Discuss the implication of globalization for the organized labour Essay

Discuss the implication of globalization for the organized labour movement in rich countries - Essay Example The process of globalization, with the liberal economic policies, which have been adopted by many countries, has come to weaken the strong foundation upon which many trade unions have been built. Globalization has intensified the economic competition among the various developed nations of the world and to increase this competitiveness, these countries have adopted very liberal trade policies to ensure that their products remain at the top of the global market. These new policies have had an impact on trade unions in very negative way because one of their key parts are the legal restrictions which have been placed on the rights of workers for the sake of a higher efficiency of the economy. A major consequence of these restrictions has been the fact that trade unions in these countries have come to lose those rights, which they had struggled for many years to gain, and this has ensured that the political foundations of such trade unions have been increasingly weakened1. At the same tim e, the liberal policies that have been brought about by globalization have been creates more in favor of the employers than the workers. These policies advocate for the flexibility of the labor market and this has meant that the labor market has been deregulated and that employers have been empowered in areas the hiring of workers, their firing, the choice of how much to pay them, as well as the choice of the use of labor. As a result of this, informal employment and other cheap forms of labor have become prevalent because employers prefer them not only for the cheapness of wages paid to them, but also for the fact that they do not have to cover them in such matters as insurance and safety. This has made it very difficult for trade unions to be able to organize workers into the powerful force that they previously were because many of these informally employed people are not members of unions. The swift change in the development of equipment as well as the globalization of the econom y has led to the acceleration of structural adjustment. With the division of labor on the international scene, some of the developed countries have opted to shift those enterprises that they consider labor intensive to other countries where there is cheaper labor. This has led to the trade unions in these countries to lose those industrial sectors, which had been their traditional bases of support. To add to this, the use of new technologies in such traditional industries as steel, manufacturing and construction has led to the drop in the demand for labor from these industries due to the fact that most of the labor within them has become redundant. Moreover, the traditional ways through which trade unions worked have been challenged by the development of the Information Technology and other related industries, and it is against this background that trade union activities in developed countries, are on the decline2. Globalization has enabled the speeding up of the work of trade union s at an international level. Trade unions have developed as a product of the social and economic conflicts that have been brought about by industrial disputes. They gain their legitimacy through their legalization at a national level and they function as the protectors of the rights of the workers who fall within their jurisdiction. Due to the globalization

Analyse The Assumptions Made By Liberalism And Realism Politics Essay

Analyse The Assumptions Made By Liberalism And Realism Politics Essay Liberalism assumes instead portraying lust of power as the international conflict liberalism fights for the basic rights of the people. It insists on pursuing the political reforms establish democracies. It emphasizes on the value of the free trade on the basis that it will help in preventing the conflicts between nations as it reduces the national selfishness and enhances the communication. Liberalism advocated the formation of the global institutions such as the United Nations which sees any threat to any individual nation as a threat to everyone. The institutions help in resolving the conflicts by mediating the conflicts in the event of any misunderstanding. Basically liberals assume that states will act in a rational manner and they are a unitary actor. The liberalists fell into three different groups as classified by the realists: The first group advocated league of the nations was formed with the objective to consider the attack on the nation as an attack on all. The second group formed the Permanent Court of International Justice that would lead to formation of judicial body capable of issuing justices to the disputes. The third group sort to avoid war by advocating Disarmament in  [1]  order to reduce the international tension1. The League of Nations failed to take appropriate action against the Japan or Italy for invasion, PCIJ failed as the major disputed were rarely submitted and the Geneva Disarmament Conference resulted in failure1. Realism (discussed later in the paper) failed to explain complex interdependence of the transnational relations. As a result various types of the international regimes were formed to govern the behaviour of different international issues that resulted in higher interdependence and lead to even higher co-operation (Neo-Liberalism). Often Realists argue that Liberalism prime focus was not providing the national security rather then playing with the low politics (such as in the area of finance, environment). The critics believe the global institutions often fail to provide the appropriate response for the aggression1. Realism Assumptions: Realism assumes the state as the ultimate power that is not answerable to any body; it can resolve the critical issues itself. The realists often believe that world politics is a zero-sum game; what ever is gained by one competitor is lost by the other. The realists portrays the international politics is the struggle among the states to dominate others by the gain of power, what ever actions are required to achieve the national interest they must be taken at any costs. The best way to maintain the peace is to be powerful. The states should increase its military power and align with the powerful states in order to counter any threat, to promote is national interest or to maintain balance of the power among the states. To the realists the economic power is less important then the military power. They believe that under the international anarchy the state should depend on itself to provide the security and wellbeing (Realpolitik) 1 and should never under estimate the power of the rival (that is it will cooperate easily). Realists dont consider the decision making as a social work and they ignore ones interest. The great rivalry between US and USSR to struggle for the hegemony is supported by the realist thought. Realism doesnt allow the ethical considerations to influence the decision making process. The realists evaluate the choices available for decision after considering the results of the action taken. Realists sometimes fail to explain the reasons for its own action taken for the national interest. The leaders were unable to justify that Vietnam War served the Americas National Interest. How do these two schools of thought (Liberalism and Realism) differ? The following points highlight the key difference between the realism and liberalism: Human Nature: The realists are believers of the pessimistic view that politics at the global level is driven by the self interest of individual nation, each nation should rely on itself for the national defence and well being 1 . It should make decision to satisfy the national interest. Where as the liberalism has the optimistic view that foreign policy decisions should be based upon the mutual interests of the people and can be achieved with the help of the international organizations1. Concepts: The realists portray the international politics is the struggle among the states to dominate others by the gain of power, what ever actions are required to achieve the national interest (that can be with the military influence). While according to the liberal theory explains that International Relations can be improved by the model of complex interdependence that can result in larger cooperation. The complex interdependence explains that the state is not the most important actor, the foreign policy decisions should not be made on the basis of the military power. The complex interdependence theory focuses that growing ties (that can be either a result of the trade between two nations) between two nations can make them exposed to each others activities and sensitive about their needs 1. Zero Sum Game: The realists consider politics as the Zero-Sum game (what ever is gained by one competitor is lost by the other; one nation can easily betray other) 1. Liberals dont consider politics as the zero sum game, instead of following the military methods they have the reliance upon the judicial methods to tackle the disputes. International System: Realism assumes that International System is anarchic that forces the leaders of the different nation to pursue self help principle (In the international anarchic system the nations must depend on themselves for their national defence and well being) 1. It assumes that chances of co-operation on the global level are very rare on critical issues. Even if there is co-operation then it can result in the relative gains (One participant benefits more then the other in joint effort). While in Liberalism the International system is struggling to be more peaceful. Liberals stress on the role of inter-governmental organizations in the endorsement of cooperation. Main Cause of Conflict: Basically Classical Realists believe the lust of the power to dominate others leads to the conflicts between two nations and ends in enmity while the neo-realists claim that cause of the conflicts is the anarchic international system1; each state should rely on its own abilities to survive. Where as Liberals believe in that realpolitik results in the conflicts. Also the conflicts are caused due to lack of the international laws to regulate competition (example arms race) between nations1. Best path to peace: Realists state that peace can be achieved by the balance of power if all states seek to increase their power preventing without being dependent on any other nation while Liberalism assumes that best path to peace can be achieved through co-operation through inter-governmental organizations such as United Nations. IGO such as UN help in mediate the conflicts between two nations in the event of any misconception. Also liberalism emphasizes on the value of the free trade on the basis that it will help in preventing the conflicts between nations as it reduces selfishness and results in effective communication. Organizations: Realism assumes the state as the supreme power that is not answerable to any body (for its internal affairs); it can resolve the critical issues on its own, without any external interference while liberalism emphasizes on the IGOs (Intergovernmental Organizations) in mediating the conflicts in the event of any misconception. Morality: Under realism the nations national interest is the prime objective. Classic Realists are the firm believers that the Leaders of the nation can often choose the wrong decision while the foreign policy making process if they allow morality to preside over the policy making process, they believe that the country should always follow the dictation of the power. Realists complaint against liberalism of its tendency to turn foreign policy in the moral crusade1. While liberalists advocate the importance of the people in the decision making process, the power of the ideas can influence many critical decisions. In your opinion, which one most accurately described the world during the Cold War era? Realism during Cold War: In my opinion, Realism most accurately explains the world during the cold war era. Realism accounts that the cold war was a consequence of the narrowing of the military capabilities of the great power rivals United States of America and Union of Soviet Socialists Republics that resulted in the hegemonic struggle between them. Both of the countries struggled for the establishment of the spheres of influence around the world. After the end of the Second World War, the global politics were dominated by United States of America (Unipolarity) as it possessed an atomic bomb while its rival (USSR) didnt. Truman Doctrine and Containment: The great rivalry between two nations started with the George F Keenans long telegraph to President Harry S Truman stating that America needs to assess the post war policy as the soviets had a feeling of insecurity to maintain power. The measures taken by USSR to strengthen their spheres of dominance ended up in the policy of the Truman Doctrine and Containment. Truman Doctrine stated that US will provide the military support to all its allies in the event of any communist expansion while the strategy of Containment stated the appropriate measures to be taken to against USSR to prevent its expansion or communist influence by using the threat of a possible attack by US1. Zero Sum Game: The race of the arms or the cold war started with USSRs accumulation of the atomic bomb that took USs Unipolarity away and ended up in Bipolarity. Soon started the nuclear arms race between Soviet Union and America and they started looking at each with a watchful suspicion. US pursued the Realist Principle of Zero Sum Game; the loss from one side is the gain to other in cooperation while USSR followed the balance of the power realist principle. Bipolar Nature and Nuclear Weapons: Many Realists attributes the absence of war to the bi-polar nature of the postwar global system which is less war-prone then the multi-polar system during the world-war 2. In the multi-power global system the states often underestimate the comparative power of the opponent. Some realists also concluded that nuclear weapons had played a significant role in the preservation of the peace during the cold 1. National Interest: Under the realism the state was the most important actor and nations interest was the top priority. When the Soviet invaded Afghanistan, US President Jimmy Carter came up with Carter Doctrine under which America will use its military forces in order to protect its oil supplies from the gulf (which was nations top interest) 1. Also as per Reagan Doctrine, US provided support to the insurgents to overthrow the soviet supported governments in countries like Afghanistan (US supported AL-QAEDA). Power Politics: In the late 1980s the Soviet Policies can be seen as realistic theories, Moscow tried to increase its influence on the third world and it tried to suppress the rebellions against the government in Germany, Czechoslovakia and Poland. Military Power vs. Economic Power: As per the realist assumption, to USSR economic power was less important then military power, this resulted in the destruction of the soviet economy because of its long pursuit to seek balance of power. During the cold the Soviet Union was involved in the constant production of the arms to increase its military power to boost national security in the even of an attack from America. Brezhnev was to slow to identify the countrys economic problem and was reluctant to take necessary measure to tackle it1. Out of Liberalism and Realism which one most accurately describes the world we live in today? Liberalism in present life: Liberalism most accurately defines the world that we live in today. Liberalism has the belief that change in the global politics can be engineered by human choices. The idea for the liberalism started in the 19th century in Europe then it spread slowly and steadily across the world that we live in today. The USSR dissolution in 1991 was due to the influence of the liberal ideas by Mikhail Gorbachev. Liberalism advocates the free trade between nations which further results in the complex interdependence. United States is a liberal country, founded on the basis of free market and morality. Liberalism advocated the formation of the global institutions/ inter-governmental organizations such as the United Nations, International Criminal Court which sees any threat to any individual nation as a threat to everyone. The institutions help in resolving the conflicts by mediating the conflicts in the event of any misunderstanding. IGO such as United Nations have driv en community of the peace loving countries. Countries can collectively response through the multi lateral actions to tackle any tough situation. Trade: The liberal theory emphasizes on the trade thus helps in preventing disputes from escalating to the wars, increase inter-dependence and it increases the communication between two countries thus reducing the misconceptions (if any). The commercial liberalism (which advocates the free markets principles) has resulted in Liberal International Economic Order between the regimes. Many new trade agreements like NAFTA, FTAA, ASEAN, EU (under the liberalising rules of the World Trade Organization) have resulted in many positive have resulted in making the world more globalized. Trade had helped in improving the economic condition of the global south countries thus leading the path to democracy. As a result of trade, global souths share in export products has grown from 10% in 1980 to 30 % in 20081. Multi-National Corporations Foreign Direct Investments: The political economy is shaped by the globalization of the production, the Multi-National Corporations (MNC) assist in the globalization of the production. The MNCs have resulted in the foreign direct investments (FDI) in the developing global south countries. In 2007, the FDI were around 30% to the global south by MNCs 1. International Law: Today the international law (UN) has started reviving its policies for the military intervention that it has the right to stop human genocide, suffering or the ethnic cleansing. It has resulted in the collapse of the old Treaty of Westphalia that no one can hinder in states internal affairs. Like the example of the rising terrorism in countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan has pushed international law to rewrite international to permit the intervention in these countries providing a safe place for terrorist deeds. Many realists have tied up with the liberals in categorizing Iraq war in 2003 was an unneccary war1. International Criminal Court: To protect the human rights the International Criminal Court (ICC) was launched in 2002 as a watch dog on the human genocides or crimes. In many cases the ICC has pursued when States own court are unable to. The ICC indicted Sudanese President Omar- al- Bashir for his role in human genocide in Sudan1. Also the ICC tries its best to prevent the war by mediating between two states. ICC issues the sanctions against a country who tries to break the law (such as acts against humanity). In the event the sanctions fail to work then ICC is left with using the aggressive means (war). Arms Reductions: As per the realist theory the war is necessary to achieve the peace, the realists sought to increase the military power while liberal thought predict the more armed the state, it is more vulnerable to the war. The Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty of 2002 has resulted in the nuclear arsenal of Russia and America by ninety percent. In 2005 the 189 countries have signed Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and 46 countries signed International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Evaluation to take new initiatives for nuclear arm control1.

