Halo †Humanities Essay

Follow Nobody hates writing papers as much as college instructors hate grading papers (and no, having a robot do it is not the answer). Students of the world: You think it wastes 45 minutes of your sexting time to pluck out three quotes from The Sun Also Rises, summarize the same four plot points 50 times until you hit Page 5, and then crap out a two-sentence conclusion? It wastes 15 hours of my time to mark up my students’ flaccid theses and non sequitur textual â€Å"evidence,† not to mention abuse of the comma that should be punishable by some sort of law—all so that you can take a cursory glance at the grade and then chuck the paper forever. What’s more, if your average college-goer does manage to read through her professor’s comments, she will likely view them as a grievous insult to her entire person, abject proof of how this cruel, unfeeling instructor hates her. That sliver of the student population that actually reads comments and wants to discuss them? They’re kids whose papers are good to begin with, and often obsessed with their GPAs. I guarantee you that every professor you know has given an A to a B paper just to keep a grade-grubber off her junk. (Not talking to you, current students! You’re all magnificent, and going to be president someday. Please do not email me. ) Oh, â€Å"attitudes about cultures have changed over time†? I’m so glad you let me know. When I was growing up, my mother—who, like me, was a â€Å"contingent† professor—would sequester herself for days to grade, emerging Medusa-haired and demanding of sympathy. But the older I got, the more that sympathy dissipated: â€Å"If you hate grading papers so much,† I’d say, â€Å"there’s an easy solution for that. † My mother, not to be trifled with when righteously indignant (that favored state of the professoriate), would snap: â€Å"It’s an English class. I can’t not assign papers. † Mom, friends, educators, students: We don’t have to assign papers, and we should stop. We need to admit that the required-course college essay is a failure. The baccalaureate is the new high-school diploma: abjectly necessary for any decent job in the cosmos. As such, students (and their parents) view college as professional training, an unpleasant necessity en route to that all-important â€Å"piece of paper. † Today’s vocationally minded students view World Lit 101 as forced labor, an utter waste of their time that deserves neither engagement nor effort. So you know what else is a waste of time? Grading these students’ effing papers. It’s time to declare unconditional defeat. Most students enter college barely able to string three sentences together—and they leave it that way, too. With protracted effort and a rhapsodically engaged instructor, some may learn to craft a clunky but competent essay somewhere along the way. But who cares? My fellow humanists insist valiantly that (among other more elevated reasons) writing humanities papers leads to the crafting of sharp argumentative skills, and thus a lifetime of success in a number of fields in which we have no relevant experience. But my friends who actually work in such fields assure me that most of their colleagues are borderline-illiterate. After all, Mark Zuckerberg’s pre-Facebook Friendster profile bragged â€Å"i don’t read† (sic), and look at him. Of course it would be better for humanity if college in the United States actually required a semblance of adult writing competency. But I have tried everything. I held a workshop dedicated to avoiding vague introductions (â€Å"The idea and concept of the duality of sin and righteousness has been at the forefront of our understanding of important concepts since the beginning of time.†) The result was papers that started with two incoherent sentences that had nothing to do with each other. I tried removing the introduction and conclusion altogether, and asking for a three-paragraph miniessay with a specific argument—what I got read like One Direction fan fiction. 200500899-001 The sliver of the student population that actually reads comments and wants to discuss them? They’re kids whose papers are good to begin with, and often obsessed with GPAs. Photo by Nick White / Thinkstock  I’ve graded drafts and assigned rewrites, and that helps the good students get better, but the bad students, the ones I’m trying to help, just fail to turn in any drafts at all. Meanwhile, I come up for air and realize that with all this extra grading, I’m making 75 cents an hour. I’m not calling for the end of all papers—just the end of papers in required courses. Some students actually like writing, and let those blessed young souls be English majors, and expound on George Eliot and Virginia Woolf to their hearts’ content, and grow up to become writers, huzzah. But for the common good, leave everyone else out of it. Instead of essays, required humanities courses (which I support, for all the reasons William Cronon, Martha Nussbaum, and Paulo Freire give) should return to old-school, hardcore exams, written and oral. You cannot bullshit a line-ID. Nor can you get away with only having read one page of the book when your professor is staring you down with a serious question. And best of all, oral exams barely need grading: If you don’t know what you’re talking about, it is immediately and readily manifest (not to mention, it’s profoundly schadenfroh when a student has to look me in the face and admit he’s done no work). Plus, replacing papers with rigorous, old-school, St. John’s-style tribulations also addresses an issue humanities-haters love to belabor: Paper-grading is so subjective, and paper-writing so easy to fake, that this gives the humanities their unfortunate reputation as imprecise, feelings-centered disciplines where there are â€Å"no right answers. † So let’s start requiring some right answers. Sure, this quashes the shallow pretense of expecting undergraduates to engage in thoughtful analysis, but they have already proven that they will go to any lengths to avoid doing this. Call me a defeatist, but honestly I’d be happy if a plurality of American college students could discern even the skeletal plot of anything they were assigned. With more exams and no papers, they’ll at least have a shot at retaining, just for a short while, the basic facts of some of the greatest stories ever recorded. In that short while, they may even develop the tiniest inkling of what Martha Nussbaum calls â€Å"sympathetic imagination†Ã¢â‚¬â€the cultivation of our own humanity, and something that unfolds when we’re touched by stories of people who are very much unlike us. And that, frankly, is more than any essay will ever do for them.

Special Education for Disabilities

Disabilities affect every race, culture, sex, and religion. It is non-discriminatory. Almost everyone can think of someone they have come into contact with or are related to that has a disability, and we can all think of some torment or discrimination that has affected their life. Asylum, prison, basement, attic Sorry, allowed to exist but only as outcasts. Became a part of society but were not encouraged or allowed to participate in an attempt to gain their independence. Bill of right for disabled people-laws at the federal level Qualified Handicapped individual- a person who with reasonable accommodations can perform the essential functions as required for employment or education. Architectural Transportation Barrier Compliance Board Established legal channels to handle this Lead to Americans with Disabilities Act Moved to include State and Local Govt. Ensure a free and appropriate education Ensure and access effectiveness of the program Defines who provides services needed Today we have laws and they are enforced by strict guidelines. Our society as a whole accepts and allows for inclusion although some individuals still look down on special individuals and poke fun at them. Through education and exposure it is hoped that all of society will view each other as equal and unite. The greatest injustice to any individual is treating everyone the same. Everyone is an individual and should be treated in a way that recognizes their individuality and should be provided all the supports needed for them to gain and maintain independence and equality without discrimination.

American Revolutionary War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

American Revolutionary War - Essay Example With respect to this particular analysis, the author will consider the way in which the group â€Å"The Sons of Liberty† provided just such a catalyst with respect to the events that helped ultimately to lead to through such a unit of analysis, it is the hope of this author that this catalyzing factor will be understood and appreciated to a more full and nuanced degree so that the reader will come to a more complete form of appreciation for the way in which this particular group, as well as many other tangentially related and similar groups within the era, were ultimately the main factors in helping to prompt moderates and firebrands towards a general consensus with respect to exercising the right to self-determination and throwing off the bounds of British colonialism. Through understanding this group and the mechanisms by which it spread and sought to create a newfound colonial identity, the reader can come to a more informed understanding with regards to the way in which th e Sons of Liberty, and groups like it, were absolutely pivotal in determining the course of action that would take place leading up to and including the Revolutionary War period. Firstly, in seeking to understand the Sons of Liberty, it must be understood that this particular group of patriots was ultimately formed as a means of seeking to promote an understanding an integration with the concept of the rights of the colonist. As with many groups, the membership was from a wide array of stakeholders within the society of that time. Individuals who owned large businesses in the growing cities of the colonies along with stakeholders of society that had significantly less in terms of material wealth. This collection of individuals, fervently meeting and discussing aspects of independence and the means through which a further level of rights could be manifest ultimately began to protest the perceived abuses that the British colonials were meting out on them. As a form of this protest, th ese individuals organized street marches as well as planned and engaged in the Boston Tea Party. It is, of course, this Boston Tea Party that the group has become the most famous for in helping to engage the broader population of the colonies in an act of civil disobedience and seek to overthrow the ruling power of the British at that time. The hard-line tactics and level of anxiety and frustration that the Sons of Liberty were able to instill within the individuals they interacted. Naturally, the level of response for these activities was not muted; as the British responded with the Intolerable Acts and cracked down on the ways in which such groups were allowing for a vocal level of societal indignation over the perceived slights that the British government was performing.1 Yet, rather than stymieing their efforts, the success and visibility of the Sons of Liberty only encouraged the formation of further groups throughout the entire nation; spurred on by the rhetoric of liberty and the intense dislike of the way in which the colonies were being administered at that time.2 As a result of the groundswell of sympathy and support that the Sons of Liberty began to receive, they were able to encourage the formation of other revolutionary groups.  

