Monday, December 30, 2019

Animal Research The Treatment And Prevention Of Diseases

Animal research plays an important role in the understanding of diseases by scientists as well as in the development of medical treatment that are effective. Animals normally provide scientists with models, which have complex living systems that consist of organs, cells and tissues (Fisher, 2014). These animal models not only interact with stimuli but they also react to it thereby giving researchers a picture of how a compound is moving through the living system as well as an idea of how that stimuli can react in the human body. Most animals’ researches are purposely used on the treatment and prevention of diseases. In addition, they are also used in the treatment of injuries. Mice and rats are the animals that are mostly used and they†¦show more content†¦Proponent’s views of animal-based research Even though there are many claims that are presented by animal activists why the use of animals for medical research should be banned, animal based experiments have contributed significantly in improving the quality and length of human lives. There are several ways in which animals are used in the conduct of human research (Fisher, 2014). First, animals are used in the development of new drugs that help in treatment of human diseases. There are many diseases that affect human beings such as diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, heart diseases among others. In order to develop effective drugs to treat the above diseases, animals are used as models in researches that result in the development of drugs. The first benefit of using animal based research is that it has helped in the development of cancer drugs. Initially, the dominant methods that were used in the treatment of cancer were surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Due to conducting animal-based researches, scientists have managed to come up with new understanding of tumor biology, which helps in coming up with treatment methods that directly kill cancerous cells and which are molecularly different from the normal cells. The use of knowledge to design new drugs, which focus in the abnormalities, is referred as rational drug design and many people perceive it as the future reality for the treatment of cancer. Animal based research has also been used in the development of drugs

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Hope And Change The First African American President Of...

Hope and Change? History was made in 2008. The first African American was elected President of the United States. In Barack Obama’s acceptance speech he described his election as a defining moment and one that would bring change to America. Has that change come? Race relations have always been a topic of great debate, even more so since an African American was elected President. Can a black president change the way people think about race and its place in everyday life? As we are in Obama’s last year of his second term it is obvious that racial bias has seen little improvement in the United States. Trending polls point to no improvement, recent high profile events are keeping it in the news and there has been no substantial decrease in unemployment among blacks in America. Since electing the first African American President in 2008, there have been many new topics that polls can concentrate on. Everything from what America thinks about the historic election to what they think the future will hold because of it. What is evident is that the polls speak of an America that may still have hope but is not so certain that change is coming. A poll in November of 2008 showed that sixty-seven percent of voters thought that Obama would have a good first term and sixty-nine percent said they made them feel hopeful. Fifty-two percent thought his election will lead to better race relations. When looked at through the eyes of black/white,Show MoreRelatedHope And Change : The First African American President Of The United States1091 Words   |  5 PagesHope and Change? History was made in 2008. The first African American was elected President of the United States. In Barack Obama’s acceptance speech he described his election as a defining moment and one that would bring change to America. Has that change come? Race relations have always been a topic of great debate, even more so since an African American was elected President. Can a black president change the way people think about race and its place in everyday life? As we areRead MoreHow The 2008 Election Affected African American History912 Words   |  4 Pagesbe one of the darkest moments in African American history and ends with the ultimate triumph and fulfilment of a dream. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was the spiritual and political leader of the Civil Rights Movement, was gunned down and assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, TN (History.com). Those responsible assumed that this senseless act of violence would thwart and quell the efforts of African Americans in the quest for equality in the United States of America, however, this deed cementedRead MorePresident John F. Kennedy1608 Words   |  7 Pageshas an opinion about the president. Whether they like the president or dislike the president, someone has an opinion. There are only a few good president in the history of America that people can actually say they liked and enjoyed where they lead this country. One of those few presidents was President John F. K ennedy. Elected in 1960 as the 35th president of the United States, Kennedy became the youngest and first Roman Catholic president. He won the hearts of many Americans with his youthfulness andRead MoreBarack Obama: Yes, We Can! Famous Speech680 Words   |  3 Pagesand first African-American president of the United States of America. Barack Obama is married to First Lady Michelle Obama and together have two children, Malia and Sasha. President Obama was elected November 4, 2008 and is still currently running in the office as President. Obama believes in change and is his inaugural focus for each campaign and overall aim of being President of the United States. The famous â€Å"Yes We Can† speech was delivered by Barack Obama, the first African-American PresidentRead MoreReconstruction And The Rights Of Former Slaves. In The998 Words   |  4 Pages1860s the United States was a nation that had been ripped apart by the Civil War and left in torn pieces. The war left many white southerners stripped of their slaves, land, and in destroyed towns with little to eat. The only people worse off than the white southerners at this point in history were the black southerners who had nothing to their names but the freedom they had recently been granted which left them penniless and searching for a place to go. In hopes of a resolution president Abraham LincolnRead MoreThe Declaration Of Independence : A Significant Year For The Country963 Words   |  4 Pageselection this year is important as both candidates are fighting for and desperately in need of the African-American vote to win. The irony in this election is that not that long ago Afri can-Americans were not even allowed to vote. This paper sets out the historical struggles the African-American people faced in obtaining suffrage. The 1700’s marked the boom of the slave trade. African-Americans could barely get the law to see them as people, let alone give them the right to vote. The DeclarationRead MoreThe Medi A Very Important Role Of Today s Society865 Words   |  4 Pagesspectacle. He argues how Barack Obama’s media techniques led the campaign in his favour in the United States’ presidential election of 2008 (Kellner, 2009). With much publication, broadcasting and advertising resources, Barack Obama was able to attract supporters through his culture and race. The first democratic spectacle was that of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. In the first time in history, an African-American candidate and a woman candidate were running for office. With both campaigners leadingRead More Americas First Black President Essay1163 Words   |  5 PagesFor many years, American Presidents were viewed as being white and powerful leaders. Why were they only white? Is it because Americans felt Blacks were not smart enough to run a country on their own? African Americans were viewed as less dominate people and have been discriminated because of the color of their skin. In 2008, Barack Obama was elected President of the United States making him the first black president ever. In this paper, I will discuss how Barack makes a change and if America canRead MoreArticle Summary : Barack Obama And Celebrity Spectacle884 Words   |  4 PagesBarack Obama’s media techniques led the campaign in his favour in the United States’ presidential election of 2008 (Kellner, 2009). With much publication, broadcasting and advertising resources, Barack Obama was able to attract supporters through his culture and race. The first democratic spectacle was that of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. In the first time in history, there had been an African American candidate and the first woman candidate. With both campaigners leading the election in differentRead MoreThe Selma Incident Of The Civil Rights Movement1320 Words   |  6 Pages On November 4th, 2008, American voters elected Barack Obama president of the United States, the first time an African American candidate has been elected to the office of the presidency. This historic election was described by John Lewis, a longtime civil rights activist as â€Å"what comes at the end of the bridge in Selma†. (413) This was a reference to the incident on March 7th, 1965 when â€Å"police officers used clubs and tear gas against a group of civil rights demonstrators led by the reverend Martin

