The Role Of Television Programs On Children Essay

As humans, we learn to adapt in order to survive. With technology being everywhere in our modernized society, we have adapted by incorporating it into our everyday lives, including television. Over 90% of homes today own at least one TV. On average, children (8 months to 8 years of age) in the US are being exposed to 4 hours of television per day (Hamel and Rideout). What does this mean for the development of children? Instead of pushing away our TV’s because of distractions, we can use them to educate the next generation. While books have always been the base for learning for many centuries, times are changing. We live in a new era where everything demands a higher level of expertise. Kids these days need a better education in order gain the necessary skills to succeed later in life. Television has the ability to promote early learning and development in children. By introducing education earlier, through the use of television programs, kids will voluntarily engage themselve s in learning without even realizing it. Educational programs and TV shows expose children to language outside of their home, overall improving their understanding of language and actions associated with it. Instead of throwing our technology to the side and sticking to the old fashion books, we should be integrating new forms of education with the changing times. TVs allow children to actively learn verbally and visually, making it more effective than any book. By altering programs to expose childrenShow MoreRelatedEssay about Children and Television1536 Words   |  7 Pagesaccess to television programming. With the variety of programs available children are exposed to many factors concerning choice. These choices can lead to a wide array of results depending on the type of content which is viewed. Positive programming can promote the learning of valuable skills and knowledge to enable success in life, while negative programming may have diverse opposite effects. The contents of television programming affect the health, behaviors and learned life skills in children. FirstRead MoreMass Media as an Agent of Socialisation1747 Words   |  7 PagesLoretta F. Kasper, Socialization is the process in which a child learns how to behave in life and participate in a group in society. Socialization has four basic/main agents: family, school, peers and the mass media. Each one of these agents plays a role in our lives. However, in my opinion, the most important agent of socialization for the development of the child is the Mass Media. The Mass media is a significant force in modern culture. Sociologists refer to this as a mediated culture where mediaRead MoreEssay about Positive Television584 Words   |  3 Pagesbecame a major influence shaping the attitudes, values, and behaviors of children, but unfortunately very often in undesirable ways. According to the essay Family Counterculture by Ellen Goodman, it even came to the point that parents are forced to say no to almost everything the media offer. In fact, the majority of parents perceive television as a promoter of passivity, consumerism, and violence. No doubt, some of the programs and ads on TV can distract kids from normal childhood activities likeRead More Television and Society Essay763 Words   |  4 PagesTelevision and Society In Marie Winn’s Essay â€Å"Television: The Plug In Drug,† she states, â€Å"Television’s contribution to family life has been an equivocal one.† Winn focuses on the issue of televisions influence in the lives of American families. Her emphasis is on the mediums influence on children. Although she makes a strong case for the negative influence of television, she fails to consider all of the benefits television has brought to American families. On its own, the television is neitherRead MoreEssay about The Role of Violence and Television883 Words   |  4 PagesTelevision and Violence One of the increasing problems in today`s society is the violence caused by watching too much television. In 1950`s only 10% of American households had television, but today that number reached higher levels and 99% of households own one or more. Television is most of the time amusement and entertainment for many young people, especially children. Television itself has an impact on everyone. Some researches show that television has good sides and that can be entertainingRead MoreEssay on How Television Impacts our Children1123 Words   |  5 PagesTelevision has been around for over a half century. The first view of TV in the United States took place at a Worlds Fair in 1939, but standard television broadcasting did not begin until the late 1940s. Worry about the influence of television on children began when TV was in its early years. Early on in the 1950s, educators and parents began to ask legislators to do something about the amount of violence on TV. This concern still exists today. Parents have reservations about the quality of televisionRead MoreMedia Violence and the Affects It Has On Children Essay1312 Words   |  6 PagesMedia Violence and the Affects It Has On Children The media clearly has an impact on our lives and especially the young, impressionable and weak-minded people in our society. Children become desensitized to violence when they see it everyday on TV, in theaters and even in video games. They are not becoming properly aquatinted with what is real, what is not, and the effects of it all. Even TV news deadens anyones perception of reality. People ofRead MorePortrayal Of Gender Stereotypes Of Children s Television Commercials1639 Words   |  7 PagesStereotypes in Children’s Television Commercials. Liuyi Bian University of Florida Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in gender portrayal in children’s television commercials. The hypothesis that stated, if an observed television program is determined to be intended for girls, then the colors used in the commercials would be predominantly intended for girls, is strongly supported. To do content analysis, we first gathered a sample of 50 television commercials airedRead MoreEssay Positive Effects of Television Upon Children1630 Words   |  7 PagesEffects of Television Upon Children   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Without a doubt, television is the central and principal form of communication in many people’s lives. This form is most often exposed to a child who instantly becomes accustomed to its presence. Children are televisions largest audience, as Morris shows, â€Å"Children aged two to five look at the TV tube on an average of 28.4 hours a week; those between the ages of six and eleven average 23.6 hours a week†. Television has played an important role in many children’sRead More Cartoon Violence, Has it gone too Far Essay852 Words   |  4 PagesViolence on television in general is damaging to society. But the specific targeting of the younger population through the use of cartoons to show violence is destructive and in no way helping to profit the upcoming generation. Violence in cartoons is harmful to children in many ways. Desensitizing children, increasing aggressiveness, and increasing their fear of becoming victims in real life, are all ac credited to violence on television. â€Å"Myriad studies show that television violence affect

Democrats and Republicans in the US Congress are as...

Democrats and Republicans in the US Congress are as ideologically consistent and distinct as they have been at any point. Both houses in the US congress have become more ideologically polarized in the past few years. Parties have grown increasingly divided in the past years on all major policy dimensions in American politics, Democrats have become more liberal and Republicans have become more conservative and independents are also leaning towards sides now a days. In fact, I believe that political polarization in congress was at an all-time high the past year. Party polarization has been increasing since the 1970’s and I believe it will not slow down any time soon, despite a period of depolarization period in the mid-20th century†¦show more content†¦Whenever there is a divide in houses, it makes deal-making almost impossible, and can even lead to gridlock. When parties are in a gridlock, it means that nothing is getting done because votes are evenly dived between bot h majority parties (Theriault). Building large majorities becomes harder when electoral and policy interests of Congress are going in different directions. Polarization often shifts the balance of the powers among our national institutions at the cost of the Congress. And often, judges and executives act irrationally and make decisions without consulting the legislative bodies for their input, basing their decisions solely on party affiliation. A recent example of how polarization has affected the United States was during the government shutdown. The shutdown was caused by dissatisfaction among judges and other elected officials in the Congress, which caused wide spread political fallout among the Republican Party. Republicans were unsatisfied with Congress, elected officials, and the workings of the political system. Polarization in Congress has gone to such extremes that the Republican Party chose to completely shut down in order to get what they wanted out of the Democratic Party . The fact that Democrats and Republicans could not come up with some sort of compromise that would be beneficial towards both Parties is very concerning, and it lets us know that there might be a little too much partisanship among both parties and not enough workShow MoreRelatedInside the Meltdown49737 Words   |  199 Pageshaving confidence in our brand and our insurance guarantee, and I think we ve done that fairly successfully. We have seen a lot of stability. People are keeping their money in banks, which is good. ... I think we ll be judged by how history judges us, whether we continue to be effective in trying to stabilize the banking sector and maintaining people s confidence in the banking system. ... You say in speeches that the FDIC and yourself saw a storm brewing over the last two years. ... When IRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 Pagesmanufacturers and seller to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book, and the publisher was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed in initial caps or all caps. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Whetten, David A. (David Allred) Developing management skills /David A. Whetten, Kim S. Cameron.—8th ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-13-612100-8 1. Management—-Study and teaching

