Explain the Problem of Evil Essay

The problem of evil refers to the nature of God. Many assume that God is benevolent but hardly anyone really considers the possibility that God is not all good but rather an all evil, malevolent God. The question is if God is all good and all powerful, then why did he create a world full of evil and suffering? There is so much suffering in this world that a lot of people find it hard to believe that, if God does exist, he is good. There is the argument that an all good, all powerful God would create some suffering in the world to perhaps allow people to achieve greater goods. However, in all honesty, there is more evil than good in the world and so the likely hood of that isn’t very high. So in order to explain the nature of the problem of evil, then one has to consider the possibility of an evil God as well as a benevolent one. Is God willing to prevent evil, but unable to? Is God able to prevent evil, but unwilling to do so? Or is God able to prevent evil and willing to? If everyone goes along with the assumed theory that God is all good, it is harder to come up with reasons and theories that would explain Gods reason for allowing evil and suffering in the world. However, if you consider the idea that God is not all good but rather evil, then everything becomes clearer. Then again, there is the question of if there is an all evil God, then why did he create beauty and happiness in the world? Or why did he bother creating the world in the first place if he was just going to see it destroyed by the evil within human nature? The answer is this; he simply created beauty and goodness so that he could take it all away, to see us all suffer. This theory however, only seems to raise new questions rather than just answering the old and so it still leaves the question, is God good or bad? Another argument would be free will. The Bible states that God granted humans the gift of free will. However some would say that as a result of this, we have created our own evil and suffering. We start our own wars; we are the reason so many people are dying of starvation. But then there are those who would argue that it is better to have free will because it is a good that ‘far outweighs the evil it produces’. The Ireanean theodicy attempts to explain natural evil as well as moral evil. This theodicy states that things like bad experiences can make a person stronger. For example people who have suffered through a life threatening disease and survived may say that they have actually gained something from it,  regardless to how much pain it brought. Similarly, by creating natural evil, God is allowing us to ‘grow and develop morally and spiritually’. However the issue with this theory is that it fails to explain why God allows suffering to be distributed to some, while others enrich themselves in luxury. Therefore we are again brought to the question ‘is God good or bad?’ There are other ways of explaining why evil happens. One is Augustine’s theory that evil is the result of angels who turned away from God. Generally, Augustine’s theodicy is the traditionally accepted one. He based his theory on two key passages from the bible: Genesis 3 and Romans 5:12-20. Augustine believed in a good God who created the world with goodness and evil is a ‘privation of good’, not an entity itself but something that lacks goodness.

Personal and Criminological Theory

The human brain is very unique and it functions in many ways, giving individuals the power to think, speak, plan, and imagine. However, when individuals commit crimes, the criminal justice system and scientist study that behavior to learn the causes of crime. The needs and motivations of individuals who engage in crime differ based on biological origins, psychological, or socially induced. History has shown that by applying theory it allows researchers to discern why individuals react the way they do to certain conditions. In this paper, I will explain what I believe are the occurrences of crimes and why people commit them. I will also illuminate the variables associated with crime, identify reasons concerning the circumstances and explain techniques used when evaluating the criminal behavior. When situations change it becomes an issue for individuals to adjust. Society categorizes and divided individuals based on race, gender, family, and ultimately the amount of economic resources they have. Society usually divides people into upper class, the middle-class, the working class, and the underclass. The amount of accumulated wealth or property that an individual owns determines the assignment to any class or group. The upper class consists of well to do families that maintain an enormous amount of financial and social resources, but the poor consist of people living in poverty. Depending upon the opportunities available to individuals can affect the individual’s chances in life. Crime occurs and it includes acts such as murder, rape assault, and theft. Individuals commit crime for several reasons, mental disorders, income, education, and economic factors, or a combination of them all. The disproportion of goods for all members of society negates the defined goals and the norms that regulate the means to achieve the American dream. Goals are the valued purposes and interest that America holds as legitimate objectives for all members within its society. When disruption occurs and the social norms and conditions in which those norms no longer control the activity of society members the anomie and strain theory becomes a factor in why individuals commit crime (Williams & McShane, 2009, p. 77). The anomie and strain theory suggest that when there is a disjunction between means and goals individuals frustration and sense of injustice result from experiencing socially structured incapacities (Williams & McShane, 2009, p. 80). For example, discrimination by social class or racial discrimination in education and employment makes access to institutionalized means of achieving success difficult. I think this is a good theory because of the variables considered to uphold the theory are individuals environment, education, family, peers, structure, media, drugs, and alcohol. The blocked opportunities to maintain social status creates new opportunities for crime. Individuals, who believe that there is an injustice in the conditions to which they are to live within will not respect the norms of society and will conform to a way of self indulgence. If the measurement of success is through material gain, it is only natural for people to pursue the American Dream by trying to accumulate property and economic prosperity. However, unequal access to legitimate economic structures is a source of intense strain, rage, and anger for Americans. Criminal behavior is a response from those whom society has failed to provide legitimate access to achieving that American Dream (Williams & McShane, 2009, p. 82). A variety of methods are available to the criminal justice researcher. Each method has strengths and weaknesses. However, in the hypothetical study concerning the unequal access to opportunities to pursue the American Dream, surveying individuals is an appropriate method for collecting data. With quantitative and qualitative studies in the form of questionnaires and interviews as well as field research and historical research this can help in drawing conclusions concerning the disproportionate of opportunities available to society and reasons behind criminal behavior (Kraska & Neuman, 2008, p. 2). In conclusion, when individuals commit crimes, the criminal justice system and scientist study that behavior to learn the causes of crime. Society categorizes and divided individuals based on race, gender, family, and ultimately the amount of economic resources they have. The amount of accumulated wealth or property that an individual owns determines the assignment to any class or group. Depending upon the opportunities available to individuals can affect the individual’s chances in life. Individuals commit crime for several reasons, mental disorders, income, education, and economic factors, or a combination of them all. The anomie and strain theory suggest that when there is a disjunction between means and goals individuals frustration and sense of injustice result from experiencing socially structured incapacities (Williams & McShane, 2009, p. 80). I think this is a good theory because of the variables considered to uphold the theory are individuals environment, education, family, peers, structure, media, drugs, and alcohol. Individuals, who believe that there is an injustice in the conditions to which they are to live within will not respect the norms of society and will conform to a way of self indulgence. However, unequal access to legitimate economic structures is a source of intense strain, rage, and anger for Americans. With quantitative and qualitative studies this can help in drawing conclusions concerning the disproportionate of opportunities available to the Americans and reasons behind criminal behavior.

Sleeping Disorder

Sleep disorders/disturbances can cause your sleep to be disturbed. Disturbed sleep includes the inability to fall asleep, the inability to go back to sleep, and frequent waking up during the night. Sleep disorders can make you feel tired, fatigued, and irritable, making it difficult for you to concentrate during the day. Sleep is a behavioral state that is a natural part of every individual’s life. We spend about one-third of our lives asleep. Nonetheless, people generally know little about the importance of this essential activity. Sleep is not just something to fill time when a person is inactive.Sleep is a required activity, not an option. Even though the precise functions of sleep remain a mystery, sleep is important for normal motor and cognitive function. We all recognize and feel the need to sleep. After sleeping, we recognize changes that have occurred, as we feel rested and more alert. Sleep actually appears to be required for survival. Rats deprived of sleep will die within two to three weeks, a time frame similar to death due to starvation. Most people have experienced sleep disturbances at some point in their lives.Anyone at any age can develop a sleep disorder/disturbance. Depending on the cause and the treatment, sleep disturbances can be short-term or long-term. According to HelpGuide. org â€Å"Sleeping disorder are problem with sleeping including trouble falling or staying asleep at the wrong times, too much sleep, or abnormal behaviours during sleep. There are more than 100 different sleeping and waking disorder. They can be grouped into four main categories. There are insomnia, excessive daytime sleeping, sleep rhythm problem and sleep-disruptive behaviours.Sleep can often be a barometer of our overall health. In many causes, people in good health distution to sleep well, whereas those suffering from repeated sleeping problems might have an underlying medical or mental health problem, be it minor or serious. Sleeping well is essential to our physical health and emotional well-being. Unfortunately, even minimal sleep loss can take a toll on your mood, energy, efficiency and ability to handle stress. Ignoring sleep problems and disorders can lead to poor health, accidents, impaired job performance and relationship stress.If you want to feel your best, stay healthy, and perform up to our potential, sleep is a necessity, not a luxury. † Sleep problems can be caused by various factors. Although causes may differ, the end result of all sleep disorders is that the body’s natural cycle of slumber and daytime wakefulness is disrupted or exaggerated. Factors that can cause sleep problems are; physical, medical, psychiatric, or environmental. Lack of sleep can cause accidents, serious health problems like heart disease , high blood pressure and including bad performance among students.Sleep disorders also can cause depression, hypertension and gain weight among students. Usually, students facing sleeping disor der when they are stress and tension due to the extra assignment that they have to finish within a short period. This will give them more pressure and may causes them to do something that will affect their own health. Another meaning of sleeping disorder is when someone did not have enough time to sleep, overslept, or they slept in wrong time . People that facing sleeping disorder is primary and secondary school students, college students, university student and employee.This is because they did not manage their time properly and continuously especially for their studies, outing, gathering, or with their family. The effect of sleeping disorder is this will make them feel tired and loses of energy during the next day especially during classes and lecture. Hence, they cannot give their focus for 100% and cannot understand and catch up the lesson what the teachers had teaches. In addition to the primary sleep disorders, there are three categories of sleep disorders that are caused by o r related to substance use or other physical or mental disorders.Sleep disorders related to mental disorders. Many mental disorders, especially depression or one of the anxiety disorders, can cause sleep disturbances. Psychiatric disorders are the most common cause of chronic insomnia. Sleep disorders due to medical conditions. Some patients with chronic neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease or Huntington's disease may develop sleep disorders. Sleep disorders have also been associated with viral encephalitis, brain disease, and hypo- or hyperthyroidism. Substance-induced sleep disorder.The use of drugs, alcohol, and caffein frequently produces disturbances in sleep patterns. Alcohol abuse is associated with insomnia. The person may initially feel sleepy after drinking, but wakes up or sleeps fitfully during the second half of the night. Alcohol can also increase the severity of breathing-related sleep disorders. With amphetamines or cocaine, the patient typically suffers from insomnia during drug use and hypersomnia during drug withdrawal. Opioids usually make short-term users sleepy. However, long-term users develop tolerance and may suffer from insomnia.In addition to alcohol and drugs that are abused, a variety of prescription medications can affect sleep patterns. These medications include antihistamines, corticosteroids, asthma medicines, and drugs that affect the central nervous system. As a matriculation student, we would like to know either this habits infectious KMNS students or not. So, we need to do research to find out the causes and effect of sleeping disorder towards KMNS student as they are having the most difficult time to study and stay here.

