Paternalism - article by Dworkin Gerald Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Paternalism - by Dworkin Gerald - Article Example Regardless of the society’s best interests at heart any form of legislation has no right to exert its authority over an individual because it is a threat to the person’s independence. By making a set of rules and putting restrictions the system tries to confine and form a community which it deems correct rather than letting the individuals’ form a society they think is an ideal one. Although paternalism claims to have best of intensions for a person yet it is not necessary that the individual also sees it as means for a better life. For Mill such interference is not only offensive but also an abuse of his autonomy. Paternalistic interference can be categorized into pure and impure types of interventions. Pure paternalism deals with restrictions which ensure the benefit of an individual. While impure paternalism tries to protect an individual by putting restrictions on one’s independence. Mill asserts that majority of the individuals are rational adults who are aware of the fact that most of the paternalistic laws are made in order to remedy their safety. Yet it should be left for an individual to decide whether he wants to follow them or not i.e. freedom of choice should be granted because one learns best through ones mistakes. He is not ignorant of the fact that not all individuals have same level of intelligence and for children specifically paternalistic restrictions are necessary though he says that some modicum of restraint should be observed. He also realizes in certain cases practice of restraint is necessary so an outside force is required for the implementation of such restrictions. Hence although in order to form law and order paternalistic restrictions are necessary yet some leniency should be granted in their practice so that it would not threaten an individual’s liberty and at the same time precautionary measures are also

Leadership Skills Personal Development Plan Essay

Leadership Skills Personal Development Plan - Essay Example a detailed analysis of my leadership style on the grounds of strength, weakness, opportunity, threats, along with discussion on improving them in order to be a more effective leader. I have also discussed the SMART(ER) goal setting technique to set the goals for my followers and for myself. All the discussions made in this study are backed up by relevant theories. According to my perception, the concept of leadership is based on the idea of how one individual can guide a group of people to follow his instruction so that they can be driven towards a common goal. At often times the term â€Å"leader† is used synonymous with the term â€Å"manager†. I think that a leader and a manager possess quite a different set of characters (Davis 8). A leader develops a new trend or a set of rules to follow, whereas a manager makes sure that the rules are properly being followed. Most importantly a manager controls his subordinates by relying on his power of authority, but a leader influences his followers by establishing a strong trust (The Wall Street Journal, â€Å"What is the Difference Between Management and Leadership?†). This makes me believe that a leader is a person who takes the right decisions and sets goals for himself and for his followers as well. I have followed a leadership style which binds my team in with strict rules and regulation. I thought that setting up straight forward rules are necessary in order to make sure that there is deviation from the goal. I laid down a series of strict rules for my team and instructed them to follow those rules down to every word. In order to avoid confusion in decision making, I took the responsibility of making all the major decisions myself. I commanded my team to abide by my decisions at all times, so it can be ensured that the progress is directed in the desired way. This style of leadership can be termed as the Autocratic leadership style (Johnson, â€Å"5 Different Types of Leadership Styles†). Strength: The autocratic

