Daily Telegraph Essay Example

Daily Telegraph Essay Example Daily Telegraph Essay Daily Telegraph Essay I have read a broadsheet article and a tabloid article on smacking, the broadsheet is the Daily Telegraph and the tabloid the Daily Mirror I will compare them both and write how effectively they present the issue of smacking. People likely to be reading a broadsheet will be the more educated people in the community who have a greater understanding and people likely to be reading the tabloid will be the slightly less educated people.The Daily Telegraph uses a heading that has the word urged, which is a suggestion not an instruction therefore is the issue very serious? It also says smack children, which gives no suggestion of excessive violence. This article uses statistics to try and show the seriousness of the problem it says 9 out of 10 parents thought mild corporal punishment was acceptable, they say 9 out of 10 because it makes you think and it sounds more than 90%. Using these statistics only considers the parents view it also does not specify what mild, means. These statistics are also only taken from a newspaper poll they are not government published results.The newspaper uses celebrities like Esther Rantzen and she says she regretted hitting her children because they did not get close to her she also says that her parents hit her and she rebelled against them and now she is a television presenter, so has smacking done her any harm. The paper also quotes Peter Dawson from the professional association of teachers who says his daughters were grateful, for him smacking them. He also says, if a small child is crawling towards the fire you should give them a good smack, which is a common sense example. Good smack, suggests the seriousness of the situation, but it does not specify what a GOOD smack, is .This comment is strategically placed at the end of the article so it is the bit you go away and remember and who could argue with a comment like that? The paper also uses a quote from the NSPCC who are experts on children and they believe that smacking can easily escalate into violent abuse, but I feel that they have made it a subjective matter because it is not an actual fact. The paper also tries to make the article balanced by asking teachers what they think and they say it is nonsense, to say that smacking can easily lead to violent abuse. This would reassure readers because teachers spend a lot of time with children often more time than parents and they are an authority figure so they should know what they are talking about.A pressure group called family and youth concern say it is just another attack on parental rights. Which could mean that parents have a right to hit their ch ildren. The paper also describes a leaflet, which says there are new ways of encouraging, parents to stop hitting their children but the wording is weak and suggests that the problem is minor. The newspaper quotes Penelope Leach who is against smacking and she asks parents not to smack their children for a week and then you will see the difference.The Daily Mirror is the second paper with an article on smacking I have read. This paper is a tabloid and is aimed at the less educated people in society it uses smaller more common and understandable words. This paper has a photo of two children which creates an immediate emotive response and it immediately contrasts to the broadsheet which has no photograph they leave it to your imagination.The children look fairly well dressed but they are bruised and cut, they look sad and the fact that they are well dressed shows that not only lower class children get beaten. The caption, which is written in bold type immediately, draws your attention to it. The caption says hands off, which is a very confrontational tone to create an emotive response. It also says mum or dad, which shows that either parent can beat their child the most extreme line used in the caption is violent nightmare, which shows the extremes of the abuse these children are facing. The caption also states that even younger, children get beaten than those in the photo who are about nine years old.The headline seems to be more effective than the broadsheet headline it says pressure growing, which is more immediate and of greater concern. The article is written by Roger Todd, who does not have a title unlike the writer of the broadsheet article, this could be because the issue is more important than the person who writes it. The article starts with a conversational tone which is in no way threatening and so draws the audience in but by paragraph three the tone becomes more serious as the paragraph ends with it is deadly serious, deadly, hints at the violence to come later on in the article and so keeps readers interested. In paragraph four the paper introduces a pressure group, called EPOCH, much like the broadsheet does, pressure group, suggests that the group is highly organised because it has to be because the problem is so wide spread.The article goes on to say that the department of health is spending 200,000 on a study of child beating, this is a lot of money and so suggests there is a big problem and the Telegraph informs its readers of this. The article also says the Scottish law commission has probed, the issue suggesting a detailed examination. The paper also tries to lay the blame on the parents if they have naughty children, it says a child who behaves unspeakably, in a shop for example is likely to be bribed, by its parents to shut up so it knows that if it is naughty it will get something, whereas a well behaved child does not get anything and seems to be ignored. In paragraph thirty the paper highlights injustice for some children, which questions whether parents who are teaching the child right from wrong actually recognises the difference themselves. In paragraph thirty-one a system of praise and reward is written about and claims to have children eating out of your hand. This paper seems to offer more help to parent readers by giving advice unlike the Telegraph. The Mirror even offers a helpline to parents in need of advice on handling their children.Overall I think the Daily Mirrors article is more effective because it uses more violent language which makes the reader read on and also makes the reader more emotional about smacking and should convince them that smacking is wrong. The Mirror is a bit sensationalist because it goes a bit over the top. The Mirror is more for the children and biased towards them whereas the Telegraph is more balanced but cleverly creeps over to being against smacking. The Telegraph provides a broader look at smacking and uses a slightly less violent tone without redu cing the seriousness of the article. So overall I think the Mirror is more effective but the Telegraph provides a more balanced and broader look at the situation.

