠Remy said, still backing up. ââ¬Å"If you call the police, he will die. If you do anything to interfere, he will die. Is that clear?â⬠ââ¬Å"Take me,â⬠Langdon demanded, his voice cracking with emotion. ââ¬Å"Let Leigh go.â⬠Remy laughed. ââ¬Å"I don't think so. He and I have such a nice history. Besides, he still might prove useful.â⬠Silas was backing up now, keeping Langdon and Sophie at gunpoint as Remy pulled Leigh toward the exit, his crutches dragging behind him. Sophie's voice was unwavering. ââ¬Å"Who are you working for?â⬠The question brought a smirk to the departing Remy's face. ââ¬Å"You would be surprised, Mademoiselle Neveu.ââ¬
The History of Batu Caves
The History of Batu Caves The Batu Caves is all made up of limestone, as we can see when we are inside the cave or even driving on the highway crossing Batu Caves. The limestone is said to be around 400 million years old the limestone forming Batu Caves is. Some of the cave entrances were used as shelters by the native people. Batu Caves became famous only after the limestone hills were recorded by colonial authorities including Daly and Syers as well as American Naturalist, William Hornaday in 1878.The history of Batu Caves all started in the year of 1891 when Mr. K. Thamboosamy Pillai, who were one of the founders that also founded the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Dhevasthanam, Kuala Lumpur, on top of that he send his associates that is Sri Thiruvengadam Pillai and Sri Kanthapa Thevar to do a research for an suitable place of worship for Lord Sri Murugan. It was in that year, that the influential descendant of Indian immigrants from Tamil Nadu, India, Mr.K. Thamboosamy Pillai installe d the ââ¬Ëmurtiââ¬â¢ or consecrated idol of Lord Murugan in the 400 ft high Temple Cave. At the following year ahead, the Thaipusam festival in the Tamil month of Thai during the month of January to February has been celebrated there as the annual festival of Batu Caves. In addition to that, the steps to go up the Batu Caves was all wooden steps up an it was built in the year of 1920 and have since been replaced by 272 concrete steps.
Friday, August 30, 2019
Management Essay
Our group feels that this question can be answered in 2 different ways namely, from the managerââ¬â¢s perspective or from the employeeââ¬â¢s perspective for each aspect of Ajzenââ¬â¢s theory. 1. Attitude toward the behaviourà In this case, the ââ¬Ëattitudeââ¬â¢ here refers to that of the recession. From employeesââ¬â¢ perspective ââ¬â employees will be low in spirits and morale during a recession as they know that there is a high possibility that they will be retrenched by the company. From managerââ¬â¢s perspective ââ¬â The manager will have a positive attitude about improving the performance of the employees during a recession because if they do not do so, the company will take a long time or never recover from the recession. The manager can improve the employeeââ¬â¢s performance by a. Communicating with the employees about the recession and the possible impacts it will have on the workplace. b. Provide continuous feedback which includes occasional recognition and rewards to boost their morale. c. Attribute the employeesââ¬â¢ consistent performance and update them on the state of the economy. 2. Subjective norm From employeesââ¬â¢ perspective ââ¬â employees feel that they should not give in their 100% at work in times of a recession as the likelihood of being retrenched is still prominent, so why work so hard? They are pressured by their peers to act in this manner. From managerââ¬â¢s perspective ââ¬â managers are pressured by the top management (CEOs, shareholders) to think of ways to improve the employeesââ¬â¢ performance. Such methods are as mentioned earlier above. 3. Perceived Behavioural Controlà From employeesââ¬â¢ perspective ââ¬â it is very easy to succumb to peer pressure and not give in their best in their work in times of a recession. From managerââ¬â¢s perspective ââ¬â managers are completely in charge on their intention to improve the employeesââ¬â¢ performance during a recession as it is their job to do so.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Critically compare and contrast theories of management (classical, Essay
Critically compare and contrast theories of management (classical, human relations, systems, contingency, Marxist labour process - Essay Example In 1911, Taylor suggested management a process in which that he suggested that if planned scientifically, would direct to success. His guidelines of scientific management started a revolution in the ways we assumed the procedures and the status of a manager. Numerous early writers in management challenged that there was an appropriate way of organizing work and completing tasks. Others established on the engineering approaches to approve the effects of bureaucracies. Mintzberg elaborated the responsibility and role of a manager in leading the organizations to attaining goals in a logical manner. The informational, interpersonal, and decisional roles he distinguished are equally practicable to the managers operating in private, public or nonprofit organizational set up (Buchanan and Huczynski 2010). Classical Management Theory Classical management theory engages making multiple standards of workers to enhance profitability. Employees working at the lower levels find their jobs supervi sed by managers, who in turn, are supervised by upper level management. At each level, employees are required to perform jobs according to particular procedures created to boost productivity. Moreover, this theory concentrates on a distant side of the business. Employees and managers are advised to resist friendly and personal communications within the organization. Rules and regulations must be followed with precision, and the recruitment of employees must associate only to the potentials they attain. However, classical management theory is not employed in many organizations because some of its loopholes. As few elements of the theory, like crafting procedures for accomplishing tasks and keeping personal matters out of business, assist an organization concentrate on the current job, the theory fails to identify the disparity among employees. When employee emotions and opinions are not considered, the business may not flourish or may confront high ratios of employee turnover. Since, the employee feels deprived of establishing a relationship and they leave the organization in search of a more fulfilling job. The classical management theory highlights on the ways management can be or designed to acquire productivity. Henri Fayol, an eminent name in management science, crafted several management theories directed towards success, like designing a unified way among managers, discipline, and centralization. Numerous other management theories focused on establishing team confidence (Buchanan and Huczynski 2010). On the other hand, the major weakness of the classical management theory emerged from its difficulty, and stubborn structure. One of the core principles of the classical management theory is to raise productivity and performance; however, acquiring these objectives often came at the cost of human bonds and creativity. For instance, managers would utilize assemble line procedures and project management theories that concentrated on successful division of jobs . However, employers overlooked the relational factor in employees, in the procedure of attempting to forecast and manage human behavior. In reality, the human relations movement raised in reaction to the classical management theory, as a method to understand the responsibility of human motivation in efficiency. Also, too much depending on previous experience is another flaw of the theory. The theorists of this era only examined their
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
MILITARY SECURITY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
MILITARY SECURITY - Essay Example Both these military engagements are more similar to each other than to conventional warfare; once the bases are established in a foreign nation, a guerrilla war usually ensues much similar to a local insurgency. Military security can further be categorized in respect of its needs in and outside a military base. This categorization is based on the security dynamics of defending a stronghold and escorting a moving vehicle, crowd or even protecting civilian infrastructure. Both are essential for a military force to dominate; having a secure military base is not enough for a military to be considered successful when it is being harassed by a much smaller force in hit and run attacks. Bloody, city wide, offensives often cause millions to displace. Though this helps secure the city, the consequences are not pleasant for the security in the long term. Once the population returns to the war struck region, it is easy for the insurgents to mix up in the civilian population to infiltrate. This is a significant security challenge for the military. Wadhams reports in The Cincinnati Post, in 2004, of an insurgent infiltrating a fully guarded US security base that was protected by barbed wires and blast walls at Mosul and setting of one of the deadliest explosions. Under such circumstances, security measures often keep on changing to meet the dynamic needs. Adaptability is an essential in ââ¬Ëfluid situationsââ¬â¢, 1st Sgt. Steve Valley is reported to have said in the same report. Suicide attacks change the whole nature of security dynamics as the attacker aims to kill himself in the attack. For the conventional and nuclear warfare, the security of the personnel and equipment is foreseeable but for terrorist attacks, knowing what the enemy is capable of is solely dependent upon previous encounters and intelligence. Pappalardo (2004) reports in ââ¬Å"National Defenseâ⬠about US military as bases being equipped with chemical and biological detectors as a precaution against attacks from weapons of mass destruction. Security of military bases in the current situation is much sophisticated, especially when it comes to the smaller installations; they rely on first responders and outside help unlike the major ones which have coordination with the local authorities, be it in an occupied territory or in the home country. As the requirement puts it, smaller bases are much more in number and raise the need for sufficient security for undisrupted operations so that they can continue to operate in balance with survival and mission success. Kemp (2008) lists a series of security measures used in protecting the bases in his report on base protection in Armada International. With sufficiently trained personnel, the security measures can range from deploying simple sandbags, screens to disrupt direct line of sight, barriers and fortifications to all weather sensors, patrolling systems, anti personnel mines, counter rocket and mortar systems (C-Ram) and a com mand and control system. Intruder alarms and alertness is the key to defusing any grave situations in event of an attack. Dunigan (2011) highlights the peak utilization of private military security contractors in Victory for Hire: Private Security Companies' Impact on Military Effectiveness. This takes off the load of training and recruiting from the military and allows the military to focus
