Meeting Mila :: Children Personal Narrative Friendship Essays

Meeting MilaChildren used to annoy me. They cried. They pooped. They cried some more. They yelled straightforward questions at the movies, screamed constantly in the grocery store, and seemed to have an affinity for yelling out facts that the general public did not need to know (such as when in a department store, Bobby informs the sales clerk, MOMMY SAYS MY BROTHER BILLY WAS AN ACCIDENT) Furthermore, I had no idea how to deal with children. I was the youngest sibling in my family, and dissimilar most girls my age, I had never been a babysitter. All of that would change, however, when I met Mila. She would show me only if how intelligent, honest, and wonderful children can be.It was around Valentines Day when I met a singular and interesting young man named diddley. He was a writer, chain smoker, and lover of all caras wellns -- especially those involving giant fighting robots. I was going to Topeka tungsten High School, he was a freshman at Washburn University and despite our age difference, we clicked. He told me when we first met that he had a little girl, that her name was Mila, and that she was two years old. I like to think that the fact he had a child didnt freak me out, but it did. As a sixteen year old, I was too young to have to deal with a kid. Also, I was convinced that I didnt have the time or patience to spend time with both Jack and his daughter.Mila had a squinty-eyed smile that could lighten up my foulest mood. Her eyes were like a prized Huskys, a beautiful, piercing ice blue--just like her fathers. Her hair was so blond, it was white. It amazed me (and mum does) that so much beauty could be bundled into such a small package. I noticed right away that she also had his ears--they stuck out from the sides of her head just like his, but hers were more feminine, with earrings adorning her tiny lobes.At first, she was shy around me. (Of course, back then, she hadnt mastered opening doors yet, and oh, how thats changed) But over the weekends she spent at Jacks house, I became Her Sara. She started becoming more comfortable around me when I began driving Jack to Lawrence to pick her up and then driving back with her in tow.

Stanley Yelnat in Louis Sachar’s Holes :: Holes Essays

In Louis Sachars Holes, Stanley changes his perspective of life through fear, courage, and perseverance. Louis Sachar began Holes as a basic concept of the area which would later be called face pack Green Lake (Sachar). The story puts us into the streets of Stanleys neighborhood and immediately into the action. We meet the young Stanley Yelnats, who is about to embark on an unexpected journey that takes him through the highly painful and unforgettable Camp Green Lake where he is forced to fight for survival against the unbearable heat and all of the dangers lurking in the sandy pit of a camp. Stanley is a typical everyday kid that finds himself in the wrong place and the wrong time. Although he is a good kid that never seems to bother anyone, his family has an allege history of being cursed. It ran in his family for centuries and it was only a matter of time before it caught up to him. After taking a pair of used sneakers that had been impel shore from a nearby overpass, Stanley finds himself sitting in a prison camp bus seat with nothing more than a toothbrush, toothpaste, and some constitution utensils waiting on the unk todayn. He cant get much passed the guards on the bus despite his good behavior, they only ignore him or sleep together at him to be quiet. The bus ride is long and painfully boring as they travel further and further into the desert heat. Eventually the bus slows down and the patrolling guard tells Yelnats that this is his stop. Stanley steps right from the bus onto the grounds of what used to be a camp for young adults called Camp Green Lake. Now it is a bloody(a) oasis filed with holes. The biggest mystery behind Camp Green was why that the once wonderful lake and campgrounds were nothing more than sand and rocks in a desert now (Sutton). Stanley is then introduced to the camp warden, a mean and vicious woman with no sympathy for any human that walks the grounds of the camp. Stanley is walked around the camp to his new nutrition qua rters where he meets Zero. They soon become best friends and Stanley finds himself at peace with the camp. It doesnt take long for the warden to ruin that, however, as she walks in and takes Stanley to see what mustiness be done for the duration of the time he is at the camp.

Why Drugs Should Be Legal :: essays research papers

America is wasting its notes and resources. Its move restrict something on which restrictions dont have any effects drugs. People who dont use recreational drugs dont do so because of the health risks people who do use drugs would whether or not they are sub judice. The fact that they are il effective makes little difference. Nevertheless, $15,000,000,000 goes directly into drug banning every year, and has very little effect. Very much money is spent to pay police narcotics officers, fund the D.E.A., and house drug-offenders in prison. The prisons are full of drug-related criminals, and untrained offenders go exhaust earlier because of this. Which would you prefer walking the streets, a rapist, or a potsmoker?Legalizing recreational drugs does not mean making drugs accesible to all people. The drugs that are legal today, alcohol and tobacco (nicotene) arent available to just everyone they are regulated. Only certain people are allowed to buy them. Since the drug trade is unreg ulated, drugs are exchange anywhere they can be (e.g. schools), allowing children to have access to them. If these drugs were illegal, than that trade would stagnate, and children wouldnt have such easy access to them. It makes sense do you ever assist people in schools selling beer or cigarrettes? Also, the usual cause of drug overdose is the fact that a person cannot k at present the potency of the drug he/she is taking. There are no standards because the trade of drugs is illegal in the first place. If they were legal, there would be a standard of quality for all drugs, regulated by the FDA.The state of Georgia has the highest excise tax on liquor of any state. It also has the lowest tax on gasoline (which is good especially now with gas prices the highest ever). If drugs were legal, the government could place such an excise tax on them. In addition to freeing up money used for their prohibition, this extra money could fund the real problems of America, and eliminate our nation al debt quite quickly.Doing drugs is dangerous, yes but so is tanning, smoking, drinking, chewing tobacco the list goes on and on. People are still free to do these things, notwithstanding the fact that they may be stupid acts. The ratio of deaths from tobacco versus drugs is 4251, and that of alcohol versus drugs is 501. Drugs are less dangerous than both of these legal things, and people are still free to do them and not free to do drugs?

Graduation Speech :: Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

I want all of you graduates to do me a favor and just look around at your young man classmates for a few seconds and think about the people you know out there and realize After all of the parties and once all of the euphoria border graduating has subsided, you are not spill to happen upon many of these people ever again. Im sure its a comforting though to many of you that you will never see me again, and Ive come to terms with that.We are all headed in different directions now. more or less of us are going to college, whether it be two-year, four-year, in-state, out-of-state, or whatever. Some are going straight into the workforce, maybe in construction, plumbing, commercial fossil fuel distribution or as Jeff Reynolds puts it so eloquently, You could go into a life of being a government financial allocation specialist. And some of you are going straight to jail.Right now Im sure many of you are sitting there with thoughts go through your head at a mile a minute. Some people ar e anxious about the future, others are primed to get on the bus for the after-grad party. Some are thinking that they finally have their ticket stamped to leave Purple Lake, which I happen to be thinking counterbalance now. Some of you are looking at the clock and wondering how long it will be until I shut-up and get off the stage, I happen to know Goset is thinkin that right now, arent you Aynsley? Those kids, like Goset over there, just want their little case which actually doesnt contain a diploma, instead it just has a piece of paper which tells you when to assemble it up. To those people out there I say, Just cool off, Ill be done in a minute, the diploma cases arent going anywhere, so just be patientThough you might not be thinking any of those things right now, Im sure we are all thinking that we finally made it. Yup, game school is over, but were not even close to being done. This is just the beginning of the rest of our life and it only gets harder from this point on. Yo u will encounter obstacles at every turn, but you must persevere if you hope to succeed in this world. The key to your success will be to know what everyone expects from you and then you must bless yourself to exceeding those expectations, that is what will set you ahead of the rest.

The Disabling Effects of Selective Mutism Essay -- Disorder Mutism Chi

The Disabling Effects of Selective muteness Among the bulky range of misgiving induced disorders that exist, Selective Mutism may be the to the highest degree disabling to its victims. It has been estimated that approximately one in a thousand children capture from this presumed psychiatric ailment wherein the ability to speak is limited to the household or early(a) areas of comfort. (2) Public places and schools elicit so much anxiety within these children that their infixed capacity to speak is suppressed. Once a child under five geezerhood of age exhibits the behavior described, for over a month, and without having other speech impede barriers affecting them such as autism or a second language, he or she will closely likely be diagnosed with selective mutism. (2) Many hypotheses encounter been posed as to what causes selective mutism, however, no determinate conclusions have been made. In most cases it has been proven that anxiety disorders are hereditary, thus, nearly all children who become selectively mute have family members who were afflicted with the same or more serious anxiety disorder, like obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, or social phobia. The fact that anxiety disorders pass through generations implies that brain chemistry is perhaps genetic or that serotonin levels are inherited. Other suggested causes of selective mutism have been speculated upon, however, little search has been instated. Abuse, neglect, extreme shyness, extremely embarrassing experiences like vomiting or having diarrhea in a classroom setting, or living in a berth environment with exceptionally nervous parents may also lead to become selectively mute. These theorized causes tend to describe the background of children who have no similar disorders runni... ...e Mutism Foundation, a support sight to better understand the disorderhttp//www.cisinternet.net/errorpages/404.shtml3)Philadephia Page, a turn up with excerpts about selective mutism from the Philadelphia Inquirerhttps//registration.philly.com/reg/login.do?url=http//www.philly.com%2Fmld%2Finquirer%2Fliving%2Fhealth%2F3939354.htm 4)Selective Mutism UK, an interest article about the seriousness of selective mutismhttp//www.selectivemutism.org/smg/ukarticle.htm5)Anxiety-Panic Website, a site which describes some(prenominal) other anxiety disordershttp//anxiety-panic.com/dictionary/en-dicts.htm6)Mental Health web page, a right-hand site providing several articles about selective mutismhttp//www.mental-health-matters.com/7)Anxiety Network, illustrates well the treatment obtainable for those selectively mute http//www.anxietynetwork.com/spsm.html The Disabling Effects of Selective Mutism Essay -- Disorder Mutism ChiThe Disabling Effects of Selective Mutism Among the vast range of anxiety induced disorders that exist, Selective Mutism may be the most disabling to its victims. It has been estimated that approximately one in a thousand children suffer from this presumed psychiatric ailment wherein the ability to speak is limited to the household or other areas of comfort. (2) Public places and schools elicit so much anxiety within these children that their natural capacity to speak is suppressed. Once a child under five years of age exhibits the behavior described, for over a month, and without having other speech impeding barriers affecting them such as autism or a second language, he or she will most likely be diagnosed with selective mutism. (2) Many hypotheses have been posed as to what causes selective mutism, however, no determinate conclusions have been made. In most cases it has been proven that anxiety disorders are hereditary, thus, nearly all children who become selectively mute have family members who were afflicted with the same or more serious anxiety disorder, like obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, or social phobia. The fact that anxiety disorders pass through generations implies that brain chemistr y is perhaps genetic or that serotonin levels are inherited. Other suggested causes of selective mutism have been speculated upon, however, little research has been instated. Abuse, neglect, extreme shyness, extremely embarrassing experiences like vomiting or having diarrhea in a classroom setting, or living in a home environment with exceptionally nervous parents may also lead to become selectively mute. These theorized causes tend to describe the background of children who have no similar disorders runni... ...e Mutism Foundation, a support sight to better understand the disorderhttp//www.cisinternet.net/errorpages/404.shtml3)Philadephia Page, a site with excerpts about selective mutism from the Philadelphia Inquirerhttps//registration.philly.com/reg/login.do?url=http//www.philly.com%2Fmld%2Finquirer%2Fliving%2Fhealth%2F3939354.htm 4)Selective Mutism UK, an interesting article about the seriousness of selective mutismhttp//www.selectivemutism.org/smg/ukarticle.htm5)Anxiety-Panic Website, a site which describes several other anxiety disordershttp//anxiety-panic.com/dictionary/en-dicts.htm6)Mental Health web page, a helpful site providing several articles about selective mutismhttp//www.mental-health-matters.com/7)Anxiety Network, illustrates well the treatment available for those selectively mute http//www.anxietynetwork.com/spsm.html

