Existentialism and Human Nature Essay

Absolute individuality and absolute freedom: the basis of all existentialist arguments. The existentialist’s conceptions arise from their held views that since we are all ultimately alone, we have absolute freedom over our nature. Existentialists emphasize the â€Å"free and conscious self† which opponents constantly attack, exclaiming that there is a â€Å"higher power† enabling our consciousness. But are humans so simple? Can things be explained solely on blaming ourselves or another being for our nature? The existentialist generally believes in a sole existence; meaning that we are alone in the world, and that we have no one but ourselves. They also believe in the human being’s capacity to feel more than one kind of pain, and that there are three different levels to our pain, physical, psychological, and emotional. All of these types of pain can cause us to become irrational and anxious. But are we really anxious because of this pain, or is it because we ultimately feel alone? And if we are all individuals, can we really feel the same kind of pain as someone else? Existence precedes essence is also dominant in the mind and thoughts of the existentialist. That is, the idea that we are born into this world without a predetermined nature, and only later in life do we shape out nature through actions and choices. This opposes the traditional view that is that essence precedes existence, according to which we are seen as having a purpose, and values, all of which is determined before birth. (I personally think that the idea of essence preceding existence is rather obscure. There is no way that our values and purpose can be determined by genetic code. DNA is what we are, not who we are.) Existentialists pose another question to the opposition: how can we be happy in a world devoid of significance and meaning? The loss of external values allows us to derive value from within ourselves. This value is greater than any imposed by outside forces, and thus cannot be taken away from said sources. Although many human beings live a life devoid of true happiness, it does not mean that we are incapable of attaining such a goal. If a person finds the meaning for their life, whether it be one meaning, or many, there is a large chance that they can achieve such a utopia without recognizing outside influences. People of different viewpoints follow different methods, as well as believe in different forces that shape our nature. It is in my opinion, as well as that of the existentialist, that we shape our own nature through decisions and actions made by our own free will; that we are ultimately free to act independently from the influences of outside forces. That we can ultimately ignore the views imposed on us, and achieve a sustainable level of happiness in the process. Human nature is a frail thing; people are just looking for someone else to blame for their actions and for who they are, even when there isn’t any. Therefore, there is no one to blame for who we are, but ourselves.

Henry VIII’s Foreign Policy 1509-1524 Essay

How far do Sources 1, 2 and 3 suggest that Henry VIII’s Foreign Policy in the years 1509-1524 followed consistent aims? Source 1 agrees that Henry’s did follow consistent aims and Henry VIII had one goal target in his foreign policy whilst sources 2 and 3 especially, argues that Henry but could not agree one goal to pursue involving foreign policy. Source 1 in particular claims that Henry poured much dedication and time into ensuring that England went to war against France. â€Å"The king† writes letters to â€Å"the pope, the emperor and the Venetians† declaring his â€Å"steadfast intention and strong provision to wage war against France† suggesting that Henry VIII’s main goal was to attack France as he repeats his exact intentions to three separate individuals. This is reiterated in source 2 as Henry VIII is described to be accompanied by â€Å"500 horsemen and 3000 foot soldiers† during the Field of Cloth of Gold showing aggression and building tension between the two rivals suggesting that King Henry was keen in causing tension so that it will lead to waging a war against France. We can see King Henry strongly suggesting that he consistently wanted to defeat the French as he writes to the Venetians to try and disband the newly formed league between Venetia and France. As the Milanese ambassador is writing at the time these letters had been sent he carries alot of weight with Source 1 as it clearly states the purpose of the letters and they lead to one clear goal which is to invade France. Source 3 shows Cromwell trying to persuade Henry to go against his plans to take over France but to redirect his attentions to Scotland. Cromwell suggesting that Henry â€Å"converts first and chief his whole intent and purpose† suggests that Henry was so determine to wage war against France he did not think about other issues to do with his Foreign Policy and Cromwell needed to remind him of budding problems. However Source 3 also suggests that Henry was lenient in his decisions about foreign policies as, even though Cromwell at this time is trying to work his way into the inner council and was desperate to gain the attentions of the King, felt the King was not so desperate in going against France that he was able to suggest the King redirects his attention to Scotland whilst still pleasing the King and trying to achieve honour. Source 2 also suggests that the King was not so rivalled with France as a contemporary account shows that Henry pitched his marquee near where the French king had been staying, although this could be seen as showing off and is multifaceted it can also be seen as Henry trying to break down the existing barriers to focus on the celebration of the Field of the Cloth of Gold. Overall, there is enough agreement in all three sources to suggest that Henry VIII’s foreign policy in the years 1509-1524 followed consistent aims. This is a view most strongly and optimistically supported by source 1, slightly confirmed by the accounts described in source 2 but largely denied by source 3.

