Saturday, August 31, 2019

The Silver Linings Playbook Chapter 15

Sing and Spell and Chant I get up at 4:30 a.m. and start lifting so I will be done with my workout by kickoff, and when I finally come up from the basement, the house smells like crabby snacks, three-meats pizza, and buffalo wings. â€Å"Smells good,† I say to my mom while I put on my trash bag, and then I'm out the door for a ten-mile run. I am shocked to see that Tiffany is jogging up and down the block, because she did not run behind me yesterday, and also, I am running in the a.m., which is not my regular time to run. I jog toward Knight's Park, and when I look over my shoulder, I see she's following me again. â€Å"How did you know that I would be running early?† I say, but she keeps her head down and only follows silently. We run our ten miles, and when I return to my house, Tiffany runs on without saying anything, as if we had never even eaten raisin bran together at the diner and nothing has changed. I see my brother's silver BMW parked in front of my parents' house, so I sneak in the back door, run up the stairs, and jump into the shower. When I finish showering, I put on my Hank Baskett jersey – which my mother has laundered, getting the makeup off the numbers – and then follow the sound of the pregame show to the family room, ready to root on the Birds. My best friend, Ronnie, is seated next to my brother, which surprises me. Both of them are wearing green away jerseys with the number 18 and the name Stallworth on the back – Ronnie's is a cheap replica jersey with iron-on numbers, but Jake's is authentic. Dad is in his chair, wearing his number 5 McNabb replica jersey. When I say, â€Å"Go Birds!† my brother stands, turns to face me, puts both hands in the air, and says â€Å"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!† until Ronnie and my dad also stand, face me, raise their hands in the air, and say â€Å"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!† When I raise my hands in the air and say â€Å"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!† all four of us do the chant, rapidly spelling the letters with our arms and bodies – â€Å"E!-A!-G!-L!-E!-S! EAGLES!† – shooting out two arms and a leg to make an E, touching our fingertips high above our heads to make an A, and so forth. When we finish, my brother makes his way around the couch, puts an arm around my shoulders, and starts to sing the fight song, which I remember and sing with him. â€Å"Fly, Eagles, fly! On the road to victory!† I'm so happy to be singing with my brother I do not even get mad at him for putting his arm around me. We walk around the couch as we sing, â€Å"Fight, Eagles, fight! Score a touchdown, one, two, three!† I look at my dad, and he does not look away, but only starts singing with more enthusiasm. Ronnie throws his arm around me, and then I am in between my brother and my best friend. â€Å"Hit 'em low. Hit 'em high. And watch our Eagles fly!† I see that my mom has come in to watch, and she has her hand over her mouth again like she does whenever she is about to laugh or cry – her eyes look happy, so I know she is laughing under her hands. â€Å"Fly, Eagles, fly! On the road to victory!† And then Ronnie and Jake remove their arms from my neck s o they can make the letters again with their bodies. â€Å"E!-A!-G!-L!-E!-S! EAGLES!† We're all red-faced, and my father is breathing heavy, but everyone is so happy, and for the first time I really feel like I am home. My mom sets up the food on TV trays, and the game begins. â€Å"I'm not supposed to drink,† I say when Mom distributes the bottles of Budweiser, but my father says, â€Å"You can drink beer during Eagles games.† Mom shrugs and smiles as she hands me a cold beer. I ask my brother and Ronnie why they aren't also wearing Baskett jerseys, since Baskett is the man, and they tell me the Eagles were able to trade for Donte Stallworth, and that Donte Stallworth is now the man. Because I am wearing my Baskett jersey, I insist that Baskett is the man, to which my father blows air through his teeth, and my cocky brother says, â€Å"We'll see soon,† which is a weird thing for him to say, considering he was the one who gave me the Baskett jersey in the first place and just two weeks ago assured me that Baskett was really the man. My mother watches the game nervously, like she always does, because she knows that if the Eagles lose, my father will be in a bad mood for an entire week and will yell at her a lot. Ronnie and Jake trade facts about different players and check the screens on their cell phones for updates on other games and players, because they both play fantasy football, which is a computer game that gives you points for picking players who score touchdowns and gain yardage. And I glance over at my father from time to time, making sure he sees me cheering, because I know he is only willing to sit in the same room with his mentally deranged son as long as I am rooting for the Birds with everything I got. I have to admit that it feels good to sit in the same room with my father, even though he hates me and I still have not forgiven him a hundred percent for kicking me in the attic and punching me in the face. The Houston Texans score first, and Dad starts cursing pretty loudly, so much that my mother leaves the room, saying she will bring us new beers, and Ronnie stares at the television, pretending he has not heard what my father has said, which is, â€Å"Play some fucking defense, you piece-of-shit overpaid secondary! This is the Texans, not the Dallas Cowgirls. The fucking Texans! Jesus fucking Christ!† â€Å"Relax, Dad,† Jake says. â€Å"We got this.† Mom distributes the beers, and Dad sips quietly for a while, but when McNabb throws an interception, my father starts pointing his finger at the television and cursing even louder, saying things about McNabb that would make my friend Danny go wild, because Danny says only black people can use the n-word. Luckily, Donte Stallworth is indeed the man, because when McNabb starts throwing to him, the Eagles build a lead and Dad stops cursing and starts to smile again. At halftime, Jake talks my dad into joining us outside for a catch, and then the four of us are throwing a football around on our street. One of our neighbors comes out with his son, and we let them join in. The kid is only maybe ten, and he cannot really reach us from his yard, but since he is wearing a green jersey, we throw it to him again and again. He drops every pass, but we cheer for him anyway; the kid smiles wildly, and his dad nods appreciatively at us whenever one of us catches his eye. Jake and I are the farthest apart, and we send each other long passes down the street and often have to run even farther to catch the throws. Neither of us drops a single pass, because we are excellent athletes. My dad mostly just stands around sipping his beer, but we throw him some easy balls, which he catches with one hand and then tosses the football underhand to Ronnie, who is standing closest to him. Ronnie has a weak arm, but neither Jake nor I point this out, because he is our friend and we are all wearing green and the sun is shining and the Eagles are winning and we are so full of good hot food and ice-cold beer it doesn't really matter that Ronnie's athletic ability is not equal to ours. When Mom announces that halftime is almost over, Jake runs over to the little kid; my brother puts his hands in the air and yells â€Å"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!† until the kid's dad does the same thing. The little guy catches on after only a second, puts his hands in the air, yells â€Å"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!† and then we all do the Eagles chant – spelling the letters out with our arms and legs – before running back into our respective family rooms. Donte Stallworth continues to be the man in the second half, gaining almost 150 yards and a TD, while Baskett does not even get a decent ball thrown to him and fails to record a single catch. I'm not all that upset about this, because a funny thing happens at the end of the game. When the Eagles win 24 – 10, we all stand to sing the Eagles fight song together like we always do whenever the Birds win a regular season game. My brother throws his arms around Ronnie and me and says, â€Å"Come on, Dad.† My dad is a little drunk from all the beer and so happy about the Eagles victory – and the fact that McNabb threw for more than 300 yards – that he lines up with us and throws his arm around my shoulders, which shocks me at first, not because I don't like being touched, but because my father has not put his arm around me in many years. The weight and warmth of his arm makes me feel good, and as we sing the fight song and do the chant afterward, I catch my mother looking at us from the kitchen, where she is washing dishes. She smiles at me even though she is crying again, and I wonder why as I sing and spell and chant. Jake asks Ronnie if he needs a ride home, and my best friend says, â€Å"No, thanks. Hank Baskett is walking me home.† â€Å"I am?† I say, because Hank Baskett is the name Ronnie and Jake called me all throughout the game – so I know he really means me. â€Å"Yep,† he says, and we grab the football on the way out. When we get to Knight's Park, we throw the football back and forth, standing only twenty feet away from each other because Ronnie has a weak arm, and after a few catches my best friend asks me what I think about Tiffany. â€Å"Nothing,† I say. â€Å"I don't think anything about her at all. Why?† â€Å"Veronica told me that Tiffany follows you when you run. True?† I catch a wobbly pass, say, â€Å"Yeah. It's sort of weird. She knows my schedule and everything,† and throw a perfect spiral just over Ronnie's right shoulder so he can catch it on the run. He doesn't turn. He doesn't run. The ball goes over his head. Ronnie retrieves the ball, jogs back into his range, and says, â€Å"Tiffany is a little odd. Do you understand what I mean by odd, Pat?† I catch his even more wobbly pass just before it reaches my right kneecap, and say, â€Å"I guess.† I understand that Tiffany is different from most girls, but I also understand what it is like to be separated from your spouse, which is something Ronnie does not understand. So I ask, â€Å"Odd how? Odd like me?† His face drops, and then he says, â€Å"No. I didn't mean †¦ It's just that Tiffany is seeing a therapist – â€Å" â€Å"So am I.† â€Å"I know, but – â€Å" â€Å"So seeing a therapist makes me odd?† â€Å"No. Just listen to me for a second. I'm trying to be your friend. Okay?† I look down at the grass as Ronnie walks over to me. I don't really want to hear Ronnie talk his way out of this one, because Ronnie is the only friend I have, now that I am out of the bad place, and we have had such a great day, and the Eagles have won, and my father put his arm around me, and – â€Å"I know Tiffany and you went out to dinner, which is great. You both could probably use a friend who understands loss.† I don't like the way he collectively uses the word â€Å"loss,† as if I have lost Nikki – as in forever – because I am still riding out apart time and I have not lost her yet. But I don't say anything, and let him continue. â€Å"Listen,† Ronnie says. â€Å"I want to tell you why Tiffany was fired from her job.† â€Å"That's none of my business.† â€Å"It is if you are going to have dinners with her. Listen, you need to know that †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Ronnie tells me what he believes is the story of how Tiffany lost her job, but the way he tells it proves he is biased. He tells it just like Dr. Timbers would, stating what he would call â€Å"facts,† with no regard for what was going on in Tiffany's head. He tells me what coworkers wrote in their reports, he tells me what her boss told her parents and what the therapist has since said to Veronica – who is Tiffany's designated support buddy and therefore has weekly phone conversations with Tiffany's therapist – but he never once tells me what Tiffany thinks or what is going on in her heart: the awful feelings, the conflicting impulses, the needs, the desperation, everything that makes her different from Ronnie and Veronica, who have each other and their daughter, Emily, and a good income and a house and everything else that keeps people from calling them â€Å"odd.† What amazes me is that Ronnie is telling me all this in a friendly manner, as if he is try ing to save me from Tiffany's ways, as if he knows more about these sorts of things than I do, as if I had not spent the last few months in a mental institution. He does not understand Tiffany, and he sure as hell doesn't understand me, but I do not hold it against Ronnie, because I am practicing being kind rather than right, so Nikki will be able to love me again when apart time is over. â€Å"So I'm not telling you to be mean or to gossip about her – just protect yourself, okay?† Ronnie says, and I nod. â€Å"Well, I better be getting home to Veronica. Maybe I'll drop in this week for a lifting session? Cool?† I nod again and watch him jog away from me, the bouncy steps suggesting that he thinks his mission is accomplished. It is obvious he was only allowed to watch the game because Veronica wanted him to talk to me about Tiffany, probably because Veronica thought I might take advantage of her nymphomaniac sister, which makes me very mad, and before I know it, I'm ringing the Websters' doorbell. â€Å"Hello?† Tiffany's mom says to me when the door opens. She is older-looking, with gray hair and a heavy sweater-coat, even though it is only September and she is inside. â€Å"May I speak with Tiffany?† â€Å"You're Ronnie's friend, right? Pat Peoples?† I only nod, because I know Mrs. Webster knows who I am. â€Å"Do you mind if I ask what you want with our daughter?† â€Å"Who's there?† I hear Tiffany's father call from the other room. â€Å"It's just Ronnie's friend, Pat Peoples!† Mrs. Webster yells. To me she says, â€Å"So what do you want with our Tiffany?† I look down at the football in my hand and say, â€Å"I want to have a catch. It's a beautiful afternoon. Maybe she would like to get some fresh air in the park?† â€Å"Just a catch?† Mrs. Webster says. I hold up my wedding ring to prove I do not want to have sex with her daughter, and say, â€Å"Listen, I'm married. I just want to be Tiffany's friend, okay?† Mrs. Webster looks a little surprised by my answer, which is odd because I was sure that was the answer she wanted to hear. But after a moment she says, â€Å"Go around back and knock on the door.† So I knock on the back door, but no one answers. I knock three more times and then leave. I'm halfway through the park when I hear a swishy sound behind me. When I turn around, Tiffany is speed walking toward me, wearing a pink tracksuit made from a material that swishes when one pant leg rubs against the other. When she is about five feet away, I throw her a light, girly pass, but she steps aside and the football falls to the ground. â€Å"What do you want?† she says. â€Å"Want to have a catch?† â€Å"I hate football. I told you this, no?† Since she doesn't want to have a catch, I decide I'll just ask her my question: â€Å"Why do you follow me when I run?† â€Å"Honestly?† â€Å"Yeah,† I say. She squints her eyes and makes her face look mean. â€Å"I'm scouting you.† â€Å"What?† â€Å"I said I'm scouting you.† â€Å"Why?† â€Å"To see if you are fit enough.† â€Å"Fit enough for what?† But instead of answering my question, she says, â€Å"I'm also scouting your work ethic, your endurance, the way you deal with mental strain, your ability to persevere when you are unsure of what is happening around you, and – â€Å" â€Å"Why?† â€Å"I can't tell you yet,† she says. â€Å"Why not?† â€Å"Because I haven't finished scouting you.† When she walks away, I follow her past the pond, over the footbridge, and out of the park. But neither of us speaks again. She leads me to Haddon Avenue, and we walk by the new stores and swanky restaurants, passing lots of other pedestrians, kids on skateboards, and men who raise their fists in the air and say, â€Å"Go Eagles!† when they see my Hank Baskett jersey. Tiffany turns off Haddon Avenue and weaves through residential blocks until we are in front of my parents' house, where she stops, looks at me, and – after almost an hour of silence – says, â€Å"Did your team win?† I nod. â€Å"Twenty-four to ten.† â€Å"Lucky you,† Tiffany says, and then walks away.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Douglas MacArthur Essay

