Theories of Formation, Maintenance and Breakdown of Relationships Essay Example for Free

Theories of Formation, Maintenance and Breakdown of Relationships Essay The reward/ need satisfaction model (Byrne and Clore 1970) is a good example of how relationships are formed. It is based on the behavioural model which is influenced by both operant and classical conditioning where we form relationships due to direct or indirect rewards. These could be money, status, companionship, sex etc. However this theory is limited as it doesn’t take into account that participants in relationships are often concerned with equity. For example Hays (1985) found that in student friendships that rewarding someone and being rewarded oneself were valued equally. Also, not all relationships can be explained by this model as it suggests that all relationships are one sided in reward giving and that people don’t do things unless they thought they’d get e reward. This doesn’t explain why relationships continue even when they become satisfactory. The reward/ need satisfaction model is likewise culturally bias; the theory is relevant to Western cultures. Many Collectivist cultures, usually in the East, show little concern for the receipt of reinforcement. Maintenance of relationships can be explained through the Social Exchange Theory (Thibault and Kelley 1959). This is an economic theory which suggests that people maximise the possible rewards in a relationship whilst minimising their costs; specifically attraction. It also suggests that commitment to a relationship is dependent on profitability of the outcome – a cost-benefit ratio. It is the outcome of this which determines the attraction to one another. The theory also argues that if your partner has a ‘high cost’ then they have to counter balance that with lots of rewards. A strength of this theory is that it helps to explain why marital dissatisfaction doesn’t necessarily predict divorce. However it fails to explain what can cause initially successful marriages to breakdown. It also suggests that all people are selfish and that they would walk out of a relationship that has become unrewarding. That however does not explain cases of domestic violence. This theory is again culturally bias; it is based on Western cultures so it assumes that people can pick and choose their partners. It doesn’t take into account arranged marriages. Walster et al (1978), suggested the Equity theory in maintaining relationships. This theory suggests that relationships are maintained by a kind of economic balance to ensure equality between the two partners. This is achieved by matching the giving and receiving between the two partners. If there is an imbalance between them, then this is resolved by either adjusting the levels of giving and receiving, or comparing the relationships to somebody else’s to evaluate whether it is worth staying in the relationship or not. A supporting study was conducted by Hatfield et al (1979), who found that the happiest newly-weds were those that perceived an equitable relationship; those that were over or under benefited had lower satisfaction. However, Hatfield also said that equity was more important for females than males. This theory however is culturally bias; it was researched in a Western society. In some cultures relationships aren’t assessed on their economic validity, so this theory cannot be generalised. This theory also suffers from beta bias- there is no comparison between males and females, so it assumes that males and females have an identical attitude to relationships when they may actually look for different things in terms of relationship maintenance. Rollie and Duck (2006) have the most substantial model of relationship breakdown. It is a phase model that describes six stages of relationship breakdown. These start from the initial breakdown, intra -psychic process, dyadic process, social process, grace dressing process to the resurrection process; where at the end a person is supposed to redefine themselves and look for a new partner. The breakdown process- one or both of the partners becomes unhappy with the relationship- ‘I can’t stand this anymore’. Intra-psychic- the individual begins to over exaggerate the irritating the other one does and focus on the bad times- ‘I’d be justified in leaving’. The dyadic process- the unhappy partner confronts the other one and they bargain and negotiate terms- ‘I mean it, I want to leave’. Social process- both partners tell their friends and family who take sides to either support the relationship or the breakup- ‘it’s now inevitable’. The grave dressing process and resurrection process is where the relationship dies and decide what they want in future relationships- ‘time to get a new life’, ‘what I learned and how things will be different’. However this model doesn’t explain how couples stay together despite having misgivings about the relationship; as breakdown isn’t necessarily inevitable. The model also assumes that all relationships go through these specific stages which ignore individual differences; not all individuals discuss problems in their relationship. Some people may ignore their problems or end the relationship there and then. This theory is culturally bias as some Eastern cultures frown upon divorce so a married couple would stay married and therefore be stuck at the social process perhaps and not get the chance to move on. A strength of this theory though is that it addresses both cognitive and behavioural aspects which include people’s feelings. This theory is also reductionist compared to the holistic view on relationship breakdown. It ignores the fact that past experiences with relationships could have an impact on the stage of dissolution in relationships, or the prevention of the dissolution of a relationship. Although the theory does have good practical applications; if the reasons for relationship breakdown according to this theory are true, then confronting relationship issues with counselling, for example, to solve problems should be effective. Research into the area of relationship breakdown is considered as socially sensitive. Therefore great care must be taken when researching participants to avoid causing unnecessary distress.