The Poisoning Needle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Poisoning Needle - Essay Example ter 1987, a similar unanticipated and unexpected accident happened in a range of restaurants in Canada located around the Prince Edward Island (Larner 2008, 203). In a matter of few hours, hundreds of people became severely ill after eating the cultured blue mussels in the restaurants. It was not an ordinary food poisoning accident. It was much more than that as it caused short-term memory loss in many of the victims. Symptoms were far more serious and diversified than what are caused by food poisoning. â€Å"Vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, and incapacitating headaches were followed by confusion, loss of memory, disorientation, and (in severe cases) seizures and coma† (Senese 2010). The accident caused death of three elderly victims. It was the result of a strange syndrome that was named â€Å"amnesic shellfish poisoning.† There was a strong need to identify the cause of accident in order to prevent further accidents of the like. Therefore, the Department of Fisheries and Ocean (DFO), Canada quickly formed a team of chemists and marine biologists to carry out the research and identify the toxic agent (gov.pe.ca 2004). It was a very cumbersome job, as the team was entitled to identify a toxic agent from among thousands of chemicals present in the blue mussels and to top it all, they were unaware of the properties of the strange toxic agent as they were yet to be found. A strategy based on the divide-and-discard process was adopted to identify the toxic agent. The experiment was conducted over mice and the samples causing the mice to display strange behavior were collected and processed further. The staged and organized process adopted by the team to identify the toxic agent is shown in the figure below: Presence of the same domoic acid in the small fish eaten by the birds gone crazy in 1961 and in the blue mussels consumed by people in 1987 caused two of the strangest accidents in the history. After an extensive research, it was found that domoic acid was present in a

Nanking massacre Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Nanking massacre - Essay Example by historians to be one of the most shocking, ghastly, and revolting massacres perpetrated by Japanese soldiers in the course of the Second Sino-Japanese War. Even though Japan had been gnawing away at Northeastern China for years, beginning with the culmination of the Russo-Japanese War in the early 20th century and centered primarily in Manchuria, the second war between Japan and China, also called the War of Japanese Resistance, is widely known to have begun after the 1937 Marco Polo Bridge Incident. This event resulted in the eruption of total war between Japan and China. In China, Japan, the United States and the rest of the world, possibly no wartime barbarism committed by the Japanese against the Chinese people is more known far and wide than the Rape of Nanking. Nevertheless, whatever the importance of sheer recognition of the name, the memorial and history of the Nanjing massacre are deeply complicated. The significance and implication of the Nanking massacre have constantly evolved over time. Furthermore, the line dividing illegal violent acts against civilians and war crimes against combatant was unclear. Still, since 1937, scholars in the U.S., Japan, and China have struggled with the Nanking massacre, and, in every nation, over time, new interpretations are introduced. Not totally unforeseen, the known significance and implications of the Nanjing massacre have evolved according to the changing domestic and global political context of the period. The Pacific War and the Sino-Japanese War, from 1937 to 1945, influenced the memory and history of Nanking across the globe. The cold war, the Chinese civil war, and Japan’s downfall, from 1945 to 1971, brought about continuous modifications of the interpretation of the Nanjing massacre in China, Japan, and the U.S. From 1971 to 1989, the Japanese and American acknowledgment of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the Vietnam War, and the debate over Japan’s history textbooks brought about additional

Comparing Two Penetration Testing Methodologies. Penetration Testing Dissertation

