Lucid Dreams: The First Virtual Reality :: essays research papers

Lucid Dreams: The First Virtual Reality Psychological Sean Pasinsky LibEd 316-2 5 Feb. 1997 For ages people have thought of dreams as curses or blessings that we could not prevent nor manipulate. This "place" called our dreams has constantly puzzled us, because it is here where all things are possible and seem to occur. In our dreams we perform superhuman and wonderful feats that would normally be impossible in the "awake world". We find the men or women of our dreams, depending on our sexual orientation. While we dream, these wonderful things become our temporary reality. Yet sometimes while dreaming we may experience the most horrifying events imaginable, called nightmares. Everyone has their own version of horror, my most terrifying nightmare has been where my family and friends have been taken control of by evil monsters that cannot be stopped. Rather than kill me they make me watch old 1970's television shows over and over. For years, men have thought that there should be a way of preventing or controlling these nightly events. Humans must, like any animal, sleep. We do not fully understand why we must sleep. We only know that if we are deprived of sleep long enough that we will most certainly die. The same is true for dreams and dreaming(1). If we sleep long enough we will reach an advanced stage of sleep where our body begins to experience rapid eye movement (REM). It is during this REM period that we experience most of our dreams. Many scientists try to speculate the reasons for dreaming through biological our psychological means. This proves to be very frustrating for someone trying to find empirical meaning and truth about his or her dreams. There are countless books written about dreams with just as many different interpretations and meanings for specific dream references. For psychics, astrologists, or psychologists who attempt to interpret dreams, there are numerous factors that must be considered when endeavoring to find meaning in a dream. Because of these numerous factors that contribute to the condition of dreaming, many different paths have been created for exploration. From Freud's sexual symbolism to the current random recollection theories diversity in dream interpretation abounds. However, there is a way to dream and not be at the mercy of your subconscious mind. For the past ten years a bright psychologist at Stanford University, by the name of Steven Laberge, has been studying dreams and the physiology of the human body during the dream state. His research may sound commonplace if it weren't for the added fact that he is training people to control their dreams.

CASE STUDY ON FINANCIAL ENGINEERING THE ENRON FRAUD

At one clip Enron was one of the universe ‘s largest manufacturers of natural gas, oil, and electricity. A It besides appeared to be one of the most profitable companies, taking stockholders from $ 19.10 in 1999 to $ 90.80 by the terminal of 2000. A Enron ‘s top direction answered to a Board of Directors whose duty was to inquiry and dispute new partnerships, ventures, and determinations within the company. A On several occasions, Andrew Fastow, the company ‘s Chief Financial Officer approached the board of managers with new investing partnerships which the board approved with really small oppugning. A Some of these partnerships created a struggle of involvement due to the fact that Fastow was non merely pull offing the partnerships, but he was besides an investor in an outside entity that took portion in purchasing and selling assets with Enron. A Fastow was able to make and pull off several of these partnerships while still keeping his function as CFO of Enron. A This was due to the regulation set in topographic point by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ( FASB ) which states, â€Å" if an outside investor puts in 3 per centum or more of the capital in a partnership, the corporation, even if it provides the other 97 per centum, does non hold to declare the partnership as a subordinate. A Therefore, assets and debt in the partnership can be withheld from the corporation ‘s balance sheet. † A With this regulation and the many partnerships Fastow created, Enron did non hold to declare the assets and debts from these partnerships, hence concealing 100s of 1000000s of dollars in losingss and debt. A The board of managers nevertheless did non see Fastow ‘s interaction with the partnerships to be a serious job due to the fact that the fiscal addition potency to Enron was great. A In fact Enron had a 65 page codification of moralss that was given to all employees. Enron was a kid of the deregulated energy markets in the lat e eightiess. Before so, most public-service corporations were publically provided, and Enron realized it could turn a net income by selling and merchandising these public-service corporations. Sometime around 2000, Enron