International Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

International Business - Essay Example Unlike Asia Tile, Platinum manufactures tiles both for import and export. At first, Platinum exported their products mainly to the United States and to several other countries, such as China, Malaysia, and Vietnam. But, due to a change of demand for the tiles’ motive, PCI started to decrease their export to the United States. However, the revenue gained from exporting to the United States is not as much as the revenue achieved from exporting to Malaysia, Vietnam, and China. The raw materials needed to manufacture exporting goods to the United States are relatively scarce in Asia. As such, this has caused the production cost to increase as the price of the raw materials increase due to scarcity. This case has become a challenging issue. PCI also outsources several of their intermediate goods from countries around Asia. They import their glaze materials, as well as coloring materials from a company in China called China Glaze. PCI gets better quality for these materials for a si gnificantly better price. However, outsourcing goods from other countries have some significant disadvantages. It is time consuming, and sometimes the coloring materials do not properly match with what PCI needs. If PCI needs to produce a certain type or motive immediately, it will not be able to use the outsourced goods as they are very time consuming. John Koh stated that the process of outsourcing the intermediate goods can be a very complicated and tedious chore. There was one time where the goods (China Glaze) were rejected because it did not meet the standards of PCI’s expectations. Therefore, they had to ship it back to China for an exchange of the better quality products, though sometimes they may even have to remake the mixture of the coloring materials in order to match the original design (the percentage of which coloring materials to be used). Not only does this get complicated at times, but it can be very time consuming (it can take more than a month for the mate rials to be received). There is also a challenging issue when it comes to machineries. PCI bought most of their machines from Europe. Therefore, when the machine either malfunctions or breaks, it takes a few days for the technician to arrive from Europe. The machine’s company will not let one of PCI’s engineers study and fix the machines as the repairs require careful and professional attention. The consequence when a machine breaks down is a decrease in production for several days. Back then, Platinum Ceramics Industry was the leading ceramic tiles manufacturing company in Indonesia. But, due to an increase in competitors, it started to lose their market. To solve this issue, PCI decided to expand their company by building new factories to manufacture export goods. Some challenges PCI encountered building new factories were the risk of market failure, the need to find decent raw materials locally to minimize production cost, and the shipping costs. However, if the loc al raw materials did not meet the standard of export’s quality, then outsourcing intermediate goods would be required. The things that need to be observed and studied in this case are reflected in Michael Porter’s Diamond model. It discusses the significant factors that we should study in an international business. These factors are demand condition, related supporting industry, firm’s strategy, infrastructure and rivalry, factor condition, and government. Demand condition

Love and Courtship in Federalist America Essay Example for Free

Love and Courtship in Federalist America Essay The courtships and marriages of Theodore Sedgwick and of his seven children span the American Revolution and the early republic, with Theodore first marrying in 1767/68, his children being born between 1775 and 1791, and all except Catharine marrying by their thirties. In some ways, Kensleas findings are unsurprising, as arranged marriages gave way to individual choice: Sedgwick arranged his eldest daughters marriages in 1797 and 1801, while his sons enjoyed love matches within a decade. But Kensleas focus on the family adds a new dimension: male influence in arranging young womens marriages apparently extended beyond fathers to brothers. Professing so much pride and pleasure in contemplating her worth, that I want the world to know what a sister I possess (45), Theodore II insisted Frances marry Ebenezer Watson, whom she did not love. When Watson turned out to be physically abusive, Francess brothers again played a significant role by using their influence on her husbands business as a way to control him and offering their homes as a refuge. Just as brothers influenced their sisters marriages, peers played a significant role in love matches: in both cases, courtship took place in a group context. Even when love superseded paternal choice, siblings made clear that marriage to someone was necessary: as Catharine Sedgwick asked her equivocating brother, What are you doing? Sucking your thumbs, and building castles while all the birds of the air are building their nests (110). Friends were equally important in shaping courtship. The wonderfully named Friendlies—a group of single and married Boston women in their twenties—not only provided the younger Sedgwicks with potential wives, but advised them on how to choose well. Kenslea demonstrates that marrying for love by no means simplified choice; instead, both men and women employed badinage as a way of ascertaining intent without committing themselves, and alliances shifted so quickly that the Sedgwick men seem to have courted all the Friendlies at once. Such dizzingly complex male/female relations (119)—replete with wit, romantic potential, and power plays—suggest parallels to the mixed groups Catharine Allgor discovered in the early republics political salons (103). At least during courtship, male/female spheres had remarkably porous boundaries, and Kenslea finds the beginnings of the domestication of virtue (169) in the early republic, as personal  happiness succeeded public good. As couples became engaged, they retreated from friends and family and developed relationships Kenslea finds similar to those Karen Lystra discovered among Victorians two decades later. In Harry Sedgwick and Jane Minots engagement of 1816-17, they quit badinage for candor, tested their relationship with a year long separation as Sedgwick established himself financially, and created new selves by employing letters as a form of physical contact and ritual celebration of their love (131). Like Lystra, Kenslea finds fluidity of gender roles (155), with Jane complimenting Harry, you are the nearest to a woman in your feelings of any man I know (144). The Sedgwick manuscripts, however, allow Kenslea to examine such courtships through siblings and parents eyes, rather than only from the couples perspective. If the Sedgwicks provide much evidence of family and friends roles in court- ship and the erosion of distinct gender roles, they also suggest the limits of change. The Sedgwicks occupied a narrow cut of society—Federalist, Unitarian, and upper class—but male privilege framed their lives.

Henry Moore at the Tate Britain | Summary

Henry Moore at the Tate Britain | Summary Tate Britain is one of the main galleries within London along with Tate modern, which is showing the works of the late Henry Moore (1898-1986), one of the worlds most famous pre-eminent sculptors of the 20th century along with Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966) who is best known by his broad beamed, monumental reclining females. By the first half of the twentieth century there were also Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, Jacob Epstein, and Barbara Hepworth. Which Moore met in 1921 as a fellow student? The Guardian The most important exhibition of Moores work for a generation As you approach the Tate Britain you are confronted with large Henry Moore banners hanging from four white poles on the Manton entrance gallery forecourt, just before you walk down the ramp and steps to the entrance. This makes it easy access for those who are disabled or have wheel chairs. Once inside the entrance youre confronted with a large open visitors and information area, to the right is the gallery shop and to the left is the gallery to the Henry Moore exhibition. This is clearly marked with posters and large wall boards behind the counters, where the tickets are bought. The ticket comes with a map of the whole gallery floor plans, which shows all the rooms throughout the Tate Britain. The whole gallery holds a wide variety of works from famous artists within the 15th to 21st century covering all aspects of British art, history and society. For the Moore exhibition viewers they are also given a fold out leaflet on Henry Moores work within the exhibition giving you a breakdow n of the movements and themes around the time of his works pieces. Viewers are now ready to see the work of the man they read in history books, on websites and within universities to colleges. When entering the first room viewers are greeted with a semi dark atmosphere with a reddish burgundy wall blended with cream walls. These colours make the room feel warm with relaxing surroundings for the sculptures that are positioned on their white plinths. Several pieces were also displayed in clear cases. There where images on the walls and four stone figure masks, also large reclining figures and images of people lying or sleeping in dark scary tunnels in war time. With each displaying piece there was an information plaque. Each piece had a number of individual spot lights pointing to them from the ceilings, which set the pieces off well giving each peace its own individuality. The Daily Telegraph We see a different Moore from the one most of us know In 1901 Moore studied one of the old masters from the 15th to 18th century. The great Michelangelo, this is when Moore first became interested in sculpture. By this time of his life Moore was constantly visiting the British museum. Here he encountered that pre-modern art. Also at this time of his life he came across the author, roger frys, book of vision and design. Like fry Moore soon believed that primitive art did convey a possessed intense vitality. When the first publication was printed in December of 1920, which Moore soon read? Here is when Moore first started becoming interested in the primitive art form and the processes. In 1922 Moore begin his first carvings in wood and stones.he particuly love english stones. Around this time moore carved his his first mother and child piece. You can clearly recognize the primitive side to Moores first sculpture pieces within the first gallery rooms. These works fall under the time when modernism was really being challenged. Even Moore hi mself began to challenge the modernism style. You can clearly see this within Moores later years. Each sculpture is positioned so the viewers can study the whole piece from every angel. while walking around them. So with each individual piece u can see how the light reflects off the shapes. which Moore clearly intended to show when positioned out side. This is what makes it easier to understand each piece individually with in the gallery space. When the viewer first walks in to the gallery there is a write up printed on each and every room entrance. You will also notice there are sculptures relating to the mother and child in each room too. The first rooms fall under the time of modernism the next room is the mother and child room then you move on to moores post war peices. Along with Up to here Within this essay I have been looking at the Henry Moore Exhibition at the Tate Britain in London. As explained in the introduction to the exhibition, this focuses on Moores career from the 1920s to the 1960s. This solo exhibition has been widely publicized and praised as these newspapers and quotes show. The Guardian The most important exhibition of Moores work for a generation All the grand claims about archetypes, about humanity essentialised in beautiful organic forms: all are justified by the drawings of sleepers, and the rarely shown images of miners at the coal-face. Moore finds form, in all respects it seems, in draughtsman ship rather than sculpture. Comfortable, passive, smooth, polite: the subject can be as dramatic as a mortally wounded man, as monstrous as a lopped and bloated corpse, and still the sculptures lack singularity and power. What strikes most is their family resemblance, their Mooreishness, their steady continuation down the long decades of his career. It is almost half a century since Herbert Read described them as forms that are vital to the life of mankind, as if we could scarcely survive without them. The world has changed, but the art has not. I cannot believe we were looking at the same sculptures The guardian Talks about how moors works are viewed in the twenty-first century. I think there being a little bit harsh and over critical with his creations and ideas for his sculptures and his works on paper. These where created in the nineteenth century and the views on the works are not the same. The work should be viewed on the ideas of Moore craftsmanship with stone and the desire to the figurative form with the illusion of light and dark and the working with shadows to express the forms. When positioned in the outside environment which plays a big part to observing his pieces with in a natural world. So how can you really see the full potential of moors work when placed within the Tate Britain gallery halls? The Daily Telegraph We see a different Moore from the one most of us know Moore was unlucky in that the years after his death in 1986 were a period of tremendous innovation in British sculpture. As the careers of Tony Cragg, Richard Deacon, and Anish Kapoor hit their stride, it was hard to look at Moores work with a sense of discovery and excitement. Almost a quarter of a century on, we are far enough away to see it in perspective. It no longer looks passà ©, but eternal How was Moore so unlucky after his death? He has succeeded in many ways his work shows how his life was and the forms of his figure sculptures tell a story of desire and passion. he had while working in various stones, even his paper and ink drawings shows a time of desperations in the world of war. People sleeping in the tunnels to survive another day scared wondering if there was going to be a tomorrow. His figure drawing drawn with various mediums from ink and chalk and different washes looking mainly at the form consisted with natural light. Moore was not unlucky as the papers says his work is on show even to this day celebrating his career and life with in the Tate Britain walls yes his figures may be similar to one another in a dimensional way but his craftsmanship and his relation to explore the use of stone is what is important here and the timeline when sculpture artists where still really discovering them selfs in the world of art. As during the time of the 1930s the directions of Nicholson and Hepworths work looked so similar. Even in painting and sculpture they were developing there own vocabulary of pure, simplified forms, along with sculpturer Henry Moore and other artists such as? the leading European practitioners of the new abstract art Naum Gabo, Piet Mondrian, Constantin Brancusi and Jean Arp. For these artists abstraction and the concern with pure forms had a democratic, utopian social aspect and a universal character that could transcend national differences. This vision stood in stark contrast to the rise of fascism, with its emphasis on racial identity and literal, propagandistic art. The Metro Theres Moore to him than you think The big interview: Henry Moore For some, seeing a Henry Moore sculpture indoors is like watching a wild animal in captivity. We are accustomed to viewing his work on display in provincial towns, surrounded by acres of green space, so the prospect of finding more than 150 pieces cooped up under artificial light seems unnatural. However, for this first major London retrospective of the sculptors work since his death in 1986, a darker interior setting should prove entirely fitting? Tate Britain aims to show that, far from being the cosy father figure of 20th-century sculpture, Moore was in fact a more responsive and innovative artist than many give him credit for. Moore is familiar and still so popular yet theres a sense that his critical reputation isnt what it might be, partly because of that familiarity. Says curator Chris Stephens. The language used in the publicity was aimed at a wide range of public audience to attract the general public. There were large flags outside the gallery entrance and posters on the walls within the reception area to publicize the exhibition. The culture show dedicated an hour show programme to the artist, which also included a discussion from the exhibition curator, Chris Stevens. As the publicity includes news clips, national papers and large scale publicity at the gallery these all combine to show the importance of this solo exhibition.

