The epic of gilgamesh by stephen mitchell Free Essay Example, 1250 words

Maybe Enkidu is purposely avoiding this discussion as to not excite Gilgamesh since he is already so fearless. Enkidu tries to convince that man is a weak and feeble creature through various exhibitions, like: â€Å"But how can any man dare to enter†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and â€Å"Hasn’t he put Humbaba there to terrify men? † (Mitchell, 93). This shows how Enkidu is uncertain of the strength and qualities of man and, like his gods, undermines and questions man’s abilities. Enkidu tries to explain how any man who faces the Humbaba will be overwhelmed by fear, which helps to highlight the fact that Enkidu considers mankind to be frail and coward (Mitchell, 93). Even though it is only mankind that Enkidu is skeptical about, he tries to convince Gilgamesh to forgo the quest in the following words: â€Å"Who among men or gods could defeat him? † (Mitchell, 93). This shows that Enkidu is extremely desperate about not going on the quest as he is sure of the overpowering qualities of the Humbaba. Enkidu seems to consider humans as inferior and helpless beings against the gods an d their will. We will write a custom essay sample on The epic of gilgamesh by stephen mitchell or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now The way he tries to convince Gilgamesh to not go on the quest as the creature arranged by gods will overpower them and they will fail is a clear indication of the lack of faith he has in himself and his accomplice. There seems to contradictions in Enkidus description of the Humbaba when he says that the Humbaba has been put in the jungle to terrify men. He never at any point during the description of the beast mention that it will kill anyone but he very discretely emphasizes that it is so terrifying that its rivals are seized with fear when they confront it. Enkidu mentions that the Humbaba’s rivals will lose because fear will be their main hindrance. He is constantly ignoring how Gilgamesh is a gallant character and is not afraid of death or facing gods for what is right. Enkidu is ignoring the fact that it might be Gilgamesh’s bravery that might allow them to overpower and kill the Humbaba. Enkidu is constantly contradicting his statements. At one point in the conversation he says the beast is terrifying and no man stands a chance against him, but he doesn’t mention that Humbaba has killed anyone. Then Enkidu contradicts his statements when he says that Gilgamesh is no challenge to the creature. This means that Enkidu is saying that the beast will be able to overwhelm and kill Gilgamesh. It is clear that Enkidu has no solid stance to stop the brave and enthusiastic Gilgamesh from battling the creature. Enkidu does seem to prove his point as he again and again reminds that the Humbaba is the god, Enlil, so fighting him would mean clear opposition of the god.

Taking a Look at Myelodysplasia Syndrome - 1160 Words

Myelodysplasia syndrome (MDS), is a type of disease that is associated with abnormal cells in the blood and bone marrow. Patients with the disease commonly have immature stem cells which result in unhealthy progenies such as platelets, red and white blood cells. There are different types of MDS, which are analyzed by certain changes in the blood or bone marrow. MDS can be more commonly found in Men in their 60’s seeing how the chances of myelodysplasia syndrome increases with age. Genetics also play a role in the occurrence of MDS. It can be passed down from parents to offspring that have certain mutated genes. People with Down syndrome, Fanconi anemia, Shwachman-Diamond, and Kostmann syndrome have an increased chance of developing this disease [1]. Previous patients who have been treated with cancer that have gone through radiation and chemotherapy have increased the risk of developing MDS. MDS is a type of bone marrow disorder that may develop into acute leukemia. This has been linked to past radiation exposure. The amount and dosage of radiation that may reach to bone marrows may increase their chance of developing MDS. Environmental risk factors that increase the risk of contracting MDS, include high doses of radiation from long-term exposure to benzene, alkylating agents and ionizing radiation. Exposure to metals and chemicals such as lead, mercury, tobacco smoke, pesticide, fertilizers and solvents also increases this risk. Lifestyle choices can be a

Haiti Development Free Essays

Why is Haiti underdeveloped? (15) Haiti is a Caribbean country located on the island of Hispaniola. It is the poorest country in the western hemisphere with its GDP at just $1, 200. The country has suffered through political violence throughout its history and was struck by an earthquake with a magnitude of 7. We will write a custom essay sample on Haiti: Development or any similar topic only for you Order Now 0 in 2010. These two major events during Haiti’s history left the country in ruins and since Haiti has not seemed to recover. Throughout the course of this essay I will go into further detail as to why Haiti is extremely underdeveloped. Haiti has a very low life expectancy at 62 years in comparison to the UK which is 80 years. This shows that between these two countries there are major differences between factors that influence life expectancy. In comparison to the UK, in Haiti poorer medical care is received by the population and this also shows how bad the standard of living is in Haiti. In Haiti, the total fertility rate is 3. 07 babied per woman whereas in the UK its 1. 91. This shows that in Haiti the emancipation of women is lower which means the country cannot develop. Another major social fact is that 52. 9% of Haiti’s population is literate. Half the population are unable to read or write and this means that they cannot get good jobs or look after their families better and move them out of poverty because they lack a huge skill. These social factors stop Haiti from developing. Haiti has suffered mass political instability over the years. The brutal dictatorships of the physician Francois and his son left tens of thousands of people killed during their 29-year rule. Since then the US intervened and forced Haiti to return to a constitutional government in 1994. However there were allegations of electoral irregularities, ongoing extra-judicial killings, torture and brutality. A bloody rebellion plus pressure from US and France forced the President Mr. Aristicide out of the country. In the present day Haiti is still plagued by violent confrontations between rival gangs and political groups. The UN has described the human rights situation as â€Å"catastrophic†. This political instability over the years is a massive obstacle to Haiti developing. However the biggest factor as to why Haiti is so underdeveloped is the environmental factors. Haiti lies in a region prone to earthquakes and because of its tropical climate it suffers many tropical storms. This leaves areas with severe deforestation and vulnerable to flooding. Haiti is not equipped to deal with these natural disasters. In January 2010 Haiti was struck by an earthquake, 7. 0 on the Richter scale, this was the country’s worst earthquake in over 200 years. Tens of thousands of people were killed and this led to mass international aid being received by Haiti. A year later and Haiti is still struggling to recover from this earthquake. This shows exactly how underdeveloped Haiti is because they are constantly being hit with natural disasters but they are ill-equipped at dealing with them. This is a huge obstacle to development because it means that money cannot be spent on things that make a country more developed such as education or business. Also, following the earthquake, the economy is still recovering. The damage to Port-au-Prince caused the country’s GDP to decrease by an estimated 8%. Haiti was ranked 145 of 182 countries in the 2010 United Nations human development index with 57. 3% of the population being deprived of at least 3 of the HDI poverty measures. Most Haitians live on less than $2 a day. This fact is crucial as to why Haiti is underdeveloped. This shows that as Haitians don’t have that much money they cannot afford for their children to go to school so more and more children are being born into poverty. Therefore these children can never leave poverty so the country cannot develop as the majority of the population is in poverty. In conclusion, Haiti is underdeveloped because of many social, political, economic and environmental reasons. However I think the most important factor as to why Haiti is so underdeveloped in the environmental factors. Haiti must spend money on taking care of natural disasters instead of factors that help a country to develop. So in my opinion the fact that Haiti receives a lot of natural disasters is stopping them from developing. How to cite Haiti: Development, Papers

