Interpersonnel Communication Essay Example for Free

Interpersonnel Communication Essay I have interviewed two individuals namely, Ana G. and Cleavon I. with regards to my interpersonnel communication abilities. They will speak about my behavior/attitude towards the following: 1) comfort with other cultures; 2) listening style ability; 3) non-verbal communication style; 4) communication gestures that I typically utilize; 5) comfort in personal relationship; 6) power displayed or conveyed in the personal relationship I am involved in. The following are excerpts from the actual interview: First Interview (Ana G. ) Interviewer (I): â€Å"Could you please briefly describe my attitude towards individuals who belong to other cultures? Do I appear to be comfortable around them? † Interviewee (Ana G. ): I have been with you for about a year already, and being a member of a cultural minority myself, I am happy to say that your treatment towards people like us is beyond belief. You have treated us fairly and you never showed bias making it obvious that you are comfortable being with people regardless of their race or culture (Ana G. , 2007). Interviewer (I): â€Å"Please comment on my listening skills and abilities†. Interviewee (Ana G. ). I appreciate the fact that you are an â€Å"active listener† (Landsberger, 2007). You focus and you listen for the sake of comprehending whatever it is that the person is talking about (Landsberger, 2007). Interviewer (I): â€Å"Do I possess any non-verbal ability? † â€Å"Do I exhibit such communication style? † â€Å"Could you please shed light on the communication gesture/s that I typically utilize? † Interviewee (Ana G. ): Yes. In fact, I have observed how you establish eye contact towards the people you speak to. Maybe that is the â€Å"flow of communication is regulated† (Stein et. al. , n. d. ). This is also why I feel your interest, concern, and tenderness towards me (Ana G., 2007). Interviewee: (I): â€Å"Did you ever feel any comfort in my personal relationship with you? † Interviewer (Ana G. ): Yes, indeed, I have felt reassurance as well that you could be trusted and can be relied upon in times of need (Ana G. , 2007). Interviewee (I): My final question is this, â€Å"did you ever see or experience a power displayed or conveyed in the personal relationship I am involved in? † Interviewer (Ana G. ): The fact that I am drawn to speak or listen to you shows the â€Å"power displayed or conveyed in the personal relationship† (Ana G. , 2007). This is the type of power that is not abusive; instead it is exceedingly helpful on my part (Ana G. , 2007). Second Interview (Cleavon I. ) Interviewer (I): â€Å"Could you please briefly describe my attitude towards individuals who belong to other cultures? Do I appear to be comfortable around them? † Interviewee (Cleavon I. ): We belong to the same culture, but I have observed how you deal with those who belong to other cultures. You go along with them very well as if you don’t feel any kind of discrimination or intolerance of prejudice towards them (Cleavon I. , 2007). Interviewer (I): â€Å"Please comment on my listening skills and abilities†. Interviewee (Cleavon I. ): Even if you do not always agree with what others tell you, I am happy that you still listen in spite of such fact (Cleavon I. , 2007). I am contented enough that you take the time to listen and understand someone else’s side just like what you have done to me in the past few months that we have been working together (Landsberger, 2007). Interviewer (I): â€Å"Do I possess any non-verbal ability? † â€Å"Do I exhibit such communication style? † â€Å"Could you please shed light on the communication gesture/s that I typically utilize? † Interviewee (Cleavon I. ): Of course, you possess such. In fact, you have shown me this countless times already (Cleavon I. , 2007). Your facial expressions which include smiling made me feel that you like me somehow, that you are a true person friend to me, and that you are happy conversing with me (Stein et. al. , n. d. ). I know that this is why we always carry out better communication as compared with my conversation with others (Cleavon I. , 2007). Interviewee: (I): â€Å"Did you ever feel any comfort in my personal relationship with you? † Interviewer (Cleavon I. ): Yes, in fact speaking with you and just being with consoles/soothes/relieves me always (Cleavon I., 2007). There has never been a dull moment with you and I greatly appreciate that (Cleavon I, 2007). Interviewee (I): My final question is this, â€Å"did you ever see or experience a power displayed or conveyed in the personal relationship I am involved in? † Interviewer (Cleavon I. ): Yes, I felt that ‘power’ when you speak to me (Cleavon I. , 2007). You inspire me to great heights; that is the power that you have over me (Cleavon I. , 2007). References Ana G. (2007). Personal Interview. Cleavon I. (2007). Personal Interview. Landsberger, J. (2007). Active Listening. Retrieved December 10, 2007 from http://www.studygs.net/listening.htm

Impact of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Impact of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) ABSTRACT Extensive researches carried out have pointed to the fact that impact prediction in the EIA process has been problematic and it lacked transparency, scientific rigour or both (Badr et al 2004, Glasson et al 2005). Therefore the aim of this research paper is to evaluate impact prediction in the EIA process by comparing impact prediction practices in three environmental impact statements for one environmental component: Air quality. Methods to identify, access and evaluate impacts were analyzed and how extensively they were used in predicting impacts. A checklist was developed for to comparative analysis and descriptor for symbols awarded to various stages of impact prediction outlined. The result shows that important prediction methods were either omitted or not extensively used in some of the cases. This research paper is therefore in agreement that impact prediction is not practiced in a transparent and scientifically rigorous manner. INTRODUCTION Recent environmental issues that has emerged due to large industrial developments with effects on the environment has led to the birth of the process called Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which