Wednesday, October 30, 2019
The new york times, the best laws money can buy july 12, 2010 Essay
The new york times, the best laws money can buy july 12, 2010 - Essay Example Lobbyists have been around for decades. There is really not much that the common people know about them, except that they lobby. But what does that really mean and why do they have to flock over in the halls of the very foundations of the nation’s sovereignty, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The most common question deduced is what do they actually do and how do they affect us. It seems at first glance that there are really so little of what they do that directly affects the people or the government. They guise in the fact that their main job is to point out to legislators one or two small details in pending legislations for them to take a second look and reconsider the proposal. The congressman or senator then acts as a mercenary for these interests. Now the succeeding question is what is so important with these minute details that people, groups or corporations have to hire lobbyists to do their bidding. A 1986 article written in Time magazine appropriately titl ed â€Å"Peddling Influence†was an in-depth depiction of the growth of lobbying as a profession. From being a very reticent profession, as specifically pointed out even congressmen back then do not want to be seen talking with a lobbyist, it has blossomed into a very public and media frenzied occupation. As pointed out, â€Å"One man’s loophole is another man’s socially useful allowance, and one man’s lobbyist is another man’s righteous advocate. Nonetheless, the voices most likely to be heard are often the ones that can afford the best-connected access brokers†(par. 4). Steven Brill has painted a clearer picture in how lobbying has affected our nation. As an explicit example he has cited Private Equity Council, a trade group that wants to augment taxes on carried interest. It keeps on its payroll Capitol Tax with a $30, 000 retainer each month ensuring the taxes on its members are kept low. This type of payment is not limited to only Capi tol Tax as there are other firms they employ. It has been reported that they have spent $4.2 million from 2009. Keeping in mind that there are other groups lobbying for the same cause, all in all, according to Brill, this amounts to about $15 million. This already seems like a lot of money but this is small change as it equates to an investment for about $100 billion in taxes in the next 10 years. This will actually save them around $10 billion in taxes. Furthermore, their lobbyists have afforded them the added bonus that it becomes effective this year instead of 2010. Saving them another $2 billion (Brill, par.4-5). In comparison, the $15 million does not sound that much. It is but a mere insignificant percentage compared to what they will be able to save. But what does this really mean to us because so what if they are able to save as much. It is uncomforting to think that this â€Å"payoff is all the more remarkable when you realize that this tax break is going to some of the we althiest Americans and that all the reformers wanted originally was for those folks to pay the same graduated income-tax rate that normal wage earners do†(Brill, par.6). It is but the virtue of equity that this tax policy should have been implemented. As the saying so aptly puts it, ‘absolute power corrupts, absolutely.’ There seems to be no satiation to the hunger that what the rich wants is to be richer while others are
Monday, October 28, 2019
My Great Passion for Therapy Essay Example for Free
My Great Passion for Therapy Essay This paper entitled â€Å"My Great Passion for Therapy†has several objectives. First, it intends to discuss the topic in psychology that interests me most – â€Å"therapy†. Another objective of this paper is to explain the aforementioned and state some of the types of therapy. Last but not least, it aims to share my personal preference, as well as, why I would like that kind of therapy to apply in case I become a therapist in the future. Therapy Defined            â€Å"Therapy†is a standard terminology that explains the purpose of â€Å"medical, psychiatric, psychological or alternative designed to promote health and well-being†(World Self-Medication Industry n. p.). For me though, it means that, it is a kind of professional help that addresses a wide range of dilemmas related to the mental state of an individual. Types of Therapy            There are several types of therapy and some of these are the following:            First of all is known as â€Å"psychoanalytic therapy†which has been established by â€Å"Sigmund Freud†(Wagner n.p.). In this particular kind of therapy, the â€Å"psychoanalytic therapist†obliges himself to attend to what the client/patient says about his or her life (Wagner n.p.). It is also technically referred to as â€Å"talk therapy†because of that (Wagner n.p.). The â€Å"psychoanalytic therapist†analyses the narration provided to him or her and find important occurrences that may contribute to the client/patient’s existing difficulties/hardships (Wagner n.p.). Furthermore, the â€Å"psychoanalytic therapist†pays attention to the occurrences during the client/patient’s childhood days, â€Å"unconscious emotions, opinion/judgment, as well as, motivations †because they extremely believe that the aforementioned contribute largely to an individual’s â€Å"mental illness, as well as, maladaptive behaviors†(Wagner n.p.). Moreover, â€Å"psychoanalytic therapy†is said to be â€Å"exceedingly expensive, time-consuming, as well as, ineffective†, however, it is said that it has been very helpful as well since simply sharing personal thoughts, emotions, and problems, as well as, knowing that somebody is willing to listen already minimizes stress and tension on the part of the patient/client (Wagner n.p.).            The second is known as â€Å"cognitive therapy†, a kind of therapy which actually looks into â€Å"specific dilemmas or issues†(Wagner n.p.). Here, the â€Å"cognitive therapist†focuses on the unreasonable/illogical/flawed thoughts and insights (Wagner n.p.). This is because the â€Å"cognitive therapist†believes that the aforementioned brings about â€Å"dysfunctions†(Wagner n.p.). What â€Å"cognitive therapist†does is to help the patient/client alter his or her unreasonable/illogical/flawed thoughts and insights (Wagner n.p.). For instance, if a client/patient fears â€Å"open spaces/crowded places/public places†, then the â€Å"cognitive therapist†will assist the client/patient to face that fear through actual experience (Wagner n.p.). The â€Å"cognitive therapist†may help the client/patient to imagine himself or herself to be in such a situation/location before eventually exposing the client/patient to experience the actual fear (Wagner n.p.). That is what the â€Å"cognitive therapist†will do until the aforementioned phobia is decreased or entirely eliminated (Wagner n.p.). In addition to the aforementioned, â€Å"cognitive therapy†is said to be extremely helpful especially when it comes to depression- and anxiety-related cases (Wagner n.p.).            The third is technically referred to as â€Å"group therapy†(Wagner n.p.). This is categorized under â€Å"psychotherapy†wherein â€Å"two or more clients work with one or more therapists or counselors†(Wagner n.p.). Furthermore, this is usually carried out by â€Å"support groups†in order for the members of the group to discover and learn from other individual’s experiences and recommendations (Wagner n.p.). Moreover, â€Å"group therapy†is advantageous because it provides emotional support to those who feel â€Å"alone, isolated, or different†(Wagner n.p.). Interestingly, â€Å"group therapy†has been claimed to be â€Å"more cost effective than individual psychotherapy and is oftentimes more effective†(Wagner n.p.).            The fourth is known as â€Å"Solution-focused Brief Therapy†, which is utilized to address â€Å"a wide range of dilemmas including the following: 1) anxiety; 2) depression; 3) mental health-related problems; 4) oppression experiences; 5) pain; 6) problems in sleeping; 7) work-related dilemmas; 8) relationship problems (including differences with children, with spouse, and with close friends); 9) stress; 10) substance abuse (including drugs and alcohol); 11) etc†(The Brief Therapy Practice n.p.). Here in the â€Å"Solution-focused Brief Therapy†, â€Å"instead of solving problems, it builds solutions†and so the modifications/transformations that may happen are unswerving, and thus, such changes are most likely to last (The Brief Therapy Practice n.p.).            Fifth is â€Å"play therapy†, which typically addresses the developmental dilemmas of young individuals, i.e. children (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research n.p.). A â€Å"play therapist†is motivated to play, paint, and indulge themselves in other interesting activities in order for them to â€Å"effortlessly communicate their emotions and feelings if they lack the cognitive development to articulate themselves with words†(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research n.p.).            Last but not least is known as â€Å"interpersonal therapy†, which is the kind of therapy that pays attention to the patient/client’s â€Å"current relationships†with other individuals (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research n.p.). Here, the â€Å"interpersonal therapist’s†main objective is to develop the patient/client’s â€Å"interpersonal skills†for him or her to be able to properly â€Å"relate to other individuals including his or her family, friends, and colleagues†(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research n.p.). In addition to that, the â€Å"interpersonal therapist†plays a large role in the patient/client’s assessment on his or her interaction with other people and â€Å"develop strategies for dealing with relationship and communication problems†(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research n.p.). Personal Preference and Reasons for it              I prefer the fourth one. If I become a therapist I am most likely to choose â€Å"Solution-focused Brief Therapy†because of the following reasons:            First of all, the more conventional/traditional types are all expensive (The Brief Therapy Practice n.p.). â€Å"Solution-focused Brief Therapy†, on the other hand, is not; in fact, statistical information show that there are several â€Å"economically-challenged†individuals go for this type of counseling/therapy to address their personal dilemmas simply because they cannot afford the luxurious fees of the other types of therapy suggested to them (The Brief Therapy Practice n.p.). In fact, this kind of psychological therapy may also be availed free of charge to those individuals â€Å"who really do not have the capacity to pay but needed to solve a certain dilemma†(The Brief Therapy Practice n.p.).            In addition to the aforementioned, I prefer â€Å"Solution-based or Solution-focused Brief Therapy†because it is â€Å"brief†(The Brief Therapy Practice n.p.). I must admit that I tend to get impatient with regards to waiting for positive results and so I like this one because it is said that a dilemma is addressed in not more than five sessions of counseling/therapy (The Brief Therapy Practice n.p.). Works Cited  Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Psychotherapy: An Overview of the  Types of Therapy. 2008. n.a. 23 February 2008. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/psychotherapy/MH00009 The Brief Therapy Practice. Solution Focused Brief Therapy. 2003. n.a. 23 February 2008. http://www.brieftherapy.org.uk/ Wagner, K.V. Types of Therapy. 2008. The New York Times Company. 23 February 2008.            http://psychology.about.com/od/psychotherapy/a/treattypes.htm World Self-Medication Industry. Therapy. 2004. n.a. 23 February 2008.            http://www.wsmi.org/glossary_st.htm
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Comparing the Tragedies of Julius Caesar, Death of a Salesman, and Oedipus Rex :: comparison compare contrast essays
 For a story to be a tragedy it has to follow the principles set  by Aristotle, a Greek philosopher, or those of Arthur Miller  who is a twentieth century playwright. A tragedy, in Aristotle's  view, usually concerns the fall of an individual whose character is  good but not perfect and his misfortunes are brought about by the  tragic flaw. This flaw is the part of the character that personifies  him as being tragic. Miller uses this definition of a tragedy but  also broadens it to include the common man. All of these  characteristics are seen in the plays Julius Caesar, Death of a  Salesman, and Oedipus Rex.           Although the title of the play Julius Caesar focuses on  Caesar, the play itself is really based on Brutus. "Brutus had  rather be a villager than to repute himself a son of Rome."(Act I,  scene II, line 172). This was said by Brutus after Cassius told him  how Caesar had become a towering figure over Rome and how  Caesar controls Rome. Notice the good in Brutus, and the  extremes he will go to in order to protect democracy in Rome  even if it means killing the one he loves, Caesar. Brutus possesses  one of the most tragic flaws. He is too nice of a person and  therefore he gets taken advantage of. He lets Cassius persuade  him into killing Caesar for the good of Rome. Because he does  for others more than himself he makes a fatal mistake, he lets  Antony live. Brutus says to the conspirators, "For Antony is but a  limb of Caesar"(Act II scene I line 165) meaning that if Caesar is  killed Antony will die off too. Brutus clearly does not regard  Antony as being a threat, but little does Brutus know that  Antony will stir up the town to seek revenge after the  assassination of Caesar. This mistake will cost him his own life.  When he dies he becomes a prime example of tragedy because not  only did he bring about his own death he dies by his own hand.           In Death of a Salesman, Willy Lowman's tragic flaw is that