The Disabling Effects of Selective Mutism Essay -- Disorder Mutism Chi

The Disabling Effects of Selective Mutism Among the vast range of trouble induce disorders that exist, Selective Mutism may be the closely disabling to its victims. It has been estimated that more or less one in a thousand children suffer from this presumed psychiatric ailment wherein the talent to speak is limited to the household or other areas of comfort. (2) Public places and schools give the sack so much trouble within these children that their natural capacity to speak is suppressed. at once a child under five years of age exhibits the deportment withdrawd, for over a month, and without having other speech impeding barriers affecting them such as autism or a second language, he or she will most likely be diagnosed with discriminating mutism. (2) Many hypotheses have been posed as to what causes selective mutism, however, no determinate conclusions have been made. In most cases it has been proven that anxiety disorders are hereditary, thus, nearly all children who become selectively speechless have family members who were discompose with the same or more serious anxiety disorder, like neurotic compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, or social phobia. The fact that anxiety disorders pass through generations implies that fountainhead chemistry is perhaps genetic or that serotonin levels are inherited. some other suggested causes of selective mutism have been speculated upon, however, little research has been instated. Abuse, neglect, extreme shyness, extremely discompose experiences like vomiting or having diarrhea in a classroom setting, or living in a home environment with exceptionally tense parents may also lead to become selectively mute. These theorized causes tend to describe the background of children who have no similar disorders runni... ...e Mutism Foundation, a support softwood to better understand the disorderhttp//www.cisinternet.net/errorpages/404.shtml3)Philadephia Page, a site with excerpts intimately selective mutism from the Philadelphia Inquirerhttps//registration.philly.com/reg/login.do?url=http//www.philly.com%2Fmld%2Finquirer%2Fliving%2Fhealth%2F3939354.htm 4)Selective Mutism UK, an interesting article about the unassumingness of selective mutismhttp//www.selectivemutism.org/smg/ukarticle.htm5)Anxiety-Panic Website, a site which describes several other anxiety disordershttp//anxiety-panic.com/dictionary/en-dicts.htm6)Mental Health web page, a helpful site providing several articles about selective mutismhttp//www.mental-health-matters.com/7)Anxiety Network, illustrates well the treatment available for those selectively mute http//www.anxietynetwork.com/spsm.html The Disabling Effects of Selective Mutism Essay -- Disorder Mutism chiThe Disabling Effects of Selective Mutism Among the vast range of anxiety induced disorders that exist, Selective Mutism may be the most disabling to its victims. It has been estimated that approximately one in a thousand children suffer fro m this presumed psychiatric ailment wherein the ability to speak is limited to the household or other areas of comfort. (2) Public places and schools elicit so much anxiety within these children that their natural capacity to speak is suppressed. Once a child under five years of age exhibits the behavior described, for over a month, and without having other speech impeding barriers affecting them such as autism or a second language, he or she will most likely be diagnosed with selective mutism. (2) Many hypotheses have been posed as to what causes selective mutism, however, no determinate conclusions have been made. In most cases it has been proven that anxiety disorders are hereditary, thus, nearly all children who become selectively mute have family members who were afflicted with the same or more serious anxiety disorder, like obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, or social phobia. The fact that anxiety disorders pass through generations implies that brain chemistry i s perhaps genetic or that serotonin levels are inherited. Other suggested causes of selective mutism have been speculated upon, however, little research has been instated. Abuse, neglect, extreme shyness, extremely embarrassing experiences like vomiting or having diarrhea in a classroom setting, or living in a home environment with exceptionally nervous parents may also lead to become selectively mute. These theorized causes tend to describe the background of children who have no similar disorders runni... ...e Mutism Foundation, a support sight to better understand the disorderhttp//www.cisinternet.net/errorpages/404.shtml3)Philadephia Page, a site with excerpts about selective mutism from the Philadelphia Inquirerhttps//registration.philly.com/reg/login.do?url=http//www.philly.com%2Fmld%2Finquirer%2Fliving%2Fhealth%2F3939354.htm 4)Selective Mutism UK, an interesting article about the seriousness of selective mutismhttp//www.selectivemutism.org/smg/ukarticle.htm5)Anxiety-Panic Web site, a site which describes several other anxiety disordershttp//anxiety-panic.com/dictionary/en-dicts.htm6)Mental Health web page, a helpful site providing several articles about selective mutismhttp//www.mental-health-matters.com/7)Anxiety Network, illustrates well the treatment available for those selectively mute http//www.anxietynetwork.com/spsm.html

Food Debate reaction paper Essay

Our development of cheap, widespread food is essential to human sustainability. This may be true, scarce regard slight of the facts i take issue with this . I believe a corn ground food supply is surroundingsally destructive. To start off, growing too much corn is fully grown for the environment . It requires more nitrogen fertilizer than any other discerp, and also requires pesticides . These substances ar polluting the environment . Also, a corn based food supply is unhealthy. It is known to political campaign the disease E. Coli. Corn is also very high in salt and carbs, which is also unhealthy for us. A more diversified agrigulture would be a clutch more healthier.It would also be a lot more secure in the means that rather than depending on one crop for such an classical task, we could use a variety of healthier crops to supply efficiently. A variety of crops would also be more secure than a simply corn based food supply because if that single crop is effected or someth ing goes wrong, it interferes with our entire food supply. On the other hand, if there are multiple sources that we use, if one crop is damaged we have other sources we can turn to. A development of a cheap, widespread food supply may seem like a good idea. It is cheap and easy to sustain, but it is still very unhealthy.The corn based food supply is unhealthy not only for the environment but also for humans. Corn and the chemicals used during the process to create other corn based foods, can cause diseases. It also has a lot of salt and carbohydrates, which are also bad for us. The growing of mass amounts of corn, requires mass amounts of pesticides. This chemical pollutes the environment. The price of a corn based food supply may be less pricey to produce, but the price you may eventually pay will be severe. A corn based food supply is a bad idea due to its unhealthy value towards humans and the environment.

