The Dj Essays - Audio Mixing, Disc Jockey, Disco, Rave, Clubbing

The Dj The DJ About fifteen years ago a culture was born. In Europe a new type of music was being created. Something new, something fresh. A music fueled by throbbing beats over rattling bass. This is electronic music. The mastermind behind this whole up and coming culture was and is the DJ. In the past five years have become more and more popular everyday. Some people who are not aware of this music or this culture might argue that being a DJ is not a serious profession for various reasons. Throughout this paper I will prove these notions false. As support I will provide the history of the DJ, what exactly it is, insight from various DJs and much more. It all began about fifteen years ago. In towns in Europe people started throwing secret parties, small parties more of a social event to party and have fun. At these parties there would DJs spinning early electronic sounds and dancing. Not too long after that word started to spread and more and more people wanted to party. So the people throwing these parties sought out bigger places to have these parties that could accommodate more people. It grew so fast that secret information phone lines were created to prevent problems with the authorities. Over the next few years more and more people grew to love these parties for the music and the overall atmosphere. Also more and more electronic artists started to surface. As popular as these events were the truth is without the DJ none of it would have been possible. In the early nineties this growing underground movement started to form slowly in the United States and other countries. These parties soon took on the name of raves. In Europe these raves grew constantly. Soon there were raves being thrown with five to ten thousand people in attendance. Soon thereafter we started to see not only the growth of a music and culture but also a new industry. There started to be more and more electronic artists surfacing everyday. The technology increased very fast every year more new equipment allowed new creative boundaries to be broken. Soon the DJ slowly started to become more of the focal point of these raves. DJs started to be the attractions of these raves instead of just a place to have fun. The DJs started to make names for themselves along with this came different styles of DJing. One of the first styles of electronic music created was house music. This music quickly moved into nightclubs and raves. Soon thereafter many different styles of electronic music were born. Such as, break beat, drum and bass, hard house, trance, progressive trance, big beat, and happy hardcore(www.clubdance.com). DJs started to specialize in certain types of electronic music. Some started to consider themselves not just as DJs but also artists. The music became more about expression and unity. In a recent documentary drum and bass artist Roni Size says(Better Living Through Circuitry) When I step behind the tables at a party its more than just playing tracks for a group of people. Its like my goal to take these people to a place they have not been before. To create a mix that is so unique and intense that takes the audience and puts them all into a new place together. Its an art form! As you can see by this statement these DJs take their jobs seriously. Soon DJs started to not only put out many mix cds but also they started producing their own tracks. I think that this was a great breakthrough in this type of music. Over the past few years some of the best electronic albums put out have been by DJs. DJs soon started to go on their own tours, playing venues that rock bands play at. They were not only playing at these v enues but also selling them out at the same time. Perfect evidence of this comes from a book The Ambient Century, Dance music exploded into a phenomenon that seemed to have no end. As the music mutated, new forms were thrown up by the year. Ambient House and Ambient Techno were mind balming responses to

Integrated Marketing Communications-How Brands are Built Essays

Integrated Marketing Communications-How Brands are Built Essays Integrated Marketing Communications-How Brands are Built Essay Integrated Marketing Communications-How Brands are Built Essay How Brands are built Part I. Proposal: General Motors Company History General Motors (GM) is an international automotive company located in Michigan, in the United States of America. The growth of General Motors throughout the 19th century was spurred by the numerous buyouts of Oldsmobile, Cadillac and Pontiac among other firms. The scope of General Motors extends up to 157 countries worldwide with a work force totaling up to about 200, 000 in number(General Motors Company, 2012). Currently, it is the world’s largest automaker in terms of the number of units sold. The Company has its listings on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), where it is listed as (NYSE: GM), and on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), where it is listed as (TSX: GMM). Apart from operations in America, General Motors also has joint ventures with Chinese firms (General Motors Company, 2012). Brand identity and relationships General Motors posses a very strong brand image and a similarly strong brand identity. GMs brand identity before the 2007 restructuring was not focused on competing with other rival technological advancements. The new identity, however, focused on bringing out newer models that are more eco-friendly such as the Chevrolet Cruze. In terms of brand relationship, General Motors have stuck to their logo and marketing images for close to a century (General Motors Company, 2012). This standard has been duplicated worldwide in all its branches. Therefore, GM has maintained a good brand relationship with its customers. The very existence of the same logo since 1908 evokes particular emotions among car owners and potential buyers (General Motors Company, 2012).

How to Use the STDEV.S Function in Excel

How to Use the STDEV.S Function in Excel The standard deviation is a descriptive statistic that tells us about the dispersion- or spread- of a set of data. Just like using many other formulas in statistics, the calculation of a standard deviation is a fairly tedious process to do by hand. Fortunately, statistical software speeds up this calculation considerably. Statistical Software There are many software packages that do statistical calculations, but one of the most readily accessible programs is Microsoft Excel. Although we could use a step-by-step process using the formula for a standard deviation for our calculation, it is possible to complete this calculation using one Excel function. Populations and Samples Before moving on to the specific commands used to calculate a standard deviation, it is important to distinguish between a population and a sample. A population is the set of every individual being studied. A sample is a subset of a population. The difference between these two concepts means the difference in how a standard deviation is calculated. Standard Deviation in Excel To use Excel to determine the sample standard deviation of a set of quantitative data, type these numbers into a group of adjacent cells in a spreadsheet. In an empty cell type what is in the quotation marks STDEV.S(  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹Following this type the location of the cells where the data is and then close the parentheses with ​). This can alternatively be done by use of the following procedure. If our data is located in cells A2 to A10, then (omitting the quotation marks) STDEV.S(A2:A10) will obtain the sample standard deviation of the entries in cells A2 to A10. Rather than typing the location of the cells where our data is located, we can use a different method. This involves typing the first half of the formula STDEV.S(, and clicking on the first cell where the data is located. A colored box will appear around the cell that we have selected. We then drag the mouse until we have selected all of the cells that contain our data. We finish this by closing the parentheses. Cautions There a few cautions that must be made in using Excel for this calculation. We need to make sure that we do not mix up out functions. The Excel formula STDEV.S closely resembles STDEV.P. The former is typically the necessary formula for our calculations, as it is used when our data is a sample from a population. In the event that our data constitutes the entire population being studied, then we would want to use STDEV.P. Another thing that we must be careful about concerns the number of data values. Excel is limited by the number of values that can be entered into the standard deviation function. All of the cells that we use for our calculation must be numerical. We must be sure that error cells and cells with text in them are not entered into the standard deviation formula.

