Bio Lab Report

Ye Tao BISC220-13155 The Effect of Temperature on the Digestion of Starch by Activity of Enzyme ? -Amylase: Observation of Rate of Starch Disappearance through Iodine Test Introduction An enzyme is a type of protein that, through its own structure including hydrogen bonds, acts like a biological catalyst and is able to accelerate the biochemical reaction rate by lowering the activation energy of the whole process, without which cells could hardly practice any physiological functions within human bodies (Sizer, 1943).Found in the saliva and pancreatic secretions of animals including human beings as well as the plant seeds, bacteria and fungi (Siddiqui et al. , 2010), the enzyme ? -amylase that was studied during the experiment has significant impact on the hydrolysis of starch. By breaking the alpha, 1-4 glycosidic linkages in the carbohydrates, amylase hydrolyzes the starch, a polysaccharides that is stored in plants and cannot be directly digested by animal cells, into maltose, a di saccharide that later generate two units of glucose to undergo metabolisms and provides necessary energy (Slaughter et al. , 2001). The enzymatic activity of ? amylase is facilitated by calcium and chloride ions during the hydrolysis (Marini, 2006 and Siddiqui et al. , 2010). The complete digestion of starch and formation of maltose and glucose can be examined through the iodine test when I2KI reagent is added into the solution and remains brown instead of turning into dark blue, marking that all the molecules of starch have been fully hydrolyzed (Hanes, 1932). While amylase effectively activates the hydrolysis of starch, the efficiency of the catalytic process is influenced by several factors including temperature, pH level and the concentration of the substrates etc.In this experiment, as the ? -amylase is a type of protein, the efficiency of enzyme is highly related to its hydrogen bonds which are affected by the temperature. Though the enzyme is collected from the porcine pancre as, due to its structural similarities to amylase in human bodies, the behaviors of two amylases should resemble each other. Given that under extreme temperature enzymes will be denatured and unable to function and the constant temperature of pigs is around 39 °C, the hypothesis of this experiment is that at 37 °C amylase will catalyze the hydrolysis with the highest speed, followed by amylase at 22 °C.Amylase at 0 °C will react extremely slowly due to the crystallization of hydrogen bonds and at100 °C, amylase will lose its function since it will be denatured. Materials and Methods Four test tubes were marked from A1 to A4. Then, 2mL of 1% starch solution from Carolina Biological Supply Company, 4mL of deionized water and 1mL of 6. 8 hydrion buffer from VWR International/ Micro Essential Laboratories were added into each tube. Another four test tubes were also labeled from B1 to B4 and added 1mL of 1% ? -amylase from porcine pancreas from Sigma Aldrich. Eight tubes were p aired according to the same number (A1and B1 etc. and assigned to environments at different temperature: Tube A1 and B1 were placed into a water bath at 100 °C; Tube A2 and B2 were placed into a water bath at 37 °C; Tube A3 and B3were placed on the tube rack (at about 22 °C); Tube A4 and B4 were placed into an ice bath at 0 °C. All test tubes were kept at different temperatures for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, a control group of starch solution was prepared without amylase. (Bio Lab Manual, 2013) At the same time, a test plate was added 2 drops of I2KI reagent (1% Iodine and 2% KI) from Carolina Biological Supply Company per well.After 10 minutes, when test tubes were still in the original environments, solutions in Tube A1 with B1 were mixed and a timer was started. At each 30-second-inteval, a drop of the mixture was released into the well on the test plate until the solution in the plate did not change into dark blue and remained brown, indicating the end of the reaction by sho wing no presence of starch and presence of maltose and glucose. The experiment was repeated on the tubes at other temperatures. Slow reactions were observed and recorded up to 420 seconds due to time limit.Data were pooled from each bench and average and standard deviation were calculated. The data of the control group were also obtained. Results Figure 1 The test plate of iodine test under different temperature. Dark blue wells indicated the presence of starch while the brown ones indicate the completion of starch hydrolysis. (Upper half: 37 °C; Bottom Half: 0 °C) The rate of reaction was fastest at 37 °C (n=4, mean=212. 5s, SD=66. 1s) while the rate of reaction at 22 °C was only slightly less than it (n=4, mean=217. 5s, SD=61. 8s).Though the previous two groups underwent starch hydrolysis relatively fast, the tubes at 100 °C and 0 °C reacted so slowly that it took more than 420 seconds for their completions (time was only recorded before 420s). There was no hydrolysis in the control group. The time of the reaction completions as the function of different temperatures was shown in the table and graph below. The Effects of Temperature| Temperature (? )| Time of Starch Disappearance(s)| | Bench 1| Bench 2| Bench 3| Bench 4| Mean| SD| Control| >420| >420| >420| >420| 420| 0| 0| >420| >420| >420| >420| 420| 0| 2| 210| 210| 300| 150 | 217. 5| 61. 84658| 37| 270| 180| 265| 135 | 212. 5| 66. 14378| 100| >420| >420| >420| >420| 420| 0| Table 1. Time of Starch Disappearance with Porcine Pancreatic ? -Amylase at Different Temperatures (Time was recorded up to 420s). Graph 1. Time of 1% Starch Disappearance with Porcine Pancreatic ? -Amylase as the Function of Different Temperature Discussion and Conclusion As the data obtained from the experiment, all parts of the original hypothesis were confirmed by the result. Temperature plays an important role during the activation of ? amylase that only during certain temperature range can the enzyme function properly to catalyze biochemical reactions. On one hand, at 37 °C the amylase showed the greatest efficiency in catalyze the hydrolysis of starch. At the same time, the amylase also showed considerable catalytic efficiency at 22 °C. But on the other hand, when temperature dropped or rose to extreme value such as 0 °C or 100 °C, the function of amylase was inhibited and such biochemical transformation of substances could hardly process. This result obtained is consistent with the reality that during normal body temperature, regardless of pig or human beings, mylase is able to catalyze the hydrolysis of starch with the highest speed. Therefore, we may conclude that even taken out from where it was found, the amylase still maintain its original biochemical properties. The experiment did not show the biochemical mechanism of the modification from temperature to amylase activity. However, according to the scientific research done by other scientists, a temperature that ranges from 20-50à ‚ °C could make structures including weak interactions, hydrogen bonds and disulfide bridge exist within and stabilize the enzyme molecules to maximize their activities.At the water freezing point (0 °C), the hydrogen bonds are crystallized and become more constrained and less flexible while at high temperature like 100 °C, the bonds consume certain energy to become unstable and fragile, neither of which contribute to the proper functions of amylase (D’Amico et al. , 2003). While the result of the experiment perfectly matched what was expected, however, such conclusion could only be made at qualitative phase and it is obvious that weakness of this experiment existed and prevented the further understanding of amylase at quantitative level.Several modifications to the current experimental designs could be made to enhance its accuracy. Firstly, the sample size needs to be expanded. With only four groups, the data was so limited. As a result, the data had great standard devia tions of more than 60 seconds. Simultaneously, the random errors were at high possibility to take place. Therefore, with the increase of sample size, the data can be more accurate and stabilized and potential random errors could be discarded to ensure the coherence of the data.Furthermore, even though neither the test tube at 0 °C and 100 °C enabled the completions of starch hydrolysis, the reasons of the two groups are not the same. Therefore, in order to detect the reason of the loss of catalytic ability, follow-up experiments need to be practiced. A possible design might be to change the test tubes from 0 °C or 100 °C into 37 °C for another 10 minutes then redo the iodine test to see this time whether the amylase can function well or not.This manipulation will convince the hypothesis about the reason behind the superficial phenomena that was shown in the original experiments and present the difference between denaturing of protein and crystallization of hydrogen bonds. It is important for people to thoroughly understand the amylase activity and all the factors that are potentially capable of influencing such activity through which people can understand how human bodies work as well as the physiology of other organisms. At the same time, the research in amylase activity could potentially bring economical benefits to industrialized starch products manufacturing.And finally, the amylase activity has shown its significance in medical clinical trial that diseases including hyperamylasemia  or hyperamylasuria are proven to be related to the amylase in the human serum and urines (Salt 2nd, 1976). References General Biology BISC 220 Laboratory Manual. (2013). University of Southern California. Lab2, pp33-36. D'Amico, S. , Gerday, C. , ; Feller, G. (2003). Temperature adaptation of proteins: engineering mesophilic-like activity and stability in a cold-adapted ? -amylase. Journal of molecular biology,  332(5), 981-988. Hanes, C.S. (1932). Studies on pla nt amylases: The effect of starch concentration upon the velocity of hydrolysis by the amylase of germinated barley. Biochemical Journal,  26(5), 1406. Marini, I. (2005). Discovering an accessible enzyme: Salivary amylase: Prima digestio fit in ore: A didactic approach for high school students. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education,  33(2), 112-116. Salt 2nd, W. B. , ; Schenker, S. T. E. V. E. N. (1976). Amylase–its clinical significance: a review of the literature. Medicine,  55(4), 269. Siddiqui, Z. S. , & Khan, M. A. 2011). The role of enzyme amylase in two germinating seed morphs of Halopyrum mucronatum (L. ) Stapf. in saline and non-saline environment. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum,  33(4), 1185-1197. Sizer, I. W. (2006). Effects of temperature on enzyme kinetics. Advances in Enzymology and Related Areas of Molecular Biology, Volume 3, 35-62. Slaughter, S. L. , Ellis, P. R. , & Butterworth, P. J. (2001). An investigation of the action of porcine pancreatic ? -amylase on native and gelatinised starches. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-General Subjects,  1525(1), 29-36. Bio Lab Report Biology lab report Estimating glucose concentration in solution Done by : Hasan Al-jowder 11E KC Introduction: The purple pink solution of potassium permanganate (MnO4 -) is reduced by glucose to a colourless solution of manganese ions (Mn2+). MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- Mn2+ + 4H2O The time taken for the loss of colour from a standardised solution of permanganate is directly related to the concentration of glucose present in solution. Research question:How does the different concentration of glucose solution which have the same volume affects the time taken for the pink color of the potassium permanganate to turn into colorless? Hypothesis: The higher the concentration of glucose, the shorter time taken for the reduction of potassium permanganate, hence resulting in shorter time taken for the pink color of potassium permanganate to decolorize. This is because the concentration of glucose molecules in glucose solution is high thus more electron are donated to the permanganate within a constant period.Variables: †¢Independent: The concentration of the glucose solution †¢Dependent: The time taken for the pink color of the potassium permanganate to turn into colorless †¢Controlled: Volume/Units Materials list : †¢Eye protection †¢A timer †¢a glass rod †¢a boiling tube and a rack †¢3 beakers †¢3 syringes †¢6 labels †¢glucose solutions (2%,4%,6%,8%,10%,12%) †¢3 solution of unknown glucose concentration (A,B,C) †¢sulphuric acid †¢potassium permanganate Procedure: 1. label your three beakers sulphuric acid PP- for potassium permanganate G- for glucose 2. abel your syringes in the same way. 3. add about 25 cm3 of sulphuric acid and potassium permanganate to the beakers – this will be your stock to use throughout the experiment. note which glucose solution you are testing first. 4. use the correct syringe to place 10 cm3 of the first glucose solution into the boiling tube. 5. add 5 cm3 of sulphuric acid. 6. add 2 cm3 of potassium permanganate and start the clock. 7. stir with a stirring rod and stop the clock as soon as the pink color disappears. 8. record the time and the glucose solution used. . rinse the syringe you used for the glucose solution. 10. repeat using the other glucose solution. 11. repeat for a solution of unknown concentration (A B or C) 12. record your own results and if possible class average results in a table. Table: Glucose concentrationsTime taken to change color 2%1 minute 41 seconds 4%1 minute 13 seconds 6%45 seconds 8%41 seconds 10%35 seconds 12%32 seconds Unknown A48 seconds Unknown B1 minute 13 seconds Unknown C2 minute 56 seconds Graph : conclusion: Evaluation: sources of error= the temperature of the water was not the same with all the concentrations †¢minor inaccuracy in watching the exact time that the color changes absolutely †¢inaccuracy in using the stop watch Reference: https://www. google. com. bh/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=estimating+glu cose+concentration+in+solution+lab+report+hypothesis&oq=estimating+glucose+concentration+in+solution+lab+report+hypothesis&gs_l=hp. 3†¦ 3351. 18905. 1. 19921. 11. 11. 0. 0. 0. 0. 421. 2839. 2-10j0j1. 11. 0†¦ 0. 0†¦ 1c. 1. 7. psy-ab. csPQdc8wzZA&pbx=1&bav=on. 2,or. r_cp. r_qf. &bvm=bv. 44011176,d. d2k&fp=34c3fbe89c60be0d&biw=1366&bih=629

