Georgia Atlantic Company Essay

During the depression of the 1930s, Ben Jenkins, Sr., a wealthy, expansion-oriented lumberman whose family had been in the lumber business in the southeastern United States for several generations, began to acquire small, depressed sawmills and wholesale lumber companies. These businesses prospered during World War II. After the war, Jenkins anticipated that the demand for lumber would surge, so he aggressively sought new timberlands to supply his sawmills. In 1954, all of Jenkins’s companies were consolidated, along with some other independent lumber and milling companies, into a single corporation, the Georgia Atlantic Company. By the end of 1992, Georgia Atlantic was a major force in the lumber industry, though not one of the giants. Still, it possessed more timber and timberlands in relation to its use of timber than any other lumber company. Worldwide demand for lumber was strong in spite of a soft world economy, and its timber supply should have put Georgia Atlantic in a good position. With its assured supply of pulpwood, the company could run its mills at a steady rate and, thus, at a low per-unit production cost. However, the company does not have sufficient manufacturing capacity to fully utilize its timber supplies; so it has been forced to sell raw timber to other lumber companies to generate cash flow, losing potential profits in the process. Georgia Atlantic has enjoyed rapid growth in both sales and assets. This rapid growth has, however, caused some financial problems as indicated in Table 1. The condensed balance sheets shown in the table reveal that Georgia Atlantic’s financial leverage has increased substantially in the last 10 years, while the firm’s liquidity position markedly deteriorated over the same period. Remember, though, that the balance sheet figures reflect historical costs, and that the market values of the assets could be much higher than the values shown on the balance sheet. For example, Georgia Atlantic purchased 10,000 acres of cut timberland in southern Georgia in 1961 for $10 per acre, then planted trees which are now mature. The value of this acreage and its timber is estimated at $2,750 per acre, even though it is shown on the firm’s balance sheet at $230 per acre, the original $10 plus capitalized planting costs. Note also that this particular asset and others like it have produced zero accounting income; indeed, expenses associated with this acreage have produced accounting losses. When Georgia Atlantic was originally organized, most of the outstanding stock was owned by the senior Jenkins and members of his family. Over time, however, the family’s ownership position has gradually declined due to the sale of new common stock to fund expansion. In 1987, Ben Jenkins, Sr. died; the presidency of the firm was passed to his son, Ben Jenkins, Jr., who was 61 at the time. By the end of 1992, the Jenkins family held only about 35 percent of Georgia Atlantic’s common stock, and this represented essentially their entire net worth. The family has sought to finance the firm’s growth with internally generated funds to the greatest extent possible. Hence, Georgia Atlantic has never declared a cash dividend, nor has it had a stock dividend or a stock split. Due to the plowback of earnings, the stock currently sells for almost $2,000 per share. The family has stated a strong belief that investors prefer low-payout stocks because of their tax advantages, and they also think that stock dividends and stock splits serve no useful purpose—they merely create more pieces of paper but no incremental value for shareholders. Finally, the family feels that higher-priced stocks are more attractive to investors because the percentage brokerage commissions on small purchases of higher-priced stocks are lower than on large purchases of lower-priced shares. They cite the example of Berkshire-Hathaway, whose stock price has risen phenomenally even though it now sells for over $15,000 per share and pays no dividends. (The family does acknowledge, though, that Warren Buffett, Berkshire’s chairman, has done a superb job of managing the company’s assets, and that the rise of its stock price reflects that factor as well as Buffett’s financial policies.) As the date for Georgia Atlantic’s annual stockholders’ meeting approached, Mary Goalshen, the corporate secretary, informed Ben Jenkins, Jr., who is commonly called â€Å"Junior† at the company, that an unusually low number of shareholders had sent in their proxies. Goalshen felt that this might be due to rising discontent over the firm’s dividend policy. During the last two years, the average payout for firms in the paper and forest products industry has been about 35 percent; yet for the 58th straight year, Georgia Atlantic’s board, under the Jenkins family’s dominance, chose not to pay a dividend in 1992. The Jenkins family was also aware that several reports in the financial press in recent months indicated that Georgia Atlantic was a possible target of a takeover attempt. Since the family did not want to lose control of the company, they were anxious to keep the firm’s stockholders as happy as possible. Accordingly, Junior announced that the directors would hold a special meeting immediately after the annual meeting to consider whether the firm’s dividend policy should be changed. Junior instructed Abe Markowitz, Georgia Atlantic’s financial vice president, to identify and then evaluate alternative dividend policies in preparation for the special board meeting. He asked Markowitz to consider cash dividends, stock dividends, and stock splits. Markowitz then identified six proposals that he thought deserved further consideration: (1) No Cash Dividends, No Stock Dividend or Split. This was the position Markowitz was certain that Junior and the family would support, both for the reasons given above and also because he thought the company, as evidenced by the balance sheet, was in no position to pay cash dividends. (2) Immediate Cash Dividend, but No Stock Dividend or Split. This was simply the opposite of the no dividend policy. If a cash dividend policy were instituted, its size would still be an issue. (3) Immediate Cash Dividend plus a Large Stock Split. The stock split would be designed to lower the price of the firm’s stock from its current price of almost $2,000 per share to somewhere in the average price range of other large forest products stocks, or from $20 to $40 per share. (4) Immediate Cash Dividend plus a Large Stock Dividend. The reasoning underlying this policy would be essentially the same as that of Alternative 3. (5) Cash Dividend, Stock Split, and Periodic Stock Dividends. This policy would require the company to declare an immediate cash dividend and, simultaneously, to announce a sizable stock split. This policy would go further than Alternatives 3 and 4 in that, after the cash dividend and stock split or large stock dividend, the company would periodically declare smaller stock dividends equal in value to the earnings retained during the period. In effect, if the firm earned $3 per share in any given period-quarter, semi-annual period, and so on—and retained $1.50 per share, the company would also declare a stock dividend of a percentage amount equal to $1.50 divided by the market price of the stock. Thus, if the firm’s shares were selling for $30 when the cash dividend was paid, a 5 percent stock dividend would be declared. (6) Share Repurchase Plan. This plan is based on the premise that investors in the aggregate would like to see the company distribute some cash, but that some stockholders would not want to receive cash dividends because they want to minimize their taxes. Under the repurchase plan, individual stockholders could decide for themselves whether or not to sell some or all of their hares and thus to realize some cash and some capital gains, depending on their own situations. To begin his evaluation, Markowitz collected the data shown in Tables 2 and 3. As he was looking over these figures, Markowitz wondered what effect, if any, Georgia Atlantic’s dividend policy had on the company’s stock price as compared to the prices of other stocks. Markowitz is also aware of one other issue, but it is one that neither he nor anyone else has had the nerve to bring up. Junior is now 66 years old, which is hardly ancient; but he is in poor health, and in recent years he has been almost obsessed with the idea of avoiding taxes. Further, the federal estate tax rate is currently 60 percent, and additional state estate taxes would be due; so well over half of Junior’s net worth as of the date of his death will have to be paid out in estate taxes. Since estate taxes are based on the value of the estate on the date of death, to minimize his estate’s taxes, Junior might not want the value of the company to be maximized until after his death. Markowitz does not know Junior’s view of this, but he does know that his tax advisors have thought it through and have explained it to him. Finally, Markowitz knows that several Wall Street firms have been analyzing Georgia Atlantic’s â€Å"breakup value,† or the value of the company if it were broken up and sold in pieces. He has heard breakup value estimates as high as $3,500 per share, primarily because other lumber companies, including Japanese and European companies, are eager to buy prime properties such as those owned by Georgia Atlantic. Of course, Georgia Atlantic could sell assets on its own, but Markowitz does not expect that to happen as long as Junior is in control. Now assume that you are an outside consultant and have been hired by Abe Markowitz to help him with the analysis and make a presentation to the executive committee. First, Abe is not sure whether an announced dividend policy is a good idea. He believes an announced policy could cause the firm to feel forced to take actions that otherwise would be undesirable. He has also expressed concern about signaling and clientele effects. As old man Jenkins used to say, â€Å"If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.† Thus, analyze the firm’s present dividend policy to determine how well the company has performed compared to other firms in the industry before discussing the implications of the alternative dividend policies and making a recommendation. Markowitz also wants you to discuss whether the firm’s historical rate of return on investment has been affected by its dividend policy, the estate tax issue, and the takeover issue. Junior is famous for asking tough questions and then crucifying the person being questioned if he or she has trouble responding. That is probably why Markowitz wants you to make the presentation. So be sure that you thoroughly understand the issues and your answers so that you can handle any follow-up questions that you might receive.

The Most Important Discovery in the Last 100 Years

A lot of significant discoveries have been made over the past centuries. While various discoveries in astronomy, science, physics set our lives on entirely different course, I strongly believe that the discovery of the fist antibiotic, penicillin played a crucial role in the history of mankind. Firstly, before the discovery of penicillin some diseases were incurable and any wound could result in death because of bacteria. Though different methods in medicine were used to limit outbreaks and reduce the spread of diseases, researchers did not know how to kill bacteria that caused diseases. Invented by Alexander Fleming in 1928, penicillin cured a lot of diseases that had caused so much pain and suffering. For example, such illnesses as sepsis and pneumonia were fatal in the majority of cases. Penicillin became the fist drug to defeat those illnesses. Moreover, due the use of penicillin during World War II a tremendous amount of soldiers survived. Penicillin made a major difference in the number of deaths and amputations caused by infected wounds. This antibiotic was the most powerful, the least harmful and gave quick results. Though being the most limited cure, penicillin saved countless lives during the war. Last but not the least, penicillin played an important role in the increase of world life expectancy. It prevented population from the risk of getting the fatal diseases such as fevers, sepsis and pneumonia and reduced deaths at young ages. To illustrate this, the world life expectancy has doubled over the past two centuries from 45 years in 1920 up to 67 and more nowadays. Above all, a lot of other types of antibiotics were developed from penicillin, such as amoxicillin, which, in turn has treated other serious diseases and become innovation in medicine. To conclude, the invention of penicillin became a very important event in the history of medicine. The use of penicillin helped to save lives of many people and reduce the number of losses during World War II. It is impossible to imagine the modern life without antibiotics. Due to them people are not in danger of suffering from serious diseases as they were before the invention of the life-saving cure.

