Pressure Groups Essay

Pressure groups play an important role in indian politics Pressure groups provide the link between the people and the government. A pressure group is an organised body of individuals who share some goals and who try to influence public policy. Pressure groups are a vital part of a healthy democracy. Indeed the sustained and rapid expansion of pressure group activity and involvement in the political process is often heralded as a sign of growing political involvement among many thousands of people. Pressure groups Promote discussion and debate and mobilise public opinion on key issues ,they perform a role in educating citizens about specific issues , they can enhance democratic participation, pluralism and diversity, they raise and articulate issues that political parties perhaps won’t touch because of their sensitivity e. g. The 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement were a series of demonstrations and protests across India which intended to establish strong legislation and enforcement against endemic political corruption. ake the example of the recent gang rape case. The people of delhi, and then the entire country joined to form a pressure group and forced the govt. to make fast track courts so that the culprits could be punished as soon as possible. There is intense pressure on the government to make harsher laws for rape . pressure groups provide an important access point for those seeking redress of grievance They represent minorities who cannot represent themselves Groups can be an important and valuable source of specialist information for an overloaded legislature and civil service Many groups play an important role in implementing changes to public policy Pressure groups encourage a decentralisation of power within the political system. They act as a check and balance to the power of executive government. Several laws have been made , several ministers and beaureacrats who were corrupt, were asked to go because of the pressure groups. Several states have been made because of pressure groups. Prices of public utilities like electricity , water have been reduced because of pressure groups. Farmers have got the right price for their commodities because of pressure groups. So we can see that pressure groups are a must for democracy, and they strengthen democracy and not weaken it.

Logic Cannot Prove the Existence of God Essay

For Anselm, using logic that can be deducted about God, it is clear to see that God’s existence is necessary. In the second ontological argument from Anselm, God is the greatest being possible; it is greater to exist by necessity than by contingence, it is therefore, impossible for God to not exist. In this argument, God’s existence is an analytic statement, it is impossible to prove that God exists and although Anselm believes that it does not need to be proven, there is no way of knowing that it is analytic. For example take triangles, every triangle that anyone can ever think of will have 3 sides that all add up to 180 degrees, that is simply a part of what a triangle is. Humans can however, prove this by drawing every possible triangle and testing them to see, with God’s existence that is not possible. For humans to consider his existence as an analytic statement, they would have to go faith and logic alone. In a way God’s existence could be a synthetic statement, which would mean that it would need to proven before the statement was true or not, the reason for this is because whether God exists or not does not prove his existence in reality as Anselm suggests in his argument. Kant would agree with this as he reviews Anselm’s ontological argument by saying that God’s existence is not a predicate, existence may be a part of the concept of God, but it does not proof that God exists. Descarte would also agree with the statement, as in his ontological argument he sets out that God is a perfect being, a part of being perfect is existing, and therefore God must exist. Descarte also uses the idea of the triangle in his argument, he writes that even if we think of triangles having four sides, the truth will not change; the triangle will remain to have 3 sides. For Descarte the triangle is God, he believes that God is immutable and will not change even if humans think he does not exist. Descarte would argue that logic can be used to prove the existence of God, he believes that God has instilled in humans an idea of God, which is that he is perfect, in this Descarte agrees with Anselm he then however, writes that we cannot talk of God unless he exists as a part of being God is existing. His argument, for Descarte, demonstrates God’s existence this argument is a priori and uses pure logic, and so for him God’s existence is an analytic statement.

Critique of a Political Speech of Barack Obama Essay

Critique of a Political Speech of Barack Obama - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that the election of Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States stands as a greatly significant and meaningful moment for contemporary America.   His inaugural speech given on January 21st 2009 reads as a missive to all Americans and contains within it the classically American mà ©lange of Christian-style preaching and the Enlightenment era ideas so important to the country’s heritage: life, liberty, and equality. With respect to the course, the researcher believes that Obama’s speech touches upon, among other things, key elements of Americana which appertain to its heritage, its self-imagery, and its Universalist claims of equality and liberty for all.   In doing so, Obama employs pathos, ethos, and logos interchangeably so as to endow his words with the power that they have. It is debatable which of the three forms of rhetorical appeal are most effective to begin a speech.   Each, depending on circumstance, c an serve to capture the attention of the audience.   Obama opts for a blend of pathos and ethos.   He opens with â€Å"My fellow citizens:   I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you've bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. The pathos of self-imposed modesty and ‘trust’ easily transitions to the ethos of ‘ancestors.’ ‘Ancestors’ begins an appeal to the ethos of the American Republic and its ideals. He manages the transition well as he then refers to an America which †¦has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we, the people, have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears and true to our founding documents. / So it has been; so it must be with this generation of Americans. (Obama 2009) This blending of pathos and ethos is quite effective. Without yet having to employ the limited tool of logos, Obama is able to allude to an historical nation and the sentiments of its people. Logic and consistency might demand that one point out that in fact America has not always held true to its ‘founding documents,’ the existence of slavery for many years, the mistreatment of the Native American, and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War Two being but some notable examples to the contrary. But this is rhetoric, not reality. The brief sojourn into ethos is then temporarily abandoned for a return to pathos. What other recent event, scored into the memory of every American, has the ability to evoke an emotional response without fail: September 11, 2001 of course. The other sources of emotional upheaval at the moment (in 2009 and now) is the ongoing global economic crisis and to a lesser extent, environmental degradation and healthcare. Obama makes use of all three. Our nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some†¦.Our health care is too costly, our schools fail too many -- and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet. (Obama 2009) It is interesting that a man who is facing a crisis as serious as that faced by FDR generations prior, appeals to the sense of unease and fear that many hold. Apparently, we have more to fear ‘than fear itself.’ International terrorism, failing economy, and an inefficient healthcare system are things to worry about. This is pure and unbridled pathos. But in the end, Obama’s talent for speaking remains unblemished as he, after making appeals to fear-based concerns, reassures his audience, in true Rooseveltian fashion, that â€Å"we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord†

The Five Aspects of Fitness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Five Aspects of Fitness - Essay Example The world is very conscious of itself. People want to be looking good, feeling good, doing good and being overall happy. Happiness is the basis of everything. Whatever one does, whether it is earning a million bucks or working for a charity, it is only to satisfy one's inner yearning for happiness. Being happy is a relative term, and poses a different implication for everyone. Physical fitness is the first and foremost aspect of fitness occupying the lives of the world-conscious people today. Everyone wants to attain a lean and toned body, much like that of the model in the nearest fashion magazine available. Various organizations cash in on this very desperation engulfing the people. Many proclaim medications guaranteed to make one lose weight instantly, while others propogate various techniques involving absurd methods to attain weight loss. Some might even benefit from these, but mostly these means are mare gimmicks. The tried and trusted age-old approach remains exercise and regulation of one's diet. No pain, no gain! And there is absolutely nothing like instant weight loss. As the body adapts to more exercise and low fat diet, it takes up nutrition from the already present fat reserve in the body, thereby depleting that source and attaining loss of weight and inches. However, this only happens over a period of few months.

Witchcraft in America Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Witchcraft in America - Research Paper Example The nature of witchcraft in America demonstrates very insignificant relationship with those of other countries if any and is consigned to perform more or less the same needs as those of other areas. This paper then discusses the various forms of witchcraft in America after the realization that they were caste to play different roles by different peoples. The origins of the forms are also discussed to give in depth analysis of the witchcraft trajectory path. This paper provides useful information for understanding how various communities in the world believe in the power of the unseen forces for values. Introduction In old days and the contemporary society, witchcrafts are not a new term. Witchcraft started long time and the writings about witchcrafts can be traced during Paleolithic period and in the bible and other religious writings like Koran. The fact the there are writings about witch crafty in the basic religious teachings and that they are highly condemned, it makes even the m ost doubtful believers about the power of witchcrafts to think about their position for the second time. Taking about witchcrafts bring into focus the issue of the sorcerers. To distinguish the two has been a problem to many people, and in very many circumstances, the two are interchangeably used. It is though not accurate to consider the two as the same thing. Witchcraft can be said to be an involuntary innate personality in a person that is associated with unique physical happenings. It should be noted the witchcrafts do not need spells, tools and any sort of ceremony to perform his /her business but use pure psychic (Mirecki, and Marvin, 133). On the other side, sorcerers can be defined as the use of spells, ceremonies, and accessories that are performed by a proficient person who understand the process of using them. One needs not to have the innate ability to perform sorcery though it is a physical process that can be witnessed. From the two definitions, the distinction between sorcery and witch crafty can be drawn; it is though important to note that the two uses spirits to achieve their aims. The extent of witch crafty has been found to take place all over the world from Africa to Asia and to America. Christians believe in the power of the witchcraft and that explains why in the early times, the Catholic Church is in record to have engaged in the killing of those who are suspected to be practicing witch crafty in the society (Mirecki, and Marvin, 98). The same applies to other religions such as the Islamic who in their Koran writings also recognizes and condemn the power of witchcrafts. A strong debate has always erupted as to whether the power of witchcrafts can harm or not, this is because from most witchcrafts, the assertion is that they do not harm while the conventional belief about it is that it is purely used to harm. The concrete response to this can be left to the individual experience or knowledge about witchcrafts. The persecution of the witc hcraft during the middle age period resulted into the witchcrafts taking low profile and issues related to witchcraft were done under ground. This explains why there are no writings and books to aid in referencing the account of witchcraft during the ancient times. Even though there are no records of witchcraft, there were found painting and sketchy writing by the archeologist, this painting and writings are believed to have been occasioned by the then witchcrafts. As a matter of public knowledge, witchcrafts have been billed to be possessing supernatural powers and that they can perform rituals that go against the laws of

Candleford Conservatories Ltd Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Candleford Conservatories Ltd - Assignment Example A rise in foreclosures will hurt businesses in that those who can be potential customers will not be in that they are now not concerned about doing business with companies to obtain the things they want, they now have to be careful with their spending, purchasing only what they need and not what they want. Sometimes, they may not even be able to purchase the things that they need. Almost everyone in some way shape or form will feel the effects of the damage that an eight percent unemployment rate to have on the national economy. If there are problems in the UK, as far as the economy is concerned, there will also be problems with UK international trade in that there will be less goods to export, being that the workforce who will contribute to producing such goods will have dropped due to lack of employment that has resulted from the fall in the economy. Not to mention, inflation will also affect the international trading in that other countries will have to pay more for goods, which in the long run will hurt profits. This will hurt the economy considerably in that the UK will not be able to make money from outside sources as easily as before. The significant unemployment rate will cause there to be a lack of demand for conservatories, which will cause the customer base for Candleford LTD to be significantly less. Unemployment means that there will be a number of foreclosures. The more foreclosures there are, the less that will have homes, and if people cannot hold onto their homes, then conservatories cannot be installed and purchased. When the demand for conservatories drops, this effects everyone at Candleford Conservatories LTD, as the lack of demand can effect whether or not some will continue to have jobs, since the profits that the company brings in supplies workers with their salaries. 12) Illustrating your answer with examples related to the case study; explain the difference between strategic and tactical business decisions. (6) The differences between strategic and tactical business decisions are that strategic business decisions would use the company's history to make future business decisions, carefully strategizing what moves will be made next, as it pertains to the success of the business, and tactical business decisions are methods that the company will be able to employ in order to be successful, such as what tactics that will utilize to target their client base and improve their operations. An example of a strategic business decision is when Paul analyzed the company's history before he made any decisions about the company's operation. For instance, he paid attention to what his father did. He took not of what worked and what did not and carefully considered all factors before taking a first step. A tactical business decision was made when Candleford had to figure out how they would function in a down turning economy where not only did the industries that they so heavily depended upon were drasticall y effected, they had to be creative in getting customers to purchase conservatories. 13) Giving reasons to support your opinion, explain: a) Which industries or sectors of the economy are likely to suffer less