Rhetorical Analysis of an Argument Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Rhetorical Analysis of an Argument - Essay Example n and Yaron Brook) argue that human rights and interests are beyond animal rights, but this argument is totally invalid because human beings and animals have equal right to lead peaceful lives. First of all, the authors label the animal rights activists as terrorists and this proves their bias against activism based upon equality and compassion towards other living things. Alex Epstein and Yaron Brook state that, â€Å"It is common to write off terrorist activity and the vicious statements of animal rights leaders as â€Å"extremist†, while maintaining that majority of people in the animal rights movement have benevolent intentions† (n.pag.). Within this context, the authors depend upon Rational Appeals by pointing out the importance of scientific experimentation as tool for survival. To be specific, the authors attract the readers’ attention towards deadly diseases and declare that the activists are not allowing conducting experiments. Besides, the authors make use of Emotional Appeals to influence the readers. For instance, the authors point out the violence and bloodshed created by the activists, but conceals the grass-root level reasons behind the same. The authors proclaim that, â€Å"Ominously, the crimes against Huntingdon are not isolated incidents; animal rights terrorists commit more than 1,000 crimes annually† (n.pag.). Besides, the authors quote scientific journals to prove their argument. This can be considered as the visible example of manipulation, i.e. the misuse of available information to back-up one’s invalid argument. Similarly, the authors depend upon Ethical Appeals to influence the readers. For instance, the authors serve at The Ayn Rand Institute, and this esteemed status as experts within the field of reasoning is cunningly utilized to influence the readers in general. So, one can see that the authors try to create public opinion against animal rights activism and ignores the business interest behind the tests conducted by Huntingdon

New Keynesian Phillips curve Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

New Keynesian Phillips curve - Essay Example Meanwhile, New Keynesians (characterized by the inclusion of microeconomic foundations in Keynesian theory as an answer to the New Classical School), differs from traditional Keynesians by arguing that in the long run both an active fiscal policy and an expansive monetary policy are neutral and have no effect in aggregate demand, returning to equilibrium. In addition, New Keynesians also believe that an expansive monetary policy, combined with an active fiscal policy, would only lead to inflationary expectations, leading to more problems in the long-run. However, despite these assumptions, New Keynesians still believes that government stabilization, especially through both monetary and fiscal policies, is still beneficial to the economy especially in times of economic shocks, given that wages and prices are sticky. In addition, New Keynesians differ from Traditional Keynesians by arguing that economic agents always act rationally. ... conomic thought, nominal rigidity (referring to the stickiness of wages and prices) is actually a central theme, wherein prices actually fail to change instantaneously with regards to changes in economic conditions, such as changes in aggregate demand. Due to the concept of nominal rigidities, New Keynesian Economists actually argue that in the short-run, government stabilization through monetary policy can be beneficial in decreasing unemployment and increasing output if there is a presence of unexpected negative economic shocks. And it is such rigidities, combined with real rigidities that actually lead to incomplete nominal adjustment. The question that may arise here is that: how come price reacts so slowly to altering economic conditions? There are several models that are formulated by New Keynesian Economists to explain this phenomenon. One of the most popular models is the nominal rigidity models, as expounded by Calvo and Taylor. In the model of Taylor (1980), firms actually change prices according to multi periodic contracts. In this model, the assumption is that such contracts may actually lead to the adjustment of price levels according to economic disturbances. However, in reality, the adjustment of prices comes at a staggered basis, because not all actors in the economy change prices every period; it is this staggered adjustment of prices that results to the slow adjustment of prices and wages in the economy to disturbances. In this case, there are instances wherein aggregate demand is determined after the first prices are set. But, firms who are able to adjust their prices first actually consider other firms who have not yet changed their prices, and results to a situation wherein price setters actually change their prices, although not too far from the

