Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - Research Paper Example Experts reveal that the urge to repeat certain things result from the need to alleviate the stressful thoughts. The prevalence of the disorder is on the rise according to recent reports. The recent report conducted by the National Institute for Mental Health revealed that approximately 3% of Americans have OCD disorder (Rachman and de Silva, 2009). The report also indicated that the disorder affect people from all races, ethnic groups, and sexes in almost equal measure. The researchers also discovered that the disorder affects male at an early age than female. According to the National Institute for Mental Health report, the OCD disorder affects boys between the age of 6 and 15 years, while girls, the disorder tends to manifest mostly between the age of 20 and 30 years. Individuals with OCD tend to show certain behaviors that a rational person considers abnormal. The most common symptom of the disorder, according to National Alliance of Mental Illness (2012), is that, individuals suffering from OCD tend to double-check things excessively and repeatedly. For instance, an individual with OCD may end up double checking switches, locks and other electrical appliances 20 times before feeling satisfied that everything is in order. They do this due in an attempt to alleviate the compulsive stressful thoughts. Secondly, individuals with OCD tend to feel over obsessed with certain things. Because of over obsession, people suffering from OCD normally appear fearful and concerned about everything that happens around them. For example, such people may demonstrate fear and concern of thieves breaking into their houses as noted by Rachman and de Silva (2009). This makes them appear restless and pre-occupied by unreasonable thoughts. Individuals with OCD tend to be extra cautious in whatever they do for fear of harming themselves or others around them. Hyman and Pedrick (2011) also noted that such people focus much on morals and

Traditional Jews Essay Example for Free

Traditional Jews Essay Religion is a vast and distinct area of study. Many different cultures and groups have different practices, and within those cultures there are many sub-groups that are different than the majority. The Haredim are a Jewish sect that is basically a sub-group of traditional Jews that demonstrate many differences from the majority. Haredim have a different approach to death and the actual funeral procession of loved ones. Many other cultures will honor their dead by having a eulogy or some other type of ceremony. The Haredim like to invoke a different sense of devotion to passing ancestors. For instance, it is acceptable, among Haredim, for the Sephardi to sing the songs of his father and grandfather, to utilize the prayer rhythm of his youth. 1 This is essentially singing prayer songs to the father, if passed, and the grandfather, if passed during a funeral procession. These songs are supposed to honor the dead and at the same time elevate the dead to a type of saint-like status. After the deceased have had songs sung, it is time for a type of ceremony called the â€Å"Communion of Saints. † Here the Haredim invoke the â€Å"Communion of Saints† upon hearing of the death of an elder and attempt to have the Saints bless the body spiritually. The blessing is done to elevate his familiar saints and holy men, entering [his relative] in the pantheon of the believer, even to add a modest twist or two of traditional clothing to the standard garb. 1 The Haredim are known for their revering of elders upon death and their attempt at ascending those elders into a higher spiritual space. This is firmly established, according to their faith, by invoking the elder and finally invoking the â€Å"Communion of Saints† to assist in the transfer to the spirit world. Another aspect of death in Haredim society is the actual burial. The Haredim employ the hevra kaddisha, the Communal Fraternal Burial Society in Israel, is responsible for the reverential disposal of the dead in accordance with Jewish law for all Jewish citizens. 2 Once the arrangements are established by the hevra kaddisha, the burial must take place. A problem arises in the burial because it must occur as soon as possible. As the Jewish text suggests, The dead must be buried as soon as possible, as much out of respect for their corporeal integrity as out of concern that they should not pollute their environment. Texts devoted to establishing and commenting on the impurity of human remains are abundant, and the laws relating to this subject are very strict: people and utensils that have been in contact with a cadaver might become impure, as does the place where they have lain, thus being in the presence of a dead body can cause ritual uncleanness. 3 It is clear that the Haredim employed different rituals from other groups, but also maintained a bastion of traditional beliefs that secular Jews also follow. Haredim are a very distinct culture as compared to other sects of Judaism. One of the more shocking revelations about their culture is they actually do not support the established state of Israel. One of the first evidences of this non-support is how the Haredim view the chief rabbis in Israel. They do not recognize the Chief Rabbinate and have their own Rabbinic authorities. 4 This presents a problem in the Israeli Jewish community in particular. The Israelis are attempting to create a united front against other groups that oppose them in the region. Because of the lack of support, and since there is no doctrinal significance to the office of Chief Rabbi, voices are raised from time to time to abolish the whole institution of two Chief Rabbis, irreverently called by Israelis the Heavenly Twins. 5 Another way they reject the Israeli state is they look upon Israel as too secular. All the Haredim have in common a â€Å"total dedication to the Torah in its traditional form and believe that the secular world is best kept at arms length. 6 They have a stark rejection of Israel and do not actually need a Jewish state. They are fine the way they are and reject the secularism of the Jewish faith in general. The politicians in Israel have no impressed the Haredim throughout the years. They believe they are without structure and without promise for any group of people. One example is from the 1981 campaign [where] the two parties [created] satirical television commercials, which featured well-known Israeli comedians. Such commercials, according to the Haredim, were an expression of spiritual emptiness. 7 The Haredim stand firm behind their beliefs even against their own government. A final examination of the Haredim reveals some peculiar traits as compared to other cultures. One of the ways they are different from other Jewish sects is their devotion to a culture long gone. For instance, they continued to be known by the Yiddish names of their rebes towns — Satmar, Belz, Ger — places that existed no more. 8 Another distinct difference is in the attire that the Haredim men usually wear. One eyewitness recounted, the men wore the clothing of eighteenth-century Hasidim. 7 One of the remarkable characteristics of the religion is the offspring that are produced within the families. Some of the families have many children as compared to other groups. It actually makes sense why this occurs because, they produced large families — six, eight, even ten children — to begin to try to make up for the millions of murdered Jews. 9 The Haredim do portray some peculiar traits that may seem strange to other religions, but actually they are effectively helping their way of life live on in the future. The Haredim are a fascinating group of people with a very different religious perspective. They live their life true to their moral codes and should be respected as any other religion. Works Cited Cromer, Gerald. The Voice of Jacob and the Hands of Esau: Verbal and Physical Violence in Israeli Politics, 1977–1984. Jews and Violence: Images, Ideologies, Realities. Ed. Peter Y. Medding. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. 149-164. Jacobs, Louis. The Jewish Religion: A Companion. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995. Sobel, Zvi. A Small Place in Galilee: Religion and Social Conflict in an Israeli Village. New York: Holmes Meier, 1993.

We Must be More Cynical of Human Evolution Theories Essay -- Argumenta

We Must be More Cynical of Human Evolution Theories The history of human existence is a highly speculated and heated subject of debate. Many seek for origins of mankind through religious and cultural contexts. Although no definitive answer has been established, society often tends to look towards science for explanation of this mystery. Surprisingly, much of what is presented in regards to human evolution is taken as fact. There is an underlying de-emphasis on particulars such as hypothesis and theory. Rather than disillusionment resulting from constant discoveries which discredit previous beliefs, a reinterpretation is created and subsequently taken as truth. Although a great deal of testing and physical evidence accompanies these theories, none provide complete concrete validation. A prime example of such reinterpretation stemming from new discovery is the recent finding of fossilized skulls in Ethiopia. On November 16, 1997 the skulls of two adults and one child were found in the Afar region bordering the Middle Awash River in a village called Herto. After roughly three years of reconstructing the fragments of skull together (the child’s skull alone is composed of over 800 pieces), further profane discoveries were brought to the public’s attention. Testing and analysis reveals that the skulls are 16,000 years old and thus makes them the oldest modern human fossils to date1[1]. The skulls significance however is of even greater importance. The Herto skulls prove that the current and widely accepted theory of evolution is flawed. The age of the skulls pre-dates Neanderthal fossils. Therefore, we could not have evolved from them2[2]. Neanderthals split of the human tree (a popular metaphor in reference t... ...rightsurf.com/news/june_03/EDU_news_061603.html   3[3] http://www.brightsurf.com/news/june_03/EDU_news_061603.html   4[4] http://www.brightsurf.com/news/june_03/EDU_news_061603.html 5[5] http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/nature/journal/v423/n6941/full/nature01669_fs.html 6[6] http://www.brightsurf.com/news/june_03/EDU_news_061603.html   7[7] http://www.brightsurf.com/news/june_03/EDU_news_061603.html   8[8] http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/nature/journal/v423/n6941/full/nature01670_fs.html 9[9] http://www.brightsurf.com/news/june_03/EDU_news_061603.html   10[10] http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/nature/journal/v423/n6941/full/nature01670_fs.html 11[11] http://www.brightsurf.com/news/june_03/EDU_news_061603.html 12[12] http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/nature/journal/v423/n6941/full/nature01669_fs.html

