Two Vastly Difrent Words Two Vastley Diffrent Meanings

Two vastly different words with Two vastly different meanings Ignorance and Stupidity are words that are commonly used out of context and either word is often mistakenly used in the others rightful place. Ignorance is commonly mistaken for stupidity in society. Just as commonly, stupidity can be denied and termed as ignorance. To say that these words are one in the same is ignorance in and of its self, that is if one is uninformed of the true definitions of either word. When one has been informed of the correct definition and still uses the term out of context well, that is an example of stupidity. For many reasons these two words have two vastly different meanings which can be easily contrasted with some thought. Ignorance can be defined as having no knowledge or information in ones mind of a specific subject. Ignorance is the result of a lack of education, one can not be expected to have the correct response when exposed to something they are uneducated on. For example, a male student walks into his college math class half an hour late. He sits down and is then handed a quiz on calculus and instructed to finish the quiz in fifteen minutes. He hasn’t read any of the chapter on calculus assigned last week and he has missed the lecture on calculus that his teacher gave at the beginning of the class. This is the first he has heard of calculus and he has had no prior experience in the subject. Therefore the student was ignorant on the subject. He failed the quiz because of his ignorance. The student may have retained the information given on calculus well and aced the test had he obtained that information. Ignorance is also a term used to describe being unaware of something. Such as, when a good friend of mine bill ate crab legs for the first time he was ignorant to the fact that he was allergic to shellfish. His throat itched then swelled and he was quickly rushed to the E. R that night. Know he is no longer ignorant to that fact. Other words to describe ignorance are uninformed, unlearned, uneducated and unwitting . Stupidity can be defined as a lack of intelligence. When one lacks intelligence they lack the ability to think and learn. They also lack the ability to apply information that they have been given. Stupidity can also be described as a lack of perception, not using the senses or lacking common sense. When one does not think logically or chooses not to make practical judgments based on the experience they already posses that is stupidity. Stupidity is expressed in irrational or thoughtless behavior. Such as the story given earlier of the male college student who didn’t study he showed an example of ignorance by having no knowledge of the subject he was being quizzed on. He also showed an example of stupidity. He would not have been ignorant had he studied. He was not ignorant to the fact that he had a chapter to read or of the time he was to be in class he just stupidly chose not to read the chapter just as he stupidly chose to be late for class. Because of this thoughtless, stupid behavior he was left ignorant. Other words to describe stupidity are foolish, senseless, witless and idiotic. Ignorance is a term used to describe ones unknowing, as to say he is ignorant of a subject not because he is stupid but because he lacks knowledge of that subject. It is a term that should never be used to insult and just as well should never be taken that way. There is no one person who possess no ignorance at all, we all have things we are ignorant of. Benjamin Franklin once said â€Å" being ignorant is not so much a shame as being unwilling to learn†. One can attempt to dispel there ignorance by seeking out and the proper Knowledge and education. Once they obtain the proper information and knowledge then they are no longer ignorant of the subject. Stupidity is a term used as an insult and can usually be correctly perceived as one. When a person uses the term stupid to describe another they are usually placing the blame of thoughtlessness or another negative trait such as foolishness on that other person. Fools rush in where fools been before† Unknown. While ignorance can be dispelled as quickly as one can learn, stupidity seems to be a pattern or bad habit that even the most educated people tend to exhibit. It can take a lot longer for some to get rid of there stupidity then for others to gain knowledge and rid of there ignorance. These terms have been defined enough to show why they are two vastly different words wi th two vastly different meanings and are expected to be used wisely.

Response to Robert Frost’s “Education by poetry” Essay

In his address Education by Poetry given at Amherst College in 1930, Robert Frost introduces the two roles of poetry in education. The first role is that through poetry we cultivate our taste. The second role, which is said to be more crucial, is that poetry teaches us how to discern and understand metaphor in our life. Having read that poetry helps us with our handling metaphor, I naturally reached one simple question. Why is it important to have an ability to identify and comprehend metaphor in our life? In the next paragraph, I would like to give my answer to this very question, simultaneously demonstrating Frosts view point on the importance of the ability. Then, in the third paragraph, from my viewpoint on metaphor, I would like to go further deeper to examining the strengths and weaknesses of one metaphor. To show why it is important to recognize metaphor in our life, the connection between metaphor and thinking on which Frost sheds fresh light in his address is the key. In general, metaphor is a word or phrase used to describe something or somebody else. More specifically, metaphor expresses one thing in terms of another, therefore creating relative values and a certain association between them. According to Frost, this conception of metaphor is the same as that of thinking. To think of one object is to explain that object in terms of another object, and so is to think of a person, an event, and so on. Hence, an amazing thought, which Frost similarly reasons, can be reasoned; metaphor binds everything in this world together. For when you think of something, you are associating it with other thing, which means creating a metaphor, and this applies to all objects, persons, and events that have been recognized in the world. In other words, we construct the world in the form of collection of metaphors. In the world full of metaphor, why can it be petty to handle metaphor well? To correctly understand relative values and kinds of associations among metaphors in the world, to discern metaphor in our life, is vital because, as Frost also implies, accurate understanding and recognition of metaphor mean correct conception of the world around us and, thus, our safety. In this paragraph, I would like to examine one metaphor, especially its strengths and weaknesses, from my viewpoint on metaphor. As explained in the  second paragraph, there are relative values and a certain association between two things involved in metaphor. These values and association are crucial and have to be rational and appropriate in creating a sound metaphor. Yet, there is one decisive factor that changes the rules of metaphor, that is, for whom the metaphor is created. Depending on for whom, metaphors relative values, association, strengths and weaknesses vary drastically. Lets take a look at the metaphor the war on terrorism. Suppose that this is created for America, as in reality, its strengths are, first, that the word terrorism gives right and justice to those who are fighting against it. Second, the word terrorism represents vice in those who have been considered terrorists. Third, the word terrorism can point to any states, to which Americas high places seek its way. On the other hand, its weakness is that because of depersonalizing, though meaning the Middle East countries, the word terrorism can offend any states with which America currently has friendship. All these strengths and weakness do not have to be necessarily right or fair and so may be irrelevant to proper relative values and associations. As Frost cynically says, the devil can quote Scripture.As a conclusion, we live in the world built upon metaphor, the world full of metaphors whether they are good or bad. Hence, to correctly comprehend metaphor is to correctly comprehend the world around us and to ensure our safety. After all, no matter where and how you live, we have to learn metaphors mounted with poetry. Bibliography -Probert Frost Education by poetry

Understanding Research techniques in nursing Essay

Understanding Research techniques in nursing - Essay Example In addition to that, the nominal level of measurement entails the grouping of cases into categories. On the same note, in this level of measurement, the measure of dispersion draws its basis on the frequency of the distribution which is the particular frequency of cases in each category (Fisher& Marshall, 2009). On the contrary, the other level of measurement in descriptive statistics is the ordinal level. Apparently, this level of measurement entails grouping of cases into several groups like the previous case. However, here unlike the first case, the categories have numerical hierarchies where data in this level of measurement are classified in a hierarchical manner; in other words, starting from the lowest to the highest point for instance marks (Fethney, 2010). Notably, the measures of the dispersion are similar to the nominal level of measurement but they only vary on the arrangement of the data in the groups. Evidently, the role of descriptive statistics is inevitable in the field of nursing; self-efficacy, which is the ability of a nurse to translate research into meaningful evidence in the field of healthcare (Britt, 2009). On that note, through the study of descriptive statistics, a nurse can be able to think critically and reasonably and thus better job performance (Fisher& Marshall, 2009). It is worth noting that, this particular area of study aids in the building of the thinking capacity of an individual and thus the self-efficacy. Apparently, descriptive statistics can be said to at times very persuasive since it is not a very difficult discipline to venture in as compared to other fields for instance science which may require very complex scientific experiments in order to yield a particular result (Fethney, 2010). Although descriptive statistics plays a huge clinical significance, so does the confidence intervals. On the same

In the second half of the 20th century, the growth of interest in Essay

In the second half of the 20th century, the growth of interest in human rights has been accompanied by a revival in natural law. Consider why this should be so - Essay Example Indeed, the cinema is the best medium to illustrate how human rights are wantonly violated all over the world. Such films force everyone to fling their cloaks of apathy and go down from their ivory towers and make a stand or a reaction to such abuses. Practically all rights proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were violated i.e. "the rights to life, liberty, and security of person; to freedom from arbitrary arrest; to a fair trial; to be presumed innocent until proved guilty; to freedom of movement and residence; to asylum, nationality, and ownership of property" and so on.1 The Last King of Scotland, meanwhile, illustrates how a demented ruler, so intoxicated in his powers, can heap so much suffering and destruction to everyone who crosses his path. Idi Amin of Uganda in the 1970's ruled as a dictator and "forced most of the Asians who lived in Uganda to leave the country and had many of his opponents massacred".2 One scene showed his Scottish doctor-adviser hanged on a tenterhook with the hook piercing his chest. 2 The Killing Fields is Cambodia's version of Europe's holocaust. Like the Schindler's List, there's gore galore and human rights abuses to the max. It's so poignant and compelling that critic Rex Reed was made to comment i.e. "no film in my memory has more harrowingly telegraphed the ravages of war than The Killing Fields".3 The most affecting scenes are the scenes of torture ; the one where emaciated Cambodians had to eat live lizards in order to survive and the one where fathers and mothers were mercilessly slaughtered by their brainwashed children. The Killing Fields saga is faithful to history as attested by Amnesty International USA and by the Genocide Studies Program of Yale University. Says the latter "The Cambodian genocide of 1975-1979, in which approximately 1.7 million people lost their lives (21% of the population) was one of the worst human tragedies of the last century".4 It further continued, "the Khmer Rouge regime of Pol Pot combined extremist ideology with ethnic animosity and a diabolical disregard for human life to produce repression, misery, and murder in a massive scale". One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich was transported to the screen from the novel by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. The Russian Nobel Prize winner in Literature novelist, was himself incarcerated in the same gulag that he wrote about and thus his tale was almost biographical. The gulag or a "network of forced labor camps in the former Soviet Union"5 was a symbol of Russian brutality and godlessness during that communist regime. The character Ivan represented the suffering of those who had to do "hard, manual work for 12

Research Paper of Philosophy Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Of Philosophy - Research Paper Example These are called incompatibilists and are divided into two; metaphysical libertarianism and hard determinists. Metaphysical libertarianists claim that determinism does not exist and therefore free will is at least possible. On the other hand, hard determinists argue that determinist really exists and thus free will is not possible. There are also compatibilists who hold that determinism is inevitable for free will to exist because choice is guided by preferences. Where preferences are involved, one course of action is preferred over another and in this case some senses are involved on the way the choices will be made (Goodwin 11). In this case, compatibilists have considered the debate between libertarians and hard determinists over free will and determinism as a misguided and false dilemma (Richards 142). The views presented by compatibilists, that free will exist with determinism, is consistent with my own and in this paper I show their argument and the objections presented by incompatibilists. The first question to pose is; are we free? Is there such thing as free will or choice? Most scholars have deliberated on the issue of free will or choice and the big question has sought to answer the question as to whether we are really free (Jaworski, Chap 13). The fact that I choose to stand by compatibilists view that free will exists in this paper, and not the reverse position is already an indication that I am free to choose. Free will is that ability of an agent or agents to make choices without control of factors from within or from without. The factors that have been put on spot regarding control are many including physical, psychological, metaphysical, social, economic, and political among other possible constraints in making a free choice (Jaworski, Chap 13). In the analysis of Clark (1999: 280)Â  the principle of free choice is controlled by ethics, religion, science and law and the implications are viewed

