Information systems in Best Buy

Introduction This essay discusses information systems usage in Best Buy. It starts by introducing Best Buy, and then it proceeds to discussing its business process in general. Having identified key areas, it underlines the involvement of information systems in the business process as well as the improvements they bring.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Information systems in Best Buy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The essay also identifies an issue Best Buy is currently facing, and describes the role that information systems can play in improving the situation. Best Buy in brief Best Buy is an American retailing company, operating in the North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Richard M. Schulze and Gary Smoliak founded it in 1966. The company specializes in consumer electronic products and services. It is now â€Å"the world’s largest multi-channel consumer electronics retailer with stores in the United States, Canada, China, Europe, and Mexico† (Best Buy, par. 1). With 1 billion visits to its websites annually, Best Buy is ranked the 11th biggest online retailer in the North America (Best Buy, par. 1). The revenue of the company in 2012 was $50.70 billion (Yahoo! Inc., par. 3). Its net income for the same year was $1.231 billion (Yahoo! Inc., par. 26). The company is currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the SP 500 stock market index. The total assets and equity of the company in 2012 were valued at $16.005 billion and $3.745 billion respectively. Best Buy’s business process in general Best Buy as mentioned above is a retailing company, as such its business process is centred on eight key areas. The first area, which is supply chain management, ensures that customers receive merchandise at the right time and in the proper condition. The second area is warehouse management, which ensures that the company’s inventory is proper ly controlled and managed. The third area, order processing, ensures that orders made by customers are properly serviced. The fourth area is business intelligence, which ensures that the company uses existing raw data to improve its operations and service delivery. The fifth area, performance management, ensures that the company is achieving its short-, mid- and long-term goals in a cost and time efficient manner.Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The sixth area is customer relationship management, which ensures that the company’s interaction with its current and future customers is modelled in such a way that it is in synchrony with sales, marketing, technical support as well as customer service. The seventh area, business process automation, ensures that the company’s expenditure and operational costs are reduced through automation of certain manual tasks. The eighth key area is brand management, which ensures that there is brand awareness and recognition for its brand. Map of business process The map of Best Buy’s general business process is shown in figure 1 in Appendix A. The map is prepared using radial circles. Involvement of information system in the business process An information system (IS) is â€Å"a set of interrelated components that collect (or retrieve), process, store, and distribute information to support decision making and control in an organization† (â€Å"Andragogy: Information Systems: Definitions and Components † 24). The involvement of information systems in Best Buy’s business process is for two main reasons. The first is to integrate information technology into the process as a means towards reducing operational costs, maximizing sales, and gaining a competitive advantage (Windnagle). The second reason is to encourage innovation, which facilitates the invention of better ways of do ing the tasks, incorporated in the business process (Windnagle). How could information system improve the business process One way in which information systems can improve Best Buy’s business process is by means of decentralization. Decentralization frees up resources and creates time for departmental managers. As such, it facilitates them to take on more strategic level activities. Consequently, the strategic goals of the company have a better chance of being achieved in a time and cost efficient manner. For a given information need, information systems provide in high speed the best available information. In this way, Best Buy’s business process benefits from better and faster decision-making.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Information systems in Best Buy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For instance, a member of staff can provide the best response to a customer’s query without an un necessary delay. As such, many queries can be handled satisfactorily. Better decision making, therefore, leads to the customer satisfaction, increased sales, and reduced operational costs. Information systems can improve Best Buy’s business process by providing better security of the information that customers entrust with Best Buy. Poor information security and age can ultimately lead to heavy lawsuits, which have the potential to bankrupt the company even, such a big enterprise as Best Buy. Therefore, better information security is a vital component in improving Best Buy’s business process. Identify a suggestion for improvement One of the major problems Best Buy is facing is an unfriendly customer service in some of its stores (Loeb, par. 8). Though this problem can be solved through better employee ethics, information systems can also play a significant role. Managing customer relationships through information systems can help Best Buy model its interaction with its existing and future customers in such a way that, the interaction is in line with the customer service as well as technical support. This means that there is a working relation between staff, resources, and customers, allowing Best Buy to attend to customers’ queries on time, fully and satisfactorily. Therefore, information systems dedicated to customer relationship management is only one way in which the company can improve its business process. Summary Since information systems have the ability to provide quick access to information and to present it in a user-friendly way, they are a vital component for improving Best Buy’s business process, which involves eight key management areas. Quick access to information and its presentation in a way which is easy to understand as is done by information systems, facilitates better decision-making, time and cost efficiency, being essential ingredients of any business success. If Best Buy is to maintain or improve its rankings , then its strategic management has to consider exploiting the full potential of information systems.Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Works Cited Andragogy: Information Systems: Definitions and Components 2012. PDF file. 2013. Web. Best Buy. 2013. About Best Buy. Web. Loeb, Walter. Best Buy in turmoil: Will it survive?  2012. Web. Windnagle C. Re: How information systems impact processes.  2012. Web. Yahoo! Inc. 2013. Income statement.  Web. Appendix Fig 1: The map of the business process of Best Buy This assessment on Information systems in Best Buy was written and submitted by user Sadie Glover to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Radford University Admissions and Acceptance Rate

Radford University Admissions and Acceptance Rate Radford University is a largely accessible school. Over 80 percent of applicants were admitted in 2016. Along with an application, students will need to send their official high school transcripts. Since the school is test-optional, applicants are not required to submit scores from the SAT or ACT, although they can submit them if they choose to. For complete information about applying, including important dates and deadlines, be sure to visit Radfords website, or contact a member of the admissions team. Campus visits are not required  but are encouraged for all interested applicants. Will you get in? Calculate your chances of getting in with this free tool from Cappex. Admissions Data (2016) Radford University Acceptance Rate: 81  percentGPA, SAT and ACT Graph for Radford AdmissionsWhat SAT numbers meanBig South Conference SAT score comparisonWhat ACT numbers meanBig South Conference ACT score comparison Radford University Description Established in 1910, Radford University is a public university whose attractive red-brick Georgian-style campus is located in Radford, Virginia, a town situated southwest of Roanoke along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Students come from 41 states and 50 countries. Radford has an 18 to 1  student / faculty ratio, and the average freshman class size is 30 students. Professional fields such as business, education, communications, and nursing are among the most popular with undergraduates. Radford has an active Greek community with 28 fraternities and sororities. In athletics, the Radford Highlanders compete in the NCAA Division I  Big South Conference. Students compete in 17 varsity sports. Popular choices include tennis, softball, volleyball, basketball, soccer, golf, lacrosse, and cross country. Enrollment (2016) Total Enrollment: 9,401  (8,453 undergraduates)Gender Breakdown: 43  percent male / 57 percent female96 percent full-time Costs (2016-17) Tuition and Fees: $10,081 (in-state); $22,162 (out-of-state)Books: $1,200 (why so much?)Room and Board: $8,405Other Expenses: $2,900Total Cost: $22,586 (in-state); $34,667 Radford University Financial Aid (2015-16) Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 79  percentPercentage of New Students Receiving Types of AidGrants: 47 percentLoans: 68 percentAverage Amount of AidGrants: $8,304Loans: $7,587 Academic Programs Most Popular Majors:  Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Interdisciplinary Studies, Journalism, Nursing, Physical Education Teaching, Psychology What major is right for you?  Sign up to take the free My Careers and Majors Quiz at Cappex. Retention and Graduation Rates First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 74  percentTransfer-out Rate: 34 percent4-Year Graduation Rate: 43 percent6-Year Graduation Rate: 58  percent Intercollegiate Athletic Programs: Mens Sports:  Golf, Tennis, Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, Cross CountryWomens Sports:  Tennis, Softball, Volleyball, Basketball, Lacrosse, Soccer, Golf If You Like Radford University, You May Also Like These Schools: James Madison University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphBridgewater College: Profile  University of Virginia: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphRoanoke College: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphShenandoah University: Profile  College of William Mary: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphLiberty University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphMarymount University: Profile  University of Mary Washington: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphOld Dominion University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT GraphFerrum College: Profile  West Virginia University: Profile | GPA-SAT-ACT Graph Data Source: Provided by the National Center for Educational Statistics