Use Of Statin Therapy Health And Social Care Essay

Morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) are two to five times higher in patients with type 2 diabetes. With mortality rates of up to 80 % among the diabetic population, CVD is considered to be the primary complication of type 2 diabetes. The usage of pharmacological agents and lifestyle alterations to better glycemic control have demonstrated a decrease in hazard of the microvascular complications associated with type 2 diabetes, nevertheless, the consequence these have in cut downing the hazard of macrovascular complications remains ill-defined. It has hence been suggested that hydroxymethylglutaryl- CoA reductase inhibitors ( lipid-lowering medicines ) are indicated for the primary bar of CVD in all patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Lipid-lowering medicines work by suppressing the HMG-COA enzyme which catalyses the transition of HMG-CoA to mevalonic acid, an early measure in cholesterin synthesis. This produces effects which result in the decrease of enti re cholesterin, LDL cholesterin and triglyceride. Other benefits reported ensuing from the usage of long term lipid-lowering medicine therapy include: suppression of arterial smooth musculus cell proliferation, bar of oxidization of LDL cholesterin, plaque stabilisation effects on macrophages, betterment of endothelial map and anti thrombotic and anti inflammatory effects all of which contribute to the bar of cardiovascular events. A recent meta analysis conducted by the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists ‘ Confederates ( 2008 ) analysed statin therapy in 17 220 persons with type 2 diabetes within 14 indiscriminately controlled tests ( RCTs ) with a average continuance of follow up was 4.3 old ages. The writers reported a 21 % decrease in major cardiovascular events per mmol/l decrease of LDL-C. It was besides found that the effects of statin therapy were similar regardless of any pre bing history of CVD and other baseline features. It was concluded that statin therapy should be considered for all persons who are at high hazard of CVD. The meta analysis survey design allows the writers to show the over all consequence the intercession of lipid-lowering medicine therapy has on the bar of CVD in patients with type 2 diabetes. The inclusion of merely randomly controlled tests ( RCTs ) is a strength of the analysis as they are considered to be the ‘gold criterion ‘ in reasearch design as the minimise the possibility of systematic prejudice. However in a meta analysis whether or non a RCT was genuinely random or non to a great extent relies on the writers reading of the methodological analysis. One restriction of this survey is the possible for publication prejudice by the knowing exclusion of surveies which demonstrate conflicting consequences. However the writers addressed this by discoursing two surveies which demonstrated no important decreases in primary results in patients having statin therapy and concluded that including them in the analysis would hold made no important diference to the overall conse quences of the survey. The Heart Protection Study, 2003 aimed to look into the effects of cholesterin take downing with Zocor in people with diabetes. The paper describes a randomized placebo controlled test in which 5963 ( 90 % of which had type 2 diabetes ) people with diabetes and 14, 573 people with arterial occlusive disease but no diabetes were indiscriminately allocated to have 40mg of simvastatin day-to-day or a placebo drug. The primary result for analysis was fatal or non fatal vascular event. Following induction of statin therapy participants were seen for modus operandi follow up cheques at 4, 8 and 12 months until the concluding follow up visits which averaged at 4.6 old ages. ( bosom protection survey ) Findingss related to patients with diabetes demonstrated 25 % decrease in the incidence of first primary result. The writers concluded due to the broad scope of diabetic patients surveies that the consequences provided grounds that cholesterin take downing therapy is good for people with diabetes even if they do non hold pre bing cardiovascular disease or high cholesterin concentrations and hence statin therapy should be considered routinely for all diabetic patients. ( HPS and Role of lipid-lowering medicines ) The HPS RCT design allows both the Zocor group and the placebo group to be followed up and analysed in footings of the results defined at the beginning of the survey. As the writers provided baseline features such as cholesterin, age and continuance of diabetes guaranting the groups were every bit similar as possible, the results can hence be attributed to the intercession of Zocor. Prior to the Heart protection survey similar RCTs had included a upper limit of 1500 patients with diabetes. The big sample size of 5963 patients with diabetes produced a good balance between the two groups and allowed the writers to successfully observe a important statistical difference between the results of Zocor and the placebo. The 4 twelvemonth follow up period demonstrated that these effects were sustained. The writers of the survey were besides responsible for the survey design, informations aggregation, information analysis, informations reading and authorship of the study, which minimises the possibility of any possible struggle of involvement. The Collaberative Lipitor diabetes study ( CARDS ) , 2003, was similar to the HPS in footings of its purposes and findings but was the first test to measure statin therapy specifically in patients with type 2 diabetes. The CARDS test was a random placebo controlled survey in which 2838 patients aged between 40 and 75 were indiscriminately allocated to have either 10mg of atorvastatin day-to-day or a placebo with an intended follow up period of 6 old ages. The inclusion standard was no history of cardiovascular disease, an LDL-cholesterol concentration of 4 & A ; Acirc ; Â ·14 mmol/L or lower, a fasting triglyceride sum of 6 & A ; Acirc ; Â ·78 mmol/L or less, and at least one other hazard factor. The primary end point was clip to first happening of the followers: acute coronary bosom found disease events, coronary revascularisation, or shot. The writers reported that the group treated with Lipitor had an mean decrease of 26 % in entire cholesterin and a 40 % decrease in LDL-C. The hazard decrease for primary end points was reduced by 37 % with atorvastatin day-to-day compared with placebo. The writers concluded that Atorvastatin daily is safe an in cut downing the hazard of first cardiovascular disease events, in patients with type 2 diabetes irrespective of low baseline LDL-C degrees and that patients with type 2 diabetes should reciecve lipid-lowering medicine therapy regardless of LDL- C degrees. As with The HPS one of the chief strengths of the CARDS test was the survey design. The random allotment of participants to groups helped to minimise systematic prejudice and the similarity in the baseline features described between each group increased the internal cogency of the consequences. As this piece of research was original in footings of the fact that it was the first survey to specifically look into the effects of statin therapy specifically in patients with type 2 diabetes the significance of the consequences themselves are another strength of the survey and played a major function in the development of the American diabetes association guidelines which now recommend that all grownups over the age of 40 with diabetes should have lipid-lowering medicine therapy. At the 2nd interim analysis a important difference was reported in favor of Lipitor at and following reccomendations from the safety supervising board the tests was terminated 2 old ages earlier than anticipated. H ad the test been allowed to go on the consequences may hold showed even greater benefits of lipid-lowering medicine therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes and more clearly demonstrated the sustainability of these effects. The multicenter facet of the survey design should hold allowed for a wider scope of population groups ( e.g. people from different cultural, environmental or cultural backgrounds ) and the ability to compare consequences among Centres, all of which would increase the generalizability of the survey. However participants included in the CARDS test were 78 % male and 95 % white which may non be representative of the type 2 diabetic population in the UK and Ireland and which question the dependability of any decisions made from the survey findings. The CARDS test was partially funded by Pfizer Incooperated an atorvastatin maker who were besides responsible for planing the computing machine generated randomization codifications and pre boxing all the drugs used in the survey. Although the study itself was prepared independently of support beginnings, while Pfizer Incooperated have an involvement in showing the benefits of atorvastatin struggle of involvement can non be ruled out. The Atorvastatin Study for Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease Endpoints ( ASPEN ) , 2006 once more, aimed to look into the consequence of 10mg of Lipitor versus a placebo on cardiovascular bar in patients with type 2 diabetes and LDL-C degrees below the current guideline marks. This paper describes a survey which was originally designed as a randomized dual blind placebo controlled analysis. 2410 participants were indiscriminately assigned to have either 10mg of atorvastatin day-to-day or a placebo drug with a follow up continuance of 4 old ages. Inclusion standards were work forces and adult females with diagnosed type 2 diabetes and LDL-C degrees of less than3.6 mmol/l. The primary end points for analysis were cardiovascular related decease or major cardiovascular event such as: myocardial infarction or shot. The writers found that those participants allocated to have 10mg of atorvastatin day-to-day demonstrated a average decrease of about 0.9 mmol/l and a 10 % decrease in primary results over the 4 twelvemonth follow up period. The writers concluded that although the ASPEN survey did non corroborate the benefit of lipid-lowering medicine therapy it does non alter the fact that the bulk of diabetic patients are at hazard of cardiovascular disease and merit LDL cholesterin take downing to recommended marks. The dual blind survey design strengthened the dependability of the ASPEN test findings as both the participants and the research workers were incognizant of who had been allocated to which intervention group. This minimized the possibility of research worker prejudice which could hold potentially invalidated the consequences. The survey had an extended exclusion standards including with type 1 diabetics and any patient who had experienced a myocardial infarction, interventional processs or episode of unstable angina 3 months prior to the start of the survey. This resulted in a sample of participants with fewer hazard factors than in old surveies which meant that the consequences can be more confidently attributed to the intervention. ? ? ? However patients with implicit in vascular disease were included in the survey therefore theintervention of lipid-lowering medicine therapy could be considered secondary bar which could potentially impact consequences. The survey was conducted 14 different states in 4 continents nevertheless the writers mention no analysis to find the baseline similarity in baseline features of the sample. The sample was 84 % white and 64 % male which is unrepresentative people with type 2 diabetes worldwide and therefore it is hard generalise the findings of this survey. Another survey which questioned the the justification for current guidelines associating to statin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes was conducted by Wanner et Al. ( 2005 ) . The test was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, prospective survey of 1255 topics with type 2 diabetes having care haemodialysis. Participant were indiscriminately assigned to have either 20 milligram of atorvastatin per twenty-four hours or a duplicate placebo. The primary terminal points were cardiovascular related mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and shot. The survey found that Lipitor had no important consequence on the decrease of primary terminal points in those patients allocated to have atorvastatin day-to-day. The writers concluded that everyday lipid-lowering medicine intervention to forestall the cardiovascular hazard factors associated with type 2 diabetes is non warranted in patients who are having care hemodialysis. Similar to old surveies the design of this test maximized the dependability and cogency of its findings by utilizing a dual blind method to cut down the possibility of research worker prejudice. The usage of a control group besides allowed comparings to be made between the effects of Lipitor and the placebo. The sample size of 1255 was calculated to be suffcient to let a 90 % power to observe a 27 % decrease in primary terminal points and the follow up period of 4 old ages demonstrated the permanent consequence of these consequences. The survey sample included a broad age scope of people between the ages of 18 and 80 from 178 Centres across Germany increasing the representativeness of the findings. Despite the fact that the survey demonstrated no cardiovascular hazard decrease, the possibility that the pathogenesis of cardiovascular events in patients having hemodialysis possibly different from those patients with type 2 diabetes but no terminal phase nephritic disease must be consid ered when pulling decisions sing the bar of CVD utilizing statin therapy.

