Of Children And Innocence Essays - Crime, Criminology, Free Essays

Of Children And Innocence Essays - Crime, Criminology, Free Essays Of Children And Innocence Of Children and Innocence Cause and Effect Essay There are many theories as to why violent juvenile crime is on the rise in the United States. Some theorists state that it is the collapse of the family unit, while others say it is violence in the media or the environment in which a child is raised. Actually, it is a combination of many varied internal and external forces. But first, one must go to the beginning, to the very root of a childs age of self-awareness. Children are born with the capacity to learn. Hate, envy, racism, selfishness; these traits are not instinctive, rather, they are learned. It does not matter where anti-social traits are initially experienced, whether it is found in the home, or school, or even in the nursery, the results are the same. Children that are exposed to violence at an early age could have a propensity towards violent behavior as they mature. Children must be shown that violent behavior is not acceptable, and traits, such as compassion, are acceptable. Too many children today are left alone or unsupervised by guardians and parents. In todays society, it is a common trend for both the mother and father to work. Young children are many times left in the care of schools, friends, neighbors, and relatives. In these cases children behave in ways that imitate real life. Children observe violence on television, at their school, or at home. In a childs eyes, violence is an acceptable behavior because it is observed as being acceptable. It is imperative that young children are guided and taught the differences between right and wrong. In a perfect society, this is all well and good. Unfortunately, perfect societies do not exist. If the core fundamental moral structure of a childs undeveloped personality is firmly established, there is a very good chance that violence will not be a part of that childs adult future. Child psychiatrists have found that a child becomes self aware around six years of age. The first five years of a persons life is sometimes referred to as the age of innocence. Too many children today have never experienced the age of innocence. These children more often become adults with developed undesirable anti-social behaviors. A very high percentage of violent adolescents were found to have had come from a disturbed and sometimes violent homelife. When these same adolescents were asked if they could recall happy moments in early childhood, most could not recall any. Most certainly, the violence seen on television, in films, in newspapers and periodicals only amplified the acceptance of violent behavior. In order for society to find a way to control violent youth, society must start with the newborn generation, and continue working with each successive newborn generation, until instances of violent behavior begin to subside. There is a solution, but the solution would require understanding and participation of all parties involved. This would mean Federal and local governments, schools, churches, day care centers, and ultimately, both parents. The solution could take years, even decades to implement. But it must be done soon if we ever expect to see a change in our youth within our lifetime.

Intonation and Stress in English

Intonation and Stress in English Correct intonation and stress are the key to speaking English fluently with good pronunciation. Intonation and stress refer  to the music of the English language. Words that are stressed are key to understanding and using the correct intonation brings out the meaning.   Introduction to Intonation and Stress Exercise Say this sentence aloud and count how many seconds it takes. The beautiful mountain appeared transfixed in the distance.   Time required? Probably about five seconds. Now, try speaking this sentence aloud He can come on Sundays as long as he doesnt have to do any homework in the evening.   Time required? Probably about five  seconds. Wait a minute- the first sentence is much shorter than the second sentence! The beautiful Mountain appeared transfixed in the distance.  (14 syllables)He can come on Sundays as long as he doesnt have to do any homework in the evening.  (22 syllables) Even though the second sentence is approximately 30 percent longer than the first, the sentences take the same time to speak. This is because there are five stressed words in each sentence. From this example, you can see that you neednt worry about pronouncing every word clearly to be understood (we native speakers certainly dont). You should, however, concentrate on pronouncing the stressed words clearly. This simple exercise makes a very important point about how we speak and use English. Namely, English is considered a stressed language while many other languages are considered syllabic. What does that mean? It means that, in English, we give stress to certain words while other words are quickly spoken (some students say eaten!). In other languages, such as French or Italian, each syllable receives equal importance (there is stress, but each syllable has its own length). Many speakers of syllabic languages dont understand why we quickly speak, or swallow, a number of words in a sentence. In syllabic languages, each syllable has equal importance, and therefore equal time is needed. English however, spends more time on specific stressed words while quickly gliding over the other, less important, words. Simple Exercise to Help With Understanding The following exercise can be used by students and teachers to further help with pronunciation by focusing on the stressing content words rather than function words in the exercise below. Lets look at a simple example: The modal verb can. When we use the positive form of can we quickly glide over the can and it is hardly pronounced. They can come on Friday. (stressed words in  italics) On the other hand, when we use the negative form cant we tend to stress the fact that it is the negative form by also stressing cant. They cant come on Friday.  (stressed words in  italics) As you can see from the above example the sentence, They cant come on Friday is longer than They can come on Friday because both the modal cant and the verb come are stressed. Understanding Which Words to Stress To begin, you need to understand which words we generally stress and which we do not stress. Stress words are considered content words such as: Nouns (e.g., kitchen, Peter)(Most) main verbs   (e.g., visit, construct)Adjectives  (e.g., beautiful, interesting)Adverbs (e.g., often, carefully)Negatives including negative helping verbs, and words with no such as nothing, nowhere, etc.  Words expressing quantities (e.g., a lot of, a few, many, etc.) Non-stressed words are considered function words  such as: Determiners (e.g., the, a, some, a few)Auxiliary verbs (e.g., dont, am, can, were)Prepositions (e.g.,  before, next to, opposite)Conjunctions (e.g., but, while, as)Pronouns (e.g., they, she, us)Verbs have and be even when used as main verbs Practice Quiz Test your knowledge by identifying which words are content words and should be stressed in the following sentences: Theyve been learning English for two months.My friends have nothing to do this weekend.I would have visited in April if I had known Peter was in town.Natalie will have been studying for four hours by six oclock.The boys and I will spend the weekend next to the lake fishing for trout.Jennifer and Alice had finished the report before it was due last week. Answers: Words in italics are stressed content words while unstressed function words are in lower case. Theyve  been learning English for two months.My friends have nothing to do this weekend.I would have visited  in April  if i had known Peter was in town.Natalie will have been studying  for fours hours  by six oclock.The boys and i will spend the weekend next to the lake fishing for trout.Jennifer and Alice had finished the report before it was due last week. Continue Practicing Speak to your native English speaking friends and listen to how we concentrate on the stressed words rather than giving importance to each syllable. As  you begin to listen and use stressed words, you will discover words you thought you didnt understand are really not crucial for understanding the sense or making yourself understood. Stressed words are the key to excellent pronunciation and understanding of English. After students have learned basic  consonant  and vowel sounds, they should move  on to learning to differentiate between individual sounds by using  minimal pairs. Once they are comfortable with individual words, they should move on to intonation and  stress exercises  such as  sentence markup. Finally, students can take the next step by  choosing a focus word to help further improve their pronunciation.

