How management team can have a goog fight Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

How management team can have a goog fight - Essay Example The article outlines the authors’ purpose of identifying possible conflicts in the management and the adverse effects they will have to the organization. There are research findings that the authors analyzed to elaborate on their project. The authors discovered that managers’ exhibit authoritative powers vested on them by the organization so that the subordinates realize their positions and mandate in the organization. The authors identify different phases whereby, the managers exhibit personal behaviors based on personal motives and not the organization’s set goals and objectives. They briefly analyze and realize that organizations are vulnerable to the conflicts, and the most harmful is the fact that, challenges arise whenever the company seeks to coerce managers to deliver their functions jointly with lesser conflicts (Eisenhardt, et al 77). Kathleen and coauthors research depicts the conflicts should alternate from unethical to ethical, and to that extent, will be beneficial for to the organizational performances. On a different expedition, the authors researched on conflicts of managements in technology-based organizations. They undertook the project throughout technology-based companies, whereby they interviewed executives at the individual capacities. They established that the top-management teams faced challenges in the dynamic environment, despite managing conflicts in the organization. They met the threats of uncertainty and discontinuity of operations lest they resolved internal conflicts. The researchers depicted that, most of the managers would argue out on the conflicts technological dynamics tend to call for faster approaches in resolution and adoption respectively, which tends to strain the organization beyond the capacity. The findings depict that emotional and egocentric characteristics will unlikely inhibit the negative influence of conflicts and adaptation to vulnerable changes

House of Lords Reform Essay

House of Lords Reform Essay House of Lords Role and Powers In comparison with the House of Commons, the House of Lords powers are restricted. Their political clout is owed more to convention and tradition. The House has no influence on any bills relating to government finance and although it has the authority to stall any acts of parliament for up to a year, the Commons can cite the Parliament Act 1949 an act introduced by Labour that effectively removed the delaying privileges of the Lords to swiftly defeat any motion. However, the Lords do hold the jurisdiction to veto any bill that may prolong a governments tenure in office. Each government can only rule for five years without a general election. Therefore, the Lords can block any move by the Commons to extend a regime beyond their legal term. Incidentally, this power has never been used in practice. The Lords make a valuable contribution to improving the quality of legislation in parliament. 50 60% of the chambers time is devoted to the revision of Commons bills. During the 2007/08 parliamentary session, the Lords tabled 7,259 amendments to draft bills of which 2,625 were accepted by the Commons. These included the Counter Terrorism Bill which outlined plans to revise the period of time potential terrorism suspects could be detained in custody without charge. The proposal was rejected by a majority of 192. The Lords have the capacity to dedicate time to in-depth scrutiny of proposed bills. This allows the Commons to take a back seat role and concentrate their efforts on MP constituency responsibilities and other issues. Consequently, many of the most thorough and full proof amendments find their origins in the House of Lords. In fact, it has been argued that the Commons abuse the Lords time and expertise in order to rework incompetently contrived bills. The Lords posses equal powers on matters concerning Private Members Bills. In plain terms, like the Commons, they too can reject them outright. In 2005, Lord Joffe proposed a bill that legalised assisted suicide in the case of terminally ill individuals. This involved doctors having the discretion to prescribe patients with a fatal dose of medication. However, the bill was fervently opposed on moral grounds and subsequently overcome. Like their counterpart, the Lords is also safe guarded by parliamentary privilege. This means that the chamber is exempt from libel allegations and therefore permits peers the liberty of free speech within parliament. Legislative procedures aside, the House of Lords plays an important role in scrutinising the actions of parliament. This scrutiny takes the form of questions to ministers, debates in parliament and committee work. There is no Lords equivalent to Commons Questions Time. In its place, time is allocated at the start of each days session for questions to the Lords ministers. During the 2007/08 parliamentary session, 595 oral questions were put forth whilst 5,814 oral written questions were lodged. Debates in the chamber are reflective of the diverse membership of the house. Generally, they are said to be more civil than those that take place in the Commons. Furthermore, although still evident, party allegiance does not carry the same weight. The content of the issues discussed are said to be far more deliberated and comprehensive than those in the Commons. This can be explained by the caliber of representative the Lords can boast. The 2007/08 parliamentary session featured 80 general debates ranging from disputes about the state of the armed forces to the current economic situation in the UK. The House of Lords exhibits a number of committees globally acclaimed for their expertise. The coveted European Communities Committee is held in high regard and compliments the less detailed studies conducted by their Commons counterpart. The Science Technology Committee, founded in 1979, was responsible for a damning report in 2007 on e-crime. The review examined the role the internet has played in increasing crime levels, highlighting the dangers of online depravity and advised the government of the preventative measures that needed to be put in place. In 2005, the Lords Constitution Committee produced a report on the potential introduction of ID cards and concluded that it threatened to destroy the harmony between the state and citizen. As of October 2009, the judicial powers of the House of Lords were removed when the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 was brought into practice. Prior to this, the chamber was considered the highest court in the United Kingdom and was traditionally the court of appeal for all civil and criminal cases. Justice was administered via the Law Lords the countries most higher-ranking judges. However, with the creation of a new United Kingdom Supreme Court, the judicial role of the Lords was effectively rendered void. Composition of House of Lords In 1997, Tony Blairs Labour government came to power and immediately pledged to make the House of Lords more democratic and representative of the electorate. Up until this point, the chamber had comprised of life peers who had been honoured with their seat due to outstanding achievements in their field of work and the traditional hereditary peers who ascended to their position through birth. Due to the massive prevalence of Conservative supporters amongst hereditary peers prior to 1999, there existed an ingrown Conservative majority within the second Chamber of parliament. The House of Lords Act 1999 sought to fulfil the Labour partys 1997 manifesto commitment to remove the right of hereditary peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords. The Act served to remove more than 600 hereditary peers from membership. Consequently, this created greater equality between the Conservatives and Labour, leaving the balance of power being held by the cross-benchers and the Liberal Democrats. There was no longer a single party who dominated the House. This change in composition is reflected when comparing House of Lords Membership in January 1999 to that of November 2009. In January 1999, prior to the Acts ratification, the Conservatives had 473 peers sitting in the second chamber. As of November 2009, there were only 190 active Conservative peers. In stark contrast, in January 1999, Labour had 168 peers within the House. This figure had risen to 212 by November 2009 and therefore emphasises the close parity now in operation between Labour and Tory  peers. The number of Liberal Democrat peers has remained consistent. In 1999, the party had 67 peers. This figure had increased marginally to 71 by 2009. The removal of hereditary peers also resulted in a significant drop in cross-bench peers. In 1999, there were 310 working in the House. By 2009, this number had reduced to 183. The composition of the chamber has also been altered by the increasing numbers of life peers derived from common social standing. Whilst hereditary peers are traditionally bourn of upper class backgrounds, life peers offer a more socially representative alternative. However, it must be noted that despite this discrepancy, class issues still remain. In order to offer a life peerage, recipients will generally have achieved something of particular repute. Therefore, by the time peerage is granted, it is highly unlikely that the individual will be still considered of lower social standing. In turn, this severely hampers the chances of the chamber ever becoming a socially representative mechanism of the United Kingdom. The terms of the House of Lords Act 1999 has also increased the role played by woman within the House of Lords. In 1990, 80 women held peerage within the House. By November 2009, as a result of the changing composition, there were 148 women sitting with the Lords. This shows an increase from 7% of the total membership to 20 % of the total membership in just under two decades. The present day House of Lords is evidently different from that one that existed before Labour came to power in 1997. Its composition has been transformed in comparison with the Conservative stronghold that was in place pre reform and it now promotes a far more equal representation of political allegiance, gender and social status. More significantly, the vast majority of members are life peers and not hereditary peers. The Reforms Agenda Stage two of the Labour Governments plans to reform the House of Lords involved the consolidation of Stage One the removal of hereditary peers. It was designed to bolster and strengthen the move to a second chamber based purely on appointment. The idea was that the reforms would create a more representative chamber based on the votes a political party had acquired at the previous general election. Stage three of the reforms agenda outlined proposals for an expansive reform of the House of Lords. In theory, the government had anticipated that the successful implementation of an all-appointed second chamber would allow for more fundamental reforms to be made in order to stabilise the Lords position in Parliament. Secondly, the government planned to introduce a wider programme of constitutional change within the House. This hinged entirely on the success of the stage two reforms in ensuring the House of Lords maintained its legitimacy. Jack Straw, the secretary of state for justice, recently claimed that the reforms of 1999 dramatically changed the House of Lords for the better. However, many would argue this is not the case. Ultimately, the Labour government has failed to deliver on its promise of a wholly elected second chamber. In 2007 the House of Commons voted in favour of reforms leading to a 100% or 80% elected second chamber. This proposal was rejected outright by the House of Lords. Despite the governments insistence that the reforms would be pushed through using the will of the Commons, two years have since passed and the in-house squabbling still rages between those in power. This is the frank nature of the reforms debate. An unelected second chamber with no direct link to the people raises serious questions of legitimacy. The body itself is fundamental to the making of legislation. The Labour Party has been in power for close to 13 years and it has achieved very little. The successful implementation of Stage one of the Lords reform programme now appear as substantial as a gentle breeze. Despite overwhelming public favour for reform of the Lords and numerous votes for a fully elected chamber, Labour has not pushed through the reform agenda its 1997 manifesto guaranteed. Unfortunately, the governments plans have not came to fruition.. It looks likely that it will remain that way for the foreseeable future. Sources Jones, B. Kavanagh, D. Moran, M. and Norton, P. (2007), Politics UK, 6th Edition Norton, P. (2005), Parliament in British Politics Russell, M. (2000), Reforming the House of Lords: Lessons from Overseas Direct Gov Website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm The Works of the House of Lords: http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/HoLwork.pdf UK Parliament Website: http://www.parliament.uk/index.cfm Appendix Questions to MP regarding House of Lord Reforms: 1. Please can you explain the term the â€Å"Poodle of the Prime Minister† and its relation to Stage One of the House of Lords reform agenda? 2. Why the change of heart regarding your stance on reform? 3. Where do the Governments major failings lie in terms of not delivering on its 1997 manifesto promise to reform the House of Lords? 4. Do you agree that an elected second chamber is an essential link to the people and not having one raises questions of legitimacy? 5. There are those who argue that the restraining influence of the Lords is crucial to the efficiency of the UK Parliamentary system. Why do we need an elected second chamber? Follow up; 1. Philip Norton Lord Norton of Louth Conservative peer and professor of government at the University of Hull. From 2001 to 2004 he was Chairman of the House of Lords Select Committee on the Constitution. He has been described in The House Magazine the journal of both Houses of Parliament as ‘our greatest living expert on Parliament. Mr Norton is extremely knowledgeable on the governments reform agenda and has written acclaimed publications on the matter. Serving as peer within the Lords, he would be able to give a view from the parapets. 2. Gerald Warner Scottish newspaper columnist and political commentator. He is a former policy advisor to the British Cabinet Minister. His daily blog for the Daily Telegraph attracts widespread debate and he regularly writes of the need for reform within the House of Lords. Mr Warner would be a useful port of contact as he has been immersed in the politics for a number of years and through his daily blog activity would be able to transmit an accurate portrayal of British consensus on Lords reform agenda. 3. Lord Hope Scottish Judge and Deputy Head of the Supreme Court of the UK. Lord Hope is a prestigious Law Lord and has served in the House of Lords in numerous important roles. It would be beneficial to gauge his reaction to the devolved judicial powers of the House of Lords now that the New Supreme Court is in operation. 4. Jonathan Freedland British Journalist who writes a weekly column for the Guardian. Recently expressed his views on the need for an elected second Chamber of Parliament. Therefore, the issue is of great interest to him and he will be knowledgeable on the subject matter. Also, hes a young journalist who might be able to give a fresh perspective on the House of Lords.