A Sociological View of Rastafarianism

A Sociological View of Rastafarianism Essay Organized religion is a duality between the religion and the church which represents it. Sometimes the representation of the religion is marred and flawed to those who view it because of the bureaucracy contained within. Unknown to those who gaze upon the dissolved morals and values of what is perceived to be the contradiction known as modern religion, it was never intended to be this way. Most religions started off as a sect, a minor detail on the fringes of the society it never wanted to represent. Rastfarianism is such a sect. The differences between Rastafarianism and a normal mainstream religion are numberless, including: no set membership, no authoritative leader, no offices of authority, no trained clergy and no involvement with the world as a whole. Rastafarianism is based upon an underrepresented minority which needed hope in the face in utter demise. According to Max Weber, religion emerges to satisfy a social need. In treating suffering as a symptom of odiousness in the ey es of gods and as a sign of secret guilt, religion has psychologically met a very general need (Weber 271). Rastafarianism emerges in the slums of Kingston, Jamaica in the 1930s to meet the needs of the poor, unskilled black Jamaicans who needed a hope. The social situation which was emerging in the 1930s which called for this need was as follows. Jamaica was a commonwealth of the British Empire. It had recently, around 1884, received a write in clause to their constitution which stipulated if the new government did not succeed and the economic life of Jamaica were to suffer because of it, the political constitution would be amended or abolished to meet new conditions. Black Jamaicans had a taste for power in their mouths and in 1938, this erupted in labor riots and violence. This act did nothing for their cause. It would still be 30 years until Jamaica received its independence. Blacks in Jamaica were the victims of social stratification which left them at the bottom rung of the la dder. They had menial jobs such as field worker or an attendant at the sugar plant, if they had jobs at all. The blacks were suffering as a people and as an organized group. Ethopianism had been introduced to Jamaica in 1784 by George Liele, by adding it to the name of his Baptist church, hoping to graft itself onto the African religion of Jamaican slaves. But the movement to embody the Ethiopian ideology par excellence was the Back to Africa movement of Marcus Garvey (Barret 76). He saw African civilization as anterior to all others and used bible verses which were easily interpretable to portray Africans as the chosen people mentioned in the bible, as in Psalm 68: Princes shall come out if Egypt and Ethiopia shall stretch forth his hands onto God (Barret 78). Garveys persistence culminated in the crowning of Ras Tafari as Negus of Ethiopia. He took the name Haile Selassie and added King of Kings and the Lion in the Tribe of Judah, placing himself in the legendary line of King Solo man, and therefore, in the same line as Jesus Christ of Roman Catholicism. Out of this came Rastafarianism which took over Jamaica at a time when it was in a low tide economically and socially. Socially, people experienced the brunt of the Depression as well as disaster due to a devastating hurricane. Politically, colonialism gripped the country and the future of the masses looked hopeless. Any doctrine which that promised a better hope and a better day was ripe for hearing (Barret 84). Weber analyzed conditions such as these as a theodicy of suffering. One can explain suffering and injustice by refrying to individual sin committed in former life, to the guilt of ancestors . . . to the wickedness of all people. As compensatory promised one can refer to hopes of the individual for a better life in the future of this world or to the for the successors, or to a better life in the hereafter (Weber 275). In other words, those who are disadvantaged in a situation (the poor, hopeless, black Jamaicans) will be rewarded. The poor people have a decided advantage in the Rastas view, since they are forced to look into themselves and confront the basic reality of human existence and only there can God be found (Owens 173) Their negative situation will be turned into a positive one (transvaluation) because they are the truly righteous, or so they believed. Rastafarianism was more than a religion to the people of Jamaica, it was a hope. It was their escape from the the rational e veryday world. This theodicy of suffering, in which the underprivileged and underrepresented Jamaicans believed, was compensation for the deplorable state in which they found themselves. The Rastafarian way of living and their everyday activities began as a deviant social behavior, but rather was a routinization of the masses into one cohesive unit, following the same general creed under different principles. This point can be seen most specifically in the modern Rastafarian hairstyles. In traditional Rastafarianism most Rastas do not cut their hair but allow it to grow naturally long matted strands or locks. These locks are in accordance with the Leviticus 21:5: They shall not make baldness upon their head (Johnson-Hill 25). But in todays Rastafarianism, their are men who will not grow facial hair or locks in accordance to their position in the work place and in society, but still believe in the faith of and consider themselves a part of the Rastafarian religion. This process of electing points on a subject in which a followers ideas converge with is called elective affinity, as coined by Max Weber. This elective affinity concerning Rastafarianism was spurred by cha rismatic prophets of the belief system such as Marcus Garvey, Haile Selassie, and Samuel Brown. All of these men preached to the negatively privileged strata which existed in the Jamaican slums and the impoverished Jamaican parishes. The underprivileged strata became a status group in a sociological point of view when they selected Rastafarianism and Haile Selassie as their god. This annunciation and promise led these impoverished blacks into a status group known as Rastafarians. This elective affinity between underprivileged Jamaicans and Rastafarians was seen most directly in a change in diet to follow Kosher food laws, a change in hair style, the use of a different language, and a the use of a holy weed; ganja. These highly visible symbols served as a solidification of a persons elective affinity and a public statement of their beliefs. To become a member of the Rastafarian status group was to embrace the lifestyle and the conceptual livity of a personal relationship with nature, in a pure organic way (Johnson-Hill 25). The Rastafarian lifestyle, at its early core, was based upon responses to social actions cast forth by the Jamaican bureaucracy. These actions exist on the guise of a messianic hope which is generally known as Ethiopia or Africa (Barret 117). The first reaction is aggression, which was exemplified by the social struggles for equality or even acknowledgment by the economically challenged island residents. The second reaction is acceptance. This ambivalence toward the situation is more of a standstill than anything else. The act of accepting ones own unfortunate situation negates the aggression and action of the previous step. This is where the Messianic values began to seep into the Rastafarian watershed. With these people and this clear-cut fashion only among them and under other very particular conditions, the suffering of a peoples community, rather than the suffering of the individual, became the object of hope for religious salvation (Weber 273). Rastafarian men and women began to forget their own individual struggles and rely on the preaching from Haile Selassie to comfort them as a group. Individuality is looked down upon in the Rastafarian religion. The status group or strata will suffer as a whole, not as individual pieces of a puzzle. Every Rastafarian considers himself an authoritative spokesman for Selassie. It is consequently unthinkable that one of the brethren should assume special prerogatives in speaking for the Emperor (Owens 43). READ: Education Starts at Home EssayThe third and final response to social action by Rastafarians is avoidance. This act is predominated by the view that Jamaica is Babylon and Ethiopia is Zion. This metaphor implying hopelessness in Jamaica acts very much, in Marxian terminology, as an opiate. This outlook on everyday life does not produce action, rather it reduces it. Another example of this can be seen economically. The Rastafarians generally represent the lowest segment of the Jamaican social class . . . This level of Jamaican society represents the largest body on unemployed and underemployed and the greatest number of unemployables . . . (Barret 115). This fact is well known among the Rastafarians and it is partially why many are in the religion, acceptance into a social class which is higher than their own. They have mostly given up on employment besides that of home produced items which are pawned to tourists or others within the Rastafarian movement. Their is no motivatio n to produce economically because most of the industry within Jamaica during the early Rastafarian period was controlled by the British land owners. Working for these British men would have been a direct violation of their religious creed; The white person is inferior to the black person (Barret 104) and The Black person is the reincarnation of ancient Israel, who, at the hand of the White person, has been in exile to Jamaica (Barret 104). This ties into Webers Theodicy of Suffering because to suffer economically is to suffer through all aspects of ones life. But, many times, as previously illustrated, an ambivalence to end suffering leaves one still in the same peculiar situation. Without a motive to change, there is not change in a cultures motives. So, the early Rastafarians suffered not from a theodicy of suffering which was merely and only forced upon them by the white Jamaican bureaucracy; but rather a self- imposed and self-induced level of their suffering. This way of viewing Rastafarian all changed as time passed. Social strata are decisive for the development of a religion (Weber 282) and as the social strata which embodies this religion began to change, the religion changed proportionately with it. This can be seen in contrasting the previous three social reactions just stated: aggression, acceptance and avoidance. As the general body of Rastafarianism began to grow old and pass away, so did many of their ideas and rationalitys concerning the religion in which they were a part. These views were handed down to the new, younger members of the Rastafarian religion and updated substantially to concur with the new time period and the new state of Rastafarians in Jamaica. Largely, there is no need for one to use aggression to prove equality in Jamaica. The modern Rastafarian, rather is a symbol of the Jamaican lifestyle and one can almost mistakenly assume all Jamaicans embody the Rastafarian way of thinking and lifestyle. The newly indep endent Jamaica uses aspects of the traditional Rastafarian to promote its tourism industry: such as