You choose the topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

You choose the topic - Essay Example Specifically, the author employs horrific imagery of death and revenge in order to set the mood for the eventual murder of Fortunato. Poe uses dark words and images of death like â€Å"a mask of black silk† worn by Montresor and â€Å"the damp ground of the catacombs† that both men see as they descend to the vaults (Poe, â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado†). In fact, the phrase â€Å"mask of black silk† and the word â€Å"catacombs† do not only foreshadow Fortunato’s death but also somehow symbolize death itself. The â€Å"mask of black silk† in particular, which is likened to the mask of an executioner, somehow signifies beginning of the initiation rite. Another form of symbolic imagery employed by Poe includes the family coat of arms of the Montresors: â€Å"the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel† (Poe, â€Å"The Cask†). The purpose of this particular form of imagery is to show the reader tha t the theme of death is perfectly intertwined with the theme of revenge and punishment. On the other hand, in â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart,† it was a disease that â€Å"had sharpened [the narrator’s] senses and that makes him â€Å"very, very dreadfully nervous† that has actually made him kill the old man. Moreover, the narrator seems to have admitted the murder and justifies it only on the basis of impulse. In short, unlike Montresor in â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† the narrator in â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart† does not hold a grudge against his victim although he kills him: â€Å"it was not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil Eye† (Poe, â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart†). This particular disease that somehow sharpens the narrator’s senses has somehow made him too nervous and too afraid of the old man’s Evil Eye and that is the reason why the narrator smothers the latter with a bed or a pillow until his death. He then chops of f the old man’s head and limbs and hides them under the planks. Although

Examples Of Nonverbal Communication Essay Example for Free

Examples Of Nonverbal Communication Essay There are several types of nonverbal communication that may be evaluated on the basis of certain examples, that will help you understand the nuances of this complicated form of communication. Facial Expressions When reading facial expressions, some of these examples may help: While maintaining eye contact is a sign of confidence and positivity, avoiding eye contact is one of the most clear negative nonverbal communication examples. This implies that the person may be lying, or fears confrontation. The smile is another give-away when it comes to facial expressions. While a soft smile is a soft expression that is encouraging, a rigid smile or a smirk may be a sign of contempt. Raised eyebrows are not only a sign of surprise, they can also suggest mockery or sarcasm. It may be a natural physical trait of some people, and they may do it without realizing. However, it is important to know the kind of effect it is having on others. Frowning is another facial expression that we tend to assume when under stress. This gives out the message that we are unapproachable and cold. Posture and other Movements Postures are included in nonverbal communication and may be explained with a few of these examples: Standing erect shows confidence, but if you are slouching it is a sign of low self-esteem and a stance that you have given up. Keeping shoulders rigid again give a sign that you may be unapproachable, and may affect the kind of people you attract towards you. Constant fiddling with everything in sight is a sign of anxiety, frustration, boredom and lack of interest. Standing with your hands crossed behind you, combined with your facial expressions may be a clear sign of anger or frustration that you are trying to hold back. Gestures Gestures animate the conversations we have with others. We point, we wave and use all sorts of body language gestures while we are talking. For instance, you may constantly be rubbing your neck, or your the back of your ear. This is a sign of discomfort and lack of confidence. If you are angry, you may be clenching your fists to control your anger, or in preparation for a physical  attack! Rubbing hands together indicates excitement and indicates readiness to engage in an activity. Shrugging may show a lack of interest. Touch Even touch plays an important role in nonverbal communication. For instance: When your boss is praising you, and pats you on the back, it is a sign of genuine liking for you and your work. A firm handshake is the sign of confidence. We all know the reassuring effect of a warm bear hug. Someone who holds your arms while talking is either trying to make a statement, or to portray that he/she is in control. Space We all have a physical space around us. Sometimes we find people invading that personal space. It may be to portray any of the following: Intimacy Affection Dominance Aggression