Phrenology Essay -- Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Phrenology Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness is primarily a novel about a man’s trip to the African Congo and the horrors he encounters while there. However Conrad’s novel is also a story of its time and therefore makes mention of the theories held when it was written. Included in these ideas is that of phrenology and its relatives, mentioned clearly when the doctor examining Marlow asks, â€Å"[may I] measure your head?† and the doctor then produces â€Å"a thing like calipers and [gets] the dimensions back and front and every way...† (p. 13). The following will provide a description of Phrenology and its implications. A pseudo-science developed by Austrian physician Franz Joseph Gall in the early 1800s, Phrenology is in its most basic form the study of the morphology of the human skull and its relation to human character. Gall’s â€Å"doctrine of Phrenology† (www.134.184.33.110/phreno/) is based upon five key principles, which were first presented in his work The Anatomy and Physiology of the Nervous System in General, and of the Brain in Particular. First, it is understood that man’s â€Å"moral and intellectual faculties† are innate† (Sabattini, R) and that their expression depends on how the brain is organized. Secondly, he proposed that the brain is the organ responsible for all inclinations, emotions and abilities. Thirdly he stated that the brain is composed of many different â€Å"organs† (Sabattini, R.) with each one being responsible for a certain human function. He also proposed that the size of these â€Å"organs† is directly related to th e amount of their presence and use in specific pers! ons. And finally, he suggested that the external morphology of the skull directly expresses the internal structure of the brain and that the â€Å"relative ... ... While Gall was incorrect in theorizing that the external skull reflects the personality and tendencies of an individual, he was surprisingly correct and in fact pioneered the idea that specific human functions and emotions are related to specific regions of the brain. His way of coming to this conclusion was scientifically incorrect but the implications of this idea helped modern science discover the idea of cerebral localization that is present today. Sources http://pages.britishlibrary.net/phrenology A comprehensive site which includes phrenology charts, photographs of key figures in the development of phrenology as well as a thorough overview of the science. www.epub.org.br/cm/n01/frenolog/frenologia.com A site designed by Dr. Renato M.E. Sabatini which gives a basic overview of the science and provides wonderful links to other sites on phrenology.

Analyze the Tension Rising Between the Northern and Southern States Between the Time Period of the 1800-1860’s Essay

From 1800 to 1860 the relationship between the Northern, and Southern States grew worse and the threat for the formation of 2 cooperate unions was drawing nearer. This change on the relationship can be attributed to industrial development to a fairly large extent, however it should be noted that there are also other factors, which contributed, in large part to this change in the relationship. Industrial development was a factor in the relationship between the Northern and Southern states with regard to the industrial boom in the northern states and the creation of increase tariffs, as well as the big businessmen and bankers in the North and the fact that Northern Industries did not need slavery while Southerners claimed their agriculture society did. Because of the significant increase in industries in the North protective tariffs such as the tariff of 1828 greeted extreme tension between the north and the south. The tariff of 1828 was keyed the term â€Å"the tariff of abominations† by many southern because of as extreme rates. This tariff under president Jackson was opposed by V. P Calhoun who wrote the South Carolina exposition and protests, which similarly to the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions under Thomas Jefferson, stated that the federal government did not have the right to set these tariffs and that particular right is reserved for the states; Calhoun was a strong advocate of the states rights. South Carolina threatened to succeed the union with Calhoun saying â€Å" the union next to our liberty most dear.. † in response to Jackson’s strong statement â€Å" our union it must and shall be preserved. Henry Clay, the great compromiser, comes up with a compromise for the tariff, substantially while South Carolina agrees not to succeed the union. Tariffs such as the tariff of abominations created greater tension between the North and the South; Which cause for the tariffs can to go back to the industrial development in the north. Big businesses and bankers which like wise grew in port because of the industrial development created greater tensions between the north and the south as these bankers where in the north. However it should be noted that the major deserters against the bankers came from the farmers in the West . Although many in the south were against these bankers as well. Especially with the creation of the bank of the united states, initially apart of Alexander Hamilton’s debt assumption scheme and later apart of Henry Clay’s American System. President Jackson tried to kill the B. U. S by vetoing it even after the Supreme Court declared the B. U. S constitutionally in Mccollugh vs. Maryland, 1819. Jackson believed the B. U. S only favored the rich northerners and because Jackson was an advocator of the common man, he was against it. Southerners can also be seen to go against the Bank as it did little to help them. This issue of the Bank, which can be given the name Bank War, caused the relations between the North and the south to become worse and the industrial development in the North. Also the industrial development further portrayed the lack of need for slavery in the North. Which became a major issue in the relationship between the North and the South as the Southerners’ economy was based on a plantation society, which benefitted from slaves. The Southern economy relied on cotton gin by Eli Whitney, slaves were now being used to produce more and more cotton. Cotton which was used by the industries in the South, such as clothing industries. Because of this difference in the economy with the North being industrial and the South being agricultural. The issue of slavery increased the problems in the relations between the North and the South. However despite the industrial development being a factor in the relationship between the northern and southern states it should be noted that the new territories in the west caused even more issues between the North and the South. Despite that, the relationship between the Northern and Southern States from 1800 to 1860 can be in a large extent because of the factor of industrial development.

Forbidden and Dangerous Love

essay Josephine Sellberg English Mrs. Giraud 1/9/10 Forbidden and Dangerous Love The story †Pyramus and Thisbe† is about two lovers, Pyramus and Thisbe. Because their love is forbidden, they are forced to do dangerous things to satisfy it. In the story, Pyramus and Thisbe’s parents have forbidden their love for each other. The teenagers live on either side of a wall that separates them. The two lovers one day decide that they want to be together and not have a wall between them. They decide to do a dangerous thing and sneak away from home into the dark fields.What drives the action in this story is Pyramus and Thisbe’s love that just gets stronger because it is forbidden. They take a dangerous risk when they sneak out into the wild when it’s dark and lions are around. When something is forbidden it can make it even more â€Å"attractive† and that is what happens with Pyramus and Thisbe’s love. Pyramus, â€Å"the handsomest youth† and Thisbe, â€Å"the fairest maiden† are the two lovers in the story; they want to get married, but their parents will not let them (1). One thing, however, they cannot forbid is their love for each other.In fact, their love â€Å"burned more intensely for being covered up† (1). They converse by signs and glances. Pyramus and Thisbe find a crack in the wall that separates them, allowing them to talk to each other. Amazing â€Å"what will not love discover† (1). Every night, when it is time to say farewell, the lovers are forced to â€Å"press their lips upon the wall† (1). They can never give each other a real goodnight kiss or a hug when they need one. The wall do not only separate them it separates their love. They just have to do something about it; it is just too hard for them to restrain their affection.This decision leads to dangerous plans. Danger moves the story forward due to Pyramus and Thisbe’s choices and plans. The two lovers decide to take the chance and sneak out. They were going to sneak out in the middle of the night beyond the â€Å"watchful eyes of their parents† (2) Pyramus has some knowledge of the danger because he brings a sword which he later uses to kill himself. They were going to meet in the fields the next night and be together. Thisbe is at the meeting place first and has to wait for Pyramus to come. She sees a lion and flees, and finds refuge under a rock.She drops her veil, which the lioness tosses around with her bloody mouth. When Pyramus approaches the meeting place, he sees footsteps of a lion and his lover’s bloody veil. He thinks that he has been the cause of her death and then he kills himself with the sword. As soon as Thisbe recognizes her lover she knows that she was not going to live her life without Pyramus, so she also kills herself. Pyarmus and Thisbe’s plan to sneak out ends up to be dangerous and nothing like they thought it would be like. Pyramus and Thisb e’s â€Å"forbidden love† for each other make them do dangerous things.Their love even gets stronger because of the fact that it is forbidden, and nothing can tear them apart. The story ends telling that even death cannot separate the two lovers. Pyramus and Thisbe were born to be together and that was how it was going to stay. When something is forbidden, it can be more interesting or attractive to a person. Something forbidden can make a person want to explore it even more, and take a risk just to explore it. When there is something we really want is withheld, our behavior and judgment can easily be clouded.

