The Short Story ATM - The Writers For Hire

THE SHORT STORY ATM Gone are the days when it was common for Americans to sit around and read for pleasure. Whether it can be attributed to our busier lifestyles or our lack of attention spans, it is estimated that Americans only read for pleasure an average of 17 minutes each day. In fact, the percentage of Americans who read for pleasure on any given day continues to decline, bringing us to an all-time low. In an effort to improve these statistics and to promote literacy, public libraries throughout the country (and the world) are coming to the rescue with ATM-like machines that dispense short stories. According to this great story from CBS News,   with just the press of a button, users can receive a free short story that takes either one, three, or five minutes to read. The stories, which vary in genre and style, are printed on environmentally friendly paper, using biodegradable ink. And although there are currently only 35 short-story dispensers in North America, and 180 worldwide, those numbers are starting to grow. This is great news for writers, too!

10 Radon Facts (Rn or Atomic Number 86)

10 Radon Facts (Rn or Atomic Number 86) Radon is a natural radioactive element with the element symbol Rn and atomic number 86. Here are 10 radon facts. Knowing them could even save your life. Fast Facts: Radon Element Name: RadonElement Symbol: RnAtomic Number: 86Element Group: Group 18 (Noble Gas)Period: Period 6Appearance: Colorless Gas Radon is a colorless, odorless, and flavorless gas at ordinary temperature and pressure. Radon is radioactive and decays into other radioactive and toxic elements. Radon occurs in nature as the decay product of uranium, radium, thorium, and other radioactive elements. There are 33 known isotopes of radon. Rn-226 is the most common of these. It is an alpha emitter with a half-life of 1601 years. None of the isotopes of radon are stable.Radon is present in the Earths crust at an abundance of  4 x10-13  milligrams per kilogram. It is always present outdoors and in drinking water from natural sources, but at a low level in open areas. Its mainly a problem in enclosed spaces, such as indoors or in a mine.The US EPA estimates the average indoor radon concentration is 1.3 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Its estimated approximately 1 in 15 homes in the US has high radon, which is 4.0 pCi/L or higher. High radon levels been found in every state of the United States. Radon comes from the soi l, water, and water supply. Some building materials also release radon, such as concrete, granite countertops, and wall boards. Its a myth that only older homes or ones of a certain design are susceptible to high radon levels, as the concentration depends on many factors. Because it is heavy, the gas does tend to accumulate in low-lying areas. Radon test kits can detect high levels of radon, which can generally be mitigated fairly easily and inexpensively once the threat is known. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer overall (after smoking) and the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Some studies link radon exposure to childhood leukemia. The element emits alpha particles, which are not able to penetrate skin, but can react with cells when the element is inhaled. Because it is monatomic, radon is able to penetrate most materials and disperses readily from its source.Some studies indicate children are at higher risk from radon exposure than adults, probably because they have more rapidly dividing cells, so genetic damage is more serious. Also, children have a higher metabolic rate.The element radon has gone by other names. It was one of the first radioactive elements that was discovered. Fredrich E. Dorn described radon gas in 1900. He called it radium emanation because the gas came from the radium sample he was studying. William Ramsay and Robert Gray first isolated radon in 1908. They named the element niton. In 1923, the name changed to radon, after radium, one of its sources and the element involved in its discovery. Radon is a noble gas, which means it has a stable outer electron shell. For this reason, radon does not readily form chemical compounds. The element is considered chemical inert and monatomic. However, it has been known to react with fluorine to form a fluoride. Radon clathrates are also known. Radon is one of the densest gases and is the heaviest. Radon is 9 times heavier than air.Although gaseous radon is invisible, when the element is cooled below its freezing point (−96  °F or −71  °C), it emits bright luminescence that changes from yellow to orange-red as the temperature is lowered.There are some practical uses of radon. At one time, the gas was used for radiotherapy cancer treatment. It used to be used in spas, when people thought it might confer medical benefits. The gas is present in some natural spas, such as the hot springs around Hot Springs, Arkansas. Now, radon is mainly used as a radioactive label to study surface chemical reactions and to initiate react ions.While radon is not considered a commercial product, it may be produced by isolating gases off of a radium salt. The gas mixture can then be sparked to combine hydrogen and oxygen, removing them as water. Carbon dioxide is removed by adsorption. Then, radon may be isolated from nitrogen by freezing out the radon. Sources Haynes, William M., ed. (2011). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (92nd ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. p. 4.122. ISBN 1439855110Kusky, Timothy M. (2003). Geological Hazards: A Sourcebook. Greenwood Press. pp. 236–239. ISBN 9781573564694.