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Environmental Issue Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
Environmental Issue - Essay Example Mr. Brown thinks problems like global warming, soil erosion, water shortage and population growth should be addressed first; whereas, Mr. Paarlberg argues that aids directed to the betterment of education, agriculture, infrastructure development etc. will be sufficient to address the problem. Parties to the effort are also a subject of disagreement. Paarlberg thinks developed countries especially the US should take the initiative; whereas, Brown thinks all the counties together should make an effort to solve the problems like water-soil crisis, global warming etc. (Easton, 2011). In some respect both of them are right; but Mr. Brown is more right. For a sustainable and long term solution to the problem of food shortage soil condition and water condition of a region must be improved and global warming must be harnessed on a long term basis by ââ¬Å"restoration of forest, soils and aquifersâ⬠. Poverty must be eradicated and population must be stabilized. For the last two efforts developing countries can use some foreign aids (Easton, 2011). 2. Genetically Modified Foods Scientists have found out a way to transfer genes from one living organism to another and give bacteria, plants, animals etc. new features. When similar modification is done in our sources foods like grains, fruits, vegetables or live stocks we get Genetically Modified (GM) food. ... Mr. Coleman argues that to meet the growing demand of food GM food is a solution; whereas, Mr. McDonagh thinks that the problem lies in distribution, not in demand-supply. Mr. Coleman claims that production of GM food requires less chemical and water, whereas yield is higher. Mr. McDonagh completely disagrees and said that though there is an initial saving of cost, the cost of producing GM foods increases after few years and there in no significant increase in yield. Mr. Coleman tries to argue that farming of GM corps for a continuous period of 10 to 12 years has produced no adverse effect on environment and human being; therefore it is harmless. Where as Mr. McDonagh thinks this period is too short to draw any conclusion (Easton, 2011). It is hard to accept Mr. Colemanââ¬â¢s argument and even harder to consume GM foods. Until now there is no real food shortage in the world; only distribution must be improved greatly. Land- reform, social equality and cheaper credit will improve t he distribution of food. Another point is: production of GM food will make us dependent on few big corporate and there is no guarantee that they will help the poor. Moreover, playing with godââ¬â¢s creation and questioning his might is not good (Easton, 2011). 3. Organic Farming Organic farming refers to a practice that utilizes natural, non synthetic nutrient cycling process; almost exclude synthetic pesticides; and sustain or regenerate soil quality. The practice may include cover crops, manure, compost, crop rotation etc. (Easton, 2011). The topic of debate is: ââ¬Å"Can organic farming feed the world?â⬠. Ms. Catherine Badgley says yes and Mr. John J. Miller says no. Badgley claims that organic farming has enough potential to produce sufficient
Monday, August 26, 2019
Ideological Criticism of PHAT Girlz Research Paper
Ideological Criticism of PHAT Girlz - Research Paper Example The roots of the preference for a slender body can perhaps be traced back to ancient Greece and to Plato. This preference was, however, more due to what can be termed as the mind/body dualism in which the mind was considered to be superior and the body slowly. In fact, Plato advocated that the body was a hindrance and distraction to the clarity of the mind and should, therefore, be regulated and controlled. Early Christianity promoted an even greater mind/body split in which absolute denial of all earthly desires and appetites was a state to be achieved. A fat body was therefore undesirable. Throughout the ages, various methods were used to reduce weight. Socrates danced every morning; fat was surgically removed in ancient Rome. The concern with dieting took on new dimensions in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. ââ¬Å"It was at this point [â⬠¦] that the word ââ¬Ëdietââ¬â¢ began its evolution from its initial meaning in English, of a regime stipulating cer tain types of food to remedy illness, to its modern usage of losing weight.â⬠The discrimination between fat and slim was however largely applied to the male. It was only ââ¬Å"at the height of the industrial revolution that the gendered nature of FAT and the body which we see today came into its own.â⬠(Cowley 37)The PHAT Girlz is the story of an overweight girl, Jazmin Biltmore. Jazmin is an aspiring fashion designer. The fact that she is fat puts her at a disadvantage in almost all spheres of life. She has had to fight it out right from school.
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Exam Skills Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Exam Skills - Essay Example If the teacher does not provide notes that are clear enough to understand, it is the student's responsibility to go and ask the teacher for clarification. Most reasonable teachers are happy to provide clarification for the student. Students must ask questions until everything is completely and one hundred percent clear. Once the student knows and understands what needs to be revised, he or she can then proceed to the next step in the process. The second part of the revision process is to go forth with the revision. The student should not rush through the process. He or she must look over the work carefully and take care to revise every mistake that is outlined. . Paying attention to detail is crucial in this step of the process because if the student misses anything, then the revision will prove to be ineffective. The third part of the revision process is to look over the work carefully another time. Just because the actual revising of the work is complete does not mean that the entire revision process is complete. To insure that the work is free of any sort of common mistakes, such as in the areas of grammar, mechanical, or spelling, it is important to run the work through a spellchecker. ... The spell checker will catch most common mistakes, making the work to be a masterpiece. While spell checkers are wonderful, innovative inventions that allow for the best results, but it will not pick up everything. Because this is the case, it is important for the student to look over the work again, being careful to spot anything that the spell checker may have missed. The student may also may want to have others look over the work to spot anything that the student his/herself did not see. Once this has been done, it is safe to say that the revision is complete. Now that the revision process is complete, it is safe to turn it into the teacher. The work will be of high quality, and the student will be able to look forward to scoring high marks on the assignment, since the student followed this revision strategy closely. The work is free of all errors. As result, the student can feel good about what he or she has accomplished. 3.1 Allocate a proportion of the time available that reflects the proportion of the total marks allocated to each question. When it comes to allocating the correct amount of time to answering questions, it is important to allocate enough time to effectively and efficiently answer each question. Doing this will insure that everything is done in a proper manner, meaning that sufficient time will be provided. This is critical, especially when doing tests or quizzes. When the proper amount of time is allocated to answering questions, everything goes well, and when the proper amount of time is not allocated, a disaster usually ensues. Allocating the proper amount of time to answer questions insures that everything will run smoothly. Properly time
Saturday, August 24, 2019
Sylvias Bar Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