Sante Fe, Jamestown, and Quebec Settlements

Brianna Mosby Mr. Weigand DE U. S History 25 September, 2012 Settlements of Quebec, Santa Fe, and Jamestown Santa Fe Santa Fe was originally founded in1598 by Juan de Onate. He led a mining expedition of about 500 people. He hoped to find rich mines and rich lands. Onate expected the people, Pueblos, to help with the labor to find resources in the region. The mining trip was a bust and Onate and most of his people decided to head home, yet the Franciscan missionaries stayed behind in an attempt to convert the Pueblos to Christianity. 609-1610 is the date that archeologists say that Santa Fe was truly established by Don Pedro de Peralta. Before 1609, Santa Fe was inhabited on a very small scale. Spanish settlers lived amongst the indigenous population. The Pueblo’s population was reacing 100,000 people. They spoke nine basic languages and lived in about 70 multi-storied adobe towns. Santa Fe was thought to be almost abandoned by 1610 along with St. Augustine. The expeditions co st the mainland to much money to only come up with no results. Also there were notmany settlers attracted to this region.Overall the trips returned to little economic and strategic benefit to the Spanish. The only people to stay once everyone left were the Franciscan missionaries. After a few years the New Mexico region started producing a variety of goods to New Spain (Mexico). By 1680, the Pueblos drove the Spanish out of New Mexico for twelve years.. This was called the Pueblo revolt of 1680. Unfortunately for the natives the Spanish ended up coming back. Quebec Quebec was founded in 1608 by French settlers looking for a beneficial fur trade. As soon as the French landed they struck up an alliance with theAlgonkin, Montagnais, Huron tribes. These natives were the leading traders in the region. The French greatly benefited with this alliance, but it also brought a major problem. It brought a century of conflict with Huron’s enemies, the Iroquois confederacy from south of th e Great Lakes. Quebec was also called New France by the French. The leaders in New France pictured a simple, religious orthodox settlement with a handful of fur trading companies and a ruling class who owned agricultural estates. Once seeing the small number of French that came over the plans changed.The new idea was to converting the natives to Catholicism, French culture, and a simple lifestyle of farm labor on the estates, yet few chose this option. Instead most of the young Frenchman decided to live like the Native people as fur trappers and traders living in the backwoods. The French population struggled the first year on the new land. They started out with a small population. The first winter did not help by killing off most of the immigrants. For years after the only people alive were the missionaries and fur traders. By 1627 the population of the French in New France was only 85.New France was able to keep its roots down is due to the developed economy and social systems tha t were organized around a single product. The single was product was fur trading. It was essential to the French, it kept them stabilized and on good grounds with the natives. The New France settlement was an overall peaceful thing. There was never an actual war for land between the natives and the French. The only thing that saved them from having this problem was the small numbers in population. They had a very small demand for the Native’s land, also the policy of the alliance put even less pressure on the indigenous peoples.Jamestown Jamestown was established in 1607 by Captain John Smith. He sailed over on a charter from King James I with Virginia Company explorers. The Chesapeake region was chosen partly because the English knew who controlled it, the Powhatan people. English settlers expected to receive food and help with tributes in valuable goods. The explorers were mostly military men who were prepared to explore, deal with the Indians, and seek out riches in the ar ea. They were not prepared to grow food crops or fish. When times started getting rough they decided to raid the surrounding Powhatan villages for food.The first few years were the worst any of the settlers could have imagined. They dealt with famine, disease, frigid winters, failing harvests, and Indian wars. By 1610 the settlers decided to abandon Jamestown and head back to the homeland with a population of sixty. Nearing the end of the James River the settlers ran into their new governor who came with supplies from England. He ordered them to turn around and go back to Jamestown. English and the North Americans traded, negotiated, cooperated, and intermarried with each other. The settlers came into conflicts over land and their demand for the Native’s land.They also excluded the Powhatan people from their society. Eventually the New World started to flourish once the English accepted the Powhatan people. They became a key factor to the new tobacco economy in colony, changi ng it to a cash crop in 1613. English leaders on the expedition planned to have a ruling class of wealthy families who owned estates in the New World that were worked by bound laborers. At first the landowners had a hard time keeping the English servants bound to labor until the use of enslaving Africans. All Together Overall these three settlements have much in common yet differ just as well.Starting out all three were new expeditions to unknown territories. They all promoted strategic expansion plans to match and exceed their rival’s alliances and territorial gains. Also each out â€Å"established† a church and prosecuted dissenters in one way or another. Another thing is that they all had a bound labor system, it just varied in each settlement. They were all familiar with types of servitude and slavery in some way. All though they are alike, they are different. It starts off on where they settled Spain: New Mexico and Santa Fe, England: Jamestown, France: Quebec.The Spanish and French lived with the natives and allied with them, while the English excluded the Powhatan and raided them. Also the French was the only settlement to not go to war with the natives. They depended on the on the natives and did have such a threat to them because of the small population. Works Cited * www. library. thinkquest. org * www. pequotmuseum. org * www. historyworld. net * www. canadiana. ca * www. ehow. com * www. emexplorers. pbworks. com * www. itsatrip. org * Santafe. org * Apva. org * www. eslarp. uiuc. edu * Sfol. com