What to Know About Visual Basic

What to Know About Visual Basic In 2008 Microsoft stopped support for VB and declared it a Legacy software. Feel free to read this article written before that time. It provides good background for the current .NET software still in use today. Its a computer programming system developed and owned by Microsoft. Visual Basic was originally created to make it easier to write programs for the Windows computer operating system. The basis of Visual Basic is an earlier programming language called BASIC that was invented by Dartmouth College professors John Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz. Visual Basic is often referred to using just the initials, VB. Visual Basic is easily the most widely used computer programming system in the history of software. Is Visual Basic Just a Programming Language? Its more. Visual Basic was one of the first systems that made it practical to write programs for the Windows operating system. This was possible because VB included software tools to automatically create the detailed programming required by Windows. These software tools not only create Windows programs, but they also take full advantage of the graphical way that Windows works by letting programmers draw their systems with a mouse on the computer. This is why its called Visual Basic. Visual Basic also provides a unique and complete software architecture. Architecture is the way computer programs, such as Windows and VB programs, work together. One of the major reasons why Visual Basic has been so successful is that it includes everything that is necessary to write programs for Windows. Is there more than one version of Visual Basic? Yes. Since 1991 when it was first introduced by Microsoft, there have been nine versions of Visual Basic up to VB.NET 2005, the current version. The first six versions were all called Visual Basic. In 2002, Microsoft introduced Visual Basic .NET 1.0, a completely redesigned and rewritten version that was a key part of a much larger computer architecture. The first six versions were all backward compatible. That means that later versions of VB could handle programs written with an earlier version. Because the .NET architecture was such a radical change, earlier versions of Visual Basic have to be rewritten before they can be used with .NET. Many programmers still prefer Visual Basic 6.0 and a few use even earlier versions. Will Microsoft stop supporting Visual Basic 6 and earlier versions? This depends on what you mean by support but many programmers would say they already have. The next version of the Windows operating system, Windows Vista, will still run Visual Basic 6 programs and future versions of Windows might run them too. On the other hand, Microsoft now charges big fees for any help for VB 6 software problems and soon they wont provide it at all. Microsoft doesnt sell VB 6 anymore so its difficult to find. Its clear that Microsoft is doing everything they can to discourage the continued use of Visual Basic 6 and encourage the adoption of Visual Basic .NET. Many programmers believe that Microsoft was wrong to abandon Visual Basic 6 because their customers have put so much investment into it over more than ten years. As a result, Microsoft has earned a lot of ill will from some VB 6 programmers and some have moved to other languages rather than move to VB.NET. This might be a mistake. Is Visual Basic .NET really an improvement? Absolutely yes! All of .NET is truly revolutionary and gives programmers a much more capable, efficient and flexible way to write computer software. Visual Basic .NET is a key part of this revolution. At the same time, Visual Basic .NET is clearly more difficult to learn and use. The vastly improved capability does come at a fairly high cost of technical complexity. Microsoft helps to make up for this increased technical difficulty by providing even more software tools in .NET to help programmers. Most programmers agree that VB.NET is such a huge leap forward that its worth it. Isnt Visual Basic only for lower skilled programmers and simple systems? This was something that programmers using programming languages like C, C, and Java used to say before Visual Basic .NET. Back then, there was some truth to the charge, although on the other side of the argument was the fact that excellent programs could be written faster and cheaper with Visual Basic than with any of those languages. VB.NET is the equal of any programming technology anywhere. In fact, the resulting program using the .NET version of the C programming language, called C#.NET, is virtually identical with the same program written in VB.NET. The only real difference today is programmer preference. Is Visual Basic object-oriented? VB.NET certainly is. One of the big changes introduced by .NET was complete object-oriented architecture. Visual Basic 6 was mostly object-oriented but lacked a few features such as inheritance. The subject of object-oriented software is a big topic by itself and is beyond the scope of this article. What is the Visual Basic runtime and do we still need it? One of the big innovations introduced by Visual Basic was a way to split a program into two parts. One part is written by the programmer and does everything that makes that program unique, such as adding two specific values. The other part does all of the processing that any program might need such as the programming to add any values. The second part is called the runtime in Visual Basic 6 and earlier and is part of the Visual Basic system. The runtime is actually a specific program and each version of Visual Basic has a corresponding version of the runtime. In VB 6, the runtime is called MSVBVM60. (Several other files are also normally needed for a complete VB 6 runtime environment.) In .NET, the same concept is still used in a very general way, but its not called a runtime anymore (its part of the .NET Framework) and it does a lot more. What is the Visual Basic .NET Framework? Like the old Visual Basic runtimes, the Microsoft .NET Framework is combined with specific .NET programs written in Visual Basic .NET or any other .NET language to provide a complete system. The Framework is much more than a runtime, however. The .NET Framework is the basis of the entire .NET software architecture. One major part is a huge library of programming code called the Framework Class Library (FCL). The .NET Framework is separate from VB.NET and can be downloaded free of charge from Microsoft. The Framework is an included part of Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista. What is Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) and how does it fit in? VBA is a version of Visual Basic 6.0 that is used as an internal programming language in many other systems such as Microsoft Office programs like Word and Excel. (Earlier versions of Visual Basic were used with earlier versions of Office.) Many other companies in addition to Microsoft have used VBA to add programming ability to their own systems. VBA makes it possible for another system, like Excel, to run a program internally and provide what is essentially a custom version of Excel for a particular purpose. For example, a program could be written in VBA that will make Excel create an accounting balance sheet using a series of accounting entries in a spreadsheet at the click of a button. VBA is the only version of VB 6 that is still sold and supported by Microsoft and only as an internal component of Office programs. Microsoft is developing a completely .NET capability (called VSTO, Visual Studio Tools for Office) but VBA continues to be used. How much does Visual Basic cost? Although Visual Basic 6 could be purchased by itself, Visual Basic .NET is only sold as part of what Microsoft calls Visual Studio .NET. Visual Studio .NET also includes the other Microsoft supported .NET languages, C#.NET, J#.NET and C.NET. Visual Studio comes in a variety of versions with different capabilities that go well beyond just the ability to write programs. In October 2006, Microsofts posted list prices for Visual Studio .NET ranged from $800 to $2,800 although various discounts are often available. Fortunately, Microsoft also provides a completely free version of Visual Basic called Visual Basic .NET 2005 Express Edition (VBE). This version of VB.NET is separate from the other languages and is also completely compatible with the more expensive versions. This version of VB.NET is very capable and doesnt feel at all like free software. Although some features of the more expensive versions arent included, most programmers wont notice anything missing. The system can be used for production quality programming and isnt crippled in any way like some free software. You can read more about VBE and download a copy at Microsofts web site.

8 Quick Tips for Writing Under Pressure

8 Quick Tips for Writing Under Pressure You have 25 minutes to compose an SAT essay, two hours to write a final exam paper, less than half a day to finish a project proposal for your boss. Heres a little secret: both in college and beyond, most writing is done under pressure. Composition theorist Linda Flower reminds us that some degree of pressure can be a good source of motivation. But when worry or the desire to perform well is too great, it creates an additional task of coping with anxiety (Problem-Solving Strategies for Writing, 2003). So learn to cope. Its remarkable how much writing you can produce when youre up against a strict deadline. To avoid feeling overwhelmed by a writing task, consider adopting these eight (admittedly not-so-simple) strategies. Slow down.  Resist the urge to jump into a writing project before youve thought about your topic and your purpose for writing. If youre taking an exam, read the instructions carefully and skim all the questions. If youre writing a report for work, think about who will be reading the report and what they expect to get out of it.Define your task.  If youre responding to an essay prompt or a question on an exam, make sure youre actually answering the question. (In other words, dont dramatically alter a topic to suit your interests.) If youre writing a report, identify your primary purpose in as few words as possible, and make sure you dont stray far from that purpose.Divide your task.  Break down your writing task into a series of manageable smaller steps (a process called chunking), and then focus on each step in turn. The prospect of completing an entire project (whether its a dissertation or a progress report) may be overwhelming. But you should always be able to come up with a few sentences or paragraphs without panicking. Budget and monitor your time.  Calculate how much time is available to complete each step, setting aside a few minutes for editing at the end. Then stick to your timetable. If you hit a trouble spot, skip ahead to the next step. (When you come back to a trouble spot later on, you may find out you can eliminate that step altogether.)Relax.  If you tend to freeze up under pressure, try a relaxation technique such as deep breathing, freewriting, or an imagery exercise. But unless youve had your deadline extended by a day or two, resist the temptation to take a nap. (In fact, research shows that using a relaxation technique can be even more refreshing than sleep.)Get it down.  As humorist James Thurber once advised, Dont get it right, just get it written. Concern yourself with getting the words down, even though you know you could do better if you had more time. (Fussing over every word can actually heighten your anxiety, distract you from your purpose, and get in the way of a larg er goal: completing the project on time.) Review.  In the final minutes, quickly review your work to make sure that all your key ideas are on the page, not just in your head. Dont hesitate to make last-minute additions or deletions.Edit.  Novelist Joyce Cary had a habit of omitting vowels when writing under pressure. In your remaining seconds, restore the vowels (or whatever you tend to leave out when writing quickly). In most cases its a myth that making last-minute corrections does more harm than good. Finally, the best way to learn how to write under pressure is . . . to write under pressureover and over again. So stay calm and keep practicing.

