Personal Growth And Happiness Positive Psychology

Growth and Happiness In considering personal growth and happiness we naturally connect with the concept of subjective wellbeing and also the positive psychology movement. Positive psychology, with its foundations influenced by Aristotelian ethics, concentrates on the elements of human behaviour that effect personal and community development. These are referred to as our universal character strengths and include the acts of integrity, forgiveness, kindness and gratitude (Peterson Webb, 2006). Suh’s (2000, p63) metaphor of ‘Self as the hyphen between culture and subjective wellbeing’ is useful to aid our understanding of the construction of self, identity and happiness. Indeed, in exploring how the self interacts with social institutions and the daily lived world, we can begin to understand the meaning of spiritual wellbeing (happiness, life fulfilled) for individuals in different cultural systems. Contextual and cultural factors influence our spirituality and the manifestation of psyc hological wellbeing and so the patterns of expression of psychological wellbeing in various cultural contexts do need further clarification (Keyes 2007). In studying subjective wellbeing, it is also relevant that we distinguish between happiness and life satisfaction. Happiness is considered an affective state that results from our feelings about life. Alternatively, life satisfaction is more cognitive and evaluative about life. Happiness is about feeling good, whereas life satisfactionShow MoreRelatedThe Pursuit Of Understanding Happiness1201 Words   |  5 PagesAnalyze the Ideas of Personal Goals and Motivation In the pursuit of understanding happiness, there are two forms of theoretical perspectives called hedonic and eudemonic happiness. Each form of happiness represents the determinant of an individuals’ well-being. Hedonic happiness focus more on activities that bring individuals’ pleasure whereas, eudemonic happiness focus on the circumstances that influence people emotions and life’s expectations. Fisher (2010) defines hedonic happiness as the pursuit ofRead MorePsychology : The Positive Psychology Movement1269 Words   |  6 PagesOne of the most recent branches of psychology to emerge is the positive psychology movement. Based on the text, positive psychology is one of the most important aspects in determining how to enhance the personality by helping individuals recognize their human potential to learn and achieve. In this assignment one will compare the view points of Maslow, Rogers, and the positive psychology movement concerning individual personality. Recent studies have shown that personality theory and assessmentRead MoreBeing A Treasure For Every Single Human852 Words   |  4 Pagesthe reasons of happiness. In order to figure out the answer, they gather information and observe human behaviors. These scholars conduct research projects to prove their hypothesis. This field of study is called psychology. Psychology describes humans in both physical and spiritual sides. It’s an academic field involving the study of behavior and its relationship to mind and brain (Zhang 1440). As human beings, our perception, cognition, and emotion influence our reactions. Psychology explains theRead MoreThe Pursuit Of Happiness Is The Universal Search For A Life841 Words   |  4 Pages The pursuit of happiness is the universal search for a life an individual can feel content and satisfied with. However, as stated in class, happiness is a fleeting emotion rather than a prolonged state. Once an individual achieves a sense of happiness it is only a matter of time before they return to the starting point of their quest. Therefore, happiness alone is not enough to elicit a good life. On a similar note, in 2004, Professor Martin Seligman gave a TED talk that addressed the currentRead MoreThe Psychological Aspect Of Coping With Breast Cancer1567 Words   |  7 PagesMany women are affected by breast cancer, more than just physically but, psychologically as well. This study taken place in Spain, illustrates the psychological aspect of coping with an illness like breast cancer. By enforcing positive psychology in those who are affected by breast cancer, gives individuals the strength to persevere through this battle. The purpose of this study was to portray breast cancer patients apart of the group intervention, gained positivity and emotional intelligence. TheRead MoreDoes Positive Psychology Ease Symptoms of Depression1105 Words   |  5 Pagesfield of psychology may know very little about the idea and subject of positive psychology. It almost seems as though so much attention and time is focused on human emotional, mental, and overall psychological ailments and woes that one easily forgets that there is a flipside to this. Positive psychology aims to target not the negative feelings or even the circumstantial triggers that set off psychological hot button issues like depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsion. What is positive psychologyRead MoreHappiness Is Measured And Defined By Positive Psychologists1231 Words   |  5 Pagesexplain how happiness is measured and defined by positive psychologists and how happiness relates to well-being and positive emotions. Happiness is something that every human being desire throughout the lifespan and most researchers believe that it can be measured by relying on various surveys and questionnaires to ask people questions about what makes them happy. The subject of happiness and more importantly positive psychology has become a major focus in the field of scientific psychology. How is HappinessRead MoreEssay on Humanistic Psychology1101 Words   |  5 PagesAugustine was a saint and philosopher. Some of Augustine’s thought can be related to the practice of humanistic psychology. My professional focus is the psychotherapy category called Humanistic-Experiential. Humanistic-Experiential therapies are, â€Å"psychotherapies emphasizing personal growth and self-direction† (Butcher, et al, 2006). The humanistic approach places primary importance upon human interests, values, and most importantly the belief in human potentials (Schultz Schultz, 2009, pp297)Read MoreWhy Psychology Is The Choose Therapy For The Case Essay896 Words   |  4 PagesThis case study includes 3 articles to support why Indvidual Psychology is the choose therapy for the case. The first article â€Å"The Science of Self-Help : Translating Positive Psychology Research Into Increased Individual Happiness† Reviews behavior interventions that are implemented to encourage and enforce mobile treatment such as internet for clients that assist with depression as well as increase being happy and an individuals well-being. This model would be cost effective as well as offer resourcesRead MoreSelf Actualization, Flow, Happiness And Choice1134 Words   |  5 PagesFlow, Happiness†¦ and Choice â€Å"Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.† This quote is attributed to the philosopher Aristotle (384 BC-322 BC) and leads one to ask: What exactly is happiness? It can be defined as a positive emotion, an experience of utter joy, satisfaction with one’s life and a sense of self-esteem and optimism. But there is also one more element that could be the most important: choice. Aristotle also said â€Å"Happiness depends

The Government Of The United States Should Not Improve The...

INTRODUCTION Throughout history, many have debated whether or not the government of the United States should do more to help individuals who are needy or if they should step back and let the individuals help themselves. Data shows that there are many people who feel strongly about one way or the other and many that see it both ways. We should identify factors such as age and total family income to see what affects citizens of the United States to believe one way or the other. I hypothesize that, if an individual has a higher total family income then they will believe that the government should not improve the standard of living. I think that if an individual is able to provide a higher family income then they will think that those poor†¦show more content†¦Many researchers have investigated volunteering and what leads people to volunteer. Studies have also been done concerning who is deserving of welfare and attitudes that individuals have about the United States welfare systems. Poverty is something that is so often looked at in many different ways depending on the society. Stefan Svallfors conducted research in 2004 that compared class, attitudes and the welfare state in four different countries. Svallfors compared Sweden, Britain, Germany, and the United States’ citizens attitudes towards what the government’s responsibility is when it come to helping individuals in need. The author is trying to figure out what factors cause the different attitudes from different countries. His theory is that as welfare policies differ between countries, it will differ between class and attitude. He also theorizes that attitudes towards welfare policies could change over time and as time progresses, the attitude will progress in a different direction among the populations. The data that is analyzed in this paper comes from the 1996 survey on â€Å"The Role of Government† conducted within the International Social Survey Programme. This research found that res ponses varied between nations and we must consider the living conditions in each country. Sweden was theShow MoreRelatedThe Student Loan Debt Total1736 Words   |  7 PagesThe student loan debt total was about nine hundred and two million dollars to one trillion dollars in the United States in 2012; the federal student loan debt made up about eight hundred and sixty-four billion dollars of the total debt (Driscoll and Clapp). Many people in the United States that cannot afford college tuition and additional fees take student loans and/or federal grants. Student loans are different from federal grants in that the loans have to be paid back with interest, while federalRead MoreSchool Lunch And Breakfast Programs Essay1157 Words   |  5 Pagesdue to a lack of nutrition in school foods. In order to solve this problem, stricter standards must be implemented into school lunch and breakfast programs. To effectively improve the nutritional value of foods offered by both primary and se condary schools, stricter legislation must be enforced by the United States Government. While it may seem that nutritional problems are only affecting schools in the United States, many other nations are experiencing similar problems. For example, many schools inRead MoreDoes Better Education Necessarily Lead to a Better Standard of Living?1279 Words   |  6 Pagesif better education leads to a better standard of living, we have to first note that a better standard of living means an improved condition of which people live by, indicated by factors such as increased literacy rates, mortality rates and –perhaps, a better education – referred to as better educational qualifications in the form of training, certification or knowledge. Hence, we see that education has become necessary in order to alleviate our living standards and the key to the progress of our societyRead MoreDoes Better Education Necessarily Lead to a Better Standard of Living?1271 Words   |  6 Pagesif better education leads to a better standard of living, we have to first note that a better standard of living means an improved condition of which people live by, indicated by factors such as increased literacy rates, mortality rates and –perhaps, a better education – referred to as better educational qualifications in the form of training, certification or knowledge. Hence, we see that education has become necessary in order to alleviate our living standards and the key to the progress of our societyRead MoreTerrorism : The Economic Causes Of Terrorism1039 Words   |  5 Pagesand should be addressed in a sensible manner. There is a need to focus on the persistent and evolving terrorist threats. Since the 9/11 attack, much attention has been drawn to terrorism globally. Terrorism does not only involve execution of an actual attack but it is a board spectrum that entails educating and researching, recruitment and radicalism. Prior to an actual attack, the terrorists train, plan, communicate, coordinate, finance and acquire materials and weapons. The government should doRead MoreAdvantages And Disadvantages Of International Trade1334 Words   |  6 Pagescertain industry than another country, it is to their advantage to use international trade. This can raise their standard of living, resulting in more dependable incomes from selling their goods to wealthier countries. In absolute advantage, the country has the advantage of producing goods with the smallest amount of inputs compared to other countries. In these cases the countries should produce goods with the lowest cost of production. However, there are some countries considered developing countriesRead MoreArticle Review: U.S. Consumer Prices Held in Check in January1745 Words   |  7 Pagesthe least. Nearly everyone has been affected in one way or another. The article entitled â€Å"U.S. Consumer Prices Held in Check in January† describes the current economic situation in the United States and even abroad. At one point in time deflation was among the many conce rns on everyone’s mind, but the article states that deflationary worries can now be a thing of the past. In fact, consumer prices are now on the rise which can largely be tied to rising energy prices. There are many macroeconomicRead MoreEssay on Population Growth and Standard of Living945 Words   |  4 PagesPopulation Growth and Standard of Living Recently, the human population on this planet surpassed an amazing milestone. In the year 2000 it hit 6 billion, and without a sign of slowing down, continue to increase at an unprecedented pace. After taking nearly 3 million years to reach our first 1 billion, it has taken us only 11 years to raise our population the most recent billion (from 5 to 6). This rate of growth can be graphically interpreted as a J-shape pattern. If the past is any indicationRead MoreChinese Economic Development1219 Words   |  5 Pagesdegradation is getting worse. Yet, the environmental protection law enacted by the Chinese government barely have an effect. Economists and scientists have both pointed out that, if the Chinese government does not take timely and effective measures to reverse the current environmental degradation, such pollution problems will greatly hinder the future economic development in China, and the living standard of Chinese citizens will be strongly impacted. China’s economic development is mainly basedRead MoreDifference Between An Authoritarian Government And Democratic Government1043 Words   |  5 Pagesbetween an Authoritarian government and Democratic government. There are differences between an authoritarian and a democratic government even when the country can maintain a high living standard for the government. A Democratic government is when the system is ruled by the people, the citizen is allowed to form their laws, and the government is serving the people. An Authoritarian government is when the government has complete dictatorship, the laws are set by the government, and the citizen have to