Sylvias Bar - Essay Example It did good business, attracting high volume of customers and earning sizable profits from its beginning in the late 1980s till the mid-2000s. From the late of 2000s, its profits started to decline, as the flow of customers reduced to abysmal levels, even close the bar for few days of the week. The response from the customers dwindled because of Sylviaââ¬â¢s long-standing strategies of offering products and services at high cost, playing outdated music and also due to the advent of more modern bars in the neighbourhood. This report will focus on the Sylviaââ¬â¢s Bar and will discuss its current situation or problems, coming up with recommendations for it to manage those problems. Cost and menu High cost in the sense, Sylviaââ¬â¢s was established as a high class wine and cocktail bar, aimed at the customers, who constitute the top end of the market. Because of this focus on a particular target segment, the price of the drinks and the food was on the higher side. Although Sylv iaââ¬â¢s Bar wanted to focus more on these high segment, who are able to pay the high prices. In the fact, with this pricing restrict its customer base. Due to these high pricing, other segments of the wide prospective customer base look for other options that the bar has to throw ingredients by the reduction of the customers, and this was validated by Sylviaââ¬â¢s waitress, Kate. ââ¬Å"We throw too much food away, Iââ¬â¢m not sure that the customers in town are looking for this kind of fancy stuffâ⬠. ... (Piron 2000). (Vickers and Renand 2003). So, by setting price on the basis of industry standards, and equal or less than its competitors, Sylviaââ¬â¢s Bar can expand its customer segment. Even while bringing in more customers, care should be taken not to compromise on the quality. Staffing The insistence of using only classically trained cocktail bar staff, who have completed a course in bar work at South Birmingham College, negatively impacts the finances of the Sylviaââ¬â¢s Bar. As these particular staff demand payment, which are double the ones paid to the casual bar workers, Sylvia has to allocate a sizable financial resources for the salary of these staffs, which further eats into their income. As the customers do not particularly insist on qualified employees from a particular academic institution and may not even know that fact, it is not compulsory for Sylviaââ¬â¢s Bar to recruit only them. Instead, they can recruit skilled and enterprising casual employees and impor tantly train them according to the job needs. (Mattila 1999). Training programs may not cost sizably, and on the other hand, the trained casual labourers can be paid only half of the salary paid to the other set of employees, thus saving crucial finances for the firm. (Kerfoot, Davies & Ward 2003). Sylviaââ¬â¢s bar also faced certain employee centric problems. Firstly, the employees had to wear a particular set of uniforms, and that according to certain employees was also very outdated. Barman Paul, 32 had this to say about it, ââ¬Å"These uniforms are so dated and formal. I feel like Iââ¬â¢m working in a church not a bar!â⬠Importantly, this outdated feel of the uniforms would also negatively reflect among the customers, who might want to see employees clad in
Friday, August 23, 2019
Culture Wear Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
Culture Wear - Essay Example The only misconception that the westerners and probably some of the Muslims are also carrying is that the covering of hair is not related to the culture aspects (Human Rights News, 2005). It is more of a religious obligation that every Muslim woman should follow. This head covering is also prescribed by the law of Christianity for women as well and the nuns follow it too. In the same way, other artifacts which have religious obligation for some of the sects of Islam or any other religion for that matter, are also of religious importance and cannot degrade the assimilation of one individual in a different culture. This misconception is in the minds of the people that following these rituals, behaviors or artifacts can hinder the evolution of an individual in a different culture. The religious values remain the same for those who know the importance of those values; the way of integrating them into their newly adopted culture is the real task for that individual. This kind of behavior usually results in the modification of the new culture in accordance with the rules and regulations of an individual's religion. An example ne
Thursday, August 22, 2019
My Strengths and Weakness of each of the Domains of The Framework for Essay
My Strengths and Weakness of each of the Domains of The Framework for Teaching - Essay Example I need to do self- assessment. I need to improve the way I do teaching. The Domains of the Framework for Teaching, I realized, is the thing needed to be done in order to address our aspiration to be good teachers. Domain 1: Planning and Preparation This is the foremost thing I do when teaching. I consider this as the springboard to teaching. My strength in this area is the ââ¬Å"knowledge of content and pedagogy.â⬠I studied my concentration for many years. My interest is encompassing when it comes to my adored area of study. And I enjoyed teaching the content to my students. My knowledge in pedagogy complements well the teaching and learning process. All in all, this is my cup of tea. My weakness, though, is ââ¬Å"demonstrating knowledge of students.â⬠I find it a hard time to individually identify my studentsââ¬â¢ strengths, weaknesses and intelligences. There are instances when I sense a divide between my expectations and studentsââ¬â¢ actual capabilities. I also find it hard to customize my instruction to suit their background knowledge and readiness. To demonstrate well the knowledge of students is my desire. I realized that if only I can do it, teaching can be more exciting and rewarding. I have to have knowledge of my studentsââ¬â¢ personality. I should do efforts to recognize them more. I can do this by analyzing and discovering their backgrounds and abilities through student-centered strategies in teaching. I should exhibit care and concern to their ideas and opinions. My students and I should open up channels of communication where the students can freely ask guidance and comfort. I can start doing efforts to know my students immediately. I will regularly include this in my day-to-day life as a
Revenge and Delay in Hamlet Essay Example for Free
Revenge and Delay in Hamlet Essay The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by William Shakespeare is one of his most influential tragedies telling the story of treachery, revenge and moral corruption. The play is about Prince Hamlet who seeks to exact revenge on his uncle Claudius for murdering his King Hamlet, Claudiusââ¬â¢s brother. Hamletââ¬â¢s father then succeeds the throne and takes as his wife Gertrude, the old Kingââ¬â¢s Widow and Prince Hamletââ¬â¢s father. ââ¬Å"As doth well appear unit our state, But to recover of us by strong â⬠(1. 1. 01-102) These word by Horatio, Prince Hamletââ¬â¢s close friend reveals to the reader one of the crucial themes in this play, the need for revenge, not just by Hamlet but by Fortinbras, the Prince of Norway and Claudius through Laertes. Their emotions, thoughts and action are fueled by their craving for vengeance and as the three revenge plots intertwine, it is revealed that the nature of revenge is not simple but complicated as the reader sees Hamlets inner struggle to take action, and his inability to make decisions. see more:conflict in hamlet The indecision, hesitation and delay are what make the plot stand out from other revenge stories. The main plot in the play is that of Hamlet who is visited by the Ghost of his father telling him to avenge his death. Hamletââ¬â¢s response was ââ¬Å"Hast me to knowââ¬â¢t, that I, with wings as swift, As meditation or the thoughts of love, May sweep to my revengeâ⬠(1. 5. 29-31)Sets the plot for revenge but later he is seen having his doubts as expressed in the line ââ¬Å"Fie uponââ¬â¢t, foh! About, my brains! â⬠(2. 2. 574). After Hamlet establishes Claudiusââ¬â¢ guilt, by staging the murder of Gonzago he gets the opportunity to kill the unattended Claudius in his chamber but allows this opportunity pass after soliloquizing the matter and saying that killing Claudius will not be revenge as he will go to heaven. Throughout the play he is reflective and pensive and delays the moment as long as he possibly can. He is later exiled when he accidentally kills Polonius. After another visit by his fatherââ¬â¢s ghost he makes up his mind. He returns to Denmark and in a fencing match that ensues, he manages to kill both Laertes and Claudius even though he dies from the wound he received from the Poisoned tip of Laertes sword. Claudius on the other hand, uses Laertes as tool to carry out his plan to kill Hamlet. Laertes is blinded by the need of vengeance such he would do whatever it takes to accomplish this without any hesitation whatsoever. Claudius takes advantage of this situation and itââ¬â¢s quite evident in the following lines: ââ¬Å"Laertes, was your father dear to you? Are you like the painting of a sorrowâ⬠(4. 7. 05-107) and ââ¬Å"To show your fatherââ¬â¢s son in deedmore than in words? â⬠(4. 7. 123-124) Laertes replies: ââ¬Å"To cut throat iââ¬â¢the church. â⬠(4. 7. 125)Claudius cultivates this thirst and his ability to act rashly which drives him in a fencing match with Hamlet. This turns into a bloody ending and ultimately leads to Hamlet and Claudiusââ¬â¢ death. Fortinbras, the prince of Norway wants to avenge the death of his father by creating so large an army that would over the Danish army. He is a strong-willed leader described as ââ¬Å"Hot and fullâ⬠(1. 1. 96), with a tendency to act rashly as opposed to Hamlets continual hesitation delay. While Hamlet is contemplating on the issues of life, death and morality of revenge, Fortinbras is out to conquer lands. However, he also listens to his friend Horatio who advices him to wait before he attacks Denmark. This allows him in the end to achieve his vengeance without doing much. Hamlet himself considers Fortinbras a model of greatness, as he passed him with his army he remarks, ââ¬Å"To be great, is not to stir without great argument but to find quarrel in a straw, When honorââ¬â¢s at the stake. â⬠(4. 4. 52-55) Fortinbras is not bothered too much with thoughts and is quick to take action to preserve his familyââ¬â¢s honor. In conclusion it can be said that the main reason Hamlet fails on his mission of vengeance is due to his hesitation partly brought by his own cowardice and partly due to his inner conflict with the moral outlook of it all. Laertes fails because he is too quick to move into action without careful consideration of the situation at hand. Fortinbras on the other hand, succeeds because even though he was quick to take action, he listens to his uncleââ¬â¢s advice. In the end, this teaches the reader the importance of thinking clearly, coherently and sticking to our principles prior to taking any actions.