Christian Perspective on Counseling Essay Example for Free

Christian Perspective on Counseling Essay This is a personal theory paper which focuses on the Christian perspective; it involves the integration of faith and scripture into the personal counseling process. It discusses personality structures, individual differences and the motivations that guide and push the human person. Included is a contextual definition of health and the factors that cause illness. They are understood by using psychological techniques in concurrence with Biblical truths. Employing a theological worldview for counseling helps a therapist’s awareness of the innermost complexities of a client and enables them to be an effective guide towards the path of hope and healing. Introduction Counseling is centrally and critically a relationship between people who care (Crabb, 1977). It is essential that a psychotherapist develop a genuine desire for the well-being of a client. This is an ideal arrangement for which a Christian counselor can flourish, because â€Å"Every Christian is called to a ministry of encouraging and helping others (Crabb, 1977)†. Although an atmosphere of caring and encouragement is not limited to Christians it is ideal to integrate psychology and Christian spirituality to most effectively aid clients. Personality Personality structure and components There are many theories involving the structure of the human personality. One is the theory presented by Dr. Ron E. Hawkins (2006a). In this theory, Dr. Hawkins likens each individual to many concentric circles. Every circle is affected by the other circles but every one has its own distinctive characteristics. This structure can best elucidate the complexities that exist inside an individual. The boundaries between circles can help determine the source of each dilemma and each circle provides a different approach to problem-solving. The first circle is the innermost circle of a person and encapsulates the very essence of being human. It is in this most personal circle that the Holy Spirit inhabits within each believer, as supported by the biblical quote â€Å"The kingdom of God is within you† (Luke 17:21). Also included in this circle are the options of free-will and the concept of original sin. The original sin is common to all human beings as maintained by Paul when he writes his letter to the Romans and utters, â€Å"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God† (Romans 3:23). It must be noted that outside of issues involving deliverance, there is not much that can be dealt with in this circle by human intervention. Instead, if a problem really reverberates from this circle it must be surrendered in strong faith to the hands of God. The next circle encloses the soul, feeling, and cognitive aspects of the human being. For most clients looking for counseling, this is the circle that receives the most focus. It is in this circle that emotional and psychological troubles not originating from biological sources resonate. The next circle in this theory of personality makeup is the biological circle. This circle consists of the biological processes and focuses on the wellness of the physical human body. Problems in this circle include chemical imbalance which is the failure to normalize the chemicals in the brain, resulting in problems like obsession, anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia, and insomnia. Problems in this circle are more likely to have physical sources, like physical trauma or abuse. The next circle is another prevailing source of problems dealt with in counseling. The temporal circle, it is the beginning of external focused aspects. In this circle, external environmental structures like society and culture have a significant influence on the individual. Societal values and cultural expectations will always have an impact on personality development. Society, friends, family, and church are examples of the temporal systems that must be dealt with when counseling people. Learning who the client is responsible to and what he is responsible for is essential to developing personal responsibility (Cloud Townsend, 1992). Additionally, the influences of the client’s family system are dealt with in this circle. The Bible supports this, â€Å"fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord† (Ephesians 6:4). Many problems can be rooted from the effects of family and environment The final circle of the human personality structure is the circle of the supernatural. This includes the archetypal epic struggle between good and evil, demons and angels. Despite this concept it is important to keep in mind that â€Å"our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms† (Ephesians 6:12). The Bible states that demonic power is a real and it would be imprudent to disregard its potential. Spiritual forces have a great impact on personality development and it cannot be excluded from the growth process Motivation There are five basic propositions about motivation: [1] human beings are all motivated to seek our needs, [2] motivational energy is channeled through the mind and results in specific behavior, [3] motivated behavior is always directed towards a goal, [4] when a goal is perceived to be impossible a state of disequilibrium exists, and finally, [5] all behavior is motivated and all behavior makes sense (Crabb, 1986). Motivation is a drive toward security and significance, with these thoughts in mind, Dr. Crabb details that the definitive goal of counseling is to â€Å"free people to better worship and serve God by helping them become more like the Lord† (1977). Individual differences In counseling, the level of maturity of each client must be assessed. Individuals are in the process of ‘moving over’ and ‘moving up’, clients differ in as to where they are in the process of dealing with presenting problems in a manner consistent with scripture and developing a Christ-like character (Crabb, 1977). Perhaps the most important reason that accounts for individual differences is that God provided free will to His creation. This free will makes each person unique and not merely a puppet with predetermined actions. Alteration of procedure used in counseling is necessary when dealing with different types of people. Some clients should be approached in a feeling level while others should be led spiritually. Cognitive based personalities are best dealt with on the thinking level and those suffering from physical disabilities are helped first with their tangible needs (Hawkins, 2006). Health A contextual explanation of health All counselors should want their clients to become healthy. According to McMinn (1996), the three factors that determine health are: accurate awareness of self, accurate awareness of needs and involvement in healthy relationships. Basing self-worth on the word of God is an effective strategy; to be able to create a self-image based on the unconditional love of Christ is a helpful direction for people who are injured in the different psychological aspects of their lives. McGee (1992) states, â€Å"changing our beliefs from false beliefs to the truths of God’s Word will assist us in experiencing more appropriate emotions and thereby will change the way we respond†. Helping clients to become more Christ-like in seeking self-worth and happiness is the goal of Christian counseling. A contextual explanation of illness The sources of illness are biological, cognitive, emotional and spiritual. Biological are often the easiest to identify they have physical signs that can be studied. Biological illnesses include physical sickness, chemical imbalances, and traumatic abuse. Typically, biological problems can be treated with medications or removal of the source of problem. For instance, physical trauma caused by an abusive husband involves treatment wherein the first step is to remove the victim from the abusive relationship. The cognitive aspect is the area of focus for most counseling therapies. Many problems that counselors must contend with relate to cognitive disorders, including depression, anxiety, guilt, and fear. The illnesses with a cognitive source are of critical concern as they are often more difficult to treat than biological illnesses. Emotional causes must also be considered. Sandra Wilson’s (2001) mantra of Hurt People Hurt People explains how emotional damage begets more emotional damage. Out of wounded emotions, people repeat the same torture to those they are closest to. Finally, illnesses can also be of a spiritual character. In order to be successful and productive counselors â€Å"we have to learn to distinguish between organic or psychological mental illness and a spiritual battle for the mind,† (Anderson, 2000). Spiritual illnesses stem from sin, a lack of faith, and destructive influences. Anderson (2000) advises, â€Å"Don’t think Satan is no longer interested in manipulating your mind in order to accomplish his purposes. Satan’s perpetual aim is to infiltrate your thoughts with his thoughts and to promote his lie in the face of God’s truth. He knows that if he can control you thoughts, he can control your life† Therapeutic Involvement Techniques, methods The Bible provides excellent guidance in various aspects of life; it is an excellent source for every Christian counselor. Accordingly, â€Å"all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness† (2 Timothy 3:16-17). In a helping relationship, techniques are used to help the client reach the point of change. One approach that Christian counselors should not be without is prayer. Craigie and Tan (as cited in McMinn, 1996) write, â€Å"Indeed, praying with clients that they may be liberated from resistant misbeliefs, that they may be empowered to do the truth, and that they may come into a deeper relationship with the truth can sometimes be a most powerful experience†. The use of scripture in therapy sessions is useful in integrating God’s Truths to a client’s mindset. The use of the technique miracle question is helpful; this is a method of questioning which begins by helping the client imagine a situation wherein, overnight, a miracle happens that solves all their familial problems. The client has to define what differences they would observe to prove that a miracle had taken place. This is vital in making the client realize how vastly improved their relationships will be when the problems are resolved and defines the goal they aim to achieve. The method of Scaling questions is another tool used to rate the client’s current state, with zero/one being the most ideal and ten being the worst, this facilitates the therapist in identifying factors that prevents them from moving up the scale and recognizes what pushes them down. This is helpful in shifting the client’s focus from problems to solutions. The goal of therapy is promoting a high level of self-worth; the therapist must introduce genuineness into the environment by omitting shame from the process. This can be supplemented with compliments and positive encouragement by vocalizing admirable traits; it is a helpful exercise that generates an atmosphere of goodwill more conducive to problem solving. Hawkins (2006b) identifies the first in counseling step as own having an understanding of the real problem. Then, he goes on to reality testing. From there, a plan of action is formulated and the client is occupied with taking tenure to this plan of action and accepting accountability for its conclusion. Lastly, the counselor helps in building support and responsibility into the process of transformation concerning the client. A good cognitive counseling approach is to focus on the inner-voice and truth. The inner-voice is often constructed as a direct result of the temporal and supernatural circles in which an individual develops. In destructive or less-than-ideal relationships, the individual can develop spiteful and untruthful concepts about themselves which are constantly conveyed by the inner-voice. An understanding of truthful reality, often combating the untrue inner-voice, is critical for change. As Dr. Backus and Dr. Chapian explain, â€Å"locating and identifying pain-causing fabrications plus learning the factual reality-based truth† is therapeutic and critical for healing (2000). Expectations in success Counselors can measure success of counseling by evaluating the client’s progress in the accurate awareness of self or needs and by determining if they are participating in healing relationships (McMinn, 1996). McMinn’s affirms that, â€Å"A more careful look suggests that spiritual and psychological health require a confident sense of self, an awareness of human need, and limitations, and confiding interpersonal relationships with God and others† (1996). Real success in psychotherapy is measured by advancement not perfection. Worldview Dimensions Every individual possesses a worldview whether or not they recognize it. For example, the temporal system an individual develops in will have significant impacts on the individual’s worldview. Someone who was raised in a war torn environment with rampant violence and lawlessness will have a different set of moral code than a person is raised in a secure and peaceable community. These worldviews affect the progress in counseling; worldviews differ from person to person and may include science, perception or the Bible. It is imperative for the Christian counselor to have a broad perception of what his/her worldview consists of. The Biblical worldview filters pertinent information through the sieve of God’s Word. Since all issues are not addressed in Scripture, to sift means to see if the issue lines up with God’s Word (Collins, 2001). Uniting psychology, spirituality, and theology encompasses all the components of human behavior necessary to assess functioning (McMinn, 1996). Conclusion The integration of spirituality and theological scriptures to counseling provides a panoramic view of how psychotherapy can progress. The Bible must be used as a reference in choosing ideologies, techniques or processes to integrate in a personal theory. The use of solutions-based therapy, also referred to as solution focused therapy or brief therapy, is a type of talking therapy that is based upon social constructionist philosophy. It includes miracle and scaling questions. It focuses on what clients want to achieve through therapy. The approach focuses on the present and hopes for future, because as Dr. Worthington explains, â€Å"hope provides the motivation to work† (1999). Cognitive therapy can be used most effectively in Christian counseling because the cognitive approach is imperative in changing the client’s self-awareness by challenging negative thoughts and untruths. Cognitive therapy helps unchain the client from unrealistic expectations by perceiving and revising the pointless difficulties they place on themselves. Understanding the components of human personality through the theory of concentric circles is important in developing a complete strategy for helping individuals change. Recognition of an integrated model that considers the scripture of Christian teachings is a potent tool in wrestling against the dysfunction residing in a client’s life. Resources Anderson, N. (2000). The bondage breaker. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers. Backus, William and Chapian, Marie. (2000). Telling yourself the truth. Bloomington, MN: Bethany House Publishers Cloud, H. Townsend, J. (1992). Boundaries: When to say yes when to say no to take control of your life. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Collins, G. (2001). The Biblical basis of Christian counseling for people helpers. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress Publishing Group. Crabb, Larry. (1977). Effective biblical counseling: A model for helping caring Christians become capable counselors. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Hawkins, Ron E. (Speaker). (2006). Model for guiding the counseling process. Lynchburg, VA: Liberty University. Hawkins, R. E. (Producer). (2006b). Grid for tracking process [Motion picture]. (Available from Liberty university, 1971 University Boulevard, Lynchburg, VA 24502) Worthington, Everett L. (1999). Hope-focussed marriage counseling. Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press Greece. McGee, R. (1992). Search for significance: Build your self worth on the forgiveness and unconditional love of Jesus Christ. Nashville, TN: LifeWay Press. McMinn, M. (1996). Psychology, theology and spirituality in Christian counseling. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wilson, S. (2001). Hurt people hurt people: Hope and healing for yourself and your relationships. Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Publishers.