Seneca Iroquois White Springs free essay sample

The sizes of these sites can sometimes be as large as settlements covering acres Of land. However archaeologists have now been using a surveying method that employs the use of multi-instrument geophysical scanning. Using this the archaeologist can help maintain budget and time constraints that may have been restricting progress. The Seneca settlement at (1688-1715 CE) the White Springs Site located in Geneva, NY is a site that covers a settlement size estimate of 1. 2-2. 75 ha. This paper reports on approximately five hectares of high-resolution, multi-instrument archaeologically surveys. This information allowed the archaeologist to study the layered, temporal intents of these maps; which allowed for visual survey without accessing the site physically. Using documents, excavation, and archaeologists to understand a historic Iroquois site.Limited excavation required non- invasive survey methods. Five hectares of ground-penetrating radar and magnetometer survey exposed Seneca-era features. The settlement was likely palisades and tightly packed, related to military pressure of the time. (Gerald- Little et al. July 201 2) One of the significant questions at White Springs relates to settlement layout and the possibility of a defensive palisade.Consideration of the social and cultural context in which White Springs was constructed contributes to better understanding of the choices that Seneca may have made in the process of constructing the town, as well as providing guidelines for archaeologically interpretation. (Alexander, 1998 p. 485) Between 1688 and 1715 the White Springs was the main community for the eastern Seneca Iroquois. This settlement is thought to have been established to reinforce the survival of the Seneca after a period of warfare with the French in 1687.Careful examination of the archaeological database and documentary sources have suggested that after he Danville invasion multiple Seneca communities consisting of two principal towns (Cannonading and Rochester Junction), at least two local satellite villages (including the Bell and Kirkwood sites), and three Seneca communities on the north shore of Lake Ontario (the Questioning, Attestation, and Continuation sites) united together into two large towns at the White Springs and Snyder-McClure sites (Jordan, 2010, up. 98-100; Conrad, 1981; Pollution, 1991; Wary, 1983).White Springs was formed to gather a larger number of people so that a greater defensive support system could be established. With this in mind it can be predicted that a defensive palisade would have built at the site. Historical and comparative research suggests the range of shap es that might have been used. Both Polygonal and ovoid palisades are seen at Iroquois sites before the extensive interaction with colonists. Oval shaped palisade seem to be the primary forms from 1000-CHOICE and the Polygonal palisades 1560-CEASE(Wary et al. , 1987).Both forms were used throughout the Iroquois people. Several excavations have been able to determine that palisades were constructed by twisting pointed posts into the subsoil (Ritchie and Funk, 1973, p. 03) and large posts were not buried immediately next to each other but interwoven with smaller branches (Hedonistic, 1971; Keener, 1 999; Ritchie and Funk, Although the Iroquois used platforms and towers that were built 1973). Into palisades (Keener, 1 999, p. 783), this type of design has not be found at any pre 1650 sites, suggesting that the design Was adopted from the Europeans. There are no known examples of European-style palisades from excavated or mapped Seneca sites constructed prior to White Springs, but there are at Huron, Onondaga, and Susquehanna sites (Gerard-little, 201 1, up. 55-60). The survey methodology at White Springs was built around 20 by 20 m squares, arranged on a grid system at 45 degree angle to the excavation grid. This alignment was based on the assumption that the Seneca-era features are along or are perpendicular to the sites dominant topographic lines that run roughly north south.The system oriented at an angle to this ensures that linear features such as palisade remnants are crossed by transects multiple times, and thus provides more robust evidence for the existence Of subsurface feature. Multiple instruments are also beneficial because they provide overlapping lines of evidence that can reveal ore about the character of the feature (Clay, 2001 ; Savage and Lealer, The White Springs survey was approximately 5 hector making this 2007). The largest survey of this resolution in the Northeast. GPO and magnetometer measure different physical and chemical properties that are significant in relation to data collection and interpretation (Gerald-Little et al. July 2012). GPO uses an antenna to project electromagnetic pulses into the ground at targeted frequencies; the travel time of the signal is affected by the dielectric permittivity of the underlying ground, allowing materials with divergent heartsickness to be distinguished from one another (Concern and Goodman, At the simplest level magnetometers measure the magnitude of 1997). The earths localized magnetic field in a survey area (Gerald-Little et al. July 2012).Solar activity, geology, iron content Of soils, can influence the Earths near surface local magnetic field. Anthropogenic factors influencing the magnetic signal of an area include burning, fired materials, presence of ferrous metal, and difference in the distribution of soil characteristics potentially created by activities involving fire and agricultural modific ation of oils (Spinal et al. , 2008; Scholar et al. , 1990). The results from this survey concluded that on the eastern side of the ridge, partway down the slope, a one hundred meter long north south feature appears in both the magnetometer and GPO data from 2009 (Rogers et al. 2006). Just inside the proposed eastern palisade wall, features forming two potential longhouses were recorded. These are visible in the magnetometer data and separated by less than five meters. They extend out of the survey area, so their full length is unknown. Because the only irreconcilabilitys visible attention longhouses inside the palisade are partial, there are limitations on the comparative data with other parts of the survey area. This information however, provides an understanding of the SÃ ©ances response to these turbulent times (Gerald-Little et al. July 2012).While the exact population of White Springs may be unknown, this speaks to the circumstances that lead to the construction of White Springs. Seneca balanced expediency of settlement construction with the safety of inhabitants. This broader understanding was made possible by the introduction of archaeologists to the project. The Lessons that were earned at White Springs included the use of: magnetometer and GPO, integration of excavation-based archaeological knowledge, historical documentation. Future work will profit from the gains made here with archaeologists.This source examines the correlations between the Europeans and the Africans slaves in America. There are references to first contact with the Native Americans. How these relationships failed and prospered how each side gained knowledge in structure of palisades, military maneuvers, and living in times of conflict. This allows to see the social structure and wartime architecture at the time of first contact. Spinal, C. Gaffing, A. Schmidt Magnetometer for Archaeologists, Geophysical Methods for Archaeology; Altair Press, Lankan (2008) This source covers the most widely used method for archaeological surveying.The history of magnetometers from their inception through todays state-of- the-art detectors, explain the physics behind the different types of sensors, and describe the most fruitful ways in which the technology can be employed. They also consider the theoretical and practical uses of magnetometer from for many archaeological periods and regions. The potential for and the problems associated with the use, display, and interpretation of buried emails. R. B. Clay Complementary geophysical tech unique: why two ways are always Better than one. Southeastern Archaeology, 20 (2001), up. 31-43 This source is demonstrated with a discussion of parallel uses of magnetometer and earth conductivity at historical and prehistoric sites in the south and Monmouth. Use of several technologies should be a goal, not reliance on one. Continued development of available technologies is somewhat reducing data collection costs, but the value of complementary data sets should still be the guiding principal in research design whenever possible. L. B. Concern, D. GoodmanGround-penetrating Radar: Introduction for Archaeologists Altair Press, Walnut Creek, CA (1997) This source provides one of the most promising methods of non-invasive archaeological exploration. Traditional archaeological excavation methods are sometimes daunting due to political or financial complications. Other times, an improperly planned dig can destroy or entirely overlook the artifacts being sought. In either case, ground-penetrating radar, or GPO, is an increasingly applicable technology, but one that few archaeologists truly understand.

Philosophy in Action William James Pragmatism Analysis free essay sample

The philosopher to propose this approach is William James. William James is most known for his book Pragmatism: A New Name for Same Old Ways of Thinking which just happens to be the first philosophical movement originated in the United States. This book is combination of a series of lectures given by James at various universities; James main focus in his lectures is the concept of Pragmatism which James refers to as a collaborated effort and credits Charles Sanders Price for the origin of the term Pragmatism and its leading principle: The Pragmatic Maxim.Pragmatism is a complex notion, it is something you practice. Another way to view it would be to refer to it as a method, more conclusively as The Pragmatic Method. The pragmatic method is primarily a method of settling metaphysical disputes that otherwise might be interminable. Is the world one or many? fated or free? material or spiritual? The pragmatic method in such cases is to try to interpret each notion by tracing its respective practical consequences. We will write a custom essay sample on Philosophy in Action: William James Pragmatism Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page James believes professional philosophy is caught in the deadlock of two opposing viewpoints which are rationalism and empiricism.And in order to display his points he describes two manifestations of opposing psychological types which are the tender mind and the tough mind. The tender mind individual is to be spiritual, religious and optimistic and the tough mind is scientific, skeptical and materialistic. If these two completely different individuals can apply rationalism and empiricism and attain a whole new perspective then James Pragmatic way can be accounted as credible. These act as building blocks to comprehend James Pragmatic Method.In order for a hilltops to function correctly, the scientific loyalty to facts and willingness, spirit Of adaptation and accommodation, religion and traditional views must all be accounted for. Although originated from the same concept, James Pragmatic Method is very distinguished from Pierces Pragmatic Maxim. Price claims pragmatism exposes the meaninglessness of most metaphysical disputes whereas James insists that pragmatism is a method of settling metaphysical disputes that otherwise might be interminable.Price actually delimits pragmatisms scope in attempt to completely disorient metaphysics as a whole but James introduces his version of pragmatism as a philosophy and a way to handle metaphysics than to avoid it. James prefers to locate the meaning of an idea within its practical consequences for behavior when Price limits the practical consequences of an idea to those functional proposals which it predicates of its object. But James designs his pragmatism to involve the given ideas pragmatic meaning its implications for the entirety of the believing subjects experience. One way to truly interpret James from Price is through James discussion of materialism and spiritualism. On a traditional perspective, materialism pertains to the idea that the only things that exist are matter and the laws that govern it. Keeping in mind that some sort of matter will always remain dominant in terms of existence, the laws of physical nature imply that the world as We know it will eventually dissolve away and materialists do accept this but still deny the ideas of spiritual entities, immortality and eternity.And so on the alternative hand, spiritualism claims that there has to be something more to the universe than just blind matter- something larger than life itself. Spiritualists claim there is in addition, another kind of substance referred to as spirit; the spirit was, is and will always remain eternal where as matter as the materialists claim will eventually dissolve. Therefore eternal things are superior to finite entities (as in our surroundings), thus spirit i s superior to matter.Although these arguments seem to leave me in awe, must not forget these are at the end of the day, claims. And claims cannot me analyzed into sensed experience because the evidence to back such claims is inconclusive. This is where the ragtime method kicks in and we can apply it by tracing the claims respective practical consequences. Now lets analyze this in a way James would have: if we were to imagine ourselves living at the very last moments of the universes existence, the dispute between materialism and spiritualism is idle.That is, if there literally were no future in which pragmatic differences in behavior and attitude could manifest, the two theories, in spite of their different-sounding names, mean exactly the same thing. James makes yet another point from this dispute, he says There can be no difference NNW. here that doesnt make a difference elsewhere.. . , insisting that every genuine metaphysical debate some practical issue, however conjectural and remote is always involved. Where no practical issue can be identified, debate is purely verbal. It again is a metaphysical dispute because observational evidence is insufficient to determine the question either way. The pragmatic conception of truth functions differently, it instead settles disputes based on observational evidence; James follows pragmatism is not only a method of dealing with metaphysics it is also a type of theory of truth. Take for example The Holocaust: is it true that it took place and that Hitler was able to murder six million Jews? Yes it is because there is evidence, witnesses and survivors to support it but of course this is simply common sense.A decidedly philosophical issue does emerge however with another example which is: if a tree fell in a forest where no one was there to witness it, did it really fall? The answer would be no because there is no evidence t o back it up. The theory of truth may also be applied to distinguishing a concept from a belief. A concept is something that is directly conceived, it is a general notion or an idea. A belief is confidence in the truth of existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof.James insists that a belief is actually essentially a proposal for action, and on a more concrete perspective it indeed is. A concept would be In order to survive one must consume food and water and sleep, this would be a concept because it will not change. Evidently, if one were to deprive himself of sleep and starve himself, he will eventually be deceased. Now a belief would be, Abortion is wrong and the world needs to be profile, this is a belief because there is no evidence to back it up. One will argue by bringing up the dilemma of rape, or teenage pregnancy In which cases abortion seems to be a logical option. But then again another will argue murder; it is murder because abortion kills potential life. One does not need much training in philosophy to comprehend and integrate James pragmatic views into their everyday life. Truth consists in simply the usefulness, expediency or profitableness of a proposition and this is often how we use he term pragmatic in our everyday language.James pragmatic views are not perfect and have definitely received their share of harsh criticism, but then again philosophy is a field where criticism will remain dominant. The objections made to James are rather ignorant; his views are to a certain extent more sophisticated than they may first appear and critics Often underestimated the subtleties of James position. Now that I am familiar with James pragmatic method and conception of truth, definitely will think twice about how to handle ce rtain predicaments.

