Gender and Sexuality in “Twelfth Night” and “The Merchant of Venice” Essay

â€Å"Twelfth Night† and â€Å"The Merchant of Venice† are two of William Shakespeare’s comedies which are famous for their theme of sexuality and cross-dressing characters. â€Å"Twelfth Night† tells the story of a young woman named Viola who pretends to be a man to be able to find work in the household of the Duke of Illyria. On the other hand, â€Å"The Merchant of Venice† is a story of a merchant named Antonio who helps his friend Bassanio to win the hands of his love, Portia, by allowing Bassanio to loan money from Shylock and to make Antonio his loan guarantor. These two Shakespearean comedies similarly contain scenes where a woman cross-dresses as a man to achieve a particular goal. In â€Å"Twelfth Night,† Viola pretends to be a man named Cesario to able to get a job under Duke Ullyria, while in â€Å"The Merchant of Venice,† Portia and Nerissa dress as men to prevent Shylock from taking a pound of Antonio’s flesh. The cross-dressing of the characters, therefore, reveals a theme of sexuality in the plays. Another aspect in the plays that discloses the theme of sexuality is the concept of close friendships or attraction between the same-sex characters in the stories such as Antonio and Bassanio in â€Å"The Merchant of Venice,† Olivia and Viola (pretending to be Cesario), Antonio and Sebastian, and Duke Orsino and Cesario (finally revealed as Viola) in â€Å"Twelfth Night.† These complicated relationships in the stories show the complexity of sexuality and gender in relation to the attraction, whether physical or emotional, felt by the characters towards the other. With the characters cross-dressing, Shakespeare reveals the nature of sexuality in an obscure light. Brief Summary of â€Å"Twelfth Night† William Shakespeare’s â€Å"Twelfth Night† starts with a scene where the Duke Orsino of the kingdom of Illyria hangs around with music in the background as he thinks about his love for the beautiful Lady Olivia. Unfortunately, Olivia does not return his love because she is still in the midst of mourning for her brother who has died a long time ago. She rejects suitors and does not entertain marriage proposals. Unknown to these two characters, a young woman and survivor of a shipwreck with the name of Viola lands in the shore of Illyria. Unfamiliar with the place, she wonders if her twin brother Sebastian has died in the shipwreck. Upon hearing the story of Orsino and Olivia from a captain, she decides to work for Olivia in the meantime. However, upon finding out that Olivia does not entertain any strangers, she resorts to working for the Duke instead. This is where the pretension as a man starts. Viola begins dressing as a man with a new identity as Cesario. Duke Orsino immediately approves of Cesario and hires her as his messenger. The conflict of the story now arises as Viola begins to fall in love with the Duke who thinks she is a man, and he later asks Cesario to send his love letters to Olivia who, also believing that she is man, immediately falls for Cesario. In the end, all is revealed when Cesario and Duke Orsino arrive in Olivia’s house. Olivia greets Cesario with warmth believing her to be her new husband Sebastian, who was rescued by Antonio from the shipwreck. Witnessing this, Duke Orsino feels betrayed, but when the real Sebastian appears in the scene everyone realizes the truth of Viola and Sebastian’s personality. Duke Orsino proposes marriage to Viola upon finding out that he is truly in love with her, and Sir Toby and Maria also privately marry. The play ends with Malvolio being freed and feeling defeated. Sexuality and Gender in â€Å"Twelfth Night† â€Å"Twelfth Night† embodies a great deal of issues with regard to sexuality regardless of whether it is homosexuality or heterosexuality. Shakespeare has clearly illustrated the ambiguity of the nature of gender and sexuality. The issue of sexuality is evident as characters of the story have their own love interests. Firstly, Orsino’s love for Olivia is described by Cesario to be â€Å"With adorations, fertile tears, / With groans that thunder love, with sighs of fire† (1.5.238-239). Cesario’s line evidently depicts a passionate feeling which is intensified more by the use of words such as â€Å"adoration†, â€Å"groans†, â€Å"thunder† and â€Å"fire†. This choice of words obviously demonstrates an immense imagery of sexuality. It is also clear that Viola (as Cesario) has fallen in love with the Duke Orsino. She proclaims her misery in â€Å"wooing† his lady when in fact, she wishes to be his wife. â€Å"To woo your lady. Yet, a barful strife! / Whoe’er I woo, myself would be his wife† (1.4.41-42). The concept of hasty attractions between characters is always present in Shakespearean plays. In â€Å"Twelfth Night†, Viola quickly falls in love with the duke, Olivia also hastily becomes attracted to Cesario despite the fact the she has just met him, and Orsino swiftly switches his feelings from Olivia to Viola as soon as he finds out that Cesario is actually a woman. The notion of physical attraction to the opposite clearly demonstrates the concept of sexuality as the characters have not even spent enough time with each other to dismiss their feelings to be of love already. It is most likely to be feelings of lust as the characters would often refer to the physical attributes of the person first every time they ponder about love such as Olivia’s lines â€Å"I’ll be sworn thou art: / Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions, and spirit,† (1.5.273-274) The fact that Olivia also feels an attraction towards Cesario opens the issue of lesbianism as the audience all know that Cesario is Viola pretending to be a man. Her final monologue upon the departure of Cesario from Olivia’s house reveals her attraction towards the young and handsome messenger. â€Å"I’ll be sworn thou art: / Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions, and spirit, / Do give thee five-fold blazon. Not too fast: soft! soft!† (1.5.273-275). She is easily drawn to the sentimentality of Cesario’s idea when he declares that if he is the one courting Olivia and not his master, he would stay outside her gates and cry out his love for her until she takes pity on him. Viola’s assurance to Olivia as Cesario also reveals a somewhat obvious attraction of Cesario to Olivia. By delivering those lines, despite the fact the Cesario is a woman, shows that Cesario does believe that Lady Olivia is attractive and beautiful. â€Å"’Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white / Nature’s own sweet and cunning hand laid on.† (1.5.222-223). He could not have delivered it so effectively without imagining Olivia to whom he is referring. Scholars agree that the concept of cross-dressing in Shakespeare’s plays illustrates the possibility of lessening conflicts between homosexuality and heterosexuality. â€Å"Perhaps, the cross-dressed heroines of ‘Twelfth Night or As You Like it offer a symbolic way in which the conflict between male-male friendships and heterosexual marriage can be reconciled† (Smith 147). Cleary, in Olivia’s case of falling for Cesario, she fell in love not only for his handsome appearance but also because he has the sincerity that a woman needs from a lover. Obviously, Orsino does not possess them as he makes no risky effort to prove his love to Olivia. All he does is merely whine and complain about how his love is unrequited. Another part in the story that engages in the theme of sexuality is the seemingly homosexual love of Antonio to Sebastian. After rescuing Sebastian from the shipwreck, Antonio goes with him wherever he decides to go. He even goes as far as accompanying him to Illyria where he has many enemies. â€Å"I have many enemies in Orsino’s court, / come what may, I do adore thee so / That danger shall seem sport, and I will go† (2.1.35-6). According to Smith, The word ‘adore’ is a strong one: â€Å"where it’s used elsewhere by Shakespeare, it tends to refer either to the love of mortals for gods, or for an exalted form of romantic courtship† (148). Antonio also entrusts his purse to Sebastian as they part, which reveals his genuine affection for Sebastian. This gesture clearly describes Antonio’s unrequited homosexual love for Sebastian. At the end of â€Å"Twelfth Night,† Duke Orsino still accepts Viola even after discovering that she has fooled him to believe that she was a man. Surprisingly, Orsino tells her that he actually loves her. â€Å"Boy, thou hast said to me a thousand times / Thou shall never shouldst love woman like to me† (5.1.259-260). It is noticeable that despite his confession of love to her, he still refers to him as â€Å"Boy,† which is an indication that he still sees her as Cesario. It can be dismissed that the Duke’s feelings towards Olivia and Viola may be just physical because he is easy to switch his feelings of love from Olivia to Viola. According to the book, A Companion to Shakespeare’s Works, â€Å"[i]n Twelfth night, embodied sexuality appears to be less important than clothing in establishing gendered identity† (Rackin 123). Brief Summary of â€Å"The Merchant of Venice† â€Å"The Merchant of Venice† is the story of Antonio, a Venetian merchant, who encounters a predicament when Bassanio borrowed a big amount of money from him so he could afford to travel to Belmont and win the hand of Portia. Antonio replies that he cannot lend him any money because he has already invested them on his trade ships, but he assures Bassanio that he could lend from any money lending investor and refer to him as a complete guarantor. The two men approach Shylock, a Jewish money lender who secretly despises Antonio for humiliating him numerous times in the past. He agrees to lend money to Bassanio under the condition that if Antonio fails to pay the debt, he is entitled to cut a pound of flesh from Antonio. They closed the deal. Fortunately, Bassanio is able to win Portia’s hand despite the complexity of her dead father’s will but when he finds out that Antonio’s trade ships have been reported missing, he goes back to Venice to help his friend out. With the help of the Duke of Venice and his hired attorney, Balthasar, who is in fact Portia pretending to be a man, try to convince Shylock to negotiate and just take double of the money that he has loaned to Bassanio. Shylock refuses to hear it and insists that he cuts a pound of Antonio’s flesh. Balthasar agrees by also adding that Shylock must cut the flesh without causing it to bleed or else all his properties would be confiscated. Unable to protest any longer, Shylock surrenders and agrees to take the money from Bassanio. He is then prosecuted for attempting to kill a citizen, so half of his properties must go to the government and the other half to Antonio. In the end, Bassanio and Graziano thank Balthasar and his assistant, who is actually Graziano’s wife Nerissa, by offering presents to them. Balthasar demands to have his ring to which Bassanio hesitates but later gives. Upon returning to Belmont, Portia and Nerissa confront and accuse their husband of infidelity because of the ring that they promised never to give under any circumstances. After a short while of arguments, they reconcile by revealing their true identities in the case of Shylock and Antonio. Sexuality and Gender in â€Å"The Merchant of Venice† Similar to â€Å"Twelfth Night†, â€Å"The Merchant of Venice† also includes a scene where a woman dresses as a man to accomplish a goal that would later benefit the protagonists at the end of the story. In this case, Portia is the woman character who pretends to be a male attorney to rescue Antonio from being cut by the vengeful Shylock. By using her wits and intelligence, she is able to notice a lapse in the earlier contract that the two men have agreed upon which leads to the successful negotiation of Shylock by just taking the money instead of taking a pound of Antonio’s flesh. In this regard, the empowerment of the female sexuality is insinuated by means of giving Portia authority in the case. The concept of feminism is clear in this play as female sexuality is deemed to be more empowered in the story than the male sexuality. Cross-dressing obviously plays a large role in symbolizing sexuality and gender in the play. â€Å"Shakespeare uses Portia’s disguise to highlight the struggle between heterosexual love and homosexual love found within the love triangle consisting of Portia, Bassanio, and Antonio† (eNotes.com). In the first part of the story, we witness Antonio’s unexplainable sadness, and when Bassanio arrives, he immediately asks him of his lady-love. This can be an indication that Antonio feels some kind of affection for Bassanio and it might be the reason why he cannot explain his own sadness. It is also apparent that upon Bassanio’s arrival, Antonio is very interested in finding out about Bassanio’s new love. Antonio’s reference to Basssanio as, â€Å"My purse, my person, my extremest means, / Lie all unlock’d to your occasions† (1.1.138-139), reveals an indication that there is more to Antonio’s brotherly feelings towards Bassanio. It is also clear that Antonio has lent Bassanio a big amount of money before and it is not the first time that Bassanio asks a big favor from him. This gesture of eminent closeness between two male friends demonstrates an implicit depth of relationship which is more than friendship. The pound of flesh can be a symbol of sexuality in the play. Flesh clearly symbolizes the lust of the flesh, and even though there is no direct evidence that Shylock is homosexual, it can be regarded that the symbolism of flesh refers to the other characters in the story. Clearly, there are a number of couples in the story such as Portia and Bassanio, Jessica and Lorenzo, and Nerissa and Graziano. This could be a reference that they are examples of people who lust after flesh because of their quick engagements despite the short span of time that they have known each other. It is also apparent that love in this play is much more associated with the hasty physical attraction rather than the concept of extensive courting and getting-to-know-each-other stage. The fact that Portia’s dead father prefers to have a groom for her who can luckily choose the right casket reveals that the present society of the play does not give much importance to feelings but more on practicality. The concept of patriarchal authority is also apparent in the plot of the play as symbolized by Portia’s father’s will. The will represents the authority that her father still has over her decisions despite the fact that he is already dead. The will, therefore, holds the remaining power of her father which clearly reveals a society where men rule. According the play’s guide, â€Å"The plot parallels and contrasts the rivalry between Portia and Antonio in the main plot and highlights the ‘conflict between male friendship and marriage’ which runs throughout [Shakespeare’s] works† (Janik 186). Clearly, in this play, Portia seems to be the hindrance between Antonio and Bassanio’s friendship. However, in the end, she proves to be the one with the authority, as she disguises herself as a man of law to save Antonio. Thus, Portia’s female sexuality becomes more authoritative in the play because she is able to resolve the problem that neither Antonio nor the Duke of Venice can resolve. Conclusion â€Å"Twelfth Night† and â€Å"The Merchant of Venice† encompass a complex plot of mistaken identities and deliberate cross-dressing. The fact that the female characters ultimately save the men from their miseries in the end proves that these Shakespearean plays also include the concept of feminism. However, the theme of sexuality is more focused on the relationships between the heterosexual major characters, while the implicit concept of homosexuality is ambiguous in the male-male friendships. Nevertheless, these two Shakespearean works still embody a story that modern readers could still relate to as the theme of sexuality is continuously present in our society. Works Cited Janik, Vicki K. The Merchant of Venice: A Guide to the Play. Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2003. Rackin, Phyllis. â€Å"Shakespeare’s Crossdressing Comedies.† A Companion to Shakespeare’s Works. Eds. Richard Dutton and Jean Elizabeth Howard. United Kingdom: Blackwell Publishing, 2003. Shakespeare, William. The Merchant of Venice. Ed. Roma Gill. Oxford: Barron’s Educational Series, 2001. Shakespeare, William. Twelfth Night: Or, What You Will. Ed. Cedric Thomas Watts. Hertfordshire: Wordsworth Editions, 1992 Smith, Emma. The Cambridge Introduction to Shakespeare. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2007.   Ã¢â‚¬Å"The Merchant of Venice (Vol. 40): Introduction.† Shakespearean Criticism. Ed. Dana Ramel Barnes. Vol. 40. Gale Cengage, 2006. eNotes.com. 12 Mar 2009