Parent-Child Communication Throughout Adolescences

Parent-Child Communication Throughout Adolescences Denise Moon   The professional area of psychology this article represents is Developmental Psychology which can be defined as scientific study on how human beings develop during the course of their life span. The subject matter of this particular article focuses on developmental changes in parent-child communication throughout adolescences. Psychology professionals throughout this paper such as counselors at school, family youth counselings and social service workers advise will be used to assist on giving support on how to much sure parents and their teen s learn to communicate effectively. This paper will show the advantages of parent-child communication and how important it is to ensure parents and teens have an effective and close relationship. Communication can play a key factor for an adolescences and parent relationship. It is so vital that parents keep an effective line of communication with their child as well as when they reach teenagers. It is essential that parents keep a loving positive relationship with their child from early childhood to adolescents. During early adolescence it is essential that young teens feel comfortable having a conversation and discussing daily plans and private issues with their parents. Adolescences want to be able to communicate with someone they feel they can trust and not be judged all the time. Often parents feel uncomfortable talking to their teenager about certain things just as the teen does. As stated by Lippold, Duncan, Coatsworth, Nix Greenberg (2015 p. 1671), Interventions to improve mindful parenting may be one avenue to promote parent-adolescent communication during early adolescence. The psychological theoretical perspectives presented in this paper focuses on how the developmental changes in parents and child communication carries on from early childhood until middle or to late adolescents. Communication with your child early on their life gives parents a greater chance at forming a close relationship where the young teen feels comfortable opening up and talking with their parent. It is imperative to a teenager that the parent is actually listening to what they are saying as well as valuing their opinion. It can really mean a lot to a young teen to feel like what theyre saying is important. As a parent it is essential to take out the time and not interrupt the young teen until youve heard everything they have to say before passing judgment. It is vital that parents know how much communicating with their adolescences child could prevent their child from committing suicide, using drugs and many other issues that young teens face in todays society. Communicating with young adolescences can open many doors and opportunities to form a positive as well as loving relationship between parent and child. This also gives parents a chance to gain their childs trust. Teens in todays society have to face many issues in school today such as peer pressure which can cause them to become depressed and go through a deep depression which often leads to teen suicide. According to King Vidourek (2012 p. 15), Research clearly indicates family connectedness helps to prevent suicide even if teens are socially isolated from peers. According to Shireen, Janapana., Rehmatullah, Temuri Azim (2014 p.206), Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people aged 15-24 in the USA. Social Media has also become a major factor in the lives of many young teens today. Many teens have to deal with the cyber bullying and other issues that are out there now on the internet. Having a positive line of communication with your child allows you to be able to discuss with them all the advantages and disadvantage of being able to do things online. Communicating with the teen will allow them to feel like they can talk to their parents about the problems they having on social media and any other issues they may be facing,. Many teens commit suicide because they feel all alone and feel like they have no one who understands how they truly feel inside. According to Willard, (2006 p. 54), Cyber bullying may include sending or posting harmful material or using digital technology to inflict social cruelty on victims. In conclusion showing your adolescent teenager love and respect can allow a parent to open up those lines of communication and start a great relationship with their child. Communicating and listening to your young teen can play a major part in the teens life. Parenting is hard work and times have definitely changed since the nineteen eighties. Teenagers in todays society are faced with many challenges that can be solved through effective communication between parent and child. It is essential that parents allow their child to have some privacy but at the same time parents have to ensure their young teen that as a parent they will be there for them with listening ears whenever they need to talk about anything. References King, K. A., Vidourek, R. A. (2012). Teen Depression and Suicide: Effective Prevention and Intervention Strategies. Prevention Researcher, 19(4), 15-17. Lippold, M., Duncan, L., Coatsworth, J., Nix, R., Greenberg, M. (2015). Understanding How Mindful Parenting May Be Linked to Mother-Adolescent Communication. Journal of Youth Adolescence, 44(9), 1663. doi:10.1007/s10964-015-0325-x Shireen, Janapana., Rehmatullah, Temuri Azim (2014). Trauma experience of youngsters and Teens: A key issue in suicidal behavior among victims of bullying?. Pakistan Journal Of Medical Sciences, 30(1), 206. doi:10.12669/pjms.301.4072 Willard, N.E. (2006). Cyber bullying and cyberthreats: Responding to the challenge of online social cruelty, threats and distress (2nd ed.). Eugene, OR: Center for Safe and Responsible

Miniaturization Of Computing Technology Information Technology Essay