How to Get a Recommendation Letter for Graduate School

How to Get a Recommendation Letter for Graduate School The letter of recommendation is the part of the graduate school application that students stress most over. As with all elements of the application process, your first step is to be sure that you understand what you’re asking for. Learn about letters of recommendation early, well before it is time to apply to graduate school. What Is a Recommendation Letter? A letter of recommendation is a letter written on your behalf, typically from an undergrad faculty member, that recommends you as a good candidate for graduate study. All graduate admissions committees require that letters of recommendation accompany students’ applications. Most require three. How do you do about getting a letter of recommendation, specifically a good letter of recommendation? Prep Work: Develop Relationships with Faculty Begin thinking about letters of recommendation as soon as you think youd like to apply to graduate school because developing the relationships that are the foundation of good letters takes time. In all honesty, the best students seek to get to know professors and get involved regardless of whether they are interested in graduate study simply because its a good learning experience. Also, graduates will always need recommendations for jobs, even if they dont go to graduate school. Seek experiences that will help you develop relationships with faculty that will get you excellent letters and help you learn about your field. Choose Faculty to Write on Your Behalf Carefully choose your letter writers, keeping in mind that admissions committees seek letters from specific types of professionals.  Learn about what qualities to look for in referees and dont fret if youre a nontraditional student or one who seeks entry to graduate school several years after graduating from college. How to Ask Ask for letters appropriately. Be respectful and remember what not to do. Your professor does not have to write you a letter, so do not demand one. Demonstrate respect for your letter writers time by providing him or her with plenty of advance notice. At least a month is preferable (more is better). Less than two weeks is unacceptable (and may be met with a No). Provide referees with the info they need to write a stellar letter, including info about the programs, your interests, and goals. Waive Your Rights to See the Letter Most recommendation forms include a box to check and sign to indicate whether you waive or retain your rights to see the letter. Always waive your rights. Many referees will not write a non-confidential letter. Also, admissions committees will give letters more weight when they are confidential under the assumption that faculty will be more candid when the student cannot read the letter. Its OK to Follow-Up Professors are busy. There are many classes, many students, many meetings, and many letters. Check in a week or two before its due to see if the recommendation has been sent or if they need anything else from you. Follow-up but don’t make a pest out of yourself. Check with the grad program and contact the prof again if it hasnt been received. Give referees lots of time but also check in. Be friendly and dont nag. Afterwards Thank your referees. Writing a letter of recommendation takes careful thought and hard work. Show that you appreciate it with a thank you note. Also, report back to your referees. Tell them about the status of your application and definitely tell them when you are accepted to graduate school. Theyll want to know, trust me!

Why I Want To Become a Nurse Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Why I Want To Become a Nurse - Essay Example Hence, I believe that adopting nursing as a profession will not only provide me with my dream job, but would also enable me to polish myself as a human being. I chose to apply in the FHCHS Nursing Program for several reasons. Firstly, FHCHS is located at a distance of hardly ten minutes from my home as I live in Orlando. Secondly, FHCHS is one of very few medical centers that can provide their students with sound clinical experience because of its intrinsic association with the Florida Hospital. There may be other nursing schools with links with hospitals but I chose to apply in FHCHS in particular because of the global fame and recognition of the Florida Hospital and this Hospital being the biggest of above 350 facilities of healthcare all over the world that the Seventh-day Adventist Church has to operate. The mere idea of gaining practical experience of learning and working in the Florida Hospital fascinates me. Last but not the least, teachings and ways of this faith-based institution are consistent with my religious beliefs. I would not think of other institutions when I have got world-class education and experience at few paces from my home! I am very good at socializing with people. I am an extrovert. These qualities make me a very good nurse. I have always wanted to have a large social circle and a big network of friends. The level of association and the kind of rapport a nurse enjoys with his/her patients is conducive for long-term association between the two. Nurses can find best friends in their patients because they get an opportunity to attach to them on an emotional level. Thus, I would be making lots of friends as I work more. I want to do a lot of social work in my life. If I can bring a smile on a face with my sweet words and care, that makes my day! Nursing is one profession that would allow me to achieve that because I would be able to work for humanity. I believe that having an

ShutterFly's ProGrowth and ProProfit Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

ShutterFly's ProGrowth and ProProfit - Essay Example Shutterfly has had great commercial successes and fulfilled 12 million orders, sold 370 million prints, stored one billion consumer photos and their net revenues increased from $31.4 million in 2003 to $54.5 million to 2004 and $83.9 million in 2005. Shutterfly was also voted one among the top 500 fastest growing private companies in 2005. The company also got publicly enlisted and offered about 23.5 million shares of common stock. Shutterfly rides on the growth of the photo industry market that allows online consumers to store, share, print and edit photos for the present and future generations. User friendly websites and increased access to the internet have been increasing the number of online photography users and photo prints have been generating revenue of $10 billion in 2005. Greeting cards, scrapbooks, calendars and other general merchandise on digital photography are some of the other revenue generating consumer products that are sold by the company. However several issues such as branding, competition, innovation and expansion, marketing strategies, profits and growth, market shares, consumer preferences have to b considered to analyse the various orientations to growth or profits. It would be interesting to analyse whether profits or growth of a company should be brought about with two different forms of governance, one for increasing profits and other for increasing growth. Certain firms tend to give equal attention to profits and to growth and may allocate equal amount of resources to bring about profits and growth and costs, quality and time spent on PG and PP efforts would be the same (also in Armstrong and Levesque, 2002). It would be necessary to understand whether the PP and PG efforts of a company are opposed or mutually beneficial. In certain cases, the firm would focus only on increasing profits and in certain cases the focus is on growth. With the focus on both profits and growth, there may be conflicting market ori entations and strategies although this would be an interesting combination to analyse the firm's success. Roper (1999) delineated how strategy choices affect market position and business performance of firms and suggested that a firm's turnover growth and return on assets are weakly related for short-term profits. Roper also states that firm performance also depends strongly on strategy choice, with turnover growth being particularly strategy dependent. Thus turnover growth and general profitability of a company as well as long term growth of a company would be all related to strategy choice. Even in case of Shutterfly's business analysis, the primary importance could be given to the strategy and market choices used by the company. Considering the uses of PG and PP, it would be interesting to note that when both PP and PG are allocated, executed and achieved simultaneously, they would together increase the total value of the firm. When these models are used exclusively, then downturn in the firm's performance can lead to the use of an alternate model so the focus would be on either of the two, the PP model or the PG model and either the profits or the growth of the company would be important. In fact Han (2005) noted that the management of two paradoxical forces such as pro-growth strategy and pro-profit strategy could provide for strategic ambidexterity

Reasons of Zaras Success Driving Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Reasons of Zaras Success Driving - Essay Example Zara’s success is mainly the result of their supply chain innovation, which means that unlike their competitors who often have to forecast the season’s fashion trends and then wait another five months to sell them, Zara can deliver new styles and fashions in three to six weeks. This supply chain innovation was essential as the industry was prone to risks in mismatches of supply and demand, and this would result in disruption, longer waiting times and smaller margins of error (Kleindorfer 2004). To negate these effects Zara produces 50% of its products in-house, instead of outsourcing all manufacturing and production related processes. This has largely been made possible by Zara’s background, as Zara started life as a manufacturer. When Zara, as a manufacturer decided to compete in the retail sector, they became a retailer with manufacturing capacity (AI 2004). Instead of getting rid of this capacity, Zara identified this as an opportunity. This capacity also means that Zara is in possession of 18 manufacturing plants that are responsible for producing their fashion garments (AI 2004). Whilst other retailers are outsourcing to Asia and the Far East, Zara has integrated their manufacturing and retail aspects to minimise the uncertainties associated wit h long lead times, and predicting fashion trends months in advance. By outsourcing to outside the European continent or their home countries, Zara’s competitors are also introducing delays and errors in their business, as incorrect fashion predictions, could result in a massive loss of profits through dozens of unsold clothing. Clothing also needs to be stored, and as their competitors store large quantities, they have to store them in warehouses which add additional costs on the organisation. The risks of storing clothes in warehouses were recently highlighted by two separate cases in the media. In one case, fire gutted a warehouse used to store clothing for Primark and other retailers, and in another separate case, the European Union (EU) had placed quotas on clothing coming from China, which is were most retailers had outsourced their manufacturing and production.  Ã‚  

3G Network Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

3G Network - Essay Example The world had come a long way from personal letters sealed by wax in an envelope. People now live where a conversation with a love one from continents away is done with just a touch of a button. We are in a time where messages can be sent across seas in a matter of seconds, not months. This is a world where information and news can be received by anyone in the convenience of their own homes. This is the privilege of living in this decade.But what's next The communication technologies at work today may be at its finest but there always are innovations up ahead. A few years ago, the GPRS services seemed like the future, but it is now perceived as slow, expensive and is too much of a hassle. That is why a new generation of mobile telephone communication system was developed, the 3G.3G technology is short for third generation mobile telephone communication system technology. This technology promises better, faster and more efficient data transfer through cellular phones. It boasts 2Megab ites per second data transfers which allow video calls, conferencing, mobile banking, map positioning services and internet access among others. With this transfer rate it is the task of the service providers to utilize it to the fullest by giving a variety of services for the subscribers. Along with the above mentioned 3G capable cell phones will still have conventional voice and messaging services.The institution responsible for standardizing 3G is the International Telecommunication Union or ITU. The standards for 3G are specifically known as the IMT-2000. This stands for International Mobile Telecommunications system finalized in the year 2000. After this establishment, the development of physical equipments may then proceed. In May of 2001, the first pre-commercial 3G network was launched in Japan branded FOMA. The company responsible for this is NTT DoCoMo. This same company then launched the first commercial 3G in Japan on October of the same year. Korea and Europe then followed. (Wikipedia) Mobile phones were originally just for voice data transmissions, much like its land line forefathers. This was considered the second generation or 2G. But with the increase in demand for better audio qualities and later on the demand for faster data transmissions, a better system is require, this lead to the development or 3G. The first step to this change was the switch from 2G to GPRS or General Packet Radio Service. With this change came the increase in data rates from 56kbps to 114kbps. This now will allow not just voice data but also short message service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) and wireless application protocol (WAP). Another change made was the per-megabite charging as oppose to the per-minute charging of 2G. Continuing, the GPRS service, otherwise known as 2.5G, was upgraded to 2.75G or Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution. By definition, EDGE falls under IMT-2000 and should be called 3G but it is more frequently referred to as 2.75G, but it is more like an improved GPRS than 3G. (Wikipedia) According to the ITU, the key characteristics of IMT-2000 are flexibility, affordability, compatibility with existing systems and modular design. It is said to be flexible because it can accommodate five possible radio interfaces based on three different technologies which are FDMA, TDMA and CDMA. This avoids the problem of supporting a wide range of different interfaces and technologies. It is also agreed to make it more affordable so as to encourage the adoption by consumers and operators. The existence of the present technologies will also not cease because 3G is also compatible with these. And finally, the 3G system should be easily expandable in order to allow growth. Specifications 3G may have all the bells and whistles to brag about but it is, for a fact, a cellular telephone system, and all cellular telephone systems function the same way. The basic concept of two-way mobile telephone is quite simple; however, mobile telephone systems involve intricate and rather complex