Gendered Toys And The Perceptions Children And Young People Essay

Gendered Toys And The Perceptions Children And Young People Essay The focus of this research was gendered toys and the perceptions children and their parents hold about these types of toys, it aimed to investigate childrens reasoning about gendered toys and looked to establish if a link exists between the perceptions of parents and the toy preferences of children. Gendered toys can be described as being toys which are generally thought of as being suitable for one gender over the other, for example wheeled toys for males and dolls for females (Pleil and Williams, 2008; Francis, 2010). Throughout this research the term gender typical toys will be used to describe toys which are traditionally considered most appropriate for the sex choosing them, the term gender atypical is used to describe toys traditionally thought of as being suitable for a child of the opposite gender to the sex of the child selecting them. This subject is especially significant today, as it appears that the manufacturing and marketing of toys is more gender stereotyped now than previously; with the vast majority of toy stores having aisles, or even entire floors dedicated to a specific gender (Francis, 2010). Therefore, todays children are being exposed to gender stereotyped toys to a greater degree than their counterparts would have been in the past (Francis, 2010). Looking at research which sought parents experiences of what toys their children preferred has demonstrated that young children vary vastly when it comes to their choice of toys and that they have very clear opinions of what toys are most suited to each gender (Pleil and Williams, 2008). Furthermore, research has demonstrated that children develop mental schemas of objects, which are gender stereotyped from a very young age (Ruble, Martin and Berenbaum, 2006). The gender stereotypes and gender stereotypical behaviour that forms during early childhood are an interesting and important issue, as it has been established that these gender notions can influence a childs career choices as adults (Cherney and Dempsey, 2010; Francis, 2010). Furthermore, toy choice in itself is an important issue research has shown that toys teach children vital life skills, however, these skills vary depending on which gender the toy is stereotypically aimed at (Fagot and Leinbach, 1983; Francis, 2010). It ha s been argued that the toys stereotypically aimed each gender foster totally different social and cognitive skills, with boys toys developing problem-solving skills whilst girls toys develop nurturing and caring skills (Cherney and London, 2006; Francis, 2010). Therefore, the toys children play with, along with childrens gender stereotypical views of them are important and valid issues to research as the impact is long term and has implications in adulthood. There are several theoretical perspectives on how children come to acquire gender stereotypes and gendered behaviours. The social cognitive theory of gender development postulates that children learn gender norms and gendered behaviours through observing their environment and the people within it; children observe the behaviours of people in their environment and replicate them. Gendered behaviours are reinforced through the reward and punishment of behaviour, considered appropriate or inappropriate by others that the child experiences (Bussey and Bandura, 1999). Therefore, according to this standpoint the concept of gender and the acquisition of gendered behaviour is a socially constructed phenomenon. However, research conducted on Verve and Rhesus monkeys has established that young primates display the same gendered behaviours observed in their human counterparts (Alexander and Hines, 2002; Hassett, Siebert and Wallen 2008). This research suggests that gender stereotypical toy pref erences may be a reflection of the biological differences between males and females rather than being a direct result of socialisation (Pleil and Williams, 2008). Therefore, according to this standpoint gendered behaviour is as a result of biological differences between the sexes. Despite this evidence, suggesting that children may be biologically predisposed to being gender stereotypical in their toy preferences, this paper is underpinned by the hypothesis that childrens social interactions, especially with their parents, are influential on their perception and choice when it comes to toys. The overarching approach of this research was a case study, employing document analysis, questionnaire and interview techniques of data collection. The central research question for this study was How do children and their parents perceive and reason about gendered toys and what, if any, connection exists between these perceptions in relation to childrens toy preferences. Four aims were identified and addressed by formulating four research questions, in order to answer the central research question. These research questions were: What are childrens toy preferences and how, if at all, are these preferences interrelated to the gender of the child? How do children reason about their toy choice when deciding which toys they wish to play with? What are parental perceptions of the suitability of gendered toys? How, if at all, are parental perceptions of toys interlinked with toy choice and the reasoning behind toy choice, of children? Chapter 2: Review of the Literature Introduction This review will examine issues relating to the perspectives held by children and parents on gendered toys. Firstly it will examine childrens toy preferences, exploring the gender dimorphic nature, which research has uncovered regarding childrens toy choices. Then the review will then explore the reasoning behind childrens toy choices, parental perspectives on the suitability of toys in relation to gender and finally the influence of parents on childrens perspective and choice. 2.1: Childrens Toy Preferences and Gender It has been put forward that the vast majority of experiments designed to assess childrens toy preferences were not true reflections of what children would choose in real life (Down, 1983). Down (1983) argues that prior experiments were too restrictive, only offering a very limited choice between small selections of typically male or female toys, which rarely offered a gender neutral choice. In his own research Down assessed elementary school aged childrens toy preferences by utilising childrens letters to Santa Claus, allowing for an unrestricted, ecologically valid method of ascertaining childrens preferences in a real life, naturalistic way. Down found that many of the toys selected by the children were not traditionally gendered toys, rather they were toys which could be considered gender neutral; girls were found to be especially likely to request gender neutral toys whilst boys requested gender typical and gender neutral toys in equal measure. Nevertheless, Downs research also demonstrated that boys and girls both prefer gender typical toys over gender atypical toys, a notion which has been supported through the findings of subsequence research (Carter and Levy, 1988; Martin, Eisenbud and Rose, 1995; Cherney et al, 2003). Recent research which, like Downs work offered a holistic insight into childrens toy preferences, was conducted by Cherney and London (2006). The child participants in this study were asked to list their favourite toys, the participants were free to choose whatever toys they wished. Considerable differences were found in the favourite toys that were chosen based on the childs gender, replicating the previous finding of Down; both boys and girls preferred gender typical over gender atypical toys. They also discovered that whilst boys preferences became slightly more masculine as the child aged, that in contrast girls toy preference became less feminine with age. More recently it has been discovered that even the youngest children, infants aged between 3 and 8 months, appear to show a preference for gender typical toys. Alexander, Wilcox and Woods (2009) investigated whether infants display a preference for gender typical toys, this was ascertained using eye-tracking technology to measure the time the infants spent focused on either a truck or a doll. It was found that girl infants showed a preference for the doll, whilst the boy infants spent more time focused on the truck. The research of Alexander, Wilcox and Woods, supports the notion of a biological foundation for gendered preferences of toys. The notion of a biological underpinning for childrens gender-based preferences has been highlighted through research conducted with infant monkeys (Alexander and Hines, 2002; Hassett, Siebert and Wallen 2008), as these preferences are being observed at an age before it is commonly accepted that children have established gender identity and gender t ypical behaviour. However, it cannot be ignored that some of the research discussed above (Alexander and Hines, 2002; Hassett, Siebert and Wallen, 2008 and Alexander, Wilcox and Wood, 2009), is guilty of the very criticism put forward by Down (1983). These studies only offered the participants a choice between limited arrays of gendered toys with none offering participants a gender neutral option. Therefore, it could be argued that these studies do not demonstrate well-rounded picture of childrens toy preferences and therefore the validity of these findings could be called into question. Nevertheless, the findings of these studies, when considered alongside the more well-rounded research discussed above (Down, 1983; Cherney and London, 2006) clearly show that children, of both the human and primate variety, demonstrate a marked preference for gender typical over gender atypical toys, therefore providing a valid and important insight into childrens toy preference and the difference between the preferen ces of girls and boys. 2.2: Childrens Reasoning Regarding Toy Preference and Suitability Through previous research, several key factors have emerged that influence a childs reasoning about whom toys are suitable for. Several studies have found that childrens reasoning about who else would enjoy playing with a particular toy is often egocentric. It has been found that when a child likes a particular toy they often reason that other children of their own gender would also like the toy and conversely children of the opposite gender would not like it (Carter and Levy, 1988; Martin, Eisenbud and Rose, 1995; Cherney, Harper and Winter, 2006). These studies show that young children often used egocentric reasoning when thinking about what other children would like, they conclude that what they enjoy others of their own sex would also enjoy and those of the opposite sex would not. However, Martin, Eisenbud and Rose (1995) established that when toys are labelled as being for a certain gender, it is highly influential on childrens reasoning about who would enjoy that toy. They presented children with attractive, but unfamiliar toys and asked them to rate the toys appeal to themselves and other children, the results were concurrent with the previous research of Carter and Levy (1988), the childrens reasoning was egocentric; they concluded that what they liked other children of their gender would like. However, when they presented the children with another set of toys, applying gender labelling to them, they uncovered a very different reaction. The children used the gender labels to reason about their own and others preference for that toy, even with a very attractive toy, if it was labelled for the opposite gender the children were less favourable towards that toy and reasoned that other children of their own gender wouldnt like it either. Therefore, this researc h clearly demonstrates the power of gender labels to influence childrens reasoning and preferences when choosing what toys they themselves would enjoy as well as when considering what other children would enjoy. Another common influence on childrens gender-based reasoning uncovered by recent research conducted by Cherney and Dempsey (2010) is gender association; children would habitually reason that a toy was most suitable for a particular gender based on the gender of the toy itself. An example of this was when a swimming pool, a toy deemed to be gender neutral, was classified as being a girls toy because it featured Dora the Explorer whom is herself a girl. Furthermore, this research has also identified toy colour as being another factor which influences childrens reasoning and toy preferences. Using gender ambiguous and neutral toys, this research aimed to establish how young children classify toys with less notable gender typical features, finding that colour was commonly cited as a reason for the classification of toys by gender (Cherney and Dempsey, 2010). This finding could be due to the increasing trend seen in recent years for toy manufacturers to commonly market the same toy, which is often a gender neutral toy such as a camera, in gender typical colours. With the pink option being marketed at girls and the blue version marketed at boys. The studies outlined above demonstrate that childrens reasoning about toy preferences and suitability is influenced by a number of factors and is often egocentric. However the common thread running throughout all these studies is that outside influences, such a gender labels and colour greatly influences the toys children like. The personal, egocentric reasoning employed by children in the absence of outside influences, coupled with the change in childrens reasoning that comes with outside influences clearly shows that children are highly aware of societal and cultural norms and it would appear that, on the whole, children tend to conform to these gender norms when it comes to the toys they considered to be most appealing. 