Institutional Environment and Growth in Brazil Essay Example

Institutional Environment and Growth in Brazil Essay Example Institutional Environment and Growth in Brazil Paper Institutional Environment and Growth in Brazil Paper Accelerating the development of economic growth in a sustained way is therefore one of the most Important Issues In economics, Economists have long used a variety f approaches to shed light on why some countries experience faster growth than others. In the vast amount of literature on the subject there are three schools that stand out In particular. First, there Is a group of scholars that places geographical factors such as climate, transport cost and natural resources as the main explanatory factors. Recent writings by Jarred Diamond and Jeffery Sacks are important contributions In this paradigm (Diamond, 1997; Sacks, 2001 Second, there Is a faction that emphasizes international trade as a key to economic growth. Important intrusions to this market-integration view have been presented in the works of Franken Roomer (1999) and Dollar Kraal (2004). Finally, there Is a third group focusing on the explanatory power that institutions veil in this matter. This paper will follow in this tradition, as there seems to bee an increasingly pervasive concurrence among economists studying the phenomena that the development and quality of the institutional environment holds the key to prevailing patterns of sustained growth and prosperity around the world. Rich countries are those with sustained rule of law ND property rights, effective policies towards private enterprises and competition, the political system is stabile and effective, companies enjoys easy access to financing and superior tax regimes and there is a well functioning infrastructural system. Poor countries are those where the arrangements are nonexistent or ill formed. This approach suggests a somewhat casual relationship between institutional development and economic growth. This Implies that a poor country, which Is able to revise the rules of the game in the direction of better institutional environment, is keel to experience a lasting economic growth. The causality of this relationship has never Eden quotations (Oral, 2004; Houseman et al, 20050). In tens article we want to investigate the relationship between institutional development and economic growth further in order to enhance the understanding of the relationship. Is this really the end of all policy development and a manifestation of an institutions rule approach to economic development? Long run trends in the global economy suggest that emerging markets are the new drivers for global economic growth. Emerging markets can be defined as countries tit lower level of development than ELI, North America and Japan and high growth in recent years (Mining, 2007). This makes emerging markets countries useable as laboratories for trend research related to economic growth. Brazil, as a part of the BRICE countries, has for a long time been defined as an emerging market country. In spite of quite impressive reforms (Houseman et al, Bibb) the country has failed to show similar growth rates as China and India (DB, 2008). In this paper we therefore want to investigate how the economic growth in Brazil is related to the development in the institutional environment. Could the development and quality of the institutional environment in Brazil hold the key to understanding how to increase growth in the country? These notions has led to our research question, which is: How does the institutional environment affect the economic growth in Brazil? The deductive model In order to answer our research question we will apply the traditional deductive method of conducting research. First, we consider at a theoretical level the relationship between institutions and economic growth. Second, we build hypotheses on the basis of our theoretical framework. Third, we apply it to data. Finally, we deduct from the study. Our approach emphasizes quantitative data and is highly formalized. In this paper we will use the deductive model as proposed by Cesarean (1992). The model has 8 steps as illustrated below and largely corresponds to the structure of the paper. The steps are shown I a linear fashion, but in the reality the process is more dynamic. Literature review The concept of institutions and its influence on economic growth can be traced back to the functionalist perspective, which draws upon the ideas of August Comet (1852), Herbert Spencer (1851) and ?mile Druthers (1893). The functionalist approach is centered upon the argument that, if society is to exist, its members must make provision for certain functional requirements. Institutions are the principal structures where these critical tasks for social living are organized, directed and executed (Hughes et al. 2002). Institutions have been studied from several viewpoints and disciplines ranging from sociology, organizational psychology, to new institutional economics originating from the learning of transaction cost economics. In this paper we will follow the new institutional economic approach. I en transaction cost blew on organizations can De lave Into two groups. Horst, motivation cost, which deals particularly with costs of opportunistic behavior and agency cost (Williamson, 1975, Jensen and Neckline, 1976) Second, coordination cost, which deals with costs of information, costs of coordination and costs of measurement (Stiller, 1961, Lucian and Demesne, 1972). With a well-working interface transfers occur smoothly, but sometimes the transaction encounters friction due to conflicts between the parties involved. This friction can lead to delays, breakdowns and other malfunctions and is in economics termed transaction cost. The new institutional economic approach argues that all human interaction is characterized by a high degree of uncertainty (North, 1990). Institutions are therefore a way of reducing uncertainty and thereby transaction costs of trade. Furthermore, institutions are, as an extension of motivation cost theory, created by people with different bargaining power and not for the sake of efficiency, which makes some more efficient than others. Inefficient institutions can result in stagnant economies due to path dependency, which can lead to the lack of acknowledgement of property rights by states. Such environments can lead increased transaction cost and diminish the incentives to invest in socially profitable businesses. North therefore argue that the key to economic growth is efficient property rights, which moreover depends on political efficiency. In Institutions (1991) North, focuses further upon three elements of transaction cost: measurement cost, level of globalization and the amount of bargaining at the margin. It appears, however, that North have found a simplification and new applicability for these theories on state owned institutions and its relation to economic growth. Even Hough no clear-cut distinction exists between institutions and organizations, we have chosen to adapt Norths (1991) definition of institutions as the rules of the game and organizations as the different players. Further we adapt a sociological view on actions in markets, which conceptualizes Flintiness institutional framework related to the relationship between state and firms in the development of an economy. His main findings relate to how politics in markets work during various stages of market development-formation, stability and transformation (Fleeting 1996:656). As result we move away from the traditional institutional sociology of the early social scientists such as Clinics (1946) and later, DiMaggio and Powell (1991), and Scott (1995), and moves toward economic institutionalism. The main point however, is that we adapt an understanding of how modern states must create an institutional framework for a well functioning business system, and as such institutions are necessary as preconditions for economic growth. Theoretical framework and generation of hypothesis Inspired by North and Flintiness definitions of institutions, we assume that companies cannot operate in a Brazil without collective sets of rules and governing Interaction. In order to conclave economic gar town Brazil must odometer create an institutional framework, which supports the economic actors. Further the institutions in Brazil must structure political, economic and social interaction and set up norms. Our central hypothesis is therefore that the stage of development of the institutional environment in Brazil is crucial in order to develop sustainable economic growth, by reducing transaction cost of doing business and thus establish incentives faced by economic actors. Hypothesis 1. The level of economic growth in Brazil is dependent on the stage of placement in the institutional environment. There is strong empirical support for the proposition that institution matter (Franken Roomer, 1999; Guacamole et al, 2001). One example of this is presented in the paper Institutions rule (Radio et al. 2004) which explores the relationship between integration, institutions and geography with income. The findings show that the quality of institutions is more important than any others factors related to income levels. There is however little agreement on their relative importance and the causality of the link when it comes to increase economic growth. In the voluminous iterate on this subject, there are several failed attempts to discover unique institutional designs with encountering effective institutional outcomes. (Houseman et al. AAA), Since there are strong arguments favoring that there is no unique mapping from function to form It is futile to look for encountering empirical regularities that link specific legal rules to economic outcomes. What works will depend on local constraints and opportunities. (Radio, 2004:9) The aim of this paper is therefore to come up with contingent correlations or institutional prescription that are limited to the prevailing characteristics of Brazil. We thus try to extend the previous literature by exploring the development of the different elements of the institutional environment in order to discover which institutions that have been crucial for the economic growth in the case of Brazil. In order to investigate the relative importance of the different institution in Brazil it is necessary t o define more precisely what the institutional environment consists of. Traditionally the institutional environment in a country is made up of and measured by the ability to make investors feel secure about their property rights, the rule of away prevails, private incentives are aligned with social objectives, monetary and fiscal policies are grounded in solid macroeconomic institutions, idiosyncratic risks are appropriately mediated through social insurance, and citizens have recourse to civil liberties and political representation (Radio, 2004) To separate and distinguish between the institutional factors we adapt the institutional framework presented in John Dunning Institutional reform, foreign direct investment, and European transition economies (Dunning, 2005) and Foreign Investment location and institutional development in transition economies (Bean et. Al, 2006). These papers have developed an institutional framework consisting of three generic groups of variables namely: policy framework, economic determinants and business facilitation. The thre e groups should be viewed as institutional spheres containing Institutionally related determinants, wanly all alms at recalling transaction cost In Brazil and thus establish incentives faced by economic actors. First, the policy framework addresses institutionally related determinants that are under directly control of the government in Brazil. This is arguably the most important institutional sphere as it covers central aspects of institutions such as the rule of law and enhancement of property rights (North, 1991). It consists of institutions that provide economic and political stability, international agreements on FDA and taxes (Dunning, 2005), monetary and fiscal polices (Radio, 2004) and rules regarding competition (Fleeting, 1996). There are strong theoretical and empirical evidence connecting these institutions with transaction cost, thus we hypothesis that a positive development in the policy framework will result in a positive development in the economic growth in Brazil. Hypothesis AAA The level of economic growth in Brazil is dependent on the stage of development in the policy framework Second, the economic determinants cover institutions related to market opportunities, resource endowment and the availability and cost of labor (Dunning, 2005). It can be argued that these determinants depend on the underlying incentive structure and enforcement procedures, but if the institutional system in Brazil fails to provide the economic actors with qualified labor and necessary resources transaction cost will go up. Another aspect which gives support for this argument is hat a well developed infrastructure eases the means of communication and therefore eliminates and lowers, spatial transaction cost (Dunning, 2005). Thus, we propose that an increasing quality in the economic determinants of Brazil will result in a positive development in economic growth Hypothesis b The level of economic growth in Brazil is dependent on the stage of development in the economic determinants Third, there are strong arguments in favor of the notion that business-facilitating institutions such as the bank systems and other finance institutions also play an important role for the economic growth in Brazil. This because progress in establishing financial infrastructure and capital markets reduces transaction costs for Brazilian financial services, such as the payment system. (Bean et al, 2006) In addition customers have easier access to bank credit, which again can increase the demand for consumer goods that often are bought on credit (Bean et al, 2006). Moreover, it facilitates access to complementary local finance, which can reduce investors exposure to exchange rate risk. Institutions related to infrastructural support service and a well function banking and financing system are thus necessary n the establishment of incentives for economic actors in Brazil. Hypothesis c The level of economic growth in Brazil is dependent on the stage of development in business facilitation I I Hypothesis I Construct I Data source I(appendix 1) environment rating (10=high) development I I Hypothesis, construct and measurement bib I Predicted effect I Variable definition I Institutional lover business Alleluia 1 1 I (Unsighted average) (10=high) (10=good) I Policy I Tax regime rating (10=good) I Political environment rating 2008 I framework I Policy towards private enterprise rating Macroeconomic environment rating (10=high) I Foreign trade and exchange regime rating Policy environment for foreign investment rating (10=good) 1 bib I Economic determinants I + I Market opportunities rating I Labor market rating (10=good) I Infrastructure rating (10=good) 1 ICC I Business facilitation 1+ I Real effective exchange rate (Cop-based) I Financing rating I Ell-J Scientific Research Design 1 Methods of empirical analysis GAP is a commonly used indicator for economic growth and our analysis is based upon a dataset consisting of the percentage change in real GAP, over previous year % real change pa) fugues in Brazil from 1995 to 2007 and GAP (% real change pa) estimates from 2007-2012 (XIII). In order to explore any relationships between our selected variables and GAP (% real change pa) a regression model will be built. LEN GAP (% real change pa) = boo+ bal Real effective exchange rate (Cop-based) + be overall business environment rating+ ? . The precise definition, form and source of the variables used in our analysis are presented in table 1, which also summarizes the predicted effects of each independent variable on GAP in Brazil. All possible significant combinations will be valuated including isolating each single variable against the dependent variable in order to identify any possible relationship. The descriptive statistics of each variable are presented in the appendix 2. 2 construct measurement AT Independent variables Our measure of development in the overall institutional environment that is used to test hypothesis 1 is based on an aggregate of series of indicators of institutional quality constructed by the Economist Intelligence Unit (XIII). The Ell-J has constructed and Business Environmental Index derived from ten broad determinants of institutional quality. These determinants are essentially a composite of data and opinions taken from a series of business surveys conducted by Ell-J it self. Each of these determinants is reported on a 1-10 scale with higher numbers indicating a more business friendly institutional environment. For the next propositions, we employ the indices separately. The survey has a time span from 1995 to 2012 and consists of 13 variables each consisting of 1 5 observations. From 2007 and beyond are estimate. For the next hypothesis we employ the variables individually. Presentation of results Table 2 I Correlation independent variables and GAP (% real change pa) I Predicted effects Variable definition I Significance I II 1,110 1,183 I Policy towards private enterprise rating (10=good) 1. 263 rating (10=high) I Macroeconomic environment 1. 080 I Foreign trade and exchange regime rating (10=good) 1,155 I Policy environment for foreign investment rating (10=good) determinants I + 1. 249 1. 220 1,126 | . 392 I Economic I Market opportunities rating (10=high) 1,112 1,100 Discussion of results It is difficult proving a statistical meaningful relationship based on econometric tool between institutions and GAP. There are some general problems to our model that loud be accounted for statistically that are beyond the scope of this paper. This is especially related to ten vitality AT ten model winner ten sample size Is problematic. Additionally, the reverse correlation between the variables (nonentity) also plays an important role. The scope of the study should also be taken into consideration, which makes it difficult to infer about this more complex relationship. Here we could be discussing a selection bias, both country and respondent and variable specific. This is a threat to the valid estimation of the general causality between the dependent and the independent variables. It is also known that there is a relationship between these institutional based on former studies of institutional economics (North 1990; North, 1991; Fleeting 1996; Mining 2007). In regards to the validity, construct validity could be discussed in this case, as it is based on interpretation of institutions. Furthermore, the interaction of selection, related to the explanatory variables could bias this study and how the respondents and their responses are correlated with institutions. Nonetheless, the limited time span of the study could be further discussed but more pressuring is history bias and whether other exogenous factors affecting the independent variable, could impact the model, as this could easily be thought to be the case in Brazil. Moreover, we do not know the design of the data gathering process, which could include instrumentation bias. Referring to questions formulation and what is measured, there might also be considerable hypothesis guessing. Referring to the fact that Ell-J respondents could be answering questions in regards to their conception, rather than the measurement purpose. This is threatening the external validity, nonetheless the internal consistency of the questions is also an issue as questions could be overlapping. In line with conclusions from previous studies done on this subject, as a determinant for why econometric models are difficult or lacking in explanation (Houseman, Bibb; Rid, 2004). Tests often imply the interdependence between institutional predictors, which makes it hard to distinguish between the institutional dynamics and economic environment. Radio (2004) is especially critical to this and he has addressed a very central point, which is also relevant to this study, arguing that investors often rate institutional quality high when the economy is doing well. Thereby creating causation that would only be perception based. Whether it is effects of institutions that are measured the causation will still be evident. Furthermore, the nonentity with GAP, makes it a complex web that needs to be dismantled before meaningful results can be given, if possible at all with this type of study. Additionally, effects of institutions are a better estimator rather than framed proxies, consistent with argumentation in (Houseman et al, 2005). The explanation could also be that there is interdependency between different institutional parameters, which is evident from previous research. But how much is related to actual correlation between variables and how much is related to measurement difficulties will also be an issue to the validity of this paper. Nonetheless, the meaning derived from this of experiment. An additional explanation for why the explanatory power of our econometrics is limited as they often point in the right direction but needs to be explored further. (Houseman et al, Bibb) Moreover, policy erects are oaten veldts on a long-term Dados Ana are oaten Indolent ex-ante rather than ex-post. (Redbrick, 2004). This relates to the aspect of data-lags also being a subject to the validity as institutional improvements in a country do not always go hand in hand, the visible results could be shown later, emphasizing difficulties capturing this relationship in any meaningful way. In addition, we do not know if GAP improvements occur because of institutional improvements or the other way around (Radio, 2004). Bowwows and Collins (2003) have statistically tested aspects of institutional theory, and found a correlation between growth and the quality of governing institutions, such as law and order, absence of corruption, and protection of property rights (Bowwows Collins 2003). However, the link is not always apparent and institutional quality should be stressed in this context. But other factors relating to the second best theories also play an important role in a more dynamic context such as Business sectors, information spillovers, Human Capital (Houseman et al, AAA) Furthermore, it is still important to look at institutions in a country specific perspective as differences in geography, factor abundance and, governance structure and linkages. (Houseman et al, AAA) These factors differ from country to country even though economic growth is related to institutions. Econometric cross sectional analysis as a tool to reach an ultimate conclusion on the causes for growth, is therefore problematic. The link between the second best interactions viewed very simplistically is government interactions and reforms. These are difficult to measure and identify, however, the impact of reforms can be reasonably estimated. Reforms do not always live up to the purpose as it should be the right reforms suitable for the circumstances. (Houseman et al, 2005). Validity issues discussed above are rampant in our model, which pose a threat to the reliability of the model. Many models have been built to demonstrate the relationship between institutional environments. The problem is more related to finding an appropriate tool to identify this relationship rather than concluding that the relationship does not exist, or that a relationship is as simplistic as our econometric model can explain which is consistent with that of a more dynamic and holistic approach. The institutional environment in Brazil has improved throughout the time period. The institutional scores from Ell-J (appendix) illustrate that there have been some improvements, but still the growth in GAP is low, compared to the expectations and attention. Recently however, the growth has come up to a more sustainable level to an annual average GAP of 2. 7 % from 2002 until 2007 (DB Research 2006). [pick] I en presidency AT Lull In 2002 veils some explanatory power In relation to economic growth. Since Lull got into presidency in 2002 several economical and political reforms has been set into action. These reforms have tried to overcome some of the problems that, such as reforming the pension system, the bolas familial reform which subsidies poor households, obligatory health checks and keeping children in school (Mining, Bibb). These reforms were initiated with the intension to stabilize Brazil both economically and socially. Due to implications in the structure of Braziers political system, implementing reforms is time challenging and the reforms tend to be extremely gradual in Brazil, mainly because of the fragmented political system, and the strong majority it requires in the congress to implement reforms (DB 2006). Exertions with corruption have also been problematic with framed budget capital and deterioration of public services in order to stop the implementation of reforms (Goldman Sacks 2006). Braziers political system gives the president more influence in he macroeconomic policies. This is important as they keep the macro economic environment stable. The implications of the Brazil governance system affect the initiation of reforms designed to improve economic growth, thus staggering the economic development. Further it is important to take Brazil multifaceted society with a high degree of inequality into consideration. The low quality on the education system and huge differences in income, could both be important reason for Braziers lack of high educated human capital, which some researchers suggest is an supporting factor for economic growth (Hellmann, 2004). Ferreira et al. (2006) paper suggests that it is specifically education of the head of the households that is the most important determinant for the inequality in Brazil (Ferreira et al. 2006).

