Free College Admissions Essays: Summer Camp Entrepreneur :: College Admissions Essays

Summer Camp Entrepreneur The first wedding that I planned was in no way a traditional wedding. Ten eager little girls decorated the printed invitations with sequins, buttons, and markers. The same energetic hands prepared the wedding feast, consisting of bagged lunches, blintz soufflé, and of course a layer cake. On the big day I looked around with excitement. Again, I noticed something odd about this wedding. All the participants and guests appeared about four feet high. The "groom" had long hair pinned up with brown lines on her face (was that supposed to be a beard?) The wedding location, a back yard with a swing set and a wading pool, seemed far from romantic. This wedding however was not supposed to be one of those types of weddings. As I pressed the "PLAY" button on the tape recorder I knew that ten 4-6-year-old girls cared deeply about this wedding. Despite the absence of a reason for celebration, I pulled all the girls into the circle and we started dancing and clapping to the music. The energ y that went into the preparation on previous days could finally be appreciated. My campers and I not only celebrated the accomplishment of the mock wedding, we celebrated the fun and excitement we experienced for the first three weeks in Camp Glitter Girls. I had begun preparing for Camp Glitter Girls over four months before by budgeting, sending out fliers, confirming registration and finally making sure that every camper would have the time of her life. As I danced, I celebrated the times I almost lost my patience but didn't, the times that I planned activities late into the night because I knew that only an organized schedule would ensure the success of my camp. The lessons I had learned from previous summer camps contributed greatly to this camp's success. At the age of thirteen, I first ran a camp for eight children. The next year a friend and I co-managed a camp for twenty children at a small school campus. Finally at the age of fifteen I created my most challenging summer camp with thirty-five children. In just three years the size of my camp tripled and so did the life lessons. I not only carried the responsibility for my own "bunk," but with my co-manager I hired other counselors, arranged busing to and from field trips, managed a $15,000 budget, and ensured that thirty-five children had a fun summer.

Importance of Military Rules and Regulations

Why it is important to Obey Military Rules and Regulation Military discipline and effectiveness is built on the foundation of obedience to orders. Recruits are taught to obey, immediately and without question, orders from their superiors, right from day-one of boot camp. Which is why we work so well by following orders from the more experienced leaders who have been doing this for years. We have plenty of obedience in Charlie company and I feel it is one of the best units I have been in. It has made me want to persue a carreer in the military and I no rules and regulations is what is going to make me move up the ranks and make me a all around better soldier. I no I need to work on discapile sometimes and am doing corrective training right now to make me become a better sodier. So in my essay I have listed many chararistics which in the history and present day made what the army is today. I feel the army values have a big role in rules and regulations because if you follow the values you will not stray off in being disobedient. It's very important to follow directions, or else the world would be in chaos. When some tells you that you must follow directions so that everything can go in an orderly fashion, it's important do because they know what's going to happen if you don't. It's important to follow directions because if you don't something can go wrong, it's important follow directions because if you don't you'll get in trouble, and it's also important to follow directions because if you don't you'll be writing this essay too. It's important to follow directions because if you don't something can go wrong. If you decide to cross the street and someone tells you not to, their telling you for a reason, maybe so that you won't get hit by a car or get shot at in a drive by shooting. It's important follow directions because if you don't you'll get in trouble. If you decide to cross the street after they told you not to, you'll suffer the consequences. In this case the consequences is getting hit by a car our getting shot in a drive by shooting. If you don't suffer the consequences that way you'll suffer another way. Finally, it's important to follow directions because if you don't you'll be writing this essay too. If you didn't suffer the consequences by getting shot at or getting ran over, you'll suffer by writing this essay. By writing this essay you'll be missing many important television shows. Even if you weren't talking in class while taking the test, because you we're the last one taking the test, you'll have to write this essay too. In the end, it's important to follow directions, because if you don't something can go wrong. They're telling you to listen to them for a reason, because they probably know more than you do. It's important follow directions because if you don't you'll get in trouble. You might get hit by a car while crossing the street or get shot at in a drive by shooting. It's also important to follow directions because if you don't you'll be writing this essay too. By writing an essay like this on, it will take up you're time and you'll miss a lot of your favorite television shows. SO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. When one enlists in the United States Military, active duty or reserve, they take the following oath: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Officers, upon commission, swear to the following: I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. Military members who fail to obey the lawful orders of their superiors risk serious consequences. Article 90 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) makes it a crime for a military member to WILLFULLY disobey a superior commissioned officer. Article 91 makes it a crime to WILLFULLY disobey a superior Noncommissioned or Warrant Officer. Article 92 makes it a crime to disobey any lawful order (the disobedience does not have to be â€Å"willful† under this article). In fact, under Article 90, during times of war, a military member who willfully disobeys a superior commissioned officer can be sentenced to death. The importance of rules and regulations in the military are there so a soldier knows how to act and behave while in the military. We have rules and regulations to instill upon a soldier how to properly conduct him/herself while in the military uniform. We are put on a higher pedestal than civilians at all times. We are to behave in a different manner than anybody. We are to at all times conduct ourselves in ways that most people would not understand. The rules and regulations are put out so that we know what we can and cannot do at all times. We are to behave at all times in a professional manner and dress properly. The Army is a uniformed service where discipline is judged, in part, by the manner in which a soldier wears a prescribed uniform, as well as by the individual’s personal appearance. Therefore, a neat and well-groomed appearance by all soldiers is fundamental to the Army and contributes to building the pride and esprit essential to an effective military force. A vital ingredient of the Army’s strength and military effectiveness is the pride and self-discipline that American soldiers bring to their Service through a conservative military image. So we are to uphold an image that makes us stand out and look professional at all times. On duty and off duty. Our hair is to be groomed and be in a well kept manner also. Males hair is to be kept short and not touching the ears or touching the collar. The hair on top of the head must be neatly groomed. The length and bulk of the hair may not be excessive or present a ragged, unkempt, or extreme appearance. The hair must present a tapered appearance. A tapered appearance is one where the outline of the soldier’s hair conforms to the shape of the head, curving inward to the natural termination point at the base of the neck. When the hair is combed, it will not fall over the ears or eyebrows, or touch the collar, except for the closely cut hair at the back of the neck. Males will keep sideburns neatly trimmed. Sideburns may not be flared; the base of the sideburn will be a clean shaven, horizontal line. Sideburns will not extend below the lowest part of the exterior ear opening. all clothing will have a proper fit and always be in a serviceable manner at all times. We will maintain a high standard of dress and appearance. Uniforms will fit properly; trousers, pants, or skirts should not fit tightly; and personnel must keep uniforms clean and serviceable and press them as necessary. Soldiers must project a military image that leaves no doubt that they live by a common military standard and are responsible to military order and discipline. Soldiers will ensure that articles carried in