Nonverbal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Nonverbal - Essay Example ited to personal space or proxemics, facial expressions or kinesics and a more commonly noticed modern issue known as aesthetics or ones external beauty. The nonverbal rule I have chosen includes not one but two, utilizing aesthetics and proxemics to view reactions and changes in interactions. In the experiment I undertook I chose to dress as a person from the street and sat next to a person we can call Mary at a bus stop. It became readily apparent that my being here was a distraction and she soon took her phone out and began having a whispered conversation with another unknown individual. While her tone was pleasant her body synchrony showed extreme anxiety that increased with small looks in my direction as she inched a little bit at a time down the bench to avoid me. As the minutes dragged on I stood up and moved closer to her side and then sat down again, her reaction was immediate and she stood up and walked around behind the bus stop to the opposite side. I attempted to speak with her and introduce myself, while explaining my actions she was not unfortunately entirely willing to converse as a result I decided to approach another individual. My next unfortunate subject we can call Tom, entered the bus stop directly following the exit of Mary and immediately sat down on the opposite side of the bench. His actions clearly showed his lack of desire for any interaction, his arms were crossed, and he placed headphones over his ears and lowered his eyes to look in front of him. I decided to sit down in front of him within a meter or so. His reaction was immediately apparent and he moved quickly and openly to the opposite side of the bench. I then shuffled slowly to the bench and sat down directly in the middle of it my location was less than an arm’s length from Tom. I began playing with the crumpled newspapers I had and kicking noisily at various pebbles and items on the ground in front of us. He quickly decided that this was not to his liking and asked me

BUSINESS LAW II Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

BUSINESS LAW II - Essay Example In other words, if any financial institution fails, not the customers and taxpayers will bear the cost of such failed financial institutions but Wall Street. Additionally, bad debts will be dropped since banks among other financial institutions will be restrained from incurring unforeseen financial risks. This means that nearly all borrowers will be evaluated thoroughly to minimize obvious defaults. Notably, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 works with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that ensures that financial institutions have high financial standards that they uphold at all time of their operations (Berson and Berson, 2012). It is also worth noting that the retained percentage will also minimize the losses incurred by financial institutions in case of defaulters. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and its components seems not to be favoring financial institution since it does not provide bail out for financial institutions during rough economy, rather, the government will shut down them down as they will be considered as failed