Carlos Peà ±a Romulo once wrote that each of his careers â€Å"might have been lived in a different country and a different age.† Soldier, journalist, educator, author, and diplomat, he was a definitive world figure of the 20th century. Romulo grew up in the town of Camiling in the province of Tarlac in northern Philippines. He was born within the Spanish walled city of Intramuros, Manila, on January 14, 1898, at the twilight of one colonial regime and the dawning of another. His father, Gregorio, fought in the revolution for Philippine independence against Spain and, until surrender, America. The bitterness of the conflicts left an impression on the young boy—marking â€Å"the beginnings of a rebel,† as he called it—and he made a promise never to smile at an American soldier. His levelheaded father eventually welcomed American schoolteachers who came to Tarlac to teach English, however, becoming the first of the town’s elders to learn the language. Likewise, the young Romulo’s hatred abated not only because of his father’s example but also because he became friendly with an American sergeant. His father’s dream of an independent and democratic Philippines lived on. One of the last to take his oath of allegiance to America, the elder Romulo learned to accept the foreign power’s rulings except—as the young Romulo recounts in his memoirs—â€Å"in the manner of the flag.† â€Å"The American law says we cannot display our flag in any public place,† Gregorio Romulo told his family. â€Å"Well, my bedroom is not a public place.† In World War II Romulo was aide-de-camp to General Douglas MacArthur. As a journalist he wrote a series of articles, after a tour of the Far East, about Japanese imperialism, and predicted an attack on the United States. For this he won the Pulitzer Prize in Journalism for Distinguished Correspondence, and it was MacArthur himself who delivered to his friend the good news. His skill at using words made Romulo the logical choice to become â€Å"the Voice of Freedom,† which broadcasted news of the war effort to Filipinos and Americans alike. Often contrary to Japanese propaganda, Romulo’s reports earned the ire of the enemy, who put a price on his head. But Romulo kept broadcasting until the Fall of Bataan, and abandoned his post only after MacArthur’s strict orders to leave. He flew first to Australia, eventually ending up in the United States in exile, leaving behind his wife and four sons. In 1924 Romulo married Virginia Llamas, a local beauty titlist. They met at a picnic and they married not long after being crowned King and Queen of a Manila carnival. She once commented that she was the type of wife who preferred to glow â€Å"faintly in her husband’s shadow,† to which one acquaintance quipped, â€Å"this didn’t leave much room to glow in†Ã¢â‚¬â€a jab at Romulo’s height. Standing only 5’4† in his shoes, Romulo often made fun of his height. His book I Walked With Heroes opens with the anecdote about being the newly elected president of the United Nations—the first Asian to ever hold the post—and having to be â€Å"perched atop three thick New York City telephone books† just to see and be seen by all the delegates below the podium. When MacArthur fulfilled his promise to return to the Philippines, with Romulo at his side, it was reported that the American general was wading in waist-deep water. One correspondent, Walter Winchell, immediately wired back asking how Romulo could have waded in that depth without drowning. He also used his height to his advantage. â€Å"The little fellow is generally underrated in the beginning,† he once wrote. â€Å"Then he does something well, and people are surprised and impressed. In their minds his achievement is magnified.† A very early photo of Romulo Team members of the University of the Philippines debate team, with Professor Carlos P. Romulo (center). From left: Pedro Camus, Teodoro Evangelista, Deogracias Puyat, and Jacinto C. Borja. The photo was taken in San Francisco, California, April 18, 1928, and the caption reads: â€Å"Four students of the University of the Philippines, under the leadership of Prof. Carlos P. Romulo of the College Faculty, recently arrived in the United States on a tour of the world to debate the question of Filipino independence. The round-the-world debate on the Philippine question is academic and has nothing to do with politics.† This kind of understanding served him well as he began a career as a diplomat at the United Nations. Describing himself as the â€Å"barefoot boy of politics,† he had never before attended an international conference and was new to diplomacy. To add to this challenge, he was representing a small nation that had not yet achieved independence. (There already had been reports of Filipino delegates being ignored at international meetings.) Romulo—whose lifelong dream was to help build a body such as the United Nations—resolved to make the Philippines the voice of all small nations. As a signatory of the charter forming the United Nations in 1945, he spoke the famous line, â€Å"Let us make this floor the last battlefield† at the first General Assembly. There was at first silence, but then he received a standing ovation—the only one given to any speaker at the conference. Romulo launched himself fully into the world of international diplomacy, standing his ground against the big powers and committing himself to the causes of fledging nations. Dismissed by some, like Andrei Vishinsky, chief of the Soviet delegation, as a â€Å"little man from a little country,† Romulo was undeterred, fighting â€Å"like David, slinging pebbles of truth between the eyes of blustering Goliaths.† President of the UN General Assembly Carlos P. Romulo introduces US President Harry S. Truman to Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Vishinsky of the USSR, October 24, 1949, during the cornerstone laying ceremony of the UN headquarters in New York City. President of the UN General Assembly Carlos P. Romulo introduces US President Harry S. Truman to Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Vishinsky of the USSR, October 24, 1949, during the cornerstone laying ceremony of the UN headquarters in New York City. Dubbed by his colleagues â€Å"Mr. United Nations,† he was elected president of the United Nations General Assembly in 1949—the first Asian to hold the position—and served as president of UN Security Council four times, in 1981, in 1980 and twice in 1957. Despite all the triumphs, Romulo hit low points in his life. His eldest son Carlos, Jr., died in a plane crash in 1957, and his beloved wife died in 1968, near the end of his terms as president of the University of the Philippines, his alma mater, and, concurrently, Secretary of Education. â€Å"I had to be outstanding,† he wrote, â€Å"to make the greatest effort to win, to prove I was capable not in spite of having been born a Filipino but because I was a Filipino.†