can be defined as â€Å"the need to identify and predict impacts on the environment and on mans wellbeing of legislative proposals, policies, programmes, projects and procedures and to interpreter and communicate information about the impacts† (Munn 1979). EIA can also be defined as â€Å"a process by which information about the environment is collected both by the developer and from other sources and taken into account by the relevant decision making body before a decision is given on whether the development should go ahead†(DOE 1995). It can also be defined more simply as â€Å"an assessment of the impacts of a planned activity on the environment† (UNECE 1991). Since the introduction of EIA over 30 years ago, the potential benefits has been widely recognized and it has been adopted and implemented in more than 100 countries by numerous aid and funding agencies (Petts 1999).In essence, EIA is a process that assesses the impact of developments on the environment in a systematic, holistic and multidisciplinary way taking into consideration all environmental components (Glasson et al 2005). EIA as a process involves a number of steps which are as follows Description of project Screening Scoping/consideration of alternatives Baseline studies public consultationparticipation Impact prediction Preparation of Environmental Impact Statement(EIS) Decision making Post decision making and monitoring The EIA process is a cyclical process with feedbacks and interaction between all the steps and public consultation (stakeholder engagement) involved in all the steps. Aggregated studies have shown that EIA practices in some regions of the world have been and remain problematic, but there is evidence that the quality is improving over time (Lee and Brown 1992, DOE 1996, Cashmore et al 2002). However, disaggregated studies indicate that the quality with which certain components of the environment are addressed is significantly more problematic than suggested by the aggregated studies (Glasson and Heanley 1993, Chadwick 2002, Badr and et al 2004). Impact prediction in the EIA process has been a problematic despite being the key and heart of the EIA process (Badr and et al 2004). Despite its centrality in the process, many studies have underemphasized prediction and it is not often treated as an explicit stage in the process, models are not detailed and there are little discussions of limitations (Glasson et al 2005). Therefore, the research for the effectiveness of impact prediction in the EIA process will focus on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which is the document that holds the pre consented states of EIA, and is often readily assessable component of the process (Badr et al 2004). This research paper aims at contributing to the development of grounded initiatives for enhancing EIA effectiveness by looking at impact prediction practices in three different EISs looking into one environmental component which is AIR QUALITY. The following EISs will be used for this research paper CASE 1-A350 Westbury Bypass EIS CASE 2-River Tud Residential Development EIS CASE 3- Kingshill Recycling Centre Biomass Energy Plant EIS The objective of this research is to analyze how extensively impact prediction practices have been carried out in each of these case studies. The following is the structure of the paper: methodology, results, discussion and conclusion. METHODOLOGY The objective of impact prediction is to identify the magnitude and other dimensions of identified change in the environment with the project or action in comparison with the situation without the project or action. It also provides the basis for the assessment of significance (Glasson et al 2005). According to the EIS legislation (S1.4) impact prediction should include assessment of direct and indirect, primary and secondary, cumulative, short, medium and long-term, permanent and temporary, reversible and irreversible, positive and negative effects of a project (Walker and Dalton 2001 in Morris and Therivel 2009). A variety of models are used to estimate air quality impact of sources on receptors to prepare and review new industrial and other sources application and to develop air quality management plans for an area or region and they are the Gaussian, numerical, statistical and physical methods (Jacko and Breche 2003 in salvato et al 2003). There are four stages in impact prediction and they are Impact identification-this brings together the project characteristics and baseline environmental characteristics with the aim of ensuring that all potentially significant environmental impacts are identified and taken into account in the EIA process.( Glasson et al 2005). Ensuring compliance with regulations is an important factor when choosing impact identification methods for assessment. The pathway and receptors are also identified. The methods include checklists, matrices, and quantitative methods and overlay maps. Impact assessment-this involves the detailed analysis of impact to determine their magnitude, significance and expert judgement. There are different methods of impact assessment: professional judgement (qualitative), mathematical methods (quantitative), physical methods, laboratory methods and case to case methods. When choosing prediction methods, the assessor should be concerned about the appropriateness for the task involved, will the method produce what is wanted?, can the method be applied to different projects and allow predictions to be compared? (Lee 1987, Glasson et al 2004). Significance of evaluation- when impact have been predicted, the impacts are then evaluated for acceptability. Criteria for significance include the magnitude and likelihood of impacts, the geographical level. The most formal evaluation method is the comparison of predicted changes in the area to air quality standards, objectives or guideline values, and determining whether they are likely to be exceeded at any location, after taking into account the existing and predicted baseline conditions (Walker and Dalton 2001 in Morris and Therivel 2009). Dispersion models such as DBRM screening method is used to evaluate significance, and the Gaussian model. Other methods are the cost and benefit analysis, multi criteria method, empirical data analysis and simple