Why is Leonardo da Vinci considered a Renaissance man Essay Example For Students

Why is Leonardo da Vinci considered a Renaissance man? Essay A man who has broad intellectual interests and is accomplished in areas of both the arts and the sciences. That is the definition of a Renaissance man. Leonardo ability to observe and study, then demonstrate those things in his art, makes him a perfect example of a renaissance man. Leonardo Ad Vinci was one of the greatest inventors. He was also one of the most famous scientists of recorded history. His genius was limited by time and technology, and was driven by his curiosity, and his instinctive sense of the laws of nature. We will write a custom essay on Why is Leonardo da Vinci considered a Renaissance man? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Ad Vinci was dedicated to discovery of truth and the mysteries of nature, and his contributions to science and technology were legendary. As the classic Renaissance man, Leonardo helped set a curious and superstitious world on the means of reason, science, learning, and tolerance. In his time, he was an internationally famous inventor, scientist, engineer, architect, painter, sculptor, musician, mathematician, anatomist, astronomer, geologist, biologist, and philosopher. In an era when left-handedness was considered the devils work and lefties were often forced to use their right hand, Leonardo actually used his left hand. People say that this difference was an element of his genius, since his mind allowed him to see beyond the ordinary. He even wrote backwards, and his writings are easily deciphered only with a mirror. Between 1490 and 1495 he developed his habit of recording his studies in illustrated notebooks. His work covered four main themes: painting, architecture, the elements of mechanics, and human anatomy. All one hundred twenty of his notebooks were written backwards. Today, Bill Gates is known o have bought one of his notebooks for thirty million dollars. Born in 1452, as an illegitimate son of Seer Pier Ad Vinci, Leonardo was sent to Florence in his teens to apprentice as a painter under Andrea del Veronica. He quickly developed his own artistic style which was unique and contrary to tradition. He even went so far as to make his own special formula of paint. Leonardo went beyond his teachings by making a scientific study of light and shadow in nature. The thought that objects were not comprised of outlines, but were actually three- dimensional bodies defined by light and shadow. Known as chiaroscuro, this technique gave his paintings the soft, lifelike quality that made older paintings look cartoons and flat. He also saw that an objects detail and color changed as it went father and closer in the distance. This technique was called suffuse. His study of nature and anatomy emerged in his realistic paintings, and his dissections of the human body made him famous for remarkably accurate figures. He was the first artist to study the physical proportions of men, women and children and to use these studies to determine the ideal human figure. Leonardo was also a bought caged animals at the market Just to set them free. Later Ad Vinci became the court artist for the duke of Milan. Throughout his life he also served various other roles, including civil engineer and architect (designing mechanical structures such as bridges and aqueducts), and military planner and weapons designer (designing tanks, catapults, machine guns, and naval weapons) Leonardo hated war, he called it beastly madness ,but since Renaissance Italy was constantly at war he couldnt avoid it. He designed numerous weapons, including sessile, multi-barreled machine guns, grenades, mortars, and even a modern-style tank. He drew the line, however, with his plans for an underwater breathing device, which he refused to reveal, saying that men would likely use it for evil in war. Leonardo ad Vinci had many innovative designs, scientific accomplishments, and artistic masterpieces. .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832 , .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832 .postImageUrl , .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832 , .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832:hover , .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832:visited , .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832:active { border:0!important; } .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832:active , .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832 .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u04a75b91cce9fd45d56809fe86bf7832:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Renaissance Artists And Their Famous Contributions Essay PaperSome of his innovative designs include: flying machines, parachutes, submarines, underwater breathing devices, self floatation/ocean rescue devices, swimming fins, pumping mechanisms, water turbines, dredging systems, team calorimeters, water-well drill, swing bridges, canals, leveling/surveying instruments, cranes, pulley systems, street-lighting systems, convection roasting spit, mechanical saw, treadle-operated lathe, compasses, contact lenses, and military weapons. Some of his famous scientific accomplishments include: proposing the earth rotates around the sun, proposing that the moons light is reflected sunlight, correctly explaining why sea shells are sometimes found miles inland on mountain tops, and creating the first textbook of human anatomy. And finally some of his great artistic masterpieces include: The Baptism of Christ, The Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, and The Adoration of the Three Kings. Leonardo died on May 2, 1519 at the age of sixty seven. Legend has it that King Francis was at his side when he died, cradling Leonardo head in his arms. Ad Vines creative, analytic, and visionary inventiveness has yet to be matched. Leonardo work made a lot of reason and it expressed the capabilities of the individual human mind. Leonardo ad Vinci is the perfect example of a renaissance man.