Environmental Effects of Fossil Fuels Essay -- Essays Papers

Environmental Effects of Fossil Fuels Besides food, fossil fuels are our most important resource. According to www.bydesign.com, there are three major resources. These resources are coal, oil and natural gas. The environmental impact of fossil fuel usage affects us greatly as individuals and as a global community. Coal causes much damage to our environment. Coal extraction is a serious cause of water pollution. Coal is used primarily to produce electricity. Coal releases nitrous oxide when it is burned. Nitrous oxide unfortunately stays in the atmosphere for a long time. Because this is kept in the atmosphere for such a long time it is very difficult to see or predict the harmful effects of this gas. Nearly fifty percent of the nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere is directly produced by coal. According to www.eia.gov the US energy supply and demand predicts that annual coal usage will increase from 1146 million short tons to 1175 million short tons. This means that the environmental detriments from coal usage will only increase. Currently, there is no sure way to relieve the environmental stressors caused by coal. However, for me, personally, this is a relief. This is relieving because my father owns a small family business that sells mulch and driveway stone. During the winter months, his busine ss depends on coal sales. In the past few decades, household usage of coal has decreased significantly due to the growing availability and convenience of other fuels. I do not believe that this statistic indicates that the average for household usage will increase, but it is encouraging to hear that coal will not disappear anytime soon. Oil is another one of the fossil fuels to which many of my father’s previous customers are conv... ...vironment. Overall, fossil fuels have major impact on our environment. Our energy choices leave lasting impacts on the lives of plants, animals and ourselves. Many health and physical concerns can be linked to fossil fuel usage. Hopefully, by reducing our energy consumption we will be able to protect our lives and lives of those to come. Works Cited About Fossil Fuel. 19 Feb 2004. 29 Mar. 2005 http://www.bydesign.com/fossilfuels/links/html/fossil_fuel.html>. Natural Gas and the Environment. 2004. Naturalgas.org. 29 Mar. 2005 http://www.naturalgas.org/environment/naturalgas.asp>. Restoring the Resources. Exxon Valdez Oil Trustee Council. 29 Mar. 2005 http://www.evostc.state.ak.us/facts/prevention.html>. "Short Term Energy Outlook." Short-Term Energy Outlook – March 2005. 8 Mar 2005. 29 Mar. 2005 http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/contents.html>. Environmental Effects of Fossil Fuels Essay -- Essays Papers Environmental Effects of Fossil Fuels Besides food, fossil fuels are our most important resource. According to www.bydesign.com, there are three major resources. These resources are coal, oil and natural gas. The environmental impact of fossil fuel usage affects us greatly as individuals and as a global community. Coal causes much damage to our environment. Coal extraction is a serious cause of water pollution. Coal is used primarily to produce electricity. Coal releases nitrous oxide when it is burned. Nitrous oxide unfortunately stays in the atmosphere for a long time. Because this is kept in the atmosphere for such a long time it is very difficult to see or predict the harmful effects of this gas. Nearly fifty percent of the nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere is directly produced by coal. According to www.eia.gov the US energy supply and demand predicts that annual coal usage will increase from 1146 million short tons to 1175 million short tons. This means that the environmental detriments from coal usage will only increase. Currently, there is no sure way to relieve the environmental stressors caused by coal. However, for me, personally, this is a relief. This is relieving because my father owns a small family business that sells mulch and driveway stone. During the winter months, his busine ss depends on coal sales. In the past few decades, household usage of coal has decreased significantly due to the growing availability and convenience of other fuels. I do not believe that this statistic indicates that the average for household usage will increase, but it is encouraging to hear that coal will not disappear anytime soon. Oil is another one of the fossil fuels to which many of my father’s previous customers are conv... ...vironment. Overall, fossil fuels have major impact on our environment. Our energy choices leave lasting impacts on the lives of plants, animals and ourselves. Many health and physical concerns can be linked to fossil fuel usage. Hopefully, by reducing our energy consumption we will be able to protect our lives and lives of those to come. Works Cited About Fossil Fuel. 19 Feb 2004. 29 Mar. 2005 http://www.bydesign.com/fossilfuels/links/html/fossil_fuel.html>. Natural Gas and the Environment. 2004. Naturalgas.org. 29 Mar. 2005 http://www.naturalgas.org/environment/naturalgas.asp>. Restoring the Resources. Exxon Valdez Oil Trustee Council. 29 Mar. 2005 http://www.evostc.state.ak.us/facts/prevention.html>. "Short Term Energy Outlook." Short-Term Energy Outlook – March 2005. 8 Mar 2005. 29 Mar. 2005 http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/contents.html>.

Catholic Social Justice: Justice and Peace Essay

Directions: As you are reading through the chapter, fill in the missing information. Pages 174-196—Christians and Peace 1. Pope Paul VI once wrote, â€Å"If you want peace, work for justice†. 2. In The Challenge of Peacemaking, the American bishops discussed a _spiritual of peacemaking, which begins in the individual’s mind and heart. 3. The bishops recognize that peacemaking is enhanced by those habits that empower us to be good, also known as Spirituality of Peacemaking_. 4. True or False (if false, explain why): Peace is the absence of war. False, peace is more than the absence of war, 5. In the Old Testament, peace is one of the many fruits of keeping the _covenant_. 6. In the New Testament, Christ’s proclamation of the reign of God calls us to _conversion__ in which love is shown to reject revenge and violence and embrace forgiveness. 7. Many Catholics contend that a total commitment to _nonviolence_ is better suited to the gospel witness to peace. 8. Match the levels of violence with their description: A) Counter-violence†¦b†¦where basic rights are denied B) Repressive violence†¦a†¦where an oppressed group responds C) Institutional violence†¦c†¦where those in power repeat the cycle of violence 9. A conscientious objector is someone who opposes war on _conscientious objectors_ while another type refuses to participate in wars considered to be pacifists_. 10. The bishops overwhelmingly affirm the principle of _proportionality_ to spare noncombatants from violence. 11. The proper formation of _just war_ is recognized by Church as an invaluable dimension of determining the moral weight of any military conflict. 12. Match the principles of the Just War tradition with the correct description: A. Just cause ___2 1. Peaceful efforts must have been tried and exhausted B. Legitimate authority ___5 2. An immediate threat to innocent life or human rights C. Comparative justice ___3 3. Representative of the people and the common good D. Right intention ___6 4. The damage inflicted and the good expected must be related E. Probability of success ___7 5. Motivation must be recognized in responsible leadership F. Proportionality ___4 6. The irrational use of force is prevented by this G. Last resort ___1 7. Values should direct conflict 13. When applied to terrorism, the Just War tradition recognizes that terrorist actions are an __grave_ evil that can never be justified. 14. Peacemaking strategies entail two Catholic Social Teaching themes of global _option for the poor_ and a global _solidarity_. 15. In the agenda for peace, the three primary goals are to strengthen _international institutions_ such as the United Nations, work to secure _human rights_ such as the defense of life, and to promote development of _for the poorer nations_, by recognizing the inequality of global wealth. 16. Name and describe two of the four steps recommended to right global inequalities. Improving foreign aid, rectifying trade relationship relieving international debt, ending the arm race, Halting arms trade, and banning landmines.

Michelle Obama Analysis

October 9, 2012 Written Analysis 1) Speech Goal: What is the goal of the speech? What does the speaker want the listener to do? * The overall goal for Michelle Obama’s speech s to inform the audience that her husband, President Barack Obama is for the people. She wants them to realize that he can relate to every class in America. He has struggled with the same problems that America is facing today at some point in his life. The speaker wants the audience to appreciate who they have as a leader and to be confident enough to re-elect him again. 2) Speech Organization: What is the overall organizational structure of the message? Remember Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14) * The overall message was in a motivated sequence with the 5 steps, attention, need, satisfaction, visualization, and action. 3) Speakers Role: What kind of relationship has the speaker established with the audience? Does he or she speak from a position of power? As an equal? How does this role established by the speaker influence the speech’s effectiveness * Mrs. Obama creates a more equal relationship rather than being superior to the audience even though she has a great deal of power on her back.She speaks to them from an eye to eye perspective. The way the speaker shows the audience how much they can actually relate, the audience is prone to find favor in their similar situations and is more likely to gain a liking for him. This speech is very effective because the audience can see that President Obama and his wife feels what they feel and they know what’s it like to have issues. They didn’t grow up rich, without experiencing the downfalls of society; they had to climb that ladder of success as normal American’s. ) Speaker’s Tone: What is the overall tone, or â€Å"feel,† of the message? How does the speaker use supporting material and delivery clues to establish an overall tone of speech? * This speech has a tone of hope and equality. After hearing this speech you can’t help but feel hopeful that things will get better. The first lady helps you see that it’s possible to make it. There is hope for every family that wants to send their children to college just like there is hope for every family who has soldiers serving their country.Not only that, but there is a sense of equality in the speakers tone to help the audience relate to a much further extent. 5) Speakers Techniques: What does the speaker do to establish credibility? Does the speaker use logical arguments, tell effective and interesting stories, use emotional appeals, and use interesting and precise language? * The speaker creates credibility by basically saying she’s been in their footsteps, especially with her father having a disability and with him being a father and sending his children to college even if he did have to take out loans when he fell short.The speaker does use logical arguments, tells effective and interesting stories, use emotional appeals, and use interesting and precise language. The speaker shows her sincerity in everything she says which shows the audience how much passion is behind every word and scenario. 6) Audience: Who is the intended audience? How effectively and appropriate does the speaker connect to the interest, needs and background of the audience? How does the speaker make the connection with the audience? The intended audience is more of the middle class, she states a lot of issues that middle class people go through, even as growing up as a middle class child, and she went through those same issues. She connects with them by being able to say, â€Å"Yes I’ve been there, and Yes I’ve made it through. † 7) What was your favorite aspect of the speech, and why? * My favorite aspect is how she gives the audience that reassurance that even though times may be hard right now that it is not the end.You have to believe in America and hope for the best. No country or President is p erfect. We have to have our President’s back and show we that we have faith in him. 8) Why is this activity relevant? What do you learn from watching speeches? * This activity was very relevant because as young adults, we need to be more in tuned with what’s going on in our society. We see how the speaker comes across to America by noticing several points that we’ve discussed in class. We learn what to do to improve as speakers ourselves.

3 Tips for Composing a Successful MBA Application Essay by Lauren Gartner

3 Tips for Composing a Successful MBA Application Essay 3 Tips for Composing a Successful MBA Application Essay Your BS in business is within reach – perhaps only a semester left. And yet you also know that a Bachelor’s in business administration will not qualify you for many career positions. What’s more, the positions that are available are flooded with applicants just like you. So, you have decided that the best course is to get right on with graduate school and get that Masters in Business Administration. Then, many more doors are automatically opened. One hurdle in this application process will be that application essay – maybe more – that you will have to prepare, and that will figure importantly as reviewers look over your applicant materials. Below you will find 3 tips for writing essays that will be exceptional and memorable. Common Application Essay Questions You can probably expect to write a minimum of two MBA application essay pieces in response to several prompts. One prompt is usually required and then you may choose from the remaining ones for your 2nd essay. Tip 1 The Required Essay: Every B-school is going to ask you about your goals. In this essay you will need to consider the following: What will be your area of specialty in your master’s program? Perhaps you have decided on operations, or finance, or HR. You need to think about why this specialty is exciting to you and convince the reader of your excitement. Once you have your MBA, what are your career goals? Be as specific as possible here and explain why this goal is a match for you personally. Are you looking to join a large corporation with the potential of a position overseas? Have you prepared for that by studying a foreign language? These things show that you have really thought about your goals and have already taken steps to achieve them. Tip 2 The Optional Essay Prompts: Every school has variations of these, but in general they will relate to the following: What do you bring to the business school community? What leadership roles have you already experienced, what was your style, and what did you achieve? What management theory aligns best with our style? Here, you need to be cautious and do not talk in extremes (e.g., there is only one theory that best fits). Situational management is pretty big right now, so, while you may have a favorite theory and a preferred style, you need to appear to be flexible. What specific skills and talents do you have that will make you a good manager/administrator. And how were those skills and talents developed? Tip 3 Essay Writing: If you are not really skilled in essay writing, you will need to get some help. These essays are far more important than that simple one you wrote for college admissions 4-5 years ago. These are heavily scrutinized, and they must be scholarly, beautifully-written, and highly engaging. You may have great thoughts but if you cannot translate them to the printed word, you are in trouble. Getting That Help: 3 Options If within your circle of friends, relatives, and acquaintances, you have any accomplished writers, you may want to seek assistance there. However, you also want to be certain that they have some understanding of business administration as well. If you have a decent relationship with both an English and a business professor on campus, you can certainly solicit help from these two. Generally, however, they will want you to write the essays and they will provide suggestions for revision and polishing. You can contract with a professional writing service that has graduate-degreed business writers on staff. They have lots of experience with these essays and will happily take your thoughts and ideas and craft exceptional essays for you. Just make sure best essay writing service. Don’t jeopardize your chances for admission by mediocre essays. This is just too important to your future. Take the tips seriously and get the help you need.