criteria. Impact mitigation- This is the measure envisaged in order to avoid, reduce and if possible, remedy significant adverse effects (CEQ 1997). Mitigation measures such as change of technology or modification of industrial processes can be implemented. Monitoring should be continued after completion since numerical prediction models contain uncertainties. Continued monitoring is necessary to access the effectiveness of any mitigation measure proposed in an EIA and to ensure that any potential air and climate problems identified have been minimized or mitigated (Walker and Dalton 2001 in Morris and Therivel 2009). A checklist has been developed for the purpose of evaluating impact prediction practices looking at air quality component in three EIS case studies. DISCUSSION Impact identification Case 1 The relevant legislation and policy context was the first method used to identify impacts of the development in air quality. The EU legislation was also looked at, the National Legislative and future legislative measures were also used in impact identification. Relevant policy measures like National planning policy, regional policy and local development framework was used to identify impacts. The limit value of AQS objectives were measured and if it was likely to exceed the objectives declared in the AQMA, then an action plan is to be prepared and implemented. The baseline information was acquired from the local authority and national air quality information archive (NAQIA). Therefore, because of the baseline studies, analysis of the background of air quality data available for the study area showed that the concentration of NO2 and PM10 are generally low in comparison to the relevant AQS objectives and limit value (Wiltshire county council 2007). Future predictions of air quality also carried out. Although qualitative method was used in this exercise, it was not clearly used to identify impacts. Checklists, matrices and overlay maps were not used. Source- pathway-receptor clearly identified. Case 2 Although legislative standards were mentioned, it was not mentioned extensively like in case 1. Baseline data of the environment was obtained from the national environmental technology centre (NETEN) and department of environment. Baseline studies were not used extensively for impact prediction in case 2. Knowledge of baseline conditions is essential because, even when a development is likely to add small amounts of pollution to the area, it could lead to air quality standard of the area being exceeded if air quality in the area is already poor or may become poor in the future(Morris and Therivel 2009). No future predictions of impacts carried out. There was no mention of the use of matrix or checklist for impact identification in this case. The source, pathway and receptor not clearly identified for air quality. Case 3 Most of the legislative standards considered. The UK air quality standards 1989 limits value for pollutants, the air regulations and air quality objectives clearly listed. Baseline studies of the area without the project was mentioned but not considered extensively. Checklists or matrices not used in prediction. Source-pathway and receptors identified. Overall, the main problem of impact identification is the failure to use systematic methods such as checklists, matrices or networks for impact predictions which agrees with Badr et al 2004 â€Å"Most WIA studied failed to provide any information on methods used to identify impacts†. Impact assessment Case 1 Constituent impact stages equally divided and assessed Quantitative assessment method was used for the operational phase of the development for the assessment of local air quality. Impacts on sensitive receptors in the area as a result of the operation of the bypass in the future were analysed using detailed dispersion modelling. DDM was used for the analysis of traffic emissions. Atmospheric dispersion modelling system (ADMS-Roads) was also used and it analysed dispersion of pollutants from industrial and road traffic sources. Qualitative assessment was used in the construction phase of the project. This assessment concluded that emissions will be greater in the operational stage, since the construction was short term, then impact will not be significant. Meteorological data was used for the input into the dispersion model. Case 2 Impacts talked about in construction and operation stages although not extensively. There was no mention of quantitative or computer model to assess air quality impact. The lack of quantitative analysis means that practitioners could not compare predictions with air quality and legislative standards and this is why evaluation of significance is poorly evaluated. (Badr et al 2004) Although qualitative judgement used, but not transparently and scientifically used Metrological data not mentioned at all in impact assessment. Case 3 Construction phase impact omitted and operational phase focused on. Quantitative model used. ADMS model used to assess atmospheric impacts of emission from the project, future predictions considered. Qualitative method not mentioned in impact assessment. Expert opinion provided it is backed up with reason and justification which supports that opinion, such as comparison with similar existing development is a very good method for predicting impacts (Morris and Therivel 2009). Metrological data was used in calculating annual mean of NO2 and SO2 Overall, the problem of impact assessment was the use of quantitative methods. In case 2, for construction emission, it was said that â€Å"it is for the most part not practical to quantify the emissions arising during construction of the dwelling† (South Norfolk County2001).Qualitative assessment only extensively used in case 1 and omitted in case 2 and 3. Future climate baseline levels are usually predicted for the purposes of an EIA, given the major limitations for current models in predicting regional changes, let alone local changes attributed to global warming due to the atmospheric concentrations of green house gases (Walker and Dalton 2001 in Morris and Therivel 2009) Significance evaluation Case 1 Short term mean concentrations of pollutants NO2 and PPM10 were calculated and compared against the relevant AQS objectives. Significance of impacts communicated