Bamboo Crafts of North

Bamboo Crafts of North-east India Essay Bamboo crafts of the northeastern region of India have developed over centuries to reach a high level of structural and aesthetic sophistication. This is amply illustrated by the vast range of products currently being made and used by several tribes living in this region. A study of these products reveals a vast repertory of forms, structures, and techniques. The product range inc ludes large structures such as bridges, houses, fences, gates, and bullock carts besides storage bins and a wide variety o baskets both tor carrying and storage. In addition, devices for fishing, hunting farming, and weaving as well as products for household use such as furniture, toys smoking pipes, combs, hats, and musical instruments are exquisitely crafted fro bamboo. Outline1 People of the Northeastern Region 2 The Material Bamboo3 The Material 4 Existing Industry5 Development Strategy 6 Problems 7 Development Infrastructure 8 World Trade People of the Northeastern Region The population of the northeastern states is composed of several different tribes and ethnic groups. Although similarities may be seen at the general level, a great many differences exist between tribes and even sub-tribes in the manner in which they use bamboo and in the type of products made. The people of the northeast can be broadly divided into two groups, namely, settlers of the plains and settlers of th hills.*’ Strategies evolved for the promotion of crafts in this region will need to reco nise these differences The skill of working with bamboo is extremely widespread, with a large perce tage of the ethnic pop lation capable of refined craftsmanship in this material. Although for most craftsmen this is not an exclusive occupation, the distrib tion of skill and an understanding of the properties and limitations of the material is a valuable resource for the formation and expansion of a craft-based industry. The Material Bamboo Is a collective term used to identify the culms (stems) of any of a group embracing many different kinds of grasslike woody plants. The characteristics of bamboo vary considerably from species to species.4 Mature plants are charac terised by rapid growth which generates long fibres in a homogeneous struc ture. It can be used whole, split, or flattened into sheets for a great many structural applica tions. Splits of various sizes can be obtained, and can even be twisted to form ropes. Bamboo can also be pulped to produce excellent paper and rayon. The northeastern region has an immense standing resource of bamboo. Distribu tion of species is linked to variations in terrain, altitude, rainfall, and soil composi tion, to name only a few criteria.4 Some species occur all over the region whereas others may lie found only at spec ific locations. Some of these cover large* tracls of forest land in continuous groves. A lew species are cultivated in the plains of Assam and Manipur, grown as c lumps beside rice fields and around houses and ponds. The Material Bamboo is a collective term used to identify the culms (stems) of any of a group embracing many different kinds of grasslike woody plants. The characteristics of bamboo vary considerably from species to species.4 Mature plants are charac- terised by rapid growth which generates long fibres in a homogeneous struc ture. It can be used whole, split, or flattened into sheets for a great many structural applica tions. Splits of various sizes can be obtained, and can even be twisted to form ropes. Bamboo can also be pulped to produce excellent paper and rayon. The northeastern region has an immense standing resource of bamboo. Distribu tion of species is linked to variations in terrain, altitude, rainfall, and soil composi tion, to name only a few criteria.4 Some species occur all over the region whereas others may lie found only at spec ific locations. Some of these cover large tracts of forest land in continuous groves. A lew species are cultivated in the plains of Assam and Manipur, gro wn as clumps beside rice fields and around houses and ponds. Colonial Beginning of Modern Theatre in India EssayDevelopment Infrastructure To overcome these problems there is an urgent need to build up a coordinated research and development activity infrastructure that is multi-disciplinary in nature. This research will need to include botanical, technical, design, marketing, managerial, and economic aspects directly related to the craft. A considerable amount of information is available with several state and central govornment agen cies such as the Forest Research Institute in Dehra Dun; Botanical Survey of India; Census of India; Anthropological Survey of India; State Forest Departments; Tribal   Research Departments; and the Departments of Industries in the northeastern states. In addition, several leading educational institutions such as the Indian Insti tute of Science in Bangalore, The Indian Institute of Management, The National Institute of Design, and the Northeastern Hill University have undertaken projects directly relevant to this craft activity. All this information will need to be brought together and m ade accessible to field-level workers and craftsmen in the northeast. Further, the Office of the Development Commissioner for Ftandicrafts which is the apex body for the promotion of handicrafts in the country has set up several organisa tions to support the marketing of craft products, the training of young craftsmen, and extension services to craftsmen. The stale governments too have their own infrastructure for craft promotion. These locally situated organisations have a great many people with considerable experience in dealing with local craftsmen and their problems. Hence the elements of a supportive infrastructure for the development and prom otion of crafts exist. All that is perhaps needed is a coordinated thrust towards clearly articulated objectives in the various spheres of activity related to this craft. World Trade A study on the imports of basketware which includes bamboo products—besides wicker, rattan, and products woven or plaited in other natural materials—indicates a substantial market size in countries such as the United States, the Federal Repub lic of Germany, Japan, and France. The growth of imports over the five-year period   1974-79 is in the region of 150-200 per cent.HAny future projection of market pros pects for basketware remains positive, as imports should continue to benefit from an increasing consciousness and campaigns for natural materials and handicrafts China is by far the most succ essful exfx)rter of basketware with well over 40 per cent of the market share in 1979.4 The developing countries of Asia, listed according to their level of export, include the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia. It is surprising to note that India has no significant participation in this trade in spite of its massive raw material re source and its fantas tic fund of traditional craft skills. Surely there is a lot that we can learn from our Asian neighlxxirs in the areas of production and marketing of basketware?

Pancho Villa Essays - Mexico, Mexican Revolution, Pancho Villa

Pancho Villa Doroteo Aranga learned to hate aristocratic Dons, who worked he and many other Mexicans like slaves, Doroteo Aranga also known as Pancho villa hated aristocratic because he made them work like animals all day long with little to eat. Even more so, he hated ignorance within the Mexican people that allowed such injustices. At the young age of fifteen, Aranga came home to find his mother trying to prevent the rape of his sister. Aranga shot the man and fled to the Sierra Madre for the next fifteen years, marking him as a fugitive for the first time. It was then that he changed his name from Doroteo Aranga to Francisco "Pancho" Villa, a man he greatly admired. Upon the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution of 1910-1911 against the Mexican dictator Porfirio Diaz, Villa offered his services to the rebel leader Francisco I. Madero. During Madero's administration, he served under the Mexican general Victoriano Huerta, who sentenced him to death for insubordination. With his victories attracting attention in the United States, Villa escaped to the United States. President Woodrow Wilson's military advisor, General Scott, argued that the U.S. should support Pancho Villa, because he would become "the George Washington of Mexico." In August of 1914, General Pershing met Villa for the first time in El Paso, Texas and was impressed with his cooperative composure; Pancho Villa then came to the conclusion that the U.S. would acknowledge him as Mexico's leader. Following the assassination of Madero and the assumption of power by Huerta in 1913, he returned to join the opposition under the revolutionary Venustiano Carranza. Using "hit and run" tactics, he gained control of northern Mexico, including Mexico City. As a result, his powerful fighting force became "La Division Del Norte." The two men soon became enemies, however, and when Carranza seized power in 1914, Villa led the rebellion against him. By April of 1915, Villa had set out to destroy Carranzista forces in the Battle of Celaya. The battle was said to be fought with sheer hatred in mind rather than military strategy, resulting in amass loss of the Division del Norte. In October of 1915, after much worry about foreign investments, in the midst of struggles for power, the U.S. recognized Carranza as President of Mexico. When Pancho Villa learned of this he felt betrayed by President Wilson and assumed Carranza had signed a dangerous pact with the U.S., putting Mexico in United States' hands. As a result, this set the stage for a confrontation between the U.S. and Pancho Villa. Hence, the United States put an embargo on Villa, not allowing him to purchase guns, ammunition, equipment, etc., in American border towns. His transactions were, thus, made illegal, which automatically doubles his price. Considering his shortages, troops through harsh terrain to Aagua Prieta. Villa assumed it would be poorly protected and by capturing it, he would create a buffer zone with the U.S. to transport arms in his campaigning efforts. Too his surprise, Agua Prieta was heavily protected, because Wilson had allowed Carranza to transport 5000 Mexican troops to American soil, which had arrived before Villa. The trains of soldiers forced Villa's tired horseback troops into retreat. The U.S. was delighted when Carranza declared Villa done for good. Consequently, Carranza invited old U.S. investors (from before the Revolution) to invest again. On March 9th 1916, Villa crossed the border with about 600 men and attacked Columbus, NM killing 17 American citizens and destroying part of the town. Because of the growing discrimination towards Latinos, the bodies of Mexicans were gathered and burned as a sanitary precaution against "Mexican diseases." A punitive expedition, costing the U.S. about twenty-five million dollars, dispatched and about 150,000 troops to be mobilized in efforts to capture Pancho Villa, who was now known as a bandit in U.S. territory and a hero to many in Mexico. The Tenth Cavalry, which was made up of African-Americans and headed by Anglo-American officers, were labeled the "Buffalo Soldiers" because they were tough men who would punish the Mexicans. This was first time the United States used heavily armored vehicles and airplanes, which in turn served as a practice run before W.W.II. General John Joseph "Blackjack" Pershing had already earned a respectable name in the U.S. with his service in the Apache campaign, Therefore, he was assigned to head the Punitive Expedition, an attractive assignment. His mission objective, as he understood it, was to bring Villa in dead or alive. On March 16th, the New York Times reported, "When Word Was Given, All Were After Villa." The expedition included