Organisational Behaviour for Workplace Conditions - myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theOrganisational Behaviour for Workplace Conditions. Answer: Introduction The management of individuals at work is a vital piece of the administration procedure. To recognize that the human work and the association are synonymous, a famous organization for the most time observes a normal employee values. A successful organisation will ensure that there is a soul of participation and feeling of a circle of between individual and company. An attitude is a mental or neural condition of status, sorted out through involvement and unique impact on the person's reaction to all stances and circumstances to which it is connected. An easier meaning of attitude is an outlook or an inclination to act especially because of both a person's experience and personality. Factors determining attitude: The organization itself - The primary factor influencing the worker confidence is directly the organization. A company itself affects employee dedication towards their work. The goodwill of an organization develops employee attitudes towards better or worst. Hence organization itself environment decides the attitude of an employee. Nature of work- The nature of work also affects an employee attitude towards work. An employee performing repetitive and routine job will be bored soon. Repetition of same work on routine basis makes condition worsen. Another reason is the extensive impersonal authoritative structure. Here and there, if the representative realizes that he is only a gear-tooth in the machine and not a human being; his spirit will turn down low (Field Buitendach, 2011). The absence of comprehension of hierarchical aims may likewise influence the confidence. Another reason which causes low spirit is the mechanical production system operations moving at a consistent speed. Level of satisfactions: The level of fulfillment, an employee achieves from his work is also a factor of morale. If job factor brings positive satisfaction for an employee then his morale will increase high in comparison to negative perception of satisfaction. The other employment factors incorporate the elements, for example, open doors for promotions, employer stability, opportunities available for growth and to recognition of his own particular ideas, pay, workplace conditions, acknowledgment and so on. People itself control their life in their own way and choices (Manzoor, 2012). Concerning challenges with others in offices endeavor to be same and straightforward. Many people will meet principles of conduct if managers let them know their activities are wrong. What's more, there's dependably the HR division when in doubt. Principle of attitude consistency: Our attitude guide our behavior, this idea guides that there is a correlation between various components of attitude and that determines our behavior by self-check measures (Nadiri Tanova, 2010). The theory determined by Martin Fishbein provided three key variables that affect attitude behavior relationship; those are an attitude toward behavior, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Attitude and its benefit Definition: Attitude is a standout among the most vital factors in helping the highs and lows of life. Since mentality spells how a man adapts, whatever viewpoint a person may hold will constantly have an impact on execution and the way a person handles dismissal. Benefits of attitude at work: Studies showing stress creates a mental and physical problem. Problems arose like insomnia, fatigue, loss of concentration, depression and much more which is dangerous for human beings. Hence, having a positive attitude towards work helps them to deal with daily stress and motivate to do work (Robbins, 2009). Enhancing your attitude will have an expansive influence that decidedly impacts everybody you interact with. Having an uplifting state of mind is not just essential for your well-being (and occupation security), it is likewise required to appreciate life. People might not have the training they required. A large portion of us doesn't wind up doing what we need, or even what we design, however you can't concentrate on the negative (Suppiah Singh, 2011). Job satisfaction factors: Working Conditions Employees spend a great amount of potential in their organization every week, it's imperative for organizations to provide advance employment environment. Examples of good working conditions are giving open work boundaries and agreeable work places add up to ideal work conditions (Valentine, et al. 2011). Giving profitability instruments, such as redesigned data innovation to enable representatives to fulfill errands all the more proficiently adds to work fulfillment too. All the components of work environment are compulsory and important when job satisfaction is considered and it also effects morale of an employee as well. Open door for Advancement: Employees tend to be happier with their current place of employment if they feel that it will help to achieve greater heights in organization and be given greater duty and along with it greater pay (Ycel, 2012). However if an employer offer greater opportunities for advancement then employees under him will tend to be more motivated and energised towards their work. Offering new duties to employees to take new roles make a organization to prosper in future. Regard from Co-Workers and recognition: A threatening environment with dominating and obnoxious co-workers one of the main considerations that create a negative state of mind towards working environment, while the inverse is known to have fulfilled representatives to a higher degree as there is less possibility of contentions and grievances in the working environment which has workers with high resolve.(Griffin, et al., 2010). Heads need to interfere in and mediate out issues between co-workers before it become a difficult issue requiring legal action. Representatives must remind to employees what practices are viewed as improper while cooperating with co-workers. Organisational commitment Organizational commitment is the degree to which workers feel faithful to manager (Suppiah, 2011). It is the individual's psychological relation to the organization. Employee experiences a 'sense of oneness' with their organization. 3 Components of organizational commitment Affective - Passionate connection to the association. This creates an increased feel of identification with an organization. It also leaves decreased effect in absenteeism and turnover. Effective achieves a reduction in prejudicial work behavior (Piccolo, 2010). It has a constructive problem during solving industry disputes. Affective commitment includes remaining with the association since anybody needs to. This kind of duty is normally the consequence of a steady workplace in which people are dealt with decently and the estimation of individual donors is grasped. Continuance - Recognizing that expense of leaving the association is too high. It includes remaining with the organization for a longer period. For example an employee who has effectively vested years in an organization, accumulating years of leave, employee benefits and compensation is leaving organisation and also all the benefits earned are to be forgone (Herzberg, Mausner Snyderman, 2011). Normative - Feeling of commitment to stay faithful to the associations. These sentiments of commitment come on basis when managers are given new responsibility. Thus, the worker feels obliged towards business. Therefore, by a show of trust and obligation, towards worker creates commitment amongst workers (Yousef, 2017). Organisational commitment helps managers- Commitment gives essential advantages inside an association also. They give representatives a reasonable feeling of centre and enable them to organize and arrange their activities. They're likewise motivational. They can, specifically, make fervours and vitality in troublesome circumstances, moving workers to endure regardless of hardships and misfortunes (Snape Redman, 2010). Organisation commitment includes something beyond organization devotion; it is the worker naturally needing to shield against feedback both inward and outside. Organisation commitment includes something beyond organization devotion; it is the worker naturally needing to shield against feedback both inward and outside. It helps in demonstrating how managers are honest about employee welfare. Managers are often busy in showing their concern about various job satisfaction factors. Commitment and involvement of employee helps manager in depicting the employee dedication and interest towards job role. Employee positive connectivity and strong connection with employer also help in knowing the commitment towards organization. Giving recognition and awarding a employee for its work in field also increases an employee dedication. Setting achievable goal and involvement in decision process of company help managers to increase employees commitment towards organisation. Committed employees always set their goals and values organisation in real life. They find more creative way to do a job and set more ambitious goals when involved in decision making process. So a manager should try to enhance the employee commitment level towards their organisation as it has various advantage. Conclusion: The focus of this report was to understand the impacts of attitudes of a person on work. It also defines how different factors determine attitude of as person in performing his duties at work. The analysis also reveals how appropriate HR practices and organisational commitment can improve the satisfaction of an employee. So to keep motivating employee, an organisation practices should be fair and honest. It also determines how managerial employee can strengthen his commitment towards organisation. Organisational commitment helps managers in knowing the employee commitment towards his job. References Field, L.K. and Buitendach, J.H., 2011. Happiness, work engagement and organisational commitment of support staff at a tertiary education institution in South Africa.SA Journal of Industrial Psychology,37(1), pp.01-10. Griffin, M.L., Hogan, N.L., Lambert, E.G., Tucker-Gail, K.A. and Baker, D.N., 2010. Job involvement, job stress, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment and the burnout of correctional staff.Criminal justice and behavior,37(2), pp.239-255. Herzberg, F., Mausner, B. and Snyderman, B.B., 2011.The motivation to work(Vol. 1). Transaction publishers, Piscataway, New Jersey Manzoor, Q.A., 2012. Impact of employees motivation on organizational effectiveness.Business management and strategy,3(1), p.36-44. Nadiri, H. and Tanova, C., 2010. An investigation of the role of justice in turnover intentions, job satisfaction, and organizational citizenship behavior in hospitality industry.International journal of hospitality management,29(1), pp.33-41. Piccolo, R.F., Greenbaum, R., Hartog, D.N.D. and Folger, R., 2010. The relationship between ethical leadership and core job characteristics.Journal of Organizational Behavior,31(2?3), pp.259-278. Robbins, S.P., 2009.Organizational Behavior, 13/E. pp 70-85. Pearson Education India. Delhi Snape, E. and Redman, T., 2010. HRM practices, organizational citizenship behaviour, and performance: A multi?level analysis.Journal of Management Studies,47(7), pp.1219-1247. Suppiah, V. and Singh Sandhu, M., 2011. Organisational culture's influence on tacit knowledge-sharing behaviour.Journal of knowledge management,15(3), pp.462-477. Valentine, S., Godkin, L., Fleischman, G.M. and Kidwell, R., 2011. Corporate ethical values, group creativity, job satisfaction and turnover intention: The impact of work context on work response.Journal of Business Ethics,98(3), pp.353-372. Yousef, D.A., 2017. Organizational Commitment, Job Satisfaction and Attitudes toward Organizational Change: A Study in the Local Government, International Journal of Public Administration, 40:1, 77-88, DOI:10.1080/01900692.2015.1072217. Ycel, ?., 2012. Examining the relationships among job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and turnover intention: An empirical study.International Journal of Business and Management,7(20), p.44.

