Functionalist, Conflict, and Interaction Perspectives on...

Functionalist, Conflict, and Interaction Perspectives on Mass Media Sammie Sims SOC101: Introduction to Sociology Instructor: Michael Emmart 09/22/2014 It is hard to imagine that just one theoretical view can make clear the many ways that individuals relate with media and technology. Technology covers a wide range from simplistic to complicate. Media is everywhere we look and on every gadget we own. This paper will take a look at mass media from the functionalist, conflict, and interaction perspectives. You can look at a variety of theories and you will find studies and scholars that agree and those who disagree. A sociological approach in functionalism is the reflection of the relationship among the functions of†¦show more content†¦According to the conflict perspective a main emphasis is the variance of avenues to media and technology exemplified in the digital world. Conflict theorist concentrate on who reigns the media, and how the media endorses the norms of the upper-middle-class white Americans while lessening the existence of the lower class especially minorities. Some conflict theorist’s propose that the way media is created causes an uneven political arena. Candidates with the most monies available can buy the most media exposure, trash talk their competition, and take full advantage of their visual existence. Now days cameras capture our activities and viewers can find people over their cell phones. Social scientists take the idea of the surveillance society so seriously that there is an entire journal devoted to its study, Surveillance and Society (library.queensu.ca). Influential individuals and social organizations carry much of the say so about what technology is out, when and where it is released and what kind of media is accessible for intake. This is a form of gate keeping. Deciding what story will make the headlines of the front page. Deciding which movie is playing on the screens at the local movie theater. Deciding what movies and pictures will be released and which ones will not. All of these decisions are usually made by people of high standings. No one in the lower class es has any say so in these types ofShow MoreRelatedMass Media And Its Impact On Society1719 Words   |  7 PagesIn today’s world society believes that mass media plays a key role in shaping and communicating our culture. Mass Media is defined as a technological advancement of communication. People receive information about the world through mass media and it helps shape people’s beliefs, values, perception, and behavior. Mass media is a controversial topic among sociologists, many of them have differentiating opinions of how mass media is influencing people daily lives today. 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Sociology - Themes and Perspectives.[2008]. In the socialization process, there are several factors which may affect a childs behavior. In relation to the term socializationRead MorePolice Brutality Is Very Today s Society866 Words   |  4 Pagesviolence has affected a mass of people; therefore, police brutality is a social problem that has to be addressed. To further analyze police brutality, sociological perspectives can be used to help find a social policy or â€Å"solution† to this issue. According Michael Palmiotto and Pramha Unnithan, â€Å"The functionalist would argue that such behavior exists because there is a gap between what we as a society say is right and what we do in actual circumstances.† Functionalist also argue that police officers

Early American Children s Literature - 1490 Words

Early American children’s literature was intended to provide children with religious, social and moral education. Puritans were one of the first groups to create a large body of children s books, their doctrine of original sin assumed that all children were damned until they were converted to Christianity (Susina ). The Puritans believed that reading the Bible was important to achieving salvation, therefore teaching children to read was a priority for that matter. The New England Primer, An Alphabet of Lessons For Children, was strongly influenced by religion and had the intentions that all the colonists should learn how to read. It was seen as advance literacy. In â€Å"1642 Puritan Massachusetts passed a law stating this. They believed that an inability to read was Satan s attempt to keep people from the Scriptures† (O’Neill 1). With that said, other scriptures such as Mother Goose’s Nursery Rhymes, Nancy Sproat’s Ditties for Children, or even Wa shington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle were all famous didactic literature authors that conveyed the same educating motion in their work. However, early literature influenced younger children in advanced critical ways, as their goals were to enhance a way to influence younger aged children in their society to do good, not bad. The New England Primer complied by Benjamin Harris included the study of the alphabet with Bible reading in their literature, as each line began with each letter of the alphabet. Following each chronological letterShow MoreRelatedFirst Recorded In The 8Th Century, Ancient Myths And Legends1171 Words   |  5 PagesJapanese culture and continue to inspire modern literature today. 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Still, theRead MoreCorrelation Between Parental Literacy And Literacy1349 Words   |  6 Pageseducational achievement and what can be done to decrease intergenerational illiteracy and increase literacy education levels? This paper will analyze research that shows the connection between parental literacy and the lower educational attainment of children and will present solutions for increasing literacy in the family thus helping parents and potentially preventing high school dropout. Introduction $10,510, that’s how much less a high school dropout earns annually than an individual with a high

Ethical Behaviour in Business-Free-Samples-Myassignementhelp.com

Question: Ethical behaviour in business is essential for the long-term survival of both private and public organisations. Do you agree or disagree? Explain. Answer: Introduction Ethics is the most important philosophy, which eventually includes defending, recommendations and systematization of correct and incorrect conducts (Peters, 2015). The ethical behaviour is extremely significant for any business irrespective of the fact that it is a public or private company. Moreover, it helps to maintain the longevity of that company. The following report outlines a brief description about the fact that ethical behaviour is essential in every organization. The various effects as well as advantages will be provided here. Discussion Ethical Behaviour in Business Ethical behaviour in any particular business helps to flourish the business exclusively. This type of scenario occurs, when the business is driven by ethics (Crane Matten, 2016). The employees or the personnel complete their work, following the moral ethics in their professional life. Need of Ethical Behaviour in Organizations for Long-term Survival I completely agree with the fact that ethical behaviour is extremely important for any public and private organization for the long-term survival. The most significant reason of this is the reduction in financial liabilities (Niebuhr, 2013). The companies that do not follow ethical behaviour in their business risk several financial liabilities. The first and the foremost liability is the sales reduction. If a real estate company does not follow ethics while constructing any building and if the building crashes, there is a high chance that they would be losing its clients and thus sales would be reduced. The second liability is with the potential lawsuits. Discrimination is highly unethical in any public or private organization (Weiss, 2014). They should maintain policies against gender discrimination and harassment. This would reduce the frivolous lawsuits from getting the companies bankrupted. Effects of Ethical Behaviour There are various effects of the ethical behaviour in a business. The most significant effects of this ethical behaviour for any particular public or private organization are as follow: Attracting Customers: This is the first and the foremost effect of ethical behaviour in any business. The customers are strongly affected by this behaviour and thus get attracted to the company. Increasing Productivity: The ethical behaviour within an organization helps to reduce the turnover of labour and therefore, increments the overall productivity (Weiss, 2014) Attracting Employees: When any particular business follows ethics in their work, it automatically attracts more employees as everyone wants to work in an ethically driven organization. The above-mentioned effects clearly depict that ethical behaviour is extremely important in any organization. Advantages of Ethical Behaviour There are several advantages of ethical behaviour in any private or public organization (Peters, 2015). The advantages are given below Building Customer Loyalty: The main advantage of this ethical behaviour is that it helps to build customer loyalty. Retains Good Employees: The second advantage of ethical behaviour in an organization is that it helps to retain good employees (Niebuhr, 2013). Positive Work Environment: This type of behaviour helps to keep a positive work environment. Avoids Legal Problems: This type of behaviour avoids all types of legal problems. Conclusion Therefore, from the above discussion it can be concluded that, ethics can be defined as typical part of philosophy that concerns the correct or incorrect judgements of an individual. The decisions that are undertaken by that person are always influenced by his culture or background. The ethical behaviour in any organization is dependent on the behaviour of its employees. The above report has outlined a brief discussion on the ethical behaviour of an organization. The several effects as well as the advantages of this are also given here. References Crane, A., Matten, D. (2016).Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalization. Oxford University Press. Niebuhr, R. (2013).Moral man and immoral society: A study in ethics and politics. Westminster John Knox Press. Peters, R. S. (2015).Ethics and Education (Routledge Revivals). Routledge. Weiss, J. W. (2014).Business ethics: A stakeholder and issues management approach. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

Auditing and Assurance for Intermediate Accounting - MyAssignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theAuditing and Assurance for Intermediate Accounting. Answer: Introduction Auditors play an important role in ensuring that the Australian investors must be confident about their decisions for the investments. The high quality of the audit is being undertaken by the help of the quality audits that supports the quality of the financial reports and also enables the investors to investors. The construction of the work can be easily made by depicting the concerns which are contributed to the likelihood of the auditor (Horngren, 2014). Therefore the objectives can be easily outlined as per the Australian Auditing model and also the Auditing standards are also followed. Main Body Opportunities of auditing profession under Australian Auditing Model The accountants and auditors are having a wide opportunity in the market as the companies have to prepare the financial report with the help of accountants and auditors. The Accounting rules and standards require that the companies have to appoint external auditors to determine and evaluate the fair value of the company. The stakeholders of the companies demand better tracking of the financial health of the company. The changes in the accounting rules, regulations and laws require help from the accountants and auditors by the companies (Weirich, Pearson, Churyk, 2014). It has become very important for the organizations to present the financial report in an appropriate manner in front of the stakeholders. It has changed the accounting processes of many organizations, and they are depended on the accountants and auditors to prepare the financial statements. The opportunities can be easily explained in the form of the remaining auditing process which is being used for showing the uncha nging of the decades that also enables them to have the appropriate test. This simply defines the categories of the auditing liaisons which is being used for the usage of the evolving technology. This simply undertakes the appropriate and actual verification of the payments that is being used for recording the information. The auditing profession in Australia operates under the co-regulatory regimes. The largest professional bodies: CPA Australia, the National Institute of Accountants and Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia have in place codes of ethics and rules that governs the professional conduct of their members. ASIC provides direction for the registration of the auditors. Thus, the auditors have the wide scope to enter into the auditing profession. Any individual who wants to become an auditor is required to make the application for the registration to ASIC (Stice, Stice, 2014). The individual should satisfy the requirements for the registration as an auditor which includes experience and educational requirement as per the ASIC. The individual should be capable of carrying out his/her auditing duties. ASIC have powers to determine and evaluate breaches of the rules and regulations by the auditors. Membership of the professional accounting body is considered as the legal requirement for becoming an auditor. The subparagraph 1280 (2)(a)(i) of Corporations Act states that members of CPAA or ICAA should satisfy the educational qualification requirements in order to be registered as an auditor. Most of the auditors are the members of one of the bodies. The professional bodies provide wide opportunity to the auditors in order to carry their auditing practices in an appropriate manner (Bodnar, Hopwood, 2013). The accounting standards changes their rules, laws and standards which need to be followed by the organizations. The organizations have to appoint the accountants and auditors in order to prepare their financial statements as per the accounting standards. The Auditing and Assurance Standards Boards publishes and develops the auditing standards that are similar in framework to the accounting standards that are issued by the AAASB. The CPAA and ICAA have developed the joint code of the professional conduct as the ethical code (Ricchiute, 2006). The audit firms have to carry out their accounting process in an ethical manner which means fair representation of the financial statements. The audit firms also provide wide opportunity to the auditors to continue their auditing profession. The audit firms have also provided with opportunity under the Australian Auditing Model. Conclusion The overall explanation is seemed to be revolving around the opportunities, and the challenges that are faced by the Auditing profession are discussed in this case with the help of the Australian Auditing Model. The use of the artificial intelligence system is also explained in this case which is showing the appropriate applications in the field of accounting and auditing. The preparation of financial statements in an appropriate manner is very much important for the organizations. References Bodnar, G., Hopwood, W. (2013).Accounting information systems. Boston: Prentice Hall. Horngren, C. (2014).Accounting. Toronto: Pearson Canada. Parker, L., Guthrie, J., Milne, M. (2008).Accounting, auditing accountability journal. [Bradford, England]: Emerald. Ricchiute, D. (2006).Auditing. Mason, Ohio: South-Western/Thomson Learning. Stice, J., Stice, E. (2014).Intermediate accounting. Mason: South-Western/Cengage Learning. Weirich, T., Pearson, T., Churyk, N. (2014).Accounting auditing research. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Jurrassic Park Essays - Jurassic Park, English-language Films

Jurrassic Park Jurrasic Park Richard Graczyk JURASSIC PARK Crichton, Michael Publisher: Ballantine Books City Where Published: New York Date of latest copy: 1990 Edition: First Ballantine Books Edition: December 1991. 399 Pages, Hardcover I. A Brief Summary of the Plot. A billionaire has created a technique to clone dinosaurs. From the left behind DNA that his crack team of scientists and experts extract he is able to grow the dinosaurs in labs and lock them up on an island behind electrified fences. He has created a sort of theme park on the island which is located off the west coast of Costa Rica. The island is called Isla Nublar. He plans to have the entire planet come and visit his wondrous marvels. He asks a group of scientists from several different fields to come and view the park, but something terribly goes wrong when a worker on the island turns traitor and shuts down the power. II. A Description of the Most Important Aspects of the Contents. The main characters in the book are: John Hammond who is a billionaire developer who has used his