Iroquois essays

Iroquois essays Theories of literature demand the reader separate the author from the story. Millions of students engrain the mantra of the author is not a character in the novel into their memory or risk failing the most basic of English courses. While the author may not directly play a role in the novel, he does create a picture of a certain time and culture Therefore literature represents culture, especially in folklore and religious stories. This is true in the case of the creation myth; what a person believes about his creation provides insight to his cultural and personal beliefs. Comparing and contrasting the creation stories of the worlds three main religions with the creation myth of the Iroquois nation illustrates this link between culture and creation of a society. Within the stories of creation the reader gains insight to the use of symbolism in everyday life, the role of gender within society, religion as well as human relations with the earth itself. The similarities in the creation stories of several cultures can be attributed to the fact that the Judeo-Christian and Islamic versions of the creation are one in the same. The Quran does not retell the creation story; rather it makes comments and corrections on the previous Judeo-Christian creation. Therefore the symbolism between the three cultures and time periods is one and the same. This leaves many of the symbols in the works, however interesting and significant to the text, irrelevant to the topic of this paper. The only time a compare or contrast in symbols will be mentioned is when the Quran specifically addresses a change to the creation story as seen in the first five books of the Bible/Torah. The purpose of this work is to stress the symbolic significance in the Iroquois creation myth in relation to those of the East/Western religions. Readers of literature may assume the works of other cultures are a word for word account of what is meant....

Definition of Closed Timelike Curve

Definition of Closed Timelike Curve A closed timelike curve (sometimes abbreviated CTC) is a theoretical solution to the general field equations of the theory of general relativity. In a closed timelike curve, the worldline of an object through spacetime follows a curious path where it eventually returns to the exact same coordinates in space and time that it was at previously. In other words, a closed timelike curve is the mathematical result of physics equations that allows for time travel. Normally, a closed timelike curve comes out of the equations through something called frame dragging, where a massive object or intense gravitational field moves and literally drags spacetime along with it. Many results that allow for a closed timelike curve involve a  black hole, which allows for a singularity in the normally smooth fabric of spacetime and often results in a  wormhole. One key thing about a closed timelike curve is that it is generally thought the worldline of the object following this curve doesnt change as a result of following the curve. That is to say, the worldline is closed (it loops back on itself and becomes the original timeline), but that has always been the case. Should a closed timelike curve be used to get a time traveler to travel into the past, that most common interpretation of the situation is that the time traveler would have always been part of the past, and therefore thered be no changes to the past as a result of the time traveler suddenly showing up. History of Closed Timelike Curves The first closed timelike curve was predicted in 1937 by Willem Jacob van Stockum and was further elaborated by the mathematician Kurt Godel in 1949. Criticism of Closed Timelike Curves Though the result is technically allowed in some very highly-specialized situations, many physicists believe that time travel is not achievable in practice. One person who supported this viewpoint was Stephen Hawking, who proposed a chronological protection conjecture that the laws of the universe would ultimately be such that they prevent any possibility of time travel. However, since a closed timelike curve doesnt result in changes to how the past unfolded, the various paradoxes that we would normally want to say are impossible dont apply in this situation. The most formal representation of this concept is known as the Novikov self-consistency principle, an idea presented by Igor Dmitriyevich Novikov in the 1980s that suggested that if CTCs are possible, then only self-consistent trips backward in time would be allowed. Closed Timelike Curves in Popular Culture Since closed timelike curves represent the only form of travel backward in time that is allowed under the rules of general relativity, attempts to be scientifically accurate in time travel generally try to use this approach. However, the dramatic tension involved in scientific stories often require some sort possibility, at least, that history could be altered. The number of time travel stories that really stick to the idea of closed timelike curves are pretty limited. One classic example comes from the science fiction short story All You Zombies, by Robert A. Heinlein. This story, which was the basis of the 2014 film Predestination, involves a time traveler who repeatedly goes backward in time and interacts with various previous incarnations, but each time the traveler who comes from later in the timeline, the one who has looped back, has already experienced the encounter (albeit only for the first time). Another good example of closed timelike curves is the time travel plotline that ran through the final seasons of the television series Lost. A group of characters traveled backward in time, in the hopes of altering events, but it turned out that their actions in the past create no change in how events unfolded, but it turns out that they were always part of how those events unfolded in the first place. Also Known As: CTC

Analyse the nature of risks in healthcare and critically discuss the Essay

Analyse the nature of risks in healthcare and critically discuss the role of managers in minimizing and managing risks - Essay Example These risks can be mitigated in a number of different ways. Every health organization needs a system of risk management – they need to be able to identify the risks, quantify the risks, prioritise the risks, then mitigate and manage these risks. Management needs to be able to delegate risk management to experts, because management tends to try to do too much. They need analysts who can help them with this, and these analysts need to be within the management flow. At the individual level, management needs to be able to coach, mentor and motivate; at the group level, the management needs to be able to build teams and resolve conflicts; and at the organizational level, the management must be able to build culture. Building culture is important, because if an organization has a culture of risk management, then this organization will be ahead of the curve on risk management – this means that risk management permeates every aspect of the organization. Because organizations th emselves can have risks, as opposed to personal risks, and this is where the very organization encourages risky processes either inadvertently or on purpose. The role of the manager might be to encourage the culture of the organization to adopt risk management, provide support for risk management practices which identify weaknesses and resolve them, or to mentor the individuals to lessen the individual risks regarding risk management. This paper will explore these aspects of risk management. What Is Risk Management? The first part of the risk management process, according to Carter et al. (1994) is the identification of the risks. The identification process of risks may be approached by a combination of methods, including intuitive management; using department experts; using standard questionnaires and checklists; using expert computer-based systems; using structured interviews; through brainstorming sessions; or using outside specialists/consultants. The second process is risk quan tification, and this means that the impact and probability of a each risk is estimated for each risk. After that, the estimate is quantified by using a spreadsheet which estimates timescales and costs. The next process is risk prioritising and filtering,which means that the important risks are recognized and controlled, and risks are prioritized according to whether they care a Category 1 risk (cost effect only); Category 2 risk (contingency plans and costs affected); or Category 3 risk (programme contingency and cost affected). The Category three risks are the higher priority, and the risks are prioritized from there. The fourth part of risk management is the processing and presentation of risk data, and this means the risk data is put through the spreadsheet with different variables. After the risks are identified, quantified, prioritized, and presented, the next four steps identified by Carter et al. (1994) are focused upon mitigating and managing these risks. Mitigating strategi es include avoiding the risk altogether by removing the cause of the risk; transferring the risk, which means that the risk is passed to somebody capable of handling that particular risk; reduction of the risk, which would consist of investing in insurance or some other up-front investment; management of the risk, which means that the risk is managed continuously until it is managed out; and contingency, in which funds are produced for the risks which are

Pauls prison epistles (Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, and Research Paper

Pauls prison epistles (Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians) - Research Paper Example His fashion majorly credits his apostolic ability to Jesus Christ and the will of God. Evidence is in the wording and letter structure that is unique of all Paul’s writings. The epistle of Ephesians was written in Rome in A.D 60 (Walvoord & Zuck 434). This is well explained by the opening of the revelation of John of Patmos. The revelation shows that John was aware of Paul’s letters to seven centers of Christianity in which Ephesus was one of them. Another evidence is the letter known as ‘I Clement’ written in A.D 96 by Clement, Bishop of Rome to the church at Corinthian (Ackroyd 3). According to the salutation that Paul uses, the epistle was a general letter meant for several readers. In the opening greetings, Paul conveys his greetings to God’s people at Ephesus while in some manuscript like in the beginning of chapter three, the word Ephesus is omitted and instead the word Gentiles is used. This shows that this letter was meant to be read in a number of churches in the province of Asia, of which Ephesus was one of them. The occasion for writing this latter is not clear since it does not have a specific audience. However, the book of acts brings out Paul as having spent a significant time on his last visit to Ephesus. In his time in Ephesus, he taught and baptized disciples, taught in the synagogue and the cities where he met a conflict with the pagans. It was in the same occasion that he did a speech of exhortation to the city elders. Therefore, the events mentioned could be suggested as the occasions that lead Paul to write this Epistle (BibleU 1). This letter was written when Paul was in prison in Rome. The supporting evidence is that it was sent together with the letter to Colossae, Philemon, and Philippians, which were all written in a Roman prison. In this letter there is no evidence of who he was with while writing this letter. According to Bruce (245), the epistle was written as an encouragement to

