A Dream?

The soft soil squeezed through the holes in my boots as I stood upon the sorrowful shore. The day was wild the clouds dark and heavy, taunted me with the threat of rain. The trees blew from side to side like flags waving in the breeze. The ocean not to far from where I stood, was beating upon the shore with military precision bearing deep into my soul. The forest stretched away from me, as far as I could see taunting me to enter into its hidden safety†¦ away from it all†¦ away†¦ from what I had done. My mind now centering painfully on the memories that sent me running to this droned hollow place, realizing what I had done†¦ the true horror of it, turned my mind psychotic while jumbled and baffled thoughts overloaded my memory†¦ it was plain even to me, I just didn't want to believe it†¦ but it was real, it was true. I stood there contemplating what I had done, thinking of everything that would happen to me†¦ everything I lost the moment I did it, It made me sick, it made my heart skip beats, I collapsed onto the mud at the edge of the forest. I almost fainted right there†¦ I looked into the dark tangle of forest knowing what I had to do. The forest taunted me yet more†¦ seeming to watch me†¦ stare at me, almost waiting for me to enter so it could devour me†¦ destroy me. In the distance I could see a small dim light tear through the black velvet night inside the forest. I watched as it grew nearer†¦ swaying from side to side, my heart beat faster and faster my thought becoming more rampant and wild. The light almost upon me now, knowing I should run†¦ but I couldn't†¦ I simply couldn't†¦ I froze, I could not move nor breath. My legs throbbed with pain, my feet bursted with soars, my mind was to wild to let me move. Suddenly the light came upon me, there stood a heavy, sturdy, strong looking man. His presence sent a chill of awe through my spine. I could not make out a face, he wore a thick overcoat, his body was motionless†¦ not a twitch†¦ nothing, he held a simple flashlight in his hand and nothing in the other. Some questions arose in my mind to what he was doing here†¦ unarmed, almost seeming completely unprepared except for his flashlight. Suddenly realizing just how much I should run I sprang to my feet and shot into the forest as if it was my only way to live, I stumbled through the branches and twigs while they tore away at my clothes and face, the clouds without any warning burst out in rain, I was soaked in an instant yet still found the strength to run on. I ran for what felt like an eternity, I turned to look if the man was behind me†¦ there was nothing†¦ not a glint of light†¦ nothing, just the sound of the rain beating down on the trees, hanging spindly on the leaves before dropping to the ground. I stared, wondering if the man had even attempted to chase after me†¦ after all, if he did he wouldn't have given up like that†¦ he would have at least stopped and looked for me with his flashlight†¦ but there was nothing. I laid there on the ground for a few moments to catch my breath, and turned to run again, as I stood to start running there he was†¦ the very same man†¦ with the very same light, in the very same clothes†¦ I felt a sharp pain of terror like a bullet ripping through my bones, I stood in silence for what seemed hours. The man raised his arm, flashlight in hand up to his face†¦ I screamed I almost fainted there but something inside me urged me to stay up. I could not believe who it was that stood before me†¦ I felt my blood freeze. I woke†¦ in my bed, with a cold sweat, I was tired, my legs ached. It was raining outside, the ocean waves still beat upon the shore with their same drone tune, I was sweating and out of breath. Was it real?†¦ or just a dream?

