Cultural Considerations Essay

The Mexican culture has been characterized by their values, importance of family heritage, folk healing, religion and spirituality. There is also the relation of demographic features associated with the Mexican such as: low income, lack of education, and ethnic segregation. These characteristics have been known to cause cultural differences that can become barriers that can affect the communication between the patient and the healthcare provider. Mexicans are less likely to use the available health resources, because of their strong cultural differences with American Medicine. They also pose a higher rate of poverty related health issues such as diabetes and obesity (Latino culture and health). When they do use the healthcare system, they fear of experiencing discrimination. Their language and cultural become factors in the treatment they are given. Within the Mexican culture family support is important. They provide each other with a support system consisting of extended family, fol k healers, and religious institutions (Latino culture and health). When they choose to use the American medical services, it is influenced by their cultural and spiritual value and by folk theories of disease, remedies, and curers passed down from their ancestors (Latino culture and health). The specific issues between the Mexicans and the American healthcare include language and immigration (Estrada et al., 2010). Most instructions and messages are communicated by mouth, and many Hispanics feel embarrassed because they could not speak or understand English. The relationship between the physician and the Hispanic patient is problematic because of social differentials by inequality on institutional levels, cognitive, and linguistic Mexican cultural practices can and do influence healthcare use however the relationship is complicated. Curanderismo, folk-healing practices continues to be an important aspect of Mexican American culture because of distrust in medicines that are not natural. (Estrada et al., 2010).This may lead to treatment which may worsen their condition. The Mexican culture has been characteristically known to have cultural differences that can develop barriers which affect the communication process with health care providers; therefore health care professional need to have a complete understanding of the principles of cross-cultural communication within the community that they serve.

Color Imagery in Othello Essay

Imagery, as defined by Webster’s Dictionary, is the use of vivid figurative language to represent objects, actions, or ideas. In Othello, Shakespeare makes use of colors to represent ideas or to set the mood for the scenes taking place. The use of such color imagery enhances the play, causing the reader to look past the mere words and search for the deeper meaning behind the scenes. The predominant colors that Shakespeare makes use of are black and white; however, some symbolism is portrayed through the use of green and red also. Throughout history, the color black has always been used to set the mood for evil and deceit. In Othello, Iago, the antagonist, construes most of his evil plans in the dark of night. The play even opens at night as Iago begins his wicked scheming (1.1). The play also ends at night as Othello smothers his innocent wife and, later, kills himself. In a soliloquy, Iago declares â€Å"When devils will the blackest sins put on,/They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,/As I do now† (2.3.315-317) and finishes with â€Å"So will I turn her [Desdemona] virtue into pitch† (2.3.324) This speech, using the symbolism implied by the color black, allows Iago to make known his malicious intents. Convinced, through Iago’s scheming, of Desdemona’s impurity, Othello proclaims that â€Å"her name, that was as fresh/As Dian’s visage, is now begrim’d and black/As mine own face† (3.3.387-389). Shakespeare’s main character is the black Moor Othello. Here, black is not used to imply a sense of evil. In one aspect, it reflects the racism during the times of Shakespeare. Using a black character allows Shakespeare to put racial tensions into his play, placing an even greater weight upon the rifts that are created among the other characters. Throughout the play, several racial slurs are made against Othello’s race, especially Iago’s railings against him to Desdemona’s father Brabantio: â€Å"Because we come to do you service and you think we are ruffians, you’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse† (1.1.109-111) and â€Å"I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs† (1.1.114-115). Othello’s black skin also isolates him from the other  characters, allowing Iago to work his evil deeds without fear of Othello discovering them. The color green is used mostly in reference to plants. Plants, in Othello, resemble characters in the play being products of certain inevitable natural forces which, if left unchecked, will grow wild. Iago, who considers himself a good gardener of himself and others (1.3.319-322), cultivates his conceits that they may grow into poisonous weeds. Shakespeare also makes use of the color green to symbolize the jealousy that grows in Othello as Iago’s schemes unfold. Iago, pretending to be an honest and good friend, warns Othello of jealousy: â€Å"It is the green-ey’d monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on† (3.3.167-168). It is among the greenery of the garden that Othello’s jealousy is first spurred when he sees Cassio with Desdemona (3.3.36). In Othello, the color white is used most extensively to symbolize the virtuosity and innocence of Desdemona, the beautiful wife of Othello and the falsely-accused victim of Iago’s malicious lies. Many references are made to Desdemona’s â€Å"fair† skin, always a sharp contrast to her husband’s black skin (1.1.120; 1.2.66; 3.3.480). Towards the conclusion of the play, Desdemona asks her maid and companion Emilia to make her bed with the white wedding sheets (4.2.105) and even requests of Emilia, â€Å"If I do die before thee, prithee, shroud me/In one of those same sheets† (4.3.223-224). It is upon these very sheets that Othello smothers Desdemona, not wanting to shed her blood for fear of scarring â€Å"that whiter skin of hers than snow,/And smooth as monumental alabaster† (5.2.4-5). Shakespeare evidently wished to emphasize Desdemona’s innocence and purity by using the color white as much as possible. The use of so much white to depict the purity of Desdemona adds a tremendous weight to the tragedy of the play; for, the audience, having been subjected to so much symbolism of Desdemona’s virtuosity, cannot help but be moved to tears at her unfortunate death at the hands of her own husband for crimes she had not committed. Shakespeare does not make a tremendous use of the color red. It is mostly symbolized in the mention of blood. As with nearly all literary writings, the use of blood is meant to speak of life and death, mostly of the latter. As Othello passes by after Iago has stabbed Cassio, he hears Cassio cry out and assumes that he is dying. Satisfied that Iago has served justice upon Cassio, he sets his mind to killing Desdemona declaring, â€Å"Minion, your dear lies dead,/And your unblest fate hies: strumpet, I come./Forth of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are blotted;/They, bed, lust-stain’d, shall with lust’s blood be spotted† (5.1.33-36). Although he truly does not plan on shedding her blood, the reference to it allows the audience to fully realize his determination to kill her. In regards to using the color red to indicate life, Shakespeare uses the symbol of a rose. As Othello enters into the room in the last act of the play and makes his long speech before killing his falsely-accused wife he remarks, â€Å"When I have pluck’d the rose,/I cannot give it vital growth again,/It needs must wither† (5.2.13-15). Color imagery in Shakespeare’s Othello adds weight and meaning to the play. Many can read or view the play and simply enjoy it for its words and literary importance. Other readers or members in the audience enjoy searching deeper into the imagery, whether it be plant, animal, or color, to discover the hidden morals or meanings of the play. Not only do the colors make the play more visually exciting, but they allow the searching audience to add a deeper meaning, perhaps even a personal meaning, to the play. Work Cited Shakespeare, William. Othello. Literature and the Writing Process. Elizabeth McMahan, Susan X Day, and Robert Funk. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice, 2002. 830-915.

Explaining Childrens Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Explaining Childrens Development - Essay Example His definition of this approach was highly practical. Thus, Watson believed psychology should be a purely objective field of knowledge used to accurately predict and control human behaviour and development. Introspection and self-analysis are useless if applied to psychology and there is no difference between humans and animals. In fact, Watson neglected the concept of the conscious and unconscious as such (Littleton, Toates, & Braisby, 2002). Formulating his views Watson relied primarily on the Ivan Pavlov's discovery of the mechanism of classical conditioning. Pavlov's studies of dog's digestion transformed the common understanding of learning and development. The scientist carried out a series of experiments in order to test his initial conclusions. He provided a sound or light signal that was immediately followed by some food placed in the dog's moth. The dog started to perceive the signal in conjunction with the food and after several repetitions the dog salivated immediately after the signal even without any food. This fact made Pavlov introduce a new psycho-physiological concept of a conditional stimulus in distinction to an unconditioned stimulus (Littleton, Toates, & Braisby, 2002: 170-171). Although Pavlov revealed the phenomenon of classical conditioning during experimental studies, which involved animals, the key principle of this process proved valid in human behaviour too. Watson described an example of the classical conditioning in human beings. Albert, an infant with a pet rat, was not afraid of it until once Watson banged a metal plate while the boy was reaching for his pet. Subsequently, Albert started to demonstrate fear of the rat (Littleton, Toates, & Braisby, 2002: 172). Another good example of the classical conditioning in human behaviour is the bell-and-pad technique that is often used to cope with bed-wetting in children. Two perforated metal sheets connected to a low-tension battery are placed under the bed sheet. When a child moistens the bed urine short-circuits the sheets, and the battery produces a laud alarm making the child wake up. After several alarms the child is able to wake up without the alarm: the sensation of a full bladder is finally conne cted to the necessity of waking up (Lattal & Chase, 2003). Skinner further elaborated on the behaviourist conception of behaviour by paying attention not only to stimuli resulting in certain patterns of behaviour, but also exploring the stimuli affecting the actor after performance. In a series of experiments involving rats and pigeons that were rewarded with food for pressing a lever in the Skinner box, the scientist observed that positive stimuli led to more frequent repetition of the act that caused them; he called such stimuli "reinforcers" (Littleton, Toates, & Braisby, 2002: 175-176). Skinner recognised situational influences as predominant factors that cause different reactions of children. The reactions largely depend upon the previous experience and genetic code of individual. Skinner also believed that analysis of specific mental states, which had been so popular in psychoanalytic

Standardization And Adaptation Strategies of Macdonalds, Pepsi, Toyota Essay - 8

Standardization And Adaptation Strategies of Macdonalds, Pepsi, Toyota Motors in International Market - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that the globalization of the world has totally changed the way to carry out business as companies forced to be precocious concerning the choice of their internationalization strategy. The last few decades have transformed the business world into a marketing mix where companies strive in making globalized decisions to fit the competition spectrum. With globalization, a set of universal needs has developed among people all over the globe, therefore setting a pace for companies to no longer target markets by country. Instead, they target by the segment that congregates groups of citizens from diverse countries with universal needs. This trend is so robustly present in the current world that it creates a completely different class of companies that benefit from international markets. Fascinatingly, the concepts of standardization and adaptation strategies are not new terms in the global marketing perspective. Product strategies of standardizat ion and adaptation experimental investigation have been in existence since the 1970s. Nonetheless, the entry of companies in the international arena does not come effortlessly, for many of these companies are encountered with the challenges of whether to standardize or adapt the essentials of their marketing blend. As stated earlier, the entry of Multinationals in the international market is characterized by some challenges, the researcher will analyze some of the challenges these companies are facing. A final segment of this report will be a recommendation or likely solution to the challenges these companies are facing.