Radio Broadcasting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Radio Broadcasting - Essay Example After the American government stepped in to regulate this air traffic of signals by allotting licensed frequencies to the private operators, the era of commercial broadcasting came into being and led to a perceptual shift in the American culture. The men and boys saw the experimentation with radio as a symbol of masculine prerogative, brought it into their homes, and introduced it to the other family members. The listeners discovered the new face of their individual identities, closely linked to the idea of cohesive nationhood, through broadcasts of diverse entertainment programs and news items. Gradually, commercial reasons led to the introduction of advertisements interlaced with the main items, as well as standardization of broadcast timings, for most of the programs. With this it was possible for listeners to tune in to multiple broadcasts by adjusting their own schedules accordingly. The network programs allowed people to sit and listen to their favorite serials, like the women's serial drama nick named "soap opera", at the same time everyday or every week. This created a sort of customer loyalty as far as the programs were concerned, and a gradual shift in the cultural habits of the audience. The advertisements which were interwoven along with the main program also created a loyalty towards the products which were advertised. These factors permanently altered the social habits of the American society. Impact of Radio on large media companies: With the rise of compulsive consumerism brought about by the radio transmission of popular programs and advertisements, large media companies like NBC, and CBS sensed big business opportunities. The individual broadcasting stations got affiliated to national networks or were absorbed by big broadcasting chains, so that they could benefit from the economies of scale. The broadcast time was gradually increasing, By the middle of 1930's, many stations were using an airtime of 12 to 18 hours per day. This made it necessary for the broadcasters to fill the expanded airtime with variations of program types already developed. The large companies like NBC and CBS, also had to develop newer varieties of programs, like live performances by orchestras, talk shows, soap operas, and afternoon serial dramas. For this, they had to develop their own recording studios. Transcription, or pre-recorded music was also in vogue. To cut costs, these large companies bought the prerecorded music from transcription firms. The big companies were better placed financially, so they could command better quality of transcriptions, and also could afford to hire the best performers for their live shows. Although music was dominating the air time, emphasis by the network broadcasters was on transcriptions and not on classical music, whereas NBC could manage to broadcast a symphony orchestra with eminent musicians like the conductor of New York Philharmonic for many years, as opposed to the network operator who were mainly using transcriptions of music performances by local artistes. Similarly, CBS hired the services of actors, writers, poets etc to continue with high quality dramas and talk shows. Thus, the large media firms, who entered the broadcasting market, were able to continue with