Be Not Afraid of Goodness

While hearing some talks by Cardinal Mario Bergoglio during the previous week of the Pope’s election, it was mention the word â€Å"coprophilia† as a common reaction by people in front of certain information. This was an answer made to LaStampa. it, an Italian Online Newspaper, about the sensationalist journalism that often publishes scandals about the Catholic Church (qtd. in Tornielli n. pag. ). He explained that this kind of journalism is a result of a sickness called coprophilia, something that most of journalists are in danger to get and by them, people in danger to commit â€Å"coprophagy†, a common sin that marks all women and men (qtd. n Tornielli n. pag. ). After a week, this Cardinal was elected as the new Pope of the Catholic Church. In the moment I heard about him, I run to find those words’ meaning. I discovered that Merriam-Webster Online defines â€Å"coprophilia† as â€Å"marked interest in excrement† (n. pag. ) and coprophagy as â€Å"eating of feces that is normal behavior among many animals† (n. pag. ). Therefore, I started to think about the meaning of those words in context of Cardinal Bergoglio’s answer, now Holy Father Pope Francis. What did he mean about people sick of coprophilia and committing coprophagy when we talk about the scandals of the Catholic Church? Fortunately, the bomb of news about the new Pope’s election and people’s perceptions and comments about him as man and Catholic leader answered my questions. He meant that coprophilia is the people’s tendency – and journalists, as main source of information – to look for the worst part of something in a morbid way, placing the good aside; that makes people – receptors – to commit coprophagy by consuming that negative perspective. Once the Holy Father Pope Francis gave his first words to his people, most of Catholics realized that he was a very humble man who just asks us to pray for him and for each other. In his Homily for inaugural Mass of Petrine Ministry, he mentioned several important facts directed to not just Catholics, but also to all the Governors who were present there in Saint Peter Square, Vatican. He said, â€Å"Let us never forget that authentic power is service, and that the Pope too, when exercising power, must enter ever more fully into that service which has its radiant culmination on the Cross† Holy Father Pope Francis n. pag. ). Also he explained, â€Å"We must not be afraid of goodness, of tenderness† because tenderness â€Å"is not the virtue of the weak but rather a sign of strength of spirit and a capacity for concern, for compassion, for genuine openness to others, for love† (n. pag. ). Those words opened mine mind and heart deeply; I could not believe that simple words like his could move me so much. I felt very happy and inspired by him and wanted to find more information about him and his previous talks and writings as Cardinal. Nevertheless, those nice feelings were shocked by horrible information about him just typing his name on Google. There were several news about him as a participant priest of the Argentinean dictatorship during 1976-1983, as well as accusations of misogynistic activity because of some things he supposedly said about women’s incapacities in a conference. Not wanting to trust that information, I started to ask people. Sadly, I found most of them with the knowledge about the unfounded internet accusations, but not about what he has said about service and tenderness. It was then that I comprehended deeply how people, journalists as the first source of communication, have an excessive interest on the â€Å"secret† or â€Å"bad† aspects of any news and deny people the very good information they can get, as the whole inspiration I received upon initially reading the Pope’s words. After searching on Google and asking people, I started to dig a little bit on certain reliable information. Fortunately, I found that the new Pope’s supposed participation in the dictatorship were false accusations based on pictures of him, from his back, giving the communion to General Videla – Dictator Argentinean President. The picture showed an old thin man as priest, but that year, he was 26 years old, so he could not be that man. Other sources showed as well that people who were imprisoned because of him declared publicly that he was not involved with dictatorship actions. About misogynistic declarations of women in a conference, a program of Eternal Word Television Network did a search about that conference of Cardinal Bergoglio talking about women’s incapacities and recurred directly to the only source that was accusing him, and it resulted that they have said that from a Yahoo forum commentary made by an atheist person who hated the Catholic Church. That person did not have any fundament for saying that. Sadly, all of this false information was spread quickly and most of people were consuming those arguments easily. All this experience made me grow in the way of evaluating mass information, I discovered that despite the fact something could be really good, like the thoughts of Holy Father Pope Francis that everybody can take advantage of, there will be a dangerous filter which will try to show us the worst part of it. However, that is not because of â€Å"evil† journalists, is because of people’s consumption. In general, people do not care about the true behind information; just pay attention to the secret and bad things can be said about something. Therefore, being critical while reading and willing to find the truth, could give us enormous benefits allowing us to know the best part of everything taking care of our minds and hearts.