pockets do not protrude from the pocket or present a bulky appearance. The trousers are to have a proper fit and not to look baggy. This uniform is designed to fit loosely; alterations to make the uniform fit tightly are not authorized. A tight fit reduces the airflow needed for ventilation and cooling. The coat is worn outside the trousers. Soldiers will not wear a belt with this uniform. Soldiers will wear the trousers bloused, using the draw cords or blousing rubbers, if the trousers are not tucked into the boots. Personnel will not wrap the trouser legs around the leg tightly enough to present a straight appearance. Soldiers will not blouse the boots so that the trouser leg extends down to the ankle area. When bloused, the trousers should not extend below the third eyelet from the top of the boot. So that is an example of how a soldier is to look at all times. We are to maintain a proper appearance at all times. This goes to show how the military works. If we did not have rules and regulations, we would not have a proper working military. We have rules and regulations for a reason, they are there so a soldier knows how to act and dress at all times. Also we are to conduct ourselves in a different way when we are at war too. There is a such thing as rules of engagement. It states that we are not engage upon enemies unless engaged upon first. It has to be the same amount of force as the enemy has used. If they shoot, we are allowed to return fire. But, if they throw rocks and other objects then all we are allowed to do is yell at them. If we did not have that rule we would be using force that is not necessary. We would shoot or kill people that that does not deserve to be shot or killed. If that was the case we would be a Hitlerism nation. We would not care how we won a war or who we had to kill to get to that point. We have rules and regulations on how to keep clean in the field. That’s one regulation you do not want to disobey. It says that if you do not take care of yourself, your living area, or your food, you can get very sick. Your water can start to grow bacteria and different kinds of fungus. Not to mention that if you do no wash your self good enough, you can get some crazy infections. I am surprised that there is not a regulation on how to breath properly on a daily basis. But I would not be either. The regulations are put out there so every one knows what the military life is supposed to like. We have to abide by them at all times day in day out. To me the rules and regulations are to be enforced so that no body is messing up and always in the right. Plus, if there is some thing that you get questioned on, then you can pull up the ar670-1. Like here is a story for you; I had a lt. colonel tell me that I was out of regulations to wear a thumb ring. I told that it was authorized to wear because according to ar670-1 paragraph 14 sub B it states that your authorized to wear two rings. One on each hand, and a wedding set (a bridal set) counts as one. But it does not state that you can or cannot have a ring on your thumb. And also my First sergeant told me that we were not allowed to wear a bracelet. Well I looked it up and come to find out that you are not authorized to wear a bracelet unless it is an identifying bracelet. So I found a loop hole, I made a bracelet with a dog tag on it. Now I was in regulation. Then there is a hair color regulation too. It says that you are not authorized to color your hair unless it is a natural color. Your not allowed to have weird colors like pink or bright red. This one girl got an article 15 for having three different colors in her hair and for destruction to government property. If that is the case then we should not be allowed to have tattoos, because your putting permanent markings on your body. And, also females should not be able to get piercings, because they are causing permanent damage to there bodies. But that is the way the military works. We have to follow the regulations regardless if we agree with them or not. Good leadership promotes professionalism—a relation of standards, involving quality of life, service, discipline and total commitment to our Army and the United States of America. This really sucks because they know that I’m not going to be able to get ten thousand words on one subject. Now if it was like three or more I am sure that it would not be to hard. Seems like pretty good motivation to obey any order you're given, right? Nope. These articles require the obedience of LAWFUL orders. An order which is unlawful not only does not need to be obeyed, but obeying such an order can result in criminal prosecution of the one who obeys it. Military courts have long held that military members are accountable for their actions even while following orders — if the order was illegal. â€Å"I was only following orders,† has been unsuccessfully used as a legal defense in hundreds of cases (probably most notably by Nazi leaders at the Nuremberg tribunals following World War II). The defense didn't work for them, nor has it worked in hundreds of cases since. The first recorded case of a United States Military officer using the â€Å"I was only following orders† defense dates back to 1799. During the War with France, Congress passed a law making it permissible to seize ships bound to any French Port. However, when President John Adams wrote the order to authorize the U. S. Navy to do so, he wrote that Navy ships were authorized to seize any vessel bound for a French port, or traveling from a French port. Pursuant to the President's instructions, a U. S. Navy captain seized a Danish Ship (the Flying Fish), which was en route from a French Port. The owners of the ship sued the Navy captain in U. S. maritime court for trespass. They won, and the United States Supreme Court upheld the decision. The U. S. Supreme Court held that Navy commanders â€Å"act at their own peril† when obeying presidential orders when such orders are illegal. The Vietnam War presented the United States military courts with more cases of the â€Å"I was only following orders† defense than any previous conflict. The decisions during these cases reaffirmed that following manifestly illegal orders is not a viable defense from criminal prosecution. In United States v. Keenan, the accused (Keenan) was found guilty of murder after he obeyed in order to shoot and kill an elderly Vietnamese citizen. The Court of Military Appeals held that â€Å"the justification for acts done pursuant to orders does not exist if the order was of such a nature that a man of ordinary sense and understanding would know it to be illegal. † (Interestingly, the soldier who gave Keenan the order, Corporal Luczko, was acquitted by reason of insanity). Probably the most famous case of the â€Å"I was only following orders† defense was the court-martial (and conviction for premeditated murder) of First Lieutenant William Calley for his part in the My Lai Massacre on March 16, 1968. The military court rejected Calley's argument of obeying the order of his superiors. On March 29, 1971, Calley was sentenced to life in prison. However, the public outcry in the United States following this very publicized and controversial trial was such that President Nixon granted him clemency. Calley wound up spending 3 1/2 years under house arrest at Fort Benning Georgia, where a federal judge ultimately ordered his release. In 2004, the military began court-martials of several military members deployed to Iraq for mistreating prisoners and detainees. Several members claimed that they were only following the orders of military intelligence officials. Unfortunately (for them), that defense won't fly. The mistreatment of prisoners is a crime under both international law, and the Uniform Code of Military Justice (see Article 93 — Cruelty and Maltreatment). It's clear, under military law, that military members can be held accountable for crimes committed under the guise of â€Å"obeying orders,† and there is no requirement to obey orders which are unlawful. However, here's the rub: A military member disobeys such orders at his/her own peril. Ultimately, it's not whether or not the military member thinks the order is illegal or unlawful, it's whether military superiors (and courts) think the order was illegal or unlawful. Take the case of Michael New. In 1995, Spec-4 Michael New was serving with the 1/15 Battalion of the 3rd infantry Division of the U. S. Army at Schweinfurt, Germany. When assigned as part of a multi-national peacekeeping mission about to be deployed to Macedonia, Spec-4 New and the other soldiers in his unit were ordered to wear United Nations (U. N. ) Helmets and arm bands. New refused the order, contending that it was an illegal order. New's superiors disagreed. Ultimately, so did the court-martial panel. New was found guilty of disobeying a lawful order and sentenced to a bad conduct discharge. The Army Court of Criminal Appeals upheld the conviction, as did the Court of Appeals of the Armed Forces. What about an order to participate in a dangerous mission? Can the military legally order one to go on a â€Å"suicide mission? † You bet they can. In October 2004, the Army announced that they it were investigating up to 19 members