Comparing Two Penetration Testing Methodologies. Penetration Testing versus Vulnerability Assessment - Dissertation Example Penetration testing methodology explains the roadmap by defining the practical ideas and practices that have been proven and have to be applied with great care so as to ensure that the security system is assessed correctly. This penetration testing process can be conducted either independently or as an IT security part of risk management included in regular lifecycle development such as Microsoft SDLC. It is important to consider that a product’s security depends on both the IT environment related factors and the specific security practices. This includes appropriate security requirements implementation, risk analysis performance, modeling threat, reviews on code, and security measurements that are operational. PenTest is regarded as the final and the most aggressive means of security assessment practiced by professionals who are best qualified either without or with prior information on the system being examined. This process can be used in the assessment of all the infrastru cture components of IT including network devices, applications, communication medium, operating systems, human psychology as well as physical security. The penetration testing output normally includes a report that is usually divided into sections that are filled with information on the weaknesses identified in system’s current state and the section is then followed by the appropriate counter measures and the possible recommendations. This means that penetration testing methodological process offers benefits that are extensive to the pentester ensuring a better understanding and enabling a critical analysis of the integrity of the existing defenses in every testing stage (McGraw, 1999, p. 45) Penetration Testing versus Vulnerability Assessment Since the start of the rapid growth of the IT security industry, there has been an increase in the intensive diversity numbers when it comes to understanding as well as practicing the most suitable security assessment processes and term inologies. That trend has not left out non-commercial organizations and companies who in most cases confuse or misinterpret the process and regard the process as contradicting specific security assessment types. Vulnerability assessment is regarded as the process through which both the external and the internal security controls are assessed through the identification of the threats that may result in serous exposure of the assets of a given organization. This infrastructure process technically evaluates the points indicating existing defenses risks and goes ahead to recommend as well as prioritize the possible strategies that can be applicable for remediation. A vulnerability assessment carried out internally offers a securing assurance for the internal systems while the assessment conducted externally demonstrates the perimeter defenses security. In both this testing, each network asset undergoes a rigorous testing that is normally against attack vectors that are multiple in an ef fort to identify threats that are unattended to and try to justify the reactive measures. Depending on the assessment type, unique sets of tools, processes and techniques used in the testing are followed in order to identify and detect information assets vulnerability in a fashion that is automated. This is easily accomplished through the use of a vulnerability management podium that is integrated enabling it to manage vulnerabilities database that

Ethics and the college student Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ethics and the college student - Research Paper Example At this age someone develops good habits and by repeatedly doing the habits, they grow in an ethical way (Paul & Elder, 2006). Conversely, ethical habits can also be developed from the teaching someone acquires from the taught rules for example cleaning hands after visiting the washroom, not spitting around, covering the mouth while coughing. All these and many others are rules taught in the society thus when someone learns them, they tend to develop the ethical habits derived from them. When one gets to high school, there are those habits a high school student is supposed to have for example, completing assignments and attending all classes as well as following rules. Therefore, a student will develop the ethical habits dictated by the environment they are in which is the learning (Paul & Elder, 2006). There are also those ethics that can be obtained from establishing new habits. For instance someone can establish a habit of ensuring that they will never do a punishment or cross the wrong side of the law. Such a person will always do what is right so as to ensure they do not get punished. These are the ethics observed according to the area of study for instance medical ethics for health students, business ethics for business ethics and engineering ethics for engineering students (Paul & Elder, 2006). This kind of ethics help one in improving their performance in that field as well as determining what is right to do in that field. Educational ethics also help in shaping the student to perform morally in the place of work for example being responsible. This is dictated by the knowledge of what is morally good to do. It is this type of ethics that enables a person to determine their mode of dressing, the activities they do in public as well as the language they use to communicate (Paul & Elder, 2006). This ethics also dictates how one

A deeper look on the reincarnation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

