Ethical Issues and Ethics Essay Com231 - 796 Words

Running head: ETHICAL ISSUES AND TACTICS Ethical Issues and Tactics Sheila Nobles Grand Canyon University Communication 231 Professor Kimberly Thompson August 5, 2011 Ethical Issues and Tactics I hate to hire Black people; they are all so slow in doing their work. Sometimes they come to work and sometimes they do not come at all. No wonder they are stuck in poverty, they do not want to succeed. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex and national origin. However when you hire black people, you may get one out of 20 that are sincere about their job and are always on time and actually do their work. Can you imagine the money a company spends†¦show more content†¦Ad hominem ethical fallacies; which attacks a person’s character rather than a person’s reasoning would be none existent making a change that would empower and persuade for the better. Dehumanization is unethical and should not be an issue in the world at this time and era. You can win more bees with honey instead of vinegar is an old saying which still holds true today. Most audiences can be persuaded through positive influence as well as the energy of the speaker. Let’s not forget when we address one’s needs no matter the level, we win our audience. References http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/titlevii.cfm retrieved Aug 6, 2011 Brock, T. C., amp; Green, M. C. (Eds.). (2005). Persuasion: Psychological insights and perspectives. Module 3 Reading Ethics in

Thinking About Diversity Free Essays

The dimensions of cultural diversity are categorized as primary dimensions and secondary dimensions. Primary dimensions are generally considered fixed and involuntary. Age, gender, race, and ethnic heritage would be examples of primary dimensions. We will write a custom essay sample on Thinking About Diversity or any similar topic only for you Order Now People do not have a choice of when they are born and thus their age. Gender, race, and ethnic heritage are also not open to choice. Mental and physical abilities are also usually defined as primary dimensions of diversity. Specific biological functions of the brain can be considered primary dimensions of diversity, but knowledge and education can improve mental ability. It is also possible to improve physical ability to a certain extent by incorporating healthy diet and physical conditioning into one’s lifestyle. Physical ability is listed as a primary dimension of cultural diversity because height, bone structure, and other physical attributes are genetic and not open to choice. Sexual orientation is also a primary dimension of diversity. Secondary dimensions of diversity include attributes that are considered less central to social identity. These dimensions can change based on life experiences. They include where one lives and works, socioeconomic status, education, and religion. Ethnic, Cultural, or Other Groups I Identify With I am a Black female who identifies with the Black community as well as other ethnic groups. I was born and raised in a large metropolitan city. I am a product of my big city upbringing. I believe that being raised in a large city has equipped me to be comfortable in many settings and with people from any group or cultural background. The Black culture and history is very important to my lifestyle. I work with young men and women in the Black community to advise them on career paths and encourage them to make positive life choices. As a woman, I am very concerned with many of the issues that are affecting women. The rise in teen pregnancy is one issue that I address with young women I encounter. Violence against women is also a problem that is prevalent in society. Women continue to be subordinated and discriminated against, and the struggle to change the situation is one of my top priorities. My social circle is made up of professionals who enjoy cultural pursuits such as plays, music, concerts, and charitable activities. Diversity and Inclusion Diversity refers to any mixture of items characterized by differences and similarities, (Harvey Allard, 2009, p. 11). This definition refers not just to people but also to the differences and similarities of functions or conditions along a given dimension. In identifying diversity in an organization, it is also important to identify the similarities within a group. When management accesses a group of ethnically diverse individuals, if they focus on the similarities am ong them, it will be easier to build common ground and mutual respect. Inclusion is a technique that organizations can use to optimize the benefits of a culturally diverse workplace. Rather than just focusing on cultural diversity as a quota to fill, organizations can use the cultural, ethnic, and experiential differences of employees to add creativity, new ideas, and new strategies. When every individual thinks that he or she is operating in a safe environment, they can be comfortable sharing innovative ideas that may not follow the traditional concepts of the organization. Importance of Workplace Diversity Training Effective workplace diversity training can benefit an organization in many ways. Increased productivity can result when employees appreciate and learn from the cultural or ethnic differences of their fellow employees. Workplace diversity training will increase the emotional intelligence of individuals which will increase their tolerance of differences. Emotional intelligence is awareness of self, managing self, self motivation, awareness of the emotions in others, and managing interpersonal relationships, (Harvey Allard, 2009). Emotional intelligence and emotional maturity can allow individuals to be open to the possibility of considering differing opinions and strategies. More openness among team members within an organization will increase creativity, cooperation, and collaboration. When cultural and ethnic diversity are successfully managed within an organization, minority employees will feel acceptance and comfort which will encourage them to express innovative ideas without fear of repression or ridicule. The majority employees will be given the opportunity to expand their acceptance and knowledge of different values, beliefs, and opinions. Workplace Culture and Inclusion I have had the opportunity to work in large and small organizations. During high school, I worked in a large department store. There were many races, ethnic groups and ages. The age groups in the workplace were in three categories. There were older workers who had worked in the store for many years and had made it a career. These employees spent most of their free time socializing with each other, such as breaks and lunches. They were generally very friendly and helpful to new employees. The second category was made up of managers ranging in age from about 25 to 40. Most of the managers were college educated and were hired specifically as managers. There were also managers who had started at an entry-level position and worked their way up to management. The third category, which I belonged to, was made up of young high school and college students. This category generally socialized with each other. I do not recall any negative interactions based on race, culture, sexual orientation, or ethnic heritage. Throughout my career I have worked with a variety of ethnic groups, races and ages in a variety of corporate settings. I have always been fortunate to work in very inclusive organizational settings. I have not worked in an organization that discriminated against employees based on their diverse ethnic or cultural backgrounds. How to cite Thinking About Diversity, Essay examples

Charles Darwin free essay sample

ZOn August 30, 1831, is the most exciting news for Charles Darwin. He got the offer of a position on the H.M.S. Beagle. This offer was from his guidance, Henslow, at Cambridge. Henslow had been welcome to be the natural scientist for the ship, but he had turned down the opportunity. Fitzroy is a twenty-six-year-old male, and he was the captained at the time. He was anxious to have the brotherhood of somebody who was of his social class. Majority of the experienced naturalists had turned out to be occupied or reluctant, so Henslow gave the opportunity to Charles Darwin who has no experience. Sadly, there was an obstacle to be crossed before he is allowed to take off on his journey. He was required to get his blessings from his father, Robert, but the dad had enough of Charless laziness and attitude.Charles left the town, so he can talk to his uncle, Josiah, about his problems. We will write a custom essay sample on Charles Darwin or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Josiah concurred with his nephew that this was an ideal opportunity. He thinks that there was absolutely no motivation to believe that the voyage would interfere with his profession when he returned. Later, the uncle composed a letter to Robert listing the reasons why the voyage would be useful for Charles. He came back to his hometown to find that his father had been persuaded. If Josiah was not there for the help, Charles would never get the experience to travel. Charles was happy. The ship was originally planned to depart in two or three weeks, but as he was getting ready, he got bad news. It has been said that there was a miscommunication and Fitzroy had just guaranteed the situation to a companion. Charles would only get the position if the companion cannot or declined the request. Regardless of the misfortune, he raced down to London to meet the captain for a meeting. Fitzroy appeared to be unpredictable. A few days later, Fitzroys companion gave up the position, so Charles has taken the position. He additionally discovered that the journey will probably be somewhat three years than two.The ship, H. M.S. Beagle, was delayed so many times even though it is readied, but poor climate postponed the crew much more. On December 10, they finally set sail, yet were soon turned back by storm winds that caused trouble and left Charles wretchedly disgusted. He was not happy about it. On December 21, couple days before Christmas, they had what resembled consummate climate and attempted once more. Fitzroy had an awful start, so he quickly controlled the ship on solid land, however luckily nothing was harmed. When Charles woke up after his first nights sleep on the boat, he found that they were gone to England. A gust of wind from the southwest was pushing them back to where they had originated from. On December 27, after Christmas, the ship finally left. Their very first stop was intended to be Tenerife in the Canary Islands, a similar place that Darwin had always wanted to visit with Henslow. Shockingly, they must be isolated for twelve days before landing, because of the current cholera outbreak in Britain, so the captain gave the request to set sail for St. Jago in the Cape Verde Islands, 300 miles off the African drift. As the ship is moving, Darwin started his work as a naturalist by gathering tiny fish, plankton. When they arrived at St. Jago, he climbed through the well of lava slopes, experiencing his first tropical wilderness in a little valley and seeing genuine proof of geographical change: a layer of compacted ocean shells in the precipices thirty feet above ocean level. On February 8, 1831, they visited at St. Pauls Stones to execute birds for sustenance. After that, they traveled to Bahia. The ship crew spent several weeks in South America before they take off to Rio. His most energizing find was a fossil Megatherium, an extinct ground-abiding relative of the sloth. This was back on September 22. This must be the biggest moment for him because it is rare to found fossils and my favorite part of the book. It is fascinating. Darwin would collect data and samples to send it off to Henslow, his friend.At the beginning of 1833, a year and couple months later, they almost got their ship sunk from an awful climate. They made it securely to the home region of the Fuegians. They had expedited board from Britain, two gentlemen and a lady who had been kidnapped by the captain on a past excursion. They dropped off the Fuegians with an English minister who would have liked to spread Christianity. However, when the Beagle returned nine days after the fact that preachers things had been stolen. The Captain had purchased the second boat in the Falklands. Darwin took off, voyaging 200 miles in two weeks and executing eighty various types of birds and different species. He kept on sending his samples to Henslow. This is the part where it improves my understandings of biology. He used these birds to study different types of finches beaks and how they adapt food based on their environment. The Beagle got to travel south again in the last month of the same following year, passing strange countries on its way through the Straits of Magellan to where the prisoner Fuegians had been dropped off a long time previously. Darwin headed inland towards the Andes with a group of people and tools, yet arrangements ran low and they were compelled to turn back before contacting them. Luckily, he knew he would have an opportunity to contact them from the opposite side when the Beagle went to Chile in South America.On June 6, 1834, they made it around the Horn and touched base at the island of Chiloe, off the west shoreline of southern South America. From that point, they went to Valparaiso on the last week of July. Since it was winter, it was excessively unsafe, making it impossible to achieve the Andes legitimate, however, Charles Darwin made it to the lower regions in August, returning through Santiago. There was a little scary moment for a second: Fitzroy had clearly had a breakdo wn because of questions about the exactness of his estimations on the eastern shoreline of South America. Luckily, the officers persuaded him to continue his post and it was settled that there was no compelling reason to come back toward the east drift for promoting estimations. Beginning in the spring, he finally accomplished his fantasy of seeing the Andes very close. After coming back from the successful Andes campaign, Darwin rejoined the Beagle for the excursion north to Lima, where they touched base on mid-July 1835. Two months later, they traveled west into the Pacific Ocean to their first look at the Galapagos Islands, which Charles Darwin was later to make well known, on September 15.Galapagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean near South America. Charles saw different species of marine iguanas, birds, lizards, and even big tortoises that live on land. The sad part is that they killed at least a dozen of tortoises for samples and specimen. When he moves to different small islands, he noticed that the birds are somewhat different than others. He is very curious why these birds are different than others. He drew different types of finches beaks in his journal. Charles also noticed that the giant tortoise has different shapes of the shell. The left the island on October 20, 1835.In conclusion, The Voyage of the Beagle is not just a vital book in the historical backdrop of present-day thought yet, in addition, an exceedingly critical one in the life of Darwin. As a young fellow, Charles had a little feeling of business or heading. When he was only sixteen-years-old, he started a profession of medicine at Edinburgh College. Finding, in any case, that he was unfit for the calling, he entered Christ School, Cambridge, after three years in 1828 to set himself up to be a pastor. Neglecting to take respects or to separate himself in any capacity, he acknowledged the offer of Captain Fitzroy of the Beagle to sign on as a naturalist on a voyage the world over that, in the end, took five years. Amid that time, Darwin found himself and his profession as well as started mentioning those objective facts that he later formed into the hypothesis of advancement clarified in On the Origin of Species. This work, together with crafted by Karl Marx and of Sigmund Freud, constituted an intense impact on twentieth-century logical idea and qualities. In this book, we have this man whose thoughts have reformed totally our comprehension of life, composing with fascinating about the voyage which started and formed his reasoning regar ding the matter. He is one of the historys most influential thinkers. Works CitedDarwin, Charles. The Voyage of the Beagle.Bantam Edition, New York, 1972.