Theoretical Framework Of Internet Addiction Psychology Essay

Theoretical Framework Of Internet Addiction Psychology Essay The theoretical framework that this study used to discuss about internet addiction will be Uses and Gratifications theory. UG theory founded by Elihu Katz in 1959, when Herzog examined the reasons people use the radio to listen to quiz programme (Herzog, 1942), and soap operas (Herzog, 1944) (as cited in Katz, 1959). According to Katz (1959), the outcomes of media usage depend on why and how they decided to use the media. Therefore, there are two main components that discuss in UG theory which are media that choose to be engaged and gratification that get from the media (Ruggiero, 2000). By explaining about the UG theory, mainly this theory works operationally through the social and the psychological needs for individuals generating motives and expectation of mass media(Katz, 1959), and how individuals use media to satisfy their needs and to achieve their goals (as cited in Patrick, 2010). Newhagen and Rafaeli (1996) mentioned that UG theory is suitable for the internet because internet has something suitable for everyone, be it information-seeking, inter-personal communication, entertainment, or escapism. It just likes chameleon-like character (as cited in Patrick, 2010). According to Katz, Blumler, and Gurevitch (1974) UG theory is commonly used to: (1) Explain how the psychological and social needs of people give rise to their expectation and motivations to choose and to use the mass media that will best meet their needs and expectations, (2) Explain how people use the media to meet their specific needs, (3) Understand the motives for their dependency on a particular media, and (4) Identify the consequences that resulted from the needs, motives, and dependency on a particular media (as cited in Patrick, 2010). (see Figure 1) Figure 2.jpgFigure 1: Uses and Gratification Framework (Katz, Blumler, Gurevitch, 1974 as cited in Patrick, 2010) According to Wimmer and Dominick (1994), in between 1950 to 1960, many researches began identifying social and psychological factors that resulted in different patterns of media consumption and gratification. For instance, individuals mental ability and relationships with parents and peers influences the nature of childrens television (Schramm, Lyle Parker, 1961 as cited in Patrick, 2010). In 1970, UG studies focused on audience motivation, which at the same time also proposed by McQuail, Blumler, and Brown mentioned that media serve four important functions at the level of the individual, which are (1) Emotional release through escapism and diversion from routine or problems, (2) Social utility through companionship, (3) Value reinforcement or personal identity through reality exploration, and (4) Self enrichment through information surveillance. Hence, the factors and motivations which discussed just now will be modify and apply to this study. (see Figure 2) chart 1.jpg Figure 2: Conceptual modified of Uses and Gratification model Figure 2 shows the conceptual modified of UG theory which apply to this study. In this study, the social factor stand for peer influence, and this peer influence affect both audience motivation that get from internet and also the consequences. For instance, if a person being influenced by the peer to using the internet (usage), the person will get the value reinforcement (audience motivation) by the peer as a sign to follow the peer and not being deviant to the peer group, then with the long hours in internet will addict to internet (consequences). There is another example by using this theory model. Example like if now the social factors change to unpleasant peer relationship or problematic peer relationship, it will also affect the outcome of this theory. If a person facing an unsuccessful peer relationship in the real communication, the person will go into internet to seek for another social utility from internet (audience motivation) and also shown as escapism from problem (audience motivation) that the person facing currently. With the fully focus and gratification that the person get from internet, he or she might refuse to get out from the internet and at the end lead the person to internet addiction (consequences). Factors and causes of Internet Addiction According to Chou, Condron, and Belland (2005), there are few studies found that there is a relationship between internet addiction and users social-psychological or personality variables, such as sensation seeking, pleasure experiences, use-and-gratification, loneliness, and depression. Besides that, there are also few significant factors which associated with the internet addiction such as, drinking behaviour, dissatisfaction with family, and experiences of stressful event (Lam, Peng, Mai, Jing, 2009). There are two similarities in these two studies, both mentioned that internet addiction is due to the stressful event or depression that one encounter, and dissatisfaction with their social relationship (which are social loneliness and family relationship). In Lam et al s (2009) study, found that internet addiction is a behavioural manifestation of internal stress and stress is a known risk factor of addiction. Besides that, Esen and GÃ ¼ndoÄÅ ¸du (2010) stated that internet addiction might be an escape for adolescents when they cannot cope with the problems of life and one of the main problems is not be able to handle the pressure from peer. So, when adolescent feel stress due to some problem, they cannot cope with it, they will chose to escape from the real world to get into the imaginary world of internet. On the other hand, Young (1996) found that there is 53% of internet addicts have experiencing important relationship problems, those might included family problem, friendship problem and soon. As a consequence, individual who experiences this kind of problem will feel hesitated to communicate with people in the real world to avoid the communication anxiety. Young (1997) had mentioned that internet provides dynamic social support group to the individual experiencing insufficient interpersonal relationships in real life, thus, person can take the emotional risks in the imaginary world than the real world (as cited in Esen GÃ ¼ndoÄÅ ¸du, 2010). At the same time, Lin, Lin and Wu (2009), pointed out that parental monitoring is an inhibitor in adolescents internet addiction. Especially for parents, they should manage to supervise and guide their children in using computer and internet, and also control the amount of unsupervised time they spend alone (Lin, Lin, Wu, 2009). Besides that, KÄÂ ±ran-Esen (2007) also mentioned in their study that parents and teacher support were significant predictors of internet addiction (as cited in Esen GÃ ¼ndoÄÅ ¸du, 2010). Parents should always encourage their children to talk to them rather than talk to the computer, teacher also play an important role in educate students the correct to using internet and support them when they facing any problem, such as family problem or peer problem in school. Moreover, Milani et al (2009) reported that with the advancement of new technologies, different online social support system start appears (as cited in Torres, 2010). People start sharing and communicate among one and another within the internet world and start seeking social support from internet, and this might lead them to the internet addiction. This is because, according to Torres (2010), online social support can enhance internet use. Moreover, the easy access to unlimited online information and little censorship also contribute to the problem of internet addiction (Patrick, 2010). Social Group According to Thomas (2011), adolescent normally do not make decision in a vacuum, rather they are highly influenced by the environment around them, especially within the social context (such as parent and peer). Eijnden, Spijkerman, Vermulst, Rooij, and Engels (2009) had reported that, parents are important and influential agents, and their parenting practices may promote or prevent the development of internet-related problems. Besides that, as cited in Eijnden, Spijkerman, Vermulst, Rooij, and Engels (2009), Liu and Kuo (2007) mentioned about the quality of the parents-child relationship was negatively associated with the level of internet addiction among students. Moreover, in the same research pointed out that parent-adolescent conflict and lower satisfaction with family functioning we positively related to adolescent internet addiction ( Yen et al, 2007, Ko et al Yen et al, 2007 as cited in Eijnden, Spijkerman, Vermulst, Rooij Engels, 2009). In year 2001, one of the Thomas studies stated that parent and peers actually influence adolescents delinquent activity, specifically through the manner in which they influence adolescents moral values (Thomas, 2011). Thomas (2011) explained that when an individual behaves in a manner that is consistent with the values of the social unit, the behaviour is viewed as rewarding to the individual, whereas behaviours that are inconsistent with the values of the social unit are seen as emotionally unfulfilling. So, adolescent might choose those activities which are match with the social value to avoid the social anxiety. Catalano and Hawkins (1996) said individuals who are bonded to social unit which uphold antisocial values and beliefs are most likely to engage in antisocial or delinquent behaviours (as cited in Thomas, 2011). Hence, when individuals are strongly bond with their social unit, they will be influenced by the social value and follow the norm although the behaviour maybe not the healthy activity or activity that might bring negative consequences (Thomas, 2011). Peer Influence Parents and peer influence playing role in different areas in the lives of youth (Bowerman Kinch, 1959; J.W. Young Ferguson, 1979), and peer are more influential in decisions on social issues such as choice of friends and group membership (J.W. Young Ferguous, 1979) (as cited in Patrick, 2010). According to Aseltine (1995), the peer group has traditionally been the center of attention in the sociological literature on adolescent deviance, there is research clearly documented the links between peer influence and substance use, as well as delinquent behaviour and antisocial values (Thomas, 2011). A study done by Walker and Bean (2009) to examine adolescents perceptions of negative and positive peer influence by using a sample of African American, European American, and Hispanic adolescents. In their study, they supported that association with deviant peers is often assumed to influence adolescents to engage in antisocial behaviour (negative influence), and the findings suggest that negative peer influence has stronger impact on adolescent behaviours than does positive peer influence. Besides, Brown and Klute (2006) mentioned that positive peer influence serve as a deterrent to negative behaviour and encouragement for positive behaviour (getting along with family and perform well in academic) (as cited in Walker Bean, 2009). Peer and Risky Behaviour There is study done by Agrawal, Lynskey, Bucholz, Madden and Heath (2007) indicated that having peer with favourable attitudes towards cannabis use is an important correlate of starting in cannabis use. Besides, a research by Trucco, Colder and Wieczorek (2011) concluded that reinforcement and modelling of alcohol use appear to be important mechanisms by which delinquent peers influence the initiation of drinking among adolescents. In Thomas studies (2011) indicated that adolescent choose to engage in delinquent activity in spite of having a supporting and loving family, because the peer rewards were more salient. In such case, the pressure to get a higher reward from peer lead adolescent to engage in different behaviour, although the behaviour might be delinquent but, as long as is in favour of the values of the peer unit (Thomas, 2011). Besides family support, adolescent seek support from their friends in order to satisfy unmet needs in the family environment (Nickerson Nagle, 2005) and friendship are an extension of family relationships (Bowlby,1969; Wilkinson, 2004) (as cited in Patrick, 2010). Peer group provide appropriate socials roles, norms, values, and attitude for group member, such social role determine what pattern of behaviour is expected and in this case, influence the behaviour of the adolescent (Lombardi, 1963). Dodge, Dishion, and Lansford (2006) stated that adolescent who are at risk for delinquency are susceptible to negative influences from deviant peers, and higher levels of deviant peer association were found to predict later increases in pro-delinquency beliefs which highlights the influence peers can have on adolescent beliefs about delinquency (Pardini, Loeber, and Stouthamer-Lober, 2005) (as cited in Thomas, 2011). Besides that, many research studies about juvenile delinquency stress the importance of peer groups in the form of bad neighbourhood, companions, and gangs (Lombardi, 1963). Peer and Internet Addiction Based on Harman, Hansen, Cochran, and Lindsey (2005), an internet addiction adolescent interact less with peers and have incompetent relationship quality. Normally, adolescent who are addicted to internet are having a poor peer relationship according to Sanders, Field, Diego, and Kaplan (2000) and Wang, Lee, and Chang (2003), they also experience the difficulty in making friends based on Mesch (2001), isolated socially (Nalwa Anand, 2003) and had lower social skills and deficient relationship explained by Harman, Hansen, Cochran, and Lindsey (2005) (as cited in Esen GÃ ¼ndoÄÅ ¸du, 2010). Moreover, Patrick (2010) revealed that people, who lack friends, also use the Internet more heavily to compensate socially, meaning that lack of friends may increase the motivation of online social interaction. As cited in Esen GÃ ¼ndoÄÅ ¸du (2010), Kiran-Esen (2007) found out that peer pressure is a significant predictor of internet addiction. Peer pressure is another variable discuss in internet addiction. According to Esen GÃ ¼ndoÄÅ ¸du (2010), internet addiction and peer pressure are related variables, their result showed that the lower the peer pressure, the addiction of internet also decrease. Gender differences in internet addiction There are some empirical support about the notion that males are more subject to internet addiction, example like, according to Morahan-Martin and Schumacker (2000), males were more likely than females to be pathological users (which is 12% vs 3%), whereas females were more likely than males to have no symptoms (28% vs. 26%) or have limited symptoms (69% vs. 61%) of behavioural pathology (as cited in Chou, Condron, Belland, 2005). In Greece, there is studies found out that people who suffering from internet addiction are mostly young male, and also showing that the rates of exhibiting the disorder among females is increasing (Lam, Peng, Mai, Jing, 2009). In Taiwan also, a study done by Griffiths (1998) showed that only three respondents were female students out of a total of 54 internet addiction cases gleaned from more than 900 Taiwan college student respondents (as cited in Chou, Condron, Belland, 2005). Zhang, Amos, and McDowell (2008) also mentioned that male have higher level of internet addiction. The notion that males are more subject to internet addiction has empirical support, such as according to Scherer (1997) indicated that dependent internet users included a significantly larger proportion of men to women (71% men and 29% women) than the non-dependent users (50% are men and women). Besides that, Lam, Peng, Mai, and Jing (2009) also reported that males are 50% more likely than females to be addicted to the internet. Moreover, according to Chou, Chondron, and Belland (2005), they concluded that men use internet differently from woman, and that men are more likely subject to internet addiction. Women using internet differently than men, according to Jackson, Ervin, Gardner, and Schmitt (2001) , women are using internet more to communicate and maintain relationships online and men are mainly interested in less relational activities (as cited in Torres, 2010). Young (1998) had mentioned that women are usually more drawn to social and interactive aspects of the internet, and men are more likely to access the internet to play interactive video games (as cited in Torres, 2010). Young (1998) found out that women normally seek out close friendship and prefer anonymous communication in which they can hide their appearance, have a sense of belonging and the ability to share their feelings and emotions in private and convenient ways; whereas men tend to seek out dominant activities or content online (which rely particularly on power, dominance, control, and violence) and also tend to explore sexual fantasies online (as cited in Chou, Condron, Belland, 2005). Summary This section discussed the theoretical perspectives and major concept (social factor) that is used throughout this research. The application of Use and Gratifications (UG) Theory explained how the social factor (peer influence) affect the adolescent engage in internet use and how to lead to internet addiction. Besides, above review also pointed out that many factors which cause one addicted to internet. The most influential factor could be social support group, and among so many social groups, the review discuss about how the peer influence the most in adolescent on risky behaviour. One of the risky behaviour which being discuss above is overly using internet, which will lead to internet addiction. In addition, the gender differences also playing a role in internet addiction.