A deeper look on the reincarnation - Essay Example Hinduism is known to be one of the largest religions in the world. It offers a system of beliefs that not only Indians have embraced but are also perceived to be true by some people from all walks of life and racesOne of the famous beliefs of Hinduism that this writer knows about through lessons in school and readings of books is reincarnation. Hindus believe that when a person dies, s/he will be reincarnated to some animal or another human being depending on how a person lived. If a person lives a good life, he will be rewarded in the form of a second life as a person of a higher status in the Caste System. However, when one is not good, he can be demoted to a lower level of person or an animal. For instance, a member of the royal family has been doing bad things in his life as a prince, princess, king or queen; s/he can become a slave in the next life. If a common man or a slave does not behave well, he will be punished and become an animal in his next life. But if that common man or slave does good things in his present life, his next life can be that of a rich person. Reincarnation is a common belief in Hinduism but it is known to have been found among many primitive people in Ancient Greece and Egypt as well (Jones, Whitney and Nault, 8118). According to Enroth, the belief had its origin in Northern India, around 1,000-800 B.C. (2012). Tracing the history of Hinduism, it is said to have emerged from several people of different generations that no one is acknowledged as the sole originator of the religion. There are three periods of the Hinduism wherein beliefs have been acquired and put together to become the modern Hindu religion. The pre-Vedic period, around 3,000-1500 B.C., reflects the animism while the Vedic period introduced polytheism and the caste system, a social scale that was to be incorporated in the belief in reincarnation. The third period in Hinduism is called the Upanishadic period where reincarnation was birthed (Mather and Nichols, 116-11 7). In the process, it is believed that reincarnation takes a lot of times until a person is purified. Only then could a person be able to return to the dwelling place of its god known by Buddhists as Nirvana and for the Brahmanic Hindus, the purified person will be reunited with Brahma or the Universal Power (Jones et al., 8118). According to the World Book Encyclopedia, superstition literally means â€Å"that which stands above, or survives† and further goes on to consider that the opposite of superstition is science, based on observations and reason (Jones et al., 7810). As a belief that cannot be scientifically proven, reincarnation is considered a superstitious belief. It is argued that no one can really prove that a person is a reincarnation of someone who lived in the past however Kevin Williams claims that he was able to prove the validity of reincarnation. In his research, he was able to have twenty children describe spontaneously their past lives by the time they we re able to talk. He even challenges skeptics to do the same experiments themselves. However, on the scientific point of view, this is not enough evidence to claim the fact of reincarnation. John Von Ward claims that, â€Å"A theoretical model or reincarnation based on behavioral evidence will be much more credible than one based on dreams, hypnotic information or extra-dimensional material. People will find the theory much more persuasive if it is based on tangible evidence like physical skills, creative talents, habits, postures, etc than on easily fabricated products of mind.† The belief on reincarnation can be detrimental. The idea of having another life after the present life can make an individual go to the extreme of acting badly with the thought that there will be another life where one could redeem him/herself anyway. People are given the tendency to rely on dreams, hypnotic regressions and other manners of acquiring information about a person’s life. This enco urages them to concentrate on the quest to

Crimnal Justice Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Crimnal Justice - Coursework Example This might be plausible given the hip-hop war tension that was between the west and east coast. Poole believes the hit was organized by Reggie Wright. The other fact is that after the murder a called was placed to the police accusing a rogue LAPD officer Mack. Police found a gun that matches the one was the used to kill Biggie in Mack’s home. He had a Tupac Shakur shrine. Most witnesses claim the murderer wore a blue jacket that was common for the Crips that provided security for a company that B.I.G owed money. Another witness disputed this claim by saying B.I.G did not use many bodyguards. The witnesses who could support the prosecution case are the ones who gave testimonies on the killer wear blue caps. All the witnesses who could describe the murder very well should join prosecution. The informant who claims Suge Knight Order the hit and the one who believes LAPD officer Mack was responsible for the shooting. The witness who disputes the shooter being a real Muslim should on the prosecution. He says, â€Å"He dressed like a Muslim but he was not a Muslim, he was a cop.† The trial process for the murder of Christopher Wallace should take long. The trial will begin by the prosecution presenting evidence to support claims that the death of Christopher Wallace is connected to the hip-hop war and a rogue LAPD Officer. The prosecution would present witness that can give clear testimonies to dispute theories that involve drugs and Muslim shooting. The opening statement for the prosecution would go like this, â€Å"It is unfortunate that today we are here to seek justice for the murder of Christopher Wallace. I call upon this court to act to let the family of the victim feel and understand that justice is real. The case is surrounded by so much controversy, but I am certain my team will produce enough evidence to help the court make the right decision.† The prosecution should focus on asking questions that seek to

Land Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 4

Land Law - Essay Example 1 As such, the good order of property law is disrupted by proprietary estoppel. In successful proprietary estoppel claims, the court may transfer, change the nature of, or totally rescind proprietary rights. This is accomplished without first requiring the parties to comply with the strict formality tests to which property rights transactions are subject.2 Moreover, it seems that proprietary estoppel violates the all – important principle of property law that there has to be consensus for transfer of interests in property. The underlying notion is that the law of property should function in a manner that protects individual property rights. In addition, while applying it, the court should desist from involving itself in issues related to distributive justice. These issues are the preserve of the legislature and other branches of law. 3 As such, a certain amount of support is provided to proprietary estoppel by those who believe that it permits the courts to redistribute property rights, with scant regard for the owner’s consent. Such thinking is challenged by those who contend that equity should not trespass into realms, wherein the parties can be expected to control their relationship by means of a binding contract. 4 In Yaxley v Gotts,5 the court reiterated that in accordance with the principles of proprietary estoppel, it was unconscionable for a promisor to break the promise made to the promisee. A very important conclusion to be derived is that an agreement that does not comply with Section 2 of the Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989, can all the same be enforced by resorting to the doctrine of proprietary estoppel.6 In Pritchard v Briggs, the Court of Appeal held that an interest in land was not created by a right of pre – emption, acting in isolation. What was required, in addition, was the