Commissioning pneumatic trainer system Literature review

Commissioning pneumatic trainer system - Literature review Example Pneumatics is defined as the study of gases and air and the relationship between their volume, temperature and pressure (Venkannah, 2006). Pneumatics as a discipline deals with the mechanical properties of gases, e.g. pressure and density, and the application of these principles to solve various engineering problems using of compressed gas as the main source of power (Beater, 2007). The compressed gas that is most commonly used is air, and it normally contains energy stored in a potential state. When the compressed air expands, working energy is produced in the form of kinetic energy and pressure (Beater, 2007). 1.1.2 Hardware Pneumatic systems can be broken down into several levels representing the hardware components and the signal flow as shown below (Venkannah, 2006). The major components of a pneumatic system are; Compressor Check valve Accumulator Directional valve Actuator The assembly of a basic pneumatic system is as shown below. Key: A. Air Compressor B. Check Valve C. Accu mulator D. Directional Valve E. Actuator The following are discussed below. A. Compressor The air compressor unit is driven by a motor, and it acts as the source of air for the whole system (Dale & Fardo, 2009). It increases the pressure of air by compressing it so as to reduce its volume. This unit uses electrical power to generate mechanical force through the rotation of a motor. Once the air is compressed, it is stored in a receiving tank. The compressed air is then dispersed to the extra parts of the system at a high pressure when needed (Dale & Fardo, 2009). Pneumatic systems must also be equipped with air processing components that will condition the air before it is used. The conditioning involves filtering, regulating the temperature and lubrication (Dale & Fardo, 2009). These three sub units can be offered as one set known as the FRL Unit (Soundara, 2007). Filter unit It filters any foreign particles that may be contained in the compressed air. However, the size of the part icle that can be filtered depends on the type of filter used (Mitchell, 2000). Regulator unit It is used to uphold the desired pressure to the system’s control and consumption unit. Lubricating unit The lubricator supplies the compressed air with a film of oil and ensures that the air carries oil to the interior parts of both the control valves and the cylinder. However, the usage of lubricators is becoming less popular since nowadays manufacturers are making valves that do not require lubrication (Soundara, 2007). The filter and the regulator can be combined and used as a single or as individual units. B. Check valves These are one way valves that allow pressurized air to enter the pneumatic system and at the same time preventing backflow of the pressurized air to the compressor hence preventing loss of pressure. They help keep the pressurized air locked until it is released either manually or electrically after it reaches a certain amount of pressure. C. Accumulator It stor es compressed air and prevents any surges that may occur as a result of pressure. It usually has a larger volume than the air compressor. The large volume is of great significance as it helps dampen the pulsations of pressure as well as serve as a reserve to supply both large and brief volumes of air on demand. Accumulators also act as a medium for

Companies Act 2006 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Companies Act 2006 - Essay Example The new law hopes to reduce regulation that will allow companies to run their companies better and even cheaper. The changes brought about by the new law will result to savings of 250 million per year for businesses, inclusive of 100 million for the small businesses (http://www.bytestart.co.uk/ content/ legal/35_2/companies-act-guide.shtml) The new law brought anxiety to company secretaries in private firms because of possible abolition of the position. As part of the deregulation measures of the United Kingdom government, the requirement to have a company secretary is removed such that private companies can abolish the company secretary position starting April 6, 2008. A private company, however, has the option to retain its company secretary. The registrar of companies must be informed of the appointment of a company secretary to a private company and recorded in the company's register of secretaries. The private company secretary will perform the same obligations as a public company secretary as stipulated in the Companies Act 2006. ... Small private companies, on the other hand, may likely abolish the company secretary since the position is just created to be able to comply with the legal and administrative requirements of the old company law (Thomas, 2007). The position is often occupied by the spouse or a friend of management or a director of the company. Abolition of the company position in a small private company will reduce their operating costs. The company secretary of a small private company has limited administrative work and is often combined with other roles such as "advising the directors on legal matters, overseeing board papers, and generally acting as the conscience of the company" (http://www.netlawman.co.uk/info/role-duties-company-secretary.php). For large private companies, the company secretary has enormous responsibilities and the company is largely dependent on the expertise of a company secretary. With the implementation of the Companies Act 2006, the company secretary has to study the new law carefully, implement the changes and make sure that the company complies with the requirements of the law. The Companies Act 2006 includes significant changes of the old company law that was in force in the past 20 years. Company secretaries are now busy preparing their companies internally to iron out the processes to facilitate smooth company compliance. Based on the calendar of implementation of the new law, significant portions of the New Act were implemented on October 1, 2007 and April 6, 2008, with the remaining provisions to be in force by October 1, 2008 up to October 1, 2009 (Goold, 2008). According to Bridget Salaman of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, company secretaries anticipate increase i n minute-taking requirements since

The impact that the 2012 Olympic Games could have on Bedford City Assignment

The impact that the 2012 Olympic Games could have on Bedford City Council and what the Council will need to do in preparation for the Games - Assignment Example Hosting the Olympic Games is considered as a great opportunity for cities worldwide. Usually, the specific event results to significant benefits for the city involved – referring to the city that hosts the Games. However, Olympic Games have been also related to certain drawbacks – for instance the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games which were characterized by the damages caused by riots or the Atlanta Olympic Games during which the explosion of a bomb caused the death of 2 people and the injuring of hundreds, as analysed below. For London, the 2012 Olympic Games are considered as a major challenge. The city has to face the significant social turbulences as reflected in the damages caused by riots across Britain the last 5 days. Moreover, the City has to resolve the following problem: will the benefits of the Games be above their drawbacks/ disadvantages? Moreover, will these benefits disadvantages be equally distributed among the regions surrounding London – where ce rtain of these Games’ events will take place? Current paper focuses on the impact of 2012 Olympic Games on Bedford City Council; the benefits and the disadvantages of the Games for the specific area are estimated – using relevant literature and findings from primary research (statistics and figures related to past Olympic Games). Also, another issue is explored: which would be the preparation that Bedford City Council would have to do for hosting the Olympic Games? ... Moreover, the City has to resolve the following problem: will the benefits of the Games be above their drawbacks/ disadvantages? Moreover, will these benefits disadvantages be equally distributed among the regions surrounding London – where certain of these Games’ events will take place? Current paper focuses on the impact of 2012 Olympic Games on Bedford City Council; the benefits and the disadvantages of the Games for the specific area are estimated – using relevant literature and findings from primary research (statistics and figures related to past Olympic Games). Also, another issue is explored: which would be the preparation that Bedford City Council would have to do for hosting the Olympic Games? Emphasis is given on the following three sectors, as they are influenced by the Olympic Games: business environment, human resources and marketing. The practices used in cities that hosted the Olympic Games in the past are used as the basis for developing a framew ork of activities/ plans which would be appropriate for Bedford City Council so that the above city to be appropriately prepared for the particular event. The literature published in the particular field has been combined with the statistics released in regard to past Olympic Games but also in regard to London as a host city for the 2012 Olympic Games. It is revealed that Bedford City Council is partially prepared for participating in the Olympic Games 2012 – as a city hosting one or more activities of the specific event. 2. Background Olympic Games have been traditionally considered as a major cultural event, leading to the improvement of relationships among nations. Because of this fact, the Games