Parts Of Automobile :: Car Parts

Air Filter – a device that reduces the concentration of solid particles in an airstream to a level that can be tolerated in a process or space occupancy; a component of most systems in which air is used for industrial processes, ventilation, or comfort air conditioning. Automobile self starter – the bell housing is part of the transmission system on a gasoline (also known as petrol) or diesel powered vehicle. It is bolted to the engine block and contains the flywheel and the torque converter or clutch of the transmission. The starter motor is usually mounted here engaging with a ring gear on the flywheel. On the opposite end to the engine is usually bolted the gearbox. Bucket seat – a seat contoured to hold one person, distinct from bench seats which are flat platforms designed to seat multiple people. Bucket seats are standard in fast cars to keep riders in place when making sharp or quick turns. Bumper – a part of an automobile designed to allow one vehicle to impact with another and to withstand that collision without severe damage to the vehicle's frame. Brush guards, push bars, etc. were added "after-market" to bumpers of automobiles, pickups, trucks, and utility vehicles since at least the 1920s to provide additional protection to the vehicle. While bumpers were originally made of heavy steel, in later years they have been constructed of rubber, plastic, or painted light metal leaving them susceptible to damage from even minimal contact. For the most part, these vehicles cannot push, or be pushed by, another vehicle. An entire after-market industry has developed which now produces various guards to protect these vulnerable modern bumpers. Buzzer – or sometimes called beeper is a signaling device, usually electronic, typically used in automobiles, household appliances such as a microwave oven, or game shows. Car battery – a type of rechargeable battery that supplies electric energy to an automobile. Usually this refers to a SLI battery (Starting - Lighting - Ignition) to power the starter motor, the lights and the ignition system of a vehicle’s engine. This also may describe a traction battery used for the main power source of an electric vehicle. Car door – an opening to enter to the car (or their compartments or partition), often equipped with a hinged or sliding panel which can be moved to leave the opening accessible, or to close it more or less securely. Clutch – a machine element for the connection and disconnection of shafts in equipment drives.

Ancient Rome and Romans

Rome vs. Greece Which of the city-states do you think was the better civilization? There are many difference and similarities between these city-states. Both are the most honorable ancient cultures in Western culture. Greece and Rome had fought many battles, but those battles only made them stronger. Both had their own ways of life and political views as a civilization, and these ways varied incomparably. While Greece had many artistic achievements, Rome focused on creating and improving a unified empire. Therefore, both have different ways of making their civilization remembered by the people of today.The first difference in Roman and Greek civilization is their geographical features. Rome had a better chance to unify its people because of its location. Rome is located at the center of the Italian peninsula. It was easier for Rome to keep control of its neighboring areas. Rome gained control over the areas surrounding the Italian peninsula by conquest and by providing Roman citizens hip for the conquered people. The residents of the Italian peninsula classified themselves as Romans during the Punic Wars, and then it led to the creation of the unified Roman Empire.On the other hand, Greece’s mountainous terrain separated several Greek city-states from one another. The expansion of the Greek civilization all over the Mediterranean basin was just an increase of detached Greek city-states. The detachment of the Greek city-states prevented Greece from creating its own empire. The Athenians’ plan of creating an empire by the domination of the Delian League backfired, by leading to the Peloponnesian Wars. The Romans adopted many characteristics of the Greeks to its culture. However, there are still many differences between their cultures.The Romans translated the names of the great gods of the Greeks into its language, so it will be more Roman-like. For example, the Roman name of the Greek god Poseidon is Neptune. The Romans’ religion is more sole mn than the Greeks. The Romans believed that good or bad luck came from the gods, depending on what the gods were feeling. If they were happy it means good, however, if they were unhappy then bad luck would come to the Romans. The Romans worshipped Jupiter Optimus Maximus. They got the idea of wearing togas from the Greeks too.During the Roman Republic, the citizens started wearing togas. Another difference is the Romans’ art. Their artworks are more realistic than the Greeks. The Romans’ human sculptures look like real people. They used marbles to sculpt public officials’ portraits. Their arts are usually use for political propaganda. The Romans treated women way better than the Greeks. Women had a little freedom during the Roman Republic. They could leave the house, go shopping or visit a temple, and talk to their neighbors without the need of their husbands’ permission.As time went on during the Roman Empire, the women were allowed to own property, run business, inherit wills, and more. However, the Greeks are very different from the Romans. In Greek mythology; there are 12 main gods. Some of the gods that belong to the 12 Olympians are Zeus, Poseidon, and Hera. In Greek mythology there are a lot of monsters. Minotaurs, centaurs, and chimera (a hybrid animal) are significant Greek monsters. There are two types of hybrid monsters, a hybrid of animals and a hybrid of people. Greek arts are idealistic, whereas the Romans are realistic.Greek arts are usually about the exploration of nature and philosophy. They portray the human bodies. They are perfectionists. Their architectural buildings are measured mathematically. Examples of the architectural building that used mathematical methods are the Parthenon and the Temple of Hera. Women in Greece, excluding Sparta, had no rights. They were treated as their husbands’ property Their husbands need to be aware of where they are and what they are doing. In order for the women to go ou t or talk to their visitors, they need their husbands’ consent. This treatment of women did not change as time went on.Other differences between the Greeks and the Romans are their advancements in science and technology. Romans were great engineers and builders. They built many bridges, roads, and other structures. Their engineering is influenced by the Etruscans. To maintain their bridges solid and long-lasting, they used Etruscans’ keystone arch. It was hard for them to keep their bridges stable, so they focused on improving the creation of cement. They use pozzolana concrete for the bridges’ piers, so the sand that is brought by the river currents will not ruin the base of the bridges.They were the first people who used concrete for building structures. Roads built by the Romans also helped them to unify their empire. All of the roads that they built lead to Rome. The creation of the aqueducts was one of the best inventions of the Romans. The aqueducts carry and distribute the water throughout the city of Rome. Aside from Roman technologies, the Romans also had advancements in science. Galen, who wrote a medical textbook during the Roman Empire, was the fist in identifying many symptoms and treatments for an illness.His books were used as a guide in medicine for at least a thousand year. On the other hand, some of Greece’s invention those were reinvented until the 20th century includes analog computers, vending machines, and showers. The analog computer was invented in 150 B. C. , but it was only use as a calculator, calendar, and as a GPS for navigation. The vending machine was used for holy water refill by inserting a coin. In 400 B. C. , the Greeks invented indoor showers. It was used in the gymnasium at Pergamum for female and male athletes to use.The Greeks also have science advancements. Aristotle, a Greek philosopher, opened The Lyceum. The Lyceum is a school where he observed how things come to live. He came up a procedur e for debating according to rules of logic. The scientific method we use today is based on Aristotle’s works and discoveries. Another person that contributed in Greek’s science is Hippocrates. Hippocrates is a Greek physician. He also described disease symptoms like Galen of Rome. He examined the human body to find out more about the illness the body consist.Hippocrates is well-known as â€Å"the father of modern medicine. † He also built a medical school on the island of Cos, Greece, where he was born. After his books about his medical teachings were published for Alexandria library, the people stopped believing that diseases and illnesses came from the gods as punishments; they learned that illness had a physical and rational explanation. His Hippocratic Oath had a great influence on the doctors today; they promise to be honest, to preserve life, and to keep information about their patients private.When choosing a civilization, it is hard because all of the ci vilizations does not have everything you want especially during this time period. The Romans and the Greeks are both great civilizations that have been growing over time. Both civilizations have success and failures of their own. The Romans had their outstanding legionary armies that helped them conquer many lands and put their civilizations to its height, but they also had a downfall when the generals decided to be greedy and fought each other for the thrown.Greece was also successful during the Athenian democracy because it brought many male citizens together, and they fought to protect their government. However, the opposing city-sate, which is Sparta, agreed changing their government to traditional dictatorship. Then it led to battle, but Athenians couldn’t defeat the Spartans, so it led to the fall of the Greek democracy. On the bright side, both civilizations found ways to resolve their problems. Rome and Greece are well-known because of their great achievements, and bo th are great influence on the lives of the people today.Standard: 9SS3: Students examine the antecedents, origins, development and achievements of the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome from 2000 B. C. E. to 500 C. E. 9Ec. 5: Compare works that express a universal theme and provide evidence to support the views expressed in each work. 9E2a. 5: Use writing to formulate clear research questions and to compile information from primary and secondary print or Internet sources. 9E2a. 6: Develop the main ideas within the body of the composition through supporting evidence, commonly held beliefs, hypotheses, and definitions.