Feminism in Italian Society essays

Feminism in Italian Society essays Artemisia Gentilschi: Feminism in Italian Society Throughout the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Centuries Painting in the Baroque period evoked emotion by appealing to the senses in very dramatic ways. Artists often used religion or personal experiences and effectively translated these aspects into their works. Artemisia Gentileschi was a female painter during this period who was habitually neglected by critics. This was attributed to the fact that she was woman. The visual arts was a field that was strictly exclusive to males, and it was the basic assumption among male artists and theorists of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries that, "women might practice painting or sculpture, but could not on account of their inferior biological nature, produce works of creative genius". Therefor, it was difficult for women to have their work accepted at that time. Gentileschi frequently depicted strong women from the past who are of heroic nature, which can be read as unusual, since women were seen as inferior to their male "counterparts". Modern feminists believe that Gentileschi mus t have held feminist views based on her depictions of women. The problem with this point of view however, was that feminism was not a fully developed or widely accepted ideology at the time that Gentileschi was painting. However, Joan Kelly contended that there was "a four hundred year old tradition of women thinking about women and sexual politics in European society before the French Revolution". With that as a premise, feminism could be loosely defined as a pro-female reaction to sexual politics, and Gentileschi could be deemed a feminist thinker. In order to argue this point, this essay will offer an analysis of the culture of Italian society, including the writing within the Sciptures, and of men and women of the time period. It is possible that Gentileschi's work was a response to the decades of negative beliefs about women that derived from th...

Constitutional Monarchy Definition and Examples

Constitutional Monarchy Definition and Examples A constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch- typically a king or queen- acts as the head of state within the parameters of a written or unwritten constitution. In a constitutional monarchy, political power is shared between the monarch and a constitutionally organized government such as a parliament. Constitutional monarchies are the opposite of absolute monarchies, in which the monarch holds all power over the government and the people. Along with the United Kingdom, a few examples of modern constitutional monarchies include Canada, Sweden, and Japan. Key Takeaways: Constitutional Monarchy A constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a non-elected monarch functions as the head of state within the limits of a constitution.Political power in a constitutional monarchy is shared between the monarch and an organized government such as the British Parliament.A constitutional monarchy is the opposite of an absolute monarchy in which the monarch has total power over the government and the people. Power Distribution in a Constitutional Monarchy Similar to the way in which the powers and duties of the President of the United States are described in the U.S. Constitution, the powers of the monarch, as the head of state, are enumerated in the constitution of a constitutional monarchy. In most constitutional monarchies, the monarchs’ political powers, if any, are very limited and their duties are mostly ceremonial. Instead, real governmental power is exercised by a parliament or similar legislative body overseen by a prime minister. While the monarch may be recognized as the â€Å"symbolic† head of state, and the government might technically function in the name of the queen or king, the prime minister actually governs the country. Indeed, it has been said that the monarch of a constitutional monarchy is, â€Å"A sovereign who reigns but does not rule.† As a compromise between placing blind trust in a lineage of kings and queens who have inherited their power, and a belief in the political wisdom of the people being ruled, modern constitutional monarchies are usually a blend of the monarchal rule and representative democracy.  Ã‚   Besides serving as a living symbol of national unity, pride and tradition, the constitutional monarch may- depending on the constitution- have the power to disband the current parliamentary government or to give royal consent to the actions of the parliament. Using England’s constitution as an example, British political scientist Walter Bagehot listed the three main political rights available to a constitutional monarch: â€Å"the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, and the right to warn.† Constitutional vs. Absolute Monarchy Constitutional Monarchy A constitutional monarchy is a blended form of government in which a king or queen with limited political power rules in combination with a legislative governing body such as a parliament representing the desires and opinions of the people.   Absolute Monarchy An absolute monarchy is a form of government in which a king or queen rules with total unchallenged and unchecked political and legislative power. Based on the ancient concept of the â€Å"Divine Right of Kings† suggesting that kings derived their authority from God, absolute monarchies operate under the political theory of absolutism. Today the only remaining pure absolute monarchies are Vatican City, Brunei, Swaziland, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. After the signing of the Magna Carta in 1512, constitutional monarchies began to supplant absolute monarchies for a combination of similar reasons, including their often weak or tyrannical kings and queens, failure to provide funds for pressing public needs, and refusal to address valid grievances of the people.   Current Constitutional Monarchies Today, the world’s 43 constitutional monarchies are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, a 53-nation intergovernmental support organization headed by the sitting monarch of the United Kingdom. Some of the best-recognized examples of these modern constitutional monarchies include the governments of the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, and Japan. The United Kingdom Made up of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy, in which the queen or king is the head of state, while an appointed prime minister leads the government in the form of the British Parliament. Bestowed with all lawmaking powers, the Parliament is composed of the House of Commons, the members of which are elected by the people, and the House of Lords made up members who have either been appointed or have inherited their seats. 28th September 1952: Princess Elizabeth watching her son Prince Charles playing in his toy car while at Balmoral. Lisa Sheridan / Getty Images Canada While the monarch of the United Kingdom also serves as Canada’s head of state, the Canadian people are governed by an elected prime minister and a legislative parliament. In the Canadian parliament, all laws are proposed by a popularly-elected House of Commons and must be approved by the royally-appointed Senate.   Sweden The King of Sweden, while the head of state, lacks any defined political power and serves a largely ceremonial role. All lawmaking power is vested in the Riksdag, a single-chambered legislative body composed of democratically elected representatives.   Japan In the world’s most populous constitutional monarchy, the Emperor of Japan has no constitutional role in the government and is relegated to ceremonial duties. Created in 1947 during the country’s post-World War II U.S. occupation, Japan’s constitution provides for a government structure similar to that of the United States. Newlywed Prince and Princess Hitachi pose at the doorway of the imperial Palace. Bettmann Archive / Getty Images The executive branch is overseen by a royally-appointed prime minister who controls the government. The legislative branch, called the National Diet, is a popularly-elected, bicameral body composed of a House of Councillors and a House of Representatives. The Japanese Supreme Court and several lower courts make up a judicial branch, which functions independently of the executive and legislative branches. Sources Bogdanor, Vernon (1996). The Monarchy and the Constitution. Parliamentary Affairs, Oxford University Press.Constitutional Monarchy. British Monarchist League.Dunt, Ian, ed. (2015). Monarchy: What is a Monarchy? politics.co.ukLearning with the Times: 7 nations still under absolute monarchy. (Nov. 10, 2008) The Times of India

Philosophy Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Philosophy Paper - Essay Example An in-depth analysis of Aristotle’s criticism of Plato will necessarily reveal that, in some cases, Aristotle has failed to perceive the heart of Platonic concept of ‘form’. In other cases, it seems that Plato himself failed to predict oppositions such Aristotle’s criticisms and, therefore, to add some reasonable tenets to the concept of ‘form’. For example, he could say that Forms are the replications of the One and Oneness, and as the terms, ‘one’ and ‘many’, are meaningless without one another, ‘form’ and ‘particulars’ are meaningless without each other. For human cognitive process, both are simultaneously necessary, though ‘form’ precedes physical reality, as one precedes many. Indeed, these tenets are inherent to the idea of ‘form’ and they need not be invented; rather they need to be discovered. Aristotle’s criticisms themselves have limitations; therefor e, referring to those limitations and proving the effectiveness of the concept of ‘form’ to explain those limitations, Plato could make his theory of ‘form’ more self-sufficient. Plato claims that different ‘forms’ of different physical realities exist prior to the existence of physical realities. For him, the physical realities are the replicas or facsimiles of the ‘form’. He sees it as the ideal essence of the physical existence of things in this world. It is perfect, indivisible, transcendent and immutable. He believes that because of an innate idea of these forms, man can know things as they are. On the other hand, Aristotle complains that though ‘form’, as Plato assumes, exists prior to things’ physical existence, â€Å"Forms arises even of things of which we think there are no Forms† (Socrates 27). He further complains that Plato’s ‘form’ is applicable to static images of things (which he often names ‘substance’); therefore, it is not applicable to dynamic process of things such dissolution, decay, birth, etc. In Aristotle’s own words, â€Å"what on earth the Forms contribute to sensible things, either to those that are eternal or to those that come into being and cease to be. For they cause neither movement nor any changes in them† (Socrates 28). He makes his third criticism on the ground that the ‘substance’, which is concrete also, cannot evolve from the abstract, as he says, â€Å"All other things cannot come from the Forms in any of the usual senses of 'from'† (Socrates 34). Aristotle’s most severe criticism of Aristotle comes in a form of question: â€Å"why should '2' be one and the same in the perishable 2's or in those which are many but eternal, and not the same in the '2 itself' as in the particular 2?† (Socrates 39) Here, he asks that if two different particulars have something in comm on, will there be three forms (two for the two particulars and one for the common feature)? Plato could star his refutation of Aristotle’s criticisms by excavating the inherent limitations of Aristotle’s theory of ‘substance’. According to Plato, â€Å"‘Forms’ are as it were patterns fixed in the nature of things. The other things are copied from the Forms and are similarities.†

Halecar and Mid Lans Automotive Two cultures merge Coursework

Halecar and Mid Lans Automotive Two cultures merge - Coursework Example s starting from recruitment and selection of staffs to managing performance, eliminating employee dissatisfaction, bringing advancement in training and development as well as controlling issues relating to equity and diversity of the employees (Armstrong, 2012). As a result of growing competition and technological advancement, more and more firms tend to merge with comparatively strong firms in order to protect their existence and to enjoy economic and technological advantages arising out of strong background of the companies merged with. However, as a result of such amalgamation the employees of two different companies experience difference in terms of rules and regulations, working procedure, employee benefits as well as different working culture. Hence, employees of one organization are bound to adopt the cultural practices of the other organization. If not controlled properly, such incidents may lead to serious consequences for the newly merged company in terms of employee dissat isfaction, employee turnover, reduced production and profitability (Legge, 2005). Therefore, human resource team should take corrective actions in timely manner for organizations to sustain in the long run and to enjoy advantages arising out of merger. Halecar is a long established UK based Automotive Manufacturing Company producing British cars for well known Indian Company, Tutu (Excerpt from case study). However, with the decline in the UK car industry, Halecar started experiencing rapid detriment in their production and the company ceased to exist. Workforce had been reduced and the only source of revenue was the Indian Company, Tutu for which they manufactured Nano, the cheapest passenger car in the world. Further pressure from the Indian company as well, to bring efficiency in production process and to shift production to 3 lines on a 24 hour basis, led the management to impiment structural changes into the organization. On 1st of August, 2014, Managing Director of Halecar

Plasmid mapping Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Plasmid mapping - Essay Example This DNA is now called as recombinant DNA. These vectors replicate inside the host cell along with the inserted DNA. These vectors are of two types: expression vectors (expression of the cloned gene to give the desired protein) and cloning vectors (produce millions of copies of cloned DNA). (Sambrook and Russell 2001). Restriction endonucleases are the enzymes that cut the DNA at the specific sequences. There are about 200 different restriction enzymes. (Brown 1995). The most common restriction endonucleases are EcoR1, BamH 1 and Pst1. All these restriction enzymes have sticky ends. The recognition sites for these restriction enzymes are as follows: EcoRI recognition site = G|AATTC Bam H1 recognition site = G|GATCC C TTAA |G C C T A GIG and Pst 1 recognition site = CTGCAIG GIACGTC (Siwach and Singh 2007). The pieces of DNA that remain after the digestion with the restriction enzymes are called as restriction fragments. Each restriction enzyme has a unique code and it cuts the DNA int o fragments with either sticky or blunt ends. A restriction map gives us the location where the restriction enzyme cuts the DNA. This restriction digestion is used for two purposes: Restriction mapping and specific DNA cleavage for the production of new constructs. The restriction mapping is used to identify the plasmids. The number of DNA fragments and the size of the DNA fragments depend upon the action of the restriction enzyme. These DNA fragments thus obtained are separated using the Agarose gel electrophoresis. Gel electrophoresis is the most powerful technique for separating the biomolecules. The DNA are negatively charged particles that are attracted towards the opposite charge under the influence of electric field. Here the agarose gel is the solid matrix. The solid matrix controls the rate of migration of the molecules based on the size of the particles and the concentration of the gel. The buffer is a mixture of organic and inorganic salts that helps to conduct the electr ic current between the positive and negative terminals. To visualize the DNA bands present in the gel, stains such as methylene blue and ethidium bromide are used. In our experiment we use ethidium bromide that fluorescence’s under the UV light. Ethidium bromide intercalates between the base pairs of DNA and fluorescence when exposed to the light of 250 – 300 nm. (Sambrook and Russell 2001). Materials and method: The materials are the same as mentioned in the practical handbook. Restriction mapping consists of three important steps. They are restriction enzyme digestion, agarose gel preparation and sample loading. 1) Restriction Enzyme digestion: The unknown plasmid sample is taken and they are digested using the restriction enzyme. The standard concentration of the plasmid DNA is 1 ?g/ 5 ?l. In order to standardize the plasmid and to enhance the enzyme reaction, 2 ?l of enzyme buffer is added to the digest. 1 ?l of the enzyme is added to the sample. The volume of the digest is made upto 20 ?l using the sterile water. The composition of the digest is as follows: For this Restriction digestion, BameH1,Pst1 and EcoR1 restriction enzymes were used. The final volume of each restriction digest was 20 microlitres. ? Hind3 (Marker)-Distance moved in the gel mm Plasmid DNA Enzyme 10Xenzyme buffer Sterile water Total EcoR1 5Â µl 1Â µl 2Â µl 12Â µl 20Â µl Pst1 5Â µl 1Â µl 2