2.3: Parental Perceptions of Gendered Toys and Their Suitability During the late 1970s an observational study was conducted, which investigated how parents praise and punish childrens behaviour, it was found that the types of behaviours parents praise or punish differ for boys and girls. The study discovered that boys were punished when they played with gender atypical toys and praised when they played with gender typical toys, it also found that girls were punished for rough and tumble play (Fagot, 1978). Therefore, it would seem from this research that parents have clear views on what toys and play styles are suitable for either sex and that they actively discourage their children from engaging in play or using toys traditionally stereotyped as belonging to the opposite sex. This finding was supported by later research, investigating parental participation in childrens play (Roopnarine, 1986), which discovered parents most often participated when their children were playing with toys traditionally considered appropriate for their gender. Therefo re, these studies (Fagot, 1978; Roopnarine, 1986) suggest that parents, either directly through punishment or indirectly through their lack of participation, encourage their children to prefer gender typical toys and reject gender atypical ones. However, more recently a study conducted by Wood et al (2002) investigating parental views of gender stereotyped toys found that traditional gender categorisation of toys did not reflect the parents views on toy suitability. This study found that many toys traditionally considered to be either male or female, were categorised as being gender neutral by the parents. The physical features of the toys used in this study were controlled to limit factors, such as colour, from influencing gender categorisation. Therefore, the parents must have made their decision based on something outside of the physical features of the toys; the researchers believed this could be due to a shift in recent times of the typical gender role stereotypes (Wood et al, 2002). Nevertheless, this study discovered that parents believed gendered toys to be most desirable to the gender the toy is traditionally assigned to. This research also observed parents and children at play to ascertain which toys were utilised most often by each gender. While observing boys and parents typically masculine toys were played with the most, a finding consistent with previous studies however, when observing girls and parents there was more flexibility, playing with feminine and neutral toys equally which deviates from previous studies. Therefore the shift in how parents categorised toys uncovered by this research did not reflect in their real life play situations with their children (Wood et al, 2002). The findings of these studies (Fagot, 1978; Roopnarine, 1986) suggest that parents have differing views on what toys and activities are suitable for children based on their gender, and that they reinforce these views through their behaviour when interacting with their child. However, more recent findings (Wood et al, 2002) suggest that parents view of traditionally gender stereotyped toys is evolving and that modern parents are reinterpreting the traditional roles of gendered toys. Nevertheless, despite this shift in how parents are categorising childrens toys, Wood et al (2002) still found that parents believed stereotypically gendered toys to be most desirable to the gender typically associated to them, showing that there is still a gender division in children toys. 2.4: Parental Influence on Childrens Toy Choices and Reasoning It has been argued by Mischel (1966) that children learn gendered behaviours prior to realising that they belong to a particular gender, this occurs through a process of modelling and reinforcement by adults. Furthermore, as previously discussed the praise and punishment delivered by parents differs depending on the sex of the child, with girls and boys both being praised for gender typical behaviour and punished for gender atypical behaviour (Fagot, 1978). These two pieces of literature suggest that children learn gender labelling and gendered behaviours through the social interactions they experience in their early lives. This standpoint on childrens acquisition of gender labels and gendered behaviour is called social learning theory and opposes the cognitive-developmental theory of children acquisition of gendered behaviours as proposed by Kohlberg (1966). The cognitive-developmental theory argues that children develop an awareness of their own gender before developing an understa nding of the typical behaviour associated with each gender (Kohlberg, 1966). Through the lens of the social learning theorist gendered behaviours are viewed as being a precursor of the gender development process, whereas cognitive-developmental theorists sees gender development as being a causal factor in children acquiring gendered behaviours (Weinraub et al, 1984). Therefore from a social learning perspective parents, as young childrens primary socialiser, have a massive potential to influence the existence of gender behaviour in their child and therefore may influence the types of toys children choose to play with. Research conducted investigating young childrens gender identity, toy choices and family characteristics has found that parents do hold an influence over their childs toy choice (Weinraub et al, 1984). However, this influence was not universal for mothers and fathers. The study found that in the case of mothers it is their occupation, not their sex-typed personality traits, which affect childrens development of gender labelling and therefore their toy choices. On the other hand, the study found that in the case of fathers, sex-typed personality traits strongly influenced the development of gender labels in children, and their toy preferences, especially in the case of boys (Weinraub et al, 1984). However, another study conducted shortly after found that contrary to previous research suggesting fathers as being the primary force supporting the development of children learning gender labels, that mothers and fathers were equally involved (Roopnarine, 1986). The results of these studies (Weinraub et al, 1984; Roopnarine, 1986) demonstrate that parents, especially fathers of boys, can influence the gender labels that children develop, and in turn the choices children make about toys and support the hypothesis proposed by social-learning theorists. Chapter Three: Methodology 3.1: Research Methods The overarching research design of this research was that of the case study. This design was chosen as it enables real life participants to be examined in a real life situation, allowing for an in-depth insight into the phenomenon being investigated (Cohen et al, 2011). The phenomenon this research project examined was gendered toys; it investigated how children and their parents perceive and reason about such toys and aimed to establish whether there is a link between the perceptions of parents and the preferences of children. A further benefit of the case study approach is that it allows findings to be presented in a clear and concise manner, enabling the reader to have a clearer understanding of the ideas being presented (Cohen et al, 2011). Case studies have been defined as being the study of a single instance within a bounded system, for example a school, class, community (Adelman et al, 1980; Creswell, 1994 cited in Cohen et al, 2011). However, it has been put forward that such a tight definition is not an appropriate definition of the case study approach. Yin (2009) argues that the line between the phenomenon being investigated and the context where it is being investigating is not clear-cut; therefore it is important contextualise case studies by employing strategies such as rich descriptions and details. Nevertheless, this case study did investigate a phenomenon within a bounded system, focusing on families from within a community whose children all attend the same school. The case study approach was chosen for this research as the approach is particularly useful in establishing cause and effect, and the aim of this research was to establish if parental perceptions influence children choices. In addition, case stud ies allow the effects of a phenomenon to be observed within a real life perspective, allowing for a better understanding of how the context of a situation influences both cause and effect (Cohen et al, 2011). Case studies are excellent for providing both the researcher and the reader with an in-depth and rich understanding of the phenomenon being investigated. Nevertheless, as a case study is usually focused upon a fairly narrow line of inquiry, focused on a specific phenomenon or a single setting, it does have its limitations. A major, often cited limitation is the lack of generality; finding and conclusion drawn by a case study cannot be applied to a wider context than that within which it was conducted (Robert-Holmes, 2011). It is therefore of upmost importance that researchers conducting case studies do not attempt to make claims applying the knowledge obtained through a case study universally. This research employed three data collection methods within its case study research design, these were, questionnaires, documentary research and an interview. Three methods of data collection were employed in order to provide the study with triangulation. Triangulation is the process of employing two or more methods of data collection when researching an aspect of human behaviour, allowing the researcher to obtain a more comprehensive picture of the behaviour they are investigating (Cohen et al, 2011; Robert-Holmes, 2011). Triangulation is important as it provides the research with validity, which in turn makes the conclusions drawn by research more believable to the reader (Mukherji Albon, 2009). An overview of these methods and their benefits and limitations, will follow. Questionnaires can be a useful tool for gathering data for research as they quickly collect large quantities of data, and due to the standardised nature of the questionnaire the data collected is easily comparable (Willan, 2010; Robert-Holmes, 2011). However, it must be noted that questionnaire data lacks the depth and breadth of interview data, which offers a more in-depth insight of peoples thoughts, beliefs and attitudes (Robert-Holmes, 2011). Whilst questionnaires can be very useful, being easy to distribute and a comparatively cheap and quick method of collecting large quantities of data, they can prove problematic as getting responses back can often be challenging (Willan, 2010; Robert-Holmes, 2011). Furthermore, the formulation of a questionnaire can be difficult to get right requiring careful consideration; it is especially easy for questionnaires to lack clarity, be ambiguous and to be leading to its participants (Willan, 2010). Therefore, special consideration needs to be t aken to ensure the questions are formulated in a way to ensure the necessary data is collected, whilst making sure that the questionnaire itself is not overly long or complicated. An overly long or complex questionnaire can put off potential participants, which in turn may result in a low response rate which then effects the breadth of the data collected (Oppenheim, 1992; Foody, 1993). For this reason, the questions for this projects questionnaire were designed to be clear and concise furthermore, unnecessary questions were omitted from the questionnaire in an attempt to maximise participation. Documentary research can provide an insight into human social activity, briefly speaking a document can be describes as being a record of an event or a process, which is produced by an individual or group (Cohen et al, 2011). Documentary research can help researchers understand current practices; however through analysing historical documentation researchers can use this method to investigate how historical perceptions have influenced current thinking (Willan, 2010; Cohen et al, 2011). Documentary evidence can come in many different formats and is not merely the analysis of written documents, such as policy documents and letters; documentary evidence can be obtained from various multimedia sources such as radio, films and emails (Willan, 2010; Cohen et al, 2011). The documents analysed by this research were collages of favourite toys produced autonomously by the child participants; it was used to provide a current picture of the childrens toy preferences obtained with minimal adult i nfluence. However, documents do not provide information automatically, they require careful analysis and interpretation to reveal the information contained within them. Therefore, the worth of data obtained through documentary analysis is highly variable, depending on how able the person analysing it is to fully understanding its meaning (Cohen et al, 2011). The final method of data collection employed by this study was the semi-structured interview, employing the use of an interview guide which, while listing areas to be discussed was not a fixed, premeditated interview schedule as would be used in a structured interview (Robert-Holmes, 2011). The semi-structured technique was selected over the structured technique as it provides a good degree exploration whilst minimising the potential to wander from the intended area of discussion (Willan, 2010; Robert-Holmes, 2011). Semi-structured interviews centre firmly on the participant and their beliefs and opinions, rather than the researcher, which is the case in a structured interview; there is far more scope for the participant to influence the course the interview takes. When conducting a semi-structured interview the researcher acts as a facilitator encouraging the participants to vocalise their opinions about the matter being discussed (Robert-Holmes, 2011). The interviews for this study were conducted as a group in the childrens school environment, additionally the researcher was known to these children from their role as a volunteer in the class. These measures were taken to ensure that the children felt as comfortable as possible, as feeling intimidated or uncomfortable by the situation could potentially affect the success of the interview (Robert-Holmes, 2011). Furthermore, it was felt that building a good rapport with the children, through volunteering in their classroom before commencing the data collection was imperative. This was because children are generally not used to unfamiliar adults asking them about their thoughts, feelings or experiences, therefore good researcher-child relationships are fundamental for successfully interviewing children (Folque, 2010). 3.2: Ethical Considerations Before data collection commenced a letter explaining the aims and data collection methods of this research was presented to both the school and the parents of the children participating in the research. This was to ensure that all parties involved were aware of how and why the research was being conducted; a Criminal Records Bureau enhanced disclosure certificate was also shown to the school and made available for the parents to view to demonstrate that the research was being conducted by a suitable adult. Through giving participants transparent information on the aims and data collection methods of the research allowed the adult participants to give their informed consent to participate on the research. Parents were asked for their permission for the children to participate, additionally the children were briefed on their part in the research and it was made clear to all parties that their participation was in no way compulsory and that they were free to withdraw at any point. Copies of the letters sent to the school and parents, along with the ethical approval form for this research can be found in the appendices (See Appendix 2 and 3). Chapter Four: Results 4.1 Analysing Childrens Toy Collages Introduction In order to collect information about the toy preferences of the children participating the document analysis method of data collection was used, the documentary evidenced analysed was collages created by the children of their favourite toys. Full details of this method can be found in the methodology chapter of this research project (See 3.1). Aims The aim of using document analysis was to ascertain the childrens toy preferences in a naturalistic and unbiased way. It allowed the children to complete a collage of their favourite toys autonomously, with minimal outside influences. This information was required to determine to what extent, if at all, children prefer gender stereotypical toys. Procedures In total 31 families of Year 2 children at a West Midlands primary school were contacted with details the research and asked if they would be interested in participating. In total 10 families expressed an interest in taking part, giving a response rate of 32.2 %, 4 families were then selected to participate. The families selected were of white British background and from intact family units. These families were chosen because of the commonality of their backgrounds, in order to minimise variables due to ethnicity, culture and family dynamics. The sample group consisted of four children; 2 boys and 2 girls aged between 6 and 7years old. The children were provided with a toy catalogue, featuring a wide range of different types of toys. The children were also provided with a choice of coloured paper, scissors and glue. Adults were on hand to assist the children with cutting out and sticking if this was needed. The activity was child led but supervised by adults, this was to minimise adult influence on the childrens choices whilst ensuring the activity was safe. The activity was conducted in the childrens school environment, to ensure the children felt comfortable in order to minimise any negative effect on either the participants or the data collected (see 3.1). The children were told that they could browse through the catalogue, cut out the toys which they favoured and use them to make their collage. The children were also informed that if they could not find a toy they l

