Vices and Virtues :: essays research papers

Rene Descartes once said, â€Å"The greatest minds are capable of the greatest vices as well as of the greatest virtues.† This idea rings true in Richard Connell’s â€Å"The Most Dangerous Game†. First published in 1924, this short story follows Sanger Rainsford, a hunter from New York City, on a ship from America to Rio de Janeiro. In the middle of the Caribbean Sea, Rainsford falls overboard and hastily swims to a nearby island. He comes upon another hunter’s mansion on the island, and soon discovers that this hunter is more dangerous than he had ever imagined. Rainsford finds his life in great danger, and must outwit the hunter, General Zaroff, to survive. Using techniques he had learned hunting, Rainsford evades Zaroff, and his persecutor is fed to the dogs. Rainsford returns to the mansion, rid of Zaroff. This essay will argue that Rainsford does not remain on Ship Trap Island, and that the events that occurred there persuade him to give up the hunt.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Throughout the story, it is made painfully obvious that Rainsford has no respect for the animals he hunts. In the opening of â€Å"The Most Dangerous Game,† Sanger Rainsford is standing on the deck of a ship, philosophizing with a fellow hunter named Whitney. Whitney says, â€Å"I rather think [jaguars] understand one thing—fear. The fear of pain and the fear of death† (1). Rainsford replies, â€Å"The world is made up of two classes—the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters† (1). In this way, Sanger Rainsford proves he does not understand the fear of being hunted. This belief leads him to believe that hunting is a fine sport, and that he need not consider the feelings of the game he hunts. Later on in the story, however, Rainsford’s feelings contradict this idea.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  While Sanger Rainsford is being chased by General Zaroff, he begins to feel the terror of being hunted. Connell writes: The general was playing with him! The general was saving him for another day’s sport! The Cossack was the cat; he was the mouse. Then it was that Rainsford knew the full meaning of terror. (14) Now that he sees that his life is in certain danger, he begins to use traps to outwit General Zaroff. Beginning to feel like game himself, Rainsford believes his mind is his only way out. He must realize, then, that the animals he hunts do not have this defense, making hunting as a sport much more inhumane than he ever thought possible.

Hardness Removal Essay

88%. Total Hardness Percentage Removal = 100-84328*100=74. 39 % Calcium Percentage Removal = 100-59296*100=80. 06% Magnesium Percentage Removal = 100-2532*100=21. 88% ) How close did the treatment process come to reaching the practical limits of hardness reduction? Hardness removal limits were not achieved. Calcium was reduced to a concentration of 59 mg/L versus the limit of 30 mg/L. And in the case of Magnesium the concentration was reduced to 25mg/L versus the limit of 10mg/L. Calcium percent difference: 30-5930=96. 66% (Absolute value) Magnesium percent difference: 10-2510=150% (Absolute value) 4) How many metric tons of Ca(OH)2 and NaCO3 are necessary to process 59 million gallons of water per day based on the calculations of 1. a. and 1. b.? To run this water softening technique in a water plant processing 59 million gallons per day it would require 51 tons of Ca(OH)2 and 33 tons of NaCO3 2. 27*10-4kgL*223. 02*106L*(ton1000 kg)=51 tons of CaOH2 per day 1. 48*10-4kgL*223. 02*106L*(ton1000 kg)=33 tons of NaCO3 per day Discussion Hard water is an issue for industries that rely on large amounts of water to operate. Hardness generated by elements such as calcium and magnesium cat ions produce scum in pipes and with many industrial chemicals reduces their overall effectiveness. That is why it is important to have economic and reliable ways of reducing water hardness in large scales. The particular method used in this experiment was lime soda softening. It has to be noted that this particular procedure only works for water that has an initial pH level lower than 8. Based on stoichiometry and the addition rules according to Nazaroff and Alvarez-Cohen we are able to find what concentration of Ca(OH)2 and NaCO3 are needed to remove hardness from the water. Based on our results the softening of the water was a success. Initial total hardness was recorded at 328 mg/L, after softening the concentration was found to be 84 mg/L. Looking individually at the reduction of calcium and magnesium the concentration was reduced from 296 mg/L to 59 mg/L and 32 mg/L to 25 mg/L respectively. Even though a large amount of the hardness was removed from the water it was nowhere near the practical limit levels. This can be attributed to the fact that the reactions that dictate hardness removal suffer from diminishing returns. Sources of error in this lab can be attributed to the fact that the sample water was only allowed to precipitate for 15 minutes instead of the 20 that was required as stated by the procedure.

