Film by Bahz Luhrmann Essays

Film by Bahz Luhrmann Essays Film by Bahz Luhrmann Paper Film by Bahz Luhrmann Paper Exposition Topic: Dread Of Flying Baz Luhrmann utilizes various methods in mise en scene in the film, romeo and juliet to enable the crowd to comprehend the story. The primary scene presents to us a journalist set inside a TV. This proposes to us that this variant of Romeo and Juliet will be more present day than a large portion of Shakespeares Medieval plays. The columnist peruses the introduction, which sums up the whole circumstance this persuades everything has just occurred and will be knowledgeable about flashbacks. A short time later, an amazingly since quite a while ago shot of the city of Verona shows up, as a matter of first importance concentrating on a sculpture of Christ in a crushed and discouraged position, revealing to us that maybe religion has been deceived or overlooked, and that possibly contrast in strict convictions is at the core of the debate. The camera zooms all through various areas of the shot, making it difficult for ones eyes to choose one specific part of it. Two indistinguishable towers are included in the city, one having a place with the Montagues, the different Capulets. The towers demonstrate that the two families are both equivalent in status. We see different notices on other enormous structures, having a place with both of the two families, thus this gives us a thought that in their quarrel, they are hoarding and isolating the city. Another since quite a while ago shot of the city from a helicopters perspective shows us the enormous size of the city, thus the deg ree of the effect that the old resentment is unleashing upon it. : Freeze-outlines present the principle characters drama style in the initial succession, which demonstrate us whos going to be significant in the story. Luhrmann has concluded this is an increasingly successful method of presenting the characters as opposed to bit by bit through the exchange, as it will take the strain from the crowd for attempting to get familiar with the characters names and jobs from the Shakespearean language utilized in the content. The characters are dressed affluently which likewise provides some insight towards their high status. A rushed symphonic song is utilized as ambient sounds to help make a strained climate for the crowd, and an amazing, blasting voice sums up again the circumstance of Romeo and Juliet. This spotlights on the heartbreaking side of this romantic tale, instead of the sentimental. In the following scene, the pressure is unexpectedly broken as we are indicated a merry medium shot of the Montague young men. We know consequently who they are naturally from the visual signs that are left, for instance, the Montague tattoo on the rear of one of the characters heads, and the nearby ups on the vehicles MON 005 number plate which states unmistakably what their identity is. A medium shot is utilized to show the Montagues brilliantly hued Hawaiian-style shirts, and their vehicle which is likewise a bright yellow. These hues mirror the Montagues lively, immature and carefree nature. During the scene, non-diegetic hip-bounce music praises their wild conduct to legitimize their upbeat disposition and their inclination to be uproarious and active. Additionally, it is a startling difference to their tremendous high rise that would persuade that they might be high-classed agents as opposed to lighthearted young people. Presently, the Montague young men show up at a gas station. We see the Capulets vehicle likewise pull in close by, the motor firing up which gives a feeling of the Capulets savage nature. We hear a short guitar tune, which imitates the music in a ton of customary Western movies, and this gives us a vibe for the familys shrewd and evil nature. A nearby shot of a Capulets metal-obeyed shoes, which likewise connection toward the Western type, rising up out of the vehicle and dousing a cigarette further expands their feeling of secrecy and potential peril. We see that the manner in which the Capulets are dressed stands out significantly from the Montagues clothing rather than easygoing, splendidly hued garments, they are wearing more tasteful, progressively formal pieces of clothing, in darker hues, for example, blues and blacks with a wealth of strict references. This permits the two families to be effectively outwardly recognized from each other, and furthermore demonstrates their disparities which may be another purpose behind their contention. It shows that they are more genuine and unfavorable than the cheerful Montagues. At the point when the Montagues find the Capulets nearness, they start to freeze. A Capulet, Abra, threatens them by blazing his metal teeth at them, which has the word SIN engraved on them, and murmurs fiercely maybe being contrasted with a creature like a snake, which is likewise shrewd and evil. This gives us that he feels that hes a terrible kid, and is appeared as an outrageous close-up to make it progressively exceptional. The Montagues start to ridicule him a short time later, yet Abra recognizes this in the side-reflection of his vehicle and significantly, is additionally angered. The camera quits for the day the gas stations sign swinging in the breeze, which peruses Add more fuel to your fire this is an analogy which infers further inciting somebody in a fight or terrible circumstance and quietness results, which proposes the temporary peace before a violent upheaval, constructing a sensational air. It is additionally precisely what happens later on in the scene. At that point Tybalt, a Capulet, comes back to discover the Montagues. He lights a cigarette, which shows his propensity towards being an adrenaline junkie and his boldness, ignoring the risk of touching off anything in a gas station. He addresses the Montagues, being ridiculing in his respectful way, and afterward raising his voice to yell. He and Benvolio then face one another, and uncover the knobs of their firearms, which have their family tokens engraved on them. The insignias themselves show that again their families are both equivalent in status thus have comparative weapons. Tybalt has two firearms, which recommends his brutal demeanor, and furthermore sport pictures of Christ. In the following scene, the pressure ejects into an out and out fight, with Tybalt specifically flaunting his moves, being more disposed to brutality than the Montagues, and it likewise shows that he is starting the battle. A serene non-diegetic bass song in this scene manufactures strain and anticipation, a feeling of fear and the inclination that something more awful is fermenting simply under the outside of this warmed circumstance. Luhrmann includes diegetic sounds, for example, Tybalts quick turning movements making a hurricane sound, which shows his skilful accuracy at development, and yet seems like a felines snarl (Tybalt is presented as the Prince of Cats in a freeze outline prior in the scene). At long last, the bass mood melodies overcomes to a crescendo, and the Montagues get away from the Capulets, and we see Benvolio escaping past a substantial road turned parking lot outside the gas station as Tybalt takes shots at him. It is a medium since a long time ago shot of the road and shows that in their differences, the two families are causing tumult in the city and keeping individuals from living their regular daily existences in this model hindering the streets for the publics dread of flying slugs. Tybalt drops his cigarette on the petroleum absorbed ground the station and along these lines it lights and a tumult of fire emits the implications behind the sheet of flares recommends consuming anger, and that this contention will unfurl into something increasingly outrageous later on.

Promote good practice in handling information Essay

Result 1- 1.1-IDENTIFY LEGISLATION AND CODES OF PRACTICE THAT RELATE TO HANDLING INFORMATION IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE The Data Protection Act 1998 (2000). This Act gives the individual, the option to see recorded data about them. The Human Rights Act 1998 subtleties the privilege to a private life. The Health and Social Care Act 2008. This Act built up the Care Quality Commission as the controller for wellbeing and social consideration settings. The Care Quality Commission (enlistment) Regulations 2009. These guidelines apply to every single controlled movement that an individual might need to take an interest in. The Freedom of Information ACT 2000.This act permits individuals to get to data held by the national wellbeing administration. All significant individual data hung on various people can't be gotten to under this demonstration and is ensured under the Data Protection Act 1998 (2000). All pertinent and individual data ought to be recorded precisely and true. Fundamental Standards For Quality And Safety 2010. Each social consideration setting is lawfully liable for satisfying new fundamental guidelines. All people reserve the privilege to be sheltered to have poise and regard; they have the ideal for circumstances, to finish errands. All people reserve the option to be shielded from misuse; they reserve the option to have an obligation of care accommodated their prosperity. 1.2-sum up the central matters of legitimate necessities and codes of training for taking care of data in wellbeing and social consideration Anybody handling individual information must conform to the eight enforceable standards of good practice set down in the Data Protection Act 1998. These state that information must be: * Fairly and legitimately prepared * prepared for constrained purposes * Adequate, pertinent, and not extreme * Accurate * Not saved for longer than should be expected * prepared as per the information subject’s rights * kept secure * Not moved to nations without satisfactory insurance The Care Quality Commission likewise have national least measures about how classification must be kept up. The assessors from the association will check the frameworks for recording and putting away data, and ensure that that they conform to guidelines. All individuals who work in social consideration, whether or not it is for an enormous association or an individual boss ought to be limited by the expert codes of training which give rules for proficient conduct that set out plainly the desires for the individuals who are working in an expert zone. Result 2- 2.1-portray highlights of manual and electronic data stockpiling frameworks that help guarantee security- inside the home wherein I work there are numerous security hinders set up to guarantee privacy is kept up consistently for the administration client and the staff group. Concerning administration client all data identifying with them is kept both on a printed copy, which is kept inside our office inside aâ lockable bureau which must be gotten to by those that require or have authorization to get to. Additionally we have an electronic duplicate which is secured so just those working with the administration client may approach. There is additionally other data present inside the PC that solitary directors and seniors may access and this is just Kim Hare 01.07.14  possible through their individual log ins meaning other staff individuals may not get to this whenever. Staff data is likewise kept as a printed copy and this is bolted away inside a metal bureau and just the administrator and appointee director approach this by means of a key which is kept with them consistently. This is additionally where staff 1:1 gatherings data is remained careful. Again a portion of this data is kept on the PCs however because of the data log ins for staff again no one but the executives can get to this. Inside our PCs we additionally have encryption data meaning just the individuals who have the position to get to this data are capable as well.

