Was Dollarization a Success in Zimbabwe

CHAPTER ONE [pic] 1. Introduction At independence in 1980 the Zimbabwe dollar replaced the Rhodesian dollar at par at a rate which was higher than the American dollar. Although this quickly deteriorated, it was not until the late nineties that a series of events led to the demise of the Zimbabwean dollar. In 2008 in an 18-month ‘experiment’, foreign currency was accepted as legal tender for transactions with a set number of retailers. Honorable Members will be aware that in the hyper-inflationary environment characterizing the economy at present, our people are now using multiple currencies for day to day business transactions, alongside the Zimbabwe dollar. These currencies include the South African Rand (ZAR), United States Dollar (USD), Botswana Pula (BWP), Euro, and British Pound Sterling, among others. In line with the prevailing practices by the general public, Government is, therefore, allowing the use of multiple foreign currencies for business transactions, alon gside the Zimbabwe dollar. †[1]However, months later, in March of 2009, the newly instated Finance Minister, Tendai Biti, announced that the Zimbabwe dollar would be suspended indefinitely. [2] The main argument in this piece is that the Zimbabwean crisis in the 2000s and the subsequent stabilization of the economy were made possible by the dollarization of the Zimbabwean economy in 2009. This article investigates the recent monetary experience of Zimbabwe with dollarization. It shows how dollarization has allowed Zimbabwe to quash hyper-inflation[3], restore stability, increase budgetary discipline, and re-establish monetary credibility.This paper analyses the effects of the dollarization of the Zimbabwean economy in 2009, in the wake of devastating hyper-inflation and a political crisis that reached its zenith with the electoral crisis of 2008. Though there is a direct nexus between the two processes, the former cannot be exclusively ascribed to the latter; there are a host of other issues that have contributed to the economic and financial breakdown in Zimbabwe. 1. 11 The Background to the ProblemThe Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) was forced to revalue the Zimbabwean dollar, three times in a space of less than three years, because of rampant hyper-inflation in the country. In August 2006, in an operation called ‘Sunrise 1’, the RBZ removed 3 zeroes from Zimbabwe’s currency and promised to introduce a new currency in the near future. In August 2008, exactly two years after the first revaluation, the RBZ slashed a further 10 zeroes from Zimbabwe’s currency, calling this ‘Sunrise II’. Rampaging hyper-inflation forced the government to erase another 12 zeroes in early February 2009.This was ‘Sunrise III’. Thus, a staggering 25 zeroes had been slashed from the Zimbabwean currency within a space of only three years. The hyper-inflation was just unsustainable, and when the Zimbabwean dollar was officially shelved in March 2009, the highest single denomination was a 100 trillion dollar note. When the 100 trillion dollar note was introduced on 16 January 2009, it was worth the equivalent of US$ 30 on the parallel market. The establishment of the Government of National Unity (GNU) saw the dollarization of the Zimbabwean economy and the shelving of the Zimbabwean dollar in March 2009.Dollarization is a portfolio shift away from domestic currency to foreign currency, to fulfil the main functions of money – store of value, unit of account, and medium of exchange. It is typically a result of unstable macroeconomic conditions and is a rational response of people seeking to diversify their assets in the face of heightened domestic currency risk. Efforts to revive the battered Zimbabwean economy, largely through the dollarization of the Zimbabwean economy are assessed through the lens of the banking sector.The banking sector thrived during the peak of the Zimbabwean crisis, as most bank s became key players in highly speculative activities in areas such as Zimbabwe’s bullish stock exchange and real estate. The profits that were being realized in the banking sector trickled down to their workers who became the best remunerated workers amongst all the sectors in Zimbabwe. With dollarization of the economy in 2009, the once vibrant banking sector was suddenly facing the grim prospect of disintegration, which had plagued sectors such as teaching during the peak of the Zimbabwean crisis.The banking sector was adversely affected by the dollarization of the economy, as the speculative activities that were reaping huge rewards for the banks were wiped out overnight by the adoption of more stable currencies at the expense of the precarious Zimbabwean dollar. This spelt disaster for the banking fraternity, as most banks in the first few months of dollarization struggled to pay their workers in hard currency and instead were forced to downsize their operations and lay- off some of their employees.The paper argues that in complete contrast to most sectors in the economy, the banking sector boomed during the crisis, and the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) monthly remuneration lists in 2008 saw the banking workers consistently topping the lists. However, the dollarization of the Zimbabwean economy turned the tables on this once prosperous sector, as bank workers like the bank tellers and other clerical workers found themselves being laid-off, as most banks struggled to remunerate their workers in hard currency. 1. 12 Objectives ? To assess the performance of the banking sector before and after dollarization. To investigate the effects of dollarization of the Zimbabwean economy on the banking sector. ? To investigate the advantages and disadvantages of dollarization on the banking sector. 1. 13 The Research Problem The effects of dollarization on the banking sector after the dollarization of the Zimbabwean economy. 1. 14 The Research Question What effect does the dollarization of the Zimbabwean economy have on the banking sector? 1. 15 Sub Questions 1. What is dollarization? 2. What are the forms of dollarization? 3. What are the costs of dollarization? 4.What are the benefits of dollarization? 5. What impact does dollarization have on the banking sector? 6. Was dollarization a success in Zimbabwe? 1. 17 Significance of the study To the researcher The research is in partial fulfillment of the requirements of a Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Accounting at the National University of Science and Technology. It will allow the researcher to have a deeper understanding and both theoretical and practical knowledge in the area of research and encourage a practical application of theoretical concepts on the area under study.To the banking sector The research is set to provide enlightment on the impact of dollarization of the Zimbabwean economy to the banking sector. To the university The research project will assist the university in coming up with a curriculum on the study of the dollarization of the Zimbabwean economy and the impact that it had on the banking sector. 1. 18 Assumptions ? All respondents have adequate knowledge of the developments in their particular organizations. ? Respondents will give truthful responses adequate to make reasonable inferences. The researcher assumes that respondents will respond within a reasonable time period to enable the timetable to be adhered to. ? The researcher assumes that he will have enough financial resources to meet all the expenses. ? There will not be institutional disturbances that could delay completion of the project. ? Secondary data will be available. 1. 19 Literature Review Data will be collected from the textbooks, libraries, newspapers, journals and the internet. 1. 20 Theoretical Framework Was the dollarization of the Zimbabwean economy a success to the banking sector?The research intends to use both primary and secondary sources of data. These sources of data will help to explore an analysis of what past researchers have brought to light in relation to the impact of the dollarization of the Zimbabwean economy on the banking sector. It is under this section that the researcher intends to explain various forms of dollarization. The benefits and costs of dollarization shall be explored through exclusive use of the internet and various text books and journals. 1. 21 Definitions of TermsFor the purpose of this study the following abbreviations and definitions will be used. Hyper-inflation – Ruinously  high  increase (50  percent  or more per month) in  prices  due  to the near total  collapse  of a  country's  monetary system, rendering its  currency  almost worthless as a  medium of exchange. Although hyperinflation is caused mainly by excessive  deficit spending  (financed by  printing  more  money) by a  government, some  economists  believe that social  breakdown  leads  to hyperinflation (not vice versa), and that its roots lie in political rather than economic  causes. 4] Dollarization – occurs when the inhabitants of a country use foreign  currency  in parallel to or instead of the domestic currency as a store of value, unit of account, and/or medium of exchange within the domestic economy. The term is not only applied to usage of the  United States dollar, but generally to the use of any foreign currency as the national currency. [5] BWP – Botswana Pula GNU – Government of National Unity USD – United States Dollar RBZ – Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe ZAR – South African Rand ZCTU- Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions 2. 00 Research DesignSample of people to send questionnaire is going to be based on knowledge, accessibility and convenience. 2. 11 Instruments for Data Collection The research will be based on both primary and secondary methods of collecting data which include surveys, interviews, questionnaires and published information and journals. The researcher will use a number of methods in the collection of primary and secondary information. The following methods will be used to gather primary information: ? Questionnaires- these will be designed and hand posted to the selected respondents.Sample of people to send questionnaire is going to be based on knowledge, accessibility and convenience. ? Interviews- interviews will be conducted to collect some of the information required in the research. The following sources will be used to tap all secondary data available about the subject: ? Use of textbooks ? The researcher in the course of the research will access newspapers, financial reports, business journals and the Internet. Information will also be attained through discussions with classmates and fellow researchers. 2. 2 Data Presentation and Analysis There will be use of tables, graphs and statistical tools/methods including pie charts in data presentation and anal ysis. These will be used first to present the data obtained through the questionnaires in the interviews, which will then make possible the analysis of the data in a more objective and quantitative manner as well as less subjective and qualitative way. A report shall then be compiled and presented on the final outcome of the findings and analysis. 2. 13 Research Timetable and Budget (Project Scheduling)Research Time Table SectionChapterMonth/Period Introduction1Two weeks Literature Review2Two weeks Research Method3Four Weeks Data Presentation ; Analysis4Four Weeks Conclusion and Recommendation5Two weeks Research Budget Cost CenterCost Amount (USD) Typing and Printing$20 Photocopying$20 Internet$30 Traveling costs$50 Food Costs$30 Total$150 2. 14 Research Limitations ? The research is going to be limited due to the studies that will be going on concurrently with the research project and the time committed to the research project will be reduced. Time, unforeseen institutional disturb ances at N. U. S. T. may delay timely completion of the research project. ? Lack of cooperation – there could be unexpected lack of cooperation from respondents, if any are to be involved in the project. ? Possible limited access to confidential information, which might be useful for the purposes of the research. ? Financial constraints – The research could be affected by the writer’s limited funds to fully meet all due costs to be incurred during the research 2. 15 Source ReferencingThe â€Å"According to â€Å"Kararach G, Kadenge P, and Guvheya G, (2010). CURRENCY REFORMS IN ZIMBABWE: AN ANALYSIS OF POSSIBLE CURRENCY REGIMES,† will be used. 2. 16 Bibliography (a) Books The Harvard way of referencing shall be employed (b) Journals The â€Å"According to â€Å"Kararach G, Kadenge P, and Guvheya G, (2010). CURRENCY REFORMS IN ZIMBABWE: AN ANALYSIS OF POSSIBLE CURRENCY REGIMES,† will be used. ——————— – [1] (Acting Minister of Finance, Cde Patrick Chinamasa on Budget Presentation to Parliament on 29 January 2009. ) [2] Ibid. ; Biti, T. ‘Statement on the 2009 Budget’, Presented to the Parliament of Zimbabwe by the Minister of Finance, 17 March 2009, http://www. zimtreasury. org [3] Hyper-inflation is defined by Hanke (2008) as a situation where the year- on- year rate of inflation breaches the 12,875 percent mark. Zimbabwe began to hyper-inflate in 2007 and hyper-inflation was officially reported by the Zimbabwe Central Statistical Office to have peaked at 231 million percent in July 2008. [4] http://www. businessdictionary. com/definition/hyperinflation. html [5] http://www. answers. com/topic/dollarization#ixzz2BXaOhuVJ ———————– 1

