Thursday, May 21, 2020

Comparison of Edgar Allan Poes The Imp of the Perverse...

Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most recognizable literary figures in 19th century American literature. Poe is most well known for his short stories that focus on a psychologically unhinged character who murders an innocent person without motive and eventually cracks under pressure before the police, ultimately turning himself in for the crimes he committed. Two such stories that follow this theme are The Imp of the Perverse and The Tell-Tale Heart. The Imp of the Perverse begins unlike many of Poes other short stories; it appears to be a serious essay about phrenology, a science that sought to determine the relationship between character and skull morphology. However, the short story quickly transitions into a format that Poe would continue to use throughout his other stories. Once phrenology has been explained, the narrator declares that he has fallen victim to the imp of the perverse, which he contends is an innate and primitive principle of human action, or an instinct, that prompts an individual to be self destructive (Poe, The Imp of the Perverse, 281). In The Imp of the Perverse, the narrator murders a man using a poisoned candle that emits poisonous gas/smoke. The narrator admits that his plan was premeditated and that [f]or weeks, for months, I pondered upon the means of murder. I rejected a thousand schemes, because their accomplishment involved a chance of detection (283). Thinking he has gotten away with murder, the narrator declares, I am safe IShow MoreRelatedThe Imp in Us All2024 Words   |  9 PagesThe Imp in Us All The Imp is taken to be a self destructive force present in all of us but with important difference in each person according to the power of will and morality. (Edwards 162) Those important differences both connect and individualize the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Imp of the Perverse, The Tell Tale Heart, and William Wilson all demonstrate Poes fascination and exploration with inner conflict and torturer. These short stories deal with the same

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Predictive Accuracy And Modelling For Explanatory Power Essay

Through using R, we have created a set of models that help to predict the likelihood of a customer churning. By working together in the analysis stage we were able to ‘bounce’ ideas off one another and grasp a further understanding of the data and customer churn. We created two different models: modelling for predictive accuracy and modelling for explanatory power. What is our team structure? In the group we have four team members that consists of three males and one female; Ryan Campion, Samuel O’Connell, Hunter Stewart, and myself, Hannah Lowe. We’ve all worked really well together. Everyone has contributed and we have managed to meet the allocated times set to doing this assignment. There has been no group issues, or any person putting in any less effort than the other. In the analysis stage we tackled it as a group: we didn’t work as individuals. We worked on one computer and used the lab work we had done prior to aid us with our models. The reason for this is that we were confused slightly as how to read the models from the start; by discussing it with one another we were able to grasp a better concept of what we were looking for. In the reporting stage we all worked independently, within our own time frame. There was a discussion on the findings from the data, which is in our reports, but in our own words. The presentation was worked on collectively. I organised the parts that were to be discussed, these areas were the distributed to other members. We all wroteShow MoreRelatedBig Data Analytics Driven Enterprise Asset Management For Asset Intensive Industries6539 Words   |  27 Pagesis now ubiquitous in our daily life and economy more than ever before. A recent