Motivation in the Work Place Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Motivation in the Work Place - Dissertation Example This essay's main focus is motivation in the workplace. Motivation has gained importance in the competitive business environment following globalization, liberalization and internationalization. In addition, new technologies have compelled companies to develop the ability to respond to the fast-changing business environment. Businesses work in an intensely competitive environment where employees play a crucial role in the survival and growth of an organization. Organizations recognize the value of human capital and the importance of retaining employees and motivating the work force. Employees’ willingness to work is determined by the motivation they have towards the work. Low motivation among employees can lead to high levels of attrition thereby impacting performance. There has to be a psychological force within the people that arouses their interest, directs their attention and leads them to work persistently and insistently so that they can achieve their intended goals. The refore, it is not just the effort of the organizational managers that impact performance but it is the employees that control how much they are willing to exert. Factors that motivate employees, has been a subject of research for decades and this has resulted in several theories governing motivation. However, few studies deal with how motivation affects employee performance at workplace. The researcher intends to review literature focused on different theories of motivation and on how motivation affects employee performance at workplace.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Research Paper

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) - Research Paper Example This paper illustrates that EEOC is under the mandatory obligation to monitor compliance and enforcement of Title VII under Civil Rights Act, 1964 along with other federal civil rights. Civil Rights Act, 1964, Equal Pay Act of 1963 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 are some such practices of EEOC that prohibit discrimination at workplace based on a range of factors age, nationality, ethnicity, gender, etc. Title VII of Civil Rights Act entails race, color, origin, gender, and religion as protected groups which show evidence of discrimination and the laws of EEOC are intended to protect employees and potential employees against discrimination. EEOC recommends that employees of all public-private firms are protected by federal laws against discrimination. In this regard, Title VII of Civil Rights Act, 1964 prohibits discrimination in terms of race, color, religion, sex or national origin in hiring, promoting, discharging, payment, fringe benefits, among other aspects of e mployment. The amended version of The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 protects employees, present and prospective, with disabilities in hiring, promoting, and other aspects of employment. For protecting discrimination based on an age of above 40 years who are the applicants or employees, The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 is handy to ensure equal opportunity. Also, Title VII of Civil Rights Act, 1964 and The Equal Pay Act of 1963 prohibit sex discrimination where women and men are paid different wages for the same work in the same organization. Further to this, all federal laws prohibit any retaliatory action by an employer in cases of filing of charges of discrimination by the employee, and it can amount to serious offense of the laws. Diversity at the workplace is practiced to ensure that individual differences are recognized and acknowledged to create an environment that is diverse and innovative, and which utilizes the contributions of the diverse backgroun ds of its employees. In the diverse workplace, EEO policies apply in addressing the disadvantaged groups prone to discrimination in terms of age, race, etc.

Motivation in the Work Place Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Motivation in the Work Place - Dissertation Example This essay's main focus is motivation in the workplace. Motivation has gained importance in the competitive business environment following globalization, liberalization and internationalization. In addition, new technologies have compelled companies to develop the ability to respond to the fast-changing business environment. Businesses work in an intensely competitive environment where employees play a crucial role in the survival and growth of an organization. Organizations recognize the value of human capital and the importance of retaining employees and motivating the work force. Employees’ willingness to work is determined by the motivation they have towards the work. Low motivation among employees can lead to high levels of attrition thereby impacting performance. There has to be a psychological force within the people that arouses their interest, directs their attention and leads them to work persistently and insistently so that they can achieve their intended goals. The refore, it is not just the effort of the organizational managers that impact performance but it is the employees that control how much they are willing to exert. Factors that motivate employees, has been a subject of research for decades and this has resulted in several theories governing motivation. However, few studies deal with how motivation affects employee performance at workplace. The researcher intends to review literature focused on different theories of motivation and on how motivation affects employee performance at workplace.

How Critical is the Critical Period Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

How Critical is the Critical Period - Essay Example It means that if the input of language does not take place after this particular time the individual will experience difficulty in obtaining a complete language. The proof for such a time is restricted, and assistance stems extensively from hypothetical disputes and similarities to other significant stages in biology like visual development, but nevertheless is accepted widely. Such a critical periods nature has however been the fiercest issues debated in cognitive science and psycholinguistics for decade. A Few writers have proposed an "optimal" or "sensitive" time other than a critical one. Some other writers dispute on the reasons that include cognitive mind of language factors and physical maturation. The critical periods duration varies as well greatly in various accounts. In animals, a critical period refers to the biologically determined period during which learning must take place in order for development to happen. During a small window of time, the juvenile bird listens to and copies the song of a tutor; after the critical period closes, such copying is not possible. Blindfolded kitten do not develop normal vision but if the blindfold is removed before eight weeks normal vision can be restored. In humans, if strabismus (crossed eyes) is not corrected in early childhood that is before the age of three a child will not develop normal binocular vision. The critical period for susceptibility to strabismus begins soon after birth and shows continued susceptibility to at least 4.6 years. According to Eric Lenneberg, language acquisition is not possible at the age of two because the human brain is not sufficiently mature. After puberty normal language acquisition is not possible because the brain is physically mature. Lenneberg says that there exists maturational limitations on the period that a primary language can be obtained. The acquisition of the first language depends on neuroplasticity. If the acquisition