Presidents essays

Presidents essays Puerto Ricos president is George W. Bush. Their currency is a U.S. dollar. 1.00 = 1.00. One historical aspect of Puerto Rico is the Taino Indians. The Taino Indians inhabited the territory called the island Boriken or Borinquen which means the great of the valient and noble Lord or land of the great lords. Today that word is still popularly used to help the people and the island of Puerto Rico. The Taino indians came from South America. They lived in small villages and inhabited the major portion when the Spaniards came. Three major cities I would like to visit are San Juan, Rio Grande, and Penuelas. All of those cities have nice dining areas and fun festivities. They all are by the beaches and some have beautiful rain forests. They all look like a great place to relax and have a nice summer. Just to go by yourself or with a friend or two. Perus president is Alberto Fujimori. The currency of Peru is called Nuevo Sol. 1.00 = 3.31300. One historical aspect of Peru is Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is a fortress of the ancient Incas. It is peacefully nestled in a high saddle between two peaks in the Andes Mountains. Three cities I would like to visit are Lima, Cuzco, and Ica. I would want to visit Lima because it is the capital of Peru. I heard that the capitals are very popular. I would like to visit Cuzco because that is where the ruins of Machu Picchu lay. I would like to hike up there and take pictures. I want to visit Ica because that is close by the Andes Mountains. I love to take pictures of mountains and hike up there. These places would be nice places to vacate at. Mexicos president is Vincente Fox. Their currency is called pesos. 1.00 U.S.D = to 11.3355 MXN pesos. One cultural aspect in Mexico is Dia de los Muertos. This is the day where the people of Mexico celebrate the dead. They go to graveyards and give their dead loved ones offerings. Th ...

Building Capabilities at the Westward Hilton Case Study

Building Capabilities at the Westward Hilton - Case Study Example th the subordinate staff and the managers could work together to better their business performance regardless of their job positions and ranks (Enz, 2010). This results in a better value of customers and positive financial performance in Westward Hilton. Both part time and full time employees were entitled to bonuses according to feedback from customers. This therefore, ensured that employees would do their best to satisfy their customers who in turn will remain loyal to their services. Westward Hilton also enjoys a brand awareness that is very strong and recall on its brand throughout its target market. The company has many brands like Double Tree, Hilton, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and many other brands that enable it to become popular and have a strong brand loyalty among its customers. In addition to this is the flow of communication within the hotel. According to Enz (2010) eedbacks from quests, employees, head of departments and any other people involved were brought forward to a meeting and discussed to find ways of improving the services offered at the hotel. These advantages have proven to be sustainable to the company. Considering the human resource strategy, its competitive advantage lies on the relationship of employees and management. This is something that will definitely last for a very long time as a culture established among the employees internally. In that case, it will be very difficult for other companies to imitate the strategy. t has enabled the company achieve great financial performance and attract and retain their customers. 2. Any decision that will be made by Peter Green and other stakeholders regarding the sale of Westward Hilton will definitely have consequences. The sell will definitely affect the employees in the hotel. With the unique culture of Westward Hilton, the employees are used to a family business environment with team work. In that case, selling the hotel may make its employees feel that they have been abandoned

Corporations Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Corporations Law - Essay Example Although the venture is doing well, there are some matters that are starting to concern them. One of their good friends who had also created an application similar to ChitChat was sued by an employee for negligence and a footballer for defamation. The court’s decision favored both the employee and the footballer and the application creator ended up losing the application as well as her house and cars. The three friends, Lauryn, Nicole and Elizabeth, are scared that the same might occur to them, and they may lose the application as well as their personal property. The three friends are also unsure on how to sign contracts with suppliers and especially if they will all be liable for a contract entered into by one of them. Additionally, they have heard that other developers are raising money to fund other ventures, and they would also like to be able to raise funds to finance other applications they are working on. The three are unsure of the most appropriate business structure t hey should adopt. Issue The three friends would like to enter into a formal business organization that would allow them to manage and operate the activities of ChiChat effectively. The three friends are concerned about the legal liability of the undertaking particularly the extent of their individual liability in the venture and as such would like a business structure that will address this issue. ... A partnership agreement can be written or oral; however, if the partners wish to make their arrangement positively clear and enforceable it is prudent to draw up Articles of Partnership. Formally partnered entities can easily be made public through press releases, advertisements or public records. There are several types of partnerships, and they include general partnerships, limited liability partnerships and limited partnerships. In a general partnership arrangement, all partners manage the company and are personally accountable for its liabilities (Mayson, French, & Ryan, 1989 p. 19). In a limited partnership, some limited partners relinquish their management role in the partnership, in substitute for limited liability for the partnerships liabilities. The other type of partnership is the limited liability partnership where all the partners have some degree of limited liability for the liabilities of the partnership (Sealy, & Worthington2007 p.115). Liability Every individual in t he partnership undertaking are both an agent and a principal of the partnership and may, therefore, bind the other partners and the firm. This implies that each partner is jointly and severally accountable for the debts of the partnership, which include the share of the partner’s risks as well as being liable for the risks of the partnership in its general course of business. The liability of a partner to a business is, therefore, unlimited in respect to a general partnership. In limited partnerships, the liability of a partner is limited to some degree (Morse, 2010 p. 24). It is also noteworthy that, in limited partnerships, the limited partners cannot take part in the operations of the partnership for their liability to remain limited. Lauryn, Nicole and Elizabeth’s

Social Problems Caused by Abortion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Social Problems Caused by Abortion - Essay Example For the conclusion, the summary of the researcher's learning outcomes will be enumerated. There is a huge difference between the number of Baby Boomers population (born between 1945 - 1964) with 76 million as compared to the Generation X's (born between 1965 - 1980) with 46 million. (Francis-Smith, 2004; Allen, 2004; Raines, 2002) Basically, the signficant differences on the number of population between the two generations contribute a lot to the increase of social problems related to the future pension plan for the Baby Boomers. Since the population of Generation X is significantly much lesser than the population of Baby Boomers, the amount of taxes that can be collected from Generation X would become insufficient to sustain the large sum of money needed to support the pension pay of each individuals belonging to the Baby In line with this matter, Senator Zell Miller stated that "killing: of unborn children has caused a number of social problems in the United States including limiting the number of people who could be productive workers and contribute to social security." (Ertelt, 2007) Also, given that millions of American fetus were legally aborted either intentionally or against the free-will of the pregnant American woman, the United States need to accept more highly literated foreigners to immigate into the country. Based on medical tests, women who has undergone the process of abortion may result to a long list of negative physical, emotional and psychological adverse effects. (Coleman, Rue, & Spence, 2007) As part of the negative psychological effects of abortion on young girls and women, more than 25% of them are seeking the professional help of a psychiatrist. (Badgley, 1977: 313 - 321) Some women who could not tolerate the emotion and psychological disturbances caused by abortion may also have difficulty in getting some sleep or experience nervous disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which may require them to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital. (Barnard, 1990; Ashton, 1980) Some of these women may also have an increased risk to minor and major infections, the symptoms of excessive bleeding, chronic abdominal pain due to the tearing of the uterus, cervical injuries and gastro-intestinal disturbances. (Reardon, 1987) In case these physiological symptoms are not properly taken cared of, the woman may end up losing their own lives. (Frank et al., 1987; Reardon, 1987) Since women who has gone through abortion may be at risk of mental, psychological and physical problems, each of these women would not be effective enough in fulfilling their role in the society as a wife and a mother. Society's Contribution in the Development of these Social Problems The society has a