report from the white house suggests: â€Å"collection, storage, and analysis of data is on an upward and seemingly unbounded trajectory, fuelled by increases in processing power, the cratering costs of computation and storage, and the growing number of sensor technologies embedded in devices of all kinds†[61]. Martin Hilbert of the University of Southern California estimates that the total amount of digital data in the worldRead MoreThe First Decade Of The 21st Century Has Witnessed An Astonishing Number Of Large Scale Corporate Failures2048 Words   |  9 Pagestechniques and variables, there improvement in predicti ve power has only been incremental at best (Aziz and Dar 2006, Gilbert, Menon and Schwartz 1990, Hamer 1984). A sound theoretical framework is required for constructing better bankruptcy prediction models, which could distinguish failing companies from non-failing firms more accurately (Neophytou and Molinero 2004), there is still a lack of such conceptual frameworks directing the selection of explanatory variables to better discriminate between failingRead MoreSelected Topics24764 Words   |  100 Pagesparameters) statistical model that achieves the objective of relating the choice probability pi to explanatory factors in such a way that the probability remains in the [0,1] interval†. It is consistent when the dependent variable yt, (t=1,2,†¦n) takes the value of 1 or 0. Economic agents are faced with two alternatives when such models arise in econometrics. Their choice depends on a set of k explanatory variables or factors. The models are also referred to as ‘q ualitative’ or ‘limited dependent’. Read MoreIntangible Asset Accounting and Accounting Policy Selection in the Football Industry85391 Words   |  342 PagesRegistrations and Transfer Fees 5.2 Accounting for Signing-on Fees 5.3 Capital Grants 5.4 Depreciation of Stadia 106 6 Theoretical Framework for Studying the Selection of Accounting Policy Choice 6.1 Theories of Accounting Policy Choice 6.2 Explanatory Variables 6.3 Statement of Hypothesis 138 7 Methods of Data Collection and Analysis 7.1 Sampling 7.2 Bank Questionnaire 7.3 Football Club Questionnaire 7.4 Variable Construction 7.5 Model Specification 7.6 Parameter Estimation 7.7 SensitivityRead MoreContemporary Issues in Management Accounting211377 Words   |  846 Pagesprocesses rely on a causal model of operations. NEW MEASURES IN PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT 5 1.2.2 CAUSAL MODELLING There has been a recent resurgence of interest in the development of causal models as a central aspect of performance management activities (e.g. Kaplan and Norton 2000). One of the few studies that has examined the extent and success of this approach suggested that causal modelling can enhance performance. In their sample of Wrms in the Wnancial services industry, Ittner et al. (2003)Read MoreAnz Bank142091 Words   |  569 Pagesdifferentiating between stressed and normal market conditions in a name-specific crisis and the different behaviour that offshore and domestic wholesale funding markets can exhibit during market stress events. ANZ’s short term liquidity scenario modelling stresses cash flow projections against multiple ‘survival horizons’ over which the Group is required to remain cash flow positive. Operational Risk – is the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systemsRead MoreCorporate Finance69408 Words   |  278 Pagesalso possible that one factor is simply not enough to explain all of the variation in expected returns. The CAPM implies that the a firm’s loading on the market (ÃŽ ²) is the only variable that should cause expected returns to differ. Adding extra explanatory variables to regression 2.34 will not result in significant coefficients. In the next chapter we will see that loadings on other factors, including firm size, book-to-market ratios, P/E ratios and dividend yields have been shown to explain ex-post