Importance Of Stretching Before Exercise Physical Education Essay

Importance Of Stretching Before Exercise Physical Education Essay Stretching before participation in athletic activities is typical practice for all levels of sports, competitive or recreational. Athletes, coaches, trainers, physiotherapists, and physicians recommend stretching in an effort to both prevent injury and enhance performance. Several papers have been published which has produced a significant body of evidence that stretching may not be the way to improve performance and decrease risk of injury. Recent research demonstrates that stretching prior to physical activity decreases performance. However, these stretching bouts are not representative of athletes during warm up procedures, as they are usually time consuming. The aim of the this study is to examine whether the duration of acute static stretching is responsible for losses in sprint times compared to increased/decreased flexibility.   Research has shown the reduction of peak flow force when using static stretching but research has also shown the reduction of injury and the improve ment of flexibility in the long term which also assists in sprinting performance. Research in this area has sometimes been vague involving the time of the static stretched used. Bandy (1997) used 57 subjects from the age of 21 to 37 years old, 40 of these being male and 17 female with all participants having limited hamstring flexibility. These participants were randomly assigned to four groups. Three groups stretched 5 days per week for 15, 30, and 60 seconds, Group four served as a control group, and did not stretch. The test was ran over a six week period. The results showed that holding a stretch for 30 seconds was optimal as it had a greater effect on range of motion than the 15 seconds and control group and the same effect as the 60 seconds. Bandy (1997) concluded that because there was little difference between no stretching and 15 seconds coaches and athletes must raise the question of the effectivness of static stretching for periods less than 30 seconds. Although this study supports its hypothesis it is very specific to the hamstring and lower body. Muscle such as the gasrtocnemuis may show different results due to the higher percentage of fast twi tch muscle fibres which performs larger, more powerful movements REF. The study did not show the acute effects of static stretching so we cannot assume these results would or would not enhance range of motion/flexibility gains prior to any sporting events. Also this study is excessively narrow in subject focus and as all participants had limited amount of range of flexibility within the hamstring, with a higher majority of subjects being men. Therefore this makes the results only valid to this population. Due to the length of the study and the uncontrolled environment I would have to question the suitability of the research design and the effectiveness of the data collection. The subjects were only tested once after the six week period, therefore subjects were subjected to outside environmental factors during the six weeks which may have affected results. Testing and monitoring constantly throughout the six weeks would improve the reliability of this study. A more controlled study was done by Shirer (2005). This study focused on muscle performance rather than flexibility. He conducted a study using males from a university population who were pre and post tested for isometric force and surface electromyography activity. (Shirer 2005 pg 22) tests were performed on only lower limb muscles, range of motion in seated hip flexion, prone hip extension, ankle planter and dorsi flexion, no-counter movement jump height, and ground contact time. Male participants were tested 30, 60, 90, and one120 seconds after static stretching. The group partake in an 18 minute static stretch routine for the lower body (hamstrings, quadriceps, and planter flexors). 45 seconds was the protocol stretch time used for each muscle group and was repeated four times with a 15 second break in-between. Shirier (2005) found differences in the acute (just before exercise) and regular stretching (over a period of time). Results stated that there was no significant benefit o f acute stretching on isometric force production, isokinetic torque, or jumping height. In addition, (Shirer 2005 pg 25) concluded by saying that regular stretching after exercise may improve strength, jump height, and running speed. As a result these findings imply that acute stretching before exercise had no positive effects on strength and power while regular stretching after training or competition improved strength and speed. Results did not relate to the acute effects of static stretching but only the acute effects of isometric force. Again this study provides significant evidence for the effects of stretching on performance, however the time frame used for the stretches in this study was 45 seconds and 30 seconds has been proven in the previous study to be the optimal time. This extended period of time could therefore affect the force production and therefore the results. A similar study by Fowles (2000) that supports Shirer (2005) body of evidence showed the effect of stretching on muscular strength over time. (Fowles 2000 pg 1179) Subjects performed 13 stretches of the plantar flexors, holding each stretch for 135 seconds during a time frame of 33 minutes. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) was assessed 6 times during the ensuing 60 minutes. Fowles (2000) concluded that an intense extended stretch (of the plantar flexors) reduces MVIC for up to 1 hour after stretching. Although this evidence supports that of Shirier (2005) it is not relevant to sports performance as proven by Bandy (1997) the time for both holding the stretch and time spent on stretching is too long and therefore is not specific to sports performance and is not relevant. A more sport specific study was done by (Sayers AL 2008) who performed a study using 20 female football players to determine which phase of the 30 meter sprint (acceleration and or maximum velocity) was affected by performance static stretching. Participants were assigned at random to either a stretch or no stretch condition on two non-consecutive days. The athletes in the no-stretch condition completed a standard warm-up protocol and then performed three 30-m sprints, with a 2-minute rest interval between. The athletes in the stretch condition performed the standard warm-up protocol, completed a stretching routine of the lower limbs which included calf, quadriceps, and hamstrings and then without delay performed three 30-m sprints, also with a 2-minute rest between each sprint. The groups would then reverse the next day, and indistinguishable procedures were followed. A considerable statistical difference in acceleration maximal-velocity sprint time, and overall sprint time between the stretch and no-stretch conditions was seen. (Sayers AL 2008 pg 1420) concluded by stating that static stretching before sprinting resulted in slower times in all three performance variables. Although this study proves that static stretching diminishes spitting performance it does not state the time held with the stretches. Again this study is gender specific and as studies has proven significant differences between male and females relating in flexibility and spots performance we cannot assume these results are relevant for both genders. Favero (2009) took this further by relating flexibility to performance investigating the effect of stretching on sprint performance and baseline flexibility. 10 trained male subjects (age 22 to 23 yrs) were randomly designated to Rest and Stretch conditions. (Favero 2009 pg 52) A low intensity 5 min running warm-up procedure was followed by either 12 min of inactivity (Rest) or lower-limb stretches. No statistically significant difference in measures of sprint performance between conditions were seen, however there was a significant correlation between baseline sit-and-reach scores and mean change in mean velocity between conditions. There was an preference for stretching to a harmful affect on sprint performance in subjects with moderately high baseline flexibility. (Favero 2009 pg 54) concluded by saying an acute bout of stretching does not exert a significant effect on sprint performance under prescribed conditions. This research therefore disputes previous studies which state tha t stretching effects sprinting performance. Unlike the previous studies Favero (2009) compared the difference in flexibility compared to the sprinting performance, therefore making the results specific, reliable and valid. Unfortunately there is a lack of evidence and current data to support this conclusion. Kistler (2008) conducted a similar study to see what would happen to these performance effects at longer distances such as those seen in competition.(Kistler 2008 pg. 2281) This study investigated the effects of passive static stretching vs no stretching on the 60- and 100-m sprint performance of college track athletes after a dynamic warm-up. Results discovered a considerable slowing in performance with static stretching in the second 20 (20-40) m of the sprint trials. Following the first 40 m, static stretching exhibited no added affect on performance in a 100-m sprint. However, even tho there was no further time loss, athletes never retrieved back the time that was initially lost in the first section of the trials. Therefore, in strict terms of sporting performance, it is probable that including static stretching will have a diminishing affect of sprinting performance up to 100 meters. (Kistler 2008 pg. 2283) went on to say that the study found no additional inhibition during the final 60 m of a 100-m dash, therefore it is possible that performance in even longer events could actually benefit from static stretching. This study supports that of previous literature and supplies solid evidence to propose that static stretching has an effect on sprinting performance at short distances; however many athletes use stretching as a method of injury prevention and increase range in motion, and this study does not provide any information about the effectiveness of static stretching in this regard. Summary All but 1 study found that an acute bout of stretching diminished performance tests of sprinting, or jumping performance Even though most studies used a randomised cross-over design some studies used a pre-post design. Results were in general constant across designs. Static stretching was used in most of the studies, even tho there are many other appropriate methods used to stretch. Affects were however was observed with other forms of stretching as well. The review showed body of evidence suggesting that these affects were consistent across different types of stretching for isometric force, isokinetic torque, and jump height. Even though different types of stretching in running produced incompatible results, the main methodological difference was the duration of stretch, which was inconsistent and had no explanation for the use of the time used. As a result it was found that longer stretch produced worse results. In relation there was limited research on acute effects after stretching in relation to range of motion and flexibility. A huge variable to consider was the subject population as most studies found similar results across age, gender and level of athletic ability. This may suggests the results are due to fundamental physiological adaptations that occur in the muscle, a hypothesis that is supported by the critical science evidence on stretch-induced muscle damage and stretch-induced hypertrophy (Morgan 1999). Possible improvements in performance may be at the expense of an increased risk of injury. Therefore the advantages and disadvantages of stretching need to be considered for individual athletes, together with but not partial to competition level, competition timing (e.g., early or late in the season). Although different forms of performance were tested in these studies, including isokinetic, isometric force, jump height, jump velocity, acceleration, and sprint speed, these do not account for all aspects of performance. In addition, stretching may be a method of relaxation for athletes, and may possi bly affect performance. If this were a method to improve performance, then stretching should be compared with other methods of relaxation for quantifiable effectiveness. In summary, the literature suggest that for athletes who take part in sports that require power, strength, and explosive movements need to consider that static stretching before activity may cause a short-term decline in sprinting performance. Conversely, frequent stretching will advance the results for all activities. This is comparable to the fact that stretching directly prior to exercise does not diminish the possibility of injury, nevertheless regular stretching may reduce the risk of injury. Therefore, athletes should stretch after exercise, or at a time not associated to exercise. Further research is necessary to ascertain both the degree of pre-stretching necessary to cause a damaging effect, and the time-course between the preservation of the increased range of motion and the prolongation of the capacity to generate maximal power. Methodology The focus of this study was to test the length of time taken with a stretch and compare this to the performance of both sprinting and flexibility. 30 male participants were recruited from Cheddar Football club. Subjects were required to read and complete a health questionnaire and sign an informed consent document. The appropriate institutional ethics committee approved the study. The participants were not informed of the results until the study was completed. A convenience sample was used as a high volume of participants were readily available and allowed basic data and trends to be obtained without the complications of using a randomised sample. All participants regular play football and are subjected to sprinting. This makes my sample specific and relative to athletic performance where as an ideal sample results may differ due to gender, age, and athletic ability differences. A secondary observer was used to record the results and help time the pre stretches. This ensured subject were monitored, and therefore helped ensure the test procedure was followed correctly. The 30 males partaked in both a pre sit and reach flexibilit y test and a 40 meter sprint. Participants were subjected to a 5 min protocol warm up prior to the pre test comprising of jogging 400 m, forward skips 2 x 60 m, side steps 4 x 20 m, backwards skips 2 x 60 m. Participants only had 1 attempt at each of the pre test. To minimise variation in climatic conditions, all sprints were performed on an indoor track using running trainers. The sprints were initiated from a standard stationary split stance with the dominant foot to the front and foot behind the starting line, with no rocking movements and were timed with (Omoron electronic timing gates). Timing gates were used to ensure the most accurate readings as the difference in times will be minimal, therefore this will ensure there is no room for human error, therefore making the results more reliable. The time would start as soon as the participant travels through the first beam and then would stop when the participant travels through the beam 40 meters from the starting line. To control for error, the laser beam was positioned so the height above the ground approximated the height of the runners waist. The sit and reach test was then performed 2 minutes after the 40 meter sprint. A modified sit and reach test was used to control for the variable lengths of peoples arms and legs, which is a limitation of the standard test. The equipment was set up that, the zero mark is adjusted for each individual, based on their sitting reach level. This ensured that the result would be a positive number which is necessary for a statistical analysis. An (Acuflex) modified flexibility sit and reach test box was used to record the test. Procedure Three different stretch protocols were used, with each protocol being performed on a different day. Group 1 would hold the stretch for 30 seconds, group 2 for 15 seconds and group 3 would stretch for 5 seconds. All groups were given the same protocol warm up as the pre test. The stretching activities were ones that the athletes normally used in their daily warm-up rituals. All groups then stretch their hamstrings, quadriceps, and gastrconemuis for their given times. For each activity, the range of motion was increased until the person acknowledged a stretch-induced discomfort similar to that normally felt during their daily stretching activities. At this point, the stretch was maintained for their given times. The first stretch was a hamstring stretch. The subjects laid down in a supine position on the floor with a leg extended. The opposing leg was flexed at the patella at 90 degrees and hip 45 degrees, with the sole of the foot planted tightly on the floor. From this pose, the extended leg was raised to an upright position. The second was a quadriceps stretch. The participant adopted a vertical position, standing on one leg with the other leg flexed with the heel pulled close to the glutes with the help of the hand. The last stretch was the glastocnemius. The participant adopted a split stance shoulder width apart with the front leg slightly bent. The body weight is transferred forward whilst keeping the heel of the back foot on the ground. All stretches were performed in the order mentioned above, in accordance of a 30 second rest interval dividing each different stretch. Once this sequence of stretches was finished, the leg was rested for a further 30 seconds and then the sequence was repeated until all muscles were equally stretched 3 times. One full cycle of stretches on one leg was performed before changing legs. Following the stretching regime, the athletes were told to relax for 3 minutes before beginning the 40 meter sprints. The modified sit and reach test followed the 40 meter sprint. The test involved sitting on the floor with legs stretched out straight ahead. Footwear was removed. The soles of the feet were placed flat against the box. Both knees were locked and pressed to the floor with the palms facing downwards, and the hands on top of each other or side by side, the subject then reached forward along the measuring line as far as possible. The hands had to remain at the same level, not one reaching further forward than the other. The subject then reaches out and holds that position for two seconds while the distance is recorded.  Groups repeated the test 1week later changing the time of the stretch. 1 week wash out time was given to ensure significant time to recover. This was again repeated the following week with the groups changing the times once again. I have used repeated measure as it ensured the experiment was more efficient and helped keep the variability low. This therefore helped to ke ep the validity of the results higher, while still allowing for smaller than usual subject groups. It also allowed the experiments to be completed more quickly, as only a few groups need to be used to complete the entire experiment. It is important to make sure the experiment is completed quickly as changes in participants may occur due to practice effects. The two pre- and two post-sprint times were averaged. Data was analysed using qualitative measures. The reliability of the 40 meter times for each stretch condition was calculated using an intraclass correlation coefficient on pre test measures. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures was used to compare the times for each stretch condition. I have used this method of testing as it will reduce the likelihood of a false positive (type 1 error). For this reason using the ANOVA will help me compare three means. In addition to the above analysis on the average 40 m sprint times, a post-hoc analysis was done on the best time for each trial. I have used these methods of testing as they have been used in many of the reviewed literature. Therefore I know these methods are applicable and will therefore allow me to easily compare my results to previous literature. To prove my hypothesis, I have used a common alpha value of 0.05 (5%). Parametric (anova) or non Parametric