Cis499

Gene Splicing Lab Question #1: DNA is made up of two separate strands of base sequences. The same sequence is found on both strands, but running in opposite directions. What word describes this characteristic? Palindrome Question #2: What does the term â€Å"sticky ends† refer to in gene splicing? When you splice a piece of DNA with a restriction enzyme, and want to insert the new gene, the â€Å"glue† that holds the two pieces together are the complementary bases, or sticky ends. Question #3: What is a plasmid? How is a plasmid used in gene splicing? A plasmid is a circular segment of DNA with an origin of replication.It can be duplicated and serve as an adjunct to the main bacterial chromosome. Question #4: What types of vectors are used to carry DNA from one species into the DNA of another species? Give examples. Generally plasmids and viruses, although naked DNA is a possible source as well. Question #5: What is a â€Å"transgenic organism†? Give examples. Or ganisms that contain dna from another organism. it is a type of gmo, or genetically modified organism. Ex: genetically modified crops, transgenic cows that produce different milk, mice with different genesQuestion #6: Why is it essential that the same restriction enzyme be used to cleave (cut) the DNA of both organisms used to create a transgenic organism? The restriction enzyme cuts in specifc sites on the DNA, for example complementary strands. A and T or C and G. So only with the same enzyme at both the DNA of organisms in places where the complementary base pairing can be cut, is used as the same enzyme enzyme, the DNA will be cut for example. at A and T on both the organisms the opportunity to tie the organisms at these sites via H-bridges as complementary bases.Therefore, it is allowed to bind the two organisms form a transgenic organism Question #7: Are there any factors other than technical ones that might slow — or even prevent — the use of bioengineering? The re are many social factors that will impede the progress of bioengineering. In the case of agricultural bioengineering, some people are frightened that bioengineered food would be less healthy. Bioengineered crops will also decrease the biodiversity of our food, making it more susceptible to disease (ergo famine). Also, genetically engineered crops will give developed nations a huge advantage over third world in food production.

A Rose for Emily Analysis

Gabi Kuhn 4B 11/13/12 1) What is the point of view of the story? The point of view of the story is a third person. The amount of information the reader knows would be somewhat that of a typical townsperson, since we do not find out right away what is really going on inside of the house, or have a deep view into Miss Emily’s feelings. From this point of view, we see things as how they would appear to a townsperson or viewer. 2) What does the title of the story suggest about the townspeople’s feelings toward Miss Emily?Why do they feel this way about her? (Or: What does she represent to them? ) Is there anything ironic about their feelings? The title of the story suggests that the townspeople have some sort of caring feeling towards her, since a rose is usually a symbol of care or love. They feel some sort of respect to her and her family, since they are the last remnant of the traditional south and the only ones who embrace it the most. The townspeople actually have a pi ty for her, because after her father died, the association of her being higher class lowered.Then, it was lowered the most when she started to spend time with Homer Barron because he was from the North and a day laborer, and thought Miss Emily should have been with someone of higher status, as she was brought up. 3) Describe and discuss the symbolism of Miss Emily’s house. The dust all over the interior of Miss Emily’s house symbolizes the traditional south which Miss Emily continues to embrace mentally through her actions and visually through the looks of her house. The traditional south ways are being abandoned, but Emily refuses to go along.The traditional south ways are old, and Emily wants to stay attached to them, so they linger throughout her home in the visual form of old dust. The portrait of her father symbolizes also that Emily does not want to adjust to the new times. He lived his life in the traditional times, and she did not want to believe that he was de ad. The portrait symbolizes his everlasting presence in Emily’s life, even after his death. 4) What is the role of the â€Å"smell† incident in the story. What other problems has Miss Emily caused the local authorities?The role of the smell incident gives suspicion as to what it is in Miss Emily’s house that is causing it. It gives suspicion that it is something like a dead body, because only such things like a dead body can have such a permeating odor able to reach outside. Miss Emily also has not paid the taxes and thinks she is still entitled to the tax waiver that Colonel Sartoris gave to her, even though he is dead. 5) How do the townspeople know what they know about Miss Emily’s life? What is the source of their information? The townspeople know what they do about her house from when the Aldermen visited the inside of her house.They were the ones who saw how dusty and creepy it was inside of the Grierson house. They also get the minister’s wi fe to get in contact with her relatives, who then come and visit. They also know most of the information they know by simply keeping track of her and seeing her do the things she does, such as buy the poison, and buy the wedding gifts. They all find out by gossiping and sharing the things they see, especially the older women. 6) Consider the mixed quality of the townspeople’s reactions to Miss Emily’s â€Å"failures†. 7) What is the significance of Miss Emily’s actions after the death of her father?Miss Emily tried to keep the body of her father with her in her house. This signifies that she did not want to accept the fact that he was dead. She was lonely, and did not want him to go too, like her lover that had recently left her. He was part of the last of the Grierson family and had shaped her whole life, so she did not want to let him go. 8) What role does Homer Barron play in the story? Is there anything ironic about a match between him and Miss Emily? Homer Barron plays the newcomer to town who Miss Emily succeeds with in her ruesome plans for him. The irony in their relationship is that they are from different regions, which did not have a good relationship back then, because of the Civil War. Homer was from the North, and represented the new innovation of the coming future. Miss Emily has remained in the South all her life and wishes to stay practicing her values and not adjust to changes in life. It is also ironic that after all of the upbringing from her father sending away men who were not â€Å"high enough in class† for her, that she would choose Homer as her partner.Her father would have never approved of him. 9) Look closely at the second paragraph in section five. What does this paragraph suggest about the nature of the people’s memories of the past? 10) What is the horrible revelation about Miss Emily that the story ends with? How is this related to the overall meaning of the story? The horrible revelatio n about Miss Emily is that she actually used the rat poison to kill Homer, and even more grotesque, she kept his body frozen in time so that he could stay with her forever.We also find a gray hair from Miss Emily, which means that she laid down next to the body in the bed for her own satisfaction. This is related to the overall meaning of the story because it shows how Miss Emily was determined to live life and have things the way she wanted them, and she didn’t care that the times were changing or that her actions were socially unacceptable. She lived the rest of her life devoted to the traditional ways of the south, and did not want to accept any changes.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Rhetorical Analysis - Essay Example In this case, he found himself writing about President Barack Obama's job speech. He is a man who has heard it all before and has grown weary of Washington politics but he knew better than to ram his personal opinion down his readers throats. He chose to let his readers judge the president's speech for themselves. This was the message he delivered in his editorial and I must say that he presented good arguments that could persuade any reader to agree with him about the inefficacy of the Obama job speech. He analyzed all the important aspects of the speech. What he thought was effective, discussion points that he believed were of importance but were skimmed over in the speech, and other topics the president covered which may not be of any real benefit to the people of America. His point of view is conveyed with such strong sentiment and sympathy for the working class people is geared towards opening the eyes of his readers. Fredericks asks his middle class readers to not be the blind followers that the President Obama believes the American people to be. Instead, he is asking the working class to learn how to say no to the president. He asks the readers to look back on what we should all consider to be the failed policies of this administration that did not do anything to stimulate the economy but rather, added to the already heavy tax burden of the people. His editorial has an ethical appeal about it. Instead of appealing to their pathos directly, he presents the readers with sentence, that are sure to appeal to and engage his readers emotions upon reading it. Take for example the following statement from his editorial: The style and delivery of the president's address was true to form: fiery, powerful, passionate and exquisitely conveyed. It's the substance of his message that's the problem. Mr. Obama offered more of the same policies that got us into this mess in the first place: deficit spending and government-sponsored job creation initiatives. He called his plan the American Jobs Act. (Fredericks, Editorial: Obama's Job Speech -- There He Goes Again, DaliyPress.com) For this particular editorial, he employs the Intrinsic Ethos. Although Mr. Frederick is not a seasoned politician, neither is he on the political staff of any politician, he has the ability to intrinsically convey his thoughts and sentiments regarding President Obama's job speech because this is a matter that directly affects him through his job as a reporter. The speech also affects his family directly because of the lessened buying power of the U.S. dollar that comprises his salary. He is a man who works hard for his living and is worried about whether he will still have a job tomorrow. He worries about the thought that he could lose his job and he would have nowhere to turn. He is the kind of man who, because of the nature of his job, knows that less government interference in the affairs of the economy would actually lead to a resurgence of jobs and a stimulated econo my. It is very easy to understand why his logic can easily persuade the reading public to believe in the weakness of President Obama's job speech. His claims sound highly valid and reasonable and the proof that is needed in order to believe the inefficacy of the president's job plan can be seen in everyday life by the common man. His writing style does not merely ride on the strength of the emotions he created within his audience (pathos) or the status or credentials of Mr. Fredericks himself