buy custom Mark Wallace essay

buy custom Mark Wallace essay Mark Wallace approach ethnography as a qualitative technique that is concerned with the understanding and learning of cultural phenomena, which are shown in knowledge and system that guide the life of a cultural group. Ethnography is centered in the studies of ethnic groups, ethnic genesis, people, composition, settlement, social welfare, and composition. Therefore, it remains crucial in analyzing human societies and cultures. In fact, scholars have argued that ethnography is aimed at describing the nature and characteristics of the people under study. The novel, the Quarry and the Lot, is centered on three friends; Luke, Nick and Amelia. They returned to their homeland to attend a funeral of their childhood friend, Joseph Klein. On the contrary, the deceased took a different life dimension that made him reckless and ruthless, though he was brought up as a decent and humble boy. Joseph took a different culture in life that was different from that of his friends. Evidently, the people who attended his funeral were not sorry about his death (Wallace 94). There were mixed reactions and emotions during the funeral since the deceaseds ways of life could not be compared to his age mates and friends. Joseph grew up in Texas, and it was very difficult to understand what made him choose the most controversial way of life. He was perceived by many people as ruthless, destructive and bully, a subculture he admired. This kind of a subculture was not in conformity with the normal societal values, which advocates for the proper upbringing of chi ldren. The children are expected to grow up respectfully. However, these unaccepted behavior that Joseph adored brought him a lot of happiness. Unfortunately, the bad behavior led to his tragic death at the tender age of thirty two. Perhaps, it is the bad character that does not conform to the societal norms and values that makes him as a character in the novel fades quickly as the novel continues (Wallace 19). In the novel, there are some subcultures that were clearly not accepted in the society. For example, prostitution and homosexuality that eroded the moral principles of the society. Notably, these bad sub-cultural practices emerged and continued to flourish in the society. An important question to ask is the availability of the custodians and moral guidance when immoral acts of prostitution and homosexuality emerged and slowly became acceptable in the society. The fact that the disciplines of religion and sociology were taken for granted for many years, until the nineteenth century shows a lot of contrast between the two groups of people; those who lived before and after the nineteenth century. Studies show that those people who lived before the nineteenth century were perceived as rigid about morality. They advocated for harsh sanctions, heavy punishments and penalty to discourage immoral acts on the society. The heavy punishments and sanctions would help the society maintain its identity that was morally and ethically sound. During this period, it was not easy to get someone who could come out to confess about having been in same gender relationships, and having committed acts of prostitution. However, in some modern societies, acts such as gay marriages and abortion are allowed to take place. Due to the issues of cultural relativism, it is hard to tell precisely the moral acts since the concept moral is relative; depending on place, tim e and the population characteristics. In the novel, the narrators grandfather learnt from the jaguar experience in Mexico that some things were beyond human understanding. He compares the jaguar incidence to mens behavior in Texas, which is after a night of gambling and drinking. These activities made men behave violently without any apparent reason. The situation was different in Mexico, where the jaguar, though hungry and in danger, it did not engage men in violence. Instead, it slipped away in the morning. This made the narrator understand that mystery was a real phenomenon. Just like the narrators grand fathers failure to understand why the jaguar landed on his roof top, the narrator could as well not understand the mystery behind the death of his friend, Joseph (Wallace 68). In the novel, the narrator tries to explain why the men failed to kill the jaguar since it is not culturally accepted to kill animals without proper reasons. However, the situation is different in Texas, where boys like torturing animals owing to their poor and cruel upbringing. This sub-theme clearly shows the disparity and cultural differences of the people of Texas and Mexico. In chapter one of the novel, the author makes a comparison between two cultures. In Texas, the narrator receives a phone call from his son, informing him about the death of Joseph, Klein. At the beginning, it is not clear to the narrator and his wife about who has actually made the call. To them, this incidence is quite different from the Jaguars. In the Jaguars incidence, the grandfather never wanted someone to make a call because he did not wantanybody to know about that scary incidence. In a way, this showed how the grand father was cultured in an environment where the information secrecy was highly valued (Wallace 86). In addition, the arrival of the narrators grandfather in Mexico brings another sharp contrast between the two cultures that is American and Mexican. In America, the narrators grandfather was considered as a small town doctor, in the United States, but the situation was different in Mexico. In Mexico, he was highly respected, amongst the poor and the rich. This shows the culture and identity of the Mexican who are portrayed in the novel as loving and welcoming. Here, the rich do not despise the poor, as evidenced with the grandfathers welcome. Evidently, the narrator portrays the sub-culture that is propagated by the jaguar as outlawed groups, which engaged in careless consumption of alcohol and other drinks. Besides, the group engages in listening terror-themed rap music that promotes acts of hooligans and crime in the society. In fact, such music is not descent t listened to since they are sources of immoral acts and bad behavior among the youth in the society. This kind of outlawed cultures forms the foundation of hostility in the society. For instance, Josephs brother appreciated their humble background and lifestyle. However, Joseph succumbed to an alien sub-culture when he refused to accommodate the laughter and mockery of his fellow students when they were at school. He saw this as an embarrassment since he never wanted to accept that he was from a poor family. From this analysis, it can be deduced that poverty was never welcomed in this sub-culture, and the poor were often looked down upon. This is contrary to what we saw in Mexico, where both the rich and the poor were friendly, loving and lived alongside each other in peace (Wallace 69). Moreover, it is clear, from the analysis of the novel that economic status dictates the culture of the people. For instance, in American sub-culture, the rich did not easily welcome Josephs grandfather, who was seen as small village doctor. But, in Mexico, the situation was different, since the majority is the middle and low income earners; people can easily cope up with one another and live in a peaceful co-existence. Besides, the economic inequality is evidenced in the media houses, which associate crime with music that is produced by psychopathic records, famous among the poor and the middle class. For instance, Joseph and other juggalas who are from the low income families found themselves on the wrong side of the law when they were unfairly persecuted because of their cultural way of dress code, music listened to and their eating habits, which were regarded by the rich as unethical and lack decency. It is interesting to note the way the sub-cultures in the novel are portrayed and how different generations perceive various cultures. For example, fifty years ago, homosexuality was considered as a criminal offense. The homosexuals and lesbians could not come out and openly declare their intentions and marital status. But, currently the culture is accepted in some societies, and there are some cases of gay marriages, even in churches. Arguably, this kind of culture is common in the urban settings (Wallace 19). It is debatable to ask oneself, why the same societies that promote moral degradation and decadence are the ones who pioneer scientific and technological development. A society that is not morally responsible for its action can make its people perish. For example, the use of technological and scientific knowledge to manufacture nuclear weapons and drugs can lead to mass destruction and loss of lives, if the society is not responsible and accountable for its actions. Currently, the lesbians and gays make use of the social network sites to carry out their activities. Before, these activities were considered as cultural taboos and no one could easily declare such status in public. Immoral acts such as pornography were unheard of, and could not be allowed to take place in the traditional society where culture was highly valued. Various questions have been raised on the fate of homosexuality why it started and its effects on peoples lives living during that time, and why there is no much literature on the same. Possibly, the societal culture did not permit such texts to be openly discussed. Could be the male dominance and chauvinism never allowed some issues to be publicly discussed; especially the women were not permitted by their male counterparts to discuss issues about men. In fact, in the past, writings on gay and lesbianism were considered immoral and unlawful since such texts could easily land someone in jail (Wallace 59). The war against homosexual sub-culture started around the eighteenth century. By then, the population that practiced the homosexual sub-culture was smaller than the current one. In fact, there were no polices, which were put in place to promote the practice of the homosexuality. But, still the practice went against all odds and it became paramount in the society, despite the strong oopposition from the government and the society. From the novel, a special police force known as the Mouches was established to eliminate the homosexual culture. This special police force who pretended to be lesbians failed to expel the homosexual sub-culture that had grown into a strong force. According to the analysis from the novel, it is that a subculture though accepted and followed by only a few people can grow into a strong force that is not easy to get rid of in the society. This is evident with the case of the homosexuals, who were just a handful people, but still remained a big threat to the soci ety. This group that formed the subculture was hard to eliminate in the society, even the state machinery, which is the special police force could not contain this group of people. The legislative policies and state ideologies also failed to contain the homosexual subculture. Therefore, one would ask whether there is a possibility of containing that subculture in the society. But, before that it is important to analyze some of the social effects of such subcultures in the society. What would happen if the society members accept and embrace the subculture of homosexual and lesbianism? To some extent, the narrator of the story was trying to say that the society has failed to contain the subcultures, which were considered immoral such as homosexuality and lesbianism. Though, there is still some glimmer of hope since the society and the government is making all the possible attempts to discourage such subculture. Amerilia, a female character in the novel, fell a victim to sexual abuse and harassment from her father and brothers (Wallace 76). This clearly shows that that par1ticular society does not respect womens dignity and personal privacy that infringe their rights. Besides, it is clear from the novel that the society does not respect the institution of marriage. On the other hand, the fathers have failed in their parenting role (Wallace 32). The women do not have a voice to be heard in this society since Amerilas mother does not come out strongly in the novel to condemn the acts of sexual abuse and harassment to her daughter. The society failed to define appropriate punishments for such offenses. In away, it can be deduced that the society is compromising a lot on some behavior, which are eventually accepted as a societal norm. Another worrying subculture that is evident from the readings is abortion, which comes as a result of prostitution. The prostitution is prevalent in the urban areas, where people from different cultures meet and often make casual intimate relationships. Little or no marriages are taking place in these relationships, which result in unwanted pregnancies. From the novel, this is portrayed as lack of respect for life and the unborn. In the past, acts of abortion were highly condemned in the society, and one found committing such acts were either excommunicated or killed to serve as a warning to the others. But, currently the situation is different since laws have been put in place to legalize abortion. Despite the advantages of the abortion, it is evidenced that the societal morals are eroding very fast. Festivals remain one of the pillars of the subculture. Several occasions were set to perform ceremonies, which marked some specific events in the society such as harvesting ceremonies, naming ceremonies, religious ceremonies and others. For example, marriage ceremonies ushered the couples into a permanent union and start of a new life. During such occasions, people gathered as a sign of unity in the society. However, things are different these days. The ceremonies have been commercialized and lost meaning. In fact, the society has become disunited. Often, politicians attend ceremonies and gatherings just to pursue their own personal interests and ambitions to gain power. Notably, these are some of the sub-cultural aspects, which are highlighted in the novel (Wallace 78). Conclusion In sum, from the novels settings, Wallace portrays a community a society that greatly relied on locally produced foods and drinks. For example, the fermented drinks were highly valued at that time. However, after the industrial revolution, peoples tastes and consumption patterns shifted from the locally produced products to the industrial ones. And this was seen in the lifestyle shift of Juggalo and his friends who often consumed cheap soft drinks as discussed earlier. This clearly shows how the society cultures of the past are rapidly changing. Indeed, Wallace is overwhelmed by the American sub-urban cultural setting that supports conventional individualism and selfishness. The main emphasis from the novel is that culture should be a unifying factor in the society. Culture should unite both the rich and the poor in the society so that there is a sense of harmony and belonging. Without unity, it is very hard to promote culture in the society. Consequently, the absence of a very strong culture in the society breeds the elements of sub-cultures, which lack proper moral principles and doctrines that finally led to the societys moral degradation. Buy custom Mark Wallace essay