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Characteristics of Money to Function Effectively

Characteristics of Money to Function Effectively Explain the characteristics required by money if it is to carry out its functions effectively. What is money? Money is primarily a current medium exchange, for a person to buy goods and services from other person in the form of coins and banknotes (Freeman, 2012). It is critical to have a clear definition between money and wealth. In general, people may tend to use the term â€Å"money† as a synonym for â€Å"wealth†, such as Warren Buffet has a lot of money. However, economists clarify that these two terms are not in fact synonymous. In the side of economics, â€Å"money† is specifically used to refer to the currency, but not an individual’s wealth or assets. Yet, technically anything can be served as money as long as it possesses the following four main functions (Beggs, 2014). First of all, it must have the primarily function of serving as a medium of exchange. People need an item that is able to act as money to undergo the activities of buying and sel ling goods and services. In other words, an item that considered as money must be widely being accepted as payments for goods and services (Beggs, 2014). Money has made the transactions easier as everyone is willing to trade money for goods and goods for money. However without money, the transactions must be conducted through the barter system where exchange can only happen if there is double coincidence of wants. This system will cause inconvenience to the people as they cannot buy what they want or need or the seller may hard to sell his goods unless double coincidence of wants happens. Hence, we can conclude that money has eliminated the inconvenience which was faced in barter transactions by eliminating the double coincidence when purchasing or selling goods and services (UPADHYAYA, 2012). People can buy what they need from the seller and inversely seller can sell all the goods and services to people who need. Besides that, money is able to create efficiency as it eliminates unc ertainty regarding what is going to be accepted as payment by various businesses. With a generally accepted medium of exchange, trades are easier, more efficient, and resources can spend more time doing production (Money Functions, 2000-2014). Besides that, an item must work as unit of value or standard value in order to consider as money. Money is being used as the common benchmark to designate the prices of goods throughout the economy (Money Functions, 2000-2014). Money provides and measures various goods and services with different value that produced in the economy, in the terms of monetary unit. Without this function, money is extremely hard to identify since there is no value in between, and also hard to make a decision on how much volume of goods and services should be given in exchange of a given quantity of a commodity in a barter economy (UPADHYAYA, 2012). However, money has solved this problem by letting people to know the exact value or price of a good. It enables both the suppliers and buyers to make wise decisions about how much to supply for the goods and how much to purchase in exchange (Function of Money, 2013).

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Mobile devices Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Mobile devices - Assignment Example Mobile devices enable communication by facilitating the process within which information and data is shared within an organization. This includes the exchange of information and data between the management and employees. For example information about the operations of organizations is communicated to the management team so that it is used to reach strategic decisions on how efficiency and effectiveness can be achieved within the organization. The interaction between an organization with stakeholders within the external environment such as consumers, suppliers, distributors, retailers and shareholders is facilitated through the use of mobile devices and as a result increasing the effectiveness of an organization in meeting its goals and objectives. For example mobile devices are used to answer the queries of consumers and their problems and concerns which cause them to be satisfied with the products and services that are rendered by the organization. In this sense therefore mobile devices allow organizations to effectively meet their goals of achieving a larger share of the market and wining the loyalty of consumers through effective and efficient service delivery and presentation of high quality and authentic products to the market. More importantly the effectiveness of an organization’s supply and value chains is facilitates through the use of mobile devices as a communication strategy through which effective int eraction is achieved with the suppliers, distributors and retailers of the organization’s products. Furthermore mobile devices enhance interaction with marketers and as a result facilitate the effectiveness of promotion of the organization’s good and services to the market which leads to higher sales. This therefore defines an effective organization as facilitate by the role of mobile devices in promoting interactivity with the stakeholders of the

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Sustainable tourism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Sustainable tourism - Research Paper Example urism industry, local communities, and NGOs need to collaborate with each other to facilitate the production of enterprises of sustainable tourism that are of both economic value and local benefit. In planning for sustainable tourism is essential to visualize the best possible situation for tourism the community and protected area. This ultimately underpins the overall course of sustainable tourism initiatives in light of objectives that ensure sustainability is achieved (Page, 24). Sustainable Tourism’s Triple Bottom Line Three prime components known as the triple bottom line drive sustainable tourism. First is the Environmental tenet. Environmentally, this kind of tourism has very limited impact on the natural resources, specifically within the protected areas. It limits environmental damage (living resources in marines, habitats, water, fauna, flora, contamination, use of energy) and fundamentally makes an attempt to impart benefit to the environment. Second is social and c ultural conservation. Culturally and socially, sustainable tourism does not destroy the fabric of the community within which it is situated. It instead respects local traditions and cultures, stakeholders such as communities, individuals, tour operators; as well government institutions are involved in all the phases involving planning, developing, and monitoring sustainable tourism. It also creates awareness and builds the capacity of stakeholders on their specific roles. Third is economic prosperity. Economically, sustainable tourism contributes to the well-being of community by generating equitable and sustainable income for the local communities, together with all other stakeholders. It amasses immense benefits for the employees, owners and neighbors. It is not easy for sustainable tourism to... Three prime components known as the triple bottom line drive sustainable tourism. First is the Environmental tenet. Environmentally, this kind of tourism has very limited impact on the natural resources, specifically within the protected areas. It limits environmental damage (living resources in marines, habitats, water, fauna, flora, contamination, use of energy) and fundamentally makes an attempt to impart benefit to the environment. Second is social and cultural conservation. Culturally and socially, sustainable tourism does not destroy the fabric of the community within which it is situated. It instead respects local traditions and cultures, stakeholders such as communities, individuals, tour operators; as well government institutions are involved in all the phases involving planning, developing, and monitoring sustainable tourism. It also creates awareness and builds the capacity of stakeholders on their specific roles. Third is economic prosperity. Economically, sustainable tou rism contributes to the well-being of community by generating equitable and sustainable income for the local communities, together with all other stakeholders. It amasses immense benefits for the employees, owners and neighbors. It is not easy for sustainable tourism to simply start up and rapidly die, since it does not possess attributes allied to poor business practices (Page, 32). Tourism enterprises that satisfactorily fulfill the triple bottom line principle end up doing well by doing well in society.

Monday, August 26, 2019

Performance Measurement Methods Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Performance Measurement Methods - Assignment Example Consequently, it is important to have a form of performance measurement tool or method that matches the exact form of performance variable being measured. It is against this background that different types of performance metrics have been devised. Likierman (2009) attempted to discuss some of the key performance measurement methods by focusing on things that organizations must avoid if they do not want to fall into the trap of wrong performance measurement. One of these traps was mentioned to be describing against yourself. This is the process of looking to one’s organization alone when measuring performance. As this is seen to be a trap, it means the best method for growth is to measure performance by having benchmarks that makes an organization look beyond itself. In my current organization, there are several ways that performance can be improved with we are to set benchmarks in our performance measurement. Very specifically, it is important for the organization to look at some of its key competitors and the output of work that comes from these companies. Based on such figures, out organization may also set its own goals so as to make it an industry leader rather than focusing only on its internal efforts. In another instance, Likierman (2009) makes mention of looking backwards as a major trap that defeats the goal of achieving effective performance measurement. Reviewing the annual reports of most companies, it would be seen that the companies quantify their output of work based on what was achieved in the previous year. Likierman (2009) however refuse to see this as an effective way of measuring performance. This means that the right method is to forecast by making projections of what the company wants to achieve. This method can clearly be applied in my current organization to ensure its growth and development. To do this, it would be important for the

Developmental Timeline Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Developmental Timeline - Essay Example The final stage is the formal operational stage and this stage goes from the age of 12 and ends at death. In this stage, children can think articulately about concrete objects and they have a strong sense of reasoning. There are also substages to these stages. The first substage to the sensorimotor stage is from the ages of birth to one month and it occurs through reflexes like grasping and sucking. In this stage knowledge is acquired through these reflexes. Substage 2 happens from the ages of 1 to 4 months. Reflexes are organized into larger more complex behaviours where behaviours like grabbing a rattle to suck occurs. Substage 3 occurs from the ages of 4 to 8 months where repetition of actions causes pleasing or interesting things to happen as in the case of banging a rattle. Substage 4 occurs from the ages of 8 to 12 months. This occurs when objects can be imagined with the mind even when they are out of sight. Substage 5 occurs from the ages of 12 to 18 months where an object is used in a variety of ways. For example, banging a spoon against a high chair.

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Evaluating a statement with reference to the traditional concept of Essay

Evaluating a statement with reference to the traditional concept of Domicile in accordance with the English Law - Essay Example Usually, the criteria used for the identification of domicile are differentiated in countries around the world – in most cases the system of law adopted by a specific country is used to decide on the characteristics of domicile in the above country. It should be noted that misunderstanding is often caused because of the co-existence of other terms, like residence, that also refer to the relation of a person to a specific geographical place. Because of the value of domicile in determining the rights and the obligations of people in different social and political activities, a series of rules has been introduced describing the criteria under which a person’s domicile is identified; however, the effectiveness of these rules has been strongly criticized. The specific problem – the level of accuracy and effectiveness of the rules used for identifying a person’s domicile – is examined in this paper; it has been proved that the rules adopted for the identi fication of domicile had to be analytical and detailed – in order to respond to the needs of all related human activities but also to ensure the protection of social and political rights; however, in the long term the above characteristic of these rules had become a major disadvantage leading to the decrease of their effectiveness. At a next level, the limitation of the effectiveness of rules of domicile has been a phenomenon irrelevant with the characteristics of the system of law developed in a particular country; however, current paper refers especially to the rules of domicile developed in the English law emphasizing on the lack of effectiveness of these rules as a result of the use of complex and technical terms – used primarily for ensuring the adaptability of these rules to current social conditions, a target that was never achieved as explained below. In English law,