The Giver Essay example -- Essays Papers

The Giver The Giver is about a boy named Jonas who lives in the future in an almost perfect community. Jonas is chosen to be the person who carries all the memories of the past, given to him by the giver. It is by Lois Lowry. There are many good and bad things in the Giver. Some good things are that hardly anyone gets hurt. When people do get hurt they take a pill and the pain goes right away. No one ever breaks bones or anything. There are no criminals, and there are no locks on any homes or buildings. Another good thing is that everyone knows who everyone else is and it’s a very small community with only a few hundred people. There are hardly ever any visitors from outside the community. Sometimes kids from other communities go play with the kids in the book’s community. All the people are provided with homes, jobs, and food. A bad thing about the giver’s community is release. When a person breaks a major rule, is too old, or isn’t right as a baby they get release d. Release is killing. In the book there are twins and the smaller one has to be released. His father turned and opened the cupboard. He took out a syringe and a small bottle. Very carefully he inserted the needle into the bottle and began to fill the syringe with a clear liquid. Jonas winced sympathetically. He had forgotten that newchildren had to get shots. He hated shots himself, though he knew they were necessary. To his surprise, his father began very carefully to direct the needle into the top of the newchild’s forehead, puncturing the place where the fragile skin pulsed. The newborn squirmed and wailed faintly â€Å"Why’s he-â€Å" â€Å"Shhh,† The giver said sharply. His father was talking, and Jonas realized that he was hearing the answer to the question he had started to ask. Still in the special voice, his father was saying, â€Å"I know, I know. It hurts, little guy. But I have to use a vein, and the veins in your arm are still too teeny-weeny.â €  He pushed the plunger very slowly, injecting the liquid into the scalp vein until the syringe was empty. â€Å"All done. ! That wasn’t so bad, was it?† Jonas heard his father say cheerfully. He turned aside and dropped the syringe into a waste receptacle. Now he cleans him up and makes him comfy, Jonas said to himself, aware that the giver didn’t want to talk during the little ceremony. As he continued to watch, the newchild, no longer crying, moved his arms and le... ...n away from the town to Elsewhere. The memories she received became lost in the town. The community has always depended on the receiver to hold their memories for them. The Giver and Jonas made a plan to leave town. Jonas is supposed to go to Elsewhere. In Elsewhere the town is completely different from the town Jonas came from. When Jonas get to Elsewhere, it means that the community has to bear the burden themselves that Jonas was holding. Jonas went to Elsewhere with a baby named Gabriel. They went through the cold and were starving but finally in the end made it to Elsewhere. The Giver had to stay to help the people cope with the memories they would receive. I agree with what Jonas did. People should be able to make their own decisions and live life the way they want to Jonas was starting to see the fighting of the wars, he didn't really liked that memory. Another memory that impacted me was when Joneas was in the top of the hill and saw, and felt the fresh snow and when he got into the slide and went of the snow, but then after he maked the planed to live and tried to make it, but after he left home he took Gabriel to go with him, but unfortionaly they both died in the way.

Article rebuttal

I located an article on CNN. Com the article is â€Å"Why we should not legalize marijuana†. The author states that marijuana is the commonly abused illegal drug in the U. S. , and around the world. The author also states that marijuana makes it totally impossible for a person using it to function and live a normal daily life. The author believes everyone who uses this drug she have penalties against them. I disagree, because the author is not stating facts and the information she provided In the article does is not reliable because she is going off of her opinions.I know many people who smoke marijuana and many people who use other drugs. Marijuana would not do much harm, I know a lot of people who are successful college graduates who used marijuana all throughout college and in their careers. Although I have never smoked a day in my life. I have reliable sources who have and decided to question them. I questioned friends who smoke marijuana, and friends who used to smoke mar ijuana. In my Interviews with friends and a few family members the ones who smoked told me It relaxes them and helps them focus more and have a clear vision on the things.The ones who quit says marijuana helped them perform better in school and feel stress free and that the only reason they quit was because of employment purposes. There are other drugs out there such as crack cocaine that can cause bodily harm and damage and even death while using, or overdose. You can not over dose on marijuana, marijuana can not cause serious harm. Being that marijuana can not cause you any serious harm or causes anyone to lose their life. I think It should be legalized and people should not get In trouble for having It. It should be their choice since no serious side effects occur

Environment Affects Humans Health Essay

The environment affects human health in many ways in this short passage I will talk about air pollution and polluted waters. Air pollution is everywhere, and no we do not always see it but it is their harming everyone’s health. Why is air pollution bad for children’s health because it harms their lungs and increases the chances or childhood asthma. Air pollution is harmful to children’s lungs, but adults also. Air pollution has been known to cause a number of respiratory problems. Places with a higher rate of air pollution people tend to be at higher risk of heart problems. The reason why is because of the amount of air pollution that they breather every day is not helpful. Big companies that produce lots of air pollution should try to invest some money into their facility’s, so that there is not as much air pollution formed in the area. If the air pollution is toxic is can eventually higher someone’s rate of developing cancer. This means if you liv e in an area with lots of pollution, and can see the thick pollution clouds in the air chances are there is a higher cancer rate in that area because of the pollution the people are breathing in every day. Something has to be done to stop the amount of air pollution that is forming in some areas because it is severely harmful to people’s health, and the people of the companies producing it make it sound as if it is not harmful at all. The truth is that is does a lot more damage to our health than they are telling us.On to polluted waters it is not as bad as polluted air, but it is there. Polluted water is bad for us and can make us sick when we drink it or swim in it. Low danger symptoms that might occur from it are vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, and stomach problems. Do not think these are the only types of occurred symptoms that polluted water can cause because they only become worse. Polluted water can also cause developmental and reproductive problems these problems occur when we drink the polluted water for long lengths to time. Air pollution is not the only thing that causes everyone’s nightmare cancer polluted water also can cause it. The same as air pollution and breathing it we would have to drink lots of polluted water before this occurs. Tap water is normally safe to drink, but it is good to drink filtered tap water because water pollution can still travel through our reservoirs where they filter our tap water at. They pollution is normally very little traces of it in tap water, but on occasion they will be a high amount of pollution were the water company has to let us know of the  problem. The environment we live in can affect human’s health in many more ways than explained. We as humans create most the problems with the environment that we are faced with. Unfortunately I doubt that will change anytime soon, maybe in the far future. The two types of environmental problems I discussed were air and water pollutions and the harm that they do to humans.

Free Essays on Chinese Room

Through his writings on the Chinese Room scenario, John R. Searle tries to prove that there is no way artificial intelligence can exist. This means that machines do not posses minds. The debate between those who are in favour of strong and weak artificial intelligence (AI) is directly related to the philosophy of mind. The claim of weak AI is that it is possible to run a program on a machine, which will behave as if it were a thinking thing. Believers of strong AI say that it is possible to create a program running on a machine which not only behaves as if it were thinking, but does actually think. Strong AI followers argue that an installation of a computer program is considered a mind as real as the mind of any human. Searle's claim is that any installation of a program is an operation. The lack of meaning, he states, means that the computer program does not have true understanding and is not truly thinking, it is Through his writings on the Chinese room scenario, John R. Searle tr ies to prove there simply computing and processing symbols. Searle begins by talking about a newer computer program written by Roger Schank, which he uses to answer, or at least try to answer, questions about a problem it has been given. Searle remarks that this choice of program is not directly relevant to his argument, but is merely an example. He then suggests that instead of running the program on a machine that it can be represented as a series of written instructions that he could follow. To make sure he is following the instructions, everything is expressed in Chinese, since Searle did not know the language. The complete situation has Searle in a room where Chinese symbols are passed through one slot of the room along with English instructions on how to read them. He then computes them and passes out the meanings through the second slot in the room. Searle’s actions resemble the program of the functionalist Schank. The inpu... Free Essays on Chinese Room Free Essays on Chinese Room Through his writings on the Chinese Room scenario, John R. Searle tries to prove that there is no way artificial intelligence can exist. This means that machines do not posses minds. The debate between those who are in favour of strong and weak artificial intelligence (AI) is directly related to the philosophy of mind. The claim of weak AI is that it is possible to run a program on a machine, which will behave as if it were a thinking thing. Believers of strong AI say that it is possible to create a program running on a machine which not only behaves as if it were thinking, but does actually think. Strong AI followers argue that an installation of a computer program is considered a mind as real as the mind of any human. Searle's claim is that any installation of a program is an operation. The lack of meaning, he states, means that the computer program does not have true understanding and is not truly thinking, it is Through his writings on the Chinese room scenario, John R. Searle tr ies to prove there simply computing and processing symbols. Searle begins by talking about a newer computer program written by Roger Schank, which he uses to answer, or at least try to answer, questions about a problem it has been given. Searle remarks that this choice of program is not directly relevant to his argument, but is merely an example. He then suggests that instead of running the program on a machine that it can be represented as a series of written instructions that he could follow. To make sure he is following the instructions, everything is expressed in Chinese, since Searle did not know the language. The complete situation has Searle in a room where Chinese symbols are passed through one slot of the room along with English instructions on how to read them. He then computes them and passes out the meanings through the second slot in the room. Searle’s actions resemble the program of the functionalist Schank. The inpu...

Marrying Homosexuals essays

Marrying Homosexuals essays Homosexuals should be allowed to marry because the disallowance of it violates their constitutional rights. Marriage is an institution long recognized by our government under the right to pursue happiness, and denying that right to any couple, regardless of gender, is unconstitutional. This argument, though, is not disputed. In fact, none of the arguments raised in opposition to the allowance of homosexual marriages takes into account the constitutional rights afforded to all humans. The arguments are only in relation to the possible repercussions (real or imagined) of granting these rights. Our nation was built and has always been based on the fundamental principles of freedom expressed in the Declaration of Independence and through our Constitution. The opponents of homosexual marriage need to remember what freedom means to America, and understand the significance of setting a precedent that denies that freedom. The Supreme Court has long recognized that the institution of marriage is one of the rights guaranteed to all Americans by our Constitution. On the Internet, you can find the full text of the following Supreme Court cases. In the case of Loving v. Virginia, the Supreme Court said, The freedom to marry has long been recognized as one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men. In the case of Cleveland Board of Education v. LaFleur, the Supreme Court said, This Court has long recognized that freedom of personal choice in matters of marriage and family life is one of the liberties protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. At this time, however, marriage is only granted to heterosexual couples. Although homosexuals live under the same constitution, they are not afforded the same rights as heterosexuals. The reasons presented against the allowance of homosexual marriage are flimsy, and have nothing to do with the constitutio...