Why I Love Football free essay sample

In life we come across a countless amount of things connected to us and our environment. Trough my childhood my parents thought me to love sport and I realized the importance of sport in our life. It’s very important to trough life we gain love for a specific sport, in some way sport will repay us. We all tend to trough sport gain friends and to make sport itself our friend. In my spare time I hang out with a ball. Now that I mentioned the ball, we narrow the circle of sports that we can discuss. Of course, even thought I said a few sentences about sport in general, my goal is to talk about the thing that I am in love with. As a kid a tended to get out of the house and spend time outside, to be more specific I was looking the place were the ball is spinning. We will write a custom essay sample on Why I Love Football or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I was looking for something that marked me and something that I will love, and that something is football. When I was a child I took my ball and went to the nearest football court. I spent there a few hours, my parents look for me, like the ground swallowed me, but I was actually happier than ever, the older boys called me to play football with them. My parents were really scared and angry with me. This situation that I mentioned, happened than and was remembered, but let’s turn towards other things also connected to my childhood football playing day. We used to make-up our own courts and our own rules. We gather tools and materials, everything was necessary for our stadium. Everyday we wasted our whole time well and outside the house. New chapter in my life which changed everything, was the day when I got back from the school and my dad told me, son get in the car we are going down town. I couldn’t even imagine this, but we made a stop right before the biggest club in our town, club â€Å"Kozara†. My eyes were glowing, I didn’t know what hit me. We are walking towards to the rooms of the club, and singing me up in the school of football. That was the happiest day in my life, I wasn’t aware what was happening, but I was so happy that nothing could of ruined it. I haven’t waited for a second, trainer asked me if I would like to join them it the game, right now. Of course I want! I ran in the game, a bit confused and lost between some new faces. First 15 minutes of the game I haven’t realized what was happening, but then I said to myself, come on show them what you can do with the ball! Without any false modesty I have to admit that I’ve always stood out between the very best, and that I presented my talent in a worthy manner. Ball was kicked around, we dribbled, I was awaiting my chance to get the ball in my legs and to glow. I gain possession of the ball, dribbling, once, twice the ball ends up in the net. My dad was watching me with the smile on his face, happy with a gentle applause, and me? I was jumping around like I got everything in the world, and I did! I made the goal. It was the end of my first training. On our way back home, dad stop in front of one store and said to me: â€Å"Son, let’s buy you some real football boots†. The feeling was indescribable. Can you imagine how much happiness can be in a six-year old boy for all of that to happen in one day? The feeling when I arrive to the training is indescribable, it’s more than happiness, a lot of kids trained there ‘cause of their parents, but I, I did it ‘cause for the love of the game days were passing, months, years, but I was still restlessly training, and that was still the one and only thing that could make me that happy. Those trainings weren’t something that parted me from my friends, on the contrary I have going more and more to our stadium and playing football with them. I was spending my childhood in school, in the trainings, in the street court, with my friends, and I can say that I could not imagine my childhood any better. Practicing I got to those ages when the league of our age started and our first real games. Hence the FC †Kozara† was the main club in our town, they gather the most talented players, therefore our scores were noticed, since seventh to thirteenth year troughs all the games we had no defeat. My first game will be remembered, ‘cause in that game I was shooter on 2 goals, and we wrote down victory, score was 7:0. Until I went to college and leaving for Novi Sad, I played in Gradiska actively and enjoyed every moment on the football field. My last season I played in Nova Topola’s FC †Lijevce† for the first team, with a couple successful performances and goals. My football career is stopped for the moment, because I am in studies and I haven’t found the club good enough, to play in it. I still play football with my friends 2-3 times weekly and I wish to play it at any time I have free. By the next year I will try to find a club to actively practice in, and play football, because it’s my love and it always will be. In this essay I told you about my love towards football. Football to me, is a part of life , I play it, I follow it regularly, I grew up with it, than let it stay with me to the end of my life. I couldn’t imagine my life, not to think everyday on something connected with football, that I am not interested in results, transfers and other developments in world of football. Ball is a funny thing, it gets into your blood, and it stays there.

Free Essays on Report On Case Study

This research article chosen is entitled, Individual Differences in Children’s Emotion Understanding: Effects of Age and Language. It came from the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology; September 2003, Volume 44 Issue 4, p 347, 7 p. It’s logical to assume that as individuals get older, they tend to mature in additional areas of life. In the extent of the last two decades, it has been proven that emotion understanding can alter with age. Recent studies have begun to focus on children’s individual emotion understanding. Researchers in this study also hypothesized that as children mature, their emotion understanding will increase. The researchers’ first goal of this study was to examine the development of individual differences in children by assessing a test containing nine different components of emotion understanding. Their second goal was to observe the relation between language ability and individual differences in emotion understanding. Eighty children ranging in age from four to eleven years were tested. As expected, there was an increase in emotion understanding and language ability with age. In each age group, it was clear that there were individual differences in language ability an d emotion understanding. Age and language ability collectively explained 72% of emotion understanding conflict; 20% of this variance was explained by age single-handedly and 27% by language ability. The research conducted was a correlational study. As the children increased in age, their language ability and emotion understanding also increased. In this case, there was a positive correlation. After the exposure to an original research report, I realize that even the most practical situations could be a product of a psychological study. I expected the research article to contain more scientific information resulting in confusion. As for the results of the actual study, I’m not surprised. It’s logical to assume that when aging occurs, it wi... Free Essays on Report On Case Study Free Essays on Report On Case Study This research article chosen is entitled, Individual Differences in Children’s Emotion Understanding: Effects of Age and Language. It came from the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology; September 2003, Volume 44 Issue 4, p 347, 7 p. It’s logical to assume that as individuals get older, they tend to mature in additional areas of life. In the extent of the last two decades, it has been proven that emotion understanding can alter with age. Recent studies have begun to focus on children’s individual emotion understanding. Researchers in this study also hypothesized that as children mature, their emotion understanding will increase. The researchers’ first goal of this study was to examine the development of individual differences in children by assessing a test containing nine different components of emotion understanding. Their second goal was to observe the relation between language ability and individual differences in emotion understanding. Eighty children ranging in age from four to eleven years were tested. As expected, there was an increase in emotion understanding and language ability with age. In each age group, it was clear that there were individual differences in language ability an d emotion understanding. Age and language ability collectively explained 72% of emotion understanding conflict; 20% of this variance was explained by age single-handedly and 27% by language ability. The research conducted was a correlational study. As the children increased in age, their language ability and emotion understanding also increased. In this case, there was a positive correlation. After the exposure to an original research report, I realize that even the most practical situations could be a product of a psychological study. I expected the research article to contain more scientific information resulting in confusion. As for the results of the actual study, I’m not surprised. It’s logical to assume that when aging occurs, it wi...