Benefits of Activity Based Costing Essay Example for Free

Benefits of Activity Based Costing Essay In order to make a profit on production, the firm would have to charge a price that is greater than the cost of production. Generally, the cost of production is understood to be the cost of producing a good plus the cost of transportation to the consumer. In order to stay in business, and therefore, to avoid losses at all possible costs – the firm must cover all costs related to the production of the good and include all costs to deliver the same to the consumer at a price that is higher than the cost of production. The operating or overheard expenses of an enterprise are generated by its activities to perform its business and/or manufacturing processes successfully. As its name implies, activity based costing relates the costs facing the enterprise to its various activities. By so doing, this system of costing provides pretty accurate information about costs, allowing businesses to effectively manage their overhead expenses in order to increase their revenues (Cooper, 1988). It is but commonsensical that companies may work on cutting their costs once they know what is driving these costs. By improving their processes in order to cut costs, businesses may realize greater profits than before. What is more, by identifying high costing activities needed to produce certain goods or serve certain customers, companies may decide to focus instead on low costing products or customers by reducing their production of or service to high costing products or customers. In this way, they may shift their focus to products or customers that are more profitable to produce or to serve. Thus, management experts cite the following benefits of activity based costing as opposed to traditional methods of costing: Identifying the most and least profitable customers, products and channels. Determine the true contributors to— and detractors from—financial performance. Accurately predict costs, profits and resource requirements associated with changes in production volumes, organizational structure and resource costs. Easily identify the root causes of poor financial performance. Track costs of activities and work processes. Equip managers with cost intelligence to drive improvements. Facilitate better Marketing Mix. Enhance the bargaining power with the customer. Achieve better Positioning of products. (â€Å"Activity Based Costing,† 2008). Businesses that benefit the most from activity based costing are those with high manufacturing operating expenses or overhead costs. These costs may result from a diverse range or products, intensity of capital, or vertically integrated system of manufacturing. Activity based costing may help such businesses not only to understand but also to control their operating expenses so as to increase their revenues (O’Guin, 1991, p. 76). Organizations with large marketing, sales or distribution costs may also reap great benefits from activity based costing. As mentioned previously, this method of costing identifies those customers that are most profitable from those that are least profitable. This provides insight to management on how to improve operations. With activity based costing, such businesses may be able to answer questions such as: â€Å"What discounts are appropriate for large orders? What size accounts should salespersons no longer call on? How effective is advertising to different markets? † (O’Guin, p. 76). Firms that are experiencing sluggish or low profitability on increasing sales may be suffering from growth that is unmanaged. It may very well be that these businesses are selling products at losses to a number of customers. The accounting system of accurately measuring costs, that is, activity based costing, would allow these firms to determine which of their customers and products are generating revenues and which are not (O’Guin, p. 76). O’Guin describes another benefit of the activity based costing system thus: Even with a diverse product line or customer base and very high profitability, a company lacking an ABC system is surprisingly vulnerable. Product profitability probably varies widely across the company. Highly profitable products present an irresistible target to new market entrants. Management should know which products are reaping enormous margins, so they can erect barriers to entry. (p. 76). Also according to O’Guin, the activity based costing system provides not only strategic but also tactical benefits to businesses that implement it. Whereas benefits that are strategic in nature may be realized only once in a blue moon, for the simple reason that organizations cannot be expected to change their pricing, business operations, distribution or manufacturing processes each year – tactical benefits may be realized constantly. Indeed, activity based costing could help businesses not only with reduction of overhead costs, but also just-in-time support, improvement of quality, decisions about design, and investment in capital. Thus, businesses that implement the activity based costing system may improve their profitability on an ongoing basis (O’Guin, p. 76). In the twenty first century, companies that have a competitive edge are those that maintain flexibility, a trend that has been recognized as a critical factor for success since the 1990s. Life cycles of products have been shortened and focus on the customer has become increasingly important. As economies of scale virtually disappear, manufacturing plants that are successful are those that are able to quickly introduce innovative products and economically produce small quantities. Activity based costing system can help businesses tremendously to achieve these goals. What is more, this system of costing could assist businesses of the twenty first century to achieve their goal to increase employee motivation. With the activity based costing system in place, employees increase their understanding of business activities and therefore their involvement in business operations. So, for example, whenever they see a mound of papers they would see overhead costs, leading them to the following questions: Why do we have so many bills? Why are there so many process involved in our purchase orders (O’Guin, p. 76)? Thus, the activity based costing system encourages businesses to push their rates of cost drivers down. This helps in the reduction of time to setup, streamlines buying, in addition to time taken to development a product. When costs are attached to each of these processes or activities, management may not only measure but also plan improvement (O’Guin, p. 76). As mentioned before, some of these improvements may entail reducing production of goods or service to customers that cost more to produce or service than the others. Hence, the activity based costing system may also lead the business that implements it to improve upon its marketing mix or positioning of its products. If products and customers that cost more than the others are required by the company to produce or serve in the same quantity as before, however, activity based costing system helps the organization to improve its processes in order to decrease its costs without reducing the quantity to produce or serve. After all, it is only possible to improve inefficient processes. Because activity based costing allows the company to weigh the costs of activities against their benefits, firms that use it are in a great position to increase the efficiency of all of their processes so as to gain competitive advantages. References Activity Based Costing. (2008). Value Based Management. Retrieved Jan 27, 2009, from http://www. valuebasedmanagement. net/methods_abc. html. Cooper, R. (1988, Summer). The Rise of Activity-Based Costing – Part One: What is an Activity-Based Cost System? Journal of Cost Management, pp. 45-54. O’Guin, M. C. (1991). The Complete Guide to Activity-based Costing. Chicago, IL: CCH Tax and Accounting.

Investigating the Effect of Temperature on the Movement of Pigment thro

Investigating the Effect of Temperature on the Movement of Pigment through Cell Membranes INTRODUCTION: The aim of experiment is to prove that temperature effects on a proteins in cell membranes so that pigment can pass through them HYPOTHESIS: On higher temperatures proteins in membranes denature so there is no barrier to prevent the passage of large molecules THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: Certain chemicals and treatments, such as ethanol or high temperatures, can destroy the partial permeability of cell membrane. The membranes are still present but behave as if holes have been punched through them and they no longer provide barrier to the passage of large molecules such as sucrose. High temperatures and alcohols denature membrane proteins and increase fluidity of membrane lipids; alcohols at high concentrations can also dissolve lipids. In beetroot cells the red anthocyanin pigment occurs in the vacuoles. Each vacuole is surrounded by a tonoplast membrane and outside of it, the cytoplasm is surrounded by the plasma membrane. On higher temperatures proteins loose their ability of control the transport through cell so any large molecule can pass trough. APPARATUS AND MATERIALS:  ¨ Test tube rack with 10 test tubes  ¨ Graduated syringe  ¨ Scalpel  ¨ Cork borer  ¨ Stop watch  ¨ Forceps  ¨ Colorimeter  ¨ Tap root of beetroot  ¨ Distilled water SAFETY:  ¨ Carefully use cork borer and scalpel to prevent injuries by cutting  ¨ Use Bunsen burner with great precaution to prevent burns or lighting materials  ¨ Water in beaker is very hot so watch out that you don't spill it on you to prevent burns  ¨ Watch out that you don't break any glass apparatus to prevent cutting METHOD:  ¨ Using a cork borer and scalpel make 10 cylinders of beetroot of 5 cm length.  ¨ Heat 200 cm3 of water up to 85  ºC in 250 cm3 beaker (make sure that thermometer is in the water).  ¨ While heating, with a syringe, put 10 ml of distilled water in 10 test tubes and label them: 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 63, 60, 55, 50 and 45.  ¨ When 85 ºC temperature is reached remove the Bunsen burner and put one beetroot cylinder in the water and leave it there for exactly one minute.  ¨ After one minute use forceps to take it out and put it in a test tube marked 85.  ¨ Put some cold water in the beaker until 80  ºC is reached and t... ...tly changing. In some moments changing would stop but that isn't reliable sign that that is the right colour density because after couple of moments changing would start again. Solution is to use more sensitive equipment or to get colorimeter checked because it could be broken.  ¨ Fifth problem is in humane nature. During the test we had a good time so occasionally we forgot to take the beetroot out for few seconds longer than it should be. We didn't pay all attention to professor so we forgot to shake test tubes before we took the beetroot out. Also, I didn't take a paper with me during the colour test so when I got result, occasionally I would forget what it was while I was going back to my seat. Also there was some noise in the classroom so I could misunderstand my partners in the experiment when they came with result.  ¨ To be sure in experiment results the best thing is to repeat it at least once to increase the reliability of them. Now when I know the whole procedure of experiment, results in repetitive experiment should be more accurate. Also this is good background to compare how different concentrations of ethanol effect on the membrane permeability.