The Worlds Most Ethical Companies a Case of PepsiCo

Introduction Corporate concern about ethics has grown in prominence in recent times as business entities strive to incorporate moral values and principles into their operations. Companies no longer focus singly on profit maximisation and expansion of their businesses, but they also explore ways of treating the consumers, employees, and the environment in a morally praiseworthy manner (Shaw, 2011).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The World’s Most Ethical Companies: a Case of PepsiCo specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is a common practise in the contemporary organisations to find special departments that are exclusively established to cater for the ethical needs of the organisations. As a matter of fact, various independent bodies evaluate the extent to which organisations employ ethical management and practise with the view of recognising their efforts and influencing improved services. Companies are also realising the connection between their ethical practices and management, on the one hand, and the profit margins they register each financial period, on the other hand (Shaw, 2011). This paper seeks to discuss the ethics concept in business by specifically analysing PepsiCo’s practise in the same area. Pepsi’s Morally Responsible Actions Environmental management PepsiCo has an established elaborate policy on the environment, health, as well as safety management. The policy seeks to ensure that the company caters for its immediate business environment effectively. The policy comprises of eight critical points that include ownership culture, business integration, regulation compliance, as well as resource allocation (PEPSICO, n.d.). It additionally entails the aspects of performance measurement, continual improvement, together with stakeholder collaboration and annual review. In terms of ownership culture, for instance, the company’s policy identifies the need to build and sustain a proactive culture through driving environmental ownership, individuals’ health and safety, and managing the overall environmental aspect at the organisational level. The company engages, consults, as well as trains its people to influence active participation to enable these plans achieve realistic goals. Another important aspect of the environmental management programme is the issue of stakeholder collaboration. PepsiCo works in collaboration with its business partners, such as the contractors, suppliers, licensed bottlers, along with the local communities and customers to limit the health, environmental, and safety outcome related to its daily operations (PEPSICO, n.d.).Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More PepsiCo also works with a different group of stakeholders that comprises of governments, academia, other interested stakeholders , in addition to business associations and non-governmental organisations for purposes of striving to widen effective and sustainable resolutions with regard to health, environmental, and safety confrontations or challenges, all of which face the company’s operations. Ethical Consumer Treatment PepsiCo also strives to ensure that it treats its customers in morally acceptable ways without allowing inhumane practices to penetrate through its corporate human resource practises. The beverage and food company definitely deals with a large number of consumers that may prove too tricky to handle or manage effectively because it is a large multinational firm with a presence in almost all the continents in the world. The firm has established a global code of conduct that generally identifies the main objective of conducting business in the right way as a part of its corporate mechanism aimed at ensuring that customers of the firm are treated in a moral way (PEPSICO, n.d.). Employees a re expected to adhere to these codes of conduct and embrace the underlying principles as a way of ensuring that the company achieves and sustains its objectives for long (PEPSICO, n.d.). The code includes a requirement to show total respect at the workplace, an obligation to always act with integrity within the marketplace, as well as the expectation that all workers ensure ethics in the business activities that they undertake. Additionally, and more importantly, workers are required to perform their respective tasks in more responsible ways for the purpose of fulfilling the shareholders’ expectations effectively (PEPSICO, n.d.). The company revises its acceptable practises more often to incorporate changing laws that may, in one way or the other, affect on its corporate operations as a way of making the corporate code of conduct more effective. Moral Action towards Employees PepsiCo fully supports and expresses a commitment to its entire workforce. The company encourages a d iverse corporate culture where any qualified individual from whatever race, tribe, nationality, or gender can apply for job positions in the firm and be considered for employment without any discrimination.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The World’s Most Ethical Companies: a Case of PepsiCo specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The company looks at this goal as an important one that encourages creativity amongst the workers, while also offering a chance for benefitting from new and unique perspectives (PEPSICO, n.d.). Pepsi realises the key role that its employees play towards ensuring that the company attains its objective towards the customers. In particular, its corporate philosophy identifies the importance of the firm maintaining mutual respect, workplace safety, and integrity. Pepsi’s inspiration of a collaborative culture focuses on recruiting, as well as retaining world-class talent by ensuring that its workers achieve employment satisfaction or what the company refers to as â€Å"Talent Sustainability† (PEPSICO, n.d.). A perfect example of actions employed by the firm in encouraging employees to speak out entails the provision of an Organisational Health Survey that is conducted every two years with a view of obtaining opinions concerning the organisation and the general workplace. Effects of the Morally Conscious Decisions on the Company’s Bottom line Customers.  Trust The morally acceptable practices and decisions of the company are likely to enhance customer trust and confidence towards the company. Because the employees are showing greater dedication in serving the customers, the latter feel comfortable to conduct business with the firm than would be the case had the workers not been considering ethical and moral practises. As this trust is developed and maintained by many potential customers, the company eventually succeeds in enlarging its profit margins because of high sales that translate into higher revenues.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Employees Motivation The moral actions directed towards the workers by the firm enhance the level of their motivation. The workers feel they are highly valued and consider themselves as owners of the firm. They are willing to increase their output because they are aware that their collective hard work will, in turn, mean that they will receive more benefits from the employer. As the employees’ motivation increases and they express their willingness to work even harder for the firm, they enhance the chances of profitability because more consumers get served satisfactorily. This increases their trust towards PepsiCo. Satisfaction PepsiCo is likely to achieve a workforce that is highly satisfied with its mandate due to its continued employee moral programmes. Workers who are fully aware that their needs, both material and emotional, are well taken care of are less likely to consider changing employers. Instead, a huge percentage of them would prefer working with the same satisfy ing employer until they attain their retirement ages. This is critical for PepsiCo because it will no longer face the need for undertaking employee recruitments after every short while. As a matter of fact, high employee turnover rates disrupt the overall planning and operation of the firm because the management has to keep training new employees who only last for a short while before quitting in search for better employers. Community Collaboration The firm is likely to receive greater support and positive collaboration from the societies because PepsiCo is expressing a willingness to support the local communities through numerous environmental management programmes. For instance, foreign governments will be willing to issue the firm with operation licences in their respective territories because they realise the benefits that the society will achieve in the long run. This kind of goodwill from the communities allows the company to expand its market and improve its revenue capabilit ies. Critical Review of PepsiCo’s Ethical Policies PepsiCo identifies six critical guiding principles that form the basis of its ethical policies and management. They include care for customers, the sale of products that attract pride, speaking the truth, and balancing the short-term plans with the long-term ones (PEPSICO, n.d.). Additionally, the firm emphasizes diversity and inclusion, while highlighting the need to respect others as a way of achieving success as a whole. The company has divided these six critical guiding principles to address all its significant areas of business. In particular, the principles address issues about customers, products, verbal communication with the shareholders, and overall future ethical plan of the organisation (PEPSICO, n.d.). It also addresses the issue of employment with regard to a diverse workforce and the employee conduct and behaviour not only towards the customers, but also towards the employees (PEPSICO, n.d.). Ethical Areas Need ing Improvement Environmental Management Given its wide array of products, PepsiCo also uses a lot of packaging materials that end up impacting negatively on the general environment (Wilburn Wilburn, 2013). The company should consider addressing this area by devising alternative packaging materials that will not pose environmental hazards to the communities at large. Customers A great portion of food products manufactured and marketed by PepsiCo are junks. These foods are responsible for the increasing dangerous health conditions, such as obesity and high blood pressure. The company should not only regard the high profits that it rakes from the sale of these foods, but it should also consider introducing healthier foods (Hall, 2007). Employees There are instances of deserving workers being omitted from planned promotions and other employee benefits because of a large workforce that is evident at PepsiCo. The company’s human resource management must ensure that it utilises ef fective computerised systems to eliminate these unfortunate incidences. Conclusion PepsiCo, which is a leading global manufacturer of assorted products like foods and beverages, has incorporated numerous ethical practices in its business strategy as a means of achieving greater acceptability. Its ethical practises benefit the local communities, employees, as well as its customers. A code of conduct has been established to direct the actions and activities of its employees. This code of conduct has been designed in a way that ensures workers serve customers in the most morally acceptable ways. On the other hand, the firm also observes an elaborate plan that ensures its workforce is handled in the most morally satisfying ways. This enhances their motivation and has the potential of influencing the attainment of more profits and revenues. However, the company ought to consider the environmental impact that its packaging causes. A large percentage of its food products are also mainly ju nks, putting the health conditions of many of its consumers at risk. References Hall, J. (2007). The ethical opportunity. Journal of Brand Management, 14(5), 365-367. PEPSICO (n.d.). Global code of conduct. Retrieved from https://www.pepsico.com/About/Global-Code-Of-Conduct Shaw, W. H. (2011). Business ethics: A textbook with cases. Boston, MA: Wadsworth. Wilburn, K., Wilburn, R. (2013). Using Global Reporting Initiative indicators for CSR programs. Journal of Global Responsibility, 4(1), 31-60 This research paper on The World’s Most Ethical Companies: a Case of PepsiCo was written and submitted by user Matilda Flores to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Lynette Woodard of the Harlem Globetrotters

Lynette Woodard of the Harlem Globetrotters Lynette Woodard learned to play basketball in her childhood, and one of her heroes was her cousin Hubie Ausbie, known as Geese, who played with the Harlem Globetrotters. Woodards family and background: Born in: Wichita, Kansas on August 12, 1959.Mother: Dorothy, homemaker.Father: Lugene, fireman.Siblings: Lynette Woodard was the youngest of four siblings.Cousin: Hubie Geese Ausbie, player with the Harlem Globetrotters 1960-1984. High School Phenom and Olympian Lynette Woodard played varsity womens basketball in high school, achieving many records and helping to win two consecutive state championships. She then played for Lady Jayhawks at the University of Kansas, where she broke the NCAA womens record, with 3,649 points in four years and a 26.3 point per game average. The University retired her jersey number when she graduated, the first student so honored. In 1978 and 1979, Lynette Woodard traveled in Asia and Russia as part of national womens basketball teams. She tried out for and won a spot on the 1980 Olympic womens basketball team, but that year, the United States protested the Soviet Unions invasion of Afghanistan by boycotting the Olympics. She tried out for and was selected for the 1984 team, and was co-captain of the team as it won the gold medal. Woodards National and International Medals : Gold Medal: U.S. national team, World University Games, 1979.Gold Medal: U.S. national team, Pan-American Games, 1983.Silver Medal: U.S. national team, World Championships, 1983.Gold Medal: Los Angeles Olympics womens basketball team (co-captain), 1984.Gold Medal: U.S. national team, World Championships, 1990.Bronze Medal: U.S. national team, Pan-American Games, 1991. College and Professional Life Between the two Olympics, Woodard graduated from college, then played basketball in an industrial league in Italy. She worked briefly in 1982 at the University of Kansas. After the 1984 Olympics, she took a job at the University of Kansas with the womens basketball program. Woodards Education: Wichita North High School, varsity womens basketball.University of Kansas.B.A., 1981, speech communications and human relations.Basketball coach Marian Washington.Twice named academic All-American and four times named athletic All-American.Ranked first or second in the nation in steals, scoring, or rebounding each year. Woodard saw no opportunity to play basketball professionally in the United States. After considering her next step after college, called her cousin Geese Ausbie, wondering if the famed Harlem Globetrotters might consider a woman player. Within weeks, she received word that the Harlem Globetrotters were looking for a woman, the first woman to play for the team - and their hope to improve attendance. She won the difficult competition for the spot, though she was the oldest woman competing for the honor, and joined the team in 1985, playing on an equal basis with the men on the team through 1987. She returned to Italy and played there 1987-1989, with her team winning the national championship in 1990. In 1990, she joined a Japanese league, playing for Daiwa Securities, and helping her team win a division championship in 1992. In 1993-1995 was an athletic director for the Kansas City School District. She also played for the U.S. national teams that won the 1990 World Championships gold medal and the 1991 Pan-American Games bronze. In 1995, she retired from basketball to become a stockbroker in New York. In 1996, Woodard served on the Olympic Committees board. Woodards Honors and Achievements: All-American High School Team, womens basketball.All-American high school athlete, 1977.Wade Trophy, 1981 (best woman basketball player in U.S.)Big Eight Tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP) (three years).NCAA Top V Award, 1982.Womens Sports Foundation Flo Hyman Award, 1993.Legends ring, Harlem Globetrotters, 1995.Sports Illustrated for Women, 100 Greatest Women Athletes, 1999.Basketball Hall of Fame, 2002 and 2004.Womens Basketball Hall of Fame, 2005. Woodard's Continued Career Woodards retirement from basketball didnt last long. In 1997, she joined the new Womens National Basketball Association (WNBA), playing with the Cleveland Rockers and then the Detroit Shock, while maintaining her stockbroker position on Wall Street. After her second season she retired again, returning to the University of Kansas where, among her responsibilities, she was an assistant coach with her old team, the Lady Jayhawks, serving as interim head coach in 2004. She was named one of Sports Illustrateds hundred greatest women athletes in 1999. In 2005, Lynette Woodard was inducted into the Womens Basketball Hall of Fame.