Music Paper

In this essay an attempt will be made to compare and contrast the music styles and compositions of the two great musicians of 20th century: Charles Ives and Arnold Schoenberg. Arnold Schoenberg and Charles Ives are considered as the important music composers. They succeeded in redefining the contemporary music. Initially, their styles of composition and music philosophy attracted a few criticisms although later the Musicians realized the real value of their music styles. In this sense, although both Schoenberg and Ives belonged to different music schools, they shared a few similar features. However, one can also notice many differences in their music styles and philosophy. Schoenberg originally belonged to Vienna, Australia and later he settled down in USA. He and Charles Ives can be considered as the contemporaries. Schoenberg was also a teacher of the music compositions. There were different phases in his personal life. After his wife left him, Schoenberg began to compose several revolutionary musical notes. He decided to give more importance to atonical music by rejecting the music with tones. In fact, this led to the establishment of the new school of music philosophy named the Second Vienna School of Music. Schoenberg, unlike Ives, had no formal training in music and he was a self taught music composer. He gave importance to the freedom of the aesthetic thought. (Danuser, 1998) Particularly after the First World War, he composed several works. Schoenberg also decided to introduce the compositions with twelve notes which became very much controversial among the contemporary musicians. Initially, his new music attracted only a minority of music lovers. Later however, his music was criticized and even attacked by those people who did not like his music style. Schoenberg enjoyed the service of his students and he was able to obtain the support of the music composers such as Albon Berg and Anton Webern. The main interest of Schoenberg was to break the monotony of the classical musical notes. He wanted to produce simple and clear music. He found that the contemporary music tones lacked this quality. When he introduced the music with twelve tones, he considered this as a great discovery. In fact, after 1950s, many music composers have used the ideas of Schoenberg and have contributed to improve the dynamic quality of music. Schoenberg can be considered as belonging to the school of experimentation and modernism as he believed in introducing something new after experimenting with the tones. He composed the works such as Moses and Aron and many other compositions. (Wikipedia, 2005) Charles Ives, on the other hand, belonged to America and he was influenced by the American music composers and his own father who believed in experimentation. Ives used to accompany his father in the music composition and gained valuable experience to become an experienced music composer. His father encouraged him to experiment with music by introducing bitonal and multitonal compositions. In this respect, one can find similarities between Schoenberg and Ives. However, Ives composed more popular music although some of his compositions are known for their complexity of detail. He also worked in an insurance agency. The series of heart attacks led to increase in the creativity in Ivy and in 1922 he published his book – 115 Songs. (Ives, 2005) This collection included the various songs which were composed during the different periods of his life. He also composed the dissonant songs such as â€Å"The Majority†. He believed in the combination of the popular and the classical music leading to the creation of bitonal music. Ives belonged to the school of experimentation and dissonance. His philosophy of music is expressed by the use of the term â€Å"eternal question of existence† in his music. (Ives, 2005) He was influenced by the philosophers such as Emerson and Thoreau and this influence can be seen in the music composed by Ivy. However, his works, like those of Schoenberg, were also not liked by many music scholars as they could not understand his music philosophy. Ives was more concerned with popular perception of his music as he included many American folk songs. He was also praised by Schoenberg for his original compositions. He composed the works such as Variations on America for organ, Central Park in the Dark for chamber orchestra, and The unanswered question for chamber group. (Ives, 2005) In fact, Schoenberg was also influenced by the experimentation of Charles Ivy. However, later Schoenberg introduced the twelve note music. At the same time his music was not liked by the ordinary music lovers as they could not understand the complexity of his music. (Hawes, 1998) The above details show that although both Schoenberg and Ivis belonged to the school of experimentalism, there were major differences in their music compositions. Schoenberg worked as a teacher which allowed him to interact with his students regarding his music compositions. His works are influenced by the European musicians although he wanted to discover something new. Ives on the other hand gave more importance to the American folk music and integrated it with the classic music. He was also influenced by the American philosophers. However, both the composers were criticized for their unconventional approach to music. Both the musicians composed complex musical works which the ordinary people could not understand and appreciate. Schoenberg gave importance to the German tradition. He was influenced by the German composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner, and Brahms. He believed in the music philosophy of serialism which gave greater order to the twelve notes created by him. He also believed in the philosophy of modernism as he modernized the classical music by introducing radical changes to the earlier German compositions. (Modernism, 2005) Bibliography Danuser, von Hermann. (1998). â€Å"Arnold Schà ¶nberg – Portrait of a Century†, Arnold Schà ¶nberg Center, retrieved online on 10-12-2005 from Hawes, Peter. (1998). â€Å"Learning to Love A Cranky Composer†, Yale Alumni Magazine, retrieved online on 10-12-2005 from (2005). â€Å"Arnold Schoenberg†, retrieved online on 10-12-2005 from last updated in November 2005. (2005). â€Å"Charles Ives†, retrieved online on 10-12-2005 from last updated 10 December 2005. (2005). â€Å"Schoenberg’s Harmonielehre: Modernism through Tradition†, retrieved online on 10-12-2005 from