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health

Introduction Mental health and well-being are leading areas of research in current societies as concern about the number of illnesses related to mental health and the effects of these illnesses are of growing popularity. In light of this recent interest, the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) has been coordinating an awareness week since 1992 which focuses on alleviating the stigma associated with mental illness (Richard, 2010). Many other organizations are showing their support and creating awareness weeks of their own. A Canadian study states that â€Å"20% of Canadians will personally experience mental illness during their lifetime† and that everyone is, in one way or another, affected by mental illness (Health Canada, 2002). Mental health is considered to be of great importance during youth and adolescence which is why further studies on post-secondary aged students are crucial. The objective of this research is to identify what causes stre ss for students, what resources are made available to them through the institution, if those resources are widely used, and how students cope with stress. The information used as findings in this paper was gathered through conducting an interview with a post-secondary student who was taking a full course load, was involved in extra-curricular activities, and had a part-time job. First, an analysis of current literature on achievement ideology, career aspirations, stressors, coping strategies, and socialShow MoreRelatedMental Health : A Global Crisis1599 Words   |  7 PagesMental Health: A Global Crisis Mental Health is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as â€Å"a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community (WHO, 2014).† Any deviation from that definition constitutes a mental health issue. It is important to note that mental health issues do not necessarily constitute a mental disorderRead Moreâ€Å"It Must Be Remembered That For The Person With Severe1407 Words   |  6 Pagesremembered that for the person with severe mental illness who has no treatment the most dreaded of confinements can be the imprisonment inflicted by his own mind, which shuts reality out and subjects him to the torment of voices and images beyond our own powers to describe†. Serious mental illness affects approximately 9.6 million people in the United States, or about 4.1% of the population.3 In addition to the many debilitating symptoms of serious mental illness, many people also lack insight into theRead MoreThe Stigma Of Mental Illness Essay1657 Words   |  7 Pagesor older, live with mental illness. This number represents 18.1% of all U.S. adults (National Institute of Mental Health, 2014). Stigma toward those who are seen as different have existed for as long as civilization itself, with the stigma for mental illness being one of the most prominent and long lasting that society has had to face throughout its ages (Arboleda-Florez Stuart, 2012). Increased understanding and awareness for those individuals suffering from mental illness is necessary for usRead MoreAbnormal Psychology and Therapy: Physical Illnesses and Disorders1228 Words   |  5 PagesTherapy If you have an infection, you go to the doctor. There are many different treatments for any number of physical illnesses and disorders, but what if the illness or disorder is in your mind? For psychology to have any validity as a science, research must show there is a common way to think, react, and feel amongst humans; uniform mental processes. So far, research has shown that one can study the behaviors of a small group and compare them to a larger population; however, some people’s thoughtRead MoreBirth Defects in differenct Cultures1229 Words   |  5 Pages Since the 1960s, the federal government introduced ways that mentally ill patients could live outside a mental hospital, where they were confined from the general public, and live a normal life. Many communities and mental centers were built to allow continuous and efficient care for those patients from their homes. Yet, the question remains whether or not the whole world has accepted mental illnesses. Many believe that the mentally ill should be hidden from society out of shame and humiliationRead MoreThe Principles Of Psychosocial Rehabilitation1472 Words   |  6 Pagesthey relate to the principle. The article that will be summarized in this answer will be Making the Case for Peer Support’ Report to the Mental Health Commission of Canada Mental Health Peer Support Project Committee. This journal is about the principle and value of peer support. The authors of this report believe that people who have experienced mental illness and gain a state of recovery can be a benefit to others who are starting their journey. Peer support is a benefit because it has the abilitiesRead MoreCan Suicide Be Prevented?. As Said In The Dictionary,1300 Words   |  6 Pageschoose suicide over life. I believe that, with the right efforts, many of these deaths can be prevented.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Although the majority of people who have a mental illness do not die by suicide, Paula Clayton, MD and medical director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention says that â€Å"Ninety percent or more of people who kill themselves have a mental disorder before the time of their death.† Clayton also states that about sixty percent of people who are suicidal fight major depression. In DoctorRead MoreBorderline Personality Disorder Essay example1013 Words   |  5 Pages(Biskin, R., Paris, J., 2012p. 1791). The symptoms of borderline personality disorder can be devastating. People with borderline personality disorder will always have strong emotions, spur of the moment thinking, and strong relationships. Through a health plan of therapies and medication, patients can see improvement in relationships and â€Å"vocational functioning† (â€Å"Borderline personality disorder,† 2013, p. 665). Dialectical behavior therapy is one of the many therapy types for people with the disorderRead MoreMental Illness And The Mentally Ill1913 Words   |  8 Pagesgroups of people in every class, country and race. The mentally ill are no exception to this fact. Mental illness has no bounds and can affect anyone, whether rich or poor, American or Canadian, black or white, it does not matter. People with a mental illness or disorder are looked at as dysfunctional, violent, unsuccessful, and even foul-smelling individuals. People with extreme cases of mental illness, such as schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder, are often called crazy, insane, and mad when i n actualityRead MoreThe Effects Of Nonpharmacological Interventions On The Population Of Adults With Schizophrenia Essay1595 Words   |  7 Pagesmedications, schizophrenia is a leading cause of global disability associated with high rates of hospitalizations, depression, and suicide attempts (Statistics Canada, 2015, para. 5). According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (2016), â€Å"schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves† (para. 1). Additionally, individuals with schizophrenia may experience varied symptoms including: delusions and hallucinations; movement and thought