Eternal Light Essay

Another â€Å"wayfarer† is Victor Frankenstein, who is striving for â€Å"eternal light,† but in another aspect. He is the â€Å"Modern Prometheus,† longing to â€Å"pour a torrent of light into our dark world,† while creating a human being – a deed, which is intrinsic to God (26). His creation is the third participant in the â€Å"journey† to â€Å"eternal light. † He is unnamed, or more often called the creature, the monster, the wretch, or the one with â€Å"unearthly ugliness† (55). Victor’s creation also dreams for â€Å"eternal light† in the meaning of pure love or happiness, but he is compelled to follow the contrary direction – to â€Å"darkness and distance† (134). The three meet each other at the â€Å"land of mist and snow,† where their â€Å"journey† ends, where the border between possible and common lies, between dream and reality, between genius and mankind, between God and mankind, between â€Å"a country of eternal light† and â€Å"darkness and distance. † The character, accountable for the novel’s drama, is Victor Frankenstein, a student in humanities. â€Å"A possible interpretation of the name Victor derives from the poem Paradise Lost by John Milton, a great influence on Shelley (a quotation from Paradise Lost is on the opening page of Frankenstein and Shelley even allows the monster himself to read it). Milton frequently refers to God as ‘the Victor’ in Paradise Lost, and Shelley sees Victor as playing God by creating life† (Wikipedia). As a god Victor is determined to endow mankind: â€Å"Yet my heart overflowed with kindness, and the love of virtue. I had begun life with benevolent intentions, and thirsted for the moment when I should put them in practice, and make myself useful to my fellow-beings† (50). Moreover, as Prometheus, he gives the world â€Å"a spark of being† (28). Furnishing the world with such extreme power Frankenstein should take the responsibility of creator and help his gift be useful not destructive. However he mishandles it. When he is fifteen, he witnesses â€Å"a most violent and terrible thunderstorm,† which â€Å"utterly destroys† an â€Å"old and beautiful oak† (18). This event could be interpreted as an allusion to how pestilential this â€Å"spark of being† could be. As Miglena Nikolchina contends, the â€Å"serious ailment† is â€Å"in the man alone, undertaking the ‘godlike’ function to be a creator, but in many respects immature for it† (57). The concrete reason for the creature being â€Å"spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on† is his physical ugliness (133). Why Frankenstein’s creation is ugly? According to Cvetan Stoyanov, â€Å"Ugliness is in fact alienation, drifting away from the vital principle – organic could not be ugly, transgressing and killing it is ugly† (206). Something, often cited in connection to Shelley’s work is a sentence in which the perfect artist is described as a morally perfect man, as a â€Å"second creator, faultless Prometheus under the sky of Jupiter† (Shaftsbury 207). In this respect Miglena Nikolchina considers Frankenstein as an untalented artist, because he is not â€Å"morally perfect† and shows this as a reason for the monster’s ugliness. She claims that the Frankenstein’s morality is not one of a creator, but one of an ordinary man. â€Å"Frankenstein has not even fancied that love – namely love and only love his creation wants – is the first characteristic of creator. † â€Å"Ugliness turns out the sign, left behind by the creator who infuses life, but does not manage to come to love it and thus calls forth death, for it is not possible the fated for living to be made without love, and has no vitality what is deprived of the mercy to be loved† (Nikolchina 79-82). Victor’s blindness about the monster’s innocent nature is more harmful than the physical blindness. The blind De Lacey is the only man who perceives the monsters good resolutions. About the structure of the novel Nikolchina offers an interesting definition. It is â€Å"constructed as if of concentric circles of ice. The sailing to the North Pole is the outer circle, which serve as a frame of Frankenstein’s story. The conversation between the monster and Frankenstein among the sea of ice near Chamounix is the frame of the monster’s story, which is the core of the novel† (Nikolchina 86). The central part of his story is when after burning down the cottage of De Lacey he wonders: â€Å"And now, with the world before me, whither should I bend my steps? (80). Hereafter he starts hunting for his creator and begins alienating from his natural innocence. The creature wends his way toward â€Å"darkness and distance. † The changing nature corroborates his moral collapse: â€Å"I travelled only at night, fearful of encountering the visage of a human being. Nature decayed around me, and the sun became heatless; rain and snow poured around me; mighty rivers were frozen; the surface of the earth was hard, and chill, and bare, and I found no shelter† (81). â€Å"Advancing into experience,† Miglena Nikolchina explains, â€Å"is entering into a core of cold as well† (87). She suggests two aspects in analysing the role of ice. First it could be seen as â€Å"a supreme, unapproachable, unsusceptible to changes reality. It elevates Frankenstein ‘from all littleness of feeling,’ it fills him with ‘a sublime ecstasy that gives wings to the soul, and allows it to soar from the obscure world to light and joy’† (Nikolchina 87). Such an eternal and infinite is the picture before Robert Walton too: â€Å"†¦the region of beauty and delight. †¦the sun is for ever visible; its broad disk just skirting the horizon, and diffusing a perpetual splendour. The explorer’s hopes are so great that they turn out fantasies – he imagines an absolutely unreal North Pole: â€Å"†¦there snow and frost are banished; and, sailing over a calm sea, we may be wafted to a land surpassing in wonders and in beauty every region hitherto discovered on the habitable globe† (2). The Modern Prometheus chooses the â€Å"wi ld and mysterious regions† to â€Å"the tamer scenes of nature† (11). He goes beyond the potentialities of ordinary people, however, aiming not at admiring of the Great Nature, but at gaining the divine secrets. While Elizabeth contemplates â€Å"with a serious and satisfied spirit the magnificent appearances of things,† Victor delights â€Å"in investigating their causes. † Elizabeth follows â€Å"the aerial creations of the poets† and â€Å"in the majestic and wondrous scenes† she finds â€Å"ample scope for admiration and delight,† while Victor is â€Å"capable of a more intense application,† and is â€Å"more deeply smitten with the thirst for knowledge† (15). He elevates his intellect, but not his soul. He does not realize that new born (for his creation emerges in a completely unfamiliar world) needs love and attendance. Striving to eternal light,† he encounters â€Å"impenetrable darkness. † Night is closing around,† †dark are the mountains,† â€Å"heavens are clouded† (40-41). The â€Å"spark of being† turns out a hideous abortion. â€Å"Thick mists hide the summits of the mountains† (54). Frankenstein falls into â€Å"deep, dark, deathlike solitude† (50). Suffering â€Å"the eternal twinkling of the stars weighed upon him,† instead of delighting â€Å"eternal light,† he exclaims: â€Å"Oh! stars, and clouds, and winds, ye are all about to mock me: if ye really pity me, crush sensation and memory; let me become as nought; but if not, depart, depart, and leave me in darkness† (87). The magnificent scenes give way to appalling â€Å"dusky plain† (124). The other aspect of the ice, according Nikolchina, is â€Å"something barren and lifeless; like a power, which is hostile to life; like muteness† (88). Longing revenge, Victor departs from land and â€Å"pursues his journey across the sea in a direction that leads to no land,† â€Å"†¦the snows thicken and the cold increases in a degree almost too severe to support†¦ The rivers were covered with ice and no fish could be procured† (123). The nature seems to be inspirited and acts against Frankenstein: â€Å"Immense and rugged mountains of ice often barred up my passage, and I often heard the thunder of the ground sea which threatened my destruction† (124). It seems he has stepped on some unseen border that can not be crossed. â€Å"When he appears almost within grasp of his foe, his hopes are suddenly extinguished, [†¦ ]. The wind arises; the sea roars; and, as with the mighty shock of an earthquake, it splits and cracks with a tremendous and overwhelming sound. The work is soon finished: in a few minutes a tumultuous sea rolls between him and his enemy, and he is left drifting on a scattered piece of ice, that is continually lessening, and thus preparing for him a hideous death† (124). â€Å"Walton is also surrounded by mountains of ice which admit of no escape and threaten every moment to crush his vessel† (127). The situation with the â€Å"unearthly† creature is however different. The stream of his spiritual development is contrary to the ones of Frankenstein and Walton. Through the epithet â€Å"unearthly† Shelley differentiates him from mankind. While Walton and Victor aim â€Å"wild and mysterious regions,† the creature seeks an intimacy with common world. The monster is â€Å"immaculate in a quite literal meaning – he is empty, tabula rasa† (Nikolchina 72). Every scene and every feeling he touches to are admirable for him. Everything is for the first time. He is a child. The monster meets the civilization, for the first, through the agency of fire, which is an allusion to a new Promethean deed. However he encounters some strangers’ fire. The â€Å"new born† learns everything from the outside world, from accidental circumstances. There is no one to guide him, no one to show him what is worth learning. According to A. A. Belskee, Shelley displays â€Å"the destructiveness of individualism, the tragedy of compulsory desolation, the intangibility of happiness without associating with others† (Belskee 303). Every approach to human society brings a lot of suffering to the creature, notwithstanding he sees â€Å"the future gilded by bright rays of hope and anticipations of joy† (65). Despondently speaking to Walton he describes himself as â€Å"the miserable and the abandoned, [†¦] an abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on† (133). The only possible interrelation with the surrounding world is violence. His crimes are a natural reaction, a rebel against the complete solitude. Otherwise the monster â€Å"could not conceive how one man could go forth to murder his fellow, [†¦] when I heard details of vice and bloodshed, my wonder ceased, and I turned away with disgust and loathing† (68). He clearly declares: â€Å"I was the slave, not the master, of an impulse which I detested, yet could not disobey† (132). The wretched interprets his lot as worse than Satan’s from Milton’s Paradise Lost, for â€Å"Satan had his companions, fellow-devils, to admire and encourage him; but I am solitary and abhorred† (74). He is the only one of the tree, the only one in the world, who completely rejects society with its gall, the only one who crosses the â€Å"border,† laid by society, and fades in â€Å"no land. † He fades for there will be no one to see him. The â€Å"eternal frosts† have frozen all the hatred into his â€Å"ice-raft† and he is â€Å"soon borne away by the waves and lost in darkness and distance† (143). The hopes of â€Å"poor† Frankenstein also fade with his death. He remains at the icy border, between â€Å"eternal light† and â€Å"darkness and distance. † The only thing he succeeds in is revealing these two possibilities for the future human nature: â€Å"Seek happiness in tranquillity and avoid ambition, even if it be only the apparently innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries. Yet why do I say this? I have myself been blasted in these hopes, yet another may succeed.

Why Patient Satisfaction is Now Crucial For Hospitals

Why Patient Satisfaction is Now Crucial For Hospitals One of the unexpected effects of the Affordable Care Act has been increased pressure on doctors and medical staff to improve patient engagement. As payment options shift and care networks broaden, patients find themselves empowered to demand not  Ã¢â‚¬Å"just† the best medical care, but also a compassionate bedside manner, as well. Shefali Luthra over at MedPageToday notes that medical centers nationwide are prioritizing doctor-patient interactions and emphasizing compassion as well as a search for diagnosis. â€Å"Under a 2010 health law, Medicare payments to hospitals can be affected by patient satisfaction surveys,† according to Luthra. In addition, the care cost burden on patients leads them to depend more on preference than on limited options.The research of Tim Vogus, associate professor of management at Vanderbilt University, found that medical institutions encouraging physician responsiveness now  require  doctors  to take empathy training courses, capture personal details about patients in their charts, and practice small follow-up gestures like a handwritten note or phone call- all which improve patient experience.A key piece of this innovative practice is of course being open to receiving feedback- if patients never have a chance to evaluate a physician or her practice, how will they know what to improve? The University of Rochester Medical Center sends out a monthly feedback newsletter and provides doctor-to-doctor peer coaching, which gives doctors a chance to turn appointment discussions into a conversation instead of a by-the-book exchange.Patients who feel that their doctors are sincerely invested are more likely to take medication, adhere to recommendations, and schedule follow-up appointments and procedures. And the more active listening an attentive physician practices can lead, the  more accurate diagnoses and responsive treatments occur. The entire staff and its patients improve when doctors take the time to listen and respond appropriately- the future of medicine might depend on it.Hospitals Push Docs to Improve Their Bedside MannersRead More at Medical Page Today