Media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Media - Essay Example ‘Hot’ media was descriptive of elements of the mass media such as radio, newspapers and magazines. These media types give a lot of information to the reader or listener but do not give room for a lot of sensory involvement or completion on the part of the listener or reader. What McLuhan described as "cool" media included media sources like television as well as the telephone or television. Due to the fact that these devices do not give as much information as the radio or newspaper, they have to exact a stronger sensory â€Å"hold† on the attention of their users so as to remain relevant. McLuhan was especially engrossed with the effect of the television, which was just then gaining popularity, on its regular viewers. He was even more enthralled when later research established that television actually affects viewers by supporting them in developing passive brain wave patterns. Each mediums form is connected with a different understanding where the senses are conc erned and so expose the consumer to different experiences. These experiences or alterations of perceptions form the basis of the general message’s meaning. McLuhan had a broad definition for the word ‘media’. He perceived it as â€Å"any technology that ... forms extensions of the human senses as well as body†.2 McLuhan correlated parts of the body with technological parts so as to give a better characterisation of how he perceived technology. For instance, he felt that clothing was simply an extension of the skin, while the book could be said to be an extension of the eye. McLuhan felt that these industrial extensions could in fact intensify a specific human sense while the remaining other four were disregarded. Therefore, technology, according to McLuhan, interfered with people’s sensory balance, which then affected the emotional responses of the larger human society. This process, according to McLuhan, could be viewed as being the unintended caus e of all the principal cultural shifts that have typified eras of human history like the industrial age or the renaissance. McLuhan believed that human beings adapt to their environment by way of given balances, and that the main medium used in each age unearths a distinct sense ratio. McLuhan perceived every medium as being an exaggeration of one of the human faculties. He even believed that the human central nervous system is represented in the electric circuitry. It was McLuhan’s believe that in the prehistoric era, humankind existed in the perfect condition in which all of man’s senses functioned together in perfect synchronisation. In his words, â€Å"prior to the discovery of the phonetic alphabet, humankind existed in a world where all the five senses were simultaneous and balanced; this was a world of filled with resonance as well as tribal depth†.3 Humankind, according to McLuhan, lived in a space that was devoid of margins or even a centre. The only wa y through which preliterate people could exchange ideas was through speech. In essence, all information

GLUT4 glucose transporter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

GLUT4 glucose transporter - Essay Example The generalised form of this reaction is written as follows There are three types of sugar transporters that carry sugars across the plasma membrane in to the cells. First are the energy independent facilitated diffusion transporters such as the glucose transporters family(GLUT) of hexose transporters seen in yeast and in mammalian cells. These proteins are encoded by SLC2A genes(solute carriers 2A). Second are the energy dependent transporters for example sodium dependent glucose transporters(SGLT) encoded by SLC5A genes in the intestine and in kidney epithelial cells. The third type of transporters couple ATP dependent phosphorylation with sugar import and are seen in bacteria. This family of glucose transporters were first discovered in yeast where 18 genes have been identified. Humans have 14 GLUT homologs. All of the yeast glucose transporters are of the same size(40-55 Kilodaltons) and have similar structures containing 12 membrane spanning domains. These domains form a barrel with a small pore for the sugar to pass through. The only "sugar transport signatures" are a few widely scattered glycine and tryptophan residues and one PET tri-peptide sequence The elevated levels of blood sugar and amino acids that occur following a meal signal pancreatic beta cells to release insulin into the bloodstream. Once in the vascular system, circulating insulin markedly enhances glucose transport into skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, the peripheral sites responsible for the majority of postprandial glucose disposal. In response to insulin, glucose enters muscle and fat cells through aqueous pores formed by the glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein. GLUT4 is the fourth of 13 members of a family of facilitative sugar transporters and is the only iso-form that is widely accepted as being insulin-responsive. Like other GLUT family members, GLUT4 is a 12 trans-membrane protein; unlike most other isofoms, GLUT4 is predominantly localized to intracellular compartments in the basal state. Activation of the insulin receptor triggers a large increase in the rate of GLUT4 vesicle exocytosis and a concomitant decrease in the rate of endocytosis. This insulin-dependent shift in GLUT4 vesicle trafficking results in a net increase of GLUT4 protein at the cell surface, thus allowing glucose to enter target cells. Once

Family Connections Of Lane And Douglas Counties Research Paper

Family Connections Of Lane And Douglas Counties - Research Paper Example This is partly due to the little funds that they receive from donors. They should update their website, which is somehow not user-friendly (Source 5). Moreover, the organization is so relevant to the community and people must be aware of its services. This is the only way the company will maintain its business.C. Audiences i. Label and describe at least two audiences - include at least two basic demographic stats.Parents: Parents with younger kids who require assistance can seek child care services which are not only compatible with their schedule but are also of good quality. There is all the needed information that the parents can require on the website. This includes registry and some other links to extra information. Besides, consultant meets with parents so as to provide them with information concerning how to choose a childcare service plus any other prior information which might be needed. Child Providers: the organization assists child care providers to achieve the desired bo nd between them and the people who are seeking child care. Millions of children between 4 to 6 years old are in a childcare setting, of one kind or another, every week. Through meetings, the organization presents advice and link child providers with potential childcare seekers. They advise them on how to get involved. The corporation associated with child providers who are capable of bringing quality to its work and who are harmless and dependable for the kids they are taking care of.

Recycling problems in Kazakhstan Essay Example for Free

Recycling problems in Kazakhstan Essay According to Suleimen and Edil (2014), in Kazakhstan, there is no enough convenience in order to recycle waste and other used materials. Only one percent of waste is reprocessed and there is no any progress to improve this situation. The figure shows that quantity of waste is 1,000 for each of our 17 million residents. This is mainly because Kazakhstan is a very large country comparing with European country and there is no shortage of space. Another reason could be industrial waste – much of it toxic is simply dumped or buried. Recent statistics show that more than 22 billion tons of waste have been accumulated in Kazakhstan. Annually, up to 400 million 3 tons of industrial waste are generated and up to 20 million meters of household waste. Moreover, there is the absence of a culture to collect garbage and to throw trash to right place among the population of the country. (Saliqjanova, 2016). The main causes of littering are ignorance, laziness, people don’t realize the effects of littering and in other words, there is no any container for each recyclable product (e.g. paper, plastic, and glass) in the streets of Kazakhstan. Therefore, people continue to throw mixed household waste which takes time to separate them into certain material as well as it would be hard to send directly recycling enterprises. Growing of the world population have been affecting on waste problems meaning that new packaging and technological products are being developed, in fact, much of these products contain materials that are not biodegradable. For example, according to statistics, plastic bags  take  10-1000 years to decompose, while plastic bottles can take  450 years or more. (LeBlanc, 2017). In such cases, recycling is essential as waste has a huge negative impact on the natural environment. Firstly, poor waste management and recycling lead to increasing landfill waste and these landfill waste contain many hazardous, chemical substance. â€Å"Methane is a very potent greenhouse gas, up to 20 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide,† according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (as cited Newton, 2017). Therefore, methane emissions from landfill sites can potentially exacerbate  climate change particularly global warming. Second effect of landfill waste is considered to be air and water pollution. According to Beisenova (2010), most part of Kazakhstan’s water supply has been polluted by industrial runoff and waste, for example, approximately 35-40 percent of Syr-Darya river is contaminated with industrial and communal wastewaters. Third effects of poor recycling and waste management detrimentally impact on biodiversity. The Romanian Ministry of Environment and Forests informs that the growing of a landfill site means the loss of approximately 30 to 300 species per hectare. (as cited Newton, 2017).Therefore, many species of animals such as mammals birds had decreased last recent years. In order to refute this situation, all of the country on the planet should take serious measures. https://waste-management-world.com/a/kazakhstan-better-waste-management-infrastructure-regulations-needed In Kazakhstan, only one percent of waste is reprocessed and it is a figure which is scarcely rising. http://vtorothodi.ru/utilizaciya/problema-bytovyx-otxodovhttp://carecnet.org/assets/images/1_28_Information booklets on municipal waste.pdf Our country, in fact, has practically no facilities for processing recyclable material. Industrial waste – much of it toxic is simply dumped or buried. The amount of waste is now equivalent to 1,000 tonnes for every one of our 17 million citizens. https://www.greenchoices.org/green-living/waste-recycling/environmental-impactshttps://www.nap.edu/read/10240/chapter/15https://www.earthsfriends.com/why-recycling-important/ https://www.thebalance.com/how-long-does-it-take-garbage-to-decompose-2878033 stsssThe Effects of Landfills on the Environment By John Newton; Updated April 25, 2017