Craig Ventors First Cell

Cr Craig Ventor beginning first self-replicating, synthetic bacterial cell ROCKVILLE, MD and San Diego, CA (May 20, 2010) Researchers at the J. Craig tummy comprise (JCVI), a not-for-profit genomic research organization, publish results today describing the successful kink of the first self-replicating, synthetic bacterial cell. The root word synthesized the 1. 08 million creation pair chromosome of a modified Mycoplasma mycoides genome. The synthetic cell is called Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-syn1. and is the proof of principle that genomes can be designed in the computer, chemicly made in the laboratory and transplanted into a liquidator cell to produce a new self-replicating cell controlled only by the synthetic genome. This research will be published by Daniel Gibson et al in the May 20th edition of Science Express and will appear in an upcoming print issue of Science. For nearly 15 years overplay Smith, Clyde Hutchison and the rest of our group pay off been attaining t oward this publication todaythe successful completion of our work to construct a bacterial cell that is fully controlled by a synthetic genome, said J.Craig Venter, Ph. D. , founder and president, JCVI and senior author on the paper. We have been consumed by this research, but we have also been equally focused on addressing the societal implications of what we believe will be one of the most powerful technologies and industrial drivers for societal good. We look forward to continued review and dialogue intimately the important applications of this work to ensure that it is used for the benefit of all. According to Dr.Smith, With this first synthetic bacterial cell and the new tools and technologies we genuine to successfully complete this project, we forthwith have the means to dissect the genetic instruction set of a bacterial cell to see and understand how it really works. To complete this final item in the nearly 15 year process to construct and boot up a synthetic cell, JC VI scientists began with the accurate, digitized genome of the bacterium, M. mycoides. The team designed 1,078 specific cassettes of deoxyribonucleic acid that were 1,080 base pairs long. These cassettes were designed so that the ends of each desoxyribonucleic acid cassette overlapped each of its neighbors by 80bp.The cassettes were made according to JCVIs specifications by the deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis company, Blue Heron Biotechnology. The JCVI team employed a three interpret process using their previously described barm assembly system to build the genome using the 1,078 cassettes. The first stage conglomerate taking 10 cassettes of DNA at a time to build 110, 10,000 bp segments. In the second stage, these 10,000 bp segments argon taken 10 at a time to produce eleven, 100,000 bp segments. In the final step, all 11, 100 kb segments were assembled into the complete synthetic genome in barm cells and grown as a yeast artificial chromosome.The complete synthetic M. mycoid es genome was isolated from the yeast cell and transplanted into Mycoplasma capricolum recipient cells that have had the genes for its restriction enzyme removed. The synthetic genome DNA was transcribed into messenger RNA, which in put out was translated into new proteins. The M. capricolum genome was either destroyed by M. mycoides restriction enzymes or was lost during cell replication. After two days viable M. mycoides cells, which contained only synthetic DNA, were distinctly visible on petri dishes containing bacterial growth medium.The initial synthesis of the synthetic genome did not result in any viable cells so the JCVI team developed an error correction method to test that each cassette they constructed was biologically functional. They did this by using a combination of 100 kb natural and synthetic segments of DNA to produce semi-synthetic genomes. This approach allowed for the testing of each synthetic segment in combination with 10 natural segments for their capacity to be transplanted and form new cells. decennium out of 11 synthetic fragments resulted in viable cells therefore the team narrowed the issue down to a single 100 kb cassette.DNA sequencing revealed that a single base pair deletion in an requirement gene was responsible for the unsuccessful transplants. Once this one base pair error was corrected, the first viable synthetic cell was produced. Dr. Gibson stated, To produce a synthetic cell, our group had to learn how to sequence, synthesize, and transplant genomes. Many hurdles had to be overcome, but we are promptly able to combine all of these steps to produce synthetic cells in the laboratory. He added, We can now begin working on our ultimate impersonal of synthesizing a minimal cell containing only the genes necessary to sustain life in its simplest form.This will help us better understand how cells work. This publication represents the construction of the largest synthetic molecule of a defined structure the genome is al most double the size of the previous Mycoplasma genitalium synthesis. With this successful proof of principle, the group will now work on creating a minimal genome, which has been a goal since 1995. They will do this by whittling away at the synthetic genome and repeating transplantation experiments until no to a greater extent genes can be disrupted and the genome is as small as possible. This minimal cell will be a platform for analyzing the function of every essential gene in a cell.According to Dr. Hutchison, To me the most remarkable thing close our synthetic cell is that its genome was designed in the computer and brought to life through chemical synthesis, without using any pieces of natural DNA. This involved developing many new and useful methods along the way. We have assembled an amazing group of scientists that have made this possible. As in the teams 2008 publication in which they described the successful synthesis of the M. genitalium genome, they designed and insert ed into the genome what they called watermarks.These are specifically designed segments of DNA that use the alphabet of genes and proteins that enable the researcher to spell out words and phrases. The watermarks are an essential means to prove that the genome is synthetic and not inherent, and to identify the laboratory of origin. Encoded in the watermarks is a new DNA code for writing words, sentences and numbers. In addition to the new code there is a web address to send emails to if you can successfully decode the new code, the names of 46 authors and other key contributors and three quotations TO LIVE, TO ERR, TO FALL, TO TRIUMPH, TO RECREATE LIFE OUT OFLIFE. JAMES JOYCE SEE THINGS NOT AS THEY ARE, just now AS THEY MIGHT BE. -A quote from the book, American Prometheus WHAT I CANNOT BUILD, I CANNOT UNDERSTAND. RICHARD FEYNMAN. The JCVI scientists envision that the knowledge gained by constructing this first self-replicating synthetic cell, coupled with decreasing costs fo r DNA synthesis, will give rise to wider use of this powerful technology. This will undoubtedly lead to the development of many important applications and products including biofuels, vaccines, pharmaceuticals, clean water and food products.The group continues to drive and support ethical discussion and review to ensure a positive outcome for society. Funding for this research came from Synthetic Genomics Inc. , a company co-founded by Drs. Venter and Smith. Background The research published today was made possible by previous breakthroughs at JCVI. In 2007 the team published results from the transplantation of the native M. mycoides genome into the M. capricolum cell which resulted in the M. capricolum cell being transformed into M. mycoides. This work established the notion that DNA is the software of life and that DNA dictates the cell phenotype.In 2008 the same team reported on the construction of the first synthetic bacterial genome by assembling DNA fragments made from the fou r chemicals of lifeACGT. The final assembly of DNA fragments into the whole genome was performed in yeast by making use of the yeast genetic systems. However, when the team attempted to transplant the synthetic bacterial genome out of yeast and into a recipient bacterial cell, viable transplants could not be recovered. Ethical Considerations Since the beginning of the quest to understand and build a synthetic genome, Dr.Venter and his team have been concerned with the societal issues surrounding the work. In 1995 while the team was doing the research on the minimal genome, the work underwent significant ethical review by a panel of experts at the University of Pennsylvania (Cho et al, Science December 1999Vol. 286. no. 5447, pp. 2087 2090). The bioethical groups independent deliberations, published at the same time as the scientific minimal genome research, resulted in a unanimous decision that there were no strong ethical reasons why the work should not continue as long as the sci entists involved continued to engage public discussion. Dr.Venter and the team at JCVI continue to work with bioethicists, outside policy groups, legislative members and staff, and the public to encourage discussion and understanding about the societal implications of their work and the field of synthetic genomics generally. As such, the JCVIs policy team, along with the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), were funded by a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for a 20-month study that explored the risks and benefits of this emerging technology, as well as possible safeguards to prevent abuse, including bioterrorism.After several workshops and public sessions the group published a report in October 2007 outlining options for the field and its researchers. Most recently in December of 2008, JCVI received funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to examine ethical and societal concerns that are associated wit h the developing science of synthetic genomics. The ongoing research is intended to inform the scientific community as well as educate our policymakers and journalists so that they whitethorn engage in informed discussions on the topic.About the J. Craig Venter Institute The JCVI is a not-for-profit research institute in Rockville, MD and La Jolla, CA dedicated to the forward motion of the science of genomics the understanding of its implications for society and communication of those results to the scientific community, the public, and policymakers. Founded by J. Craig Venter, Ph. D. , the JCVI is home to approximately 400 scientists and staff with expertise in human and evolutionary biology, genetics, ioinformatics/informatics, tuition technology, high-throughput DNA sequencing, genomic and environmental policy research, and public education in science and science policy. The legacy organizations of the JCVI are The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR), The Center for the Advan cement of Genomics (TCAG), the Institute for Biological Energy Alternatives (IBEA), the Joint Technology Center (JTC), and the J. Craig Venter Science Foundation. The JCVI is a 501 (c) (3) organization. For additional information, please visit http//www. JCVI. org. Media Contact Heather Kowalski, 301-943-8879, hkowalski(AT)jcvi. org

Great Expectations Thesis Essay

Charles Dickens used shed Havisham as a symbol of hypothetical imprison workforcet. Miss Havisham although not being personally absorbed as Abel Magwitch, was a strong representation of a mental imprisonment. She was never told to stay locked up in her house rotting away and tormenting herself for historic period without any human interaction besides that of her step-daughter Estella and eventually Pip. She not only physically imprisons herself but mentally she imprisons her mind into the state of being that all men must suffer, not only trapping herself into an unstable mind set but trapping her daughter as well.First and foremost the obvious physical imprisonment, she stays in her house locked in with her nuptials memories being the guilt of the crime. Miss Havisham sits alone in her house staring at these wedding items that any sane women would have ripped up and destroyed in moments. Shes just simmering in her despair. Miss Havishams heartache is what keeps her in her mans ion house the guards of the prison. She lays alone because of the pain shes feeling. Shes unable to escape from the pain and hypothetically the guards. Finally Estella The sentencing of the crime. Miss Havisham raised Estella to hate men and tick their hearts, in the end Estella crushed Pips heart and Miss Havisham couldnt believe what a monster she had created. Miss Havisham had to deal with the fact that this instant she was the monstrous heartless man that once broke her heart.Additionally, all of Miss Havishams clocks have been stopped at precisely 920, she has imprisoned herself in the past in a hypothetical manner. Being that 920 was when her fianc left her at the altar. Shes painfully reminding herself of the moment of her heartbreak. Being stuck in this moment has trapped her emotionally so she can only feel that terrible depression from her heartbreak. In a way shes frozen in the past and unwilling to leave imprisonment.The Satis House Miss Havishams prison in a way refle cts her feelings. Miss Havishams house, which was of old brick and dismal, and had a grand many a(prenominal) iron bars to it. Some of the windows had been walled up of those that remained, all the lower were rustily barred (55). When first presented this description ones mind should think of a prison. This description of the house shows being neglected and not cared for, in a way this shows how Miss Havisham must have felt when Compeyson left her at the aisle. Miss Havishams feelings then reflect upon the house as a prison.In summation, Miss Havisham is a strong symbol of imprisonment in Great Expectations because of the many different physical and emotional imprisonments shes gone through in her life. Miss Havishams whole life was a very depressing gamy mess and she spent much of her life trapped with nowhere to turn. Her dress being burned and set in flames gave her freedom and eventual peace. This being the obvious freedom after imprisonment.

The development of aggression and violence in the American youth

In the introductory portion, the writer introduces the relevance of the study to the present reality by briefly indicating the focal aras that are covered in the paper. Basically, the thesis statement or argument is presented in prcis to complete this part.Problem statements and milieuThe paper seeks to explain the development of an individuals infringement and or forcefulness in the context of society, family and internal mental or thinking patterns. Whether the results are a combination of the factors will be posed as inquiry in this section with a corresponding hypothesis.Review of Related StudiesThis portion explains the peer-reviewed works of psychologists and sociologists and others in the profession with the intention of analyzing the important and strategic breakthroughs in science on the divulge and which the present paper seeks to accentuate considering the need of the hour (Works of Bjork, Furst, Sidney, Wacker, David, Tremblay et al, Harris, Mary Hogh et al, Hobbs, Br ackney et al,II. Results and findings A. Definition of termsUsing DSM and other credible sources for the operational definition of the foremost significant terminologies employed in the paper. (Works from Aggression from Encyclopedia of Science, Technology, and Ethics, DSM definition) B. Theoretical Framework Factors influencing Aggression Explores different perspectives in the understanding of AggressionII. Discussion of Results and FindingsIt is assumed that the following are major contributing factors that govern aggression and/or violence. Discussion section of the paper further establishes the researchers findings based on the problem statement and hypothesis made. The following are salient points that are developed by the researcher.What can make an individual youth commit violent acts? Pornography and violence in the internet and media first among the teens Domestic Violence (DV) and AggressionWhat should or can be done to reduce the incidence or curtail youth violence or aggression?Since the issue is a prevailing and existing individual, familial and societal problem, and many studies are already conducted to apply effective interventions, this section of the paper seeks to enumerate and answer for the leading and effective treatments and/or interventions on the matter. It also attempts to give a balanced view on the plus and minuses or pros and cons of the prescribed interventions.III. Summary of findingsProvides a brief summary of the studys findings.IV. Conclusion and RecommendationThe writer addresses the reader to his/her own reflections regarding the study he/she made on the problem. However, considering the limitation of logistics and other factors, she/he prescribes or outlines his/her own recommendation/s regarding the problem and it is to be undertaken in future studies.IV. ReferenceExact documents used or employed throughout the study are herein listed in APA format.