Personal statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Personal Statement Example It is my belief that working hard and aiming higher is the key to successful. Other short courses include HP Certificate in Photography obtained in the year 2007. I have successfully completed a non- academic course in Germany language and academic courses in French. I complicated a two-week Translation Course in Media under the Saudi Gazette (George Mason University, 2012). The following is my educational background. Between 2008 and 2009, I studied MA Psycholinguistics and Neurolinguistics in Essex University, Colchester in the United Kingdom. I achieved my diploma in Italian Language in The Italian Consulate Jeddah in Saudi Arabia between 2005 and 2007. Finally, I attained my BA in English Literature and Linguistics in the University of King Abdulaziz, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia in the period between 2002 and 2007. I have learned computer and gained knowledge in various computer packages including SPSS, PowerPoint, Internet, MS Word, MS Excel as well as English and Arabic typing skill s. Based on the knowledge and skills that I have acquired I am in a position to handle complicated issues which require application of such skills (George Mason University, 2012). I have work experience from different institutions. In the period between July 2005 and August 2005, I worked as English tutor in the Saudi Cultural Centre, Jeddah where I taught English from level one to five. Apart from teaching, I was in charge of different activities like using computer labs for the purposes of learning computer. I also taught English in the same college between July and August 2006 still holding the same responsibilities. Between august and September 2006, I worked in the Advanced System Company, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. My role was to translate the contracts of the company from English to Arabic language. Lastly, I worked for AlHayet Newspapers, Jeddah at the customer service. My role was to receive and call back the newspaper customers in addition to filling questions and settling an y disputes which may arise (George Mason University, 2012). Apart from working for to earn something, I have gained experience through voluntary work. I worked as a librarian in the special Library for Linguistics in the University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom. This took place between the months of February and June 2008. My duties involved helping students and teachers open accounts, recording down books which have been borrowed, helping borrowers in making the choice of books which would be of great help to them, putting the books in order and finally making follow-ups of books which have not been returned. I worked for The Child Legal Center, University of Essex as a translator of English into Arabic language between the months of February and May 2008.My duty was to translate legal articles from English to Arabic language so that they can be traced for on-line use (George Mason University, 2010). My hobbies include watching all kinds of movies. I am especially more inter ested in watching comedies, drama, documentaries and novel-based movies. I am also interested in understanding the history of Russia, America, Britain, Greece and Roman. In order to achieve the goals I and some other colleagues have formed groups to discuss books which document the history of those countries. From 2008, we have been meeting once in a month for that purpose. The group is mainly formed by academic

Drones for Domestic video surveillance Research Paper

Drones for Domestic video surveillance - Research Paper Example The demand for unarmed drones in the United States has increased over the years. Many people are enthusiastic about the operations of drones and their ability to collect data in a discreet manner. The demand for drone has led to the emergence of many drone-manufacturing industries. In America, drones are popular, and any persons can own one due to their cheap price. In fact, an average drone costs very much less than manned aircraft (Bennet 2). The government, through the FAA, has stepped in to regulate drone usage in the country. In this regard, drone usage is safe and should be embraced by Americans. There are mixed reactions regarding the use of drones America. People supporting drone usage argue that unarmed drones are harmless and do not threaten the security of the country. One of the benefits of drones on the homeland is that they are instrumental in crime investigation (Slag 12). Often, police face complex situations that may require a birds-eye view. The drones are discreet in their operations and hence can be useful for security apparatus. For example, the police can use drones in assessing the situation in a protest and identify the criminal activities and the perpetrators. In this regard, drones are essential in maintenance of law and order. A typical surveillance role of drones that assist in enforcement of law and order is the monitoring of movements across the border. Drones are useful in search and rescue operations in disaster hit areas. The country has experienced dire situations in the form of hurricanes, typhoons, and wildfires. Drone technology is useful in surveillance of areas that are beyond the reach of humans. The drones take pictures and videos and relays them to the relevant authorities. As such, the authorities can take action to rescue people under duress in case of disasters and also assess the level of damage. Opponents of drone usage in

Criminal law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Criminal law - Essay Example When Roxy arrived home her neighbour, Trisha invited her in for a cup of tea. While she was there, she noticed Trisha’s new Rolex watch and asked Trisha if she could borrow it to wear to an appointment she had later on that day as she wanted to impress the person she was meeting. Trisha refused as she was worried that Roxy might lose it. When Trisha was not looking, Roxy took the watch intending to return it that evening after her appointment. Her appointment ended earlier than she expected, however, an on her way home she noticed that the pawnshop was still open. As she was short of money, she decided to pawn the watch and redeem it the following day when she received her wages. She would return it to Trisha when she had redeemed it. Consider the criminal liability, if any, of Roxy. Basic Structure Examination of the actus reus of theft, then mens rea, then conclude. Introduction: s1. Then, analyse the Actus Reus in s3(1), s4(1), s5(1). s3(1), s4(1), s5(1) need analyse too. . .. The actus reus for theft is where a person appropriates property belonging to another. The mens rea element of the offence is committed when it can be shown that the property was obtained dishonestly with the intention of permanently depriving the owner any rights over the property. This is listed in s1 TA 1968. There is no requirement that the intention of the person stealing the item is doing so with the intention of making a gain from taking the item1. The court will not consider the appropriation to be dishonest if the person taking the item can show that they believed that had the right to take the item2. This would also be the case if the person taking the item believed that the owner of the property would give their consent to take the item3. Appropriation has been defined under s3(1) of the 1968 Act, which makes it clear that if the person taking the item assumes the rights of an owner over the property this will amount to appropriation4. Under s4(1) property has been defined as ‘money and all other property, real or personal, including things in action and other intangible property’. Land can only be stolen in certain circumstances, but there is no need to discuss this in the case of Roxy. Possession of property is defined as ‘belonging to any person having possession or control of it, or having any proprietary right or interest5’ in the property. Even if the person taking the item does not intend to permanently deprive the owner ownership of the property, such intention can be inferred if the person taking the item treats the item as their own to dispose of regardless of the other’s rights6. Having considered how the Theft Act defines theft it is now possible to consider the actions of Roxy in each of the above situations and determine ant

World History - Julius Caesar Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

World History - Julius Caesar - Essay Example Great as a general, great as a politician, great as a far seeing statesman, great as an orator, great as an historian and a man of letters---Julius Caesar does indeed, as Shakespeare makes Cassius so grudgingly avow, ‘bestride the narrow world like a colossus.† (Canning, 2005) Born in July 102 B.C., Gaius Julius Caesar belonged to a highly prominent Julian family lineage, which sought its roots in the royal, aristocratic and divine ancestry. But even then he had natural tendencies towards democratic state of government since his early youth. His family set up and relations also paved the way towards his attachment with the democratic Popular Party, where his aunt had got married to the party leader Marius. Julius also married Cinna’s daughter, another popular leader of the same party, which created lots of problems for the young Julius, because the political rival of both Marius and Cinna i.e. Sulla had obtained the reigns of the government, who forced Julius divorce his wife, but he managed to escape rather deserting his wife and leaving her in the lurch. The Roman government of Caesarian era had been under the unabated influence of the Roman gods and goddesses; it is why the public used to expect the same performances and heroic deeds from their military personnel and the young individuals. Hence, the Rome of Julius Caesar had been clouded with military expeditions and adventures, and a successful military commander was adored by the people of his times. It is therefore as a shrewd and intelligent young man, Julius rightly viewed that performing something extraordinary during his military career might win popularity and recognition for him. By 81 B.C. he joined the Roman army during its campaign against the King of Pontus named Mithridates. It was perhaps the heavenly-blessed opportunity for Julius to display his gallant deeds, at the moment when he saved one of his comrades at the

Lavinia froze silently in awe Essay Example for Free

Lavinia froze silently in awe Essay She put her hand out to the light switch and stopped. What? she asked. What? What? Behind her, in the black living room, someone cleared his throat. Hello? she asked anxiously. Still, no answer. She stared apprehensively around the pitch dark room, curiously, as to what the source of this mysterious sound was. It suddenly became all too familiar with her. Oh my God, she thought, the Lonely One? As she examined the kitchen with her eyes, wide as the ravine which lay outside her house, she began to think irrational thoughts. Thoughts which could only lead her to worse ones. She stood still as her eyes continued to scan the room, not moving a single inch from where she was. There was a piercing silence which filled the air. You could hear a pin drop. Officer Kennedy? she tried to reassure herself that someone she could trust was in her house. She began to tremble as she reluctantly took her first few steps towards the centre darkness of the kitchen, like a baby learning how to walk. She could smell the soup shed made earlier on that day. How she longed to go back just a few hours. She continuously looked around hoping she would find nothing. Just as her uneasiness began to settle, a distant figure appeared through the dark, walking eagerly, but gradually towards Lavinia. Lavinia froze silently in awe. As this body continued moving closer, it became obvious that they were limping on one foot, as to say they had caught on something. Lavinia could smell the putrid waft of the ravine almost suffocating her. Still she stood still, with her hairs on the back of her neck standing up as if wanting to escape from her body. Goose pimples began to appear all over her temporarily immobile body. She opened her mouth as to speak, frightened at the same time. What, what, who are you? she babbled, her words only just managing to escape from her cold-blue lips. The person stopped and looked up, to what seemed the darkest room in the world. Why dont you turn the light on Lavinia he said, with a raspy voice. Lavinia couldnt believe her eyes. You! she shouted furious as a bull seeing red. Yes Lavinia, me, he said slowly uttering the words. What are you doing here?! How did you get in?! Lavinia shouted, stunned. I followed you he said staring Lavinia up and down with his eyes red as flames. I watched you walk through the ravine. Why?! I dont understand. Just leave. Get out! Lavinia shouted, as her annoyance and shock replaced her fear. No Lavinia. I came here to see you. Im not leaving. He stepped closer with a mild grin, looking at Lavinia deeply into her eyes. His hand crept up slowly, approaching Lavinias hip. He places his hand there, clutching it. Im not leaving. Lavinia jumped, and pushed his rough hands of her hips, disgusted and extremely annoyed. I said get out! Dont you dare touch me! I mean it! Get out otherwise Ill scream Lavinia said furious. No I told you already beautiful! Im not going anywhere. Im staying here with you. You can scream all you want, he said calmly and slowly, still carrying the same smile. This time, he lifted his hand and latched onto Lavinias hair, and began stroking it, twirling the ends with his rough as sand paper hands. Lavinia became full with fury and pushed his hand away, gathering all of the saliva she could in her mouth in an instant of a second and spat in his face. His concentrated smile turned into a furious face. He pulled his right hand towards him as he wiped his face with the end of his left black and grey stripy gauze shirt sleeve. He looked up at Lavinia who looked scared as hell, looking like she wanted to run away. He gathered all of the strength a man could and released the most powerful blow to her pretty face with the back of his rusted hand. Lavinia immediately fell to the ground slamming her side on the kitchen floor tiles. She began to bleed from her ear, as her silky black hair became covered in it, drowning in the wine-coloured substance. Her eyes were half open, half closed and she began mumbling words like a drunk man talking. who, w huh where? I where? He stood in front of her looking at her bleeding to death, grinning uncontrollably. Lavinia? Can you hear me my darling? Silence. Oh well. You shouldnt have done that should you? Lavinia lay on the cold floor as she looked at him, continuing to bleed. She could just about manage to put up an angry face as she screwed her eyebrows inwards. The whole floor by now was covered in her blood. Her eyes however continued to flicker life. She carried on mumbling her words. You y, I, I cant. Why. He kneeled down on the floor as he bent over to kiss her bloody cheek. Lavinia couldnt react as she lay frozen on the floor. He got up and walked towards the main door leading out to the ravine. Lavinia.