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
the westphalian system is a temporary and western phenomenon. accept or refute
the westphalian system is a temporary and western phenomenon. accept or refute The westphalian system emerged from the signing of the Peace of Westphalia, two peace treaties of Osnabruck and Munster, in 1648. The westphalian system refers to the modern international system of states which exist today. Although many scholars date the modern nation state from 1648 and the treaty of Westphalia, the state as it existed in the 17thc was the result of the processes that had been occurring for over 500 yrs prior to Westphalia. From 1450-1650, the combination and interaction of political, economic, technological and religious factors brought about the shift to the modern state system. For hundreds of years before this period, Europe consisted of a complex system of feudal entities. During the 5thc the Roman Empire disintegrated and only a very basic level of organisation remained. By the 11thc the system in place was based on feudal relationships and involved very little interaction with the rest of the world. At the geographical and political centre of the European system was the Holy Roman Empire. Within this system, the principle of authority was hierarchical, but the ability of those at the top of the hierarchy to exercise their authority over large territories was limited. The 15th and 16th centuries were characterised by the gradual growth of monarchical power and influence. As monarchs struggled against the feudal nobility in their efforts to expand, centralise, and consolidate their control over territory, they needed economic and military resources. During this period manufacturing, trade and communication had become increasingly concentrated, resulting in the growth of cities and towns. Eventually a money economy developed and replaced the system of barter that was characteristic of feudal exchange. Each town came to represent a larger regional economy and a newly found merchant class began to emerge who desired continual growth and expansion of these regional economies. This expansion required security and order, an authority to provide for roads and communication and to further reduce the barriers to economic expansion. European politics during this period was about nobles and princes, and if the monarchy wanted to challenge the military power of the nobility they needed to raise their own mass armies. To raise and support these armies elaborate bureaucracies evolved to extract resources in the form of taxes, and to administer military camps and hospitals. In this expansion of bureaucracy the origins of the formal administrative institutions that now characterise the modern state can be seen. This period saw the rapid development and use of military technology that also made possible European expansion to the rest of the globe. The continual rivalries and wars between kings and nobles pushed each to find some advantage in arms or wealth and led to rapid technological and scientific innovations. All of these factors promoted a European expansion, which in turn provided another source of wealth for the European states. In 1918 the 30 year war began and didnt end until the signing of the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. This year is usually marked as the birth of the modern state system and therefore referred to as the westphalian state system. The westphalian state has several key principles: 1. State sovereignty and the fundamental right of political self determination. 2. The principle of non intervention of one state in the internal affairs of another. 3. Territorial boundaries: integrity and inviolability of states territory 4. Collective security of this system balance of power The westphalian state as recognised by the peace of Westphalia has not remained unthreatened. Globalisation and NGOs have posed huge challenges to this traditional way of viewing the state system and this essay will explore some of these challenges and. One of the major challenges to the westphalian state system over recent years has been the process of globalisation whereby economic, political and socio-cultural transactions are less and less constrained by national boundaries and the sovereign authority of national governments. Two important processes are driving globalisation: 1. The continuing advancement of technology enabling the transnational movement of goods, people and ideas to become much easier. 2. National governments are less and less willing to exercise control over goods, people and ideas across their borders, therefore governments have become more inclined to surrender some of the control over cross-border transactions they once exercised by virtue of sovereign authority. Interdependence has been at the root of globalisation, with extensive new webs of interdependence creating a truly global system. As colonial empires dismantled and technology improved, fast changes towards globalisation occurred and interdependence rapidly increased. Globalisation has meant that national boundaries have become less and less relevant. Many scholars feel that continuing to view the world in terms of the traditional westphalian logic is not very useful due to contemporary interdependencies. They believe that these ideas are now outdated and a new and more modern approach which is more applicable to the world today should be adopted by governments. Globalisation is the increasing movement of goods, information and ideas across national boundaries without significant direct participation and control by high level governmental actors. This involves heavy participation by various non-state actors, in particular NGOs. Rosenau points out that NGOs are changing societal norms, challenging national governments, and linking up with counterparts in powerful transnational alliances. And they are muscling their way into high politics, such as arms control, banking, and trade that were previously dominated by the state This view calls into question the importance of sovereignty and national boundaries. Each state has become so permeable and open to outside influences therefore domestic and international politics are becoming indistinguishable. Some observers even argue that there is no neat hierarchical pattern of influence and authority therefore states are not necessarily the most powerful actors. These actors seek autonomy of action from states; therefore interdependence generates a new set of problems and demands on those with sovereign authority. Westphalian system is temporary as National economies are now increasingly interdependent. 1. Since ww2 international trade has consistently outpaced global production and almost all national economies have become more dependent on trade. 2. Growth in interdependence in financial flow 3. Multi-national corporations are responsible for the growth in foreign investment global economy is therefore becoming integrated. 4. More countries are adopting free-market approaches to economic development 5. Signing of international treaties on trade, foreign investment, currency convertibility Globalisation and the growth of transnational interactions in post the ww2 era has presented the sovereign state with new problems and challenges. What are these challenges? Can summarise using the three elements of keohane and nyes concept of complex interdependence. In the course of the 20th century, the Westphalian state system in Europe has gone global. Nations subjected to European imperialismà ¢Ã ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬or rather, in most cases, Europeanized elites within those nationsà ¢Ã ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬have aspired to the form of Europes sovereign nation-states, and have achieved ità ¢Ã ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬or rather, in many cases, have haplessly inherited it from colonial masters who lost the will to govern them. Ex-colonies tended to be extremely sensitive to anything that resembled imperialism in the years immediately after independence, and many protected their economic sovereignty by pursuing autarky, though more recently this trend has reversed. International organizations for example the UN, treaties, and economic globalization, have all begun to subtly constrain the states freedom of action, and therefore has eroded their jurisdiction from above. It must be pointed out here that jurisdictional boundaries make neither borders nor sovereignty. All polities are subdivided into smaller units for administrative purposes to some extent. These subdivisions imply jurisdictions with discrete boundaries. In federal systems, the subdivisions have some degree of autonomy themselves, in the sense that they have discretion in certain areas and cannot be over-ridden by the centre. Yet federal units are considered part of the federation and not separate sovereignties. Ever since the founding of the UN there have been restrictions on states sovereignty from above, on their right to engage in aggression against their neighbours for example. In the course of time, countries have signed up to more and more treaties which prevent them from, say, testing nuclear weapons, or abusing the rights of children. The UN and international treaties are notoriously weak, but they still create a conceptual puzzle: what is the difference between a sovereign polity which abrogates certain rights by international treaty and a federal unit which abrogates certain rights in favour of a federal government. This question is as old as the United Nations, as the name of the United Nations suggests; the UN embodies an aspiration towards some sort of world federation. Treaties mainly formed by the west but has most effect on developing nations. This is a shift towards a new regulatory state and fragmentation that challenges the traditional westphalian frame of sovereignty. New regulatory state is emerging in both developed and developing nations. With this fragmentation comes breakdown of traditional diplomatic domains and activities and also creation of new actors, new arenas and new fields of diplomatic activity all of which cut across traditional notion of Westphalian sovereignty. Shift towards fragmented state due to structural changes in global political economy. Internal sovereignty of state is being transformed by process of globalisation. The westphalian system can be considered to be a western phenomenon due to the notion of failed states. A failed state can be defined as a state considered to have failed at some of the basic conditions and responsibilities of a sovereign government. The Fund for Peace (an independent US based non profit research and educational organisation), has characterised the failed state as follows: * loss of physical control of its territory, or of the monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force * erosion of legitimate authority to make collective decisions * an inability to provide reasonable public services * an inability to interact with other states as a full member of the international community These failed states generally have a central government that is so weak or ineffective that it has little or no control over its territory. Public services are not adequately provided for, there is widespread corruption and criminality, there is involuntary movement of population and there is economic decline. Since 2005 the United States think-tank, the Fund for Peace and the magazine Foreign Policy, publishes an annual index called the Failed States Index. The list only assesses sovereign states (determined by membership in the United Nations.)