of a platoon from the 343rd Quartermaster Company based in Rock Hill, South Carolina, for refusing to transport supplies in a dangerous area of Iraq. According to family members, some of the troops thought the mission was â€Å"too dangerous† because their vehicles were unarmored (or had little armor), and the route they were scheduled to take is one of the most dangerous in Iraq. According to reports, these members simply failed to show up for the pre-departure briefing for the mission. Can they be punished for this? They certainly can. An order to perform a dangerous mission is lawful, because it's not an order to commit a crime. Under current law, and the Manual for Courts-Martial, â€Å"An order requiring the performance of a military duty r act may be inferred to be lawful and it is disobeyed at the peril of the subordinate. This inference does not apply to a patently illegal order, such as one that directs the commission of a crime. † In fact, if it can be shown that one or more of the soldiers influenced others to disobey, they may find the crime of Mutiny, under Article 94 added to the list of charges. Mutiny carries the death penalty, even in â€Å"peace time. † , to obey, or not to obey? It depends on the order. Military members disobey orders at their own risk. They also obey orders at their own risk. An order to commit a crime is unlawful. An order to perform a military duty, no matter how dangerous is lawful, as long as it doesn't involve commission of a crime. Military Discipline is a state of order and obedience existing within a command. It involves the ready subordination of the will of the individual for the good of the group. Military discipline is an extension and specialized application of the discipline demands habitual but reasoned obedience that preserves initiative and functions unfalteringly even in the absence of the commander. Discipline is created within a command by instilling a sense of confidence and responsibility in each individual. Discipline demands correct performance of duty. The need for discipline is best inculcated in individual by appealing to his sense of reason. In the few instances where appeal to reason fail, the use of punishment is effective in causing a recalcitrant individual to conform and perhaps appreciate the need for discipline. Condemnation and earned praise from senior to his subordinate, either individually or collectively, for tasks well done serve to strengthen the disciplinary bonds which bind together the smooth functioning team. Max Anders says, â€Å"Only the disciplined ever get really good at anything. Everything in life requires some sort of discipline. Whether it is hitting a baseball, climbing a mountain, playing a musical instrument, making good grades or brushing your teeth it all comes down to a matter of discipline. â€Å"The core of a soldier is moral discipline. It is intertwined with the discipline of physical and mental achievem.. The Army is an old institution. In th is country it dates back to the Washington’s time in 1775—76 when the Revolutionary War took place to proclaim our freedom from the British. One particular thing which Washington’s Army had in common with our modern Army today is discipline. This is very important in order to keep our forces organized. A well—disciplined army will always come out the victor in battle. Take a look at Musolini’s army in Italy in the last War. When the going got tough, their troops got disorganized, failed to obey orders, and finally decided it was time to surrender. And so it happened with Hitler’s Third Reich. His troops got disorganized from the lack of proper discipline and as the proverb goes, â€Å"United We Stand, Divided We Fall†. The Third Reich fell. Our American Army is a well—organized fighting force and always will be, with the proper kind of discipline which we have now. The officers in charge of each Army, Corps, Division, Regiment, down to the Platoon and Squad are all experienced, level—headed men and women, whose job it is to keep the men and women under them disciplined as well as informed as to what is going on and thereby gaining the men's and women's cooperation. From the five—star General down to the â€Å"lowly† Private, it is his duty to see that whatever his job is, it will be done properly. With such a fighting force, how can we lose? Remember, â€Å"United We Stand, Divided We Fall†. We SHALL NOT Fall. It is so that you know what you are allowed to do and not to do, and to maintain control. It is the same in life, they call that the law. To me I joined the military because I was ture to the oath Bear true faith and allegiance to the U. S. Constitution, the Army, your unit and other Soldiers. Bearing true faith and allegiance is a matter of believing in and devoting yourself to something or someone. A loyal Soldier is one who supports the leadership and stands up for fellow Soldiers. By wearing the uniform of the U. S. Army you are expressing your loyalty. And by doing your share, you show your loyalty to your unit. Face fear, danger or adversity (physical or moral). Personal courage has long been associated with our Army. With physical courage, it is a matter of enduring physical duress and at times risking personal safety. Facing moral fear or adversity may be a long, slow process of continuing forward on the right path, especially if taking those actions is not popular with others. You can build your personal courage by daily standing up for and acting upon the things that you know are honorable that a potential Soldier should understand the basics about service before they enlist. if it appeals to you! What it Means to be a Soldier Serving in the Army is a life-changing experience—and a serious commitment. So it stands to reason The Army is an elite group of warriors who dedicate a portion of their time to serving their nation. Each state has its own Guard, as required by the Constitution; in fact, it is the only branch of the military whose What is existence is actually required by the Constitution. Review all of our info about the National Guard and see Nation The first and foremost responsibility will be protecting and defending American interests. This may mean deployment out of state or overseas. If they’re called up, they'll be ready. Community Nearly 400 years ago, the Guard mobilized for the first time to help neighbors in times of need. This is still our main role: helping the community during natural disasters and civil emergencies. Qualifications Physical fitness, age, education, height and weight are the primary factors that determine whether a would-be member can join the Guard. Visit our Standards page for more information. Where Do They Serve? Usually, a Soldier serves where they live. There's a National Guard in all 50 American states, as well as in the four territories, so typically, they'll live at home and drill once a month at the nearest armory. If mobilized by the federal government, they may serve out of state or overseas. Three to six years is typical but length of service depends on the enlistment option they chose at the time of enlistment. College, career and other personal commitments are also factors, but I plan to make a carreer out of the military so rules and regulations are very important to me, There is a long and noble history of the United States Army serving at home and abroad to ensure the safety and freedom of their fellow citizens. They have combated natural disasters, supported Army troops and, when called upon, borne arms against their nation’s enemies. Proud Soldier Since 1636, the army has brought glory and honor upon itself and its soldiers through quiet and selfless service. Do you think you have what it takes to be a member of this select group? In the army you become a Soldier. What does it mean to be a Soldier? It’s being a part of noble tradition of service extending back almost 400 years. It means you become a member of the best trained, best equipped, and most respected military force in history. It means you will make a difference and follow commands of others. Following Orders The importance of following orders cannot be emphasized enough. In the military world this is key to mission success. When a competent authority issues an order, it is issued with the understanding that subordinates will carry out that order, effectively and efficiently. When or where that order is issued does not make a difference on the importance of that order. The orders issued in garrison are just as important as the ones being issued in a combat zone. It is important that the order be understood and done when told to, to avoid further problems. Military discipline and effectiveness is built on the foundation of obedience to orders. Recruits are taught to obey, immediately and without question, orders from their superiors, right from day one of boot camp. Military members who fail to obey the lawful orders of their superiors risk serious consequences. Article 90 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) makes it a crime for a military member to willfully disobey a superior commissioned officer. Article 91 makes it a crime to willfully disobey a superior Noncommissioned or Warrant Officer. Article 92 makes it a crime