Formulation And Production Of Various Types Of Detergents Biology Essay

Formulation And Production Of Various Types Of Detergents Biology Essay Detergents are cleaning agents which play a very important role in our daily life. They not only can help us to stay care, health for our homes and wealth, but also can make our environment more pleasant and active. According to the different functions and usages, detergent can be classified into various types which are laundry, household, personal and dishwashing cleaning products. Besides that, these different types of detergents can also be further classified into powder, cake, liquid and others depending on their texture form. Among the various types of detergents, the formulation and production of solid and liquid laundry detergents are going to be described by giving examples. Laundry detergent is a type of detergent used to clean and rinse the laundry things. Different kind of detergents will be formulated from different substances in order to meet the requirement of cleaning and the manufacturing process will also be slightly different. Generally, laundry detergents are formulated from six groups of matters which include surfactants, builders, bleaching agents, enzymes, fillers and other minor additives. An example of solid laundry detergent that I would like to illustrate is a solid laundry detergent containing light density silicate salt. It was invented by Nigel Patrick Somerville Roberts in 2009.  This detergent is formulated from light density silicate salt, detersive surfactant, carbonate salt, sulphate salt, phosphate builder, zeolite builder, enzymes and other additives. These formulations are going to be described in detail. This type of detergent contains light density silicate salt that is usually a sodium silicate salt. This composition is considered to be the most important in this detergent because this is a detergent which specially contains light density silicate salt. The light density silicate salt is 1 wt% 40 wt% and has a bulk density of less than 200 g/l or 150 g/l. Sometimes, the density is even less than 100 g/l. Besides that, it has a weight average particle size of less than 300  µm, 200  µm or 100  µm. The light density silicate salt can be got from a flash-drying process. It has been found that adding the light density silicate salt into other ingredients can make the detergent to be produced through conventional set processes and even a set of single mixer processes. Besides that, light density silicate salt or sodium silicate salt added acts as a corrosion inhibitor, so it can prevent materials from rusting. Furthermore, the ingredient of the detergent also consists of 5wt% 60 wt% detersive surfactant. Surfactant is an organic compound which can be obtained through a chemical reaction involving fats or oil as raw materials. Since surfactant has emulsifying, wetting and dispersing properties, it is able to remove dirt from clothes and keep the soil suspending on the water, so that soil will not stick on the clothes and can be easily rinsed away. There are different types of surfactants which include anionic, cationic, non-ionic, amphoteric and zwitterionic detersive surfactants. Among these detersive surfactants, anionic detersive surfactant is preferred to be used as surfactant in this detergent. Alkoxylated alcohol sulphate anionis detersive surfactants such as substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched ethoxylated C12-18 alcohol sulphates, linear unsubstituted C10-13 alkyl benzene sulphonates, alkyl sulphates, alkyl sulphonates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl phosphonates and alkyl car boxylates are suitable to be anionic detersive surfactants. Besides anionic detersive surfactant, cationic detersive surfactants such as mono-C6-18  alkyl mono-hydroxyethyl di-methyl quaternary ammonium chlorides, mono-C8-10  alkyl mono-hydroxyethyl di-methyl quaternary ammonium chloride, mono-C10  alkyl mono-hydroxyethyl di-methyl quaternary ammonium chloride and mono-C10-12  alkyl mono-hydroxyethyl di-methyl quaternary ammonium chloride, and non-ionic detersive surfactants such as C12-18  alkyl ethoxylated alcohols and C8-18  alkyl alkoxylated alcohols may also be added into the solid laundry detergent. Although surfactant is not effective in hard water, its detergent property is also incomplete in soft water. In addition, one of the ingredients included in the solid laundry detergent is builders. Builders are used to remove magnesium and calcium ions which are present in the hard water or soils, so that the quantity of surfactant added to execute the detersive action can be reduced. Some builders can also prevent magnesium and calcium salts from precipitating on the clothes. In this kind of solid laundry detergent, 0 wt% to 30 wt% phosphates and 0 wt% to 5 wt% zeolite builders are used. If the component of the detergent which has a very good environmental profile is desired, then phosphate builders are preferred. On the other hand, if the composition of the detergent is desired to be highly water soluble and transparent wash liquor, then zeolite builders are favoured. Therefore, depending on different requirement, different type of builders is needed. Phosphate builders include sodium tripolyphosphate whereas zeolite builders consist of zeolite A, zeolite P, zeolite X and zeolite MAP Moreover, the detergent also comprises from 0 wt% 50wt% of carbonate salts to maintain the alkalinity. Sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate can be used, but thereof, sodium carbonate is more preferred. In order to enabling the adjustment of the active matter in the laundry detergent to the amount used, 0 wt% 40 wt% of sulphate salt such as sodium sulphate in powdered form is also added. The sodium sulphate which is a filler product can also be used to dilute powdered detergent. Solid laundry detergent also formulated from bleaching agent which is used to remove immovable soil and guarantee sanitation by killing bacteria through an oxidation reaction. It is usually carried out by peroxygen generator such as sodium percarbonate salt is more preferred. Besides that, bleach activator such as tetraacetyl ethylene diamine, imide bleach activator such as N-nonanoyl-N-methyl acetamide, oxybenzene sulphonate bleach activator such as nonanoyl oxybenzene sulphonate, caprolactam bleach activator, polymeric carboxylates and preformed peracids may also be added in order to activate the bleaching agents. Enzymes such as amylases, cellulases, lipases, carbohydrases, proteases, laccases, oxidases, peroxidases, pectate lyases and mannanases are also added into the detergent to catalyse the degradation of soils and then help the elimination. Some minor additives like suds suppressing systems, fluorescent whitening agents, photobleach, fabric-softening agents, flocculants, dye transfer inhibitors, fabric integrity components, soil dispersants and soil anti-redeposition aids, anti-redeposition components, perfume, dyes, sulphamic acid and citric acids are also added in small quantities to effectively improve the specific washing properties. In order to produce solid laundry detergent, there are three different ways which are dry mixing or blender process, agglomeration and spray drying process. Among these three methods, dry mixing and agglomeration are more common. For dry mixing or blender process which is a manufacturing method used to blend dry raw materials, all ingredients are firstly loaded into either ribbon blender or tumbling blender. Ribbon blender is cylinder-shaped and blades are fitted inside the blender to scratch and blend ingredients together, whereas tumbling blender is a box with rectangular- shaped and it is twisted and shaked from outside by a machine. When all the ingredients of detergents have been blended uniformly in the blender, a gateway at the bottom of the machine will be opened and the powdered mixture will then released through a conveyor belt or other channelling device to a place where the detergents can be packed into boxes or cartons and then transported to the market. For the second method, agglomeration process, initially, dry compositions which have been placed into the Shuggi agglomerator are mixed and sheared equally into fine particles by sharp and rolling blades in the agglomerator. Then, liquid compositions are sprayed onto the dry mixture through nozzles which are on the agglomerators wall after the dry compositions have been mixed uniformly in the agglomerator. A liquid mixture formed is hot and viscous because exothermic reaction occurs when blending process continues. Then, the liquid flows out from the agglomerator and accumulates on a drying belt. Drying belt contains a hot air blower which makes the liquid easier to be crushed. Finally, it is crushed and pushed through sizing screen to prevent unmixed large particles from being formed before detergents are transported to the market. High density powdered detergents are produced. Spray drying process is also known as slurry method. Firstly, all dry and liquid ingredients are mixed together to form a slurry in a tank which is called crutcher. The heated slurry is pumped and blown into a tower through nozzles in order to form small droplets. High pressure is applied in the tower to force the droplets from the top of the spray tower to the bottom. Once the slurry dries, hollow granules formed will be collected in the bottom of the tower and then screened to get a standard size. After the beads of the dry detergents are cooled, heat sensitive materials such as enzyme, bleaching agent and perfume are added and finally they are collected for packaging. Since the technology nowadays is more advanced compared to last time, air inside the granules can be effectively reduced and higher density solid detergent can be formed through this method. Another type of detergent that I am going to describe is liquid laundry detergent. This detergent will be illustrated by an example which is known as liquid laundry detergent containing cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose polymer. It is invented by Peter Gerard Gray, Karel Jozef Maria Depoot, Luc Marie Willy, Lievens, Falke Elisabeth Vanneste and Serge Omer Alfons Jean Thoof in 2008. This detergent which is good for washing delicate fabrics is formulated from cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose polymer, surfactant, fatty acid, enzyme which is free of cellulytic activity, builder and other additives. This liquid laundry detergent contains about 0.05%-0.4%, by weight of the composition, of cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose polymer. Besides that, the cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose polymer has a more preferably 0.01 0.10 degree of substitution of cationic charge, as well as, molecular weight of about 200000 800000. The cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose has repeating substituted anhydroglucose units and the anhydroglucose units may be substituted by alkyl groups. Moreover, to avoid lumps formation when adding water into it at ambient temperature, the cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose polymer can be cross-linked with dialdehyde like glyoxyl. The purpose of adding cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose polymer is actually to provide fabric care advantages to laundered textiles when it is combined with surfactant and fatty acid. Furthermore, surfactant is one of the ingredients added into the liquid laundry detergent. More preferably, the detergent contains 7% -15%, by weight of the compositions, of surfactant. The surfactant must comprise at least one anionic surfactant such as alkyl ethoxylate sulphate and linear straight chain alkyl benzene sulphonates, and at least one non-ionic surfactant such as polyhydroxy fatty acid amides. The suitable anionic surfactants include the water-soluble salts, especially alkali metal and ammonium salts of organic sulphuric reaction products. The liquid laundry detergent also consists of 2% 15%, 2% -10% or 2.5% 7%, by weight of the composition, of fatty acid. The fatty acid used in the detergent is saturated and unsaturated with 8 24 or 12 18 carbon atoms. Besides that, the detergent is significantly free of optical brighter. This means that the amount of optical brighter must not be detectable, so the detergent must contains less 0.0001% of optical brighter. The optical brighter can be used to improve the appearance of colour of fabrics and make the fabric look cleaner, but it will cause allergic, so it is not added into the detergent. Moreover, enzymes which are substantially free of cellulytic activity are also included in the liquid laundry detergent at the sufficient amount, such as protease, amylase, lipase and others. The concentration of enzymes containing cellulytic activity must be less than 0.0001% or even in the undetectable quantity. This is because there may be cellulase present in those enzymes and it will hydrolyze the cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose polymer that provides fabric care benefits. Thus, indirectly, the benefits of this detergent will be damaged. Nevertheless, if this type of enzyme is required, then sufficient amount of cellulase inhibitor including enzyme stabilizing system can be added to stop the action of cellulase towards the cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose polymer. The compositions of the detergent may also consist of 0.1% 80%, by weight of the composition, of builder. The builders comprise either phosphate salt or organic and inorganic non-phosphorus builders. Organic non-phosphorus builders which are water soluble include carboxylate, polycarboxylate, polyhydroxy sulphonates, different alkali metals, ammonium and substituted ammonium polyacetates. While inorganic non-phosphorus builders consist of aluminosilicates, borates, silicates and carbonates. In addition, the liquid laundry detergent also contain extra compositions such as opacifying agents, soil release polymers, suds suppressors, chelants, performance boosting polymers, dye transfer inhibiting polymers, stabilizers, viscosity modifiers, preservatives, structurants, citric acid, as well as benefit agent containing delivery particles. These additional ingredients are used to enhance the properties of the detergent. To manufacture the liquid laundry detergents, the very first step is to choose right raw materials by depending on the factors, such as cost, human and environmental safety, as well as the specific properties that we desired in the final product. In this process, continuous blending is required. Dry ingredients are mixed with liquid ingredients which include water solution and solubilizers. Solubilizers are added to ensure stability and evenness of the final product. Then, they are blended evenly to form a mixture by using static or in-line mixers. Besides that, in order to produce a more concentrated liquid laundry detergent, a new high energy mixing process combined with stabilizing agents can used.

Can We Have Free Trade and Reduce Pollution of the Environment? Essay

Can We Have Free Trade and Protect the Environment?    Endorsing free trade is easy. Ask an Economics professor why free trade is good and you will surely   be shown a graph with three or more intersecting lines that show a higher rate of output for nations that participate in free trade than nations that do not. Opposing free trade, at least on economic grounds, is a bit harder-unless you are an environmentalist.    The economic advantages of free trade were recently brought to light at the meeting of North and South American nations in Quebec City last month to discuss the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). The proposed agreement would reduce tariff barriers on everything from textiles to foreign direct investment between virtually all nations of the Americas. In essence, FTAA is an expansion of NAFTA-a really, really big expansion.    As with NAFTA, the obvious consequence of the FTAA is greater access to U.S. and foreign markets (which is good for growth), increased incentives for foreign direct investment (which is good for growth), and higher capital availability for developing nations. Unfortunately, growth is not the only story. This is partly why the Quebec summit garnered tens of thousands of protestors outside a meeting hall with only 34 delegates.    Economists are notorious for leaving out environmental costs when evaluating the benefits of free trade. The FTAA appears to be no exception. Unfortunately, the FTAA resembles NAFTA in a number of aspects that could devastate environmental protection laws in developing countries, which are not only important for the environment, but for growth as well.    NAFTA, like ot... ...on policy and investment should be sensitive to the inclusion of competitiveness safeguards for states with existing environmental regulations, and should ensure the promotion of sustainable development measures among all participants. Finally, a dispute settlement mechanism that recognizes the right of participating states to adopt new and more stringent environmental protections that apply to domestic as well as foreign producers should be established.    Economists have long recognized the benefits of free trade and this author is no exception. A substantially revised FTAA agreement that corrects the environmental failures of NAFTA will not only produce an economically superior future for the western hemisphere, but one that includes clean air, clean water, and an overall higher standard of living for the western hemisphere.   