Policy Program for Mt. Rossmoor Community College

Policy Program for Mt. Rossmoor Community College Successful development should not only encompass the growth of productivity, but should also ensure that the adopted pattern of growth is broad-based. This way, the management ends up with a variety of policy options that can be evaluated to select the best development strategy.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Policy Program for Mt. Rossmoor Community College specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The selected strategy must tailor those policies to the objectives of growth and development (Kind, 2013). However, since the world is rapidly changing, the long-term development needs of institutions are often overlooked. Instead, prompt and drastic measures are taken so that the institution remains competitive and relevant to stakeholders (Borman Hewes, 2002). In the long run, organizations find themselves in complex situations that sometimes call for an entire system overhaul. However, it is important to point out that at tim es, the complex situations in which organizations find themselves result from external factors. Mt. Rossmoor Community College’s case is a typical example an externally instigated complexity. Unfortunately, the college’s management has to bear the burden of navigating it out of the delicate circumstance. This paper examines MRCC’s condition and outlines policy options that can be explored to move it forward. For Mt. Rossmoor Community College (MRCC) to be the fifth among the fastest growing community colleges in the nation, the management must have implemented some prudent policies. Therefore, the 24% growth is not only due to the housing boom as claimed, but also as a result of proper strategy formulation and implementation. Unfortunately, MRCC did not escape the tide of the national economic crisis that prompted the government to reduce its budgetary allocation to public institutions.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Consequently, MRCC’s faces a 15% reduction in the financial support it gets from the government reduced by 15%. This adjustment is likely to affect the well being of all the stakeholders of the college. As such, the management must act swiftly to formulate new strategies and come up with a lean mode of operation. MRCC needs a new budget that will guide its new mode of operation. The new budget should outline how much the program will cost, give a forecast of its sustainability, and align the program’s implementation costs with MRCC’s fiscal strength. The stakeholders that are likely to be affected directly by such drastic measures would include the local community, the management, students, employees, the government, and suppliers. Students expect value in the form of proper service delivery since they pay fees. They gauge the level of service delivered based on the quality of accommodat ion facilities, catering services, and most importantly, academic services. The management for its part expects the college to run smoothly while the community expects transformed individuals who can successfully take up societal roles after training. For employees, the most important concern is that their jobs should be satisfying and rewarding. The jobs should avail opportunities for career growth and advancement. Suppliers, like all other stakeholders, also have their expectations. They expect their merchandise to be ordered and paid for in time. Finally, the government, despite reducing its financial support, expects the college to produce responsible and productive workers. To meet all these expectations in the face of financial scarcity, MRCC has to take some drastic measures to reduce its expenditure.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Policy Program for Mt. Rossmoor Community College specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More According to Konzelmann (2012), austerity measures become handy when there is little money to spend. In other words, they are measures associated with cutting costs. MRCC will employ some austerity measures to help it go through the tough financial situation that it is in. Therefore, it will reduce spending on stationery, staff development activities, property maintenance, and student welfare. These measures are drastic and will undermine the interests of students, suppliers, and the staff, but for the sustainability of the college, they are necessary. The saved funds will facilitate the construction of new tuition blocks for new students besides cushioning the college from the adverse effects of the 15% reduction in the government’s financial support. Arguably, money in its own respect cannot improve the situation of an institution. This assertion is inspired by the idea that in the presence of abundant financial resources, poor planning and misappropriation of funds c an still result in poor school quality. Nonetheless, evidence suggests that sufficient financial resources are a necessary prerequisite for providing quality education (Baker, 2012). In view of this assertion, a small fee increment will be plausible. This increment will be factored in after lengthy deliberations with the concerned stakeholders because many students stand the risk of being locked out of the system if rush decisions are made concerning this issue. As a policy option, fee increment is considered plausible because it will bring in significant amounts of additional income for MRCC.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to Cascio (2010), an organization that decides to eliminate redundant workers can do so using four strategies viz. attrition, voluntary termination, early retirement incentives, and compulsory termination. These four options are also at the disposal of MRCC if the above options prove inadequate. Attrition, in which firms do not replace the people who leave, is the most alluring since it does not directly interfere with the interests of the remaining workers. However, the management usually has limited control over the process. Therefore, it is not a viable option for MRCC because there is need for prompt budget reduction. Voluntary termination is another option that has the advantage of allowing the staff to opt out or stay. However, this approach may also be inappropriate for MRCC since no one may be willing to leave voluntarily. Early retirement in which an organization offers a generous retirement package to an employee who chooses to leave, is the third policy option f or downsizing the MRCC workforce. Its attractiveness is, however, reduced by the considerable amounts of money will be lost in the form of send-off packages. Compulsory termination, therefore, becomes the most appropriate policy option for MRCC because it gives the management direct control over the downsizing process. The management will objectively audit the needs of MRCC to ensure that only redundant workers are laid off. Weinstein (2008) notes that such audits are necessary to ensure that managers stay focused on the objectives of downsizing instead of personal preferences. This policy option will have an effect on the economic circumstances of the affected employees and the economic strength of the local community, but it is justifiable since it will protect the interests of MRCC. The challenge of navigating MRCC through this financial tide seems insurmountable. However, running the institution on a lean budget under the auspices of the proposed policy options can see it throug h the difficult time. Human dignity will be taken into consideration during downsizing because there will be proper communication with the affected individuals before the exercise is executed. Criticism and resistance are factors to consider during the implementation of the policies. Nonetheless, proper communication between the management and the stakeholders will ensure that a consensus is reached. The support of all stakeholders is crucial to the success of the whole process. As such, it is important that all the stakeholders reach a consensus before the proposed policies are implemented. References Baker, B. (2012). Revisiting the age-old question: Does money matter in education? Washington, DC: The Albert Shanker Institute. Borman, G., Hewes, G. (2002). The long term effects and cost-effectiveness of success for all. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 24 (4), 243-266. Cascio, F. (2010). Employment downsizing and its alternatives. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Pr ess. Kind, P. (2013). Disruptive challenges: Financial implications and strategic responses. Washington, DC: Edison Electric Institute. Konzelmann, S. (2012). The economics of austerity (Centre for Business Research, University of Cambridge Working Paper No. 434). Web. Weinstein, B. (2008). Downsizing 101. Web.