The Effects of Different Structures on Ownership Decisions Essay

The Effects of Different Structures on Ownership Decisions - Essay Example Joint ventures have to be applied in countries where foreign ownership is restricted. Other forms of entry into overseas market are mergers and acquisitions. A merger occurs when an exporter merges with a local company and creates a new unit, while under acquisition the exporting company takes over a domestic company. This research aims to asses the effect of different structures on ownership decisions. According to Raff, Ryan and Stahler (2005), direct exports or Greenfield investment does not change the ownership as it relies on its own assets to produce goods. In the case of M&A the foreign firm acquires the assets of the local target firm and combines them with its own assets but in the case of joint ventures, even though the assets are shared, they continue to choose output independently. Thus the decision to invest in another country would depend upon the extent of investment that the host firm wants to make. This implies that the firm heterogeneity would determine the pattern of foreign direct investment. Research suggests that firms with least assets would not like to disturb the ownership and would prefer to directly export their goods. Firms with highest assets choose Greenfield or direct investment. Those with low assets prefer mergers and joint ventures. Kasuga (2003) clarifies that net worth plays an important role in determining structures and hence the ownership decisions. When the minimum efficient scale for foreign companies is too large, the host firm chooses joint ventures or equity participation rather than wholly owned subsidiaries. The ownership decisions are based on various micro and macro factors as it depends on the host country for support. When the parent firm needs the local partner’s assets, joint venture are preferred. The ownership shares and consequently the profits too get distributed in case of joint ventures. The ownership also affects the degree of technology transfer from the parent firm. Research also shows

Comparing and Contrasting Christianity and Catholicism Research Paper

Comparing and Contrasting Christianity and Catholicism - Research Paper Example   However, regrettably, Protestants have often been heard saying, â€Å"Catholics are not Christians,† but Catholics have never, to the best of this student’s knowledge, been heard to retaliate. As a starting point, and without digging deeply into theological tenants, it might help for comparison and contrasting purposes to get a simple definition of Christian. The Evangelical Church of America (2011) states that â€Å"Christianity is one of the world’s major monotheistic religions. Christians believe in Jesus Christ and follow his teachings. We believe that Jesus is God’s own son, sent to become human. As the son of God, Jesus is divine.† So using this simple and incomplete definition of Christianity, a look is in order to find what differences may exist between Catholics and Christians. To this student, the answer to a question on â€Å"Is There a Difference Between Catholic and Christian† (2011) tells the whole story. It says, â€Å"There are many Christian denominations and churches Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist. Being a member of one doesn’t determine whether one is a Christian. The real issue is whether the person has Jesus living inside of him...If they actually have a personal relationship with God.† Note that this author also lists Catholics with various Protestant denominations. Looking for differences between Christianity and Catholicism, one can find a few, most of the little consequence. For instance, Catholics believe in seven Sacraments (holy moments); namely, baptism, Eucharist, confirmation, marriage, ordination, reconciliation/confession and anointing of the sick, which not all Christian denominations do. Furthermore, Catholics believe that Saint Mary, the greatest saint of all, and did not sin while other Christians, although respecting Mary as the mother of Jesus believe that she sinned the same as anyone else.  Ã‚  

Answer those 40 questions only and provide me with the full and Term Paper

Answer those 40 questions only and provide me with the full and explained answer in international business - Term Paper Example Q15. The TRIPS was brought up as an endeavor to restrict the gaps in the way these rights are protected everywhere, and to bring them under reasonable worldwide guidelines. It creates least levels of security that every legislature needs to provide for the intellectual property of individual (Peng, 2000). It strikes a harmony between the long haul advantages and conceivable transient expenses to society. Q18. In a collective society, there is a principle that contains society, the individuals, the state, and so forth - has rights, needs, or real power above and separated from the people who include it. Individuals hear this thought regularly championed in such recognizable maxims. Q19. The term "individualism" has an extraordinary mixture of implications in social and political philosophy. First, ontological individualism. Second, methodological individualism. Third, ethical or political individualism. Ontological individualism is the teaching that social reality comprises, at last, just of persons who pick and act. Groups, for example, a social class, state, or a gathering, cannot work so they are not considered to have a reality autonomous of the activities of persons. Methodological individualists hold that the principal genuinely exploratory recommendations in social science are those that can be decreased to the activities, auras, and choices of people. Q21. Absolute advantage refers to the capacity of a nation, individual, company or area to manufacture goods and deliver services at a lower expense. Materials with absolute advantages can produce an item or government utilizing a littler number of inputs and using a more effective methodology than another gathering offering the same item or

Hospital Emergency Operations Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Hospital Emergency Operations Plan - Essay Example The emergency plan for the hospital has guidelines for facility evacuation. Facility evaluation is undertaken when the present environment cannot adequately ensure patient treatment or care. The University of Toledo Medical center (UTMC) is a component of the University of Toledo Health Science campus; which has several buildings, hospitals, and health sites. All the buildings are interconnected aboveground and underground tunnel infrastructures; separated through firewalls, having different utility systems, and different emergency power sources. Hence, if one part of the building is unusable, an alternative care site can be located in a different equipped building. The UTMC has also collaborated with other community partners, to establish an alternative care site at the Collier Building; therefore, medical staff or students can continue caring for the relocated patients. During patient relocation, copies of medical records and other medical items are sent to the alternative clinic s ites. Communication and transport infrastructure and services between the hospital and the alternative clinic sites are coordinated in the Hospital command Center in liaison with the Lucas County Emergency Operation Coordinator. In addition, the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio in collaboration with regional health providers, have initiated a plan for opening a major alternative care facility.The HICS has a flexible method to emergency management which can be utilized in various disaster responses.

Business Law Assignment-Immigrants as employees Essay

Business Law Assignment-Immigrants as employees - Essay Example As a result, there have been calls for on employers to take action and responsibility in properly vetting their non-citizen workers. However, this has proved to be a challenge with these immigrants using loopholes to gain permits and other important valid documents. This expose elucidates the role of the employer in the issue of illegal immigrant employees and the problem of selective enforcement of immigration laws. In addition, the expose further looks at the rights of those employees who have worked in the country for long as illegal immigrants. Finally, the expose examines there is a justification in the immigrants’ quest for a better life and failure to follow and enforce the law when helping citizens of other nations. There is no doubt that employers should play a role in the enforcement of the immigration laws. However, the issue whether the employer should be the focal point while enforcing immigration laws is in itself debate since it illustrates failure in the systems concerning implementation of the immigrations laws. Case in point, while conducting the raid at Swift & Co., some of the illegal immigrants who worked in the company had valid documents with them. These valid documents included legal social security numbers of United States residents used by the immigrants to acquire work permits and gain employment at Swift albeit illegally (Herridge). Hence, once the employer, Swift Co. in this case, identifies valid permits issued due to valid social security number there is no need of victimizing them since there are loopholes that the illegal immigrant used. The basic pilot program is a crucial tool to ensure that the employers play their role in identifying illegal immigrants while employing them. Essentially, the program enables employers verify electronically whether non-citizens employed, or seeking employment, in the company are eligible for employment. This tool effectively becomes a crucial and