Miniaturization Of Computing Technology Information Technology Essay The revolution of electronic miniaturization began during World War II and is continuing to change the world till now. Miniaturization of computer technology has been the source of a seemingly endless battle between technology giants over the world. The market has become so competitive that the companies that develop microprocessors are constantly working towards erecting a smaller microchip than that of their competitor, and as a result, computers become obsolete almost as soon as they are put out on the market. The concept that underlies technological miniaturization is the smaller the better; smaller is faster, smaller is cheaper, smaller is more profitable. It is not just companies that profit from miniaturization advances, but entire nations reap rewards through the capitalization of new developments. Devices such as personal computers, cellular telephones, portable radios, and camcorders have created massive markets through miniaturization, and brought billions of dollars to th e countries where they were designed and built. In the 21st century, almost every electronic device has a computer chip inside. The goal of miniaturization is to make these devices smaller and more powerful, and thus made available everywhere. It has been said, however, that the time for continued miniaturization is limited the smaller the computer chip gets, the more difficult it becomes to shrink the components that fit on the chip. Devices made of semiconductors, notably silicon, are essential components of most electronic circuits. A process of lithography is used to create circuitry layered over a silicon substrate. A transistor is a semiconductor device with three connections capable of amplification in addition to rectification. Miniaturization entails increasing the number of transistors that can hold on a single chip, while shrinking the size of the chip. As the surface area of a chip decreases, the task of designing newer and faster circuit designs becomes more difficult, as there is less room left for the components that make the computer run faster and store more data. Gordon E. Moore introduced the concept known as Moores law in 1965, and it has been used in the semiconductor industry to guide long-term planning and development. The law predicts a long-term trend in which the number of transistors inexpensively places on an integrated circuit would double approximately every two years. His original statement appeared in his publication Cramming more components onto integrated circuits, Electronics Magazine 19th April 1965: The complexity for minimum component costs has increased at a rate of roughly a factor of two per yearà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Certainly over the short term this rate can be expected to continue, if not to increase. Over the longer term, the rate of increase is a bit more uncertain, although there is no reason to believe it will not remain nearly constant for at least 10 years. That means by 1975, the number of components per integrated circuit for a minimum cost will be 65,000. I believe that such a large circuit can be built on a single wafer (Appendix 1) The original statement made reference to one year, but was later altered to two years. Moores law describes a driving force of technological change in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The development and capabilities of several digital devices are linked to Moores law. Some of these include processing speed, memory capacity, and sensors. These devises are still improving at an exponential rate and have dramatically increased the usefulness of digital electronics in every segment of the world economy. One such segment is that of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). This type of technology allows users to participate in a rapidly changing world in which work and other activities are increasingly transformed by access to varied and developing technologies. ICTs impact on several areas of the economy, including productivity and innovation, as well as advances in science and technology. They are the leading factor in improving innovation and creativity, and as such, a great portion of the productivity gains in the economy are due to the impact of ICTs on products and services. In science and technology, they transform the way researchers conduct their research. Owing to increasing economic and social demands, technology must be brought closer to people and organizational needs. This entails making technology functional and simple to use, affordable and available, as well as meeting new preferences and needs. This demand calls for the proliferation of miniaturization whic h results in the emergence of a new wave of technologies. The Benefits and Challenges of Miniaturization Miniaturization is one of the fastest changing megatrends. Although it can be a great benefit for society, it also has its downsides. The challenges include cost-expensive, data inaccuracy, software unreliability, information overload and may result in: Invasion of Privacy and Identity Theft On the side of problems, one of the biggest growing crimes in America is caused by the affects of miniaturization. Invasion of personal privacy and identity theft are two very dangerous crimes that can not only embarrass you, but can also cause financial problems as well. A report composed by the news organization PRWeb states that 10 million consumers in the US become identity theft victims every year and those people spend a countless amount of time and money to correct these attacks. Not all 10 million are caused by miniaturization related electronics, but with the advancement in technology, miniaturization has greatly helped to increase the number of identity theft victims. Miniaturization plays a role in this crime because it has created the technology of miniature spy cams which aid voyeurism. Voyeurism is a practice in which an individual derives sexual pleasure from observing other people  [1]  . Some forms of voyeurism are legal, but if the person being viewed is unaware of the action, then it is illegal and considered an invasion of privacy. Loss of Electronic Devices Another problem with the trend of miniaturization, due to computerized electronics to become extremely more portable, is the increased ability to lose your electronic devices or have them stolen. As stated in the Apple patent, Current portable electronic devices such as laptop computers, hand-held devices such as cellular telephones and personal media devices, such as the Ipod from Apple Computer, and even devices such as compact disc players, are sufficiently compact and lightweight as to make them easily movable. Unfortunately, such ease of transport also implies ease of theft. While the rightful owner of a portable electronic device may conveniently transport it almost anywhere, so can a thief. (MacNN.com: Apple Patent,2007) Hearing Loss A third problem with miniaturization is the growth in use of portable MP3 players. These players have caused physiological damage because of the extended use of the ear buds and playing the players music extremely loud  [2]  . Noise-induced hearing loss involves individuals losing the ability to hear higher frequencies, evidenced at times by mild ear-ringing or trouble following conversations in noisy situations  [3]  . This hearing loss is directly related to the use of the MP3 players. What are some of the devices that have been impacted by miniaturization? There are multiple examples that reflect miniaturization, but perhaps the most well known miniaturized device is the cellular phone. The theory of mobile telephones was born in the early 1900s in the United Kingdom and the United States.   