both numerically and descriptively. Significance also calculated using the comparative method looking at the standard of air quality without the project. Descriptors clearly provided for the significance of air quality based on the magnitude of change in the context of existing conditions. The level of effects of project clearly identified as local effects. Case 2 Although long term mean concentrations mentioned, how numeric values arrived at is not transparent. Comparative method not clearly stated. Level of impact local, national or regional not analyzed. Case 3 Comparative method was used to compare quantitative dispersion ADMS model results with relevant AQS/AQOs. Geographical level of the impact not mentioned although, it was stated in the summary that â€Å"the process design has included mitigation measures to reduce impacts on local and national air quality† (North Wiltshire county). Overall, the significance of impact was well explained in case 1. It was transparent and scientifically rigorous (Badr et al 2004). Methods for significance of impact in case 2 and 3 not transparent although, Comparative measures were used in case 3, the level of impact was not clearly stated. Therefore the main problem of significance of impact was the transparency of the procedure. Impact mitigation Case 1 Mitigation measures were clearly put in place for significant impacts. Construction and operation mitigation plan well listed. CEMP prepared for the project. Alternative technology option also adopted for some impacts. Monitoring not mentioned in mitigation measures. Case 2 Mitigation measures not clearly outlined in this case. Although some preventive measures were outlined, it was not done satisfactorily. No alternative technology options adopted. Monitoring not mentioned in mitigation measures. Case 3 Mitigation measures outlined for construction and operations stages but not decommissioning stage. Alternative technology included in process design to reduce local and national air quality impacts Monitoring of NOx, SO2, PM10, CO outlined. (Annually). The overall problem of mitigation measures is the lack of emphasis on monitoring of air quality during construction and operation phases. A continuous air quality monitoring system for the measurement of selected gaseous air pollutants, particles and metrological conditions over a large geographical area, can make possible immediate intelligence and reaction when ambient air quality levels or emissions increase beyond established standards (Jacko and Breche 2003in Salvato et al 2003). Numerical prediction models contain uncertainties so monitoring should be continued after completion of the development to compare predictions with those that actually occur and continued monitoring is also necessary to access the effectiveness of any mitigation measures proposed in an EIA to ensure that any potential and climate problems identified have been minimized or eliminated (Walker and Dalton in Morris and Therivel 2009) CONCLUSION The aim of this research paper was to evaluate impact prediction in the EIA process by comparing impact prediction practices in three environmental stated for air quality. The research looked at different stages of impact prediction and how the methods for the stages were used and how extensively impact prediction was carried out. Results showed that although impact prediction practices were carried out, it was problematic in the impact identification methods in all cases, methods such as checklists, matrices and networks were not used at all while qualitative method which is used for impact assessment was omitted in a case (case 2). This automatically takes its toll on significance evaluation which uses expert opinion for evaluating significance. Uncertainties associated with the accuracy of a prediction due to the use of inaccurate or partial information on the project or baseline environmental conditions, unanticipated changes in the project during one or more of the changes of the life cycle and oversimplification and errors in the application of methods and models (Glasson et al 2004) was not given consideration at all in any of the cases. Monitoring changes in air quality standard was also a problem. While mitigation measures were proposed, there was no mitigation monitoring plan. Numerical prediction models contain uncertainties so monitoring should be continued after the completion of the development to compare predictions with those that actually occur (Walker and Dalton in Morris and Therivel 2009). Monitoring should be strengthened to enhance impact prediction. It is therefore logical to conclude that different developments or projects determine how extensively impact prediction is practiced. Emphasis is given to air quality predictions for developments like power stations, power plants and road constructions. Emphasis on impact prediction declines for developments such as residential buildings and shopping malls. REFERENCES Badr E,-L, Cashmore,M and Cobb, D (2004) ‘The considerations of impact upon the aquatic environment in environmental impact statements in England and Wales. Journal of environmental assessment policy and management, 6(1):19-49. DOE (Department of the Environment (DOE) (1995) preparation of environmental statements for planning projects that require environmental assessment. A good practice guide. London. HMSO Glasson, J, R, Therivel and Chadwick A (2005) introduction to environmental impact assessment 3rd Edition. London. Routledge Jacko B, La Breche T (2003) air pollution and noise control in Salvato J. A, Numerow N, Land Agardy E, J (2003) Environmental Engineering 5th edition. Canada. John Wiley and sons. Norfolk County Council (2001) proposed residential and associated development at River Tud, Costessey Environmental Impact Statement 2001. Norfolk County Council. Walker D and Dalton H (2001) air quality and climate in Morris P and Therivel R (2009) Methods of Environmental impact assessment 3rd edition. London. Routledge Wiltshire County Council, (2007) A350 Westbury bypass Environmental Impact Statement 2007. Trowbridge, Wiltshire County Council. Wiltshire County Council (2000) Biomass Energy Plant Kingshill Recycling Centre Cricklade North Wilshire Environmental Impact statement 2000. Tollgate, Wiltshire county Council.