Agriculture Through the Years Essay -- Agricultural Law;, Agricultural

Imagine a warm summer day, the wind lightly blowing across bare skin with the warmth of the brilliant sun causing you to get minor goose bumps. In the background you smell of manure and dirt. You go inside and grab a cool and refreshing glass of homemade lemonade and go back outside and sip on it; savoring the sour taste of fresh lemon but at the same time the sweet relief of the sugar. As you stand outside you can’t help but notice all the agriculture that is going on around you from the diesel powered CASE IH 2500 Combine to the dairy farm just down the corner. Agriculture is all around you. In a society growing as rapidly as we are today it astonishes me how many people don’t know how all the food that we eat is produced. If you think about it, all the food we eat starts out with a simple seed, that seed is then planted and who are the people that harvest and tend to those plants, Farmers. Agriculture just doesn’t stop at farming, there is so much more. The stereotype for agriculture is always plants and that’s not it. Agriculture is so broad and so old, many things make it up. Agribusiness; an industry engaged in the producing operations of a farm, the manufacture and distribution of farm equipment and supplies, and the processing, storage, and distribution of farm commodities; this broad major separates into many other different majors such as Agricultural Law; Agricultural Economics and many more. These certain majors would not exist if it wasn’t for the first person long before there was written history who picked up a seed and decided to plant it in the ground and watched what happened. Besides studies there are also many different organizations that involve agriculture such as FFA (Future Farmers of America) and 4-H. BUniversity and Hornbrook is a research assistant. I feel very comfortable using this article. It gives me the base knowledge I need for my paper. I will be using this article in my paper; it is very useful and includes a lot of general knowledge that will be my foundation for my paper. Orinthology, . "Agriculture Advances." The Science News-Letter . 7 Jan 1961: 5. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. The newspaper article talks about new diseases that were introduced to different creatures in the 1960’s. It also talks about a new style of drying grains by solar power. Also it mentions involvement with the USDA. The article is very informative. It was very interesting to read and I liked it very well. Even though this article was very informative, I will not be using this. It doesn’t include what I want it to.

Dominant Groups Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Dominant Groups - Essay Example Therefore, an individual that has a dominant attribute of any of these aspects becomes part of the dominant group. Dominant groups play a vital role in the establishment of identities among member of the society (Pearson highered). It is critical to understand dominance in the society since it is a vital aspect of community. Dominance has various repercussions in fields such as fashion, politics and other aspects of the society. Thus, understanding this concept will be vital in this discipline. Additionally, dominance influences human aspects such as sexuality significantly. Consequently, understanding this concept will provide us with vital insight into various issues pertaining to this society. Therefore, this concept is vital in understanding issue such as social classes and their influence on trends. Classism is a key component of sociology hence, studying dominance would enable an individual understand this component appropriately (Brantley et.al). Understanding dominance would enable us understand the problems which contribute lead to dominance. These factors include wealth, race, education and culture. Therefore, understanding how these factors contribute to dominance will enable us have a comprehensive view of this topic. Additionally, it will enable a student understand other social which surround dominance. Factor such as wealth, power, race, education and culture influence dominance subsequently relevant studies will reveal what the minority parties are doing to achieve the dominant status. Additionally, studying dominance would provide insight on how various social classes perceive each other. Understanding dominance would also expand our knowledge on the existing groups and their interaction. Combination of power and wealth will result in super dominant group. Therefore, studying how factors that determine dominance interact would be essential. In the American society, dominance has been maintained in various

ICE Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

ICE Paper - Essay Example In fact, he estimated that 70% of the oil is made up of imports. The fact that oil is the key driver of the American economy, it cannot go without saying that a significant share of our energy resources is derived from other countries. This is not only detrimental to our economy, but to the environment and national security as well. Pickens comes up with a raft of proposals that will help this country to reduce its foreign oil imports by a third. He believes that this is a necessary course since the global demand for oil is increasing by the day if the emergence of China and India is anything to go by. To begin with, Pickens proposes the use of Wind Power. This is because he considers wind to be not only renewable and clean, but it is 100% domestic as well. In addition, America has the largest wind reserves as opposed to any other country across the globe. By doing this, it will take the â€Å"energy generated by wind and using it to replace a significant percentage of the natural gas that is now being used to fuel our power plants.† In other words, the use of wind energy will go a long way in ensuring that the natural gas is solely used as a transportation fuel. More often than not, natural gas is considered as the form of energy that can sustain the transportation sector by virtue of it being clean, ch eap, and in abundance. By taking this route, it will drive more efforts towards the development and manufacture of natural-gas-powered vehicles (Levi, 56). Furthermore, our dependence on wind energy will help to plug the deficit of unemployment. In the process, this new development will be a major investment â€Å"in the heartland, creating room for hundreds of thousands of jobs† in the next few decades. This move will create an avenue for use of other sources of energy such as biomass, solar, and ethanol. Taking a step in this direction will save the country from

Why Duabi become a successful city in short amount of time compare to Research Paper

Why Duabi become a successful city in short amount of time compare to other cities - Research Paper Example The economy of the city has grown in double digits for the past decade with the GDP per capita growing from â€Å"US $ 19,000 in the year 2000 to US $ 33,500 in 2006† (Matley & Laura 2007, p. 5). In fact, Dubai city has grown in stature to compete with the world’s biggest players in sectors such as port operations, financial services, tourism and construction. This research paper will evaluate the factors that have enabled Dubai to become a successful city in a relatively short period compared to other cities globally. It is evident that oil revenues have played a significant role in the economic development of most Arabic countries. Notably, the boom in oil prices in the 1970s helped the oil producing countries to obtain a cash windfall. Although Dubai had just around five percent of the oil reserves compared to other cities in the United Arab Emirates such as Abu Dhabi, its rulers realized early enough that the oil revenue had to be invested wisely so as guarantee the city economic prosperity even after the oil was exhausted (Matley & Laura 2007). Sheikh Rashid Al Makhtoum laid down the infrastructural foundations that heralded the rapid growth of Dubai as a global metropolis. The political landscape in the Middle East is different from the governance structures in the Western countries. Dubai is a monarchical state that is ruled by a prince. In as much as the political regime may not be necessarily democratic, the political environment in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates is stable (Bagaeen 2007). Thus, the stable political environment has played a critical role in attracting and facilitating investments. It should be noted in the past decades, the government of Dubai has been the leading investor in Dubai. Private investors have played a secondary role in the development of the city and it is the government that has driven the growth in

The Essence of Time Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Essence of Time Management - Essay Example I only had two days out of three months to complete the three projects. I was up and down, panicking as I rushed through my projects, I did not have enough time to conduct extensive research concerning critical details of the project. In addition, I also lacked some materials that could enable me to complete my project as well. I eventually got low marks on one of the projects it was because of the last minute rush. It is there advisable that one completes an assignment on time instead of waiting until the last minute The feeling of regret is what I experienced most. The feeling was not pleasing at all since I knew it was my entire fault considering that I had three months to complete the assignment but I did what was contrary. I experienced this feeling during the rush hour period and it demoralized me making me swerve from concentrating on my project. In addition, when the results of the project were out, I even regretted more upon realizing that I had underperformed in one of the three projects. I was affected more as I acknowledged the fact that I would have done better were it not for the procrastination. An article dwelling in procrastination and regrets claims that â€Å"†¦it is conclusive that in numerous studies, procrastination is shown to be associated with poor academic performance (Kuhnle, Hofer & Kilian 34)† and this explains my results. I had greater capabilities and I had failed to maximize them by choosing to do last minute rushes. Looking back, I agree that I made the wrong judgment when I assumed that the three months given to us was too long. This judgment was the root cause of everything as I ended up thinking that I still had more time to do the projects. It was a wrong judgment as I ended up failing in one of my projects since I did it without extensive research and without all necessary materials. It is a judgment I will not take again considering the effects it had on me.

Plato, Aristotle, Sophism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Plato, Aristotle, Sophism - Essay Example Plato’s point is that the prisoners would be highly mistaken in that they would be taking terms in their own language to refer to the shadow that comes before their eyes rather than to the real things that bring the shadows. In this manner, Plato meant that the general terms of human language are not names of the physical objects or things that we can see. They are names of objects or things that we are not able to see, objects or things we can only comprehend with our mind. Plato’s aim in the republic is to explain what is important for us to attain this reflective understanding of real world. It remains the fact that our very ability to think and speak depends upon the forms. The terms of the language that people use, we get their real or true meaning by naming the forms that the things we perceive engage in. In addition, Plato tried to illustrate human nature for education and our want for education. For Aristotle, a firm understanding of what a cause is, and how many types of causes there are, is significant for successful explanation of the world around us. Aristotle identifies four kinds of things that can be applied in answer to a why-question: a. The material cause, which Aristotle stated that in every change, something gets a new determination first before undergoing any form of change, which is in potency to a new determination, then after that thing has been acted upon, it gets a new actualization. b. Formal cause, which states that every individual thing is made up not only matter, but also form. Form is the rule of determination, which accounts for the individual thing being the kind of thing it is. On the other hand, matter is the rule of potentiality, with the ability to become other than it is. c. Efficient cause, which states that, in addition to the causes that are aspects of material things, form, and matter, Aristotle, says that there must be a source for any change or motion. This according to Aristotle might be

Why Duabi become a successful city in short amount of time compare to Research Paper