[3] The indexs ranks are based on twelve indicators of state vulnerability four social, two economic and six political. In 2009, of the worst 20 states, only Haiti could be considered to be a western state. All others belonged to the developing world. Such states lack legitimacy and find it difficult to exercise any control or power within their own borders. They often find themselves confronted by insurgents or rebels who are trying to overthrow them and replace the regime with a tyrannical dictatorship style of government. This may lead to neighbouring states taking advantage of the vulnerability caused by the domestic problems within a state and may therefore cause such states to collapse. Afghanistan can be taken as an example of this, when in 2001 it was invaded by the US to remove the Taliban regime. It is accepted that military action is appropriate if a state is seen to be neglecting its citizens and their basic human rights and allowing terrorist organisations to operate within its borders. This shows that states do not have the automatic rights of sovereignty and that certain obligations to the rest of the world must be upheld in line with international law. If they are found to be in conflict with international law then the result maybe military action taken by UN member states. In the majority of cases it is the developing countries which display the characteristics of failing states and it is the western nations that take action. This therefore supports the view that the westphalian system can be considered to be a western phenomenon as it is the western states which are able to exercise their rights of sovereignty the most. It has been argued that although international law exists, as long as states adhere to this they will remain free from direct intervention from other states therefore their rights to sovereignty will not be compromised. Despite this it can be seen that sovereignty remains strongest in the so called super power nations. In conclusion it can be said that the westphalian state as recognised by the peace of Westphalia has not remained unchallenged and that these challenges have shown the westphalian system to be a temporary and western phenomenon. The key principles of the westphalian nation as stated above have been threatened by globalisation in particular and this has therefore led to the One of the major challenges to the westphalian state system over recent years has been the process of globalisation whereby economic, political and socio-cultural transactions are less and less constrained by national boundaries and the sovereign authority of national governments. . Many scholars feel that continuing to view the world in terms of the traditional westphalian logic is not very useful due to contemporary interdependencies. They believe that these ideas are now outdated and a new and more modern approach which is more applicable to the world today should be adopted by governments. Globalisation is the increasing movement of goods, information and ideas across national boundaries without significant direct participation and control by high level governmental actors. This involves heavy participation by various non-state actors, in particular NGOs. International organizations for example the UN, treaties, and economic globalization, have all begun to subtly constrain the states freedom of action, and therefore has eroded their jurisdiction from above. Ever since the founding of the UN there have been restrictions on states sovereignty from above, on their right to engage in aggression against their neighbours for example. In the course of time, countries have signed up to more and more treaties which prevent them from, say, testing nuclear weapons, or abusing the rights of children. The westphalian system can be considered to be a western phenomenon due to the notion of failed states. These failed states generally have a central government that is so weak or ineffective that it has little or no control over its territory. Public services are not adequately provided for, there is widespread corruption and criminality, there is involuntary movement of population and there is economic decline. In the majority of cases it is the developing countries which display the characteristics of failing states and it is the western nations that take action. This therefore supports the view that the westphalian system can be considered to be a western phenomenon as it is the western states which are able to exercise their rights of sovereignty the most. It has been argued that although international law exists, as long as states adhere to this they will remain free from direct intervention from other states therefore their rights to sovereignty will not be compromised. Despite this it can be seen that sovereignty remains strongest in the so called super power nations.
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
The Job Interview Process English Language Essay
The Job Interview Process English Language Essay Professor Dennis Mohle, of The Craig School of Business at Fresno State University has authorized this report. The issue is that unemployment in Fresno has gone up in the recent years and finding a good job or internship can be very difficult and stressful. Knowing how to interview well can help to get you the job of your dreams. This report will shed some light on the job interview process and will not stop there; it will also include how to write cover letters and resumes and will show how to properly manage social networking sites, while applying for a job. All of these steps are essential to being successful during the job interview process. The purpose is to carefully and thoughtfully explain to the readers exactly what steps to take in order to do well in the interviewing process. The methodology used for this research assignment spanned a wide variety of business outlooks. These outlooks ranged from business textbooks, published research and surveys. These methods were used because they seemed to be the most informative and provide ample amount of data and statistics. The first source used in this report was textbook, Business Communications: Process Product. The second source was a survey that was done by a writer for AOL Jobs called, What You Wish Youd Known before Your Job Interview. Thirdly, was the MGT110 lecture book titled, Managing Organizational Behavior: What Great Managers Know and Do. For published research, I have an article called Making the Job Interview Work for You. A source used to fully understand the employers perspective was an article from, IUP Journal of Soft Skills titled What to Expect From Across the Table. Another sources used to find statistics is, InternetSafety101.org, where they review and publish statistics on the internet and its safety. Lastly, is an article from About.com that is titled How (and How Not) to Use Social Media to Job Search. JOB INTERVIEW PROCESS Interviewing, whether it is a job interview or an interview for an internship is vital to the existence of the business world. However, the interview is not the first stepping-stone in the road to employment. Surrounding yourself with the necessary resources to succeed is essential. Who is interviewing? Figure 1: Interview Waiting Room (Google 2009). http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/wavebreakmediamicro/wavebreakmediamicro1106/wavebreakmediamicro110601234/10094684-business-people-sitting-and-waiting-for-a-job-interview.jpg With the downfall of the economy and no turn-around in sight, more and more people are flooding to interviews anywhere they can. This includes high school kids, college students, college graduates, recently unemployed adults and retired adults being forced to work again. To sum up, everyone is interviewing. Therefore, it is imperative that everyone knows how to hold a successful interview and knows the dos and donts of interviewing. http://www.soulseeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/aff-surround-yourself-with-the-things-you-love-2-300196.jpg Having the right professional contacts and by surrounding yourself with people who build you up professionally and not down are just two of the recommend activities. Figure 2: Surrounding Yourself With The Essentials (Soul Seeds 2011) Dressing Professional Typically, in the job process, the initial piece of information that starts the ball rolling is either the application or the resume. However, how you present yourself is what should be viewed as the most important thing. Whenever the applicant walks through the office doors of the employer is immediately performing a preliminary interview, without even noticing. This is because professionalism is back, in the sense that how you dress is how you are choosing to promote and market yourself. It is also a since of pride. If a job applicant were to walk into an interview with: hair a mess, loaded with jewelry, tattoos that are visible and just lacking a professional issue it would show their unprofessional attitude (Baldwin and Bommer 2013). C:UsersToriDesktopbusiness professional.jpg Figure 3: What to Wear to an Interview (TSU Career Services 2010). The general rule for clothing, when it comes to interviewing it is that the more solid the color, the better. For instance, a young woman by the name of Ana, was skipped for a job because of that fact that she wore a club bright colored dress that resulted in people in the office to begin to stare at things that are inappropriate. Therefore, to remain on subject and for the employer to remain on track, the person would have to wear those basic, solid colors such as black, navy, brown and tan. In addition, they were asked by several business executives to dress