An analysis of the Government’s media strategies Essay

The Government is extremely concerned over the relationship between teenagers and drugs and, thinking of a way to reduce the number of dangerous accidents and deaths, have distributed booklets, leaflets, posters, television advertisements and even a web page to try and educate teenagers today about the risks involved when taking drugs. What these various sources of media have been doing is informing and helping the teenage society with the dangers that can take place when we come into contact with drugs. The Government’s ‘Talk To Frank’s’ scheme must be analysed in its effectiveness and whether teenagers have been confiding in Frank or if it is just a corporate initiative set up by men in suits so they do not lose their job. Two different sources of drug information, ‘The Score’ and ‘Drugs: The Facts’ need to be analysed and compared to see whether they will actually have any effect on teenagers today. So why has the Government invested so much money, time and effort on ‘Talk To Frank’? They must want results in return for all their hard work. What every Government promises is a better future and what makes a better future? Less drug addicts and drug-related crimes and more money that they can spend on beneficial public services. And what is the solution to get rid of all the future drug addicts: better drug awareness in youths. What sets ‘Talk To Frank’ apart from all the other drug awareness booklets and leaflets is its quality of writing and ability to communicate to the average teenager through colourful pictures and information that does not bore. It is factors similar these that can change a teenager’s mind concerning drugs in a second and stop them becoming addicted to drugs in the future. So what the Government is doing is both beneficial to teens and themselves because they are doing all they can do to get the point across to teens while at the same time, saving enough money when printing the booklets and leaflets. The economic cost of printing all these colourful leaflets is far cheaper than having to pay for all our mistakes in the future with rehab institutions and all the rehabilitation that follows. The target audience for Talk To Frank is teenagers, but why them? Why not young adults or pre-teen children? The reason that they have picked that specific group is because they are, apparently, at the perfect age. Not too old that the campaign is there too late or may have already tried drugs and not too young that they will not understand what half of it is giving reference to. Another very valid reason that teenagers are the targeted age group is because they are the biggest market consumers. They buy the most magazines, They have films made just for them and what do they do more than anything else? They watch TV of course and are susceptible to all the advertisements that play during the breaks. The Government cleverly spotted this decades ago and have since been doing all they can to get their products on the market. The teenage market cannot escape it, they thought, we will even bombard them with drug prevention leaflets at school. Fortunately for both them and teenagers alike, the Government’s tactic is working, but how? What self respecting teenager would wilfully choose to read a magazine warning them not to take drugs over the more entertainment-based ones. How does the Government manage to get their media products to so many children up and down the country? Quite simply, because they know what makes a teenage magazine sell. They then used all the desirable factors to produce something they hoped would encourage teenagers to say â€Å"no†. Their tactic worked. Of course, if every teenager in the country had read a ‘Talk To Frank’ product, they would be world famous. So why does not every teenager know what ‘Talk To Frank’s’ aim is? The reason is, and the Government knows this too, that you cannot put all teenagers into one category. There are polar opposites in the teenage world and if you appeal greatly to one kind, you are completely isolating the others. If they decided to use a certain type of language they could well be appealing to a certain teenager but might confuse another. This makes you wonder if ‘Talk To Frank’ is really the best solution and if there was the perfect piece of awareness out there, what would life be like? But in order to get the teenagers of Britain to read ‘Talk To Frank’, the front cover must be attractive and engaging enough for the teenager to actually pick it up. The background of one of the main drug information pieces is ‘The Score’. The front cover denotes a faded woolly jumper fabric, in a range of dark distorted colours. The main colour, purple, completely dominates the background. Purple connotes being lost or in a state of confusion. The background is connoting a drug trip and the fact that they have used purple is a way of saying that you are confused with the subject of drugs or you do not know who to turn to. Right in the centre there are the words, in very large bubble typography, ‘The Score’ with ‘Facts About Drugs’ written beneath this. The words are all written in white which connotes purity and clarity or maybe even an answer or solution. Around these words there are a series of sixteen small pictures drawn in a circle. Each of these represent a different drug, and this is where the use of generic features from teenage magazines has been introduced. We call this ‘tasters’, where the magazine is giving you a little look at what is going to be inside. Tasters are more commonly used in teenage magazines to give the target audience an idea of what is going to be on the inside of the magazine. It very cleverly wants the reader to read on without giving away everything on the front cover. The same idea has been used with ‘The Score’, because these pictures are giving you a little example of what they are going to be talking about within in the booklet. They do not tell you what drug each of the pictures represent, making you want to know what each of them represents so you read the booklet. They have used modern methods of attracting teenagers to the booklet. The phrase ‘The Score’ is old slang which means to get drugs but now it means to lay down the facts and get straight to the point. This is extremely clever because it is trying to appeal to both types of people, ones that know the old slang and the others, who know it as it is used today. Similarly, the first and most noticeable aspect of the front cover of ‘Drugs: The Facts’ is the background which is also purple, reminiscent of the ‘The Score’. So again, this connotes that there might be confusion about drugs and that this magazine is going to give you all the answers. The main title tells you from the beginning exactly what this booklet is going to be talking about. Exactly in the vein of ‘The Score’, the booklet has used generic features from teenage magazines to draw teenagers in and to get them to read this booklet. One of the tasters that is on the front cover of ‘Drugs: The Facts’ says ‘Problem Page’. A problem page is one of the main generic features of a teenage magazine; the fact that they are even considering the main generic features of a teenage magazine is showing how much they want them to read their booklet. They have used teenage slang to suggest that their booklet is laid back and relaxed, almost as if they have copied all the elements that made ‘The Score’ such a success. On the central layout of the front cover, there is an open eye. This could connote that this booklet is going to open you eyes to the problems regarding drugs and how to avoid them. Because their marketing campaign is so similar to ‘The Score’, it still is able to catch a teenager’s eye but at the same time comes across somewhat younger, to appeal more to the pre-teen market. Not all teenagers will be drawn in by the style that has been used, such as pictures resembling cartoons and slanting words, and this could cost ‘Drugs: The Facts’ when it comes to desirability. Of course, it would be pointless to judge whether the Government’s campaign had been working just by looking at the magazine’s cover so, in order to get a more detailed analysis, we have to look at the features inside. In ‘The Score’, there is a feature called ‘Dilemma’ and it is a completely typical generic feature of a teenage magazine, it also allows us to see what the Government thinks is a good way to entice teenagers to their booklet. ‘Dilemma’ is a prime example of what the Government thinks of teenagers. They are not going to use characters in a storyboard that are too out of place, otherwise they will not find it believable, ignore the message and turn to the next feature. What the storyboard focuses in on is a teenager called Steve who is preparing to go to a party. His mate offers him some speed so that he will learn to relax. Just to make sure they have not lost the teenagers so early on, they number the pictures. Of course, nothing bad can ever happen in a teenage magazine storyboard so Steve ends up rejecting his mate’s offer of speed and has a really great party! Everybody wins and the reader has learnt a valuable lesson. As odd as this may sound, it is far more effective at getting the message across than if Steve took the speed and ended up in hospital for the night because it leaves the user feeling positive. What happens when not-so positive features are used? The teenager might not understand the plot because it is so different from typical teenage magazines used today and, consequently, not take everything in? This is quite untrue and a similar feature used in ‘Drugs: The Facts’ has no title, no colourful storyboard and no cheesy 1960’s-style language. What the teenager does get, however is a hard-hitting real life story on the subject of one teenager’s encounter with lighter refills. At the top of the page, and the first feature that catches your eye is the text ‘My friend could have died†¦ ‘, with the continuation marks implying that you have to read the main text beneath it to understand the full picture. The main text is the teenager speaking in his own words, detailing his own experiences, not what the editor has put in place inside speech bubbles. The teenager is identified as Chris, fourteen, from Leeds, not Mr. Steve One-name. Chris goes on to say that he and some mates began to start sniffing lighter refills at the park, but when one of the gang fell to the floor and escaped death thanks to a passer by, they all stopped sniffing. What makes this so engaging is its subject matter, the fact that something bad happened to a real person, as if it could happen to the teenager reading. We know that the target audience is teenagers but we have not checked to see whether they are portrayed in the magazine appropriately. If we browse through both ‘The Score’ and ‘Drugs: The Facts’, it would be an unpleasant surprise if anyone thought that the way that they are portrayed is the normal way that teenagers dress, talk and behave. Lets say that a booklet has passed the first hurdle of being aesthetically pleasing to the teenager, can they possibly represent teenagers in a well enough manner to make them listen to what the booklet or leaflet has to say? In the majority of the cases it is another teenager speaking to them. Even if it is the editor of the magazine who is speaking on behalf of the characters, the clothes that the characters wear and their average lifestyle must reflect reality. No teenager wears faded down pastel coloured t-shirts tucked into beige khakis with a pair of large, brown boots to top it off. The Government must think that teenagers have the I. Q of a peanut if they are not able to take in large chunks of information and instead, have to be fed small bits that include a great number of slang words, most of which date back to when teenagers were not even alive. All of the work and effort that the ‘Talk to Frank’ campaign has done on both ‘The Score’ and ‘Drugs: The Facts’ would all be for nothing if it did not do what it is trying to achieve, which is to get teenagers to read their booklets. They want them to learn more on drugs, so that they are able to make their own decision when it comes to taking drugs. I believe that the front cover of ‘The Score’ is far better in its presentational devices and attracting a teenager’s attention than ‘Drugs: The Facts’. This is because of the tasters, as well as the rather interesting font, used on the front cover of ‘The Score’ that immediately get you interacting with the booklet from the word go. This use of immediate interaction makes the booklet considerably more appealing and so a larger majority of teenagers are going to pick it up and continue reading it. I think that the main problem with the ‘Drugs: The Facts’ booklet is that there is too much happening on such a small page and therefore is less appealing. I think they should have done something closer to ‘The Score’ where it is nice, plain and simple. On the other hand, the contents of ‘The Score’ can, at times, seem too simple to keep teenagers interested, they give you a few stories and a few problems and expect you to love it so much that you continue reading. All the Government would need to do is to combine some of the contents that are in ‘Drugs: The Facts’ such as the questionnaire that tells you what kind of person you are, and the various other quizzes with the method of presenting their information on drugs with the front cover of ‘The Score’ and they would have a far better booklet. Both booklets seem to miss the mark with what a teenager is looking for in a magazine. However, and this is generally the same with most other magazines similar to them, both manage to show the pressure that teenagers are under and all the possible factors that makes it worse. It clearly and repeatedly says that drugs are not a means of escape from all of this and at the ends of both booklets is the Talk To Frank help line which, and I quote, â€Å"offers free and confidential advice about any drugs issue, whether it’s info you’re after, advice or just a chat. You can also find out about the services available in your area. Lines are open 24 hours a day. † I wondered whether what it was stating was actually true, that they offer friendly advice. I talked to a friend who had phoned up the Talk To Frank help line a few months ago to try and find some answers. He told me that they offered advice, even to the questions that every parent dreads to hear. Does Frank really talk to Teenagers? Yes, and their help line is 0800 77 66 00.