Standard English Dialect Vs. Non Standard Dialect

Standard English Dialect Vs. Non Standard Dialect Standard English Dialect Vs. Non Standard Dialect for English Language Learners The United States is a culturally diverse nation. It is a country comprised of not only people of different ethnic backgrounds, but also with distinct dialects that are socially and ethnically related varieties of the same language. For example, there are those who speak English of upper-middle class New Yorkers and that of lower-class New Yorkers. Additionally, there are dialects that stem from different accents of people who immigrated into the country. Although most citizens of the United States speak with a dialect or accent, we tend to draw negative attention to those who speak differently than those who speak standard English (Parker Riley, 2010). This form of language is known as nonstandard English. For example, an educated person who commands the standard English dialect might judge a speaker of a nonstandard English, that comes from a lower socioeconomic status, lacking education or is unintelligent. This negative social judgement impacts English Language Learners because the language spoken in schools are normally referred to as Standard English and often attempts to remove regionalism and accents, both in spoken and written language (Adams, Michael and Ann Curzon, 2009). Although it is important to educate students in their new language standard dialect, teachers should not ignore their students dialects. Educators need to recognize that they show they value their students cultural and ethnic background so that learners do not feel alienated from their new country. Acceptance helps establish student empowerment and confidence to learn the new language and assimilate to the new culture.ÂÂ   However, there are certain situations that teachers should allow non-native English speakers to use their dialects and certain situations when students must be required to use standard English. Teachers must demonstrate when is the right time students should use their own dialects and when they should employ standard American English dialect. There are many ways to incorporate student dialect into the classroom. For example, students can be encouraged to do a research language project on dialect that requires them to interact within two different communities, their own and a community that predominantly uses Standard English. They can participate in a volunteer program that allows them to interact in these communities. As students perform their volunteer duty, they should also be cognizant on listening to how people speak in these communities and write down their observations. They can prepare to do a presentation that describes how individuals pronounce the same words in different ways. They should compare their own dialects with those of standard English. This assignment would allow English language learners to reflect upon their own language skills and improve acquiring the English language and the American standard English dialect. The teacher can ask administration for assistance in organizing these volunteer assignm ents or take the initiative to coordinate one on their own. Another way to incorporate teaching Standard English dialect is to educate students on stylistic registers, which is the different ways we speak depending on the social situation. For example, we speak differently when we are on an interview.ÂÂ   We might ask When shall I expect feedback from our interview, when speaking to a potential employer or your boss, versus When will you call me back? when speaking to a colleague or friend.ÂÂ   Stylistic registers occur daily in students lives. Students speak differently from how they speak to their teachers from how they speak to their peers or to their parents. It is important for English language learners to be able to decipher when to navigate speaking in their own dialects to when it is required of them to speak the standard American English dialect. Having students reflect on their own dialect through and showing them how to navigate through different speech patterns is essential to understanding Standard American English.

The Effects Of Violence In Media On Society Today Essay -- essays rese

Is societies violence the media’s fault? This is the question that has been asked since before television was in every American’s house. Of course there are the different types of media today ranging from newspapers, to on-line reports and stories. There have been arguments upon arguments about this issue, and over 3,000 studies conducted. Unfortunately there isn’t one single result, there is only an array of supposed answers to this undying question. CBS president, Howard Stringer is pointing to a different scapegoat for society’s violence. â€Å"I come from a country †¦ that puts a lot of American movies on and has more graphic violence within it’s live drama on the BBC than anywhere else, and there is a lot less violence in the United Kingdom than there is here. There are 200 million guns in America, and that has a lot to do with violence.† He feels it has to do with gun control, which others have suggested. But there are so many violent acts, that one can’t focus on the guns, just like one can’t focus on the media. David Phillips, one of the men we discuss later put it perfectly, â€Å"It’s like watching rain fall on a pond and trying to figure out which drop causes which ripple.†There have been many studies conducted on the effects of violence on children, and on the effects on society as a whole. There have been about 3,000 studies performed on this topic. Two of the most prolific studies were the UCLA Television Violence Monitoring Report, and the Mediascope, Inc. test sponsored by the National Cable Television Association. Of course there were many other studies done, but these made headlines because of their results. The UCLA study focused on all of the television media, and discovered some interesting facts from their study. Prime Time Series raised the least concern. Theatrical films raised more concern and had a lot more violence. The Saturday morning cartoons had mixed reviews. 23% of the cartoons raised concern, but that was only rating the most popular cartoons: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, X-Men, etc. They termed the action in cartoons as â€Å"Sinister Combat Violence† which basically means the whole story line leads to violence.Mediascope, Inc. focused on the amount and context on cable, effectiveness of rating systems and parental advisories, and the success of anti-violent messages. They found that perpetrators go unpunished in 73% of all viole... ...ciety. And when we read about violence, it only reinforces what we know.† People have become used to seeing violence on television, but this has become somewhat surreal to them. They don’t think of it as reality until it happens to them. â€Å"When violence happens to people or their family, they become eyewitnesses to this violence. They have personal experiences – compassion sensitivity, fear. People haven’t lost that.†We have covered a huge amount of information about the effect of violence in media on society. Did we answer the question though? I don’t think we did, but I do think that the answer is making progress. We are also a lot more informed now of what exactly is in the media right now, and what studies have shown to be happening. There has always been an issue of something effecting society, and there will always be a plentitude of scapegoats. What is the actual answer though? No one seems to have it. There is a lot of gray area, but society seems to be making this more of a black and white issue. Will the government ever really take action? Does action need to be taken? Hopefully after reading this, one is more educated on the difficulty in answering these questions.