Child Labor Issues Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Child Labor Issues - Research Paper Example Increasingly, there are reports of children working in unsafe and unhealthy conditions for low wages in the global South in the production of both domestic goods and goods for Western businesses (Hart, 2008). Although child labor is typically associated with poverty and is more pervasive in developing countries, child labor is an issue globally (Dagdemir & Acaroglu, 2010). This research study analyzes the issue of child labor as well as identifies the political, cultural and economic factors that commonly contribute to the persistence of exploitive child labor. By identifying the common political, cultural and economic factors that contribute to the persistence of child labor, we can formulate recommendations for responding to those factors with a view to reducing, if not eliminating exploitive child labor. This research study is therefore divided into four main parts. The first part of this paper defines child labor,the international community’s, policies and laws regulating child labor. The second part of this paper identifies the persistence of child labor globally. The third part of this paper examines the key factors contributing to exploitive child labor. The final part of this paper makes recommendations for eliminating or at the very least reducing child labor. Contents Abstract 2 Contents 3 Introduction 4 Definition of Child Labor 5 International Regulation of Child Labor 6 Global Trends in Child Labor 9 Child Labor: Factors, Issues and Concerns 14 Conclusion and Recommendations 19 Recommendations 19 Conclusion 22 Introduction The most recent data in 2010 from the International Labor Organization(ILO) (2010) reveals that child labor is a major issue globally. There are approximately 215 million children characterised as child laborers globally with 306 million children characterized as employed (ILO, 2010). While the latest data reflects a reduction child labor since 2000, the numbers stalled as of 2006 and the number of child laboreres globally remains unacceptable (International Labor Organization, 2010). According to the International Labor Organization (2010), agriculture remains the sector most frequently associated with child labor with Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and West Asia identified as the most problematic areas. Increasingly children are working in unsafe conditions in agriculture in the production of global agricultural goods such as bananas, rubber, tobacco, cocoa, tea, coffee and cotton (International Labor Organization, 2010). Child labor in agriculture is not restricted to developing countries. For instance, a recent report claims that 9 percent of farm laborers in the US are children as young as 7 years old that work between 14 and 16 hours daily for a full seven-day work week and are paid well below the mandated minimum wage (Adame, 2010). Aside from agriculture, Western retail companies have increasingly become complicit in the exploitation of child labor in their supply chains where child labor is reportedly used in â€Å"low-cost† countries in the production of goods distributed globally (Weele, 2010, p. 55). For instance, Nike was condemned by the Western press for the use of child laborers who worked in Pakistan in the sewing of soccer balls for Nike (Heal, 2008). This research study analyzes the issue of child labour globally and identifies the political, economic and cultural aspects of child labour. In identifying the common political, econom

Job Redesign and Workplace Rewards Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Job Redesign and Workplace Rewards - Essay Example Different companies have diverse issues that need to be dealt with in order to ensure that employees are up to the level that is required for enhanced motivation and productivity. It requires that a company develop the right strategies to enhance performance of a respective organization. Every department in an organization is unique and therefore, requires different motivational strategies to enhance performance (Cooper et al, 2009). Kroger is an established pharmacy that deals with a wide range of drug substances. It has a number of customers both locally and internationally. In the local set up, the company receives many customers at different intervals within a day. It, therefore, requires that every department work round the clock to ensure that the customers are well served and their expectations met as appropriate. On the hand, the employees are vital to the wellbeing of the company. Case in point is that the technicians are very essential components of the company. It has been argued that the technicians in the company are the most motivated and productive in the company. There are a number of issues that enhance the motivation and productivity of the company. A technician at the pharmacy has a wide range of duties in the company. Case in point is that the technician is in charge of all the issues that related to the technical issues in the company. One of the duties of the technician is to ensure that there are no faults in any department within the organization. The technician is in charge of every department in terms of technical issues. At the Kroger pharmacy the technician is charged with the responsibility of supplying the drugs to the patients either on prescription or at the counter. Consequently, the technician is charged with the responsibility of assembling the different drugs for the purpose of prescribing. On the other hand, the

Media literacy should be taught to boys ages 6-12 to understand the Essay

Media literacy should be taught to boys ages 6-12 to understand the dangers of professional wrestling - Essay Example Since there is no filter available that can discriminate what content suits what age bracket, therefore the impacts can be quite adverse. Media literacy education is very essential because it will help children to discriminate the content on their own and would eventually help them to choose what is feasible for them. The age bracket from six to twelve years is very fragile where a child adapts a lot thus it is very important to assist them and provide them with the basic knowledge so that they do not implement what they see. Thus it is very important to inculcate media literacy amongst young children so that they understand the adverse impacts of professional Wrestling."By its very nature, professional  wrestling promotes violence  as a reason to watch. With all the  brutality in this world  Zillmann and Bryant (1994) argued that audiences, especially  children, seek out arousing entertainment to relieve boredom." (Oppliger, 2004) Firstly professional wrestling has evolved tremendously since it has been given the criteria of a sport. This sport has another very important side to it, which is the entertainment factor it provides. When young children have access to wrestling they not only get enthralled by the entertainment factor but also the stunts done leave a very profound impact on their mind. They develop this wrong approach that they can practice the same stunts at home, school or other places. They do not realize that the stunts performed there are under strict supervision and are a result of intense practice. Without any supervision or practice the young children involve in wrestling activities which can result in serious injuries and damage to health. When children are not educated about the adverse impacts associated with wrestling they will not only damage themselves but others as well. Furthermore it needs to be realized here that children adapt whatever they see. Hence it is very important to educate them about wrestling so that they do n ot implement what they see. Secondly another issue that can arise if young children have access to professional wrestling is that they learn to use abusive language. "any greater degree of violence than is occasioned by blows,  wrestling, and pulling of the hair; and their  abusive language." (Rees, 1905) These matches it has been observed that the wrestlers tend to use such abusive terms which are not suitable for the young minds. Many a times it has been seen that children use the language they learn from these wrestling at home; school etc. and when they are asked from where they learned such language they usually blame wrestling. Children who are belonging to the age bracket of six to ten are at a stage of developing. Their reflexes are becoming sharper and their cognition is developing. During this phase if they start to learn such abusive language that will always have a very drastic impact on their overall upbringing. These words are then used at various instances reflect ing their learning from these wrestling programs. Language is very important when it comes to young children and if they do continue to watch such programs which promote abusive language then the impacts can be quite adverse. Thirdly another major danger that can damage the young minds is the propagation of vulgarity, profanity and female adolescence.These shows have become an emblem of vulgarity. Young children

Job Redesign and Workplace Rewards Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Job Redesign and Workplace Rewards - Essay Example Different companies have diverse issues that need to be dealt with in order to ensure that employees are up to the level that is required for enhanced motivation and productivity. It requires that a company develop the right strategies to enhance performance of a respective organization. Every department in an organization is unique and therefore, requires different motivational strategies to enhance performance (Cooper et al, 2009). Kroger is an established pharmacy that deals with a wide range of drug substances. It has a number of customers both locally and internationally. In the local set up, the company receives many customers at different intervals within a day. It, therefore, requires that every department work round the clock to ensure that the customers are well served and their expectations met as appropriate. On the hand, the employees are vital to the wellbeing of the company. Case in point is that the technicians are very essential components of the company. It has been argued that the technicians in the company are the most motivated and productive in the company. There are a number of issues that enhance the motivation and productivity of the company. A technician at the pharmacy has a wide range of duties in the company. Case in point is that the technician is in charge of all the issues that related to the technical issues in the company. One of the duties of the technician is to ensure that there are no faults in any department within the organization. The technician is in charge of every department in terms of technical issues. At the Kroger pharmacy the technician is charged with the responsibility of supplying the drugs to the patients either on prescription or at the counter. Consequently, the technician is charged with the responsibility of assembling the different drugs for the purpose of prescribing. On the other hand, the

Three different Venues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Three different Venues - Essay Example {?##y?y>#?##Ba#g#e#n#.###?d#o#c######D#a#n#i#d###?a# #C#o#p#e###n#h#DANIDA~1DOC #`#Vp?|?###Vp?#)#?##B1#.#d#o#c###?#####R#a#i#r#i###? #C#e#n#t#r###e#-#RAIRIC~1DOC #C?Vp?|?##?Vp?A)#?##?WRD0886TMP #@}?}?##?@}?(5#?X#Dm#.#d#o#c#########i#s#e#d#,####2#5#m#m#m#m###m#m##2#[#2#]#t####o# #b#e# #r###e#v##5#9#3#9#4####2#_#_#5#9#3###9#4#593942~2DOC #ty?}?##y>#*##~WRL2621TMP##!SIt?t?##x?t#####Bc#####"###5#9#3#9#4###"2#_#r#e#v#.###d#o#593942~3DOC ##z?{?##?#z>#(##Ba#n#t#.#z###?i#p######5#9#3#9#4###?2#_#i#m#p#o###r#t#593942~1ZIP!#m?{?##m?)#T#Cy#1#.#z#i###?p######a#t#i#o#n###?_#s#e#c#u#r###i#t##5#9#3#9#4###?2#_#i#n#f#o###r#m#593942~2ZIP!#Zm?{?##m?w##?##Cy#2#.#z#i###?p######a#t#i#o#n###?_#s#e#c#u#r###i#t##5#9#3#9#4###?2#_#i#n#f#o###r#m#593942~3ZIP!#?Um?{?##m?G ?*##Cy#3#.#z#i###Rp######a#t#i#o#n###R_#s#e#c#u#r###i#t##5#9#3#9#4###R2#_#i#n#f#o###r#m#593942~4ZIP!##?m?{?##m ?N##?WRL0995TMP##6}?}?##?6}/#?X#AD#a#t#a#b###/a#s#e#.#d#o###c###DATABASEDOC #?#?m?{?###?m #?##AO#d#o#r#o###$.#d#o#c#x#####ODORO~1 DOC # I/?q?{?##?@r?##?v##B.#V#O#B########H#e#a#d# ###?o#f# #s#t#a###t#e#HEADOF~1VOB #xz?{?##o!h4?>#4?HE200~2DOC #?Im?u?##m##?##Cc########a#t#i#o#n###? #f#o#r#m#.###d#o##M#e#n#t#e###?e# #a#p#p#l###i#c#MENTEE~1DOC #pqVp?|?##rVp?#)####A6#0#1#4#9###s3#r#e#v#.#d###o#c#601493~1DOC #?"#{?{?##$#{Q#?##Be#c#u#r#i####t#y#.#d#o#c######I#n#f#o#r####m#a#t#i#o#n### #S#INFORM~1DOC #?;?m?}?##?#n##? #Bo#c########5#9#4#2#8###?7#.#.#.#r#d###.#d#594287~3DOC ##?%|?}?##?%|?#,#?##?AJORR~1DOC #D?n?r?##Ð ¢n/#?##Bn#d#.#d#o###?c######J#o#u#r#n###?a#l#i#s#m# ###F#u#JOURNA~1DOC #d?Vp?{?##?Vp?L)#?##Bo#n#.#d#o###@c######M#a#r#a# ###@F#o#u#n#d#a###t#i#MARAFO~1DOC #Vp?{?##?Vp?U)#?##BS#S#E#S#S###?M#E#N#T#.#d###o#c##E#D#A#R#A###?T#E#C# #O#D### #A#EDARAT~1DOC #?UWp?{?##WWp?$##? #Ci#p#####!###0#1#1#_#1###!1#_#1#5#_#2###.#z##a#t#t#a#c###!h#m#e#n#t#s###_#2#ATTACH~1ZIP ##gWp?{?###Wp)a^##Bd#o#c##### ###5#9#4#2#6### 5#,#,#,#r#e###v#.#594265~1DOC #?g+|?}?##h+|?S