Effects of WWII on Canada Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Effects of WWII on Canada - Essay Example Historical records show that over 50 countries participated in the war and the effects were felt in the whole world. Fighting took place in nearly all parts of the world and in every continent except for Antarctica. The chief battlegrounds for the war included Europe, Asia, the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Mediterranean Sea, and North Africa. Even though historians seem not to agree entirely on the exact date when the war started, most of them consider that the invasion of Poland by Germany on September 1, 1939 without warning marked the beginning of the World War II. By September 3rd, the war had gained more momentum as France and Britain were at war with Germany. Within a week after the war had began, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia had joined the war. Six years of total war then followed, being fought over numerous kilometres. The war was fought on land, in the air, and on the sea (Zuehlke 2004). It should be noted that although many countries were involved in the World War II, major world powers were the main players as they sought for global domination. Other countries like Canada and New Zealand were just backing their dominant allies based on certain factors such as territorial and historical. It should not be lost that such involvement, although not in the scale of major world powers, resulted to more effects on these countries than in countries that played very passive or no role at all during the war. It is against this background that it is necessary to understand what effects that these countries faced. This essay will focus specifically on the effects of World War II on Canada. Before evaluating the effects of World War II on Canada, it is important to highlight the effects of the war upon the major world powers, the non- European world, international organizations, and science and technology. Understanding effects on the aforementioned countries and aspects is very crucial because the

Investment Plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Investment Plan - Assignment Example From this discussion it is clear that  as a young person and as a risk taker by nature, the reporter plan on pursuing an aggressive investment plan. He does not come from a rich background but he believes that the only way to get rich is to risk everything that one has and they are bound to get high rewards as a result. The author believes that he is a fairly patient person with the right mind set to wait for as long as it takes before he receives the rewards. In addition, since the reporter is soon going to be newly employed, he wants to start living on a budget that is entirely dependent on his gross pay rather than dipping into his savings. This means that he will not be relying on the investment money for his survival. The reporter will also supplement his retirement fund with monthly contributions from his salary.As the paper stresses as indicated before, as a young investor, his strategy is based on being aggressive, high risk and high rewards. Furthermore, due to his young a ge, negative market fluctuations in the next 40 years or so are bound to be cancelled out by the positive market fluctuations, leading to high rewards. The reporter's first investment strategy will be based on the conventional formula for finding the optimum target asset allocation meant for investing the $ 2,500 savings for his retirement fund. He might invest part (75%) of the money to purchase stock in Amazon Inc while the rest of the money will be invested in HICOX.

Technology have been made a big impact in your life research paper

Technology have been made a big impact in your life - Research Paper Example The current state of technology has significant effects on the relationship between my school and I. Technologies for transport and communication have ensured availability of learning resources in the school library. Aided communication that helps the school to identify necessary academic resources for its students and efficient transport and communication system has facilitated this and developed a high level of utility among students. I therefore feel attached to the school because it cares for my learning needs. Technology has also empowered the school to avail electronic academic resources through online libraries and databases to increase utility. Developed communication systems for the school’s customer relations, through the internet and mobile phones has also strengthened my relationship with the school because of instant assistance from the school’s personnel (Ying and Neo, n.d.). The school’s reliance on technology has however undermined physical connec tivity. Every problem can be resolved over technology and this has limited my information on the school’s structure and procedures. Use of technology has also strained my relationship with the school because of system failures. I have as a result failed, many times, to submit my assignments in time and lecturers do not accept system failure as an excuse (The University of Iowa, n.d.). Technology has also had mixed effects on my relationships with my friends. The social media has played an important role and offered such advantages as increased level of flexibility in communication and accessibility of friends. The media offers different modes of communication such as texts, and shared links and contents of communication can be modified. Lower involved costs in technology-based communication also improve frequency and duration of interactions with my friends and bond our relationships.

The Regulation of the Internet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

The Regulation of the Internet - Essay Example The internet has become one of the most widespread technological advancements which have gained popularity in recent years. Since its inception, its use has expanded and its coverage has grown extensively. Most everything can now be found and done online. Business transactions can be carried out online, so can social interactions, buying, selling, and even dating. Various individuals use it for both their professional and personal needs; it serves purposes which mostly relate to convenience and easy accessibility. In recent years however, due to its widespread use, issues on censorship have been raised. Due to the delicacy of internet materials which have become widespread in their use, the idea of internet censorship has been suggested. However, issues on the application of democratic ideals seem to clash with the idea of internet censorship. This paper shall answer whether or not internet censorship is compatible with democratic values and ideals. Body Internet censorship is defined by Colthorp as â€Å"internet material that is examined and then removed or suppressed when it is considered morally, politically, or otherwise objectionable†. This includes a very wide range of materials which can be considered censorable; defining what is morally or politically objectionable can spawn various materials in the legal, ethical, religious, liberal or the conservative sense. Nevertheless, materials often defined to be subjects of censorship include pornographic, politically seditious, and even criminally offensive materials. The purposes of censorship in different countries often have various motivations. Three main regions in the world engage in internet censorship, including East Asia, Central Asia, and Middle East/North Africa (Misa, 60). Other countries like Germany, France, and even the US also implement some form of censorship against certain websites and under specific settings. The US for example, filters internet activitie s in computers in libraries as well as K-12 schools (Reichman and American Library Association, 39). In France and Germany, materials about Nazism and Holocaust denial are also blocked (Deibert, 190). Child pornography and other pornographic sites are also banned by various countries in the world, including China, Singapore, and most countries in the Middle East (Deibert, Palfrey, and OpenNet Initiative, 5). Some of these countries are actually democratic countries and have long respected the freedom of speech and of expression, and yet are involved in some form of internet censorship. The practice of internet censorship has been supported, to some extent, by governments because various reasons. The significant growth of the Internet has led to a new realm of human communication whose ease is facilitated by cyberspace, its low cost in participation, as well as its potentially vast audience (Malakoff, 1). In many ways, it actually represents a purely democratic forum where any litera te person can express his thoughts, feelings, and opinions. On the other hand, electronic communication and the internet also have negative consequences owing to the fact that most people can now access any morally and politically pervasive materials on the internet (Malakoff, 2). This is the primary reason driving some governments to implement regulatory practices for internet use. Countries which have historically suppressed the transmission of data in an attempt to control and suppress any civilian dissent have found the internet to be a particular problem. These countries have an innate fear that materials that their people would read and obtain

The effect of stress among college students Research Paper

The effect of stress among college students - Research Paper Example Undoubtedly, as the study intent, effects of stress observed on college students, presents a multidimensional, complex and wide ranging event. Thus, to obtain a specific direction and understand the effects caused by stress on college students, the discussion henceforth emphasizes three themes; viz. (i) Physical and Psychological effects caused by stress among college students, (ii) Unhealthy habits in effect of stress on college students, and (iii) Increased drop-out rates as effects of stress on college students. Scholars have often argued sleep disorders, and psychological effects such as anxiety and negative mood fluctuations as associated with education stress among college students. Assessing the same notion through a quantitative model, findings obtained by Wong, Lau, Wan, Cheung, Hui & MOK (2013), revealed a higher scale of daytime sleepiness, depression or negative anxiety and reduced self-esteem interlinked with the academic functioning of the college students. This particular inference was justified in the study made by Elhai, Miller, Ford, Biehn, Palmieri & Frueh (2012), demonstrating greater rates of physical and psychological impairments among college students in terms of negatively reactivity, avoidance, negative cognitive alterations and hyper-arousal among others (refer to table 1 in appendix). Nonetheless, stress is found to be perceived by the students, which further results into anxiety and sleeping disorders among them, further causing physical health deterioration (Duan, Ho, Siu, Li & Zhang, 2015). In contrast, however, Wong et al. (2013) depicted an interlinkage between the factors stated; the relationship tested was more inclined towards testing the psychological effects on the educational merits of the students and not the vice-versa. A rather more insightful explanation was provided by Read, Ouimette, White, Colder & Farrow (2011), wherein the study revealed a strong association of posttraumatic

Article Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Review - Article Example It provides alternative to Kenyans living in urban communities to send money to their loved ones living in the provinces. It beats having to spend time falling inline on banks and other money transfer services. The convenience, security, and portability of doing the transaction anytime, anywhere made M- PESA a preferred method for money transfer for 9.5 million Kenyans, that’s over 20 percent of the total population (The Economist, 2010). M- PESA works by converting the user’s cash to ‘e-float’, wherein money is digitalized and is credited to their phone. They could exchange or purchase ‘e-float’ through accredited banks and partnered agents who also sell airtime/ prepaid cards. When they want to send money or ‘e-float’ to another person, they would just key-in the amount they want to send. The receiving party—who also would have to be a Safaricom subscriber to be able to receive the e-float, would just simply show his phone —which contains the text message and reference number to the transaction, to redeem the e-float and exchange it to cash.