Nano Technology in Oil Industry Essay Example for Free

Nano Technology in Oil Industry Essay Introduction Nanotech applications Nanoparticles have been successfully used in drilling mud for the Last 40-50 years. Recently the other disciplines of the oil industry, such as exploration, primary and assisted production, monitoring, refining and distribution, are approaching nanotechnologies due to its immense Potential for Confronting challenges, performance improvement cost. Especially in ultra-deep water and artic environments, Severe reservoir conditions (high-temperature and high-pressure formations), nonconventional resources of energy,Heavy oils, tight gas, tar sandsreservoirs) Present nanotech applications in oil industry: Most of the major oil and service companies, such as BP, ConocoPhillips, Shell, Total and Schlumberger. done research in exploiting nanotechnologies to improve oil and gas production. Developing subsurface micro- and nanosensors that could be injected in oil and gas wellbores identification of nanotech potentialities applied to EOR issues. Recent published results speak about Single-Walled-Carbon-Nano Tube (SWNT) / Silica nanohybrids, active at the fluid interface, if delivered at the O/W interface, would react and modify the oil properties to increase oil mobilization, hence oil recovery. Researchers ars analysing the potential benefits derived by the application of nanomaterials, nanofluids and nanomembranes in oil industry. Sensors: Nanomaterials are unparallelled tools for the development of sensors and imaging-contrast agents due to the significant alterations in their optical, magnetic and electrical properties, along with their ability to form (electrically and/or geometrically) percolated structures at low volume fractions. Such nanomaterials, when combined with smart fluids, can be used as extremely sensitive down hole sensors for temperature, pressure and stress even under extreme conditions. The ultimate evolution of instruments for oil prospects is perceived to be nanorobots, which should really provide an effective mapping of the reservoir. Nanorobots still remain a dream,shared by the medical and oil sectors. But advances in nanosensors miniaturization are becoming a reality. Coatings: A corrosion-resistant material solution represented by nanometric thin films  and composites with nanostructured fillers are in the advanced stage. corrosion-resistant materials are the â€Å"just ready to happen † nanotechnology-based applications,due to its relatively low risk, high effectiveness and low complexity. Nanocoated, wear-resistant probes, made of tungsten carbide or boron nitride, enhance the life span and efficiency of the drilling systems. The same applies to the nano-layered corrosion inhibitors in pipes or tanks, which creates a permanent molecular coating on the surface of metals, eliminating corrosion. Nanofluids and nanomaterials for drilling and completion : Nanotechnology has opened the development of smart fluids† for drilling, production and stimulation applications. Nanofluids and nano-based additives exhibit major advancement by enhanced drilling by adding benefits like wettability alteration, improved drag reduction and sand consolidation. A specialized petroleum laboratory has developed an advanced fluid mixed with nanosized particles and superfine powder that significantly improves the drilling speed and can eliminate formation damage in near wellbore zone. With the synthesis of a new breed of elastomeric composites filled with carbon nanotubes or other strongly anisotropic nano-objects, a stronger, tougher and more rugged drilling tools and apparatus will be manufactured in future. These tools will ensure a significant weight reduction and facilitate self-sensing elements to be interrogated for the real-time monitoring of the most critical parts. Another important technique in the development of super-hard materials is the use of nanostructured dispersed-hardened materials .First generation of nanotech applications for improving hydraulic fracturing are represented by BakerHughes’s nanostructured metal composites, combined by magnesium, aluminium and other alloys, which offer both strength at lower weight and the ability to â€Å"dissolve† away under certain conditions. Another example is the proppant produced by Oxane Materials, constituted by nano-structured ceramic material which is as strong as but lighter as ceramic proppant. A possible solution for mitigating fines, by nanocrystals for treating hydraulic fracture proppant packs to fix formation fines. Nanotechnology application for reservoir monitoring for enhanced oil recovery Nanomembranes: A new generation of lightweight and strong nanomembranes is being developed and employed, Which will remarkably enhance  the exploitation of tight gas by providing efficient methods for removing impurities, separating gas streams and enabling GTL production. Nanoporous and nanoparticulate materials are also quite encouraging to manage the Health, Safety, Environmental, risks arise due to presence of CO2 and H2S in hydrocarbon mixtures. Nanotechnology application for reservoir monitoring The petroleum sector and the medical visualize the dream of a nanosensor able to provide in-situ information about the systems under analysis. The most complicated and Complex challenge faced by oil industry is that it requires strong technical improvements in injected nano sensors into the reservoir, to face placement and recovery, protection in harsh environments , 3-D location, sensors powering and data storage retrieving. For example, the quantity of oil present in a reservoir could be assessed based on the amount of material lost or retained during the travel time, or the extreme conditions (temperature, pressure, salinity gradient) at which the nanoparticles were exposed and for how long, could be determined. The idea can be to pump nano-sensors in the reservoir periodically so as to regularly monitor changes in the well/field conditions.In turn, this could result in enhanced production efficiency. Several possible applications and exploitation schemes are currently under study with nano-devices injected into a reservoir. A novel paramagnetic nanoparticles into proppant structures together with these smart proppant could help in mapping the fracture efficiency using detectable contrast agents. Further nanoparticles could preferably segregate into different fluid portions, hence providing enhanced characterization of the reservoir and, fianlly , improved oil recovery,due to their miniscule dimensions, increased surface area and high mobility. Nanotechnology application for enhanced oil recovery: The greatest challenge at present is the possibility of increasing the efficiency of hydrocarbon production, both by improving the current EOR methodologies and by developing alternative technologies. The current researches indicate the new generation nano-agents should modify the properties of the injected fluid, in terms of viscosity, density, thermal conductivity and specific heat and modify the fluid-rock interaction properties, .The use of two different types of polysilicon nanoparticles (one nanometer-scale) in oil fields  improves wettability, to enhance water injection and improve oil recovery. The application of paramagnetic nanoparticles for EOR , possess a unique combination of fluidity and capability to interact with a magnetic field. The addition of a surfactant would greatly reduce the interfacial tension in waterwet reservoirs due to the presence of a dipole moment.The reservoir fluid molecules align, thus reducing the resistance to flow. ConocoPhillips, aims at creating a new class of polymer-type nanoparticles that can be incorporated with EOR injection fluids to improve hydrocarbon recovery by penetrating small pore throats without being trapped and hence the a mount of expensive injection can be decreased. The University of Alaska Fairbanks investigated The possibility of improving gas injection for the Alaska North Slope heavy oil recovery. Metal nanoparticles. reduce the viscosity of the heavy oil. Using super critical CO2 and Viscosity ReducingInjectant (VRI) saturated by nanoparticles, exploit the thermal properties of nanoparticles for improved heat transfer to heavy oil; explore the effects of Poly Di Methyl Siloxane and metal nanoparticles on density and viscosity for reducing mobility and viscous fingering Phenomena . When dealing with extremely low permeability reservoirs, conventional approaches to water flooding cannot provide recovery factors greater than 0.2. This is mainly due to capillary forces which are very strong in narrow pore channels. With low-permeability reservoir rocks, the level of purity and filtration of injected water is one of the most important issues for a significant oil recovery. With rocks characterized by a permeability of 0.1 ÃŽ ¼m2 the recovery factor deviates from an average of 0.4 by less than 10% if particulates in injected water are smaller than 200 nm. Nevertheless, with a rock permeability of 0.05 ÃŽ ¼m2 the recovery factor is dramatically approaching zero with the same particle ssize. A traditional water flooding technique is obviously unproductive in this latter case, unless water is filtered and purified of particulates down to at least 100 nm. Innovative water nano-filters are to be specially designed both to ensure uniform pore throats and the ability to recovery tens of billions of tons of oil. Some feel that oil is essentially a nanoliquid, with asphaltenes being the dominant part, flowing in a micro and often nanoscopic environment (i.e., the porous media). According to that,it seems justifiable to consider most of the oil and gas production technologies, reservoir treatments and  stimulation as nanotechnologies. Under this point of view, current petroleum science is relying on the study and control of physical chemical phenomena occurring at the nanometer scale and the ability to correctly model the reservoir flow plays an important role. However, a suitable tool to reliably describe coupled phenomena is still missing. The present approach being discussed is, for creating nanorobots to monitor individual pores and channels and hydrocarbon flow, exchange information and identify zones which intensify the extraction or the injection of water. CONCLUSION: Nanotechnology Application to the oil industry has an immense potential benefits. Some applications are already available,while others could come from Complementing the solutions developed for the biomedical, automotive, aerospace, chemical and, textile Industries. Well drilling, fracturing and cementing as well as new generation membranes for gas separation already rely on nanotech solutions. At present efforts are being made to design nano-sensors for reservoir characterization and monitoring and to produce nano-fluids for improving EOR processes. Promising results have been obtained from laboratory experiment, but field tests are still in progress..The future of nanotechnology applications is remarkable.

Social Networks and Online Games Essay Example for Free

Social Networks and Online Games Essay Introduction The future of the country depends upon the youth of today, these calls to a large extent on how youth or students are educated.  Man can become man through education only. He is what education makes him. (Immanuel Kant, 2000). Schools are such as an integral part of our society, so that its mission then is to serve its society by preparing young people to cope effectively with its problems and to contribute to the pool of human talents the society needs in order to function successfully, through education, a person has a better chance to achieve what is quite unique to him as an individual living in a free democratic world. Education nowadays is free for everybody; hence, the government provided a free elementary and secondary education as stated in Article IV, Section 2 of the Universal Declaration o Human Rights.  The home, school, community and media served as forms of socializing agent and education of a student. Different forms of technology had been introduced for effective teaching learning process. However, some of high school students nowadays used social networking sites as socialization agent and instrument in their studies, they used it as a connection or communication to their other classmates, to connect with their old friends to meet new friends with the same interest, social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumbler, MySpace and others are attracting millions of people around the globe especially the students. It had been the source of happiness for many students. Some play with the games or applications available in SNSs. But, nowadays, students are addicted to these kinds of sites which led to low scores on test and quizzes, sleeping in class because of lack in sleep and eventually, low grades, performance and achievements of students are greatly affected in school. With these observations, the researchers became interested to find out  the impact /effects of social networking sites and online games on the study habits of students, with this, the output of the study could be used by school authorities as in the field of education reforms and innovations. Statement of the Problem The general problem of the study is: How Social Networks and On-line Games affects the study habits of the students in Tibagan National High School. Especially the study seeks to answer the following questions: 1. What are the social networks and on-line games that student spent more time and interest? 2. What interventions the School Administrators, teachers and parents must extend to help the student to get more focus or attention in their studies? 3. What recommendations may be forwarded to help students manage and budget their time to studies and leisure activities? 4. How do students interest in social networks and on-line games can be converted into informative games and help them to be productive and responsible social networking users? Significance of the Study Specifically the study may be of great help to the following: The Administrators. This study will help them make a workable plan to win back the interest and good study habits of their students in their studies and produce quality of graduates. The Teacher. The findings in this study will be used as a baseline data in identifying, understanding and analyzing the best strategies/interventions a teacher may use to bring back the full attention of students to their studies. The Parents. This study would not just help parents know why their children get low grades or perform badly but they will become conscious of their duties and responsibilities to their children especially in their educational endeavors. The Students. It help them realized the value of education, time management, discipline and being responsible user of internet and technology. Scope and Delimitation of the Study The locality of the study will be used in Tibagan National High School. This study will focus on impact/effects of social networking sites and online games on the study habits of students. The respondents of the study will be the selected high school students from first year to fourth year during the school year 2012 – 2013. The method to be used is delimited to the descriptive type of research and a questionnaire will be used I gathering data.

