Food, Inc Essay Example for Free

Food, Inc Essay In America, whoever has the big bucks dictates how things are run. With money, there is no limit to what can be done in America. The documentary â€Å"Food Inc. produced by Robert Kenner and Eric Schlosser, takes an in depth look at America’s food industry and the terrible but completely legal way our food is genetically engineered. The narrator makes the argument that profit is put before the consumer’s well being,. The vision of the American farmer, workers safety, and our precious environment is far from the correct vision of the many major corporations that are producing our food. I firmly believe that these corporations have put aside and have deliberately tried to hide the truth about how unhealthy the food they produce truly is for the American public. The purpose of this video is to shock the American public with clever filmography and facts about the food Americans consume every day. The food industry is full of misconceptions. â€Å"Food Inc. † declares that the food industry is using deceiving images of American farmlands to sell their product. Images of lush green fields, picket fences, and 1930’s farmhouses is only a â€Å"spinning of a pastoral fantasy†. In reality the food being consumed is coming from mistreated animals and large factories all over the country. As the video continues, images of your typical everyday supermarket are cleverly displayed giving the audience something they can relate too. â€Å"There are no seasons in the American supermarket†. (Food Inc. ) The narrator gives details on how we as consumers get to enjoy ‘tomatoes’ all year round. He states that they were â€Å"grown half way around the world, picked when it was green and ripened with ethylene gas† (Food Inc. ). This is meant to inform the audience that what they are eating isn’t what it seems. It definitely makes viewers stop and think next time they are buying a tomato in winter. There has been little understanding and awareness of food in America until the film Food Inc. , which helped show the basis of how food is produced, packaged and sold locally in our grocery stores. We have been made to believe that local stores carry a wide variety of foods in all areas, including meats, dairy and especially in the fast food industry. A typical grocery store has on average 47,000 products and has made us to believe that there is a wide variety of choices inside the grocery store (Food, Inc. ). In today’s food industry most of the products are produced by only a few main companies which allow for cheaper foods in the stores. The current raw food production method has made a huge increase in our fast food companies since the 1950’s (Food, Inc. ). In fact, the production of our food has changed so much since the 1950’s, than the thousand years prior. The food industry which is controlled by only a few companies has turned the industry from the ordinary farmer, to the production of large quantities of food, feeding the nation at low costs which results in enormous profits for the producers. Because of this, health and safety of the food itself, how the animals are raised, the current method of workers being on assembly lines, and the consumer eating the food are now being overlooked by the companies and government; to provide cheap food regardless of the negative consequences. The reason for this innovation has been based on the advancement in science and technology which is a main reason for the negative side effects. With the addition of Carl’s Law, companies now come up with ways to throw more science at the problem to help eliminate the issues and not the root causes for the matter. I believe the message of Food Inc. s that most of what Americans now eat is being produced by a handful of huge corporations which is more detrimental to health, our environment and even our own human race. The horrible known facts about animal mistreatment and food contamination are being covered up by the secretive industry, by not talking to the filmmakers or let the insides of their companies be shown to the world, which include the enormous chicken farms, cattle ranches, slaughterhouses and the meatpacking plants. This film also said that â€Å"exploitation and malpractice in the meat industry were exposed as far back as Upton Sinclairs 1906 muckraking book, The Jungle. † Food Inc. , is a movie that address’s the voices of advocates, farmers, and journalists, to show what’s wrong with the food and what we can do about it. There are many factors that lead to the killing of the environment. There is a scene in the movie that shows cattle standing in about of a foot of its own feces. The feces that the cattle is standing in is full of harmful chemicals. Not only do the cattle have this bacteria in its body, but it is also spreading the bacteria in the ground, rivers, streams, etc. When it rains, the run off from these â€Å"farms† are affecting the health of the animals in the surrounding areas and further. The factories are polluting the air and killing more of the ozone layer due to the harmful chemicals that the factory is pushing out. It is sad to see how companies can allow cattle that will be slaughtered to stand in a foot of its bacteria infested feces, but worse to then see the cow be slaughtered and eventually be put on the shelves of grocery stores. There is no empathy on how the food is processed from beginning to end. Animals are treated horribly, known bacteria that they oversee and more important the health of the people consuming the products is not in any of the company’s top interest. All in all, this movie has shown me how brutal Americans can be to animals and how our own US Government seems not to care about its citizens health. I have learned to eat organic foods and to shop for produce only in season. The one question that kept arising in my mind during the movies was, I wonder where the food that the white house serves comes from. Is the president eating the same steroid injected chicken her is letting his country eat? It was a great movie and should, by law be shown in schools around the United States.

