The Owl Never Flew. - 989 Words

The Owl Never Flew There are many different theories on the best way to read, and there are just as many essays trying to explain those theories. Sven Birkerts and Emily Martin have both written essays explaining their theory of the most helpful way to understand. Birkerts, in his essay, write about horizontal and vertical reading, and how the best way to get something out of a text is to read it thoroughly many times to understand every piece of it. Martin, on the other hand, explains how knowledge can and should be related to one’s own life, and by doing so one is stimulated by the information and able to extrapolate wisdom from it. Throughout this essay, I will introduce two examples of understanding and applying knowledge, one dealing with retaining information and the other with one’s own beliefs. One of Birkerts’ main arguments supporting his methods is that in this era, people skim over reading everything, and no one actually takes the time to digests what they read like one would have done in the 1750s. He believes that â€Å"†¦access [of texts] is not a problem, but proliferation is. And the reading act is necessarily different than it was in its earliest days. Awed and intimidated by the availability of texts, faced with the all but impossible task of discriminating among them, the reader tends to move across surfaces, skimming, hastening from one site to the next without allowing the words to resonate inwardly† (Birkerts). However, while I might not actuallyShow MoreRelatedDo Not Challenge an Owl802 Words   |  3 Pageswinnie cut through the peaceful air. A pegasus fell from above and landed on the island, too far for Poseidon to heal him. As Potatoession got closer, she noticed owl feathers all over the pegasus wing, which was now broken. â€Å"What the underworld are owl feathers doing on a pegasus wing?† She said to herself. â€Å"Maybe he ran into an owl... weird.† The pegasus whined in pain. Potatoession, not knowing that she shouldve just put him in the water, hauled the poor animal onto her boat. AsRead MoreSherlock Horse Essay1045 Words   |  5 Pageslike a beak.† I said. â€Å"So I am guessing you think the owl killed Marvin?† said Waterhen. â€Å"Yep, but I still don’t have enough proof to have him arrested. Plus its day time, so he’s probably off napping. We’ll talk to him later. In the mean time, let’s talk to his brothers; see if anyone had a grudge against Marvin.† I said. Marvin’s brothers, Milton and Jeffery, lived just outside the town’s border. Even though they told me they were never really close with their brother I was sure that they wouldRead MoreSummary Of The NovelThe Capture By Kathryn Lasky904 Words   |  4 PagesIn the book†The Capture† written by†Kathryn Lasky† the author tells a life story of little owl named Soren. The author talks about how Soren meets a friend that he will keep the whole book, for example,†Didn’t your parents tell you about the dangers of sleeping under a full shine,† â€Å"Whats a full shine,† Soren asked.(Lasky 44) The Author shows when they meet and get to know each other. The later shows how they use teamwork to complete a task. In the book the theme is†In order to complete a goal youRead MoreThe Story Of Honesty938 Words   |  4 Pagessneezed. Bedstraw sneezed. Hop collapsed in laughter...then sneezed. Once they were dry, they clipped on their nappies and went in search of Cym. Up they went, the soft beat of their wings made little sound in the night. Right up to the second floor they flew. The door to Harmonies apartment was shut. Pignut sat on the handle. Honesty sat on his shoulders. Hop sat on hers. Bedstraw bounced on Hops head. With the weight of all four Sprigs, the handle moved down and the door clicked open. Cym was not inRead MoreThe Night - Original Writing737 Words   |  3 Pageshold on tightly, and he lurched himself into the air flying clear over the river. He gently set Tabitha down on the soft ground and flew back to get the centaur, but the prince of the shifters turned into a small owl and flew over with them. They began traveling again and decide to set up camp on the outskirts of the forest. They enjoyed telling stories and eating their meals. Tabitha then realized that she was freezing, the closer to the mountain they got the cooler the air became. The chatteringRead MoreWhat Is The Ending Of The Dilogue From The Giver1219 Words   |  5 Pagescontinue to sharpen the sticks in the morning. So Jonas quickly made some shelter out trees that he was standing beside. Through the night Jonas heard many different animals such as an owl and woke up every time he heard it hoot he would wake up because he didn’t want anything to happen to Gabe. When the owl flew away, Jonas s tarted to eventually fall asleep without being woken up and had a dream about the community and what they are doing and if the giver is okay. It was morning and Jonas had justRead MoreAutumn Short Story1275 Words   |  6 Pagesoutskirts. The student cradled her way through the various foreign tongues of American soil. A grueling journey that every single human being of this metropolis had to accomplish. She circumambulated into a school, inundated with early birds and night owls alike. Behind her dawned another friend that she adhered, it vigorously gripped her wrist throughout the duration of the day. Seventy-five thousand, nine hundred ninety-eight. It captivated her for the duration of the day, often times superfluouslyRead MoreEverything Is under Control1036 Words   |  4 Pages*Alvys POV* I woke on a cold table. As I stared up at the ceiling, I knew where I was. I had only heard of this place, never actually coming. The ceiling was a dark gloomy grey, the walls the same color. I tried to sit up, though my thoughts told me not to try, and I found that I was strapped down by metal bindings. There was a binding on each of my wrists, my upper arms, my thighs, my ankles, and across my waist. I relaxed and tried to fully look around the room I was in. I could see plasticRead More Flight in Song of Solomon, Native Son, A Worn Path, Sad Sweet Story of Sugar Lips Shinehot, and Por5690 Words   |  23 Pagesairplanes could fly- he lost all interest in himself. The realization for the young Milkman that he would have to live without that single gift saddened him and left his imagination so bereft that he appeared dull...(9). But his fascination with flying never really dies, and as a young man on a journey to discover the truth about his heritage, he comes across a male peacock in the parking lot of a Buick dealership. In that instance, Milkman felt his unrestrained joy at anything that could fly (178).Read MoreAmerican Revolutionary War : The Battle Of The War1331 Words   |  6 PagesCentral Powers. The Allies won the war, and made Germany sign the Treaty of Versailles and take blame for the war. US president, Woodrow Wilson proposed to make an organization to prevent wars. This organization became the League of Nations and America never joined. World War II World War II was a global total war. After the outcome of World War I the countries that made up the Central Powers were destroyed economically. This lead to the rise of three dictators who promised to aid the country’s economy:

Animal Experimentation And The Medical Field Essay

Animal experimentation has notably advanced the medical field since its beginnings nearly two thousand years ago. Modern surgeries, antibiotics, and vaccines have been discovered and put into effect to better the lives of humans worldwide and increase our life expectancy by thirty years. However, animal rights activists argue that tests are not accurate or reliable due to angularities. Morality continues to toy with the minds of the public. Religious organizations, like the Catholic Church, approve of animal testing when it is used to improve the means of health treatment, but the experiments must be as humane as possible. Along with this, the Catholic Church does not consider the cosmetic industry to be included in the realm of health treatment. New laws and restrictions made on testing is slowing research and making the experiments costly. These added obstacles are making the discovery of new treatments are cures difficult. While animal research has greatly expanded our knowledge of the body, diseases, and possible medicines, scientists are working to treat and cure deadly diseases like AIDS and cancer. Animal rights activists are fighting to stop this. Despite what activists say, there is not a single person who has not benefited in one way or another from animal testing. Scientists are looking for ways to refine and reduce testing, but until the day when health treatment is completely advanced, we cannot abandon the use of animals in research. Animal ExperimentationShow MoreRelatedAnimal Experimentation And The Medical Field1043 Words   |  5 Pages the discussion about animal experimentation would be brought up either in a Science or English class. The discussions would last about three quarters of a period, and they would go nowhere because nobody could agree whether it was a good or bad thing to do. I would always be in the middle of the debate because, I believed that it was a good thing. I am for animal experimentation because it has revolutionized the medical field, regulates the overpopulation of certain animal species in the environmentRead MoreEssay on Save the Animals: Say No to Animal Experimentation!1218 Words   |  5 Pagesfor animals before prescribing them to human beings. However, would it feel good to know that every year, hundreds of thousands of animals are captured from the wild and die just because of these said experiments? For many years now, scientists have been using animals for their laborator y experiments to produce new medicines. Although scientists have been using this process for many decades in the field of medicine, it is still a controversial issue for those who are pro animal experimentation andRead MoreArgumentative Essay On Animal Testing859 Words   |  4 Pagescontroversial topics in the field of health sciences is the use non-human test subjects by medical research institutions. Animals used for experimentation can provide extremely important information due to their physical and genetic similarities to humans. The tradeoff to furthering the field of medical science is that often times these experiments result in pain, suffering, and death of the test subjects. This raises serious ethical and moral questions about the use of animal experimentation. It is a matterRead MoreAnimal Experimentation : The End Of Animal Testing1118 Words   |  5 PagesThe experimentation of animals has been used for a multitude of years for research to advance a scientific understanding of a living organism. To this day animals are being tested on for the use of human products. In 3D-printing human skin: The end of animal testing? by Jessica Mendoza, Speculative Philosophy, the Troubled Middle, and the Ethics of Animal Experimentation by Strachan Donnelley, â€Å"Animals and Medical Science: A Vision of a New Era† by David O. Wiebers, Cruelty-free cosmetics benefitRead MoreShould We Use Animals For Medical Research?1503 Words   |  7 PagesThe use of animals in medical research has been a trend for decades. Animals have been an integral part in scientific experiments. They have also proved to be a trustworthy and effective model in the experimentation process, which is how many medicines and treatments for diseases were developed. Most life threatening diseases are now curable because of successful animal experiments. Moreover, not only human beings, but also animals benefit from these experiments. Although there are several usefulRead MoreHow Do The Contributions Of Animal Testing To Global Medical1309 Words   |  6 Pagescontributions of animal testing to global medical science justify whether or not it should be banned? According to the Humane Society International (HSI), animal testing or animal experimentation for medical research refers to the experimentation on live animals for the purposes of investigation on diseases, medical treatments, or fundamental biology. Charles Gross, a former member of the History of Neuroscience committee of the global Society for Neuroscience, states that animals were used for improvingRead MoreArguments Against Animal Testing1157 Words   |  5 PagesWhat comes to mind when thinking about animal experimentation? Thoughts of innocent, lovable animals being stabbed with sharp needles? Well, that is not exactly the case, as animal experimentation plays a very important role in human health today. However, the idea of animals testing has become quite a controversial topic. Over the past few decades, there has been an extensive debate over the use of animals in medical and product testing. The majority of people seem to think that it is an unnecessaryRead MoreAnimal Ex perimentation Is Wrong?1687 Words   |  7 Pagestypes of animals and respect them as equals on their shared territory. Animals are not treated as equals and therefore the animals are suffering from the harm that humans are inflicting on them through animal testing experimentation. These acts of animal experimentation have caused a decrease in the number of some species of animals, while others have broken several rights that animals have and are protected under The Animal Welfare Act. Animal experimentation is wrong because people use animals for beautyRead MoreShould Animals Be Used For Scientific Experiments?1189 Words   |  5 Pagesjustifying the use of animals for scientific research to benefit man, to giving them the right to live life alongside man? This brings up the debate: should animals be used in scientific experiments (â€Å"†¦procedures performed on living animals for purposes of research into basic biology and diseases, assessing the effectiveness of..† Humane Society International)? This debate has been going on for centuries, and still very prevalent in today’s society. Especially with the rise of animal activist groups suchRead MoreAnimal Experimentation And Its Effects On Human Life And Survival965 Words   |  4 PagesInstructor Miguel Marrero English 1302 September 18, 2014 Animal Experimentation The various experiments are performed on living animals especially to test the effects of chemical compounds such as new drugs, cosmetics, food additives and pesticides. The application of animals to test a large number of products from household compounds and cosmetics to pharmaceutical has been considered to be a normal strategy for many years. Animal experimentation has existed since ancient times and contributed to human