Of mice and men theme power Essay

By examining the relationship between the protagonist geroge and lennie , and the relationship between curly and his wife, this response will attempt to argue that indeed the only power others have over us , is the power we give them. this response will also attempt to examine techniques and description to make and shape meaning in the world of this novel. How Power is Presented in Of Mice and Men The theme of power in Of Mice and Men is presented by Steinbeck in a variety of ways, including characterisation, dialogue and imagery. The main themes of power in the novella include physical power, seduction and the power of hierarchy. The theme of physical power is mainly represented through the character Lennie. The power of seduction is shown through Curley’s wife. Whereas the power of hierarchy is portrayed through the Boss, Slim and Curly. In the novella Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck presents physical power through the character Lennie Small. Lennie is a huge character, with immense physical strength. We can deduce this, from the opening description â€Å"A huge man† . The description here has foreshadowed Lennie’s physical stature and strength. His physical power, is a recurring theme throughout the novella. It is again shown, when George talks to Slim about his previous life with Lennie, â€Å"coulda bust every bone in my body†. Here through the use of dialogue, the reader is shown the physical power Lennie has over George. It is ironic, that even though Lennie has the advantage of physical power. George is the more dominant one. We can see this, by the way George reprimands Lennie for disobeying instructions, â€Å"you wasn’t gonna say a word†. This dialogue, foreshadows Lennie’s lack of mental power, to follow George’s instructions. Curley, The Boss and George are all connected because they have power over someone. In the Novella, The boss is in control of everything. Also he answers to no one. â€Å"Hey, what’s your stake in this guy†. This dialogue is between George and The Boss, he is questioning George on his power over Lennie. This quote shows that he can control who works for him and who doesn’t. He can fire someone just be cause he doesn’t  like them.

(Love) Ethical Issues in Healthcare Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

(Love) Ethical Issues in Healthcare - Essay Example Group morality on the other hand is the contrast values of right and wrong that are stipulated by each group according to the group dynamics and its organizational culture. The moral exemplary leader of all times is the late Mother Teresa. She was a moral leader because she stood for what was right according to not only the culture but also according to the bible. She made many people develop their own personal morality by just following her moral standings and judgment. Deontology is the morality theory that states that an individual follows his or her own personal morality when it comes to making ethical decisions. On the other hand, utilitarianism states that an individual’s ethical decision depends on whether the decision will benefit many people or not (Hinman 2007). An example of deontology is when a friend steals medicine from the hospital’s pharmacy and you have to decide whether to report the friend or assume the theft. In this situation, your personal morality is the one you will base your decision

Low-Carb Dietary Restaurant Business Plan Research Paper

Low-Carb Dietary Restaurant Business Plan - Research Paper Example Low-carb food is scientifically demonstrated to be very healthy and good for fitness for everyone, but especially for overweight people. Our diet program can help the obese people trying to lose weight to lose up to 15 pounds in just 2 weeks with guaranteed results. Our recipes are the combined effort of our very skilled chefs and expert nutritionists. At present we offer 100 low-carb foods at our restaurant and in pre-packaged food at the stores. Our aim is to remove the misconceptions regarding low-carb diet and bring it forward as the mainstream dieting program for the majority to allow them to lose weight in the most efficient and effective way possible. The aim of our president and the owner of Low-Carb Dietary Restaurant, Mr. XYZ, is to provide the best quality and taste food to please our customers and at the same time help them with their diet program. If blessed with success in the first few months, we look forward to expand our operations to other cities and states as well.The purpose of Low-Carb Dietary Restaurant is to help people who are on a diet plan switch to the most effective low carbohydrate diet which is scientifically proven to help lose weight very fast. We look forward to help the ambitious people, whose dieting plan has shown minimal or no effects for them, by offering them a very efficient low-carb diet program at our restaurant. Our overall objective is to satisfy our valuable customers by providing them healthy and most effective dieting plan based on delicious, scrummy and wholesome low-carb recipes. Company Vision Starting with just one branch in the largest city of Ohio State, we look forward to expand our b usiness through a chain of similar restaurants within the country in the next 3 years. For this expansion and growth we aim to work with full dedication and devotion with no compromise on the quality of food we make. Business Goals & Objectives Benefits of low carbohydrate diet have been thoroughly studied in the past years; and our goal is to help our customers live a healthy life by taking advantage of these potential benefits. Goals and Objectives of Low-Carb Dietary Restaurant broadly encompass the following: Produce food products that fall in the category of low-carb diet that restrict carbohydrates to less than 20% of caloric intake. To offer dieting programs with quick weight loss results through low-carb products. Customer should lose up to 10 pounds weight within just two weeks. To offer a variety of recipes and diets to the customers to choose from. Healthy cooking and kitchen environment with compliance to all food regulations. To expand growth and profits by at least 20% in the first 3 years of operations. To enlighten the Columbus citizens and prospective customer about the advantages of low-carb diet. Brief History of the Business Low carbohydrate food restaurants have never been a center of attention for the Columbus city residents. Only a few people are aware of the potential benefits of low-carb diet and how helpful it can be in losing weight and staying healthy forever. People in other states have recently started noticing these advantages and that is why low-carb restaurants are expected to be in fashion very soon including Ohio. Key Company Principles Low-Carb Dietary

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Essay

Augmentative and Alternative Communication - Essay Example k, a lot of research needs to be done in the field of developmental disabilities which have multifaceted and multilateral aspects that are not only complex by nature but they also need socio-psychological interventions, stretched over a period of time, involving extensive inter-personal communication. Of the various developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy is significantly different and encompasses a wide set of communication problem. Cerebral palsy is a disability where despite having a relatively high intelligence quotient, the person has almost no control over his locomotor parts including his speech, thus making communication extremely difficult. Though it affects muscle movements and synchronized coordination of body parts, it is not actually a muscular or neurological problem but abnormality in part of the brain that controls body coordination. It is, therefore, very important to address the need for an augmentative and alternative communication for the persons suffering from cerebral palsy. While there have been many studies that focused on improving linguistic, technical, and strategic competence, there is a scarcity of research on socio-relational competence. In order to enhance the participation of the persons affected with cerebral palsy in the development of the community, it is imperative that their socio-relational competencies be developed to the extent that they may start contributing to the socio-economic development of the society. Prior research indicated that providing access to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices to communicate would not guarantee the development of communicative competence in disabled individuals. According to Light â€Å"for AAC users to reach communicative competence, four critical skills must be mastered namely linguistic competence; technical competence; socio-relational competence and strategic competence† (Light, Binger, Agate, & Ramsay, 1999). According to Mirenda (2003) â€Å"the behavioral

Methods Employed in Business Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Methods Employed in Business Research - Essay Example Quantitative research emphasizes quantification in the data collection and analysis. It entails a deductive approach on the correlation between research and theory, wherein emphasis is put on testing theories (cited in Bryman & Bell, 2007, p.28). Quantitative research combined norms and practices of positivism and scientific model. It supports the view that social reality represents the objective reality. In contrast, qualitative research emphasizes the importance of words instead of quantification in data collection and analysis (cited in Bryman & Bell, 2007, p.28). It entails an inductive approach on the correlation between research and theory, wherein the emphasis is put on generation of theories. Qualitative approach rejected the norms and practices of positivism and natural scientific model. It focuses on the interpretation of individuals with their social world. It supports the premise that social reality is constantly shifting (cited in Bryman & Bell, 2007, p.28). Quantitative methods reflect the â€Å"positivist† approach in conducting researches. Positivism is based on the premise that the world is explainable, controllable, and measurable. Experts argue that the world exists and functions externally; thus, its properties should be studied and measured through objective means. Positivism asserts that knowledge which can be observed and quantified is considered as valid (cited in Brown & Remenyi, 2004, p.243). Positivism stresses the need to objectively and accurately perform observations. Researchers who adhere to this perspective concentrate on eliminating biases and values. They identify factors that lead to a particular event (Marlow, 2010, p.9). Qualitative methods are associated with interpretivism as its general philosophy. Positivism is driven to explain the phenomena to predict and manipulate them while interpretivism concentrates on the interpretation and understanding. Interpretivism supports the premise that reality is not single, obj ective, and divisible, but it is multiple, contextual, and socially constructed. It concentrates on individuals and their manner of making sense and interpreting the reality (Holloway, 1997, p.93). Holloway (1997, p.93) noted that researchers should not consider individuals as existing in a vacuum but as inseparable to the context of their lives. Researchers who adhere to this perspective believe that understanding the individual experiences is as indispensable as the positivist belief in the importance of explanation, prediction, and control (Holloway, 1997, p.93). This ontological premise suggests the use of multiple methodologies. It emphasizes on the richness instead of the amount of data collected (Phillimore & Goodson, 2004, p.157). Qualitative research focuses upon the relations with employees, managerial work, organizational control systems, and identity and gender at work. However, researches which utilized qualitative methods were infrequently presented in practitioner and academic outlets of the business field (Cassell, Buehring, Symon, & Johnson, 2006, p.17). Researchers stress the need for researches that employ diverse sources of data. These researchers further reiterated that conventional research studies led to studies that support repetitive topics and narrow paradigms. They

