Temple Grandin

Gleidys Reyes ENGL 1010-307 Professor Mowry Research Essay 4/9/11 Temple Granding Topic Sentence: Temple Grandin is an autistic scientist, inventor and writer who was born to revolutionize the handling of livestock and the understanding of autism. I. Three different stages in her life A. Childhood B. College Education C. Professional career II. Difficulties with autism during childhood D. Symptoms of autism E. Her mother’s efforts to help her F. Creation of squeeze machine III. College education and exposure to farm animals G. Universities she went to H. Interest for farm animalsI. Creation of curve chute IV. Achievements throughout her career and contributions to livestock industry and to autism V. Conclusion Gleidys Reyes ENGL 1010-307 Professor Mowry Research Essay 4/9/11 Temple Grandin Since the begging of time, the humane kinds have witnessed the existence of genius minds. Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, Galileo Galilee and many others are all examples of geniuses that w ere born to revolutionize their area of expertise. Fortunately, in today’s days these kinds of geniuses continue to exist, and among these contemporaneous geniuses there is a pecial woman disserving mentioning. Her name is Temple Grandin, an autistic scientist, inventor and writer that was born to revolutionize the handling of livestock and the understanding of autism. Since about six month old temple grandin displayed the typical symptoms of autism: a neurological disorder that affects the brains’ normal development causing lack of language, lack of sensory/motor processing, noise sensitivity, fixation on rotating objects, and sensitivity to physical touch. Since her diagnosis temple’s mother directed all her effort to improving her daughter’s life.She took the time to search for schools where the staff was capacitated to deal with her daughter special needs; she hired a special care giver to play with temple to prevent her from immerging into the autist ic world; and she enrolled her in speech therapy. Thanks to all these efforts and to her constant dedication and tutoring, temple learned to speak and read. As temple entered puberty, she was frequently found on a state of constant panic and stress triggered by her oversensitivity to sounds, to images and to touch.Looking for some release to her symptoms, grandin parted to her aunt’s cattle ranch in Arizona. In the ranch, while looking at cows entering a squeeze chute, temple realized that cattle’s anxiety went way once they entered the chute. Intrigued by this fact, she decided to enter the chute and tried it out onto herself. While she was being hugged by the mechanical devise, she found herself on a state of relaxation she had never been before.Since she was unable to tolerate touch and having found something that attained to release her symptoms, temple immediately built her own chute, which she later called ‘the squeeze machine. ’ Temple has said that the squeeze machine gave her physical comfort and helped her to connect with her mother and to feel sympathy toward others. Today, a more advance version of the squeeze machine is used to treat autistic and developmentally disable children in many centers along the United States (Grandin, Temple).When she finished high school, Grandin entered Franklin Pierce College where she graduated with honors and earned a B. A. in psychology. Then, she enrolled at Arizona State University to continue her career as a psychologist. Nevertheless, during academic years 1970-72 she worked at different livestock facilities where she began to notice certain similarities between cows and her autistic condition: cows just like her, thought in pictures and experienced moments of intense anxiety and stress. Fascinated by this iscovery, she resolved to switch her master’s to animal science. In 1975 she finished her master’s degree, which she followed by a Ph. D. in animal science from the Un iversity of Illinois in 1989, and in 1980 she opened her own company, Grandin livestock handling system incorporated. Because during her previous jobs temple saw firsthand the methods used to kill livestock and understood cattle’s fears and anxieties at slaughterhouses, she dedicated her genius to designing what she calls â€Å"humane slaughter systems. This is temple’s term to refer to livestock handling systems that reduce livestock pain, discomforts and fears along their lives in farms and meat plants as well as during their execution in slaughter houses. One of her most significant contributions to livestock has been the curve chute she designed in 1986. The chute, among other things, prevents cattle from seeing people, shadows, trucks and other factors that scare them and increase the animals stress during their last minutes. With the curve chute, therefore, cattle remain calm and die peacefully.Since the curve chute came out, it’s advantages and benefits were recognized, and quickly became the only handling system at meat processing plants in the United States and in countries such as Canada, Mexico, England, and Australia (â€Å"Grandin, Temple†). Temple success with livestock is in part accredited to her autism, which allows her to see in pictures. â€Å"My mind Works just like Google for images. I don’t think in the abstract at all, everything in my life is organized visually† (Qtd. in Vansickle).This ability enables her to connect to farm animals and visualize major problems, which she then improves in her creations. In addition, Temple believes that because animals give humans so much they should be treated with respect up until their death. Among her most weighty achievements on this matter figure: an objective scoring system to ensure humane handling of cattle and pigs at meat processing facilities, procedures to reduce animals’ sickness and death, hundreds of articles and training videos that expl ain and demonstrate proper livestock handling, and several books on the same subject.She also developed the American Meat Instituted animal welfare auditing program, which is the first program in the United States to monitor and supervise proper slaughtering processes and the total number of incorrectly stunned animals. Although grandin’s work focuses more on livestock behavior, she is also well-known for her contributions to autism. She has written many articles and lectured endlessly about her experience with autism, and based on her experience scientists have developed new treatments and procedures for autistic children.Besides, she wrote her story about her live with autism in her autobiographic books, Emergence: Labeled Autistic as well as in Thinking in Pictures and Other Reports from My Life with Autism (Vansickle). Temple Grandin besides being the most known autistic adult in the world, is one of the most influential and respected names in her field. Time Magazine acc redited this by including her among the 100 most influential people in the world. Her work has been awarded with numerous honors such as â€Å"Who's Who of American Women in 1990, Humane Award from the American Veterinary Medical Association, and Richard L.Knowlton Innovation Award from Meat Marketing and Technology Magazine† (Vansickle). Currently, Doctor Grandin spends her days teaching at Colorado State University and consulting with the livestock industry on facility designs, livestock handling, and animal welfare. Works Cited â€Å"Grandin, Temple. † Current Biografy 1994: n. pag. Biographies Plus Illustrated. . Web. 9 Apr. 2011. Vansickle, Joe. â€Å"Temple Grandin. † National Hog Farmer 15 May 2007: 28-30. Academic Rearch Premier. Web. 9 Apr. 2011.

Communication: Meaning of Life and Words Essay

The words we use and the order in we use them give particular meaning to our communication. There are certain occasions when the meaning is clear even though the words used are technically wrong. But you cannot be certain that everyone with whom you communicate with will understand what you are saying or the person who is sending you a message. Prejudice is an unreasonable dislike or preference for a person or group based on their religion, race sex etc. While perception is how you notice things especially with your senses. Since we use most of our senses to communicate, most people will use the most dominant senses they have to pass a message and the outlook will determine how we judge them, for example a person may be a visually dominant person and you may maybe a touch oriented person so the way he may pass on a message to you will not come out clearly or it may bring out a different meaning as to what it was originally intended to. Incorrect expression will mean that the ideas that are to be conveyed will not be clear and you may lose interest in the message or communication and thus you will come out with a different perspective of the person conveying this message or the message itself. As humans we tend to have this weakness of stereotyping people once we look at them. We tend to judge people from their outside appearance rather than from what they say or do but once a person has written or spoken something we come out with a different view of them according to Pearson, nelson, titsworth and harter (2003) our expectations and our expressions of the behavior of others are guided by how we perceive them and its through their communications is how we will look at it. How words dictate pride and prejudice Here is where we will discuss how use of words will affect how we perceive people and how prejudice will come in. Adopting the proper use of words are both crucial to both personal and business life. Unless friends and acquaintances know what they mean, relationships will become strained. Unless employees interpret what is communicated to them well, work production will go down. so the proper use of words will dictate how we interpret things and use them in our day to day activities. Words can be seen as formal and distance lacking the personal touch which is so often positive, a feature in other forms of communications. It takes a highly skilled communicator to interpret the message to its intended form. People tend to use complicated words which they may try to impress the person receiving the message †¦. â€Å"Never use complicated words or phrases for simple things† (sillars 1988) as it will bring a huge meaning from what it was originally meant to and it will make the message receiver look at it from a different perspective. Using inaccurate words and in a misplaced order will affect how a message is supposed to be passed along. Words tend to lose their effects through constant use, its far better to be specific and clear than to risk irritating and confusing to the receiver of the message†¦ â€Å"communicators who fail to realize that persons from different cultures may not look think or act as themselves do run the risks of having those whom they interact with judge them to be insensitive ignorant or culturally confused† (gamble 2002) like a word which may mean happiness to you may mean totally different in another different community or country. Since perception is through our senses and our senses vary, we interpret words and messages differently. Not everyone perceives things the way we do, we form stereotypes of people, things and situations so the way a message is passed along and the words used in the message dictates how we will perceive the message and interpret it. Each individual perception of a message is influenced by his or her attitude thus out of the massive information available to us we will pick out the messages that has words that conform to our own beliefs, expectations or convictions and we tend to reject the information that has words which contradicts them. Our selective processes allow us to add delete or change stimuli so that we can avoid dealing with certain information. Wrong use of words can also lead to a process called selective perception which is the tendency to see hear and believe only what u want. Words can help us form first impression about people thus first impressions can dramatically affect perception about people†¦Ã¢â‚¬ you will find that people usually attribute positive qualities to persons A, selecting a descriptive word with very positive connotations in contrast, persons B is often perceived as possessing negative qualities and for this reason the word chosen to describe B has also negative connotations† (gamble 2002) Perhaps the most difficult thing with words is that they can mean two different things to two different people, and they do not have the opportunity to query it immediately. Benjamin Disraeli, the first English prime minister of Jewish descend and a brilliant novelist used to reply in this words to admires who send him large manuscripts of their own in the hopes of gaining his advice†¦. †many thanks, I shall loose no time in reading it†. The gulf between what he meant and what they thought he meant was, we can guess, considerable. Everyone who works with words should be aware of how they can take on a new, different and disturbing meaning in the minds of others, and should guard against this by checking even the most apparent straightforward expressions before using them. Many new words add vigor and strength to a language and can be very effective when used in the right context. Words need to be used with caution if you do not want to be ambiguous, inaccurate or totally incomprehensible in what you say, even if a new word or a new saying becomes common and is heard in every television or radio broadcast, try not to adopt it immediately and uncritically, pause for a moment and consider whether it helps to clarify the ideas it puts forward, or whether it obscures it otherwise it will bring forward a different perception of the message it intended to pass forward†¦Ã¢â‚¬ it is also important to realize that a word that does not function for you may function differently for another person even if you did not intend it to be given a certain interpretation†(gamble 2002) Since we assign meaning on the basis of our experience, and since no two people have the same set of experiences, it follows that no two people will have the same meaning for the same word. This aspect should neither be lauded nor cursed; it should simply be remembered. Too frequently we let our words lead us away from where we want to go, we unwittingly antagonize our family, friends and co-workers. We are i nfuriated, For example, when an important deal collapses because our position has not been understood; or we are terrified when the leaders of government miscommunicate and put their counties on a collision cause. In order to avoid or alleviate such problems, we must remember that meaning can change as people who use their words change. You might wear a sports jacket or a sweater or a Pair of jeans to a casual party, but this does not mean that everyone else who is invited to that party would interpret casual in the same way. The meaning people attribute to symbols and words are affected by their background, age, educational level and work. Forgetting this can cause misunderstandings and lead to communication difficulties. â€Å"Words in themselves have no meaning, the meaning resides in the mind of the communicators†(sillars 1988). try to identify how the lives of people with whom you communicate with can cause them to respond to words in ways you would not respond. Different responses are neither right nor wrong they are simply different. Conclusion While points argued attempt to reflect accurate use of words, they should be used with certain limitation and care. Remember that human beings are the same physically but they may differ in mind and reasoning, even the meaning of words may change or alter with time. For example, scholars who edit Shakespeare have to update the punctuation of earlier editions so that the contemporary reader can gain a proper grasp of the meaning and movements of the speeches and the significance to the actions. Be clear, be accurate, and be concise, always choosing the words which make you point in the most direct way, and you will be able to communicate effectively. References Baran, (2004) introduction to mass communication, McGraw hill companies New York Harter, nelson, Pearson, titsworth (2003) human communication, McGraw hill companies New York Michael gamble, Teri gamble, (2002) how communication works, McGraw hill companies New York Sillars (1988), success in communication, john Murray (publishers) ltd, London Sillars (1981) communication rules ok! John Murray (publishers) ltd, London.