Genetic Engineering Essay -- Genetics Science Food Agriculture Essays

Genetic Engineering When we envision our future, we usually imagine a future free of disease and physical sickness, but have you ever wondered how a disease-free society will be accomplished? In the twenty-first century our world will be a very different place because of genetic manipulation and engineering. There are many pros and cons to this debate, but it is undeniable that the effects from the new revelations in the field of genetics are far-reaching and deep impacting. Genetic engineering is a radical new technology, one that breaks down fundamental barriers, not only between species, but also between humans, animals, and plants. By combining the genes of dissimilar and unrelated species, permanently altering their genetic codes, novel organisms are created that will pass the genetic changes onto their offspring through heredity. Scientists are now snipping, inserting, recombining, rearranging, editing, and programming genetic material. Animal genes and even human genes are being inserted into plants or animals creating unimagined transgenic life forms. For the first time in history, human beings are becoming the architects of life. Bio-engineers will be creating tens of thousands of novel organisms over the next few years. The prospect is frightening. First we must see that genetic engineering offers many potential benefits to the twenty-first century in the two fields of agriculture and medicine. In agriculture, we can now grow plants and animals faster, stronger, and easier. We can alter plants to have them grow ten times larger than their original size, and we can create animals without parents by cloning (Scott). In medicine, genetic engineering has revolutionized the field into something completely new. We now produce cures that are specifically tailored to diseases, which have lengthened the average life span by almost ten years, detect and eliminate birth defects in babies, and have people that are healthier now than at any time in history (Epstein). But with that almost unlimited power, there is a high price for the twenty-first century to pay. With each bonus we as a society receive from genetics, we also created genetically altered super-diseases. Genes from bacteria, viruses, and insects, which have never been part of the human diet, are being spliced into our food. Genetic engineering is not an exact science. Scientists can... .... They want to charge for products, and a high market share. I feel there are fundamental flaws with the genetic engineering approach, and am highly skeptical of those who would be driving its direction. I affirm our rights as individuals and as a community to make a choice about the direction we take, for if we do not have that, then why put up with all the messy aspects of having free will? So, as we approach the twenty-first century, we go into the realm of the unknown. However, it is assuredly a future that will be blessed and cursed with genetic engineering, and one that will look back at the nineteenth century and remember the development that influenced it the most as genetic engineering. Bibliography: Works Cited Epstein, Dr. Ron. "Why You Should Be Concerned About Genetically Engineered Food." 2 Nov. 1999. Hawaleshka, Danylo. "Unnatural Selection." Maclean's 20 Jan. 1997. 20 Oct. 1999. "Health, Environmental, and Ethical Concerns of Genetically Engineered Foods." 11 July 1999. 26 Oct. 1999. Scott, Mary. "Food Focus: Genetically Engineered Foods - Answers to Frequently Asked Questions." Natural Foods Merchandises Nov.1997. 26 Oct. 1999 .

How do the opening chapters serve as an affective introduction to the rest of the novel?

The opening chapters of Wuthering Heights help give us an insight to the rest of the novel. We are able to start to think about foreshadowing events that might occur during the rest of the novel such as love and anger. The opening chapters are the most important in any novel or story, this is because they often help to set the scene, they introduce us to the main characters and give us a little insight in to what might happen during the rest of the novel. The beginning chapters of Wuthering Heights are like any other novel in terms of introducing to us the setting, characters and foreshadowing main themes. Emily Bronte lets us explore the settings around Wuthering Heights, which enables her to set the scene and enables us to visualise it more clearly. She has cleverly chosen a secluded place to home her characters on as it is a remote and desolate place and therefore the characters are thrust upon each other as they have no where else to go in the months of the snow. We do not explore a variety of settings during the novel, as she has restricted the places in which she explores, this means we get to know very little about the outside world and it enables the reader to see exactly how restricted and secluded the area actually is. By keeping the settings to a minimal it adds to the feeling of intensity. Thrush cross grange and Penistant Crag are the only settings explored in Wuthering Heights. The settings may seem irrelevant to a reader at first, but as the novel progresses they play an important part as they reflect the character personalities especially the linkage with Heathcliff and Wuthering Heights. An example of a linkage between the two is that they both lack positive welcoming vibes. This is shown in the house by ‘no signs of roasting, boiling, or baking, about the huge fireplace'. This can give us the impression that the house is not a very homely place and we also get a hunch from the quotes ‘Straggeling gooseberry bushes' and ‘bleak hill top' ‘black frost' ‘made me shiver through every limb' that even the scenery does not seem welcoming. This is as the gooseberry bushes represent thorns trying to warn away any sort of visitors for example Lockwood. The atmospheric scenery is also not a friendly, pleasant, warm and welcoming but a dark, rough, miserable atmosphere. Similarly this is shown in Heathcliff by ‘I don't keep accommodation for visitors' this gives us the impression that he is not welcoming to guests and that he does not attempt to make any effort. Another example of inhospitality from Heathcliff's side is ‘†¦ ould you spare me one? ‘ ‘No I could not. ‘ This shows how unwelcoming Heathcliff is and how his character can relate to the settings. This is a very clever way to introduce Heathcliff and the house to us because indirectly Bronte has given us many similarities between the two, and if we did not know that he was the owner we would be able to automatically assume that he was as quotes such as ‘Black eyes withdrawn so suspiciously under their brows' which is descri bing Heathcliff. Contradicting with' heavy black ones lurking in the shade' which is describing the house contemplate with each other. We also see that there is a distinctive contrast between Wuthering heights and Thrush cross Grange