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Essay --
1.0 Introduction We had selected Apple Iphone 5s as our for our Fundamental Of Marketing assignment. We select this product it because more and more advanced technology exist in the 21st century. Nowadays, more and more modern human like to pursuit the trend of technology, and there is also one of the main reason that we chosen this product for doing research on marketing strategies, marketing environment, marketing mix and proposal to analysing of this assignment. This product(Iphone 5s) is a touchscreen smartphone that produced by Apple Inc. Apple is one of the most famous and reliable brand in the IT world. Its logo is with a silver colour apple on the back casing of the phone. Iphone 5s has a chip with 64-bit architecture, fingerprint identity sensor, a better, faster camera, and an operating system built specifically for 64-bit in order to bring more convenience to consumer. We were focus on how Iphone 5s competitive with other's brand's smartphone company in Malaysia's consumer market. Company background Apple Inc. is an American corporation that design software, hardware and other consumer electronics. Apple Inc.’s product lines are iPhone (smart phone), iPad (tablet computer), iPod (portable media players) and Mac book (Macintosh computer). Apple or "the company" was established in 1977. Besides that, the company sells to consumer, small and mid-sized business, education, enterprise, government and creative customers. It was co-founded by Steven Wozniak and Steven P. Job in Cupertino, California. Apple really started in basement or garage not at the expensive business location. This is the one of the reason so many people intrigued to the brand and could be the reason that the computers were such a success, they wer... ...can send email and text, browsing the web, shooting and sharing great video and photo, getting direction easily. Lastly, the entrepreneurs can organize contracts, access contracts, and have a detail schedule. Not only IOS 7 and Ultrafast LTE wireless function can use by them, they also can use the Touch ID, this is a security system which is using their own fingerprint to set the password, so others cannot open their phone to steal the information and idea in the phone. Positioning Having done the above 2 steps which are segmenting the market and selecting specific target market, positioning is the final part of STP process. According the Apple Inc.’s selling point, ‘’iPhone 5S, the most advanced iPhone ever, with our most forward-thinking technologies.’’ The iPhone 5S is the best smartphone that contains the latest advanced features Apple Inc. has created so far.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Human Sexuality and Disability
Article Summary Chandler, B. J. , Brown, S. (1998). Sex and relationship dysfunction in neurological disability. Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 65, 877-880. doi: 10. 1136/jnnp. 6 5. 6. 877 Researchers Chandler and Brown (1988) conducted a study to see the relationship between neurologically disabled individuals and their experienced sexual relationship problems. Primarily focused on dyadic relationships, this research further sheds light on service providing for affected individuals.A 6 months continuous study was conducted on 70 individuals who were either married, cohabiting or living alone at Hunters Moor Regional Rehabilitation Centre located in Newcastle upon Tyne. Multiple standardized tests to assess cognitive, sexual and psychiatric functioning including, sexual functioning, disability level and current relationship were used. The results showed a wide variety of diagnosis amongst individuals tested. Additionally indicated slightly more than half (51%) had experienced change in sexual functioning and almost a third (27%) of those were highly concerned about this change.Gender was highly associated with concern about sexual functioning, as men were much more concerned. The correlation between sexual dysfunction and duration of illness strongly predicted relationship dissatisfaction. Researchers also suggested that concern is a desire to seek help and so more than one in four required help for sexual dysfunction. The outcome of this study implied sexual dysfunction can predict difficulties within a relationship and the dyadic relationship is an important aspect in managing disability.Further suggesting services designed to address sexual health should also consider and integrate relationship issues when seeking solutions. Reflective Journal Introduction to topic: Human Sexuality and Disability Sexual health is an important aspect of all human beings. Dr. Mona (2011) noted disabled individuals may not fit into the typical category of wha t is sexually desirable in our society and can result in low sexual self esteem. Disability is a complex phenomenon, which has different aspects. Our group was curious and wanted to research on preconceived assumptions on Sexuality and Disability.The research dealt with physical disability (Injuries affecting mobility, Individuals with Cancer resulting in physical limitations etc. ) its relationship with sexual pleasure, expression and services provided for concerned individuals. The Travelling Tickle Trunk Shop. Research and collecting Informaiton Located within Edmonton made it easy to conduct research on this agency. Additionally the range and quality of services was accessible and welcoming to disabled individuals. The Methodology involved, contacting the owner Brenda Kerber through e-mail and phone to set up an interview.We personally contacted Brenda at the Tickle Trunk located on Whyte Avenue. During this period she willingly provided answers and useful information. More to t his, we analyzed the store set up, services and policies to accommodate disabled customers. Perceptions and Personal Impact of this Research Brenda had stated the initial idea to set up this particular store being a customer request that she later researched into and established in 2008 (personal communication, Oct. 31, 2012), indicating a wide customer range.I have learnt the variety of customers is not limited to race, culture, age, physical ability or gender. I would always assume customers of sex stores being sex addicts or having some physiological difficulties during sexual intercourse. My assumptions essentially root from my culture. Sex is a reserved topic until marriage and is therefore associated with procreation. I am aware of the pleasurable aspects of sex and this research has broadened my viewpoint. Another major assumption was with regards to disabled customers being asexual and/or loosing total sense of feel in sexual organs completely. Dr.Tepper’s (2000) rese arch helped publicize sexual oppression of disabled individuals and eliminated some of my assumptions enlightening me to the complex world of disability (acquired disability, mental illness, physical disability, prenatal disability etc). Disabled individuals at least here in North America are engaged in sexual activity and I would state are having better and creative sex. Major personal turning point of this research was knowing the multiple ways to enhance one’s sex life. Social impact and Applications of this research The Tickle Trunk, is a business that is very welcoming to all individuals.This can help curious couples experiment, aid new migrants better immerse in the western culture of Sexuality and for disabled individuals (visually, hearing) private parties are conducted to help explore sexuality. Brenda has helped many physically disabled/impaired and individuals with cancer better embrace their sexual lives. On a large scale, Alberta being noted for its conservative views and reserved sexual attitude. The open minded and supportive approach of The Tickle Trunk can help educate and promote satisfying healthy sex to the general Edmonton society.Personally aspiring to be in the Nursing field certain information might be applicable during patient treatment, diagnosis etc. Disability and motherhood, guidance for parenting and resources (O’toole, 2002) are other aspects of interest to me, from a career and female rights advocate perspective. Personal and Literature related experiences of the research Pleasure is an important affirmative of life regardless of physical disability. Another similarity was the variety of individuals. In the article age ranges from 16-64 were examined. Where as customers at the shop had much more variation.Journals are scientific papers, a few controlled variables and numerical associations to sexual expression/satisfaction was noted. Whereas visiting the store gave a more personal and opinionated view of considerin g disability and sexuality. Overall, the different sources aided in reaching a balanced perspective. Reference List Chandler, B. J. , Brown, S. (1998). Sex and relationship dysfunction in neurological disability. Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 65, 877-880. doi: 10. 1136/jnnp. 6 5. 6. 877 Kerber, Brenda. (Owner, Educator–The Travelling Tickle Trunk), personal communication October 31, 2012.O’toole, C. J. (2002). Sex Disability And Motherhood: Access To Sexuality For Disabled Mother Dsiability studies Quarterly 22(4), 81-101. Retrieved from http://dsq-sds. org/article/view/374/495 Paget, L. (2011, June 8). Dr. Linda Monda Sex and Disability. TogiEntertainment, Inc. Lindale Texas, USA: Â © 2012 Toginet Radio. Retrieved from http://podbay. fm/show/415882898/e/1309935600? autostart=1 Tepper, M. S. (2000). Sexuality and Disability: The Missing Discourse of Pleasure. HumanScience Press. 18(4), 283-290. Retrieved from http://wmst419. drkissling. com/winter2 011/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Tepper2000. pdf
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Free Essays on Overpopulation In Prisons
Overpopulation in Prisons According to Allen J. Beck, Ph.D an estimated 1,585,400 persons were incarcerated in the United States in 1995 and that since 1985 the total number of inmates in the State and Federal prisons has grown 8.3 percent annually. (Beck, 1) The prisons in the United States are seeing about 45,000 new inmates each year. Greg Botonis, writer for the Los Angeles Daily News, says â€Å"Since the first year [California State Prison] opened, more than 4,000 inmates have been assigned to the prison designed for 2,200, and the population explosion has been especially great since spring.†(Botonis, 1) Those are pretty big numbers. From 1994 to 1995 Iowa’s prison population alone grew 8.6 percent. How can the government afford to keep putting this many people in prison? That’s right, the taxpayers are paying for it. Overpopulation in prisons impacts negatively on staff morale and on the services rendered, it also is the cause for abnormally high maintenance costs of pris on facilities. Why are we having problems with crowding in our prisons? The overpopulation problems in the prisons are due to mandatory minimum sentencing laws which was brought out by the anti-drug abuse act of 1986. This law states that judges are required to use minimum sentences on offenders based on the type and quantity of the drug involved. Last year over half a million Americans were arrested for marijuana offenses and now most of them are in our prisons. Overpopulation in prisons has lead to the need for new prisons to be built. Which means even more money is needed from the taxpayers. Just for one inmate to stay in a federal prison for one month it costs about $1,910. The cost for building a new prison facility can vary from fifteen to sixty million dollars. The taxpayers are giving prisoners pretty much a free ride. Prisoners have it better than most American citizens. These prisoners get to have all of their utilities ... Free Essays on Overpopulation In Prisons Free Essays on Overpopulation In Prisons Overpopulation in Prisons According to Allen J. Beck, Ph.D an estimated 1,585,400 persons were incarcerated in the United States in 1995 and that since 1985 the total number of inmates in the State and Federal prisons has grown 8.3 percent annually. (Beck, 1) The prisons in the United States are seeing about 45,000 new inmates each year. Greg Botonis, writer for the Los Angeles Daily News, says â€Å"Since the first year [California State Prison] opened, more than 4,000 inmates have been assigned to the prison designed for 2,200, and the population explosion has been especially great since spring.†(Botonis, 1) Those are pretty big numbers. From 1994 to 1995 Iowa’s prison population alone grew 8.6 percent. How can the government afford to keep putting this many people in prison? That’s right, the taxpayers are paying for it. Overpopulation in prisons impacts negatively on staff morale and on the services rendered, it also is the cause for abnormally high maintenance costs of pris on facilities. Why are we having problems with crowding in our prisons? The overpopulation problems in the prisons are due to mandatory minimum sentencing laws which was brought out by the anti-drug abuse act of 1986. This law states that judges are required to use minimum sentences on offenders based on the type and quantity of the drug involved. Last year over half a million Americans were arrested for marijuana offenses and now most of them are in our prisons. Overpopulation in prisons has lead to the need for new prisons to be built. Which means even more money is needed from the taxpayers. Just for one inmate to stay in a federal prison for one month it costs about $1,910. The cost for building a new prison facility can vary from fifteen to sixty million dollars. The taxpayers are giving prisoners pretty much a free ride. Prisoners have it better than most American citizens. These prisoners get to have all of their utilities ...