“Point Shirley” by Sylvia Plath Essay

Sylvia Plath is an American writer whose well-known poems are carefully written pieces distinguished for their personal imagery and intense dialogue. Written in 1960, â€Å"Point Shirley† is a poem in which the details are more important than the actual time and place that the events occurred. Sylvia Plath is an American writer whose best-known poems are carefully crafted pieces noted for their personal imagery and intense focus. She was born in Massachusetts in 1932 and began publishing poems and stories as a teenager. By the time she entered Smith College, Plath had won several poetry prizes that led to her becoming a Fulbright Scholar in Cambridge, England. However, on February 11, 1963, Sylvia Plath committed suicide due to problems existing within a troubled marriage. Her novel, The Bell Jar, was first published under her own name in the United States in 1971, despite the protests of her family. Plath’s Collected Poems, published in 1981, won the Pulitzer Prize. Throughout her short life, Plath loved the sea. She spent many of her childhood years on the Atlantic coast just north of Boston. This seascape provides the source for much of her later poetic imagery, among these is â€Å"Point Shirley†. In Sylvia Plath’s â€Å"Point Shirley,† she tries to create a vivid image in the reader’s mind as to what the New England coast looks like. In doing so, she sends a depressing image that helps to set the tone for the next stanza where her grandmother is found dead. In the absence of the grandmother, the sea is slowly breaking down the house. Although the aggressive sea is unable to destroy the house in the grandmother’s presence, it does begin to wear down after the absence of the grandmother sets in. The title of the poem is simply to let the reader know where the story is taking place. However, it is not very important if the exact location of the poem is known, because Plath’s purpose for writing the poem can still be expressed without knowing this. The title does show a hint of what the poem is about, however, because any location name that is preceded by the word â€Å"point† can usually be assumed to be on the beach. The speaker, Sylvia Plath, plays a very important role in the poem as she is writing it about her grandmother. Through the way that she describes the house coping with the brutality of the sea, she is complimenting her grandmother’s stubborn attitude, which Plath had admired. Plath has a loving memory of her grandmother and much of this memory comes from the house. She is almost complaining about the sea removing the memory of her grandmother as time goes on. Throughout the poem, Plath describes the sea in a way that makes it seem alive. The ferocity of the sea seems to be purposefully tearing down the house. This type of personification allows the reader to develop the idea that there is nothing to stop the sea and that, over time, the house and memory of the grandmother will be gone. Sylvia Plath is obviously very upset with the death of her grandmother and is using her poetry to express her feelings about her. She labels her grandmother as stubborn but loving, and does not ever want to forget her. However, as time passes, the memory of the grandmother is fading away along with the house. As a reader, this writer can personally identify with the setting of this poem, as I have grown up on the New England coast. For example, I can relate with the quahog chips mentioned in the first stanza because they covered many of the beaches I frequented as a child. The vivid details used to describe the rough sea reminds me of the many stormy days that I lived on the beach as the waves crashed against the beach. I believe that being able to identify with the setting helps the reader feel the emotion that Plath is trying to express.

Middle childhood development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Middle childhood development - Essay Example The son is portrayed as so understanding when he ask his father if it was his fault that the mother left but he came to appreciate his father’s effort though he does not deserve the kind of treatment he undergoes as a child. The movie gives the emotional and physical connection between the father and the son even during hard times. The movie also highlights the meaning of happiness and love which most people have always taken for granted though searched by everyone around the world. It also shows that the dreams of the child come true no matter the situation. Chris realizes his error and encourages his son to pursue any dream after squashing his son’s dream of becoming a professional basketball player. The child requires emotional, psychological and physical connections with everyone around them. When the going went hard and they get evicted from their home to stay in the streets of California, the child cried because he misses the home environment. The father is seen beyond being only a protector and a provider but he became the father that his child needed him to be. They did not give up and we realize that family is the strongest thing to have and with forgiveness you will always together. Based on these characters and all they went through, setting your heart and mind on something will definitely make you accomplish it (Riley, 2008). The importance of social development is evident in all stages of child’s life and a child with strong social development foundation easily manages his personal feelings, understands others needs and feelings as well as positive interaction with others. The movie demonstrates the social development depicted between the father where the son understands the situation of the father after they had been abandoned by their mother, he understands the situation and appreciates the effort of his father, Christopher asks his dad whether it was his

Organizational Performance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Organizational Performance - Essay Example This paper brings out a critical evaluation of Balanced Scorecard models developed by Kaplan and Norton as also the EFQM excellence model promoted by the European Foundation for Quality Management. With a view to measuring a firm's activities in terms of its vision and strategies and to give the manager's a comprehensive view of the performance of a business, a concept which is described as Balanced Scorecard was introduced by Robert S. Kaplan and David Norton in the year 1992. There have been several studies conducted on the subject of Balanced Scorecard to develop the concept further. "The Balanced Scorecard method of Kaplan and Norton is a strategic approach and performance management system that enables the organizations to translate a company's vision and strategy into implementation working from four perspectives." (12 Manage) Measures: Once the objectives are established the next logical step is to identify the proper tools and parameters and define them to measure the organisational's performance towards achieving these objectives. For example the growth in the net margin or the sales in a particular region may well act as the measurement parameters. Targets: When the measurement parameters are established suitable targets need to be evolved to transform the organizational objectives into reality. Achieving a reduction in the manufacturing cost to the extent of 5% annually may be fixed as a target. Initiatives: Proper initiatives in the form of projects of programmes need to be developed as a support for achieving the set targets. If the targets are supported by initiatives, it may not be possible for the organization to achieve its goals. 2.2 FEATURES OF BALANCED SCORECARD: The monitoring of the perspectives of the Balanced Scorecard involves the development and usage of the following features within the broad organizational performance arena. Double-Loop Feedback: It is always essential, in order to exercise a proper control on the performance measures, there need to be data feedback to enable the mangers to determine the cause of variations and identify the processes with significant problems. This would enable the managers to focus their attention on repairing the

To what degree are contemporary political systems shaped by history Essay

To what degree are contemporary political systems shaped by history Answer with reference to two states studied - Essay Example The first of these compliments will be with regards to the historical occurrences that took place in the second will be with regard to the manner through which these historical occurrences at impacted upon a sense of identity and purpose with respect to governance and the means through which power is evidenced. Beyond merely describing to culturally dissimilar nations, it is the hope of this author that the analysis will also provide a level of comparison with respect to the way in which similar historical experienced has coalesced to create a shared interpretation on many fronts that might otherwise not be exhibited. Firstly, taking the case of the Russian Federation, the analyst can see that this particular entity grew out of the members of the former Soviet Union. Tracing this back even further, the reader can determine that the Soviet Union was the results of economic and political pressures that the Russian Empire was unable to address. Accordingly, it would of course be possible to trace the historical impact of Russian governance back to the era of prehistory; however, for purposes of this analysis, the discussion will only go this far as the czarist era. The Russian Empire began to take shape as the Mongol Empire and its accordance of horsemen began to recede throughout Eurasia. For centuries, the Mongol horde had dominated Russian land and demanded Steve attributes each and every season. The level of complete and total control that the Mongols were able to wield over Russians created a unique Eastern identity that helps to separate Russians from the remainder of culturally and linguistic ally similar Europeans. Following the example of government and control that the Mongols had exhibited, the first czars utilized a very totalitarian approach to organizing the early Russian Empire. Furthermore, utilizing the power vacuum that was left by the Mongol Empire, the first czars took advantage of this

