Saturday, May 23, 2020
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder - 1936 Words
The noon bell rings at an elementary school in the United States. The children walk in a supervised line from their classrooms to the cafeteria. Their smiles and voices reflect their anticipation and excitement after a long morning of learning. Once inside the cafeteria, they find their friends, sit down, and examine their lunches. I hear laughter and the typical lunch trading by those who didnt get what they expected in their brown bags. In the school office, a short distance from the cafeteria, a large group of children somberly wait in line for their medication. The school secretary is dispensing Ritalin. Im told this medication will help them manage their attention behavior until they go home. Today there is a great argument regarding the diagnosis and treatment of ADD/ADHD and who has the right to decide what happens. ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is the most common neurobehavioral disorder in young children. This is also one of the most common public health problems that we have today. There is an extreme rise of the prescription medicine Ritalin that doctors are prescribing to help with this specific type of disorder. Many adults believe that this medication is a quick fix that is not harmful to their children. When Ritalin is prescribed, it is to be introduced to the body in slow, steady doses, which simulates the brains natural dopamine production. Parents of children that are diagnosed or have symptoms of ADHD may be unaware of recentShow MoreRelatedAttention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder790 Words à |à 3 PagesIt is estimated that roughly 11% of children and 4.1% of adults are diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This i s a 40% jump in diagnoses in the past decade. Stimulants such as amphetamines are prescribed to treat ADHD to increase focus and as college students are becoming more overwhelmed by workloads, stimulants are becoming very commonly abused to make it through an all-night study session. Because of this there are several instances of students exaggerating symptomsRead MoreAttention Deficit-Hyperactive Disorder640 Words à |à 3 PagesAttention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), also known as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), is a neurodevelopment,1 psychiatric disorder, which is characterized as impairments of the growth and development of the Central Nervous Systemââ¬âparticularly the brain.2 An individual diagnosed with ADD exhibits issues with attention, hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, or a combination of all three. 3 Such symptoms are likely observed between ages 6-12 and must persist for over six months prior to imposedRead MoreAttention Deficit / Hyperactive Disorder 1071 Words à |à 5 Pages Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder, ADHD, has become a topic of debate amongst psychologist, and doctors throughout the years. Withstanding its questionable beginnings and maintaining its place in the DSM-V, ADHD has become one of the most commonly diagnosed disorders in children today. ADHD is believed to have first been mentioned as a disorder in children during the early 1900ââ¬â¢s. It had been described as an ââ¬Å"abnormal defect of moral controlâ⬠, a problem with the childââ¬â¢s ability to controlRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder802 Words à |à 3 PagesII. SYMPTOMS According to the case report, Jason displayed hyperactive and impulsive behavior. In many social circumstances he was restless, easily agitated and very fidgety. Jason could not pay attention in the classroom. He was unable to focus properly and it affected his academic work at school. Jason is diagnosed with Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder or known as ADHD. Itââ¬â¢s relevant to explore symptoms because itââ¬â¢s important to evaluate the patient and determine their proper diagnosisRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder ( Adhd )1145 Words à |à 5 Pages Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder To Medicate or Not to Medicate with Adderall? Meghan L. Gonzales National University Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder To Medicate or Not to Medicate with Adderall? The medical world has noticed several changes and improvements during the past century, but maybe none that s as economically rewarding afterward the prescription drug business. New medications turn-up regularRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder ( Adhd ) Essay1139 Words à |à 5 Pagesreasons are simple: Kids get bored easily. This, however, is only mostly true. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is a disorder that causes a lack of attention in those who have it, including adults. Though it is easily spotted in children due to abundant mounts of energy and a high lack of focus, many adults who have Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder donââ¬â¢t know they have it. Although Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is growing more and more common among teens and children today, throughRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder ( Adhd ) Essay1355 Words à |à 6 Pages Attention-deficit hyperactive disorder is a neuro-behavioral disorder typically seen in children. Over the past several yearsââ¬â¢ attention-deficit hyperactive disorder seems to be on the rise. Since 2011, eleven percent of children ranging from ages four to seventeen were diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (Children with ADHD et. Al. 2016). Attention-deficit hyperactive disorder is a difficult disorder to diagnosis, but once the disorder is diagnosed there are ways to manageRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder ( Adhd )1162 Words à |à 5 PagesWhat is ADHD? ââ¬Å"Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthoodâ⬠(Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). ADHD in real terms is the inability to focus. Several people have describe people with ADHD as skirmish, talkative, and have trouble waiting. ADHD has been previously described as ADD (attention deficit disorder) but the only difference is the ââ¬Å"Hâ⬠. This ââ¬Å"Hâ⬠describes how this disorder deals with hyperactivityRead MoreAttention Deficit / Hyperactive Disorder ( Adhd )1166 Words à |à 5 PagesIntroduction Attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD) has become one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders in children and adolescent. ââ¬Å"ADHD is defined as a chronic condition marked by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and sometimes impulsivity.â⬠(Disney, 1999) There is concern about the possible connection between ADHD to substance use and abuse, during childhood and adolescence, since it is such an important developmental stage in life. ââ¬Å"Substance abuse disorder is definedRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder ( Adhd )963 Words à |à 4 Pages Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Mizeldrick K. Marshall Holmes Community College Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurobehavioral disorder most commonly diagnosed in children. Children can be diagnosed as early as the age of 7. Boys and girls can be diagnosed with ADHD but this disorder is seen more in the behavior of boys. Adults can also develop symptoms and be diagnosed as well. It was originally called hyperkinetic
Monday, May 18, 2020
Martin Luther King s Speech - 887 Words
Everyone has dreams, but do yours influence you as Martin Luther King junior dreams did? Martin Luther King dreams of a world where there is true freedom, justice, and equality for blacks and whites. As he calls his fellow native Africans to stand up for their civil rights so that one day there will be no difference between black and white. By observing the goals King presents, what techniques he uses and how he appeals to his audience, we can then discover how effective these techniques are in achieving his goals. When dissecting Martin Luther King juniorââ¬â¢s speech ââ¬Å" I Have a Dream,â⬠I found the speech to be very influential, as it resulted in many people making it their own dream and taking actions to fulfill it. Martin Luther King junior goal was not just to get the Africans better life then what they had, but also to tell the African race to stand up for themselves and their rights as humans. King uses repetition in his speech to get his point across. In paragr aph three it states ââ¬Å"But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination.â⬠This explains to the audience that still hundred years later from President Abraham Lincoln speech about slavery things have not changed and people are still looking down on Africans. King wants everyone to know that every human is the same black or white and they all should have the same rights as oneShow MoreRelatedMartin Luther King s Speech1188 Words à |à 5 PagesMartin Luther Kingââ¬â¢s speech, I Have a Dream, rallied a historic march on August 28, 1963 to Washington, to show the importance of solving the United States racial problems. A large crowd of people gathered and listened to his uplifting and amazing words, (Garrison, 1831, pg. 2577). ââ¬Å"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be ju dged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today!â⬠(Garrison, 1831, p. 2581)Read MoreMartin Luther King s Speech932 Words à |à 4 PagesMartin Luther King Speech contrasted to Frederick Douglass Speech ââ¬Å" I Have A Dreamââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬ (King) Speech made by Martin Luther King, shows significant passion for freedom and for a future among different nationality. What To The Slave Is The 4th Of July?â⬠(Douglass) Speech made by Fredrick Douglass expressed his will to make a difference in the world, before slavery was abolished by Abraham Lincoln. Both were striking speech on discrimination. Slavery was present in the beginning years of ourRead MoreMartin Luther King Jr. s Speech914 Words à |à 4 PagesAt the time of Martin Luther King Jr.ââ¬â¢s speech, there was a very ââ¬Å"heavyâ⬠racism issue in the United States. African-Americans saw themselves being victimized by a corrupted system. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of many civil rights activists that came out during that period, in the middle of the 20th century. ââ¬Å"I have a Dreamâ⬠speech symbolized the chaos in 1963; Martin Luther King Jr. used it to give hope to the hundreds of thousands of African-Americans who marched for freedom, and also to createRead MoreMartin Luther King s Speech962 Words à |à 4 PagesMartin Luther King speech had a big impact through the society. He was once a hero, who stood to speak for everyoneââ¬â¢s right, that all men should be equal. As a community, people acknowledge the change that Martin Luther King started. It occurred that hope will always occur to be alive in circumstance of rich or poorer, high or low. Culture brought people together for a reason to improve the past and come up with a solution to change and make a difference to end peopleââ¬â¢s agony. Where different stagesRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Martin Luther King s Speech1460 Words à |à 6 Pagesspecific way. One of the reason why this text became the most popular text of our century. First of the speaker Martin Luther King Junior deliver his how he delivered his speech in a majestic way is a preacher of the Southern Southern Christian Leadership Conference, (Martin Luther King, Jr.) BIOGRAPHY, familiar with public speeches ââ¬Å"I have a dreamâ⬠: Who doesnââ¬â¢t have Martin Luther King speech resonating in his head when he hears these worlds. ââ¬Å"I have a dreamâ⬠When this repetition is so well used thanRead MoreDr. Martin Luther King Jr s Speech970 Words à |à 4 Pages What makes Dr. Martin Luther King Jrââ¬â¢s speech so important till this day? Itââ¬â¢s ability to still move people. Dr. King Jr. was one of the best speakers of his time during the Civil Rights Movement. He wrote many distinguished works, two of them being his I Have a Dream Speech and his letter, Letters from Birmingham. Letters from Birmingham Jail was written from jail after he was shortly arrested for attempting to share his views with clergymen on this racial injustice. Dr. King delivered his I HaveRead MoreDr. Martin Luther King s Speech1127 Words à |à 5 PagesIn Dr. Martin Luther Kingââ¬â¢s speech, ââ¬Å"Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silenceâ⬠, King asserts that the war in Vietnam is a â⠬Å"symptomâ⬠(7) of a much larger disease that affects the ââ¬Å"American spiritâ⬠(7). The disease King mentions is causing destruction where ever it is found, and in the case of the Vietnam war, it has led to their oppression and the death of people. In the section, Strange Liberators, King states, ââ¬Å"They move sadly and apathetically as we heard them off the land of their fathers intoRead MoreDr. Martin Luther King s Speech1318 Words à |à 6 PagesAugust 28 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his infamous speech ââ¬Å"I Have a Dreamâ⬠to America. His dream highlighted the injustices of segregation and discrimination of African Americans that took place in this nation every single day. Dr. King inspired thousands despite the color of their skin, to take a stance against racism, with his powerful way with words. In his speech MLK efficaciously uses, Ethos, Pathos, and Logos by using allusions, developing credibility, in his speech to persuade allRead Mor eMartin Luther King s I Have A Dream Speech891 Words à |à 4 PagesSince Kindergarten, teachers have been teaching students about Martin Luther King Juniorââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"I Have a Dreamâ⬠speech. Ever since children have been born, they have celebrated Independence Day by either going to a parade, or shooting fireworks. Although, at these young ages, children donââ¬â¢t quite know the real importance of each of them. Martin Luther King Jr. wanted every human being, regardless of their race to be treated fairly or just. Independence Day was the day on July 4, 1776 where fifty-sixRead MoreMartin Luther King s I Have A Dream Speech961 Words à |à 4 PagesMartin Luther King Jr.ââ¬â¢s Historic ââ¬Å"I Have a Dreamâ⬠Speech Dr. Martin Luther Kingââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"I Have a Dreamâ⬠speech was written and delivered on August 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and remains one of the most historically influential and world-changing speeches of all time. Fifty-two years later, this speech is considered to be one of the best persuasive speeches ever delivered. Dr. King is not only attempting to persuade his audience to understand the plight of minorities in the United
Monday, May 11, 2020
A Global Warning About Global Warming - 1296 Words
James Winning Professor Hoverman SOCY 100 26 September 2014 A Global Warning About Global Warming Global Warning did not really matter to me until the summer of 2014. Before then global warning was just this thing that you would hear on the news or read in the newspaper. This idea did not have much meaning to be because it did not impact my everyday life. One day I began to hear about a Twitter message going viral. The message was from a climatologist named Jason Box and it read, ââ¬Å" If even a small fraction of Arctic sea floor carbon is released to the atmosphere, weââ¬â¢re fââ¬â¢d.â⬠It is alarming to hear a scientist drop the f bomb. If Jason Box was going for shock factor, it worked because after reading that I thought, maybe this is more serious then we are taking it for. I began researching global warming and the data and the numbers and the consequences are horrifying. I began to ask myself why? Why is this being overlooked? This is happening and it feels like we are doing nothing about it. Why? Why is this important? We live on this planet Earth and while it may be that us as individuals will come and go there will be parts of use that remain. One of these parts is call a Carbon Footprint. A Carbon Footprint is ââ¬Å"the amount of greenhouse gases and specifically carbon dioxide emitted by something during a given period.â⬠(Merriam-Webster). You can think of a Carbon Footprint like a diet. You can tell people that dieting is healthy and tell them all the benefits of dieting butShow MoreRelated Global Warming and the Media Essay1500 Words à |à 6 PagesGlobal Warming and the Media In this paper I will show that the issues of global warming have been misrepresented by some and cleverly utilized by others, (Y) by giving an overview of global warming as it is portrayed by the media, (Z) so that people will learn to search for scientific information regarding important issues for themselves. (P1) The mediaââ¬â¢s constant over-coverage of global warming is desensitizing the public to the very real problem of global warming. (P2) In the movies, An InconvenientRead MoreThe Heartland Institute: Summary and Major Findings on Climate Change824 Words à |à 3 PagesABSTRACT The Heartland Institute is well known for funding deniers of global warming and climate change, and is mostly funded by large corporations like Microsoft and GlaxoSmithKline, and wealthy Right-wingers like the Koch Brothers. Recently leaked documents from the Heartland Insider posted on the Internet showed that the Institute has been preparing a new curriculum against teaching about these subjects in the public schools. In 2008-12, the Institute also gave $1.6 million to the NongovernmentalRead MoreEnvironmental Sustainable Development : Global Warming1696 Words à |à 7 Pageshave all seen the damage they can cause. Unfortunately, few people are concerned about the dangers of climate change because the world is yet to witness its brunt. Environmentalists seem to be the only click of people worried about the activities of human beings that are pointing to a