Enron Financial Statement Case Essay

Accounting is all about financial information —capturing it, recording it, configuring it, analyzing it, and reporting it to persons who use it. The financial statements : The final product of financial accounting is in the form of financial statements that are packaged with other information in a financial report. †¢Financial statements are prepared at the end of each accounting period. A period maybe one month, one quarter, or one year. †¢Financial statements report summary amounts, or totals. There are three main financial statements: –The balance sheet: containing Assets and source of Assets at a specific date –The income statement representing : is the all-important financial statement that summarizes the profit-making activities of a business over a period of time. –The Cash flow statement: presents a summary of the business’s sources and uses of cash during the income statement period. Financial Report : Financial Report Form: Financial Report must be prepared according to the Standards of GAAP : generally accepted accounting principles for preparing the financial statements, these rules permit alternative accounting methods for some transactions. Furthermore, accountants have to interpret the rules as they apply GAAP in actual situations. The devil is in the details. The point is that interpreting GAAP is not cut-and-dried. Many accounting standards leave a lot of wiggle room for interpretation. Deciding how to account for certain transactions and situations requires seasoned judgment and careful analysis of the rules. Furthermore, many estimates have to be made. Financial Report main components: The three basic financial statements: income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows. A statement of changes in owners’ equity (if needed). Disclosures: mainly containing Footnotes: and the most important footnote is the one which identify the major accounting policies and methods that the business uses and justifying any change in the policy used. Independent auditor’s report: must be done by independent (from the firm) licensed auditor and give the business a clean bill of health, or that the report is misleading and should not be relied upon. This negative, disapproving audit report is called an adverse opinion.

Through the Lens Essay

Does a Picture Really Tell A Thousand Words? According to John Berger, photographs from August 6th, 1945, are â€Å"images of hell. † (316) That was the day the US dropped an atomic bomb on Japan, killing countless innocent civilians and severely burning others. In his essay, â€Å"Hiroshima,† Berger faces the idea that our culture has â€Å"abandoned† the â€Å"concept of evil. † (320) Countless pictures seem to be the only thing left of that day, and from Berger’s perspective, the true meaning of that event has been hidden, even though the facts are still in textbooks.The concept of horrific pictures being taken plays an important role in Berger’s thoughts about Hiroshima, because those pictures are what initially sparked his interest. However, the idea of sharing of graphing pictures is called into question by Susan Sontag in her essay, â€Å"Regarding the Pain of Others,† who points out that war photography should have some form of censorship because of the effect it may have on victims or families who have lost their loved ones. While Berger doesn’t seem to promote graphic photography, it seems that from is point of view, pictures such as these make a reality of what otherwise might just become another page in our history books. â€Å"These paintings [by survivors] were shown on Japanese television. Is it conceivable that the BBC would show these pictures on Channel One at a peak hour? † (319) He makes a strong point that American television would never show those pictures without â€Å" reference to ‘political’ and ‘military’ realities† (319) because it was our country that caused such destruction. Sontag almost reinforces this idea by saying that â€Å"the camera brings the viewer close, too close,† (259) but at the ame time contradicts it by implying that war pictures sometimes provide inaccurate information because of new age technology. Cameras and c omputers today have the ability to enhance the main focus, what the photographer wants you to look at, and blur out other details which may change a picture completely. â€Å"The real thing may not be fearsome enough, and therefore needs to be enhanced; or reenacted more convincingly. † (259) This brings out a good point, although cameras used in 1945 wouldn’t have that kind of technology, but they can still be edited today.That being said, a picture can be inaccurate in more ways than one. While the Hiroshima pictures are heartbreaking to look at, Berger fails to address the fact that not all war pictures tell the full story, along with what may have happened before and after the picture was taken, and some may be taken completely out of context. Sontag brings in this idea by talking about a famous picture of a South Vietnamese General shooting a Vietcong suspect, which turned out to be staged. This idea calls Berger’s argument into question, because it is unkn own which pictures are â€Å"real† and which are mainly for ublicity purposes. We don’t know what happened before, after, or even what’s going on outside the frame on a picture just by looking at it. Only the photographer and the people present at that moment know the whole truth. Although Sontag brings in some point that were missed by Berger, Sontag reinforces Berger’s speculation that US television and newspapers only show what the government wants the public to see, and nothing more. She adds that the military promoted â€Å"images that illustrated America’s absolute military superiority over its enemy. † (260) in the Gulf War in 1991.This idea really brings the true motives of our nation out, which is really what Berger’s entire argument is based off of. He tries to make the US look like bullies, killing innocent people to scare their government so that we look like a strong country that defeats the bad guys and protects its citi zens. â€Å"It was not a miscalculation, an error, or the result of a situation deteriorating so rapidly that it gets out of hand. † (319) This quote proves that, from Berger’s perspective, the US purposely caused such an event, which was preplanned , not a defense mechanism.While Sontag doesn’t specify an opinion about why the US only shows pictures that make ourgovernment look good, she does mention that â€Å"the use of cameras at the front for nonmilitary purposes have become much stricter as war has become an activity prosecuted with increasingly exact optical devices for tracking the enemy. † (260) This would explain why we don’t see many pictures of the war going on right now, even though it’s been going on for many years already. Berger aims his focus on Hiroshima alone, while Sontag looks at the big picture of war photography in itself.Sontag would assumingly agree with Berger about the issue of Hiroshima, how horrifying it was and how those pictures play such a big role. At the same time, I think this would further promote her idea that war photography is sometimes too harsh, even though without seeing those pictures, one might not be able to imagine such horror. However, Sontag might not agree with Berger when he says â€Å"the memory of these events should be continually before our eyes. † (320) A lot of pictures should be continually before our eyes, and unfortunately Hiroshima is only an example of events hat would be forgotten without visual aids to remind us. He himself is an example, not interested in the book on his desk until he opened it and was reminded of such an event. But like Sontag says, â€Å"to display the dead, after all, is what the enemy does. † (259) In many third world countries, people see death and sickness all the time. Civilians in places like Iraq and Afghanistan probably see death more than anyone, and we, the enemy, are the ones showing it to them. For us, war pictu res hit too close to home, especially for amilies that have loved ones overseas fighting for our country, but what about people that have to witness it firsthand? They don’t always have a choice. Berger, who is British, calls his friend from America, the one he talks about in the beginning, â€Å"innocent,† saying that she looks at a â€Å"nuclear holocaust without considering its reality. † (321) But in a way, many Americans do that. We could â€Å"google† many kinds of pictures, graphic or not, whenever we feel like it, but do we really think about what it would be like to be there?This is the problem with Sontag’s idea about war photos not being shown; without them, many Americans would probably be even more naive than they already are. If I told you a bomb was dropped on Japan and many people were killed and burned, you would probably feel sympathy, but you would probably go on with your day, as would a lot of people. But seeing pictures, child ren burned, dead bodies, that would make it more real, and that’s why Berger says we should constantly see things like that. Unfortunately, that can’t be publicly shown, especially on television, where verything has to be â€Å"family oriented. † There’s a downside to both arguments: we can’t constantly be reminded of such horrible things like Hiroshima, but we also can’t be completely out of the loop. War photography is a controversial topic, but it’s one that will most likely always be part of life. As long as there’s wars, there will be people trying to expose the events and realities of it. Works Cited Berger, John â€Å"Hiroshima† Fields of Reading, 2010, Bedford/ St. Martin’s Sontag, Susan â€Å"Regarding the Pain of Others† Fields of Reading, 2010, Bedford/ St. Martin’s