Managing Projects and Operations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Managing Projects and Operations - Essay Example The centre is focused on providing twenty four hour fitness services seven days a week (Martin and Tate, 1997). There is need to identify internal strengths and weaknesses of the fitness center for purposes of bridging the gap existing between community, current status of the organization and future expectations. In normal situations, such organization’s strengths are determined through assessment of various sectors and prospects within the company. These aspects include employees, nature of facility, skills and expertise, nature of equipments and activities and human resource management cares for their employees and the surrounding community including training and development. Overall weaknesses are normally determined through the assessment on availability of enough funds required for expansion, low rates of employee turn-over, poorly laid down structures on strategic management, poor locations and poor communication links (Barney, 2007). Energise Health & Fitness Centre wou ld be faced with external opportunities some of which include; relational ties between the gym and other organizations, marketing principles and strategies, nature of incentives rendered to, government regulation and incorporation of information technology. The center will be faced by equal threats which include; economic turmoil, loss of employees and clients, increase in costs of expertise services and stiff competition from other fitness centers (24 Hour Fitness, 2012). Various factors should be considered based on employees within the center; these include the nature of skills irrespective of the education level, Knowledge on the use of facilities, impact on others both inside and outside the company. Concerning business level, certain considerations should be made dealing with areas such as reputation, Capacity, Responsiveness and customer attitudes. Based on corporate level, there is involvement of processes and structures utilized in managing business affairs of such faciliti es. This would involve incorporation on areas involving competitive advantages and disadvantages and the nature of services. Then finally there is high positioned executive level which involves vital exercises such as quality assessment, Installation and service capabilities (Martin and Tate, 1997). Effectiveness on corporate governance within the facility can be achieved through approved principles, rules and regulations which should provide necessary foundation and guidance for leadership. Leadership within the gym should comprise of management team accountable to the running of the gym on a 24-hour basis. The management is endowed with the responsibility of having accurate and up to-date information concerning the facility. The fitness center should also have chief executive officer whose role is different from the overall chairman. The powers and authority held by the two should be checked for the purposes of offering balance within decision making. Then there are shareholders w ho should be fully involved in the organization’s activities involving concerns of the surrounding community. Implications on the gym and its strategic operations Robust management practices within corporate governance will be essential in determining the level of customers attracted to the facility. This is since it would ensure profitable management of resources and assets. Good corporate governance would also ensure improvement in communication and implementation of new and workable

Research Project Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Project - Research Paper Example Ubuntu is a completely open source operating system which is designed using the methodology of a Linux kernel. While Linux had already made a mark as an enterprise server medium in 2004, it did not offer software free of cost for everyday computer use. A group of them ventured to develop a simple desktop which they called Ubuntu. Their objective was to integrate Linux into the social and economic fabric by offering free software on consistent terms and conditions, and to finance it through the various services offered by Canonical (Helmke & Graner, 2013). Ubuntu’s differentiating quality from the other products of Linux lies in the fact that it does not endeavor separately in developing upscale versions and the regular, free of charge, ‘community’ ones. There is a collaboration to produce a distinct, superior quality edition, which is maintained on a regular basis for a committed period of time. The release of a particular version as well as its maintenance is fre e of charge for everyone. Ubtutu’s version 4.10, which carried the code name of Warty Warthog, was unveiled in October 2004, and there was already much enthusiasm about this new operating system. In just a year’s time follow this, the number of Ubuntu users swelled, and the company boasted sales of literally a massive amount of free software. With regards to the governance of Ubuntu, volunteer experts from the world over have undertaken the responsibility to look after the most important and crucial aspects of this software. Canonical is not solely involved and it is therefore an established fact that the Ubuntu project is maintained through a connection between Canonical and the thousand of independent experts who apply their skills to render Ubuntu the Operating System of choice for all its users (Grant, 2012). With the recent growth in demand for light, mobile desktop connectivity, as well as on the Cloud data environment, Ubuntu has evolved further, leading the pac k of software and OS developers in both areas. There is the Ubuntu Netbook version as well as the Ubunti Enterprise Cloud. These have established rather lofty standard for effective and efficient information dissemination as well as management. The Amazon EC2 and Rackspace’s Cloud both carry the Ubuntu editions, and it also comes installed on desktop PCs distributed by Dell, Lenovo, and several other vendors. 2. Features Ubuntu consists of several software equipments, most of which are sold without any licensing fee. The main objective of Ubuntu is to provide a user friendly, solid, and risk free operation system platform. Its Ubiquity installer makes it easy to fix it onto the hard drive of a computer, and there is no need to reboot the machine beforehand. There is much focus to availability and access to Ubuntu for an unlimited amount of users. The Ubuntu desktop is rather prestigious in appearance, stylish yet simple. Its speed is rapid, it is reliable and secure, and offe rs numerous features which allow for a unique computing experience. Among these features, there is web surfing, office applications, socializing and emailing facilities, music and mobile accessories, photography and images, the Ubuntu Software Centre, and Ubuntu One. This last one is the