catastrophe commonly referred to as global warming. Apparently, in the minds of many, the term global warming refers to increas e in global temperatures. No need to worry because the world survives the heat in summer andRead MoreBotkin and Gore Argument on Global Warming Essay991 Words à |à 4 PagesGore have very different views on the issues of global warming. Botkin contends that the scare tactics used by Gore and many similar thinking environmentalists are simply a desperate means intended to alarm the public and force governments to take actions that are unnecessary and misdirected. Gore alleges that immediate action is necessary to avoid increases in the plant and animal extinction and the spread of diseases. Botkin admits that global warming is a fact, but as a scientist, he cannot agreeRead MoreAn Inconvenient Truth1551 Words à |à 7 Pagesthat global warming is a moral issue that humans need to address. For years, scientists have been examining the reasons for the changing climate and have come to the conclusion that global warming is real and it is serious threat to the world. Eventually, th is threat will lead to major catastrophes that will cause epic destruction of our planet. Goreââ¬â¢s main purpose in this book is to expose the lies and misconceptions regarding global warming and to inspire the public to take action. Global warmingRead MoreThe Natural Causes of Global Warming Essay761 Words à |à 4 Pagesthe past 100 years scientists have been warning people of climate change. The general opinion has flip-flopped about three times, from cooling to warming to cooling, and back to warming again. The fact is that earths climate is constantly changing. It has periods of cooling and periods of warming. However, studies have shown that short-term temperature change cannot be used as a gauge for future predictions. The fact that the earth has experienced warming throughout the last century is not proofRead MoreGlobal Warming Is A Real Event978 Words à |à 4 Pageshave been warned about global warning. There have been many efforts especially by the American peo ple to go green in an effort to slow the human contribution to global warming. But just because we have been told that global warming is a real event and we should fear it, does that make this event a fact or phenomenon? As a critical thinking student I took time to look into the validity of global warming to decide if the validity of such an event. What is global warming? Global warming is the increaseRead MoreEssay on Environmental Impact of Fossil Fuels518 Words à |à 3 PagesFossil Fuels Fossil fuels cause pollution, smog, and the greenhouse effect. Fossil fuels really do negatively impact our environment, especially when it comes to global warming, Although there is controversy over whether or not fossil fuels are causing the planet to warm, or whether it is warming naturally, there is significant research that supports the former hypothesis. When fossil fuels are burned, they emit different levels of carbon dioxide. The burning of fossilRead MoreThe Environment: Our Future1352 Words à |à 6 PagesReports from the U.N. have pushed the focus of the international community to the pressing issue of climate changes due to Global Warming. Scientists have proclaimed that the warning signs of global warming are unequivocal. It was concluded that global warming is most likely man-made, and its effect will impact the world for centuries. Global warming is basically the increased in temperature of the Earth. Human activities are said to be the main causes of this phenomenon. For example, we producedRead MoreGlobal Warming And Its Effects On The Global Climate876 Words à |à 4 PagesOne of the major problems confronting today society is global warming. Everyone is talking about global warming, which is also known as ââ¬Å"climate changeâ⬠or ââ¬Å"green is the new blackâ⬠. However, like Mark Twain once said, ââ¬Å"everyone talks about the weather but nobody does anything about itâ⬠(1897 P. 8) According to dictionary.com global warming can be described as ââ¬Å"an increase in the average temperature worldwide believed to be caused by greenhouse effect.â⬠We are the most responsible for this situation
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Chapter Eight Of The American Era - 880 Words
Chapter eight speaks of the growth of the American empire, using political manipulation to control the south. During the reconstruction of the South, many Southerners felt less aided and crippled further due to taxes, political reformation, and of course the loss of slave labor. In terms of political corruption, the Southern states were forced back into the union but were denied representation in the Union, and used political control to rob the states financially. Taking the votes of the newly freed blacks also created a tension with white and black relations that last to even today, commonly from the Ku Klux Klan. If anything, the attempt to create stability to the war-torn South ended up making things worse in both the North and South. Chapter nine is discussing how Lincoln s true legacy is placed, most notably the construction of the American System suggested by Henry Clay. With his presidency, Lincoln threatens that he will attack any state that fails to collect enough funds for its protectoral tariffs. Lincoln also issued large sums of money to the construction of transcontinental railroad lines. Finally, he forced the commission of the much needed national bank, the backbone of the American System his idol planned out. The tenth chapter speaks of the attack Lincoln committed on federalism, destroying the right of secession to force the South back into the Union. It sums up everything Lincoln did; opposed the equality of even free blacks, attacked the South toShow MoreRelatedWhat Do We Learn About Crooks in Chapter 4 of ââ¬Å"of Mice and Men1422 Words à |à 6 PagesWhat Do We Learn About Crooks in Chapter 4 of ââ¬Å"Of Mice and Menâ⬠? This essay will uncover information about the ââ¬Å"Negro Stable Buckâ⬠, named Crooks in of Mice and Men. The essay will analyze information regarding crooks, in link to themes such as the unattainable American dream, themes of racial discrimination , as well as themes such as loneliness and isolation. An understanding of the character of Crooks requires an understanding of the status of black people in the West during the time of when theRead MoreThe Strange Career Of Jim Crow Essay1417 Words à |à 6 PagesComer Vann Woodwardà was anà Americanà historian who concentration emphasized on the American south and race relations in the united states. He was born in 1908 in eastern, rural Arkansas. He attendedà Henderson-Brown College, inà Arkadelphia, Arkansas for two years. He then transferred toà Emory Universityà inà Atlanta,à Georgia in which his uncle was dean of students and a sociology professor. After Woodward graduated from Emory university, he became an English professor at Georgia Institute of TechnologyRead MoreThrough Women s Eyes By Ellen Carol Dubois And Lynn Dumenil898 Words à |à 4 PagesLynn Dumenil addresses American History from 1865 until present day. The third edition of this textbook includes visual and primary sources over several centuries. I used this textbook in a history course, ââ¬Å"Women in the United States, 1890 ââ¬â Present;â⬠I found the textbook to be engaging, helpful, and useful throughout the course. The way in which in the information was presented allowed me to learn, assess, and analyze the difficulties women faced. I found that each chapter was very long and I hadRead MoreAmerican South And Race Relations Essay1186 Words à |à 5 PagesComer Vann Woodwardà studied the American South and race relations in the United States. He was born in 1908 in eastern, rural Arkansas. When he first enrolled into higher education he went toà Henderson-Brown College. However, he transferred toà Emory University and graduated. After Woodward graduated, he became an English professor at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Teach). In 1931, he continued his education with graduate school at Columbiana University. There he received a Master of ArtsRead MoreThe Strange Career Of Jim Crow Essay1173 Words à |à 5 PagesComer Vann Woodwardà studied wrote about the American South and race relations. He was born in 1908 in eastern, rural Arkansas. When he first enrolled into higher education he went toà Henderson-Brown College. However, he transferred toà Emory University and graduated. After Woodward graduated, he was an English professor at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Teach). In 1931, he continued his education with graduate school at Columbiana University. There he received a Master of Arts. In 1947,Read MoreWomen s Studies : An Egyptian American Scholar On Islamic Feminism And Islam Essay1083 Words à |à 5 Pagesborn in 1940 is the first professor of Womenââ¬â¢s Studies in Religion at Harvard University. As an Egyptian-American scholar on Islamic