Literature in the Trash Essay

Society has almost forgotten how to appreciate literary works. These are the themes of some(prenominal) Mario Vargas Llosas essay entitled, Why Literature, and Bob Swifts On Reading Trash. Both writers believe that people nowadays are not delving into books because of misconceptions regarding reading. However, they have indite their ideas using real different and contradictory approaches.Llosas belief is that people are so engrossed in their own worlds or professions to provide sequence for reading well-grounded literature. Society has learned the scathe notion that great books can only be read by those who can afford to founder time to it. Since work is the priority in most peoples schedules, literature has to be put aside.He also believes that this miserable state of literature in society is caused by the fast development of science and the other scholarly aspects of life. Llosa states that in our time, science and technology cannot play an integrating role, precisely becau se of the unconditioned richness of knowledge and the speed of its evolution, which have led to specialization and its obscurities.However, Llosa strongly feels that literature is a binding force that helps humans reconnect with each other through with(predicate) their experiences, dreams and ambitions. He writes that the brotherly link that literature establishes among human beings, compelling them to enter into dialogue and making them conscious of a communal origin and a common goal, transcends all temporal barriers.His most controversial claim is that genuine literature is always subversive, unsubmissive, rebellious, a challenge to what exists. He simply wants to imply that good stories or readings usually depict a life that is much better than what reality has to offer. This normal characteristic of literature is a driving force that makes humanity essay to copy the fictional worlds in books so as to live better lives.Bob Swifts actually brief essay, on the other hand, rec ounts how he has grown to love reading. His story does not directly point out societys weaknesses precisely it is evident to the ratifier that he is attacking the wrong notion that appreciating literature is only for those who like classical readings. He clearly believes that children should be free to read even popular books (a.k.a. trash) because their appreciation for these simpler to sympathise books can lead them to love good classical literature.Although both writers are criticizing society for not reading enough, Llosa and Swift have written their essays in very different ways. Llosa used lengthy, descriptive sentences that can easily tire and lose the reader. His use of words that are not commonly heard in workaday living can really be very boring to a young reader. Words like solipsism and arcane are deterrents in getting his contentedness crossways. It might have been easier to clear these words if they were not part of such long sentences that seem to be saying mor e than honorable one subject at a time.Swift was direct to the point and frank in every way. His use of brief but very concise words allowed the reader to quickly pick up his point. The hardest word in his essay seemed to be omnivorous. However, because the word was used in a very short sentence, it was easy to understand what it meant.Llosas approach encompassed the whole world. He even used Spains surveys to prove his point. Swifts farthest distance to get his message across was the local library. Somehow, Llosas essay tends to be arrogant and cynical. Statements like I feel sorry for these men and they earn my pity forces the reader to look up to him and feel his judgmental tones. His sentences such as When we close the book and abandon literary fiction, we return to actual existence and compare it to the splendid land that we just left. What a disappointment awaits us gives a peek to how negative this writer is about his surroundings.Although Llosa claims he loves literature, he delved too much on the subject of what hinders good literature from being read to the point that the reader does not feel the passion in his words. The authors perspective dwelt so much on current and historical problems that it was inevitable for the reader to feel anxious throughout the essay. It seems he has alienated himself from the world because of literature.Swifts love for reading is very much felt in every paragraph of his essay. His personal approach and overflowing description of his excitement when he is reading books was contagious. One cannot help but reach out for a story to read after finishing his essay.Swifts very practical and positive outlook is evident in the way he has written his essay. His own theory that states if you get kids interested in reading books no matter what sort they will eventually go to the grander literature all by them selves shows how down to earth the author is. It also shows how much faith he has on beginning readers.Mario Vargas Llos a and Bob Swift both recognized that societys misconception about literature is a problem that needs to be addressed. Their approaches to the subject provide clues to their own outlooks in life. Whichever approach whitethorn be preferred, it is still to a readers advantage to learn his lesson from these authors and read a good book soon.

A Meeting of Giants

Imagine that you be a participant in a panel discussion with Sigmund Freud, Carl Rogers, Albert Bandura, and Albert Ellis.The discussion is facilitated by a moderator who asks questions for each of you to coiffe according to your different theories of soulfulnessality development and change. How would you and each of the other four panel members answer the following questions? (Note Construct the answers for the other panel members based on your understanding of their theories. Your own answers bequeath reflect your personal opinions and beliefs, and may include bits and pieces of other theories).The panel was finally assembled on that wet cold day in December. I was feeling a bit sheepish to be in the company of such abundant scholars. Sigmund Freud, Carl Rogers, Albert Bandura, and Albert Ellis were mighty powerful company for me to lock wits with. However, I believed that my opinion was just as important and plausible as in that respect own. I was just reaching for my water glass when the moderator called us to put up and begin immediately with the first question.Question 1How would you explain the differences in persons regarding their reactions to authority? Why do some persons have the appearance _or_ semblance to follow all the rules of others, while other persons appear intent on living by their own sets of rules?Dr. FreudThe human beingness is essentially a sophisticated heartiness system. That energy is channeled, flows, or is blocked by a number or different behaviors. The goal of all these behaviors is of course pleasure. Energy will always find the path of least resistance that leads to pleasure.When this energy is constrained or rerouted by societal demands, such as rules and taboos, that energy must be vented in some way. Some individuals are much apt at releasing this energy in a positive manner, while others are more confounded by it.Some individuals forfeit there pursuance of pleasure and lead guilt ridden and often miserable live s although they appear to be socially compliant. Others allow their natural propensity to pursue pleasure to guide their lives and are normally much happier, although society may feel they are living by their own rules.Dr. RogersI beg to disagree with what my colleague Dr. Freud has stated. His theories are often rooted in sexual drives and motivations. However, the greatest human drive is the single goal towards self-actualization. It is not necessary to postulate on which particular pleasure commandment an individual is seeking to understand why they buck authority.Those individuals that resist authority have simply grown from a less complex being into a more complex one. The less complex we are, the more authority we may feel we need.As an individual matures and develops, they become more complex and may seek to tell the bond of authority for a greater life experience. Those who go along with the status quo perhaps see their lives in the light that they have achieved what they can and there is no need to push further. We all simply seek to maintain and improve who we believe we are and the live experience in general. (Pervin, Cervon, & Oliver, 2005)Dr. BanduraSelf-efficacy has a great affect in self-development, perseverance in the face of resistance, resilience to trauma, and decision choices at crucial junctures in life. The rejection of authority is no greater than it is seen among adolescents and young adults.The dexterity to control and regulate self-efficacy is core to the ability to self-manage ones motivations, desires, and responses. Beliefs of personal efficacy are what cause an individual to adopt certain self regulatory standards (Bandura, Caprara, Barbaranelli, Gerbino, & Pastorelli, 2003) If a person believes that they are useful in society they are apt to be more law abiding and compliant of authority (Bandura et al., 2003). When other individuals feel as if their self-worth is low they are less believably to respect authority and will li ve as they see fit because of their standing in society. (Pervin et al., 2005)Dr. EllisSelf-evaluation leads to depression and repression, and dodging of change. The best thing for human health is that we should stop evaluating ourselves altogether. There is often concern for individuals because of their self image and societal pressures.These two are more likely to be in agreement than in conflict. The key is to see behaviors for what they are. Is there anyone who likes authority? Of course not we all have some disagreement with being told what to do by someone else. However true this may be it is not the authority that causes problems for most individuals it is the irrational beliefs that adherence or rejection of this authority will lead to some dire consequence.This in itself may cause individuals to have one reaction or the other to the rule makers. Some may aim total compliance in hopes that life remains stable, or what appears to be total anarchy and disrespect for any auth ority because it has no affect.

Meaning of Life and Success Essay

Extended Definition Essay Success The most Important thing In my career Is musical theme to be happiness. In order to achieve success you must objurgate to very situation with ease. Success Is It the process of doing a task and receiving a validating result, or Is It simply achieving ones own personal remainders. match to The American Heritage dictionary success Is, the achievement of something desired, planned, or attempt. The word success itself government agency to achieve your goal or get the point that you looking for.Some people success meant to them to be rich or to finish school and course high pay Jobs. But for me success means more han that. Success means to me crap peace and love also to get married and to code heaven after this life is over. To be sure, everybody who has peace and love is a successful succeeding person. Wthout peace and love there is no success. You wake up in the morning and you dont worry about anything that day that is success for me, because the life is short, you dont have to be concerned about anything.Also if you have a family that loves you and is unceasingly happy for what you are doing, that is success. In addition, if you take care of your old parents and they love you and they live a happy life, which is uccess tor me. Additionally, success Is also something that Is thinked differently In the eyes of everyone. This is because success means doing what I have always wanted do being where I have always wanted to be. My goal In life Is to eventually get married toa good wife and have many happy children and If I execute that, then I could view myself as having success.Lastly, meaning of success for me Is to enter the heaven after this life Is over. We deal that life in this humans is too short, and we dont know when we are going to die and what we are going to get after this life. That is a simple answer do good deeds in this world and you are going to be successful in the Ife hereafter. That means you enter the heaven for sure and that is big reward from God to his mankind. There is no expiry after this life that means f you dont enter the heaven you will be the loser and who ever go in the heaven will be the winner.In conclusion, I still agree with the Idea I presented however consort to the dictionary and many other resources, success means to them achievement. But according to my own opinion success means to believe the ones of God, and to have eace and love in your whole life, and to get in heaven the life hereafter. Meaning of heart and Success BY elm12696 The most important thing in my life is thought to be happiness. In order to achieve success you must adjust to very situation with ease.Success is it the process of doing a task and receiving a positive result, or is it simply achieving ones own personal goals. According to The American Heritage dictionary success is, the achievement of Without peace and love there is no success. You wake up in the morning and you you dont ha ve to be concerned about anything. Also if you have a family that loves uccess for me. Additionally, success is also something that is viewed differently in the eyes of where I have always wanted to be.My goal in life is to eventually get married to a good wife and have many happy children and if I accomplished that, then I could Lastly, meaning of success for me is to enter the heaven after this life is over. We this world and you are going to be successful in the life hereafter. That means you no dying after this life that means if you dont enter the heaven you will be the loser In conclusion, I still agree with the idea I presented however according to the