The Golden Lily Chapter 5 Free Essays

WORD OF MY UPCOMING DATE spread fast. I could only presume Trey had told Kristin and Julia, who had in turn told Jill and Eddie and God only knew who else†¦. So, I shouldn’t have been surprised when I got a call from Adrian just after dinner. We will write a custom essay sample on The Golden Lily Chapter 5 or any similar topic only for you Order Now He started talking before I could even say hello. â€Å"Really, Sage? A date?† I sighed. â€Å"Yes, Adrian. A date.† â€Å"A real date. Not, like, doing homework together,† he added. â€Å"I mean like where you go out to a movie or something. And a movie that’s not part of a school assignment. Or about something boring.† â€Å"A real date.† I figured I wouldn’t give him the specifics on the Shakespeare play. â€Å"What’s the lucky guy’s name?† â€Å"Brayden.† There was a pause. â€Å"Brayden? That’s his real name?† â€Å"Why are you asking if everything’s real? You think I’d make any of this up?† â€Å"No, no,† Adrian assured me. â€Å"That’s what’s so unbelievable about it. Is he cute?† I glanced at the clock. It was time for me to meet my study group. â€Å"Gee, maybe I should just send you a picture to review?† â€Å"Yes, please. And a full background check and life history.† â€Å"I have to go. Why do you care so much anyway?† I finally asked in exasperation. His answer took a long time, which was uncharacteristic. Adrian was usually ready with a dozen witty quips. Maybe he couldn’t decide which one to use. When he finally responded, it was in that usual sarcastic way of his – though the levity sounded a little forced. â€Å"Because it’s one of those things I never expected to see in my lifetime,† he told me. â€Å"Like a comet. Or world peace. I’m just used to you being single.† For some reason, that bothered me. â€Å"What, you don’t think any guy would ever be interested in me?† â€Å"Actually,† said Adrian, sounding remarkably serious, â€Å"I can imagine lots of guys being interested in you.† I was certain he was teasing me and had no time for his jokes. I said goodbye and headed off to my study group, which, thankfully, was pretty dedicated and got a lot of work done. But when I met up with Trey at the library later, he was less than focused. He couldn’t stop going on and on about how brilliant he was in getting Brayden and me together. â€Å"This date hasn’t even happened, and I’m already tired of it,† I said. I spread Trey’s lab paperwork out on the table before us. The numbers and formulas were comforting, far more concrete and orderly than the mysteries of social interaction. I tapped the lab assignment with my pen. â€Å"Pay attention. We don’t have a lot of time.† He shrugged off my concerns. â€Å"Can’t you just finish it?† â€Å"No! I left enough time so that you could do it yourself. I’ll help, but that’s it.† Trey was intelligent enough to figure out most of it on his own. Using me was just another way for him to dodge looking smart. He let the date go and focused on the work. I thought I was free of Brayden interrogation until, just as were wrapping up, Jill and Micah came strolling by, hand in hand. They were with a group of other people, which didn’t surprise me. Micah was easygoing and popular, and Jill had inherited a large circle of friends by going out with him. Her eyes sparkled with happiness as someone in the group told a funny story that made them all laugh. I couldn’t help a smile myself. This was a far cry from when Jill had first come to Amberwood and been treated as an outcast for unusual looks and odd behaviors. She was thriving with this new social status. Maybe it would help her embrace her royal background. My smile faded when Jill pulled Micah away from the group and hurried over to our table. Her eager expression worried me. â€Å"Is it true?† she asked. â€Å"Do you have a date?† â€Å"For the love of – you know it’s true! And you told Adrian, didn’t you?† I gave her a pointed look. Their psychic bond wasn’t active 100 percent of the time, but something told me she knew about his earlier phone call to me. When the bond was â€Å"on,† she could see into his mind, observing both his feelings and actions. It only worked one way, however. Adrian had no such insight. She turned sheepish. â€Å"Yeah†¦ I couldn’t help it when Micah told me†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I heard it from Eddie,† Micah added quickly, as though that might get him off the hook. He had red hair and blue eyes that were always cheerful and friendly. He was one of those people you couldn’t help but like, which made it harder to undo the tangled web Jill had woven by dating him. â€Å"Hey, I did not tell Eddie,† said Trey defensively. I turned my gaze on him. â€Å"But you told other people. And they told Eddie.† Trey gave a half shrug. â€Å"I might have mentioned it here and there.† â€Å"Unbelievable,† I said. â€Å"What’s this guy like?† asked Jill. â€Å"Is he cute?† I thought about it. â€Å"Pretty cute.† She perked up. â€Å"Well, that’s promising. Where’s he taking you? Somewhere good? Night on the town? Fancy dinner? Micah and I had an awesome time at Salton Sea. It’s so pretty. You could go there, have a romantic picnic.† Her cheeks turned pink and she stopped for breath, as if realizing she was talking too much. Rambling was one of Jill’s most endearing traits. â€Å"We’re going to see Shakespeare in the park,† I said. That got me silence. â€Å"Antony and Cleopatra. It’s good.† I suddenly felt the need to defend myself. â€Å"A classic. Brayden and I both appreciate Shakespeare.† â€Å"His name is Brayden?† asked Micah in disbelief. â€Å"What kind of a name is that?† Jill frowned. â€Å"Antony and Cleopatra†¦ is that romantic?† â€Å"Kind of,† I said. â€Å"For a while. Then everyone dies in the end.† Jill’s horrified expression told me that I wasn’t really improving matters. â€Å"Well,† she said. â€Å"I hope you have, um, fun.† A few moments of awkwardness ensued, then her eyes lit up again. â€Å"Oh! Lia called me tonight. She said you two talked about me modeling for her again?† â€Å"She what?† I exclaimed. â€Å"That’s not quite how I’d put it. She asked if you could do some print ads. I said no.† â€Å"Oh.† Jill’s face fell a little. â€Å"I understand. From what she said†¦ I just thought. Well. I thought maybe there was a way†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I gave her a meaningful look. â€Å"I’m sorry, Jill. I wish there was a way. But you know why you can’t.† She nodded sadly. â€Å"I understand. It’s okay.† â€Å"You don’t need a modeling campaign to be beautiful to me,† said Micah gallantly. That brought a smile back to her face that faded when she saw a nearby clock. Her transient moods reminded me of Adrian’s, and I wondered if some of that was the effect of the bond. â€Å"Ugh. Curfew’s coming. We’d better head out. You coming, Sydney?† I glanced at Trey’s lab. It was complete and, I knew, absolutely perfect. â€Å"I’ll leave in just a couple minutes.† She and Micah left. Glancing over at Trey, I was surprised to find him staring at her retreating figure intently. I nudged him. â€Å"Hey. Don’t forget to put your name on this, or it was all for nothing.† It still took him several seconds to drag his gaze away. â€Å"That’s your sister, isn’t it?† His dismal tone made it sound more like a statement than a question, as though he were revealing some unfortunate fact. â€Å"Um, yeah. You’ve seen her like a hundred times. She’s gone to this school for a month.† He frowned. â€Å"I just never thought much about it†¦ never got a good look at her before. I don’t have any classes with her.† â€Å"She was front and center in that fashion show.† â€Å"She had a mask on.† His dark eyes studied me. â€Å"You guys don’t look alike at all.† â€Å"We get that a lot.† Trey still looked troubled, and I had no idea why. â€Å"You’re smart to keep her out of modeling,† he said at last. â€Å"She’s too young.† â€Å"It’s a religious thing,† I said, knowing Trey wouldn’t quiz me for many details on our â€Å"faith.† â€Å"Whatever it is, keep her out of the public eye.† He scrawled his name on the lab and shut his textbook. â€Å"You don’t want her plastered all over magazines or something. Lots of creepy people out there.† Now I was the one left staring. I agreed with him. Too much exposure meant the Moroi dissidents could find Jill. But why would Trey feel that way, too? His claims that she was too young were sound, I supposed, but there was something vaguely unsettling about the exchange. The way he’d watched her walk away was too weird. But then, what other reason aside from concern could he have? The normality of the next couple of days was welcome – normality being relative around here, of course. Adrian kept sending me e-mails, asking me to rescue him (while also offering unsolicited dating advice). Ms. Terwilliger continued her passive aggressive attempts to teach me magic. Eddie continued in his fierce dedication to Jill. And Angeline continued her not-sosubtle advances on Eddie. After watching her â€Å"accidentally† spill her water bottle all over her white T-shirt at practice with him one day, I knew something would have to be done, no matter what Eddie had said about his personal life. Like so many awkward and unpleasant tasks in our cohort, I had a feeling I was the one who would have to do it. I figured this would be some sort of stern, heart-to-heart talk about the proper way to solicit someone’s attention, but on the night of my date with Brayden, it was soon made clear to me that I was apparently the last person who should be giving dating advice. â€Å"You’re wearing that?† demanded Kristin, pointing an accusing finger at the outfit I’d neatly set out on my bed. She and Julia had taken it upon themselves to inspect me before I went out. Jill and Angeline had tagged along without invitation, and I couldn’t help but notice that everyone seemed a lot more excited about this than I was. Mostly I was a tangle of nerves and fear. This was what it must feel like to go into a test without having studied. It was a new experience for me. â€Å"It’s not a school uniform,† I said. I’d had enough sense to know wearing that would be unacceptable. â€Å"And it’s a color. Kind of.† Julia held up the top I’d selected, a crisp cotton blouse with short sleeves and a high, button-up collar. The whole thing was a soft shade of lemon yellow, which I thought would score me points with this group since everyone accused me of not wearing colors. I’d even combined it with a pair of jeans. She shook her head. â€Å"This is the kind of shirt that says, ‘You’re never getting in here.'† â€Å"Well, why would he?† I demanded. Kristin, sitting cross-legged in my desk chair, tilted her head thoughtfully as she studied the shirt. â€Å"I think it’s more like a shirt that says, ‘I’m going to have to end this date early so I can go prepare my Power Point presentation.'† That sent them into fits of laughter. I was about to protest when I noticed Jill and Angeline going through my closet. â€Å"Hey! Maybe you should ask before doing that.† â€Å"All your dresses are too heavy,† said Jill. She pulled out one made of soft, gray cashmere. â€Å"I mean, at least this is sleeveless, but it’s still too much for this weather.† â€Å"Half my wardrobe is,† I said. â€Å"It’s made for four seasons. I didn’t really have a lot of time to switch to all summer stuff before coming here.† â€Å"See?† exclaimed Angeline triumphantly. â€Å"Now you know my problem. I can cut a couple inches off of that, if you want.† â€Å"No!† To my relief, Jill put the dress away. A few moments later, she produced a new find. â€Å"What about this?† She held up a hanger carrying a long white tank top made of light, crinkly material with a scoop neckline. Kristin glanced at Angeline. â€Å"Think you could make the neckline lower?† â€Å"The neckline’s low enough already. And that’s not a shirt you wear on its own,† I protested. â€Å"It’s meant to be tucked in under a blazer.† Julia rose from the chair. She tossed her hair; this was serious business. â€Å"No, no†¦ this might work.† She took the shirt from Jill and laid it across the jeans I’d set out. She studied it for a few moments and then returned to my closet – which was apparently free game for everyone. After a quick search, she pulled out a skinny leather belt with a tan snakeskin pattern. â€Å"I thought I remembered you wearing this.† She laid the belt over the white shirt and stepped back. After a bit more scrutiny, she gave it a nod of approval. The others crowded in to look. â€Å"Good eye,† said Kristin. â€Å"Hey, I found the shirt,† Jill reminded her. â€Å"I can’t wear the shirt alone,† I said. I hoped my protests covered up my anxiety. Had I really been that off on the yellow shirt? I’d been certain it was date-appropriate. How was I going to survive tonight if I couldn’t even dress right? â€Å"If you want to put a blazer on over it in this weather, be my guest,† said Julia. â€Å"But I don’t think you have to worry about it showing too much. This wouldn’t even be worth Mrs. Weathers’s notice.† â€Å"Neither would the yellow blouse,† I pointed out. They decided my clothing was a done deal and moved on to hair and makeup advice. I drew the line there. I wore makeup every day – very nice, very expensive makeup applied to make the most of my features in a way that made it look as though I didn’t even have makeup on. I wasn’t going to change that natural look, no matter how adamantly Julia swore pink eye shadow would be â€Å"hot.† None of them put up much of a fight on my hair. It was currently in a layered cut that went just past my shoulders. There was exactly one way it could be styled, worn down with the layers carefully arranged with a hair dryer. Any other style looked messy, and of course, I already had it in the perfect configuration today. No point messing with a good thing. Besides, I think they were all too excited that I’d agreed to wear the white tank top – once I’d tried it on to verify that it wasn’t transparent. My only nod to jewelry was my little gold cross. I fastened it around my neck and said a silent prayer that I’d get through this. Although Alchemists used crosses a lot, we weren’t exactly part of any traditional Christian faith or practice. We had our own religious services and believed in God, that He was a great force of goodness and light that infused every bit of the universe. With all that responsibility, He probably didn’t care much about one girl going on a date, but maybe He could spare a second to make sure it wasn’t too painful. They all traipsed down the stairs with me when the time came for Brayden to pick me up. (Actually, it was a little earlier than the appointed time, but I hated being late.) The girls had all come up with reasons for needing to meet him, from Jill’s â€Å"It’s a family thing† to Kristin’s â€Å"I can spot an asshole in five seconds.