Mckinsey Model Essay

McKinsey 7S Model This model was developed in the 1980’s by Robert Waterman, Tom Peters and Julien Philips whilst working for McKinsey and originally presented in their article † Structure is not Organisation†. To quote them: â€Å"Intellectually all managers and consultants know that much more goes on in the process of organizing than the charts, boxes, dotted lines, position descriptions, and matrices can possibly depict. But all too often we behave as though we didn’t know it – if we want change we change the structure. Diagnosing and solving organizational problems means looking not merely to structural reorganization for answers but to a framework that includes structure and several related factors.† The 7S Model which they developed and presented became extensively used by mangers and consultants and is one of the cornerstones of organizational analysis. [pic] Essentially the model says that any organisation can be best described by the seven interrelated elements shown above: Strategy Plans for the allocation of a firm’s scarce resources, over time, to reach identified goals. Environment, competition, customers. Structure The way the organization’s units relate to each other: centralized, functional divisions (top-down); decentralized (the trend in larger organizations); matrix, network, holding, etc. Systems The procedures, processes and routines that characterize how important work is to be done: financial systems; hiring, promotion and performance appraisal systems; information systems. Skills Distinctive capabilities of personnel or of the organization as a whole. Staff Numbers and types of personnel within the organization. Style  Cultural style of the organization and how key managers behave in achieving the organization’s goals. Shared Value  The interconnecting centre of McKinsey’s model is: Shared Values. What the organization stands for and what it believes in. Central beliefs and attitudes. However the model is more than simply a list. Key Points are: 1. The top 3, strategy , structure and systems, are the hard elements. The bottom 4, skills, staff, style, and shared values are the soft elements. 2. At that time, any organisational study focused on the top â€Å"hard† elements and ignored the bottom â€Å"soft† elements. 3. The current view is to focus on all 7, accepting that for each business or enterprise, two or three will be the VITAL ones. 4. The key point is that all the elements are all inter-dependant. Changes in one will have repercussions on the others. Thus introduction of new systems will certainly affect skills, and may well effect structure, style and staff. It could even have an impact on strategy. Similar repercussions occur with decentralization. 5. If you just try to change one element on its own, the other element may well resist the change and try to maintain the status quo. 6. In this sense, any change in organisation is best seen as a shift in the whole picture. Waterman Jr., Robert H., Peters, Thomas J., and Julien R. Phillips. 1980. STRUCTURE IS NOT ORGANIZATION.† Business Horizons 23, no. 3: 14

