Final reflection Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Final reflection - Assignment Example Among the various styles of artwork, I was particularly impressed with the surrealist style of art. I think that the surrealist art is the most honest expression of human consciousness, since it portrays dreams which one does not have control upon. I think I shall practice more and excel in the surrealist art style. It would also allow me to produce open work for the audiences, following Eco’s idea, since people looking at my paintings from different perspectives would draw different inferences from my art. Perhaps, these diverse interpretations of my artwork would provide me with an opportunity to better understand my own sub-consciousness. This course has not only equipped me with the knowledge of art, but has also refined me both as a painter and an art critic. Having taken this course, my ability to judge the extent to which a certain artist’s painting does justice to the intended theme has

Human Cloning and the Future Essay Example for Free

Human Cloning and the Future Essay In his work from 2002 â€Å"Religion and Human Cloning: An Exploratory Analysis of the First Available Opinion Data†, John Evans proudly states a few possible benefits, or advantages, of human ‘therapeutic’ cloning. While talking about embryonic stem cells, he states â€Å"these cells can eventually be used to treat diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and kidney failure, to name but a few†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (748). These possibilities have mostly been confirmed since the publishing of Evans’ piece and other more incredible possibilities have come about. The benefits of both reproductive and therapeutic cloning are endless, yet many still disagree. They say that cloning is dangerous and that it would end human evolution and bring disaster to society as we know it (Mautner, 68). Do most people really think this is true? Or is modern society simply scared of the unknown and not ready for change? Many scientists and authors constantly debate the ethics and possibilities of human cloning, both for reproductive use and therapeutic use. A couple of possible risks would accompany the beginning of human cloning, however the benefits are legitimate, and we as a species should reconsider. It is common knowledge that mother and father love one another. And it’s the classic ideal for a family to begin, in the act of spousal love through sexual reproduction. Alix Magney, in his work â€Å"Cloning Me, Cloning You: Reflections on the Ethics of Cloning for Individuals, Families and Society†, argues that since human cloning would cause childbearing to lose its proper origins as an act of spousal love, it â€Å"†¦plainly poses a threat to the dignity and equality of women†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (25). I don’t think this is true at all, as adopting a child has been practiced for thousands of years and in vitro fertilization was invented in 1978. In vitro fertilization is where an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the female body and then inserted into the uterus for maturation only once the egg is fertilized. Sperm donors have been used for decades, completely negating any ‘spousal love’ from the equation that is reproduction. While people continue to fight over equality for women, which has been true since the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution in 1920, other people continue to debate greater concerns about cloning. I have always heard it said ‘You’re special’, or ‘Just be yourself’, and these are sayings of encouragement to develop your own identity, not to follow others when unnecessary, and to accept that everyone is different. Giovanni Berlucchi, in his work â€Å"The Myth of the Clonable Human Brain†, states that â€Å"†¦most human values are corollaries of the concept that each person is unique and identical to himself or herself through space and time. (160) and â€Å"†¦that this kind of genetic manipulation may interfere with psychological and biological diversity, and therefore with the distinctiveness and autonomy of the individual† (160). I do think that the overuse of a single genetic identity for reproductive cloning would cause a disruption in the common value of individuality, but only in that physical aspect of things. Th e benefits of reproductive cloning and the possibilities of advancing the individual through therapeutic cloning could greatly outweigh any disruptions. Berlucchi continues, â€Å"Nature has, of course, been producing genetically identical humans from time immemorial†¦ in trifling pairs of monozygotic twins, and even less frequently in batches of monozygotic triplets†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (160). Prenatal uterine environment differences, along with other environmental differences post-conception, can significantly affect the psychological outcome of the child and is a main reason for psychological differences between monozygotic twins. The concept of environmental determinism dispels the myth that cloning humans would eliminate the core value of individuality. The controversy over abortion is one of the biggest issues for politicians and the rest of society alike. The debate over whether or not an embryo is to be considered a human being with rights is a ‘hot topic’ among the public and continues to be an important argument for almost everyone. In his aforementioned piece â€Å"Religion and Human Cloning†¦Ã¢â‚¬ , John Evans says that the Roman Catholic Church has the most clear-cut position against cloning, simply based on the status they give to a human embryo. They believe embryos are equivalent to fully grown humans: â€Å"Embryos are to be treated the same as born persons and therefore cannot be used as means toward an end. Most obviously, they cannot be destroyed to benefit others† (748). The church also opposes cloning because it â€Å"†¦severs human reproduction from sexuality† (748). If a couple is attempting to have a kid with each other, by any means, they are more than likely sexually active with one another, and therefore cloning doesn’t remove the sexuality from the overall situation, even if it is not directly involved with the contraception. Also, new technology has been developed since the writing of this article, and it is now possible to extract stem cells from embryos without destroying the embryo. You can take a single stem cell, or blastomere, and coax it to become an endlessly proliferating stem cell. Although these cells cant form embryos, they can form major types of human tissue just as any embryonic stem cells do. So, therapeutic cloning is possible without the destruction of embryos. Other people fear the end of what Charles Darwin so valiantly discovered and explained to us all over 150 years ago – human evolution. Michael Mautner, in his piece â€Å"Will Cloning End Human Evolution? †, argues that a result of human cloning would be the end of human evolution. He states â€Å"Cloning will, in contrast, reproduce the same genetic makeup of an existing individual. There is no room for new traits to arise†¦ The result: Human evolution is halted† (68). Only an insane situation where cloning was the only method for reproduction and the same genetic makeup was used over and over again would lead to the end of human evolution. This is an extreme situation and would almost definitely never happen. New science behind non-embryonic stem cell research has shown incredible potential for stem cells in general, as embryonic stem cells show significantly more potential than stem cells extracted from other parts of the human body, like the yellow bone marrow. Stem cells are beginning to be used to regrow hair, teeth and cartilage in damaged joints. Since the procedures and research are incredibly expensive, treatment is limited to those wealthy enough. Professional North-American athletes have led the way, being human guinea pigs for the non-invasive procedures in hopes of returning their bodies to their prime, pre-injury, form. Stem cell treatments are growing in popularity and legitimacy, and the use of embryonic stem cells shouldn’t be limited as it can only advance our species. Scientific tests and studies have proven limitless benefits to stem cell transplants, yet ethical concerns and moral-based laws are constraining what could be groundbreaking and life-saving science. There is possible potential for embryonic stem cells to be grown into whole, functional, organs or entire limbs of the human body. The uses could range from a ounded amputee war veteran in need of a new leg, or an elderly woman in need of a new kidney as hers is failing, and the possibilities are endless. Human fear of the unknown is instinctual, but as the realm of the previously impossible comes more into the lights of reality, we need to change our minds on the practicality and usefulness of cloning and embryonic stem cells. For our ailing parents, for our children, and our children’s children, we need to advance as a society, and take hold of the opportunities and benefits sitting right in front of us.