How to Get Hired in a Bad Job Market

How to Get Hired in a Bad Job Market You feel stuck in your field. No one is hiring and you’re desperate for work. But don’t aimlessly apply to any available job you find. Follow the steps below to focus your search and eventually land in a career that will make you happy. Step 1: Determine Your PassionsBut before you consider a wholesale career switch, the first step is to figure out exactly what you’re passionate about- and what you can and cannot tolerate doing. For example, if you faint at the sight of blood, you probably shouldn’t switch to nursing from hospital administration. Once you’ve done this, you’ll be ready to make some informed decisions. Remember: a bad job market can change in a year or two- a career is a long-term commitment.Step 2: Work HarderThere are jobs out there and you can get them, but you’ll have to be ferocious. That means tracking down every lead, getting your resume in front of every connection, and doing your homework- in an economy like thi s, you can’t expect anyone to just hand you a fabulous opportunity. And if your only option is a job you would consider beneath your level, consider taking it, learning something, and using it as a jumping off point to your next job (once the market loosens up a bit).Step 3: LearnAsk people you respect who have jobs you admire to let you pick their brain about career prospects and how they got where they are. Do your research. Scour the internet. Bone up on all the latest in your field, plus adjacent fields. That way, whatever comes up, you’ll be ready.You can also consider specializing, particularly in something challenging or unique. That will make you an instantly hirable asset should you find a company in need, and it will also keep you fresh. Get as much extra education as you can, particularly in things that interest you the most. That will never be time wasted.Above all, follow your heart. Keep your head down, work hard, do a bit of soul-searching and preparatio n, and eventually you’ll find the right job- no matter the market.

Jhonsan&jhonsan case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Jhonsan&jhonsan - Case Study Example Johnson & Johnson has used the diversification strategy for international expansion and gaining more competitive advantage in the market. It has developed over 200 companies across the globe and deployed 120,000 employees in these companies (Award, 2010). The corporate strategy aims at improving the Johnson & Johnson’s structure through proper organizational design. The design has led to the formulation of a decentralized divisional structure which has encouraged the proper flow of information. It has also enhanced working relationships between activities and functional department. Furthermore, the decentralized divisional structure has allowed different stakeholders with different skills to bring together different technologies and products. This has led to satisfying the unmet needs of customers (Award, 2010). Synergy has assisted the Johnson & Johnson to acquire sustainable competitive advantage. The CEO Weldon has come up with a decentralized divisional structure to foster synergy. He has used the structure in assessing external environment to identify a number of forces. The first one is demographic that determine how population growth have affected demand of Johnson & Johnson’s products not only across New Brunswick, USA, and New Jersey but also in 60 countries in the globe. The second one is socio-cultural factor that examine social issues such as poverty that affect the purchasing power of Johnson & Johnson’s products by the people in the globe (Award, 2010). The third one is technological factor which determines the available healthcare technology such as Cougar Biotechnology and breast implant maker. The next factor is political which examines the requirement that local and national authorities expect Johnson & Johnson to meet in supplying and handling health care products. The last one is economic factors that reveal how currency fluctuates and how it may affect the costs of

Business event Operation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Business event Operation - Essay Example The event seeks to deliver an understanding to the customer segments that the newly-developed vodka emanates from the company’s devotion that compelled its staff to embark on a two-year research and development to produce the sophisticated wine with a 100% wheat ingredients (Coulter 2010, p. 5). In order to reach the target consumer groups, the observation has been that the Cavendish London hotel’s eco-friendly practices will match the firm’s need to provoke the understanding that the company is indeed devoted into emulating sustainable measures in every aspect that it will relate to during its endeavours. The choice of holding the event at the Cavendish London matches the marketing and consumer attraction needs since the target high-end clientele will perceive the important aspects outlined in the product and conceive the reality of the attributes since the acceptance of the product’s launch at the hotel will emanate from the evaluations undertaken by the venue’s management to identify the products eco-friendly aspects (Van der Aalst, 2008, p. 190). The four star hotel is located at the city’s commercial centre and its provision of environmentally friendly attributes relate to the newly developed vodka’s sustainability measures and consumption patterns in the target consumer markets (Corrà   2010, p. 2). The emphases that the venue is an appropriate platform emanate from the provision of large conference rooms that can comfortably accommodate the estimated 100 number of guests. Further, the Cavendish management will provide the required dining and enterta inment room, and following the consultations made, the Big Ben Conferencing room and the immediate rooms will be allocated to suit the event’s needs. The two parties have agreed to enter into a mutual agreement in hosting the new vodka launching event. The Cavendish London and the Maitre de Chai profess similar sustainable measures despite their