Night World Secret Vampire Chapter 10 Free Essays

Things have to be right,† Poppy said. â€Å"Things have to be just right for this. Get some candles, Phil. We will write a custom essay sample on Night World : Secret Vampire Chapter 10 or any similar topic only for you Order Now † Phil was looking ashen and haggard. â€Å"Candles?† â€Å"As many as you can find. And some pillows. I need lots of pillows.† She knelt by the stereo to examine a haphazard pile of CDs. Phil stared at herbriefly, then went out. † Structures from Silence . . .no. Too repetitious,†Poppy said, rummaging through the pile.† Deep Forest-no.Too hyper. I need somethingambient.† â€Å"How about this?† James picked a CD up. Poppylooked at the label. Music to Disappear In. Of course. It was perfect. Poppy took the CD andmet James’s gaze. Usually he referred to the hauntingsoft strains of ambient music as ‘New Age mush.’ â€Å"You understand,† she said quietly. â€Å"Yes. But you’re not dying, Poppy. This isn’t adeath scene you’re setting up.† â€Å"But I’m going away. I’m changing.† Poppy couldn’t explain exactly, but something in her saidshe was doing the right thing. She was dying to her old life. It was a solemn occasion, a Passage. And of course, although neither of them mentioned it, they both knew shemightdie for good.James had been very frank about that-some peopledidn’t make it through the transition. Phil came back with candles, Christmas candles,emergency candles, scented votive candles. Poppy directed him to place them around the room and lightthem. She herself went to the bathroom to change into her best nightgown. It was flannel, with a pattern of little strawberries. Just imagine, she thought as she left the bathroom.This is the last time I’ll ever walk down this hall, thelast time I’ll push open my bedroom door. The bedroom was beautiful. The soft glow of candlelight gave it an aura of sanctity, of mystery. Themusic was unearthly and sweet, and Poppy felt shecould fall into it forever, the way she fe!l in herdreams. Poppy opened the closet and used a hanger to bata tawny stuffed lion and a floppy gray Eeyore down from the top shelf. She took them to her bed and put them beside the mounded pillows. Maybe it wasstupid, maybe it was childish, but she wanted themwith her. She sat on the bed and looked at James and Phillip. They were both looking at her. Phil was dearly upset,touching his mouth to stop its trembling. James wasupset, too, although only someone who knew him aswell as Poppy did would have been able to tell. â€Å"It’s all right,† Poppy told them. â€Å"Don’t you see?I’mall right, so there’s no excuse for you not to be.† And the strange thing was, it was the truth. Shewas all right. She felt calm and clear now, as if everything had become very simple. She saw the road ahead of her, and all she had to do was follow it, step by step. Phil came over to squeeze her hand. â€Å"How does this how does this work?† he asked James huskily. â€Å"First we’ll exchange blood,† James said-speaking to Poppy. Looking only at her. â€Å"It doesn’t haveto be a lot; you’re right on the border ofchangingalready. Then the two kinds of blood fight it outsort of the last battle, if you see what I mean.† He smiled faintly and painfully, and Poppy nodded. â€Å"While that’s happening you’ll feel weaker andweaker. And then you’ll just go to sleep. Thechange happens while you’re asleep.† â€Å"And when do I wake up?† Poppy asked. â€Å"I’ll give you a kind of posthypnotic suggestion about that. Tell you to wake up whenI come to getyou. Don’t worry about it; I’ve got all the detailsfigured out. All you need to do is rest.† Phil was running nervous hands through his hair,as if he was just now thinking about what kind ofdetails he and James were going to have to deal with. â€Å"Wait a minute,† he said in almost a croak. â€Å"When—— whenyou say ‘sleep’-she’s going to look†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Dead,† Poppy supplied, when his voice ran out. James gave Phil a cold look. â€Å"Yes. We’ve beenover this.† â€Å"And then-we’re really going to-what’s going tohappento her?† James glared. â€Å"It’s okay,† Poppy said softly. â€Å"Tell him.† â€Å"You know what’s going to happen,† James saidthrough clenched teeth to Phillip. â€Å"She can’t just dis appear. We’d have the policeandthe Night peo pleafter us, looking for her. No, it’s got to seem that shedied from the cancer, and that means everything’s got to happen exactly the way it would if she haddied. Phil’s sick expression said he wasn’t at his mostrational. â€Å"You’re sure there isn’t any other way?† â€Å"No,†James said. Phil wet his lips. â€Å"Oh, God.