Modern Europe History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Modern Europe History - Essay Example onomy was the dominant at the time, it was being threatened by the German and the American economy, which were also recovering pretty fast and growing immensely. This is where the British felt threatened by the Germans, since it was proving to be a major force in the struggle for the balance of power. The British perceptions of its own vulnerability forced it to start looking for support from countries that it felt were more friendly and supportive to it (Hobsbawm, 107). Thus, it ended up forming some alliances, which prompted other countries such as Germany and Italy, which were also struggling to emerge as dominant powers in Europe, to start establishing their alliances with the countries they found supportive and aligned to them. The creation of such alliances was the culmination of setting the stage for the First World War, since the dominant powers and their allies started preparing their armies to repel a possible attack to their allies by the antagonists (Hobsbawm, 92). Thus, when the conflict between Serbia and Austria-Hungary accelerated, it was the time for their allies to support them, sparking off the First World War. According to Hobsbawn, revolutionary developments and pressures on the periphery finally engulfed European nation states that had seemingly found ways to manage their own revolutionary movements. This is true, as exemplified by the case of France. The French revolution had occurred in 1789, causing radical social and political changes in France (Hobsbawm, 123). However, the country struggled through the upheaval and finally managed to stabilize towards the end of 1799. Nevertheless, the pressure that followed thereafter caused France to be engulfed in a struggle for power in Europe, mainly after Germany annexed some territory of Alsace-Lorraine, which was previously under the French control (Hobsbawm, 214). This created a feeling of resentment and animosity between France and Germany, with France feeling that it had to avenge itself, for

Editi a paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Editi a paper - Essay Example Moreover, since we dealt with employees in different companies in Saudi Arabia, a survey was the only possible way viable alternative to reach those employees. The survey consists comprised of 18 questions. A total of 43 people responded to it. 93% (40) of the respondents were male, and 7% (3) were female. The sample size was ample adequate to determine ascertain the real genuine needs of the above mentioned employees target group. The second (change this to â€Å"first question† if the mistake is not deliberate) question was about the employees’ highest level of education. This question included 4 subcategories: vocational certificate, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and doctoral degree; 32.6% (14) of the respondents have reportedly had a vocational degree, 7.0% (3) have had a master’s degree, 2.3% (1) have a doctoral degree, and the rest (58.1% or 25) have a bachelor’s degree. (See Figure#1) Since we are dealing this survey dealt with employees who rarely enroll in English courses due to the busy nature of their job their busy work schedules, another question asked seeking information regarding their enrollment in programs imparting English education was included in the survey design whether they still study English. The result revealed that 59.5% (25) are were enrolled in still taking English courses, and while the remaining 17 are were not. This The outcomes suggests highlights the participants’ need willingness to improve their English language skills. Although it is relatively difficult to derive accurate inferences regarding an individual’s aptitude towards a particular language a person cannot judge his or her level of proficiency in language due to owing to variable proficiency measurements, the specific questions designed to seek information regarding their proficiency level were included in this survey asked the employees about their proficiency level. The results indicated that 42.9% (18) considered their proficiency

IPad's Security Breach Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

IPad's Security Breach - Essay Example Subsequent to this breach of AT&T’s security, a lot of security issues have since arisen for the firm and other computer security firms. In addition, many interested parties have questioned the justification of hacking activities as well as the role of ethical statements and policies of computer security firms, which promote activities such as website hacking. This paper explores the subjects of the possibility of the justification of hacking, computer security firms’ ethics that promote hacking, and the social responsibilities of media firms such as Gawkers Media LLC. Justification of Hacking into Websites Most hackers state that they hack into websites not as criminals but as interested parties seeking to identify flaws in computer systems or reveal certain information. By hacking, they claim, it becomes possible for computer security firms to prevent or rectify any damaging security leaks. However, due to the side effects of hacking and the damages it causes to compu ter firms’ images and business, questions have a risen on the issue of justification for hacking and activities. While others insist that hacking can never be justifiable, others believe it is a justifiable practice, depending on the reasons for which it is done (Harper’s Forum, 1999). ... peoples’ data worldwide, hackers believe they compel these companies to ensure that they have tamperproof systems that keep their clients’ data confidential. Therefore, hackers are watchdog for the public on the security weaknesses of technology firms. Hacking is thus justifiable since it addresses the vulnerabilities inherent in technology products that expose clients’ confidential information (Harper’s Forum, 1999). Hacking could also be justifiable if its exposes illegal political activities by discredited groups. In addition, hacking may be justified if it reveals certain publicly important information, which the public is denied by governments, organizations, or politicians. Importantly, hackers reveal malpractices and criminal activities that may be happening without the knowledge of the public and the law enforcement agencies. That is, when a hacker discovers the criminal operations of certain individuals or organizations and such reports are sent t o law enforcers, that hacking is certainly justified since it benefits the society and does not harm the public or any private person in any way (Harper’s Forum, 1999). Various factors have been found to promote hacking activities. Among these factors are the various ethical statements by computer security firms. Corporate Ethics Statement That Promote Hacking The ethical issue regarding the freedom to access information is perhaps the number one motivator of hackers to indulge in their activities. In fact, the ethic on which hackers justify their actions is that they investigate issues, allowing every individual in the society to gain information and knowledge on the various hidden issues affecting their lives (Ermann, 1997). Once a corporate computer firm issues ethical statements that emphasize the

Alienation Essay Example for Free

Alienation Essay Metamorphosis is a change in physical form or structure. In The Metamorphosis, there is a literal change in the protagonist, Gregor Samsas, physical form from a man to an insect. This metamorphosis brings to light one of the major themes in the novel; the theme of alienation. Todays society demands conformity to its norms and any individual who refuses to accept these faces alienation. Such is the fate of Gregor in the story. Before Gregors metamorphosis, he is alienated from his job, humanity, his family, and even his body. The metamorphosis, however, takes the alienation to a different plane. In the story, Gregors job precipitates his alienation from society, his family, and himself. Gregors initial alienation is from his physical body and as the story progresses we find that Gregors life as an insect is not much different from his life as a human. From the first few paragraphs we get the impression that Gregors metamorphosis has only transformed him from one body to a less convenient one. He does not seem frazzled by his transformation, but explores his new body and tries to work with it. He observes his numerous legs, which were pitifully thin compared to the rest of his bulk (Kafka, 494), he feels a dull ache he had never experienced before (495), and he discovers a place on his body that he cannot itch. Gregor does not seem to have any emotional change due to this transformation. This is evident when he wakes up after his transformation and is annoyed that he cannot go to sleep because he cannot turn onto his right side. He also thinks about how he can no longer attend work.

Initial response to Malcolm X and Black Rage Essay Example for Free

Initial response to Malcolm X and Black Rage Essay In the essay, Cornel West tries to explain how Malcolm X’s â€Å"Black Rage† articulation wasnt directed at white americans only, but also to black americans who view their lives and minds through what West describes as â€Å"White lenses†. West also claims that Malcolm X’s idea of â€Å"psychic conversation† would promote blacks to turn that rage to love and appreciation of their own culture and self worth. Another claim West mentions is that the idea of psychic conversation struck fear into black professionals, due to their constant surrounding of white social circles, but at the same time understand the idea precisely for the exact same reason. West compares these kind of individuals to Du Bois’s idea of â€Å"double consciousness†. Blacks living between their own live and whites, never settle in either, yet crave acceptance mainly from whites. ! West also believed that Malcolm X viewed black equality as a farfetched possibility due to the majority of white racists, and black victims of democracy. What interests me the most is that Malcolm X feared cultural hybridity even though he, himself, comes from a hybrid culture. But eventually Malcolm X began to slowly remove that fear after looking into the acceptance of humanity regardless of race, class, or gender in the Islamic regimes of Muslims in the Middle East. In the end of the essay, West thinks that future generations should take Malcolm X’s â€Å"black rage† and â€Å"psychic conversation† as an example of rejection to any sorts of inequality. I strongly agree with West’s idea to follow such examples in order to achieve change in human equality and acceptance.

