Swot Analysis and Retail Industry Essay - 3468 Words

Table of Contents Introduction 2 PEST analysis of the world 2 Political analysis 2 Economic analysis 2 Social analysis 3 Technological analysis 3 Industry 3 Competitors 4 Issue that caused Woolworth decline and new opportunity 6 SWOT Analysis 7 Strengths 7 Weaknesses 8 Opportunity 8 Threats 9 Issue that caused Woolworth decline and new opportunity 9 Recommendation of new strategies 10 Conclusion 11 References 12 Introduction Woolworths was first opened in Sydney (Datamonitor, pr 1). The company deals with the sale of electronic goods, general merchandise, liquor (Safeway liquor) as well as grocery. One of the major challenges that face the company is competition. This is because the supermarket†¦show more content†¦Facebook have more 800 million users in the world. People can get some free advertisement simply though Facebook’s â€Å"Like† and â€Å"Share†, it is a good way to promo their goods, also people do not have to spend money on it. So, this is the free promotion for the goods and the effective strategy to expand their product to the world. (K.O. Hara, 2011) Industry The retail industry of Australia is a major catalyst to the economy of the country. Additionally, it is the barometer to the economic health of future growth prospects of the country. The function of this industry is to serve as an intermediary for the producers and offer the services that complement its sales (Smith 33-50). The Gross Domestic Product growth of the industry has also been so strong making the total growth in the industry to be 7,850 million US dollars. The industry has 3,760 businesses, which run 4,340 establishments. The major players in the industry include Woolworths Limited, Coles, Franklins, IGA and the Audi. It is apparent that the industry until now has presented relatively high-to-high attractiveness for the players in the industry (Smith, pp. 33-50). This is due to the high barriers to entry as well as the weak bargaining power of the buyers and suppliers making the profitability very high especially for Woolworths the company in question. Nevertheless, the future environmental changes are set to change the attractiveness of the industry to moderate. This means that evenShow MoreRelatedStrategic Management and Pestle Analysis1710 Words   |  7 PagesEconomic Reforms has smoothened the path for them? 3 . Trusting your organization to grow and develop in a haphazard fashion is taking a large chance on the future. This is the fundamental reason for doing strategic planning.  Discuss the role of SWOT analysis in strategic planning. 4 . How has Internet helped in the evolution of World as a Global Village? 5 . Discuss the Strategic Initiative by Mr.Ratan Tata of Launching ‘Nano’, which suggests the cost leadership approach adopted by Tata. 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Mankind Is Dramatically Transformed By Warfare, Which Evokes

Mankind is dramatically transformed by warfare, which evokes the virtues presumed fit during a time of peace. Man’s love for his culture has driven them to savagery throughout history. By using civilization as a motive for war, Muslims and Christians alike were deemed as hypocritical. They challenged the idea that warfare was only intended for self-defense. Christians and Muslims misinterpreted their sources of authority and used holy writings as a strategy to justify their moral preconceptions and barbarity. They fought without a being terrorized and used spiritual counsel to cover over their actions. The contradictory behavior of Christians and Muslims have shown their belief systems in a new light, explained what was considered lawful†¦show more content†¦They made sure to take into the account the many teachings established in it. The Muslims had Muhammad. Likewise, Christians followed in the way of God’s son Jesus Christ. First Peter 1 verse 2 stated, â⠂¬Å"According to the foreknowledge of the God the Father, with sanctification by the spirit, for the purpose of being obedient and sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ: May undeserved kindness and peace be increased to you.† Jesus Christ’s role was described in 2 Corinthians 10 verse 5. It stated, â€Å"For we are overturning reasonings and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are bringing every thought into captivity to make it obedient to Christ.† Christian followers were obligated to obey Jesus as their Prophet in order to obtain a relationship with their God. With such sacred books of wisdom, why would Christians and Muslims choose to participate in war and what did the holy guides count as lawful in those situations? Muslims and Christians had corresponding beliefs when it came to the use of warfare. First, they believed that one of the ways to declare war was if they were commanded by the authority of the sovereign. Augustine of Hippo, a Christian Leader, discussed whether and when a Christian could rightly engage in a war. Augustine stated, â€Å"The real evils in war are love of violence, revengeful cruelty, fierce and implacable enmity, wild resistance, and the lustShow MoreRelatedGp Essay Mainpoints24643 Words   |  99 Pagesamount of information Mainstream + New: Take advantage of the Internet AND integration †¢ E.g. STOMP, newspaper readers invited to post news and pictures that they have uncovered, every week myPaper has a column specifically dedicated to STOMP, in which the column lists the top 10 newsworthy stories posted on the site †¢ Mainstream media embrace the Internet as an alternative platform to share news reports with their readers †¢ Respond to growing demand for less lag time in relaying informationRead MoreOrganisational Theory230255 Words   |  922 Pageswith a wealth of organizational concepts and theories as well as provides insightful examples from the practical world of organizations. The authors’ sound scholarship and transparent style of writing set the book apart, making it an ingenious read which invites reflexivity, criticalness and plurality of opinion from the audience. This is a book that will become a classic in organization studies. Mihaela L. Kelemen, Professor of Management Studies, Keele University, UK An unusually rich and deep philosophicalRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 PagesEffective Empowerment and Delegation 485 Scoring Key 485 Comparison Data 485 Personal Empowerment 485 Scoring Key 485 Comparison Data 486 SKILL PRACTICE Deciding to Delegate: Analysis of â€Å"An Emergency Request† SKILL PRACTICE Analysis of â€Å"Biological W arfare† 487 486 9 BUILDING EFFECTIVE TEAMS AND TEAMWORK 489 SKILL ASSESSMENT 490 Diagnostic Surveys for Building Effective Teams 490 Team Development Behaviors 490 Diagnosing the Need for Team Building 491 SKILL LEARNING 493 Developing TeamsRead MoreExploring Corporate Strategy - Case164366 Words   |  658 Pages 22/10/2007 11:54 Page 599 Guide to using the case studies The main text of this book includes 87 short illustrations and 15 case examples which have been chosen to enlarge speciï ¬ c issues in the text and/or provide practical examples of how business and public sector organisations are managing strategic issues. The case studies which follow allow the reader to extend this linking of theory and practice further by analysing the strategic issues of speciï ¬ c organisations in much greater