They were born out of research on mobile car phones, and calculated out that by limiting the range of transmitters, they could recycle the same radio frequencies. This allowed them to theorize the possibility that with this technology, many users would be able to share the same network. They were unable to put a production system together to prove this theory, due to the limit of available technology. In the early 1970s, ATT and Bell Labs proposed the first commercial cellular, mobile phone network.   The proposal was for a cellular network,  which was to consist of many small broadcast towers, covering a small area (termed a cell), a few miles in radius.   As the mobile phone moved across this network, the call would be passed on from towe r to tower. The first fully automatic, first generation cellular network (1G), was developed by Nordic Mobile Telephone in 1981.   1G was still based on analog radio signals. The advent of Second generation (2G) was in 1991.   High speed, third generation (3G) cellular networks became a reality when the Japanese company NTT DoCoMo rolled out its commercial WCDMA network. In 1986 cost between $2,500 to $3,500 and weighed just under 3 pounds (Appendix 2). Today, they are razor thin, weighing between 4 and 6 ounces and can cost from JMD$1,000 to JMD$60,000. Some of the most prominent include Nokia  and  Motorola. Other examples are the iPod Nano, Motorola Razor V3 and Dell Inspirion 700m. Ipod Nano The Ipod Nano, manufactured by Apple Computer, Incorporated, is a digital compression music player that delivers up to 1,000 songs. It features a very slim and compact design with dimensions of only 3.5 x 1.6 x 0.27 inches and 1.5 ounces and supports a colour LCD screen, the Apple Click Wheel, plays continuously for 14 hours, and holds other information besides music files. It also contains 2 gigabytes of memory that holds 500 songs. The Ipod Nano is able to be used for many purposes when you are unable to use a CD player or even for replacing a CD player. A few examples are exercising, going on vacations, among others. Also in recent news, Apple released a new form of miniaturization with the Ipod Video. This device will replace the older Ipods and will be able to support not only playing songs, but also displaying video on a two and a half inch screen (Appendix 2.1). Moto Razr V3 The next example of miniaturization is the Moto Razr V3, which is made by the Motorola Corporation. The features of the Razr V3 include ring tone downloads, calculator and currency converter, date and clock, alarm clock, calendar, instant messaging, text messaging, video games, photo camera, and video clip downloads. The Moto Razr V3 supports all this while still only weighing 3.35 ounces and having dimensions of 3.86 x 2.08 x 0.54 inches. The applications of this phone basically compare to those of a palm pilot. By having a phone with this power, anyone will be able to keep a strict control on their life (Appendix 2.2) Dell Inspiron 700m The final example is the Dell Inspiron 700m notebook, made by Dell Incorporated. It is the slimmest and lightest of all of Dells laptops being 4.1 pounds and 1.5 inches thick. Other features on this laptop include an Intel Pentium M Processor, Windows XP, a minimum of 256 megabytes of RAM, 12.1 inch screen, a hard drive with 40, 60, or 80 gigabytes, and an ethernet card for internet access. This laptops applications are very broad and diverse and can be used for meeting other people through the internet, doing business, recreational purposes like watching DVDs, burning DVDs, listening to music, playing computer games, or  by applying this computer to almost any aspect of a persons life (Appendix 2.3) Convergence Traditionally, communications media were separate and their services were distinct. Broadcasting, voice telephony and on-line computer services were different and operated on different platforms: television and radio machines, telephones and computers. Convergence is the combination of all these into one operating platform. It is the merger of telecom, data processing and imaging technologies. This convergence is incubating a new era of multimedia, in which voice, data and images are combined to provide services to the users. Traditional convergence is noted in the combination of the personal computer and the internet technology. This combination provides a convergence of data processing, images and audio services. Convergence makes it possible for one element to provide multi-service. An illustrated example of this is in the mobile phone, which was initially designed for voice communications. These days cell phones offer more functions: They offer print and text media as in the Short Message Service (SMS); they provide reception links to radio stations and access to broadcast information, they provide links to access the web, they capture, send and receive pictures and so forth. New generation of mobile phones are designed to capture video images.This had led to the death of many traditional devices like the Personal Digital Assistant and the proliferation of miniaturized devices. Miniaturization and the Digital Divide In the early 1990s, when someone referred to the digital divide they were really making reference to gaps in society between individuals who owned and had access to computers and those who had not. As the term evolved it adopted new meanings, it came to refer to the gaps between people with effective access to digital and information technology and those with very limited or no access at all  [4]  as well as refer to the inequalities between groups of people in their ability to use information technology fully. It also speaks to the imbalances in resources and skills needed to manipulate information on the internet. Therefore, the term digital divide is really two folds, it relates to the imbalances created by the inability to physically access technology and the unequal acquisition of skill attained with the constant use of said technology. Due to this the term is often interchangeably used with the knowledge divide, as it is proposed that if there is little to no access to the vast amount of information provided via the internet and technology individuals will be deficient in the attainment of knowledge supplied via this source. The four major components that contribute to the