Seven Lessons Reluctantly Learned from Publishing My First Book

Seven Lessons Reluctantly Learned from Publishing My First Book When your first book is finally accepted and (miracle!) published, you may think all your writing problems are solved. But I found that publication, like finally losing those stubborn ten pounds, isn’t the Nirvana we imagine it to be. In the process of publishing my first book, I’ve learned some important lessons, shared here. I hope these seven (and I’m sure they’re only a fraction) help you cushion your own publication shock and plan your counterattacks.   Ã‚      1. Tell everyone. Perfect your elevator pitch- a one-sentence explanation to rivet the person who’s getting off the floor ahead of you. Here’s mine: In Trust Your Life: Forgive Yourself and Go After Your Dreams, I apply practical spirituality to help you let go of regrets, relabel your past, and reach your lifelong yearnings. Then I mumble something about AmazonBNBooksAMillionKindleNook and whip out my bookmark, which coincidentally displays purchase and website information. For nonfiction pitches, see Ann Brandt, â€Å"Marketing Your First Nonfiction Book,† Writing World, 10:22, Nov. 18, 2010. For fiction pitches, see AuthorBuzz, authorbuzz.com/dearreader/firth.shtml. 2. Once you broadcast the good news, accept congratulations graciously. Don’t deflect: â€Å"Awww, it’s only my first. Miss Successful-Author-Five-Years-Younger has twelve.† Instead, reply like a seasoned author: â€Å"Thank you so much for your kind words.† 3. Climb on your platform. When you’ve finally finished the last revision, or, as experts counsel, much before, concentrate on your platform. This is everything you can think of to promote your book: book launch, ads, press releases, blogs, websites, social media, articles, interviews, book tours . . . . Post your book notice on Facebook, tweet about it, Pinterest it. See, for example, Clary Lopez, â€Å"The Ultimate Book Launch Party,† http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Ultimate-Book-Launch-Partyid=857042. 4. Watch out for promotion envy. Someone always does it bigger and better. Larger launches, finer wine, catered monogrammed mini-cakes, more blogs posted, excerpts published, ads placed, reviews acquired, book clubs toured, interviews given, TV shows graced, emails blasted, friends liked, tweets twitted. Do what you can- sanely. For inspiration, good judgment, and gentle stretching of your comfort boundaries, see Christina Katz’s excellent article on platform-publicity-building, â€Å"50 in Five Minutes a Day,† writersdigest.com/whats-new/50-simple-ways-to-build-your-platform-in-5-minutes-a-day. 5. Guard against Overwhelm. Staring at an endless list of bloggers inviting guests, radio shows inviting interviews, or excellent ezines for excerpts from your book, you can feel like you’ve been handed a shopping list for double septuplets. Regain your bearings 6. Write about what you’re experiencing. If you have the urge to write about the entire process, do it! Spilling can help frustration, worries, and engulfment. For the first ten days after acceptance, I kept a â€Å"Book Journal† that channeled much of my anxiety. A journal may seem like it’s taking you away from revisions or yet more promotion. But you’ll feel better, and you’ll have the makings of a blog. 7. There is writing life after publication. When your book finally appears, in print and multi-e-forms, and you’ve got the publicity on a decent schedule, go back to your writing routine. Get to the next writing project you left hanging or pine for. You’ll feel more balanced and, paradoxically, despite your first-book publication, more like a writer again. My new project (admittedly publicity-related) is excerpting passages from Trust Your Life into articles and editing them for appropriate markets, judiciously cutting and reworking snappy endings that don’t segue to the following chapters. These lessons should help arm you in advance to better ease the publication shock, handle the disenchantment, and regain your writing routine. And keep you glowing with the wonder of publishing your first book.

Colombia's International Trade Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Colombia's International Trade - Research Paper Example Additionally, there are other factors responsible for the growth of the economic conditions, which include reduction of public debt, rigid government budgets, increased export activities and increased commodity prices. Contextually, improvements relating to security of business affairs and trade policies have been accountable for attracting greater Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) within its national markets, which is further expected to yield greater benefits to the economy in the long run through enriched international collaborations (Beittel, â€Å"Colombia: Background, U.S. Relations, and Congressional Interest†). Contextually, trade operations are determined to play an effective role in developing the economy on the continuous basis over the long run rather than focusing merely on short-run benefits. In this regard, the government has adopted important measures of performing international trade activities with other countries. Moreover, the government has also entered into free trade agreements with the US. Subsequently, the growth of trade operations is quite likely to facilitate in enhancing import along with export operations to a considerable extent. The country is also identified to acquire energy along with mineral resources in abundance to support its developmental needs in the near future (LTBS, â€Å"Focus on Colombia†). Prior to assessing Colombia’s economic indicators, it is essential to note that the country has been engaged in conflicts and dispute situations for a period of five decades in the recent past till the present scenario between Colombian government, the ‘National Liberation Army’ (ELN) and the ‘Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia’ (FARC) during the 1950s (Lopez 6-20).