† Poppy herself didn’t want to dwell on it too much.She said fiercely,†Dealwith it, Phil. You’ve got to. And remember, if it doesn’t happen now it’s goingto happen in a few weeks-for real.† Phil was holding on to one of the brass bedpostsso hard that his knuckles were pale. But he’d gottenthe point, and there was no one better than Phil atbracing himself. â€Å"You’re right,† he saidthinly, with the ghost of his old efficient manner. â€Å"Okay, I’m dealing with it.† ‘Then let’s get started,† Poppy said, making hervoice calm and steady. As if she were dealing witheverything effortlessly herself. James said to Phil, â€Å"You don’t want to see thispart. Go out and watch TV for a few minutes.† Phil hesitated, then nodded and left. â€Å"One thing,† Poppy said to James as she scootedto the middle_ of the bed. She was still trying desperately to sound casual. â€Å"After the funeral-well, I’ll be asleep, won’t I? I won’t wake up †¦ you know.In my nice little coffin.† She looked up at him. â€Å"It’s just that I’m claustrophobic, a little.† â€Å"You won’t wake up there,† James said. â€Å"Poppy,I wouldn’t let that happen to you. Trust me; I’ve thought of everything.† Poppy nodded. I do trust you, she thought. Then she held her arms out to him. He touched her neck, so she tilted her chin back.As the blood was drawn from her, she felt her mind drawn into his. Don’t worry, Poppy. Don’t be afraid. Allhis thoughtswere ferociously protective. And even though it onlyconfirmed that there was something to be afraidof,that this could go wrong, Poppy felt peaceful. Thedirect sense of his love made her calm, flooded her with light. She suddenly felt distance and height and depthspaciousness. As if her horizons had expanded almostto infinity in an instant. As if she’d discovered a new dimension.Asif there were no limits or obstacles to what she and James could do together. She felt †¦ free. I’m getting light-headed, she realized. She couldfeel herself going limp in James’s arms. Swooninglike a wilting flower. I’vetaken enough,James said in her mind.Thewarmanimalmouth on her throat pulled back.†Now it’s your turn.† This time, though, he didn’t make the cut at hiswrist. He took off his T-shirt and, with a quick, impulsive gesture, ran a fingernail along the base of his throat. Oh, Poppy thought. Slowly, almost reverently, she leaned forward. James’s hand supported the back ofher head. Poppy put her arms around him, feelinghis bare skin under the flannel of her nightgown. It was better this way. But if James was right, itwas another last time. She and James could neverexchange blood again. I can’t accept that, Poppythought, but she couldn’tconcentrate on anything for very long. This time, instead of clearing her brain, the wild, intoxicatingvampire blood was making her more confused. Moreheavy and sleepy. James? It’s all right. It’s the beginning of the change. Heavy†¦sleepy†¦warm. Lapped in salty oceanwaves. She could almost picture the vampire bloodtrickling through her veins, conquering everything inits path. It was ancient blood, primeval. It was changing her into something old, something that had been around since the dawn of time. Something primitive and basic. Every molecule in her body, changing†¦ Poppy, can you hear me?James was shaking herslightly. Poppy had been so engrossed in the sensations that she hadn’t even realized she wasn’t drinking any longer. James was cradling her. â€Å"Poppy.† It was an effort to open her eyes. â€Å"I’m all right. Just†¦ sleepy.† His arms tightened around her, then he laid hergently on the mounded pillows. â€Å"You can rest now. I’ll get Phil.† But before he went, he kissed her on the forehead. My first kiss, Poppy thought, her eyes drifting shutagain. And I’m comatose. Great. She felt the bed give under weight and looked upto see Phil. Phil looked very nervous, sitting gingerly,staring at Poppy. â€Å"So what’s happening now?† heasked. â€Å"The vampire blood’s taking over,† James said. Poppy said, â€Å"I’m really sleepy.† There was no pain. Just a feeling of wanting toglide away. Her body now felt warm and numb, asif she were insulated by a soft, thick aura. â€Å"Phil? I forgot to say-thank you. For helping out.And everything. You’re a good brother, Phil.† â€Å"You don’t have to say that now,† Phil said tersely. â€Å"You can say it later. I’m still going to be here later,you know.† But I might not be, Poppy thought. This is all a gamble. And I’d never take it, except that the only alternative was to give up without even trying to fight. I fought, didn’t I? At least I fought. â€Å"Yes, you did,† Phil said, his voice trembling.Poppy hadn’t been aware she was speaking aloud.