Ge Matrix Essay

Gg General Electric screen matrix (the General Electric (GE) business screen) The GE screen matrix is essentially a derivation of the Boston Consulting Group’s Boston growth matrix. It was developed by McKinsey and Co. for General Electric as it had been recognized that the Boston Consulting Group matrix was not flexible enough to take broader issues into account. The GE matrix cross-references market attractiveness and business position using three criteria for each – high, medium and low. The market attractiveness considers variables relating to the market itself, including the rate of market growth, market size, potential barriers to entering the market, the number and size of competitors, the actual profit margins currently enjoyed, and the technological implications of involvement in the market. The business position criteria look at the business’s strengths and weaknesses in a variety of fields. These include its position in relation to its competitors, and the business’s ability to handle product research, development and ultimate production. It also considers how well placed the management is to deploy these resources. The matrix differs in its complexity compared with the Boston Consulting Group matrix. Superimposed on the basic diagram are a number of circles. These circles are of variable size (see Figure 22). The size of each represents the size of each market. Within each circle is a clearly defined segment which represents the business’s market share within that market. The larger the circle, the larger the market, and the larger the segment, the larger the market share. General environment The term ‘general environment’ refers to the broad macro-environment in which a business operates. Broadly speaking, it can be identified as having four key elements, as outlined in Table 10. 98 Key Concepts in Strategic Management Business position High Invest heavily for growth High Medium Invest selectively and build Low Develop for income Market attractiveness Medium Invest selectively and build Develop selectively for income Harvest or divest Figure 22 Low Develop selectively and build on strengths Harvest Divest The General Electric (GE) matrix Table 10 Elements of the general environment Political/legal Potential/actual changes in regulations/legislation Foreign trade regulations Environmental protection Changes in government (local/regional/national) Technological New development inside and outside the industry New product development Technological projects in the industry Industry (and government) spending on research and development G Economic GNP growth Finance/market trends Inflation Interest rates Money upply Employment/unemployment Energy issues Socio-cultural Population trends Age distribution Regional movement of population Demographics of the family Lifestyle Consumerism Geographical structure 99 The most rapid of these trends in the general environment are technological and political/legal. The slowest moving are the economic and the socio-cultural. Geographical structure The organizational structure of a major business could be based purely on geographical regions . This could reflect the following possibilities: †¢ †¢ †¢ that the market is sufficiently remote to warrant a replication of the organizational structure in its geographical region; that the factors of production are sufficiently attractive to set up a geographically-based structure; that the market requires specific support that can only be delivered in the geographical region and not from the remote central headquarters of the organization. Global area structure A global area structure configures the organization along the main areas (geographically) in which it operates. Typically, the globe would be split up into a series of general areas such that the business can assume that all functions can be carried out by a centralized headquarters within each region. The configuration may take the form depicted in Figure 23. Corporate HQ (in home country and serving home country Northern Europe Southern Europe and Near East Pacific region G Figure 23 A global area structure Global learning Global learning is a process by which a multinational organization ensures that skills and knowledge flow freely between the different parts of the business across the world, regardless of national boundaries. Global learning can take the following routes: 100 Key Concepts in Strategic Management †¢ †¢ †¢ from the home country to an overseas division or subsidiary; from an overseas division or subsidiary to another overseas division or subsidiary; from an overseas division or subsidiary to the home country. Global matrix structure A global matrix structure is essentially a horizontal differentiation along product divisions and geographical divisions. In other