Introduction to Executive Tools for Decision Making Essay

Introduction to Executive Tools for Decision Making - Essay Example However, Ford Automotive has invested on its operating activities more than what McDonald’s is spending. This shows that the company is looking forward to growth. The financial data showed that the three companies are doing well in terms of net income and cash flow in 2009 as compared to 2008. Although, Ford Automotive has experienced a negative income for two years in 2008 and 2007, it has returned to profitability by the end of 2009. Bank of America, on the other hand, experienced a decline in profit for 2008. This may be due to the financial crisis in the country. Bank of America receives a grade of A because of its high profitability and liquidity. It means that investor’s money put up in the firm is safe and earning. McDonald’s got a grade of B for sustaining a profitable business. However, there is less growth in term of net income for the past years. Ford Automotive receives a grade of C because the company experienced a negative net income and the growth of the company is

Canadian history pre-confederation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Canadian history pre-confederation - Essay Example All the different groups of people who resided in geographical region of Canada added in one way or the other to the culture and identity that we recognize today. However, the popular version of history as it is taught to the masses often glosses over the contribution of and lifestyle followed by one set of people, that is, the slave groups who were also amongst the early settlers of the region. Canadian history, when it discusses the role of slavery and the slave trade within the region only highlights the fact that the government was amongst the first to hasten the demise of the abhorrent practice. The Canadian society as a whole has difficulty accepting the fact that slavery was actively practiced in New France and this fact has been documented as far back as 1629 with the arrival of the Kirke brothers and their young slave boy in Quebec2. The institution of slavery formed a significant part of Canadian society and hiding this fact is doing a disservice to the identity of the thousands of the African and Aboriginal men, women and children whose lives were impacted and molded by the practice. Slavery was a part of life in New France as well as under the Lower Canada during British rule. Slaves were owned by people from various demographics including religious, military and political leaders and the merchant class3. Popular historical narrative tended to portray that the slave trade had only reached the region after the British had conquered the region in 1760, however in the book â€Å"Canada’s Forgotten Slaves: Two Hundred Years of Bondage† historian Marcel Trudel provides extensive details of the people who lived as slaves before that time as well as the people who eagerly owned and ‘flaunted’ them. He states that â€Å"Slavery in Quebec was not some economic imperative, but rather a form of public extravagance which conferred

Biography Of Alfred Binet The Psychologist Research Paper

Biography Of Alfred Binet The Psychologist - Research Paper Example Thus, he began studying the natural sciences with a particular emphasis in neurology. In 1891, Binet took over as the director of the Laboratory of Physiological Psychology in Sorbonne. Specifically, Binet was interested in the development of children, specifically in the field of the developing intelligence (â€Å"Binet, Alfred). Intelligence, to this day, is still a highly debated field. The debate focuses on two main issues: defining what intelligence is and deciding whether it is an inherently biological feature or whether the environment defines it. Society has attempted to figure out ways to quantify the measure of one’s intelligence and this started with Binet. At first, Binet was interested in developing tests in which they would be used to see whether a child was suffering from a mental disability or not. This started when he was asked to join the Free Society for the Psychological Study of Children. His goal was to take this study and use a highly scientific and qua ntitative method in order to quantify this construct of intelligence. This use of quantifiable measurements lead to Binet creating the first types of intelligence tests, making him the father of all the modern intelligence tests that are used today to measure constructs from IQ to scholastic achievement. At the forefront of his intelligence tests, a student under the name of Theodore Simon appointed himself as Binet’s assistant in the study of childhood intelligence. They developed a scale of intelligence, which became famously known as the Binet-Simon scale. The Binet-Simon scale was the first created by Binet and Simon that was a psychological test in order to gauge a child’s intelligence level. The scale consisted of a number of tests, which would require the child to demonstrate different ways of thinking and problem solving. Some of these tests were aimed at measuring the child’s perception in response to a stimulus such as light, auditory, and tactile resp onses. Other tests worked on a recognition principle using the recognition of food as the construct. This would involve presenting the food with an object that wasn’t food, but was similar in the dimensions, appearance, etc. to see whether or not the child would be able to tell a difference. In addition, there were tests that were designed to gauge how effectively the child’s motor function and coordination worked through the execution of simple movements through commands. Lastly, they would test what today could be considered general intelligence in that it involved the recognition and statement of what objects were. This was accomplished through the use of physical objects, pictures, etc. which required not only for the child to recognize and process what it was, but be able to tell the tester verbally what they were seeing. Comparison tests were also used in order to determine whether the child could discriminate against objects, which were similar, but different. T ests in attention, suggestibility, memory, and problem solving were also conducted in order to determine the child’s intellectual level (Binet). Binet was very thorough in his methods as he wanted to use a scientific method as well as be able to quantify his data. However, he was a self-learned psychologists which in the end gave him a grave disadvantage when we was developing theories regarding intelligence. Thus, many of his scales were