†You’ve always been a fighter,† Phil said. â€Å"I’velearned so much from you.† Which was funny, because she’d learned so muchfrom him,even if most of it was in the last twenty four hours. She wanted to tell him that, but therewas so much to say, and she was so tired. Her tongue felt thick; her whole body weak and languorous. â€Å"Just†¦hold my hand,† she said, and she couldhear that her voice was no louder than a breath.Phillip took one of her hands and James the other. That was good. This was the way to do it, withEeyore and her lion on the pillows beside her andPhil and James holding her hands, keeping her safe and anchored. One of the candles was scented with vanilla, awarm and homey smell. A smell that reminded herof being a kid. Nilla wafers and naptime. That waswhat this was like. Just a nap in Miss Spurgeon’s kindergarten, with the sun slanting across the floorand James on a mat beside her. So safe, so serene†¦ â€Å"Oh, Poppy,† Phil whispered. James said, â€Å"You’re doing great, kiddo. Everything’s just right.† That was what Poppy needed to hear. She let herself fall backward into the music, and it waslike falling in a dream, without fear. It was like being a raindrop falling into the ocean that had started you. At the last moment she thought, I’m not ready. But she already knew the answer to that. Nobodywas ever ready. But she’d been stupid-she’d forgotten the mostimportant thing. She’d never told James she lovedhim. Not even when he’d said he loved her. She tried to get enough air, enough strength to sayit. But it was too late. The outside world was goneand she couldn’t feel her body any longer. She was floating in the darkness and the music, and all she could do now was sleep. â€Å"Sleep,† James said, leaning dose to Poppy. â€Å"Don’twake up until I call you. Just sleep.† Every muscle in Phil’s body was rigid. Poppylooked so peaceful-pale, with her hair spread out incoppery curls on the pillow, and her eyelashes blackon her cheeks and her lips parted as she breathedgently. She looked like a porcelain baby doll. But the more peaceful she got, the more terrified Phil felt. I can deal with this, he told himself.I haveto. Poppy gave a soft exhalation, and then suddenlyshe was moving. Her chest heaved once, twice. Herhand tightened on Phil’s and her eyes flew openbut she didn’t seem to be seeing anything. She simply looked astonished. â€Å"Poppyl† Phil grabbed at her, getting a handful offlannel nightgown. She was so small and fragile in side it. â€Å"Poppyl† The heaving gasps stopped. For one moment Poppywas suspended in air, then her eyes closed and shefell back on the pillows. Her hand was limp in Phil’s. Phil lost all rationality. â€Å"Poppy,† he said, hearing the dangerous, unbalanced tone in his own voice. â€Å"Poppy, come on.Poppy, wake up!†-on a rising note. His hands were shaking violently, scrabbling at Poppy’s shoulders. Other hands pushed his away. â€Å"What the hell areyou doing?† James said quietly. â€Å"Poppy? Poppy?† Phil kept staring at her. Herchest wasn’t moving. Her face had a look of-innocent release. The kind of newness you only see inbabies. And it was-changing. Taking on a white, transparent look. It was uncanny, ghostlike, and even though Phil had never seen a corpse, he knew instinctively that this was the death pallor. Poppy’s essence had left her. Her body was flat andtoneless, no longer inflated by the vital spirit. Herhand in Phil’s was slack, not like the hand of a sleeping person. Her skin had lost its shine, as if somebodyhad breathed on it softly. Phil threw back his head and let out an animalsound. It wasn’t human. It was a howl. â€Å"You killed her!† He tumbled off the bed andlurched toward James. â€Å"You said she was just goingto sleep, but you killed herl She’s dead!† James didn’t back away from the attack. Instead,he grabbed Phil and dragged him out intothe hallway. â€Å"Hearing is the last sense to go,† he snarled inPhillip’s ear. â€Å"She may be able tohear you.† Phil wrenched free and ran toward the living room. He didn’t know what he was doing, he only knew that he needed to destroy things. Poppy wasdead. She was gone. He grabbed the couch andflipped it over, then kicked the coffee table over, too. He snatched up a lamp, yanked its cord out of thesocket, and threw it toward the fireplace. â€Å"Stop it!† James shouted over the crash. Phil sawhim and ran at him. The sheer force of his charge knocked James backward into the wall. They fell tothe floor together in a heap. â€Å"You-killed her!