Reflective essay of personal and professional development

Reflective essay of personal and professional development This assignment is a critical analysis and reflection of my continuing personal and professional development (CPPD) needs in practice. This account will identify practical needs that I must improve with supportive evidence based research, and evaluate the impact of this need for my personal development as a future qualified nurse. My learning need was with assertiveness in communication when working with a staff nurse during admission. To meet the need and demonstrate the ability to engage in advancing my care, Gibbs (1988) framework model of reflection will be used. To maintain confidentiality as emphasised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC 2008), a pseudonym Tommy will be used to protect the patient’s anonymity. In addition, I will be using the post-registration education and practice (PREP) guidelines (NMC 2011) to maintain up to date knowledge and skills as well as empowering a lifelong learning in my nursing career. (NMC 2012) My skills in communication have improved in all contact and this has been acknowledged in every practice. However, I thought of this learning need, when I recognised my weakness was with assertiveness in communication when working with a staff nurse, faced with a difficult patient during admission. I took part in this learning activity in November, 2014 during my placement in hospital. I identified this need during the second week of placement, as I was able to perform patient admissions under the supervision of my mentor. The need to improve this skill was established from my mentor’s feedback and I agreed that it must be developed in order to help avoiding errors in future practice, improving my decision-making skills and professional satisfaction. I have spent a good amount of time to research and critically analyse this learning need However I felt this could be an ongoing process of improvement as Webb (2011) identified, supported by the Department of Health’s (201 3) ongoing process of improvement in the NHS to be more efficient and less bureaucratic. I again felt this was important for me to work on because it had an impact on the patient and me as a future qualified nurse (Fowler, 2008). Tommy is a 50 year old who suffers from right leg cellulitis and lives alone with his cat. I felt my first meeting with Tommy was challenging as I found it difficult to present myself as a self-assured, assertive and empathetic student nurse due to the impression that the situation was out of my comfort zone. I observed from the beginning of the visit that this gentleman was unable to cope; however I felt that I could not make a direct statement without coming across as patronising or a dominant student nurse. On the positive side, I chose to improve this learning need so that I would learn to be prepared with the knowledge and set of skills I must have in managing complex patient care in future placements (Fowler, 2008). Having encountered patients who have refused requests from other student nurses and staff nurses alike by expressing their dislikes, disagreements and sometimes even anger when offered treatment, I have observed that patients sense how the student nurses present themselves and could base their decision on the student nurses’ abilities to communicate assertively (Fowler, 2008). This also made me think about my self-awareness and empathetic skills. As I listened to Tommy’s emotional concerns, he opened up about being terrified of not having anyone in his house to feed his cat while he was in hospital because he had no close relatives. I responded calmly and confidently, using clear language that my intention was to obtain his permission to allow health professionals offer long term support to him (Fischhoff et al, 2011). As student nurses, our main role involves patient interaction and several studies have indicated that student nurses lack assertive skills evidenced by Bekkum and Hilton (2013) McCabe and Timmins (2005) qualitative study in two schools (n=30). It highlighted that most student nurses were assertive but chose not to display this skill to maintain positive interpersonal relations and avoid conflict. However, quantitative study (n=72) by Almost (2006) deemed it important to measure nursing students’ level of assertiveness prior to, and near completion of their pre-registration programme and to offer help throughout their programme to develop their assertiveness. Almost also considered the conflicts mainly developed from the multi-professional roles that student nurses have and that the basic nursing functions of caring and controlling can result in tension. Many researchers have challenged these such as Iglesias and Vallejo (2012) qualitative study identified that work have established that conflict resolution techniques can be achieved through compromise and collaboration which the nurses can use for their specific work environments. However all the previously mentioned approaches suffered from serious limitations as Tommy’s safety could have been compromised when nurses failed to speak up or be heard, identified by Page’s (2004) qualitative study. I found Almost (2013) very appropriate when giving personal care because this technique would have enhanced my learning need earlier in my nursing programme to improve patient care. Bekkum Hilton, (2013) qualitative study support and acknowledgement on these account findings imply that, education programs ought to be taken into account. The perceptions of the participants risks involved in not being assertive and the focal point must be on changing these perceptions rather tha n attempting to change student nurses’ values or focusing solely on specific assertive behaviours to improve student emotional intelligence. Based on the findings, I realised that my practice was out of date therefore would cost the National Health Service (NHS) and impact negatively on patients’ care. As identified by Smith’s (2012) phenomenological study, 75 per cent (n=20) of student nurses felt unable to verbally express their concerns when working with qualified nurses. Yet Jones’ (2013) qualitative study identified that 60 per cent (n=30) of student nurses felt confident by the end of their training. However, there is little consensus in the research available although I feel my experience reflects Smith’s (2013) findings. My inability to be assertive during patient admission was because I was working with an experienced qualified nurse and hiding behind my mentor limited my development in skill. This impacted on my clinical ability when I failed to be an assertive student nurse. It also shows in these research studies I was not using up to date practice. White’s (2009) phenomenological study identified that 75 per cent (n=28) nursing students in clinical placements suffer from self-doubt, have anxiety about their clinical performance and do not possess the characteristics of strong self-confidence. A qualitative study conducted for student nurses by Jones, Mccoy and Pitt (2013) have indicated that majority of student and staff relationships highlight that a sense of belonging was central for student nurses for a good clinical experience. A students sense of belonging and feeling a part of the team were essential before students could learn. This is reflected in Lathlean and Levett-Jones’ (2009) quantitative study (n=200) of student findings on third year student nurses who participated in the study as they had been on a number of clinical placements. This explanation, however, seemed to overlook the fact that many students feel compelled to work hard in order to fit in the nursing team rather than become motivated to le arn. This has made me realise that although being in a good nursing team, I would still prioritise looking after my patients by paying more attention to the patient needs and expectations. A qualitative study conducted by Lyndon (2006) mentioned that student nurses’ ability to make a clinical decision could be influenced by patient situation, availability of resources and interpersonal relationships. Student nurses, however, on a variety of situations, can experience moral distress as Ganske, Iseminger, Lachman and Murray (2012) have identified in their phenomenological study. These two articles revealed that the ability to communicate with patients should not cause moral distress as student nurses would neither be aggressive nor patronising, nonetheless the interaction would achieve the patient’s best interest. This is reinforced by Grumbach and Bodenheimer, (2004) qualitative study which identified (n=18) of student nurse, who noted that greater disability may be as a result of anxiety in some cases and loss of self-confidence. However, Begley (2010) phenomenological study (n=20) identified and argues, little has been investigated to explain the reasons why assertive behaviour occurs in one situation and not in another. Results suggest that, student nurses’ standard measures of assertiveness and of anxiety are irrespective of their scores p=00.1 chances. One should consider the consequences of student practitioners being assertive, while making a decision regarding how to behave I felt this was helpful in reminding me how important self- confident skills can aid improved patient care. Although, their underlying theories of subjectivity are very different, there are some important affinities between the researches that correlate which I believe would help me care better in future pla cement. In addition, Begley’s (2010) qualitative study established that patients were to be considered as partners in their health care delivery. Trust does not come easily for people and I have since learnt from past experiences that patients need to be included and actively involved in the planning and evaluation of their care. By learning to ask open questions helped promote and encouraged patient expression and enabled patients to enhance trust in a relationship as I have shown my interest and investment in the patient’s care and treatment. This study has an impact in addressing my need and offered help on how to be assertive when dealing with difficult patients. As highlighted by White (2014) qualitative study, majority of student nurse depend on their mentors to be assertive and sometimes adopt it as coping strategies. Even though, this is a small number of student nurses, (n=30) to base a judgement on, it provides statistically relevant data and allows an insight into practical experiences. I also felt this research was significant for me to work on my assertiveness, because it had an effect towards the patient and me as a future qualified nurse. I solely depended on my mentors for assertiveness as a coping strategy. Conversely, these poor coping strategies I adopted were highlighted in a qualitative study by Fischhoff et al, (2011) where common coping strategies utilised by student nurses being assertive in clinical settings are explored. Although this is a small sample size (n=18) which does not provide statistically relevant data, it is qualitative design allows an insight into the student nurses experience of assertiveness coping strategies (Parahoo, 2006). I found these results of the thematic critical analysis linked to my own clinical experience, including the poor coping assertiveness strategy I adopted. This was due to underestimating my capacity from the onset of being self-assured and self-confident without being aggressive (REF). I found that these researches gave me insight into how unethical and limiting avoidance practices are when dealing with patients, which was seen in a small number of participants in this study (n=3) (Morris Turnball, 2006). I felt this was helpful in remindi ng me how important assertiveness skills can improve patient care (Morris Turnbull, 2006). Besides, Fischhoff et al, (2011), descriptive study postulates assertiveness in student nurses who become attached to their mentors remain as consistent helpers for weeks in their placement during the period from the first till the third year, and it is suggested that this is due to the students underestimating their capacity from the onset of being self-assured. Although this is a small sample size (n=207) which does provide statistically significant relevant data, 60 percent (n=127) were more positive compared to 40 percent (n=83). Its quantitative design allows an insight into the student nurses’ experience of assertiveness skills (Begley, 2010). Nonetheless, Phillips and Simmonds (2012) phenomenological study supported this descriptive study and further on said this is a key concern for some student nurses within practice setting. The concept of assertiveness and understanding concept as student nurses will enable them to consider that the patient’s aggressiveness might be about other issues rather than their care. In a phenomenological study of (n=50) nursing students in London, Monsu (2014) identified that greater disability may be as a result of anxiety and loss of self-confidence dealing with a difficult patient. Findings of these researches do not seek to be generalised but were reliable to me due to the appropriateness of the methodology and the thematic analysis being correctly applied. This will aid me in caring for my patients in future practice. In a questionnaire survey of (n=200) student nurses in London, Smith (2013) identified that 70 per cent (n=49) of university students preferred mentors to do all the assertiveness communication for them due to underestimating their ability. Only 20 per cent (n=4) of students responded and of those who did respond, many of them did not fully complete the questionnaire. The data suggested that 70 per cent of students who preferred a mentor to do all the assertiveness communication do not constitute very strong evidence. Yet Monsu (2013) argues that from his own experience as a student in placement, there was a strong attachment with mentors being assertive in all him / her communication which did help with the assertiveness skills needed for future practice. This cannot be generalised as Monsu (2013) is not referring to a piece of empirical research but to his own experience. Having identified the context of Monsu’s (2013) own experience argument, I found it very relevant to me and it topped my hierarchy of evidence, but does not appear to have been undertaken in a thorough manner to help my caring for patients in future due to their lack of a soundly-based qualitative theory compared to Smith (2013). Having discussed with my mentor what happened during the admission; it felt good to have attempted the interaction with the patient and recognised some of his needs. Even though the patient seemed reluctant, I demonstrated the ability to remain calm although I did struggle with my approach when I spoke to him about offering more support. Instead, I focused to help the client respond to my questions and identify what his concerns were. I believe during that incident, I showed assertive behaviour because I maintained my duty of care to the patient. I have reflected that this would have an effect on my clinical ability if I had failed to be the patient’s advocate. With the DOH (2009) updated work on providing guidelines on consent to treatment and putting these principles of consent into practice, my actions caused me to consider my practice whether obtaining informed consent would be an issue. Tommy fully realised that he should comply with the nurse as she understood the conseq uences if his pains were not treated (Cole, 2012). According to Baldwin, Duffield, Fry and Merrick (2011) the interaction between the decision-making, skill development opportunities, social support and identity comes with the nursing role so as to be prepared for the upcoming nurse population to meet new challenges. When this type of situation happens again, I believe I have the skill to show my assertiveness skills by using compromise as well as recognising the boundaries of my actions. Using clinical decision skills and asking open questions, which I can gain from meeting other patients would enable me to show that I am a self- assured, reliable and trustworthy student nurse. I need to try and achieve leadership skills that could be essential for patient satisfaction and to achieve this, I have learnt to engage in leadership activities such as handovers and undertaking tasks on behalf of my mentor. I recognised that once I fitted into the clinical environment, I needed to be more actively involved in challenging clinical situations such as detecting unpredictable patient deterioration and learning to make quick clinical decisions. Cook Leathard (2004) suggested that good student nursing leadership and good quality nursing care will be effective if nurses go through leadership training program mes during the early stages of their career. This can help me in preparation to become more aware of how I feel, think and act in front of my patients. Reflecting and learning to be assertive can increase my confidence and self-esteem through appreciating what I have done well and maturely, accepting the improvements I must make to become a better nurse in the future. Having said that, I was satisfied that I had the opportunity to practice nursing handover, as it is one of the vital roles of a qualified nurse and one aspect of nursing care that is required of me when I am qualified.Loseby, Hudson Lyon (2013) wrote, handovers are information that can influence the delivery of care. In the process of this learning experience I felt well supported by my mentor giving me several opportunities to practice my handover until I felt more confident and less anxious because she created quality time for me and necessary feedback that helped my learning need as well as other aspects ofnursing. McCloughen, O’Brien Jackson (2010) defines a mentor as someone that helps others grow by teaching them, encouraging them and being interested in their success. This is also further supported byHamric, B.A., Hanson, M.C., Tracy, F.M., OGrady, T.E.,(2013) who indicated that a good mentor is one who spends quality time to foster growth, committed to the developme nt of their learning need, willing to share and feedback on any rough spot in their career development. In conclusion, I have critically analysed and reflected on clinical learning needs, which are essential for my continuing professional development. As a student, critical analysis and reflection helped to facilitate good learning outcomes so that I can relate and apply concepts to clinically orientated situations as well as explore and evaluate evidence. Also my clinical learning need was acknowledged through mentor feedback by showing assertive skills in communication with difficult patients. This need is an on-going process of development for me. However; I recognised that attempting interactions with patients and collaborating with nursing staff will help in my development to be a more self-assured nurse. Participating and engaging in leadership activities such as handovers and task delegation would be beneficial at this stage of my learning. Through the reflection and recognition of these learning needs, I could only move forward and continue to develop my learning proficiency as a student nurse towards professional competency as a qualified nurse. 1 | Page