Hybrid Cars Essay Example for Free

Hybrid Cars Essay Company: Within the company there are a few areas to look at regarding Toyotas introduction of the Prius. Areas such as financing, research, development, as well as others. When introducing the Prius, Toyota started early with its promotion of the hybrid. Spending US$15 million out of the US$190 million is spent on marketing in the 2002 year. Toyota informed its potential customers threw informative emails, TV commercials, and earth day give a ways. Toyota put a lot into research and development to come up with the hybrid with the advances in technology, such as the engine of the Prius. The engine combines a 1. 5 litre, 4 cylinder gas engine, with a 33-kilowatt electric engine that runs of a nickel-hydride battery. With this new engine and normal highway driving conditions the car is said to get 106 km per gallon. It is also rated one of the greenest vehicles on the market. Since North Americans complain about gas mileage, and want to be environmentally friendly this seems like the way to go. Suppliers: One of Toyotas major costs of manufacturing the Prius would be the nickel-hydride battery that the electric part fo the engine runs off of. This is also one of the main reasons why hybrid cars are so expensive compared to similar gas powered cars of the same size. But if manufacturers of hybrid cars were to see a yield in economies of scale then there would be more reason for producers of the battery to put more time and money into research and development of the battery and thus decrease costs of producing it. this would in term pass savings onto the potential buyers of the hybrid car. Customer Market: when looking for a way to market the Prius to consumers Toyota looked at what consumers wanted in a vehicle. Things like lower gas mileage, lower emmissions, and something that what technologically appealing. so with this in mind Toyota set out to design a car to appeal to all these things. with the combined electric and gas engine the Prius gets better mileage, and one of the greenest vehicles on the market. consumers have also been able to technologically modify there Prius, some have added DVD players and such, or programmed the cars computer to shower videos etc, on the monitors in the car. Competitors: introducing the Prius was the way in which Toyota planned to get an advantage over competitors like the big three auto manufacturers (ford, GM, DaimlerChrysler) none of whom had a hybrid in market when the Prius was released. the big three had plans of releasing hybrid vehicles in 2003, Toyota planned to stay on top of the hybrid market with its early release of a hybrid. Publics: there are a lot of different publics to take in mind. publics such as the media, government, citizen-action, local, general, etc. Toyota used a lot of these when it can to promoting the Prius. they ran articles, in vanity air, and newsweek, as well as running commercials on different television statements such as discovery, the history channel, and the learning network. it ran different taglines, such as A car that sometimes runs on gas power and sometimes runs on electric power, from a company that always runs on brain power. it also used tag lines that drew the customer in to find the meaning in it and also educating the customer on what exactly a hybrid was. Question # 2: Demographic Forces: this is one of the key forces that affect marketing plans it involves the study of people and when they want. Toyota looked at the different things that people wanted in a car. things like low fuel usage, and being environmentally friendly. using the information gathered Toyota came up with the combined engine that runs on gas and electric power to reduce mileage and also make it environmentally friendly. this hybrid would more likely be targeted to generation Y drivers. seeing as they are younger and more into the technological advances in society. it would also be marketed to the generation X drivers for the fact that they are more concerned over the outlook of the environment. Natural Forces: with natural forces marketers would be aware of trends, like the shortage or raw materials trend, the increase of population, and the government. with the government putting more emphasis on being environmentally friendly Toyota seems to have taken this to heart seeing as the Prius is one of the greenest vehicles on the market. also with the population tending to gather around more urban settings it is becoming more essential to have a vehicle with better gas mileage with more people commuting back and forth to work. Technological Forces: with the advances in technology recently people now except more from manufactures. Toyota seeing this used it to its advantage using the combined engine and adding other features as a computer system installed right in the car. it also used the internet as one of the ways it go to potential consumers to educate them on the Prius and what it was all about. which in turned created sales of the hybrid. Political: on problem with the Prius is that its not all that affordable. so makers of hybrid cars have gone to the government to see if there was a way to incorporate a benefit of driving a environmentally friendly car. while the US now offers a tax benefit for driving such a car there has yet to be any incentive in Canada. since there is no documented proof as of yet that driving one of these cars helps the environment they do not see the point in implicating anything yet. Cultural: the cultural force takes into account the values and beliefs of the consumer.like being friendly to the environment. valuing technology, etc. Toyota conformed to these by using the combined engine, not only is it environmentally friendly is also increased gas mileage. it also put a lot of new technologies into the Prius that consumers are finding many ways to use to their advantage. doing things like tweaking the computer system to play videos and mp3s, etc. Question # 3: Value proposition is essentially the full mix of benefits upon which the brand is positioned. Toyota sets the benefits to come from the higher gas mileage, the fact that it lowers emmissionsÃ'Ž