Celebrities Indigenous People

Celebrities â€" Indigenous People Celebrities Indigenous People Home›Research Posts›Celebrities Indigenous People Research PostsIntroductionThe study of celebrity, celebrities and celebrity culture is one of the rapidly developing sectors of humanities and social sciences in the last ten years. This essay will discuss some of the considerations that are necessary to put in place in the process of studying celebrity and its relevance in media theory. It will explore the required approaches that will prove to be most productive in defining and discussing celebrity culture for the purpose of media studies. It will address the need for setting theoretical, economic, social, political and technological considerations while exploring celebrity culture. It will further seek to propose ways to establish a stronger base for the study of the industrial production, as well as audience consumption, of celebrity.With the current celebrity status in explosive growth, then attempts to conduct precise intellectual investments in the study of celebrity is, then timely and worthwhile especially in the media theory field. Currently there is no great deal of in-depth study of celebrity that has been done; also there is not much to boast about in academic writing and research on celebrity. The studies that have already been done tend to have been done on a limited pool of celebrities or from celebrity-related media flashpoints (Marshall 1997, 30) and the mode of analysis is primarily textual and discursive.However there are few approaches that can be adopted. On several occasions there has been the formulation of theories or a history of celebrity (Rojek 2001, 48). With the prospect of more audience analyses shaping up in the near future, already the examination of the production of celebrity has been done and also several crucial studies of the consumers of celebrity. It is also evident that most analysis done is on individual celebrities by media as texts with selfish interest or decoys to larger cultural pretexts or political issue though most of the analysis the focus is directed on media representation.  In celebrity research and formulation of hypothesis such factors have to be put into consideration. This will include considering that celebrity is not only a category of media text or a mere media discourse. Therefore a number of ways can be adopted to define and thus approach celebrity that would help account for other dimensions to the function and significance of celebrity (Couldry Markham 2007, 420).According to Marshal (1997, 67), the chief concern, however, is that what would be seen as the more structurally significant aspects of celebrity being sidelined by the preferences described. Celebrity analyses are not full of debates about how one may comprehend the celebrity product and there is only a slim academic literature which concentrates on the production, marketing, trade, or political economy of the structures which produce this commodity. Neither is celebrity studie s composed of study into, as different from theorizing about, the societal role of the cultural configuration of celebrity. Of all these topics none is simple and approaching them involves calling upon a variety of disciplines, understanding and research methods; but they do give the impression that they will lead towards beneficial ways of developing fresh directions for celebrity studies in the near future.Issues in celebrity studies  What is the way forward to carrying out celebrity studies in the future? For starters, there is a necessity to create a firm foundation for the quest into the industrial celebrity production. There is a considerable gap in celebrity studies, and there are at least two angles from which it can be tackled. First, would be to scrutinize the structural effect of celebrity upon creation in the globalizing media as well as entertainment industries. Despite the fact that any approach would need to be considerate of and responsive to local and nationalized p roduction environments, the key objective for this initial set of examinations would be to comprehend the position played by global organizations.These would incorporate the common media and entertainment interests, as well as the big publicity and promotional interests concerned in, for example, the advertising of celebrity properties as a part in the development of international branding (Couldry Markham 2007, 410). This is a much larger number of questions than just those concerned with celebrity, however, and so there is another perspective of assessment that could tackle the celebrity industries from a more convenient vantage position. It could concern itself in the procedures and practices through which celebrity is fashioned and marketed in defined local or countrywide regions and markets sequentially to pick up the diverse levels at which the creation of celebrity articulates with varying models of media directive, creation, distribution and utilization, as well as the know ledge of the regimes of professional practice, that determined how these institutions carry out business.If celebrity is a product, then there is the urge to know and more awareness about the industries which manufacture that commodity. To the point that it has involved itself in the political financial system of the media, cultural and media studies have fundamentally focused on the conventional points of attention, just as has its opponent paradigm. In recent years, American mass communications studies, cultural and media studies have, turned their interest to debates concerning regulation, possession and management, with the attendant challenges of attentiveness, cross-media interests and the increasing institutional and corporate associations connecting the media, industry and government (Rojek 2001, 56).Looking where to BUY AN ESSAY?Save your time and money! Use QualityCustomEssays.com professionals service to get an A+ paper Place an order get 15%offfor your first orderMuch o f this focus towards structural concerns seems to have been offset by the market and regulatory disturbances brought about by the development of digital media; cultural and media studies concentration in the latter has forced them consider more seriously the responsibility played by the former. however, and notwithstanding the sudden increase in interest in the growth of digital media, for most of the people the functioning description of the media is still very much the same: the manufacturers and distributors of news by means of print and electronic platforms such as radio, television, newspapers, magazines, but at present with the addition of the diverse platforms of on-line media. It is time now to explore ways of updating this working description.The minority would dispute  the notion that the advertising and promotion industries have at present turned out to be structurally entrenched into the media financial system: they generate vast amounts of content; they create relation ships which apportion exclusivity or otherwise control admission and rights; and in several other ways secure a connection of interdependency between media markets, advertising and promotions agencies, the media and entertainment manufacturing industries and the promotional or publicizing arms of other large businesses (Rojek 2001, 34). The televising of professional sport, for example, involves complex contracted dealings between sporting clubs, television networks, media privileges holders and distribution agencies, advertisers and big global trademarks such as Nike, Coke or Nokia.In such associations it would be interesting to know where the supremacy lies, and so a key area of investigation might be the business connections which organize celebrity as a means of advancing global trade marking across a wide variety of industries, not just media or entertainment.A contemporary version of the media needs to incorporate such participants within its reach in order to be acquainted wi th the meaning of their interests and influence. It is common knowledge that most of what the publicity industries do is either unacknowledged or deliberately masked; once publicity is exposed to be commercially motivated it loses its competence to function as news. However, their influence has become so omnipresent across the media and entertainment industries that there is a need to discover ways of removing the disguise for them to directly examine how that influence is managed and operated. Political economy may well be the place to begin with, by tracing formal or informal business links or networks linking promotions and publicity agencies, their customers and the media organizations to which they provide admittance. As stated earlier, this involves beyond celebrity and opens up a much larger set of questions. However, beginning to ask those questions might place us in a position from which we are able to examine the agencies practices, roles and functions, for example, invest igating the practices which over-determined the industrial production of news broadcast.The even more difficult research question, however, and one that really must be at the heart of celebrity studies, is what to understand about celebrity culture as a societal or cultural structure. In the critical tradition of cultural and media studies, particularly in its Anglo-American formations, we have refused to make direct connections between the consumption of media products and their cultural or social effects. Indeed, years of inconclusive effects studies are probably among the motivations for the development of cultural studies approaches to understanding culture as a contingent and conjectural process in which the consumer is believed to have some degree of agency. There are plenty of examples of such concerns being expressed in communities outside the West.Kraidy (2009, 18), for example, has discussed the response to reality TV formats in the Middle East, where programmes have been denied view, and a particular case a fatwa was put in force, as a solution to control what was officially regarded as dangerous to the social permanence of these cultures. Maybe this is just paranoid conduct from governments reluctant to take a prospect that these forms of popular traditions mean no harm to social stability and cultural practices. But what if it is not? What if there is advantage in the design, and proof to suggest, that popular entertainments may have the supremacy to change the culture by ignoring the leaders and communicating directly to the viewers? No matter how mediated that power might be, it appears that there is a need to be all set to reflect about such a possibility. Currently, in media and cultural studies, the sector is inadequately equipped.What is the way to go about understanding the cultural function of celebrity within modern-day Western fashionable culture? It is common knowledge that it is implicated in the construction of fan cultures, in young peoples expectations of their possible futures and in many of the dominant discourses about sexual attractiveness and sexual desire. What else does it do, though? Is it possible to attribute an independent influence to celebrity as a set of representations or discourses about the fashioning of the self, or alternatively to map its relationship to broader shifts in the culture? To take a specific example, is it possible that the promotion of certain kinds of spectacular behavior in order to advertise a reality television program, for example, Big Brother, may have an effect on what young people regard as desirable or acceptable behavior in their everyday lives; or would such advertising only work if it simply reflected shifts towards such behavior that are already embedded in the culture? Such questions are quite difficult even to approach without appearing to fall into one of a variety of disreputable camps: those who see celebrity as one of the more inflamed examples of tabloidizat ion; those who assume that media produces effects simply through representation; or those who use their critique of celebrity culture as a means of delivering a moralistic or taste-based critique of the consumption choices of certain sections of the community (Kraidy 2009, 27).It is important to try to negotiate the narrow path between these positions in order to continue to ask such questions. Indeed, they articulate to an issue of how the rise of celebrity culture interacts with (and indeed exemplifies) a significant change in the cultural function of the media. In Ordinary people and the media (Turner 2010), Turner argues that celebrity culture is one of the areas through which one can trace the prosecution of what he suggest is a new role for the media: as the generator or author of social identity/ies. Rather than merely representing or mediating identities originating in other sectors of the social or the political as it once might have done, the argument goes, the media now s eems able to promote its own constructions of identity for example, as a by-product of the recruitment of participants for reality TV or through other forms of industrially based celebrity. The provocations for his argument include the visibility of these versions of identity in social surveys of young peoples attitudes mentioned earlier, where young people voice their ambition to be famous as if it was a career objective of itself, and without much considering the nature of the career they might undertake which would produce that fame.Also implicated is the observation that many of the contestants in a format such as Idol express their conviction that their uniqueness or star quality is likely to be recognized through the performance process. This conviction seems independent of any confidence in their particular skills or talent: the recognition is regarded as a personal validation and, paradoxically, the less talent is involved the more categorical and empowering the validation. These two observations are used to raise the possibility that notions of media visibility, of recognition through the establishment of the celebrity-commodity, or of access to media centre (Couldry 2000, 207), are becoming embedded in the cultures repertoire of understandings of what it is to be a subject, what constitutes identity and what kinds of performance of identity might be desirable.If there is anything to this, then it would signify an imperative cultural responsibility for celebrity customs, and thus an essential logical utility for celebrity research. It is not quite lucid how such issues could be adequately addressed, the types of research projects, the types of methodological strategies, even the type of queries, need to be examined in order to be equipped with a adequately contingent and nuanced report of the cultural purpose of celebrity that would aid comprehend its input in the cultural creation of identities.Turner (2010, 45) raises another additional problem that unintended cultural effects, which may well be quite profound, are largely generated in pursuit of commercial rather than social or political outcomes, although they may well produce all three. If they do then go on to influence or even perhaps change the way we think about identity, there is little reason to expect that such a change has our interests or those of the society as among its motivations.ConclusionIt is important that celebrity studies act more than merely participate as just one additional contributor to the discursive regime encompassing celebrity. While the textual difficulty and dynamism of celebrity civilization is amongst its chief attractions, celebrity studies must be conscious of the threat of reacting only to that, of using its investigative strategies to create something that is, eventually, largely evocative. There is now a sufficient theoretical and historical basis for media theory scholars to embark on more ambitious programs of research that involve mor e direct enquiries of audiences, producers, publicists and so on in order to develop a body of structural information, as well as textual materials, that might help us to better understand the operation and function of celebrity.Crucially, the field of celebrity studies will have a much stronger base if it concerns itself with understanding the industrial production, as well as the audience consumption, of celebrity. This knowledge can only be gained by means of media representations as the raw data for delineating the numerous ways through which celebrity has permeated the postulations and discourses which notify the building of cultural identity. Thereafter the development of more and other types of, material for this task by approaching celebrity through a more diverse range of, methodological strategies, several of them borrowed from more empirical modes of enquiry. Multi-factorial, conjectural and multi-disciplinary approaches are required to guarantee that there is full explor ation of the fruitfulness of celebrity as a site for investigating the function of the media and the cultural creation of identities.