Death Is Better Than Slavery Essays

Death Is Better Than Slavery Essays Death Is Better Than Slavery Paper Death Is Better Than Slavery Paper Death is better than slavery- Harriet Ann Jacobs African Americans were treated like property and forced to work against their will. They were treated like animals beaten, sold, and raped for no reason at all. Slavery was hell on earth; many slaves would rather die than continue to live. Working in the heat for hours on hours with no water or food was torture. But they had no choices, for example they were unable to learn how to read and write they had no choice if they could get their son or daughter that they just gave birth to. They were punished or even killed was trying to run away. They couldn’t even speak their native language. Slavery was immortal, inhuman, and enduring. Imagine not having a voice for yourself; imagine not being able make decisions. That’s exactly how these African Americans felt being enslaved. The worse feeling had to be for the woman seeing their child sold and knowing that they would never be able to see them again. Being separate from their families had to be an extremely harsh experience that played a role in their mental condition. On top of that they had no sense of literacy. Confusing had to be part of their day to day life. African Americans had no choice but to do what the white man said, slaves were punished for varies of things resisting slavery, not working hard enough, talking too much, or trying to run away. Punishments included being chained to the ground, being whipped, or being hung to die. Dolen Perkins Valdez gave me insight on just how cruel and manipulative these white men were to take these helpless women and trick them into thinking they were just as important as their wives. The author shows Lizzie although she is a slave; she is treated very well by Drayle. She deeply cares for him and experiences a small amount of freedom, but she is not free she still has to work and still gets punished for disobeying him. She is so brainwashed that when she had the chance to leave she didn’t take it. She also gave me insight on how these slaves lost their heritage; they didn’t know where they came from, they couldn’t even speak their native language. One of the most important things someone has is there heritage. If you look in the dictionary heritage is define as something inherited at birth, such as personal characteristics, status, and possessions. Slavery made these African Americans lose who they were and what they were about. They didn’t know where they came from or where they family was. In conclusion Slavery was one of the worse things that have ever happened throughout history. Dolen Perkins Valdez did a great job painting they picture on how slavery was, the many aspects of it. African Americans will never be the same because what their ancestors went through. This in fact has impacted and will never be forgotten as long as we shall live. | |

Construction Safety essays

Construction Safety essays Over 100 Million Workers Count On OSHA The mission of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is to save lives, prevent injuries and protect the health of America's workers. To accomplish this, federal and state governments must work in partnership with the more than 100 million working men and women and their six and a half million employers who are covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. OSHA and its state partners have approximately 2100 inspectors, plus complaint discrimination investigators, engineers, physicians, educators, standards writers, and other technical and support personnel spread over more than 200 offices throughout the country. This staff establishes protective standards, enforces those standards, and reaches out to employers and employees through technical assistance and consultation programs. Nearly every working man and woman in the nation comes under OSHA's jurisdiction (with some exceptions such as miners, transportation workers, many public employees, and the self-employed). Other users and recipients of OSHA services include: occupational safety and health professionals, the academic community, lawyers, journalists, and personnel of other government entities. OSHA is determined to use its limited resources effectively to stimulate management commitment and employee participation in comprehensive workplace safety and health programs. At OSHA, we are dedicated to improving the quality of our efforts and know that to be successful we must become an agency that is driven by commitment to public service. The first step is for OSHA to listen and respond to its customers. Accordingly, we conducted a survey to learn more about what employers and employees think of OSHA's services. Because workplace inspections are one of OSHA's principal activities and because voluntary efforts to improve working conditions ultimately depend on strong enforcemen...

TSCA and REACH Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

TSCA and REACH - Essay Example However, the Congress has received two bills addressing TSCA reform and will deliberate on them soon. Here, TSCA is compared to chemical regulations in other nations, and arguments for and against its reform are presented. Chemical safety in the United States has garnered bipartisan support. Currently, there are two pieces of legislation introduced to Congress that address TSCA reform: the Alan Reinstein and Trevor Schaefer Toxic Chemical Protection Act, drafted by Senators Barbara Boxer and Edward Markey, and the Frank R Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, drafted by Senators David Udall and Tom Vitter. Each bill distributes the priorities of the EPA in different ways. The Boxer and Markey legislation prioritized public health, required the EPA to review chemicals more quickly, and ensured that the EPA’s chemical assessments were aligned with the recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences. Boxer and Markey’s bill would also preserve the states’ authority to restrict chemical use and enforce federal restrictions under state law. On the other hand, the language of the Vitter and Udall bill appears to favor industry, allowing the EPA up to seven years to re view each substance (Chemical Watch 2015). Although the future of chemical reform in the United States is uncertain, these two bills addressing the need for TSCA reform are certainly a step in the right direction. In the early 1970’s, there was increasing concern about industrial compounds and their potential adverse effects on the environment and human health. Research on industrial substances and potential harmful effects, such as fluorocarbons found in aerosols and their effects on the earth’s stratosphere were well underway (Markell 2010). Bischloromethylether (BCME), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), as well as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was ubiquitously

Nike shoes Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Nike shoes - Research Paper Example Nike shoes have a great influence in the athletic world. This has been achieved through the Nike Company inclusion of the youths in the cities in their advertisements. The company should also consider the poor people in the society and produce brands which have the comfortability and shows a sense of prestige. This will have the company increase its sale across all people in the society hence increasing its (Odies 389). In addition to flexibility, quality and transportation issues should be addressed by the company to meet the demands of the community in time. This will enhance customer loyalty and discourage customers opting for other brands from other companies. This can be achieved through; establishing companies near their sales strong holds and where raw materials are available to cut the cost of production hence have a chance to produce Nike foot wears which will be appearing to the people and which will go for an affordable price(Odies 400). In conclusion, the company should mostly concentrate on a monopoly that will consider the rich and the poor to increase their sales. Also, ensure that the brands are available to its consumers in good time to meet the customers’