Medical Informatics in the Management of Diabetes Essay Example

Medical Informatics in the Management of Diabetes Essay Example Medical Informatics in the Management of Diabetes Paper Medical Informatics in the Management of Diabetes Paper Studies showed that the cost for quality health care increases but it is becoming inefficient when it comes to delivering service. One of the reasons for this is the cost of recordkeeping, a major component in health care. The Health Information Technology (HIT) was introduced for accurate processing of reports and to keep track of the programs and needs of the health care consumers. It will tackle problems posed by cost, access and quality. It refers to computer hardware and software that stores, retrieves and shares health care information for use by health care providers and consumers in decision making. HIT has many benefits in store for the health care system. Health care consumers will be assured that they can get the best medical goods and services from health care systems. They can cut costs while at the same time receiving the best health care there is. Diseases will also be prevented in their early stages. Storing patient medical records electronically allows for improved accuracy and privacy of records. It is easier to track individual records when needed and the health care providers can input or change data easier and faster. Besides being cost effective, storing records electronically helps doctors in making quicker and better informed decisions. The patients will also be assured that their medical records and in good hands. But this form of keeping records may be inefficient at times. A provider might input data on the wrong record. Electronic medical records are not protected, and this leads to a more serious problem. The biggest problem that seems to arise from this is on privacy. With a click of the mouse, it is easier to look into someone’s personal health information and it can be passed around without the patient knowing it. This would make many patients vulnerable especially when their records are used for purposes other than medical. REFERENCE Sennet, Cary and Daniel Wolfson. (2006). Taming Health Care Inefficiency. Diabetes is a serious medical condition characterized by the inability of the body to regulate glucose levels in the blood. In Type 1, which is usually childhood onset, the pancreas does not produce insulin, a hormone that is necessary for cells to absorb glucose and utilize it for metabolism. In the more common and usually adult onset Type 2, the body produces insulin but at insufficient levels or cells in the body have a reduced sensitivity to the hormone, hence unable to absorb insulin (American Diabetes Association, 2008). The high glucose levels or hyperglycemia in diabetics is the primary cause for life threatening complications which include heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, damage to blood vessels, necrosis in the extremities resulting in amputation, stroke, ketoacidosis leading to diabetic coma and prolonged emptying of gastric contents (American Diabetes Association, 2008). Diabetes also significantly increases the risks to developing glaucoma, cataracts and if unmanaged, eventually leads to blindness. The treatment for diabetes is a complex process which involves resolving the high blood glucose levels, preventing minor complications from becoming full blown, managing symptoms and major complications as well as instituting appropriate lifestyle changes. Medications and insulin shots, regular retinopathy and urine ketone tests, continuous blood glucose monitoring, diet and exercise and proper foot care are some of the treatment methods (Schaffer, 2008). Because there is currently no cure for the disease and treatment is both rigorous and long term, diabetics need to learn self-monitoring skills for ketones and blood glucose levels, self-administration of insulin and medications, how to buy and store diabetes supplies as well as weight and nutrition management in order to avert emergency conditions (Schaffer, 2008). When serious complications arise, these are usually treated through intensive medications, surgery and kidney transplants in the event of irreversible kidney damage. Current Equipment Used by Diabetics There are classes of equipment that are currently being used by diabetics and their caregivers in treating the disease. Bio signals, biomedical devices, insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitoring devices, insulin pens and pumps, retinopathy screening machines, blood glucose monitors, lancets and lancing devices are such equipment where most can be used in the home setting and limit the need for daily visits to the health care facility while providing effective treatment. Insulin pumps, such as the MiniMed Paradigm ® 722, are devices consisting of a computer, a pump with insulin supply and a catheter inserted into the abdominal fat of a diabetic (Hurd, 2007). They are meant to replace individual insulin shots and allow greater control over insulin dosage to fit one’s activity, food intake and glucose levels. Dosage information is entered into the computer which pumps the exact amount through the catheter. Insulin pens, like the HumaPen ® LUXURAâ„ ¢ HD, are used to self-administer insulin and have pre-filled cartridges of up to 300 units, a needle at one end, a plunger at the other and look like pen markers (Douglass, 2008). Indicators in the pen provide information as to the range of doses that can be administered, amount of insulin left, the date/time/dosages of insulin taken recently or how to fix wrong dosage instructions. The MiniMed Paradigm ® REAL-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring System is a small device composed of glucose sensors, a transmitter, an alarm and a small computer that are continually attached to the abdomen (Minimed. com, 2008). The sensors transmit a blood glucose measurement per minute that transmitted and displayed on the computer screen as well as mean measurements per 5 minutes, glucose level trends and their direction. Abnormal glucose levels trigger the alarm. Blood glucose monitors may either come as blood glucose meters such as PocketChem EZ or chemical test strips which are visually compared to a color chart to obtain a reading. Glucose meters require a test strip and a lancet. A drop of blood is smeared on the strip to be fed into the meter which supplies a measurement (Douglass, 2008). PocketChem EZ can store more than 200 downloadable test results with time and dates indicated. A lancet is a metal with a needle like end used to prick the finger or alternative sites in the body to obtain minute amounts of blood for testing and are held in lancing devices to facilitate usage. An example is the Vitalcare Lancet Device which looks like a pen and uses Vitalcare lancets or other standard lancets (Douglass, 2008). The sterile lancet is placed in a holder inside the pen and slight pressure directed at the trigger will release it. A digital retinal camera such as the Canon CF-1 is used for retinopathy or diabetic eye disorder screening. After eye drops are applied to enlarge the patient’s pupils, high resolution diagnostic images of the posterior portion of the eyes are obtained for analysis (Canon. com, 2008). The CF-1 comes with a Retinal Imaging Control Software and conforms to the Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine interface allowing images to be integrated into other image management systems as well as allows the device to connect to various network configurations (Canon. com, 2008). Biosignals are any measurable electrical and non-electrical signals in the human body while biomedical devices entail the use of living organisms and their processes in the treatment of disease (Singh, 2006). An application with regards to diabetes is the technique of attaching a pouch which contains transplanted insulin-producing cells into large veins where they can proliferate and yield much needed insulin (Kanaujia, 2007). Modern Technologies Used in the Treatment of Diabetes With the wealth of data that a diabetic has to contend with in dealing with his/her condition, organizational tools are necessary in order to generate accurate, useful and timely information for a more efficient and effective self-management of the disease in coordination with her health care team. For instance, the diabetic has to acquire information regarding the anticipated effects of foods she plans to eat or activities she wants to engage in on her glucose levels. The diabetic then has to calculate the dosage of insulin that she should receive and when. She may have other medications that have their own dosage instructions. She also has regular schedules for urine tests and retinal screening. She has to keep tabs of her supply of insulin, lancets and test strips. She has to regularly monitor her glucose levels, vitals signs and her weight. She has to adhere to physician recommended foot care and other treatments. Advances in the field of medical informatics has allowed for the integrated use of information, communication and medical technologies in managing patient data and has enhanced many other facets of health care. However, medical informatics does not only benefit the health care team but also individual patients such as diabetics. The diffusion of technology allowed systems and devices to be adapted