digital divide, as discussed by Bharat Mehra (2004, Digital Divide, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) are socio economic status, income, educational level, and racing among other factors associated with technological attainment. These are all major issues that affect society on a whole on a social level. The global divide on the other hand, refers to the same concept but in relation to countries as oppose to individuals. It really refers to differences to technology accessibility between Countries or the whole world. Miniaturization of technology in its truest form, if utilized properly will make an attempt to drastically reduce the gap in society that has significantly helped to perpetuate this problem. The continuous miniaturization of technology will among other things make technology more accessible to everyone. This is due to the fact that as technology gets smaller, it uses less resource to manufacture them and hence cause a reduction in the production cost. This in turn, causes a reduction in the selling cost, making it cheaper and more accessible to everyone. Technology is no longer only for the wealthy or the wealthiest countries, nor is it a means by which the rich can showcase their wealth. Now that miniaturization has made it accessible to almost everyone, the digital divide as it pertains to access to technology is noticeably dwindling. Projects like One Laptop per Child offer a partial solution to the global digital divide; these projects tend to rely heavily upon open standards and free open source software. The OLPC XO-1 is an inexpensive laptop computer designed and intended to be distributed to children in developing countries around the world, to provide them with access to knowledge (Appendix 3). Organizations such as Geekcorps, EduVision and Inveneo also help to overcome the digital divide with the use of now miniaturized technology. They often do so through the use of education systems that draws on information technology. The technology they employ often includes low-cost laptops, subnotebooks, handhelds (eg Simputer, E-slate), tablet PCs, Mini-ITX PCs, and low-cost WiFi-extending technology as cantennas and WokFis. In addition, other information technology material usable in the classroom can also be made diy to lower expenses, including projectors. Surely one can see, by these examples, where the continuous miniaturization of technology is playing some part in diminishing the global digital divide. These and other continuous efforts are reducing the digital global divide in developing countries owing mainly to miniaturization. As time progresses individuals will find new and innovative ways to make technology smaller and smaller and hence making them more accessible to the general public and more importantly, to developing nations. The Future of Miniaturization The future of miniaturization is uncertain as there have been many different projections as to where designer and creators want it to go. Some believe that the idea is to get more transistors on a single chip. Increasing the number of transistors ultimately leads to more power in the computer, cell phone, handheld PDA and other electronic devices that have a computer chip inside. In our times just about every electronic device has a computer chip inside. The pursuit to make these devices more powerful, and thus effectively independent of a constant power source, is the focus for miniaturization in computer technology. Ultimately the goal is to have computers everywhere by making components smaller and more powerful. However, what we do know is that technology will get smaller and smaller until they are almost microscopic. Technology created in the future will all have a few similar characteristics, they will be smaller, lightweight, durable, reliable, tamper-proof, and consume very l ittle power. However with these advances comes a certain level of concern. One of the biggest and most common concerns in making computer technology smaller is the availability of the Internet. As computers are miniaturized down to the subatomic level, computers could literally be floating around in the air. By building computers on the subatomic level, the laws of physics do not apply as we know them. This allows for greater flexibility in computer connectivity, and may eventually make wiring computers together obsolete. While this and other concerns are valid, with the continuous creation and evolution of technology, they will soon no longer be relevant concerns. Appendix Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 2.1 Appendix 2.2 Appendix 2.3

Making a Difference as a Teacher :: Teaching Education College Admissions

Making a Difference as a Teacher I have not always wanted to be a teacher. I always knew that I wanted to work with children in some way, but I was pretty sure that teaching was not for me. I was well on my way in my junior year of college working toward a biology degree so that I could become a pediatric physician’s assistant. I still cannot explain what happened, but one week I was a biology major, and the next I knew that I have always been meant to teach children. I suppose I just took the longer route to get there than most people do. The two main reasons that I have chosen to become a teacher is that I believe that teaching is extremely personally rewarding in many ways and the fact that I can actively make a difference in someone’s life. The first main reason that I have chosen teaching as a profession is because I believe that it’s continuous rewards will help me to lead a happy and fulfilled life. For example, teaching young children is one of the few jobs in which you can give and receive hugs on a daily basis. Children have an innocence and a passion for knowledge that I find amazing and I do not feel complete unless I am around them. Teaching will help provide this fulfillment for me every day. Also, teaching is a job in which it is ok, and even encouraged, to laugh each and every day. I feel that this is important for a person’s well-being and I think that it helps to keep people young and alive. I feel that in many other professions the day-to-day routine would become monotonous and boring, and I do not think that I would live a truly happy and fulfilled life unless I could be around children. I feel that a classroom provides many unique and dynamic opportunities every single d ay and I find that very appealing. Also, I am a very relationship-oriented person and I feel that I will enjoy building unique relationships with each child. I plan on knowing every child as thoroughly as possible because I feel that this will help me to be better at my job.