Land Degradation In The Nile River Basin Environmental Sciences Essay

Land Degradation In The Nile River Basin Environmental Sciences Essay Per capita availability is generally calculated by dividing total annual renewable water resources with population. While this could provide an accurate picture for countries with no dependency on external water resources, it does not provide an accurate depiction for countries with trans-boundary water resources. Taking into account the dependency ratio of the countries provides a much more realistic depiction of future water resources. For instance, Uganda has a 40.9% dependency ratio for its total annual renewable water resources (Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, DRC and Kenya contribute runoff into Lake Victoria). This will be impacted when increased water demand in upstream nations results in reduced water runoffs into Uganda. Egypt which originally had a 98% dependency ratio has been able to bring down its dependency by increasing alternate water resources but still has a 76% dependency ratio (55.5 BCM out of 73 BCM). Chapter 4 Land degradation is one of the challenges faced by several countries in the Nile River Basin. Land degradation comprises of any negative or undesirable change in the texture, content, moisture of land due to a combination of natural hazards and man-made activities. The African continent is characterized by 46% of extreme desert and 11% of land mass that is humid. Presently, in Africa around 250 million people are directly affected by land degradation while, worldwide 1 billion people in 100 countries are at risk of land degradation. The causes of land degradation are a combination of changes in the natural ecosystem, and the impact of the human social system, including human use and abuse of sensitive and vulnerable dry land ecosystems. Land Degradation in the Nile River Basin In Rwanda, around 71% of total land area is facing severe degradation and about 60% of its forest cover has been lost in the last two decades partly due to genocide, displacement and repatriation. Similarly, more than 30% of Burundi is severely or very severely degraded. In Tanzania, widespread land degradation is found in the highlands, especially on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Kenya faced about 30% land degradation in 2002 and around one third of its population was directly dependent on degraded land by 2008. Also, land degradation is widespread in Kenya, affecting 20% of all cultivated areas, 30% of forests, and 10% of grasslands. Uganda faces land degradation and erosion covering 60% of its total land area, the majority of which is in the highlands of the South-west. Ethiopia also faces land degradation mostly in its highlands, especially in the Amhara region. It is estimated that Ethiopia loses 4% of its GDP due to land degradation. In Sudan, approximately 1,200,000 km2 of land has degraded in varying degrees. The most degraded zones are the arid and semi-arid regions in the Northern half of Sudan where 76% of the countrys population resides. In Egypt, the North-western delta faces highest degradation due to contamination and increased salinity. Common Causes of Land Degradation in the Nile River Basin Some of the causes for land degradation in the Nile River Basin are as follows: Population Pressure: Growing population in the Nile River Basin countries puts immense pressure on land and its resources leading to severe degradation and reduced outputs. For instance, the majority of the population in Egypt and Burundi, 98% and 58% respectively, live in the Nile Basin. In Kenya, 70% of the population lives in 12% of the countrys land area which is suitable for rain-fed cultivation, thereby putting immense stress on its resources. Deforestation: The most common cause for land degradation in the Nile River Basin is deforestation. To adhere to the needs of growing population, forests are cleared and there is immense pressure on its resources. In Rwanda, the forest area was reduced to 4700 km2 from 7000 km2 post the genocide in 1994. Deforestation also took place due to increased need for wood to construct makeshift shelters for displaced people and for cooking. Bushfires have also become common especially in the dry seasons in the Eastern and South-eastern regions of Umutara, Kibungo and Bugesera. In Burundi, the rate of deforestation in high due to increased dependency on wood for fuel. The forest cover declined from 11.3% in 1990 to 5.9% in 2005. In Tanzania, deforestation is severe in areas populated with refugee populations. Also, wild fire is common in its grasslands. Between 1990 and 2005, Uganda lost one-third of its forest area due to deforestation. It is estimated that at this rate, Uganda will not have any forests by 2055. Uganda loses around $ 200 million annually due to deforestation. Deforestation is a major factor for land degradation in Ethiopia. While the forests once covered 65% of the country and 90% of the highlands