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Poverty And Its Effects On The Community - 1877 Words

Poverty can be expressed differently from many viewpoints (Spector, 2013). Poverty is characterized by their physical, mental, and spiritual state. Physically, individuals can be affected by the environment or other factors, such as, their lifestyle. Mentally, individuals affected by poverty are not educated or do not have the opportunity for advancement. Spiritually, they find themselves feeling of hopelessness. Poverty can co-exist within many subcultures that reside is particular areas, consider California. In California, there are dense populations that live below the poverty line that is also a part of other subcultures. When income, education, and lifestyles are compromised many health issues can arise. To comeback these harsh lifestyles, many groups have come together to improve and educate people who currently live in poverty. Health educators also manipulate their strategic efforts to have the most impact on the community. Economically-Disadvantaged Population When looking at poverty, some environmental exposure may be â€Å"battering, bullying, child abuse, gaming, obesity, spousal abuse, substance abuse, and violence† (Spencer, 2013). When predisposed to these lifestyles, future generations tend to cling onto violence, assuming that it is okay to behave in such a manner. As stated by Delisle, women are more affected by poverty due to their childbearing nature (2008). They are exposed to malnutrition due to the lack of access to resources necessary; and, in turn, theyShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Childhood Poverty On The Community And Society Essay2484 Words   |  10 Pages This paper will be introducing and discussing child poverty. The focus will be on the ongoing problem of child poverty within developed countries and the negative consequence of child poverty including its impacts on economic and social chances for those in poverty. I will be seeking to determine the negative effects of childhood poverty on the individ ual, whether that be an immediate effect, a lasting long-term effect, or something that does not show up until later on in life. Secondly IRead MoreThe Causes And Effects Of Poverty On Individuals And Communities Essay1950 Words   |  8 PagesThroughout our course, we have looked at the lives of those economically disadvantaged in our society. We have talked about the causes and effects of poverty on individuals and communities and looked at multiple in depth sociological studies. I have come to the conclusion that sociological research is not relevant until it is grounded in rigorous analysis that takes into account the complex nature of social categories. Likewise, sociological analysis means nothing in a vacuum. Its value lies in theRead MorePoverty, Social Disorganization And Their Effects On Crime Rates1444 Words   |  6 PagesAssignment #1 Poverty, Social Disorganization and Their Effects on Crime Rates SOC1A06 Professor Sandra Colavecchia Joseph Murray 400016517 Tuesday, October 20th 2015 Part B Article 1 Hannon, L. (2002). Criminal opportunity theory and the relationship between poverty and property crime. Sociological Spectrum, 22(3), 363-381. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02732170290062676 Hannon, Analyzes the level of poverty present in neighbourhoods in Austin, Texas and Seattle, Washington and the rates ofRead MoreThe Current Social Problem Of Poverty Essay1368 Words   |  6 Pagesgoing to discuss poverty a current social problem that I chose to focus on throughout this course. There are different factors such as economics, government, and culture that affect poverty. Poverty is not new to our communities and it impacts people of all ages. Poverty Poverty in our communities is getting worse and not enough is being done about this social problem. This is becoming more widespread especially during times of the global economic downturn. I learned that poverty is not having enoughRead MoreSocial Inequality Is A Persistent Issue That Affects The1106 Words   |  5 Pagesinequality is a persistent issue that affects the continuation of poverty and the sustainment of wealth. Poverty and wealth are derived from labels imposed by society dictating status, class and affluence. A vicious cycle, established through the disproportionate availability of opportunities and unequal distribution of resources, beings to erode the family unit, churches and communities. Therefore, social inequality impacts poverty and wealth through labeling, mass incarceration, crime, educationRead MoreDetermining The Main Cause Of Criminal Behavior1569 Words   |  7 Pagesor is it the environment? Crime can be defined in many different ways; different societ ies all over the world choose to define crimes differently. Poverty and crime have a very close relationship. The UN and the / World Bank have crime listed as one of the obstacles to tackle a country’s development. Countries and governments that are dealing with poverty often also have to tackle the issue of crime as they try to develop their country’s economy and society. A particular social problem like those categorizedRead MoreHealth Of Health And Global Health1460 Words   |  6 PagesGlobal health are both equally important in society. Public health focuses on a specific population or communities where as global health focus on health across national borders. The definition of poverty is being extremely poor, not having the sufficient funds. Poverty can have a negative effect on a person health because they do not have the sufficient funds for healthcare. A person living in poverty does not have the resources available; this can diminish the health of the individuals. Over billionsRead MoreCauses And Effects Of Poverty And Homeless People1696 Words   |  7 Pagesto be addressed is poverty and homeless people throughout the entire state. Some of the problems the are leading causes to poverty and homeless people is unemployment, which is leading to less to none employment opportunities Leading Causes of Poverty†, and income disparity which is leading to many families to not be able to pay bills, buy, or manage income. With the current issue of the causes and effects of poverty and Homelessness in North Carolina, I had to complete community service hours atRead MoreChild Poverty And Academic Achievement1448 Words   |  6 Pages Child Poverty and Academic Achievement Francesca Diona University of San Francisco According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, over 16 million children (22%) in the United States live below the federal poverty level, which is $23,550 per year for a family of four. Research has shown that a family requires an income of about twice that amount just to cover basic needs and expenses. Using these statistics, 45% of children in the US live in low-incomeRead MoreEffects Of Poverty On Children1553 Words   |  7 PagesHow Poverty Effects Children Makayla Ray University of Alabama in Birmingham Abstract This literature review of twelve previously published research articles has focused on summarizing some of the effects of poverty on children. The selected articles all focused on the major effect of poverty on children, and were sorted into four sub-categories or themes based upon a specific focus areas of this complex and not yet fully understood issue. These themes included developmental, educational