and manufactured for patient use. A set of managerial tools that collectively work to enable a much simpler but more precise diabetes self-management is the Diabetes Pilotâ„ ¢. It is a software designed and tested by diabetics to replace the conventional method of manually writing down data onto paper and has three versions – the Diabetes Pilot Desktop, the Diabetes Pilot for Palm Handhelds and the Diabetes Pilot for Pocket PC (diabetespilot. com, 2007). The Diabetes Pilotâ„ ¢ enables patients to log various data such as their glucose level readings, compliance with their insulin and other drug regimens, meals taken per day, fitness workouts accomplished, blood pressure measurements, results of routine tests as well as other pertinent information into reports (diabetespilot. com, 2007). The Medication Totals report, Exercise Totals report and the Blood Pressure List report are examples of listings of different data categories. The software also provides a database containing information on the nutritive values of thousands of foods and through the Meal Listing and Daily Food Summary reports, aids the diabetic in determining the amount of carbohydrates, calories, fats, proteins, fiber, sodium, cholesterol, vitamins and other minerals they obtained from individual meals or from all meals taken during the day (diabetespilot. com, 2007). This provides for an effective way of establishing and maintaining a diet suitable for the diabetic. Like the MiniMed Paradigm ® REAL-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring System, the Diabetes Pilotâ„ ¢ also features tabular or graphical representations of blood glucose level pattern in order for the diabetic to easily perceive the direction of such patterns and adjust her insulin dosages or medications accordingly. Mean measurements by hour, by day or by month can also be calculated as well as the highest and lowest readings taken. Options regarding what system the diabetic wishes to use to categorize data are also available and aimed at establishing significant trends in self care over a period of time. Because the Diabetes Pilotâ„ ¢ is not meant to replace physician care entirely with self-care, all records made by the diabetic can be communicated to her health care team for evaluation and further recommendations using a variety of methods. A similar product but only applicable to Palm PDA is the Universal Tracking System (UTS) Diabetes Palm PDA software. Among its features, data can be transformed into MS Excel format and has an E-mail Report application so that the patient can send the file to her physician (Universal Tracking System, 2007). Automatic calculation of insulin dosage based on glucose measurement is also accomplished. Aside from allowing data entry, the UTS can turn out a summary of the reports and interactive graphical representation of data which will enhance patient and physician decision making with regards to dosage adjustments. Color coding also effectively indicates if the glucose level is normal, high or low and in mg/dL or mmol/L units (Universal Tracking System, 2007). A similar database of food but also includes medications and insulin types is further provided. Medical Informatics’ Areas of Interest in the Treatment of Diabetes The largely fragmented health care system allows for many weaknesses with regards to caring for diabetic patients in that efforts are largely centered on acute conditions and serious complications rather than on chronic disease management. This poses significant challenges even for those in the area of medical informatics. In response, successful efforts have been made to develop a diabetes registry population management application aimed at integrating the chronic disease registry (an informatics system) into the clinical workflow (Zai et. al. , 2008). In terms of decision support, efforts have also been made in developing a model system for classifying knowledge in the area of insulin regimen specifications and dose adjustment in consideration of such factors as diabetes type, patient age, current treatment, glucose profile, physical activity, food intake and desirable blood glucose control Gogou et. al. , 2001). When a physician makes a decision, he relies on practice, intuition and knowledge. However, a knowledge classification system will enhance and standardize decision-making. With available organizational tool devices for diabetic patients, the need to integrate patient derived data into her medical records in the hospital’s EMR system is imminent. One such project is the Informatics for Diabetes Education and Telemedicine (IDEATel). Patients are equipped with a specialized computer called the Home Telemedicine Unit (HTU) with the following: 1. a video camera and microphone for videoconferencing with physicians, 2. a home glucose monitoring device which directly uploads readings, 3. accessibility of the patients’ self-derived medical data, and 4. patient access to educational websites (Starren, et. al. , 2006). With regards to diagnosing diabetic retinopathy via digital retinal cameras, the accuracy of human visual analysis can be increased with the aid of computers. The presence of fluids in the macular region of the eye is a major indicator of retinopathy and its detection is a significant diagnostic activity wherein computers may extend assistance (Walter, Klein, Massin and Erginay, 2002). An algorithm for exudate detection is currently in use which employs the characteristic high grey level variation and contours of exudates with the optic disc as point of reference (Walter, Klein, Massin and Erginay, 2002). Finally, biosignaling is also an important concern of medical informatics. In a recently developed application known as the Emer-Loc, emergency medical situations for diabetic patients may be speedily responded to from the use of location-based biosignaling (Maglogiannis and Hadjiefthymiades, 2007). The system employs sensors affixed to the patients body, a micro-computing unit which processes sensor readings and a central monitoring unit to coordinate data flow (Maglogiannis and Hadjiefthymiades, 2007). Global positioning system (GPS) is used to locate the patient if her signals correspond to an emergency condition. List of References American Diabetes Association (2008). Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Retrieved 27 October 2008 from diabetes. org/type-1-diabetes/treatment-conditions. jsp. BD diabetes. com (2008). Insulin Pens. Retrieved 27 October 2008 from bddiabetes. com/US/main. aspx? cat=1id=254. Childrenwithdiabetes. com (2005). Auto-Lancet Adjustable. Retrieved 27 October 2008 from childrenwithdiabetes. com/d_06_2a7. htm. Diabetespilot. com (2008). Diabetes Pilot: Information Management for People with Diabetes. Retrieved 27 October 2008 from diabetespilot. com/index. php? ref=5gclid=CPiG5b2TwpYCFQeO1Qodm iMAzg. Douglass, K. (2008). New Products. Diabetes Forecast 2008 Resource Guide. Retrieved 27 October 2008 from diabetes. org/uedocuments/df-rg-new-products- 0108. pdf. Gogou, G. , Maglaveras, N. , Ambrosiadou, B. V. , Goulis, D. and Pappas, C. (2001). â€Å"A Neural Approach in Diabetes Management by Insulin Administration†. Journal of Medical Systems 2(25): 119-131. Retrieved 27 October 2008 from http://portal. acm. org/citation. cfm? id=609076. Hurd, R. (2007). Insulin Pump. Retrieved 27 October 2008 from nlm. nih. gov/ /ency/imagepages/18035. htm. Kanaujia, M. (2007). New Device to Treat Diabetes and Fulminant Liver Failure. Retrieved 27 October 2008 from medgear. org/page/4/. Maglogiannis, I. and Hadjiefthymiades, S. (2007). EmerLoc: Location-Based Services for Emergency Medical Incidents. International Journal of Medical Informatics 76(10): 747-759. Retrieved 27 October 2008 from find-health-articles. com/rec_pub_16949860-emerloc-location-based-services-emergency-medical-incidents. htm. Minimed. com (2008). MiniMed Paradigm Real-Time System. Retrieved 27 October 2008 from minimed. com/products/insulinpumps/components/minilink. html. Schaffer, A. (2008). New York Times Health Guide: Diabetes. Retrieved 27 October 2008 from http://health. nytimes. com/health/guides/disease/diabetes/overview. html. Singh, V. (2006). Introduction to Biosignals. Retrieved 27 October 2008 from ee. unimelb. edu. au/ISSNIP/multimedia/events/workshop22_09_06_final. p df. Starren, J. , Hilliman, C. , Weinstock, R. S. , Shea, S. and IDEATel Consortium (2006). â€Å"Theater Style Demonstration: The Informatics for Diabetes Education and Telemedicine (IDEATel) Project†. American Medical Informatics Association Annual Symposium Proceedings 2006. Retrieved 27 October 2008 from pubmedcentral. nih. gov/articlerender. fcgi? artid=1839417. Universal Tracking System (2007). UTS Diabetes Palm PDA Software. Retrieved 27 October 2008 from utracksys. com/plugins/diabetes/? ref=gaw_soft. Walter, T. , Klein, J. , Massin, P. and Erginay, A. (2002). â€Å"A Contribution of Image Processing to the Diagnosis of Diabetic Retinopathy†. IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging 10(21): 1236- 1243. Retrieved 27 October 2008 from http://cat. inist. fr/? aModele=afficheNcpsidt=14504609. Zai, A. H. , Grant, R. W. , Estey, G. , Lester, W. T. , Andrews, C. T. , Yee, R. et. al. (2008). â€Å"Lessons From Implementing a Combined Workflow-Informatics System for Diabetes Management†. JAMIA 15: 524-533. Retrieved 27 October 2008 from jamia. org/cgi/content/short/15/4/524.