Discover More About Marine Reptiles

Class Reptilia is the group of animals known as the reptiles. These are a diverse group of animals that are cold-blooded and have (or had) scales. They are vertebrates, which puts them in the same phylum as humans, dogs, cats, fish and many other animals. There are over 6,000 species of reptiles. They are also found in the sea, and referred to as marine reptiles.   The Class Reptilia, or reptiles, traditionally included a diverse group of animals: turtles, snakes, lizards and crocodiles, alligators, and caimans. Many scientists believe that birds also belong in this class. Characteristics of Reptiles Animals in the Class Reptilia: Are ectotherms (commonly called cold-blooded). These animals need to warm themselves up using external heat (e.g., the sun).Mostly bear their young in eggs, which are protected by an amniotic membrane (so reptiles are referred to as amniotes).Have scales, or did have at some point in their evolutionary history.Breathe using lungs rather than gills. Thus, reptiles in the ocean may be able to hold their breath to go underwater, but eventually need to go to the surface to breathe.Have a three- or four-chambered heart. Classifying Reptiles and Marine Reptiles Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: Reptilia Marine reptiles are divided into several orders: Testudines: Turtles. Sea turtles are an example of turtles that live in the marine environment.Squamata: Snakes.   Marine examples are sea snakes.Sauria: Lizards. An example is the marine iguana. In some classification systems. lizards are included in the Order Squamata.Crocodylia: Crocodiles. A marine example is the saltwater crocodile. The above list is from the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). Habitat and Distribution Reptiles live in a wide range of habitats. Although they can thrive in harsh habitats like the desert, they are not found in cooler areas like  Antarctica, because they need to rely on external heat to keep warm. Sea Turtles Sea turtles are found in oceans worldwide. They nest on subtropical and tropical beaches. The leatherback turtle is the species that can go in cold waters, such as off Canada. These amazing reptiles have adaptations  that allow them to live in colder water than other turtles, including the ability to shunt blood away from their flippers to keep their core body temperature warmer. However, if sea turtles are in cold waters too long (such as when juveniles dont migrate south quickly enough in the winter), they might become cold-stunned.   Sea Snakes Sea snakes include two groups: laticaudid sea snakes, which spend some time on land, and hydrophiid snakes, which live wholly at sea.   Sea snakes are all venomous, but they rarely bite humans.   They all live in the Pacific Ocean (Indo-Pacific and eastern tropical Pacific regions). Marine Iguanas The marine iguana, which lives in the Galapagos Islands, is the only marine lizard. These animals live on the shore and feed by diving in the water to eat algae. Crocodiles In the U.S., the American crocodile often enters saltwater. These animals are found from southern Florida to northern South America and can be found on islands, where they swim or are pushed by hurricane activity. One crocodile, nicknamed Cletus, swam out to the Dry Tortugas (70 miles off Key West) in 2003. American crocodiles tend to be more timid than American alligators and the saltwater crocodiles, which are found in the Indo-Australian region from Asia to Australia. Most reptiles give birth by laying eggs.   Some snakes and lizards can give birth to live young.   In the world of marine reptiles, sea turtles, iguanas and crocodiles lay eggs while most sea snakes give birth to live young, who are born underwater and must swim immediately to the surface to breathe. Marine Reptiles Reptiles that can live at least part of their lives in the marine environment include sea turtles, crocodiles  and some lizards. References and Further Information Galapagos Conservancy. Iguanas and Lizards.  Accessed October 30, 2015.IUCN. 2010. Sea Snakes Fact Sheet. Accessed October 30, 2015.Morrissey, J.F. and J.L. Sumich. 2012. Introduction to the Biology of Marine Life. Jones Bartlett Learning. 466pp.

What The Individual Thinks About Cosmetic Surgery Is The...

According to Solomon et al (2006), an attitude can be described in terms of three components: affection, behaviour and cognition. The model is known as the ABC model of attitudes. Affect refers to the individual’s feeling, emotions linked to an attitude object. Behaviour involves a person’s actions and past experiences regarding to an attitude object. Cognition refers to people’s beliefs, thoughts and attributes associated with the object. In the case, what the individual thinks about cosmetic surgery is the component of affect. How to act in certain ways toward the surgery is behaviour. Cognition is involved in the beliefs and knowledge of plastic surgery. For most of women, undergoing cosmetic surgery in life is an important issue that†¦show more content†¦The three increasing degrees of commitment which are compliance, identification and internalisation are related to the level of involvement with the attitude object (Solomon et al, 2006, p.282). The very complex cognitive process of cosmetic surgery is internalised and become part of the individual’s value system. This strong attitude is hard to change as it intertwined with self-concept and self-esteem. For example, some women regard the plastic surgery as displaying women’s appearance value. They see the surgeons and undergo the surgeries routinely to maintain their emphasis on the value of beauty. As this internalisation level of cosmetic surgery, women not only increase physical attractiveness but enhance self-value (Gan, 2007). According to balance theory, people tend to seek relations among elements that are perceived belonging together (Solomon et al, 2006, p.286). People alter these perceptions to make harmony among the elements’ relations. In the case, it is a positive relation between the cosmetic surgery and the danger of surgery procedure. Women who want to undergo the surgery hesitate about the risk. They will experience pressure to restore bal ance by changing the perceptions. Some accepting the hesitation of risk prompt a change in their attitude towards cosmetic surgery; others might give up the cosmetic surgery. As the theory, people are likely to observe changes in attitude when inconsistencies occur. 2.3 Reference