began merchandising through the cyberspace, a revolution in the industry. The job was that this scheme required a perpetually high portion monetary value. Thus, Enron ‘s scheme shifted from energy trading to portion monetary value as the company ‘s primary focal point. Most experts believe that it was around this clip that Enron began utilizing fiscal technology to maintain its portion monetary values high and keep a high net income on the books. To make this, Enron in kernel â€Å" leveraged itself through debt, which it used to turn its non-core sweeping energy operations and service concern by maintaining most of this debt from looking on the balance sheets with luxuriant fiscal technology. When the stock monetary value began to fall, though, these same off balance sheet entities ended up downgrading Enron ‘s recognition evaluation. Suddenly, Enron was in over its caput — it could non borrow money due to its low recognition evaluation, nor could it utilize its ain money to transact concern, because it did non really have any. In fact, Enron had kept such a monumental sum of debt off the books — plenty to restrain every plus Enron claimed and so some — that the company merely imploded under its ain weight.Enron: The Nigerian Barge DealEnron Corporation was an energy company based in Texas and created when InterNorth acquired Houston Natural Gas Company in 1985. Enron ‘s growing was fast, it was named America ‘s Most Advanced Company † for six back-to-back old ages and it shortly became the 7th largest company in the United States, until its bankruptcy was declared in 2001. Accounting fraud, money laundering and confederacy are some of the charges which Enron stood accused of in a series of dirts that eventually came to a caput in the largest bankruptcy in history. One of these dirts was named the Nigerian Barges instance ( [ Fleischer1, 2005 ] ) . Enron tried to sell an involvement in three power-generating flatboats in the seashore of Nigeria unsuccessfully. When Enron failed to sell it by December of 1999, Merrill Lynch, one of the universe ‘s taking fiscal direction and consultative companies, agreed to purchase that involvement. That dealing was closed at the terminal of December 1999, and hence Enron could book about 12 million dollars in net incomes that twelvemonth and meet gaining marks. But the dealing was a fraud ( [ Kirkendall, 2005 ] ) . The chief job with this trade was that Merrill Lynch acted merely as a temporal purchaser to assist Enron look more profitable than it truly was. Enron ‘s Chief Financial Officer Andrew Fastow promised verbally to Merrill Lynch that Enron would purchase back the flatboats at a determined net income within six months, or Enron would happen a 3rd company to make so. This fact turned the dealing to be a simple loan, and non a true sale, as Enron claimed. Enron ‘s nonsubjective with this dealing was non other than doing its fiscal statements look better so that it could better the income statement and so, for case, borrow money from Bankss and the populace at a lower involvement rate, or merely pay the executives in Enron indefensible fillips. The thought, announced in 1999, was that Enron would construct gas-fired power workss near Lagos. Estimated costs put the undertaking at about $ 500 million. Before the chief works was built, Enron would get down providing power from three 30-megawatt barge-mounted workss firing either oil or gas, harmonizing to a 1999 article in Global Power Report, mentioning an Enron spokesman. The flatboats were to get down operation every bit early as the autumn of 1999, though programs had non been finalized. The initial study was that Enron would get down building, likely in the first half of 2000, and finish the underta king in 22 months. For Nigerians, the undertaking was of import because, though Africa ‘s largest state is rich in energy resources, it faced relentless power crises and blackouts. By September, the cost estimation for the new power composite was up to $ 800 million. Enron was committed to financing it and to put ining an associated 175 mile-long, 24-inch diameter, offshore natural gas grapevine to provide the works. By February 2000, seemingly before any building, the trade was already confronting political jobs, harmonizing to Global Power Report. The contracts were called into inquiry by the World Bank, Nigeria ‘s national public-service corporation, the National Electric Power Authority and other Nigerian provinces. The World Bank reportedly said the trade should hold been competitively command and that the concluding contract was excessively favourable to Enron. Even before anything happened in the manner of providing energy, Enron was selling pieces of its trade to Merrill Lynch. That dealing and Merrill ‘s speedy sale of its involvement back to an Enron-related entity is at the bosom of the condemnable allegations. Industry deregulating besides caused new