saint Nicolas :: essays research papers

Ceremonial Speech SPS: To praise Saint Nicholas. CIS: We all know who Santa Claus is and Saint Nicholas the man responsible for all the wonderful things we know him for such as: selflessness, unsurpassed generosity, popularity we can all learn and apply his wonderful deeds to our own lives. Introduction: I. I know that all of you have heard of Santa Claus but how many of you actually know the history behind him? Saint Nicholas was the wonderful man that the legend of Santa Claus derived from. II. Saint Nicholas is known by many names such as: Kriss Kringle, Father Christmas, Santa Claus and the patron saint of young people to name a few. III. I would dare to say that most of you in here today do not know the true story behind the legend of Santa Claus but after today you should understand why Saint Nicholas is undoughtably worthy of praise. IV. We all know who Santa Claus is and Saint Nicholas the man responsible for all the wonderful things we know him for such as: selflessness, unsurpassed generosity and popularity we can all learn and apply his wonderful deeds to our own life. {Transition: Now that we know what Saint Nicholas is known as lets look at what made him worthy of praise.} Body I. Saint Nicholas had the most amazing trait of selflessness. A. Saint Nicholas often went out and distributed presents to the poverty stricken people especially children. B. Saint Nicholas wore a disguise so that no one would notice him because he did not want to receive credit for his good deeds. {Transition: In addition too selflessness Saint Nicholas also displayed unbelievable acts of generosity.} II. Saint Nicholas displayed true generosity in the story of the noblemen and his three daughters. A. The noblemen had no money for his daughter’s dowries; and in those days, a daughter with no dowry had little chance of marriage. 1. Saint Nicholas decided to remedy this by throwing a bag of gold through the window. (All About Christmas, pg.26) 2.Saint Nicholas did this again when the second daughter was to be married. (The Christmas Story, pg.43) B. When the third daughter was to be married Saint Nicholas had to crawl up on the roof and throw the gold down the chimney. {Transition: Now let us look at Saint Nicholas’ unique popularity.} III. Saint Nicholas has proven to be one of the most popular and influential people to have ever lived. A. Saint Nicholas was born hundreds and hundreds of years ago but is still popular today.