The Scarlet Letter Characters Essay Example for Free

The Scarlet Letter Characters Essay Despite the fact that Hester Prynne, the protagonist of the story, committed adultery she is still an epitome of a woman with dignity. Even though her dress was marked with the symbol of disgrace she still lived a life with her head high and became an important member in her community as a seamstress (Hawthorne, 1981). Hester and her scarlet letter   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Scarlet letter is a story that revolves around the lives of Hester and her daughter out of wedlock, Pearl.   Hester committed an adultery with a man that she refuse to name and is sentenced to wear a scarlet letter â€Å"A† on her dress for as long as she lives. This letter is a symbol of disgrace since adultery is considered a capital sin during those times. Despite the everyday indignation that she experiences from people she still bore a child and made a living through sewing. She later on gained popularity as a good seamstress. At the climax of the story wherein the father of Pearl admitted in public that he is the father and died, Hester was already freed from sin. Hester and Pearl left for Europe and lived there until Pearl got married to an aristocrat. Hester came back to her community leaving a descent life and continued on wearing the scarlet letter even though she could have stayed at Europe together with her daughter (Woloszyn,2002). Adultery and the scarlet letter   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Adultery during the 1640s was punishable by death and whipping. During the time of Hawthorne the Plymouth law of 1694 dictates that those who commit adultery should display a letter â€Å"A† on their dress (Eldred,1999). Thus, the Scarlet Letter of Hawthorne came about. The Plymouth law is viewed as a light punishment as compared to death and severe whipping however the mark of adultery will be carried as long as she lives. Her child also experienced shame and discrimination especially during her childhood when other children harass and mock her. Hester, her mother, would throw stones at them to make them stop (Eldred,1999). Despite the many sufferings that she has incurred she has had chances of escaping her current state. Choices to escape the scarlet letter   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hester had a choice to reveal the name of the father of her child but she refuse to do so. This could have been her way out of the shame that adultery has caused her but she never did. She was made to wear the scarlet letter with the hopes that she will someday repent and reveal the name of father of her child (Hawthorne, 1981). She never did revealed his name. Perhaps out of love, respect or other factors but this only proves that as a woman she is headstrong. She chose to endure a life as an outcast despite constant discrimination and hate thread that is brought about by the Scarlet letter that she wears. She still has communication with the father of her child. This is a reflection of her strength.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hester could have opt to live forever in England but she chose to go back to her home town. When she came back she still wore the scarlet letter. She lived a humble life and her opinions were sought and she was respected (Woloszyn,2002). She had a variety of options available for her since she has had a good life in England. For one she could have stayed there. Second she could have have came back but used a different identity. Third, she could have looked for a new husband. There are other options apart from coming back to her hometown wearing the scarlet letter. Im quite sure a lot of women who have experienced what she has gone through would not even wear the scarlet letter again. She on the other hand continued wearing it as a sign of repentance. The woman behind the scarlet letter   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hester is but a fragment of the millions of women who commit adultery. This is a sin however Hester proved that a person should not be judged by a single mistake but by how she lived her life. There are different factors that may push one to commit adultery but what matters is that Hester repented for her sins and continued to repent until the day she died.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The scarlet letter that she has worn for so long has not penetrated in her. She is still free from bitterness and vile as she lived and showed a beautiful heart. Though she has committed a sin she refused to keep her head buried in shame. She held her head high, earned a descent living and raised a beautiful child.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   She serves as an inspiration for women. References Eldred, Eric. Notes to the Scarlet Letter. 1999. 7August 2008   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     http://www.eldritchpress.org/nh/sl02-n.html Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Bantam Classics. 1981 Woloszyn,Margaret. â€Å"Short Stories† 2002. 7August 2008   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.tqnyc.org/NYC00041/SCARLET/LETTER.htm

The Culture of Talk Shows Essay -- Talk Shows Television Media Essays

The Culture of Talk Shows If social order is not a given, if it is not encoded in our DNA, then to some extent we are always in the process of producing "virtual realities," some more functional than others. Habits, routines, and institutions are the patterns that create the "world taken for granted." Knowledge of how to behave is contained in cultural scripts that are themselves products of human interaction and communication about the nature of "reality." Shame, guilt, embarrassment are controlling feelings that arise from "speaking the unspeakable" and from violating cultural taboos. Society is a result of its boundaries,of what it will and won't allow. As we watch, listen, and are entertained, TV talk shows are rewriting our cultural scripts, altering our perceptions, our social relationships, and our relationships to the natural world. TV talk shows offer us a world of blurred boundaries. Cultural distinctions between public and private, credible and incredible witnesses, truth and falseness, good and evil, sickness and irresponsibility, normal and abnormal, therapy and exploitation, intimate and stranger, fragmentation and community are manipulated and erased for our distraction and entertainment. A community in real time and place exhibits longevity, an interdependence based on common interests, daily concerns, mutual obligations, norms, kinship, friendship, loyalty, and local knowledge, and real physical structures, not just shared information. If your neighbor's house is on fire, you are motivated to help put it out, or at least interested in having it put out, because you care about your neighbor and the fire is a threat to your own house. Television talk shows create an ersatz community, without any of the social and personal responsibilities that are attached to real life. Therapy as entertainment is the appeal of these shows. The so-called hosts rely on the cynical use of the therapeutic model for psychological sound bites. The need to educate and inform the audience is the voiced rationale for getting the so-called guests to give ever more titillating details of their misdeeds, or of the misdeeds done to them by family or friends (often not on the show). The underlying assumption -- that most social pathology is the result of a medical problem beyond the control of t... ...rs. Traditional expectations of polite formalities and barriers are constantly breached within the action of the play. The husband, at one point says, "Aww, that was nice, I think we've been having a, a real good evening, all things considered. We've sat around, and got to know each other, and had fun and games . . ." Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, however disconcerting to the audience, is just a play with actors. Television talk shows are arenas for real people. Their manipulation by "hosts," who alternate between mocking, a patronizing cynicism ("I want to be as smart as you someday" -- Phil), and a carefully constructed verisimilitude of caring ("Thank you for sharing that with us" -- Oprah) must have repercussions for the "guests" after the show is over. These people may really be seeking help or understanding. Appropriate reactions seem virtually impossible under the circumstances. We the viewing audience have entertained ourselves at the disasters of real lives. This is one of the more shameless aspects of the talk show spectacle. As passive witnesses, we consume others' misfortunes without feeling any responsibility to do anything to intervene.