Business Law Paper - employment discrimination Essay

Business Law Paper - employment discrimination - Essay Example Whenever there is an employment provision direct discrimination is legal. For example an employer could refute to recruit a male actor to play the part of female actor in a play where there that is an obligatory for the position. On the contrary, indirect discrimination is also illegal, where an employer makes use of a policy to their place of work that influences every employee equally even though it has a detrimental effect on the higher fraction of individuals of one group with a secured characteristic compared to another person and there is no true justification for that conduct. Disability is unique from other secured traits in that employers are under optimistic obligation to make considerable adjustments to their places of work in order to accommodate the desires of handicapped employees. For race, age, belief and sexuality there is considerably no optimistic duty to enhance equality and optimistic discrimination is universally confined by the policy that advantage must be tak en into account as the most significant trait of an individual. In the perspective of equal remuneration amidst the women and men, the principles differ in the capacity for the comparators. Any termination due to discrimination is directly unjust and sanctions an individual to claim under section 94 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. History of anti-discrimination law Anti-discrimination legislature is one of the modern developments. Discrimination based on religion was first dealt with by the Roman Catholics laws way back in 1778 through the papists Act 1778. The law addressed lawful discrimination over the Roman Catholics. HoiweverH However, after the Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1829 the Catholics were then fully emancipated and considered wholly. One year later discussions heated up on the subject making equal protections for Jews. There was a strong movement in the parliament which thwarted any further discussion of this move till the Religious Opinions Act 1846 even though thi s went on for some time to appoint of being integrated of the religious opinions. The Reform Act 1867 helped in the extension of the vote count to every male head of the house. Women were marginalized from their general social involvement. The first changes came into effect at the municipal level in 1830’s especially in Birmingham Municipal Council. In the mid 19th century the Chartists and the 20th century suffragettes advocated for general suffrage over the conservative judicial system and the free political creations. In Nairn v. The University Court of the University of st. Andrews (1907), Lord McLaren went to a point of declaring that it is a rule of the traditional constitutional law of the country that only men were in a position to be involved in the appointment and election of representatives to the Parliament. Direct discrimination Direct discrimination as noted earlier takes place when a company or employer treats a person less kindly on the basis of a secured char acteristic. It is illegal under section 13 of the Equality Act 2010. A secured characteristic include sex, belief, age, reassignment, civil partnership, race, marriage, religion or sexual orientation which must be the reason for disparity in treatment such the unfavourable treatment emanates from the different characteristic. In general the law safeguards everybody, but not just a group viewed to suffer some form of discrimination. Thus it is

Cross-culturalism in film Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Cross-culturalism in film - Essay Example A great deal of what society expects is framed within the messaging portrayed through media and film, such as in Hollywood's version of Joy Luck Club. Hollywood has a continued tendency to only feature idealized images of thin, young, blonde, and mostly obedient to someone images of the female and is mostly blamed for unhealthy attitudes, but scientific theories have indicated that the process of shaping female identity, like any other concept of belonging or 'right' social thought, is a reciprocal process (Yglesias, 2005). Even though films portray the idealized concept of what a woman should be, it is up to women in the 'real' world to define what they really are in order to help change the images they see in film to more accurately reflect reality. However, an examination of a film that focuses on women and female identity, such as Joy Luck Club, illustrates that issues of female identity are much bigger in reality than they are shown on screen. This is made even more complex when women must consider issues such as tradition and self-fulfillment as they transition between two different cultures, as they do in the American-made film Joy Luck Club. An important concept to understand in such a study of cross-cultural female identity in film is the idea of the sociological imagination. This term is used to discuss the process through which people internally determine their place within society and helps shape how we will behave in different situations (Mills, 2000). As we play this cyclical game of determining our place in society and determining how we should behave in relation to that idea, whether we decide to act according to what is expected of us or completely against it, will play a significant role in how we create our own identity. When we internally link our personal experience with what we understand of cultural expectations, we begin to classify ourselves and others into different social groups according to those beliefs. This sociological imaginatio n builds upon three observable aspects of being which include class, race and gender (Mills, 2000). Race and gender are pretty self-explanatory, but class may need a bit more definition. According to Mills (2000), the person's profession, their income level, their education, and several other elements considered desirable by a given culture can factor into the concept of class. Within the Western European and American cultures, for example, class is given to people who have a high level of education, dress in expensive clothing, and who have a career conducted from within a private office are considered to have more class than people who don't dress well or who have trouble articulating their thoughts. Since it doesn't necessarily follow that people who dress well and speak clearly make more money or have more power than people who dress poorly and struggle to make their ideas clear, class is considered to be a highly flexible and imprecise measure. The idea of class plays a signifi cant role in the forming of female identity, though, as can be seen in Joy Luck Club. On a micro-level, the many female characters in the film can be

Critically assess the main implications of globalisation for HRM, and Essay

Critically assess the main implications of globalisation for HRM, and analyse the future challenges for people management within - Essay Example Most organisational systems in today’s global markets have had a continued decrease in investment. This happens amid the increasing middle level organisations’ call for more foreign direct investment and securing market positions in the competitive market. As a result, organisations have been forced to redefine their strategies. â€Å"Therefore, it is important for organisations to adapt to the changing environments, develop a resistance to negative market forces in an effort to achieve customer satisfaction† (Amos, 2008). Within the changing environment, human resource managers owe to formulate quick and immediate human resource strategies that will help an organisation retain its personnel while helping them develop their profession through training and seminars. There are enormous challenges surrounding the future of people management in any organisation setting. This calls for sufficient and constant attention on management of resources regardless of positive trends in results that often cause excessive optimism in the future financial status of the company. In fact, there is a need for a continuous development of effective Human resource plan and implementation at all levels. In so doing, the human resource should develop its capacity operationally as well as strategically. This should be done in a manner that compliments changes in an organisation while at the same time maintaining a strategic balance. In this case, sound human resource policies need to be put in place first before attempting more complicated changes in company practices are implemented. Introduction Globalization is the integration of the entire operations, processes and strategies of an organization in an effort to generate diversity of cultures, goods, services and facts. Since, globalization strongly emphasizes on diversity, it has a deep effect on the manner in which companies manages its operations and workers. Therefore, it is vital for the executive to underst and the impact globalisation has on human resource management. â€Å"Globalisation entails efforts meant to increase the flow of goods and resources across regional and international borders† (Amos, 2008). Moreover, globalisation encompasses the surfacing of corresponding organisational structures with a view to expand international financial activities and dealings. Human resource management has never received proper attention it deserves in today’s global economy. Most human resource managers lack basic skills of organisational management more importantly due to globalisation. It is important to note that business environment is a complex one today. The market has become more competitive and complex than it used to be due to globalisation. It is because of this competition and complexity that businesses strive to survive by focusing hard on competitive strengths in an effort to develop long term strategies for them. It has now emerged that most organisations have sta rted moving away from old ways owing to their inappropriateness in today’s competitive market. Indeed the new market environment calls for a new approach in human resource management as this saves organisations in the face of the upcoming global environment. â€Å"Numerous human resource management challenges have come up due to the rapid growth in business trends in the past few

Marketing plane Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Marketing plane - Research Paper Example The paper will critically look at the marketing plan which has been adopted by BioGood to enable it change the perception of consumers towards the use of biodegradable plastic products, the company mission and vision considered to attain the objective of the firm. The paper still is going to discuss the market situations such as addressing SWOT analysis, marketing mix and marketing segmentation. Further, the paper will discuss the financial objectives of the firm for the first three years, objectives and issues of BioGood will be looked upon and discussed in length so as to understand the firm well and the products it is going to offer. Additionally, the paper will discuss the metrics that are used in marketing plan and their implementation. Marketing plan Internal situation Internal situation of BioGood include the management like finance, development slot, purchasing, operations and accounting. The departments must work together to achieve the goals of the firm, for example the acc ounting will have to approve any budget the firm considers of help to make the customers satisfied. The marketing managers must ensure that BioGood Company provides the necessary resources that will facilitate the use of biodegradable plastic to be of help to the consumers. ... not been doing well in the market due to the competitive nature of other firms like American Plastic Manufacturing, ECM Biofilms, and Clear Choice HouseWares among others. BioGood will involve customer markets like consumer markets who buy the biodegradable plastic for their own consumption, business markets that are going to buy the brand for selling to other retailers. The government market will buy in bulky to transfer the brands to those people who are needy. External situation BioGood will consider human population in terms of density, age, gender, race, and occupation, thus the market segment and market targets will not be a problem to the firm since it targets all type of customers. PESTEL analysis Political effect The political situation in the market will have to face the law and government agencies and other groups that are going to criticize the firm in production of biodegradable brands. For example, the competitors may petition the firm of false deceptive biodegradable p lastic claims. The claim may be focused at making BioGood lower sales or cease working completely. Economic BioGood will enhance the purchasing power of customers, through provision of prices that will be prudent and takes into consideration the inflation rates of the economy. Social The firm will have to invest a lot in advertisements since from the beginning the society together with the competitors has bad perception of biodegradable brands which are perceived to have negative effect to the environment and later to the society. This culture has passed from culture to culture. Technology The technological environment is the fastest media that can lead to changes and creativity in the firm, making the company to be innovative. The technology used by BioGood is perhaps best since the

Read the Book Cures by Martin Duberman Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Read the Book Cures by Martin Duberman - Essay Example In this text, the writer documents his own struggle with his personalized homophobia between 1948 and 1973 when he ultimately manages to become successful, attaining his own freedom as a forthrightly gay person via his engagement with political activism. This is a wonderful book that gives a clear insight into the life of self-confessed gay person, as well as giving us a view of how life is for such persons. On reading the book, I definitely liked every bit of it as it is a reality that most people fear to face, though an emotional one. The writer, first a very bright student, who later became a recognized historian, a successful author and a creative tutor. His remarkable predilection for academic success serves as a harbor away from his libido’s temptation and also as a fortification from his own psyche given to self-hatred and self-doubt when he is not filled with the duty of completing all the several projects at once (34-78). Eventually, after about twenty years of indiff erent failed attempts at relinquishing his homosexuality, we find that be becomes successful, attaining his own freedom as a forthrightly gay person largely via his engagement with political activism. ... Moreover, he captures outstandingly well the complexity as well as the indistinctness of his personal struggle by depicting himself as unquestionably harboring homophobic view whereas, concurrently, experiencing the enjoyment that comes with the homosexual intimacy (67-98). Correspondingly, he paradoxically demonstrates the vainness of the ‘cures’ with tales of his developmental discovery of the subculture of gay and the enjoyment he gets from his experiences of homosexual sex whereas concurrently making trips every week to the psychiatrist who was supposed to help him get out of the ‘pathological’ inclinations or habits. His story clearly demonstrates that, during these twenty years, the secret was the norm. The freedom lobby group was in the hands of just a few whereas the large number of the lesbians and gays all over the country, who were struggling with personal self-hatred and their routine struggle for the physical and psychological survival, always p aid very little attention or were never bothered at all concerning the growing movement for the freedom of an identity that they were dynamically attempting to refute (121-176). Nevertheless, the writer himself, now well acquainted with the facts regarding the history of the liberation of lesbians and gays, does not make any claim to have realized its emergence and developments, to have embraced them on some occasions when he actually realized them, or to have even known their significance as they were growing. His own entrenched denunciation of homosexuality as being a pathological forced him to belittle the efforts of lesbian and gay proponents to gain sight and to fight the stigmatization of the society. The internal struggles of Doberman