Social Research & Think Tank Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Social Research & Think Tank - Essay Example any organizations cooperate in a network to accomplish the development of projects whose objectives fostering social research in order to improve the efficiency of a diverse range of organizations. The Work Foundation is a non-profit organization that brings the different perspectives of working organizations together to find the best way of improving both economic performance and quality of life (Theworkfoundation, 2008). Think Tanks take advantage of the services provided by The Work Foundation to provide them with networking capabilities in different locations around the world. The purpose of the Institute and Policy Research is to establish international and domestic policies for different aspects of societal issues such as women’s right, protection for the disabled and national policies to fight world hunger. The establishment of policies is important since they provide guidelines to establish ways to solve social problems. A third important organization that can help the work perform by a social researcher in Think Tank is the Freedom Foundation. The primary goal of the Freedom Foundation is to solve three particular social problems: alcoholism, drug addiction and the fight against AIDS (Thefreedomfoundation, 2008). An aspiring to become a social researcher or somebody already in the game must understand that social research can extend to different social dimension in order to find the root of the problem. Cooperation is essential in social research since the investigator needs the assistance of other entities in order to obtain the data and information needed to create a qualitative or quantitative model to effectively attack a particular social dilemma. The Think Tank operations around the world can become more effective if its networking capabilities are expand by utilizing social research to establish the key alliances needed to obtain greater sources of databases with key social information that can be used to further investigated social areas in

Chinese History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Chinese History - Essay Example Moreover, there was a system of training administration officials which was an innovative approach towards ensuring that the affairs of the state could be managed in an efficient and effective manner. The establishment of a bureaucracy helped to ensure the administration process in an effectual manner (Ebrey, 67). Confucianism was adopted as the major system for running the affairs of the state. Confucian system advocated the belief that each individual must obey the family and have devotion towards the rulers. This helped to instill a sense of discipline among the officials. The top officials of the dynasty were living in the capital where they provided valuable counsel to the emperor. The lower officials would be responsible for maintaining roads and canals. They were also entrusted with the duty of maintaining the process of storing grain. The emperors introduced a system of meritocracy where officials were chosen by their competency and ability. A rigorous test was needed so that they could become officials of the state (Ebrey, 67). Civil servants were evaluated after three years for their performance. Therefore punishment and reward were used in combination with other measures to ensure that officials could perform their duties. The Han dynasty was created when Liu Bang won a civil conflict against Xiang Yu. His model of governance was based upon reducing taxes and creating a centralized state. The harsh punishments were reduced in order win the loyalty of the people. The centralized state was a unique innovation as compared with the nomadic lifestyle of Chinese in previous years. This is because of the fact that the provincial officials had to report to the central government. This made them accountable and transparent which led to sound outcomes (Ebrey, 67). A basic local government was formed in different counties which led to efficiency. Han Wu Ti was the greatest ruler of the Han dynasty. He presided over military expansion while enhancing Chinese col onies as well as increasing influence over Central Asia. The creation of the Silk Road helped to increase the trade and prosperity of the empire. The system of governance that was in place helped the empire to provide more freedom to the people. Social mobility and freedom helped prevent rebellions and insurrections against the government (Ebrey, 67). The Han dynasty led China into an unprecedented era of economic expansion, military achievements, scientific discoveries, and powerful stability. The dynasty was able to achieve this through the development of a powerful centralized state. It was able to focus on ruling the empire in a centralized manner so that it could prevent disorder and anarchy within the empire. This was a significant achievement for the empire. B1 A Confucian system focused on the notion of community rights where each individual would be able to contribute towards its progress. A number of advantages existed for this system such as the fact that an individual wo uld contribute towards the development of society with an emphasis on duty and responsibility. Knowledge and spiritual growth would flourish in such a system while the emphasis would be on meritocracy so that an individual would gain social standing and status based upon their personal actions. Moreover, it encourages respect and kindness as a virtue that can create a humane society. The disadvantages of such a system are that it encouraged the development of a hierarchy which would lead to unfairness (Sinaiko, 91). Confucian system focused on family which had a negative aspect also such as the fact that it led to fights and conflicts in which the entire family was involved if a single member had been hurt or wronged. The system also encourages the subordination of females who must remain obedient to

Multinational Business in Japan and South East Asia Term Paper

Multinational Business in Japan and South East Asia - Term Paper Example Japanese economic growth following the American occupation wars remarkable for its magnitude, speed, and downright relentlessness. Between 1957 and 1984, Japan's gross national product increased from $3.08 billion to $1.261 billion, a 42-fold jump. Moreover, Japan's economy grew at an annual rate of 9 percent per year during the high-growth years of the 1960s. How was this economic miracle achieved? Japan has employed a version of "developmental capitalism" that allows for a much greater government role in promoting Japan's international competitiveness than is typical in Anglo-American liberal capitalism. Japanese business and government leaders started to develop and implement policies aimed at promoting national economic growth following the end of the U.S occupation of Japan in 1952. The government has positively influenced economic growth through wise macroeconomic policies. Business in Japan has maintained very close relations with the bureaucracy and politician.  Japan's gro ss national savings at its zenith reached nearly 40 percent in the post-war period. Between 1960 and 1980, the Japanese saved around 20 percent of their disposable personal income. The high level of savings of households provided banks and other financial institution with ample funds for heavy investment in the private sector. Japan has invested heavily in developing an effective education and training system. Companies are responsible for providing technical training to the persons they hire.  Japan's economic success can be explained by largely the Cold War and the relationship between the United States and Japan that it produced. The cold war rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union led the United States to shelter Japan from the vagaries of international politics, permitting the Japanese to focus their attention and resource on achieving economic growth. Advocates of "free rider" in which the U.S-Japan relationship has supported Japanese economic growth. The Unit ed States provided cheap technology transfer to Japan following World War II and promoted the Japanese economic build-up through its international trade policy. From an economic standpoint, the contrast between the 1990s and the cold war years can be seen by looking at Japan's real economic growth rate. In 1992, Japan's economy entered a period of stagnation with economic growth rates much below the previous average. In retrospect, it is clear that the Japanese economy became dominated by a financial bubble in the 1980s and early 1990s. In May 1989, the government tightened its monetary policies to suppress the rise in the value of assets such as land. By the end of 1990, the Tokyo stock market had fallen 38%, wiping out 300 trillion yen (the US $ 2.07 trillion) in value, and land prices dropped steeply from their speculative peak. This plunge into recession is known as the "bubble economy". The post-bubble recession continued through the second half of the 1990s.  