Enterprise and Business Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Enterprise and Business Development - Essay Example Business plans are decision-making tools by which a company strives to attaining its corporate goals. A business plan will be tested against and extended to meet new circumstances and opportunities; for this it should take in to consideration- Nature of the business covers the location, type of product and also take in to consideration the over all goals. Marketing includes the quantum of goods produced, advertisement, evaluation and tackling of competition and determining market sector. Financial control covers an idea about the seed capital, Break- Even Point and the projected cash flow and financial statements. Management should focus its attention on the preparation of product reports, handling of accounts and estimation about the actual cost of goods produced. This business plan is based on a fictitious manufacturing company and the product name is â€Å"Maas.† â€Å"The real value of creating a business plan is not in having the finished product in hand; rather, the value lies in the process of researching and thinking about your business in a systematic way.† 1 The initial investment for the proposed company is around four million Hong Kong Dollars (4million HK$). This plan has been prepared to obtain adequate amount of finance to complete the product development. Maas Manufacturing Ltd is a new company, which has developed an automatic electronic light control product. An extensive market survey has revealed that no other products are presently competing with our proposed product. It is prepared to offer equity return for investment in the company in future. Full production can begin within a period of three months from the date of starting up of the company, after obtaining sufficient financial resources. The proposed plan aims to raise finance necessary to further develop, manufacture and distribute the products to its consumers. Consumers, commercial and industrial users etc are all prospective customers for the product. The major potential market

Fire extinguishers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Fire extinguishers - Essay Example personnel to have adequate training in fire suppression, familiarize with the location of fire extinguishers and demonstrate competency towards the task. It is important for individuals to keep one or several fire extinguishers in their households. They play a crucial role within the household because by minimizing property damage and safeguarding life (Burke, 2007). Apparently, power interruptions can have detrimental effects on numerous households. The situation necessitates the need to have at least one fire extinguisher in the house because it will assist greatly in minimizing damage. Households that depend on firefighters to control fire incidents suffer increased risks because they may take a while to arrive at the scene. The situation implies that more damage will occur than when an individual would otherwise have tried to contain the situation with a fire extinguisher. They assist in controlling fire before it gets out of control thereby minimizing the resultant damage. It does not make sense in having a fire extinguisher at home and yet lack the technique and skills necessary to operate it. Therefore, it is imperative for individuals to have adequate knowledge on the use of fire extinguishers as well as the safety measures. An individual trained to suppress a fire incident is aware on how to hold the equipment with the nozzle pointing away from the individual and aiming low. Essentially, learning on how to use fire extinguishers equips an individual with essential skills on how to use the equipment correctly in case of any fire incident. Burke (2007) affirms that learning how to control the fire before it gets out of control will play a vital role in safeguarding lives and minimizing the amount of property destroyed. Knowledge on refilling fire extinguishers ensures that an individual is well prepared to offset fire incidents as opposed to waiting for fire fighters who might take time to arrive at the scene. The response time for fire fighters is

Project management - Answering the case study Question Essay

Project management - Answering the case study Question - Essay Example The cost of each Windows 2000 workstation is $3000, where as that of Windows 2000 server is $12,000. The term labor cost refers to the cost that the employers incur in hiring incremental unit if labor. The labor cost is used for various purposes like judging the various cost levels of different labor classes (Triplett, 1983, p.4). It has been assumed that each one puts in 40 hrs per week, as per the problem. The rest of the data has been collected from the exhibit 7 & 8 of the case study. Number of hours was calculated by dividing the no. of days with 7(since there are 7 days in a week) and multiplying with 40. The critical path method is one of the several management techniques during a project planning. A project generally is made up of a number of individual activities. These activities can be divided into further activities while handling a complex web of activities. The CP model helps us to determine that how long a complex project might take for its successful completion. It also helps to identify the activities that are ‘critical’, which implies that the tasks that are important to be finished on time otherwise the project can be delayed. The tool also helps to determine whether one needs to speed up the project and for doing so which a cost effective way. This can be achieved by feeding in the data of cost of each activity and the cost of speeding up the activity in the critical path method. (Samuel L. Baker, para 1-3). According to Hiemstra (2000), the critical path analysis is logical sequence of the series of activities of a project in such a way that the most efficient route is determined. The tool helps in time management and helps the managers with sufficient information to take decisions regarding the project plan (para. 2). Planning is an important component of every project. Risk factors are always associated with project sing technology. These risks can be classified as schedule overruns, change in the technology and its

Issue paper with support on maintaining cultural diversity, consider Essay

Issue paper with support on maintaining cultural diversity, consider those against and write their views put me in support position with positive part of it - Essay Example One is in full support for maintaining cultural diversity for the following reasons: (1) it encourages the exchange of more variety of ideas, opinions, and points of views that increases opportunities for greater knowledge; (2) members of culturally diverse communities or organizations acknowledge that no one particular cultural value is better than others; (3) increased interaction among members would contribute to â€Å"more frequent and effective working relationships among those who have mutual interests† (Smith et. al. 1); (4) new ideas are produced, communications are improved and bridges are built to the people needing services (Smith et.al. 1); and (5) provides greater chances for emergence of innovative ideas and therefore facilitates generation of more alternatives to solve problems. Those who oppose maintaining cultural diversity contend that: (1) there would be potential tendencies to lose awareness and adherence to traditional cultural values; (2) there could be more conflicts due to disparities in beliefs, practices, and traditions; (3) there are more misunderstandings which delay effective communication process and decision-making; and (4) in organizations and work groups, maintaining cultural diversity would necessitate managing it which would be more costly and time consuming (Gadget 1). The benefits of maintaining cultural diversity far outweigh any costs or disadvantages associated with it. Therefore, one strongly believes that cultural diversity should be maintained and managed for the greater benefit of a greater number of people. Diversity and Cultural Competence Reporting Requirements, Minimum Standards and Benchmarks for Victoria Health Services Project. 2009. Web. 01 February 2012

Assessment Methods Essay Example for Free

Assessment Methods Essay The 12 principles of Good Assessment and Feedback were produced by Academic Policy Committee and agreed by Senate in 2008. They are intended to help academic staffs who wishes to promote student engagement and self-regulation in learning http://www. strath. ac. uk/learnteach/teaching/staff/assessfeedback/12principles/16. 30on 12/05/2010 The principles of good assessment are Help clarify what good performance is. Encourage time and effort on challenging learning tasks. Deliver high quality feedback information that helps learners self-correct. Provide opportunities to close any gap between current and desired performance. Ensure that summative assessment has a positive impact on learning. Encourage interaction and dialogue around learning (peer and teacher-student) Facilitate the development of self-assessment and reflection in training Give choice in the topic, method, criteria, weighting or timing of assessments Involve students in decision-making about assessment policy and practice Support the development of learning communities Encourage positive motivational beliefs and self-esteem. Provide information to teachers that can be used to shape teaching. `An assessment must be consistent, accessible, detailed, earned and transparent. These principles form the acronym CADET. ( Linda Wilson 2009) C-Consistent A-Accessible D-Detailed E-Earned T-Transparent There are certain basic assessment rules. Though there are different ways of assessing anyone assessing should have something to measure on. In my classes these are given by the awarding body The Association of Business Executives. The assessments have o be valid and relevant ,reliable, authentic, sufficient, objective and power of Discrimination. Assessment relationships to The following assessment methods are used for my Diploma students in Level 5 in Economics class and the assessment methods encompass these principles. (MCQ) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) MMMMMMMMCQ)) Multiple choice questions Advantages Often referred to as objective tests (in terms of their marking), this method can sample a wide range of knowledge and memory quickly and has the potential for measuring understanding, analysis, problem solving skills and evaluative skills. There are a wide variety of formats from true/false to reason/assertion. Multiple Choice Questions are easy to mark and analyse results. They are useful in terms of their ease of administration with large numbers of students, especially where marking is to be done by assistants rather than the test-setter. Computer marking and web-administered tests for Multiple Choice Questions are well-established. They are also useful for self assessment and screening. Multiple Choice Questions have potentially high reliability, validity and manageability, and feedback to students is fast. Constructivism calls for the elimination of grades and standardized testing. Instead, assessment becomes part of the learning process so that students play a larger role in judging their own progress. Short Answer questions Advantages A standard method using slightly less structured questions than those in Multiple Choice Questions. They are frequently used in the mock examination conducted by me to award a few marks as a starter, which is then followed by a question which requires more writing. Although they have the potential for measuring analysis, application of knowledge, problem-solving and evaluative skills, more often than not their construction means they only test the lower cognitive levels. Marking to model answers is relatively fast compared with marking problems but not compared with Multiple Choice Questions. They are convenient to use when a number of assessors will mark the papers, and all alternatives can be considered. Marking for feedback (e. g. with formative assessment) can be relatively fast. Single Essay Examination: These are relatively easy to set and can test a wide range of abilities including capacity to draw on a wide range of knowledge, to synthesise and to identify recurrent themes. Marking for grading is relatively fast providing the criteria are simple. Essays: These are applicable to any topic that requires the ability to construct and sustain a written argument. There are several types of essays that test different styles of writing and types of thinking. They can measure understanding, synthesis and evaluation, providing you asks the right questions. They are relatively easy to set and mark for grading based on impressionistic marking is fast. However, it is essential to determine the marking scheme before you start marking and then share it with the students — or better still, get them involved in drawing up the marking criteria/scheme and/or suggesting additional personal criteria. It is also worth having a formal student peer-review system on drafts prior to submission. Case Studies: These can range from simple vignettes illustrating issues in the practice of a discipline, through to complex sets of documentation which may require analysis and research. Solutions can range from short answer questions to complex plans or proposals. They have potential for measuring application of knowledge, analysis, problem-solving, evaluative skills and principles applicable to real-world situations. They can reach all the way up Blooms taxonomy to synthesis and evaluation levels. Short cases are relatively easy to design and mark. Marking for grading and feedback are about as fast as essay marking. They can provide useful information for formative purposes, including diagnosis of problems, because answering the questions or meeting the requirements is often a multistage process. Cases are generally best used in conjunction with several other methods. They often overlap and move into simulations and they can also form the basis of project briefs, and lend themselves to collaborative learning. Projects: These are good for all-round ability testing. There is the potential for sampling a wide range of practical, analytical and interpretative skills, as well as the wider application of knowledge, understanding and skills to real/simulated situations. They can provide a measure of project and time management. Group projects can provide a measure of teamwork skills and leadership. Motivation teamwork can be high. Learning gains can be high particularly if reflective learning is part of the criteria. They test methods and processes as well as end results. Projects allow students to contextualise ideas or material by applying them to practical instances. Educational assessment is reasoning from observations of what students do or make in a handful of particular circumstances, to what they know or can do more broadly. Practice has changed a great deal over the past century, in response to evolving conceptions of knowledge and its acquisition, views of schooling and its purposes, and technologies for gathering and evaluating response data. Conceptions of what constitutes assessment data, how it should be interpreted, and what kind of inferences is to be drawn can differ radically under different psychological perspectives. We see greater continuity, however, when we distinguish the structure of assessment arguments from their substance. Developments here have been more in the nature of extensions, elaborations, and refinements, as they have been prompted by changes in culture and substance. Problems: This method has the potential for measuring application, analysis and problem solving strategies. Marking for grading of easy problems is fast but marking of complex problems can be slow. Variation between markers is fairly low when based on model answers or marking schemes but you need to allow for creative, valid solutions by bright students. Student Peer Assessment: This is an area which can develop students’ judgemental and evaluative skill and is helping them along the road to being critically reflective practitioners. But students need to be involved in criteria setting to some extent at least in terms of a discussion of the criteria and their appropriacy in terms of the learning outcomes. Computer based assessment: Much talked about but still mostly of the MCQ and short-answer type which can mark and analyse results quickly. More recently this area has expanded to include mathematical problems and simulations. Reliability is high. Indeed, Crisp and Green Lister (2001) point out that on reviewing social work education literature there seems to be far less emphasis on assessment of classroom-based learning than of learning in field settings. David Boud, Enhancing learning through self assessment,1989 Routledge Falmer Crisp, B. R. Green Lister, P. (2001). Assessment methods in social work education: A review of the literature. Social Work Education, 21(2), 259-270.