Lets Get Real About Passion

Lets Get Real About Passion New writers/unpublished writers are quick to say I am passionate about writing. I just dont know how to publish. Okay, but thats apples and oranges. To be passionate about anything means you are skilled at it to a certain degree. You may not be a master or a best-seller, but you have written for long enough to make mistakes, learn from them, and have direction. . . at writing. You can self-correct. You have dreams about the stories. Publishing, however, is not writing. Publishing is about the business. You cannot be passionate about being a published writer simply Passion is a strong feeling, emotion, or like. You cannot have passion for another person without knowing them well. Same goes for writing. Same goes for publishing. In other words, you have to do it long enough to tell whether or not its a passion, because a passion sticks with you for a long, long time. . . and youll do anything to make it happen. It doesnt go away. It doesnt get disenchanted. It sticks. Its purpose. Its about making it happen regardless of what gets in your way.

Childhood Obesity Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Childhood Obesity - Research Paper Example It should also be noted that children are becoming obese at a younger age and as Ebbeling et al (2002) put it, this can be highly attributed to the sedentary life lived for most part of the day at school. Arguing from Ebbeling claim, it is evident that many obese children take little or no time to engage in physical activities. Research indicates that children age 6-11 are vulnerable to obesity because of the nature of life they lead. For example, a child goes to school by bus, takes most of his time in class seated, and goes home by bus. This child may have no time to engage in an exercise that would result into sweating. Healthy living guides demand that children should engage in physical exercise in order to make them active. Many parents are not aware of the danger involved when a child does not take any exercises. Method of data collection For this research, questionnaires will be used as the method of data collection. The questionnaires will be designed in such a way that it wi ll allow the obese children, parents and teachers or social workers to respond. This will ensure that adequate information is collected relating to the child’s eating habits and level of activity both at home and school. Data collection will take place at home and school with the consent of the teachers and parents. Another method of data collection would be research information obtained from libraries. This information would help to identify aspects that promote obesity among children. Preliminary findings Results obtained so far indicate that many children in the US are becoming obese at a younger age and at the same time; there is a rise in the number of pre-schools in center-based programs (Peiser et al, 2005). According to the findings obesity cases in... The paper tells that main cause of child obesity is physical inactivity is important because childhood obesity is steadily affecting low income and middle-income countries. This means that childhood obesity is not just about eating in excess or getting a lot of calorie-rich drinks and foods. It should also be noted that children are becoming obese at a younger age and as Ebbeling et al put it, this can be highly attributed to the sedentary life lived for most part of the day at school. Research indicates that children age 6-11 are vulnerable to obesity because of the nature of life they lead. For example, a child goes to school by bus, takes most of his time in class seated, and goes home by bus. This child may have no time to engage in an exercise that would result into sweating. Healthy living guides demand that children should engage in physical exercise in order to make them active. Many parents are not aware of the danger involved when a child does not take any exercises. The re port recommends increase in time allocated for physical exercise among children in school. Another recommendation of the report is to limit time taken by children playing non-physical games. This will lead children to active participation. In conclusion, obesity is a disease that results from accumulation of too much fat in the body. Obesity leads to low self-esteem, social stagnation and health complexities. Research findings indicate that physical inactiveness of a child promotes obesity among the children. Largely, accumulation of fats in the body results from eating without spending the same amount of energy.

Regression Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Regression - Research Paper Example I retrieved my data from STATS Indiana. Three or four decades ago, cars in the United States were bought out of only necessity. People used to purchase cars not for laxity, but due to various factors such as for convenience purposes. In the last two decades, however, the world in general has moved on from this kind of situation. People no longer buy cars out of necessity, but rather, people buy cars for luxurious reasons. The United States, and Marion County in the state of Indiana to be specific, is no different. Motor vehicles of different models are purchased round the clock, for many reasons other than necessity (Riley 1). The automobile industry in Marion County is one of the most active among all industries within the county. In the recent years, the number of motor vehicles operating on the road has been going up steadily. There are various factors that contribute to this upward trend. The factors influencing the above trend may be well discussed if grouped into various categories. First and foremost, population is the most influencer of the rate at which cars are bought. In this paper, the population is considered both for the local and immigrants. The other factor is age. Age, in Marion County, is a major determinant of car ownership. Employment is another factor which highly determines the general purchasing power of the population. This paper, therefore, examines each and every of these contributing or influencing factors, determining how each one contributes, negatively or positively, to the selling and purchasing trends in the motor vehicle industry. In every business industry, there are market forces that determine the rate at which the goods and/or services in that particular industry are sold or purchased. These market forces are demand and supply. These are the only determinants of sales and purchases in any particular industry in any particular country. The market forces

Natural Resources and Energy Paper Essay Example for Free

Natural Resources and Energy Paper Essay Wind Power and Global Role The world has been using wind energy for over 100 years now to generate power. â€Å"The first known use was in 5000 BC when people used sails to navigate the Nile River† (Alternative Energy, 2008-2012). Beginning in the early 1900’s, wind mills were used to pump groundwater in Midwestern portions of the country primarily. Today, windmill technological advances have brought about the development of powerful wind turbines and sophisticated windmill farms across the country. In many cases, the development of these devises has caused a decline in generating cost resulting in wind energy competitive with several other conventional sources of electricity. Today, wind is one of the leading sources of electricity beating out coal; coal can cause health issues as wind does not. Wind power has been the fastest growing energy source and some people are saying that is the reasoning behind the Global Warming Effect. There is talk already that in the next thirty to forty years the world’s energy will have to come from wind, solar or some other renewable resource. Wind power is used globally and plays several different roles in different areas of the world. Most areas though are using the same types of equipment for the energy resource, which are the windmills and turbines. In these different areas the climate control will control the amount of wind power being produced. In the hotter areas that have less wind are definitely not going to produce the same amo Alternative energy, Capacunts of wind energy as places that are in the windy areas like Seattle and Chicago. So from a geographical stand point, if someone is looking to generate m ass quantities of energy from wind, then being in Arizona is not going to be a good choice. Growing Human Population The population in terms of its affect on wind energy has very little effect on wind power production for one reason and one reason only. That is because winds are a direct result of the `uneven heating of the earth’s surface by solar radiation. So technically they are just another source of solar energy. There are still some major deficiencies of Wind power. Wind is not a constant source of energy at a particular place. Wind cannot be concentrated in one location, so that it will take up an enormous amount of space to create an equal amount of wind energy. And finally, once the energy is produced by the wind storing the energy becomes a major concern, meaning how you disperse the energy gathered effectively to the population. Only recently has wind power spread across the country as a somewhat viable source of power with the global initiatives to create and produce alternative energies. The Wind Farms were primarily used in California and recently spread out across the United States. There are some benefits of this energy such as agricultural, rural land use, pastures as well as farmers to use wind power in land open areas. Winds are probably never going to be the main or considered as a major energy producer for this country or for the world for several reasons. The population uses a huge amount of its energies. Because the way that wind energy is created, it has a role in our energy cycle but is reduced because it does not produce the end product energy. The wind is converted into electricity an d is a secondary source. Wind used with another source of energy, such as fission being the byproduct of another source of energy could generate several other improvements on different energy sources as well as decreasing the amounts of pressure on current energy sources may be a better and cost-effective approach to using wind energy. The problem with wind power and population is that wind power is not as efficient as our typical fossil fuels and has lower thermal dynamic potential to create the energy needed by the growing population. Another reason is as stated earlier the vast amount of space needed to create the power already effects the population. Most wind farms are in land masses that have already been cleared away, which limits the location. There are pluses and minuses to these areas. The land is usually prepared and cleared in advance so it can be used for farming and other industrial uses. At the same time of harvesting the wind power, some of the concerns would be the noise pollution that comes with a wind farm. Any type of populated area would be unbearable to endure. The population effects on wind energy are in reverse. The growing population does not have an effect on the production of wind energy other than the materials needed in its construction, the removal of large amounts of trees, and the loss of birds because of the blades over time. It seems as though we may be doing more damage than good for the return of energy that would be needed to support the population. Risks and Benefits of Renewable Energy Renewable energy resources are sustainable resources that replenish naturally. Such resources are produced from the sun, wind, biomass, tides, and geothermal. The main advantage of renewable resources is that the source is readily available and would never run out. Other important benefits include reducing contributions to global warming and with no polluting emissions. The disadvantages of using renewable energy is the expensive initial cost for setup, the difficulty to achieve the energy requirements needed, and the maintenance on the equipment. Depending on the application, the risks and benefits will vary when using the energy resource. Wind power is an electric energy obtained from surface air currents caused by the solar warming of air. Wind energy is a clean and cost-efficient way for energy. Wind power is placed in rural areas and requires constant wind (at least 15 mph) to operate. The wind turbines are most effective on high grounds where wind speeds are greater. At times, the turbines may kill birds and bats that get in its way. Other risks and disadvantages of wind include the cost, the noise pollution, and the unreliability factor of wind (Clean Energy Ideas, 2012). Solar energy power converts sunlight for heating and generating electricity. Solar power is used in commercial and residential applications. In order for solar power to generate energy, an open area along with sunlight is a necessity to perform properly. The weather, the time of day, and pollution can affect the performance of solar panels. At times, space could be limited and trees would be cut to make room for placing the panels in areas for sufficient amount of energy. Because of lack of space, many solar panels are placed on top of the roof. Some people think the panels make the buildings and property unattractive (Clean Energy Ideas, 2012). Biomass fermentation is plant and animal materials used as fuel. Biomass produces ethanol from different materials such as corn, grains, wood, saw dust and wood chips, plants, and animal wastes. Biomass is easily available where plants and crops are grown. Most of the source is from plants that gather its energy from the sun. In addition, the source is used for heat production, electricity, and fuel for cars. Biomass requires burning of materials, which contributes to air pollution, but it produces less greenhouse gases compared to fossil fuels (EHow, 2012). Hydropower is created as water flows through rivers and streams, the dams convert the energy of water to kinetic energy as the water turns turbines to generate electricity. Hydropower is efficient with 90% of the energy consumed to electricity. The benefits include clean source of energy, availability, and the reservoir can be used for leisure (boating, fishing, and swimming) and irrigation purposes. On the other hand, the risks involve overflow which can destroy the plant vegetation in the process (Benefits of, 2012). Geothermal energy is extracted from the heat produ ced by the Earth’s core. For centuries, many places have been extracting the source for hot springs. Some areas have geothermal power plants to generate electricity. In other areas, ground source heat pumps are used to extract water for the home or business hot water supply, which helps to reduce energy costs. The disadvantage is that a large area is needed to run the piping system (Clean Energy Ideas, 2012). Conclusion As the human population increases, the demand for energy will increase as well. There is much debate for the preferred choice of energy. Wind and other renewable energy resources are a clear alternative if we want to have a sustainable future for our children. Comparing the factors, the advantages with the use of renewable energy outweighs the risks and disadvantages. Although the initial cost will be expensive, the energy used will pay for itself in the long run. Reducing air pollution, contributing less to global warming, and reserving nonrenewable energy resources are just a few benefits with the use of renewable energy as an alternative. References Alternative Energy. (2008-2012). Retrieved from http://www.altenergy.org/ Benefits of (September, 2012). Benefits of Hydropower. Retrieved from http://benefitof.net Clean Energy Ideas (September, 2012). Natural and Renewable Energy Sources. Retrieved from http://www.clean-energy-ideas.com EHow (September, 2012). Advantages and Disadvantages of Biomass Energy. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com