19th and 20th Century Gender Expectations in Literature Essay Example for Free

19th and 20th Century Gender Expectations in Literature Essay The late 19th century produced a myriad of successful authors, poets and play-writes that often incorporated the local customs, traditions and expectations of the time (and perhaps their own experiences) into their work. A fact of the times, even into early 20th century, is that women were not equal to men and the expectations of women were not equal as well. This point will be illustrated by comparative analysis of two separate forms of literature: Tristan Bernard’s humorous play I’m Going! A Comedy in One Act, and Kate Chopin’s short story â€Å"The Story of an Hour. † Authors can use plays, stories or poems to bring us into their world, and through imagination we can connect with them, if only briefly, and enjoy their point of view and what they are trying to convey. Through their writing, they are actually giving us a look at history and through that snapshot of time we can see the differences between society’s expectations then and now. Tristan Bernard’s (1866-1947) I’m Going! A Comedy in One Act (1915), (Clugston, 2010a), is a play set in Paris about a married couple (Henri and Jeanne) who on a Sunday morning are trying to decide how they are going to spend their day. Henri wants to go to the races but he wants Jeanne to stay home, though she wants to go with him, or to see her friend (Clugston, 2010a). The theme of the play is one of distrust and manipulation, as each truly wants to spend the day on their own, and at the end of the play that is exactly what they do (Clugston, 2010a). See more: Analysis of Starbucks coffee company employees essay In this play, Bernard uses the setting of the stage and symbolism to convey to the audience a sense of separate desires of the couple starting with the opening scene when Henri and Jeanne enter and sit on opposite sides of the room (Clugston, 2010a). Bernard, in fact, used symbolism in many of his works, and exploited the psychoanalytical technique to draw his dramas together (Degasse, 2008). What one really has to look through the mist to see, however, is how Bernard incorporates society’s expectations (or double standard) of women in  Paris (and throughout the world, really), though in a humorous and dramatic style, into the play. One has to keep in mind that the male audience of that time probably had the same attitude and beliefs as the character Henri, and though it may have been viewed as right or wrong, women were expected to be subservient and obedient while the male was allowed further freedoms. Henri wants to goes to the races alone, and ultimately, that is what he does while Jeanne stays home, but let us look deeper at the play and uncover the nuances that show the inequality of the times and how Bernard conveys that conviction. After Henri and Jeanne’s initial entrance and they set down, the first thing that happens is Henri makes a comment about how every Sunday the weather is nice until noon, then its cloudy and rainy or there is an advancing thunderstorm (Clugston, 2010a). This verbal observation of the weather may be a metaphor and actually provide two meanings; one is that it is in fact rainy and Henri is setting a negative atmosphere for Jeanne who expects him to take her out for the day, and the other could be the weekly Sunday dilemma of Henri trying to go to the races without Jeanne. The rainy, or soon to be, day also sets a tone of despair, but provides Henri with an excuse to go to the races alone and save him and his wife the additional cost of a carriage in order to avoid the rain, and additional cost of a ladies ticket (Clugston, 2010a). In truth, it is just a manipulation of the circumstances for Henri to try to dissuade Jeanne in joining him at the races (Clugston, 2010a). Then in Bernard’s I’m Going, A Comedy in One Act (1915), Henri recommends a promenade (a walk) with his wife instead of accompanying him to the races and Jeanne responds â€Å"Yes, up the Champs-Elysees together! And have you looking daggers at me all the time! Whenever I do go with you, you’re always making disagreeable remarks. † Henri responds with â€Å"Because you are in a bad humor – you’ll never give me your arm. † (Jeanne called him on his bluff, because he really doesn’t want to take a walk either), (cited in Clugston, 2010a, 1. 1. 26-29). She has no real intention of going for a walk with him as she did not intend to go to the races, but does not want to see him go alone to the races and enjoy himself alone, either. This is another example of manipulation; her manipulating him and vice versa, and starts the back and forth farce of both supposedly wanting to spend the day together when they really do not (Clugston, 2010a). When Jeanne decides Henri can go to the races alone because she intends to go see a friend, Henri decides he will stay at home and not go to the races (Clugston, 2010a). This is an obvious representation of the husband not trusting the wife, and even though she has given sanction to him to proceed, he abandons all intentions to leave because of his suspicion of her meeting with her friend and also perhaps meeting another man. The deception between both characters is obvious at this point in the play but not obviously clear as to why. Though we know by this point that Henri’s intention has always been to go to the races alone, it is not yet clear why Jeanne reacts the way she does. Is it that she is abused, or expected to stay home alone while Henri goes to the races, or does she have her own nefarious agenda, or both? Finally, and after much back and forth ruse of both characters, Jeanne decides to stay at home alone and lets Henri leave for the races alone, only to delight in the fact that she can spend her afternoon working on hats and enjoying chocolate at home as detailed immediately after Henri departs for the races in Bernard’s I’m Going! A Comedy in One Act (1915), (cited by Clugston, 2010a, 1. 1. 81-185): (Waits for a moment, listens, and hears the outer door close, then rises, and goes to the door at the back. She speaks to someone off-stage) Marie, don’t go before you get me a large cup of chocolate. Bring two rolls, too. Oh, and go at once to my room and bring me my box of ribbons and those old hats. (She comes down- stage, and says beaming) What fun I’ll have trimming hats! Throughout this play Jeanne is expected by Henri to stay at home while he enjoys the afternoon alone, and despite the opposition Jeanne gives him, she eventually desists and Henri has his way while she is left at home. This is an excellent example of how women were treated by their husbands then as compared to how most men and women interact today. There was probably no other recourse for the character Jeanne but to resolve herself to some enjoyment at home with her hats, and chocolate, and rolls. It could be argued that that is what she wanted all along, that she only wanted a reassurance that her husband loved her, but probably not, more than likely she simply had no other choice than to occupy her Sunday alone as best as she could and succumb to her husband’s wishes. There stands some ambiguity as to whether they really love each other, or if Jeanne is simply stuck and cannot get out of the situation she is in. Sixteen years earlier than the play by Tristan Bernard discussed above, but in the same era of male dominance, Kate Chopin (1850-1904) wrote several short stories and novels which also depict the sexist plight of women in her time and the choices they had to endure in order to survive, including quite possibly domestic violence in a time when no recourse was available (Tate, 2000). Unlike Bernard, who was a renowned writer at the age of 25, Chopin was considered a feminist, and as a young widow who had to raise six children alone when she lost her husband to swamp fever, she eventually succeeded by turning to writing and was widely accepted in the southern United States literary circle (Tucker, 1996). Much of her writing incorporates her own life experiences and tribulations, such as â€Å"The Awakening,† (1899) which depicts a 19th century woman who is adulterous, but maintains her strength and individuality despite of what society thinks about her (Tucker, 1996). It is of little doubt that Kate Chopin was of the same opinion and character of many of those characters in her stories. According to Leary (1968), much of her writing â€Å"Speaks of marital unhappiness and of dangers which lie in wait for people who do as they want to do without concern for other people† (p. 60). Kate Chopin’s â€Å"The Story of an Hour† (1894), (Clugston, 2010b), is written clearly and succinctly leaving little room for ambiguity or misinterpretation. Chopin’s direct style of writing draws the reader in quickly and gives immediate insight to what is happening and what the feelings of the characters are, thus increasing the understanding of what the author is trying to convey. Like Bernard, Chopin uses symbolism and tone to enhance the (in this case) imaginary setting to further the reader’s experience. Unlike Bernard, Chopin’s form was short stories and novels instead of plays to be performed in front of live audiences. It is also important to look at Kate Chopin from a biographical/historical perspective to realize Chopin has also used life experiences as a basis for some of her characters: in this story Mr. Mallard has reportedly been killed in a train accident, while in reality Kate Chopin’s father really was killed in a train accident (Tucker, 1996). According to Seyersted, (cited in Kelly, 1994, p. 332), after critiquing â€Å"Athenaise,† he states that â€Å"In spite of its ‘happy ending,’ this tale is, on a deeper level, a protest against woman’s condition. Seyersted is undoubtedly referring to women’s struggle at that time for equality with men. Closer comparison of this story with Bernard’s play will bring to the surface many similarities of the uphill struggle women of this era endured and how it is depicted and evident in our literature. In Chopin’s â€Å"The Story of an Hour,† the main character, Mrs. Mallard receives word at home that her Husband had been killed in a train accident, she was distraught and crying, and when this subsided, she retires alone to a large armchair facing an open window in her room (Clugston, 2010b). This initial reaction to her loss seems fairly normal up to this point in the story, but then the Narrator describes what Mrs. Mallard sees, smells and hears from the open window, using symbolism and tone to describe a renewal in life, as described in Chopin’s â€Å"Story of an Hour,† (cited by Clugston, 2010b, para. 5): She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air. In the street below a peddler was crying his wares. The notes of a distant song which some one was singing reached her faintly, and countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves. As the story unfolds, Mrs. Mallard feels an emotion coming to her which she initially cannot identify, but ultimately does identify it; it is relief and a sense of a newfound freedom (Clugston, 2010). But why would she feel this way now unless she felt oppressed or abused when her husband was alive? A better description of what Mrs. Mallard had endured under her Husband’s rule and what she imagined the future to hold is stated in the story: â€Å"There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature† (cited in Clugston, 2010b, para. 14). The Author is speaking to the reader about this issue in 1894, a very bold and controversial statement for a time in which women were not expected to behave this way. Nearing the end of the story Mrs. Mallard finally accepts her newfound freedom and rejoices to herself â€Å"Free! Body and soul free! † (cited in Clugston, 2010b, para. 19), only to be persuaded out of her room by her sister and lead downstairs just as her husband comes through the front door, he was in fact not dead after all (Clugston, 2010). Mrs. Mallard died upon seeing her husband though the doctors said it was heart disease (earlier in the story it does mention she had a weak heart), (Clugston, 2010). One has to wonder though, did Mrs. Mallard die from heart disease or is this another symbol the Author uses to express Mrs. Mallard (or any oppressed woman) would rather die than give up her freedom and individuality? Tristan Bernard’s I’m Going! A Comedy in One Act is a play written by a man in France sixteen years after Kate Chopin’s â€Å"The Story of an Hour,† which is a short story written by a woman in the United States. Though there are differences in the Authors, origin, form, audience or reader, some compelling similarities exist; the time they were written (1915 1894, respectively), that both Authors incorporate issues of the time into their work, and perhaps most importantly, they both display the subservient, oppressive place which women are expected to take in the 19th and 20th centuries.