Impact Of General Elections On Indian Stock Market Finance Essay

Impact Of General Elections On Indian Stock Market Finance Essay Indian Stock Market deeply follows two set features of New Delhi circus- the budget and the general elections. This time is no exception. While recession has deeply affected the global economy and those who are given the best deals are also in relative tatters, general elections in India would not have any less profound impact on the Indian economy. Here is hoping that a big number of positives come out instead. Having said that, a rational study of the electoral mandate only seems logical. In fact, Morgan Stanley believes that the outcome of elections would only be second to the global recession in terms of impacting the country.   The institutions deem the poll results to be ahead of fiscal policies and corporate basics in unleashing a change in financial dynamics. According to people in the know, roughly 10000 crore rupees would be spent on the general elections and it would bolster the stock market. Many are on a consensus that if somehow a business and reform-friendly coalition can make its way, then there would be no dearth of stock market bounties. In this regard, nothing can work out better than a single party majority. It has been witnessed many a times that reforms have been impeded by retrograde forces teaming up for a coalition government. Normally pleasant fallout of the general elections would be higher liquidity that in any event is set to boost the stock market. It surely would be an aid in revival of the plastered economy. Theorists agree that victory for congress and BJP would be in favor of the stock market while Left front or a third party coalition would adversely affect the growth of the market. Stock markets are furiously swirled by the momentum gathered through the outcome of general elections. It has been seen in the past. Perhaps it has to do with privatization, infrastructure boost and the lack of it. A reform-averse political group would impede structural reforms and hit the blue chip companies hard. It would be true for other stock units too. It is noticeable that global market and FDI pool is bound to swell at the smell of a favorable mandate in Indian elections. In contrariety, it would be a gathering of cynics in the world corporate ring, once India suffers a fractured mandate. In essentiality, any such mandate would represent a higher risk for FDI investors. World is fast moving towards anti-capitalism. Assets are being nationalized at an expeditious rate. There are plenty of religious and political turmoil. Pakistan remains a crux issue. Nuclear questions and defense sentiments are on a high. In such a time, there can be ramifications beyond reprieve. However, the general election has to be an answer to the political dilemma and here is hoping that the victor does not bleed the country further. Stock market is an index, the reflection of our financial strength and people of India are anticipating a surge in its numbers post this election. www.webhush.com à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ º Analysis : effect of election mania on Indian stock market Indian Stock Market has seen lot of positive and negative trends in the Election month. Lot of volatility was seen in the market for past 5 weeks. This process may continue until the election results are clearly visible. Many traders have lost their money in this volatile market, but investors were big gainers, Here, EquityPandit.com brings its analysis for the direction of stock market in the upcoming days. Read the full post for better understanding and book profits by predicting the direction of the Indian stock market in the Election time: Election Year 1998-1999 Date Event Market Movement Feb-16 to Feb-28 First to Fourth poll Voting Up by 12% March-6 NDA Won the Election Up by 3% Overall movement in Feb Election Month. Market was up by 12% Oct-Nov 1999 NDA lost majority Voting for new government begin. Market was down by 13% Nov-Dec 1999 NDA won again with full majority Market was up by 23% Election Year 2004 Date Event Market Movement Apr-20 to May-10 First to Fourth poll Voting Down by 6.7% May-13 Left Front Led UPA won the Election Down by 6% May-14 Left Front comments on Stock Market regulation Black day for Market Down by 12% in a single day Overall movement in May Election Month. Market was down by 13% Jun-Jul 2004 UPA Govt. Start Economic reform Market was up by 9% Election Year 2009 Date Event Market Movement April 16 to April 13 First to Fourth poll voting Up by 11% From the above statistics it is clear that it was tough to predict the market movement, during the Election month and it may continue after the results are been declared, if no one won with clear majority. Also we can conclude following points from the above table: 1.  Ã‚   The one thing the equity market hates the most, is uncertainty. The next week thus is likely to see maximum volatility with traders and speculators riding the momentum the build up first, some profit booking and maybe a sell-off before the big event. So Last Friday-sell-off may be the starting of the sell off. 2.  Ã‚   Market never accepts the government with left front or third front government. So one thing is very clear, be prepared for big sell off, it that happened. 3.  Ã‚   Market will be very comfortable if Congress or BJP will come with full majority. We may see this rally going towards 13500-14000, or we may say 20% kind of rally. Conclusion: 1.  Ã‚   Investor must stay away till the election results dont get declared. Remember cash is the king and if you use it at right time, it will give massive returns in a short span. 2.  Ã‚   Traders mostly loose their money in this type of market as fluctuation is always a killer for traders. So quality and timing of calls makes the difference. Just remember, as an investor you can earn as much as 100-150% in a span of two month but not as a trader because this rally surprises everybody. One week back EquityPandit.com had a discussion with few brokerage houses and they all were shock by this up move. Most of them generated losses, as they went short at a level of 11000-11500. Trading is always effective in a pure bull or bear market, but not an intermediate market like this. 3.  Ã‚   If you will see the investment figures of DII (Domestic Investors), it is very clear they booked the profit slowly and steadily without any panic. Also history suggest that big players stay away during such event and come up with big bull or bear depending upon the poll results. www.equitypandit.com/2009//analysis-effect-of-election-mania-on-indian-stock-market/ Election time stock returns It appears that the stock market show a strong correlation with the national events like the elections. If we go by the past data for stock market price movements from 1980 onwards, there seems to be on an average, 4% gain in 3 months before the elections of Lok Sabha in India. This average value s at 4% because it was in 2004 when there was a very small return of 0.7% in 2004 and a -2.1% in 1989 elections. On all the other occasions, the 3 months return from the stock markets before the elections has been much higher, as much as 13.5%. Though the gains in 2004 and 1980 were less than 1% returns in the three-month period before the polls, they were still positive. The only time it went into negative territory was in 1989 due to the Bofors controversy. What is the reason for good positive returns from the stock market during the election times? As per EconomicTimes, From the investors point of view, sectors such as media, FMCG and auto look favourities in the run-up to the elections as polls are known to boost consumption. Readership of newspapers goes up during elections and so does news channels viewership. Also, though it is not legally allowed, Sales profits of alcoholic beverages shoot up during elections; and with increase in money supply, more pronounced in rural areas, personal care products are also likely to benefit. Auto sales usually go up (marginal increase) as SUVs are used for election campaigns, personal transportation and security of politicians. Even this year, since March 16 exactly one month to the elections the index has already risen by 2.5%. But will the market sustain the momentum postelection? Analysis since 1980 shows that a month after the polls, the bellwether index posts an average rise of 3.5%. On six out of the eight times since 1980, investors have made gains. So is it the time to take the bet? Well, it all works randomly, so take your own shots and hope for the best! INDIA CARNIVAL: Election is like big carnival in India with entire population from all walks of life gets swayed by it. There are colors and flood of money flowing. Everything comes to stand still. School, colleges and offices close on voting day. In India election process is held in multiple phases. 2009 election will be one month extravaganza coming to an end by 16th may 2009, when one will be able to know about the victor and the vanquished. The outcome of the election will also determine the development trajectory of the India incorporate. ELECTION OUTCOME AND INVESTOR: India, the world`s largest democracy with an electorate of more than 700 million voter, goes to the poll in April -May 2009. We believe 2009 election will throw up the hung parliament with fractured mandate. As long as BJP or a Congress led alliances is in power, investor will likely be reassured of stability in terms of government as well as policies. If a Third Front comes to power, it will create uncertainties in the mind of investor on the development and policies front. Any Third Front government won`t be getting investors vote of confidence. CURRENT SCENARIO: Indian election is taking place in back drop of global economic turmoil. The domestic growth stories of the past years have vanished. Capitalism is under siege and private assets are being nationalized worldwide. India has domestic issues like growing terrorist attacks, law and order situation, religious fundamentalism on rise, problem in neighboring country Pakistan and many more that will be the key issue that will dominate the election. The world will be closely watching the development. The composition, Utterances and deeds of the next administration will be critical to the direction the nation takes and how the outside world views the country. Will the next government carry forward the broad policy direction which began in 1991 and push forward with the unfinished reform agenda? http://www.sharetipsinfo.com/bse-vs-nse_clip_image004_0000.gif ELECTION AND STOCK MARKET: Returns from the past seven to eight elections have no exact set pattern. The returns in the run up to the elections have been lackluster. Market generally in all the occasion has shown range bound trading or sideways movement. Twelve month return post elections have been positive on four occasions and marginally negative on two occasions. Years when government took bold steps or the mandate swayed in favor of one party has raised the hope of investors and hence good returns were seen. 1984, 1989 and 1991, the market rallied in the first year of the government. After 1996 a significant change has been on the political front in India i.e.; beginning of coalition era. The returns in these times were very moderate as the mandate was clear. The other reason could be Asian crisis, nuclear test, Kargil war, Dotcom bust. Election event when market showed significant movement: YEAR EVENTS 1984 Indira Gandhi got assassinated; Rajiv Gandhi came to power with overwhelming majority. Market gave thumbs up. 1989 VP Singh became the PM. A massive drive against corruption in the government was taken in good way by the investor. 1991 Congress came to power after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. Market reacted positively. NEGATIVES FOR MARKET 2009: Earning downgrade in next 2-3 quarter. The ongoing government is like a caretaker government with no fresh proposal and budget will be placed by the new government in power. Stability and ability of the government cannot be judged at this point. Fiscal deficit is high at 5% of the GDP. Indo -Pak relationship hits new low. Terrorist attack. Index heavy weight like RPower, Suzlon, JP Associates plunged by more than 75% from the peak. Many of these stock compositions of the index do not have 5 years standing in the market. POSITIVE FOR MARKET 2009: Sensex trading at 9x to the expected 2009 earnings. Falling commodity price will ease input cost of the industries. Government policies to boost the economy. Inflation at record low. Lower crude price. As interest rate in developed economy is record low, India could attract investment. CONCLUSION: As the new government settles down and the reform that was taken up by the previous government is carried forward, we believe market will again resume its bull run in the second half of the 2009. We also believe the era of coalition is here to stay and market will not be affected as long as it is seen that the coalition is stable and there are no expectation of major policy reversal. However if the Third front comes to power, the market is likely to taste another low. Our small endeavor will help you understand market in better way. http://www.sharetipsinfo.com/election-stockmarket.html Upbeat stock market scores high Indian stock market is inching closer to its past glory, riding high on the wave of better-than-expected growth of countrys gross domestic product; scaling new heights in the wake of re-election of Manmohan Singh-led UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government at the centre; and driving strength from its pronounced agenda of economic reform and disinvestments. As President of India, Pratibha Patil unleashed her governments vision and roadmap for the next five years in the lower and upper houses of Indian Parliament on 4th June, 2009, the Sensex rallied past 15,000-level for the first time in the past nine months in a symbol of rising confidence and bolstered sentiments in the market as well as in economy. Clear mandate in favour of UPA plays a pivotal role: The re-induction of the UPA government at the centre has been more fruitful for the market as compared to its first stint in 2004, when owing to the absence of a clear mandate in General Election and subsequent dependence on Left parties to form the Government was seen as an obstacle to economic growth and liberalization. As a result the Government was welcomed by a 564 points fall in the Sensex on May 17, 2004 to close at 4505 from its previous level of 5069. In a sharp contrast, UPA victory, and Congresss emergence as a stronger alliance leader this time was given a clear thumbs up by the market as Sensex and Nifty broke all records to hit the upper circuit breaker, with stock market surging by 17 per cent in a single day. The bulls run continued as the index moved from 12,000 levels to 15,000 levels within a span of just 14 trade sessions. With the Government charting out its plan to pump in massive resources in a plethora of core sectors, including, telecom, roads, ports, health, education and rural development, in addition to initiating firm disinvestment policy, market sentiment continues to remain strong over the last three weeks. Many stocks in the BSE-500 category, belonging to the sectors like realty, infrastructure and finance, have risen beyond 100 per cent in the last 15 trading sessions, as the hope of financial sector reforms and increased government spending in infrastructure prevails over the investors mindset. According to Alex Mathew, Head of Research at Geojit BNP Paribas Financial, The agenda of the new UPA Government to revive the economy by allowing increased investment into infrastructure sector and other stressed sectors pepped up the market,. Disinvestment hope peps up market: After experiencing a subdued interest between 2003 and 2007, the listed PSUs were ushered in with renewed focus after the UPA win in General Election 2009. The BSE PSU index climbed up 39.5 per cent since the announcement of the verdict, surpassing the 24 per cent rise in BSE-500 and 20 per cent jump in Sensex level during the same period of time. As UPA Government is expected to push through sales of centres stake in listed PSUs, the stocks of these government undertakings saw a substantial rise over the last couple of weeks. Stocks of the companies, which have 92-99 per cent government holdings, including MMTC, NMDC and RCF registered strong gains, with returns of 45 per cent to 104 per cent. The market welcomes the proposal of disinvestment because it acts a booster for the economy, generating funds to improve the fiscal deficit. At a time when soaring subsidy bills and government-sponsored stimulus measures have widened the fiscal deficit, with economic slowdown adversely affecting revenue receipt, disinvestment is definitely one viable method to reduce fiscal burden. The fiscal deficit for FY-09 at a staggering Rs 3,30,000 crore, is around 21 per cent of the total market capitalisation of the BSE PSU index. Market is expecting that proceeds from the disinvestment will come back into the Budget to partially fill in the fiscal deficit. In addition, IPOs from unlisted government undertakings could rejuvenate the IPO market, further leading to a strengthened stock market. Eight of the sixteen PSUs/banks which used the IPO market to mobilize resources in the last half a decade, including Power Grid Corporation, REC, PFC, Indian Bank proved strong enough to outshine the BSE Sensex. The recent batch of PSU offers during 2007 and 2008 has been able to deliver reasonable returns for the investors, even amidst the financial meltdown and credit crunch. Even in the bull market, IPOs from the public sector enterprises, unlike their corporate counterparts, were priced modestly, thus leaving money for the investors. In some cases, discounts to prevailing market prices were offered to retail investors. As a combined effect of all these factors, most of the PSU stocks, divested even during the bull run in 2007 or early 2008 delivered positive premium. FIIs propel surge in Indian stocks: As the emergence of a stable government at the centre has boosted market sentiment, the bull momentum created a few weeks ago continued to drive the markets to new height in every week. To a large extent, renewed interest of foreign institutional investors (FIIs) is responsible for the upward movement of Sensex. After drawing out a massive Rs 52,987 crore from the Indian stock markets in 2008, which saw the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex plummeting 51 per cent, FIIs turned net buyers during the last week of March. In the run-up of General Election, FIIs continued to put money in Indian stocks in the month of April, and invested over US$1 billion in domestic market, owing to the impressive results delivered by large enterprises-that beefed up confidence of foreign investors. Add to this, the re-election of reformist UPA government at the power, and one can see India back on FII radar with a big bang. Gokul Laroia, managing director of Morgan Stanley Asia said that India funds a large portion of its growth through external resources. Investors are very positive on the country after big issues such as the election verdict exceeded expectations. As per latest estimates, FIIs have invested around US$1 billion in Indian stocks in every week of May, as total inflow of FII fund to the country crossed US$4 billion so far in 2009. Global investors have brought in nearly to US$200 million in India-focused equity funds in the first week of June, while the overall Asia-dedicated funds witnessed the biggest inflows of as much as US$1.54 billion, a report says. According to data compiled by international fund tracking firm, EPFR Global, India equity funds received an inflow of US$199 million in the first week of June, which is the highest amount seen in the last 55 weeks. As per statistics available with the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) till May-end, FIIs have bought shares worth Rs 1,96,021 crore in 2009, while they sold equities valued at Rs 1,75,547 crore. The net investment of FIIs in Indian stocks touched US$4.2 billion (around Rs 20,473 crore), with prime portion of inflows coming in the golden month of May. In addition to the India-specific factors which revived FIIs interest in the stock market, experts believe that the increased FII inflow in India is part of the overseas bullish investment strategy of institutional investors in many emerging markets after a lull period of over a year. Future outlook: According to financial services major Morgan Stanley, the Indian stock market is likely to outshine its global peers and the benchmark Sensex could touch the 19,000-level by the end of this year. A global market sell-off remains a key risk to absolute performance in Indian equities though we think Indian equities will likely outperform, the Indian strategy report of Morgan Stanley said. There is 40 per cent probability of a bull run in which case the BSE Sensex could hit the 19,000 mark by the end of 2009, the report confirmed, adding that there is only 10 per cent probability of a bear run in which case the Sensex could dip to 8,600 levels. As says Ridham Desai, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley Equity Research, that when the world is awash with liquidity, India is getting its share of it through FIIs, as sectors like auto, infrastructure, banks are expected to do well during the year. With improvement in consumer confidence index in India by 0.8 per cent in April and rise in employment confidence by 3.1 per cent, first time in last 10 months, India looks for a sustained rally in the markets in coming months. http://news.indiamart.com/news-analysis/upbeat-stock-market21936.html

