Internal and External Business Stakeholders Essay

In 1963 an internal memorandum issued at the Stanford Research Institute used the term â€Å"stakeholders† for the first time and defined the word as â€Å"those groups without whose support the organization would cease to exist†(Boundless, paragraph1). Now it generally includes anyone who has an interest or â€Å"stake† in a business or entity. There are two types of stakeholders: internal stakeholders, those within an organization that have an interest in the business, and external stakeholders, those with an interest in the business outside of an organization. Internal stakeholders include owners, employees, managers, and stockholders, those who are directly affected by the success or failure of a business’ decisions. The owners and stockholders are the ones who have the most to gain or lose depending on how the business fares in the market. They’re the ones who put their money into an idea to create the business and should it fail, they’d lose that investment. The managers and employees, similarly, would lose benefits, rewards, or even their jobs completely should it fail. Since these have the most to lose, they’re the one who work the hardest to make sure the business succeeds. External stakeholders, customers, creditors, suppliers, the government, etc., are also affected by the success of a business. If the business is doing well, the customer is able to get good quality products and/or services at sensible prices, creditors get paid back the loan they gave the business, and suppliers keep selling their products to the business, thus keeping them in business as well. When the business is up and running, stakeholders need to collaborate and each plays their own part with each other to keep the business successful. The owners and creditors need to supply the financial backing, the employees need to sell the products or services to the consumers with excellent customer service, the suppliers need to distribute and deliver their products promptly and professionally, and the customers need to continue to buy the products or services while providing constructive feedback. When these stakeholders interact without confusion or miscommunication, the business runs smoothly and they all gain something from working together. No matter what the business sells or provides, if there’s contact with any human being, and there always is, then there are by definition â€Å"stakeholders† in the company.  Without them, there would be no products or services offered to the consumer and there wouldn’t be a business in the first place. Source: Boundless. â€Å"Business Stakeholders: Internal and External.† Boundless Accounting. Boundless, 14 Nov. 2014. Retrieved 19 Jan. 2015 from https://www.boundless.com/accounting/textbooks/boundless-accounting-textbook/introduction-to-accounting-1/overview-of-key-elements-of-the-business-19/business-stakeholders-internal-and-external-117-6595/

Imagery in Dante’s Inferno

Robert Herrick, an English poet, once said, â€Å"Hell is no other but a soundlesse pit, where no one beame of comfort peeps in it. † Picture any type of Hell with relief, happiness, or even the smallest crack of a smile. There is no place. In fact, one can only think of the complete opposite, whether it is a Hell filled with neglect, pain, disgust, or a never-ending life of horror. This is the place created by Dante Alighieri; The Inferno is exactly the type of Hell where no person would want to be. Even those who acted upon the lightest of sins suffered greatly.While each realm contained a different sinner, the punishment that each were forced to face was cruel, repulsive, and sometimes rather disgusting. Through grieving tears without an exit, unbearably itchy scabs, and a putrid, slushy ground, Dante uses vivid imagery to describe the various realms of Hell. As Dante passes through each realm, he uses organic and visual imagery to describe the sinners’ lives in Hell . When people feel an immense amount of pain, physically or mentally, they usually cry.Those treacherous to their country could not bear to handle their grief. However, as freezing rain and wind whipped their faces, their tears froze in their eyes. Dante used organic imagery to give a clear impression of the suffering these sinners dealt with: â€Å"Their very weeping closes up their eyes; / and the grief that finds no outlet for its tears / turns inward to increase their agonies† (Alighieri XXXIII. 94-96). Dante made it apparent that the sinners’ actions made their bodies filled with grief, a feeling that is painful enough for anyone.However, as if mental pain is not enough, Dante assures the reader that the sinners’ grief was thrown directly back into their bodies since they could not cry. Because of this, the reader cannot picture the sinners’ pain, but actually feel what it would be like to be unable to release grief through tears. In the realm of the alchemists, Dante uses visual imagery to portray their horrific pain. Cursed with leprosy and irritating scabs, the alchemists constantly picked at themselves in hopes of relieving their bleeding, itchy skin. Dante gives a picture perfect example of their torment.It was said that, â€Å"And as they scrubbed and clawed themselves, their nails / drew down the scabs the way a knife scrapes bream / or some other fish with even larger scales† (Alighieri XXIX. 82-84). The impression that Dante gives forces the reader into picturing the sinners drag their dirty nails into their prickly, scabbed skin, so rapidly and intense, that he compares it to a knife grating the scales of a fish. Dante also uses visual imagery to describe the lives of the gluttons. Since the gluttons spent their lives consuming massive amounts of food and drink, they represented themselves as garbage.Therefore, they were treated as such in Hell. The reader is able to visualize the punishment of a glutton throug h Dante’s vivid expression: â€Å"Huge hailstones, dirty water, and black snow / pour from the dismal air to putrefy / the putrid slush that waits for them below† (Alighieri VI. 10-12). The reader can obviously picture the clean ground beneath all of the disgusting dirt, mold, mud, and rancid slush. Dante also puts the image of the rotting gluttons that lie under this filthy mess into the reader’s mind. Each realm contains something different, and Dante clearly proves to give the sense of a different image every time.While every person has a different depiction of Hell, Dante provides fascinating imagery of his portrayal, so the reader can truly experience the same sense as he did. It may seem shocking, but even Dante was surprised to see what he found in each realm. Imagery not only creates a picture, but it also tells a story. When Hell is involved, both are needed to understand the full effect. Through grief, scabs, and garbage, Dante takes the reader on a ho rrifying, yet interesting ride through Hell that no one would ever believe he or she could imagine.

Case Study 1 - international marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Case Study 1 - international marketing - Essay Example They then seek out characteristics, such as prestige-oriented attitudes or general lifestyle, and then develop advertising and integrated communications strategies to meet these needs. It is segmentation and then response to market identification using language that would be accepted by these groups. Divide and conquer segments â€Å"must be revisited to ensure relevance† (Schwarz, 2007, p.1). Question 2 This paradox fits into Acer’s strategy as it is recognized that global markets are products and local markets are people. There is no standardized method of achieving marketing success due to the fact that people across the globe, even if they have similar demographic traits, will not have the same buying behaviors. Businesses that believe they can use standardized advertising and communications principles are engaging in paradoxical thinking (sagepub.com, 2007). Local markets can be easier identified with and segmented while global markets are more difficult to define. Acer spent a great deal of time learning Chinese buyer behaviors, such as feelings about product reputation, that helped standardize segmentation and ad strategies in this specific culture. Globally, however, Acer must adapt these principles to meet unique market needs.

Why do some people or institutions say they doubt the data about Essay

Why do some people or institutions say they doubt the data about climate change - Essay Example In return, it has been noted that the scientists claim that with a sequence of observations, it is easier to gauge the climate change or at least predict it. But on the other hand the skeptical views project that the observation patterns are changes and so does the climate. The debate has also enhanced the claims regarding the objectivity of science. This means that the direct observation of the scientists regarding the climate change is incomplete. But notably, it should be noted that climate changes have occurred drastically over the last decade but no science can actually helped people from natural disasters such as Tsunami, Hurricane etc. Thus, it can be said that the debate continues to raise such doubts because scientific research has failed to provide authentic facts about the pattern in which natural climate change has occurred over the years leading into the predictability of future climate

Humen Resource Managment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Humen Resource Managment - Essay Example It is not uncommon to find views that are categorically different from the ones that were made and what we believe in could be belied by taking up a different perception. For every view, there is always a string of arguments to support the cause and there by reinforce the thought process. Similarly the case under question, namely, the union issue with the Universities for a rise in the salary levels may be taken up and studied. Differing actors and stakeholders in the issue would only be offering different perception to the same story or rather same history. When this incident is revisited, it is found that the earliest newspaper reports bank on the issue that the students' assessments are affected and the students are going to have hard time because of the staffs of the university and their 'unilateral' strike decisions. It is also found that the villains of the show, were asking for a rise in the salary when everybody 'thought' that they always were better paid and enjoyed a more stable and 'no pressure' life style. The strike and the pay rise were both looked at as the ones caused because of their inherent 'greediness' that went with the people's aim to make more money and live like their business counterparts. Secondly, the university is a service and it cannot be viewed as a profit making exercise for the universities! While so, how can the staff of the university expect a rise that is not commensurate with the rate of change in the living conditions of the community (BBC News 21 Apr 2006) Thirdly, the university staffs already had a higher and more comfortable pay scale. Therefore, they found that the rate of rise in the following years was not in line with the inflation rates in the country. The radical view Once the views of a multitude of stake holders are included in the perception, the views of the staffs are also included (Simon Felton 10 Apr 2006). This view would throw open the following: The villains The Vice Chancellors The Problem Unknown reasons of the employers Motive Only to reduce the cost to the Universities. Credit To the employers. In this case, all the credit for holding on to the salary levels of the staff went to the vice chancellors and the employers. Fixed qualities Complacency, indifference and recklessness Emotions Suffering of the students and delayed assessments. The radical view on the other hand, specifies that the vice chancellors of the universities had acted as villains. They had not responded to numerous requests in the last twenty years to improve the salary levels