Hamlet - Is there Indecision? Essay -- GCSE English Literature Coursew

     Ã‚  Ã‚   The Bard of Avon has in the character of Hamlet (in the tragedy of that name) a hero who has been accused of hesitation and indecisiveness. Are such accusations appropriate? L.C. Knights in â€Å"An Approach to Hamlet† explains the modern appeal of the tragedy in terms of the indecisiveness of its hero: Hamlet is a man who in the face of life and of death can make no affirmation, and it may well be that this irresolution – which goes far deeper than irresolution about the performance of a specific act – this fundamental doubt, explains the great appeal of the play in modern times. The point has been made by D.G. James in The Dream of Learning. Shakespeare’s play, he says, â€Å"is an image of modernity, of the soul without clear belief losing its way, and bringing itself and others to great distress and finally to disaster†; it is â€Å"a tragedy not of excessive thought but of defeated thought,† and Hamlet himself is â€Å"a man caught in ethical and metaphysical uncertainties.† Now I am sure that Mr. James is right in emphasizing the element of scepticism in Hamlet’s makeup – the weighing of alternative possibilities in such a way as to make choice between them virtually impossible [. . .] . (64)    Is there a connection between verbal hesitation and hesitation in action and decisions? Lawrence Danson in the essay â€Å"Tragic Alphabet† discusses the hesitation in action by the hero as related to his hesitation in speech:    To speak or act in a world where all speech and action are equivocal seeming is, for Hamlet, both perilous and demeaning, a kind of whoring. The whole vexed question of Hamlet’s delay ought, I believe, to be considered in light of this dilemma. To a man alienated from his society’s most basic symboli... ...ions: Hamlet. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. Rpt. from Tragic Form in Shakespeare. N.p.: Princeton University Press, 1972.    Rose, Mark. â€Å"Reforming the Role.† Modern Critical Interpretations: Hamlet. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. Rpt. from Homer to Brecht: The European Epic and Dramatic Traditions. Ed. Michael Seidel and Edward Mendelson. N.p.: Yale University Press, 1977.    Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 1995. http://www.chemicool.com/Shakespeare/hamlet/full.html No line nos.    West, Rebecca. â€Å"A Court and World Infected by the Disease of Corruption.† Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from The Court and the Castle. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1957.         

Technology and Modern Age

Sunday for me is the gloomiest part of the week. I always feel I am missing about an hour of sleep and still, somewhere in my sub consciousness. I have to face the dilemma of what to do for the coming hours as well. Being at the transitional state of dream and reality, it would help me to be more creative if the selection of activities is less limited. The option includes the way the Modern Age generate happiness and the Purposeful Leisure. One of the most popular is the way done by the Modern Age since it gives us a wide selection and various inventions to choose from.For people with a gaming instinct, the choice is plentiful. For instance Computer Games develop by every generation have conquer the minds of teenagers. An example is a Warcraft Game made by Icefrog, consisting of different characters possessing skills and can be strengthen by the use of magical things. Computers now are very innovative that its content is advance and unique. It can finish a pile of works in an hour wi thout numerous errors, unlike the past years which requires a lot of effort to have your projects and assignments be done.For a person who’s up for fighting, Arcade Games were made to make them feel as they were the warrior fighting for a prize. Arcade Games are commonly made as survival test; it may be a survival from Zombies, Militaries, Dinosaurs and many more. For lame people who still find time to play, PSP is very suitable, since it is not as big as Computers and Arcade machines. PSP can be downloaded with different games and can be played wherever you are. Another option that might satisfy one’s boredom is PURPOSEFUL LEISURE perhaps not as popular as MODERN AGE way but just as fun to do; this activity does not fall in the â€Å"killing time† category.It does however, command the respect of other activity, it is healthy and known to lower the calories level. Going out to make window shopping is much interesting than spending your money on repeat gaming. Ha ving a youth camp on mountains or just simply playing Local games gives us the simplest and cheapest way of having fun. As I think of the two options, I guess Sunday’s of mine must be spending wisely. I may not like the Purposeful Leisure since it doesn’t have much excitement, but I know that it will make me healthy.I may love the Modern Age since it gives me new challenges but I will still prevent myself from getting addicted to it since it weakens the body’s immune system. On the year 1994, Modern Age has begun, Innovations and various inventions started to create names in public. Science and Technology has made a long way on the society. Even adults are engaged to the technological advancement. Changes are so fast and all of us need to adapt quickly. Using Technologies is very efficient. We don’t have to spend a lot of money and we don’t need to give a lot of power to finish a work.On the other hand, it is not difficult for some of us to be amus ed, even you are at home or on the middle of a vacation trip, you can still find time to relax by just moving your hands and by the focus of your eyes and mind. Despite the numerous values of technology, many oppose scientific process on ethical grounds. The researchers in the field of newly inventions face scrutiny from many advocacy groups because technology is seen as violating one’s fundamental environment principles. The current debate lies on major questions about the relationship between Science and Technology and Purposeful Leisure.What could be its psychological and societal implications to an individual? Since we have the ability to make advancement, we had better think hard about the kind of life we want. Technology has tremendous power to do good if properly used. The issues are complex. The lesson of history is that whatever is possible will be tried somewhere by someone at some time but this is no excuse for sitting back. We need to decide based on principles th at the whole