Assigment Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Assigment - Assignment Example (Sahih Muslim) Humor is a great way to diffuse a bad situation, or ease an uncomfortable one but it must be use appropriately. Just as a knife is vital and essential in preparation food but it can also cause one to bleed. Likewise, some humor has sarcasm and rage thinly hidden in it. Islam is a religion that promotes engagement in this life while keeping the hereafter in notice. Accordingly, Islam permits a Muslim to entertain himself so that they could relax through permissible activities and sports. Nevertheless, the pursuit of such relaxation and the pleasure should not take one away or neglect his religious and other obligatory duties. One must not even joke in an inappropriate manner. As long as ones follow the given parameters, humor and joking becomes permissible in Islam. To get the exact idea of permissibility one should look at the word of Quran and way of Prophet. Verily the best word is the word of Holy Quran and the best way is the way of Prophet. It is clear that humor or jokes are permissible but one should understand the people and the situation before cracking jokes or playing pranks. Such as we learn from the way of Prophet, who never use to kid around with all his acquaintances. Moreover, it is important that one apologize if his joke has offended someone. Humor indeed is an excellent way to diffuse worry, uneasiness or bad circumstances but even at such situations one must care that his words do not harm someone’s

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

American Imperialism - Essay Example Therefore the main reason for adopting an imperialistic policy was to dominate over economic resources which have always been control by the advanced capitalist countries over the liquid and real economic resources of economically backward areas. Since the easiest way to colonize was to take over main liquid resources as foreign exchange and public and private savings, and real resources consist of agricultural, mineral, transportation, communication, manufacturing, and commercial facilities and other assets, therefore Nationalist economic policy worked. Restricted free trade was monopolized and inhibited the growth of income and economic well-being, but these barriers were lowered by the breakup of the European empires. Such an imperialist policy was rationalized as the trademark of this doctrine was based on the notion that exploitive economic relations between the advanced and backward capitalist countries would not be able survive in a world of politically independent countries (Fann & Hodges, 1971: 24). The countries that were affected by the foreign policy of America were Philippines, the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau and Puerto Rico. However across the globe American imperialism in the first half of the nineteenth century presided over Ottoman, Persian and Russian empires thereby expanding its empire towards the northward, westward, and southward while establishing its authority over all parts of its territory (Iriye, 2005). As an imperial state, the nineteenth century for America brought persuasion, coercion, and outright conquest and often insured that tariffs and other taxes were turned over to foreign bondholders. Therefore in the presence of military rule, foreign lending was frequently a precarious undertaking which Latin American countries, witnessed by experiencing an uneven history of bond payments. The deployment of the U.S Imperialist policies, particularly in

CIS Homework Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

CIS Homework - Case Study Example It is pertinent to mention here that the guidelines and best practices varies with respect to the medium or category of the technology; for example, the guidelines for information security of the information systems would be not similar to the best practices or guidelines of the computer network, mobile devices, online collaboration and social sharing, internet protection, electronic device security etc (IBM, n.d). One of the most common information security best practices that I have found in all the above mentioned websites is to develop strong password protection for logging in / logging out of any system. One of the main reasons for emphasizing the strong passwords is that despite the development and implementation of latest technologies to protect secured information, the information can easily have unauthorized access if the user has not developed a strong password to secure its personal information. Moreover, most of the information leakage is due to the same reason, as a common hacker can attack to the vulnerability of weak password and break into your

Competitive Advantage Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Competitive Advantage - Case Study Example This paper will compare and contrast the competitive advantages of renowned engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce Plc (Rolls-Royce) and retail store giant Tesco Plc (Tesco). Traditionally, the competitive advantage business organizations can be fully identified by conducting a value chain analysis. However, recognizing the numerous changes in the businesses' market environment, this paper will also complement value chain analysis with a method introduced by Shawn Cartwright, the value web analysis. It should be noted that this tool brings into consideration the analysis of competitive advantage of dotcoms or firms whose operations are conducted online or whose brick and mortar strategies are complemented by online presence (Cartwright and Oliver 2000). This report will be organized as follows. The first section will take a look at the operations of Rolls-Royce Plc. A brief organizational profile will be presented together with the company's identified core competencies. The paper will then evaluate Rolls-Royce's competitive advantage in light of the value chain and the value web analysis. The second section will also evaluate Tesco Plc in the same manner. This paper will conclude with a comparison and contrast of the previously identified competitive advantages. Rolls-Royce is currently the world's second largest airline engine manufacturer beh... Aside from aero-engine, the company is also involved in other industries like defence, marine, and energy markets. The business organization traces its origin in 1971 and was founded by Henry Royce and CS Rolls. With its humble beginning, it has now ascended in the global business marketplace with its cutting edge technology and diverse product offerings. The company is not just a provider of high-quality products but also offers unmatched after sales service to its clients. Its market base spans over 120 countries around the globe, becoming a significant supplier of engine to important customers worldwide. Also, in order to complement its product, Rolls-Royce has established online presence through Aeromanager in offering aftermarket services. 2.1 Core Competencies The success of Rolls-Royce in the global aero-engine industry is attributed to its core competencies. A core competence, according to Prahalad and Hamel (1990) is something that a firm can do well and meet three specific conditions: "it provides customer benefit; it is hard for competitors to imitate; and it can be leveraged widely to many products and market." A company's core competencies are the capabilities which the company needs in order to build a competitive advantage. In the case of Rolls-Royce, its core competency is apparently in the production of engine. It should be noted that the expertise of the business organization in the creation of aero-engine is applied to a wide range of industries where it operates such as defence, marine, and energy. With the company's expertise in the production of a single product engine, Rolls-Royce, with its technological is able to transform this engine into one which can be used in other industries. It should be noted that all the end

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

American Imperialism - Essay Example Therefore the main reason for adopting an imperialistic policy was to dominate over economic resources which have always been control by the advanced capitalist countries over the liquid and real economic resources of economically backward areas. Since the easiest way to colonize was to take over main liquid resources as foreign exchange and public and private savings, and real resources consist of agricultural, mineral, transportation, communication, manufacturing, and commercial facilities and other assets, therefore Nationalist economic policy worked. Restricted free trade was monopolized and inhibited the growth of income and economic well-being, but these barriers were lowered by the breakup of the European empires. Such an imperialist policy was rationalized as the trademark of this doctrine was based on the notion that exploitive economic relations between the advanced and backward capitalist countries would not be able survive in a world of politically independent countries (Fann & Hodges, 1971: 24). The countries that were affected by the foreign policy of America were Philippines, the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau and Puerto Rico. However across the globe American imperialism in the first half of the nineteenth century presided over Ottoman, Persian and Russian empires thereby expanding its empire towards the northward, westward, and southward while establishing its authority over all parts of its territory (Iriye, 2005). As an imperial state, the nineteenth century for America brought persuasion, coercion, and outright conquest and often insured that tariffs and other taxes were turned over to foreign bondholders. Therefore in the presence of military rule, foreign lending was frequently a precarious undertaking which Latin American countries, witnessed by experiencing an uneven history of bond payments. The deployment of the U.S Imperialist policies, particularly in

Competitive Advantage Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Competitive Advantage - Case Study Example This paper will compare and contrast the competitive advantages of renowned engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce Plc (Rolls-Royce) and retail store giant Tesco Plc (Tesco). Traditionally, the competitive advantage business organizations can be fully identified by conducting a value chain analysis. However, recognizing the numerous changes in the businesses' market environment, this paper will also complement value chain analysis with a method introduced by Shawn Cartwright, the value web analysis. It should be noted that this tool brings into consideration the analysis of competitive advantage of dotcoms or firms whose operations are conducted online or whose brick and mortar strategies are complemented by online presence (Cartwright and Oliver 2000). This report will be organized as follows. The first section will take a look at the operations of Rolls-Royce Plc. A brief organizational profile will be presented together with the company's identified core competencies. The paper will then evaluate Rolls-Royce's competitive advantage in light of the value chain and the value web analysis. The second section will also evaluate Tesco Plc in the same manner. This paper will conclude with a comparison and contrast of the previously identified competitive advantages. Rolls-Royce is currently the world's second largest airline engine manufacturer beh... Aside from aero-engine, the company is also involved in other industries like defence, marine, and energy markets. The business organization traces its origin in 1971 and was founded by Henry Royce and CS Rolls. With its humble beginning, it has now ascended in the global business marketplace with its cutting edge technology and diverse product offerings. The company is not just a provider of high-quality products but also offers unmatched after sales service to its clients. Its market base spans over 120 countries around the globe, becoming a significant supplier of engine to important customers worldwide. Also, in order to complement its product, Rolls-Royce has established online presence through Aeromanager in offering aftermarket services. 2.1 Core Competencies The success of Rolls-Royce in the global aero-engine industry is attributed to its core competencies. A core competence, according to Prahalad and Hamel (1990) is something that a firm can do well and meet three specific conditions: "it provides customer benefit; it is hard for competitors to imitate; and it can be leveraged widely to many products and market." A company's core competencies are the capabilities which the company needs in order to build a competitive advantage. In the case of Rolls-Royce, its core competency is apparently in the production of engine. It should be noted that the expertise of the business organization in the creation of aero-engine is applied to a wide range of industries where it operates such as defence, marine, and energy. With the company's expertise in the production of a single product engine, Rolls-Royce, with its technological is able to transform this engine into one which can be used in other industries. It should be noted that all the end