Houses in A House for Mr. Biswas essays

Houses in A House for Mr. Biswas essays "He had lived in many houses. And how easy it was to think of those houses without him!" (p. 125) During his life Mr.Biswas, the protagonist of V.S. Naipauls novel, lived in many different houses. His erring began from his fathers mud hut in the swamplands from where his family was almost expelled. Mr. Biswas moved to the Hanuman House, which was followed by a string of houses: the Chase, the Green Vale, Shorthills, the Tulsi apartment in the Port of Spain, until he finally bought his own house where he died at Sikkim Street. But what makes the houses so important in the novel? In the epilogue, Naipaul ends the entire book, with the word house. The same word is also found in the title. Clearly there is an importance. I think that Mr. Biswass search for a house is his search for connection, his search for belonging somewhere and his search for a way to not be alone - even though his loneliness never leaves him. For Mr. Biswas, the metaphor of house is the fundamental structure he fails to have in own his life. His fathers mud hut in the swamplands was the first house Mr. Biswas got to know. It was a very rural dwelling, but it still symbolized (family) property and it was the only house to which he had some right (p.39). Ironically, Mr. Biswass mother Bibti was intimidated to sell it and this "house" and land became valuable and profitable for others when oil was discovered - it proved worthless for Mr. Biswas. From this moment forward there is only a growing sense of rootlessness in him. His inability to connect with others increases and only reinforces by the other houses in which he ends up to live in. As a result of an innocent flirtation Mr. Biswas becomes trapped with the Tulsi family. He moves to the impressive looking Hanuman house, which in reality turns out to be a dirty, overcrowded old building behind the facade. There he is increasingly ostracize ...

Antimalware techniques Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Antimalware techniques - Essay Example Email Filtering eliminates Malware-infected images from mail, and holds SPAM (most of whose URLs take you to Malware spreading websites) out of Inbox.   Firewalls choke up Malware from corresponding to the outside world. A  honeypot  is a  trap  installed to observe, avoid, or in some way neutralize attempts at unauthenticated use of  information systems. Commonly it consists of a  computer system, data, or a network site that appears to be element of a  network, but in reality is isolated and under observation, and which appears to contain information or a resource of value to attackers (Ciampa,  2009, p.  169-170). Behavior-blocking is a capability of some anti-malware tools that provides few of the best security available. It uses a more advanced approach at detection than merely matching applications against signatures of well known infections. Rather, it operates like a firewall by monitoring incoming applications for particular executions that show features of malicious code. Operating System and anti-malware tools should be up-to-date. Number of rogue software and security breaches in the OS is being exposed. Manufacturers of OS and anti-malware tools release updates for their products repeatedly. A un-updates OS or anti-malware would not be helpful in case of any

Aviation Research Paper Scholarship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Aviation Research Paper - Scholarship Essay Example Hence, patents are related with invention, trademarks relate to distinguish a company or good fro others and copyright is related to the originality and artistic creativity. All these forms are protected by specific laws. There are certain factors that a company has to consider for protecting its inventions doing business in multiple countries. These factors can be categorized by marketing factors and the legal factors. While considering the marketing factors, the company has to determine if it is better to diffuse the technology so the product rises to the position of dominance or to protect the invention so the competitors may not be able to copy it. At the legal front, the company has to consider the possibilities of real protection given by the host country. Every country has its own means and methods to protect the intentions. Thus, if the company find it difficult to protect the invention, it may consider relying on trade secrets instead. There are two distinct reasons why a company should consider protecting the product through trade secret laws instead of patent and copyrights. First, the company has to adopt the trade secret policy when the formula is not patentable. Second, the company should prefer trade secret when it finds it appropriate to expose the product to the public without apprehension of loosing the underlying technology to the competitors. Cloni Q # 4. Cloning is the form of imitating an invention or product which successfully utilizes the technology without violating the copyright, patents, trade secret and/or the trademarks legality. The example of Compaq imitating IBM's BIOS is a vivid illustration how a company skilfully imitate a technology and still no legal action can be taken against it. Q # 5. Microsoft Windows operating system is an example that lies on the continuum of wholly proprietary system. Q # 6. There are many factors that influenced Microsoft to adopt the wholly proprietary system. First, Microsoft wants to monopolize the market as it is the main controller of the software market. Second, there are numerous software companies producing their software running on different operating systems. Thus, if Microsoft decides for the wholly open system there is very likelihood that other software companies would develop modify the operating system to suit their own software. Chapter Ten Q. # 1 There are certain advantages of large companies over the small ones. The biggest difference between large and small companies is there budget and financial resources that allow the large companies to invest heavily for engaging their scientists and researchers for further innovations. Apart from financial resources, the human resources also contribute significantly for the success of large companies. Thus, the large companies can outperform small companies due to their extended resources. On the other hand, small companies also have some advantages over the large ones. Most importantly, they can concentrate more on their limited resources to achieve instant results of their research. Further, there is limited bureaucratic hindrances that undermine the efforts of large firms. Q # 2: Formalization can help the organization to facilitate and streamline their administrative works so the workers and customers can interact effectively and the organization work is carried out smoothly. Formalization also reduces the burden of too many

Questions to Ask Before You Believe a Pol Essay Example for Free

Questions to Ask Before You Believe a Pol Essay Opinion polls and other sample surveys can produce accurate and useful information if the pollster uses good statistical techniques and also works hard at preparing a sampling frame, wording questions, and reducing nonresponse. Many surveys, however, especially those designed to influence public opinion rather than just record it, do not produce accurate or useful information. Here are some questions to ask before you pay much attention to poll results. †¢Who carried out the survey? Even a political party should hire a professional sample survey firm whose reputation demands that they follow good survey practices. †¢What was the population? That is, whose opinions were being sought? †¢How was the sample selected? Look for mention of random sampling. †¢How large was the sample? Even better, find out both the sample size and the margin of error within which the results of 95% of all samples drawn as this one was would fall. †¢What was the response rate? That is, what percent of the original subjects actually provided information? †¢How were the subjects contacted? By telephone? Mail? Face-to-face interview? †¢When was the survey conducted? Was it just after some event that might have influenced opinion? †¢What were the exact questions asked? Academic survey centers and government statistical offices answer these questions when they announce the results of a sample survey. National opinion polls usually don’t announce their response rate (which is often low) but do give us the other information. Editors and newscasters have the bad habit of cutting out these dull facts and reporting only the sample results. Many sample surveys by interest groups and local newspapers and TV stations don’t answer these questions because their polling methods are in fact unreliable. If a politician, an advertiser, or your local TV station announces the results of a poll without complete information, be skeptical. Even professional sample surveys don’t give exactly correct information about the population. There are many potential sources of error in sampling. The margin of error announced by a sample survey covers only random sampling error, the variation due to chance in choosing a random sample. Other types of error are in addition to the margin of error and can’t be directly measured. Sampling errors come from the act of choosing a sample. Random sampling error and undercoverage are common types of sampling error. Undercoverage occurs when some members of the population are left out of the sampling frame, the list from which the sample is actually chosen. The most serious errors in most careful surveys, however, are non-sampling errors. These have nothing to do with choosing a sample—they are present even in a census. The single biggest problem for sample surveys is nonresponse: subjects can’t be contacted or refuse to answer. Mistakes in handling the data (processing errors) and incorrect answers by respondents (response errors) are other examples of non-sampling errors.

The Western Lawman :: Television Media TV Essays

The Western Lawman Gunsmoke was a dramatized radio program that portrayed life in the old west. According to online sources, "Plots dealt with the lives and activities of Marshall Dillon, Doc, Miss Kitty, Chester, and the other residents of Dodge City, Kansas in the late 19th century." Lawman Marshall Dillon was the center of everything that happened. The peace and welfare of Dodge City rested in his hands. Marshall Dillon represents the quintessential western lawman, with his independence, authoritativeness, and general distrust of strangers. Dillon stood alone. No one could dictate to him how to act or what to do. This is illustrated in several instances. In the episode "The Army Trial" the army officer assigned to bring in Jed Cook, the deserting soldier asks for Dillon's cooperation after Cook escapes. Dillon agrees to cooperate but on his terms. He demands that the officer remove his troops from town and allow him to conduct the search personally. In the second episode, "General Parsley Smith", Dillon insists on handling all investigation himself. He takes tips from Parsley, but instructs him to stay out of the situation while he checks things out. In "Uncle Oliver", he makes it plain that there is no job opening for a Marshall's assistant. Oliver suggests that Biney learn how to be a Marshall by shadowing Dillon, but Dillon won't have it. He states that he does not need any help from anyone except Chester. Chester is the only person he consistently allows to help him. Otherwise, he is a one man outfit. Marshall Matt Dillon is also characterized by his authoritativeness. He will not be challenged and he will not back down. When General Parsley stirs up trouble in town, Dillon warns that he will run Parsley out of town if he does not stop slandering the new banker. When Parsley is caught once again repeating the same offense, true to his word, Dillon orders him to leave town. While being arrested for desertion, Cook cannot fire on Dillon because of the respect he commands. And Uncle Oliver is compelled to search for Biney even though he is plotting to kill Chester. As you listen to these episodes, you realize that Dillon is also very suspicious of strangers. He is constantly questioning whether or not they are legitimate. In the first episode ("The Army Trial") as he and Chester approach the wagon in distress, they are ready to help but their help is repeatedly refused which arouses suspicion.