Gothic writing remains fascinated by objects and practices that are :: English Literature

Gothic writing remains fascinated by objects and practices that are negative, irrational and immoral. How far would you agree with this statement? Jane Eyre? WHY the focus, why the preoccupation? Introduction It is typical of Gothic writing to be fascinated by objects and practices that are negative, irrational and immoral.(define key term in terms of gothic elements) Such objects and practices are usually shunned by the society, much of which are very controversial. However, the Gothic being didactic in nature uses these objects and practices to challenge and convey a certain moral agenda. In this essay, in the context of Charlotte Bronte'sJane Eyre and Bram Stoker's Dracula, we are going to explore the different objects and practices in these novels that are negative, irrational and immoral and show how they can convey a moral agenda. There are several objects and practices in which portrays the immoral obesssions??? of Victorian society. Practices such as polygamy, voyeurism and rape, , incest and theà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Oedipus complex are such of immoral practices in which shows that the Gothic is fascinated in its writing. Polygamy is regarded immoral in Victorian times as men are traditonalluy monogamysupposed to have relationships with more than one woman. The blood transfusion scene in Stoker's Dracula of Lucy by Arthur Holmwood, Quincey Morris, Van Helsing and Doctor Seward depicts the controversies of polygamy. In page 225, Arthur claims that "he felt, since (the blood transfusion), as if 'they too had been really married and that she was his wife in the sight of God". This shows that Arthur, in Freudian terms, is already 'married' during the transfusion, along with the other men. If the idea of transfusing as a divine practice of marriage, the fact that, the other three men had also transferred blood to her would mean that they too have married her. This fulfils Lucy's desire of "letting a girl marry three menà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ as many want her", as it has been said in page 81. Voyeurism and rape, in which is regarded as an immoral act is also shown in Dracula in which the act of staking Lucy's heart is according Roth (199) is "relatively explicit and full of sexuality". When the stake is driven into her heart, she lapses into an orgasmic-like state, as it is quoted in page 277, "The Thing in the coffin writhed; and a hideous blood-curdling screech came from the opened red lips." Females being sexually open are regarded as immoral during the Victorian era. There are several examples showing Lucy being sexually open, as such in page 80, "You think me as a horrid flirt though I can't help feeling a sort of exaltation that" two men were interested

Feeding Monkeys Essay

In the short story,† Finding Prosperity by Feeding Monkeys†, by Harold Taw, Taw explains a moral about the importance of family, and how some people will break whatever rules to respect their family. Taw states that a Buddhist monk told his parents that he [Taw] would bring great prosperity to the family if he fed a monkey on his birthday every year for the rest of his life. Every year Taw made a point to feed a monkey on his birthday because he felt he had a right to protect his family. Early in his life, Taw and his dad â€Å"would go to the zoo early in the morning†¦ [and] when the coast was clear, [Taw] would throw†¦peanuts to the monkeys†. Together, Taw and his father would secretly go to the zoo every year until he was eighteen to guarantee the prosperity of his family. This proves that Taw was determined to keep his family safe. When Taw turned eighteen, he had to find different ways to feed the monkeys, since he was now an adult. One of the many ways he fed a monkey was that he went to a laboratory and had to â€Å"wear a biohazard suit† to feed a monkey. Taw demonstrates that even the tasks that seem the most impossible can be achieved. From these examples, it is easy to see that some people, such as Taw, with do whatever it takes to secure the safety of his or her family.

Characterisation in the Castaway Essay

Tagore’s The Castaway basically pivots around Kiran, Sharat’s wife, and Nilkanta, the shipwrecked orphan who formerly was a young actor too. Although Satish, Sharat’s younger brother, entered into the scenario later it was he who brought the twist in the course of the story. Despite the number of main characters in the story being four, they were sharp in contrast. The attitude and demeanour of both Sharat and Satish were quite harsh towards Nilkanta who, on the other hand, was pampered by Kiran. Kiran was the cynosure of all eyes of her family members. She was a jovial, amiable, caring and sensitive lady. The loneliness of the riverside villa at Chandernagore where she had come to recover from an illness was haunting her and she was eagerly looking for some sort of companionship. The solitude of the place was stifling the cheerful, joyous nature of Kiran and this shows a kind of conflict. Fortunately for her this conflict got resolved as Nilkanta, the shipwrecke d came into her life and she not only looked after him with utmost care but also spoiled him with profound affection and sympathy. Besides giving him sufficient food to eat and dress to wear, she also gives him freedom to come to her room. Moreover, she also had a great liking for Nilkanta’s recitation and singing. In addition to that the tragic account of his former days with the theatrical troupe made her even more caring and protective about him. She started enjoying his company. But the arrival of Satish drifted her attention away from Nilkanta and gradually he (Nilkanta) started feeling isolated and ignored and this is what unknowingly hurt him, bruised his tender mind. The biggest inner conflict that Kiran felt was at the juncture of time when she discovered the theft of the ink stand, done by Nilkanta. She was shell shocked. Her affection for Nilkanta was conflicted with the discovery of the act of stealing. The more affection Kiran showered upon Nilkanta the more he began to be disliked by Sharat though he was afraid to say anything to his wife. There is no denying of the fact that Nilkanta went w ayward and became insolent to some extent. He started taking too much of liberty by smoking Sharat’s hookah, by using his silk umbrella and he even went on to bring a mongrel which spoilt Sharat’s spotless bed with its dirty paws. To add to this Nilkanta became the leader of the local truant lads who used to pluck mangoes from the trees of the neighbours even before they were ripe. Sharat often punished him for all his mischief by boxing his ears. He was annoyed at Nilkanta and did not  know how to handle him without causing anger to his wife. Despite his annoyance at Nilkanta, Sharat could not take any stern step against him because his wife shielded and pampered the insolence and disobedience of Nilkanta. Things began to change completely as Satish, the younger brother of Sharat, arrived. Kiran had a friendly relationship with her brother-in-law Satish. She shifted her attention from Nilkanta to Satish and this created a sense of insecurity, unhappiness in the adolescent mind of Nilkanta who, consequently, began to feel jealous of Satish. The indifference of Kiran towards Nilkanta made him feel that the cocoon of the caring family was no more with him. From the very outset Satish was against Nilkanta whom he considered to be an intruder. When Nilkanta broke out in tears listening to the news of their imminent departure from that villa Satish non-chalantly said that much like an opportunist he was weeping to soften the mind of Kiran. Nilkanta before the entry of Satish was a completely different fellow than Nilkanta after his entry. The energetic, agile, spirited self of the boy was replaced by a morose, insecured one who took Satish as his biggest enemy. Not being able to torment Satish directly he let out his anger and hatred surreptitiously by stealing a beautiful ink stand. He did it in a moment of frenzy without realizing the outcome of it. His possessiveness towards Kiran was the reason behind his act of theft. Although Nilkanta was saved by Kiran from the ignominy of being found out as the thief, it was she who eventually discovered the ink stand in his box. The situation became even more poignant as Nilkanta watched her discovering the ink stand in his box. This moment brought the biggest conflict in the mind of Nilkanta. He neither realized that she had actually opened his box to give him the parting gifts nor was ready to accept the stigma of being a thief cast upon him by his own Kiran. Thus being mentally shattered he left Chandernagore forever with heavy heart without giving anyone any clue about hi s sudden and mysterious departure.

