Our Survival in the Desert Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Our Survival in the Desert - Coursework Example My father, Harris, is an experience truck driver, who has been delivering goods, in the remote areas, as per the instructions of his transport company. On arrival of our father, we all discussed with him about our plan to go on an adventure trip, in his truck. He readily agreed, as he had accumulated number of off-days, which he could utilize for going on vacation. The next point was to decide on the area, which we could explore as part of our travel plan. As he was familiar with high deserts of Northern Nevada, we all decided to explore that region. My father had no hesitation in doing so, as he was confident of finding his way in this desert. Fortunately, his vehicle had white color paint on the outside, as same could not absorb much heat, in the hot and dry areas, where temperatures ran high. This also saved engine from getting overheated. As part of our preparations, my father carried his fully loaded gun and the ham radio equipment, while he informed us that cell phones do not w ork in most of these places and amateur radio is dependable, comparatively. Water was the most precious commodity which we had to carry for survival in the desert. My father loaded the truck with necessary supplies and a pistol, apart from the gun. We all sat in the truck and it rolled out in the eastern direction, going away from the civilization. We could smell the freshness of air, as we kept heading towards the desert. The hot wind was blowing at high speed and the scorching sun stood over our heads. We could not afford to get out of the truck, in such condition. However, the track on which my father was driving seemed to have vanished with sand and dust, seen everywhere. This made me to rush out and look in all directions for any clue to find the right track. My father had specifically asked me to carry the map of this desert, so that we could understand area topography. Holding the map in my hands, I tried to unfold it and read the same. At this time, a strong gush of hot wind took away my precious possession and I stood horrified for a moment. My father tried to look around for the map, but it could not be seen anywhere. Perhaps, it got buried under the sand tunes, which kept on forming in different shapes, at fast speed, with the help of strong desert winds. The anxiety and fear of getting lost made us thirstier and we decided to consume some of the water, which we had with us. We could not help to have full water intake as thirst overcame us, at that moment. Looking around, the desert was same in all directions. Therefore, my father decided to walk around in search of a track, which can lead us to anywhere. We all followed him. Although we wanted to go on an adventure that involved excitement, I had never thought of any such expedition, which could make us really fearful. My mother started praying to god. Walking aimlessly, we could feel the arrival of evening and night, as sun started setting. This helped us in knowing the eastern and western directi on. But having no paper with me, I could not make a map, with reference to that point where we saw the sun setting. A little later, we could not afford to walk further, as darkness covered whole desert. We had the hot sand as our bedding, which became cooler with the passage of night. Fear and anxiety could not let us sleep, while we waited for the morning light to appear. Meanwhile, my father tried to send message through the radio equipment, but he did not find any signal and this hope also seemed getting lost. The worst thing to happen was not anticipated by any of us. However, we did experience the real shock, as a cobra snake crawled towards me and was

Single Person Decision Theory and Efficient Market Theory Essay

Single Person Decision Theory and Efficient Market Theory - Essay Example The theory trusts the decision making capability of an individual and holds the belief that the decision maker is equipped with extreme computational expertise. According to the single person decision theory, investors should be completely made aware of the potential threats of investment along with the benefits that are frequently advertised. Not just this, the investor should also be made aware of the possible strategies that can be implemented to combat the threat. This requires the experts to be experienced enough to identify the potential threats that can be encountered as a result of the investment, and propose the solutions accordingly. Some of the key features of the single person decision theory are as follows: 1. It is essentially a model that formally explains the best way important decisions can be made and information can be considered. 2. It takes investing parties as risk averse. 3. It considers new information important enough to bring change in the decisions. 4. When new information is found, it may alter the original beliefs of the individuals responsible for decision making. 5. It explains the way an individual can make rational decisions while being in the state of uncertainty (Scott 60). 6. The decision maker selects the most appropriate choice from a whole range of alternatives.