The Nestle Internal Documents Management Essay

The Nestle Internal Documents Management Essay The research process followed in this study is outlined in Figure 1, it began with a review of the literature related to BPM and BPIs with a particular focus on researches that tackled Innovation and particularly Packaging Innovation in Food Industry. The literature review revealed a significant gap with regard to both the integration aspect of BPM and BPIs and the application of this integrated framework in the specific field of Packaging Innovation which led to formulate the RQ. In order to identify and describe the impact of the proposed framework on the Packaging Innovation Process a Case Study methodology has been adopted as a research strategy. This is because it is considered suitable to address the research question: How and why an integrated framework of Business Process Management and Business Process Improvement could improve the Performance of Packaging Innovation Process of a multinational company? This is also in accordance with Yin (2009, Loc 453) who confirms that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦how and Why questions are more explanatory and likely to lead to the use of case studies..as the preferred research method. Furthermore, the focus on the contemporary events of Packaging Innovation Process in its real-life context and not requiring the control of behavioural events were additional reasons for choosing the case study method (Yin, 1981; Yin 2009, Loc 310). All the 3 conditions highlighted by Yin (2009, Loc 310) are met in order to adopt the case study as the most appropriate method. Once again Yin (2009, Loc 310) argues clearly à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ case studies are the preferred method when how or why questions are being posed, the investigator has little control over events and focus is on a contemporary phenomenon within a real-life context. Case study design An embedded single case study design has been selected in this research. According to Yin (2009, Loc 740) there are four major types of case study designs. Placed in a 2ÃÆ'-2 matrix these relevant designs are: single case versus multiple case designs, then holistic with a single unit of analysis against embedded covering a multiple units of analysis. The aim for selecting an embedded single case design is to investigate a representative or typical case in order to capture the circumstances and conditions of an everyday or commonplace situation (Yin, 2009, Loc 1205). Embedded designs (multiple units of analysis) often add significant opportunities for extensive analysis, enhancing the insights into the single case (Yin, 2009, Loc 1215). Accordingly, this embedded single case is about packaging innovation process improvement in the context Business Process Management and Improvement and specifically the integration of both BPM and BPI disciplines. This involves as well several units of analysis which consist in baseline events and validation through an innovation project. In the baseline events one main illustrative project has been reviewed in order to understand the critical reasons that make a packaging innovation project fail. Then in order to assess the impact of a poorly designed packaging on the operation, twelve factories across Europe and Asia have been visited through a waste Audit methodology (Muda Hunt).The twelve factories have been chosen as subunits for this investigation because they were widely spread geographically across Europe and Asia and were using different packaging materials and technologies for various product categories. With this case study design, the emphasis is global touching the packaging innovation process and not on individual factories or on a specific packaging material or a product category. Yin (2009) stresses that a major drawback in an embedded single case is focusing only on the subunit level for example the individual factories and failing to return to the larger unit of analysis in this case the packaging innovation process improvement. On the other hand, a single case study has limitations in particular to its rigor of research and in relation to the scientific generalization of the findings and conclusions (Yin, 2009, Loc 554). Nevertheless, single case studies permit a precise analysis of cotemporary evidence in context and are generalisable to theoretical propositions (Yin 2009, Loc 573). Finally the systematic adoption of embedded case study as a research methodology using three unit of analysis gives more rigor as well, Furthermore, the validation of the proposed framework though a real packaging innovation project (Embedded unit of analysis # 3) enhances the quality output of the research and confirms its managerial implications. Data collection The data were primarily collected at Nestlà © Head Office, RD centres and affiliate markets and factories. Worldwide leader in Food and Wellbeing industries, Nestlà © uses a wide range of more than 177000 packaging materials and more than 66000 different packaging specifications in 450 production sites across the globe. Moreover, Nestlà © is also interested in improving its Packaging Innovation Process and attracted by exploring the new integrated framework which combines both BPM and BPI. Therefore the access to Nestlà © internal data and employees has been made relatively easy. Using Nestlà © posed no research bias since it gives total independence and full autonomy to conduct the whole research in order to avoid any influence neither on the research process nor on the outcome. Thus, Nestlà ©s internal documents review and semi-structured interviews with a group of concerned employees have been used in this research to collect data. To complement the second-hand data, waste audits in twelve factories have been carried out combined with a visit and interviews of tree key suppliers. The use of multiple sources of evidence, combined with key informants who have reviewed draft case study reports, helped to establish construct validity (Yin, 2009, Loc 734, 1057). All data were stored in a process Map using the BPM software Nimbus Control in accordance with Yins (2009, Loc 734, 1057) recommendations for establishing reliability. Internal documents and interviews Nestle internal documents were the first source of data collection for this investigation. These include corporate documents (General Instructions, Policies, RD and business reports, best practices library) produced by process owners, functional departments or experts. The process owners have mapped processes and issued instructions on how to implement and execute their processes. Having access to Nestlà ©s internal documents and employees helped to rely on a vast amount of relevant data. For the baseline review of a major Packaging Innovation project, semi-structured face-to-face interviews were carried out with 37 stakeholders and 3 key suppliers involved in the development process. An interview lasts between 2 to 4 hours, with a flexible schedule, according to availability of the individuals invited. The semi-structured questions were defined following a clear Process flow and Project Phases: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Project Inception / Initiation à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Project Brief Objectives à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Project Organisation Planning Development à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Project Execution, Management, Reporting and Steering Committee à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Packaging Design / Specification Quality à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Supplier Selection, Technical Qualification Approval Performance à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Business Impact, Supply and Cost. Interviewees received a clear description with scope and objectives of the review as well as relevant questions before the interview. Participants were invited to comment on any phase with regard to their own experiences and learnings together with any recommendations they might have for improvement, as well as present copies of any relevant documentation that can support the review. The principle aim of the review and Gemba walk was to capture the learnings from all employees involved and who were encouraged to freely give any comments they might have related to the following questions: What happened? Why did it happen? How, and at what stage of the design / development phase of the project, could we have avoided these failures? How should we change our development / deployment approach as a result of these learnings? What went well? What did not go so well? What could have been improved? What could have been done differently? What Key Recommendations could you offer to improve the process in the future? All comments and feedbacks were grouped into a series of transcribed Notes following Miles and Huberman (1994) recommendation. The transcription is grouped by Function and Location with a summary of the inputs that were mapped in the BPM tool: Nimbus Control. This allowed an easier analysis and quicker understanding of the whole picture and piece together the complex interfaces between all entities involved in the Packaging Development Project called 24K. Field observations To collect first-hand data field observations were made using waste audits (Muda Hunt) approach in 12 factories across Europe and Asia. The concept of MUDA hunt is meant to provide awareness to obvious waste as well as none Value Added activities at the shop floor. The application of the Lean Six Sigma tools such as DMAIC methodology will help afterwards to reduce or eliminate the identified waste. Field observations in scope: Packaging areas of main production lines; Material flows in packaging areas; Packaging materials waste; Labour utilization, packaging material usage on the lines; Space utilization on the floors, storage inventory. Field observations Out of scope: Processing of raw materials; Production lines (mixing, moulding, ) The relevant filling and packing lines were selected for Muda Hunt if they are strategic to the Business and depending on their capacity utilisation, their Efficiency and Performance as well as their material waste level. All Mudas were mapped in a prioritisation matrix (see example below) depending on their impact High or Low and their effort to implement Easy or Hard. The proposals are then listed in tables as first priority in green colour and second priority in orange colour for actions planning. Limitations of Lean programs The origin of Lean goes back to the Toyota Production System which has been created more than 40 years ago. For R. Suri (Suri, 2010) a new ground cannot be forged by focusing only on refining and implementing 40-year-old approach. Based on studies with more than 200 companies during the last 15 years, he listed few limitations related to Lean. For Suri, Lean is designed originally for production system with relatively high-volumes. Organisations that are offering high variety or customised products could not see how to implement Lean principles. According to Atkinson (Atkinson, 2010), [] LEAN must grow with the culture and not be imposed upon it. The author highlighted that too much attention is focused on the technical aspect of Lean, rather than the ambition to build a real self-sustaining Lean culture. Atkinson has listed seven misconceptions regarding Lean; first, Lean is frequently considered as a toolbox of techniques and methods that are pushed down to the organisation, rather than pulled and tailored to it. Second, Lean is not a cost reduction exercise to remove unnecessary cost out. Third, Lean concepts often are not applicable to processes and functions beyond operations. Forth, Lean often doesnt impact the design and the innovation processes. Fifth, Lean is to frequently be sold, surrounded by all the exotic terminology, as Japanese approach for improvement. Sixth, Lean does not necessitate a culture of continuous improvement and finally Lean is less concerned by the culture change. In his research of the top reasons for the failure of the major Lean initiatives, Lucey focused on the other dimensions as leadership, employees engagement and communication. Atkinson on the other hand highlighted the importance of the organisational culture that decides the success of Lean or any other improvement initiative and demonstrated that applying lean principles and tools is certainly not enough to achieve business excellence. For Treat, organisations practicing BPM may apply common Business Process Improvements (BPI) initiatives for certain improvement; nevertheless the usage of these BPI tools does not mean that the organisation is devoted to the effective application of BPM. In the same context, Hammer underlined in his process audit framework the crucial importance of applying two defined groups of characteristics that are necessary for business processes to continuously improve and sustain. These characteristics as described in the first section of this research are ba sed beside process management, on people Leadership, culture, knowledge skills and behaviours. Hence its evidently crucial to compare BPM and BPI approaches not only according to the MEM but as well from the Management perspective looking at how these approaches tackled the issues of Leadership, Culture Change, Process Management, and Continuous Improvement. Leadership Management: This factor is related to the role of top leaders and their behaviour in driving the organization towards Performance and Continuous Improvement. This central role has been accepted by experts and researchers as one of the major success factors for reaching Business Performance. Management in general is more concerned about controlling, problem fixing and making short term results and Leadership is more about the ability of giving directions, developing a vision and setting strategies to achieve this vision (Kotter, 1993, Kotter, 1996). In few words, leaders foster change and transformation in the organisation. Engaging leaders and top Mangers is the key first step for a successful implementation of Process Business Excellence. Culture Change: The ultimate Culture Change objective is to drive performance across the whole organisation in order to exceed customer expectations and therefore to win in the market place. A robust culture would promote effective performance only when it contains values and norms that helps to engage people, manage the change and the shifting to a competitive environment (Atkinson, 2010; Kotter, 1993). Literature supports Kotter and states that this kind of culture will impact positively on the productivity and performance of the organisation. As an illustration, there is a clear parallel between people engagement and the sustainability of lean initiatives (Lucey et al., 2005). The research literature shows that engaged workforce can have a huge impact on growth, profitability and competitiveness (Lucey et al., 2005) therefore a measure and monitoring of this engagement is crucial for sustaining any continuous improvement process. Process Management: Businesses are driven by a multitude of various processes, but concentrating on the core and essential ones either in operation or beyond will improve the organisation Performance. Core Processes have to be continually reviewed, measured and improved and employees should focus on defining the perfect process, eliminating any unnecessary phases, challenging the lead times or the base costs. A Performing organisation is where processes are mapped, measured and improved for all core business activities. The development of a new business process is also one of the key activities affecting Business Performance and competitive abilities. The association between cause and effects, inputs and outputs of a process must be the guiding principles to applying BPI methodologies. Efforts and resources spent other than on managing processes and changing the culture to achieve strategic objectives is waste (Atkinson, 2010). Therefore