Perceptions of Use of Force Essay

Introduction Law enforcement officers face extenuating circumstances on a daily basis. Their job is to isolate and de-escalate circumstances that pose a threat and are beyond the control of citizens in their community. There are times officers may need to resort to force if necessary to gain control of an escalating situation. Basic law enforcement training introduces officers to the force options available. Use of force is the amount of effort required by police to compel compliance by an unwilling subject (United States Department of Justice, 2004). The methods used to gain compliance range from verbal commands to the use of deadly force. The use of force can have extensive consequences, both good and bad, for the public, department, and officers involved. Few events in law enforcement attract the attention of the media, political establishment, and police administration more than a use of force incident, specifically an officer-involved shooting. Media coverage molds the perception of the surrounding communities. This also influences the perception of officers and department staff, before and after incidents. Officer Perception Interviews conducted with officers who have been involved in shootings have revealed that while many were well trained for the event, they often were not prepared for the investigation afterward (Pinizzotto, Davis, & Miller, 2006). Some believed investigations centered on finding something the officers did wrong so they could be charged with a crime or a violation of departmental policy. Others felt that the investigations were for the protection of the agency and not necessarily the officers involved (Bohrer & Chaney, 2010). Officers’ actions can be influenced by their experience with use of force incidents and knowledge of what has happened to fellow officers in similar situations. The Public’s Perception Perceptions by the public of officer use of force incidents usually are as wide and diverse as the population, often driven by media coverage, and sometimes influenced by a long-standing bias and mistrust of government (U.S. Department of Justice; Community Relations Services, 1999). Though an officer feels they have the right to shoot, and the evidence supports the officer’s actions, this may not guarantee a positive, or even a neutral, reception from the public. In addition, who the police shoot seems to mold some perceptions. For example, a bank robber armed with a shotgun presents a different connotation than a 14-year-old thief wielding a knife (Bohrer, Kern, & Davis, 2008). Sometimes, it is who the police use the force against that can set the tone surrounding the incident. Communities where residents have perceived a police use of force incident as unjustified have a history of acting out with acts of civil disobedience. There are members of some communities that automatically assume the officer did something wrong in a use of force incident before the circumstances surrounding the incident are revealed. This may be a result of the media’s premature coverage surrounding the incident. A department’s lack of cooperation with the media can develop poor communication between the public and the police, resulting in distrust between all parties. By failing to interact with the media in interviews or providing press releases, the department contributes to the negative perception formed by the media and public. The standard â€Å"no comment† statement given from departments, leaves the media and public with the impression that the police are trying to hide an incident involving excessive use of force. Conclusion Establishing an open and positive working relationship with the media can improve relations between the department and public. The department should take proactive steps to demonstrate their cooperation with the media by having a department representative contact the media before media representatives approach the department. By taking the proactive approach the department demonstrates a desire to release information as it becomes available. Agencies should form a working relationship with the media and encourage them to print and air stories on the responsibilities of officers and the training conducted to enhance their abilities. General information on past shootings, simulator experiences, and the perspective of the reasonable objective officer can help develop a cooperative association (Masters, 2000). Such a collaborative effort between the police and the media is not a magic pill and will not alleviate all of the public misperceptions and problems. However, it may reduce or prevent false perceptions, especially with officer-involved shootings (Pinizzotto, Davis, Bohrer, & Chaney 2009). Working together with the media forms the foundation of public understanding. Joining together and sharing information can help both the police and the media deal with officer use of force incidents in a fair and sensible way, as well as influence the perception of the public in a more positive manner. References Bohrer, S., & Chaney, R. (2010). Police investigations of the use of deadly force can influence perceptions and putcomes. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin , 21-24. Bohrer, S., Kern, H., & Davis, E. (2008). The deadly dilemma: Shoot or don’t shoot. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin , 7-12. Masters, B. A. (2000, February 13). Under the gun: I died, I killed, and I saw the nature of deadly force. Washington Post . Pinizzotto, A. J., Davis, E. F., & Miller III, C. E. (2006). Violent encounters: A study of felonious assaults on our nation’s law enforcement officers. Washington, DC. Pinizzotto, A. J., Davis, E., Bohrer, S., & Chaney, R. (2009). Law enforcement perspective on the use of force: hands-on, experimental training for prosecuting attorneys. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin , 16-21. U.S. Department of Justice; Community Relations Services. (1999). Police use of excessive force: A conciliation handbook for the police and the community. Washington, DC. United States Department of Justice. (2004, June). United States Department of Justice. Retrieved September 12, 2010, from COPS: Community Oriented Policing Services: http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/default.asp/Item=1374