Monday, October 21, 2019
How To Use the Spanish ‘Cuando’
How To Use the Spanish ‘Cuando’ The Spanish word cuando usually the equivalent of the English when, although its use is far more versatile than the English word. It can serve as a preposition, conjunction, or adverb, and it frequently is used in situations where when doesnt work as a translation. Cuando as a Conjunction Cuando is used most often as a conjunction, a type of word that in this case connects two clauses, a sentence-like statement that includes a subject (which may be implied) and a verb. Although the conjunction cuando can often be translated as when, cuando doesnt always indicate that a time element is at play. In those situations, context sometimes makes it better to think of cuando as meaning a condition such as if or since. Here are some examples of cuando meaning when: Siempre voy al mercado cuando estoy en la ciudad. (I always go to the market when I am in the city. Here cuando joins the two clauses siempre voy al mercado and estoy en la ciudad.)Su padre era drogadicto cuando ella era una nià ±a. (Her father was a drug addict when she was a girl. Cuando joins su padre era drogadicto and ella era una nià ±a.)Cuando llegà ³ al aeropuerto me puse en la fila equivocada. (When I arrived at the airport, I got in the wrong line. As this sentence shows, a conjunction can link two clauses even when it comes at the beginning of the sentence rather than between the clauses.) If the action of the verb after cuando took place in the past, is ongoing, or takes place in the present, the verb is in the indicative mood. But if it takes place in the future, the subjunctive is used. Note the difference between these two sentences. Cuando la veo, siempre me siento feliz. (When I see her, I always feel happy. The action of siento is ongoing, so it is in the indicative mood.)Cuando la veo maà ±ana, me sienta feliz. (When I see her tomorrow, I will feel happy. The action of the verb happens tomorrow, so the subjunctive mood is used.) Here are examples of where a translation other than when might be used for cuando: Vamos a salir cuando està © tarde. (We are going to leave if he is late. Depending on the context, this sentence doesnt necessarily suggest that the person will be late.)Cuando brilla el Sol, podemos ir a la playa. (Since the sun is shining, we can go to the beach. Since works better than when in translation if it is known to the speaker and listener that the sun is shining.) Cuando as an Adverb When it appears in questions before a verb, cundo functions as an adverb and receives an orthographic accent.  ¿Cundo vienes? (When are you coming?) ¿Cundo van a llegar al hotel? (When will they are arrive at the hotel? ¿Cundo compraron el coche? (When did they buy a car?)No sà © cundo se resolver mi futuro. (I dont known when my future will be determined. This is an example of an indirect question.) Cuando also functions as an adverb when it follows a form of ser. When is almost always a suitable translation. Era cuando yo estaba ms vulnerable. (It was when I was most vulnerable.)Mi mentira favorita era cuando me decà as, te amo. (My favorite lie was when you told me, I love you.)La parte difà cil es cuando se tienen cuatro o cinco actores en la misma escena. (The difficult part is when there are four or five actors in the same scene.) Cuando as a Preposition When used as a preposition, cuando can often be translated as during or at the time of. Often the sentence using cuando in this way cannot be translated word for word but must be loosely translated to indicate that something happened during the time of the prepositional object. Some examples: La escribià ³Ã‚ cuando estudiante. (She wrote it when she was a student. Note that there are no words in Spanish that directly say she was, but that meaning is implied. A word-for-word translation would be when student, but that doesnt make sense.)Asà  fue cuando la Revolucià ³n Francesa. (Thats how it was during the French Revolution.)Cuando las inundaciones yo era muy chica. (At the time of the floods I was very young.)Yo era enfermizo cuando muchacho con asma, (As a boy with asthma I was sickly.) Key Takeaways Although cuando can be thought of as the Spanish word for when, it can also be used in other ways.A common use of cuando is as a conjunction combining two clauses.When cundo means when as an interrogative adverb in a question, the first syllable receives an accent mark.
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Coordinate vs. Noncoordinate Adjectives
Coordinate vs. Noncoordinate Adjectives Coordinate vs. Noncoordinate Adjectives Coordinate vs. Noncoordinate Adjectives By Mark Nichol Whether to punctuate between two or more adjectives preceding a noun can be a difficult decision to make. Consider these points next time you are confused about what is appropriate. In the sentence â€Å"Many great artists were not recognized as such during their lifetimes,†many and great, though they are both adjectives, are not coordinate. The notion of many artists and the notion of great artists are not equivalent, because great is essential; the reference is not to any artists, but to great artists, and many modifies the phrase â€Å"great artists,†so no punctuation precedes the phrase. This is true regardless of how many adjectives precede the noun, if they are essential to describe the noun. â€Å"Many great Renaissance artists were not recognized as such during their lifetimes†does not require punctuation, either. However, if more than one adjective modifies a noun phrase such as â€Å"great artists†(or â€Å"great Renaissance artists†), or an adjective in that role is repeated, the two (or more) adjectives should be separated by a comma: â€Å"Many, many great artists were not recognized as such during their lifetimes.†Also, when we speak of a wide stone floor, we don’t punctuate the description, because the adjectives are not coordinate. Wide and stone are two ways to describe a floor, but the composition of the floor is the pertinent point, and its expanse is simply an additional detail; that’s why we wouldn’t refer to a stone wide floor. The distinction between coordinate and noncoordinate adjectives is usually clear, even if in various examples, different adjectives precede the same noun. In many cases, the noun is a standing noun phrase. Consider the noun table. If it is preceded by low, we understand that â€Å"low table†is not a standing noun phrase. (You won’t find that open compound in a dictionary, because it hasn’t acquired a permanent utility in the English language; â€Å"low table†does not conjure a uniform image in our minds.) The same is true of â€Å"long table.†Therefore, when a table is described as long and low, we write â€Å"long, low table†using the comma to signal that long and low are equivalent in modifying table: They describe two characteristics of the table. (The order in which various types of adjectives appear is fixed; see this post for a discussion of the royal order of adjectives.) However, when table is preceded by dining, we understand that â€Å"dining table†is a standing noun phrase. Though dining tables differ in appearance, the concept, as opposed to long or low tables, is precise; a table can be more or less long or more or less low, but one cannot discuss how dining it is. Therefore, long and dining, and low and dining, are not coordinate, and therefore we write â€Å"long dining table†â€Å"or low dining table†(or â€Å"long, low dining table†). Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:100 Mostly Small But Expressive InterjectionsDisappointed + PrepositionEnglish Grammar 101: Sentences, Clauses and Phrases
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Creole linguistics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1
Creole linguistics - Essay Example Further studies shows that they have some aspects of their source grammar, however. Caribbean writer Kamau Brathwaite introduced the term creolisation and since then, both Caribbean and non Caribbean researchers have begun a quest for further studies. Rex Nettleford, Sidney Mintz and Sally Price are some of the persons who have made contributions. Creole has become field of study in linguistics and in the region as well. The definition of creole varies. Its meaning can range from language type to cultural and racial identification. To arrive at a basic definition one has to examine the historical nature. Many writers have theorized the origin of the term creole. Some claim that it is connected to Spanish and or Portuguese language while others trace it back to Africa. There exists a common pattern, however, in creolisation. Creole has also a racial and cultural connotation. In the nineteenth century creole could mean a white person born outside of Europe in the colonies. It could also refer to a Jamaican, or also a person of mixed race. There were also negative attitudes towards creoles. Some whites born in Europe believed the creoles to be inferior. On the other hand the creole blacks thought themselves superior to the newly arrived Africans. The creole population was soon to be identified by new culture and attitudes. Creoles were also identified by their adaptation to the new environment outside of Africa. Eventually creole became synonymous with nationalism. Theorists disagree on the definition of creole culture. Some theorists point to Voodoo and Rastafarian religions as elements of creolisation while others parallel the afro Caribbean culture on a whole with creolisation. In order to arrive at a compromise one has to examine certain principles. One of the main principles involves moving away from the search for origin and focusing instead on the available
Friday, October 18, 2019
Prostitution Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words
Prostitution - Research Paper Example This paper analyses the religious and cultural dimensions of prostitution. It is easy for people to judge the goods and evils when they consider topics such as global peace or agitations in Libya. SARA MACKENZIE (1992) has pointed out that people possess vastly different views as to whether it is a â€Å"Good Thing†or a â€Å"Bad Thing†when they consider sex and prostitution. In her opinion, sex and prostitution are morally neutral topics (MACKENZIE, p.1). In other words, SARA MACKENZIE like feminists argue that sex is a profession rather than any divine activity. In her opinion, prostitution is just another profession like nursing, management or teaching. In my opinion, the above argument seems to be meaningless. Sex is a divine act, given to the human by God in order to make his life and reproduction procedure more enjoyable. The intrusion of commercialization is visible in every aspect of human life. Sara’s arguments seem to be the outcomes of such intrusion of commercialization in human life rather than any logical thinking. If sex is performed in a professional manner, then it will become mechanic just like other professions in this world. A person loves his wife mainly because of the emotional attachment strengthened through their sexual life. A person will consider his wife as a special entity mainly because of the psychological pleasure she is providing to him though their sexual intercourse. If a person allowed having sex with females other than his wife, his emotional attachments with his wife will be damaged or decreased. Such decrease in emotional attachment will affect the cohesion and strength of family relations. In other words, the traditional concept of family, husband, wife, children etc will undergo drastic changes, once we accept prostitution as a moral act. A prostitute is not a commodity and neither is sex. Prostitution is a service and a prostitute sells her companionship and sex as a service. Her body is present at the time of transaction as the vehicle for these services as is the body of any other professional at the time of selling a service (MACKENZIE, p.3). The above argument also seems to be illogical. Converting sex into another product and the prostitutes as just service providers are dangerous acts. Sex is not a product, but a process. Generalization of sex as a product will destroy the uniqueness of this process. If sex is a product, then it can be purchased from anywhere, even from the family. In other words, we should justify the sexual relations with a brother and sister, mother and her son etc, if we consider sex as a product. It should be noted that mothers and sisters are also sources of this product and how can we justify purchasing sex from mothers and sisters. In other words, the arguments of MACKENZIE seem to be illogical. If we consider sex as a process, then we can assume certain conditions for this process. A process will take place only in suitable conditions. For exam ple, water will be boiled at 100 degree Celsius when it is heated in normal atmospheric temperature and pressure. In other words, water will never boil at 100 degree Celsius if the normal atmospheric pressure is altered. Same way sex is enjoyable only when it is conducted in a suitable environment between the suitable people. In other words it is better to consider sex as a process rather than a product. â€Å"Prostitution causes venereal diseases, social immorality,
Chipotle Case Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words