Global Context of Modern Business Essay

China is believed to have the oldest continuous civilisation. China has over 4,000 years of provable history. Beijing is the capital of China and is the most important point for the country. The official language is standard Chinese, which is derived from the Mandarin language however most business people speak English. There are many dialects in China however there is only one written language. A communist form of government rules China. The Chinese government promotes atheism although the constitution guarantees freedom of religion. The Chinese practice a variety of religions however Confucianism; despite not being a formal religion is practiced widely throughout the country. China is the most densely populated county in the world with approximately 1. 3 billion people as of mid- 2008. Almost 100 percent of the population are ethnic or Han Chinese. There are strict rules regarding childbirth and each couple is limited to only one child. Opportunities There are lot of trade and investment opportunities for exporters in the China market. Some of the major sectors currently experiencing rapid growth are: processed food and beverages, gambling, transport, IT and telecommunications, minerals and energy, environment protection, building construction products and services. Three of the major growth industries though are the exporting of education, processed food and wine products. Education The foreign education sector in China is split in two – students studying abroad and foreign education service providers establishing a presence in Shanghai. The type of students interested in Australia includes those who desire pure language study and those who wish to study university degrees right through to post-graduate/MBA studies etc. As the cost of overseas study remains high, pursuing qualifications through foreign accredited institutions in China has become more practical and more popular. Course delivery can take two forms. One is the foreign school catering exclusively to expatriates, which can be wholly foreign owned and the investor need not be an education entity. The other is a co-operative arrangement or twinning with a Chinese institution where local students are the target markets. These schools are encouraged to provide vocational education. Foreign investors must have a Chinese partner who can lodge an application with the local education authorities for approval. Processed Food As Chinese become more prosperous, demand for more sophisticated products, with a greater emphasis on quality, convenience and freshness continues to grow. This means that significant unsatisfied demand for richly processed foods exists. There has always been a stable market for imported foods in China, especially in respect to hotels, bars and western style restaurants. Increasingly, Chinese consumers themselves are becoming to lay great stress on brand and brand loyalty than before. This means that companies with a strong international brand and aggressive marketing strategies continue to hold large market shares. Foreign companies that have been given permission by the Chinese government to set up supermarket chains include Yaohan, Wellcome, Parkson, Park ‘N Shop, Careful, Pricemart and CHC. These companies are setting up supermarkets in a limited number of locations. Wine Wine is especially popular in the large cities of China (Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou) and has great potential given the increasing disposable income of local people, the health benefits of drinking wine and the government campaign against grain-based alcoholic drinks. However, many Chinese have little knowledge of table wine, and few people can differentiate quality and appreciate the taste. With this in mind, and excellent promotional tool could be wine appreciation and information courses to educate food and beverage managers, restaurant owners and waiters. This would also attract high-income earners and may ultimately stimulate the consumption of quality wine. The Chinese wine market is price sensitive and consequently locally manufactured wine holds the largest market share. French companies are active in setting up joint venture either growing grapes and manufacturing wine or bottling bulk-imported wine. Better quality wine is limited to hotels and restaurants and consumed mostly by Western diners. To successfully sell wine in China, local bottling of bulk-imported wine is considered the most economical and practical way to supply the local market with a competitively priced product. The opportunities arise from rapid economic growth in the world’s largest market and the availability of a cheap manufacturing base from which to sell to China and the world. From a manufacturing perspective, China in the long run will be distinguished by its overall business strength and structure, including the huge investments made to ensure China has a modern competitive manufacturing sector. All businesses need to be clear about whether they want to sell or manufacture in China. Long-term, China business strategies should not be based on the availability of cheap labour – this is disappearing as China becomes wealthier. The number of high net-worth individuals on the Chinese mainland has hit a record high and they are continuing to spend, according to the Hurun 2009 Wealth Report. The study found 825,000 mainland Chinese – or one in 1,700 – with a personal wealth of at least US$1 million. And now the rich are more likely to be found in second- and third-tier mainland cities. A new generation of consumers is emerging in China – they are young, well educated and familiar with non-Chinese cultures. This ‘Y generation’ of 240 million, born between 1980 and 1990, is now the highest earning age group in the country and is looking for a new way of life. They typically live in the major cities on the Eastern seaboard of China and in particular in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou where GDP per person is now over US$5,000 but corresponds in Purchasing Power Parity terms to four times that amount. Challenges Starting to do business in China is likely to be more costly and time consuming than in other markets. Challenges arise because of China’s size, its gold rush style growth and the fact China has a very different business culture and environment from what businesses in other countries are used to. China is different in size, culture, politics, geography, history and economic structure. These issues can present challenges for companies looking to sell or invest in China which can only be overcome by thorough research, spending a lot of time in-market and following a focused business plan. Language and culture barriers The main challenges of doing business in China would be language and culture barriers. Before you visit China, it will be a definitely good idea to prepare yourself by studying aspects of Chinese language, culture, history, and geography. Your hosts will appreciate your initiative. If you speak Chinese, they will really appreciate your efforts and take your initiative of doing business in China more seriously than if you do not speak any of their language. Moreover, your ability of being able to understand Chinese language will help you to establish a successful business. It is essential for the foreign-funded enterprises to understand the China’s culture, especially regarding the culture of Guangxi (relationship), so as to be able to gain the popularity and trust of China population. With a good relationship, business can become smoother and probability of failure will be greatly reduced. Stronger bonds can also be built with the customers, suppliers and partners. In China, Guangxi is a complicated field. A special feature of doing business in China will be that Guangxi will have to include relationship with the government body, investors, partners and even relationship with your own staff, so when doing business in China, it is important for foreign investors to learn to coordinate with the China government, especially establishing good relationship with government bodies dealing with foreign trade and economic cooperation. Government procedures Governmental procedures for foreign investors in establishing investments in China is extremely complicated, thus if one is unfamiliar of the procedures, one will delay his business opportunities. Therefore it is important for one to be familiar with the investment procedures before carrying out his investment in China. A safer and more appropriate way will be to seek help from local organisations familiar in the same field of business or consultant firms who are able to provide professional advice and assistance. Determination and patience may be essential for an investor to be successful, however it is necessary for one to require help from professional bodies to ensure that success will be achieved. Conclusion China’s labour market very much appeals to many foreign investors. This is because on one hand, labour cost is low, and on the other hand China’s workforce has become matured and their skills have been constantly upgraded, especially in the coastal cities. Educational development is undergoing at a wonderful pace in China, thus it is no longer difficult to hire high quality labour force in China today. Many successful foreign investors have even credited their success in China to their China’s local staff. One big problem that is causing headache to foreign investors is how to maintain good relationship (Guangxi) with the local staff. First of all, top management should cultivate the company’s vision and values into the employees because what the local people are taught under China’s educational system may crash with the foreign management system. Thus only by letting the employees understand the company better can allow the company to function better.

Free Essays on The Hobbit

Bilbo is home making tea when several dwarves show up at his front door. To be exact, thirteen dwarves came one by one to his door. Bilbo let all the dwarves inside and gave them drink and food. The names of the dwarves were: Thorin, Oin, Gloin, Dwalin, Balin, Bifur, Kili, Fili, Bofur, Dori, Bombur, Nori and Ori. Thorin was their leader, and his full name was Thorin Oakenshield. The last person who showed up, was a wizard called Gandalf. Thorin had brought a map that showed the way to The Lonely Mountain where a great treasure was guarded by a big, red dragon called Smaug. The treasure was in general a big mine filled with gems, emeralds, gold, silver, diamonds and many other valuable items. The cave used to belong to Thorin’s ancestor, Thror, and Gandalf gave Thorin a special key that he needed when he was going to open a secret entrance in the mountain shown on the map. The reason why they were at Bilbo’s place was because they should invite him along on their journey . Gandalf recommended Bilbo, because he said that he was a useful burglar. After much discussion, they managed to get Bilbo with them in their party. They made plans and went off the very next day. In the second chapter, Roast Mutton, the party rested in the woods of Lonelands and caught sight of a bonfire. Bilbo was sent to investigate who had lit the fire in the wood, and discovered that it was three trolls who were eating a meal. Bilbo was now going to try his skills as a burglar. One of the trolls, whose name was William, had a magic purse that squeaked when Bilbo tried to steal it. The trolls caught Bilbo and were planning to eat him for supper. The rest of the dwarves got anxious, and wondered what had happened to poor, little Bilbo. The trolls also caught the dwarves after a struggle, and the trolls were about to eat them all when suddenly Gandalf who was hiding in the bushes started to confuse the trolls by imitating their voices. The trolls started to quarre... Free Essays on The Hobbit Free Essays on The Hobbit Bilbo is home making tea when several dwarves show up at his front door. To be exact, thirteen dwarves came one by one to his door. Bilbo let all the dwarves inside and gave them drink and food. The names of the dwarves were: Thorin, Oin, Gloin, Dwalin, Balin, Bifur, Kili, Fili, Bofur, Dori, Bombur, Nori and Ori. Thorin was their leader, and his full name was Thorin Oakenshield. The last person who showed up, was a wizard called Gandalf. Thorin had brought a map that showed the way to The Lonely Mountain where a great treasure was guarded by a big, red dragon called Smaug. The treasure was in general a big mine filled with gems, emeralds, gold, silver, diamonds and many other valuable items. The cave used to belong to Thorin’s ancestor, Thror, and Gandalf gave Thorin a special key that he needed when he was going to open a secret entrance in the mountain shown on the map. The reason why they were at Bilbo’s place was because they should invite him along on their journey . Gandalf recommended Bilbo, because he said that he was a useful burglar. After much discussion, they managed to get Bilbo with them in their party. They made plans and went off the very next day. In the second chapter, Roast Mutton, the party rested in the woods of Lonelands and caught sight of a bonfire. Bilbo was sent to investigate who had lit the fire in the wood, and discovered that it was three trolls who were eating a meal. Bilbo was now going to try his skills as a burglar. One of the trolls, whose name was William, had a magic purse that squeaked when Bilbo tried to steal it. The trolls caught Bilbo and were planning to eat him for supper. The rest of the dwarves got anxious, and wondered what had happened to poor, little Bilbo. The trolls also caught the dwarves after a struggle, and the trolls were about to eat them all when suddenly Gandalf who was hiding in the bushes started to confuse the trolls by imitating their voices. The trolls started to quarre... Free Essays on The Hobbit I choose to read J.R.R. Tolkien’s â€Å"The Hobbit† for my first book report. This story takes place in a far away land; long, long ago. It is the story of a small, humble hobbit named Bilbo Baggins and his great and dangerous adventure. A hobbit is a hairy, fat man about half our size, and this particular one lived in a comfortable hobbit hole in a quiet community where adventures were unspoken of. One quiet and peaceful morning Gandalf, a kind and powerful wizard, came knocking at Bilbo’s door. Gandalf wanted Bilbo to join in on a great adventure that he was arranging. After days of negotiation Bilbo uneasily decides to join in on the adventure along with 13 dwarves, to raid the treasure of Smaug, a large and dangerous dragon. This story is packed full of surprise, suspense, mystery, conflict, dilemma, and foreshadowing throughout the chapters. A great example of this usage is near the end of Bilbo’s great adventure, when the time had come for him to advance forward and confront the dragon Smaug. Bilbo had been chosen to go forward into the dragons’ lair to seek the treasure. During this process an outstanding example of suspense was played out. As Bilbo walked further and further into the lair suspense starts to build dramatically from the author’s descriptions of heat, steam, and sounds coming from the end of the passage. At the moment before Bilbo’s encounter with the dragon â€Å"he knew that going on from there was the bravest thing he’d ever done†, as quoted in the book. This part of the book exhibits only one of many great examples of mystery and suspense from the story. The protagonist, Bilbo Baggins, is truly a dynamic character. As described at the beginning of the book he was a very humble and peaceful hobbit that had no time for adventures. The first example of change happened when he accepted to go on Gandalf’s adventure. But Bilbo still changed throughout the book as described by one of his dwarf co...

How Psychology Defines and Explains Deviant Behavior

How Psychology Defines and Explains Deviant Behavior Deviant behavior is any behavior that is contrary to the dominant norms of society. There are many different theories on what causes a person to perform deviant behavior, including biological explanations, sociological explanations, as well as  psychological explanations. While sociological explanations for deviant behavior focus on how social structures, forces, and relationships foster deviance, and biological explanations focus on physical and biological differences and how these might connect to deviance, psychological explanations take a different approach. Psychological approaches to deviance all have some key things in common. First, the individual is the primary unit of analysis. This means that psychologists believe that individual human beings are solely responsible for their criminal or deviant acts. Second, an individual’s personality is the major motivational element that drives behavior within individuals. Third, criminals and deviants are seen as suffering from personality deficiencies, which means that crimes result from abnormal, dysfunctional, or inappropriate mental processes within the personality of the individual. Finally, these defective or abnormal mental processes could be caused by a variety of things, including a diseased mind, inappropriate learning, improper conditioning, and the absence of appropriate role models or the strong presence and influence of inappropriate role models. Starting from these basic assumptions, psychological explanations of deviant behavior come mainly from  three theories: psychoanalytic theory, cognitive development theory, and learning theory. How Psychoanalytic Theory Explains Deviance Psychoanalytic theory, which was developed by Sigmund Freud, states that all humans have natural drives and urges that are repressed in the unconscious. Additionally, all humans have criminal tendencies. These tendencies are curbed, however, through the process of socialization. A child that is improperly socialized, then, could develop a personality disturbance that causes him or her to direct antisocial impulses either inward or outward. Those who direct them inward become neurotic while those that direct them outward become criminal. How Cognitive Development Theory Explains Deviance According to the cognitive development theory, criminal and deviant behavior results from the way in which individuals organize their thoughts around morality and the law. Lawrence Kohlberg, a developmental psychologist, theorized that there are three levels of moral reasoning. During the first stage, called the pre-conventional stage, which is reached during middle childhood, moral reasoning is based on obedience and avoiding punishment. The second level is called the conventional level and is reached at the end of middle childhood. During this stage, moral reasoning is based on the expectations that the child’s family and significant others have for him or her. The third level of moral reasoning, the post-conventional level, is reached during early adulthood at which point individuals are able to go beyond social conventions. That is, they value the laws of the social system. People who do not progress through these stages may become stuck in their moral development and, as a result, become deviants or criminals. How Learning Theory Explains Deviance Learning theory is based on the principles of behavioral psychology, which hypothesizes that a person’s behavior is learned and maintained by its consequences or rewards. Individuals thus learn deviant and criminal behavior by observing other people and witnessing the rewards or consequences that their behavior receives. For example, an individual who observes a friend shoplift  an item and not get caught sees that the friend is not punished for their actions and they are rewarded by getting to keep the stolen item. That individual might be more likely to shoplift, then, if he believes that he will be rewarded with the same outcome. According to this theory, if this is how deviant behavior is developed, then taking away the reward value of the behavior can eliminate deviant behavior.