Concepts Of The Seduced And Repressed Marketing Essay

Concepts Of The Seduced And Repressed Marketing Essay This essay will introduce the concepts of the seduced and repressed and explain what they mean in Baumans theory of consumer society The main body will consider how Baumans concepts: help us better understand how consumption fits into and affects our modern UK consumer society. fail to help us understand (what are their strengths and weaknesses ? what are their limitations as tools ?) feedback from TMA01: make it shorter (~10%) Main Body  (approx 1000 words) Introduce the concepts, explain what they mean Summarise Baumans theory (consumption replaces class in post-industrial consumer society as a means of classifying members of society). Explain what Bauman means by Seduced and Repressed as concepts within his theory. How the concepts help (try using Circuit of Knowledge) Question: How do the concepts help us better understand consumption in our society ? Claim: They enable us to create a clear, simplified description of a consumer society Evidence: Examples of what Bauman describes from UK society: Hetheringtons description of his street as an example of a typical UK street, show how the concepts help us describe contemporary UK consumer society as exemplified by his street, how they simplify/clarify the description. Claim: They offer an accurate (enough) explanation of why things are this way in a consumer society Evidence: Show how the concepts offer an explanation of why people shop as they do, using the description of Hetheringtons area. Jackson reached the same conclusion for retail park shoppers. How the concepts fail       Question: How do the concepts FAIL TO help us better understand consumption in our society ? Claim: Baumans theory is a bit out-of-date, patterns of consumption and opportunities for consuming have changed. Distinguishing by ability to consume or not is less meaningful if everyone can consume satisfactorily. We might need a new set of concepts to partition the new seduced, or a re-definition of Baumans concepts to address this. Evidence: Money is more freely available on easy credit terms/store cards etc. Online (ebay), high-street stores like Primark allow more people to consume successfully at different levels, not just a choice between consuming luxury or nothing at all. Rising affluence (chapter 3 evidence, spend on essentials as a proportion of all expenditure has dropped since 1986), Greater access to a wider range of cheaper goods (e.g. cheap clothes in supermarkets chapter 2).   Quote from V.Brown about how people in the UK have more stuff than ever before Claim: They over-generalise/over-simplify they dont explain lots of consumer types and how they behave. Choose from these examples of consumers who dont fit the concepts depending on wordcount: Evidence:: People who may not consume luxuries to fit in/portray a lifestyle normally, but who use occasional retail therapy as an escape mechanism from a stressful or boring lifestyle. They KNOW theyre being seduced, and indeed choose to be for relief. People who consume to reward themselves for working hard. People in both categories simultaneously e.g. may be heavily seduced whenever they spend on hobbies or interests, but begrudge every penny spent on other non-essentials;  Ã‚  Ã‚      People who consume goods and services aimed at the seduced, but who understand the manipulation and dont care People who choose not to consume in order to make a point (Chapter 1 Hetheringtons oppositional, and Audio CD1, Helen Rimmer (FoE) re. Tescopoly and other protesters) People who would be classified as repressed but are not, even though they have  a good income  (e.g. have high demands on their means) or they prioritise essentials over luxury Conclusion (approx 150 words) What has the essay discussed ? What conclusions have been reached ? NO NEW MATERIAL ! It has examined the concepts from the perspectives of how they help us better understand how consumption fits into and affects our society and where they fail to help us in this understanding It has concluded that the benefits outweigh the shortcomings, but that other concepts and theories are required to give a complete picture of the modern UK consumer society. So they leave a number of significant gaps, thus need to be augmented/extended to give a good understanding. References Add references at the end dont forget the CD reference David Byrne (PI: B0984954, DD131, TMA02 Task 2, Essay of not more than 1250 words) Discuss the role of the concepts of the seduced and the repressed for understanding the place of consumption in contemporary consumer society. Zygmunt Bauman has created an abstract model of the typical modern consumer society, as a way of describing this type of society and explaining why it might be so. He has invented a number of concepts to help with this explanation, and this essay will consider two of these that are closely related what Bauman calls the Seduced and the Repressed. This discussion will initially introduce these concepts and explain what they mean in Baumans theory. It will then explore their usefulness by considering each from the contrasting perspectives of how they help us better understand where consumption fits into our modern UK consumer society, and conversely ways in which they might fail to help our understanding. As noted by Kevin Hetherington (2009, p25), Bauman suggests that post-industrial capitalist societies are based on consumption, which he believes is a key characteristic of such societies. In a similar fashion to the class-based divisions in industrial society that group people by their positions in relation to the means of production, he proposes that societal divisions within consumer society are based on peoples ability to consume material goods, services and experiences, and offers the concepts of the Seduced and the Repressed to describe those groupings. The Seduced in Baumans model are those able to acquire the material goods that are valued as status symbols by their peers, and to live lifestyles aspired to by the group. As successful consumers, they are valued as members of society with a positive identity. In contrast, the constituents of the Repressed are those who are unable to access this way of life for some reason, for example because they do not have the disposable inc ome to spend on non-essentials, or cannot access the sites of consumption such as retail parks and high streets due to factors such as physical disability, age or lack of transport. These are seen as negatively-valued members of the consumer society, by the seduced and by those with something to sell. Baumans concepts can be used to describe and explain the different patterns of consumer activity in contemporary UK society. They distil all the subtly different attitudes to consumption held by the individuals in society down to just two consumer types, giving a simplified model that is much easier to understand than one incorporating all the individuals means and circumstances. Consider Hetheringtons account (2009, p13) of the businesses in his local area, a typical example of todays UK urban landscape that includes small local shops, bars and restaurants, and out-of-town supermarkets and retail parks. This society can easily be described using Baumans concepts, where the Seduced are likely to be those people Hetherington identifies as the night-time clientele of the bars and restaurants, and those who drive to the large supermarkets and retail park to shop, while the Repressed could include those such as the latest group of migrants to arrive that Hetherington mentions. Baumans co ncepts also offer a simple theoretical way to explain why those who shop in each of the different outlets in the area do so. They suggest that the shoppers in the local retail park are the Seduced, who shop there because they are buying into a lifestyle that emphasises acquisition of goods available in that environment, who have access to it by virtue of being car owners, and who can afford to shop there because they have sufficient disposable income. Those with sufficient disposable income to enjoy the bars and restaurants in the vicinity would also fit this category. In contrast, those local residents forced to settle for the limited range of goods on offer in the somewhat run-down local convenience stores because they cant afford to shop in the large out-of-town stores, or who do not have the appropriate means of transport to shop there, fit into the category of the Repressed. This explanation of current UK society offered by Baumans concepts is supported by practical studies suc h as Peter Jacksons survey of retail park shoppers (1990, cited in Hetherington, 2009, p45). However since Bauman first presented his concepts in 1988, new opportunities for consuming that they do not accommodate have emerged in the UK. Vivienne Brown (2009, p111) presents evidence from the ONS of rising affluence here over the last fifty years, with the most significant rises in disposable income and in real earnings occurring in the mid-eighties and early nineties, trends accompanied by increased access to credit facilities through loan companies, store cards etc. Giant multinational retailers such as Tesco and Primark, with their global supply chains and huge buying power have brought an ever-increasing range of cheaper goods to the UK market, and online stores and auction sites facilitate high volumes of trade in cheaper goods. This combination of increased access to money and wider range of options means that a growing proportion of people are able to access a level of consumption that satisfies them instead of just being able to either consume or not. As Brown observes : People in the UK have more clothing and shoes than ever before, eat a wider range of food than ever before, and increasingly their homes are fitted with appliances and facilities that would have been undreamed of or classed in the luxury bracket in the past (2009, p108). Baumans concepts distinguish people by whether they can consume or not, and are most effective when these distinctions are clear. When a majority of people are consuming satisfactorily, albeit at different levels, the differences between them as consumers narrow and the concepts may really only be useful for distinguishing between extremes. Additionally, without a baseline for comparison the concepts are hard to apply consistently: those considered Seduced from one perspective might equally be considered Repressed by those even better off. These gaps suggest that alternative concepts are needed to partition the contemporary Seduced in order to satisfactorily explain our society. While Baumans concepts simplify and clarify, they over-generalise and over-simplify. Many people in the UK today either dont fit neatly into the categories of the Seduced and Repressed, or move easily between these groups. Examples include those who do not normally follow a consumption-centred lifestyle but who use occasional shopping (retail therapy) to escape from stress or boredom, or as a personal treat or reward. They know they are being seduced, and indeed choose to be for their temporary specific purposes. Similarly, the concepts do not explain those that choose to not consume in order to make a point, who Hetherington (2009, p47) suggests might be termed the oppositional, such as those who select what they buy on the basis of environmental friendliness, trade fairness or other ethical grounds. Helen Rimmer (DD131, CD1) describes communities in a number of UK locations who have rejected new opportunities to consume by actively opposing the introduction of big supermarkets in t heir area because they object to the local economy being disrupted. The people in these examples are not  seduced, but neither are they repressed: their conscious choices of where and how much they consume compared to others do not impact on their status in society or on how others value them.  This again suggests that Baumans concepts may need re-definition to have more meaning in the context of our modern society. Having evaluated the strengths and the limitations of Baumans Seduced and Repressed concepts as tools in advancing our understanding of the role of consumption in contemporary post-industrial UK society, it seems that they offer a useful way of classifying many of the members of that society, and often help to explain their patterns of consumption. However this essay has presented a number of examples where the concepts fail to offer a satisfactory explanation because they are too generalised and/or simplified. The evidence that Baumans concepts leave important gaps in our understanding therefore suggests that while they are most useful in giving a big picture view of the role that consumption plays in modern UK consumer society, additional concepts and theories are required if we wish to understand the detail. (1331 words)

Owain Lawgoch :: European History

Owain Lawgoch Llywelyn Fawr (Llywelyn the Great) was the father of two ambitious sons, both of whom were destined to become intertwined in the 13th-century dynastic struggles between Wales and England. Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was his father's natural son and the eldest, while Dafydd was the son of Llywelyn's wife Joan, herself the natural daughter of King John. Both sons were apparently determined to succeed their father and carry forward the country's struggle against their Norman would-be conquerors. At Llywelyn's death in 1240, contrary Welsh law and custom, Gwynedd passed to his legitimate son Dafydd, rather than being divided equally between Dafydd and his brother Gruffydd. It is thought that Llywelyn saw the practice of divided inheritance as a threat to the survival of Gwynedd, and he took extraordinary measures to ensure that Dafydd was recognized as his sole heir. As a consequence, Gruffydd spent much his life as a prisoner of his father, then his brother and later the English king, until his tragic death during an attempted escape from the Tower of London in 1244 (shown right). Despite Llywelyn's precautions, Dafydd's reign was tragically short and he died without heirs in 1246. Soon most of Wales was back under the control of the English king and his barons. Despite this tremendous setback, in less than 10 years Gruffydd's son Llywelyn, known to history as Llywelyn the Last, had managed to reclaim the dynasty of Gwynedd, gaining unprecedented recognition as "Prince of Wales" before his tragic downfall and death in 1282. With his death, and the death of his older brother Owain the same year, and his younger brother Dafydd the following year, the House of Gwynedd ended almost 500 years of rule over most of northern Wales. The princely line of Gwynedd had finally run out, extinguished forever by the ruthless King Edward I. Or had it? Little remembered is Llywelyn's youngest brother Rhodri ap Gruffydd. He apparently played no part in the dynastic struggles of the 13th century, and lived most of his life in relative obscurity and peace outside Wales, reportedly dying on his English manor c1315. Yet it was one of his descendants who was destined to make Gwynedd's final claim to the title "Prince of Wales." That person was Rhodri's grandson, Owain Lawgoch. Owain ap Thomas ap Rhodri, known to history as Owain Lawgoch (Owain of the red hand) and to the French as Yvain de Galles, like his father, was born and grew up in England and had no direct associations with Wales.