Hospitality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Hospitality - Essay Example F&B division ensures the achievement of a forecasted sale through suggesting promotional, selling and administrative strategies it ensures the implementation of internal control programs of company, also coordinate with the kitchen department and discuss the matters related to services and food preparations (Walker, 2010). F&B division manager is responsible for planning, organizing, directing and controlling the delivery of services in all required divisions and monitors that all services are performed well. Outlet’s supervisor is liable for the supervision of operations and makes sure that services are performed according to the prescribed policies and standards. Captain of waiters is legally responsible for the administration of service delivery and arrangements to the assigned location. Receptionist is responsible for greeting and escorting customers. Waiter is responsible for taking of the order and serving these orders to the customers on committed time. And the success of full service operation is not possible without the successful completion of each activity (Walker, 2010). The front office is the hub of communication for the hotel. The guests drive the communication as their actions trigger most communication. Describe how and for what purposes the front office and other areas in the Rooms Division communicate. In any hotel Room division plays very important role in the process of hotel working. The dining room managers are responsible for services, seating arrangements, and for the supervision of staff and have direct contact with visitors. This department is a combination of housekeeping and front desk. Room division and front office can have communication regarding the hotel’s promotional plans, cost cutting activities, and they can discuss the marketing and operational strategy, and both departments can have communication related to the hotel’s problems and their solutions (Walker,

The current issue of junk food consumption Essay Example for Free

The current issue of junk food consumption Essay The current issue of junk food consumption and the overall obesity battle worldwide continues to expand rapidly. The suggestion to counteract this problem is the implementation of a â€Å"junk tax†. ProQuest states that, â€Å"’junk food tax’ refers to a tax placed upon fattening foods or beverages† (Par. 1). The intention of the tax is to minimize the consumption of unhealthy foods, which would expectantly lead to a healthier population. A junk food tax would also generate revenue for causes such as: improving diet, preventing obesity, and educating Americans about nutrition. The main purpose is to maximize health benefits. However, the tax has sparked controversy about interfering with freedom of choice and personal liberties. Fighting obesity and its various related illnesses does not require cholesterol lowering medicine, workout videos, or diet books. It starts with rethinking our setting and the world we are living in. Addressing the issue of over-weight and the lack of health in our modern life is no easy assignment, â€Å"despite some individual efforts by some states to tax soda pop, require healthier school lunches of mandate calorie information in chain restaurants, obesity rates worldwide are growing† (Cummins, Nd). Even though these efforts have continued to grow with parents and health advocates the problem needs to be acknowledged nation wide because, â€Å"60 percent of Americans of either overweight or obese† (Cummins Par. 5). With many restaurants offering super sized meals for such low prices, people consume well over the recommended calorie and food intake. Fast food restaurants being open twenty-four hours a day located on every corner causes temptation to be all around consumers. According to Rheuban.J (2007). Opponents claim that impressing such a law would be a violation to ones rights and freedom. I strongly disagree with that. To support their stance that the tax certainly will have no â€Å"actual affect on†¦public health† they site a bunch of studies,one : The Mercatus Center at George Mason University that Americans Against Food Taxes claims â€Å"that any impact of a soft drink tax would be trivial because soft drink consumption is a relatively small part of the diet for overweight people.† They suggest that financial affect of the tax could be extremely burdensome, especially on the poor. The cost is literally killing us. The low budget costs of junk food attracts in low budget customers. They stuff their carts with white bread, frozen packages, already packed desserts, and extremely processed  meats. The low cost is satisfying for people living in the moment, However the long term effects can be dangerous. Poor diet choices is eating foods that were previously mentioned will lead to obesity. Obesity causes heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, strokes, and respiratory problems, all of these cost substantial amounts to treat and if left untreated they can lead to death. The low cost that pull in customers may in the end cost them their lives. Arguments in favor of junk food taxes, Reduce the costs of treating medical issues to which junk food contributes. Generate additional revenue, part of which could be used to offset costs of treating medical issues that arise from over consumption of junk foods. Could shift consumer spending to healthier foods, bolstering the industries that produce those foods. Not enough people are aware of the adverse effects of chemicals in foods (doctors included) so their purchases are based on affordability and addiction. They cannot put together why it is that they cannot eat just one chip, fail on restrictive calorie diets, binge, and/or continue to put on weight throughout their lives. The assumption is that these people lack the will to be healthy. The reality is that, in many cases, is that their subconscious mind is doing everything in its power to survive. According to Fiora.K(2010). Patients gained significantly less of the calories from soda or pizza when it was a 10% increase in both prices, Penny Gordon-Larsen of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and colleagues reported in the March 8 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.Policies aimed at altering the price of soda or pizza could be very effective mechanisms to steer adults towards a healthier diet and reduce long-term weight gain or insulin levels over time, the researchers wrote. They calculated that an 18 percent tax on junk food would result in a 56-calorie decline in total daily energy intake. At the population level, that would translate to about five pounds per patient per year, along with significant reductions in the risks of most obesity-related chronic diseases, they said. Since their study looked at only a small number of foods, they called upon researchers to assess more in future studies. In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Mitchell H. Katz and Dr. Rajiv Bhatia of the San Francisco Department of Public Health wrote that taxing is an appropriate method of correcting for health and other social costs not accounted for in the private market cost. However, they added, in addition to   unhealthy foods, policymakers should consider ways to reward healthy behaviors. A typical recommendation to an obese person is to restrict calories. The typical notion of calories in calories out. In doing so, the motivated dieter goes to the supermarket and buy items labeled diet which are conveniently labeled with caloric amounts. What they dont see is the chemicals added in and/or understand what the short and long term effects of those chemicals are. During this caloric restriction time, he/she is foregoing adequate nutrients while ingesting chemical laden foods which promotes hunger (part of the marketing process), and training the body to prepare for starvation. There is a simple solution to a very complex issue. Taxation of junk food is necessary for the future population. As of late, rates of chronic health diseases have skyrocketed, but are now beginning to level off with the improved education system increasing awareness of the side effects of junk food. This leveling off rate could experience a significant drop if excise taxation were implemented. As multiple studies, research, and projects suggest, an increase in prices of junk food would lead to a decrease in purchasing and consumption of such foods, and would lead to decrease in diet-related diseases. Although junk food producers and business selling these products may find that the tax is unfair, the overall scheme of taxation is improving the health of our nation, for today and in the future. The benefit outweighs the cost, and taxation ultimately motivates producers and sellers of junk food to improve their product and provide healthier options to consumers. There are many issues discussed in current media surrounding the need to protect our planet through recycling and better fuel sources. The media does not realize that there will not be a need for our planet if no one is able to occupy it. There needs to be less consumption of junk food and taxation is the best plan to implement change for a happy, healthier, and existing future. Ù  Sources: http://jacobrheuban.com/2009/12/27/arguments-for-and-against-junk-food-and-soda-taxes/ http://abcnews.go.com/Health/w_DietAndFitness/junk-food-tax-improve-health/story?id=10056236 (2013, 02). Junk Food Tax. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 02, 2013,