† Phil gasped, trying to get hishands around James’s throat. Silver.James’s eyes blazed like the molten metal.He grabbed Phil’s wrists in a painful grip. â€Å"Stop itnow,Phillip,† he hissed. Something about the way he said it made Phil stop.Almost sobbing, he struggled to get air into his lungs. â€Å"I’ll killyouif I have to, to keep Poppy safe,† James said, his voice still savage and menacing. â€Å"And she’sonly safe if you stop this and do exactly what I tell youto.Exactlywhat I tell you. Understand?† He shook Philhard, nearly banging Phil’s head into the wall. Strangely enough, it was the right thing to say.James was saying he cared about Poppy. And weird as it might sound, Phil had come to trust James to tell the truth. The raging red insanity in Phil’s brain died away. He took a long breath. â€Å"Okay. I understand,† he said hoarsely. He was used to being in charge-both of himself and of otherpeople. He didn’t like James giving him orders. Butin this case there was no help for it. â€Å"But-she isdead, isn’t she?† â€Å"It depends on your definition,† James said, lettinggo and slowly pushing himself off the floor. Hescanned the living room, his mouth grim. â€Å"Nothingwent wrong, Phil. Everything went just the way itwas supposed to-except for this. I was going to letyour parents come back and find her, but we don’thave that option now. There isn’t any way to explain this mess, except the.truth.† â€Å"The truth being?† â€Å"That you went in there and found her dead andwent berserk. And then I called your parents-you know what restaurant they’re at, don’t you?† â€Å"It’s Valentino’s. My mom said they were lucky toget in.† â€Å"Okay. That’ll work. But first we have to clean upthe bedroom. Get all the candles and stuff out. It’sgot to look as if she just went to sleep, like anyother night.† Phil glanced at the sliding glass door. It was justgetting dark. But then Poppy had been sleeping a lotthese last few days. â€Å"We’ll say she got tired and toldus to go watch TV,† he said slowly, trying to conquer his dazed feeling and be clearheaded. â€Å"And then Iwent in after a while and checked on her.† â€Å"Right,† James said, with a faint smile that didn’treach his eyes. It didn’t take long to clear out the bedroom. Thehardest thing was that Phil had to keep looking atPoppy, and every time he looked, his heart lurched.She looked so tiny, so delicate-limbed. A Christmas angel in June. He hated to take the stuffed animals away fromher. â€Å"She is going to wake up, isn’t she?† he said, without looking at James. â€Å"God, I hope so,† James said, and his voice wasvery tired. It sounded more like a prayer than a wish.†If she doesn’t you won’t have to come after me witha stake, Phil. I’ll take care of it myself.† Phil was shocked-and angry. â€Å"Don’t be stupid,†he said brutally. â€Å"If Poppy stood for anything-if she standsfor anything-it’s for life. Throwing your life away would be like a slap in her face. Besides, evenif it goes wrong now, you did your best. Blaming yourself is just stupid.† James looked at him blankly, and Phil realizedthey’d managed to surprise each other. Then Jamesnodded slowly. â€Å"Thanks.† It was a milestone, the first time they’d ever beenon precisely the same wavelength. Phillip felt an oddconnection between them. He looked away and said briskly, â€Å"Is it time to callthe restaurant?† James glanced at his watch. â€Å"In just a fewminutes.† â€Å"If we wait too long they’re going to have left bythe time we call.† â€Å"That doesn’tmatter.What matters is that we don’t have any paramedics trying to resuscitate her, or taking her to the hospital. Which means she’s gotto be cold by the time anybody gets here.† Phil felt a wave of dizzy horror. â€Å"You’re a coldblooded snake after all.† â€Å"I’m just practical,† James said wearily, as if speaking to a child. He touched one of Poppy’s marblewhite hands where it lay on the bedspread. â€Å"Allright. It’s time. I’m going to call. You can go berserkagain if you want to.† Phil shook his head. He didn’t have the energyanymore. But he did feel like crying, which was al most as good. Crying and crying like a kid who was lost and hurt. â€Å"Get my mom,† he said thickly. He knelt on the floor beside Poppy’s bed andwaited. Poppy’s music was off and he could hear theTV in the family room. He had no sense of time passing until he also heard a car in the driveway. Then he leaned his forehead against Poppy’s mattress. His tears were absolutely genuine. At that moment he was sure he’d lost her forever. â€Å"Brace yourself,† James said from behind him.†They’re here.† How to cite Night World : Secret Vampire Chapter 10, Essay examples