Simpleton Kindness :: Values Virtues Kindness Essays, movies

Simpleton Kindness When people go to extremes in the name of selfless kindness, or in the case of Lloyd and Harry from Dumb and Dumber, when people who are motivated by attraction, desperation and kindness, go to extremes, more often then not something good happens in the end. Hollywood has a long standing tradition of lauding the bumbling hero who, though misguided, saves the day with little more than a kind heart and a strong will. Two examples of goodness conquering all are Tommy Boy and Dumb and Dumber. Both movies are highly comical, and play to the worst case scenario in the name of laughs, but underneath the comical exterior, the moral of both stories says, when people attempt to serve others or causes greater than themselves, goodness usually triumphs. After seven years in college, Tommy Callahan, who isn’t exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, finally graduates with a BA. He moves back to Ohio, where his dad owns an Auto Parts company. Despite his ineptitude, because his father owns the company, Tommy gets shot straight to the top of his father’s company. Not long after returning home, Tommy finds out his father is getting remarried. The excitement of having a new family is cut short when Tommy’s father dies of a stroke on his wedding day. Though the death of his Dad is troubling, there is little time to mourn. The family Auto Parts company relied heavily on the salesmanship of Tommy’s father, and without his drive and guidance, the company is in danger of getting bought out by a bigger corporation. With no experience to back him, and an academic past that does more to damage his credibility that establish it, Tommy volunteers to fill his father shoes, â€Å" I know I’m probably not the ans wer you guys are looking for but I feel like I oughta do something.† (Tommy Boy). The board has little confidence in Tommy, but they don’t have a better alternative, so Tommy sets out with the best of intentions, to save his fathers legacy, and the livelihood of his home town. Eventually Tommy succeeds in saving the business, exposing corruption in the process. Unlike Tommy Boy, in Dumb and Dumber, the motives of the main characters are highly mixed. The plot centers around Lloyd and his friend, and trusty side kick named Harry.

eating disorder Essay -- essays research papers

Is there a strong connection between the fast food industry and the growing rate of obesity among young children? The answer is yes- fast food consumption is a large contributor to increasing child obesity risks and the effects of long-term health problems in the future. Children are bombarded by fast food advertising on a daily basis which lure them into wanting fast foods in addition to the great taste. The rapid growth of child obesity is in step with the growing fast food chains and market. The realization of this important link is the first step in finding a solution to the growing epidemic of child obesity. A person is considered obese or suffering from obesity when their weight is 20 percent (25 % in women) or more over the maximum desirable weight for their height. When a person is more than 100 pounds overweight, it is considered to be a potentially fatal condition, also known as morbid obesity. Rates of obesity are climbing, the percentage of children and young adolescents who are obese have doubled in the last twenty years. Obesity increases a person’s risk of numerous illnesses and death due to diabetes, stroke, coronary artery disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, and kidney and gallbladder disorders. Obesity also increases the risk of various types of cancer. Once a person reaches the level of being obese, it is far more difficult to reverse the condition as compared to someone who is simply overweight and needs to shed a few pounds. Many obesity patients suffer psychologically from stress, depression, and frustration. These mental side-effects contribute to the extrem e difficulty of losing weight and especially if the person has been obese or extremely overweight from an early age. The majority of young children who develop bad eating habits- consuming fast food- stay with them as they become young adults. â€Å"A person’s food preferences, like his or her personality, are formed during the first few years of life, through the process of socialization.†(Schlosser) Toddlers can learn to enjoy healthy food or fast food, depending on what they are introduced to at this developmental stage. These foods evolve into â€Å"comfort foods† as they grow older and become a source of pleasure and satisfaction. Although, genetic factors and inactive lifestyle are factors, obesity is mainly caused by the body consuming more food than it can use. â€Å"Every day almos... ...ast food industry plays a big part in contributing to child obesity, because of the lack of effort to decrease the fat, salt, sugar content, and portions of their meals. They are also to blame for the excessive marketing directed toward young children through media and advertising. They have infiltrated the minds of children to trust fast food icons such as Ronald McDonald and to start bad eating habits at an early age that will carry over into their adulthood. Although the fast food industry is a largely linked to the growth of child obesity, they can not solely take the blame. A child is ten times more likely to become obese if his or her parent is obese. This is due to a combination of genetic factors and social environment the child has been accustomed to. Parents have the responsibility to teach their children that it’s not ok to eat fast food regularly. After all, the parents are the ones who buy the fast food for their children and drive the family to the restaurant s. They should regulate the consumption. A more morally responsible fast food industry, with the combined efforts of responsible parents - is the only solution to reverse the increasing epidemic of child obesity.

Work Hard Play Hard

Jonathan White Professor Caldwell English 201 28 September 2012 Work Hard; Play Hard Work hard. Play hard. Two completely different things but they should coincide. So many people these days get by with the smallest amount of effort, and so many people play too much. An equal balance of the two makes for a high-quality pleasurable life. The harder you work the more you deserve to play, and trust me; you’ll feel better about it. Hard workers in this day and age can sometimes be very hard to come around. There are so many younger people that grow up getting almost everything handed to them.This, from the get go, doesn’t instill good work ethics in a person growing up. The younger generation needs to learn how to earn a good living in order to pass it on to future generations. I think hard work is challenging one’s self. What’s the point of living without a challenge? That’s a boring life if you ask me. Everybody wants to live a life that’s bett er than their surrounding citizens. That goal can be reached by working hard. Most people will do what’s easiest and avoid hard work. That is precisely why you should do the opposite.The easiest opportunities of life will be attacked by crowds of people seeking what’s easy. The much tougher challenges will usually see a lot less competition and a lot more opportunity. When you discipline yourself to do what is hard, you gain access to a field of results that are refused to everyone else. The willingness to do what is difficult is like having a key to a unique private treasure chest. The nice thing about hard work is that it’s universal. It doesn’t matter what industry you work in, hard work can be used to achieve positive long-term results no matter what the specifics are.If you work hard it will pay off. The greater your capacity for hard work, the more opportunities you will find yourself confronting. The deeper you can dive, the more treasure you can p ossibly find. There are so many different things that require hard work. Being healthy is hard work. Finding and then maintaining a successful relationship is hard work. Raising children is hard work. Becoming and staying organized is hard work. Setting goals, making plans to achieve them, and staying on the right track is hard work. Sometimes even being happy is hard work. As I stated earlier, if you work hard you DESERVE to play hard.You’ve earned the right to a weekend in Vegas, or a week on the beach in Cancun. Sometimes not having a good mix of work and play can lead to disaster. Everyone needs to relieve stress sometimes and one of the best ways to do it is to play hard. Take some time off once and awhile and do something new and exciting. I’m not saying go do something dangerously suicidal but maybe thrilling that’ll get your adrenaline pumping. Don’t let your life get 100% work orientated. Spend time with your friends and families, these things ar e important and everybody needs them.You’ll regret it in the future if you do not. Keep a good balance between everything and try your best to keep it that way. Working and playing coincide and should be kept equalized, but they should also be kept separate. When you are working hard, don’t play. When you’re playing hard, don’t work. It’s very simple but sometimes it can be hard not to forget. If you remember everything I’ve said and apply it to your own life there will only be success headed your away. Everybody around you will notice and you will be appreciated for it no doubt.You may also find that things will come a lot easier than they did prior. Most importantly, you will be proud of yourself. There is no better feeling than having the people that you are surrounded by proud of you except for the feeling of being proud of yourself. It’s like the feeling of reaching the top of a massive hill covered in snow. You can look down and see all that you have accomplished and say to yourself. â€Å"Wow, I did that. † Now the hard work is over. Take a deep breath, and slide down to the bottom. That was fun! Work hard, play hard. Work Hard Play Hard Jonathan White Professor Caldwell English 201 28 September 2012 Work Hard; Play Hard Work hard. Play hard. Two completely different things but they should coincide. So many people these days get by with the smallest amount of effort, and so many people play too much. An equal balance of the two makes for a high-quality pleasurable life. The harder you work the more you deserve to play, and trust me; you’ll feel better about it. Hard workers in this day and age can sometimes be very hard to come around. There are so many younger people that grow up getting almost everything handed to them.This, from the get go, doesn’t instill good work ethics in a person growing up. The younger generation needs to learn how to earn a good living in order to pass it on to future generations. I think hard work is challenging one’s self. What’s the point of living without a challenge? That’s a boring life if you ask me. Everybody wants to live a life that’s bett er than their surrounding citizens. That goal can be reached by working hard. Most people will do what’s easiest and avoid hard work. That is precisely why you should do the opposite.The easiest opportunities of life will be attacked by crowds of people seeking what’s easy. The much tougher challenges will usually see a lot less competition and a lot more opportunity. When you discipline yourself to do what is hard, you gain access to a field of results that are refused to everyone else. The willingness to do what is difficult is like having a key to a unique private treasure chest. The nice thing about hard work is that it’s universal. It doesn’t matter what industry you work in, hard work can be used to achieve positive long-term results no matter what the specifics are.If you work hard it will pay off. The greater your capacity for hard work, the more opportunities you will find yourself confronting. The deeper you can dive, the more treasure you can p ossibly find. There are so many different things that require hard work. Being healthy is hard work. Finding and then maintaining a successful relationship is hard work. Raising children is hard work. Becoming and staying organized is hard work. Setting goals, making plans to achieve them, and staying on the right track is hard work. Sometimes even being happy is hard work. As I stated earlier, if you work hard you DESERVE to play hard.You’ve earned the right to a weekend in Vegas, or a week on the beach in Cancun. Sometimes not having a good mix of work and play can lead to disaster. Everyone needs to relieve stress sometimes and one of the best ways to do it is to play hard. Take some time off once and awhile and do something new and exciting. I’m not saying go do something dangerously suicidal but maybe thrilling that’ll get your adrenaline pumping. Don’t let your life get 100% work orientated. Spend time with your friends and families, these things ar e important and everybody needs them.You’ll regret it in the future if you do not. Keep a good balance between everything and try your best to keep it that way. Working and playing coincide and should be kept equalized, but they should also be kept separate. When you are working hard, don’t play. When you’re playing hard, don’t work. It’s very simple but sometimes it can be hard not to forget. If you remember everything I’ve said and apply it to your own life there will only be success headed your away. Everybody around you will notice and you will be appreciated for it no doubt.You may also find that things will come a lot easier than they did prior. Most importantly, you will be proud of yourself. There is no better feeling than having the people that you are surrounded by proud of you except for the feeling of being proud of yourself. It’s like the feeling of reaching the top of a massive hill covered in snow. You can look down and see all that you have accomplished and say to yourself. â€Å"Wow, I did that. † Now the hard work is over. Take a deep breath, and slide down to the bottom. That was fun! Work hard, play hard.