The Evolution Of Jet Engines :: essays research papers

The Evolution of Jet Engines The jet engine is a complex propulsion device which draws in air by means of an intake, compresses it, heats it by means of an internal combustion engine, which when expelled it turns a turbine to produce thrust, resulting in a force sufficient enough to propell the aircraft in the opposite direction (Morgan 67). When the jet engine was thought of back in the 1920's the world never thought it would become a reality, but by 1941 the first successful jet flight was flown in England. Since then the types of engines have changed, but the basic principals have remained the same. In 1921 thoughts of a jet engine were based upon adaptations of piston engines and were usually very heavy and complicated. These thoughts were refined in the 1930's when the turbine engine design lead to the patent of the turbojet engine by Sir Frank Whittle of Great Britian. It was Sir Whittle's design that lead Great Britian into the jet age with the first successful flight. At the same time, the Germans were designing there own jet engine and aircraft which would be one of the factors that kept Germany alive in World War II. With technological advances by the allies a prototype turbojet known as the "Heinkel He 178" came into a few operational squadrons in the German, British, and the American air forces towards the end of World War II. These jets finally helped the allies to win the war against the axis powers(Smith 23-27). A later development in the jet industry was the overcoming of the sound barrier and establishing normal operations up to and beyond twice the speed of sound. Also air force bombers and transports were able to reach and cruise at supersonic speeds(Silverstein 56-70). In the late 1950's civil transcontinental jet services started with the Comet 4 and the Boeing 707. In the mid 1960's all major jet manufacturing companies revised their present engines with new materials such as aircraft aluminium which made them lighter and turbine changes so they could compress the air at a much higher pressure so the engine can produce much more thrust.The first supersonic airliner is the twin turbojet Concorde which flies at over twice the speed of sound which was brought into regular service in 1976(Smith 27-30). The one company that dominates the private jet industry is Bombardier which makes the Learjet turbofans, they have an approximate cruising distance of 1880 nautical miles(Jennings 103). In the future, turbojet engines will continue to further develop due to the technological advances made. As in graphite composite wings, thermoplastic