Friday, December 13, 2019

Zizek on Ideology and the Relationship Between Ideology and “The Real” Free Essays

Zizek on Ideology and the Relationship Between Ideology and â€Å"The Real† ` CMNS 410 Professor Rick Gruneau December 13, 2011 Zizek on Ideology and the Relationship Between Ideology and â€Å"The Real† Slavoj Zizek is one of the leading theorists on ideology since the 1990’s and his conceptions of the real versus the symbolic versus the imagined are of particular importance when dissecting the question ‘what is ideology? Zizek’s critique of ideology and attempt to unpack it’s inner workings is fascinating, he is a powerful intellectual who aims to expose the †fake† workings of society. In this paper I will outline Zizek’s definition and approach to the study of ideology, paying particular attention to the relationships he draws between ideology and â€Å"the real,† as opposed to â€Å"the imagined† and â€Å"the symbolic†. Zizek opens the book Mapping Ideology (1994) with the introduction â€Å"The Sp ectre of Ideology†, where he defines and openly criticizes the idea of ideology and its illusory personality. We will write a custom essay sample on Zizek on Ideology and the Relationship Between Ideology and â€Å"The Real† or any similar topic only for you Order Now First he presents us with the idea that ideology is a sort of matrix, â€Å"a generative matrix that regulates the relationship between visible and non-visible, imaginable and non-imaginable, as well as changes in that relationship† (italics mine, p. 1). He further explains not everything that seems to be ideological, necessarily is, claiming that unless there is a link to power relations in the social realm he does not consider something to be ideological. He points out that sometimes what we consider to be ideological in fact is not; but also how at other times, things which we may not perceive to be ideological, actually maintain a very strong ideological orientation. He states that the â€Å"starting point of the critique of ideology has to be the full acknowledgment of the fact that it is easily possible to lie in the guise of truth† – ideology that is – and this is an important realization for it ispels a common misconception we have of ideology, especially here in the west that, ideology is about lying or misleading others and society. Instead Zizek posits the idea that the content of a message is not what makes it ideological, but instead it is the â€Å"the way this content is related to the subjective position implied by its own process of enunciation† that makes it so (Zizek 1994, p. 8). In other words, regardless of whether the content (of a message or object or interaction) is true or false, it becomes ideological the moment that content functions to achieve â€Å"some relation of social domination† and even more importantly, he adds â€Å"in an inherently non-transparent way†, reiterating that often times ideology is in fact of a misleading nature but not necessarily in content (italics mine, p. 8); it is from this standpoint that we can begin to understand and critique the concept of ideology. It is important to note here, although Zizek stresses the importance of recognizing dynamics of power relations (rather than content) which constitutes ideology, he warns this can also be disadvantageous if it reduces â€Å"the cognitive value of the term ‘ideology’ and makes it into a mere expression of social circumstances† (p. 9). Considering this, as Gerofsky (2010) explains, Zizek takes on Hegel’s theory of the triad as a heuristic for further developing the theory of ideology, which is something I will address later in this paper, after we go a little bit deeper in defining ideology. According to Zezik then, a necessary condition for something to be ideological is that there must be a relation or motivation to power in some way, and it must be done so in a way which is not apparent to the addressees (Zizek, 1994). However this is a rather general and overarching consideration when defining the term ideology and it is important to deconstruct the term even further before we proceed in analyzing its inner workings and effect on society. Zizek states â€Å"ideology is a systematically distorted communication: a text in which under the influence of unavowed social interests (of domination, etc. a gap separates its ‘official,’ public meaning from its actual intention – that is to say, â€Å"we are dealing with an unreflected tension between the explicit enunciated content of the text and its pragmatic presuppositions† (Zizek, 1994, p. 10). Ideology is a system, he argues, of principles, views, theories â€Å"destined to convince us of its ‘truth’, yet actually serving some unavowed particular power interest† (p. 10). An example Zizek presents to illustrate this point is the way media portrayed the conflict and cause of the Bosnian war. News coverage consisted of innumerable accounts of the histories of not only Yugoslavia but â€Å"the entire history of the Balkan’s from medieval times† (p. 5). This incredible amount of information, of the struggles and relations between Bosnia and other countries over decades, if not centuries, gives audiences the impression that they must know and understand all the background information of this issue if they are to have an opinion on it or take sides, again presenting countless hours of information and debate on the issue. Zizek explains that although this is a sort of inversion of what we normally constitute as ideological messaging, and it is unlike the misrepresentation and incessant demonization of Saddam Hussein which was circulated to give justice to entering into the Iraq war, the Bosnian war ideological messaging that took place is in fact â€Å"more cunning,† the over exaggerated and false demonization of Saddam Hussein. ecause â€Å"to put it somewhat crudely, the ‘evocation of the complexity of circumstances’ serves to [defer] us from the responsibility to act† (p. 5). He explains that instead of withholding information (as the media most often does), or misrepresenting information (Saddam Hussein), in the case of the Bosnian war the media over saturates audiences with information to the point of immobilizing them to make a decision or take action against the fact that this war is spurred by political, economic and monetary power interests. Zizek explains the purpose of going into war was portrayed as a need to improve unacceptable human rights conditions in the country, and although human rights conditions may very well be unacceptable in that country, and then improve as a result of the invasion, the true motivations for that war (power, domination, money) were kept hidden. This also illustrates the point made earlier about ideology not necessarily needing to be false in its information, but rather hidden in motive, for the information they presented was by no means false or limited, it was excessive, which proves to be just as debilitating a strategy on the general public. Zizek’s examples and definitions of ideology discussed above demonstrate the division of ideology from Marx’s false consciousness theory (Gerofsky, 2010), but perhaps one of the most important classifications Zizek makes in the realm of ideology, is its connection to dislocation (dislocating truth from falsity) and how this relates to the idea of â€Å"the Real† (Stavrakakis,1997). Coming from the Lacanian theoretical background, the concept of Real versus Symbolic versus Imaginary is an integral part of Zizek’s theory, one which sets him apart from traditional conceptions of ideology. The question of the Real also cannot be separated from the dislocation and presentation of the truth, so these two must be considered together in asserting the concept of ideology. Zizek’s Real draws attention to a fascinating idea, that there is a difference between what is actually real in our world and what is simply a created real by our social structure and by society (Stavrakakis, 1997). The Real, the true real, is â€Å"the part of our world as revealed in our experience, which