Mutual Funds Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Mutual Funds - Essay Example Mutual funds are securities that are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Broadly speaking, they are composed of stocks, bonds, short-term money market instruments, and other securities that function as a means of hedging against possible declines in a security or investment sector. The main understanding is that this diversified approach will provide the investor an option that protects them against market fluctuations, as when one security drops in value, another will increase. A manager or board of directors oversees these funds. The board hires a fund manager and works to ensure that the mutual fund is managed in the intended interest of the shareholders. This essay examines the advantages, disadvantages, and different types of mutual funds. Advantages There are a great variety of advantages to investing in mutual funds. One of the most prominent such aspects is the increased amount of diversification. In terms of portfolio theory, diversification constit utes perhaps the most overarching concept. Essentially diversification is the gathering together of diverse investment securities as a means of guarding against the failure of one specific sector. While it is possible for investors to diversify their portfolio through a widespread purchase of stocks, such a process is both extensive and also contains liquidity issues. In terms of liquidity, most brokerage firms attach a fee to individual trades, such that an individual attempting to withdraw money from a portfolio of diversified stocks would be required to pay a series of fees; mutual funds offer liquidity in terms of one direct and easily accomplished sale (Pozen, Hamacher, 2011). Another prominent advantage of mutual funds is that they operate in terms of economies of scale. Essentially the equivalent of economies of scale is volume discounts in department stores. In the context of mutual funds, a wide variety of investment funds are collated allowing the fund manager to gain grea ter value per purchase (Pozen, Hamacher, 2011). Divisibility is another prominent advantage to investing in mutual funds. Divisibility can be understood in terms of the purchase of a wide variety of stocks. It’s noted that, â€Å"Smaller denominations of mutual funds provide mutual fund investors the ability to make periodic investments through monthly purchase plans while taking advantage of dollar-cost averaging† ("Advantages of mutual," 2009). Essentially this indicates that through a mutual fund, an individual with modest means is able to invest in a great amount more stocks than they would if they only purchased the securities on their own. This allows for considerably greater amounts of diversification. Another prominent benefit of investing in mutual funds is that they are under professional management. The obvious implications of this are that an experienced and knowledgeable professional will be overseeing the securities and investment strategy. Ultimately, th e cumulative advantage of these benefits makes mutual funds an attractive option for conservative or inexperienced investors. Disadvantages While there are a great variety of advantages to investing in mutual funds, there are also a number of prominent disadvantages. Even as mutual funds offer a generally conservative investment option as compared to stocks, precious metals, or derivatives, there is nonetheless a degree of risk associated. The main understanding in these regards is that even with extensive levels of diversification, macroeconomic elements oftentimes contribute to a large-scale market decline. In these regards, individuals that do not have the financial wealth or patience to out-wait market downturns might find mutual funds an unattractive option

Thorough distribution plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Thorough distribution plan - Essay Example Things that will be accounted include permission to distribute the product, certificate of quality assurance provided by the concerned authority and legal requirements that have to be met like registration of the product. The availability and vicinity of the distribution centers in these countries have to be accounted for. The global entry strategy into these countries will be through franchising. Franchising will facilitate speedy distribution of the product. Franchising involves the granting of a franchise. In this case, the product will be franchised to a franchisee; the franchisee will supply the capital and labor and operate the franchised business. The approach of franchising will be; authorization of a number of retail stores to sell the product. The advantage of using franchising is that the product will be able to reach the targeted population in the shortest time possible and within their favorite shopping places. The supply chain is vertically integrated and will include a manufacturer, a distribution center and a retailer. The manufacturer will manufacture the product and franchise it to the distribution centers and retailers. A distribution center will assist in the supply of the product as needed and be able to ship the product to the required destinations that are outside United States and Canada. This means that it has both the local and international advantage in supply of the product. Vertical integration method has advantages such as low transaction costs, high investment opportunities and the ability to monopolize the market through market foreclosure. Another advantage is quick supply of goods and being able to meet the demand in the market. Retail partners will be supermarkets, chemists, drug stores, cosmetic shops, and electronic stores. These are common places for many shoppers in the United

Concept of true and fair view Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Concept of true and fair view - Essay Example It is perceived to be realized by abiding by all additional minor accounting standards. True and fair view is the rule that is utilized in guidelines ranging from financial standard and auditing to an organization’s law acts. The phrase is applicable to the process an auditor will execute a verdict on the accounting activities of a corporation (Elliot & Elliot 2004, p. 21). The true and fair value concept is significant because it is employed in guaranteeing and examining if accounts indicate the correct business activities. In addition, the true and fair value concept has helped in abolishing mechanical utilization of accounting principles (Arnold, Hope, Southworth & Kirkham 1994, p. 17). The users of the true and fair value concept include auditors and accountants. Both the auditors and accountants use this concept to set down accounting statement whether they are internally-focused management accounts or external financial accounts. Auditors use the concept to design and perform with extreme determination that will help reveal any significant or material misstatements or errors (Friedlob, & Plewa, 1996, p. 67). Firms that utilize the true and fair value concept are those that are registered in the London Stock Exchange, for example, ABB, an international organization dealing in mechanics and primarily in the automation and power technology sectors, and Heathrow Airport Holdings, which operates four airports in Britain (Glautier & Underdown 1994, p. 51). There are a number of issues relating to the true and fair value concept. One, the accounting books should have noted all the business dealings accurately. The concept should record correct business dealings to ensure proper functioning. Two, the accounting books should be made according to the appropriate standards of accounting and have adhered to accountancy principles given by a number of regulatory agencies (Kotter &Cohen 2002, p. 35). This should reflect the adequate accounting standards in finance.

Health systems of Canada and Australia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Health systems of Canada and Australia - Essay Example Today, every country is expected to devise its own strategies of addressing the three major goals associated with the healthcare system. These include sustaining a healthy population, treating ill people, and safeguarding families from financial ruin that results from medical bills. This paper will compare health care systems of Canada and Australia. The health care system in Canada is comprised of various forms of health insurance policies, which aim at ensuring that every citizen in the country gets access to adequate health care. The system is funded through public means, and administered through either territorial or provincial basis. The federal government is the one that provides the guidelines through which care should be provided (Kliff, 2012). With regard to the health care system in Canada, individuals gain equitable access to medical treatments and preventive care. They can access these services from hospitals, through primary care by physicians, dental surgery, or other medical services. With limited exceptions, all individuals in the country are eligible for health coverage irrespective of their income, medical history, or living standards (Kliff, 2012). The kind of health care system prevalent in Canada is subject to significant political dispute as well as debates throughout the country. A number of critiques question whether the current system is efficient in terms of delivering treatments in a timely manner. These critiques stipulate that the country should implement a private system as in the case of the U.S. On the contrary, the government, policymakers, and individuals in the country worry that a private system would result to inequities in the health care system, as only the wealthy individuals can afford specific types of treatments (Kliff, 2012). The health care system in Australia is multidimensional comprising of both public and private health care providers, participants, settings, as well as supporting

A recent newspaper report Essay Example for Free

A recent newspaper report Essay The council had fitted a new toilet into Judy Weisss flat as part of a refurbishment. Ms Weiss noted that it looked good, but also complained that it smelled when the weather was warm. A workman was sent by the council to look at it, who then said they could not smell anything. No further action was taken regarding this particular issue.[S1] After some time, Ms Weiss then noted that a leak had started at the back of the toilet, where the floor and wall meet. It was miniscule at first and initially placed on the Low Priority list, before it then got worse to the point that the area always became flooded after the toilet was used, therefore becoming a High Priority problem. A professional was called again to look at it, and they turned off the water to stop the leak, but said Ms Weiss must use the toilet in the corridor instead. Ms Weiss complained that the toilet had been troubling her for two weeks now, and continuing leaks are resulting in emerging rotting on the skirting and stains on the floor tiles and hall carpet. She is now asking for compensation, and for everything to be fixed as soon as possible. This is a document to inform tenants of the councils policies about housing problems and how repairs to their homes are categorised, as well as advise tenants about how to report any problems which arise. This report has a mixed purpose to inform as well as to support readers on their case. Some positive points about the council are mentioned at the start of the article, but it mainly concentrates on highlighting negative points. It is positively mentioned that Westchester District Council came top in the Local Government rankings, mainly due to the recent refurbishment of all rented homes. There is a quote by Council Chief Amy Ayomola about how thrilled tenants are by the highly successful project. A spokesman from a local tenants association accused the council of window dressing and said that the upgrades are overdue and being done at the expense of normal repairs. It is said that the council is failing to meet targets for repairs, and that the council came 54th out of 72 in the rankings for tackling non-urgent repairs. CONCLUSIONS 1 The toilet smell in Judy Weiss home was dealt with correctly as per the councils repairs policy, with regards to Low Priority problems: there is a need for repair but this is not affecting the tenants ability to enjoy living in the property. This could include flaking paint, minor drainage smells or cracked tiles. 2 The start of the leak was initially correctly marked as Low Priority, due to its small size. However, as the leak increased so much to a point that the floors were being flooded and causing considerable damp damage in the area, it may have possibly been in the best interest of the council to deal with this in quicker time. 3 Since Ms Weiss had been contacting the council every week for the past six months with little response in return, more should have been done on our part to help her on time and not keep her waiting unnecessarily. RECOMMENDATIONS 1 In light of the problems highlighted by this tenants letter, the repairs policy should be properly reviewed and some amendments should be considered in order to improve it. 2 More investigation also should be done to find out whether these issues are truly a common occurrence for many more other tenants in Westchesters councils homes. A questionnaire would be a suitable method for this. 3 A letter of responsibility should be written and sent as soon as possible to the tenant, Judy Weiss, to acknowledge and apologise for her problems, as well as to inform her of what we can to do help and advise her of what actions she should make in future. 4 A response article should be written for the Westchester Gazette to let the public know the councils side of the story, and to portray itself in a more positive light.