Facts Regarding The Moon And The Illusion Psychology Essay

Facts Regarding The Moon And The Illusion Psychology Essay 1. Introduction The moon rises in the east and settles in the west, following a trajectory route very similar to that of figure 2a. However, during this trajectory the appearance of the moon observed larger on the horizon compared to when it is in its elevated position in the sky is known as the moon illusion for e.g. ( Kaufman et al 1962, 2000, 2006 Reed Kuprinski 2009, Coren Aks 1990, Weizman Cohen 2003, Toskovich 2009, Nanavati 2009), see figure 1ab. This illusion is not only denoted to the moon, it can also be observed by other celestial constellations such as the sun and the stars (Ross and Plug, pg 1-2 2002) (Wade pg 377 2000). It has been found in some cases that the size of the horizon moon appeared almost 1-2 times the diameter of the elevated moon Kaufman and Rock (1962) Ross and Plug (1994). This experience persists even when one is familiar it is an illusion Weizman and Cohen (2003) and has been observed for many centuries, with Aristotle (384-322BC) making the first clear scientific account Ross and Plug, pg 1-2 (2002) Wade pg 377 (2000). However there have been many suggested theories from physics to physiology and now finally psychology as to why this illusion is experienced Wade pg377 (2000), but none has been accepted as the correct answer. The main conflicting issues involve contradictions as to whether it is a linear or angular illusion, thus a model which accounts for both linear and angular illusions providing a common unified explanation is required. Elevated Moon/ Zenith moon Horizon Moon 1a 1b Figure 1a http://facstaff.uww.edu/mccreadd/ and 1b http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/3d/loony.htm (Ken Amis) what the actual illusion looks like in its two comparative positions and an illustration of what the names horizon and elevated moons infer to within this text. 2. Facts regarding the moon and the illusion This is regarded as an illusion because the increase in perception of size occurs even though the visual angle (V) subtended on the eye remains the same regardless of the trajectory position of the moon, i.e. whether the moon is on the horizon or in its elevated position-see figure 2 (For e.g. C.Reed and E. Kuprinski 2009, Kaufman et al 2000). Physically if the angular size changes then a subsequent change of the retinal image size would occur, but it remains constant and hence is regarded as a perceptual phenomenon. The value of this angle has long been accepted as a fairly constant value of 0.52 degrees regardless of elevation For e.g. (Bears, Conners and Paradiso, pg 288,3rd edition, 2006, R Casati, 2003, Ross and Plug, pg 11-14, 2002, Mccready section 1 website). Furthermore evidence can be found in photographs, where many photographers have experienced the illusion, however after photographs become developed the moon image appears small Nanavati (2009). For e.g. Ross and Plug pg 60 (2002) took multiple photos of the sun during different periods of the day and found the size of the sun to be exactly the same during each interval at the different trajectories, similar to figure 2b. Since the camera can only illustrate the linear dimensions of an object this would further enforce the suggestion the illusion is in fact a perceptual phenomenon. Another demonstration involves a simple test called Herings manoeuvre, whereby a subject holds a coin close to their eye at arms length and observes the trajectory of the moon. The result of this will always be that the moon and the coin are the same size no matter what position of trajectory of the moon The Moon Illusion, a literature thesis by Bart Borghuis, (1999), Gregory (2007). Figure 2a http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap020130.html Credit and copyright to Shay Stephens. He picture shows the moonrise trajectory over Seattle, USA, with a snapshot taken every 2.5mins. 2a 2b Figure 2 Taken from Mccready section 1 illustrating the size of the moon does not change with the trajectory and nor does the visual angle subtended. The illusion maybe experienced in different areas of the world and the facts about the orbit of the moon around the earth can be used to explain as to why any variances in the earth-moon distance cannot play a role in the illusion. The moon travels in an orbit around the earth completing one full cycle every ~29days (1 month). The mean Earth-Moon distance is fairly constant throughout this period, however there is a degree of variance in the Earth-Moon distance caused by the elliptical shape of the orbit of travel (Nasa website). This variance causes the size of the visual angle of the horizon moon to become 2% smaller than the elevated moon and may only affect only short time viewing i.e. vieiwning the moon during separate hours in the same day Nanavati )2009), but not significant enough to cause the illusion (Mccready section 1). The distance of travel of the orbit has been monitored by NASA since the initial experimentation was carried out using retro-reflector beams/laser used in the Apollo 11 mission to the moon Faller et al (1969, 1970). The moon travels in an orbit of fairly constant mean distance of 384,000km (NASA website) from the earth and hence discounting the physical distance factor creating the illusion. The size (S) is It has been well established the physical size, distance and visual angle do not change (or not by a significant factor), however Aristotle suggested there was a physical cause that created a real magnification on the image size Nanavati (2009). It was thought this was caused by the atmospheric refraction, which had its effects greatest on the light rays on the horizon causing an increase in the moon size The Moon Illusion, a literature thesis by Bart Borghuis (1999), Ross and Plug pg57 (2002) i.e. like a stone under water where it appears to enlarge in size. However this theory was later disregarded as there was no means of measuring the actual horizon enlargement and if any it was deemed neglible, however many writers and investigators supported the idea that it could possibly play some form of secondary role Ross and Plug pg57 (2002), Gregory (2007). 3. Linear distance illusions 3.1 Size distance invariance hypothesis and Emmerts law The SDIH theory proposes the cause of the horizon moon appearing bigger is due to the extended terrain viewed in between the observer and the horizon moon, thus placing it at a perceptually further distance, for e.g. Kaufman (2000, 2006, 2007), Suzuki (2007), Gregory (2007). The SDIH assumes perceived angle (V) like the objective angle (V) is unchanged Reed and Kuprinski (2009) and implies distance is computed primarily by the visual system, while size is later inferred from this. Due to these conditions where perceived angle (V) is kept constant, only perceived distance (D) and size (S) can only change, thus suggesting a linear distance/size illusion and not an angular illusion Higashiyama (2004) Lou (2007). The SDIH can be illustrated by the formula S/D=tan V (apparent size S, apparent distance D and the physical visual angle V) Higashiyama (2006) Kaufman (2006), see figure 3. The SDIH implies the perceived size (S) is directly proportional to perceived distance (D) and this relati onship can be explained using Emmerts law. The conditions of Emmerts law are the perceived size of an object subtending a constant visual angle is directly proportional to its apparent distance Gregory (2007) Philip Servos (2006). Emmerts law in effect is the description of the size distance invariance hypothesis (SDIH) Jones et al (2009) and is one of the more researched theories within this topic. Afterimages are often used as a means to display Emmerts law since they have a constant visual angle always subtended at any distance and therefore a fixed retinal image size at all times disregarding any changes in angular size Lou (2007). Due to this retinal image size being a constant size, means any increase in the afterimage size cannot be due to any angular illusions. Since Emmerts law states size is proportional to apparent distance, then afterimages can be classed as one means of evidence for the SDIH. Figure 3 SDIH diagram taken from section 2 of http://facstaff.uww.edu/mccreadd/sectionII.html Most investigations usually conform to similar methodologies involving a form of magnitude estimation i.e. size or distance, using a reference moon to a variable moon, for e.g. (Holway and Boring 1941, Kaufman 2000, Gordon M Redding 2002, Jones Wilson 2009, Liang Lou 2007 etc). Kaufman (2000) used artificial moons to display the SDIH as a description of the moon illusion. Subjects viewed these artificial moons of constant angular size against a natural sky in horizon and zenith positions. They compared the size and distance of a reference moon to a variable moon. And altered the size of the variable moon using a keypad to achieve a match, see figure 5. In the results the horizon moon was perceived 3.2 times bigger and 4.2 times further away than the zenith. They found as they increased the distance between the reference and variable moon, the moon perceived size increased. Conversely when the distance was reduced the perceived size decreased therefore implying distance determines perceived size. Due to the availability of visual cues, the horizon moon is perceived at a distance D further than that of the zenith, causing a subsequent increase in size S Higashiyama (2006), (2007). Figure 4 illustrates the principles behind the SDIH and apparent distance theor y, where by the black circles in the inner band exemplify the moon straight above the observers head perceived as closer and hence smaller. The horizon moon in this model is perceived further away and hence bigger. Condition 2-Inside band (black circles) showing proposed SDIH condition Condition 1-Outside band (white circles) showing normal condition Horizon moon Observer Elevated moon Figure 4 (Annotated Figure 1 from Kaufman 2000) demonstrating the two conditions. Condition 1 the outer band of circles demonstrate how the moon should be perceived right from the horizon to its elevated state with no illusion. However condition 2 using this model of the illusion is represented in the second inner band of circles, suggesting the moon straight above the observers head is perceived as closer hence smaller and horizon bigger and further. Figure 5 demonstrates the apparatus used in Kaufman 2000s experiment. An IBM Think-Pad flat panel display specifically designed for this experiment was used. Virtual moons were produced as luminous disks against the natural sky. It was conducted on a hilltop on the C.W. Post campus of Long Island University in Brookville, NY. A total of four moons can be seen: one reference and one variable for both the horizon and elevated moon and subjects adjusted the variable moon using the computer accordingly. Kaufman (2006) further investigated using noise signal detection and two alternative forced choices. Luminous discs of constant visual angles were used however viewed across a virtual terrain in this case containing distance cues. Two separate experiments were conducted on size and distance, which suggested a directly proportional relationship between the two as predicted by the SDIH. Figure 6 compares the log size (y axis) versus the log depth (x axis), inferred as distance and found the slope demonstrates a linear slope of ~1. Thus these results suggest as size increases so does distance, once again supporting the SDIH. The fact the perceived size increases as a directly proportional factor to the distance perceived, indicates that the moon illusion cannot be referred to as an angular account. Figure 6 Kaufman 2006 shows the log perceived depth otherwise regarded as distance (x-axis) and log size (y-axis). A straight line is formed with a gradient of approximately 1, therefore suggesting size is proportional to distance as distance is to size. Tozawa (2006) investigated the roles of motion parallax and perspective cues on size and distance perception and the results yielded were similar and supported the SDIH. Weizman and Cohen (2003) also investigated the SDIH via a matching task using 4 different groups of subjects varying in age. Results indicated 41-88% viewed the horizon moon to be of a greater size and as a consequence supporting the SDIH. 3.2 The paradox The issue with the SDIH is it induces a paradox since many people do not experience the conditions it sets ;( the horizon moon appears both larger and further away) for e.g. (Higayshima 2006, Kaufman 2007, Kotaro Suzuki 2007, Kaufman 2006, Gregory 2007, Jones et al 2009). Instead (Mccready section 3) found up to 90% and Kaufman (2000) 9/10, view the larger horizon moon to be perceived as closer. Size constancy is the visual systems ability to maintain the accurate perception of real size of an object regardless of the change in retinal images size Combe Wexler (2009) Gregory (2007) i.e. when a person is walking away their physical dimensions do not appear to shrink, this relationship is maintained by size constancy regardless of the change in distance, which should create a smaller image size on the retina. One idea proposed as an answer is observers use the perceived distance to scale perceived size, as in SDIH. When enquired about distance, this scaled size and previous experience of sizes of objects from size constancy are used to determine distance. Hence due to this experience the observer makes a logical choice, thus in effect proposing there is a bias towards experiencing bigger objects to appear closer Kaufman (2000) (2007). However what is suggested in effect is there are two different routes taken to decipher size from distance and distance from size and without a ny direct evidence these ideas cannot be accepted as yet. 3.3 The apparent distance theory The apparent distance theory states the perceived distance is not only determined by the retinal image size, but factors such as visual cues within the surrounding terrain play a controlling role in judgment, for e.g. (Gregory 2008), Suzuki (2007), Kaufman (2000). There are many different types of visual cues from which the visual system can infer distance from and the amount of effect each cue has also varies. The terrain in one direction and its absence in the other play a vital role in the illusion Kaufman and Rock (1962). The role of cues plays an integral part in the SDIH, since the perceived distance determines the judged size and in effect can be described as SDIH since the findings directly support it. Pictorial representations of the illusion have been used as a methodology for investigation of depth cues, for e.g. (Coren and Aks 1990, Redding 2002, Jones et al 2009).The benefit of this being that any structural factors such as accommodation that may contribute towards the processing of size and distance are eliminated as cues and only visual cues i.e. terrain are left to investigate Redding (2002) Coren Aks (1990). The apparent distance theory would predict the horizon moon appears bigger due to distance cues placing it at a further distance and the zenith moon as closer, hence smaller, just as in SDIH. Jones and Wilson (2009) findings supported the apparent distance theory and demonstrate the level of effect of cues on the perceived distance. They used pictorial representations of of different salience as cues to depth, figure 7 displays the pictures used in increasing salience of each picture from A-D. Subjects viewed a reference moon placed on the horizon and zenith on the different scenes (figure 7 A-D) and compared this to a set of variable moon sizes on a computer, judging the match in size. A positive score (above 0) in the results from figure 8 indicated a perceived increase in size. Results show as the salience increases so