the reggae music which originally symbolized the suffering of black Jamaicans, the dread locks which represented the I-tal way of organic living and the artifacts and cultural productions of such Rastafarian artisans. Rastafarians no longer accept their status as a constant; an unchanging fact which merely misrepresents them in popular culture. They have began to work on their economic status within the Jamaican community. Rastafarians now occupy enviable positions in Jamaica. There are Rasta physicians, pharmacists, professors, journalists, pilots, teachers . . . to name only a few of their trades and professions (Barret 243). They are willing to educate their children to become productive citizens of the country, which is evident in the formation of Rasta primary and secondary schools and the possibility of a Rasta university within Jamaica. Rastafarians now have control over their own destiny within the scope of mass media and their ultimate portrayal. With the advent of educated and world minded Rastafarians, the Rastafarian movement has proliferated out of Jamaica and into the mainstream of the world, including both the United States and England. The final large change concerning Rastafarians is avoidance. Instead of avoiding the problems in Jamaica and praying for a magical repatriation to Ethiopia, they have first decided to repair the problems which exist in Jamaica before they leave for Zion. This new brethren is focused on change and one way they have decided to accomplish this is through political action. Rastafarians are traditionally apolitical; they do not vote. Their word for politics is politricks, which sums up their perception of the political game (Barret 220). With the election of a pro Rastafarian prime minister, Michael Manley, Rastafarians were encouraged to use their constitutional rights and vote. There is no way of telling how many Rastafarians voted or continue to vote, but their role in Jamaican culture requires them to be addressed and noticed. The act of being spoken to and about in a public forum is just aspect in which indirectly they have traversed out of the avoidance stage. Rastafarians also no l onger avoid the media. Rather, they embrace it and use it to their advantage. This is evident is the many quotes and passages contained within Leonard Barrets book and the relative ease of access he obtained many on these passages. The Rastafarian culture is moving toward the future, and as Weber stated, changing with the social strata, which is changing with the times. It can then be inferred Rastafarianism is a constantly updated and evolving entity, modernizing as the world does so as well. But this evolving modern entity did not always keeps its modernity defined. Many of the actions of Rastafarianism worked against modernity and favored a complete stand still in all actions of life. In effect, the pain of the poor black Jamaica strata directly led into a form of ambivalence which militated against social and economic change; in essence, the status group of Rastafarians and their beliefs acted as an opiate against socioeconomic change. Religion is the opium of the people (Marx 54). This opium like quality leads directly into a state of false consciousness, which ties in directly with Webers theodicy of suffering. Both of these militate against socieconomic change by giving a check of approval to a negative situation. In this way, Marx and Weber are showing the flaws in the Rastafarian system. The inherent flaw of giving false hope or false consciousness to a people based on a system (Rastafarian) which at its base complies with stagnant situations and life styles. At t he same time, Marxism can be interpreted as a direct conflict with itself. The Rastafarian movement occupies not only an opiate status, but a status of opposition as well. The Rastafarian movement was founded originally as an opposition to the bureaucratic ways of the ruling class. The religion modeled greatly an American democratic way of thinking: by the people for the people. The people are the underrepresented and under appreciated blacks of Jamaica. In comparison with a Weberian sociological thought process, they both agree upon Rastafarian as basically an evolution. This plays more into Marxs favor because of the direct correlation between themselves. Like the Rastafarian evolution, in which they retreated on many of their former beliefs and creeds, Marx also did the same according to the time he was writing in. So, a direct comparison can be made through the evolution of Marx and Rastafarianism; both occur because of the rise of modernity and culture around them, directly eff ecting the person or group in question. READ: Theories on and Analysis of Information Management in KFCMarx and Weber also collide in beliefs on the idea of theodicy of suffering. Weber believed religion emerges to fulfill a social need. The poor, black, Jamaicans needed hope, and with their economic status, suffering was a major part. Taken on a face value then, the Jamaican culture can be divided into two distinct classes: theodicy of suffering and theodicy of good fortune. The former group, those who indirectly believe in a theodicy of suffering, are alienated from the latter group. Within the suffering group, there is alienation among members due to separation from product. The product, in this case, is their religion. Now all of the members of the Rastafarian status group belong to Rastafarianism as a whole, but there are sects within the sect, which are different from each other. For an example, the emergence of the uptown Rasta which differs in belief system from Rastafarianism as a whole. The alienation comes in the fact that the people, not as one unified group, but as a large organization of individuals are single entities and none speak for the religion. Criticism of this can be found in a previously mentioned Joseph Owens quote (see page four, first paragraph). Although each member is a spokesman for Selassie, is unthinkable to assume each member of the brethren might have something different to say? This leads to alienation among those within the same sect. The previously stated belief contrasts with a Weberian point of view as well. In a Marxian view of thought, the poor should try to revolt against their ruling bureaucracy. This appropriation is further determined by the manner in which it must be effected. It can only be effected through a union, which by the character of the proletariat itself can again only be a universal one, and through a revolution . . . (Marx 192). There is a flaw under the question: how can a society revolt through Marxism and still be prone against change, an opiate in Marxian view, to their own standing within the community? Karl Marx would see this as a complete oxymoron. Rastafarianism should benefit the social group, not allow it to stop progression and merely graze the lips of those who chose it, giving them a short and unsatisfying taste of what is available to them. This yearning for more should lead the people into a full economic and political revolt against this bourgeoisie. While relatively similar to a Marxian point of view, Durkheimian sociology sees Rastafarianism as a social entity. This religion was originally associated as Jamaican poor and the term Rasta and poor, black Jamaican could be used interchangeable. And with this association, Rastafarianism emerged to regulate the desires of the Jamaican poor. It brought about a solidarity among the lowest status class which served as a jumping point into embracing their situations. Thus, the religion is inseparable from the groups which contain it. This occupies the ideas of Weber in that if the religion is inseparable from the groups which contain it, then, the religion will indirectly evolve as the group evolves. This basically complies with the Weberian point of view that religious beliefs change along with the strata which embody them. Also, if Rastafarianism is a social entity, it therefore must have risen out of the need for a social set of values, complying with the Weberian ideal of religion em erging to satisfy a social need. This Durkheimian point of view also crosses paths with the views of Karl Marx. If religion brings about solidarity among a status group which happens to be underprivileged, revolution is a possible following steps. One person may revolt, but one needs masses along the same ideals to successfully revolt. By integrating society, one brings the society or group on the same consciousness, although it may be a false consciousness. No matter rational or irrational, the motives exist and can be accomplished with aid of a charismatic prophet, in this case, Marcus Garvey or Samuel Brown. To update this idea, there is a popular t-shirt which states Never underestimate stupid people in large groups. The same could be applied to a Marxian and Durkheimian point of view. Their t-shirt might say Never underestimate the power of alienated oppressed on the same intellectual level.Durkheim and Weber do disagree on some levels. One of them being the role of individuality within religion. A Durkheimian point of view toward individuality could not characterize the Rastafarian movement because it believes one should embrace all the exists, but do not include each other. This directly violates the Rastafarians belief in an I-n-I mentality. This implies a three-fold relationship between any individual self, Jah God, and other selves (Johnson-Hill 23). Max Weber sees religion as a unification of a people, which is evident in his distinction between strata and status. Rastafarianism is a status group, individuality is left behind at the strata before seemingly advancing into a higher level of consciousness, complete with its own symbols, language and customs, especially marijuana usage. Although the beliefs of a religion change, the essence of the religion does not. This is supported by Weber with the idea that changes in a decisive stratum lead to a change of beliefs. This is opposed by Durkheim stating a religion as a whole has lasted because it performs a social function; it integrat es those involved within it. The falsity is what people believe. So, if people change, the religion changes with the people, not necessarily minor beliefs within it. It is a cycle which includes the transfer of old gods to new gods, completely changing the religion with society. Rastafarianism has not faded away, and in fact has spread its brethren among many areas of the world. The Rastafarian movement is no longer a mere revolutionary movement; it has become a part of the establishment, a part of officialdom (Barret 245). Rastafarianism may have started on the fringes of Jamaican society, but it now a representation of what it considered hell. In terms of an outsider, Jamaica is no longer Babylon, it is now Rastafaria, a step on the way to utopian Zion. Rastafarianism is now an integration of all of Jamaican society rather that just one social strata. Its changes have moved along with the changes of Jamaica as a nation. The people of Jamaica are interchangeable with Rastafarianism. It is ironic which a group so hating of their own environment would become such a force as to represent it to the world. Rastafarianism is truly by the people, for the people.