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Henderson radio Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Henderson radio - Case Study Example These elements weigh vigorously in choosing if there is sufficient value in a venture money bargain. Thomas Hendersons ideas on this discernment propose that in the event that it was his choice he might have utilized 10 percent value and 90 percent obligation to back organization venture. From the expectation we understand that when 90 percent of obligation is utilized to back the organization extend this may prompt chapter 11 since the more terrific the implied liquidation expense or likelihood of insolvency in the working money streams of the firm, the less obligation the firm can bear to utilize. Taking his contention to the way that financing blend was acknowledged excessively radical and that he felt the organization could securely expand its obligation extent to 30 percent, which he thought was the upper reach of the business normal is not a legitimate proclamation. This is on the grounds that the mix of these manifestations of financing and their expense make up the expense of money to the firm or task. Assessing the capital structure of a venture is muddled, however basically put; the capital structure is the extent of value in the aggregate financing

Friday, August 23, 2019

The impact of education on someone who is disadvantaged Essay

The impact of education on someone who is disadvantaged - Essay Example For the poor children, their parents do not have such information or knowledge. In the essay by Welty, she describes the influence her first grade teacher, Miss Duling, had on her life. Although her parents were uneducated, school helped her gain what her parents did not provide. Duling was the kind of teacher that demanded perfection. She describes her as a figure of authority. These are the skills Miss Duling and the other teachers passed to her students. People from poor backgrounds might not have access to such knowledge. However, education, especially their interactions with the teachers, gives them the vita skills that prepare them for a better life. She notes that they learned â€Å"grammar, arithmetic, spelling, reading, writing, geography, physical training, and singing† (Welty, 414). As Welty notes in the essay, Miss Duling had ‘stridden into a larger part of my work than I’d realized until now’ (Welty, 414). Similarly, in the TED talk by Dr. Cana da, he points out that the children of the wealthy have an advantage because their parents know many things. The poor people do not know. Education is the only channel through which the poor can be helped. Poor people do not operate on the same level as the rich. While the rich might be able to enjoy certain privileges, the poor cannot afford these. Through education however, people from poor backgrounds are able to access the same opportunities as the rich. In the video by Dr. Canada for instance, he argues that while the rich will take their children to pre-kindergarten and access the benefits that come with it, the poor do have the chance. Through education however, the poor and the wealthy are equalized. In the essay by Welty, the idea of equality is also brought out. For instance, when the new governor sent her daughter to Davis School, Miss Duling telephoned her and told her that she will simply ‘be plain Rachel here’ (Welty, 414). Although she was from a wealthy

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Great Expectations Essay Example for Free

Great Expectations Essay Task: How does the novel present Pips relationship with Magwitch, when he meets him in the graveyard and later when Magwitch returns form abroad to see Pip?  Great Expectations is a novel that is set in the late 1860s, in Victorian society, during the start up of the industrial revolution, which was speedily changing society. In chapter 1 of Great Expectations, the reader meets a young boy, Phillip Pirrip, although he is known as Pip, due to the reason that he cant pronounce his full name. The fact that this issue is introduced to the reader right at the beginning of the story, and that the story is narrated by Pip and his own voice, is attention grabbing; his youthful innocence and naivety is interesting, and immediately gets the reader close to the character. Dickens introduces Pip at a graveyard, where he sets the scene. Pip is visiting the graves of his deceased family, trying to find his identity as well as remind himself and imagine what his parents looked like. Pip is an image of vulnerability, and this is a target for ambiguity to come. Dickens does not state that Pip is an orphan; instead he allows his powerful use of words to demonstrate this. My first fancies regarding what they were like, were reasonably derived from their tombstones. The shape of the letters on my fathers, gave me an odd idea that he was a square, stout, dark man, with curly black hair Also Georgina wife of above, I drew a childish conclusion that my mother was freckled and sickly. Dickens introduces Pips childish imagination into the sequence. Dickens implies that Victorian life and society was like this; there were masses of orphans, like Pip, due to numerous epidemics sweeping the nation, diseases like cholera and smallpox which were rife, and regarded as a universal struggle, this resulted in high mortality rates. You were generally considered lucky if you survived the high mortality rates. The involvement of this fact early on shows that death, and poverty was an everyday occurrence; it wasnt an unusual nature, hence the matter of fact writing. The weather in this scene creates a solemn yet dramatic tone. A negative pattern exhibiting raging storms, adding to the bleak and cold winters day atmosphere is vividly painted. It is a gloomy Christmas Eves day. Pip ventures out into these eerie unknowns, which later on prove to be a symbol that his life is going to change drastically too, where peril and ambiguity await. This also reinforces Pips perception on his situation. While Pip is attempting to bring up recollections at the graveyard, he is surprised by an escaped convict who jumps out rather cynically, from a savage lair, among the looming mists and graves, scaring Pip. The opposite usage of some comedy, at the beginning, and a sharp dramatic twist is attention grabbing. A contrasting backdrop, on to which the messages of the tale can unfold, is created. The reader can tell that the mysterious man is a convict because of the way he is described. His condition is in disarray because of the poor living conditions in the hulks. They were overcrowded, leading to diseases that ended up killing many of the prisoners, and there was malnutrition from poor food. Hard labour was primed everyday too. He has escaped from prison and the hulks (old ships moored on the coast), whilst awaiting exile (to penal colonies in Australia) for 14 years hard labour. (Returning before the end of his term he will face execution). A fearful man, all in coarse grey, with a great iron on his leg. A man with no hat, and with broken shoes, and with an old rag tied round his head. This gives us an insight into the harsh conditions that were faced by prisoners during these times. This plight is shown further more; by the way this convict- Abel Magwitch is portrayed ferociously and pathetically. The harsh and unjust judicial system at the time was the cause of this. Forging banknotes (like Magwitch had done) carried the same penalty as murder! Criminals were brutalised. They were not given chances to reform, instead faced beatings, as forms of punishment. At least 10 hours of daily hard labour was forced on prisoners. Soaked in water, and smothered in mud, and lamed by stones, and cut by flints, and stung by nettles, and torn by briarsand glared and growled. Dickens gives Magwitch with animal like qualities, and so we are provided with a greater understanding that he is at the end of his tether. He is a human that has literally been weathered, like a mere object. A man with no hat and with broken shoessoaked in water, smothered by mud, and lamedlimped and shivered. Magwitch is desperate. This is shown by the way he speaks to Pip aggressively, and threatens him keep still you little devil, and also by the way he roughly handles Pip. The man, after looking at me for a moment, turned me upside down and emptied my pockets. When he tips Pip upside down a piece of bread falls out of his pockets. Magwitch scurries towards this. He ate the bread ravenously. The reader is reminded of his desperate, animal like status, and his plight. The tentative weather mirrors Magwitchs character-a vast wilderness in the vein of a storm, which rushes into Pips life, suddenly, causing an upheaval of ambiguity like disturbance. Dickens tries to connect the characters with a descriptive background, to create a realistic character, building up a reinforced feeling to the passage, which ties in with characters personalities. Upon discovering that Pip lives with Joe- who is a black smith, Magwitch continues to act aggressively towards Pip, as he is useful to him. He makes a threatening demand. You get me a fileYou get me wittlesYou bring them both to meor Ill have your heart and liver out. He continues to threaten Pip, telling him that he can even be hurt in his own home if he betrays the convict. He tells Pip that he is not alone, and if he gets caught then the man along side Magwitch will attack him. A boy may lock his door, may be warm in bed but that young man will softly creep and creep his way to him and tear him openin comparison with which I am a angel. Pip is petrified. The prospect of this occurring (made worse by his youthful innocence), has given way to the sensation of helplessness that clearly covers him. His eyes looked most powerfully into mine, and mine looked most powerfully up into his. This highlights a key detail of status/position that will be seen in depth throughout the story; its a running thread for which it is a major theme. This is the first landmark of Magwitch and Pips relationship. It is one of intimidation, and fear.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Captain Murderer Essay Example for Free