Advantages and Disadvantages of Free Market Economy

THE ADVANTAGES OF FREE MARKET ( DISADVANTAGES OF COMMAND ECONOMY ) 1. Efficiency. free market economies are very competitive. Most of their industries are assumed to be perfectly competitive and so allocative and productive efficiency will occur. As their main aim is profit motive so free market economies allocate their resources more efficiently as compared to planned economy. Decisions about what to produce are made by the people who will actually consume the goods. Planners are less likely to make the correct decisions across the whole economy. 2. Choice. In free market consumer sovereighnty prevails.Firms will produce whatever consumers are prepared to buy not what they think they think they would like to buy. As consumer needs are going to be met with appropriate product than firms will make higherr profit and will last much longer in the market . Due to the free enterprise factor, there are no restrictions on what the firms can produce as a result there will be a much larger ch oice of goods and services in a free market economy compared with a command economy. The planner will be more concerned in making sure there are enough essential goods to produce the product they want to produce.As firms in free market will be producing different good and services so consumers will have variety of good and sevices to choose from. 3. Innovation. Firms will always be looking to produce something new to get ahead of their competitors. , even though the government's role is limited, one of its jobs is to protect property rights. This will include intellectual property rights through patents. Hence, there are incentives in the free market system for firms to be innovative and produce better quality products. DISADVANTAGES OF FREE MARKET ECONOMY ( ADVANTAGES OF COMMAND ECONOMYPublic, merit and demerit goods. Public goods cannot be provided privately because of their two characteristics, non-diminishability and non-excludability. These goods have to be provided publicly. E ven in a very free market, one of the government's few roles will be to provide defence, for example. But there may be a problem with merit goods and demerit goods. Merit goods, like health and education, tend to be under provided in a free market. Certainly in the USA the public health system is a ‘last resort' system. People are advised to buy health insurance.Of course, the poor might not be able to afford this, and some people might simply decide not to bother if they feel particularly healthy. Demerit goods are bad for you. Government should ban class A drugs, and tax cigarettes and alcohol heavily. A government with a limited role might not take enough action in this area, causing health problems for the economy. Of course, the advantage of a command economy is that the strong government will make sure that public and merit goods are consumed at the right levels and that demerit goods are banned or taxed heavily.The environment. Free market economies are likely to produc e more pollution, which is bad for the environment. Command economies can make sure that the production processes that they chose are as environmentally friendly as possible. They should be able to make sure that the level of output is the socially optimal level of output. Governments can try to force firms into producing the socially optimal level of output through the use of taxes, but governments with a limited role will not be keen to use taxes.Although the tax on petrol is high in the UK, it still doesn't cover the problems caused by the exhaust emissions (in health as well as the environment). Petrol prices have risen, but in real terms, the rise has not been as high as for bus and rail fares. In the USA, petrol is ridiculously cheap. The minimal tax on the good does not begin to cover the environmental damage. Having said all that, the command economies of the 80s had notoriously poor records on the environment. In theory, they should have been able to monitor pollution level s closely, given that they had control of production but this simply did not hapeen.