modestly, not like you are going to a club (Bockanic 2012). When it comes to jewelry and accessories, less is more. Wearing the minimal amount of jewelry has actually been hard for women to accomplish, but they must remember that it is not about the number of earrings or pieces of jewelry , it is instead about who you are as a person. Huge issues for most employers these days are tattoos. Many people believe today that getting a tattoo is not a big deal and it will not affect the likeliness of a person getting a job, which is completely false. According to AOL Jobs writer, David Shepp, having tattoos that are visible decrease your chances of getting the job 35% instantly. However, there are some rare cases in which, the company is looking for someone with tattoos to represent them and therefore tattoos are not only a plus, but also a necessary item. Acting Professional The average interview, begins with the interviewer asking the job applicant a couple questions about the company like Why this company and What made Such and Such Marketing different from all of the others? This area specifically is an area where most job applicants fall short. They do not come prepared with short personal stories, or examples and reasons for why they picked this company. The average response to a question similar to this one, contains approximately five umms or Im not sures (Akhtar 2012). Imagine that you were conducting an interview and it took a person awhile to come up with a few reasons as to why your company beats out all the others. It may question whether or not you want to hire someone who doesnt have strong emotional ties to his previous or future places of work. In addition, before going into an interview it is always nice to reflect on this list of dos and donts: research the companies for which you are applying, give a firm handshake, do not fidget or answer phones during the interview, show interest in the interviewers questions, maintain a good posture and behavior throughout and also be respectful. Use of Social Media Social media websites share personal information, and the sites seem to be adding more and more in-depth questions or options to such sites. This is making personal information more readily available to people who do not need access to such information. According to a recent study done in 2011, 26% of Americans say they are sharing more information on social networks today than one year ago (Combs 2011). Social Networks are not regulated and anyone is allowed access to these sites unless a specific user has strict privacy setting. Except, most users are not aware of how to update their settings and make their sites inaccessible. Although, Social Networking has allowed many people to seek the help and aid that they may need. Many cases have been reported where, a person who is signed up with a social networking site, has not been able to find a job because of their subscription to the media (Doyle 2009). These days 1in 5 jobs are found using social media, while the age old concept of knocking on the door and simply asking are you hiring? is still a scenario that is still out there. Although more and more people are being to utilize this social media and networking tool to job search and some are even using the online job search sites (Doyle 2009). Social Media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn are some of the tools that are being used to search for a job. Nevertheless, some people forget that although social media is a good tool, it can also jeopardize your job opportunity if used incorrectly or in an inappropriate manner. Now of course your Facebook account is your personal account, so you feel as if you have some sort of immunity and right to keep your private life private. Moreover, while that is true, depending on the settings that the person has on their social medias allows future employers to browse all they please. Using these social medias in the right way, is vital to success in the interview process. The first amendment does give every person the right to free speech, however that does mean that you exercise your right by posting extremely religious articles, political views and/or mean and hatred comments are your boss. Refrain from anything that may cause a future employer to question to character. Social media has given us tremendous amount of power in terms of job searching capabilities, but it has also made everything we do much more vulnerable and easy to target. The saying à ¢Ã ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬Ãâ¦Ã¢â¬Å"choose your words carefullyà ¢Ã ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬Ã might be true now than ever bef ore (Schepp 2011). Before you publish anything on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or any other social media, make sure you havenà ¢Ã ¢Ã¢â¬Å¡Ã ¬Ã ¢Ã¢â¬Å¾Ã ¢t friended one of your colleagues or bosses before you make a rude remark about them. A golden rule would be to refrain from posting things that you would not want the person to know. Because even though you are not friends with the person youre posting about directly, that person may be the friend of a friend and find out just as easily. Even though social medias sell you on transparency, it does not mean that it is the right thing to do. Being transparent comes with a cost and could eventually lead to the loss of your job. COVER LETTERS A cover letter is written directly for the eyes of the interviewer and is sole purpose is to introduce both yourself and your resume in the future hope of getting the job. In reality, your resume may never be read without it being accompanied by a profession cover letter. One must think of the cover letter as a sales letter. It is working to sell your resume to the interviewer. Some general guidelines for writing a cover letter are: only use white bong paper (any color or scented paper will not be taken professionally), should be only one page in length, both the cover letter and resume should maintain the same format and it should consist of three paragraphs. This cover letter should open with a professional salutation to the hiring manager for the open position and should move into the three-paragraph format. The first paragraph should re-state the position that you are applying for, why you are applying and how you learned about the position. Then you should move on to mention something that you love about the company or business; the main reason why you are applying for the position. Then move to stating that you are great candidate because of your qualifications, experience, education and interests. The second paragraph should now expand in greater detail your qualifications, experience, education and interests that directly correlate with the employers needs. You want to make yourself sound like the perfect candidate, therefore they must give you an interview to see what youre all about. The closing paragraph should be ended with a bold statement, such as one saying that you are the ideal candidate and a strong match for the company. Also, mention that you are looking forward to meeting with him or her and finish will a slightly aggressive touch that if 7-10 business days pass without a word, you will follow up yourself (Gueffy and Loewy 2011). Figure 4: Example of Cover Letter for a Resume (Yahoo, 2008). http://www.squawkfox.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/sample-cover-letters-cover-letter-examples-classic.png RESUME The resume will be one of the only things that the interviewer will look at to decide whether you deserve an interview. Therefore, it is very important. First of all the resume needs to be consistent, concise and clear. It should also be extremely easy to read. To stick with traditional standards the resume should be no longer than one page. This goes off being short and concise. You only have an 8.5 x 11 sized paper to inform the interviewer of why you should be picked for the job over everyone else (Baldwin and Boomer 2013). There are several different types of resumes that are generally used to apply of job openings. Any of the formats are fine, it just depends on how what information you have to place on your resume and what type of information it is. If you have expansive job history, which is your selling point, chronological is the best style of resume. However if you are still in school and working towards your degree, an educational focused resume would be the most beneficial because you are highlighting your strong point (Gueffy and Loewy 2011). Each type of resume can be found with a quick Google search, they even show up as templates for easy use. Therefore, you can begin to build your resume by simply replacing the sample information with your own personal information. Make tweaks to the layout or placement depending on your personal preferences to highlight your skills and abilities. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to write a resume. As long as your follow the general guidelines, anything is acceptable. Today, many large companies or corporations are usingrecruiting management software that helps to better screen candidates. The hiring manager inputs into the software certain keywords that he is looking for and this software will then mine through the database of resumes searching for potential matches. If you would like to be found, the resume needs to contain keywords that directly target the jobs in your field of interest. Figure 5: Example of Traditional Experience Based Resume (About.com 2012). http://new-cdn.financialsamurai.com.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/good_resume3.gif SUMMARY In summary, although many people are afraid of getting out there and interviewing for jobs. This is understandable because, job interviews can be challenging, in part because there is so much that can go wrong. However, when a person is surrounded with the right skills, interviewing is a piece of cake. It is very important to remember the value of dressing, and acting professionally, maintaining professional social medias, the importance of writing both good cover letters and resumes. You also will need to explain who you are and why the organization needs you. Being able to concisely describe the skills that you can bring to the position and to the company is a definite way to engage the interviewer while also making the case for why you are the right person for the job. Although winging it in an interview might work, but chances are that, a lack of preparedness will come out during the test process and you will be left stumbling and racing in circles to answer questions. Moreover, that will not win you any points with any manager. Always come prepared.