Beckett’s Writings :: Literary Analysis, Beckett, Winnie

1. How can you apply the Latin phrase Esse est percipi to a specific and concrete analysis of Beckett’s material? Esse est percipi, or To be is to be seen, is a very profound statement which Beckett seems to use as one of the major themes of his playwriting. Beckett’s Collection of Shorter Plays often have no beginning or end and build good examples of to be is to be seen. Beckett’s utilizes the senses in his writing. With the use of the sense of seeing, and the sense of hearing, Beckett builds his characters very being and thus brings forth the idea of to be is to be seen.. In Happy Days, Beckett created the character of Winnie who is trapped and buried in a mound of dirt. Beckett has written Winnie as being a great deal focused on seeing. During the play, Winnie is constantly doing things that emphasize the act of seeing. She is putting on and removing her glasses, reading the tube of toothpaste, reading the handle of the brush and other such acts. By seeing each item, and reading the writing on it, she justifies its existence and in reading and seeing each item she exists. Her eyes are used as props, opened and shut, demonstrating â€Å"that one sees the other the other sees the one† (28). This declaration is very powerful example of each person justifies the other by seeing the other. Without one seeing the other, there is no one to see the one. In this simple statement, Winnie proclaims the very act of existence. Winnie makes many other statements about the act of seeing, during the play, when talking with her husband Willie, as in â₠¬Å"Could you see me, Willie do you think, from where you are, if you were to raise your eyes to me [†¦] Lift your eyes to me† (28). Winnie needs Willie to look at her to verify that she is still there by seeing him, and him seeing her. Being stuck in the same routine of her day-to-day living can be a prison. By sharing that day with someone, even if it is just hearing or being seen, it gives Winnie a reason to go on and â€Å"to be†. Winnie articulates the feeling of disappearing in a blink of an eye by stating â€Å"Strange feeling that someone is looking at me.

Historical, Sociological, and Philosophical Elements of Heart of Darkne

Historical, Sociological, and Philosophical Elements of Heart of Darkness      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   An awareness of the historical, sociological, and philosophical climate prevalent during the time in which Heart of Darkness was written plays a key role in understanding the significance of Conrad's complex work. Joseph Conrad began work on Heart of Darkness in 1898 and completed it the following year in 1899. During this time the impressionist movement was in full swing, European colonization was at its peak, racial tensions were rapidly increasing, and man was confronted with the fall of the traditional view that held man as the eminent ruler the world. Each of these issues significantly influenced Joseph Conrad's writing of the novel as well as its collective meaning for all mankind.    A look at Conrad's writing style will allow us to infer his possible intent upon writing Heart of Darkness and therefore how the reader should approach it. Conrad's writing style is centered upon the literary sense of impressionism. Literary impressionism is characterized by the use of details and mental associations to evoke subjective and sensory impressions rather than the re-creation of objective reality ("impressionism"). Conrad is trying to communicate to the readers in a way that transcends the written word. The intent here is not to abstract orderly ideas about experience, rather they try to re-create and communicate the rich complexities of experience itself, with all its darkness, messiness, and ambiguity intact (Dintenfass). Some critics have argued that Conrad presents so much detail and chaos in his works that it becomes too much for him to analyze. Conrad responded to this attack in a letter directed toward critic Richard Curle:    .. ...enfass, Mark. "Heart of Darkness: A Lawrence University Freshman Studies Lecture." 14 Mar. 1996. *http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~csicseri/dintenfass.htm* (2 Feb. 2000). Guerard, Albert J. Conrad the Novelist. Cambridge, MA.: Harvard U. Press, 1958. Hayes, Dorsha. "Heart of Darkness: An Aspect of the Shadow," Spring (1956): 43-47.. Hillman, James. "Notes on White Supremacy: Essaying an Archetypal Account of Historical Events," Spring (1986): 29-57. Jean-Aubry, George. Joseph Conrad: Life and Letters. Vol. 1. New York: Page, 1966. McLynn, Frank. Hearts of Darkness: The European Exploration of Africa. New York: Carol & Gey, 1992. Mellard, James. "Myth and Archetype in Heart of Darkness," Tennessee Studies in Literature 13 (1968): 1-15. Yatzeck: Marlow's Lie - http://cwis.lawrence.edu/www 4. french in Africa - www.sas.upenn edu/ AF._Studies

Monopoly and American values Essay

In societies all over the world the board game Monopoly is played by children and adults. The Parker Brother’s game has been sold in 37 different languages; over 200 million copies have been sold, is claimed to be the most popular game, and has also been sold in 103 countries. In America millions have played and is a normal and acceptable â€Å"American Past Time. † From a functionalist perspective the board game teaches and expresses many of the American values such as; equal opportunity, personal achievement and success, obtaining material comfort, progress, and the idea of democracy and free enterprise. The functionalist perspective represents society as system containing various parts that all work together to achieve social solidarity. In a post-industrial society, how does the game of Monopoly socialize people to the American Values? Society sure does function together and is well structured for the benefit of citizens, government, and entrepreneurs. The board game Monopoly has many rules and norms. There have even been Monopoly Etiquette Guides written for the serious players as well as tournament players. The recommended age for play is eight years of age and older and a minimum of two players. In America most of those with siblings of children understand how wrong a game of Monopoly can turn into a big fight. The rules of the game are pretty easy to follow. The object of the game is to become the wealthiest player through buying, renting and selling property. Each player is given $1500 to begin the game. A player must be elected to be the banker and sell property, houses, hotels, and pay the $200 salary that is collected each time a player passes go. The banker is also responsible for collecting fines and taxes owed. The spaces on the board are all labeled and include; GO, Jail, Chance, Community Chest, Taxes, Free Parking, and pay rent when landing on an opponent’s improved property. Each player is represented by a token which is a symbol of the game. These include; a wheel barrow, a car, an iron, a thimble, a cowboy on a horse, a dog , a pot of gold, a top hat, a ship, a boot, or a cannon. Each player is subject to going bankrupt, therefore increasing the other player’s chance of finding wealth. American society is very similar to the game of Monopoly. Players are socialized to these ideas which represent the values of America. Equal opportunity is taught by everyone beginning with the same amount of money, $1500, as well as $200 salary collected with each rotation around the board. Personal achievement and success is demonstrated on becoming the wealthiest player and to own the most property. Striving and working for material comfort is taught through collecting a salary and improving your owned properties, as well as collecting rent. Progress is a value in America that is evaluated by members of society on a daily basis. Progress in the game Monopoly is measured by wealth and property owned and creating a monopoly on resources, buildings, and property. The last important American value taught to players is democracy and free enterprise. The consensus of Monopoly is that it is a fun game to play. The manifest function of Monopoly is to entertain a group of players whether they are children, adolescents, or adults. The latent function is teaching players to think solely of themselves and not their neighbor who they should help. Greed is taught due to the emphasis of becoming the wealthiest player. The most witnessed latent function of Monopoly being causing dishonesty, anger, and even fighting between competitors. Although there are some negatives against the game the most important role is promoting social solidarity by encouraging a better community effort. Progress takes everyone’s help not just a few. Two options were given for a research assignment at the beginning of the course. Option one was to choose a category from; film, sports, or advertising. The second option was to read a book outside of class that focuses on Wal-Mart, minimum wage jobs for women, or how fast food has created a â€Å"now† demand for all of America’s services. The option selected for a personal interest was sports. More specifically how gender plays a role in the racing world. How are women and men treated differently? A major focus will be on drag racing and how times have changed as far as who can and cannot race as demonstrated by NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Drag Racing. In conclusion Monopoly helps teach and spread the ideas of American culture. Players are to become the wealthiest and may have a higher social status as they can win Monopoly. A study in 2005 found that American’s value self expression more than survival. (Macionis pg. 49) This is even taught through Monopoly by being able to select how you build your property and by picking your game piece to represent yourself. A comparative study found that in 1969 the goal of first year college students was to â€Å"Develop a meaningful philosophy of life† in contrast to 2005 first year college students are wanting â€Å"to be very well off financially†. (Macionis pg. 56) Today in America having wealth is sought by all citizens but few find extreme wealth. According to the values of American’s material comfort should be worked for and can be more important than survival. With the ideas of democracy and free enterprise being key concepts of the game it is not surprising to find that globally approximately 46% of the worlds countries are â€Å"politically free†. (Macionis pg. 44) Although the game has been published in 37 different languages, English is a very common first language as well as a common second language across the globe. (Macionius pg. 47) Following the same thought nearly all of the United States speaks English or Spanish in the home. (Macionius pg. 56)This allows for the further acknowledgement of the American Values to many societies. Overall the game of Monopoly socializes people of many cultures to the American values. All of the American values encourage a person to think personally rather than globally.