Caring of Parents Free Essays

Caring for Elderly Parents How to care for elderly parents is a major concern of many Foreign Service families. Our concerns mirror those of other American families, but how to ensure good health care, find the right living situation, and handle legal questions is often complicated for Foreign Service families by being posted abroad. The distance involved makes it harder to get information and help so contingency planning is essential. We will write a custom essay sample on Caring of Parents or any similar topic only for you Order Now Often Foreign Service families only have short visits during R R or on home leave and hate to spend the precious time with their parents talking about serious business or unpleasant possibilities. Or we may be caught up in hectic preparations for an overseas assignment and not want to take the time to do contingency planning with parents. While it is difficult to discuss the issues of aging, the family who has discussed the options and agreed on plans will be better able to handle whatever happens. It will be worth the time taken, if there is an emergency. The ideal situation is when the parents take control of their own situations and make decisions in advance of an emergency. They should investigate the types of retirement options and decide which is most appropriate, make informed decisions about life-sustaining medical care, and make sure that documents, instructions, and powers of attorney are available to those who must take responsibility in an emergency. The American Association of Retired Persons recommends that elderly people use a document locator list (scroll to bottom of this page) to make sure their papers are in order. This list can then be given to the person(s) who will be responsible for them should an emergency arise. Going through the list with your parents should ensure that their wishes are understood. Communicating with Elderly Parents Talking with our elderly parents about their living situations and the possible need for change is not always easy. A successful conversation depends to an extent upon the relationship we have with the parent, as well, of course, as on the parent’s mental, emotional and physical condition. While many people put off serious conversations to avoid conflict or awkwardness, both parent and adult child may lose an opportunity for closeness, understanding, access to information that may affect the decision, and optimum peace of mind. To the extent possible, talk with your elderly parents gently and honestly about their wishes, their abilities and their options. Far more often than not, these conversations are helpful and put the adult child in a better position to make decisions later when the parent may not be able to do so. The following are suggestions for conversations with your elderly parent: * Share your own feelings, and reassure the parent that you will support them and can be depended upon to help them solve their problems. * Help the parent to retain whatever control is possible  in making his or her own decisions. Respect and try to honor their wishes wherever feasible. * Encourage the smallest change possible  at each step, so that the parent is more able to adjust to the change. Educate yourself on legal, financial and medical matters  that pertain to your parent as background for your conversations, including current knowledge on the aging process. * Respect your own needs  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ be honest with your parents about your time and energy limits. If this kind of conversation seems impossible or the situation and relationship with the elderly parent become overwhelming, professional counseling may be very helpful. You may also consider using the Department of State’s resources t o approach this delicate issue somewhat indirectly. Filling out FIVE WISHES for yourself and sharing your decisions with your parents may encourage them to open up on the subject. You may also wish to raise the subject of long-term care insurance as a practical matter. (For more information about FIVE WISHES and Long-Term Care Insurance, see below). When a Lifestyle Change May Be Necessary Physicians and geriatric social workers warn that there are a number of danger signs that indicate an elderly person needs extra help or a change in living arrangement. Any marked change in personality or behavior should be heeded. However, no change in lifestyle should be made without discussions with the elderly person, other family members, and doctors or other health professionals. Danger Signals * Sudden weight loss  could be an indication that the elderly person is simply not eating or not preparing foods. * Failure to take medication or over-dosing  may indicate confusion, forgetfulness, or a misunderstanding of the doctor’s instructions. * Burns or injury marks  may indicate physical problems involving general weakness, forgetfulness, or a possible misuse of alcohol. Deterioration of personal habits  such as infrequent bathing and shampooing, not shaving, or not wearing dentures could be the result of either mental or physical problems. * Increased car accidents  can indicate slowed reflexes, poor vision, physical weakness, or general inability to handle a vehicle. * General forgetfulness  such as not paying bills, missing appointments, or consistently forgetting name, address, phone number, and meal times could be a signal. * Extreme suspiciousness  could indicate some thought disorder. Your parents thinking that their neighbors, friends, family, doctor, and lawyer are all conspiring against them would be an example. Intense ungrounded fears about dire consequences may be a danger signal. * A series of small fires  could be caused by dozing off, forgetting to turn off the stove or appliances, or carelessness with matches. They may indicate blackouts or dizzy spells. * Bizarre behavior of any kind  could be a warning sign. This behavior could be dressing in heavy gloves and overcoat in 90 degree weather or going outside without shoes when it’s snowing. Watch for uncharacteristic actions or speech. Disorientation of a consistent nature  may indicate a need for help. Examples include not knowing who one is, where one is, who the family is, or talking to people who are not there. Elder Care Options If you see danger signals in your parent’s behavior, it is important to discuss the changes and do some research. (See IQ: Information Quest below for inf ormation about the Department of State’s free resource referral service. ) There are many housing options available to the elderly. Choosing the best one will depend on the elderly person’s preference, age, health, and financial condition. Aging in Place Under this option, the elderly person continues to live in his/her own apartment. Many elderly people live in Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs), apartment buildings, condominiums, or cooperatives not designed as retirement communities but where at least 50 percent of the residents are 62 years old or older. These buildings often have amenities such as grocery stores, pharmacies, limousine service, or shopping services. Recent technological advances often make aging in place easier: Velcro asteners, lightweight wheelchairs, devices to control appliances and dial telephone numbers. There is even a â€Å"walk-in bathtub† for people who have difficulty climbing into an ordinary bathtub. Many services are available to help the elderly person stay in his/her home. Information about them can be obtained from contacting IQ: Information Quest (see below) or  your local Area Agency on Aging. * Home care services  are available in many communities, pro viding appropriate, supervised personnel to help older persons with either health care (giving medications, changing dressings, catheter care, etc. or personal care (bathing, dressing, and grooming). * Meals and transportation  are available to older people to help them retain some independence. Group or home-delivered meal programs help ensure an adequate diet. Meals-On-Wheels programs are available in most parts of the United States. A number of communities offer door-to-door transportation services to help older people get to and from medical facilities, community facilities, and other services. * Adult day care  is similar to child day care. The elderly person goes to a community facility daily or 2 or 3 days per week. Activities include exercise programs, singing, guest lectures, and current events discussions. Cost varies and there are often long waiting lists at such centers. * Respite care  brings a trained person into the home to give the full-time caregiver time off to get a haircut, visit the dentist, or take a vacation. Service is generally offered through area Departments of Social Services and is based on a sliding fee scale. Other Housing Options There are several types of retirement communities that provide living arrangements and services to meet the needs of both independent seniors and those who need assistance. Large hotel corporations are in this field and other facilities are set up for members of a certain organization (retired military, Elks, etc. ). It is important when investigating these housing options to understand completely the services provided and the cost. * Adult congregate communities  are designed for the fully able-bodied, 55 and older. Residents buy co-ops or condominiums and pay a monthly fee for grass mowing, leaf raking, and snow shoveling. A pay-as-you-go medical center is on site and a nurse is on duty 24 hours a day to make home visits in emergencies. Leisure World is the most famous example of an adult congregate ommunity. * Assisted living communities  are rental retirement communities for independent seniors who need some assistance. A homelike atmosphere, three meals a day, maid, linen, and laundry service, availability of a registered nurse, and many personal care services are provided in the all-inclusive rent. * Rental retirement communities  with fee-f or-service nursing units charge residents an entrance fee plus a substantial monthly rent. When the need for nursing care arises, residents pay an extra daily fee and stay in a nursing unit, usually located on site or nearby. Life care or continuing care communities  provide a continuum of care from independent living to nursing home care on the premises. The individual must be independent when s/he enters the community. These communities require a substantial entrance fee and monthly service fee. Residents get one meal a day in a dining room, maid service, linen service, maintenance, transportation to shopping and cultural events, travel planning, and a pull cord to an emergency nurse. If nursing care is needed, it is provided at no extra cost. Personal care homes (board and care)  are licensed in many communities to provide shelter, supervision, meals, and personal care to a small number of residents. * Subsidized housing for the elderly  is an option for the elderly poor in reasonably good health. Subsidized by Department of Housing and Urban Development, income limits apply. No round-the-clock care is provided but nurses come in to check blood pressure and assess a resident’s functioning. Residents take meals in a dining room and may have use of a library, recreation area, or beauty shop. Nursing Facilities If the elderly person is not capable of independent living, a nursing home may be the appropriate option. Nursing homes offer two levels of care – skilled nursing and intermediate care – depending on the patient’s needs. Most nursing homes offer both levels of care on a single site. * Skilled nursing facilities  provide 24-hour nursing services for people who have serious health care needs but do not require the intense level of care provided in a hospital. Rehabilitation services may also be provided. * Intermediate care facilities  provide less extensive health care than skilled nursing facilities. Nursing and rehabilitation services are provided but not on a 24-hour basis. These facilities are for people who cannot live alone but need a minimum of medical assistance and help with personal and/or social care. Paying for Long-Term Care It is important to understand the different types of insurance that are available to older people. Many people believe that Medicare will cover long-term care needs. It will not. Medicare Medicare is a Federal health insurance program which helps defray many of the medical expenses of most Americans over the age of 65. Medicare has two parts: (Part A) Hospital Insurance  helps pay the cost of inpatient hospital care. The number of days in the hospital paid for by Medicare is governed by a system based upon patient diagnosis and medical necessity for hospital care. Once it is no longer medically necessary for the person to remain in the hospital, the physician will begin the discharge process. If the person or the family disagrees with this decision, they may appeal to the state’s Peer Review Organization. Medicare  does not  pay for custodial care or nursing home care. It will, however, cover up to 60 days in a nursing home as part of convalescence after hospitalization. (Part B) Medical Insurance  pays for many medically necessary doctors’ services, outpatient services, and some other medical services. Enrollees pay a monthly premium. Medicaid Medicaid is a joint federal-state health care program for people with a low income. The program is administered by each state and the type of services covered differs. There are strict income requirements so it is necessary for the person to â€Å"spend down† all income and assets to poverty levels before becoming eligible. Medicaid is the major payer of nursing home care. The Medicaid requirement to â€Å"spend down† all income and assets created a great hardship for the spouse of a person needing nursing home care. Changes in the Medicaid rules now allow the spouse to keep a monthly income and some assets, including the primary residence. The amounts allowed change, so you must check for current levels. Other Insurance Why buy other insurance? The purchase of additional insurance gives the policy holder access to a greater choice of facilities without dipping into additional financial resources. Medigap  is the name given to rivately-purchased supplemental health insurance. It is designed to help cover some of the gaps in Medicare coverage but does not cover long-term care. Study Medigap policies carefully to be sure they provide the protection needed and do not duplicate other health insurance. Long-Term Care Insurance  is a private insurance that is usually either an indemnity policy or p art of an individual life insurance policy. An indemnity policy pays a set amount per day for nursing home or home health care. Under the life insurance policy, a certain percentage of the death benefit is paid for each month the policyholder requires long-term care. Policies are priced differently depending on the age of the policyholder, the deductible periods chosen, and indemnity value or duration of benefits. Information about other long-term insurance policies are available from: The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) Retiree Liaison 2101 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20037 Tel:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  202-338-4045  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  , ext. 528 Fax: 202-338-6820 E-mail:  afsa@afsa. org http://www. afsa. org American Foreign Service Protective Association (AFSPA) 1716 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 Tel:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  202-833-4910 Fax: 202-883-4918 ttp://www. afspa. org As with Medigap health insurance, it is important to read the policy carefully and understand its restrictions before purchasing. Who Can Help? IQ: Information Quest (formerly LifeCare? ) IQ: Information Quest is a free 24-hour/ 7 days per week counseling, education and referral service that can he lp Department of State employees find the programs, providers, information, and resources they need to manage personal and professional responsibilities. IQ: Information Quest makes referrals, not recommendations. IQ: Information Quest counselors will help etermine what services are needed and available in any U. S. locality and refer to appropriate providers. In addition to other services, they provide referrals in the area of adult care services (anywhere in the U. S. ), including case management, emergency and respite care, home health care, long-distance care giving and legal and financial issues. Their web site features information on caring for an aging loved one, discussing caregiving options with your loved one, adult care information worksheet, caregivers of older adults, managing work while caring for your loved one, and geriatric care management services. IQ: Information Quest will also provide an â€Å"Eldercare Kit† upon request which features caregiving guidance, checklists, and resources information, as well as a few useful practical items such as a pill sorter, night light and jar opener. Permanent employees of the Department of State, The U. S. Agency for International Development, the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, and FMAs overseas are eligible to use IQ: Information Quest. For the Department of State, this includes both Civil Service and Foreign Service employees serving at any Department assignment location nationwide and worldwide. Other employees working for the Department are not covered at this time (contractors, Foreign Service Nationals, PITs, PSCs). Spouses, children or others who are members of the employee’s immediate household may use IQ: Information Quest. They verify eligibility by providing the name and date of birth (month and day) of the eligible employee. Employees of agencies other than the Department of State should check with their headquarters for guidance in how to contact and use IQ: Information Quest services. IQ: Information Quest Tel:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1-800-222-0364  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  or  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1-888-222-0364  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  for the hearing impaired http://www. worklife4you. com For access to the passworded area of the site, contact your agency’s HR Bureau. The Employee Consultation Service (ECS) The Employee Consultation Service (ECS) at the Department of State should be the first stop for Foreign Service members with eldercare concerns. The clinical social workers offer brief counseling and help in coordinating an evaluation and assessment anywhere in the United States. ECS social workers act as a liaison in providing appropriate and necessary services for the elderly. All services are free and confidential. In Washington, make an appointment for a personal consultation; from overseas write or cable for advice. ECS also conducts support groups for employees and their families who are responsible for an aging relative. The groups meet at the State Department to share issues, resources, and approaches to the problems that arise as an elderly person declines, including the issue of emotional stress that occurs for family members watching such decline. Employee Consultation Service (M/MED/ECS) Columbia Plaza, Room H246 Washington, DC 20520 Tel:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  202-663-1815 FAX: 202-663-1456 Email:  MEDECS@state. gov The Administration on Aging (AoA) The Administration on Aging (AoA) is part of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. It was set up to â€Å"remove barriers to the economic and personal independence of older persons and to assure the availability of a range of appropriate community and family based services for older persons in social or economic need. AoA supports a network of the state and  Area Agencies on Aging  that reinforce and supplement the daily support that the elderly receive from family, friends, and neighbors. Administration on Aging Department of Health and Human Services 330 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20201 Tel:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  202-619-0724 http://www. aoa. gov To get information on eldercare services in a particular community, contact the Area Agency on Aging. One can locate a specific state agency on aging through the Eldercare Locator Service via telephone (  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1-800-677-1116  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ) or the website at  http://www. ldercare. gov. The  Eldercare Locator Service  is sponsored by the AoA and operated by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. National Association of Area Agencies on Aging 927 15th Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 Tele:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  202-296-8130 http://www. n4a. org Services provided by Area Agencies on Aging include information and referral, homemaker/home health aides, transportation, congregate and home delivered meals, chore and other supportive services. Types of services available vary in each community based upon needs and resources. Private Geriatric Care Managers Private geriatric care managers are professional social workers and nurses who assist the elderly and their families by assessing need, coordinating services, and monitoring care for a fee. They are particularly helpful when long-distance care giving is necessary. Fees vary and are sometimes covered by Medicare or private insurance. The Department of State’s Employee Consultation Service or IQ: Information Quest, the local Area Agency on Aging, and community agencies can provide referrals nationwide. If the older person has been hospitalized, hospital discharge planners can also provide information and referrals for after-care. Services Offered by the Private Sector Some private companies have set up programs to help their employees with eldercare. Foreign Service spouses who work in the private sector should investigate any eldercare options offered by their employers. These programs can include seed money for eldercare services, flexible work schedules for caregivers, subsidies for eldercare expenses, unpaid leave for up to a year, referral services, inter-generational day care centers (for both the elderly and children), geriatric assessment and case management, and group rates for long-term care insurance. Unfortunately, many of the services provided by companies require that the elderly person meet the tax-law definition of a dependent. This increases the burden for families whose elderly relatives are not financially dependent or who are not living with the employee. Eldercare in the Foreign Service Putting Parents on Your Orders Foreign Service employees may request that their elderly relative(s) (including step parents and legally adopted parents) be approved as an eligible family member and added to their Post Assignment Travel Orders for an overseas assignment. The employee must complete an OF-126 Foreign Service Residence and Dependency Report. This form can be found on the Department of State Infoforms with instructions on completion. Each new OF-126 replaces the old OF-126, therefore all blocks must be filled out each time a new OF-126 is done. The new OF-126 must be forwarded to the employee’s personnel technician in HR/CDA/ASD, Room 2419, Truman Building (Main State). Travel orders can not be authorized for newly-acquired eligible family members until the personnel technician receives the OF-126 form. Along with a completed OF-126 form, the officer must prove that the relative is at least 51 percent dependent for support (subject to review and approval per 6 FAM 117; USAID employees should also see Supplement 1B to HB 32, Chapter 1). The officer must quantify that he/she has provided more than 51% of support by submitting an affidavit or notarized statement testifying to that fact. This is termed passing the â€Å"financial support test. † An explanation regarding the parent’s residency is also required, with an explanation as to why the application is being made to add the parent to the travel orders. Other documentary evidence may be required by the employee’s agency. These documents are attached to the completed OF-126 form and sent to the officer’s agency as specified on the forms. Requests are reviewed for approval by a Personnel OF-126 Committee. Employees of the Department of State can obtain advice on how to put your parents on your orders through the Career Development and Assignments (CDA) division of the Bureau of Human Resources. Ask for an Assignments Support (CDA/AS) officer. Employees of other agencies should contact their HR representative. See section below, Taking an Elderly Relative to Post, for details regarding official government support. Bringing Parents to Post Who Are Not on Your Orders If your relatives are not financially dependent on you, they may come to post as members of the employee’s household, but will receive no official support from the U. S. Government. No official support translates into no access to the U. S. embassy health unit, no airfare or allowance payments in the case of evacuation from post, and no diplomatic status with the host country. Parents who come to live overseas for an extended period of time should consider having additional medical insurance (Medicare does not cover costs related to care overseas). In addition, parents should also maintain Air Medical Evacuation Insurance. A list of companies that provide this insurance can be found on theDepartment of State Consular Affairs  web site. Family Medical Leave Act and Family-Friendly Leave If you think you may need to care for an elderly relative, be sure to check the provisions of the 1993 Family Leave Act on taking leave for this purpose and contact the a leave specialist in your agency. Department of State employees can contact a Department leave specialist in the Office of Employee Relations (HR/ER/WLP) about paid and unpaid leave at  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  202-261-8180  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  . Eldercare Emergency Visitation Travel (Eldercare EVT) In January 2001, the Eldercare Emergency Visitation Travel (Eldercare EVT) provision was implemented, permitting travel at government expense for employees and eligible spouses serving at an overseas post who need to assist parents in declining health. Eldercare EVT allows an employee two trips over a career to visit his or her parents. It is meant to support one mother and one father of the employee and of the eligible spouse. It does not mean a couple may pool their four eldercare visits to assist the parent(s) of only one member of the married couple. For more information, email the Family Liaison Office (flo@state. gov) for a copy of â€Å"Questions and Answers on Eldercare Emergency Visitation Travel. † Taking an Elderly Relative to Post If elderly relatives are classified as eligible family members, they travel on diplomatic passports and have the same diplomatic immunity as a spouse or child. If not classified as such, elderly parents use tourist passports and do not have diplomatic status. Housing assignments are based on the number of official eligible family members the employee brings to post. Travel to and from post (with the exception of medical travel) is also available to all elderly parents designated as eligible family members. Elderly parents, regardless of their status, are  not covered  by the Foreign Service medical insurance program. While the use of post’s health facilities is not promised as a benefit, these limited facilities are sometimes available depending on the location and an authorization by the Ambassador. The medical officer has the authority to refuse to provide services should a patient have a complicated problem that the physician is unable to treat. Employees may, however, ask the Health Unit for names of local physicians who can provide medical services for their elderly parent. This kind of assistance from the Health Unit may also be requested during the bidding process, to determine if a post has adequate local heath care providers to meet the medical needs of a parent. The Department of State Office of Medical Services has a brochure entitled  Medical Questions and Answers about Taking Your Parent Overseas. The brochure addresses the questions of obtaining prescription medicines overseas, high altitude climates and the elderly, health unit access, hospitalization overseas, and more. For a copy of the brochure or more information about medical questions related to taking your parent overseas, contact the Office of Medical Services, Foreign Programs (MED/FP). Because elderly parents are not covered under the Foreign Service medical insurance program, they also do not have access to embassy medical evacuation (medevac) services. Therefore, all parents coming to post for either a short or an extended period of time should purchase (and maintain) Air Medical Evacuation Insurance. A list of companies that provide this insurance can be found on the  Department of State Consular Affairs website. Medical Insurance It is essential that a parent going overseas, either officially or unofficially, have adequate medical insurance. Medicare only pays medical expenses in the United States, and in Canada and Mexico under certain very limited circumstances. The insurance companies listed below provide a variety of coverage and can be contacted for more information. Pay special attention to â€Å"age limit† noted in the policy. Clements and Company Under its GlobalCare Plus program, Clements and Company provides overseas major medical insurance, including full world-wide evacuation services. Coverage is offered for individuals as well as families. Substantial coverage is available at a reasonable cost. GlobalCare Plus is for policies lasting 6 months to one year. Clements also write policies for shorter-term travel (15 days to 4 months) through Patriot Travel Medical Insurance. How to cite Caring of Parents, Papers