jobs for Enron which, for the first clip, needed to hold a strong competitory focal point. Enron knew that it could win in a deregulated environment merely if it were the lowest cost manufacturer or if it could separate its merchandise from the competition. The latter would look to be a frustrating end, when the merchandise is defined as a trade good like natural gas. Enron ‘s direction was fighting with how to explicate a scheme that would give clients what they wanted and develop a sustainable advantage in this new environment. They needed to happen a manner to â€Å" box † natural gas molecules, dependable bringing, and predictable monetary values such that it could specify a clear merchandise line and pass on the company ‘s alone accomplishments. Ques:1 What are the ethical issues involved in this instance? Ques: 2. What are the exposure profile for Enron ‘s clients with regard to natural gas monetary values? What are the exposure profiles for Enron? Ques: 3. What suggestions do you hold for Enron?Summary OF THE CASE:The Financial Engineering encompasses the design, analysis, and building of fiscal contracts to run into the demands of endeavors. † Thus we can state that Financial technology is the phenomenon which facilitates the process/ merchandise invention in the fiscal industries which will assist in heightening the stockholders ‘ wealth. The basic motivations in traveling for fiscal technology are as follows: Reducing liability on the balance sheet, or Reducing disbursal on income statement, or Increasing gross on income statement, or Increasing tax write-offs on revenue enhancement returns Companies normally go for fiscal technology to cut down their hazard liability and accretion of debt in the balance sheet. The range of fiscal technology includes the followers: Investing Banking Corporate Strategic Planning Hazard Management Primary and Derivatives Securities Evaluation Fiscal Information Systems Management Portfolio Management Security Trading The instance that we have chosen here will be explained from one facet out of the many countries covered under the range of fiscal technology that is â€Å" Corporate STRATEGIC Planning † . This construct shall be explained in the context of EnronaˆÂ ¦.which has been regarded as the biggest fraud in history. Under Corporate Strategic Planning Scope the company has used Financial Engineering to be-fool the the stakeholder of the company. In corporate strategic be aftering one really of import determination includes â€Å" Strategic ALLIANCE † which the companies follow for carry throughing their strategic every bit good as fiscal motivations. Enron has excessively did the same thing. Enron was created by a merge between Houston Natural Gas and Inter north. Houston ‘s Natural Gas ‘s CEO Kenneth Lay headed the amalgamation of the two companies. Kenneth Lay became the CEO of Enron. Enron was originally entirely involved with the distribution and transmittal of electricity and gas in the United States. In the amalgamation, Enron incurred a big sum of debt, and as a consequence of deregulating, no longer had sole rights to its grapevines. The company had to happen a manner to bring forth net incomes and hard currency flow. Kenneth Lay hired Jeffrey Skilling to work for Enron as an comptroller. Skilling suggested the pattern of purchasing gas from a web of providers and selling it to consumers at a fixed monetary value with a contract. Enron was interested in the enlargement, edifice, and operation of grapevines, power workss, and other substructure worldwide. After merely a twelvemonth of operation Enron merged with a company called Spectrum Seven, a compa ny whose president and CEO is the former president of the United States, George W. Bush. In 1999, Enron tried to spread out their company by making the Azurix Corporation, a H2O public-service corporation company. Enron was named â€Å" America ‘s Most Advanced Company † by Fortune magazine from 1996 to 2001. Enron was on Fortune ‘s â€Å" 100 Best Companies to work for In America † in 2000. The company ‘s hereafter appeared to be bright and assuring continued success. One of the really of import issue which led to the ruin of Enron was Nigerian Barge trade which was chiefly done to victimize the Govt and the stakeholders. Enron had promoted that it is come ining into a trade with the Nigerian Barge Fieldss of supplying energy human dynamos at that place. . For Nigerians, the undertaking was of import because, though Africa ‘s largest state is rich in energy resources, it faced relentless power crises and blackouts. The trade was a strategy to â€Å" park † Enron ‘s assets to bolster its net incomes and that no hazard was transferred to Merill Lynch in the trade because of an â€Å" unwritten ‘handshake ‘ side trade † by Enron to buy back the flatboats back from Merill or happen another suited purchaser. It was a fake that allowed Enron to illicitly book about $ 12 