Why Duabi become a successful city in short amount of time compare to other cities - Research Paper Example The economy of the city has grown in double digits for the past decade with the GDP per capita growing from â€Å"US $ 19,000 in the year 2000 to US $ 33,500 in 2006† (Matley & Laura 2007, p. 5). In fact, Dubai city has grown in stature to compete with the world’s biggest players in sectors such as port operations, financial services, tourism and construction. This research paper will evaluate the factors that have enabled Dubai to become a successful city in a relatively short period compared to other cities globally. It is evident that oil revenues have played a significant role in the economic development of most Arabic countries. Notably, the boom in oil prices in the 1970s helped the oil producing countries to obtain a cash windfall. Although Dubai had just around five percent of the oil reserves compared to other cities in the United Arab Emirates such as Abu Dhabi, its rulers realized early enough that the oil revenue had to be invested wisely so as guarantee the city economic prosperity even after the oil was exhausted (Matley & Laura 2007). Sheikh Rashid Al Makhtoum laid down the infrastructural foundations that heralded the rapid growth of Dubai as a global metropolis. The political landscape in the Middle East is different from the governance structures in the Western countries. Dubai is a monarchical state that is ruled by a prince. In as much as the political regime may not be necessarily democratic, the political environment in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates is stable (Bagaeen 2007). Thus, the stable political environment has played a critical role in attracting and facilitating investments. It should be noted in the past decades, the government of Dubai has been the leading investor in Dubai. Private investors have played a secondary role in the development of the city and it is the government that has driven the growth in

Plato, Aristotle, Sophism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Plato, Aristotle, Sophism - Essay Example Plato’s point is that the prisoners would be highly mistaken in that they would be taking terms in their own language to refer to the shadow that comes before their eyes rather than to the real things that bring the shadows. In this manner, Plato meant that the general terms of human language are not names of the physical objects or things that we can see. They are names of objects or things that we are not able to see, objects or things we can only comprehend with our mind. Plato’s aim in the republic is to explain what is important for us to attain this reflective understanding of real world. It remains the fact that our very ability to think and speak depends upon the forms. The terms of the language that people use, we get their real or true meaning by naming the forms that the things we perceive engage in. In addition, Plato tried to illustrate human nature for education and our want for education. For Aristotle, a firm understanding of what a cause is, and how many types of causes there are, is significant for successful explanation of the world around us. Aristotle identifies four kinds of things that can be applied in answer to a why-question: a. The material cause, which Aristotle stated that in every change, something gets a new determination first before undergoing any form of change, which is in potency to a new determination, then after that thing has been acted upon, it gets a new actualization. b. Formal cause, which states that every individual thing is made up not only matter, but also form. Form is the rule of determination, which accounts for the individual thing being the kind of thing it is. On the other hand, matter is the rule of potentiality, with the ability to become other than it is. c. Efficient cause, which states that, in addition to the causes that are aspects of material things, form, and matter, Aristotle, says that there must be a source for any change or motion. This according to Aristotle might be

The Best Sports Day Ever Essay Example for Free

The Best Sports Day Ever Essay Our school, SMK Mohd Khalid, had an Annual Sports Day recently. The event took place at the school field on the 30th of June 2012. Parents and students arrived and settled down on chairs located under big yellow tents. Once they were all settled in, our beloved principal Tuan Hj Suleiman kicked things off with an opening speech. He welcomed the parents and gave words of encouragement for our spiritual athletes. Meanwhile, the students participating in the school sports house march had gathered in the school field for further preparation. All of the school sports house tents are adorned with big banners and flags. Mascots of each team appeared like cartoon characters such as Angry Birds, Minecraft Guy and even the feared Lord Megatron! Some mascots even had electrical gimmicks such as Megatron’s glowing fusion cannon and Angry Birds theme song. However. The weather was bad. It had rained but this did not stop them. They had trained long and hard for this day. By the time it was 8 in the morning the school sport houses such as red house, yellow house, green house, blue house and red house had started their march. They saluted past the parents’ tent and the juries’ table. It was slightly drizzling but they continued on around the field. Various events were held after. Events such as the 100 metre race, 4 times 100 metre race and tug of war had taken place on this heavenly day. After all of the athletes showed their skills in the games, there The sound of the marching band drowns all the cheering of the crowds. Our drum major, Amir Reza and his band of enthusiastic boys marched with military precision until the band resembles the U. S Navy Seal marching. Once everything had died down, they had a prize giving ceremony to all the winners for the events. Apparently the house with the highest medal tally was the red house. Also, our athlete Lim Jia Qing a. k. a the ‘Giant Panda’ had been nominated as the best 100m sprinter and would be competing in the coveted SUKMA Games. But above all is not about the medals, it is not about the achievements but it is about the competitive spirit of athletes and the sheer determination and teamwork that all our athletes had portrayed. We are now waiting eagerly and zippy about the next and upcoming sports week.