Wuthering heights is a dull, boring place where no fun or leisure takes place whilst Thrush cross grange is full of laughter, music and dancing this is also reflected into the people living at these houses because the Earnshaws who live at Wuthering heights are strong, willed and dark and the Linton's at thrush cross grange are clam, gentle and kind. In chapter one we get the impression that later on in the novel Heathcliff may have a connection with the theme on violence and anger this is because of the objects in the house which are described ‘villainous old guns, and a couple of horse pistols'. This tells us that some one who possesses such items may be a fierce person or the opposite so a coward, but judging from the tone and the manner that Heathcliff's character portrays to us in the beginning chapters it is more likely that he is going to be a fierce character and the guns may show a sign of control or power within the character himself. Uttered so savagely' †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ ‘The tone†¦. revealed such a bad nature'. Bronte has also linked other events in the beginning chapters with the theme of violence such as the ghost supposedly Catherine Linton, who comes to Lockwood ‘let me in, let me in' ‘rubbed it to and fro till blood ran down' these quotes tell us that the novel defiantly contains more images and expanded themes on violence which could lead to a dramatic ending. The theme of brutality and violence is dwelled upon even further as the novel prolongs. The incident with the dogs and Lockwood is an example of violence ‘broke in a fury and jumped on my knees' and the incident with Heathcliff and Cathy ‘clenched his fist with every appearance of a meditated assault. ‘ We are able to get an idea into what themes may be used in this novel and at the same time we are able to find out more about the character by their actions taken. Heathcliff is not the only character that is introduced to us in the beginning chapters, but we are also introduced to Lockwood. We are introduced to Lockwood as the narrator, but Bronte has cleverly disguised it is him speaking until the middle of the page. This could be because she wants us to get an impression that Lockwood is going to be a character who is never a part of things ‘ I began to feel unmistakably out of place', but always in the lives of others. We also learn that Lockwood is a bit waffled he likes to speak a lot of nonsense and puts his foot in it at times ‘a beautiful animal' ‘unlikely a pile of dead rabbits' this could mean that Lockwood is going to be someone who can never be taken seriously and we are forced to make our own judgments on things as he can not be trusted so say or think right. Lockwood is a significant character as we get to learn about Catherine through him we learn that Catherine is going to play a major part in the novel too, as she is introduced into the novel not as an actual person, but as a ghost, a spirit. This again can be linked back to the theme of death, violence and haunting. The way that Catherine is introduced to us makes us speculate on why she is coming to haunt the place and especially why to Lockwood as we already know that she is or was a real character when Lockwood finds her diary ‘ took a form of a regular diary'. When Catherine is introduced Bronte refers to negative cold descriptions such as ‘icy cold hand' and ‘shiverlingly'. These images could relate to Catherine's character and it could resemble her. Again, Bronte may want to indirectly inform us of what her character is likely to be and from these descriptions it tells us that Catherine is going to be a cold hearted character and someone who does not care about anyone else apart from herself. ‘Though everybody hated and despised each other, they could not avoid loving me' this tells us how self-centered Catherine may be. The introduction to Catherine was an effective and interesting way as it enables Bronte to make the readers imaginations run wild and it keeps them reading on as they want to find out why Catherine is now a ghost and why she has come back to haunt the house. During the opening few chapters we are also introduced to another character who is Hareton. We do not learn a great deal about Hareton in the opening few chapters, but we are introduced to his appearance ‘thick brown curls were rough and uncultivated' ‘hands were embrowned' Hareton's presence in the beginning chapters is vital as it creates a relationship triangle with himself, Heathcliff and Catherine and we are soon very confused with Lockwood to how each of them are related to one and other. You're amiable lady' ‘my amiable lady! ‘ ‘Not my son assuredly'. Emily Bronte has purposely added Hareton to show the first signs of confusion among characters and this confusing relationship triangle is carried on throughout the novel such as the love triangle between Edgar Linton, Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff where both men loved one woman and she was torn between wealth. We are also faced with many clues into foreshadowing future events that might develop as the novel progresses. The ideas are hidden and the reader will only be able to find them if they take the events further and think about what the symbolism may be in the rest of the novel. We touch upon the theme of love and passion in the first few chapters we see signs that the novel is going to be based on love ‘come in' ‘oh do once more my hearts darling' the way that Bronte has written this part feels so passionate that we instantly get the feeling that a big part of the novel will contain feelings of love, but we also know that it will not be so straight forward there will be complications. We can tell this from the connection with the ghost, the ghost represents something from the dead and it makes the reader feel at unease and have a sensation of something not being true or right this can be portrayed in the novel such as Heathcliffs and Catherine love at the beginning, but Catherine soon become tied with Edgar and ends up marring him or Heathcliff's and Isabella's marriage, Heathcliff only married her so he can get back at Edgar but Isabella's intentions were true. All these are signs of love existing in one place or another but it is problematic twist somewhere in-between that love, such as death, separation, jealousy, cruelty or neglect. I have already mentioned before the fact that violence and brutality will also be linked into the rest of the novel and the clues that we are given for that are the guns and the way that Heathcliff seems to snap and his actions at times reflects anger with in him. Heathcliff lifted his hand' ‘speaker sprang to a distance'. We can also link the theme of violence with Heathcliff and Hindley. Bronte has made sure that she has informed us of a conflict that went on between two of the characters, and after reading about this it enables us to predict that as the novel develops the conflict