feminism and Islam, Ahmed has published a number of highly informative works addressing the complexities of feminism in Muslim life. Ahmedââ¬â¢s previous works include Women and Gender in Islam. (1993) explores the role women and gender play from the Pre-Islamic Era in the Middle East through to the modern world that we know today. The issue of veiling is an ongoing debateRead More The Role of Setting in John Steinbecks Of Mice Men Essay1198 Words à |à 5 PagesThe Role of Setting in John Steinbecks Of Mice Men Throughout time man has encountered many trials and tribulations. One of these unpredictable changes was the depression era in the Western region of America. From the beginning to the end of the novel, Of Mice Men (1937), by John Steinbeck, life is portrayed as cruel and an insurmountable conquest. During the 1930s the worst economic collapse of the world occurred : the Depression. The setting throughout this novel sets the emotions highRead MoreThe Whiskey Rebellion: Frontier Epilogue to the American Revolution by Thomas P. Slaugther1010 Words à |à 5 PagesRebellion, which he asserts had by the time this book was conceived nearly two centuries after the episode transpired, had become a largely forgotten chapter of our nations history since the time of the Civil War. He cites as direct evidence of this fact the almost complete absence of any mention of the event in many contemporary textbooks of the conservative era of the 1980s, which this reviewer can attest to as well, having been a high school student in the late 1970s, who never heard of the WhiskeyRead MoreHavana Two Faces of the Antillean Metropolis1209 Words à |à 5 Pagesthrough its exploration of Havana emphasizing dichotomies such as those between the Spanish and American Influence, pre and post-revolution, capitalist and socialist Cuba, and the Havana experienced by tourists and locals. Havana: Two faces of the Antillean Metropolis explores the fascinating city of Havana throughout the turbulent history of Cuba, from Spanish colonization, through the American era and the revolution of 1959 to the early 2000ââ¬â¢s. It is one of a limited number of novels on HavanaRead MoreA Bridge to the 18th Century Essay727 Words à |à 3 Pagesphilosophy and culture; they live digitally in the hollow present. Postman assesses different ideas in each chapter: Chaper One: A Bridge to the Eighteenth Century Postman heralds the accomplishments of personalities of the 18th Century, including Goethe, Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot, Kant, Hume, Gibbon, Paine, Jefferson, Franklin, Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, and Haydn, among many others. Chapter Two: Progress Postman summarizes, The idea of progress is a product of the Enlightenment. The eighteenth
The Golden Lily Chapter 3 Free Essays
EVEN THOUGH EDDIE had told me not to worry about Angeline, the curious part of me couldnââ¬â¢t help but prod him about it on the drive over to Adrianââ¬â¢s apartment. ââ¬Å"How are you going to handle it?â⬠I asked. ââ¬Å"Have a heart-to-heart?â⬠He shook his head. We will write a custom essay sample on The Golden Lily Chapter 3 or any similar topic only for you Order Now ââ¬Å"Mostly I was going to simply avoid her unless absolutely necessary. Hopefully sheââ¬â¢ll lose interest.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well. I guess thatââ¬â¢s one method. But, I mean, youââ¬â¢re a pretty direct person.â⬠If faced with a roomful of Strigoi, he wouldââ¬â¢ve walked in without hesitation. ââ¬Å"Maybe you should try that kind of approach instead. Just confront her and tell her honestly that youââ¬â¢re not interested.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s easy in theory,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"Not so much in person.â⬠ââ¬Å"Seems easy to me.â⬠Eddie was skeptical. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s because youââ¬â¢ve never had to do it.â⬠Going to Adrianââ¬â¢s was a lot easier than it once had been for me. His apartment used to belong to Keith and was also the site where a Moroi named Lee and two Strigoi had died. Those were hard memories to shake. The Alchemists had offered the apartment to me, since Iââ¬â¢d also taken on full responsibility for Palm Springs, but Iââ¬â¢d yielded it to Adrian. I hadnââ¬â¢t been sure I wanted to live there, and heââ¬â¢d been pretty desperate for his own place. When Iââ¬â¢d seen how happy the apartment made him, I knew Iââ¬â¢d made the right choice. Adrian opened the door before weââ¬â¢d barely had a chance to knock. ââ¬Å"The cavalry! Thank God.â⬠I hid a smile as Eddie and I stepped inside. The first thing that always hit me about this place was the sunny yellow paint Adrian had put up on the walls. He was convinced it helped the mood and had warned us not to question his ââ¬Å"artistic sensibilities.â⬠The fact that the yellow clashed pretty terribly with his secondhand plaid furniture was apparently irrelevant. Or maybe I just wasnââ¬â¢t ââ¬Å"artisticâ⬠enough to appreciate it. Nonetheless, I actually found the erratic style comforting. It bore little resemblance to Keithââ¬â¢s decorating, making it a little easier to blot out the events of that awful night. Sometimes, when I looked around the living room, my breath would catch as visions of the vicious Strigoi attack and Leeââ¬â¢s death haunted me. Adrianââ¬â¢s stamp on the apartment was like light chasing away the gruesome shadows of the past. Sometimes when I was down, Adrianââ¬â¢s personality had a similar effect. ââ¬Å"Nice blouse, Sage,â⬠he told me, deadpan. ââ¬Å"It really brings out the khaki in your pants.â⬠His sarcasm aside, he looked supremely delighted to see us. He had the tall, lean build that most Moroi guys did, along with their typically pale (though not Strigoi-pale) skin. I hated to admit it, but he was more good-looking than he had any right to be. He wore his dark brown hair stylishly messy and had eyes that sometimes seemed too green to be real. Adrian had on one of those button-up printed shirts that were trendy with guys lately, with a blue pattern on it I liked. He smelled like heââ¬â¢d been smoking recently, which I didnââ¬â¢t like. Dimitri and Sonya were sitting at the kitchen table going over a bunch of papers with hand-written notes on them. The papers were kind of haphazardly scattered around, which made me wonder how much work they could really be accomplishing. I would have had those pages neatly stacked and organized by topic. ââ¬Å"Glad youââ¬â¢re back, Sydney,â⬠said Sonya. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve needed a little female support here.â⬠The prettiness of her red hair and high cheek bones was tainted by the fact that she showed her fangs when she smiled. Most Moroi were taught early to avoid that, to prevent detection from humans. Sonya had no qualms about doing it in private. It still bugged me. Dimitri smiled at me. It made his already handsome face even more so, and I knew that ââ¬Å"Zen master wisdomâ⬠wasnââ¬â¢t the reason Rose had fallen for him. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m guessing you didnââ¬â¢t take a nap.â⬠ââ¬Å"Too much to do,â⬠I said. Sonya gave Eddie a curious look. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢ve been wondering where you were.â⬠ââ¬Å"Busy at Amberwood,â⬠said Eddie vaguely. Heââ¬â¢d mentioned in the car that it might be best if Angelineââ¬â¢s indiscretion and his forced shopping werenââ¬â¢t mentioned. ââ¬Å"You know, keeping an eye on Jill and Angeline. Besides, I was waiting until Sydney came back since she wanted to see what we were doing.â⬠I let the white lie slide. ââ¬Å"How is Angeline?â⬠asked Dimitri. ââ¬Å"Is she improving?â⬠Eddie and I exchanged glances. So much for avoiding her indiscretions. ââ¬Å"Improving how exactly?â⬠I asked. ââ¬Å"In combat, in following the dress code, or in keeping her hands to herself?â⬠ââ¬Å"Or in turning off caps-lock?â⬠added Eddie. ââ¬Å"You noticed that too?â⬠I asked. ââ¬Å"Hard not to,â⬠he said. Dimitri looked surprised, which was not a common thing. He wasnââ¬â¢t caught off guard very often, but then, no one could really prepare for what Angeline might do. ââ¬Å"I didnââ¬â¢t realize I needed to be more specific,â⬠said Dimitri after a pause. ââ¬Å"I meant combat.â⬠Eddie shrugged. ââ¬Å"Thereââ¬â¢s a little improvement, but itââ¬â¢s hard to get through to her. I mean, sheââ¬â¢s absolutely dead set on protecting Jill, but sheââ¬â¢s also convinced she already knows how. Sheââ¬â¢s got years of that sloppy training drilled into her. Itââ¬â¢s hard to break that. Plus, sheââ¬â¢sâ⬠¦ easily distracted.â⬠I had to swallow a laugh. Dimitri still looked troubled. ââ¬Å"She has no time for distraction. Maybe I should talk to her.â⬠ââ¬Å"No,â⬠said Eddie firmly, in a rare show of contradicting Dimitri. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve got plenty to do here. Sheââ¬â¢s my responsibility to train. Donââ¬â¢t worry.