Continued Review of Article on Hypertension Coursework

Continued Review of Article on Hypertension - Coursework Example Alternatively, in the blood pressure measures, the total prevalence reflected that 287 cases were a part of the socio-demographic correlates in the tackling of dependent variables such as central obesity and cardiovascular disease. It means the 250 respondents who are equivalent to 20.2 percent are calculated using the multivariate logistic regression supported by Creswell in his tables. On the other hand, the descriptive statistics applied amongst 45,587 individuals spread in 11 villages and found among 7,164 families indicate the disparity in correlation especially for testing true and false hypotheses. Additionally, in the data sets as observed in the statistical tables, analysing random variables is crucial because it will reject null data acquired during the sampling method. In the case study, for instance, an allowable error of between 15 and 95 percent was permitted because the hypothesis could not cover all the socio-demographic risk factors and variables. Overall, the rationale for using the experimental study is to help in comparing the various data

Pyschology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Pyschology - Essay Example It emphasises on the importance of evolutionary origins as reasons for our behavioural and anthropological responses. There might not even be a difference between reason and instinct as early philosophers like Aquinas and Hume set out to prove. May be just maybe the terms are interchangeable. He goes on to explain how the phenomena of linking biology with psychology revists the five basic principles of psychology. 3. " your conscious experience can mislead you into thinking that our circuitry is simpler that it really is. Most problems that you experience as easy to solve are very difficult to solve -- they require very complicated neural circuitry" The author believes that these five principles are the " tools for thinking about psychology, which can be applied to any topic: sex and sexuality, how and why people cooperate, whether people are rational, how babies see the world, conformity, aggression, hearing, vision, sleeping, eating, hypnosis, schizophrenia and on and on." This for him this links many areas of study into one ,i.e. the study of evolutionary psychology. The author tries to bring in the views of Darwin who believed a lot in the evolutional psychology of mankind. He agrees with Darwin's views on "adaptation driven by natural selection" and "common descent". He also cites Dawkins and Williams in their support for the idea that "natural selection is the only component of the evolutionary process that can introduce complex functional organization in to a species' phenotype". He goes on to say that our "selections" for reproduction are natural and we are programmed to choose the best looking mate out there for procre ation. 4. Did the author address any contrary evidence or the opinions/work of others that run counter the author(s) claims He refers to the works of Aquinas and Hume saying that the position before the theory of Darwin came out was that there was a " a common view among philosophers and scientists that the human mind resembles a blank slate, virtually free of content until written on by the hand of experience." He quotes Aquinas as saying "there is

Early Childhood Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Early Childhood - Essay Example According to Montessori, â€Å"the development of articulate speech occurs between the ages two and five --- the age of perception in which the attention of the child is spontaneously directed to external objects and the memory is particularly attentive† (Montessori, Chapter 18, 2004). Montessori said that there are four stages in the language development which are the auditory or listening, oral, manual and interpretive (reading). She also introduced the concept of sensitive periods which are critical for a child’s development. The sensitive period is that period in a child’s development whereby he is unconsciously aware that a certain skill is to be learned at that period. It is the time when a person has the best opportunity to learn something. Examples of the sensitive periods in a child’s environment are the sensitivity to movement, sensitivity to order, sensitivity to language and sensitivity to sensory impressions. Sensitivity to movement occurs at ages two to four. This is the time when the child moves around in order to learn about his environment. Practical life exercises are used in Montessori schools during this sensitive period. Practical life exercises is one of the four areas of the Montessori prepared environment. This area resembles the work at home such as washing the dishes or sweeping the floor. The teacher introduces the name of the activity while the movement is being performed. Social grace and courtesy activities are introduced such as the use of â€Å"May I† or â€Å"Can I†. Language skills are further developed from these practical life activities. Sensitivity to order also occurs at the same time as the sensitivity to movement. Sensitivity relates to spatial, social, sensory and temporal. Children at this age become more aware of the order in time and space. According to Montessori at this stage, order becomes the child’s foundation to make sense of his environment. Another important se nsitive period is that of the sensitivity to language which is one of the longest-lasting sensitive periods which starts at age three to six. After this period the rate of absorption for new words will never be the same again. The child becomes attracted to human sounds which drive him to speak his native language. After age six, the sensitive period for language weakens and the child then moves on to grammar work as he improves his reading skills. The sensitivity to sensory impression is another period in a child’s development. This is when the child becomes interested in his environment and wants to learn more about it. This need is answered by Montessori’s sensorial training where the senses are being developed and refined. An important method used in teaching language in Montessori schools is the Three Period Lesson which is a teaching technique used to give formal vocabulary lessons. Language is given after experience of that which is to be named. The three period s support the three stages of learning. The First Period (Naming) is an introduction of the names to be learned by presenting names that are nouns using color tablets. The colour tablets which were used in the sensorial training of the child are also used in this activity. The first step is to lay the primary colors in a row in front of the child. One color is isolated and the teacher says the name of the color after which the child is encouraged to say the same. The same procedure is repeated for the other colors. The Second Period (Recognition) is the practice of

Euphoria Case Study Essay Example for Free

Euphoria Case Study Essay Human life as we know has been proven better with a scientific discovery created through the efforts of Pseudoscience Research Inc. (PRI), a conglomerate pharmaceutical corporation responsible for other life-changing advances in modern biological science and technology today. This new discovery is guaranteed to improve the quality of life for most people and would eventually establish a harmonious society human beings aspire for since time immemorial.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In a lavish ceremony held at the offices of PRI, the miracle drug was unveiled to wide public acclaim. It was described as one of the most innovative and promising invention of the 22nd century. The drug Euphoria is generally regarded as the most effective and best-selling drug since viagra hit the stores. Euphoria comes from the Greek word euphoros meaning healthy. As what its name espouses, Euphoria aims to improve the lives of the majority of people who live life in constant depression, poverty, and hunger by inducing natural happiness and elation. Indeed, Euphoria changes everything.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As a response to the growing demand in society, PRI started to conduct research on a drug that may well be the biological ubermensch of the masses in order to rid of constant financial, social, and personal problems that the individual has to experience on a daily basis. On July 14, 1971, PRI jumpstarted the research on a new medicine that will biologically eliminate problems and hardships of an individual by developing a pill concentrated with endorphins and other happiness-inducing chemicals that will harmlessly alter the genetic code of the person as well as increase the normal endorphin count of the normal human body. Thus, Euphoria was born. Since the drugs invention, it has been tested on human subjects to adhere to the pre-existing laws on animal welfare in lieu with testing. During the early 90s, PRI was threatened with bankruptcy as the company was openly criticized for making an amoral and immoral drug simultaneously. Mostly pro-life groups rejected the idea of the drug, as it did not value human life while intellectuals criticized it as something that is atrocious since it takes out choice of a person to be miserable. But it was a famous Hollywood actress who supported the drug and brought PRI into the A-list of corporations in the world today. The three-time Oscar winner actress argued publicly that the drug has helped her made her career and improved her way of life ever since. Consequently, PRI sales on Euphoria went up by 50% in just a year and soon the company made a name for itself as one of the leading brands in healthcare in 2004. Today, Euphoria has replaced painkillers, anti-depressants, and other small-time antibiotics since it completely prevents the user from getting sick. It has been proven effective with absolutely no side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, stomach pains, chest pains, headaches, fever, and death. Since its invention, the drug has been widely-used by the public and from substantial surveys conducted by PRI itself, it has been revealed that almost 95.457% of the population take the drug as an answer to the problems since there are no other drugs that will enable them to be happy and successful. In addition, that percentage also proves the drugs popularity and effectiveness, as it won numerous awards including the Discovery of the Year recognition from Time Magazine. In 2008, the drug established the name of PRI, becoming the worlds foremost conglomerate in medicinal development. Humble Beginnings   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The credit with the creation of the phenomenal drug goes to Dr. William Falsetto, a Harvard medicine graduate, who got the sudden inspiration of creating Euphoria during a friendly banter over a couple of beers when his colleague suggested him to create a drug that has a natural high without the side effects rival to that of viagra and morphine. Because of his background as a distinguished alumnus of one of the top universities in the world, his credibility follows with his invention and therefore the drugs eventual success. [1]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   He based his assumptions from an empirical laboratory experiment wherein he carefully tested the number of endorphins that the human body produces at a normal rate. After determining such, he further experimented on the subject with three substantive theories. First is to determine the amount of endorphins that a normal body produces when exercising. In a result published in the PRI research journal from 1991, Falsetto concluded that the body gives off 86% more endorphins that stimulate happiness and elation.[2] However, he debunked his theory stating that exercising is not an activity done by majority of the masses and would therefore cause a low selling and marketing rate. The second theory was to determine the amount of endorphins when eating large amounts of chocolate. The result was also promising but Falsetto soon discovered that chocolate-induced happiness is followed by undesirable side-effects such as diabetes and fluctuating sugar levels of the body. The last theory proved to be the most effective as Falsetto discovered that endorphins could be extracted as a solid powder form and could be placed in regular tablets sold. The formula is of course under strict protection of the PRI, NSA, CIA, FBI, EUROPOL and the United Nations, but Falsetto disclosed in a press interview when the drug reached its 10th year of success that it contains naturally-produced endorphins that add to the natural threshold of the human body and it increases happiness that in turn causes motivation, energy, and a positivist attitude. He boldly added that the drug can replace viagra since it also increases the sexual drive of the human body. Because of his background as a Harvard graduate, the credibility of the drug was never compromised when it went on sale since 1995.[3]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In relation with the drugs almost monumental failure, the Hollywood actress who still refuses to reveal her identity said that it almost saved her life and career. Since then, PRI inaugurated the celebrated actress as one of the chairpersons of the company and eventually her ascension as the CEO of the company. Her statement reached almost the entirety of Hollywoods royalty and soon, millions of people were convinced of Euphoria. Heads of State and royal families soon followed suit, stating the drugs effectivity and rationality over decision-making, political relationships, and terrorist negotiations. The drug also replaced the harmful and illegal drugs such as cocaine and marijuana since Euphoria induced a natural high without the hallucinogens found in the illegal drugs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In 2001, 92% of the world population agreed on the use of Euphoria and consequently stamped out the drugs immoral and unethical issues regarding its use and nature. The test subjects widely accepted the drug[4] since the drug contains natural endorphins, and it follows that it marginally increases elation and happiness feeling for the person. Since happiness and elation are important for personal motivation, the drug then helps in changing the mood of the person as well as affecting change with regards to eating habits and behavior. Also, work production has also been increased since employees are now very happy with their work. Euphoria also replaces viagra as a safe alternative since the drug is naturally produced. With health issues, endorphins also increase the white blood count of the body and therefore prevent the body from acquiring diseases.[5] Majority of the people agree on the drug since it is right for the body and life as well as the right thing to do. Its moral issues were disproved since there are no deaths or accidents that are linked to the drug.[6]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In 1992, there was a worldwide appeal to governments that the standard of living for most of the countries is declining because of unemployment and poverty. However, as soon as Euphoria was introduced to the world, many agree that the drug has saved many lives. It is noteworthy to mention that in one of the political debates in the UN meeting of 2007, the assembly concluded that the quality of life is steadily declining and if the case is not addressed, more human lives are at stake. Either the drug should be globally legalized or the world would continue to degrade in terms of living standards and health issues. Naturally, the drug was finally given worldwide approval during September of that year, and since then, it has been proven effective.[7] However, several pharmaceutical companies rejected the claim of Euphoria to be a universal solution for biological problems. The case went to court, but it was easily dismissed by the ruling that there were no substantive claims to prove that the drug was indeed ineffective. Consequently, it also proved to be the turning point for major and minor drug companies as PRI bought the companies and formed into a multi-national biological research company.[8] Furthermore, since there are contentions with regards the effects of the medicine, it has concluded that the medicines claims are true. Mr. Falsetto received the Nobel Peace prize for Medicine and named one of the 22nd centurys greatest thinkers.[9]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Because of Euphorias discovery and monumental success, it has been regarded as the drug that saved the world from misery and caused much development in the quality of living for the whole world. There are no more wars, political maneuvering, strife, poverty, and colds. The global quality of life has improved, notable through the many recent milestones in human history such as excessive singing, the development of the cure against AIDS and HIV, and a harmonious societal structure where there is no class struggle and alienation since everybody is equally happy. Thanks to Dr. Willam Falsetoo, the world is now a better place.[10] [1]  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ad Hominem (Argument to the Man) [2]  Ã‚  Ã‚   Error of Fact [3]  Ã‚  Ã‚   Weak Analogy [4]  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ad Populum (Appeal to the Masses) [5]  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hasty Generalization [6]  Ã‚  Ã‚   Equivocation [7]  Ã‚  Ã‚   False Dichotomy [8]  Ã‚  Ã‚   Appeal to Ignorance [9]  Ã‚  Ã‚   Burden of Proof [10]   Post Hoc (False Cause)