Social Work with couples and families Reflective paper Article

Social Work with couples and families Reflective paper - Article Example The author in this case starts by pointing out that in the contemporary American society this sort of family setup is one, which is associated with the middleclass families in most cases. It is of the essence to note that in such a family setting, several generations of individuals may find themselves living together in the same house. Say a grandmother and a child may end up under the same roof. This is something, which brings about the question of parenting. In the aforementioned example, when the grandmother lives with the child and at the same time the child’s parents are also there, who is parenting the child? It is important to note that with this revelation, the child may grow up facing various situations, which are influenced by the person who was around it when it was growing up. There are also families that are associated with a stepparent, a single parent and what not. All these are issues, which are of significant influence on the individuals who are in the family itself. A person who is looking into the happenings in families that take up such a setting may take great interest in knowing how the various members of the family are handling the situations that are being exhibited by such families. The author of this article is of the opinion that the various family environments have far-reaching effects on the parties involved. To a greater extent some of these may be negative. I do believe that some of the members of these families might have foreseen such happenings. For this reason, they might have come up with measures to cushion the effects when they happen. Take a case example of psychosomatic families. These are the families, which are highlighted as those where the people get involved with each other only during certain times say when one is sick. This is not to say that this is always the case. Such families might have identified that this is a problem when it happens once or twice. After this, they might find probable ways of addressi ng the issue and prevent it from happening again. There are various tools, which therapists use when it comes to seeking deeper understanding of families. One of the ways through which this is achieved is through the use of genograms which are meant to depict the members of the families and some of the characteristics which are prevalent in the family. The information, which is collected for the genogram, is one, which is achieved through assessments of the members of the various members of the family involved, and once it is complete, it helps the therapist get significantly understanding of the family, which is in question. It is also of importance to look at some of the ways that are used to examine the various members of the family. The information of the family is scanned vertically and horizontally on the genogram. Examining the horizontal aspect of the genogram enables the therapist to get an understanding of how the members of the family are connected to each other. Through such an assessment, the strengths and the weaknesses that are exhibited by the family can be highlighted. After the analysis of the genogram, there are some probable predictions and conclusions, which can be reached by the person who is analyzing them. This is then what will be used to advise the members of the family accordingly. The author of the article points out that this information is what can be used to model some probable patterns of the family and provide any relevant information

Withholding Information Essay Example for Free

Withholding Information Essay It is frequently advisable for those in positions of authority in government to withhold information from general public Some information the public has the right to know while other information is better to be withheld. There are plenty of reasons why it is better not revealing information. Withholding information that may put the population in danger would be better than revealing information which would bring chaos. On the flipside, transparency and honesty between the government and the public are very important. Transparency is essential in order for a democracy to function and honesty is important in cases when there is need for strong relations to be created. And although I support the idea of freedom of information, the general public will never be educated enough to maintain consensus and national problems. In these cases withholding information helps to ensure stability in terms of national security, preserving the peace and well-being. The main reason authority keeps information is the fear from criticism and disapproval. A rational society would never be satisfied with vague information and would want to take part in the decision-making process. Government has a lot of information which the people may have an interest in but still some of this information is dangerous. Things like war strategies and secret missions need to be withheld. Being kept in the dark on some things as long as its truly for the good of the nation and not for someone’s benefit is acceptable. For example if government find the cure for cancer but decide that it would ruin pharmaceutical companies and chose not to reveal this information it isn’t right. On the other hand, there is a lot of information which public doesn’t deserve access to. Like information that endangers the government. Another reason for withholding information could be to cover mistakes and not causing discontent. The government always makes big promises and eventually it will have to fulfill some of them. If government promise to reduce the crime rate in 30% within a year and don’t follow the plan it will lose it’s credibility. I think that the idea some information to be withheld is valid. However, information that would improve the living standard of people or information which is of great importance for the future of humanity, in my opinion shouldn’t be kept. There is no clear moral answer here. When there is too much that is at stake, we can’t say that information should always be free. Should it benefit the public to know how their government works, or it should benefit the government to have the full control over our lives. Im not so sure.

Red Bull Essay Example for Free

Red Bull Essay Many people, especially young people, athletes and students, drink energy drinks like: Red Bull, Rock Star and Monster almost every day to survive in their busy life. However, these people do not know the dangerous side effects and the harm which these energy drinks can make in their body. A research was conducted by Mayo Clinic hospital says that Energy drinks related emergency visit double in the hospital in the last 4 years. The same study also says that drinking energy drinks might lead to a very dangerous diseases such as Rapid heartbeat and blood pressure. Energy drinks do not cause only dangerous diseases but also it can cause death, and there are too many death cases which are related to energy drinks. According to CBS news, a 19 years old teenager Alex Morris died in California from a heart attack last year after consuming two cans of the energy drink Monster. Another death case was reported by CBS news in Maryland for a 14-year-old Anais Fournier. Anais died after he consumed two cans of Monster. In 2011, Cory Terry 33 years old from Brooklyn new York died from heart attack during a basketball game after drinking the energy drink Red bull. In 2013, Michael Clarke a 35 years old truck driver from Australia died from caffeine toxicity after drinking four cans of Red Bull. According to Michaels mother, Michael has never smoked and he used to run daily, and he was in a good health. According to ABC news, the 5 Hour energy drink has led to the death of 13 people in the past 4 years. Lanna Hamann, 16 years old girl from Rocky Point, Mexico, died from a heart attack after consuming 3 cans of the energy drink Rock Star. These examples of the death cases which are related to the energy drinks are actually few from many reported and unreported cases. My friend, I understand the need of being awake is very important for all of us since our life is very busy, but there are other safe alternatives which can make us awake and also in the same time do not harm our lives. For example, instead of drinking energy drink we can eat Chocolate, which contains caffeine also 100 gram of chocolate contains around 43 grams of caffeine. Moreover, Chocolate has some important minerals to our body such as Iron and magnesium. Another alternative is drinking tea, a 100 gram of tea contains 11 milligram of caffeine. According to Today Health magazine, drinking Tea is very good for human health since it contain antioxidant which can protect human from cancer and also it increases human metabolism which can help in losing weight. Another alternative is drinking coffee, a 100 gram of coffee contains 40 milligram of caffeine. According to Harvard school of public health, coffee contains a substance called cafestol, which reduce the cholesterol level in the blood. Another study shows that people who drink coffee have a 23 to 50% lower risk of getting diabetes. In conclusion, my friend, in the media they says red Bull can give wings but actually it doesnt. These energy drinks can harm your health and might kill you. So in this busy life you can always eat or drink natural food or dinks to make you awake and healthy in the same time such as chocolate, tea or coffee. pants rested until their heart rate