â⬠Adrian pulled up a chair, turning it backwards so he could rest his chin on its back. ââ¬Å"What about you, Sage? I know we donââ¬â¢t have to worry about you violating the dress code. Did you have fun at your Alchemist spa this weekend?â⬠I set down my bag and walked over to the refrigerator. ââ¬Å"If by spa, you mean underground bunker. And it was just business.â⬠I made a face as I looked inside. ââ¬Å"You promised to get me diet pop.â⬠ââ¬Å"I did promise that,â⬠said Adrian, no remorse whatsoever. ââ¬Å"But then I read some article that said those artificial sweeteners arenââ¬â¢t good for you. So, I figured Iââ¬â¢d watch out for your health.â⬠He paused. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re welcome.â⬠Dimitri said what we were all thinking. ââ¬Å"If you want to start tackling healthy habits, I could suggest a few.â⬠If Eddie or I had said that, it would have rolled right off Adrian ââ¬â particularly since it was completely valid. But coming from Dimitri? That was different. There was a huge amount of tension between the two men, tension that had been building for a long time. Dimitriââ¬â¢s girlfriend, a notorious dhampir named Rose Hathaway, had briefly dated Adrian. She hadnââ¬â¢t meant to hurt him, but sheââ¬â¢d been in love with Dimitri the whole time. So, there was no way that situation could have ended well. Adrian still carried a lot of scars from that and was particularly bitter toward Dimitri. ââ¬Å"Wouldnââ¬â¢t want to inconvenience you,â⬠said Adrian, a bit too coolly. ââ¬Å"Besides, when not hard at work with this research, Iââ¬â¢m actually conducting a side experiment on how cigarettes and gin increase charisma. As you might guess, the results are looking very promising.â⬠Dimitri arched an eyebrow. ââ¬Å"Wait, go back. Did you say hard at work?â⬠Dimitriââ¬â¢s tone was light and playful, and again, I was struck by the double standard here. If Iââ¬â¢d made that comment, Adrianââ¬â¢s response wouldââ¬â¢ve been something like, ââ¬Å"Absolutely, Sage. Iââ¬â¢ll probably win the Nobel Prize for this.â⬠But for Adrian, Dimitriââ¬â¢s words were a call to battle. I saw a glint of something hard in Adrianââ¬â¢s eyes, a stirring of some old pain, and it bothered me. That wasnââ¬â¢t his way. He always had a smile and a quip, even if they were often irreverent or inappropriate. Iââ¬â¢d gotten used to that. I kind of liked it. I glanced at Adrian with a smile that I hoped looked genuine, rather than a desperate attempt to provide distraction. ââ¬Å"Research, huh? I thought you were a gambling man.â⬠It took Adrian a few moments to drag his gaze from Dimitri and fix it on me. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve been known to roll the dice now and then,â⬠he said warily. ââ¬Å"Why?â⬠I shrugged. ââ¬Å"No reason. Just wondering if youââ¬â¢d put your charisma research on hold and step up for a challenge. If you went twenty-four hours without cigarettes, Iââ¬â¢d drink a can of pop. Regular pop. The whole can.â⬠I saw the glimmer of Adrianââ¬â¢s earlier smile returning. ââ¬Å"You would not.â⬠ââ¬Å"I totally would.â⬠ââ¬Å"Half a can would put you into a coma.â⬠Sonya frowned. ââ¬Å"Are you diabetic?â⬠she asked me. ââ¬Å"No,â⬠said Adrian, ââ¬Å"but Sage is convinced one extraneous calorie will make her go from super skinny to just regular skinny. Tragedy.â⬠ââ¬Å"Hey,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"You think itââ¬â¢d be a tragedy to go an hour without a cigarette.â⬠ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t question my steel resolve, Sage. I went without one for two hours today.â⬠ââ¬Å"Show me twenty-four, and then Iââ¬â¢ll be impressed.â⬠He gave me a look of mock surprise. ââ¬Å"You mean you arenââ¬â¢t already? And here I thought you were dazzled from the moment you met me.â⬠Sonya shook her head indulgently at the two of us, like we were adorable children. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re missing out, Sydney,â⬠she remarked, tapping the open pop in front of her. ââ¬Å"I need about three of these a day to keep me focused on all this work. No detrimental effects so far.â⬠No detrimental effects so far? Of course not. Moroi never had any. Sonya, Jillâ⬠¦ they could all eat whatever they wanted and still keep those amazing bodies. Meanwhile, I labored over every calorie and still couldnââ¬â¢t reach that level of perfection. Fitting into these size four khakis had been a triumph this morning. Now, looking at Sonyaââ¬â¢s slender build, I felt enormous by comparison. I suddenly regretted my comment about drinking a can of pop, even if it had succeeded in distracting Adrian. I supposed I could rest easy knowing that him skipping cigarettes for a day was impossible. Iââ¬â¢d never be called to pay up on my sugary wager. ââ¬Å"We should probably get to work. Weââ¬â¢re losing time.â⬠That was Dimitri, getting us back on track. ââ¬Å"Right,â⬠said Adrian. ââ¬Å"This is five minutes of valuable research wasted. Up for more fun, Castile? I know how much you love sitting around.â⬠Because they were trying to find something special about Dimitri, Sonya and Adrian would often sit the two dhampirs side by side and study their auras in fine detail. Their hope was that Dimitriââ¬â¢s Strigoi conversion had left some sign that would help explain the immunity to being turned again. It was a valid idea, though not something that someone as active as Eddie enjoyed. He didnââ¬â¢t complain, of course. Eddie wore a look as tough and determined as Dimitri. ââ¬Å"Tell me what you need.â⬠ââ¬Å"We want to do another aura study,â⬠said Sonya. Looked like poor Eddie would be doing some more sitting around. ââ¬Å"Last time we focused on any sign of spirit. This time, we want to show both of you some pictures and see if they trigger any color changes in your auras.â⬠I nodded in approval. A lot of psychological experiments attempted similar techniques, though they usually monitored physiological responses instead of mystical auras. ââ¬Å"I still say itââ¬â¢s a waste,â⬠said Adrian. ââ¬Å"Theyââ¬â¢re both dhampirs, but that doesnââ¬â¢t mean we can assume any different reactions they have are because Belikov was a Strigoi. Everyoneââ¬â¢s unique. Everyoneââ¬â¢s going to respond differently to pictures of kittens or spiders. My old man? He hates kittens.â⬠ââ¬Å"Who could hate kittens?â⬠asked Eddie. Adrian made a face. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s allergic.â⬠ââ¬Å"Adrian,â⬠said Sonya. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢ve already been over this. I respect your opinion but still think we can learn a lot.â⬠I was actually impressed that Adrian had an opinion. So far, Iââ¬â¢d kind of felt like he was just going along with everything Sonya and Dimitri told him to do and that he didnââ¬â¢t give these experiments much thought. And, although I wasnââ¬â¢t familiar with the auras that surrounded all living creatures, I could understand his point that individual differences would throw off their research. ââ¬Å"All data is useful in this case,â⬠said Dimitri. ââ¬Å"Especially since we havenââ¬â¢t found anything so far. We know thereââ¬â¢s something different about former Strigoi. We canââ¬â¢t rule out any chance to observe it.â⬠Adrianââ¬â¢s lips tightened, and he made no further protest. Maybe it was because he felt overruled, but I had a feeling it was because he just didnââ¬â¢t want to engage with Dimitri. With the attention off me, I settled into the living room with a book and tried to stay awake. They didnââ¬â¢t need me. Iââ¬â¢d simply come to keep Eddie company. Occasionally, Iââ¬â¢d check the othersââ¬â¢ progress. Dimitri and Eddie watched as Sonya flipped through different images on her laptop. In turn, Adrian and Sonya watched the dhampirs closely and made notes on paper. I almost wished I could see the bands of color and light and wondered if there really were any noticeable differences. Studying Eddie and Dimitri, I sometimes would notice a change in facial expression when particularly cute or horrific images showed up on the screen, but for the most part their work remained a mystery to me. Curious, I walked over to Sonya when they were about halfway through. ââ¬Å"What do you see?â⬠I asked in a low voice. ââ¬Å"Colors,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"Shining around all living things. Eddie and Dimitri have different colors, but they have the same reactions.â⬠She changed the picture on the screen to one of a factory spilling black smoke into an otherwise clear sky. ââ¬Å"Neither of them like this. Their auras dim and turn troubled.â⬠She flipped to the next image, a smile on her lips. Three kittens appeared on the screen. ââ¬Å"And now they warm up. Affection is very easy to spot in an aura. So far, they react in normal ways. Thereââ¬â¢s no sign in Dimitriââ¬â¢s aura that heââ¬â¢s different from Eddie.â⬠I returned to the couch. After a couple of hours, Sonya called a halt. ââ¬Å"I think weââ¬â¢ve seen what we needed to. Thank you, Eddie.