Monday, August 19, 2019
Analysis of British Telecommunication :: GCSE Business Management Studies Essays
Business at Work Task 1: Introduction BT plc is British Telecommunication public limited companies (plc) registered in England Wales, with listings on the London & New York stock exchanges. The Business is well-known providers of telecommunications services and solutions for everybody in the UK. This business exists to supply telecommunications services, products and services, and IT solutions to corporate and residential customers. BT's Group plan is to increase the value for shareholders by increasing their performance rate by satisfying the customerââ¬â¢s want or needs and for corporate customers in Europe, achieving global reach through partnership which have the same motive of running the business, BT itself consists mainly of four lines of business: BT Retail, BT Wholesale, and BT Global Services and BT Open world. They focus on considered priorities to make a better worldââ¬â¢s as a public limited company wants to deliver the uppermost levels of customer satisfaction performance and reduce the number of displeased customers each year which they've established a strategic target to do better than their competitors consistently and reduce the number of dissatisfied customers by 25% each year. BT wants to accomplish untreated gainful revenue growth, while constraining capital expenses enabling the company to be more financially controlled over the incoming / outgoing of cash flow. It also wishes to put broadband at the heart of BT, expand the market for broadband services so in the future the increasing of the usage of Broadband which will allow the BT to add value to the BT trademark. BT wants to find and provide solutions and other value-added services such as growing of BTââ¬â¢s brand by using different other pricing strategies of the product or services provided with the BT brand. As a well known business its aim is to place all UK networks under a single running structure and to control investment in charitable donations and data platforms, while transferring operations to new platforms. To use the strength of the BT brand to move into broadband services for consumers and also into connected markets, such as communications solutions and business mobility services for main business customers and information and finally to use different various combination of skilled and motivated people. From these objectives it indicates that the company wants to profit maximise by increasing market shares which has a big influence on profit. They want to expand their ability to reach into every home mainly in the United Kingdom. How successfully the business is meeting its objectives: The corporation known as BT plc it self is successful which is in fact meeting its objectives by the increase of the service given to other businesses and residential customers. Not only have they focused on
Sunday, August 18, 2019
The Relationship Between Ishtar and Gilgamesh in the Epic of Gilgamesh :: Epic Gilgamesh essays
The Relationship Between Ishtar and Gilgamesh in the Epic of Gilgamesh The story of Gilgamesh seems to be a collection of trials and tribulation. Throughout the book, you watch characters battle demons with each other, as well as within themselves. The tantalizing temptations that fill each character, ultimately leads to destruction and death. One example was the relationship between Ishtar and Gilgamesh. Both characters display a type of arrogant, 'ego-consciousness' (Neumann 63) that inevitably leads to subversive fate. In the beginning of the story we see Gilgamesh as a womanizer. His submissive behavior is driven by his own self-sufficiency. When Enkidu forces him to see the reality of his own vanity, Gilgamesh withdraws from his obsession and embarks on a new quest with Enkidu; one that will fill his other ego, his masculinity. After the slayig of the ferocious giant, Humbaba, Ishtar is filled with a lustful desire to betrothe him. When she approaches Gilgamesh, his new sense of self-worth derails him from Ishtar's 'seductive wiles'. (Neumann 63)He replies hastily, insulting her of her past. "Your lovers have found you like a brazier which smoulders in the cold,...a castle which crushes the garrison,...a stone which falls from the parapet,...a sandal that trips the wearer."( pg.30) It is ironic that Gilgamesh finds her past to be so depictable after he spent years of womanizing for his own pleasure. Does he think that he is better than her because he has abandoned his old ways? He really hasn't changed at all. He is still filled with his 'ego-consciousness', just in a different form. As he goes on ridiculing Ishtar, his self-ego grows even more; and once again will be punished for his actions. After this, Ishtar is filled with so much anger, revenge is all she can think of. Her ego has been crushed and she must reclaim it. So she sends down the Bull of Heaven which kills Enkidu and leaves scarring not only on the people but the Gods as well.
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Nanotechnology in Medicine
Nanotechnology in Medicine When thinking of Nanotechnology one could think of the movie G. I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. In the movie Cobra steals nanotech warheads and attacks the Eiffel Tower and it is destroyed by molecule sized machines in a matter of minutes. At this point in time nanotechnology is nowhere near this far along. Nanotechnology of today is about manipulating different types of matter on a molecular scale thus making them stronger and more durable (Williamson, Kenneth D. New Products). Hopefully weââ¬â¢ll be able to create the nanobots of G.I. Joe in the near future but for now it is just science fiction. With the science of nanotechnology we can revolutionize the field of medicine like never before, destroy cancer in the human body without killing the host body and revolutionize diagnostic imaging technology. Nanotechnology in medicine is often referred to as Nano medicine. One of the first uses of nanotech in medicine was in the early nineties. Silver Nano crystal s were developed and used as an ant-microbial agent in healing infections (Nanotech in Med. ilver coatings). Another use is in burn treatment. The burn dressing applied to burns is loaded with nanoparticle sized antibiotics that are released when encountering a foreign organism (Nanotech in Med. ) Another positive use for preventative care is the use of ââ¬Å"Buckyballsâ⬠. Buckyballs are an accidental discovery made by Richard Smalley in the early 1980s; they are a form of carbon which has been found to be able to purify any kind of water thus preventing people from catching water borne sicknesses (Nanotechââ¬â¢s Impact).Currently the fight against cancer uses the bloodstream as the delivery system for toxic drugs. A cancer patient in the process of taking these drugs is subjected to a mind numbing array of horrible side effects. In 2012 a company, Bind Biosciences submitted clinical data on their use of nanotechnology to fight cancerous tumors. Their data shows that more o f the cancer drug is delivered to the tumor and that there were marked improvements in anti-tumor activity. This process also reduced the toxicity to the patients and there was no new toxicity problems noted (Clinical Data.Bind 014). This process will eventually be able to be used with all cancer types as soon as the process is approved. In the past it was hard to determine the exact position and shape of cancer tumors and impossible to deliver cancer fighting drugs to the tumor itself. With the advancement of diagnostic imaging it is now possible to deliver these drugs directly to the tumor itself. Now a person is injected with or drinks something infused with nano-particles and allows scientists a sharper image of the personââ¬â¢s body (Nanotech. Emerging Tool).When patients drink the dye for M. R. I. imaging the dye wouldnââ¬â¢t last. Now the nano-particles being used have a long shelf life inside the body and can be used in subsequent imaging sessions (Nanotech. Emerging T ool). With nanotechnology it is also possible to track an individual cell through its journey in the body (Nanotech. Emerging Tool). At this time the United States of America has invested three point seven billion dollars in its own nanotechnology program and most other developed countries are following suit (Nanotech. Wikipedia).Within the next fifteen years there are going to be some major leaps in technology due to the use of nanotechnology and the human life experience is going to be better than ever before in human history. It is already changing life as we know it and most people donââ¬â¢t even realize it. Works Cited Bennet-Woods, Debra. ââ¬Å"Nanotecnology in Medicine:Implications of Converging Technologies on Humanity. â⬠Nanotecnology in Medicine:Implications of Converging Technologies on Humanity. 49. 4 (2006): 54-59. Web. 8 Apr. 2013. ââ¬Å"Bind biosciences presents clinical data on bind 014. â⬠www. understandingnano. com. UNDERSTANDING NANO.COM, 3 22 201 3. Web. 3-22-2013. Ckakraborty, Mainak, Surangna Jain , and Vibha Rani. ââ¬Å"Nanotechnology:Emerging Tool for Diagnostics and Therapeutics. â⬠ProQuest. Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 17 Aug 2011. Web. 8 Apr 2013. ââ¬Å"Nanotechnology. â⬠wikipedia. wikipedia, 4 7 2013. Web. 7 Apr 2013. (ââ¬Å"Nanoparticles and Their applications. â⬠Nanogloss. com. N. p. , 3 20 2013. Web. 3-20-2013. Williamson, Kenneth D. ââ¬Å"Nanotechnology. â⬠Charleston Newspapers 18 Nov 2007, Sunday Gazette 1C. Web. 8 Apr. 2013. ProQuest www. understandingnano. com. â⬠www. understandingnano. com. understandingnano. com, 3 20 2013. Web. 8 Apr 2013.