community can support and understand. We individuals have a vital role to play. I would like to give my reaction on the Sample Essay no. entitled Leisure and Modern Age. It stated that the Modern Age has offered humanity various inventions and technology advancement which have made our lives so progressive. Well, I agree with that, as I observe the society, people were allure by the new inventions and creations. Eyes are staring at computer monitors, ears are suited with headphones, and hands are busy pressing buttons and body is moving consistently. The next part is how these things failed to provide humanity with more quality leisure time. Since, we spend our time on improving our gaming skills than making ourselves healthy.We have loss our mind-set that we still need to take concentration on our wellness. Most illness were get due to lack of nutrients, this happened when we engaged our energy in unworthy things. And technology is one of that unworthy things that weak ens our immune system. I can say that it is okay to find Leisure on Technologies, but it is not good to get addicted and forget the real essence of why these inventions were made. Since some of the creations were made to help people become more efficient and not to make people become dependent.Because some people were very dependent to these creations, they occupy their time just to improve on games, failing them to recall about more important things. They forget about wellness which is much needed that having an accomplished work at technologies’influence. â€Å"Use technology, but don’t let Technology use you. † I remember this words said by an American psychology Professor on Youtube. We are now living in a modern age bringing us various ways to make our life much easier than before, less money to spend with and less energy to deal with.Tiring days is not an issue no more, finding time to rest is stress-free. But how good is it to have this kind of lifestyle, where communication is fast as airwaves, where task can be quickly performed in just a short span of time. Does it take the pressure when someone’s in a hurry? What are the effects of Modern Age especially on how we find time to relax? There are several effects of technology in human health, environment, animals, plants and earth. Technology can affect our health in many ways with both short term and long term effects.The extent to which an individual is harmed by technology usually depends on the total exposure to the damaging contents. Short term includes irritation of eyes and sudden stroke of muscles. Long term health effects can include chronic respiratory disease and even damage to brain nerves. Another effect is that both plants and animals are harmed by pollution cause by some creations. All the effects mentioned above pose a warning of danger for all living things. Humans, as the most intelligent species on earth, are encouraged to be more aware on what they’ re doing not just by themselves but also to other creatures.

Out of This Furnace Essay

Out of This Furnace is a historical fiction that was written by Thomas Bell in 1941 and describes the life of immigrant workers in America. Bell grew up in Braddock in Pennsylvania, a mill town that was typical of many of the industrialized areas in America at that time. His novel reflects the hardships his family faced as they struggled to survive in the â€Å"new country† and he utilizes the medium of a fictional story to challenge the capitalist ideals of the government of that period through the trials and tribulations of his immigrant steelworkers. The book focuses on the lives of four individuals and describes how the four individual characters; Kracha, Mike, Mary and Dobie’s lives change as a direct consequence of changes which occurred in general for America immigrants between the mid 1800s and 1920s. Through encompassing the life experiences of four generations, Bell is able to provide the reader with insights into the way in which these individual’s lifestyles and beliefs became more liberal. Alongside this the story of the development of the labor unions is staged and the reader gains impressions into how these unions were viewed and approached by the people they were designed to help. Many workers had no political freedom or even a voice in the company that employed them. However, through all of these hardships, the immigrants continued their struggle for a better life. For many people America, during the economic and evolution of the mid 1800s, represented a country of hope and dreams, a place that could provide them with great opportunities and better economic prospects. As a result of this many European immigrants, many without skills, left their countries of origin in order to work in the many factors and steel mills. Whilst jobs were in abundance the work was hard, laborious and very poorly paid. The Slovaks of Thomas Bell’s Out of this Furnace are representative of these immigrants. The first of the three generations described within the story is Djuro Kracha, a Slovak peasant (p. 3) who left behind his nation of birth in the hope of ending the poverty and oppression he suffered there. Kracha initially works on the railroad before landing a job in a Dubrik mill through a friend. The descriptions of the work he endured provides the reader with the impression that employment at the mill was dangerous, arduous and relentless. The hours of work were long and tiredness of the employees often led to accidents thus evidenced by the death of Dubik’s best friend George who is killed as a blast furnace explodes. Whilst such accidents were typical on a daily basis in the mills of America but no actions were taken to improve safety or the working conditions of the employees in the mill. In Bell’s book, Kracha eventually terminates his employment at the mill in order to become a butcher. This however, does not make his situation any easier and he inevitably turns to alcohol as many immigrants of the time did. The scenes described by Bell in the novel are not limited to the workers themselves but also point out the environmental damage the industrialization created: â€Å"The mills had filled in the shore line for miles up and down the river, destroying trees, obliterating little streams and the pebbly beaches where as recently as the turn of the century campers had set up tents in summer, burying the clean earth under tons of cinder and molten slag. The banks no longer sloped naturally to the water\’s edge but dropped vertically, twenty-foot walls of cold slag pierced at intervals with steaming