Puppetry Theater In Pakistan Media Essay

Puppetry Theater In Pakistan Media Essay A couple of months back I attended the Karachi Literary festival, over there I saw puppeteers perform, a nostalgic feeling took over and reminded me of my childhood days when I enjoyed puppet shows with my parents at carnivals, birthday parties, entertainment in school and etc.In fact in primary school level it was almost necessary in our arts and craft class to make hand puppets with socks and develop stories and characters around them. I remember it being very popular even on television, characters like Uncle Sargam and the show Kalian were shown in the 90s on PTV.It was once a vibrant part of our popular culture but with the advent of technological changes, lack of funds and constant development this form of art and its popularity is retreating into darkness. In this dissertation I am going examine the rise and fall of theater puppetry in Pakistan with particular focus on reasons of decline of this industry in comparison to other countries in the subcontinent. I will provide an analysis of the downfall and the efforts of The Raafi Peer Theater to revive puppetry in Pakistan. Literature review: Puppetry captures the imagination and interest of young students and therefore used in many schools in the west and east as a medium to communicate and teach the children. Stories are told and retold through toys, gestures, animals and puppets using dramatic voices and theatrical effects. The popularity of puppets as a method for teaching can be traced for centuries. In the Flemish manuscript The Romance of Alexander, written in 1340, there is an illustration of glove pup- pets. Xenophon and Plutarch mention the use of marionettes. Medieval morality plays are performed by marionettes, and the pup- pets popularity is alluded to by Cervantes and Ben Jonson, Haydn, Mozart and Bach compose brief operas for marionettes in the wealthy court circles of the eighteenth century.  [1]   In Puppetry as an Educative Media Roberta Jane Confino reveals how puppetry can be transformed into an effective media by the educators today.Puppetery is often related to artwork and brings out the creativity in children as it mixes both memory with imagination, it seeks expression rather than true representation.  [2]  It becomes the educators responsibility to guide, encourage and build a rapport with child. The most important function of the teacher in an art room, and perhaps in every other school room also, is to create a creative atmosphere.  [3]   Puppets can be created from various objects such as finger puppets involve paper cut outs and material to fit over a child finger. Hand puppets involve movement of the entire hand with fingers and different areas. Shadow puppets are created when rod puppets are shown on a screen illuminated from behind. Marionettes, or string puppets may be simply worked with one or two strings or they may be made more complex.  [4]  Puppets may be made of materials found around the house or in nature. Painted branches or twisted scraps of wood are the beginning elements of characterization, paper-bag puppets, milk container puppets, puppets with simplistic design, and puppets with detailed color or features.  [5]  These puppets offer great opportunities for diversity, the possibilities are almost endless and Creativity and imagination can flourish  [6]   Technological advancements have also played a major role with animation and computer graphics. These days characters are made on the computer and shown on television catering to a larger audience. Steve Tillis in Art of puppetry in the Age of Media production questions if the figures made of the computer can be termed as puppets and if not what the reasons are for it. Is a person operating a puppet (tangible or virtual) in real-time is doing what puppeteers have always done; but a person working at a keyboard with a virtual puppet-despite the fact that one is controlling the movement of the puppet-does not seem to be engaged in the same activity, despite the fact that the result (i.e., movement of the figure) is the same.  [7]  One might say that the computer has freed the puppet from its dependence on conventional puppeteers, but computers have not freed the puppet from the necessity of human control of one sort or another. Steve Tillis brings the issue of tangibility as computer graphics figures are not tangible, they cannot be touched. However there are striking similarities in the creation of computer graphics figures and puppets: the creation of both involves the construction of a figure, in short, are artificial human constructs designed for manipulation (of one sort or another) by people.  [8]  Despite the similarities, I feel tangibility is a significant part that distinguishes the two. Puppets are as we have known them be thought of as tangible, while computer graphics figures are thought of as virtual puppets. The hands on experience of making the puppet, interacting with it, learning about it, integrating culture and history to it cannot be compared to a figure made on computer. There is a pleasure still to be found in the live performance of a tangible puppet, the direct confrontation between an audience and a living object that is distinct from the particular pleasures of media puppets. Rachel A.Bonney in her article on, Teaching Anthropology through folklore for the Anthropology Education Quarterly brings an anthropological view on the importance of folklore as an educational tool for children and the society as these stories hold value, cultural traditions that are passed on from one generation to the other. In this article Rachel A.Bonney focuses on how storytelling can be used for educational practices not only for children but at college level as well. She has been using this method for the past ten years as a teaching aid in both introductory and advanced anthropology classes.  [9]  She describes three separate uses of folklore: collecting folklore through fieldwork interviewing, analyzing themes in these stories and using folklore through puppetry and plays.  [10]  She points out how folktales are used as sources of information and insights on child-rearing and making them more aware of other cultures and on their morals, traditions and values. However, children are more familiar with their own culture and traditions than of others and therefore she used American or European cultures to analyze folklore material as it is easier and effective to identify and relate. For her study she used Grimms fairy tales such as Hansel and Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood because these two stories are popular in the American culture despite Medieval European origins and cultural change.  [11]  Furthermore she tells us how these stories are dramatized with puppet plays where students make their clothes, give them a face and make the surrounding that are illustrated to make it is culturally appropriate. They may range from stick puppets to socks, scraps of cloth, paper plates etc, and are often performed in a small scale setting and therefore it is cost effective.  [12]  Often additional sounds effects are used for example music, back vocals that are taped to enhance the dramatic presentation. Through background research for script writing students learn about another culture in depth, for example if the students were putting up a puppet show about Ali Baba and the forty thieves they would have to look in to the historical background, the roots of the charactors, what they wore in that time and so on. Rachel A.Bonneys argues that folklore might be seen as high tech in modern America, but her approaches have successfully shown us how Western and non-western values can be integrated to a childs bringing up not only in the literate society but as an effective device in non-literate society  [13]  . She further builds her argument by saying that anthropology is not exclusively an exotic and esoteric discipline for the study of primitive society. Anthropology is not for a few elite, but for everyone.  [14]   Her study on folklore tales is not restricted to the western world but also relatable here in the subcontinent. Much of the puppetry in the sub continent is associated with folklore stories based on historical themes. They hold great pride in their stories as they have been passed on from generations through oral history and have become a central part of identity of tradition and culture. Common folklores in the sub continent are of Heer Rahja,Sassi Pannu and Laila Majnu, these characters are recognized and referred to in their everyday lives. For example when someone is madly in love he will be referred to as Majnu not Shakespeares Romeo. Shakespeareans characters Romeo and Juliet represent undying love such is the case with Laila Majnu. Many additions and subtractions have been made to the story over the years but what remains constant is Majnus love for Laila. Puppets are portrayed differently around the sub continent for example in India they are popular in Tamil Nadu,Orrisa,Andhra Pradesh,Asaam and the West Bengal. They portrayed unique features of the art and are operated through strings attached to the knees, hips, wrists, shoulders that make each and every part of the body move in different directions just as humans do. This method is practiced till today. Thyagaraja Sharma, an English Professor, said that the art dated back to Indus Valley Civilization.  [15]  Excavations of clay dolls from the site were an indication of this long tradition. A lot of information about puppetry was seen in Sangam literature too. They are often religiously portrayed from epics like Mahabarata, Bhuddas life and Raamayana.Besides dealing with religious themes, Indian puppetry also conveys useful messages from Panchat`ntra and other mythological and historical epics.  [16]  Started initially as a medium of entertainment, puppetry became the media for propagation of ideas, dissemination of information, and educating the masses.  [17]   Anna Sobel, a professional puppeteer and an activist was intrigued by a show put up by the Indian puppeteers in the Smithsonian gallery in Washington DC.She spoke to them later and found out that they use puppets for social awareness programs such as AIDS in villages back home. In September she went to India on a nine month Fulbright grant to study Indian puppetry as a tool for social change in the primitive society.  [18]   In her article Mutual respect: Re-examining puppetry in India, Anna Sobel discusses how the uneducated class in India respond to puppetry and how their behavior changes because of it. As mentioned above India has a rich cultural association with puppets and with the help of government funding educational puppetry in not a foreign concept. The puppeteers took this responsibility as a moral obligation to the public which includes adults and children.  [19]  Sobel observed that the children in the village would get up early as four in the morning to practice and recite the story of Ramayana which they performed for forty one nights straight. They took this opportunity to provide extensive commentary on healing properties of local herbs and discussed educational themes.  [20]  She further observed how puppeteers were able to adapt a show to in the local ambiance much better than what she saw at the Smithsonian, as the audience recognized the stories, songs and characters. In addi tion, the live performance of the puppetry allowed direct rapport with the audience allowing them to be involved directly, the likely hood of them to remember the message more than if they saw the program on the television for example. Live shows are more common in the rural areas in India because they do not have access to mass media, such as television or newspaper. This may be the reason why in the cities puppetry is not common anymore as media has replaced this source of entertainment. However, the Indian government has still reinforced this craft because they use this as a tool for religious education. In Pakistan Rafi Peer theater workshop(RPTW) is one organization that has revived puppetry through theater,dance,music that has provided a rich cross cultural experience to audiences in Pakistan and abroad. In a country where accessing early childhood education is close to impossible, those who attend dropout at a early stage due to financial and family issues.RPTW is a non-government organization which is doing pioneering work in the field of Arts is run by the Peerzada family. Headed by Usmaan Peerzada, Faizaan Peerzada, Saadaan Peerzada, Imran Peerzada, Tasneem Peerzada and Salman Peerzada.It has built a Museum of Puppetry. It runs the Universal Child Art Foundation, promoting child art and visual learning globally. Presently it is developing a Theatre Arts training Institute. RPTW most important milestone is the establishment of the Museum of Puppetry in 2004.Till now it has organized over 25 international performing arts festivals. Festivals are one of the most popular attractions of cultural tourism, have been a part and parcel of South Asian culture for a long time. Pakistan Children Television (PCT) can be considered a landmark when it comes to educating children who lack formal education opportunities. Through PCT they started a show called,Sim Sim Hamara, an educational series of shows for children. It is a adaptation of Sesame Street has been created by RPTW in collaboration with the Sesame Workshop, New York, and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project is the outcome of extensive research as it includes participants from different provinces .They worked with the government and other educational experts so that they can cater to the educational needs for the children. This TV series was set to provide high-quality early education resource for a larger audience. Their goal is to educate families and children and the fact that learning can happen in formal and non-formals means. They use examples from the real world for example reading prayers from The Holy Quran, buying vegetables from the local market, attending school, how to communicate with other people, measuring ingredients for roti as a basis for storylines and materials.

Life and Death in California :: essays research papers

Life & Death in the State of California   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the United States, the first known execution was of Daniel Frank and it took place in the Colony of Virginia. Frank was executed in 1622 for the crime of theft (University of Alaska). Since the time of Daniel Frank, the death penalty has almost always been a part of our criminal justice system, starting in the colonies and continuing in the United States after we won our independence. As far as the United States goes, I am going to start off in 1930 because this was when the Bureau of Justice Statistics, United States Department of Justice, first started to compile data on a fairly regular basis. From 1930 through 1967, 3859 people were executed under civil circumstances in the United States. Others were executed but they were completed under the jurisdiction of the United States military. During this period of nearly forty years over half of those executed (54%) were black, forty five percent were white, and the remaining one percent were from other racial groups – America n Indians (a total of 19 executed from 1930-1967), Filipino (13), Chinese (8), Japanese (2). By far the majority of those being executed were men; only 32 women were executed between 1930 and 1967. During this same period of time the United States Army (and the Air Force) executed 160 people, including 106 executions for murder (21 involved rape), 53 for rape, and one for desertion. The U.S. Navy has not executed anyone since 1849 (University of Alaska). Strong pressure from parties opposed to the use of the death penalty resulted in an unofficial moratorium on executions for several years, with the last one taking place in 1967. Legal challenges to the death penalty led up to a 5-4 United States Supreme Court decision in Furman v. Georgia. Furman v. Georgia struck down the federal and state capital punishment laws that permitted wide discretion of the application of the death penalty. The majority of the justices ruled these laws as cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the eighth amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the due process guarantees of the fourteenth amendment. Only Justices Brennan and Marshall declared capital punishment to be unconstitutional in all instances (Furman v. Georgia). Furman v. Georgia led to many new death sentencing laws. The first execution under the new laws took place in Utah when Gary Gilmore was executed by firing squad for murder.

Medical Conditions Of Concentration Camps :: essays research papers

Medical Conditions of Concentration Camps The medical conditions in concentration camps were very horrable. Many things happened to the prisoners at this camp and most of the worst things happened because of the medical treatments. Throughout all the camps medical experiments were performed on the prisoners. They were not only performed on the jewish but on all different kinds of people that were at the camps. The experiments were for the most part either harsh or deadly. Some of the experiments were as follows. People were submersed in ice cold water for hours on end to test out new kinds of suits. Others were deprived of oxygen, sterilized, had patches of there skin burned, or immediatly killed by an injection to the heart for dissection. Some people were also sent away to anatomy hospitals. One of the most desired places to be by doctors was Block 10. Block 10 was in Auschwitz and was a medical block. It meant the difference between life and death for many people in Auschwitz. There were benefits and disadvantages to being there for both the doctors and the prisoners. For a doctor it was seen as a chance to do any and all experiments they thought might be interesting. For prisoners it was a chance to live, if they were lucky. Some prisoners were taken by doctors for experiments and depending on the nature of the experiment they might live for a long time or be killed imediatly. Doctors picked which people should be killed through a selection process. A person could be killed for having as little as a tiny scar, or because ofa defect, or anything at all. The doctors of Block 10 are most remembered. The two that stand out most are Josef Mengele and Ernst B. Josef Mengele as one of the cruelest doctors who killed many, many people. He was said to be seen at selections night and day. And in some cases even taking children to the gas chambers by playing a game with them.

The Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka Essay -- Metamorphosis Kafka Essays

"The Metamorphosis" By Franz Kafka Throughout literary history, certain authors are so unique and fresh in their approach to the written word that they come to embody a genre. Franz Kafka is one such author; â€Å"Die Verwandlung† or â€Å"The Metamorphosis† is one of his works that helped coin the term â€Å"Kafkaesque.† Through this novella, Kafka addresses the timeless theme of people exploit-ing others as a means to an end. He demonstrates this point through showing that a family’s unhealthy dependence on the main character results in that character’s dependence on the family.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Kafka’s unorthodox beginning of â€Å"The Metamorphosis† reads as what would seem to be a climactic moment: â€Å"As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.† The reader is henceforth bound to the story in search of the reason for and meaning of this hideous metamorphosis. Shortly thereafter, the reader may also notice that although Gregor is quite aware of his condition, given these bizarre circumstances he is not at all in the state of panic one might expect. On the contrary, the insect is frustrated that it cannot get out of bed to go to work! As Gregor tries to rouse himself from bed in his â€Å"present condition,† his observation that â€Å"he himself wasn't feeling particularly fresh and active† is macabre in its passive acknowledgment of the absurdity of his state (p. 855). This sets the tone for the remainder of the first chapter of the story. Grego r, a person typically not a hindered by â€Å"small aches and pains,† (p. 857) clings to his rational nature as he struggles with the slow-in-coming realization that he is more than â€Å"temporarily incapacitated† (p. 863).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first chapter ends shortly after Gregor reveals his new form. The sight of the insect elicited an expected reaction; its mother understandably retreated aghast and in shock. Correspondingly, the chief clerk that had been sent by Gregor’s employer, scrambled in flight as he â€Å"had quite slipped from his mind† (p. 864). Gregor’s father was â€Å"relatively calm† (p. 865) until the chief clerk had completed a hastened retreat. Gregor’s father, spurred into action by this flight, consequently repelled the insect aggressively and injuriously back into the bedroom from which it had come.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The second chapter illustrates a family and a human-insect trying to adju... ... a perfectly normal thing to do.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Kafka uses a unique method of metaphor. He does not say, â€Å"Gregor is like a bug.† He does not say Gregor is bug in a traditional metaphor; rather he says Gregor is a bug – literally. The effect is dramatic, as the reader, by virtue of the absurdity of the literalness of situation, is swept-up in trying to stay footed in reality. The effect of this technique is that the reader continues throughout the story to ask the question: why? It is in this pursuit of ‘why’ that the reader sees Kafka’s message: Don’t treat people simply as a means, or life will have a way of turning it back on yourself. Through the transformation of Gregor, and the transformation of the family’s life, Kafka wants the reader to observe that despite Gregor’s metamorphosis into something very un-human, he remains the model of humanity when compared to his family. Not only did the family leech from Gregor, society itself seemed to call up on Gregor not as a person, but to serve as a tool to satisfy their needs. Once transformed, Gregor no longer served well in this capacity. Rather, he became the one in need, and he quickly became more of a burden than he was worth to them.

Dove: evolution of a brand Essay

The aim of this case study, written by John Deighton, is to highlight and explain the revolutionary brand evolution strategy at the basis of the extraordinary Unilever’s Dove results, achieved in 2007. Overview: Masterbrands as part of the â€Å"Path to Grow† strategy Unilever is a leading multinational company active in the food, home and personal care sectors. It has been developing globally during the years, creating several of the most successful brands of the world. Its expansion allowed a geographical diversification but also brought some problems of controls; especially the brand portfolio had grown in an unstructured way and required a change of course. Indeed, in February 2000 Unilever began the so called â€Å"Path to Growth†, a five-year strategic activity which included the reshaping and the reorganization of the brand portfolio. More precisely, the company planned to reduce its more than 1,600 brands to 400 and, among them, select a small number of â€Å"Masterbrands† responsible for creating a clear and global identity to be shared with the range of products, included under each Masterbrand name. In this broad strategy it is situated the outstanding evolution of one of the survived brands, Dove, which was selected to become the â€Å"Masterbrand† for Unilever personal care products, beyond the beauty bar category and including hair care products, deodorants, body lotions etc. Dove Masterbrand strategy development Dove, until February 2000, had always been orienting to meet its costumers’ needs, providing them products, with a scientifically proven functional superiority. As a logical consequence, its advertisements had always been centered in promoting the cited higher functionality, preferring natural-looking women rather than fashion model icon in order to communicate honesty and authenticity. But a marketing strategy to build a unique Masterbrand identity could no longer be based on functional superiority, as explained by Deighton; it should create a meaning for Dove, as a â€Å"Masterbrand†, to be applied to all its products. Pursuing the best way to develop the proper image, the management had to slightly change the approach to the promotion. Elements such as â€Å"client need†, â€Å"scientific research†, â€Å"the employment of natural-looking women† and â€Å"honesty and authenticity† survived as central aspects, but they were reassembled and combined differently to accomplish the mentioned goal. The scientific research was no longer used to prove product functionality; but, it was the starting point of the new strategy: a worldwide investigation led by the global brand director for Dove, Silvia Lagnado, and interpreted with the help of two experts, revealed that women generally perceived aesthetic canons, typically illustrated in the advertisements, as very distant and unreachable. It was found out that most of the women didn’t mirror themselves in the advertised concept of beauty and a further survey showed that only the 2% of the interviewed described themselves as beautiful. Dove experts recognized a cultural issue; the beauty-related belief of average women and the advertised beauty weren’t matching. The misalignment generated frustration in women and, as a relevant consequence for Dove, negatively affected the sales of health and care products. So, aware of women dissatisfaction, of their personality, of their need to feel beautiful and keeping in mind Dove internal goals, the management gave life to the revolutionary strategy and decided that Dove should have stood for a point of view. The management decided that natural-looking women would have had a key role in the campaign, but with a different responsibility: instead of promoting Dove’s products they would have promoted their â€Å"average† beauty, with honesty and authenticity. The campaign for Real Beauty was setup and ready to be implemented. The Aim(s) of the campaign Born from the simply idea of creating a common and clear image to be shared with the Dove Masterbrand products, â€Å"The campaign for Real Beauty† has been then developed and changed as it went forward, pursuing further goals and, at the end, revealing itself somewhat different. As a matter of fact and as declared by Kathy O’Brien, Dove marketing director for U.S, the company wanted to â€Å"change the way society views beauty† and â€Å"provoke discussion and debate about real beauty†. This aim was reflected in the Dove’s mission statement, elaborated for the campaign, and it was enhanced with a relevant aspect: the expected repayment for the company, which was keenly expressed. The statement said: â€Å"Dove’s mission is to make more women feel beautiful every day by broadening the narrow definition of beauty and inspiring them to take great care of themselves†. And here the real purpose of the whole initiative became clearer. With the declared aim to develop the common values for the Masterbrand and to overcome the beauty-related mismatch, emerged from the scientific research, Dove started the campaign. Then, inducing the community to a proactive involvement and to debate on such meaning, the company began in a certain sense the democratization process of the beauty. So, being recognized as the entity responsible of the birth of such a thorny process and as a provider of a clear and rule-breaker point of view, Dove started to be on everyone’s lips. It remarkably increased its popularity and most important, allowed it to captivate a huge number of potential clients: those women to be helped in perceiving themselves â€Å"beautiful every day by broadening the definition of beauty†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and to be inspired â€Å"to take great care of themselves†. Paraphrasing the meaning of the period â€Å"to inspire to take great care of themselves†, the commercial aim of Dove’s campaign for real beauty becomes apparent. What made the campaign effective? The combination of different elements made the design and the implementation of the campaign so successful. As a first element, the campaign has its roots in the setting of a clear brand’s mission, shared on a global level. The structure of the organization introduced by the Path to Growth strategy, which split the responsibility for each brand between two groups, the Brand Development, centralized and global in scope, and Brand Building, decentralized according to the regions in which Unilever was involved and responsible to bring the brand to life in each marketplace, substantially helped in defining a global mission. Once developed, the brand’s mission worked as a benchmark for each initiative; a cornerstone around which, the whole campaign moved and evolved. Furthermore, the settlement of a well-defined mission was crucial to maintain the control over the campaign, once it had been shared with the community and on purpose exposed to its assessment, starting what I called â€Å"the democratization process of the beauty concept†. And exactly this process is the feature that I consider the sharpest and the most effective of the whole strategy. Indeed Dove, proposing and supporting its unconventional point of view, with the aim to provoke discussion and debate, really made people feel part of revolution and, at the same time, outstandingly got the company closer to its potential clients. In order to increase women’s engagement, Dove, at a certain point of the campaign, directly asked them to film â€Å"their own daughters discussing their self-esteem challenges† and later on, â€Å"to create their own ads for Dove Cream Oil Body Wash† and to participate at the contest â€Å"the Real Ads by Real Women†. It extremely helped in creating a strong social interconnection between Dove’s supporters and the company; they were joint forces against stereotypes of beauty. Moreover, the involvement of the community, thought in a more general sense and which spontaneously commented and also criticized the campaign, was crucial to increasing Dove’s initiative range and for its goals fulfillment. This aspect was part of a further successful feature of the strategy, the so-called Media planning, which was revolutionary and tailored as well. Responsible of the strategy and the investments for the campaign diffusion, the Media planning unit, as said, relied on the engagement of the community and of Internet too and so, it centered the investments in creating and expanding the community of the â€Å"real beauty seekers†. It included the purchase of a Superbowl advertising space. Thanks to such investments and to Youtube, which played a key role in the divulgation of the ads, the phenomenon reached an extraordinary dimension and, as a consequence, the debate started to spread all over, acquiring more and more media hype, insomuch as 16 minutes of Today Show were dedicated to one of the campaign initiatives; even Oprah devoted a full show to self-esteem, built around a Dove’s advertisement. Critics, discussions and parodies rose in sequence, did nothing but increased the relevance of the campaign and amplified its range, exactly as planned by Dove. These are the reasons that made the revolutionary and unprecedented Dove’s campaign so successful and helpful for the company in becoming â€Å"one of 10 brands with the greatest percentage gain in brand health and business value in the past three years† and in its $1.2 billion of grow. References: John Deighton, (Rev: March 25, 2008), Dove: Evolution of a brand, 9-508-047 Harvard Business school