Mindful Destruction of Order in Shakespeares Othello Essay -- Shakespe

A delicate balance of chaos and order exists in our lives; the balance maintains itself by the very acts of human nature. In the drama Othello, the battle between good and evil creates the basic root of human nature as a whole. While at first, order exists in the lives of the Othello and Iago, through dramatic events and manipulation, the balance becomes unstable and starts to shift into chaos. Once the chaos has started, it continues a chain that continues along until the very end where the balance finally restores itself as it would in human nature. Through the inter and intra personal dialogue between Othello and Iago, a certain image of the character becomes developed because of the continued additions and changes to the character’s situation. Seen as the stronger of the two, Othello holds less intelligence in common matters. Iago’s character shapes out to as more of cunning and strong-headed. Shakespeare uses the characters to effectively reaffirm the basic traits of human nature and show how the traits coincide with the theory of order and chaos. Thorough the use of extensive characterization in this drama, along with artful diction, the development of Othello and Iago, represents a view of humans and their lives along with the all too classic good and evil. Iago represents evil at the most simplistic level. Of the many traits Iago has ascertained many represent the hatred and jealousy that he has for the people he manipulates, â€Å"But for my sport and profit. I hate the Moor...[he] is of a free and open nature. That thinks men honest that but seem to be so. And will as tenderly be led by th’ nose. As asses are,† (1.3. 377-393). Iago knows that Othello has a trusting nature with most men who appear honest, he knows he has th... ...hat exactly happens between the point of believing and realizing the truth. From the play, one grasps an understanding of the crucial need to think and look at the facts in life before acting on an impulse. It also shows that chaos will always exist no matter what, but if we do not understand it, we cannot make embrace it. Through Othello’s lesson, we learn that the truth can always remained covered up and not represented entirely, and therefore it becomes our own responsibility to take the lead and grasp the understanding of things. Works Cited Arp, Thomas. "William Shakespeare's Othello the Moor of Venice" Instructor's Manual to accompany Perrine's literature. 7th edtion. San Antonio : HB, 1998. Print. Carlson, Marvin. â€Å"Othello in Vienna†, Othello. Signet Classics. New York, 1998. Pages (214-215) Shakespeare, William, Othello. Signet Classics. New York, 1998

Homelessness in Canada Viewed Through a Sociological and Economic Lens

Introduction Researchers from the Parliament of Canada have proven that there are â€Å"as many as 300,000 homeless in Canada† . Homelessness is a major social issue which is present in society throughout most of the world; when it comes to Canada it is no exception. The homeless are known as people who do not have a home or a stable place of residence, they are seen as individuals who sleep in â€Å"shelters, public places, vehicles, abandoned building or someone else’s home† . In the past few years homelessness in Canada has become a growing social issue. Researchers say that there are approximately one hundred million homeless individuals who live in public areas, which means they are that one hundred million out one billion homeless individuals who are not appropriately sheltered . Most homeless individuals are part of minority groups such as immigrants, aboriginals, youth, women and families. However, a number of the homeless are simply part of different cultural communi ties or they may just be mentally ill. There are three types of homeless individuals such as, chronically homeless, cyclically homeless and temporarily homeless . Chronically homeless are individuals who are faced with mental illnesses or substance abuse, cyclically homeless are individuals who had a situation change in their life for the worst and lastly temporarily homeless are individuals who become homeless but not for long .There are many questions and concerns about the homeless population since the causes and consequences are negatively impacted. Historical overview Homelessness in Canada is seen as major social issue. In the 1980’s the homeless population started to increase . The increase of homelessness was lead by a variety of situations such as â€Å"crimin... ...melessness,† http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/LOP/ResearchPublications/prb991-e.htm, (accessed April 2, 2012). Stephen W. Hwang, et al. "Drug problems among homeless individuals in Toronto, Canada: prevalence, drugs of choice, and relation to health status." BMC Public Health 10, (January 2010): 94-100, EBSCO Academic Search Premier (accessed February 22, 2012). A. Thomas McLellan, et al, "Individual characteristics of the literally homeless, marginally housed, and impoverished in a US substance abuse treatment-seeking sample." Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology 43, no. 10 (October 2008): 839-840, EBSCO Academic Search Premier (accessed April 4, 2012). Gerhard Buchkremer, â€Å"Prevalence of mental illness among homeless men in the community,† Original Paper Journal 40 (October 2004): 385, EBSCO Academic Search Premier (accessed February 29, 2012).

A new India

It is an undeniable fact that the youth constitute a vast reservoir of energy, especially in a country like India with a population of more than 100 crore. Out of this total, those falling in the 15-30 age group constitute 40 percent. This means that nearly 40 crore young men and women stupendous man power by all counts indeed, are available for handling various tasks of national reconstruction. History bears out the undesirable fact that all great movements of nationwide importance have succeeded on the strength of massive youth power.In India, the epoch-making Indian National Movement could gain momentum and shake the very roots of the British Raj only when the youth were harnessed in it. Over a decade ago, Mao Tse Tung, the famous Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, relied upon youth power to usher in a great Cultural. Revolution. The Chinese youth enacted a memorable drama of national reconstruction. The same is the story of the French Revolution. Large parts of West Europe and North America were swept across by massive waves of youth and student power.In India several top-ranking leaders have paid homage to youth power and have regarded it as an inexhaustible reservoir of human resources. ‘Catch their young ‘ has been the motto. Mahatma Gandhi once saul, â€Å"Young man. claiming to be the fathers of tomorrow, should be the salt of the nation. If the salt loses its flavor, wherewith shall it be salted? † The elders, including statesmen, expect India ‘s youth to do vote their energies to the task of reconstructing India in accordance with the long accepted ideals.There is little doubt that given the right lead and guidance, India ‘s youth can create a new society by eliminating the evils, making good the flaws and deficiencies and facilitating the reinstatement of the highly cherished moral values of the East. In addition to this they can lay the basis for reconstruction in all spheres-social, economic and political. This begins with uplifting the rural masses in particular from the state, of stagnation as a result of the shackles of decayed traditions and superstitions senseless customs, ruthless exploitation by the greedy landlords and ineffective and retrograde official programmes.In the social arena, the youth can help the rural masses who are gripped by the wily village leaders, crafty priests and other religious men who revel in supper situations. They can do something to broaden the ‘horizon ‘, of the village-folk. Social emancipation and reconstruction involves tackling the dowry menace, illiteracy rumoring of caste and clan prejudices, checking corruption, elimination of untouchability and other discriminatory practices, besides child marriage and ill-treatment of widows.These tasks seem formidable and arc bound to meet with rebuffs. But a little patience and perse?verance on the part of the youth to make headway. The task of economic reconstruction of the country is admit?tedly complex and the enlightened youth can make a significant contribution in it. It includes expediting development by facilitating implementation of the various programmes drawn by the Central and the State Governments.They can introduce the modern outlook to agriculture and industry and bring about the ‘Green ‘ and the ‘White ‘ revolutions, India ‘s youth policy aims at promoting govern?mental and non-governmental effort in implementing various programmes. During the last forty years of India ‘s independence, various youth programmes have been started in the country with a view to involving the youth in national reconstruction. In 1948, the National Cadet Corps was launched to create awareness of the youth in nation?al defence and to ensure their active participation.In 1969, the National Service Scheme was started to promote social consciousness, a sense of responsibility as well as a sense of discipline and dignity of labour among youth. With thi s view special camps were organized; ‘Youth against Famine ‘, â€Å"Youth against Dirt and Disease ‘, ‘Youth for Afforestation and Tree Plantation ‘ and ‘Youth for Rural Reconstruc?tion ‘ etc. Since 1981-82 economic -development programmes have been taken by NSS volunteers. During 82-83 about 5. 5 lacs students participated in various commendable programmes.Parallel to the NSS are the Nehru Yuvak Kendras which are innovative multi purpose institutions. The basic purpose of this scheme is to enable such youth to help the process of rural deve?lopment and popularize national objectives. At these centres, voca?tional training is imparted for self-employment and social service. Then, there is the National Service Volunteer Scheme, laun?ched in 1977-78, which provides opportunities to graduate students to involve themselves on a voluntary basis in nation-building acti?vities for a specific period on a whole time basis.These volunteers are genera lly engaged in promoting adult educational programmes. In this connection, exchanges of visits by youth of different regions of the country have been helpful. In the political sphere too, the youth can help in cleansing the Eugean stables. The entire political system is infested with oppor?tunism, nepotism, corruption, deception, fraud, intrigues and shrewd tactics. Most of the political parties have no clear far-sighted goal and no well-thought-out programmes of national reconstruction.The leadership is in the hands of senile octogenarians, power-hungry and unwilling to make way for the younger generation. Fortunately, India now has a young Prime Minister in Shri Rajiv Gandhi. He is Anxious to clear up the mess that has accumulated over the years and to ensure an honest, credible regime. The youth can play a significant role by strengthening his hands. Admittedly, the young men and women of today are disgrunt?led and frustrated on many counts.The internal strife, graft all round, d ouble talk, frauds, chicanery, political opportunism, decep?tion, deep-rooted corruption and an air of distrust among the young and the old are among the causes of unrest among India ‘s youth. Several institutions, like joint-family system, are disintegrating before their eyes. To make matters worse, there are social injustices and the unwillingness of the old fossils to step down and make way for the young people. However, there is no room for frustration and giving up; they should be brought round by patient endeavour.The role of the youth for national reconstruction became even more relevant in 1985 which was celebrated as the ‘International Year of the Youth ‘ with the basic themes of ‘Participation, Develop?ment and Peace ‘. In the years to come, the role of the youth in India and other developing countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America, in the task of national reconstruction is going to become increasingly more significant. The challenges are immense, and the youth, as a well-regulated wave of power can sweep through the country and meet these challenges competently, and life the country to heights of progress.