getting the processes right first is a prerequisite for achieving Performance objectives. Finally processes have to be visualised and communicated in a way that each employee can see and understands the process. Visual systems should allow everyone to have the capability to answer the question, if everything is flowing the way it should be and if we are on time to customer demand? BPM helps to create a current state map of an existing flow, then develop and implement a future state based on BPI principles. Continuous Improvement (CI): As mentioned in the introduction, organisations make efforts to implement Business Process Improvement programs to improve operational performance and achieve Business Excellence. Some of them try to move from episodic process improvements to building and sustaining their ability to improve processes continually. BPI methods help these organisations to understand and implement the concept of Continuous Improvement. But according to Brad Power (Power, 2011), if an organisation tries to institutionalize continuous process improvement based on just one approach, it will run into trouble because no single method has all the elements for sustaining continuous process improvement. Therefore Power emphasises the fact that if organisations want to keep their processes up to date continually, they need to be able to use many approaches to embedding improvement in their management systems. TQM started applying first the principle of Demings cycle Plan-do-check-act (PDCA) to continuously improve the quality, achieve customer satisfaction and reduce costs. While Six Sigma supporters claim that if you train enough people (belts..) and you measure performance, you achieve the cultural transformation toward continuous improvement. According to Hammer, advises organisations to continually assess their processes against his model of process maturity (Hammer, 2007). He advised to put in place the governance and the infrastructure to track end-to-end process performance and finally install the right culture of process centricity and continuous improvement. On the other hand Lean approach aims to cascade strategic objectives into implications for process improvements to have people aligned behind the same direction. To ensure continuous improvement attitude Lean philosophy trust executives to act as coaches, helping people at the front-line to understand the importance of waste elimination and problem-solving. Power underline that the few companies who succeed in sustaining their process improvement have actually selected and used the best from each of BPM and BPI approaches to embed continuous improvement in their organisation. This fact supports further the need of streamlining BPM and BPI approaches and extract the essence of each methodology hence the relevance of this research. Combining BPM and BPI approaches Mandatory elements of a method (MEM) Before digging further into the integration of BPI and BPM approaches, its relevant to describe the MEM elements used by Zellner to evaluate the methodological degree of BPI approaches. In order to have continuity and the same benchmark system the MEM five mandatory elements (Zellner, 2011) has been used as well in this research. First element is the Procedure model that consists of defining the order of activities to be completed when deploying the approach. Second element refers to the Technique which supports an activity to generate specific results. Third element is the Results as such which the output produced by an activity. The element number four is defining the Roles of who is carrying out and responsible of an activity. Finally the fifth element is the so-called Information Model which involves the above-mentioned components and their interactions. According to Zellner a good systematic approach should embody all MEM at the best. By explaining how the MEM can support the act of improving a business process, Zellner underlines the need of a structure model that can define clearly hat to do step by step, which activity has to be performed and by who and which result is expected in an improvement project. The only thing that without referring explicitly to BPM, Zellner was describing the fundamental elements of BPM: Defining and mapping step by step the process, affecting to each activity a role and responsibility or more precisely a RACI matrix (who is Responsible and Accountable and who has to be consulted or informed). Then the inputs, outputs and instruction are defined. Finally the process map will be the Information Model described by Zellner to describe the relationship with all elements and represent the results. The following table summarises the main factors identi ¬Ã‚ ed from literature search based mainly on the findings of Zellner regarding BPI approaches taken and adapted in table # 1 and then completing these findings by integrating Lean, Six Sigma and BPM. The aim of this comparative study is to have a systematic and holistic approach to develop the mentioned integrated model with relevant constructs that will answer therefore research question RQ2. Lean and Six Sigma vs. BPM Lean and Six Sigma principles are now being applied to business processes. From one side Lean philosophy and Six Sigma techniques address performance improvement by reducing wastes and process variability while BPM provides the platform to implement this performance and to sustain it on an on-going basis across the whole organisation. With ERP system, most companies find it very difficult to implement Lean programs. This is because ERP systems have been focused around transactions and not processes (Nayak, 2007). Automated business processes are a complex set of system transactions requiring human and machine interfaces that make the changes difficult and time consuming. In this context BPM is an enabler for driving business process improvement in Lean and Six Sigma (Nayak, 2007). BPM tools provide the capability for monitoring, documenting, improving processes therefore are imperative for fulfilling the objectives of Lean principles. The following table benchmarks the key characteristics between BPM, Lean and Six Sigma. BPI BPM in Innovation Before concluding this literature review section and preparing the next chapter of the cross-case study on Innovation process, it is essential to review the literature regarding how BPI and BPM tackled specifically the innovation issue. Literature shows actually that BPI initiatives were focused mainly on operations where link to product, customers or consumers is obvious. The interest of operation management lay in production, material handling and wastes, cost efficiencies, planning, etc. and all activities related to things and logic but less with people, behaviours and interfaces. BPI beyond the operations is therefore quite novel and organisations have great opportunity for improving as well non-operational processes such as RD, HR, Finance or other Support and Management processes. With BPI and BPM, organisations have great opportunity for improving processes beyond operations. Much of waste in processes beyond operations is viewed as minor in nature and therefore ignored. Despite the impressive results that BPI techniques can achieve at operational level, many organisations failed to grasp its potential benefit for their processes beyond operations such as in RD, Management or Support processes. The difference between manufacturing and other areas beyond operations is that the employees introduce intrinsically variability into their activities. Therefore the challenges become quite different from those occurred in manufacturing environment. Conventional approaches to reduce waste: In order to eliminate or reduce wastes from processes beyond operations, companies can take the four typical actions, the first action is to reduce processing failures and activities that dont add any value to the customer; then to eliminate superfluous and inconsistent controls. The third action is to speed up the processes by decreasing lead times and complexity and final action is to ensure a constant effort on detecting perfections that customers really want. Innovation process is one of the core processes which are key facture for insuring sustainable growth and Profit. This process will be considered in this research in next Chapter of a cross-case Study. From the literature review and the research conducted by IBM Institute for Business Value in 2006 looked at number of companies that used BPI approaches as Lean-Six Sigma to improve performance and succeed broad-based innovations. Researchers from IBM identified four distinguishing elements of approaches that set some organisation apart from those keeping a traditional operational improvement mind-set. These characteristics are first having an innovation vision based on accurate customer and market insights, then a committed Leadership to permanent innovation; third having an alignment across the whole company and finally setting up organizational capabilities that made innovation a routine way of working. Gartner stated in 2010 regarding Innovation Process that a [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] successful innovation needs a disciplined management to transform novel ideas into business value and Innovation management requires a clear strategy, a business focus and a defined process model. According to Gartner, generation of revenue will increase and operational effectiveness will also improve if Companies succeed to manage properly their innovation programs. Design for Six Sigma (DFSS): Through DMAIC methodology organizations were able to make great improvements in reducing number of defects and therefore quality costs. However the quality level of Five Sigma (233 defects per million opportunities) is hard to exceed. The only way to improve further and achieve the ultimate level of Six Sigma is to redesign completely the process, product or service using Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methodology (Antony 2002). According to Antony DFSS is a powerful approach to designing products, services and processes in a cost effective way to meet customer expectations. The aim of DFSS is not to substitute the NPDI (New Product Development and Introduction) process but to make it more robust, cost effective and capable to achieve high performance in meeting customer expectations (Antony 2002). Antony listed several benefits that could be gained by adopting DFSS: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Reduced time to market for new products development or renovations à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Reduced products life cycle costs à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Better understanding of Customers needs and expectations à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Reduced number of design changes and hence prototypes à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Enhanced quality and reliability à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Improved ability to manage risks in designing products services or processesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Methodology and tools of DFSS The methodological process of DFSS starts with Customers needs as an input and ends with high quality products, services or robust processes as an output. One popular DFSS methodology is the DMADV. It remains the number of characters and stages, and the general feeling the same as in the DMAIC acronym. The five phases of DMADV are defined as follows: Define the project goals and customer requirements (internal and external), Measure and determine customer needs and specifications, Analyze the process options to meet customer needs. Design the process to achieve customer needs. Verify the design performance and ability to meet customer needs. Another methodology of DFSS named IDOV is a known design approach especially in the manufacturing sector. The abbreviation is defined as IDOV: Identify customer needs and specifications (CTQs), Design to translate the customer CTQs into functional requirements and alternative solutions. A selection process selects the list of solutions to the best solution, Optimize uses advanced statistical tools to predict and model the performance or calculate and optimize the design or performance and Validate to confirm means and ensure that the design which is developed reaches the customer CTQs. Lean product development LPD or Lean Design as the name indicates, draws on ideas from Lean Production as described above in chapter Background of Business Process Improvement which condensed Lean thinking into five principles: specify value, identify the value stream, make the value flow, create pull in the process and pursue perfection. Although lean production can be described at various levels, Shah et al. (2008) argue that the dominant view rests on a set of practices and tools used in eliminating waste. They also present the four main features of lean production as being quality management, pull production, preventive maintenance and human resource management. In the early stages of lean thinking, the focus was on the area of production. An exception, although not using the LPD label, is Kennard (1991), who uses six characteristics to summarise the Japanese approach to product development processes: information-intense, continual learning, constant customer contact, phases overlap, adaptability and spe ed/accuracy in execution. Another early describer of Japanese product development efforts is Funk (1993), who emphasised multifunctional problem-solving, close relationship with customers and suppliers, incremental improvement and learning. Karlsson and Ahlstrom (1996) specified later on the applicability of the Lean principles in product development by defining LPD as follows: Lean product development comprises numerous interrelated techniques, including supplier involvement, cross-functional teams, concurrent engineering, integration of various functional aspects of each project, the use of a heavyweight team structure, and strategic management of each development project. Another aspect associated with LPD is that the leaner way of working will eventually speed up the development process. However, as advocated by Crawford (1992) accelerated product development is associated with risks such as trivial innovations driving out break-through innovations and mistakes happening when skipping steps that did provide necessary information. Finally, Yang and Cai (2009) point out that LPD does not directly support the issues of quality, reliability and robustness in the product design. Combining BPM, DFSS and LPD The main potential seen in merging BPM, DFSS and LPD is to achieve improvements in quality by reducing unwanted variation (as advocated in DFSS), while at the same time being able to increase flow and speed in the development processes (as focused in BPM and LPD) (Chang and Su, 2007; Jugulum and Samuel, 2008). As summarised by Yang and Cai (2009, p. 97) DFSS improves product value and product quality, whereas LPD improves product development lead time, efficiency, flexibility and product development cost. BPM will provide the right platform to map, enhance and manage the whole process. One challenge pointed out by Jugulum and Samuel (2008) is the differences in implementation of Six Sigma initiatives and lean. The latter being broad in focus (looking at end-to-end processes and launching improvement events therein) while Six Sigma works with in-depth projects focusing on a small improvement area within a process. To some extent the integrated approaches proposed appear to be rather standard DFSS approaches with the addition of LPD tools. In contrast, authors like Karlsson and Ahlstrom (1996), Haque and James-Moore (2004) and Morgan and Liker (2006) emphasise the importance of viewing LPD as a system rather than as a set of tools, which impacts working methods throughout the organisation, such as seeking supplier involvement and cross-functional integration. BPM, LPD and DFSS have different focuses, such as improvement, innov