Marketing Workflow Management How to Prevent Last-Minute Fire Drills

Marketing Workflow Management How to Prevent Last-Minute Fire Drills How many times have you been disrupted by a last-minute project? If you’re like most marketers, probably more times than you can count. Someone from another department has something they need done, and they havent given you enough time. Their poor planning becomes your late night at the office, and no one goes home happy. There has to be a better way, right? The key is to stop last-minute emergencies before they start with an effective marketing workflow management process. By developing a clear list of marketing services your team can provide, along with detailed timelines, you can set ground rules for how others request your team’s time. Implemented successfully, this type of process will: Eliminate last-minute headaches. Stop letting other people’s lack of foresight derail  your own teams priorities. Enable your team to work more efficiently. When team members know exactly what they’ll do each day, they can prepare more effectively. That leads to more work getting done on time with less stress. Let you go home on time. Your family misses you. Make this dream a reality and follow us through this post. DID YOU KNOW: is the only Marketing Suite that solves all a marketers problems. From scheduling and publishing social media, to fielding project requests, to producing and managing content, its a marketers dream software. Start By Developing a Marketing Services Catalog Did you ever get the Toys R Us catalog when you were a kid? If you were like me, you probably spent hours circling things you were hoping to get for the holiday season. Your marketing services catalog is similar, except instead of gadgets and gizmos, it lists all the services other departments in your company can request from you. By presenting your services this way, you can make it clear to others what you can (and cannot) do. It also helps to set realistic expectations for when you can complete the work. Your catalog should include the following: Your available services. These are the things you can do. For example, if your sales team needs sales collateral, they could choose â€Å"Presentation Slidedeck† or â€Å"One-Page Sales Sheet†. Time estimates. This is how long each type of project typically takes to complete. Point of contact. Who should people direct their requests to? Download the free Marketing Services Catalog template we’ve included in the bundle below, and we’ll show you how to complete it. By the time you’re done, you’ll have an entire service catalog ready to go.Marketing Workflow Management: How to Prevent Last-Minute EmergenciesList Your Available Services Odds are your team can create a wide array of content assets. However, you probably have limits, too. Help the rest of your organization understand what you can (and can’t) do for them by listing out all your available services. Begin by figuring out: Which types of content do you create most often? These are your bread and butter projects. Which types of content might your organization need?  It might help to discuss this with stakeholders in your organization. Who is responsible for creating each type of content or executing each type of marketing project? This will be important information to have documented later on. Determine Time Estimates For Each Service When someone asks you to do something, you should be clear about how long it will take. Instead of relying on guesswork, develop a simple process for delivering accurate estimates. This will help you set clear expectations for every project. So, how exactly can you tell how long something will take before you even get started? The answer is by tracking time on past projects and using that data to make an estimated projection. Real-world completion times might vary, but this will help you get close. Start by building a simple spreadsheet (or use the free downloadable one included in this post’s template bundle). It should look something like this: Number each project, enter its name, and the team member it’s assigned to. Then, note the days it was started and completed. Finally, track the total hours spent on each one. Make sure each project listed is the same type (ex: a blog post, sales sheet, social campaign, brochure, or anything else you’re responsible for). Have each member on your team follow this process, too. To time each project, you can use any clock, or timer app. Here are a few options: Timer Tab: free web-based timer and stop-watch. Stopwatch and Timer: Android timer app. Timer+: iOS timer app. Toggl: A robust time-tracking app for every platform imaginable. There’s nothing complicated about this. You just need to develop a decent sample size of projects. Then, calculate the average time it takes to complete. Repeat this process for different types of projects, and you’ll quickly develop a baseline for how long work should take. Tip: To keep time tracking neat and orderly, round minutes to the nearest quarter-hour. Ex: 2.25, 5.75, 3.5, etc. Build Repeatable Workflow Checklists for Every Project and Task If you have recurring projects you complete on a routine basis, build a checklist for each one. It’s a lot easier to get the work done thoroughly and consistently when you develop habits to tackle them quickly. With well-written checklists, you’ll eventually be able to work through tasks faster, without missing any important details. There are a few steps involved in doing this the right way. Let’s walk through them. Map Out Project Workflows and Timelines Now that you’ve determined how long projects take for each team member, it’s time to bring that together and determine how long projects take in total. Begin by listing out each step involved in completing a given task, and who is responsible for each task: Then, determine how many days to leave for project handoffs (periods where one team member is done with their steps and passing it along to the next person). This should be based on the average number of hours it takes to complete each step (on average). This should give you an accurate picture of how long it takes your team to get something done. Be sure to include enough breathing room for any roadblocks or plan changes you might encounter. Ideally, you’ll be able to work ahead, so you’re not always working directly against a deadline. Create Marketing Project Checklists List the steps for each project included in your service catalog. Include the name of the team member responsible for each step, and note how many days each person has to complete their work. This helps remove ambiguity around who is doing what, and when they’re supposed to finish it. To make this easier, you can use the free checklist template we’ve included in your free template bundle. Here’s what it looks like: Again, this is an extremely simple template. However, laying out each step for every project (and doing each one in the most efficient order) can be powerful for building productive habits. Here’s a quick interview between Atul Gawande (author of The Checklist Manifesto) and WYNC covers the psychology behind this. He applies this principle to medicine, but it works for marketing, too: To use the checklist above, name it for a specific project. Then, fill in each field accordingly. Here’s an example of what it might look like once complete: Alternately, we’ve also included a printable checklist template you can use. Here’s what it looks like: Use the one you prefer most. customers can also build reusable checklists using Task Templates. They make it easy to create checklists, keeping track of your progress percentage toward goal each time you check off a completed task. Build Your Marketing Services Catalog Once you’ve built a full list of project types and time estimates, you’re ready to build your catalog. Use the free downloadable Marketing Service Catalog template included in this post to complete this next step. Find the following section in your template. Then, fill in the appropriate fields: Fill in the first line with the project category. Then, on the second line, add the specific project type. Below that, add in the amount of time that work should take to complete. If there is someone specific in your organization that should be contacted for that request, include their contact information, too. Next, copy and paste this block of text as many times as you need to fill out all your available service categories and project types. Here's what it might start to look like once it's filled in: Once you've added all your available services, scroll up to the Table of Contents page (the second page in the template). Then, click Insert on the top tool bar, and drill into Index and Tables. Select your style format of choice, and click OK. This will auto-populate a clickable table of contents: Next, we'll outline a process your organization can use to request projects and "bill" your time. Store your catalog on an intranet, distribute copies via email, or get it in your organization's hands the best way possible. That way, they'll have it on hand when they need your team's time. Recommended Reading: How to Boost a Marketing Workflow Process That Will Reduce Work By 30-50% Develop A Time-Billing Process Agency folks understand how billing time works. You track time for each team member on each project and bill your client accordingly per your hourly rates. In-house marketers creating collateral for other internal teams can apply a similar framework, too. Do this by giving other teams an hourly budget for your team members time. Each time they request a project, you can give them an hourly â€Å"cost,† and a timeline for completion. This can help you manage your time effectively and reduce pressure from last-minute requests. This process can help you manage your time effectively and reduce pressure from last-minute...To do this, start by answering these two questions: How much time per week can each team member apply to projects outside our own marketing department’s goals?  Now that you’ve calculated how much time it takes for each person to complete different tasks, you can easily figure this out. How often do we receive outside requests?  For example, if you know your sales team will need collateral from you every two weeks, and you know how long those pieces take to create, you can set aside an acceptable amount of time. Set Up a Project Request Form Next, you’ll need to set up a project request form for other teams to use. This is how they’ll ask for your team’s time to work on projects they need. Google Forms makes this easy. Follow along to build out the fields you’ll need. Step 1:  Visit Google Forms and select Blank: Step 2:  In the Title field, enter Marketing Project List. Then, under Description, enter â€Å"Complete this form to request a project from our marketing team.† Feel free to edit either of these as you like. Step 3:  List each type of marketing project someone can request. Keep adding more until you’ve listed everything available. Step 4:  Click the slider to make this field required: Step 5:  Click the plus sign to add another question. Step 6:  From the drop-down menu, select Short Answer. Step 7:  Fill in the question text. Something to the effect of â€Å"When does this need to be done?† will work. Step 8:  Keep adding more questions as necessary. You might also want to include project notes, contact information, or anything else that might help in your specific situation. As you proceed, drag the questions into the correct order by clicking and dragging on the six dots you see pictured: Step 9:  Add one more short answer question for name and department. Step 10:  Next, click the Settings gear icon in the upper right, and restrict the form to people within your company (if you’re using G Suites). Step 11:  Decide who will be responsible for managing the flow of incoming project requests. This should be a project manager, department head, or other senior-level staffers. Step 12:  Click Send. Then, click the link icon. Copy and paste that link into your browser. Step 13:  You’ll now see your form live. Look it over and make sure it’s good to go. Step 14:  Make the link to your form available to your organization. Here are a couple of options: Send the link to everyone in the company and ask them to bookmark it. Include a link in any centralized project management, communication tool, or intranet you might use. You can embed forms too by clicking Send, then clicking : DID YOU KNOW: Managing complex campaigns and projects is easy using ? See how our marketing calendar software makes project management easy. Step 15:  Now, when people respond, you’ll see them under the Responses tab. Here’s what they look like. To see more detail, click over to the Individual tab: Now, you can see exactly what is being requested. Step 16:  Go back to the Responses page, and click Make Spreadsheet. This will create a Google Sheet that includes all your responses: Step 17:  Finally, go back to form, and click the three vertical dots. Now, choose â€Å"Get email notifications for new responses.† This will send an email to the email address associated with the creator of the form, letting you know every time someone has a project request. There you go! You now have a simple and reliable framework for accepting work requests from your organization. Here's how to build a simple and reliable framework for accepting work requests from your...Managing Your Team's Time Each member of your team has a finite number of hours per week. They also have multiple demands competing for their time and attention. That means managers need to do two things: Ensure their teams aren't overloaded. If you allow them to take on too many tasks,  it defeats the purpose of this workflow management process. Ensure their team members are accountable for hitting deadlines. Make sure they're making the most of their time and getting the work done. Earlier, we mapped out project workflows and timelines. Now, we'll show you how to make sure those  processes are realistic and workable. Have each member of your team track their time using the Employee Time Sheet Template included in this post. Here's what it looks like: Each person should fill out the name of each project they work on, and how many hours they spend on them. Then, at the end of the week or month, they can submit their time sheet to a supervisor or project manager. This way, you can easily keep track of how well your workflows are, well, working. Recommended Reading: The Complete 16-Step Marketing Project Management Process That Will Get You Organized Plan Everything on One Marketing Calendar Once you have multiple marketing projects in progress, you'll want one centralized place to see everything. This is where you need a marketing calendar. Consider using the Marketing Scheduling Calendar Template included in your template bundle: This template is built in Excel and makes it easy to map out projects month to month.  Paste it into Google Sheets or the cloud-based version of Excel, and your entire team will be able to see every project in progress, all in one place. Or, if you're ready to move up to marketing tool, try . Field Marketing Requests with Zapier and Rather than sifting through that project request spreadsheet, you can set up to automatically create projects on your calendar when a request comes through. Here's how it works: Go through the process of creating the Google form like discussed above. When your Google Form is created, connect your account to the Google Form using Zapier. When you finish connecting the Google Form to Zapier, begin to connect the form's fields to 's Project in Zapier. Here's how: Choose Title: projectname and  Description: description Next,  add more labels to project requests, choose a project type or color label. Finally, choose a Project Owner, Status, and whether or not you want the request to go to the Idea Board. Choosing an owner for all requests will notify a specific individual any time a new request is created. If you don't want a marketing request to be automatically scheduled on your live calendar, you can send the requests directly to your Idea Board to manually schedule later based on team bandwidth. If you choose to have your marketing request go straight to the Idea Board, here's what it will look like. You can then drag and drop each request on to your calendar to schedule them based on your team's workload and content plan. Conflict Resolution: How to Say No and Defend Your Team’s Time The goal behind creating a marketing workflow management system is to protect your time against unreasonable last-minute requests. It forces your organization to respect your team’s time, while clearly communicating how long work will take. This sets up realistic expectations for everyone and cuts down on internal conflict. However, how do you handle disagreements if they do come up? Maybe HR doesn’t understand why you can’t create a recruiting brochure in two days. Or, perhaps your PR team is flustered because they need collateral for an event in a week, and need you to deliver it right now. You can always pass responsibility back where it belongs: with the team that didn’t plan ahead effectively. You’ll want to handle those conversations with care, though, and you don’t want to look like you’re unfriendly or process-driven to a fault, either. There are going to be times where changes in plans require some quick hustling, and you should be prepared to help (sometimes). Recommended Reading: The Top 101 Marketing Time Management Strategies You Need to Succeed Saying No Professionally and Politely A lot of us hate saying no to projects. Unless you like constantly derailing your own priorities, though, it’s an essential skill to have. Understand the need to protect your own time.  We naturally want to help when we’re asked to do something. If diverting your attention away is going to result in your own work suffering, though, it might not always be worth it. Understand that you don’t have to get into the weeds explaining yourself.  The person requesting your time probably doesn’t care exactly why you can’t help them right away. As long as you can explain you have important projects to complete, that should be enough (and will save time for both of you). If you can’t help, try to find someone who can.  If there’s someone else in your organization who can help, refer the requester to the next best possible contact. They’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness and everyone will get more done. For more on saying no, we recommend this excellent guide from Lifehacker.

Organisational behaviour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Organisational behaviour - Essay Example Similarly, and again by analysing well known persons, we find that their leadership abilities and characteristics are not confined to only the rich and famous, but apply equally to the hard pressed CEO trying to turn around a failing manufacturing plant, or a dedicated school teacher attempting to breathe life into quadratic equations whilst struggling with yet another edict on curriculum change. But by taking a hard look at the subject most would agree that leadership could be seen as a set of skills or perhaps the practice or use of a set of skills. Some leaders will fail to use this set of skills to best effect, some will be average in terms of skills use and others will set an example to the rest in a display of dazzling intensity and supreme capability. What has this latter leader got that the others haven’t? Are there components to this form of leadership that can be dismantled and inspected? Indeed, can leadership be defined, written about and learned? The search for a ‘definable’ leadership is now an industry. Books are written about it; there are foundations that specialise in it; there are seminars, lectures and even university courses on the subject. Few if any of the well known leaders of our time have even thought about receiving instruction on the subject, let alone attending a course. So why all the hype? The answer of course is that effect ive organisational leadership is critical component of a well run business and effective leadership can be looked upon as an individual’s ability to advance the common goals of a group or organisation or company and so moves the group away from the status quo toward a future state of being desired by the owners or shareholders or society. The group could as easily be a family owned corner shop, a multinational corporation, a military regiment or a school. By understanding its organisational behaviour dynamics, there is a greater potential for that group to meet and overcome competitive and economic