Women in the Workplace Essay -- Female Workforce Job Essays

In many cultures throughout the world women are patronized and viewed as the weaker sex. Women are commonly perceived as being unfit for any forms of higher education and because of societal pressure and expectations retreat to a life of raising children and cooking meals for their husbands. Our society’s stereotypical views about women’s suffrage, educational expectations and athletic abilities have all advanced over the years. In many aspects of our society, women are now expected to compete with their male counterparts. Currently, it is not uncommon to hear of a women CEO or Vice President in businesses or even a women politician. Women have now emerged from laundry rooms and kitchens across the country and changed the demographics of the American workforce. However women are yet to take the medical workplace by storm and redefine the preconceived notions society upholds about leaders in medical professions. To illustrate this idea I conducted an ethnographic study of a local dental office that I am employed at. I believe that the medical field has hardly been affected by the advances in women’s rights and is a common ground for the influences of gender stereotypes that have been outdated for many years in American culture. Going to the doctor can be a frightening experience for many people. Choosing a doctor is a difficult process that can result in a poor experience at the appointment or worse in some cases. First impressions play a large role in a patients response to the practice overall. â€Å"Great Smiles† focuses on this concept and shapes their office procedures to make all first visits a positive experience. This office is located on a busy main road in an upper class suburban area of Michigan. The buildin... ...orld and are no longer seen as the â€Å"weaker sex†. The inclining percent of women becoming doctors could be a large movement to a completely blended population of doctors to chose from. Women are learning that to avoid the control men can enforce on women in the medical workplace they need to strive for success in their profession. Many women may be happy assisting a male doctor but the growing number of female doctors illustrates the point that women want the power and control that their male counterparts currently maintain. Works Cited Jennifer. â€Å"Gender Relations and Alcohol: An Examination of The Cocktail Waitress: Women’s work in a Man’s World.†. December 9th, 2001. www.geocities.com/wellesley/6265/papers/gender/cocktailwaitress.html

Observing Gender Communication Differences Essay -- Gender Differences

Several weeks ago I observed a woman at the Mall. She and a young man sitting directly across from each other were engaged in what was apparently a mutual flirting. But the younger man seemed much more confident and cocky than did the woman. For one thing, he was more relaxed and calm. The woman, however, kept her arms folded over a bag that she was holding on to very tightly. The woman also had a strong tendency to look down more often than the man. Although her admiration for him was obvious, she seemed to be trying hard to conceal it. Often women seem to be more noticeably shy than men. Non-verbally, their â€Å"body language'; seems to communicate their feelings of great uncertainty and self-consciousness.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Further evidence of communicative differences exist between men and women in various other social settings as well. Consider, for example, those individuals employed in customer service-related Jobs. While in JC Penny, I noticed that female customer service representatives were more apt to offer immediate friendly assistance than the male reps. Men are not as cocky nor as confident in this sort of situation; their eyes tend to dart around the area of the store while the eyes of a women remain focused upon the eyes of the customer. The men seem to communicate with a lot less smiles. Apparently they have to get past a certain â€Å"ice-breaking'; point before they will feel comfortable with a genuine look of happiness.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Verbally, the actual process of speech...

Failure in the American Dream in the Great Gatsby by F. Scoot Fitzgeral

The American Dream as shown in The Great Gatsby has been proven by F. Scott Fitzgerald to be an unattainable belief in the â€Å"Pursuit of Happiness† through the fault of morality. Typically, happiness is being content with ones standing in life regarding wealth, family, love, class, and friendship. Throughout the 1920’s, the decline in morality had shaped the dream into a materialistic goal by accumulating wealth, love, social class, friendship and power. The novel never mentions a specific dream or goal that was to be obtained, only the idea. Bewley has stated, â€Å"In Gatsby’s America, the dream is undefined to itself.† (Bewley 12). The American Dream is not something that is merely obtained. It is much like a destination; the journey is what makes the dream come to life. Focal characters such as Gatsby, Daisy, and Tom, each go through a journey to understand what happiness is and how their morality ultimately failed them in the end. Each character wa nts what they cannot have. Although the characters are thought to have no morals at all, it is the morals they have that lead them to understand they cannot be happy with themselves. Gatsby’s theory of happiness was based on the idea of wealth, love, and power. Residing on the West Egg, home to the new rich – his intentions were questionable. Without fully disclosing where his money came from, most assumed Gatsby earned his wealth from the Prohibition. Something money could not buy was power. Although those who lived in the West Egg were extremely wealthy, they did not hold the power that those from the East Egg held. Power came from old wealth, money brought down from generation. Having already obtained wealth, the only thing he needed was power and love. To obtain power, he needed somet... ...times they feel they need to be set aside to achieve what they were setting out for. Daisy, Gatsby, and Tom had all interloped within someone's life - a place where they had to business being. Gatsby failed to understand that he couldn’t make Daisy fall in love with him. Even if she did, he would not have had the power he was looking for anyways – Daisy would. Although Daisy appeared to be the foolish character, she knew what she had done wrong and used her feelings as a way to hide how she really felt. Tom failed to achieve happiness because he felt as if he always needed something more to grasp on to. Without the journey each character took, none of them would have realized what made them into who they were, even if they didn’t completely understand it themselves. Happiness was to be content, and in a time of endless possibilities, the impossible has been found.

A Trip To A Water Park Essay

?Everybody probably feels the need to set aside all the stress and just be free. Sozo Water Park is a place I go to once in a while when I feel this way. Sozo Water Park, or as I call it, â€Å"adventure world†, is a place filled with a lot of fun and excitement. It is somewhere that gives me memories of good times with my family and friends. Although this place might be an ordinary amusement park for some people, it is one of my favorite places of all time. We got off our car and climbed up the big set of steps. After a while, we arrived at the ticket booths and saw people waiting in never-ending line. My family joined the line and soon, it was finally our turn. We got a ticket each for my mom, my dad, my brother, and me. I held the ticket tightly in my hands and went through the security check. It took a while for all my family members — cousins, uncles, and aunts included — to get through. Finally, we all entered. I saw terrifying roller coasters, entertaining games, and huge souvenir shops all around me. The place was very busy since it was crowed with people. I knew it would be an exciting day. All my cousins were big fans of roller coaster rides. I never rode a real roller coaster before, so I just watched others get on. Even though I wasn’t riding, I still got the butterflies in my stomach. Then, as everyone came off the ride, I asked if we could go to the Hurricane Harbor, which was the water park. However, my cousins weren’t done. They said they had to ride the Twister with me. So they forced me into the ride. It seemed endless, but it came to a stop. I got off and everything was spinning. Although the ride made me a little dizzy, I really enjoyed it. Soon, I was able to ride most of the smaller rides there. Finally, it was time for the water park, the part that I was waiting for the most. We went through the long tunnel and reached the Hurricane Harbor. I saw that the whole place was filled with water slides and pools. My cousins and I changed into our bathing suits and rushed into the wave pool. The water was cool and the weather was great. We all jumped when the wave came at us. After a while, we came out and went to the big water slides at the far corner. We carried a big tube up the stairs and waited in line. A few minutes later, it was our turn. We put the tube down and sat on it. At the count of three, our tube started to move down the slide. It was dark in there and we moved fast. We screamed as loud as we could. After a few moments, we came to a drop and fell into the pool of water. We all laughed as we got off the tube†¦.