Jean Luc Picard as a Leader Essays -- Star Trek Essays Papers

Jean Luc Picard as a Leader If the cause is just and honorable they are prepared to give their lives--Jean Luc Picard The cares for lives, continuation of other's future, and the hope of a more successful generation are rarely the thoughts of anyone. Most individuals are self-centered, careless of others, and seek personal benefit. Although these unfortunate qualities make up the majority of the society that we live in, there are few individuals that make up what we call good leaders. Someone who has a thorough, objective, and complete view of a situation are a good leader. A good leader is also a person who considers and cares for other people's well being. Along with these qualities, a leader never allows any emotion or fears to come in the way of rational thought. Jean Luc Picard is a good leader. Picard is a good leader because he has all the attributes and qualities of a leader. When Picard has to make a decision, he is thorough and very objective. Picard always seeks to find the height and depth of the situation in hand. Picard considers his actions and all their possible outcomes to insure th e well being of his crew's future. Lastly, Picard never makes any decisions based on his or someone else's fear or emotion. He is not convinced easily and will seldom make a decision without having unequivocal reasons. Throughout this paper, I intend to further make clear that Jean Luc Picard truly is a leader. I will primarily use scenes and quote from "The Defector," an episode from the series Star Trek the New Generation, to account for all the statements. Let us consider some leaders that we have in present day. Many of us would say that the president of the United States is a leader. Every four year, millions of citi... ...omplete view of the situation at hand. Picard never allowed any fear or emotion come in the way of rational thought. Most importantly, we know that Jean Luc was always concerned for the well being of his friends and their future generations, because when he needed it his care was repaid and it saved him. Works Cited: "Interchange on the Defector." Student Works. http://www.cwrl.uexas.edu/~tonya/309m/class/defect.htmal. (30 Jan. 1996). Kernick, Phil. "The Defector." The Trekker Reviews. http://ringo.psy.flinders.edu.au:80/trekker/tng3//the_defector.html (1993). Lynch, Timothy. "The Defector." Star Trek The Next Generation, Season 3. http://cruciform.cid.com/~werdna/sttng/synopsis/defector.syn.html (30 Jan. 1996). Tong, Andrew. "The Defector." Mr. Video Productions. http://cruciform.cid.com/~werdna/sttng/synopsis/defector.syn.html. (27 May 1994).