Analysis of the Engineering Industry

Analysis of the Engineering Industry Executive summery: In the assignment below, the engineering industry is critically analyzed by studying its characteristics, identifying and analyzing its key areas and its current position and how it is affected by micro and macro environmental factors. All these analysis is done by using analytical tools like Porters Five Forces framework, PESTEL analysis, Industry Life-Cycle analysis, drivers of change within the industry, etc. The mechanical industry after carefully analyzed, important future long scenarios have been made demonstrating on how the industry will act and perform in innovative long term run based on the present analysis and trends in that particular industry. Also, one most likely situation has been identified, with relevant reasons, which the industry will most likely to face in the future. The entire assignment is based on the engineering industry in Indian markets being considered as the support to conduct appropriate researches. Introduction to the industry: The industry is one of the biggest and most refined in India and also in the world which provides the latest technology not only to the fast growing multinational companies but also to the global market. Some of the worlds biggest engineering companies largely depend on the automotive industry of India. It is a diverse industry with a number of segments, and can be broadly categorized into two segments as follows: (1) Heavy engineering (2) Light engineering The engineering sector is relatively less fragmented at the top, as the competencies required are high, while it is highly fragmented at the lower end (e.g. unbranded transformers for the retail segment) and is dominated by smaller players. The engineering industry in India manufactures a wide range of products, with heavy engineering goods accounting for bulk of the production. Most of the leading players are engaged in the production of heavy engineering goods and mainly produces high-value products using high-end technology. Requirement of high level of capital investment poses as a major entry barrier. Consequently, the small and unorganised firms have a small market presence. The light engineering goods segment, on the other hand, uses medium to low-end technology. Entry barrier is low on account of the comparatively lower requirement of capital and technology. This segment is characterized by the dominance of small and unorganized players which manufacture low-value added products. Classification of the Engineering Sector in India http://www.dnb.co.in/Engineering/images/Classification.gif Source: http://www.dnb.co.in/Engineering/overview.asp Portors five forces framework: Following are the external environment of engineering industry by analyzing the Porters 5 forces: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCWGtiSyO4xA-i4S3By9SbNQAYpN5gncvNp7oIBnLjThVyWxl-Sffm_zDKAj4TuOS9Z2caRz32s5R25JSzG10BSC12OanZV3MYwLrWQCOB0hbWVtaKgKESzGH6u5q56FXAsSqPkEgP2j3/s400/porter.jpg Source:https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCWGtiSyO4xA-i4S3By9SbNQAYpN5gncvNp7oIBnLjThVyWxl-Sffm_zDKAj4TuOS9Z2caRz32s5R25JSzG10BSC12OanZV3MYwLrWQCOB0hbWVtaKgKESzGH6u5q56FXAsSqPkEgP2j3/s400/porter.jpg The five forces are as follows: 1 The threat of new entrants: The threat of new entrants for engineering industry in India it is a very low threat Factors to examine for this threat of new entrant in India is include all barriers to entry into this market such as upfront capital requirements, brand equity (a new firm may have none), legislation and government policies, (safety) ability to distribute the product . 2 The bargaining power of buyers/customers: Customers consider both purpose and price; the engineering companies are attempting to produce engineering products that compete in various price segments. In India bargaining power is lower which is creating a more favorable situation for the engineering industry but not the buyers. The quantity a buyer purchases is usually a good factor in determining this force, even in the engineeringwhen buyers only usually purchase one \ at a time, they still possess considerable power (Car freaks, 2008-10). However, this may be different in other markets. 3. The threat of substitute: In Singapore the threat of substitute is high because of the numerous other forms of transportation substitutes are available, but none of them offer the utility, convenience, independence, and value afforded by sport cars. Substitutes such as rental cars, Sport bike industry, Rental Sport car clubs like Luxe sport club in Singapore Millionaire asia singapore, 2010). (For details please refer Appendix no 4) 4 The bargaining power of supplier: The bargaining power of supplier is low in Singapore because of the availability of substitutes and the amount of competition in the sport car industry. Suppliers dont have a great deal of influence in the terms of supplying the sport cars parts. The sport car industry which refers to all the suppliers for the parts, such as tires, components, electronics, and even the assembly line workers. Some suppliers are small firms who rely on the carmakers, and may only have one carmaker as a client. So this force can be tricky to evaluate in the sport car industry in Singapore market (For details please refer to appendix no 5). 5. The competitive rivalry within an industry: In Singapore sport car industry competition between existing automobile companies is high because sport car carmakers are engaged in fierce competition. Prices, ad campaigns, and product developments keep them on the edge of innovation and profitability. Margins are low and pressure between rivals is high. This may cause the sport industry earning lower profits when the cost of the competition is high (Car freaks, 2008-10). PESTEL ANALYSIS: Source:http://www.business.