Un Kyoto Protocol

What is the Kyoto  Protocol? The  Kyoto Protocol  is an amendment to the  United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change  (UNFCCC), an international treaty intended to bring countries together to reduceglobal warming  and to cope with the effects of temperature increases that are unavoidable after 150 years of industrialization. The provisions of the Kyoto Protocol are legally binding on the ratifying nations, and stronger than those of the UNFCCC.Countries that ratify the Kyoto Protocol agree to reduce emissions of six greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, HFCs and PFCs. The countries are allowed to use emissions trading to meet their obligations if they maintain or increase their greenhouse gas emissions The Kyoto Protocol sets specific emissions reduction targets for each industrialized nation, but excludes developing countries. To meet their targets, most ratifying nations would have to combine several strategies:   * place restrictions on their biggest polluters manage transportation to slow or reduce emissions from automobiles * make better use of renewable energy sources—such as solar power, wind power, and biodiesel—in place of fossil fuels Background The Kyoto Protocol was negotiated in Kyoto, Japan, in December 1997. It was opened for signature on March 16, 1998, and closed a year later. Under terms of the agreement, the Kyoto Protocol would not take effect until 90 days after it was ratified by at least 55 countries involved in the UNFCCC. Another condition was that ratifying countries had to represent at least 55 percent of the world’s total carbon dioxide emissions for 1990.The first condition was met on May 23, 2002, when Iceland became the 55th country to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. When Russia ratified the agreement in November 2004, the second condition was satisfied, and the Kyoto Protocol entered into force on February 16, 2005. As a U. S. presidential candidate, George W. Bush promised to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Shortly after he took office in 2001, however, President Bush withdrew U. S. support for the Kyoto Protocol and refused to submit it to Congress for ratification. Rationale of UNFCCC and the Kyoto ProtocolThe ultimate objective of this Convention and any related legal instruments that the Conference of the Parties may adopt is to achieve, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Convention, stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Such a level should be achieved within a time-frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner.Concluding Remarks While international agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol are certainly a step in the right direction in that they raise awareness about the severity of global climate change, they are not a complete solution and will not solve the problem alone. Real results and improvements will be seen when fundamental reductions in energy consumption and changes in lifestyle are achieved on an individual level across the globe. Continue by reading about  What You Can Do  to contribute towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving your lifestyle.The Effectiveness of the Kyoto Protocol Kyoto Protocol has several provisions and established mechanisms concerning technology transfer which is supposed to favoring technology transfer for reducing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the world. However, mainly due to the flaws of the provisions and mechanisms, the environmentally sound technologies have not been transferred as smoothly as possible to realize the Kyoto Protocol’s objectives.Therefore, the international community shall take the effectiveness o f Kyoto Protocol as a fresh impetus to consummate the legal system of international technology transfer, that is, developing a uniform technology transfer agreement under the WTO with a focus on promoting environmentally sound technology, which may make the developing countries to acquire the technologies they need under the fair conditions and help them build their capacities to develop in a sustainable manner. China does not need to perform the obligation of reducing GHG emission until 2013 according to Kyoto Protocol, but recautions shall be taken to improve its legal systems on technology transfer to make preparations for implementing the policy of scientific development and playing roles in related international legislation. Impact on Spain of Meeting the Kyoto Commitment in 2008-2012 Impact on Delivered Prices to Households and Industry Meeting the Kyoto Protocol target in 2008-2012 through a combination of domestic actions plus purchases of international credits would increas e the price of home heating oil by more than 32%. Consumers would also pay more for gasoline and diesel.If the Spain participates in the Kyoto Protocol’s economy-wide emission reduction program, prices for industry would rise dramatically. Spanish industries would pay more than 42% more for natural gas and 24% more for electricity than under the baseline projection. Under the assumption that the Kyoto Protocol’s emission targets are made even more stringent in the post-2012 period, the impact on household heating oil prices would rise to more than 43% above the baseline estimate by 2025. Gasoline and diesel prices would rise substantially, between 15-19% by 2025.Impact on Energy Consumption In general, the percentage reduction in energy demand would not need to be as large as the required percentage reduction in carbon emissions because not all Btus of energy have the same carbon content. Additionally, purchase of international CO2 credits means that foreign CO2 reduct ions lessen the need for domestic reductions, thereby avoiding some domestic reductions in energy used. However, use of international credits does have consequences, as companies pass the cost of the international credit onto final consumers of energy via higher prices.Implementation of a limit on carbon dioxide emissions via an international carbon dioxide allowance trading system would result in the following impacts. November 2005 Global Insight, Inc. Page 12 Domestic Sector: The dramatically higher energy prices would force consumers to cut their consumption of energy. Since there is only limited opportunity to substitute more energy efficient appliances and furnaces for the period 2008- 2012, consumers would reduce their consumption of energy services. Longer term, consumers would attempt to replace some of these services by replacing their energy consuming equipment.Industry Sector: Industry would respond to the dramatically higher prices through several mechanisms. First, ind ustry would reduce energy consumption through process change. Second, industry would replace energy-consuming capital with more efficient capital. Third, to the extent possible, production of energy intensive goods would move to non-participating countries. Power Sector: The power sector would be hard hit under these scenarios. The imposition of carbon permits would lead to extremely large increases in the delivered price of electricity, particularly to the industrial sector.Imposition of ever decreasing carbon permit levels would set in motion dramatic changes in this sector. Coal use would decline, slowly at first and then rapidly, as the price drove electricity prices up reducing demand and encouraging the substitution of natural gas or renewables. Investment in natural gas fired generating capacity would alleviate some of the pressure on electricity prices, but with the ever increasing stringency of the target, investment in end-use efficiency would need to be as great or greate r than improvements in power supply efficiency.Transportation Sector: The impact on the transportation sector would be significant. However, due to the high taxes already in place on transportation fuels, the percentage change in price due to the addition of the carbon permit fees is less than the change in price in other sectors. Longer run, the permit price would have to be high enough to reduce energy use in this sector as the target tightens. Even assuming an international carbon dioxide emission allowance trading scheme, meeting the Kyoto targets would result in the following: ? Coal, with the highest carbon content of the energy sources, would be the hardest hit. Petroleum would experience the smallest percentage decline of the fossil fuels because of strong demand and limited technology substitution options in the transportation sector over the forecast horizon. ? Natural gas demand would initially increase relative to the baseline as it is substituted for coal and petroleum but ultimately would need to decline as the cutbacks in demand outweigh this substitution effect. ? The demand for renewables would increase in all the cases. ? For this analysis, it was assumed that nuclear and hydroelectric energy would not change.Economic Impacts Output and employment losses would be expected under the Kyoto Protocol because: energy-using equipment and vehicles would be made prematurely obsolete; consumers would be rattled by rapid increases in living costs; and financial ministers would most likely need to target more slack in the economy to deflate non-energy prices and thus stabilize the overall price environment. The analysis assumes that the cost of emission allowances would be passed along to consumers in the form of higher energy prices and ultimately high prices for all goods and services.Consumers’ purchasing power would be reduced by the higher cost of using energy, reducing real disposable income. Consumption and residential fixed investment wou ld be the hardest hit components of real GDP because of the direct loss in real disposable income. The short period to phase in the permit prices (2005-2008) would lead to substantial declines in real consumption from Base Case levels in the 2008-12 period. Imports would strengthen relative to Base Case levels, spurred by the competitive price advantage of non-participating Annex B countries, and non-Annex B countries. Real GDP would fall 3. % (26 billion Euros) on average below Base Case levels during the 2008-12 budget period, and 4. 3% (48 billion Euros) below in 2025 under Case 1 and 5. 6% (63 billion Euros) below under Case 2. The economy’s potential to produce would fall below Base Case levels initially with the cut back in energy usage, since energy is a key factor of production. Stronger investment would be required over the longer-term to build capital as a substitute for this lost factor. The decline in consumption and residential fixed investment relative to Base C ase levels, however, would have a depressing impact on business fixed investment in the near-term.Annual employment losses are projected to be 611,000 jobs in 2010 in the Spain The percentage reduction in employment relative to Base Case levels would be less than the drop in output. This is due to an increase in the labor-to-output ratio (or a decline in labor productivity) attributed to the permit program. Labor productivity would decline because the other factors of production would be less efficient. Only as investment grows and the capital stock is expanded would productivity begin to improve.Post 2012, if the target emission level under the Kyoto Protocol is maintained, the impact on economic performance would begin to lessen. The extreme change in the energy prices experienced during the years between 2008 and 2012 would not be repeated. While the percentage change in prices relative to the baseline would increase somewhat, the year-over-year change in prices would be reduced. However, achieving even more aggressive targets would take ever larger carbon fees, and would continue to take a significant toll on economic performance. http://www. studymode. com/essays/The-Kyoto-Protocol-Business-Ethics-202293. html