Federal Reserve Paper Essay

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the Federal Reserves’ discount rate, monetary policy, and stimulus program through the money multiplier. What are the factors that would influence the Federal Reserve in adjusting the discount rate? According to Chron if prices rise too fast or the economy starts slowing down, the Federal Reserve uses the discount rate as a way of manipulating interest rates to stabilize the economy. This change can either increase or decrease how much you’ll pay to borrow money. How does the discount rate affect the decisions of banks in setting their specific interest rates? According to Chron although changes in the discount rate affect your interest rate, the Federal Reserve does not lend directly to business owners. Rather, the Federal Reserve lends money to depository institutions such as commercial banks. Depository institutions must pay interest on the money they borrow from the Federal Reserve. The discount rate is the interest rate the Federal Reserve charges its depository institution borrowers. Loan interest rates fluctuate in response as depository institutions pass the discount rate changes along to you. How does monetary policy aim to avoid inflation? According to Tutor2u monetary policies tend to invest in various assets, in order to avoid the losses caused by inflation. Increase in interest rates is also another measure, in order to contract the real money supply. Monetary policy controls money supply by increasing the discount rate, and also through increasing and decreasing the reserve requirements of lending banks. If the reserve requirements decrease, the banks can lend more money to consumers and businesses. If the reserve requirements increase, banks have to keep more money in with the fed. The interest rates increase, and people have an incentive to save and earn interest from the bank. If the interest rates decrease, then people do not have an incentive to save and they spend their money. How does a stimulus program (through the money multiplier) affect the money supply? According to Forbes a study by Obama administration economists Christina Romer and Jared Bernstein predicts that the stimulus plan being debated in Congress will raise the gross domestic product by $1. Such a multiplier effect has been heavily criticized by a number of top economists, including John Taylor of Stanford, Gary Becker and Eugene Fama of the University of Chicago and Greg Mankiw and Robert Barro of Harvard. The gist of their argument is that the government cannot expand the economy through deficit spending because it has to borrow the funds in the first place, thus displacing other economic activities. In the end, the government has simply moved around economic activity without increasing it in the aggregate. The problem is that fiscal stimulus needs to be injected right now to counter the liquidity trap. If that were the case, I think we might well get a very high multiplier effect this year. But if much of the stimulus doesn’t come online until next year, when we are likely to be past the worst of the slowdown, then crowding out will greatly diminish the effectiveness of the stimulus, just as the critics argue. The theory of the money multiplier states that for every $1 spent by the government, it drums up $1. 50 in the economy. So, if the government spends more money via a stimulus package, the economy should expand by 50% of the amount of the stimulus package. In conclusion the following topics have been discussed and described to give one an idea of its functions: What is the factor that would influence the Federal Reserve in adjusting the discount rate? – How does the discount rate affect the decisions of banks in setting their specific interest rates? – How does monetary policy aim to avoid inflation? -How does a stimulus program (through the money multiplier) affect the money supply?

Essay on Harlow and Ainsworth

Compare and contrast research by Harry Harlow and Mary Ainsworth on understanding attachment Harry Harlow and Mary Ainsworth undertook studies aimed at providing a clearer insight into the processes associated with attachment. Even though both Harlow and Ainsworth chose a different approach to their research, they met with some similarities. This essay will therefore seek to both compare and contrast their researches, the methods they used as well as evidence gained through their respective researches.It is I feel important to have a brief understanding as to what attachment is, and thus help to provide a perspective in regards to what the experiments being conducted are aiming to define. Attachment can be defined as â€Å"a long term emotionally important relationship in which one individual seeks proximity to and derives security and comfort from the presence of another† (discovering psychology p. 193, 2012). As such both Harlow and Ainsworth through their different approach es sought to investigate the mechanisms inherent with infant bonding.Was it due to the carer providing for their emotional and physical needs or was it more deep-seated, in that infants were more inclined to seek attachment to stimulus that met their needs, such as warmth, and softness as suggested through the researches of Bowlby (1948) (discovering psychology p. 196 ,2012) Harlow in his approach chose to base his research solely on animals, in this case the Rhesus Macaque monkey. He chose this method in part due to the fact that these monkeys have approximately ninety four percent in common with human DNA.Coupled with this was the further factor concerning ethical issues, as it would have undoubtedly raised serious concerns had he chose to conduct his experiments on human infants. His observations were conducted entirely within the seemingly harsh surroundings metered through the laboratory environment, which differed in comparison to the research conducted by Ainsworth through he r responses to sensitivity. Through his research, Harlow noticed that the monkeys grew attached to sanitary pads placed in their cage, and suspected that the monkeys boned ith them and gained â€Å"contact comfort† from them, as they were the only soft item in their otherwise harsh environment, (discovering psychology p. 202, 2012) Harlow thus surmised that the softness of the sanitary pads along with the â€Å"contact comfort† the monkeys gained from them seemed a more important factor within the infant bonding process than the presence and supply of food. (discovering psychology p. 202, 2012)In order to further investigate his hypothesis, Harlow constructed two very different types of â€Å"surrogate mothers†, one being constructed of wire which lacked any form of tactile comfort, whilst the second was made of wood with a layer of sponge and covered with a soft layer of towelling. Both â€Å"mothers† had heating supplied by a light bulb and both had a f eeding bottle inserted through the body providing the monkey with food. Through his observations and experimentation, Harlow noted the monkeys bonded with the soft bodied â€Å"mother† regardless of whether it contained a supply of nourishment or not. discovering psychology p. 205, 2012). In contrast Ainsworth‘s research focused on human infants, in part through her observations with mothers and their infants. Whilst living in Uganda, Ainsworth observed a number of families with unweaned babies, and noticed that the more responsive the mothers were to the signals of the infant, the less the infant cried and the more confident the infant was, conversely the less responsive mothers were to signals the more the baby cried (discovering psychology p. 216, 2012).Ainsworth, though different in her approach, in her case observing children and their carers in natural surroundings which differed from that of Harlow, in that he observed monkeys in a laboratory surrounding, they bo th however reached the same conclusion. Infants that feel secure, in that they have a safe base, whether this is provided by a terry towel covered â€Å"mother† or a doting parent, the tactile stimulus provided by each is of paramount importance in infant and monkey bonding. At the centre of Ainsworth’s research was what became known as the â€Å"strange experiment†, which she conducted in America, and consisted of a series of even consecutive episodes within a controlled environment. The experiment involved three people, the mother, infant and a stranger. (discovering psychology p. 217, 2012). Ethical considerations have to be taken into account once more, for unlike Harlow’s monkeys who having been bred in captivity and could not choose to opt out, or indeed be comforted as in Ainsworth’s experiments, whereby should the infant become distressed the experiment was stopped and the infant immediately comforted.Monkeys though forming a complex hierar chical society are not deemed to be as complex as humans, as such the responses to various stimuli employed by Harlow in his experiments could be deemed as being easier to interpret. In contrast to Harlow’s experiment, Ainsworth through her more closely controlled observations, and in mind that humans exhibit a more complex behaviour, she was able to delve deeper into the mechanisms associated with infant bonding, whereby she was able to define four different types of attachment. (Discovering psychology p. 204, 2012)Clearly the relevant studies undertaken by Harlow and Ainsworth had both their advantages and disadvantages. Harlow for example based his researches entirely on monkeys, within the harsh confines of the laboratory environment. The fact that Macaque monkeys share ninety four percent of DNA with human infants does not necessarily denote that their subsequent behaviour would be similar to that of human infants. â€Å"There is a need to be very careful how one interp rets this genetic similarity, for a small difference in DNA can make a huge difference in a species’ anatomy and behaviour† (discovering psychology p. 04, 2012). Ainsworth on the other hand centred her research based on observations in both Uganda and America. She chose a more sensitive approach. Her observations were of infants interacting with primary care givers and strangers and gauging their reactions. Through this process she was able to delve deeper into the mechanisms of attachment, given that not only are humans more complex as exhibited through their interactions, it also offered further opportunities for her to expand and deepen her researches.This however had its own disadvantages, for Ainsworth it seems did not factor into account the country of origin or cultural backgrounds of the infants being studied, along with the infant’s mood or indeed if the infant was used to the situation they were being exposed to. (discovering psychology p. 219, 2012). T his situation did not arise in the research conducted by Harlow, as all the monkeys had been raised in captivity which in itself ensured a more general set of expected patterns of behaviour.Ainsworth’s study does not seem to reflect any innate behaviour in the infants, whereas the researches of Harlow’s, particularly concerning the wire and terry towel covered â€Å"surrogate mothers† seem to support his theory that regardless of species, that infants show an innate predisposition in forming attachments with carers who provide for their needs. This I feel was due to Harlow being able to look deeper into this facet of infant behaviour as he was not hindered by ethical considerations as was the case with Ainsworth.It is fair to say that both researchers had their work criticised to some extent by the scientific community at large. Obvious questions having been raised as to the validity of their findings, Harlow for his sole use of monkeys and how the research corr elated to human behaviour, whereas the work of Ainsworth in her not taking into account of the differences of nationality and thus the cultural background of the infant. The primary aim of this essay was by way of making an informed comparison between the works of Harlow and Ainsworth.Were they able through their researches to show a clear insight into the mechanisms associated with infant bonding? What evidence did their different methods of approach provide? Are animals an effective means of basing a premise as to the expectations of human behaviour? Researches that have insight into our innate tendencies allow us a glimpse into the hidden world of the psyche. Whether evidence provided has come via way of animal experiments, viewed as repugnant by many, or through closely monitored experiments with human infants. The implications can have a marked effect upon other avenues of research that come to follow.Undoubtedly the work of both Harlow and Ainsworth has had a marked import upo n and allowed for a deeper understanding into the mechanisms of infant bonding. The implications of their research has provided for a basis upon which to build a yet deeper and fare wider reaching insight, not only on the various stimuli associated with infant bonding, but also in regards to how the infant develops through their life and their wider range of social interactions. (Word count 1440) References Brace, N. and Byford, J. Discovering Psychology (2012), Milton Keynes, The Open University.