Sunday, April 26, 2020

Information and Communication Technology (Ict) Is the Cause of Todays Many Social Ills. What Is Your Opinion Essay Example

Information and Communication Technology (Ict) Is the Cause of Todays Many Social Ills. What Is Your Opinion Essay From YouTube to Facebook; from Xbox 360 to Nintendo Wii; from Intel-powered computers to multitasking mini netbooks; these evolutionary medium of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have become essential part of our lives that not using one of them is so irrelevant in our society. Indeed, the rapid advancement of technology propels the social welfare, for better or worse. Undeniably, I agree that ICT cause today’s many soial ills like cyber-bullying and privacy intrusion.However, I am not waywardly inclined towards the cons because ICT have pros as well when used to handle social ills such as terrorist attacks. Knowingly, ICT is the platform for cyber-bullying. Nowadays, the unending rise of social networking sites that gives birth to Facebook, MySpace and more recently Twitter have shaped how this generation interacts. As if teenagers have fully understood and are practising the phrase â€Å"No man is an island,† they make new friends while keeping in touch with the others through these sites, virtually and dangerously.Photos posted that are initially intended to update their lifestyles are altered by stalkers and reposted to dent their reputations. On a more serious note, predators use these sites, especially MySpace, to lash harsh verbal abuses to innocent victims. A search through the dark side of MySpace would let us uncover hatred, vengeance and anger that are unleashed on helpless teens, causing social unrest about the potential psychological trauma the site could trigger.The problem is so disturbing to the social, specifically the parents, that the theme of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2009 is â€Å"Protecting children in cyberspace. † Besides, privacy invasion is another sensitive issue caused by ICT. Ironically, computers, on which we rely excessively to store and save our private data, are the means of hackers to steal, destroy or even be exploited for their own selfish good. This hideous act cou ld easily be done when uninformed surfers of the internet download good-looking software that turn out to be malicious.When perpetrators have got hold to credit card numbers, bank accounts or confidential documents, it’s frightening to imagine that the hard-earned money could be lost the next hour. The social, however, neglect this warning and as a result, cyber criminals gain the upper hand by pocketing social wealth. On a different and larger scale, the leaked photos of Hong Kong celebrities in compromising positions not only stunned the conservative community but shattered the faith of a million fans as well.The main culprit? A computer technician who unlawfully search and more importantly, copy the private photographs. Nevertheless, ICT can be useful weapons to counter terrorist attacks. The Closed-circuit Televisions (CCTVs) that are placed literally everywhere in London indicates that it is unlikely for a person to commit a crime and flee unpunished. Better still, the e agle eyes coupled with facial recognition technology would provide clues on the whereabouts of a wanted individual.As an evidence, investigators of the 7 July London bombings – simultaneous attacks on public transports in the morning rush hour that claimed hundreds of lives and injured more – used CCTVs to trace the mindless, heartless bombers. Closer to home, law enforcers took advantage of the cameras installed in the hotels to catch the last moments before the bombing of JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton happened in Indonesia. Although the damage was done and the social plummeted into distraught and distress, the brilliant use of ICT serves as a stern reminder to extremist that you can hide, but you cannot run.To tie it up, it depends on the users of ICT to determine whether the medium are beneficial or dangerous. If hackers intentionally want to inflict harm, social networking sites could be horrific indeed. If invaders want to tarnish anyone’s life, the word pri vacy might as well be taken out from the dictionary. Therefore, instead of centralising the discussion on ICT, let us scrutinise the creators; the propellers; the masterminds behind this technology: the humankind. ?

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

A Sample Instructional Essay (Process Analysis)

A Sample Instructional Essay (Process Analysis) The purpose of an instructional essay is to instruct the reader as to how to perform some action or task. Its an important  rhetorical form which students must learn.  How successful do you think the writer has been in converting a set of instructions into a process analysis essay? How to Break in a New Baseball Glove Breaking in a new baseball glove is a time-honored spring ritual for pros and amateurs alike. A few weeks before the start of the season, the stiff leather of the glove needs to be treated and shaped so that the fingers are flexible and the pocket is snug.To prepare your new glove, you will need a few basic items: two clean rags; four ounces of neatsfoot oil, mink oil, or shaving cream; a baseball or softball (depending on your game); and three feet of heavy string. Professional ballplayers may insist on a particular brand of oil or shaving cream, but in truth, the brand doesnt matter.Because the process can be messy, you should work outdoors, in the garage, or even in your bathroom. Do not attempt this procedure anywhere near the carpet in your living room.Using a clean rag, begin by gently applying a thin layer of oil or shaving cream to the external parts of the glove. Be careful not to overdo it: too much oil will damage the leather. After letting the glove dry overnight, take th e ball and pound it several times into the palm of the glove to form a pocket. Next, wedge the ball into the palm, wrap the string around the glove with the ball inside, and tie it tightly. Let the glove sit for at least three or four days, and then remove the string, wipe the glove with a clean rag, and head out to the ball field. The end result should be a glove that is flexible, though not floppy, with a pocket snug enough to hold a ball caught on the run in​ the deep center field. During the season, be sure to clean the glove regularly to keep the leather from cracking. And never, no matter what else you do, never leave your glove out in the rain. Comment Observe how the writer of this essay has guided us from one step to the next using these terms: Begin by . . .After . . .Next . . .And then . . . The writer has used these transitional expressions to direct us clearly from one step to the next. These signal words and phrases take the place of numbers when turning a set of instructions into a process analysis essay. Questions for Discussion What was the focus of this instructional essay? Did the author succeed?Did the author include all necessary steps in their instruction?How could the author have improved this essay?