Blaine Kitchenware

rP os t 4040 OCTOBER 8, 2009 TIMOTHY LUEHRMAN JOEL HEILPRIN op yo Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. : Capital Structure On April 27, 2007, Victor Dubinski, CEO of Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. (BKI), sat in his office reflecting on a meeting he had had with an investment banker earlier in the week. The banker, whom Dubinski had known for years, asked for the meeting after a group of private equity investors made discreet inquiries about a possible acquisition of Blaine. Although Blaine was a public company, a majority of its shares were controlled by family members descended from the firm’s founders together with various family trusts.Family interests were strongly represented on the board of directors as well. Dubinski knew the family had no current interest in selling—on the contrary, Blaine was interested in acquiring other companies in the kitchen appliances space—so this overture, like a few others before it, would be politely rebuffed. No tC Nevertheless, Dubinski was st ruck by the banker’s assertion that a private equity buyer could â€Å"unlock† value inherent in Blaine’s strong operations and balance sheet. Using cash on Blaine’s balance sheet and new borrowings, a rivate equity firm could purchase all of Blaine’s outstanding shares at a price higher than $16. 25 per share, its current stock price. It would then repay the debt over time using the company’s future earnings. When the banker pointed out that BKI itself could do the same thing—borrow money to buy back its own shares—Dubinski had asked, â€Å"But why would we do that? † The banker’s response was blunt: â€Å"Because you’re over-liquid and under-levered. Your shareholders are paying a price for that. † In the days since the meeting, Dubinski’s thoughts kept returning to a share repurchase.How many shares could be bought? At what price? Would it sap Blaine’s financial strength? Or prevent it from making future acquisitions? Blaine Kitchenware’s Business Do Blaine Kitchenware was a mid-sized producer of branded small appliances primarily used in residential kitchens. Originally founded as The Blaine Electrical Apparatus Company in 1927, it produced then-novel electric home appliances, such as irons, vacuum cleaners, waffle irons, and cream separators, which were touted as modern, clean, and easier to use than counterparts fueled by oil, coal, gas, or by hand.By 2006, the company’s products consisted of a wide range of small kitchen appliances used for food and beverage preparation and for cooking, including several branded lines of deep fryers, griddles, waffle irons, toasters, small ovens, blenders, mixers, pressure cookers, steamers, slow cookers, shredders and slicers, and coffee makers. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ HBS Professor Timothy A. Luehrman and Illinois Instit ute of Technology Adjunct Finance Professor Joel L.Heilprin prepared this case solely as a basis for class discussion and not as an endorsement, a source of primary data, or an illustration of effective or ineffective management. This case, though based on real events, is fictionalized, and any resemblance to actual persons or entities is coincidental. There are occasional references to actual companies in the narration. Copyright  © 2009 President and Fellows of Harvard College. To order copies or request permission to reproduce materials, call 1-800-545-7685, write Harvard Business Publishing, Boston, MA 02163, or go to http://www. bsp. harvard. edu. This publication may not be digitized, photocopied, or otherwise reproduced, posted, or transmitted, without the permission of Harvard Business School. This document is authorized for use only by Atul Singh at JRE Group of Institutions until June 2013. Copying or posting is an infringement of copyright. [email  protected] harvard. edu or 617. 783. 7860. rP os t 4040 | Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. : Capital Structure Blaine had just under 10% of the $2. 3 billion U. S. market for small kitchen appliances.For the period 2003–2006 the industry posted modest annual unit sales growth of 2% despite positive market conditions including a strong housing market, growth in affluent householders, and product innovations. Competition from inexpensive imports and aggressive pricing by mass merchandisers limited industry dollar volume growth to just 3. 5% annually over that same period. Historically, the industry had been fragmented, but it had recently experienced some consolidation that many participants expected to continue. In recent years, Blaine had been expanding into foreign markets.Nevertheless in 2006, 65% of its revenue was generated from shipments to U. S. wholesalers and retailers, with the balance coming from sales to Canada, Europe, and Central and South America. The company shipped approximately 14 mill ion units a year. op yo There were three major segments in the small kitchen appliance industry: food preparation appliances, cooking appliances, and beverage-making appliances. Blaine produced product for all three, but the majority of its revenues came from cooking appliances and food preparation appliances.Its market share of beverage-making appliances was only 2%. Most of BKI’s appliances retailed at medium price points, at or just below products offered by the best-known national brands. BKI’s market research consistently showed that the Blaine brand was well-known and well-regarded by consumers. It was associated somewhat with â€Å"nostalgia† and the creation of â€Å"familiar, wholesome dishes. † tC Recently, Blaine had introduced some goods with â€Å"smart† technology features and sleeker styling, targeting higher-end consumers and intended to compete at higher price points.This strategy was in response to increased competition from Asian imports and private label product. The majority of BKI’s products were distributed via a network of wholesalers, which supplied mass merchandisers and department stores, but its upper-tier products were sold directly to specialty retailers and catalogue companies. Regardless of the distribution channel, BKI offered consumers standard warranty terms of 90 days to one year, depending on the appliance. No Blaine’s monthly sales reached a seasonal peak during October and November as retailers increased stock in anticipation of the holiday season.A smaller peak occurred in May and June, coinciding with Mother’s Day, a summer surge in weddings, and the seasonal peak in home purchases. Historically, sales of Blaine appliances had been cyclical as well, tending to track overall macroeconomic activity. This also was the case for the industry as a whole; in particular, changes in appliance sales were correlated with changes in housing sales and in home renovation and hou sehold formation. BKI owned and operated a small factory in Minnesota that produced cast iron parts with specialty coatings for certain of its cookware offerings.Otherwise, however, Blaine, like most companies in the appliance industry, outsourced its production. In 2006 BKI had suppliers and contract manufacturers in China, Vietnam, Canada, and Mexico. Do Victor Dubinski was a great-grandson of one of the founders. An engineer by training, Dubinski served in the U. S. Navy after graduating from college in 1970. After his discharge, he worked for a large aerospace and defense contractor until joining the family business in 1981 as head of operations. He was elected to the board of directors in 1988 and became Blaine’s CEO in 1992, succeeding his uncle.Under Dubinski’s leadership, Blaine operated much as it always had, with three notable exceptions. First, the company completed an IPO in 1994. This provided a measure of liquidity for certain of the founders’ desc endants who, collectively, owned 62% of the outstanding shares 2 BRIEFCASES | HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL This document is authorized for use only by Atul Singh at JRE Group of Institutions until June 2013. Copying or posting is an infringement of copyright. [email  protected] harvard. edu or 617. 783. 7860. rP os t Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. : Capital Structure | 4040 ollowing the IPO. Second, beginning in the 1990s, Blaine gradually moved its production abroad. The company began by taking advantage of NAFTA, engaging suppliers and performing some manufacturing in Mexico. By 2003, BKI also had established relationships with several Asian manufacturers, and the large majority of its production took place outside the United States. Finally, BKI had undertaken a strategy focused on rounding out and complementing its product offerings by acquiring small independent manufacturers or the kitchen appliance product lines of large diversified manufacturers.The company carefully followed changes in customer purchasing behavior and market trends. Victor Dubinski and the board were eager to continue what they believed had been a fruitful strategy. The company was particularly keen to increase its presence in the beverage appliance segment, which demonstrated the strongest growth and where BKI was weakest. Thus far, all acquisitions had been for cash or BKI stock. op yo Financial Performance During the year ended December 31, 2006, Blaine earned net income of $53. 6 million on revenue of $342 million.Exhibits 1 and 2 present the company’s recent financial statements. Approximately 85% of Blaine’s revenue and 80% of its operating income came from the sale of mid-tier products, with the line of higher-end goods accounting for the remainder. The company’s 2006 EBITDA margin of nearly 22% was among the strongest within the peer group shown in Exhibit 3. Despite its recent shift toward higher-end product lines, Blaine’s operating margins had decreased s lightly over the last three years. Margins declined due to integration costs and inventory write-downs associated with recent acquisitions.Now that integration activities were completed, BKI executives expected the firm to achieve operating margins at least as high as its historical margins. tC The U. S. industry as a whole faced considerable pressure from imports and private label products, as well as a shift in consumer purchasing preferences favoring larger, â€Å"big box† retailers. In response, some of Blaine’s more aggressive rivals were cutting prices to maintain sales growth. Blaine had not followed suit and its organic revenue growth had suffered in recent years, as some of its core products lost market share.Growth in Blaine’s top line was attributable almost exclusively to acquisitions. No Despite the company’s profitability, returns to shareholders had been somewhat below average. Blaine’s return on equity (ROE), shown below, was signif icantly below that of its publicly traded peers. 1 Moreover, its earnings per share had fallen significantly since 2004, partly due to dilutive acquisitions. Companies 2006 ROE Do Home & Hearth Design AutoTech Appliances XQL Corp. Bunkerhill Incorporated EasyLiving Systems Mean 11. 3% 43. 1% 19. 5% 41. 7% 13. 9% 25. 9%Median 19. 5% Blaine 11. 0% 1 ROE is computed here as net income divided by end-of-period book equity. HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL | BRIEFCASES This document is authorized for use only by Atul Singh at JRE Group of Institutions until June 2013. Copying or posting is an infringement of copyright. [email  protected] harvard. edu or 617. 783. 7860. 3 rP os t 4040 | Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. : Capital Structure During 2004–2006, compounded annual returns for BKI shareholders, including dividends and stock price appreciation, were approximately 11% per year.This was higher than the S&P 500, which returned approximately 10% per year. However, it was well below the 16% an nual compounded return earned by shareholders of Blaine’s peer group during the same period. Financial Policies op yo Blaine’s financial posture was conservative and very much in keeping with BKI’s long-standing practice and, indeed, with its management style generally. Only twice in its history had the company borrowed beyond seasonal working capital needs. The first time was during World War II, when it borrowed from the U. S. government to retool several factories for war production.The second time was during the first oil shock of the 1970s. On both occasions the debt was repaid as quickly as possible. At the end of 2006, Blaine’s balance sheet was the strongest in the industry. Not only was it debtfree, but the company also held $231 million in cash and securities at the end of 2006, down from $286 million two years earlier. Given such substantial liquidity, Blaine had terminated in 2002 a revolving credit agreement designed to provide standby credit for seasonal needs; the CFO argued that the fees were a waste of money and Dubinski agreed.In recent years the company’s largest uses of cash had been common dividends and cash consideration paid in various acquisitions. Dividends per share had risen only modestly during 2004–2006; however, as the company issued new shares in connection with some of its acquisitions, the number of shares outstanding climbed, and the payout ratio rose significantly, to more than 50% in 2006. tC 2004 $ 53,112 $ 18,589 41,309 $ 1. 29 $ 0. 45 35. 0% 2005 $ 52,435 $ 22,871 48,970 $ 1. 07 $ 0. 47 43. 6% 2006 $ 53,630 $ 28,345 59,052 $ 0. 91 $ 0. 48 52. 9% No Net income Dividends Average shares outstanding Earnings per shareDividend per share Payout ratio Do The next largest use of funds was capital expenditures, which were modest due to Blaine’s extensive outsourcing of its manufacturing. Average capital expenditures during the past three years were just over $10 million per year. Wh ile they were expected to remain modest, future expenditures would be driven in part by the extent and nature of Blaine’s future acquisitions. In recent years, after-tax cash generated from operations had been more than four times average capital expenditures and rising, as shown in the table below. 4 2004 EBITDA Less: Taxes After-Tax Operating Cash Flow 2005 69,370 24,989 44,380 $ 68,895 24,303 44,592 2006 $ 73,860 23,821 50,039 AVG. 46,337 BRIEFCASES | HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL This document is authorized for use only by Atul Singh at JRE Group of Institutions until June 2013. Copying or posting is an infringement of copyright. [email  protected] harvard. edu or 617. 783. 7860. Reassessing Financial Policies in 2007 rP os t Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. : Capital Structure | 4040 In 2007 Blaine planned to continue its policy of holding prices firm in the face of competitive pressures. Consequently, its managers were expecting top line growth of only 3% for fiscal year 2007.Howev er, this growth rate assumed no acquisitions would be made in 2007, unlike the previous two years. While the board remained receptive to opportunities, Dubinski and his team had no target in mind as yet at the end of April. op yo As he reflected on the possibility of repurchasing stock, Dubinski understood that he could consider such a move only in conjunction with all of BKI’s financial policies: its liquidity, capital structure, dividend policy, ownership structure, and acquisition plans. In addition, he wondered about timing. Blaine’s stock price was not far off its all-time high, yet its performance clearly lagged that of its peers.A summary of contemporaneous financial market information is provided in Exhibit 4. Dubinski had begun to suspect that family members on the board would welcome some of the possible effects of a large share repurchase. Assuming that family members held on to their shares, their percentage ownership of Blaine would rise, reversing a downw ard trend dating from BKI’s IPO. It also would give the board more flexibility in setting future dividends per share. Both Dubinski and the board knew that the recent trend in BKI’s payout ratio was unsustainable and that this concerned some family members.Do No tC On the other hand, a large repurchase might be unpopular if it forced Blaine to give up its war chest and/or discontinue its acquisition activity. Perhaps even more unsettling, it would cause Blaine to borrow money. The company would be paying significant interest expense for only the third time in its history. As Dubinski turned his chair to face the window, he glanced at the framed photo behind his desk of his great grandfather, Marcus Blaine, demonstrating the company’s first cream separator—its best-selling product during Blaine’s first decade.A real Blaine Electrical Cream Separator sat in a glass case in the corner; the last one had been manufactured in 1949. HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOO L | BRIEFCASES This document is authorized for use only by Atul Singh at JRE Group of Institutions until June 2013. Copying or posting is an infringement of copyright. [email  protected] harvard. edu or 617. 783. 7860. 5 Exhibit 1 rP os t 4040 | Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. : Capital Structure Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. , Income Statements, years ended December 31, ($ in Thousands) Operating Results 2004 2005 2006 $291,940 204,265 Net Income Dividends 63,946 9,914 68,895 73,860 60,682 16,057 63,946 3,506 78,101 24,989 76,738 24,303 77,451 23,821 52,435 $ 22,871 53,630 $ 28,345 5. 5% 11. 1% op yo Earnings Before Tax Less: Taxes 60,682 8,213 53,112 $ 18,589 EBIT Plus: Other Income (expense) 92,458 28,512 62,383 15,719 EBITDA 87,731 27,049 69,370 Operating Income Plus: Depreciation & Amortization $342,251 249,794 62,383 6,987 Gross Profit Less: Selling, General & Administrative $307,964 220,234 87,676 25,293 Revenue Less: Cost of Goods Sold Margins Revenue Growth 3. 2% Gross Margin 30. 0% 28. 5% 27. 0% 21. 4% 19. 7% 18. 7% 23. 8% 22. 4% 21. 6% 32. 0% 31. 7% 30. 8% Net Income Margin 18. 2% 17. 0% 15. 7% Dividend payout ratio 5. 0% 43. 6% 52. 9% EBIT Margin EBITDA Margin Blaine's future tax rate was expected to rise to the statutory rate of 40%. Do No a. tC Effective Tax Ratea 6 BRIEFCASES | HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL This document is authorized for use only by Atul Singh at JRE Group of Institutions until June 2013. Copying or posting is an infringement of copyright. [email  protected] harvard. edu or 617. 783. 7860. Exhibit 2 rP os t Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. : Capital Structure | 4040 Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. Balance Sheets, December 31, ($ in Thousands) Assets 2004 Cash & Cash Equivalents 2005 2006 $ 67,391 Goodwill Other Assets Total Assets p yo Property, Plant & Equipment 48,780 49,728 54,874 3,871 5,157 376,351 Total Current Assets 43,235 2,586 Other Current Assets 164,309 47,262 Inventory $ 66,557 196,763 40,709 Accounts Receivable $ 70,853 218,403 Marketable Sec urities 364,449 339,678 99,402 138,546 174,321 8,134 20,439 38,281 13,331 27,394 39,973 $497,217 $550,829 $592,253 $ 26,106 $ 28,589 $ 31,936 22,605 24,921 27,761 14,225 17,196 16,884 62,935 70,705 76,581 1,794 3,151 4,814 15,111 18,434 22,495 79,840 92,290 103,890 Liabilities & Shareholders' Equity Accounts Payable Accrued Liabilities Taxes Payable Total Current Liabilities Other liabilitiesDeferred Taxes tC Total Liabilities Shareholders' Equity Total Liabilities & Shareholders' Equity 458,538 488,363 $550,829 $592,253 Many items in BKI’s historical balance sheets (e. g. , Property, Plant & Equipment) have been affected by the firm’s acquisitions. Do No Note: 417,377 $497,217 HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL | BRIEFCASES This document is authorized for use only by Atul Singh at JRE Group of Institutions until June 2013. Copying or posting is an infringement of copyright. [email  protected] harvard. edu or 617. 783. 7860. 7 This document is authorized for use only by Atul Si ngh at JRE Group of Institutions until June 2013.Copying or posting is an infringement of copyright. [email  protected] harvard. edu or 617. 783. 7860. 45. 18% 31. 12% Net Debt/Equity Net Debt/Enterprise Value b. Net debt is total long-term and short-term debt less excess cash. a. Net working capital excludes cash and securities. 1. 91x 10. 56x 9. 46x 1. 63x 1. 03 776,427 $1,127,226 $ 350,798 372,293 475,377 LTM Trading Multiples MVIC/Revenue MVIC/EBIT MVIC/EBITDA Market/Book equity Equity beta Market capitalization Enterprise value (MVIC) Net debtb Total debt Book equity $ 21,495 54,316 900,803 $ 976,613 31. 74% 24. 10% 1. 02x 7. 35x 6. 03x 4. 26x 1. 24 17. 97% 15. 23% 1. 5x 8. 65x 7. 84x 2. 51x 0. 96 5,290,145 $6,240,947 $ 950,802 972,227 2,109,400 $ 21,425 353,691 3,322,837 $3,697,952 $4,313,300 721,297 796,497 $ 412,307 XQL Corp. -15. 47% -18. 31% 1. 87x 18. 05x 15. 15x 4. 41x 0. 67 418,749 $ 353,949 $ (64,800) 177,302 94,919 $ 242,102 21,220 68,788 $ 332,110 $ 188,955 19,613 23,356 $ 13,173 EasyLiving Systems 4040 -8- -24. 06% -31. 68% 2. 13x 11. 40x 9. 87x 1. 96x 0. 56 959,596 $ 728,730 $(230,866) 488,363 $ 230,866 32,231 174,321 $ 592,253 $ 342,251 63,946 73,860 $ 53,630 Blaine Kitchenware rP os t 6. 01% 5. 67% 1. 14x 7. 42x 6. 88x 4. 93x 0. 92 3,962,780 $4,200,836 $ 238,056 391,736 04,400 $ 153,680 334,804 815,304 $1,303,788 $3,671,100 566,099 610,399 $ 335,073 Bunkerhill, Inc. op yo 13,978,375 $18,415,689 $4,437,314 4,973,413 3,283,000 $ 536,099 1,247,520 7,463,564 $9,247,183 $18,080,000 2,505,200 3,055,200 $1,416,012 AutoTech Appliances tC No $ 589,747 106,763 119,190 $ 53,698 Home & Hearth Design Selected Operating and Financial Data for Public Kitchenware Producers, 12 months ended December 31, 2006, ($ in Thousands) Cash & securities Net working capitala Net fixed assets Total assets Revenue EBIT EBITDA Net income Exhibit 3 Do Exhibit 4 rP os t Blaine Kitchenware, Inc. : Capital Structure | 4040Contemporaneous Capital Market Data (April 21, 2007 ) Yields on U. S. Treasury Securities Maturity 30 days 60 days 90 days 1 year 5 years 10 years 20 years 30 years op yo 4. 55% 4. 73% 4. 91% 4. 90% 4. 91% 5. 02% 5. 26% 5. 10% Default spread 0. 86% 1. 02% 1. 33% 1. 70% 2. 86% 3. 92% Do No tC Seasoned corporate bond yields Moody's Aaa 5. 88% Aa 6. 04% A 6. 35% Baa 6. 72% Ba 7. 88% B 8. 94% HARVARD BUSINESS PUBLISHING | BRIEFCASES This document is authorized for use only by Atul Singh at JRE Group of Institutions until June 2013. Copying or posting is an infringement of copyright. [email  protected] harvard. edu or 617. 783. 7860. 9