How Quantum Levitation Works

How Quantum Levitation Works Some videos on the internet show something called quantum levitation. What is this? How does it work? Will we be able to have flying cars? Quantum levitation as it is called is a process where scientists use the properties of quantum physics to levitate an object (specifically, a superconductor) over a magnetic source (specifically a quantum levitation track designed for this purpose). The Science of Quantum Levitation The reason this works is something called the Meissner effect and magnetic flux pinning. The Meissner effect dictates that a superconductor in a magnetic field will always expel the magnetic field inside of it, and thus bend the magnetic field around it. The problem is a matter of equilibrium. If you just placed a superconductor on top of a magnet, then the superconductor would just float off the magnet, sort of like trying to balance two south magnetic poles of bar magnets against each other. The quantum levitation process becomes far more intriguing through the process of flux pinning, or quantum locking, as described by Tel Aviv University superconductor group in this way: Superconductivity and magnetic field [sic] do not like each other. When possible, the superconductor will expel all the magnetic field from inside. This is the Meissner effect. In our case, since the superconductor is extremely thin, the magnetic field DOES penetrates. However, it does that in discrete quantities (this is quantum physics after all! ) called flux tubes.Inside each magnetic flux tube superconductivity is locally destroyed. The superconductor will try to keep the magnetic tubes pinned in weak areas (e.g. grain boundaries). Any spatial movement of the superconductor will cause the flux tubes to move. In order to prevent that the superconductor remains trapped in midair.The terms quantum levitation and quantum locking were coined for this process by Tel Aviv University physicist Guy Deutscher, one of the lead researchers in this field. The Meissner Effect Lets think about what a superconductor really is: its a material in which electrons are able to flow very easily. Electrons flow through superconductors with no resistance, so that when magnetic fields get close to a superconducting material, the superconductor forms small currents on its surface, canceling out the incoming magnetic field. The result is that the magnetic field intensity inside  of the surface of the superconductor is precisely zero. If you mapped the net magnetic field lines it would show that theyre bending around the object. But how does this make it levitate? When a superconductor is placed on a magnetic track, the effect is that the superconductor remains above the track, essentially being pushed away by the strong magnetic field right at the tracks surface. There is a limit to how far above the track it can be pushed, of course, since the power of the magnetic repulsion has to counteract the force of gravity. A disk of a type-I superconductor will demonstrate the Meissner effect in its most extreme version, which is called perfect diamagnetism, and will not contain any magnetic fields inside the material. Itll levitate, as it tries to avoid any contact with the magnetic field. The problem with this is that the levitation isnt stable. The levitating object wont normally stay in place. (This same process has been able to levitate superconductors within a concave, bowl-shaped lead magnet, in which the magnetism is pushing equally on all sides.) In order to be useful, the levitation needs to be a bit more stable. Thats where quantum locking comes into play. Flux Tubes One of the key elements of the quantum locking process is the existence of these flux tubes, called a vortex. If a superconductor is very thin, or if the superconductor is a type-II superconductor, it costs the superconductor less energy to allow some of the magnetic field to penetrate the superconductor. Thats why the flux vortices form, in regions where the magnetic field is able to, in effect, slip through the superconductor. In the case described by the Tel Aviv team above, they were able to grow a special thin ceramic film over the surface of a wafer. When cooled, this ceramic material is a type-II superconductor. Because its so thin, the diamagnetism exhibited isnt perfect ... allowing for the creation of these flux vortices passing through the material. Flux vortices can also form in type-II superconductors, even if the superconductor material isnt quite so thin. The type-II superconductor can be designed to enhance this effect, called enhanced flux pinning. Quantum Locking When the field penetrates into the superconductor in the form of a flux tube, it essentially turns off the superconductor in that narrow region. Picture each tube as a tiny non-superconductor region within the middle of the superconductor. If the superconductor moves, the flux vortices will move. Remember two things, though: the flux vortices are magnetic fieldsthe superconductor will create currents to counter magnetic fields (i.e. the Meissner effect) The very superconductor material itself will create a force to inhibit any sort of motion in relation to the magnetic field. If you tilt the superconductor, for example, you will lock or trap it into that position. Itll go around a whole track with the same tilt angle. This process of locking the superconductor in place by height and orientation reduces any undesirable wobble (and is also visually impressive, as shown by Tel Aviv University.) Youre able to re-orient the superconductor within the magnetic field  because your hand can apply far more force and energy than what the field is exerting. Other Types of Quantum Levitation The process of quantum levitation described above is based on magnetic repulsion, but there are other methods of quantum levitation that have been proposed, including some based on the Casimir effect. Again, this involves some curious manipulation of the electromagnetic properties of the material, so it remains to be seen how practical it is. The Future of Quantum Levitation Unfortunately, the current intensity of this effect is such that we wont have flying cars for quite some time. Also, it only works over a strong magnetic field, meaning that wed need to build new magnetic track roads. However, there are already magnetic levitation trains in Asia which use this process, in addition to the more traditional electromagnetic levitation (maglev) trains. Another useful application is the creation of truly frictionless bearings. The bearing would be able to rotate, but it would be suspended without direct physical contact with the surrounding housing so that there wouldnt be any friction. There will certainly be some industrial applications for this, and well keep our eyes open for when they hit the news. Quantum Levitation in Popular Culture While the initial YouTube video got a lot of play on television, one of the earliest popular culture appearances of real quantum levitation was on the November 9 episode of Stephen Colberts The Colbert Report, a Comedy Central satirical political pundit show. Colbert brought scientist Dr. Matthew C. Sullivan from the Ithaca College physics department. Colbert explained to his audience the science behind quantum levitation in this way: As Im sure you know, quantum levitation refers to the phenomenon whereby the magnetic flux lines flowing through a type-II superconductor are pinned in place despite the electromagnetic forces acting upon them. I learned that from the inside of a Snapple cap.He then proceeded to levitate a mini cup of his Stephen Colberts Americone Dream ice cream flavor. He was able to do this  because they had placed a superconductor disk within the bottom of the ice cream cup. (Sorry to give up the ghost, Colbert. Thanks to Dr. Sullivan for speaking with us about the science behind this article!)

Combining Academic Knowledge and Practicality

Combining Academic Knowledge and Practicality The idea of social responsibility came from Adolph Ochs pledge when he bought the New York Times in 1896. It was a promise to â€Å"give the news impartially, without fear or favor, regardless of party, sect or interest involved†. The educational requirement of press and broadcasting profession in Europe in the 1930s was only high school degrees. The absence of formal education for journalist let to the creation of different schools for journalism such as the establishment of Turkey Two-Year Institute of Journalism in 1949. However, although there were about 500 students enrolled in the program, the initiative failed due to the lack of qualified lecturers. In 1965, UNESCO supported the establishment of Journalism and Communications Higher School in Ankara and gave French journalist Georges Pitoleff and four other students scholarships abroad. Since journalism involves giving importance to public interest and being aware of social problems, human rights, equality, and cultural diversity, the mission of ILEF is to combine knowledge with practical lives. This in practice is providing core and basic skills and developing students public interest and desire to make a better world. Journalism’s relationship with social structures and institutions made it a public interest in terms of ethics and social responsibility. For instance, investigative journalists were questioned regarding the ethical implications of their expose on people’s privacy. Journalists’ strong emphasis on freedom of the press and social responsibility often result to media framing, an enduring practice affecting people’s attitudes towards social issues such as crime, internet safety, and others. The Bright Sides of Academic Intellectuals We Call Nerds Public Interest and Press Freedom Public interest and limitations of press freedom are the practical aspects of journalism education. In reality, journalists are often interested in socially relevant issues transpiring in different sectors. Their work normally involves choosing between professional interest and social responsibility and therefore requires a morally sound journalist. Journalism is often praised when it is fair and socially responsible thus a good journalist follows the rules of their work and aware of society’s demands of journalism. The idea of social responsibility came from Adolph Ochs pledge when he bought the New York Times in 1896. It was a promise to â€Å"give the news impartially, without fear or favor, regardless of party, sect or interest involved†. The pledge was later on adopted by the journalism community that later developed the idea of â€Å"journalistic independence†. However, great responsibilities are often hard to fulfill, as journalism in practice is historically associated with horrifying practices such as fabrication in news stories, publishing of fake photographs, impersonation, racism, and others. Higher education help journalism students developed academic and practical skills necessary in professional and social responsible journalist. However, since journalism, in reality, involves professional interest, the practical aspects of journalism education should be given more emphasis particularly in the area of public interest and human dignity and privacy.

The Jade Peony and The Other Family Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Jade Peony and The Other Family - Essay Example They are made to feel like outsiders, at times and this can be very humiliating. They have to try to forget the language and way of life that they have been used to since their childhood, if they are to adapt to life in their new homeland. This can be a painful experience, because they have to give up something that is very close to their hearts. It is easier for children and young people to make these changes and to adapt to life in their new homeland. For older people it can be much more difficult to give up a way of life that they have been used to for all their lives. It is even more difficult for parents, who feel rejected, when their children adopt the language and culture of their new homeland. Bannerji, in The Other Family highlights the feeling of insecurity of an immigrant mother, who says to her only daughter "Is this the family you would like to have Don't you want us anymore You want to be a mem sahib, a white girl" (143). She worries that some day her daughter would be ashamed of her and would move out into the world of the residents of their new homeland. She thinks that some day they would be enemies. She is afraid that she will lose her child. She feels that the people in her new homeland have the power to crush little people like her anytime. She exposes her fear of rejection to her daughter.