Bystander Behavior and Concepts Essay

Research reveals that the feeling of guilt can spur on the behaviour of helping. For instance, a survivor of a terrorist attack may be guilty of going to assist others. Lack of Personal Relationship Ideally, bystanders are more likely to assist when the know the person. In the case of emergency, people in the problem people may make personalized response even if strangers are keeping a distance. The bystanders’ presence in the scene of emergency limits the likelihood of any person will display any response to assist in violence. Schöllnberger, Mitchel, Redpath, Crawford-Brown & Hofmann, (2007) notes that contrary to common sense, there is no safety in bystander in the presence of the bystander because they see and assume someone else will take responsibility. Both social norm and diffusion explanations predict a reduction in helping behaviour when a bystander is present. Pro-Social BehaviourThe psychological foundations of the pro-social behaviour are beneficial for doing my further research in my field of study. Besides, it can also assist me achieve my educational, criminal justice and social work in line of profession. More importantly, the theoretical understanding with practical implications can assist me in improving my health and philanthropy. The concept teaches the principles of help, sharing and giving that are all important for social relationships and assisting and being of benefit for one another in the society and finally feel good. Social Norms The principle of the social norm argues that people use other people’s actions to decide on when to help. Learning and understanding the social norms in the society will help me develop moral behaviour and learn how to make curate decisions. Making wiser choices is important for life developments and benefits of decisions. Humanism Humanistic psychology refers to a psychological perspective that major on the study of a person referred to as holism. The approach argues that the behavior of an individual is connected to his inner self-image and feelings. According to the humanistic perspective, every individual is unique and individual and is at liberty to change his or her lives at any moment. Because of the center view of the person or her or his personal, subjective perception and experiences of the world, the humanists argue that the scientific methods are inappropriate to study the behaviour. The most influential theory of holism is the cognitive theory (Schöllnberger, Mitchel, Redpath, Crawford-Brown & Hofmann, 2007). The theory is relevant to my current and future life. Besides, the theory revolves around the studying of the mental process of acquiring knowledge. Since it deals with the perception attention and memory, it will help me achieve and maintain general healthy lifestyle. The theory can be u sed to analyze mental illness hence providing healthy lifestyle. Behaviorist Perspective Behaviorists view people as controlled by the environment. Besides, it mentions that we are the result of what we have learnt in our environment. The perspective is important for learning how stimuli affect observable behaviour. The perspective highlights operant conditioning in which people learn from consequences and classical conditioning in which people learn by association. The perspective is beneficial for getting better academic and life grades. Understanding the concepts of learning will assist me achieve better learning procedures for justifying better grades. Reference Schöllnberger, H., Mitchel, R. E. J., Redpath, J. L., Crawford-Brown, D. J., & Hofmann, W. (November 01, 2007). Detrimental and Protective Bystander Effects: A Model Approach. Radiation Research, 168, 5, 614-626. Source document

Defining Social Problems

A distinction is made between the definition of a social problem and sociological problem by Peter Worsley (1972). The latter refers to the problem of explaining social behaviour in terms of a sociological theory, whilst the former is some piece of social behaviour that causes public friction and or private misery and calls for collective action to solve it. The study of social problems is a complex and very controversial undertaking. Broadly speaking, this is not understandable to the average layman whose concepts of what constitutes a social problem is firmly established by the rhetoric of his/hers everyday social discourse and indeed the classification of acts or situations as social problems seem to be a relatively simple exercise. It is becoming more and more evident by present day sociologists and social scientists alike the complexities involved in defining, identifying and classifying a social situation as a social problem. This process has far-reaching implications on the focus, scope and projected recommendations of studies conducted of a particular social situation. There are two major conceptualizations of defining a social situation as a social problem. The first is centered around the self-explanatory phase â€Å"public opinion approach†. This approach contends that a â€Å"social problem cannot exist for a society unless it is recognized by that society to exist† (Blumer, 1971) the inference here is that it is the members of the society that define and construct their social reality and that via socialization these interpretations of societal phenomena and value consensus is conveyed to the offspring. Individuals and social situations that do not conform to the norms and values of society are often viewed as social problems. In Blumer's definition of social problem he uses a broad concept of society but fails to further refine his definition. Merton writing in Contemporary Social Problems also utilizes in his definition of what is a social problem the broad and in my opinion ambiguous term â€Å"people†. His definition of social problems is as follows â€Å"a social definition exists when there is a sizeable discrepancy between what is and what people think ought to be†. One discovers that each society has their own conceptualizations and interpretations of their social world and furthermore as contemporary sociologists, namely M. G. Smith and his pluralist model of society (adapted from the research of J. Furnival of Burma), have suggested different fractions of society have competing and contrasting ideologies. The use of such terms suggests social union and cohesion of meanings and oversimplifies the above mentioned complexities of societies. A branching school of thought emerging from the public-opinion approach in the defining of social problems is in my opinion the quantitative approach. Perhaps realizing the aforementioned pitfalls of the definition proposed by Blumer and Merton some sociologist have attempted to further refine their definitions by assigning a seemingly quantitative value to them. Sheppard and Voss's definition is critiqued by Manis [Contemporary Social Problems] They define a social problem as â€Å"a social condition which a large proportion of society †¦ see as undesirable or in need of attention† Here the quantitative term â€Å"large proportion of society† refines the initial term â€Å"society† and â€Å"people† utilized in the definition of Blumer and Merton respectively. Julian writing in Social Problems, 10th edition, too in his definition utilizes the term † significant proportion of people†, Kornblum includes the term â€Å"most people† and likewise Fuller and Myers in their book The Natural History of a social problem, â€Å"American Sociological Review' quantifies his definition by added the term † a considerable number of people†. Though the inclusion of some additional factor concentrates the overall definition of what is a social problem it still does not give a full representation of the other forces at work that lead to a social condition being classified as a social problem. We have moved from the ambiguity of the term â€Å"society† to saying that it's the majority who decide or define social problems. The supporters of the public opinion approach contend that this approach limits the subjectivity of the researcher. Turner and Beeghley believe that by relying on the public's conceptualization of what constitutes a social problem that the sociologist remain neutral and value-free thereby playing a passive rather than active role in the process of defining social problems, since he/she is unable to impose his values, morals and ethnics. Gross dismisses the proposed objective rational proposed by the supporters of the public-opinon approach. He believes that for the sociologist even to interpret a public response to a social situation as negative or positive, good or bad is in itself a value judgment! This method of defining social problems is not as value free and objective as Beeghley and Tuner insinuate. If one is to speak of the majority, then what of the minority. In all fairness some public-opinion supporters have attempted to address this aspect of the debate around the definition of social problems. Sheppard and Voss have included in their definition the point that not only is a social problem defined by the â€Å"large proportion of society† but by â€Å"powerful elements of it† who see a social condition as undesirable and in need of attention. Julian makes an intuitive juxtaposition of the words to further develop this point. In his definition he contends that a social problem is so defined when â€Å"a significant number of people or a number of significant people† †¦ agree that the condition violates an accepted value or standard†¦. It confuses the definition somewhat since one is unable to determine whether the values of the majority are the ones violated by the social condition and it is thus defined as a social problem or if a social problem is so defined because the accepted values of the powerful (assumption here is that individuals who share the same social status or class have the same values) have been threatened. In the book, Defining Social Problems, there is considerable evidence to suggest that power groups play a significant role in the defining of social problems. Here the writer contends, and correctly so, that a social problem can exist for a number of years and still not be classified or acknowledged as a social problem! A social problem is said to ‘exist when an influential group asserts that a certain social condition affecting a large group of people is a problem that may be remedied by collective action. ‘ This introduces the concept that social problems are ‘subjective, value-laden and culturally informed' a point contested by Manis. Furthermore it's the influence of the power groups derived from their ‘strength, status or sheer number of people' that have significantly impacted on social policy at the national level. The example given was centered around the hysteria of the milk cartoon kids. There arose in the 1950's in the USA an outcry against the seemingly stark increase in the number of kidnappings. This caused a mass hysteria and this ‘social problem' was deemed acute and severe enough to warrant an increase in police surveillance at schools. The situation was not a real social condition but it was considered as such. This is one of the primary concerns of Manis whereby subjectivity in the definition of a social problem may lead to falsehoods. He suggests rather an objective approach which he labels the ‘knowledge values of science'. He links social facts to values and devises an approach to defining social problems based on: intrinsic values, contextual values and social responsibility values. By utilizing his method, he contends, ensures objective results by the sociologist. Though not part of the Marx theory, the labeling theory in this case exists alongside and supports the theory that power groups play a significant role in defining social problems. Howard Becker was instrumental in the development of the labeling theory. Pierre Bordeaux, a Marxist, studied the education system extensively and acknowledges the ability of the powerful to impose their definition of reality on others. The controversy surrounding the definition of social problems is still going strong. Some may ask why is it important to understand how a social situation is classified as a social problem. The implementation of social policies affects everyone and some policies may not always be to our benefit. For example the Mass Marriage Movement in Jamaica looked to encourage couples to marry because some British sociologists thought that single-parent families were having adverse effects on their children and this was considered a problem. Through the research of dedicated Caribbean sociologist we know differently. In conclusion, I adapt the view points of Merton and Roberts, Contempory Social Problems, that social problems ‘vary among societies and it varies in the same society among social groups and from time to time, since both the social realities and the social norms differ and change. Fuller and Myers to develop a rather accommodating definition of a social problem. They wrote ‘Every social problem thus consists of an objective and a subjective definition. The objective condition is a verifiable condition which can be checked as to the existence and magnitude by impartial and trained observers†¦. The subjective definition is the awareness of certain individuals that the condition is a threat to cherished values. ‘