Obesity Epidemic in America Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Obesity Epidemic in America - Research Paper Example Obesity is considered a major health risk factor in different diseases, especially those related to cardiovascular illnesses (WHO, 2011). These diseases are a major cause of concern because they often lead to high morbidity and mortality rates. The global rates of obesity are fast increasing; people around the world are getting more and more obese. The WHO reveals that by the year 2015, there will be about 2.3 billion overweight adults in the world and about 700 million of these would likely be obese (BBC News, 2008). This problem is considered a contemporary problem because obesity statistics were not even known to exist 50 years ago. This increase has mostly been attributed to the prevalence of convenience foods and labor saving devices which have driven many individuals to high fat diets and sedentary lifestyles. It is also a major issue among children with about 20 million children under the age of 5 being overweight (BBC News, 2008). Since the 1980s, the rates for obesity grew t o extensive levels and in OECD nations, one in 2 adults was considered overweight; 1 in 6 was considered obese (Robb, 2010). This rate is expected to increase by 1% each year for the next 10 years in some nations. These rates are highest in the United States, Mexico, and are lowest in Japan and Korea; everywhere else, the numbers are increasing (Robb, 2010). One in three children of the world is considered overweight. They are exposed to risks associated with obesity including a reduction of 8-10 years in their expected life span – this is similar to smokers. They are also likely to develop diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer (Robb, 2010). Obesity is also a burden to the health care system and expenditure because the expenditure among these patients is at least 25% higher than for those with normal weight. In the US, childhood obesity is a major problem and if this issue is not somehow resolved within the next few years, these children would likely suf fer major weight-related diseases much earlier than expected. Considering the above scenario, this paper shall now discuss the obesity epidemic in the United States. It shall discuss the causes of obesity in America, the effects and health issues related to obesity, the current health programs being implemented to address the obesity issue, and the effectiveness of these health programs. This paper shall also come up with recommendations in order to address this growing problem. Body/Discussion Causes of obesity in America There are various causes of obesity in the United States. Experts have weighed in on this discussion and they have acknowledged that the main causes of obesity are the amount, the quality of food intake, and the sedentary living of Americans. The volume of food that the average American is taking seems to have increased during the past few years and the quality of these foods have also shifted to high-fat, high salt, and high-caloric content foods (Goodman, 2006). The fact that Americans have reduced their physical activities is also a major contributory factor to obesity. The portions in the food servings in the US have grown significantly in the past decade or so – especially the portions which are eaten away from home which mostly include fast foods from various food chains. The trends in the US have included the value menus which sell food items, like burgers and fries for lower prices but at lower costs (American Heart Association, n.d). These portions

Bowen Family Systems Therapy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Bowen Family Systems Therapy - Research Paper Example Unlike normal family development, in which families learn to differentiate parts of them when interacting on an emotional level and set healthy boundaries, enmeshed families become overly involved with each other, increasing the chances of anxiety and conflict. Lack of differentiation occurs due to the inability to separate their emotions from their reactions. What they feel and how they react to those feelings are governed by the interactions between themselves and others. Bowen attributed this differentiation of self to family of origin. His philosophy was emotional attachment either created a positive or negative reaction, depending on how the family interacted with each other. An anxiety-provoking situation could cause withdrawal and distancing or, family members could deal with the conflict reasonably. The more stable families’ interactions were towards each other, the less likely individuals would carry these unresolved conflicts into another relationship. In essence, families’ interdependence relies heavily on the daily changes that occur. In families that experience a high level of conflict, there is often one family member that becomes vulnerable to the effects of the conflict. This results in anxiety, depression, alcoholism, drug abuse and other clinical problems. These problems manifested themselves in other relationships, often creating the same tension and conflict. Murray Bowen developed eight interlocking concepts involving systems theory and that emotions were in part, the key that affects families as a unit. Not only did he base his studies on the family, but applied the systems theory perspective to both work and social systems The key to the Bowen therapy basically lies within the emotions and the activities governed by these emotions that may have taken many years to develop. Bowen has emphasized the significance of having a deep insight into the contribution made by different generations in the

The Essentials of John Wesley Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Essentials of John Wesley - Essay Example Essentials of John Wesley are numerous, which are referred to as Wesleyan beliefs, but they were all related to beliefs of Christian faith. John Wesley instated that the doctrines of the Methodists are the doctrines of the Church of England. John Wesley was an Anglican preacher in addition to being a theologian, who along with Charles Wesley and cleric George Whitefield, was acknowledged with the basis of the missionary motion called Methodism.2 The writings and teaching of John Wesley have great influence in the growth and spread of the holiness motion as well as Pentecostalism. Methodism has a rich past, its essentials leads the modern Christianity to a deep relationship with God and with one another, thanks to John Wesley. John Wesley as the founder of Methodism was born in 1703, after his ordination in the Church of England he elected a fellow of Lincoln College at oxford in 1726. He then left Oxford the following year to act as curate to his father, who at that time was the rector of Epworth. His younger brother Charles had come to oxford and they formed a group that was fully vowed to attend the Holy Communion, comprehensive bible study, and visiting Oxford prisons that were very filthy. It is members of this group that was tagged Methodists. In 1935 John and Charles went to Georgia as pastors to the missionaries and colonists. Their missionary work was not futile, and they decided to return to England believing that they did not have enough Christian faith. George Whitefield who was an Anglican clergyman invited John Wesley few month later to come to the city of Bristol, this was meant to help him preach to the Kingswood Chase. The expectation of Wesley were very contrary to what he met there since he was preaching in open air. This experience is what can be referred to as the revival of the Methodists.3 Whitefield and Wesley worked together in this ministry but later separated on

Productive and Counterproductive Behaviors Paper Research

Productive and Counterproductive Behaviors - Research Paper Example In turn, they opt to maximize their work productivity thereby using organizational ‘resources, investments, inputs and infrastructure facilities’ in an efficient manner. The second type actually represents the external side and known as ‘Effective productive’ behaviors. Indeed, this type of workers’ behavior could be defined as one through which employees opt to accomplish short and long run business goals that in turn enable the organization to create value for its potential customers and build relationships, while to reap monetary gains and profits simultaneously. (Anshoria and Suhariadia 2007, p. 1256) On the other hand, Counterproductive behavior can be defined as the deliberate behavior of an employee in an organization who does not abide by organizational values and does not aim to accomplish defined business goals and objectives. This type of behavior is also known as Negative Behavior because it is against organizational and economic well being. (Impleman 2008) Productive behavior put a positive impact on an individual’s job performance. An employee becomes motivated and committed to attain organizational ‘mission and vision’ and thus opt to showcase its optimal performance. In simple words, a worker communicates and collaborates with its organizational co-workers, peers, bosses and business partners to discuss assigned tasks or jobs and to openly share information and personal opinions for betterment of business practices. In addition, the probability that conflicts or disputes among the organizational members could occur is also minimized. As a result, this type of positive behavior is appreciated and endorsed by strategic managers and planners that in turn lead to greater ‘normative and affective commitment’ (with their job) among the workers. In short, the workers maximize their work

Testing And Commissioning In HVAC Practices In Hong Kong Dissertation

Testing And Commissioning In HVAC Practices In Hong Kong - Dissertation Example A set of Commissioning Specifications which includes the divisions that describe the BCS document as a common requirement should be drafted by the HKBCA to curb the deficiency of practical standard. It should also concentrate on after services such as the electrical and HVAC systems. So as to handle the BCx role effectively, there will be the issuance of inspection forms and a number of checklists to certified persons. In America and the United Kingdom, BCx education and training is provided in schools, research, and development organizations, whereas in Hong Kong it is not prominent. The dissertation recommends that Hong Kong should consider prominently providing the same to schools, research, and development organization. The private sectors do not address commissioning as their main objective and there has never been a clear cooperation at different phases of commissioning between the private sector and the government in the formulation, planning, and implementation of the project s. This dissertation also suggests that there should be a clear cooperation at different phases of commissioning between the private sector and the Hong Kong government as far as the formulation, planning, and implementation of the projects is concerned. The training on the BC document is offered in academic institutions but the students are unable to fully apprehend the process because it is not exhaustive enough. There should be the amalgamation between the integration of the BCx with other building control procedures.