† I wasn’t confident in that last one, seeing as she’d once speculated that Keith might be a good catch. All of them were also full of unsolicited advice. â€Å"You can split the cost of dinner or the play,† said Julia. â€Å"Not both. He needs to pick up the whole bill on one of them.† â€Å"Better if he pays for everything, though,† said Kristin. â€Å"Still order something, even if you don’t want to eat it,† added Jill. â€Å"If he’s buying dinner, you don’t want to let him off cheap. He’s gotta work for you.† â€Å"Where are you guys getting all of this?† I asked. â€Å"What does it matter if I – oh, come on.† We’d reached the lobby and found Eddie and Micah sitting on a bench together. They at least had the decency to look embarrassed. â€Å"Not you guys too,† I said. â€Å"I was just here to see Jill,† said Micah unconvincingly. â€Å"And I was here to, um†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Eddie faltered, and I held up a hand to stop him. â€Å"Don’t bother. Honestly, I’m surprised Trey isn’t here with a camera or something. I figured he’d want to immortalize every moment of this debacle of a – oh. Hey, over here.† I put on a smile as Brayden stepped into the lobby. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who liked to be early. Brayden seemed a little surprised that I had an entourage. I couldn’t blame him since I was kind of surprised I had one too. â€Å"It’s nice to meet all of you,† said Brayden, friendly, even if a little bewildered. Eddie, while uncomfortable with Angeline’s advances, could be perfectly outgoing in less bizarre social situations. He played up the brotherly role and shook Brayden’s hand. â€Å"I hear you guys are seeing a play tonight.† â€Å"Yes,† said Brayden. â€Å"Although, I prefer the term drama. I’ve actually already seen this production, but I’d like to watch it again with an eye toward alternative forms of dramatic analysis. The standard Freytag method can get a little cliched after a while.† This left everyone speechless. Or maybe they were just trying to figure out what he’d said. Eddie glanced at me then back to Brayden. â€Å"Well. Something tells me you guys are going to have a great time together.† Once we were able to extract ourselves from my well-wishers Brayden said, â€Å"You have very†¦ devoted family and friends.† â€Å"Oh,† I said. â€Å"That. They just, uh, happened to all be going out together at the same time we were. To study.† Brayden glanced at his watch. â€Å"Not too late for that, I suppose. If I can, I always do my homework right after school because – â€Å" â€Å"If you put it off, you never know if something unexpected might happen?† â€Å"Exactly,† he said. He smiled at me. I smiled back. I followed him to visitor parking, over to a shiny, silver Ford Mustang. I nearly swooned. Immediately, I reached out and ran my hand along the car’s smooth surface. â€Å"Nice,† I said. â€Å"Brand new, next model year. These new ones will never quite have the character of the classics, but they certainly make up for it in fuel economy and safety.† Brayden looked pleasantly surprised. â€Å"You know your cars.† â€Å"It’s a hobby,† I admitted. â€Å"My mom is really into them.† When I’d first met Rose Hathaway, I’d had the incredible experience of driving a 1972 Citroen. Now I owned a Subaru named Latte. I loved it, but it wasn’t exactly glamorous. â€Å"They’re works of art and engineering.† I noticed then that Brayden had come with me to the passenger side. For half a second, I thought he expected me to drive. Maybe because I liked cars so much? But then, he opened the door and I realized he was waiting for me to get in. I did, trying to remember the last time a guy had opened a car door for me. My conclusion: never. Dinner wasn’t fast food, but it wasn’t anything fancy either. I wondered what Julia and Kristin’s opinion would be on that. We ate at a very California type of cafe, that served all organic sandwiches and salads. Every menu item seemed to feature avocado. â€Å"I would’ve taken you somewhere nicer,† he told me. â€Å"But I didn’t want to risk being late. The park’s a few blocks away, so we should be able to get a good spot. I†¦ I hope that’s okay?† He suddenly looked nervous. It was such a contrast to the confidence he had shown when talking about Shakespeare. I had to admit, it was kind of reassuring. I found myself relaxing a little bit. â€Å"If it’s not, I’ll find a better place – â€Å" â€Å"No, this is great,† I told him, glancing around the cafe’s brightly lit dining room. It was one of those places where we ordered at a counter and then brought a number to our table. â€Å"I’d rather be early, anyway.† He’d paid for all of our food. I tried to make sense of the dating rules my friends had bombarded me with. â€Å"What do I owe you for my ticket?† I asked tentatively. Brayden looked surprised. â€Å"Nothing. It’s on me.† He smiled tentatively back. â€Å"Thank you,† I said. So, he was paying. That would make Kristin happy, although it made me a little uneasy – through no fault of his. With the Alchemists, I was always the one picking up the bills and handling the paperwork. I wasn’t used to someone else doing it. I guess I just had trouble shaking that feeling that I had to take care of everything because no one else could do it right. Academics had always been a breeze for me. But at Amberwood, learning how to hang out with people my own age in a normal way had been a much more difficult task. I’d gotten better, but it was still a struggle trying to figure out the proper things to say to my peers. With Brayden, there were no such problems. We had an endless supply of topics, both of us eager to put forth all we knew on anything and everything. Most of the meal was spent discussing the intricacies of the organic certification process. It was pretty awesome. Trouble came when, as we were finishing up, Brayden asked if I wanted to get dessert before we left. I froze, suddenly in a dilemma. Jill had said to make sure I ordered enough to not come across as a cheap date. Without even thinking about it, I’d ordered an inexpensive salad – simply because it sounded good. Was I now on the hook to order more so I’d seem like someone Brayden had to work for? Was this worth breaking all my own rules about sugar and dessert? And honestly, what did Jill know about dating etiquette anyway? Her last boyfriend had been homicidal, and her current one was oblivious to the fact that she was a vampire. â€Å"Uh, no thank you,† I said at last. â€Å"I’d rather make sure we get to the park on time.† He nodded as he rose from the table and gave me another smile. â€Å"I was thinking the same thing. Most people don’t seem to think punctuality is that important.† â€Å"Important? It’s essential,† I said. â€Å"I’m always at least ten minutes early.† Brayden’s grin widened. â€Å"I aim for fifteen. To tell you the truth†¦ I really didn’t want dessert anyway.† He held the door open for me as we stepped outside. â€Å"I try to avoid getting too much sugar.† I nearly came to a standstill in astonishment. â€Å"I totally agree – but my friends always give me a hard time about it.† Brayden nodded. â€Å"There are all sorts of reasons. People just don’t get it, though.† I walked to the park, stunned. No one had ever understood me so quickly and easily. It was like he had read my mind. Palm Springs was a desert city, filled with long stretches of sandy vistas and stark, rocky mountain faces. But it was also a city that mankind had been shaping for a long time, and many places – Amberwood, for example – had been given lush, green makeovers in defiance of the natural climate. This park was no exception. It was a huge expanse of green lawn, ringed with leafy deciduous trees instead of the usual palms. A stage had been set up at one end, and people were already seeking out the best spots. We chose one in the shade that had a great view of the stage. Brayden took out a blanket to sit on from his backpack, along with a worn copy of Antony and Cleopatra. It was marked up with notes and sticky tabs. â€Å"Did you bring your own?† he asked me. â€Å"No,† I said. I couldn’t help but be impressed. â€Å"I didn’t bring many books from home when I moved here.† He hesitated, as though unsure he should say what he was thinking. â€Å"Do you want to read along with mine?† I’d honestly figured I would just watch the play, but the scholar in me could certainly see the perks of having the original text along. I was also curious about what kind of notes he’d made. It was only after I’d said yes that I realized why he was nervous. Reading along with him meant we had to sit very, very close together. â€Å"I won’t bite,† he said, smiling when I didn’t move right away. That broke the tension, and we managed to move into positions that allowed us both to see the book with almost no touching. There was no avoiding our knees brushing one another, but we both had jeans on, and it didn’t make me feel like my virtue was at stake. Also, I couldn’t help but notice he smelled like coffee – my favorite vice. That wasn’t a bad thing. Not bad at all. Still, I was very conscious of being so close to someone. I didn’t think I was getting any romantic vibes. My pulse didn’t race; my heart didn’t flutter. Mostly I was aware that this was the closest I’d sat to anyone, maybe in my life. I wasn’t used to sharing my personal space so much. I soon forgot about that as the play started. Brayden might not like Shakespeare performed in modern clothing, but I thought they did an admirable job. Following along with the text, we caught a couple of spots where the actors messed up a line. We shot each other secret, triumphant looks, gleeful that we were in on something others didn’t know about. I kept up with Brayden’s annotations too, nodding at some and shaking my head at others. I couldn’t wait until we discussed this on the ride home. We were all leaning forward intently during Cleopatra’s dramatic death scene, intensely focused on her last lines. Off to my side, I heard the crinkling of paper. I ignored it and leaned forward further. The paper crinkled again, this time much louder. Looking over, I saw a group of guys sitting nearby who appeared to be about college-aged. Most of them were watching the performance, but one was holding an item wrapped in a brown paper bag. The bag was too big for the object and had been rolled down several times. He glanced around nervously, trying to be discreet and unroll the paper in small batches. It was obvious that was actually making more noise than if he’d just gone for it and unrolled it all at once. This went on for another minute, and by then, a few others nearby were glancing over at him. He finally managed to open the bag and then, still in slow motion, carefully lowered his hand inside. I heard the pop of a cap and the guy’s face lit up in triumph. Still keeping the object concealed, he lifted the bag to his mouth and drank out of what was very obviously a bottle of beer or some other alcohol. It had been pretty apparent right away from the bag shape. I clapped a hand over my mouth, in an attempt to smother my laughter. He reminded me so much of Adrian. I could absolutely see Adrian smuggling in alcohol to an event like this and then going to all sorts of pains to be covert, thinking that if he just did everything slowly enough, no one would catch on to him. Adrian, too, would probably have the misfortune of opening the bottle right in the middle of the play’s most tense scene. I could even picture a similarly delighted look on his face, one that said, No one knows what I’m doing! When, of course, we all knew. I didn’t know why it made me laugh, but it did. Brayden was too focused on the play to notice. â€Å"Ooh,† he whispered to me. â€Å"This is a good part – where her handmaidens kill themselves.† The two of us had plenty to debate and analyze on the way back to Amberwood. I was almost disappointed when his car pulled up to my dorm. As we sat there, I realized we’d come to another critical dating milestone. What was the correct procedure here? Was he supposed to kiss me? Was I supposed to let him? Had that been the real price of my salad? Brayden seemed nervous too, and I braced myself for the worst. When I looked down at my hands in my lap, I noticed they were shaking. You can do this, I told myself. It’s a rite of passage. I started to close my eyes, but when Brayden spoke, I opened them quickly. As it turned out, Brayden’s buildup of courage wasn’t for a kiss, so much as a question. â€Å"Would you†¦ would you like to go out again?† he asked, giving me a shy smile. I was surprised at the mix of emotions this triggered. Relief was foremost, of course. I’d now have time to research books on kissing too. At the same time, I was kind of disappointed that the swagger and confidence he’d shown in dramatic analysis didn’t carry through here. Some part of me thought his line should’ve been more like, â€Å"Well, after that night of perfection, I guess we have no choice but to go out again.† Immediately, I felt stupid for such a sentiment. I had no business expecting him to be more at ease with this when I was sitting there with my hands shaking. â€Å"Sure,† I blurted out. He breathed a sigh of relief. â€Å"Cool,† he said. â€Å"I’ll e-mail you.† â€Å"That’d be great.† I smiled. More awkward silence fell, and suddenly, I wondered if the kiss might be coming after all. â€Å"Do you†¦ do you want me to walk you to the door?† he asked. â€Å"What? Oh, no. Thank you. It’s right there. I’ll be fine. Thank you.† I realized I was on the verge of sounding like Jill. â€Å"Well, then,† said Brayden. â€Å"I had a really nice night. Looking forward to next time.† â€Å"Me too.† He held out his hand. I shook it. Then I left the car and went inside. I shook his hand? I replayed the moment in my head, feeling dumber and dumber. What is wrong with me? As I walked through the lobby, kind of dazed, I took out my cell phone to see if I had any messages. I’d turned it off tonight, figuring if ever there was a time I’d earned peace, this was it. To my astonishment, no one had needed anything in my absence, though there was one text message from Jill, sent about fifteen minutes ago: How was your date with Brandon? What’s he like? I unlocked my dorm door and stepped inside. His name is Brayden, I texted back. I pondered the rest of her question and took a long time in trying to decide how to respond. He’s just like me. How to cite The Golden Lily Chapter 5, Essay examples