The witchcraft hysteria Essay Example

The witchcraft hysteria Paper In 1692, in Salem Massachusetts, the superstition of witches existed in a society of strong puritan beliefs. Anybody who acted out of the ordinary was accused of being a witch, and then the accused would actually be forgiven if they admitted it and told the court of anyone else that was with the devil. This was one of the main themes of the play entitled, The Crucible by Arthur Miller. In this play a group of young girls act up and are then accused of being witches. These girls then blamed other people in order to get out of trouble, and even pretended to be bewitched in front of the court during the trial. This leads into the deaths of some innocent people who were accused and automatically found guilty. I believe, in many ways the people of Salem were responsible for the witch hysteria in Salem. The person with the most influence was Abigail. Abigail had an affair with John Proctor. Elizabeth Proctor, Johns wife, then fired Abigail. Abigail was jealous because of Johns lack of atte ntion. So Abigail, a few other girls, and a servant from the Caribbean named Tituba danced around in the woods hoping a spell would kill Proctors wife. Reverend Parris, Abigails uncle, sees them and reports them to the courts. When Abigail is questioned about this, she denies the accusations but doesnt tell the truth about what was going on.The news of Abigail and the other girls strange behavior gets around and the hysteria starts. Without Abigails superstition and her fear of telling the truth, I think the events in The Crucible would not have become as serious as they did or even started. John Proctor was another agitator of the witch hysteria in Salem. Proctor adds to the hysteria when he and his wife were talking about Abigail and why she is acting so oddly. Although John Proctor knows she is making up everything and blaming innocent people, he is relu