to disobey any lawful order (the disobedience does not have to be â€Å"willful† under this article). In fact, under Article 90, during times of war, a military member who willfully disobeys a superior commissioned officer can be sentenced to death. These articles require the obedience of lawful orders. An order which is unlawful not only does not need to be obeyed, but obeying such an order can result in criminal prosecution of the one who obeys it. Military courts have long held that military members are accountable for their actions even while following orders, even if the order was illegal. Orders can have a variety of purposes, most of which builds discipline. Whether a Marine is told to clean the head or to bring in gear, the orders given are to instill good character in the Marines. When it comes down to it, there are orders issued for almost everything in the military. Since this practice is so frequent, Marines have learned to make it part of their instinct to follow orders when given. It is written in the promotion warrants that subordinates will render obedience to orders given from superiors, so it is difficult to say that Marines are not reminded of it. Following orders can apply to almost everything you do in life. Everyone follows orders, even the Commandant. So if a four star General has to follow orders, its automatic that everyone below him must do the same. Even before you join the military following orders is part of life. In school the teachers give orders to students, it may not be the same as the military but they are orders. Listening to your parents when they told you to do something was following orders. Sometimes it is hard to cope with the orders that are given, but the judgment of those issuing orders needs to be trusted. I think following direct orders is important because for starters nothing would ever get done because everyone would gaf everyone else off and it might not sound that bad but if you were to put the scenario into a combat situation marines would die all because someone didn’t follow a direct order, for instance if you were told to hold a position with your marines and you moved anyway’s you could cost everyone their lives and loose a war. To obey someone means to comply with or fulfill the commands, restrictions, wishes, or instructions of that specific person. We are taught as children to obey our higher-ups. Starting from our parents, teachers, managers, police officers and so on. So how does this relate to the military? Well, when a person enlists in the United States Military, they take the following oath; â€Å"I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Right there you are making a promise to the United States Military. Before you even put on the uniform, you promise you’ll obey the orders of the President and the orders of the officers appointed over you. Military discipline and effectiveness is built on the foundation of obedience to orders. Brand new privates are taught to obey, immediately and without question, orders from their superiors, right f rom the start. Almost any devil can tell you that obedience was drilled into their heads at one point or another. For example, no talking on the phone while walking, don’t put your hands in your pockets, and stand a parade rest. Those are just the simple orders you are made to obey in the military. Greater orders mean bigger consequences. Military members who fail to obey the lawful orders of their superiors risk serious consequences. I know that knowing the rules and regulations is what is going to make me move up the rank and make me a all around better marine. I need to work on discipline sometimes and am going to correct my unacceptable behavior . So in my essay I have listed many characteristics and examples of how following orders is important. I feel the Marine Corps values have a big role in rules and regulations because if you follow the values you will not have as difficult a time in the corps It's very important to follow directions, or else the world would be in chaos. When someone tells you that you must follow directions so that everything can go in an orderly fashion, it's important to do so because they know what's going to happen if you don't. It's important to follow directions because if you don't something can go wrong, it's important follow directions because if you don't you'll get in trouble, and it's also important to follow directions because if you don't you'll be writing this essay too. If you decide to cross the street and someone tells you not to, their telling you for a reason, maybe so that you won't get hit by a car or get shot at in a drive by shooting. It's important follow directions because if you don't you'll get in trouble. Thank you very much for taking time to read my essay on following orders.

The Role Of Discretionary Fund Management Accounting Essay

The topic of Discretionary Fund Management for IFAs divides sentiment. Some see it as an indispensable tool in supplying an holistic service to clients. Others see it as an unneeded and potentially dearly-won craze. As usual, the truth lies someplace between these two extremes. Used right, aˆÂ ¦ However, there are legion considerations etc This usher will explicate what DFM is and the cardinal considerations. Most significantly, it will assist you to place whether Discretionary Fund Management can profit your clients, and the stairss that should be taken to set in topographic point an effectual DFM service. ROLE OF DISCRETIONARY FUND MANAGEMENT Discretionary Fund Management involves deputing the twenty-four hours to twenty-four hours investing determinations to a professional investing director, normally referred to as a â€Å" Discretionary Manager † . The Discretionary Manager will specialise in pull offing investing portfolios, and the purpose is that they will possess a higher degree of cognition and experience than a general fiscal advisor. The Discretionary Manager will take duty pull offing the client ‘s portfolio, and does non necessitate to obtain blessing for the client for single determinations. They will alternatively utilize their expertness to run into the client ‘s aims, which will be agreed at the beginning. While the advisor and client will keep regular contact with the Discretionary Manager, for the agreement to work efficaciously it is indispensable that the Discretionary Manaher is given liberties over twenty-four hours to twenty-four hours determination devising. The advisor ‘s function is still an of import 1, as the Manager will be working towards run intoing whatever wants and needs the advisor has agreed with the client. It is besides critical to emphasize that while the activity may be delegated, the advisor can non depute regulative duty for run intoing the client ‘s demands. Economic Backdrop? RULES AND REGULATION While it can non be credited with kickstarting the usage of Discretionary Managemtn by IFAs, the Retail Distribution Review ( RDR ) has brought the ( issue to the forefront.. ) , peculiarly in the runup to the RDR â€Å" deadline † ( 31st December 2012 ) . One of the key alterations brought by the RDR is that it will widen the scope of merchandises that an Independent Financial Adviser must see within client portfolios, which for many will necessitate increased expertness and more robust procedures for research and due diligence. As a consequence, increasing Numberss of IFAs are looking towards Discretionary Fund Management to help them with run intoing their regulative duties. Resource Wage Expertness However, advisors need to be cognizant that neglecting to utilize Discretionary Directors right could ensue in them transgressing regulative regulations, instead than helping them. Recent counsel from the FSA stated that houses would necessitate to see a broad scope of investing solutions in the market before urging a Discretionary investing service. & lt ; analyse paper and cardinal findings & gt ; FSA CIP paper This counsel from the regulator underlines the importance of robust due diligence before come ining into a discretional agreement, and besides highlights their concerns with clients potentially being â€Å" shoe-horned † into unsuitable agreements. Tax The cardinal revenue enhancement consideration with discretional fund agreements is that for each dealing within a Disretionary portfolio, a possible Capital Additions Tax ( CGT ) liability arises. Each sale is treated as a disposal for CGT intents, and any addition on that sale is added to the sum of the client ‘s nonexempt additions in that revenue enhancement twelvemonth. Any losingss on gross revenues can be offset against additions, and any additions above the client ‘s one-year freedom ( ?10,600 for 2012/13 ) are taxed at either 18 % or 28 % , depending on the client ‘s entire nonexempt income. It is the duty of the advisor and the client to guarantee that these additions are documented on the client ‘s one-year self-assessment. This means that the Discretionary director will necessitate to be familiar with the client ‘s revenue enhancement personal businesss to avoid making unneeded liabilities. The FSA have besides made it clear that they expect revenue enhancement to be taken into history when measuring