A Motivational Article for IBPS PO and IBPS Clerk Aspirants

A Motivational Article for IBPS PO and IBPS Clerk Aspirants These immortal words were penned down by the late Padma Shri awardee Shri. Sohanlal Dwivedi. The translation is simple it states that â€Å" if you keep on getting scared of the waves you will never be able to cross the sea to the other side which is full of beautiful scenes, and that the one who keeps on trying always will eventually succeed†. In order to crack IBPS PO and IBPS Clerk examinations, one needs a lot of patience and sometimes eventually has to face failure. But even in failure, one should not get demotivated but instead find the courage and keep on fighting on until you have finally cracked the exams. Some talented students are able to crack the exams in one attempt while others take a few more. The ones who have failed also are talented but it was just not their time. Hard work beats talent every time but when you start working a little hard with the little talent you have then nothing can stop you from achieving the bigger thing in life. IBPS exams are not cleared overnight, it is just like climbing a mountain. It may take months or perhaps even years to get there but eventually, when you do get there the view from above will be worth the wait. Learn to make the obstacles you face in your way your best friends as at the end of the day these obstacles will form a ladder for you that will take you places. Over 30 lakh aspirants gave exam in 2017 for Ibps PO alone and many more for Ibps clerical exam. The numbers may be demotivating at times with only a few seats to qualify these numbers do pose a bigger threat than the exam itself to some. But out of this whole basket of fruits only a few are sweet. Most of the candidates out of this 30 lakh are just following a trend to give exams because others are doing so and an estimated 10-20 % of people never even appear for exams at all. And only the last remaining few candidates are the few real competitors who are seriously willing to give it all for IBPS exams. Be passionate about what you do, Be acceptable to all the criticism you are receiving or have received in the past, Stay motivated always and last but not the least always stay focused on your goal that is to become PO officer or Clerk. Follow inspirational people from all the fields be it sports, stay updated about what’s going around and last but not the least dont try to be like other heroes but be a hero in your own rights. Surround yourself with all the positive people and more important thoughts. And when you are in trouble or some other thoughts just keep reminding yourself of the life you are going to have after clearing the exam and you will be relieved of your tensions. Brave all the difficulties in the battle of life, dont just make it the battle of talent or luck instead make it a battle fought with much patience and hard work.

Cousin Vinnies Pizza - Business Plan Coursework

Cousin Vinnies Pizza - Business Plan - Coursework Example The food products will be sold to the general public, schools and college students and other public gatherings. Cousin Vinnie’s pizza food and fire truck’s purpose is to offer the best quality Pizza to the South Bend locals. The customers will be satisfied through the provision of a different variety of Pizza at fair prices. The company’s main strength is the ability to provide better products at strategic locations. The challenge includes the unfavorable economic climate as a result of competition that includes Pizza-4 U and John’s Foods. The business will differentiate itself from the competitors through lower prices and quicker services. The proposed legal organization of the business will entail a private partnership ownership structure comprising of two shareholders. Interested investors will be welcomed to contribute the start-up capital. The private partnership will enable the easy raising of capital. The business will require a health permit, a mob ile truck license and a trading license from the South Bend municipality.

Reliability in Manufacturing Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Reliability in Manufacturing - Research Paper Example Problems experienced in hardware that results to alterations in the data path or storage content issues to problems or disruptions in the way the software works. Nonetheless, software does not wear out, crack, deform or age. Additionally, software does not have colour, shape, and it is intangible and invisible. Notably, a significant quality characteristic of a computer system is the extent to which it can be relied upon to carry out its envisioned role. The prediction, evaluation and the enhancement of this characteristic have been a worry to users and designers of computers. Software is fundamentally a tool for converting a distinct set of outputs. Once the software functions correctly, it does not imply that that software will always run correctly. In the past, there has been numerous tragedies and turmoil caused by software. Notably, software can make resolutions but they can be sometimes unreliable, just as human beings. For example, the British destroyer Sheffield was destroyed because the radar recognized an incoming missile as "friendly." The defense system mistakenly made a decision that caused much damage and harm. Additionally, the defense system was modified to the extent that it can detect and mistakenly identify the rising moon as a missile. Software also has minimal imperceptible errors that can result to a tragedy. For example, in February 1991, a chopping error during the Gulf War that missed 0.000000095 second in accuracy in every 10th second made the patriot missile unsuccessful in intercepting a speeding missile that killed 28 people. However, fixing the glitches in the software does not make the software dependable. Quite the reverse, novel problems may emerge. For example, in 1991, the local Californian telephone systems stopped after altering three lines of code in a signaling program. On the other hand, it is notable to acknowledge that perfectly running software may break if the environment is altered. It is

Language acquisition by a bilingual child Essay

Language acquisition by a bilingual child - Essay Example Of concern to this paper is vocabulary acquisition in bilingual children and the impact that various factors have in determining children’s proficiency in their two languages. While little research exists in this area, a few researchers have since conducted research and came up with interesting results on the role these factors play in their children’s language development. It is also very important to compare the bilingual children with those from the monolingual families to see the extent of vocabulary acquisition of the two, though researches have since indicated that the language scores in bilingual children are lower than the scores of those from monolingual homes (Altarriba & Heredia, 2011, p.170). This calls for more studies so as to know the exact factors that contribute to this difference. In their article, Quiroz et al., (2010) summarise their study findings on the impacts of a mother on the learning outcomes of their children, as regards to mastering the vocabularies of the different languages. The study was conducted mainly to examine the various home factors affecting language acquisition of children of 4-5 years old, in bilingual families. Another question of this research involved the impact of the mother-child book sharing activity in bilingual families, and how it compares with that of the monolingual families. Since this study used Latin American kids from families who also used English as their other langiage, it also endeavoured to find out whether the Spanish vocabulary input also impacted the English vocabulary outcomes. The participants of this study were 250 Spanish-Speaking children. Family samples were from three communities living in Maryland and Massachusetts. A comparison sample comprised 150 children drawn from families living in Puerto Rico. The researchers made sure that the children participated came from families where at least Spanish was one of the languages spoken in the

Is Cultural Pluralism a Viable and Valid Way to Deal with Diversity in Research Paper

Is Cultural Pluralism a Viable and Valid Way to Deal with Diversity in the United States - Research Paper Example The present research has identified that the colonists were unified in their opposition to taxation without representation and other impositions that they felt membership in the British Empire was imposing on them. However, beyond that shared belief there was already a great deal of diversity in the United States. First, there were the indigenous peoples and the African-American population. Both of these groups were excluded from participating in the governance of the new nation (as were women). This alone is evidence of diversity. On another level, even the European immigrants newly arrived in North America brought with them diverse cultures. Many were religious dissenters such as William Penn and the Quakers that founded Pennsylvania and the Puritans that had founded the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Manhattan had been founded by the Dutch and there was still a large number of people of Dutch heritage who spoke Dutch in the area at the time of the Revolution. The Constitution itse lf also speaks to the diversity within the United States over 200 hundred years ago. In light of the diversity of the newly formed United States, the Constitution specifically ruled out the establishment of a state, official religion and guaranteed freedom of religion. The first phrase in the First Amendment states, â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.† Religious diversity was an aspect of American national identity from the birth of the United States. The Constitution also recognizes that the former colonies, now states, are each unique.