A critical response to the Marketing Myopia Assignment

A critical response to the Marketing Myopia - Assignment Example Additionally, the article presents marketing strategies that can help business management overcome competition and other external forces, which threaten a business. Therefore, this discussion seeks to critically analyze the strengths and weakness of this article, with a focus to understanding the plausibility of the ideas it present. The strength of this article is identifiable in addressing the causative factors for business success or failure. The article clarifies on the misconception held by many people that external forces are the major causes of a business failure. However, according to the article, the reason behind the success or failure of any business is not due to environmental factors such as market saturation, threatened growth or competition. The success or failure of any business or organization is solely determined by the management (Levitt, 2004). The reason the failure of any business has to be attributed to the management because; when the business of an industry d eclines, it is not because the industry was not best suited to serve the people. The industry declines because the management is not able to protect its business from their competitors, who eventually take their customers away from them (Levitt, 2004). If the management can apply strategies for protecting their customer base, their business in any industry will continue thriving. This is one of the strengths of this article, since it emphasizes on the role of prudent management in ensuring the success of a business. Secondly, the article presents another credible argument that serves as another of its strength. Broader focus is the key to success of any business or industry (Levitt, 2004). The article observes that businesses fail because they perceive their investment narrowly, considering competitors to be only those offering similar products and services. This makes the management of the business forget to focus on the whole industry and how it can affect their business. For exam ple, people operating in the railway business will only focus their competitors as those other companies or individuals who own trains, forgetting that they are not in the narrow railroad business, but operating in the transport industry (Levitt, 2004). Therefore, the elaboration given by the article is credible because, in focusing narrowly at the business, the owners of a business are only concerned about the product or service they offer, at the expense of focusing on the customer (Levitt, 2004). Thus, for the success of any business, a wider focus on customer needs is important than focusing on the suitability of the products and services which a business offers. Businesses will succeed more if they focus on understanding and meeting customer needs. Therefore, a business should focus on the overall needs of the customer in the industry it is operating, rather than focusing narrowly on direct competitors. This is because, customer needs can be met by the indirect competitors, who take away the customers served by a business, and meet their needs in a different manner (Levitt, 2004). According to this article, the strength and success of any business lies in its internal innovation. If a business can tailor its innovativeness towards meeting customer needs at the expense of improving the efficiency of its products, the business is sure to succeed (Levitt, 2004). For example, a business operating in the petroleum industry should focus on the needs of the customers in the whole of the energy industry. This would mean that the business works towards meeting the needs of the

Nutritional guide to my plate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Nutritional guide to my plate - Essay Example The best energy giving foods that a person should consume are the grains. They have the energy contents that are essential for boosting the energy level of people. Moreover, eating the grains is very healthy and effective for males who do jobs that are tiresome and tedious. On the other hand, mothers should always put protein on the table in every meal for as proteins help in the body repair of an individual. Moreover, proteins are essential especially for young girls who are in puberty stage and loss of weight during their monthly periods. Proteins are very important in body repair and body building. Conversely, protein is needed by everybody in their lives and everyone must ensure that they consume some good amount of the proteins. However, proteins are categorized into different groups. The first category of protein is the animal protein. The next category of proteins is the plant proteins. The animal protein includes flesh. Flesh can either be red meat or white meat. White meat includes chicken and fish while red meat includes beef. It is prudent for one to consume a white meat than red meat. Red meat has very many health problems as compared to the white meat. The plant protein includes such foods as green grams and soya beans. On the other hand, fruits include things like banana, oranges and water melons. In conclusion, good health begins with a proper diet. Another important thing that one must consider is a number of the meals that they consume. The quantity should be proportionate as listed above.

Olsson et al_Sweden wetlands Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Olsson et al_Sweden wetlands - Essay Example being understood as the ability to start social transformation that usually moves away from undesired and unsustainable trajectories towards new ones that develop management of preferred ecosystem states and the related values. The article also demonstrates the inter-linkage between social and ecological systems that implies that losing the key structuring social variables could affect the state of the ecosystem just as losing the major ecological elements. Those systems that depend on one or more key stewards may be prone to changes. In an example, Peterson describes the management of the long-leaf pine forest in Florida and how the required stability of the forest is maintained as a major structuring variable. The loss of the forest cover through frequent fires has threatened the desired ecosystem states. The location of the forest is one of the factors that have led to its maintenance through active burning. The example illustrates how the structures and several processes are capable of giving a social memory of ecosystem supervision that maintains its capacity in changing times and may provide basis for

Parkinson disease Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Parkinson disease - Research Paper Example Usually, the nerve cells that degenerate because of Parkinson’s diseases are those located in the basal ganglia. In addition, Parkinson’s disease contributes to the loss of nerve cells in the substantia nigra, which is a component of the brainstem (Carranza 2013, p. 67). Worth noting is the fact that the cells affected by Parkinson’s are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a critical neurochemical messenger playing a key role in coordinating normal movement. Usually, dopamine forms the start of a circuit of messages responsible for the functionality of normal movement. Unfortunately, Parkinson’s disease affects nerve cells that produce dopamine reducing the level of stimulation in the receptors involved in the coordination of normal movement. More specifically, the receptors in the basal ganglia circuit fail to undergo active stimulation resulting in challenges in movement. Patients with this disease, suffer from movement with tremors, los s of balance, stiffness, as well as slow moving. This paper will describe the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, as well as the current treatments used in treating the disease. As highlighted above, Parkinson’s disease causes the degenerations of neurons. However, researchers have been unable to describe the specific reason or cause that triggers the degeneration of neurons. The degeneration of neurons remains to be an area of interest or many researchers who understand the social effects, as well as the economic implications of the disease. In addition, the progression of the diseases can be highly debilitating denying an individual the freedom to move around or have a proper body balance (Chaudhuri 2009, p. 78). Evidently, the past few years have seen many researchers make remarkable progress in understanding the disease. Acceleration of such understanding has helped manage the condition of many patients with the disease. Current

A comparative study between English and Arabs' compliments on Facebook Statistics Project

A comparative study between English and Arabs' compliments on Facebook - Statistics Project Example They use the social media site in ways that differ from each other. When Arabs give compliments on Facebook, they use polite, flowery language. They will liken the beauty of a person to something that is precious and valued in the community. The English in Facebook will simply give a word like â€Å"Wow.†; followed by a comment about how a dress, for example, accentuates a person’s figure. The compliments tend to be graphic and detailed. Arabs complimenting a person in Facebook will have a mention of religion. This mention of Allah brings praise to Him as the creator of the beauty the person possesses. It is also used in a respectful manner. English speakers will tend to use the name God in a vain manner like in expressions like â€Å"Oh my God.† which doesn’t necessarily indicate that they are referring to God as the giver of that person’s beauty. When complimenting each other, Arabs are also very

Parkinson disease Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Parkinson disease - Research Paper Example Usually, the nerve cells that degenerate because of Parkinson’s diseases are those located in the basal ganglia. In addition, Parkinson’s disease contributes to the loss of nerve cells in the substantia nigra, which is a component of the brainstem (Carranza 2013, p. 67). Worth noting is the fact that the cells affected by Parkinson’s are responsible for the production of dopamine, which is a critical neurochemical messenger playing a key role in coordinating normal movement. Usually, dopamine forms the start of a circuit of messages responsible for the functionality of normal movement. Unfortunately, Parkinson’s disease affects nerve cells that produce dopamine reducing the level of stimulation in the receptors involved in the coordination of normal movement. More specifically, the receptors in the basal ganglia circuit fail to undergo active stimulation resulting in challenges in movement. Patients with this disease, suffer from movement with tremors, los s of balance, stiffness, as well as slow moving. This paper will describe the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, as well as the current treatments used in treating the disease. As highlighted above, Parkinson’s disease causes the degenerations of neurons. However, researchers have been unable to describe the specific reason or cause that triggers the degeneration of neurons. The degeneration of neurons remains to be an area of interest or many researchers who understand the social effects, as well as the economic implications of the disease. In addition, the progression of the diseases can be highly debilitating denying an individual the freedom to move around or have a proper body balance (Chaudhuri 2009, p. 78). Evidently, the past few years have seen many researchers make remarkable progress in understanding the disease. Acceleration of such understanding has helped manage the condition of many patients with the disease. Current

African American film genre analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

African American film genre analysis - Essay Example Broken Blossoms depicts the villain oppressing the innocent, in this case, his daughter. Her only comfort is the company of a "yellow man" who gives her moments of happiness although they are not romantically involved. The idea of a romantic link between the two characters of Lucy and the yellow man would be too much for the 1919 audience to swallow. The movie was also the last of the films which carried integrationist messages. These relationships were depicted as abnormal, unacceptable and impulsive. An example is Spike Lee's Jungle Fever (1991) sets its premise upon the attraction generated by the sexual mythology of different races. The movie runs the typical storyline wherein the lovers Flipper and Angie were the heroes, and racial prejudice was the villain (Bogle 2002).Interracial relationships have been depicted in film for almost a century. These films may or may not reflect the true temper and sensibilities of the periods when they were filmed. Oftentimes, interracial relati onships in films toe the line on what is socially acceptable. Otherwise, society through channels as the press and government would raise objections, protests and even civil action against the filmmakers and their actors.Interracial relationships in film are considered generally as part of the melodrama genre. Oftentimes, it depicts the battle between good and evil. There is the presence of the protagonist who is repressed by a villain. Those who are innocent are freed from repression and those that are guilty are duly given punishment. Melodrama engages in the discussion of social taboos, among which is interracial relationships. Most of the time, the lovers of different races would conform to the dictates of the period when the film was made. Although interracial relationships become increasingly accepted in societies, it is still not allowed in some U.S. states, notwithstanding the legal approbation to such relationships. It may not also be culturally acceptable to some people or communities. Thus, interracial relationships still encounter varying degrees of objection from various sectors. Thus, a film conforming to the period's norms, would tend to seek conformity from its interracial characters, with the lovers separating. If there is no convenient angle to achieve this conformity to moreses, then the characters may be killed of. In a sense, this also is an application of conformity, with the death of the characters symbolizing punishment for their transgressions (Rhies 2000). The cultural ideology regarding interracial relationships has changed through time. The acceptability of this kind of relationship today is greater than it was three decades ago. Originally, interracial relationships were depicted negatively, emphasizing false perceptions or stereotypes. This was the case with Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) . It is through such negative depictions that the adverse attitude of societies towards interracial relationships is perpetuated (Hodes). III. Film Analysis Guess Who's dealt mainly with the controversy of interracial marriage. At the time the film was made, interracial marriage was still illegal in some U.S. states. The movie broke certain stereotypes. Jack Prentice's being a doctor living in Switzerland may have been deliberate so that he would be suitable for marriage to Joanna, and that his character's only objectionable feature would be his race. John's character, to go against the stereotype image of the African-American of the time, was also a graduate of a top school, became an innovator in African medicine, did not engage in premarital sex even