A Dialogue between a Hindu Upanishad and a Jain Essay

A Dialogue between a Hindu Upanishad and a Jain - Essay Example It is because I am free from suffering as my state (moksha) has liberated me from it. I do not wish anyone or anything ill and so this forest shall not harm me. I am pleased wherever I am. Religious A (Hindu): Wherever you are is not actually where you are. You see my friend, what you thought as you is not actually you because what you think you are that is trapped in this forest is just the body that houses the atman, which is your soul or the real you. The real you actually cannot perish and it does not matter where you are whether you are pleased or not because the real you cannot be harmed. Religious A (Hindu): I am confident because my atman will unite with its natural universe which is the Brahman. Brahman my friend could be this forest because it is all that permeates all things where it held all being and existence. Right now, in this forest with all its peace and tranquility, the atman becoming the Brahman is beginning to become more apparent to me. Religious B (Jain): That is so wonderful of you my friend. But your conviction and confidence may lead you to suffering because it entertains and contains the mana or ego that leads you to perish and suffer. Religious A (Hindu): No my friend, I don’t perish. I will just be reborn again to improve my karma so I am not worried about any harm. Sometimes death, or perishing as you call it is necessary to complete the cycle of birth and death. This is to allow me to improve my karma through their lifetime of action until I achieved enlightenment and vijnana. Religious B (Jain): Looks like we share the same sentiment my friend. I too strive to achieve nirvana and be released by the karmic bondage. Hey look! The town is already ahead. It looks like it is not our day after all to begin the cycle of

How the Limit-Pricing Model Fit within the Harvard Approach to Assignment

How the Limit-Pricing Model Fit within the Harvard Approach to Industrial Economics - Assignment Example Among these technological causes, one is the diminishing cost structure of the monopolist firm. There are some internal and external economies and diseconomies of scale. If the economies of scale dominate over the diseconomies of scale the firm faces diminishing cost. That's why the cost declines with the expansion of the firm. Higher the amount of production lower would be the average and marginal cost and hence higher would be the capability to charge the lower price. That can be shown with the help of the following diagram. The above case is called the phenomenon of natural monopoly; the new firm's entry gets restricted automatically because of the technological nature of the existing firm. The new firm would not be able to compete with the existing firm. (Kutsoyiannis 1994) 2. There are many barriers that are responsible for the monopoly power that a firm may enjoy. A high level of fixed cost is also a cause behind the emergence of monopoly power. If in an industry, the starting of a new venture is subject to high establishment cost or resource cost it would be difficult for the new entrants to start a new venture in the market. That also contributes to the monopoly power of the firm or firms as the scope of new entry becomes narrower due to the high time and cost required for starting production in the market. (Hoag 2006) 3. Another major cause behind the emergence of monopoly power is the legal barriers to entry. In this situation, the monopolist is protected by the legal system of the country from competition from new firms. The state enforces some laws that would enable a single company to sell any particular good or service. The best example is the case of USPS for delivering the first class mail. No other company is entitled to the right to sale the same commodity. That's why USPS enjoys the monopoly power in the market. Monopoly power is protected by federal law.

Tourism and Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Tourism and Economy - Essay Example However, domestic travel has been on the decline not just in Australia but the same trend persists in other countries such as the UK and New Zealand. Travel agents associate the decline in domestic tourism to the growth in the low-cost carriers (LCC) and also forecast that carriers such as Tiger Airways and Air Asia X would slowly kill domestic tourism. However, this may be just one of the factors responsible for the decline in domestic tourism. In fact, the LCC may also contribute to the economy by bringing tourists from overseas, thereby increasing the inbound tourists to Australia. Despite the global economic slowdown during the year ended September 2011 domestic tourism received a boost due to the strong mining sector, recovery efforts following the east-coast floods and stronger business confidence (Domestic Tourism Snapshot, 2011). The graph below confirms that there has not been a significant fall in domestic tourism over the decade. According to this report interstate holidays and visiting friends and relatives increased during this period but the focus was on short holidays. Not a significant growth in the domestic sector has been forecast but the reasons are more economic and not connected to low cost air travel. Source: Domestic Tourism Snapshot, 2011 However, some decline in domestic tourism has taken place. The reasons for the decline in domestic tourism have been associated with several factors. Outbound visitor nights have increased while there has been a fall in domestic weekend trips. Since 2004/05 a smaller portion of household consumption is bei ng allocated for tourism activity (Tourism Research Australia, 2007). The same trend was observed about 15 years ago when outbound travel grew by 6% while domestic travel increased by only about 1 percent per year. Therefore, the current decline in domestic tourism is not a new phenomenon. The driving factor for decline in domestic tourism in UK and New Zealand has also been associated with cheaper fares on short-haul flights. In the case of New Zealand the strength of the national currency has increased competitiveness for overseas holidays. In Australia consumer behavior and the attitude towards holidays has changed. Social, cultural and technological changes have resulted in lower tolerance (Tourism Research Australia, 2007). Australians prefer to spend their time and income on what makes them feel better now instead of deferring their holiday and obtaining gratification later. Domestic tourism has long lead times and lack of tangibility which places it a disadvantage compared to overseas holidays. It is intangible because of lack of communication and proper information. People want to experience their holiday and use it to learn through interactions. Domestic tourism in Australia is unable to fulfill the demands of the consumers who seek newer pastures. This has prompted the domestic tourists towards outbound tourism. Other factors include rising incomes and access to a range of destinations (TRA, 2011). Information and communication at the domestic level is lacking and none is willing to take responsibility. The drivers of domestic tourism are income and price while the drivers of outbound tourism are airfares and air capacity (TRA, 2011). As social and cultural changes have taken place, and as the dollar has become stronger, consumers find overseas travel much cheaper. The demand for outbound tourism has further been increased as cheap airfares and holiday packages are available. However, it is not just the costs but the excitement to experience somethin g different and to engage in activities and