does the perception of size for both moon trajectories, therefore these findings emphasize regardless of salience of cues, the mere presence of some form of cues effectively increase perceived size. However in all scenes the horizon moon is perceived bigger and significantly more so in the two scenes of high salience (figure 7 C and D). This infers proxi mity is a key factor and thus illustrates why the horizon moon is judged bigger, since it is in closer proximity to the terrain and the greater salience exaggerates this effect. Figure 7 taken from Stephanie 2009 figure 1 illustrating the different pictorial representations used as devices for the different depths of cues. A) Drawing of lowest depth cue salience B) Drawing of intermediate depth cue salience C)Drawing of high depth cue salience- Town scene D) Drawing of high depth cue salience- City scene. Figure 8 From Stephanie et al 2009 experiment number 1. The results were based on the size of error scores between the subjective responses of perceived size of the variable moon compared to the control moon size. Significant differences in size between the horizon moon and elevated moon indicated the degree of strength each cue played on that particular moon. The positive error score indicated an increase in perceived size and negative score a decrease. Redding (2002) also supported that cues in the terrain are essential for size scaling to create the impression of a bigger horizon moon, as well as the proximity to the terrain. A pictorial representation of an upright and inverted gradient, with two moons positioned like figure. The upright gradient produces fine details very close together giving the impression of a receding distance like in the horizon. However the upright gradient was more spaced out mimicking the large expanses of space surrounding the zenith moon. The apparent distance theory would predict a reverse in the illusion if the visual scene was inverted i.e. the horizon moon would now look smaller than the zenith. The results show the mean illusion, where a positive score indicates the normal moon illusion occurred and negative the reverse. These results demonstrate the prediction was correct since the horizon moon size increased in the upright direction and reversed in the inverted. Within virtual environments it has been found the size constancy mechanism is very strong when the object being viewed is surrounded by an environment, where comparisons can be made to decipher distance from, for e.g. (Kenyon et al 2007, Tanaka Fujita 2007, murgia and sharkey 2009). It has been suggested the elevated moon is perceived smaller due to the lack of surrounding visual cues for e.g. (Higashiyama 2006, Kaufman 2000, Jones et al2009). The proposed idea is the zenith moon due to no visual cues is placed at default distance related to the resting focus of approximately 1-2m regarded as empty space myopia, thus leading to its small perceived size (Da Silva 1989, Gogel Mertz, 1989, Redding 2002, Gregory 2007, Suzuki 2007). 3.4 Sky dome illusions The apparent shape of the sky was previously replicated in a drawing by King and Gruber (1962), where they made subjects project afterimages onto the sky in different directions (horizon 45. Zenith). Results had shown 81% of subjects viewed the moon bigger in the horizon sky than at 45. and 87% viewed horizon bigger than the zenith. Weizman and Cohen (2003) found the sky is perceived as an oblate profile i.e. like an inverted bowl with a flat top (see figure) and cues within this frame are used to judge the distance. It has been proposed this flattened dome top causes the zenith moon to appear closer and thus smaller. This theory implies a mental map of the shape of the sky as an oblate- bowl shape, with the flat portion directly above the observers head. This flatter area causes the perception of a shorter distance to the sky just above the observers head and thus causes the zenith moon to be perceived as smaller. This is very similar to the SDIH approach which states the same fundamental reasons, but the SDIH suggests its the absence of visual cues that place the zenith moon at a closer distance and hence smaller, not a mental map model of the sky. However Toskovich (2009) examined to test if the flattened sky caused the moon size to reduce and suggested otherwise. Subjects viewed the moon in the horizon, 45Â ° and zenith positions using head movements and were positioned at 1m, 3m and 5m from the moon. They were instructed to determine distance and size estimates from these positions. Results had shown from 1m subjects perceived distance is the same in all directions thus indicating at close distances the visual system is able to interpret very accurately. However from 3m and 5m found the distances perceived to the zenith as larger than towards the horizon and no differences in size estimations at any direction. This is opposite to the flattened sky dome approach and proposes the sky is rather perceived as elongated towards the zenith and not flat. These findings suggest the illusion is affected by head position and location. 4. Visual angle illusions To begin with Descartes, 1664 Wade 2000 pg (354-355) suggested associations with familiar objects, accommodation and convergence are all cues to distance. The apparent-distance theory is built upon the assumption the actual perceived visual angle is interpreted as the same as the physical linear visual angle Reed and Kuprinski (2009). However, alternative theories suggest the perceived visual angle may be affected by oculomotor processes unconsciously Mccready (2006) Keef and Kuprinski (2009) and size/distance then subsequently inferred from this. 4.1 The retinal representation of the moon illusion If the illusion causes the perceived visual angle to change by becoming enlarged, then subsequently the perceived retinal image size should also increase. Murray et al (2006) found illusions such as the moon illusion affect retinal representation of the image size in the primary visual cortex (V1). Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a 3d scene of a hallway with walls, an image had been produced containing information to apparent depth, see figure 9a for an illustration. Two 6.5 degree sized spheres were arranged like in figure 9a and the results showed the back sphere appeared to be 17% larger in angular size than the front sphere (even when of the same physical angular size). The results in figure 9a also illustrate the peak MRI signal responses were found higher at higher eccentricities for the perceptually larger back sphere than the front and the back sphere occupied a larger area in the V1 cortex. Thus implying the perceived bigger size of the back sphere cre ated a bigger images size on the retina. Furthermore these results were compared to the responses generated by two physically different sized spheres without any illusion (6.5Â ° versus 8.125Â ° and 4.875Â ° versus 6.875Â ° sized spheres, as shown in figure 9bc). The findings demonstrate the responses generated from two physically different sized spheres yielded a response very similar to 9a. Therefore indicating the illusion created an actual change in the retinal image size and a greater eccentricity was occupied by the back sphere as a result. Thus the depth illusion causes a change in the perceived angular size on the retina and hence providing evidence towards scaling processes affecting the representation on the retina (Murray et al 2006). Since only a change in the physical visual angle or perceived visual angle may cause this change in retinal image size. Figure 9 taken from Murray et al 2006 displaying the hallway and the walls creating the illusion. the trial response graph shows the perceptual difference in angular size between the two objects. The top graph illustrates the fMRI activity for the perceived larger back object extending in eccentricity beyond that of the perceived smaller front object. The bottom row shows a similar response is triggered when two objects of physically different angular sizes are shown (with no hallway illusion placed). Therefore indicating the cause in the back object to be perceived more distant is due to an increase in angular size. 4.2 Accommodative micropsia The visual terrain contribution to the moon illusion may be mediated by the state of the oculomotor system and not via the size-distance invariance mechanism, or size constancy scaling Suzuki (2007). The perceived distance may affect the accommodation response or the converse of this may also be true i.e. the level of accommodation may affect the perceived distance of a stimulus (Edgar 2007, Suzuki 2007, Lou 2007). The micropsia phenomenon causes objects to appear smaller than usual and macropsia bigger, whereby they can be induced by changes in accommodation/ Vergence leading to underestimation/ overestimation of its apparent size Howard Rogers (2002). When viewing the zenith moon there is no depth cues and the moon is isolated in an empty space. This causes the eyes to converge onto the single object of the zenith moon, thus increasing in convergence as it does. This increase in convergence induces increase in accommodation causing the decrease in angular size and is known as micropsia, for e.g. Howard Rogers (2002) Mccready (2004) section 4, Lou (2007), Suzuki (2007). However when viewing the horizon moon in its natural settings, objects acting as depth cues in the terrain may cause the AC/V system to adjust from near to far distance thus increased divergence invoking an increase in angular size known as macropsia (Lou 2007, Mccready 2004 section 4, Tanaka Fujita 2007, Suzuki 2007). Lou (2007) used afterimages of dark circles viewed against a mobile white background on which this reference circle was projected on, see figure 10. These afterimages were projected from the various distances and subjects adjusted the variable stimulus on a computer screen when perceived a match with the reference. Results indicated subjects perceived afterimages to decrease in size at focal distances less than 1m i.e. distances at a closer range. Figure 11 displays the 30cm, 90cm and 200cm distances from where the afterimage was projected and regardless of these distances the same response of decrease in matched size. The focal distances affected the matched size and not the distance the afterimages were projected from, Lou (2007) suggested these findings are representation of accommodation micropsia. Although oculomotor cues are used as cues to distance just as visual pictorial cues are used also, they are less effective up to distances >2m Kaufman (2000). Oculomotor cues and pictorial cues play a role in judging distance, however at longer distances pictorial cues play a greater role as determinants of distance Kaufman (2000), Coren and Aks (1990). become slightly near-sighted in relative darkness (night myopia) proof is just to show accomodtaion/convergence effort changes when viewing horizon and elevated moons Figure 10 Figure 11 taken from figure 2b (Lou 2007). This figure demonstrates the 30cm, 90cm and 200cm distances from which the afterimages were viewed from and the perceived angular match to the control afterimage of size 4.25degrees. The straight angular line indicates the actual size of the afterimage (4.25 degrees). The perceived match of the angular size (y-axis) versus calculated focal distance (x-axis). All about enright and roscoedifferent eye adjustement for horizon/zenith moon measured In conclusion against oculomotor micropsia/macropsia, oculomotor cues are less effective in regards to objects being viewed at longer distances. Here the visual/ perceptual system becomes more dependent on other cues such as pictorial factors Arditi (1986) from Kaufman (2000). Kaufman et als claim is that because the moon is far away, pictorial cues dominate oculomotor cues for distance perception. Kaufman (2006) in the end argues that distance is interpreted first and then angular size. Arguing against the micropsia theory. Also , absence of these surrounding environments the size constancy changes to visual angle performance Kenyon (2007) As you look up to the sky convergence increases therefore increased accommodation occurs causing perception of closer moon distance, therefore according to SDIH a smaller perceived size. REFER TO KAUFMAN 2000 But, these micropsia and macropsia illusions cause angular size differences of less than 10%, nowhere near large enough to account for the moon illusion seen by most persons. Also, if accommodation were involved in the moon illusion, youd think that elderly people who have lost nearly all accommodation should not perceive the illusion. Yet they do. Persons with eye lens implants have no accommodation, and they do perceive the moon illusion. Covering one eye removes convergence from consideration, but that doesnt make the moon illusion go away. Pinhole astronomy 4.3 Angle of regard When looking at the horizon moon the head is positioned at eye level, where as when viewing the elevated moon the head position is further elevated by almost 45degs. It has been suggested the tilt or elevation of the head or eyes may affect the judgment of distance and thus implying the moon illusion as anisotropy (directionally dependent) for e.g. Holway and Boring (1940), Higashiyama Adachi (2006), Suzuki (2007), Toskovich (2009). Suzuki (2007) investigated the ratio of size of afterimages projected onto the horizon and zenith sky. Subjects were instructed to project the afterimages onto the horizon sky at eyelevel and then project the image again however after elevating the eye position by 60 degrees (using neck movements) onto the same area of the sky. This was also repeated for the zenith sky and the results yielded indicate the illusion is 1.09 times greater when the eyes are in an elevated position compared to eye level. These findings indicate the level of elevation of the eyes has an effect on the illusion magnitude and is consistent with previous findings. Proprioceptve descriptions suggest non visual components may contribute to judging distance using head direction, body posture, vestibular and kinetic information Toskovich (2009). Furthermore Toskovich suggested head tilt upwards could cause the perceived space to elongate. Figure 11 taken from (Roscoe and Acosta 2008)~figure 4. The number 0 would indicate a perfect size match and a positive value indicates an increase in size and negative vice versa. The x-axis displays the accommodative effort exerted by the visual system and the y-axis the interpretation of the moon size. Anisotropy End with (Perceived size and perceived distance of targets viewed from between the legs: Evidence for proprioceptive theory 2006) and how this supports direct perception model rather than the apparent distance model. (Therefore supports everything except this model) In another experiment 2 Toskovich (2009) measured size at the 3 distances and found size did not change in the three viewing directions and thus suggested the moon illusion may not be caused by a linear account, instead a more contributed input of vestibular information. (Higashiyama Adachi 2006) supported this theory and found the illusion disappeared when viewing through the legs. Thus suggesting the moon illusion is caused by the elevation of head tilt. An astronaut who views the moon above the horizon from low-earth orbit lacks terrain cues to distance. We now know that in this situation the illusion vanishes (Lu et al., 2006) from (Kayfman et al 2007). The terrestrial passage theory offers an alternative idea regarding the visual angle theories mentioned. It states the subjects learn to form an expected change in visual angle when viewing objects at different projections from past familiar experiences (Reed and Kuprinski, 2009). In a sample of 48 subjects this hypothesis was tested and the c