Evidence-Based Practice Implementation in the Treatment of Breast Research Paper

Evidence-Based Practice Implementation in the Treatment of Breast Cancer - Research Paper Example As the paper states evidence-based practice is a way to deliver healthcare to patients that targets problems in the existing system by integrating the practices that yielded the best results through research of relevant studies and accurate patient-care data, along with the expertise of specialists and the input of patients with regards to their preferences and values. The best patient outcomes can be realized when EBP is conducted in the context of care, within a supportive organizational structure and if it is integrated into the organization’s culture. Over the years, many healthcare institutions have adapted EBP in making clinical practice guidelines for the treatment and care of patients afflicted with various diseases. From this report it is clear of the diseases that EBP has been applied to, the most important can arguably be breast cancer. Breast cancer is still the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide and it is the most common type of cancer to afflict females with over 1.1 million new cases diagnosed each year. Breast cancer is also considered as the single most prevalent cancer in the world because more than 4.4 million women diagnosed with breast cancer in the last five years are currently alive and are taking in-patient and out-patient care from different healthcare institutions worldwide. It has been theorized that with the aid of EBP to improve clinical practice, 5-year survival after breast cancer treatment could increase by up to 10%.... 5-year survival after breast cancer treatment could increase by up to 10% (Sainsbury, Haward, Rider, Johnston, and Round, 1995 as cited in Sacerdote et al., 2013). Sacerdote et al. (2013) conducted a study in Piedmont, Italy to evaluate the difference in breast cancer patient care quality before the implementation of an EBP guideline and after the implementation of the EBP guideline. The guideline that Sacerdote et al. evaluated was the Piedmont guideline (PGL) and it constitutes the compliance of 14 quality-of-care indicators in accordance to EBP. The focus of their study is to evaluate the effects of EBP on breast cancer treatment and to determine how well the PGL has been implemented. Summary of the Study Since Sacerdote et al.’s study was concerned with the status of breast cancer care before and after the implementation of the PGL, two patient groups were selected. Breast cancer patients diagnosed and treated during the 1st half of 2002 were the pre-PGL group while patien ts who were diagnosed and treated after 2004 were the post-PGL group. The practices recommended in the PGL were already being done in the regional hospitals even before the implementation of the PGL. Between 2002 and 2004, 8 indicators out of the 14 moved towards the expected standard, however only 4 of these 8 improvements were statistically significant. It is highly recommended for patients with medium-to-high risk of distant metastasis to undergo chemotherapy or radiation after Breast Conservative Surgery but for patients with low risk of distant metastasis, the exposure to radiation and chemo may actually worsen their condition or hasten the recurrence of cancer. Following the recommendations of nurses and specialists using EBP, the percentage of low risk patients that took chemo- and

Self-Preservation and Justifiable Violence in Maxine Kumin's Essay

Self-Preservation and Justifiable Violence in Maxine Kumin's Woodchucks - Essay Example More than just a mere 30-line poem, Maxine Kumin’s â€Å"Woodchucks† is a demonstration of the idea that threats to self-preservation causes a good man to resort to evil and violence in order to survive. In Kumin’s poem, the narrator is a good man who simply acts according to reason when he decides to have the woodchucks gassed. He resorts to â€Å"gassing the woodchucks† with help from a company he calls the â€Å"Feed and Grain Exchange† (Kumin, 2012, 1-2). Although this seems like a cruel act that alludes to the Nazi way of gassing prisoners during the Second World War, the narrator is simply defending his right to his vegetable garden, which is obviously his property. The exercise of this right of ownership must necessarily override the idea of kindness and must therefore naturally prompt him to defend his own property at any cost, even if this would mean the death of those who seek to take it away from him. In the poem, the woodchucks are the a nimals that destroy his garden by â€Å"nipping the broccoli shoots [and] beheading the carrots† (11-12). The cruel imagery that uses the word â€Å"beheading† emphasizes the idea that these small creatures are actually cruel and that their actions lead to the unjust and cruel execution of the owner’s vegetables. ... After the failure of the gassing because the woodchucks have hidden in their â€Å"sub-sub-basement,† the narrator does not even say that he would do something to eventually kill these animals. The narrator’s biggest decision – the decision to exterminate all of them by shooting at them – has simply been prompted by the idea that â€Å"next morning [the woodchucks] turned up again† (7). The lines that follow seem to demonstrate their very fast destruction of the vegetable patch and an equally speedy consumption of the plants in it from the marigold to the broccoli to the carrots. When the narrator picks up his .22 rifle, he has simply reacted to the idea that if he does not do anything, his whole vegetable garden would be wiped out by the woodchucks in no time. The narrator recognizes the reasonableness of his decision when he says that it is only â€Å"righteously thrilling† for him to defend his property from the woodchucks that want to des troy it (13). He also emphasizes his â€Å"Darwinian pieties for killing† the woodchucks, which means that what he is doing is only a matter of survival and something which is akin to shooting someone who is also just about to shoot him too. The narrator feels guilty but this is a proof not of his evil but of his compassion. As the narrator begins shooting at the woodchucks, he assumes they are a family complete with the â€Å"littlest† woodchuck, the mother, two baby woodchucks, and an old one (17-25). His guilt is evident in his recognition of their roles in the family. Otherwise, he would simply regard each one of them as a mere woodchuck that deserves to be killed. The fact that these animals, no matter how much damage they have caused him, are still also baby, mother and old fellow, somehow

Winston Churchill Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Winston Churchill - Essay Example In his essay â€Å"Scaffolding of Rhetoric† Churchill wrote: â€Å"Sometimes a slight and not unpleasing stammer or impediment has been of some assistance in securing the attention of the audience†. Over the years of training, Churchill learned to use his voice with the highest level of mastery. He skilfully utilized the means of language such as detailed descriptions, stately sentences, metaphors, analogies, humor, resounding perorations, etc. as well as means of voice performed by influential intonation, which became a part of so-called Churchill's â€Å"personal style†: â€Å"There was imagery, color and history. Churchill crafted an interwoven set of traits that made a unique rhetorical persona... His speeches have a â€Å"Churchill quality†... a â€Å"Churchill approach† to public speaking†. Winston Churchill was also an acknowledged writer and received Nobel Prize a literature, making the language the main actor of his speeches.Among th e other elements of successful public speaking Churchill pointed out thorough preparation, emphatic beginning and focusing on ideas. All his speeches, Churchill prepared personally and beforehand. For many times Winston Churchill rehearsed, rewrote and edited his speeches. He could work out separate phrases for several days, weeks and even months, writing down the most important of them into a special notebook. Churchill admitted that he could not write fast enough and all his speeches were a result of hard work. He said that precise improvisation existed only in the imagination of the audience.

Philemon Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Philemon - Essay Example Paul is therefore writing against the backdrop of Onesimus willing to return to Philemon, and thus, the need for this personal appeal to Philemon to accept Onesimus as a Christian brother (1:16) (Jason, 2010). Just as Betz (2004) observes, Apostle Paul writes with a lighthearted tone, but tactfully and with clever wordplay (1:11), to win Philemon’s willingness. Paul organizes the appeal as was prescribed by ancient Romans and Greeks by: building a common ground (1:4-21); persuading the mind (1:11-19); and appealing to emotions (1:20-21). It is interesting that Onesimus’ name is not mentioned until rapport is built between Paul and Philemon (1:10). The appeal is also made at the end (1:17). As has already been roughly mentioned in the introduction, Apostle Paul is writing to Philemon who is a Christian in the church in Colosse. It is plain that Philemon is a slave master and that there are others in the church with similar status in the same church, according to Colossians 4:1. Onesimus, one of Philemon’s slaves, had stolen from Philemon his master and ran away (v. 18). The import of Onesimus’ act is that it amounts to capital offence under Roman law. As a fugitive, Onesimus happens upon Paul in his ministry and becomes a Christian (v.10). After his stint with Apostle Paul, Onesimus is willing to return to his master, Philemon. For this purpose, Paul makes a concerted appeal to Philemon to accept back Onesimus as a Christian brother (1:16). According to Gromacki (2008), the main addressee in the epistle is Philemon, Onesimus’ master. Again, as already stated, the main intention or purpose of Paul’s address to Philemon is to have him accept Onesimus, his runaway slave back as a Christian brother (v. 16). Paul does this by using several logical strategies which are also subthemes of Paul’s address. One of the underlying themes that Paul uses to convince Philemon is that just as

This ERP case study on why and how Peet's chose its ERP system and Essay

This ERP case study on why and how Peet's chose its ERP system and executed the implementation in less than two years begins her - Essay Example After a careful analysis, it has been concluded that implementing a new ERP system is an effective strategy that would be beneficial for the company in various ways, ensuring that the loopholes are eliminated right from the root from where they surfaced. The case study report would reason the adopting and implementing the second option alongside highlighting the advantages of purchasing and implementing new ERP system. In addition to that, the challenges that a company would face while implementing such a system will also be discussed. Finally, an overall conclusion and recommendation will be provided suggesting the ways to tackle such challenges and maintaining the efficiency of the business operations carried out within the organization. Table of Contents Introduction 4 Discussion 4 Advantages of implementing the ERP system 6 Challenges that might occur because of implementing the ERP system 7 Reference List 9 Introduction The report will involve a thorough analysis of the case stu dy in order to determine an optimum choice that can be adopted as a recommended course action. The case studied involves the issues that were recently faced by Peet’s Coffee and Tea. The case study highlighted the inability of the older system or resource management, implemented by the organization, to keep up with the demands placed on them. The problems that surfaced from such a system was not only limited to improper inventory management, but also went to the extent of an improper order management and procurements and other financial activities. Thus, these issues that surfaced called for the necessity to send out a request for proposal (RFP). It was a critical time within the company’s history that necessitated coming up with an optimal course of action that would either focus on modifying the existing system that prevailed within the organization or would establish a new Enterprise resource planning systems that can be implemented efficiently. Thus, the following sections would involve the discussion regarding the alternative options available at the company’s disposal, including the advantages and challenges of adopting such a course of action. Therefore, appropriate reasons will be set forth for supporting the rationale behind implementing the recommended strategy. Discussion The fact that the existing system prevailing within the organization posed numerous problems in the operational activity of the business that resulted in the system’s inability to meet the sales demand, explains the reason why modification of the existing system would not be an efficient and effective strategy. Thus, the alternative option at the company’s disposal is to implement a new Enterprise Resource Planning system that would help the company recover from the existing level of instability. The new system will enable the company to manage all the integral and external business process effectively and independently. This highlights the necess ity for bringing about a complete change in the system as modification of the existing system, would not be a viable option that can eliminate all the loopholes present in the company’s resource management framework. An outright change in the system by purchasing and implementing a new Enterprise Resource planning mechanism will enable the company to meet the rising demand for sales in an appropriate manner (Cassidy, 1996). It would help to ensure that total

Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule - Essay Example Gandhi bases his arguments on several themes; he argues that it is not favorable for the Englishmen to leave India, only for the Indians to adopt their British culture, arguing that, Indians would prefer an English rule in the absence of Englishmen. On Indian independence, Gandhi argues that Indian independence was successful due to passive resistance. He also argues that self reliance is a vital tool, which can be utilized by the Indians, in that, the British must adhere to the Indians demands if they desire any kind of deal. In addition, Gandhi argues that India must reject the western civilization if it yearns for freedom. What is Gandhi’s main objective? Gandhi, in his own words says, â€Å"It is my duty patiently to try to remove your prejudice† (Gandhi p7, ch1). Gandhi’s main objective was to free India from the domination of the British Empire. The title of Gandhi book, Swaraj means self governance; here, Gandhi’s focus was on empowering Indians to discard the British economic, political, legal, and social way of life. Gandhi believed in a world of peace and harmony, free from any colonialism; but one is self sustained and capable of managing its affairs. What are Gandhi’s political and social positions? According to Hind Swaraj (p5 ch1), as the editor, Gandhi explains to the reader on the desire for home rule by arguing that, home rule is similar to self rule, claiming that the British should not only leave the country, but they should also not leave behind their British style, only to be adopted by the Indians. He further explains to the reader that the British desired home rule for India, claiming that, the Englishmen were not ill and the Indians had to cooperate with them in order to achieve home rule sooner, hence becoming free. Secondly, Gandhi argues on Indian’s independence, which would only be achieved through passive resistance, insisting that the magnitude of love and pity is higher that that of firear ms. He explains that the use of brutality is harmful, but not in the use of pity. According to Gandhi (p10 CH2), swadeshi or self-reliance, can be exercised by the Indians with an aim of declining all trade dealings with the British, if the British do not meet their demands. He further describes partition as an awakening call, which sends a message to the British that the Indian’s have the will from unrests, meaning that they are discontented. Gandhi continues to argue that, India has to reject the western civilization in order to be free, claiming that western civilization is not only unfit for India, but it is unhealthy as well. Gandhi (p14 ch4) criticizes the British parliament as a sterile woman or a prostitute, one whose members are concerned about their powers than the welfare of the public. Gandhi bases his arguments on truth and non violence. Importantly, his political views also pointed at the prevention of concentration of political power in the hands of few individ uals; he preferred that political power be distributed to many, therefore adopting a democratic nature. Economic power should also be in the hands of many compared to few in order to ensure that competition and exploitation are minimized. When production is based on need rather than greed, poverty can be eradicated; Indians would also realize the dignity of labor, which improves productivity. Gandhi also insists on self-reliance by Indians in their villages, religion and the nation at large. The

Man or Brute Essay Example for Free

Man or Brute Essay The Analysis of the Monster of Frankenstein: Man or Brute What is the difference between man and beast? The answer to that question is as grey as the gloomy clouds that constantly hang over Dr. Frankenstein’s head. Mary Shelley’s characters Dr. Frankenstein and his monster from her novel Frankenstein blur the lines between civilized and animalistic. Before chapter ten the monster is an ominous character, only being seen a few times. The true disposition of the character has yet to be established. Through the setting of the passage, and rhetorical questioning Mary Shelley builds on the motif of redemption and using invectives is able to build layers of depth and complexity of the character. Shelley characterizes the monster as isolated, self pitying, vulnerable, and aggressive. Mary Shelley uses the dismal and frigid setting of chapter ten to indirectly characterize the monster as isolated and cut off. During the paragraphs preceding the meeting of the monster and Dr. Frankenstein, he orates the scene in great detail, saying that â€Å"A mist covered the surrounding mountains. Presently a breeze dissipated the clouds, and I descended upon the glacier† (Shelley 80). The description generates an icy and desolate ambiance surrounding the setting right before the entrance of the monster. By introducing the monster into a dismal and frigid atmosphere Shelley deepens the layers of the monster’s character by creating an indirect link between him and the setting. The setting is elaborated when the monster himself describes his habitat by saying, â€Å"dreary glaciers are my refuge† and â€Å"These bleak skies I hail, for they are kinder to me than your fellow-beings† (82). Shelley repeatedly uses the word â€Å"glacier,† first when Frankenstein describes the scene and again when the monster describes them as his â€Å"refuge†. The word glacial, which means of ice, or icy,   builds the foundation to make the connection between glacial and the synonym frigid. Also, the utilization of words such as â€Å"dreary† and â€Å"bleak†, which are synonyms with dismal, reinforcing the fact that the monster, himself feels more secure in the remote and abyss like caves than in civilization. Therefore, he is an isolated creature cut off from the human world, which leads to the formation of feelings of indignation towards humans and his self pitying nature. Through the use of rhetorical questioning Shelley expresses the monster’s feelings of indignation, inducing the characterization of his self pitying nature. Feeling wronged by humans, especially his creator, the monster eludes to his distress through questions such as, â€Å"Have I not suffered enough that you seek to increase my misery? (81). The monster uses phrases like this in the effort to make Dr. Frankenstein aware of the pain he has inflicted. However, Dr. Frankenstein is not remorseful for his actions, so again the monster floods Frankenstein with statements such as, â€Å"am I not alone, miserably alone? You my creator abhor me† (82). The â€Å"misery† that the monster refers to is the neglect and rejection that he feels from his creator, which in return fuels his hatred towards humans, and his feelings of sadness for himself. The repetitive use of the polarizing structure of â€Å"I† verses â€Å"You† shows the monster’s tendency to blame Dr. Frankenstein for all his misery in order to feel the gratification of his self pitying actions. In the eyes of the monster the only way to justify the matter is   for Frankenstein to accept him. The motif of redemption is prevalent throughout out the passage as the monster pleads for it, which characterizes him as vulnerable. The monster beseeches Frankenstein for redemption and acceptance by saying â€Å"I am thy creature Remember that I am thy creature;   I ought to be thy Adam† (81). In the simile of the monster and Adam, the monster hints at the fact that he has sinned, and yearns for compassion and redemption from his creator. Like Adam in the biblical story when he sinned and ate from the tree of knowledge he became aware of his nakedness. In the context of the monster the nakedness represents vulnerability. The comparison of Adam and the monster is used by Shelley to bring humanistic characteristics to the monster by hinting at his corruption and vulnerability. On multiple occasions the monster says â€Å"I entreat you to hear me† (81) and â€Å"How can I move thee? † and again saying â€Å"Listen to my tale† (82). At least three separate times the monster pleads for a chance. By asking for redemption the monster puts himself at the mercy of Dr. Frankenstein, making himself emotionally vulnerable. The layers of the monster are built by having constant contrast between the monster emotional vulnerability and physically dominance. Mary Shelley contrasts the monsters emotional vulnerability with physical aggressiveness; shown through short invective outbursts. After seeing that Frankenstein was unmoved by his plea the monster resorts to contemplating physical retaliation. The invectives, short intense emotional verbal attacks, can also be described as verbal threats. For example the monster says, â€Å"Do your duty towards me, and I will do mine towards you and the rest of mankind†¦but if you refuse, I will glut the maw of death, until it be satiated with the blood of your remaining friends† (81). The graphic threats towards Frankenstein help to characterize the monster as aggressive. Not only does the monster threaten Frankenstein’s friends he threatens all humans saying â€Å"deliver them from the evil†¦ Not only you and your family, but thousands of others, shall be swallowed up in the whirlwinds of its rage† (82). As the passage goes on the threats become darker and more horrific contemplations, resemble   more animalistic than civilized thoughts. Shelley clouds the line of reason on whether or not the monster is human or beast. Mary Shelley is able to create an antagonist with such depth, by using the setting to indirectly characterize the monster as isolated and cutoff. She comments on the natural need for acceptance and how when this is not met, it leads to the formation of emotional vulnerability. Shelley adds complexity to the monster by exploring the cause and effect relationship between the lack of acceptance of his creator and his constant need for Dr. Frankenstein’s affirmation. The aggressive tendencies shown in the text through invectives as threats, also hints at the monster’s animal like origins. This passage is essential to the understanding of the monster, because it offers immeasurable insight to the minds and mannerisms of the characters. The lines that separate human from brute become blurred and the criteria for being a man are questioned. Work Cited Shelley, Mary. Chapter 10. Frankenstein. New York: Penguin Group, 2000. 78-83. Print.