Medication Used In the Mental Health-Free-Samples for Students

Question: Discuss about the Medication used in the Mental health and addictions. Answer: Introduction The aim of the assignment is to discuss the medication used in the mental health and addictions. In this assignment, different types of medications are discussed. It includes antipsychotic medications, antidepressants medication, mood stabilizers, Anti-anxiety (anxiolytic) medication, medications for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Medications for Substitution Treatment, and the medications used in the management of Withdrawal. For each of the medication, the role in the treatment of the specified issue, the potential side effects and other adverse reactions that may occur when taking the medicines are discussed. Antipsychotic medications Antipsychotic medications are used to change the chemistry of the brain and help in reducing psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, issues in thinking and delusions. Examples are Zyprexa (olanzapine) and Apo-Olanzapine (olanzapine). In this examples, Zyprexa is the brand name of the drug and olanzapine is the generic name of the drug which is the active ingredient of the medicine. In the second example, Apo-Olanzapine is the brand name and olanzapine is the generic name (Olfson, King, Schoenbaum, 2015).Antipsychotic medications work by changing the level of chemicals present in the brain that are known as neurotransmitters. These chemicals help in carrying the messages present in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which is majorly targeted by antipsychotics. Antipsychotics reduce the hallucinations and delusions by changing the levels of chemicals and also help in improving the mood and reduce the level of anxiety. Several Antipsychotics such as clozaril( clozapine), Latu da( lurasidone) are also used to treat bipolar disorders. These drugs improve the manic episodes in a quick manner and reduce the impulsive and aggressive behaviors of the patients. They also regulate the functioning of the circuits present in the brain and change the mood, perception and behavior (Drug, 2015). There are several side-effects of using antipsychotic medications which may differ from person to person. These include gain of weight, drowsiness, drying or watering of mouth, dizziness, stiffness of muscles, nausea and constipation. Adverse reactions of antipsychotics may lead increase in the level of cholesterols in the blood and increase the risk of diabetes (Olfson, King, Schoenbaum, 2015). It may also lead to restlessness and pain or irregular menstruation in females. Antidepressants medication Antidepressants are used to cure the symptoms of depression and are used by several individuals to improve their psychosocial health. They work in order to reduce the symptoms of depression, anxiety, sadness and low self esteem. They are also used to treat anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorder, chronic pain etc .Examples of antidepressants are Adapin (doxepin) in which brand name is Adapin and Generic name is doxepin and the other example is Aplenzin (bupropion) (Fox, Kaye, Liu, 2015). These medicines work by affecting the chemicals present in the brain called as neurotransmitters mainly serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. They relieve patients from depressive symptoms by affecting the levels of neurotransmitters. There are different types of antidepressants such as atypical antidepressants which include razodone, mirtazapine, tricyclic antidepressants include imipramine, doxepin etc (Caron, Gether, 2016). There are several side effects of depression such as gain of weight, increase in appetite and dryness in mouth. They may also lead to emotional issues, restlessness, mania, confusion, lack of sleep and agitated behavior in individuals. They are considered safe for pregnant women during pregnancy and when they are breast feeding. There are several antidepressants which may lead to side effects when an individual is suffering from any physical and mental health condition. For example, bupropion (Wellbutrin) plays a significant role in reducing the symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression. Adverse effects of using antidepressants may result in suicidal thoughts and behavior in young individuals especially those who are under the age group of 25 (Bet, Hugtenburg Penninx, Hoogendijk, 2013). Mood Stabilizers Mood stabilizers are referred as psychiatric pharmaceutical drug that are used in the treatment of mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and shifts in the mood. They help in suppressing the swings between depression and mania and in the treatment of borderline personality disorder and schizoaffective disorder. For example, lithium is considered as one of the most important mood stabilizer and it was the first drug to be approved by the US FDA. Anticonvulsants are also considered as mood stabilizers. Examples of valproic acid ( Depakine) and valproate semisodium (Depakote). Valproic acid is the trade name and depakote is the generic name. Similarly, valproate semisodium is the trade name and Depakote is the generic name (Chiu, Wang, Hansberger, Chuang, 2013). Omega-3 fatty acids are also mood stabilizers that lead to an improvement in the mood and reduce the depressive symptoms of mood disorder. Lithium works by inhibiting the enzyme GSK-3B. Anticonvulsants work by blocking the voltage- gated sodium channels by affecting the glutamate system of brain. Benzodiazepine is used in the treatment of bipolar symptoms in individuals who face issues while sleeping (Vardi, Warner, Philip, 2014). There are several side-effects of mood stabilizers such as valproic acid can lead to irritation in the stomach. Carbamazepine can lead to a reduction in the number of white blood cells. Mood stabilizers and anticonvulsants like valproate, carbamazine and lamotrigine may lead to a deficiency in folate , thus leading to depression. Mood stabilizers and anticonvulsants work by interfering with the absorption of folic acid and the formation of L-methylfolate (Kales, Gitlin, Lyketsos, 2015). Anti-anxiety (anxiolytic) medication An anxiolytic medicine is used to lower down anxiety levels in individuals and reduces the physical and psychological symptoms. Light therapy is also found to have anxiolytic effect. They are known to have a tranquilizer effect and are called as minor tranquilizers. Benzodiazepines and barbiturates also lead to anxiogenic effects such as sedation if they are used for a longer duration of time. Examples of anti- anxiety medicines include Alprazolam (Xanax) and Bromazepam (Lectopam, Lexotan). Alprazolam is a trade name of the drug and Xanax is the generic name of the drug. Bromazepam is the trade name of the drug and Lectopam is the generic name (Hanley Mintzes, 2014). Benzodiazepines play a significant role in leading to a short term and long term relief when individuals are suffering from severe anxiety. Carbamates also lead to sedative effects and lead to relaxation in the muscles. Antihistamines also possess anxiolytic properties and provide relief during tension and anxiety. Hydrxyzine is an effective antihistamine and is as effective as benzodiazepines in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Opioids are also used as medicaments that play a crucial role in reducing pain, depressive symptoms, obsessive compulsive disorder, and other health issues that occur due to anxiety (Muse, Stahl, 2017). There are several side effects of anti-anxiety (anxiolytic) medication such as they may result in dizziness or drowsiness in individuals. They may also result in reduced blood pressure and rate of breathing, issues in memory and concentration. If these drugs are used for a longer duration of time it may lead to addiction. The adverse effects of these drugs may lead to an increase in the dependency resulting in coma and the death of individuals (Burger, 2016). Medications for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder There are several medicines that are used in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder which involves symptoms such as attention problems, impulsive nature of individuals, and aggressive behavior. Examples of these drugs include Clonidine ( Kapvay ) and guanfacine ( (Intuniv ). In this example Clonidine is the trade name of the drug and Kapvay is the generic name. Similarly guanfacine is the trade name of the drug and Intuniv is the generic name of the drug. There are other examples such as adderall and amphetamine which play a vital role in reducing impulsive behavior and hyperactive behavior in individuals. Stimaulant medicines are majorly used in the treatment of ADHD in individuals belonging to all age groups (Barkley, 2014).They lead to a quick response in the behavior of patients and improve the symptoms in around 70 individuals out of 100. Atomexetine is also used as a non stimulant medicine that is widely used for children, teenage individuals and adults as we ll. There are several side effects of the medicines that are used in the treatment of ADHD such as stimulant medicines can lead to slow growth and development in children. They may also lead to addiction in children which may lead to adverse conditions. Adverse reactions of these drugs may lead to stomach pain, irritation, decrease in appetite and a lack of sleep. There are several stimulants, which may lead to heart problems and irregular blood pressure in individuals (Burger, 2016). Medications for Substitution Treatment There are different types of medicines that are used as substitution treatment of opiates such as heroin. Opioid substitution therapy helps in supplying several medicines such as methadone or buprenorphine which are given orally to individuals in order to reduce the dependence of opiate. There are different types of substitution therapy programs are been conducted to lower down the number of deaths from the overuse of drugs and risk behaviors due to HIV infection. These therapies are used to cure the chronic health conditions in patients as well. Examples are suboxone( methadone) in which suboxone is the trade name of the drug and methadone is the generic name (Martin, Hickman, Hutchinson, Goldberg, Vickerman, 2013).There is a drug known as subutex (buprenorphine) which is also used in opiod substitution therapy in which subutex is the trade name and buprenorphine is the generic name of the drug. These drugs help in reducing the withdrawal symptoms in individuals who are addicted to different types of narcotic drugs. There are several side effects of these drugs such as they may lead to cardiovascular diseases especially when they are taken along with alcohol or other medicines. They may also lead to slow rate of breathing and drowsiness in individuals. Adverse reactions of methadone may lead to severe headache along with pain in the chest, dizziness and ultimately death (Bond, Lader, 2016). Medications used in the management of Withdrawal There are several medicines that are being used in the management of withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, seizures, restlessness, depressive symptoms and tremors. These symptoms occur by the use of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, benzodiazepines and alcohol. Examples are suboxone( methadone) in which suboxone is the trade name of the drug and methadone is the generic name. There is a drug known as subutex (buprenorphine) which is also used in opiod substitution therapy in which subutex is the trade name and buprenorphine is the generic name of the drug (Gowing, Farrell, Ali, White, 2014). They are being used in the detoxification and dependency of opioid and act as opioid agonists by activating the opioid receptors present in the brain.They remain effective for a longer period of time and help in reducing the withdrawal symptoms due to addiction of drugs. There are several side effects of drugs that are used in the treatment of withdrawal symptoms such as muscle pain, anxiety, fatigue, loss of appetite, and mood swings. Adverse reactions of suboxone (methadone) may lead to severe dizziness, irregular breathing events, changes in the mood such as confused state of mind, hallucinations and agitation. It may also lead to difficulty in waking up and irregular heart beat in individuals (Schuckit, 2014). Buprenorphine may lead to an increase in the effect of drugs that cause drowsiness. Conclusion Hence, it can be concluded that these medications are being used widely in the treatment of different psychosocial issues such as depressive symptoms, anxiety, and aggressive behavior. The assignment has helped in gaining deep insight into the side effects of different medication and role that is played by them in addiction and mental health. References Bet, P. M., Hugtenburg, J. G., Penninx, B. W., Hoogendijk, W. J. (2013). Side effects of antidepressants during long-term use in a naturalistic setting.European neuropsychopharmacology,vol. 23(11), pp. 1443-1451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2013.05.001 Bond, A., Lader, M. (2016). Benzodiazepines: A Discussion of Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Effects.The SAGE Handbook of Drug Alcohol Studies: Biological Approaches, pp. 162. Retrived from: https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=enlr=id=Hd00DQAAQBAJoi=fndpg=PA162dq=Benzodiazepines:+A+Discussion+of+Pharmacokinetic+and+Pharmacodynamic+Effects.+The+SAGE+Handbook+of+Drug+%26+Alcohol+Studies:+Biological+Approaches,ots=JsWTqb7Qrcsig=gNbBsaEFytf1CbYxTiNt8CtpqGw#v=onepageq=Benzodiazepines%3A%20A%20Discussion%20of%20Pharmacokinetic%20and%20Pharmacodynamic%20Effects.%20The%20SAGE%20Handbook%20of%20Drug%20%26%20Alcohol%20Studies%3A%20Biological%20Approaches%2Cf=false Burger, J., 2016. Side Effects of Medications and Mitigation Strategies.Intimacy Post-Injury: Combat Trauma and Sexual Health, pp.87. Retrieved from: https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=enlr=id=pdooDQAAQBAJoi=fndpg=PA87dq=Side+Effects+of+Medications+and+Mitigation+Strategies.+Intimacy+Post-Injury:+Combat+Trauma+and+Sexual+Health,ots=NaHXco5r7Nsig=s1iBEoDjXdVcUblWH4xtIUrr6KE#v=onepageq=Side%20Effects%20of%20Medications%20and%20Mitigation%20Strategies.%20Intimacy%20Post Injury%3A%20Combat%20Trauma%20and%20Sexual%20Health%2Cf=false Caron, M. G., Gether, U. (2016). Antidepressants at work.Nature,vol. 532(7599), pp. 320-322.Retrived from: https://go.galegroup.com/ps/anonymous?id=GALE%7CA450362987sid=googleScholarv=2.1it=rlinkaccess=fulltextissn=00280836p=AONEsw=wauthCount=1isAnonymousEntry=true Chiu, C. T., Wang, Z., Hunsberger, J. G., Chuang, D. M. (2013). Therapeutic potential of mood stabilizers lithium and valproic acid: beyond bipolar disorder.Pharmacological reviews,vol. 65(1), pp. 105-142. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/pr.111.005512 Drug, A. A. (2015). 8 Olanzapine (Zyprexa).Top Drugs: History, Pharmacology, Syntheses, pp. 138. Retrieved from: https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=enlr=id=Dq3fCQAAQBAJoi=fndpg=PA138dq=8+Olanzapine+(Zyprexa).+Top+Drugs:+History,+Pharmacology,+Synthesis,ots=mMfaQeoPAesig=wfNSk3kKAvjk6WzZ8ROsjjmpcWo#v=onepageq=8%20Olanzapine%20(Zyprexa).%20Top%20Drugs%3A%20History%2C%20Pharmacology%2C%20Synthesis%2Cf=false Fox, C., Kaye, A. D., Liu, H. (2015). Psychopharmacologic Agents and Psychiatric Drug Considerations. InEssentials of Pharmacology for Anesthesia, Pain Medicine, and Critical Care(pp. 581-594). Springer New York. Retrieved from: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4614-8948-1_36 Gowing, L., Farrell, M. F., Ali, R., White, J. M. (2014). Alpha2-adrenergic agonists for the management of opioid withdrawal.Cochrane Database Syst Rev,3. DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD002024.pub4 Hanley, G. E., Mintzes, B. (2014). Patterns of psychotropic medicine use in pregnancy in the United States from 2006 to 2011 among women with private insurance.BMC pregnancy and childbirth,vol. 14(1), pp. 242. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-14-242 Kales, H. C., Gitlin, L. N., Lyketsos, C. G. (2015). Assessment and management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.bmj,vol. 350(7), pp. 369. Retrieved from: https://www.bmj.com/bmj/section-pdf/917839?path=/bmj/350/8003/Clinical_Review.full.pdf Martin, N. K., Hickman, M., Hutchinson, S. J., Goldberg, D. J., Vickerman, P. (2013). Combination interventions to prevent HCV transmission among people who inject drugs: modeling the impact of antiviral treatment, needle and syringe programs, and opiate substitution therapy.Clinical Infectious Diseases,vol. 57(suppl_2), pp. 39-45. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/cit296 Muse, M. D., Stahl, S. M. (2017). Anxiety Disorders: Evidence-Based Integrated Biopsychosocial Treatment.Cognitive Behavioral Psychopharmacology: The Clinical Practice of Evidence-Based Biopsychosocial Integration, pp. 107. Retrieved from: https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=enlr=id=1To2DwAAQBAJoi=fndpg=PA107dq=Anxiety+Disorders:+EvidenceBased+Integrated+Biopsychosocial+Treatment.+Cognitive+Behavioral+Psychopharmacology:+ots=j2qklGsxkpsig=A2wiYjlt5ubdC5TKhHJEOGX4CaM#v=onepageq=Anxiety%20Disorders%3A%20EvidenceBased%20Integrated%20Biopsychosocial%20Treatment.%20Cognitive%20Behavioral%20Psychopharmacology%3Af=false Olfson, M., King, M., Schoenbaum, M. (2015). Treatment of young people with antipsychotic medications in the United States.JAMA psychiatry,vol. 72(9), pp. 867-874. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.0500 Schuckit, M. A. (2014). Recognition and management of withdrawal delirium (delirium tremens).New England Journal of Medicine,vol. 371(22), pp. 2109-2113. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra1407298 Vardi, K., Warner, J. L., Philip, N. S. (2014). Effects of antidepressant use and anxiety on psychiatric rehospitalization in bipolar depression.Annals of Clinical Psychiatry,vol. 26(3), pp. 207-216. Retrieved frm: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/fmc/acp/2014/00000026/00000003/art00008