million in pretax net income, when in fact there was no existent sale and no existent net incomes. The function of Merill Lynch in this whole thing has been questionable since they have deviated from their basic responsibility and helped them in indulging into deceitful activities. Alongwith this instance and many others Enron had to atlast file for bankruptcy and it has been a affair of great concern for the US Govt. since one of its major investing bankers were involved in the instance.Question:Ques:1 What are the ethical issues involved in this instance?Autonomic nervous system: Enron showed a dainty image in forepart of the Nigerian Govt. Nigeria had abundant resources but lacked in expertness to use them expeditiously. Enron promised them to supply them expertise but it was merely a manner to â€Å" park † their assets. They wanted to conceal their earlier frauds and unethical manner of net incomes ( black money ) . The most unethical portion was that they were playing with their codification of behavior and puting a bad illustration for the remainder of the corporate. Butone of the board members of Merrill Lynch bl ew the whistling and the aureate image of Enron was tarnished.Ques: 2. What are the exposure profile for Enron ‘s clients with regard to natural gas monetary values?Ans. It has been identified that Enron ‘s jobs were non in its energy operations, but from â€Å" dot com † investings and in some foreign subordinates. Enron was originally entirely involved with the distribution and transmittal of electricity and gas in the United States. But after the amalgamation and the deregulating in the US, people could now entree gas at subsidised rate. This reduced its monopoly over the distribution of natural gas. But it had a strong political backup. The company ‘s connexion to George W. Bush, and Houston ‘s local political relations has received much attending in the recent yesteryear. In 1986, Enron was involved with Bush ‘s company in joint boring for oil. It has been said that George Bush and Kenneth Lay even shared good friendly relationship dealingss . That is why the company ever enjoyed some kind of shelter even after making unethical patterns. The clients did non hold any pick except for buying at the monetary values offered by Enron.Ques: 3. What suggestions do you hold for Enron?Ans. The lone suggestion that we have for Enron is that it should accept its error and apologise for its fraud. This can be one manner of recovering its image. Another option would be to counterbalance the Nigerian Barge Govt. so that it may experience that Enron is truly atoning on its error of working the abundant resources of Nigeria which remained unutilized.SWOT ANALYSIS OF THE CASEStrengthStrong political backup ( Bush & A ; Houston Govt. ) Good repute with fiscal establishments ( Merrill Lynch )FailingCertitude and extra dependance on its dependable resources Lack of support from top direction executives in strategic planning determinations ( window dressing of the histories at in-between degree )OpportunityRecover their lost energy because of clients assurance in them Promoting themselves in such a manner that the trade was fundamentally done to supply the client services at lower rates and non to conceal any corporate dirt.MenaceIt becomes hard to recover the lost image even if the company goes for â€Å" n † no of CSR as the expression goes â€Å" 1 dissatified client will state 30000 people whereas 1 satisfied client will state merely 3 † . So the company functionaries can good conceive of in what quantum their image or trade name equity has tarnished.CRITICAL APPRAISALThis is non the first cozenage or fraud for which Enron has been alleged. Previously it had been into spotlight when it created a bogus SPV ( SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE ) to pull strings their histories. They have created a false SPV ( Particular Purpose Vehicle ) to reassign all their losingss to that entity. It was fundamentally done to change over their ruddy balance sheet into a rose-colored one. Strong political backup and everlasting support from the taking fisca l establishments urged Enron to go on these frauds since they believed that Govt will come to its deliverance in instance it faces any job. Enron had non merely misused the options available through fiscal technology for their ain motivations but in a manner destroyed the state ‘s image besides because they were stand foring US Corporate civilization in Nigeria. So the state ‘s unity besides was at interest. The approaching companies can larn a lesson in two ways – 1. They may be encouraged to make such kind of frauds since Govt come for deliverance ( negative motive ) 2. It may put an illustration for them non to reiterate such an act in future. ( positive motive ) . In Indian context it is really of import to larn a lesson because we have been top ranked in Corporate cozenage this twelvemonth.