Are Leaders Born or Made Essay
People have debated whether leaders are born or made for centuries. However, I am absolutely convinced that good leaders are made than born. If you have the desire and willpower, you can become an effective leader. ââ¬Å"Good leaders can develop through a never ending process of self-study, education, training and experienceâ⬠(Jago, 1982). To inspire workers into higher levels of teamwork, there are certain things a leader must be, know, and, do. These do not come naturally, but are acquired through continual work and study. Good leaders are continually working and studying to improve their leadership skills; they are NOT resting on their laurels. Definition of Leadership Before we get started, letââ¬â¢s define and understand about leadership. Leadership is a process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective and directs the organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent. Leaders carry out this process by applying their leadership attributes, such as beliefs, values, ethics, character, knowledge, and skills. In the field of organizational learning, leadership entered the discussion as a proxy for the organization. Initial concepts of leadership in organizational learning were based on the notion of the dominant coalition. Organizational learning theorists had suggested that the senior management team, or dominant coalition, was in fact the organization level of organizational learning. Moreover, leadership has been described as the ââ¬Å"process of social influence in which one person enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task. According to Ken ââ¬Å"SKCâ⬠Ogbonnia, ââ¬Å"effective leadership is the ability to successfully integrate and maximize available resources within the internal and external environment for the attainment of organizational or society goal. Charismatic Leaders are made but not born. However, there are many well-educated and motivated people who lack of the knowledge to lead others. So they donââ¬â¢t assume leadership positions, or if they do, they donââ¬â¢t do very well in them. Thus, to become a made leader, we need to know about the characteristic of a leader for us to learn and explore from there. Having charisma is an important quality to any successful leader, thatââ¬â¢s all highly successful people must develop to maximize their success in leadership roles, as well as use it to gain a great advantage over their competition. Charisma can be explained as an indefinable personal magnetism that helps draw people to you, and makes them want to cooperate and work with you to accomplish your dreams. To increase your own level of charisma, you must first be confidence in your own vision. If you have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish, then you need to focus on setting goal for yourself, and make plan to achieve them without delay. The clearer you are about your purpose, and how you are planning to achieve it, will naturally to attract others to help and support you in any way they can. However, some say charismatic is born but not made. Yes, itââ¬â¢s. But without the born charisma, you can also increase the level of you charisma by talking and interaction with other, certain interactions and rewards increase starting relationships, such as a Celebrity using a Charming Introduction will instantly have a new friend. Charisma skill-building requires friends and relationships to progress. Personality and Physical Build Besides, the personality is also an important element to become a made leader, great leaders must have the ability to project themselves, to communicate with subordinates in order to accomplish a task by teamwork. The dictionary definition of personality is the collection of emotional and behavioural traits that characterize a person. That is, your personality is how you present yourself to the world. It is how others see you. Is that important for leadership effectiveness? I think so. Your public persona is the catalyst for enrolling followers. For example, you might be typically dominant, or perhaps youââ¬â¢re always a friendly person, or even someone who takes very few risks. These examples are personality traits. You may also simply improve your personality by your appearance such as dress up and make up well as the appearance oneself always the first impression they given to other. Aside of personality, physical build is also a trait of characteristic for being a leader, this can be made and improved by one self. For example, the children now are mostly taller and stronger than their parents because of the better knowledegement care. Talent, skills and knowledge Beyond the personal traits of a leader, leadership talent, skills and knowledge someone must master if they want to be a leader. Leadership talent is those innate traits that a person is born with but which they need to work on to develop their potentiality, Leadership skills are learned behaviours that a person practices and hones over time. And leadership knowledge is acquired learning about the methods, strategies, successes and failures of other leaders in business and in different walks of life. The traits include intelligence, creativity, diplomacy, persuasiveness, and organizational ability. The difference of the three is an intrinsic character of the leader and the latter two are learned. And an effective leader combines all three: harnessing mixture of their natural characteristic, their learned replicable behaviors, and their mental data and learning into their own unique way to expressing themselves as a leader. Knowing well of the managerial function Besides, knowing well of the managerial function is also a must for a made leader. From day-to-day operating, they should be able to learn about planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling in order to lead their subordinates in an effective way. Planning refers to anticipate the opportunity, problems and conditions and choosing from among the alternative of future courses or actions. That includes forecasting, programming, scheduling and etc. The organization functions consist of developing the organization, delegating authority and establishing relations. Staffing is about planning the organization with suitable personnel constitutes the staffing function. Direction function involves managing people and work through the means of motivation, proper leadership, effective communication and coordination. Controlling function enables management to ensure the achievement is in accordance with the established plans. Communication skill Moreover, to be a made leader, we should train ourselves to make effective communication thru experience. The communication skill can definitely be improved if you have the desire to do it, a smart leader must always the ââ¬Å"30 seconds messageâ⬠which transmitting the most important message within the shortest time. Effective communication is more than just being able to speak and write. A leaderââ¬â¢s communication must move people to work toward the goal the leader has chosen. Besides that, a leader has to be able to motivate everyone to contribute. Each of us have different ââ¬Å"buttonâ⬠, a great leader should knows how to push to right button on everyone to make them really want to do their best to achieve the leaderââ¬â¢s goal. This is definitely not born because leader could press the right buttons on everyone through understanding their personality. Honesty and Integrity, Forward looking, Independence and Innovation. In addition, the characteristic of a leader is also consisted by honesty and integrity, forward looking, independence and innovation. Once should not even be considered to become a leader without having demonstrated the honesty, integrity and trustworthiness to have and maintain a position of public trust. At all levels, individuals with integrity and honesty show moral courage by doing the right thing even when it is not popular or by expressing dissent when actions or pending decisions would violate organizational and/or constitutional values, laws, and regulations. In addition, they confront unethical behavior in others. Furthermore, the honestly and integrity is about following rules and regulation, this is made as we have no choice but have to follow the rules and regulation of the organization. As a great leader, we always need to be forward-looking toward any issue or problem. When people do not consider their leader forward-looking, that leader is usually suffering from one of two possible problems which are the leader doesnââ¬â¢t have a forward-looking vision and the leader is unwilling or scared to share the vision with others. The forward-looking attitude can be influenced by those people who are surrounding us with positive-minded, this can be made but not born. Last but not least, a great leader is also an innovator. Innovation is about making new tools, products and process, bring forth something ââ¬Å"newâ⬠which allows human being to accomplish something they were not able to accomplish previously. We can be innovation through study, research, discuss and deliberated from past experience. Leaders must be tough enough to fight, tender enough to cry, human enough to make mistakes, humble enough to admit them, strong enough to absorb the pain, and resilient enough to bounce back and keep on moving. Leaders must be tough enough to fight, tender enough to cry, human enough to make mistakes, humble enough to admit them, strong enough to absorb the pain, and resilient enough to bounce back and keep on moving. Leader is made because a person becomes a leader through life and work experiences, through mentors and personal reflection. Leader takes time to develop and they were made just like anything else, through hard work. If you are given a chance, you practice, you can also be a leader.
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