Project Management & Strategic Planning - Case Study -- [S6] Essay

Project Management & Strategic Planning - Case Study -- [S6] - Essay Example major steps in strategic planning phase went missing; steps such as estimation of resource requirements, risk planning and communication with all stakeholders. Furthermore in monitoring and controlling phase business continuity was not planned hence the WestJet implementation took more time and cost along and resulted in customer dissatisfaction. Estimation of resources such as time, people and money ensures a better execution, through risk planning all the related risk factors to the project are estimated with risk prevention and mitigation plans while communication with all stakeholders including customers ensures business continuation in an effective way and clarifying roles and responsibilities (Charvat, 2002). Effective communication prior to a project initiation determines the information and communication needs of the stakeholders resulting in better understanding of responsibilities and tasks distribution as well as clarifying the expectations from them. It results in formation of a cohesive team resulting in a better performance later on and initiates a change management process within the organization. Increased level of awareness invites ideas from employees and customers and ensures readiness of all involved parties. Some disadvantages to communicating a major project in advance include wasted time of project managers in communicating with stakeholders, revealed plans to competitors most of the time triggering a reaction, increased level of suspicion amongst the employees and confusion within customers. Communicating major projects in advance, the project manager has to emphasize on explaining each stakeholder the specific value addition for them (Green, 2007). With volumes sales go down and decreased revenue is not considered good for even an organization in its transition or up-gradation. Along with the unavailability of seats or canceled flights it was essential that both airlines convey the positive message maintaining the trust of the customer

LOVE Probation or Parole Policy Evaluation Research Paper

LOVE Probation or Parole Policy Evaluation - Research Paper Example The paper outlines the reason why a person should fund this review and its importance for policy makers. There is also a budget for the review and conclutory statements. In criminal justice, parole is the supervision that occurs when the government authorizes release of criminals to the community after serving a certain period of prison term (Eseinberg, 1999). Their release has certain conditions. In immigration law, parole refers to granting of visa to a person who does not meet the requirements to enter United States of America. The government gives the visa basing on humanitarian grounds (Purves, 1992). The policy for review is the humanitarian parole policy. This policy allows entry into the United States of America to a person who is ineligible to get US visa. The purpose behind humanitarian parole policy is to provide humanitarian services to an individual on a temporary basis and once the US government confirms the safety of the individual, they can leave the country at the expiry of their visas. The review of humanitarian parole policy is important because it is an extraordinary measure that brings an inadmissible alien into the United States of America for a period of time due to a compelling emergency condition (Wasem, 2010). For instance, On January 18th 2010, the Secretary of homeland security, Janet Napolitano, allowed orphaned children from Haiti passage into United States of America on a temporary and individual basis in order for these vulnerable children to receive the attention and care they could not get in Haiti. This was part of the humanitarian programme and policies of the American government in aiding Haiti. The issues that emerge from this policy include laws governing the humanitarian parole policy, conditions of an alien for obtaining parole under this policy and personal information of the parolee. Additional issues that emerge from this policy are information of the person

Managing Team Conflicts Essay Example for Free

Managing Team Conflicts Essay Why do you think that Carly didn’t come to you sooner to discuss the project delays? Carly didn’t come sooner to discuss the problem delays with the supervisor because of the affective conflict that arises between her and Morris (Team Conflict: How to Manage it, n.p.). Truly, it is quite undesirable to present â€Å"human conflict† as a reason in the delay of a certain project. It is obvious that Carly was threatened by the wits that Morris have. Since Morris obtained a higher level degree than Carly, the manager seems to be insecure about her status. She sees Morris as a competitor in her position and not as a member of the team. 2. Why do you think Carly hasn’t had a conversation with Morris, or vice versa, about their differences? How do you think each of them would respond to this type of conversation? Explain. Both person (Carly and Morris) did not initiated to have a conversation regarding their differences because both parties are afraid that upon the conduct of their conversation, they might not be able to work on and come out with the proper solution to address the problem. On the conduct of the conversation, they may reach a point that both of them would be in denial regarding the delay of the project. Both people possess different personality and dealing with their differences might be a critical approach to be done. Carly, being insecure with the wits that Morris have, might put all the blame on the latter mentioned person. On the other hand, if Carly would over impose her power in the conversation, the immediate reaction of Morris would be to defend his self and try to make Carly realize that she also has a fault regarding the problem. What would happen in this conversation is that, both parties would tend to throw off their own defence regarding themselves thus, rather than solving the problem of conflict, the outcome could be to worsen the situation. What is the biggest problem with the way these team members interact? What could they do to remedy the problem? Explain. The biggest problem with these team members is that they do not know on how to deal with their own differences. Differences in terms of personality as stated above is just but common in a team. Such differences could be positively or negatively affect the team. In the case given, Carly and Morris chooses to embrace the negative side thus, bringing the project to a delay. Communication is the element that is missing in the case presented. Communicating in a constructive manner would give each person a chance to express his thoughts and ideas clearly and directly. Coupled with his expression of thoughts, respect (for each other and for the work of the team) should also be reflected (Ten Qualities of an Effective Team Player, 2005, n.p.). The scenario being pictured out in the case is that Morris seems to be tongue tied to express his thoughts while Carly is too much dominating in expressing her thoughts, thus the communication process is not working well. Another element that is lacking in the case is the quality of active listening. In order for a team to function effectively and meet its goals, every member should be a good listener. Every member should consider and listen to the ideas of other team members and should avoid biased reaction regarding the proposed ideas. Arguing or debating every idea presented would not do any help (Ten Qualities of an Effective Team Player, 2005, n.p.). Members should also be prepared and willing to hear and accept criticisms. It would be better if one would listen first and then react to have an effective conversation and get things settled. Firmness of thought is important as a team player, but one should make her mind open to what other members has to offer. Do you think Carly should continue to serve as Project Manager? Explain. Yes, Carly should continue to serve as Project Manager but she should first change her attitude in handling the job. She should note that she is part of the team. Although she has a higher position compared to the other members, it is not right to over used this power because of being threatened by others wits and guts. As a project manager she must be confident in her own capability and sees the ability of other members of the team as an asset and not as a threat. She should reassess her self and avoid being a problem-blamer. She should not look for others to fault but instead, she should look at the problems that arise as a common thing that occurs in a team. Being regarded as the project manager, she should address problems (not create problems) and bring this out for discussion with other members of the team (Ten Qualities of an Effective Team player, 2005, n.p.). Upon doing such, she would be most likely to find the right solutions for the problem. Though Carly obviously has a fault on the delay of the project, she should continue to work on as the project manager because she was given that job and trusting her that job means that she is knowledgeable enough and rightly fitted for it. 5. How would you begin to address this situation? Come up with a plan to remedy this problem and outline a plan for getting the project back on track for the January 1 release. The first action had been done, that is to talk with the persons involve in the conflict as well as with other team members. The next step would be to review to the team regarding their purpose and goal. I would be emphasizing on their role as a team in achieving the targeted goal and meet the targeted deadline. I would preferably design a team building activity that would reunite them and develop their working ability as a team. I would consistently remind them that there is no â€Å"I† in a team and that presence of conflicts is inevitable. I would also relay to them the essence of conflict management. Rules in order to lessen conflict would be implemented incorporating processes or behaviours that the group will be allowed or prohibited (Team Conflict: How to Manage it, n.p.). The following will serve as a guide in getting the project back on track for the January 1 release: Conduct Team building activity Relaying the concept of conflict and conflict management. Assess the characteristics of members in position. Assess the overall coordination of the team. Project Plan Guide Review the goal and extent of the project. Identify weaknesses and strengths in the conduct of the project. Retain strengths and address the weaknesses. Strategic Planning for the Completion of the Project Address conflict in the workplace. Set timeframe and task to be completed within a week and make sure that all materials to be used would be provided (How to Organize Successful Project Teams, n.p.). Constantly check and collaborate with the team regarding the progress of the project Acknowledge the team’s effort upon the completion of the assigned task. References AllBusiness.com, Inc. (2005, August 12). Ten Qualities of an Effective Team Player. Retrieved May 16, 2008, from http://www.allbusiness.com/human-resources/employee-development-team-building/8516-3.html How to Organize Successful Project Teams. Retrieved May 16, 2008, from http://www.ehow.com/how_2156392_organize-successful-project-teams.html Team Conflict: How to Manage it. Retrieved May 16, 2008, from http://www.chumans.com/skills3.htm.