SWOT Analysis Indian Pharmaceutical Industry

SWOT Analysis Indian Pharmaceutical Industry Strengths 1. India is regarded as having an edge over China in terms of qualified, English-speaking manpower and fair protection of intellectual property rights supported by well-developed judicial system. (Appendix IV gives more information on IPR status in India). 2. India has skilled scientists/technicians/management personnel at affordable cost leading to low cost of innovation/ manufacturing/capex costs/ expenditure to run cGMP compliance facilities and high quality documentation and process understanding. 3. The country has well developed chemistry, R D and manufacturing infrastructure with proven track record in advanced chemistry capabilities, design of high tech manufacturing facilities and regulatory compliance. 4. The healthy domestic market with rising per capita expenditure is another significant strength enabling achievement of economies of scale. The country also has a strong marketing distribution network. 5. India is considered a desirable destination for off shoring of data management functions for clinical trials and also due to its rich biodiversity and strength in Chemistry which are essential for drug discovery. 6. The country has significant ability to circumvent API Patents. India has filed a number of non-infringing process patents. The country has a recent success track record in circumventing formulation patents. Proven Legal skills to evaluate IP and commercial strategies are available at least in select top companies. 7. The present domestic regulatory environment though in need of further improvement has been conducive to the growth of an emerging pharmaceutical industry. Weaknesses 1. Low investments in innovative RD continue to be a major weakness of Indian pharmaceutical industry. 2. Diffused nature of the Indian pharmaceutical industry means that only about 20 to 30 companies are large enough to bear the transactions costs associated with sustained exports to and compliance with entry regulations of the developed markets. 3. Majority of companies lack the ability to compete with MNCs for New Drug Discovery, Research and commercialization of molecules on a worldwide basis due to lack of resources. 4. Strong linkages between industry and academia which are essential for growth of the industry is lacking in India. 5. Comparatively small domestic market size due to low medical and healthcare expenditure in the country. 6. The country has at times shown inadequate regulatory framework or compliance and enforcement regime, reflected in occurrences such a production of spurious or low quality drugs. 7. Competency in API/Formulation, intellectual property creation, facility design and maintenance, global regulatory affairs, legal intricacies, and managing international work force is limited to a few players among the big players. 8. Rapidly increasing costs of skilled manpower such as scientists/ regulatory compliance personnel / pharmaceutical lawyers/ international business development personnel is pushing up the cost of innovation. Ability to evaluate contracts/alliances etc., is available only in top companies. Significant lacuna in this area exists and companies are falling into traps created by the competitors. Institutionalisation of learning in the following areas is restricted: Regulatory affairs knowledge for different countries and continents Process and product patents procedures knowledge for different countries and continents. 9. Sales and marketing knowledge is inadequate due to lack of understanding of international Pharmaceutical marketing/pricing practices and market environment in various countries. 10. Inadequate manufacturing practices in comparison to those accepted in developed world such as change of API source, change of manufacturing locations, equipment etc, with out proven stability/ bioequivalence may be creating inadequate technical work force for exports. The national drug regulatory system though evolved substantially, has been in the need of strengthening its manpower and systems requirements. 11. Inadequate emphasis on Biosciences in education system leading to slower development in areas related to Biology giving away advantage to China. Opportunities India is faced with significant export opportunities, such as: i. US$40 billion worth of drugs in the U.S.A and US$25 billion worth of drugs in Europe are expected to go off patent soon. Assocham estimates that Indian manufacturers may capture 30 percent of that market. This translates to an opportunity of US$19.5bn which is significant considering the countrys current exports of approx. US$7.25bn. However the figures need to be appropriately deflated since Indian opportunity will lie in generics equivalent of branded or patented drugs, which would be cheaper. ii. Generic launches by Indian manufacturers have increased in the United States from 93 in 2003 to 250 by 2008. iii. Compulsory licensing provisions negotiated in the Doha Round, allows for countries to import cheaper generic versions of patented drugs in the interests of public health. Thailand and South Africa have already started such initiatives from which Indian firms have benefited. 2. Due to the cost advantage in contract manufacturing Research multi-national companies find it compelling to shift their production bases to countries offering such cost advantage. Typical of the industry which requires approval of manufacturing facilities by various drug regulatory agencies of the world involving a very high cost, once such business finds base in India it would continue with it for at least one half to two decades. 3. Licensing deals with MNCs for NCEs (New Chemical Entities) and NDDS (New Drug Delivery Systems) offer new opportunities for Indian manufacturers. 4. Marketing alliances for MNC products in domestic and international market is another emerging opportunity. 5. Contract manufacturing arrangements with MNCs is estimated at 10% of patented markets estimated at US$450bn which is approx. US$45bn. 6. India has a very high potential for developing as a centre for international clinical trials due to its rich diversity. 7. India can become a niche player in global pharmaceutical RD and possibilities exist for expansion of biotechnology generics (also known as bio-similars) and biopharmaceuticals. 8. There is a possibility of greater returns from an Indian entry into mature and more remunerative markets like Brazil, Japan, CIS, Russia, etc. 9. The Work Programme for the European Medicines Agency 2007 identifies greater co-operation with India especially in the field of traditional and herbal medicines and remedies. Emerging preference for traditional medicines and herbs in the developed markets including lifestyle products and food supplements also presents an opportunity for the country in traditional medicinal systems Herbal based products. 10. A rise in life expectancy generally, and increase in the population of the old, particularly in the developed world is causing higher expenditure from respective national health budgets compelling them to move to cheaper APIs and formulations which are Indias forte. 11. Unleashing of a plethora of preferential trading arrangements, both bilateral and regional, offers opportunities for India to negotiate preferential access to partner markets for Indian pharmaceuticals in the long term and in a sustainable manner. Threats 1. Product patent regime poses serious challenge to domestic industry unless it invests in research and development. 2. RD efforts of Indian pharmaceutical companies are hampered by lack of enabling regulatory requirement. 3. Drug Price Control Order puts unrealistic ceilings on product prices and profitability. 4. Export effort is hampered by procedural hurdles in India as well as non-tariff barriers imposed abroad. For example: i. Indian manufacturers are prevented from bidding for government contracts as US permits bidders only from countries that are signatories to WTO Agreement on Government Procurement. ii. Indian manufacturers have to submit separate state level applications for marketing drugs in the United States as there is no nation-wide system of application even where FDA approval has been received. 5. Lowering of tariff protection has increased competition in domestic markets resulting in erosion of profitability. 6. Mergers and acquisitions by foreign companies particularly multinational corporations of afew Indian generic leaders may completely change the direction of Indias pharmaceutical movement neutralising its thrust on generics and cost competitiveness. 7. The generics market in developed countries may be affected by a number of factors: i. The release of authorized generics by major drug manufacturers. ii. New mid-sized players, establishing themselves in the generics market. iii. Increased competition due to newer Chinese and East European manufacturers. (E.g. there has been massive state level investment by China in the biotechnology sector though at present India still has the edge due to IP laws.) iv. TAs entered into by the United States of America with third countries (e.g. the Morocco-U.S.A FTA) may be harmful to Indian pharmaceutical exports because of provisions for increases in patent terms, etc. The United States enters into a number of FTAs with different countries and while the exact text of these agreements differ from country to country, each of these agreements contains provisions which can be damaging to Indian exporters of pharmaceuticals partly also because of their provisions on patents. These FTAs contain a large number of provisions which increase patent terms for pharmaceuticals by allowing for patentability of new uses of discovered inventions and by increasing patent terms by taking into account the time taken to process claims (evergreening). These provisions go beyond TRIPS and hence it may not be possible to challenge these under the WTO Dispute Resolution process. However, the compatibility of these provisions with Article XXIV of the GATT needs to be examined. 8. Specific non-tariff and para-tariff barriers being increasingly adopted by other countries such as long transaction time taken for registration of drugs, insistence on completing long process for registration when the drug may actually have gone through the most rigorous process of registration such as the USFDA; insistence on allowing imports of only those drugs which are registered in some developed countries, etc. PORTERS FIVE FORCES MODEL (a) INDUSTRY COMPETITION The Indian Pharmaceutical Industry is highly fragmented with around 250-300 manufacturing and formulation units in organized sector which contribute to only 70% of the market share of the total sales in the country. The concentration ratio (proportion of total industry output by the largest firm in the industry) for the industry is very low. Also government subsidies have led to the proliferation of many small players. Since the Product Patents were not valid in the country till 2005, the differentiation in the product is very low. The key driver in this industry is the cost-competitiveness. After 2005, major MNCs like Pfizer GSK started introducing newer products in the market thereby increasing competition in the industry. Many small players that are focused on a particular region have a better hand on the distribution channel, making it easier to succeed, albeit in a limited way. An important fact is that, pharmaceutical is a stable market and its growth rate generally tracks the economic growth of the country with some multiple (1.2 times average in India). Though volume growth has been consistent over a period of time value growth has not followed in tandem. Earlier it was easy for Indian pharmaceutical companies to imitate pharmaceutical products discovered by MNCs at a lower cost and make good profit. But today the scene is different with the arrival of the patent regime 2005 which has forced Indian companies to rethink its strategies and to invest more on RD. Also contract research has assumed more importance now. (b) BARGAINING POWER OF BUYERS The unique feature of pharmaceutical industry is that the end user of the product is different from the influencer (read doctor). The consumer has no choice but to buy what doctor says. However, when we look at the buyers power, we look at the influence they have on the prices of the product. In pharmaceutical industry, the buyers are scattered and they as such do not wield much power in the pricing of the products. Due to the extremely fragmented nature of industry government policies like DPCO ( Drug Price Order Control), 1970 under which the power to control prices is with the NPPA ( National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority) the low power of buyers does not have