Application of conflict management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Application of conflict management - Essay Example In the instance of two individuals disagreeing on the proper way to carry out a project, the main recognition is that the conflict manager identifies the disagreement as substantive. They would then aid the conflicting parties in developing a democratic and functional solution to the task problem. Another notable conflict management technique is the implementation of a model. Kuhn and Poole (2000, p. 558) indicate that an effective model is the integrative model. The integrative model views conflict resolution as not necessarily involving winners and losers, but rather the distribution of concessions in an integrative way. Following the above example where team members are disagreeing about the proper way forward for a team project an integrative solution would be most effective. In this way certain group members would be allowed to decide specific aspects of the group’s progress, while other group members would have different responsibilities. This way there would be no winne r or loser, but rather an integrative solution to the

Research Methods Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Methods - Research Paper Example According to Zwass, electronic commerce is defined as â€Å"the sharing of business information, maintaining of business relationships, and conducting of business transactions by means of telecommunications networks†. The electronic commerce activities are inter-organisational processes of market-based sell-buy relationships and collaboration, consumer oriented activities, and inter-organisational processes that support them (Zwass). The innovation diffusion theory by Rogers has been widely applied as a theoretical framework to analyse adoption of technology. The framework identified five factors which influence adoption of technology in organisations. These factors are relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability and observability. Relative advantage is defined as â€Å"the degree to which an innovation is perceived as being better than the idea it supersedes†. Compatibility is defined as â€Å"the degree to which an innovation is perceived as consisten t with the existing values, past experiences, and needs of potential adopters†. Complexity is defined as â€Å"the degree to which an innovation is perceived as relatively difficult to understand and use†. ... This study therefore seeks to identify the factors that influence adoption of e-commerce in organisations using Rogers’ model. Research Questions 1. What is the effect of relative advantage on adoption of e-commerce? 2. Does compatibility affect adoption of e-commerce? 3. What is the effect of complexity on adoption of e-commerce? 4. Does trialability affect adoption of e-commerce? 5. What is the effect of observability on adoption of e-commerce? Research Objectives The objectives of this study are: 1. To examine the effect of relative advantage on adoption of e-commerce. 2. To determine the effect of compatibility on adoption of e-commerce. 3. To assess the effect of complexity on adoption of e-commerce. 4. To examine the effect of trialability on adoption of e-commerce. 5. To determine the effect of observability on adoption of e-commerce. Significance of the Study This study is very important to organisations in Saudi Arabia as well as other Arab countries. The results of t his study will be very valuable in informing the management of these retail stores on how a number of factors will influence adoption of e-commerce for those who wish to do so. The study is also important to government agencies in charge of policy-making decisions. The study will provide valuable recommendations on how regulation of e-commerce should be carried out based on the results on the adoption factors of e-commerce. The policy recommendations will therefore help come up with solutions that will address the challenges of e-commerce among retailers. Researchers will also find this study valuable source information as a reference material as well as act as a basis for

Preserve Knowledge Essay Example for Free

Preserve Knowledge Essay Dear Sir, Have you ever noticed how people live all their lives in the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom? As a society, we put so much emphasis upon enriching our lives through education and it never seems to dawn upon us that upon our demise, all of this knowledge we thirsted to have in life becomes a forgotten part of our existence. It bothers me when I hear about people committing suicide or killing an innocent person because all of the knowledge they gained in life goes with them to the grave and is then lost forever. This is why I have decided that the time has come for me to write a book that will help people come to terms with their personalities and perhaps learn to appreciate their reason for being in this world in the process. If I can touch a life and prevent even one homicide of suicide case in the world, then my book Preserve Knowledge: The Healing of the Nation will have accomplished its objective to save lives and preserve knowledge. Nobody really understands why people commit crimes against lives and how it affects the perpetrator spiritually. I would like to help in understanding their situation by helping them in their healing process and introducing them to other spiritual leaders who were once lost and without direction in their lives and have now become leaders of society. Only by understanding these people and their situations will it be possible for us to communicate with our inner self and soul and eventually understand how wisdom of the mind and soul becomes a reality. Through my book, I wish to help people come to the realization that when a person dies or is killed, everything he has learned in life becomes useless. There was no transference of knowledge to the living that are capable of propagating the knowledge shared with them by the deceased. By helping people to survive, we preserve knowledge and in the end the shared knowledge helps in empowering a nation. An intellectual nation is a rich nation. My book will concentrate on developing the 2 most important areas of development in a human being. These are the mind and soul. It is imperative that the mind of a person be developed because the mind can be likened to an absorbent sponge that will absorb all information that comes its way. It is like a blank slate waiting to be written upon using permanent ink. Although the mind filters information, it also helps the soul develop through logical connections and thinking. The soul on the other hand helps that knowledge we collect to become part of a persons personality and memory database. During the times when the soul feels so tired that if seems to make more sense to end your life, a person feels hopeless. But this is not the way God intended for us to live our lives. God created man to be the highest and most intelligent form of animals because only man was tasked with the duty of taking care of our planet and recording its history. This is the main reason why all knowledge and information that each man has in his mind and soul must be shared with others. Sharing information with the right people always helps to enrich lives. When a person feels good about himself and he has the right kind of support to help him overcome his shortcomings, the nation benefits. That person will always turn out to be a valuable asset to society and whose contribution would be solely missed if he were to take his knowledge to the grave with him. This is why it is imperative that my book Preserve Knowledge: The Healing of the Nation must be published. So many lives are lost these days to suicide or homicide. Imagine all the knowledge that is snatched away from us. We should not allow the draining of this knowledge to proceed any further. Needless to say, only my book can show us how to do this. This is why I am imploring your help in order to see my book published. If you believe in the same causes that I do, this book will be a valuable asset to your personal library.

Does Liberalism Promote Or Undermine Democracy Politics Essay

Does Liberalism Promote Or Undermine Democracy Politics Essay In a world of ideologies, liberalism and democracy have long coexisted. Liberalism in essence advocates for liberty and equal rights and the importance of the role they play in the development of individuals (liberalism. 1/1). Democracy takes a step further and most types of democracies aim to bring this into execution by the subsequent granting of these rights and liberties i.e. providing a platform for the individuals to grow via equal participation in the realm of economic, social and political affairs, and thus enabling them to decide their own destiny (What Is a Liberal Democracy? 1/1). At times, the two have managed to complement and supplement each other when either the liberals in their attempt to liberate themselves de-democratized or the democrats in their attempt to democratize de-liberated. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role, if any; liberalism plays in the democratization of systems that govern the modern political ideologies. The correlation between libera lism and democracy has been one where liberalism has both strengthened and destabilized democracy at different times, in different ways. It is not merely the explicit merger or clash of the two ideologies that provides the basis for liberalism to promote or undermine democracy, as the case may be. The problem is one of a more complex nature, which upon closer look, can be rooted to several democratizing and de-democratization practices of the liberal democrats in their attempt to liberate themselves. The subsequent advent of Neoliberalism did not help much and by aiming to promote a market driven approach to politics and economics by maximizing the role of the private sector in determining the political and economic policies of the state (McChesney 1/1). The liberal ideology that voices for liberty and equal rights help in the running of democracies where people are granted these rights and liberties and are subsequently entitled to freedom of speech, equal right to vote and tolerance towards religions. Liberalism emphasizes on individual freedom and the protection of that freedom (Liberal Ideas 1/1). The origin of democracy can be traced back in history to the liberal ideology of capitalism which won against fascism and led to the democratization of the state, as advocated by John Locke (Uzgalis 1/1). It was the principle that not only liberated people but granted them fundamental rights laying the basis for democratization (Uzgalis 1/1). It was the individual economic power of the business class that allowed them to liberate themselves from the tyranny of dictators after they had started to get irritated by the thought of having to follow someone according to Charles Tilly, besides having the means to rule themselves and subsequently led to a more representative form of government (Tilly 1/1). The liberal idea of individual freedom and social equality as put forward by John Stuart Mill, laid the basis for granting of civil rights to people, subsequently leading to the democratization of the state where the role of civil society is considered to be one of great significance (Wils on 1/1). A major characteristic of liberal democracies is the existence of pluralism i.e. the coexistence of different political parties that allow people with opposing views to join together and be able to pursue their own agendas (liberal democracy 1/1). While free media, another brainchild of liberalism, enables people to voice their opinions, debate, analyze and critique the performance of the state thereby ensuring transparency thus strengthening democracy as the rule of the majority (Charlton 1/1). Another feature of liberal ideology i.e. capitalism argues for markets to operate freely (Capitalism and democracy take two 1/1). This provides people with increased choice and opportunity to grow and consequently protect individual wellbeing. Governments, in order to gain popular support, aim to benefit the majority and thus regulate this idea of capitalism to an extent only to make sure that the freedom to earn and grow is not concentrated and rather benefits the community at large (Capital ism and democracy take two 1/1). Liberalism has also been one of the major reasons for the demise of the democratic order in states over the years. Although liberalism provides the basis following which most democracies aim to flourish, the same at times has been guilty of promoting anti-democratic practices such as use of influence by elite to stay in power, more commonly known as Marxs idea of dictatorship of the bourgeoisie (MIA: Encyclopedia of Marxism: Glossary of Terms. 1/1), use of media to propagate against opposition (Charlton 1/1) and bureaucracys promotion of self-interest (Clarke, and Foweraker). It has been debated that media while playing a significant role in the strengthening of democracy can also be used to derail the democratic order (Charlton 1/1). The theory put forward is that liberalism promotes the role of media and considering the magnitude of importance attached, concentration of media i.e. ownership and control by a specific group or class (elite) can lead to its abuse (Charlton 1/1). These undesirable practices only contribute towards weakening of democracies. The existence of many political parties and the right to decide whether to vote or not granted to people by liberalism at times leads to the problems of promotion of self interests and not everyone voting; subsequently undermining the legitimacy of the electoral process as the choice of the majority (Compulsory Voting. 1/1). One such example is of Pakistan where the voter turnout was merely 44.91 percent in the 2008 elections (Pakistan voter turnout put at 44.9 percent 1/1). Moreover, many socialists argue that as liberalism promotes capitalism, the resulting democracy is not one of equality but rather one biased towards the influential elite (MIA: Encyclopedia of Marxism: Glossary of Terms. 1/1). They further argue that policies aimed at helping the elite for personal interests lead to increased disparity between rich and poor and thus are considered anti-democratic (MIA: Encyclopedia of Marxism: Glossary of Terms. 1/1). Bureaucracy also occupies great importance in the political and economic affairs of democratic states. Arguably, these bureaucrats in their desire to obtain individual benefits toy with laws to not only mend them in their favor but also ensure that their stay in power is both prosperous and long lasting (Clarke, and Foweraker). Such corrupt practices hamper the democratic order. Majoritarianism aims to again highlight the problem of the selected few (a minority) who have the means and power via self liberation through capitalism and con centration of media, to not only influence the political process but subsequently rule the majority while falsely proclaiming to be the voice of the majority (What Is a Liberal Democracy? 1/1). Another argument that highlights how liberalism undermines democracy is one of equal participation and the attainment of economic, social and cultural equality to go with the granted political equality (Carter and Stokes 8-12). Liberal democrats argue that as everyone has a right to vote thus the political system is democratic in essence, however the argument is that unless economic, social and cultural equality is also granted to marginalized groups such as feminists and gay right liberalists, democratization cannot be achieved in essence (Carter and Stokes 8-12). First wave feminists although did get a right to vote (West 1/1), it still did not ensure equality as the men who dominated society formed policies promoting self interests leaving them worse off. It was not until the second and third waves of feminism that women got more rights but still not equal to those enjoyed by men (West 1/1). Similarly gay right activists, Afro-Americans/blacks and ethnic minority liberalists argue that although they do have a say in the political sphere, they still have to bear several inequalities in terms of social, cultural and economic rights (Carter and Stokes 8-12). They also argue that the fact that women or blacks are given jobs it doesnt mean they are equal in all spheres (Carter and Stokes 8-12). The influential class not only is able to implement policies which benefit themselves but also ensure that these groups of people remain subservient to them (Carter and Stokes 8-12). The advent of Neoliberalism, however, has been the defining moment in this complex relationship between liberalism and democracy. Neoliberalism has managed to affect democracy in more explicit terms as it à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦neoliberalism has strengthened the sustainability of democracy in Latin America but limited its quality. (Weyland 1/1). Implying that globalization has led to the forced maintenance of democratic order while also increasing social inequality (Weyland 1/1). Neoliberals, the advocates of a market driven mechanism with no scope for government intervention, aim to maximize the role of private sector in the formation of all economic and political policies (McChesney 1/1). The shift of focus from the society to the individual has led to several extreme policy changes regarding privatization of public institutions, redistribution of wealth through taxation, and provision of welfare facilities including basic necessities such as health, education, food, clothing and shelter ( McChesney 1/1). Neoliberalism has become the dominating political ideology in recent times. Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan gave neo-liberalism a big boost in the 1980s. (Neoliberalism 1/1). The parties that follow neoliberal ideology and the policies implemented tend to have a clear bias in favor of a wealthy few and many multi/trans-national corporations (McChesney 1/1). Everything that seems to be in contradiction with the operations of the free market mechanism is subsequently suppressed by using even unfair means or undemocratic practices (McChesney 1/1). Business forces face little or no opposition and the primary objective of the state is not welfare and equality and rather profit making and economic growth even at the cost of increased disparity (McChesney 1/1). Democracy is only seen acceptable as long as it is in line with the objectives of the business class (McChesney 1/1). Any anti-democratic measures that promote business environment are considered to be acceptable and democratic t o a great extent (McChesney 1/1). Neoliberalism leads to complete alienation of the non business class from the political process (McChesney 1/1) as it can be seen in Pakistani politics where the political system is one that is either hereditary or elitist. The consequences of such an ideology range from low voter turnout to wide spread depression as while some are playing in billions, the others are even deprived of food for survival due to the nonexistence of public institutions that would otherwise aim to address the issue of social welfare which can and will never be addressed by corporations driven by profit motive (McChesney 1/1). Neoliberal democracy, with its notion of the market uber alles [sic], takes dead aim at this sector. Instead of citizens, it produces consumers. Instead of communities, it produces shopping malls. The net result is an atomized society of disengaged individuals who feel demoralized and socially powerless. (McChesney 1/1). According to Ha-Joon Chang (2004), a professor at the University of Cambridge, global neo-liberalism threatens democracy by granting global investors and corporations veto power over domestic policy choices that they oppose. He also argues that neoliberal policies have granted excessive power to monetary bodies such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund over domestic policies of recipient countries (Manurung 1/1). The influential capitalists, with their monopoly over property, media and political institutions amongst others, use coercive measures to suppress this opposition, a practice completely against the norms of democracy (McChesney 1/1). Those in favor of Neoliberalism, however argue that the idea of free market mechanism has provided people with choice and freedom (McChesney 1/1). They argue that it is a merit based system that promotes competition and provides equal opportunity to everyone who is good enough. Projects such as micro financing have emancipated women economically, who have been deprived otherwise (Mayoux 1/1). They argue that feminists have long fought for economic rights which have in turn been granted by Neoliberalism; the only condition is that one has to be good enough to attain (Mayoux 1/1). Liberalism, democracy and Neoliberalism have shared a strange relation since the time they have started to interact. Although liberalism and democracy do tend to complement each other as long as there is no misuse of power, Neoliberalism, has contributed mostly to the de-democratization while also contributing to democracy in the sense of increased participation. It mostly undermines the basic characteristics that define democracies and also goes on to contradict itself at times with regards to the liberation of every individual. The use of coercion to suppress opposition, that arises due to the increasing inequalities resulting from the market driven approach of Neoliberalism has done nothing but deprived the states of democratic order. Anti democratic policies of promoting self centered agendas through misuse of authority i.e. exercising economic and political influence via media and bureaucratic structures etc to stay in power have led both, liberalism to an extent and Neoliberali sm to almost completely, undermining democracy.