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/06030A45-6CCF-45BC-8F2C-F2833D5D44B4/6514/entrepreneurguide.pdf Well use the PESTEL to analyze the macro-environmental changes and influences on the engineering industry; Political: Majority of the companies like, etc. have their manufacturing plants in India because of cheap labour and low cost of production. But these countries are usually politically unstable and can create hindrance for the companies. Economic: Economic slowdown such as the recent recession can have negative impact on production and sales of the engineering companies. Also other economic factors like the economic policies of European Union member countries make it tougher for the industry participants to penetrate the engineering market. Socio-cultural: The social and cultural restraints and obligations directly affect the buying pattern of people, the brand loyalty, female share of the market, etc. also the companies now-a-days thrive to keep up with corporate social responsibility to maintain their Public relegation status. Technological: The technology keeps changing and varying from place to place. Techonology plays a vital part in the engineering industry. The engineering manufacturing companies have to keep abreast with the changing technology so as not to give a competitive edge to competitors by speeding up their change of products and designing ability. Environmental: Many industry participants have become aware of environmental hazards and are putting in efforts to do their bit for environment and the society with activities like Legal: Companies in the engineering industry in India face many legal matters usually pertaining to labour wages, working conditions, etc. or that of contract manufacturing and copying of products or ones related to trade agreement. Structural drivers of change for Engineering industry: I have identified some of the drivers of changes that have impact on the engineering industry. The following are the structural drivers which bring about changes in the industry; Technology: Technology is the most vital driver of change in engineering industry. Introduction of internet has sky-rocketed the sales for the companies. Also it helps the RD departments to come out with new engineering products quickly and efficiently. Industry driver: lamborghini_headquarters_italy Source:http://www.egmcartech.com/wpcontent/uploads/2008/05/lamborghini_headquarters_italy.jpg Related and supporting industries are extremely important because engineering product manufacturers live and die by creative and innovative design engineering (Automotive industry, 2010). India offers support to other industries such as, steel, rubber, petroleum, oil gas, transportation industries. Indias infrastructural facilities helps to setup a engineering industry in form of power supply, machinery, capital, raw materials and labour which will raise foreign direct investments have led to the rapid growth in terms of engineering goods production and exports (European foundation, 2004). Mergers and Take-overs:- t=1usg=__vO8BPfXSsu76pCVOchvBejU2hUg= Source: http://www.vr-fullerton.com/images/223069.jpg One of the most significant drivers of growth in the engineering industry is the trend of mergers and acquisitions. Such buyouts and mergers enable manufactures to build up their technology and service scale up to the mark, the two factors essential to gain competitive edge. Outsourcing of design and engineering functions, leading to growth in companies offers high value-added Services. Life cycle model for the industry: C:UsersVishikadDesktoplife cycle.bmp Source: Adopted from (Johnson et al., 2008) The Engineering industry as per the life cycle model shown above is currently at the Shakeout stage for the following reasons: The buyers are becoming more selective of their purchases due to brand loyalty and performance according to their own preferences taste. Also as far as the competitive conditions are concerned, the major engineering products manufactures have started innovations and sales promotion activities to attract more and more buyers towards companys product range. The engineering companies also trying to shakeout their industry rivals by acquisition or merger processes with other engineering manufactures. This way they can have their monopoly over the engineering markets as well as minimising the competition within the engineering sector. Scenarios for Long term future of the industry: The following scenarios based on the research on Indias engineering industry that indicates the possible long term future of the industry (1) Scenario: Increase in sales, product diversification advanced RD: The attitude of selling the products into engineering market is changing day by day. Engineering companies trying to connect with the customer directly. This will done by opening up showroom or signing contracts with large MNCS like Also the engineering product makers will focus on advanced RD whereby, they not only focus onperticular group of buyers. Also the companies are diversifying their products more too international engineering product manufactures. This scenario will benefit the industry in the following manner; It will help engineering companies to connect with their buyers and thus understand their likes, dislikes and expectations, preferences about companies offering. The companies can get direct feedback on their products so that they can improve on overall performance of the company. .Most Likely Scenario: The most likely scenario applicable in the future is the 3rd scenario. Following are the reasons supporting my conclusion; The companies can alter their engineering products, design as per the customer reaction to their previous products. This can be done by feedbacks and data collected which wont be lost or manipulated as itll directly go to the company. The companies are already starting to do intense and advanced RD to introduce new technological aspects The customers are always keen on trying out new exciting products and the failure of such products is very rare. Also the Engineering industry is growing at a rapid pace. All other industries are now trying to sell their products at retail prices which is the same the Engineering industry is going to do in the future. Conclusion: In India the future of engineering industry seems encouraging. In terms of the expected surge in global demand and rise in foreign investments. Several trends such as developed markets, globalization, technology advances, regulation and environmental consideration, and market fragmentation and product diversification will result in the rapid growth of this Engineering industry in India.