My Alignment with the Values of the Bank Essay

According to Business Dictionary 2010, values can be defined as the important and enduring beliefs or ideals shared by the members of a culture about what is desirable and what is not. Each person has his or her own individual values and so does organizations. The values of organizations dictate its actions and behaviors. Corporate values can be said to play an important role in an organization and is imperative to success. And Access Bank PLC is known for its core values which are Excellence, Leadership, Empowered employees, Passion for customers, Professionalism, and Innovation. These values can be said to be responsible for its excellence and continuous strive to be the best both locally and globally. To attain a successful alignment between individual and organization values, there needs to be a synergy between the employee and the organization he or she works for. My alignment with these values are in no doubt because I as an individual always strive to be the best and these values should be cultivated by any individual or organization that strive to be the best. Firstly the value of Leadership, I as an individual that strive for excellence always want to be the leader. I strive to acquire all the necessary knowledge and expertise that makes me stand out as a leader that others look up to. So in this vein, contributing and believing in the Leadership value of Access Bank PLC is something that will come as second nature to me. Then there is excellence. This being part of my daily mantra is a value that aligning with will also come as second nature. I and Access Bank both believe in the value of excellence. As someone who strive to be the best and excel. Excellence is a watch word that applies to everything I do. I recognize the importance

Gadget Addiction

First it was ‘texter's thumb'. Now gadget addicts are coming down with ‘text neck'. Today, many patients are suffering neck pain from spending too much time hunched over phones and computers. The rise of smartphones and tablet computers has fuelled the problem. The extra capability for playing games and browsing the Internet on smartphones means they tend to be used for longer periods. And unlike laptops, tablet computers are often placed flat on the lap, meaning you crane your neck over to view the screen.Knee and hip replacement surgeon Dr Kaushal Malhan says, â€Å"Technology has made life easier, but at the same time brought in newer problems. The easy accessibility to almost any information and quick communication through the use of smartphones and laptops has made them an invaluable resource. At the same time, their indiscriminate use has brought in new health problems. † It is common to find people using their laptops for hours at a stretch. Smartphones now work as mini computers and it is not unusual to find people busy with their phones which are much more than simply a means of communication. People often complain of neck and back pain, and the cause for these can often be sourced to indiscriminate laptop use in an incorrect posture. These patients often have a good range of movements with pain mainly at the end of the day,† adds Dr Malhan. Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Ashish Arbat agrees. â€Å"Today, we are observing many young patients who are into gadgets with wry neck, which is caused by continuous craning of the neck for texting, etc. † He advises that one should exercise one's neck daily and stretch the cervical and trapezial muscle, with a healthy habit of sleeping supine straight, with balanced diet to prevent wry neck.How to avoid such problems – Use a chair of correct height so that your legs comfortably reach the floor. – Table height and computer monitor height should be at your eye level so that yo u are not forced to adopt unphysiologic postures. – Elbows should be well supported on armrest or table in front of you. – Do not forget to blink your eyes intermittently to reduce eye fatigue. – Change your posture every now and then and regular breaks in between. – Stretch out all muscle groups whenever you have the opportunity. – Regular stretching exercises are a must for people who sit for long hours.In case of problems like neck pain, see a doctor to rule out other non-postural causes. Once that is ruled out, one can look at changing habits and lifestyle as advocated above. A short course of anti-inflammatory medication and hot packs with gentle massage should help. — Dr Kaushal Malhan http://articles. timesofindia. indiatimes. com/2012-08-03/fitness/33002266_1_neck-pain-text-neck-tablet-computers Carl Alasko: How will gadget addiction affect us? Carl Alasko On Relationships Posted: 04/08/2012 12:06:07 AM PDT Updated: 04/08/2012 12:06: 07 AM PDT Dear Dr. Alasko: Our two sons, ages 9 and 13, love technology.My husband is himself a computer geek so he thinks it's great. He says the more they know the better equipped they'll be for their future. But I worry about the human side of their lives. For instance, when they're together with their friends, all of them seem to be looking at their gadgets and doing very little talking. I worry that they won't be able to form healthy adult relationships and bond with their own children — except maybe through technology. Dear Reader: You have a right to be worried. We don't yet know if there are permanent developmental problems when children have constant access to fast-moving technology.At this point the â€Å"experts† seem divided. About half are optimistic. They believe that electronically connected youth will have the advantage of being nimble analysts and fast decision makers. The others are pessimistic. They worry that hyper-connected young people are too dis tracted by constant input to have deep-thinking capabilities. And they're not able to retain information and train their brain to remember things because everything is instantly available on their phone. Then there's the question of face-to-face relationship skills and the ability to focus on emotional issues.My personal concern is that boys who grow up completely immersed in the electronic connectivity of video games, texting and ear-buds will not be capable of the extended focus required to deal Advertisement with the complex world of emotional issues, the kind that every adult relationship requires. There's a physiological analogy with our vision. If you do a lot of reading as a child in dim light, your eyes strain to see the tiny printed words and in response your eyeballs actually become enlarged. This condition leads to extreme myopia.It seems logical to suppose that if a child's growing brain is subjected to constant fast-moving images and scattered input from video games, te xts, etc. , the child's brain will lose the ability to remain focused on one issue beyond a few seconds. From the psychological point of view, the term â€Å"deep-thinking capabilities† is the biggest area of concern. I recently read