the suitableness of any investing solutions This once more highlights the demand for the advisor to place the client ‘s fortunes and ends to outset, and for there to be a clear definition of duties between client, advisor and Discretionary Manager. Another possible complication is that the European Court of Justice has late recommended that all elements of discretional direction services should be capable to VAT. While the full deductions of this recommendation are yet to be clear, this is something that all advisors will necessitate to maintain an oculus on traveling frontward. Appropriate Tax WRAPPERS/PLATFORMS As revenue enhancement is an of import factor to see, the pick of revenue enhancement negligees and platforms used to ease Discretionary Management is highly of import. We will supply an overview of the most common below. This is non an thorough list, but is intended to cover the most common negligees available. ISA – Individual Savings Accounts are available to all UK occupants aged 18 and over ( although cash-only ISAs are available to occupants 16 and over ) . The ISA acts as a â€Å" negligee † , within which all additions are free from income and capital additions revenue enhancement. As discetionaryu minutess can incur a CGT liability, ISAs are a potentially valuable tool to minimise revenue enhancement liabilities. The chief drawback with ISAs is that one-year parts bounds are comparatively low ( ?11,280 for 2012/13 ) , and it can take many old ages to construct up the size of portfolio where Discretionary Management is likely to be most effectual. However, a cardinal portion of sound fiscal advice is that clients should maximize their one-year ISA parts whenever possible. SIPP – Another common revenue enhancement negligee for DFM is the SIPP ( Self-Invested Personal Pension ) . SIPPs are a specific type of Personal Pension, and portion the common features as below: Contributions – Contributions upto ?50,000 per input period ( revenue enhancement twelvemonth for most persons ) receive income revenue enhancement alleviation. This is known as the â€Å" Annual Allowance † threshold. Tax Relief – Contributions receive full revenue enhancement alleviation upto the client ‘s highest fringy rate. For illustration, a higher rate taxpayer will have revenue enhancement alleviation of 40 % on all parts paid into a Personal Pension. Eligibility – Clients must be UK occupant and under the age of 75 to put up a Personal Pension Plan and obtain revenue enhancement alleviation on parts. Personal Pensions enable the client to do big parts, which will turn in a tax-efficient environment. The major disadvantage is that under pension legilsation benefits can non by and large be accessed until age 55, and even at this point there are limitations on how benefits can be taken. Typically a client will buy an rente ( income for life ) with their pension fund, or pull down financess from the strategy within authorities bounds. While pension financess these yearss are used for an increasing assortment of intents, it is of import to emphasize that for most clients the cardinal intent is to supply for an income in retirement. SIPPs differ from conventional Personal Pensions in that they allow a greater scope of investings to be held, giving more freedom to do investing determinations. This flexibleness lends itself to DFM services, as the specializer fund director can The downside is that charges It is of import to set up whether the SIPP will let DFM, and what the costs of this will be. These costs should be factored in when measuring whether DFM services are appropriate for the client. usage SIPP instance survey Offshore INVESTMENT Chemical bond Investing Chemical bonds are corporate investings written under Life Insurance statute law. The regulations may at first glimpse appear esoteric, but a house apprehension is required to place their possible usage for Dicretionary Fund Manahement and fiscal planning in general. A thorough analysis of Investment Bonds is beyond the range of this article, but a brief overview will follow. The Life Insurance is normally nominal, with the huge bulk of the investing applied to the financess held within. The investing financess are capable to life company revenue enhancement on income and capital additions, with no farther liability for the investor. Offshore bonds ( typically based in revenue enhancement oasiss such as the Isle of Man or Jersey ) differ from conventional onshore bonds in that investing returns can are rolled-up without farther revenue enhancement, which enables investings to be switched without incurring a CGT liability. Tax is basically deferred until enchashment. This construction offers possible advantages for DFM, as switches can be made without CGT being an issue. Clients utislising a DFM service are likely to be higher rate revenue enhancement remunerators due to the big amounts typically involved, and it is possible to postpone encashment to a point where they are no longer higher rate revenue enhancement remunerators, cut downing the overall revenue enhancement payable. Offshore Chemical bonds do non hold the little part bounds of ISAs, and there is greater flexibleness than a SIPP over how and when benefits can be taken. As a consequence, they are normally used in Discretionary Fund Management. However, it is of import to emphasize that they do non keep the same revenue enhancement advantages. A common misconception is that Offshore Bonds are â€Å" tax-exempt † , but the financess are taxed within the bond, and there may be a farther revenue enhancement liability at encashment. They are besides well more complex, and must be used carefully to optimise revenue enhancement efficiency. Platform Over recent old ages, â€Å" Platforms † are going an progressively common tool in IFA services. Platforms are described by the FSA: ‘Internet based services used by mediators ( and sometimes clients ) to position and administer investings. They tend to offer a scope of tools which allow advisors to see and analyze a client ‘s overall portfolio, and to take merchandises for them. Equally good as set uping minutess, platforms by and large arrange detention for clients ‘ assets ‘ â€Å" Wrap † is the term typically used to depict a type of platform that offers entree to a broad scope of investings, with an â€Å" unbundled † bear downing system where payments to fund directors and advisors are crystalline. They besides provide hard currency direction installations, and enable all investings to be held in one topographic point, cutting down on paperwork and easing the administrative load. In the context of DFM, there is a possible struggle as both the platform and DFM will necessitate detention of the assets held, and this ab initio created barriers to the two services being used together. It is going more platitude for DFMs and Wrap suppliers to work together, and at that place will frequently be a list of DFMs available via the Wrap. An advantage of utilizing DFM via a wrap is that the advisor can keep sight and a degree of control over the assets held, and it is besides possible to choose which portion of the portfolio the DFM has entree to. This can do it easier to see how the financess under discretional direction tantrum into the overall image for the client. The obvious disadvantage is that the wrap adds another bed of bear downing to the service. This once more steers the service towards higher cyberspace worth clients, and emphasises the demand to place clients for whom discretional direction AND wrap disposal are an indispensable demand instead than an expensive luxury. ADVANTAGES OF DFM Advocates of DFM point to several benefits from IFAs in utilizing this service. Improved Investment Performance – although this can non be guaranteed, the increased investing expertness and specializer cognition of the discretional director should hopefully take to overall greater investing returns Frees up clip and resource – a common ailment from IFAs is that they spread themselves excessively thin. The clip and resource they would otherwise hold spent on twenty-four hours to twenty-four hours montoring of investings can in theory be put to more effectual usage in other countries. The obvious illustration is that it allows the advisor to pass more clip with the client, constructing relationships and looking at a holistic image of their fortunes and aims. Speed – As the DFM is able to move without the client ‘s consent, they can respond more rapidly to altering fortunes, and take advantage of new chances that arise. Reduced Investment Risk – The DFM ‘s greater cognition and deepness of research should enable the building of a more diversified portfolio, which can cut down the impact of investing volatility. DISADVANTAGES OF DFM On the other side of the coin, critics of DFM cite a figure of hazards and drawbacks to utilizing a DFM service Fees and charges – Discretionary direction services do non come cheaply, and it adds another bed of payments that the client must run into, either from their fund or their ain pocket. In order for the service to be of value to the client, the DFM must reimburse these extra charges through improved investing public presentation. Many argue that