Three Levels of Management

Three Levels of Management Introduction Information system means by which people and organizations utilize technologies, collect, store use and distribute information. Good information system is used to provide important information for decision making. The information technology may be used for the processing, storing or distribution of data. These technologies collectively include information technology and data. It is an organized combination of people, hardware, software, communications networks, and data resources that stores and retrieves, transform and disseminate information in an organization. Very main functions of information systems issystems analysis and design, that is to say, analyzing a customers business condition (or trouble), with deference towards information processing, and designing and implementing an suitableà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ generally computerizedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ solution to the difficulty. Information systems professionals who focus in this part are known assystems analysts. The procedure begins with a complete determination of the clients information needs and business processes. The result normally involves various programming, in addition to the use of a suitable application software package(s), for example a database management system (DBMS) used for designing and implementing a database for the customer. It may also involve a number of networking considerations, depending on the users needs and goals. Levels of management The term level of management refers to a line of demarcation between various managerial positions. The number of levels of management depends upon the size, technology, degree, of diversity and nature of product. There are mainly three levels of management in most of the organization. There are Top level management Middle level management Lower level management Top level management Top level consists of the board of directors, general manager and other senior executives. They fix the objectives of the organization. They fix the objectives of the organization. They prepare policies and takes important decisions to accomplish the objectives of the organization. They issue instruction and orders to lower level management. Every organization runs by the managers in that organization, who are taking opinion in the all step of organizational activities. In a big organization the computer department responsible for giving information or data also called management information department. In an organizational information system is used to communicate and analyze the in every levels of the organization. In this level decides on the board objectives of an organization. Enterprise resource planning Enterprise resource planning is a method to add the information and processes of an organization into one single system. Generally Enterprise resource planning systems will have a lot of works including hardware and software, in order to attain integration, most ERP systems use a joined database to store data for different functions establish all over the organization. The word ERP firstly referred to how a big organization planned to use organizational wide resources. In the past,ERP systemswere used in better more industrial types of companies. However, the use of ERP has changed and is really complete, nowadays the word can refer to every kind of company, no matter what industry it falls in. Actually ERP systems are used in approximately every type of organization large or small. In order for asoftwaresystem to be considered ERP, it must provide an organization with functionality for two or more systems. While some ERP packages exist that only cover two functions for an organization (QuickBooks: Payroll Accounting), most ERP systems cover several functions. Executive Information Systems (EIS) An Executive Information System (EIS) is a type of management information system planned to assist and support the information and decision making needs of senior executives by given that simple access to both internal and external information related to meeting the strategic goals of the organization. The importance of executive information system is on graphical displays and easy to use user interfaces. EIS are enterprise large decision support system that helps top level executives study, evaluate and emphasize trends in important variables so that they can check performance and identify opportunities and troubles. Middle level management Middle level consists of head of financial departments. They are responsible to top management. They are concerned with organization and direction function of management. Interpretation of the programs and policies communicate by the top level management, organizing and manning their departments as per the main plan, plan the departmental operations, guide direct and motivate their workers to attain the objective, co-operate and co-ordinate with other departments, evaluate the performance of his subordinates, collect reports and statics from the lower and send in to top level management. These are the functions of middle level management. Acquire and arrange the resources to meet the goals of an organization. In this level define the detailed tasks to be carried out at the operational level. Management information and reporting systems (MIS):- These systems present mid-level and senior managers through periodic, often summarized, information that help them determine performance (e.g., an exacting regions sales performance in a particular time period) and create right decision based on that information. Provide middle level management with reports that summarize and categorise information derived from company database. Decision support systems (DSS): These systems are considered to assist mid-level and higher-level managers create those complicated decisions about which not all related restriction is known. There are decision support systems that help out groups to create consensus-based decisions; this is well-known as group decision support systems. A type of decision support system that is geared mainly toward high-level higher managers is theexecutive information system(EIS) orexecutive support system(ESS). As this has the ability to do extremely detail analyses, just like a regular DSS, it is designed mainly to help executives continue track of a little particular items that are critical to their day-to-day high-level decisions. Expert systems: An expert system is built with form keen on the computer the thinking processes and decision-making heuristics of a conventional specialist in an exacting field. As a result, this kind of information system istheoreticallyable of making decisions for a customer, based on input received from the customer Lower level management Lower level management