Recruitment Methods Used In Modern Times Commerce Essay

Recruitment Methods Used In Modern Times Commerce Essay Recruitment can be carried out in numerous ways and generally it happens via both formal and informal processes. An informal process depends on the contacts of active workers or on new applicant. Since they threat being biased, word -of -mouth recruitment is not often suitable in public sector. Within business sector, word of mouth recruitment is well known, especially in those societies rated more socialist by Hofstede. International differences in the exercise of informal are considerable. It is also common all over the globe and especially in the developing nations like as Bangladesh, Nepal, Uganda, Bhutan etc. Recruitment of Friends and Family is very easy and cheap as usually. According to Brewster et al (2008), there are four methods of particular relevance to International Human Resource management. Multinational companies follow these methods and recruiting, selecting, employing employees globally.Every recruitment process has some advantages and disadvantages. 1. Headhunting: In this method, recruitment agencies are work as service provider and they supply companies with recruits to put via their own selection procedures. This process is most common for managerial positions in developed countries like as USA, UK etc. Anecdotal data shows that almost 50% of executive searches are now cross-border. The global capability, geographical spread of individual search firms has consequently become difficult. The recruitment agencies may be preferred to internal solutions for many reasons and those reasons given below. a) The recruitment agencies have the specialist nature of recruitment activities. Similarly, its potentially rare use, sometimes mean that almost competent way to start it is to subcontract and it is to expert providers. b) Sometimes multinational companies would like to recruit in a country for the first time where they may not have human resource department to carry on this activity and simultaneously, they may not have local idea that would be essential. For this reason, they take help from the recruitment agencies. c) The recruitment agencies are expert in this section and can do recruitment of higher level or higher skill; employees may take place from a proper prospective employees file. The recruitment agencies operate their activities all over the country or industry. They usually have a list and this is mainly true in the case of multinational companies recruiting in a country where first time. Headhunters is particularly form of recruitment and agencies can be expected to charge a considerable payment for their services. b)Cross national Advertising: Now world is a global village and as part of globalisation, labour migration is more common and accepted all over the world. At present many companies seek to carry out cross border when they recruiting senior staffs. Brewster et al (2008) mentioned that the rising apply of advertising such as targeted outdoor poster sites -airport lounges, airline magazines and journey to work routes. Simultaneously, international, publications like as The Economist magazines, The wall street journals regularly represents some advertisement for high level posts in many organisations all over the world. Although that advertising should consider cultural differences, it may well be the case that the valuable targeting of such advertisement ensures that they are seen more or less totally by people. They are more used to, and accepting of, these multi-cultural messages. c) Internet Recruitment: Today internet is an important source of job and used to cheaply mass market the recruitment messages that organisations interested to forward potential applicants. The electronic recruiting facility is re-shaping the job hunting process and this facility has the likely to cut the difficulty to employment on a worldwide scale. It is proving helpful for global graduate recruitment, attracting MBAs and post graduate level candidates, similarly specific roles such as accounting professionals and IT staff. Brewster et al (2008) mentions some reasons for its popularity in recruitment. 1. Widen recruitment sourcing at relatively low cost a) Fixed cost of designing a website have been incurred, the marginal cost of further website visitor is mostly zero. b) At present internet user has grown highly, not only developed countries but also third world countries .So, now internet allows to firms reach potential applicants anywhere in the globe. c) Similarly, now it is very easy for potential employees to apply for any kind of job and first stage is to fill a web form or email a copy of CV. The main disadvantage of this is that the cheapness of applying by internet sometimes may encourage not only proper applicant but also large amount of unsuitable applicants too. 2. Attract applicant on a more specialised skill match. 3Target sources of graduate like as MBA career centres. 4. Improve on traditional advertising approaches by targeting particular life style or culture fit groups. Selection Methods: The most common forms of selection methods are given below. Interviews: The way in which interviews are continued are one factor of national culture which radically impact the conduct of the interview and cultural awareness is very essential in this respect. In a simple face to face interview, the assessors may be confronted by considerable problem. As for example can mention here that one American multinational company recruiting managers in South Korea and found that interviewers had to be trained in multicultural awareness. According to the cultural rule of Korea, when asked a good question, to keep silent is known as sign of respect and similarly the better the question ,the longer period of silence the applicant maintains.Moreover,according to the American culture, if anybody ask a good question and receive silence, it is like as ignorance. Not only that face to face interview may produce fairly warped judgements. 2.The monitoring and targeting of disadvantaged groups: In most countries negative discrimination against the interests of at least some disadvantaged group is not legal; similarly a small number of countries positive discrimination in support of interests of disadvantaged may be allowed or encouraged. Staffing practices are stoutly influenced by norms and morals, not possible by the law. As for example, many European countries do ban discrimination on the basis of age, but the application of age restrictions varies considerably by country. It is not applicable in UK but common in Germany. 3. Assessment Centres: Assessment centres are regarded as one of the most strong and suitable selection techniques and it should be expected that they would be used to assess capability for global manager. The major points of assessment centres are help to client companies to determine which candidates are appropriate to be employed. In this sense they offer their customers level of selection capability the may not take home. Assessment centres tend to use different types of tools and these tools are situational interviews, work stimulations and role -playing etc.Some effort also face that units and the successful utilization of their set of tools requires there tools to be significant for the circumstance like as legislative, cultural economic etc, in which the recruitment is taking place. Thus there cannot be one size fits all approach and this causes extensive troubles for them. 4. Psychological testing: The strength of some psychometric testing process is also uncertain. Psychologists state that variability of across settings for the equal type of work and across different of jobs is small .This testing involves asking candidates to full psychometric tests to allow their potential employer to verify the sort of person they are. Psychometric is the field of study concerned with the theory and technique of educational and psychological measurement, which includes the measurement of knowledge, abilities, attitudes and personality traits. The field is primarily concerned with the construction and validation of measurement instruments, such as questionnaires, tests and personality assessments. Those who practice psychometric are known as psychometricians and although they may also be clinical psychologists, they are not obliged to be so and could instead be (for example) human resources or learning and development professionals. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychometrics In the hand of competent professionals psychometric tests present an at times positive nearby into the individual features of prospective employees; in the hands of inexpert they are little more than a hazard to the achievement of a company. The table below represents some indications of comparative use of these selection events in diverse countries in the hiring of an employee for a cleric positions. According to the table, 69.6% of Danish companies report that they use interviews, but a small number (5%) of French companies do it. Simultaneously, 43.7% of Spanish companies like psychometric tests, but only 0.9% German firm prefers it. The uses of Psychometric test and Assessment Centre differs from country to country. A German assessment centre would use much diverse equipment to assess much different stuff than would an assessment centre in Canada. (Table)