An Overview of Surgery

An Overview of Surgery Surgery Overseas Surgery is an antique medical specialty, which uses operative labor-intensive and influential procedures on a patient to look into and treat a pathological state such as injuries or diseases. Surgery is an expertise consisting of a corporal intervention on muscle, and tissues. A surgery helps in improving bodily function and appearance and also to repair unnecessary ruptured areas for instance a perforated ear drum. A surgical procedure is an act of performing a surgery. Human beings and animals are subjects or patients on which a surgery is performed. A person who practices surgery is known as a surgeon. People described as surgeons are usually podiatrists, veterinarians, dentists (usually referred to as maxillofacial and oral surgeons) and physicians. A surgical team consists of a surgeon’s assistant or a surgical assistant, a circulating nurse, a surgeon, a surgical technologist and anesthesia provider. A surgery process spans minutes to hours. However, it’s naturall y not a continuing or cyclic treatment or type. A surgical process that can be programmed in advance because it doesn’t include a medical emergency is known as elective surgery. Some of the common elective surgeries or procedures include plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery. As a universal rule, a process is well thought to be surgical when it includes closure of a formerly sustained wound or cutting of patient’s tissues. . Nations such as Argentina and South Africa present the same high standards of surgery as hospitals back in the United States, although with important differences in price- charge savings can be enormous, the surrounding can be more comfortable and there’s also less arguing with the insurance company to cover up the costs of surgery. Procedures such as endoscopy or angioplasty may be deemed as an operation if they include common surgical settings or procedure. These procedures include anesthesia, use of sterile environment, typical surgical instruments, suturing or stapling and antiseptic conditions (Bhatia 21). There are many types of surgeries. Surgical processes are normally characterized by procedural types like invasiveness degree, unique instrumentation and urgency; Principle Based:The type of surgery that is exploratoryis usually performed for confirming or aiding diagnosis. Previously diagnosed condition is treated by a therapeutic surgical treatment. Through organ of body: The performance of s surgery on the organ of structural systems, this could be cashed out involving the system’s organ and the involvement of tissue of the organ. For instance; surgery through gastrointestinal (which is done within the region of digestive and the organs that are accessory), surgery of orthopedics (which is conducted on bones and muscles) and cardiac surgery (which is performed on the heart) Through invasiveness scale:modestly surgery that is invasive includes external little incisions that are to be included in the objects that are miniaturized inside the structure of the body and cavity, like laparoscopic or surgery angioplasty. By differentiating to that, a laparotomy or process that is open surgicalneeds a great incision for the area of interest to access (Bhatia 9). Through procedure type: amputationincludes cutting off body parts, usually a digit or limb; castration is also an instance.Resectionis the elimination of part of or all internal organs or body parts.Replantation includes reattaching the severed parts of the body.Reconstructive surgical treatmentinvolves restoration of a deformed, mutilated or injured or body area.A surgerywhich is Cosmetic always is initiated to advance a usual and otherwise structure. Deletion comprises of the cutting out or removal mainly of an organ, tissue or the other patient’s body parts. A surgery of Transplantation comprises of the body organs substitution with that of different inclusion from other dissimilar being i.e. of human (other living things also) within the patient. It also includes the removal of animals or human beings body organs to conduct a kind of surgery that utilizes organ transplantation (Sullivan 10). Through timing basis:The surgery named ‘elective’is done to repair the situations of a threatening i.e. non-life, and is conducted by the consent and patient’s appeal to the doctors matter of subject and facilities of surgical availability.Another surgery named ‘Emergency’ is a type of operation, which must be implemented without delay to, limb, lifesaving and capacity functionality. Apartially surgery i.e. electiveis the only type that must be conducted to evade death and disability that can be permanent. This type of surgery, for a little time, can be postponed. By using equipment and tools: The surgeryinvolving the use of lasersis known as Laser surgery. Laser can be used for the cutting of tissue as a scalpel substitute or instruments of surgery related to it. The surgery by the name of ‘Microscopic’ involves utilization of microscope i.e. functional for the basic partitioning. This functional microscope is used to see structures that are very tiny. The surgerynamely ‘Robotic’ utilizes a robot for surgery such as the surgical system ‘Zeus’ in which the devices are governed under the surgeon’s sway (Aston, Douglas and Jennifer 12). Modern surgery is always completed in an operating theater. It is done using an operating table, surgical instruments for patients and other equipments at the hospital. The theory of aseptic technique governs the procedures and environment used in surgeries. The aseptic technique includes the strict severance of sterile (which is free of microorganisms) instruments from contaminated or unsterile instruments (Klingensmith, 6). This means that there is average-quality proof that usage of many gloves layers compared to only a single gloving during a surgery process reduces blood stains and perforations on the skin, representing a decline in percutaneous spotlight incidents (Earle 45). The surgery process is always long. The process includes; an opening is made in order for accessing the spot surgically. The vessels of Blood are perhaps being clamped or cauterized for the prevention of bleeding. The usage of retractors helps to keep incision open and to expose site. Due to advancement in the spot surgically can include a number of abdominal surgery incisions and dissection layers (Norton 67). To skin traverse, incision is used within muscles three layers, peritoneum and from that the subcutaneous tissue. Considering sure instances, bones are further amputated always to contact further the bodies inside portion; for instance sternum cutting for surgery of to unlock up rib cage or cutting the cranium for brain surgery. While in surgery safety and health are used to prevent further distribution of the diseases and also prevent infection. Using a head hat, the surgeon is able to remove hair from the eyes and hair. In order to prevent germs from getting into operated bo dy, wrists, forearms and hands are always washed thoroughly. Gloves are always placed onto the hands. To stop any contamination, a PVC apron is always worn. On the situated region of the sick person’s body, a yellow substance- normally an antiseptic iodine result is coated lightly. This stops diseases and germs infecting regions of the body performed on (Jarrell 23). . The surgery work may well involve: Excision – cutting out a tumor, organ, or other tissue. Ligation– tying off blood tubes, vessels, or ducts. Resection– fractional elimination of any organ or other physical structure. Realignment reduction – It is the body’s components movement or the realignment for bringing it back to its original shape. For instance, broken nose diminution includes the manipulation of body cartilage and from their shape displacement of the bone restoring to inventive position of it to normally repair airflow and aesthetics; Tissues, organs reconnection etc. predominantly detached if. Organs and tissues reconnection like reconnection of intestine inclusively. Stapling internally and may be suturing applied. Correlation surgically between various vessels of blood or tubular or void components for example, an intestine loop is referred to asanastomosis. Prostheticinsertion sections required when. Screws and pins used for holding and bones may be used to set. Bone parts may well be reinstated involving the various body parts or shaft prosthetic. The insertion of plate sometimes used for the replacement of the spoiled skull part. Hipnon-natural substitution universally has become common. Heart or valves pace makersperhaps may be included. Different other types of prostheses are most of the times considered. Grafts–Tissue scratch pieces may perhaps be detached involving the different or the same flaps or still tissue of body partially attached risen to a body but for restructuring or rearranging of the site of query of the body. Even though in surgery of cosmetics grafting is used time and again. It well may be gotten from single site sick persons of the body to place it within the body of another. The example issurgery of bypass. It is the surgery where a vessel of blood that is closed and implant bypasses tubes from other body parts. On the other hand, grafts may well be from other animals, persons or cadavers. Stoma construction, opening of a permanent or a half body stable opening The surgery of transfer, the organ contributor (fetched out from the body of the giver) is transferred into the body of the receiver and reassigned to the receiver in all essential ways (ducts, vessels of blood). Arthrodesis– it is a bones adjoining surgical relationship so that the bones can be able to grow collectively into lone.Fusion Spinalis an example of vertebrae adjoiningjoined which allows joining with a single part to grow. Digestive regionmodificationinsurgerybariatric forweight reduction of ahernia refurbishment,prolapsed or fistula Various other treatments include: clearance of blood, ducts clogged or different vessels subtraction of (stones) calculi removal of fluids accumulated damaged, diseased or tissue (dead) by debridement- removal Sex change operations Sometimes surgery is conducted to conjoined twins split Blood or expanders of blood are linked administratively to blood reimburse loss all through the process of surgery. When the action course is completestaples or suturesare used to cease openings. Once the cut is clogged, the agents of anesthetic are reversed and closed, and the patients are discharged for extubation and aeration (if it was administered anesthesia commonly). In the United States, the enlightenment era that starts from the (1680 circa to 1800) is the age of life of the Westerns wars. In this era, the thinkers and writers reject precedent superstitions. Apart from that the writers and thinkers chose to put emphasis on the scientific, cultural life and the intellectual that rolls in the 18th century center. For this the main reason of the legitimacy and authority is the main source of ad vocation. The enlightenment philosophers have envisioned a scientific sense. As the U.S constitution reflects itself the encouragement and desire for the innovation of science and scientific creations. Thus, the U.S has the power and support of Congress that helps develop full art of science by safely securing for limited to inventors and writers the rights exclusive related to their discoveries and writings. This has influencedAmerica to have the most advanced technology on medicine (biology). The expenses of Healthcare in the United States have climbed up gradually. Majority of Americans have preferred to travel overseas for elective processes or have at least considered going overseas as a possibility. In relation to the Times New York book, regarding the citizen of U.S who journeyed Belgian to undergo a hip replacement due to the lack of U.S insurers to cover this claim, this has influenced hundreds of America’s citizens to consider the same path. Earle (1983) tells that, â€Å"In 2007, Shopenn’s Michael surgery cost amount of U.S dollars closes to $100,000. Actually the cost came around to be $ 13,700 including all the fares, fees, medicine and hospital cost. This hospital was in Belgium, Tourhout.’’ Governments abroad regulate fees of medicine, despite the fact that majority of hospital and offices of doctors are managed privately. Some few days past living days, Americans are most agreeable more than willing to travel abroad since they ap preciate the quality found there, whereas several years ago they did not have that opinion. This is supported by the medical tourist association, which is the industry in the United States that facilitates and supports such travel (Hardin and Roberta 34). The increasing amount of American medical tourists and the United States citizens tend to be individuals who don’t have insurance or people whose insurance doesn’t adequately cover the process they need. Their target time and again depends on their literary ties. For instance, Spanish speaking patients and citizens might support Latin America. Ten years ago, many Americans who travelled overseas for less prices concern went to nations like Thailand, Mexico and over the boundary to India. A number of patients are now to Europe travelling, where better care at great hospitals often costs a portion of what is paid in the United States. This is made easy by the private facilitators. The private facilitators help in making arrangements, pairing doctors with patients and hospitals and organizing travel plans (Schumpelick 21). In the most recent years, hospitals and their respective governments in Europe have joined the field and are currently promoting their services. This idea is applied so as to make it simpler for citizens and patients from abroad- whether from Russia, Africa, North America or Middle East to view Europe as a solution due to its reasonable prices and high quality. Thompson 2012 says that â€Å"The East Coast people head from the coast of east to Europe, whereas the coast of west people travels to Asia like Thailand and Korea. There numbers are growing and they go there for the treatment as the U.S healthcare costs are exorbitant. The main factor to drive this is common background and quality.† A consortium of health care providers and hospitals in Europe is considering setting up a plan to magnetize and care for foreign patients. Surgery costs are about one fifth as much in Europe as in the United States. The doctors and the patients agree on a price and must sign an agreement be fore surgery according to the law. Hospitals and clinics in Europe offer an evident advantage for Americans (Thompson 21). Several programs are in line to minimize the cost of surgeries in the United States. This should be considered by the victims who are willing to travel to Europe for surgery process. With a massive increase in demand for mutual replacements as baby boomers period, holding down costs is significant to hospitals as well as patients. But before the readers start booking tickets to overseas, they ought to know that numerous programs are in line to lower the price of joint substitution surgery in the United States. With a huge boost in demand for joint substitution as baby boomers age, holding along costs is vital to hospitals as well as patients. A study by Norton, in the article of basic science and clinical evidence that was published in 2008 found that the programs were two-pronged success: a number of patients if not all choose hospitals that meet their prices. More significant, many hospitals decide to reduce their prices so that patients would be more than likely to choose them. Th e program in the United States includes services like BidMedi that allows lower cost medical care online for patients shopping, whether same or in different country. Surgery is a technology comprising of a physical involvement on muscles and tissues. As a common rule, a procedure is well thought-out as surgical when it involves closing of a formerly continued wound or cutting of patient’s tissues. Whether the surgery that one requires is an urgent medical process such as a gastric bypass or a hip replacement; cosmetic surgery like rhino-plastic or breast implants, there is always a definite advantage and benefit to looking towards surgery overseas. Surgery abroad is made easy by the private facilitators. Works Cited Aston, Sherrell J, Douglas S. Steinbrech, and Jennifer L. Walden.Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier, 2009. Print. Bhatia, Shivani.The Surgery Book: For Kids. Bloomington: AuthorHouse, 2010. Print. Earle, A S.Surgery in America: From the Colonial Era to the 20th Century. New York u.a: Praeger, 1983. Print. Hardin, Sonya R, and Roberta Kaplow.Cardiac Surgery Essentials for Critical Care Nursing. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2010. Print. Jarrell, Bruce E.Nms Surgery Casebook. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams Wilkins, 2003. Print. Norton, Jeffrey A.Surgery: Basic Science and Clinical Evidence. New York, NY: Springer, 2008. Print. Klingensmith, Mary E.The Washington Manual of Surgery. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams Wilkins, 2007. Print. Schumpelick, Volker.Atlas of General Surgery. Stuttgart: Thieme, 2009. Print. Sullivan, Deborah A.Cosmetic Surgery: The Cutting Edge of Commercial Medicine in America. New Brunswick [u.a.: Rutgers University Press, 2001. Print. Thompson, Lana.Plastic Surgery. Santa Barbara, Calif: Greenwood, 2001. Print.