about how we are losing our ability to do long-term thinking, the kind that happens when, for instance, a person spends a few hours walking in a forest. During extended periods of rest (without media), the brain automatically sorts things out on its own.We can â€Å"think through† complex problems. Supporting this idea is the fact that we must have periods of deep sleep. Only during REM sleep does our brain recalibrate and settle down. If we consistently interrupt REM sleep the person develops a kind of psychosis. As I said earlier, you have a right to be worried. The goal would be to achieve a balanced, moderate use of technology. But promoting these behaviors in your technology-dominant family will be difficult. However, if you strongly believe in the wisdom of moderation, your belief (and common sense) should provide the energy to effect meaningful change.Carl Alasko, a licensed marriage and family therapist, is the author of â€Å"Emotional BS† and â€Å"Beyond Blame. † For information about his books, see: carlalasko. com. Contact him at [email  protected] com . http://www. montereyherald. com/carlalasko/ci_20351336 Modern menace: Society's addiction to gadgets Top ArticleAll 4 Articles 2 of 4 by Nanette Piotrowski Created on: February 19, 2013 Just ask any six year-old to put down his cell-phone or controller to a video game to come to the table to eat and you have your answer to the statement.They would rather starve to death than do it. Children no longer know what to do with themselves without them. The statement ‘go outside and play' is foreign. If you told them to play a game of tag, they would look at you like you'd lost your mind. Unfortunately it is the parents who have turned the young ones into veritable Zombies. The parents are the ones who fortunately (or unfortunately), benefited from the advancement of modern conveniences; whether it is appliances like washer/dryers, toasters, coffee pots and micro-wave ovens to cell-phones, computers and fancy cars.Somewhere and somehow with time, people have forgotten how to wash dishes and clothes by hand, cook over an open fire, use a broom and live by candle-light or lantern. Heaven forbid! Whereas modern technology has made crucial advances like medicine and surgery, time travel shorter (planes, trains, automobiles) and life easier, it has also created a decline in family time, creative thought, obesity and believe it or not, intelligence.Today a majority of the population (particularly children), cannot add, subtract, multiply and divide (without a calculator), spell (without spell check) or count back change for a dollar, balance a checkbook, change a tire, work on a car, and in a lot of cases, can't even cook. So regardless of technological advances (by a brilliant few), the remainder of the population has become inept, unproductive robots. It is a sad state of affairs to see adults and/or children sitting in a restaurant texting someone, only to find out that it is to each other.Cell-phones, while a possible convenience and safety gadget (calling for help), is also one of the main reasons for deadly car accidents. Most people can't walk and chew gum at the same time, let alone operate a motor vehicle that weighs 3,000 pounds safely while they are talking and texting. Besides these issues, there is also the fact that these modern gadgets also make it possible for government intrusion. Cameras in the television, GPS in vehicles and cell-phones, direct accessibility into your computer; every move you make can be accounted for and watched.Very real intrusions of privacy which can be very menacing. The big question to be asked here is: â€Å"How would society react if there was a complete el ectrical and satellite shut-down? † It could happen whether caused by a meteor, massive volcanic explosion, hackers or terrorists. Think about it; could you and/or your family survive without all the modern gadgetry and convenience? Would you know what to do? And what if it was the worst case scenario where it was impossible to return to the current standard of things and we were thrown back to the 1800's.Truly, society's addiction to gadgetry has become our greatest menace; that of how to cope without them http://www. helium. com/items/2422560-addiction-to-gadgets-in-modern-society Gadget Addiction Making People Crazy Gadgets and machines have become an integral part of our lives. What would we do without them These gizmos are like a necessary condition now which make our lives complete. However, we must keep in mind that everything has its own limit otherwise it can become a cause for concern and in extreme cases, fatal. Market of devices and gadgets seems to be flooded with production.Day in and day out new technologies appear in front of us. If one has bought the latest mobile phone or laptop etc then he does not have much time to feel proud on that because the next day there would be much more superior device than that in the market. This is one of the reasons of addiction. The present day is no less crazy. We are now getting addicted to those things which five years ago we had not thought of even. Earlier people would go and talk to people they know, spend time with them but now they love to talk to their gadgets.Once my friend showed me an application of speaking Tom-cat in her mobile phone which repeats everything you speak and told that she spends a long time with it.. seems crazy.. The effect of this addiction is that people even can’t resist themselves from taking calls and accessing Facebook and other social networking sites during office hours. The lure of being constantly in touch is so strong that they don’t stop sending text messages even if they are told to switch off their phones. It creates a distraction from work. The devices supposed to increase the productivity are giving an opposite effect.In fact the worst affected are the youths. In most of the schools use of cell phones is banned but many of the students carry them. Use of costly and hi-fi gadgets has become a status symbol among them. Daily on way to my work, I see children in school uniforms of age not more than 15 carrying smart phones, iPods etc. It has become a trend now. They push their parents to buy them the latest cell phone or other gizmos because their peers use it. HOW TO GET OVER THIS ADDICTION Gaining or using anything in excess frequently becomes a source of disturbance.It is very important to prevent this. There should be some time bounds to use gadgets. Getting dependent on them is harmful. We will have to learn to balance and manage time. It is important to have a balance between our different engagements such as time spent with family and friends, office work, proper rest as well on gadgets. â€Å"We are exposing brains to an environment and asking them to do things we weren’t necessarily evolved to do. We know already there are consequences. † http://writerspavilion. hubpages. com/hub/-Gadget-Addiction-Making-People-Crazy