Five Techniques to Turn Your Best Friend Into Your Girlfriend

Good afternoon, my fellow friends. I believe at our age, most of us are looking for a suitable life partner and often, we fall for our friends. To be honest, falling for a friend is completely normal; you do not have to condemn yourself for feeling that way. Instead of feeling down and miserable about this sudden ‘curse’ established to you, try to be a little optimistic now, for a change. Today, I would like to talk about the five techniques on how to turn your best friend into your girlfriend. First, stop acting as â€Å"just a friend†. You need to deliver the message loud and clear through your actions and body language. Make her feel that you want to be more than just friends without confessing your feelings just yet. You can try to be a bit more flirty, possessive and protective of her. Tell her she's pretty and special, be a bit romantic and be a gentleman around her. I’m sure that she will definitely start to see you in a different light. Second, don't be too available 24/7. If you used to talk to her or text her very often, you can now disappear for a while. Don’t ask her out, don't return her calls; tell her you're busy or do whatever it takes to make her wonder what you're up to. Give her some alone time and make her miss you! From there, she'll be thinking more of you, and it’s one of the best ways to make her fall all over for you without too much of an effort on your side. She might also take the first step and text you first, like â€Å"Hey, what are you up to? Why haven’t you text me lately? † If she does text you first, that means the trick works. Congratulations, she missed you! Third, get her off guard then flatter her out of the blue. I can tell you that most of the women tend to love a bit of a surprise every once in a while. Hold her hand, hold her close, tell her you're falling for her on the time when she least expects it. Don't be scared, just give in to your impulses and be spontaneous. Fourth, send her something nice. Who doesn’t love receiving gifts? Sending a girl something nice is the best way to make her happy. Don't just stick to the basic like roses and chocolates. Try something new. But before that, you have to know the things she likes and get the idea from there. Make a little twist with it and show your side of being creative, something that she will definitely like and remind her of you. If she oesn't seem to get your message or can't tell you're actually flirting, then use this last trick. Look her in the eye and hold her hand. You don’t have to do it for long, three seconds will do. That's enough to ride her nuts and a great chance to make her fall for you. I’m sure by now you already know how to turn your best friend into your girlfriend. Let us go through this aga in. There are five techniques to turn your best friend into your girlfriend. First, stop acting â€Å"just as friend†. Second, don’t be too available 24/7. Third, flatter her out of the blue. Fourth, send her something nice and lastly, try holding her hand.

American Cultural History

There are many transformations that affected American life from 1940s-1970s various changes and developments occurred during these decades that influenced the culture of people in regards with sports, ,movies and the impact of reality TV to the people. First is in terms of sports, World War II has a great impact on sports since it able-bodied met between 18-26 years old who were expected to serve the military. There is a shortage on baseball bats and bowling pins but the professional sports is still encouraged to continue to improve the troops morale.In 1941, 2 platoon football was allowed and no substitutions are allowed except from injuries until fee subs was allowed in 1942 and the Army Navy game was played in Annapolis. In 1948, football was considered as the game of strategy. Basketball was not affected that much by the war. In 1946 the Basketball Association of America was founded which sooner merged with National Basketball League in 1949 and formed the NBA. Boxing was also in big money during these times because of gambling.Golf Associations were also founded in 1946 (Womens Professional Golf Association) and 1949 (Ladies Professional Golf Association). Moving to the 1950's people began to love sports even more and popularity is gained not based on social status but on the athletes capability. Television gave sports more fans and College football was widely followed. Professional golf was also popular and produced golf stars like Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer. In 1952 and 1956 Olympics is organized and the cold war between countries became very fierce.In 1960'2 Olympic games was held three times and produced gold medals and world records for Americans Otis David in 400m and Glenn Davis in 400m hurdles and the famous Muhammad Ali who won as light heavyweight boxer gold medalist. Palmers continuous championship in golf was also in 1960s. Television opened major changes to sports since business goes hand in hand with sports and exploits more profits in the s ports market. Professional athletes demanded to be bid and the right to market themselves to the highest bidder. This also made way for athletes to be product endorsers and print models.Movies during the 1940's were heydays since movie propagandas are more on essential industry for morale. Plots of movies has fairly narrow and predictable sets of morals and where villains are one dimensional like Germans and Japanese. Disney's animated career was also produced like Dumbo in 1941 and Bambi in 1942. Better role for black actors was also being fought during this decade. In 1952 3D cartoons made debut with Bwana Devil Cinerama and colors are use as special effects to lure audiences. in 1956 people began to realize that movies are too expensive and opt to stay home and just watch television.by 1960, musicals became movies like Sound of Music and My Fair Lady. the famous Marilyn Monroe died in this year and made her movie fans sad, Movies has themes in politics and comments on racial issu es like the Movie Dr. Strangelove. Sex becomes more explicit and occasionally non-traditional and Violence was also promulgated in this time that resulted MPAA to develop a new film code. 1970 is a big comeback for movies after Television's dominance blockbuster movies were produced in Dolby Sound and win the people's heart into watching movies again.Science-fiction films like star wars made top grossing films ever and disaster movies fascinates people as well. As the war ended in 1940, 5,000 black and white TV sets can be found in American homes and made people be entertained and informed at the same time. one popular radio show was broad casted on Tv entitled the Original Amateur Show and the slapstick comedy Texaco Star theater was also launched. Children's TV kicked off in 1947 in Kukla, Fran & Ollie which was followed by Howdy Doody Show.In 1950's television dominated the mass media and captured people's interest to stay in their homes and watch televisions as past time. More y oung people opt to stay at home for longer hours and watch TV rather than go out and go to school. People accepts that what they see on TV because it is an eye witness to the events that happens greater reliance on TV news is accepted by viewers as credible sources of information. In 1954 the black and white TV became colored in broadcast and th American family loves soap operas and variety shows.The second prime time cartoons The Flintstones was offered in 1970 and appealed both to young and adult. The Andy Griffith Show serves as the epitome of prime time family tv while situational comedy like The Beverly Hillbillies arises as Sitcom. humor was revived in Laugh in during the late 1960s. The television leads to social satire issues and other controversial issues like abortion, race and homosexuality. It mirrors reality and how people treats such issues. TV miniseries that shows greater appreciation of whites was shown in Roots.The American contemporary family was portrayed in The Brady Bunch and gave us a glimpse of reality about American families. News are relatively publicized to feed information to people like the Watergate scandal produced by Corporation for Public Broadcasting and also made Sesame street to cater children's entertainment. The television set has become one of the common source of knowledge and entertainment nowadays. Since it was made available by the late 1930's it has become a common household communication device up to the present times.As innovation continues, this electronic device disseminates information and has strongly influenced the viewers in many aspects. Through continuous innovation in television programming, people learned to appreciate what has been shown in their TV screens and eventually lead to imitation and social influence when dealing with other people. Reality is necessarily manipulated when events and people are relocated into news or prime time stories. The media can impose their own logic or assembled materials in number of ways including emphasizing certain behaviors and people and stereotyping.Television can distort people visually through camera perspective and other techniques. Rhetorically, people can be portrayed with different labels. One of the most obvious ways in which media content structures a symbolic environment is simply giving greater attention to certain events, people, groups and places than others. The reality television has also attracted criticisms from those who feel that the occurrence of this genre of television has come at the cost of scripted programming.But whatever many critics and people would say, still, reality television shows impart social values, attitudes and behaviors to its viewers. People cannot avoid the truth. It will come in both positive and negative sides of life. As far as our society is concern, this is the balancing nature to reach progress and continue to evolve along with its people and culture. Reality Television is the visible evidence of p rogress and a medium of change to any kind of society but it could also bring the negative aspects in the society.To adapt it or not, it is still the real world that we are living in and the real mind that goes on deciding. People could imitate behaviors that they saw; those behaviors would be reinforced and therefore learned. Real, Whether reality TV ultimately fades into television history or continues to evolve with the medium as a unique genre, for over fifty years it has offered interesting, often controversial entertainment. Reality TV, debates the social, psychological, and ethical impact of reality TV as they explore and gives us fascinating aspects of American entertainment culture.