19th Century Theories in Dostoevskys Crime and Punishment Essay Example for Free

19th Century Theories in Dostoevskys Crime and Punishment Essay 19th Century Theories in Dostoevskys Crime and Punishment I teach you the Superman. Man is something that has to be surpassed. What have you done to surpass him? These words said by Friedrich Nietzsche encompass the theories present in Dostoevskys nineteenth century novel, Crime and Punishment. Fyodor Dostoevsky, living a life of suffering himself, created the character of Raskolnikov with the preconceptions of his own sorrowful and struggling life. Throughout his exile in Siberia from 1849-1859, his sentiments of suffering, sorrow, and the common man surfaced and heightened, inspiring him to begin writing Crime and Punishment in 1859. The main motif in this novel is that of suffering. It is apparent that all characters, major and minor, experience some sort of internal or external affliction. The overall theme of the work is that all mortal men suffer, and that salvation can not be obtained unless this anguish is present. Dostoevskys protagonist, Raskolnikov, must evolve and realize this fact to overcome his conflicts and reach the salvation of peace and tranquillity. Volumes and volumes of critique can be written on where this suffering originated, but Dostoevskys main concentration and focus is not where, but why suffering must exist and how this suffering can be overcome. See more:Â  First Poem for You Essay This is seen from the fact that throughout the six sections of the novel, only one section is focused on the origin of the torment the Crime, and the remaining five sections are concentrated on Raskolnikovs path to overcoming this anguish the Punishment. By focusing solely on the punishment, the internal and external conflicts that arise within the novel do not only provide Raskolnikovs own philosophy of the path toward salvation, but encompasses that of the German philosopher Nietzsche, as well as his contemporaries. Raskolnikovs justifications for his actions are relayed in his own Extraordinary Man Theory, which states that there are two classifications of men in the world: ordinary, and extraordinary. He wanted prove that he was extraordinary, that he could commit a crime as horrid as murder, but because he did it for the betterment of society, he would feel no sympathy or regret for his justified actions. In following Raskolnikovs theory, it becomes apparent from where his conceptions originate. Though the whole work encompasses the philosophies of all the nineteenth century theorists, Raskolnikovs ideas spawn from that of Friedrich Nietzsche and Georg Wilhelm Hegel. Since it has already been established that the entire novel contains theories of its era, to begin an analysis in regard to the novels main ideas evolving from the concepts of merely Nietzsche or Hegel would, in a way, belittle the importance of the remaining non-Hegelian nineteenth century philosophers. By analyzing the ideologies of the major theorists from Father to Fruitcake (Kierkegaard to Freud) with respect to Crime and Punishment, Dostoevskys intentions, motifs, and ideas can be interpreted with ease. Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) believed that truth is both power and suffering. He is often noted as the Father of Existentialism, an innovated modern belief that life has no meaning, and that we must live life just for the sake of living, and nothing else. To know the truth about life and the individuals living it would be a form of powerful knowledge incomprehensible to man. The truth is Life is suffering. Kierkegaard believed that man was blessed with the greatest gift of all free will, but this free will creates decisions, and decisions generate emotions. Emotions are the key to the suffering of man. Happiness creates a fear in losing prosperity, fear leads to anger toward lifes unjust ways, anger leads to hatred of life in general, and hatred leads to the suffering of the individual mind. This is the path of the common man, the man who thinks that life can be blissful. The existential man believes that life has no meaning, no substance, and no path for happiness. He is the man who knows and accepts that all things, good and evil, exist, including suffering. This is why the existential man is indifferent toward the benefits and consequences of life. Raskolnikov believes that The Extraordinary Man feels no suffering and no pain. He is the man who can break the laws, transgress the laws, and make the laws. Raskolnikov believed that if he were extraordinary, he could commit any crime, even the crime of murder, and walk away from it indifferent, apathetic, and without emotion. What he did not realize was the main point of Kierkegaards philosophy, that no matter what man suffers. Raskolnikov thought that he could avoid the truth and avoid suffering. It is not until he confesses to both Porfiry and Sonia, which coincidentally is the same instant that his own pain begins to vanquish, that he fully understands and believes in the suffering of man. Georg Wilhelm Hegel (1770-1831), another prominent philosopher of the nineteenth century, hypothesized a dialectic method for the analysis and comprehension of history. He believed that all events in time move in a teleological fashion contrary to the popular belief of a circular path. Hegel stated that history, rather than repeating itself, learns and moves forward toward a purpose. In his theory this purpose is the freedom of all men in a rational state, and moving toward such a beneficial purpose justifies all good and evil events in history. The dialectic method also consisted of a diagram regarding this teleological path. Hegel believed that history is made up of a series of events all corresponding to a thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. The thesis and antithesis serve as the conflict in history, while the synthesis becomes the result. In Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov is the thesis, the symbol of good intentions, while Svidrigailov is the antithesis, the epitome and reality of evil and suffering. With the battle of good and evil comes salvation, or the synthesis, in this case Sonia, the representation and key to Raskolnikovs salvation. This method can also be viewed in the perspective of Dostoevskys primary concentrations. With that respect the crime can be viewed as the symbol of good intentions. Raskolnikov killed Alyona because she represented the evil in society. Because her death would be a blessing and benefit to the world he believed his crime would be justified. The punishment can be viewed as the reality of suffering. It is not until after he commits the crime that Raskolnikov realizes that all men in fact do suffer. The key is to overcome this suffering instead of avoiding it. The salvation can be viewed as the redemption and end to suffering the result of the crime and of the punishment. This analysis also maps Hegels teleological perspective because the novel moves in a linear fashion. The Crime (thesis) encompasses Part I of the novel, the Punishment (antithesis) is demonstrated in Parts II-VI, and the salvation (synthesis) is introduced in the epilogue. Friedrich Nietzsche (1844- 1900) did not believe in the suffering of all men. He believed that there existed a superman, a powerful individual that lived for self-gratification and nothing else. The Nietzschean superman asserts his own power to situations while he watches the common and ordinary man suffer because of lifes imperfections. This man needs no justification in his actions, because as long as he has satisfied himself, then his dominance over others requires no reason. Nietzsche also believed that in order to become a superman, an individual must surpass the common man. He must have no qualms or regrets in his actions, and above all, he must not fear his actions or consequences. Fear is the mother of morality, it is an emotion only known to ordinary men. A superman has no fear. Perhaps the character of Svidrigailov emits the best example of a Nietzschean superman in the novel. He is the epitome of evil and lives only for self-gratification. His downfall to his superman visage is suicide. Death is the escape to suffering. Svidrigailov feared its company, and in turn, took his own life to avoid it. Raskolnikov on the other hand, did not avoid suffering he conquered it. Though before his crime he did ask the Hegelian question of Will this crime serve a noble purpose, he also asks the Nietzschean question of Do I dare commit this murder and therefore prove myself to be a man by proving that my will is strong? It is after this that he commits the crime and begins to endure this suffering. Unlike his rival, Svidrigailov, Raskolnikov overcomes his pain through salvation with the help of Sonia, ends his isolation, and returns to the humanity of society. Karl Marx (1818-1883) believed that society was the root of suffering. His common man, the proletarian, struggled because of the capitalistic bourgeoisie. He believed that the proletariat goes through various stages of development. The first stage is the struggle against the bourgeois, which later turns to suffering. Through the growth of the masses, the final stages of the common man of strength and victory evolve. The goal and path of the Marxist man is to emerge from being a mere commodity of society into being a creative and active member of it. The strength that allows him to do this is the realization that he is suffering because he lives for others, and his victory is obtained by overcoming this anguish through the bond of the proletariat. Though Raskolnikov does not face the same pain of worthlessness as the proletariat, he develops in the same fashion. He struggles against his inner emotions of reason and morality, and suffers because of it. Though Sonia and Porfiry contribute to his salvation, it is Raskolnikov himself that overcomes his emotions. He does not need the bond of the masses to aid him in his survival and path toward salvation; he only needs the bond of his inner rational and emotion states. This is why Raskolnikov survives. In 1859 the theorist Charles Darwin (1809-1882) published a controversial book of survival entitled The Origin of Species. In this work Darwin established that an organisms evolution or devolution in life is representative of their ability to conform, adjust, and survive within the harshness of its environment. This theory of survival of the fittest, later became the coined theme of Social Darwinism. Social Darwinism believes that man survives and prospers in nature because he is the organism that is fit enough to do so. In a battle between man verses nature, and even man versus society, only the strong shall survive, while the weak will parish. Faith and belief no longer have any bearing on the members of tomorrows society, only strength. Â  his theory is presented many times in Crime and Punishment. Alyona and Lizaveta both perish because they are not capable of defeating Raskolnikov. Alyona also did not survive because Raskolnikovs beliefs were stronger than her will and intentions. Svidrigailov cannot conquer the constraints society has placed upon him, and in turn, he commits suicide. The only exception to this theory is Raskolnikov. His inner strength of intelligence may be strong, but his physical and emotional abilities do not coincide with Darwins notion of fit. Raskolnikovs survival is from his redemption. He reaches salvation because he chooses to, and therefore he survives because he chooses to. He does this through his own realization and rationalization. The psychologist and theorist Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) believed that an individuals decisions are not always determined by the rational state of mind. He believed that all humans possess three distinct decision making chambers of human behavior. He refers to the first of these as the id. The id is the childhood and instinctual need of the individual. This is the sector that satisfies an individuals wants and desires, accomplishing them at no fear of risk. The second portion of human behavior is referred to as the ego. The ego is the rationalist, the sector that makes decisions that benefit the individual and society. Freud believed that the majority of all individuals make decisions based on their ego. The final and third division of an individuals behavior is called the superego. The superego is the ideal individual. This individual makes decisions that should be made; he does things the way they should be done in his opinion, and no matter what the results may be, has no reason for regret. Though most of the characters in the novel make decisions based upon their ego, it is evident and apparent that Raskolnikov does not. He knows what he believes to be right and wrong, and tries to right the wrongs in society with his superego. Though he is the only one to use his superego, all of the other Freudian sections of human decisions exist in the work. Throughout the novel, Svidrigailov uses his id. His encounters with women, prosperity, and fortune are not prolific because he deserves them, but because he wants them. It is his id that leads him to his desire for an end to suffering, and his death near the end of the novel. Sonia and Dounia both rationalize their actions through their ego. Though Sonia does not and should not be a prostitute, she knows that it is the only way for her family to survive. Dounia is in a similar predicament. She did not wish to marry Luzhin, but his wealth and proposal to help Raskolnikov rationalized her to stay. Later, her ego permits her to marry Razumihin for his compassion, admiration, and companionship. This use of the id, ego, and superego supply a Freudian element to Dostoevskys work. With all of these theories analyzed, computed, and settled, we can end this critique where we began: I teach you the Superman. Man is something that has to be surpassed. What have you done to surpass him? Is Raskolnikov a Superman? Well, he follows Kierkegaards existential statement of I believe, therefore I am, which means that he surpasses the common man who merely thinks. Through the ideas of Hegel, his teleological movements from crime to punishment all serve a justified purpose in benefiting his moral and rational states. He overcomes the common man through the salvation he obtains from this linear evolution of trials. He suffers not from Marxist classes, but from internal struggle, excluding him as a member of the proletariat, or common man. Though not physically or emotionally fit to survive, his confession becomes his salvation, his survival, and his disclaimer in the Darwin theory of surviving. The common man may survive because he is fit to survive, but Raskolnikov survives because he chooses to survive. Unlike Freuds theory that the everyday man lives his life through his ego, Raskolnikov makes his decisions based on his superego, doing things not just because it would be rational, but because that it the way it should be done. So then, Is Raskolnikov a Superman? Yes.