Problem with recycling

In my class, we started watching a documentary that highlighted recycling and the issues that plastic, chemicals, and the troubles It causes to ocean life. After watching this documentary for a short period of time I was feeling frustrated. I am frustrated that these major Issues are being taken lightly by so many people. As a college student we are preached to about doing our part to save the world by recycling. This documentary was very insightful as I found out that not all plastic can be recycled.Plastic and its products are causing damage to the ocean life because fish are eating the harmful waste. Another issue that was mentioned was how chemicals are dangerous. Many chemicals are not being tested in the united States of America before they are put out for everyone to use so the harm it is causing is affecting a majority of our population. I had vaguely heard about these problems, but I always thought that these people, commonly known as â€Å"tree huggers† were Just goi ng over board and that there really wasn't that much harm being done. The first issue I will address Is the problem with recycling.Like I stated earlier not everything is recyclable. I used to Just throw my plastic bottles In the plastic recycling bal right outside my door but then after watching the documentary, learned that the lids on plastic bottles could not be recycled; arena they plastic too? I wanted to do some research myself on what was and wasn't recyclable but each web site was a little different, so who do I listen to? After comparing one of the web sites to some of my plastics, I realized that most of my plastics had the recycling arrows on them, which I used to think meant that the item was a recyclable item.This made me angry as some of the items are not recyclable which makes me feel likes its false advertisement and a way to make a sell. I tried recycling more than usual to do my part in saving the world and took the bottle caps off of every bottle I threw away. I might not be recycling everything properly, but some of It Is recyclable and It makes me feel good knowing I am doing my part In making a difference. The next Issue that bothers me was the dangers plastic has brought to the ocean.Multiple pieces are being Injured because of the garbage (Including plastic) In the ocean. In the Great Pacific, there are patches of plastic waste, along with other garbage, where the sun is breaking the waste down into tiny pieces and the fish are mistaking it for food. After the fish eats the biodegradable plastic, they can not digest it and often die. The fish food to plastic ratio used to be 1:6 in favor of the plastic; now the ratio is 40:1 in favor of the plastic. This issue has had a negative impact on the marine animals.In Nebraska, we do not live by an ocean where I could easily organize or alp another group with a clean up day, so instead I decided I would pick up any trash I saw on the ground and continue to recycle any of the items I thought we re recyclable. A lot of these plastic items are free, I feel If they charged for these Items three would not be as many and would be less likely to end up in the ocean! Once again I worked hard doing my part this week and felt Like I had made a small Impact In helping save ocean life, but a small Impact Is better than no Impact! The third and final issue I will address is the chemical problem.I did not know that several omen forces an issue if a problem arises. It is like chemicals are all innocent and create no harm until they are proven guilty. I felt terrible for EJB knowing his new child's toys contained chemicals that had never been tested. What would happen if the child had a reaction to these chemicals and something caused him serious harm? Sometimes the affects chemicals have can be irreversible and could cause the child to have permanent damage and in such cases parents must deal with these problems when they show side effects of the chemicals causing damage to them.For thi s issue, I talked about it with my friends to inform others of how chemical testing is obsolete and Just used when it causes a problem with someone. If we could be an advocate for chemical testing and get the word out to the public and have some of them lobby for our congressman to set laws for items to be tested for chemicals to ensure the publics safety. Once again, I feel this does not create a large impact on the harm plastic and chemicals are causing but it is a start to making our world a happier and healthier place to live.