SWOT Analysis Of The Asda Store Commerce Essay

SWOT Analysis Of The Asda Store Commerce Essay The aim of a SWOT analysis is to identify the extent to which the current strategy of a company and its specific strengths and weaknesses are relevant to, and capable of, dealing with the changes taking place in the business environment. It can also be used to assess whether there are opportunities to exploit further the unique resources of the organization. It should also be remembered a SWOT is only a snapshot of a specific point in time. Given the dynamic nature of the modern business world, organizations need to continuously monitor their strategic position to ensure that their long-term strategies and operational procedures remain relevant to the needs of the market. ASDA Internal Strengths Financial Resources and Economies of Scale ASDA was founded in 1965 by a group of farmers from Yorkshire. Since that time the company has undergone many changes. In the early 1990s the company was in financial difficulty but was rescued by the leadership of Archie Norman. From this point onwards the company flourished and was eventually bought by the US giant Wal-Mart in 1999. Wal-Mart is on the largest companies in the world with huge sales revenue ($316 billion). This provides ASDA with two internal strengths: Financial Resources Should ASDA wish to develop more stores or diversify into a new range of products and services, Wal-Mart could provide the necessary financial resources to fund these new developments. This means that ASDA would not have to rely upon external providers (e.g. banks etc) to provide the necessary funds for business expansion. Economies of Scale Being able to charge lower prices on a consistent basis, is a key factor in terms of securing a substantial share of any market. Give the massive purchasing power Wal-Mart possesses, it is ideally placed to negotiate substantial discounts on a very wide range of products and services. ASDA can take advantage of these discounts. Diversification The profit margins on food items tend to be relatively low (e.g. 10 to 20%) when compared with other goods and services. Asda, along with its three main rivals (i.e. Tesco, Sainsburys and Morrisons) have diversified into other products and services in order to bolster their profitability. ASDA is also involved with financial services, clothing and property development. Clothing has proved to be its most successful element of its diversification policy. ASDA has its own range of clothing known as George. This is marketed as quality fashion clothing at affordable prices. It is estimated that George is the fourth largest retailer of clothing in the UK, after Marks and Spencers, the Arcadia Group and Next. Diversification into other products, services and markets provides an internal strength because it protects ASDAs profit base from very intense competitive pressures in the grocery retailing market. Employee Satisfaction / Environmental Issues Both of these items are internal strengths for ASDA. In 2001, 2002 and 2003, the company was voted a top 10 UK employer by the Sunday Times Top 100 Employers Survey. The company recognizes the impact it has on local and global economies. ASDAs long-term aim is to source 100% renewable energy. It is committed to reducing fuel emissions by 80,000 tonnes by 2007. It has already reached half of this target. It is converting its entire fleet of trucks so that they run on bio diesel. ASDA Internal Weaknesses Being Part of Wal-Mart Being part of the Wal-Mart group is double-edged. As outlined earlier. ASDA is provided with internal strengths by being a Wal-Mart company. However, in the United States, Wal-Mart has been in receipt of major criticism from a variety of influential sources over a number of issues. These will be discussed in full under external threats. Any form of criticism generates negative press and television reports ultimately this wave of dissatisfaction could spread to the UK. This would reflect badly on ASDA. As Wal-Mart is the parent company it can ultimately override any decisions made by the ASDA board of directors. Thus Wal-Mart could force ASDA to introduce new working practices based upon its American operations. These working practices could be totally alien to a UK workforce and possibly prove very difficult to implement. Employee Dissatisfaction In 2006 the company was found to be in breach of the UK employment law with regard to trade unions and was find  £850,000. Also in 2006 there was trouble when some Asian employees working in their distribution centres were asked to produce their passports in order to prove that they were entitled to work in the UK. This action led to claims that ASDA was acting in a racist manner. In 2005, it was revealed that in a survey, carried out by the company that only 1 in 4 of its staff shopped in-store. ASDA External Opportunities External opportunities would be identified by completing a PEST analysis of the companys external environment. Social factors offer ASDA a variety of opportunities to expand upon the range of products and services they currently provide. Life Trends / Demographics Despite fluctuations in market and trade cycles over the last 30 years, the average disposable income per head of population in the UK has risen steadily during this period. In addition consumers have become much more sophisticated and demanding. They expect to buy top quality products at affordable prices. Clearly ASDA has managed to satisfy the expectations of its customers with its George range of clothing. Given that ASDA currently holds 17% of the grocery retail market, being second only to Tesco; it has established a very strong presence and brand awareness within the minds of its customers. It is well placed to take advantage of changes in lifestyle trends and demographics, in terms of its capability to develop new products and services to meet the rising expectations and needs of its customers. Consumer Attitudes and Opinions / Consumer Buying Patterns / Advertising and Publicity / Brand, Company, Technology, Image These areas are closely related to life trends and demographics. As disposable incomes increase, ASDA need to influence consumer attitudes and opinions, and buying patterns, by reinforcing its brand image and customer loyalty, through effective advertising and promotion. A key aspect of having a large customer base is to encourage cross selling. Thus the companys overall number of customers may remain the same but over time the sales and profitability per head will increase. This will be achieved as ASDA expands the appeal of its products and services to all segments of its customer base. ASDAs External Threats The Anti-Wal-Mart Lobby There is widespread resistance to the further development of new Wal-Mart stores. Why? It is argued that the company undercuts local retailers by having goods made in developing countries (e.g. China and Bangladesh) in sweatshop conditions and then selling them at prices, no one else in the local area can compete with. Ultimately the smaller stores are forced out of business and Wal-Mart gains a monopoly within that area. Wal-Mart also runs anti-union campaigns. Since taking ASDA over in 1999, Wal-Mart has largely left the UK management team to get on with the running of the company. However, if it attempted to use some of its more aggressive policies in the UK then, as evidenced by the American experience, this would result in a great deal of damage to ASDA in terms of lost customers and poor publicity. Office of Fair Trading Investigation In 2000 an investigation into the domination of the grocery retail market by the four big companies was turned out. Since then, all four companies have adopted aggressive expansion policies. They now control 74% of the market. This time there is a groundswell which suggests supermarkets will not escape regulation. Tough curbs on their ability to expand, or even rules forcing them to sell off stores where they dominate, could be introduced. Stakeholder Mapping In order to determine how ASDA should move forward in respect of the findings from the SWOT analysis, it is necessary to construct a stakeholder mapping. This is necessary in order for ASDA to understand the support and opposition it will generate for a planned change. Opposition Support Active Opponents Passive Opponents Fence Sitters Passive Supporters Active Supporters High Office of Fair Trading ASDA Shareholders Stakeholder Power Medium Anti- Wal-Mart campaigners in the USA Various other groupings opposed to new retail developments e.g. local communities, local authorities ASDA customers Food manufacturers Low Association of Convenience Stores Other grocery retail customers Stakeholder Power Stakeholders all have power, whether it is the formal power invested in a position or authority invested in a social power of being able to persuade others to support or oppose the change. Those with the higher power are going to be ASDAs most useful supporters or most dangerous opponents thus power analysis will help ASDA to prioritize its focus on its stakeholders. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is a fence-sitter as it must remain impartial. The Association of Convenience Stores is an active opponent. This is because its members are adversely affected when ASDA opens up a new store. The Association has low power because its members cannot compete with the big four retailers in the market place. However, by building an alliance, it is possible for an opponent to move upwards and into the high power box. This is because the Association has requested to the Office of Fair Trading that an investigation should take place. How Active Opponents With Low Power Can Increase Their Power Status The anti-Wal-Mart campaigners in the USA are listed because there is nothing to stop the anti-ASDA opponents from forming an alliance with them. Forging alliances between opponents helps to make them stronger because they can exchange ideas etc. Plus several parties, acting as one body provides a stronger focal point in terms of raising media interest and public awareness. It must be remembered that a stakeholders mapping is dynamic and the position of the various parties on the map are likely to change depending upon what ASDA decides to do. If the company adopts the same aggressive policies as Wal-Mart in the USA, this will convert passive opponents into more active ones. Also such action could convert passive supporters into passive opponents. ASDA must consider all of its options before proceeding to take action. A Pre-emptive Strike To Avoid OFT Sanctions Probably the most effective course of action for ASDA to follow is to sell off some of its grocery retail stores and become more active in diversifying its range of non-food products and services. This would be a proactive approach and could possibly help the company to avoid any sanctions the OFT could impose. If it did pursue a diversification policy it could meet stiff resistance from employees who do not like change. Management and Leadership Theory The main reason why employees do not like change is because it causes uncertainty. For example, will I still have a job after the changes are complete? Will I have new responsibilities? And so on. When an organization is faced with massive change it needs to engage with its workforce and explain the situation in full. A variety of forms could be used by ASDA to deliver this message. For example, a newsletter, a series of presentations by members of the senior management team, question and answer sessions etc. ASDA would need to explain the implications of doing nothing i.e. the OFT would probably force the company to sell off some its stores. Such action will probably result in staff redundancies. By being proactive in terms of expanding its diversification policy the likelihood is that all of the staff would be redeployed within the companys new non-food retail outlets. Herzbergs Motivators and Hygiene Factors theory could be used to facilitate this change. The first stage involves hygiene (or maintenance) factors: Status Security Relationship with subordinates Personal life Relationship with peers Salary Work conditions Relationship with supervisor Company policy and administration Supervision The employees need to feel secure and confident about the changes that are going to be implemented. These are the hygiene factors which need to be addressed. They are merely a launch pad for more developmental work when these factors are damaged or undermined no platform for progress exists. The second stage involves using the following motivators: Achievement Recognition Work itself Responsibility Advancement Personal growth These items are used to encourage the staff and make them feel positive about the changes that are going to be implemented. In other words the staff should see how they are going to benefit from the new direction the company is pursuing. The process of motivating the staff to embrace change will be improved if they are actively engaged in developing the content and responsibilities that their new position will entail.