African American Struggle Essay Example for Free

African American Struggle Essay The story of African immigration is unique among immigrant groups, just as the African experience in America has been exclusively essential to the course of American life. Unlike other immigrants, most Africans came to North America against their will, caught up in a cruel system of human exploitation. The treatment we endured in the United States was of a harshness hardly ever surpassed in recent history, and their role in U. S. society was contested with a rage that nearly tore the nation apart. The centuries-long battle African Americans waged for freedom, for dignity, and for full participation in American society completely transformed the nation, and shaped the world we live in today. Today, there is no aspect of life in the United States that has not been touched by the African American experience; there is no institution, custom, or daily practice that has not been influenced or remade by the efforts of African American thinkers, workers, artists, activists, and organizers. African Americans faced every form of racism, prejudice, and segregation possible. We were not allowed to eat, drink, or even sleep in the same places with white people. They had everything marked whites or colors, and that was considered segregation. If an African American were to break one of those â€Å"rules† they would suffer great pain whether mentally or physically. When segregation came to an end, blacks were still not welcome to partake in the world comfortably. We were constantly going through life feeling like a slave although freedom was granted. Affirmative Action, in the United States, was to overcome the effects of past discrimination by allocating jobs and resources to members of specific groups, such as minorities and women. The policy was implemented by federal agencies enforcing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and two executive orders, which provided that government contractors and educational institutions receiving federal funds develop such programs. The Equal Employment Opportunities Act (1972) set up a commission to enforce plans. The establishment of racial quotas in the name of affirmative action brought charges of so-called reverse discrimination in the late 1970s. By the late 70s, however, flaws in the policy began to show up good intentions. Reverse discrimination became an issue, epitomized by the famous Bakke case in 1978. Allan Bakke, a white male, had been rejected two years in a row by a medical school that had accepted less qualified minority applicants-the school had a separate admissions policy for minorities and reserved 16 out of 100 places for minority students. The Supreme Court outlawed inflexible quota systems in affirmative action programs, which in this case had unfairly discriminated against a white applicant. In the same ruling, however, the Court upheld the legality of affirmative action.