Data Communication Reviewer

Reviewer DataCom: Chapter 1-5 Chapter 1: Intranet- Restricted group on a company and only allows internal employee access. Extranet- Type of network that allows outside vendors special access to limited info in a company. Protocols- Rules of communication. * An identified sender and receiver * An agreed-upon method of communicating * Common language and grammar * Confirmation or acknowledgement requirements Elements of a Network: * Rules or agreements: protocols or how the message is semt, directed, received and interpreted. * Massages: units of info that travels Medium: means of interconnecting these devices, can transport the messages* Devices: devices on the network exchange messages Messages- a generic term that encompasses forms of communication enabled by the Internet. Devices- several devices work to see that the message is properly directed to the source to the destination device. Icons- symbols that graphically presents network devices and media. * Desktop Computer * Laptop * Server – a computer dedicated to providing app services * IP Phone – a digital phone* LAN media * Wireless media LAN switch – most common device for interconnect LANs * Firewall – provides security to networks * Router – helps direct messages between networks * Wireless router * Cloud – summarize a group of networking devices * WAN media IP (Internet Protocal) & TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) – most common protocols * WWW – HTTP * E-mail – SMTP * Instant messae – XMPP * IP telephony – SIP Convergence – coming together of technologies onto a digital platform. It occurs when computer communications all use the same rules to transport their messages. Network Architecture – the conceptual plans on which a physical network is built. Fault tolerance- needs to function even if some components fail * Scalability- network’s ability to grow & react to future changes * Quality of service- p erformance level of services. Prioritize traffic and its characteristics to manage data. * and Security Packets-single message is broken into small blocks of data. Bandwidth- measure of the data-carrying capacity of the network. Chapter 2: Elements of communication: * Message source, or sender * Destination, or receiver *Channel- media that provides pathway Network- refers to data networks carrying massages. Segmentation- all messages are broken into smaller pieces Multiplexing- occurs when segments of two messages can shuffle into each other and share the medium. * Increased efficiency of network communication End device- a piece of equipment that is either the source or the destination of a message on a network. Host- an end device that sends or receives messages. Clients- other hosts that set up to store and share info by the host servers *The host address is a unique physical address used by hosts inside a LAN. Intermediary device- connects the individual host to the network and connect multiple individual network to form an internetwork. Network access devices* Internetwork devices * Communication severs * Modems * Security devices Network media: Copper, Fiber-optic cable, Wireless Encoding- refers to the way data is converted to patterns of electrical, light, or electromagnetic energy. LAN- a group of end devices and users under the control of a common administrator. WAN- a network that is used to connect LANs that are geographically far apart. Internetwork- is a collection of two or more LANs connected by WANs. Proprietary – A limited-use protocol owned by a company. Network Representations: Network interface card (NIC)- provides the physical connection to the network at the PC or other host device. * Physical port- is a connector or outlet on a networking device where the media is connected to a host.* Interface- refers to how the device can allow 2 different networks to communicate. The organizations that standardize networking protocols are: * IEEE – Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers * IETF – Internet Engineering Task Force Interaction of Protocols: * Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) – common protocol that governs the way that a web server and a web client interact. Transport protocol – Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is the transport protocol that manages the individual conversations between web servers and web clients. * Internetwork protocol * Network access protocols – describes 2 primary functions: Data-Link Management & the physical transmission of data on the media. Layered Models – describe the complex process of network communication. Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) – is the most widely known internetwork reference model.Provides an abstract description of the network communication process. Developed by International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Application, Representation, Session, Transport, Network, Data Link, Physical TCP/IP Model – defines the 4 communication functions that protocols perform. * Application, Transport, Internet, Network Access Encapsulation- Process of adding control info as it passes through the layered model Decapsulation- process of removing extra information Protocol Data Unit (PDU) – generic term for data at each level. Chapter 3: Presentation Layer has 3 primary functions: * Coding and conversion of application layer data * Compression of the data * Encryption of the data TCP/IP protocols: Domain Name System (DNS) – used to resolve internet names to IP address. * HTTP – used to transfer files that make up the web pages of the WWW. * Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) – used for the transfer of mail messages and attachments. * Telnet – a terminal emulation protocol used to provide remote access to servers and networking devices. * File Transfer Protocol (FTP) – used for interactive file transfer between systems. Process – e ach executing program loaded on a device. Client/server model Deamon – are describes as â€Å"listening† for a request from a client. Application layer services and protocolsPeer-to-peer networking and applications * 2 or more computers are connected through a network and can share resources such as printers and files without having a dedicated server. nslookup – a utility that allows the user to manually query the name servers to resolve a given host name. ipconfig/displaydns – displays all the cached DNS entries 3 common message types are: * GET- is a client request for data. * POST and PUT- are used to send messages to that upload data to the web browser. E-Mail Server Processes: * Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) – process used to forward e-mail. * Mail Delivery Agent (MDA)Server Message Block (SMB) – a client/server file-sharing protocol. Chapter 4: Transport Layer – provides transparent transfer of data between end users, providing rel iable data transfer services to the upper layers. It enables applications on devices to communicate. * Tracking the individual communications * Segmenting data and managing each piece * Reassembling the segments * Identifying the different applications * Performing flow control between end users * Enabling error recovery * Initiating a session Flow Control – can prevent the loss of segments on the network and avoid the need for retransmission.Used to avoid buffer overflows. Two most common transport layer: TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) – incurs additional overhead to gain functions. * Web browsers, E-mail, File transfers UDP (User Datagram Protocol) – provide the basic functions for efficiently delivering the data pieces. Has the advantage of providing low-overhead data delivery. * DNS, Video streaming, Voice over IP (VoIP) 3 basic operations of reliability: * Tracking transmitted data * Acknowledging received data * Retransmitting any unacknowledged data Socket – refers only to the unique combination of IP address and port number.Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) – assigns port number. Different types of ports: * Well-known ports (0 to 1023) – reserved for services and applications. * Registered ports (1024 to 49151) – are assigned to user processes or applications. * Dynamic or private ports (49152 to 65535) – also known as ephemeral ports, are usually assigned dynamically to client applications. netstat – a command that is an important network utility that you can use to verify TCP connections. It lists the protocol in use, the local address and port number†¦ Datagram – is a UDP segment (piece).Flags – are six 1-bit fields contain control information used to manage the TCP processes: * URG: Urgent pointer field significant * ACK: Acknowledgement field significant * PSH: Push function * RST: Reset the connection * SYN: Synchronize sequence numbers * FIN: No more data from sender *flags have fields that the only value is 1 bit and, therefore, has only two values: 1 or 0. 3 way handshake: Step 1 – SYN, Step 2 – SYN and ACK, Step 3 – ACK. Expectational acknowledgement – occurs when TCP uses the acknowledgement number in segments sent back to the source to indicate the next byte in this session that the receiver expects to receive.Window size – is the amount of data that a source can transmit before an acknowledgement must be received. Chapter 5: OSI Layer 3 – provides services to exchange the individual pieces of data over the network between identified end devices. The network layer describes four tasks to be performed: * Addressing packets with an IP address * Encapsulation – is the process of adding that information. * Routing – is the process router perform when receiving packets†¦ * Decapsulation – is the process of removing encapsulation data at different layers. Source IP address – is the IP address of the sending hostDestination IP address – is the IP address of the receiving host. IP header – contains the address information and some other bits that identify the PDU as a network layer PDU. Packet – is referred when an OSI layer 4 PDU has been encapsulated at the network layer. Hop – is each route that a packet takes to reach the next device. Common network protocol: * IPv4 – most widely used network protocol. * IPv6 – currently in use in some area. * Novell IPX – a widely popular internetworking protocol in the 1980s and 19990s. * AppleTalk – Apple Computer’s propriety networking protocol. Connectionless Network Service (CLNS) – a protocol used in telecommunication network. IPv4 basic characteristics: * Connectionless * Best effort (unreliable) * Media independent *Some networks have media restrictions and must enforce a Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU). Fragmentation â €“ is the process when the network layer builds the packets according to specification. Key fields: * IP source addressing * IP destination addressing * Time to Live (TTL) * Type of Service (ToS) * Protocol * Flag and Fragment Offset Other Key Fields: * Version * Internet Header Length (IHL) * Packet Length * Identification Header Checksum * Options * Padding *Because broadcast do not travel beyond the network boundary, the network is known as a broadcast domain. Gateway router – is the router a network uses to send and receive messages beyond the network. Hierarchical addressing – is read from the most general information to the most specific. Subnetting – the process when a large network needs to be divided into smaller subnets, additional network codes can be created using some of the bits designated for the host. *The default route is used when the destination network is not represented by any other route in the routing table.Next hop – is the add ress of the device that will process the packet next. *The route info can be manually configured on the router, creating what is known as a static route. Dynamic routing – when routers learn about routes automatically from other routers in the same internetwork. Routing Protocols – are the set of rules by which routers dynamically share their routing information. * Routing Information Protocol (RIP) * Enhanced Interior Gateway Protocol (EIGRP) * Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) 3 key factors to consider when grouping hosts into a common network: * Purpose * Ownership * Geographic location