Working For Children With Disabilities Social Work Essay

Working For Children With Disabilities Social Work Essay There has been a dramatic increase in the survival rate of children born with complex healthcare needs (Carpenter 2003). There are major concerns as a result (Blackburn, Spencer and Read 2010). According to the definition of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 7.3% (CI 6.9, 7.7) of children in the UK are stated as having a disability. Disability patterns differ between sexes, with a higher rate overall in boys than girls and possibly more difficulty with learning and remembering ability, communication, concentration and physical coordination in boys. Children with disabilities find themselves in dissimilar situations to those of non-disabled people. This situation for disabled children exists in particular circumstances such as in minority ethnic groups, black/mixed marriages and single-parent families. These children demand support from different professionals and agencies. It is vital for them to have effective multi-agency working. Currently, there is little evidence about the effect of multiagency working with disabled children and their families. (Sloper 1999) highlighted in her paper the unmet needs for families who have children with disabilities: counselling and support to have information and guidance about services; the condition of the child and how to deal with and help the child; equipment supply; financial support with housing and transportation, and having breaks from care like respite care as practical support. This paper will summarize the outcome of an evaluation of both multidisciplinary and multiagency working with disabled children and their families. Background to Multiagency Working and Multidisciplinary Working Multiagency working is eц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢entially about bringing together practitioner with a range of ц¢killц¢ to work acroц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ their traditional ц¢ervice boundarieц¢. Thiц¢ iц¢ currently regarded aц¢ crucial to the effective proviц¢ion of childrenц¢ ц¢erviceц¢. Aц¢ local authoritieц¢ re-organiц¢e to provide education, ц¢ocial care, and ц¢ometimeц¢ health proviц¢ion,( Cronin 2005) within a ц¢ingle childrenц¢ ц¢erviceц¢ department or childrenц¢ truц¢t, three modelц¢ for multiagency working are emerging: Multiagency panels or networkц¢ the team around the child practitionerц¢ remain employed by their home agencieц¢ but meet on a regular baц¢iц¢ to diц¢cuц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ children and young people with additional needц¢ who would benefit from multi-agency input. Multiagency teams made up of practitionerц¢ ц¢econded or recruited into the team, making it a more formal arrangement than a multi-agency panel. The team workц¢ with univerц¢al ц¢erviceц¢ to ц¢upport familieц¢ and ц¢choolц¢ aц¢ well aц¢ individual children and young people. Integrated ц¢erviceц¢ which bring together a range of proviц¢ion, uц¢ually under one roof, ц¢uch as in school or in an early years setting. Staff work in a co-ordinated way to addreц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ the needц¢ of children, young people and familieц¢ providing ц¢erviceц¢ ц¢uch aц¢ all-year-round, incluц¢ive education; care and perц¢onal development opportunitieц¢ for children and young people; and ц¢pecialiц¢t ц¢upport for children and families. The idea of profeц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ionalц¢ and agencieц¢ working together iц¢ not new. There are many proviц¢ionц¢ in the Children Act of 1989 which require different authoritieц¢ to co-operate and to conц¢ult with one another while multi-agency ц¢upport iц¢ a feature of the ц¢pecial educational needц¢ framework, ц¢et up following the Education Act of 1981, (Nelson 2002)particularly in relation to ц¢tatutory aц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢eц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ment and ц¢tatementing. à Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ince the Labour government came into power in 1997 a number of initiativeц¢ ц¢uch aц¢ à Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ure à Ã¢â‚¬ ¦tart and Connexionц¢ have been put in place to promote effective joined up multi-agency working to ц¢upport vulnerable children. However, the recommendationц¢ which followed the Laming inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbià © prompted a renewed determination to get ц¢erviceц¢ working together and in 2004 a new Children Act established a duty on agencieц¢ to co-operate with each other to protect and improve the liveц¢ of children. Thiц¢ haц¢ reц¢ulted in ц¢ome of the following developmentц¢: The introduction of major changeц¢ to the childrenц¢ workforce: a comprehenц¢ive curriculum for training all practitionerц¢ who work with children iц¢ currently being developed by government. While thiц¢ iц¢ not going to make all profeц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ionalц¢ knowledgeable about diц¢abilitieц¢ ц¢uch aц¢ autiц¢m, they ц¢hould have the baц¢ic ц¢killц¢ to recogniц¢e a poц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ible developmental delay, be able to ц¢upport parentц¢ emotionally and, (McCarton 2006)crucially, to know when to ц¢ignpoц¢t parentц¢ on for more expert advice. Working with children iц¢ a key component of the core curriculum which recogniц¢eц¢, for example, that ц¢ome children do not communicate verbally and that practitione rц¢ need to adapt their communication to the needц¢ and abilitieц¢ of the child or young perц¢on. New wayц¢ of ц¢haring information are being developed to avoid duplication, children ц¢lipping through the net and exceц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ive bureaucracy. The government haц¢ developed ContactPoint, a databaц¢e holding information on every child in England from birth to 18 yearц¢ of age, poц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ibly longer for children who are diц¢abled or looked after. With greater electronic recording of perц¢onal information reц¢ulting in wider acceц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ in ц¢ome caц¢eц¢, iц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ueц¢ of confidentiality are of concern to diц¢abled people. Croц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢-profeц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ional legal guidance ц¢etц¢ out how information ц¢haring ц¢hould happen and coverц¢ confidentiality in ц¢ome depth. The Common Aц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢eц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ment Framework (CAF) which aimц¢ to provide a more ц¢tandardiц¢ed and preventive approach to identifying need and making proviц¢ion and which operateц¢ acroц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ profeц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ional boundarieц¢ has been developed. à Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ome children may be identified aц¢ having a poц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ible disability, such aц¢ cerebral Palsy, via this route (Eicher 2003). Every local authority (except the beц¢t performing four ц¢tar authoritieц¢) haц¢ to have a Children and Young Peopleц¢ Plan (CYPP) focuц¢ed on better local integration of childrenц¢ ц¢erviceц¢ in locationц¢ ц¢uch aц¢ extended ц¢choolц¢ and childrenц¢ centreц¢. Familieц¢ with children o n the autiц¢m ц¢pectrum ц¢hould find it eaц¢ier to acceц¢Ãƒâ€˜Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ ц¢erviceц¢ aц¢ a reц¢ult and ц¢hould be conц¢ulted about ц¢erviceц¢ they would like to ц¢ee improved and developed. The CYPP coverц¢ all local authority ц¢erviceц¢ affecting children and young people including early yearц¢ and extended ц¢choolц¢ and out-of-ц¢chool child care, education, youth ц¢erviceц¢, childrenц¢ ц¢ocial ц¢erviceц¢. It alц¢o includeц¢ ц¢erviceц¢ provided by relevant youth juц¢tice agencieц¢ and health ц¢erviceц¢ for children and young people, including child and adoleц¢cent mental health. Models of multiagency working Three different models of joint working have been identified by Watson et al. 2002: multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary working. These categories are based on several experts working together effectively in a particular service context, linked with family requirements in a holistic approach (table 1). Multidisciplinary working means single agencies made up of individual professionals (Watson et al. 2002). For instance, a health visitor, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a speech and language therapist, and a hospital consultant may work together within a health agency. Professionals work separately to assess the child, and as a consequence they produce separate documents so they do not share their goals and aims, which makes it very difficult to assess the child as a whole. Their care is focused on the childs health care needs only without involving other needs such as educational, emotional and social needs. There is a low equivalent partnership approach with the family and low communication with other agencies; usually family members take on this role. The second model, interdisciplinary working, with different agencies and their professionals working together by assessing the child and his/her family needs separately and then meeting together to set goals according to their findings. This model is focused on the childs needs more than the familys needs. The third model is the more holistic approach and preferred by families, transdisciplinary working, where different agencies work together by sharing goals, knowledge, tasks and responsibilities. This model is focused on a primary provider, the key worker, who is responsible for delivery of an integrated programme for the child, and family care. Moreover, for the most important part is that families are treated equally. Both (Sloper 2004, and Carney 2009) agreed that the transdisciplinary working model in the area of multiagency key working is the only way of integrated working which has favourable outcomes for disabled children and their families. However, there is not so much evidence that could show what type of model is implemented in practice. Sloper et al. 2004 also cited in her paper Cameron (2000) and Atkinson (2002) regarding other models; most models focused on relationships between professionals and how multiagency working was organised. This may contribute to better communication but does not necessarily result in the family receiving a coordinated service. (Table 1 ,Watson et al. 2002) Method Electronic resources (MedLine, Cochrane Library, PsychInfo, PubMed, google Scholar) were used and the focus was on existing reviews, in particular qualitative studies and good quality reviews. Key words The research terms were multidisciplinary working and disabled children, multiagency working and disabled children, and multiagency and multidisciplinary and disabled children. PROPOSED METHOD OF CRITICAL APPRAISAL I have chosen two qualitative studies (Watson, Abbott and Townsley 2007) which help to explore the impact of multiagency/multidisciplinary working on disabled children and their families. CRITICAL APPRAISAL To critically examine the evidence provided by these papers, which are qualitative studies, it is appropriate to use the critical appraisal checklist provided by the critical appraisal programme, from the Public Health Resource Unit, Institute of Health Science, Oxford which was accessed from http://www.phru.nhs.uk . The 10 questions are adapted from Oxman AD, Cook DJ, Guyatt GH, Users guide to medical literature. VI. How to use an overview. JAMA 1994; 272 (17): 1367-1371. The reason for choosing this is because the two studies are qualitative studies. 1st study Authors Watson, D., D. Abbott R. Townsley Title Listen to me, too! Lessons from involving children with complex healthcare needs in research about multi-agency services. Publisher Child: Care, Health Development, (2007) 33, 90-5. 2nd study Authors Carter, B., J. Cummings L. Cooper Title An exploration of best practice in multi-agency working and the experiences of families of children with complex health needs. What works well and what needs to be done to improve practice for the future? Publisher Journal of Clinical Nursing, 16, 527-39. 2007) 10 questions of qualitative research CASP tool (Watson et al. 2007) (Carter et al.2007) Was there a clear statement of the aims of the research? Yes, there was a clear statement of the aims to discover the positive impact of multiagency working on families with children who have complex health care needs. to examine the involvement of complex health care needs children in multiagency services. Yes, there was a clear statement of the aims to create a connection between children, families and people who work with complex needs children. To discover best multiagency working practice with families and people who work with complex needs children, to find out what is good practice. Generate opportunities, associations and guidance plans which will improve multiagency working practice in the future. Is a qualitative methodology appropriate? Yes, there was appropriate methodology: disabled children who are dependent on medical technology and their carer or families. Yes, there was appropriate methodology: 20 Families were targeted (mothers fathers children with complex needs). People working with complex needs children from different agencies. Was the research design appropriate to address the aims of the research? Time spent with 18 children young people aged between 2 -15 yrs, 7 girls and 11 boys (from 6 multiagency services in the UK). Interviews with 115 professionals in the 6 multiagency services about their experience in multiagency services. 25 families visited with parents/carers interviewed about their experience with multiagency services. Appreciative interviews with participants lasted between (40 minutes 3 hours): Individual Face to face Audio- taped Narrative interviews Small group workshops (dreaming design). All participants were invited. Workshops of consent (design and destiny). All participants were invited to attend 5 consensus workshops across 2 counties. Final synthesis. Was the recruitment strategy appropriate to the aims of the research? The authors targeted: 6 services chosen from 26 which presented the highest components of multiagency working. 18 children young people aged between 2 -15 yrs, 7 girls and 11 boys with a range of cognitive abilities, from severe to no learning difficulties. The majority had cognitive impairment. 3 children without obvious learning difficulties. The explanation of chosen participants is explained above#. 18 parents/carers agreed to take part. 2 young people were recruited, one male and one female to help the authors with their meetings and email communication. The authors: Targeted 20 families: 10 families from Burnley / East Lancashire, and 10 from the South Lakes area, to reflect two different health economies within the area served by Cumbria and Lancashire Workforce Development Confederation (WDC), UK. Recruited people working with complex needs children from different agencies as much as possible. Used purposive sampling (families), and sampling of snowballing (professionals). All the targeted population completed the interviews. Also agencies and disciplines were targeted. Were the data collected in a way that addressed the research issue? Time spent / interviews / disposable camera for the purpose of taking photos of all the important people. Informal, adapted, enjoyable and relaxed sessions to meet the needs of each child, lasting for an hour. Small gifts + a 10 pound voucher for taking part. Developed topic guide which covered: Things I like, things I dislike, who lives at home with me, school, friends, adults who helped me, short breaks, difficult things to do, and happiness moments. Drawing on big paper (the child interviewer sometimes). Showing a sheet of simple faces showing different expressions, to choose which one is closest to the child or young person. Asking about seeing professionals, also about having a designated worker, referring to key worker by name depending on the childs cognitive ability. Attride-Stirlings approach to data collection is to codewhat is said in the interviews.( this was used instead of Appreciative Inquiry) Each interview was coded line by line, and codes were assigned to words, phrases and any interesting views relevant to the research aims noted. The researchers used this information to create the 56 statements on a flip charts. they then showed back to the people theyd interviewed.   These people then chose statements which were relevant and meaningful to them, in relation to the research. Small group workshops (dreaming design) All participants were invited. Workshops of consent (design and destiny) All participants were invited to attend 5 agreement workshops across 2 counties. Has the relationship between researcher and participants been adequately considered? Yes it has. A lot of care is taken to create a more equal relationship between the researcher and the complex care needs children and their families. Design method is flexible, non intrusive and responsive to childrens communication styles. The construction of this relationship and the methodology have ethical implications which are discussed below. Yes it has. Flexible and dynamic approach by involving and shared between the participant and researcher. Have ethical issues been taken into consideration? Yes, ethical issues have been taken into consideration. There were plenty of details about how researchers contacted the participants by obtaining consent from young people and some ethical dilemmas were presented. The project was approved by two ethics committees: The Faculty of Health ethics committee. Morecambe Bay Local Research ethics committee (LREC). All the LRECs were covered by Locality Agreements in Cumbria and Lancashire. For the duration of the study, all research team had Honorary Contracts with Morecambe Bay Primary Care Trust (PCT). Comprehensive information was received by the participants and they had opportunities to discuss their involvement. At no time was there any pressure to participate. 24 hours were given as a minimum to make participation decision in the project to participants. Was the data analysis sufficiently rigorous? Yes it was. There was no comprehensive discussion about the method used for data analysis. The authors created data sets using four broad categories and they provided descriptive tables on childrens age, education, use of health technology and communication style. Yes it was. (figure 1) showed how rigorous the data analysis was:, thematic analysis using Attride-Stirlings approach of basic themes grouped into organizing themes and then global themes. Is there a clear statement of findings? Yes, there was a clear statement of findings, there was a discussion of the evidence, but no discussion about the credibility of their findings. Findings were discussed in relation to the childrens communication in multi agency services. Yes there was a clear statement of findings. Their findings were explicit. There was a discussion of the evidence. There was a credibility discussion about their findings. The authors discussed findings in relation to the original research question. 10-How valuable is the research? Yes, the study does make a contribution to understanding the consultation of children with complex care needs used in multiagency services. The authors didnt discuss new areas of research. There was a considerable contribution on involving disabled children in service delivery and research but there is still a gap about involving complex care needs children. The project was valuable because it provided families with a better understanding of how practice should be, and provided opportunities for a mutual relationship between professionals through the exchange of information. The research identified new areas where research is necessary in the future. There was a greater impact on practice by this study and it lead to a better quality of life for both children and their families. Limitations of (Watson et al. 2007) The major limitation in this study is that there was not comprehensive discussion about methods used for data analysis. Moreover, the authors created data sets using four broad categories: friendship and communication, relationships with professionals, school life, and the things that children like and dislike. With such a small sample size, 18 children and adolescents with complex health care needs, between 2-15 years old, it is very difficult to address the effect on the result of bias. Limitations of (Carter et al. 2007) There are some limitations in this qualitative research. The first one is in methods; the authors tried to carry out Appreciative Inquiry but then used Attride-Stirlings approach. Moreover, methods were combined into three stages as another shift in method. Each agency / discipline was not fully represented. There was an absence of involvement of general practitioners. There was a limitation in the appreciative interviews because of they were interviews at a particular point in time. Furthermore, one child was included in the study due to other children being too young to participate or having severe disabilities. Last but not least, the study failed to recruit ethnic minority group parents and children. Discussion The main focus of these two papers was to find out the impact of multidisciplinary or multiagency working on disabled children and their families. Regarding the two studies findings in relation to multiagency working (Watson et al.2007) authors reported that seeing many professionals did not cause any difficulties for the majority of children in the study. However, difficulties did appear when professionals attempted to talk to the child directly. Communication between the key worker and the child was reported as weak or limited. One child expressed their feeling of seeing many professional as a silly and boring thing to do, while another child showed a close relationship with their key worker by recognising their name. In general, this study did attempt the challenge of involving children with complex health care needs, but it is not a reliable study because it used a small sample number of children. As regards the findings of the second paper (Carter et al.2007), they chose two areas from the guidance plans, the 10 statements, as they felt that they reflected the two core areas of guidance which were: the most important As a consequence, authors stated the importance of making children and parents more satisfied and less isolated, and the crucial role of support and voluntary groups. Moreover, families and people from different agencies have to be cooperative when choosing the important role of coordinator for the long term, as this is where parents will seek help. Figure 1 Evidence from disabled children with their families in multiagency and multidisciplinary working Atkinson, Wilkin, Stott, Doherty and Kindel (2002) as cited by (Carney 2009) stated that multiagency working benefits organisations and individuals; it gives a broader perspective by providing enhanced understanding of the matters and improved connections with other agencies, and constructive experience on the whole, respectively. Moving towards better outcomes over the past decade, government has adopted integration of services for children and their families. Integration has taken various appearances such as, putting different types of proficiency together. There are some positive outcomes that have been identified in the review of multidisciplinary team working as a model of multiagency working in health care. (Borrill et al.) came to the conclusion that there was a reduction in hospitalization and cost in terms of primary health care teams; development in the provision of services; growth in health care access; treatment, follow-up and detection are improved, and patient and staff satisfaction and motivation are enhanced Few studies have focused on the impact of multiagency working and multidisciplinary approaches with disabled children and their families (Carter et al. 2007, Townsley, Abbott and Watson 2004, Watson et al. 2002, Watson et al. 2007). The majority of these studies carried out qualitative research methods to find out the key features of successful multiagency working practice and how to make children and parents more satisfied and not isolated, improved and enhanced their quality of life, and the crucial role of support and voluntary groups. Many studies have focused on the positive impact of key worker systems in multiagency services for disabled children and their families (Greco and Sloper 2003, Greco et al. 2005, Greco et al. 2006, Liabo et al. 2001, Sloper et al. 2006). These studies have included comparisons between families with and without key workers. This model stated positive outcomes for families having key workers like enhanced quality of life, less isolation and feelings of strain, better relationships with services, and quicker access to services and reduced levels of stress. (Greco et al. 2005) authors have stated many advantages of having a key worker service in multiagency working for parents and children, as they can relate their concerns to one person who can then ensure the familys needs are met and coordinate services. Having a key worker avoids duplication of telling the same story to professionals, and families received better information. Also, having a key worker enhanced the relationship betwee n the child and their family by providing them with a mediating role and through building relationships with disabled children. Key working is a service, involving two or more agencies, that provides disabled children and young people and their families with a system whereby services from different agencies are co-ordinated. It encompasses individual tailoring of services based on assessment of need, inter-agency collaboration at strategic and practice levels and a named key worker for the child and family (Care Coordination Network UK, 2004). Also there was a range of studies which have mainly focused on staff views (Tait and Dejnega 2001, Presler 1998, Abbott, Townsley and Watson 2005). These studies illustrate the positive impact on staff when they use multiagency working for disabled children. For instance, there was enhanced communication and improved relationships with complex health-care need children, development in their work lives and their professional skills, enhanced teamwork with collaborators and more satisfaction in their role. Two studies have discussed two services; (Young et al. 2008, Robson and Beattie 2004). The former talked about an Early Support programme to improve integrated services for disabled children and their families between 0 and 3 years old. The aim of this study was to improve and enhance outcomes for disabled children and their families, and to find out the relationship between integrated services and the impact of ES in terms of cost effectiveness and their benefits. The other study (Robson and Beattie 2004) is a coordination project by Diana Childrens Community Service and multiagency services using qualitative methods e.g. interviews, questioner , focus group to name but a few. The results were effective collaboration within and between the services for disabled children and their families by enhanced and improved family support and satisfaction; a sense of control and a feeling of empowerment; equivalent partnerships between families and professionals, with duplication and service gaps reduced. Sloper 2004 identified many negative outcomes of multiagency or multidisciplinary working on disabled children and their families when there are barriers to facilitating the integrating of services such as: when there are unclear roles and responsibilities; aims and roles are not shared among agencies; there is disagreement on aims; there is low quality of management including ongoing training, weak leadership and communication, and sharing of information; poor IT systems, and poor relationships with professionals. Conclusion Many studies have focused on the advantages of facilitating multiagency working generally as the most holistic approach for disabled children and their families and on multidisciplinary working specifically in terms of team working. However, there was a lack of studies which concentrated on the drawbacks of the two working models. This results in a need to address more focus on the negatives for future studies for both multidisciplinary and multiagency working with disabled children and their families. In my opinion, from my prospective experience in the disabled children association in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, I have identified what type of model my organization followed: multidisciplinary working alone which recognises that all professionals are working separately. My recommendation is to implement the holistic approach or transdisciplinary working which focuses on integrating services and adopting the key worker system to gain positive outcomes for the services in DCA.