Monday, March 2, 2020

The DREAM Act Explained

The DREAM Act Explained The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, also called the DREAM Act, is a bill last introduced into Congress on March 26, 2009. Its purpose is to give undocumented students a chance at becoming permanent residents. The bill provides students with a path to citizenship regardless of the status passed on to them by their undocumented parents. A previous version of the bill states that if a student entered the U.S. five years before the passage of the legislation and was under age 16 when they entered the U.S., they would be eligible for a six-year conditional residency status after completing an associates degree or two years of military service. If at the end of the six-year period the individual has demonstrated good moral character, he or she could then apply for U.S. citizenship. More information about the DREAM Act can be found on the DREAM Act Portal. Why Support the DREAM Act? Here are some of the points supporters of the DREAM Act make to justify it: These young immigrants are blameless for their current predicament. They were brought here at a young age by their parents and had no say in the matter. It makes no sense and is morally wrong to punish them for the offenses of their parents. The government should treat them as victims, not offenders. The country has already made a substantial investment in many of these young immigrants and it would be senseless to throw that away. Most of them have attended public schools. They have earned high school diplomas in the public system. Many have benefited from public healthcare and some from other public assistance. The government could get a return from these investments by allowing them to contribute to the U.S. economy and society. Many have completed high school but cannot attend college because of their undocumented status. Studies show DREAM Act immigrants could provide a powerful boost to the U.S. economy.Many of the typical complaints about immigrants don’t apply to these young people. Most are as American as the native-born citizens around them. They speak English, understand American life and culture, and they are fully assimilated. They tend to be highly motivated and prepared to accept the responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. DREAM Act legislation could transform this lost generation of young people into U.S. taxpayers. Even some conservative Republicans such as former Texas Gov. Rick Perry support the DREAM Act because it would make these immigrants taxpayers who contribute to the economy, instead of people forced to live unproductive lives in the shadows of a nation that won’t acknowledge them. â€Å"Are we going to create a class of tax wasters or are we going to create taxpayers?† Perry said. â€Å"Texas chose the latter. Every state has the freedom to make that decision.†Bringing these young immigrants out of the shadows would enhance national security. As long as the government considers them here illegally, they will not come forward. National security is strengthened when everyone in the country lives openly and contributes to society. To take advantage of the DREAM Act, young immigrants would be required to pass background checks and give their addresses and contact informati on to the government.Giving legal status to these young immigrants through the DREAM Act would not cost the government. In fact, the fees immigration officials could charge applicants could more than cover the administrative costs of running the program. Former President Barack Obama’s deferred action, DREAM Act alternative program already uses fees to cover its costs. Many of the eligible young immigrants are willing to give public service to the country, either through the U.S. military or non-profit enterprises. The DREAM Act could be the catalyst for a wave of service and social activism across the country. Young immigrants are eager to contribute their time and energy to a nation that embraces them.The DREAM Act is in keeping with the United States’ heritage as a nation that treats immigrants fairly and makes special efforts to reach out to young people. American tradition as a sanctuary for exiles dictates that we allow these innocent immigrants a chance to move on with their lives and not cast them as refugees without a homeland.

Saturday, February 15, 2020

Discuss four reasons for the increase in International Joint Venture Essay

Discuss four reasons for the increase in International Joint Venture arrangements and support your analysis with specific examples from any business sector - Essay Example ventures are often formed between two entities to achieve certain economic objective and after achievement of such objectives they are often liquidated. Joint ventures are common in different industries and are formed for different purposes as all the parties to the Joint venture contribute one way or another for the purpose of achieving the objective. Joint ventures are therefore important in the sense that their formation allows companies to utilize each other’s strengths in achieving the desired strategic objectives. There are various benefits that organizations can derive from join ventures including sharing of technology and R&D facilities, developing new markets and sharing of risks spread over different markets as well as the expansion into new markets. However, despite the fact that international joint ventures offer such benefits but their failure ratio is significantly larger because most major international joint ventures failed to perform. This paper will discuss different reasons as to why international joint ventures are formed and potential benefits they provide to respective organizations by citing example from different business sectors where International joint ventures have actually been formed. â€Å"In general, a joint venture (â€Å"JV†) is an association of two or more entities (whether corporate, government, individual or otherwise) combining property and expertise to carry out a single business enterprise and having a joint proprietary interest, a joint right to control and a sharing of profits and losses.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"(Vaughan, 2009). The above definition indicates that a joint venture can be formed between different entities regardless of their legal status by taking benefit from each other’s expertise and property to perform a single business objective. However, all the entities in the joint venture also settle for gaining joint right to control the venture as well as share profits and losses arising out of taking that business activity. It