Progress in Modernity in the Mark on the Wall-Samples for Students

Question: Discuss about the Lack of Progress in Modernity in the Mark on the Wall. Answer: Virginia Woolf is regarded as a major figure in the history of modern literature and is known for her innovative techniques in fiction and her literary contribution to criticism. In her short stories, she has explored themes like the reality and truth, portrayal of women in the society and the nature and techniques of storytelling. Her works are known to be highly subjective and detailed in addressing the perceptions and the workings of the mind. In The Mark on the Wall, Woolf has used the technique of the interior monologue to demonstrate the inner musings of the narrator. The Mark on the Wall is underlined with multiple layers of meaning especially when it comes to pointing out the problems within the society. The thesis statement of this paper is to state that Woolfs The Mark on the Wall has deep undertones of the problematic progress of the society in the modern age especially regarding the imposed gender roles and the treatment of women in a patriarchal society. Like most of the writers of the modernist age, Woolf had always favored the use of the stream of consciousness technique. The Mark on the Wall was published first in 1917, in the near end of the World War I, a year before the women in England were given suffrage. Woolfs short story explores in the midst of the hollowness of the war, themes like gender roles, religion, trust and uncertainty. The story revolves around the musings of the narrator who wonders about a mark on the wall of her drawing room. Even though she is able to resolve the issue of the mark on the wall as a snail, she contemplates on the other issues and problems of the society of which she is uncertain that they would ever be solved. The narrator is unable to find any logical reason as to why her world is dominated as if generically by men. Moreover, the narrator is deprived of any religious faith on male-dominated church especially in a hollow world that is cursed by the war. The fact that the narrator is so inclined on the belief that nothing ever happens demonstrates her disappointment in the fact that her position and role in the society as woman is permanent and would never change (Woolf, 1997). She will forever be stuck in the role of a dutiful wife that the society has decided for her and there will be no progress in her identity or state of being. The moral hollowness of the war has developed in her a feeling of paralysis. Her life and her role in the society is predefined and has rendered her in a paralytic state where she does not have any say or anything to do to help the cursed war to stop. Throughout the short story, the feeling of uncertainty for the hollowness of the war and the society lingers on. In fact, the feeling of uncertainty is evident from the very beginning of the short story when the narrator is uncertain about the time when the incident had occurred: Perhaps it was the middle of January in the present year that I first looked up and saw the mark on the wall. In order to fix a date, it is necessary to remember what one saw (Woolf, 1997). The Mark on the Wall establishes the foundation of Woolfs position as a feminist her views on the World War I, patriarchal order and Victorian conformism. Woolf is of the opinion that men set the standards of the social order. This is demonstrated through Whitakers Almanack metaphor. The Whitakers Almanack represents what Woolf calls the impersonal and impartial authority or a system that stands for the bias and prejudice of the patriarchy against the women in the professional sectors (Woolf, 1997). Woolfs narrator predicts that the war would soon triumph over the patriarchy since it had discredited the Whitakers Table of Precedency which she believes has degraded to being half a phantom from the time the war has begun (Woolf, 1997). In a moment of anticipation, the narrator opines that women would love to find the masculine point of view which governs our lives to be discarded into the dustbins where the phantoms go (Woolf, 1997). This she believes would lead to disappearance of the male traditions, power and religion and offer women an intoxicating sense of illegitimate freedom, if freedom exists (Woolf, 1997). Hence, it can be argued that Woolf finds the womans position as being confined only within a culture that is fundamentally dominated by the men. There are several other instances in the short story when Woolf had emphasized on the contradictory gender roles prevalent in the society: What now takes the place of those things I wonder, those real standard things? Men perhaps, should you be a woman (Woolf, 1997). The most evident reference of the conflicting gender roles in the short story is its ending where the thoughts of the narrator are interrupted by the male counterpart. He reveals the mark present on the wall to be a snail. The woman does not question the mans authority and simply accepts his perception. Woolf finds it vital to challenge and resist the oppressive source by confronting the designed modes of behavior for the women as stated by the patriarchal society. However, the problem is beyond just the rejection of the imposed gender roles of supreme masculinity. The story is not just the expression of the mind of one person but a revelation of the combined ethos and mentality of England at the time of the Great War. The traumatized world of England is ruled by the men, men of action men, we assume who dont think (Woolf, 1997). Woolfs short story ends on an abrupt note: Im going to buy a newspaper. Yes? Though its no good buying newspapersNothing ever happens. Curse this war; God damn this war!... All the same, I dont see why we should have a snail on our wall. Ah, the mark on the wall! It was a snail. (Woolf, 1997) The exclamations of the intruder on newspapers and the war demonstrate his rational and logical attitude. He wants to develop and enhance his knowledge even if the world is suffering a horrible phase. His logical outlook and perspective allows him to immediately recognize the mark present on the wall as a snail. Some critics believe that the intruder is not capable of comprehending the snails value, as he does not realize the essence and beauty of something that is a standout. Here, can be demonstrated the dichotomy of the antiquity of the male gaze and the modernity of the female gaze. The narrator, being a female can understand the pleasure and beauty of not knowing the source and identity of the mark. However, the man is stuck in his self-created world that is torn by war disconnected from the beauty of not knowing. The lack of progress in the mentality of the society especially in the modern era and towards the women can be supported by the honest lamentation of Woolfs narrator: Oh! Dear me, the mystery of life; the inaccuracy of thought! The ignorance of humanity! (Woolf, 1997). To conclude, Woolfs The Mark on the Wall is a demonstration of the lack of progress in the social ideologies and contexts based on a strong feminist discourse like most of Woolfs works. The story is Woolfs statement of resistance towards the rigid set of values and rules as demonstrated in the Whitakers table. Woolf strives for the morally hollow, airless, shallow, bald society to see people outside their shells and explore their depths (Woolf, 1997). To state the obvious, Woolf has always claimed a diverse role for the second sex to induce in men the sense and essence of life. Bibliography Woolf, V. (1997).Monday or Tuesday: Eight Stories. Mineola, N.Y.: Dover Publications.

A Beautiful Mind Essays (387 words) - Psychiatric Diagnosis

A Beautiful Mind Essays (387 words) - Psychiatric Diagnosis Andrea Petkovic Mr. Leonardis PPL 3O4 November 17, 2015 A Beautiful Mind In the movie A Beautiful Mind I believe that it is portrayed that an individual with mental illness can lead a normal life. The character being explored is John Nash, a mathematical genius who suffers from schizophrenia. Throughout the movie he faces many hardships that are a result of his schizophrenia, but I believe that despite the difficulties, with treatment he leads a relatively normal life. First, John has family and friends. Part of a normal life is being able to have meaningful connections with others. John has a wife, Alicia, who is very devoted to him, this is especially shown when she remains with him even through his difficulty with his mental illness. He also has friends from his university years, Martin Hansen and Sol, who work with him at the university. Even after university he remains close with them. After Johns absence from work, its Hansen that gives him another job at the university, which demonstrates their close bond. Secondly, John has a career. Even though h e has schizophrenia, John manages to maintain a career, and even succeeds in his field to such a degree that he is nominated and wins a Nobel Prize in economics. Next, John is educated. A common stigma surrounding people with mental illnesses is that they are less intelligent than those without mental illness. John Nash studied and taught at Princeton University, and therefore spent the majority of his life being educated or educating. Next, John is able to differentiate between what is real and what is in his mind. In the beginning, John struggles with this but later in the movie, and with help from those around him, he is able to take control of his mind. Finally, he is able to recover from difficult circumstances. When it is brought to light that he has schizophrenia Johns life goes in a downward spiral. He loses his job and is committed to a mental institution. As well as his relationship with his wife and friends struggles. Once he receives adequate help, and makes himself comp rehend what is going on, he is able to return to a more stable state of mind. In conclusion, with a strong support system and adequate medical help, individuals with a mental illness can lead a normal life.

3 Ways To Make a Saturated Solution

3 Ways To Make a Saturated Solution Its easy to make a saturated solution for chemistry lab or growing crystals. Heres a look at what a saturated solution is and how to prepare one. What Is a Saturated Solution? A saturated solution is one containing as much solute- the solid being dissolved in the liquid- as possible without forming a precipitate, or leftover solid. This is the maximum concentration of solute. How to Make a Saturated Solution Here are three ways to make a saturated solution: Add solute to a liquid until no more will dissolve. Solubility often increases with temperature, so you may be able to get more solute into a hot solvent than you would if the solvent was cool. For example, you can dissolve much more sugar in hot water than you can in cold water.Evaporate solvent from an unsaturated solution. You can evaporate the solvent by permitting air circulation or by heating the solvent.Add a seed crystal to a supersaturated solution. The seed crystal will cause the solute to precipitate, leaving a saturated solution.​

Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 32

Management - Essay Example For exmaple: the goods are passed on by the manufacturer to the wholeseller in bluk form, the goods are then broken down into units by the wholeseller and passed on to the retailer, the retailer further breaks down the units opf products and sells them to the customer. A manufacturer needs to consider various factors while deciding about the channel of distribution through which the product will reach the customer. These factors include the price, technicality, size and shape of the product. The manufacturer even pays emphasis to the channel of distribution selected by the competitors and other factors include size of the customer, production channel expenditure and the setting where the manufacturing outlet is located. While selecting the channel of distribution, managers have to ensure that the goods are easily accesible and always available to the customers disposle. This factor needs to be given importance because if a good or service is not easily acceible, custonmers tend to lo ok for other alternatives and close substitute. One of the main element within the process of marketing is advertising, advertising is just an element and can not be replaced with the marketing process, but it is a key element and impacts other parts of the marketing process. Advertising is used by marketers to create an image which is favorable and which the marketers want to create in the eyes of the customer (Plessis 93). Advertising is used in various stages of the marketing process in order to shape a favorable image. Marketers use advertsiing of price to create an image of the product, prices are set high to create an image of product which is of high quality and prices are set low to create an image of an inexpensive but high quality product. Low pricing can back fire as low prices create an image of a low quality product. Makrters even use the place of advertising to create an image of the product, if the product is not easily avilable and is availble in specific

How the US Constitution Relates to Being an Army Officer Essay

How the US Constitution Relates to Being an Army Officer - Essay Example Article 1 section 8 stipulates clearly this role (Legal Information Institute 1). This therefore implies that United State Army serves under dual chain of command. These chains of command encompass the executive and legislative branches of government. Thus, from the founding of United State subordination of army officers to civil authority has been a crucial principle to the nation’s constitutional system. Military profession has recognized and embraced a tradition of service to the nation before self-interests. Constitution acknowledges military role of protecting freedom and important national interests. It also balances the duty of military with constitutional democracy where people get chances to maintain ultimate authority over the military through their elected leaders. There are several sections of United States’ Constitution affecting a military officer. The constitution is the foundation of army in United States. In Article 1 Section 8 clause 11 through 16 give s the Congress the powers regarding the Army. For instance, clause 12 dictates that the Congress has the mandate to form and assist army. Clause 13 authorizes Congress to provide all the assistance, which Navy requires. Similarly, clause 14, 15, and 16 empowers the Congress to call and discipline military, to suppress invasions, and to regulate the activities of United States military. This therefore implies that the constitution of United States demands military officers are answerable to the Congress. Congress can declare war, award letters of marque and retaliation, enacts rules that to direct capturing on land and water. In addition, the Congress can send any military officers to areas, which it feels United States should display its military mighty. Although the army has its autonomy, the Congress prescribes their cause of actions (Legal Information Institute 1). The US Constitution requires that people who enlist or re-enlist in Armed Forces of United States to pledge enlistme nt oath. Any commissioned officer can administer the oath of enlistment for a given term of service in any branch of the military. Army officers swear, before the United State flag, that they will support and defend the Constitution of United States against domestic and foreign enemies. The army officers also assure the nation that they will be faithful and obedient to the orders from the president of United States. This oath of enlistment binds military officers to respect the spirit of United States Constitution. Loyalty to the Constitution in the part of army officers implies that they are ready to uphold ideals of their unit (Legal Information Institute 1). Therefore, the army officers dedicate and commit themselves to serve and protect the country faithfully. The foundation of laws of military justice has its basis on the United States Constitution. Article 1 section 8 gives Congress powers to regulate military operations. These powers enabled the Congress to enact substantive and procedures laws that direct the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Military law came into existence in the year 1950. Enactors of this law borrowed a lot for United State Constitution in order to make the existing law into a comprehensive code. Uniform Code of Military Justice underwent revision in the year 1968. The law established military courts. The Uniform Code of Military Justice allows the Army Criminal Investigation Command to investigate misconducts of military personnel. Misconduct on the part military officers ranges from rape,