Acid Rain :: Free Essay Writer

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Acid rain is a form of precipitation that contains high levels of sulfuric or nitric acids. In simple terms, acid rain is hail, rain, snow, or sleet that is more acidic than normal. Precipitation naturally is a little acidic but when the pH level drops below a set standard it is acid rain. In general, acid rain is a very complicated problem that is caused by many factors. In this paper, I will discuss how emissions caused by humans effect pH level in precipitation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  First, I will define, in detail, what acid rain is. Acid rain is precipitation that has a pH less than 5.6. The pH scale is a scale that measures if a compound is acidic, basic, or neutral. Neutral is in the middle which has a pH of 7. Basic has a pH between 7.1 and 14 and acidic has a pH between 6.9 and 0. For example, vinegar is acidic with a pH reading of 2.4. Normal precipitation has a pH between 6.9 and 5.9.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Acid rain is formed when sulfur dioxide and various nitrogen oxides combine with atmospheric moisture. Sulfur dioxide is produced by the emissions of electric utilities, industrial companies, commercial and residential heating, smelters and diesel engines. Sulfur dioxide produces sulfuric acid, which will produce acid rain. Nitrogen oxides are produced mostly by transportation (cars, trucks, planes, etc.). Nitrogen oxides produce nitric acid, which will also produce acid rain. The main contributor to acid rain is sulfur oxides (SO2 and SO3). Sulfur oxides are produced naturally but not in the concentration that humans produce. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, can be largely blamed for the production of sulfur oxides. The process of acid rain starts when photons from the sun hit ozone molecules (O3) to form oxygen (O2). Next, the O2 molecules react with water (H2O) to form a negatively charged hydroxyl radicals (OH-). It is the hydroxyl radicals that are responsible for oxidizing sulfur dioxide. This will produce sulfuric acid. Oxidation occurs in clouds mostly above cities with heavily polluted air. These clouds contain ammonia and ozone that can catalyze the reaction. This means that the ammonia and ozone will produce more sulfuric acid fast and the ammonia and ozone will not be consumed in the reaction. Nitrogen oxides are produce from power plants and exhaust fumes from automobiles. The reactions to make nitric acid are similar to the reactions to make sulfuric acid.

My Memories :: essays research papers

These are some of my memories that I can remember clearly. Some are from a very long time ago and some are quite resent. I have three, some parts of them are bad memories and other parts are that good that I’ll never forget them. One of my earliest memories was when I was about 3 or 4 and lived in a small house in Warrington. It was a hot sunny day and I was out in the garden playing football with my friend Joe. My Mum, and Joe's Mum, were both in the house having dinner together because they had not seen each other for a while. Me and Joe were both seeing who could do the most kick-ups. When it was my turn, I kicked the ball too far and it landed in next doors garden. I walked over to have a look if I could see it. As I was walking over I could see some thing in the bush, I then realized it was an action figure. So I ran to get it, but before I got there, Joe had already beaten me to it. I tried to snatch of him but he kept hold tight, like a dog with a bone. We were fighting and arguing over it for about 2 or 3 minutes. Then all of a sudden he let go and I went flying through the air. I then ended up landing on the concrete out side the back door and smacking my head on the floor. The pain rushed to my head and I started to feel dizzy. It felt like some one had put my head in a vice and tightened it slowly. There was no blood but there was a huge bruise on the back of my head. I started to scream as loud as I could and both of our parents came rushing out of the back door to see what was going on. The brui se lasted for a week or so and I didn’t talk to Joe for a month or so. Another one of my memories was when I was around 10 years old. My Dad had a friend who was doing up an old motor bike out of scrap parts. At the time all I wanted was a motor bike, and I begged my Dan to buy it of his friend. My Dad asked his friend if he would sell the motor bike after he had got it working.

Consumer Protection Law of Uae

Consumer Protection Law of UAE In United Arab Emirates; a new federal consumer protection law has been promulgated. Under which a consumer protection committee formed to monitor the prices of consumer goods. The provisions of the laws advocate the principle of healthy competition and fighting monopoly and commercial fraudulence. The new legislation is complementing other laws concerning civil procedures, commercial fraudulence, commercial agencies, industry organization and trading in precious gems and metals.Disregarding any provisions of these laws could lead to violation of other related laws and this itself is enough to ensure strict enforcements. The law No: 6 of 2006 covers and tackles issues relating to the rights of consumer, responsibilities and liabilities and specifying penalties to be imposed on people for selling substandard goods. Under the law, a consumer protection higher committee will be constituted under the chairmanship of the Minister of Economy. The Committee wi ll also comprise of representative of the Consumer Protection Societies.The Committee formation and determination of its powers will be decided by a resolution of the cabinet. In case of a crisis or extraordinary circumstances in the market leading to price hikes, the minister will recommend procedures to curb such price increases and protect consumer’s interests. A new Consumer Protection Department (CPD) will also established at the Ministry of Economy (MOE) with a mandate to supervise the execution of the general policy for the protection of consumer in cooperation with the authorities.The Key responsibilities of CPD includes; 1. To supervise the implementation of policies designed to protect Consumers in cooperation with the concerned authorities in the State. 2. To coordinate with the concerned authorities in the State in order to cope with the unlawful commercial practices detrimental to the Consumer. 3. To coordinate with the concerned authorities to heighten Consumer awareness in the State about the commodities and Services, along with having the Consumers acquainted with their rights and the methods of the claims thereof. 4.To monitor Price movements and curb Price increases. 5. To achieve the principle of the honest competition and fight monopoly. 6. To receive complaints from Consumers and refer them to the concerned authorities or otherwise take the necessary action(s) prescribed in the Department’s mandate. A Complaint may be filled directly by the Consumer or through the consumer protection association, when such acts as the representative of the particular Consumer. 7. To publish and distribute the decision and recommendations designed to raise Consumer awareness.The key responsibilities of the (CPD) includes increasing the consumer’s awareness, monitor the movement of prices and control their increase, combat monopoly, to receive consumers complaints and adopt appropriate action. The law states that the Provider shall upon offering any commodity to consumers shall prominently display in the cover of the commodity or on the packet a label the particulars of the product including date of production,or packing, net weight, country of origin, expiry date, compnents and specifications of product etc.The Provider shall also prominently display the price of the product either in the label or at the place where the commodity is displayed. The consumer shall also have the right to receive a dated bill for the product with paticlulars such as price, type etc. The laws warrants the conformity of the product or the service provided to the consumer with the declared and approved standardized specifications. As per the law, the supplier is prohibited to display or promote counterfeited commodities that would inflict damages or losses on consumers.According to the new law, a consumer will be entitled to be indemnified against personal or financial damages in accordance with the general rules in force. Any agreement in contravention therewith be null and void. Concerning commercial and trade agencies, the law says that each commercial agent or distributor shall honour all guidance provided by the manufacturer or the trade agent of the commodity. The law also obliges the provider to provide for repair, maintain or provide service to the product after sales and to replace a product if a defect is found in the product within a specific time period.The law also confer legal capcity to CPD to represent the Consumers before the Courts and any other body prescribed by law. Without prejudicing the rights of the parties to go to the Court, the department can also proceed with any settlement to protect the consumers’ interest. According to law, those found guilty of violating the provision will face a fine of not les than Dhs. 1,000/-. In case a supplier or a distributor fails to unequivocally warn against the hazards associated with use of the commodity or the service causing damages penalty will be not less than Dhs. 0,000/-. The new law is a milestone in serving the interests of the consumers in protecting their basic rights against unfair trade practices, unscrupulous exploitation etc and their right to seek redressal against such practices. The law guarantee the consumers right to be heard and to be assured that consumers interests will receive due consideration at the appropriate forum. Environmental Law in the UAE The body of Environmental Law in the UAE comprises Federal Laws and Local Orders issued at municipal level within certain of the Emirates.The UAE also recognises certain international conventions and protocols. A list of the Laws is provided in the appendix to this article. In this article we deal broadly with the provisions of Federal Law No. (24) of 1999 for the Protection and Development of the Environment (â€Å"Law No. 24†) which forms the backbone of the Environmental Law within the UAE. We also deal more specifically with Environmental Impact A ssessments, the procedure relating thereto and the institutions charged with the responsibility for implementing the Law. Law No. 24The objectives and general principles of this Law are the following: Protection and conservation of the quality and natural balance of the environment. Control of all forms of pollution and avoidance of any immediate or long-term harmful effects resulting from planning for economic, agricultural or industrial development or other programs aimed at improving life standards. Co-ordination among the FEA, competent authorities and parties concerned with the protection of the environment and conservation and consolidation of environmental awareness and principles of pollution control.Development of natural resources and conservation of biological diversity in the UAE and exploitation of such resources with consideration of present and future generations. Protection of society, the health of human beings and other living creatures from any activities and acts which are environmentally harmful or impede authorised use of the environmental setting. Protection of the UAE environment from the harmful effects of activities undertaken outside the region of the UAE.Compliance with international and regional conventions ratified or approved by the UAE regarding environmental protection, control of pollution and conservation of natural resources. Law No. 24 and the Executive Order published pursuant to Cabinet Resolution No. (37) of 2001 deals comprehensively with all aspects of environmental protection relating to projects; the marine environment and pollution thereof; liability and compensation for environmental damage; rotection of drinking and underground water; air pollution; disposal of hazardous waste; disposal of medical waste, pesticides, agricultural fixers and fertilisers; nature reserves; the protection of wildlife, as well as the penalties imposed for contravention of any provisions of the aforesaid. The Environmental Impact Assessm ent (EIA) According to Law No. 24, any entity that wishes to undertake a project within the UAE which may have an impact upon the environment must apply to the Federal Environmental Agency (FEA) or the relevant competent local authority for a license.The FEA in co-ordination with the competent authority undertake the evaluation of the environmental impact of projects. The procedure is as follows: The applicant shall attach with his application a complete statement on the project or activity intended to be undertaken including all information required in accordance with the Executive Order and forms included therein. The FEA in coordination with the competent authority shall decide on the application within a period not exceeding one month from the date of submission of the application.The applicant shall be notified of the decision and reasons for rejection of his application if rejected. The period stated above may be extended by one month if the need arises. Owners of projects or establishments approved by license shall undertake the regular analysis of waste and monitor the properties of discharge and pollutants generated from such projects, including degradable materials and keep monitoring records as well as send reports with the results to the FEA and the competent authorities. Federal Environmental Agency (FEA) The Federal Environmental Agency was established pursuant to Federal Law No. 7) of 1993 for the Establishment of the Federal Environmental Agency.The Law sets out the objectives of the FEA being inter alia: To protect and develop the environment: To determine the necessary plans and policies to safeguard it from damaging activities, particularly  Ã‚   Appendix The Environmental Laws in the UAE and International Protocols Federal Laws Federal Law No. 7 of 1993 for the Establishment of the Federal Environmental Agency (as amended by Federal Law No. 30 of 2001). Federal Law No. 24 of 1999 for the Protection and Development of the Environment and i ts Executive Order. Federal Law No. 3 of 1999 concerning Exploitation, Conservation and Development of Living Aquatic Resources. Federal Law No. 1 of 2002 for the Regulation and Control of the Use of Radiation Sources and Against Their Hazards Federal Law No. 11 of 2002 for Regulating and Controlling the International Trade in Species of Wild Fauna & Flora. Abu Dhabi Local Environmental Laws Law No. 16 of 2005 pertaining to the Reorganisation of the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency. Law No. 21 of 2005 for Waste Management in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Law No. 28 of 2005 which is a Law Establishing the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage.The above local laws, reference to the federal laws and the protocols can be found on http://www. ead. ae/en Dubai Environmental Laws Local Order No. 61 of 1991, a local order issued by the Municipal Council still governs environmental law at a local level. Federal Law will prevail in the event of conflict and contradiction. Local Order No. 11 of 2 003 regarding Public Health and Safety of Society has replaced the specific provisions in Local Order 61 of 1991 relating to public health. Local Order No. 11 of 2003 supersedes Local Order No. 1 of 1991 in parts only (with the exception of specific provisions relating to public health and safety). We were informed by the Head of the Environment section in Dubai Municipality that a new Local Order will be issued soon. This local order will complement Local Order No. 11 of 2003 and replace Local Order 61 of 1991 in its entirety. The above local orders can be found on the below link: http://vgn. dm. gov. ae/DMEGOV/dm-legislation-localorder-a; and http://vgn. dm. gov. ae/DMEGOV/dm-legislation-order2004-a There were also amendments issued in 2004 to the Local Order No. 11 of 2003.This Local Order and its amendments can be found on Dubai Municipality ‘s website in Arabic. Please see the above links. The Municipality is currently finalizing the Executive Regulations for Local Order No. 11 of 2003 as well as a separate Local Order to be drafted for Occupational Health and Safety in Dubai . Local Order No. 7 for the year 2002 on Management of Waste Disposal Sites in the Emirate of Dubai. Local Order No. 8 of 2002 regarding Sewerage, Irrigation and Water Drainage in the Emirate of Dubai. The DM's technical guidelines and circulars can be found on the DM's website.Sharjah Environmental Laws Sharjah has issued Environmental guidelines pursuant to Law No. 24 of 1999 relating to specific industries, which are as follows; Environmental Guidelines for the Paint and Varnishes Related Industries. Environmental Guidelines for the Aluminium Industry. Environmental Guidelines for the Plastic and Melamine Industry Environmental Guidelines for Laundries. Environmental Guidelines for the Jewellery Industry. Environmental Guidelines for the Electroplating Industry. Environmental Guidelines for Garages and Car Wash Facilities.