the existent benefit provided by DFMs is limited. Impact on Adviser/Client Relationship – DFM involves a 3rd party taking twenty-four hours to twenty-four hours investing determinations on behalf of the client. For many clients, this raises the inquiry of what the fiscal advisor is making to warrant THEIR fees. Unless the client sees the value of the advisor ‘s function, this can hold a negative consequence on the client ‘s relationship with the advisor. Lack of Control – The DFM will hold authorization to do determinations without confer withing the advisor. There is the hazard that the DFM will non pull off the investings in the manner the advisor and client expected, particularly if the original footings of the understanding and the client ‘s aims were obscure. To battle against this, the advisor will necessitate to supervise the activities of the DFM. The enticement could be for the advisor to pass valuable clip watching what the DFM is making, particularly if the advisor does non hold full assurance in the DFM. Regulatory duty – As has been stressed antecedently, the advisor is still responsible for the overall service being provided to the client. A hapless DFM non merely reflects severely on the advisor ; it can set down the advisor in hot H2O with the FSA! Cardinal COMPONENTS OF A DISCRETIONARY MANAGEMENT SERVICE Therefore far we have explained the function of the DFM, the relevant regulations and ordinance, and distribution channels for DFM services such as revenue enhancement negligees and platforms. We have besides provided what are considered to be the most common advantages and disadvantages in a DFM service. We will now concentrate on the stairss that should be taken Client Cleavage Central to the service being provided is the client. Discretionary Fund Manahement services are unoikely to be of value to clients who do non necessitate them, and alternatively do jobs. Besides, the advisor runs the hazard of falling foul of the regulator if clients are non provided with suited solutions to their demands. The FSA identified that â€Å" shoe-horning † of unsuitable clients into DFM agreements was s important concern, and highlighted that Size of Fund: As the Discretionary Manager will incur charges, it is improbable to be suited for clients with financess of less ?100,000 to put Control: With a discretional service determinations will be made without the client ‘s blessing Engagement: How frequently does the client want to be involved twenty-four hours to twenty-four hours etc Trust: Is the client willing to release control to another professional. Inserts another person into the client/adviser relationship Aims – What is the client looking to accomplish with their investings? Clients with more conservative ends are less likely to be suited for a DFM service. Due Diligence Degree of Discretion Investing Vehicles Client Meetings Goals Reporting Charges Wage Documentation Review – Even if the above stairss have been completed, there is no warrant that the agreement will be successful. CASE STUDIES Decision

Isaac Newton and Sigmund Freud Essay

Birth order is defined as a person’s or child rank/position by age among his/her sibling. Everybody has a birth order including ones family members, teachers, co workers and friends in school. Birth order is a unique phenomenon that is said to shape the personality of an individual. While there are factors like race, age, gender and age help shape the personality of an individual, birth order is considered one of the determinants of an individual character. Empathy refers to the ability of an individual to understand another person’s feelings and emotions and to be in a position to share the feelings with other people. It’s the ability of considering another person’s feelings and considering them as important as one’s own feelings also. Empathy is often associated with birth order because every child born often enters into a different environment different form the previous child. Because empathy involves understanding the feelings of others, it can also mean recognizing the emotions of another person and the way they are characterized (Zajonc and Gregory 79). This is because since emotions are normally the combination of beliefs and ideas, then getting this concept is more essential to empathy. The human capacity to identify the body feelings of the other are related to the birth order in several ways. People believe that emphatic personality traits that children possess depend on the birth rank of the child. First borns are considered the most intelligent, responsible, obedient, the least emotional and least creative. Middle children are considered envious. Last borns are seen as creative, emotional, disobedient, irresponsible and talkative. This can make some children to feel not loved. First borns are exposed to only adult language while later borns are exposed to adult language but also to the less mature vocalizations of their older siblings. This affects the verbal environment of the later born. This dilution becomes more pronounced for each additional child born. This differential exposure to mature language may be the reason for later borns reduced performance on verbal, vocabulary and reading comprehension tests as compared to first borns. Birth order explains the different personalities that siblings often have. When a child first becomes aware of the environment, he first identifies his niche. This issue brings competitions that exist in the siblings for the parental resources and as this competition sprouts up, the last borns develop counter strategies and the whole thing looks like a race for the best in the family. It’s this competition that causes the different personalities in an individual (Sulloway, Frank J. 38). Since the later borns often learn from the first borns, the later borns are often are more empathic than the first borns. This is because the later borns expand their language development by learning from the older siblings. They can be in a position to understand the behaviours and emotions and their causes. Later borns are therefore said to use a positive social behaviour. Development of empathy has over the years been seen as a cognitive issue while others refer to it as a primary effective process. The cognitive development of a child is different in different children in the birth order. Firstborns are considered assertive and very anxious because they develop their cognitive processes by observing this development in their parents. The later born on the other hand often learn from their older siblings and therefore their character is often less assertive. Since the older borns are wiser, older and more powerful, the later borns often are diverse in their interest and they therefore are open in most of their relationship. Good examples that explain the nature of first borns being assertive are scientist’s nature like Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton and Sigmund Freud. Latter borns are said to only follow the first borns decision as is evident in the supporters of these scientists (Hoff-Ginsberg 625). The effect of birth order on a child’s behaviour is normally considered overrated. There are other variables in the family that are said to also affect the personality in a child and they include the spacing between the siblings, the age of the first borns and the size of the family. Certain characteristics of the child therefore are associated with the family size. If an individual did not develop in his younger years in the emotion of empathy there is likelihood that at the older years, the child will have diverse effects. The behaviours at old age often show differences between the siblings who are the first borns and those who are the last borns. Often those who are first borns will develop a less emphatic behaviour because they did not get a closer relationship from their parents, the later borns on the other hand will love challenging the status quo and getting attention and also creative in their work. This explains the importance of birth order in getting along with friends, family and fellow workers at job, and often feeling for them. Research has also shown that birth order affects romantic relationships and personality, the first borns said to be lees emphatic on their spouses and therefore are so hard to maintain peaceful relationships while the later borns are more emphatic and therefore form good relationships. In conclusion, birth order is considered an important aspect in the development of empathy in a child. Often the child will develop different characteristics depending on the position of his birth. It’s important for parents to learn the characteristics of a child by considering the birth order so that it will help predict the behaviour and personality of the next child. Work cited: Hoff-Ginsberg, E. The Relation of Birth Order and Socioeconomic Status to Children’s Language Experience and Language Development: Applied Psycholinguistics 19 1998:603-629. Sulloway, Frank J. Born to Rebel: Birth Order, Family Dynamics, and Creative Lives, New York: Pantheon, 1996: 28-42 Zajonc, R and Gregory B. Birth Order and Intellectual Development, Psychological Review 82, No. 1, 1975:74-88.