Malaysia And The Vision 2020 Commerce Essay

Malaysia And The Vision 2020 Commerce Essay Malaysia is one of the earliest countries in the world due to Dr. Mahathir who conceived of Vision 2020 and encouraged all Malaysians to achieve this goal by sharing in this plan. Vision 2020 has come from a personnel vision -Mahathirs vision- and it very quickly became a national Vision due to the excellent communicator of this Vision by the prime minister and his government members. The Vision sets new and higher goals for national aspiration, and this vision contribute dramatically in changing the way Malaysians see themselves and the direction of their shared destiny. No longer are we resigned to the fact that we are a developing country that will, at best, remain second rate. Malaysians are urged by the Prime Minister to strive to be the best and not settle for the second best. There is nothing that we are not capable of doing, if we are prepared to work hard and use our ingenuity and resourcefulness. vision 2020(wawasan 2020): The following text is from the Malaysia vision web site , its explain the vision 2020 presented by Dr Mahathir Mohamed at the Malaysian Business Council. The purpose of this paper is to present before you some thoughts on the future course of our nation and how we should go about to attain our objective of developing Malaysia into an industrialized country. Also outlined are some measures that should be in place in the shorter term so that the foundations can be laid for the long journey towards that ultimate objective. Hopefully the Malaysian who is born today and in the years to come will be the last generation of our citizens who will be living in a country that is called developing. The ultimate objective that we should aim for is a Malaysia that is a fully developed country by the year 2020. What, you might rightly ask, is a fully developed country? Do we want to be like any particular country of the present 19 countries that are generally regarded as developed countries? Do we want to be like the United Kingdom, like Canada, like Holland, like Sweden, like Finland, like Japan? To be sure, each of the 19, out of a world community of more than 160 states, has its strengths. But each also has its fair share of weaknesses. Without being a duplicate of any of them we can still be developed. We should be a developed country in our own mould. Malaysia should not be developed only in the economic sense. It must be a nation that is fully developed along all the dimensions: economically, politically, socially, spiritually, psychologically and culturally. We must be fully developed in terms of national unity and social cohesion, in terms of our economy, in terms of social justice, political stability, system of government, quality of life, social and spiritual values, national pride and confidence. [01] Some policies and strategies of vision 2020 ( wawasan 2020 ): 03-01 the Malaysia economic policy and strategy: This new policy can be considered an add-on document to the NEP; it provides a framework towards Dr. Mahathirs new vision 2020 plan symbolizing the way forward policy towards a developed nation in 2020. This will require the nation to maintain a 7-plus percent growth rates for the next 25 years. Prime Minister Mahathir believes raising workforce quality and developing expertise in sophisticated industries are decisive elements in the countrys road to economic success and development (Brown 1993: 43). In order to facilitate these growth requirements, the NDP has relaxed many of the FDI restrictions imposed by the NEP such as equity and licensing requirements and procedures. The purpose of the Industrial Master Plan which was formulated by the United Nations Industrial.[ 02 ] Malaysia economic policy focuses on some fields to achieve its purposes : Export Facilitation. Import Substitution. Tariff Structure, Strategic Exposure. 03-01-01 Export Facilitation: The economic rationale of Malaysia to promote exports provides the nation with three important advantages. First, it generates foreign-exchange that can reduce the amount of foreign debt needed to fund development. Second, it contributes to developing a competitive industry infrastructure from learning from investors- a move that brings technological excellence leading to higher value-added exports. By the promotion of specific industries, such as the semi-conductor industry, has speeded technology acquisition and enhanced the nations competitive Worldwide positioning. Finally, FDI provides employment in the industry sector, which to a large extent is attracted from the agricultural sector. [ 02 ] 03-01-02 Tariff Structure: As a link to the policy of maintaining a stable economy with past budget strategies of controlling inflation, there have been major reductions and abolition of import duties on goods and services. The 1995 budget proposes a reduction of tariffs imposed on over 2,600 items of which a majority is food items (Budget 1995: 22). Also, tariffs on building materials and household appliances have been reduced. These measures will not only control inflation, but also enhance the quality of life and favor the overall climate for investments. However, Ad Valorem taxes are imposed on imported goods and services (refer to Appendix 4) [ 02 ]. 03-01-03 Import Substitution: Economic development in Malaysia was first built on the basis of Import Substitution, indicated by the large shift of GNP distribution from agricultural sectors to manufacturing sectors. Import substitution has increased in mainly three areas, transport equipment, Industrial chemicals and fertilizers and in Industrial machinery (Onn 1988: 28). However, exports constitute the main source of growth in the manufacturing sector from 1970-1990 (refer to appendix 6). This trend can be explained by economic policy that places great emphasis on improving industrial competitiveness as a vehicle towards vision 2020. [ 02 ] 03-01-04 Strategic Exposure Strategic exposure represents a crucial component in Strategic Trade Theory. The rationale behind lowering barriers to trade and exposing local industry to foreign competition is to create a more competitive domestic industry (Hamilton 1989: 4). Such a Level Playing Field policy will force local firms to increase their competitiveness to survive. Strategic exposure represents a direct link to becoming an industrialized nation by 2020 and the realization of economic goals. Incorporating FDI as a strategic measure to enhance technological know-how can reduce domestic learning and experience curves in selected industries. By giving foreign investors considerable tax deductible incentives in areas such as training of local employees, research and development and in promotion of exports Malaysia has been able to increase World wide competitiveness as demonstrated by increasing exports and GDP (Carrol, Errion 1991: 21). Malaysia aims for the year 2000 to have at least 1.6% of GDP spent on RD and is predicting that at least 40% will come from the private sector[ 02 ] Higher educations policy and strategy : 03-02-01 Universities In Malaysia, with the cooperation of the local universities formulate and create action plans for reforming engineering education in preparation for the professional expectations of the future. As a result, the universities are urged to act and play a leadership role in improving the engineering education. Interaction with local and overseas industries should also be increased. This will facilitate more realistic and relevant joint projects for students and industry professionals. Through this interaction, universities will face a variety of real-world multi-disciplinary problems that are similar to the business operational problems locally and internationally. These problems can be used as test cases for solution approaches. Engineering students could form interdisciplinary collaborative teams to develop effective solutions to such problems. As a result, the desired attributes for the future engineers, for example, the ability to function on multidisciplinary team, the ability to identify and solve engineering problems, the ability to understand the professional and ethical responsibility and the ability to communicate effectively can be achieved. [03]. Infrastructure and Facilities Universities need to establish consensus on relevancy of a set of a new fundamental for engineering education. This may include information technology, bio-engineering, nano-skill-technologies, skills and understanding necessary for effectively leading multidisciplinary-teams, the challenges of framing and addressing large-scale system-of-systems problems, sustainability, lifecycle management of systems, risk-based asset management, and the need of lifelong learning, globalization, demographic realities and need for diversity [ 03 ]. Academician The pedagogy of engineering education must be changed. According to Felder many students in the United States fail to excel with only the support of traditional method used in teaching engineering. Engineering students prefer active teaching method .Therefore; the traditional teaching engineering model must be changed to a new teaching model in line with the engineers of the 21st century. The future engineering education program should include the use of ICT (Information Communication Technology). This idea suggested by many undergraduate engineering students. The ICT genre involves the use of all tools in the forms of software, on-line program and resources to create new and improved conditions for learning, for example the use of e-learning, email, word processor, and web resources (both static information and dynamic interactive information) [03]. Using ICT in Education The concept of ICT in education, as seen by the Ministry of Education of Malaysia, includes systems that enable information gathering, management, manipulation, access, and communication in various forms. The Ministry has formulated three main policies for ICT in education. The first policy is that of ICT for all students, meaning that ICT is used as an enabler to reduce the digital gap between the schools. The second policy emphasizes the role and function of ICT in education as a teaching and learning tool, as part of a subject, and as a subject by itself. Apart from radio and television as a teaching and learning tool, this policy stresses the use of the computer for accessing information, communication, and as a productivity tool. ICT as part of a subject refers to the use of software in subjects such as Invention and Engineering Drawing. ICT as a subject refers to the introduction of subjects such as Information Technology and Computerization. The third policy emphasizes using ICT to increase productivity, efficiency and effectiveness of the management system. ICT will be extensively used to automate and mechanize work processes such as the processing of official forms, timetable generation, management of information systems, lesson planning, financial management, and the maintenance of inventories. [ 04 ] health policy and strategy: The MOHs vision for the future and the strategic objectives are based on its corporate values that incorporate professionalism, teamwork and caring. 03-03-01 Strategic Goals Prevent and reduce the burden of disease Enhance the healthcare delivery system Optimize resources Improve research and development Manage crisis and disasters effectively Strengthen the health information management system 03-03-02 Strategies Improve governance, and adoption of appropriate technology and service Practices to empower individuals, families and communities towards attaining lifelong wellness. Develop skills and competencies to further reduce mortality and morbidity rates in furtherance of strengthening the quality of healthcare delivery. Establish effective business strategies to enhance organizational Performance and the consumption of resources. Increase the use of evidence through research to support all levels of decision making. Elevate the level of preparedness in managing disasters and health-related crises effectively. Upgrade the standards of information and communication technology as well as health informatics to maintain sound health information Management [05]. Biological diversity policy and strategy: 03-04-01 Principles: The vision 2020 (wawasan2020) in biological diversity based on the following principles: The conservation ethic, including the inherent right to existence of all living forms, is deeply rooted in the religious and cultural values of all Malaysians Biological diversity is a national heritage and it must be sustainably managed and wisely utilized today and conserved for future generations; Biological resources are natural capital and their conservation is an investment that will yield benefits locally, nationally and globally for the present and future; The benefits from sustainable management of biological diversity will accrue, directly or indirectly, to every sector of society; The sustainable management of biological diversity is the responsibility of all sectors of society; It is the duty of Government to formulate and implement the policy framework for sustainable management and utilization of biological diversity in close cooperation with scientists, the business community and the public; The role of local communities in the conservation, management and utilization of biological diversity must be recognized and their rightful share of benefits should be ensured; Issues in biological diversity transcend national boundaries and Malaysia must continue to exercise a proactive and constructive role in international activities; The interdependence of nations on biological diversity and in the utilization of its components for the well-being of mankind is recognized. International cooperation and collaboration is vital for fair and equitable sharing of biological resources, as well as access to and transfer of relevant technology; Public awareness and education is essential for ensuring the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable utilization of its components; in the utilization of biological diversity, including the development of biotechnology, the principles and practice of biosafety should be adhered to [06]. 03-04-02 Objectives To optimize economic benefits from sustainable utilization of the components of biological diversity To ensure long-term food security for the nation To maintain and improve environmental stability for proper functioning of ecological systems To ensure preservation of the unique biological heritage of the nation for the benefit of present and future generations; To enhance scientific and technological knowledge, and educational, social, cultural and aesthetic values of biological diversity; To emphasize biosafety considerations in the development and application of biotechnology;[06] Challenges of establishing vision 2020(wawasan 2020): The first of these is the challenges of establishing a united Malaysian nation with a sense of common and shared destiny. The second is the challenge of creating a psychologically liberated, secure, and developed Malaysian Society with faith and confidence in itself, justifiably proud of what it is, of what it has accomplished, robust enough to face all manner of adversity. The third challenge we have always faced is that of fostering and developing a mature democratic society, practicing a form of mature consensual, community-oriented Malaysian democracy that can be a model for many developing countries. The fourth is the challenge of establishing a fully moral and ethical society, whose citizens are strong in religious and spiritual values and imbued with the highest of ethical standards. The fifth challenge that we have always faced is the challenge of establishing a matured, liberal and tolerant society in which Malaysians of all colors and creeds are free to practice and profess their customs, cultures and religious beliefs and yet feeling that they belong to one nation. The sixth is the challenge of establishing a scientific and progressive society, a society that is innovative and forward-looking, and one that is not only a consumer of technology but also a contributor to the scientific and technological civilization of the future. The seventh challenge is the challenge of establishing a fully caring society and a caring culture, a social system in which society will come before self, in which the welfare of the people will revolve not around the state or the individual but around a strong and resilient family system. The eighth is the challenge of ensuring an economically just society. This is a society in which there is a fair and equitable distribution of the wealth of the nation, in which there is full partnership in economic progress. Such a society cannot be in place so long as there is the identification of race with economic function, and the identification of economic backwardness with race. The ninth challenge is the challenge of establishing a prosperous society, with an economy that is fully competitive, dynamic, robust and resilient. [ 07 ] Discussion Is Malaysia on track to 2020? This is the most important question every time the issue of Malaysia 2020 has been raised. And it is important to measure and evaluate the strategies and policies to keep Malaysia on track to 2020; Siddiquee (2006) [08] indicated that the recent reforms represent Malaysias attempt to remain relevant and competitive in a rapidly changing local and global environment. It is clear that the changes are largely consistent with NPM (National Public Management) principles and they are not only geared towards enhancing efficiency and institutional capacity of the governmental machinery, they also seek to transform it into a dynamic, market-driven and customer-oriented administration. It is true that Malaysia is ahead of other developing countries in terms of ICT infrastructure and its usage, however, there is a long way to go before Malaysia can catch up with other regional leaders like Singapore and South Korea. Presently, not only the number and types of services offered through such channels are limited but also the public access to such services is inadequate. On the one hand, the public awareness about such facilities is relatively low; on the other hand, pilot projects being carried out have exposed a variety of challenges Therefore, the reforms, although generally seen as steps in the right direction, have not brought about dramatic improvements in the public sector. An analysis of the public sector competence of 12 Asian countries from 1999 to 2001/2002 by the Global Competitiveness Report shows that Malaysias ranking has dropped from 46 in 1999 to 65 in 2001/2002. Malaysia has fared poorly compared with neighboring Singapore, which has ranked first for three consecutive years. Measured on a 0-7 scale (where 0 means least competent and 7 means the most competent), Malaysias scores are 2.24, 2.50 and 2.10 against Singapores 4.52, 4.4 and 4.7 during the same period. What is even more surprising is that Malaysias 2001/2002 ranking is below that of Thailand (44), Indonesia (48), and the Philippines (58). The Malaysian experience shows that there is hardly any quick fix to the problems of the public sector and that there is a long way to go before the goals envisioned are realized. Malaysia has, despite its efforts to develop ICT especially in the Multi Media Super Corridor, receded from place 25 (in 1997) on a relative competitiveness scale of infrastructure development to place 38 (out of 49 countries in 2001). Malaysia still implement new ways to achieve its goal The government have started implementing several initiatives to facilitate the smooth development of knowledge economy, particularly in the areas of science and technology (ST), research and development, info structure and financing. Examples of some of these initiatives include the launching of the National IT Agenda (NITA) and the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC). These initiatives is to position itself in the global-map of knowledge-based economies and to undertake measures in ensuring that equitable access is targeted to all segments of Malaysia society. As a whole, k-economy provides the means to maintain sustainable rapid economic growth and competitiveness in the medium and long term. As mentioned earlier, the private sector will continue to become the engine of growth in k-economy with support from the public sector. At the same time, the objective of social and economic equity will still be a critical element in this new s tage of economic development but with the added responsibility of narrowing the knowledge gap among various groups, between urban and rural communities and across the regions. Hence, having the national policies and plans in place to drive human resources, private and public sector to achieve k-economy, who is responsible for coordinating and administration of the plans, policies and strategies implemented (Abdullah, Rose Kumar (2007))[09]. conclusion Despite Malaysia have achieved many goals from 1981 till now, there are many difficulties that encounter Malaysia for achieving visions 2020 and there are a lot of problems have to be solved such as the following problems: The big gap between Malay and Chinese and Indian citizens between each others whether in communication, dealing, relationships. The non-stabilization in the leaderships of Malaysia government since 2000. Inefficiency to build a new generation to adopt vision 2020 completely. Weakness of awareness of Malaysians society to implement vision 2020. Focusing on development of the big cities like KL, PENANG and disregard the other villages.