Elections and Media Essay Example for Free

Elections and Media Essay The most influential part of American society is the media. Because of it, people have been witness to numerous historical events such as inaugurations, assassinations, and acts of terrorism. We would not have been informed if it had not been for the excessive coverage from the television; however, at the same time, the television has been a continuous barrier within the political world because it emphasizes materialistic items and meaningless ideas rather than the important tasks at hand that can affect an entire nation. The media has an arguable hold on the politics of this nation. As told in Source C, by Menand, many attribute Kennedys victory in the close election of 1960 to the presentation he made in two televised debates in the final months of his campaign; however, the people who listened to the debates on the radio, and did not see televised images, believed it was a draw between Nixon and Kennedy. The majority who watched the debates on the television thought that Kennedy had a crisper image than the badly postured Nixon. This evidence supports the fact that the television makes the voters focus on the image of the candidate rather than ideals and their intellectual responses to the questions at hand. In the 1960 election, the television had won the nation away from sound to images. It is not fair to other candidates because the other candidates could be better off running the country than a person who was won over by materialistic views. Television may make a candidate appear one way, but when they are in office they become two-faced, thus promoting the fact that more and more candidates are pursuing images more than issues. An example of this can bee seen in Source B, by Hart and Triece, where it states that Bill Clinton showed his boxers on MTV because he believed that was what the audience was looking for in order to support him as president. The media, mainly television, has the ability to control the way a nation can think as well as the way a nation can vote. Television is like any other form of entertainment. It has the job of telling the citizens what they want to hear, rather than being honest and telling the truth. That is why there is not one single news broadcasting station that will voice both liberal and conservative views. As told by Ted Koppel in Source F, networks influence the nation by cropping and pulling out the best parts of events in the presidential election that make their political party stand out from the rest. This is a reason why so many elections are full of slandering because each broadcast network tries to dig up information from the past or present to use against a candidate. For instance, during George Bushs election in 2000, the press dug up information about his daughters at college and their partying ways. This was a way to try and sabotage his chances of presidency, and it almost worked. The nation started to view him as an unworthy candidate, but that information had no relevance on his ability to be president. Fortunately it did not affect Bush winning the election, although it is still being seen today. The media continuously shoots down the major issues at hand and puts the focus on non-important ideas. Television has a way of being intimate with people and making them feel like they are getting valuable information, but what they do not know is that they are not getting the facts and information from direct sources, furthering the question of who can the American people trust to get accurate information. The inaccurate information can be the deciding factor between who a new voter will vote for, which in return can affect the outcome of an election or presidential term. A prime example of this can be seen in Source E, by Ranney. In this article, it states that President Lyndon Johnson was supporting the fact that the war in Vietnam could and would be won. At that time the nation believed him; however, when the news network took it upon them to see if Johnson was true to his word, they came back with the reciprocal of what Johnson stated. CBS news network reported that Vietnam was a bloody scene and there was no military victory in the future. Can you guess who the public believed? Of course the media! Basically in a single second, all of the citizens contradicted their previous beliefs, based by Johnson, and supported the facts brought in by CBS. This further upholds the idea that television and other forms of entertainment have stolen the idea of self thought and independent opinions. It somewhat contradicts freedom of speech and belief because what we are hearing is what the media itself picked out, rather than our own intelligence. Unfortunately due to this hold the television has over us, Johnson was overwhelmingly fought against, and he decided to end the army and navy bombardment in Vietnam, as well as not run for another term. The media had beaten him, and there was no way to stop it. In conclusion, all sources of entertainment, such as television, have altered the ways Americans think and view politics. The television has a power over the people by showing the bad sides of each candidate in an election rather than what good they have done for our society. By focusing on the negativity and worthless aspects of politics, television can be considered a prominent problem against politics in the United States. Once the nation wants to decide to support self-opinions, there will never be a presidential election or event that will not be decided by television.

Abortion Is Murder: Debate

Abortion Is Murder: Debate With so many different complications and views, abortion is more complex than people may think. However, the decision of a persons position on abortion is based on that persons basic beliefs and principles. Everyone has different beliefs, but my belief is that abortion should be illegal. Going out in the world and killing an innocent person is illegal. A baby is innocent; it has not been able to face the world to have done something wrong. Killing your baby just because parents are not ready for it should be illegal. No matter what, there will always be some people that disagree with the statement of abortion being murder. I have heard that it has actually been proven that during an abortion the baby can feel the pain. Parents are just being selfish by choosing to have fun, and live care free lives over the life with a new child. How can someone not see how wrong that is? Abortion should be illegal, a baby should not have to die when they havent done anything wrong. I believe that this is the same thing. This I can understand, but why not have the baby and give it up for adoption rather than kill it? In any situation this would be better than death. Abortion is unfair to the baby so much that it can be sickening. I think that the parents should have a harsh punishment. In giving a child up for adoption, there would be three people benefiting from it. We can fight for the lives of those tiny, little ones who cant fight for themselves. The only difference would be that the parents know why they are being punished, but that little tiny baby had no idea. That way they know what they put their baby through. Choices such as, how we want to be remembered, what kind of person we want to be known as, the person who saved a babys life by giving it up for adoption or the terrible person that killed a baby before it was born because the parents wasnt ready to try to raise it? The decision is yours to make. I know that the parents of the child are the one who choose to live their lives in guilt and agony over doing this to their own child, but I dont believe guilt is enough. The birth mother, as she now can solve the problem she had in caring for the child, the baby can live a wonderful life instead of having to die at such a young age and the new proud parents who could not have their own child to love, can have someone elses that they can think of as their own and love and take care of it just the same. Abortion should be discontinued because of the enormous amount of blood-shed involved! Furthermore, the abortions themselves cause risks outweighing the benefits as well as being extremely unprincipled. There have been many indications that suggest fetuses experience excruciating pain. Also, one is playing God by killing an unborn child because that child is Gods too! Why would someone want to have an abortion it can be fraught with needless peril? Please do everything that is possible to discourage or even stop abortion. When someone is considering an abortion, dissuade that person from doing so and try to do other such deeds that dampen the idea of abortion. Without abortion, a vast number of children will not be killed. One cannot just wash ones hands of the whole ordeal; these post-abortion dangers can haunt the woman in a variety of ways. The mental health of a woman who has had an abortion has the possibility to dramatically suffer afterwards. However, the woman who does not have an abortion is usually happier and less depressed than the other woman. In addition to mental suffering, women are also vulnerable to many other hazards. During the first three months of a subsequent pregnancy, there is twice the chance of a miscarriage. During the second trimester, there is ten times the chance of a miscarriage, three times the chance of premature delivery, and two times the chance of infant death after birth. All these risks are present because an abortionist stretches the womb opening in thirty to sixty seconds when a mothers womb usually stretches over twelve or more hours of natural labor. By stretching it so quickly, the muscles tear, thus weakening the vaginal muscles for later pregnancies. In add ition to the womens vulnerability to many pregnancy related dangers, abortion is a highly immoral practice. I personally think that abortions should be illegal, because why would you want to kill another human being. The baby did not do anything to deserve to be killed; the baby did not ask to come into this world nor your life. I think that you should take the chance in being a parent, or give the baby up for adoption if you think that you are not able to be a good parent. Give the baby to someone who will love and cherish that baby, it does not have to be killed. There are many other solutions than abortion. Besides, getting an abortion can cause so many health problems. Why would you want to harm yourself because you do not want a baby or you do not think that this is the right time to be having a child? I think the best thing to do is give the baby up for adoption, and then go on with your life. But then again if you are out there doing things to get a baby, then you should woman up and keep your baby instead of taking the easy way out.

Paris 1900 - Petit Palais :: Architecture History

Missing Image Paris 1900 - Petit Palais Along with the Grand Palais and the Pont Alexandre III, the Petit Palais served as one of the main focuses of the International Exhibition of 1900 and helped solidify the position of France as artistic world leader. Despite its inferiority in size to the Grand Palais, contemporary critics noted that the Petit Palais is of "equal importance in creating an impression of the artistic success of the Exhibition" (Boyd, 194). From its inception, it was built to serve as a permanent gallery of painting and sculpture. This black and white postcard represents the inner courtyard of the Petit Palais, which was established at the expense of the Palais de l'Industrie that had been erected for the 1855 Exposition. Architect Eugà ¨ne Hà ©nard (1849-1923) proposed the destruction of the Palais De l'Industrie. In 1894, Hà ©nard received one of three first prizes (others were granted to Charles Girault and Edmond J.B. Paulin) in the competition for the general plan of the Exposition. The final layout of the fair incorporated his suggestion of cutting a new street from the Champs-Elysees through the Palais de l'Industrie which would cross the Seine River on a new bridge and then terminate at the Dà ´me des Invalides (Wolf, 29). Although some Frenchmen opposed the destruction of the Palais de I'lndustrie, which was seen as one of the most conspicuous landmarks on the Champs Elysà ©es and served as an exhibition hall at the time, many agreed it was obsolete. According to Richard Morris Hunt, a prestigiou s American architect, "from the very day it began to rise above the ground the critics cried against the destruction of one of the finest perspective views that Paris afforded, and condemned this heavy and compact mask that was being interposed between the Champs Elysà ©es and the dome of the Invalides" (Hunt, 31). Hà ©nard recommended replacing the Palais de l'Industrie with two buildings, Palais des Beaux-Arts and Palais des Lettres (Wolf, 29). From Hà ©nard's idea came the establishment of the Grand Palais, Petit Palais, and the Pont Alexandre III. In 1896, Charles-Louis Girault (1851-1932) was nominated chief architect for the Petit Palais. He found his inspiration mainly in eighteenth century French architecture. The main faà §ade was located across from the Grand Palais on the East Side of the Avenue Nicholas II (today Winston Churchill). Of the three other facades, one faced the Seine River, another Avenue des Champs-Elysà ©es. The plan of the Petit Palais was that of a regular trapezoid and was arranged around a central closed courtyard.