Illuminati Research Paper Essay

Who are the illuminati? Can you rise to fame and gain money by selling your soul to the devil? Some have made a living for themselves in the spotlight without the help of the illuminati while others that joined regret their decision and would rather give up fame forever. There are many theories that will be talked about including excessive details on what illuminati supposedly is and does, background history and establishment, what the illuminati’s goals are, how to become a member, the symbols and puppets they use to spread Illuminati and brainwash people to praise this group including what they represent and how they are integrated into music, athletes, TV shows, even cartoons, and many more with much evidence on this speculation. The Illuminati is a secret society that allegedly controls world affairs and our government. It is widely believed that celebrities are the most common puppets chosen to commercialize the illuminati. Illuminati refers to various organizations claim ing to have unsubstantiated links to the original Illuminati, and often alleged to scheme to control world affairs by masterminding events and planting agents in government and corporations to establish a New World Order and gain further political power and influence. The conspiracy has been illustrated pulling the strings and levers of power, while staying hidden in shadows, in novels, movies, television shows, comics, video games and music videos. Before all the fame and money, however, the Illuminati’s first known existence was in the Bavarian illuminati, until it was ruled out by churches and the Bavarian government. The origin of this group traces back to the 1760s and a man named Adam Weishaupt, who defected from the Catholic Church and organized the Illuminati, financed by the International Bankers. Since then, according to the Illuminati, their top goal has been to achieve a â€Å"one world government† and to subjugate all religions and governments in the process. The Illuminati thus attribute all  wars since the French Revolution as having been fomented by them in their pursuit of their goals. Weishaupt wrote out a master plan in the 1770s outlining the Illuminati’s goals, finishing on May 1, 1776. In the 1780s, the Bavarian Government found out about the Illuminati’s subversive activities, forcing the Illuminati to disband and go underground. For the next few decades, the Illuminati operated under various names and guises, still in active pursuit of their ultimate goal. The Illuminati contend that they have achieved control over the world’s economy by controlling the International Bankers in their effort to create a one world. â€Å"Illuminati† claims to have unsubstantiated links to the original Bavarian Illuminati The Illuminati are a sect of the Freemasons. The Freemason adopted their beliefs and teachings from the Knights Templar, originally a religious and military organization during the crusades. By the 1300s, the Templars deemed themselves the â€Å"bankers of Europe,† because of their enormous wealth and the breadth of their organization; they were hoping to â€Å"become wealthy enough to buy the world.† The king of France and the Pope then conducted arrests and investigations of the Knights Templar. The Pope suspected the king’s investigation involved torturous methods and so h eld his own. As a result of these investigations, the Knights Templar was exposed as two-faced and evil. The Knights concealed one doctrine for only their masters – the one that proclaimed Lucifer as their god – and put forth a Christian front for the public. The Pope abolished the order and it fled underground, continuing only among its most trusted members.. When current members of the Freemasons were interviewed, they did not express any knowledge of any higher religious aims of the Orderbuthta it was an international secret fraternity based on good works. However, former members of the Masons explained that the organization was anti-Christ and Luciferically inspired, especially in its higher levels. This means that either current members would not reveal any of their knowledge because of binding oaths of secrecy, or that they were unaware of the Masons’ evil nature because they had not yet reached its highest levels. But how do you now become a member of the modern illumi nati? Members of the illuminati are chosen specifically from people that can influence others to join. You don’t join the illuminati and become a member just because you feel the need. You either are or you are not chosen. If you are in the correct circle with talents or gifts that can be  used by the group you may be chosen for particular activities including becoming an illuminati puppet, and as some are called princesses. The cost of joining after chosen costs selling your soul and worshipping the devil. Many celebrities act in the ways of illuminati, hinting that they are member or that they wish to be, but others have taken it a step further to clearly state in interviews that they sold their soul to the devil. Some talk of an alter ego they have that mimics a demon taking over the performer while performing on stage, or write lyrics in songs about joining the illuminati, selling their souls, or regretting joining in the first place. In his song â€Å"Eyes Closedâ€Å", Kanye West sates that he â€Å"I sold my soul to the devil that’s a crappy deal/Least it came with a few toys like a happy meal†. Kanye west announces that he is a illuminati member and acknowledges the fact that he does not think it was the best choice but he is rewarded by it, for example with fame, fans, and money. The illuminati allegedly runs the music industry, so by selling your soul to the devil you can gain instant fame In an interview given to Katy Perry she claimed, â€Å" when I was 15, because id grew up in a household where all I ever did was listen to gospel music and my parents were both traveling minister and so I kind of sang about what was going on in my life at 15 and that’s how I got introduced to the music industry cause I swear I wanted to be, like, the Amy grant of music, but it didn’t work out and so I sold my soul to the devil.† Katy Perry received instant fame by selling her soul to the devil, as she claims, after a failed attempt of singing gospel music on her own. Others have however written songs about regret in the illuminati or made music videos with hidden evidence showing them trying to escape the illuminati but are not able to for they appear trapped. Eminem rose to fame after going through heavy times of poverty. In his song â€Å"Say Goodbye Hollywood† Eminem says â€Å"Sayin’ goodbye, sayin’ goodbye to Hollywood â€Å"I don’t wanna quit, but shit, I feel like this is it/For me to have this much appeal like this is sick/This is not a game, this fame, in real life this is sick/†¦I love my fans/But no one ever puts a grasp on the fact/i’ve sacrificed everything I have/I never dreamt i’d get to the level that i’m at, this is whack/This is more than I ever could of asked/everywhere I go, a hat, a sweater hood, or mask/What about math, how come I wasn’t ever good at that/It’s like the boy in the bubble, who never/could adapt, i’m trapped/If I could go back, I  never woulda rapped/I sold my soul to the/devil, i’ll never get it back/I just wanna leave this game with level head intact Imagine goin’ from bein’ a no one to seein’,/ev erything blow up and all you did was just/grow up emceeing/It’s fuckin’ crazy/Cause all I wanted was to give Hailie the life I never had/But instead I forced us to live alienated, so i’m sayin’†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . emienem sold his soul to the devil and apparently regrets it but knows he is trapped, with no way of escaping. His reason for selling his soul is to give Hailey a life without hardship like himself, and he was in need of money to be able to raise her. He wants to leave Hollywood and stay away from fame as much as he can because he is sick of how it all came to him and he feels that he does not deserve this and make a mistake by sacrificing his soul for a fake life. In one line he says that he would never have rapped if he knew about this in the beginning. Unlike he did in this song, in other videos Eminem wears illuminati symbols like the eye of the devil. Many celebrities are constantly pictured flashing signs, either in concerts, music videos, or posing for pictures but what do these signs represent? Signs of the illuminati have become so common that celebrities who are constantly seen posing with them continue this less noticeably. The first symbol is the all Seeing Eye, or the eye of providence, one of the most widely recognized symbols of the Illuminati. The All-Seeing Eye was added to the original design of the Great Seal of the United States in 1776 by Pierre Eugà ¨ne Du Simitià ¨re and remained on the Seal with the addition of an unfinished pyramid when it was finally adopted in 1782. In 1935 the Great Seal was added to the $1 dollar note, the most widely circulated note on the planet, by President and Freemason Franklin D. Roosevelt. It represents the Eye of Lucifer. The Eye can see all and oversees its minions which are represented by the individual bricks of the pyramid. The 13 steps of the pyramid represent the 13 Illuminati Bloodlines which collectively rule over the planet. The year 1776 represent the founding of the Bavarian Illuminati by Adam Weishaupt. The eye is contained inside a triangular pyramid, which celebrities show by making the shape of a triangle with their hands. Some of these people include Kanye West, Jay-z, and Beyonce. All these people are affiliated with Roc-A-Fella records, Rockefeller being one of the thirteen bloodlines of the original illuminati .Another is the el diable used by lifting two fingers that represent the devils ,Lucifer’s, horns. The next  symbol is an owl. The owl is the symbol of Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, which relates to the illuminati seeing themselves as the wise rulers of the planet. Nest is the pentagram which symbolizes the practice and promotion of black magic. Another is the famou s six, six, six sign. This one is very commonly flashed with a circle made with the thumb and index finger in a hand and the three fingers pointing upwards forming three sixes .this is the number of the beast and antichrist. One person most famous for this is Miley Cyrus who uses this in countless music videos. The number of the beast is associated with the anti Christ who will eventually want to take control of the illuminati as the new world order is formed. The music industry incorporates this symbol, the others, and additionally more endlessly whether in videos, randomly, or at award shows. Lucifer is pictured as the Baphomet, a ram with his two horns. Beyonce claims in an interview with Marie Claire â€Å"I’ve created an alter ego: things I do when performing I would never do normally. I reveal things about myself that I wouldn’t do in an interview. I have out-of-body experiences [on stage]. If I cut my leg, if I fall, I don’t even feel it. I’m so fearless, I’m not aware of my face or my body,† .She later stated that this would not take over her until she looks at her fans, seconds before she starts to perform on stage. She explains her alter ego like a devi ls spirit that takes over of her when she performs that is not the real her, but as she calls it, Sasha fierce. The illuminati is secretly attempting to steadily take over all of the government to form a new world order no matter what it takes. Whether it be corrupting the music industry, integrating symbols in commercials and cartoons, or having puppets, it is all done. Illuminati puppets are used to brainwash others to worship this civilization of the devil, but you can be awakened, to realize not to fall into this trap, and learn to trust and hold on to your own values and earn the respect and money you deserve while staying true to yourself, and not becoming a fake. Works Cited http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/illuminati http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/illuminati https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=eminem%20illuminati%20interview&sm=3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moojoNsxtyc http://www.unc.edu/~ltolles/illuminati/Introduction.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=kcrMsD5LBn0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffdQlTUFxTU https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=TAqYfYSRZZk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc8oFArgr2Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=UTEJjFMoOac https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPMhN4ep8UI http://rapgenius.com/Kanye-west-eyes-closed-lyrics http://rapgenius.com/Eminem-say-goodbye-to-hollywood-lyrics