Pro Tips From Successful Writers! Good Work Habits Make All the Difference

Pro Tips From Successful Writers! Good Work Habits Make All the Difference Pro Tips From Successful Writers! Good Work Habits Make All the Difference   Many people assume that good writers are born that way. A modicum of natural talent is certainly helpful; however, when it comes to long-term writing success, good work habits make all the difference. How many gifted writers are there with half-finished work on their hard drives? The completion of a well-written project requires solid work habits, discipline, and self-knowledge. Luckily, these are not traits; they are skills that can be learned! These pro tips from successful writers will help you see your work through from start to finish. Getting Ready to Write Sometimes, just sitting down to work is the biggest obstacle! Whether it’s challenging yourself with a deadline, setting aside time for writing, or avoiding distractions, writers need to engage self-discipline to create the opportunity to be creative. Deadlines Are Your Friends Deadlines can be a blessing in disguise. They propel you through the more difficult stages of your process, helping that end goal to stay within view. Self-motivated projects are understandably challenging to complete- so create deadlines for yourself. Essay contests and job applications can help provide motivating deadlines for a writer. While some creative writers may find adrenaline to be a helpful motivational tool, with academic or business writing, it is more likely to result in sloppy work. Your arguments will be stronger and your vocabulary richer if you avoid the stress of a rapidly approaching end-date. By getting a head start, you won’t short change the vital editing process, and you won’t be thrown off course if setbacks occur. Limit Distractions Short story writer Nathan Englander advises, â€Å"If you want to get work done, you’ve got to learn to unplug.† When you hit roadblocks in your work, it can feel like a relief to distract yourself by messaging a friend. However, studies prove that productivity skyrockets when personal phones are kept out of sight, or at least switched to â€Å"airplane mode.† For many writers, working at home is the easiest way to avoid noise and distractions. However, if you have children or pets, messy areas might become an additional distraction (and a temptation to procrastinate). It can be hard to focus when surrounded by piles of dirty laundry. Use Your Most Productive Hours The best time to write varies from writer to writer. Often, finding your ideal writing window will depend on how you work best. If you require silence to focus, early morning is a great choice (before anyone has the chance to distract you). Writers Toni Morrison, Ernest Hemingway, and Haruki Murakami famously preferred the early hours for their efforts. One advantage of morning writing is a sense of accomplishment that can carry you throughout the day. You’ve made progress; now you can relax without writing looming all afternoon. Use the time for editing, administrative tasks, or research, and focus on writing during your most fruitful hours. Create Your Optimal Environment Not every writer prefers absolute silence or solitude. The presence of others can also be inspiring and comforting. This helps explain the rise in popularity of co-working spaces, which are popping up all over campuses and urban centers. The library can also be a pleasant respite from the busy atmosphere of a coffee shop. Regardless of where you work, noise-cancelling earphones can help shut out the chatter. Just be sure to pick music that inspires you! Up-tempo instrumental music can keep you from succumbing to boredom and fatigue. Finally: Forget The Rules! It can be challenging to stick to a regular writing routine with the stresses of our daily lives. It’s important not to fret over less-than-ideal circumstances if you can’t change them. As E.B. White put it, â€Å"A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper.† It’s also helpful to remember that even the best writers don’t always feel like sitting down to work. As Henry Miller once said, â€Å"write according to program and not according to mood.† Now That You’ve Started Congratulations: you’re off! These simple techniques will help you stay focused while improving your results. Set Short-Term Goals Short-term goalposts can help you drive towards the finish line. You choose the writing interval, which may vary from project to project. When writing a thesis, for example, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by such a seemingly monumental task. However, when you break that task up into manageable increments, anything is possible! Just take it one step at a time. Whether it’s a half hour or an hour, all you need to worry about it keeping your head down until the buzzer sounds. Be wary of using your phone as a timer, since this may tempt you to use it as a distraction. Leave Yourself Somewhere to Start If you don’t know where to start the next day, sitting down to write can seem impossibly daunting. One oft-repeated piece of advice is to stop writing for the day (or the session) in the middle of a sentence or paragraph. If you provide yourself with a launching pad, you’ll start work focused and inspired, and you’ll get the satisfaction of â€Å"finishing† something early in the session. If you’re working from an outline, know exactly where you’ll begin the next day before signing off, to fend off that dreaded fear of the blank page. Move Your Body Sometimes, when a section is particularly frustrating, a walk or jog can be just what you need. Exercise can clear your head and get you back on track, refreshed. It’s hard sitting at a desk for hours on end! If you’ve set your timer and worked for your allotted time, use your break period to get moving. A walk around the block, a dip in the pool, or a few jumping jacks can be enough to get you energized. Kurt Vonnegut once reported that he broke up his writing with push-ups and sit-ups to fend off lethargy. Editing And Rewriting This can sometimes seem like the toughest part of writing, but it is one of the most critical steps for doing good work. Neil Gaiman described revision as â€Å"a process of making it look like you knew what you were doing all along.† Get Feedback Go to one or two trusted friends, but don’t go to ten. The further along you are in your career, the more likely you are to have respectful, trusting relationships with other writers. Don’t be afraid to reach out, but avoid the temptation to ask everyone for their â€Å"take† on your work. Too many opinions can be counter-productive, particularly if the views are from individuals with a limited understanding of your topic. If you don’t have anyone you feel comfortable showing your work, or if you’re pressed for time, consulting a professional writing service can be invaluable. Know When To Delete Editing the same passages repeatedly can be time-consuming and frustrating. If your wording isn’t creating the desired effect, or if you’re finding it too difficult to make a succinct point, radical surgery may be required. Delete the problematic passage and start over. If it doesn’t work, you can always revert to an earlier version history; but often the solution will become apparent to you once you have a clean slate. Knowing When To Walk Away Remember: your work will never be perfect. Be satisfied knowing that you did the best you could. If you set yourself up for success with your writing habits, you can avoid fretting over sections that might have improved with more time. No writer has all the time they want, and we do the best with what we have. While you may eventually look back on your work and notice small errors that you missed, that’s simply the nature of the process. Whether you’re writing a thesis, a research paper or a college admissions essay, know that writers all over the world struggle with the same issues you do. While there’s no â€Å"easy† way to write, establishing good writing habits will set you apart from the crowd. For expert editing and writing services, call 1 (800) 573-0840 (toll-free) to speak with a professional paper writer. With offices in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver, can help make sure great habits result in great writing.