The Underlying Message Essays -- essays research papers

The Underlying Message Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is not specifically about orthodox Zen Buddhist practice nor does if specifically teaches how to repair a motorcycle. It does, however, dig into the inner structure of the thought process to form a foundation to support any form of logic. This is accomplished by means of a trek through the author’s mind as he recounts his past in attempt to rediscover who he once was. As the author comes to term with his duality, the reader is conditioned to understand the author’s philosophical ideas, which are the underlying beams of his value system. Pirsig presents his message through lectures to the reader. These lectures are comprised of history, philosophy, and common sense. The author purposely uses the term chautauqua to define these lectures. He describes a chautauqua as â€Å"an old-time series of popular talks intended to edify and entertain, improve the mind and bring culture and enlightenment to the ears and thoughts of the hearer† (p.17). Throughout the story Pirsig breaks from his incomplete lecture to focus on the current situation of his motorcycle trip. As the story continues, some nonspecific aspect triggers the author’s mind to restart a new lecture, and eventually, they all tie together. The most common reoccurring lecture themes include the purpose of institutions, the search for quality and the need of balance between two extremes. These are interesting highlights of the book, but it is not the author’s intention to convert his audience to his value system. Rather, it is Pirsig’s g oal to present how he created his value system as an example to show how to tackle such a complex and abstract subject. In fact, the reoccurring themes themselves are complex and abstract subjects, and Pirsig breaks each of them apart to analyze the system, just how one would tear down an engine to understand how a motorcycle functions. Institutions and their role obviously weighed heavily upon the author’s mind. He explored the system from the whole down to its most minute parts. First, he chose one type of institution, education. From past experience as a student and professor, Pirsig naturally had formed an opinion on the matter. He observed that students are taught to imitate, and the result is a drone modeled after the instructor. This is done to please the instructor so a higher grade can be received. The n... ...y harm him. The narrator did not understand who he was until he saw that Chris finally realized it. â€Å"I knew it† (p. 370). Phaedrus let go and submitted in the mental hospital for the love of his son. The narrator was abandoning Chris for the same reason. It was not until both identities had racked themselves apart that they could be brought back together, and the quality of their lives change. Suddenly the introduction seems fitting.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"And what is good, Phaedrus,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  And what is not good–   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Need we ask anyone to tell us these thing?† Pirsig did not want to mold our minds. Instead, he showed us the way. He taught his audience how to think and to learn. That was the author’s hidden intent all along, and if he were to just come out and say it, it would lose its meaning. The reader has to tear himself apart to find out what makes him tick. What is the driving force that is the basis for his actions? What does the reader hold important and why? What values should he possess and when should they hold? Once we do understand ourselves, we can understand our surroundings, and our quality of life increases. The Underlying Message Essays -- essays research papers The Underlying Message Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is not specifically about orthodox Zen Buddhist practice nor does if specifically teaches how to repair a motorcycle. It does, however, dig into the inner structure of the thought process to form a foundation to support any form of logic. This is accomplished by means of a trek through the author’s mind as he recounts his past in attempt to rediscover who he once was. As the author comes to term with his duality, the reader is conditioned to understand the author’s philosophical ideas, which are the underlying beams of his value system. Pirsig presents his message through lectures to the reader. These lectures are comprised of history, philosophy, and common sense. The author purposely uses the term chautauqua to define these lectures. He describes a chautauqua as â€Å"an old-time series of popular talks intended to edify and entertain, improve the mind and bring culture and enlightenment to the ears and thoughts of the hearer† (p.17). Throughout the story Pirsig breaks from his incomplete lecture to focus on the current situation of his motorcycle trip. As the story continues, some nonspecific aspect triggers the author’s mind to restart a new lecture, and eventually, they all tie together. The most common reoccurring lecture themes include the purpose of institutions, the search for quality and the need of balance between two extremes. These are interesting highlights of the book, but it is not the author’s intention to convert his audience to his value system. Rather, it is Pirsig’s g oal to present how he created his value system as an example to show how to tackle such a complex and abstract subject. In fact, the reoccurring themes themselves are complex and abstract subjects, and Pirsig breaks each of them apart to analyze the system, just how one would tear down an engine to understand how a motorcycle functions. Institutions and their role obviously weighed heavily upon the author’s mind. He explored the system from the whole down to its most minute parts. First, he chose one type of institution, education. From past experience as a student and professor, Pirsig naturally had formed an opinion on the matter. He observed that students are taught to imitate, and the result is a drone modeled after the instructor. This is done to please the instructor so a higher grade can be received. The n... ...y harm him. The narrator did not understand who he was until he saw that Chris finally realized it. â€Å"I knew it† (p. 370). Phaedrus let go and submitted in the mental hospital for the love of his son. The narrator was abandoning Chris for the same reason. It was not until both identities had racked themselves apart that they could be brought back together, and the quality of their lives change. Suddenly the introduction seems fitting.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"And what is good, Phaedrus,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  And what is not good–   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Need we ask anyone to tell us these thing?† Pirsig did not want to mold our minds. Instead, he showed us the way. He taught his audience how to think and to learn. That was the author’s hidden intent all along, and if he were to just come out and say it, it would lose its meaning. The reader has to tear himself apart to find out what makes him tick. What is the driving force that is the basis for his actions? What does the reader hold important and why? What values should he possess and when should they hold? Once we do understand ourselves, we can understand our surroundings, and our quality of life increases.