Female Foeticide In India

Female Foeticide In India India is a country of incredible ironies. It is a land where people worship myriad forms of female Shakti in quest of wealth, wisdom and power. In this country it is a common sight to see thousands of couples making arduous journeys every year to shrines of goddesses in order to be blessed with a child. But strangely enough, in this country, a couple is said to be ‘blessed only when it has a male child; for a girl is never considered a blessing in our society. Her birth seems to cast a pall of gloom over the entire family. Her birth is not rejoiced, instead the entire family moans. Gender biasness had been the typical attitude of the patriarchal Indian society since time immemorial. The Vedas contained passages which emphasized the necessity of son. ‘May you be the mother of a hundred sonshave always been a popular blessing by elders to young brides. It is indeed an undeniable fact that despite differences in social and intellectual status, almost all the sections of the society do stand on the same platform so far as their craving for male child is concerned. On the other hand, daughters are unwanted, they are considered burdensome and people who do not dare to carry this ‘burden for long dispose them off as quickly as possible, for in Incredible India, ‘killing of the girl child is no sin. Initially the girl child was put to death brutally, being throttled, poisoned or drowned in a bucket of water right after her birth. These had been the common practices followed particularly in the rural areas. However the evil of killing the girl child no longer remained confined to the rural people but equally attracted the urban population too who, despite being educated, seem to show a strong preference for the male child and the subsequent avoidance of the female child. The rapid advancement of science and technology proved a boon for these people as this had made the diabolic slaughter of the female child much easier and more sophisticated than before. The benefits of science, as usual, has again been misused by mankind and today by dint of the pre-natal sex determination tests, the female fetuses are selectively aborted. Hence we can say that in the modern era another shameful chapter has been added to the saga of oppression and exploitation meted out to women, in the form of ‘Female Foeticide. It is indeed heartening that in recent times when India boasts of its scientific achievements and discoveries, when the pages of textbooks are flooded with slogans of ‘Shining India, women in India are not only facing inequality and inequity in every sphere but they are denied even the right to be born. What is Female Foeticide? As a medical term, foeticide is destruction of a fetus. The term ‘Female Foeticide may be defined as the elimination of a female foetus at any stage of pregnancy, after determining its sex. It is also defined as killing of female foetus through induced abortion.Hence ‘Female Foeticide refers to the process of aborting a foetus if, after undergoing sex determination tests or pre-natal diagnostics tests, it is revealed that the foetus is female. In other words, it implies the barbarous act of killing the girl child in the womb itself, unseen and unheard, only for the fact that she is female. The misuse of medical science has facilitated the rapid growth of this heinous crime in the society today. A number of medical procedures are carried out to determine the sex of the unborn child such as : Amniocentesis Ultrasonography Foetoscopy Chorionic villi biopsy Placental tissue sampling etc. Out of these the most commonly used sex-determination test is amniocentesis. It was meant to be used as an aid to detect any abnormality in the unborn child. But over the years, especially since 1978, amniocentesis has become a widely used test by doctors to determine the sex of the foetus between 14-18 weeks of pregnancy. The ultrasound technique has also gained huge popularity. The trans-vaginal sonography has enabled to determine the sex of a foetus within 13-14 weeks of pregnancy and through abdominal ultrasound, sex determination is possible within 14-16 weeks. Whatever be the method employed, the reality is that these methods have made sex determination quite easier and cheaper, thereby encouraging the growth of Female Foeticide at a high rate. Reasons for High Rate of Female Foeticide in India: It has been widely accepted nowadays that girls are emotionally more attached to parents, more responsible in society and by no means less competent than boys. However withstanding all this, the typical orthodox Indian attitude accompanied with several socio-economic-cultural factors pervading in the society has always upheld the need of male child and disfavored the birth of girl child in the family. This has immensely contributed to the rampant growth of female foeticide in the country, thus making India one of the worst nations in the world plagued with skewed sex ratio. The most prominent factors encouraging Female Foeticide in India are listed below: i) Religious factors: The Hindu religion lays great stress on the birth of a son. In a Hindu patriarchal society it is the son who continues the family lineage or ‘Vansh. According to Manu, a man cannot attain moksha unless he has a son to light his funeral pyre. Also, it says a woman who gives birth to only daughters may be left in the eleventh year of marriage.Such gender biased customs and practices in the traditional Hindu society has over-emphasized the birth of sons and discouraged the birth of girl child in the family, thus paving the way for Female Foeticide. ii) Evil of Dowry:Dowry is essentially one of the factors which has encouraged the practice of Female Foeticide to a great extent. Parents find it a better option to avoid the female fetuses itself than to pay exorbitant rates in the form of ‘dowry while marrying off their daughters. Hence in order to escape from dowry people desperately go for sex selection tests and eliminate the female foetus. To most of the couples, especially the middle-class ones, it appears that ‘paying Rs. 500 at present is better than to pay Rs.5,00,000 in future.Conversely, the boy is viewed an asset to fetch fabulous dowry for the parents. Hence boys are naturally preferred to girls. iii)Financial Dependence of Females on Husband or In laws: In India, the socio-economic background has also been the villain behind the tragic female foeticide. Certain communities want to get rid of female child compelled by the circumstances of dehumanizing poverty, unemployment, superstition and illiteracy. iv) Secondary status of women in society: It is generally expected that sons would carry the family lineage forward, provide security and care to parents especially in old age, enhance family wealth and property and perform the last rites and rituals. Whereas daughters would go to anothers house draining out all the family wealth. Moreover they always need to be protected, defended and taken care of , thus imposing an extra burden over the family. Such conservative attitude of the Indian society which essentially regards women a ‘burden is one of the most potent factors which has induced strong son preference and hence encouraged Female Foeticide. All this factors clearly point out that the ever existing gender biasness in our country favoring the male and the stereotype notion of women as ‘burden is the primary cause acting behind the shocking statistics of Female Foeticide in India. Genesisand Growth of Female Foeticide in India: The Chilling Reality The devil of Female Foeticide first crept into the Indian society through the corridors of the northern states which engaged in gross misuse of amniocentesis.Amniocentesis first started in India in 1974 as a part of a sample survey conducted at the All India Institute of Medial Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, to detect foetal abnormalities. These tests were later stopped by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), but their value had leaked out by then and 1979 saw the first sex determination clinic opening in Amritsar, Punjab. Even though women organizations across the country tried their best to put a stop to this new menace, but were helpless because of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 1971 which permitted the amniocentesis test as it claimed to be used for detection of foetal abnormalities,. According to the MTP Act, if any abnormality is detected between 12 to 18 weeks of gestational period in the foetus, an abortion can be legally carried out up to 20 weeks of pregna ncy. [5] Owing to this provision, amniocentesis could not be banned and its gross misuse continued. Although responding to the situation certain legal steps had been initiated by the government, however, the evil of Female Foeticide could not be curbed out but rather with the passage of time it has become all the more sdangerous. Today the issue of Female Foeticide in India is no longer only an issue of violation of womens rights only but rather it has become a chronic disease. It has become so widespread all over the country today that day by day we are actually inching closer to a nation without women. Weird it may sound, but the shocking statistics revealing the distorted sex ratio in our country compel us to accept this truth. According to the United Nations an estimated 2,000 unborn girls are illegally aborted every day in India. Another glaring example is the demographic profile of India which clearly indicates the profoundness and wide spread prevalence of female foeticide. India is a country of 102.7 crore population, out of which 53.1 crores is of males and 49.6 crores is of females, clearly indicating a deficit of 3.5 crore women. The sex ratio is 933 women /1000 men and child sex ratio is 927 girls for 1000 boys[6]. The intensity of this heinous crime in our country is revealed by the following figures: Sex Ratio(females per thousand males),India: 1901-2001 Year Sex-Ratio 1901 972 1911 964 1921 955 1931 950 1941 945 1951 946 1961 941 1971 930 1981 934 1991 929 2001 933 Thus as per these statistics reveal, the overall sex ratio in India is 933 females for every 1000 males, showing a marginal increase of 4 points from the 1991 census of 929. However, this is a very sorry state indeed and we are doing much worse than over a hundred years ago when the sex ratio was 972 in 1901, 946 in 1951 till the 933 today. The Trend of sex ratios in the age group of 0-6 years all over India Years Sex Ratio 1961 976 1971 964 1981 962 1991 945 2001 933 The above table clarifies that more and more baby girls have either been aborted or killed as infants since 1961 and that this trend continues strong even today. The intensity of sex ratio imbalance in the 0-6 age group in some states of India is indeed horrifying. In Punjab the sex ratio is (793 F: 1000 M), in Haryana it is (820 F: 1000 M), in Himachal Pradesh it is (897 F: 1000 M), in Gujarat it is (878 F: 1000 M). Recent government figures show that in South Delhi, the sex ratio is 762 females per 1000 males, while in Mumbais Borivalli its 728 females per 1000 males. In Jaipur itself, an average of 3500 instances of female foeticide is supposed to be carried per year. These figures undoubtedly point out that the country, is witnessing today the systematic extermination of the female child on a large scale. All most the whole of the country is under the grip of this menace. The following table estimates the intensity of Female Foeticide in the various states of India: States Showing High Foeticide Percentage State Female Foeticide ( percent to All India) Maharashtra 45.1 Madhya Pradesh 15.4 Haryana 14.3 Rajasthan 9.9 Andhra Pradesh 8.8 From the above table we find that ironically the developed and the richest states of India are the toppers in the list where female foeticide is extensive. According to UNICEF study done over 3 years (1994-1996), there are only five states in India where no case of foeticide or infanticide have been reported which are Sikkim, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Jammu Kashmir. An improvement in the child sex ratio whatsoever has only been marked in one state, Kerala, and two Union Territories, Lakshwadeep and Pondicherry. The reports published by various agencies also throw considerable light on this grim reality. The UN reports reveal that between 35 to 40 million girls missing from the Indian population. According to a study conducted recently in India, the first systematic study on female foeticide by an Indo-Canadian team, 10 million female foetuses have been aborted in India, What all the more shocking is according to its report every year, about 50,000 unborn girls-one in every 25-are aborted in India . The UNPFA report on â€Å"India Towards Population and Development Goals† published in 1997 also expressed its concern over the issue. It is estimated that 48 million women were ‘missing from Indias population. The report states â€Å"If the sex ratio of 1036 females per 1000 males observed in some states of Kerala in 1991 had prevailed in the whole country, the number of would be 455 million instead of the 407 million (in the 1991 census). Thus, there is a case of between 32 to 48 million missing females in the Indian society as of 1991 that needs to be explained.† It further stated that, â€Å"The 1991 census is only indicative of this disturbing trend when elsewhere in the world women outnumber men by 3 to 5 percent. There are 95 to 97 males to 100 females in Europe; the ratio is even less, 88 males to 100 females, in Russia, mainly due to causalities of World War 2†. According to the UNICEF report, 40 to 50 million girls have gone missing from Indian population since 1901 as a result of systematic gender discrimination in India. Thus in consideration of all these facts it is quite evident that Female Foeticide has taken a disastrous shape in India. It is the distressing reality of Shining India that the mass depletion of the fairer sex is being carried on boldly without any hesitation, without any fear. Laws in India to Check Female Foeticide : In India in order to stop the indiscriminate abortion of female fetuses several laws have been enacted. The essential provisions relating to the prevention of Female Foeticide are laid down in: Indian Penal Code 1860 The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act,1971 The Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994 a) Indian Penal Code 1860:Under the IPC adequate provisions have been made for the protection of mother and unborn child. Under Section 312, 313and 314, the IPC provides to save the women from miscarriage. Miscarriage means the expulsion of the child or foetus from the mothers womb at any period of pregnancy before the term of gestation is completed. Though the term â€Å"miscarriage† is not defined in the I.P.C in its popular sense, it is synonymous with abortion, and consists in the explosion of the embryo or foetus, i.e. the immature product of conception. The stage at which pregnancy has advanced and the form which the ovum or embryo may have assumed are immaterial.Any act intended, not in good faith to cause miscarriage is punishable under IPC. The punishment for this offence is further enhanced if the woman is ‘quick with child. The term ‘Quickening refers to the peculiar sensations experienced by a woman about the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy. The symp toms are popularly ascribed to the first perception of the movement of the foetus. According to Section 312 if any person causes a miscarriage of woman, he shall be punished with the imprisonment up to three years or fine or with both, and if the woman be quick with child, he shall be punished with imprisonment up to seven years and fine also. Under this section a woman who causes her miscarriage or gives consent to miscarry is also liable for punishment. Section 313 provides the punishment for life or ten years and fine, who causes the miscarriages of a woman without her consent. In the case of Tulsi Devi v. State of U.P, the accused women kicked a pregnant woman in her abdomen resulting in miscarriage. She was held to be convicted under Section 313. Section 314further provides that if the act directed to cause miscarriage results in death of the pregnant woman, the offender is punishable with imprisonment of ten years as well as with fine. However the IPC permits abortion for saving the life of the pregnant women. Section 312 allows the termination of pregnancy in good faith for saving the life of the pregnant woman. The term good faith, however, is not a constant term but it is varied from case to case. The General Clauses Act 1897 defines good faith as, â€Å"A thing shall be deemed to be done in good faith where it is, in fact done honestly.† IPC defines good faith as â€Å"Nothing is said to be done or believed in good faith which is done or believed without due care and attention†. In addition to these, Section 315 and 316 provides for protection against injuries to the unborn child. Section 315 lays down that any person doing an act without good faith with the intention of preventing a child to be born or to cause it die after birth is punishable with imprisonment of ten tears or fine or both. Section 316 provides if a person causes the death of a quick unborn child by an act amounting to culpable homicide he shall be punishable with imprisonment for ten years as well as be fined. Like the Indian law, protection to the unborn child has also been recognized and guaranteed in other countries too. Such as in the United States thirty-five states currently recognize the unborn child or fetus as a homicide victim. 25 of those states apply this principle throughout the period of pre-natal development while 10 establish protection at some later stage, which varies from state to state. For example, the Supreme Court of California treats the killing of a fetus as homicide, but does not treat the killing of an embryo (prior to approximately eight weeks) as homicide. The Unborn Victims of Violence Act enacted in 2004 recognizes the ‘child in utero as a member of the species homo sapiens, at any stage of development, who is carried in the womb. This ‘child in utero is recognized as a legal victim if he or she is injured or killed during the commission of any of 68 existing federal crimes of violence and offered legal remedy as per the state laws. However, the f ederal and state courts have consistently held that these laws do not apply to apply to legal induced abortions and do not contradict the U.S. Supreme Courts rulings on abortion.But unlawful abortion however may be considered foeticide, even if the pregnant woman consents to the abortion..Similarly the English law also gives protection to the unborn child. It recognizes ‘Child Destruction as a crime. ‘Child destruction refers to the crime of killing a child capable of being born alive, before it has a separate existence. The Crimes Act 1958 defined capable of being born alive as 28 weeks gestation, later reduced to 24 weeks. b)The Medical Termination Of Pregnancy Act, 1971: The MTP Act is another attempt to prevent high rate of female foeticide in India. This Act aims in preventing large number of unsafe abortions. The Act clearly states that an abortion can be termed legal only when- Termination is done by a medical practitioner approved by the Act Termination is done at a place approved under the Act Termination is done for conditions and within the gestation prescribed by the Act Other requirements of the rules regulations are complied with. It permits termination of pregnancy only when Continuation of pregnancy constitutes risk to the life or grave injury to the physical or mental health of woman or there is a substantial risk of physical or mental abnormalities in the fetus as to render it seriously handicapped or if pregnancy caused by rape (presumed grave injury to mental health) or due to contraceptive failure in married couple (presumed grave injury to mental health).However termination of pregnancy is possible Upto 20 weeks of gestation period only With the consent of the woman. If the woman is below 18 years or is mentally ill, then with consent of a guardian With the opinion of a registered medical practitioner, formed in good faith, under certain circumstances With the opinion of two RMPs required for termination of pregnancy between 12 and 20 weeks. Also such abortion is to be conducted either at a hospital established or maintained by Government or at a place approved for the purpose of this Act by a District-level Committee constituted by the government with the CMHO as Chairperson. Thus this Act on one hand positively aims to improve the maternal health scenario by upholding the validity of legally induced abortions and negatively, on the other hand, seeks to reduce illegal abortions. Also it is to be noted that such strict principles laid down by the Act for the regulation of abortion is a bold attempt by the Indian Legislature to check Female Foeticide. The Act seeks to put an end to the menace of illegal abortions carried out primarily for the elimination of female fetuses. c) The Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulations and Prevention of Misuse) Act 1994:The PNDT Act is the outcome of the realization of the Parliament that a central piece of legislation had become mandatory for stopping the abuse of pre natal diagnostic techniques. When it was quite evident from the mushroom growth of clinics all over that the pre-natal diagnostic techniques were not restricted for the purpose of detection of genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities or congenital abnormalities or sex-linked diseases only but was actually leading to female foeticide, for the first time in India, in 1986, a social action group in Mumbai namely the Forum Against Sex Determination and Sex Pre-selection (FASDSP), initiated a campaign. On its pressure the Maharashtra government enacted the Maharashtra Regulation of Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act 1988, which was the first anti sex determination drive in the country. This was followed by a similar Act being introduced in Punjab in May 1994. However both these Acts were repealed by the enactment of a central legislation, i.e. the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act 1994, which came into effect from 01.01.1996, banning sex determination tests all over the country. This Act was renamed in 2002 as the Pre- Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 (PCPNDT Act) which came to effect from 14.02.2003. The PCPNDT Act chiefly provides for : Prohibition of sex selection, before and after conception. Regulation of prenatal diagnostic techniques (e.g. aminocentesis and ultrasonography) for detection of genetic abnormalities, by restricting their use to registered institutions. The Act allows the use of these techniques only at a registered institutions .The Act allows the use of these techniques only at a registered place for a specified purpose and by a qualified person, registered for this purpose. Prevention of misuse of such techniques for sex selection before or after conception. Prohibition of advertisement of any technique for sex selection as well as sex determination. Prohibition on sale of ultrasound machines to persons not registered under this Act. Punishment for violations of the Act. This Act requires that all diagnostic centres must be registered with the authorities. They are required to maintain detailed records of all pregnant women undergoing scans there. These records must include the referring doctor, medical and other details of the woman, reason for doing the scan, and signatures of the doctors. These records must be submitted to the authorities periodically. For implementing the Act, â€Å"appropriate authorities† are appointed at the state level and work with the director of health services, a member of a womens organization and an officer of the law. At the district level, the appropriate authority is the medical officer or civil surgeon. Advisory committees consisting of doctors, social workers and people with legal training assist appropriate authorities. Supervisory boards at the state and central levels look at the implementation of the Act. The appropriate authority may cancel the diagnostic centres registration, make independent investiga tions, take complaints to court, and take appropriate legal action. It may demand documentation, search premises, and seal and seize material. Courts may respond only to complaints from the appropriate authority. Under the Act the following people can be charged-everyone running the diagnostic unit for sex selection, mediators who refer pregnant women to the test, and relatives of the pregnant woman. The pregnant woman is considered innocent under the Act, â€Å"unless proved guilty†. So far as penalties under the Act are concerned, it consists of imprisonment for up to three years and a fine of up to Rs. 10,000. This is increased to five years and Rs. 100,000 for subsequent offences. Doctors charged with the offence will be reported to the State Medical Council, which can take the further necessary action including suspension. These are the three chief legislative measures initiated in India for combating the evil of Female Foeticide. Judicial Response to Female Foeticide in India: The Indian Judiciary has from time to time come up with ingenious ways to provide protection to the fairer sex and this essentially includes the group of unborn girls too. The Supreme Court in the case of â€Å"Centre for Enquiry into Health and Allied Themes (CEHAT) and others v.Union of India† which was filed under section 32 of the Constitution of India under PIL issued directions to Central Supervisory Board, all State Governments and Union Territories for proper and effective implementation of the PCPNDT Act which mandates that sex selection by any person, by any means, before or after conception, is prohibited. Since 2001, the judiciary has been closely monitoring the implementation of its various orders passed regarding the ban on the use of ultrasound scanners for conducting such tests. Subsequently, it had sought status reports from all states and Union Territories. The Supreme Court also directed 9 companies to supply the information of the machines sold to various clinics in the last 5 years.. Addresses received from the manufacturers were also sent to concerned states and to launch prosecution against those bodies using ultrasound machines that had filed to get themselves registered under the Act. The court directed that the ultrasound machines/scanners be sealed and seized if they were being used without registration. The Supreme Court also asked three associations viz., The Indian Medical Association [IMA], Indian Radiologist Association [IRA], and the Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Societies of India [FOGSI] to furnish details of members using these machines. It is to be noted that since the Supreme Court had issued such directives, 99 cases were registered and in 232 cases ultrasound machines, other equipment and records were seized Today there is an estimated 25000 ultrasound machines in the country, of these 15000 have been registered, owing to the efforts of the Judiciary. The Supreme Court in the case of Mr. Vijay Sha rma and Mrs. Kirti Sharma vs. Union of India the Supreme Court has recently quoted that â€Å" foeticide of girl child is a sin; such tendency offends dignity of women. It undermines their importance. It violates womans right to life. It violatesArticle39(e) of theConstitutionwhich states the principle of state policy that the health and strength of women is not to be abused. It ignores Article51A (e) of theConstitutionwhich states that it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women. The architects of the MTPA, 1971, have not taken into consideration the fundamental rights of the foetus to be born. It is submitted that ‘life exists in the foetus while in the womb of the mother and in this context Article 21 of the constitution of India is applicable to unborn person as well.† Current Scenario of the extent of Female Foeticide in India subsequent to the Legislative initiatives and Judicial attempts: It is quite unfortunate that in India despite enactment of effective laws there has been a little change in the psychology and behavior in the people who still have a damn care attitude in causing the death of that most vulnerable being in India the female foetus. The PCPNDT Act has not been successful to curb out this menace completely but has somewhere or the other contributed to the mushroom growth of private clinics all over the country where people desperately visit for conducting sex selective abortions. Another shameful picture which has come out is that of the doctor community, more often labeled as Gods in our country, are seen to commit a blatant violation of law as well as medical ethics. The zeal with which Female F