Robinson Crusoe Essays (603 words) - English-language Films

Robinson Crusoe Robinson Crusoe The book Robinson Crusoe is an adventure story about a man who becomes trapped on a desolate island. Crusoe must survive through the harshest of conditions, and attempt to keep his sanity in tact. Throughout the book Crusoe questions his own faith in god time and time again, but never giving up hope for the best. The book begins with a man who has a dream of taking over the seas, but is told he can never achieve this goal. Crusoe eventually finds himself in trouble, when he becomes captive on a ship. He beats the odds, though, and escapes from captivity. He later attempts to build a sugar plantation in Brazil, and goes to Africa to get slaves for his plantation. On his way to Africa Crusoe becomes the sole survivor of a shipwreck, and washes up on shore. He accepts the fact that he may be there quite a while, and builds himself a home and tries to stay alive in this strange land. Although, he never loses sight of his goal, which is to get off the island, he does question his faith in god. Crusoe does not lose faith entirely, however, for at one point in the novel he becomes quite ill, and begins to read the Bible day and night. Although at other times he searches his soul for many questions; Why did god put me on this island? or What is going to happen next? Crusoe kept track of his life by writing in his journal, his only companion that is until he encounters signs of life. Theres only one problem; these men are cannibals. Some of them are held captive, and are grateful to Crusoe for saving them. The men decide to build themselves a makeshift raft. This comes in handy, for the shipwrecked men, when they spot a ship off the coastline. It turns out to be a mutinous ship. Crusoe and his companions fight back against the revolting crewm embers and defeat them. To show his gratitude, the ships captain agrees to bring them home. After his fifteen-year vacation from civilization, Crusoe comes back to find a pleasant surprise. It turns out that his cash crops have made him a small fortune, and he soon becomes married. During the remainder of his life, Crusoe musters the strength to take a final voyage to the islands he once dwelled. This is a book, not just of survival of the fittest, but of humanity and faith. This book has an underlying message about how to treat people. In the beginning Crusoe is held as a slave, yet he still became a wealthy plantation owner. I think that the author of this novel sent out a message that is one of the most common rules of edicate and of morality: treat others the way you would like to be treated. This is a simple lesson, but is an important life lesson. The author also taught a good survival and life lesson, which is to never give up hope. When faced by adversity, you should never roll over and die, but instead, attempt to overcome it. This is a book with many great lessons to teach. It is a wonderful book for anyone who likes adventure or even for someone who doesnt like adventure. This book is very open-ended, and kept me guessing the entire time, although I do urge strong caution, once you pick it up you wont want to put it down. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading. English Essays

Std Prevention Essays - Midwifery, RTT, Prevention Of HIVAIDS

Std Prevention Essays - Midwifery, RTT, Prevention Of HIVAIDS Std Prevention Abstinence And STD Prevention Todays world is full of worries and problems which did not affect teens a generation ago. New problems keep appearing in todays world, such as STDs, increased pregnancy rates, and other factors facing teens who choose to have sex. Emotionally and physically teens and getting less developed before having sex and are not prepared for the serious problems which come along with their decision to have sex. No longer is it a matter which will just go away if we ignore it, but teen health and the health of our society depend on choices which todays teens make regarding sex. With so many diseases and problems facing todays world, abstinence is the only way to protect ourselves. Abstinence is a safe choice in preventing the possibility of pregnancy. One-tenth of young women between the ages of 15 and 19 get pregnant every year, 83 percent of these pregnancies are unwanted or unplanned. Half of the unmarried teens who get pregnant do so within six months of their first sexual experience. In fact, between 1986 and 1990, teen childbearing increased by 16 percent. Whats worse, pregnant teenagers often dont see a doctor until the time of delivery. Another serious problem surrounding teen sexual intercourse is the probability of AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Each year, three million teens are infected with STDs. Among 14- to 20-year-olds, chlamydia is the most common. It has no obvious symptoms, and can cause infertility if left untreated. Another common disease is herpes, which causes sores and painful swelling of the genitals. Its symptoms can be managed, but not cured. Fifteen percent of all teenage girls carry the virus that causes genital warts, another common STD. Gonorrhea, not uncommon in teens, is known to cause pelvic pain, discharge, and painful urination. It may leave its victims sterile. Perhaps even more serious is the disease Syphilis, which killed famous mobster Al Capone. It causes sores, rashes, brain and organ damage, and death. It can also harm an unborn child. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a growing danger, and is by far the most serious sexually transmitted disease. AIDS is the sixth leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds. Cases among teens have grown 62 percent in the past two years, and the number of teens with AIDS doubles every 14 months. A fifth of all AIDS victims in this country today are in their twenties, and since the disease takes two to ten years to develop, those victims contracted it in their teenage years. Even scarier is that, according to a study of 19 universities, one in 500 college students may carry the AIDS virus. With these frightening statistics, it's easy to see why many teens are choosing not to have sex. Many bold teenagers think they can totally avoid pregnancy and STDs by using various forms of contraceptives. However, while it does lessen the chances of disease and unwanted pregnancy, birth control is not always dependable. Although sex my bring appeal to our generation, the best way to prevent teen pregnancy and STDs is by practicing abstinence. Hopefully before any more people are infected by some of these deadly diseases, kids will get the idea that being safe and practicing abstinence is the best way to go.

The Basics of Mammalian Temperature Regulation

The Basics of Mammalian Temperature Regulation Do you find it surprising that reindeer, which spend much of their time standing in snow, dont get cold feet? Or that dolphins, whose thin flippers are gliding constantly through cool water, still manage to pursue very active lifestyles? A special circulatory adaptation known as countercurrent heat exchange enables both of these animals to maintain the appropriate body temperature in their extremities, and this is only one of the many clever adaptations mammals have evolved over the last hundred million years to help them to deal with variable temperatures. Mammals Are Endothermic All mammals are endothermic- that is, they maintain and regulate their own body temperature, no matter the external conditions. (Cold-blooded vertebrates, like snakes and turtles, are ectothermic.) Living in widespread environments around the world, mammals face daily and seasonal fluctuations in temperatures and some- for example, those indigenous to harsh arctic or tropical habitats- have to deal with extreme cold or heat. To maintain their correct internal body temperature, mammals must have a way to produce and conserve body heat in colder temperatures, as well as dissipate excess body heat in warmer temperatures. The mechanisms mammals have for producing heat include cellular metabolism, circulatory adaptations,  and plain, old-fashioned shivering. Cellular metabolism is the chemical process that constantly occurs within cells, by which organic molecules are broken down and harvested for their internal energy; this process releases heat and warms the body. Circulatory adaptations, such as the countercurrent heat exchange mentioned above, transfer heat from the core of the animals body (its heart and lungs) to its periphery via specially designed networks of blood vessels. Shivering, which youve probably done some of yourself, is easiest to explain: this crude process generates heat by the rapid contraction and shaking of muscles.   If An Animal Gets Too Warm What if an animal is too warm, rather than too cold? In temperate and tropical climates, excess body heat can accumulate quickly and cause life-threatening problems. One of natures solutions is to place blood circulation very near the surface of the skin, which helps to release heat into the environment. Another is the moisture produced by sweat glands or respiratory surfaces, which evaporates in comparatively dryer air and cools the animal down. Unfortunately, evaporative cooling is less effective in dry climates, where water is rare and water loss can be a real problem. In such situations, mammals, like reptiles, often seek protection from the sun during the hotter daylight hours and resume their activity at night. The evolution of warm-blooded metabolisms in mammals wasnt a straightforward affair, as witness the fact that many dinosaurs were apparently warm-blooded, some contemporary mammals (including a species of goat) actually have something akin to cold-blooded metabolisms, and even one type of fish generates its own internal body heat.