Sociology – Nature Versus Nurture

The roles of nature (what we familial eachy inherit) and or nurture (what we learn) in making us what we be have long been argued. The idea that serviceman are determined by these two influences dates back to the ancient Greek philosopher Protagorus who in the fifth century BC compared physics (nature) and nomos (tradition). It is stock-still difficult to unravel the separate influences of nature and nurture. If the pincerren of musically talented parents are themselves musically talent, is it because of genetic hereditary pattern (nature) or because of a musical environment at home where they grow up(nurture)?The nature versus nurture think concentrates on the question of how far our behavior is determined by nature at birth or by nurture subsequently birth. In seventeenth century philosopher John Locke claimed that the mind of a child was like a Tabula Rasa (blank slate). People became what they were taught to be. By the second half of nineteenth century many kind scientis ts started to argue that man behavior is determined by nature. Charles Darwins theory came up with the idea that humans and other animals have descended ultimately from the same ancestors.Read overlySociology and Social Integration.Animals are governed by instincts (fixed traits that are inherited and shared by all members of a species). These inherited mechanisms enable members of the species to perform complex tasks. For voice twice a socio-economic class the New Zealand cuckoo be active 4000 miles between New Zealand and Islands off the sloping trough of New Guinea. The adults leave New Zealand before their eggs are hatched. The young cuckoos later on travel 4000 miles and join their par4ents-without ever having made the journey and with no one to guide them. Experiments have indicated that other birds likewise seem to have some inborn sense that guides their migration.Because animals are governed by instincts and human are as well as animals, some scholars reasoned that human behavior must also be governed by instincts. As a result many social scientists searched for the supposed instants that would explain all kinds of human behavior when they saw a mother feeding her baby they attri anded it to the maternal instinct, when they were asked to explain war, they explained it was the aggressive instinct. They eventually discovered to a gr fertiliseer extent that 14000 instincts, ranging from laugh instinct to a religious instinct. exclusively these ideas of instinct have many short comings.Firstly the supposition of instinct was tautological. (i. e. the explanation was true by definition. The instinct that was discovered was just a nonher name for what was to be explained. For example the aggressive instinct was just another way of saying that they eng succession in warfare, in the same way that high temperature is another way of saying hot weather. Secondary the same instinct was used to explain contradictory actions for example the acquisitive i nstinct was used to explain both surd honest work and bank robbery. Thirdly, instincts are supposed to be in all human but human behavior around the world varies greatly.For example Arapesh of New Guinea or the Tasaday of Philippines do not have aggressive, nature in their behavior, if human have self preservative instinct because they would not have committed suicides. In 1969, An American psychologist Jensen claimed that only to percent of the variation between peoples intelligence is due to their social environment while 80 percent is fixed from birth by genetic inheritance. some other American psychologist, Professor Thomas Bouchard of Minnesota University carried out an experiment on Jim Twins which also foster to argue that human behavior is determined more bye nature than by nurture.For example, pack Lewis and James Springer were identical twins who were separated in the first year of life and brought up separately. He discovered an amazing number of coincidences about Jim Twins both(prenominal) had married women called Linda. Both had been divorced and had then married women called Betty. One of them had named his son James Allan and the other as James Alan. Both had had a weenie called Toy Both had spent these holidays on the same beach in Florida. Both drove a blue Chevrolet. Both built white benches round the trunk of a tree in their gardens. Both had a habit of biting their fingernails. Both were chain smokers of same brand of cigarettes Their temperaments, voice patterns and nervous habits were also similar. Thus the subject field of Jim Twins might lead us towards the idea that nature determines our human behavior. Sociobiology (the taxonomical study of the biological basis of all social behavior) was developed by E. O. Wilson in 1980 s. According to sociobiologys human behavior is determined naturally just like animal behavior. According to sociobiologist Steven Gavlin and Alice Schlegel (1980) individuals act in order to max imize their genes in future generations.Thus the tendency of man to have sexual family relationship with beautiful women is to maximize his genes. Similarly behavior of both men and women is thus guided by genetic factors. These above mentioned evidences appearings that human behavior is determined by nature or genetic influences. Our race (color of the uncase and other bodily features (sex, certain diseases, flood groups, are no doubt inherited. Human beings are instantly influenced by nature. For example, hunger, thirst, physical fatigue, gradual but in exorable degeneration human body all limit our human life, shaping what we can do and can be.For example vigorous physical exercise is beyond the capacities of virtually all 70 year olds. Similarly we are still subject to and contained by bionomic or climatic conditions. Human communities, no matter how advanced or developed are powerless in the face of elemental forces of earthquakes hurricanes or snowfall. On the other hand, as the twentieth century began, the innovation of instinct lost its strength. The idea that human behavior is determined by nurture or larn began to gain favor. For example Russian Psychologist Ivan Pavlov had shown that human beings like dogs can be trained or conditioned.American psychologist John Watson extended Pavlovs experiment on dogs to human infants. For example Watson could make a tiny son called Albert afraid of a white rat that had previously delighted him. He concluded that all emotions, and behaviors are learned through such associations and social environment make us who we are. He further added that learning by itself determines human personality. Although social scientists accepted the influence of biological factors they considered nurture to be more influence than heredity. Even the habits that seem very basic and essential to human nature also bulge out to depend on nurture i. . socialization. Evidence of the far reaching significance of socialization comes both from case studies of children who are deprived from socialization and those rose in the mild. Since the fourteenth century there have been mor4e than 50 recorded cases of feral children (children supposedly raised by animals) one of the most famous is mild boy of Aveyron-Victor.In 1979 he was captured in the woods by hunter in Southern France. He was about 11, completely naked, ran on all fours, could not speak, speechless, preferred uncooked food, could not do most of the dim-witted things done by young children. Jean Itard a physician ried to train the boy. After 3 months he seemed subatomic more human. He more clothes learned to sit at a table, and eat wit6h utensils. He started to show human emotions such as joy, gratitude and remorse. He lived for about 40 geezerhood but he never learned to speak nor ever become a normal person. Similarly in one orphanage Spit found that infants who were about 18 months old were left lying on their backs in small cubical most of the da y without any human contact. Within a year all had become physically mentally, emotionally and socially retarded. Two years later more than a third of the children had died.Those who survived could not speak, they could not walk, they could not dress up and they could not use spoon. This shows that children who received little attention/socialization suffered very noticeable effects. Various cases of unsocialized children also indicate that human behavior is something that has to be learned. Humans do not simply become able to do all things instinctually. For example Anna, from Pennsylvania, the States was an illegitimate child. Anna was kept hidden from the public in the attic. She was just fed enough to keep her alive, she was incomplete touched nor bathed, and she simply lay still in her own filth.She was discovered in 1938 at the age of six. She looked like a skeleton. She was couldnt talk nor walk. She did nothing but lay quietly in the commonwealth her eyes vacant and expres sionless. She was attempted to socialize. Eventually she could walk, feed herself. Brush her teeth and follow simple directions. But she never learned to speak and was far from normal. Isabella was also an illegitimate child. She was founding Ohio, USA in 1938 at the age 6. Her grandfather had kept her and her deaf-mute mother secluded in a dark room. She could besides interact with mother.When discovered however she showed great fear and hostility towards people and made a unconnected croaking sound, when examined she was found to be feebleminded and uneducable, she was put on a systematic skillful training, after a slow start she began to talk. In nine months she could read and write within two years she was attending school, she had become a very bright cheerful and energetic girl. All these examples clearly show that human behavior is not some thing which is fixed at birth and which unfolds step by step naturally.Human behavior has to be learned therefore social environment ac tually determines human behavior. Sociologists use the following evidence to support the claim that human behavior is socially determined. son of a bitch Yufe and Oscar Stohr are identical twins born in 1932. They were separated as babies after their parents divorced. Oscar was reared in Czechoslovakia by his mothers and Jack was reared in Trinidad by his father, social scientists at the University of Minnesota Observed them but this time they found many differences between the two twins-

Should College Athletes Be Paid Essay

Why College Athletes Should Be paying(a)$53.4 Million the combined salary of the top 15 remunerative coaches in division 1 college footb any, $0 the combined salary of either student-athletes. Over the past hardly a(prenominal) decades, college athletics have gained popularity across the United States. Whether it is footb on the whole, basketball, or baseball, ever since the turn of the century, intercollegiate sports have brought in a surplus of r eveue to their respective Universities. A recent study found that the University of Texas Athletic course had the highest revenue of any other University at a little over $120 million. Yet with this outstanding sum of money, NO college athletes are legally compensated for their work. According to NCAA rules, You are not eligible for booking in a sport if you have ever Taken pay or the promise of pay, for competing in that sport. period it may seem odd and unjust to pay college athletes, the reality is that compensation of such athl etes is a exigency not only to keep competition at a steady put in in college athletics, only when also to encourage students to graduate and get their college degrees. Student athletes should be compensated for their work, as they are the sole reason for the Athletic Programs surplus in revenue. These athletes are functional for the schools and are doing a service to the college that seems to go unnoticed. Colleges are using these athletes to boost their respective reputations and bring in revenue while not compensating these athletes for their work.Everywhere else athletes are give, so why shouldnt college students too? almost critics may argue that these student-athletes are amateurs, and if paid indeed are becoming professional athletes. The minor union for baseball could be considered an amateur sport, although they do receive pay according to the teams revenue. Also, with all the time practicing and working in the classroom, how many athletes have time to actually get a muse? Another argument that supports paying college athletes is that these full-ride scholarships given to the best athletes do not actually cover all their expenses. Many athletes still cant afford to have their parents come to the stadium and watch the games. With all of the respect and publicity of these athletes, it goes unnoticed that a great deal of the players live very near to the privation line. Due to this lack of money, black-markets are created. Here, boosters that represent the University give these playerscars, spending money, or anything they truly necessitate, and in return, these players go to their respective University.There have been many instances of this before, one prominent example is that of Reggie Bush, the running back for the University of gray California from 2003-2005. Bush was paid by boosters to attend USC, which debauchd NCAA rules. Bushs mother was having distract paying rent for her apartment at the time in Pasadena. Bush felt obligated to take this offer, as there was no other way to make money and pay for his mothers home. These boosters actions are not only are illegal, but create rawness in competition amongst the NCAA. These universities that violate NCAA rules have an upper edge in recruiting top prospects. Schools are then tempted to violate such rules to even out the playing field.The last and arguably the most important reason to pay college athletes, is that it will check off that most student-athletes will tell apart their college degrees. Paying student-athletes would provide an incentive to stay in school and complete their degree programs, instead of leaving early for the professional unions Which brings me back to the question, Should college athletes get paid? If athletes are paid to play, not only can they cover some of their college expenses that scholarships couldnt, but also now they will want to finish their education. NCAA prides itself on all student-athletes are students first and athletes second, however, it seems that more popular athletes leave early for the pros.In college basketball, many freshman stars are referred to as one and done players as they complete one division of college and go to the professional leagues early, as they want money and need it as soon as possible. The enormousness of their education is lost. The University seems to be hypocritical in its actions when it doesnt pay its athletes, because it seems they support college athletes leaving for the Professional league early. One author suggests that every university pays the same flat rate to each college athlete for three years, and then offer a raise to senior athletes. This bonus will create that incentive for students to receive their degrees.While it may seem odd and unjust to pay college athletes, the reality is that compensation of such athletes is a necessity not only to keep competition at a steady level in college athletics, but also to encourage students to graduate and get their college degrees. The truth of the matter is that many college athletes are already organism paid under thetable which creates a black-market that is not only illegal, but is also unfair to universities that abide by NCAA regulations. Universities are exploiting these students and allowing them not to receive any revenue that they clearly earned. College Athletes Should Be PaidWorks CitedCollege Athletics. Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_athletics.Transcript of Informational Hearing College Athletes. Sacramento, CA, Senate Publications, 2003.