is also known as supervisory management. This level includes supervisors, foremen, gang boss, accounts officer, sales officer etc. They are more concerned with direction and control function of management. Their functions are:- plan for a day or weak, organize the activities of his group, allot work to the workers under him, issue instructions at the site, motivate the employees, arrange materials, machines, tools etc. for workers, give guidance and supervise the employees, to maintain discipline and good relations with the groups. Most decisions at in this level require easily defined information that relates to the current status and activities within the basic business functions. Information is gained from detained report which contains information about routine activities. Detailed tasks defined by middle management are carried out by people at operational level. Transaction processing systems (TPS):- These documentation and way of an organizations transactions, for example sales transactions or stock items, from the instant everybody is first created until it leaves the system. This help out the managers at the daily effective level keep track of daily transactions in addition to create decisions on when to put orders, create consignment, and almost immediately. These systems capture and process about business transactions. Sometimes its called as data processing systems. It is mostly used at operational level. Usually creates detailed reports of daily transactions or future transactions. Reports generated are useful only to lower level managers of the organisation. Toyota Enterprises Information Systems Toyota Motor Corporation Australia (TMCA) is the second largest vehicle manufacturer in Australia. Toyota Australia has exported over 60000 cars to over 20 different commercial locations worldwide in 2003.Toyota Industries is developing and manufacturing information systems, such as the Warehouse Management System (WMS), and the stocking management system for automatic warehouses. When combined with the logistics equipment of TOYOTA Material Handling Company, we are able to provide our customers with optimized logistics solutions at their worksite. Business-to-consumer (B2C):- The main aspects of business -to-consumer this is the most common form in ecommerce. The business is selling its items to an individual. The supplier is the business owner and the purchaser is the individual consumer. In selling items through the website, business owners usually creates catalogs and online shopping carts for the consumers to choose from and for the business owners to accept online payments. Business-to-business (B2B):-The buyers and the sellers are both business owners. This is the type in which selling is among the companies. Mainly products that are sold by businesses are not manufactured by their own company. They immediately purchased those products throughout wholesalers or from the product manufacturer itself. For example, Toyota Motors does plenty of B2B dealings like purchasing the tires, glasses, rubber hoses and other parts of Toyota vehicles from another manufacturer. Consumer-to-consumer (C2C):- Consumer-to-consumer allows process of products between two individuals. This style does not require a middleman. Also the perfect example of this type is eBay in which it allows individuals to sell and purchase their products directly. Conclusion Information technology is very important in business organization. Information technology is used in every levels of the organization. Companies cannot exist without the use of information technology. The basic concept of information systems has been introduced. Hence, a general idea about the importance of information systems should be achieved. It is very clear that information system is very much important for the successful growth and development of the organization. Bibliography John.G.Burch Gary Grudnitski, Information System: Theory Practice. Graham Curtis David Cobham, Business Information Systems: analysis, design practice Robert.D.Galliers, Dorothy.E.Leinder, Strategic Information Management 4thEdition. George Reynolds, Ethics in Information Technology (2003). http://blog.philwebservices.com/different-types-of-ecommerce http://www.turningcourse.com/ukais/isdefn.pdf http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/I/Information_Systems.html http://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=enlr=id=7_-67SshOy8Coi=fndpg=PR9dq=information+systems+IN+TOYOTAots=YlWst9DhG2sig=cB9XURgqsBVDVdf80LLTvELxAQk#v=onepageq=information%20systems%20IN%20TOYOTAf=false

The House on Clydesdale Lane :: English Literature Essays

The House on Clydesdale Lane The small townhouse always had the inviting fragrance of freshly cut flowers in the morning and the delicious aroma of my mother's secret recipes in the early evening. Anyone who entered was immediately greeted by the fragrances and found themselves staying a little longer than they planned. The delicate light from my grandmother's antique lamp beckoned sleep and the faded striped cushions on the worn living room couch held many a drowsy head in those days. The inside of the house consisted of rooms that were small and barely separated so that you always knew what was going on in the next room. From the living room, you could see my mother giggling at one of my father's corny jokes as they prepared supper together. In the living room, my older brother was most likely teasing my sister and me and tickling us until we screamed. We played games of "go-fish" and Chinese checkers as we waited for supper to be ready. We always ate dinner together in the dining room that barely separated the kitchen from the living room. The dinner table was a small wooden square that had wobbly legs and shook when one of us laughed. Sometimes trivial arguments took place when my brother would hurl mashed potatoes from his spoon at my sister or me. After dinner, my sister and I raced to see who could make it up the stairs first to put our pajamas on for bed. My dad read stories to us and often told us stories from when he was a boy. It was a warm house. It was warm even in the icy winter months when the heat was turned off at night to save money. My younger sister and I snuggled together in the bed we shared and used our hairbrushes as microphones as we lip-synched the songs on our tiny radio. Sometimes during those nights we played "Candyland' when we were supposed to be asleep—until we were caught. The outside of our house looked much like the rest of the houses in the neighborhood. The peeling green paint flaked off into the small patch of dirt my mother used as a flower garden. The sidewalk was gray and covered with brown hopscotch patterns from the tree bark we used as chalk. The front door had an outside door that had a torn and tattered screen that hung down lifelessly.