The Roaring Twenties and the Prohibition

The Roaring Twenties and the Prohibition Roaring 20s Essay The 1920s were a time of tremendous change in America. It was a period of time called The Roaring Twenties, where America becomes urban and commercial and gets to know the speed, spending, mobility, entertainment and fearlessness. Separating the two wars( World War I and World War II), the 1920s followed significant events such as the sinking of the Titanic (1912), the invention of the stainless steel (1913) and the completion of the Panama Canal(1914), the first transatlantic flight (1927-Charles Lindbergh). Unfortunately, this period could not last forever; the 1930s soon led to the beginning of the World War II, a conflict that cost 6, 700, 000 civilian deaths in the Soviet Union alone. During the Twenties, new aspects of culture were established, the economy was prosperous, there was a widespread social reform, and people found a better way to enjoy their lives and improve their lifestyle. Most of the population preferred to move in urban areas rather than living at rural farms, the main reason being an agricultural depression (U.S lost agricultural markets in postwar Europe). Americans were making and spending more money. As well as having more money, Americans also had more free time because the labor movement reduced to only eight hours in a typical work-day. Furthermore, there were introduced more and more applications suited to the personal lives of individuals and available to a mass market (vacuum-cleaners, fridges, radios). Business taxes were low (presidents Harding, Coolidge and Hoover did not interfere in business) and import taxes were high (tariffs), protecting American industry. Also, advertising industry started to flourish and change: for example before, the producer announced the existence of a product in a dull, dry fashion, but in the 1920s, the producer persuades the public. During those years, people bought different appliances and cars, which gave them more free time and made their lives easier (Henry Ford uses TV newsreels to advertise the new model T). The number of cars increased quickly; in Chicago, in 1915, there was one automobile for 61 persons and in 1930, one for 8 persons. Ford offered big wages (5$/day), as he correctly assumed that mass production economy would eventually fail, unless workers were paid enough to buy the products they made. The main convenience of a private care in the 1920s was great mobility, followed by traveling for fun (rural people were now likely to spend the time in town and were less isolated), better employment possibilities, not only in the car industry, but also other industries such as rubber, steel, oil, glass. Education also increased, and by the 1920s many states passed laws requiring children to attend school, helping force children out of workplaces. Throughout the 1920s, people were more and more interested in music, the period was also called The Jazz Age. The core of jazz music was in Harlem; a musical form belonging to the South and played mostly by black people. From the most known jazz musicians we remember Louis Daniel Armstrong (1901-1971) from New Orleans, Louisiana. During the decade, a new woman was about to be created. Women smoked and danced and wore make-up. They were called flappers- because of their giddy attitude and their outer clothing(looking like a boy). Flappers mostly lived in cities, though, rural people read about them in magazines. In much of the U.S, women only read about flappers in magazines but many disapproved of flappers or would not dare to be so reckless. The 1920s were a prosperous time, but not for everyone. It was also a period of intolerance and isolationism. There were imposed new restrictions on immigration, minority groups were still being discriminated and the Ku Klux Klan was powerful in the South. In addition to this, because of having too much free time and influences of a new lifestyle, urbanization and modernization, the alcohol consumption became excessively. At first, the focus was the moderation of the consumption, but then turned to be a complete prohibition of alcohol. The Prohibition Prohibition (the noble experiment) had quite an effect on American life in the 1920s. People hoped that a result of the Prohibition would be the reducing of crimes and corruption, solving social problems, improving health and hygiene in America, creating a moral society; but it had the opposite effect. Drinking, transporting, making and selling alcohol became illegal and many found it to be exciting and glamorous so, illegal clubs sprang up where people could go socialize and drink. Over the years, a number of states passed anti-alcohol laws, and World War I helped the cause when grain and grapes (which most alcohol is made of) was needed to feed the troops. The fight against alcohol was also used against immigrants, portraying them as groups of alcoholics. Fundamentalists and protestant religious groups favored the liquor ban because it was considered that alcohol contributed to societys sins and evils, especially in cities. America stood at a crossroads between tradition and innovation. What was going to ban the manufacture, sale and transportation of alcohol was the Eighteenth Amendment of Constitution. The 18th Amendment was originally announced in Congress on June, 1917. It was sent to the Senate and in the same year, was passed to the House of Representatives. Moreover, in order to enforce the 18th amendment, it was created the Volstead Act, in 1919. Federal Prohibition Agents (they were about 3,000 agents) was to investigate who were about to sell and transport illegally alcohol; if they were found guilty, they were arrested. The same thing was in the case of owning any item designed to manufacture alcohol, to the guilty ones were applied specific fines and jail sentence(Making own beer will be difficult under new regime!). However, even if there were numerous reports of liquor clearing, the authorities missed confiscating several cases in May, 1926. Another one hundred twenty-five cases made it past the enforcement agencies in September, 1926 and one hundred twenty cases disappeared from a Canadian warehouse due for American shores in October, 1926. Speakeasies started to be popular and increased their number during the decade. They represented illegal bars selling alcohol. There was estimated over 100,000 speakeasies in New York City in the 1920s and it was the most popular way to obtain alcohol. Other ways of obtaining alcohol during the Prohibition: if was prescribed by a doctor, or secretly smuggling from other countries, such as Canada. Initially, many Americans supported the idea of Prohibition. It was thought that Prohibition will reduce the number of divorces, deaths, accidents and poverty. Supporters believed that drinking liquor was immoral. Nevertheless, there were a lot of different opinions about whether it was successful or not. Drinking was part of everyday life and people enjoyed being able to have alcohol when they wanted and they did not want the right to be taken away from them. Two of the most important supporters of Prohibition were Womens Christian Temperance Union and Anti-Saloon League. In Womens Christian Temperance Union, women were one of the main groups fighting for prohibition. Their efforts made prohibition attractive to many reformers and these women changed the opinions of many people. Reformers were also attracted to prohibition because they were able to take out many urban political bosses at the same time (since many bosses operated out of these saloons). The Anti-Saloon League was another prohibition powerhouse. The members from the league tried to get support from churches, law makers, business men and political figure heads in order to get the law passed. Prohibition and Gangsters (organized crime in the 1920s) Bootlegging became one of the most profitable business of those times. Illegal Saloons could be found all over larger cities and almost every city. The owners of these saloons produced their own homemade alcohol but also many imported it. Prohibition gave rise to huge smuggling operations, as alcohol slipped into the country through states like Michigan or on the Canadian border. One of the inherent dangers involved in the business of smuggling liquor was the possibility of a hijacking. Gangs fought for control over the speakeasies which created a lot of violence within the city. Mobsters and gangsters started to take an initiative in the demand for alcohol and saw a chance to make a huge profit. Even if gangsterism was dangerous, this was the easiest way of making money. Criminals got richer and gained more and more power; once they were armed with their guns, no one dared to stop them. If they were caught by police, they often bribed or killed the police. Also, they started bribing public officials; many lawmakers, judges and Prohibition Bureau members were all involved in various crime organizations. Not only the number of crimes increased, but crime was going to be organized. The business was profitable for everyone involved. They defended their high profits by murdering hundreds of their competitors and infiltrating legitimate businesses, labor unions, and government. Most of Mafia or gangs members were young immigrants. Criminals like Al Capone, John Dillinger, Jack Legs Diamond, Bugsy Siegel and Vito Genovese were headliners of the era. To summarize, I would say that the Prohibition was thought to be more moral but it did not realized its main goals. The ones who beneficiated were gangsters and other forces of government. Americans enjoyed drinking alcohol and they even broke the law to do so; as a result, the number of prisoners was larger. A consequence was the lack of respect for the law(was seen as something which was not important) and also lack of respect for religion, because preachers thought that alcohol is the main reason for societys sufferings. People also suffered, because making illegal alcohol was not so healthy; some of them were poisoned, went blind or even died.