Captain Murderer Essay The gleaming sunlight shone through the dense canopy, piercing his dull chocolate eyes. Edwins dark complexion absorbed the shimmering suns rays, whilst his fellow comrades blossomed vibrantly under the yellow array, and remained a shadow under the bulky oaks. The elves tracked a party of goblins for three vigorous days, hoping to annihilate their clan and finally end the chaos in the vast forest of Hallow. Their steps, as quick as a cheetah and as stealthy as a cat, manoeuvred through the harsh terrain of dense shrubs, decayed logs, and muddy foliage in search of their pray. Edwin was the first of the four to feel the rush of fatigue immersing him, and was left with a drought of energy. Now is not the time to linger comrade, we are right on their tails, stated Myrth, as his sharp eagle eyes glimpsed Edwins sudden loss of momentum. Im sorry fellow kindred, I am somewhat drained from the excess hiking, replied Edwin as he placed himself on a bare rock, gasping to fill his empty lungs with air. As he struggled for oxygen, Edwin looked down upon himself as he glimpsed expressions of displeasure amongst the others as his recovery spent precious minutes. The elves continued their hunt for the corrupted goblins, their magnificent and elegant bows gliding along their slender backs as they pass through the dense terrain. Edwin continued to trail behind due to his lack of stamina, and was continuously eyed for his incompetence. The group stumbled across a recently lit camp fire and was determined it was the goblins. We are drawing near, we must hurry! exclaimed Arwen. As the shimmering rays of the gleaming sun faded away into the glistening spark of the full moon, the elves drew nearer to their enemy. The rigorous trek continued to falter Edwin, but seemed to have had no effect upon the others. With a vague gesture of the hand for halt, Evariah spoke out in a whisper, her piercing eyes glaring in all directions, I sense the enemy nearby. Bows at the ready, the elves treaded cautiously in the dark, damp forest. All of a sudden, a brute axe shot out of the distance and was aimed straight towards Edwin. Myrths superior strength and speed enabled him to shoot an arrow of equal power to counter the anonymous blade, and it simply dropped onto the rigid ground. Out of the shadows, stepped forward a swarm of ravaging goblins with the vicious content to kill. It was an ambush! realised Arwen. Without hesitation, the elves engaged in combat, firing away graceful shots from their Elvin bows, and slashing blissfully with their glorious swords. Every shot and every slash was of perfect precision and targeted the enemys vitals, resulting in an instant kill. The elves started to struggle in holding their ground as the goblins numbers were substantially larger. As the night grew older, more blood was spilt and the elves could not maintain the goblins anymore. FALL BACK! shouted Myrth, FALL BACK! The elves swiftly evaded many of their fierce attackers and dashed into the dark, densely packed oaks. Followed closely behind, was the uproar of swarming goblins with monstrous axes in their demeaning grasp. Edwin followed Myrth and the others in escaping the large mass. As the gruesome wails grew less with every step, they were convinced that they had escaped the horrible goblins. Suddenly, a twisted cry fell upon their narrow-tipped ears and a goblin swung its sharp steel axe, piercing Edwins leg. Evariah quickly responded with a gracious swing of her divine blade across its distorted neck, and it fell instantly. Edwin roared in pain, and consequently attracted the rampaging goblins. We must flee now! exclaimed Arwen. The sound of screaming monsters gradually increased and the group grew ever more hesitant of the situation. I cannot move my leg, comrades! shrieked Edwin. He cannot make it. We do not have the strength to carry him in our current state, we must make haste! Leave him be. Arwen declared. There is no other choice Arwen is right. You will only drag us behind, agreed Myrth reluctantly. But wait! protested Edwin. However, it was too late. They made their decision. They turned their back on him. The volume of the endless wailing of goblins increased as the figures of his so called comrades dissolved behind the tall, solid oaks. Edwins insides burned in a feeling of sorrow, misery and anger. His wound was deep, but did not harm him more than his feeling of rejection. Well, well, well. Look at what we have! Elf Scum, claimed the goblin, proudly. Edwin could do nothing more but stare into the goblins red repugnant eyes and justify his comrades despicable actions. What? An elf that cant talk! Haha! laughed the goblin. Edwin made no sound but felt betrayed. He could do nothing more, his mind became obscured and blinded him the fact that he was surrounded by the enemy. He slowly panned his view in disarray, and then felt a large blunt object strike his head. Edwin woke up, and found himself in a large, foul pit, with a throbbing headache. Both his hands and feet were cuffed securely, and tried frantically to escape, but was all in vein. The sad and deprived elf sat there in the dusty corner, hugging his bare knees, asking himself, why? Heavy footsteps approached and the familiar face of the wretched goblin presented itself in front of Edwin again. Its grin revealed the black and decayed teeth behind those battered lips. What will you do with me? asked the elf bluntly. Its foul grin grew wider. Nothing, he simply replied. As an elf, you are immortal. So I am going to do nothing with you, and let you rot in that pit for the rest of eternity. The elf was not surprised, nor did he care. He simply sat there, staring at the moist soil surrounding him. After a long pause, the goblin blatantly asked, You are an elf. Why are you not as beautiful as the rest? Oh I am much more beautiful than they are. I would never have succumbed in letting one of my comrades fall behind and get captured, the elf replied, still staring into the vast shades of brown in the soil. Haha. Maybe they disowned you because of how hideous you are! laughed the goblin. Infuriated, the elf exclaimed That is a very bold statement, especially coming from the likes of you! With clenched teeth, deep breathing, and a violent glare in his eyes, the elf rose up and twisted his arms around his neck. He pulled the metal chains as tight as he could, and as the light from his dull, chocolate eyes faded away, dropped to the ground.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Critical accounting theory

Critical accounting theory Introduction There are several reasons there is no one universally accepted theory of accounting. The reasons are of two sorts. The first is philosophical. The second is practical. This essay discusses each of these. It then provides examples from accounting theory. Philosophical reasons The statement There is no universally accepted accounting theory is true by definition. Scientific understanding of the term theory denies that any theory can be universally accepted. According to Popper (e.g., 2002a, 2002b), theories are conjectures that are put to the test. If they are refuted by the test, they are either rejected or refined. If they are not refuted, they remain theories (not facts). They are then put to further tests, and are further refined. In order for this to proceed, there must exist rival theories. In this way, theories compete in a process of Darwinian selection. The theories never get to the truth, but they get progressively closer. This is the first reason there is no universally accepted theory of accounting. If there were a universally accepted theory of accounting, it wouldnt be a theory. It would be something else. Notice that, according to Popper, no theory ever arrives at certain knowledge. The best any theory can do is curtail ignorance. Moreover, if scientists were to discover a true theory, there would be no way they could know it was true, so there would still be competing theories. This last point needs elaboration. GÃ ¶dels incompleteness theorems (see, e.g., Hofstadter, 1979) demonstrate that, in any system of logic rich enough to contain formal arithmetic there exists an infinite number of statements that are true but that are impossible, in principle, for the system to know to be true. This means, in practical terms, that in any complex system-for example, an economic system-there exist solutions to problems that are known by the system, but are not known by any individual within it. This is appreciated by leading economists (e.g., Hayek, 1979). Further, given that there exist usually infinitely more wrong solutions to problems than correct solutions to problems, any attempt to solve such problems by diktat is infinitely more likely to lead to failure than to success. As regards economics, this led Hayek (1944) to his espousal of the free market. As regards theory in science, it means that any attempt to impose a single theory on anything is likely to lead to a seriously wrong theory. This is another reason for believing there can be no universally accepted theory of accounting. Any universally accepted theory could only be universally accepted if it were imposed by diktat, and, if it were imposed by diktat, it would of necessity most likely be wrong. Therefore it would give rise to a rival theory. Related to this, Feyerabend (1996) argues that there is no such thing as a single scientific method, and that any attempt to impose one is counter-productive. Feyerabends philosophy of science is summarised as anything goes. This, provides another reason for there being no single theory of accounting. If there can be no universally accepted method, there can be no universally accepted theory. There are two popular views of science that are in conflict with Poppers perspective: positivism and postmodernism. Positivism is the philosophy, associated with Ayer (1946) that says that the only meaningful statements are those that are true by logic and those that may be verified by observation. This is the verification principle. The first problem with the verification principle is that it is neither a truth of logic nor an empirically verifiable fact, therefore by its own terms it is meaningless. The second problem is that in implies science proceeds inductively. But inductive logic (drawing general conclusions from specific instances) is flawed: a million observations of white swans, for example, does not demonstrate that all swans are white (indeed, they arent: some swans are black). Postmodernism is the philosophy that reality is socially constructed. So what is real to one person may be unreal to another. At a trivial level, this is true, for different people see the same things in different ways. It is also true that, historically, science progressed in some instances by changes in world view, or paradigm (Kuhn, 1996). However, this is a question more of the sociology of science, not of ontology. And taken literally postmodernism is absurd. It leads to the conclusion that there is no such thing as reality. The prevalence of competing philosophies of science-Popperism, positivism, and postmodernism-provides another reason for there being no universally accepted theory of accounting. There is no universally accepted view of what constitutes reality. Thus one should expect there to be different theories of accounting, each with its cadre of supporters. Practical reasons There are three purposes for any theory of accounting, and each makes different demands on the theory. The first is that accounting should provide the best information about a companys position. Such a theory is prescriptive, in that it suggests how best accountants should ply their trade. Such a viewpoint is said to be normative. A normative theory is one that states what is best practice. A theory of accounting may also seek to describe what accountants do. Any science must include accurate descriptions. It is logically possible for a researcher to adhere to a descriptive theory yet bemoan the fact that accountants dont follow what the researcher considers the correct (i.e., normative) practice. There is another aspect to descriptive theories. Until the advent of cheap computers, there was no way that researchers could analyse vast collections of data. Moreover, very often the data were unavailable (Gaffikin), 2008). Computers have changed this. This is another reason for believing there is no universally accepted theory of accounting. A descriptive theory is only as good as the data fed into it. But it is impossible to analyse all the data, only different blocks of data. Different blocks may give rise to different descriptions. In describing how accountants behave, researchers must gather evidence. But what evidence? And how should researchers gather it? Positivists tend to use quantitative data. These are data that are, supposedly objective, and may be expressed numerically and manipulated statistically. Company sales figures are an example. Postmodernists tend to use qualitative data. These are data that make no claim to objectivity and are difficult to express numerically. The findings of unstructured interviews-emotions, impressions, and so on-are examples of qualitative data. Because of this, even when presented with the same evidence, different researchers may reach different conclusions. This is another reason there is no universally accepted theory of accounting. A theory of accounting can seek to explain. Such theories are scientific in the Popperian sense, for they may be refuted. It is logically possible for a researcher to believe that Theory 1 is the best explanatory theory, Theory 2 is the best descriptive theory, and Theory 3 is the best normative theory. Thus again there are many theories of accounting. Any researcher may subscribe to three different theories, and do so without being inconsistent. In practice, the distinction between normative, descriptive, and explanatory theories is blurred. Any theory of one type may have features of the others. Example theories This section considers discusses two example theories. Theory 1: Positive accounting theory There are several problems with normative theory. One concerns what to enter. Consider assets. An accountant does not know how much a companys assets are worth. So the accountant uses one of several indicators (historical cost, for instance). The accountant must also estimate how much assets depreciate. Accountants use algorithms to calculate depreciation-typically, straight line depreciation such that assets become worthless after three years. Such algorithms are only broadly accurate. Such considerations led Watts and Zimmerman (1978) to develop positive accountancy theory. The theory is in part descriptive, in that it states what real-world accountants do, and in part explanatory, in that it purports to explain why accountants behave in the way they do. The theory says, in effect, that company accounts do not accord with reality. Instead, they accord with what powerful interests (stakeholders, shareholders, managers) want others to see as reality. The theory makes two assumptions: Homo economicus. This states three things. First, people are entirely rational. Second, people act only out of self-interest. Third, people act only to maximise their wealth. The efficient market hypothesis (EMH). This states that, left to its own devices (i.e., if unregulated), the market delivers an optimum price for any good or service. The EMH states that prices accord with all available information. The reason positive accounting theory makes these assumptions is that, without them, it is difficult to make quantifiable predictions, but with them it is relatively easy. Thus, for example, with them one can predict companies in one particular environment will prefer a different form of accounting from companies in another type of environment. Thus, for example, Watts and Zimmerman (1978) predict that firms whose earnings are increased by general price level adjusted accounting (GPLA) will oppose GPLA, but firms whose earnings are decreased by GPLA will favour it. But the notion of H. economicus is problematic-some people are unintelligent, some are altruistic, and so on (Lunn, cited in Clark, 2008), The EMH is also contentious. Some economists accept it, others dont. The EMH is also vague. If the market is efficient, the EMH doesnt say how long it takes to reach a decision Also, if the EMH were true, arbitrage would be impossible. The best one can say about the assumptions is that they provide an approximation of reality. How good an approximation it is, nobody knows. This is another reason there is no universally accepted theory of accounting. Some people think the assumptions provide a good approximation; some people think they provide a bad one. Fama and French (2004) state that markets can be inefficient and investors can be ill-informed and irrational, Just as owners, governments, and workers have vested interests, so have Watts and Zimmerman. In their case, they are interested in promoting positive accounting theory. So, in this regard, the theory has a normative aspect. It concerns how accountancy researchers should practice their trade. If all researchers follow Watts and Zimmermans diktats, Watts and Zimmerman will become rich. Naturally, all accountancy researchers want to be in Watts and Zimmermans position, but the only way for them to do so is to develop a rival theory. This is another reason there is no universally accepted accountancy theory. Theory 2. Critical accounting theory Critical accounting theory isnt really a theory. Its more a style of criticism. It aims, not only to alter accounting practice, but to change society (Gaffikin, 2008). It is political. Thus, for example, Laughlin (cited in Davis, 2008) states: A critical understanding of the role of accounting processes and practices and the accounting profession in the functioning of society and organisations with an intention to use that understanding to engage (where appropriate) in changing these processes, practices and the profession. In this, critical accounting theory is postmodernist. Postmodernists point to the numerous flaws in positive accountancy theory. They highlight the weaknesses in the concepts of H. economicus and the EMH. They point out that Watts and Zimmerman use rhetorical devices to put the views across. They argue that the methodology and measuring instruments of positivist theories are crude, and so on. Occasionally, they make (or repeat) good points (e.g., the EMH is incorrect) (e.g., Mouck, 1992). As indicated, postmodernists deny the existence of objective reality. In doing so, they deny the possibility of determining the truth, or worth, of any statement. Thus they deny the truth, or worth, of postmodernism. This is the problem with postmodernism. If reality is socially constructed, then there cannot be a universally accepted theory, for socially constructed reality differs according to who is doing the constructing. A true theory to one postmodernist is a false theory to all others. That is why there is no universally accepted theory of accounting. References Ayer, A.J. (1946). Language, truth and logic. (2nd ed.). London: Gollancz. Clark, T. (2008, November 1). Market madness. The Guardian. Davis, D. (2008). Critical accounting theory. Lecture 9. Lecture notes. Bangor Business School. Feyerabend, P. (1996). Against method: Outline of an anarchistic theory of knowledge. San Francisco, CA: Analytical Psychology Club of San Francisco, Fama, E.F. and French, A.R. (2004). The CAPM: Theory and Evidence. On line: http://www.econ.sdu.edu.cn/jrtzx/uploadfile/pdf/Assetpricing/04.pdf Gaffikin, M. (2008). Accounting theory: Research, regulation and accounting practice. French Forest, Australia: Pearson Education. Hayek, F. A. (1979). Unemployment and monetary policy. San Francisco: Cato Institute. Hayek, F. A. (1944). The road to serfdom. London: George Routledge Hofstadter, D. (1979). G?del, Esther, Bach: An eternal golden braid. Harmondsworth: Penguin. Kuhn, T. (1996). The structure of scientific revolutions. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Mouck, T. (1992). The rhetoric of science and the rhetoric of revolt in the story of positive accounting theory. Accounting Auditing, and Accountability, 5 (4): 35-56. Popper, K. (2002a). Unended quest. An intellectual biography. London: Routledge. Popper, K. (2002b). Conjectures and refutations. London: Routledge. Watts, R.L. And Zimmerman, J.L. (1978). Towards a positive theory of the determination of accounting standards. Accounting Review, 53: 112-132.