The Effect of Health and Wellbeing on Australian Youth

The Effect of Health and Wellbeing on Australian Youth Introduction Health and wellbeing among youth are important not only for individual happiness but the growth and development of the society and the nation as well (AIHW, 2011). Research and studies note that health and wellbeing of young people results in them becoming responsible citizens of society due to better educational outcomes, healthy lifestyles in adulthood and good parenting styles (Muir et al. 2009).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on The Effect of Health and Wellbeing on Australian Youth specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Health is a very broad term which includes all aspects of an individual’s well being and not just an absence of disease. Eckersley (2008) uses health and wellbeing as exchangeable terms and defines health as the â€Å"degree to which people enjoy the living conditions (social, economic, cultural and environmental) that are conducive to total health and wellbeing (physical, mental, s ocial and spiritual)†. The health and wellbeing of the Australian youth is important to the Australian government not only because the youth of a nation are its future, but also because the Australian population is an ageing one (Ragg, 2007). In a report by the Australian state and territory ministers, Ragg (2007) found that the the percentage of newborn babies in Australia is reducing each year. With the percentage of older adults on the rise, Australia is no more a country of the young, but a land where the majority of the people belong to the middle age group. As such, it has become doubly important to ensure that the Australian youth are healthy and happy, socially, psychologically and economically. Researchers have been concerned about the health and wellbeing of young Australian and have conducted several studies to explore the dimensions of health and wellbeing among the young people of Australia (Eckersley 2008; Eckersley et al., 2006; Glover et al., 1998). In order to bring about positive health changes in the Australian youth community, it is imperative to understand the causes and effects of health and wellbeing from their perspective. This paper contributes to this goal by identifying these perspectives of health and wellbeing among young Australians. The research explores the way in which the youth of Australia defines the notion of good health and consequent wellbeing, and the effects of this wellbeing on the young people of Australian society. The paper focuses on some important factors which have a negative impact on health and wellbeing of the youth, such as mental health and social networking.Advertising Looking for report on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Literature Review Youth researchers describe wellbeing holistically rather than individually, in terms of their needs, requirements, lifestyle and overall quality of life (White and Wyn, 2007). Youth researchers evaluate youth wellbeing in terms of their physical and mental health, financial prosperity, social inclusion, networking and support, individuality and spirituality (White and Wyn, 2007). Researchers have pointed out the importance of social processes (for instance homelessness which fails to provide a safe home environment) as influential factors determining the wellbeing of youth (Bourke Geldens, 2007). In their study, Bourke Geldens (2007) surveyed the dimensions of wellbeing in young adults. Data from their research revealed that the youth laid emphasis on factors such as the self, personal goals, living and working environments, physical and mental health and emotions as crucial indicators of wellbeing. As indicated in the table below the participants have given high rankings to social relationships and friendships. They gave high ratings to relationships with friends, family, community members, and peers as all of these provide them with a secure sense of belon ging. The study reaffirms the importance of the social dimension in young people who lay great emphasis on social acceptance and relationships as being crucial to their sense of wellbeing (Bourke Geldens, 2007). A detailed study by Easthope White (2006) analyzed the impact of social relationships on the health and wellbeing of young people. The researchers interviewed adolescents between the ages of 11 years and 18 years, in rural and urban settings. The results of the qualitative interview of these young individuals revealed that their concepts of health relative to a good diet were clear.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on The Effect of Health and Wellbeing on Australian Youth specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, behaviors such as sports and health activities were heavily linked with friendships and social relationships. Even bad health behaviors such as smoking and drug abuse were impacted by social relatio nships with friends. The research provides a comprehensive outlook on the perceptions of health and wellbeing from the adolescent perspective. Eckersley (2008) states that mental health disorders are the third largest most important contributors to disease. Nearly 50% of the Australian youth are affected by mental health disorders, mainly anxiety and depression (Begg et al., 2007). There has been a steady rise in the Australian populace reported with mental health issues. Mental disorders have a critical impact on the wellbeing and functioning of individuals due to their disabling effect and have become a serious cause of concern for the Australian youth (Slade et al., 2007). Nearly 45% of the entire Australian population have been diagnosed with some or other mental health problem once in a lifetime; the percentage of the youth with disorders is particularly high. Research findings of a National Australian Survey to find the state of mental health and wellbeing of Australian reside nts highlighted some astounding results related to the youth (Slade et al., 2009). The study noted that 22.8% of young men between the ages of 16 and 24 had a mental health issue. However, only 13.2% took professional help. Results from the study affirmed the high prevalence of mental health problems in Australians, with nearly half of the population meeting the criteria for some or other mental disorder. Social media plays an important aspect in the lives of the youth today. It is now clear that the young people lay great emphasis on social inclusion as an important factor in health and wellbeing (Bourke Geldens, 2007; Eckersley 2008; White and Wyn, 2007). Research and studies confirm the harmful effects of media on the youth due to health issues such as obesity, depression and aggression (Strasburger 2010). Since social relationships and friends play such an important role in the lives of young people, a study which does not take into account the impact of social networking media such as Facebook would be incomplete. In a country where the percentage of the youth is shrinking and mental health disease rates are high, it is important to consider the impact of popular social networking sites like Facebook on the Australian youth.Advertising Looking for report on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In an article about the role of social media on health and wellbeing, Charmaine Yabsley (n.d.) points to the negative impact of social media and networking sites such as Facebook. She states that Australia is one of the highest ranking nations with nearly 80% of the population online. She points to the negative impact of sites like Facebook which are believed to be causing new mental disorders like ‘Facebook depression’ in troubled adolescents. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2011) confirms the negative effects of social networking sites like Facebook and YouTube which could be misused for online fraud, bullying and pornography. Yabsley (n.d.) asserts that not only does social media negatively affect mental health but also causes serious physical health problems. With reduced physical activity, social media can cause diseases like obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and depression due to an inactive life lacking physical activity. Discussion Ecker sley (2008) candidly declares that â€Å"fundamental social, cultural, economic and environmental changes in Australia and other Western societies are impacting adversely on young people’s health and wellbeing.† Evidence suggests that social and psychological factors play a crucial role in the health and wellbeing of young adults (Bourke Geldens, 2007; Eckersley, 2008; Slade et al., 2009). Other studies also indicate that young individuals who face problems in transitioning from adolescence to adulthood could face difficulties in later life as well. Muir et al. (2009), affirm the strong relationship between behaviors during youth and those in later life. Moreover, the Australian population is an ageing one (Ragg, 2007). With a serious decline in new births, the ration of youth to middle aged adults has drastically reduced. The image below indicates the rates of declining young people in Australia (Ragg, 2007). Considering that the youth of any country is central to i ts development and progress, the health and wellbeing of the Australian youth are of prime importance to the Australian government (AIHW, 2011). It is the government’s job to ensure that the Australian youth gets the best possible conditions for a good start in life through policy initiatives and early intervention methods which will enhance their health and wellbeing and help them become promising future citizens. Conclusion The youth of a country plays an important role in determining its future. Health and wellbeing increase the prospects of young people becoming good and responsible citizens of a country. With the ageing Australian populace, the Australian government bears a huge responsibility of developing programs and policies to ensure its health and wellbeing on all levels, physical, social and psychological. A clear understanding of the causes and effects of health and wellbeing will help in achieving the goal of creating a better society with responsible mature and happy adults. Reference List Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2011, Young Australians: their health and wellbeing 2011, Cat. No. PHE 140. AIHW, Canberra. Begg S, Vos T, Barker B, Stevenson C, Stanley L Lopez A 2007. The burden of disease and injury in Australia, 2003. AIHW, Canberra. Bourke, L Geldens, P 2007, ‘What does wellbeing mean? Perspectives of wellbeing among young people and youth workers in rural Victoria , Youth Studies Australia, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 41-49. Yabsley, C n.d., Social media and its impact on health and wellbeing. Web. Eckersley, R 2008, Never better – or getting worse? The health and wellbeing of young Australians. Australia 21 Ltd, Canberra. Eckersley, R, Wierenga, A, Wyn, J 2006, ‘Success and wellbeing: A preview of the Australia 21 report on young people’s wellbeing’, Youth Studies Australia, vol. 25, no.1, pp.10-18. Easthope, G White, R 2006, ‘Health Wellbeing: How Do Young People See These Co ncepts?’, Youth Studies Australia, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 42-49. Glover, S, Burns, J, Butler, H Patton, G 1998, ‘Social environments and the emotional wellbeing of young people’, Family Matters, vol. 49, pp. 11-16. Muir, K, Mullan, K, Powell, A, Flaxman, S, Thompson, D Griffiths, M. 2009. State of Australia’s young people: a report on the social, economic, health and family lives of young people. Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and the Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Canberra. Ragg M, editor 2007, ‘Caring for our health? A report card on the Australian Government’s performance on health care’. Web. Slade, T, Johnston, A, Oakley, Browne, M A, Andrews, G, Whiteford, H 2009, ‘2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: methods and key findings’, Aust N Z J Psychiatry, vol. 43 no. 7, pp. 594-605. Strasburger, V 2010, ‘Children, adolescents, and the media: s even key issues’, Pediatric Annals vol. 39, no. 9, pp. 556–65. White, R Wyn, J. 2004, Youth and society: Exploring the social dynamics of youth experience, Oxford University Press, Melbourne

Vancouver Style Citation Guide Coming Soon!