Causes of the Financial Crisis

Causes of the Financial Crisis Introduction Financial crisis occurs when there is instability in the finance systems which pose danger to the economic, political, social and international affairs leading to decisive changes. It will reveal perspectives on the functioning situation of monetary economies. Financial crisis does not affect only the country itself; it is like a contagious disease that spreads to neighbouring environments and across to its partners especially in this modern time where the world is interconnected. It is financial mismanagement which leads quickly to economic destruction, diminishes individual and national wealth, lost growth, etc. It is an interruption to financial markets which is connected with falling asset prices that will result in the inability to pay debts among debtors and intermediaries that spread out through the financial system. By this happening it will cause disorder to the flow of markets capacity to pump capital within the economy. On the basis of international crisis, this commotion will overflow into national borders, causing disorder to the market’s ability to allot capital internationally. When this happens, no one takes blame or at least will admit that they foresee it coming. It causes a lot of violent changes around the country and across the globe with devastating consequences. On the aspect of Private and individuality; this will result to unemployment; people will not be able to find work, loss of properties, families will lose their homes to foreclosure process and many will be in arrears on their mortgage payments. Household wealth worth a lot of billions of Euros will disappear, life savings, retirement accounts all will go down the drain. Business and commerce; large and small businesses will feel the sting of the economic recession. Manufacturing will decline, global trade will diminish, and some will file for bankruptcy and be forced out of business (Angelides and Thomas, 2011) People will become angry about what is happening. Some people who have worked hard all their lives, obeyed the law and played by the rule will probably find themselves out of work and about to lose their family homes will not know what the future has in store for them. The segment who is mostly affected by any financial crisis is the private people and the communities. Businesses will move out of communities, banks will stop lending money; there will be shortage of cash flow, consumers reduce their spending and practically everything is at a standstill. The after effects/impacts of the crisis stays on and will be felt for decades to come, and rebuilding the economy takes a lot of hard work and dedicated efforts. In this research paper I will discourse the causes of financial crisis; what are the reasons why from time to time there is an economic recession, and enumerate why certain financial crisis are contagious. I will use the 2008 financial crisis as case study to illustrate my answer, and finally conclusion. Causes of financial crisis The causes of financial crisis could be a little complicated and not a very straight forward explanation could be given. It is a crisis on one hand that could be blamed on government action, and on the other hand, it could be blamed on government inaction (is not doing enough) but the bottom line is that it is a problem cause by human beings. It is not caused by nature or computer error. Financial crisis have occurred dozens of times since the seventeenth century (The Economist, Jan., 2009). Understanding financial crisis is crucial in avoiding them, but that leaves the question; why financial institutions and their agencies/bank regulators never see the possibility of crisis coming? The crisis that occurred in 2008 which was the most recent and will not most probably be the last was the most severe and the most global since the Great Depression of the 1930s. I must not fail to point out where this crisis started from or its origin. Financial crisis is always associated with the financial systems of global powers, and the one that happened in 2008 was no exception. Since the collapse of Soviet Union, United States has been the dominant superpower and while momentarily being the most influential and extremely powerful nation was full of assurance that economic liberalization and the rapid growth of communications technology would give the world economic expansion. The move towards integrated global economy has been instrumental in the amassing of wealth by a few individuals which has created inequality. In the process of the government trying to bring down the gap between the haves and have not’s in the US; some of the policies gave rise to the financial crisis. We human beings have always been obsessed with money, and have the excessive desire to acquire more of it. And generally people tend to spend more than they have; banks are willing to give loans and these loans some will be paid back and some will not be paid back, by so doing this is creating huge debts that have the potentiality to cause a dramatic effect to the financial set up of the country. This is part of the reasons why from time to time Central banks pumps money into the financial system so as to have enough money in circulation. Before the start of the crisis financial institutions (mortgage brokers and bankers) were high spirited and excited about the financial bubbles that they became very optimistic and began to take huge financial risks. The professionals put in charge to manage public finance tend to ignore warnings and fail to ask questions, and not able to manage evolving risks. Failures in the financial regulation and the lack for proper supervision: When it comes to finance, there must be laws and rules put in place to govern the procedures. These principles must be adhered to irrespective of personality or circumstances. Financial experts put in charge of all financial institutions must discharge their duties effectively and professionally by acknowledging that they are there foremost to protect public money and to regulate the financial system if possible overhaul them from time to time. Financial institutions should not regulate themselves. When financial institutions regulate themselves, security protection that ensures safety and avoid sudden and widespread disaster of public money could be removed or not followed strictly. With this approach trillions of dollars will be vulnerable. By governments allowing financial firms the choice to select their own preferred regulators to work with always results in the supervising being weak. In the financial system, regulators have lots of powers in different areas to protect it (the financial system) but out of their own reasons they do not do so, that is oversight. The collapse of the housing bubble: The financial crisis of 2008 which started in the US as the result of a downturn in real estate values caused primarily by rising defaults in subprime mortgages. The government encouraged financial institutions to make mortgage loans available to low income earners and the underprivileged in their various communities under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) in an effort to bridge racial equality and increasing homeownership by lending one hundred percent loans for mortgages with no down payments. In the past there had been charges of racial discrimination with regards to not approving housing loans to minorities and the low income earners. To facilitate the granting of this mortgage loans a lot of times did not require all necessary documentations from the borrower and their income details. In this case a lot of this underprivileged income earners were paid on cash basis, so there was no official evidence of verifying there actual income. But a l ot of subprime lending did not take place under CRA sponsorship. Instead the majority occurred with Countrywide and New Century rather than commercial banks such as Wells Fargo, Citibank, and JPMorgan Chase (Friedman, 2011) There were lots of little programs developed by the US government at both the federal, state and local levels intended to encourage more people to buy homes, thereby channelling more artificial demand into the housing sector like The Pro-ownership Tax Code. Developers were frequently receiving hand outs, free land, new roads and tax privileges to build new homes. First-time homebuyers in some areas received thousands of dollars tax credit. There were special treatments in agreement to buy a home as an investment, for example if a couple bought a house for half a million dollars and sold it for one million they will not pay capital gains tax, but if that couple invest in business that same money in stock or any other business that is not real estate and later sell that business for profit they will pay capital gains taxes of fifteen percent. Woods Jr. (2009) in his publication said â€Å"it is not to suggest that any of these tax breaks are undesirable or should be repealed; a tax break is an oasis of freedom to be broadened, not a loophole to be closed. Instead they should be extended to as many other kinds of purchases as possible, in order not to provide artificial stimulus to any sector of the economy.† America’s Federal Reserve started the boom by increasing the supply of money through the banking system with the purpose to reduce interest rates. This system stimulated growth in the production of longer term projects such as construction, raw materials and capital goods. So this low interest rate made construction and real estate flourish vigorously in the early 2000. Real estate is not a common category of products that all consumers demand because of affordability in terms of credibility and finance. In order wards not enough consumers out there could afford to purchase expensive homes. So the Federal Reserve (Fed) came up the idea to increase money supply through banks, and banks with loose lending principles made home purchases went beyond the usual, and the notion of living the American dream was not far-fetched. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation) including the Federal Housing Administration were all backed and sponsored by the Fed to be lending money to people who wanted to purchase houses. Criteria for lending were lowered and loans were approved at a record breaking level. All the new money that the Fed created was being routed into the housing market through their representative agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This stimulus was the biggest that gave unnatural rise to the housing prices. Housing prices went up quickly instead of taking a gradual rising process supposedly with the rate of inflation or the rise in average incomes; the bubble eventually busted and the housing prices went down and this caused the housing market to collapse and recession followed; borrowers were prone to increasingly rising interest rates and falling home values, and could not be in a position to refinance their mortgages leading to higher monthly payments and constant failures to meet financial obligations resulting in foreclosures. Because of the causes arising from these defaults substantial amounts of low investment grade-rated mortgage-backed securities to default and the highest rated securities to be downgraded. The US government refusal to rescue the Lehman Brothers and eventually filed for bankruptcy was also another fall in abundance of hope. Financial institutions holding mortgage –backed securities started writing down their relative worth which made them to become more financially vulnerable, as a result causing concern over counterparty risk and as such organisations started withdrawing from doing business with them (Kolb, 2010) Financial institutions inclination on risk taking could cause financial crisis. There was a view that instincts for self-preservation inside major financial firms would shield them from fatal risk-taking without the need for a steady regulatory hand, which the firms argued, would stifle innovation (Angelides, Thomas, 2011) when financial institutions act recklessly by taking too much risk something is bound to happen, especially when institutions are involved in trading, and in trading, money can be made as well as lost, example, large investment banks and bank holding companies tend to centralise their activities more on risk trading activities that bring in heavy profits. They expose themselves to danger in acquiring and making loans to borrowers with poor credit rating. Some of these institutions grew competitively as a result of poorly executed acquisition and integration strategies that made effective management more challenging Financial institutions and some credit rating agencies are adopting mathematical models to be used as reliable predictors to predict risks, by so doing replacing judgement in a lot of occurrences. Before the financial crisis of 2008, the Republic of Ireland enjoyed a long period of economic boom, both in credit growth, bubbles in real estate, excellent and educated workforce, and an attractive location for inward investment especially from the US firms. These attracted people from all over the world to come and live in the country. Because of the rise in population there was urgent need for more houses to be built which brought growth to the construction industry and Ireland recorded the highest number of employment in the history of the state. All these led to the boost in the banking sector. The banks were willing to lend, in fact banks were literally forcing people to take loans even if they didn’t need them. Credit cards were being issued to customers as long as there was weekly income coming into their account despite the fact these customers did not request for credit card. Home owners mortgaged their homes. A lot of people were encouraged to buy houses; incentive s were given to fist time buyers so as to motivate them. At the bust, the economy collapsed, companies started folding, people were made redundant, unemployment rose, banks started feeling the heat and government came to their rescue and bailed them out. A lot of money was pumped into real estate and prices of homes went up. As a result of banks’ lending money anyhow to people personal debts were rising faster than income and foreclosures everywhere. Banks stopped lending, and prices in the market dropped. The 2008 financial crisis was contagious spillover resulting from the United States subprime market. The cross-border processing was moving with great speed because of the close connections inside the financial set up and the powerfully organised supply chains in global product markets. Financial crisis of 2008 was contagious because we are now in a global market. There is evidence of significant increases in cross-market correlations in the more recent times. Global market, social media plays an effective roll, stock markets, single currency such as the Euro and the Eurozone, all trading at international level. What happens to one affects all. Conclusion Judging from a lot of the information surrounding the 2008 financial crisis and its causes, it was more like it happened mainly because of government oversight to supervise and monitor the financial experts and their institutions to constantly make sure they are in alignment with the regulatory systems is not appropriate; that seem to miss the whole point, but rather too many loans were issued on risky basis to unqualified customers that were not credit worthy, and the government fully aware of this encouraged and kept on pumping money into circulation for their political gain. The old ways of scrutinising applications for loans were abandoned by the lending institutions for a riskier method so that everyone get to live the American dream. Bibliography Angelides, P, Thomas, B (2011) The financial crisis inquiry report: Final report of the  National Commission on the causes of the financial and economic crisis in the  United States, Government Printing Office. Barton, D., Newell. R., Wilson, G. (2002) Dangerous markets: Managing in financial crisis  John Wiley Sons Publishers Buckley, A. (2011) financial crisis, context and consequences, Financial Times Prentice Hall Ciro, T (2013) the global financial crisis: Triggers, responses and aftermath  Ashgate Publishing limited Foster, J. B., Magdoff, F (2009) the great financial crisis: Causes and consequences  NYU Press Friedman, J (2011) what caused the financial crisis, University of Pennsylvania Press Goldstein, M (1998) The Asian financial crisis: Causes, cures, and systemic implications  Peterson Institute Gordon, G. B (2012) misunderstanding financial crisis: Why we don’t see them coming  Oxford University Press Kindleberger, C. P., Aliber, R. Z (2011) Manias, panics and crashes: A history of financial  Crisis, sixth edition, Palgrave Macmillan Publishers Kolb, R. (2010) lessons from the financial crisis: Causes, consequences and our economic  Future, John Wiley Sons Publishers Portes, R., and Swoboda, A. K. (1987) Threats to international financial stability  CUP Archive The Print Edition (Jan.17, 2009) the financial crisis, The Economist Woods, Jr. T. E (2009) Meltdown: A free-market look at why the stock market collapsed, the  Economy tanked, and the government bailout, Regnery Publishing.

Life in The Death of Ivan Ilyich Essay -- Tolstoy Death Ivan Ilych Ess

Life in The Death of Ivan Ilyich      Ã‚  Ã‚   In Leo Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich, the story begins with the death of the title character, Ivan Ilyich Golovin.   Ivan's closest friends discover his death in the obituary column in chapter one, but it is not until chapter two that we encounter our hero.   Despite this opening, while Ilyich is physically alive during most of the story's action he only becomes spiritually alive a few moments before his death.    The life of Ivan Ilyich, we are told, "had been most simple and most ordinary and therefore most terrible" (Tolstoy, Ch. 2).   In analyzing this description of Ivan's life, we see that Ivan has always done what is expected of him in the eyes of others (wife, co-workers, employers, etc.).   While Ivan believes his life has run easily, pleasantly, and decorously like it should, we see that in reality it is an unfulfilled life.   Ivan's closest associates are more worried about who will be next in line for promotion now that he is gone, and at his funeral they are more concerned over a bridge game than grieving for the loss of a friend, "The more intimate of Ivan Ilyich's acquaintances, his so-called friends, could not help thinking also that they would now have to fulfill the very tiresome demands of propriety by attending the funeral service and paying a visit of condolence to the widow" (Tolstoy Ch. 1).    Ivan's wife is also self-centered and exhibits great disdain for her husband, who she considers more of a nuisance and hassle than anything else.   Ivan's last days are spent in terrible physical agony, as he uncontrollably screams and moans in pain.   When Ivan's friends come to pay their respects to his widow, we see in her comments to them that she never reall... ...y view this as a Christian worldview, one that embraces the afterlife, I see it as a man looking forward to inevitable death because even if it came late he figured out a meaning to life.   In so doing he may not have had the opportunity to relive his life as no man does, but he found peace and fulfillment in his acceptance of his end.   Existentialism argues in the concept of the "eternal return" that an individual to be most fulfilled should live a life that, having to repeat it over identically for all eternity, would be a concept that would be embraced.   If Ivan had the chance to come back he would not enjoy living the same life over, but given another chance to build a new one he would surely construct one that is different.    WORKS   CITED   Tolstoy, L.   The Death of Ivan Ilyich.   Available: http://faculty.stcc.cc.tn.us/bmcclure/links2/ilyich.htm, 1886.