Colonialism and Independence in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart :: Things Fall Apart essays

Things Fall Apart - Colonialism and Independence "Turning and turning in the widening gyre The Falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the center cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world." ~W.B. Yeats, "The Second Coming" This excerpt is almost a summary of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart. Things Fall Apart is a novel about nineteenth century Nigeria, before colonialism and the granting of independence. It is a story of a great wrestler and elder of a Nigerian clan comprised of several villages. It tells about his life from start to finish in great detail. Towards the end of the novel, the reader is introduced to colonialism. This colonialism is what the anarchy is the above quote is referring to. The falcon represents the young generation of the clan; the falconer represents the elders. This is a story of how things really do fall apart. The story is centered around Okonkwo, a great wrestler and elder of the clan. He is the son of an indolent man, who was constantly in debt. Okonkwo's father was often referred to as a woman, which was a great insult. Growing up, Okonkwo develops a phobia of becoming his father, and does everything is his power not to. With this phobia came an abominable stubbornness. His first step in becoming a "real man" (opposed to his father) was to prove his strength, in doing so he became the great wrestler of his clan. Doing so earned him a lot of accolades and honours. He earned a lot of land, and married three different wives. However, with all of his fame and fortune, he was unable to escape his internal conflicts due to his stubbornness and his becoming frustrated easily. One example of this was when a young male warrior and a young virgin girl were sent to Okonkwo's village in exchange (as a sacrifice) for a heinous crime committed against his clan. This was a crime that otherwise would have resulted in an all out war; a war which Okonkwo's clan and village would have earned an easy victory. The young boy is sent to live with Okonkwo and his family for quite some time. During this time Okonkwo becomes very attached to him, so attached that it seems as if the boy is one of his own.

The Force of Hydropulsion Essay -- Hydrogen Force Physics Essays Paper

The Force of Hydropulsion Executive Summary For our project, our client, gave us the task of designing and developing a teaching aid that uses hydrogen to power a mechanical device. This task led us to the construction of a hybrid fuel cell/battery-powered model hovercraft. The hovercraft, which we call â€Å"Hovercraftica†, uses a battery to power the lift fan and two hydrogen fuel cells to power the fan that provides thrust. Hovercraftica is a self-contained demonstration unit with every aspect of its propulsion onboard. The hydrogen for the fuel cells is produced through the electrolysis of water. This is achieved by collecting light energy via a solar panel and sending it through the fuel cells. In order to work as efficiently as possible, our team split into three different groups: writing/ presentation, construction design, and electrical. While the construction and electrical teams worked on building and testing the hovercraft, the writing/presentation group created a 220-page teaching manual with student activities, wrote the final proposal, and designed the final presentation. During construction, our team ran into several problems with the hovercraft. First, we had problems trying to find the necessary parts. Second, the parts that we needed (especially the fuel cells) were more expensive than our budget allowed. Third, we had problems with integrating the hovercraft and fuel cells, and lastly, with finding the motor speed that worked. Eventually we solved these issues, only to be set back again when we fried one of the fuel cells. After we had our parts, we tested each of them separately to make sure that they worked as needed. We also tested the hovercraft as a whole upo... ...ww.olshove.com/HoverHome/hoverfaq.html Quick Facts About Wind Energy. US Department of Energy: Wind Energy Program. Retrieved October 19, 2003, from http://www.eere.energy.gov/wind/web.html Solarbotics.net. Retrieved November 17, 2003, from http://www.solarbotics.net Solar Cars - Solar Energy and Photovoltics. What You Need To Know About. Retrieved October 14, 2003, from http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blsolarcar.htm Solar Energy†¦. SunWater. Retrieved September 18, 2003, from http://wave.prohosting.com/sunwater/solar.html Urban Air: Health Effects of Particulates, Sulfur Dioxide, and Ozone. World Resource Institute. Retrieved September 27, 2003, from http://www.wri.org Why A Hovercraft? Universal Hovercraft. Retrieved November 2, 2003, from http://www.hovercraft.com/menu_why_a_hovercraft.html The Force of Hydropulsion Essay -- Hydrogen Force Physics Essays Paper The Force of Hydropulsion Executive Summary For our project, our client, gave us the task of designing and developing a teaching aid that uses hydrogen to power a mechanical device. This task led us to the construction of a hybrid fuel cell/battery-powered model hovercraft. The hovercraft, which we call â€Å"Hovercraftica†, uses a battery to power the lift fan and two hydrogen fuel cells to power the fan that provides thrust. Hovercraftica is a self-contained demonstration unit with every aspect of its propulsion onboard. The hydrogen for the fuel cells is produced through the electrolysis of water. This is achieved by collecting light energy via a solar panel and sending it through the fuel cells. In order to work as efficiently as possible, our team split into three different groups: writing/ presentation, construction design, and electrical. While the construction and electrical teams worked on building and testing the hovercraft, the writing/presentation group created a 220-page teaching manual with student activities, wrote the final proposal, and designed the final presentation. During construction, our team ran into several problems with the hovercraft. First, we had problems trying to find the necessary parts. Second, the parts that we needed (especially the fuel cells) were more expensive than our budget allowed. Third, we had problems with integrating the hovercraft and fuel cells, and lastly, with finding the motor speed that worked. Eventually we solved these issues, only to be set back again when we fried one of the fuel cells. After we had our parts, we tested each of them separately to make sure that they worked as needed. We also tested the hovercraft as a whole upo... ...ww.olshove.com/HoverHome/hoverfaq.html Quick Facts About Wind Energy. US Department of Energy: Wind Energy Program. Retrieved October 19, 2003, from http://www.eere.energy.gov/wind/web.html Solarbotics.net. Retrieved November 17, 2003, from http://www.solarbotics.net Solar Cars - Solar Energy and Photovoltics. What You Need To Know About. Retrieved October 14, 2003, from http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blsolarcar.htm Solar Energy†¦. SunWater. Retrieved September 18, 2003, from http://wave.prohosting.com/sunwater/solar.html Urban Air: Health Effects of Particulates, Sulfur Dioxide, and Ozone. World Resource Institute. Retrieved September 27, 2003, from http://www.wri.org Why A Hovercraft? Universal Hovercraft. Retrieved November 2, 2003, from http://www.hovercraft.com/menu_why_a_hovercraft.html

Essay --

â€Å"I was crying and all, I don’t know why, but I guess it was because I was feeling so damn depressed and lonesome† (53), Holden says. As humans, we have a hard time belonging in society. This is the same case for Holden Caulfield, the main character from the Catcher in the Rye. The Catcher in the rye, a novel by J.D Salinger, is about Holden, a lost boy in desperate need of help. Throughout the novel, Holden seems to be excluded by the world around him. He continually attempts to try and belong in a world in which he is isolating from. In this novel, Salinger uses symbols such as the red hunting hat, the ducks and Allie’s glove to support the theme, belonging and isolation. In the beginning of the novel, Holden says to Mr. Spencer he feels trapped on the â€Å"other side of life.† This clearly demonstrates how Holden doesn’t feel that he belongs in the world he lives in. Holden has his hunting hat as a source of protection. Holden buys a red hunting hat in New York for a dollar. The hat has a very long peak, and Holden wears it backwards with the peak aiming behind him. â€Å"†¦I swung the old peak way around to the back-very corny, I’ll admit, but I liked it that way† (17), Holden explains. Holden puts his hat on when he’s under a lot of stress. The hunting hat not only symbolizes protection, but it also symbolizes Holden’s uniqueness and individuality. Holden doesn’t wear his hat because it’s fashionable, but only to keep his individuality and to feel safe. In the cab Holden put his hat on and says, â€Å"I’d put my red hunting hat when I was in the cab, just for the hell of it, but I took it off before I checked in† (61). This quote illustrates how Holden thinks it’s necessary to wear the hat in order to feel safe. But at the same time, Holde... ...ing stays frozen and everyone belongs in society. Therefore, during the winter time, the ducks are isolated as once, but they still belong together. Holden is isolated from the people around him and he is more protected within himself. Holden doesn’t know how he is going to make it through his own winter, just like he doesn’t where the ducks will end up during winter. Throughout the end of the novel, Holden isn’t lost anymore. His younger sister, Phoebe helps pick himself right up from isolating. The red hunting helps Holden from isolating. Allies mitt helps Holden bring back all the old memories of his younger brother, Allie. Holden compares himself to the ducks because he feels like he will isolate away from society just like the ducks do during the winter time. Thus, the ducks, Allie’s mitt and the red hunting hat relates to the theme, belonging and isolation.