The Analyses of three African films with reference to Ubuntu

The Analyses of three African films with reference to Ubuntu Free Online Research Papers ‘The Return of Sarah Baartman’ (2002) In Zola Maseko’s ‘The Return of Sarah Baartman’ (2002) with reference to the ‘Life and Times of Sarah Baartman’ (1998), it is communicated that Sarah Baartman was a Khoi Khios and her people were South Africa’s indigenous first nation who had been slaughtered in the colonial hunting raid. It is conveyed that her family was separated, her community destroyed and she was shipped of the London in 1810 in which at that time, the English were obsessed with human curiosities considered as freaks and fair ground attractions. Hendrik Caesar dubbed her the ‘Hottentot Venus’ where she was exhibited at Piccadilly Circus and was one of the popular freak show attractions. The popularity of Sarah’s exhibition was fuelled by the European imagination and morbid fascination with the mythical anatomy of the Khoi people. It is said that she spent five years in London where her exhibition sparked controversy and outrage and after much publicised court case she left London for Paris for a second round of public display. Her display in Paris caught the attention of leading French scientist among them George Kuveur and Napolean Surgeon. Kuveur made up observations about her as a scientific specimen and compared her to an ape, viewing her – and her tribe – as the missing link between ‘Man’ and ‘Animal’. After her life and death, her brain and genitals were bottled and Sarah became a symbol of black woman sexuality in the 19th century in Europe. Kuveur’s experimentation on Sarah Baartman elevated his statues as a scientist and so Sarah’s remains become part of France’s heritage. In a room, many human skulls are seen, boxed together with markings penned on them. At this time it was believed that brain size was related to intelligence, but was soon disputed. Bernard Chevassus-au-Louis, President Museum National D’Histoire states; â€Å"This idea has been disputed in Europe. Example, we realise that French philosopher, Descartes had the same size brain as Sarah Baartman’s† (‘The Return of Sarah Baartman’ [2002]) Sarah was used for scientific research and a product of materialism. Materialism being â€Å"the idea that everything is either made only of matter or is ultimately dependent upon matter for its existence and nature† to a large degree rejecting the existence of spirit or anything non-physical. (http://atheism.about.com/od/philosophyschoolssystems/p/materialism.htm). Shutte states that the African way of looking at humanity is not materialist, in that a human being is not just an object to be understood by science and controlled by technology. That the African conception of humanity sees both spirit and matter as aspects of a more fundamental force or energy that is continually producing and developing persons throughout their lives, from birth to death. (Shutte, 2001: 8). After the dawn of democracy in South Africa in 1994 the Khoi Khios people began to pressure the new government to reclaim Sarah Baartman’s remains from the French. In Spring 2002 a delegation of ten South Africans arrived to reclaim her. Diana Ferrus a Poet and Cultural Activist was among them. She wrote and dedicated her poem ‘I’ve Come to Take You Home’ to Sarah Baartman. For many South Africans, Sarah was away from her space of Ubuntu – her community and humanity. Diana Ferrus states; â€Å"She wanted to go home so much. Longing for home..[a]nd if I was home and longed for my mother how much more did she long for her mother and her land. Sister you got to feel the pain that your ancestor felt.† (‘The Return of Sarah Baartman’ [2002]) It is outlined in the documentary that little was known about Sarah’s impressions of Europe but with a rare interview with a French journalist, Sarah’s longing for her homeland and her people was clear. Diana Ferrus’s poem to Sara, found and translated by Anne-Sophie sent the translated poem to the Senator Nicolas About, who asked government when they were going to return Sarah’s mortal remains to South Africa. He says, the government replied saying ‘Never! We will not give Saartjie Baartman back. She is part of our French heritage. She is of scientific importance. We are going to keep the skeleton. We are not going to give it back. Only a rule of law could force us to return her’. Seeing that a rule of law was needed, Nicolas brought in a bill. He says, â€Å"I wanted to give this proposal a special dimension on a spiritual human point of view† (Maseko, 2002). â€Å"You have the remains of a woman who was unhappy and desperate. Why do you keep her? Let her go rest in peace.† (‘The Return of Sarah Baartman’ [2002]) Nicolas states that it is the first time in French history that a poem had been used in proposal for a Bill. The Bill was greatly appreciated and the Senators were moved. In this scene, it is evident that a shift from a scientific to a spiritual perspective had to take place in necessity for a rule to be introduced to take Sarah back to her home country. Shutte asserts that it is by belonging to a community that we become ourselves. That the community is not opposed to the individual, nor does it swallow the individual up, but enables the individual to become a unique centre of shared life. Shutte states that Ubuntu â€Å"was contained in stories and poems, recited at communal celebrations, told by parents to children. It was expressed in customs and in institutions and in a whole way of life.† Furthermore, that Ubuntu embodied a fundamental truth about humanity that had been forgotten in Africa’s time, and was truth not merely African but universal. Sarah was a victim of racism, sexism and colonialism. The French then past the legislation to allow the remains to be returned to South Africa. In her email, Anne-Sophie writes to Diana saying â€Å"Today I am proud to be the French. Taking care of Saartjie till she returns home’, having being affected by Diana Ferrus’s poem which was expressed on the level of Ubuntu – humanity. Yvette Abrahams from the Institution for Historical Research, UWC, states the following in her struggle for Sarah Baartman’s return; â€Å"Succeeding in this struggle gives me the confidence in our capacity to be able to change the world in the way we want it. It’s a beautiful place to be in† (‘The Return of Sarah Baartman’ [2002]) In retrospect to indigenous African family system, Sarah’s burial highlights the important principals and spiritual values, of Ubuntu and African traditions. For the Khoi Khios and a descendent thereof, the speaker in the documentary explains the importance of honouring and lying, Sarah’s, their ancestor’s soul to rest. She declares; â€Å"I don’t think people realise the magnitude of the presence of a spirit. Like this morning when we were in the private ceremony you could actually feel the presence of a spirit. Ever since Sarah Baartman has returned to South African soil, many things have have happened among the Khoisan people, and I believe that Sarah’s spirit has definitely contributed to it’. (‘The Return of Sarah Baartman’ [2002]) This highlights that if people work together for a common course, in this instance to bring reconciliation and restore the dignity of another immaterial of race or ethnicity, people can achieve much. It is a lesson that people should work together, in the spirit of Ubuntu, to influence societal management, achievement, celebration and reconciliation. ‘Headhunting’ (2001) The purpose of Martin Baer documentary ‘Headhunting’ (2001) is the search of the Sultan Mkwawa’s skull, the great-grand father of Ishaka Mkwawa, who is also a narrator in the documentary. The history of the Sultan Mkwawa entails the great resistance of the German invasion in the 1880’s by the Wahehe people led by their chief Sultan Mkwawa. After a long wrestling period with the Germans, in 1898 Chief Mkwawa shot himself, after seeing he could not fight anymore, where the Germans found his dead body, cut of his head and send it to Berlin. Is-Haka Mkwawa learned about his homeland in elementary school. He had no idea that his great-grandfather had been on the East Africa’s most powerful rulers. This history began when Carl Peters went to East Africa on behalf of Germany’s colonial society in order to, as he said, â€Å"establish an empire to suit my own taste† (Headhunting’ (2001)). Peter had the chiefs, or the presumed chiefs sign ‘protection’ contracts. The colonial society proudly informed imperial chancellor Bismark that the Africans had signed over 140 000 sq kilometres of land. Peter described his method such: â€Å"It is the same story everywhere. After brief resistance, the Wagogo’s scattered. Torches hurled into the huts and by 4:30, 12 villages had burned down. I’ll remain here as long as just one of you is still alive. As long as one village still exists and one cow can be carried off†. (Headhunting’ (2001)) Bismark coined the contracts signed as â€Å"paper with a few Negro crosses†. The natives revolted for the first time against signing contracts. The East African colonial policy soon consisted of fighting, hunting down rebels and punitive expeditions. They called it â€Å"pacification† or â€Å"a peace plan† (Headhunting’ (2001)). The colony rulers employed African mercenaries in partaking many of them from Mozambique and Sudan and were called â€Å"Ascaris†. Bismark told the commander of the mercenary force Wisomany â€Å"You only have one order: Victory!† and Wsiomany’s Ascaris were said to be victorious. The documentary mentions that the Arabs settled on the coast centuries before the German’s cam. The Arabs were respected for their religion, but were not admired for their slave trade, just as the European rulers were not admired. They were both seen as unacceptable by the Africans, as these Arabs and Europeans used v iolence for what they wanted. When it comes to Ubuntu, Battle explains that Ubuntu has little to do with Western humanism which situates truth in the individual’s capacity for reason and self-determination. He states that in contrast, the African concept of Ubuntu emphasises the community as defining the person. That the logical implication of Ubuntu and African conceptualizations of community, especially for Westerners, would be that individuals have no existence apart from their relations with other persons. Gabriel Setiloane, an African theologian notes and â€Å"believes that humanity is irreducibly psychophysical – body-and-soul. In such a cultural understanding to attack the body is to attack the soul in its culture (Daily Despatch, December 11, 1984). The Germans hunted and collected all kinds of trophies: tusks, furs, souvenir snapshots and Chief Mkwawa’s head. They measured, photographed and made recordings of events. It is remarked in the docu mentary that Chief Mkwawa sent a negotiator to the Germans, but the German commander Zelewski believed in â€Å"ruthless treatement† of the â€Å"thieving† and â€Å"insolent† Wahehe. The Wahehe’s retaliatory attack surprised the Germans. August 17, 1891, is the calendar mark where the German troops suffered the worst defeat at the hands of the East African’s. Augustine Shutte notes the following: â€Å"We must overcome conflict and opposition in society if we are to avoid psychological conflicts in individuals† (Shutte, 