Market Value and Change in Accounting Policy Essay

Market Value and Change in Accounting Policy - Essay Example Any organization in the market has to ensure that it chooses the correct accounting policy to attract more investors. The investors usually have an interest in studying the financial situation of the company to allow them to make an effective marketing decision. Insightfully, this means that the choice the company makes will affect the reflection and recording of financial statement to the investors. Consequently, the earning management by a company highly depends on the accounting policy that a firm uses in showing its financial position. Discussion The switch between FC and SE, as accounting methodologies, depending on the reasoning that one capitalizes while another expense the cost. Successful Efforts refers to the methodology where the unsuccessful exploration cost is expensed and usually integrated as part of the income statement. However, Full Cost involves capitalizing the unsuccessful exploration cost meaning that this cost is not part of the income statement in this situati on. The choosing of the two alternative methods relies on their effectiveness in achieving transparency related to the accounting information about oil and gas company’s earnings and cash flows. Based on the Successful Cost method, the objective of an oil and gas company is to produce oil or gas from its reserves hence the view that only the costs related to successful efforts are capitalized. On the other hand, the cost incurred is usually expensed, because successful results rely on the change in productive assets. Conversely, the FC method holds that the main objective of the oil and gas companies is to explore and develop oil and gas reserves. This implies that the costs incurred in the process of exploration and development should be capitalized followed by writing them off as the operation cycle continues. However, the regulatory approval from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), which looks over the establishment of the governing GAAP, required the oil and gas companies to adopt the SE method. In rejecting the change from FC to SE method, the users argued that this could substantially depress reported earnings and equity figures; and increase the volatility of earnings over time. This means that a change from FC to SE will reduce the capabilities of the firm to raise capital in the stock market thereby leading to vulnerability to competition. The increased volatility of earnings implicates a limitation in the ability of the firms to carry out new explorations in the industry. To support its view on the potential effect coming with adopting FASB Exposure draft, the journal presents statistics showing that 70 out of 109 FC firms would have their average earnings reduced by at least 5%; and 86% of these companies will also witness at least a 5% decrease in their owner’s equity (Lev, 1979, p. 487). Impact of the change on cash flow The shift in the accounting method, from FC to SE had no impact on the cash flow albeit the decrease in the market value. A no-effect theory as stated by HOLTHAUSEN, argues that there is no effect on the stock price associated with the change in accounting policy (Holthausen & Leftwich, 1998, p. 114). The accounting methods are just a facade for the accounting numbers, available for the investors. The author notes that the firms, adopting policy change can unravel the accounting numbers, without spending any dollar, implying that the choice of accounting methods do not affect the wealth of the company.     Ã‚  