Historically speaking Essay Example for Free

Historically speaking Essay Globalization is one of the most recent phenomenons ever to strike humanity upon its entrance to the 21st century. Historically speaking, globalization itself has been around for decades long before it was conceived as a field of study of international trade. Some economists and historians contend that the concepts of globalization have been prevalent even during time when the Silk Road started in China up to the Roman Empire. Some, however, argue that globalization began during the 19th century; when the prevalence of the Industrial Age was at its fastest and that trade between Europe, their colonies and the Americas were growing steadily. Major advances in technology, especially during the 20th century, eventually led countries to lower trading costs; hence, highlighting the inevitability of the expansion of trade within the International Community. Still, globalization, as a term, was never used by economists; at least not until the early 1980’s. Furthermore, all its concepts and ideas were never really fully understood by the academic community until the early 1990’s. Fortunately, after seven years into the 21st century, much of the world is already aware of its contexts and aspects – from outsourcing to currency trading via wireless applications. Still, despite our knowledge of globalization, we cannot deny the fact that we know less about its implications for the future. Globalization, as a field of study, is a volatile subject that, even with the assistance of factual data and information, is almost ultimately unpredictable. Despite the existence of a myriad of books, journals and articles pertaining to the topic of Globalization, we cannot deny that we have yet to fully understand its future trends. Indeed, a major advancement brought by sophisticated technology can ultimately change, once again, the face of the International Community; thus, affecting international trade and ultimately affecting the â€Å"globalization† of the world. On a further note, third world countries that would eventually become first world countries in the future may end up shifting the international balance of trade and commerce for first world countries. As such, it is very tempting to imagine what the International Community would be like if, for some infinitesimal chance, the African Continent booms like Asia. If such an event occurs, will globalization be the cause for it? Alternatively, will globalization even allow such an event to occur? People who are against the advancements of globalization argue that globalization only benefits the rich north and detriments the poor south. This is evident from the fact that countries in the northern hemisphere tend to play in a neo-imperialist fashion among the countries in the southern hemisphere. Anti-globalization movements insist that the prevalence of globalization only means the prevalence of multinational corporations (MNC’s). They contend that these corporations, while providing employment for the local population, only encourage more poverty in the country. Multinational corporations, upon entering a country, immediately eliminates local competitors; thus, destroying the balance of power between local and foreign. As such, the country becomes subject to the influence of foreign countries that originally holds these multinational corporations. This automatically becomes a sort of leverage for foreign countries (which are, most of the time, rich countries coming from the north) against the country holding their MNC’s. On the other hand, people that are for the advancements of globalization argues that free trade – the main tool of globalization – encourages more growth for developing economies compared to protectionism. Primarily, globalization allows several countries access to several goods and services that they could never produce or emulate from other countries. Furthermore, they contend that globalization encourages competition among local and foreign businesses. Though unfair at times, supporters of globalization claim that encouraging competition allows small businesses to grow, to become more efficient and to become more versatile. The arguments of both sides are truly credible. Indeed, globalization, as a concept, is considered by many as a double-edged sword – though benefiting the user, it can, if careless enough, harm him/her as well. Globalization has many facets. As such, it has many implications – some we are aware of and some aren’t. But according to one scholar, Thomas Friedman, globalization has one important implication that has been very prevalent over the past couple of years but has only recently gained attention. In 2005, Thomas Friedman – a columnist of Foreign Affairs and the New York Times – published a book entitled The World is Flat. According to Mr. Friedman, the world is becoming smaller and that the competition between countries in different parts of the world is becoming or â€Å"being leveled†. One example that he noted was that the economies of India and China, two emerging economic superpowers in the eastern hemisphere, are now becoming so becoming so advanced that they can now compete with the economic powerhouses of the west. He further claimed that, ironically, much of the west, most especially the Americans, weren’t ready for such events unfolding. Indeed, the unexpected booms of India and China have made the Asian continent an attractive place for foreign investment. Another important point is that both countries’ huge populations have played a vital role in the labor market – both in manual labor (i. e. manufacturing) and professional labor (i. e. information technology). Not only do these two countries outshine the United States in terms of cheap labor, but they also outdo the American population in terms of efficiency and productivity. Simply said, employers are getting the same level of productivity and efficiency from both Chinese and Indian workers, but at a lower cost. This, according to scholars, has proved very detrimental to Americans. Not only does this threaten the employment of future American workers, but it also threatens the economy of the United States on the long run. As such, how can one defend himself from such negative advancements to one’s own country? On a more general level, how can the populace protect itself from such a deadly competition? As an American Citizen and as a soon-to-be professional entering the world of competitive employment, I can indeed come up with several answers to that question. First, as a country, the United States must make huge investments on education. Improving the workforce of the country is imperative if we are to face foreign competition. One important thing that we can put into consideration is the introduction of language classes in our academic system. Learning the language of foreign countries can surely make our general workforce a seemingly good investment for foreign companies. Yet another note is the introduction of new laws which will, in some way, discourage young students from dropping out of school. An example of these laws is the prohibition of issuing driver’s licenses to adolescents who have dropped out of school for no particular reason. By doing so, the general workforce of the country will remain efficient and highly educated. Despite the rapid growths of China and India, it cannot be denied that much of their population remains below the poverty line. As such, this problem becomes a drain on their economy (for the simple reason that the government has to continuously spend huge sums of money on anti-poverty programs and such). Ironically, this could play both a huge disadvantage and an advantage at the same time for the United States. For one, since people live in very poor conditions, corporations can take advantage of them by paying them low salaries; which, for the population, could seem very high. On the other hand, the good living conditions of the American population can imply the demand for high-paying jobs; which, of course, corporations would not prefer. Alternatively, this could also serve as an advantage for the United States since the American workforce – compared to the cheap yet impoverished populace of India and China – are more efficient and educated; thus, implying more productivity and growth for the corporation. Education is one thing. But as a person who’s about to enter into the competitive world of employment, how can I prepare myself against the competitive nature of foreign workers that will most likely ensue?