Promote Professional Development Essay

It is important to continually strive to improve our knowledge and the way we practice, this can be applied to personal or professional goals. Developing our potential, will enhance our work role and promote our talents. It enhances our lives and contributes to achieving our dreams and aspirations Continued professional development is important, and it’s not just about attending training courses. It about promoting a culture for learning, with work based learning at the centre of this. In order to meet the needs of its service users. This enables staff to keep up-to-date with current legislation, care standards it expands their knowledge, and helps the meet their full potential, it promotes a culture of lifelong learning It enables them to carry out their work roles as per their job role/ description in a safe and competent manner. It keeps staff motivated, and feels valued. The GSCC code of practice states that all social care employers must provide training to enable staff to develop their skills and knowledge. CPD helps to raise standards of care, which is very important to comply with current standards and legislation and also meet the needs and aspirations of the users of the service and for employers have a competent workforce. CPD benefits the employer, the employee and the services users that they support, better knowledge leads to better practice, to deliver a high quality service, that is accountable To promote professional development, we also need to look at the potential barriers that can occur, when trying to promote staff development/ implement change. These can be things such as lack of understanding of why we need to change or develop. It can emotional barriers that staff fear the activity, or fear being judged, age can also be a barrier, staff think that they are getting older and don’t wish to develop further/coming to the end of their working life. †¢Financial barriers/ budget restraints can be barriers, so looking at other way we can deliver training or aid development is needed such a sourcing training that is free of charge is one possible way to overcome this barrier. †¢Training being in another country/ distance/ time, this is a problem for our schemes in England, other problems faced is having enough staff requiring the same training here in England to justify the trainer flying over hear. A possible way that this can be overcome, could be maybe training more staff over here that can deliver certain training, and become training champions, working together so that all our staff training is due at the same time, would then make it more cost effective to have trainers over from Ireland. †¢Parental responsibilities/ single parents/ child care/ work life balance. Working around a young child can be a juggling act. In order to support parents, we should give as much notice as possible to enable them to find child care. Be flexible in our approach, offer flexible working and offer advice and understanding of their difficulties. †¢Staffing levels/ lack of cover, being short staffed and then having other staff on training can cause stress and strain on the service. One way to possibly combat this is staggering training days, and getting in relief staff if budgets allow. †¢Intellectual barriers/ over confident/ don’t feel they need to be trained, I think that in this situation it needs to be discussed during supervision/ appraisals, assessments and feedback. Identifying area’s that are lacking, discussing the benefits of CPD, how it will enhance their role and job satisfaction/ better understanding of their role and responsibilities. The importance of continually keeping skills and knowledge up to date to meet current standards, and to be able to practice. Offer ongoing encouragement. †¢Lack of encouragement from management. If staff feels that they are not being supported or encouraged they need to bring this up at supervision/ annual appraisals. Identify what they need and speak openly with their manager, as supervision should be a two way process, ask their manager for a supervision contract and agree goals and aim for the future. If the manager continues to fail to provide encouragement staff or development opportunities then staff should put in a grievance. There are many sources and systems of support to promote CPD and supervision, being the one that is used most of all. Mentoring to new staff can provide a great source of support; Mentors can pass on their experience and knowledge to the mentee. They can provide guidance and support to aid mentee’s learning, and development. They offer advice and provide feedback about skills and knowledge of the mentee. They can support the mentee to evaluate and develop their new role, provide practical help and guidance. They aid the mentee to learn, and identify areas for improvement. Another source is coaching, this is more a 1-1 process, designed to develop management and leaderships skills/ potential, such as with team Leaders and their managers. I have found my own manager’s coaching, has been really helpful. In identifying my goals and what I need to do in order to develop. They can offer advice, provide useful hints on how to manage the team, promote change and how to deal with challenging behaviour from other staff members, and how to manage the team to accept changes within the workplace. Help to identify career goals, and plan what skills are needed for progression, build confidence Other sources are annual appraisals, this looks at plans for future development, sets goals and targets, with a time scale and how it will be achieved. Reading company policies and procedures, helps to enhance knowledge and keep up to date, reading journals on care, subscribing to magazines within your profession/ reports/ television/ listening to the news on incidents that have happened is another good source of information. E Learning is an easy way to learn online, attending staff meetings, listening to your peers, in house training courses, DVD presentations, local free training, such as CAB, local DAT, recognised bodies websites, CQC, GSCC, HCPC Working in partnership with other organisations. Sharing training opportunities. The local safeguarding board offer free training. It’s important to discuss with your manager, your needs and they will also be able to provide you with other sources of information that can build on your strengths and address weaknesses. Budgets and time retrains have to be considered when looking at desirable training for staff, but essential training needs to be continually kept up to date. As this is the back bone of our service and what we provide. Things such as health and safety, safeguarding moving and handling is all mandatory training that needs to be renewed and continually kept up to date. Failure to have this training and up to date and in place could lead the company open to litigation, and not being compliant with current standards We also need to be continually aware of any changes that have taken place in care standards and make sure we are up to date with these. These could be changes in government policy or new initiatives. We must prioritise what is essential and what is desirable, and balance against less important activities. When looking at desirable training we have to balance the needs of the service, and the needs of the service users. Will the team benefit from this training, can we just send one member of staff and they feed back the information to the rest of the team. We need to look at the staff members job description, what do they training they need in order to perform their job to the best of their abilities. We need to identify gaps in training where improvements can be made. Identify staff strengths so that their knowledge can be shared with others Other factors could be using other methods of training such as E Learning, books and policies that staff can read and update their own knowledge, look at what is in their job description, what they need to do and what training will help them achieve that.