much effect on the manufacturers. Except in generic OTC medicines, the buyer does not normally switch medicines. (c) BARGAINING POWER OF SUPPLIERS The pharmaceutical industry depends upon several organic chemicals. The chemical industry is again very competitive and fragmented. The chemicals used in the pharmaceutical industry are largely a commodity. The suppliers have very low bargaining power and the companies in the pharmaceutical industry can switch from their suppliers without incurring a very high cost. However, what can happen is that the supplier can go for forward integration to become a pharmaceutical company. Companies like Orchid Chemicals and Sashun Chemicals were basically chemical companies who turned themselves into pharmaceutical companies. The fragmented nature of the organic chemicals industry prevents it from having much bargaining power over the manufacturers as the switching cost is low for the manufacturers. (d) BARRIERS TO ENTRY Threat of new entrants in the Indian Pharmaceutical sector during pre-2005 era used to be low as the capital requirement for the industry used to be very low from 1970s till 2005 because of the absence of product patents and heavy dependence on reverse engineering or Process Patent phenomenon but post 2005 it has become a huge burden on the part of new entrants to establish Manufacturing facilities of International Regulatory standards to tap the potential of generic exports and domestic consumption demand . That major barriers to entry are : The presence of economies of scale in manufacturing, RD, marketing, sales etc capital requirement financial requirements. The existing companies have advantage in terms of costs involved in launching new drugs formulations. The new companies would find it difficult to achieve this. Differentiation of products from the existing products in the market creating brand awareness in the minds of doctors pharmacists. New entrants will face difficulties in gaining trust of doctors/patients and they also need to develop efficient distribution channels preferred arrangements with doctors/pharmacists. Regulatory policies including patents, regulatory standards. The Indian Patent Act, 1970 recognized process but not product patents. The introduction of Product Patent 2005 of TRIPS part of WTO agreement has led to huge barriers for potential entrants. But to be noted it is unlikely to discourage new entrants, as market for generics will be huge in the near future as the demand for generics by all the developed economies has increased by leaps and bounds as their governments are drawing plans to effectively manage the health expenditure budget by switching from branded drugs to generic versions. (e)THREAT OF SUBSTITUTES This is one of the great advantages of the pharmaceutical industry. Whatever happens, demand for pharmaceutical products continues and the industry thrives. One of the key reasons for high competitiveness in the industry is that as an ongoing concern, pharmaceutical industry seems to have an infinite future. However, in recent times the advances made in the field of biotechnology, can prove to be a threat to the synthetic pharmaceutical industry. Also in developing countries like India, the traditional medicines also play a major substituting role. CONCLUSION This model gives a fair idea about the industry in which a company operates and the various external forces that influence it. These five forces of competition interact to determine the characteristics and the attractiveness of an industry. The strongest forces become dominant in determining profitability and become the focal points of strategy formulation. However, it must be noted that any industry is not static in nature. Its dynamic and over a period of time the model, which we have used to analyse the pharmaceutical industry may itself evolve. Going forward, we foresee increasing competition in the industry but the form of competition will be different. It will be between large players (with economies of scale) and it may be possible that some kind of oligopoly or cartels come into play. This is owing to the fact that the industry will move towards consolidation. The larger players in the industry will survive with their proprietary products and strong franchisee. In the Indian context, companies like Cipla, Ranbaxy and Dr.Reddys are likely to be key players. Smaller fringe players, who have no differentiating strengths, are likely to either be acquired or cease to exist. The barriers to entry will increase going forward. The change in the patent regime has made sure that new proprietary products come up making imitation difficult. The players with huge capacity will be able to influence substantial power on the fringe players by their aggressive pricing thereby creating hindrance for the smaller players. Economies of scale will play an important part too. Besides government will have a bigger role to play. PEST ANALYSIS To understand the implications of the environment on any industry it is imperative to study the four cardinal influencers on the industry namely Political, Economic, Social and Technological factors. It is rather unfortunate that in India these factors have a rather disproportionate influence on the functioning of a commercial organization. From the days of independence the business environment has been overly regulated by a handful of bureaucrats, middlemen, businessmen and politicians. Its only a decade since the country has seen an emergence of a political thought that encourages free enterprise. A welcome change indeed! (P)olitical Factors 1. Today there is political uncertainty in the air. A combination of diverse political thought have got together to cobble together a rag-tag coalition, that is riddle with ideological contradictions. Therefore, any consistent political or economic policy can not be expected. This muddies the investment field. 2. The Minister in charge of the industry has been threatening to impose even more stringent Price Control on the industry than before. This is throwing many an investment plan into the doldrums. 3. DPCO which is the bible for the industry has in effect worked contrary to the stated objectives. DPCO nullifies the market forces from encouraging competitive pricing of goods dictated by the market. Now the pricing is determined by the Government based on the approved costs irrespective of the real costs. 4. Effective January, 2005 the country goes in for the IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) regime, popularly known as the Patent Act. This Act will impact the Pharmaceutical Industry the most. Thus far an Indian company could escape paying a patent fee to the inventor of a drug by manufacturing it using a different chemical route. Indian companies exploited this law and used the reverse-engineering route to invent a lot of alternate manufacturing methods. A lot of money was saved this way. This also encouraged competing company to market their versions of the same drug. That meant that the impurities and trace elements found in different brands of the same substance were different both in qualification as well as in quantum. Therefore different brands of the same medicine were truly different. Here Branding actually meant quality and a purer brand actually had purer active ingredient and lesser or less toxic impurities. Product patent regime will eliminate all this. Now, a patented drug would be manufactured using the same chemical route and would be manufactured by the inventor or his licentiates using the chemicals with same specifications. Therefore, all the brands of the same active ingredient would not have any difference in purity and impurities. The different brands would have to compete on the basis of non input-related innovations such as packaging, color, flavors, Excipients etc. This is the biggest change the environment is going to impose on the industry. The marketing effort would be now focused on logistics, communications, economy of operation, extra-ingredient innovations and of course pricing. 5. In Pharma industry there is a huge PSU segment which is chronically sick and highly inefficient. The Government puts the surpluses generated by efficient units into the price equalization account of inefficient units thereby unduly subsidizing them. On a long term basis this has made practically everybody inefficient. 6. Effective the January, 2005 the Government has shifted from charging the Excise Duty on the cost of manufacturing to the MRP thereby making the finished products more costly. Just for a few extra bucks the current government has made many a life saving drugs unaffordable to the poor. 7. The Government provides extra drawbacks to some units located in specified area, providing them with subsidies that are unfair to the rest of the industry, bringing in a skewed development of the industry. As a results Pharma units have come up at place unsuitable for a best cost manufacturing activity. (E)conomic Factors 1. India spends a very small proportion of its GDP on healthcare ( A mere 1% ). This has stunted the demand and therefore the growth of the industry. 2. Per capita income of an average Indian is low ( Rs. 12,890 ), therefore, spending on the healthcare takes a low priority. An Indian would visit a doctor only when there is an emergency. This has led to a mushrooming of unqualified doctors and spread of non-standardized medication. 3. The incidence of Taxes are very high. There is Excise Duty ( State Central), Custom Duty, Service Tax, Profession Tax, License Fees, Royalty, Pollution Clearance Tax, Hazardous substance (Storage Handling) license, income tax, Stamp Duty and a host of other levies and charges to be paid. On an average it amounts to no less than 40-45% of the costs. 4. The number of Registered Medical practitioners is low. As a result the reach of Pharmaceuticals is affected adversely. 5. There are only 50,00,000 Medical shops. Again this affects adversely the distribution of medicines and also adds to the distribution costs. 6. India is a high interest rate regime. Therefore the cost of funds is double that in America. This adds to the cost of goods. 7. Adequate storage and transportation facilities for special drugs is lacking. A study had indicated that nearly 60% of the Retail Chemists do not have adequate refrigeration facilities and store drugs under sub-optimal conditions. This affects the quality of the drugs administered and of course adds to the costs. 8. India has poor roads and rail network. Therefore, the transportation time is higher. This calls for higher inventory carrying costs and longer delivery time. All this adds to the invisible costs. Its only during the last couple of years that good quality highways have been constructed. (S)ocio-cultural Factors 1. Poverty and associated malnutrition dramatically exacerbate the incidence of Malaria and TB, preventable diseases that continue to play havoc in India decades after they were eradicated in other countries. 2. Poor Sanitation and polluted water sources prematurely end the life of about 1 million children under the age of five every year. 3. In India people prefer using household treatments handed down for generations for common ailments. 4. The use of magic/tantrics/ozhas/hakims is prevalent in India. 5. Increasing pollution is adding to the healthcare problem. 6. Smoking, gutka, drinking and poor oral hygiene is adding to the healthcare problem. 7. Large joint families transmit communicable diseases amongst the members. 8. Cattle-rearing encourage diseases communicated by animals. 9. Early child bearing affects the health standards of women and children. 10. Ignorance of inoculation and vaccination has prevented the eradication of diseases like polio, chicken-pox, small-pox, mumps and measles. 11. People dont go in for vaccination due superstitious beliefs and any sort of ailment is considered as a curse from God for sins committed. (T)echnological Factors 1. Advanced automated machines have increased the output and reduced the cost. 2. Computerization has increased the efficiency of the Pharma Industry. 3. Newer medication, molecules and active ingredients are being discovered. As of January 2005, the Government of India has more than 10,000 substances for patenting. 4. Ayurveda is a well recognized science and it is providing the industry with a cutting edge. 5. Advances in Bio-technology, Stem-cell research have given India a step forward. 6. Humano-Insulin, Hepatitis B vaccines, AIDS drugs and many such molecules have given the industry a pioneering status. 7. Newer drug delivery systems are the innovations of the day. 8. The huge unemployment in India prevents industries from going fully automatic as the Government as well as the Labor Unions voice complains against such establishments.