A Review Of The Scarlet Letter :: Free Essay Writer

A Review of the Scarlet Letter   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The novel opens with an explanation of how the romance of The Scarlet Letter came to be presented as a story in its existing form. Having always wanted to be a “literary man';, Nathaniel Hawthorne talks about his three-year stint as a Surveyor in the Salem Custom House. Mostly filled with older gentlemen, the workplace was a very political, Whig-influenced environment and charged with Puritan history. After brief character sketches of the personalities in the Custom House, Hawthorne then explains how he came upon a special package among the piles of papers. It contained a red cloth with the letter “A'; embroidered in gold thread and a manuscript by Jonathan Pue (the man who once held Hawthorne’s job). Finding the story extremely interesting, the author thus retells the story of Hester Prynne from Massachusetts’s Puritan history.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first chapter begins with Hester being led to the scaffold where she is to be publicly shamed for having committed adultery. Hester is forced to wear the letter “A'; on her gown at all times as punishment for her crime. She has stitched a large scarlet “A'; onto her dress with gold thread, giving the letter an air of elegance. Hester carries Pearl, her daughter, with her. On the scaffold she is asked to reveal the name of Pearl’s father, but she refuses. In the crowd, Hester recognizes her husband from Amsterdam, Roger Chillingworth.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Chillingworth visits Hester after she is returned to the prison. He tells her that he will find out who the man was, and that he will read the truth on the man’s heart. He then forces her to promise never to reveal his own identity to anyone else.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hester moves into a cottage bordering the woods. She and Pearl live there in relative solitude. Hester earns her money by doing stitchwork for local dignitaries, but often spends her time helping the poor and sick. Pearl grows up to be wild, in the sense that she refuses to obey her mother.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Roger Chillingworth earns a reputation as being a good physician. He uses his reputation to get transferred into the same home as Arthur Dimmesdale, an ailing minister. Chillingworth eventually discovers that Dimmesdale is the true father of Pearl, at which point he spends every moment trying to torment the minister.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One night Dimmesdale is so overcome with shame about hiding his secret that he walks to the scaffold where Hester was publicly humiliated.