Egypt’s Culture and Political System Essay Example for Free

Egypt’s Culture and Political System Essay The Egyptian culture is considered one of the oldest cultures in human history. Surprisingly, it almost has some of gender equality except that it needs more to consider, in order achieving the third Millennium Development Goal, which talks of achieving gender equity/equality and women empowerment by 2015. I would recommend that the Egyptian constitution considers enacting and/or passing several legislations in favor of women and as well give recognition to the informal market sector, where bulks of the women are making meaningful contribution to the economy. I would also recommend that this ancient nation and culture acknowledges the home, where the men considerably have all the major decision making powers. I am of the conviction that women make sound and major decisions as well and can provide better and transformation ideas, realizing the remarkably undeniable work of the women of Liberia during the civil war. I believe that if our generation begins to identify the errors of past generations, relative to gender-related issues, and if we address those issues in more formal ways by beginning to give women their rightful places in society; ensuring that opportunities and privileges are equally and equitably distributed, our world can be the most enjoyable place even for generations unborn. In an effort to do this, we must begin with an identification of the problems as stated above, discuss them thoroughly as a way of enabling us to craft or design ideas that would amicably resolve them for the better of our general world, beginning with the Egyptian society. In Egypt the political system of policies and regulations of its political structure is based on its fundamental laws and practices. Most of which shows how the Egyptian government positions its power on the state and the society it governs. Egypt started out being a Republic adopting a democratic system. This system  defines the way i n which it uses its public authority. There are basically six parts to this system. The first is the constitutional system. There was a constitution of the Arab Republic of Egypt in 1971 that was used but then had a written amendment to it in 1980. The actual amendment had commonality in the English Common Law which came from the Napoleonic Code. It simply explains that Egypt declares it’s self as an Arab Republic with a democratic system. The second part is called the Executive Branch. The president is called the Head of State. The head of state is selected by a minimum one-third majority of the Majlis ash-Sha’ab, which is the â€Å"People’s Assembly. The People’s Assembly must approve by a minimum of two-thirds and have to be elected by a majority referendum. The election term is for six years with the possibility for re-election with conditional reasons for return. Putting into to play the general state policy is made up and supervised by the Head of State. He also rules the Armed Force. The last elected president of the republic was Mohammed Hosni Mubarak. The supreme executive and administrative organ of the State is the government; they are comprised of the Council of Ministers. This is ruled by the Prime Minister and he is the overseer of the work of the government. The highest part of the government is the Executive and administrative part of the Egyptian Republic is the Council of Ministers. The Ministers are together responsible for the policy and procedure of the State before the Peoples Assembly, every Minister is responsible for the performance of his Ministry and is held to accountability to do so. The Parliament has great power as well. They have the power to withdraw confidence from the Cabinet or from any Cabinet member and leave them powerless. The fourth part of this system is the Legislative Branch. This branch of the Egyptian Parliament is a reflection in character and consists of the Peoples Assembly, or Majlis El-Shaab and the Advisory Council or Majlis El-Shourah. â€Å"The Peoples Assembly is the legislative branch of the State consisting of 444 directly elected members and 10 members appointed by the President, who serve for a term of five years. It has the power to approve the general policy, new laws, the budget and the development plans of the government. It also has the authority to undertake investigations and to levy taxes, besides appointing the Presidential candidate and passing a vote of no-confidence in the cabinet. The Advisory Council with 140 members, out of which 70 members  are nominated by the President, is Egypts consultative council. It offers advices and consultation and proposes to the Assembly new laws and regulations† (Haas, F. 2008). The fifth part of the system is the Judicial Branch. The Judicial branch System was brought into the country introduced into the country in 1854 and predicated on the English common law, Islamic law, and Napoleonic codes system to go through for four categories of courts of justic e. Almost like the United States the highest judicial body is the Supreme Constitutional Court, the Court of Cessation. There are seven courts of Appeal in the various systems, and the Summary Tribunals in the districts are the principal court system in Egypt. It guarantees the independence of the judicial system. The fifth system is the Party of Power. This system is ruled on a multi-party system. â€Å"The Law 40 of 1977 regulates the development of political parties in Egypt. Though there is currently 17 active political parties representing various stands across the political spectrum, the law prohibits the creation of religious-based political parties in the state. Presently the National Democratic Party holds the majority of seats in the Peoples Assembly† (History. 2012). The sixth system is the local government. This is headed by a Governor who is appointed by the President which is very different as to how they are selected in the US. â€Å"Egypt is administratively divided into 26 Governorates. Within their districts, local government units establish and run all public utilities, prov ide services and designate industrial areas. Working closely at various levels with local government is the Local Popular Councils. The basics: Egypt is a large, mostly Arab, mostly Muslim country. At around 80 million people, it has the largest population in the Middle East and the third-largest in Africa. Most of Egypt is in North Africa, although the part of the country that borders Israel, the Sinai Peninsula, is in Asia. Its other neighbors are Sudan to the South, Libya to the West, and Saudi Arabia across the Gulf of Aqaba to the East. It has been was ruled by Hosni Mubarak since from 1981 until February 11th†( Pew Research Center 2011, November 17). As to what is going on today in Egypt. There has been fierce protest in Egypt that has been promoted by the recent protests in which led to the fall of the Tunisian government as well as getting rid of longtime Tunisian dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The Egyptians have gathered momentum to get support of other protesters across the Arab world in Algeria, notably in  protesting their autocratic governments, high levels of corruption, and grinding pove rty. This is a big reason Why Egyptians unhappy and disturbed about the government. They feel they have no basic freedom than Tunisians. â€Å"Egypt is ranked 138th of 167 countries on The Economists Democracy index, a widely accepted measure of political freedom. That ranking puts Egypt just seven spots ahead of Tunisia. And Egyptians are significantly poorer than their cousins to the west† (Mislan, D. 2012). How did this all start? These protests started with the protests in Tunisia. Just like their Tunisian counterparts, â€Å"Egyptian protesters have pointed to a specific incident as inspiration for the unrest. Many have cited the June 2010 beating death of Khaled Said, allegedly at the hands of police, as motivation for their rage. But its also clear that the issues here are larger† (Prager, D. 2012). This seems to be complicated for the US more than Tunisia was. The â€Å"Tunisian regime was a key ally for the US in the fight against Al Qaeda. But the US governments t ies to Tunisias Ben Ali pale in comparison to American ties to Egypt. Shadi Hamid of the Brookings Institution, a centrist think tank, explains: Predictions that a Tunisia-like uprising will soon topple Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak are premature the Egyptian regime, with its well-paid military, is likely to be more unified and more ruthless than its Tunisian counterparts were. The U.S. is the primary benefactor of the Egyptian regime, which, in turn, has reliably supported American regional priorities. After Iraq, Afghanistan, and Israel, Egypt is the largest recipient of U.S. assistance, including $1.3 billion in annual military aid. In other words, if the army ever decides to shoot into a crowd of unarmed protestors, it will be shooting with hardware provided by the United States. As Steven Cook of the Council on Foreign Relations points out, the Egyptian military is not there to project power, but to protect the regime (History. 2012)†. There was a movement started in Egypt called the Egyptian Movement for Change (EMC). It also has another name called, Kefaya which in English means â€Å"Enough†. This came about in 2004. Almost immediately its importance to Egyptian political life was recognized, though not understood. Both Egyptian and Western analysts have mischaracterized the movement. Interpretations have been too narrow, focusing on specific details and ignoring the movement’s broad vision, or too broad, mistaking Kefaya for a generic social movement in the Western mode. All such approaches fail to  appreciate Kefaya’s real contribution. This essay argues that Kefaya’s significance lies in its transformative potential as a broad political force that is uniquely suited to the needs of the moment in Egypt. It is at once a cross-ideological force that has the potential, in the long run, of creating a new mainstream and a movement of a new kind that is creating a distinctive and promis ing form of politics for Egypt. Egypt’s political system has reached a dead end in the early twenty-first century. The opposition political parties are locked in their headquarters, unable to communicate with the public. Virtually acquiescing to the siege of an arsenal of restrictive laws, these political parties have for years suffered from an increasingly diminishing membership, a lack of operational funds, and internecine internal feuds. The â€Å"illegality† of the Muslim Brothers (MB) has paradoxically liberated that organization from restrictions that come with governmental licensing. However, the ideology, posture, secrecy, and political tactics of the grassroots-based MB engender the mistrust of many political forces, including some Islamists. At the same time, the secularist-Islamist polarization hinders the possibility of reaching any meaningful consensus on critical issues. This blockage is not lost on the regime, the clear beneficiary of such divisions among its adversaries, and it does not augur well for the future of the brothers in a lead role in shaping Egyptian political life. Amid this political disarray, a new generation of Egyptians holds the promise for transforming politics in Egypt. They have found a home and an instrument in Kefaya and in the process have invented a new form of politics. Their innovations are historically grounded on the specifics of Egypt’s political life in recent decades. Unique Egyptian circumstances have shaped their experiences, aspirations, and vision for the future. With the seething political discontent on the one hand and the ideologically based mistrust and mutual exclusion among the political forces on the other, Egypt needs today, more than ever, a new form of politics that pulls together diverse ideas from across the political spectrum to forge a new national project. For more than a decade, a group of activists and intellectuals have interacted across ideological lines to reach a common ground. Kefaya emerged as one manifestation of these efforts and as an important illustration of the possibilities of this new politics.  While such collaborative work across ideological lines is not unique in democratic experiences around the world, Kefaya represents the first successful effort of that sort in modern Egyptian politics. This essay, based on primary sources, including open-ended interviews, statements, newspaper articles, and reports, as well as unpublished documents, is composed of three main parts. The first part explains in more detail the reasons why Kefaya has been widely mischaracterized; the second illustrates why and how Kefaya represents a new force with the potential of creating a new mainstream; and the third explores the new politics invented by Kefaya. There has been Misunderstanding Kefaya Since its early days, there have been various critical interpretations of Kefaya by politicians and intellectuals alike, at times citing deficiencies in the movement’s profile, actions, and approach, while at other times dismissing the movement outright as being a â€Å"foreign puppet† or the pastime of â€Å"a bunch of kids.† The most serious and widely noted critique of Kefaya is that it has been essentially a mere protest movement, targeting President Mubarak personally, without putting forward an alternative candidate or articulating a constructive vision for political transformation. The critique along these lines has gained more momentum since the 2005 presidential election. Because Kefaya’s main slogan expressed the rejection of a fifth term for Mubarak as well as the succession of his son, the argument goes that Kefaya lost its raison d’etre with the end of the election. â€Å"Except for rejecting the election results, symbolized by the slogan of ‘Batel’, nothing new was produced.† When Kefaya played a leading role in the formation of the National Front for Change on the eve of the subsequent parliamentary elections, it was criticized as passing the torch to the old opposition parties, the very same entities whose inaction it has been formed to face. (Haas, F. 2008)†.The EMC had been â€Å"dragged into sitting together with the leaders of the tamed opposition, instead of putting forward a demand for changing the electoral system.† While critics clearly question Kefaya’s contribution to Egyptian politics, even the more positive assessments of the EMC mischaracterize it. For example, the American Left sees Kefaya as the beginning of â€Å"the process of rebuilding an Egyptian Left crushed by decades of police oppression† and a reverse of its â€Å"political marginalization caused by the rise of political Islam (Haas, F. 2008)†. Some Egyptian analysts as well characterize Kefaya  as a â€Å"secular† protest movement and thereby implicitly expect its role to be the containment of the Islamists. Kefaya has been so widely misunderstood in the West as well as among the Western-educated elite in Egypt because of the reliance on Western social scientific classifications, notably the social movement literature, to make sense of a phenomenon emerging from the very different Egyptian context. This shortcoming is compounded by looking at Kefaya with an ideologically selective eye. While Kefaya has indeed demonstrated several of the characteristics highlighted in the literature on new social movements, it is neither single issue oriented nor concerned with identity two of the most important features of new social movements. Shoehorning Kefaya into a category derived from the experience of postindustrial societies obscures more than it illuminates. Nevertheless, the concept of the new social movement comes closest to capturing certain features of Kefaya. The movement is one of dissent, aiming in a constant and persistent endeavor toward the transformation of Egypt.4 It is a loose network of small groupings around the country. Like social movements, it aims at generating public attention and has emerged from a realization of the perils involved in conventional party politics in Egypt, marked by debilitating restrictions and dilemmas. In other words, Kefaya emerges out of realization that the institutional channels are neither neutral nor amenable to the demands for change. However, unlike conventional social movements and because of the specific necessities of the Egyptian context, Kefaya is not focused on a single issue. The same, incidentally, is true of the Islamic movement whose platform also embraces a range of issues. In addition to the breadth of the issues addressed by Kefaya, the movement is ideologically diverse. In this way, it differs from the Islamic movement. While the latter has a concrete ideology shaping its project, Kefaya goes beyond any single ideology to be the only movement in contemporary Egypt that emerged out of serious political interactions across ideological lines. Approaching Kefaya through the prism of the social movement literature, with its American scholarship emphasis on resource mobilization and political processes, blinds analysis to this distinctive feature, which is in fact one of the most important contributions of Kefaya to Egypt’s political life. There is concern about the momentum behind Egypt’s emergency law, and what it means for progress both the incredible progress that has already been  made and the equally incredible progress that has yet to be made. There is concern about the treatment and status of the Copts and other members of the Christian Egyptian minority. There is concern about the security of the Egyptian–Israeli border and about relations between the two countries in general. There is concern that the progress that has been made thus far could actually lead to a reversal of Egypt’s progress, should the freedom to elect lead to a government that constricts the freedom of the Egyptian people even more than we have seen over the past 30 years And the list could go on. Indeed, there is no shortage of things about which to worry. There is a fine line between worrying and believing. Similarly, there is a fine line between two, seemingly contradictory, truths: Some degree of discontent with our present circumstances is healthy and necessary, because discontent fuels progress; at the same time, being happy requires that we make a point of being happy wherever we are. There is a fine and difficult line between making the best of our current reality and not giving up. It is necessary to think through all possible outcomes, including the undesirable and even the remote ones. Both worrying and believing are the result of thinking. Worry and anxiety result from focusing on undesirable outcomes no matter how probable or improbable. Belief, on the other hand, is the result of focusing on the best possible outcomes again, no matter how probable or improbable. Whereas worrying fuels panic and skepticism, believing fuels faith and hope. Positive action rarely results from the chaos, fear, or feelings of scarcity that often accompany worry. Faith and hope lead to trust and courage; and trust and courage lead to positive, prosaically action. So, yes, there does seem to be a great deal to worry about right now. Even still, if theres even the remotest possibility that believing instead of worrying will lead to continued progress, and then it seems to me that believing is what we have to do. Positive Psychology has been described by Martin Seligman and others as the science of what makes life worth living; of what is working for individuals, families, communities, and society more broadly. The Positive Psychology experiment with which we are now charged is to, together, choose belief over worry. At least between now and Egypts presidential election, let us together make a conscious, deliberate decision to focus on what is working and how it can lead to the best possible future for Egypt and for the world as a whole. References Mislan, D. (2012). Cross Cultural Perspectives. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Haas, F. (2008). German Science and Black RacismRoots of the Nazi Holocaust. FASEB Journal, 22(2), 332-337. History. (2012). Germany Country Review, 7-14. Ninkovich, F. (2001). The United States and Imperialism. Wiley-Blackwell. Pew Research Center. (2011, November 17). The American-Western European Values Gap. Retrieved fromhttp://www.pewglobal.org/2011/11/17/the-american-western-european-values-gap/ Prager, D. (2012). Still the Best Hope: Why the World Needs American Values to Triumph. HarperCollins.