Forward the Foundation Chapter 3

4 There was a short silence again, but only because thoughts are silent. Seldon's were tumultuous enough. Yes, it was true. His wife did seem to have an uncanny knowledge of robots. Hari had wondered about this so often over the years that he had finally given up, tucked it away in the back of his mind. If it hadn't been for Eto Demerzel-a robot-Hari would never have met Dors. For Dors worked for Demerzel; it was Demerzel who â€Å"assigned† Dors to Hari's case eight years ago to protect him during his flight throughout the various sectors of Trantor. Even though now she was his wife, his help-meet**, his â€Å"better half,† Hari still occasionally wondered about Dors's strange connection with the robot Demerzel. It was the only area of Dors's life where Hari truly felt he did not belong-nor welcome. And that brought to mind the most painful question of all: Was it out of obedience to Demerzel that Dors stayed with Hari or was it out of love for him? He wanted to believe the latter-and yet†¦ His life with Dors Venabili was a happy one, but it was so at a cost, at a condition. The condition was all the more stringent, in that it had been settled not through discussion or agreement but by a mutual unspoken understanding. Seldon understood that he found in Dors everything he would have wanted in a wife. True, he had no children, but he had neither expected any, nor, to tell the truth, had greatly wanted any. He had Raych, who was as much a son of his emotionally as if he had inherited the entire Seldonian genome-perhaps more so. The mere fact that Dors was causing him to think about the matter was breaking the agreement that had kept them in peace and comfort all these years and he felt a faint but growing resentment at that. But he pushed those thoughts, the questions, away again. He had learned to accept her role as his protector and would continue to do so. After all, it was he with whom she shared a home, a table, and a bed-not Eto Demerzel. Dors's voice brought him out of his reverie. â€Å"I said-Are you sulking, Hari?† He started slightly, for there was the sound of repetition in her voice, and he realized he had been shrinking steadily deeper into his mind and away from her. â€Å"I'm sorry, dear. I'm not sulking. Not deliberately sulking. I'm just wondering how I ought to respond to your statement.† â€Å"About robots?† She seemed quite calm as she said the word. â€Å"You said I don't know as much about them as you do. How do I respond to that?† He paused, then added quietly (knowing he was taking a chance), â€Å"That is, without offense.† â€Å"I didn't say you didn't know about robots. If you're going to quote me, do so with precision. I said you didn't understand about robots. I'm sure that you know a great deal, perhaps more than I do, but to know is not necessarily to understand.† â€Å"Now, Dors, you're deliberately speaking in paradoxes to be annoying. A paradox arises only out of an ambiguity that deceives either unwittingly or by design. I don't like that in science and I don't like it in casual conversation, either, unless it is meant humorously, which I think is not the case now.† Dors laughed in her particular way, softly, almost as though amusement were too precious to be shared in an overliberal manner. â€Å"Apparently the paradox has annoyed you into pomposity and you are always humorous when you are pompous. However, I'll explain. It's not my intention to annoy you.† She reached over to pat his hand and it was to Seldon's surprise (and slight embarrassment) that he found that he had clenched his hand into a fist. Dors said, â€Å"You talk about psychohistory a great deal. To me, at any rate. You know that?† Seldon cleared his throat. â€Å"I throw myself on your mercy as far as that's concerned. The project is secret-by its very nature. Psychohistory won't work unless the people it affects know nothing about it, so I can talk about it only to Yugo and to you. To Yugo, it is all intuition. He's brilliant, but he is so apt to leap wildly into darkness that I must play the role of caution, of forever pulling him back. But I have my wild thoughts, too, and it helps me to be able to hear them aloud, even†-and he smiled-â€Å"when I have a pretty good notion that you don't understand a word I'm saying.† â€Å"I know I'm your sounding board and I don't mind. I really don't mind, Hari, so don't begin making inner resolutions to change your behavior. Naturally I don't understand your mathematics. I'm just a historian-and not even a historian of science. The influence of economic change on political development is what is taking up my time now-â€Å" â€Å"Yes, and I'm your sounding board on that or hadn't you noticed? I'll need it for psychohistory when the time comes, so I suspect you'll be an indispensable help to me.† â€Å"Good! Now that we've settled why you stay with me-I knew it couldn't be for my ethereal beauty-let me go on to explain that occasionally, when your discussion veers away from the strictly mathematical aspects, it seems to me that I get your drift. You have, on a number of occasions, explained what you call the necessity of minimalism. I think I understand that. By it, you mean-â€Å" â€Å"I know what I mean.† Dors looked hurt. â€Å"Less lofty, please, Hari. I'm not trying to explain to you. I want to explain it to myself. You say you're my sounding board, so act like one. Turnabout is fair play, isn't it?† â€Å"Turnabout is fine, but if you're going to accuse me of loftiness when I say one little-â€Å" â€Å"Enough! Shut up! You have told me that minimalism is of the highest importance in applied psychohistory; in the art of attempting to change an undesired development into a desired one or, at any rate, a toss undesired one. You have said that a change must be applied that is as minute, as minimal, as possible-â€Å" â€Å"Yes,† said Seldon eagerly, â€Å"that is because-â€Å" â€Å"No, Hari. I'm trying to explain. We both know that you understand it. You must have minimalism because every change, any change, has a myriad of side effects that can't always be allowed for. If the change is side effects too many, then it becomes certain that the outcome will be far removed from anything you've planned and that it would be entirely unpredictable.† â€Å"Right,† said Seldon. â€Å"That's the essence of a chaotic-effect. The problem is whether any change is small enough to make the consequence reasonably predictable or whether human history is inevitably and unalterably chaotic in every respect. It was that which, at the start, made me think that psychohistory was not-â€Å" â€Å"I know, but you're not letting me make my point. Whether any change would be small enough is not the issue. The point is that any change greater than the minimal is chaotic. The required minimum may be zero, but if it is not zero, then it is still very small-and it would be a major problem to find some change that is small enough and yet is significantly greater than zero. Now, that, I gather, is what you mean by the necessity of minimalism.† â€Å"More or less,† said Seldon. â€Å"Of course, as always, the matter is expressed more compactly and more rigorously in the language of mathematics. See here-â€Å" â€Å"Save me,† said Dors. â€Å"Since you know this about psychohistory, Hari, you ought to know it about Demerzel, too. You have the knowledge but not the understanding, because it apparently doesn't occur to you to apply the rules of psychohistory to the Laws of Robotics.† To which Seldon replied faintly, â€Å"Now I don't see what you're getting at. â€Å"He requires minimality, too, doesn't he, Hari? By the First Law of Robotics, a robot can't harm a human being. That is the prime rule for the usual robot, but Demerzel is something quite unusual and for him, the Zeroth Law is a reality and it takes precedence even over the First Law. The Zeroth Law states that a robot can't harm humanity as a whole. But that puts Demerzel into the same bind in which you exist when you labor at psychohistory. Do you see?† â€Å"I'm beginning to.† â€Å"I hope so. If Demerzel has the ability to change minds, he has to do so without bringing about side effects he does not wish-and since he is the Emperor's First Minister, the side effects he must worry about are numerous, indeed.† â€Å"And the application to the present case?† â€Å"Think about it! You can't tell anyone-except me, of course-that Demerzel is a robot, because he has adjusted you so that you can't. But how much adjustment did that take? Do you want to tell people that he is a robot? Do you want to ruin his effectiveness when you depend on him for protection, for support of your grants, for influence quietly exerted on your behalf? Of course not. The change he had to make then was a very tiny one, just enough to keep you from blurting it out in a moment of excitement or carelessness. It is so small a change that there are no particular side effects. That is how Demerzel tries to run the Empire generally.† â€Å"And the case of Joranum?† â€Å"Is obviously completely different from yours. He is, for whatever motives, unalterably opposed to Demerzel. Undoubtedly, Demerzel could change that, but it would be at the price of introducing a considerable wrench in Joranum's makeup that would bring about results Demerzel could not predict. Rather than take the chance of harming Joranum, of producing side effects that would harm others and, possibly, all of humanity, he must leave Joranum alone until he can find some small change-some small change-that will save the situation without harm. That is why Yugo is right and why Demerzel is vulnerable.† Seldon had listened but did not respond. He seemed lost in thought. Minutes passed before he said, â€Å"If Demerzel can do nothing in this matter, then I must.† â€Å"If he can do nothing, what can you do?† â€Å"The case is different. I am not bound by the Laws of Robotics. I need not concern myself obsessively with minimalism. And to begin with, I must see Demerzel.† Dors looked faintly anxious. â€Å"Must you? Surely it wouldn't be wise to advertise a connection between the two of you.† â€Å"We have reached a time where we can't make a fetish of pretending there is no connection. Naturally I won't go to see him behind a flourish of trumpets and an announcement on holovision, but I must see him.† 5 Seldon found himself raging at the passage of time. Eight years ago, when he had first arrived on Trantor, he could take instant action. He had only a hotel room and its contents to forsake and he could range through the sectors of Trantor at will. Now he found himself with department meetings, with decisions to make, with work to do. It was not so easy to dash off at will to see Demerzel-and if he could, Demerzel also had a-full schedule of his own. To find a time when they both could meet would not be easy.** Nor was it easy to have Dors shake her head at him. â€Å"I don't know what you intend to do, Hari.† And he answered impatiently, â€Å"I don't know what I intend to do, either, Dors. I hope to find out when I see Demerzel.† â€Å"Your first duty is to psychohistory. He'll tell you so.† â€Å"Perhaps. I'll find out.† And then, just as he had arranged a time for the meeting with the First Minister, eight days hence, he received a message on his department office wall screen in slightly archaic lettering. And to match that was the more than slightly archaic message: I CRAVE AN AUDIENCE WITH PROFESSOR HARI SELDON. Seldon stared at it with astonishment. Even the Emperor was not addressed in quite that centuries-old turn of phrase. Nor was the signature printed as it usually was for clarity. It was scripted with a flourish that left it perfectly legible and yet gave it the aura of a careless work of art dashed off by a master. The signature was: LASKIN JORANUM. It was Jo-Jo himself, craving an audience. Seldon found himself chuckling. It was clear why the choice of words-and why the script. It made what was a simple request a device for stimulating curiosity. Seldon had no great desire to meet the man-or would have had none ordinarily. But what was worth the archaism and the artistry? He wanted to find out. He had his secretary set the time and the place of the appointment. It would be in his office, certainly not in his apartment. A business conversation, nothing social. And it would come before the projected meeting with Demerzel. Dors said, â€Å"It's no surprise to me, Hari. You hurt two of his people, one of them his chief aide; you spoiled a little rally he was holding; and you made him, in the person of his representatives, seem foolish. He wants to take a look at you and I think I had better be with you.† Seldon shook his head. â€Å"I'll take Raych. He knows all the tricks I know and he's a strong and active twenty-year-old. Although I'm sure there'll be no need for protection.† â€Å"How can you be sure?† â€Å"Joranum is coming to see me on the University grounds. There will be any number of youngsters in the vicinity. I'm not exactly an unpopular figure with the student body and I suspect that Joranum is the kind of man who does his homework and knows that I'll be safe on home territory. I'm sure that he will be perfectly polite-completely friendly.† â€Å"Hmph,† said Dors with a light twist of one corner of her lip. â€Å"And quite deadly,† Seldon finished. 6 Hari Seldon kept his face expressionless and bent his head just sufficiently to allow a sense of reasonable courtesy. He had taken the trouble to look up a variety of holographs of Joranum, but, as is often the case, the real thing, unguarded, shifting constantly in response to changing conditions, is never quite the same as a holograph-however carefully prepared. Perhaps, thought Seldon, it is the response of the viewer to the â€Å"real thing† that makes it different. Joranum was a tall man-as tall as Seldon, at any rate-but larger in other directions. It was not due to a muscular physique, for he gave the impression of softness, without quite being fat. A rounded face, a thick head of hair that was sandy rather than yellow, light blue eyes. He wore a subdued coverall and his face bore a half-smile that gave the illusion of friendliness, while making it clear, somehow, that it was only an illusion. â€Å"Professor Seldon†-his voice was deep and under strict control, an orator's voice-â€Å"I am delighted to meet you. It is kind of you to permit this meeting. I trust you are not offended that I have brought a companion, my right-hand man, with me, although I have not cleared that with you in advance. He is Gambol Deen Namarti-three names, you notice. I believe you have met him.† â€Å"Yes, I have. I remember the incident well.† Seldon looked at Namarti with a touch of the sardonic. At the previous encounter, Namarti had been speaking at the University Field. Seldon viewed him carefully now-under relaxed conditions. Namarti was of moderate height, with a thin face, sallow complexion, dark hair, and a wide mouth. He did not have Joranum's half-smile or any noticeable expression-except for a sense of cautious wariness. â€Å"My friend Dr. Namarti-his degree is in ancient literature-has come at his own request,† said Joranum, his smile intensifying a bit, â€Å"to apologize.† Joranum glanced quickly at Namarti-and Namarti, his lips tightening just at first, said in a colorless voice, â€Å"I am sorry, Professor, for what happened at the Field. I was not quite aware of the strict rules governing University rallies and I was a little carried away by my own enthusiasm.† â€Å"Understandably so,† said Joranum. â€Å"Nor was he entirely aware of your identity. I think we may all now forget the matter.