Batman: The Dark Knight Trilogy

The function of a hero is inspiration which encourages people to be better and work harder. As described by Abrams, since the beginning of storytelling tales of gods and heroes described mankind’s desires, fears and ideas of an ideal future. Every culture has a different symbol and representation that tries to construct the perfect specimen of human power. In America this desire is described in comic books, the construction of Batman is a prime example.Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli’s Batman Year One and Batman: Court of the Owl by Scott Snyder discuss the altering battles faced by Batman and illustrate an almost flawless transition of how the characters progress throughout the years. The evolution of modern vigilantism from when comics were first introduced during the Great Depression to current times define their ability to adapt to the ever changing periods faced by society that allows for superheroes to remain relevant. The rise of modern superheroes was when A merica was facing the threat of a war in Europe and dealing with corruption within its own communities.The heroes depicted in comics allowed for people to escape reality during the Great Depression, states Hyde. It gave a sense of false perception to readers that allowed them to hope and ignited a desire to form a superhero as a reaction to the economical hardships as well as domestic crimes. Commissioner James Gordon plays an important role in Batman: Year One, an old version in the Batman series, because he is suspicious of Batman’s vigilante tactics but realizes that he is necessary and a strong ally in order to serve justice.Gordon is first introduced as Police Lieutenant James Gordon who begins working for the Gotham City Police Department after being transferred from Chicago under Commissioner Gillian B. Loeb and Detective Arnold John Flass. Upon arrival Gordon struggles to deal with corrupt officers, who beat up whomever they please. Feeling Gordon’s hesitancy a nd unease, Flass and several other officers decide to give him a beating. Gordon confronts Flass and gives him a baseball bat to defend himself then begins to pummel him as revenge.This describes the deviant behaviors of authoritative figures that choose to abuse their powers, leading the population to believe that the police force isn’t reliable. Thus proving the assumption that superheroes, Batman in this case, were made to understand the chaos people face in reality of modern day times. The physiological mindset of both heroes and villains takes a more realistic turn that separates itself from mythological and fairytale references. Modern comic book superheroes tend to follow the same general pattern in which the hero is estranged or secluded from society.Batman, for example, is a damaged character who witnesses his parents being gunned down which results in him swearing that he would rid Gotham City of evil. Although mythology provides an example of a true hero their vill ains change over time. Myths no longer deal with legends from the bible about the devil or beast and serpents described by the Greeks, the new complexity of the villains is by far more intriguing. Abrams explains how Americans have become fascinated with gangsters and the criminal cultural that surrounds their nature, representing realistic and current dangers of this new era.In Batman: Court of the Owl, which is a new version in the Batman series, the villain is William Cobb who is a Talon, meaning a skilled assassin for the Court of Owls. He boasts having killed several members of the Wayne family. He later attacks his great-grandson, Dick Grayson, because he feels betrayed by him choosing to become a vigilante instead of a Talon like himself. These serial killer tendencies and disgust expressed towards his own blood describe the unstable mental state of murderers throughout time.The creation of a hero without power or superhuman characteristics like Batman made him more relatable during a time period in which the crime rate was high. The popularity of Batman is attributed to people wanting a hero that represents their incapability or lack of being able to confront a problem in society. Batman: Year One establishes the legend of Batman, it is the origin story of a hero and how he learns to strike fear into the hearts of villains. When Batman manages to remove Loeb from office his mission in that comic is complete.The ending shows Gordon standing on a rooftop next to a bat signal waiting for him because of a new threat calling himself the â€Å"Joker. † This means that he has gathered the trust of the people of Gotham, namely Gordon who plays an important role as Commissioner. Batman: Court of the Owls is a continuation of Batman’s legacy but because it is a new version, Synder made it more appealing by adding another urban legend amongst several surrounding Gotham City. The Court of the Owls is a secret organization with tremendous power embark ed in the history of Gotham City.The myth that surrounds their existence is described in a chilling nursery rhyme: â€Å"Beware the Court of Owls that watches all the time, ruling Gotham from a shadowed perch, behind granite and lime. They watch you at your hearth, they watch you in your bed, speak not a whispered word of them, or they’ll send the talon for your head (Synder, pg 36)! † By combining an old urban legend with a more sophisticated version of Batman, the writers tie together the past and the present deeming it more appropriate for this century.The relevance of people’s beliefs in the impossible actions of heroes is due it the recognition and understanding of needing to escape from reality during a time of crisis. Batman is placed in several locations which seem almost impossible for him to escape from but at the last second he manages to reach safety. Batman: Year One shows one incident in which Batman is trapped in an abandoned building and Loeb ord ers bombs, SWAT teams and the Gotham City Police Department to attack. However Batman manages to avoid destruction and fools the police by directing a swarm of bats to head in the opposite direction he was going.Modern comic books have dramatic scenes as well but make sense in the fictional world. In Batman: Court of the Owls Bruce Wayne is attacked by the Talon during a meeting with Lincoln March, a politician with hopes of becoming mayor. They fall out of a window at the old Wayne Tower and Bruce survives by landing on a guardian that was installed by his great-grandfather. Even though it is unlikely for Bruce to survive a fall out of a window, the existence of guardians makes it seem possible. The chances of him living after being having bombs thrown and blasted near him repeatedly are slim to none.These drastic events allow people to continue to have faith in the indestructibility of a superhero. The role of women has progressed in comic books expressing the evolution of how the public regards them over time. Superheroes functionality is bound in imaginary lines that represent the way of dealing with the practicality of how life is perceived during the time period it was written in, such as gender roles and sexuality promiscuity. In Batman: Year One readers are presented with a female named Selina Kyle who is a young prostitute, taking her chances on the streets amongst the poor district of East End in Gotham City.Ottermann states how during 1980’s, when this comic was published, was a time when prostitution was considered part of the norm in most poverty-stricken regions. Inspired by the Caped Crisader himself Selina forms her own costume and becomes Catwoman, but her clothes do not classify as being strong or a leader like Batman’s. Her exterior exudes erotic and sexual appeal as well as her persona by not only describing her as a prostitute but also indicating how her role as a vixen in disguise leads her into choosing the demoralized path of robbery instead of being a heroin.This suggests that female superheroes were practically nonexistent and wouldn’t be able to take on the role or performance level of a male because of their gender inferiority at that age. Batman: Court of the Owls was written in 2011 and women of this generation would be insulted and rally against such publication of oppression. Therefore Synder didn’t mention a female character having no morals because then the appeal and interest of the comic would not apply to females. There was a decline in comic book readers because of what was being published was considered irrelevant by people during this age.The comic book sales dropped increasingly, â€Å"†¦ [as] the market was glutted with titles based solely on the war effort; these titles no longer had an audience and eventually faded away into obscurity (Kelley, pg 11). † The general population wanted to move on from the constant reminders of the struggles faced by American s. They wanted to look forward to a better and stronger future. This lead to the difference in demand from when comic books were first introduced and the few comics that did remain popular were highly competitive. While the approval of comic books was decreasing another problem was brewing in the pop culture society.Publishers, writers and artists received a public denouncement, claiming that comic books were ruining children’s minds regarding their values, morals and education. Dr. Fredric Wertham released a book called Seduction of the Innocent in 1954 which analyzed the deeper meaning behind some of the most popular superheroes. Wertham argued that the details and underlying messages found in the comics encouraged the use of narcotics, gang violence and characterized women as shameless and lewd. As a result, publishers formed the Comics Code in order to prevent further embarrassment and persecution from the government.The comic book industry suffered a major loss of reader s and thus began their gradual climb to regain their popularity. The target audience was older than the previous generations and more educated. Younger writers and artists began publishing comic books that expressed current concerns and social restraints instead of focusing solely on the past war effort. Eventually after â€Å"†¦ decades in America’s cultural gutter, comic books had finally emerged as a respectable and fantastically profitable entertainment industry worthy of a listing on the New York Stock Exchange (Wright pg 280). After revamping the comic book corporation, the business began focusing on producing films based on superheroes in order to make sure that they remained important in American culture. There are no new stories or characters, comic books are not different from any other type of media, they are repetitive. The superhero films retell the same stories with slight modifications and minor differences in art. The first popular Batman movie was made in 1989 and directed by Tim Burton. A few years later in 2005, director Christopher Nolan took a shot at rebooting the characters and placed new ideas with his Batman Begins.Both of the films focused on a particular emotion faced by Batman that was barely addressed in the comics, romance. The portrayal of love in Burton’s film revolved around the relationship of Bruce and Vicki Vale who was in the process of investigating rumors of a figure dressed as a bat fighting crime. After attending a benefit at Wayne Manor, Vicki is charmed into Bruce’s bed and remained with him after learning his second role as Batman. Nolan took on a different approach to the intimacy surrounding Bruce and his childhood best friend Rachel Dawes, who is an assistant district attorney.After revealing his true identity to her, Rachel realizes she cannot love someone who is both Bruce and Batman. The evident loss of this relationship in Nolan’s film is a direct form of connection with the a udience members that states that even superheroes sometimes don’t get the girl. The shared heartbreak of Bruce and the moviegoers demonstrate why Batman has thrived and remains appreciated because of his ability to bond with the public. Although many details and fine points have been tweaked in the comic books and films, Batman’s still a billionaire vigilante out to rid evil in Gotham City.He fights desperately to defend those who are in danger or are in need of assistance and it is the code that stops him from crossing over the line and into the dark side. Batman’s constant struggle to remain in control of his mentality shows how relatable he is, reminding everyone that he is just in fact a human. The comics describe and play his morality throughout. Batman’s one rule is that he is not to kill anyone by his hands, by not stooping to a villain’s level separates him from them.Batman Begins shows a scene in which Bruce is training with the League of Shadows and Henri Ducard says, â€Å"Your compassion is a weakness your enemies will not share,† to which Bruce replies â€Å"That's why it's so important. It separates us from them. † This type of ethics and philosophy has been inbreeded in the Batman series for decades. Publications have stayed true to this principle of righteousness no matter what age, and therefore remaining valid to the most essential law that defines Batman as a crime fighting vigilante.The comic book industry has matured into an American form of art that discusses the implications of morality, self expression and ideals. Superheroes are symbolic and remain popular no matter the time period in which they are reintroduced, not because of their powers but of their representation of something greater. The ability of the Batman series to express the apprehension and tension faced by society shows an understanding and flares a beacon of hope that not all humanity is lost. As times have changed and civ ilization has advanced, superheroes have changed with the growing demands of the population.Sharp explains how comic books have continued to revitalize the one significant detail that allows the Batman series to prevail, the different forms of the Caped Crusader. ‘†Batman is flexible enough to do what different people of different generations want of him (Sharp, pg 2). â€Å"’ Batman’s fundamental beliefs in comic books continue to remain the same even as the world changes. However in the movies, directors take the liberty of altering his rigid judgment in order to appeal to a broader audience. Either way, these changes do not affect the overall respect and approval given by Americans towards these figures of everlasting hope.Work Cited: †¢Abrams, Joshua, â€Å"Vigilante Patriotism: An Exploration of the Modern American Comic Book† (2012). Senior Projects Spring 2012. Paper 10. Web. . †¢Batman. Dir. Tim Burton. By Prince. Perf. Michael Kea ton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Billy Dee Williams, and Jack Palance. Warner Bros. , 1989. DVD. †¢Batman Begins. Dir. Christopher Nolan. By Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer. Prod. Larry J. Franco. Perf. Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, and Katie Holmes. Warner Bros. , 2005. DVD. †¢Hyde, Douglas. Superheroes rise in tough tiems.CNN Entertainment. 2009 March 20. Web. . †¢Kelley, Mark. The Golden Age of Comic Books: Representations of American Culture from the Great Depression to the Cold War. E-Publications. 2009 April 4. Web. †¢Miller, Frank, and Mazzucchelli, David. Batman: Year One. New York: DC Comics, 1987. Print. †¢Ottermann, Ralf. Review Essay: Qualitative Research on Prostitution in the Early '80s' Red-light Districts of Vienna. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung. Vol 6. 2005 Nov 2. Web. < http://www. qualitative-research. net/index. php/fqs/article/view/488>. Sharp, Tyler. Batman redefined: Comics expert says success of Dark Knight tr ilogy tied to character examinations, loyalty to storyline. News and Editorial Services. Kansa State University. 2012 July 16. Web. . †¢Snyder, Scott, Capullo, Greg and Glapion, Jonathan. Batman Volume I: The Court of Owls (The New 52). DC Comics, 2011. Print. †¢Wertham, Fredric. Seduction of the Innocent. New York: Rinehart, 1954. Print. †¢Wright, Bradford. Comic Book Nation: The Transformation of Youth Culture in America. Baltimore: John Hopkins UP, 2001. Print.