Recovery of Digital Evidence

Recovery of Digital Evidence Introduction The University suspects that a case of wrongdoing has been undertaken by a member of staff within Edge Hill University and the computer forensic team, of which you are part of, has been asked to investigate.   You and your team have been asked to launch an investigation into alleged misuse of the Universitys IT system. The office used a member of staff has been isolated, sealed and secured. The staff member has been interviewed by IT services as well as the Dead of faculty and HR and has subsequently denied all wrongdoing. Items from the staff office have been recovered by your team. The evidence recovery has been conducted in a rigorous secure manner in lines with a strict methodology. The Principles of Digital Evidence Evidence Recovery Process From the start of the process there must be a set way to conduct the investigation, the crime scene is a very delicate place in terms of collection of critical vital evidence, which if left unsecure could be easily be altered or corrupted, therefore its important to follow several key stages, the first being; The Plan of the Investigation Where are, we going to find the suspected evidence, i.e. on Computer system, Smart phone, USB, floppy disc, Hard Drive. Should social media i.e., Twitter, Facebook, Chat Forums, be checked for relevant evidence they may hold. Contact of user ISP for trace history Mobile network contact, may have on online account with online storage. How to conduct the Investigation My Flow Plan Right to Search and Seizure In order to conduct an investigation there are Legal and ethical aspects that are very important and must always be adhered to key points that would always be considered when its decided that evidence will need to be received; Just because there are several computers in the house doesnt necessary mean that they should all be seized for forensic inspection, the person attending the crime scene must have Reasonable grounds to remove possessions and there must be justified reasons for doing this. Due to the sensitive nature of the investigation it would always be a necessary moral characteristic that the investigator would be honest and truthful. Consideration as to whether what items are likely to hold key information, i.e. there would no point in seizing a microwave when we are looking at a computer related crime. Consider the offence, narrow down the time period of suspected crime. Items found that are connected to internet are likely to contain key information and should be seized. Documents/booklets, notepads to be seized as they may hold online storage accounts and passwords where information is held. Approach Strategy This all would be done using a Flow plan for the team to follow as discussed in Assignment 1, Capture of relevant information One of the most important steps within the whole process, if mistake is made here then the whole investigation is under threat. The room was secured and isolated to risk the impact of any tampering with evidence. This could basically fail in to a very similar category, this may involve the collection of volatile date. Volatile data is the data that we have at the scheme of the crime that may be lost if the investigator doesnt follow the correct procedure, i.e. recording what state the computer is on at that time. The Volatile data would be stored for example on a PC in the Ram (Random Access Memory) and would contain key information such as website data, chat history etc. that may be key to overall success of the investigation. Bagging in secure bags that are tamper proof insuring that they are labelled acutely with a reference number for later inspection. Suspected member of staff interviewed denied any wrong doing. Analyse of Evidence Evidence has been recovered from the staff office by a colleague within the forensic team, we have found the following; A USB pen drive seized bagged up in secure zipper bag Feedback to be given to give information on where to investigation in going. Each step to be recorded Time scales available Resources available to investigator Tools that are available for the forensic analysis. Data recovered from the USB drive, seems to just be Standard information but further analysis is needed to establish truth. Evidence Seized Note pad with 3 passwords on; Cabbage Apple Pear USB device seized from the office. From what we can see on the USB is 3 PDFs 3 Images A word document Titled Payments for paper4you Files present on USB Un touched On the next step of my investigation I will open each file without any interference from any Encryption programs. File Payments for papers4you.docx File 30037888.pdf File AUP.pfd , File conduct.pdf Chocolate 1.jpg.png Even more chocolate.jpg.png More Chocolate.jpg.png Investigation of the Evidence For the pupose of the investigation I will now check to see if the items sesiued are extactly as they seem. I do think this step is necessary aspart of the on going investigatiion. In order to check individual files, I will use OpenSteg application, the reason to do this is it will check each induvual file in order to establish any hidden files located on the the USB. To do this I will use a programe called OpenSteg which will highlight any hidden information OpenStego Menu,- As you can see we can Hide or Extract Data from a any file, in this case we will be Extracting the Data from the chosen file. Menu of the file which I wish to look at though OpenStego Chocolate 1 On checking the file, it is clear the it needs a password to open it, I will try the 3-password written down on the note pad recovered from the scene, which are: Apple Cabbage Pear It would appear that there is a file within this picture titled;Master_Sheet.xlsx Upon opening the Excel File it appers that it requires a password of which I have 3 ; Apple Pear Cabbage Apple and Pear are unsuccessful, but Cabbage has grated me access to the Excel file It appears to show Financial transactions from Papers 4 you dated from 2008 to 2016 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 The same was done with the file Even more chocolate.jpg.png Upon doing this it is clear there is a file hidden within the picture titled Invoice Jan-16.docx As per below; Picture 3 to be checked using OpenStego file name More Chocolate Using password Pear Information from file Jan-15 Bring the evidence together as one we could use Encase this would give us a clear understanding of all the evidence together in one file format I have demonstrated in a walk through via screenshots Landing Page Encase New case Location and name File is now given name Assignment 2 and location. Adding Evidence to the case Locate relevant file to add the information needed for the investigation. Section of key files to use as evidence. Summary of the Evidence From conducting this investigation certain key points must be established when investigating the case Facts or fiction and can prove this with hard evidence. Prove that it did happen in the first place. Are we looking at the right person that is accused? Have any mistakes been made., things been missed or thigs been altered. Forming the whole investigation, we can see from the Time Line, what information and by what process was followed It is with my Recommendation that the Case be referred to CPS for Criminal Proceedings. Due to the many breachs with in the law, (Data Protection, Computer misuse act, It Computer Policy) and the and the vast amounts of money received, it is unlikely that internal University formal proceedings would bring accountability for the thief. In Conclusion, it would also be recommended that upon Criminal Proceedings being initiated, that an order for the Proceeds of Crime Act be sort to recover the ill-gotten gains.