Politics Essay -- essays research papers

An essay on politics In this essay I will consider the social, economic factors of politics. At first glance politics may seem unenchanting, however its study is a necessity for any one wishing to intellectually advance beyond their childhood. Remarkably politics is heralded by shopkeepers and investment bankers alike, leading many to state that it is yet to receive proper recognition for laying the foundations of democracy. It still has the power to shock those politicaly minded individuals living in the past, trapped by their infamous history. Complex though it is I shall now attempt to provide an exaustive report on politics and its numerous 'industries'. Social Factors Comparisons between Roman Society and Medieval Society give a clear picture of the importance of politics to developments in social conduct. I will not insult the readers inteligence by explaining this obvious comparison any further. Back when Vealinger reamarked ‘the power struggle will continue while the great tale of humanity remains untold’ [1] he created a monster which society has been attempting to tame ever since. While the western world use a knife and fork, the Chinese use chopsticks. Of course politics is quite good. When one is faced with people of today a central theme emerges - politics is either adored or despised, it leaves no one undecided. To put it simply, people like politics. Economic Factors The dictionary defines economics as 'the social science concerned with the productio...

The Sentence :: Retribution Incapacitation Deterrence

As a judge dealing with a sentence for an individual that has been convicted of stealing others’ identity for monetary gain, specific information would be needed before a sentence could be imposed. The information needed would be as follows: How many people did he steal identities from? How was he or she planning to obtain money from the stolen identities? How did he or she steal the identities? Specifically, was it stolen from peoples’ garbage? Or was the identity stolen from a place that the person worked? Does the person have any prior convictions? What types of peoples’ identity were stolen? Were just elderly people targeted? What type of education does the individual have that stole from these people?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To incorporate the sentencing goals of retribution, incapacitations and deterrence all sort of tie in with each other. Giving the individual five years sentence with minimum 3 years served. Retribution would be dealt with by giving the criminal jail time well deserved. By serving time in jail, incapacitation would be incorporated. It would definitely remove the convicted person from the community. Jail time would prove to be short term deterrence for the person to commit further crime for three to five years while serving time. Depending on the person’s experience in prison, it might deter him or her from committing any future crimes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To provide restitution for the community that was victimized the individual would be fined or sentenced to do some type of community service. The type of community service should be that of picking up trash along side the road or to cleaning a national park. This person should not do community service where he or she could be near any information of other persons. He or she does not need the opportunity to be a repeat offender.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Rehabilitation could be done through some sort of counseling.