So, You Say you’re Against Mercy Killing

So, You Say you're Against Mercy Killing†¦. Abstract This paper examines three sources of information regarding the events at Memorial Hospital in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina and throughout the wait for evacuation. It explores the ethical dilemmas of those left to care for the sick. The main issue, mercy killing, was foisted upon some of the staff with the added stressors of very little sleep, food, relief staff, or aid from governmental agencies.The sources are used in a deliberate attempt to read between the lines of how perceptions and memories may have been affected over time as well as the self-preservation and rotection sought from those in charge. Keywords: ethical dilemma, mercy killing I wrestled wit n the issues involved in this story. I always prided myselt as an absolutist. I have always felt mercy killing to be wrong unequivocally. I saw it as a way to dispose of the unwanted of society. I was always reminded of the infamous name whenever the term mercy kil ling would be uttered and that is the name most people associate with the term; Hitler.He used that excuse to exterminate 6 million innocent people. To hear the word made me physically ill. That's why I wrestled with the ethical issues in this article to the degree in which I did. This was not an easy account to come to grips with. After reading the events that transpired I have come to a partial change of heart. In late August 2005 the staff at Memorial Hospital, owned by Tenet Hospitals in Houston, was braced to weather the storm. They had weathered hurricanes before and they thought they were braced for it. I don't think anyone could be prepared for what was about to ensue.The rain and winds hurled their attacks, but the hospital stood strong. The people of the community that used the hospital as their fortress were safe and sound. All was relatively calm until the following day. That is when all hell broke loose. Decisions were made that are hard to delineate as moral or immoral . There were no easy answers. I don't think there were any hard answers. There were Just impossible dilemmas with equally impossible answers. One year after the hurricane, it would be front page news that two nurses and a well-known physician would be arrested for second degree murder. 5 people died at Memorial Hospital that week and 17 of them had been injected with morphine or midazolam or both. There is a plethora of characters involved in this story and all had a different part to play, in what some say was easing suffering atients' pain, and others would call mercy killing. To get a clearer picture of this incident, you will need to be introduced to the main characters. Dr. Pou was a head and neck cancer surgeon who was later arrested on 2nd degree murder charges for euthanizing 4 patients. Fink, 2009) Richard Deichmann was a newly promoted administrator who helped oversee the physicians during the crisis and was instrumental in the decision to evacuate patients with a terminal illness or a DNR status last. Susan Mulderick was the rotating â€Å"emergency-incident commander† and nursing director that also participated in â€Å"medicating† patients that were not thought o survive. Diane Robichaux was the incident commander for LifeCare Hospital. She advocated tor the evacuation ot ner patients . LiteCare leased the seventh tloor ot Memorial and cared for long term sub-acute patients.Therese Mendez, a LifeCare nurse executive, complied with requests to dismiss her staff knowing her patients were going to be euthanized. Steven Harris was the LifeCare pharmacist who provided Dr. Pou with additional morphine and a strong anti-anxiety medication, midazolam. Ewing Cook was a pulmonologist who euthanized the first patient and instructed Dr. Pou how much â€Å"medication† to give to â€Å"ease the patient's suffering. † Cheri Landry and Lori Budo were ICU nurses that agreed with other staff members that the last LifeCare patients left o n the floor should be euthanized.They were arrested with Pou, but also not indicted. I am a logical person. Two and two make four. In reading the account of what happened after Katrina, I am full of questions. Many of which are never answered by the New York Times article or any of the sources I have found. The more I explore the circumstances of this unfolding story and read between the lines, the more morally outraged I become about what appened and didn't have to as well as the blame game that seems to have ensued. As the story goes, from the accounts reported in the Times piece, all hell broke loose in New Orleans after the storm.