His Fathers Pain :: Personal Narrative Essay Example

His Father's Pain All his life Peter had carried the pain about with him. Sometimes intense. sometimes no more than a dull ache. Sometimes for months at a time he was hardly aware of it, but it was always there. He knew that. It had a precise location, always the same, a spot below the ribs, an inch inside, four fingers from the point where his lower ribs met. He could put his fingers in there, feel it. All his life be had been aware of it. He had taken the pain to doctors. They had poked and probed at various intervals. Once they had diagnosed ulcers. They had prescribed milky medications, which had relieved it only for the moment. Then it came back. Sometimes it was so intense he feared it could be cancer, a burning growth expanding inside him. Sometimes he was afraid of dying. It was like a death inside him, so intense, so obdurate. And sometimes the pain would lie low, more of a shadow than a pain, a dis-ease lurking quietly in the rib cage. The pain was with him thirty years, the length of his adult life. Until he found its healer. At first he did not know this would be the healer of the pain. For many weeks, they talked. They talked about the fears, the insecurities, the longings, and the needs. They talked about the rage he had carried with him all his life. They talked about his weakness and his strength. Some of these things he knew, some he didn't. Some of these things they enacted. Always there was the empty chair, his partner, his antagonist. Whoever came to mind was invited there, to sit in it: his wife, his father, his anger, his fear. Whoever came to mind, whoever was necessary to the occasion, whoever needed to be addressed, whoever needed to bc heard from - there was always someone. They came unbidden from wherever it was they lived, from dark, hidden parts of him, from unexamined corners of his body: the awkward tilt of the head, the crick in the back, the back, the avoided gaze. There was always someone. It was weeks, months even, before the healer touched him. When the trust was there. Once the defenses had begun to fall. When the body was ready with its invitation. The first time, the healer went only where he was invited, his fingers probing the depth to which the pain was tolerable.

In what ways are Gatsby and George Wilson similar or dissimilar, to whom is Nick more sympathetic towards? Essay