Bangarra dance review essays

Bangarra dance review essays Bangarra is one of the most exciting and young dance companies in Australia today. Ochres is a flawless piece: powerful, gripping and is performed phenomenally. Bangarra Dance Theatre was formed in Sydney in 1989 by Carole Johnson, the first director of NAISDA, Australia's National Indigenous Dance School, along with NAISDA graduates. Stephen Page was appointed artistic director of Bangarra Dance Theatre in 1991 and is still in that role in 2004. This company is unique to Australia because it has only been running for 15 years but it has so much history behind every single dance that they perform, because it is all aboriginal dancing with a mix of modern contemporary dancing. Bangarra is trying to maintain the link between the traditional Indigenous cultures of Australia and new forms of contemporary artistic expression with respect and integrity. Before viewing this piece, I had only ever seen one other aboriginal dance piece, which was even more spectacular in real life. But after now have experienced two it is easier to understand why they are doing certain moves because throughout the piece you see them moving to a position in the same way or worshipping something in the same way, but I have learnt a lot from viewing this piece and really appreciate the Aboriginal cultural dances. I didnt enjoy ochres as much as spirit, but maybe that was because it was on a video and it wasnt live or as close to you. Their movements along the floor were so important in this piece, they are as close as they possibly can be to the ground and it is almost like through some of the dance they re almost apart of the ground. This is important to this type of dance as in some different areas they may be just apart of the backdrop and have to get to their places or they might be coming on stage with people hardly noticing they are even moving around on the ground. The term impulse means to me that d ...

The Most Commonly Read Books in High School

The Most Commonly Read Books in High School No matter what type of high school you attend- be it public, private, magnet, charter, religious schools, or even online- reading is going be at the core of your English studies. In todays classrooms, students have a wide range of books to choose from, both modern and classics. If you compare the readings lists in all schools, you might be surprised to learn that the most commonly read books in all high schools are all very similar. Thats right! Course work for private schools and public schools (and every other school) are all very similar. No matter where you go to school, youll likely study classic authors like Shakespeare and Twain, but some more modern books are appearing on these lists, including The Color Purple and  The Giver.   Commonly Read High School Books Here are some of the books that most often appear on high school reading lists: Shakespeares Macbeth is on most schools lists. This play was mostly written when Scottish James I ascended the throne of England, much to many Englishmens chagrin, and it tells the tale of Macbeths fearful regicide and his ensuing guilt. Even students who do not relish Shakespearean English appreciate this lively tale, filled with murder, scary nights in a remote Scottish castle, battles, and a riddle that isnt solved until the end of the play.Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet is also on the list. Familiar to most students because of modern updates, this tale features star-crossed lovers and adolescent impulses that appeal to most high school readers.Shakespeares Hamlet, a story of an angst-ridden prince whose father has been murdered by his uncle, also tops independent schools lists. The soliloquies in this play, including to be or not to be, and what a rogue and peasant slave am I, are known to many high school students.Julius Caesar, another Shakespeare play, is featured on many schoo ls lists. It is one of Shakespeares history plays and is about the assassination of the Roman dictator Julius Caesar in 44 B.C. Mark Twains Huckleberry Finn has been controversial since its release in the United States in 1885. While some critics and school districts have condemned or banned the book because of its perceived vulgar language and apparent racism, it often appears on high school reading lists as a skillful dissection of American racism and regionalism.The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1850, is a tale of adultery and guilt set during Puritan rule of Boston. While many high school students have a difficult time wading through the sometimes dense prose, the surprise conclusion of the novel and its examination of hypocrisy often make it ultimately appealing to this audience.Many high school students enjoy F. Scott Fitzgeralds 1925 The Great Gatsby, a riveting and beautifully written tale of lust, love, greed, and class anxiety in the Roaring Twenties. There are parallels to modern America, and the characters are compelling. Many students read this book in English class while they are studying American history, and the novel provides insight into the moral values of the 1920s. Harper Lees 1960 classic To Kill A Mockingbird, later made into a wonderful movie starring Gregory Peck, is, simply put, one of the best American books ever written. Its tale of injustice written through the eyes of an innocent narrator grabs most readers; it is often read