Research on Science Fiction and Ursula K Le Guin

Research on Science Fiction and Ursula K Le Guin Chapter V Summation Science fiction is a genre of literature that deals with the technological advancements of the futuristic society. It does not stop with that but also compares the well-being of the human beings with respect to the cultural, social and psychological changes that happen due to the technological advancements. The humanistic values of past, present and the anticipation of it in the future is also considered by science fiction. Humanism exists in several forms from ancient times. The presence of humanism in various forms helped humans to lead meaningful lives. Several theories in humanism helped it to evolve and fulfill the needs of human beings. The chief focus of humanism is mankind which is seen in the many works of Renaissance art and literature. It gained popularity as it appeared in literature and the popular characters in the novel elaborated the aim of humanism more than the theorists. Two such theories are Dehumanisation and Transhumanism that reveals a great deal about the scie ntific progressions of the present and the near futures human society. Understanding the past and present science fiction reveals the future and nature of humankind in a technically advanced society. The presence of artificial or alienated setting of the universe in science fiction clearly questions the spirit of being human. The adverse effects of technology in the future world of human beings could easily be found in the pages of science fiction. Technology becomes the deciding factor of the fate of mankind and the universe. The artist deals with what cannot be said in words. The artist whose medium is fiction does this in words. The novelist says in words what cannot be said in words. Hence science fiction had been the essential genre of literature that gives ideas to visualize the future with a cautioning note to prepare the humankind face the consequences. Dehumanisation and Transhumanism refer to the physical and psychological changes that happen in the technically evolved sop histicated society. The study focuses to serve as an eye opener for the society to be aware of the importance of Science Fiction in projecting the most possible future and the adverse effects of technology that affects both the physical and psychological peace of the human society. The first chapter unveils the origin, history and evolution of Science Fiction and also gives a brief introduction about American Science Fiction as an exclusive genre of literature. The presence of Humanism in literature from its onset is also discussed in the first chapter. The evolved humanism is known as transhumanism that bothers only about human happiness irrespective of other factors. It is the possibility of fundamentally transforming the human condition with the widely-developed technology. The presence of transhumanism in fictions also gives a chance for people about the upcoming sophistication and also the possible danger. Dehumanization is the denial of humanness to other humans. It means more than the denial of basic rights. The target is on the creative aspect of an individual and affecting their psychology. Dehumanisation in Science Fiction is unintentional as most often the humans are affected by the technical advancements. Dehumanization influences psychological lite rature and portrays the struggle of the human beings in the dominating technical world. It is wise to consider the fictional setting seriously that may even become real in near future. The elements of transhumanism and dehumanization in science fiction are categorized with respect to the select novels of Ursula K Le Guin. Since the setting of science fiction is believed to be the near possible future, transhumanistic and dehumanisation themes in Science Fiction have larger impact than other possible genres of fiction. The chapter proceeds to introduce Ursula K Le Guin, one of the prominent authors of Science Fiction. Le Guins influence on her contemporary and other writers were also focused keenly as she is one of the early writers of SF. She being the first SF writer to focus on the gender issues in SF, a keen importance is also given to the role of gender in her novels. In contrary to the opinion of borrowing the devices from the early authors, she has invented the fictitious comm unicative device which was used by her successive SF writers. The plot summaries of all the select novels have been encompassed. The chapter discloses about the theories of Transhumanism and Dehumanisation. The relevant literature reviews are analysed and included in the first chapter. The unique technical features of Le Guins SF novels are also given due importance. The second chapter Across the Universe brings in a new insight about the theories of Transhumanism and Dehumanisation with regard to Science Fiction. It focuses on the significant features of Science Fiction in the select novels of Ursula K Le Guin. The scientific setting of the novels is analysed in order to relate the elements of the theories. The earlier predictions of SF and its relevance to the existing world are also discussed to validate the researchers point of view. The characters of all the select novels are studied in depth to analyse the psychological nature in a scientific or an alienated setting. Transhumanistic elements present in each novels of Guin is analysed deeply. It is applied to bring out the evolution of human beings as technical human beings in the present scenario. The technology influenced society is brought to light with the determination of the transhumanistic indicators in the select novels. The psychic nature of human beings in the SF society is also s tudied through the character depiction of Le Guins novels. Even though there are people around the normal human characters they feel alienated in artificial society where the humanity is in stake. Dehumanisation of the human beings is clearly manifested through the treatment of the characters. The application of the theories is mainly based on the setting and characterization present in the novels. The relevant physical and psychological indicators of Transhumanism and Dehumanisation in the novels are listed in the chapter. The application of the theories implies an underlying caution for the existing society about the dangers of technological developments. Transhumanism focuses on how human beings have evolved with technology and the analysis by the researcher also enables the human beings to understand the psychological changes that happen in the characters. The inner peace of the characters is disturbed by the technical advancements and it also affects the overall societal ethnicity. The themes of SF should be noted as it varies from the setting of Fantasy novels, as Arthur C. Clarke rightly points out, Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. SF novels do not attempt to imagine totally implausible technology that affects the human beings bu t only the probable advancements that would affect the nature of human society in near future. Few SF authors project the past history with advanced technologies to depict the present miseries or political turmoil of the late or present society. Science fiction focuses not only on the realities of specific problems but also symbolizes the most critical cultural uncertainties. Science fiction novels explore the possible technical revolution that tends to happen in the universe and consider essential idealistic questions about the nature of reality and the mindset of human beings. The research is significant because science fiction is the only genre that predicts how society would function differently in an imaginary future and also consider methods to make future a better place for human beings. The select novels of Ursula K Le Guin also project the inevitable changes in the present or future society and the crucial changes in the nature of human beings. The author employs a future galactic civilization loosely connected by an organizational body known as the Ekumen and considers the consequences of contact between different worlds and cultures. The characterization and technology is interlinked in the novels that project the social and cultural impact on the various related human species. The novels employ alien cultures to examine structural characteristics of human culture and society. The fourth chapter-Gateway to Future Science Fiction tends to prove the researchers point of view by projecting the necessary elements responsible for the prediction of futuristic society where the way of salvation awaits. Equal importance is given to the scenario of the present society which lays the foundation for the authors fictitious world. The chapter aims to focus on the link between the past and present to judge the future. The speculative fictions also anticipate the cultural, psychological and sociological changes that happen in the human society. The elements of the theories are applied to prove that Le Guin had spectacularly combined the past and present to predict the future of human beings. The chapter also paves way to revisit the present society and change its atrocities and reconcile in order to dwell in a better future. The final chapter concludes the study by correlating the theories of Transhumanism and Dehumanisation with the select novels of Le Guin. It summarises the second, third and fourth chapters in order to substantiate the researchers point of view. The major findings of the study are discussed and substantiated. Scope for further research on SF has also been recommended. FINDINGS The research on the select novels of Ursula K Le Guin shows that the perspective of future, technology and human lives warn the society about the impact of technology on the universe. The analysis of past and present had paved way to visit the futuristic technology. Science fiction is the cloud on the horizon which is proved by analyzing the past science fiction novels and their present relevance to the society. The present technological advancements had made the science fiction writers to project the future brave new world. The following are the findings of the research. Adverse effects of technology had Transhumanised and Dehumanised the human beings that had resulted in the theft of humanism in the future society. The change should be welcomed but the sophisticated living provided by the technology threatens to destroy the nature of being humane. The research had helped in understanding the imaginary future to make the possible future a better place for human beings. There are bot h good and bad effects of transhumanism on the society. The good effects obviously make us long for transhumanistic developments whereas the bad effects help to prepare ourselves to face the challenges posed by the technological advancements. The research serves as an eye opener for people as Le Guins select novels have greater technological elements and stands as a witness to the implication of Transhumanism. The theory of Dehumanisation is best reflected through the characters of Le Guins novels as she had depicted the psychological conflict and a sense of alienation in a futuristic society where humanity is nowhere to be found. It helps in bringing about an awareness of the term Transhumanism and dehumanization that had been applied to the select novels of Ursula K Le Guin. The study also demonstrates how the novels bring to the fore certain assumptions of transitional humanism with relevance to the present context. The novels at the same time reiterates how certain fundamental a spects of nature are changed and lead to destruction of the natural way of living. The psychological identity of the characters in an alienated society also depicts how the people would be longing for a natural life style. The society may become hostile in exploring the human condition in exile and the sense of belonging gets affected due to the possession of phenomenal developments in futuristic technology. Androgynous society depicted in a novel had explicitly Hence, science fiction is nothing but a warning text about the future possible technological advancements that reveals the present-day scenario to the lime light. The perspectives of Science Fiction literature with reference to Le Guins novels and the theories of Transhumanism and Dehumanisation have been analysed. SUGGESTIONS Science fictions with Transhumanistic theme must be a part of the syllabus and curriculum as young adults, the students should be aware of the happenings in the field of science and technology. Literature should not be treated as something unrelated to reality. Literature is basically transcriptions of human experience and hence can serve as guides in negotiating ones personal, social, moral and spiritual spaces. Curriculum should be designed in such a way that the study of literature helps students to locate their knowledge to real life contexts and to make them better persons and better workers. The teaching of science fiction should not be for mere thrill and sense of wonder but should focus on inducing awareness on how science is impacting everyones life in todays world. Everything is mechanized in the contemporary world, but in recent times, people try to move back to the traditional way of living by preferring traditional foods to the modern packed food items. This change posit ively indicates the benefits of natural living and the effects of mechanized living. Cultural and social changes also owe a great deal to the technological developments. Hence it is essential to read science fiction as a piece of providing knowledge than as a piece for entertainment. SCOPE FOR FUTURE RESEARCH The novels of Le Guin devote magnificent space for human mind and its functional attributes. Research can be done on Thinking styles presented in the novel. Another area of research can be the aspects of feminism present specifically in The Left Hand of Darkness. The utopian elements in the novels of Le Guin can be another area of research. Le Guins novels have reminiscent of Taoism and Buddhism. Hence, a research on the religious aspects of Le Guins novels can also be carried out. Style and structure of the way the novel had been written can also be analysed. Anthropological elements present in the novels is a great area of research as Le Guins father is a renowned anthropologist. Research can also be done on the hainish universe in which all the novels of Le Guin are set. Mythological elements used by Le Guin in her novels can also be analysed for future research. Native flora and fauna of all the novels of Le Guin is yet another area of research as all the novels are set in differ ent planets. Fantasy elements present in the novels of Le Guin can also be taken into account as she had used lots of fantastical elements in the novels.The themes of science fiction like artificial intelligence, alternate history,post-apocalyptic elements could be analysed. Le Guins novels could also be analysed and compared to speculative fiction.