In what ways are Gatsby and George Wilson similar or dissimilar, to whom is Nick more sympathetic towards? Fitzgerald purposefully contrasts his characters throughout the novel, in order to compare contrasting worlds that were present in American society. Although there are some clear differences between Gatsby and George, there are also superficial similarities between them that each man has to experience and put up with. Drawing upon the more apparent differences between these two characters, it is evident that they have differing wealth. Gatsby is depicted as being rich through the means of the ‘Hotel de Ville’ or ‘mansion'(11) that he owns, and also by the way he holds lavish parties where ‘champagne was served in glasses bigger than finger-bowls'(48). Considering that Gatsby lives in West Egg not only reveals the true extent of his wealth, but additionally it shows that he is ‘noveau riche’ rather than ‘old’ rich like those who inhabit East Egg. Gatsby has only recently acquired his wealth after migrating from the Midwest whilst following the ‘New’ American Dream. The original dream consisted of any American citizen having the right to pursue their goals and dreams through hard work and free choice. It was the opportunity to make individual choices without the underlying restrictions of class, caste, religion, race, or ethnic group, that once overshadowed people. Often, people followed the common saying, ‘Go West young man!’ where the land was uninhabited and extremely fertile. In the case of the ‘New’ dream, it was simply how the dream had become interpreted by the 1920s. It was a distortion from the original dream to the idea of ‘Get rich quick’. Being of ‘New’ wealth, Gatsby tries to flaunt his wealth about. When Nick asks Gatsby whether he is going to go home that night following the vehicular manslaughter of Myrtle by Daisy, Nick describes Gatsby in chapter eight, as wearing a ‘pink rag of a suit'(147).This description suggests how Gatsby wears these expensive, gaudy and colourful items of clothing in order to display his wealth ostentatiously. The idea behind this pretentious displayal of the opulence that he has acquired, may be a method used by Gatsby in order to stand out from the crowd and to break away from periphery and into East Egg high society. This is a means to an end that he requires so that he can get even closer to retrieving Daisy and thus accomplishing his distorted version of the American Dream. In comparison, George lives in the rubbish tip that is the ‘Valley of the Ashes’. All that ‘grows’ on it is dead and the words ‘Ash’ and ‘grey’ that Fitzgerald uses to describe it with in chapter two, not only emphasise the literally dull and unfulfilling nature of the landscape here, but also the dull and unfulfilling lives of those like George Wilson who inhabit this valley. In chapter two it becomes apparent how little respect George’s wife has for her husband, when she says ‘He burrowed somebody’s best suit to get married in.’ This shows how poor he is because he cannot even afford a wedding suit of his own to get married in. In comparison to Gatsby, he has little material wealth. Gatsby appears to have originated from a poor background in the West which is similar to George’s background. However, the effects of this poor background influence both men differently. Originating in the West, rural North Dakota, he followed the ‘New’ American Dream in order to ‘Get rich quick’ and this pushed him towards organized crime, such as bootlegging. During the 1920s, there was a prohibition which imposed the law that alcohol was to be banned. Gangsters like Gatsby, were able to make a fortune out of this time through the illegal distribution of alcohol and trading in stolen securities. This was all a means though of achieving his distorted version of the American Dream, which was to retrieve Daisy. Importantly, he does not abide by the ‘protestant work ethic’ which states that a man should work hard and earn a comfortable living by which he and his family can live a peaceful, enjoyable life off. He also participated in a bit of bond fraud on the side as Fitzgerald notifies the reader in chapter nine (158). A strange caller says to Nick (thinking him Gatsby), ‘Young Parke’s in trouble. They picked him up when he handed the bonds over the counter.’ The way he commits himself to such illegalities is irresponsible on his behalf and it reveals how the American Dream has become revolved around money. Human greediness to obtain money, have corrupted the dream that once was so much more innocent. Comparatively, George does not involve himself in such a tainted world and instead follows a morally acceptable path in life by owning a legal garage. To some extent though, Fitzgerald uses this character to emphasise how such a traditional stance like the one George takes up (where one follows the ‘Protestant work ethic’), is unable to survive in such a morally decayed world that was the Jazz Age. Fitzgerald describes him in chapter two, as ‘mingling immediately with the cement colour of the walls’ of his garage. In some way it shows how the years he has been following this legitimate path, have caused him to effectively fade away into the dull environment that he inhabits. Kathleen Parkinson described Gatsby as ‘a mysterious and ambivalent figure’. This is a true interpretation of Gatsby in the sense that, unlike George, there is a build up prior to his introduction into the novel. At Gatsby’s first party in chapter three, various rumours of Gatsby’s past circulate the party. One guest exclaims that Gatsby is a ‘nephew of Kaiser Wilhelm’ and others go on to say how they heard that he had ‘killed a man’ or ‘been a German spy’ or ‘been in the American army.’ All this mystery serves to stimulate Nick’s curiosity, which possibly leads to his more lenient and sympathetic stance when it comes to Gatsby. It also creates a sense of suspense in the reader that heightened Gatsby’s entrance into the novel. Rumour plays an integral role in the novel as Fitzgerald uses it to provide the reader with the option of deciding whether or not they believe it and this technique evo kes more interest in certain characters like Gatsby. Evidently, Gatsby embodies the idea of the American Dream as is suggested in chapter three where Nick reports on how Gatsby would look across the golf at ‘that green light’ every night. This ‘green light’ would have symbolised various things for Gatsby. It would have been a symbol of generally the American Dream, but also more specifically for Gatsby, the prospect of the ‘green’ colour of money and achieving Daisy. Gatsby appears to have achieved the American Dream to some extent as he has risen from an impoverished child to a young man with great material wealth. He is the main dreamer in the novel; however, it appears that he is following two dreams. His initial dream becomes apparent in chapter nine where Gatsby’s father talks of Gatsby’s ‘SCHEDULE’ that he wrote when he was seventeen. In the ‘GENERAL RESOLVES’ (164) Gatsby wrote ‘Read one improving book or magazine per week’ which reveals straightaway how his dream of becoming rich and fitting into the world of high society, originates from when he was a teenager. Additionally, it uncovers the immaturity of Gatsby and his dream, as he has never allowed his dream to develop and grow up like he has. His other dream was a distorted version of the American dream, (which in some way used the wealth he had gained from achieving the American Dream), which was to retrieve his childhood love – Daisy. This dream was established in the past, and therefore fixates on the past. Gatsby’s naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve personality and his ruthlessness to achieve this dream ignore what Daisy has become and he appears to pursue the ‘old’ Daisy which remains vividly in his dreams. The way in which Gatsby was driven by his undying love for a woman is a reflection of Fitzgerald’s own life and dreams too. He too joined the army (1917) and eventually fell in love with a seventeen year old girl called ‘Zelda Sayre’. Zelda finally agreed to marry him, but her overpowering desire for wealth, fun, and leisure led her to delay their wedding until he could prove a success. Their relationship appears to be like Gatsby and Daisy’s. The following quote reveals the point in the novel at which all of Daisy’s charm and beauty is stripped away, leaving nothing but money to be admired underneath: ‘That was it. I’d never understood before. It was full of money- that was the inexhaustible charm that rose and fell in it, the jingle of it, the cymbals’ song of it.’ (Chapter seven) Gatsby realizes late into the novel, how his dream has been ripped apart into dollar bills as he discovers that for years he has been in pursuit of not love, but cold, harsh money which is hidden behind the disguise of a human face. Following the death of Gatsby and the suicide of George, it becomes apparent that Fitzgerald is using the deaths of a rich man and a poor man who both set out to achieve their unattainable goals, to symbolise the death of the original dream on which America was founded. With consideration given to George, he too shares the American Dream with Gatsby; however he seems to be pursuing the ‘old’ American Dream and not the ‘New’ one like Gatsby. George reveals his dream in chapter seven, where he says: I’ve been here too long. I want to get away. My wife and I want to go West. She’s been talking about it for ten years.’ Clearly his dream is the opposite of Gatsby’s. He wants to migrate West like the original settlers and wants to follow the idea to ‘Go West young man!’ This idea was commonly followed by many families who would migrate out to the West and set up a basis to gather wealth. This is the case for the characters, Tom and Daisy, whose families formed their wealth out in the West through hard labour, so that their children could have better lives than they did. Undoubtedly, George wants his share of this; however, the way in which he says that his wife has ‘been talking about it for ten years’ is possibly a suggestion that it is more her dream than his and that he has been bullied into dreaming of it by her domineering nature. Whatever the case, he almost definitely dreams of a more comfortable life than what he already suffers. Gatsby and George are similar in the ways they both resort to deception in order to attain their originally unattainable dreams. They both resort to this in their relationships. Gatsby is found to do this in chapters four and five. When Nick is informed of the history between Gatsby and Daisy, by Jordan, it appears that she believed him to have wealthy roots when he did not. In chapter five he tells Daisy how ‘it only took him three years to earn the money that bought’ his mansion. He initially created the false perception of himself that fooled Daisy into false hope. Daisy probably saw in Gatsby a future of material possessions and comfort, which she adored. But he did not have this and when he comes round to having this in the latter, he lies about how he came to earn the money. He shields her from his true identity as a criminal, so that once again he can relight the false perception she had of him. George follows suit and lies to Myrtle early on in their relationship. When Myrtle reveals her hatred towards her husband in chapter two, she says ‘I married him because I thought he was a gentleman. I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn’t fit to lick my shoe.’ As it appears through the use of the word ‘gentleman’, Myrtle wanted to marry someone of higher social status and of wealth, and George apparently gave her the false hope of this. He creates a false persona that fools her into thinking that her dream is coming true. In some way, the relationship between George and his wife is possibly what may have occurred in the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy, if they had run away together in their youth. There is a mirror image or reflection between Gatsby’s relationship and George’s, and Fitzgerald parallels the consequences of both. Comparing both men, they both seem to be solitary figures who are overly involved in their work. For instance, when looking at Gatsby he is clearly a type of ‘loner’ and this may be down to the fact that he is too set upon retrieving Daisy to have anytime for others. The only circumstance that he has friends is when they are a means to an end with Gatsby, as he only manipulates them to get something out of them. For instance, he befriends Jordan and Nick especially as means of getting closer to Daisy. In chapter four, it is clear that Gatsby has manipulated Jordan into sorting out a meeting between him and Daisy, when she says to Nick: ‘You’re supposed to invite her to tea’ (78). The inclusion of the word ‘supposed’, suggests how Gatsby plans what he wants to get out of people. At Gatsby’s first party ‘the girls swoon back into the men’s encircling arms, but no one swooned backward on Gatsby.’ This example shows how Gatsby never socialised with people unless he required something from them, and as Nick shows in chapter three where he says that he ‘hasn’t even seen the host’ (49), hardly anyone really knows who Gatsby is. Also, he constantly thinks of his work. Even at his parties, he rudely has to excuse himself to take calls from places like ‘Philadelphia’ and ‘Chicago’ which are renowned cities for their corrupt environments where gangsters based themselves. This work is funding his dream in a way, as if he had not been gathering money like this, then he would still be poor and he would not have had the money to buy such been close to Daisy. George similarly is a man of solitude due to his wife and work; he is portrayed as having no real friends. He is a sick failure who is reduced to the status of a ‘ghost’. This ‘ghost-like’ appearance or presence is highlighted in chapter two when Tom and Nick visit George at the garage and his wife Myrtle is said to have ‘smiled slowly and, walking through her husband as if he were a ghost.’ This emphasises the lack of presence and authority he has, as his wife walks through him not noticing or caring that he is standing there. She is far more interested in Tom to care about where her husband is. The way he is referred to as a ‘ghost’ – the disembodied spirit or soul of a deceased person – is a link to not only death but more specifically, the death of the land he lives in. Fitzgerald is therefore linking George to the failure of the ‘Valley of ashes’ and it is noticeable that he never does this sort of thing with Gatsby. Gatsby is never linked to the riches of the land of the Eggs, which in a way shows how he does not fit in with the high society of the Eggs and this crucially establishes his isolation within such an environment. George is similar to Gatsby also, in the sense that he always thinks about his work too. This becomes clear in chapter two where he pesters Tom with the question: ‘When are you going to sell me that car?’ This highlights his desperation to make a sale and also suggests that he feels he has to jump on every customer who enters his garage, due to the lack of business he receives. Further, it shows his solitude as he scarcely has any customers and thus does not have any interactions with other people. Nick as narrator, appears to be far more lenient towards Gatsby. Following the deaths of both men, Nick only makes it his duty to sort out Gatsby’s funeral and does not think of George’s. In addition, when Tom wants Nick to meet his mistress in chapter two, Nick says how he had ‘no desire to meet her.’ This statement suggests how Nick feels he is being disloyal to Daisy. He does not think to consider how George would feel knowing about the affair his wife is having with one of his own acquaintances (Tom). Additionally, Nick seems to overlook Gatsby’s criminal behaviours even though he has been given enough evidence to suggest that Gatsby is a gangster. Fitzgerald’s portrayal of both men differs greatly, so much so that they appear to be direct opposites of one another. Gatsby is rich and has a more fulfilling life than George, who suffers the dullness of living in a dump (Valley of Ashes) and the lack of respect from his wife. The relationship between George and his wife is peculiar and goes against the historical view of a married couple. In the Victorian era, women would have had to stay at home in order to attend to maternal duties, whilst the husband would have had to provide the income. Usually the man had the authority over the woman, and in the case of the Wilson’s, there has been a role reversal. However, these two men are linked superficially by their failure to achieve their unattainable dreams which they had been pursuing throughout life. Considering that Gatsby was originally a working class poor man in previous years, and that he and George both die in honour of their failed dreams, suggests that when a poor man tries to enter into a higher social status like Gatsby, their efforts are rendered useless. Not only does this circumstance reveal the divide in society but additionally it emphasises the moral decay of American society amidst the superficial impressiveness of upper-class profligacy.