Existentialism in Franz Kafkas The Metamorphosis and The Hunger Artist

Existentialism in The Metamorphosis and The Hunger Artist       Existentialism is a philosophy dealing with man's aloneness in the universe. Either there is no God or else God stands apart from man, leaving him free will to make his own choices. From this basic idea of man being alone in an uncertain and purposeless world, many related ideas have developed. One great worry of existentialist writers is that life is becoming too complicated and too impersonal. People become more and more involved with their work, which is taking them away from their friends, family, and culture. However, these provide the only "meaning" that life could possibly have. One author prominently known for his work with existential ideas was Franz Kafka. Kafka, who wrote from the mid-1910's until the early 1920's, took the ideas of existentialism and interwove them so well into his novels and short stories that they became a trademark of his writing. Two of his stories are good examples of this philosophy: The Metamorphosis and "The Hunger Artist."    In The Metamorphosis, Gregor, the protagonist, works as a salesman. He doesn't like his job but works very hard, making his job his life. When he wakes up one morning having turned into a dung beetle (or perhaps a cockroach?) during the night, he thinks only about how he is going to get to work, not how it happened or what he can do about it. The hunger artist is also completely dedicated to his job, which is fasting. To him it is an art, one which he works at day and night. All of his thoughts focus on how he can improve himself. At the end of forty days (which was the fasting limit set by his manager), he always asks himself, "Why stop now when [I am] in [my] best fasting for... ...    In both stories, Kafka deals with existentialist ideas. He touches on the view that society is becoming too complicated, too impersonal, and suggests that in our compulsion for work we are getting out of touch with each other. When we start treating humans as inanimate objects instead of people, the results are disastrous. Although Kafka makes these dismal observations, he also provides for a brighter future. Although humans as a group are becoming less and less personal, he seems to say, an optimistic future is possible if individuals will only stop and examine themselves and their relationships with other people.    WORKS CITED Kafka, Franz. "The Hunger Artist." In The Collected Short Stories of Franz Kafka. Ed. Nahum Glatzer. London: Penguin, 1983. ---. The Metamorphosis. Trans. Stanley Corngold. New York: Bantam, 1972.