Applied International Trade Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Applied International Trade Management - Essay Example Production and distribution of goods and services are the main reason that is contributing to the growth of the port in recent times. Auckland is the largest centre for manufacturing and can be treated as a distribution hub. Trade has been considered as the engine of economic growth that drives the well-being of people in nations. This is particularly the reason for which Auckland’s economy has grown at a greater rate compared to New Zealand for the last ten years (Auckland City Government, â€Å"Driving forces in the Auckland region†). The rise in economic activity has been coupled with the rise in consumerism in the area. The high rates of employment in Auckland mainly in regions of metal production and manufacturing industries have increased the level of disposable income. This in turn, has raised the level of consumer spending by stimulating the demand for goods and services. The general increase in the demand of consumption goods in turn, fuels trade and the role of the port becomes crucial. The role of ports in supply chain management has increased in the recent times. Researchers have pointed out that, ports have played an important role in the co-ordination of information and material flows. This is because; ports play a centre of transhipment and can be considered as an important part in the supply chain. Ports can only become good logistics platform if they work in multiple directions by taking into account the interest of the sender and receiver of goods (Carbone and Martino 305-320). The Ports of Auckland Limited is constantly striving to improve its role in the supply chain management. POAL has taken a crucial role in the sharing of information, providing pre-advice for online export, providing facilities of vehicle booking system and off-wharf hubs. Adaptation of these technologies has reduced the average cargo handling time at the port thereby, enhancing the efficiency of the system. The

Research paper on Armenia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Research paper on Armenia - Essay Example In this paper, we will focus on the historical contexts of Armenia. With that, we mean that we will delve into the historical times of the country and what cultural attachments there are for us to see and understand from in the context of Armenia as a historical state. Whilst on the topic of research for this paper, we find that Armenia as a nation has never found things going easily for herself. There have been invasions, troubles, and battles all around which have marred the historical significance of the country nonetheless. Armenia since prehistoric times has been proposed as the Garden of Eden as it is surrounded by the Biblical mountains of the Ararat. The Armenian highlands are credited as being as first ones in the world to have any traces of human civilization. The capital of Armenia, Yerevan has founded in the year 782 BC and is a rich splendor when the talk rises up concerning the heritage of human civilizations. Orontid Dynasty is known as the first kingdom which was formed within Armenia and this had its fair share under the different dynasties that actually existed within the time until 428 AD. This kingdom became one of the most powerful ones between 95 and 66 BC. There were periods of independence which were enjoyed by Armenia during this time as well as autonomy was there for the rulers to enjoy during the dynasty. The dynasty thus can easily suggest to us the sort of aura Armenia had for its countrymen and women yet it failed to live up to the historians’ expectations in the matter that there were troubles looming all around.