Did the sophists deserve their bad reputation Essay

Did the sophists deserve their bad reputation - Essay Example Plato himself seemed to hold them in low esteem. Aristotle denigrated them for their lack of interest in pure knowledge. Later, self-professed Sophists seemed to pervert the basic tenets of the movement for personal gain. Because these itinerate teachers made money off what many perceived as deception and devaluation, the Sophist's reputation has been viewed with distrust and scorn. Even today, their full contribution is not understood. The question is, "Did the Sophists deserve their bad reputation" The answer lies in the examination of several areas. First, the emergence of the Sophists threatened the status quo and the reigning aristocracy. Because the word itself means clever, people were instantly suspicious of someone who might be too tricky or too smart, especially the wealthy and ruling classes. Because they were teachers that received fees for their educational services, the traditional Greeks were afraid that the lessons taught might conflict with their definition of virtuous and necessary education. They did, in a way. The idea of teaching virtue, for money, incensed the people of the time. They felt that the education of young men to be of wise judgment and upstanding character should be left to the church, not to traveling teachers who expected to be paid! Already the occupations of these mysterious travelers cause suspicion and anger among the people who had become very stable in their beliefs. Another area of teaching that ... Yet, the Sophists also claimed to be great rhetoricians with a flair for disagreeing with current thought and encouraging cynicism in others. While the rhetoric of the senators had always been in supporting what is right and virtuous for individuals and societies, the Sophists were implying that rhetoric could be employed for any purpose, even those that were antithetical to common belief.. People were highly disturbed to realize that someone could use rhetoric to convince them of something untrue. After all, the Sophists were gaining a following of young men who were drawn to their ideas. Basically, the Sophists forced the question "What is right" into the wide open public sphere. Instead of just accepting that right and virtue are always obvious and will always prevail, people could not avoid the new interpretations offered by the Sophists. Those that stood the most to lose, the wealthy and powerful, cried out against the heresy, but those that had little to lose could afford to listen with interest. The revolutionary new teachings spanned education, religion, politics and ethics, challenging the established beliefs held for centuries. This belief purported that people act in certain ways because that is how they ought to act. This prescribed action was based upon the will of the god or gods, or upon some other moral order. People generally believed that these moral tenets were a fixed and unchanging part of nature itself. The Sophists interjected that morals and ethics were not fixed by nature at all but were a dynamic part of society; codes of behaviors changed by the views of society. This conventionality meant that some people, some societies, might believe

Introduction to Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Introduction to Economics - Essay Example This relationship can be illustrated graphically using demand curves. As such, this essay seeks to describe the differences between shifts in demand and movements along the demand curve. It also seeks to explain the factors which can shift the demand curve and why they cause the demand curve to shift. Basically, a demand curve is a curve that shows that the number of units the market will buy in a given period at different prices that might be charged (Kotler &Armstrong, 2004). This curve is downward sloping graph and change in the demand curve can be in the form of movement along the demand curve and shift in the demand curve. Price variable is the main factor that determines the demand of a particular good or service (Benassy, 1988). Thus, the law of demand states that the higher the price, the lower the demand of the goods. This means that few people will buy products that have a high price and more people will be willing to buy products if the price is low. As a result, when pric e changes, there will be movement along the demand curve as illustrated in Figure 1 below. ... For instance, at point C, the quantity of products (Q3) demanded is high because the price (P1) is low. On the other hand, the quantity of products demanded (Q1) is lower because the price (P1) is higher. It can therefore be said that there is a strong relationship between the price of the product and its demand. As such, the movement along the demand curve can be downwards or upwards. According to (Graves & Sexton, 2006), a change in a demand shifting variable such as income will result in a parallel shift in the demand curve. A shift in the demand curve is mainly caused by the other non price variables such as income as well as changing tastes among the consumers. This means that the demand of a particular product can shift even if the price remains the same. For instance, if the income for consumers who buy food from fast food restaurants increase, there will also likely to be a shift in demand given that the majority of them will now be able to afford the food offered. In this ca se, the demand curve will shift to the right which shows that there has been an increase in demand even though the price remains the same. If their income decreases, then the demand curve will shift to the right. Changing consumer tastes can also cause a shift in the demand curve. For instance, regardless of the price, the demand of smart phones is growing considerably during the current period given that the customers seek to derive valuable benefits from the products offered. Smart phones have multimedia functions that are desired by the customers. The demand curve shifts to the right. Figure 2 below illustrates the shift in the demand curve for beer. Figure 2 Source: http://www.investopedia.com/university/economics/economics3.asp In this graph, it can be seen that

Irans Misty Wonders Essay Example for Free

Irans Misty Wonders Essay In Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi, both the movie and the book were able to portray the main idea of Marjane Satrapi Marjis life. The main idea being for us to look at how Marji evolved into a grown women with struggles along the way. Throughout both we were able to clearly understand what a difficult childhood she lived and we were able to get a sense of what her life was like back then. Like in many cases, the book informed us of every detail possible in order to get a clearer message across. When it came to the movie, it lacked many details that were included in the book and if you would not have read the book it would cause you to be confused and lost. There are a couple scenes in the movie that seem to just happen, there was no type of development or leading actions involved. There was a specific scene in the movie where Marji and her mother walk past a conversation that her father and neighbors are having, the female neighbor seems to have some type of scar in her cheek but we are not sure what it is and if it even matters. If we take a look at the book we see that the scene is different. Marji and her family briefly talk with their neighbors, a husband and wife, and the husband tells her father â€Å"Look! A bullet almost hit my wife’s cheek,† (44). This was a piece of information that could and should have been briefly added because it gives us a bigger picture of how dangerous their lives were during the revolution. This would only help us, the viewers, have a bigger reaction to the plot. Another example that comes to mind was the absence of certain characters. The family’s maid, Mehri, as well as Marjis good friend, is never mentioned in the movie. This was an important factor because throughout an incident that is described in the book we are able to learn the big issues with social class and in the movie it is something that we miss out on since it is not mentioned at all. The incident was that Mehri falls in love with the neighbor’s son and once Marjis father knows of this he tells Hossein, the neighbors son, that she is a maid therefore Hossein decided to stop seeing her. Marjis Father explains to Marji, â€Å"You must understand that their love was impossible.  Because in this country you must stay withi n your own social class, (37). Many of the characters are also lacked full description, for instance, Mohsen, and Anoosh. From the movie all we hear about Mohsen is that he is found drowned in a bath tub and it leaves many unanswered questions such as why did it happen and who was he. In the book we know that he visited the Satrapi family the same day that Siamak visits but that is never portrayed in the movie. When it comes to Anoosh, in the movie towards the end of the story he is telling Marji, she asks if he has any family, and ends the conversation. On the other hand, in the book he tells Marji â€Å"†¦I married and had two children, two girls†¦Ã¢â‚¬  And we are also able to learn that his marriage did not turn out very well. Although, there were many details missing in the movie that were included in the book, I do not think that it takes away the intention of the book. A message is clearly stated throughout the movie as well as the book. In both resources we are able to see how the main character grows up and how her surroundings, and everything she has experienced, influence the person she became. In my personal opinion I feel as if the book was more appealing than the movie. The movie was short and brief and got to the main points of the story and was still able to get a message across. I feel as if the book was more detailed which made the plot clearer. Every character was described perfectly and every scene made sense and fell into place with the other scenes, so that they could all make sense. The details that are included in the book make the story bring more emotion to the reader for the fact that everything is explained, even the smallest details. The visual style for the movie was the same as the book, both were comics. The movie is all cartoons, which is something that I found interesting. I feel that making it into a cartoon was a smart decision because it makes it so simple and easy to follow. I enjoyed the fact that I was able to understand the movie very well, although it was in French, because many of the scenes were similar to the book. In the end, I think both the book and movie were enjoyable. What helped was that I had read the novel, before watching the movie. The lack of details and description of characters could have easily confused someone. On the bright side, a message was still able to get across through both sources.

Web Filters are Not the Solution Essay -- Critical Thinking Essays

Web Filters are Not the Solution The scene is perfectly clear in my mind. Twelve years old and just home from an overnight stay with a friend, I walked in the door with a Sex Pistols patch on my backpack, a clip-on earring in my ear, and a cherry Kool-Aid dye job. The initial looks of shock and horror on the faces of my parents were priceless - that is until they opened their mouths. I was grounded for a month, forbidden to stay overnight at any friends house for the rest of the year, and told that any music I bought would have to be screened by my parents first. In the age of the Apple IIe and long before MP3s ever existed, my parents knew - or at least believed - that such a policy would give them control over what music I heard. They were wrong. Adolescents, by nature, are resourceful and cunning, and I was no exception. Within days, I had arranged an elaborate system of shadow purchases and smuggling to ensure that the punk rock well from which I had started drinking would never run dry. To be certain, todays determined parent wou...

Darden case study Essay

1. Using the full spectrum of segmentation variables, describe how Darden segments and targets the sit-down dining market. The types of segmentation include geographic, demographic, psychographic, and behavioral segmentation. For geographic segmentation, Darden has all of its Longhorn Steakhouse restaurants in the eastern half of the United States but they are trying to expand to the west coast. This is a great idea because out west is an untapped market with great potential for lots of earnings. Darden has a chance to redefine the image of steakhouses as is currently being done like the classiness that is being added to the brand. The customer traffic is increasing and Longhorn Steakhouse could potentially even overtake Outback Steakhouse as the premier steakhouse type of restaurant. For demographic segmentation, Red Lobster represents the opportunity Darden has to fill the gap between the young fast food concept and the upscale white-tablecloth restaurants. Red lobster is even making many changes to accommodate for the changing times around America which is causing sales to fall. With innovative concepts such as wood fired grilling resulting in a â€Å"taste of wood-grilled seafood† and investments in equipment and training, Darden is putting itself back in the spotlight to becoming recognized and respected. You can also never go wrong with fried shrimp so Red Lobster will always have that marketing card to play. The Psychographic segmentation is shown by how people want to feel positive emotions when they go out to restaurants such as the concept of a happy family and namely the mythical Italian family. Customers want to feel emotionally satisfied as much as they want to be physically satisfied by the food. Creating an authentic menu hits close to home because people get that warm and happy feeling when they see the authenticity. Even Olive Garden’s commercial â€Å"When you’re here, you’re family† and slogan show the feelings of connection that Americans want to feel and would be willing to come in for. Behavioral segmentation is shown in how less frequently Americans want to sit down at restaurants to eat their meals. With all of our financial constraints we are choosing different and more cost effective ways to eat out and have a good time with the family. Darden needs to use more cost effective ways to lower the meal prices so that family’s will once again be willing to eat out at a sit down restaurant on a regular basis.