Less Could be More in Anna Karenina :: Tolstoy Anna Karenina Essays

Less Could be More in Anna Karenina    Anna Karenina was well-written, with a good plot, and valuable themes. But it fell short in each of these categories, because Tolstoy simply tried to do too much. The language was beautiful but, at times, far too descriptive. The plot was also well written, but tedious and hard to follow in many parts of the book. And the Themes were great and important, but they were many, and at times, not appropriate for this book. The book was great, but it could have said much more, and been better, if Tolstoy had said a little less.    The language in Anna Karenina was wonderful, although graphic and too descriptive in much of the book. Tolstoy was a great writer, and that is why this book is a classic. However, he should have made choices about what to emphasize, and what not to. Tolstoy had a great writing style. He used some wonderful techniques and literary devices in his writing to make is books so great. One example of this is how he often times placed characters in his books that mirrored himself, as is true with Anna Karenina. While this tool can be effective, in Anna Karenina it was mostly awkward. This character seemed to be somewhat misplaced, and unimportant. He also used a good deal of foreshadowing to give his books a more unique style. In one instance during Anna Karenina, Anna arrives at the train station to find that a man has been run-over by the train, which greatly foreshadows her own poignant suicide in part seven of the book. Tolstoy's language is compelling and fluid. He paints a clear and accurate picture in the reader's mind of all the details throughout the book. But his strength can very much be his weakness, because in trying to be so thorough and compelling, he over-analyzed and over-described many parts of the book.    The themes of this book were many. Some were well developed and appropriate to the story, but others seemed unnecessary. The books major themes were marriage and unhappiness, while the book also deals with depression, and making choices. This book follows several marriages and families, and these themes proved themselves to be very important and essential in Anna Karenina.

My Brother Jack :: essays research papers

MY BROTHER JACK 1.There are numerous reasons why this novel is titled My brother Jack. The title My Brother Jack deludes the reader in thinking the novel is based on Jack, yet we find that the prevailing concern is not ‘My Brother Jack’ at all. The title suggests a rewriting of Jack’s life. The novel is also called My Brother Jack because of the fact that the author George Johnston, portrayed as David had a brother named Jack, with whom he shared a good relationship with and was also a prominent person in his life. Since Jack is the person in whom David has the greatest sense of identity and reverence, it may well be an appropriate title. In the novel My Brother Jack David often writes about Jack and recapitulates the episodes of his life with Jack. This is evident in a statement David made about his brother as he was travelling on a train. ‘I saw him suddenly as a find of sunburnt Icarus, a freeman, buoyant and soaring in his own air, in the clear and boundless space of an element families yet new’ (pg 294). It is evident through examples, why the novel was called ‘My Brother Jack’. The title may suggest an account of Jack’s life through the eyes of David. The perception you get is that Jack’s life is of greater importance than David’s. Shifting the novel focus from his own inadequacies, George Johnston tries to in fact get the reader to confront these issues. 2. George Johnston uses the theme of deception all through the novel, through the character of David Meredith. David was the most deceitful character in the novel. He did not care who he hurt on the way to getting away from his plain and mediocre life. David basically hurt everyone in his life that ever cared about him. George Johnston used the theme of deception when David continuously deceived his parents. He lied to his parents about the paintings being his own when they were only a lithograph of Tom Middleton’s work. ‘…I would also bring printed samples of work that Tom Middleton had done, and say that I had lithographed them;’ (pg 83). Through the lies that David told and the pain that he caused it is quite clear that George Johnston has used the theme of deception throughout the novel. 3. There is an obvious contrast between his outer success and his inner failure.

Macbeth- General Information, Rough Essay

then is revealed as being weak and easily manipulated. He then descends into become a murderous madman. one realizes Macbeth’s transformation into one of drama’s most infamous villains coincides with a profound transformation of his conscience—to a point where he has none at all. Throughout the play Macbeth makes a journey from following a moral ethic, implementing a flawed ethic, and arriving to a point where he had none at all. When comparing Banquo and Macbeth, after they meet the weird sisters, one see’s that Banquo adheres to warrior ethics where Macbeth moves away from it.At the start of the play Macbeth was idolised by everyone and thought to have been a man of very great power whom could be defeated by nobody: â€Å"All is too weak for brave Macbeth – well he deserves that name† 1. 2. 15. It is stated in this quote by the Captain that at the start Macbeth was known as a brave heroic man, which his enemies were too weak to overthrow. B y the end of the play his status falls from a man of great magnificence to one that has barely managed to keep his own sanity.Thus our first description of Macbeth is that of a brave, loyal soldier defending his King and country He appears to be a strong military leader ‘brave Macbeth- well he deserves that name’’, is then called ‘noble Macbeth' and given the traitor’s title, Thane of Cawdor: ‘’with this former title greet Macbeth’’. The Captain tells the King killed the traitor Macdonald in a very horrible and gory manner ‘’unseamed him from the nave to th’chops’’ Therefore, we are led to believe that Macbeth is a good, loyal, courageous, and determined man.Things From the moment they are introduced to the play the witches are seen as a negative effect on Macbeth, creating chaos by prophesysing to Macbeth that he is going to become Thane of Cawdor ‘’All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! ’’ and that he is going to become king ‘’All hail, Macbeth! That shall be King hereafter’’and getting him to act. He knows he is already Thane of Glamis, but does not know that Duncan has promoted him to Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is surprised by the promise of kingship.Banquo's prophecy is even more fantastic: he will be the father of kings but not king, and will be greater and happier than Macbeth. That is the moment when Macbeth wants to know more. The witches basically planted the seed of evil in Macbeth’s mind that later on grew to dominate his every action. However, it was Macbeth’s ambition that decided to take action on these prophesies, therefore it was he that decided the final outcome. When Ross and Angus enter to proclaim Macbeth's promotion, he is very surprised:‘’The Thane of Cawdor lives, why do you dress me in borrowed robes? ’ Moreover, Macbeth believes that this is the f ulfilment of the witches prophecies, However, there is no clear reason why Macbeth would become king, especially since the present King is so loved and admired. In the next few lines it becomes apparent that Macbeth not only has thought about being king, but he also believes what the witches told him is true: Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor: The greatest is behind Two truths are told, As happy prologues to the swelling act Of the imperial theme. (1. 3. 115-116, 126-128)This is the first time we see him realising that he might have to do something, as killing Duncan, in order to get to the throne. He debates the good and the bad side of the prophecies : ‘’If good, why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair’’ we are shown that Macbeth not only loves his King and country,’’our duties are to your throne and state, children and servants’’ but also himself. It still remains to be seen what action he will take. Macbeth's change has begun. **Soon enough, we are taken to Macbeth’s home, wherewe meet his wife, Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth has just received a letter from her husband in whichhe tells her everything that has happened. Because the witches got him very interested in their prophecies, he has had them investigated and has ’’ learned by the perfectest report that they have more in them than mortal knowledge. ’’ It is clear that after calling the witches ‘imperfect speakers' (1. 3. 68), Macbeth has now changed his mind. He also interprets the prophecies and tells his wife a slightly changed version.He addresses her ‘’my dearest partner in greatness’’ and seems to be sincere. Lady Macbeth, however, is determined that her husband becomes king. she says that Macbeth lacks the qualities necessary to assassinate Duncan without remorse or regret: ‘’yet do I fear thy nature, it is too full o’th’milk of human-kindness to catch the nearest way’’ . she hen prays for supernatural help to take away all of her feminine qualities and basically any traits of conscience: ‘’ unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top full of direst cruelty! ’, ‘’stop up th’access and passage to remorse’’, ‘’that my keen knife see not the wound it makes’’. After Macbeth arrives, Lady Macbeth is telling him to ‘’look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t’’ and to ‘Leave all the rest to me' This implicates her in the murdering of Duncan and shows us that she is taking the responsibility. She is essentially taking over. After the King arrives at the castle and prepares to sleep peacefully, Macbeth is still debating how he can achieve the crown without getting caught.He doesn’t want to do it personally; he wants to get it over with:’ ’ If it were done, when’tis done, then ‘twere done well it were done quickly’ and doesn’t really want to kill his cousin and King; he has a conscience: ‘’he’s here in double trust’. On the other side, he’s obsessed with becoming king and his thoughts keep flowing in the same direction: ‘’I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambitions, which o’er-leaps itself and falls on the other’’. We see duality when he says: ‘’we will proceed no longer in this business’’ and tries to procrastinate the murder.His wife then plays games with his mind and basically psychologically bullies and pressures him into killing Duncan by telling him that he is less than a man if he does not carry out the murder:’’ when you durst do it, then you were a man; and, to be more than what you were, you would be so much more the man’â€℠¢, and that she, being a woman has more strength of purpose than he does: ‘’i would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums, and dashed the brains out, had i sworn as you have done to this’. As soon as Macbeth has kills Duncan, he seems to start to lose his ind. He starts hallucinating: ‘’is this a dagger which i see before me, the handle toward my hand?Come, let me clutch thee. I have not, and yet I see thee still’’. He is unable to think clearly and is very paranoid. He is ready to eliminate anything that stands in his waybecause oft his ambitions for himself and the fear of being discovered. He just doesn't know what to do with himself while trying to keep the crown. Even though he is committed to Duncan, he Because Macbeth is afraid of the witches’ prophecy that he will lose the crown: ‘’To be thus in nothing, but to be safely thus.Our fears in Banquo stick deep’â₠¬â„¢ and Banquo will become king, he sends people to kill Banquo and Fleance. He hires three murderers in order to make sure that they won’t be able to escape. They ambush Banquo on his way to a royal feast, but Fleance escapes into the night. Macbeth is now the prisoner insolent and nagging doubts and fears,: ‘’But now I am cabined, confined, bound in to saucy doubts and fears’’, and is now paranoid because Fleace has escaped: ‘’There the grown serpent lies; the worm that’s fled hath nature that in time will venom breed’’.