Living in a multicultural society takes time Essay

‘Living in a multicultural society takes time.’ To what extend is this illustrated by the challenge of multicultural societies in the UK? (40) A multicultural society is the status of several different ethnic, racial, religious or cultural groups coexisting in harmony in the same society. From the early 19th century people have immigrated to England, developing its diversity. During World War 2 polish and Jewish people immigrated to the UK to escape fascism. Also as the UK is part of the European Union, free and fair movement between the 28 member states means that there are no limits on immigration between these countries. This has seen it compulsory for the UK to adapt and change in order to accommodate for these individuals. For different ethnic minorities to coexist in harmony time is imperative, groups of different people will never coexist harmoniously over night. This is evidenced by holiday and school timetables being altered for ethnic minority groups, opportuni ties for people to learn English for free and websites being available in other languages. The vast majority of immigrants to the UK have settled in the industrial cities and towns as there is a demand for workers. Consequently, councils then have to work to help integrate these ethnic minorities into the communities, limiting tensions that may occur as a result of groups of people lacking understanding of each other. For example, Birmingham city council has created a festival to promote and express culture within Birmingham. Using twitter and other social media they have emphasised ‘your postracial is a myth #itooambirmingham’ this is the idea that no matter what ethnic group you originate from are equal and almost labelling Birmingham as an ethnic group with no specific image. This integrates ethnic minorities in to society and creates a sense of community by almost blurring the lines between people differences. The process of integration takes time, therefore supporting the statement. However, some council’s are better than others at creating a sense of community and educating their population about different cultures; moreover councils are not literally able to force peo ple to be accepting of change. This issue can create racial tensions. In 2005 Riots started in Birmingham initially due to the alleged rape of a Jamaican girl. Violence erupted between gangs of Black and Asians; Isiah Young-Sam was stabbed and later died as a result. Even though Birmingham council have worked to create a sense of community between ethnic minorities, it did not stop gangs fighting for revenge. This  may suggest that council’s efforts are rendered ineffective and ethnic groups in society will never coexist harmoniously, because these groups still see themselves as different and don’t completely understand each other which consequently cause tensions. This racial violence can then cause other ethnic groups to resent the groups that were involved because they are seen as unpleasant trouble makers causing more of a divide. Furthermore, political parties like UKIP and the BNP feed off this negative image created and demonstrate intolerance towards others. In times of crisis people may lo ok to more extreme parties and favour them as they believe government is ineffective. Another issue that the UK faces due to the development of multicultural societies is in education. Holiday patterns, school meals and school timetable may need to be altered for ethnic minorities groups. Religious holidays may demand time off school, the English school holiday is based on the Christian calendar, but people of different religions such as Islam celebrate at different times. For example schools in Tower Hamlet are now allowed two days off to celebrate Eid. School meals have to be altered for Muslims as they can only eat Halah meat and no pork so an alternative needs to be given. Furthermore, prayers occur on Friday afternoons, in Oxford Spire Academy in Oxfordshire pupils are allowed to travel to the mosque on Cowley road during lunch to attend prayers, if they are too young to travel alone there is a prayer room located onsite. The school adapting to changes in requirements shows they are accepting of a multicultural society, it has taken time to cater for these differing ethnic minorities. On the other hand, faith schools have developed in some areas to teach children according to a particular religion. Faith schools make up around a third of the education system. This limits choice for parents who do not want a religious education for their children, or do not share the faith of their local school. For example, in hackney Lubavitch Senior Girls’ School is a strictly orthodox, small secondary school for girls only. Liberal secularists argue that faith schools have no place in a growing diverse population as they promote segregation. Children should be educated around others from all religions and cultures as it is a truer representation of society. Moreover, enclaves of ethnic minorities are likely to locate near a school of their own faith this demotes integration and interaction within the community, resulting in a lack of understanding of others which consequently can cause racial tensions. Conservative people would argue that parents should have the right to bring a child according to religion and they should be able to continue to practise the religion at school. Faith schools demote integration with others who do not share the same beliefs; this is evidence to show that as long as there is faith schools in the UK ethnic minorities will never coexist in harmony. In the 1970’s and 80’s ethnic minorities were subject to racial discrimination in the workplace. Racial discrimination is still present today but it is declining slowly, Of the Civil Service employees in March 2014 who declared their ethnicity, 10.1% were from an ethnic minority, an increase of 0.5 percentage points on March 2013. 7.5% of these people are of senior civil service. This suggests that the UK has changed and become more accepting of other ethnic minorities, giving them access to promotions and roles with more power. Some people would argue work places reflect society and there is still more work to do to protect ethnic minorities’ from discrimination and enable them to progress in their jobs. This slow change in decreasing racial discrimination has taken time and will continue to need help to completely abolish racial discrimination. Although, there are still incidents of worker exploitation and discrimination in the UK. A poultry farmer had to pay over  £5,000 in compensation to a Polish worker who also won a case of racial discrimination. The worker, who had not been paid the same as his British co-workers, was unreasonably criticised over his work and was not allowed to attend English classes. The Polish Embassy stated that number of Polish workers in Britain was between 500,000-600,000. The amount of polish migrants who have settled in the UK increased after Poland joined the European Union, as the minimum wage in Poland is half of the UK meaning workers are prepared to work for less and longer than a native British worker. This is appealing to an employer’s as low skilled jobs become cheap labour as the migrants are prepared to work for less, some companies then take advantage of this and there have been examples were breaks are not given or employees are being paid less than the minimum wage. This suggests that immigrants can be vulnerable and some don’t even realise that how they are being treated is wrong. It could be argued that ethnic groups will never live harmoniously as there will always be a way to exploit immigrants. On the other hand, if all immigrants were educated of their rights it would  make it a lot harder for employer’s to take advantage of them as the person would know right from wrong. Some UK-born people may completely disagree with the statement. This is because some unemployed may feel that the immigrants are ‘taking their jobs’ as they are prepared to work for less than them and an employer favours this and not investing in our country as they may be sending money back to their families. However others may argue that they are just benefit tourists and they have only come to live off the state as the welfare system in their country is not as generous. In times of crisis (housing, economic) anti-immigration parties feed of the negative image painted for immigrants and the people which have these crisis’s hit them the hardest may decide to support them. Parties like UKIP and the English Defence league promote intolerance towards others this can influence people to stop trying to accept other ethnic minorities. In conclusion, I think there are many challenges of multicultural societies in the UK and some are easier to overcome than others. I strongly believe that living in a multicultural society harmoniously does and will still take time. People need time to accept change and some people will never accept it but as time goes on generations are taught to be tolerant of others. Councils holding events to educate everyone about the different religions, cultures and ethnicity can bring a sense of community and help ethnic groups understand each other. However, I feel as if there will always be obstacles such as faith schools and scapegoating different groups of people but it is the attitudes of society towards these obstacles that will allow for everyone to coexist harmoniously.