Outline and evaluate psychological explanations for OCD Essay

The cognitive approach assumes that OCD is a consequence of faulty and irrational ways of thinking taken to an extreme. Patients with OCD have different thinking patterns and more intrusive thoughts. The cognitive explanation stresses that everyone has unwanted thoughts from time to time, but OCD sufferers cannot ignore these thoughts and they are often misinterpreted, leading to self-blame and the obsessive symptoms of OCD. So that the negative thoughts and concerns associated with a particular anxiety do not come to pass, compulsions arise in an attempt to ‘neutralise’ the anxiety. The sufferer becomes more wary of having intrusive thoughts and their fear of them increases. As these ideas are constantly thought about, they become obsessive and a pattern of ritualistic, repetitive behaviour begins. A strength of this theory is that there is supporting evidence. For example, Wegner found that a group of students asked not to think of a white bear were more likely to do so than a group allowed to think about it. Salkoius found that when asking participants to suppress thoughts and on other days not to, the participants kept a diary of more intrusive thoughts when they had to be suppressed these findings support the idea that a deliberate attempt to suppress thoughts leads to an increase in these thoughts; supporting the main ideas of the approach. This is a strength because the two studies have found similar findings and are therefore externally reliable. This makes the cognitive approach reliable as a whole because it can be checked and verified and the theory has sound foundations for further research. However, a weakness of this theory is that there are problems with the evidence. For example, Salkoius used self-report methodologies in order to measure the thoughts of the participants. This means that the results may have been subjected to social desirability bias. For example, the amount of intrusive thoughts may not have all been recorded in the diaries in order to please the experimenter; they may not want them to know how bad their symptoms are due to feelings of embarrassment. This is an issue because it means the study lacks internal validity; the intrusive thoughts in the diary are not caused solely by supressing them, but there are other extraneous variables such as embarrassment. We therefore cannot prove cause and effect to show that suppressing thoughts lead to symptoms in OCD, so there are other factors the cognitive approach needs to consider in order to offer a causal explanation. However, although there are issues with self-report methodologies, they can provide a greater insight into the participant’s thoughts and a greater level of detail. They are allowing the participants to describe their own experiences rather than inferring this from observing participants. It therefore provides access to a high level of quantitative data.