Marketing Orientation Sample Essay

Marketing orientation is a concept of an organization which underlines that the company`s success is mainly based on customers` satisfaction. The stress here is put on valuing consumers` needs and wants first of all. â€Å"A marketing oriented firm (also called the marketing concept, or consumer focus, or customer focus) is one that allows the wants and needs of customers and potential customers to drive all the firm’s strategic decisions. The firm’s corporate culture is systematically committed to creating customer value. The rationale is that the more a company understands and meets the real needs of its consumers, the more likely it is to have happy customers who come back for more, and tell their friends† (wikipedia). Marketing orientation concept evolved between the late 1960s and early 1970s. Firstly, it was developed at Harvard University. Marketing orientation replaced production orientation and sales orientation which were prevailing before. By this time numerous researches were made in order to investigate marketing orientation more thoroughly and make necessary conclusions about the influence of this concept. However, understanding of marketing orientation is not clear and is discussed from different points of view. There are studies which propose philosophical approach towards marketing orientation and there are those which turn to behavioral notion of marketing orientation. I would like to mention opinions of several researchers towards the topic of marketing orientation. Desphande and Webster, like many others, share ideas of philosophical and cultural qualities of marketing orientation. â€Å"In their study in 1992 they use the term  «customer orientation » to describe a specific set of beliefs that puts the customers’ interests first and ahead of those of all other stakeholders (e.g. owners, managers, employees) which, in their view, should be considered as part of a broader, and more fundamental, corporate culture† (mcm.aueb.gr/†¦/Gounaris/Marketing_Orientation_and_Its_Development.pdf). On other way, marketing orientation is viewed as specific company behavior. Trout and Ries (1985), for example, perceive marketing orientation as an effort to compile market intelligence upon which the effort to build a competitive advantage is based. Elliot (1987) considers satisfying customers` needs important but insufficient, and proposes strategies for achieving customers` satisfaction to be just a part of marketing orientation concept which should combine many other features. More developed marketing orientation improves company`s performance—there is a direct connection. Many companies may prosper using marketing orientation, and some fail. The difficulty is that marketing orientation is specific, it combines particular culture and behavior of a firm. So, once a company decides to concentrate on consumers` satisfaction and apply marketing orientation there are many challenges and innovations coming into company`s philosophy. First step of the company is to investigate customers` expectations. Later, products or services are produced considering the information obtained from performed investigation. The final part is to follow and evaluate consumers` satisfaction in order to make necessary adjustments. And so it becomes a continuous process for the company in order to keep track and continue to improve business. There are many methods and approaches used in marketing orientation. The ideal model of marketing oriented company would include all necessary marketing activities. There is marketing research in order to identify customers` wants, research and development production developing the products according to consumers` wishes, pricing which undermines value of the product to customers, distribution to the right place at the right time, and promotion in order to inform customers of the product. Marketing oriented company should also possess characteristics such as: marketing research and product innovation techniques, broad product lines, possibility of ancillary services, customer support, tight organizational structure. I consider marketing orientation to be a very positive and necessary concept. Basically, customers are those who make business prosper. So, the more company listens to the expectations of consumers and the more loyal and understanding is the philosophy of the company, the more customers it will attract—and more profit will be attained using rather ethical, as to my opinion, approach to business. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Avlonitis G. and Gounaris S., â€Å"Marketing Orientation and Company Performance: A Comparative Study of Industrial vs. Consumer Goods Companies†, Industrial Marketing Management, vol. 26, no.5 (1997) 2. Bonoma T., â€Å"The Marketing Edge: Making Strategies Work† (1985) 3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marketing_orientation 4. mcm.aueb.gr/†¦/Gounaris/Marketing_Orientation_and_Its_Deve lopment.pdf