New York City The Financial Capital of the World

New York City The Financial Capital of the World unlike some of the lesser-known cities in this series, you probably don’t need to be sold on the professional and cultural advantages of   new york city. but as a reminder, here’s what’s great!culturemuseums:  they’re here, and they’re abundant: from the met to the folk art museum and weird ones like the morbid anatomy museum in brooklyn, if someone important made it, chances are we display it somewhere  in this city.theater: in addition to the fancy bright lights of broadway (hamilton is playing here and only here, just saying) and their attendant ticket prices, there are also discount tickets and off-broadway theaters offering accessible and once-in-a-lifetime shows for snobs and populists alike.music: from the grittiest underground club to dizzy’s jazz supper club at lincoln center, there are options for even the pickiest listener every night of the week.food: when people coming to the city for the first time ask me for restaurant re commendations, i just sort of laugh. there are way too many choices to offer up one option that will suit everyone. my favorite is butter midtown, alex guarneschelli’s masterpiece on 46th st, for the record. we have every cuisine you can imagine at every possible price point, from the $2 gourmet food truck special to the $$$$$ plate at [insert exclusive fancypants resto here]. periodic restaurant weeks offer prix fixe tastes to those of us with smaller wallets.job forecastaccording to the bureau of labor statistics, the top 5 industries in new york are:financial services (duh, didn’t you guys listen to hamilton yet?)health care,  especially providing assisted living services for seniorsprofessional, scientific and technical servicesretail trade and food service.  it’s a tough climate, but if you can find your audience, it can be a resilient and rewarding field.manufacturing,  particularly electronics and apparelwhile the cost of living is intense (weâ€⠄¢re always ranked in the top 5 most expensive cities in the  nation, if not higher), new york is also home to a vibrant community of freelancers and self-employed creative types, from graphic designers to copyeditors. we make our workaday homes in coffee shops and coworking co-ops, and utilize nyc’s expansive (though occasionally dysfunctional) public transit to get from place to place so we can read on the train.housing outlookas manhattan’s up-and-coming neighborhoods in this year’s roundup for aspiring buyers included jackson heights, jamaica, and ridgewood in queens; kensington, bay ridge, and sunset park in brooklyn; washington heights in manhattan; and the south bronx. new york magazine also recommends renting in ditmas park in brooklyn, sunnyside in queens, cliffside park and bloomfield in new jersey, st. george in staten island, and hudson heights in way-uptown-manhattan.nyc may not make sense for every professional or up-and-comer, but if you’ re willing to broaden the scope of your housing search and make up for the expense of, well, everything with the availability of free, cheap, and discounted cultural abundance- it may be the city you’ve been waiting for.

Local goverment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Local goverment - Essay Example Looking at the different states in the U.S, we see that different states have given more or less power or authority to the local governments. Also, we see that distribution of power is yet unbalanced within the same state. The distribution of power from a state to its localities is not immutable, nor is it unidirectional. Some states are kind enough to give more authority to their cities while others like to keep power in their own hands. John F. Dillon set out his rule stating that local governments can only exercise powers given to them by the state. This rule is dominant in the working of many cities in the world today. In addition, we see that many states that adopted Dillons rule have home rule provisions that they follow. This allows them to have more autonomy from the state and make important decisions they need to make for the development of their cities. Statistics show that cities have lost discretionary powers in the last decade. The city managers feel this loss more than other stake holders because it makes their work hard. One way that has been adapted by cities is to act as coherent force against states rather than being divided among themselves. Some states legislators show loss of trust in the local governments being the reason for them to not let them enjoy the freedom. Annexation is a method used to improve the overall fiscal environment of a municipality. Looking at the effects of annexation we see that it has influenced spending but effects of spending are complicated depending on the changes in municipality density levels. Annexation has been an important method of physical municipal growth. In the U.S, this is a very intense local issue. Due to this, there are a lot of conflicts that arise because it can increase a city’s population, tax base, demographics, population of voters etc. In addition, annexation can lead to removal of an existing tax or

Management theories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Management theories - Essay Example With new management theory so readily available, it seems that few if any of the historical theories meet our expectations today. However, in choosing one the choice here would be the Administrative Principles. This approach, at least made an attempt to focus on the total organization and today we know that each entity in an organization is important to the whole and how those entities function together is extremely important. In this particular theory, Henri Fayol (1841-1925) was the developer of the theory. There were fourteen general principles that were put into place as a part of this principle. There are truly some good things and some bad things here.(provenmodels, 2010). Division of labor: This is a method of achieving maximum efficiency through the use of specialized labor rather than just splitting people up by the technical activities they do. This is, in some ways, how a hospital works today and many other major businesses too. The division of labor is usually split up by specialty. For example, the business office, the admissions, the coders etc. Establishment of Authority: Here the true ability to make a decision and carry it out is available to the manager. Today, we call it one kind of power or another but even today, there are organizations that are unable to release this authority even to their top managers. As one reads these points, it is realized that they are all important today and we think of them as a part of one or more of the theories we study today. When the pros are thought of, one of the things that leaps out at the reader immediately is the stability of jobs. In today's world there are beginning to be short numbers of staff in many specialty fields. It is also known that training and retraining staff are very expensive (Jick, & Perpirl,, 2003). With that known, retention of staff becomes extremely important, as important today at it was then. The other pros are that unity of command remains important today as well as unity of direction. Today, we understand that it is important to assure that employees other than senior management staff are a part of strategic planning, for example. The cons are that this is a step back of course from what we know today and though the fourteen points are useful, it all seems somewhat complicated to use and they are somewhat vague in spots a nd seem a little confusing. The theory that is most