Memory †The mysterious phenomenon

Memory, a phenomenon which has been bewildering scientists and philosophers is san entity that needs to be analyzed very carefully for finding out the truth behind it. Going deep in to the subject, memory comes under a prominent branch of neuroscience called the cognitive neuroscience. The basic factors that lead to the phenomenon of memory are reception of information, processing, storage and recollection. There are various factors that affect each of these processes. Based on this memory is broadly classified in to three heads. They are: 1) long-term memory 2) short-term memory and 3) sensory memory Long-term memory Long term memory refers to those memories that are stored in the brain for a considerably prolonged period of time with out any loss. Here when an idea is stored in long-term memory, the information is stored in a semantically encoded format. As a result of this it is easier for us to remember a telephone number by virtue of repeating the same but it is difficult to memorize a random ten digit number. For the later case the encoding format is acoustic and hence the information is stored in short-term memory. Baddeley, the great researcher on human memory has found out that when given a test to recollect words uttered was given to a group of respondents the result was that people failed to recall words with same meanings like small, tiny, minute etc.. Short-term memory This is a much more volatile memory that stores information just for a period of several seconds to few minutes with out memorizing it by heart. George A. Miller, held various demonstrations and the conclusion was that the storage capacity of short -term memory was just 7  ± 2 entities (he presented a paper entitled â€Å"The magical number 7 ±2†). In the present day the projected capability of short-term memory is still less. But hen the same group of words or letters, for an example is presented in different order, greater are the chances for recollecting it. For example it is difficult to recollect the string FBIUNOASDFUS But when the same string is presented as below, greater chances re there for anyone to recollect it FBI UNO ASDF US. In the first combination of letters the information was lying stray with no order to memorise, whereas in the second one, they have an opportunity to memorise it as bits which could be identified to something that they know. Short-term memory relies on the phonemes and the acoustic symbols for retaining information. Visual codes are rarely converted to short-term memory. Conrad a renowned researcher on human memory found out that the subjects of his experiments had difficulty in identifying and recollecting acoustically confusing phonemes and words like he, ghee, bee, see, etc.. Sensory memory This kind of memory refers to the memory that is retained in the receivers mind for about 200 to 500 milliseconds, once the information is acquired. Hence this is highly volatile and short-life memory. Sensory Memory can be identified as the ability to identify the specific features of an item, let it be a sound or an object by virtue of an observation of the same for a fraction of a second. George Sperling is the pioneer to conduct experiments on Sensory Memory. Respondents were provided with a set of 12 letters, which were made into 3 rows of four each. After completing a small introduction, the candidates were then made to hear either a high, medium or low pitch tone, providing them info regarding which of the rows to report. On the base of this experiments, Sperling demonstrated that the range of sensory memory was about 12 items, but also found that it degenerated at a much more faster pace (it only had the life span of a few milliseconds and hence highly momentary). The main negative part of this kind of memory is that any sort of rehearsals do no not enhance the longevity. What is memory? Present day neuroscience and scientists are with the stream of thought that memory is a group of neural connections which are encoded so as to retrieve for future references. This sort of memory encoding may happen in different parts of the brain. Thus, a network of neural communication is likely to link various parts of the brain. The strength of the memory depends up on the strength of the neural connections. Recollection or calling back of any bit of memory can happen whenever a positive stimulus that trigger the particular part of the networked neural connections. As a result of this, when a part of the brain gets damaged, the neural network present there and obviously the memories associated with the particular neural connections is lost for ever. Why do we forget things? Forgetting can better be explained as an inability to keep memories secure. This is a condition when ideas and images perceived are either lost in full or part. The reasons for forgetting are many. The prominent factors that lead to forgetting include. 1. Poor encoding (this is why we forget dreams that we see while asleep. Encoding refers to converting the sounds, visuals, taste, smell tc. To corresponding chemical / neurological codes); 2. Unavailability of a retrieval mechanism (if there is no proper stimuli to trigger the memory, the information remains dormant); 3. Time factor : when a recent incident happens, the older data are sometimes wiped off from memory (We tend to forget exact dates of our vehicle insurance, when you have some 5 cars and 4 cruisers! ); 4. Continuous similar experiences (You may have memories of the first instance when you visited London, but if you fly London Every year, you many not remember when you landed for the fifth time! ) The Chemistry of memory! The human brain is a highly complicated organ with more than 20 billion nerve cells (neurons), about 150 trillion nerve connecters or synapses; an average of 7500 synapses per neuron within the brain, anyway, some neurons may have as many as 900,000 as well. Due to repair and safety from glial cells that protects the neurons, some nerve cells will be alive till the organism cease to live, however, it is calculated that about 85,000 neurons wear out everyday in the brain. The most prominent doubt regarding memory is the place / location where it is being stored. It was in 1960’s that the theory of Long-Term Potentiation (L. T. P) and it counter theory called opposite Long Term Depression came in to existence as molecularmemory postulates. Long-term potentiation refers to the reinforcement of neuron relations through elevating synaptic ion movements. In all connections of neurons there exists a synapse through which chemical neurotransmitters moves unhindered from the axonates and axons of the transmitting cell to the dendrites of the corresponding receiver cell. Neuro-transmitters like acetylcholine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, serotonin, norepinephrine function in free flow of complex electrical signals between nerve cells, muscle cells and sensory cells. Where as in the mean time, inside the cell, the protein pumps located in the cell membrane and channels frequently retains a constantresting potential of – 70 m V by virtue of moving sodium cations on the outer part of the cell against a specific gradient. Presence of neurotransmitter into a receiver neuron located in the membrane part of a post-synaptic dendrite triggers and starts de-polarization of the specific membrane by the influence of calcium and sodium ions, this again results in the building of voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels to unlock, permitting rapid flow of calcium and sodium ions, this is then followed by the inflow of potassium ions . as a result of this ion flow, depolarization happens once again to + 40 m V. As a result of this continuous process, â€Å"action potential† rapidly happens in the cell membrane to the axon , axonates and the pre-synaptic cleft, thus repeating this each and every time the signal reaches a neuron. Once the action potential has completed, the voltage gated channels close by themselves, and the potassium and sodium pumps makes the cell membrane to return to their original potential. All these happens in milliseconds, thus permitting multiple contradictory signals in swift momentum.. Memory Disorders The branch of Human psychology and neurology is the basis for the diagnosis and treatment of many of the known memory disorders. In general the loss or degeneration of memory is termed as amnesia. Amnesia is of different categories. Analysing it can reveal the various forms of it and helps in the proper treatment as well. Many neuron related conditions like Alzheimer's disease may also result in full or partial memory loss. Hyperthymesia, also called hyperthymesic syndrome, is a serious memory disorder which has adverse effect on retention of personal memory. Some sort of memory loss can be symptom of hypothyroidism a severe medical condition. Increasing oxygen supply to the brain, is considered as one among the foremost techniques to improve memory. This can be achieved by doing exercises like swimming, bicycle riding, gymnastics etc.. Tips to improve memory Many factors to improve memory was furnished by the report published by ‘The International Longevity Center’ in the year 2001 (pages 14-16) The study recommends to stick to the following to improve memory stay intellectually active through learning, training or reading, keep physically active so as to make blood circulation in the brain more active, socialize, reduce stress to the maximum possible extend, observe regular sleep timings, avoid depression or emotional strain and good nutrition.

Aboriginal Dreaming Is Aboriginal Spirituality essays

Aboriginal Dreaming Is Aboriginal Spirituality essays For approximately 65 Thousand years, the Australian Aborigines have been and had a culture, giving them the longest cultural background in the history of the world. This culture was and is the centre of the Aboriginal religion, spirit, soul and life, The Dreaming. The Dreaming can be and is defined as the past, the present and the future of the Aboriginal people of Australia as it relates to the story of Creation, the lives of the present Aboriginal generation and the prospective generations of Aboriginal people. The story of Creation of the whole earth, the shape of the land. Every creek, cliff and crevice have invisible vibrations that make apparent the history of every area, place and land, these unseen vibrations leave behind a residue or remnant, jiva or guniwari, that is forever in the earth and land, this is what the Aborigines call The Dreaming, the sacredness of the entire earth and Aboriginal people. Aboriginal spirituality takes shape in many forms. The Dreaming, the original and still present Aboriginal spirituality and religion, consists of stories and tales of creation and important figures of Aboriginal history. Dreaming is not only experienced and believed in by individuals but also as a community based spirit, it was given it's reverence and power by the Ancestors that performed the rituals that accompany it, such as songs, stories and symbols. The main religious rituals are concerned with the renewal and conservation of life, embracing the life force that humans are involved with that we are bonded with through body, soul and spirit, giving us inspiration. The land has a major connection with the Aboriginal people and The Dreaming is reflected through it specially. The land is not just what we live off, it's not just it's components for cultivation, it is the entire environment. It is the land on which we live, the water we consume, the sun, moon and stars, the life around us and the air we breathe, they are ...