Is Addiction a Brain Disease? Essay

Addiction, it is all around us, affecting people from all walks of life, it is not limited to certain social classes or lifestyles. It is found in every ethnic group, regardless of gender or age. It affects our neighbors, our friends, and our family either directly or indirectly. Although substances such as alcohol and illegal drugs are two of the most common addictions we hear about, there is a wide range of substances and even activities such as gambling and shopping. There is some debate whether addiction is a brain disease or a choice. This controversy has been going on for years and a decision whether or not addiction is a brain disease has yet to be reached. According to a publication Is Addiction a Brain Disease? (1998) , by two psychiatrists, Sally Satel, M.D., and Frederick K. Goodwin, M.D., both argue â€Å"the virtues of thinking about addiction as a primary, though modifiable, behavioral phenomenon, rather than simply as a brain disease†. That is, addiction is a function of a person, rather than simply a physical state† (Satel, Goodwin, 1998, p. 3). According to a publication by the National Institution of Drug Abuse (NIDA, 2007), â€Å"addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences as well as neurochemical and molecular changes in the brain† (NIDA, 2007). For the purpose of this paper the focus will be on the substance of drugs of abuse when discussing ‘addiction’, but before getting into the two controversial sides another definition we can look at outside of these two opinions is taken from textbook, Psychology 10th Ed, by David G. Myers: â€Å"Addiction is a compulsive drug craving and use, despite adverse consequences† (Myers, 113). PRO: Drug Addiction is a Brain Disease. The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains that addiction is a brain disease. The initial decision to take drugs is a person’s voluntary choice. However, once a person takes that drug of abuse it can effect â€Å"the pleasurable area of the brain† (NIDA, 2007), in which, addiction takes over the person’s capability of self control, which can result in harmful actions. Thus, when a person uses drugs over a long period of time the brain structure and the way it operates changes resulting in harmful effects and actions. Addiction is tied to changes in brain structure and function, basically making it a brain disease. Furthermore, all drugs of abuse have common affects one way or another within the brain, which activates â€Å"the pleasurable area of the brain† (NIDA, 2007). Drugs of abuse reward our normal actions, therefore, if the brain gets a lot of stimulation it produces pleasant feelings, which drives a person to continually use drugs over and over. NIDA also points out that from science research â€Å"brain-imaging studies from drug-addicted individuals have shown physical changes in areas of the brain that are critical for judgment, decision making, learning and memory, and behavior control† (NIDA, 2007) which indicates that once those areas of the brain are disturbed so is a person’s capability of freely choosing not to take drugs, leading to negative actions. Additionally, science research shows that these changes alter the way the brain functions, which may explain the uncontrollable and negative actions of a person. Furthermore, according to NIDA addiction can be treated and managed successfully since it is a chronic disease and research has shown that combining behavioral therapy with medications is the best way to ensure success for most patients with this chronic disease indicating that it is a treatable and manageable similar to other brain diseases. CON: Addiction is not a Brain Disease. According to a publication retrieved from Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC) â€Å"Is Addiction a Brain Disease?† two psychiatrists, Sally Satel, M.D., and Frederick K. Goodwin, M.D., they do not agree with NIDA’s claim that â€Å"addiction† means compulsive drug-taking driven by drug-induced brain changes. They believe â€Å"addiction is a function of a person rather than simply a physical state and a person is in voluntary control of their decision and actions† (Satel, Goodwin 3). If a person can make the choice to take drugs then they can also make the choice to stop taking drugs, especially during those times in between when they are not taking drugs. For a person to voluntarily continue taking drugs of their own accord then they should be held accountable for their addictive behavior and not use brain disease as an excuse. Further, circumstances such as economical, health, or personal issues resulting in a person’s choice to take drugs ironically can be the same reasons for them to either change their pattern, stop taking drugs, or get help versus the unavoidable, involuntary effect of a diseased brain. Additionally, those that choose to continue being addicted over a long period of time illustrates that by making that choice they are not helpless compared to a person who has a chronic disease. â€Å"Rather than being the inevitable, involuntary product of a diseased brain, these actions represent the essence of voluntariness. The addict’s behavior can be modified by knowledge of the consequences. Involuntary behavior cannot (Satel, Goodwin, 1998, pg. 5). As a result of that knowledge the addicted person is in control and can take be in charge of their actions to change the cycle and make a deliberate effort to change. My Position: My position is optimistic on the subject Is Addiction a Brain Disease? Addiction is a primary, progressive, and chronic disease of the brain, which creates physical, emotional, and spiritual impairments. I have seen this disease affect people close to me and can only have hope that someday there will be a treatment. First hand, I have seen three families, with different backgrounds, affected by addiction. Two lost a loved one to the overdose of drugs and the other is struggling along with their loved one, who is addicted, to defeat it. One mother wanted to know how this could have happened to her son, how he could lose control of his life and eventually lost the battle of addiction. I do not believe that a person voluntarily WANTS to be addicted, or that they even realize what addiction truly is prior to becoming addicted. However, I do agree with both sides that a person does voluntarily make the choice to take a drug of abuse. But have given more thought into it about why a person can’t just stop taking the drug when they know it is harmful and changes their behavior. My conclusion is that addiction is caused by drugs that are induced with one or more certain types of chemicals that travel through the brain and have an effect on the area of the brain where we feel pleasure and joyful feelings. Also, some people are more susceptible than others to becoming addicted to drugs of abuse than others because their brain reacts differently to the chemical(s) in a drug. Furthermore, addiction has signs and symptoms and a predictable progression and it is apparent that the characteristics of the disease and the approaches to treatment is not any different from other chronic brain diseases. Addiction is a brain disease since its causes are complex but its results are clear. I’m in agreement with NIDA that an 6 addicting substance changes the way the brain works over a long period of time, which leads to the activities of what we recognize as addiction and like most other brain diseases, addiction can be treated. Although treatment can be long and diff icult and there are often relapses, it can be successful if people acknowledge it as such and treat it accordingly. Multicultural Application Addiction affects, if not to all, most countries and cultures. According to the annual report of the UN International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), the estimated number of drug abusers worldwide in 2009 was between 172 million and 250 million people. Varying by different narcotics, the 2007 report national rates range from 0.8% to 11% overall with the highest rates in Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom and the lowest rates recorded in Romania, Malta, followed by Bulgaria, Greece and Sweden (INCB, 2007, pg. 98). Although we come from different cultures, most of the world shares common diseases and since most countries are affected by addiction the sharing of awareness, knowledge, and research information between cultures could have a huge positive impact on the world. Critical Literacy NIDA’s position of â€Å"Yes, Addiction is a brain disease† is based on their commitment of continued studies and research into drugs of abuse, addiction, backing up their argument that addiction is within the brain not the individual. Satel and Goodwood’s position of â€Å"No, Addiction is not a Brain Disease† is based on their conclusion, according to their research into other’s researches and their knowledge in the positions they hold as psychiatrists that addiction is an individual’s choice not a disease within the brain. Both are able to support their claims by information provided through research. Civic Literacy Besides the known fact that millions of people around the world are directly or indirectly affected by addiction, it has a huge impact on our society. Not only with the economical costs involved for medical and healthcare, there is the cost of crime as a result of consequences from addiction, loss of productivity in the workforce, and many deaths that result from complications of addiction and overdose. By being aware and informed of addiction, citizens can be supportive and helpful to those battling addiction and help prevent others from getting the disease. They can also help by being understanding and supportive to those who are addicted and encourage them get the treatment they need to battle it. Another way to lend a hand is citizens can get involved within their community and promote physical and social activities for all age groups. Citizens can make a difference just by starting somewhere instead of doing nothing and thinking â€Å"oh that’s their problem† or â€Å"it will never affect me† or worse â€Å"it is their fault they are addicted†. It is happening, it can happen to anyone directly or indirectly, and it isn’t anyone’s fault. We need stricter laws on drug making and trafficking to help our society, otherwise we will become an addictive society. Our leaders can invest in continued and advanced scientific research for prevention and treatment. Values Literacy Clearly with as much research as there has been on this topic there is a huge interest and concern of what is happening in our society. By upholding moral values we can consider others opinions with an open mind on topics such as this knowing that while we carry our own values, we must encourage those values as a society to help combat addiction and by being open to the opinions of others we can all come together to battle this disease. With NIDA’s investment into research and treatment it shows they have a special interest and concern on the value of life and  our society. It appears the opposing side would rather dispute the issue and disregard it as a disease, but rather the behavior of a person. Scientific Literacy NIDA is known as being one of the largest supporter’s of the world’s research on drug abuse and addiction. Government funds are used for scientific research by tracking emerging drug use trends, understanding how drugs work in the brain and body, developing and testing new drug treatment and prevention approaches, and disseminating findings to the general public and special populations (NIDA, 2007). They claim that the Science of Addiction has evidence backing up their argument that addiction is a disease of the brain. Psychiatrists Satel and Goodwin, claim that based off biological studies and scientific findings there are not sufficient facts to back up NIDA’s claim that addiction is a brain disease, supporting their argument that addiction is not a brain disease. Conclusion After completing my research, it was not a surprise to find there are differences of opinion on this topic and understandably so. This research and my experience of having observed the affects of addiction first hand have not only driven my passion to understand addiction and the brain, but strengthen my position that addiction is a brain disease. By keeping an open mind allows me to learn and recognize the views of others. Addiction is a common disease we all share directly or indirectly, it is an International problem. The more people know and understand addiction the chances they will be open to looking at it differently. Knowledge and understanding are two biggest parts of moving forward in taking this disease more seriously. It does no good to blame the abuser My hope is that people will look at addiction and take it more seriously if it is considered a brain disease and put more time and money into further research to find out what is actually causing the addiction in the brain and why some people are more susceptible than others. One may lean more toward the idea of addicts choosing to be addicts and that they have complete control over their actions; however, if the addict chooses a path to moderation, they face medical complications associated with withdrawal. The physical effects of withdrawal can become severe enough to cause death and require medical treatment, thus suggesting addiction is a form of disease. No matter what side you choose on this debate, you should expect to run across supportive evidence of the alternate side while arguing your point. It is a choice to try a substance, but it is not a choice to become addicted. Although this brain disease does not remove an addict from their responsibility for their behavior it does explain why many addicts cannot stop using drugs by strength alone. References 1. Satel, S., & Goodwin, F.K. (1998). Is Drug Addiction a Brain Disease?, (9th edition). Upper Saddle River, N.J. Pearson Prentice Hall. Retrieved from http://www.eppc.org/publications/bookID.19,filterID./book_detail.asp 2. National Institute of Drug Abuse. (2007). Is Drug Addiction a Disease? Unknown. Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/topics-in-brief/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction 3. Myers, D.G. (2011).Psychology. (10th edition). New York: Worth Publishers 4. International Narcotics Control Boars (2011). Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2011 Unknown. Retrieved from http://www.incb.org/incb/en/publications/annual-reports/annual-report-2011.html