To Dance with the White Dog :: White Dog Essays

To Dance with the White Dog    One Work Cited  Ã‚  Ã‚   Terry Kay writes a stirring novel called To Dance with the White Dog.   In the beginning of the novel, the main character, Sam Peek, loses his wife, Cora Peek, to a heart attack.   Soon after, Sam begins to see a mysterious white dog that hides from everyone, including his children. Kay never reveals if White Dog is in fact real or simply a figment of Sam Peek's imagination, but several plot elements lead a reader to believe that White Dog is in fact a real animal[b1].      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Kay's use of flashback through journal entries, memories, and near climax moments allows the reader to understand Sam Peek's life story, the loneliness Peek experiences after his wife's death and question the reality of white dog. White Dog, who Sam refers to as a girl, seems to fill the void left by Sam's wife.   Sam tries to show White Dog to his children and they are unable to see her. A game ensues between Sam and his daughters concerning White Dog, which further leads to the question of White Dog's existence[b2].        Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A key clue, that leads a reader to assume that white dog is real, comes in the form of a journal entry in which Sam remembers, "Cora and I had a dog that looked just like White Dog when we lived in Tampa, right after we were married. She also tired to hide from everybody but us (30[b3])."   In this case, the dog is real and would only hide from other people, just like White Dog tends to do with other people beyond Sam[b4].   Frosty's similarity to White Dog also implies White Dog's infallible realism.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another key instance, that solidifies White Dog's reality, occurs when the story creates a near climax with Sam's fall due to the infection in his hip.   When Sam's children bring him home, they finally see White Dog for the first time. "My God. Look at that. I told you, Kate said softly. I told you." (90)." Because someone other than Sam can see White Dog, therefore White Dog is real[b5].      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Therefore through the use of journal entries, near climactic events, and the post traumatic experiences of Sam's family,

Creating a Robot to Make Toast with Lego Mindstorm :: Robotics

Toast-O-Bot Abstract: A robot that uses a toaster to make toast, butters it with spray butter and makes a CD player play the song "Yeah Toast" would be both useful and entertaining. Using the Lego Mindstorms and MAC NQC to program them such a robot could be possible. Using the suggested design and programs for the Roboarm in the Definitive Guide to Lego Mindstorms as a starting point I built the robot and modified it for the toaster. During testing of the motors, it was discovered that Toast-O-Bot is not strong enough to press the button on the toaster. Even after toaster modification it was still unable to press the button. The Toast-O-Bot only moves the bread from location to location, so a user is required to press the button on the toaster. Background/Purpose: People with disabilities use many devices today to ease their lives and help with every day tasks. This may include simplified processes, service animals or small machines or robots that perform small tasks for any user; young, old, disabled, or able bodied. There are devices to change TV channels, open doors, turn lights on and off, and now a robot to make toast for them. Ever since the discovery of toast man has looked for a way to make toasting easier, beginning with the primitive toaster, and progressing to the modern pop toaster. The primitive toaster was made of iron and placed in hot coals. In 1909, G.E. introduced and patented the electric toaster. The pop toaster, introduced in 1919, has been modified by many people to develop the modern pop toaster. Toaster ovens, though not as common, are also used to make toast. The hope is to further ease the work that goes into the making of toast by creating a robot that can use a toaster to make toast. The robot will have a claw arm to pick up the bread and place it in the toaster. It will also have an arm to press the button on the toaster and on the spray butter. There will be a touch sensor at the bottom of the button track and when it equals zero the robot will remove the toast to butter it. After buttering the toast, it will then place it on a plate for the user to enjoy. It may also press play on something to play the 'Yeah Toast' song from the Bob and Tom Show. Materials: à ½ LEGO pieces need for the Roboarm from page 313 in the Definitive Guide to Lego Mindstorms à ½ Various decorative things à ½ A way to raise the base to the height of the toaster