Fluke, or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX Picking the Lock to Davy Jones's Locker † ‘Bite me'?† Libby Quinn said, reading the tail. The whale tail slowly twisted in space, pixel by pixel, as the computer extrapolated the new angle. Margaret Painborne sat at the computer. Clay and Libby stood behind her. Kona was working across the room on Quinn's reassembled machine. † ‘Bite me'?† Clay repeated. â€Å"That can't be right.† He thought about what Nate had said about seeing a tail just like this and shivered. Margaret hit a few keys on the keyboard, then swiveled in Clay's chair. â€Å"This some kind of joke, Clay?† â€Å"Not mine. That was raw footage, Margaret.† As attractive as Clay found Libby, he found Margaret equally scary. Maybe the latter because of the former. It was complex. â€Å"The tail image before you shifted it is exactly what I saw when I was down there.† â€Å"You've all been saying how sophisticated their communication ability was,† said Kona, trying to sound scientific but essentially just pissing everyone off. â€Å"How?† said Libby. â€Å"Even if you wanted to, how would you paint a whale's flukes like that?† Margaret and Clay just shook their heads. â€Å"Rust-Oleum,† suggested Kona, and they all turned and glared at him. â€Å"Don't give me the stink-eye. You'd need the waterproof, huh?† â€Å"Did you finish inputting those pages?† Clay said. â€Å"Yah, mon.† â€Å"Well, save them and go rake something or mow something or something.† â€Å"Save as a binary,† Margaret added quickly, but Kona had already saved the file, and the screen was clear. Margaret wheeled her chair across the office, her gray hair trailing out behind her like the Flying Sorceress of Clerical Island. She pushed Kona aside. â€Å"Crap,† she said. â€Å"What?† asked Clay. â€Å"What?† asked Libby. â€Å"You said save it,† Kona said. â€Å"He saved it as an ASCII file, a text file, not a binary. Crap. I'll see if it's okay.† She opened the file, and text appeared on the screen. Her hand went to her mouth, and she sat back slowly in Clay's chair. â€Å"Oh, my God.† â€Å"What?† came the chorus. â€Å"Are you sure you put this in, just as it came off the graphs?† she asked Kona without looking at him. â€Å"Truth,† said Kona. â€Å"What?† said Libby and Clay. â€Å"This has got to be some sort of joke,† said Margaret. Clay and Libby ran across the room to look at the screen. â€Å"What!† â€Å"It's English,† Margaret said, pointing to the text. â€Å"How is that possible?† â€Å"That's not possible,† Libby said. â€Å"Kona, what did you do?† â€Å"Not me, I just typed ones and ohs.† Margaret grabbed one of the legal pages with the ones and ohs and began typing the numbers into a new file. When she had three lines, she saved it, then reopened the file as text. It read, WILL SCUTTLE SECOND BOAT TO__ â€Å"It can't be.† â€Å"It is.† Clay jumped into Margaret's lap and started scrolling through the text from Kona's transcription. â€Å"Look, it goes on for a while, then it's just gobbledygook, then it goes on some more.† Margaret looked back at Libby with Save me in her eyes. â€Å"There is no way that the song is carrying a message in English. Binary was a stretch, but I refuse to believe that humpbacks are using ASCII and English to communicate.† Libby looked over to Kona. â€Å"You guys took these off of Nate's tapes, exactly the way you showed me?† Kona nodded. â€Å"Kids, look at this,† Clay said. â€Å"These are all progress reports. Longitude and latitude, times, dates. There are instructions here to sink my boat. These fuckers sank my boat?† â€Å"What fuckers?† Margaret said. â€Å"A humpback with ‘Bite me' on his flukes?† She was trying to look around Clay's broad back. â€Å"If this were possible, then the navy would have been using it a long time ago.† Now Clay jumped up to face Kona. â€Å"What tape is this last part from?† â€Å"The last one Nate and Amy made, the day Nate drown. Why?† Clay sat back on Margaret's lap, looking stunned. He pointed to a line of text on the screen. They all leaned in to read: QUINN ON BOARD__WILL RENDEZVOUS WITH BLUE-6__AGREED COORDINATES__1600 TUESDAY__NO PASTRAMI â€Å"The sandwich,† Clay said ominously. Just then Clair, home from school, stepped into the office to discover an impromptu dog pile of action nerds in front of Quinn's computer. â€Å"All you bastards want to be part of a sandwich, and you don't even know what to do with one woman.† â€Å"Not the spoon!† squealed Kona, his hand going to the goose egg on his forehead. Nathan Quinn awoke feeling as if he needed to crawl out of his skin. If he hadn't felt it before, he would have thought he had the generic heebie-jeebies (scientifically speaking), but he recognized the feeling as being hit with heavy subsonic sound waves. The blue-whale ship was calling. Just because it was below the frequency of his hearing didn't mean it wasn't loud. Blue-whale calls could travel ten thousand miles, he assumed that the ship was putting out similar sounds. Nate slipped out of his bunk and nearly fell reaching for his shirt. Another thing he hadn't noticed immediately – the ship wasn't moving, and he still had his sea legs on. He dressed quickly and headed down the corridor to the bridge. There was a large console that spanned the area between the two whaley-boy pilots that hadn't been there before. Unlike the rest of the ship, it appeared to be man-made, metal and plastic. Sonar scopes, computers, equipment that Quinn didn't even recognize. Nuà ±ez and the blond woman, Jane, were standing at the sonar screens wearing headphones. Tim was seated beside one of the whaley boys at the center of the console in front of two monitors. Tim was wearing headphones and typing. The whaley boy appeared to be just watching. Nuà ±ez saw Nate come in, smiled, and motioned for him to come forward. These people were completely incompetent as captors, Nate thought. Not a measure of terror among them, the humans anyway. If not for the subsonic heebie-jeebies, he would have felt right at home. â€Å"Where did this come from?† The electronics looked incredibly crude next to the elegant organic design of the whale ship, the whaley boys, and, for that matter, the human crew. The idea of comparing designs between human-built devices and biological systems hadn't really occurred to Nate before because he'd been conditioned never to think of animals as designed. The whale ship was putting a deep dent in his Darwin. â€Å"These are our toys,† Nuà ±ez said. â€Å"The console stays below the floor unless we need to see it. Totally unnecessary for the whaley boys, since they have direct interface with the ship, but it makes us feel like we know what's going on.† â€Å"And they can't type for shit,† said Tim, tucking his thumbs under and making a slamming-the-keys gesture. â€Å"Tiny thumbs.† The whaley boy next to him trumpeted a raspberry all over Tim's monitor, leaving large dots of color magnified in the whaley spit. He chirped twice, and Tim nodded and typed into the computer. â€Å"Can they read?† Nate asked. â€Å"Read, kind of write, and most of them understand at least two human languages, although, as you probably noticed, they're not big talkers.† â€Å"No vocal cords,† said Nu;ez. â€Å"They have air chambers in their heads that produce the sounds they make, but they have a hard time forming the words.† â€Å"But they can talk. I've heard Em – I mean, them.† â€Å"Best that you just learn whaleyspeak. It's basically what they use to talk to each other, except they keep it in the range of our hearing. It's easier to learn if you've learned other tonal-sensitive languages like Navajo or Chinese.† â€Å"I'm afraid not,† Nate said. â€Å"So the ship is calling?† Tim pulled off his headphones and handed them to Nate. â€Å"The pitch is raised into our range. You'll be able to hear it through there.† Nate held a headphone to one ear. Now that he could hear the signal, he could also feel it start and stop more acutely in his chest. If anything, it relieved the discomfort, because he could hear it coming. â€Å"Is this a message?† â€Å"Yep,† said Jane, pulling up a headphone. â€Å"Just as you suspected. We type it in, the computer puts the message into peaks and troughs on the waveform, we play the waveform for the whaley boys, and they make the whale sing that waveform. We've calibrated it over the years.† Nate noticed that the whaley boy at the metal console had one hand in an organic socket fitted into the front of the console – like a flesh cable that ran to the whale ship through the console's base, similar to the ones on the flesh consoles the pilots used. â€Å"Why the computers and stuff at all if the whaley boys do it all by†¦ what? Instinct?† The whaley boy at the console grinned up at Nate, squeaked, then performed the international signal for a hand job. â€Å"It's the only way we can be in the loop,† Jane said. â€Å"Believe me, for a long time we were just along for the ride. The whaley boys have the same navigational sense that the whales themselves do. We don't understand it at all. It's some sort of magnetic vocabulary. It wasn't until the Dirts – that's you – developed computers and we got some people who could run them that we became part of the process. Now we can surface and pull a GPS coordinate, transmit it, communicate with the other crews. We have some idea of what we're doing.† â€Å"You said for a long time? How long?† Jane looked nervously at Nuà ±ez, who looked nervously back. Nate thought for a moment that they might have to dash off to the bathroom together, which in his experience was what women did right before they made any major decisions, like about which shoes to buy or whether or not they were ever going to sleep with him again. â€Å"A long time, Nate. We're not sure how long. Before computers, okay?† By which she meant she wasn't going to tell him and if he pressed it, she'd just lie to him. Nate suddenly felt more like a prisoner, and, as a prisoner, he felt as though his first obligation was to escape. He was sure that was your first obligation as a prisoner. He'd seen it in a movie. Although his earlier plan of leaping out the back orifice into the deep ocean now seemed a tad hasty, with some perspective. He said, â€Å"So how deep are we?† â€Å"We usually send at about two thousand feet. That puts us pretty squarely in the SOFAR channel, no matter where we are geographically.† The SOFAR channel (sound fixing and ranging) was a natural combination of pressure and temperature at certain depths that cause a path of least resistance in which sound could travel many thousands of miles. The theory had been that blues and humpbacks used it to communicate with each other over long distances for navigational purposes. Evidently whaley boys and the people who worked their ships did, too. â€Å"So does this signal replicate a natural blue-whale call?