The Da Vinci Code Chapter 1-3

CHAPTER 1Robert Langdon awoke slowly.A tele resound was ringing in the darkness a tinny, unfamiliar ring. He fumbled for the bedside lamp and turned it on. make a face at his surroundings he saying a plush Renaissance bed room with Louis XVI furniture, hand-frescoed w every last(predicate)s, and a colossal mahog either quadruplet-poster bed.Where the the pits am I?The jacquard bathrobe hanging on his bedpost bore the monogram HOTEL RITZ PARIS.Slowly, the fog implorean to lift.Langdon picked up the receiver. Hello?Monsieur Langdon? a mans voice said. I hope I have non awoken you?Dazed, Langdon looked at the bedside clock. It was 1232 A. M. He had been asleep only an hour, but he felt desire the dead.This is the concierge, monsieur. I vindicate for this intrusion, but you have a visitor. He insists it is imperative.Langdon still felt fuzzy. A visitor? His eyes centre immediately on a crumpled flyer on his bedside table. THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF PARIS proudly presents AN change surface WITH ROBERT LANGDON PROFESSOR OF RELIGIOUS SYMBOLOGY, HARVARD UNIVERSITYLangdon groaned. To nights lecture a slide show about pagan figureism hole-and-corner(a) in the stones of Ch artistic creationres Cathedral had probably ruffled some conservative feathers in the audience. Most worryly, some apparitional scholar had trailed him home to pick a fight. Im sorry, Langdon said, but Im very ti tearing and Mais, monsieur,the concierge pressed, lowering his voice to an urgent whisper. Your guest is an important man.Langdon had humble doubt. His books on religious paintings and cult symbology had do him a reluctant repute in the art world, and last year Langdons visibility had increased a hundred fold aft(prenominal)(prenominal) his involvement in a large-mindedly publicized incident at the Vatican. Since then, the stream of self- important historians and art buffs arriving at his door had sympathizemed never-ending.If you would be so kind, Langdon said, doin g his best to remain polite, could you take the mans name and number, and arrange him Ill enterprise to call him onwards I leave capital of France on Tuesday? Thank you. He hung up before the concierge could protest.Sitting up now, Langdon fr haveed at his bedside Guest Relations Handbook, whose coer boasted SLEEP LIKE A small fry IN THE CITY OF LIGHTS. SLUMBER AT THE PARIS RITZ. He turned and gazed tiredly into the full-length mirror across the room. The man staring back at him was a stranger tousled and weary.You need a vacation, Robert.The past year had taken a heavy toll on him, but he didnt notify recognizeing proof in the mirror. His usually bang-up blue eyes looked hazy and drawn tonight. A dark stubble was shrouding his strong jaw and dimpled chin. Around his temples, the gray highlights were advancing, making their way deeper into his thicket of uncouth black hair. Although his female colleagues insisted the gray only accentuated his bookish appeal, Langdon knew better.If Boston Magazine could gull me now.Last month, overmuch to Langdons embarrassment, Boston Magazine had listed him as one of that citys top ten to the highest degree intriguing people a dubious honor that made him the brunt of endless ribbing by his Harvard colleagues. Tonight, three thousand miles from home, the accolade had resurfaced to holiday resort him at the lecture he had given.Ladies and gentlemen the hostess had denote to a full house at the American University of genus Pariss Pavilion Dauphine, Our guest tonight needs no introduction. He is the author of numerous books The Symbology of Secret Sects, The An of the Illuminati, The lost Language of Ideograms, and when I say he wrote the book on Religious Iconology, I mean that quite literally. M all of you use his textbooks in class.The students in the crowd nodded enthusiastically.I had planned to introduce him tonight by sharing his impressive curriculum vitae. However She glanced playfully at Langdon, who was seated onstage. An audience member has plainly handed me a far more than, shall we say intriguing introduction. She held up a copy of Boston Magazine. Langdon cringed. Where the hell did she get that?The hostess began reading choice excerpts from the inane article, and Langdon felt himself sinking lower and lower in his chair. Thirty seconds later, the crowd was grinning, and the woman showed no signs of letting up. And Mr. Langdons refusal to let the cat out of the bag publicly about his unusual grapheme in last years Vatican conclave certainly wins him points on our intrigue-o-meter. The hostess goaded the crowd. Would you like to hear more?The crowd applauded.Somebody stop her, Langdon pleaded as she dove into the article again.Although Professor Langdon might not be considered hunk-handsome like some of our younger awardees, this forty-something academic has more than his shargon of scholarly allure. His captivating presence is punctuated by an unusually low, baritone s peaking voice, which his female students describe as chocolate for the ears.The hall erupted in laughter.Langdon hale an awkward smile. He knew what came next some ridiculous line about Harrison Ford in Harris washrag and because this evening he had figured it was finally safe again to wear his Harris tweed and Burberry turtleneck, he intractable to take action.Thank you, Monique, Langdon said, standing prematurely and edging her away from the podium. Boston Magazine light(a)ly has a gift for fiction. He turned to the audience with an embarrassed sigh. And if I find which one of you provided that article, Ill have the consulate exonerate you.The crowd laughed.Well, folks, as you all know, Im here tonight to talk about the power of symbols The ringing of Langdons hotel border erst again broke the silence.Groaning in disbelief, he picked up. Yes?As expected, it was the concierge. Mr. Langdon, again my apologies. I am handicraft to inform you that your guest is now en route t o your room. I thought I should alert you.Langdon was wide awake now. You sent someone to my room?I apologize, monsieur, but a man like this I cannot presume the authority to stop him. Who exactly is he? But the concierge was gone.Almost immediately, a heavy clenched fist pounded on Langdons door.Uncertain, Langdon slid off the bed, feeling his toes sink deep into the savonniere carpet. He donned the hotel bathrobe and locomote toward the door. Who is it?Mr. Langdon? I need to speak with you. The mans English was accented a sharp, authoritative bark. My name is Lieutenant Jerome Collet. Direction Centrale law of nature Judiciaire.Langdon paused. The Judicial Police? The DCPJ was the rough equivalent of the U. S. FBI.Leaving the security chain in place, Langdon holded the door a toilsomely a(prenominal) inches. The face staring back at him was thin and washed out. The man was exceptionally lean, dressed in an official-looking blue uniform.May I come in? the gene asked.Langdon hesitated, feeling uncertain as the strangers unwell eyes studied him. What is this all about?My capitaine requires your expertise in a private matter. presently? Langdon managed. Its after midnight. Am I correct that you were scheduled to meet with the curator of the Louvre this evening?Langdon felt a sudden surge of uneasiness. He and the revered curator Jacques Sauniere had been slated to meet for drinks after Langdons lecture tonight, but Sauniere had never sh proclaim up. Yes. How did you know that?We found your name in his daily planner.I trust nothing is wrong?The instrument gave a dire sigh and slid a Polaroid snapshot through and through the narrow ease uping in the door. When Langdon saw the characterization, his replete(p) body went rigid. This photo was taken less than an hour past. Inside the Louvre.As Langdon stared at the flaky run across, his initial revulsion and shock gave way to a sudden upwelling of anger. Who would do thisWe had hoped that you might hel p us answer that very question, considering your knowledge in symbology and your plans to meet with him.Langdon stared at the picture, his horror now laced with fear. The image was gruesome and profoundly strange, bringing with it an unsettling sense of deja vu. A little over a year ago, Langdon had genuine a photograph of a corpse and a kindred request for help. Twenty-four hours later, he had about lost his life inside Vatican City. This photo was entirely different, and yet something about the scenario felt disquietingly familiar.The agent checked his watch. My capitaine is waiting, sir.Langdon barely heard him. His eyes were still riveted on the picture. This symbol here, and the way his body is so oddlyPositioned? the agent offered.Langdon nodded, feeling a chill as he looked up. I cant imagine who would do this to someone.The agent looked grim. You dont apprehend, Mr. Langdon. What you see in this photograph He paused. Monsieur Sauniere did that to himself.CHAPTER 2One mil e away, the hulking albino named Silas limped through the front gate of the luxurious brownstone residence on Rue La Bruyere. The spiked cilice bash that he wore just about his thigh sign on into his flesh, and yet his soul sang with satisfaction of service to the Lord.Pain is good.His red eyes scanned the lobby as he entered the residence. Empty. He climbed the stairs quietly, not wanting to awaken any of his fellow numeraries. His bedroom door was open locks were forbidden here. He entered, closing the door behind him.The room was spartan hardwood floors, a pine dresser, a canvas mat in the corner that served as his bed. He was a visitor here this week, and yet for many years he had been blessed with a similar sanctuary in New York City.The Lord has provided me shelter and purpose in my life.Tonight, at last, Silas felt he had begun to repay his debt. Hurrying to the dresser, he found the cell hollo secluded in his bottom draughtsman and placed a call.Yes? a male voice answ ered. Teacher, I have returned. Speak, the voice commanded, sounding jolly to hear from him.All four are gone. The three senechauxand the Grand Master himself. There was a ephemeral pause, as if for prayer. Then I assume you have the information? All four concurred. Independently. And you believed them?Their agreement was withal great for relation.An excited breath. Excellent. I had feared the brotherhoods reputation for secrecy might prevail. The prospect of death is strong motivation. So, my pupil, tell me what I must know.Silas knew the information he had gleaned from his victims would come as a shock. Teacher, all four support the existence of the clef de voutethe legendary key.He heard a quick intake of breath over the phone and could feel the Teachers excitement. The keystone.Exactly as we suspected.According to lore, the brotherhood had created a map of stone a clef de vouteor keystone an engraved tablet that revealed the final resting place of the brotherhoods greate st secret information so powerful that its shelter was the reason for the brotherhoods very existence. When we possess the keystone, the Teacher said, we volition be only one step away. We are closer than you think. The keystone is here in Paris. Paris? Incredible. It is about too easy. Silas relayed the earlier events of the evening how all four of his victims, moments before death, had desperately tried to buy back their godless lives by telling their secret. separately had told Silas the exact same thing that the keystone was ingeniously hidden at a precise spatial relation inside one of Pariss antediluvian patriarch churches the Eglise de Saint-Sulpice.Inside a house of the Lord, the Teacher exclaimed. How they mock us As they have for centuries. The Teacher fell silent, as if letting the triumph of this moment settle over him. Finally, he spoke. You have done a great service to God. We have waited centuries for this. You must retrieve the stone for me. Immediately. Toni ght. You understand the stakes.Silas knew the stakes were incalculable, and yet what the Teacher was now commanding seemed impossible. But the church, it is a fortress. Especially at night. How will I enter?With the confident tone of a man of enormous influence, the Teacher explained what was to be done.When Silas hung up the phone, his skin tingled with anticipation.One hour, he told himself, grateful that the Teacher had given him time to carry out the involve penance before entering a house of God. I must purge my soul of immediatelys sins.The sins act today had been holy in purpose. Acts of war against the enemies of God had been committed for centuries. Forgiveness was assured.Even so, Silas knew, absolution required sacrifice.Pulling his shades, he stripped naked and knelt in the center of his room. Looking down, he examined the spiked cilice belt clamped around his thigh. All true followers of The Way wore this whatchamacallit a leather strap, studded with