Little Ice Age

Europe had experienced a general cooling of the climate between years 1150 and 1460 and a very cold climate between 1560 and 1850. This event came to be known as the â€Å"Little Ice Age. † This cold weather had impact on agriculture, health, economics, emigration, and art and literature . The term â€Å"Little Ice Age† was named by Francois Matthes in 1939 to describe the most destructive climate drop in Europe. This ice age was consisted of mountain glaciers which brought temperatures as low as 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Numerous people got sick and some were even killed and starved to death because of a famine.Farms and villages were lost due to the cold weather. It is unknown on what caused this â€Å"Little Ice Age. † We do know that this event impacted the people living in Europe. Many people have spotted out that the sunspot activity during this time period was low. This rare occurrence of sunspots triggered a cold sun, also the many volcanic eruptions which th en turned into an ice age. Imagine the fog hugging the ocean waters, cold winds coming in from the north, no horizon, no boundary between the sea and sky, land is frozen, and there you are gazing at a futureless world.Although â€Å"The Little Ice Age† was not a true ice age because it didn’t last long enough to cause ice sheets to grow larger, but it did change the daily life in Europe. At the conclusion of the Medieval Warm Period, the ice age made Iceland and Greenland attractive colonies for many Europeans to emigrate to due to the lack of food and cold temperatures. Even schools of cod, fish were forced out into the western Atlantic Ocean due to the frigid water temperature. Pilgrims followed the cod down the coast of North America settling on Cape Cod.Population increased in Europe during the warm period which left a large amount of people starving and dying during the first year of â€Å"The Little Ice Age,† due to famine. Rain was harsh during this time, it drenched the farmlands. To overcome this dilemma, farmers had plowed soils with long furrows, creating fields that absorbed large amounts of rain without doing much drainage problems. After it was cleared the land became a muddy wilderness. The crops were flattened where they grew. Europeans needed to find a new way to rely on food. One way in particular, was tree bark was made into bread.No longer were they able to rely on crops due to the flooded and frozen grounds. The frozen conditions led farmers to lose their cattle, hunters could no longer hunt for food, and fisherman could no longer fish for food. Villages of people subcommed to the famine. The famine outbreak occurred between the years of 1315-1317 where over 25 million people died from famine or famine related diseases. One in particular known as Black Death. Many of the hungry were also killed by famine diarrhea. This condition was resulted from bad nutrition and changes in the intestines that upset the water and salt balance in the body.The people of Europe were forced to eat the flesh of dead animals as part of their survival. The hungry would abandon their homes and villages and go to hospitals and sometimes even crowded prisons just to survive. In doing so, the large majority of people also brought on many other infectious diseases. People huddled together for warmth. When people died their clothes, including their underwear, were passed on to other people. When these people left their homes they only left with what they wore on their backs. In addition to the impact â€Å"The Little Ice Age† had on human survival, it had a large impact on economics.Increasing grain prices with lower wine production greatly affected the income of many. Property values and loss of taxes were at a decline . Population was increasingly declining due to the famine. With all these factors many of the people suffered much hardship. The lack of production in Europe caused other countries to have bidding wars against one another for cargos of food and imports. â€Å"The Little Ice Age,† caused many people to flee Europe in search of better living habitats and survival strategies. This ice age not only affected humans, but also the wildlife and everything around it.The plants enzymes are failing them and their roots are struggling to find a way through the frozen soil. These plants can’t grow and maintain themselves in these conditions. Pollination is nearly impossible during this time. The plants aren’t able to give off much oxygen into the atmosphere, which we breathe in. The true impact of â€Å"The Little Ice Age† began around 1600 and lasted until the 1800’s. During that time in Europe is when it was at its height. It was considered to be the most significant climate event of the last millennium.Only until recently have climatologist discovered research of climate conditions in historical times. As stated before, no one is quite sure how â€Å"The Little Ice Age† evolved. Climatologist and historians have had many discussions on what they think was the main cause of the ice age. Today they are able to determine the yearly average temperatures, rainfalls, volcanic activity, and the effect of the sun during that period . What we know is that the sun experienced a â€Å"quiet† period, meaning its intensity was not that strong. Therefore, a cooling occurred.Sunspots which determine the suns strength were noted to be in decline. Volcanic activity is to be another known source of the cause. As the volcanoes erupted they shot out particles and gases into the air. With these gases floating in the air it led to an event called the aerosol effect. This had reduced the amount of heat by reflecting it back into space. Europe was not able to get direct sunlight so temperatures dropped. An unscientific way that climatologists were able to determine how extreme the temperatures were and how frigid the air felt was through art. They were also able to determine through these paintings when the colder air was beginning to lift. An interesting fact regarding the ice age is the paintings that were done during that time. Artists depicted people wearing warm winter clothes, all bundled up, and landscapes were covered in snow and ice. The theme of the paintings ended once the climate was starting to get warmer. A man once had studied more than 12,000 paintings in 41 art museums in the United States and 8 European countries to test if this hypothesis was true; that these paintings would accurately reveal the climate.He looked at the color of the clouds and sky in these paintings. By doing this scientist were able to tell when â€Å"The Little Ice Age† was at its peak and how cold it was then. The impact that â€Å"The Little Ice Age† had on neighboring countries such as Greenland and Iceland were extremely dramatic. Greenland, prior to â€Å"The Little Ice Age,† was free of packed ice and Nors e Settlements were well established in the region. During â€Å"The Little Ice Age,† as the temperatures changed and plummeted, Greenland suffered considerably.Increased hardship for families, animals, and agriculture, all do to the conditions â€Å"The Little Ice Age,† brought along. This included flooding and storminess. â€Å"The Little Ice Age† caused major economic disruption throughout Europe. Ice covered seas made voyages extremely difficult. Settlements were either abandoned or died out when temperatures were at only 2 degrees. In the Norse Settlements, archeologists have discovered the clothing on the bodies of the buried to be in remarkably good shape due to the frozen grounds. Iceland was another country that suffered greatly.Since the fourteenth centaury Iceland’s major economic contributor has been exporting fish. Harsh winter temperatures made it nearly impossible to sustain this industry. Icelanders fished from open boats, not far from land , and tried to survive on local farming relatives that lived close to shore. With the population of 50,000 between the years of 1750-1758, 17,000 people died of hunger or disease. Ireland’s main source of income and stability in their country was the import and export of potatoes. Ireland had adopted the potato from America.Irish farm workers ate nothing else besides potatoes. Later on, the people of Ireland would suffer the worst due to the worst famine Ireland had ever experienced. We need to understand that the ice age has proven to have affected millions of people in the world and many countries. Starvation, hunger, crime, economic hardship, and settlements that were lost were all due to a period in time that we still don’t know too much about. What â€Å"The Little Ice Age† did to many parts of Europe has, and will change the future events that will go on. Because of the ice age tree heights have been altered.Many trees have gone, so the ones that are left are not as big as they used to be. This means the people of Europe will have little supply of wood to be able to make things such as furniture and paper. The disappearance of animals will be affected. Many fish such as cod have traveled to different waters around the world. This lowers the population of fish in Europe which hurts fisherman, trade, business, and food supply. Also that many animals have died and decomposed into the ground, it leaves hunters empty handed with fur to use as clothing and trade.Europe also suffers agriculturally. The harvest supplies that were destroyed during the ice age have led Europe to a decline in crop production today, such as cotton. If warming trends continue in Europe, growing seasons will lengthen, and wine vineyards will be established again in England. Many people have questioned as to whether the â€Å"Little Ice Age† will happen again. For hundreds of years, scientists have been observing the sun, examining the sun spots, wondering i f the ice age could happen again. The scientist are discussing that the number of sun spots should be increasing.Human made greenhouses that help release carbon dioxide is a major factor in keeping the atmosphere warm. In addition, the ocean plays a tremendous part in keeping the climate on track. If melting ice caps and glaciers off of Greenland flows into the Northern Atlantic, it will shut down the Gulf Stream, also known as the â€Å"Great Conveyer. † In this situation, the icy cold water would shut down the Gulf Stream, which now keeps Europe warm. Worst case scenario would be a full blown ice age or a period of harsh winters. Now, if the warming continues and keeps progressing on the right path, then the growing seasons in Europe will lengthen.This is important because the majority of European citizens depend on this to grow food that they need for the upcoming seasons. Farms will be cleared to be closer to the Arctic Circle. In this area the sun is visible through the summer and does not set. Farmers can’t stress enough about having sun on their farm. It is crucial in their growth of their crops. The people of Europe had come a long way to deal with this ice age. Some of the things that they did were to migrate to other countries, away from the cold temperatures, and build houses that were together so that they could keep warm and not disrupt their family relation.If we keep building greenhouse affects and burn fossil fuels, Europe may be able to recover fully and successfully. If â€Å"The Little Ice Age† has taught us anything, it is that climate change and weather are unpredictable, and we should always be prepared for any sudden shift in change. This was the Europeans story of how climate made history. http://science. jrank. org/pages/47813/Little-Ice-Age. html http://www. geocraft. com/WVFossils/ice_ages. html http://www. commondreams. org/views04/0130-11. htm