The Implementation Of Policies And Legislative Social Work Essay

The Implementation Of Policies And Legislative Social Work Essay Children are de ¬Ã‚ ned as in need when they are unlikely to achieve or maintain, or have the opportunity of achieving or maintaining, a reasonable standard of health or development; or whose health and development are likely to be signi ¬Ã‚ cantly impaired, or further impaired without the provision of services under s.17(10); o are disabled as defined in s.17(11); or those who are in specific need of safeguarding under Part V of the (CA)(1989). Ann had recently been separated with her husband due to domestic violence and is currently living in a womens refuge with her 12 years old daughter. She had reported feeling depressed and lack resources. The development of a definition of domestic violence in Yemshaw v Hounslow LBC [2011] UKSC 3 (SC), decision by the court set a precedent that was used in meeting the needs of families. Children witnessing domestic abuse have now been included in the definition of harm under s.31(9) of the CA (1989). Section 17(1) of the CA (1989), places a general duty on Local Authorities (LA) to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within its area who are in need. It is based on the presumption that so far as it is consistent with their duty, children upbringing should be promoted within the family with an emphasis on parental responsibility as defined under s.3(1) of the CA (1989). This is complemented and reinforced under s.10(3) of the CA (2004), which requires LAs to have regard to the importance of parents and other persons caring for children in improving the well-being of children. LAs are directed through their specific duties and powers specified in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to provide services considered appropriate to meet the needs of children in need with the aim of avoiding the need for care proceedings . This includes homelessness, the psychological effect of witnessing abuse and disruption with school. Under s.17(6) the LAs can provide accommodation, counselling or as in th e cash of domestic violence, assistance in cash. Social workers are charged with discretion in making ethical decisions and should therefore use case law for additional guidance (Brammer, 2010: 190). In R v Nottingham City Council [2001] EWHC Admin 235, it was established that assessment is not a discretionary duty. Additionally, In R. (on the application of MM) v Lewisham LBC [2009] EWHC 416, it was held that the consideration given to the referral fell far below the standard required by law. The CA (1989) stipulates the legal framework within which Social Work practice with children in need is situated. Its child-centred approach is embodied in the welfare paramountcy principle s.1 and the welfare checklist s.1(3) states factors that must be considered with respect to determining the childs best interest. This welfare principle is also evident in s.3(5) and s.17. It adopt the principle that any delay s.1(2); in considering whether to make, vary or discharge s.31 and s.8 orders, s(1)(4); is likely to prejudice the childs welfare; and no order should be discharge except it is unequivocally in the childs best interests. The complexities and uncertainties of family life have brought about evolving policies and guidelines to complement the legislative framework (Davis, 2009). An understanding of childrens needs requires a multidisciplinary evidenced-based assessment, which is prescribed under The Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (DoH, 2000). This is conferred under s.7, LA Social Services Act (1979) and requires LAs to comply with their duties. The Every Child Matters (DfES, 2003) led to the enactment of the CA (2004): it requires LAs under s.11(4) to have regards of statutory guidance to cooperate and make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Working Together to Safeguard Children (DCSF, 2010) specifies how agencies should work together: it states unequivocally the proactive early identification of additional needs and the provision of appropriate services. The complexities and tension of multi professional perspective is recognised in The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) (DfE, 2009) and based assessment on consistency and coordination between agencies (Brammer, 2010). There are potential dissonances between legislative framework and the ethical frameworks, which informs social work practice. Parton (2006) noted the complexities of balancing child empowerment and professional judgement, and suggested that Social workers should advocate for children through their active participation in accordance with s.17(4A and 4B). Graham (2011: 1541) highlighted a substantial cultural shift to include children in planning and decision-making through the construction of the social model of childhood. This principle sought to reconcile the concept of child autonomy and right, with professional accountability and responsibility (Williams, 2008). The concept of best interest and the welfare of the child set out in s.1(3) and A8 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) is also embodied in decision-making (Butler and Hickman, 2011). In a speech at the Institute of Public Policy Research, Educational Secretary Michael Gove claimed that safegu arding children is inundated with optimism bias (Media, 2012). The law confers both a discretionary and obligatory duties, and the prediction of impairment is given emphasis under s.31 and s.17. It is therefore critical for social workers to have an ethical consideration when discharging their powers and duties, and reflect social work values in their proportionality of intervention under the Human Rights Act (HRA) (1998) which is seen as an additional scrutiny of practice (Brammer 2010: 114). The value of outcome focus needs analysis and multi-agency working is compatible with social work values. It recognise the complexities and sensitivity of domestic violence, and emphasis on the compounding effect of stereotypical assumptions and stigma faced by individual and families (Sheppard, 2006). Social workers conceptualisation according to Connolly, et al (2006) is invaluable in promoting social inclusion. This is particularly relevant to Anns situation. Assessment should not be based on a single event; careful consideration must be given the long-term effect of domestic violence (Williams, 2008). It must be conducted sensitively with an emphasis on respectful uncertainty, flexibility, openness and honesty about professional involvement (Laming, 2003). Strafford,et al (2010:13) locates the process of assessment in the context of a Systems approach. Social workers need to be aware of the likely impact of any intervention on the family. Social workers are required to adopt a principled approach based on negotiation and partnership. The CA (2004) requires LAs to coordinate services with relevant agencies: this gained explicit recognition in the Working Together to Safeguard Children guideline and reflects an acknowledgement that disadvantage occurs within a context of multiplicity of interlocking factors and social dynamic of the family (Graham, 2011). Social workers must therefore, integrate best-known evidence to inform professional judgement to accounts for the uniqueness, uncertainties and potential value conflicts (GSCC, 2003). Anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practices are integral to social worker practice and enshrined in law. The GSCC (2003: 1.5) code of practice stresses the importance of respecting diversity and different culture and values. Further, s.22(5) requires due consideration to be given to a childs religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background which is also encapsulated in A.14 of HRA (1998), the right not to be discriminated against. The amendment of parental responsibility by the Adoption and Children Act (2002) to include adult with real relationship accounts for value placed on recognition of diversity of families to combat social exclusion (Strafford,et al 2010: 16). Millar and Corby (2006) highlighted the positive effect of a detailed assessment: Munro (2011) and Wise et al (2011: 95) are however, critical of the bureaucracy and the prescriptive nature of the Assessment Framework, which distracts social workers from their core therapeutic function. This presents a dilemma of balancing the need of a more rigorous assessment framework with the CAF (Crisp, et al, 2007). Social inclusion and integration are intrinsic to social work, however, Palmer (2003) and Goldthorpe and Monro (2005) notes that there is concern amongst social workers that the high eligibility criteria have seen a shift from family support to reactive child protection practice thereby further excluding and marginalising families. This have led social workers to question the concept of needs led service provision. Stafford, et al, (2011) reports on the conflicts and complexities around issues of confidentiality and information sharing within multidisciplinary teams. This posed a dilemma between the welfare of the child and Anns right to confidentiality. Domestic violence occurs within the context of both civil and criminal domain. This present are a wide range of shared and diverse models of knowledge and practice amongst professionals involved with children and families (Graham, 2011). OLoughlin and OLoughlin (2008: 41) noted the complexities of balancing the rights and responsibilities of parents and the rights and needs of children. This present a dilemma between a principled welfare approach and s.8 orders as highlighted in Debbonaire (2012). Cleaver et al (2010) noted that whist childrens needs occur within the family and environmental context and often interlinked with those of their parent: It is crucial that practice is child-centred and needs considered separately through childrens active participation (Mullender 2002: 121). The complexities of parental contact from the perpetrator of abuse might expose the children to witnessing more abuse. The legislative framework and policies have an enormous impact on social work practice. The complex interplay of skills, values and knowledge; the prevailing social attitudes; and the conflicting and overlapping imperative, have been analysed as the range of dilemmas and conflicts faced by social workers. What is most noteworthy, however, is the need for sound professional judgement and ethical consideration.