Body Art and Ornamentation Essay Example for Free

Body Art and Ornamentation Essay There is no culture in which people do not, or did not paint, pierce, tattoo, reshape, or simply adorn their bodies (Schildkrout, 2001). Throughout history, body art and ornamentation has become a worldwide phenomenon and has played a key role in our lives, yet there is a social stigma which we cannot seem to rid ourselves of. It is most commonly misunderstood and misinterpreted which can be attributed to the fact that the symbolism and significance of the body art and/or ornamentation doesn’t always translate the same among the cultures. Although Western culture views body art and ornamentation as being associated with mischief and rebellion, Japanese and African cultures use it as a way of expressing spirituality as well as cultural expression. The existence of body art and ornamentation can be traced all the way back thirty thousand years or more back to when cavemen drew pictures on the cave walls. According to Kuhn Stiner (n.d.), the alteration and enhancement of one’s body originated from the Kapthurin formation in Kenya. Anthropologists even believe that body art and ornamentation was present during the Middle Pleistocene in both Eurasia and Africa. Expression and art are two factors that play a fundamental part in African culture. According to Clarke (2006), many African societies symbolically view body art and ornamentation as a special role in guiding one’s destiny and success, mediating between world of the living as well as the spiritual world, expressing community ideals, defining power and leadership, protecting and healing, and celebrating or commemorating the cycles of life, human and agricultural. African culture uses a variety of ways to display their body art and ornamentation depending on which society they live in. These ways include: incorporating shells, teeth, or claws into their clothing or jewelry, wearing colored body paint, exaggerating human features (i.e. elongation of the neck), gauging piercings in the ears and/or lip, scarification, and tattooing. Looking from another culture’s perspective, the various forms of African body art and ornamentation are seen as being weird, out of the ordinary, and we don’t understand the importance they hold within these African cultures. On the other hand, there are other cultures such as the Japanese, who instead of outwardly portraying their body art and ornamentation will instead conceal it so it won’t be visible at all. The first signs of body art and ornamentation which appear in the Japanese culture were first noted as originating all the way back to AD 297 (Rapp, 2010). Back then, tattoos would signify which occupational group certain men belonged to and men, both young and old, would get tattoos all over their bodies including their faces. Men would even go as far as getting full body tattoos which could be found on laborers, firemen, and gangsters (Hopkins-Tanne, 2000). The Chinese considered all Japanese tattoos an act of barbarism and was perceived as being extremely negative. The body art and ornamentation that exists and has existed within the Japanese culture spreads beyond just tattooing and there are a few other methods that they used. First, many married Japanese women or courtesan in the 10th through 19th centuries would apply a paste to their teeth which would blacken them (Schildkrout, 2001). This was considered as being beautiful as well as sexually appealing to where as we would vi ew that as abnormal and ugly. Secondly, they would bind the women’s feet in order to make them smaller and the process was extremely excruciating, but again, it was considered as being beautiful. The pain that was felt and the blood that was shed served as an offering to the gods, ancestors, and spirits (2001). On the other end of the spectrum, culture within the United States has a split view regarding body art and ornamentation. In the United States, forms of body art and ornamentation can include: tattoos, piercings, branding, corseting, scarification, gauging the earlobe, make-up, plastic surgery, and dental implants (Schwarz, 2006). We live in a society where we idolize and preach the importance of physical attractiveness. In doing so, there is the separation of individuals into five different groups that exist within the social structure. The five groups include: the conformist group, the innovators, ritualists, retreatists, and the rebellion group (Rapp, 2010). The conformist group consists of individuals who understand and accept the emphasis on the beauty of the