escapes our attempts to symbolize and represent it in a final way† (1997, p. ). The real is the raw and unstructured experience of what is not yet symbolized or imaged by our social structure, by language, by symbols, and it in fact cannot be symbolized in such a way. Unlike the social reality, the true Real is impossible to represent, explains Stavrakaki of Zizek’s theory, impossible to master or symbolize, whereas the social reality is nothing but symbolism and our desire to categ orize any part of our experience into a definition or material conception of some sort. The real is not only opposed to what is â€Å"socially constructed† as real, the symbolic, but also it is even farther removed from the imaginary, which falls farthest away on the spectrum, from true reality. The symbolic comes closer to the Real but there is still a gap and something will always be missing from the symbolic real for language can never be a full representation of the real, the true Real however is always in its place. The symbolic real, however is still of importance to Zizek, for it plays the largest role in our society and is perhaps the integral component to ideology in the most general sense. The symbolic, although generally in the dimension of lauguage, Lacan (who’s theories Zizek has based his own theories of ideology on) does not describe the symbolic as solely equal to language, because linguistiscs are also present in the realm of the imaginary sphere (Lucaites Biesecker, 1998). The symbolic rather, is about the relationship to the â€Å"Other†, it is about difference and the signifiers which create a symbolic order. For Lacan the symbolic is characterized by the absence of any fixed relations between signifier and signified† (Lucaites Biesecker, 1998). Lastly there is the realm of the imaginary, when Lacan discusses this stage he refers to the formation of the ego. Identification is an important part of the imaginary, for â€Å"the ego is formed by identifying with the counterpart or specular image† (Lucaites Biesecker, 1998). The ego, fundamentally narcissistic, is centered on identification with alienation and this alienation is another feature of the imaginary. The imaginary is most fundamentally, however, a constitution of surface appearances, ones which are formed in deception as part of the social order. Going back to Zizek’s theory on ideology, he suggests that one of the most problematic areas of the concept, is that we as theorists, try to escape from the grip of ideology in order to observe the world from an objective position, however the moment we feel we have managed to take up a position of truth, from which we can condemn the lie of an ideology, we instantly fall back into the grip of ideology again because our understanding of the concept is structured on a binary arrangement, which is constantly playing on this relationship between reality and ideology. It is such the issue of ideology, that the moment we feel we are in the realm of truth, at last, we are in fact instantly back into the ideological exchange, without recognizing it (Stavrakakis, 1997). Zezik does not offer a solution to this, however he offers a way to counter the problem, and this is where the concept of the Real (vs Symbolic vs Imaginary) comes into play, to help us recognize and step outside the atmosphere of ideology that surrounds us. Instead of the binary relationship between reality and ideology, now there is a three way relationship. Zizek favours the Real over the other two constructs because he argues, the symbolic, although it is representing â€Å"reality† it is in fact where â€Å"fiction assumes the guise of truth† (Stavrakakis, p. 3), and the imaginary construct, is of course even farther away from that reality, therefore the Real should be the focus of our understanding. The Real is the â€Å"only non-ideological position available,† and although Zizek does not claim to offer access to the â€Å"objective truth of things†, he explains we must begin with assuming the existence of ideology in every aspect of our society, and to take up an actively critical attitude towards it. This Stavrakakis argues is the main goal of Zizek’s theory, to expose the need for constant critique of the ideological realm, especially in a time where our society has proclaimed that ideology is a thing of the past and no longer relevant in today’s world. Zizek’s theory of ideology is a contemporary one which moves beyond traditional definitions of this concept and is not concerned with the way ideological practices worked in the past and in history, instead he is intrigued with the here and now and argues strongly that the concept of ideology is far from extinct in today’s society – contrary to what many would like to believe. And he explains that rather than discarding the notion completely, what we need to do to understand today’s politics in a completely new way of looking at it and defining what it means to be in ideological space and time. Those who believe we are past the concept of ideology, he argues, are in an â€Å"archeological fantasy† and this is only a sign of the greater ability of ideology to ingrain itself without our recognition. In some of his famous presentations Zizek talks about the ideological meaning ingrained even in the simplest of human object and appliances, ones we don’t even recognize contain an ideological message. His famous example, and one he self critically acknowledges to be some sort of anal fixation which he needs to address, is the example of toilets and how they are constructed in different ideological environments. In France he explains, toilets are constructed with the hole at the back, so that when used, the excrement falls directly in the hole and disappears; he equates this with France’s extremely liberal ideology – out of sight out of mind. In Germany, the toilets are constructed with the hole at the front, in a way that holds the excrement on a shelf (not in water or instantly disappearing) but rather in a way for the individual to see and observe the specimen for worms and any other diseases; he explains this is indicative of the strongly onservative ideology of Germany, where everything is business and completed as necessary. In the Anglo-Saxon world, specifically in America, he explains toilets are somewhere in between, when used the excrement falls in the water but still remains, it is not completely hidden but also not completely displayed; this shows the median position the Anglo-Saxon society usually takes on, not too extreme in either respect (Zizek presentation, You tube. com). This rather disgusting but nonetheless interesting observation does an excellent job of portraying his theory on ideology. First, ideology is very much still at play in our society and should be actively observed and considered (in order to minimize any negative and violent effects it may pertain), and secondly, in order to even be able to recognize the workings of ideology in our everyday lives, we have step outside of our customary reality to which we are so well accustomed to, for this symbolic reality is not the Real, and in taking ourselves out of the imaginary and symbolic which appears to be truth and reality, we can then perhaps attempt to get a true glimpse of what he calls the Real. References Gerofsky, S. (2010). The impossibility of ‘real-life’ word problems (according to Bakhtin, Lacan, Zizek and Baudrillard). Discourse: Studies In The Cultural Politics Of Education, 31(1), 61-73. doi:10. 1080/01596300903465427 Lucaites, J. , Biesecker, B. A. (1998). Rhetorical Studies and the ‘New Psychoanalysis: What’s the Real Problem? Or Framing the Problem of the Real. Quarterly Journal Of Speech, 84(2), 222. Stavrakakis, Y. (1997). Ambiguous ideology and the Lacanian twist. Journal of the Centre for Freudian Analysis and Research, 8, 117-30. Zizek, S. (1994a). The spectre of ideology. In S. Zizek (Ed. ), Mapping ideology (pp. 1-33). London New York: Verso. How to cite Zizek on Ideology and the Relationship Between Ideology and â€Å"The Real†, Papers