Socrates Essay example -- essays research papers

Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the life of Socrates. Central Idea: I plan on telling the audience what Philosophy is, who Socrates was, and the methods he used in teaching his philosophy. INTRODUCTION Attention Getter: "The unexamined life is not worth living." This is the most famous quote of the most popular philosopher of all time: Socrates. Reveal Topic: I plan on telling you what philosophy is and how Socrates viewed philosophy. Credibility: I am able to speak on this topic because I have taken a philosophy course, and I have done extensive research in to Socrates life. Central Idea: I plan on telling the audience what philosophy is, who Socrates was, and tell the way he viewed philosophy in order to better understand his quote. (Connective: First, lets talk about what philosophy is.) BODY I. Philosophy is a term with many meanings. A. Philosophy is the process of thinking through every little question imaginable to try to come up with the most rational explanation or truth. B. It is an attempt to describe "the ultimate and real nature of reality." C. Philosophy also helps us to determine the limits of out knowledge by its source, value, nature and validity. D. It is a continuous thought process searching for the underlying knowledge of all causes or things as they appear to us, finding out why a thing is what it is. (Connective: Now let's learn a little about Socrates life.) II. Socrates's Life A. He grew up in Athens with little schooling. B. He married late in life but did have 3 sons. C. He was a political figure because of his wisdom, but never was interested in running for any type of public office. D. He was a major figure during a war which is where he first gained his recognition. E. He wrote none of his thoughts down. The information we have about him today comes from one of his students, his best, Plato. He recorded several of the dialogs he had with Socrates and put them in a book. F. His main... ...le he was in prison. They had actually devised an escape plan, and also a guard "forgot" to lock the door, but Socrates said he wanted to comply with the law and die for his reason, cause, and beliefs. F. He said he didn't fear death because you can't fear anything you don't have any knowledge of. CONCLUSION Well, I hope everyone can come up with their own interpretation of why the unexamined life wasn't and isn't worth living. According to Socrates, we should be asking questions about everything we see, hear, or think we know. I interpret the quote as having to know yourself inside and out. You have to come up with your own beliefs and values, not the one's of anyone else. I believe to have a happy life, you have to examine and know every little aspect of your life. If your thoughts and beliefs aren't questioned by yourself over and over again, how will you know if they are your thoughts or the ones of others'? If you are living the values and beliefs of your best friend or a group of friends, the values are not your own, so therefor, your life is unexamined and why should you live a life that isn't yours? Socrates Essay example -- essays research papers Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the life of Socrates. Central Idea: I plan on telling the audience what Philosophy is, who Socrates was, and the methods he used in teaching his philosophy. INTRODUCTION Attention Getter: "The unexamined life is not worth living." This is the most famous quote of the most popular philosopher of all time: Socrates. Reveal Topic: I plan on telling you what philosophy is and how Socrates viewed philosophy. Credibility: I am able to speak on this topic because I have taken a philosophy course, and I have done extensive research in to Socrates life. Central Idea: I plan on telling the audience what philosophy is, who Socrates was, and tell the way he viewed philosophy in order to better understand his quote. (Connective: First, lets talk about what philosophy is.) BODY I. Philosophy is a term with many meanings. A. Philosophy is the process of thinking through every little question imaginable to try to come up with the most rational explanation or truth. B. It is an attempt to describe "the ultimate and real nature of reality." C. Philosophy also helps us to determine the limits of out knowledge by its source, value, nature and validity. D. It is a continuous thought process searching for the underlying knowledge of all causes or things as they appear to us, finding out why a thing is what it is. (Connective: Now let's learn a little about Socrates life.) II. Socrates's Life A. He grew up in Athens with little schooling. B. He married late in life but did have 3 sons. C. He was a political figure because of his wisdom, but never was interested in running for any type of public office. D. He was a major figure during a war which is where he first gained his recognition. E. He wrote none of his thoughts down. The information we have about him today comes from one of his students, his best, Plato. He recorded several of the dialogs he had with Socrates and put them in a book. F. His main... ...le he was in prison. They had actually devised an escape plan, and also a guard "forgot" to lock the door, but Socrates said he wanted to comply with the law and die for his reason, cause, and beliefs. F. He said he didn't fear death because you can't fear anything you don't have any knowledge of. CONCLUSION Well, I hope everyone can come up with their own interpretation of why the unexamined life wasn't and isn't worth living. According to Socrates, we should be asking questions about everything we see, hear, or think we know. I interpret the quote as having to know yourself inside and out. You have to come up with your own beliefs and values, not the one's of anyone else. I believe to have a happy life, you have to examine and know every little aspect of your life. If your thoughts and beliefs aren't questioned by yourself over and over again, how will you know if they are your thoughts or the ones of others'? If you are living the values and beliefs of your best friend or a group of friends, the values are not your own, so therefor, your life is unexamined and why should you live a life that isn't yours?