between Hindely and Heathcliff will continue until one will win. ‘†¦ Heathcliff went to loose the beat'†¦ Hindely knocked him to his feet' this shows how we see violence and conflict between the two characters at an early stage in the novel. These are really the main themes that Bronte has introduced us to as she has given us quite a lot of information in the opening chapters to make us carry on reading to find out what happens she has provided us with little bits of the story on what happens so that we get a taste to what are the main ideas that will be explored through the novel. The language in the novel changes in the opening few chapters as Bronte approaches the flash back, there is a contrast between the way that Bronte presents Lockwood, and the way he speaks and the way that Nelly dean speaks. Emily Bronte has used a contrast in characters as narrators so that we as the reader can now be more certain that Lockwood's views are unreliable ‘it's swarming with ghost and goblins'. His views can not be taken seriously as we could say did he really see a ghost? This is because we get an account that he was dreaming before so the ghost could also been apart of his dream. Bronte makes Nelly Dean speak she gets straight to the point, on the other hand Lockwood's character would take the space of fifty words to mean one thing for example take these two quotes ‘one fine summer morning' compared with ‘the first feathery flakes of the snow shower'. Emily Bronte shows a distinctive difference in the two characters, this is a technique that she has used so that is forces us to believe everything that Nelly Dean will say in the flash back as she is the only character who was present all throughout the time when the conflicts, deaths, fights and marriages took place between the two families the Earnshaws and the Linton's therefore we have only one side of the story to believe and Emily Bronte has made Nelly Dean convincing enough for us to believe her. As we read further into the novel we are faced with a letter from Isabella ‘ I got a long letter', Emily Bronte's idea to add a letter was very effective as we are able to get another narrator in the novel. This provides us with more information into what Wuthering heights is like ‘An untidy, dingy hole' and what life with Heathcliff is like ‘promised me that I should be Edgar's proxy in suffering'. After re-reading the first few chapters of Wuthering heights I realised that the beginning chapters served as an affective introduction to the rest of the novel. This is because Emily Bronte has indirectly given us information towards forth-coming themes and she has given information into some of the main characters which will appear in the novel. She has also given a clue about the atmospheric settings and where the characters are homed. I think that the main reason to why Emily Bronte may have written a novel like this one is due to the social and historical influences she came across during the 1800. Emily Bronte grew up in a very isolated place herself so there are personal references reflected in the novel such as the emphasis on the intensity of the settings. Also as Emily Bronte lived in a very isolated place she was not touched directly by the industrial revolution this is probably why she did not base her novel on relevant social issues such as authors like Charles Dickens and Jane Austin who did. I also think that the period of time that she wrote this novel in has reflected in some of her characters. In the 1800 women were seen as being ‘degraded to their husbands', I think that this has affected the way that Bronte has written the novel as she has made the women in this novel to not obey and do what ever their husbands say, but to have a mind of their own like Catherine. Later on in the novel we see that Catherine's character is of a strong headed and powerful woman. She has also given more importance to the women in this novel for example if you look at Nelly Dean, she is the narrator. Nelly Deans character has a very important part to play in this novel as without her present in all the events that have took place between the two families their would be no one to tell us what happened apart from Joseph. But again you can see that Bronte has made Nelly Dean a woman to tell the story and not a Joseph who is a man. So many aspects have influenced the writer Emily Bronte into creating such a novel that astonished everyone. Many people were astonished by the topics she wrote about and many were astonished at her work. Over all the first few chapters of the novel have created the base for our knowledge to expand and run wild on, Emily Bronte has made sure that she has included the most bizarre and unique events in the beginning so that it make us the reader carry on with the novel. Her technique has worked and the novel only gets better from the first chapters.

Physics Pendulum Lab

Katherine Unman Introduction/Purpose: Pendulums serve a huge purpose that are often overseen by many due to technological advancements being made In the everyday world. A simple pendulum consists of a small object (the â€Å"bob†) suspended by a lightweight cord. The mass oft he pendulum is actually only the mass of the bob; the mass of the string is not included. The period of a pendulum is the amount of time for the bob to complete exactly one cycle or oscillation back and forth.The length of the pendulum extends from the attached end of the string to the center of mass of the bob. The original aim for this investigation was to â€Å"Investigate the simple pendulum†. There are many variables on could look Into, such as displacement, angle, damping, mass of the bob etc. The most Interesting variable, however, Is the length of the swinging pendulum. The relations p between the length and the time for one swing (the period) has been researched for many centuries, and has allowed famous physicists like Isaac Newton and GalileoGalilee to obtain an accurate value for the gravitational force acting on it, â€Å"g†. Len this simple investigation, we performed two activities to visually observe what affects the period off pendulum, mass or the length of the string. Hypothesis: With our previous knowledge of pendulums and the forces acting on a pendulum, we hypothesized that the length of the string along with gravity would affect the period a ND the mass of the bob would not. Materials: In order to complete a successful Investigation, numerous supplies were needed.Without these materials, our observations would not have been as accurate. The mat aerials we used are: 1. Meter stick 2. Stopwatch 3. Pieces of string, 3 of the same length, and one off different length 4. Washers 5. A partner 6. Pen/pencil Procedure: When effectively Investigating what affects the period of a pendulum, some simple ye vital steps are necessary to follow. In this experim ent, two activities were performed t hat share a set of Instructions. These were: 1. Gather all the materials