Foundation’s Edge CHAPTER SIXTEEN CONVERGENCE

CONVERGENCE When Stor Gendibal finally made out Compor's ship on his viewscreen, it seemed like the end of an incredibly long journey. Yet, of course, it was not the end, but merely the beginning. The journey from Trantor to Sayshell had been nothing but prologue. Novi looked awed. â€Å"Is that another ship of space, Master?† â€Å"Spaceship, Novi. It is. It's the one we have been striving to reach. It is a larger ship than this one – and a better one. It can move through space so quickly that if it fled from us, this ship could not possibly catch it – or even follow it.† â€Å"Faster than a ship of the masters?† Sura Novi seemed appalled by the thought. Gendibal shrugged. â€Å"I may be, as you say, a master, but I am not a master in all things. We scholars do not have ships like these, nor do we have many of the material devices that the owners of those ships have.† â€Å"But how can scholars lack such things, Master?† â€Å"Because we are masters in what is important. The material advances that these others have are trifles.† Novi's brows bent together in thought. â€Å"It seems to me that to go so quickly that a master cannot follow is no trifle. Who are these people who are wonder – having – who have such things?† Gendibal was amused. â€Å"They call themselves the Foundation. Have you ever heard of the Foundation?† (He caught himself wondering what the Hamish knew or did not know of the Galaxy and why it never occurred to the Speakers to wonder about such things. – Or was it only he who had never wondered about such things – only he who assumed that the Hamish cared for nothing more than grubbing in the soil.) Novi shook her head thoughtfully. â€Å"I have never heard of it, Master. When the schoolmaster taught me letter-lore – how to read, I mean – he told me there were many other worlds and told me the names of some. He said our Hamish world had the proper name of Trantor and that it once ruled all the worlds. He said Trantor was covered with gleaming iron and had an Emperor who was an allmaster.† Her eyes looked up at Gendibal with a shy merriment. â€Å"I unbelieve most of it, though. There are many stories the wordspinners tell in the meeting-halls in the time of longer nights. When I was a small girl, I believed them all, but as I grew older, I found that many of them were not true. I believe very few now; perhaps none. Even schoolmasters tell unbelievables.† â€Å"Just the same, Novi, that particular story of the schoolmaster is true – but it was long ago. Trantor was indeed covered by metal and had indeed an Emperor who ruled all the Galaxy. Now, however, it is the people of the Foundation who will someday rule all the worlds. They grow stronger all the time.† â€Å"They will rule all, Master?† â€Å"Not immediately. In five hundred years.† â€Å"And they will master the masters as well?† â€Å"No, no. They will rule the worlds. We will rule them – for their safety and the safety of all the worlds.† Novi was frowning again. She said, â€Å"Master, do these people of the Foundation have many of these remarkable ships?† â€Å"I imagine so, Novi.† â€Å"And other things that are very-astonishing?† â€Å"They have powerful weapons of all kinds.† â€Å"Then, Master, can they not take all the worlds now?† â€Å"No, they cannot. It is not yet time.† â€Å"But why can they not? Would the masters stop them?† â€Å"We wouldn't have to, Novi. Even if we did nothing, they could not take all the worlds.† â€Å"But what would stop them?† â€Å"You see,† began Gendibal, â€Å"there is a plan that a wise man once devised†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He stopped, smiled slightly, and shook his head. â€Å"It is hard to explain, Novi. Another time, perhaps. In fact, when you see what will happen before we ever see Trantor again, you may even understand without my explaining.† â€Å"What will happen, Master?† â€Å"I am not sure, Novi. But all will happen well.† He turned away and prepared to make contact with Compor. And, as he did so, he could not quite keep an inner thought from saying: At least I hope so. He was instantly angry with himself, for he knew the source of that foolish and weakening drift of thought. It was the picture of the elaborate and enormous Foundation might in the shape of Compor's ship and it was his chagrin at Novi's open admiration of it. Stupid! How could he let himself compare the possession of mere strength and power with the possession of the ability to guide events? It was what generations of Speakers had called â€Å"the fallacy of the hand at the throat.† To think that he was not yet immune to its allures. Munn Li Compor was not in the least sure as to how he ought to comport himself. For most of his life, he had had the vision of allpowerful Speakers existing just beyond his circle of experience, Speakers, with whom he was occasionally in contact and who had, in their mysterious grip, the whole of humanity. Of them all, it had been Stor Gendibal to whom, in recent years, he had turned for direction. It was not even a voice he had encountered most times, but a mere presence in his mind-hyperspeech without a hyper-relay. In this respect, the Second Foundation had gone far beyond the Foundation. Without material device, but just by the educated and advanced power of the mind alone, they could reach across the par. sees in a manner that could not be tapped, could not be infringed upon. It was an invisible, indetectable network that held all the worlds fast through the mediation of a relatively few dedicated individuals. Compor had, more than once, experienced a kind of uplifting at the thought of his role. How small the band of which he was one; how enormous an influence they exerted. – And how secret it all was. Even his wife knew nothing of his hidden life. And it was the Speakers who held the strings – and this one Speaker, this Gendibal, who might (Compor thought) be the next First Speaker, the more-than-Emperor of a more-than-Empire. Now Gendibal was here, in a ship of Trantor, and Compor fought to stifle his disappointment at not having such a meeting take place on Trantor itself. Could that be a ship of Trantor? Any of the early Traders who had carried the Foundation's wares through a hostile Galaxy would have had a better ship than that. No wonder it had taken the Speaker so long to cover the distance from Trantor to Sayshell. It was not even equipped with a unidock mechanism that would have welded the two ships into one when the crosstransfer of personnel was desired. Even the contemptible Sayshellian fleet was equipped with it. Instead, the Speaker had to match velocities and then cast a tether across the gap and swing along it, as in Imperial days. That was it, thought Compor gloomily, unable to repress the feeling. The ship was no more than an old-fashioned Imperial vessel and a small one at that. Two figures were moving across the tether – one of them so clumsily that it was clear it had never attempted to maneuver through space before. – Finally they were on board and removed their space suits. Speaker Stor Gendibal was of moderate height and of unimpressive appearance; he was not large and powerful, nor did he exude an air of learning. His dark, deep-set eyes were the only indication of his wisdom. But now the Speaker looked about with a clear indication of being in awe himself. The other was a woman as tall as Gendibal, plain in appearance. Her mouth was open in astonishment as she looked about. Moving across the tether had not been an entirely unpleasant experience for Gendibal. He was not a spaceman – no Second Foundationer was – but neither was he a complete surface worm, for no Second Foundationer was allowed to be that. The possible need for space flight was, after all, always looming above them, though every Second Foundationer hoped the need would arise only infrequently. (Preem Palver – the extent of whose space travels was legendary – had once said, ruefully, that the measure of the success of a Speaker was the fewness of the times he was compelled to move through space in order to assure the success of the Plan.) Gendibal had had to use a tether three times before. This was his fourth use and even if he had felt tension over the matter, it would have disappeared in his concern for Sura Novi. He needed no mentalics to see that stepping into nothingness had totally upset her. â€Å"I be afeared, Master,† she said when he explained what would have to be done. â€Å"It be naughtness into which I will make footstep.† If nothing else, her sudden descent into thick Hamish dialect showed the extent of her disturbance. Gendibal said gently, â€Å"I cannot leave you on board this ship, Novi, for I will be going into the other and I must have you with me. There is no danger, for your space suit will protect you from all harm and there is no place for you to fall to. Even if you lose your grip on the tether, you will remain nearly where you are and I will be within arm's reach so that I can gather you in. Come, Novi, show me that you are brave enough – as well as bright enough – to become a scholar.† She made no further objection and Gendibal, unwilling to do anything that might disturb the smoothness of her mind-set, nevertheless managed to inject a soothing touch upon the surface of her mind. â€Å"You can still speak to me,† he said, after they were each enclosed in a space suit. â€Å"I can hear you if you think hard. Think the words hard and clearly, one by one. You can hear me now, can't you?† â€Å"Yes, Master,† she said. He could see her lips move through the transparent faceplate and he said, â€Å"Say it without moving your lips, Novi. There is no radio in the kind of suits that scholars have. it is all done with the mind.† Her lips did not move and her look grew more anxious: Can you hear me, Master? Perfectly well, thought Gendibal – and his lips did not move either: Do you hear me? I do, Master. Then come with me and do as I do. They moved across. Gendibal knew the theory of it, even if he could handle the practice only moderately well. The trick was to keep one's legs extended and together and to swing them from the hips alone. That kept the center of gravity moving in a straight line as the arms swung forward in steady alternation. He had explained this to Sura Novi and, without turning to look at her, he studied the stance of her body from the set of the motor areas of her brain. For a first-timer, she did very well, almost as well as Gendibal was managing to do. She repressed her own tensions and she followed directions. Gendibal found himself, once again, very pleased with her. She was, however, clearly glad to be on board ship again – and so was Gendibal. He looked about as he removed his space suit and was rather dumbfounded at the luxury and style of the equipment. He recognized almost nothing and his heart sank at the thought that he might have very little time to learn how to handle it all. He might have to transfer expertise directly from the man already on board, something that was never quite as satisfactory as true learning. Then he concentrated on Compor. Compor was tall and lean, a few years older than himself, rather handsome in a slightly weak way, with tightly waved hair of a startling buttery yellow. And it was clear to Gendibal that this person was disappointed in, and even contemptuous of, the Speaker he was now meeting for the first time. What was more, he was entirely unsuccessful in hiding the fact. Gendibal did not mind such things, on the whole. Compor was not a Trantorian – nor a full Second Foundationer – and he clearly had his illusions. Even the most superficial scan of his mind showed that. Among these was the illusion that true power was necessarily related to the appearance of power. He might, of course, keep his illusions as long as they did not interfere with what Gendibal needed, but at the present moment, this particular illusion did so interfere. What Gendibal did was the mentalic equivalent of a snap of the fingers. Compor staggered slightly under the impress of a sharp but fleeting pain. There was an impress of enforced concentration that puckered the skin of his thought and left the man with the awareness of a casual but awesome power that could be utilized if the Speaker chose. Compor was left with a vast respect for Gendibal. Gendibal said pleasantly, â€Å"I am merely attracting your attention, Compor, my friend. Please let me know the present whereabouts of your friend, Golan Trevize, and his friend, Janov Pelorat.† Compor said hesitantly, â€Å"Shall I speak in the presence of the woman, Speaker?† â€Å"The woman, Compor, is an extension of myself. There is no reason, therefore, why you should not speak openly.† â€Å"As you say, Speaker. Trevize and Pelorat are now approaching a planet known as Gaia.† â€Å"So you said in your last communication the other day. Surely they have already landed on Gaia and perhaps left again. They did not stay long on Sayshell Planet.† â€Å"They had not yet landed during the time I followed them, Speaker. They were approaching the planet with great caution, pausing substantial periods between micro-Jumps. it is clear to me they have no information about the planet they are approaching and therefore hesitate.† â€Å"Do you have information, Compor?† â€Å"I have none, Speaker,† said Compor, â€Å"or at least my ship's computer has none.† â€Å"This computer?† Gendibal's eyes fell upon the control panel and he asked in sudden hope, â€Å"Can it aid usefully in running the ship?† â€Å"It can run the ship completely, Speaker. One need merely think into it.† Gendibal felt suddenly uneasy. â€Å"The Foundation has gone that far?† â€Å"Yes, but clumsily. The computer does not work well. I must repeat my thoughts several times and even then I get but minimal information.† Gendibal said, â€Å"I may be able to do better than that.† â€Å"I am sure of it, Speaker,† said Compor respectfully. â€Å"But never mind that for the moment. Why does it have no information on Gaia?† â€Å"I do not know, Speaker. It claims to have – as far as a computer may be said to be able to claim – records on every human – inhabited planet in the Galaxy.† â€Å"It cannot have more information than has been fed into it and if those who did the feeding thought they had records of all such planets when, in actual fact, they had not, then the computer would labor under the same misapprehension. Correct?† â€Å"Certainly, Speaker.† â€Å"Did you inquire at Sayshell?† â€Å"Speaker,† said Compor uneasily, â€Å"there are people who speak of Gaia on Sayshell, but what they say is valueless. Clearly superstition. The tale they tell is that Gaia is a powerful world that held off even the Mule.† â€Å"Is that what they say, indeed?† said Gendibal, suppressing excitement. â€Å"Were you so sure that this was superstition that you asked for no details?† â€Å"No, Speaker. I asked a great deal, but what I have just told you is all that anyone can say. They can speak on the subject at great length, but when they have done so, all that it boils down to is what I have just said.† â€Å"Apparently,† said Gendibal, â€Å"that is what Trevize has heard, too, and he goes to Gaia for some reason connected with that – to tap this great power, perhaps. And he does so cautiously, for perhaps he also fears this great power.† â€Å"That is certainly possible, Speaker.† â€Å"And yet you did not follow?† â€Å"I did follow, Speaker, long enough to make sure he was indeed making for Gaia. I then returned here to the outskirts of the Gaian system.† â€Å"Why?