body in its natural state and the only type of body art or ornamentation that’s used is superficial . On the other hand, the individuals who are classified as innovators accept the whole concept of the beauty of the natural body, but go to the extremes to achieve this. The individuals who refuse to conform to what society has deemed as beautiful yet maintains a natural body and stays within certain bounds regarding body art and ornamentation. Retreatists include individuals who don’t abide by the guidelines of proper hygiene as well as body art and ornamentation and won’t acknowledge the beauty of the natural body. Lastly, there are individuals who are set out to change the social structure and bring about a new phase of body art and ornamentation and they make up the rebellion group (2010). Nowadays, in American culture we see body art and ornamentation, such as tattoos and piercings, as being acceptable as well as fashionable. It’s not uncommon to see people have a variety of body art, ornamentation, and body modification performed. The majority of people go and get tattoos when they experience a pivotal point in their lives as well as trying to create a sense of identity for themselves. Everyone tries to be original in their own way, but the end result is the creation and growth of conformity. By this, I mean that everyone is going out and getting tattoos, piercings, or plastic surgery and they’re trying to be â€Å"original†, but when all is said and done, they begin to blend in with one another. No matter what people say or do, a stigma has remained attached to all the various kinds of body art and ornamentation. According to Schwarz (2006), tattoos continue to not be entirely accepted and are a barrier to the economic success which is central to the â€Å"American dream†. For example, most employers have rules for their employees stating that they cannot have any visible tattoos and/or piercings that are visible to the public. This could be partly because there are individuals that could be offended and businesses could suffer from a loss of customers and sales. In the American culture, tattoos are not acceptable in a number of situations esp ecially when it has to do with the general public (2006). The highest percentage of the American culture that has body art and ornamentation can be found in the younger generations. Many teens go through a period in their lives where they feel the need to rebel against the social norm especially to spite their parents. Their choices of body art and ornamentation are indicative of their attitudes and values (Crapo, 2013). Attitudes are statements of one’s preferences while values are what we consider good or bad (2013). This plays into why certain individuals look down upon body art and ornamentation and end up enforcing the negative stigma. In conclusion, the implementation of body art and ornamentation is a designated way of indicating the various cultural differences that exist within cultures worldwide. The main reason there has been the rise in the popularity of body art and ornamentation is a result of cultural commercialism. Despite how hard we try to eliminate the soci al stigma of body art and ornamentation, it will never completely be gone. Unfortunately, we can’t have everyone’s personal opinion be the same as one another, but there is one thing that we can do. We can make the effort to educate the various cultures on one another so that we are able to comprehend the vocabulary that is used, the meaning of symbols, myths and legends, and social values. People in different cultures continue focusing on the negative aspects of body art and ornamentation, but if we were able to understand one another, the idea of peace on earth isn’t that far out of reach. References Clarke, C. (2006). The art of africa: A response for educators. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved from Ebscohost database Crapo, R.H. (2013). Cultural anthropology. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education Hopkins-Tanne, J. (2000). Body art: Marks of identity. British Medical Journal. doi: 320(7226):64 Kappeler, P., Stahl, J., Wohlrab, S. (2006). Modifying the body: Motivations for getting tattooed and pierced. Science Direct: Body Image 4, 87-95. Retrieved from http://www.sociodep.hku.hk/bbf/BBF%20Readings%20W12/W12%20Modifying_the_Body.pdf Kuhn, S.L. Stiner, M.C. (n.d.) Body ornamentation as information technology: Towards an understanding of the significance of early beads. Retrieved from http://courses.washington.edu.archyaec/archy401/readings/kuhn-beads.pdf