3 Facts About Truckers That Overcome Stereotypes

3 Facts About Truckers That Overcome Stereotypes There are over 3.5 million truckers on the road, representing and incredibly diverse workforce. But there are a lot of pesky stereotypes that don’t necessarily reflect the people doing America’s driving. Here are a few things you should know about  truckers.  1. They showerThanks to companies like Flying J, Pilot, TA, and Petro, showers are now easily available on the road. Flying J and Pilot even have a special rewards program, called â€Å"Shower Power,† which gives one free shower daily with every 500 gallons of diesel- which is nothing in trucker tank terms. A decade ago, this wasn’t the case, but today’s trucker is actually incentivized to fuel up and stay squeaky clean.  RELATED:  9 Celebrities Who Used to be Truck Drivers 2. They’re dedicatedIf every U.S. trucker were to go on strike, even for one day, America would come to a complete halt. Some truckers get home every day and others don’t  for months at a time, but ei ther way: a trucker takes his or her job very seriously. Otherwise, our country’s goods would not be transported or delivered so efficiently.  3. They drive safelyThe trucking industry- and its drivers- are highly regulated. Most trucks are equipped with radar to prevent tailgating. Every year there are more and more laws governing truckers on the road, which makes them some of the safest drivers out there. Plus, though they may be driving for work, most truckers consider their work a joy- a new view every day, and the romance of the open road.The next time you see a trucker on the highway, try to give him the benefit of the doubt. He’s just like you: trying to do his job and get home safely.The Truth About Trucker Stereotypes

Personal Development Plan (PDP) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Personal Development Plan (PDP) - Essay Example â€Å"A primary school teacher teaches children between the ages of 3 and 11 years† (Ahmed, 2010, para. 1). It is one of the core responsibilities of the primary teachers to do proper grooming of the children of the above-mentioned age. For this purpose, primary teachers apply their learned skills and knowledge in the behavioral and mental grooming of the children. Primary teachers make use of informal and friendly teaching methods to make the pupil learn (Hayes, 2009, p. 16). Primary school is the first place for parents or teachers who seek some kind of information related to teaching. Primary teachers educate the children the importance of getting good grades. The age of 6 to 12 is a very crucial age for the children and if they become aware of the importance of good grades at this point of time, they excel in their future by trying to achieve good grades in higher classes. Another responsibility of primary teachers is to create awareness among the children about the importance of good behavior. Teachers make the students know how they should deal with their friends and family members. They also teach them what are good behaviors and what characteristics make a person acceptable in a society. To enter into the profession of primary teaching, a person must possess some basic skills and knowledge. A primary teacher needs to have knowledge about different learning and teaching styles that he can use to teach the students. The people interested in the profession of primary teaching need to show the evidence of interpersonal abilities and leadership skills. â€Å"Teacher leadership is an inseparable part of a teachers daily life† (Can, 2010, para. 2). A primary teacher must be able to communicate effectively with both the students and the parents. He should have understanding of different stages of child development and the behaviors associated with those development

Immigration and unemployment in canada Term Paper

Immigration and unemployment in canada - Term Paper Example he above figure shows that although Canada has been accommodating immigrants since the late 19th century, yet the number has drastically increased after the mid of the 20th century, specifically in the last two decades. (www.immigrationwatchcanada.org, 200-) mentioned in the same report that recent surveys have discovered that over 2 millions of Canadians are unemployed. The point of consideration is â€Å"if the increasing number of immigrants has influenced the number of employment opportunities for the native Canadians.† There are various factors that play their role in linking immigration and employment status in Canada. Canada is spread on a large piece of land, naturally enriched with natural resources. On the contrary, the low fertility rate of Canadian natives is not compatible with the number of workers required for the establishment and development of industries needed to make use of Canada’s natural resources for the well-being of the country. It is this characteristic feature of the Canadian culture that necessitates the influx of immigrants to overcome the deficiency of skilled workers in order to ensure economic growth and development of the country. This, undoubtedly ma y cause an apparent job-deficit for the native Canadians, yet the practice is likely to bear fruitful results in the long run as a result of a development in the industries followed by increased GDPs in the years to come. Also, the benefits of immigration outweigh the harms it may cause to the native Canadians in that the development in business results in increased facilities in no time and a better life-style for the Canadians to enjoy. Besides, Canadian policies tend to eliminate fears of economic drawback on the part of the native Canadians by creating a difference between the wages of a native and an immigrant working parallel to each other in terms of skill and position. Canadian policies tend to adopt a biased approach when setting wages in favor of the natives, who get higher

Gender & Sexual Studies. Joan Acker-Class Question, Feminist Answers Assignment

Gender & Sexual Studies. Joan Acker-Class Question, Feminist Answers - Assignment Example Acker uses the term to describe the general position of women and how the society has come to accept and practice the dictates of hegemonic masculinity which is an extension of the patriarchal leanings. In the book, Acker talks of the general imbalance of men and women in senior position and privileged positions within our corporations. She explains that this is no way a reflection of education but representative of hegemonic masculinity. In practice, the term implies that our society is still laden with gendered inequality. This prompts questions and effort on how such inequality can be addressed to achieve a balanced society that does not judge on gender but on ability. Beyond the book, the term can be used in creating awareness on how gender biasness has created a chasm in our society. Question 2-Means of provisioning Acker constantly uses the term provisioning to describe the activities that people engage in, mostly informal, to be able to cater for their basic needs. She cites a ctivities such as babysitting as a means of provisioning. In a wider scope, and in relation to the economy, means of provisioning appears to refer to all activities that hold the capacity to provide a means of livelihood for members of various classes within an economy. An example of how she uses the term is in her efforts to define class; in this instance she cites â€Å"class as a differing and unequal situation in access to and control over the means of provisioning and survival† (Acker 55). The term implies a struggle between classes, an effort to compete for the limited economic means which are largely beneficial in ensuring livelihood. Question 3-Corporate Nonresponsibility In Acker’s view, corporate nonresponsiblity represents a situation where modern day corporations pass on certain responsibilities, mainly survival and caring work, to households. This places greater responsibility to women who are in essence home keepers. Through corporate nonresponsibility, o rganizations relay responsibility from centers of wealth and power to those with little resources. In a large scope, Acker uses this term to bring into perspective the role of wealth centers, mainly corporations, in compounding the culture of class suppression and gender biasness. This is because these centers refuse to take on responsibilities that would otherwise grant women a favorable chance in competing for opportunities in the corporate world. In the book, Acker uses the term severally, but perhaps one situation where she draws on a practical illustration is when she notes Wal-Mart as an example of corporate nonresponsibility. She notes the corporation as a â€Å"prime example of corporate nonresponsibility mainly by turning workers into lowest cost, easily replaceable, factors of production† (Acker, 162). Question 4-Unpaid Labor/reproductive labor Unpaid labor or reproductive labor is brought to the fore in an attempt to describe the value and contribution of women to a capitalist economy. In essence, it represents labor that is actually not compensated but one that has value to the economy. An example of unpaid labor is domestic labor. In her larger argument, Acker appears to â€Å"monetize† this class of labor and also brings into perspective the idea that women are basically the victims of unpaid labor. In this context, she appears to link unpaid labor and the unfortunate position of women whose efforts are not duly compensated and whose position is majorly determined by the men they support. An example of how