Chipotle Case Analysis - Essay Example ii. Ensured usage of raw materials of the highest quality and application of classic methods of cooking. This was to ensure that the restaurant produces dishes that are reasonably priced and ready to serve to customers in a short while. iii. Creation of operationally efficient restaurant having a pleasing aesthetic distinctive setting in its interior. iv. Friendly customer care services. v. Increased awareness and respect for the environment. This would have entailed the use of freshly grown organic produce and meat that is humanely raised and having no hormones or antibiotics. At the point of establishing these chains of restaurants, the main idea that was in the mind of the entrepreneur Steve was that, as a place of fast foods, the restaurant needed not to be quite expensive but, more accessible and affordable to most of the consumers. As such, when Steve commissioned the opening of the first of such restaurants in Denver in the year 1993, it became a great hit in the marketplace, and the majority of consumers were pleased with the services offered. According to the report, Chipotle grew in operations from a 1-unit restaurant to a 1,230-unit chain of restaurants that served in various parts of the country (41 states), and which managed to serve a daily customer base of about 800,000 people. The reasons for this great increase in sales turnover and high profitability index was due to a combination of various factors among them, provision of better quality fast foods compared to other restaurants, up scaling of the restaurant and the ability to deliver faster services to the customers. It is as a result of this extensive expansion and tremendous increase in sales turnover of the restaurant that Steve sought to expand the base into other neighboring states. Such expansions were to areas such as the District of Columbia, the United Kingdom and Canada. For instance, according to the financial reports of the year 2011, Chipotle managed to record revenues worth $2.3 billion and a $214.9 million in net income. The diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the same year were about $6.76 million. These are clear indications to a company with a positive growth profile hence, prospectively looking forward to increased business opportunities in the near future. A SWOT analysis for Chipotle Mexican Grill will be based on the past relations for continued existence of the company. For instance, the continued increase in the stock prices for a company is a likely indication of strength in the restaurant. There are a number of reasons as to why a SWOT analysis for a company is essential, especially to stakeholders and prospective investors to the company. This is because the analysis will help in making informed decisions about investing in the company or even buy shares and stocks from the shares of the company traded in the stocks market (Paiz, Dave, Ryan, Brian, Kristina, Frank & Mark 165). Chipotle Mexican Grill is recorded to have publicly started tradin g in its shares in the year 2006, and since then, it has had impressive stock prices recordings in the market. For instance, according to this report, the stock price of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the year 2012 climbed to record high of about $380 to $385 per every traded stock as compared to the previous year; thus, a representative 80% increase. Strengths 1. The availability of a well developed marketing strategy. A critical study into the report
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Compare and contrast the effects of the First and Second World Wars on Coursework
Compare and contrast the effects of the First and Second World Wars on the international system - Coursework Example trend of the international system has had no parallel since creation Cantor and Land (1985); Tuttle (1988); Goemans (2000); Karsmakers (2003) and ; the combined effects of the two wars changed the shape of the international system than all other recorded wars in history combined. Kvasnicka and Bethmann (2007) believe that posterity’s perfect understanding of the similar and combined effects of these wars can be enhanced by making a holistic view on the effects these wars had on migration, global population sex ratio and labor availability, and world order. Each of these perspectives would now be looked in context to see how the effects of the two wars were similar on them. In his book An Illustrated History of the First World War, Keegan (2001) maintains that the world’s population knew an unprecedented trend in location and relocation during WWI. This location and relocation was usually from one country to another or from one city/town to another. Such movement was usually to flee from danger from one part of the world to another part of the world where danger was not so imminent. According to Keegan, such movement was ever feasible because, although this war was termed a world war, it practically did not involve all the countries of the world per se. Infact, some authors like Keegan himself, Banks (2002); Gilbert (2004) have persistently held that the first world war was a European war, arguing that the US role in the war was more of an arbitration or mediating one. So some countries remained neutral and were favorable destinations for people to move from war-torn countries like Germany, Britain, France and Belgium. Meanwhile, contributions from authors on the Second World War pointing to the same issue of migration abound. Karsmakers (2003); Kvasnicka and Bethmann (2007) and Cantor and Land (1985) revealed that the bombings of the second world war made people to leave their homes to seek refuge elsewhere more that in a y recorded period in history. Such
HRD Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2
HRD - Essay Example Recruitment can be defined as the process of inviting people on a timely manner, in adequate numbers, with suitable qualifications, and then inspiring them to apply for positions with a company or firm. Thus, internet recruiting may be defined as the act of utilizing the internet to identify individuals who are actively searching for jobs and people also content with the immediate positions; passive job seekers. Internet recruiting is a field of dynamic growth and relentless change which has given way to a dynamic mega-rich industry. The involvement of the internet in the recruitment process, does not change the meaning of the process, however, terms in the definition may assume different meanings (Harvey et. al 91). For example, the timely manner may mean several months in the traditional recruitment approach while in the internet recruitment may mean some weeks or days. Both employers and employees are approving the internet as the new way of recruiting, and this inclination may po ssibly shift to an advanced stage in the future. The internet presents many advantages to the recruitment process. Internet recruitment has changed the recruitment setting. Its effect has already produced unparalleled volumes of time and costs savings. One advantage of internet recruiting is that it effortlessly reaches the exact audience and prunes it down to attain the number of qualified applicants only. Internet recruitment has numerous tools to extend the scope of the exploration then ascertain and categorize the almost infinite number of job seekers resulting in a group of highly-qualified candidates. Past studies state that most applicants who utilize internet recruitment are well educated, more techno-savvy, young and portray interest for the organization (Bunting 97). Internet recruitment has also offered organizations several choices from an exceptionally large number of links
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Compare and contrast the effects of the First and Second World Wars on Coursework
Compare and contrast the effects of the First and Second World Wars on the international system - Coursework Example trend of the international system has had no parallel since creation Cantor and Land (1985); Tuttle (1988); Goemans (2000); Karsmakers (2003) and ; the combined effects of the two wars changed the shape of the international system than all other recorded wars in history combined. Kvasnicka and Bethmann (2007) believe that posterity’s perfect understanding of the similar and combined effects of these wars can be enhanced by making a holistic view on the effects these wars had on migration, global population sex ratio and labor availability, and world order. Each of these perspectives would now be looked in context to see how the effects of the two wars were similar on them. In his book An Illustrated History of the First World War, Keegan (2001) maintains that the world’s population knew an unprecedented trend in location and relocation during WWI. This location and relocation was usually from one country to another or from one city/town to another. Such movement was usually to flee from danger from one part of the world to another part of the world where danger was not so imminent. According to Keegan, such movement was ever feasible because, although this war was termed a world war, it practically did not involve all the countries of the world per se. Infact, some authors like Keegan himself, Banks (2002); Gilbert (2004) have persistently held that the first world war was a European war, arguing that the US role in the war was more of an arbitration or mediating one. So some countries remained neutral and were favorable destinations for people to move from war-torn countries like Germany, Britain, France and Belgium. Meanwhile, contributions from authors on the Second World War pointing to the same issue of migration abound. Karsmakers (2003); Kvasnicka and Bethmann (2007) and Cantor and Land (1985) revealed that the bombings of the second world war made people to leave their homes to seek refuge elsewhere more that in a y recorded period in history. Such
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Pascal and the Probability Theory Research Paper
Pascal and the Probability Theory - Research Paper Example His father introduced him to Mathematics when he was 15 years old. Despite this fact, he had started making discoveries in geometry as early as 12 years. Come 1939, his family moved to Rouen after his father was appointed a tax collector. His creativity was exhibited at this point, whereby; he was able to invent a calculator so as to make his father’s work easier during his day to day endeavors. Later in 1647, Pascal conducted and wrote about experiments concerning vacuums, but many scientists disregarded the existence of vacuums. For instance, the great French philosopher Rene Descartes visited Pascal for 2 days and disagreed with him concerning the vacuum. In a letter Descartes wrote to Huygens after this encounter, he asserts that â€Å"Pascal had too much vacuum in his head†1. This did not deter him from pursuing mathematics and science; in 1653, he published a treatise on the equilibrium of Liquids. Pascal later invented â€Å"Pascal’s Triangle†, a tr iangular array of numbers which solves mathematical problems. He would later become interested in probability after a gambling question was projected to him. In correspondence with another great scientist Fermat, they were able to solve the problem of points; how to divide stakes in a game of dice if the game is incomplete. Pascal almost lost his life in 1654, and this affected him psychologically to the point of being a staunch Christian. Even after setting the ground for the theory of probability, Pascal quit Mathematics to pursue a quieter Christain life in a monastery in Paris. He never married. He succumbed in 1662 to malignant stomach ulcers. Introduction Even from an early age, Pascal was curious about natural occurrences, and he formulated experiments to study these occurrences. Pascal studied fluids, pure and applied sciences, pressure and machines, among other scientific principles. While still a teenager in 1642, Pascal had begun ground-breaking work on calculating machin es. At first, his attempts failed, but he finally managed to invent the mechanical calculator three years later2. This simply shows that Pascal was able to invent scientific principles from an earlier age. However, one of Pascal’s greatest invention is in the field of Mathematics is the â€Å"Theory of Probability†, a theory that is centered on estimating and calculating the chance of doing something. For example, if 6 men are playing dice, what is the chance that each of them can win the game? And if at all two are eliminated, what is the chance that each of the remaining four will win the game? Probability centers on such occurrences. The theory of probability was advanced so as to prove the fact that chance can be mathematically calculated accurately. Various facets in the modern world apply probability. This is not just in mathematics courses, but it is also applicable in the practical courses like genetics, quantum mechanics, kinetic theory of gases, industrial qu ality control and insurance.This paper dwells on the history of the probability theory, and how Pascal contributed to this theory, and how his findings were shaped by other great scientists who were also researching on the theory. Pascal’s involvement with probability dates back to 1654 when another scientist, Chevalier challenged him to solve a puzzle which at that time was known as â€Å"the problem of points†. This problem had been posed in the late 1400s and no one had managed to solve it for a period of 200 years. The problem was that; how the stakes of a chance game should be divided
Meaning of life Human Essay Example for Free