Applications of 3D Printing Technology

Applications of 3D Printing Technology Lara Soueid Abstract What if we could simply print a bone when we have a shattered one? This has now become possible due to the three-dimensional (3D) printing innovation. 3D technology In our days, technology is advancing at a very rapid pace. Out of the many recent innovations is the three dimensional (3D) technology. It has been exploited in various industries such as the movie production, television, computers, and printers industries. This technology has just recently been introduced into the medical field, more specifically, the 3D printers (Walker A, 2013). There are various medical applications of the 3D printers; some of these are to print prosthetic limbs, and implants. So far, there are many advantages, yet also a few disadvantages to the latter. The three dimensional technology relies on the fact that we see things in 3D by our eyes in our daily, that is we visualize objects by their width, length and depth (3deyehealth.org June12, 2014). The process by which our eyes perceive three dimensional images from two highly similar overlaid images was first described by Sir Charles Wheatstone in 1838 (Sniderman Z, 2011). Another name for 3D is stereoscopy; it explains how our eyes and our brain create an impression of a third dimension. Our eyes are approximately 50-75mm apart, hence each eye perceives a slightly different image which the brain merges using some high powered geometry which is basically the 3D concept (Sniderman Z, 2011). Modern 3D technology is trying to replicate what the brain does to merge the images. This technology tricks the brain in order to perceive two different images from the same source (Wong KV, Hernandez A, 2012).There are multiple uses of the 3D technology, mainly architecture, the movie industry, printing and gaming (Sniderman Z, 2011). 3D printing has recently been on the rise, these machines are able to make anything from simple materials. By doing so they replace traditional factory production lines and make everything in life much easier, a person can easily print a cup or chair, or even a house (Walker A, 2013). 3D printing technologies There are various 3D printing technologies being used, namely selective laser sintering (SLS), fused deposition modeling (FDM) and stereolithography (SLA) (Pravas VS, 2013). The SLS printers use a very powerful laser in order to heat and bind the printing material into the required 3D object by scanning the cross sections generated from the 3D digital file. When each cross section is scanned, the powder bed is automatically lowered one layer thickness and new material is placed above it. The object is surrounded and supported by the same powder it is made from. This process is repeated until the object is complete (Deckard C, Beaman J, Bourell D, 2012). Figure 1: Selective Laser Sintering process, Martello.co.uk, June 12, 2014. The second type is the FDM printers, these printers use a process by which thick filaments are melted and forced through a heated nozzle which forms the object. Once the first layer is formed, the base is lowered and the second layer begins forming and fusing with the first layer. However unlike the SLS, these printers require two different materials, the thick filaments in order to make the object and a support material which surrounds and supports the object while it is being made (Deckard et al., 2012). Figure 2: Fused Deposition Modeling process, 3dprinterplans.info, June 12, 2014. The last type of printers are the SLA printers, these printers use liquid photopolymer resin as the basic material. Photopolymers are materials that are sensitive to light, once exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, they will immediately harden. The UV laser beam traces a cross section of the object onto the resin, which immediately curs when it is exposed to the light (3ders.org, March 14, 2013). The base then lowers and the top is coated with more resin which again gets exposed to UV light hence hardens and mends to the lower layer. This process is repeated until the object is completed (Deckard et al., 2012). Figure 3: Stereolithography printing process. Pravas VS, 2013. The latter are all additive manufacturing processes which require the help of computers. The 3D object blueprint to be printed must first be modeled three dimensionally on a computer software, most commonly using the computer aided design (CAD) software. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), as well as computed tomography (CT) scan can also be used (Pravas VS, 2013). The CAD file is converted into a Standard Tessellation Language (STL) file which transforms the geometry into small triangles, a header, or a triplet list of x, y and z coordinates. This file is then sliced into cross sections exactly as the printer will print, this file is called a G-Code file which can now be directly interpreted by the printer (Wong KV, Hernandez A, 2012). Table 1: Comparison of 3D printing processes. (3dprinteplans.info, June 12, 2014) There are various applications to 3D printing, such as architecture, automotive, engineering, fashion and numerous others. However the most important applications are the use of 3D printers in medicine to produce implants and prosthetics (3dprinterplans.info, 2014, June 12). Throughout the world, poverty is increasing and living costs as well as the medical costs are also increasing. A prosthetic arm for an amputee would cost on average $3,000 to $30,000 depending on the patient’s age, activities, profession and his health hence making it impossible for anyone except the rich population to be able to buy a prosthetic arm or foot (Turner R, 2009). Lucky for the third world countries people, as well as the middle class people, a novel technology will solve the latter issue. The innovation of the 3D printers has and will change many lives. The process of printing a prosthetic hand relies on the FDM technology. The material used is most often high-performance thermoplastics which are biocompatible, and the average price of a 3D printed prosthetic arm is about $200 (Stratasys Ltd, 2014, June 12). The 3D production of prosthetics is not only cheaper, faster and more practical, it is a revolution which allows every amputee of living a normal life again. The main problem in producing a prosthetic arm or leg is the need of a blueprint or prototype. The patient’s limb is scanned using a CT scanner or a laser-based scanner, this image is then converted into a G-Code file which can be directly printed by the printer in order to produce a new very similar limb (Andrews TM, 2013). There was also a problem of printing the socket (the part that will be attached to the amputated limb) accurately (Stratasys Ltd, 2014, June 12). However this has all been solved by the open end prototypes and blueprints available for everyone to use (Stratasys Ltd, 2014, June 12). Sydney Kendall is a thirteen year old girl from St.Louis, her right arm was amputated due to a boating accident when she was six years old. Senior students in the Washington University in St.Louis studying biomedical engineering printed a prosthetic arm using plastic as the raw material for Sydney. The total cost was only $200. This prosthetic is powered by a battery and controlled by an accelerometer allowing her to move her prosthetic fingers (Washington University in St.Louis Newsroom [WUSTL], 2014). The most recent 3D printed prosthetic hand is the â€Å"Flexy-hand†, produced by Gyrobot Ltd by Steve Wood. This prosthetic arm looks very similar to a natural human hand and it operates like one too. He has used Filaflex flexible filaments which form tendons that are activated by a motor that allows the prosthetic hand to operate very much like a normal human hand. (Krassenstein E, 2014) Maxillofacial prosthetics are also being produced by 3D printers. Usually the conventional maxillofacial prosthetics production requires that an impression from the trauma site is taken, then a plaster positive should be formed, a mould should be made and the specific shape must be carved in the wax, lastly it must be casted in silicone. This is very laborious, time consuming and expensive to be done. Using the 3D technology, the patient’s face should be 3D-scanned, this image will then be converted to the appropriate file to print the perfectly fitting prosthetic part (Wainwright O, 2014, June 12). 3D-printed titanium shoulder and collar bone implants were successfully implanted into three different patients suffering from cancerous bone tumors in Xi’an, China. The bone design was printed using the selective laser sintering technique which fused titatium powder into the exact shape of the patient’s bone. The implants do not cause infections and are very durable and resistant (Zeng C, 2014). This has also been done in the United Kingdom for a cancer patient (Moore G, 2014). Soon, 3D printing will replace manufacturing industries and save millions of lives. Various kinds of implants such as knee caps, skulls, auditory devices, and jaw bones have already been produced by a 3D printer and have successfully been implanted. There are 2 astonishing cases whose patients have been given a second chance to live due to 3D printers. The first case is Stephen Power, he is a survivor of a motorbike accident that shattered his face. His face was reconstructed at Morrison Hospital in Swansea, however, his entire face was reconstructed using custom made 3D printed models, plates, implants and guides. The surgical team used CT scans to create symmetrical 3D models of Power’s skull which they then printed, implanted, and held in place using a printed titanium implant (Griffith H, 2014). The second case is of a 22 year old woman from the Netherlands who had her skull replaced by a 3D printed skull implant. She suffered from a chronic bone disorder which increases the thickness of her skull, neurosurgeons at the University Medical Centre Utrecht pr inted a perfectly fitting durable plastic skull implant (University Medical Center Utrecht [UMCU] research news, 2014). Dr.Bon Verweij of the UMCU says: â€Å"Its now three months after the operation. The patient has fully regained her vision, she has no more complaints, shes gone back to work and there are almost no traces that she had any surgery at all. The printing process of prosthetics and implants requires hours to a few days maximum. There aren’t any documented reactions to the prosthesis or implants, they are cheaper, more durable, more resistant, less laborious and they are FDA approved (Pollack SK, Coburn J, 2013). However the main disadvantage is the expensive price of the printer and the designing program. Most prototypes are open ended and available online for modification and many hospitals and universities now have 3D printers (Stratasys Ltd, 2014, June 12). With the increasing popularity and availability of 3D printers, we are finally ableto create prosthetics and implants under $1000. Even though alternative production methods are present, they are not available to the people that need them most due to their high cost. They are cheap, fast, References 3deyehealth organization team. Seeing in 3D. Retrieved June 12, 2014, from www.3deyehealth.org 3dprinterplans team. (2014, May 6). How To 3D Print – Beginner’s Guide To 3D Printing. Retrieved 2014, June 12, from http://3dprinterplans.info/how-to-3d-print-beginners-guide-to-3d-printing/ Andrews TM. (2013, August 23). Can we really 3D print limbs for amputees? The atlantic magazine. Retrieved 2014, June 12, from http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/08/can-we-really-3-d-print-limbs-for-amputees/278987/ Deckard C, Beaman J, Bourell D. (2012, December 7). [Interviews in the University of Texas]. Retrieved 2014, June 12, from http://www.me.utexas.edu/news/2012/0712_sls_history.php#ch4. Griffith H. (2014, March 12). Pioneering 3D printing reshapes patient’s face in Wales. BBC news. Retrieved 2014, June 12, from http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-26534408 Krassenstein E. (2014, March 10). The Flexy-Hand – The Most Innovative, Useful, Realistic Looking 3D Printed Prosthetic Hand Yet. 3D print blog. Retrieved 2014, June 12, from http://3dprint.com/1500/the-flexy-hand-3d-printed-prosthetic/ Moore G. (2014, February 11). Surgeons have implanted a 3-D printed pelvis into a U.K. cancer patient. Fierce Medical Devices Newsletter. Retrieved 2014, June 12, from http://www.fiercemedicaldevices.com/story/surgeons-have-implanted-3-d-printed-pelvis-uk-cancer-patient/2014-02-11 Pollack SK, Coburn J. (2013, August 15). FDA goes 3-D. FDA voice. Retrieved 2014, June 12, from http://blogs.fda.gov/fdavoice/index.php/2013/08/fda-goes-3-d/ Pravas VS. (2013). 3D Printing – ‘Modern Manufacturing Rapid Prototyping’. Engineers Garage. Retrieved 2014, June 12, from http://www.engineersgarage.com/articles/what-is-3d-printing-modern-manufacturing-and-rapid-prototyping?page=1 Scheineder Prototyping Limited members. Rapid Prototyping Stereolithography (SLA) Models. Retrieved 2014, June 12, from http://www.martello.co.uk/rapid_prototyping.htm Sniderman Z. (2011, February 07). How Does 3D Technology Work? The Innovative Entertainment Series – Dolby. Retrieved 2014, June 12, from http://mashable.com/2011/02/07/how-does-3d-work/ Stratasys limited. FDM technology case studies. Retrieved 2014, June 12, from http://www.stratasys.com/resources/case-studies/medical Turner R. (2009, May 30). Prosthetics costs. Retrieved 2014, June 12, from http://www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/prostheses/prosthetics-costs.php University Medical Center Utrecht newsroom. (2014, March 27). University Medical Center Utrecht – Netherlands. Retrieved 2014, June 12, from http://www.umcutrecht.nl/research/news/2014/03/3d-printed-skull-implanted-in-patient.htm Wainwright O. Faces to order: how 3D printing is revolutionizing prosthetics. The guardian. Retrieved 2014, June 12, from http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2013/nov/08/faces-3d-printing-prosthetics Walker A. (2013, June 21). 3D printing for dummies: How do 3D printers work? The independent newspaper. Retrieved 2014, June 12 from http://www.independent.co.uk/ Washington University in St.Louis Newsroom. ( 2014, May 7). WUSTL students print pink prosthetic arm for teen girl. Retrieved 2014, June 12, from http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/26901.aspx Wong KV, Hernandez A.( 2012). A Review Of Additive Manufacturing. ISRN Mechanical Engineering. Volume 2012. Article ID 208760. Retrieved 2014, June 12, from http://dx.doi.org/10.5402/2012/208760. Zeng C. (2014, June 3). In China, world’s first successful 3D-printed shoulder and collar bone implants. 3ders organization newsroom. Retrieved 2014, June 12, from http://www.3ders.org/articles/20140603-in-china-world-first-successful-3d-printed-shoulder-and-collar-bone-implants.html