in Ethiopia, by 2001 they were reduced to 2.2% and 5.6% respectively. The Blue Nile basin faces such severe deforestation that very little forest cover remains in the region. The forest coverage fell from 16% to 2% in the 1980s itself. Over Grazing: The demand for livestock is high in the Nile River Basin. Cattle farming leads to over grazing in fertile lands, depleting its quality and productivity. In Rwanda, over grazing is observed in range-lands especially in the North-west parts of Umutara. In Tanzania, over grazing is witnessed mostly in the Lake Victoria Zone and parts of Northern Tanzania. Over grazing accounts for 75% of the total degraded land in Sudan. In Uganda, the cattle corridor has most of its land degraded due to over grazing from Moroto and Kotido in the North-east through Luwero and South to Masaka and Mbarara. Leaving aside the North, most of the Corridor is seriously degraded. Lack of Awareness: Improper farming practices, poor soil management policies due to lack of awareness also lead to land degradation in the Nile River Basin. For instance in Rwanda, only 36.6% of the total land had soil protection structures in 2005 as compared to 83% in 1998. Climate Change: Climate change is another factor due to which there is immense land degradation. Increasing instances of floods and droughts lead to wide spread land degradation. There are various forms of land degradation. These include Soil erosion and sedimentation Surface runoff and floods Desertification and loss of natural vegetation Sand encroachments Sedimentation and Soil Erosion Sedimentation has three stages. It starts with soil erosion which is essentially the removal of top soil which is then transported and deposited in different locations depending upon the flow of water or wind or gravity. Some of the causes of sedimentation include deforestation which reduces water retention thereby increasing soil erosion; floods and droughts; and changes in river flow. Sedimentation in the Nile River Basin is witnessed the most in the Nile Equatorial Region, Blue Nile catchment and the coastal belts. Wide spread deforestation has a detrimental impact on the sedimentation levels in the Nile Equatorial Lakes and leads to increasing soil erosion. The siltation of the Nile Equatorial Lakes if combined with unusually high rainfall could lead to a rise in the lake levels which could in turn lead to flooding. The key problem sites for soil erosion in the Lake Victoria Basin are the Kagera River and the Nyando River in Kenya. Due to its topography and torrential rainfall, the Blue Nile catchment faces high rates of sedimentation as compared to the White Nile, whose sedimentation is largely retained in the Equatorial Lakes and the Sudd region. While the Nile catchment runoff is estimated at a low rate of 5.5%, the ratio of the runoff of the Blue Nile catchment on its own is 20%. Sedimentation has a negative effect on reservoirs built along the Nile River Basin. It clogs the area thereby reducing the amount of water that can be stored. Rwanda Around 40% of land in Rwanda is at high risk of erosion, 37% requires soil retention measures before cultivation, and only 23% is erosion free. Data from field research stations report soil losses between 35 246 tonnes per hectare annually, amounting to losses costing about 3.5% of Rwandas agricultural GDP. The Nyamitera River delivers 567,000 tonnes of particles in a matter of five flood days to Rwanda, of which more than half is the annual suspended sediment yield of its Nile Basin region. Increasing use of land for tea cultivation is also leading to sedimentation in Rwanda. The Mulindi tea plantation in Gicumbi district uses fertilizers that cause soil degradation, water pollution and deforestation, which in turn results in soil erosion, floods and sedimentation in the valley. Burundi Deforestation, over grazing and agricultural expansion into marginal lands are the main factors leading to soil erosion in Burundi. The sediment yield of Burundi and its contribution to the Nile basin is presently unavailable. Sedimentation causes many problems in Burundi including blocking inlet channels of pump irrigation schemes, clogging hydropower turbine areas, corroding pumps among others. Tanzania The main type of erosion witnessed in the Lake Victoria Basin in Tanzania is sheet erosion where a uniform thin layer of top soil is washed away. In Tanzania, 61% of land area faces soil erosion with a topsoil loss of 100 tonnes per hectare per annum. Highest soil loss within the Lake Victoria Basin is from cropland which loses 93 tonnes per hectare annually, followed by rangeland losing 52 tonnes per hectare each year. Additionally, there has been soil loss in Shinyanga, Dodoma, Morogoro, and Arusha. Also, Kagera Basin is vulnerable to soil erosion and leaching of nutrients due to its high population and poverty levels. The Masalatu Reservoir constructed on Simiyu River receives an annual sedimentation yield of 406 m3/ km2 or 1.43 tonnes per hectare. Kenya The Nyanza province bordering Lake Victoria is undergoing rapid catchment deterioration due to frequent droughts, deforestation and old agricultural practices. This results in Kenyas high sedimentation load contribution to Lake Victoria Basin through its tributaries. 