â⬠ââ¬Å"Happy to help,â⬠he said, rising from his chair and stretching. He seemed relieved both that it was over and that it had involved something slightly more interesting than staring off into space. He was active and energetic, and didnââ¬â¢t like captivity. ââ¬Å"Althoughâ⬠¦ weââ¬â¢ve got a few other ideas,â⬠she added. ââ¬Å"Do you think you guys can power through a little longer?â⬠Naturally, she asked just as I was yawning. Eddie regarded me with sympathy. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll stay, but you donââ¬â¢t have to. Go sleep. Iââ¬â¢ll get a ride home.â⬠ââ¬Å"No, no,â⬠I said, stifling a second yawn. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t mind. What are your other ideas?â⬠ââ¬Å"I was hoping to do something similar with Eddie and Dimitri,â⬠she explained. ââ¬Å"Except this time, weââ¬â¢d use sounds instead of images. Then Iââ¬â¢d like to see how they respond to direct contact with spirit.â⬠ââ¬Å"I think thatââ¬â¢s a good idea,â⬠I said, not really sure what that last one would entail. ââ¬Å"Go for it. Iââ¬â¢ll wait.â⬠Sonya glanced around and seemed to notice I wasnââ¬â¢t the only one who looked tired. ââ¬Å"Maybe we should get some food first.â⬠Eddie brightened up at that. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll go,â⬠I offered. It was a sign of my progress that vampires talking about ââ¬Å"foodâ⬠no longer made me hyperventilate. I knew she didnââ¬â¢t mean blood, not if the dhampirs and I were being involved. Besides, there was no feeder around. Feeders were humans who willingly gave blood to Moroi for the high it produced. Everyone here knew better than to even joke about that around me. ââ¬Å"Thereââ¬â¢s a good Thai carryout place a few blocks away.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll help,â⬠said Adrian eagerly. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll help,â⬠said Sonya. ââ¬Å"The last time you ran an errand, you were gone two hours.â⬠Adrian scowled but didnââ¬â¢t deny the charge. ââ¬Å"Our aura observations have been identical anyway. You can get them started on the sounds without me.â⬠Sonya and I took everyoneââ¬â¢s orders and set out. I didnââ¬â¢t really feel like I needed help, but I supposed carrying food for five people ââ¬â even for a few blocks ââ¬â could get unwieldy. I soon learned she had other motives for coming along, though. ââ¬Å"It feels good to get outside and stretch my legs,â⬠she said. It was early evening, with significantly less sun and heat ââ¬â a condition the Moroi loved. We walked along a side street leading toward downtown, lined with cute apartments and small businesses. All around us, huge palm trees loomed, providing an interesting contrast to the eclectic urban setting. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve been cooped up there all day.â⬠I smiled at her. ââ¬Å"And here I thought Adrian was the only one who got cabin fever from the work you guys do.â⬠ââ¬Å"He just complains the most,â⬠she explained. ââ¬Å"Which is kind of funny since he also probably gets out the most, between his classes and his cigarette breaks.â⬠Iââ¬â¢d nearly forgotten about the two art classes Adrian was taking at a local college. He usually kept his latest projects on display, but thereââ¬â¢d been none in the living room lately. I hadnââ¬â¢t realized until that moment how much I missed them. I might give him a hard time, but sometimes those artistic glimpses into the way he thought were fascinating. Sonya gave me a brief recap of her wedding plans as we walked the short distance to the Thai restaurant. Her relationship with dhampir Mikhail Tanner was kind of epic on a lot of levels, I supposed. First, dhampirs and Moroi didnââ¬â¢t generally get involved in serious relationships. Usually, they were just casual affairs that resulted in the reproduction of more dhampirs. In addition to the scandal of even being involved, Mikhail had actually wanted to hunt down Sonya when she was a Strigoi to free her from that twisted state. Rose had attempted the same with Dimitri, believing death was better than being a Strigoi. Mikhail had failed, but their love had remained steadfast enough through the ordeal that when sheââ¬â¢d defied the odds and been restored, theyââ¬â¢d immediately gotten back together. I couldnââ¬â¢t even begin to imagine love like that. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re still deciding on flowers,â⬠she continued. ââ¬Å"Hydrangeas or lilies. Iââ¬â¢m guessing I know what your vote is for.â⬠ââ¬Å"Actually, Iââ¬â¢d say hydrangeas. Iââ¬â¢m around too many lilies already.â⬠She laughed at that and suddenly knelt near a flower bed filled with gladiolas. ââ¬Å"More than you know. There are lilies sleeping in this bed.â⬠ââ¬Å"Theyââ¬â¢re out of season,â⬠I pointed out. ââ¬Å"Nothingââ¬â¢s ever out of season.â⬠Sonya glanced around covertly and then rested her fingers on the earth. Moments later, dark green shoots appeared, growing taller and taller until a red trumpet lily opened up on top. ââ¬Å"Ah. Red. Alchemists ones are white ââ¬â oh, are you okay?â⬠I had backed up so far on the sidewalk that Iââ¬â¢d nearly walked into the street. ââ¬Å"Youâ⬠¦ you shouldnââ¬â¢t do that. Someone might see.â⬠ââ¬Å"No one saw,â⬠she said, getting to her feet. Her face softened. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m so sorry. I forget sometimes how you feel about this. It was wrong of me.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s okay,â⬠I said, not sure that it was. Vampire magic always made my skin crawl. Vampires, creatures who needed blood, were bad enough. But being able to manipulate the world with magic? Even worse. That lily, although beautiful, took on a sinister edge now. It shouldnââ¬â¢t have existed this time of the year. No more was said about magic, and we soon reached the main strip downtown, where the Thai restaurant was. We placed a giant carryout order and were told it would take about fifteen minutes. Sonya and I lingered outside, admiring downtown Palm Springs in twilight. Lastminute shoppers were out before the boutiques closed, and all the restaurants were hopping with those coming and going. Many of them had outdoor tables on the sidewalk, and friendly conversation buzzed around us. A large fountain, tiled in bright colors, fascinated children and inspired tourists to stop for photo ops. Sonya was easily distracted by the various plants and trees that the city used to beautify the streets. Even without spiritââ¬â¢s ability to affect living things, she was still quite the gardener. ââ¬Å"Hey you! Elder Melrose!â⬠I turned and winced when I saw Lia DiStefano striding toward me. Lia was a fashion designer with a shop here in downtown Palm Springs. I hadnââ¬â¢t realized we were standing directly across from her store. If I had, I wouldââ¬â¢ve waited inside the restaurant. Lia was short but had an overwhelming presence, enhanced by the flamboyant gypsy style she often chose for her personal attire. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve been calling you for weeks,â⬠she said, once she reached our side of the street. ââ¬Å"Why donââ¬â¢t you answer?â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve been really busy,â⬠I said straight-faced. ââ¬Å"Uh-huh.â⬠Lia put her hands on her hips and tried to stare me down, which was kind of amazing since I was taller. ââ¬Å"When are you going to let your sister model for me again?â⬠ââ¬Å"Miss DiStefano,â⬠I said patiently, ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve told you before. She canââ¬â¢t do it anymore. Our parents donââ¬â¢t like it. Our religion doesnââ¬â¢t allow faces to be photographed.â⬠Last month, Jillââ¬â¢s runway-perfect build and gorgeous, ethereal features had attracted Liaââ¬â¢s attention. Seeing as having your picture taken en masse was kind of a bad way to stay in hiding, weââ¬â¢d only agreed to let Jill walk in Liaââ¬â¢s fashion show because all the models wore Venetian masks. Lia had been on me ever since to let Jill model again. It was hard because I knew Jill wanted to, but she understood as well as I did that her safety came first. Claiming we were part of some obscure religion had often explained away our weird behaviors to others, so Iââ¬â¢d figured it would get Lia off my back. It hadnââ¬â¢t. ââ¬Å"I never hear from these parents of yours,â⬠Lia said. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve watched your family. I see how it is. Youââ¬â¢re the authority. Youââ¬â¢re the one I have to go through. I have the chance to do a major magazine spread for my scarves and hats, and Jill was born to do it. Whatââ¬â¢s it going to take to get her? You want a cut of the pay?â⬠I sighed. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s not about the money. We canââ¬â¢t show her face. If you want to put her in a Venetian mask again, then be my guest.â⬠Lia scowled. ââ¬Å"I canââ¬â¢t do that.â⬠ââ¬Å"Then weââ¬â¢re at an impasse.â⬠ââ¬Å"There must be something. Everyone has a price.â⬠ââ¬Å"Sorry.