Quasars Essay -- Essays Papers

Quasars Since their discovery, the nature of quasars has been one of the most intriguing and baffling problems as evidenced by the following quotations: " the problem of understanding quasi-stellar objects†¦ is one of the most important and fascinating tasks in all physics" - G.Burbidge and Hoyle. "The quasar continues to rank both as one of the most baffling objects in the universe and one most capable of inspiring heated argument" - Morrison. "The redshift problem is one of the most critical problems in astronomy today" - G. Burbidge. "Quasars still remain the profoundest mystery in the heavens" - Hazard and Mitton. The conventional interpretation of the spectral lines observed in quasars is based on the redshift hypothesis. Three hypotheses have been advanced to account for the supposed redshifts: 1. Cosmological hypothesis; the redshifts are due to the expansion of the universe, 2. Gravitational hypothesis, 3 Local-Doppler hypothesis; in this hypothesis the redshifts are due to the Doppler effect, but the quasars are relatively nearby and have nothing to do with the expansion of the universe. Of these hypotheses, the first one is the most publicized one. One is led to attribute to quasars very many mysterious properties if one assumes the redshift hypothesis to be correct. A patient analysis of the data on quasars over the years has led to the conclusion that the real source of the trouble is in the assumption that the spectra of quasars have redshifts. In the early 1960's quasars were known as 'radio stars' because the method used to discover the first quasars was based on coincidences between a strong radio source and a point-like optical source. Since each radio source was associated with a star it was originally thought that quasars were objects within the galaxy hence the term 'radio stars'. Quasars or quasi-stellar radio source, from the method by which they where originally discovered: as stellar optical counterparts to small regions of strong radio emission. With increasing spatial resolution of radio telescopes the strong radio emission often seemed to come from a pair of lobes surrounding many of these faint star-like emission line objects. The initial method of selection was strong radio emission, and then later any object with blue or ultraviolet excess wa... ... between galaxies, either through direct collisions or near encounters, can be important in turning on a quasar, by dumping fuel onto a black hole. However some quasars look unperturbed, so there may be other, more subtle mechanisms for feeding the black hole. Some of the galaxies we observed don't appear to know they have a quasar in their core. 3. Quasars that are radio quiet are often in elliptical galaxies, not always in spiral galaxies, as previously believed. Advanced instruments planned for Hubble should also help pin down more details. The Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS), to be installed in 1997, and the Advanced Camera, to be installed in 1999, will have coronagraphic devices which will block out the glare of a quasar, allowing astronomers to see closer into a galaxy's nucleus. By viewing galactic structures in infrared light , the NICMOS should be able to provide important new details about the host galaxies of quasars. The continued study of quasars and the information that it will provide us with may help us to develop a better understanding of space and how we fit in to this great puzzle.

Use of Imagery in D.H. Lawrences The Horse Dealers Daughter :: Horse Dealers Daughter Essays

Use of Imagery in D.H. Lawrence's The Horse Dealer's Daughter Circumstances force three brothers and their sister from home in D.H. Lawrence's "The Horse Dealer's Daughter." The brothers, and their friend Jack Fergusson, worry because the sister, Mabel, will not tell them what she intends to do with herself. The author uses Imagery to symbolize a rebirth in Jack and in Mabel. Lawrence uses dog and horse imagery to describe the family members. Joe stands in "horsey fashion," Fred Henry is an "animal which controls," and Malcolm has a "jauntymuseau." In fact, the entire family has an "animal pride." Lawrence describes the brothers in terms of horses apparently to emphasize the importance of the horses in their lives; once the horses are gone, life as they know it will be over. Joe, the eldest, is reluctant to leave before his siblings resolve their plans, but eventually he retreats with his "tail between his legs." The author uses water imagery to symbolize death. On an afternoon "moist" with "heavy coldness," Mabel walks straight into a pond until the water is over her head. The pond's dimensions suggest a grave. Jack, who can not swim, risks his own life when he steps into the "dead cold" water to save her. He stumbles while in the water and feels as though he is "suffocating" for "eternity." When he recovers, he knows he is back in "the world" Jack and Mabel, by going into and under the "rotten" water, seem to experience a sort of death. Fire then would symbolize the rebirth Jack and Mabel experience and the passion that fuels it. The house is "empty" when Jack carries Mabel there, but fire is "burning in the grate." Likewise, "Mabel was unconscious of her surroundings," but "she was conscious of herself.

The Originality of Levinas: Pre-Originally Categorizing the Ego :: Philosophy Essays

The Originality of Levinas: Pre-Originally Categorizing the Ego ABSTRACT: Levinas depicts a pluralism of subjectivity older than consciousness and self-consciousness. He repudiates Heidegger's notion of solitude in order to explore the implications of the Husserlian pure I outside the subject. A hidden Good constitutes the Other in the self: a diremption not at the expense of the unity of the self. Levinas stands with Nietzsche on the side of life which requires and is capable of no justification whatsoever. But for Levinas the totality is ruptured by the thought that there is a unity of self undiminished by its immemorial responsibility for the Other, a unity of self beyond totality. This self containing the Other is the transcendence of the Ego otherwise immanent in Husserl's pure intentionality. Just here Levinas' thought is most perfectly distinguished from Sartre's notion of the transcendence of the Ego as complete exclusion from the immanence of intentionality. The pure I is otherwise than the Hegelian absolute Elastizità ¤t: incarnate and inspirited, the "self tight in its own skin." The transubstantiation of Ego to Other has not yet occurred to thought in Levinas, but what does occur here is the altersubstantiation of the I. The Other in the Same is an alteration of essence. It is precisely through thinking the contraction of [the modern] essence [of consciousness] that Levinas thinks otherwise than being, beyond essence, thinks "a thought profounder and 'older' than the cogito." Humanity signifies a "new image" of the Infinite in the preoriginary freedom by which the Self shows the Other mercy. The curve on the hither side of consciousness is 'a concave without a convex': the cuspidal infinity of interiority turned absolutely inside outside the other within: an interiority without walls, infinitely exposed. Then straight is the highway between the cusps of this absolutely inverted consciousness — better than consciousness — transcending the original curvature of consciousness and self-consciousness. This one-way straightaway is the immemorial contact of self and other. It is the absolute proximity which is the approach, without return, from the self to the other . This is the approach — without method — before any notion of reciprocity and reflective or pre-reflective consciousness. This love or non-indifference prior to all conscious differentiation, this possibility of being for-one-another is the responsibility of the self to do for the Other. The indispensability of the flesh to this turning of the self to the Other signifies the excellence whereby the human transcends the angelic.