Social Media On Relationships Media Essay

Social Media On Relationships Media Essay Buying cloth, listening to music, choosing vacations are all affected and manipulated by the internet, but it has also effected how people interact and communicate, it allowed them to share thoughts, photos, stories and start discussions with online chats. Even it allows Organizations, companies and parliaments to interact with large audience. Moreover social media has interfered even in more personal issues like family business and the relationship between men and women. Social media can be very helpful in many cases but if misused it can have very serious effects on relationships. Many problems nowadays are created because of social media. And even some divorce cases were an effect of misusing it. Problem statement: With the revolution of social media, we have become so dependent on it in our daily life, a life example of that is the worldwide use of face book. We can stay informed with people that we dont call daily, we can stay a part of their life from the photos they post and the info. We can know if a far cousin is changing his place, or what happened with him during traveling, but on the other hand Facebook violates our privacy which creates a problem to people in relationships. A new kind of threat to relationships called Facebook jealousy. Were people in a relationship can watch what their spouse is doing on Facebook and in this case a simple friend request from an ex can be a start of a big problem. Other example of the huge problem is the use of whatsapp and similar applications were it consumes all peoples time, people are always chatting, at home, in class, during driving!!!!(wich is another subject alone). And this has parted people from each other. And the worse seen is if you take a look at a modern family. There is absolutely no interaction. Everyone in the family is on his way of communication even the husband and wife dont talk. They are soo consumed into there online chat) Research questions: 1-What is the difference between men and women when it comes to social networks? 2-What is the effect of social media on the relationship between partners? 3-How can we stop social media from affecting our human-human live interaction specially for people in relationships? Hypotheses: Social media affects the relationship between men and women. Have you ever wondered what the differences are between men and women when it comes to social networking? Well, one thing has been proven, and that is that women are much more likely to have interaction than men. Also, women have much higher follower or friend rate than men. I guess that could be explained by nature itself really, so we dont have to go too much into those statistics. :According to a study broadband households were asked these questions, and the answers were somewhat surprising. Not only are women a lot more active on social networking websites than men, but they are also buying a lot more hot technology gadgets. The study was undertaken by Parks Associates for HSN and speaks a lot more in the favor of women than men when it comes to social networking. It shouldnt come as a big surprise that when you have a look at the Top 100 Twitter Users, the majority of people on there are actually females. However, when it comes to gadgets, I am a bit surprised really. I mean, I think a lot of people would agree that we have always thought that men are the ones who most likely become shopaholics when it comes to gadgets of all kinds. But, as this study shows, women are way more active on social networking websites, and they also buy the hottest gadgets. Definitions: Andreas Kaplan and Michael Haenlein define social media as a group of Internet-based applications that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content. Furthermore, social media depend on mobile and web-based technologies to create highly interactive platforms through which individuals and communities share, discuss, and modify stories photos and info. Definition 2: Social media includes the various online technology tools that enable people to communicate easily via the internet to share information and resources. Social media can include text, audio, video, images, podcasts, and other multimedia communication Definition of the new phenomenon Facebook Jealousy If youre prone to thinking, Its just Facebook can it really cause that many problems in an adult relationship? consider this: Facebook makes unique contributions to the experience of jealousy in romantic relationships. Divorce attorneys say Facebook flirtations are frequently cited in their cases. And  this poor guy had an asthma attack  supposedly prompted by seeing how many men his ex-girlfriend had friended since their breakup. Theres even a Facebook page called I wonder how many relationships Facebook ruins every year with over 100,000 Likes. Its a very common topic, said  Jennine Estes, a couples therapist from San Diego who reported that she sometimes hears about Facebook issues on a daily basis in her office. Couples come into conflict over everything from one party reconnecting with an ex to one not mentioning the relationship on Facebook at all. Review of the Literature Sixty-five percent of adults use social network sites. Facebook has 845 million users, and 60 percent of those users list themselves as being in some sort of relationship. Thirty-seven percent are listed as single, 31 percent married, 24 percent in a relationship, 5 percent engage, and 3 percent claim its complicated. Social media can be friend or foe when it comes to romantic relationships. The problem with combining social networks with a relationship is everyone tends to get involved, said Darius McKiver, a junior computer aided drafting and design major from Chinquapin, N.C. Your friends and followers are telling you what your partner is posting. Instead of going straight to the horses mouth, youre too busy listening to what everyone is saying. Other students feel that social media can make or break a relationship. Many have credited social media to finding new relationships. Facebook has changed dating for the worse. Facebook causes people in relationships to overanalyze their partners online activity.    Also friends fuel jealousy, and every relationship mistake made is on record, all because of Facebook. For some relationships, social media is the best way for people to show affection. But it can [also] air out dirty laundry, cause conflicts and be the starting place for rumors, said Gabrielle Stuart, a junior chemical engineering major from Clinton, MD. It is all in how you carry yourself and present yourself on these social media sites. That will dictate the effect social networks will have. Once upon a time, breaking up with someone over the phone or email was considered rude. Now, changing ones relationship status on social media has become the most common way to end a relationship. In a survey of 1,000 Facebook users, 25 percent of respondents found out their relationships were over by seeing it on Facebook first. I have never allowed social media to ruin any of my relationships, but I have seen it put an end to some serious relationships. It is never worth it. Most times, its a matter of an ex initiating a personal message or commenting on a post that triggers most issues within a relationship, said Joshua Johnson, a senior criminal justice major from Greensboro. Some students believe openly displaying their relationships on social networks can be a positive. But couples should always evaluate what they post in cyberspace and how much of their relationships they really want exposed to the public. (erik veal Editor-in-Chief- 2013) Facebook is the most used social networl followed by youtube and twitter facebook alone reports that it now has 500 activem million users 50% of them log in on daily basis. (Jacobsen and Forste 2011) Methodoogy: The current research involves both qualitative and quantative methods since the data collection procedure in based on a questionnaire and interview. Questionnaire: The first method of data collection in a questionnaire including seven questions which range between yes or no questions and open ended ones. The purpose of there questions is to collect data about the effect of social media in relationship between men and women.It in going to be distributed and administed by the research herself. Interview: The interview in going to be conducted with two expexted infield and includes questions about the teachers and the students in school and the people use social media about the effect of social media in relationship between men and women. conclusion The evolution of social media has increased its role in our life. And made it easier in many ways. But the over-use of this media has threatened many values of people and their relationships, it has also effected productiovity of a society, and mostly affected people in relationships. It increased the problems between couples and in some cases it caused divorce. We cant stop the usage of social media since we became very dependent on it but the necessey is to tame it, and keep it for our benefit not allowing it to cause problems.

Comparson Of Mouse And Trackbar :: essays research papers

Computers incorporate various pieces of equipment that allow the user to interact with the software. Since the idea of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) has been accepted, people rely on a mouse to move the "cursor" around the screen. Most of the time the "cursor" is simply an arrow that lets the user know where its position is on the screen. In addition to a mouse some people prefer trackballs. A mouse and a trackball can be contrasted in terms of their physical shape, logical functionality, and space consumption. A mouse and a trackball could be described as a total opposite in their physical shape. The mouse received its name because the cord resembles a tail and can move around the workspace in any direction. The mouse also has a ball inside that rolls along the workspace. An electronic connection is also built inside the mouse itself to get power through the mouse in order to run. On the other hand, a trackball is named that because the user is able to move the position of the cursor around the screen using a ball. The ball is located on the topside of the trackball and movement is performed with the thumb instead of the whole hand that is easier and it consumes less time than using the whole hand. Therefore, the mouse and the trackball are different in their shape but they both perform the same task. A trackball is stationary and therefore minimal; space is needed to allow movement while a mouse needs to move to perform its task. Both devices have buttons on the top, usually two or three depending on the manufacturer, that allows the user to select items on the screen, almost acting like an "enter" button. After having experience with both devices, I have found the trackball is the choice to make when purchasing a user interface device of this type. While mice are easier for the beginning user to control due to the fact that a hand is easier to move in any direction compared to a thumb, a trackball does not require total hand and arm movement to move the cursor around the screen. Instead the user’s hand can stay stationary and movement of the thumb is all that is needed to direct the cursor.