â⬠There was no price in the world she could offer to get me to shirk my duty to Jill and the Alchemists. A restaurant clerk stuck his head outside and called that our order was ready, mercifully freeing us from Lia. Sonya chuckled as we loaded up on our bags and headed back down the street to make the walk to Adrianââ¬â¢s. The sky was still purple with the last of the dayââ¬â¢s light, and street lamps made whimsical patterns on the sidewalk as they cast their light through the leaves of palm trees. ââ¬Å"Did you ever imagine your job here would involve dodging aggressive fashion designers?â⬠Sonya asked. ââ¬Å"No,â⬠I admitted. ââ¬Å"Honestly, I never foresaw half the stuff this job has ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Sonya?â⬠A young man appeared seemingly out of nowhere, blocking our path. He was no one I knew and looked to be a little older than me. He wore his black hair in a buzz cut and was staring curiously at Sonya. She came to a halt and frowned. ââ¬Å"Do I know you?â⬠He brightened. ââ¬Å"Sure. Jeff Eubanks. Remember?â⬠ââ¬Å"No,â⬠she said politely, after a few moments of study. ââ¬Å"You must have me mistaken for someone else. Iââ¬â¢m sorry.â⬠ââ¬Å"No, no,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"I know itââ¬â¢s you. Sonya Karp, right? We met in Kentucky last year.â⬠Sonya stiffened. Sheââ¬â¢d made Kentucky her home while she was a Strigoi. I knew those couldnââ¬â¢t be pleasant memories. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m sorry,â⬠she repeated, voice strained. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know what youââ¬â¢re talking about.â⬠The guy was undaunted, still smiling as though they were best friends. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve come a long ways from Kentucky. What brings you out here? I just transferred for work.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thereââ¬â¢s some mistake,â⬠I told him sternly, nudging Sonya forward. I didnââ¬â¢t know what that mistake could be exactly, but Sonyaââ¬â¢s attitude was all I needed. ââ¬Å"We have to go.â⬠The guy didnââ¬â¢t follow us, but Sonya remained silent for most of the walk home. ââ¬Å"Must be hard,â⬠I said, feeling like I should say something. ââ¬Å"Meeting people from your past.â⬠She shook her head. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s not. Iââ¬â¢m certain of it. Iââ¬â¢ve never met him.â⬠Iââ¬â¢d figured she just wanted to avoid all associations with being a Strigoi. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re sure? He wasnââ¬â¢t just some casual acquaintance?â⬠She shot me a wry look. ââ¬Å"Strigoi donââ¬â¢t have casual acquaintances with humans. They have them for dinner. That guy shouldnââ¬â¢t have known who I was.â⬠ââ¬Å"He was human? Not dhampir?â⬠I couldnââ¬â¢t tell the difference, but Moroi could. ââ¬Å"Definitely.â⬠Sonya had stopped again and was glancing back at the guyââ¬â¢s retreating figure. I followed her gaze. ââ¬Å"There must be some reason he recognized you. He seems pretty harmless.â⬠That got me another smile. ââ¬Å"Come now, Sydney. I figured youââ¬â¢d been around us long enough to know.â⬠ââ¬Å"Know what?â⬠ââ¬Å"Nothingââ¬â¢s ever as harmless as it seems.â⬠How to cite The Golden Lily Chapter 3, Essay examples
Analytical Business Report Rana Plaza and Starbuck
Question: Describe about the Analytical Business Report of Rana Plaza and Starbuck? Answer: Introduction This particular study is discussing about the collapsing of Rana Plaza in Savar Upazila, in the area of Greater Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh and how to improve business practices to prevent recurrence of events of this nature. The study also discussed how Starbucks, a coffee shop in the Western countries running their business ethically and how Starbucks approaching to consumerism, values and environmental friendliness. Particular case scenario: On 24 April 2013, at 08:45 in the morning Rana Plaza an eight- story commercial building collapsed in Savar Upazila, a sub district in the area of Greater Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. This cause 1129 people (factory workers) dead and more than 2500 were injured when the Rana Plaza building collapsed (Blanchard, 2010). Rana Plaza, the commercial building is better known for this worst accident in the garment industry over the worldwide. This terrible incident occurs only five months after the horrific fire in one of the garment industry in Bangladesh. This incident shows that the Bangladeshi Government has failed to take valuable steps to prevent such devastating incidents. After the horrific fire incident in the garment industry at the Tarzeen Fashion factory and Smart Fabrics in Bangladesh, the Bangladeshi Government has claimed that they have made some progress towards preventing similar tragedies. But the Rana Plaza incident showed the world that more progress towards preventing similar tragedies is still needed ( Carmody, C. n.d.). So many workers are dead and injured in that collapsed due to the absence of basic workplace health and safety standard place to live. This makes the workers victim in the collapse of the eight storied commercial building. After the devastating incident of Rana Plaza, the injured workers report to media that the workers saw huge cracks in the structure of the eight storied commercial building but the authorities of the building did not take any serious steps against the huge cracks visible in the building. The workers of the Rana Plaza boycott to work after they saw the huge cracks in the building structure but the authorities forced the worker to work and threatened the workers with a one month salary cut. The Main Reasons And Responsibilities Of Rana Plaza Incident One of the main reasons of collapsing the commercial building is illegal building extensions. The chief Engineer and the owner of the building had received the permission to make a five storied building. But the owner illegally extended the commercial building to an eight storied building. The commercial building, Rana Plaza was built with weak building codes, not maintained the actual laws of the Bangladeshi Government, used poor materials. The main problem in Bangladesh is any kind of permission for the high rise of the building can be obtained by the owner of the building through bribes. Bangladesh is one of the well known countries for its import and export of the readymade garments industry. This causes the rapid expansion of the high rise building in Bangladesh. The owner first gets the permission for the ordinary buildings then the owner convert the building factory without taking any permission from the Bangladeshi Government. Rana Plaza is one of the proofs of neglecting the laws of Bangladeshi Government. The cracks in the building structure are shown in the local media of Bangladesh but the Bangladeshi Government has failed to act on the cracks that are visible in the building. After the Rana Plaza incident the western media focused and exposed on Bangladeshi political corruption to the global audience. The western companies make a huge profit from Bangladeshi cheap labor. They invest money for the building the structure but the corruption in Bangladesh did not use good quality material and did not take proper permissions from the Bangladeshi Government. This lack of respect towards the poor workers, paying them a very low wages, unsafe working conditions and restrictions towards the poor workers causes 1129 poor people dead and over 2500 people injured (Blanchard, 2010). The Government should have some responsibilities towards their citizens against human rights abuses the third parties. The Bangladeshi Government should take some major and valuable steps against these issues and should respect the poor people living in Bangladesh. Improvement Of Business Practices To Prevent This Devastating Incident First of all, the Bangladeshi Government has to be strict with their rules and regulations of their country. The corruption in the higher political level should be immediately stopped; else this incident will occur again and again. The poor workers should be respected by the Bangladeshi Government; else the worker will be treated badly by the western companies. The Bangladeshi Government should respect their citizens (workers) so that the western companies cannot give low wages to the workers. And the most important thing is buildings are designed to support limited loads without deforming excessively. The loads are not only the weights of the objects but the buildings are also carrying the weights of thousands of people and the workers. So, if the company has to improve the business practice to prevent this devastating then they has to give good material while building the apartments. The buildings which are made for factory purposes, no other services can be done in that particular building. In this case of Rana Plaza, the building made for the people to stay but used as factory purpose. The local authority of each and every country should be strict who is in charge to give the permission to build the apartment ( Harrington, J. 2010). In this case we know that the owner of the builder got the permission to build a five