Monday, August 19, 2019

Tony Kushners Angels in America Essay -- Tony Kushner Angels America

Most of the characters in Tony Kushner's Angels in America struggle with their sexuality. Reflected in this struggle, the homosexual characters are flawed to the degree at which they hide their sexuality. Prior, Belize, Louis, Joe, and Roy all deal with this issue in the course of the play. Prior is the least closeted homosexual while Roy is the most. Prior is chosen to be a prophet, is morally upright, and represents good. Roy, the unlawful lawyer, represents evil. Belize, Louis, and Joe fall in between Prior and Roy on the scale. By having these particular characters represent what they do, Tony Kushner places a negative stigma on those in the closet and emphasizes his negative opinion on closeted homosexuals. Prior is one of the most openly gay characters in the play. In act two, Prior suffers in the hospital. He says, "I want Louis. I want my fucking boyfriend, where the fuck is he? I'm dying, I'm dying, where's Louis?" (Kushner 66). He shows his dependence on his boyfriend and his need to seek comfort in his homosexual partner during this traumatic time. Also, just before the angel arrives at the end of part one, Prior says, "I can handle pressure, I am a gay man and I am used to pressure" (Kushner 123). He puts his strong suits forth, including his homosexuality, to convince himself he can handle the situation. In act four, in response to Hannah questioning his homosexuality, Prior says, "Oh, is it that obvious? Yes. I am" (Kushner 231). He has no problem admitting his homosexuality, even to complete strangers. Because of Prior's openness throughout the play, he is, without a doubt, completely out of the closet. Belize is also very open and out of the closet. The way he speaks to people clearly indi... ... will ultimately get what they deserve ? death. This conclusion can be generalized and not taken literally, and in that way applied directly to everyday situations. Even so, this remains another startling conclusion gathered from Tony Kushner?s work. In his play, Tony Kushner writes about flawed homosexual characters. While doing so, he develops an interesting relationship: the farther in the closet one is, the more flawed or evil one is. By making this startling correlation, Kushner places a negative stigma on those who are not open about their homosexuality. Through this evident relationship, Kushner strongly conveys his negative attitude toward closeted gays; thereby adding startling depth to his play, Angels in America. Works Cited Kushner, Tony. Angels in America. New York, New York: Theatre Communications Group, Inc., 1995.

Free Awakening Essays: The Creole Men of The Awakening :: Chopin Awakening Essays

Creole men of The Awakening    Thesis: In Kate Chopin’s novel, The Awakening the characters of the Creole men are diverse and different as the character Edna. Most of Kate Chopin’s stories center around a Woman unsatisfied with her position in life, while living in a man dominated society. The three main characters are typical men of that era. Chopin shows the diversity in each of those three characters. Roberts awakening, and the struggle to do what is the right thing. Alcee and how he is carefree and not concerned with society’s expectations of him, and so has a reputation. Mr. Pontiller, a business man first and foremost, with little left for wife and family. Robert did the right and noble thing by leaving to go to Mexico so as to not have to see the object of his forbidden love. Alcee see’s Edna as another one of his conquest, and does not give up, pursuing her at all cost. Alcee has not concern of what society thinks of him so he is able to do as he pleases. Mr. Pontieller, while h e believes himself to be a kind husband, is a typical businessman of the era. He wants his wife to obey him. He wants the perfect Creole wife, one who can help him excel in the business world he loves so much. In exploring these three men in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, there are certain aspects of each, while different, the same. All live in the 1800’s were morale reputation was considered to be the utmost importance to the Sommerer ii businessman, yet, Alcee seems unconcerned with any morale or business responsibility. In exploring the character of Robert who seems to be at a crossroad in his life. Search for his fortune, find a wife, prosper and be respectable, or, do the unthinkable and follow his heart. Sommerer iii Creole Men In The Awakening: Mr. Pontellier is the typical Creole husband and businessman. â€Å"Leonce is convinced that fulfilling monetary needs excuses the paucity of time he spends with the children, never presuming that some needs cannot be mone tarily satisfied: {â€Å"He has his hands full with his brokerage business †¦making a living for his family on the street†(885)} Even to himself, Leonce’s thought smack of the self-pity of the empowered. Perhaps because he is aware of his own neglect, Leonce projects his guilt onto Edna, expecting flawless mammal performance on her part to remedy his domestic absence.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Homosexuality Essay -- Gay Lesbian Homosexual Essays

Homosexuality My frustration with debate about homosexuality stems not so much from the arguments themselves, but the actual method of argument. Often, two â€Å"experts† will approach the topic from two radically different â€Å"expert† fields. One may be a New Testament scholar and thus draws out the intricacies of Romans 1:18-28 and the true meaning of the word â€Å"homosexual offender† (i.e. older man sleeping with a young boy) in that case. The other may be a biologist who appeals to natural logic and reproduction to defend sex as a behavior meant for heterosexuals. Both of them are right within their own expertise. But they cannot, then, debate, for it would be like Chuck pitching to a batter on another baseball field. I was pleasantly surprised, then, when Via and Gagnon approached the issue of homosexuality from the same basis—the Bible. If indeed homosexuality is to be embraced (or rejected) by the Church as a legitimate expression of one’s being, then one cannot dismiss the Bible as only part of the argument. Behind almost every denominational tradition, the Bible stands as a primary source of wisdom/ethics/practice that, even if its inerrancy is being questioned more recently, cannot be discounted so easily. Approaches: Therefore, they both come to scripture as authoritative, though both also read it through a historical/cultural critics’ lens. Gagnon certainly takes the position that the Old Testament and New Testament commandments condemning homosexual practices are absolute, saying that a purely scientific renege of multiple biblical instructions is not enough. As scripture interprets scripture, he points out that Ezekiel, Jude, and other texts all support homosexualities’ blanket condemnation. Via seems m... ..., they should not act upon them in a sexual way, as they can be fully alive without sex. Some questions I still harbor: If homosexuality is something God has given humanity as a sign of God’s wrath (as Via implies) and not necessarily a sin, ought we still accept it? Can we take the Leviticus passage out of context and put it with the â€Å"impure† laws about menstruation when it actually rests between a verse about not sacrificing to idols (obviously against both OT and NT law) and having sex with animals? If we can, then we may make the case that beastiality was just an impurity law and is now a legitimate form of sexual expression. Should we make decisions in the Church based on what is best for the whole body in terms of acceptance and love of people (so that others may be more open to hearing the gospel message), even if it may be â€Å"wrong† according to scripture?