† â€Å"Three reasons, Speaker. First, you were about to arrive and I wanted to meet you at least partway and bring you aboard at the earliest moment, as you had directed. Since my ship has a hyperrelay on board, I could not move too far away from Trevize and Pelorat without rousing suspicion on Terminus, but I judged I could risk moving this far. Second, when it was clear that Trevize was approaching Gaia Planet very slowly, I judged there would be time enough for me to move toward you and hasten our meeting without being overtaken by events, especially since you would be more competent than I to follow him to the planet itself and to handle any emergency that might arise.† â€Å"Quite true. And the third reason?† â€Å"Since our last communication, Speaker, something has happened that I did not expect and do not understand. I felt that – for that reason, too – I had better hasten our meeting as soon as I dared.† â€Å"And this event that you did not expect and do not understand?† â€Å"Ships of the Foundation fleet are approaching the Sayshellian frontier. My computer has picked up this information from Sayshellian news broadcasts. At least five advanced ships are in the flotilla and these have enough power to overwhelm Sayshell.† Gendibal did not answer at once, for it would not do to show that he had not expected such a move – or that he didn't understand it. So, after a moment, he said negligently, â€Å"Do you suppose that this has something to do with Trevize's movement toward Gaia?† â€Å"It certainly came immediately afterward – and if B follows A, then there is at least a possibility that A caused B,† said Compor. â€Å"Well then, it seems we all converge upon Gaia – Trevize, and I, and the First Foundation. – Come, you acted well, Compor,† said Gendibal, â€Å"and here is what we will now do. First, you will show me how this computer works and, through that, how the ship may be handled. I am sure that will not take long. â€Å"After that, you will get into my ship, since by then I will have impressed on your mind how to handle it. You will have no trouble maneuvering it, although I must tell you (as you have no doubt guessed from its appearance) that you will find it primitive indeed. Once you are in control of the ship, you will keep it here and wait for me.† â€Å"How long, Speaker?† â€Å"Until I come for you. I do not expect to be gone long enough for you to be in danger of running out of supplies, but if I am unduly delayed, you may find your way to some inhabited planet of the Sayshell Union and wait there. Wherever you are, I will find you.† â€Å"As you say, Speaker.† â€Å"And do not be alarmed. I can handle this mysterious Gaia and, if need be, the five ships of the Foundation as well.† Littoral Thoobing had been the Foundation's Ambassador to Sayshell for seven years. He rather liked the position. Tall and rather stout, he wore a thick brown mustache at a time when the predominant fashion, both in the Foundation and in Sayshell, was smooth-shaven. He had a strongly lined countenance, though he was only fifty-four – and was much given to a schooled indifference. His attitude toward his work was not easily seen. Still, he rather liked the position. It kept him away from the hurly-burly of polities on Terminus – something he appreciated and it gave him the chance to live the life of a Sayshellian sybarite and to support his wife and daughter in the style to which they had become addicted. He didn't want his life disturbed. On the other hand, he rather disliked Liono Kodell, perhaps because Kodell also sported a mustache, though one which was smaller, shorter, and grayish-white. In the old days, they had been the only two people in prominent public life who had worn one and there had been rather a competition between them over the matter. Now (thought Thoobing) there was none; Kodell's was contemptible. Kodell had been Director of Security when Thoobing was still on Terminus, dreaming of opposing Harla Branno in the race for Mayor, until he had been bought off with the ambassadorship. Branno had done it for her own sake, of course, but he had ended up owing her goodwill for that. But not to Kodell, somehow. Perhaps it was because of Kodell's determined cheerfulness – the manner in which he was always such a friendly person – even after he had decided on just exactly the manner in which your throat was to be cut. Now he sat there in hyperspatial image, cheerful as ever, brimming over with bonhomie. His actual body was, of course, back on Terminus, which spared Thoobing the necessity of offering him any physical sign of hospitality. â€Å"Kodell,† he said. â€Å"I want those ships withdrawn.† Kodell smiled sunnily. â€Å"Why, so do I, but the old lady has made up her mind.† â€Å"You've been known to persuade her out of this or that.† â€Å"On occasion. Perhaps. When she wanted to be persuaded. This time she doesn't want to be. – Thoobing, do your job. Keep Sayshell calm.† â€Å"I'm not thinking about Sayshell, Kodell. I'm thinking about the Foundation.† â€Å"So are we all.† â€Å"Kodell, don't fence. I want you to listen to me.† â€Å"Gladly, but these are hectic times on Terminus and I will not listen to you forever.† â€Å"I will be as brief as I can be – when discussing the possibility of the Foundation's destruction. If this hyperspatial line is not being tapped, I will speak openly.† â€Å"It is not being tapped.† â€Å"Then let me go on. I have received a message some days ago from one Golan Trevize. I recall a Trevize in my own political days, a Commissioner of Transportation.† â€Å"The young man's uncle,† Kodell said. â€Å"Ah, then you know the Trevize who sent the message to me. According to the information I have since gathered, he was a Councilman who, after the recent successful resolution of a Seldon Crisis, was arrested and sent into exile.† â€Å"Exactly.† â€Å"I don't believe it.† â€Å"What is it that you don't believe?† â€Å"That he was sent into exile.† â€Å"Why not?† â€Å"When in history has any citizen of the Foundation been sent into exile?† demanded Thoobing. â€Å"He is arrested or not arrested. If he is arrested, he is tried or not tried. If he is tried, he is convicted or not convicted. If he is convicted, he is fined, demoted, disgraced, imprisoned, or executed. No one is sent into exile.† â€Å"There is always a first time.† â€Å"Nonsense. In an advanced naval vessel? What fool can fail to see that he is on a special mission for your old woman? Whom can she possibly expect to deceive?† â€Å"What would the mission be?† â€Å"Supposedly to find the planet Gaia.† Some of the cheerfulness left Kodell's face. An unaccustomed hardness entered his eyes. He said, â€Å"I know that you feel no overwhelming impulse to believe my statements, Mr. Ambassador, but I make a special plea that you believe me in this one case. Neither the Mayor nor I had ever heard of Gaia at the time that Trevize was sent into exile. We have heard of Gaia, for the first time, just the other day. If you believe that, this conversation may continue.† â€Å"I will suspend my tendency toward skepticism long enough to accept that, Director, though it is difficult to do so.† â€Å"it is quite true, Mr. Ambassador, and if I have suddenly adopted a formal note to my statements it is because when this is done, you will find that you have questions to answer and that you will not find the occasion joyful. You speak as though Gaia is a world familiar to you. How is it that you know something we did not know? Is it not your duty to see to it that we know everything that you know about the political unit to which you are assigned?† Thoobing said softly, â€Å"Gaia is not part of the Sayshell Union. It, in fact, probably does not exist. Am I to transmit to Terminus all the fairy tales that the superstitious lower orders of Sayshell tell of Gaia? Some of them say that Gaia is located in hyperspace. According to others, it is a world that supernaturally protects Sayshell. According to still others, it sent forth the Mule to prey on the Galaxy. If you are planning to tell the Sayshellian government that Trevize has been sent out to find Gaia and that five advanced ships of the Foundation Navy have been sent out to back him in this search, they will never believe you. The people may believe fairy tales about Gaia, but the government does not – and they will not be convinced that the Foundation does. They will feel that you intend to force Sayshell into the Foundation Federation.† â€Å"And what if we do plan that?† â€Å"It would be fatal. Come, Kodell, in the five-century history of the Foundation, when have we fought a war of conquest? We have fought wars to prevent our own conquest – and failed once – but no war has ended with an extension of our territory. Accessions to the Federation have been through peaceful agreements. We have been joined by those who saw benefits in joining.† â€Å"Isn't it possible that Sayshell may see benefits in joining?† â€Å"They will never do so while our ships remain on their borders. Withdraw them.† â€Å"It can't be done.† â€Å"Kodell, Sayshell is a marvelous advertisement for the benevolence of the Foundation Federation. It is nearly enclosed by our territory, it is in an utterly vulnerable position, and yet until now it has been safe, has gone its own way, has even been able to maintain an anti-Foundation foreign policy freely. How better can we show the Galaxy that we force no one, that we come in friendship to all? – If we take over Sayshell, we take that which, in essence, we already have. After all, we dominate it economically – if quietly. But if we take it over by military force, we advertise to all the Galaxy that we have become expansionist.† â€Å"And if I tell you that we are really interested only in Gaia?† â€Å"Then I will believe it no more than the Sayshell Union will. This man, Trevize, sends me a message that he is on his way to Gaia and asks me to transmit it to Terminus. Against my better judgment, I do so because I must and, almost before the hyperspatial line is cool, the Foundation Navy is in motion. How will you get to Gaia, without penetrating Sayshellian space?† â€Å"My dear Thoobing, surely you are not listening to yourself. Did you not tell me just a few minutes ago that Gaia, if it exists at all, is not part of the Sayshell Union? And I presume you know that hyperspace is free to all and is part of no world's territory. How then can Sayshell complain if we move from Foundation territory (where our ships stand right now), through hyperspace, into Gaian territory, and never in the process occupy a single cubic centimeter of Sayshellian territory?† â€Å"Sayshell will not interpret events like that, Kodell. Gaia, if it exists at all, is totally enclosed by the Sayshell Union, even if it is not a political part of it, and there are precedents that make such enclaves virtual parts of the enclosing territory, as far as enemy warships are concerned.† â€Å"Ours are not enemy warships. We are at peace with Sayshell.† â€Å"I tell you that Sayshell may declare war. They won't expect to win such a war through military superiority, but the fact is, war will set off a wave of anti-Foundation activity throughout the Galaxy. The new expansionist policies of the Foundation will encourage the growth of alliances against us. Some of the members of the Federation will begin to rethink their ties to us. We may well lose the war through internal disarray and we will then certainly reverse the process of growth that has served the Foundation so well for five hundred years.† â€Å"Come, come, Thoobing,† said Kodell indifferently, â€Å"You speak as though five hundred years is nothing, as though we are still the Foundation of Salvor Hardin's time, fighting the pocket-kingdom of Anacreon. We are far stronger now than the Galactic Empire ever was at its very height. A squadron of our ships could defeat the entire Galactic Navy, occupy any Galactic sector, and never know it had been in a fight.† â€Å"We are not fighting the Galactic Empire. We fight planets and sectors of our own time.† â€Å"Who have not advanced as we have. We could gather in all the Galaxy now.† â€Å"According to the Seldon Plan, we can't do that for another five hundred years.† â€Å"The Seldon Plan underestimates the speed of technological advance. We can do it now! – Understand me, I don't say we will do it now or even should do it now. I merely say we can do it now.† â€Å"Kodell, you have lived all your life on Terminus. You don't know the Galaxy. Our Navy and our technology can beat down the Armed Forces of other worlds, but we cannot yet govern an entire rebellions, hate-ridden Galaxy – and that is what it will be if we take it by force. Withdraw the ships!† â€Å"It can't be done, Thoobing. Consider. What if Gaia is not a myth?† Thoobing paused, scanning the other's face as though anxious to read his mind. â€Å"A world in hyperspace not a myth?† â€Å"A world in hyperspace is superstition, but even superstitions may be built around kernels of truth. This man, Trevize, who was exiled, speaks of it as though it were a real world in real space. What if he is right?† â€Å"Nonsense. I don't believe it.† â€Å"No? Believe it for just a moment. A real world that has lent Sayshell safety against the Mule and against the Foundation!† â€Å"But you refute yourself. How is Gaia keeping the Sayshellians safe from the Foundation? Are we not sending ships against it?† â€Å"Not against it, but against Gaia, which is so mysteriously unknown – which is so careful to avoid notice that while it is in real space it somehow convinces its neighbor worlds that it is in hyperspace – and which even manages to remain outside the computerized data of the best and most unabridged of Galactic maps.† â€Å"It must be a most unusual world, then, for it must be able to manipulate minds.† â€Å"And did you not say a moment ago that one Sayshellian tale is that Gaia sent forth the Mule to prey upon the Galaxy? And could not the Mule manipulate minds?† â€Å"And is Gaia a world of Mules, then?† â€Å"Are you sure it might not be?† â€Å"Why not a world of a reborn Second Foundation, in that case.† â€Å"Why not indeed? Should it not be investigated?† Thoobing grew sober. He had been smiling scornfully during the last exchanges, but now he lowered his head and stared up from under his eyebrows. â€Å"If you are serious, is such an investigation not dangerous?† â€Å"Is it?† â€Å"You answer my questions with other questions because you have no reasonable answers. Of what use will ships be against Mules or Second Foundationers? Is it not likely, in fact, that if they exist they are luring you into destruction? See here, you tell me that the Foundation can establish its Empire now, even though the Seldon Plan has reached only its midway point, and I have warned you that you would be racing too far ahead and that the intricacies of the Plan would slow you down by force. Perhaps, if Gaia exists and is what you say it is, all this is a device to bring about that slowdown. Do voluntarily now what you may soon be constrained to do. Do peacefully and without bloodshed now what you may be forced to do by woeful disaster. Withdraw the ships.† â€Å"It can't be done. In fact, Thoobing, Mayor Branno herself plans to join the ships, and scoutships have already flitted through hyperspace to what is supposedly Gaian territory.† Thoobing's eyes bulged. â€Å"There will surely be war, I tell you.† â€Å"You are our ambassador. Prevent that. Give the Sayshellians whatever assurances they need. Deny any ill will on our part. Tell them, if you have to, that it will pay them to sit quietly and wait for Gaia to destroy us. Say anything you want to, but keep them quiet.