Conceptual Framework And Why Is It Needed Accounting Essay

Conceptual Framework And Why Is It Needed Accounting Essay According to FASB, the conceptual framework is a coherent system of interrelated objectives and fundamental concepts that prescribes the nature, function, and limits of financial accounting and reporting and that is expected to lead to consistent guidance. It is intended to serve the public interest by providing structure and direction to financial accounting and reporting to facilitate the provision of unbiased financial and related information. In short, conceptual framework establishes the concepts that underlie financial reporting and it serves as a guidance to flow consistently from an objective by showing a set of theory of accounting with concepts which are prepared by a standard-setting board. Elliott Elliott, 2009 stated that it also determines bounds for judgement in preparing financial statements as it increases financial statement users understanding of, and confidence in, financial statements and enhances comparability. Standard settings are based on individual or personal concept. However, with the presence of conceptual framework, more useful and more consistence pronouncements will be issued over time and thus, a coherent system will be developed. Another need of conceptual framework is that, profession users should be able to more quickly solve new and emerging practical problems by referring to an existing framework of basic theory. All regulatory bodies have been flayed because they have used piecemeal approaches, solving one accounting issue at a time. Observers have alleged that not enough tidy rationality has been used in the process of accounting policymaking. Again and again, critics have cited a need for a conceptual framework. (Horngren 1981, p.94) Body the argument Hines (1989, p.89) argues that conceptual frameworks are a strategic manoeuvre for providing legitimacy to standard-setting boards during periods of competition or threatened government intervention. The basis of Hines argument is that standard-setting boards they established concepts such as objectivity, reliability or neutrality to act as a platform to legitimate its profession. As one of the main obstacles against which accountants have continually had to struggle in their professionalization quest, has been the threat of an apparent absence of a formal body of accounting knowledge, and that creating the perception of possessing such knowledge has been an important part of creating and reproducing their social identity as a profession. This could thus lead to the intervention of the outsiders such as the government, due to its instability. However, the concepts or known as conceptual framework projects are created to sustain the perception that financial accounting professions has been, or at the very least, is capable of having a formal knowledge base from which practices and standards derive. This could be why some researchers believe that conceptual framework could play another more political role, in reducing the threat of government intervention. It is said to be a strategic manoeuvre for providing legitimacy to standard setting boards because it assist in socially constructing the appearance of a coherent differentiated knowledge base for accounting standards. These projects however still remained to exist and are continually undertaken by professionals even if they have generally failed to accomplish their stated functional purposes. This could explain why a conceptual framework does not exist in countries where governmental agency is in charge of standard setting. Countries such as the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada and Australia were some of the countries which first developed the national accounting conceptual framework and these are the countries where standard setting has pretty much been delegated to the accounting profession. These professional accountants have succeeded to a substantial degree in their professionalization project where they are largely self-regulated. On the other hand, conceptual framework projects have not been undertaken in France, Germany or Japan where accounting rules is largely determined by government legislation. Stated by Hines, government legislation of accounting procedures does not r equire the authority and legitimacy of an image of a coherent theoretical foundation. (Hines, 1989:86) The history of conceptual frameworks does appear to provide some support for Hines perspective. Peasnell (1982) have discussed five conceptual framework projects which are undertaken in the United Kingdom, United States of America and Canada; which each circumstance suggests that they were strategic responses undertaken by accounting bodies at times of threat to their legitimacy or during periods of competition or threatened government intervention. First of the five projects was the formation of the Accounting Principles Board (APB) by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) in the 1959 which resulted mounting professional and legal criticisms on both the quality of corporate reporting practices and the early attempts of the AICPA to remedy matters. (Peasnell, 1982, p.244) APB was criticised by government and also being rejected by the industry. However, the criticisms were then suppressed about five years later after the approval of APB Statement No.4 (APBS4) which states Basic Concepts and Accounting Principles Underlying Financial Statements of Business enterprises. (Peasnell, 1982, p.245) However, the failed results from the first project had doubled. The second project was the FASB which was established as recommended by the Wheat Report (AICPA, 1972) and also the publication of Trueblood Report (AICPA, 1973). The latter in effect, handed over to the newly established FASB, was also criticised and opposed by the industry and was not acted upon by the FASB. According to Peasnell (1982), the third conceptual framework project was bespoke in the United Kingdom by the Accounting Standards Steering Committee as The Corporate Report (ASC, 1975). As discussed by Hopwood (1988), this report is an attempt to outline some of the possible implications for corporate reporting of a change in the social and political environment. However, there are no significant challenge to its legitimacy and thus, this report was treated with indifference. The forth conceptual framework attempt discussed is the conceptual framework established by the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB). It is established in response to the criticisms of the professions standard setting and was subject to the onus of demonstrating its authority and legitimacy to set standards. It has becoming apparent that the accounting standards being set could lead to significant economic consequences, both to business and even nationally. The final conceptual framework projects discussed by Peasnell (1982) is bespoke on behalf of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA, 1980) and the work was commenced at the time when the body was under threat for reform and criticisms of accounting standards setting in Canada. The circumstances to counter these issues are that they are used as a strategic resource in competition with other groups which are pursuing professionalization and threatening the autonomy and monopoly of entrenched organisations. Conclusion The conceptual framework first started off by emerging in the accounting area as a solution to the inconsistencies of standards which had led to a low legitimacy of standard setting bodies. It had eventually becoming a useful tool for account preparers when preparing reports. However, as defended by Hines and some other authors such as Peasnell, 1982, its main function could be a political one. It has been argued and criticised continuously that conceptual frameworks are a strategic manoeuvre for providing legitimacy to standard-setting boards during periods of competition or threatened government intervention and the history of the development of conceptual frameworks which supports Hines position has proved so. Moreover, according to Peasnell (1982), the only way to prove that standards are developing in a fair, logical and highly professional manner is by having both responsibility and power of developing standards delegated to the same body, like the IASB. Establishing consistent principles will constitute guidance for the production of standards. It is not only a technical tool for the standard setter but also a way of preserving its independence. Lastly, with consistent principles, the standard setter is supposed to be better armed to promote its standards and to avoid lobbying pressure.