Conflict Management in the Construction Industry

Conflict Management in the Construction Industry The nature of the construction industry in Hong Kong is such that there is an existing conflict between the major construction project participants, owners, design professionals and contractors. The construction industry is well-known for high levels of conflicts and disputes. Construction is construction, and no matter how complicated the technology. It is also a project-based industry with each project being unique. Within a project life cycle, a large number of separate firm are involved. Failures by one party can affect those engaged in a project and, as work often takes substantial periods during which national economic circumstances can change, it is unavoidable that dispute will arise. From the above-mentioned scenario, it should not be surprised that the techniques of conflict management and dispute resolution in construction industry are more developed, compared to the industry, one might be inclined to ask the questions as to whether there is any hope for the industry in attempting to reduce the serious and extent of conflicts and disputes? According to Fenn et al(1997), conflict can be managed, possibly to point of preventing it from leading to dispute whereas, dispute require resolution and , therefore, are associated with distinct justifiable issue. The purpose of this paper will firstly describe the definition of conflict management and dispute resolution. And also identify the causes of the conflicts and disputes in Hong Kong construction industry. Finally, this study will also identify the way of formal conflict management and the dispute resolution methods to be used. 2. Conflict Management in Construction Industry: 2.1 The definition of conflict management: Conflict may be defined as a contest between people with opposing needs, ideas, beliefs, values or goal. Conflict on team is unavoidable; however, the results of conflict are not predetermined. Conflict might increase and lead to non-productive results or conflict can be beneficially resolved and lead to quality final products. Therefore, learning to manage conflict is essential to a high-performance team. Though very few people go looking for conflict, more often than not. Conflict results because of lacking communication between people with regard to their needs, ideas, beliefs, goals, or values. Conflict management is the principle that all conflicts cannot consequentially be resolved, but learning how to manage conflicts can decrease the odds of non-productive escalation. According to Algert, N.E., and Watson, K. (2002), Conflict management involves obtaining skills related to conflict resolution, self-awareness about conflict modes, conflict communication skills, and establishing a structure for management of conflict in your environment. 2.2 The causes of conflict in construction: Construction is significantly different from manufacturing, in which the same goods are produced a thousand times. Also, construction does not allow for the change of variable while holding the rest fixed in order to study its effects. The nature of the construction referred to earlier so conflicts among owners, design professionals and contractors are general. To suggest that these parties are prone to confrontational interaction and conflict would be a major statement in the construction industry. Owners are even arguing with their design professionals over design service explain of errors and neglect in design services rendered, aesthetic considerations and budget overruns. (p.4-white) Accordingly, Howell et.al (1998, cited by Vorster 1993) proposed a nomenclature of elements that summarize four causes behind conflict in the construction environment: Incomplete scope definition: The design professionals responsibility to define and design the project scope so as to meet the owners functional, budgetary, time and environmental project criteria. When the design professional fails to meet their responsibility, the owner is almost always dissatisfied with the result, with the effect that strict correspondence soon ensues between the parties. Also, when the scope of the work is unclear, this presents an unhappy relation for future between the owner and the contractor, arguing about the scope and quality of the work, and whether in fact the work is properly defined by the contract documents prepared by the design professional. Inappropriate contract type: Contracts are endemic as causes of conflict within the construction industry; almost every stage of the construction process is regulated by an agreement of some sort. Some of the areas of contract dispute are breach of contract in contract clause interpretation, inspection of work clauses, indemnity clauses, payment of supplies, and liability to third parties, just to name a few possible areas of contract dispute. Poor communication: Infrastructures are unique products with more complex production process than other and most of building products are a combined effort of several peoples or organization. So many professionals have contribution to do a building in various capacities. Among construction team members, each may have different aim in relation to their profession, but their main aim should be to complete the project within a given plan. Conflict between team members may arise when their objectives are inconsistent. Also, their interpretations of contract documents, terms, and conditions can diverge, leading to discrepancies and conflict. In short, all causes of conflict within an area are interrelated. Uncertainty: For external: a) Environmental concerns; b) Social impacts; c) Economics; d) Political risks; e) Weather; f) Regulation; g) Unforeseen site condition. For internal: a) Error in design; b) Construction methods and workmanship In figure 10.3 which is one example of what the owner should consider when identifying potential conflicts. We can identify which of them may be realized at the interfaces among the multiple participants in an agency construction management delivery system. Certain conflicts in the relationship among the owner, designer, CM and trade contractor can be eliminated in various situations if a different delivery system is selected. (P.205-White) 2.3 Methods of conflict management used in construction industry in HK: In the construction industry, ask anyone if they completed a construction project without any conflict. The answer 100% of the time will be NO. The successful project managers must be implement strategies to avoid or monitor conflict in their construction project. The following common steps are used by the project managers when developing a successful conflict management: Conflict identification; Conflict analysis; Design and implementation of a conflict management; Monitoring and review of the conflict management. (P.202-White) Prevention is the best method in the management of the conflict in construction industry. The methods include: Dispute review boards or advisors; Negotiation; Quality (Total quality management and quality assurance); Procurement systems which are all non-blinding process. Baden-Hellard (1988) emphasized that construction industry has a built-in potential for conflict arising from the differences always present in values, principles and interest. Thus, when differences arises from unforeseen events, no matter how well the clients, design team and contractors have managed the project, better methods of resolving the differences are needed. Dispute review boards or advisors: It is virtually impossible to complete a large construction project without having any disputes develop between the parties. The DRB is a panel of two neutral individuals who are selected by the parties to the construction contract, usually the project owner and the general contractor. The project owner will stipulate in the specifications for bidding the project. DBR provide the processes and mechanisms to not only help to settle disputes but also can provide a method to prevent the potential conflict from ever happening. The potential conflict to the DRB means that plausible argument at each construction stages and the quality of the presentation of claims. The first meeting of the DRB usually takes place well before the commencement of the construction project and will continue to meet until the DRB members are well-known all of the aspects of the project. After the project begins, each DRB will usually meet on a regularly scheduled basic such as once each month or once each quarter, etc. Besides, site visit can ne made depending on the requirements of the project. Negotiation; Negotiation needs to be carrying out to resolve the conflict before it reached a more serious stage and change into dispute. The parties are required to come together and approach an agreeable settlement through communication. The following two example shown a simple negotiation between the main contractor(MC) and a subcontractor(SC) who is unable to meet the objective in the contract. Example A: SC: I will not be able to finish this process on time. MC: You must be finish theses according the time schedule. SC: I need three extra weeks to finish it. MC:You cannot have extra three weeks. SC: If I do not get three weeks, i can not complete this process on time. MC:No, you will complete as scheduled, if you really cannot finish it, we will collect damage and replace you. The example A is a position-based type of negotiation which will go around in circle until one of parties abandons its position. It is not clear why the parties are even arguing. Example B: SUB: I will not be able to finish this process on time. MC: What are the reasons and why can you not finish as scheduled? SUB: My supplier will not able to deliver the materials until next week so I need three extra weeks to finish it. MC: You should know the schedule is very tight for this project. Are there any other suppliers who can deliver on time? SUB: Yes, but the suppliers are more expensive than the damages given by finishing late. MC: Although you are responsible for reaching the target, I also understand your predicament. Actually, I know some other suppliers that might be able to solve these problems and I will contact them as soon as possible. The example B is an interest-based type of negotiation which can be reached a mutually agreeable solution even the source of the conflict is uncovered. According to these two examples, a successful negotiation should result in a solution acceptable to both parties that will not damage their relationship and implies collaboration, trust and common objectives. Quality (Total quality management (TQM) or assurance): According to Gardiner et al (1992), the most confliction stages are identified within the organization, closely followed by the issue of quality and control. One of the most confliction stages is the quality issue so a good and suitable quality management or control system should be issued. It can reduce the frequency of conflict. TQM is an extensive management system which: Focuses on meeting owners needs by providing quality services at a cost that provides value to the owners; Is compel by the quest for continuous improvement in all operations; Understand everyone in the organization; Observe an organization as an internal system with a common objective rather than as individual parties acting to maximize their own performances; Emphasize teamwork and a high level of workers. Procurement systems: The procurement system is one of most effective methods in prevention of conflict so it should be located in the earlier stage of the project life cycle. According to Bennett et al (1990), the procurement system built up the roles and relationships, which constitute the organization. It establishes the overall management structure and systems, which helps to form the overall values and styles of the project. The Procurement System for Construction provides support for: Selection of appropriate procurement and contracting strategies, and nomination of an appropriate Principal in the contracts; Preparation of tender documents and contracts based on standard forms; Selection of contractors and consultants with proven performance records; Effective management of contracts, including clause commentaries, sample letters and checklists; Maintenance of an effective performance management system through monitoring and reporting; and Resolution of contractual claims and disputes. (NSW Government (2000), Procurement system for construction. Available from: NSW Government, NSW Government Procurement Web site: http://www.nswprocurement.com.au/Procurement-System-for-Construction.aspx [Accessed: March 13, 2011].) 