† He paused, searching Thoobing's stunned expression, and said, â€Å"Really, that's all. As far as I know, no Foundation ship will land on any world of the Sayshell Union or penetrate any point in real space that is part of that Union. However, any Sayshellian ship that attempts to challenge us outside Union territory – and therefore inside Foundation territory – will promptly be reduced to dust. Make that perfectly clear, too, and keep the Sayshellians quiet. You will be held to strict account if you fail. You have had an easy job so far, Thoobing, but hard times are upon you and the next few weeks decide all. Fail us and no place in the Galaxy will be safe for you.† There was neither merriment nor friendliness in Kodell's face as contact was broken and as his image disappeared. Thoobing stared open – mouthed at the place where he had been. Golan Trevize clutched at his hair as though he were trying, by feel, to judge the condition of his thinking. He said to Pelorat abruptly, â€Å"What is your state of mind?† â€Å"State of mind?† said Pelorat blankly. â€Å"Yes. Here we are, trapped – with our ship under outside control and being drawn inexorably to a world we know nothing about. Do you feel panic?† Pelorat's long face registered a certain melancholia. â€Å"No,† he said. â€Å"I don't feel joyful. I do feel a little apprehensive, but I'm not panicky.† â€Å"Neither am I. Isn't that odd? Why aren't we more upset than we are?† â€Å"This is something we expected, Golan. Something like this.† Trevize turned to the screen. It remained firmly focused on the space station. It was larger now, which meant they were closer. It seemed to him that it was not an impressive space station in design. There was nothing to it that bespoke superscience. In fact, it seemed a bit primitive. – Yet it had the ship in its grip. He said, â€Å"I'm being very analytical, Janov. Cool! – I like to think that I am not a coward and that I can behave well under pressure, but I tend to flatter myself. Everyone does. I should be jumping up and down right now and sweating a little. We may have expected something, but that doesn't change the fact that we are helpless and that we may be killed.† Pelorat said, â€Å"I don't think so, Golan. If the Gaians could take over the ship at a distance, couldn't they kill us at a distance? If we're still alive†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"But we're not altogether untouched. We're too calm, I tell you. I think they've tranquilized us.† â€Å"Why?† â€Å"To keep us in good shape mentally, I think. It's possible they wish to question us. After that, they may kill us.† â€Å"If they are rational enough to want to question us, they may be rational enough not to kill us for no good reason.† Trevize leaned back in his chair (it bent back at least – they hadn't deprived the chair of its functioning) and placed his feet on the desk where ordinarily his hands made contact with the computer. He said, â€Å"They may be quite ingenious enough to work up what they consider a good reason. – Still, if they've touched our minds, It hasn't been by much. If it were the Mule, for instance, he would have made us eager to go – exalted, exultant, every fiber of ourselves crying out for arrival there.† He pointed to the space station. â€Å"Do you feel that way, Janov?† â€Å"Certainly not.† â€Å"You see that I'm still in a state where I can indulge in cool, analytical reasoning. Very odd! Or can I tell? Am I in a panic, incoherent, mad – and merely under the illusion that I am indulging in cool, analytical reasoning?† Pelorat shrugged. â€Å"You seem sane to me. Perhaps I am as insane as you and am under the same illusion, but that sort of argument gets us nowhere. All humanity could share a common insanity and be immersed in a common illusion while living in a common chaos. That can't be disproved, but we have no choice but to follow our senses.† And then, abruptly, he said, â€Å"In fact, I've been doing some reasoning myself.† â€Å"Yes?† â€Å"Well, we talk about Gaia as a world of Mules, possibly, or as the Second Foundation reborn. Has it occurred to you that a third alternative exists, one that is more reasonable than either of the first two.† â€Å"What third alternative?† Pelorat's eyes seemed concentrating inward. He did not look at Trevize and his voice was low and thoughtful. â€Å"We have a world – Gaia – that has done its best, over an indefinite period of time, to maintain a strict isolation. It has in no way attempted to establish contact with any other world – not even the nearby worlds of the Sayshell Union. It has an advanced science, in some ways, if the stories of their destruction of fleets is true and certainly their ability to control us right now bespeaks it – and yet they have made no attempt to expand their power. They ask only to be left alone.† Trevize narrowed his eyes. â€Å"So?† â€Å"It's all very inhuman. The more than twenty thousand years of human history in space has been an uninterrupted tale of expansion and attempted expansion. Just about every known world that can be inhabited is inhabited. Nearly every world has been quarreled over in the process and nearly every world has jostled each of its neighbors at one time or another. If Gaia is so inhuman as to be so different in this respect, it may be because it really is – inhuman.† Trevize shook his head. â€Å"Impossible.† â€Å"Why impossible?† said Pelorat warmly. â€Å"I've told you what a puzzle it is that the human race is the only evolved intelligence in the Galaxy. What if it isn't? Might there not be one more – on one planet – that lacked the human expansionist drive? In fact,† Pelorat grew more excited, â€Å"what if there are a million intelligences in the Galaxy, but only one that is expansionist – ourselves? The others would all remain at home, unobtrusive, hidden†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Ridiculous!† said Trevize. â€Å"We'd come across them. We'd land on their worlds. They would come in all types and stages of technology and most of them would be unable to stop us. But we've never come across any of them. Space! We've never even come across the ruins or relies of a nonhuman civilization, have we? You're the historian, so you tell me. Have we?† Pelorat shook his head. â€Å"We haven't. – But Golan, there could be one! This one!† â€Å"I don't believe it. You say the name is Gaia, which is some ancient dialectical version of the name ‘Earth. ‘ How can that be nonhuman?† â€Å"The name ‘Gaia' is given the planet by human beings – and who knows why? The resemblance to an ancient word might be coincidental. – Come to think of it, the very fact that we've been lured to Gaia – as you explained in great detail some time ago – and are now being drawn in against our will is an argument in favor of the nonhumanity of the Gaians.† â€Å"Why? What has that to do with nonhumanity?† â€Å"They're curious about us – about humans.† Trevize said, â€Å"Janov, you're mad. They've been living in a Galaxy surrounded by humans for thousands of years. Why should they be curious right now? Why not long before? And if right now, why us? If they want to study human beings and human culture, why not the Sayshell worlds? Why would they reach all the way to Terminus for us?† â€Å"They may be interested in the Foundation.† â€Å"Nonsense,† said Trevize violently. â€Å"Janov, you want a nonhuman intelligence and you will have one. Right now, I think that if you thought you were going to encounter nonhumans, you wouldn't worry about having been captured, about being helpless, about being killed even – if they but gave you a little time to sate your curiosity.† Pelorat began to stutter an indignant negative, then stopped, drew a deep breath, and said, â€Å"Well, you may be right, Golan, but I'll hold to my belief for a while just the same. I don't think we'll have to wait very long to see who's right. – Look!† He pointed to the screen. Trevize – who had, in his excitement, ceased watching – now looked back. â€Å"What is it?† he said. â€Å"Isn't that a ship taking off from the station?† â€Å"It's something,† admitted Trevize reluctantly. â€Å"I can't make out the details yet and I can't magnify the view any further. It's at maximum magnification.† After awhile he said, â€Å"It seems to be approaching us and I suppose it's a ship. Shall we make a bet?† â€Å"What sort of bet?† Trevize said sardonically, â€Å"If we ever get back to Terminus, let's have a big dinner for ourselves and any guests we each care to invite, up to, say, four – and it will be on me if that ship approaching us carries nonhumans and on you if it carries humans.† â€Å"I'm willing,† said Pelorat. â€Å"Done, then,† and Trevize peered at the screen, trying to make out details and wondering if any details could reasonably be expected to give away, beyond question, the nonhumanity (or humanity) of the beings on board. Branno's iron-gray hair lay immaculately in place and she might have been in the Mayoral Palace, considering her equanimity. She showed no sign that she was deep in space for only the second time in her life. (And the first time – when she accompanied her parents on a holiday tour to Kalgan – could scarcely count. She had been only three at the time.) She said to Kodell with a certain weary heaviness, â€Å"It is Thoobing's job, after all, to express his opinion and to warn me. Very well, he has warned me. I don't hold it against him.† Kodell, who had boarded the Mayor's ship in order to speak to her without the psychological difficulty of imaging, said, â€Å"He's been at his post too long. He's beginning to think like a Sayshellian.† â€Å"That's the occupational hazard of an ambassadorship, Liono. Let us wait till this is over and we'll give him a long sabbatical and then send him on to another assignment elsewhere. He's a capable man. – After all, he did have the wit to forward Trevize's message without delay.† Kodell smiled briefly. â€Å"Yes, he told me he did it against his better judgment. ‘I do so because I must' he said. You see, Madam Mayor, he had to, even against his better judgment, because as soon as Trevize entered the space of the Sayshell Union, I informed Ambassador Thoobing to forward, at once, any and all information concerning him?' â€Å"Oh?† Mayor Branno turned in her seat to see his face more clearly. â€Å"And what made you do that?† â€Å"Elementary considerations, actually. Trevize was using a latemodel Foundation naval vessel and the Sayshellians would be bound to notice that. He's an undiplomatic young jackass and they would be bound to notice that. Therefore, he might get into trouble – and if there's one thing a Foundationer knows, it is that if he gets into trouble anywhere in the Galaxy, he can cry out for the nearest Foundation representative. Personally I wouldn't mind seeing Trevize in trouble – it might help him grow up and that would do him a great deal of good – but you've sent him out as your lightning rod and I wanted you to be able to estimate the nature of any lightning that might strike, so I made sure that the nearest Foundation representative would keep watch over him, that's all.† â€Å"I see! Well, I understand now why Thoobing reacted so strenuously. I had sent him a similar warning. Since he heard from us both independently, one can scarcely blame him for thinking that the approach of a few Foundation vessels might mean a great deal more than it actually does. – How is it, Liono, you did not consult me on the matter before sending the warning?† Kodell said coolly, â€Å"If I involved you in everything I do, you would have no time to be Mayor. How is it that you did not inform me of your intention?† Branno said sourly, â€Å"If I informed you of all my intentions, Liono, you would know far too much. – But it is a small matter, and so is Thoobing's alarm, and, for that matter, so is any fit that the Sayshellians throw. I am more interested in Trevize.† â€Å"Our scouts have located Compor. He is following Trevize and both are moving very cautiously toward Gaia.† â€Å"I have the full reports of those scouts, Liono. Apparently both Trevize and Compor are taking Gaia seriously.† â€Å"Everyone sneers at the superstitions concerning Gaia, Madam Mayor, but everyone thinks, ‘Yet what if – † Even Ambassador Thoobing manages to be a little uneasy about it. It could be a very shrewd policy on the part of the Sayshellians. A kind of protective coloration. If one spreads stories of a mysterious and invincible world, people will shy away not only from the world, but from any other worlds close by – such as the Sayshell Union.† â€Å"You think that is why the Mule turned away from Sayshell?† â€Å"Possibly.† â€Å"Surely you don't think the Foundation has held its hand from Sayshell because of Gaia, when there is no record that we have ever heard of the world?† â€Å"I admit there's no mention of Gaia in our archives, but neither is there any other reasonable explanation for our moderation with respect to the Sayshell Union.† â€Å"Let us hope, then, that the Sayshellian government, despite Thoobing's opinion to the contrary, has convinced itself – even just a little bit – of Gaia's might and of its deadly nature.† â€Å"Why so?† â€Å"Because then the Sayshell Union will raise no objections to our moving toward Gaia. The more they resent that movement, the more they will persuade themselves that it should be permitted so that Gaia will swallow us. The lesson, they will imagine, will be a salutary one and will not be lost on future invaders.† â€Å"Yet what if they should be right in such a belief, Mayor? What if Gaia is deadly?† Branno smiled. â€Å"You raise the ‘Yet what if – † yourself, do you, Liono?† â€Å"I must raise all possibilities, Mayor. It is my job.† â€Å"If Gaia is deadly, Trevize will be taken by them. That is his job as my lightning rod. And so may Compor, I hope.† â€Å"You hope? Why?† â€Å"Because it will make them overconfident, which should be useful to us. They will underestimate our power and be the easier to handle.† â€Å"But what if it is we who are overconfident?† â€Å"We are not,† said Branno flatly. â€Å"These Gaians – whatever they are – may be something we have no concept of and cannot properly estimate the danger of. I merely suggest that, Mayor, because even that possibility should be weighed.† â€Å"Indeed? Why does such a notion fall into your head, Liono?† â€Å"Because I think you feel that, at the worst, Gaia is the Second Foundation. I suspect you think they are the Second Foundation. However, Sayshell has an interesting history, even under the Empire. Sayshell alone had a measure of self-rule. Sayshell alone was spared some of the worst taxations under the so-called ‘Bad Emperors. ‘ In short, Sayshell seems to have had the protection of Gaia, even in Imperial times.† â€Å"Well then?† â€Å"But the Second Foundation was brought into existence by Hari Seldon at the same time our Foundation was. The Second Foundation did not exist in Imperial times – and Gaia did. Gaia, therefore, is not the Second Foundation. It is something else – and, just possibly, something worse.† â€Å"I don't propose to be terrified by the unknown, Liono. There are only two possible sources of danger – physical weapons and mental weapons – and we are fully prepared for both. – You get back to your ship and keep the units on the Sayshellian outskirts. This ship will move toward Gaia alone, but will stay in contact with you at all times and will expect you to come to us in one Jump, if necessary. – Go, Liono, and get that perturbed look off your face.† â€Å"One last question? Are you sure you know what you're doing?† â€Å"I do,† she said grimly. â€Å"I, too, have studied the history of Sayshell and have seen that Gaia cannot be the Second Foundation, but, as I told you, I have the full report of the scouts and from that†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Yes?† â€Å"Well, I know where the Second Foundation is located and we will take care of both, Liono. We will take care of Gaia first and then Trantor.†