Euthanasia: One’s Choice of Life or Death Essay

In recent years euthanasia has become a heated debate. Euthanasia has Greek roots as a â€Å"good death.† Euthanasia has many definitions. Euthanasia is considered to be voluntary when it takes place in accordance with the wishes of a competent individual. Nonvoluntary euthanasia is done without knowledge of the patients’ wishes either because the patient has always been incompetent, is now incompetent, or has left no Advanced Directive. Involuntary euthanasia is done against the wishes of the competent individual or against the wishes expressed in a valid Advanced Directive. Assisted suicide is usually defined as a specific situation in which there is a suicide, that is, an act of killing oneself intentionally. Physician assisted suicide is when the individual is given a lethal drug which they can use to kill themselves whenever they choose. Although the definitions may seem clear, there is much confusion about the words used to describe euthanasia and other actions that result in hastening death. Three states, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, have legalized euthanasia. My argument is euthanasia should be legalized in all fifty states. One point of the heated debate is the slippery slope that could possibly occur if euthanasia was legalized. Professor Phil D. Frey states that â€Å"We need the evidence that shows that horrible slope consequences might occur, as noted earlier, does not constitute such evidence.† In other words Phil D. Frey is saying it is possible that slippery slope effect can occur, but nothing shows that it is likely to happen. In Oregon, there are many steps before one can qualify for euthanasia. These steps ensure that no slippery slope can occur. In Andrew Walters view, â€Å"The Oregon Death with Dignity Act† has served as a model statue in other state attempts to pass assisted suicide legislation. The act has several important provisions, read altogether, provide safeguard for the terminally ill, the physicians that diagnose their terminal illness and the pharmacist that prescribes the lethal drugs.† The essence of Andrew Walters argument is that The Oregon Death with Dignity Act was a strong first step towards the legalization of euthanasia around the world. It shows that the legalization if euthanasia would not cause a slippery slope. The  act has many safeguards and provisions to prevent slippery slope. In 2006 Oregon passed the Death with Dignity Act. To request a prescription for lethal medications the Death with Dignity Act requires: †¢ 18 years or older  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ Resident of Oregon  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ Capable and able to make and communicate health care decisions †¢ Diagnosed with a terminal illness that will lead to death in 6 months Once meeting the above requirements, the following are some of the steps that need to be followed in requesting a lethal medication: †¢ The patient must make two oral requests to the physical separated by at least 15 days †¢ The patient must provide a written request to the physician signed in the presence of two witnesses †¢ The prescribing physician must inform the patient of feasible alternatives to assisted suicide, including comfort care, hospice care and pain control. Those who oppose euthanasia argue that slippery slope is most likely to happen. Most opponents will tell you that euthanasia is a step towards the legalization of murder. They argue people will end their lives because they are tired of living or see no worth in it. The opponents argue that the poor, minorities, the mentally ill, and the physically challenged will be some of the targeted groups of euthanasia. I argue the opponents are mistaken because they overlook the provisions and safeguards of the â€Å"Death with Dignity Act.† Another issue is the human right to life and self-determination. According to Walter Andrew, â€Å"Assisted suicide places the individual in control of his or her future allowing the individual to decide how, when and where they die.† Practical concerns also face the dying. After a terminally ill person watches his savings plummet while his medical costs and insurance premiums increase rapidly. Those unfamiliar with this school of thought may be interested to know that it basically boiled down to an individual’s right to determine their end of life decisions. The United States Constitution protects our right to life and liberty. Opponents argue that the human right to die is not a fundamental liberty interest protected by the due process  clause and that physicians are bound by the Hippocratic Oath, â€Å"First, do no harm.† I argue that physicians are not doing harm to patients. If a patient is in unbearable pain the physician is helping the patient by taking him out of his misery. If a competent individual is terminally ill, he should be able to control his destiny. If he cannot tolerate the pain, the pain cannot be managed by pain medication or he feels that he is a burden on family/community/society, it is the person’s right to determine if he wants to live. This right is consistent with the values of the human right to life and right of self-determination. One short but important fact is that if euthanasia were made legal, the patient would have had to have received the best medical care and pain management possible. This could reduce the chances of a slippery slope. It can also create healthier doctor-patient relationships by removing the fear of overtreatment. Euthanasia can be necessary for the distribution of health resources. Around the world and especially in America there is a shortage of health resources. Some patients who are ill and can be cured are not able to get speedy access to the facilities they require for treatment. Also, health resources are being used on people who cannot be cured and those who would prefer to die. Allowing those committed to euthanasia would not only let them have what they want, but will free valuable resources to treat people who want to live. Allowing the person who wants to die to initiate the process would prevent abuse. Those who oppose this will argue because they believe that such a proposal wide open to abuse and will ultimately lead to involuntary euthanasia because of the shortage of health resources. I argue that euthanasia is a good way to free up resources for those who need the care and want to live, instead of using it on those that want to die. In conclusion, the debate about the legalization of euthanasia will continue for years to come, but I believe that the arguments for legalizing euthanasia overpower the arguments against it. Assisted suicide is a quick and painless death, instead of going through months of pain; the patient can end their life on their own terms. The Death with Dignity Act ensures that the slippery slope will not happen. To preserve the dignity of human life, it is important that the remaining states and the federal government  legalize euthanasia to provide a safe and dignified way for terminally ill individuals to end their suffering. Works Cited â€Å"Arguments in Favour of Euthanasia.† BBC.com. 14 Apr. 2010. Web. 22 Apr. 2010. . â€Å"Arguments Against Euthanasia.† BBC.com. 12 Apr. 2010. Web. 22 Apr. 2010. . â€Å"Encyclopedia of Death and Dying.† Euthanasia. N.p., 12 Apr. 2012. Web. 22 Apr. 2010. . Gorosh, David J. † .† Oakland Free Press [Oakland] 20 Mar. 1999: n. pag. Web. 22 Apr. 2010. Honan, Mathew. â€Å"Legalize Assisted Suicide.† Wired 17.10 (2009): 110. Science Reference Center. EBSCO. Web. 1 Apr. 2010. Stokely, Anne. â€Å"Counter Point: The Right To Assisted Suicide. â€Å" Points of View: Assisted Suicide (2009): 6. Points of View Reference Center. EBSCO. Web. 1Apr. 2012. Walter, Andrew. â€Å"Point: Euthanasia Should Be Legal.† Points of View: Euthanasia (2009): 2. Points of View Reference. EBSCO. Web. 1 Apr. 2010.

Changes to the GED More High School Equivalency Exam Options

Changes to the GED & More High School Equivalency Exam Options In 2014 the GED exam was overhauled for the first time since 2002. Since the change, the National GED Testing Service saw a significant decrease in graduates. As a reaction to the decrease in grads, many states began researching and implementing alternative equivalency exams. The numbers were nothing to sneer at. Whereas in 2012 401,388 people passed the GED test, only 58,524 passed it in 2014. Some reports said that even high school graduates couldn’t pass the new GED. Changes included computer only administration, and more writing and critical thinking components. Designed to mirror high school curriculum changes and to mimic the skills required in a changing workforce, the GED was due for an update. Since the government created the GED in 1942 for the young men and women returning from World War II, the test has been updated five times. The upgrades usually result in drops in participation the following year, as test takers elect to wait until they have a better handle on what the new test will look alike before signing up. Some see this latest update as an unnecessary barrier for people who are already at a disadvantage. By increasing the test’s difficulty, increasing the cost, and requiring computers, they say people who are already struggling are being put at a disadvantage. Proponents for the changes to the test argue that the changes were needed in order to keep it relevant for employers who rely on the GED to measure skills comparable to those a high school graduate would have. In today’s technological world, it’s rare to find a workplace that isn’t mostly digitized. Alternative high school equivalency exams include the HiSET (High School Equivalency Test) or the TASC. Those opposed to the difficulty level of the GED say that the HiSET and TASC are fairer to students and less expensive. The alternative tests were actually created in the face of concerns that the GED was becoming more profit driven. Some say that it’s good to have alternatives but others argue that the increase in options may confuse test takers and may defeat the purpose of standardization inherent in the GED. In many states, the response to the more difficult GED was to lower the score needed to pass the test. In Michigan and 32 other states, the passing score for the GED was lowered from 150 to 145. The change was recommended by the GED Testing Service after the changes were implemented and fewer people started passing (and taking) their exam. In 2015, the exam had a 73% pass rate. Aside from the lower passing score requirement, in some states, test takers with scores between 165 and 174 are categories as ready to enter credit-bearing college courses and those who receive a score between 175 and 200 qualify for up to ten hours of college credit. These changes demonstrate an effort by the GED Testing Centre and local governments to improve the GED program while also attempting to stay relevant in a world where high school dropouts are finding they have increasing options.

Do the Games 'Grand Theft Auto IV' and 'Call of Duty- Modern Warfare Coursework

Do the Games 'Grand Theft Auto IV' and 'Call of Duty- Modern Warfare 3' Promote Violent Behaviour or are they Harmless - Coursework Example However, as games have become a more powerful industry, some people have suggested this may also have some negative effects. Games such as Grand theft auto IV have been reported as being responsible for adverse effects on players and various tabloid newspapers have said that violent games are deliberately based on reality. In general, the impact seen from video games has been credited to the mimicking of violence seen and played during the games. Studies also indicate how gamers playing violent video games are also more likely to act aggressively or engage in violent or aggressive behaviour towards other people. These gamers, especially those of younger ages, would be more likely to fight with their parents, their peers, or with their classmates. They would also be less likely to have executive control over their temper or emotions, making them easily prone to angry outbursts and aggression. Video games also have a desensitizing effect to violence, making players less reactive or les s likely to be shocked by violence they would see in the news or in their daily life. When games such as Grand Theft Auto IV are closely analysed, it is easy to see why they can be accused of encouraging violent behaviour. Grand Theft Auto is the video game notorious for allowing a player to hire a prostitute, kill her, and then retrieve the money giveniii . This game also gives the player a chance to shoot cops, run over pedestrians, and bludgeon passersby with a baseball bat. To many gamers, this series is gripping because not only does it allow the player to perform violence, but it also offers an immense environment where all violent possibilities can be played outiv. These games also seem to reinforce gender stereotypes, that of men being the natural aggressors and women being the submissive personalities. In other words, there is a disconnect between reality and gaming fantasy for these gamers. These gamers explore the fantasy world of aggression and play out violent scenarios – kill prostitutes, beat-up bystanders, hijack cars, and kill rival criminals. The challenge during their games is on how fast and how clever they can be in pulling out these acts. Translating these acts to the real world has not become a distant possibility for these gamers. The Daily Mail reports that Grand Theft Auto IV was pulled out by Nintendo after a Bangkok teen murdered a taxi driver apparently because he wanted ‘to see if it was as easy as it was in the game’v. Incidents like this indicate a lack of moral responsibility on the part of the gamer, and also on the part of the creators of the game who create an environment where killing a taxi driver is judged for its speed and efficacy, not for its moral implications. Medical experts have cited various studies that reviewed the impact of video games on human behaviour. In one of their studies, they observed that adolescents who were exposed to longer hours playing violent video games usually manifested be haviour that is more aggressive and were more likely to be confrontational with their teachers or to engage in fights with their peers. The repeated nature of the