2001: 24) Shutte refers to Lawrence Apostle statement who says that African socialism rejects both European socialism and Western capitalism as both could (and the second necessarily must) produce a relationship between man and object. That is one of person with thing (not a meeting of forces) and because both cold produce a society in which the individual is alienated from others. He underlines that it is not the will of the majority but the will of the community that should be realised. The concept of Ubuntu observes an understanding of what it is to be human and what it is essential for human beings to develop, mature and find achievement. In the event when the German governor ordered that Chief Mkwawa’s ivory and his cattle be taken away, and when German soldiers took 1, 500 women and children prisoner, they were breaking up the community and its Ubuntu culture and spirit, their sense of community. Battle emphasises that to cause bloodshed is not only to injure a person’ s body-soul but also to damage the community’s seriti (personality), which he says results in a weakened society. For Chief Mkwawa, like Sarah Baartman, the conflict with the Germans had been a damage to his seriti and to those of his tribe. The documentary aims to show that the search and return of Chief Mkwawa’s skull, like in ‘The Return of Sarah Baartman’, can be seen as a means of bringing restoration and reconciliation of the seriti. When Chief Mkwawa’s skull is ultimately taken back to its homeland, a few community members celebrate the coming of his skull. Battle asserts: â€Å"Blood and seriti are connected in such a way that human virtue is passed on from generation to generation. Therefore African rituals need to be conducted to restore the constant damage done to person’s seriti so that injured individuals do not pass weakened seriti onto the whole community† (Battle, 1997: 51) The homecoming of the Chief Mkwawa’s skull to its native soil, as in ‘The Return of Sarah Baartman’ underscores the importance of people working together for a common goal. Different persons, Is-haka Mkwawa and Martin Baer, from Tanzania and Germany respectively working jointly in the search and finding of Chief Mkwawa’s skull at least it is so perceived. Bringing reconciliation and the restoration of dignity, through Ubuntu to not only Chief Mkwawa’s should, as perceived in African traditions, but also to the people of Tanzania, restoring the dignity of another regardless of race or ethnicity. Through the ethic of Ubuntu, showing and giving humanity is a tool for societal management, brings achievements, reconciliation and celebration to the community. Hyenas (1992) â€Å"The saddest thing is that while Africans – both young and old – are sinking lower and deeper, burying themselves in the European tradition, language and mannerisms, and are oppressing and degrading their own kind, no one questions Europeans who have been in Arica for more than 300 years, and who still hold tenaciously to their European tradition. Yet they continue with the support of the Africans themselves, to devaluate and denigrate African languages, cultures and names. (Goduka, 1999:8) This film gives a view of a people who do not have a complete shared vision of the ethic of Ubuntu and highlights the disadvantages thereof. It concerns a woman by the name of Linguere Ramatou who, out of humiliation left her town thirty years ago, returns to her home town to revenge a man, Draman Drameh, but more distinctively the governing system of Colobane town and its tribal traditions with Western traditions. In preparation for her return, the town councillors gather to discuss her arrival and plan an evoking welcoming speech for in order that she can assist with the economy’s financial enhancement, as they say â€Å"she’s richer then the World Bank† (Hyenas (1992). As they plan the speech, they decide to incorporate words such as her â€Å"Love of justice† and â€Å"Sense of generosity†, to appeal emotionally to her, even though they don’t know her well. This reveals that they are not sincere or honest about they’re true pe rception about her. They resort to the use of emotional appealing words for her in order that she will invest money for Colobane’s economy. Draman Drameh, a shop owner is nominated as the town’s future mayor even though it is evident that he does not own the qualifications to be a mayor. The system is therefore not only governed by men, but patriarchal; more so, lacks quality leadership and government skills. The system does not have a solid foundation of the ethic of Ubuntu. They failed to show Ramatou humanity. Ramatou returns back with a prosthetic hand and leg, she arrays complete self-confidence, authority and shows no sign of intimidation of her people. Ramatou’s response to the Mayor’s emotional speech about her character reads â€Å"Talking is good but the truth is better†. In another response she reply’s by saying â€Å"Everybody can be bought if the price is right† (Hyenas (1992). Ramatou having felt oppressed at Co lobane at her young age, perceived the governing system to be unjust, comes back to, in a sense, restore her own dignity and justify’s herself in her court hearing against Dramaan Drameh. Battle notes the following; â€Å"The oppressed could become tomorrow’s oppressor because Sin is an ever-present possibility,† Tutu declared, and because â€Å"periods of transition are by definition unstable† (Battle, 1997: 3) Ramatou came back not only to revenge, but also to govern. Revenge and govern both the life of Draman Drameh and the system of Colobane. Ubuntu philosophy embodies the concept of humanity, that a person’s development is fulfilled through personal relations with other people as â€Å"[p]ersonhood comes as a gift from other persons† (Shutte, 2001; 12). Battle clarifies that Ubuntu refers to the person who is welcoming, hospitable, warm and generous. Affirming of others and who does not feel threatened by others. It is the proper self-assurance that a person has in knowing that they belong in a greater whole and knowing that they are diminished when another is humiliated, is diminished, is tortured, is oppressed, is treated as if they were less that who they are (Battle, 1997:35). Battle makes reference to Muendanyi Mahamba who describes someone with Ubuntu as someone who cares about the deepest needs of others and faithfully observes all social obligations. Such a person is conscious not only of personal rights but also of duties to her or his neighbour. Archbishop Desmond Tutu makes a reference to Ubuntu in his description of the African worldview: â€Å"In the African Weltanschauung, a person is not basically an Independent solitary entity. A person is human precisely in being enveloped in the community of other human beings. [†¦] To be is to participate.† (Battle 1997 39) Ubuntu needs a community of persons to function. Moreover, if people do not show Ubuntu – humanity to one another, it becomes a challenge in terms of social management (i.e. values, beliefs, traditions), social celebration and reconciliation. Ramatou states â€Å"The world made a whore out of me; I will make of it a brothel†. This statement along with her prosthetic hand and leg shows that she lacks humanness, physically and emotionally. Revenge translates justice to Ramatou. To have Ubuntu, is to have a sense of family. The film seems to communicate that Ramatou’s society seemed to have failed to have imparted this value to her successfully, as they themselves did not have a strong backbone or foundation of Ubuntu. A level of Ubuntu is noted where society members initially refuse to kill Drameh for her money, but they, with time, give in, trading at the same time, their little bit of Ubuntu ethics they had. As one of the community leaders states â€Å"D oes she [Ramatou] thinks we’re Americans, we’d kill each other†. Placing money – capitalism – above the life of a human being, which has been generally perceived as the Western and European ways of tradition, especially during the colonial period. It is evident that Ramatou lacks forgiveness, this is because she was not shown forgiveness by her society. She has no sense of high values, no sense of religion to carry her. No ancestry, completely individualist and has her own system the Western/European system which is the only system she’s got and chooses to rule with. The death of Draman Drameh, can be seen not only as the death of a human but of also as a symbol of the little humanity left in Colobane society. The Westernisation of Africans through the death of Ubuntu. CONCLUSION Ubuntu therefore implies, as expounded by Shutte that Ubuntu implies more that a non-racial, non-sexist and non-exploitive society as seen in the key characters in the (a) ‘The Return of Sarah Baartman’ (2002), ‘Headhunting’ (2001) and ‘Hyenas’ (1992). Rather, that it â€Å"a touchstone by which the quality of society has to be continually tested, no matter what ideology is reigning. [that] [I]t must be incorporated not only in the society of the future but also in the process of the struggle towards that future† (Battle 1997: 46). Tutu says that his â€Å"gaze is neither African nor European , but human† (Battle 1997: 46) and that persons are more than black or white, but human. In this way, no one would have to suffer at the expense of the other, such as in the cases of ‘The Return of Sarah Baartman’ and ‘Headhunting’. Ubuntu is the concept for the obtained quality of humanity, that which portrays the characteristic of developed persons within the community and its societal management. The most essential is the mind-set towards other persons, who see and treat other persons as an extension of themselves or as â€Å"another self† ((Battle 1997: 31). â€Å"Africans must conquer with humanism† (Goduka, 1999:37). In ‘Hyenas’, outlines that the absence of Ubuntu leads to the turmoil of imperative values, culture, traditions, etc. A society which does not have a strong back bone of Ubuntu humanity, cannot bring across a shared vision – a unified social identity, fostering good societal management, societal achievement, reconciliation and celebration well successfully. With the ethic of Ubuntu as a formation of social identity and a means to influence societal management, achievement and celebration can bring forth reconciliation in a people’s society or community. REFERENCES Battle, Michael. Reconciliation: The Ubuntu Theology of Desmond Tutu. The Pilgrim Press, 1997 Cambridge University Press, Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary .2003 Maseko, Zola. The Return of Sarah Baartman’ (2002) Baer, Marting. Headhunting (2001) Diop, Djibril Hyenas (1992). Nel, Francois. Writing for the Media. University Press, 2001 Goduka, Maqhudeni Ivy. Affirming Unity In Diversity In Education. Cape Town, 1999 Shutte, Augustine. Ubuntu: An ethic for a New South Africa. Cape Town, 2001 http://atheism.about.com/od/philosophyschoolssystems/p/materialism.htm Research Papers on The Analyses of three African films with reference to UbuntuAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeBringing Democracy to AfricaCapital Punishment19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraQuebec and CanadaInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesHip-Hop is ArtDefinition of Export QuotasPETSTEL analysis of IndiaThe Masque of the Red Death Room meanings