HISTORY AND ORIGINATORS OF KEYBOARD Essays -- essays research papers

HISTORY AND ORIGINATORS OF KEYBOARD BAROQUE PERIOD Harpsichord (Italian cembalo; French clavecin), stringed keyboard instrument in which the strings are plucked to produce sound. It was developed in Europe in the 14th or 15th century and was widely used from the 16th to the early 19th century, when it was superseded by the piano. In the 20th century the harpsichord was revived for performance of music of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, as well as for new compositions. The incisive sound quality of the plucked metal strings adds clarity to melodic lines. The harpsichord is particularly effective in performing contrapuntal music—that is, music that consists of two or more melodies played at the same time, such as that of the German composer Johann Sebastian Bach. Construction and Mechanism The harpsichord usually has a wing-shaped body, or case, like a grand piano; however, its proportions are narrower and longer, and the case and its inner bracing are normally lighter. Harpsichords have also been built in other shapes. Thes e include the virginal, or virginals, a small oblong instrument; the spinet, a small polygonal harpsichord; and the less common clavicytherium, an upright harpsichord. From the 16th to 19th century the terms spinet and virginal were often used interchangeably, and in England during that era any harpsichord was called a virginal. Harpsichords of any shape have the same plucking mechanism. For each string a small piece of material, or plectrum, is set in a thin slip of wood, or â€Å"jack,† which rests internally on the far end of the key. When the front of the key is depressed, the far end rises, and the plectrum plucks the string. The jack is pivoted so that, when the key returns to rest position, the plectrum slides by without striking the string. Since the volume and tone of the sound produced by the plucking mechanism remain constant regardless of the forcefulness of the keystroke, various methods have been developed to alter the harpsichord's sound. Many harpsichords have two strings for each key, with a row of jacks for each set of strings. Stops, or registers, allow the player to move unwanted sets of jacks slightly out of reach of the strings, thus making possible different volumes and combinations of tone colors. One set of strings may sound an octave above normal pitch. Some 18th-century German harpsichords had a set of strings so... ...18th-century instruments, often incorporating the best of the 19th-century innovations. Electronic Organs Electronic and electric organs, developed in the 20th century, are not organs in the strict sense, for they do not produce sound by air vibrating in a pipe; rather, they are instruments in their own right. One kind, invented in 1935 by an American, Laurens Hammond, utilizes electrical circuits and amplifiers to produce and enlarge the sound. Another kind uses electronic devices such as vacuum tubes. Although such instruments are often designed to imitate the tone qualities of pipe organs, they are frequently criticized for a pinched or artificial-seeming sound. Electronic organs were widely used in the rock bands of the 1960s and after. In such bands, which use extensive electrical sound amplification and manipulation, the distinctive qualities of electronic-organ sound are exploited for their own sake. Reed Organs Keyboard instruments in which the wind supply is directed tow ard free metal reeds like those of a harmonica or accordion are called reed organs. They include the melodeon, developed in the United States about 1825, and the harmonium, developed in Germany about 1810.

Cloning in our World :: science

Cloning in our World One of the latest advancements in technology is that of cloning. Cloning is the process of creating an identical copy of an original. In general, cloning is used in three contexts. First is using specialized DNA technology to produce multiple, exact copies of a single gene or other segment of DNA. This process is called cloning DNA. A second type of cloning exploits the natural process of cell division to make many copies of an entire cell. A third type of cloning produces complete, genetically identical animals such as the famous Scottish sheep, Dolly. The majority of people in America believe that cloning is unethical due to some moral issues. Others are afraid that cloning could me misused by governments and corporations creating clones to serve as slaves or soldiers to fight endless wars. I think that fear is the main argument against human cloning due to the fact that this is a newer branch in science and people are not very educated with the core concept of cloning. I believe that cloning is acceptable only if it is for the right reasons. My opinion is cloning should be allowed due to the countless possibilities we could gain in the health care field and human well being. For years, researchers have been working on finding a way to cure genetic diseases and save lives by cloning genes and organs. I think that these medical advancements are very beneficial for human kind in general. I totally disagree with people who say that God made some of us different and we should not try to change them. It is like saying that people who g ot sick after they were born should not seek medical help because God wanted them to get sick and they should just lie down and die. I say that if it is for the better of that person and if it is going to help them lead a normal life then let them do it. Even though I think that cloning genes and organs for medical purposes is acceptable, I think that cloning of humans is wrong. One of the biggest reasons why I am against human cloning is the health issue. I also think that it would be wrong if the government cloned people just to make them perfect and superior or to take control over the humanity as they did in the book Brave New World. Cloning in our World :: science Cloning in our World One of the latest advancements in technology is that of cloning. Cloning is the process of creating an identical copy of an original. In general, cloning is used in three contexts. First is using specialized DNA technology to produce multiple, exact copies of a single gene or other segment of DNA. This process is called cloning DNA. A second type of cloning exploits the natural process of cell division to make many copies of an entire cell. A third type of cloning produces complete, genetically identical animals such as the famous Scottish sheep, Dolly. The majority of people in America believe that cloning is unethical due to some moral issues. Others are afraid that cloning could me misused by governments and corporations creating clones to serve as slaves or soldiers to fight endless wars. I think that fear is the main argument against human cloning due to the fact that this is a newer branch in science and people are not very educated with the core concept of cloning. I believe that cloning is acceptable only if it is for the right reasons. My opinion is cloning should be allowed due to the countless possibilities we could gain in the health care field and human well being. For years, researchers have been working on finding a way to cure genetic diseases and save lives by cloning genes and organs. I think that these medical advancements are very beneficial for human kind in general. I totally disagree with people who say that God made some of us different and we should not try to change them. It is like saying that people who g ot sick after they were born should not seek medical help because God wanted them to get sick and they should just lie down and die. I say that if it is for the better of that person and if it is going to help them lead a normal life then let them do it. Even though I think that cloning genes and organs for medical purposes is acceptable, I think that cloning of humans is wrong. One of the biggest reasons why I am against human cloning is the health issue. I also think that it would be wrong if the government cloned people just to make them perfect and superior or to take control over the humanity as they did in the book Brave New World.

Adapting To Change In The Twenty First Century Education Essay

I believe it was Albert Einstein who was one time quoted as stating â€Å" No job can be solved by the same consciousness that created it. We need to see the universe anew. † It would look that the twenty-first century pupil, in our pursuit for continued instruction, has subconsciously adopted this doctrine. Imagine that you are a individual parent of 2 school-aged kids who has been working the same occupation for the past 7 old ages when all of a sudden there is a rumour of extroverted layoffs. Fear sets in as you realize that the lone accomplishment you know is the same accomplishment that kept you in your comfort zone for the past 7 old ages. Now at this point you have two options ; either sit at place while roll uping unemployment until another occupation becomes available with the same accomplishment set, or larn another accomplishment. Working in higher instruction I have seen a displacement in the pupil demographic in that fresher are no longer the 18-year-old fresh out of high school pupil but to that of the 35-year-old ma who wants to complete her instruction in an attempt to get a better paying calling. So one might inquire them egos, who precisely is the twenty-first century pupil and how can educators modify their instruction methods to include this older, extremely motivated pupil. Harmonizing to ehow.com,[ 1 ]grownups return to school for one of these five grounds ; calling alteration, to carry through a end, larn a new accomplishment, merriment or to foster their instruction. In today ‘s tough economic clime, good paying occupations are traveling to those persons who are non merely adept in their field, but besides extremely educated. More and more grownups are recognizing this fact and taking advantage of all the instruction inducements provided by the authorities, which makes traveling back to school less intimidating and more accessible. In add-on, federal support beginnings for traveling back to school hold become less of a job w ith the growing of online categories. Working grownups can now take categories and have a grade without changing their already really busy lives. This is really of import to me because I excessively, am a twenty-first century pupil. I ‘m a 34-year-old professional male who decided to fall in the multitudes in returning back to school to acquire my grade in web security. Peoples have their different grounds for returning back to school but for me it ‘s the ability to hold â€Å" calling † options alternatively of â€Å" occupation † options. I can hold with Dee Dee Smith when she states, â€Å" returning to school as an grownup can be a hard passage. But you do n't hold to plunge in, you can do the passage easy. † So to better understand my state of affairs I must foremost happen out who the twenty-first century student/non traditional pupil is and what makes him/her return to school and how can educators modify their methods to assist us along our ne w journey? So who is this new aged pupil and what makes them different? â€Å" How should we learn them? Is engineering in the category a aid or a expletive? † These are inquiries that Marc Prensky proposed that we should inquire ourselves. Understanding that today ‘s pupils have better entree to information, we must besides larn to cover with the gait in which this pupil retains new information. Harmonizing to assorted beginnings it can be determined that the mean age of the new age pupil has increased from 18 twelvemonth olds, up to 28 to 32 twelvemonth olds. This pupil is much more mature and stable in that they have the advantage of existent life experience. They have had to equilibrate budgets, purchase places, raise kids and do really of import life determinations. This gives them an border up as it pertains to the subject needed to win in a higher instruction environment. They have besides been exposed to a figure of new engineerings giving them another advantage. When you g auge the type of tools that are accessible by pupils and compare it to the resources that were available you find that pupils of today ‘s coevals have it easier. How does this fact impact our new, non-traditional pupil? Well in several ways. When you think about survey and research wonts of yesterday you likely think of a batch of pupils sitting in the library traveling through book after book. Now you can sit literally anyplace in the universe and expression through those same books and even interact with fellow schoolmates while working at your ain gait. So it ‘s my sentiment that when you combine the survey wonts of older more seasoned pupils with the resources of today so you have the twenty-first century pupil. This pupil knows how to outdo use the resources available to them to accomplish positive results in assignments. There are, nevertheless, several misconceptions about non-traditional pupils. Some can reason that non-traditional pupils do non suit good into to day ‘s instruction procedure. One ground is that of pupil lodging. Lonnie Allen states that non-traditional pupils have become the â€Å" white elephants on campus † . He goes on to province â€Å" it would be unusual for person to see older pupils walking in and out of occupant halls they call place. † ( Lonnie Allen ) One manner to see untraditional pupils in this present twenty-four hours is non as a group that is characterized by socially constructed traits such as age or cultural background or by functions connected by such footings as ; â€Å" dropout † , â€Å" immigrant † or â€Å" first coevals † . Rather, untraditional pupils can be better viewed as a deprived population. In many facets, the disadvantage can be linked to economic position. Many economic expert say that we are presently populating in a recession period and with the monetary value of pretty much everything from gas to milk on the rise, colleges and other establishments have no pick but to react the same manner. Some even compare the current fiscal position of America to that of the recession of the '90s. During the recession of the 1990 ‘s, â€Å" most establishments responded by once more increasing tuition aggressively, a response good honed in the last recession and actively encouraged by many governors. † ( David Breneman ) Bing that most of our non traditional pupils can be identified as working category grownups, doing the determination to return to school in the center of a ballad offs and cut dorsums can be hard, non to advert the crisp rise in tuition. With all these variables in topographic point, it ‘s easy to see how this can put the non-traditional pupil at a spot of a disadvantage. Another manner to see the non-traditional pupil is risk factors. Hazard Factors is another construct that is tied to adult pupils, but the inside informations are non disaggregated by institutional type. A National Center for Educational Statistics ( NCES ) tabular array, â€Å" Percentage of 1999-2000 undergraduates with assorted hazard features, † addresses â€Å" risk factors † for pupils, including parttime attending at college, delayed registration, holding dependants, and working while enrolled. ( NCES ) Students aged 24 and older are more likely to ho ld dependents while trying to foster their instruction. Older pupils are besides more likely to be working full clip or portion clip while taking categories. Overall, I believe it ‘s safe to organize the sentiment that the older the non-traditional pupil, the higher the hazard factor. Another position of NCES information references employment for grownups, those 24 and older, who consider work to be their first precedence and college their 2nd. This group is compared to those who are chiefly pupils but besides work as a secondary function. While all of these persons are considered to be grownups by age, their lives are likely to be rather different. Other footings such as â€Å" untraditional undergraduates † gaining control a porton of this twenty-first century pupil population, but do non depict it wholly. For illustration, Choy defines and characterizes â€Å" untraditional undergraduates † as those at any degree of postsecondary instruction: pupils who delay their entry to college, who carry a portion clip academic burden, who work while enrolled in college, who are financially independent and may hold kids or other dependents, who may be individual parents, and who do non hold high school sheepskin. Parts of these pupils have merely one or two of these untraditional features, while others fit in to multiple classs. ( Susan Choy ) Choy ‘s information is non disaggregated by age, and therefore big pupils can non be separated from the entire population. Although there is a batch of literature every bit good as informations sets on the academic advancement, registration forms, continuity, and degree attainme nt of untraditional pupils, the connexions of this scholarship and the informations sets to grownups pupils can non be verified.