Meaning of life Human Essay Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; it is the freshness of the deep springs of life. Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease. This often exists in a man of 60 more than a boy of 20. Nobody grows old merely by a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, fear, self-distrust bows the heart and turns the spirit back to dust. Whether 60 or 16, there is in every human being’s heart the lure of wonders, the unfailing appetite for what’s next and the joy of the game of living. In the center of your heart and my heart, there is a wireless station; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, courage and power from man and from the infinite, so long as you are young. When your aerials are down, and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and the ice of pessimism, then you’ve grown old, even at 20; but as long as your aerials are up, to catch waves of optimism, there’s hope you may die young at 80.  · : Three Days to See(Excerpts) ( ) Three Days to See All of us have read thrilling stories in which the hero had only a limited and specified time to live. Sometimes it was as long as a year, sometimes as short as 24 hours. But always we were interested in discovering just how the doomed hero chose to spend his last days or his last hours. I speak, of course, of free men who have a choice, not condemned criminals whose sphere of activities is strictly delimited. Such stories set us thinking, wondering what we should do under similar circumstances. What events, what experiences, what associations should we crowd into those last hours as mortal beings, what regrets? Sometimes I have thought it would be an excellent rule to live each day as if we should die tomorrow. Such an attitude would emphasize sharply the values of life. We should live each day with gentleness, vigor and a keenness of appreciation which are often lost when time stretches before us in the constant panorama of more days and months and years to come. There are those, of course, who would adopt the Epicurean motto of â€Å"Eat, drink, and be merry†. But most people would be chastened by the certainty of impending death. In stories the doomed hero is usually saved at the last minute by some stroke of fortune, but almost always his sense of values is changed. He becomes more appreciative of the meaning of life and its permanent spiritual values. It has often been noted that those who live, or have lived, in the shadow of death bring a mellow sweetness to everything they do. Most of us, however, take life for granted. We know that one day we must die, but usually we picture that day as far in the future. When we are in buoyant health, death is all but unimaginable. We seldom think of it. The days stretch out in an endless vista. So we go about our petty tasks, hardly aware of our listless attitude toward life. The same lethargy, I am afraid, characterizes the use of all our faculties and senses. Only the deaf appreciate hearing, only the blind realize the manifold blessings that lie in sight. Particularly does this observation apply to those who have lost sight and hearing in adult life. But those who have never suffered impairment of sight or hearing seldom make the fullest use of these blessed faculties. Their eyes and ears take in all sights and sounds hazily, without concentration and with little appreciation. It is the same old story of not being grateful for what we have until we lose it, of not being conscious of health until we are ill. I have often thought it would be a blessing if each human being were stricken blind and deaf for a few days at some time during his early adult life. Darkness would make him more appreciative of sight; silence would teach him the joys of sound.  · :Companionship of Books ( ) Companionship of Books A man may usually be known by the books he reads as well as by the company he keeps; for there is a companionship of books as well as of men; and one should always live in the best company, whether it be of books or of men. A good book may be among the best of friends. It is the same today that it always was, and it will never change. It is the most patient and cheerful of companions. It does not turn its back upon us in times of adversity or distress. It always receives us with the same kindness; amusing and instructing us in youth, and comforting and consoling us in age. Men often discover their affinity to each other by the mutual love they have for a book just as two persons sometimes discover a friend by the admiration which both entertain for a third. There is an old proverb, ‘Love me, love my dog. †But there is more wisdom in this:†Love me, love my book. †The book is a truer and higher bond of union. Men can think, feel, and sympathize with each other through their favorite author. They live in him together, and he in them. A good book is often the best urn of a life enshrining the best that life could think out; for the world of a man’s life is, for the most part, but the world of his thoughts. Thus the best books are treasuries of good words, the golden thoughts, which, remembered and cherished, become our constant companions and comforters. Books possess an essence of immortality. They are by far the most lasting products of human effort. Temples and statues decay, but books survive. Time is of no account with great thoughts, which are as fresh today as when they first passed through their author’s minds, ages ago. What was then said and thought still speaks to us as vividly as ever from the printed page. The only effect of time have been to sift out the bad products; for nothing in literature can long survive e but what is really good. Books introduce us into the best society; they bring us into the presence of the greatest minds that have ever lived. We hear what they said and did; we see the as if they were really alive; we sympathize with them, enjoy with them, grieve with them; their experience becomes ours, and we feel as if we were in a measure actors with them in the scenes which they describe. The great and good do not die, even in this world. Embalmed in books, their spirits walk abroad. The book is a living voice. It is an intellect to which on still listens.  · :If I Rest,I Rust , If I Rest, I Rust The significant inscription found on an old keyâ€Å"If I rest, I rust†would be an excellent motto for those who are afflicted with the slightest bit of idleness. Even the most industrious person might adopt it with advantage to serve as a reminder that, if one allows his faculties to rest, like the iron in the unused key, they will soon show signs of rust and, ultimately, cannot do the work required of them. Those who would attain the heights reached and kept by great men must keep their faculties polished by constant use, so that they may unlock the doors of knowledge, the gate that guard the entrances to the professions, to science, art, literature, agricultureevery department of human endeavor. Industry keeps bright the key that opens the treasury of achievement. If Hugh Miller, after toiling all day in a quarry, had devoted his evenings to rest and recreation, he would never have become a famous geologist. The celebrated mathematician, Edmund Stone, would never have published a mathematical dictionary, never have found the key to science of mathematics, if he had given his spare moments to idleness, had the little Scotch lad, Ferguson, allowed the busy brain to go to sleep while he tended sheep on the hillside instead of calculating the position of the stars by a string of beads, he would never have become a famous astronomer. Labor vanquishes allnot inconstant, spasmodic, or ill-directed labor; but faithful, unremitting, daily effort toward a well-directed purpose. Just as truly as eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, so is eternal industry the price of noble and enduring success.  · :Ambition Ambition It is not difficult to imagine a world short of ambition. It would probably be a kinder world: with out demands, without abrasions, without disappointments. People would have time for reflection. Such work as they did would not be for themselves but for the collectivity. Competition would never enter in. conflict would be eliminated, tension become a thing of the past. The stress of creation would be at an end. Art would no longer be troubling, but purely celebratory in its functions. Longevity would be increased, for fewer people would die of heart attack or stroke caused by tumultuous endeavor. Anxiety would be extinct. Time would stretch on and on, with ambition long departed from the human heart. Ah, how unrelieved boring life would be! There is a strong view that holds that success is a myth, and ambition therefore a sham. Does this mean that success does not really exist? That achievement is at bottom empty? That the efforts of men and women are of no significance alongside the force of movements and events now not all success, obviously, is worth esteeming, nor all ambition worth cultivating. Which are and which are not is something one soon enough learns on one’s own. But even the most cynical secretly admit that success exists; that achievement counts for a great deal; and that the true myth is that the actions of men and women are useless. To believe otherwise is to take on a point of view that is likely to be deranging. It is, in its implications, to remove all motives for competence, interest in attainment, and regard for posterity. We do not choose to be born. We do not choose our parents. We do not choose our historical epoch, the country of our birth, or the immediate circumstances of our upbringing. We do not, most of us, choose to die; nor do we choose the time or conditions of our death. But within all this realm of choicelessness, we do choose how we shall live: courageously or in cowardice, honorably or dishonorably, with purpose or in drift. We decide what is important and what is trivial in life. We decide that what makes us significant is either what we do or what we refuse to do. But no matter how indifferent the universe may be to our choices and decisions, these choices and decisions are ours to make. We decide. We choose. And as we decide and choose, so are our lives formed. In the end, forming our own destiny is what ambition is about.  · :What I have Lived for What I Have Lived For Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind. These passions, like great winds, have blown me hither and thither, in a wayward course, over a deep ocean of anguish, reaching to the very verge of despair. I have sought love, first, because it brings ecstasyecstasy so great that I would often have sacrificed all the rest of my life for a few hours for this joy. I have sought it, next, because it relieves lonelinessthat terrible loneliness in which one shivering consciousness looks over the rim of the world into the cold unfathomable lifeless abyss. I have sought it, finally, because in the union of love I have seen, in a mystic miniature, the prefiguring vision of the heaven that saints and poets have imagined. This is what I sought, and though it might seem too good for human life, this is whatat lastI have found. With equal passion I have sought knowledge. I have wished to understand the hearts of men. I have wished to know why the stars shine. And I have tried to apprehend the Pythagorean power by which number holds sway above the flux. A little of this, but not much, I have achieved. Love and knowledge, so far as they were possible, led upward toward the heavens. But always it brought me back to earth. Echoes of cries of pain reverberate in my heart. Children in famine, victims tortured by oppressors, helpless old people a hated burden to their sons, and the whole world of loneliness, poverty, and pain make a mockery of what human life should be. I long to alleviate the evil, but I cannot, and I too suffer. This has been my life. I have found it worth living, and would gladly live it again if the chance were offered me.  · :When Love Beckons You When Love Beckons You When love beckons to you, follow him, though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you, yield to him, though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you. And when he speaks to you, believe in him, though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden. For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning. Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, so shall he descend to our roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth. But if, in your fear, you would seek only love’s peace and love’s pleasure, then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love’s threshing-floor, into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears. Love gives naught but it self and takes naught but from itself. Love possesses not, nor would it be possessed, for love is sufficient unto love. Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. But if you love and must have desires, let these be your desires: To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To know the pain of too much tenderness. To be wounded by your own understanding of love; And to bleed willingly and joyfully. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving; To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy; To return home at eventide with gratitude; And then to sleep with a payer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.  · :The Road to Success The Road to Success It is well that young men should begin at the beginning and occupy the most subordinate positions. Many of the leading businessmen of Pittsburgh had a serious responsibility thrust upon them at the very threshold of their career. They were introduced to the broom, and spent the first hours of their business lives sweeping out the office. I notice we have janitors and janitresses now in offices, and our young men unfortunately miss that salutary branch of business education. But if by chance the professional sweeper is absent any morning, the boy who has the genius of the future partner in him will not hesitate to try his hand at the broom. It does not hurt the newest comer to sweep out the office if necessary. I was one of those sweepers myself. Assuming that you have all obtained employment and are fairly started, my advice to you is â€Å"aim high†. I would not give a fig for the young man who does not already see himself the partner or the head of an important firm. Do not rest content for a moment in your thoughts as head clerk, or foreman, or general manager in any concern, no matter how extensive. Say to yourself, â€Å"My place is at the top. †Be king in your dreams. And here is the prime condition of success, the great secret: concentrate your energy, thought, and capital exclusively upon the business in which you are engaged. Having begun in one line, resolve to fight it out on that line, to lead in it, adopt every improvement, have the best machinery, and know the most about it. The concerns which fail are those which have scattered their capital, which means that they have scattered their brains also. They have investments in this, or that, or the other, here there, and everywhere. â€Å"Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. †is all wrong. I tell you to â€Å"put all your eggs in one basket, and then watch that basket. †Look round you and take notice, men who do that not often fail. It is easy to watch and carry the one basket. It is trying to carry too many baskets that breaks most eggs in this country. He who carries three baskets must put one on his head, which is apt to tumble and trip him up. One fault of the American businessman is lack of concentration. To summarize what I have said: aim for the highest; never enter a bar room; do not touch liquor, or if at all only at meals; never speculate; never indorse beyond your surplus cash fund; make the firm’s interest yours; break orders always to save owners; concentrate; put all your eggs in one basket, and watch that basket; expenditure always within revenue; lastly, be not impatient, for as Emerson says, â€Å"no one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourselves. † · :On Meeting the Celebrated On Meeting the Celebrated I have always wondered at the passion many people have to meet the celebrated. The prestige you acquire by being able to tell your friends that you know famous men proves only that you are yourself of small account. The celebrated develop a technique to deal with the persons they come across. They show the world a mask, often an impressive on, but take care to conceal their real selves. They play the part that is expected from them, and with practice learn to play it very well, but you are stupid if you think that this public performance of theirs corresponds with the man within. I have been attached, deeply attached, to a few people; but I have been interested in men in general not for their own sakes, but for the sake of my work. I have not, as Kant enjoined, regarded each man as an end in himself, but as material that might be useful to me as a writer. I have been more concerned with the obscure than with the famous. They are more often themselves. They have had no need to create a figure to protect themselves from the world or to impress it. Their idiosyncrasies have had more chance to develop in the limited circle of their activity, and since they have never been in the public eye it has never occurred to them that they have anything to conceal. They display their oddities because it has never struck them that they are odd. And after all it is with the common run of men that we writers have to deal; kings, dictators, commercial magnates are from our point of view very unsatisfactory. To write about them is a venture that has often tempted writers, but the failure that has attended their efforts shows that such beings are too exceptional to form a proper ground for a work of art. They cannot be made real. The ordinary is the writer’s richer field. Its unexpectedness, its singularity, its infinite variety afford unending material. The great man is too often all of a piece; it is the little man that is a bundle of contradictory elements. He is inexhaustible. You never come to the end of the surprises he has in store for you. For my part I would much sooner spend a month on a desert island with a veterinary surgeon than with a prime minister.  · :The 50-Percent Theory of Life The 50-Percent Theory of Life I believe in the 50-percent theory. Half the time things are better than normal; the other half, they re worse. I believe life is a pendulum swing. It takes time and experience to understand what normal is, and that gives me the perspective to deal with the surprises of the future. Let’s benchmark the parameters: yes, I will die. I’ve dealt with the deaths of both parents, a best friend, a beloved boss and cherished pets. Some of these deaths have been violent, before my eyes, or slow and agonizing. Bad stuff, and it belongs at the bottom of the scale. Then there are those high points: romance and marriage to the right person; having a child and doing those Dad things like coaching my son’s baseball team, paddling around the creek in the boat while he’s swimming with the dogs, discovering his compassion so deep it manifests even in his kindness to snails, his imagination so vivid he builds a spaceship from a scattered pile of Legos. But there is a vast meadow of life in the middle, where the bad and the good flip-flop acrobatically. This is what convinces me to believe in the 50-percent theory. One spring I planted corn too early in a bottomland so flood-prone that neighbors laughed. I felt chagrined at the wasted effort. Summer turned brutalthe worst heat wave and drought in my lifetime. The air-conditioned died; the well went dry; the marriage ended; the job lost; the money gone. I was living lyrics from a country tunemusic I loathed. Only a surging Kansas City Royals team buoyed my spirits. Looking back on that horrible summer, I soon understood that all succeeding good things merely offset the bad. Worse than normal wouldn’t last long. I am owed and savor the halcyon times. The reinvigorate me for the next nasty surprise and offer assurance that can thrive. The 50-percent theory even helps me see hope beyond my Royals’ recent slump, a field of struggling rookies sown so that some year soon we can reap an October harvest. For that on blistering summer, the ground moisture was just right, planting early allowed pollination before heat withered the tops, and the lack of rain spared the standing corn from floods. That winter my crib overflowed with cornfat, healthy three-to-a-stalk ears filled with kernels from heel to tipwhile my neighbors’ fields yielded only brown, empty husks. Although plantings past may have fallen below the 50-percent expectation, and they probably will again in the future, I am still sustained by the crop that flourishes during the drought.  · :What is Your Recovery Rate? What is Your Recovery Rate? What is your recovery rate? How long does it take you to recover from actions and behaviors that upset you? Minutes? Hours? Days? Weeks? The longer it takes you to recover, the more influence that incident has on your actions, and the less able you are to perform to your personal best. In a nutshell, the longer it takes you to recover, the weaker you are and the poorer your performance. You are well aware that you need to exercise to keep the body fit and, no doubt, accept that a reasonable measure of health is the speed in which your heart and respiratory system recovers after exercise. Likewise the faster you let go of an issue that upsets you, the faster you return to an equilibrium, the healthier you will be. The best example of this behavior is found with professional sportspeople. They know that the faster they can forget an incident or missd opportunity and get on with the game, the better their performance. In fact, most measure the time it takes them to overcome and forget an incident in a game and most reckon a recovery rate of 30 seconds is too long! Imagine yourself to be an actor in a play on the stage. Your aim is to play your part to the best of your ability. You have been given a script and at the end of each sentence is a ful stop. Each time you get to the end of the sentence you start a new one and although the next sentence is related to the last it is not affected by it. Your job is to deliver each sentence to the best of your ability. Don’t live your life in the past! Learn to live in the present, to overcome the past. Stop the past from influencing your daily life. Don’t allow thoughts of the past to reduce your personal best. Stop the past from interfering with your life. Learn to recover quickly. Remember: Rome wasn’t built in a day. Reflect on your recovery rate each day. Every day before you go to bed, look at your progress. Don’t lie in bed saying to you, â€Å"I did that wrong. †â€Å"I should have done better there. †No. look at your day and note when you made an effort to place a full stop after an incident. This is a success. You are taking control of your life. Remember this is a step by step process. This is not a make-over. You are undertaking real change here. Your aim: reduce the time spent in recovery. The way forward? Live in the present. Not in the precedent.  · :Clear Your Mental Space Clear Your Mental Space Think about the last time you felt a negative emotionlike stress, anger, or frustration. What was going through your mind as you were going through that negativity? Was your mind cluttered with thoughts? Or was it paralyzed, unable to think? The next time you find yourself in the middle of a very stressful time, or you feel angry or frustrated, stop. Yes, that’s right, stop. Whatever you’re doing, stop and sit for one minute. While you’re sitting there, completely immerse yourself in the negative emotion. Allow that emotion to consume you. Allow yourself one minute to truly feel that emotion. Don’t cheat yourself here. Take the entire minutebut only one minuteto do nothing else but feel that emotion. When the minute is over, ask yourself, â€Å"Am I wiling to keep holding on to this negative emotion as I go through the rest of the day? †Once you’ve allowed yourself to be totally immersed in the emotion and really fell it, you will be surprised to find that the emotion clears rather quickly. If you feel you need to hold on to the emotion for a little longer, that is OK. Allow yourself another minute to feel the emotion. When you feel you’ve had enough of the emotion, ask yourself if you’re willing to carry that negativity with you for the rest of the day. If not, take a deep breath. As you exhale, release all that negativity with your breath. This exercise seems simplealmost too simple. But, it is very effective. By allowing that negative emotion the space to be truly felt, you are dealing with the emotion rather than stuffing it down and trying not to feel it. You are actually taking away the power of the emotion by giving it the space and attention it needs. When you immerse yourself in the emotion, and realize that it is only emotion, it loses its control. You can clear your head and proceed with your task. Try it. Next time you’re in the middle of a negative emotion, give yourself the space to feel the emotion and see what happens. Keep a piece of paper with you that says the following: Stop. Immerse for one minute. Do I want to keep this negativity? Breath deep, exhale, release. Move on! This will remind you of the steps to the process. Remember; take the time you need to really immerse yourself in the emotion. Then, when you feel you’ve felt it enough, release itreally let go of it. You will be surprised at how quickly you can move on from a negative situation and get to what you really want to do!  · :Be Happy Be Happy! â€Å"The days that make us happy make us wise. †-John Masefield when I first read this line by England’s Poet Laureate, it startled me. What did Masefield mean? Without thinking about it much, I had always assumed that the opposite was true. But his sober assurance was arresting. I could not forget it. Finally, I seemed to grasp his meaning and realized that here was a profound observation. The wisdom that happiness makes possible lies in clear perception, not fogged by anxiety nor dimmed by despair and boredom, and without the blind spots caused by fear. Active happinessnot mere satisfaction or contentment often comes suddenly, like an April shower or the unfolding of a bud. Then you discover what kind of wisdom has accompanied it. The grass is greener; bird songs are sweeter; the shortcomings of your friends are more understandable and more forgivable. Happiness is like a pair of eyeglasses correcting your spiritual vision. Nor are the insights of happiness limited to what is near around you. Unhappy, with your thoughts turned in upon your emotional woes, your vision is cut short as though by a wall. Happy, the wall crumbles. The long vista is there for the seeing. The ground at your feet, the world about you-people, thoughts, emotions, pressuresare now fitted into the larger scene. Everything assumes a fairer proportion. And here is the beginning of wisdom.  · :The Goodness of life The Goodness of Life Though there is much to be concerned about, there is far, far more for which to be thankful. Though life’s goodness can at times be overshadowed, it is never outweighed. For every single act that is senselessly destructive, there are thousands more small, quiet acts of love, kindness and compassion. For every person who seeks to hurt, there are many, many more who devote their lives to helping and to healing. There is goodness to life that cannot be denied. In the most magnificent vistas and in the smallest details, look closely, for that goodness always comes shining through. There si no limit to the goodness of life. It grows more abundant with each new encounter. The more you experience and appreciate the goodness of life, the more there is to be lived. Even when the cold winds blow and the world seems to be cov ered in foggy shadows, the goodness of life lives on. Open your eyes, open your heart, and you will see that goodness is everywhere. Though the goodness of life seems at times to suffer setbacks, it always endures. For in the darkest moment it becomes vividly clear that life is a priceless treasure. And so the goodness of life is made even stronger by the very things that would oppose it. Time and time again when you feared it was gone forever you found that the goodness of life was really only a moment away. Around the next corner, inside every moment, the goodness of life is there to surprise and delight you. Take a moment to let the goodness of life touch your spirit and calm your thoughts. Then, share your good fortune with another. For the goodness of life grows more and more magnificent each time it is given away. Though the problems constantly scream for attention and the conflicts appear to rage ever stronger, the goodness of life grows stronger still, quietly, peacefully, with more purpose and meaning than ever before.  · :Facing the Enemies Within Facing the Enemies Within We are not born with courage, but neither are we born with fear. Maybe some of our fears are brought on by your own experiences, by what someone has told you, by what you’ve read in the papers. Some fears are valid, like walking alone in a bad part of town at two o’clock in the morning. But once you learn to avoid that situation, you won’t need to live in fear of it. Fears, even the most basic ones, can totally destroy our ambitions. Fear can destroy fortunes. Fear can destroy relationships. Fear, if left unchecked, can destroy our lives. Fear is one of the many enemies lurking inside us. Let me tell you about five of the other enemies we face from within. The first enemy that you’ve got to destroy before it destroys you is indifference. What a tragic disease this is! â€Å"Ho-hum, let it slide. I’ll just drift along. †Here’s one problem with drifting: you can’t drift your way to the to of the mountain. The second enemy we face is indecision. Indecision is the thief of opportunity and enterprise. It will steal your chances for a better future. Take a sword to this enemy. The third enemy inside is doubt. Sure, there’s room for healthy skepticism. You can’t believe everything. But you also can’t let doubt take over. Many people doubt the past, doubt the future, doubt each other, doubt the government, doubt the possibilities nad doubt the opportunities. Worse of all, they doubt themselves. I’m telling you, doubt will destroy your life and your chances of success. It will empty both your bank account and your heart. Doubt is an enemy. Go after it. Get rid of it. The fourth enemy within is worry. We’ve all got to worry some. Just don’t let conquer you. Instead, let it alarm you. Worry can be useful. If you step off the curb in New York City and a taxi is coming, you’ve.