Essay example --

Foucault describes in the â€Å"carceral archipelago† and how it transported the technique from the penal institution to the entire social body on pg. 298 of the text in relation to how technologies, powers and disciplines were connected in a series of prisons, institutions, and other organizations that governed or directed how social norms, punishments and regulations were administered. The archipelago referred to a collection of islands, which show relationships and structural similarities, as well as differences. Foucault uses Mettray as an example to show the emergences of more formalized structure or accountability as we could term it today with examples of power-knowledge over individuals. Foucault describes Mettray as the most disciplinary form at its most extreme, explaining that the models in which are concentrated all the coercive technologies of our behavior (p. 293). The prison was successful because it structured prisoners through the processes of discipline and control. The prison showed that it had the capabilities to transform its functionality to applications and technologies other than the carceral (punitive), such as hospitals, schools, and other public administrations by making the power and knowledge that is held over individuals normal. Its systems, because they were so effective were not destined to remain exclusively to the punitive environment. The technology that they enveloped was extremely useful, and as a result, discipline and structure have been profoundly influential in the development of social norms and behaviors in societies. In modern society, the structure that was present in the carceral environment can be seen in virtually all systems and organizational structures; from federal, state... ...hich in turn is intended to normalize the individual’s behavior. In the application, map my walk, Foucault would view the process of recording and sharing results with peers through electronic communication also as the process of examination. Through the process of sharing information and gathering results and responses, the individual’s behavior becomes normalized through the judging practice; not only being judged both indirectly and directly by their peers, but also by judging themselves through their progress and/or failures. Both are essentially control through observational techniques. It is interesting because they coincide with the pressure that women place on themselves to manifest control over their bodies, both internally and externally. It is similar to a panoptic environment, where the woman monitors her own outcomes. Word Count: 234