Ironclads Of The Civil War :: essays research papers

IRONCLADS OF THE CIVIL WAR   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The book I read is called IRONCLADS OF THE CIVIL WAR. When you think of the Civil War you think of on land battles, but there were also many battles in the water. The Civil War introduced the Ironclads, which are huge ships made of iron with no sails and very destructive.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first built and launched ironclad was in 1855 and it was named the Merrimac. Europe just starting building ironclads and sent her to Norfolk. The Merrimac was still there when Virginia seceded from the Union in April of 1861. The Union then sank the Merrimac and set her afire but the hull of the shop and the engines settled in the bottom of the river. The Confederates found it and raised the parts out. It took 1,500 men to work on the Merrimac. It was a very slow process because there was not many supplies or tools. The Merrimac needed needed on thousand tons of iron. It was difficult to get some because there was very few iron manufacturers anywhere in the South and there was just one able to supply enough. The Merrimac got a small share of iron and then went to work. It took over a year to get this ship finished. The captain was Franklin Buchnan and he had 300 men for a crew.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Most of the men were soldiers recently assigned out of artillery regiments. And there were very few sailors in the South, so most were clueless on where to go or what to do. When everything was done and she began to move it looked like the Merrimac was capable of doing what she was meant to do. The Northerners were warned about this ironclad â€Å"monster† and were waiting for this moment a long time. When the Merrimac came into view she fought the Cumberland and ended up destroying it. The shell burst into the rail and knocked down nine men of the Cumberland. In the end the Merrimac destroyed the Cumberland. But no ship in the navy ever fought as hard or as brave as the Cumberland did.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Once the word got around about the ironclad everyone started to make them. France built the Gloire and England built the Warrior. By the Civil War was a year old the navies were being complemented with ironclad. And the Union knew that they had to have an ironclad to ever beat the South Merrimac Captain John Ericisson

Hooligans Essay -- Hooliganism Football Sports Athletics Essays

Hooligans â€Å"Hundreds of English fans have been departed from Belgium after scenes of mass violence in Belgian cities and football authorities have threatened to expel the English team from the competition if there is another outbreak of the English Disease† This was an article dated 20 June 2000 written by an English journalist. It is obvious from this article that world is facing a great problem nowadays. Actually it would be wrong to use the term ‘nowadays’ because the ‘English Disease’ namely hooliganism have been a problem for many centuries. There are many things to say on hooliganism but first it would be better to start with its definition. Hooliganism doesn’t have a standard definition. But it can be defined as destruction of properties or injury to persons, sometimes involving theft, whether by a gang or a small group of young people. Hooliganism is characterised as a lack of self-control, love of malicious mischief and idleness passing into dishonest and crime. Hooligans are usually made up of boys and young men, aged between 15 and 25 and their main targets are other groups, who only differ from them in their being composed of fans of another football team. And another interesting fact about hooligans is that they consider themselves to be true fans: they support the team for better or worse, they create the highly praised ‘atmosphere’ inside stadiums. Their main interest does not seem much to see brilliant football but to see their team win. As I mentioned in the beginning football hooliganism is known as the ‘English Disease’ but it has been a problem throughout Europe especially in Germany, Holland, Italy and Belgium as well as in the UK. Also Greece, Czech Republic, Denmark, Austria and Turkey witnessed these disturbances in football matches. There are a lot of work done all around the world to avoid the harm hooligans give to the environment and themselves. European Parliament and the National Parliaments of the European Union made effort to avoid the violence throughout Europe. European Council issued a report on hooliganism September 1999 and tried to take further steps on this problem. After all the work done by various sociologists and initiatives of the European Institutions still it is difficult to observe decline in violence in European Stadiums. To make it clear that World is suffering enough from hooliganism for many years... ...cisive measures like banning Britain from football games. I want to end my essay with an article written by Graham L. Jones in 26.06.2000. This article will be helpful in making a summary of the works about hooliganism. ‘The time for talk is over: Ban the Brits! Don’t wait another minute. Forget the possible quarterfinal game. Send Britain from Euro 2000 back to home. Yes, it’s my own country I’m talking about. And yes, it’s the team and players that I want to see pay the price for the absolute ineffectiveness of English Government and English judiciary doing nothing about hooliganism’ Bibliography HOLT R. 1989.Sport and the British. Oxford: Oxford University Press KERR H. 1994.Understanding Soccer Hooliganism. Buckingam: Open University Press TAYLOR R. 1992.Football and its Fans. Leicester: Leicester Universty Press Resources from Internet noviolence.com/archives dailynews.yahoo.com-22.06.2000 bbc.com- Hooliganism made in England but big abroad-26.02.1998 titonet.com/hooligans thesportjournal.com- A developmental view of soccer hooliganism by A.J Harley intorminc.co.uk- Hooliganism-a political football eserver.org- Playing for England by Paul Smith

King Lear/Inferno

Paper Assignment #2 (Inferno / King Lear) Both Shakespeare’s King Lear and Dante’s Inferno explore the reasons for and results of human suffering. Both works postulate that human suffering comes as a result of choices that are made. That statement is not only applicable to the characters in each of the works, but also to the readers. The Inferno and King Lear speak universal truths about the human condition: that suffering is inevitable and unavoidable.While both King Lear and the Inferno concentrate on the admonitions and lamentations of human suffering, there is one key difference between the works: the Inferno has an aspect of hope that is not present in King Lear. The unavoidable aspect of human suffering is depicted brilliantly by Shakespeare in King Lear. Seemingly insignificant choices that King Lear makes throughout the play end up completely changing his life for the worse. Not only does Lear lose his kingdom, but he also loses his family and his home.His situa tion is only made worse by him not recognizing his fault in his own actions. Lear’s lack of responsibility when it comes to his own problems is best described by Kent: â€Å"It is the stars, the stars above us govern our conditions† (Shakespeare 101). Kent and Lear blame all of their suffering on the will of a higher being, neglecting that their own actions brought them to a place where they have to suffer. By not recognizing his responsibility in the events that are happening to him, Lear causes more strife for himself and those around him.He continues to make the same mistakes like falling victim to Regan and Goneril’s flattery and ignoring Cordelia’s wise words. In addition, Lear was constantly advised by the Fool and Kent not to make such poor choices. Lear’s own stubbornness prevented him from seeing the wisdom in the Fool’s words. Similarly, in the Inferno, Capaneus is a man whose punishment comes as a result of his own defiance. Capan eus was told that his fate would be to almost conquer a city, but fail. Capaneus fought against his fate and defied it, but he ended up in Hell all the same.Capaneus became his own punishment: â€Å"no torment other than your rage itself could punish your gnawing pride more perfectly† (Dante 198). Both Lear and Capaneus show excessive pride and stubbornness throughout their respective works, and fail to see their own faults. They were forewarned about their punishments, yet they continued down the path that would bring them the most suffering. Even though suffering is an inevitable part of living and there is no path in life that does not include some sort of suffering, these two men chose the ones that would bring them the most pain.The Inferno is a tale of cautionary advice. In each circle, Dante the pilgrim speaks to one of the shades that reside there and the readers learn how and why the damned have become the damned. As Dante learns from the mistakes of the damned, so d o the readers. And as Dante feels the impacts of human suffering, so do the readers. Virgil constantly encourages Dante the pilgrim to learn why the shades are in Hell and what were their transgressions while on Earth. This work’s purpose is to educate the reader.The work’s assertions on the nature of human suffering are mostly admonition, with each shade teaching Dante the pilgrim and by extension the reader not to make the same mistakes. Dante views his journey through hell as a learning experience and that is why he made it out alive. King Lear shows an extreme of human suffering. While there is some foreshadowing to the tragic end of the play and some reproof is given, the play mostly focuses on the lamentations of the characters. Edmund laments being born a â€Å"bastard† and the circumstances surrounding his birth.He believes that it is in his â€Å"nature† to be subversive, evil, and manipulative. Yet, unlike Lear, Edmund does not place the blame o f his unfortunate life on the stars: â€Å"I should have been that I am, had the maidenliest star in the firmament twinkled on my bastardizing† (Shakespeare 20). Edmund does, however, blame society for his actions, which is just as harmful as Lear blaming the stars. If anything, this play illustrates that as humans we are completely responsible for our actions and that our own suffering is a consequence of poor judgments.Both the Inferno and King Lear depict the horrific aspects of human suffering, but there is one key difference. There is a complete absence of hope in King Lear and it shows in the tragic ending of the play. Not only do most of the characters die, but also none of them achieve redemption or are able to achieve forgiveness for their actions (with the exception of Edmund). King Lear makes a discouraging statement about humanity and the extent of human suffering: that suffering is a perpetual aspect of human life and it cannot be overcome: â€Å"We that are you ng shall never see so much, nor live so long† (Shakespeare 142).This statement made by Edgar shows the hopelessness of the circumstances Edgar, Albany, and Kent have found themselves in at the end of King Lear. In the Inferno, Dante walks through Hell, literally, and comes out on the other side alive, something that no one else has been able to achieve. Dante the pilgrim and Dante the poet saw the worst of humanity and have been able to come out of the experience with hope: â€Å"I saw the lovely things the heavens hold, and we came out to see once more the stars† (Dante 383).This observation at the end of the Inferno by Dante shows that he still believes that there is good in the world and that human suffering is not all there is to life and death. Dante the poet also maintains the reader’s hope throughout the work by showing that Dante the pilgrim made it through hell: â€Å"But I remained†¦ to tell about without more evidence† (Dante 328). The Infe rno makes a powerful statement about humanity and human suffering by adding an aspect of hope to the work: even though human suffering is inevitable and unavoidable, there is hope and suffering can be overcome.Both the Inferno and King Lear have aspects of desperation, but the final tone of the works illustrates their differences. King Lear and the Inferno are both tales of human suffering that explore the depth and width of suffering. However, even though they both state that human suffering is inevitable and unavoidable, there is levity in the Inferno that is completely absent in King Lear. The final message of King Lear is the pervasiveness of human suffering and that one’s choices not only cause one’s own suffering, but can cause the suffering of others. King Lear ends on a note of eternal sadness.Inferno’s final message is a much more hopeful one: one can be touched by human suffering and one can experience human suffering, but that does not mean that all h ope is lost. In the Inferno, suffering is just one aspect of the human experience, not the only aspect, and it does not have to define one’s life. Overall these works tell us about the unpleasant, yet necessary, parts of the human experience that will affect everyone at some point in their lives, but it is how we handle human suffering that matters most. Works Cited Dante. Inferno. New York: Penguin, 2003. Print. Shakespeare, William. King Lear. New York: Penguin, 1999. Print.