6 Horrible Risks of Study Drugs

6 Horrible Risks of Study Drugs In this article we’re going to quickly go through the risks of taking study drugs, or smart drugs, to try and get ahead in college or pull through those all-nighter study sessions. We’re going to cover all 6 bases that you should be informed on as a student who is at least considering it. I mean, why else would you read this? By the time you’re done you’ll know the risks. Let’s begin. 1. Ummm†¦You’ll Get Addicted! This is a risk from a few different angles. Let’s say someone decided to â€Å"help themselves study† by using some type of drug†¦that typically includes methamphetamines. Okay, what if that first time or two it does help them study and their grades go up? That’s the worst thing that could happen because then they’ll be under the mistaken impression it can be sustained. â€Å"I can control it† they begin to tell themselves. Yet what they don’t know is these drugs are as addictive as cocaine. Pretty soon they start believing they can’t study without it. Then of course have to take into account the physical addiction. Some are much more addictive than others. Regardless, do you really want to get addicted to this drug? Is that a wise productive decision? No. 2. You’ll Completely Crash Burn It might work a couple times or for a little while without causing much trouble if you’re lucky. But sooner rather than later you’ll crash and burn. The wakeup call will be that first big bombed test. The first time the professor brings you into their office to talk about your sudden disappearance from class or the fact you’re falling asleep during lectures. No one, literally no one, can take these drugs over the long haul and expect to maintain a good GPA. Make no mistake, the vast majority of students abuse these drugs. If you have even a slight addictive personality you’re in for trouble. 3. You’ll Get a Bad Rep What happens when people in class start believing you’re on drugs all the time? What if you get the rep of a drug user? What if you get caught with them (we’ll touch on this more in a moment)? At first it might sound â€Å"cool† to take them to study, but pay close attention to those that are now tricking themselves into believing they need it to study. How are they perceived by the people around them? What sort of crowd do they run with? Ask yourself if this is really what you’re all about and think again. 4. You’ll Get Arrested It’s a federal crime dude. And, make no mistake, your university and the law enforcement where you are will take it seriously. Having pills without prescription is a big no no these days due to the mind-boggling amount of overdoses and deaths that are happening. Don’t get this on your record. It’s not worth it. Don’t get caught up in the jail system or have to call home to explain to your parents why you’ve been kicked out altogether or temporarily from classes (and you’ll lose any and all scholarship money probably). 5. The Potential Side Effects Suck Here’s a quote about student life and the types of smart drug side effects students can look forward to if they get involved in this sort of thing: â€Å"Anxiety, depression, dependency, extreme anxiety levels, nervous breakdowns, sleep disorders, suicidal thoughts, psychosis nervousness, jitters, stomach problems, headaches, sleeplessness and a decrease in appetite.† (Elizabeth Hoyt) Are you willing to risk all that nonsense just to try and inch your GPA up without doing it the old school way? Is it really that hard to just crack open the books and study? How about join a study group? Honestly, no educational goal is worth ruining your life over. That’s a bit too oxymoron. 6. You’ll Go Completely Insane No joke. Maybe not clinically insane where you need to wear a straightjacket all day, but you won’t be your normal self. You’ll be sleep deprived, anxious paranoid or possibly incarnated in jail around some real odd characters. What’s the point? No, it’s not normal to abuse drugs in college. It’s not. Maybe it is among the packs of students with low GPAs who are really just there to avoid the real world, but not the serious students. It’s completely abnormal and leads to completely abnormal behavior. This is a serious subject so we would love to get your input. What’s the atmosphere around smart drugs like at your school and what do you think of them and the risks of usage?