The Strengths and Weakness of the key Methods of concepts of Usability

The method used in any form of media analysis is crucial to the outcome of the particular piece of research. This can be applied to any scientifically based source of analysis. This also includes the social sciences. In relation to the study of computer systems, this also applies as computer systems are ultimately utilised by human agents. This has meant that the human-computer interaction inherent to computer systems are now undeniably twinned with the social sciences and humanities. Therefore, the relationship between methodologies and outcomes also applies to any analysis based upon computer use and development.For this essay, the particular concept based upon human-computer interfacing to be scrutinised was that of usability. Like most other concepts in the human sciences, the concept of usability has its own particular methodological components and tools. The particular methodological tools relating to usability chosen for this analysis were the qualitative measurements used in focus groups, interview techniques and the concept of usability itself. As usability is essentially a cognitively focused concept then the data used in the analysis of usability is primarily qualitative.This means that to measure usability, feedback is usually qualified in terms of empirical rather than positivist data as it is based upon experience. This is why the empirical methods of the focus group and interview technique that pertain to the social sciences are used and were to be addressed in this essay. The main conceptual components of usability were outlined by its forefather Jacob Neilson, who stated that a heuristic analysis of interactive experiences could be judged on the basis of their success to ascertain as to whether a computer system was good or bad.This means that we must first of all look at the strengths and weaknesses of usability before we critique them. However, we must also identify the components before we begin the analysis. As we have already suggested, us ability is not a quantitative term relating to any fixed data outcome. This means that to identify the key conceptual components in the analysis of usability, we must clearly define what they are. Further, Neilson also states that the key components of usability are essential to any analysis.It is from this overview of the concept of usability that we will turn to an analysis highlighting its strengths and weaknesses in methodological approach. The Strengths and Weaknesses of the Key Methods and Concepts of Usability It is clear that there is a relationship between computer systems and the construction of human social systems. The computer is become an essential component in advanced technological cultures. In many ways it has become the dominant tool of communication now that it has implemented the formerly distinct mediums of television and text.In relation to the computer as a social medium, it is its interactive nature that separates it from other mediums. This can be seen as be ing realised as early as the 1970s, in an age before interactive communication had actualised. For example, the notion of the hypertext put forward by seminal thinker and post modern philosopher Jean Baudrillard highlights the way in which interactivity constructs not only social relations with each other, but also the sensual relationship that we have individually with the computer interface.In one crucial extract, Baudrillard states that the relationship with the interface is one: ‘Based on contact, a sensory mimicry and a tactile mysticism, basically ecology in its entirety, comes to be grafted on to this universe of operational simulation, multi-stimulation and multi response. ’ (Baudrillard, 1976, p. 9) It is from the realisation in the extract that contemporary theorists and experts in the field of human-computer relations have developed the concept of usability.This is essentially the yardstick by which the connectivity between the computer system and human cogni tive functioning can be devised and then measured in terms of its success. In essence, it is part of the interactive feedback produced by the human through their experience that determines whether the interactive process in any particular experience is successful or not. This measurement can therefore be referred to as its usability. Basing his approach on this philosophical realisation, Jacob Neilson devised a way in which this interactive process could be qualitatively measured.This includes the methodologies associated with empirically based social science, including focus groups and interview techniques. To utilise these factors in the potential success, or successful construction of web design, Neilson outlined ten primary factors. These were developed as part of a heuristic system. These factors include: ‘1. Visibility of system status, 2. Match between system and the real world, 3. User control and freedom, 4. Consistency and standards, 5. Error prevention, 6. Recogniti on rather than recall, 7.Flexibility and efficiency of use, 8. Aesthetic and minimalist design, 9. Help users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors, 10. Help and documentation’ (Neilson, 1994) By developing a system based upon these key factors, Neilson created a rigid conceptual model for successful user-face design, implementing the functional principles of human contact with the computer interface. This heuristic formulation has had success in both developing web design and measuring the interactivity of the design.For instance, it‘s methodology has been found to be able to identify ‘major usability problems’ (CHFCS, 1992). Further, by implementing this measuring tool based upon empirical feedback, such as in the case of the focus group and interview technique, the success of identifying and treating any problems in the functioning of a problematic web site have a ‘higher probability of being found in a heuristic evaluation’ (CHFCS, 1 992). The strength of using such methodologies is that they arrive at experience driven results that indicate problems relating to cognition.Further, this allows the problems associated with web design to be identified in relation to usability when utilised in terms of feedback. Essentially, the qualitative data can be measured in relation to the themes indicated by Neilson that have a known cognitive effect in the experience of interaction. This is further exemplified in the rationale on Neilson’s own web site devoted to the heuristic analysis of computer systems. The site follows the principles of the design, whilst explaining the way in which to utilise the principles of usability.The extent to which Neilson demonstrates the use of these principles and validates the evidence that can be used is revealed in a number of examples that have achieved success through usability. This is highlighted in the extract which states that: ‘Rapid Application Development (RAD) proce sses such as Agile, Scrum, and the like, simultaneously pose an opportunity and a threat to achieving a quality user experience. It all depends on how it's handled. The standard methodologies as described in books don't work in practice, if you care about the usability of your products.But small modifications work wonders’ (Useit. com, 2009) This notion of adaptability is another strength of the methodology as it recognises the need for human feedback in a thematic and conceptual format. Furthermore, it reveals the diverse nature in which feedback can be drawn before being applied to the core conditions laid out in the heuristic principles. Rather than using quantitative data or rigid data referring to hypotheses, the data is given in a thematic sense highlighting the individual’s experience with the site and the cognitive problems that may have occurred in the process.The key heuristic principles then allow for problem identification and adjustments made in a bid to e nhance the experience of usability. In essence, the measurements are set for a versatile analysis of computer systems in relation to interactivity. This can utilise a wide range of empirical and qualitative methodologies. However, the methodologies will not simply address the likes and dislikes of the individuals, but also relate their experience to the cognitive disparity between human and computer.Contrastingly, the weaknesses in this approach and its methodologies can be seen in a return to the philosophical underpinnings of usability and the significance of the immersive experience. Rather than there being any problem with the methodologies used in relation to the heuristic principles, it is in the conceptual basis of usability itself that we see the greatest amount of criticism being applied. This is primarily because the notion of usability is founded upon one key principle indicated by Baudrillard at the rejection of the other.Essentially, although Neilson outlines interactiv ity and marries this to the concept of human cognition with a degree of success, it is conceptually focused upon functioning. That is to say, that the immersion of the user experience is only measured in terms of how the interface functions and its success in that outcome. Further, this success is only relative to the user’s cognitive functioning. By basing his principles and outcomes on cognitive functioning, he denies any aesthetic or intellectual action made by the user in relation to the experience.For example, the lack of aesthetic design can be evidenced in relation to his own web site. This is because it takes a functional approach at the expense of any aesthetic. However, the aesthetic experience to functioning can not be overlooked in the experience of the user. The irony here is that while Neilson may be dismissing aesthetics in his design, his consumers i. e. the users of his site are nevertheless subject to an aesthetic experience. While being functional in terms of usability, the site is aesthetically detrimental to the experience of the user.In this sense, it would appear that Neilson is simply rejecting the role and significance of aesthetic experience from the experience of interfacing. The other major criticism of usability and the methodologies that it utilises is in relation to the extent of interactivity that the heuristic principles allow for. Essentially, with such a simple form of processing information, then the role of interactivity is lost in the experience. That is to say that the computer system is simply conforming to the will of the user rather than engaging with them.This denies the validity of the interactive process