The Blue Sword CHAPTER THIRTEEN

It was two days later when, as the morning sun shone down on them, Harry first saw Istan again; and she altered their course a little to the north, for it was not the town she was aiming for, but Jack Dedham's garrison. She prayed to anything that might be listening that he would be there, not off on some diplomatic sortie or border-beating. She could not imagine trying to explain her errand to anyone else; she did not think Jack would conclude that she was mad. She did think that anyone else – even Dickie; especially Dickie – would. But even if Jack were at the fort, and believed her story, would he help her? She didn't know, and didn't dare make guesses. But she and Terim and Senay, even with Senay's father's reinforcements, would not be very effective by themselves. Rather more effective than I would have been by myself, though, she thought. The first evening, after Senay and Terim had joined her, and after the animals were settled and the other two human beings were asleep, Harry had cut herself a long straight slender branch from a tree, and stripped it with the short knife she kept in one boot. When they set out that evening she tied it lengthwise to Sungold's saddle, so it rubbed against her right leg as she rode, but at least it did not threaten either of her companions, who rode close at her sides. They eyed it, but said nothing. When she first recognized Istan looming out of the dawn light at them, she paused, took out her knife again, and deliberately ripped several inches of hem from her white tunic, unlashed her branch, and tied the raveling bit of cloth to one end of it. She tucked the other end just under one leg, and held it upright with one hand. â€Å"It is a sign that we come in peace,† she explained, a little sheepishly, to her friends; their faces cleared, and they nodded. It was still very early. The town was silent as they skirted it; nothing, not even a dog, challenged them as they rode toward the fort. Harry found herself watching out of the corners of her eyes, looking for any odd little wisps of fog that might be following them. The dogs ought to bark. She didn't see any fog. She didn't know if either of her companions was a fog-rouser; and she knew only too well that she did not know what she herself was capable of. They rode up to the closed gate of the fort, the horses' hooves making small thunks in the sandy ground, kicking up small puffs of grit; she thought of the fourposter pony, who was no doubt drowsing in his stall now, dreaming of hay. Harry looked at the fort gate in surprise; as she remembered, and she was reasonably sure that she remembered correctly, the gate was opened at dawn, with reveille, and stayed open till taps at sunset. The gate, wooden and iron-barred, in a wall of dull yellow brick, was higher than her head as she sat on Sungold, looking up; and its frame was higher yet. They rode right up to it, and no one hailed them; and they stood in front of it, at a loss, their shadows nodding bemusedly at them from the grey wood before them and Harry's little flag limp at the end of its pole. Narknon went up to the gate and sniffed it. Harry had never thought of the possibility of not being able to get inside the fort in the first place. She rode up next to the gate and hammered on it with her fist. As her flesh struck the solid barrier it sent a tingle up her arm, and a murmur of kelar at the base of her skull told her that she could walk through this wall if she had to, to pursue her purpose. In that instant she realized exactly how Corlath had stolen her from the bedroom that at present was not so far from where Sungold stood; and she understood as well that the kelar must see some use in her errand at the Outlander fort to back her so strongly; and for that she did not know whether to be glad or sorry or fearful. And if fearful, for the sake of whom? Her new people – or her old friends? And she had a quiver of wry sympathy for how the Hill-king must have felt, walking up the Residency stairs in the middle of the night; and then she tipped her head back to stare at the Outlander wall, and touched her calf to her Hill horse's side, to move him away from that wall. â€Å"Since when is this gate closed during daylight?† she shouted; and Homelander speech tasted strange in her mouth, and she wondered if she spoke the words as a Hillwoman might. With her words, the spell, whatever spell it might be, was broken; and the three Hill riders suddenly blinked, as if the sun had grown brighter; and a small panel shot back, beside the gate and above their heads; and a man's face glared down. â€Å"Where did you come from, Hillman, and what do you want of us?† He looked without pleasure at the white rag. â€Å"We came from the Hills,† Harry said, grinning, â€Å"but I am no Hillman; and we would like speech with Colonel Dedham.† The man scowled at her. She suspected that he did not like her knowing Jack's name. â€Å"He does not speak to Hillfolk – or those who ride like Hillfolk,† he added disagreeably. By now there were several faces peering over the wall at them; Harry did not recognize any of them, and found this strange, for she had known at least by sight nearly all of Dedham's men. She had not been gone for so many months that it seemed likely the entire complement of the fort could have changed. She squinted up at them, wondering if her eyes or her memory was playing her tricks. She frowned at her interlocutor's tone. â€Å"You could bear a message to him, then,† she said, trying to decide if it was worth the possibility of some kind of uproar if she said her name. â€Å"Hillfolk – † began the man at the window, and his tone was not encouraging. â€Å"Oh, Bill, for the love of God, the new orders say nothing about rudeness,† said one of the faces at the fence. â€Å"If you won't carry a message as requested, I will – and I'll be sure to mention why an off-duty man had to do it.† â€Å"Tom?† said Harry hesitantly. â€Å"Is that Tom Lloyd?† There was a tense and breathless silence, and the man at the open panel hissed something that sounded like â€Å"witchcraft.† The voice from the fence came again, slowly but clearly: â€Å"This is Tom Lloyd, but you have the advantage of me.† â€Å"True enough,† said Harry dryly, and shook back her hood and looked up at him. â€Å"We danced together, some months ago: my brother, Di – Richard, collected favors from all his tall friends to dance with his large sister.† â€Å"Harry – † said Tom, and leaned over the fence, his shoulders outlined against the light, his face and hands as pale as the desert sand. â€Å"Harry?† â€Å"Yes,† said Harry, shaken at how strange he looked to her, that she had not recognized him before he spoke. â€Å"I need to talk to Colonel Dedham. Is he here?† Harry's heart was in her mouth. â€Å"Yes, he is: reading a six-months-old newspaper from Home over a cup of coffee right now, I'd say.† Tom sounded dazed. â€Å"Bill, you wretch, open the gate. It's Harry Crewe.† Harry's legs were tight on Sungold's sides, and the big horse threw his head up and shivered. â€Å"He don't look like Harry Crewe,† Bill said suddenly. â€Å"And what about the two with him – her? And that funny-colored leopard?† â€Å"They're my friends,† said Harry angrily. â€Å"Either open the gate or at least take my message.† â€Å"I can't leave my post – another man'll have to take the word. I won't open the gate to Hillfolk. It's Hillfolk it's closed for. Tom's too easy. How do I know you're Harry Crewe? You look like a bloody Darian, and you ride like one, and you can't even talk right.† Harry's pulse began to bang in her ears. â€Å"For pity's sake – â€Å" â€Å"Not you, Tom,† said Bill; â€Å"we already know as how you're off duty. Get another man what's on.† â€Å"Don't bother,† said Harry, between her teeth; â€Å"I'll take the message myself. I know where Jack's quarters are.† She dropped her pole in the dust, and, conscious she was doing a supremely stupid thing, she brought Sungold a few more dancing steps away from the gate, turned him, and set him at it. He went up and over with a terrific heave of his hindquarters, and Harry had reason to be grateful for the perfect fit of her saddle; but once in the air he seemed to float, and look around, and he came down as lightly as a blown leaf. He trotted two steps and halted, while Harry tried to look calm and lofty and as though she had known what she was doing all the time. The leap was over in a few seconds, and no one had expected anything so incredible, even from a Hillman; now men were shouting, and there was a crowd all around her. She thought no one would shoot her out of hand, but she wasn't quite sure, so she waited, instead of going in search of Jack Dedham as she had threatened. Sungold stretched his neck out and shook himself. Narknon flowed over the gate behind them – there was a howl of fear and wrath from Bill – and the cat trotted to Sungold and crouched under his belly. But she did not have to look for Jack after all, because the row at the gate brought him at a run scant seconds after Sungold's leap. He rounded the narrow corner of some dark building opposite the place where Sungold stood. The horse lifted first one foot and then another, unaccustomed to such noisy reckless human beings, but still obedient to his rider's wishes. He replaced each foot in just the print it had left. Jack came to a halt, barely avoiding running into them. Sungold pitched his ears toward the balding grey-haired Outlander who stood now, stock still, staring: his eyes traveled from the big chestnut horse down to the laconic cat, up to the horse's rider, and his jaw visibly dropped. Harry's hood was still back on her shoulders, and her bright hair flamed in the young sunlight; he recognized her immediately, although he had never seen such an expression on her face before. A moment passed while he could think of nothing; then he strode forward with a cry of â€Å"Harry!† and raised his arms, and she, a young girl again with a young girl's face, ungracefully tumbled off her horse and into them. He thumped her on the back, as he might have one of his own men back from an impossible mission and long since given up for lost; and then he kissed her heartily on the mouth, which he would not have done to any of his own men; and Harry hugged him around the neck, and then, embarrassed, tried to back away. He held her shoulders a minute longer and stared at her; they were much of a height, and Tom Lloyd, looking wistfully on, found himself thinking that they looked very much alike, for all of the girl's yellow hair and Hill clothing; and he realized, without putting any of it into words, that the girl he had danced with months ago, and thought about as he blacked his boots, and lost sleep over when she disappeared, was gone forever. Harry drew a hasty sleeve across her eyes; and then Tom, emboldened by his commander's behavior, hugged her too, but backed away without meeting her eyes; and Harry, even preoccupied as she was, was briefly puzzled by Tom's air of farewell, and she guessed something of what her brother had never told her. The whole fort was aroused; there were dozens of men standing around staring, and asking questions of one another; some were in uniform, and some looked like they had fallen out of bed a minute before; a few carried rifles and were looking around wildly. A few of those rifles were pointed at Narknon, but the cat had sense enough not to move, or even yawn and display her dangerous-looking fangs. The Outlanders asked each other questions, and there was a lot of shrugging; but while their colonel's evident delight in their sudden Hill visitor allayed any immediate fears they might have, Harry thought they looked tense and wary, as men may who live long under some strain. â€Å"What should I ask first?† said Jack. â€Å"Why are you here? Your horse tells me where you've been these months past – God, what an animal – but I am totally awestruck by the intelligence †¦ although, come to think of it, I don't seem to be surprised. Do you know that the entire station turned out to look for you when you vanished? Although I doubt in fact that you know anything of the sort; I flatter myself I searched as painstakingly as anyone, but what the Hills take, if they mean to keep it, they keep it, and I rather thought they meant to keep you. Everyone was sure the Hillfolk did have something to do with your evaporating like that – although it was more a superstition than a rational conclusion, as nary a trace of anything did we find; no rumors in the marketplace either. Amelia, poor lady, had well-bred hysterics, and Charles chewed his mustaches ragged, and Mrs. Peterson took her girls south to Ootang. And your brother stopped talkin g to everybody, and rode three horses to death – and he takes good care of his horses, usually, or I wouldn't have him here. I don't think he even noticed when Cassie Peterson left.† Harry blushed, and looked at her feet. â€Å"So you see, he does care – you've wondered, haven't you? He wasn't too fond of his commanding officer there for the weeks that it lasted, for I couldn't somehow work up the proper horror – oh, I was worried about you, but I was also †¦ envious.† He looked at her, smiling, wondering what her reaction would be to his words, wondering if he had said the right thing, knowing that the truth was not always its own excuse; knowing that his relief at seeing her made him talk too much and too freely – a reaction that had, often enough in the past, gotten him into trouble with his superior officers. And Harry looked back at him, and she smiled too, but she remembered the vertigo of the Outlander girl alone in a camp of the Hillfolk, surrounded by a people speaking a language she could not speak, whose hopes she did not understand, whose dreams she could not share. The people of the Hills had been her own people's foes for eighty years and more, for she was born and bred a Homelander; how could Jack – even Jack – speak of envy? Her smile froze, and her tunic napped against her back and hips, for she had, somehow, lost her sash, and she had hung Gonturan from Sungold's saddle, so as to look, she hoped, a little less like immediate war. Lost her sash. A Hillman would never lose his sash. What was she? Damalur-sol. Ha. She laid a hand on Sun-gold's shoulder, but when he turned his head to touch her with his nose she was not comforted, for he had lived all his life in the Hills. She wished bitterly that her brother had told her of Tom Lloyd, months ago. That was something she might have understood, and Tom was kind and honest. She swallowed and looked at Jack again, and he saw memory shining in her eyes, and he smiled sadly at her, and was sorry for any further pain his thoughtless words had given her. â€Å"Child,† he said quietly, â€Å"choices are always hard. But do you not think yours is already made?† Harry's fingers combed through her Hill horse's mane, and she said, â€Å"There never was a choice. I ride the only way open to me, and yet often and again it seems to me I am dangerously unfit for it.† She laughed a little and shakily. â€Å"It seems to me further that it is very odd that fate should lay so careful a trail and spend so little time preparing the one that must follow it.† Jack nodded. â€Å"It is not the sort of thing that is recorded in official histories, but I believe that such thoughts have come not infrequently to others – † he smiled faintly – â€Å"ensnared as you are.† Harry's hand dropped back to her side and she smiled again. â€Å"Colonel, I shall try not to take myself too seriously.† â€Å"And I shall try not to talk too much.† They grinned at each other, and knew that they were friends, and the knowledge was a relief and a pleasure and a hope to each of them, but for different reasons. Then Jack looked her over again, as if noticing the travel stains for the first time and said in a deliberately bright tone: â€Å"You look like you could use a bath †¦ My God, that sword: you're carrying a king's ransom casually across your pommel.† â€Å"Not casually,† said Harry somberly. â€Å"Questions later,† Jack said, â€Å"but I will hope that you will answer them. First food and rest, and then you will tell me a very long story, and it has to be the true one, although I don't promise to believe it.† â€Å"I am not quite alone, † said Harry, smiling again. â€Å"Will you let two friends of mine past your formidable gate as well?† â€Å"Not so formidable,† said Colonel Dedham. â€Å"I wish I'd arrived a minute earlier and seen that jump. I don't believe it.† â€Å"It's true, sir,† said Tom. â€Å"I believe it's true, I just don't believe it,† said Jack. â€Å"No doubt all of your story will be just as impossible. And just to start with, what is that?† he said, pointing at Narknon, who still had not moved. â€Å"She's a hunting-cat, a folstza. She adopted me soon after †¦ I left here.† Narknon, deeming the moment right, stood up slowly, and opened her big green eyes to their fullest extent, batted the long golden lashes once or twice at Jack, and began to pace toward him, while he gamely held his ground. Narknon paused a step away and started to purr, and Jack laughed uncertainly; whereupon the cat took the last step and rubbed her cheek against the back of his hand. Jack, with the look of a man who throws dice with the devil, petted her and Narknon redoubled the purr. â€Å"I think I'm being courted,† said Jack. â€Å"Narknon has an excellent sense of whose side it is most expedient to be on,† said Harry. â€Å"But – â€Å" â€Å"Yes, we will let your companions come in in the traditional fashion. Unbar the gate, there, Shipson, and be quick about it, before anything else comes over it. I don't like the new standing orders, and they obviously aren't much good besides.† Jack looked up from Narknon, who was now leaning her full weight against his legs and tapping her tail against the backs of his thighs, to gaze again at Sungold. â€Å"A real Hill horse. Can they all leap over Outlander forts before breakfast?† â€Å"No. Or they may, but most of their riders have more sense than to try it. Particularly after a journey such as we've had.† The excitement of seeing Jack again, and the reassurance of the warmth of his welcome, drained away from her, and she remembered that she was exhausted, and the sense of coming home to a place that was no longer home oppressed her further. â€Å"I'd like the bath and the food, and we all have to have sleep. But most of the story will have to wait; I'll tell you what I must, but †¦ we don't have much time.† â€Å"You are here for a purpose, and I can guess some of it. I'll try not to be stupid.† The gate opened, and Terim and Senay rode quietly through and stopped by Sungold's flank and dismounted. Harry introduced them, and they bowed, touching their fingers respectfully to their foreheads, but without the last flick outward of the fingers that indicates that the one addressed is of superior rank. When she said in Hill-speech, â€Å"And this is Colonel Dedham, whose aid we are here to seek,† she was pleased with the way her Outlander friend in his turn bowed and touched his fingers to his forehead, only glancing at her with mild inquiry. â€Å"I am sorry,† said Jack as he led the way to his quarters, â€Å"but I speak only a little of your Hill tongue. I must ask you to tell me what I need to hear in my own language, and apologize to your friends for the necessary rudeness of excluding them.