Pestle analysis of UK mobile industry

The United Kingdom plays a very important role in the European mobile market as it accounts for a total of 12.9% market value (Datamonitor 2008). By the end of 2011 the United Kingdom mobile phone market value is estimated to gain a raise of 29.1% since 2006 valuing around $4.4 billion (Datamonitor 2008). The industry boundary could be around the manufacturing and giving the service to the mobile phone as these two complement with each other. MOBILE PHONE SERVICE PROVIDING MANUFACTURING With the increase in the technology there is always a better phone in the market with newer specifications, and because of the attractiveness of the deals the consumers are going for a better mobile all the time even if they don't use all the integrated applications. On the other hand this market is nearing its maturity which is a superior threat for all the service providers and mobile manufacturers as they need to invest in more and more for research and development. The recent data shows that just in the U.K there are 69.7 million active subscribers for the mobile phones in 2006 which are 9.7 million more than the total U.K population (Mintel 2007). This states the popularity of the mobile phones and the usage. Key Determinants of Success: For any industry to be successful there will be some key determinants of success which helps its growth, and when these determinants come together it could a successful one. And these determinants for the mobile phone manufacturing and service industry could be the Technological, Economical and Social factors. These could be the three main determinants of this industry mainly because all of these complement each other, as the better the technology in a mobile phone the higher the price will be. Even at a high price consumers would tend to buy these phones as for they are getting the latest technology in their hands and thereby they can show off their status. Technology: In this 21st century the technology is booming and all the companies in any kind of industry would like to use the cutting edge technology for their products or services. As the more technology used in any firm would determine its market capture, its consumers, mainly the price of their products or services. In the mobile phone manufacturing the technology is rapidly increasing. It's equally important for the manufacturer to produce high quality for the consumer as in the past mobile phones are only used to talk to the other person, now with the growth in the technology consumers can send and receive text messages, they can check their e-mails, take pictures with integrated camera of up to 8 mega pixels, and most wonderfully consumers can video chat. All of these explain the technological growth and consumers do pay higher prices to enjoy and experience this kind of technology in their palms. The manufacturers on the other hand are not just providing mobile phones which can do only these things; they are also incorporating other things such as touch screen, Bluetooth and infrared connectivity, wireless local area network (WLAN) which the consumers can use for wireless connectivity (internet), watching live TV, mp3 player, and for all these the consumer thinks it is worth paying the price either set by the manufacturer or the service provider. Economy: The U.K mobile phone industry plays a rather very important role in the economy of the country. The U.K mobile market has generated a total revenue of $3.4 billion in 2006 (Datamonitor 2008) As its been forecasted that the U.K economy to grow between 2.4% to 2.6% between 2007 and 2011 (Key note 2007), but over this very small percentage raise over 5 year period, the consumers are going to lose confidence in the economy but at the same time as the mobile phones are a very essential part of their day to day lives it tends to survive. The mobile penetration rate is also so high that few consumers have more than one phone, or more than one contract or connections and thereby increasing their expenditure. At the same time the mobile phone industry contributes to the economy by importing a lot of raw materials to be used in the production or manufacturing and also exporting the end products. It also contributes to the economy by increasing the employment rate, the more outlets or offices it opens by creating a series of distributors and retailers the more the more the employment rate will be. If the mobile industry has to go into recession, it has been estimated in 2004 that the total revenue the government could lose could add up to a total of around à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½9,864 million (O2 2004). And if we take the rate of technology growth from then to now and the price factor into consideration it could have definitely gone higher by now. Social: Social factors have a very large impact on the industry. The demand levels of the products and the sales are continuously affected by the attitudes and beliefs of the consumers. In addition people have mobile phones not just for communication it also adds peace of mind for the people who care, a lot of people have them as to organise their lives either in a social context or a business context there by making most of their time, and a majority of consumers carry for personal safety. People would like to have mobile phones as they carry them any where they want. It also provides more convenient access to other services like banking, working etc. It also improves social networking as we tend to communicate more by talking rather than just sending e-mails. Usefulness of External Environment Analysis: Any firm within the industry can increase its chances of competitiveness by doing an external environmental analysis. The managers need to use the information gained by the external environmental analysis for future planning, strategy formulation by making the environment ready for any positive changes and thereby keeping away from the negative ones and better decision making as the external environment is changing continuously. By doing this kind of analysis there is every opportunity for the firm to get its resources ready for the kind of strategy they want to develop. Managers need to keep examining the external environment as it is very dynamic as market conditions change day to day, technology is growing, and there is a prospect for them to know who their competitors are. Appendix For external environment analysis the tool which any kind of industry or firm to use is PESTEL analysis which we can be elaborated as follows: Political and Legal, Environmental, Ecological, Social and Technology. Political and Legal factors: * Any kind of industry or firm need to sick to some rules and regulations. * Trade restrictions and changes in the tax structure will affect the industry. * OFCOM- Office of Communications is an independent regulatory body for the Communications Industry. It checks that all the firms within the industry adhere to the regulations. * All firms need to stick to the guideline levels of the radiation to which anyone can be exposed, which is set by The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Thereby they need to set up more base stations (which send and receive signals to connect to mobile phones). * From 2003 the Road Safety act does not permit any driver to handle the hands free set to either call, send or receive text, or access internet. If anyone opposes the law there is a fine of up to à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½30. In February 2007, they increased the penalty from à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½30 to à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½60 as they need to be tougher and to make driving safer. This decreases the usage of the mobile phones. * The consumer protection act * European Regulators Group (ERG) is the body appointed to investigate into the prices the service providers are charging for mobile phone usage while abroad. It tends to bring these prices lower in favour to the consumers. Economical factors: * The growth or fall of the economy can impact on the industry, as if the economy falls there won't be any new consumers willing to take contracts. * At the same time the growth of the industry contributes a lot to the economy: o It provides a lot of employment o It generates revenue for the economy thereby contributing to the GDP. o It contributes to the export and import of raw materials and end products respectively. * The other important factors which affect the industry are exchange rates, rise or fall in the inflation, and minimum wages. Environmental factors: * There is no conclusive proof that the usage of mobile phones affects the health of the consumers. * The use of mobile phones in cars can cause accidents. * At the same time there are issues still concerning that even if using mobile phones does not affect the health in a short term, it might in a long term. * There are claims that it affects the brain cells, human DNA, immune system, and might even develop cancer due to the radiations. * National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) suggested that there is no evidence of the health problems concerning the usage of mobile phones. But it did warn that we need some precautionary measures due to the high usage of the mobile phones in the near future. Social factors: * The society is very much concerned with the mobile usage by under 18s. * It feels that they can be contacted by unknown persons who can be threat to them. * At the same time it's like an advantage as the kids can or can be contacted by their elders. * Career attitudes, social behaviour, and life style of consumers affect the industry. * Society is also concerned about the adult content on the mobile phones and violent games. It's good they have the technology but at the same time it should not lead them in a wrong path. Technological factors: * Technology has rapidly increased in context to mobile phone industry. * At the beginning the phones are only used for conversation now they are being used for send and receive text messages, multi media messages, voice mails, and even video calling. * The raise of 3g connectivity has been a great leap for mobile phone industry, as it's the very new and latest of it. * 3g mobile phones will increase the sales revenue of the firm. * Bluetooth technology is another great achievement in regards to the exchange of the information as it can be done wireless anytime anywhere.

How to Do One Thing at a Time

Sample practice test prompts for the CATW Sample 1 Assignment:  Begin by reading the passage below. How Your Birth Order Influences Your Life Adjustment The child becomes known as the family’s only child, oldest child, middle child, or youngest child, depending on his birth order. He is thought and talked about as having that place in the family. Both in his mind and in the minds of other people, an important part of his identity is his family position. The other members of the family assume certain attitudes toward each child in terms of his birth order.Parents usually expect their oldest child to be more capable and more responsible than the younger children. The oldest child comes to think about himself in the same way. These ways of seeing himself, of thinking about himself because of his sibling role, become part of his self-concept. Similarly, the middle child may think of himself as able to do things better than other people because he is usually more capable than his younger siblings. Sometimes, though, he must turn to an older sibling or to his parents for help, and so he thinks of himself as being able to obtain help when he needs it.The youngest child may develop the self-concept that he is less able to do many things than other people. However, he is not concerned because there are always others around to take care of him. In contrast, the only child tends to think, â€Å"When my parents are not around, I have no one to turn to for help. So I’d better learn to take care of myself as much as possible. † The place in the family establishes for the child a specific role to be played within the family group. It influences him to develop certain attitudes toward himself and toward other people and helps him develop specific patterns of behavior. 290 words) Adapted from an essay by Lucille Forer, â€Å"How Your Birth Order Influences Your Life Adjustment†, in  Write to be Read, p. 7. Writing Directions Read the passage abov e and write an essay responding to the ideas it presents. In your essay, be sure to summarize the passage in your own words, stating the author’s most important ideas. Develop your essay by identifying one idea in the passage that you feel is especially significant, and explain its significance. Support your claims with evidence or examples drawn from what you have read, learned in school, and/or personally experienced.Remember to review your essay and make any changes or corrections that are needed to help your reader follow your thinking. You will have 90 minutes to complete your essay. Sample 2 Assignment:  Begin by reading the passage below. Modern Society and the Quest for Human Happiness Everywhere, by all means imaginable, people are striving to improve their lives. Yet strangely, my impression is that those living in the materially developed countries, for all their industry, are in some ways less satisfied, are less happy, and suffer more than those living in the l east developed countries.Indeed, if we compare the rich with the poor, it often seems that those with nothing are, in fact, the least anxious, though they are plagued with physical pains and suffering. As for the rich, while a few know how to use their wealth intelligently – that is to say, not in luxurious living but by sharing it with the needy – many do not. They are so caught up with the idea of acquiring still more that they make no room for anything else in their lives. In their absorption with material wealth, they actually lose the dream of happiness, which riches were to have provided.As a result, they are constantly tormented, torn between doubt about what may happen and the hope of getting more, and plagued with mental and emotional suffering – even though outwardly they may appear to be leading entirely successful and comfortable lives. This is suggested both by the high degree and by the disturbing prevalence among the populations of the materially developed countries of anxiety, discontent, frustration, and depression. Moreover, the inner suffering is clearly connected with growing confusion as to what constitutes morality and what its foundations are. 242 words) From an essay by the Dalai Lama, â€Å"Modern Society and the Quest for Human Happiness† in  Write to be Read, p. 170. Writing Directions Read the passage above and write an essay responding to the ideas it presents. In your essay, be sure to summarize the passage in your own words, stating the author’s most important ideas. Develop your essay by identifying one idea in the passage that you feel is especially significant, and explain its significance. Support your claims with evidence or examples drawn from what you have read, learned in school, and/or personally experienced.Remember to review your essay and make any changes or corrections that are needed to help your reader follow your thinking. You will have 90 minutes to complete your essay. Sample 3 Assignment:  Begin by reading the passage below. The Woman Who Died in the Waiting Room Esmin Green fell out of her chair in the waiting room of Brooklyn's largest psychiatric hospital nearly an hour before anyone realized she was in trouble. For 20 minutes, she writhed and twisted between two chairs under the watchful eye of a security camera whose footage would later be broadcast across the country, spurring a public outcry.Two security guards and two other staff members passed through the room and glanced at the 49-year-old woman, without bothering to check her vital signs or help her up. Nearly 40 minutes after she stopped moving, a nurse walked over and lightly kicked her. By then, she was already dead. The city's medical examiner cited blood clots in her legs as the official cause. As disturbing as the circumstances of  Esmin Green's death were, they should not have come as a surprise.Public hospitals across the country have struggled to provide acute psychiatric care t o the poor and uninsured since the early 1960s, when large mental hospitals began closing their doors en masse. Rather than lock them away in cold, uncaring institutions, the thinking went, the mentally ill should be offered a place in society. But with insufficient outpatient services and a dearth of community-based support, the least fortunate of them have ended up in already overtaxed emergency rooms. They are the poor, the uninsured and the undocumented.Many of them suffer from chronic conditions that could potentially be treated with medication and regular counseling, luxuries most of them cannot afford. With just 50,000 inpatient psychiatric beds for tens of millions of people across the country, the mentally ill typically wait twice as long for treatment as other patient populations do. â€Å"It's like landing airplanes at JFK airport,† says Ken Duckworth, medical director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. â€Å"There is just no place for them to go. † (306 words) adapted from July 12, 2008 Newsweek article, â€Å"The Woman Who Died in the Waiting Room† by Jeneen Interlandi   Writing DirectionsRead the passage above and write an essay responding to the ideas it presents. In your essay, be sure to summarize the passage in your own words, stating the author’s most important ideas. Develop your essay by identifying one idea in the passage that you feel is especially significant, and explain its significance. Support your claims with evidence or examples drawn from what you have read, learned in school, and/or personally experienced. Remember to review your essay and make any changes or corrections that are needed to help your reader follow your thinking. You will have 90 minutes to complete your essay.