Victory in the Civil War

African Americans have had a long and painful encounter with subjugation, oppression and brutality. Their history is undeniably plagued with inhumane treatment and violence simply on the basis of their skin color. Man stooped to its lowest possible status when he began discriminating against people on color and race. No single race has had as unfortunate a history as African Americans who were rudely denied their rights during slavery era and were arrogantly kept away from the same after emancipation.Many blacks were hopeful of a better life when Abraham Lincoln declared emancipation for every black slave in the country. However since he himself died soon after, Blacks faced an uphill task getting their due share of public place during Reconstruction and prior to the Civil Rights Movement in 1960s. Victory in the Civil War of 1860s had assured African-Americans that they would get equal rights in the United States which however was one promise that did not materialize for very long. African-Americans were looked down upon in the South and they did not even have the right to sit next to white people in public buses.In the South black people were required to sit at the back as front seats were reserved for whites. This was a highly unfair law, which caused humiliation to many blacks especially a professor named Jo Ann Robinson. Blacks who were desirous of equal rights started the civil rights movement in 1950s to uphold Thomas Jefferson’s democratic ideals, â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.â€Å"[1]) Reconstruction should have been a time to rejoice and celebrate for blacks in the South. But that was not the case. Blacks suffered immensely at the hands of severe racial differences that plagued the country and had sharpened with the proclamation. The administration did little or nothing to ease the transition process. Frederick Douglass expressed his disappointment in these words: â€Å"You say you have emancipated us. You have; and I thank you for it. But what is your emancipation?When the Israelites were emancipated they were told to go and borrow of their neighbors—borrow their coin, borrow their jewels, load themselves down with the means of subsistence; after, they should go free in the land which the Lord God gave them†¦But when You turned us loose, you gave us no acres. You turned us loose to the sky, to the storm, to the whirlwind, and, worst, of all you turned us loose to the wrath of our infuriated masters. † A long series of struggles began when reconstruction failed to make the dream of liberty come true.Voting rights were not yet granted to blacks and to make matters worse racial segregation had not been abolished in schools and other departments. Racial segregation in schools was a major sign of discrimination because yo ung generation of blacks who were born free was forced to encounter unfair treatment without their being any legal support for the same. Slavery was no longer there in practice but it could still be felt in such actions of the people.Discrimination on the basis of race was reflected by things such as black people riding at the back of the bus, racial segregation in school, equal and separate principle and no voting rights or job opportunities for blacks. Before 1950s, things were not even moving in the right direction. Everything was intensely unequal for blacks including access to education and jobs. But 1950s and following decades changed the fate of black community as more than a century after initial emancipation, they were finally given some of the civil rights they had dreamt of.But these rights were not offered on a silver platter. Blacks had to consistently fight for their rights and there were a series of court cases that upheld the democratic ideals and opened doors to mor e freedom and equality for blacks. One such prominent and irreplaceable in significance was the Brown vs. Board of Education case of 1954. There is no case in education board’s history that has played a more important role or has served as a bigger judicial turning point than this case. In the history of important cases, Brown vs.Board of Education occupies a top slot because of its impact not only on education system in the country but on the fate of African Americans in United States. It just changed the way Americans handled issue of human rights. In 1950s, racial segregation in schools was a norm. While schools were required to be equal in quality of education, they were also meant to be separate. It was found that even equality principle was not followed in spirit since most black schools offered education which inferior in quality. In 1849, a similar case Roberts vs.City of Boston surfaced to challenge the education system of racial segregation but nothing concrete came out of this. In fact Benjamin Roberts and other African American parents were denied the right to enroll their children in selected Boston schools. In other words, this case upheld racial segregation. A few years later, in 1855 segregation in schools was abolished by Massachusetts legislature. However it was more in theory than practice. In 1896 came the important case of Plessy v. Ferguson where United States Supreme Court called for separate but equal access to various facilities to African Americans.This landmark case however denied blacks a chance to achieve complete equality because based on this declaration; blacks were offered separate facilities in restaurants, public transport, hotels and education. Several other cases surfaced since the Roberts case in 1849 and by 1949 court had made little or no effort to strike down racial segregation. Brown vs. Board of Education case was filed from Kansas. Before this case, some eleven school cases had emerged between 1881 and 1949 in Kansas. None however managed to bring about any real change in school segregation system.In 1908, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded and this organization helped black people achieve equality by providing them with legal counsel and funding whenever needed. Linda Brown was a third grade student whose father Oliver Brown wanted to admit her to a white school in the neighborhood since Linda had to walk miles everyday to reach her black school. She was denied admission in the white school and this resulted in Brown seeking help from McKinley Burnett, the head of Topeka's branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).NAACP was more than willing to assist since they finally had the â€Å"the right plaintiff at the right time. â€Å"[2] In his testimony, Dr. Hugh W. Speer, an expert witness explained that segregation was unhealthy and unfair to black students: â€Å"†¦ if the colored children are d enied the experience in school of associating with white children, who represent 90 percent of our national society in which these colored children must live, then the colored child's curriculum is being greatly curtailed. The Topeka curriculum or any school curriculum cannot be equal under segregation. â€Å"[3]The case continued for several months and in May 1954, the court in its landmark decision struck down separate but equal clause and called for school integration. In his ruling Chief Justice Earl Warren said: â€Å"We conclude that in the field of public education the doctrine of ‘separate but equal' has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. Therefore, we hold that the plaintiffs and others similarly situated for whom the actions have been brought are, by reason of the segregation complained of, deprived of the equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment†.[4] The case was seen as a colossal step in the right d irection as it gave more encouragement to civil rights movement which ultimately resulted in a much better world for the blacks.REFERENCES[1] Dr. Howard O. Lindsey, â€Å"A History of Black America†, pg. 34-35 [2] Edward W. Knappman, ed. , Great American Trials (Detroit: Visible Ink, 1994) 467. [3] Knappman 467. [4] Benjamin Munn Ziegler, ed. , Desegregation and the Supreme Court (Boston: D. C. Heath and Company, 1958) 78-79

Critical Review of Cook,  V. (1999). Going Beyond the Native Speaker in Language Teaching

Critical Review #1 Review: Cook,  V. (1999). Going beyond the native speaker in language teaching. TESOL Quarterly, 33(2), 185. In his article, Cook argues that the emphasis or dependence of native speaker model(NSM) in language teaching is not necessary. It is time to adopt non-native models both for language learning and teaching, and he provides some possible teaching methods. Firstly, Cook defines the native speaker and L2 users.Then he discusses the slight but salient differences between monolingual native speakers and multilingual native speakers in terms of â€Å"multicompetence† so that there is no stable NSM. He also argues NSM is implicit and L2 users are actually using L2 differently instead of deficiently from monolingual bias perspective, which means native-speaker level is not a must, even impractical, to most of L2 users because they do not need to proclaim their identity through the L2 and only few L2 users have achieved native-speaker proficiency.After this series of arguments, Cook proposes some practical suggestions of successful L2 user as models and applying L1 for teaching methods. Cook concludes that more emphasis should be added on the skillful L2 users and on using L1, and teaching language is not to imitate native speakers but to help learners so that L2 learners are successful in terms of multicompetent. In general this article is refreshing, especially 14 years ago. I absolutely agree with Cook that successful L2 learners are â€Å"successful multicompetent speakers, not failed native speakers† (p. 04). In non-English-speaking countries like China where English is neither an official language nor a lingua franca, a simple English native speaker, without teaching experiences or educational professional background, can be admired as a language specialist or an English authority only because he speaks so-called â€Å"pure English†. It is the time, 14 years later after this article has been published, to establish a positive image of nonnative-speaker teachers for the sake of both themselves and their students and for the fanatics of NSM to wake up.While in other places where English is adopted as a lingua franca, the reduction of NSM is more meaningful in the way of being equal, due to the speakers’ various lingual preferences and cultural backgrounds. Actually, nine years before this article, Rampton (1990) had called on the professionals to label native speakers as language experts in order to shift â€Å"the emphasis from ‘who you are’ to ‘what you know’† (p. 99). So in this sense, Cook affords L2 users agency on learning to use L2 instead of to transform their identity into native speakers. However, uncertainties still remain.First, although the author offers the definition of L2 users and even distinguished it from L2 learners, he does not make it specific what kind of languages one uses can be considered L2s in his statement. For example, languag es learned at what age or for what reason can be one’s L2? Or can one who learns L2 as an adult in order to stay alive in English-speaking countries be the same as one who simply uses L2 to serve foreigners in his own country? Second, the author observes that â€Å"students may feel overwhelmed by native-speaker teachers who have achieved a perfection that is out of the students’ reach. † (p. 00) I think the author slightly overstates the students’ fear of native speakers. The author himself admits that some L2 users could pass for native speakers, so why should all L2 learners be taken as not extraordinary in the first place? Also, the NS teachers do not only symbolize fluent target-language speakers, but also a bridge that connects two different cultures, which is cherished by students as well. Furthermore, according to Derrida (1998), language itself is essentially â€Å"oppressive†, thus both native speaker and L2 users are oppressed by languag e and nonnative-speaker teachers could also be overwhelming to the students.Third, since research supports the idea that teachers tend to teach the way they learn (Stitt-Gohdes, 2001), the nonnative-speaker teachers can be a distinguished example of successful L2 user, because such teachers are not only â€Å"fallible† as Cook states or â€Å"presents a more achievable model† (p. 200) but also they can share or deliver their knowledge, experience and strategies of becoming a successful L2 user. Fourth, the author mentions â€Å"successful L2 users† several times but does not give a definition or standard of it.Thus it makes me confused because is a successful L2 user one who is infinitely close to the native speakers? 733 words Reference Derrida, J. (1998). Monolingualism of the other: or, the prosthesis of origins. Standford, CA: Stanford University Press. Rampton,  M. (1990). Displacing the â€Å"native speaker†: Expertise, affiliation, and inheritanc e. ELT Journal, 44(2), 97-101. Stitt-Gohdes,  W. (2001). Business education students' preferred learning styles and their teachers' preferred instructional styles: Do they match? Delta Pi Epsilon Journal, 43(3), 137-151.