Alzheimer’s Disease Essay -- Alzheimers Disease Essays

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, meaning it attacks the neurons within the brain. Neurons are the areas of the brain that allow for chemical messages, or neurotransmitters, to be transmitted. These neurons are necessary for connections with other nerve cells, and without them, the neuronS ultimately die. Alzheimer’s is a form of, and the most common cause of, dementia, or loss of intellectual capacity and personality. ("Dementia.") Alzheimer’s disease, or AD, is not a normal part of aging, although risk of developing the illness increases with age. The onset behavior of the disease normally doesn’t appear until age sixty and older. Though symptoms that appear before age sixty have occurred, it is less common and tends to run in families; these early onset also tend to progress more rapidly. (â€Å"Alzheimer’s Disease†) AD is one of the top ten most leading causes of death in America. In fact, estimates say that as many as 5.1 million people in the U.S. may have Alzheimer’s; that number steadily increasing with the growing elderly population. (â€Å"About Alzheimer’s†) In the last forty years, AD has become a prevalent topic amongst the medical and non-medical communities affecting lives and families; giving us motive for further our understanding of the brain. Alzheimer’s disease has been known since the turn of the century but was not a prevalent concern until the 1970s. In 1907, Alois Alzheimer, a German physician, documented a case of a fifty-one-year-old woman who was suffering from severe cognitive disabilities. She exhibited difficulties in areas such as memory, language, and social interactions. (Reger 1) After death, Alzheimer performed a brain autopsy using silver staining techniques. This allowed him to ... ...int. â€Å"Dementia.† Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 02 May. 2015. Reger, Beth. "Alzheimer's Disease: A Brief History and Avenues for Current Research." Journal of Young Investigators: Undergraduate, Peer-Reviewed Science Journal 6.2 (2002): 1-3. Web. 29 Apr. 2015. Robinson, Lawrence, Joanna Saisan, and Jeanne Segal. "Alzheimer’s Disease: Signs, Symptoms, and Stages of Alzheimer’s." Helpguide.org: Expert, Ad-free Articles Help Empower You with Knowledge, Support & Hope. HelpGuide, Mar. 2011. Web. 29 Apr. 2015. "Studies Demonstrate Link Among Alzheimer's Disease, Down Syndrome and Atherosclerosis." ScienceDaily, 15 Jan. 2010. Web. 3 May 2015. Wattamwar, Pandurang, and P. Mathuranath. â€Å"An Overview of Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s Disease.† Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology 13.6 (2010): 116. ProQuest Research Library. Web. 12 April 2015.

A Problem for the Aviation Industry Essay -- Aviation

Section 217: A Problem for the Aviation Industry On a cold February evening in 2009, just outside the city of Buffalo, New York, two pilots crashed a new aircraft on final approach to land into Buffalo Niagara International Airport. In an effort to prevent an accident of a similar nature from happening, the U.S. Congress passed H.R. 5900, the ‘Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act.’ This bill under Title II was aimed to enhance airline safety and in part prevent an accident of this nature from occurring again (U.S. House 2010). Section 217 of the bill pushes the minimum hours required to act as a pilot on a regional carrier up to 1,500 total flight hours and requires those persons to do an extensive Air Transport Pilots examination (U.S. House 2010). Although some parts of this law encourage safety, it has the potential to cripple the aviation industry. This is so because of the predicted shortage of pilots in the coming years, lost interest of young pilots, potential higher prices for consu mers, and loss of jobs. The view that there is a pilot shortage impending has been echoed by many including Louis Smith, president of FLTOps, a website geared towards finding pilots jobs and providing assistance in rà ©sumà © building. He states, â€Å"Pilot hiring was severely depressed in the last three years. The next ten years will be the exact opposite, with the longest and largest pilot hiring boom in the history of the industry" (Jones). This predicted pilot shortage within the next few years is brought on by several reasons: the retiring of older pilots from major U.S. carriers, the moving of many pilots to Asia and the Middle East, and the increasing traffic in the United States to coincide with a growth of the ... ...24 Feb. 2012. Jones, Charisse. "Demand for airline pilots set to soar." Usa today. USA TODAY, 2011. Web. 20 Mar. 2012. Lowy, Joan. "Airlines oppose law increasing pilot flight hours." USA TODAY Travel Network 14 Oct. 2010. Web. 08 Mar. 2012. Sullenberger, Chesley. Interview with CBS This Morning. "FAA proposes new rules for co-pilots." Breaking News Headlines: Business, Entertainment & World News - CBS News, 28 Feb. 2012. Web. 5 Mar. 2012. United States. National Transportation Safety Board. â€Å"Loss of control on approach, Colgan Air, Inc. operating as Continental Connection Flight 3407, Bombardier DHC-8-400, N200WQ Clarence Center, New York, February 12, 2009.†, 2010. Web. 4 Feb. 2012. U.S. House. 2010. Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010. US 111th Cong., 2nd sess. R. Doc. 3. Washington: GPO, 1 Aug. 2010. Web. 7 Mar. 2012.

Critique and Analysis of Baumann’s Article

Within this evaluation, a critical reflection will be made based on the causes of libations and to what extent the social effects of globalization provoke ‘moral outcry, based on Bandsman's 2001 â€Å"Ann-Globs† article. From which, Bandsman's key points will be analyses and critiqued. The term globalization applies to a set of processes that appear to transform our present social condition of conventional nationality into one of globosity and reliability (Stager, 2013).Within the idea of reliability, the revolution in â€Å"consumer tastes and unabated construction of global electronic highways, all Increase the inter-dependence and Inter-connections of action economies across the globe† (Dole & Lowe, 2005, p. 4). Guldens 1 990 agrees and goes on to state that globalization is the â€Å"Intensification of world wide social relations, which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versaâ⠂¬  (p. 64).These links can relate to the ideas of increased mobility (Robins, 2000) or flows (Beck, 2000) across national borders, of products, services, Information, communication, people and ideas (Parsons and Macmillan, 2009). Whilst Levity (1983) adds to this by claiming that due to these links. globalization Is characterized by the standardization of product or services across all markets, leaving some regions developing this standardization more rapidly than others, whilst also being the most cost effective mode of competing in these global markets.As these markets become more standardized, an increase in competitive pressure and the need to survive in the economy becomes much more apparent. Therefore it could be said that globalization is about shifting forms of unman contact, this affirmation thus implies three assertions: first, that we are slowly leaving behind the condition of modern nationality that gradually unfolded from the 18th century onwards; second, that we are moving towards the new condition of postmodern globosity; and, third, that we have not yet reached it.Globalization therefore suggests a notion of ‘development' and ‘unfolding (Stager, 2013). Such unfolding may occur quickly or slowly, but it always corresponds to the idea of change, and therefore, denotes transformation. Globalization can also be thought of s the emergence of competitive yet worldwide Interconnectedness, by the ways of flow and exchange of capital, labor and technology throughout global borders. From this, drivers of globalization appear.Drivers such as the advances in technology, the removal of political and economic barriers and the free movement of capital allow global markets to progress. Therefore, allowing such markets to become more diverse. Consequently meaning that people now have greater access to capital, technology and have less restrictive political and economic barriers. For example, due information can be created because of the innovative use of resources that are used to endorse new products and ideas across borders, regardless of geographic location.

Book Smart vs Street Smart Essay

In the article, â€Å"Hidden Intellectualism,† Gerald Graff discusses the topic of book smart versus street smart. Being street smart means having interest in other activities more than in school work, while being book smart is the complete opposite of that. Graff believes that having the personality of a street smart person can benefit society if one knows how to channel their potential correctly. He persuades his views to the readers by using his personal experiences and displaying the positives of being street smart. During his childhood years, Graff lived in a middle class neighborhood, while being a block away from what would be classified to some people as the â€Å"hood. † He would encounter people from that part of the hood daily. He would have to hide his intelligence in the fear that he would get beat up or robbed. He loved sports more than school, so he thought he was in the street smart crowd. â€Å"It was in these discussions with friends about toughness and sports, I think, and in my reading of sports books and magazines, that I began to learn the rudiments of the intellectual life†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Graff 10). In this quote, Graff explains how being street smart was actually helpful for him. He was learning elements of argumentation without even meaning to do so. He later explains the different kinds of components he learned in his arguments, â€Å"†¦how to make an argument, weigh different kinds of evidence, move between particulars and generalizations, summarize the views of others, and enter a conversation about ideas† (Graff 10). He did not think it would have been this easy to do all of these things without reading something to do with Shakespeare. When he realized that loving sports and being able to argue over this subject was actually helping him, he started doing some research on how schools should use relatable subjects to help the street smart students connect like the other students do. This way they would be able to learn in a way that is most understandable to them. He explains that if a student would rather choose a sports magazine over a novel to write about, then it is only smart enough to assign them to write from the magazine. This way they are interested in what they are writing about, and also they are bettering their writing skills. â€Å"Give me the student anytime who writes a sharply argued, sociologically acute analysis of an issue in Source over the student who writes a lifeless explication of Hamlet or Socrates’ Apology† (Graff 18). In this ending statement, Graff is confident about his views and is openly challenging anybody to contradict whatever he has previously stated. Graff’s personal experiences assist in conveying why he felt so strong about this topic. Also, he gives ideas to schools and universities on what teaching material they should use for the street smart students. Not only does he provide help, but he is also confident of its success. There is a way to use the street smart in a book smart type of way.