† â€Å"I assure you, gentlemen,† said Seldon, â€Å"that I have no great desire to remember it. This is my son, Raych Seldon, so you see I have a companion, too.† Raych had grown a mustache, black and abundant-the masculine mark of the Dahlite. He had had none when he first met Seldon eight years before, when he was a street boy, ragged and hungry. He was short but lithe and sinewy and his expression was the haughty one he had adopted in order to add a few spiritual inches to his physical height. â€Å"Good morning, young man,† said Joranum. â€Å"Good morning, sir,† said Raych. â€Å"Please sit down, gentlemen,† said Seldon. â€Å"May I offer you something to eat or drink?† Joranum held up his hands in polite refusal. â€Å"No, sir. This is not a social call.† He seated himself in the place indicated. â€Å"Though I hope there will be many such calls in the future.† â€Å"If this is to be about business, then let's begin.† â€Å"The news reached me, Professor Seldon, of the little incident that you have so kindly agreed to forget and I wondered why you took the chance of doing what you did. It was a risk, you must admit.† â€Å"I didn't think so, actually.† â€Å"But I did. So I took the liberty of finding out everything I could about you, Professor Seldon. You're an interesting man. From Helicon, I discovered.† â€Å"Yes, that's where I was born. The records are clear.† â€Å"And you've been here on Trantor for eight years.† â€Å"That is also a matter of public record.† â€Å"And you made yourself quite famous at the start by delivering a mathematical paper on-what do you call it?-psychohistory?† Seldon shook his head very slightly. How often he had regretted that indiscretion. Of course, he had had no idea at the time that it was an indiscretion. He said, â€Å"A youthful enthusiasm. It came to nothing.† â€Å"Is that so?† Joranum looked around him with an air of pleased surprise. â€Å"Yet here you are, the head of the Mathematics Department at one of Trantor's greatest Universities, and only forty years old, I believe. I'm forty-two, by the way, so I don't look upon you as very old at all. You must be a very competent mathematician to be in this position.† Seldon shrugged. â€Å"I wouldn't care to make a judgment in that matter.† â€Å"Or you must have powerful friends.† â€Å"We would all like to have powerful friends, Mr. Joranum, but I think you will find none here. University professors rarely have powerful friends or, I sometimes think, friends of any kind.† He smiled. And so did Joranum. â€Å"Wouldn't you consider the Emperor a powerful friend, Professor Seldon?† â€Å"I certainly would, but what has that to do with me?† â€Å"I am under the impression that the Emperor is a friend of yours.† â€Å"I'm sure the records will show, Mr. Joranum, that I had an audience with His Imperial Majesty eight years ago. It lasted perhaps an hour or less and I saw no signs of any great friendliness in him at the time. Nor have I spoken to him since-or even seen him-except on holovision, of course.† â€Å"But, Professor, it is not necessary to see or speak to the Emperor to have him as a powerful friend. It is sufficient to see or speak to Eto Demerzel, the Emperor's First Minister. Demerzel is your protector and, since he is, we may as well say the Emperor is.† â€Å"Do you find First Minister Demerzel's supposed protection of me anywhere in the records? Or anything at all in the records from which you can deduce that protection?† â€Å"Why search the records when it is well known that there is a connection between the two of you. You know it and I know it. Let us take it then as given and continue. And please†-he raised his hands-â€Å"do not take the trouble to give me any heartfelt denials. It's a waste of time.† â€Å"Actually,† said Seldon, â€Å"I was going to ask why you should think that he would want to protect me. To what end?† â€Å"Professor? Are you trying to hurt me by pretending to think I am a monster of naivete? I mentioned your psychohistory, which Demerzel wants.† â€Å"And I told you that it was a youthful indiscretion that came to nothing.† â€Å"You may tell me a great many things, Professor. I am not compelled to accept what you tell me. Come, let me speak frankly. I have read your original paper and have tried to understand it with the help of some mathematicians on my staff. They tell me it is a wild dream and quite impossible-â€Å" â€Å"I quite agree with them,† said Seldon. â€Å"But I have the feeling that Demerzel is waiting for it to be developed and put to use. And if he can wait, so can I. It would be more useful to you, Professor Seldon, to have me wait.† â€Å"Why so?† â€Å"Because Demerzel will not endure in his position for much longer. Public opinion is turning against him steadily. It may be that when the Emperor wearies of an unpopular First Minister who threatens to drag the throne down with him, he will find a replacement. It may even be my poor self whom the Emperor's fancy will seize upon. And you will still need a protector, someone who can see to it that you can work in peace and with ample funds for whatever you need in the way of equipment and assistants.† â€Å"And would you be that protector?† â€Å"Of course-and for the same reason that Demerzel is. I want a successful psychohistoric technique so that I can rule the Empire more efficiently.† Seldon nodded thoughtfully, waited a moment, then said, â€Å"But in that case, Mr. Joranum, why must I concern myself in this? I am a poor scholar, living a quiet life, engaged in out-of-the-way mathematical and pedagogical activities. You say that Demerzel is my present protector and that you will be my future protector. I can go quietly about my business, then. You and the First Minister may fight it out. Whoever prevails, I have a protector still-or, at least, so you tell me.† Joranum's fixed smile seemed to fade a bit. Namarti, at his side, turned his dour face toward Joranum and made as though to say something, but Joranum's hand moved slightly and Namarti coughed and did not speak. Joranum said, â€Å"Dr. Seldon. Are you a patriot?† â€Å"Why, of course. The Empire has given humanity millennia of peace-mostly peace, at any rate-and fostered steady advancement.† â€Å"So it has-but at a slower pace in the last century or two.† Seldon shrugged. â€Å"I have not studied such matters.† â€Å"You don't have to. You know that, politically, the last century or two has been a time of turmoil. Imperial reigns have been short and sometimes have been shortened further by assassination-â€Å" â€Å"Even mentioning that,† put in Seldon, â€Å"is close to treason. I'd rather you didn't-â€Å" â€Å"Well, there.† Joranum threw himself back in his seat. â€Å"See how insecure you are. The Empire is decaying. I'm willing to say so openly. Those who follow me do so because they know only too well it is. We need someone at the Emperor's right hand who can control the Empire, subdue the rebellious impulses that seem to be arising everywhere, give the armed forces the natural leadership they should have, lead the economy-â€Å" Seldon made an impatient stopping motion with his arm. â€Å"And you're the one to do it, are you?† â€Å"I intend to be the one. It won't be an easy job and I doubt there would be many volunteers-for good reason. Certainly Demerzel can't do it. Under him, the decline of the Empire is accelerating to a total breakdown.† â€Å"But you can stop it?† â€Å"Yes, Dr. Seldon. With your help. With psychohistory.† â€Å"Perhaps Demerzel could stop the breakdown with psychohistory-if psychohistory existed.† Joranum said calmly, â€Å"It exists. Let us not pretend it does not. But its existence does not help Demerzel. Psychohistory is only a tool. It needs a brain to understand it and an arm to wield it.† â€Å"And you have those, I take it?† â€Å"Yes. I know my own virtues. I want psychohistory.† Seldon shook his head. â€Å"You may want it all you please. I don't have it. â€Å"You do have it. I will not argue the point.† Joranum leaned closer as though wishing to insinuate his voice into Seldon's ear, rather than allowing the sound waves to carry it there. â€Å"You say you are a patriot. I must replace Demerzel to avoid Imperial destruction. However, the manner of replacement might itself weaken the Empire desperately. I do not wish that. You can advise me how to achieve the end smoothly, subtly, without harm or damage-for the sake of the Empire.† Seldon said, â€Å"I cannot. You accuse me of knowledge I do not possess. I would like to be of assistance, but I cannot.† Joranum stood up suddenly. â€Å"Well, you know my mind and what it is I want of you. Think about it. And I ask you to think about the Empire. You may feel you owe Demerzel-this despoiler of all the millions of planets of humanity-your friendship. Be careful. What you do may shake the very foundation of the Empire. I ask you to help me in the name of the quadrillions of human beings who fill the Galaxy. Think of the Empire.† His voice had dropped to a thrilling and powerful half-whisper. Seldon felt himself almost trembling. â€Å"I will always think of the Empire,† he said. Joranum said, â€Å"Then that is all I ask right now. Thank you for consenting to see me.† Seldon watched Joranum and his companion leave as the office doors slid open noiselessly and the men strode out. He frowned. Something was bothering him-and he was not sure what it was. 7 Namarti's dark eyes remained fixed on Joranum as they sat in their carefully shielded office in the Streeling Sector. It was not an elaborate headquarters; they were as yet weak in Streeling, but they would grow stronger. It was amazing how the movement was growing. It had started from nothing three years back and now its tentacles stretched-in some places more thickly than others, of course-throughout Trantor. The Outer Worlds were as yet largely untouched. Demerzel had labored mightily to keep them content, but that was his mistake. It was here on Trantor that rebellions were dangerous. Elsewhere, they could be controlled. Here, Demerzel could be toppled. Odd that he should not realize that, but Joranum had always held to the theory that Demerzel's reputation was overblown, that he would prove an empty shell if anyone dared oppose him, and that the Emperor would destroy him quickly if his own security seemed at stake. So far, at least, all of Joranum's predictions had come to pass. He had never once lost his way except in minor matters, such as that recent rally at Streeling University in which this Seldon fellow had interfered. That might be why Joranum had insisted on the interview with him. Even a minor toe stub must be taken care of. Joranum enjoyed the feeling of infallibility and Namarti had to admit that the vision of a constant string of successes was the surest way of ensuring the continuation of success. People tended to avoid the humiliation of failure by joining the obviously winning side even against their own opinions. But had the interview with this Seldon been a success or was it a second stub of the toe to be added to the first? Namarti had not enjoyed having been brought along in order to be made to humbly apologize and he didn't see that it had done any good. Now Joranum sat there, silent, obviously lost in thought, gnawing at the edge of one thumb as though trying to draw some sort of mental nourishment from it. â€Å"Jo-Jo,† said Namarti softly. He was one of the very few people who could address Joranum by the diminutive that the crowds shouted out endlessly in public. Joranum solicited the love of the mob in this way, among others, but he demanded respect from individuals in private, except for those special friends who had been with him from the start. â€Å"Jo-Jo,† he said again. Joranum looked up. â€Å"Yes, G.D., what is it?† He sounded a little testy. â€Å"What are we going to do about this Seldon fellow, Jo-Jo?† â€Å"Do? Nothing right now. He may join us.† â€Å"Why wait? We can put pressure on him. We can pull a few strings at the University and make life miserable for him.† â€Å"No no. So far, Demerzel has been letting us go our way. The fool is overconfident. The last thing we want to do, though, is to push him into action before we are quite ready. And a heavy-handed move against Seldon may do it. I suspect Demerzel places enormous importance on Seldon.† â€Å"Because of this psychohistory you two talked about?† â€Å"Indeed.† â€Å"What is it? I have never heard of it.† â€Å"Few people have. It's a mathematical way of analyzing human society that ends by predicting the future.† Namarti frowned and felt his body move slightly away from Joranum. Was this a joke of Joranum's? Was this intended to make him laugh? Namarti had never been able to work out when or why people expected him to laugh. He had never had an urge to. He said, â€Å"Predict the future? How?† â€Å"Ah? If I knew that, what need would I have of Seldon?† â€Å"Frankly I don't believe it, Jo-Jo. How can you foretell the future? It's fortune-telling.† â€Å"I know, but after this Seldon broke up your little rally, I had him looked into. All the way. Eight years ago, he came to Trantor and presented a paper on psychohistory at a convention of mathematicians and then the whole thing died. It was never referred to again by anyone. Not even by Seldon.† â€Å"It sounds as though there were nothing to it, then.† â€Å"Oh no, just the reverse. If it had faded slowly, if it had been subjected to ridicule, I would have said there was nothing to it. But to be cut off suddenly and completely means that the whole thing has been placed in the deepest of freezes. That is why Demerzel may have been doing nothing to stop us. Perhaps he is not being guided by a foolish overconfidence; perhaps he is being guided by psychohistory, which must be predicting something that Demerzel plans to take advantage of at the right time. If so, we might fail unless we can make use of psychohistory ourselves.† â€Å"Seldon claims it doesn't exist.† â€Å"Wouldn't you if you were he?† â€Å"I still say we ought to put pressure on him.† â€Å"It would be useless, G.D. Didn't you ever hear the story of the Ax of Venn?† â€Å"No.† â€Å"You would if you were from Nishaya. It's a famous folktale back home. In brief, Venn was a woodcutter who had a magic ax that, with a single light blow, could chop down any tree. It was enormously valuable, but he never made any effort to hide it or preserve it-and yet it was never stolen, because no one could lift or swing the ax but Venn himself. â€Å"Well, at the present moment, no one can handle psychohistory but Seldon himself. If he were on our side only because we had forced him, we could never be certain of his loyalty. Might he not urge a course of action that would seem to work in our favor but would be so subtly drawn that, after a while, we found ourselves quite suddenly destroyed. No, he must come to our side voluntarily and labor for us because he wishes us to win.† â€Å"But how can we bring him around?† â€Å"There's Seldon's son. Raych, I think he's called. Did you observe him?† â€Å"Not particularly.† â€Å"G.D., G.D., you miss points if you don't observe everything. That young man listened to me with his heart in his eyes. He was impressed. I could tell. If there's one thing I can tell, it is just how I impress others. I know when I have shaken a mind, when I have edged someone toward conversion.† Joranum smiled. It was not the pseudowarm ingratiating smile of his public demeanor. It was a genuine smile this time-cold, somehow, and menacing. â€Å"We'll see what we can do with Raych,† he said, â€Å"and if, through him, we can reach Seldon.†