whats good without evil Essay -- essays research papers

Without Evil What’s Good   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"If my devils are to leave me, I am afraid my angels will take flight as well.† Rainer Maria Rilke wrote this to explain the nature of humanity. He expressed his views on human behavior and how humans think. Without evil, one does not know exactly what goodness is. Everyone possesses good and evil qualities. For they are balanced and create stability in everyone. If the one doesn’t exist then humans would not be able to differentiate or comprehend whether their actions are right or wrong. In our nature life always presents two sides of a situation therefore, making us act and think the way we do every day.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the beginning of the novel Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, there is a theme of society in which the boys begin to show order. Problems occur based on the sinful nature of man in desperate conditions. Jack and his hunters greatly illustrate the evil in human nature. Most of the story is made of the battle between good and evil through symbolism. While Ralph represented the good of the boys, Jack symbolized evil. Order is a great part of human behavior since it allows people to act upon rules and values. Ralph and Simon conducted order by guiding the boys. They built shelters and fires in order to stay civilized. As the novel began, they had rules and concerns and acted like civilized people who had some sort of governmental atmosphere. Ralph decided to choose a leader and every once in a while they would call assemblies. Ralph always seemed like the calmer on, but as time progressed he began to show his savage side towards Jacks group. At first, Jack woul d never think about killing a baby pig, yet later discover he is the first to turn into a savage hunter. Society was taken away from them and therefore they lost their values and innocent thoughts and began killing the other boys. Without knowing what bad was, none of them would feel guilty of what happened on their stay at the island. There is a great struggle between savage and civilization as the two groups of boys argue and try to live on their own until they are rescued.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the same way, the novel Grendel, by John Gardner, reinforces the fact of evil and good in people. Grendel had both characteristics of human and of monster. He acts like a child and has the heart of one, ye... ...small occurrence could change someone and their bad side will automatically arise within them. Dick experienced inner conflicts within himself with the fact of being a black man and anything was able to strike his inner anger. He began committing crimes and killing people in his town. The mystery of his background and the reason he shot people symbolizes that evil is all around and nothing can stop it once it hits. Dick’s new personality shocked the boys to see how someone so nice and kind could turn out to be so uncivilized after all. No matter how pure and civilized someone seems to be, the â€Å"other† side eternally exists. Inevitably, all people must have the sense of right and wrong, angel and devil, in order to go through life and understand the meaning of it. Without knowing the good, the bad will not exist and vice versa. In humans the quality of dual nature exists. Each work of art will always have these views in characters because it shows how people think. Though Jack and Grendel were perceived as the devilish characters, they both had a sense of pureness. All were created with two consciences for learning through experience and observation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

The Mind-Body Issue in Science

Neuroscience is the study of the brain and psychology is†¦well, the answer to that question is not exactly clear.   A direct interpretation of the word â€Å"psychology† boils down to â€Å"the study of the psyche† or â€Å"the knowledge of the psyche†, but psychology does not have a definition of the psyche and, in general, they do not believe in it.   Psyche comes from the Greek word meaning soul, so the psyche is actually the study of the soul, and yet psychology today has more or less become a study of the mind, and ironic situation since neither psychologists nor neuroscientists believe in the existence of the mind. The generally held accepted view of the mind is that the mind arises from the activity of the brain.   Thus, a major philosophical concern of neuroscience is, â€Å"Does the mind exist separate and independent of the brain?†Ã‚   The generally accepted answer to this question is, â€Å"No.   The mind is an epiphenomenon that arises from brain activity.†Ã‚   In the past, efforts were made to resolve this problem with philosophical arguments such as Fredric Weizmann's ideas about genetics and embryology (Forsdyke, 1999) and Michael M. Sokal ideas about phrenology. Today, we can conclude that the mind/body problem of science has been successfully resolved despite the obvious fact that the resolution has yet to be recognized or acknowledged!   We can now take pride that the resolution to this dilemma did not result in confirming the â€Å"pervasive† 19th-century fear humans might ultimately be viewed as â€Å"mere machines† lacking souls. (Jacyna, 1994) Despite the generally accepted view that the mind is merely an epiphenomenon that arises from brain activity, more or less superimposed over brain activity, there is actually no evidence to support the idea.   To date, all of the available data, without exception, suggests that the mind and the brain are two separate but interacting ‘things'.   Whatever evidence that does not suggest this is neutral.   The evidence is sufficiently strong to have swayed diehard monists (who believe that the mind is the brain) into becoming dualists (who believe that the mind and the brain are separate). Upon a review of the available data at the end of his life, the late neurosurgeon Wilder Penfield, MD (1891 – 1976), a former monist, concluded the evidence, â€Å"†¦it comes as a surprise now to discover, during this final examination of the evidence, that the dualist hypothesis seems the more reasonable of the two possible explanations.† (Penfield, 1975)   Although the available data may support Penfield's conclusion, there are still some interesting, intriguing and difficult questions to answer such as, â€Å"What is the realm of consciousness and the mind,† â€Å"How does consciousness and the mind and the realm of mind relate to the brain and the physical body,† and â€Å"Does a mind exist independent of the brain and the physical body?†Ã‚   We can briefly address each of these questions separately. The central problem with the dualist point of view is that the mind exists as an abstraction unless it arises from brain activity.   