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Baz Luhrmanns William Shakespeare Essay Essay

William Shakespeare is one of the greatest poet and playwright in history. He is famous for plays that reach the his audience emotionally even though most of them were written 500 plus years ago. One of William Shakespeare most famous play is Romeo and Juliet which has being adapted many times over the years into modern versions to fit in with the audiences taste. Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, my name is Heitor Hilberto and I’m here to talk about Romeo and Juliet. Baz Luhrmans 1996 adaptation of the classical love story of Romeo and Juliet had a great impact to its vast audience leaving most in tears. The technical and film codes were used very affectively in Baz Luhrmans adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, it does this by the reconstruction of the films location to the busy location of Verona, the action camera shots were well timed and positioned, the characters where modernised to suit the setting of the beach by using bright colours in their clothing. The movie connected with the audience because it was set in a modern city that the story took place in the big Verona, the movie followed the same timeline of events as the original play but was much easier to understand because it was set in the 90s which it makes it easier for us to relate and understand the movie if it’s at least set in our century. They used very dramatic lighting to enhance the scenes which helped the camera crew get the best possible shots of the characters faces, costumes, movements and the locations also made the movie very exciting, creating great drama because they knew when to used soft and hard lighting to enhance the movie, some of the best scenes showing the camera shots would be the petrol station which used soft lighting but fast and concentrated camera shots to make the action intense and very fast passed. The party at the cablets house which used hard lighting to show the party was vibrant with very bright colours, exiting and vivid but the pool area scene lighting was very soft and used a romantic camera angles which just credited the lighting and concentrated to the characters face to show their emotions and their love for one another. The costumes where very stylish and made the film reach out to its audience both young and old, costumes and props are very important to Romeo and Juliet, ( lurhmans 1996 version ) costumes aren’t only make the characters look good and stylish, it enables viewers to make rationale judgements about the characters, looks and how they might fit in society very quickly, the costumes in the party scene at the cablets house shows how the costumes can show the characters role in the movie, for example Juliet was dressed as an angel to show that she was sweet and pure, but Mercutio was dressed as the devil because he is an evil and dangerous man. William Shakespeare is one of the greatest poets and play writer in history. Thank you for your time and patience today.