Ra One- the Extra-Ordinary Sales Promotion by Srk

RA ONE- The extra-ordinary sales promotion by SRK I've often heard people say, film-making is nothing short of a gamble. And as any gambler will tell you, you've got to gamble huge to triumph huge. Going by this logic, Shah Rukh Khan is The Supreme Gambler of the year. What's at stake, beside the big money invested in RA. ONE of course, is a dream, a vision, an aspiration to make a film which appeals to kids and kids at heart. In short, attempt a film that appeals to the universal audience. At the same time, it ought to raise the bar for Hindi films. Also at stake is SRK's once-unchallenged supremacy as the reigning idol of Bollywood and that elusive thing called reputation. When you invest your repute in your dream project and stick your neck out, you expect nothing short of a mega-success. â€Å"I had a very clear of how we’ll market it. The first clarity was that we won’t have too many images of the film. I didn’t want it to be cluttered. I didn’t want it to be a hero and a heroine and their son. This is a superhero film and we had to introduce that. Whether people like it or not, my marketing thought is if you keep something in front of people for too long, they get used to it. So there was this big fear — when my costume comes out and me with blue eyes, will it be liked? Small considerations like this which you don’t think about while making the film, but when it comes out, people say, â€Å"you know what, your dadhee (beard) isn†t working at all†. SRK The daily promotional strategy of the media savvy Shah Rukh Khan seems to be working when it comes to publicizing his film ‘Ra. One’. He has pushed the film in every way possible – through multiple co-branding deals, in-film plans, promotional tie ups, marketing strategies, gaming and merchandising and much more. The ‘Ra. One’ous appetite of King Khan seems to be insatiable and everyone is being a part of it, whether they understand it or not. The film is thus ending up as the most promoted film till date â€Å"SRK’s strategy is similar to several Hollywood biggies where promotions start several months before release. Typically, big star cast movies and mega-budget releases such as Bodyguard, Singham etc start their marketing around eight weeks before release. But SRK has taken marketing to a whole new level for a Bollywood movie,† says Pritie Jadhav, chief operating officer, P9 Integrated – a division of Percept. The makers of Ra. One are on a marketing blitzkrieg Eros International and Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment have brand tie-ups for Ra. One to the tune of Rs. 52 crore of which Rs 12-15 crore has been earmarked for online promotion, an advertising executive involved with the promotion of the movie said on condition of anonymity. Brand tie-ups that the marketing spends of the film have been considerably subsidised. Some of the brands with whom tie-ups have been effected are Sony PlayStation, YouTube, Nerolac, McDonald’s, Western Union Money Transfer, UTV Indiagames, Videocon, Nokia, Coke, ESPN Star Sports and Cinthol. Eros and Red Chillies have recovered part of their huge investment in the film through in-film branding, media endorsements, pre-licensing of cable TV and satellite rights, music and other rights Promotion of the film officially began as early as December 2010 when the first poster was published in all leading news papers across the country. The film's first look was later unveiled by Khan on his Twitter page on January 1, 2011. Several months later, director Anubhav Sinha announced that he would be launching two teaser trailers of the film during the 2011 Cricket World Cup, a prior nine months before the film's actual release date. Ra. One is not a Bollywood film that [the audiences] have seen before. The kind of size and magnitude that the film has requires it to be slowly introduced to the audience and that is the very purpose why we are starting the whole communication so early. â€Å"says Anubhav Sinha The film's first theatrical trailer was released three months later to the p ublic. As a way to promote the theatrical trailer, Khan was accompanied by the director on a five city tour, which included such places like Delhi, Chandigarh, Indore and Ahmedabad. During the same event, a 3600  ft long fan mail collecting audience wishes and messages for the film was also launched. Strategies which have caught the imagination of a population of over a billion Indians * Online Promotions: Approx INR 52crore is the estimated total budget shelled out for Ra. One’s marketing, in which INR 15 crore is for online promotions. Usually Bollywood film promotions only starts eight weeks before release but SRK took it in the Hollywood way, from January of this year with his first appearance in Twitter. Later it was the Facebook Fan page that started off its promotion from March SRK and Google – YouTube announced a partnership deal on mutual benefits basis. An exclusive video was created by Red Chillies (Khan’s production company) and was integrated into the YouTube Channel (Ra. One Youtube Channel). The company launched the official customized Ra. One channel of the film on YouTube(a first for an Indian film) where several song and theatrical promos were released to the public, along with videos of the film's making, events and uncut footage. The channel also hosts games, including the first social game from India, and contests where participants can create promos from clips, music and dialogues of the film. * Merchandise: As a way to promote the film and increase its franchising business, Shahrukh Khan tied up with Seventymm to market a variety of merchandises related to the film. Products included original G. One tee shirts, coffee mugs, wrist bands, watches, mobile pouches, video cameras, as well as many other things. Similar products were also available for purchase on the official G. One online store, which was launched alongside the film's official website. [90% of the 400. 000 stationery items and toys were sold in 15 days and 100. 000 more have been ordered. The makers spent 1. 5 crore on the mold for the G. One action figure. In addition to this, a jewelery line inspired by the symbol of â€Å"Ra. One†,as well as a series of HCL laptops with customized integrated Ra. One skin[59]were also made available to the public. These products are designed in-house by Red Chillies, and have been manufactured in China. By October, 50 products will be sold in more than 3,500 stores and e-commerce sites. Comics: Red Chillies Entertainment collaborated with UTV Indiagames to develop digital comics based on the film's characters. Written by Khan, the comic featured weekly episodes and served as a prequel to the events happening in the movie * Video games: RA. ONE continues to surprise the Indian audience with new innovations on a continued basis. Red Chillies Entertai nment had declared a tie-up with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) to build a full cycle game on PlayStation platform. The video game version of the movie will be called ‘RA. ONE–The Game‘ and will be available on PS2 and PS3 (through PSN download). This is a newer direction for Bollywood to create a win-win strategy of both promoting the film as well as create a brand extension strategy for RA. ONE. The film, with its super hero touches, is appropriate to seamlessly use the PlayStation platform and connect with the In youth. * Print adds and billboards: Print ads have been booked in all leading publications while 1,700 billboards will show the superstar in his superhero gear. This by far the largest collaboration in terms of in terms of billboards for any movie . Somthing or the other we read about the movie everday . * â€Å"Bharat Bhraman† Tour: Shahrukh Khan is places for Ra. One. The King Khan has started his bharat bhraman and caught with his fans from Kolkata to Delhi. Shahrukh covered cities like Vadodara, Gujarat; earlier he was in Chennai for ‘Ra. One’ audio launch in Tamil; and he was in the cities Bangalore , Jaipur and Bhopal Vadodara. SRK did a 36-city tour, which will include several foreign destinations, and one of the highlights of these events will be a 3,600-feet-long fan mail collecting audience wishes and messages. Mobile Engagements and application: iPhone / iPad app for the fans, in collaboration with UTV’s Indiagames. To talk about the app – Ra. One is an arcade first-person shooter game where you can play as G. One to shoot bad guys down with their team leader Ra. One. The game comprises of three terrains – Trainyard, London Bridge and Wasteland with a total of 89 levels (called Waves in the game), starting with Wave 1 and unlocking as you complete each level. Movie themes ,songs , games , wallpapers all of which form a part of mobile engagments are easily accessible over the net * Television promotions: Appearances in three major shows (Just Dance , SA RE GA MA PA Lil Champs. Indias Got Talent)in 3 entertainment channels to participating in ‘kaun bangea corerpati’. Interviews and teasers are a constasnt attraction nowdays for the viewers . Televison promotion is playing a big role in promoting the film * Selling movie rights: Even before its release, Ra. One managed to earn a revenue of Rs132 crore simply by giving away the rights of the movie. The brand equity of film star Shahrukh Khan is unparalleled and his presence in the movie gives a huge boost to distributors and companies to get associated with the brand. Star India got the rights for Ra. One at around Rs40 crore. Apart from this, the music rights were bought for Rs15 crore by T-Series. The producers got a whopping Rs77 crore from Eros Entertainment to own the distribution rights of the movie * Release and Premiere: The movie would be released at over 3000 screens in India and over 1000 screens overseas. Apart from this, premieres at international destinations like Dubai, Toronto and London, which have a high popularity for Indian films are on cards. Due to various new marketing strategies adopted by the producers of the movie, Ra. One managed to generate a lot of positive word of mouth. If not for its success, this movie would definitely prove to be a landmark in the Indian film industry for its advertising and marketing strategies. Will promotional overdrive harm ‘RA. One'? They need to remain prepared to face the severe criticism if they fail to live up to the expectation by even a bit, and it will be difficult to match the hype because they have unveiled almost everything about ‘RA. One'. Audience expectations build up with such a high intensity campaign and the risk is that even a small disconnect can boomerang. That’s not the climax the producers would look forward to. The expections are have increased so much that if the film does not fair according to the standards set by the movie then the audience will feel cheated . Nevertheless the first reactions have come in from the trade analyst and they are optimistic about the film. â€Å"Wow! Brilliant! Mesmerising! Leaves u dumbfounded! Blockbuster! Indian cinema bar raisd! Saw portions of RA. . SRK surpasses himself. †- komal Nahata Watched more than an hour of #RaOne. Left me amazed. Technological breakthrough. At par with intl films. A superhero film that’s super! † – Taran Adarsh These reaction about the movie is only going to create a good word of mouth about the film and this will lead to audience booking there tickets Conclusion All said and done u like the promotions or not but u simply cant ignore the movie. Shahrukh Khan along with his team has made us think about the differentiated strategy implemented across the country . The strategy is here to stay . It has layed down a path that will make other filmmakers to think . As far as the box office collection goes it’s a sure short blockbuster. References * Saxena, Manjari (2011-10-24). â€Å"Ra. One: Shah Rukh Khan has another winner†. Gulf News. Retrieved 2011-10-24. * â€Å"SRK concentrates on Ra. One†. Filmfare. 2010-05-06. Retrieved 2010-08-22. * Press Trust of India (2011-10-21). â€Å"SRK turns salesman to sell ‘RA. One' merchandise†. CNN-IBN. Global Broadcast News. Retrieved 2011-10-21. * Ra. One: Exclusive & Authentic Movie Merchandise†. Seventymm. Retrieved 2011-10-20. * Adarsh, Taran (2011-10-21). â€Å"SRK, Eros take ‘Ra. One' to next level†. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 2011-10-21. * Bhat, Varada (2011-09-19). â€Å"Bollywoods longest promotion†. Business Standard. Retrieved 2011-09-19. * â€Å"Shah Rukh meets fans on Google Plus Hangout for RA. One chat†. CNN-IBN. Global Broadcast News. Retrieved 2011-10-20. * Shinde, Shivani (2011-08-30). â€Å"India's first social game for Ra. One†. Business Standard. Retrieved 2011-08-29. * Baksi, Dibyojyoti (2011-10-14). â€Å"SRK's discovery speaks up about RA. One†. Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2011-10-15. * Jamkhandikar, Shilpa (2011-10-13). â€Å"A Minute With: Shah Rukh Khan†. Reuters. Retrieved 2011-10-13. * RA. One's rampage. Prannoy Roy Publications. 2011-10-14. Retrieved 2011-10-20. * Joshi, Tushar (2011-10-18). â€Å"RA. One gets an addition†. The Times of India. Retrieved 2011-10-18 * NDTV Correspondent (2011-10-13). â€Å"I am SRK†. NDTV. Prannoy Roy Publications. Retrieved 2011-10-13. * Press Trust of India (2011-10-14). â€Å"Ra. One gets Rs 52-cr promotional push†. CNN-IBN. Global Broadcast News. Retrieved 2011-10-14.