Essay on Shirows Ghost in the Shell -- Ghost in the Shell Essays

Shirow's Ghost in the Shell The real beauty of Mamoru Oshii's adaptation of Shirow's Ghost in the Shell lies in its attention to detail and the sheer cohesiveness of these details which collectively form complex ideas and plot. In nearly every detail and every plot element lies some tie to the key themes of the anime. Some of the main themes deal with the commodification of the flesh and body; the separation between one's spirit and body; and the idea that a static environment or organism a weak stronghold. Here I will choose to focus on how through details the film explicates these themes, rather than spending time extrapolating or explaining the themes in detail myself. The first key scene to examine is the interlude midway through the movie in which Motoko wanders through the city as music is played, inducing an almost transcendental mood. Nearly every one of those shots either shows the impersonality of the city, or some object which seems to make a statement about the separation between an individual and that individual's body, how the one does not equate to or determine the other. For instance, Motoko sees several women- eating and walking- with the same face as her own, and the viewer immediately begins to wonder what else is similar. The concept that the body does not in any way determine the personality seems ridiculous to us, as our bodies are valued, and never to be bought sold, or worst of all, replaced. In the crowded, impersonal city (This impersonality was another important point, as that very lack knowledge of those around leads to a sort of commodification of strangers, which is similar to that same commodification of the body), among the thousands or millions of people she co... ...when Motoko gears up in the van as she and Togusa chase the garbage truck. They speak of why he was hired, and her explanation is, "Overspecialize and you breed in weakness. It's slow death." Indeed, plot-wise, the only reason that Project 2501 chooses to meld with Motoko is that he does not wish to be weaker by being static. All of these details are simply brief examples of variety and enormity of thought put into this animated film. Its visuals do as much for the themes as does its plot and dialogue, and neither may be completely separated. The endless foreshadowing brings about a certain interwoven quality of plot which makes this an amazingly complex- yet unified- story and concept. In all, Ghost in the Shell did a wonderful job of portraying its themes as each minute of the movie had something new to show, and all were related to the total narrative.

Comparing The Long Love That in My Thought Doth Harbor and The Flea Ess

Comparing Wyatt’s The Long Love That in My Thought Doth Harbor and Donne’s The Flea  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   Every century has its own poetry; poetry has its own personality and aspects, especially love poems.   In the sixteenth century, poems about love were more about the court than the lover.   In the next century (the seventeenth), the poems of love were more about courting the lover.   An author from the sixteenth century, Sir Thomas Wyatt the Elder, is well known for his lyrics pertaining to love.   An author from the seventeenth century is John Donne, who is most famous for his love-poetry.   When comparing these two authors, the theme of love is very apparently different.   Sir Thomas Wyatt the Elder’s love poems, such as â€Å"The Long Love That in My Thought Doth Harbor,† â€Å"bear an imprint of a strongly individual personality.   But the personality is a very different one from John Donne’s. †1 One of John Donne’s lyrics, â€Å"The Flea,† is an exemplary of the seventeenth century’s love poems that have a theme that focuses on the lover.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the sixteenth century, the poems were obviously not written for the lover, but for the court.   The poem â€Å"The Long Love That in My Thought Doth Harbor† expresses this point through its imagery of a battle.   Not many people would compare their love to a battle, because if they did, it probably would not be a true love.   Wyatt’s conceit is a siege (battle), and he concentrates on the theme that the lover suffers in this poem.   Wyatt’s poems are not typical love poems; most people would expect desire, true love winning in t... ...found in the sixteenth century.   The seventeenth century is more open to the idea of a physical love as well as a spiritual love.   The sixteenth century focuses on love in the court rather than the lovers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The theme of love in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries is treated the same in some regards and differently in others.   On the whole, Donne compares love to what he feels, whereas Wyatt compares love to a battle.   Poems about love have drastically changed throughout the centuries.   Love poems have evolved, as have people.   But as the poem â€Å"The Long Love That in My Thought Doth Harbor† cites, â€Å"For good is the life ending faithfully.†Ã‚   It’s all worth it in the end.   â€Å"It is better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all.†   

The age of the entrepreneur has arrived

We are living in an age of entrepreneurship. When Bill Gates, the founder and CEO of Microsoft or Anita Roddick, founder of the Body Shop seem to be better known around the world than most heads of state, one might conclude that the age of the entrepreneur has arrived. Entrepreneurs of large multinational corporations have had a distinctly important role in shaping today's process of globalization. The term â€Å"entrepreneurship† has historically referred to the efforts of an individual who takes on the odds in translating a vision into a successful business enterprise (Collins & Moore, 1964; Hebert & Link, 1988). More recently, however, entrepreneurship has been conceptualized as a process that can occur in organizations of all sizes and types, such as the public sector, and non-profit organization (Burgelman, 1983; Gartner, 1985; Kao, 1989; Miller, 1983). In this paper, the author will use the case of Michael Young, Lord Young of Dartington, to discuss how useful is the notion of the ‘social entrepreneur' and how different is such a concept from the more traditional portrayal of the private sector entrepreneur. The story of Michael Young Michael Young, one of Britain foremost social entrepreneurs, has died aged 86. Lord Young of Dartington leaves behind dozens of institutions and charities which he either was founder, or played a major hand in creating including the Consumers Association and the Open University. He was an innovative and progressive thinker in political and social policy (Briggs2001). By any standard, Young must count as one of the most fecund and versatile figures of British life. As head of the Labour Party's research department and one of the people who drafted its manifesto in 1945, he helped craft the terms of the post-war settlement. His seminal study of family and kinship in London's East End gave social inquiry a new direction. He was a prime mover in the development of the Consumers' Association, the Open University, the Social Science Research Council, the University of the Third Age and, most recently, the School of Social Entrepreneurs. For nearly 60 years, Young has fertilised British life with new ideas and new institutions. Yet he is also one of the authors of a reactionary orthodoxy that lies on British politics and education with the weight of a corpse (Briggs2001). His many dragon seeds have included starting the Advisory Centre for Education, which provided information on education issues (1960); the National Consumer Council (1975); the University of the Third Age, or U3A (1982); the Open College of the Arts, which taught practical arts by correspondence (1987); the National Association for the Education of Sick Children (1993); a Family Covenant Association, for promoting a secular form of Baptism (1994); and the School for Social Entrepreneurs (1998) (Gray2001) The nature of entrepreneurship According to Collins, Moore, (1964), the entrepreneur was defined as ‘a risk-taker – a man who braves uncertainty, strikes out on his own, and, through native wit, devotion ot duty, and singleness of purpose, somehow creates business and industrial activity where none existed before'. In a 21st century business context, and largely as lay people understand it, entrepreneur typically refers to ‘a person who undertakes or controls a business or enterprise and bears the risk of profit or loss' (Brown 1993), Underlying entrepreneurial attitudes and behaviors are three key dimensions: innovativeness, risk taking, and proactiveness (Covin & Slevin, 1989; Miller, 1983; Morris & Sexton, 1996). Innovativeness refers to the seeking of creative, unusual, or novel solutions to problems and needs. These solutions take the form of new technologies and processes, as well as new products and services. Risk taking involves the willingness to commit significant resources to opportunities having a reasonable chance of costly failure. These risks are typically moderate and calculated. Proactiveness is concerned with implementation, with doing what is necessary to bring an entrepreneurial concept to fruition. It usually involves considerable perseverance, adaptability, and a willingness to assume responsibility for failure. To the extent that an undertaking demonstrates some amount of innovativeness, risk taking, and proactiveness, it can be considered an entrepreneurial event, and the person behind it an entrepreneur. Further, any number of entrepreneurial events can be produced in a given time period (Stevenson & Jarillo, 1990). Accordingly, entrepreneurship is not an either/or determination, but a question of â€Å"degree† and â€Å"frequency.† Organizations can be characterized, then, in terms of their entrepreneurial orientation or â€Å"intensity,† which is a reflection both of how many entrepreneurial things they are doing, and how innovative, risky, and proactive those things tend to be. By dissecting the critical elements of entrepreneurship, we are able to highlight the essential ingredients for society to nurture, cultivate and value. It also frees the term for use in non-business, non-profit-seeking ventures. It blurs the boundaries between the business and social sectors in potentially useful ways as well and foreshadows a cultural shift in what we value. And Casson (1995) notes that entrepreneurship can be a distributed process across the public/private divide. He (1995) argues: â€Å"The public sector and the private sector therefore offer two distinct channels of advancement for the entrepreneur. The rewards to entrepreneurship in the public sector come more in the form of status rather than of income, of course. The difference between the social entrepreneur and the private sector entrepreneur a). The different mission. Compare to the private sector entrepreneur, social entrepreneurs has the different mission (Ackerman1996). Social entrepreneurs play the role of change agents in the social sector, by adopting a mission to create and sustain social value, not just private value. For social entrepreneurs, the social mission is explicit and central. This obviously affects how social entrepreneurs perceive and assess opportunities. Mission-related impact becomes the central criterion, not wealth creation. Wealth is just a means to an end for social entrepreneurs. With business entrepreneurs, wealth creation is a way of measuring value creation. This is because business entrepreneurs are subject to market discipline, which determines in large part whether they are creating value. If they do not shift resources to more economically productive uses, they tend to be driven out of business. b). Different measurements to value creation. In the modern market, the value created by private sector entrepreneur can be clearly calculated by the market value. Whereas, it is inherently difficult to measure social value creation (Dees 1998). How much social value is created by reducing pollution in a given stream, by saving the spotted owl, or by providing companionship to the elderly? The calculations are not only hard but also contentious. Even when improvements can be measured, it is often difficult to attribute them to a specific intervention. Are the lower crime rates in an area due to the Block Watch, new policing techniques, or just a better economy? Even when improvements can be measured and attributed to a given intervention, social entrepreneurs often cannot capture the value they have created in an economic form to pay for the resources they use. Defining Social Entrepreneurship Although the growing attention devoted to the phenomenon, there have not a generally accepted definition of public/social sector entrepreneurship to emerge. Many of prior studies provided the definition of social entrepreneurship. Such as Bellone & Goerl (1992) social entrepreneurship is an active approach to administrative responsibility that includes generating new sources of revenue, providing enhanced services, and helping to facilitate increased citizen education and involvement. Osborne & Gaebler (1992) state it as a continuous attempt to apply resources in new ways so as to heighten the efficiency and effectiveness of public institutions. Linden (1990) concluded it as the purposeful and organized search for innovative changes in public sector organizations and operations. Base on such prior studies, Dees (1998) stated social entrepreneurs play the role of change agents in the social sector, by: * Adopting a mission to create and sustain social value (not just private value), * Recognizing and relentlessly pursuing new opportunities to serve that mission, * Engaging in a process of continuous innovation, adaptation, and learning, * Acting boldly without being limited by resources currently in hand, and * Exhibiting a heightened sense of accountability to the constituencies served and for the outcomes created. Dees (1998) also mentioned this is clearly an â€Å"idealized† definition. Social sector leaders will exemplify these characteristics in different ways and to different degrees. The closer a person gets to satisfying all these conditions, the more that person fits the model of a social entrepreneur. Those who are more innovative in their work and who create more significant social improvements will naturally be seen as more entrepreneurial. The truly Schumpeterian social entrepreneurs will significantly reform or revolutionize their industries. In sum, social entrepreneurship extends the definition of entrepreneurship by its emphasis on ethical integrity and maximizing social value rather than private value or profit. How Michael Young fits the model of a social entrepreneur? To consider how far that Michael Young was entrepreneurial? It is better to consider who closer Michael Young gets to satisfying all such conditions mentioned in the last section. Also Brazeal and Herbert (1999A) stated the way of viewing entrepreneurship is to recognize that entrepreneurship is enabled by the current or potential existence of something new (an innovation), new ways of looking at old problems (Creativity), or the lessened capability of prior processes or solutions to respond effectively to new problem parameters brought on by new or emerging external conditions (environmental change), which can supplant or be complementary to existing processes or solutions (a change), when championed by one or more invested individuals (the innovator). In the follow, some attributions of Michael Young are listed, and it is clear that Michael Young is a successful social entrepreneurial. Young often turned personal experience into new opportunities for social action (Gary 2001). While in hospital with cancer, he devised the idea of the College of Health (and with his sense of provocative fun, he originally called it the Association of Trained Patients). While organizing the funeral of his wife, he saw the need to improve the training of funeral directors, and so he established the National Funerals College. When he discovered that Bengali patients at the London Hospital were unable to explain to doctors what was wrong with them he launched a telephone exchange offering instant translation services. His energy seemed unstoppable, and even into his late seventies he was publishing books and creating even more organizations. Young created an alternative vision of education (Briggs2001). His views on education were often controversial, and heavily influenced by his time spent as a young man at the alternative school at Dartington Hall. The school was based on the philosophy of Rousseau who held the belief that all children were born gifted in one way or another and needed only to be fed and watered, like plants, for their gifts to grow. Michael Young re-stated the egalitarian vision (Gary 2001). He stated where we to evaluate people, not only according to their intelligence and their education, their occupations and their power, but according to their kindliness and their courage, their imagination and sensitivity, their sympathy and generosity, there would be no overall inequalities of the sort we have got used to. Who would be able to say that the scientist was superior to the porter with admirable qualities as a father, the civil servant to the lorry-driver with unusual skills at growing roses? In sum up, Michael Young has undoubtedly been a great innovator, and the greatest social entrepreneur in the UK. The valuation created by Michael Young is significant with the private sector entrepreneur. He was an innovative and progressive thinker in political and social policy.