in 7th or 8th grade and sometimes in high school. It tends to be a book students remember for a long time, if not for the rest of their lives.Homers The Odyssey, in any one of its modern translations, proves difficult going for many students, with its poetry and mythological narrative. However, many students grow to enjoy the adventure-filled tribulations of Odysseus and the insight the tale provides into the culture of ancient Greece.William Goldings 1954 novel The Lord of the Flies is often banned because of its essential message that evil lurks in the hearts of man–or in this case, the hearts of boys who are marooned on a deserted island and turn to violence. English teachers enjoy mining the book for its symbolism and its statements about human nature when it is unchained to society. John Steinbecks 1937 novel Of Mice and Men is a sparsely written tale of two mens friendship set during the Great Depression. Many students appreciate its simple, though sophisticated language, and its messages about friendship and the value of the poor.The youngest book on this list,  The Giver  by Lois Lowry was published in 1993 and was the 1994 Newbery Medal winner. It tells the story of a 12-year-old boy who lives in a seemingly ideal world but learns about the darkness within his community after receiving his life assignment as the Receiver.  Another more recent book, compared to many of the others on this list, is  The Color Purple. Written by Alice Walker and first published in 1982, this novel tells the story of Celie, a young black girl born into a life of poverty and segregation. She endures incredible challenges in life, including rape and separation from her family, but eventually meets a woman who helps Celie change her life.

Big Bull Moose Derbies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Big Bull Moose Derbies - Essay Example The operation of the big bull moose derbies will be conducted in a similar manner to the other contests that have already been allowed under the governing statue. These derbies will be conducted throughout the duration of the annual moose season by licensed individuals that have managed to successfully acquire all the proper documentation as dictated upon by the State of Alaska showing that they will stay within the set moose season legal boundaries. Individuals that wish to participate in the derby will be required to purchase a derby ticket to the moose season’s open day. The derby’s winner will be based on the spread of the bull antlers, with the winner being the who manages to harvest the bull having the widest spread or size that has been legally taken. This winner will receive a predetermined cash prize that will be based on the overall proceeds that are netted by the fund raiser. All participants that enter a bull will be entered into the derby’s prize dra w regardless of the antler spread of their bulls (housemajority.org, 2014). The Hose Bill 268’s sponsoring statements also points out that the Tanana Valley Sportsmen Association (TVSA) which is the association that will be responsible for using the derby to raise funds is a nonprofit organization that is concerned with the hosting and training of a number of competition events on behalf of several local high schools as well as on behalf of the nationally ranked University of Alaska Nanooks Rifle Team. Some of the school and community events that are normally hosted by the association include gun safety and personal protection classes, biathlon competitions and trainings as well as NCAA tournaments. By passing the House Bill 268 allowing for Big Bull Moose Derbies to be operated in much the same way as other contests, the TVSA will be able to easily raise funds that will be used in supporting the activities of both the TVSA club

The Role of Duty in Morality in Kants Work Essay

The Role of Duty in Morality in Kants Work - Essay Example In fact, other philosophers such as John Locke and Thomas Hobbes agreed with Kant on this perception of morality, especially his basing of morality on the CI standards of rationality. As mentioned, according to Kant, the fundamental of morality as contained in the CI is the law of an autonomous will and a self-governing reasoning in which people are viewed as possessing equal worth and as deserving equal respect. A rather useful work of Kant’s on morality is â€Å"The Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals†. This work of his covered morality-related issues such as the aims and methods of moral philosophy, good will, moral worth and duty, and duty and respect for moral law among others (Kant, 1998). He would later refine, develop, modify, and enrich some of his views in this piece of work in later writings such as â€Å"The Critique of Practical Reason, The Metaphysics of Morals, Anthropology from a Pragmatic Point of View and Religion.†Ã‚   In his discussion of good will, moral worth, and duty, Kant insists that describing and defining people as good hearted alone does not make their actions moral, insisting that only ‘good will’ qualifies as moral. Thus, good heartedness in the ordinary sense does not make people or their actions moral. Good will is thus closer to the notion of good person or a rational person. In the opinion of Kant, the possession of a good will is the cornerstone of what makes a person and his/her action moral. In addition, such a good will should make one to base decisions on the moral law.