Replacing Damaged and Torn US Currency

Replacing Damaged and Torn US Currency Every year the United States Treasury redeems over $30 million worth of damaged and mutilated paper money - currency. Here is how to get damaged or mutilated U.S. money replaced. Replacing US Currency Damaged U.S. currency- paper bills- that have merely been damaged can typically be replaced at a bank, while bills that have been mutilated must be mailed to the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing for replacement.To be considered damaged but not mutilated, at least one-half of the damaged bill must be clearly identifiable. Bills that are dirty, defaced, or torn can typically be replaced at a bank.Bills that have deteriorated from being buried in soil or have been damaged by fire, flooding, chemicals, explosions, animals or insects are more likely to be considered mutilated.The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) does not charge for inspecting or replacing mutilated currency, however, the BEP must be able to identify the mutilated bills as being valid U.S. currency. The correct procedure for replacing US currency depends on how and how badly the money has been damaged. According to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), U.S. currency that has been damaged, but not mutilated, can usually be redeemed at a bank, while truly mutilated bills require special handling. What is Damaged, but Not Mutilated Money? Damaged but not mutilated currency includes any bill that is CLEARLY more than ones of non-mutilated bills include those that are badly soiled, dirty, defaced, disintegrated, limp, torn or otherwise worn out.These damaged-but-not-mutilated bills can be exchanged through your local bank. Replacing Mutilated Currency The Bureau of Engraving and Printing considers mutilated money to be less than about 51% of the original bill or any bill so badly damaged that its value cannot be determined without special handling and examination. The mutilated currency has most often been damaged by fire, flooding, chemicals, explosions, animals or insects. Another very common source of damage to currency is fossilization or deterioration from being directly buried in soil for long periods of time. The BEP redeems mutilated currency as a free public service. Mutilated currency must be mailed or personally delivered to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Here, according to the U.S. Treasury is how to do it: When mutilated currency is submitted, a letter should be included stating the estimated value of the currency and an explanation of how the currency became mutilated. Each case is carefully examined by an experienced mutilated currency examiner. The amount of time needed to process each case varies with its complexity and the case workload of the examiner. However, the BEP warns that heavy volume and the precise nature of the work may result in longer wait times. The Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing has the final authority for the settlement of mutilated currency claims. Although Treasury examiners are usually able to determine the amount and value of the mutilated currency, carefully packaging the currency is essential to prevent additional damage. In general, the BEP will replace mutilated currency if: More than 50% of a bill that can be identified as United States currency is present, along with sufficient remnants of any relevant security features; or,Less than 50% of a bill identifiable as United States currency is present and the method of mutilation and supporting evidence demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Treasury that the missing portions have been totally destroyed. Every year, the Treasury Department handles approximately 30,000 claims and redeems mutilated currency valued at over $30 million. Procedure for Mailing Mutilated Currency The following procedures should be used when packing mutilated currency for examination and possible replacement by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing: Regardless of the condition of the currency, do not disturb the fragments any more than is absolutely necessary.If the currency is brittle or inclined to fall apart, pack it carefully in plastic and cotton without disturbing the fragments and place the package in a secure container.If the currency was mutilated in a purse, box, or another container, it should be left in the container to protect the fragments from further damage.If it is absolutely necessary to remove the fragments from the container, send the container along with the currency and any other contents that may have currency fragments attached.If the currency was flat when mutilated, do not roll or fold the notes.If the currency was rolled up when mutilated, do not attempt to unroll or straighten it out.If coins or any other metal is mixed with the currency, carefully remove it. Any fused, melted, or otherwise mutilated coins should be sent to, Superintendent U. S. Mint, Post Office Box 400 Philadelphia, PA. 19105. Mailing Address for Mutilated Currency Mutilated currency, packed according to the above instructions, should be mailed to: Department of the TreasuryBureau of Engraving and PrintingOffice of Currency StandardsP. O. Box 37048 Washington, D. C. 20013 All mutilated currency should be sent by Registered Mail, Return Receipt Requested.  Purchasing postal insurance on the shipment is the responsibility of the sender. For cases that are expected to take longer than four weeks to process, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing will issue a written confirmation of receipt. To obtain information about your mutilated currency shipment, contact the Mutilated Currency Division at 1-866-575-2361 or 202-874-8897. Personal deliveries of mutilated currency to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing are accepted between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, except holidays. The Office of Currency Standards is located at 14th and C Streets, S. W., Washington, D. C. What About Damaged Coins? The United States Mint will replace uncurrent (badly worn) coins with new coins of the same denomination and will redeem mutilated coins for their current scrap metal value. Uncurrent coins are whole coins but are worn or reduced in weight by natural abrasion. They are easily recognizable as to genuineness and denomination and are in such condition that coin sorting and counting machines will accept them. Undercut coins that are too badly worn to be redeemed by commercial banks may be redeemed only at  Federal Reserve Banks and branches. Uncurrent coins are replaced with new coins of the same denomination by the Federal Reserve Banks and then forwarded to the United States Mint. Mutilated coins, on the other hand, are coins that are bent, broken, not whole, or fused or melted together.