Motivation and the Brain Essay

I certify that the attached paper, which was produced for the class identified above, is my original work and has not previously been submitted by me or by anyone else for any class. I further declare that I have cited all sources from which I used language, ideas and information, whether quoted verbatim or paraphrased, and that any and all assistance of any kind, which I received while producing this paper, has been acknowledged in the References section. This paper includes no trademarked material, logos, or images from the Internet, which I do not have written permission to include. I further agree that my name typed on the line below is intended to have, and shall have the same validity as my handwritten signature. A healthy lifestyle, complete with eating well, takes motivation and constant strong dedication to achieve. When the motivation to see the action completed is at its most compelling state, it can only be placated once the behavior has been fulfilled. A lifestyle that involves healthy eating should be what everyone strives to achieve, but all too often there are roadblocks. The continuous development of understanding regarding eating disorders has expanded beyond what use to just be looked at as anorexia and bulimia or disorders that just associated with malnutrition. Just as eating too little can have a negative effect on a person’s health, so can overindulging, or eating too much of the wrong things. In America today the emphasis is the on-the-go lifestyle, which places a higher incentive to eat junk food as the main staple in one’s diet. The fast food is a quick fix to satisfy the compelling need of hunger. What causes a person to more than satisfy or willingly ignore the motivation to eat is under constant scrutiny; science is finding the links between hormone and gene dysfunction and the onset of eating disorders. There are both intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with eating healthily, these factors play heavily on how a person chooses to live their lifestyle. Brain Structure and Healthy Eating To start on the path of a healthy eating lifestyle one should begin in the brain. The ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and the lateral hypothalamus (LH) explain the neurological mechanisms of hunger and satiety (Pinel, 2007). The VHM and the LH seem to work together as a sort of stoplight for a person’s hunger and satiety. The hypothalamus is in charge of changing energy into fat stores, by doing this, the hypothalamus creates an incentive to increase ones calories. To put this into psychological terms, the hypothalamus uses the need for energy to create a psychological force or need for hunger and then food, then calculating the rate and amount of fat storage within the body. More than three years ago, geneticists conducted a study with the findings reported the startling discovery that nearly half of all people in the U.S. with European ancestry carry a variant of the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene which causes them to gain weight — from three to seven pounds, on average — but worse, puts them at risk for obesity (University of California, 2010). The FTO gene was studied in mice at a lab in Oxford. One set of mice was administered extra copies of the FTO gene, and fed the standard diet along with the other mice. The mice with the added gene gained 22% more weight than the mice with only one set. It was discovered when the FTO gene becomes overactive there is a tendency to consume more food. Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors Intrinsic and Extrinsic factors are the factors that work with healthy eating; these factors need to be considered when diet habits are evaluated. Hereditary factors, or intrinsic factors, such as certain types of eating disorders, can affect many generations within a family. Healthy eating and the act of maintaining a healthy eating lifestyle can be influenced by an eating disorder. An example of this would be a person with an undiagnosed case of anorexia might not be able to control their need to diet, thus stifling their ability to have and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Environmental factors, extrinsic factors, also have the ability to influence someone who is trying to eat healthy. For example, a person working in an ice cream store is likely to gain weight and become obese simply because they have access to fatty food multiple days during the week. Another extrinsic factor, which may influence someone’s eating habits, is how they were raised and taught to eat by their family. If the parents are unhealthy eaters, this will rub off on their children who will then grow up to be unhealthy eaters. Michigan State University conducted a study of families with children ranging in the one to three years old age range. The study found the mothers who considered their children to be picky eaters were the ones who did not offer fruits and vegetables as often. This study also learned extra attention must be placed on the family approach for eating good healthy food. When the mother and father makes an increased effort to feed their family healthy food the resulting outcome is a more positive role modeling. Eating healthy with eating disorders Eating healthy is not always possible, especially with someone who has an eating disorder. Even though the reasoning behind a lot of eating disorders is not very clear, there are many factors that are associated with them. Hormones, the environment, genetics, and neurological malfunctions can all be linked to eating disorders. Another factor that is commonly seen in people with an eating disorder is the family dynamic during their puberty years. Families who report being less supportive and less encouraging of the open expression of feelings are particularly prone to producing adolescents afflicted by eating disorders (Dixon et. al., 1989). When some neurological structures malfunction it can effect how people react to food, CT scans of teens exhibiting signs of anorexia show decreased size and functionality of the thalamus, hypothalamus, and other neurological structures (Chowdhury & Lask, 2000). Science has not figured out yet if it is food association that causes neurological problems, or if it is the neurological problems that contribute to the food association problems. Stanford University has been conducting studies of anorexic patients in therapy; they have come to the conclusion that the therapy works more effectively if the family of the patient were involved with the therapy as well. The researchers were able to see a full anorexic remission rate of 42% as apposed to the 23% of those patients who elected to have individual therapy sessions. For these reasons, the motivation following eating disorders such as anorexia and obesity surrounds a broad array of environmental incentives and psychological drives. Conclusion In conclusion, the structures within the brain that work with appetite and satiety are the lateral hypothalamus, aka LH, and the ventromedial hypothalamus, aka VHM. Hunger and the process of eating can be brought on by outside or environmental factors like family gatherings, the quantity of food available, the amount of variety of foods available, and the deliciousness. There are also biological factors that affect a person’s hunger. Some of these are; the obesity associated gene within a person, adolescence and puberty, what the family dynamic is like, and where one works. Reference: Chowdhury, U., Lask, B. (2000). Neurological correlates to eating disorders. European Eating Disorders Review, 8(2), 126-133. Retrieved May 15, 2009, from EBSCOHost Database. Deckers, L. (2010). Motivation: Biological, psychological, and environmental, Second Edition. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Dixon, K.N., Jones, D., Lake, M., Nemzer, E., Sansone, R., & Stern, S.L. (1989). Family environment in anorexia nervosa and bulimia. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 8(1), 25-31. Retrieved May 15, 2009, from EBSCOHost Database. Michigan State University (2010, December 16). Mothers’ diets have biggest influence on Pinel, J.J. (2007). Basics of biopsychology. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Stanford University Medical Center (2010, October 11). Family therapy for anorexia twice University of California – Los Angeles (2010, April 20). Obesity gene, carried by more than a third of the US population, leads to brain tissue University of Oxford (2010, December 6). Overactive FTO gene does cause overeating