Human Resource Leadership - Worker Retention Programs Essay -- essays

Human Resources Leadership (Team 4)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Worker Retentions Program Waiwah Ellison Norma Gladhill Daniel Lewis Rachel Luce Angelica Player Lori Ruskey Abstract All organizations want to see an increase in productivity and a positive impact on the bottom line. Successful organizations realize employee retention and talent management is integral to sustaining their leadership and growth in the market place. The focus of this group project is on worker retention strategies. Worker retention strategies are programs designed to preserve existing quality workers by providing benefits and incentives. These benefits and incentives are provided to employees in various ways. Our group chose to explore six organizations in three different industries. These industries include Retail, Package shipping, and Airlines. Through research and investigation of three major industries we were able to develop a comparison of how these major organizations retain quality workers. First, we explore and learn how to keep people motivate to stop turnover within an organization. Secondly, we investigate employer’s benefits and incentive programs to keep quality employees. Finally, we examine workforce motivation and the engagement to commitment as organizations continually change initiatives and strategic planning. TARGET VS. WALMART Target and Wal-Mart have many similarities on their retention programs. Despite the difference in the size of their companies, they are both large enough to allow their employees to switch career paths within their own organization. Wal-Mart offers its employees different opportunities in many diverse department of the huge operation. They are retail, real estate, public policy, merchandising, logistics, IT, marketing, and advertising. Target offers similar areas of careers within the organization. Many other motivation tools are used for both Target and Wal-Mart to keep their employees happily employed. Merit increases in pay based on company performance are used almost the exact same way in both companies. They both have annual increase that depends on individual performance and company performance. Target gives its employees 25 cents per hour raise after 90 days in order to keep new employees. Holiday bonuses are offered to all Wal-Mart employees who have been with the company over one year. Gifts and ... ...e: hire only those who fit perfectly, offer great benefits, and perks. SWA has created an atmosphere that demonstrates appreciation for the employees, and has made Southwest Airlines an organization of which people are proud to be a part. Conclusion Employee retention strategies help organizations. They provide effective employee communication to improve commitment and enhance workforce support for key organization initiatives. Retention strategies build customer loyalty by distinguishing and positioning an organization’s unique products and services in today’s crowded marketplace. Economic growth and employee turnover is one of the most critical issue facing corporate leaders today. As a result there is a shortage of skilled workers. We have explored several aspects of the workforce stability. The employee retention issue continues in the face of unprecedented churning in the employment market. Human Resource Managers are provided with a wide range of tools to control employee turnover. Workforce stability can be a HR Manager’s competitive advantage in these turbulent times. This is one of the hottest topics for corporate leaders in all fields in the United States and globally.