Leisure Tourism in Nepal

Leisure Tourism in Nepal Introduction The United Nations World Tourism Organisation, (UNWTO), undoubtedly the most influential international tourism organisation, describes tourists as â€Å"people who travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited†. (Richards Hall, 2000, P 36) Whilst this rather complex interpretation does not do justice to itinerant and obsessive travellers, or to the thousands of young westerners who live for months on the beaches and mountain resorts of alien countries, it effectively narrows down tourism to a short or medium term self funded leisure activity in foreign, unknown, strange or unfamiliar environs. Sharpley’s definition of tourism as a phenomenon of modern society, (1994) whilst being apt with regard to timeline, does not also do justice to this seething and volatile activity, the largest and possibly the most complex organised process in today’s world. Tourism is widely known to be not just the world’s largest business but also its principal employer. It accounts for practically 8 % of global GDP and continues to grow at a clip of 4 %, despite its massive base. (Richards Hall, 2000) Millions of people all over the world, from the largest metropolises to the remotest hamlets, depend upon tourism for their livelihood, opening up their countries and towns to enable people from other countries and cultures to come and gain touristic experiences. Tourism, since the inception of the concept, has primarily been associated with the desires of affluent citizens of advanced nations to go out of their ordinary places of residence for experiential activities that provide emotional and physical satisfaction. (Richards Hall, 2000) Even though tourism has constantly been viewed as a self indulgent activity, its phenomenal increase and adoption by all affluent societies has led to the creation of a multi billion dollar octopus like activity; one with numerous tentacles in different activities and places. (Richards Hall, 2000) Leisure tourism has witnessed a dramatic upsurge in the last few decades, driven by (a) steadily increasing incomes and discretionary spending powers in the advanced and industrialising nations, (b) cheaper air travel, (c) strong western currencies, (d) globalisation, (e) the emergence and consolidation of a unipolar world, and (f) the opening up of numerous tourism destinations and experiences. (Mowforth Munt, 2003) As such, whilst tourism has expanded phenomenally in recent years, the reasons for this phenomenon possibly lie in a number of modern day happenings that have come together for the expression of latent but previously existing desires. The fact that a modern day occurrence, can, in a matter of decades become the world’s largest activity also belies any simple definition or explanation. (Mowforth Munt, 2003) The complexity of tourism can be gauged from the number of activities and businesses it encompasses, including, among other things, different modes of transport, varieties of accommodation, choices of cuisines and eating ambiences, range of activities, and innumerable players. Touristic pursuits are now becoming segmented into different areas like culinary, cultural, historical, health, wildlife, sex, and outdoor adventure activities. (Richards Hall, 2000) Out door adventure pursuits are again further subdivided into a plethora of activities like trekking, mountaineering, mountain and flat land cycling, para-gliding, and white water rafting. (Richards Hall, 2000) Driven by changing lifestyles, these activities are becoming increasingly popular with more and more people wishing to experience more rewarding leisure experiences. (Richards Hall, 2000) Countries with natural resources conducive to outdoor sports have naturally started leveraging their resources to take advantage of this upsurge in interest. Australia and New Zealand, for example, have taken adventure tourism to new levels by building facilities and infrastructure that not only showcase the country’s natural beauty but allow visitors to participate safely in a range of outdoor activities. (Mowforth Munt, 2003) Whilst these countries have been able to exploit their resources successfully, other nations, equally rich in natural beauty, have been unable to fulfil or even come near their potential in attracting leisure or adventure tourism traffic. Nepal, a nation state tucked away in the Himalayas between China and India is a land of unimaginable beauty, grandeur, and ruggedness, and is ideal for leisure and adventure tourism. The country has attracted considerable leisure tourism interest from Europe and the UK and a number of British tourism companies have tried to set up operations in the state, especially in areas relating to white water rafting, mountaineering, and adventure trekking. Whilst disturbed political conditions during the last few years had led to a significant decrease in tourist arrivals, recent developments involving the formation and installation of a democratic government have now resulted in more stable conditions and an upsurge in tourism interest. (Basu Riaz, 2007) This assignment deals with Nepal’s attractiveness as a White Water Rafting and Leisure Tourism destination, its current position as a tourist attraction, and the various initiatives that need to be taken at the private and public level to attract visitors and promote tourism on a sustainable basis. Commentary and Analysis White Water Rafting Rafting is widely accepted by historians to be one of the most primitive modes of water transportation. The activity evolved thousands of years ago when humans started using water currents for transportation by roping wooden logs into platforms for floating downstream. Rafts have changed little over the centuries and even today represent small flat bottomed floating vessels without engines or sails, dependent fully upon water currents and oars for forward propulsion. (Robinson, 2004) Rafts are nowadays made of specially manufactured thick plastic or fabric. (Robinson, 2004) The material is multi layered, adequately waterproofed, and stitched or fused into inflatable multi chambered rubber vessels with flat bottoms and short sides. (Robinson, 2004) Not large in size, modern day rafts are less than 20 feet long, about 6 to 8 feet wide, and can seat a maximum of 12 people. (Robinson, 2004) Being inflatable they can be easily transported over long distances and are economical to buy and maintain. (Robinson, 2004) White water rafting (WWR) originated a couple of decades ago with the use of these rafts by pleasure seekers for rushing down swiftly flowing mountain streams. (Robinson, 2004) The turbulence of mountain streams and rivers, the feel of spray in the face, the froth, the foam, and the association with danger, combine to make rafting a thrilling and enjoyable proposition. (Robinson, 2004) WWR has gained significantly in popularity and is now available across the globe. Involving trips to distant places with the opportunity to participate in intrinsically enjoyable outdoor activity, WWR makes for an ideal group, individual and family pursuit and is open to all reasonably healthy people. (Robinson, 2004) WWR expeditions last from a few hours to days, depending upon the stretch of available water, and often incorporate outdoor camping, tent accommodation, barbecues and spits next to the river at night, and local cultural shows. â€Å"Though river rafting once was thought akin to slaying dragons, the sport has grown dramatically in the last two decades, pursued on more than 145 rivers around the country, according to David Brown, director of America Outdoors, a trade association. But trends in rafting are steering away from expeditions designed for thrill-seekers and toward family-style trips and one-day float outings† (Cooke Haggerty, 1996) Safety is obviously of paramount importance for WWR and rafters use specific gear including helmets and inflatable vests. (Robinson, 2004) Getting thrown off the raft is common during turbulent stretches and rafters are provided with detailed instructions before the commencement of trips. Extremely stormy conditions increase the risk of such occurrences as well as the chances of being swept downstream. Water stretches used for rafting are categorised in accordance with the level of danger involved, levels 1 to 3 being mild stretches ideal for beginners and levels 4 to 6 being rough and meant for experienced rafters. (Robinson, 2004) The significant increase in WWR activity over the last two decades has been attributed by social researchers to a number of factors, which include its widespread availability and manageable costs, the opportunities it provides for group and family bonding, and the growing increase in interest in outdoor activity. It is also associated with the pleasure people obtain out of escaping from urban work and life tensions, the proximity to natural beauty, ruggedness and majesty, and the adrenalin rush that comes from exciting physical activity. Rowlands (2008) feels that the popularity of the activity is due mostly to it being high on adrenalin, medium on fitness, and low on cost. Recent innovations like the designing and fitment of special seats on rafts for people who can not use their lower limbs indicate the spreading popularity of the activity. â€Å"Weve got special seats on rafts adapted for people who dont have use of their lower limbs. The seat helps to stabilise you in the raft, gives extra support and has quick-release straps so you can get out quickly if necessary. People with sight or hearing difficulties also come rafting with us its a really inclusive activity.†(Rowlands, 2008) The low cost of setting up rafting facilities (expenditure comprising largely of investment in reasonably low priced equipment, and trained instructors and guides) is also a major reason for the mushrooming of WWR activity, more so in developing nations where local entrepreneurs and nature enthusiasts are otherwise hindered by lack of capital and resources. (Robinson, 2004) Improvement in communication, greater information availability, and cheaper air travel costs have also contributed enormously to the growing popularity of WWR. Cheaper air travel has enabled tourists to travel to distant destinations even during short holidays and it is now common for Britishers, Americans, and citizens of other affluent countries to engage in intercontinental travel for tourism experiences that could last even lesser than a week. The plethora of information available over the internet has brought information about hitherto exotic and distant locations into the common realm of knowledge and the av ailability of online booking facilities for airline tickets, hotel accommodation and tourism experiences has empowered tourists to act on their own and undertake trips at short notice without the involvement of travel agents. Tourism experts feel that the interest in WWR activity is bound to increase in future, given its many appealing features and possibility of the opening up of numerous fresh locales. (Robinson, 2004) White Water Rafting in Nepal Nepal, a small Himalayan nation state currently undergoing a difficult transition from a monarchy to a democratic republic, has among the most abundant mountaineering and WRR resources in the world. Home to 8 out of the world’s highest 14mountain peaks, the country nestles in majestic mountain country. (Welcome to Nepal, 2008) It is abundantly fed by swiftly flowing rivers, covered with dense forests, and is home to an incredible range of flora and fauna. (Welcome to Nepal, 2008) Connected by air and road the country is not difficult to access and is normally reached after a stopover in a major Indian city. (Welcome to Nepal, 2008) Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal is a remarkably tourist friendly city; rich in cosmopolitanism, culinary variety, and culture, and was a major backpacker and mountaineering destination even a few years ago. Local entrepreneurs along with British and European companies have started promoting Nepal as a strong WWR destination and a number of its river s are being used for rafting trips. Appendix 1 provides details about various Nepalese rivers and the duration of WWR trips possible on each of them. Approximately 61 companies service Nepal’s tourism industry, which in turn provides employment to thousands of Nepalese citizens. (Nepal Association of Rafting Agents, 2008) Despite its enormous tourism resources and its friendly people, Nepal has in recent years been beset with large scale peace and order problems caused by agitating Maoists and other anti monarchists. (Basu Riaz, 2007) The installation of an elected government in 2006 has led to a cessation of large scale violence and whilst civil strife and unrest is yet to cease completely the situation is steadily moving towards normalcy. (Basu Riaz, 2007) Various European and North American governments still have negative travel advisories for their citizens wishing to travel to Nepal. The Canadian government, for example, advises its citizens to exercise great caution whilst visiting Nepal. â€Å"You should evaluate carefully the implications for your security and safety before deciding to travel to Nepal.Canadians in Nepal should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times due to the unpredictable safety situation. Following an intense period of unrest and armed conflict, the political and security situation remains fragile and volatile.† (Travel Report Nepal, 2008) Nepalese WWR providers have however started work on rebuilding awareness in Europe and the UK about facilities available for rafting on Nepalese mountain streams and rivers. The Nepalese Association of Rafting Agents has in fact recently concluded the 7th Himalayan White Water Challenge. (Nepal Association of Rafting Agents, 2008) Held in November 2007 in association with Peak UK, an English White Water and Kayaking Equipment Company, the event was designed as a multi disciplinary one boat competition that combined extreme slalom and river running skills with down river speed and free style action. (Nepal Association of Rafting Agents, 2008) Combining state of the art forms of slalom and head to head racing, the event drew 80 international and 30 local participants and turned out to be a huge success, despite the troubled state of the country and the somewhat inclement weather. (Nepal Association of Rafting Agents, 2008) Whilst the successful holding of the event should help in bring ing back WWR enthusiasts to Nepal in the coming season, much still needs to be done to make WWR and allied tourism activities in the country truly self sustaining and beneficial for the local population. Challenges and Hazards before Nepal’s WWR Tourism Activity Even as a modern and democratic Nepal tries to reengage with the global community after nearly a decade of unrest and isolation, it will need to put in extraordinary efforts to rebuild its inward tourism activity on a sustainable basis if it is to ensure protection of its environment and the passing of tourism benefits to the local population. Tourism has been the subject of endless research and discussion in recent years. Even as hoteliers, airline operators, travel agents, keepers of historical sites, designers and operators of amusement parks and other touristic activities, and the numerous other operators have striven to provide better and differentiated offerings, the industry has been criticised for sharpening income divides, creating low skill employment, causing large scale environmental degradation, generating pockets of work as well as income divides in scarcity ridden areas, and for being one of the chief causes of greenhouse emissions. (Robinson, 2004) Debate has raged over other aspects of tourism especially the impact of modernism and postmodernism on the evolution of the business. Thinkers like MacCannell, Sharpley, Ritzer and Liska have raised a number of issues about existing tourism practices, introduced postmodernist concepts, and stressed the need to bring in far reaching changes in government attitudes and public policy in dealing with the issue. Postmodern views on tourism encompass various perspectives, including the imperative need to make tourism sustainable. A major global initiative in this regard came about in 2002 when representatives of inbound and outbound tour operators, emerging entrepreneurs in the tourism industry, national parks, provincial conservation authorities, all spheres of government, tourism professionals, tourism authorities, NGOs and hotel groups and other tourism stakeholders, from 20 countries in Africa, North and South America, Europe and Asia came together in Cape Town to consider the issue of responsible tourism and agreed to a number of actions. (Responsible Tourism in Destinations, 2002) These included adoption of a number of processes that aimed at inculcating responsibility in tourism. Conference members agreed to (a) minimise negative economic, environmental, and social impacts, generate greater economic benefits for local people and enhance the well-being of host communities, (b) improve working conditions and access to the industry, (c) involve local people in decisions that affect their lives and life ch ances, (d) make positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, (e) maintain the worlds diversity, (f) provide more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues, (g) provide access for physically challenged people and (h) engender respect between tourists and hosts, and (i) build local pride and confidence. (Responsible Tourism in Destinations, 2002) WWR and associated touristic activities in Nepal have the potential of causing severe damage to the environment through large scale littering of river banks, cutting and burning of forest resource, spillage of diesel and petroleum products in rivers, destruction of local flora and fauna, and spoilage of natural habitat and biodiversity. Tourism authorities in Nepal along with local tourism operators need to ensure that increase in WWR tourism does not harm the environment and is able to bring about real benefits to the local population. Marketing of Nepal as a WWR destination WWR activities, like other touristic pursuits, are mainly concerned with optimal utilisation of leisure time and characterised by â€Å"a sense of separation from the everyday world, feelings of intense pleasure, freedom of choice, spontaneity, timelessness, fantasy, adventure and self-realization.† (Otto and Ritchie, 1996, p 54) Leisure is also associated with six conditions, namely intrinsic satisfaction, perceived freedom, involvement, arousal, mastery and spontaneity, and also characterized by two forms of risk, functional and psychosocial. (Otto and Ritchie, 1996) It contributes to strong feelings of camaraderie and mental bonding, especially when tourists take part in group activities, be they harmless sightseeing tours or riskier mountaineering or white water rafting expeditions. (Otto and Ritchie, 1996) Tourism can also be categorised in two dimensions, existential, representing satisfaction, freedom, involvement, pleasure and reward as well as structural, which deals with physical tasks and an element of external enforcement like, e.g., visits to safari parks or the undertaking of supervised hill climbing expeditions. (Otto and Ritchie, 1996) A number of tourism experiences have greater or lesser elements of risk. (Otto and Ritchie, 1996) As such, tourists subconsciously deal with a number of psychological and social issues while making a tourism choice. (Otto and Ritchie, 1996) As these perspectives are also not readily transferable to managerial activity to prompt suitable decisions, most marketers of tourism tend to focus on discrete service quality factors and tend to ignore the various psychological factors that are closely related to leisure activities. (Otto and Ritchie, 1996) Concentration only on the technical aspects of WWR and ignoring various involved emotions will lead to an inadequate understanding of the true nature of consumer satisfaction and the true extent of satisfaction with a tourism experience. It is evident that proper and holistic marketing of WWR activity for Nepal must address the total needs of the prospective traveller, which comprise not only of objective and physically quantifiable components but also of emotional and subjective parts that do not lend themselves to physical quantification, but are nevertheless important components of a total leisure experience. WWR tourism in Nepal will depend upon a complex amalgam of a number of service industries as well as on the efficiency and ability of primary service providers like Travel Agents, Tour Operators, the Airlines, and the Hotels as also local guides, leisure activity experts, transporters, restaurants and shopping infrastructures at major Nepalese cities. The political stability, the government controlling the affairs of the tourism destination, and the nodal tourism agency play very important roles in the effective marketing of a tourist destination. (Klenosky and Gitelson, 1998) A primary market audit of Nepalese tourism reveals that inward travellers mostly come in from India and whilst the majority of visitors are Indians, the country also attracts adventure tourism aficionados from the western countries and religious tourists from South East Asia. Whilst the country was experiencing increasing tourism arrivals until the late 1990s, recent years have seen a decline due to unstable political conditions. The most popular tourism destinations are Kathmandu and Pokhra, both of which are near WWR starting points. Most of the tourists who come at present are in search of mountain and jungle holidays. Nepal is situated on the Northern border of India, and many visitors nowadays prefer to engage in WWR and allied activities in the neighbouring country. A PEST analysis indicates that the country is on its way to becoming a stable and peaceful democracy. The government is committed to increasing tourism and has a tourist friendly approach. Whilst there is a local Maoist threat, terrorist activity is still absent and the country has not experienced bombings like those that occurred in London, Madrid, Bali or Bombay. Nepal is a developing nation and tourism is its largest service industry. The number of hotel beds is growing and whilst there are numerous travel agents, few are of significance. Katmandu has many WWR and car rental services as well as numerous bars, restaurants and cafes. Nepal has in the past been a Hindu kingdom and is progressing towards becoming a secular democracy. Whilst it is technologically backward it has enormous natural and religious touristic resources. As the birthplace of the Buddha it attracts visitors from all over east and Southeast Asia. A SWOT analysis shows that Nepal has very strong WWR resources. It has an accessible location and is proximal to both India and China. It has magnificent mountains, crystal clear rivers and immensely varied wildlife and forestry resources. The country has a strong tradition of history and culture, friendly people and a reasonably developed tourism industry. It has good air connections, proper roads, comfortable hotels, taxi services, restaurants, cafes, and bars. Prices are far lesser than in major European countries, and holidays in Nepal are economical and provide value for money. The country has a poor railway system and sanitation and drinking water facilities are inadequate. Ecommerce in the tourism industry has not developed in line with that of European countries and online bookings are available only for a few hotels. A perusal of tourism websites indicates that marketing of tourism is weak compared to that of western nations and most visitors are not affluent. Average days spent by tourists in Nepal as well as money spends are low. Most arrivals are during the summer months and there is underutilisation in the lean periods. Language barriers also pose a problem for tourists to access services. The tourism industry has opportunities to increase off-season business and step up the number of arrivals in the cold winter months. There is great scope to increase cultural and historical tourism because of the availability of significant historical resource. Efforts to step up visits of more affluent tourists and arrange for longer visits through introduction of structured tours can also boost tourism earnings significantly. Underdevelopment of infrastructure could encourage tourists to go to other locations. Low-income tourists are very liable to change their mind and move to other locations at short notices and this threat will continue until the income profile of tourists’ changes. Very little information is available on market segmentation and growth has been organic. Recommendations and Conclusion Opportunities to increase tourist arrivals and promote Nepal as a WWR tourist and leisure destination are immense. It is evident from the SWOT analysis and the available data that the country has numerous underdeveloped areas, which if properly addressed can improve the quantity, and quality of tourist flows significantly. Tourism efforts should focus upon positioning Nepal as a WWR destination through a combination of interconnected and complementary set of attractions that provide tourists with an interesting and enjoyable value proposition; in this case a mix of WWR, interesting culture, novel cuisine, historic sites, lovely climate, gorgeous mountains, extravagant jungles, and a range of mountain and hill oriented outdoor activity. Marketing efforts will need to be provided through a mix of various suppliers who combine together to offer the tourism experience, i.e., the local tourism body, tour operators, airlines, hotels, taxi operators, WWR services, restaurants, cafes and guides. The tourism body needs to co-ordinate with all service providers to ensure improvement in services as well as adoption of a common marketing approach. The co coordinating body needs to develop value propositions that will appeal to various market segments, e.g. the low budget tourist, the affluent visitor, people desirous of WWR or mountaineering holidays, historical and cultural experiences or a mix of both. These value propositions need further development to form visitor activity packages that will satisfy the subjective and objective demands of tourists. A complex branding exercise for the complete tourism experience as well as its components like WWR needs development and implementation. The country has various touristic experiences on offer that have their unique appeal and need distinguishing and highlighting. Brand development is a complex exercise and must encompass the physical aspects of Nepalese holidays, cultural components, historical sites and the fun aspect of the total tourism package on offer. The country has extremely inadequate infrastructural facilities like train services, competent local tour operators, drinking water availability, waste disposal systems, and availability of guides with knowledge of foreign languages. The Nepalese authorities need to encourage and catalyse various initiatives, private, public and private-public partnerships that aim to improve the quality of infrastructure. In addition to improvement of basic tourism infrastructure WWR activity will be well served by improvement in the quality of guides and operators, introduction of mandatory safety requirements, and dissemination of information about the different WWR options. The tendency of tourists to avoid tour operators wherever possible and organise their tourism experiences on their own is increasing constantly, especially in the USA and Europe. It is essential that the parties involved in marketing WWR in Nepal should arrange for strong on line presence, including payment options. E Commerce gives rise to enormous possibilities to increase the value proposition of the tourism experience through different tourism sectors like WWR operators joining restaurants and cafes to offer discounts, free meals, entry and other benefits. Apart from setting up these initiatives the introduction of a practical monitoring system to assess progress in various areas will also help enormously in effectively marketing Nepal as a major tourism and WWR destination. Appendix 1 Rivers Suitable for WWR in Nepal (Nepal Association of Rafting Agents, 2008) Serial Name of River Duration of Rafting Trips in days 1 Trishuli 1 to 3 2 Seti 2 3 Bhote Koshi 2 4 Kali Gandki 3 5 Marshvangdi 4 6 Sun Koshi 7 to 9 7 Arun Up to 9 8 Karnali Up to 10 9 Tamur Up to 11 Word Count: 4428 Bibliography Ansoff, I, 2005, Strategic Choice, Management Centre, Retrieved December 17, 2006 from www.managementcentre.co.uk/knowledgebase/pdf/Ansoff%20-%20July%2005.pdf Basu, S and Riaz, A, 2007, Paradise Lost, Lexington Books. Beckman, T. N., Davidson, W. R, 1967 Marketing, New York: Ronald Press Co. Bloodgood, J. M., Bauerschmidt, A. (2002), Competitive Analysis: Do Managers Accurately Compare Their Firms to Competitors?. Journal of Managerial Issues, 14(4), 418+ Bright, A. D, 2000, The Role of Social Marketing in Leisure and Recreation Management. Journal of Leisure Research, 32(1), 12 Brown, T. L, 1996, The Challenge to Democracy in Nepal: A Political History. London: Routledge Cooke, A. Z., Haggerty, S, 1996, July 1, The Original White Water: During the Last 20 Years, River Rafting Has Evolved from a Sport for Thrill Seekers to Family Fun. Insight on the News, 12, 40+ Houston, P. D, 1998, November, Navigating Dangerous White Water Together. School Administrator, 55, 69 Klenosky, D and Gitelson, R, 1998, Travel agents destination recommendations, Annals of tourism research, Vol. 25, No. 3, Pgs 661-674 Lazer, W, 1971, Marketing Management: A Systems Perspective, New York: Joh