The Reluctant Fundamentalist Impressions

After reading for a few pages, it seemed almost as if the main character of the book, Changez, implicates the reader (us) as the person who he is talking to, and I thought that was a unique aspect of this book, unlike many other books. The American man that Changez is actually speaking to, I thought it was very strange how he was wearing a full suit, especially in a place like Lahore where the weather is extremely humid and hot. Throughout the reading, I found it even stranger how the American is so jumpy and cautious, sticking his hand into his coat pocket as if he is going to pull out a gun, when approached by the waiter and server of the place him and Changez are at. Though the American man is very suspicious when reaching his hand into his pocket, I believe Changez is playing dumb by saying things like â€Å"there is no need to pay the waiter before the meal,† and I think that Changez can read the American like a book. It is very obvious that the American has some sort of gun under his coat, and I know that Changez realizes that as well. When Changez began recounting his experiences with his interview with Underwood Samson, I thought right away that Changez would not get the job as he lost his temper when the interviewer Jim started probing into his economic status and life back in Pakistan. Instead, I was surprised when Jim was actually impressed with Changez’s temper, and revealed that he also was a Princeton alumnus and the first person in his family to attend college as well. Nearing the end of the interview, I was surprised once again how Changez could predict the value and profits right on the spot of the imaginary company that Jim told him to value. After reading about Erica, I would have found it extremely awkward if I were Changez, learning that Erica’s first true love was now deceased. For some reason, I am not surprised after reading that Changez had ranked first in his Class. I was impressed that Jim’s house reminded Changez of The Great Gatsby, because in my opinion, from what I pictured after reading The Great Gatsby, the house must had been amazing. Pages 51-100) I understand that Changez is attracted to Erica and would most likely not mind â€Å"getting with her,† but I still find it awkward when reading (I know for a fact that I would feel awkward if I was attracted to a woman that loved a man who had recently died of lung cancer). If I was Changez, I would have felt very out of place when Erica explained that the detaile d sketch of the island within an island picture, was a picture her late boyfriend, Chris, had drawn. I found it amusing when Changez went against Muslim traditions and accepted wine from Erica’s father at dinner, and when the American asserts that drinking is a sin according to Islam, I found it funny when Changez replied with â€Å"so, for that matter, is coveting thy neighbor’s wife. † I was impressed when Changez held his own after Erica’s father â€Å"bashed† Pakistan about it’s crumbling economy, tyrannical government, how the elites had â€Å"raped that place well and good,† and about it’s religious fundamentalists. I would have snapped if someone disrespected my country like that. At this point, I look forward to what Changez says when the American reaches his hand into his coat. If I was the American, I would have noticed by now that Changez is not dumb enough not to realize that there is a gun under the coat, but I suppose he is also playing along as well. When Changez reminisces about â€Å"flying foxes,† I couldn’t picture myself in a pleasant state at all. I’ve seen what flying foxes look like, and they are extremely large for a â€Å"bat. † They average at about 3-4 feet tall, and have heads that resemble foxes. If I were to see a flying fox in person, I would immediately faint†¦ or run for my life. I found it very strange after I read how Changez smiled at the site of the World Trade Center towers collapsing. I understood why the American got angry of course, but when found it someone peculiar that Changez was happy and took pleasure in seeing the American military bombing Iraq. I felt a bit sad for Changez when he had to be stripped searched at the airport, and how the other passengers on the plane were unsettled at the sight of him sitting on the plane with them. After reading how Changez and Erica probably had the most awkward experience in bed ever in history, I found it even weird how Changez asked Erica to tell him what it was like to make love to Chris†¦ even if it did seem to put her at ease. I would have felt extremely uncomfortable, especially since Erica cried as well. At this point, I began to realize that Changez is in some sort of denial. His newfound lifestyle, â€Å"love,† and work all seem too good to be true in my opinion (except the â€Å"love of course, being Erica). After reading how Changez was panicked at the images of his neighbor country being invaded and attacked, and how he drank himself to sleep, I knew he beginning to â€Å"crack. † (Pages 101-150) When Changez told Erica to pretend that he was Chris, I felt that was probably the strangest, and most awkward thing I have ever read. How Changez felt it to be violent, as if Erica’s vagina was a wound and he kept imagining he smelled blood, all of it was very gross, and I agree with the American that it also disgusted me. After reading this, I lost respect for Changez now. Although he is extremely smart, successful, attends Princeton, etc. , I would feel extremely ashamed and disgraced if I was him. I don’t understand how Changez did not realize that Erica needs space. After Erica’s mother told him â€Å"She doesn’t need a boyfriend. She needs a friend† I thought maybe finally Changez would get the message and leave Erica alone. After reading how Changez was verbally harassed in the parking lot by a man, I somewhat felt his anger/pain. When the man in the parking lot said â€Å"Fucking Arab,† which ironically he is not, I understood what he was going through because I have been through similar experiences in my life. Instead of being called Vietnamese, which is what I am, because I am Asian, I have been called â€Å"Chinese,† â€Å"chink,† etc. , so I know what Changez went though. Though it does not effect my any longer, I understand Changez’s emotions because it is most likely the first time he has experienced ethnic prejudice. When the food arrives and the American asks about the utensils, it made me smile when Changez replied with â€Å"allow me to suggest that the time has now come for us to dirty our hands. We have, after all, spent some hours in each other’s company already; surely you can no longer feel the need to hold back. There is great satisfaction to be in touching one’s prey† I liked the last sentence for some reason. I understand that Changez continued to grow his beard to be different from the other Americans he works with, but that only made him more susceptible to prejudice. Personally if I was him, I would have shaved it off, especially due to the fact that it could impact my job. When Changez goes to visit Erica at the hospital and is greeted by the nurse, I would have felt very unsettled after hearing the nurse tell him that he was what made things harder for Erica by being â€Å"the most real† thing she knew, disturbing her own world of her imagination which she felt was more vibrant and tolerable than the real world. Now, I know for a fact that Changez knows that something will happen soon with the American when he encourages him to â€Å"sugar his tongue before undertaking†¦ the bloodiest of tasks. Also when Changez notices that the American has a bulge in his shirt where an armpit holster would be and assumes that the bulge is a travel wallet, it is obvious that Changez knows what the American is really there for. I know that Changez has a successful job, is making a good salary, but when Juan-Bautista asks him â€Å"Does it trouble you†¦ to make your living by disrupting the lives of others? † It would have made me feel bad about myself. By this point I know that Underwood Samson is not only a company that values other businesses, but also takes then over, causing many to lose their jobs. Personally, I would not feel comfortable working for a company that destroys other’s lives. (Pages 151-End) I was not surprised when Changez left Underwood and Samson, despite his loyalty to Jim, the need for money, and his visa’s dependence on his job. I found it sad that out of all of Changez’s colleagues, only Wainwright said goodbye. I felt a bit sad after reading that Erica had committed suicide. Instead of living through all of her depression, sadness, distraught, I suppose taking her life to â€Å"end it all† was her only solution. I was in someway glad that Changez finally came to terms with the fact that, whatever happened to Erica, â€Å"she had chosen not to be part of his story. † I felt bad for Changez; his only love was not in love with him, and now had committed suicide. Up to this point, I have finally realized that the old Changez, excited about and loving America, is no more. Instead, I feel that Changez is now angry at America, and by teaching/convincing students to disassociate from America and to take part in the movement towards Pakistani international independence, is his way of combating America. As the American and Changez walked faster and faster towards the hotel, I knew that something was about to happen. I thought at first that the other people on the street were going to start firing guns at any moment, but I was wrong. â€Å"It seems an obvious thing to say, but you should not imagine that we Pakistanis are all potential terrorists, just as we should not imagine that you Americans are all undercover assassins. After finishing the book, I believe that that quote somehow relates to the American, because I see the American as an agent sent to murder Changez. Though the end of the story does not say if anyone was killed, I believe that Changez was indeed murdered, and he knew that whole time as he was talking to the American, that he was going to be murdered that night. What I don’t understand is why the American would sit hours upon hours with Changez, listening to his stories and becoming acquainted with him, only to delay himself in his task to murder him.