Lots of things

What the services and facilities people will look forward to? There are lots of things to consider among the industry. Let cannot do well with only one organization. It Just likes a intangible product, if you want attract people to choose that you must need to do well prepared for their planning , delivering, advertising. 2. The structure of the travel, tourism and hospitality Industry First of all, there are so many different aspects to define the tourism Industry . Most of us will follow the definition from the World Tourism Organization (WTFO).It defines Tourism as one activities of human traveling to and staying in places outside their usual area for not more than one year for leisure, business, and other purposes. And in side the Tourism, it related to many parts of business and organizations to promote the tourism product. They consist three sectors from the tourism environment. There are public sectors, private sectors and voluntary sectors. The public sectors mean the governm ent of the country involved in the industry of tourism directly or indirectly, for example, the National Tourism Organization (ONTO).What the public sectors to do s by directly building the facilities and destinations or training the people who work related to the Industry Indirectly. And what the public sectors done will make a widely range of Influence to the relevant travel Issues all around the world-Next the private sectors covers all the commercial businesses Like the chain hotels, airlines, restaurants or even the tour operators-This kind of sectors' purpose is making money and it can contains all levels of distribution chain, which means the private sectors can be a suppliers, wholesalers and the retailers at the same time.What's more is the voluntary sectors, they are not the organization pursuing profit compared to the private sector. Let represents the specific interests of the members in the group and formed a unique purpose to promote the tourism.For example, the Nation al Association of Travel Agents Singapore, it promotes and enhance cooperation between the travel agents, playing an important role of negotiating for members and to make the public understand the services which the members can provide which Is a guarantee of competence-And besides the tourism, the part of travel also can be operated to many kinds of way-Sea travel Like the cruise trip, people choose the cruise instead of flight because it provides everything you need from entertainment, beautiful views of countryside and even the traditional local spot of the destinations.Air travel is so common to describe, by the airplane people can go another place with the shortest time and figure out international, cultural different backgrounds. And domestic road travel provide a convenient way for the visitors that they can go anyway in the country, driving by themselves which not limited by time or money else. What's more, the hospitality industry according to different sized operations,dif ferent customers can divided to many kinds of sector. For instance, the accommodation, gambling, holidays park,events,visitors attraction and so on.For example, the Singapore Airlines takeovers the Jetsam Airlines to make their customers have more choices of flight lines. Instead of horizontal integration, vertical integration is make the company gets greater control and it involved in different levels of operations. Compared to backward vertical integration, forward vertical integration is more common. It is mean the company buys the further down equines under then distribution chain. On the other hand is mean that the forward vertical integration gaining more closer to the consumer.For example, the Airline company takeover the travel agent to obtain well control the distribution and plan, organize more efficient, profitable package for the company. Backward vertical integration mean the company buy upward business and it is moving further from the customers. For example, the Thoma s Cook Holidays setting up Thomas Cook Airways. In conclusion, we can find that the integration leads to more control and benefit to one business.

Earthquakes and Moving Plates essays

Earthquakes and Moving Plates essays One day in my freshman year biology class, I felt the ground moving as if there has been an explosion. Soon after, I was under the table feeling like I was on a boat out in the sea. Despite the feeling of seasickness I was excited and felt privileged to experience the earthquake since it was something very rare. From that moment, how the earthquakes occur and what makes them vary from place to place came to my close attention. However, because of the devastating aftermath of earthquakes, sometimes it is very easy to ignore the real cause of the earthquakes but rather focus on the damage caused by the earthquakes. It is important to understand both the cause of an earthquake and how it affects human life as well as how to be prepared in order to minimize the harm. Many people are aware or heard of plate tectonics and its impact on the world. In fact, the plate tectonic is the main driving force for earthquakes occurring around the world. Then, it is crucial to understand how the moving plates generate earthquakes. The earth's surface, lithosphere, is a rigid shell, and underneath the lithosphere, there is a hot asthenosphere which "finds a weak place in the lithosphere to rise" (Louie 1). This convection process allows the lithosphere to move. In some cases, the continuously moving plates spread apart from each other, push against each other, or slide along next to each other, creating a fault (Lassieur 19). When the plates move toward each other, such as southern Alaska where the Pacific plate is subducting underneath the North American plate, the Earth's largest earthquakes, the 1964 Alaskan earthquake for example, are generally formed (A.S.G. 1). Usually, plates that are moving away from each other are situated in the deep oceans and generate relatively shallow earthquakes (A.S.G. 2). In cases of the plates sliding by each other, such as San Andreas fault in California, the movement may cause many damaging earthquakes. However,...