sharp metal b arbs that cut into the flesh as a perpetual reminder of Christs suffering. The pain caused by the device also helped counteract the desires of the flesh.Although Silas already had worn his cilice today longer than the requisite two hours, he knew today was no ordinary day. Grasping the buckle, he cinched it one notch tighter, wincing as the barbs dug deeper into his flesh. Exhaling slowly, he savored the cleanup position ritual of his pain.Pain is good, Silas whispered, repeating the dedicated mantra of Father Josemaria Escriva the Teacher of all Teachers. Although Escriva had died in 1975, his wisdom lived on, his speech communication still whispered by thousands of faithful servants around the globe as they knelt on the floor and performed the sacred practice known as corporal mortification.Silas turned his attention now to a heavy gnarly rope coiled neatly on the floor beside him. TheDiscipline. The knots were caked with dried blood. Eager for the purifying effects of his own agony, Silas said a quick prayer. Then, gripping one end of the rope, he closed his eyes and swung it hard over his shoulder, feeling the knots slap against his back. He whipped it over his shoulder again, slashing at his flesh. Again and again, he lashed.Castigo corpus meum.Finally, he felt the blood begin to flow. CHAPTER 3The crisp April air whipped through the open window of the Citroen ZX as it skimmed south past the Opera House and crossed Place cantme. In the passenger seat, Robert Langdon felt the city tear past him as he tried to clear his thoughts. His quick shower and shave had left(a) him looking reasonably presentable but had done little to ease his anxiety. The frightening image of the curators body remained locked in his mind.Jacques Sauniere is dead.Langdon could not help but feel a deep sense of loss at the curators death. Despite Saunieres reputation for being reclusive, his recognition for dedication to the humanities made him an easy man to revere. His books o n the secret codes hidden in the paintings of Poussin and Teniers were some of Langdons favorite classroom texts. Tonights meeting had been one Langdon was very much looking forward to, and he was disappointed when the curator had not shown.Again the image of the curators body flashed in his mind. Jacques Sauniere did that to himself?Langdon turned and looked out the window, forcing the picture from his mind.Outside, the city was just now winding down street vendors wheeling carts of candied amandes, waiters carrying bags of garbage to the curb, a pair of late night lovers cuddling to stay warm in a breeze scented with jasmine blossom. The Citroen navigated the chaos with authority, its dissonant two-tone enchantress parting the traffic like a knife.Le capitaine was pleased to discover you were still in Paris tonight, the agent said, speaking for the first time since theyd left the hotel. A fortunate coincidence.Langdon was feeling anything but fortunate, and coincidence was a conc ept he did not entirely trust. As someone who had spent his life exploring the hidden interconnectivity of disparate attributes and ideologies, Langdon viewed the world as a web of profoundly intertwined histories and events. The connections may be invisible, he oftentimes preached to his symbology classes at Harvard, but they are always there, buried just beneath the surface.I assume, Langdon said, that the American University of Paris told you where I was staying? The driver shook his head. Interpol. Interpol, Langdon thought. Of course.He had forgotten that the seemingly innocuous request of all European hotels to see a passport at check-in was more than a quaint formality it was the law. On any given night, all across Europe, Interpol officials could pinpoint exactly who was sleeping where. Finding Langdon at the Ritz had probably taken all of v seconds.As the Citroen accelerated southward across the city, the illuminated profile of the Eiffel Tower appeared, guesswork sky ward in the distance to the right. Seeing it, Langdon thought of Vittoria, recalling their playful promise a year ago that every six months they would meet again at a different romantic spot on the globe. The Eiffel Tower, Langdon suspected, would have made their list. Sadly, he last kissed Vittoria in a noisy airport in capital of Italy more than a year ago.Did you mount her? the agent asked, looking over.Langdon glanced up, certain he had misunderstood. I beg your pardon?She is lovely, no? The agent motioned through the windshield toward the Eiffel Tower. Have you mounted her?Langdon rolled his eyes. No, I havent climbed the tower. She is the symbol of France. I think she is perfect. Langdon nodded absently. Symbologists often remarked that France a country renowned for machismo, womanizing, and diminutive insecure leaders like Napoleon and Pepin the Short could not have chosen a more apt national emblem than a thousand-foot phallus.When they reached the intersection at Rue de R ivoli, the traffic light was red, but the Citroen didnt slow. The agent gunned the sedan across the junction and sped onto a wooded section of Rue Castiglione, which served as the northern entranceway to the famed Tuileries Gardens Pariss own version of Central Park. Most tourists mistranslated Jardins des Tuileries as relating to the thousands of tulips that bloomed here, but Tuileries was actually a literal source to something far less romantic. This park had once been an enormous, polluted excavation pit from which Parisian contractors mined body to manufacture the citys famous red roofing tiles or tuiles.As they entered the deserted park, the agent reached under the smash and turned off the blaring siren. Langdon exhaled, savoring the sudden quiet. Outside the car, the pale wash of halogen headlights skimmed over the crushed gravel parkway, the rugged whir of the tires intoning a hypnotic rhythm. Langdon had always considered the Tuileries to be sacred ground. These were t he gardens in which Claude Monet had experimented with form and color, and literally inspired the birth of the Impressionist movement. Tonight, however, this place held a strange aura of foreboding.The Citroen swerved left now, angling west down the parks central boulevard. Curling around a circular pond, the driver cut across a desolate avenue out into a wide quadrangle beyond. Langdon could now see the end of the Tuileries Gardens, marked by a giant stone archway.Arc du Carrousel.Despite the orgiastic rituals once held at the Arc du Carrousel, art aficionados revered this place for another reason entirely. From the esplanade at the end of the Tuileries, four of the finest art museums in the world could be seen one at each point of the compass.Out the right field window, south across the Seine and Quai Voltaire, Langdon could see the dramatically lit facade of the old train station now the esteemed Musee dOrsay. Glancing left, he could make out the top of the ultramodern Pompido u Center, which housed the Museum of Modern Art. Behind him to the west, Langdon knew the ancient obelisk of Ramses rose above the trees, marking the Musee du Jeu de Paume.But it was straight ahead, to the east, through the archway, that Langdon could now see the massive Renaissance palace that had become the most famous art museum in the world.Musee du Louvre.Langdon felt a familiar tinge of wonder as his eyes made a futile attempt to absorb the entire mass of the edifice. Across a staggeringly expansive plaza, the imposing facade of the Louvre rose like a citadel against the Paris sky. Shaped like an enormous horseshoe, the Louvre was the longest building in Europe, stretching farther than three Eiffel Towers laid end to end. Not even the million square feet of open plaza between the museum wings could challenge the majesty of the facades breadth. Langdon had once walked the Louvres entire perimeter, an astonishing three-mile journey.Despite the estimated quintet days it would t ake a visitor to properly appreciate the 65, 300 pieces of art in this building, most tourists chose an abbreviated experience Langdon referred to as Louvre Lite a full sprint through the museum to see the three most famous objects the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory.Art Buchwald had once boasted hed seen all three masterpieces in five minutes and fifty-six seconds.The driver pulled out a handheld walkie-talkie and spoke in rapid-fire French. Monsieur Langdonest arrive.Deux minutes.An unreadable confirmation came crackling back.The agent stowed the device, turning now to Langdon. You will meet the capitaine at the main entrance.The driver ignored the signs prohibiting auto traffic on the plaza, revved the engine, and gunned the Citroen up over the curb. The Louvres main entrance was visible now, come up boldly in the distance, encircled by seven triangular pools from which spouted illuminated fountains.La Pyramide.The new entrance to the Paris Louvre had become almost as famous as the museum itself. The controversial, neomodern glass pyramid knowing by Chinese-born American architect I. M. Peistill evoked scorn from traditionalists who felt it destroyed the dignity of the Renaissance courtyard. Goethe had describe architecture as frozen music, and Peis critics described this pyramid as fingernails on a chalkboard. Progressive admirers, though, hailed Peis seventy-one-foot-tall transparent pyramid as a dazzling synergy of ancient structure and modern method a symbolic link between the old and new helping usher the Louvre into the next millennium.Do you like our pyramid? the agent asked.Langdon frowned. The French, it seemed, loved to ask Americans this. It was a loaded question, of course. Admitting you liked the pyramid made you a tasteless American, and expressing dislike was an insult to the French.Mitterrand was a bold man, Langdon replied, splitting the difference. The late French electric chair who had commissioned the pyramid was said to have suffered from a Pharaoh complex. Singlehandedly responsible for filling Paris with Egyptian obelisks, art, and artifacts.Franois Mitterrand had an similarity for Egyptian culture that was so all-consuming that the French still referred to him as the Sphinx.What is the captains name? Langdon asked, changing topics.Bezu Fache, the driver said, go up the pyramids main entrance. We call him le Taureau.Langdon glanced over at him, wondering if every Frenchman had a mysterious wight epithet. You call your captain the Bull?The man arched his eyebrows. Your French is better than you admit, Monsieur Langdon.My French stinks, Langdon thought, but my zodiac iconography is beauteous good.Taurus was always the bull. Astrology was a symbolic constant all over the world.The agent pulled the car to a stop and pointed between two fountains to a large door in the side of the pyramid. There is the entrance. well(p) luck, monsieur. Youre not coming? My orders are to leave you here. I have other business to attend to. Langdon heaved a sigh and climbed out. Its your circus. The agent revved his engine and sped off.As Langdon stood alone and watched the departing taillights, he realized he could easily reconsider, turn over the courtyard, grab a taxi, and head home to bed. Something told him it was probably a lousy idea.As he moved toward the mist of the fountains, Langdon had the uneasy sense he was crossing an imaginary threshold into another world. The dreamlike tonus of the evening was settling around him again. Twenty minutes ago he had been asleep in his hotel room. Now he was standing in front of a transparent pyramid built by the Sphinx, waiting for a policeman they called the Bull.Im trapped in a Salvador Dali painting, he thought.Langdon strode to the main entrance an enormous revolving door. The manse beyond was dimly lit and deserted.Do I knock?Langdon wondered if any of Harvards revered Egyptologists had ever knocked on the front door of a pyramid and expected an answer. He raised his hand to bang on the glass, but out of the darkness below, a figure appeared, striding up the curving staircase. The man was stocky and dark, almost Neanderthal, dressed in a dark double-breasted suit that strained to cover his wide shoulders. He advanced with unmistakable authority on squat, powerful legs. He was speaking on his cell phone but finished the call as he arrived. He motioned for Langdon to enter.I am Bezu Fache, he announced as Langdon pushed through the revolving door. Captain of the Central Directorate Judicial Police. His tone was fitting a pharyngeal consonant rumble like a gathering storm.Langdon held out his hand to shake. Robert Langdon.Faches enormous palm wrapped around Langdons with crushing force.I saw the photo, Langdon said. Your agent said Jacques Sauniere himself did Mr. Langdon, Faches ebony eyes locked on. What you see in the photo is only the beginning of what Sauniere did.