Friday, August 16, 2019

Sample Apa Research Paper

Sample APA Research Paper Sample Title Page Place manuscript page headers one-half inch from the top. Put five spaces between the page header and the page number. Running on Empty 1 Full title, authors, and school name are centered on the page, typed in uppercase and lowercase. Running on Empty: The Effects of Food Deprivation on Concentration and Perseverance Thomas Delancy and Adam Solberg Dordt College 34 Sample Abstract Running on Empty Abstract This study examined the effects of short-term food deprivation on two The abstract summarizes the problem, participants, hypotheses, methods used, results, and conclusions. cognitive abilities—concentration and perseverance. Undergraduate students (N-51) were tested on both a concentration task and a perseverance task after one of three levels of food deprivation: none, 12 hours, or 24 hours. We predicted that food deprivation would impair both concentration scores and perseverance time. Food deprivation had no significant effect o n concentration scores, which is consistent with recent research on the effects of food deprivation (Green et al. , 1995; Green et al. , 1997).However, participants in the 12-hour deprivation group spent significantly less time on the perseverance task than those in both the control and 24-hour deprivation groups, suggesting that short-term deprivation may affect some aspects of cognition and not others. An APA Research Paper Model Thomas Delancy and Adam Solberg wrote the following research paper for a psychology class. As you review their paper, read the side notes and examine the following: ? The use and documentation of their numerous sources. ? The background they provide before getting into their own study results. The scientific language used when reporting their results. Center the title one inch from the top. Double-space throughout. Running on Empty Running on Empty: The Effects of Food Deprivation on Concentration and Perseverance 3 Many things interrupt people’s a bility to focus on a task: distractions, headaches, noisy environments, and even psychological disorders. To some extent, people can control the environmental factors that make it difficult to focus. However, what about internal factors, such as an empty stomach?Can people increase their ability to focus simply by eating regularly? One theory that prompted research on how food intake affects the average person was the glucostatic theory. Several researchers in the 1940s and 1950s suggested that the brain regulates food intake in order to maintain a blood-glucose set point. The idea was that people become hungry when their blood-glucose levels drop significantly below their set point and that they become satisfied after eating, when their blood-glucose levels return to that set point.This theory seemed logical because glucose is the brain’s primary fuel (Pinel, 2000). The earliest investigation of the general effects of food deprivation found that long-term food deprivation (3 6 hours and longer) was associated with sluggishness, depression, irritability, reduced heart rate, and inability to concentrate (Keys, Brozek, The introduction states the topic and the main questions to be explored. The researchers supply background information by discussing past research on the topic. Extensive referencing establishes support for the discussion.Henschel, Mickelsen, & Taylor, 1950). Another study found that fasting for several days produced muscular weakness, irritability, and apathy or depression (Kollar, Slater, Palmer, Docter, & Mandell, 1964). Since that time, research has focused mainly on how nutrition affects cognition. However, as Green, Elliman, and Rogers (1995) point out, the effects of food deprivation on cognition have received comparatively less attention in recent years. Running on Empty The relatively sparse research on food deprivation has left room for 4 urther research. First, much of the research has focused either on chronic The researchers exp lain how their study will add to past research on the topic. starvation at one end of the continuum or on missing a single meal at the other end (Green et al. , 1995). Second, some of the findings have been contradictory. One study found that skipping breakfast impairs certain aspects of cognition, such as problem-solving abilities (Pollitt, Lewis, Garza, & Shulman, 1983). However, other research by M. W. Green, N. A. Elliman, and P. J.Rogers (1995, 1997) has found that food deprivation ranging from missing a single meal to 24 hours without eating does not significantly impair cognition. Third, not all groups of people have been sufficiently studied. Studies have been done on 9–11 year-olds (Pollitt et Clear transitions guide readers through the researchers’ reasoning. al. , 1983), obese subjects (Crumpton, Wine, & Drenick, 1966), college-age men and women (Green et al. , 1995, 1996, 1997), and middle-age males (Kollar et al. , 1964). Fourth, not all cognitive aspects have been studied.In 1995 Green, Elliman, and Rogers studied sustained attention, simple reaction time, and immediate memory; in 1996 they studied attentional bias; and in 1997 they studied simple reaction time, two-finger tapping, recognition memory, and free recall. In 1983, another study focused on reaction time and accuracy, intelligence quotient, and problem solving (Pollitt et al. ). According to some researchers, most of the results so far indicate that cognitive function is not affected significantly by short-term fasting (Green et al. , 1995, p. 246).However, this conclusion seems premature due to the relative lack of research on cognitive functions such as concentration and The researchers support their decision to focus on concentration and perseverance. perseverance. To date, no study has tested perseverance, despite its importance in cognitive functioning. In fact, perseverance may be a better indicator than achievement tests in assessing growth in learning and thinking abilities, as perseverance helps in solving complex problems (Costa, 1984). Another study also recognized that perseverance, better learning techniques, and effort are cognitions worth studying (D’Agostino, 1996).Testing as many aspects of cognition as possible is key because the nature of the task is important when interpreting the link between food deprivation and cognitive performance (Smith & Kendrick, 1992). Running on Empty The researchers state their initial hypotheses. 5 Therefore, the current study helps us understand how short-term food deprivation affects concentration on and perseverance with a difficult task. Specifically, participants deprived of food for 24 hours were expected to perform worse on a concentration test and a perseverance task than those deprived for 12 hours, who in turn were predicted to perform worse than hose who were not deprived of food. Method Headings and subheadings show the paper’s organization. Participants Participants included 51 undergraduate-student volunteers (32 females, 19 males), some of whom received a small amount of extra credit in a college course. The mean college grade point average (GPA) was 3. 19. Potential participants were excluded if they were dieting, menstruating, or taking special medication. Those who were struggling with or had The experiment’s method is described, using the terms and acronyms of the discipline. truggled with an eating disorder were excluded, as were potential participants addicted to nicotine or caffeine. Materials Concentration speed and accuracy were measured using an online numbers-matching test (www. psychtests. com/tests/iq/concentration. html) that consisted of 26 lines of 25 numbers each. In 6 minutes, participants were required to find pairs of numbers in each line that added up to 10. Scores were calculated as the percentage of correctly identified pairs out of Passive voice is used to emphasize the experiment, not the researchers; otherwise, active voice is used. a possible 120.Perseverance was measured with a puzzle that contained five octagons—each of which included a stencil of a specific object (such as an animal or a flower). The octagons were to be placed on top of each other in a specific way to make the silhouette of a rabbit. However, three of the shapes were slightly altered so that the task was impossible. Perseverance scores were calculated as the number of minutes that a participant spent on the puzzle task before giving up. Procedure At an initial meeting, participants gave informed consent. Each consent form contained an assigned identification number and requested the participant’s GPA.Students were then informed that they would be notified by e-mail and telephone about their assignment to one of the Running on Empty three experimental groups. Next, students were given an instruction The experiment is laid out step by step, with time transitions like â€Å"then† and â€Å"next. † 6 sheet. These written instructions, which we also read aloud, explained the experimental conditions, clarified guidelines for the food deprivation period, and specified the time and location of testing. Participants were randomly assigned to one of these conditions using a matched-triplets design based on the GPAs collected at the initial meeting.This design was used to control individual differences in cognitive ability. Two days after the initial meeting, participants were informed of their group assignment and its condition and reminded that, if they were in a food-deprived group, they should not eat anything after 10 a. m. the next day. Participants from the control group were tested at 7:30 p. m. in a designated computer lab on the day the deprivation started. Those in the 12-hour group were tested at 10 p. m. on that same day. Those in the 24-hour group were tested at 10:40 a. m. on the following day.At their assigned time, participants arrived at a computer lab for testing. Ea ch participant was given written testing instructions, which were also read aloud. The online concentration test had already Attention is shown to the control features. been loaded on the computers for participants before they arrived for testing, so shortly after they arrived they proceeded to complete the test. Immediately after all participants had completed the test and their scores were recorded, participants were each given the silhouette puzzle and instructed how to proceed.In addition, they were told that (1) they would have an unlimited amount of time to complete the task, and (2) they were not to tell any other participant whether they had completed the puzzle or simply given up. This procedure was followed to prevent the group influence of some participants seeing others give up. Any participant still working on the puzzle after 40 minutes was stopped to keep the time of the study manageable. Immediately after each participant stopped working on the puzzle, he/she gave de mographic information and completed a few manipulation-check items. We then debriefed and dismissed each participant outside of the lab.Running on Empty Results The writers summarize their findings, including problems encountered. 7 Perseverance data from one control-group participant were eliminated because she had to leave the session early. Concentration data from another control-group participant were dropped because he did not complete the test correctly. Three manipulation-check questions indicated that each participant correctly perceived his or her deprivation condition and had followed the rules for it. The average concentration score was 77. 78 (SD = 14. 21), which was very good considering that anything over 50 percent is labeled â€Å"good† or â€Å"above average. The average time spent on the puzzle was 24. 00 minutes (SD = 10. 16), with a maximum of 40 minutes allowed. We predicted that participants in the 24-hour deprivation group would perform worse on the co ncentration test and the perseverance task than those in the 12-hour group, who in turn would perform worse than those in the control group. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed no significant effect of deprivation condition on concentration, F(2,46) = 1. 06, p = . 36 (see Figure 1). Another one-way ANOVA indicated Figure 1. 100 â€Å"See Figure 1† sends readers to a figure (graph, photograph, chart, or drawing) contained in the paper.All figures and illustrations (other than tables) are numbered in the order that they are first mentioned in the text. Mean score on concentration test 90 80 70 60 50 No deprivation 12-hour deprivation 24-hour deprivation Deprivation Condition The researchers restate their hypotheses and the results, and go on to interpret those results. Running on Empty a significant effect of deprivation condition on perseverance time, F(2,47) = 7. 41, p < . 05. Post-hoc Tukey tests indicated that the 12-hour deprivation group (M = 17. 79, SD = 7. 84) spent significantly less time on the perseverance task than either the control group (M = 26. 0, SD = 6. 20) or the 24-hour group (M = 28. 75, SD = 12. 11), with no significant difference between the latter two groups (see Figure 2). No significant effect was found for gender either generally or with specific deprivation conditions, Fs < 1. 00. Unexpectedly, food deprivation had no significant effect on concentration scores. Overall, we found support for our hypothesis that 12 hours of food deprivation would significantly impair perseverance when compared to no deprivation. Unexpectedly, 24 hours 8 of food deprivation did not significantly affect perseverance relative to the control group.Also unexpectedly, food deprivation did not significantly affect concentration scores. Figure 2. 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 No deprivation 12-hour deprivation 24-hour deprivation Mean score on perseverance test Deprivation Condition Discussion The purpose of this study was to test how different levels of food deprivation affect concentration on and perseverance with difficult tasks. Running on Empty they would score on the concentration task, and the less time they would spend on the perseverance task. In this study, those deprived of food did 9 We predicted that the longer people had been deprived of food, the lower ive up more quickly on the puzzle, but only in the 12-hour group. Thus, the hypothesis was partially supported for the perseverance task. However, concentration was found to be unaffected by food deprivation, and thus the hypothesis was not supported for that task. The findings of this study are consistent with those of Green et al. The writers speculate on possible explanations for the unexpected results. (1995), where short-term food deprivation did not affect some aspects of cognition, including attentional focus. Taken together, these findings suggest that concentration is not significantly impaired by short-term food deprivation.The findings on perseverance, however, are not as easily explained. We surmise that the participants in the 12-hour group gave up more quickly on the perseverance task because of their hunger produced by the food deprivation. But why, then, did those in the 24-hour group fail to yield the same effect? We postulate that this result can be explained by the concept of â€Å"learned industriousness,† wherein participants who perform one difficult task do better on a subsequent task than the participants who never took the initial task (Eisenberger & Leonard, 1980; Hickman, Stromme, & Lippman, 1998).Because participants had successfully completed 24 hours of fasting already, their tendency to persevere had already been increased, if only temporarily. Another possible explanation is that the motivational state of a participant may be a significant determinant of behavior under testing (Saugstad, 1967). This idea may also explain the short perseverance times in the 12-hour group: because these participants took the tests at 10 p. m. , a prime time of the night for conducting business and socializing on a college campus, they may have been less motivated to take the time to work on the puzzle.Research on food deprivation and cognition could continue in several directions. First, other aspects of cognition may be affected by short-term food deprivation, such as reading comprehension or motivation. With respect to this latter topic, some students in this study reported decreased motivation to complete the tasks because of a desire to eat immediately Running on Empty took the tests may have influenced the results: those in the 24-hour 10 after the testing.In addition, the time of day when the respective groups group took the tests in the morning and may have been fresher and more relaxed than those in the 12-hour group, who took the tests at night. Perhaps, then, the motivation level of food-deprived participants could be effectively tested. Second, longer-term food deprivati on periods, such as those experienced by people fasting for religious reasons, could be explored. It is possible that cognitive function fluctuates over the duration of deprivation. Studies could ask how long a person can remain focused despite a lack of nutrition.Third, and perhaps most fascinating, studies could explore how food deprivation affects learned industriousness. As stated above, one possible explanation for the better perseverance times in the 24-hour group could be that they spontaneously improved their perseverance faculties by simply forcing themselves not to eat for 24 hours. Therefore, research could study how food deprivation affects the acquisition of perseverance. In conclusion, the results of this study provide some fascinating The conclusion summarizes the outcomes, stresses the experiment’s value, and anticipates further advances on the topic. nsights into the cognitive and physiological effects of skipping meals. Contrary to what we predicted, a perso n may indeed be very capable of concentrating after not eating for many hours. On the other hand, if one is taking a long test or working long hours at a tedious task that requires perseverance, one may be hindered by not eating for a short time, as shown by the 12-hour group’s performance on the perseverance task. Many people—students, working mothers, and those interested in fasting, to mention a few—have to deal with short-term food deprivation, intentional or unintentional.This research and other research to follow will contribute to knowledge of the disadvantages—and possible advantages—of skipping meals. The mixed results of this study suggest that we have much more to learn about short-term food deprivation. Running on Empty References All works referred to in the paper appear on the reference page, listed alphabetically by author (or title). 11 Costa, A. L. (1984). Thinking: How do we know students are getting better at it? Roeper Review, 6 , 197–199. Crumpton, E. , Wine, D. B. , & Drenick, E. J. (1966). Starvation: Stress or satisfaction?Journal of the American Medical Association, 196, 394–396. D’Agostino, C. A. F. (1996). Testing a social-cognitive model of achievement motivation. -Dissertation Abstracts International Section A: Humanities & Social Sciences, 57, 1985. Eisenberger, R. , & Leonard, J. M. (1980). Effects of conceptual task Each entry follows APA guidelines for listing authors, dates, titles, and publishing information. difficulty on generalized persistence. American Journal of Psychology, 93, 285–298. Green, M. W. , Elliman, N. A. , & Rogers, P. J. (1995). Lack of effect of short-term fasting on cognitive function.Journal of Psychiatric Research, 29, 245–253. Green, M. W. , Elliman, N. A. , & Rogers, P. J. (1996). Hunger, caloric preloading, and the selective processing of food and body shape words. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 35, 143–151. Green, M. W. , Elliman, N. A. , & Rogers, P. J. (1997). The study effects of food deprivation and incentive motivation on blood glucose levels and cognitive function. Psychopharmacology, 134, 88–94. Hickman, K. L. , Stromme, C. , & Lippman, L. G. (1998). Learned Capitalization, punctuation, and hanging indentation are consistent with APA format. ndustriousness: Replication in principle. Journal of General Psychology, 125, 213–217. Keys, A. , Brozek, J. , Henschel, A. , Mickelsen, O. , & Taylor, H. L. (1950). The biology of human starvation (Vol. 2). Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. Kollar, E. J. , Slater, G. R. , Palmer, J. O. , Docter, R. F. , & Mandell, A. J. (1964). Measurement of stress in fasting man. Archives of General Psychology, 11, 113–125. Pinel, J. P. (2000). Biopsychology (4th ed. ). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Running on Empty 12 Pollitt, E. , Lewis, N. L. , Garza, C. , & Shulman, R. J. (1982–1983). Fasting and cognitive function.Journal of P sychiatric Research, 17, 169–174. Saugstad, P. (1967). Effect of food deprivation on perception-cognition: A comment [Comment on the article by David L. Wolitzky]. Psychological Bulletin, 68, 345–346. Smith, A. P. , & Kendrick, A. M. (1992). Meals and performance. In A. P. Smith & D. M. Jones (Eds. ), Handbook of human performance: Vol. 2, Health and performance (pp. 1–23). San Diego: Academic Press. Smith, A. P. , Kendrick, A. M. , & Maben, A. L. (1992). Effects of breakfast and caffeine on performance and mood in the late morning and after lunch. Neuropsychobiology, 26, 198–204.