Free Essays on What Is Unique About Human Reality

What is Unique About Human Reality? When first confronted with this question I thought that the thing that made human reality unique was that it was always changing. I also stated that reality has the tendency to change based on individual and cultural environments. In this paper I will attempt to further explain my statements by taking a look at how different perspectives and social environments make human reality unique. I will then close by looking at the importance of the symbol and how it helps to create the uniqueness in human reality. Growing up in Philadelphia I always thought that everything around me was the same for everyone throughout Philadelphia. I thought that the reality I shared growing up in Philadelphia was the similar for everyone growing up in Philadelphia. Everyone who lived in my neighborhood basically lived in homes that were all alike on the outside. There was no one of a different race that lived in my area so I was basically surrounded by the same thing. Basically we all shared the same reality. This shared reality revolved around the same part of North Philadelphia in which we all grew up. I never really thought of anything outside of the box. It seemed that stepping out the realm of reality that I was a part of would leave me lost and confused. There were times that I wanted to break out of the environment that I was subjected to but it just seemed to hard to do. The adults in the neighborhood help shape the reality that we all were apart of. The adults put meanings on those thing s that we as youth did not understand. The police were not always there to protect and serve and anyone who was white was only there to keep you down. When growing up your reality is shaped not only by your environment but also by the adults in your life. Labels are put on things all around you and until you are old enough to change the meaning of that label you the individual are sharing the reality of som... Free Essays on What Is Unique About Human Reality Free Essays on What Is Unique About Human Reality What is Unique About Human Reality? When first confronted with this question I thought that the thing that made human reality unique was that it was always changing. I also stated that reality has the tendency to change based on individual and cultural environments. In this paper I will attempt to further explain my statements by taking a look at how different perspectives and social environments make human reality unique. I will then close by looking at the importance of the symbol and how it helps to create the uniqueness in human reality. Growing up in Philadelphia I always thought that everything around me was the same for everyone throughout Philadelphia. I thought that the reality I shared growing up in Philadelphia was the similar for everyone growing up in Philadelphia. Everyone who lived in my neighborhood basically lived in homes that were all alike on the outside. There was no one of a different race that lived in my area so I was basically surrounded by the same thing. Basically we all shared the same reality. This shared reality revolved around the same part of North Philadelphia in which we all grew up. I never really thought of anything outside of the box. It seemed that stepping out the realm of reality that I was a part of would leave me lost and confused. There were times that I wanted to break out of the environment that I was subjected to but it just seemed to hard to do. The adults in the neighborhood help shape the reality that we all were apart of. The adults put meanings on those thing s that we as youth did not understand. The police were not always there to protect and serve and anyone who was white was only there to keep you down. When growing up your reality is shaped not only by your environment but also by the adults in your life. Labels are put on things all around you and until you are old enough to change the meaning of that label you the individual are sharing the reality of som...