Zoe’s Tale PART III Chapter Twenty-One

The next morning I found out Dad was under arrest. â€Å"It's not exactly arrest,† Dad said at our kitchen table, having his morning coffee. â€Å"I've been relieved of my position as colony leader and have to travel back to Phoenix Station for an inquiry. So it's more like a trial. And if that goes badly then I'll be arrested.† â€Å"Is it going to go badly?† I asked. â€Å"Probably,† Dad said. â€Å"They don't usually have an inquiry if they don't know how it's going to turn out, and if it was going to turn out well, they wouldn't bother to have it.† He sipped his coffee. â€Å"What did you do?† I asked. I had my own coffee, loaded up with cream and sugar, which was sitting ignored in front of me. I was still in shock about Enzo, and this really wasn't helping. â€Å"I tried to talk General Gau out of walking into the trap we set for him and his fleet,† Dad said. â€Å"When we met I asked him not to call his fleet. Begged him not to, actually. It was against my orders. I was told to engage in ‘nonessential conversation' with him. As if you can have nonessential conversation with someone who is planning to take over your colony, and whose entire fleet you're about to blow up.† â€Å"Why did you do it?† I asked. â€Å"Why did you try to give General Gau an out?† â€Å"I don't know,† Dad said. â€Å"Probably because I didn't want the blood of all those crews on my hands.† â€Å"You weren't the one who set off the bombs,† I said. â€Å"I don't think that matters, do you?† Dad said. He set down his cup. â€Å"I was still part of the plan. I was still an active participant. I still bear some responsibility. I wanted to know that at the very least I tried in some small way to avoid so much bloodshed. I guess I was just hoping there might be a way to do things other than the way that ends up with everyone getting killed.† I got up out of my chair and gave my dad a big hug. He took it, and then looked at me, a little surprised, when I sat back down. â€Å"Thank you,† he said. â€Å"I'd like to know what that was about.† â€Å"It was me being happy that we think alike,† I said. â€Å"I can tell we're related, even if it's not biologically.† â€Å"I don't think anyone would doubt we think alike, dear,† Dad said. â€Å"Although given that I'm about to get royally shafted by the Colonial Union, I'm not sure it's such a good thing for you.† â€Å"I think it is,† I said. â€Å"And biology or not, I think we're both smart enough to figure out that things are not going well for anyone,† Dad said. â€Å"This is a real big mess, nor are we out of it.† â€Å"Amen,† I said. â€Å"How are you, sweetheart?† Dad asked. â€Å"Are you going to be okay?† I opened my mouth to say something and closed it again. â€Å"I think right now I want to talk about anything else in the world besides how I'm doing,† I said, finally. â€Å"All right,† Dad said. He started talking about himself then, not because he was an egotist but because he knew listening to him would help me take my mind off my own worries. I listened to him talk on without worrying too much about what he said. Dad left on the supply ship San Joaquin the next day, with Manfred Trujillo and a couple other colonists who were going as representatives of Roanoke, on political and cultural business. That was their cover, anyway. What they were really doing, or so Jane had told me, was trying to find out anything about what was going on in the universe involving Roanoke and who had attacked us. It would take a week for Dad and the others to reach Phoenix Station; they'd spend a day or so there and then it would take another week for them to return. Which is to say, it'd take another week for everyone but Dad to return; if Dad's inquiry went against him, he wouldn't be coming back. We tried not to think about that. Three days later most of the colony converged on the Gugino homestead and said good-bye to Bruno and Natalie, Maria, Katherina, and Enzo. They were buried where they had died; Jane and others had removed the missile debris that had fallen on them, reshaped the area with new soil, and set new sod on top. A marker was placed to note the family. At some point in the future, there might be another, larger marker, but for now it was small and simple: the family name, the name of the members, and their dates. It reminded me of my own family marker, where my biological mother lay. For some reason I found this a little bit comforting. Magdy's father, who had been Bruno Gugino's closest friend, spoke warmly about the whole family. A group of singers came and sang two of Natalie's favorite hymns from Zhong Guo. Magdy spoke, briefly and with difficulty about his best friend. When he sat back down, Gretchen was there to hold him while he sobbed. Finally we all stood and some prayed and others stood silently, with their heads bowed, thinking about missing friends and loved ones. Then people left, until it was just me and Gretchen and Magdy, standing silently by the marker. â€Å"He loved you, you know,† Magdy said to me, suddenly. â€Å"I know,† I said. â€Å"No,† Magdy said, and I saw how he was trying to get across to me that he wasn't just making comforting words. â€Å"I'm not talking about how we say we love something, or love people we just like. He really loved you, Zoe. He was ready to spend his whole life with you. I wish I could make you believe this.† I took out my PDA, opened it to Enzo's poem, and showed it to Magdy. â€Å"I believe it,† I said. Magdy read the poem, nodded. Then he handed the PDA back to me. â€Å"I'm glad,† he said. â€Å"I'm glad he sent that to you. I used to make fun of him because he wrote you those poems. I told him that he was just being a goof.† I smiled at that. â€Å"But now I'm glad he didn't listen to me. I'm glad he sent them. Because now you know. You know how much he loved you.† Magdy broke down as he tried to finish that sentence. I came up to him and held him and let him cry. â€Å"He loved you too, Magdy,† I said to him. â€Å"As much as me. As much as anyone. You were his best friend.† â€Å"I loved him too,† Magdy said. â€Å"He was my brother. I mean, not my real brother†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He started to get a look on his face; he was annoyed with himself that he wasn't expressing himself like he wanted. â€Å"No, Magdy,† I said. â€Å"You were his real brother. In every way that matters, you were his brother. He knew you thought of him that way. And he loved you for it.† â€Å"I'm sorry, Zoe,† Magdy said, and looked down at his feet. â€Å"I'm sorry I always gave you and Enzo a hard time. I'm sorry.† â€Å"Hey,† I said, gently. â€Å"Stop that. You were supposed to give us a hard time, Magdy. Giving people a hard time is what you do. Ask Gretchen.† â€Å"It's true,† Gretchen said, not unkindly. â€Å"It really is.† â€Å"Enzo thought of you as his brother,† I said. â€Å"You're my brother too. You have been all this time. I love you, Magdy.† â€Å"I love you too, Zoe,† Magdy said quietly, and then looked straight at me. â€Å"Thank you.† â€Å"You're welcome.† I gave him another hug. â€Å"Just remember that as your new family member I'm now entitled to give you all sorts of crap.† â€Å"I can't wait,† Magdy said, and then turned to Gretchen. â€Å"Does this make you my sister too?† â€Å"Considering our history, you better hope not,† Gretchen said. Magdy laughed at that, which was a good sign, then gave me a peck on a cheek, gave Gretchen a hug, and then walked from the grave of his friend and brother. â€Å"Do you think he's going to be okay?† I asked Gretchen, as we watched him go. â€Å"No,† Gretchen said. â€Å"Not for a long time. I know you loved Enzo, Zoe, I really do, and I don't want this to sound like I'm trying to undercut that. But Enzo and Magdy were two halves of the same whole.† She nodded to Magdy. â€Å"You lost someone you love. He's lost part of himself. I don't know if he's going to get over that.† â€Å"You can help him,† I said. â€Å"Maybe,† Gretchen said. â€Å"But think about what you're asking me to do.† I laughed. It's why I loved Gretchen. She was the smartest girl I ever knew, and smart enough to know that being smart had its own repercussions. She could help Magdy, all right, by becoming part of what he was missing. But it meant her being that, one way or another, for the rest of their lives. She would do it, because when it came down to it she really did love Magdy. But she was right to worry about what it meant for her. â€Å"Anyway,† Gretchen said, â€Å"I'm not done helping someone else.† I snapped out of my thoughts at that. â€Å"Oh,† I said. â€Å"Well. You know. I'm okay.† â€Å"I know,† Gretchen said. â€Å"I also know you lie horribly.† â€Å"I can't fool you,† I said. â€Å"No,† Gretchen said. â€Å"Because what Enzo was to Magdy, I am to you.† I hugged her. â€Å"I know,† I said. â€Å"Good,† Gretchen said. â€Å"Whenever you forget, I'll remind you.† â€Å"Okay,† I said. We unhugged and Gretchen left me alone with Enzo and his family, and I sat with them for a long time. Four days later, a note from Dad from a skip drone from Phoenix Station. A miracle, it said. I'm not headed for prison. We are heading back on the next supply ship. Tell Hickory and Dickory that I will need to speak to them when I return. Love you. There was another note for Jane, but she didn't tell me what was in it. â€Å"Why would Dad want to talk to you?† I asked Hickory. â€Å"We don't know,† Hickory said. â€Å"The last time he and I spoke of anything of any importance was the day – I am sorry – that your friend Enzo died. Some time ago, before we left Huckleberry, I had mentioned to Major Perry that the Obin government and the Obin people stood ready to assist you and your family here on Roanoke should you need our assistance. Major Perry reminded me of that conversation and asked me if the offer still stood. I told him that at the time I believed it did.† â€Å"You think Dad is going to ask for your help?† I asked. â€Å"I do not know,† Hickory said. â€Å"And since I last spoke to Major Perry circumstances have changed.† â€Å"What do you mean?† I asked. â€Å"Dickory and I have finally received detailed updated information from our government, up to and including its analysis of the Colonial Union's attack on the Conclave fleet,† Hickory said. â€Å"The most important piece of news is that we have been informed that shortly after the Magellan disappeared, the Colonial Union came to the Obin government and asked it not to search for the Roanoke colony, nor to offer it assistance if it were to be located by the Conclave or any other race.† â€Å"They knew you would come looking for me,† I said. â€Å"Yes,† Hickory said. â€Å"But why would they tell you not to help us?† I asked. â€Å"Because it would interfere with the Colonial Union's own plans to lure the Conclave fleet to Roanoke,† Hickory said. â€Å"That's happened,† I said. â€Å"That's done. The Obin can help us now,† I said. â€Å"The Colonial Union has asked us to continue not to offer aid or assistance to Roanoke,† Hickory said. â€Å"That makes no sense,† I said. â€Å"We are inclined to agree,† Hickory said. â€Å"But that means that you can't even help me,† I said. â€Å"There is a difference between you and the colony of Roanoke,† Hickory said. â€Å"The Colonial Union cannot ask us not to protect or assist you. It would violate the treaty between our peoples, and the Colonial Union would not want to do that, especially now. But the Colonial Union may choose to interpret the treaty narrowly and has. Our treaty concerns you, Zoe. To a much lesser extent it concerns your family, meaning Major Perry and Lieutenant Sagan. It does not concern Roanoke colony at all.† â€Å"It does when I live here,† I said. â€Å"This colony is of a great deal of concern to me. Its people are of a great deal of concern to me. Everybody I care about in the whole universe is here. Roanoke matters to me. It should matter to you.† â€Å"We did not say it did not matter to us,† Hickory said, and I heard something in its voice I had never heard before: reproach. â€Å"Nor do we suggest it does not matter to you, for many reasons. We are telling you how the Colonial Union is asking the Obin government to view its rights under treaty. And we are telling you that our government, for its own reasons, has agreed.† â€Å"So if my dad asks for your help, you will tell him no,† I said. â€Å"We will tell him that so long as Roanoke is a Colonial Union world, we are unable to offer help.† â€Å"So, no,† I said. â€Å"Yes,† Hickory said. â€Å"We are sorry, Zoe.† â€Å"I want you to give me the information your government has given you,† I said. â€Å"We will do so,† Hickory said. â€Å"But it is in our native language and file formatting, and will take a considerable amount of time for your PDA to translate.† â€Å"I don't care,† I said. â€Å"As you wish,† Hickory said. Not too long after that I stared at the screen of my PDA and ground my teeth together as it slowly plodded through file transformations and translations. I realized it would be easier just to ask Hickory and Dickory about it all, but I wanted to see it all with my own eyes. However long it took. It took long enough that I had hardly read any of it by the time Dad and the others had made it home. â€Å"This all looks like gibberish to me,† Gretchen said, looking at the documents I was showing her on my PDA. â€Å"It's like it was translated from monkey or something.† â€Å"Look,† I said. I pulled up a different document. â€Å"According to this, blowing up the Conclave fleet backfired. It was supposed to make the Conclave collapse and all the races start shooting at each other. Well, the Conclave is starting to collapse, but hardly any of them are actually fighting each other. They're attacking Colonial Union worlds instead. They really messed this up.† â€Å"If you say this is what it says, I'm going to believe you,† Gretchen said. â€Å"I'm not actually finding verbs here.† I pulled up another document. â€Å"Here, this is about a Conclave leader named Nerbros Eser. He's General Gau's main competition for leadership of the Conclave now. Gau still doesn't want to attack the Colonial Union directly, even though we just destroyed his fleet. He still thinks the Conclave is strong enough to keep doing what it's been doing. But this Eser guy thinks the Conclave should just wipe us out. The Colonial Union. And especially us here on Roanoke. Just to make the point that you don't mess with the Conclave. The two of them are fighting over control of the Conclave right now.† â€Å"Okay,† Gretchen said. â€Å"But I still don't know what any of this means, Zoe. Speak not-hyper-ese to me. You're losing me.† I stopped and took a breath. Gretchen was right. I'd spent most of the last day reading these documents, drinking coffee, and not sleeping; I was not at the peak of my communication skills. So I tried again. â€Å"The whole point of founding Roanoke colony was to start a war,† I said. â€Å"It looks like it worked,† Gretchen said. â€Å"No,† I said. â€Å"It was supposed to start a war within the Conclave. Blowing up their fleet was supposed to tear the Conclave apart from the inside. It would end the threat of this huge coalition of alien races and bring things back to the way it was before, when every race was fighting every other race. We trigger a civil war, and then we sweep in while they're all fighting and scoop up the worlds we want and come out of it all stronger than before – maybe too strong for any one race or even a small group of races to square off against. That was the plan.† â€Å"But you're telling me it didn't work that way,† Gretchen said. â€Å"Right,† I said. â€Å"We blew up the fleet and got the Conclave members fighting, but who they're fighting is us. The reason we didn't like the Conclave is that it was four hundred against one, the one being us. Well, now it's still four hundred against one, except now no one's listening to the one guy who was keeping them from engaging in total war against us.† â€Å"Us here on Roanoke,† Gretchen said. â€Å"Us everywhere,† I said. â€Å"The Colonial Union. Humans. Us. This is happening now,† I said. â€Å"Colonial Union worlds are being attacked. Not just the new colony worlds, the ones that usually get attacked. Even the established colonies – the ones that haven't been attacked in decades – are getting hit. And unless General Gau gets them all back in line, these attacks are going to keep happening. They're going to get worse.† â€Å"I think you need a new hobby,† Gretchen said, handing me back my PDA. â€Å"Your new one here is really depressing.† â€Å"I'm not trying to scare you,† I said. â€Å"I thought you would want to know about all this.† â€Å"You don't have to tell me,† Gretchen said. â€Å"You need to tell your parents. Or my dad. Someone who actually knows what to do about all this.† â€Å"They already know,† I said. â€Å"I heard John and Jane talking about it last night after he got back from Phoenix Station. Everyone there knows the colonies are under attack. No one's reporting it – the Colonial Union has a lockdown on the news – but everyone's talking about it.† â€Å"What does that leave for Roanoke?† Gretchen said. â€Å"I don't know,† I said. â€Å"But I know we don't have a lot of pull right now.† â€Å"So we're all going to die,† Gretchen said. â€Å"Well. Gee. Thanks, Zoe. I'm really glad to know it.† â€Å"It's not that bad yet,† I said. â€Å"Our parents are working on it. They'll figure it out. We're not all going to die.† â€Å"Well, you're not going to die, at least,† Gretchen said. â€Å"What does that mean?† I asked. â€Å"If things really go swirling, the Obin will swoop in and take you out of here,† Gretchen said. â€Å"Although if all of the Colonial Union is really under attack, I'm not sure where you're going to end up going. But the point is, you have an escape route. The rest of us don't.† I stared at Gretchen. â€Å"That's incredibly unfair,† I said. â€Å"I'm not going anywhere, Gretchen.† â€Å"Why?† Gretchen said. â€Å"I'm not angry at you that you have a way out, Zoe. I'm envious. I've been through one attack. Just one missile got through and it didn't even explode properly, and it still did incredible damage and killed someone I care about and everyone in his family. When they come for us for real, we don't have a chance.† â€Å"You still have your training,† I said. â€Å"I'm not going to be able to engage in single combat with a missile, Zoe,† Gretchen said, annoyed. â€Å"Yes, if someone decides to have a landing party here, I might be able to fight them off for a while. But after what we've done to that Conclave fleet, do you think anyone is really going to bother? They're just going to blow us up from the sky. You said it yourself. They want to be rid of us. And you're the only one that has a chance of getting out of here.† â€Å"I already said I'm not going anywhere,† I said. â€Å"Jesus, Zoe,† Gretchen said. â€Å"I love you, I really do, but I can't believe you're actually that dumb. If you have a chance to go, go. I don't want you to die. Your mom and dad don't want it. The Obin will hack a path through all the rest of us to keep you from dying. I think you should take the hint.† â€Å"I get the hint,† I said. â€Å"But you don't understand. I've been the sole survivor, Gretchen. It's happened to me before. Once is enough for any lifetime. I'm not going anywhere.† â€Å"Hickory and Dickory want you to leave Roanoke,† Dad said to me, after he had paged me with his PDA. Hickory and Dickory were standing in the living room with him. I was clearly coming in on some sort of negotiation between them. And it was also clearly about me. The tone of Dad's voice was light enough that I could tell he was hoping to make some point to the Obin, and I was pretty sure I knew what the point was. â€Å"Are you and Mom coming?