Using Can and Be Able to to Speak About Abilities

Using Can and Be Able to to Speak About Abilities Can and Be able to are both used to speak about abilities, and the possibility of doing something. Can and Be able to are known as modal verbs in English. Here are some examples of can and be able to used to speak about abilities. Can for Abilities She can play tennis.They could speak English at a very young age.Peter can type 100 words per minute. Be Able to for Abilities My sister is able to run a marathon.The students were able to get an A on the test.We will be able to attend the class next semester. Here are examples of the two forms to speak about possibilities. Can for Possibilities Can you come to the party next week?Do you think he can help with my homework?Peter told me he could pick you up at the airport. Be Able to for Possibilities We werent able to get tickets to the concert.Shell be able to study for the test tomorrow.Jack wont be able to come for another three days. Listed below are examples and explanations for can/could/be able to for ability and permission in the past, present. and future. Examples Usage He can play tennis well.She is able to speak five languages.They can come on Friday.Jack will be able to come next week. Use can or be able to to express an ability or possibilityNOTE: The future of be able to is will be able to He could swim when he was five. Could in the past means the general ability to do something. They were able to get tickets for the concert.I was able to finish before 6.I couldnt come last night, sorry. OR I wasnt able to come last night, sorry. IMPORTANT: If someone was in the position to do something, or managed to do something, we use was/were able to instead of couldIn the negative, wasnt able to OR couldnt are both correct. Note: Can is also often used to ask for permission, as well as may: Can I come with you? May I come with you? Practice Can/Be Able To Practice can and be able to with this role play. Once youve finished, make up some of your own dialogues and practice with a classmate or a friend.   Peter: Hi Janet. Can you help me for a moment?Janet: Sure, whats up? Peter: Im not able to understand this math problem.  Janet: Really. I think I can help, but Im not that good at math. Peter: You were able to all the problems last semester, werent you?Janet: Yes, thats right, but I cant do everything. Let me see.   Peter: Here you go.Janet: Interesting, are you sure youre not able to do this? Peter: Yes, thats why Im asking for help!Janet: OK. After I explain this, youll be able to do without any problems. Peter: Great. So whats the answer?!Janet: Dont be in a hurry. Can I have a few minutes to think? Peter: Of course you can. Sorry.  Janet: No problem.