Monday, October 14, 2019
Diversity and Structure of the Construction Industry
Diversity and Structure of the Construction Industry 1.1 Introduction: This chapter illustrates how unique, huge, diverse and enormously complex is the construction industry. This industry generally constitutes of enterprises and professionals whose primary objective is to build communities, roads, schools, homes, business, hospitals and including its maintenance. The construction process consists of many activities, right from the onset of the project design and right through its implementation, maintenance, refurbishment, and goes up to the eventual disposal of its buildings or in other words, the whole life cycle of the project. This industry therefore require a wide range of suppliers, contractors and including manufacturers of materials and components to carry out its activities. The industry had changed a lot in its complexity over time, but the objective of the industry remains basically the same as it was 100 years ago. However, the construction industry has a unique structure; with very few large establishments that dominate the infrastructure by carrying out works, that produces the majority of the turnover of this industry on a whole. Sears et al. 2008, p.2 state that contractors who vary widely in size and speciality accomplish the construction works. Some contractors choose to concentrate on a particular task or aspect of the construction project and are therefore referred to as specialty contractors. Others assume broader responsibility for a comprehensive work package and are referred to as main contractor. Due to the diversity present in the industry, the industry is fragmented which is a reality, the reason might be due to the adversarial short-term relationships which causes dissatisfaction within the industry and is therefore a project focused relationship. Moreover, lack of effective communication and implementation may also contribute to the fragmentation of the industry as it leads to significant negative impacts, low productivity, cost and time overruns and finally end up in conflicts and disputes. The industry also now faces new levels of complexity as it moves forward trying to keep pace with the increasing energy, material and labour costs which are to a great extend mitigated by the other industries by adopting the new technologies especially communication and information technology and also advanced management strategies. 1.2 Overview: The industry is considered to be one of the major economic sectors, which contributes a lot to the gross domestic product of the nation in respect to other industries. Cooke, and Williams, 2009, on p.3 states that the annual output of the UK construction industry is approximately  £114 billion, which represents almost 9% of gross domestic product. This industry also underpins the remaining sectors of the economy by providing the essential infrastructure and facilities on which all sectors of the economy depend. According to Potts, 2008, on p.3, this construction sector with 11.8 million operatives directly employed makes it Europes largest industrial employer accounting for 7% of total employment and 28% of industrial employment in the EU. There was also a report of the government policies, which was published by BIS (Department for Business Innovation and Skills business group sector document), stating that the UK construction industry consists of over 250,000 firms employing 2.1 million people in a multitude of roles. The sector is defined as one which embraces the construction materials and products; suppliers and producers; building services manufacturers, providers and installers; contractors, sub-contractors, professionals, advisors and construction clients and those organisations that are relevant to the design, build, operation and refurbishment of buildings. However, construction industry is very different from other manufacturing industries and therefore difficult to achieve similar performance, mainly due to its degree of uniqueness in its use, in the size, its location and complexity due to the varied non-uniform working conditions from one project to another. Therefore, it appears to be underperforming when compared to many other industries. Jones, Saad, 2003, on p.12 state that, the diversity of the construction and the variability in the production process has to be reorganised with each new construction project. For each project, a series of decisions has to be taken which take into account the clients specific requirements and the context in which the tasks are to be executed. This can make project outcomes difficult to predict and can result in short and often adversarial relationships. Cox, Townsend, 1998, on p.21 states that the productivity, value for money, and overall client satisfaction in the construction industry are fairly low compared to other industrial sectors. The factors being: low and discontinuous demand; frequent changes in specification; inappropriate (contractor and client) selection criteria; inappropriate allocation of risk; poor quality; inefficient methods of construction; poor management; inadequate investment; an adversarial culture; and a fragmented industry structure. In order to improve the performance of this industry, government had taken initiatives and had produced many reports but had not made any impact. 1.3 Reports and recommendations: The publication of major notable reports namely Lathams Report Constructing the Team (1994) and two Egan Reports Rethinking Construction (1998) and Accelerating Change (2002) produced a considerable impact in UKs construction industry and started changing its working culture. Constructing the Team by Sir Michael Latham was published in July 1994, the key issues as summarised by Holroyd, 2003, on p.39 are as follows: Clients have a role in promoting good design which provides value for money Clients should select the most appropriate procurement route on the basis of the type of project Effective design is crucial A modern contract should include: A specific duty for all parties to deal with each other Firm duties of teamwork so all can share in success A clear definition of the roles and responsibilities of all parties Easily understood language with guidance notes A choice of risk allocation Avoid variations if it is required, price it in advance Ensure fair, prompt and secure payment to all parties Avoid conflict on site and disputes if any to be resolved speedily When selecting suppliers or tenderers, consideration should be given to: Quality as well as price A lead manager Sensible tender lists No burdensome qualification procedures Value for money Cost in use Factors which determine performance include: Adequacy of safety consideration Ability of operatives Improved training Relevant professional education Adequate RD, which is properly funded Teamwork on site depends on fair treatment for all parties The liability for defects post-completion should be properly addressed Rethinking Construction by Sir John Egan delivered the report in July 1998 for the success of the construction industry. He opined that while UK construction at its best is excellent, substantial improvements can be made, and it is vital that they are made. The key issues of this report as summarised by Holroyd, 2003, on p.40 are as follows: The UK construction industry needs to improve there should be: Less fragmentation Increased profitability More capital investment More investment in RD More and better training Differentiation between price and cost Set targets for improvement and give commitment to the needs of the customer, to quality, and to people the team and the process should be integrated around the product, and management should be committed to improvement throughout the organisation The construction process should be improved by: More process repetition on projects Integrating all team members to use their skills to deliver value to the client Focus on the end product how best to achieve the desired result Continuous product improvement Implement projects correctly, suiting the site and the customer Partnering through the supply chain Once improvement starts, maintain it Improvement could be accomplished by developing a better culture in the industry: Providing decent working conditions More and better training Produce designs which considers the projects end use Standardise components where possible Improve regulatory controls Implement long term relationships The National audit office report (2001) Modernising Construction as stated by Cooke, Williams, 2009, on p.11 that a major contributory factor to the poor performance of this industry was the adversarial relationships that existed between the construction firms, consultants and clients and between contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. The report also identified that government departments and agencies to ensure collaboration, integration and value for monies in the procurement of construction services. Further, it also suggested that the entire supply chain be integrated and that risk and value must be managed in order to reduce accidents, drive out waste and improve buildability. McGeorge and Palmer 2002 on p.54 cite CIRIAs definition of buildability as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"the extent to which the design of the building facilitates ease of construction, subject to the overall requirements for the completed building. These reports produced during the various periods had contributed a lot to the growth of the construction industry. Since these reports were published, a changed performance could be clearly noticed in the activities of this industry. The findings of the report had tried to build up a challenge in the construction industry to procure projects that could achieve best value and also help in understanding the balance between quality and whole-life cost of the project. Many more studies on the performance of the construction industry were also conducted subsequently, which had identified the areas of strength and weakness of the construction industry. According to Jones, Saad, 2003, on p.2, the strength of the industry includes its flexibility and adaptability and its persistent weakness include its fragmented structure and project processes and its adversarial relationships. Furthermore, deficiencies in its performance in relation to customer focus, learning and leadership were revealed when benchmarked against other industries. 1.4 Material use: The construction industry is considered one of the major consumers of natural resources mainly the virgin materials from its surrounding environment. This will give rise to many environmental issues, which are unsustainable such as depleting natural resources, diminishing the earths biodiversity, and even cause extinction of habitat if we continue the present rate of consumption. As stated by Kelley et al. on p.298 that materials used in buildings account for some 40% of natural resource use, 30% of CO2 emissions and 40% of waste. However, the environmental issues would certainly create a vital impact on the society and hence this industry should take earnest attempt to develop a strategy to provide low carbon solutions by way of minimising its carbon footprint. In addition, the projects Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that voluntarily decides to contribute to a better society and a cleaner environment and along with its procurement policy, could contribute to the environmental success. Built environment: The paper presented by Natural Building Technologies, have quoted One Planet Living material of BioRegional and the World Wide Fund for Nature; have shown that if everyone in the world-consumed resources at the same rate that of UK, it would take the equivalent of three planets now to sustain this consumption. Hence, UK and the other western nations urgently need to take radical measures in order to reduce this present rate of consumption of resources. As we are aware that this planet has only a finite quantity of resources and therefore we in the construction industry should have a moral responsibility to ensure that industry is resourced using sustainable techniques. More over the construction industry should also insist on an environmental management system (EMS) accreditation for every project, which could help in continually, improving its environmental performance. An internal EMS audit if periodically conducted would help in checking the effectiveness and delivery capability o f the management system. The strategy paper of the UK Government, Building a Better Quality of Life: A Strategy for more Sustainable Construction by the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (2000 b) as summarised by Kelly et al. 2002 on p.296 recognises the importance of sustainable construction and had challenged the construction industry to provide built assets which: Cause minimum damage to natural and social environments Minimise the use of resources Enhance the quality of life Will be acceptable to future generations 1.6 Needs: The working pattern of the society is changing quite fast and construction industry is known for adapting to change at a faster pace than other industries. Nowadays many people tend to work from home since jobs functions can be remotely performed and is quite feasible. The benefit from working at home helps in the reduction of transport movements, thereby considerably reducing pollution and traffic congestion especially during the peak hours. It is an eco-friendly option and is to be encouraged. Hence, this working culture would require housing to provide a higher quality of life and greater flexibility of adaptable living and space requirements. Therefore, in majority of existing homes, a need for up gradation would be necessary and a lot more of new homes constructed to accommodate this new culture in the coming years; for which a huge quantity of materials are required by the industry. This results in a heavy material flow. In addition, while designing a sustainable project, selec tion of materials should be made based on locally and easily available material, in order to reduce the embedded energy cost of transportation. This option would also decrease the carbon footprint of the project. 1.7 Regulations: A government publication by energy saving trust on the Code for Sustainable Homes New build housing (Relevant to: England and Wales), states that the government intends that all new build homes should be zero carbon by the year 2016. Code level 3 is proposed to become the new standards for Building Regulations in England in 2010 and by 2050; the nations entire housing stock will be virtually zero carbon. Clients, who desire to increase value of their project, could insist on the use of sustainable materials in order to acquire higher sustainability rating as mentioned in the BREEAMs code for sustainable homes. These regulations create a lot of pressure on the project management team if a proper supply chain management technique is not available.. As mentioned in the Code for Sustainable Homes (Annex B Category 3, Materials on p.37), the supply chain management and material stewardship are essential elements of responsible sourcing. Hence, the supply chain manager is to consider the consequence and impacts of using materials by analysing its life cycle (right from the point it was mined or harvested,through manufacture and processing of the material, including its use, reuse and disposed off as waste with no further value), before the material is actually used in the project. However, all timber used in the project should be 100% legally sourced and 80% for all other assessed materials. 