My Life in 10 Years Essay

I always wanted to see what will be my life in the future, what will be my career and what will I become? As I reflected my childhood I have many dreams and aspirations that I would like to accomplish within the next ten years to come. In ten years, I can see myself having many of my goal accomplished, if not accomplished, I will be working on accomplishing those goals to fulfil my life. We all know when growing up that we all wanted that fairy tale ending with the house, car, kids, and the dog. Ten years from now I plan to be raising my children, coming out of college with several degrees, and being happy. They say in one’s life we all make choices, but in the end, our choices make us. You’re about to embark with me unto the long, curvy road of my life, and Watch upon it as it unfolds through my eyes. This is my life as I see it will be ten years from now. I have most of it planned out already. This is my story. see more:where do you see yourself in 5 years essay School has always been an important goal in my life. Growing up I always wanted to attend college for at least 10 years to receive an accounting degree. Now that I’m older I realized that accountancy is not what I want. I want to be a doctor. I am interested in M.D. /Ph.D. dual degree program, receiving a certificate, and a licence for medicine. I’m sure I am going to be professional doctor someday. I love helping other people with their sickness.

Nairobi Securities Exchange

Investors use earning information to calculate the level of cost of equity capital. The cost of equity for a firm is computed by adding up the risk free rate and a premium for exposure to systematic risk as follows: Cost of equity = Risk-free rate + (risk measure) x (Market risk premium) 1.4 Nairobi Securities Exchange The Nairobi Securities Exchange offers a trading platform for both the local and international investors who are looking to gain exposure to Kenya and Africa's economic growth. NSE play a critical role in the growth of Kenya's economy by encouraging savings and investment by helping local and international companies access cost-effective capital. NSE is regulated by the Capital Markets Authority of Kenya. CMA approves public listing and fosters investor's confidence by ensuring rules, regulations and requirements for trade are complied with and market integrity is sustained in order to guarantee orderly, fair and efficient markets (CMA, 2016). CMA retains investor's confidence by ensuring rules, regulations and requirements for trade are complied with and market integrity is maintained. CMA also plays an important responsibility of mobilization and allocation of capital resources in the economy in order to provide incentives for long term investments (NSE, 2016) In Kenya, listed firms are required to produce quarterly, semi-financial statements and audited annual reports. Financial statements are prepared according to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and audited using International Standards on Auditing (ISA). The CMA guidelines encourage firms to disclose additional information on director and management remuneration (CMA, 2016). The performance of the NSE is an indication as to whether the investors have trust in the safety of their investment, trading goes down significantly with low investor's confidence.NSE is categorized into three different market segments namely the Main Investment Markets (MIMS), the Alternative Investment Markets (AIMS) and the Fixed Income Securities Market Segment (FISMS). According to CMA (2017) as at December 2017, listed companies at the NSE were 64, categorized into 11 sectors namely: Agricultural sectors, Automobiles and Accessories sector, Banking sector, Commercial and Services sector, Construction and Allied sector, Energy and Petroleum sector, Insurance sector, Investment sectors, Manufacturing and Allied sector, Telecommunication and Technology sector and Growth and Enterprise Market Segment sector Banking sector is the largest sector represented with 18% of the total firms listed at the NSE, second is commercial and Services sector and Manufacturing and Allied with 15% each, Agricultural sector which is one of the country major economic sector is represented by 11% of the total firms quoted. Telecommunication and Technology and Growth and Enterprises Market sectors were the lowest each with 2% of the total firms quoted. Through NSE, disclosures have had an impact on how investors trade, when the level of disclosure is high, investors confidence increases hence higher level of trading. The CMA guidelines encourage firms to disclose additional information on director and management remuneration (CMA, 2016). The performance of the NSE is an indication as to whether the investors have trust in the safety of their investment, trading goes down significantly with low investor's confidence.1.5 Statement of the Problem Inherent shortcomings of traditional reporting have prompted development of voluntary disclosure models. Transparency and disclosure creates and sustains confidence of investors, stakeholders and the winder society and provides opportunity for continuous improvement of business structure and processes. Corporate governance is currently an area broadly being researched on by many scholars, due to increased application of corporate governance practices all over the world after major corporate scandals due to lack or improper disclosure. This study targets one pillar of corporate governance on the cost of equity capital, which is voluntary disclosure. Disclosed information provides a signal with an aim of revealing the state of a company to the investors for consideration in investment activities. Information has important and vital role, information should be understandable, complete, accurate, timely and reliable (Fahdiansyah, 2013). Information is considered informative if it is relevant and can change stakeholder's belief and gives confidence to investors. Annual reports are important tools in communicating essential information about a company both financial and non financial information (Barako, 2007). The key drivers of corporate value in critical areas of the business are not reported under the traditional accounting model, as such theorist and researchers have begun to develop models for additional voluntary information disclosure. The concept of voluntary disclosure has been growing given the needs to keep with the clients expectations. Investors and clients have challenged companies on the need to provide more than what is required by the law and regulations. In Kenya, investors obtain essential information regarding trading activities of listed companies in NSE through their annual reports and other bulletins from CMA. Studies done in Kenya context include a study Mwangi and Mwiti (2015) investigated the impact of voluntary disclosure on stock performance, Mutiva (2015) examined the effect of voluntary disclosures on financial performance of firms quoted at NSE, Lopokoiyit (2012) investigated the effect of the corporate governance practices on share prices of companies listed at the NSE, these studies found a direct relationship between voluntary disclosure and company performance. Study by Asava (2013) investigated the effect of voluntary disclosure on stock returns of listed companies, her study reveals that there was no correlation between voluntary disclosure and stock returns. Barako (2007) in his study of determinants of voluntary disclosure in Kenyan listed company's' annual reports, observed that companies cannot link their board disclosure, foreign ownership and firm size significantly affect financial performance. Studies by Diamond and Verrecchia (1991), Botoan (1997), Hail (2002), Botosan and Plumlee (2002), Richard and welker (2001) and Lopes and Alencar (2008), shows a negative association between voluntary disclosure and the cost of equity capital using direct approach. However these studies were done in developed economies with few studies done in the context of developing nations, these studies tested the association between voluntary disclosure and several aspects such as profitability (Verracchia and Webber, 2006) stock liquidity. However most of these literatures are leaning more on factors that influence the extent of voluntary disclosure. Literatures from previous studies conducted locally have skewed more to factors that influence extent of voluntary disclosures with few on the effect of voluntary disclosure on the cost of equity capital on firms listed in NSE, the motivation of this research is developed by the fact that majority of past research have given conflicting arguments creating a dilemma that necessitates further research on the effect of voluntary disclosure on the cost of equity capital of firms in Kenya. 1.6 Objective of the study The general objective of this study is to examine the effects of voluntary disclosure on the cost of equity of capital. The following are the specific objectives.i). To examine the effect of forward-looking information voluntary disclosure on the cost of equity capital.ii). To determine the effect of financial information voluntary disclosure on the cost of equity capital.iii). To evaluate the effect of corporate social responsibility information voluntary disclosure on the cost of equity capital. iv). To establish the effect of Board information voluntary disclosure on the cost of equity capital. 1.7 Research question The study will be guided by the following research questions.i. What if the effect of forward-looking information disclosure on the cost of equity capital?ii. What is the effect of financial information disclosure on the cost of equity capital? iii. What is the effect of Corporate Social Responsibility information disclosure on the cost of equity capital? iv. What is the effect of Board Size information disclosure on the cost of equity capital? 1.8 Significance of the study Voluntary disclosures provide an extra way for investors to judge a company's performance. This study will therefore enable the investors to make better investment decisions and better capital allocations. It will also emphasize on increased transparency which reduces information asymmetry that may exist between the investors and the management team. This study will likewise extend the literature on voluntary disclosure to academicians. The study will also help listed and unlisted companies in Kenya in understanding the role of voluntary disclosure in the management of their firms with aim to reduce cost of its equity capital.CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW2.1 IntroductionsThis chapter introduces theories that explain the subject of voluntary disclosure and past empirical studies relating to the variables under the study.2.2 Theoretical ReviewReporting and disclosure are the most important tools that companies use to communicate with interest-related parties. Several theories have been documented to relate voluntary disclosure. They are Agency theory, Capital Need theory, Signaling theory and Stakeholder theory. Literature review presents theories about the subject of voluntary disclosure. 2.2.1 Agency TheoryAgency theory was developed by Jensen and Meckling in 1976 who defined agency relationship as a contract under which one or more persons delegate decision making authority to another person to perform some services on their behalf. Agency theory explores the relationship between a principal and an agent. In the context of a company, the manager (agent) acts on behalf of the shareholder (Principal). Company owners empower managers to make decisions on their behalf. Shareholders do not actively participate in the management of their investments instead they engage managers to act on their behalf. This makes managers have information advantage hence creating incentive to maximize their own value as opposed to that of the shareholders. Scott (2012) stated that the application of agency theory is used to explain the conflict of interest between managers and investors. The agency problem arises due to conflict of interest between the investors and management because their goals are not in agreement. Agency theory is concerned with solving two problems arising in the agency relationship: an agency problem arises when there is a conflict between the goals of the principal and that of the agent making it difficult for the principal to accurately evaluate and determine the value of decision made by the agent. Secondly problem of risk sharing arising from diverse attitude of the principal and the agent towards risk, the problem is each tends to select a different action when the risk happens (Depoers, 2000). One way in which agency problem can be minimized is by means of contract, it helps in bringing shareholders interest in line with managers' interests (Healy and Palepu, 2001).These contracts require management to disclose relevant information to investors and to creditors. Consequently principal can check if the management complied with the contract agreements and evaluate if their decisions are in alliance with their interest, monitoring managers by mean of contract comes with a cost at the expense of manager's compensation and in order to reduce any potential conflict, principals incur monitoring costs while agents incur bonding costs which guarantees the interest of the principal is prioritized. Agency costs are the total of monitoring costs, bonding costs and residual loss. According to agency theory, disclosing information voluntary is viewed as a better mechanism of mitigating the agency problem between the agents and principals (Hawashe, 2014). Managers who posses private information about a firm are able to use their information they posses to make credible and reliable communication to interested parties to optimize the value of the firm (Barako, 2007), these disclosure may include investment opportunity and financing policy of a company, however managers who pursue their own interest may fail to make proper information disclosure. Managers increases the level of voluntary information which is expected to reduce the agency cost (Barako et al., 2006) and also to convince the external users that managers are acting in an optimal way (Watson et al., 2002). OCED (2004) states that a strong disclosure policy is one of the expected monitoring forms that is useful as a basis of adequate information for investment decision making by investors. 2.2.2 Capital Need TheoryThe main aim any company is to attract external finance to increase their capital either through debt or equity, however companies are disclosing more information voluntary as a measures of minimizing costs of raising its capital. The capital need theory can help to explain the reasons behind the disclosure