Humor and the lower class in Shakespeare Essay

From the jigging veins springs the flow and creates a hilarious touch in the rhythm of souls- This is incredulous the power of no body else except Shakespeare. Shakespeare was a truly amazing 17th Century literary dude, creating the whole new gamut of human experience and emotions of both high and low, royal and sundry, bringing their lives in the fold of his words through his tragedy, romantic, history and comedy plays. Shakespeare is an appropriate symbol of human life which brings tears and smiles, sighs and shouts of joys. So beyond bringing the tears and pondering over the history, he reaches the heart of man with his comedy plays. Comedy of Shakespeare moves in a world of its own away from satire or moral reforms. The comedy appears in the Renaissance period in its new form breaking from its conventional mode. Since sixteenth century this term was in use but to incorporate numerous types among whom many resembled the Greek and Latin comedies. The renaissance though saw the slight change in the trend of the comic strip but the spirit remained the same. Before it, comedy was performed in the form of farce and clown-age by roaming entertainers and captured the morality completely due to its popularity. The comedy espouses the influence of not only with the plays of Plautus and Terence, but also showed the signs of Latin forms, the biblical Terentian plays, and the story with the theme of the Prodigal Son. The result was quite visible as there on the stages were seen the entire new style of dramatization of story and scenic entertainments which were full of fun and frolic. Shakespeare also used what has become the tradition in the British Society, to laugh at a character’s lack of intellect. Shakespeare uses fools who were considered to be lacking in intelligence but are actually wiser, and clowns. These clowns were generally innocent characters, ignorant, sometimes dull witted and created a situation that is almost out his scope and thus keeps the comic actions going. By using the fools he sprinkled his plays with Jokes meant for the common man touching the audience’s intellectual level. The best example of the use of the fools is Falstaff in I Henry IV. Falstaff is an embodiment of the vice of vanity, dishonest, proud and pretentious but on the other hand coward also, thus providing an entertainment value. The brothers Dromio in the Comedy of Errors is also fine example of the fools. Comedy of Error is Shakespeare’s earliest and classically inspired comedy particularly using the Plautus’s farcical play Menaechmi ( Twins). He created the comic scenes with the common people who found themselves engulfed in a farce of mistaken identities, due to the two pairs of twins who were separated because of the storm in the sea. Some of the humor in Comedy of error is derived from the puns and wordplay, but the large part of it comes from slapstick and mistaken identity, and it’s distinct in the sense that it observes classical unities. This complete play is entertainment, but under the layers of the fun also lays the deeper themes, which includes the feeling of self identity versus reality, the essence of time, coincidence and love. Because of the confusion, both the Syracusan and Ephesan twins sometimes think they have gone insane which shows the Shakespeare’s keen interest in showing the characters tortuous soul. The play also highlights the fact that even the lightest farce can create emotional resonance. This play was first published in the first Folio in 1623 and is considered as Shakespeare shortest play. The comedy ends when both sets of twins were reunited. Shakespeare made his play more complex than Plautus by adding second set of twins. The other plays that can be considered nearer to the Comedy of errors in the model are the two gentleman of Verona, The Taming of the Shrew and A Love’s Labor’s lost. The 1590’s era saw changes in trend in the plays Mid Summers Night Dreams and the Merchant of Venice. These plays were different in tone coming under the category of Middle Comedies and are the proof of the Shakespeare’s genius to experiment with the plays. Mid Summers Night Dreams beautifully presents the bumbling and unconsciously comic townspeople, creating yet another chapter of bringing the common frivolities, vices, situations and circumstances that these townspeople creates for themselves and thus is emerged the amusing scenes. But these plays not only arouse the comic relief but also create the sympathetic feelings. We can also see what is known as the Mature Comedies in this the most popular The romantic plays Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and Twelfth Night. All these plays are considered as joyous comedies with characters always smiling and are sympathetic. Written around 1599 and 1600, these plays were at the peak of the Shakespeare’s career in the field of high comedy with generally having beautiful, intelligent, and strong-minded heroines, as the central characters. These plays were in sharp contrast to the satire, and reflect Shakespeare’s not only the mastery of his art but also congenial temperament that he shows towards his characters. Soon after mature comedies, Shakespeare produced problem comedies in his three plays—All’s Well That Ends Well, Troilus and Cressida, and Measure for Measure. The problem comedies deals with the complex and unpleasant themes and its characters have certain amount of moral flaws which are more severe and difficult to change than the characters in the farces or the joyous comedies. Light hearted humor is seen in these plays which are emotionally rich and dramatically exciting and stimulating to the readers. All’s Well That Ends Well, written around 1603 follows the conventional pattern of comedy, and as its title suggests the play ends with the reunion of a separated couple, but this reunion is deeply troubling. Hereby Troilus and Cressida are totally different in the sense that for many days it was unknown whether it was tragedy, history or comedy. The essence of Romanticism showers in the comedy of the Shakespeare’s plays, and the lives hovers over the back ground and atmosphere of Shakespeare. Shakespearean comedy is primarily the comedy of love. The atmosphere is full of the genial of love and friendship. In his comedy love is a means of human fulfillment, and far from raising the lovers thoughts about basic desires, the romantic inserts the feeling of passion. The romantic comedy has characters ranging from servants, drunkards, constables and clowns. The main characteristic feature of the Shakespeare comedy is the beautiful combination of realism and fancy. The characters are drawn from the world of men and women. They have to suffer like ordinary mortals experiencing adversity, separation and disappointments. The characters and scenes though are viewed through magic casements which transforms reality, the settings in his plays are generally imaginative- an unknown island, Thebes, Arden, Illyria, and Venice each are conceived in the sparkling light of a beautiful fancy, yet they are all real and sheer from our daily real lives. The contemporary figures and fashions as in Love’s Labor’s Lost; Bottom and his companions mingling with the fairies, this union of realism and fantasy is the cardinal characteristic feature of Shakespeare romantic world. The worldly wisdom and deep comprehension of life made his comedies more realistic. Under the humor and fun there lies the tone of didacticism with the complex moods and subtlety in the characters. His comedies are also marked by the optimism and are the pictures of life in sunnier aspects. Shakespeare began his journey of comedy where Lyly left, and he was able to find his way to create an intense mood of seriousness in the comedy. It is said that in comedy, Lyly is Shakespeare’s model and its influence is far more permanent than any other. Shakespeare imitates the grouping style of Lyly and consequently repeats the relation or situation in successive plays. It was from Lyly that Shakespeare learned unity and coherence of plot-construction, basically in the introduction of songs and fairies. (Looney, 1997-2002). And the fine example is â€Å"Love and Labor’s lost†. He was also influenced with Greene which led to the creation of The Two Gentlemen of Verona. But the most influence that is created on his works is from Plautus and Terence. Plautus devices used in the plots reads like ten-twenty-thirty thrillers of the nineteenth century: involving abandonment of infants, kidnapping, piracy, shipwreck, tokens of recognition, changes of identity, keyhole listenings and strange rescues. His world constitutes the characters ranging from scolding matrons, lying and thievish servants, money lenders, procurers and sycophants, all belong to the lower or middle strata of the society but in the end always the knaves are punished and its titles reflects the plot like The Play of the Hidden Pot of Gold, The Haunted House, How the Sham Steward Got Paid for His Asses, and The Play of the Caskets. The same is true with Comedy of Error which is derived from the Plautus’s farcical play Menaechmi (Twins). In this play Plautus uses laughter to dwell and come out with the human foibles including the mistaken identity. As in Comedy of Errors in Plautus play, only one servant appears and he is traveling with a twin who stays outside their native country. The citizen twin has a shrewd wife, a father-in-law and a mistress named Erotium, and thus all these involves trickery, sex intrigue with the husband’s blatant infidelity. And this mistaken identity are wrangled a jeweler, a merchant, parasite, a physician and the courtesan. Thus the story and plot of the Shakespeare and Plautus are same but Shakespeare gives very little of farce. There are two distinct patterns in which Shakespeare comedy moves, one from society to wilderness and then back to the better society and the second pattern is from union to wandering and then back to union. (Flachman from midsummer magazine, 2001). The first model emerges in the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This play takes its characters from the urban lands to the green world of forest and then back to the original society whereby they have learned the true way of living from the freedom that they enjoyed in green world of the Forest. In the Midsummer Night Dreams all attained the good fortune only by staying one night in enchanted woods. As opposed to these plays, the other plays like in Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, and All’s Well That Ends Well, specifically in the comedy of errors the characters first are united, separated and then united. In, many of the comedies the conclusion is the happy marriage. These patterns help us to read in depth the chapters of our lives and try to solve the problems faced by us in a much comic manner. The Midsummers Night Dreams is different then the Comedy of Errors in the sense that its the Bard’s original wedding play. According to many scholars it is a light entertainment to accompany a marriage celebration; and unlike Comedy of Errors Shakespeare does not rely on existing plays, narrative poetry, historical chronicles or any other source materials, making it an absolutely original piece. The main plot of the play involves the two set of couples The Hermia and Lysander, and Helena and Demetrius whose romantic endeavors are complicated due to their entry into the fairyland woods where the King and Queen of the Fairies Oberon and Titania rules and the Puck or Robin Goodfellow, who are the folk characters plies his trade. Thus there is also an element of fantasy in this play which is totally absent in the Comedy of Errors with an exception of twins. A Midsummer Night’s Dream contains lyrical expressions of love and dreams, and the creative imagination of both. These two patterns, are born from the plays, the Jorge de Montemayor’s Diana, which is a Spanish pastoral romance who in celebrating the love, moves from society to wilderness and then back to the reformed and much cherished society, and the second posters from the story of â€Å"Titus and Gisippus† in Sir Thomas Elyot’s The Governor, and its plot moves uniting the characters and then leave them to wander and again back reuniting them. Shakespeare was a versatile character and the growth his career lies in its model of versatility which is amply clear in all his plays whether it is tragic, history or comedy, versatility lies in all and he is always experimenting with the words so close to the human heart and that makes the Shakespeare unique. BIBILIOGRAPHY 1. Flachmann Michael, (2001), The two Comic plots of Verona, From Midsummer Magazine, Utah Shakespearean Festival Home Page, Retrieved on 19th March 2007 from W. W. W: http://www. bard. org/education/resources/shakespeare/twogentscomic. html 2. Looney J Thomas, Shakespeare Identified, Chapter XI, Edward De Vere — Middle Period: Dramatic Foreground, Retrieved on 19th March 2007 from W. W. W: http://www. shakespearefellowship. org/etexts/si/11-5. htm.