The Origins of Rice Domestication in China

The Origins of Rice Domestication in China Today, rice (Oryza species) feeds more than half the worlds population  and accounts for 20 percent of the worlds total calorie intake. Although a staple in diets worldwide, rice is central to the economy and landscape of wider East Asian, Southeast Asian, and South Asian ancient and modern civilizations. Particularly in contrast to Mediterranean cultures, which are primarily based on wheat bread, Asian cooking styles, food textural preferences, and feasting rituals are based on consumption of this vital crop. Rice grows on every continent in the world except Antartica, and has 21 different wild varieties and three distinct cultivated species: Oryza sativa japonica, domesticated in what is today central China by about 7,000 years BCE, Oryza sativa indica, domesticated/hybridized in the Indian subcontinent about 2500 BCE, and Oryza glabberima, domesticated/hybridized in west Africa between about 1500 and 800 BCE. Origin Species: Oryza rufipogonFirst Domestication: Yangtse River basin, China, O. sativa japonica, 9500-6000 years ago (bp)Paddy (Wet Rice Field) Invention: Yangtse River basin, China, 7000 bpSecond and Third Domestications: India/Indonesia, Oryza indica, 4000 bp; Africa, Oryza glaberrima, 3200 bp Earliest Evidence The oldest evidence of rice consumption identified to date is four grains of rice recovered from the Yuchanyan Cave, a rock shelter in Dao County, Hunan Province in China. Some scholars associated with the site have argued that these grains seem to represent very early forms of domestication, having characteristics of both japonica and sativa. Culturally, the Yuchanyan site is associated with the Upper Paleolithic/incipient Jomon, dated between 12,000 and 16,000 years ago. Rice phytoliths (some of which appeared to be identifiable to japonica) were identified in the sediment deposits of Diaotonghuan Cave, located near Poyang Lake in the middle Yangtse river valley radiocarbon dated about 10,000-9000 years before the present. Additional soil core testing of the lake sediments revealed rice phytoliths from rice of some sort present in the valley before 12,820 BP. However, other scholars argue that although these occurrences of rice grains in archaeological sites such as Yuchanyan and Diaotonghuan caves represent consumption and/or use as pottery temper, they do not represent evidence of domestication. Origins of Rice in China Oryza sativa japonica was derived solely from Oryza rufipogon, a poor-yielding rice native to swampy regions that required intentional manipulation of both water and salt, and some harvest experimentation. Just when and where that occurred remains somewhat controversial. There are four regions that are currently considered possible loci of domestication in China: the middle Yangtze (Pengtoushan culture, including such sites as at Bashidang); the Huai River (including the Jiahu site) of southwest Henan province; the Houli culture of Shandong province; and the lower Yangtze River Valley. Most but not all scholars point to the lower Yangtze River as the likely origin location, which at the end of the Younger Dryas (between 9650 and 5000 BCE) was the northern edge of the range for O. rufipogon. Younger Dryas climatic changes in the region included the increase of local temperatures and summer monsoon rainfall amounts, and the inundation of much of the coastal regions of China as the sea rose an estimated 200 feet (60 meters). Early evidence for the use of wild O. rufipogon has been identified at Shangshan and Jiahu, both of which contained ceramic vessels tempered with rice chaff, from contexts dated between 8000–7000 BCE. Direct dating of rice grains at two Yangtse river basin sites was reported by Chinese archaeologists led by Xinxin Zuo: Shangshan (9400 cal BP) and Hehuashan (9000 cal BP), or about 7,000 BCE. By about 5,000 BCE, domesticated japonica is found throughout the Yangtse valley, including large amounts of rice kernels at such sites as TongZian Luojiajiao (7100 BP) and Hemuda (7000 BP). By 6000–3500 BCE, rice and other Neolithic lifestyle changes were spread throughout southern China. Rice reached Southeast Asia into Vietnam and Thailand (Hoabinhian period) by 3000–2000 BCE. The domestication process was likely a very slow one, lasting between 7000 and 100 BCE. Chinse archaeologist Yongchao Ma and colleagues have identified three stages in the domestication process during which rice slowly changed eventually becoming a dominant part of local diets by about 2500 BCE. Changes from the original plant are recognized as the location of rice fields outside of perennial swamps and wetlands, and non-shattering rachis. Out of China Although scholars have come close to a consensus concerning the origins of rice in China, its subsequent spread outside of the center of domestication in the Yangtze Valley is still a matter of controversy. Scholars have generally agreed that the originally domesticated plant for all varieties of rice is  Oryza sativa japonica, domesticated from  O. rufipogon  in the lower Yangtze River Valley by hunter-gatherers approximately 9,000 to 10,000 years ago. At least 11 separate routes for the spread of rice throughout Asia, Oceania, and Africa have been suggested by scholars. At least twice, say scholars, a manipulation of  japonica  rice was required: in the Indian subcontinent about 2500 BC, and in West Africa between 1500 and 800 BCE. India and Indonesia For quite some time, scholars have been divided about the presence of rice in India and Indonesia, where it came from and when it got there. Some scholars have argued that the rice was simply  O. s. japonica, introduced straight from China; others have argued that the  O. indica  variety of rice is unrelated to japonica and was independently domesticated from  Oryza nivara. Other scholars suggest that  Oryza indica  is a hybrid between a fully domesticated  Oryza japonica  and a semi-domesticated or local wild version of  Oryza nivara. Unlike  O. japonica, O. nivara  can be exploited on a large scale without instituting cultivation or habitat change. The earliest type of rice agriculture used in the Ganges was likely dry cropping, with the plants water needs provided by monsoonal rains and seasonal flood recession. The earliest irrigated paddy rice in the Ganges is at least the end of the second millennium BC and certainly by the beginning of the Iron Age. Arrival in the Indus Valley The archaeological record suggests that  O. japonica  arrived in the  Indus Valley  at least as early as 2400–2200 BCE, and became well-established in the Ganges River region beginning around 2000 BCE. However, by at least 2500 BCE, at the site of Senuwar, some rice cultivation, presumably of dryland  O. nivara  was underway. Additional evidence for the continuing interaction of China by 2000 BCE with Northwest India and Pakistan comes from the appearance of other crop introductions from China, including peach, apricot,  broomcorn millet, and Cannabis.  Longshan  style harvest knives were made and used in the Kashmir and Swat regions after 2000 BCE. Although Thailand certainly first received domesticated rice from China–archaeological data indicates that until about 300 BCE, the dominant type was  O. japonica–contact with India about 300 BCE, led to the establishment of a rice regime that relied on wetland systems of agriculture, and using  O. indica. Wetland rice–that is to say rice grown in flooded paddies–is an invention of Chinese farmers, and so its exploitation in India is of interest. Rice Paddy Invention All species of wild rice are wetland species: however, the archaeological record implies that the original domestication of rice was to move it into a more or less dryland environment, planted along the edges of wetlands, and then flooded using natural flooding and annual rain patterns. Wet rice farming, including the creation of rice paddies, was invented in China about 5000 BCE, with the earliest evidence to date at Tianluoshan, where paddy fields have been identified and dated. Paddy rice is more labor-intensive then dryland rice, and it requires an organized and stable ownership of land parcels. But it is far more productive than dryland rice, and by creating the stability of terracing and field construction, it reduces environmental damage caused by intermittent flooding. In addition, allowing the river to flood the paddies replenishes the replacement of nutrients taken from the field by the crop. Direct evidence for intensive wet rice agriculture, including field systems, comes from two sites in the lower Yangtze (Chuodun and Caoxieshan) both of which date to 4200–3800 BCE, and one site (Chengtoushan) in the middle Yangtze at about 4500 BCE. Rice in Africa A third domestication/hybridization appears to have happened during the African Iron Age in the Niger delta region of west Africa, by which  Oryza sativa  was crossed with O. barthii to produce  O. glaberrima. The earliest ceramic impressions of rice grains date from between 1800 to 800 BCE in the side of Ganjigana, in northeast Nigeria. documented domesticated O. glaberrima has first been identified at Jenne-Jeno in Mali, dated between 300 BCE and 200 BCE. French plant geneticist Philippe Cubry and colleagues suggest that the domestication process may have been begun about 3,200 years ago when the Sahara was expanding and making the wild form of rice harder to find. Sources Cubry, Philippe, et al. The Rise and Fall of African Rice Cultivation Revealed by Analysis of 246 New Genomes. Current Biology 28.14 (2018): 2274–82.e6. Print.Luo, Wuhong, et al. Phytolith Records of Rice Agriculture During the Middle Neolithic in the Middle Reaches of . Quaternary International 426 (2016): 133–40. Print.Huai River Region, ChinaMa, Yongchao, et al. Rice Bulliform Phytoliths Reveal the Process of Rice Domestication in the Neolithic Lower Yangtze River Region. Quaternary International 426 (2016): 126–32. Print.Shillito, Lisa-Marie. Grains of Truth or Transparent Blindfolds? A Review of Current Debates in Archaeological Phytolith Analysis. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany 22.1 (2013): 71–82. Print.Wang, Muhua, et al. The Genome Sequence of African Rice (Oryza . Nature Genetics 46.9 (2014): 982–8. Print.Glaberrima) and Evidence for Independent DomesticationWin, Khin Thanda, et al. A Single Base Change Explains the Independent Origin of and Selection for the Nonshattering Gene in African Rice Domestication. New Phytologist 213.4 (2016): 1925–35. Print. Zheng, Yunfei, et al. Rice Domestication Revealed by Reduced Shattering of Archaeological Rice from the Lower Yangtze Valley. Scientific Reports 6 (2016): 28136. Print.Zuo, Xinxin, et al. Dating Rice Remains through Phytolith Carbon-14 Study Reveals Domestication at the Beginning of the Holocene. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 114.25 (2017): 6486–91. Print.

Women and Science in the southern African Development Region (SADC) Essay

Women and Science in the southern African Development Region (SADC) - Essay Example Then it discusses how UNESCO and SADC are working constantly to promote women of Southern African regions to get educated with scientific knowledge and play a role in scientific development like other women from developed countries. Women and Science in the southern African Development Region (SADC) Previously, it was very firm believe, especially in Asian countries, that women are inferior to men. They have to look after the daily chores while man is the sole earner and he is the one responsible for every major thing. As time evolved, the perception remained same with man now being an executive and women a secretary, or same in every field. The revolution and change of perception took place by the end of 18th century, when women started contributing in medicine, physics, geography and other fields and this period was referred as ‘the enlightment’. When Salon culture in Europe was changing, there were times when political, economical and social views discussed had opinio ns of women too (Sheffield, 2006) Even now that women graduates are more in number than male, the representation of women in business fields and especially scientific fields is very low. There are two reasons for such low representation. First, women already have too much to cater to that they can’t get into fields that need a lot of work and research. Secondly, even if they want to get in, they don’t get decent post. Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. She won the similar title, a second noble prize in 1911 for her work on radiation. For those women who don’t follow their passion and end up living the usual lifestyle, she says: â€Å"I have frequently been questioned, especially by women, of how I could reconcile family life with a scientific career. Well, it has not been easy. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.† While Carl Friedrich Gauss, famous for his Gaussian m ethod and other mathematical applications, talks about women not getting reputable posts in scientific field and motivates them by saying: â€Å"The enchanting charms of this sublime science reveal only to those who have the courage to go deeply into it. But when a woman, who because of her sex and our prejudices encounters infinitely more obstacles that a man in familiarizing herself with complicated problems, succeeds nevertheless in surmounting these obstacles and penetrating the most obscure parts of them, without doubt she must have the noblest courage, quite extraordinary talents and superior genius.† (Ogilvie, 2004) Since 18th century, many women have followed their passion in developing and extending the scientific borders. 19th century was an amateur period with few noticeable names while 20th century included significant work by Marie Curie and Lise Meitner (discovery of nuclear fission). There work set basics for further research. Inclusion of women in scientific f ield was further made possible by efforts of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization) and by SADC (Southern African Development Community) which will be discussed below. (Marelene F. Rayner-Canham, 1997). UNESCO's Recommendations about "Women and Science" Although women have excelled in business fields, there still remain many where they are not given equal rights such as aerospace and flying, engineering and scientific research. Science is a field full of ideas and innovation and leaving this highly capable gender behind means losing high potential and ideas that can change the world. Therefore, gender equality and representation of women in scientific field is very important. Although different countries are giving attention to this issue, UNESCO formally organized the World Science Conference in 1999