Architecture of the Rich and Famous in Palm Springs

Architecture of the Rich and Famous in Palm Springs Mid-Century or Midcentury? Any way you spell it (and both are correct), the modern designs of world class architects from the middle part of the 20th century continue to define Palm Springs, California. Nestled in the Coachella Valley and surrounded by mountains and deserts, Palm Springs, California is only a few hours drive from the bustle and tinsel of Hollywood. As the entertainment industry enveloped the Los Angeles area during the 1900s, Palm Springs became a favorite getaway for the many starlets and socialites who were making money faster than they could spend it. Palm Springs, with its abundant year-round sunshine, became a refuge for a game of golf followed by cocktails around the swimming pool - a fast-lane lifestyle of the rich and famous. The 1947 Sinatra House, with a swimming pool shaped like a grand piano, is but one example of the architecture from this period. Architectural Styles in Palm Springs The building boom in the United States after World War II enticed LA architects to Palm Springs - architects go where the money is. Modernism had taken hold throughout Europe and already immigrated to the US. Southern California architects adapted ideas from the Bauhaus movement and the International Style, creating an elegant yet informal style that is often called Desert Modernism. As you explore Palm Springs, look for these important styles: Desert ModernismArt ModerneSpanish EclecticGoogieTiki Fast Facts: Palm Springs Every year Modernism Week celebrates the many mid-century modern houses in Palm Springs, located about 100 miles (2 hours) east of Los Angeles, California.Original settlers were Cahuilla Native Americans, called Agua Caliente or hot water by Spanish explorers.California became the 31st state in 1850. U.S. surveyors first described the area of palm trees and mineral springs as Palm Springs in 1853. John Guthrie McCallum (1826-1897) and his family were the first white settlers in 1884.The Southern Pacific Railroad completed an East/West line in 1877 - the railroad owned every other square mile surrounding the tracks, creating a checkerboard of property ownership seen today.Palm Springs became a health resort, its mineral springs a sanitorium for the treatment of tuberculosis.Palm Springs was incorporated in 1938. Singer/celebrity Sonny Bono was the 16th Mayor of Palm Springs from 1988 to 1992.As early as 1919, Palm Springs was used as a ready-made set for many Hollywood silent movies. It quickly became a playland for people in the movie industry, because of its proximity to LA. Even today Palm Springs is known as The Playground of the Stars. Architects of Palm Springs Modernism Palm Springs, California is a virtual museum of Mid-Century Modern architecture with possibly the worlds largest and best-preserved examples of elegant homes and landmark buildings constructed during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. Here is a sampling of what youll find when visiting Palm Springs: Alexander Homes: Working with several architects, the George Alexander Construction Company built more than 2,500 homes in Palm Springs and established a modernist approach to housing that was imitated throughout the United States. Learn about Alexander Homes. William Cody (1916-1978): No, not Buffalo Bill Cody, but the Ohio-born architect William Francis Cody, FAIA, who designed many homes, hotels, and commercial projects in Palm Springs, Phoenix, San Diego, Palo Alto, and Havana. Check out the 1947 Del Marcos Hotel, the 1952 Perlberg, and the 1968 St. Theresa Catholic Church. Albert Frey (1903-1998): Swiss architect Albert Frey worked for Le Corbusier before moving to the United States and becoming a Palm Springs resident. The futuristic buildings he designed launched the movement that became known as Desert Modernism. Some of his must-see buildings include these: 1949-1963 (with Robson Chambers): Tramway Valley Station1957 (with John Porter Clark, Robson Chambers, and E. Stewart Williams): Palm Springs City Hall1963: Frey House II1963-1965 (with Robson Chambers): Tramway Gas Station, now the Palm Springs Visitors Center John Lautner (1911s of his work in Palm Springs include: 1968: The Arthur Elrod House1979: The Bob and Delores Hope House Richard Neutra (1892-1970): Born and educated in Europe, Austrian Bauhaus architect Richard Neutra placed dramatic glass and steel homes in rugged California desert landscapes. Neutras most famous home in Palm Springs are these: 1937: Grace Lewis Miller House, the winter home of the St. Louis socialite1946: Kaufmann House, the same Kaufmanns who commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935 to build Fallingwater in Pennsylvania Donald Wexler (1926-2015): Architect Donald Wexler worked for Richard Neutra in Los Angeles, and then for William Cody in Palm Springs. He partnered with Richard Harrison before establishing his own firm. Wexler designs includes: 1961-1962: Steel Development Houses constructed by the Alexander Construction Company1961-1962: The Royal Hawaiian Estates, tiki style condominium complex in Palm Springs1965: Palm Springs Airport Original Terminal Building Paul Williams (1894-1980): Los Angeles architect Paul Revere Williams designed more than 2000 homes in southern California. He also designed: 1937: International Style clubhouse for the Tennis Club on Baristo Road, Palm Springs1954: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz home E. Stewart Williams (1909-2005): The son of Ohio architect Harry Williams, E. Stewart Williams built some of Palm Springs most significant buildings during a long and prolific career. Must-see: 1947: House for Frank Sinatra1954: The Edris House1960: Coachella Valley Savings and Loan (now Washington Mutual)1963: Tramway Upper Station1976: Palm Springs Desert Museum (now the Palm Springs Art Museum) Lloyd Wright (1890-1978): Son of the famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Lloyd Wright was trained in landscape design by the Olmsted brothers and worked with his famous father developing the concrete textile block buildings in Los Angeles. Lloyd Wrights projects in and near Palm Springs include: 1923: Oasis Hotel, a distinctive Art Deco building with a 40-foot tower. Desert Modernism Near Palm Springs: Sunnylands, 1966, in Rancho Mirage, by architect A. Quincy Jones (1913-1979) Travel to Palm Springs for the Architecture As the center of Mid-Century Modernism, Palm Springs, California hosts many architecture conferences, tours, and other events. Most famous is Modernism Week held in February each year.   Several beautifully restored hotels in Palm Springs, California recreate the experience of mid-twentieth century living, complete with reproduction fabrics and furnishings by major designers of the period. The Chase HotelStudio rooms that recreate the 1950s.The Orbit InTwo sister inns, the Orbit In and the Hideaway, with a retro flair.RendezvousNostalgic 1950s theme rooms and gourmet breakfasts. Hotel History and DetailsLHorizon HotelDesigned by William Cody in 1952. Hotel History and DetailsThe Movie Colony HotelDesigned by Albert Frey in 1935. Hotel History and DetailsThe Monkey Tree HotelA 16-room restored boutique hotel designed in 1960 by Albert Frey. Sources History, City of Palm Springs, CA

Romanticism essays

Romanticism essays Art comes in many forms. From the mind-boggling adventures of Surrealism to the beautiful landscapes of the Hudson River School, every genre of art has its own unique appeal. One of the most mystifying, emotional, and beautiful genres is Romanticism. The word romantic comes from 18th -century English, and originally meant romance-like, referring to anything resembling fanciful medieval romances. Later on, the word evolved into an association with the newly emerged hunger of the populace for wild scenery, ruins, and sublime prospects. This hunger stemmed from an emphasis in the art world on the sublime instead of the beautiful. Writer and statesman Edmund Burke thought of beauty as delicacy and harmony, and viewed the sublime as vastness, obscurity, and a capacity to inspire terror. In the 18th century, reason was abandoned for emotion in both literature and ethics. The leaders in this Emotional Evolution were French novelist Jean Jacques Rousseau, English poet and painter William Blake and the Spanish artist Francisco Goya. In France, romanticism went through its early stages at the same time as the Napoleonic Wars were fought (1799-1815). The first French romantics were inspired by the events of the wars, and the reaction of the general populace as the wars were going on. Antoine Jean Gros went from neoclassicism to romanticism by abandoning the sober style of his teacher and embracing the influence of the colorful and emotional style used by Flemish baroque painter Peter Paul Reubens. Gros developed his own style of painting through a series of battle paintings, which glorified Napoleon. The driving force for French romanticism was Theodore Gericault. Gericault took dramatic color and emotion to the extreme, and switched the emphasis of battle paintings from heroism to pain and suffering. In Wounded Cuirassier (1814) Gericault uses powerful brushstrokes and light and...

What to Expect From Beta Readers (And How to Find One)