The top three U.S. cities to start a business

The top three U.S. cities to start a business Attention entrepreneurs: We know that you’re eager to kickstart your business idea and build it into the next wildly successful corporate empire. After all, fortune favors the bold, and a commonly shared trait amongst successful entrepreneurs is an unwavering self-confidence at all costs and a capacity to handle risk. However, that doesn’t mean you should blindly leap forward before carefully weighing all of the variables that typically make or break new startups- this includes where you decide to get started, which can be just as important as the how and why parts of the new business equation.  It’s true- when it comes to starting, owning, and operating a business in America, all cities are not created equal. In addition to the obvious things like climate, location, and existing infrastructure in your specific industry, there are a host of key variables to consider when choosing which city is the ideal home for your burgeoning business.Inc. recently ran an article on America’s top surge cities- cities whose high ratings in the following key metrics make them ideal places for starting a new business: job creation, population growth, net business creation, rate of entrepreneurship, wage growth, high-growth company density, and early-stage fundraising.  Whether your goal is a modest one-person operation, the next international mega-corporation, or somewhere in-between, as you build your business plan and look to get your idea off the ground floor and up and running, you may discover that one of these cities is the perfect place to make your move.Austin, TXReferring to Austin as â€Å"the next Silicon Valley† is practically yesterday’s news, as notable tech superstars ranging from Google to Amazon and many others have already established a serious presence in this thriving and talent-rich city. As a result, Austin is experiencing an amazing explosion of business and population development and expansion- with no end in sight.And it isn’t just tech-centric companies planting their flags in Austin. Companies across all industries are eager to set up shop in Austin and get in on the action. The city is abuzz with start-up money and public and private investment opportunities, which only adds to its current draw as the edgy alternative to San Francisco and New York City.And if you’re thinking that Austin is all business, then think again- the city’s fun factor is practically off the charts, with a thriving music scene and nightlife, and bars and restaurant s abounding to serve the needs of all the employees flocking to its borders. If you’re looking for a home for your business, Austin should definitely make your short list.Salt Lake City, UTIf you’re wondering where the â€Å"next, next Silicon Valley† might be, then look no further than Salt Lake City. As San Francisco and Austin continue to evolve and everything from real estate to restaurants get more expensive, companies are giving Salt Lake City a closer look as an affordable alternative. Don’t take our word for it- companies like Electronic Arts, Adobe, and Oracle already have offices here, along with a wide range of other high-valued entrepreneurial startups. If you’re interested in getting in early on the next big thing, then setting up here just might be one of your first prophetic business moves.Raleigh, NCIf you’re looking for a thriving and vibrant home for your new company that’s just a little further off the typical beaten path, consider this edgy corner of the southern Research Triangle.More and more companies are looking at Raleigh and everything it has to offer- a young, well-educated, and talent-rich population of college graduates and seasoned workers, as well as a thriving cultural scene. Most importantly, investment money is following suit. The bottom line: Raleigh is a solid choice as a home for new businesses looking to get going and benefit from its favorable location.If you’re an entrepreneur on the rise and are looking to find the home where to build your business, then consider the choices presented here when you’re making your decision. Good luck!

Principles Of Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Principles Of Leadership - Essay Example (The Next Generation Responsible Leaders, 2010) In troubled times people tend to seek advice from an effective leader and his forthcoming ideas always seem to take the organisation out of a crisis. However there is a tendency on the part of most researches to turn the leader into a kind of solo hero who is single-handedly charting the organisation out of troubled times. It tries to give a kind of halo to the leader and creates a myth that the leader is taking most of the decisions by virtue of his greatness and his extreme capabilities. However, it fails to address that leaders are not necessarily someone who knows every single detail of a particular task but who is capable of bringing together different minds into sharing a common goal. A leader is capable in delegating the duties effectively to the right person and make sure that the work is completed on time. People seem to thrive under his authority and is seen someone who is capable of getting the job done. (The Next Generation Responsible Leaders, 2010) However with the present day obsession with celebrities and individuals, one tries to glorify leaders and give them more than their due. People always love to see a hero and is always trying to find figures that fit into the description. It is true that leaders play a major role in executing decision since the buck stops there. However, it should also be kept in mind that a major part of decision making process which the leader so very effectively executes is a result of the work done by the other individuals in the group who collectively share responsibility in doing the work and helping the leader have an uncluttered mind when taking decisions. (Rothwell Dan, 2010) A leader is not only one who inspires his followers but the inspiration can happen vice-versa i.e a creative suggestion or input from a follower or group member can inspire the leader likewise. (The Next Generation Responsible Leaders, 2010) Source: The Next Generation Responsible Leaders, 201 0 Most theories suggest a dyadic relationship between a leader and a follower. The path that is usually chartered includes ways and methods in which a leader influences its followers to work with more dedication. It is seeks ways to improve the confidence and trust between a leader and a follower. However the limitation is that it does not seek a more co-ordinated group activity between the followers. Followers blindly repose their faith in actions and instructions from a leader. They are not encouraged to come up with innovative ideas. Information that is available outside the domain of the leader is not accessed and the follower is not interested in honing his skill in other areas where the leader might not necessarily be active. The problem with this kind of one way traffic is that the leader is hailed as a demy-god until all the decisions go their way. However the moment a problem occurs or a leadership vacuum comes up the next person who can take over the reins becomes a rarity . This is because the next rung of leadership has never been cultivated. (Gary Yukl, 1999) Source: The Next Generation Responsible Leaders, 2010 A leadership that tries to glorify its leaders or make them heroes tends to tinker more with the emotional aspect of the follower. The follower is stimulated to make extreme sacrifices without asking for any reason. Any resistance or

Westerhoff Book Critique Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Westerhoff Book Critique - Assignment Example (Westerhoff 1994, ix) The ideas presented in the book are logical, simple, and realistic where the professor uses a lot of examples and related life stories to explain his point. Rev. Dr. John Westerhoff, III taught at Harvard and Duke University Divinity School and was also part of the ministry first at the United Church of Christ in Needham, MA, and later became a priest in the Episcopal Church. (Bramer 2009) The professor is an author of a number of books already which are also about faith and spirituality. Spiritual Formation focuses on how living a spiritual life affects preaching and teaching in our time and the issues concerning them. In the same way that we cannot give what we do not have, the professor said in his book that the best teachers and preachers he has known were persons who taught and preached out of the depths of their own life experiences. (Westerhoff 1994, 32) Most educators I know do believe that experience is indeed the best teacher. I guess I can say they were also very good at their profession. Yet teaching and preaching in the light of spiritual formation is not achievable by the mentor alone. One word that links the sender (the preacher or the teacher) and the receiver (students and other recipients) is the word â€Å"learning†. Learning is a two way process. It involves not only the participation, but also first of all the interest, more so the willingness to learn of the student. As the professor out it in his book introduction, â€Å"Today, spiritua l formation is a major concern of faculty and students† (Westerhoff 1994, ix). He also quoted Nouwen that â€Å"someone must be willing to let his or her life be a resource for the other’s learning; and if there is any truth, it will break in from the outside and illuminate both the teacher and the learner.† (Westerhoff 1994, 41) In this process both teacher and student learn and in this sense, Westerhoff added that the learner needs to be