† This was spoken in heavily accented but perfectly adequate Hill-speech, and Terim and Senay both smiled. â€Å"We understand the need for speed and clarity, and it would not have occurred to us to take offense,† said Terim, who had a king's son's swiftness for turning a diplomatic phrase; and Senay simply nodded. So Jack Dedham cleared off the table in the second of the two small rooms that were his, the table in question accustomed to duty as a dining-table and writing-desk, as well as a convenient surface to set any indeterminate object down on; and his batman brought breakfast for three. The three ate their way through it with enthusiasm, and the man, grinning, brought second breakfasts for three. â€Å"Make it four, Ted,† said Dedham. â€Å"I'm getting hungry again.† When they were finished, and Harry was staring into her teacup and realizing with uneasy chagrin that she'd rather be drinking malak, Jack filled his pipe and began to produce thick heavy clouds of smoke that crawled around the room and nosed into the corners. â€Å"Well?† he said. â€Å"Tell me in what fashion you have come to seek my aid.† Harry said, staring at the worn tips of her Hill boots, â€Å"The Northern army will be coming through the mountains †¦ soon. Very soon. Corlath's army is camped on the plain before the wide gap – the Bledfi Gap, we call it – the Gate of the North, you know, in the Horfel Mountains – â€Å" Jack said from a cloud of smoke: â€Å"The Gambor Pass, in the Ossander range. Yes.† â€Å"We want to plug the northwest leak, the little way through the mountains above Ihistan – where an undesirable trickle of Northern soldiers could come through and – â€Å" â€Å"And raze Istan, and go on to harass Corlath.† Harry nodded. â€Å"Not just harass; there are not many Hillfolk to fight.† â€Å"That explains, no doubt,† said Jack, â€Å"why there are only three of you – and a cat with long teeth – for the northwest leak, as you call it.† Harry smiled faintly. â€Å"It was almost one of me, alone.† â€Å"I would hazard, then, that you are not precisely here under Corlath's orders.† â€Å"Not exactly.† â€Å"Does he know where you are?† Harry thought about it, and said carefully, â€Å"I did not tell him where I was going before I left.† Her ribs missed the pressure of a sash. Dedham blinked a few times, slowly, and said, â€Å"I assume I am to conclude that he will be able to guess where you've gone. And these two poor fools decided to throw their lots in with an outlaw? I am impressed.† Harry was silent for a minute. For all her brave words to Jack at the fort gate, she felt that the path she had thought she was following had blurred and then lurched underfoot as soon as Sungold had jumped the wall. It was difficult for her now to remember who she was – damalur-sol and sashless – and why she was here, and where she was going; her thoughts ambled around in her head, tired and patternless. She remembered Luthe saying to her: â€Å"It is not an enviable position, being a bridge, especially a bridge with visions†; and she thought that in fact a nice clear vivid vision would be a great boon. She sighed and rubbed her eyes. â€Å"Corlath did not take at all kindly to Sir Charles that day, did he?† Jack smiled without humor. â€Å"Not at all kindly, no.† Harry scowled. â€Å"He's still cutting off his nose to spite his face, ignoring the northwest pass.† â€Å"Ritger's Gap,† said Jack. â€Å"He probably doesn't look at it that way, though. He came to us offering an alliance of mutual support, true, but he was doing us a favor by giving us the benefit of his spies' work in the north – which Sir Charles, in his less than infinite wisdom, chose to disbelieve. I would assume that your Corlath will now simply wipe out as many Northerners as he can, and what's left of his Hillfolk in the end will retreat to those eastern mountains of his. Whether or not the western plains are overrun with unchecked Northerners is not, finally, of great interest to him one way or another. Our decision not to help only means a few more divisions of the Northern army to harry them in their Hills: unfortunate but not of the first importance.† â€Å"If the Homeland got behind the attempt to throw back the Northerners – â€Å" â€Å"There was never any chance of that, my dear, believe me,† replied Jack. â€Å"You are attempting to be logical, I suspect, and logic has little to do with government, and nothing at all to do with military administration. â€Å"You are also still thinking like a Homelander – an Outlander, if you wish – for all you've learned to ride like a Hillman,† and his eyes settled on Gonturan, hanging by her belt over the back of Harry's chair. â€Å"You know Istan is here, and it seems like a waste to you that we should be obliterated without a chance; and you were also fortunately absent that day, and did not hear Sir Charles being insufferable. Sir Charles is a good man in many ways, but new things disconcert him. The idea of an alliance between Hill and Outlander is blasphemously new.† You are also still thinking like a Homelander – an Outlander, if you wish – for all you've learned to ride like a Hillman. The words hung before Harry's eyes as if sewn on a banner and then thrust into the ground at her feet as her standard. She looked at nothing as she said, â€Å"You are working up to telling me that there is nothing that can be done.† â€Å"No; but I am working up to telling you that there is no possibility of there being done what ought to be done – I agree with you, our, or at any rate my, country should get serious about the threat from the North. It is a real threat.† He rubbed his face with his hand, and looked momentarily weary. â€Å"I am glad you have put this chance, little as it is, in my hand. My orders, of course, forbid me to go skylarking off to engage the Northerners at Ritger's Gap or anywhere else – the official, illogical attitude is that this is a tribal matter, and if we stay quietly at home with our gates closed the wave will break and flow around us. I know this is nonsense, and so do a few of the men who've been here more than a few years. I've been brooding for months – off and on since Corlath's unexpected visit; I believed what he told us that his spies had brought back from the North – whether or not it's worth my pension to go try and do anything abou t it. I rather think it is, as we're sure to be killed if we stay at home and I'd rather be killed out doing something than have my throat slit in bed. You're just the excuse I've been looking for; it's been a bit hard to determine which dragon a solitary St. George should take on, when there seem to be dragons everywhere.† Harry looked at Jack, conscious of Terim and Senay at her elbow, and a furry shoulder pressed against her feet under the table. The sense of dislocation was almost a physical thing, like a stomachache or a sore throat; but Jack's words now eased the sore place a little. The bridge could stretch to cross this chasm, perhaps, after all. She was still alone and still scared, but for the first time since she had ridden away from Corlath's camp she felt that her errand was not necessarily a mad one; and so her conviction that she was doomed to it was therefore a little less terrifying. And perhaps it did not matter in what world she belonged if both worlds were marching in step. And now that Jack believed her, she could depend on him; for Harimad-sol was still laprun, and while she was glad of Terim and Senay, they looked up to her, and she didn't entirely like the sensation. The old friendship with Jack had taught her what kind of man he was, and he would not be embarrassingly awed by Harimad-sol and her legendary sword. The literal-minded pragmatism of the Outlander psyche had its uses. But as the weight of solitude eased, his words laid a new weight on her: Were her perceptions so wrong then? Was she in fact thinking like a Homelander – and had she, then, betrayed her new allegiance? She opened the palm of her right hand, and looked at the small white scar that lay across it. What did Corlath think of her desertion? Had Luthe's fears for her been correct, and had she not been able to see the right way when the ways divided before her? â€Å"Harry.† Jack reached across the table and pulled her right hand toward him. â€Å"What is that?† She closed her fingers till what she suddenly felt was her brand of Cain disappeared. â€Å"It's a †¦ ritual I went through. I'm a king's Rider.† â€Å"Good Lord. How the – excuse me – how did you manage that? Not that I ever doubted your sterling qualities, but I know something of that tradition – king's Riders are the, um, the elite †¦ â€Å" â€Å"Yes,† said Harry. Jack only looked at her, but her mouth went dry. She swallowed and said, â€Å"They thought it would be †¦ useful †¦ to have a damalur-sol again.† â€Å"Lady Hero,† said Jack. â€Å"Yes.† She swallowed again. â€Å"Cor – Corlath said that this war had no hope, and something like – something like a damalur-sol was a little like hope. I – I have seen Lady Aerin – do you know about the Water of Sight? – and so they think I must be someone important too.† Jack studied her as a botanist might study a new plant. â€Å"Blood calls to blood, evidently. Although Richard is the straightest arrow I've ever seen: maybe it only runs from mother to daughter.† Harry brought her head up sharply and stared at her old friend. â€Å"What?† â€Å"Surely you know,† Jack said, frowning. â€Å"Your great-grandmother – mother's mother's mother – was a Hillwoman; one of rank, I believe. That was before we'd gained a proper foothold here, or we were at least still struggling to keep what we'd got. It was a terrible scandal. I don't know much about it; it makes Richard quite green even to think about it. Young Dick turns green rather easily about some things: but some curious sense of honor compelled him to tell me, as his commanding officer, so that I could make allowances if he went off screaming into the Hills of his ancestors, I suppose. The blood taint that Fate has seen fit to hand him seems to prey on his mind.† Jack had been watching her closely as he rattled on, and broke off abruptly. â€Å"My dear, you must have known of this?† Harry sat still in her chair, where she was sure she would sit forever, gazing in amazement at the story Jack had just told her. She must have looked very queer, for Terim said to her anxiously, â€Å"Harimad-sol, what is wrong? You look as if you have seen your father's ghost. Has this man said aught of ill to you?† Harry roused and shook her head, which felt thick and heavy. â€Å"No; he has just told me something that bewilders me even as it makes all plain.† Senay said softly: â€Å"Sol, might we know what it is?† Harry tried to smile. â€Å"He has said that my mother's grandmother was a Hillwoman, and thus the blood of your Hills runs in my veins.† The two looked back at her with the sort of surprise and consternation she was sure was still plain on her own face. Terim said: â€Å"But we know you must be one of us, or the king's madness would not come to you, and everyone knows that it does: already there are tales told of Harimad-sol at the laprun trials. The Water of Sight shows you things, and Lady Aerin speaks to you, and your eyes turn yellow when you are held by some strong emotion. In fact, they are yellow now.† Harry laughed: a little laugh and a weak one, but still a laugh, and she said to Jack, â€Å"My friends are not the least surprised by this intelligence, for all that it shakes me to my soul and makes my heart beat too fast – with fear or joy I am not quite sure. They say they have known me for a Hillwoman all along.† â€Å"I've no doubt that's true,† Jack said dryly. â€Å"You may be sure Corlath would have made no Outlander his Rider, even if the Lady Aerin ordered him to.† â€Å"But why was I never told?† Harry mused, still trying to collect her thoughts together in one place so that she could look at them. Perhaps she was a better-constructed bridge than she had realized; and she thought of beams and girders, and almost laughed; how Outlanderish an image that was, to be sure. And as she labeled that bit of herself Outlander she then was free to label some other bit Damarian; and she felt a little more like herself all over, as though she were fitting into her skin a little more securely. She still was not sure what she was, but at least she need not be unhappy for not knowing: and now, perhaps, she had the missing pieces she needed to begin to learn. â€Å"I think,† Jack said slowly, â€Å"that I have an idea about that. I had assumed that you did know, but I remember now how Richard and I talked about you when you were to come out here – he seemed to think it would be bad for you in a particular way – † He frowned, trying to remember clearly. â€Å"You were evidently a little too, um, bohemian for him, and he obviously thought living in the land of your grandmother's mother was going to aggravate the tendency. But I never thought he would, er †¦ â€Å" â€Å"Protect me from myself by keeping me in ignorance?† Harry smiled ruefully. â€Å"Well, I didn't know, but I'm not surprised. Angry maybe – how dare he? – but not surprised. He takes the man's responsibility toward his frail female relations very seriously, does Dickie. Drat him. Where is my inestimable brother? Here?† Jack was smiling at her, as she sat with her sword hilt touching her shoulder when she gestured. â€Å"No,† he said, â€Å"he's off being diplomatic, which is something he shows some brilliance at, for me and Sir Charles. We'd like some extra men here, just in case this silly tribal matter gets out of hand, and I would only get red and froth at the mouth, while Richard can look earnest and beseeching, and may even have some effect.† He looked gloomily at the table. â€Å"I torment myself, now and again, wondering whether, if Corlath had given us a bit more warning about what he had in mind, if Peterson and I could have brought Charles around – even a little – this mess we're in might have been, even a little, less of a mess. But it is not, as we say when we are being diplomatic, a fruitful source of inquiry.† Harry was thinking, For that matter, why didn't Mummy or Father tell me about my mysterious inheritance? They must have known, to tell my wretched brother – indeed, it must have been generally known to some extent; that explains why we were never quite the thing – I always thought it was just because we didn't give the right sort of dinner parties and spent too much time in the saddle. She went hot and cold, and her last shred of doubt about whether she had chosen wisely when she chose the Hills over the country that had raised her dissolved; but she had loved her family and her home, and she was without bitterness. She yanked her attention back as Jack began to speak again: â€Å"It's been a little anxious here lately. There is something, or there are somethings, hanging around the town and the fort; and twice my men have gone out scouting and found signs of battle; and once there was a corpse.† His face was drawn and old. â€Å"It wasn't quite human; although from a distance it would probably look human enough.† Harry said softly: â€Å"I have been told that much of the Northern army is not quite human.† Jack was silent for a little, then said: â€Å"In simple numbers I can't promise much. I don't want to risk forcibly anyone's neck but my own, as we will be going against orders, but there are a few men here I know who have the same attitude toward the Northerners that I do. I will put it to them.† Harry said, â€Å"So, how many and how quickly?† â€Å"Not very and very. Those of us who will go have been quivering like so many arrows on so many bowstrings for weeks; we'll be grateful for the chance to snap forward. Look: you and your friends can have a bath and a nap; and we should be able to march at sunset.† There had been something obscurely troubling Harry since she entered the fort so precipitously; and at first she had put it down to the confusion, to her first sight of Outlanders since she had ceased to be one herself; and the troubled reflections that this recognition had brought her. But the sense of not-quite-right, of a whiff of something unpleasant, or a vibration in the air, increased as the rest of her relaxed. She looked around her now, able to think about this specific disturbance, to focus on its cause if her kelar would point the way. She turned her head one way and another; it was much worse in the small closed space that was Jack's rooms. It was as she put her hand over the blue stone on Gonturan's hilt that she finally understood what it was. â€Å"One last thing,† she said. â€Å"Yes?† said Jack, but it took Harry a little time to put it in words. â€Å"No †¦ guns. Rifles or revolvers, or whatever it is you use. They'll only, um, go wrong.† And she shivered in the proximity of Jack's hunting-rifles hung on the wall, and two revolvers on belts hooked over the back of an unoccupied chair. Jack tapped his fingers on the table. â€Å"Not just rumors, then?† he said. Harry shook her head. â€Å"Not just rumors. It's not something I've seen, about guns – but I know. I know something of what the Hillfolk do, or are – and even if we could stop whatever it is we do, and I can't, because I usually don't know what I'm doing in the first place – I know too that, whatever it is, it will ride with those that we will be facing. And – and the presence of yours in this room,† and she waved her hand, while the other one still rested on the blue gem, â€Å"is making me feel †¦ edgy. It's the sort of thing I'm learning to pay attention to.† The room was suddenly smaller and darker than it had been before Harry spoke; Jack stared at her, seeing his young friend and seeing almost clearly the outline of the thing she had taken on in the Hills; and then an unexpected ray of sunlight fell through the window and the blue gem of her sword hilt blazed up as her hand slipped away from it, and her cheek and hair were lit blue. But the outline of her burden was gone. Jack thought, I am going to follow this child, to my death perhaps, but I am going to follow her, and be proud of the opportunity. â€Å"Very well. I believe you. It's rather pleasant to have one's favorite old-wives'-tales borne out as truth. You'll not want infantry anyway; and our cavalry is accustomed to its sabers.† â€Å"Now, about that bath?† Harry said. Ted was told to provide the baths and beds required; she and Senay were led to Jack's bathroom first, and Harry sank gratefully into the water in the tall tin tub, sliding down till the water closed over her face and she looked up at a wavering circular world. She had to come up at last to breathe, and the world opened out again. Senay unbraided and combed her long dark hair, which fell past her knees in well-ordered waves; Harry watched with envy. Her own hair was nearly so long, but it liked escaping whatever it was put into, and bits were always getting caught in things and snapped off; so while Senay's hair smoothly framed her face and smoothly twisted into a knot at the nape of her neck, Harry always had unrepentant tendrils launching themselves in all directions. Senay bound her sleek mane up again as Harry climbed, dripping, out of the tub. Senay slipped into the water with her own grateful sigh, and Harry put on the oversized ni ghtshirt Ted had laid out for her and stumbled into Jack's bedroom, where two cots had been set up by the bed. Narknon finished investigating all the corners of Jack's rooms, while Jack and Ted eyed her warily, soon after Harry finished her bath; but when the cat tried to squeeze herself next to her sol on the bed, Harry was so deeply asleep already that she refused to make room and Narknon, with a discontented yowl, had to sleep humped over her feet.