Free Essays on An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

along with the hyphen present a clear and discrete image. They describe the beginning of a dream, where everything seems out of place at first, but become very real and clear to the dreamer. Often times in a dream, a person believes themselves to be able to achieve a task they wouldn’t be able to do in their everyday life. â€Å"What splendid effort!-what magnificent, what superhuman strength! Ah, that was a fine endeavor! Bravo!† (1482) Peyton is now under water after falling from the bridge, and struggling to get the ropes off his wrist. He sud... Free Essays on An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge Free Essays on An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge The story, â€Å"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge† by Ambrose Bierce, a man by the name of Peyton Farquhar is hanged for opposing the Northern troops. The story is broken into three chapters or sub-stories. The first chapter sets up the scene of the hanging and its location. The second brings to light Peyton’s personal life and his character. The third and final chapter tells of his escape from the soldiers, which is actually a dream sequence. Bierce gives minute and delicate clues to let the reader understand Peyton is actually dreaming and not escaping. The very first lines of chapter three give numerous clues as to what has actually happen to Peyton. â€Å"As Peyton Farquhar fell straight downward through the bridge he lost consciousness and was as one already dead. From this state he was awakened-ages later, it seemed to him-by the pain of the sharp pressure upon his throat, followed by a sense of suffocation.† (1481) Bierce basically uses the first line to explain that Peyton was now dead, and the reader would believe it. He then purposely throws in a twist with the second line, saying Peyton was now awakened and feeling the pain of the rope suffocating him. From a reader’s perspective, Peyton is actually alive, fighting for his life, but there are two keys words that Bierce uses to hint to the reader that this is actually a dream, â€Å"ages later.† These two words along with the hyphen present a clear and discrete image. They describe the beginning of a dream, where everything seems out of place at first, but become very real and clear to the dreamer. Often times in a dream, a person believes themselves to be able to achieve a task they wouldn’t be able to do in their everyday life. â€Å"What splendid effort!-what magnificent, what superhuman strength! Ah, that was a fine endeavor! Bravo!† (1482) Peyton is now under water after falling from the bridge, and struggling to get the ropes off his wrist. He sud... Free Essays on An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge In "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge†, Ambrose Bierce tells not only of humanity’s will to survive, but also of the willingness to become greater than, and more powerful than that which is natural. The story is about the hanging of a civilian, Peyton Farquhar, because of his attempt to help the Confederate forces. Before Farquhar was hanged, however, his mind takes him through a heroic escape. Bierce does an excellent job of describing the escape in a dream-like fashion. He shows the mind’s ability to escape reality, and to escape the inevitable. The first sighting of Farquhar’s supernatural capabilities came after he closed his eyes to think about his family. ''A short distinct, metabolic percussion like the stroke of a blacksmith’s hammer upon the anvil; They hurt his ears like the thrust of a knife†¦ What he heard was the ticking of his watch.'" (Bierce 571). The mind will enhance the senses before death. It will allow aspects of nature to be highlighted and to appear most significant. As in this case, Farquhar was able to hear a pocket watch tick in his pocket. The sound, he thought, was extremely bothersome and was almost overbearing. Like anyone would do, Farquhar planed his escape at the end of the first section. He thought about freeing his hands, throwing off the noose, and eluding the bullets in order to get home. We can see from Payton Farquhar’s dream that our visions can seem real and life-like when in desperate situations. His journey begins with the â€Å"survival† of the fall from the bridge. '"†¦he swings through unthinkable arcs of oscillation, like vast pendulum, then all at once, with terrible suddenness†¦ The rope had broken and he had fallen into the stream.'" (571). Farquhar started his escape; he freed his hands in the water and took the noose off from around his neck. Bierce alludes to the dream-like nature of the hero when Farquhar congratulate... Free Essays on An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge Ambrose Bierce is the author of â€Å"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.† It is a very powerful and suspense filled story. It tells all the fears of a young father coming to light as his life swings in and out of reality. This story is written in third person omniscient. This point of view certainly heightens the mood of the plot, by conveying Payton Farquhar’s feelings and emotions to the reader. The plot deals with the theme of death and the waiting of it to come. The story begins with Payton standing on a bridge with a noose around his neck about to be hung. Payton is about to be murdered for a war crime unjustly. The unique writing style of Ambrose Bierce is what brings to life the true feelings of a condemned man. Ambrose Bierce writes this story during the turn of the nineteenth to twentieth century. During this time period the two writing styles of romanticism, and realism were coming together. This melding of styles was a result of the romantic period of writing and art coming to an end, just as realism was beginning to gain popularity. â€Å"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge† is a perfect example of this transition of styles as it combines elements of both romanticism and realism to create a story that can be far-fetched while still believable at times. The author has plotted the story in a very gratifying manner. The setting plays a big part because it is dived into three different sections. Sections I, actually tells the reader about when Payton was about to be hanged, and leads us from the beginning of the ceremony to the end where he is actually hung. It then goes on to Section II, where it tells us how he found out about Owl Creek Bridge, and what could happen if a civilian interfered with anything dealing with the bridge. Last of all Section III, tells the reader about Peyton’s hallucination of escaping the hanging. When reading the story for the second time, it appears to be more interesting becaus...

120 Introduction to Political Science Assignment

120 Introduction to Political Science - Assignment Example For instance, in some countries the voting process is flared due to political interference with the body in charge of the elections. The current political leaders in such countries might not be willing to relinquish power even after being defeated hence rigging their opponents out. Therefore, the results of the voting process might not reflect the true value of the voting process hence an individual’s vote might not count nor add to the change process. In contrast, participation in a group gives that sense of satisfaction and the motivation to push on even if you fail. As much as it is a risky and demanding process-especially in a heated political society-There are several groups that have succeeded in bringing changes in their communities. For instance, Martin Luther King was active in fighting against racial discrimination in the US and he died for what he believed in. It is worth noting that some countries with stable election structures experience the true value of the voting process. Corporatism is the socio-political organization of a society by major interest groups or corporate groups such as agricultural, business, ethnic, labor, scientific affiliation or military on the basis of common interests. It is theoretically based upon the interpretation of a community as an organic body. Corporatism is an economic ideology developed mostly in Europe where the influence of the Catholic Church and of the authoritarian conservative state was strongest. However, this political and economic ideology has experienced decline in many European countries and as a result, capitalism and communism has taken center stage. This is because, corporatism maintains and reinforces social cleavages in addition to the fact that it is very sensitive to employment conditions and demographics. Most economies that have adapted corporatism are characterized by high labor

Oil price in GCC Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Oil price in GCC - Essay Example Since the 1970s’ tremendous oil price shocks till the latest times, the oil prices have exhibited major changes which have immensely contributed to the volatility and uncertainty of the energy sector. The oil prices in the timeframe between 2007 and 2008 rose by 40 dollars to reach the threshold of 100 dollars down from 60 dollars, which had already increased to 147 dollars by July. By August, the prices fell to 145 dollars and in four months marked at the end of December 2008, they were trading at 45 dollars. The cycle of rise and fall of oil prices was repeated in 2009 and the trend has progressed till 2014. This trend has been a serious concern as it affects both producers and consumers. In the last decade, there has been much literature devoted to the exploration of the relationship between stock markets and oil prices in the GCC countries. Research from empirical documents indicate that the fluctuations in the oil prices has an impact on the corporate performance of companies, earnings and output as well as stock returns. Most of the studies conducted recently have indicated a link between stock prices and oil prices although such studies were based on market performances of developed economies. The assessment of the movement of GCC stock markets in response of the movements in oil prices can be examined both industry-level stock return data and country-level data (Bjornland, 2009). The findings show that there is a direct relationship between stock prices and oil prices in the short term which is not present in the long term. The casualty relationship exists, in most cases, running from oil prices to stock markets at the country level. At the industry level, the responses of the return on oil are relatively positive, as marked by only twelve out of twenty industries. The response of the oil price in relation to movements of the stock returns can be described as asymmetrical (Awartani & Maghyereh, 2013). This