Poliomyelitis Paper Essay

Poliomyelitis is a viral disease that mainly affects the young children, it is highly infectious that caused by three types of poliovirus which targets the nervous system of the person, it may result to be   abortive poliomyelitis, non- paralytic and paralytic poliomyelitis. There are many   initial symptoms of polio fever (up to 103 °F or 39.5 °C), less of appetite, vomiting, constipation and pain in the limbs. We can diagnose this by having complete physical examination; having a complete test of throat, urine, lumbar puncture or spinal tap. Medical history of a child who does not have his/her polio vaccine or not complete polio vaccines series is also one of the caused of this infection.   The treatment for this is determined by your physician base on your age, tolerant for specific medications, procedures or therapies. Although we have come to prevent this disease not to infect young ones by having a complete vaccines which have two versions Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) and Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and the best way for this is to have good hygiene and clean surroundings but for   those who had already been infected will have no cure, the supportive means of treatment is the only way to help them to ease some pains like analgesics, a bed rest to reduce fever, a good balance diet, hot compress for the pain of your muscles, if the patient is paralytic poliomyelitis it requires a hospitalization.   In early days infectious disease like this maybe a threat to our society but its a good thing to know that now we have the treatments and the best of this is that to follow the first step of cure which is prevention. References World Health Organization (2007). Poliomyelitis. Retrieved December 10, 2007 from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.who.int/topics/poliomyelitis/en/.   University Health Care (2003). Poliomyelitis.   Retrieved December 10, 2007 from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://healthcare.utah.edu/healthinfo/adult/infectious/polio.htm

Maslows Heiharchy of Needs in Ordinary People Essay

Knowing someone that has died is extremely hard. It’s even worse when that person is in your family. When someone dies, the family is obviously going to grieve. While they are grieving together, they don’t grieve the same way, at the same time. For example, when my grandpa died in 2009, my grandma was in denial and carried on regular life for a day or two. She even did the laundry and ironed his clothes. When my mom found out about her dad, she went into depression. After a little bit, my mom got really angry and upset while my grandma went into depression for about two years. They were grieving together, but at different rates through different phases. They have both accepted the fact that he’s gone but that one day they will see him again, so there’s no need to be upset. In Ordinary People, Conrad, Calvin, and Beth also have to grieve. Throughout this grieving process, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs comes into play. Every person in the story is trying to reach for self-actualization. For example, Calvin’s need of esteem showed when he and Beth were getting ready for the day at the beginning of the book. He was thinking about how he was orphaned at age 11, and thinking about all of the roles he plays as an adult. â€Å"Calvin Jarret, forty-one, U.S. Citizen, tax attorney, husband, father.† (Guest, 7). He also showed his need of esteem when he thought specifically about fatherhood and why he messed up with Conrad by not listening to him enough. â€Å"Responsibility. That is fatherhood. You cannot afford to miss any signs, because that is how it happens: somebody holding too much inside, somebody else missing signs.† (Guest, 9)