Towards A Self Sufficient Prison Model Criminology Essay

Towards A Self Sufficient Prison Model Criminology Essay The cost of arresting and sentencing an offender has been calculated at $150,000, with every year spent in prison costing an additional $90,000 (Prison Fellowship New Zealand, 2012). In New Zealand there are over 8,000 prisoners incarcerated, the cost of housing inmates therefore totalling up to a substantial bill for the Government and taxpayers alike. Despite the millions of dollars being infiltrated into the correctional system, recidivism rates are still relatively high, with 44 % of people being released from prison, reoffending and being re-imprisoned within a three year period (Department of Corrections, 2009). Such figures are not unique to New Zealand, with the likes of the United States and United Kingdom facing larger overheads with similarly dissatisfying results in reducing reoffending. Quite contrastingly, in Nordic countries even an imperfect comparison suggests reoffending appears far less of a problem, with the overall reoffending rate over a two year period varying from the lowest in Norway at 20% to the highest in Sweden with 30% (Kristofferson, 2010). Due to variation in measuring methods between countries, caution must be taken in comparing these figures, but that aside one other possible explanation for lower reoffending rates in Nordic countries is the progressive and unique correctional methods which have been implemented there. Centred on openness, personal growth and ecology, the common aim is not to overtly punish but to focus on the rehabilitative needs of prisoners. Inspired by the particular success of Norways self-sufficing prison Bastoy and with the goal of uncovering an alternative to the traditional closed and costly prison regimes, this paper will examine the concept of self-sufficient prisons. An investigation will be made into the history of prisons which have done or still do operate under a self-sufficient ethos and an analysis of the consequential benefits and/or potential disadvantages will be carried out. Throughout the paper in-depth consideration will also be given to any relationship which research has found to exist between a prison based on self-sufficient ideals and rehabilitation. Furthermore, in weighing up the findings reached from this investigation, the viability of self-sufficient prisons realistically operating in New Zealand will be explored and any possible limitations which could hinder their success will be acknowledged. Self-sufficient prison model When confronted with the phrase self-sufficient prison, several different interpretations can be drawn as to what exactly this entails. Firstly, from an economic perspective the term self-sufficient prison represents a prison which operates with the primary goal of counteracting its running costs and even generating profits through inmate labour and production. A prison encapsulating this understanding often runs similarly to a traditional closed prison but inmates participate in working during their sentences, rather than simply idly passing the time away in cells. An example of this type of self-sufficiency can be seen at Louisiana State Penitentiary(Angola). Formed in 1835, this prison was based around the concept of inmates working and in 1880 an 8,000 acre plantation was bought to fulfil this ideal. Today, it is the biggest maximum security prison in the United States, it also has been designed on self-sufficient principles, being said to function as a small community with a can ning factory, a dairy, a mail system, a small ranch, repair shops, and a sugar mill. Colloquially known as the farm, it is situated on 18,000 acres, with approximately 5000 inmates whom work to produce enough food to support over 11,000 people throughout five different prisons in the State. The resources which come from the land are used for the benefit of inmates and benefit the community. Prison warden Bruce Cain describes the prison today by stating we all work together. Were all one. Our resources are their resources. (Auzenne Williams, 2010, p.1). Another way to interpret prison self-sufficiency is to understand it as an environment where prisoners have the opportunity provide for themselves, within the compound of a supportive correctional facility. Although still attempting to offset financial costs, the focus of such a prison is on achieving a community like existence where inmates have an element of independence, enabling them to cook, clean, work and essentially be self-sufficient. In unison with the prisoners self-sufficiency the prison would operate sustainably through adopting environmentally friendly practices which are in harmony with nature, impacting as little possible on its surrounds. This would involve energy efficient strategies being implemented such as the use of solar panels to provide hot water and heating, water conservation, reductions in transportation fuel use and high efficiency lightning and appliances. As well as that, recycling, composting and waste reduction would be of focus. Ultimately this under standing of the phrase self-sufficient prison, can be defined as a correctional facility which seeks to reduce the human, environmental and economic costs of prison. Currently, there is only one real example of a prison operating completely in line with this understanding of prison self-sufficiency. Located in Norway, on an island in the Oslo Fiord is Bastoy prison. Designed to operate as a small self-sufficient community this prison encompasses the spirit and meaning of self-sufficiency to the fullest. It not only has one of the lowest reoffending rates in the world at 16%, but is also the most cost efficient prison in the whole of Norway (Sutter, 2012). Housing up to 115 inmates, numerous buildings spread over a rural landscape and just as in any other community there is shop, library, information office, health services, church, school, NAV (government social services), dock and ferry service all located within the prison, for the inmates use. Each day inmates at Bastoy work between the hours of 8.30 am and 3.00 pm in one of various different work units, including ; the agricultural sector, the greenhouses, the forestry unit , seed and grass p roduction, the kitchen, the shop, the maintenance unit, on the fishing boat or running the ferry. (Bastoy Prison, 2012). The work they do not only allows the prison to run self-sufficiently and earn the inmates a small wage, but it also fulfils their daily existence. Bastoy instils a sense of community, reality and independence, three aspects which are key to the rehabilitation of inmates. Other aspects which separate Bastoy from traditionally run prisons and contribute to its self-sufficient existence include an absence of intimidation and scare mongering from guards, whom are unarmed and do not wear uniforms. Instead, guards are thoroughly trained to safely and purposefully interact with prisoners and just as the prisoners do, they become part of the Bastoy community. The prison is also committed to being environmentally sustainable. It is run under human-ecological values, farming is ecological, the prison handles most of its own rubbish, there is a constant focus on minimizing CO2-emissions and the buildings are heated from solar panels or the wood they grow and process themselves (Bastoy Prison, 2012). The current Governor of the prison is extremely dedicated to the self-sufficient methods instilled on the island, even living there himself. His passion is demonstrated in this quote where he states; The prison is self-sustaining and as green as possible in terms of recycling, solar panels and using horses instead of cars. It means that the inmates have plenty to do and plenty of contact with nature the farm animals, wildlife, the fresh air and sea. We try to teach inmates that they are part of their environment and that if you harm nature or your fellow man it comes back to you (Prison Governor, Arne Kvernvik Nilsen quoted in Hernu, 2011). Some would say these are words of a man completely deranged. His views and methods of running a prison are the polar opposite to the traditional closed, harsh and costly regimes so commonly seen throughout westernised society. Regardless of opinion, one significant factor remains, this prison is working, in all sense of the meaning. History of self-sufficiency and prisons In 1787 Jeremy Bentham called for prisons to become mills for grinding rogues honest and idle men industrious (Reynolds, 1996). He was not alone in this way of thinking and across the United States incarceration came to be more and more industrious as prisons realised the value of the workforce they had at their disposal. In 1797, Newgate prison opened in New York City and successfully it recouped nearly all of its expenses during the first five years of the operation through prisoner production. The Auburn system named after another New York prison producing superior economic results, dominated U.S. prison culture from 1823. The basis of the Auburn system was to confine prisoners at night but have them come together and work during the day (Reynolds, 1996). For centuries the American prison system sought to function self-sufficiently and according to research conducted by Lyons (2012) the existence of prison farms acted not only as an economically viable way of sufficing prison popu lations, but also functioned as a disciplinary and rehabilitative work program crucial to the 19th century penitentiary. With the successes of working prisons also came criticism, primarily in the form of complaints about unfair competition from prison-made products being created in the public market. Allegations of abuse were also made, accusing prisons of exploiting inmates and concerns were raised over the security of the public. All three criticisms increased political pressure and worked in creating legislative changes. Self-sufficiency as a key element of the penitentiary system was being challenged and continued to be phased out. During the last two decades incarceration in the United States has become increasingly privatised, commercialised and run in favour of corporate profit. Companies such as Aramark and many other suppliers have made substantial profits, through providing prisons with food and other products. Between 1993 and 2000 alone, the US food service industry gen erated 36 billion dollars in profit through contracts with correctional facilities (Lyons, 2012). For over 100 years Canada has had six successfully operating prison farms (Frontenac, Pittsburgh, Westmorland, Riverbend, Rockwood, and Bowden). However, in 2009, the Canadian Corrections Department began taking action towards phasing out the farms, claiming deficits of around four million per annum and suggesting money used to run the farms could be better put into public safety. There has been no proof provided to support such claims of ineffectiveness and those involved with the farms argue this is not the case, with the farms in fact being extremely positive correctional operations. In response to the news of closing the farm community members, correctional officers and ex inmates themselves came together in the national Save Our Prison Farms campaign. The campaign seeks to stall the closure of the prison farms in order to provide non-governmental experts time to collect evidence of the farms viability and benefits (Lyons, 2012). In the United Kingdom prison farm closures began t aking place several years ago. Between 2002 and 2005 the prison service significantly reduced its farming regime from having twenty-three farms, to only the current five. Those currently in operation include; North Sea Camp, Prescoed, Hewell, East Sutton Park and Kirkham but between them only provide a mere 92 inmate work opportunities. They are run on a small scale with no real emphasis of self-sufficiency and have become more about training than anything else (Ministry of Justice, 2010). Although it would appear self-sufficiency in prison is becoming a redundant concept, there are places which are embracing it and achieving successful results. As mentioned above, Bastoy prison in Norway is the quintessential example of an operational self-sufficient prison which is demonstrating the immense value such a prison can have. The origins of Bastoy stem from a Scandinavian ethos of open and active prisons which have throughout time been based on the principle that prisons should be no more arduous than a loss of liberty and be as normal to daily life on the outside as possible. The idea of prison farms began in Finland in the 1930s, with a new type of labour colony being introduced to the Finnish prison system in 1946. Inmates have always been and still are paid according to the normal wage, it would also not be uncommon for prisoners to be paying taxes, buying food, giving money to their family, to their victims and saving for their release. Open prisons hold between 20 % (Sweden) to 40 % (Denmark) of the Scandinavian prison population and in nearly all cases when a prisoner is reaching the end of their sentence they will be moved to an open prison. Communal style living is largely adopted in these facilities, with some prisons being entirely self-catering and for the most part those at an open prison will be working during the day (Pratt, 2008). Most recently, the environmental sustainability of prisons has drawn attention, with concerns being raised about the ecological footprint of corrections and also because of the rehabilitative value green initiatives can have. Just in 2011, the US Department of Justice released the publication The Greening of Corrections: Creating a Sustainable System, a document which outlines sustainable practices, principles and identifies examples of programs and management strategies which can be implemented to create self-sustaining correctional facilities. The focus throughout the document is on the long term goal of limiting the financial and human costs of prisons. Methods outlined to achieve this goal are the reduction of energy and resource use, engaging inmates with beneficial work experiences as well as giving education and training (US Department of Justice, 2011). An organisation going forth and putting these ideals into practice is the Sustainability in Prisons Project. Operating as a partnership between Washington State Corrections and Evergreen College they seek to make prisons more environmentally sustainable and in turn economically efficient. Currently four Washington State correctional centres are operating in unison with the project; Cedar Creek, Stafford Creek, Mission Creek and Washington Corrections Centre for Women. Each are participating in varying programs which include; endangered animal protection, insects and plants, water and energy conservation, motorless lawn mowing, a dog rescue initiative, butterfly rehabilitation program, recycling, composting, organic gardening, a horticulture greenhouse, beekeeping, water catchment basins, low-flush toilets, tree planting and wild land fire fighting. Advantages/Disadvantages When analysing the concept of self-sufficient prisons, there are both advantageous and disadvantageous aspects which need to be acknowledged to gain a complete understanding of the viability of such a prison model. In firstly examining the potential benefits to come from a self-sufficient environment, one of primary significance is the possibility of self-sufficient practices being able to reduce prison expenditure. A change as simple as removing state issued clothing and uniforms could save millions of dollars. Building on this, if prisoners are taking care of themselves, there is consequently less of a need to employ staff to do things such as cooking, cleaning, farming, gardening and maintenance jobs. Having inmates produce and harvest their own food could allow for even greater savings. According to Breslin (2012), if the United States were to enact a policy which required prisons to utilise their own food sources through the operation of self-sufficient farms, prison spending co uld be reduced by $1.7 