Land Pollution in Ibadan

A TOWN PAPER ON LAND POLLUTION IN IBADAN, THE CAUSES, EFFECTS, REMEDIAL MEASURES AND HOW EFFECTIVE THEY ARE. COMPILED BY ONIFADE SADIAT T MATRIC NO. 073862 TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE DEARTMENT OF URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES LADOKE AKINTOLA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OGBOMOSHO. COURSE CODE: URP 305 COURSE TITLE: PLANNING STUDIO III LECTURERS IN CHARGE: TPL A. O AKINDELE TPL E. A TOYOBO MARCH, 2010 CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION LAND POLLUTION Land Pollution is the degradation of earth's land surfaces. Land can be polluted through soil or water. Human activities are the main factor and their misuse of land resources. Urbanization and industrialization are major causes of land pollution. Indiscriminate disposal of domestic (solid and liquid) and industrial wastes, exploitation of minerals, and improper use of soil by inadequate agricultural practices are a few factors. Taking Ibadan as a case study, we are going to discuss the causes of land pollution in Ibadan, the effects, the remedial measures and how effective they are. BACKGROUND OF STUDY Ibadan was historically an Egba town. The Egba occupants were forced to leave the town and moved to present-day Abeokuta under the leadership of Sodeke when the surge of Oyo refugees flocked into the towns as an aftermath of the fall of Oyo Kingdom. Ibadan grew into an impressive and sprawling urban center so much that by the end of 1829, Ibadan dominated the Yoruba region militarily, politically and economically. The military sanctuary expanded even further when refugees began arriving in large numbers from northern Oyo following raids by Fulani warriors. After losing the northern portion of their region to the marauding Fulanis, many Oyo indigenes retreated deeper into the Ibadan environs. The Fulani Caliphate attempted to expand further into the southern region of modern-day Nigeria, but was decisively defeated by the armies of Ibadan in 1840. The Ibadan area became a British Protectorate in 1893 and by then the population had swelled to 120,000. The British developed the new colony to facilitate their commercial activities in the area, and Ibadan shortly grew into the major trading center that it is today. At independence, Ibadan was the largest and the most populous city in Nigeria and the third in Africa after Cairo and Johannesburg. It is located in south-western, 128 km inland northeast of Lagos and 345 km southwest of , the federal capital and is a prominent point between the region and the areas to the north. The population of Ibadan was 2,550,593 according to 2006 census results, including 11local government areas. The principal inhabitants of the city are the Yorubas. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are; To identify the major sources of waste in Ibadan To identify the factors leading to land pollution To identify the effects of land pollution CHAPTER TWO WASTE GENERATION Waste which is one of the sources and causes of environmental pollution has been defined under Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (2000) as any solid, semisolid liquid or contained gaseous materials discarded from industrial, commercial, mining or agricultural operations and from community activities. Waste also includes garbage, construction debris, commercial refuse, sludge from water, control facilities and other discarded materials. Most of the solid wastes, like paper, plastic containers, bottles, cans, and even used cars and electronic goods are not bio-degradable, which means they do not get broken down through inorganic or organic processes. Thus, when they accumulate they pose a health threat to people. Decaying wastes also attract household pests and result in urban areas becoming unhealthy, dirty, and unsightly places to reside in. Moreover, it also causes damage to terrestrial organisms, while also reducing the uses of the land for other, more useful purposes. Some of the sources of solid, liquid and gaseous waste that cause land pollution are: *Wastes from Agriculture: This comprises of waste matter produced by crop, animal manure, and farm residues. *Wastes from Mining: Piles of coal refuse and heaps of slag. *Wastes from Industries: Industrial waste matter that can cause land pollution can include paints, chemicals, and so on. *Solids from Sewage Treatment: Wastes that are left over after sewage has been treated, biomass sludge, and settled solids. *Ashes: The residual matter that remains after solid fuels are burned. Garbage: This comprises of waste matter from food that are decomposable and other waste matter that are not decomposable such as glass, metal, cloth, plastic, wood, paper, and so on. WASTE GENERATION IN IBADAN Solid waste Although it is generally agreed that enormous quantities of solid waste are generated in Ibadan daily, the exact figures have not been determined, probably owing to the use of diverse methods of calculati on. Maclaren International Ltd (1970) found that the average per capita quantity of solid waste generated was 0. 37–0. 5 kg/day for the traditional areas of the city and 0. 53 kg/day for the newer areas. According to Egunjobi (1986), 38 million kg of solid waste was collected in the suburbs of Ibadan in 1986. The suburbs constitute about 21% of the city. On this basis, it can be estimated that 181 million kg of solid waste was generated in the city as a whole in 1986. This gives a per capita waste-generation rate of 0. 31 kg/day, using the 1986 estimated population of 1. 6 million for the city. In 1982, PAI Associates recorded the volume and weight of solid waste generated per household per day in Ibadan. The study revealed that waste generation varied according to land use, with residential land use taking the bulk of the hare. The generation rates were 3. 4 kg/household per day in the traditional areas, 3. 2 kg/household per day in the newer areas, and 3. 3 kg/household per day in the whole city (altogether giving a per capita generation rate of 0. 33 kg/day). Several researchers have studied the volume of refuse generated in the city. For example, Maclaren International Ltd (1970) estimated this volume at 182 900 t. The latest study, conducted by Haskoning and Konsadem Associates (1994), estimated the per capita rate at 0. 6 kg/day, with a density of 300 kg/m3. The projections are based on an annual growth rate of population per year The solid-waste composition in Ibadan comprises leaves, paper, food waste, tins, glass, and rags (Maclaren International Ltd 1970). This is because Ibadan is located in the heart of a rich agricultural land and has a large old and unplanned section. PAI Associates (1983) made a comparative analysis of the composition of solid waste from two acres of Ibadan in 1970, which showed that residential land use accounted for 70. 1% of the waste generated, followed by commercial land use (18. 8%) and industrial land use (9. 7%). Institutional and other land use accounted for 0. % each. The mean percentage composition of solid waste in Ibadan in 1982 for different parts of the city is summarized in the table below. Mean % composition by weight GRABodijaMokola & SangoOke AdoAguguOjaba leaves7. 54. 333. 223. 532. 626. 5 Food remnants35. 519. 29. 13. 65. 46. 9 paper15. 126. 210. 719. 415. 216. 6 Cartons . 31. 54. 86. 84. 51 0. 9 Plastic & polythene4. 18. 93. 711. 54. 85. 1 Tins & metals20. 811. 415. 416. 47. 712. 8 Bones, ash dust & stones5. 916. 719. 118. 128. 821. 0 miscellaneous0. 811. 83. 00. 51. 02. 2 Liquid waste The Ibadan metropolis has a lot of problems with the management of its liquid waste. PAI Associates (1983) estimated the magnitude of liquid waste within Ibadan at 22 650 million L (an average of 6. 2 L per household), and Akintola and Agbola (1989) projected the amounts of liquid waste for 1990 and 1995 at 113. 7 million and 126. 5 million L, respectively. Liquid waste in Ibadan also contains tins, sticks, excreta, oil, pieces of iron scrap, and refuse. Outside of large institutions, such as the University of Ibadan’s Teaching Hospital and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan has no sewerage system. The city’s human waste is disposed of largely by means of septic tanks, pit latrines, and buckets. The uncontrolled disposal of liquid waste into open gutters, open spaces, along roads, etc. , poses serious health hazards. Bodies of stagnant water produce bad odours, breed mosquitoes, and sometimes obstruct the movement of people and goods. For instance, the 1983 study by PAI Associates revealed that 50% of the stagnant pools emitted bad odour, 70% bred mosquitoes, 24% obstructed the movement of people, and 12% bred worms and other germ-breeding pests. Poor practices for liquid-waste disposal are responsible for waterborne diseases that are common in the city, particularly in its inner core. The unwholesome environment forces the populace to spend appreciable portions of their low income and time on improving their personal health, with adverse consequences for general economic well-being. Industrial waste The industries in Ibadan generate a lot of waste, particularly chemical and toxic waste, explosives, and ash, but the exact quantities have not been measured. The industries make private arrangements for disposal of their waste, with little or no monitoring. Groundwater pollution is a possibility, as companies do not take precautions at disposal sites to supervise and ensure proper sanitary conditions. CAUSES OF LAND POLLUTION Some of the causes of land pollution according to Ukpong are; *Improper resources management *Destructive logging of the forest *Overgrazing and overcropping of animals *Flooding and wind erosion menace *Destruction of wetlands and marshes for development *Strip mining He also identified other indirect causes of land pollution to include population growth and population influx, lack of control of enforcement measures and jurisdictional overlap which are due to unclear authority and the use of inappropriate technology for farming and even for producing manufactured goods. This above listed causes persisted for the past decades (since independence) and will continue to be so in Ibadan because of the following factors: (i) High rate of illiteracy (ii) Ignorance (iii) Uncivil culture of indiscriminate waste littering (i. e. throwing of wastes on bare ground) (iv) People inability to maintain a sanitarily clean environment (v) Reluctance of people to cooperate with the authority by disposing solid waste in illegal dumps, rather than using the means provided by the Government; Other factors that militate against decent environment in Ibadan include i. Uncontrolled population creating slum condition; i. Poor planning; and iii. Violation of town planning regulations. EFFECTS OF LAND POLLUTION The increasing amount of solid waste and its disposal have become a serious environmental problem, leading to visual pollution, public health hazards, and water and air pollution. With the growth of the population and the wider use of ‘throw-away' bottles and cans , the problem of litter and waste spoils the beauty of our environment . In addition, the discarded solid waste , if untreated, will decay, producing bad smells polluting the air and water. EFFECTS OF LAND POLLUTION IN IBADAN Unarguably, one of the main problems facing. Ibadan City and which has become an intractable nuisance is open and indiscriminate dumping of refuse, human and animal faeces on land. Piles of decaying garbage which are substantially domestic in nature dominate strategic locations in the heart of the city including the Ibadan Lagos express way. The risks that may be anticipated include bad odour, aesthetic nuisance, fire out break, water pollution, proliferation of insects, flies, cockroaches, rats and other small and dangerous insects which can endanger public health through breeding of ailments such as dysentery, cholera, diarrhea, yellow fever, plague and filariasis. There is also reduction in the property value of land close to a dump site. Regrettably, this condition characterizes environmental culture in Ibadan. It is important to note that endangered public health situation can exert excessive pressure on the health budget, curtails productivity and worsens urban condition of health. CHAPTER THREE REMEDIAL MEASURES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT The government established three institutions charged with the responsibility of overseeing the environment of Ibadan city. They are; (i) Ibadan Solid Waste Board. (ii) The Local Government Councils, and (iii)Ministry of Environment. Prior to the enactment of edict No 8 of 1997, Ibadan city and its environs were constitutionally broken into (11) eleven Local Government Councils which now shoulder the collection and disposal of solid wastes in Ibadan. With the commencement of the edict, the functions of the Local Government councils in the Ibadan urban area under the 1979 Nigerian Constitution, and the instrument establishing them to collect, transfer and dispose solid waste were delegated to the new Authority. The functions of the Authority are: (a) Collection, transfer, and disposal of solid wastes for the Ibadan urban area directly or indirectly; (b) Collection and registration of private refuse contractors in the city. Each refuse collection firm will need to pay specified amounts to the authority annually; (c) To hire or lease out and sell its equipment to refuse contractors at profitable rates (d) To enforce all regulations concerning refuse collection, disposal and any other sanitation laws as obtained and as may be promulgated in the city of Ibadan; (e) To make effective use of Sanitary Inspectors from the Local Government Service and to impose sanctions on any refuse contractor or citizen in form of fines for the contravention of any of the law in accordance with provision under Offences and Related Matters; (f) To maintain land fill sites around Ibadan and to charge economic rates; (g) Holding meetings concerning planning and strategy to be adopted for the success of its operations; (h) Approving the budget estimates based on the planning and strategy; (i) Ensuring proper use of governmental budget allocated for solid waste collection; (j) Improving the management and operations continuously in such a way that the best service is given against the lowest possible cost; (k) Maintenance and proper use of vehicle and buildings from the State Government entrusted to the Board; (l) Preparation of management information on sanitation and environment; PROBLEMS FACED BY THE ADMINISTRATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN IBADAN The problems facing administration of environmental pollution in Ibadan are multi-faceted. There are four main factors responsible for the problems faced by the Administration of Environmental Pollution in Ibadan. They are (i) Poor funding (ii) Culture of the people (iii) Limited technology (iv) Human resources (i) Poor Funding: Essentially, refuse collection and disposal in Ibadan city have become such complex, capital intensive and expensive project such that it is a futile effort to expect a single institution of local government or state ministry, talk less of a parastratal to finance it from its own limited source. (ii) Culture of the People: One of the factors that pose a great challenge to the management of environmental pollution in Ibadan has to do with the culture of the people. The city is not well organized and planned. The city has for long been a commercial centre for marketers of maize, yam and other food stuff that generate heaps of refuse which are unmanageable. The illiterate culture of the people seems not to respect human dignity and decency. Many houses are without toilet facilities especially in the core of the city. People defecate indiscriminately in any available plots of land which are uncleared or along the streams. Even when toilets are built by the Local government Councils, they are carelessly used and within a short period they get spoilt. Added to this, is the poor maintenance culture of our public facilities. The provision of water to service these facilities is, to the least epileptic, if it runs at all. Finally, the socio-cultural attitude, lack of awareness and traditional syndrome of dumping refuse very close to their houses constitute a serious health hazard. (iii) Limited Technology: A visit to the garage of the Ibadan Waste Disposal Management Authority revealed that most of its operational vehicles are grounded because of minor technical problem. Even at the dumping site at Aba Eku, the scavengers are self-employed with all the health risk. The compactors relatively new are grounded with just minor complaints and little expenditure to repair them. Again this condition affirms the underfunding of the Authority earlier mentioned. Still on technology, the land fill designed to be operated sanitarily are operated as open dump due to limited technology. Furthermore, it was observed that medical refuse are deposited at the dumping site which technically ought to have been sorted out. There is also the problem of plastic and polythene products which are not bio-degradable. CONCLUSION RECOMMENDATION Ibadan being the largest and most densely populated West African city should be a state on its own. Fund allocated to the state will be used in managing Ibadan only and this will therefore reduce the pressure on the fund allocated to the present day Oyo State. There should be an intensive teaching of heath education in primary and secondary schools hoping that the children would be able to influence their illiterate parents in complying with simple environmental habits and laws. Compact incinerator method should be introduced to neighbourhoods because this burns not only the waste but also the smoke and dust arising from leaves and a very small quantity of ashes i. e. about 10% of the original weight of wastes is left back in the incinerator. CONCLUSION This town paper concluded that the management of environment of Ibadan city is a function of the concerted efforts of the three agencies charged with the environmental sanitation being a capital intensive project coupled with adequate manpower and the government should regard the care of the environment as a social service by enlightening and educating the citizens on proper waste disposal methods, otherwise Ibadan city will continue to remain as the city of refuse.