McCarthyism and Its Effect on the Cold War

The Cold War is categorized by intercontinental associations during the time of Europe’s innovations. The long lasting effects and extensive lasting supporters still hold strong for Europe. The Cold War came about by public speculations and pressures in Europe at the close of World War II and by collective control quarrels amid the Soviet Union. Financial parting among the Soviets and the west also amplified pressures, along with the risk of nuclear war. The Soviet Union’s main conflict was the enormous philosophical differences with the west. The Soviet’s exploited on communism and believed capitalism to be corrupt and a menace to the working class. The soviets rejected collaboration among themselves and industrialist countries ideologically. A wide-ranging amount of differences in the beliefs helped widen the gap between the West and the Soviets. The Soviets having control over Eastern Europe is also another cause of the Cold War. This alerted the United States with the growth of communism in European countries. The United States set up the Marshall Plan.Could Cold War Have Been Avoided? The Marshall Plan was a cost-effective sustenance package funded by the United States. The relief money was spread throughout the war torn democratic countries to help rebuild their economy. However, no money went to the Soviet Union or any of their allies. Then out of nowhere someone made an accusation and brought about McCarthyism. McCarthyism is the invention of the anti-communist politics that arose around the early Cold War years. The Cold War renovated American politics in a way that exposed communism as a central part of political life. McCarthyism was believed to be an absurd reaction to the rise of the secular state and the total association was resentments produced by status concern. Senator Joseph McCarthy’s action brought forth McCarthyism and the notion of Anti-Communism. This paper will deliberate the difference among McCarthyism and Anti-Communism and how the media made it public business. Further issues debated will be that of the take on American foreign policy resolutions and the impact created by anti-communism and how it altered Americans’ lives associated with the Red Scare. The Cold War was a historical affair that offered tension and stern conflicts throughout the World. The key funders in the Cold War occurred between the United States and its supporters, disputed by Russia and the countries allied with that country. The Democrats and Republicans fought among each other to validate who opposed communism the greatest which produce anti-communism during the late 1940s and early 1950s. McCarthyism originated from the actions of U. S. Senator Joseph McCarthy and lasted around 10 years. Senator McCarthy accused many Americans of being communists or communist supporters who were unfaithful to their country due to their political beliefs. His actions combined with the communist growth and the Korean War conveyed on fears that led to a new Red Scare. McCarthy played on the uncertainties of the people to obtain a higher political standing within the United States Senate. The Democrats and Republicans fought amongst each other to prove who opposed communism the most which produce anti-communism during the late 1940s and early 1950s. McCarthyism originated from the actions of U. S. Senator Joseph McCarthy and lasted around 10 years. Senator McCarthy accused many Americans of being communists or communist sympathizers who were disloyal to their country because of their political beliefs. His actions combined with the communist expansion and Korean War brought on fears that led to a new Red Scare. McCarthy played on the fears of the people to obtain a higher political standing within the United States Senate. During the early 50’s the senator made a name for himself, but one could say was it the best name. Senator McCarthy exposed all types of people; he accused government workers, playwrights, actors and Jews along with anyone else he assumed people would believe were communist. This witch hunt made life for many who were not communist almost impossible to endure. The Government and Hollywood were hunted and ran out of town first. Many actresses, actors, and playwrights moved to Europe and Mexico to elude the accusations and possible jail sentences. Some of the most popular actresses and actors of these times Humphrey Bogat, Lauren Bacall, and Danny Kaye organized a group called the Committee for the First Amendment. This group organized to protest the pointing of the finger from government at their business. Along with the publicity of many newspaper and news cast posted throughout this news created an era of chaos and uncertainness for America. When the witch hunts finally ceased it took a great deal of time to move past these accusations. But move forward they did and life eventually regained control and moves along with much success. References National Archives and Record Administration. (n. d. ). Marshall Plan. Retrieved from http://www. archives. gov/exhibits/featured_documents/marshall_plan/ New World Encyclopedia. (n. d. ). McCarthyism. Retrieved from http://National Archievs and Record Administration. (n. d. ). Marshall Plan. Retrieved from http://www. archives. gov/exhibits/featured_documents/marshall_plan

“He Is More Than A Hero” written by Sappho Essay

â€Å"He is a god in my eyes- the man who is allowed to sit beside you† â€Å"If I met you suddenly, I can’t speak- my tongue is broken† The following lines were taken from a poem written by Sappho entitled â€Å"He Is More Than A Hero.† For those who are not familiar with Sappho, she was a resident of a city names Lesbos. She lived from 630 B.C. – 570 B.C. In the city of Lesbos, Sappho was a highly respected poet/teacher by many but mainly the females. It is said that she was constantly surrounded by a circle of women who studied poetry with her. I am using this background information and the quotation from one of her many poems â€Å"He Is More Than A Hero† to support my theory that Sappho was a homosexual. Though the evidence is merely circumstantial, I feel that it is enough to convince one that she is a homosexual. The poem which I extracted my thesis statement is obviously being written to a woman, but it is cleverly masked by the title â€Å"He Is More Than A Hero† and a few other lines in the poem. In the beginning of the poem she is briefly describing someone’s male companion who is apparently a good lover possessing a few qualities that Sappho admires. â€Å"He who listens to the sweet murmur of your voice- the enticing laughter that makes my own heart beat fast.† Though the first few lines serve as a clever disguise, a cultured reader notices that the poem suddenly changes subjects, moving from a description of this man who is a god in Sappho’s eyes to a declaration of love for the female companion of this man-god. The 3-4th lines address an unknown you who is apparently the companion of this striking male. The you is also addressed in line 9 . The rest of the poem following that is a love ballad to this you who was first identified as being the companion of the man god. If one is not a skilled reader he/she may have missed the transition of the poem from one person to another. The first few lines serve as a disguise and a way for the author to express her jealousy of him being next to his female companion. She views him as  being a god because him being in the object of Sappho’s affection makes him that. This is based on the thought that if someone possesses something that you do not then they have a higher position of power than you. This thought accounts for her viewing him as being a God. There are also a few other pieces of evidence that suggest that the poet Sappho was a homosexual. She was a resident of an city known as â€Å"Lesbos†. The name of the city had a striking similarity to a word which is given to homosexual women of modern times â€Å"Lesbian†. It is also said that she was often surrounded by women who were her â€Å"students†. Though this evidence can be seen as being only circumstantial, I feel that the combination of her addressing a female in her poem â€Å"He Is More Than A Hero† as having certain homo-erotic effects on her such as making her feel as â€Å"a thin flame runs under my skin† and making her â€Å"drip with sweat† whenever she sees her is enough to label her as being the â€Å"Greatest Lesbian Poet of Rome†