The eNotes Blog Reading Round-Up May

Reading Round-Up May We asked everyone in the office to talk about their favorite books from last month. Take a look at our favorite reads from May, and let us know in the comments which books you’ll be adding to your to-read list. From graphic novels to fantasy, there’s something for everyone here! The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Page count: 552 Genre: Historical Fiction Publish date: 2006 I started off the month with this delightful, impactful, and downright beautiful read. I started it the way I start most books- that is to say, I went in without a clue about the plot simply because I heard the book is good- and fell in love with Zusak’s word craft and creative narrative style. The Book Thief is narrated by Death himself, but it is done so in a tactful, poetic, and very much not-creepy way. He tells the story of a young German girl and her family during World War II. Unlike other Holocaust stories I’ve read, the novel focuses on a non-Jewish family. Growing up and learning about World War II, it’s hard not to get desensitized to the topic. Zusak made it real again by showing us a glimpse of the daily lives of an everyday family just trying to do the right thing. The Book Thief is a haunting, yet touching, tale that everyone needs to read at least once. - Kate, Marketing Coordinator Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett Page count: 228 Genre: Fantasy Publish date: 2005 Thanks to Sam’s thoughtful recommendation, this month I read Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett. In a world named â€Å"Bad Ass,† wizards can only be men and witches can only be women- that is, until Eskarina Smith comes along. Nine-year-old Esk breaks the stereotypes on her journey to becoming the world’s first female wizard. With the help of her strong-willed, sassy grandmother, Granny Weatherwax, Esk embarks on a fantastical adventure to seek her destiny. Terry Pratchett crafts a hilarious, charming narrative that rings with relevance over thirty years after its original publication. I highly recommend this read to anyone looking to escape our current reality and indulge in a magical universe where feminine power rules. Plus, if your reading experience is anything like mine, you’ll adopt Granny Weatherwax as your bossy new muse. Shed be a witch and a wizard, too. And she would show them. - Savannah, Social Media Manager Naked by David Sedaris Page count: 304 Genre: Humor; Memoir Publish date: 1998 If you, too, are also a student in the throes of midterms and finals, I would highly recommend reading one (or more) of David Sedariss collections of short stories. They are a dose of positivity for me, perfect for a quick read between classes, during breaks from homework, or during commutes on the bus. If youre a fan of audio books, Sedaris’s voice adds to his distinctive comic style. His specialty- stories about family dynamics and idiosyncrasies- can give readers a comedic perspective on their own family dramas. Im a fan of short story collections, but even if youre not a regular short story reader, Naked is a good place to start. - Sophie, Editorial Intern â€Å"Liking What You See: A Documentary† by Ted Chiang Page count: 20 Genre: Science Fiction; Short Story Publish date: 2010 This month I read a sci-fi short story by Ted Chiang called â€Å"Liking What You See: A Documentary.† The story is formatted as the transcript of a documentary in which people are interviewed about an operation that prevents people from being able to perceive attractiveness. Essentially, those who get the operation are able to see everything as usual- except for physical beauty or its lack. The story follows a campaign at a university that tries to make this operation a requirement for all students. I found this story to be quite thought-provoking and entertaining to read. Considering a world without discrimination based on appearance is a fascinating concept, and I enjoyed reading about a society in which conventional beauty may no longer play a role in our interactions with one another. Chiang’s writing is fun and very readable, and he does a wonderful job of writing about this concept from multiple perspectives. - Mary, Editorial Intern Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett Page count: 496 Genre: Fantasy Publish date: 2003 That’s the trouble about the good guys and the bad guys! They’re all guys! Since I’ve been on a Terry Pratchett kick lately, my good friend lent me his favorite Pratchett novel, Monstrous Regiment. (Elegant and impressive choice, by the way, Jeff!) Monstrous Regiment is set in Pratchetts renowned Discworld, but the book itself is a stand-alone read- and a great initial foray for anyone new to this fantasy realm. Unfortunately, it’s pretty hard to write much of anything about this book without giving away serious spoilers, but if you enjoy books about gender and identity colliding with the topics of war, tradition, and religion- or, even, if you’re just a fan of the Disney movie Mulan- you’ll love this read. This endearing satire is one Im sure to revisit many, many times with half an onion and a pair of socks (just in case) in tow. - Sam, Marketing Manager The Letters of Vita Sackville-West to Virginia Woolf edited by Louise De Salvo and Mitchell Leaska Page count: 480 Genre: Nonfiction Publish date: 2004 This May, I read The Letters of Vita Sackville-West to Virginia Woolf, compiled and edited by Louise De Salvo and Mitchell Leaska. Going in, I knew only that Woolf and Sackville-West were lovers and that Sackville-West was the inspiration for Woolf’s novel Orlando, which features a gender-traversing protagonist. By the end, I was enraptured by the passionate, witty, and complicated love between these two brilliant women. Their letters, spanning nineteen years, are a mixture of poetic musings, society gossip, grand declarations of love, petty arguments, and day-to-day concerns. However, some of the most iconic and memorable exchanges stem from atheir mutual longing to simply spend more time together: I am reduced to a thing that wants Virginia. I composed a beautiful letter to you in the sleepless nightmare hours of the night, and it has all gone: I just miss you, in a quite simple desperate human way. –Vita Sackville-West, 1926 Look here Vita- throw over your man and I’ll tell you all the things I have in my head, millions, myriads- They won’t stir by day, only by dark on the river. Think of that. Throw over your man, I say, and come. –Virginia Woolf, 1927 - Marissa, Editorial Intern Meditations by Marcus Aurelius Page count: 303 Genre: Philosophy Publish date: 2006 Ive spent this May slowly reading through Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, in Gregory Hays’s 2002 translation. Many consider Meditations a source of Stoic wisdom and one of the most profound works of ethical reflection ever written. And its this latter part that most intrigues me; Im drawn to Marcus as a flawed human, writing down thoughts to himself as a way of processing his philosophy and struggling with his convictions. The best parts of Meditations are the passages in which he concerns himself with doing what is good, with doing what Nature- with that capital N- requires. Perhaps the most appealing parts of this book are how similar Marcuss concerns are to my own- even though were separated by nearly two thousand years. This is definitely a text Ill revisit more than once. - Wes, Project Manager My Brother’s Husband by Gengoroh Tagame Page count: 352 Genre: Graphic Novel; Manga Publish date: 2017 This month, on a recommendation from our local bookstore, the Elliott Bay Book Company, I started reading Gengoroh Tagame’s manga masterpiece My Brother’s Husband. Published in two omnibus editions, it’s the story of a single Japanese dad, named Yaichi, who receives a visit from Mike, the widowed husband of Yaichi’s estranged gay twin. While he initially invites Mike into his home with plenty of trepidation, Yaichi soon finds his ideas about sexual identity, family, and Japanese versus Western traditions expanding in the presence of this kindly Canadian in cargo shorts. Yaichi’s acceptance of Mike is helped along by his young daughter, Kana, who loves Mike instantly and only needs the briefest of explanations to understand that- at least where Mike comes from- boys can marry each other. (Learning that in Canada you can order tempura sushi comes as more of a shock!) I love the sweetness of this story and as well as the way Tagame doesn’t shy a way from exploring the painful moments that can arise when people look deeply into their own unexamined prejudices. In all, My Brother’s Husband is a feel-good read with a refreshingly calm pace; clean, expressive lines; and a moving degree of vulnerability in its characters. And while much of queer life remains under wraps in Japan (and for many in the US, too), Tagame’s manga- and its receipt of both American and Japanese literary awards- shows that things are slowly but surely changing for the better. - Jules, Editor