Importance of Nature in a Childs Life Essay

Nature is made by nature, not by man. Nature can be used for many different things. It can be used for a natural playground, a learning experience, a science experience, a meditation place. The list is endless on what nature can be used for. The best part about it is that there is no list that states what it can and can’t be. It is all in your imagination. This is important for children to learn and grow with. Without nature, there would be no land to live on, no land to play on, and no land to discover and explore. It creates an open-minded adventure for any child. see more:life in 2050 This paper will explain the importance of nature in a child’s life. Nature fosters the imagination. There is no structured play or premade envisions on what things should or shouldn’t look like. How the child thinks and sees things is how things will appear to a child. For thousands of years, children have used outside as their main source of play. Humans have evolved with nature. Nature fosters the imagination because there is no limits to what a child can perceive things as. A child can be a pirate, a princess, or whatever he or she may want to be. Unlike coloring books, there is no outlined picture. Nature is not â€Å"it is what it is†, nature is â€Å"it is what you think and see. † Because there are no guided instructions, it gives the child an ability to guide their own play. This is important for leadership and imagination. It helps the child live their wildest dreams and think up anything they wish. This is a crucial part to developing imagination. Technology is a big issue when it comes to shaping a child’s mind. There are almost always pictures of what things look like or what they â€Å"should† look like. This gives a child a picture in their head of what the image should look like. This blocks the imagination because the child is not free to what they should think about the picture and it does not give them a chance to create the picture in their head on their own. In recent history, technology has advanced more than ever. Elementary schools are using programs and technology to take spelling tests, practice their reading, taking tests, reading to the children. All of these have their ups and downs but it takes away from nature. People are getting so caught up in technology that they orget about their natural playground that accessible whenever anyone pleases. Technology is not always accessible. Natural playscapes are growing in childcare centers. It is becoming more popular everywhere. A natural playscape or playground is a space where there are no manufactured play structures. It is all based on nature and using nature as materials for the playground. These may include sand pits, water, vegetation, boulders or other rocks, textured pathways, etc. These playgrounds are relatively inexpensive and are easier to create rather than assembling a premade play structure. Having natural playscapes teaches the children about their senses (touch, taste, sight, hearing, and smell), social/emotional play, leadership in their own imagination, and challenges the child to learn about new things and explore freely. A big lesson to learn for a child with natural playscape is the respect for nature. Growing vegetation to put on the playground with the children and having them involved in this transformation shows and teaches the children about the cycle of plants, respecting nature, and all about gardening. These are important lessons for any child to learn. Nature teaches children about how to respect the world around them. With technology, you can learn how to do anything. But with nature, you can learn how to do most things and how you learn is by doing not researching. By planting vegetation, the child learns about the cycle of plants, what it takes to take care of it, and what it takes to plant it. This teaches them responsibility and explores new knowledge to be absorbed. If we teach the younger generation now how to respect nature and how to take care of it, it will give nature a fighting chance in the future. Nature also helps children develop their observation skills. There is a lot to be learned and new things to explore. With all of these new things, they are able to free roam and observe what these things are. This helps in their future with school and life-long learning. Not only does nature help the development of a child’s creative side but it may be proven to help ADHD and ADD. In a study done by Frances Kuo, PhD and Andrea Faber Taylor, PhD from the University of Illinois, it showed that activities done outside are less likely to show the effects of ADHD. They sent out ads and got more than 400 responses from parents who wanted to participate in this study. There were about 322 boys and 84 girls and lived all over the U. S. in different house settings. Activities were done inside and also outside with nature. This resulted in the children showing less signs of their ADHD according to their parents. A questionnaire on the internet followed the activity and â€Å"In each of 56 analyses, green outdoor activities received more positive ratings than did activities taking place in other settings,† Kuo and Taylor wrote. Where the child was from, age and sex did not show any significant to the outcome of the study. Nature also contributes with health. You can never be fully unhealthy if you play at least an hour a day outside. With the technology boost, most children choose it over going outside. This causes their obesity to escalate and the child being physically fit to plummet. Nature encourages a child to run around where ever they may choose rather than sit on a couch and play a game. Being physically fit has proven to expand a life span. If nature is being introduced at a young age, they are more willing to participate in physical activities that build a stronger heart and health. Gross motor and fine motor skills are developed faster with outdoor play. It promotes gross motor physical activities such as running, jumping, skipping etc. It also promotes fine motor such as picking up grass, flowers, and leaves. Introducing this to young children is important. Although they develop these skills naturally, playing outdoors will help advance these skills. Nature is an important part of life no matter what your age is. It fosters imagination, helps promote creativity, creates leaders, promote social/emotional play, learning respect the earth and what is around you, develop gross and fine motor skills, teaches you the cycle of vegetation, and can teach you so much more. It is a subject that is based on life learning and it will always be available as long as people learn about it and keep it around. Nature is a natural gift that no one can take away. Some people forget that it’s the simple things that can make the bigger difference. Personally, this subject was interesting for me to learn about. At my center that I am working at, Carolyn’s Red Balloon, we are redoing our playground to a natural playscape. We have so far taken down the big play structures and kept the house looking part on the floor. The children have had improved behavior because there is less structures to get away with things on. We also have been growing plants in our classrooms such as beans, strawberries, and tomatoes so far and the children love to come in and see the progress the plants have made. Before we stared this, they used to pull out all of the flowers and kill all of the bugs they saw. Now that they are learning about respect for the earth, you can tell they are truly changing. They now observe bugs rather than killing them and love to watch the flowers and plants grow. I have seen a personal change in each child and that is why I choose to research this topic.