outlets and marked by dribbling stains. (Bell 153) The second major character within the novel is Mike Dobrejcak, another Slovak immigrant who came to America whilst still in his teens and married Kracha’s daughter, Mary. Although still aspiring and yearning for the American Dream, Mike is a second-generation immigrant who is more aware of the politics of the US and the potential of his vote during election periods. One of the significant themes of Bell’s book is that of the lack of republican form of government for all the people. The countries decisions were made to benefit the financial and business interests of the few. Many of the mill workers did not vote and, for those that did, their input made very little difference. This is reflected in Bell’s description of the division of power: â€Å"There are men in that mill who were born here, whose fathers and grandfathers were born here. They know more English than you’ll ever learn. And what good is their vote doing them? They have to work in the mill and eat dirt like any greenhorn. Let me tell you, I’ve been in America enough to know that it’s run just like any other country. In Europe your emperors and grand dukes own everything and over here it’s your millionaires and your trusts. They run the country to suit themselves, and don’t think they’re going to let you interfere every few years with your miserable vote. Get that into your head. Your vote means nothing. The company man always wins. If he isn’t a company man to start with, he becomes one afterward; the millionaires see to that. (Bell 66-67) Workers were not encouraged to vote, and if they decided to vote, they were strongly encouraged to vote for the politicians the company endorsed, â€Å"Mike had registered as a Republican, anything else would have been suicidal, but had determined to vote for Eugene Debs, the Socialist. He knew the risk. Should he be found out, and that the company had ways of learning how a man had voted nobody in Braddock doubted. e would be fired†. (Bell 189-190). Through Bell’s description of Mike’s opinions, it becomes clear that whilst the workers wanted progress, their view of how this would be achieved contradicted that of the capitalists. The capitalists aimed for generation of wealth and industrialization whilst the workers simply wanted a better way of life and greater equality. Such conflicting aspirations cause a number of disputes between the two representative groups. Mike unfortunately is killed during an accident at work and the story progresses onto describing, through Mary, the reality of families attempting to survive and support themselves after the death of their partners in the mill. The final part of the novel concerns a character called Dobie, the son of Mike and Mary. Dobie’s life and experiences differ greatly from Mikes as he matures during a period of policy reforms and changes. The Unions have become more prominent and workers rights and working conditions have improved. Dobie himself has become a symbol for these changes as he becomes a Union leader and campaigns tirelessly to gain the rights his father and grandfather were denied. Dobie’s stories depict how the mill workers in the US eventually overcame the capitalists and achieve political freedom: â€Å"It was the way you thought and felt about certain things. About freedom of speech and the equality of men and the importance of having one law — the same law — for rich and poor, for the people you liked and the people you didn’t like. About the right of every man to live his life as he thought best, his right to defend it if anyone tried to change it and his right to change it himself if he decided he liked some other way of living better. About the uses to which wealth and power could honorably be put, and about honor itself, honor, integrity, self-respect, the whatever-you-wanted-to-call-it that determined for a man which things he couldn’t say or do under any circumstances, not for all the money there was, not even to help his side win. (Bell 411). Dobie’s story in Out of This Furnace took place during a crucial time in America’s history that, through the creation of a number of legal acts, allowed unions to establish themselves. The first of these, The National Industrial Recovery Act paved the way for psychological acceptance of the concept of union negotiations and bargaining. Dobie confirms this by mentioning that the act removed the fear of unionization that had previously been established by the company and gave the men the confidence to fight for their rights. The American Federation of Labor (AFL) is also of significance in the novel. Through establishing the AFL in Braddock, Dobie was able to cement the concept of a group formed to protect their rights and such groups inevitably allowed for mass strikes and movements. This was further enhanced by the Committee for Industrial Organization (CIO) which was formed to represent specific industries such as the Steel Workers Organizing Committee. Unlike the AFL, the CIO, explicitly represented unskilled workers and were able to run campaigns that yielded significant results. One example of this during this period in history was the rubber workers in Akron, Ohio who staged a strike on the job in 1936. 70 workers were initially sacked as a result of their actions but this led to a further strike of 1400 workers. Unable to sustain operations the managing company, Goodyear, was forced to negotiate with the workers and changes to hours of work and payment terms were ultimately agreed. One of the most significant acts of this period was the Wagner Act that created the National Relations Board. This board provided the workers with the rights to select their own union representatives and therefore create a fair, unbiased representation for their rights. These legal Acts and the events they sparked allowed much improvement for workers and, although the road to their acceptance and implementation was long and arduous, by the end of the 1930s 1/3 workers belonged to a union and were able to freely and fairly fight for fair pay and working conditions. Out of this Furnace is not simply a story of three generations of mill workers; it is also a reflection of Americanization and the development of political rights for the immigrant workers in America. Within the novel, each generations development and success was related to the previous generation’s failures and learning. As time progresses the mill workers gain a better understanding of American culture and its politics and the domino effect of family generations.