Napster Essays -- essays research papers

Napster: The Debate Over Copyright Infringement In early 1999, Shawn Fanning, a Northeastern University freshman, created Napster software. That summer he made it available for free through his Napster.com website. Napster is a peer-to-peer technology, which makes it possible for users to freely share their music files through the internet with other users all over the world. Specifically, this is how Napster works: 1.)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A user sends a request for a song. 2.)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Napster checks its database of music to see if the song is on the PC hard-drive of another Napster user whose computer is turned on (Note: No music is stored on Napster servers). 3.)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Napster finds the song. 4.)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Napster sends the song in MP3 format to the user who requested On December 6, 1999 the record industry sued Napster in Federal District Court for copyright infringements, and petitioned that court to shut down Napster. On July 26, 2000 the judge issued a temporary injunction to shut down Napster, and the next day Napster appealed the ruling before the U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco. The following day the Appeals Court granted Napster temporary reprieve against injunction so they could further review the injunction request. On October 2, 2000 the opposing parties presented their supporting arguments before the Court. The case was finally resolved on February 12, 2001 when a ruling by the District Court of Appeals upheld the original ruling that Napster was aware its users were swapping copyrighted materials. Subsequently, Napster was ordered to stop allowing its millions of users to swap copyrighted material without a fee. There are several ethical issues involved in this case. First is the theft of the copyrighted music produced by artists who have not given Napster the right to transmit their music. Secondly, is the right of Napster to provide a legitimate service to consumers, and how that right has been attacked by artists in the recording industry. There are, indeed, two sides to this story. The stakeholders involved in this case are the artists, the recording industry as a whole, retailers, and consumers. All of these stakeholders are affected equally in this matter. The artists, recording industry, and music retailers face substantial loss of income if c... ...g they need to do, considering the investment in the company. Perhaps the optimal solution for Napster’s dilemma is the possibility of a cable TV type payment. Users pay a certain monthly fee for all the downloaded music they wanted. They could chat with their favorite artists, get first claim on concert tickets, and browse possible downloads by genre. The new system would pay the artists their royalties and sell millions of older titles that at present are sitting in vaults because no stores will give them shelf space. This option has the advantages of cooperation between the music industry and Napster. Napster users will have the same type of service as they do now, with extras so they won’t have to turn to no-fee options (Gnutella and Freenet). Music companies will be able to use the Internet for sales of all their merchandise. If music companies can package a better experience people will pay for it. In a recent survey of college students more than two thirds of the respondents would be willing to pay for a $20 dollar monthly fee of a similar service. The only foreseeable disadvantage of this solution is the plausibility of the record companies cooperating in such an effort.

?The Wreck of the Hesperus? and The Perfect Storm :: essays research papers

The More Powerful Sea Disaster Story   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Some of the most intriguing stories of today are about people’s adventures at sea and the thrill and treachery of living through its perilous storms and disasters. Two very popular selections about the sea and its terrors are The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger and â€Å"The Wreck of the Hesperus† by Henry Longfellow. Comparison between the two works determines that â€Å"The Wreck of the Hesperus† tells a more powerful sea-disaster story for several different reasons. The poem is more descriptive and suspenseful than The Perfect Storm, and it also plays on a very powerful tool to captivate the reader’s emotion. These key aspects combine to give the reader something tangible that allows them to relate to the story being told and affects them strongly. A common person’s knowledge about sea disasters comes from what they have read in books and articles, and what they see on TV and in movies. The average person does not get to experience the fury of a hurricane while on a boat. In order to capture the audience’s attention, consideration to details and vivid descriptions are needed to paint a realistic picture in their minds. For this reason, the stories have to provide all of the intricate details. In The Perfect Storm, the story starts out with a radio call, not a dramatic scene that immediately foreshadows the possibility of danger. Rather than describing the storm and its fury, the only mention of the setting is of the visibility and the height of waves. However, in â€Å"The Wreck of the Hesperus†, the poem begins by stating there is a hurricane possible right away. The current weather conditions are pointed out to the reader as shown in the following quote.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Colder and louder blew the wind,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A gale from the Northeast,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The snow fell hissing in the brine,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  And the billows frothed like yeast.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  (Longfellow 125) The realistic adjectives paint a picture that the average person can relate to and understand. As shown from the word choice in The Perfect Storm, the poem is easily seen to evoke more powerful imagery. One quality a story needs to possess in order to keep the reader eager and captivated to read is suspense. Both stories have elements of suspense, but utilize it in different ways. â€Å"The Wreck of the Hesperus† does an excellent job of foreshadowing, so one can predict the sequence of events that will happen.

Handling Interpersonal Conflicts Essay

Have you ever been involved in an interpersonal conflict that was not necessarily handled in the most effective manner? During that occurrence did you notice that you and the other individual seemed to be on different pages after the fact? Being able to handle an interpersonal conflict in the most effective manner could potentially keep you and your significant others relationship close as opposed to tearing it apart. In the movie â€Å"Hitch†, Will Smith states, â€Å"Sixty percent of all human communication is nonverbal body language; thirty percent is your tone, so that means ninety percent of what you’re saying isn’t coming out of your mouth† (Lassiter, 2005). With this being stated, body language, tone, and verbal language are all things that must be particularly paid close attention too and effectively utilized, whether you are the speaker or the listener. While watching the movie â€Å"Hitch†, there were a few interpersonal conflicts that were not handled effectively. One specific conflict that was not handled effectively was when Sarah found out about Hitch’s career as a â€Å"Professional Love Doctor†. This conflict was not handled effectively for a multitude of reasons. Previously Hitch and Sarah were really â€Å"falling† for each other, being sincere, genuine, and in the â€Å"honey moon† stage. After the conflict was initiated, Sarah’s body language started to change. She began to deny Hitch’s kisses by turning away, she ruined the romantic wine moment by tipping the bottle up as opposed to drinking out of the wine glass that Hitch had already prepared for her, Sarah began to snarl, both Hitch and Sarah began to become aggressive in their actions by throwing food at each other out of anger, and Hitch insulted Sarah by telling her that she had a crappy newspaper. All of these actions are considered to be ineffective ones. While trying to choose a more effective route of handling this conflict so that the relationship remains close, one must show ositive body language, positive tone, positive verbal language, as well as a few other effective solutions. Solutions such as empathizing with one another by putting themselves in each other’s shoes, evaluating the message by waiting for the speaker to finish speaking before evaluating the message, not becoming emotional at the speaker, and showing more self-disclosure at the beginning of their relationship so that each other could grasp more of an understanding of each other’s background and career. Sole states, â€Å"While emotions are normal and are to be expected in conversation, especially when information of a personal or sensitive nature is being shared, it is helpful to hear the speaker out and to try to control these emotions until the remarks are finished† (Sole, 2011). If both Sarah and Hitch had done this, their argument most likely would have been invisible. They may have understood where each one was coming from and actually taken the time to hear what each other were trying to get across. Doing all of these things could help eliminate the interpersonal conflict that both Hitch and Sarah encountered. All in all, interpersonal conflicts have the opportunity to happen on a daily basis; however, being able to handle them in the most effective manner could potentially keep you and your significant others relationship close instead of tearing it apart. Remember, whether you are the speaker or the listener, you must always try to pay close attention to body language, tone, and verbal language as well. Being able to come together as one, empathizing with one another, evaluating the message, not becoming emotional and showing more self-disclosure with one another are some key concepts to eliminating potential interpersonal conflict amongst you and your significant other.