† I said. â€Å"No,† Dad said. This I expected. Whatever was going to happen with the colony, both John and Jane would see it through, even if it meant they would die with it. It's what they expected of themselves as colony leaders, as former soldiers, and as human beings. â€Å"Then to hell with that,† I said. I looked at Hickory and Dickory when I said it. â€Å"Told you,† Dad said to Hickory. â€Å"You didn't tell her to come away,† Hickory said. â€Å"Go away, Zoe,† Dad said. This was said with such a sarcastic delivery that even Hickory and Dickory couldn't miss it. I gave a less-than-entirely-polite response to that, and then to Hickory and Dickory, and then, for good measure, to the whole idea that I was something special to the Obin. Because I was feeling saucy, and also because I was tired of the whole thing. â€Å"If you want to protect me,† I said to Hickory, â€Å"then protect this colony. Protect the people I care about.† â€Å"We cannot,† Hickory said. â€Å"We are forbidden to do so.† â€Å"Then you have a problem,† I said, â€Å"because I'm not going anywhere. And there's nothing you or anyone else can do about it.† And then I left, dramatically, partly because I think that was what Dad was expecting, and partly because I was done saying what I wanted to say on the matter. Then I went to my room and waited for Dad to call me again. Because whatever was going on between him and Hickory and Dickory, it wasn't over when I stomped out of the room. And like I said, whatever it was, was clearly about me. About ten minutes later Dad called for me again. I went back into the living room. Hickory and Dickory were gone. â€Å"Sit down, Zoe, please,† Dad said. â€Å"I need you to do something for me.† â€Å"Does it involve leaving Roanoke?† I asked. â€Å"It does,† Dad said. â€Å"No,† I said. â€Å"Zoe,† Dad said. â€Å"No,† I said again. â€Å"And I don't understand you. Ten minutes ago you were happy to have me stand here in front of Hickory and Dickory and tell them I wasn't going anywhere, and now you want me to leave? What did they tell you to make you change your mind?† â€Å"It's what I told them,† Dad said. â€Å"And I haven't changed my mind. I need you to go, Zoe.† â€Å"For what?† I said. â€Å"So I can stay alive while everyone I care about dies? You and Mom and Gretchen and Magdy? So I can be saved when Roanoke is destroyed?† â€Å"I need you to go so I can save Roanoke,† Dad said. â€Å"I don't understand,† I said. â€Å"That's probably because you didn't actually let me finish before you got on your soapbox,† Dad said. â€Å"Don't mock me,† I said. Dad sighed. â€Å"I'm not trying to mock you, Zoe. But what I really need from you right now is to be quiet so I can tell you about this. Can you do that, please? It will make things go a lot more quickly. Then if you say no, at least you'll be saying no for the right reasons. All right?† â€Å"All right,† I said. â€Å"Thank you,† Dad said. â€Å"Look. Right now all of the Colonial Union is under attack because we destroyed the Conclave fleet. Every CU world has been hit. The Colonial Defense Forces are strained as it is, and it's going to get worse. A lot worse. The Colonial Union is already making decisions about what colonies it can afford to lose when push comes to shove.† â€Å"And Roanoke is one of those,† I said. â€Å"Yes,† Dad said. â€Å"Very definitely. But it's more than that, Zoe. There was a possibility that I might have been able to ask the Obin to help us here on Roanoke. Because you were here. But the Colonial Union has told the Obin not to help us at all. They can take you from here, but they can't help you or us defend Roanoke. The Colonial Union doesn't want them to help us.† â€Å"Why not?† I asked. â€Å"That doesn't make any sense.† â€Å"It doesn't make sense if you assume the Colonial Union wants Roanoke to survive,† Dad said. â€Å"But look at it another way, Zoe. This is the first colony with colonists from the CU rather than Earth. The settlers here are from the ten most powerful and most populous Colonial Union worlds. If Roanoke is destroyed, all ten of those worlds are going to be hit hard by the loss. Roanoke will become a rallying cry for those worlds. And for the whole Colonial Union.† â€Å"You're saying we're worth more to the Colonial Union dead than alive,† I said. â€Å"We're worth more as a symbol than as a colony,† Dad said. â€Å"Which is inconvenient for those of us who live here and want to stay alive. But, yes. It's why they won't let the Obin help us. It's why we don't make the cut for resources.† â€Å"You know this for sure?† I asked. â€Å"Someone told you this when you went back to Phoenix Station?† â€Å"Someone did,† Dad said. â€Å"A man named General Szilard. He was Jane's former commanding officer. It was unofficial, but it matched up with my own internal math.† â€Å"And you trust him?† I asked. â€Å"No offense, but the Colonial Union hasn't exactly been on the up-and-up with us lately.† â€Å"I have my issues with Szilard,† Dad said. â€Å"And so does your mom. But yes. I trust him on this. Right now he's the only one in the whole Colonial Union I actually do trust.† â€Å"What does this have to with me leaving Roanoke?† I asked. â€Å"General Szilard told me something else when I saw him,† Dad said. â€Å"Also unofficial, but from good sources. He told me that General Gau, the Conclave leader – â€Å" â€Å"I know who he is, Dad,† I said. â€Å"I've been keeping up with current events.† â€Å"Sorry,† Dad said. â€Å"He said General Gau was being targeted for assassination by someone in his own close circle of advisors, and that the assassination would happen soon, probably in the next few weeks.† â€Å"Why'd he tell you this?† I asked. â€Å"So I could use it,† Dad said. â€Å"Even if the Colonial Union wanted to tell General Gau about the attempt – which it doesn't, since it probably would like to see it succeed – there's no reason to believe that Gau would consider it credible. The CU did just blow up his fleet. But Gau might listen to the information if it came from me, because he's already had dealings with me.† â€Å"And you were the one who begged him not to bring his fleet to Roanoke,† I said. â€Å"Right,† Dad said. â€Å"It's because of that we've been attacked as little as we have. General Gau said to me that neither he nor the Conclave would retaliate against Roanoke itself for what happened to the fleet.† â€Å"We were still attacked,† I said. â€Å"But not by the Conclave itself,† Dad said. â€Å"By someone else, testing our defenses. But if Gau is assassinated, that guarantee dies with him. And then it's open season on Roanoke, and we'll get hit, fast, because we're where the Conclave had its biggest defeat. We're a symbol for the Conclave, too. So we have to let General Gau know he's in danger. For our own sake.† â€Å"If you tell him this, you'll be giving information to an enemy of the Colonial Union,† I said. â€Å"You'll be a traitor.† Dad gave me a wry grin. â€Å"Trust me, Zoe,† he said. â€Å"I'm already neck-deep in trouble.† His smile disappeared. â€Å"And yes, General Gau is an enemy of the Colonial Union. But I think he might be a friend to Roanoke. Right now, Roanoke needs all the friends it can get, wherever it can get them. The ones we used to have are turning their backs on us. We're going out to this new one, hat in hand.† â€Å"And by we you mean me,† I said. â€Å"Yes,† Dad said. â€Å"I need you to deliver this message for me.† â€Å"You don't need me to do it,† I said. â€Å"You could do it. Mom could do it. It would be better from either of you.† Dad shook his head. â€Å"Neither Jane nor I can leave Roanoke, Zoe. The Colonial Union is watching us. They don't trust us. And even if we could, we can't leave because we belong here with the colonists. We're their leaders. We can't abandon them. Whatever happens to them happens to us too. We made a promise to them and we're going to stay and defend this colony, no matter what happens. You understand that.† I nodded. â€Å"So we can't go. â€Å"But you can, and secretly,† Dad said. â€Å"The Obin already want to take you off Roanoke. The Colonial Union will allow it because it's part of their treaty with the Obin, and as long as Jane and I stay here, it won't raise an eyebrow. The Obin are technically neutral in the fight between the Conclave and the Colonial Union; an Obin ship will be able to get to General Gau's headquarters where a ship from the Colonial Union couldn't.† â€Å"So send Hickory and Dickory,† I said. â€Å"Or just have the Obin send a skip drone to General Gau.† â€Å"It won't work,† Dad said. â€Å"The Obin are not going to jeopardize their relationship with the Colonial Union to pass messages for me. The only reason they're doing this at all is because I'm agreeing to let them take you off Roanoke. I'm using the only piece of leverage I have with the Obin, Zoe. That's you. â€Å"And there's something else. General Gau has to know that I believe the information I'm sending him is good. That I'm not just being a pawn again in a larger Colonial Union game. I need to give him a token of my sincerity, Zoe. Something that proves that I have as much to risk in sending him this information as he has in receiving it. Even if I or Jane could go ourselves, General Gau would have no reason to trust what we say to him, because he knows both Jane and I were soldiers and are leaders. He knows we would be willing to sacrifice ourselves for our colony. But he also knows that I'm not willing to sacrifice my only daughter. And neither is Jane. â€Å"So you see, Zoe. It has to be you. No one else can do it. You're the only one who can get to General Gau, deliver the message, and be believed. Not me, not Jane, not Hickory and Dickory. No one else. Just you. Deliver the message, and we might still find a way to save Roanoke. It's a small chance. But right now it's the only one we've got.† I sat there for a few minutes, taking in what Dad asked of me. â€Å"You know if Hickory and Dickory take me off Roanoke, they're not going to want to bring me back,† I said, finally. â€Å"You know that.† â€Å"I'm pretty sure of it,† Dad said. â€Å"You're asking me to leave,† I said. â€Å"You're asking me to accept that I might not ever see any of you again. Because if General Gau won't believe me, or if he's killed before I can talk to him, or even if he does believe me but can't do anything to help us, this trip won't mean anything. All it will do is get me off Roanoke.† â€Å"If that's all it did, Zoe, I still wouldn't complain,† Dad said, and then quickly held up his hand, to stop me from commenting on that. â€Å"But if that's all I thought it would do, I wouldn't ask you to do it. I know you don't want to leave Roanoke, Zoe. I know you don't want to leave us or your friends. I don't want anything bad to happen to you, Zoe. But you're also old enough now to make your own decisions. If when all was said and done you wanted to stay on Roanoke to face whatever came our way, I wouldn't try to stop you. Nor would Jane. We would be with you until the end. You know that.† â€Å"I do,† I said. â€Å"There are risks for everyone,† Dad said. â€Å"When Jane and I tell the Roanoke colony council about this – which we will do once you're gone – I'm pretty sure they are going to kick us out as the colony leaders. When news gets back to the Colonial Union, Jane and I are almost certainly going to be arrested on charges of treason. Even if everything goes perfectly, Zoe, and General Gau accepts your message and acts on it and maybe even makes sure that Roanoke stays unmolested, we will still have to pay for our actions. Jane and I accept this. We think it's worth it for a chance to keep Roanoke safe. The risk for you here, Zoe, is that if you do this, you might not see us or your friends again for a very long time, or at all. It's a big risk. It's a real risk. You have to decide whether it's one worth taking.† I thought about this some more. â€Å"How long do I have to think about this?† I asked. â€Å"All the time you need,† Dad said. â€Å"But those assassins aren't sitting around doing nothing.† I glanced over to where Hickory and Dickory had been. â€Å"How long do you think it will take them to get a transport here?† I asked. â€Å"Are you kidding?† Dad said. â€Å"If they didn't send for one the second I was done talking to them, I'll eat my hat.† â€Å"You don't wear a hat,† I said. â€Å"I will buy a hat and eat it, then,† Dad said. â€Å"I'm going to come back,† I said. â€Å"I'm going to take this message to General Gau, and then I'm going to get back here. I'm not sure how I'm going to convince the Obin of that, but I'm going to do it. I promise you, Dad.† â€Å"Good,† Dad said. â€Å"Bring an army with you. And guns. And battle cruisers.† â€Å"Guns, cruisers, army,† I said, running down the checklist. â€Å"Anything else? I mean, as long as I'm going shopping.† â€Å"Rumor is that I might be in the market for a hat,† Dad said. â€Å"Hat, right,† I said. â€Å"Make it a jaunty hat,† he said. â€Å"I promise nothing,† I said. â€Å"Fine,† Dad said. â€Å"But if you have to choose between the hat and the army, pick the army. And make it a good one. We're going to need it.† â€Å"Where is Gretchen?† Jane asked me. We stood outside the small Obin transport. I had already said good-bye to Dad. Hickory and Dickory waited for me inside the transport. â€Å"I didn't tell her I was leaving,† I said. â€Å"She is going to be very upset about that,† Mom said. â€Å"I don't intend to be away long enough for her to miss me,† I said. Mom didn't say anything to that. â€Å"I wrote her a note,† I said, finally. â€Å"It's scheduled for delivery tomorrow morning. I told her what I thought I could tell her about why I left. I told her to talk to you about the rest of it. So she might come by to see you.† â€Å"I'll talk to her about it,† Jane said. â€Å"I'll try to make her understand.† â€Å"Thanks,† I said. â€Å"How are you?† Mom asked. â€Å"I'm terrified,† I said. â€Å"I'm scared I'll never see you or Dad or Gretchen again. I'm scared I'm going to screw this up. I'm scared that even if I don't screw this up it won't matter. I feel like I'm going to pass out, and I've felt that way since this thing landed.† Jane gave me a hug and then looked to my neck, puzzled. â€Å"You're not taking your jade elephant pendant?† she said. â€Å"Oh,† I said. â€Å"It's a long story. Tell Gretchen I said for her to tell it to you. You need to know about it anyway.† â€Å"Did you lose it?† Jane asked. â€Å"It's not lost,† I said. â€Å"It's just not with me anymore.† â€Å"Oh,† Jane said. â€Å"I don't need it anymore,† I said. â€Å"I know who in this world loves me, and has loved me.† â€Å"Good,† Jane said. â€Å"What I was going to tell you is that as well as remembering who loves you, you should remember who you are. And everything about who you are. And everything about what you are.† â€Å"What I am,† I said, and smirked. â€Å"It's because of what I am that I'm leaving. What I am has been more trouble than it's worth, if you ask me.† â€Å"That doesn't surprise me,† Jane said. â€Å"I have to tell you, Zoe, that there have been times when I have felt sorry for you. So much of your life has been completely out of your control. You've lived your life under the gaze of an entire race of people, and they have made their demands on you right from the beginning. I'm always amazed you've stayed sane through all of it.† â€Å"Well, you know,† I said. â€Å"Good parents help.† â€Å"Thank you,† Jane said. â€Å"We tried to keep your life as normal as possible. And I think we've raised you well enough that I can tell you this and have you understand it: What you are has made demands of you all your life. Now it's time to demand something back. Do you understand?† â€Å"I'm not sure,† I said. â€Å"Who you are has always had to make room for what you are,† Jane said. â€Å"You know that.† I nodded. It had. â€Å"Part of that was because you were young, and what you are is so much larger than who you are,† Jane said. â€Å"You can't expect a normal eight-year-old or even a fourteen-year-old to understand what it means to be something like what you are. But you're old enough now to understand it. To get an appreciation for it. To know how you can use it, for something besides trying to stay up late.† I smiled, amazed that Jane remembered me trying to use the treaty to stay up past my bedtime. â€Å"I've watched you in the last year,† Jane said. â€Å"I've seen how you interact with Hickory and Dickory. They've imposed a lot on you because of what you are. All that training and practicing. But you've also started asking more of them. All those documents you've had them give you.† â€Å"I didn't know you knew about that,† I said. â€Å"I was an information officer,† Jane said. â€Å"This sort of thing is my job. My point is that you've become more willing to use that power. You are finally taking control of your life. What you are is starting to make room for who you are.† â€Å"It's a start,† I said. â€Å"Keep going,† Jane said. â€Å"We need who you are, Zoe. We need you to take what you are – every part of what you are – and use it to save us. To save Roanoke. And to come back to us.† â€Å"How do I do it?† I asked. Jane smiled. â€Å"Like I said: Demand something back,† she said. â€Å"That's unhelpfully vague,† I said. â€Å"Perhaps,† Jane said, and then kissed me on the cheek. â€Å"Or maybe I just have faith that you're smart enough to figure it out on your own.† Mom got a hug for that. Ten minutes later I was fifteen klicks above Roanoke and climbing, heading for an Obin transport, thinking about what Jane had said. â€Å"You will find that our Obin ships travel far more quickly than your Colonial Union ships,† Hickory said. â€Å"Is that right,† I said. I wandered over to where Hickory and Dickory had placed my luggage and picked out one of the suitcases. â€Å"Yes,† Hickory said. â€Å"Far more efficient engines and better artificial gravity management. We will reach skip distance from Roanoke in a little under two days. It would take one of your ships five or six days to reach the same distance.† â€Å"Good,† I said. â€Å"The sooner we get to General Gau the better.† I unzipped the suitcase. â€Å"This is a very exciting moment for us,† Hickory said. â€Å"This is the first time since you have lived with Major Perry and Lieutenant Sagan that you will meet other Obin in person.† â€Å"But they know all about me,† I said. â€Å"Yes,† Hickory said. â€Å"The recordings of the last year have made their way to all Obin, both in unedited and digest form. The unedited versions will take time to process.† â€Å"I'll bet,† I said. â€Å"Here we are.† I found what I was looking for: the stone knife, given to me by my werewolf. I had packed it quickly, when no one was looking. I was just making sure that I didn't imagine packing it. â€Å"You brought your stone knife,† Hickory said. â€Å"I did,† I said. â€Å"I have plans for it.† â€Å"What plans?† Hickory asked. â€Å"I'll tell you later,† I said. â€Å"But tell me, Hickory,† I said. â€Å"This ship we're going to. Is there anyone important on it?† â€Å"Yes,† Hickory said. â€Å"Because it is the first time that you have been in the presence of other Obin since you were a child, one of the members of Obin's governing council will be there to greet you. It very much wants to meet with you.† â€Å"Good,† I said, and glanced at the knife. â€Å"I very much want to meet with it, too.† I think I actually made Hickory nervous right then.