Population Essays

Population Essays Population Essay Population Essay While Population: 485 centers on several different themes throughout the book, I chose to focus my interpretation on the sense of belonging the author, Michael Perry, seems to crave all through the literature, and more specifically, during chapters one and seven. In chapter one, titled Jabowski’s Corner, he opens the door to his journey by bringing us to the small town of New Auburn, Wisconsin. This is the place he belongs. He introduces many of the people of New Auburn in every chapter, but I chose chapter seven because he describes the diverse groups of individuals that make up the town and refers to them as â€Å"My People,† which is also the title of the chapter. These are the people that make up the town, the people he belongs with. I feel his love for the land, in this small Wisconsin town, is deeply expressed in both chapter one and in chapter seven. Another association the two chapters have is the idea that to truly feel that comfort and pleasure of belonging in the place where you live, love for the land may not be enough. Michael finds a way to connect to the community and then to connect the community with the land. Michael Perry, the author and main character, has returned to the place he calls home after being away for twelve years. He left New Auburn after graduating high school. While away, he earned a bachelor’s degree from nursing school and worked a couple of jobs as a nurse. He was frustrated by the fact that he didn’t know how to extricate someone safely from a smashed car or splint a dislocated elbow. This was not his place and he wanted more. He enrolled in an emergency medical technician class and passed the National Registry exam. He then began his career as an EMT and worked part-time for a private ambulance service for five years in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. While he gained a lot of experience, it just wasn’t where he felt he belonged. He lived in New Auburn as a child and teenager. It has been nineteen years since he graduated high school and moved away, but now, he has returned as an adult. After experiencing life on his own and having matured, he now views the town and its people from a different, more grown up perspective and is looking for a way to re-connect with the community of New Auburn. â€Å"Twelve years I’ve lived away from here, and what I missed- what I craved- was the lay of the land. A familiar corner, a particular hill, certain patches of trees. I returned, and the land felt right. The land takes you back. All you have to do is show up. Finding your place among the people, now, that is a ifferent proposition. † (p. 111). He wants to gain back that comforting sense of belonging he once felt from the town he grew to know and love. â€Å"In a place from the past, I am looking for a place in the present. This, as they say, is where my roots are. The trick is in reattaching. † (p. 3). Michael decides to join the New Auburn fire department as a volunteer fire fighter. He describes several incidents, in great detail, that he has encountered since starting there seven years ago. I find it interesting that he worked for over five years as an EMT in Eau Claire, and just vaguely shares one story about a call he responded to the first day on the job. He does not give many specifics about the accident, the people involved, or the location it happened. I guess because he is not connected with these people or this town, nor does he give the impression he desired to. When he tells a story of New Auburn, or any one of its people though, it is obvious that there is a lot more emotion and meaning to it and he really paints a clear picture for the reader. In chapter one, Michael describes the incident he faced seven years ago, just after he joined the New Auburn fire department. Tracy Rimes, a young high school student, had been horribly injured in a car wreck. His mother, also an EMT, is there, along with several other volunteer fire fighters. His sister is there too. She is only a year younger than Tracy and attends school with her. Tracy’s father is there, who was once the chief of the department. The location of the accident is Jabowski’s corner, which is named after the family who owns the farm at that bend of the road. He goes into precise details of the scene, pulling you into the story and leaves the imprint of just how close this community is. â€Å"†¦ she is delicate, and frightened, and conscious, and most of all, she is one of us. †(p. 12). Everyone is somehow, someway connected with one another in this small town. When tragedy strikes, these people can set aside their differences, team up and come together as a community, for their community. Michael is doing the same line of work as he did while he was gone, only now he does it with meaning and with passion. The constant is doing what he loves, the difference is doing it for â€Å"his people† and in the place he belongs. The way Michael describes the town in chapter one is so vivid and pure, it makes me wish I had a place to go as beautiful and meaningful to me, as New Auburn is to him. This is where he belongs. Part of belonging to a small town though, means relating to the people living in it. Belonging; acceptance as a natural member or part. A sense of belonging. In chapter seven, he talks about the different groups of people in New Auburn. â€Å"How does one negotiate the terms of belonging? † (p. 08). There is a very broad spectrum of ways to be a part of something or having a place with a certain group of people. Throughout chapter seven, Michael observes the different types of commonalities between the people of New Auburn. There’s a sliding scale to which a person considers their loyalties. â€Å"The standards against which you are measured are dependent on the milieu. † (p. 110). He mentions some of the things he has overheard one person frequently say about another. For example, â€Å"She’s quite a worker,† â€Å"He’s a helluva shot,† or â€Å"That boy can knock the stuffing out of a softball. (p. 110). One phrase, he says, that is not heard so often is â€Å"he crafts a lovely metaphor. † I think he is implying that although he is a great writer and finds joy in writing, it is not what is going to connect him to the people of this town. He had to find another way. He compares the community to a collection of characters that you can’t force your way into. He has learned that your place develops over time. Michael talks about how the world has changed and we find it tougher to focus our loyalties and know how to belong or want to belong. In regards to fighting fire, he loves the idea of neighbors coming together and is thrilled to be part of the effort. â€Å"It feels good. It feels right. It feels like I belong. † (p. 123). Joining the fire department gave him a point of entrance back into the community. â€Å"I began to meet my neighbors at the invitation of the fire siren. † (p. 112). Everyone wants to be a part of something, to belong somewhere, and whether it is by occupation, hobbies, favorites, interests, politics, or religion, the people of New Auburn all share at least one common ground- community. When the fire siren wails, two dozen of my neighbors and I act as one, on behalf of the community- my people acting on behalf of our people†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (p. 114). This is the comparison and relation I found between chapters one and seven of Michael Perry’s memoir Population: 485. In chapter one, he shared his story of Tracy. He continues, throughout the book, to recall this memory often. This day has more meaning to him than just the loss of a member of New Auburn. While the day turned out to be a tragedy, it also marks a very important turning point of his return. I began to realize how this fire department was a means of reentry, of rediscovering the place I had left a decade before, of recapturing my sense of place one tragedy at a time. I was realizing this service is a privilege, a way to weave myself back into the fabric of a place. Today we had tragedy, but it was our tragedy, and we dealt with it not only as public citizens, but also as friends and neighbors†¦ To feel at home is a rare, precious thing, and I began to feel at home that day. † (p. 16). Michael Perry is a great example of someone who really has passion for where he lives and for what he does. He has found his place in this world, his calling. He is a gifted writer and fire fighter, and knows what it is to truly be a part of something prodigious. Some of his neighbors he knows from his childhood, some from working with them at the fire department, and some from fire or emergency calls. Whatever the means of contact, he finds a way to connect with each and every one of his acquaintances and has a meaningful story to tell about them all. While some of his stories give feelings of happiness, a lot end in tragedy. To be able to find contentment and peace in both is a rare, magnificent characteristic. He has a wonderful perspective on life and takes time to celebrate the things most people take for granted. He treasures the land and absorbs the wonderful gifts it has to offer. After Michael joins together his love for New Auburn and his connection with his neighbors the feeling is complete. It changes the sense of being at home, to feeling at home. This is where he belongs.