to some degree in terms of immersion. For example, Sherry Tuckle denotes the significance of interactivity in the construct of the self. Essentially, she suggests that the chances of immersion within the web site are better increased by a degree of socialised feedback that can be sensually registered in terms of another intelligent entity, rather than coded responses (Turkle, 1997). The suggestion here is that the more diverse the computer can respond in terms of immediate sensual feedback, the greater the chances of immersion become.In relation to designs based upon a purely functioning information source, the experience becomes that of an entity wishing to ascertain information as if the computer itself. This is quite a contrast to the actual human experience that is found in the process of interaction. With this notion of seeking information we can see another criticism. Rather than being subject to the experience of a user world based upon multi-stimulus, the user is driven by a purpose to collect information through a cognitively mutual function.While this perhaps serves well as the provision of a service based upon receiving or extracting information, it denies the process of immersion and interactivity that may instil or insight a relationship between the user and the web site. T his oversight is highlighted well in Neilson’s claims that ‘evolution did not intend humans to navigate in 3D space’ (Molich & Neilson, 1990). What is indicative of oversight in this idea is that humans already inhabit a 3D space in the real world. Essentially, the notion of the interactive experience is one that negates the actual experience.This means that the experiences being utilised by the methodologies are overlooked and reinterpreted to arrive at the web sites success in providing a service based upon function. This emphasises Neilson’s dualistic belief that there is a cyber-reality based upon function and a real-reality that bears no relation. This is contradictory in that it goes against the principles of hyper-reality outlined by Baudrillard and many other theorists and critics who highlight the way in which computer systems interact to create a virtual world based upon our own real world.Conclusion We can see from this essay that Neilsonâ€℠¢s notion of usability is immensely significant in relation to the computer medium and how it is used. It has a good and practical methodological component borrowed from the social sciences, based upon the cognitive relationship between humans and computers. It is a good approach that utilises experience and addresses the cognitive relationship between user and web site. However, at a more intricate level, it rejects the aesthetic experience from the design that constitutes much of the potential for immersion.In this, it rejects or denies the very essence of any engaged human experience and replaces it with outcomes. Further, it supports the notion of a dualism between that of user reality and actual reality, which denies any notion of virtual reality. Essentially, the experience of the interactive process is supported by usability in its utilisation of the methodologies of the social sciences, yet denies it in its reduction of the user experience to that of a static functionally di rected process based upon stimulus and response.Although it has borrowed from Baudrillard and hypertext to great effect, it has negated the principles of a multi-faceted aesthetic activity and denied much of the sensual and tactile experience that immersion involves. Bibliography Baudrillard, J. , (1976) Symbolic Exchange and Death Taken from: The Order of Simulacra (1993) London: Sage. Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. , (1992) Finding usability problems through heuristic evaluation Monterey, California, United States, p.373 – 380 Molich, R, & Nielsen, J. , (1990) Improving a human-computer dialogue, Communications of the ACM, v. 33 n. 3, p. 338-348 Nielsen, J. (1994). Heuristic evaluation. In Nielsen, J. , and Mack, R. L. (Eds. ), Usability Inspection Methods, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY. Turkle, S. , (1994) Constructions and Reconstructions of Self in Virtual Reality: Playing in the MUDs. † Mind, Culture, and Activity: An International Journal 1, no. 3 : 158-167. Useit. com (2009) Taken from: www. useit. com.

A Study On Zero Tolerance Policy

A Study On Zero Tolerance Policy There are hundreds if not thousands of students in any given school. The sheer size and magnitude of the student population encompassed in these schools leads to complications of school safety. Zero tolerance is a policy which was brought about enforcing school safety more firmly, and aimed to better protect students. However, the way in which these students are protected is highly debatable, making the zero tolerance ideology very controversial. Exactly which approach is most effective in protecting a student, let alone, thousands? Is strictness more effective than leniency? Overly strict policies aim to protect the majority, however, severally punish those who have to deal with the wrath of zero tolerance, those who violate the rules. Overly lenient policies can lead to dreadful events, however, give students a sense of reason, in turn creating an understanding of what they have done wrong. In the long run which method is most effective in protecting students? These type of questi ons, along with the excess amount of questionable cases, compose a highly controversial topic. The well being of a student is the single most important factor for public schools. No parent would ever send their child to school if there was a high probability of violence. For this reason there are people who favor zero tolerance. Domoine D. Rutledge, general counsel for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System in Louisiana, reports that zero tolerance policies have aided in creating a culture inside schools that â€Å"certain things will not be tolerated, period.† However, whether or not that policy is effective relies on â€Å"how fairly it’s enforced and how consistently it’s enforced.† He continues saying that: Schools districts have had to really balance the interest of the whole school, the student body, teachers and faculty . . . as well as the rights of individual bad actors. The ability to strike that balance, and to do it fairly, more than likely influences the effectiveness of the zero-tolerance policies. Whether or not zero tolerance is effective brings about more argumentative material. Statistical data reports a significant drop in school homicides following the 1999 school shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado strongly suggesting, as Rutledge advocates, zero tolerance has in fact led to safer schools for students. (nces.ed.gov) Kay S. Hymowitz, a contributing editor for a magazine published by the conservative Manhattan Institute, stated that, â€Å"The arrest of a pair of New Jersey 8-year-olds for pointing paper guns at classmates was just the kind of episode that leads people to question zero-tolerance policies.† (Billitteri) Statements such as those insinuate a basis of anti-zero tolerance and further complicate the controversy. However it must be noted that, â€Å"It’s not so easy to distinguish the prankster from the wild-eyed adolescent with a [lethal] plan when lives are at sta ke,† Hymowitz says. (Billitteri) How is one supposed to know the intentions of a giving situation? While the general consensus will no doubtingly agree that a pair of 8-year-olds pose little to no threat, on the slight chance of an event occurring, the questions of â€Å"why weren’t they stopped† or â€Å"how could you assume† will undeniably be asked, and in this sense, it is without a doubt better to assume the ugly and end up being wrong, than to assume no harm and end up with fatal consequences’. Hymowitz continues, stating that, â€Å"Zero tolerance may be more symptom than cure for the uneasy disciplinary climate of our schools. Certainly it’s no final answer to out-of-control 5-year-olds or revenge-crazed teenagers. But as the threats continue and the bombs and guns appear, it’s all we’ve got.† (Billitteri) Bringing back the topic of effectiveness, those with the â€Å"get-tough† attitude witness no proof of zero tolerance policies creating a safer environment in schools. In fact, a decade of research on such policies by the American Psychological Association have concluded that zero tolerance â€Å"can actually increase bad behavior and also lead to higher dropout rates.† â€Å"Schools are not any safer or more effective in disciplining children than before these zero-tolerance policies were implemented,† the association said. (APA) There is much debate surrounding zero tolerance, however, the real problems arise when zero tolerance is set in motion.

An Examination of Relaxation Techniques in the Liight of the House of Assignment

An Examination of Relaxation Techniques in the Liight of the House of Lords Report on Complementary and Alternative Therapy - Assignment Example These are grouped together as Complementary and Alternative Methods of Medical treatment. Examples of such alternative methods of medical treatment include Homeopathy, Reflexology, Osteopathy, Aromatherapy, Relaxation Techniques, Spiritual Healing, Herbal Treatment and so on. Results of the medical research have shown that an increasing number of people across the world and trying to seek relief in these methods of treatment. People belonging to the modern generation are used to leading very hectic and stressful lives. Stress becomes harmful when it assumes large proportions and interferes with the healthy equilibrium condition of the human nervous system. An imbalanced nervous system can bring back into a state of equilibrium with the help of relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques include some specific exercises which help to generate the â€Å"relaxation response†, a condition of deep serenity, which is exactly the opposite of the â€Å"stress response†. The relaxation response is actually â€Å"a mentally active process that leaves the body relaxed, calm and focused†. It does not simply involve lying down, resting or sleeping. When the human nervous system is engulfed by stress, the body starts producing a variety of chemicals that endow the person with the ability to face a critical situation. The relaxation techniques reclaim the physical body and the mind from this heighte ned state to a condition of equilibrium. The concept of the relaxation response had actually originated in the ancient times and has been in practice since then.