An Information Technology System For a School Essay

ANALYSIS: To aid in investigation of the problem, two interviews were carried out. One was with the school principal, and the other with the school administrator. In preparation of the interviews a list of topics for discussion was drawn up, and included these checkpoints: * What the new system hopes to achieve, exactly. * The problems in the current system. * The methods currently employed to input data into the system. * The information that is required per file, i.e., for each student what fields will have to be input. * The format of the required output. * The volume of data expected, e.g., how many students are expected to enroll, or how many new teachers will be required. * Any hardware or software constraints, such as the new system only being able to run with a particular operating system. Interview 1: This interview was with the school’s principal, Mrs. Monica Stakich. It took place in her office, on appointment, and was as follows: Q: Mrs. Stakich, your school has built up quite a reputation of excellence over the years as shown by its grades. How do you intend to maintain this? A: Well, the school has always prided itself on its academic achievements, and this is due to our students being dedicated in their studies, which shows itself in the superior grades. We will be fine if we can continue this trend. Q: You are shifting to new custom-built premises and are also expanding your range of activities offered. Why have you made this decision? A: We are changing our status to an authorized ‘A’ level Center. As such, we will need the appropriate facilities to meet the requirements for this standard. Also, the school expects a significant increase in enrolments at both ‘O’ and ‘A’ Levels, so the space is needed to provide for these new students. Q: How many students do you currently have in your institution? And how many do you expect to enroll in the future? A: The school currently caters to a population of around 2500 students, but we expect an influx of around 1000 students next year. Q: How do you access a file of a student or a teacher? Do you find it yourself on your computer or does the secretary do it for you? A: I can access files of both students and customers from my own PC, as well as any other file, such as stationery, electricity bills, etc. But I must also focus more on the task of running the school itself, so I usually let my secretary handle all the files. She herself gets these files from the school system administrator. I only check a file myself if we need to consider carefully the person, or file in question, for example a teacher for an important position. Q: Thank you very much for your time, Mrs. Stakich. A: You’re welcome. Analysis of the Interview: The interview, on analysis, showed the school to be result-driven, as indicated by the Headmistress’s comments. But more importantly, it also showed that she did not focus on the file input and retrieval system in particular herself, and on the school’s information system in general. The actual file control and handling was carried out by the system administrator, who could provide us with insight of the current system’s workings. Interview 2: An interview was arranged with Mr. Mark Glasse, the system administrator, in his office. It proceeded as follows: Q: How long have you been working here, Mr. Glasse? A: Its been around four years since I started wok for the school. Q: How many times has the system been updated since you started work? A: We’ve updated thrice so far. Q: What changes had been made during these updates? A: Well, once we had to increase our disk space to around 10 GB to cope with increased student information on Health Cards, as was required by a new Government law. Another time we had to modify our input procedure, it being too manual, with almost unnecessary paperwork involved, so we had to purchase new input devices. And there was also the time when we had to call in a professional security company to install anti-hacking programs when our database was actually hacked into. Q: What input devices do you work with? How is output shown? A: I use a keyboard, a mouse, a web-camera and a scanner as input devices. Output is displayed on a monitor, or on a plotter as is appropriate. And, of course, I often have to print out some files using a laser printer. Q: And your system configuration? A: I use a Pentium 2, 333 MHz Processor, with 32 MB RAM, 4 GB hard disk with Windows 98 as my operating system. I also have other software such as MS Visual Studio and MS Office 2000 installed on my computer. Q: Mr. Glasse, what is the general procedure that you follow if you were asked to, for example, update a file? A: First of all, I would have to get an approved notice from someone in an authoritative position, for example the Headmistress, or the Head Administrator. This note would be attached to a Modification Form showing details of the file that needs to be updated. The authorization slip has to be filed into a drawer in my desk, and I just have to access the file using the code given on the Form and change the required fields. I have the Menu on my Desktop, Mrs. Stakich and I are the only ones who know the Password so I’ve never thought about changing it, once in the records I go to the Search Command to call up the file in question, and make the changes required. On exiting the database, I go have to fill out another form, a Proof Form, as it is known as, to acknowledge my action. This form then returns to the top-level to the individual who initially authorized it. Q: How often do errors occur using this procedure? A: As you can see, the system is designed in such a way that carrying out the procedure makes it prone to errors. We’re still lucky to have a few students and teachers, basically small files is what I mean to say, which do not have to be updated too often, so they aren’t too many mistakes. Even if there are, they can easily be located and corrected due to the small size of our database. Q: OK, now what about the plus points of this system? For example, is it easy to use? Is it efficient? Do you feel that you yourself are performing at an optimum level with this system? A: Ill have to think this question over. Yes, for sure it is easy to use. I just have to type in an identifier code for each record, and the particular record is searched for and displayed. Its that simple. I don’t think its efficient though. As the number of files increases the system takes longer and longer to search the database to produce the results I was looking for. It only follows that I myself feel I am under-performing at my job, as some time will definitely be wasted in waiting for results. Q: Are you satisfied with the system performing only these functions? A: Yes, I am. I would like it to be faster though, and even up-to-date, technologically speaking. Q: Thank you, Mr. Glasse, for your cooperation. You’ve been a great help. A: The pleasure was all mine. Analysis of the Interview: This interview was more enlightening than the one with Mrs. Stakich, for we were able to focus on the technical side of the school’s database system. Certain glaring shortcomings of the current system came to light, such as a very limited database size, as indicated by the system being upgraded the first time. This further tells us that the system itself, with all its components, is out-of-date. In such a state, it may also be incompatible with other systems, should it be desired to connect to these for data exchange purposes. Another significant weakness is the fact that the third upgrade was for security reasons, which means that the Password Protection was initially low. Mr. Glasse also said that it takes longer to search for a required field if there are many records – this is only fair, but there aren’t too many records right now, so we can expect the system to have some sort of linear search function in operation, unsuitable for large databases. The program, although performing just a few main functions, is slow, again pointing to its near obsoleteness. Its low productivity has an effect on the human element involved, as Mr. Glasse himself feels as if he has not fully achieved his full potential. Lack of motivation could cause further falls in productivity. The system also has standard input devices (mouse and keyboard), as well as standard output devices (printer, scanner and plotter), needed to process data and produce the desired results. The system also runs on a fairly fast processor, as given by the computer’s configuration. However it is unlikely that the system uses any of the other software packages (apart from the Wi ndows 98 operating system) so these, as powerful as they are, aren’t being utilized. MAIN WEAKNESSES OF CURRENT SYSTEM: Based on the knowledge gained in these interviews, it is possible to finalize the main shortcomings of the system currently in use: * Small disk space. The disk space used for storage of data is relatively small as it needed to be upgraded beforehand. With all the new enrolments expected, as well as other related increases, such as electricity and water, teachers’ salaries, etc the available disk space will not be sufficient. * Poor security level. Security forms an important part of any system, and the fact that the database was hacked into shows just how weak security really is. The password used seems to be outdated and it is likely that people other than those authorized know it. Laxed security is especially important here as we are dealing with the personal records of students and teachers, not to mention important transactions such as total fees received, expenses, and so on. So security, despite being of paramount importance, isn’t given the priority it should be. * Inconvenience The normal procedure to accomplish a single task is lengthy and time-consuming. It also involves unnecessary paperwork. This would exhibit itself as delays in processing, as a single instruction would have to be passed through many stages before being received by the sender once again as feedback. * Basic obsoleteness. As seen from the interview, Mr. Glasse uses a relatively fast processor. Despite this speed, we still find that the speed of running the system is slow especially when new records are added. This means that the components of the system itself are slow and outdated. This weakness especially comes into focus when we consider the fact that nowadays systems are rarely independent. One system has to be connected to at least one more system, with data exchange taking place between these. However, if their speeds are not compatible they will not be able to function at their optimum level. If the system were to exchange information over the Internet then this incompatibility could become a problem. OBJECTIVES OF THE NEW SYSTEM: 1) To provide quick access to the files in the database. Many files will now be in the system and it is necessary that they be reached quickly. 2) To maintain a higher level of security. This ensures that the database is viewed and controlled only by those who have the proper authority to do so. 3) To minimize ‘red tape’ involved in making changes to the records. The previous system involved a lot of paperwork and proved to be costly in terms of time (therefore money), so this new system aims to reduce that by quickly and efficiently processing an instruction. 4) To be user-friendly. Step-by-step guidance ensures that the user can easily find his way around the database to perform the desired task. A Flowchart of how data would be passed along the new system is as follows: SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Standard input devices, such as a mouse, a keyboard, a scanner and a web-camera will be needed for this system to operate (the mouse and keyboard are the main ones, the others for inputting photos and such graphics). Output devices will be plotters and printers. Hardware: The CPU requirement for this system include at least 100 MHz Pentium processor and 16 MB RAM. Software: It is necessary to have an operating system such as Windows 98 as well as MS Visual Basic program installed, as this is the front-end program to be used for this system, with Access 7.0 being the back-end program. The user will be Mr. Glasse, and his computer already exceeds the requirements for this system to function efficiently. His IT skills will also be relevant: since he already has MS Office 97 installed he will already know the basics behind Access 7.0 and should find no problem in entering the data. It must be remembered that the system to be developed is intended to replace the outdated system in current use. The current system is slow, inefficient and incompatible. Its replacement will be better than it in all these respects, and should bring the database up to the level of technology today.