How to Use Comments in Java Code

How to Use Comments in Java Code Java comments are notes in a Java code file that are ignored by the compiler and runtime engine. They are used to annotate the code in order to clarify its design and purpose. You can add an unlimited number of comments to a Java file, but there are some best practices to follow when using comments. Generally, code comments are implementation comments that explain the source code, such as descriptions of classes, interfaces, methods, and fields. These are usually a couple of lines written above or beside Java code to clarify what it does. Another type of Java comment is a Javadoc comment. Javadoc comments differ slightly in syntax from implementation comments and are used by the program javadoc.exe to generate Java HTML documentation. Why Use Java Comments? Its good practice to get into the habit of putting Java comments into your source code to enhance its readability and clarity for yourself and other programmers. It isnt always instantly clear what a section  of Java code is performing. A few explanatory lines can drastically reduce the amount of time it takes to understand the code. Do They Affect How the Program Runs? Implementation comments in Java code are only there for humans to read. Java compilers dont care about them and when compiling the program, they just skip over them. The size and efficiency of your compiled program will not be affected by the number of comments in your source code. Implementation Comments Implementation comments come in two different formats: Line Comments: For a one line comment, type // and follow the two forward slashes with your comment. For example: // this is a single line comment int guessNumber (int) (Math.random() * 10); When the compiler comes across the two forward slashes, it knows that everything to the right of them is to be considered as a comment. This is useful when debugging a piece of code. Just add a comment from a line of code you are debugging, and the compiler wont see it: // this is a single line comment // int guessNumber (int) (Math.random() * 10); You can also use the two forward slashes to make an end of line comment: // this is a single line comment int guessNumber (int) (Math.random() * 10); // An end of line comment Block Comments: To start a block comment, type /*. Everything between the forward slash and asterisk, even if its on a different line, is treated as a  comment until the characters */ end the comment. For example: /* this is a block comment */ /* so is this */ Javadoc Comments Use special Javadoc comments to document your Java API. Javadoc is a tool included with the JDK that generates HTML documentation from comments in source code. A Javadoc comment in  .java  source files is enclosed in start and end syntax like so:  /**  and  */. Each comment within these is prefaced with a  *.   Place these comments directly above the method, class, constructor or any other Java element that you want to document. For example: // myClass.java/** * Make this a summary sentence describing your class.* Heres another line. */public class ​myClass{...} Javadoc incorporates various tags that control how the documentation is generated. For example, the  param  tag defines parameters to a method: /** main method * param args String[] */​ public static void main(String[] args) ​{ ​ System.out.println(Hello World!);​ } Many other tags are available in Javadoc, and it also supports HTML tags to help control the output. See your Java documentation for more detail. Tips for Using Comments Dont over comment. Every line of your program does not need to be explained. If your program flows logically and nothing unexpected occurs, dont feel the need to add a comment.Indent your comments. If the line of code you are commenting is indented, make sure your comment matches the indentation.Keep comments relevant. Some programmers are excellent at modifying code, but for some reason forget to update the comments. If a comment no longer applies, then either modify or remove it.Dont nest block comments. The following will result in a compiler error: /* this is /* This block comment finishes the first comment */ a block comment */