Criminal Invesigations Essay

The purpose of this research paper is to show the role, function, nature and responsibility of the criminal investigator. The Methods Used and the Interpretation of the Collection of Physical Evidence and Understanding of the Sources of Information will be explained within this paper. The Role, Function, Nature and Responsibility of the Criminal Investigator The criminal investigator has specific roles and function within their organization. The duty of a crime scene investigator is to try to assemble and bring together multiple events, information, and interpretations of a crime scene to make it one big picture. Based on physical evidence, testimonies of eyes witnesses, suspects, and the victim he will create scenery to figure out what has happened. He or she is creating a hypothesis in what happen before the crime scene occurred and after. All evidence found in all cases by the investigator has full understanding and knowledge of it in order to be an effective investigator (Physica l Evidence). The mentality of an investigator has to have interest, observative, and have the ability to write down everything that is going on. While on a crime scene he or she will notice what is wrong in the crime scene. For instance, the investigator notices that everything in a home is taken out and thrown on the floor in which the investigator can tell the crime scene is a burglary. In the investigative world, not only each individual investigator learns from each case they take up but from each other. While learning from each other they have to be opened minded and have doubt in order not to interfere with the facts of the case. The job of a criminal investigator has high levels of critical thinking (Police). The Methods Used and the Interpretation of the Collection of Physical Evidence When the investigator is called onto a crime scene they have a lot of work to gather and process. The first initiative officer will turn the crime scene over to them. The investigator might be also in charge of giving out press information based on the crime scene. The first thing that they might observe is the possible of the scene being contaminated by the officers who arrived their initially. The crime scene must be organized, and controlled using the proper methods so that the suspect of the crime scene may be successfully captured (Police).. The investigator will meet with the lead detective and the first responding officer on scene. He or she will interview them the two people on information pertaining to the scene. The investigator will get an understanding on what happened, when it happened, and how the crime occurred. The information received, the investigator will combine his information with theirs and make a logical determination of what happen in the crime scene. The gathered information as if you were a judge to see if the facts and evidence will meet will support the conclusion of the scene (Police). The process of the crime scene investigation is when they receive a call to go to a crime scene. When you arrive at the scene, you will make a list of what is required for this particular crime. Every crime scene is different. As crime scene investigator, you will need to have enough police officers protecting the crime scene and yourself. The officer will have to make sure that no one who is not authorizes to enter the premises stays out. The responding officer or a designated person would be the recorder keeper of authorize personal who enter the crime scene. They would have to write down their name, ID number, date, time, and what department (Police). The crime scene investigator will start to take photographs from the outside. The will take pictures of the entire area. All angles will be necessary from across, behind, on top, and bottom of the crime scene. Pictures will be taken of the street names, numbers, the street itself, vehicles, and street light posts. The more pictures taken; the more evidence you have. Every picture taken should be accounted. A log will be helpful of keeping account of the pictures, what camera, lens and film being used. If video camera is used that is also should be logged into the log sheet. In addition, you may want to write down who had access to photos or video other than the crime scene investigator (Physical Evidence). Now, the crime scene investigator will take note on any damages or any property taken on the outside. All evidence will be taken into photography. Photography will be taken from all angles, close-up and from a distance. Any mark numbers and letters must be place in the one area and be able to fit in one photograph. Next, Diagrams will be made of the crime scene and where the evidence was found. Triangular, rectangular, and baseline diagrams will be made to show a rough measurement of where everything happened. The investigator is always to remember to record location, measurements, and the person who collected the information. The investigator will now move inside the premises of the crime area. The investigator has to make sure he has proper approval and if necessary a search warrant. When entering the premises, you may want to wear protective gear so that you will not contaminate the evidence. Protective gear may include gloves, head and shoe covers, jumpsuit, and a mask. When looking for evidence inside the area, avoid the place where you think the suspect has moved around. The investigator will have less cross contamination on the evidence. Area where the investigator will walk will be around the edges not of the middle of the scenery. They will take notice on the entry point and exit point of the suspect. They will make sure other detectives or investigators in the crime scene to walk in certain paths to not contaminate the crime scene (Police). The crime scene investigator will logically take photographs as he did outside into the interior of the crime scene. They will work either in the same direction or opposite direction in working the crime scene. The crime scene investigator will do the same procedures in all crime scenes. When taking photographs, the investigator will take photographs in a three dimensional way. Photographs will be taken of the floors, walls, and ceilings. Everything must be visible for evidence by taking photos of the four walls. One angle might not be enough to show the evidence needed. Multiple angles must be taken. With all the photos taken, the investigator will make a diagram of the crime scene. It is good to point out the major details of the crime scene such as furniture, entry and exit points, and the victim. Another way of recording evidence is through video camera. Taking video must be only of important video of the crime scene. It may be easier to take video in fifteen second intervals. The investigator will also take video from all angle of the crime scene. After they are done collecting evidence, they will go make another walk through to make sure no missing evidence pertaining to the crime scene. Collaboration with other crime scene investigators and detectives will be done to insure all evidence has been collected. Understanding of the Sources of Information In the line of an investigator, getting enough information is critical. Information can be from physical evidence, the crime scene, interviewing, and interrogations. Interview and interrogations are very different. Interviews are just to gather information of the crime. An interrogation is getting information based on the suspect being involved. An investigator need to know the difference so that the person being interviewed or interrogated will know if they in custody or being asked a few questions. Two key ways of getting information will be witnesses, and interviews (Berg). WitnessesA witness will help out a lot while investigating. When interviewing, there are ten basic steps. The steps are plan ahead, arrange for privacy, identify yourself properly, assemble case facts in advance, have an intentional direction, be timely, avoid interruptions, be a good listener, adjust language level, pace, and demeanor as necessary, and maintain rapport throughout the interview. There are many types of witness which may include willing witnesses, eyewitnesses, reluctant witnesses, silent or disinterested witnesses, unreliable witnesses, frightened witnesses, biased witness, hostile witnesses, timid witnesses and deceitful witnesses. An investigator may also deal with people of many different ages. The investigator will have to identify these witnesses, and if they are children, young adults, or mature adults. They will have different methods on the way they try to receive information and if the information is valid (Berg). Interviews At first, a rapport will be made by the investigator. A rapport is a relationship between the officer and the one being interview knowing theirs empathy. An interview may not exactly occur right after the crime due to the anxiety from the situation. Time is needed before interviewing. It has to be a respectful interview and listening very closely. There two ways to interview a person; cognitive and behavioral analysis. Cognitive interview is reconstructing the circumstances, reporting all information, recalling events in different orders, and changing perspectives. Behavioral analysis is just identifying the person body language to the truth (Berg). Conclusion In conclusion, criminal investigation is a long process of collecting information. They have the most important job. The process of collecting information is extensive. It is critical for them to collect all evidence so that the suspect may be apprehended and justice shall be served when in the court system. Information may be either through physical evidence, interviews, or witnesses (Berg). Works Cited Berg, Bruce L., John J. Horgan, and John J. Horgan. Criminal Investigation. New York, NY: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 1998. Print. â€Å"Physical Evidence.† Enotes.com. Enotes.com, n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2012. . â€Å"Police: Criminal Investigations – Sources Of Information And Evidence In Criminal Investigations.† – Physical, Crime, Polygraph, and Witnesses. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2012. .

Who Is to Be Blame for Macbeth’s Downfall

Macbeth is a famous tragic play written by William Shakespeare, a well-known English poet and an Elizabethan playwright, in the 1500’s. Macbeth tells about the downfall of a war hero who chose an evil path to achieve his ambition. Therefore, Macbeth is responsible for his own downfall. Although some may argue that he was influenced by the witches and his wife, Lady Macbeth, however it is his choice to act upon those suggestions, which he eventually did. So, Macbeth is totally responsible for his own downfall.Throughout the play, the witches have played a very significant role of influencing Macbeth to think and act evilly. Initially, Macbeth was a good man, a good soldier who is fiercely loyal to King Duncan and to his country, Scotland. In fact, he is a valiant warrior against who fought courageously against the Norwegian forces, where he was praised as â€Å"brave†, â€Å"noble† and a â€Å"peerless kinsman†. But the witches, through prophecy, plant a se ed in his mind that appeal to Macbeth’s superstitions and ambition to be king, â€Å"All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis†¦ Thane of Cawdor†¦ that shalt be king hereafter†.These prophecies then provoked evil thoughts inside Macbeth’s mind. After Macbeth was told by Ross that Duncan had praised him with the title â€Å"Thane of Cawdor†, visions of murdering Duncan began to appear in his mind, â€Å"my thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, shakes so my single state of man that function is smothered in surmise, and nothing is, but what is not†. Other horror thoughts includes, â€Å"this is a step on which I must fall down, or else o’erleap, for in my way it lies†.After Duncan announced that his son, â€Å"Prince of Cumberland†, will succeed him to throne, Macbeth realizes that he either have to get rid of Malcolm or give up in his ambition. The witches don’t tell Macbeth what to do; but it was M acbeth himself who thinks of murder. The three witches’ intention is only to disrupt the natural order and through Macbeth, this is accomplished. From the above, it is clear that the witches are only responsible for encouraging Macbeth’s ambition and confidence but is not responsible for the killings.It is Macbeth who has killed Duncan, Banquo and Macduff’s family; therefore, he is responsible for the killings and also for his own downfall. Besides the three witches, Lady Macbeth is another major influence on Macbeth. She is manipulative and encourages Macbeth to achieve his ambition. She is portrayed as a strong, fiercely determined woman who, unlike her husband, shows no doubt of hesitation about killing Duncan. She acts quickly seeking to take advantage of the opportunity to kill Duncan, â€Å"O never shall sun that morrow see†, when Duncan decides to stay overnight at their castle.She also called upon â€Å"the spirits that tend on mortal thoughts to unsex me here†, so that she could be evil enough to commit the murder. When Macbeth preferred to be king â€Å"without my stir†, she attacked his manhood, saying, â€Å"When you broke this enterprise to me then you were a man and should you do this then you would be so much more the man†. Even though Lady Macbeth appears to be the evil mastermind behind the murdering, but in the end, it is also partly because of Macbeth’s own ambition to be king that encourages Macbeth to go into Duncan’s chamber and murders him.Besides Duncan, Macbeth has also murdered other people such as the grooms, Macduff’s family and also his best friend, Banquo. Due to that, he was later referred as a â€Å"tyrant†, a â€Å"butcher†, and a terrifying ruler of Scotland. His downfall is a result of his misuse of power, and Lady Macbeth is no longer involved. Therefore, only Macbeth himself shall be blamed for his own downfall. Even though the witches and L ady Macbeth certainly play an integral part in influencing Macbeth, but the choice is ultimately his. He could have ignored the â€Å"hags'† prophecy, like Banquo does.He did not have to share his dark desires with his wife, either. Again, it is his ambition that provokes him to do those evil deeds, â€Å"I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent but only vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself and falls on th’other†. Once he is bent on becoming king, Macbeth became evil and ruthless, as he is willing to kill anyone in his way, even including women, children, and his friends and countrymen. Were it not for this ambition in Macbeth's character, he would have been happy with his position of thane and never sought the throne.In the end, he has no one to blame but himself. Conclusively, it is pretty clear to the readers that Macbeth has brought his own downfall to himself. It is his lust for crown that has consumed him. Although some may argue that the witches and his wife, Lady Macbeth have influenced him at some stage, but in the end, it is Macbeth who made the decisions to kill ruthlessly, as he could have ignored those suggestions. Therefore, Macbeth should solely hold full responsible for his own downfall and not the witches or Lady Macbeth.