Sanford and Son and The Chapelle Show :: comedy

Sanford and Son and The Chapelle Show   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It was hilarious whenever Fred Sanford of the hit series Sanford and Son used to fake his heart attack saying that famous phrase, â€Å"I’m coming Elizabeth† or what about him telling Aunt Ester how ugly she was. No one took that type of comedy to the heart and it was intended to hurt no one. It was all for a laugh. Now in today’s time there are new shows on television such as The Chapelle Show, which is hosted and directed by the comedian Dave Chapelle. The object of this show seems to be how much fun he can make of a different race. Times have changed and so have peoples’ since of humor. People went from the laid-back type sitcoms such as Sanford and Son, The Three Stooges, and The Little Rascals, which are all types of shows that people can watch with their entire family, to shows even adults feel turned away from. Some examples include The Chapelle Show and In Living Color.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Fred Sanford never meant any harm by acting as if he did not understand Officer Hoppy’s (the white cop) way of explaining things. Officer Smitty (the black cop) would always have to translate it so that Fred was able to understand what was going on. In the episode â€Å"We’ve Been Robbed†, Fred is cleaning up the place and accidentally knocks over Lamonts’ (his partner in business and thirty-four year old son) porcelain and glass collection. Fred acts as if they had been robbed whenever his son gets home and he informs Lamont that the two robbers were white. (Ruben) This was probably overlooked by most of the viewers not thinking twice about it. People thought laughter was good and Fred Sanford made them laugh without using all of the cuss words he knew to do it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  These days, people think that cursing and making fun of people of other races is funny and that is just what The Chapelle Show does. The show comes on every Wednesday night at nine-thirty central time on comedy central with other discriminating shows such as South Park. South Park is a good example of racial discrimination because the only black character on there is a cook for a school. Boy that is one hell of a job. Chapelle tops them all though with skits such as The Racial Draft. In this skit he makes fun of every race there is.