3. Dispute Resolution in Construction Industry: 3.1 The definition of Dispute Resolution: Dispute resolution is about identifying the root causes of conflict and preventing and managing conflict with the purpose of resolving disputes or conflict during the construction process in order to avoid post-construction claims, litigation, and related costs. According to Whitfield(1994), resolve disputation can use either informal resolution methods such as negotiation and alternative dispute resolution(ADR) or formal resolution methods such as litigation and arbitration. 3.2 The causes of dispute in construction: Disputes are often the outcome of ill considered procurement practices, inadequate preparatory planning and design activity, or poor project and commercial management procedures. If the conflict happened in construction site, all parties are agreed to each other. There is no further conflict because objectives of both party become same. But if one or both party becomes intransigent, then the conflict may turn to a dispute. In other word, disputes are come up when parties are unable to manage their conflicts properly. Dispute can be defined as a disagreement between parties in connection with their objectives. Construction failure may create dispute between the parties in construction sites. According to Feld and carper; Kaminetzky (1997), failure during the construction phase may include: Overloading. Improper temporary supports. Inadequate planning and execution of construction process. Lack of inspection. Insufficient safety factors. Inadequate training of construction workers. Feld, J. and Carper, K. (1997). ConstructionFailure. John Wiley Sons, New York.   Cause of client: 1) Failure to respond in timely manner. 2) Inadequate tracing mechanisms for RFI (Request for information). 3) Reluctant to check for constructability, clarity and completeness. 4) Discrepancies / ambiguities in contract documents. 5) Poor communications between and among the parties involved in theproject. 6) Failure to appoint an overall project manager. 7) Lowest price mentality in engagement of contractors and designers. The absence of team spirit among the participants. 8) Deficient management, supervision and coordination efforts on the  part of the project. Cause of designer: Failure to understand its responsibilities under design team contract. Over-design and underestimate the costs involve. Inadequate in open and factual communication. Late information issued and cumbersome approaches to RFIs Design and specification oversights and errors or omissions resulting  from uncoordinated civil, structural, architectural, mechanical and  electrical designs. Incompleteness of drawing and specifications. Cause of contractor: Inadequate contractor management, supervision and coordination. Lack of understanding and agreement in contract procurement. Failure to understand and correctly bid or price the works. Reluctance to seek clarification. Failure to plan and execute the changes of works. Inadequate CPM Scheduling and update requirements. Delay/ suspension of works. Fenn et al (1997) provides a synopsis of the findings of nine frequently cited  studies of the sources of disputes: 3.3 Methods of dispute resolution used in construction industry in HK: According to Carmichael (2002), the step approach to dispute resolution as below. An attempt is made to resolve the dispute at the level at which it occurs, in a reasonable time; If this fails, involve parties at a higher level with decision making authority, and the potential to settle in the interests of a commercial solution; If this fails, proceed to an ADR approach using and independent third party; If this fails, arbitration or litigation will be used. 3.3.1 Informal resolution methods: a) Negotiation: Negotiation is a common dispute resolution method, which we all are using in every day. There is no neutral third party for the negotiation, only the disputants. It is also defined as a means to reach mutual agreement through communication, according to Down, L.J. (2009), (p.140-white) Negotiation is considered by most appropriate way to resolve any dispute in construction industry. It was because negotiation is not expensive and can be maintained relationship with the related parties. However, there are also negative sides of negotiation. For example, if the related parties negotiated a long and protected period of discussion, the negotiation will be fail because they are not blinding. Besides, it is an informal resolution method, it can allow any surprise issue or irrelevant points rising. b) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) ADR is a collective term used to describe methods of resolving disputes which are alternatives to litigation and arbitration and which usually offer a less expensive solution. For example: Mediation: This has appeared as an increasingly used form of dispute resolution, involving a neutral third party working to facilitate effective negotiations to enable a mutually acceptable settlement. In mediation, the parties explore options, measuring the strengths and weaknesses of their respective cases. Mediation can save a great deal of time and cost in resolving a dispute and can also help the parties to re-establish trust and prevent damage to ongoing relationships. Adjudication: This is a quick and relatively inexpensive way of resolving a dispute.The adjudicators decision is normally upheld by the courts and so it is important to ensure that all the relevant facts are put in front of the adjudicator. Adjudication does not necessarily achieve final settlement of a dispute because either of the parties has the right to have the same dispute heard afresh in court. However, experience shows that the majority of adjudication decisions are accepted by the parties as the final result. (Powell, J. David. 2005. Boundary Dispute Resolution in England Wales Surveyors and Lawyers Working Together to Resolve Problems. Proceedings of Cairo: Egypt.) Because of the following potential advantages, it is worth considering using ADR early in a lawsuit or even before you files a lawsuit. Advantages of ADR: Better communication; Continued business relationship; More options for settlement; Reduced costs in achieving settlement; Confidentially Control of outcome and the process. 3.3.2 Formal resolution methods: a) Litigation On occasions, alternative dispute resolution procedures are not successful in resolving disputes, resulting with the parties resorting to formal litigation through the courts. According to Whitfield(1994), the process of litigation is from the issue of a writ to a hearing and then on to a judgment. One of the failures of the legal process has been the speed with which solicitors have been prepared to issue writ. After writ has been issue, the plaintiff cannot simply withdraw his writ and forget the matter. If he did so, the counterclaim would be found against him along with the cost. The related construction companies need to provide litigation support services for both formal litigation and alternative dispute resolution as follows: Programme delay analysis; Forensic research; Preparation of statements of claim and statements of defence; Paralegal support. b) Arbitration According to Ashworth (2005), Arbitration is a legal technique for the resolution of dispute outside the courts. The parties refer the dispute to a neutral, knowledgeable person (arbitrator or arbitral tribunal) who then gives the final decision (award) to which both the parties agree. Arbitration, in lieu of court proceedings, as the last resort to resolving disputes in construction contracts has been commonly used in Hong Kong as well as internationally. Although intended to be a less formal and more flexible alternative to litigation, arbitration can be as thorough and time-consuming as litigation, especially for construction disputes. The related companies should be employ the expertise in representing them in arbitration proceedings and handling the whole arbitration process from the appointment of arbitrators, drafting of pleadings, dealing with interlocutory proceedings through to the hearing stage and beyond. Where necessary, lawyers who experienced in construction disputes to provide the most comprehensive services to the company in arbitration. 4. Conclusion: Each construction projects are unique and complex undertakings. A unique set of drawings and specifications are used to describe each construction stages. The drawings and related documents generally performed by a general contractor and several subcontractors, many of whom have not work together previously. The unique aspects of each project and the unique constitution of each construction team are common reasons for disagreements to occur. Disputes can be generated in any environment; indeed, conflict can occur whenever two individuals try to work together. These disputes often concern topics such as changes, differing site conditions, delays, and payments. Many researchers had attempted to determine the causes of conflict and disputes within the construction industry. Besides, H. Murray Hohns (1979) leads to the conclusion that the specific causes of the conflict and dispute can be largely traced to the following five sources: Errors, defects or omissions in contract documents; Underestimation of the cost by the client, the contractor, or both; Changes in conditions, (e.g. unforeseen ground conditions); Claims from end-users (legal rights of owners and tenants); People involved in the construction process. When confliction is arise in the construction industry, the importance of proper conflict recovery method and compliance with formal procedures cannot be over-stressed. If disputes proceedings become unavoidable, it should be some comfort to know that proper alternative dispute resolution will be a favorable condition rather than a drawback.