words, to visualize the organization structure, product groups are placed on a vertical axis and the foreign divisions are placed on a horizontal axis. It allows businesses to reduce costs by increasing efficiency, and to differentiate their activities with innovation and responsiveness. The feature of the global matrix structure is that there is dual decisionmaking responsibility, as there is both a divisional and an area hierarchy. The system is not without its problems, as many organizations consider this form of structure to be rather clumsy and bureaucratic. There is also the question of slow decision making and a lack of flexibility. Several international businesses have sought to overcome the problems by basing their organizational structure on wide networks with a shared culture and vision, and stressing that the informal structures are more important than the formal structure itself. These forms of organizational structure are known as flexible matrix structures. Egelhoff, W. G. , ‘Strategy and Structure in Multinational Corporations: a Revision of the Stopford and Wells Model’, Strategic Management Journal, vol. 9 (1988), pp. 1–14. Global product group structure A global product group structure is a variant organizational structure which has product groups along a vertical axis and foreign (overseas) divisions, or business units, on a horizontal axis. The primary purpose of the product group structure is: G †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ to to to to to educe costs through increased efficiency; differentiate the organization’s areas of activity; utilize any innovations or technologies; improve customer service; increase the speed of responses. Typically, the structure would appear in the format shown in Figure 24. Global strategic alliances A global strategic alliance is usually formed by two or more organiza- Global strategic planning 101 Corporate HQ Product division A Product division B International div ision Japan India Brazil Figure 24 A global product group structure ions from different countries. Typically, this involves the allocation of resources from these businesses based in different countries, to a new project or venture which they seek to undertake, using cooperative methods and the pooling of expertise and experience. The purpose of global strategic alliances is to: †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ create synergy; accomplish more than could be achieved had the businesses been operating independently; coordinate effort; gain and share technologies; gain entry into an overseas market. Major multinational businesses routinely enter into global strategic alliances as an integral part of their corporate strategy and the practice has become widespread in recent years. See also green-field investment. G Global strategic planning Global strategic planning aims to maximize global economies of scale and economies of scope, while at the same time incorporating the advantages of local responsiveness to customers in the countries in which the organization operates. 102 Key Concepts in Strategic Management There are three main steps towards achieving global strategic planning: †¢ †¢ The development of a core business strategy – which forms the basis of attempts to create a sustainable competitive advantage (a replica of what has been achieved in the home market). The internationalization of this core strategy – the adaptation of the core strategy to overseas markets, along with expansion as necessary. The globalization of the international core strateg y – which seeks to integrate the strategy in all of the countries in which the business operates. Yip, G. S. , Total Global Strategy: Managing for Worldwide Competitive Advantage. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 2002. Global strategy A global strategy is often adopted by an international business in order to increase its profitability by taking advantage not only of cost reductions that come from experience curve effects, but also of economies based on the location of parts of its operations. Typically a global strategy will consider the best alternative areas in which to concentrate research and development, marketing or production, choosing the most beneficial location for each of these key operations. In essence a global strategy can be called a multi-domestic strategy, in as much as the international business seeks to maximize its worldwide performance through maximizing any local competitive advantages, revenues or profits it can achieve. Equally, global strategies seek to maximize performance through integration and a sharing of resources. Stonehouse, George, Hamill, Jim, Campbell, David and Purdie, Tony, Global and Transnational Business: Strategy and Management. New York: John Wiley, 2004. G Global web