If the mind exists separate and independent of the brain, the answer to our first question is that the mind exists as an abstract field as proposed around the 1920s by developmental biologist Paul Weiss. (Weiss, 1926)   Then, in the mid and late 1930s, Dr. Harold Saxton Burr and his associates discovered just such a field. (Burr and Lane, 1935; Burr and Northrop, 1939) Dr. Burr discovered that all living things are molded and controlled by invisible and intangible electro-dynamic fields, that he called â€Å"L-fields† for the â€Å"fields of life†.   John White and Stanley Krippner call the L-field the â€Å"‘bridge' or intermediate link between the mental and the physical†¦they offer evidence that the mind and body are quite separate†¦.† (White and Krippner, 1977) If Burr's findings are correct, it seems apparent that consciousness and the mind are electrodynamic fields that interact with the physical body.   Burr was able to make a definitive connection between the L-field and wound healing and between the L-field and the mental functions and mental states of individuals. Burr and his colleagues found that they could make impersonal, objective measurements of the mental and emotional states of psychiatric patients and that their electrical measurements generally agreed closely with psychiatric diagnoses.   Consciousness and the mind somehow relate to the brain and the physical body through an electrical connection or bridge of sorts, forces associated with and coupled to cells. (Jerndal, 1982) Finally, although the preferred view of the mind-body/mind-brain issue in neuroscience and psychology is the monistic view which states that the mind is merely an epiphenomenon that arises from brain activity, it is apparent that the mind transcends physical functions of the body, but there are concerns such as can more detailed studies be provided to determine if the mind can be associated with the L-field?   Burr, Ravitz and their colleagues provided evidence that established a relationship between nerve and other tissue and that made useful neurological and psychiatric measurements that were associated with mental functions. Therefore, they succeeded in establishing a firm connection between an abstract but very real field and the tangible nervous system.   This data provides concrete evidence for the existence of an independent mind that transcends the functions of the physical body.   Thus, it appears that the mind-brain and mind-body issue can be laid to rest.   Now, the problem is, â€Å"How to get the word out.†Ã‚   Perhaps that leaves us right back where we started, at least for now. References Becker, Robert O. and Gary Selden (1985).   THE BODY ELECTRIC.   Electromagnetism and The Foundation of Life.   New York, NY: Quill, William Morrow. Burr, H. S. (1952).   Electrometrics of Atypical Growth.   Yale J. Biol. Med., 25, 67-75. Burr, H. S. (1972).   The Fields of Life:   Our Links with the Universe.   New York, NY:   Ballantine Books. Burr, H. S., and Lane, C. T. (1935).   Electrical Characteristics of Living Systems.   Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 8, 31-35. Burr, H. S., and Northrop, F. S. C. (1939).   Evidence for the Existence of An Electrodynamic Field in the Living Organisms.   Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, U.S.A., 25, 284-288. Eccles, Sir John C. (1951).   Hypotheses Relating To The Brain-Mind Problem.   Nature, 168(4263), 53-57. Forsdyke, D. R. (1999). Two levels of information in DNA: Relationship of Romanes' â€Å"intrinsic† variability of the reproductive system, and Bateson's â€Å"residue† to the species-dependent component of the base composition, (C + G) %. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 201, 47-61 Jacyna, L. S. (1994). Philosophic whigs: Medicine, science and citizenship in Edinburgh 1789-1848. London: Routledge. Jerndal, Jens (1982).   The Field Resonance Approaching Medicine.   Text of a Paper presented at the 3rd World Congress of Alternative Medicine, Colombo, Sri Lanka 22nd October, 1982. Penfield, Wilder (1975).  Ã‚   The Mystery of the Mind:   A Critical Study of Consciousness and the Human Brain.   Princeton, NJ:   Princeton University Press. Weiss, P. A. (1926)   â€Å"Morphodynamik:   Ein Einblick in die Gesetzte der organischen Gestaltung an Hand von experimentellen Ergebnissen,† in Abhandlungen zur theoretischen Biologie, (J. Schaxel, ed.), Gebruder Borntraeger, Berlin. White, John, and Krippner, Stanley (1977).   Future Science.   Life Energies and the Physics of Paranormal Phenomena.   Garden City, NY:   Anchor Books.      

Identity and Belonging: Witness

‘Where we come from and our attitude to it are powerful forces in our lives. ’ â€Å"This gun of the hand is for the taking of human life. We believe it is wrong to take a life. That is only for God. † The conflicting notions and difference between cultures is thoroughly represented throughout Peter Weir’s stunning and thematically moving film ‘Witness’ in which two different worlds with two different value systems are profoundly presented to its viewers. Having a sense of belonging is essential to identity; it is a basic human instinct to belong and to have faith in certain beliefs, the preoccupations meaningfully explored within Weir’s creations. Moreover, through the use of film techniques and representation, Weir has managed to captivate and compel his audience to indulge into the hardships and strategic traditions in which the Amish community follow and also allows the audience to gain a further understanding to the extreme disciplinary law of the ‘Ordnung. The protagonist, John Book, faces a tedious journey to bring justice to contemptible crime and must undergo an ultimate sacrifice of ‘changing his ways,’ which would cause a crucial disregard to all his life lessons that have shaped and guided him, in order to gain the acceptance he subsequently strives for from his ‘former carers’ and unique counterparts of the Amish community. Book also faces the riveting dilemma to assert or deny his d isreputable love with Rachel as well as apprehend where he truly belongs. Weir’s film is positioned between two worlds; the good and the evil, decency and corruption, head and heart, the Amish and the ‘English’. Throughout the film, the complexities of parallel worlds are explored where the different worlds begin to sporadically intertwine. ‘We want nothing to do with your laws,’ at the beginning of the film when Rachel first becomes subject to Detective John Book’s questioning and police procedures, she is taken out of her comfort zone and is presented with a world she knows not of. Rachel is more so driven by the forceful nature of her own predecessors and ‘elders’ which intuitively leads to her attitude of not wanting to abide by the laws