storied building but later the owner gave bribes to the local authority and made the permission granted and build an eight storied building. The Government of all the countries should be careful, whenever the workers will face some problem, the Government should look after it. In this case when the local media reported globally the local authority did not look into the matter seriously. If the local authority had took some decisions that day then this thousands of people were not killed and 2500 people were not be injured that day (Blanchard, 2010). These steps should be taken by the Government for the improvement of business practices to prevent this devastating incident. It is difficult to find out the reasons of collapsing the Rana Plaza building because behind the collapsing of the building lies many reasons. Every person associated with the Rana Plaza building is to be blamed. This is because no one taken any responsibility for the collapsing of the building. Some reasons that cause the collapsing of Rana Plaza are:- Extraordinary loads. Bad design. Unsuitable land for the multi-storied building. Extraordinary loads mean the building Rana Plaza is not permitted for a commercial building. The building was mainly made for the people to live not for the factory purpose (Meyer, B. and Apfelbaum, B. 2010). Bad design does not mean error of computation. The Engineers should be blamed for the bad design. The material used in building this Rana Plaza was not good (Wright, S. 2011). Background of the company: Starbucks Starbucks Corporation is a global coffee company. They are doing a business of coffee house chain. The company is mainly based in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks is one of the largest coffeehouse companies in the world. Starbucks rival company is Costa Coffee (Schultz and Gordon, 2011). Starbucks mainly serves hot and cold beverages, whole bean coffee, micro ground instant coffee, full leaf teas, pastries and snacks. Founding: Starbucks first opened in Seattle, Washington, on March 30, 1971 (Schultz and Gordon, 2011). Three students of University of San Francisco were inspired to sell high quality coffee beans. Ethical consumerism at Starbucks: Starbucks always focuses on the quality of products selling to their customers. This is because Starbucks Company always thinks about the customers health and safety, which are one of the significant for Starbucks Company success in their business. Starbuck Company always ensures that the company is very much clean and hygienic including good service and facilities in the coffee shop. Starbucks Company ensures that they will never sacrifice with their quality of the product. Their product price is little more comparing with the other brands selling coffee in the western company but Starbucks Company always thinks about their customers health and safety. Starbucks environmental and social policies: Environmental Impact In the year 1999 Starbucks started making their business environmental friendly. Starbucks started reducing the paper napkin size and store garbage bags. Starbucks also reduces their daily water consumption for rinsing utensils in a sink which wastes lot of water in rinsing the daily utensils in each store of Starbucks. Once the newspaper reported globally about the wastes of 23.4 million liters of water daily in the stores of Starbucks, Starbucks took the initiative to minimize the daily consumption of water for rinsing utensils (Schultz and Gordon, 2011). Starbucks replaced dipper well with push button system for rinsing their daily utensils. This strategy of Starbuck of minimizing water consumption saves almost 570 liters of water per day for rinsing their utensils. Recycling After minimizing the daily water consumption, Starbucks started serving the coffee in a plastic cups. This plastic cups is one time use. And the material used in manufacturing the cup can be recycled. Suddenly, Starbucks announced that the material of the cup is not very much environment friendly that is why the company will give 15% discount on their product if the customer carries their own cups (Schultz and Yang, 1997). Once the coffee shop announced the news, the customers of the Starbucks appreciate the decision and started carrying their own cups. Opening without planning permission Starbucks decided to open many coffee stores in United Kingdom. When Starbucks are planning to do so, the local authority of the United Kingdom cancelled the permission for opening the coffee shop in the streets of United Kingdom. Then the coffee shop argued with the local authority about the opening of the coffee shop. Starbucks reported to the local authority that they will not sell coffee from their shop, rather they will sell sandwiches, coffee bags, mugs from their retail shop (Schultz and Yang, 1997). Then the local authority has ordered Starbucks to remove all the chair and tables from their shop premises. After some days the local authority made an inquiry in the Starbucks shop premises and ordered them to remain open as Starbucks was obeying their rules. Corporate social responsibility at Starbucks: Corporate Social Responsibilities also known as CSR is used by the Starbucks Company as a tool. CSR helps Starbucks to build competitive advantage over the rival companies of Starbuck Company. By taking CSR in the Companys account, Starbucks Company belongs with the law to run the business smoothly. And secondly, CSR increased the sales volume of the company and improve financial conditions of the Starbucks Company as well. Recommendations: Starbucks provides premium coffee to their customers which cause high prices of the coffee comparing with the other brands in the western countries. Starbucks Company showed a good environmental concern but other brands provides their coffee to their customers at a very cheap price. So, Starbuck should think about their price strategy to attract more customers. They should provide a good quality product to their customers with cheaper price. Starbucks may provide some price promotions to motivate the customers. Not only the Starbucks customer but it will also motivate the customers of the rival companies of Starbucks Company. This is an aspect that Starbuck can improve upon. The local authority should be strict and the Bangladeshi Government should also take some responsibilities about this incidents. The local authority should not grant this type of permission by taking bribes from the owner of the building. The Engineers should use better quality materials like good quality iron rods and good quality cement. When the workers of the Rana Plaza identified the crack on the wall of the building, the local authority does not take any initiative against the cracks on walls of the building. The building does not have the potential to carry such vigorous loads but still for the high demand of cheap clothes in the world forced them to suppress extra loads in the building. Conclusions The object of this thesis was to investigate how Starbucks Company succeeds in running their business ethically and keeping in mind about the values and environmental friendliness. It is very interesting to see the mission statement of Starbucks Company runs their business by using several components to create a good relationship with their customers, a good relationship with their employees. Starbucks Company also takes care of their stakeholders, communities and most importantly how they care about the environment. Starbucks Company is really thinks about affecting the environment. Starbuck found an innovative technology to reduce the daily water consumption and at the same time they are thinking about the environment. Starbucks also thinks about the communities and build a long term relationships with them which reflects on their brand name. . Starbucks Company also follows all the rules and regulations of the country where Starbucks tried to open their branches. The ground where the Rana Plaza has built was not suitable for the eight storied building. The permission was not granted for the eight storied building. The local authority has granted to make a five storied building but the owner of the building has made granted for the eight storied building, by giving bribes to the local authority. If the infrastructure of Rana Plaza and Starbucks Coffee Shop are compared, it can be found that Starbucks smoothly running their business. Starbucks tried to take care of the environment make an environmental friendly company. Whereas, Rana Plaza cant even take care of their workers, which causes over 1500 workers dead and more than 2500 workers injured. This shows how ethically both the company running their business. References An Incident at the Plaza. (2012). The Antioch Review, 70(1), pp.103-113. Blanchard, D. (2010). Supply chain management best practices. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley Sons. Carmody, C. (n.d.). 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