Action Learning In Leadership Development Education Essay

Action Learning In Leadership Development Education Essay From recent study leadership is personal trait (Stogdill, 1948; Goleman, 1998) to a focus on the process and relationship between leaders and followers (Bass, 1985; Burns, 1978) leadership is a function of the entire collective process of all the personality traits. Leadership is developed by continuous steps of learning that is it cannot be developed at a time. It is developed through processes of learning. (Barker, 2001; Drath, 2001) Leonard, S. and Lang, F (2010) says that action learning for leadership development. He describes action learning is being used increasingly now days as a main method to build leadership skills and improving leadership behavior. He also describes different skills of leadership like cognitive skills, relationship skills, and self management skills are developed through action learning As described by the Reeve, S. (1999) described the importance of working in group in action learning. He describes that successful action learning creates good adult/adul t relationship, respect, control of the learning experience, encouragement of cooperative and cohesive attitudes within the set, trust, confidence over ones own self and the cycle of learning towards its reflection. In groups people begin to value others opinions, suggestions are made about processes, methodologies and sources. Serrat, O.   [ 1 ]   (2008) explains the process of action learning generates discipline to work within action learning steps which helps the individual to develop its personality traits. In action learning process he describes individual’s personal development, challenges, self confidence, help people to communicate more effectively, build leadership competences and organizations really feel the benefits of the outcomes of action learning. Henderson, I. (1993) describes action learning as a link in management development He describes action learning as a main link in management, that without it effective development of the management cannot be pos sible. He described the phenomena that every job required specific demand, and these demands are fulfilled only when the person know the essential features of management work. This can be done through parasitizing in action learning. Esons, S. and Kramer, R. (2007) describes the process that how the knowledge gained by action learning is used to develop leaders.He describes the processes through which action learners learn the abilities of a leadership behavior. He further describes the problems of transferring the knowledge in action learning which a major hindrance in leadership development. That includes the process of unlearning person’s previous norms and believes etc Roberts, C. (2009) defines the leadership levels as an action learning approach. Author explained that leadership is developed through mutual respect, trust, social awareness, and personal skills that are well gained by action learning. Like these all are traits of personality which a person learns through the process of action learning which makes him a leader. Rapid I   [ 2 ]   (2010) describe the importance of action learning in leadership development. He emphasizes that for leadership development it is important for the individual to have the capability to put learning into action. Jay a conger and Ginka Toegel (2001) also describe action learning as a pathway to leadership development. According to the authors action learning develops those skills in a person which develops a pathway to the leadership behavior.

Microeconomics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 6

Microeconomics - Essay Example The ecological paradigm emphasises on the health and survival of ecosystems. This means minimal and controlled exploitation of the ecosystem. On the other hand, microeconomics stresses on maximising the welfare of the people. This involves maximum exploitation of resources. This causes destruction, depletion and pollution. This has led to the development of ecological economics. This field deals with merging the insights of the two paradigms and resolve their differences. Microeconomics seeks to understand why a market has failed to deliver satisfactory results. It then explains theoretical conditions that are necessary for achievement of perfect competition. When a market has failed, its standard economic assumptions have been undermined. Causes for this include, negative externalities which makes social cost of production to surpass private cost. An example is effects of pollution. On the other hand, positive externalities cause social benefits of consumption to be higher than the private benefit. Imperfect information leads to over-production of demerit goods and under-production of merit goods. Underproduction and high prices can result from dominance by monopolies in the market. Incomplete market occurs where buyers and sellers are not fully aware of the other person’s position regarding product price hence prices may not reflect the true value for the product. Production inefficiency results from factor immobility which causes unemployment. Its competitive advantage is below the expectations of the society (Garegnani, 2006). Market failure results in allocative inefficiency. This is where there is resource misallocation and production of products that are not needed by customers at that time. It is an issue because these resources could have been utilized to make products that meet customer needs. It also causes production inefficiency. This is where given inputs are put in place but the outputs are

Cause of Action Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cause of Action - Essay Example Rob and Bunny Sherman and the tort law seems to be one of the most essential laws concerning the personal injury suffered by Rob Jr. As Mr. Bunny wants to bring suit against the Church of the Divine Light which caused personal injury his son by intentional torts, false imprisonment etc of Rob Jr., the best legal move will be in this line. There is vital evidence about Rob Jr. being tricked, falsely imprisoned, mentally threatened, psychologically oppressed, and illegally compelled to demand money from his parents. All these harassments and mental as well as personal injury suffered by plaintiff’s son indicate the possibility of taking civil action on the law of tort, undue influence, coercion, holding a person against his will etc. Also, legal action can be taken, on expert recommendation, against the Church of the Divine Light which is not an organized or registered church. The cause of action in the given case includes suing against Mr. Tom Marsden who was responsible for the civil wrongdoing against the plaintiff’s son and the law of torts serves best in this case. The case under discussion provides cause of action relating to law of tort, especially, intentional tort. â€Å"An intentional tort is any deliberate interference with a legally recognized interest, such as the rights to bodily integrity, emotional tranquility, dominion over property, seclusion from public scrutiny, and freedom from confinement or deception. These interests are violated by the intentional torts of assault, battery, trespass, false imprisonment, invasion of privacy, conversion, misrepresentation, and fraud.† (Tort Law) http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Tort+Law Significantly, four objectives are served by this law of torts. Thus, Mr. Rob can seek compensation for the injuries his son has suffered by the culpable action of the defendant.