Vancouver Style Citation Guide Coming Soon! Vancouver Style Citation Guide Coming Soon! Big news! Vancouver Style! We are excited to announce that will soon have a comprehensive citation guide for Vancouver style!   We hope to have the guide ready to go by the start of this coming academic year.   In the mean time, you can use our Vancouver (author-date)  or Vancouver (brackets, no â€Å"et al.†) automatic citation generators! Modern day Vancouver. (Image Courtesy of Darren Stone) What is Vancouver style? The Vancouver style is the style of choice for most biomedical journals and journals in  other scientific fields.   It was conceived during  a meeting in 1979, where medical journal editors convened in Vancouver, BC and decided on a standard citation style for the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).   Another name for Vancouver style is the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals.   The style is also based on the requirement’s of the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s guide to citing medicine.    If you’re a scientist, regardless of age, Vancouver is certainly an important style to know about.   The other most common referencing system used in medicine is the Harvard system- CiteThisForMe.com has a great guide for Harvard Referencing, if  you want to learn more. Here is a sample citation for a standard journal article: Leurs R, Church MK, Taglialatela M. H1-antihistamines: inverse agonism, anti-inflammatory actions and cardiac effects. Clin Exp Allergy. 2002 Apr;32(4):489-98. The general rule of thumb for mentioning a work in one’s scientific paper is that each cited piece of work that cited in the writer’s text is assigned a unique number, assigned by order of citation.   This number  is used  in bracket or superscript form whenever the paper references  that particular resource. For more general information on the Vancouver system and the history of medical referencing, check out this Wikipedia article. As usual, please leave any feedback you have on the update or the site in general.   We are constantly looking for ways to grow and improve and be as useful to the academic community as possible.   Thanks for using !

Political Environment Case Study Analysis Research Paper

Political Environment Case Study Analysis - Research Paper Example It encourages a series of revenge by the wrong doer to the society and thus crime is not stopped (Honderich, 1969). I would, therefore, try to show the sense in my program and its benefit in the long run when the inmates are incorporated in the society as rehabilitated. This way, the governor may understand it and convince, through his political power, his followers who might be tempted to be against the current program. This will be easier for him since the project has already won the hearts of the citizens. The programs for providing educational, vocational and treatment opportunities have not only gained national attention, but have led to the reduction of recidivism by 30 percent. My department will attempt to convince the governor that, this way, he will gain his political mileage even if it means associating the program with him. 2. Is there any room to negotiate with the governor? As a trade-off, would you offer to put in place some programs that are known to be tough on inmat es? If so, what kind? There is room to negotiate with the governor since the programs cannot be implemented without his support. The difference, between the governor’s ideology and the ideology behind the programs being implemented, is that the governor wants retributive justice while the program is working on restorative justice. In restorative justice, the main concern is making the victim whole and reintegrating the offender into the society through education, vocational training and humane treatment (Duff & Garland, 1994). This way, the offender is treated like other citizens and is given a chance to rehabilitate and understand the effect his offense has done to the victim. This approach does not satisfy legal principles, but the victim takes an active role in the process while offenders repair the harm they have done by being rehabilitated (Konow, 2003). Effort will be made to convince the society on the effectiveness of the preferred theory of justice. Therefore, enough mechanism will be put in place to ensure correct protocols are used to approach the politician. This way, there will be no need of a trade off by reintroducing tough programs for the inmate. This is because; these tough programs will not work well with restorative justice approach, which is meant to treat inmates as leniently as possible when it comes to punishment. Since the program has some ends to achieve, they will desire, just like the offenders to do so â€Å"through cooperation with others on mutually acceptable terms† (Rawls, 1999, p. 266). 3. Before dismantling your policies and programs, would you attempt to see how much internal and external support you have for them? If yes, whom would you contact and how? Incase the worse get to be worst, and the program requires to be dismantled, we will give a chance to public opinion. Since the program in place has already won some support from the public, it will be significant to assess the internal and external support. Th is will be done with the hope that the governor will be convinced, and if he is a democrat, he will go by public opinion. For this case, I will contact institutions like media and others which conduct opinion polls to assess the public opinion on the programs.

American Foreign Policy in a New Era Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 23

American Foreign Policy in a New Era - Coursework Example Realism approach was dominant theoretically during the cold war. Realism portrays international affairs as the pursuit for power among self-centred states that is a cynical representation of prospects that mitigate war and conflict (Jervis, 2005). Realism approach was dominant during the cold war since it offered powerful and easy definitions of imperialism, alliances, war and other international events. Realism adopted a consistent competition analysis that was fundamental in the American-Soviet conflict. Challenges to realism originated from liberal theories. Liberalism argued that interdependence on the economy discouraged nations from using force because warfare threatens prosperity of all sides (Jervis, 2005). The other school of thought argued that the manifest democracy derived peace across the world based on the claim that democratic states were peaceful compared to authoritarian states. The third school of thought believed that international institutions could encourage nations to forego gains that were greater than cooperation (Jervis, 2005). While liberalism and realism focused on factors that led to material growth such as trade and power, constructivist approach concentrated on the effect of ideas (Jervis, 2005). Constructivist theories do not assume that states seek survival only. Ideally, these theories argue that states are a product that is malleable for historic and specific processes. The approach pays more attention on the root course of a change compared to liberalism and realism.

Time in The Great Gatsby :: Great Gatsby Essays

Time in The Great Gatsby Time is an idea described in different periods and aspects, for example philosophical, psychological, physical and biological. This time flows evenly but is broken into the past, present and future. Since we only live in the present forever planning for our futures and dreams, when we try to live in the past it restricts our future. Throughout Fitzgerald's novel, Gatsby wasted time and his life for a single dream, and it was his illusion of his ideal future that made time a key dimension in his life. Gatsby suffers from past memories of Daisy and tries to relive the relationship and in the process Gatsby was murdered. Nick says, "Almost five years! There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams - not through her own fault, but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion". Gatsby's idealistic view of Daisy was, she was of pure and perfect form and after he kisses her, his ideal perfect relationship starts to decay, "...and the incarnation was complete". The incarnation meaning Daisy cannot be ideally perfect anymore now that Gatsby's with her. Daisy is not pure and perfect like Gatsby thought she was in the past. From Gatsby's illusions of the past preoccupying all his thoughts, he forgets about the key dimension he exists in which is the present. Although Gatsby was persistent on reliving the past, Gatsby vaguely lived for the present. This is apparent when he cancels his biology by leaving home, changing his name, and leaving his heritage behind which was not done by following the past. In the past Jay Gatsby made, "...a platonic conception of himself". What Nick said about Gatsby's platonic theory of himself was that Gatsby "...was a son of God". From Jay Gatsby's theory he makes a ideal conception of himself, of which he projects himself into the future. Ultimately Gatsby is left with the choices to "...suck on the pap of life, gulp down the incomparable milk of wonder," or kiss Daisy and "...his mind would never romp again like the mind of God". In Gatsby's choices he is to climb "the ladder" to God which represents Gatsby's future or choose Daisy and choose the past.