Effects of Divorce on Children Today Essay -- Psychology Sociology Mar

Effects of Divorce on Children Today Divorce and its effects on children are common issues that are on the rise in the world today. Divorce affects more than just the married couple. Children often bear the brunt of divorce, which makes divorce a complicated decision for most parents. Understanding the effects divorce has on a child is important to know exactly why a child acts a certain way. A divorce can affect a child psychologically, intellectually, and even behaviorally. Children can suffer physiologically from things like depression, intellectually by having trouble in school and behaviorally by having trouble in social settings. Legally, a divorce is a single event, but from a psychological standpoint, it is a complicated, multilevel issue. Things like identity confusion, depression, and anxiety are all areas of psychological concern this paper will address. Through this explanation, I will demonstrate the harmful effects divorce has on children. Identity confusion is a main concern of children who have experienced divorce. Often time?s children feel responsible and blame themselves for their parents? actions. Felling guilt for actions that do not pertain to them can have lasting psychological effects. In a study done on effects of divorce, almost half of the participants felt responsible for their parents divorce (Taylor 2001). This study involves interviewing children regarding their views of the parental divorce. It discusses these children?s feelings and gives specific recommendations. The children are asked a series of questions including, ?Do/did you feel responsible for your parents? divorce (Taylor 2001). The amount of children who felt responsible in one way or another totaled 33% (Taylor 2... ... Identity confusion, depression and anxiety are all harmful effects divorce has on children. Feelings of responsibility, sadness, and apprehension about their situations have extremely detrimental and lasting affects on children. These studies show that these are indeed grim realities many children have to face in their daily lives. Parents may be affected by a divorce, but the children are the real victims. References Barker, Philip. ?Family Dysfunction and Anxiety in Children.? Anxiety in Children. Ed. Ved P. Varma. Methuen, Inc.: New York, NW, 1984. 89-104. Fox, Daniel J. ?Children of Divorce: Is There a Personality Component Journal of Divorce and Remarriage 35 3/4 (2001): 107-124. Taylor, Raymond J. ?Listening to the Children: Children of Divorce Speak Out About Their Parents.? Journal of Divorce and Remarriage 35 1/2 (2001): 147-154.

Ernest Hemingway: a Farewell to Arms Essay

Is war ever justified? War has been a part of our society since the beginning of time. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway is a novel that deals with the justification and commitment to World War I. Frederic Henry, an American ambulance driver for the Italians, struggled to find the answer and ended up loosing his commitment to the war because of words and advice from the priest and his love for Catherine Barkley. He ended up running away from the war to be with his pregnant lover Catherine. Henry’s commitment to the war isn’t genuine. As Henry and the priest discussed who was winning the war at the moment and other subjects, they stated, â€Å"And the ones who would not make war? Can they stop it? † â€Å"I do not know. † â€Å"Have they ever been able to stop it? † â€Å"They are not organized to stop things and when they get organized their leaders sell them out. † â€Å"Then it’s hopeless† (Hemingway p71). In this dialogue, Henry feels as if there is nothing anyone can do to end the war. He feels as if he is stuck in it until he finally dies. He feels that it’s hopeless to carry on anymore if there is no sign of halting. This type of attitude shows he is not committed to the war. While Henry was talking to the priest, he stated, â€Å"They were beaten to start with†¦ put him in power and see how wise he is. † (Hemingway p179). Henry thinks that the people that are fighting with him have already lost from the start because it wasn’t their decision to fight. He’s suggesting that the peasants aren’t fighting their hardest. They were forced off there farms and expected to fight. Henry thinks because they have already been defeated that there is no way they are going to win the war. His attitude again shows that he is not committed or hopeful about the war. Later on when Henry is still talking to the priest they say, â€Å"I hoped for a long time for victory. † â€Å"Me too. † â€Å"Now I don’t know. † â€Å"It has to be one or the other. † â€Å"I don’t believe in victory any more. † â€Å"I don’t. But I don’t believe in defeat. Though it may be better. † (Hemingway p179). Henry is saying that he doesn’t believe in Victory or defeat, but defeat may be better. Henry believes that the only way out of this war is through defeat. The Germans will never give in so the only way for the war to end is through the Italians loosing. He is tired of this war and doesn’t care who wins anymore. If Henry was committed to this war, then he would stay with it until victory is ahead. Henry’s commitment to World War I is not genuine. He doesn’t feel like the war is going anywhere and is aggravated that no one has given in. He doesn’t care anymore who wins the war as long as it’s over. He is no longer committed and just wants to leave. Henry’s commitment was never genuine.