Monday, December 9, 2019

Development and Assessment Framework for Operations Excellence

Question: Discuss and critically assess the effect of operational excellence on sustainability for the cases presented. Answer: Critical analysis of the case study: As stated by Mitchell (2015), quality, responsiveness, maintainability and flexibility of the innovation cycle act as the major marketing tool for a firm or organization. The success of the organization depends largely on the values that add to the satisfaction of the customers. Any kind of strategy that is undertaken to improve the relationship with the customers makes the operation successful. It has been pointed out by Jaeger, Matyas and Sihn (2014), that any kind of operation that is made by keeping the customers perspective in mind proved to be fruitful. Sustainability is that state of organizational operation that is carried on to facilitate the customers need. In the recent market situation with the increasing competition, every organization remains in intense pressure to reduce cost without reducing the efficiency. An organization always benefits when it tries to reuse its waste products. For a construction company, huge wastes are generated with every operation (Golinska et al. 2015). Therefore, any approach that is undertaken to improve the operation of the Company results in favor of the organization. When efforts are made to increase the operational excellence of an organization, the outcome and the productivity increases by many folds. In the case study, it has been observed that the construction company had been using a number of sustainable approaches in various activities like supply chain manufacturing or delivering the products. Therefore, it can be easily said that the operational management towards sustainability will result in better economic and productive goals. Any action taken for sustainability approach will be fruitful for a construction firm. Reference list: Golinska, P., Kosacka, M., Mierzwiak, R. and Werner-Lewandowska, K., 2015. Grey decision making as a tool for the classification of the sustainability level of remanufacturing companies.Journal of Cleaner Production,105, pp.28-40. Jaeger, A., Matyas, K. and Sihn, W., 2014. Development of an assessment framework for operations excellence (OsE), based on the paradigm change in operational excellence (OE). Mitchell, J.S., 2015.Operational Excellence: Journey to Creating Sustainable Value. John Wiley Sons.