New Revelations of Pre-Columbian America

In his breakthrough book, 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus, Charles C. Mann changes myths about the Pre-Columbian America into scientific facts that nobody would deny.   The book is a discussion about the scientific reality of Native American life before Columbus set foot in America.   As it turns out, this view of reality based on scientific details is completely different from what we had previously thought about Pre-Columbian America.   The thesis of Mann’s book may be summed up in his own words thus:When I went to high school, in the 1970s, I was taught that Indians came to the Americas  across the Bering Strait about thirteen thousand years ago, that they lived for the most part in  small, isolated groups, and that they had so little impact on their environment that even after  millennia of habitation the continents remained mostly wilderness.   Schools still impart the  same ideas today.   One way to summarize the views of people li ke Erickson and Balà ©e would  be to say that they regard this picture of Indian life as wrong in almost every aspect.   Indians  were here far longer than previously thought, these researchers believe, and in much greater  numbers.   And they were so successful at imposing their will on the landscape that in 1492   Columbus set foot in a hemisphere thoroughly marked by humankind.After introducing the main thesis of his book – that, in fact, Native Americans were far more civilized than we had previously imagined – Mann begins â€Å"Part One: Numbers from Nowhere† by dealing with New England in the 1600s, and the myth that European technology was far superior to American Indian technologies.   This myth was based on the fact that the Indians did not appreciate guns.   However, the reality is that the Indian moccasins were far more comfortable than the boots of the European; and the canoes built by the Native Americans were speedier and more mane uverable than the small boats made by Europeans.Next, the author gets into a discussion about the reasons for the fall of the Inca Empire.   During this discussion we learn that while the Europeans used metal to make tools, the Indians used it for tokens.   Moreover, the Europeans had used horses while invading the Inca Empire, and the Indians did not have the technology to beat the intruders on horses.   Still, the Inca Empire collapsed mainly because of disease in addition to factionalism.   There had been a civil war after the Native Americans had clashed with the Spanish.   Smallpox and various other epidemics were also responsible for the fall of the Inca Empire.The first part of Mann’s book also tackles the controversy surrounding the number of Native Americans in Pre-Columbian America.   Scholars have disagreed on the population of the Indians.   Whereas Dobyns believed that there were around one hundred million Native Americans living before the fall of the Inca Empire; Henige argued that the population was much less.   Yet, as Mann points out, there is virtually no evidence to suggest that the population of Native Americans was little.In addition to the above, the first part of the book deals with the Aztecs.   According to scientific evidence, the Aztecs were more sophisticated than we had previously believed them to be.   The Greek â€Å"thinker-teacher† model prevailed among them as â€Å"tlamatini.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Part Two: Very Old Bones† provides scientific evidence linked to the skeletons of Lagoa Santa that were found in Brazil’s caves to conclude that the Indians and the Siberians share common ancestry.   Agriculture, too, is a focus of this part of Mann’s book.   According to the author, the Indians began breeding maize right from scratch given that the crop had no â€Å"wild ancestor.†Ã‚   With the development of maize, the Mesoamerican life was further advanced.   The Olmec c ivilization is mentioned as an example of the high culture that was promoted due to advancement in agriculture.Mann also provides evidence that the Mesoamerican cultures made use of calendars, in addition to wheels.   However, the wheels were used only for small toys.   This is because the Mesoamericans were geographically isolated, and therefore did not have access to other people’s ideas on wheels.â€Å"Part Three: Landscape with Figures† is where Mann brings all of his evidence together to conclude that there are things we have to learn from the Indians.   He discusses the Maya, and points out that the civilization was active in transforming land.   Additionally, the author describes the unique use of fire by the Indians in this part of the book.   Apparently, the Indians used fire to benefit the plants as well as encourage the abundance of some animals.Mann points to the mistake of holding racist views about the Indians in understanding their unique cultu re given that such views cloud our receptiveness to reality.   As a matter of fact, the  Indians had reached their optimal level of environment.   Before Christopher Columbus arrived on the continent, however, the Europeans had changed the landscape created by the Indians.AnalysisIndeed, Charles C. Mann is correct in his belief that we have been collectively fed in with the myth that the Native Americans were culturally backward.   In point of fact, this myth does not surround the Indians alone.   Rather, we are made to believe that all civilizations before the major ones as we know them – the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Muslims, and the United States – were culturally backward.We further tend to believe that it was almost impossible for the civilizations of old to perform the kinds of amazing deeds that we perform today, with respect to our technology.   And so, scholars struggled for a long time trying to understand how the ancient Egyptians built the pyra mids without our present technology.   This struggle to understand was led by speculation.However, speculation is unnecessary when scientific facts are before us.   So, we are aware that the ancient Egyptians had their own technology to build the pyramids.   We do not understand the exact nature of that technology.   We may only know from the evidence we have gathered thus far that some of the civilizations of old were far more sophisticated than we had previously imagined them to be.   This is the case with the Indian civilization.   Perhaps, this was also the case with the people of the Stone Age, who might have developed themselves in terms of  philosophical thinking if nothing else.The fact that we do not possess tomes written by people of the Stone Age or the Indians, does not necessarily lead us to the conclusion that the civilizations in question were less developed or evolved than we are.   Rather, those civilizations used their intellectual capacity in a dif ferent way.   Believers in the scriptures which recount the story of Adam and Eve would all agree that the essential human being has not changed through the ages.   Based on this view, only that which civilizations focus upon in their own time is likely to vary from civilization to civilization, and the human being is the same as he was in the beginning, that is, a being that is curious and would like to see change.The main strengths of Mann’s book are its lucid language, and the vast amount of evidence collected by the author.   Mann makes his book extremely interesting by addressing old myths, and describing the facts that must replace the myths.   The book describes unique fruits, for example, that we had previously supposed to be wild.   Even so, the unique fruits consumed by Indians were as nutritious as today’s fruits.   Mann describes interesting fruits with flavors like vanilla ice cream, for instance, and others that contained high levels of vitami n C and protein.The discussion that this book is made up of is very valuable in helping us understand faulty perceptions.   According to the author, â€Å"Given the charged relations between white societies and native peoples, inquiry into Indian culture and history is inevitably contentious.†Ã‚   To put it another way, white societies may have deliberately kept us away from understanding the significance of the Indian culture.   I believe that this is untrue, given the white societies’ emphasis on knowledge.   Moreover, I trust that the mention of racism should not have been a part of this book.   After all, the book was published in a white society to uncover the reality of  the Indian civilization.   As a matter of fact, given the importance of the scientific evidence in the book, it is expected that this book will be studied in white societies for a long time to come.Works CitedMann, Charles C. 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus. New York: Vintage Books, 2006. New Revelations of Pre-Columbian America In his breakthrough book, 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus, Charles C. Mann changes myths about the Pre-Columbian America into scientific facts that nobody would deny.   The book is a discussion about the scientific reality of Native American life before Columbus set foot in America.   As it turns out, this view of reality based on scientific details is completely different from what we had previously thought about Pre-Columbian America.   The thesis of Mann’s book may be summed up in his own words thus:When I went to high school, in the 1970s, I was taught that Indians came to the Americasacross the Bering Strait about thirteen thousand yars ago, that they lived for the most part insmall, isolated groups, and that they had so little impact on their environment that even aftermillennia of habitation the continents remained mostly wilderness.   Schools still impart thesame ideas today.   One way to summarize the views of people like Erickson and B alà ©e wouldbe to say that they regard this picture of Indian life as wrong in almost every aspect.   Indianswere here far longer than previously thought, these researchers believe, and in much greaternumbers.   And they were so successful at imposing their will on the landscape that in 1492Columbus set foot in a hemisphere thoroughly marked by humankind.NEW REVELATIONS OF PRE-COLUMBIAN AMERICAAfter introducing the main thesis of his book – that, in fact, Native Americans were far more civilized than we had previously imagined – Mann begins â€Å"Part One: Numbers from Nowhere† by dealing with New England in the 1600s, and the myth that European technology was far superior to American Indian technologies.   This myth was based on the fact that the Indians did not appreciate guns.   However, the reality is that the Indian moccasins were far more comfortable than the boots of the European; and the canoes built by the Native Americans were speedier and mor e maneuverable than the small boats made by Europeans.Next, the author gets into a discussion about the reasons for the fall of the Inca Empire.   During this discussion we learn that while the Europeans used metal to make tools, the Indians used it for tokens.   Moreover, the Europeans had used horses while invading the Inca Empire, and the Indians did not have the technology to beat the intruders on horses.   Still, the Inca Empire collapsed mainly because of disease in addition to factionalism.   There had been a civil war after the Native Americans had clashed with the Spanish.   Smallpox and various other epidemics were also responsible for the fall of the Inca Empire.The first part of Mann’s book also tackles the controversy surrounding the number of Native Americans in Pre-Columbian America.   Scholars have disagreed on the population of the Indians.   Whereas Dobyns believed that there were around one hundred million Native Americans living before the fa ll of the Inca Empire; Henige argued that the population was much less.   Yet, as Mann points out, there is virtually no evidence to suggest that the population of Native Americans was little.NEW REVELATIONS OF PRE-COLUMBIAN AMERICAIn addition to the above, the first part of the book deals with the Aztecs.   According to scientific evidence, the Aztecs were more sophisticated than we had previously believed them to be.   The Greek â€Å"thinker-teacher† model prevailed among them as â€Å"tlamatini.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Part Two: Very Old Bones† provides scientific evidence linked to the skeletons of Lagoa Santa that were found in Brazil’s caves to conclude that the Indians and the Siberians share common ancestry.   Agriculture, too, is a focus of this part of Mann’s book.   According to the author, the Indians began breeding maize right from scratch given that the crop had no â€Å"wild ancestor.†Ã‚   With the development of maize, the Mesoameri can life was further advanced.   The Olmec civilization is mentioned as an example of the high culture that was promoted due to advancement in agriculture.Mann also provides evidence that the Mesoamerican cultures made use of calendars, in addition to wheels.   However, the wheels were used only for small toys.   This is because the Mesoamericans were geographically isolated, and therefore did not have access to other people’s ideas on wheels.â€Å"Part Three: Landscape with Figures† is where Mann brings all of his evidence together to conclude that there are things we have to learn from the Indians.   He discusses the Maya, and points out that the civilization was active in transforming land.   Additionally, the author describes the unique use of fire by the Indians in this part of the book.   Apparently, the Indians used fire to benefit the plants as well as encourage the abundance of some animals.Mann points to the mistake of holding racist views about t he Indians in understanding their unique culture given that such views cloud our receptiveness to reality.   As a matter of fact, theNEW REVELATIONS OF PRE-COLUMBIAN AMERICAIndians had reached their optimal level of environment.   Before Christopher Columbus arrived on the continent, however, the Europeans had changed the landscape created by the Indians.AnalysisIndeed, Charles C. Mann is correct in his belief that we have been collectively fed in with the myth that the Native Americans were culturally backward.   In point of fact, this myth does not surround the Indians alone.   Rather, we are made to believe that all civilizations before the major ones as we know them – the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Muslims, and the United States – were culturally backward.We further tend to believe that it was almost impossible for the civilizations of old to perform the kinds of amazing deeds that we perform today, with respect to our technology.   And so, scholars strug gled for a long time trying to understand how the ancient Egyptians built the pyramids without our present technology.   This struggle to understand was led by speculation.   However, speculation is unnecessary when scientific facts are before us.   So, we are aware that the ancient Egyptians had their own technology to build the pyramids.   We do not understand the exact nature of that technology.   We may only know from the evidence we have gathered thus far that some of the civilizations of old were far more sophisticated than we had previously imagined them to be.   This is the case with the Indian civilization.   Perhaps, this was also the case with the people of the Stone Age, who might have developed themselves in terms ofNEW REVELATIONS OF PRE-COLUMBIAN AMERICAphilosophical thinking if nothing else.   The fact that we do not possess tomes written by people of the Stone Age or the Indians, does not necessarily lead us to the conclusion that the civilizations i n question were less developed or evolved than we are.   Rather, those civilizations used their intellectual capacity in a different way.   Believers in the scriptures which recount the story of Adam and Eve would all agree that the essential human being has not changed through the ages.   Based on this view, only that which civilizations focus upon in their own time is likely to vary from civilization to civilization, and the human being is the same as he was in the beginning, that is, a being that is curious and would like to see change.The main strengths of Mann’s book are its lucid language, and the vast amount of evidence collected by the author.   Mann makes his book extremely interesting by addressing old myths, and describing the facts that must replace the myths.   The book describes unique fruits, for example, that we had previously supposed to be wild.   Even so, the unique fruits consumed by Indians were as nutritious as today’s fruits.   Mann describes interesting fruits with flavors like vanilla ice cream, for instance, and others that contained high levels of vitamin C and protein.The discussion that this book is made up of is very valuable in helping us understand faulty perceptions.   According to the author, â€Å"Given the charged relations between white societies and native peoples, inquiry into Indian culture and history is inevitably contentious.†Ã‚   To put it another way, white societies may have deliberately kept us away from understanding the significance of the Indian culture.   I believe that this is untrue, given the white societies’ emphasis on knowledge.   Moreover, I trust that the mention of racism should not have been a part of this book.   After all, the book was published in a white society to uncover the reality ofNEW REVELATIONS OF PRE-COLUMBIAN AMERICAthe Indian civilization.   As a matter of fact, given the importance of the scientific evidence in the book, it is expect ed that this book will be studied in white societies for a long time to come.NEW REVELATIONS OF PRE-COLUMBIAN AMERICAWorks CitedMann, Charles C. 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus. New York: Vintage Books, 2006.