billion each year. Lyons (2012) similarly supports this notion and she uses the Florida Department of Corrections as a case example. In 2001 they ended a history of prison farming and contracted Aramark to provide all the food needed to Floridas prisons. This was in an attempt to save money, but six years later costs were only increasing by millions of dollars. Costs could only be reduced through a change in prisoners lifestyles, but also through sustainably modifying prison facilities. Buildings can be constructed or altered to be environmentally sustainable. This would include among other things, installing solar panels, composting and recycling plants and farming ecologically. Putnamville medium security facility in Indiana has recently implemented several green initiatives, such as; using a wood chipper that fuels a wood-burning furnace (saving $1.25 million per year), recycling cans, bottles, paper, and other material which in turn saves them around $150, 000 each month (Couch, 2012). An equally valuable advantage of the self-sufficient prison regime is the potential benefit to inmate health, both mentally and physically. Lyons (2012) noted that through being able to exercise, to breath in fresh air, and to simply get outside the confines of cement and barbed wire inmates would be healthier and emotional pressures associated with the harsh prison environment would be abridged. More specifically the mental health of prisoners could be aided through having the intellectual stimulation of actually taking part in meaningful activity, such as harvesting food for their own tables or chopping wood to keep them warm. Successfully completing jobs could also increase the sense of self pride in inmates, seeing they can achieve and successfully live independently. Physical advantages are just as evident, working is obviously a form of exercise and through growing their own organic produce dietary needs would be likely to be met in turn reducing the risk of obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, all conditions stemming from unhealthy eating patterns. Additionally, with an increase in the overall health of inmates, money would be saved on prison medical services (Breslin, 2012). Correlations have been drawn between a better quality of living and the improved behaviour and conduct of inmates. When interviewed about life inside Bastoy, an inmate tractor driver said in closed prison I was locked up for 23 hours a day, so Im really happy with this job. I am treated very well here and in return I will treat them very well also (Hernu, 2011).   A US post-release employment project study found prison conduct among inmates who had taken part in work, vocational or apprenticeship programs was better than that of otherwise similar prisoners (Reynolds, 1996). Related to having the opportunity to work and live self-sufficiently in prison is the education and vocational skills prisoners could learn. As suggested by Lyons(2012), the job and life skills that inmates learn through farming, teamwork, time management and having responsibility can be applicable to any type of future work. In now turning to the potential downfalls of the self-sufficient model, the most notable disadvantage is the safety risk an open style of prison poses. Internally there is an increased risk of danger to both inmates and officers safety and externally there is a greater risk of endangerment of the public due to more opportunities for escape. Firstly, if inmates are openly living and working with each other there are going to be vast opportunities for violence and abuse to take place, especially when tools which could be used as weapons are involved. Constant movement would make it harder for guards to keep track of inmates, whereas when in a cell all day constant monitoring can occur. Secondly, guards would be more susceptible to harm in an environment where there is frequent close interaction between themselves and inmates. Trust is so heavily relied upon in a community based self-sufficient model that if this was abused there could be dire consequences. The possibility of threats to public safety could also be said to increase, as with more freedom come more chances to escape and be at large in general society. A risk associated directly with working in prison is the exploitation of inmates. Frequently outlined in prison research as a significant disadvantage of prison farms; this concern lies in the possibility of production becoming more important than any other factor, including the welfare of the prisoners who can become subject to hard labour and little else. There have been numerous situations where agricultural work in prison has been the catalyst of degrading and unhealthy working conditions exposing inmates to disease, physical violence and abusive practices (Lucko, 2007). For some, the idea of prisoners living in a community like environment, which includes recreational time and the opportunity to live a life based on normality, would fall short in serving the retributive role prisons are traditionally expected to provide. Victims and their families may feel this alternative model of prison does not adequately punish perpetrators for the crimes they have committed against them. Monetary exploitation can also occur through inmates being extremely under paid for their labour when working on farms, building furniture or assembling products for giant multi-national corporations who can make additional profits at the expense of prisoners. Resulting from this is the possibility of large corporations like Microsoft or McDonalds engaging in the practice of utilising prison labour and gaining an unfair advantage over their competitors (Smith and Hattery, 2006). Rehabilitation and self-sufficient prisons If we have created a holiday camp for criminals here, so what? We should reduce the risk of reoffending, because if we dont, whats the point of punishment, except for leaning toward the primitive side of humanity? (Arne Kvernvik Nilsen, quoted in Sutter, 2012). This quote demonstrates the strong rehabilitative views of Bastoys prison director, who currently heads the prison with lowest reoffending rate in Europe. He strongly believes in the theory that if inmates are eventually going to end up being somebodys neighbour, everything possible should be done to enhance rehabilitation and ultimately prevent future crime. The proof of his beliefs becoming a reality are evident in the correlations which can be drawn between the self-sufficient and open environment at Bastoy and the mere 16% reoffending rate. In attempting to ascertain whether any particular element of the self-sufficient regime is more effective than another in reducing reoffending, each of the main facets of the concept will be examined below. A vast amount of support has been given for the effectiveness of farming and/or working in prisons. Lyons (2012) suggests that there are two main steps which need to be taken for the cycle of criminality to be broken. The first, individual empowerment and the second, being able to find work upon release. Farming she believes is a proven success in helping prisoners to achieve both. To get a real perspective on farming as a rehabilitative tool Lyons (2012) interviewed a former correctional officer from a Canadian prison farm. In their opinion prison farming is the single-most successful rehabilitation program they have seen to exist, and that in their thirty years working with the program they did not see one case of violent reoffending amongst prisoners who had been involved. Another aspect of the self-sufficient philosophy being explored here is the openness this type of prison has. In contrast to the more traditional closed ideal where prisoners spend a vast majority of their time behind bars, in an open style prison inmates are faced with everyday decisions on constant basis. Bastoy governor Nilsen suggests that at Bastoy the openness of the prison allows for inmates to learn and be taught how to make the right decisions and essentially become better people. He compares this to in a closed prison where prisoners are mostly removed from interactive encounters and situations requiring cognitive thinking. This he refers to as treating prisoners like animals or robots (Sutter, 2012). In a conventional prison in which inmates have no freedom and are not involved with work or farming, it is too often the case that the system literally closes the door in the face of the inmate. It is surely absurd to really believe that this will be beneficial, especially in terms of rehabilitation. Being given the personal responsibility of a job in prison and becoming a part of a working environment has the potential for prisoners to increase self-respect, as well as respect for others such as the system which would be supporting instead of disregarding them. When describing the effect Bastoys open prison has had on inmates, Nilsen refers to opportunities inmates have here to do more than just sit in a cell all day. They look at themselves in the mirror, and they think, I am s***. I dont care. I am nothing,' he said. This prison, he says, gives them a chance to see they have worth, to discover, Im not such a bad guy (Nilsen quoted in Sutton, 2012). The ecological focus of a self-sufficient prison model not only contributes to a sustainable environment, but has also been linked having to rehabilitative qualities. When daily life is spent in a safe, healthy and humane environment, on release the positive and green initiatives experienced inside can surely only be of benefit to the community on release . Research has been carried out to support such assumptions and uncover any relationships existent between living sustainably, having exposure to nature and consequential prisoner rehabilitation. Wener et al (cited in US Department of Justice, 2011) found that the effect of interaction with nature on human behaviour is improved emotional wellbeing. Similarly in a separate study conducted by Ulrich (cited in US Department of Justice, 2011) it was established that through being involved with nature aggressive tendencies and stress can both be reduced. In evaluating the value of the Sustainable Prison Project currently already action i n Washington, the Department of Justice (2011) believes that benefits of these projects are wide-ranging and encompass far more than just learning new skills. Their review of the project found improvements in; inmate self-esteem, interactions with others and the sense of purpose they had. All of which are congruent with the goal rehabilitation. With a vast amount of studies and research highlighting increases in recidivism and re-offending figures, we are faced with a significant correctional challenge. It is no longer plausible to simply argue that prison acts as a place of deterrence to those released, the statistics alone have continuously portrayed the reality that this is not working. Self-sufficient prisons in a New Zealand environment After considering the concept of self-sufficient prisons in their entirety , the viability of this alternative prison model successfully working in a New Zealand context will now be addressed. In comparing New Zealand to Norway, where a self-sufficient prison is already proving achievable, there are numerous similarities between the countries which could arguably suggest a New Zealand environment could too be compatible with this correctional method. Both countries are sparsely inhabited with populations of around four million, many of whom in both countries live as part of small rural communities of towns, rather than large sprawling cities. Norway in terms of a social and human development index is the number one ranked country, but then New Zealand is also within the top five out of 187 countries (Human Development Report, 2011). Other factors relative to this assessment include New Zealands small number of maximum security inmates, just 2.5%. The majority, or 53.8 % are in fact minimum security (Newbold, 2005). It would seem with such a large number of prisoners being of low security, the risks associated with adopting a more open and interactive model of prison to house this category of prisoners would be relatively low. We also already have the beginnings of a self-sufficient prison mentality in place. Currently in operation are various income generating ventures providing employment opportunities for prisoners, this includes; two dairy farms, three dry stock farms, one piggery, two sheep farms, three organic gardens, six nurseries, five joinery workshops, three furniture assembly workshops, a forest, three timber processing workshops, six textile workshops, three light engineering workshops, three vehicle repair garages, one compost bagging operation and central kitchens in each of New Zealands   prison s (Department of Corrections, 2012). The progression towards a model similar to Bastoy is not completely unthinkable. As outlined, New Zealand has the potential to follow the same path as Norway in adopting more sustainable practices. However, the possible limitations of New Zealands capability to introduce self-sufficient prisons cannot be ignored. One major aspect which not only differentiates New Zealand from Norway, but could also limit the success of self-sufficient prisons in this context, is culture. Negative historical relations between Maori and the State are still today at the centre of much racism, mistrust and social division and this plays a role in crime and prison culture, especially when Maori are so significantly overrepresented in our prisons. Due to the nature of the traditional system, which places blatant divides between prisoners and correctional staff, both parties can fall into viewing each other as the enemy. These attitudes would have to change and mutual trust and respect increased before any community style prison could work. The Gang culture in New Zealand and incidentally in prison creates even more division and an open style of prison may only serve to instigate fighting, allow for gang conflicts and gang domination of inmates. In Norway these types of divisions are relatively absent, primarily due to the fact Norwegians are extremely socially responsible, uniting members of society together as equals. This can especially be seen in the understanding the state, public and even the media display to those in prison, those being released and the rehabilitative purpose prison serves. Associated with this social care mentality is the time and effort that the state puts into training prison officers. In Norway they receive two years training while on full salary and once qualified their role is seen as professional (Pratt, 2007). Contrastingly, in New Zealand, officers are given a mere six weeks training and are often publically disregarded being labelled thugs or key turners far from the professionalism of Norway. Scandinavian prisons are completely run by the state, where as in New Zealand the Government has begun to contract prisons to private companies. Paying for another party to run the prison would defeat the principles behind the self-sufficient ideal. Mass unawareness can be the burden of initiative, even of something which to those informed is so obviously for the common good of society. This is arguably the case in New Zealand, where people simply havent been informed or are only given negative one-eyed images of crime as portrayed through the media. This consequently making the public as a whole more likely to be opposed to an action as liberal and forward thinking as the self-sufficient prison ideal. Another more physical consideration which could pose problems is the pure and simple fact that more crime is committed in New Zealand and the prison population is therefore larger. In New Zealand there are around 8000 inmates whilst in Norway there are only 3000. Geographically there could also be obstacles to overcome. Bastoy is uniquely located on its own island, which restricts escapes and allows for the open environment which inmates experience. Suggesting to the New Zealand public that Rangitoto for example was to be used