English novel

Scottish novelist, short story writer, and Journalist whose real name was Hector Hugh Munro. Saki wrote humorous essays and stories that are frequently described as flippant (lacking proper respect or seriousness), witty, ironic, and cynical. The Open Window â€Å"My aunt will be down presently, Mr. Nuttel,† said a very self-possessed young lady of fifteen; â€Å"in the meantime you must try and put up with me. † Framton Nuttel endeavored to say the correct something which should duly flatter the niece of the oment without unduly discounting the aunt that was to come.Privately he doubted more than ever whether these formal visits on a succession of total strangers would do much towards helping the nerve cure which he was supposed to be undergoing. â€Å"l know how it will be,† his sister had said when he was preparing to migrate to this rural retreat; â€Å"you will bury yourself down there and not speak to a living soul, and your nerves will be worse than ever from moping. I shall Just give you letters of introduction to all the people I know there. Some of them, as far as I can remember, were quite nice. † Framton wondered whether Mrs.Sappleton, the lady to whom he was presenting one of the letters of introduction, came into the nice division. â€Å"Do you know many of the people round here? † asked the niece, when she Judged that they had had sufficient silent communion. â€Å"Hardly a soul,† said Framton. â€Å"My sister was staying here, at the rectory, you know, some four years ago, and she gave me letters of introduction to some of the people here. † He made the last statement in a tone of distinct regret. Then you know practically nothing about my aunt? † pursued the self-possessed young lady. Only her name and address,† admitted the caller. He was wondering whether Mrs. Sappleton was in the married or widowed state. An undefinable something about the room seemed to suggest masculine habitatio n. â€Å"‘Her great tragedy happened Just three years ago,† said the child; â€Å"that would be since your â€Å"Her tragedy? † asked Framton; somehow in this restful country spot sister's time. † tragedies seemed out of place. â€Å"You may wonder why we keep that window wide pen on an October afternoon,† said the niece, indicating a large French window that opened on toa lawn. It is quite warm for the time of the year,† said Framton; â€Å"Has that Window got anything to do with the tragedy? † â€Å"Out through that window, three years ago to a day, her husband and her two young brothers went off for their day's shooting. They never came back. In crossing the moor to their favorite snipe-shooting ground they were all three engulfed in a treacherous piece of bog. It had been that dreadful wet summer, you know, and places that were safe in other years gave way uddenly without warning. Their bodies were never recovered.That was the drea dful part of it. † Here the child's voice lost its self-possessed note and became falteringly human. â€Å"Poor aunt always thinks that they will come back some day, they and the used to do. That is why the window is kept open every evening till it is quite dusk. Poor dear aunt, she has often told me how they went out, her husband with his white water-proof coat over his arm, and Ronnie, her youngest brother, singing, ‘Bertie, why do you bound? ‘ as he always did to tease her, because she said it got on her nerves.Do you know, sometimes on still, quiet evenings like this, I almost get a creepy feeling that they will all walk in through that window†Ã¢â‚¬  She broke off with a little shudder. It was a relief to Framton when the aunt bustled into the room with a whirl of apologies for being late in making her appearance. â€Å"l hope Vera has been amusing you? † she said. â€Å"She has been very interesting,† said Framton. â€Å"l hope you don't mind the open window,† said Mrs. Sappleton briskly; â€Å"my husband and brothers will be home directly from shooting, and they always come in this way.They've been out for snipe in the marshes today, so they'll make a fine mess over my poor carpets. So like you menfolk, isn't it? † She rattled on cheerfully about the shooting and the scarcity of birds, and the prospects for duck in the winter. To Framton it was all purely horrible. He made a desperate but only partially successful effort to turn the talk on to a less ghastly topic; he was conscious that his hostess was giving him only a fragment of her attention, and her eyes were constantly straying past him to the open window and the lawn beyond.It was certainly an unfortunate oincidence that he should have paid his visit on this tragic anniversary. â€Å"The doctors agree in ordering me complete rest, an absence of mental excitement, and avoidance of anything in the nature of violent physical exercise,† anno unced Framton, who labored under the tolerably widespread delusion that total strangers and chance acquaintances are hungry for the least detail of one's ailments and infirmities, their cause and cure. â€Å"On the matter of diet they are not so much in agreement,† he continued. â€Å"No? † said Mrs.Sappleton, in a voice which only replaced a yawn at the ast moment. Then she suddenly brightened into alert attention†but not to what â€Å"Here they are at last! † she cried. â€Å"Just in time for tea, and Framton was saying. don't they look as if they were muddy up to the eyes! † Framton shivered slightly and turned towards the niece with a look intended to convey sympathetic comprehension. The child was staring out through the open window with dazed horror in her eyes. In a chill shock of nameless fear Framton swung round in his seat and looked in the same direction.In the deepening twilight three figures were alking across the lawn towards the windo w; they all carried guns under their arms, and one of them was additionally burdened with a white coat hung over his shoulders. A tired brown spaniel kept close at their heels. Noiselessly they neared the house, and then a hoarse young voice chanted out of the dusk: â€Å"l said, Bertie, why do you bound? † Framton grabbed wildly at his stick and hat; the hall-door, the gravel-drive, and the front gate were dimly noted stages in his headlong retreat. A cyclist coming along the road had to run into the hedge to avoid imminent collision. English novel Scottish novelist, short story writer, and Journalist whose real name was Hector Hugh Munro. Saki wrote humorous essays and stories that are frequently described as flippant (lacking proper respect or seriousness), witty, ironic, and cynical. The Open Window â€Å"My aunt will be down presently, Mr. Nuttel,† said a very self-possessed young lady of fifteen; â€Å"in the meantime you must try and put up with me. † Framton Nuttel endeavored to say the correct something which should duly flatter the niece of the oment without unduly discounting the aunt that was to come.Privately he doubted more than ever whether these formal visits on a succession of total strangers would do much towards helping the nerve cure which he was supposed to be undergoing. â€Å"l know how it will be,† his sister had said when he was preparing to migrate to this rural retreat; â€Å"you will bury yourself down there and not speak to a living soul, and your nerves will be worse than ever from moping. I shall Just give you letters of introduction to all the people I know there. Some of them, as far as I can remember, were quite nice. † Framton wondered whether Mrs.Sappleton, the lady to whom he was presenting one of the letters of introduction, came into the nice division. â€Å"Do you know many of the people round here? † asked the niece, when she Judged that they had had sufficient silent communion. â€Å"Hardly a soul,† said Framton. â€Å"My sister was staying here, at the rectory, you know, some four years ago, and she gave me letters of introduction to some of the people here. † He made the last statement in a tone of distinct regret. Then you know practically nothing about my aunt? † pursued the self-possessed young lady. Only her name and address,† admitted the caller. He was wondering whether Mrs. Sappleton was in the married or widowed state. An undefinable something about the room seemed to suggest masculine habitatio n. â€Å"‘Her great tragedy happened Just three years ago,† said the child; â€Å"that would be since your â€Å"Her tragedy? † asked Framton; somehow in this restful country spot sister's time. † tragedies seemed out of place. â€Å"You may wonder why we keep that window wide pen on an October afternoon,† said the niece, indicating a large French window that opened on toa lawn. It is quite warm for the time of the year,† said Framton; â€Å"Has that Window got anything to do with the tragedy? † â€Å"Out through that window, three years ago to a day, her husband and her two young brothers went off for their day's shooting. They never came back. In crossing the moor to their favorite snipe-shooting ground they were all three engulfed in a treacherous piece of bog. It had been that dreadful wet summer, you know, and places that were safe in other years gave way uddenly without warning. Their bodies were never recovered.That was the drea dful part of it. † Here the child's voice lost its self-possessed note and became falteringly human. â€Å"Poor aunt always thinks that they will come back some day, they and the used to do. That is why the window is kept open every evening till it is quite dusk. Poor dear aunt, she has often told me how they went out, her husband with his white water-proof coat over his arm, and Ronnie, her youngest brother, singing, ‘Bertie, why do you bound? ‘ as he always did to tease her, because she said it got on her nerves.Do you know, sometimes on still, quiet evenings like this, I almost get a creepy feeling that they will all walk in through that window†Ã¢â‚¬  She broke off with a little shudder. It was a relief to Framton when the aunt bustled into the room with a whirl of apologies for being late in making her appearance. â€Å"l hope Vera has been amusing you? † she said. â€Å"She has been very interesting,† said Framton. â€Å"l hope you don't mind the open window,† said Mrs. Sappleton briskly; â€Å"my husband and brothers will be home directly from shooting, and they always come in this way.They've been out for snipe in the marshes today, so they'll make a fine mess over my poor carpets. So like you menfolk, isn't it? † She rattled on cheerfully about the shooting and the scarcity of birds, and the prospects for duck in the winter. To Framton it was all purely horrible. He made a desperate but only partially successful effort to turn the talk on to a less ghastly topic; he was conscious that his hostess was giving him only a fragment of her attention, and her eyes were constantly straying past him to the open window and the lawn beyond.It was certainly an unfortunate oincidence that he should have paid his visit on this tragic anniversary. â€Å"The doctors agree in ordering me complete rest, an absence of mental excitement, and avoidance of anything in the nature of violent physical exercise,† anno unced Framton, who labored under the tolerably widespread delusion that total strangers and chance acquaintances are hungry for the least detail of one's ailments and infirmities, their cause and cure. â€Å"On the matter of diet they are not so much in agreement,† he continued. â€Å"No? † said Mrs.Sappleton, in a voice which only replaced a yawn at the ast moment. Then she suddenly brightened into alert attention†but not to what â€Å"Here they are at last! † she cried. â€Å"Just in time for tea, and Framton was saying. don't they look as if they were muddy up to the eyes! † Framton shivered slightly and turned towards the niece with a look intended to convey sympathetic comprehension. The child was staring out through the open window with dazed horror in her eyes. In a chill shock of nameless fear Framton swung round in his seat and looked in the same direction.In the deepening twilight three figures were alking across the lawn towards the windo w; they all carried guns under their arms, and one of them was additionally burdened with a white coat hung over his shoulders. A tired brown spaniel kept close at their heels. Noiselessly they neared the house, and then a hoarse young voice chanted out of the dusk: â€Å"l said, Bertie, why do you bound? † Framton grabbed wildly at his stick and hat; the hall-door, the gravel-drive, and the front gate were dimly noted stages in his headlong retreat. A cyclist coming along the road had to run into the hedge to avoid imminent collision.