of a different world from her own. The passiveness of the Amish is explored as they are depicted as being self-cast as outsiders, basing their lives solely on natural things due to their own stringent belief that it will bring them closer to God. Furthermore, the audience is able to gain an insight to the cultural restrictions in which the Amish live by; living in a rural society where there are no radios, telephones, or televisions, where the only means of transportation is a horse and buggy, and where one dresses to look â€Å"plain. † The depiction of the Amish community in the film is extraordinarily contrasted with the modern contemporary society of the Americans, otherwise known as ‘the English’ by the Amish people. Book’s world is portrayed as being the human function of corruption where ‘somewhere along the way [cops] lose their meaning. ’ Book is inevitably accustomed to deceit, brutality and violence that it consumes him and is the very essence in which drives him forward and acts accountable for his actions. He is inescapably surrounded by it, so much so that he is not completely oblivious to the corruption occurring within the very organisation that is meant to oppose it, his own police department. Book’s duty to investigate corruption within his police department leaves him shot. This violence from Book’s own world and place of belonging is what ironically leads to him going into hiding amongst the Amish people in order for him to protect Rachel and Samuel. He is significantly driven by his job of policing that it acts as a powerful force in his life in which he is suited to, ‘[Elaine] thinks you like policing because you think you are right about everything and you're the only one who can do anything†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Evidently, Book is quite complacent living his own life in his contemporary society as it composes of his identity and sense of belonging. At a further contrast, the contemporary society of the Americans deem to be utterly dependant on technology, not just as helpful tools but also for ones own sense of luxury. In the film, when Book is in town with Eli accompanied by other Amish they are ambushed by tourists who simply treat them as though they are placed there for their own amusement, the Amish are not acknowledged as being actual human beings. The tourists bombard them with taking photos and Book does not follow the placid way of the Amish, ‘Lady, you take my picture with that thing and I'm gonna rip your brassiere off†¦ nd strangle you with it! You got that? ’ Though Book attempts to conform to the ways of the Amish he is still so accustomed to his old ways that where he comes from is his own sense of belonging. Furthermore, Book’s trial of ‘fitting in’ with the Amish is ultimately tested when he cannot rid himself of his urban assertiveness and simply turns to violence when a g roup of ‘townies’ harass Daniel Hochleitner, of the Amish, to which Book violently punches one of them in the face though ‘it’s not our way [of the Amish]. Book is fundamentally fixed in his ways, ‘it’s my way,’ and initially disregards his attempts to fit in with the Amish and gain their acceptance. Consequently, Book’s violent actions lead to Schaeffer and his despicable partners being able to locate and track down where Book is staying in hiding. Though Book has sufficiently failed in his attempts to conform to the ways of the Amish, it is evident that he finally makes a connection with the Amish community during the traditional barn-raising scene in the film where Book helps out and realises that for the Amish, community is more important than any other modern necessity. Despite Book’s connection with the Amish he is still mildly branded as an outsider to their community and is only truly accepted through the eyes of Rachel. During the course of the film, Book and Rachel begin to grow affectionate for one another. The attraction between the two only grows stronger as the film progresses and Weir uses intended camera angles and film techniques to represent a change in the status quo. When Book and Rachel are together, they are always filmed through doorways. Book is depicted as always being in the doorway, symbolising that he cannot get past it whereas Rachel is always in through it. However, as the attraction grows stronger, specifically after they kiss, Book talks to Rachel through the door of chicken wire, the holes in the wire imply that Book can now get through to the Amish community yet some of his own identity and predispositions will always remain behind the chicken wire. More so the attraction is shown within the scene in the barn in which Book is fixing his car with his radio on, an ultimate defiance of the ways of the Amish, to which Rachel responds positively. They begin to dance and although Book appreciates the moment, he does not fully understand that he is breaching the wishes of the elders in the community and ominously causes Rachel to act in such a manner which is stupendously frowned upon by her peers. Despite Eli's warning that she will be â€Å"shunned† if she becomes too close to John, Rachel defiantly gives in to her feelings for the outsider. Though they come from two different worlds, hold different values, nd live different lives, their emotions and feelings towards one another prove to be the same. Eventually Book comes to terms with his limitations and realises that he does not belong in Lancaster County with Rachel despite his utmost attempts to try and change himself in order to belong. Book remains too dependant on things from his world and his reliance on technology bounds him. The life lessons and fixed ways in which Book continuously holds onto prove to a big part of his identity that to completely disregard t hem would be a vital sacrifice. His attempts to try and belong with the Amish are boldly thwarted by his own understanding of his significant influence on young Samuel, ‘I would only kill the bad man. ’ His very presence brings danger and the aspect of life in which the Amish try to avoid, that is, murder. The place in which one comes from, one’s home and upbringing, proves to be a powerful force in one’s life. Having a place to belong is essential to identity and life lessons taught prove to be guidance throughout life. It is essential to belong and people will try and change themselves in order to feel as though they fit in. However, to merge two completely different worlds together would be controversial and ultimately unprincipled. The love shared between Book and Rachel would never work because they were two different, they were bestowed with different values, different upbringings and essentially different morals. Book could never stay with the Amish, â€Å"He's going back to his world, where he belongs. He knows it, and you know it, too. †