5 Things We Wish Wed Been Told When Starting College

5 Things We Wish Wed Been Told When Starting College 5 Things We Wish We’d Been Told When Starting College Starting college can be tough. You’ve got new ideas to wrestle with, new friends to make, and you have to get used to looking after yourself. Here are 5 things we wish someone had told us when we first started college. 1) Don’t Buy Books! You might have been told to go out and buy all the books on your reading list, but this isnt usually necessary. Any college library worth its salt will have plenty of the required books. Just make sure you get there before the other students snap them up! And if you get really stuck, you can always get cheap hand-me-downs from last years students. 2) Choose One Club It’s really easy to get sucked into signing up for 10 clubs in the first week at college. Sure, archery, salsa dancing, the Russian food club and white water rafting all sound great, but will you really have the time? Better to wait a few months before buying any expensive equipment to make sure you are really committed, rather than spending loads of money on a wetsuit and sailing shoes in your first week only to use them about four times. 3) Start Writing Your Papers Early It’s so tempting to put off writing a paper until a week before it is due. However, you’ll save yourself a lot of stress and time if you start writing as soon as the title is set. If you get into the habit now, you’ll be an expert when you get into your final year. 4) Save the Introduction until Last Another great writing tip is, once youve planned your paper, to skip writing the introduction until last. This will help you help you write a really strong opening, since youll have a much better sense of what the paper is about. 5) Take it Easy on the Drink College is a time for partying, sure, but you will find that relentless drinking will take its toll sooner than you think. There’s so much to get used to in your first year of college, so it’ll be a hell of a lot easier without a constant hangover! Try alternating alcoholic drinks with soft drinks and having a few alcohol-free nights a week. It’ll help you stay emotionally balanced and make life much easier!