Commodities essays

Commodities essays The financial term commodity is defined as a physical substance, such as food, grains, a and metals, which is interchangeable with other product of the same type, and which investors buy or sell, usually through future contracts. Or more generally, a product which trades on a commodity exchange; this would also include foreign currencies and financial instruments and indexes. When one speaks of a commodity, they can be referring to two types of this aspect of finance. A cash commodity or an actual is an actual physical commodity which is delivered at the completion of a "contract" This is the lesser utilized of commodities.(Investors Glossary) The more predominant type of commodity that is used is the commodity futures contract. The futures markets are described as continuous auction markets and exchanges providing the latest information about supply and demand with respect to individual commodities, financial instruments, and currencies. Futures exchanges are where buyers and sellers of an expanding list of commodities, financial instruments, and currencies, come together to trade.(Investors Glossary) The primary purpose of futures markets, is to provide an efficient and effective mechanism to manage price risk. The futures market allows buyers and sellers to stabilize the price of something. Individuals and businesses seek to achieve insurance against adverse price changes. This is done by buying or selling futures contracts, with a price level established now, for items to be delivered later. A common practice amongst the traders of futures is called hedging. The details of hedging can be somewhat complex but the principle is simple. Hedgers are individuals and firms that make purchases and sales in the futures market solely for the purpose of establishing a known price level-weeks or months in advance-for something they later intend to buy or sell in the cash market (such as at a grain elevator or in...

Radio Astronomy in the Desert

Radio Astronomy in the Desert If you drive across the Plains of San Agustin in central west New Mexico, youll come across an array of radio telescopes, all pointed toward the sky. This collection of big dishes is called the Very Large Array, and its collectors combine to make a very large radio eye on the sky. Its sensitive to the radio part of the  electromagnetic spectrum  (EMS). Radio Waves from Space? Objects in space give off radiation from all parts of the EMS. Some are brighter in some parts of the spectrum than others. Cosmic objects that give off radio emissions are undergoing exciting and energetic processes. The science of radio astronomy is the study of those objects and their activities. Radio astronomy reveals an unseen part of the universe we cannot detect with our eyes, and its a branch of astronomy that began when the first radio telescopes were built in the late 1920s by Bell Labs physicist Karl Jansky. More about the VLA There are radio telescopes around the planet, each tuned to frequencies in the radio band that come from naturally emitting objects in space. The VLA is one of the most famous and its full name is the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array. It has 27 radio telescope dishes arranged in a Y-shaped pattern. Each antenna is large - 25 meters (82 feet) across. The observatory welcomes tourists and provides background information about how the telescopes are used. Many people are familiar with the array from the movie Contact, starring Jodie Foster.  The VLA is also known as the EVLA (Expanded VLA), with upgrades to its electronics, data handling, and other infrastructure. In the future it may  get additional dishes.   The VLAs antennas  can be used individually, or they can be hooked together to create a virtual radio telescope up to 36 kilometers wide! That allows the VLA to focus in on some very small areas of sky to gather details about such events and objects as stars turning on, dying in supernova and hypernova  explosions, structures inside giant clouds of gas and dust (where stars might be forming), and the action of the black hole at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. The VLA has also been used to detect molecules in space, some of them precursors to pre-biotic (related to life) molecules common here on Earth.   VLA History The VLA was built in the 1970s. The upgraded facility carries a full observing load for astronomers around the world. Each dish is moved into position by railroad cars, creating the correct configuration of telescopes for specific observations. If astronomers want to focus on something extremely detailed and distant, they can use the VLA in conjunction with telescopes stretching from St. Croix in the Virgin Islands to Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. This larger network is called the Very Large Baseline Interferometer (VLBI), and it creates a telescope with a resolving area the size of a continent. Using this larger array, radio astronomers have succeeded in measuring the event horizon around our galaxys black hole, joined the search for dark matter in the universe, and explored the hearts of distant galaxies.   The future of radio astronomy is big. There are huge new arrays built in South America, and under construction in Australia and South Africa. Theres also a single dish in China measuring 500 meters (about 1,500 feet) across. Each of these radio telescopes is set well apart from the radio noise generated by human civilization. Earths deserts and mountains, each one with its own special ecological niches and landscapes, are also precious to radio astronomers. From those deserts, astronomers continue to explore the cosmos, and  the VLA remains central to the work being done to understand the radio universe, and takes its rightful place with its newer siblings.