Plagarism in schools Essay

The term ‘plagiarism’ comes from the Latin word meaning ‘kidnapping’.   It is form of academic dishonesty in which one person passes on another persons work, words and ideas as own.   Several universities and schools do not allow plagiarism of any sort.   Some of the educational institutions often term plagiarism as the worst form of academic dishonesty.   They prefer their students to research and use resources in an appropriate manner and also express their own ideas and views.   Children often find it difficult to understand what plagiarism is.   A student may often use plagiarism in order to compete with others in the same grade.   Plagiarism also puts on extra pressure on the teachers, professors and the lecturers in detecting this serious form of dishonesty and taking action against such students (Nagy, 2004, & Dowshen, 2005). In a study conducted by Duke University in several parts of the US, it was found that about 75 % of the students indulged in some form of plagiarism.   About 33 % of the students admitted that they plagiarized to a severe extent.   In another survey, about 72 % of the students admitted that they plagiarized to serious extents when given home assignments.   In another study conducted in High School American students in 1998, 80 % admitted that they plagiarized in some form of the other, and only on 5 % of the occasions were they caught for it (Nagy, 2004). The teachers also do consider that the students frequently indulge in plagiarism.   Teachers consider the advent of the internet as a major factor for helping to plagiarize their homework.   About 58 % of the teachers consider plagiarism to be an academic issue and about 28 % of them consider that more than 50 % of the students plagiarize their homework.   Teachers consider plagiarism to be particular difficult to detect in certain cases and also to be time-consuming (ATL, 2008). In certain occasions plagiarism can be unintentional.   It is important for the student to quote the references in all cases and to express the ideas and argument in the own words.   The students should also express their ideas in the specific area.   Paraphrasing is one way of avoiding plagiarism, but use of individual ideas needs to be incorporated.   Other people’s words and sentences needs to be clearly quoted.   The individual’s own ideas can be supported by another person’s views mentioned in the texts.   Information taken from several sources and framed using skill and creativity to compile a datasheet cannot be considered as plagiarism (University of Queensland, 2007 & BBC, 2008). References: Association of Teachers & Lecturers (2008). â€Å"School work plagued by plagiarism – ATL survey.† Retrieved on 2008, March 13, from ATL Web site: http://www.atl.org.uk/atl_en/news/Media_office/releases/plagiarism.asp BBC (2007). â€Å"Exploring and Deterring Plagiarism in Schools.† Retrieved on 2008, March 13, from BBC Web site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/actionnetwork/F1635812?thread=3606871 Dowshen, S. (1995). â€Å"What is Plagiarism?† Retrieved on 2008, March 13, from Kidshealth Web site: http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/plagiarism.html Nagy, C. (2004). â€Å"Dealing with High School Plagiarism.† Retrieved on 2008, March 13, from New Foundations Web site: http://www.newfoundations.com/ETHICPROP/Nagy718F04.html The University of Queensland, Australia (2007). â€Å"What is Plagiarism?† Retrieved on 2008, March 13, from University of Queensland Web site: http://www.library.uq.edu.au/training/plagiarism.html

Meg Cabot: A True Author Outline Essay

Ever encountered a book where you just want to smash it against the wall? Tired of reading predictable sappy story lines? Well then, you’re in luck! No matter the mood you’re in, Meggin Patricia Cabot, better known as Meg Cabot, will take you on a journey beyond your wildest imagination from the very first moment you begin reading the first page of one of her novels. In fact, she’ll connect with mind and soul in the multiple genres she writes, making you want to go to the nearest library and check out another. Meg Cabot was born on February 1, 1967, in Bloomington, Indiana. She was an active reader from a very early age, at first gobbling up comic books and science fiction at the local library. In many interviews, Cabot claims that she found her way to the library during the summer months because she was looking for air-conditioning. While cooling off in the library, Cabot soon discovered classic literature, such as To Kill a Mockingbird, by southern writer Harper Lee, and Jane Eyre, written by English novelist Charlotte Bronte(Henning). Jane Eyre, the story of the romance between a man and his daughter’s nanny, in particular, had a lasting effect on young Cabot. As she explained in a 2004 interview with Christina Nunez, â€Å"It introduced me to the world of romance, which I have never left. † In addition to reading, Cabot was also obsessed with princesses and the belief that a ‘Prince Charming’ was out there for everyone. â€Å"I was a traditional Disney-princess worshipper,† she told Trudy Wyss of Borders. â€Å"You know, I had the Snow White birthday cake when I was six, and drew Cinderella endlessly on my notepads. Cabot read about princesses (her favorite fairy tale being Beauty and the Beast ) and fantasized about being a real-life princess, often telling her mom and dad that her ‘real’ parents, the king and queen, would arrive one day in Indiana to find her. In 1977, after seeing the movie Star Wars, the ten-year-old’s obsession for royalty grew to new heights. â€Å"I became obsessed with Princess Leia,† Cabot explained, â€Å"its one thing to be â€Å"I am living proof that it is possible to profit from being a high school freak. † Princess of a kingdom; it is quite another to be princess of an entire planet! It’s no wonder she made a real success with the Princess series. Success, however, does not come overnight. With about a thousand rejection letters, Meg was able to finish off a novel that would blossom her career. The inspiration for Princess came from an event that happened in Cabot’s own life. After her father died her mother began dating her daughter’s former art teacher. Cabot was so horrified that she began keeping a diary. She expanded the diary entries into a story about a ninth-grader named Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo, also known as Mia, whose mother is dating her algebra teacher. Cabot also visited her old high school diaries to add true teen voice to her character, a gangly, shy freshman being raised by her single mom in Greenwich Village loft in New York City. How does that pertain for the title Princess? Well in addition to facing the trials and tribulations of teenage life, Mia’s world is turned upside-down when she discovers that her father is actually the prince of a tiny European country called Genovia and that she is next in line to inherit the throne. Suddenly Mia is a celebrity, and her worries about boys comes to a pause for princess lessons, bodyguards, and fending off the paparazzi(TeenReads). And after finishing seven books off of Mia’s life, Cabot created the major motion picture The Princess Diaries starring Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews. Which later earned itself a sequel. Cabot began to write her own stories because, as she claimed in an Onion Street online interview, there was absolutely nothing else to do. â€Å"That was back in the days before cable and VCRs were opular, so there really was nothing to do but write stories of our own. â€Å" In addition, Cabot wrote for the high school newspaper and kept detailed journals that proved to be excellent when writing Princess Diaries. She was also active in after-school activities, including choir, theater, and the art club. Although she enjoyed writing Cabot never planned on becoming a professional author. Instead, she dreamed of being an actress or a veterinarian. Unfortunately, she flunked algebra and did rather poorly on the math portion of her SATs. As part of admissions requirements most universities require a student to take SAT examinations; they are divided into two sections—verbal and math reasoning—and help assess what a student has learned throughout their high school years. ) Following graduation from high school, Cabot decided to study art at the University of Indiana, where she could attend tuition-free since her father was a professor. In 1991, with a bachelor of fine arts degree in the palm of her hand, the artist moved to New York City to pursue a career as an illustrator. Instead, she landed a job as a freshman dormitory assistant manager at New York University(Nunez). It was not exactly her dream job, but there were periods when work was slow, which gave her plenty of free time to return to her early love: writing. Picking up the pace, Cabot released Insatiable in 2010. Now, this book may prove to be a bit more the adult reader, none-the-less, it is recommended. Tired of those sappy-sob vampire love stories? Well then just grade me an F. Insatiable is the first vampire/paranormal story Meg writes about. With multiple points of views, Meg Cabot leaves the reader speechless by writing about a love triangle between Meena Harper, the perplexed tomboy, Lucien Antonescu, the rich bad-boy, and Alaric Wulf, a vampire-hunter. At first, the only thought in mind might be, â€Å"another Twilight story†. Fortunately, it is not. Being the story spoiler that I am, Cabot finishes the novel not by a happy ending, but a rather joyful one. She doesn’t write about an irresistibly attractive vampire who wins the girl (though Lucien is). Oh no!  On the contrary, Cabot retells Bram Stoker’s Dracula, with a twist. The vampire doesn’t get the girl; making this book ‘a must read’. With that, author Meg Cabot has become a one-woman marketing sensation, a publisher’s dream because she is able to produce novels with amazing frequency. She is also a diverse writer who has found equal success in a multitude of genres, including historical romance(Avalon High, Lady of Skye, Abandon, etc. , ), young adult fiction(Mediator, All-American Girl, Ready or Not? , Princess Diaries, 1800-R-U-There? etc), and contemporary adult fiction(Insatiable, Portrait of My Heart, Queen of Babble, etc. ). It seems as though, Cabot knows exactly what we want to read; morals, romance, comedy, the paranormal, you name it. She knows exactly how to touch your heart and make you wish that you were the main character in the story. With this said, Meggin Patricia Cabot has written over 67 novels in a time period of 1998 till present day. So whenever you’re in the mood to read, you know you can always count on Meg Cabot to take you out of your little shell, and onto an adventure.