The Roman Military :: essays research papers fc

The strength of the Roman military was the string that held the Roman Empire together for as long as it lasted. The military was made up of strictly disciplined men whom were ready and willing to serve their emperor. The Legions Outward appearance was extremely important to the Romans and the first thing that new recruits learned was to march in perfect form. Once they knew how to march they were then assigned to the legions in which they would remain for the next 20 years of service. (the book) The legions were made up of between 5000 and 5500 men. In a legion there were 10 Cohorts and in those Cohorts there were 6 Centuries. Auxiliary troops, although not usually counted as part of a legion, were part of a legion and could raise the number of men from around 5000 to 6000. The number of legions active in the empire was consistently between 25 and 33. (internet, http://museum.simplenet.com/rome/military/military.htm) The average year for auxiliaries to serve was 25 years or less. After about 20 years in the legions they â€Å"graduated† to a veteran cohort, and continued service there for about 5 years. The soldiers who completed their 25 years of military service to Rome were given a â€Å"diplomaâ €  made of bronze. It was actually a record of their service throughout the years and a copy was kept in soldier’s files in Rome. (the book) Equipment and Supplies   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Soldiers were forced to live like turtles, carrying their â€Å"homes† (tents and such) along with them in battle. Their equipment was also a hassle, but protected them well in battle. It consisted of mainly helmets and shields. They also carried personal equipment such as shoes, belts, over garments, etc. A soldier had to carry his weapons and artillery with him as well. He had spears, pilums, and pikes to be heaved at enemies. Pilums are spear like weapons that would be thrown at enemies in an attempt to pierce them through their shields. Gladiuses (swords) and Pugios (daggers) were the common hand held weapons. The Gladius was the perfect weapon for the legions because of their light weight and maneuverability. The Pugio was not only a weapon of war, but also had many common purposes.