An Ethically Bad Life Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

An Ethically Bad Life - Research Paper Example Therefore, the focus of whether an ethically bad life is real has more to do with what we do and the decision making process of members of society, on what they ought to engage or what they ought not to engage in. However, ethics does not offer easy answers to these questions, unlike in the case of issues that are patently obvious within the society (Vendemiati, 2004). This paper will explore whether an ethically bad life is real, and how it can be identified. In exploring the ethical nature of a bad life, arguments for whether it is real or not will be explored; support will be offered, that an ethically bad life exists. Identification of the specific issue Ethical theory is a major part of all choices, reasoning and the philosophies that are broadly conceived. The aim of ethics, according to different theorists, including Plato, Hobbes, Aristotle, and Levinas include the discernment of right from wrong choices and acts towards others. Other theorists views that ethics distinguishes what is morally bad or good, and others defines it as an explanation of the principles that guide a life, which is worth living (Singer, 2000). The issue that arises from the conception of ethical actions and whether an ethically bad life exists is the regard of whether ethics is the same as what is commonly accepted, law or religion. Therefore, before exploring whether an ethically bad life exists, it is important to separate ethics from other areas that inform ethics. First, is the fact that ethics is not all about what is commonly accepted among members of a given group, or among members of society (Vendemiati, 2004). For example, among the members of a gang within the society, violence may be gratuitously viewed as fun and acceptable. The mere fact that some action is commonly accepted among a given group does not make it ethical. In support of this distinction David Hume argued that, â€Å"is does not imply or mean ought† (Singer, 2000). Secondly, ethics is not law, bec ause in some cases, laws will incarnate ethical standards. For example, the mistreatment of domesticated animals was viewed as an ethical issue, long before it was considered an area of legal action at different countries. Further, all that falls under the scope of ethical concern may be regarded relevant under law. An example is that it is ethically regarded that people should remain nice to one another, but that principles cannot be subjected to legal practice. Thirdly, ethics is not religion, and the two can be explored differently, irrespective of the fact that religions present ethical principles that are observed. Due to the fact that ethics is different from what is commonly acceptable, law and religion, the question that comes up is whether an ethically bad life can be explained on the basis of the different considerations. Based on this regard, this paper will discuss the coverage of the ethical nature of life, and explain how an ethically bad life can be distinguished from an ethically good one (Singer, 2000). The argument develops on the fact that ethics is related to what is right and wrong, in defining the conduct of humans, demonstrating the areas that distinguish an ethically bad life, using the actions, choices and the dilemmas that present in the lives of members of society. The multiple sides of an ethically bad life As free people, humans are faced by the opportunity of making choices, some related to trivial areas like the outfit to wear on different days. Others are more serious cases, involving those that can result in life or death, therefore, distinguishing between an ethically bad and good life can be very instrumental in shaping

Benefits of Stem Cell Research and Parkinsons disease Proposal

Benefits of Stem Cell and Parkinsons disease - Research Proposal Example Since immuno-rejection is the major complication in transplantation medicine, scientists are keen to create patient-specific donor cells using the therapeutic potential of induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells for neural cell replacement that could reduce inherent risks of stem cell therapy. Advancement in science and technology made us capable of new discoveries and is creating wonders through replicating nature and with the successful cloning of sheep 'Dolly", we are at the threshold of human cloning. Isolation and culture of human embryonic stem cell (hES cells) and human embryonic germ cell (hEG cell) was first reported in 1998. It was a milestone in the history of stem cell research, because hES cells are considered to be the most fundamental and extraordinary of the stem cells, which has the potential for differentiation into a diverse cell type. Stem cells are the foundation cells for every organ, tissue and cell in the body" that are "blank", "self sustaining, and "can replicate themselves for long periods", which could develop into specialized tissues and organs under proper conditions. (Frequently Asked Question on stem cell research: What are stem cells). Stem cells are believed to be the "reservoirs of repair cells" that could replace degenerated cells and t issues of an organism, which make them suitable in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Though various types of stem cells have diverse properties, their capability of "self-renewal and also of differentiation into specialized cells. Some stem cells are more committed to a particular developmental fate than others." This makes stem cells appropriate for therapeutic purpose in regenerative medicine. (Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, p.15). Parkinson's disease (PD) is caused by the progressive degeneration of dopamine neurons in the nucleus of mitochondria. Principal symptoms for diagnosing Parkinson's Disease are involuntary shaking of limbs; stiffness of joints and rigidity of the limbs; "bradykinesia" (slowness in all voluntary movements), "hypokinesia" (poverty of movement), and postural instability (difficulty adjusting to changes in body position). (Clarke, C E, p.441-445). Parkinson patients develop problems like dementia, motor control problems, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. Since pharmacological therapy (primarily levodopa, dopamine agonists, or monoamine-oxidase-B inhibitors) and surgical treatment for "subthalmic stimulation" is not fully effective in controlling the progressive dopamine decay, it is hoped that recent advances in stem cell transplantation has the ability to replace degenerated neurons and reduce the sufferings of Patients ailing from Parkinson Disease patients (Clark, 2007). Since the number of people requiring transplants are far more than organ donors, it is considered that the unique characteristics of stem cells to replicate and regenerate themselves to specialized tissues and organs, under proper conditions, are considered to be beneficial in the treatment of debilitating diseases like Alzheimers, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, burns, etc. Stem cells can be obtained from embryo, bone marrow, umbilical cord of a newborn baby, amniotic fluid, and some tissues of the brain, of which embryonic stem cells are referred to as pluripotent