What to Expect From Beta Readers (And How to Find One) What to Expect From Beta Readers And Where to Find Them In the software industry, programmers release â€Å"beta† versions of new programs that they get a select group of users to test. This way, any kinks can be worked out before it becomes available to the public.When it comes to publishing, the concept is the same, except the product being tested is a book, and the hopeful outcome is that potential negative reader reactions can be anticipated before publication. If authors are not sure which aspects of their book are working, this is a chance to find out.In this guide, we’ll give you pointers for finding beta readers and working with them in a way that’s constructive. But first, let’s clearly define what they are and what they do. What are beta readers?Beta readers review finished manuscripts before they're published, providing the author with feedback from the reader’s point of view.Beta readers can be friends or family members - anyone who will approach the book as a casual reader, pointing out things they liked and disliked, and highlighting the elements writers become blind to during countless revisions.A beta reader is the opposite of an alpha reader: the first person who reads and provides feedback on your manuscript, usually while it’s still a first draft.Beta readers also differ from critique partners, as the former reviews the book from the reader perspective, while the latter looks at a manuscript with a writer’s eye - paying close attention to any craft issues.Authors might also work with fact checkers at the final revision stage - especially if the author is writing about a culture or time period that is not their own, or if they are dealing with real life or sensitive topic s.Finally, a sensitivity reader is a type of beta reader - learn more about this controversial topic here.Beta readers do not replace editorsWhile beta readers are a form of quality control that authors can use before publishing their book, you should not rely on them to do the job of a professional editor. A professional editor will go through your book with a fine-tooth comb looking for plot holes, pacing or character development issues, grammatical errors or typos, and more - depending on the type of editor you hire.Typically, an author will: Take their manuscript through many rounds of self-editing. Then... When they are happy with it, they will submit it to a few beta readers. After†¦ They might have sensitivity readers look it over. Finally†¦ With as much of the revision work completed as possible, they will give it to an editor.This way, if you are self-funding a professional editor, the editor doesn’t need to waste their time - and your money - looking over issues you could have spotted yourself. They can focus on really fine-tuning your manuscript for publication. Do you know what beta and alpha readers are? Learn more here! Where can you find beta readers?Yes, you can turn to friends and family for beta reading. They’re probably the easiest people to access, and a good option for that reason alone. But, unless you happen to have brutally honest relatives, you’re best off also looking outside your inner circle to ensure the most honest and candid feedback. Here are a few places to start.Writing communitiesThese are ideal places to shop for beta readers, because they’ll get it. Other writers who are also in the process of finishing up their manuscript will likely also be looking for beta readers, and you can simply swap manuscripts and get the job done. Check out our blog post on 15 of the best online writing communities for aspiring authors.Your author websiteHave you set up a mailing list? In your newsletters, give people the option to sign up as a possible beta reader. In exchange, you can offer them a free copy of the final published title or an acknowledgment in your book.Goodrea dsThis bibliophile’s mecca is not just for readers, it’s also home to plenty of groups that support writers. Like this one, which is, luckily enough, aimed at connecting writers with beta readers.Local writing groupsFinding these can be as easy as typing â€Å"writer’s group † into Google. As a bonus, people are more likely to meet your deadlines when they have to see you face-to-face.Existing author connectionsYou might have connections with fellow authors, either via social media or from attending conferences/meet-ups. Don’t be shy: ask them nicely to help with beta reading. At worst, you’ll get a: â€Å"No, thanks† or â€Å"Maybe next time.† An extra tip here: don’t be pushy. A no is a no. Top reasons to work with beta and sensitivity readers How to work with beta readersNow that you’ve assembled a dream team of beta readers, it’s time to get them, well, reading. Here are a few tips to ensure that all parties get the most out of the experience.1. Look for someone with knowledge of your genre or subject matterWhile honesty is a key quality of a good beta reader, they should also already read and enjoy books similar to yours. Their familiarity with the genre can help them point out played-out tropes they feel have been overused, or key elements they feel are missing. Looking for readers who know your subject matter can also help ensure you handle delicate topics with sensitivity, and that there aren’t any glaring discrepancies or inaccuracies.2. But also look for people who don’t already read books like yoursUltimately, you should always write to market - in other words, if your book is young adult fantasy, you want to write a book that young adults who are into fantasy will enjoy. That being sa id, your feedback is likely to be most comprehensive if you show your manuscript to more than just existing Harry Potter fans. Are there any exposition dumps (places I over-inform the reader) you struggled to get through?ðŸÅ'Ž Worldbuilding Can you see the world clearly while reading? Can you see the action clearly while reading? Can you see the characters clearly while reading? Can you describe what the main characters look like?👠« Characters Was it clear who is talking? Does the dialogue sound natural and realistic? Does the character development feel natural? Are there any out-of-character moments? Do any of the characters feel cliche or stereotypical?📚 General Who is your favorite character and why? Who is your least favorite character and why? What’s your favorite part and why? Did you have a least favorite part? What is it and why?The more you tailor these questions to your book, the better. So instead of asking â€Å"Is there natural flow between the scenes,† look for specific scene cuts you’re not sure about and mention them specifically. We're discussing #sensitivityreaders - what they are and why they're important. Are you ready to start sending your manuscript to your pre-publication readers? Before you go, here are a few more additional resources to help you in these final stages of revisions. Novel Revision: Understanding the Craft Scene-by-Scene Editing for Authors Have you worked with a beta reader before? What has your experience been like? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Draft Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Draft - Essay Example s idea, the paper will suppose that the continents of today were separated and that the seas between them were impassable, trade between continents is impossible and that refrigeration is impossible due to the laws of physics. The paper will analyze how the African continent would be look like today in terms of resources crops, climate, health, culture, lifestyle and economically. Globalization has resulted into changes that have affected different continents differently. As Jared Diamond argues, the continents would be different without globalization. Although globalization has had positive effects, it has deprived some continents of their resources. A good example of such a continent is Africa. If refrigeration were impossible, African continents would not be facing the environmental problems it is facing. However, ecological processes do not recognize continental boundaries. The climate changes affecting the globe are mainly from activities from a few continents. Asia, Europe, and America are emitting gases, which are causing global warming. However, the African continent is suffering the consequences of the global warming. If refrigeration were impossible African continent, which mainly focuses on farming activities would be a richer continent. African would not have to take responsibility of actions by other continents (â€Å"Economic Commission for Afr ica†, Web). Africa is endowed with numerous resources. One such resource is oil. Some of the main distributors of oil include Libya, Angola, and Nigeria. However, due to globalization, most countries in Africa import their oil from other regions of the world. If trade between continents were impossible, African countries would trade amongst themselves, which would be cheaper. Other resources that the African regions have include copper, coal, diamond, copper, gold, timber, platinum, tanzanite, and other ores. Agriculturally, some regions of African continent such as South Africa and East Africa have fertile

Human resource Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Human resource Management - Essay Example In 2007 the Air Force changed its evaluation process to make it more user friendly and to achieve a system with value added characteristics. The OPR new design allows the evaluator more flexibility and the ability to provide greater feedback concerning deficiency in performance areas. It is more flexibility because it reduced the time it complete the evaluation by eliminating unnecessary narratives in the report. I like the new system because the new evaluation process provides consistency. The elimination of biased opinions makes this tool fairer for everyone so it can be utilized for promotion purposes. In the past the Air Force wasted a lot of important resources in this process, which could have been used for more useful initiatives such as employee development and training programs. There some things I do not like about the evaluation process. First of the Air Force does not provide the employees the opportunity to express their opinion about their yearly performance. Doing so would allow a more honest process in which the employee can point out the things he/she needs to improve. Such a process would allow the Air Force to better serve the long term professional needs of the employees. Johnson & Johnson is a consumer products company that specializes in healthcare products which is one of the largest global firms with over 230 operating unit locations. The firm has wealth of diverse human resources that provide a competitive advantage to Johnson & Johnson. This company follows a credo which is foundation of values and corporate culture. In 2002 the company started a new project called e-university. The e-university was created to interconnect the different operation units in order to create a centralized training and development platform. The e-university serves three main objectives: it increases learning rate, improve use of

The beginning of Modernization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The beginning of Modernization - Essay Example In addition, railroads improved the transport of goods and people, which reduced operational costs and boosted industrial growth. The effects of the Industrial Revolution are changes in work attitudes (i.e. use of rules system to impose new work schedules that changed laidback work attitudes into a more productive-schedule-based thinking), population growth, urbanization (i.e. growth of cities), new social classes (i.e. industrial middle class and the proletariat or working class) and the growth Great Britain (which became the world’s richest and first industrial nation). The Second Industrial Revolution refers to the Technological Revolution. It is called the Technological Revolution because of innovations in electricity, communication, and steel production. The main ideas of Karl Marx are the concept of the class struggle and its predicted outcomes of open revolution and a classless society. These ideas shaped the politics and the union movement of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century through influencing socialism and the rise of socialist parties (e.g. in Germany) and trade unions (especially in Britain). Conservatism, liberalism and nationalism shaped Europe. Conservatism supported obedience to political authority, asserted that organized religion was essential to social order, and was reluctant to accept demands for civil liberties and nationalistic aspirations. Liberalism supported the protection of civil liberties through a Bill of Rights, separation of Church and State, right of peaceful opposition to the government, and right to vote and hold office for men of property. Nationalism believed that every nationality should have its own government. The causes of the revolutions in 1848 were dissatisfaction with their state of civil rights and freedoms and nationalistic endeavors. These revolutions failed because of internal factions within the revolutionaries themselves and support of other

Food Safety Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Food Safety Paper - Essay Example Food can easily get contaminated by a number of reasons. Some types include microbiological contamination which is unnoticeable and occurs swiftly if food is left open. Another type of contamination includes physical contamination which is noticeable to the naked eye but occurs due to inattentiveness towards food in particles form. The last type of contamination is chemical contamination which occurs through airborne chemical substances which settle into food and may be very harmful (D'Mello, 2003). In UK, during the last 15 years, there has been a substantial increase in incidents related to food safety. In 1980, incidents regarding food-borne illness were around 12,700 in UK which bolstered up to 100,000 in 1998. The Health Education Authority (HEA) conducted a research which portrayed that around three million children even under teenage make their own breakfast and that 65 percent of such children serve their parents with evening cooked meals. There were 57 percent of children wh o prepared food with pets around them, and 46 percent shared their food with their pets during preparation (Food and Drink Federation, 1996). This shows how food safety is left loose and can be harmful for both, children and their parents. The incidents of most concern to citizens of the United Kingdom involve many unknown factors. In 1986, the first incidence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in British cattle was reported. It was not until 1996, however, that U.K. scientists identified a possible link between BSE, a new-variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), and 14 deaths. This discovery resulted in the slaughter of all beef cattle over 30 months old and worldwide bans on sales of British beef. The sale of beef on the bone also was temporarily banned. Research into the long-term impact of BSE in cattle and it’s; relationship to CJD in humans is ongoing. The British government is investing heavily in research to learn more about the long-term impact on the populati on (Patnoad, 2001). Food safety involves a number of steps which need to be carried in order to ensure safe consumption. For this, the food must be well stored in clean and sanitized storage facilities, followed by proper preparation equipments and preservation facilities. In the United Kingdom, the sanitation process of food begins immediately after the food items are acquired from the market and is carried out effectively until the leftovers of the food are dealt with properly. These sanitation measures are not too complicated and can be easily practiced at home too. These measures are constructed with a series of processes that are followed in order to provide quality sanitized food from the commercial kitchens in UK to the customers, effectively. Firstly, it is made sure that food is prevented from getting contaminated through any types mentioned earlier. This is done by the decisive action of storing the food properly. Food items like sugar, flour, spices and cornmeal should be kept in airtight containers to barrier out bacteria present in the air. Also, items like vegetables and meat should be safely kept into airtight containers into a cold storage like freezer (Griffith, 1995). Commercial kitchens in the U.K have laid down basic kitchen sanitation guidelines which they follow which ultimately serves to be a vital element of food safety. They ensure that their preparation counters are properly sanitized and disinfected