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Marxist Theorys On Economic Development Essay Example For Students

Marxist Theorys On Economic Development Essay What is wrong with the world today? Do people need to fight, argue and even go to war with each other? People debate whether the world would not be so full of hate if everything was equal. Well my answer to that is yes, people do need to fight, argue and go to war because thats human nature, our right of speech, and freedom! Some nations are considered to be evil and unjust because they are a communist nation, but are they really bad? One cannot blame a nation for trying to reach the ultimate goal of utopia. However, one must take notice that no country that exists today or in the past has accomplished this monumental task. I am not a supporter of todays communism at any means, but I do believe that a man long ago had the right idea. With some changes and a little work Karl Marxs theory could have made this world greater. We will write a custom essay on Marxist Theorys On Economic Development specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Karl Heinrich Marx was born May 5th, 1818 in Trier. Although he had three other siblings, all sisters, he was the favorite child to his father, Heinrich. His mother was a Dutch Jewess named Henrietta Pressburg. Marx was the greatest thinker and philosopher of his time. His views on life and the social structure revolutionized the way in which people thought. He created an opportunity for the lower class to rise above the aristocrats and failed due to the creation of the middle class. Despite this failure, he was still a great political leader and set the basis of Communism in Russia. His life contributed to the way people think today, and because of him people are more open to suggestion and are quicker to create ideas on political issues. It is important to understand that Marx played two important roles in world history: as a critic of capitalism and as an advocate of socialism. Although a strong believer in the importance of building socialism, he spent most of his time and energy on a complex critique of the capitalist system. This critique is still very influential on many historians, art and literature scholars, sociologists and others. There have been many neo-Marxisms which have bee n based more or less loosely on the original ideas of Marx and which are widely discussed today. Whether you want to explore such ideas or combat them, its good to have some notion of the subject. The terms socialist and communist have been defined in an astonishing variety of ways. When reading them it is always important to know what the writer means by them. A good example of a this would be to look at the countries today is China a communist nation or a socialist nation? How do you tell them apart? China indeed is in-fact a communist nation, but there is large speculations that they are viewed as socialists. For Marx socialism was the more comprehensive term; communism was an advanced stage of socialism. Socialism would prepare the way by nationalizing the means of production (factories, farms, mines, and transportation) and putting them under the control of those he viewed as the sole producers of wealth: the workers. He viewed political equality and freedom as incomplete (or even illusory) without economic equality. Therefore this redistribution of economic power was aimed at extending democracy far beyond the limits envisioned by earlier democratic revolutions. Social s ervices like health, education, and housing would be provided free, but people would still be paid wages according to their work. I dont know about you or the next person but free health care, housing, and schooling would be a wonderful thing. Everyone always wants to have something better than the next person does. But what if everyone had the best? What if everyone was driving a Mercedes or lived in a 4000 square foot house? Is that so bad, does that mean we have no rights? But like I said earlier Marxs theory does need some work I dont believe that our freedom of speech or things of such should be touched. Marxs explained his theories in a book. .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a , .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a .postImageUrl , .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a , .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a:hover , .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a:visited , .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a:active { border:0!important; } .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a:active , .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ud0e064a3384abba3cd1cec6e76d3f00a:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Shakespeare and Prospero EssayCommunist Manifesto or Manifest der Kommunistischen Partel was a book written by Marx. It documents the objectives and principals of the Communist League, an organization of artist and intellectuals. It was published in London in 1848, shortly before the revolution in Paris. The manifesto is divided into four parts, and the beginning of the entire document reads A specter is haunting Europe (Encyclopedia of Marxism)The first part outlines his ideas on history and a prediction on what is yet to come. He predicts a confrontation between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie, the working class and the higher class. Because of the main logic behind capitalism the bourgeoisie will seek more power and more wealth. With them doing this, the living conditions of the proletariat will decrease. Numbers of proletariat will increase as well as their political awareness, and will revolt against the bourgeoisie and will eventually win. (Encarta)In the second part Marx discusses the importance of Communism, and if private property is abolished, class distinctions will be as well. The second part also stresses the importance of the necessity of the proletariat and bourgeoisie being common and the level of class being the same. (Encarta)The third part critiques other social ideas of the modern day. The final and fourth part discussed the differences between his political issues as opposed to those of the other parties. This part ends in bold capital letters WORKINGMEN OF ALL COUNTRIES, UNITE! (Encarta)When all nations had developed socialist economies, they would begin to evolve into an international communist society. The vision of commun ism was very similar to that of anarchism. A stateless society in which central government had withered away, local, ground-up control of all affairs by strictly democratic processes based at the place of work, abolition of the market system (witch means no buying no selling). Its replacement by a system according to which people would voluntarily work for the common good to the extent they were able under the understanding that they could receive whatever they needed for free (Britannica). This basically stated that everyone would do their share of work and receive it back. National boundaries and governments having been eliminated, war would cease. The secret to the Marxist idea working is that everyone has to cooperate together. Everyone must be willing to work, and give up the possessions they love having so much. This would be a wonderful world. People today should not have to worry about simple basic needs like health care, food and water. Every man who works should be provide d for because of his contribution to the system. Marx thought of money simply as a symbol, an example of how much a person works. In conclusion the problem in todays politics is simple, governments are not all the same! When people differ even in the mildest manner they tend to clash. The only way to fix this is to do what Marx suggested to make things equal. However, I do not believe that our God given rights of speech and freedom should be taken away. I end with the same quote as Karl Marx did: WORKINGMEN OF ALL COUNTRIES, UNITE!BibliographyBibliography?Karl Marx? Encyclopedia Britannica. (03 Dec. 2000). ?Karl Marx? Encyclopedia Encarta. (03 Dec. 2000). Bagain, Brian: ?Communist Manifesto.? Encyclopedia of Marxism (03 Dec. 2000) History Essays