1.8 Sustainable sourcing code: For the London 2012 games, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) had prepared a Sustainable Sourcing Code in consultation with industry leaders, sponsors and non-governmental organisations. It had been reviewing how its sponsorship and procurement activity could achieve the highest possible standards to ensure that the goods and services it procures comply with this code in meeting the sustainability objectives for the 2012 games. This code could be used as a benchmark in the preparation of a similar code of practice by the construction industry. The four core principles of the LOGOs Sustainable Sourcing Code and supporting guidelines on packaging and carbon emissions of products and services originally published in November 2007 and updated in December 2009 are as shown below: Responsible sourcing: Labour practices Health and Safety Diversity and inclusion Animal welfare and Testing Animal and plant products Timber and timber products Use of secondary products materials: Reducing waste Recycled content Packaging Waste electrical and electronic equipment Minimising embodied impacts: Environmental management Supply of products Transport Low carbon Games Healthy materials: Restricted substances and materials Heavy metals and brominated fire retardants 1.9 Controlling material resources: A material at site is money and is to be prudently handled. The cost of materials constitutes a major portion of the project cost. March 2009, p.139 states that the value of the materials incorporated into a building represent anything from 40 to 60 per cent of the final cost. Therefore, control of materials at site is a crucial element. Materials are not be wasted or lost. For proper control an effective communication between all involved for the project success namely the planning department, purchasing department, the site and the supplier is important. Responsibilities are to be clearly defined especially in buying of materials within the estimated amount since efficient buying results in savings, which in turn contributes to the profitability of the contract. Similarly hoarding of materials at site should be discouraged by initiating just in time delivery, but care is to be taken in the selection of material supplier so that the availability of bulk materials is ensured. Therefo re, materials management in construction projects is essential for its success. As Cooke and Williams 2009 on p.401 states that an essential component of materials management begins with site layout and planning. Designated areas must be allowed for material storage in order to reduce waste and damage to materials. Excessive stock of materials is a problem need to be controlled. March 2009, p.139 enumerates the reasons as to why excessive stock is to be controlled; Excessive stocks take up capital which could be better used Takes up space and absorb further capital for protection against weather Likely to be damaged resulting in unnecessary expenditure and possible delay incurred in replacement May be necessary to double handle stock to elsewhere on the site and missing the opportunity to have just in time delivery Site efficiency can be increased by effective material handling and result in costly waste reduced. Every project worth more than  £250 000 effective from April 2008 should have a Site waste management plan (SWMP), without which it would be a serious criminal offence as mentioned by Cooke and Williams 2009 on p.403 quoting The Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005 (Section 54 of Part 5). 1.10 Whole-life thinking: In addition, the construction industry need to consider the aspect of whole life costing during the procurement as the project not only consumes sustainable resources, but also generates waste in construction and demolition activities. The procurement of materials for the industry is strongly affected by environmental issues. Greater use of modern methods of construction and off-site prefabrication could be a solution in reducing the total amount of waste generated at site. Hence, the construction industry should strive to develop and implement the new paradigm of the triple bottom line namely environmental, social and economic sustainability. Green building is an innovative technology and is good to be adopted by construction industry. This approach creates a positive environmental, social and economical impact over the entire life cycle of the project. It is a holistic approach of design and considers its impact on the wider environment and community around it. This technology procures homes, which are durable, save energy, reduce waste and pollution, and promote health and well-being. 1.11 Procurement methods: One of the main problems in this industry says Cooke Williams, 2009, on p.4, is that it separates design from production far greater than other industries and is still common despite the deficiencies of traditional procurement and the benefits offered by the newer and more flexible approaches. In traditional method of procurement, the design stage is separated from production by a tendering period. McGeorge and Palmer, 2002 on p.54, also support this view and quote by comparison with other industries the separation of the process of design and construction is unique to the construction industry. Construction industry provides successful projects, the outcome of which is increased efficiency, greater borrowing capacity and payback long-term worth. The business objectives should always drive the selection of an appropriate procurement strategy, so as to procure a project to the complete satisfaction of the client. The procurement strategy so selected would depend on many factors; namely the client, the risk profile of the client, the cost certainty needed, accountability, flexibility, the type of project, time, funding, market condition, the industries capacity and capability. 1.11.1 Projects priorities: Moreover the factors that are to be considered while analysing a business objectives requirements and their relative priorities as pointed out by Kelly et al., 2002 on p.178 are as listed below: Factors outside the control of the project team Client resources Project characteristics Ability to make changes Risk management Cost issues Timing Quality and performance The choice of the strategy should ensure that control is maintained over those factors that are important to the clients perspective of the project. 1.11.2 Procurement strategy: The authors also state that the choice of the strategy should ensure that control is maintained over those factors that are of most importance to the client. After a selection is made, a strategic brief will need to be produced defining the clients project and the parameters within which the project must be realised to take the project to a success. Often less importance is imparted to the projects objectives as compared to the primary criteria of time, quality and cost. These three primary parameters form the key criteria in the selection mechanism and are interdependent of each other. Therefore, procurement strategies adopted for the project would not be able to deliver all of them as high priority. For example, fast-track solutions for a project deliver speed and time certainty, whereas the other criteria such as cost certainty and quality may be less achievable. Similarly, in projects where quality or costs are considered to be of top priority, then the other criteria are affected. Hence, if a high priority is imparted in defining the project and especially linking of the prioritisation of objectives to the business case, greater then are the chances of a successful procurement of the project to the entire satisfaction of the client. However, from the clients perspective of a project, time, quality, cost and functionality are important criteria for the success of a project. The client generally prefers the highest quality at the lowest cost and the project being completed in the shortest possible time. As earlier mentioned it is not possible to attain all these parameters together for a given project. Depending upon the clients business objectives, a suitable selection of the procurement strategy should be chosen. 1.11.3 Procurement option: If according to the client, a signature building is required for the project, then a traditional or design-bid-build strategy is an appropriate option for the project. For this project, quality would be very essential but this procurement technique adopts a sequential nature of activities, and therefore has no parallel working activity, which means that, construction could actually begin only after the design is completed as fully as possible. Hence is not suitable option for any fast track projects. However, this option fairly provides with cost certainty and time predicted. The delay experienced in completion of the project might be because considerable time is allowed for the design to take a full shape and thereafter in the preparation of detailed brief and also in the tendering procedures required to be completed before the start of the work. Therefore, an early start of the project would not be possible until the letter of intend is issued, which in turn have a knock on effect on the overall cost of the project (price escalation, inflation etc.). Sometimes the client might go in for a functional building where cost implication is to be the lowest and had to be completed before a fixed date. Here in order to meet the business objectives, a design-build procurement technique is quite appropriate, since early certainty of the overall contract price could be obtained. Moreover, as this strategy facilitates overlapping of design and construction, a faster start on site is possible resulting in shorter project duration with greater certainty of meeting the targeted date. Hence, this option is quite suitable for fast track projects but is not suitable for any complex infrastructural projects and also in projects wherein the clients brief is uncertain or inadequate. Alternatively, the client would require procuring a huge and complex infrastructural project with an emphasis on the targeted date of completion. Considering the clients business objective, the appropriate procurement route would be construction management, which is best-suited option for fast track and complex construction projects. In this procurement route, the construction work is divided into several packages, which are tendered separately to different experienced and qualified contractors. Hence, in this procurement method design, tendering and construction over lap thereby reducing the overall time of the project whereas there could be price uncertainty until the last package of the work had been awarded to a contractor. Due to the speed in completion, quality of the work would probably be effected and therefore a total quality management team would be required to ensure the quality of work during its progress. Therefore, this procurement route is not suitable for inexperience d clients and for those clients trying to transfer risk to the contractor. Therefore, the procurement strategy developed should strike a balance between risks that could cause an impact on the clients business and the projects objectives. Some projects could adopt more than one procurement option for the successful completion of the project as per the clients perspective. Traditional approach may be used in the construction of the shell and core, whereas construction management would be used for the final works. The choices made might differ between clients of various projects depending upon their knowledge and experience of the industry. The scale and diversity of those involved in this industry is too enormous and hence this contributes to enormous pressures on the project teams, to ensure that the project completion is on time, budget and quality. 1.12 Risk: The diversity of those involved in the industry namely design engineers, architects, consultants, main and subcontractors, suppliers and constructional managers is huge. However, all those who are involved in this industry throughout the world strive together to establish a strategic framework to meet the budgetary and scheduling goals of the project. Time is one of the critical factors in construction industry, which has significant legal consequences. The client sets up rigid start and finishes dates for the project and if the contractor must comply with this period, barring any delay caused due to natural calamities, or lose money by paying the liquidated damages as laid down in the contract document. During the construction process delay in receiving of materials, equipments and services may erode profits. For a successful completion of a project, lot depends on the quality of the subcontractors and suppliers. Therefore, construction organisations should ensure that an appropriate subcontractor is selected. The subcontractors selection process involves many important factors including the evaluation of their capacity and also in performing a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis. The risk faced in construction industry is different from that of other industries. This is quite evident while analysing the difference between manufacturing risks and construction risks as indicated by Benton and McHenry 2010, on p.2 as shown below: Risk versus reward for the manufacturing sector Risk versus reward for the construction sector In construction industry, the potential for committing mistakes is high and facing problems is magnified by the poor interrelationship that exists between all the entities involved namely, the client, architect, consultant, project manager, contractors and suppliers. The risks, if not mitigated in time, would prove disastrous and hence, recommended to be avoided at an early stage. Construction risks as mentioned by Benton and McHenry 2010, on p.3 are as narrated below: Internal financial problems Working capital problems Slow payment from the client Inferior plans and specifications Inadequate technical capabilities Insufficient information technology Lack of communication between the entities Productivity inefficiencies Work quality problems Work method problems Delivery reliability problems Bulk materials quality problems Another notable difference between the manufacturing and construction industry is the probability of failure while considering the labour element. This can be clearly understood if an improvement curve technique is performed as explained by Benton and McHenry 2010, on p.4 and p.5 for both industries, the figures of which are as shown below: Probability of failure for the manufacturing industry Probability of failure for the construction industry The improvement curve is exponential and depicts a constant-percentage reduction of labour, which means that, the workers learn how to do their job better as they produce more and more units at a lower production cost. This advantage is accomplished due to the impact of cumulative learning by experience, which is possible in the manufacturing industry. Now considering the construction industry, which is constantly changing its complexity over time, we can observ
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