The Beattles

In June of 1956, John Lennon met Paul McCartney for the first time. Nobody ever dreamed that John and Paul would have the success that they had. John Lennon and Paul McCartney along with George Harrison and Richard Starkey (Ringo Starr) became known as the greatest and the most influential rock musicians in the world. The Beatles, whose music has been played by prestigious symphonies around the world and has been sung by renowned singers such as Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, were a vibrant moving force of the 1960’s; they permanently changed the course of music and soundly influenced the lives of future generations. To get an idea of how much the Beatles helped shape the following generations’ lifestyles, one must look at the lifestyle and the music before the Beatles. The music the Beatles played, â€Å"Rock and Roll,† had already established itself as a popular form of music to American teenagers. Derived from the black’s â€Å"Rhythm and Blues,† rock and roll was made popular by performers such as Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and Bill Haley. Though rock and roll had been around for about ten years before the Beatles became famous, it was still a relatively new form of music that had plenty of potential. The Beatles were elevated from obscurity by utilizing the music’s potential. The lifestyle of the fifties was slowly changing. The American public was beginning to accept the possibility of a â€Å"working class hero†. Films such as â€Å"Saturday Night and Sunday Morning† and â€Å"The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner,† which portrayed working class protagonists, became overnight successes. The Beatles, who were definitely working class, were the ultimate rags to riches story. As the fifties drew to a close, the Beatles were on a path that forever changed history. The Beatles’ success was not immediate. In 1960 the Beatles, who consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe (guitarist), and Pete Best (drummer), made their first trip to Hamburg, Germany. Although the trip wasn’t a success, the second trip to Hamburg as a backing group to Tony Sheridan was more successful. The Beatles returned home in June of 1961 and found that more and more people would come to see their performances. Though popular and drawing large audiences, the Beatles were refused by Decca, Pye, Columbia, HMV, and EMI, all prominent recording companies. The emergence of the Beatles’ popularity can be traced to the help of two people: the determination of Brian Epstein, their manager, and the foresight of George Martin, their producer. Brian Epstein, a record store owner, was a novice at the manager business. Through his raw determination, he was able to meet up with George Martin. George knew the record business, and he pulled some strings to let the Beatles record. Their first release, â€Å"Love Me Do,† only reached the number seventeen position on the charts; however, that was the start of an illustrated career for John, Paul, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, who replaced Pete Best as drummer in August of 1962. Beatlemania was the term that described the hysteria resulting from the Beatles’ rise. The Beatles were breaking attendance records all over Europe. Following every performance were reports of girls that had become injured in their attempts just to see the boys. By the end of 1963, the Beatles had five songs that had reached number one in Britain. Looking for new directions to expand, the Beatles looked across the ocean to America. When the Beatles touched down in New York in February 1964, they knew they had come to the right place as ten thousand screaming fans fought to see them. During the Beatles stay in Manhattan, at least a dozen girls were injured trying to catch sight of the boys. During their concerts, there was so much noise that the audience drowned out the performers. Any movement by an individual Beatle would cause added screaming by rows and rows of young females. This kind of reaction would plague the group at any performance they did. The Beatles popularity became the point of many debates. At one point in August 1966, John claimed that the Beatles were even more popular than Jesus. Though he apologized for it later, he was correct in analyzing their popularity. It seemed as if anything the Beatles said or did would affect the whole society. One major effect that they had on society was the drug influence of their music. Taking drugs became the â€Å"in† thing to do. The press went into an uproar when they found out the initials to the Beatles’ â€Å"Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds† was LSD, a popular but addicting drug. Another song, â€Å"Day in the Life,† was banned by the BBC and some United States radio stations because of alleged drug allusions. Drugs were becoming a way of life for many teenagers. In late 1966, the Beatles decided that they would do no more concerts. Many thought that this would lead to a drop in their popularity. The media was soon proved wrong when their next album, â€Å"Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,† became an instant hit. Anything the Beatles touched turned to gold. John Lennon’s first book, In His Own Write, was a million seller. The Beatles could do nothing that wouldn’t sell. As time went on, however, the Beatles began to pursue their own individual tastes. When Brian Epstein committed suicide in August of 1967, the Beatles began their long decline. The Beatles began to rot from within. The TV film, â€Å"Magical Mystery Tour,† was a complete failure. George Harrison took studying in India very seriously. John’s marriage to Cynthia broke down, and he began to see Yoko Ono. All four started to do musical work without the other three. They were having serious financial trouble with their own recording company, Apple Records. By 1969, the Beatles were in deep trouble. It came as only a mild surprise to most people when Paul McCartney decided to quit the group in April of 1970. Paul claimed personal differences existed with John and with Allen Klein, their financial advisor. Though at first the split was claimed as temporary, the world began to understand that the Beatles would never exist anymore. When asked just what he was going to do now that he was breaking from the group, he replied: â€Å"My only plan is to grow up. † By 1970 though, the Beatles had already made a huge impact on society. A revolutionary group responsible for bombing three business buildings called themselves â€Å"Revolutionary Force 9† which was derived from â€Å"Revolution Number 9,† an eight-minute collage of noises from the Beatles’ White Album. Another influence was in the youth churches where a yellow submarine was made a symbol of love. The yellow submarine, from a movie and a song of that name, was described as a ‘a place where they loved each other in a groovy way and got strength to do battle with the Blue Meanies. It also shows that a church has to have flexibility and maneuverability. ’ Though the Beatles were gone, their influence remained. The Beatles have influenced people in ways never dreamed of. Their music was even blamed for the Charles Manson murders in Southern California. Their style of music changed the way the music industry had worked; most groups now perform their own original material, which was very uncommon in the late fifties and early sixties. The Beatles’ constant preaching of love has changed a whole generation’s thinking, and may have helped to bring an end to the Vietnam War. Their drug taking and radical approach to life has caused some people to take the Beatles’ philosophy wrongly and to think that some terrorist activity was acceptable. Others have taken what the Beatles said as gospel and formed new religions. However people reacted to the Beatles didn’t matter; it was just significant that people were reacting, and therefore were being influenced in some manner by the Beatles. The Beatles, the greatest rock band ever to exist, does not record as a group anymore, but their influences will continue for years as the youth of each generation listens to the music that changed the world. â€Å"Hey Jude† â€Å"Hey Jude† is such a monumental favorite, I am almost dissuaded from touching it because of the pressure to say something profound. It is such a good illustration of two compositional lessons: how to fill a time with simple means, and how to use diverse elements such as harmony and orchestration to articulate form and contrast. I think that the fact that the song was written by Paul McCartney to Julian Lennon during the breakup of John and Julia’s mom, Cynthia, adds a new dimension to the appreciation of it but, as have been observed with respect to the fact of John’s having written â€Å"Julia† in honor of his own mother, the effect that each song has upon someone would be hardly diminished if for some reason were to remain oblivious to the biographical background of either. For me, the main message here is to be found in the first half, the imperative to now pursue one’s destined love the minute either you have found him/her, or he/she has found you. I do believe that once you internalize that much, the transcendent, blissful joy of the second half falls right into place. â€Å"Yesterday† This song is so well established in the pop-cultural subconscious that it is difficult to relate to it objectively, no less say something new and insightful about it. As is often the case with the over-exposed war horses of any artsy genre, whether or not you like this song, there is some good reason why it became so over-exposed in the first place. It is a fine piece of work with something going for it in virtually every detail. By the same token, one should not be fooled by whatever unique and interesting factors surrounding the song’s history and production into thinking of it as more unique and different than it is. Especially if you can step around the self-pitying lyrics for a moment (Paul possibly taking a lesson from George, for a change) you will find this song to actually lie along the same compositional and moody lines of the other hymn or anthem-like ballads which so vividly characterize some of Paul’s highest achievements. Love Me Do† Granted, by itself, â€Å"Love Me Do† is hardly the blockbuster of which legendary careers are made. In fact, it is tempting at first blush to dismiss this one as too simple and even unappealing. After all, we have what must be very nearly the skimpiest Lennon/McCartney lyric ever, but just beneath the surface, you find not also that certain bristling intensity in their voices, but also a great deal of stylistically prophetic, especially i n regards to the phrasing, the vocal harmonies, and the modal melody. The most intriguing aspect to this intuitive innovation of the early Beatles is the question of how much of it was motivated by intentional originality and how much a by-product of less-than-entirely-adept emulation of their derivative influences. It is quite a serious question, the answer to which has nothing to do with the relative merit of the final product itself.