Monday, December 2, 2019

Sociologcical Analysis Front and Back Stage free essay sample

Goffman describes that we give a â€Å"performance† every day to the people we interact with. He describes this performance as the presentation of self, a person’s efforts to create specific impressions in the minds of others. This process is sometimes called impression management. There is a distinction between the† front â€Å"and â€Å"back stage† behavior. As the term applies, â€Å"front stage† actions are visible to the audience and are part of the performance. In other words, it’s what is presented to the individuals we interact with. â€Å"Back stage† behaviors are set off when no audience is present.It is usually in an area not visible to the audience and where the individual acts completely different from how they would act in front of the audience. Behaviors that wouldn’t be acceptable in front of the audience are carried out in the â€Å"back stage†. Before these interactions an individual typically prepares a role, or impression, that he or she wants to make on the other. We will write a custom essay sample on Sociologcical Analysis: Front and Back Stage or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page These roles vary and depend on the term â€Å"breaking character†. This is basically when an unexpected intrusion occurs; a backstage performance is interrupted by someone who is not meant to see it. This makes a big problem, where the front stage and back stage behaviors are mixed up and the roles are confused. In addition to this, the way the audience for a personal performance plays a part in determining the course it takes. For example, we typically ignore many performance flaws, such as if someone trips or spits as they talk. Basically as Goffman states, we in everyday life engage in performances of the self in a way similar to an actor portraying a character. I have myself used the â€Å"front stage† and â€Å"back stage† concepts throughout several situations in my life.At my previous job, I used to work as a waiter at Wolfgang’s Steakhouse. It was a very demanding job and of course taking into the fact it was a popular restaurant; it was always busy. Customers of all backgrounds would come to eat here all of them being elite, wealthy individuals. There would always be certain individuals that would be so demanding and always had some kind of problem. Since this job requires keeping the customer happy and of course â€Å"the customer is always right† makes any request by him/her undeniable. At times there will be nothing wrong with the food, but he/she will find a problem with it.This gets very frustrating and at times I wish I could curse them out. This is where the â€Å"front and back stage† behaviors come into play. I’ll get endless requests from a customer, â€Å"the steak is cold†, â€Å"the soda is flat†, â€Å"the food needs to be cooked more† etc. My â€Å"front stage† behavior will not show any frustration or anger towards the customer. In fact, I’ll reply with an â€Å"I will fix that for you right away† and take his/her food back with a smile. I’ll continue this â€Å"front stage† behavior until I reach the kitchen, which is the area invisible to the customer.When I’m in the kitchen my â€Å"back stage† behavior kicks in, I’ll release my anger in there, shouting at the chefs, or even making a nasty comment about the customer. I’ll also talk with the other waiters telling them what an arrogant, demanding person the customer at the table I’m serving is. The other waiter will usually be in a similar situation and tell me about the demanding customers he/she is having too. As I leave the kitchen, my â€Å"front stage† behavior comes back in and I’ll greet the customer with a smile saying â€Å"here’s your new food, let me know if there are any other problems†. Through the rest of the night, this cycle will usually continue, switching back and forth from â€Å"back stage† to â€Å"front stage† roles. One important thing I had to be careful of was to not be heard by the customer, since the bathroom was next to the kitchen. One of the waiters was overheard by the customer as he was walking to the bathroom. This resulted in him getting fired due to the complaints of the customer to the restaurant manager. Everything gets complicated if the â€Å"back stage† role mixes in with the â€Å"front stage† role. Front stage† and â€Å"back stage† concepts are really useful in these types of situations. If a waiter didn’t have the â€Å"back stage† to vent out his anger and frustration, this would affect his behavior towards the customer. I think the waiter would eventually treat the customer with disrespect and poor service. With this kind of behavior it results in losing your job and no one wants that. It’s important that these roles stay separate because it is part of the waiter’s job to keep the customer happy, no matter what. In addition to this, there are certain things the audience shouldn’t be seeing or hearing.After all, you don’t want to reveal everything to your public. Every individual needs to have a â€Å"front stage† and a â€Å"back stage†. This provides a balance in the way we interact with individuals, with any situation it really does prevent problems. These concepts aren’t here randomly they truly do help us in our everyday lives and the interactions that come with it. This analysis really made me think further about the concept of â€Å"front and back stage†. It was really interesting to see how much of an impact the two â€Å"stages† have in my everyday life, especially at my previous job as a waiter.On a smaller scale, we each perform â€Å"front stage† and â€Å"back stage† behaviors on daily basis. Our â€Å"front stage† is how we act in public, going to school, work, and just being outside in general. Our â€Å"back stage† is when we’re at home, in our rooms, typically alone, when no one is home. It’s really interesting to see that these concepts really do shape us as individuals and how we interact with one another. Goffman had a point when he said we’re like actors performing, because we actually are, we play different roles depending on the situations we’re placed in.These concepts expose our lives from an interesting aspect and actually define us as individuals. I think if it wasn’t for the â€Å"front† and â€Å"back stage† life would be boring, there would be no secrets, and more importantly individuals wouldn’t have a chance to vent out and just act themselves. I think the â€Å"front stage† isn’t really who an individual is, it’s what is accepted and is just an example of how we adjust to society’s norms. The â€Å"back stage† is who we are as individuals, this is a big advantage because we can act ourselves and really not have to control our actions as much.