Ethics/Legal/IEP Essay -- essays papers

Ethics/Legal/IEP Essay In the treatment of those individuals labeled as disabled, be it physically, mentally, or a combination thereof, we are faced with many challenging ethical questions. The first and foremost of these is, what is ultimately, â€Å"the right thing to do.† While we may or may not agree on the answer to this question, as well as those that follow, many advances have been made in our society to deal with disabled individuals in the most humane and ethical way possible. What is the right thing to do? Is there an ultimate resolution? In 1975, Public Law (PL) 94-142 was passed. This law has several parts, each pertaining to a different aspect of discrimination, or nondiscrimination, of disabled persons. This law was passed in hopes of avoiding not only the horrific scenarios found in Nazi propaganda films such as Selling Murder, but further to guarantee all disabled individuals a fair chance at life: to live to the fullest extent of their capabilities and fulfill their potentials. In the film, Selling Murder, Nazi officials convey to the public that disabled people are a threat to the world community, and that they are living a â€Å"life without existence.† It goes further and says that not only should those who are disabled be quarantined and banished from society, but for their own sake they should be sterilized, and ultimately killed. Labeling the mass deaths of disabled persons â€Å"mercy killings,† the film explains how they, the disabled, are unable to function as â€Å"real† human be ings, and that if they had the mental facilities to make the choice, they would choose death over such a menial existence. Showing gruesome photos of the severely physically disfigured, the propaganda seeks not only to convince, but to scare the masses into agreement. On the other hand, films such as Regular Lives demonstrate the ability of disabled individuals not only to survive, but to flourish and better their communities through their own efforts. It demonstrates the necessity to include disabled students in any and all ways possible in order to help them adapt to a social environment as normal as is possible. PL 94-142 states that all disabled students are guaranteed a FAPE (free and public education). With this comes the formulation of an IEP (individualized education plan). This grants students a goal guided objective list for their education. The ... ...ther teacher or administrator to explain evaluation results to those involved. Why does it matter? What is the relevance/necessity of making moral judgments when formulating a course of action? Disabled people have been discriminated through time. They have been played as Jesters for entertainment, banished as havens for evil spirits, and massacred simply for being different. They have been subject even to sterilization, seen as people unfit to breed. We are forced to ask ourselves- why then, does it matter? Hardman states on page 52, â€Å"Social justice and equality for all people should be of paramount importance in the design and delivery of all curricula.† Fair and equal treatment of disabled persons matters because they, like all other citizens of this country, are people. They are born in this country with the guarantee that they will be granted â€Å"life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.† With this in mind, it is our moral and ethical obligation to â€Å"hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are [indeed] created equal.† This country was founded on these beliefs, and as we continue our progress forward with laws such as PL 94-142, we support this creed.

Economics in construction

1. Perfect competition maybe described as a theoretical form of market wherein no buyer or supplier has the capacity (or what is termed the ‘market power’) to control the market price. Regular definitions of perfect competition in economics describe it as a situation in which there is absolutely ‘efficient outcome’. The hypothetical situation of ‘perfect competition’ is primarily conjured to build the fundamentals of the supply and demand theory. Totally contrary to the ideas of a perfectly competitive market is the idea of a monopoly, which maybe defined as a continual market situation within which there is only one supplier of a particular service or an item. All monopolies are necessarily devoid of any economic competition and the utter deficiency of ‘substitute goods’. Often a monopoly is sanctioned by the state. Such a monopoly is called a ‘legal monopoly’ or a ‘government granted monopoly’ and is authorized by the government so as to encourage firms to take up a particularly ‘risky’ or ambitious project. Instead of allowing a certain firm to take up a venture in this manner the state might also keep the project all to itself. Such a situation will then be referred to as a ‘government monopoly’. (King, 126) Unlike in a monopoly in a perfectly competitive market there are a number of minor suppliers and buyers who operate at equal capacities in the market. Given their equal status neither of them manages to attain enough significance to influence the market in their favor. The firms in such a set-up are therefore price-takers rather than price-setters, as in the case of monopolies. Also, while a monopoly provides a particular, unique item or service to the market in a perfectly competitive market no firm enjoys any sort of individuality. Instead, each of their products is quite like the others such that there is no room for ‘product differentiation’. A monopoly remains the sole provider of a certain product or service by simply barring other similar firms to enter the market by some means or the other. Often such means include government authorization, like in the case of ‘legal monopolies’ discussed above. In case of perfect competition however no such entry barrier can be introduced. As a result any given firm can enter the market if it wishes to. Similarly, unlike in a monopoly in a perfect competition set-up all firms have access to the same kind of resources all of which are completely ‘mobile’. In a monopoly of course a particular firm controls (and occasionally even withholds) essential resources and production expertise. Given the large number of close substitutes available for the products/services sold by firms in a perfectly competitive set-up it is only obvious that no single firm or even a group of firms have any say about the ‘market-price’. The price of the products or services of firms in an arrangement such as this is duly decided instead by the market, which in turn depends on the behavior of the buyer. A monopoly however doesn’t remain obligated to the market in this manner. Instead, it effectively determines the market price simply by increasing or decreasing the quantity of its produce. Such independence is enjoyed by a monopoly simply because it faces no form of price pressure from opponents. However, there is a limit to which this liberty maybe pushed. Monopolies that raise their price far beyond permissible limits invite competition and may soon have to face rivals providing the same services/products either legally or even illegally. (Fletcher, 188) 2. The residential construction industry might pretend to be a single, solid, well defined industry but it in fact is far from being that. As anyone who has ever had a house made knows building a great house involves a number of things; great plumbing, great carpentry, great painting etc. etc. etc. Given the large demands of building a residential outfit the residential construction industry does not represent one single market, like it appears to be but rather a variety of sectors. However, not all of them need to come into play in every residential construction project. Often a particular house does not need all the facilities the industry is capable of providing it with. For instance if an environmentalist who feels strongly about the use of wood in his house decides to build a house tomorrow he is hardly likely to employ a carpenter, irrespective of how easily he can land one. Similarly a family who decides to paint their interiors themselves will not need painters, at least to the extent they are usually needed by new house owners. Also, in many cases residential construction involves repairing old structures. This obviously takes less effort and expertise than those required for building a house from scratch. As is obvious therefore there are a number of ifs and buts in the industry. We will take a look at some of these a little closely. Normally, specialist contractors who have long standing reputation in the field carry out residential constructions. These individuals take complete responsibility of building an entire building from scratch and cover everything from plumbing to painting. Once they achieve the contract however they duly sub-contract additional independent workers who assist and accompany their own crew. Contractors are often described as the king of the jungle in their own area. They are managers, salesmen, supervisors and directors all rolled into one. As a result of their unique capacity to bring in professionals of their own field under their wings these individuals soon turn out to be perfect monopolies by themselves. Often many of these professionals operate all by themselves in a given area, without any form of opposition or competition. Given their advantageous position they duly flex every possible monopoly muscle they possibly can and obviously determine the market price of the services they provide. Similarly special service providers in the industry, such as say wood engravers or carvers who are both sophisticated and rare in terms of their skill usually monopolize the market and set the market price by themselves. Unlike them plumbers or electricians, who are found in plenty and whose skills hardly vary can never really behave in a monopolistic manner. Instead, their circuit closely replicates what can be called a ‘perfectly competitive’. Much like them painters and carpenters can hardly afford to be choosy or ultra expensive since they are easy to substitute. A good illustration of this point is provided by the use of lumber in the industry in the past decade or so. The U.S. residential construction industry is, by all accounts the biggest consumer of softwood lumber. However, the amount of softwood lumber available to the industry fell dramatically following the restrictions that came to be placed on state and federal forests in the past few years. As a result of this unfortunate fall in supply a large chunk of the industry soon shifted to other alternatives available in the market. Amongst the 2,500 builders we surveyed for this particular study about 12.8% reported to have increased their use of alternative structural materials in the past decade alone. 99% of the respondents also confessed to having started to use at least one out of the long list of alternative structural materials that we provided them with. Till 1995 only 91% of the builders interviewed used substitute materials. (Kar, 145) While the decreased supply of lumber has obviously proved unfortunate for the lumber industry the construction industry itself has survived virtually unscathed. This is primarily due to the wide availability of materials such as reinforced concrete, plastic fiber, steel etc. which maybe easily used as a replacement for lumber. This example clearly proves the market for construction material itself therefore it maybe said to be a ‘perfectly competitive’ market. With easily available substitutes, easy entry into the market and hardly any product differentiation it fits almost every characteristic of the ‘perfect competition’ market to the tee. Unlike lumber and its alternatives however other important facets of construction are not as easily obtained. The expertise required to design a house for instance is far harder to replace than the construction material it is to be built with. Due to the utter importance of their job and how extraordinarily dependant on knowledge and skill it is, the architect and the whole engineering industry maybe described as a bit of a monopoly. It is of course difficult to enter their market, there are hardly any ‘substitutes’ available (since the level of skill and expertise of each engineer varies from the other) and the engineers themselves tend to determine the market price of their know-how. (Lamb, 243-245) Thus we see how the residential construction industry of U.S.A. is actually a mà ©lange of a wide variety of competitive markets and not a single market by itself. It is the proper functioning of each of these individual parts that ultimately allows the construction business to function properly. References: Fletcher, R; Economy: Beliefs and Knowledge; Believing and Knowing. (Mangalore: Howard & Price. 2006) pp 188 Kar, P; History of Indian Consumer Market Applications (Kolkata: Dasgupta & Chatterjee 2005) pp 145 King, H; Fiscal Fitness Today (Dunedin: HBT & Brooks Ltd. 2005) pp 126 Lamb, Davis; Cult to Culture: The Development of Civilization on the Strategic Strata. (Wellington: National Book Trust. 2004) pp 243-245