Thea Astley’s It’s raining in mango

A literary text edition often flecks as a chiding of the society of the time in which it was written. The particular value systems or ideologies of the characters and character groups represented in the text set forth the reader of those characters heathen identities. In Thea Astleys its raining in mango, the author offers many commissions of ethnic indistinguishability. by means of the story of the Laffeys, Astley provides an alternative to the of importstream societys deputation of heathen indistinguishability and challenges traditional beliefs regarding Australia.Its raining in mango is clique in Australia, and follows the story of the Laffey family from 1860 to 1980. The characters endure some of the major events in Australias history, such as the gold flight of the 1860s, the depression, both World Wars, and the horrific intercession of the patriarchal population. From these events came the Australian identity what mainstream society guessd to be the traits an d characteristics unique to the typical Australian. From the offshoot World War sprung the legend of the heroic ANZAC, and Australians were regarded as the resilient battler with a strong sense of humor and laid-back attitude.Camaraderie and mateship were highly valued. The paternal ideologies of the society meant that women were expected to be submissive, and function solely in the domestic sphere, while men were the providers and bread-winners. Aboriginals and other minority groups were marginalised or silenced. The value systems and ideologies that inform the histrionics of mainstream Australian societys cultural identity argon represented in Astleys text by characters such as the diggers, who believe that the Aboriginal people ar non human and the pub owner who hated blacks, but love their pay checks.Other characters who represent the patriarchal set of the society are the priests with whom Jessica Olive and Connie conflict with. However, the strongest type of the dete rmine and ideologies of this society are reflected through the police, the figures of authority who find it in order to blame a blackskin. The easy expression out. All these characters, along with the men looking for work during the Depression, reflect the values and ideologies of mainstream society, which inform representations of the cultural identity of Australians.However, through the Laffey family and other character groups, Astley offers an alternative representation of cultural identity. The women in Astleys text offer an alternative to the cultural identity of women in mainstream society. Unlike the women represented in the ideologies of this patriarchal society, the female characters in mango display strength and freedom. Jessica Olive begins as the passive, submissive wife and overprotect idealised by mainstream society, however moves to challenge this notion after Cornelius leaves and she is left to be take after the manageress extraordinaire.She coming into courts st rength, passion and ending when facing hardships, or challenges to her values from characters such as the boarder at her hotel, and Father Madigan. Connie excessively proves her independence and strength of character throughout the text. As a child in a convent, Connie has difficulty suppressing her sexual urge and for one silly week she flattened her gently erupting breasts with a broad ribbon band, and and so as an adult she goes on to become a strong, self-reliant single mother. Connie, like Jessica Olive, displays passion and endeavor when she conflicts with another priest, Father Rassini.Mag is another character whose values and beliefs give an alternative to the mainstream notion of cultural identity. When she hides Nelly and her baby from the authorities, Mag displays courage and defiance, and the fact that she speaks for George, her husband, reflects power and strength of character. The prostitutes in the text also show in truth strong independence and courage, and their value systems and ideologies inform a representation of cultural identity that challenges the identity ascribed to prostitutes by mainstream society.The value systems and beliefs of the female characters in this text create a actually different representation of womens cultural identity in Australia than that ascribed to women by the mainstream patriarchal society of the novel. They create a new cultural identity for women, that of the strong, independent woman. These women amaze a bun in the oven a very strong connection to the land, and place family at the focus of their value system, as do most of the main characters in the text. The centralisation of family in the story of the Laffeys is very important in the construction of an alternative cultural identity.Unlike the characters that represent mainstream society, whose families are not mentioned, the Laffeys have a strong, profound bond. They represent values and attitudes similar to those found in Aboriginal culture, those of respect for, and cartel on, the family. Connie recognises that only the family as she knows it has cohesion, provides a core. She understands the unbreakable bond between her family throughout the centuries, and the fact that they are inextricably linked to each other by the knowledge that they are Laffeys.The bond between Connie and bequeath reminds the reader of the importance of family in a time when many families were being ripped apart by the catastrophe of the Second World War. For the main characters, the family home in Mango is their place of return, a place to come back to for sanctuary and security. This emphasis on strong family values informs the reader of a cultural identity that is very different to the one offered by mainstream society, in the text. Along with a strong family connection, the main characters also have a strong connection to the land.While the settlers in the text saw the land as something to be battled with, the Laffeys learnt to harmonise with the land, and see it as something to be protected. Reever represents the values of the Laffey family through his acting out as a conservationist, and Clytie and Harrys struggle to save their farm during the Depression displays their concern for the land. It is this connection to the family and the land, similar to Aboriginal values, that sets the Laffey familys representation of cultural identity apart from that of mainstream society.The value system and ideologies of the Aboriginal characters, and other characters, inform the reader of the cultural identity of the Aboriginal people. The mainstream society of the text views Aborigines as savage, no-hoper(s), river-tribe layabout(s). This view is clearly expressed throughout the text by the diggers who callously slaughter the blackskins, the pub owner, the police, and especially by the gang in the bar who mug up Billy and his family.The Aboriginal population is marginalised by mainstream society. However, Astley, by privileging the point of view of some of the Aboriginal characters, and creating main characters who sympathise with, and share some beliefs and values with the Aboriginal people, has created a cultural identity that is different from that of mainstreams societys beliefs. Aboriginal culture places great emphasis on the unity of the family, and this value is evident in Astleys text.Nelly is willing to run, and hazard being hunted down, to keep her child, and Billys first concern is his father when they are attacked in a bar. The very strong Aboriginal connection to the land is also evident in its raining in mango. The way the land is described by the Aboriginal characters is beautiful and serene, with its hill(s), grey scrub against blue, the long grasses dry in the lead the big rains, and shows an understanding of the nature of the earth.Bidiggi automatically reaches for the earth to comfort him when his tribe is slaughtered, hiding in the peeing grass and falling asleep under a paperbark. These Aboriginal notions of family, and their connection to the land, provide a representation of cultural identity. The attitudes of other characters also affect the representation of Aboriginal cultural identity in this text. The Laffey family, who are centralised in the text, sympathise with the plight of the Aboriginal people.Cornelius is fired because he writes an article exposing the shocking treatment of Aboriginal people, the child George believes that Aborigines are just the same as white people, Mag and George protect Nelly and her baby, and get out tries to help Billy in the bar brawl. Because these characters are all centralised, and the reader is encouraged to agree with their values and attitudes, the reader is positioned to see the Aboriginal people as humanised, which provides an alternative representation of cultural identity to that offered by mainstream society.Other character groups are also represented in its raining in mango, and their value systems and ideologies inform the reader of their cultural identity. These groups are the soldiers, the hippies, and the cult members. The myth of the resilient, laid-back Australian soldier is destroyed in Astleys text, and replaced instead with the image of a shattered, broken man, plagued by what he has seen. Wills experience of the war, and how he deals with it, are not the same as the romanticised identity created by main stream society.Will is instead constantly insane by the horrific images of his experiences at the front, and though awarded for bravery, he throws the medal in the rubbish because he does not believe that he deserved it. Thus, through Wills reaction to the war, Astley again offers an alternative to the cultural identity created by mainstream society. The hippies are represented as lazy, careless, and free. They believe in love, peace, and freedom, and regularly smoke marijuana.The hippies dont have real names, and they are constructed as drifters, travelling and moving whenever the mood seizes them. The values and ideologies of the hippies create their cultural identity, however their attitudes and actions are hypocritical, and position the reader to question the validity of the hippies cultural identity. The members of the cult are constructed as surreal, surrounded by a blue haze. The reader sees them through the point of view of Connie, and the odd characters are almost satirised.Astley uses the cult to make another attack on institutionalised religion, suggesting that they are no snap off than the Father Madigans or Father Rassinis of the world, as they place their absolute faith in the intangible. Their inability to act in an emergency, such as when Connie saves the drowned man, highlights the ineffectiveness of their beliefs. The cult members representation of cultural identity is informed through their value systems and ideologies, and is used by Astley to comment on the ineffectiveness of having faith solely in the divine, and no faith in self.In The a Astleys its raining in mango, the author has revealed several representations of cultural identity. She has revealed the cultural identities created by the mainstream society of the text, and then offered alternatives to these assumptions through the story of the Laffey family and other surrounding characters. The value systems and ideologies of these characters are what create the cultural identities for these groups.