Brave New World Exposition And Other Mechanics English Literature Essay

Brave New World Exposition And Other Mechanics English Literature Essay A. Title- The title of the book Brave New World comes from a Shakespearean play called The Tempest in Act V Scene I, and the title is ironic to the Shakespearean play because Huxley describes â€Å"the brave world† perversely with not only the undertones of conformity from 1984, but also with blatant sex with children. Shakespeare describes the scene as â€Å"goodly creaturesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.beauteous mankind† which completely contrasts with the ritualistic world of Huxley. Huxley chooses this title to show that this world, in which he writes, is new and brave however these positive adjectives do not reflect the actions and feelings of the society, and with this knowledge, Huxley uses change to sort of scare the audience through his clear cut voice and develop that this country is corrupt in nature. B. The book begins with innocent school children receiving a tour from the Director and through the tour, the readers can already see that this world is conformed due to the caste systems, the embryonic cloning in masses, and the commonality of sex and promiscuous-ism. The purpose in writing the beginning so shocking is to set the stage for other events in the book and to get the readers used to his type of mood and tone. Again, Huxley uses this imaginative mind to create a world such that people are â€Å"decanted† and not â€Å"born† lacking individualism and creativity among each person in the society. This sense of conformity creates a veil of suspicion for continuing on with the book. C. London is the major setting of the novel and although many landmarks are seen in London, there are also new ones created for the new world, for example the Slough Crematorium and the College of Emotional Engineering. The time period/time frame is taken place in the future, where scientific advancement is evident in every walk and aspect of life; in fact, parts and types of sciences have morphed into god-like powers, dictating and controlling human be havior, especially for the upper class that need to be controlled. The atmosphere of the book shows devilish joy and fabricated, fake, and induced happiness; the suppression that is abundant is so subtle and slightly detailed that it is not even suspected. In the aftermath of World War I, the general mood and motive were to obliterate the bitter past and create a new utopian society. When Huxley wrote the novel in 1932, he took much of his creative knowledge and amplified it in an extreme form, creating a world ruled by totalitarianism, controversial science, and insane engineering. The inspiration for the book came from the leaders such as, Karl Marx, Henry Ford, and Sigmund Freud. D. John  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  He is the son of the Director and Linda (his mother), John is the only predominant character to have grown up outside of the new society of the World State. It seems that John cannot accept that the world as turn to the worse from what it was before its glorious days and does not a ccept the society in which sex and drugs run rampant. He is labeled and marked as the outsider and has lived his life completely far away from his village on the Savage Reservation and finds himself unable to live within the World State society due to the conformity and the corrupt nature of the society. His entire worldview is of Shakespeare’s plays, and he can quote pretty well.

Ethical Dilemma Of Joe Darby Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Ethical Dilemma Of Joe Darby - Essay Example The ethical dilemma of Joe Darby solved in terms of the ethics of care framework underlines that Darby's choice was an embodiment of his ethical background. The result of Darby’s decision turned into a vulnerable and threatening for his wife and himself. Darby wanted to become famous and he succeeded. On the one hand in the beginning of the story he wanted to stay unidentified, but finally, his name became renowned. Once he decided to air the ill-fated photos, he should have considered probable outcomes of his decision. In the framework of the ethics of care, the results of one’s choice were damaging and unhelpful to his family. In reference to laws of the ethics of care, which underline protecting the vulnerable and limiting damage when large forces collide. On the contrary, personal choice of Darby was guided by ethical issues. His own judgment of violation and atrocities at Abu Ghraib underlines the seriousness of his attitude to military oversight. Straightforward a ctions of Darby, who could have appealed to his command or who could have waited for a certain judgment from an international, make an emphasis on his personal disregard of American military system. Ideals instilled in him from the very beginning of his service were scattered off. Darby decided to initiate a struggle with injustice himself. Therefore, ethics of care can be applied to this ethical dilemma while it’s focused on individuality and his choice; the attention is the aid to the central place of individual interests in making choices.