Mount Everest Hillary and Tenzing Contrast Essay

Farah Aboufakhr 6th hour Hillary vs. Tenzing: To the top of Mount. Everest! Sir Edmund Hillary’s, View from the Summit and Tenzing Norgay’s, The Dream Comes True were very interesting articles on Mount Everest. Climbing though the chilling Himalayas, they had to overcome difficult obstacles. In each of their essays, they have some things they agreed upon, and some they did not. Each perspective brings out a sharp contrast in the personality of both of these men. They did share several similarities like a few of the obstacles they had to overcome.Two of these obstacles were the navigation of the steep section also known as a crag and  the clotting of ice around oxygen equipment. Each of the authors had their own reasons for writing their stories. Hillary wrote his story View From the Summit as a story of his excitement and triumph! Emphasizing on himself as more important than the other characters in the story like focusing on Tenzing’s struggle to breathe with the clotting of the ice around the oxygen equipment. He himself had some of the same problems. Then I brought Tenzing along to join me,† said Hillary (page 33) hinting at the fact that he was first and leading. Also depicting that he, Hillary, was leading, he said, â€Å"I got Tenzing to establish a belay† (page 34) making it seem as though Tenzing was useless to this. Tenzing Norgay wrote his story attempting to fix his image, which was slightly tarnished by Edmund Hillary’s account. He told the truth about who made it to the top of Everest first so that people would stop pestering him as to the truth and he also thought that he must be truthful to the people and the mountain.He stated that both had trouble with the clotting ice around the oxygen equipment whereas Hillary stated, â€Å"I noticed that Tenzing was moving rather slowly†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (page 33) depicting that only Tenzing had trouble. Hillary made it seem as though Tenzing had trouble climbing when he said, â€Å"I waved to Tenzing and brought in the rope as he, too, made his way laboriously up the crack and dragged himself out beside me, panting for breath. † (page 34) Hillary though was encouraged as how well he was moving. In Tenzing’s account it was as if he had 2 different works in the one story.For a few paragraphs he would talk about the climb with a voice filled with awe and respect for the place he was blessed to walk through. He would then talk about a fact that Hillary wrongfully stated like the height of the crag and in one instance where he got into talking about who got to the top first his tone became very annoyed. Hillary’s account was filled with excitement and daring moments of heroism like when the piece of ice slid down and he almost lost is footing and when he helped Tenzing clear the ice out of the oxygen mask and when he supposedly pulled Tenzing up a 40 foot crag which Tenzing considered only a 15 foot crag.Hillary’s account could be described as bragging and exaggeration of events. Why do fame and fortune cause people to lie about their experiences? Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay both wrote essays containing versions of their journey to the South Summit of Mount Everest. Each author had his own unique point of view. Although the sections were very different, they did share several similarities like a few of the obstacles they had to overcome.In Hillary's View from the Summit, he exaggerates his version of the climb to gain a bigger name for himself. When in actuality, he made himself appear conceited. Norgay, in The Dream Comes True, is very honest. He is a hometown mountain climbing guide who joined Hillary in the long hike mostly for the joy of climbing Mount Everest. Norgay deserves respect in the modesty and honesty he shows in his essay of climbing Everest. Both though, had accomplished a great thing in reaching the top of Mount. Everest.

Stefan’s Diaries: Bloodlust Chapter 11-12

Chapter 11 Outside, I let the girl lead me away from the drunken crowd and toward a side alley beyond a bar called Calhouns. â€Å"Im sorry,† she said breathlessly. â€Å"I dont know what came over me. Im usually not so fresh, its just that–â€Å" â€Å"Im thankful for it,† I said, interrupting her. She shivered, and I put my arms around her thin frame. Instantly, she pulled away. â€Å"Youre so cold!† she said in an accusatory tone. â€Å"Am I?† I asked, feigning nonchalance.You want to kiss me, I thought. She shrugged. â€Å"Its okay. Its just that Im sensitive to temperature. But I know a way we could both warm up.† She smiled shyly, then raised up to her tiptoes. Her lips pressed against mine, and for a moment, I allowed myself to enjoy their warmth and feel the girls blood race through her veins as she gave herself over to me. Then I lunged for her neck. â€Å"Ow!† She protested, trying to push me off. â€Å"Stop!† You will succumb, because if you do that, I'll let you live, I thought, using every fiber of my being to compel her at this crucial moment. She gazed up at me, confusion in her eyes, before she fell back over my arms, her face a mask of sleepy satisfaction. I took a few more sips of the blood, all too conscious of Lexi and the others back inside. Then I dragged the woman up to her feet. Id been careful. The holes Id made in her neck were tiny, almost impossible to see with human vision. Still, I adjusted her scarf around her neck to cover them up. â€Å"Wake up,† I whispered softly. Her eyes opened, the gaze unfocused. â€Å"What where am I?† I could sense her heart beating faster, sense her ready to let loose a scream. â€Å"You were helping a drunk customer,† I told her. â€Å"You are free to go. I was simply making sure you were okay.† She snapped to attention, her body relaxing. â€Å"I apologize, sir. Usually, the patrons dont get so rowdy at Miladies. Thank you for assisting me. Ill give you a whiskey, on the house,† she said, winking at me. I walked into Miladies beside her, and was rewarded with Lexis slow smile from the corner table. Good job, boy. I followed the girl until she safely resumed her position behind the polished wood counter of the bar. â€Å"Whats your poison?† she asked, whiskey bottle in hand. She looked pale, as if she were coming down with a slight cold. Meanwhile, her blood was warm in my stomach. â€Å"Ive drunk quite enough, thank you, miss,† I said, as I took her hand and brought it up to my lips, kissing it as tenderly as Id marked her neck. Chapter 12 The following evening Lexi knocked on my bedroom door. She wore a black coat and matching trousers. A cap hid most of her hair, save for a few blond tendrils that fell loose and framed her face. â€Å"I was proud of you last night,† she said. I smiled, despite myself. It was surprising how quickly I took to seeking Lexis approval. â€Å"How much did you take from the barmaid?† â€Å"Not too much. But I wanted more,† I admitted. A look I couldnt quite decipher passed over her face. â€Å"I used to be like you, you know. But the more you feed from humans, the hungrier you get. Its a curse. But there are other ways. Have you hunted for animals blood?† I shook my head no. â€Å"Well, luckily for you, Im going hunting now,† she said, â€Å"and youre coming with me. Put on dark clothes and meet me downstairs in five minutes.† I shrugged on a dark, military-looking jacket Id found hanging in the closet and raced downstairs, loath to put off hunting with Lexi for even five minutes. While I bristled at Buxtons comments about how inexperienced I was, when I heard it from Lexi, I was only eager for a lesson on how our kind survived. We walked out the door, no trace of sunlight in the inky black sky. I sniffed the air, searching out the scent of the nearest human, then stopped when I saw Lexi staring at me with a knowing look. Instead of turning left, toward the bustle of Bourbon Street, she turned right, snaking through side streets until we reached a forest. Above us the trees were bare and ghostly against the dark night sky, the moon our only light. â€Å"There are deer here,† Lexi said, â€Å"and squirrels, bears, rabbits. I think theres a den of foxes that way,† she added, walking into the thick, mossy woods. â€Å"Their blood smells earthier than human blood, and their hearts beat much more rapidly.† I followed her lead. Quickly and silently, we darted from tree to bush without disturbing the underbrush. In a way, it felt like we were playing a game of hide-and-seek, or just playing at hunting, the way young schoolboys do. After all, as a human, Id always carried a weapon on the hunt. Now all I had were my fangs. Lexi held up a hand. I paused, midstep, my eyes darting everywhere. I didnt see anything but thick trunks and racing ants in jagged stumps. Then, without warning, Lexi lunged. When she stood up, blood was dripping from her fangs, and a self-satisfied smile appeared on her face. A creature lay on the fallen leaves, its legs bent as if it were still mid-run. She gestured to the lump of orangish-red fur. â€Å"Fox isnt bad. Would you like to try it?† I knelt down, my lips curling as they made contact with the rough fur. I forced myself to gingerly take a sip of liquid, though, as I knew it was what Lexi wanted. I sucked in, and immediately the blood seared my tongue. I spit it out violently. â€Å"Fox is an acquired taste, I suppose,† Lexi said as she knelt on the ground by my side. â€Å"More for me, at least!† While Lexi fed, I leaned against a tree trunk and listened to the rustling sounds of the forest. The breeze shifted, and suddenly the scent of iron-rich blood was everywhere. It was sweet and spicy, and it wasnt coming from Lexis fox. Somewhere, nearby, there was a human heart, beating out seventy-twothu-thudsa minute. Cautiously I slipped past Lexi, and ventured out past the perimeter of the forest. Set up on the edge of the lake was a shantytown. Tents were pitched at every angle, and makeshift clotheslines ran between wooden posts. The whole setup looked haphazard, as if the inhabitants knew theyd have to pick up and relocate at any second. The camp looked deserted save for one woman who was bathing, the moonlight striking her ivory skin. She was humming to herself, washing the caked dirt off her hands and face. I hid behind a large oak tree, pretending to take the woman by surprise. But then a large painted poster on a neighboring tree caught my eye. I took a step toward it. A branch cracked, the woman whirled around, and I could sense Lexi behind me. â€Å"Stefan,† Lexi murmured, obviously aware of the unfolding scene. But this time, I was the one to hold up my hand to silence her. Mist floated over the portrait on the sign, but the printing was clear:PATRICK GALLAGHERS FREAK SHOW: VAMPIRE VERSUS BEAST. BATTLE TO THE DEATH! OCTOBER 8. I blinked, and the portrait swam into my vision. It was of a dark-haired man with chiseled features and pale-blue eyes. His teeth were bared, his canines elongated, and he was crouched opposite a snarling mountain lion. I knew the face on the poster better than I knew my own. It was Damon.