Free sample - Why I want to be a Doctor. translation missing

Why I want to be a Doctor. Why I want to be a DoctorBecoming a successful doctor and touching on the lives of many people seems to be my main objective in life. The drive towards this course in life is derived from a number of factors that are worth mentioning at this point. First, my past experience as a child spells clearly on the reasons why I want to become a doctor with specialization in gynecology. The passion for helping other people started early in life when I was still a child. Playing as a doctor was my favorite during those early childhood pleasures and I always enjoyed handling my play patients who were friends, animals and dolls with a lot of love and tenderness. I was also good in handling pregnant women and babies because they seemed to be very delicate and deserving a lot of care. I always had a strong feeling that I could heel my patients because I understood what they were going through. Naturally I  Ã‚   have a liking for life on earth be it for animals or humans; and I would do anything to protect it. I believe that I can make important contributions towards improving the health and medical services of other people in the society. Secondly my personal experiences have also provided impetus in my desire to pursue a medical profession. My own blood brother suffered severe migraines that really affected his early life. He was forced to spend weeks in a darkened room and almost gave up with education. This particular experience really broke my heart as I just wished to bring him back to his normal life. Personal touch with babies in hospitals during medical tours and other events have really influenced my attitude towards sick babies. I have had a baby cousin who suffered from neuroblastoma cancer during infantry and it really broke my heart. The problem started as a lump in her spine that was later diagnosed as a cancer. The cancer culminated into a paralysis on the lower waist. The paralysis had a great impact on her   as evidenced by the walking difficulties she encountered later on. The picture of her on the hospital bed with artificial tubes touched my life and triggered my passion to assist such cases. At local and national hospitals I have participated in future Doctor programs. The tours in these facilities have provided hand-on experience with operations and equipments that have shaped my curiosity to learn more. Successful Doctors have also encouraged me to follow the medical path in the course of our interactions in the hospitals. A terrible first encounter as an ob/gyn has always motivated me into making a difference in the medical profession. This particularly concerns Doctors who had weak skills and showed no empathy to patients. In light of this unfortunate incidence, I have vowed to be different and make good connections with people in the course of helping to address their medical challenges. In my professional career I have a desire to bring significant changes in the provision of medicare for pregnant women and babies. As already indicated these people are delicate and deserve the best care. Reducing mortality rates of infants in my country would be part of my strategy in my medical profession. Cases of negligence and lack of empathy amongst some doctors have really disheartened me and I am really determined to be more caring compassionate in bringing great care to mothers and babies. I have a strong conviction that such an accomplishment would bring meaning not only to me but to other people in the society. By recognizing the innocence in babies and participating in welcoming them to the world I would make important contributions to our future generations. Skills and knowledge acquired in the course of studying medicine would eventually trickle down to the entire society with the practice of the profession in various health facilities. Given the opportunity I would put in all my efforts and leave a legacy that would remain in the minds of many for the rest of their lives. Finally it is important to re affirm that I have a strong calling to pursue this cause so as to help other people and bring change in the society in terms of infant and maternity care. This dream can only be actualized if I am granted the opportunity to study for the course in your institution.

How has inflation adversely affected social security Term Paper

How has inflation adversely affected social security - Term Paper Example The fund raising mechanism of Social Security makes it a ‘pay-as-you-go’ system and can be termed as advance-funded. In simple words, funds to this program are contributed by the people who are presently working and are utilized for the benefit of the retirees. Ohlemacher (2010) states that Social Security is funded by a 6.2 percent payroll tax, paid by workers as well as employers. The Social Security corpus is being constantly used and is being replenished at the same time. Since inception, the Social Security program has done exceedingly well and has helped the country tide over many difficult situations. Till date, it remains one of the most successful and most popular programs in the United States which has touched the lives of millions of Americans. Vernon (2011) reveals that as of January 1, 2011, the Social Security trust fund stood at $2.6 trillion. At the end of 2010, close to 54 million people were beneficiaries of this program, while another 157 million peopl e had earnings covered by Social Security and paid payroll taxes. The outflow (expenditures) of the scheme stood at $713 billion while the total inflow (income) was $781 billion in 2010. Of this $664 billion was non-interest income while $117 billion was generated by way of interest. Inflation and Cost of Living Allowances There have been annual increases in Social Security benefits which try and counterbalance the adverse effects of inflation on fixed benefits. This indexing of Social Security benefits for inflation is of monumental importance because the absence of such indexing would result in the erosion of the purchasing power of the beneficiaries. Prices tend to rise over time and increase the cost of living. In such a scenario the beneficiaries would be able to purchase fewer goods and services unless the benefits rise in line with inflation. Known as Cost of Living Allowances (COLAs), these increases in Social Security benefits, based on the annual increase in consumer price s, have become an automatic annual feature of the program beginning 1975. Prior to that, such increases were accorded to the beneficiaries only when the Congress enacted a special legislation. The COLA adjustment is based on the change in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Work ­ers (CPI-W) over the last year. In periods of deflation where the CPI-W does not increase, no COLAs are announced. Change in Formula Recent reform proposals have called for changes in Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) formula. It has been proposed that a new ‘chained CPI’ be used instead of ‘CPI-W’ that is being used at present. The chained CPI would take into account ‘substitution purchases’ that consumers make to avoid high prices. Estimates reveal that the beneficiaries of Social Security would have to contend with smaller increases under the modified, chained CPI. Estimates reveal that the revised formula would res ult in a retiree receiving $560 less as benefits per year in the first decade. This loss in benefits would reach $984 in two decades from now. There is a section of the society that avers that the government should adopt an elderly-specific