Erich Maria Remarque and the Nature of War Essay

Unlike truly historical works emphasizing the human side of war, for example, Cornelius Ryan’s The Longest Day or A Bridge Too Far, in which the author provides highly detailed accounts of historical events through the eyes of participants leading to an objective treatment and analysis of those events, Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front is a novelization of the experience of German soldiers in World War I. Remarque thus follows a literary line which includes William Shakespeare’s Henry V, Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage, and Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace and extends through cinematic efforts such as â€Å"The Big Red One† and â€Å"The Hurt Locker†, which utilize historical context in order to examine the transformative nature of war on those most intimately involved. Each work examines a central theme, e.g., patriotism, cowardice, social change, brotherhood, etc., interwoven with and supported by details of v arious wars. The particular details chosen by the authors, with the possible exception of Tolstoy who seemingly left nothing out of his opus, are those lending support to that central theme. Thus, to understand the process used by Remarque in making his choice of which details of World War I to include in All Quiet on the Western Front, one must first ascertain his thesis and its origin. Referring to the biographical notes following the novel, we learn that Remarque â€Å"was himself in combat during World War I, and was wounded five times, the last time very severely (Remarque, 1928, p. 297).† That during the time of his service Remarque was near the age of his protagonist, Paul Baumer, suggests an autobiographical nature to the novel and lends credence to the story that no second hand account could provide. Yet Remarque does not take the opportunity to provide closure to his experience or to provide a set of objective conclusions to the war. Drawing again from the biographical notes, Remarque possessed â€Å"intense determination to concentrate in his fiction upon the worst horrors of the age, war and inhumanity (Remarque, 1928, p. 297)†. Three major themes can be found within All Quiet on the Western Front combining to support Remarque’s ideology – the legitimacy of statehood, the futility of war, and the dehumanizing effects of war. Given his experiences and his viewpoint, what details did Remarque expound upon and to what purpose? In a discussion  among the soldiers as to the origins of the war, they openly question the authority by which war was declared. When Tjaden asks how wars begin, Albert answers, â€Å"Mostly by one country badly offending another (Remarque, 1928, p. 205).† Yet it is this notion of country which perplexes the most. In Europe’s past, wars were fought over disputes between smaller nation states by order and to the benefit of local rulers. This was clearly not the case in World War I, a fact not lost on the soldiers: â€Å"But what I would like to know,† says Albert, â€Å"is whether there would have been a war if the Kaiser had said No.† â€Å"I’m sure there would,† I (Paul) interject, â€Å"he was against it from the first (Remarque, 1928, p. 203).† What the soldiers had not yet come to terms with was the rampant nationalism that had swept Europe. Rising from the Industrial Revolution, nurtured by the Atlantic revolutions, and spurred by the globalization of trade, Europeans of smaller states set aside their notions of subjects under a common ruling dynasty to a sense of unity among peoples bound by blood, customs and culture. â€Å"All of this encouraged political and cultural leaders to articulate an appealing of their particular nations and ensured a growing circle of people receptive to such ideas. Thus the idea of â€Å"nation† was constructed or even invented, but it was often presented as an awakening of older linguistic or cultural identities (Strayer, 2011, p. 797).† Such were the notions the young schoolboys received from their schoolmaster Kantorek who spoke of country and honor before shepherding them to their enlistment. Yet, when those identities failed to adequately address the cultures affected, as in Austria-Hungary, nationalism failed to suppress dissent. With the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne, by a Serbian nationalist, the system of rigid alliances established among the emerging nations plunged the world into war (Strayer, 2011, p. 979). After further reflection, the soldiers began to understand how they came to be in a war whose causes could not be satisfactorily explained by patriotism alone: â€Å"State and home-country, there’s a big difference.† (Kat) â€Å"But they go together,† insists Kropp, â€Å"Without the State there wouldn’t be a home country (Remarque, 1928, p. 205).† Remarque addresses the futility of war in various ways. He describes the effects of the material  advantages of the Allies throughout the war, particularly following the entrance of American forces, foretelling defeat for Germany in a war of attrition: â€Å"Our lines are falling back. There are too many fresh English and American regiments over there. There’s too much corned beef and white wheaten bread. There are too many new guns. Too many aeroplanes. But we are emaciated and starved. Our food is bad and mixed with so much substitute stuff it makes us ill†¦..Our artillery is fired out, it has too few shells and the barrels are so worn that they shoot uncertainly and scatter so widely as even to fall on ourselves (Remarque, 1928, p. 280).† Most tellingly, Remarque condemns the madness of trench warfare which â€Å"resulted in enormous casualties while gaining or losing only a few yards of muddy, blood-soaked ground (Strayer, 2011, p. 982).† Paul’s Company engages in a protracted, vicious trench battle in Chapter Six in which they are first driven back in retreat, regain the lost ground after an hour to eat, and push forward into the French trenches before realizing their new position is untenable. â€Å"The fight ceases. We lose touch with the enemy. We cannot stay here long but must retire under cover of our artillery to our own position (Remarque, 1928, p. 117).† In the end, it was everything ventured, nothing gained. The senseless loss of life on both sides and the indifference to the carnage is highlighted in his description of the battlefield itself. â€Å"The days are hot and the dead lie unburied. We cannot fetch them all in, if we did we should not know what to do with them. The shells wil l bury them (Remarque, 1928, pp. 125-126).† Lastly, Remarque relentlessly stresses the dehumanization of the soldiers throughout the course of the war. In his forward, Remarque makes his purpose for writing All Quiet on the Western Front clear: â€Å"It will try to simply tell of a generation of men who, even though they may have escaped shells, were destroyed by the war (Remarque, 1928, p. i).† The first step in the process comes with the realization that those shaping their future have done so with an agenda of their own. In speaking of Kantorek the schoolmaster and Corporal Himmelstoss, Paul reflects, â€Å"For us lads of eighteen they ought to have been mediators and guides to the world of maturity, the world of work, of duty, of culture, of progress – to the future†¦the idea of authority, which they represented, was associated in our  minds with a greater insight and a more humane wisdom. But the first death we saw shattered this belief (Remarque, 1928, p. 12).† The second phase in the downward spiral is presented as the desensitization of the individual. Remarque portrays this through the soldier’s continued acceptance of the squalor of their condition. Through poor rations, living in mud filled trenches, and being in constant fear for their lives from regular shelling associated with trench warfare and from the use of a deadly new weapon, mustard gas, Paul and his comrades develop a detached persona which shields them from their hideous reality: â€Å"Just as we turn into animals when we go up to the line, because it is the only thing which brings us through safely, so we turn into wags and loafer when we are resting†¦We want to live at any price so we cannot burden ourselves with feelings which, though they might be ornamental enough in peacetime, would be out of place here (Remarque, 1928, pp. 138-139).† A third phase lies in the objectification of the soldier by others. Remarque best accomplishes this in his portrayal of medical treatment for the wounded. Early on, he establishes this premise through the death of Franz Kemmerich. A lack of supplies has denied him morphine to reduce his suffering. The higher than expected casualty count has begun to turn doctors into processors of human flesh: â€Å"One operation after another since five-o’clock this morning. You know, today alone there have been sixteen deaths – yours is the seventeenth. There will probably be twenty altogether – (Remarque, 1928, p. 32).† Kemmerich’s body is quickly processed: â€Å"We must take him away at once, we want the bed. Outside they are lying on the floor (Remarque, 1928, p. 32).† As the war drags on and casualties mount, the individual casualty becomes less a patient and more a number. Following an injury, Paul enters the hospital to learn of the latest advance in wartime triage: â€Å"A little room at the corner of the building. Whoever is about to kick the bucket is put in there. There are two beds in it. It is generally called the Dying Room. They don’t have much work to do afterwards. It is more convenient, too, because it lies right beside the lift to the mortuary (Remarque, 1928, p. 257).† Through his experience in the hospital, Paul comes to a stark realization, and Remarque drives home his point: â€Å"A man cannot realize that above such shattered bodies there are still human faces in which life goes its daily round. And this is only one hospital,  one single station; there are hundreds of thousands in Germany, hundreds of thousands in France, hundreds of thousands in Russia. How senseless is anything that can ever be written, done, or thought, when such things are possible. It must be all lies and of no account when the culture of a thousand years could not prevent this stream of blood being poured out, these torture-chambers in their hundreds of thousands. A hospital alone shows what war is (Remarque, 1928, p. 263).† The ultimate phase is the transition of the soldier from object to invisibility. Paul’s death, and the â€Å"matter if fact† manner in which Remarque presents it, stands in stark contrast to the official report of the day – â€Å"All quiet on the Western front. (Remarque, 1928, p. 296).† The fate of a man has been subordinated to the fate of a nation without the nation realizing his sacrifice. Throughout All Quiet on the Western Front, Erich Maria Remarque selects his details of World War I to support his themes decrying nationalism, the meaningless state of war, and the disintegration of the human spirit through the pursuit of warfare. No mention is made of specific battles or individual acts of heroism. The lack of specificity adds to the tone of the general, unyielding nature of war. Heroism, writ with a capital â€Å"H†, is a concept not to be found in Remarque’s world of war. In presenting his details of World War I, Remarque remains unyielding in his portrait of the destruction of the human condition on the altar of national pride. REFERENCES Remarque, E. M. (1928). All quiet on the western front. Ballantine Books. Strayer, R. W. (2011). Ways of the world; a brief global history with sources, volume 2: Since 1500. 7th edition: Bedford/St. Martins.