Make an Inference Practice Questions

Make an Inference Practice Questions Want to master your reading comprehension? Practicing your inference skills is a great place to start, but if you are unsure how to make an inference at all (or what one even is), you might want to start with the  basics of inference  which will give you all of the  details that you need. If you are ready to go, go ahead and get started with these easy inference practice questions to hone your reading skills. The following inference questions provide a basic assessment of your comprehension of the skill. Printable PDFs: Inference Practice Questions 1 | Answers to Inference Practice Questions 1 Inference Practice Questions 1 Using your best inference strategies, make an inference about the following statements. The first two are done for you. I wouldnt eat after that two-year-old if I were you.Inference: The two-year-old probably did something gross to the food you were about to eat or has a cold and you could catch it. Something bad will happen to you if you eat  the food.  For Valentine’s Day, my fantastic neighbor gave his wife a poem that took him about two seconds to write. Sheesh.Inference: My neighbor is not very considerate since he didnt take his time writing the poem.A man ran after a retreating bus, waving his briefcase frantically.Inference:If she died, I wouldn’t go to her funeral.Inference:Jake almost wished that he hadn’t listened to the radio. He went to the closet and grabbed his umbrella even though he would feel silly carrying it to the bus stop on such a sunny morning.Inference:Hey! What happened to all the school construction money taken from the taxpayers? It paid for this toilet the money was flushed down.Inference:As you give a speech in front of a large audience, you reali ze that people are laughing behind their hands and pointing to the region below your waist.Inference: No, Honey, I don’t want you to spend a lot of money on my birthday present. Just having you for a husband is the only gift I need. In fact, I’ll just drive my old rusty bucket of bolts down to the mall and buy myself a little present. And if the poor old car doesnt break down, I’ll be back soon.Inference:A woman walks into a hospital clutching her abdomen and yelling at  her husband, who trails behind her carrying a large bag.Inference:Youre driving on the highway, listening to the radio, and a police officer pulls you over.Inference: Inference Practice 1 Suggested Answers 3. A man ran after a retreating bus, waving his briefcase frantically. Inference:  The man had to take that bus to work and he was running late. He wanted the bus driver to stop the bus so he could get on it. 4. If she died, I wouldn’t go to her funeral. Inference:  Im extremely angry with this woman for some major  reason,  because one of the worst things a person could do is to hate someone after they have passed away. 5. Jake almost wished that he hadn’t listened to the radio. He went to the closet and grabbed his umbrella even though he would feel silly carrying it to the bus stop on such a sunny morning. Inference:  Jake heard that it was going to rain later in the day. 6. Hey! What happened to all the school construction money taken from the taxpayers? It paid for this toilet the money was flushed down. Inference:  The school district is wasting tax payers money. 7. As you give a speech in front of a large audience, you realize that people are laughing behind their hands and pointing to the region below your waist. Inference:  You forgot to zip up your fly or you have something on your pants. 8. No, Honey, I don’t want you to spend a lot of money on my birthday present. Just having you for a husband is the only gift I need. In fact, I’ll just drive my old rusty bucket of bolts down to the mall and buy myself a little present. And if the poor old car doesnt break down, I’ll be back soon. Inference:  The wife wants the husband to buy her a new car for her birthday. 9. A woman walks into a hospital clutching her abdomen and cursing out her husband, who trails behind her carrying a large bag. Inference:  The woman is in labor. 10. Youre driving on the highway, listening to the radio, and a police officer pulls you over. Inference:  Youve broken the law in some way while driving.

Global warming Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 6

Global warming - Essay Example Allegre et al argues that CO2 can’t be a pollutant yet it is colorless and odorless. According to Wenner, there are several research evidence that shows that human activities cannot change the climate in any way. Curry argues that several research proofs that climate is insignificantly sensitive to carbon (IV) oxide increase in the atmosphere. Therefore the argument that emissions related to CO2 should be reduced is baseless. Curry believes that those supporting global warming have been exaggerating their findings using fabricated data. She believes that an organization like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has been misled. â€Å"This pause in warming is at odds with the 2007 IPCC report, which expected  warming to increase at a rate of 0.2 degrees Celsius per decade in the early 21st  century.† The fact that even the International Panel on Climate Change, a body with both human and financial resources, cannot prove the existence of climate change shows that it doesn’t exist. The proof that the temperature of the world has been stagnant for more than a decade is a proof enough that global warming is not well researched as a field but

West Indian Literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

West Indian Literature - Essay Example Different authors have presented their own interpretations and preferences for what shape the Caribbean identity should take, but amongst the more prominent Caribbean authors there are those who want the improvement of the self for the uplift of the institutions and those who have a more historically oriented view. Both Derek Walcott and Wilson Harris have a desire for broader integration and fulfilment, but although Derek Walcott wants those from the Caribbean to boldly cease looking to their past in order to embrace the future, Wilson Harris appears to be somewhat fearful. This essay presents an examination of the debates about the Caribbean identity that are apparent in Caribbean literature and the evolution of Caribbean literary aesthetics by examining selected works of Derek Walcott and Wilson Harris. Caribbean literature has existed for centuries, but within the relatively recent past it has increased its worldwide acclaim and its mass of production. Both Derek Walcott and V. S. Naipaul were awarded the Nobel Prize in literature for their efforts which can be appreciated by anyone who has an interest in literature. Whereas Naipaul examines his Asian aspect of the Caribbean identity, Walcott presents a far more complex heritage and language in his poetry that presents the varied nuances of the Caribbean (Cudjoe, paragraph 23). Other writers have also made their contributions to the depiction of Caribbean aesthetics and culture by trying to define an identifiable cultural matrix within their works and some of the more prominent names that come to mind include Kamau Braithwaite, Erna Brodber, Wilson Harris and Olive Senior. Aesthetics refers to the branch of philosophy that deals with beauty and taste (Merriam-Webster, â€Å"aesthetics†). Thus, Caribbean aesthetics refers to that which is considered as being beautiful and worthy of distinction in the Caribbean region, especially