† â€Å"Yes,† said Tim. â€Å"That's one of the advantages of communicating in English within the waveform. When the whaley boys were doing the direct communication, there was a lot more variation in the call, but our signal is hidden, more or less. Except for a few busybodies who may run across it.† â€Å"Like me?† â€Å"Yes, like you. We're a little worried about some of the acoustic people at Woods Hole and Hatfield Marine Center in Oregon. People who spend way too much time looking at spectrograms of underwater sound.† â€Å"You realize,† said Nate, â€Å"that I might never have found out about your ships. I didn't make any sort of intuitive leap to look at a binary signal in the call. It was a stoned kid who came up with that.† â€Å"Yeah,† said Jane. â€Å"If it makes you feel any better, you can blame him for your being here. We were on hold until you started to look in the signal for binary. That's when they called you in, so to speak.† Nate sincerely wished he could blame Kona, but since it appeared that he might never see civilization again, having someone to blame didn't seem particularly pertinent right now. Besides, the kid had been right. â€Å"How'd you know? I didn't exactly put out a press release.† â€Å"We have ways,† said Nuà ±ez, trying not to sound spooky but failing. This evidently amused the whaley boy at the console and the two pilots no end, and they nearly wheezed themselves out of their seats. â€Å"Oh, fuck you guys,† said Nuà ±ez. â€Å"It's not like you guys are a bunch of geniuses.† â€Å"And you guys were the nightwalkers that Tako Man was talking about,† Nate said to the pilots. â€Å"You guys sank Clay's boat.† The pilots raised their arms over their heads in a menacing scary-monster pose, then bared their teeth and made some fake growling noises, then collapsed into what Nate was starting to think of as whale giggles. The whaley boy at the console started clapping and laughing as well. â€Å"Franklin! We're not done here. Can we get the interface back?† Franklin, obviously the whaley boy who had been working the console, slumped and put his hand back in the socket. â€Å"Sorry,† came a tiny voice from his blowhole. â€Å"Bitch,† came another tiny voice from one of the pilots, followed by whaley snickering. â€Å"Let's send one more time. I want base to know we'll be there in the morning,† Nuà ±ez said. â€Å"Morale's not a problem, then?† asked Nate, grinning at Nuà ±ez's loss of temper. â€Å"Oh, they're like fucking children,† Nuà ±ez said. â€Å"They're like dolphins: You dump them in the middle of the ocean with a red ball and they'll just play all day long, stopping only long enough to eat and screw. I'm telling you, it's like baby-sitting a bunch of horny toddlers.† Franklin squeaked and clicked a response, and this time Tim and Jane joined in the laughter with the whaley boys. â€Å"What? What?† asked Nate. â€Å"I do not just need to get laid!† shouted Nuà ±ez. â€Å"Jane, you got this?† â€Å"Sure,† said the blonde. â€Å"I'm going to quarters.† She left the bridge to the snickering of the whaley boys. Tim looked back at Nate and nodded toward the sonar screen and headset that Nuà ±ez had vacated. â€Å"Want to stand in?† â€Å"I'm a prisoner,† said Nate. â€Å"Yeah, but in a nice way,† said Jane. That was true. Everyone since he'd come on board had been very kind to him, seeing to his every need, even some he didn't want seen to. He didn't feel like a prisoner. Nate wasn't sure that he wasn't experiencing the Helsinki syndrome, where you sympathized with your captors – or was that the Stockholm syndrome? Yeah, the Helsinki syndrome had something to do with hair loss. It was definitely the Stockholm syndrome. He stepped up to the sonar screen and put on the headset. Immediately he heard the distant song of a humpback. He looked at Tim, who raised his eyebrows as if to say, See. â€Å"So tell me,† Nate said, â€Å"what's the singing mean?† It was worth a shot. â€Å"We were just going to ask you,† said Jane. â€Å"Swell,† said Nate. Suddenly he didn't feel so well. After all this, even people who traveled inside whales didn't know what the song meant? â€Å"Are you all right, Nate?† Jane asked. â€Å"You don't look so good.† â€Å"I think I have Stockholm syndrome.† â€Å"Don't be silly,† said Tim. â€Å"You've got plenty of hair.† â€Å"You want some Pepto?† asked Jane, the ship's doctor. Yes, he thought, escape would seem a priority. He was pretty sure that if he didn't get away, he was going to snap and kill some folks, or at least be incredibly stern with them. Funny, he thought, how your priorities could change with circumstances. You go along for the greater part of your life thinking you want something – to understand the humpback song, for instance. So you pursue that with dogged single-mindedness at the expense of everything else in your life, only to be distracted into thinking maybe you want something in addition to that – Amy, for instance. And that becomes a diversion up until the time when circumstances make you realize what it is you really want, and that is – strangely enough – to get the fuck out of a whale. Funny, Nate thought. â€Å"Settle down, Kona,† Clair said, dropping her purse by the door, â€Å"I don't have a spoon.† Clay jumped off Margaret's lap. He and Kona watched as Clair crossed the room and exchanged hugs with Margaret and Libby, lingering a bit while hugging Libby and winking over her shoulder at Clay. â€Å"So nice to see you guys,† Clair said. â€Å"I'm not going out to get the pizza, mon. No way,† said Kona, still looking a bit terrified. â€Å"What are you guys doing?† Clair asked. And so Margaret took it upon herself to explain what they had discovered over the last few hours, with Kona filling in the pertinent and personal details. Meanwhile, Clay sat down in the kitchen and pondered the facts. Pondering, he felt, was called for. Pondering is a little like considering and a little like thinking, but looser. To ponder, one must let the facts roll around the rim of the mind's roulette wheel, coming to settle in whichever slot they feel pulled to. Margaret and Libby were scientists, used to jamming their facts into the appropriate slots as quickly as possible, and Kona†¦ well, a thought rolling around in his mind was rather like a tennis ball in a coffee can – it was just a little too fuzzy to make any impact – and Clair was just catching up. No, the pondering fell to Clay, and he sipped a dark beer from a sweating bottle on a high stool in the kitchen and waited for the roulette ball to fall. Which it did, right about the time that Margaret Painborne was reaching a conclusion to her story. â€Å"This obviously has something to do with defense,† Margaret said. â€Å"No one else would have a reason – hell, they can't even have a good reason. But I say we write our senators tonight and confront Captain Tarwater in the morning. He's got to know something about it.† â€Å"And that's where you're completely wrong,† Clay said. And they all turned. â€Å"I've been pondering this† – here he paused for impact – â€Å"and it occurs to me that two of our friends disappeared right about the time they found out about this stuff. And that everything from the break-in to the sinking of my boat† – and here he paused for a moment of silence – â€Å"has had something to do with someone not wanting us to know this stuff. So I think it would be reckless of us to run around trying to tell everybody what we know before we know what we know is.† â€Å"That can't be right,† said Libby. † ‘Before we know what we know is'?† quoted Margaret. â€Å"No, that's not right.† â€Å"Is making perfect sense to me,† said Kona. â€Å"No, Clay,† said Clair, â€Å"I'm fine with you and the girl-on-girl action, and I'm fine with a haole Rasta boy preaching sovereignty, but I'm telling you I won't stand for that kind of grammatical abuse. I am a schoolteacher, after all.† â€Å"We can't tell anyone!† Clay screamed. â€Å"Better,† said Clair. â€Å"No need to shout,† Libby said. â€Å"Margaret was just being a radical hippie reactionist feminist lesbian communist cetacean biologist, weren't you, dear?† Libby Quinn grinned at her partner. â€Å"I'll have an acronym for that in a second,† mumbled Clair, counting off words on her fingers. â€Å"Jeez, your business card must be the size of a throw rug.† Margaret glared at Libby, then turned to Clay. â€Å"You really think we could be in danger?† â€Å"Seems that way. Look, I know we wouldn't know this without your help, but I just don't want anyone hurt. We may already be in trouble.† â€Å"We can keep it quiet if you feel that's the way to go,† said Libby, making the decision for the pair, â€Å"but I think in the meantime we need to look at a lot more audio files – see how far back this goes. Figure out why sometimes it's just noise and sometimes it's a message.† Margaret was furiously braiding and unbraiding her hair and staring blankly into the air in front of her as she thought. â€Å"They must use the whale song as camouflage so enemy submarines don't detect the communication. We need more data. Recordings from other populations of humpbacks, out of American waters. Just to see how far they've gone with this thing.† â€Å"And we need to look at blue-, fin-, and sei-whale calls,† said Libby. â€Å"If they're using subsonic, then it only makes sense that they'll imitate the big whales. I'll call Chris Wolf at Oregon State tomorrow. He monitors the navy's old sonar matrix that they set up to catch Russian submarines. He'll have recordings of everything we need.† â€Å"No,† said Clay. â€Å"No one outside this room.† â€Å"Come on, Clay. You're being paranoid.† â€Å"Say that again, Libby. He monitors whose old sonar matrix? The military still keeps a hand in on that SOSUS array.† â€Å"So you think it is military?† Clay shook his head. â€Å"I don't know. I'm damned if I can think of a reason the navy would paint ‘Bite me' on the tail of a whale. I just know that people who find out about this stuff disappear, and someone sent a message saying that Nate was safe after we all thought he was dead.† â€Å"So what are you going to do?† â€Å"Find him,† Clay said. â€Å"Well, that's going to totally screw up the funeral,† said Clair. PART THREE The Source We are built as gene machines and cultured as meme machines, but we have the power to turn against our creators. We, alone on earth, can rebel against the tyranny of selfish replicators. – RICHARD DAWKINS, The Selfish Gene Ninety-five percent of all the species that have ever existed are now extinct, so don't look so goddamn smug. – GERARD RYDER