61% of the basin area contributes to soil sedimentation at a rate of 43 tonnes per hectare each year, whereas the rest of the basin forms a sink area where sediments are collected. Due to high sedimentation on the bed, the rivers Nyando, Nzoia and Sondu, and other tributaries emptying into Lake Victoria are prone to flooding. Surface runoff in wet season causes sheet, rill and gully erosion. Wind causes erosion in dry season. Nyando River experiences severe gully erosion due to heavy water runoff. The removal of the top soil is very high ranging from 90 tonnes per hectare annually in degraded areas, to 67 tonnes per hectare elsewhere. Uganda Major source of soil erosion to the Lake Victoria Basin is the Kibale River at 0.06 tonnes per hectare annually. Runoff in sub-catchment of Bukora is the main reason for causing soil erosion. Soil loss rates are the highest on bare soils, followed by annually cultivated land, degraded range lands and perennially cultivated land. Lake Albert is also under threat of siltation due to inflows from Kyoga Nile, as well as Semliki River which carries sedimentation from DRC. It is estimated that 4% 12% of GNP is lost from environmental degradation, of which 85% is through soil erosion, nutrient loss and crop changes. Also, the rate of soil fertility depletion in Uganda is one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ethiopia There is high erosion in the Ethiopian Highlands. Around 1900 million tonnes of soil is eroded annually at an average of 100 tonnes per hectare. Also, up to one billion tonnes of top soil is lost each year. The Highlands face severe types of soil erosion including sheet, rill, gully and wind. It also witnesses stream bank erosion, biological, physical and chemical degradation Blue Nile is the major contributor of sedimentation during the flood season, contributing approximately 125 million tonnes, while the Atbara contributes roughly 50 million tonnes. The flows of the Blue Nile are unregulated until they arrive in Sudan leading to an enormous amount of sedimentation at the Roseires Dam. With increased deforestation and agricultural activities along the banks of the Blue Nile, there is a substantial amount of debris added to the flow which is carried downstream. The proportion of runoff to sedimentation is higher for the Atbara River which is due to its geographic location in a drier region than the Blue Nile and also due to a relatively longer period of dry season followed by heavy rainfall in a relatively short period. Sedimentation peaks three weeks before rainfall peaks as rainfall washes away soil loosened due to loss of moisture during the dry season. A decline in crop yields has been witnessed at a rate of 1 to 3% on cropland and 2.2% in Ethiopian highlands. It is estimated that the cost of land degradation due to soil erosion to Ethiopia could be about $2 billion in 25 years or $80 million each year. About 80% of the losses are from reduced crop production and 20% from reduced livestock production. Soil nutrient depletion reduces crop production by 885,330 tonnes annually amounting to losses of around 14% of agricultural contribution to Ethiopian GDP. Sudan Soil erosion is leading to rapid siltation and loss of functionality of reservoirs and irrigation schemes in Sudan. The small reservoirs get silted quicker. Irrigation schemes are witnessing major damage due to siltation which is leading to a reduction in water transported to crop lands. For instance, crop water requirements are no longer met in the Gezira and Rahad irrigation schemes. River band erosion along the Blue Nile River has been witnessed with most affected areas lying downstream of Roseires Dam, Singa to AlSuki. River widening in the region also leads to bank erosion where irrigable land is lost as has been witnessed in the main Nile and Atbara River sections. Around $1.5 million worth of economic losses have been witnessed via the loss of mature date palm trees as a direct result of bank erosion. Egypt The Nile Bank is witnessing bank erosion due to the corrosive action of sediment free waters as witnessed in Sudan past Roseires Dam. Agricultural land is depleting at a rate of 13,000 hectares on an annual basis due to bank erosion. Increase in coastal erosion and extensive erosion of the Nile Delta is being witnessed due to lack of sedimentation and increase in salinity levels. Sedimentation in Reservoirs Sedimentation is the single greatest problem reservoirs face in maintaining their functionality for water storage, as well as for hydropower generation. Hydropower generation is reduced during peak sedimentation periods as debris gets caught in the turbines and need to be shut down for cleaning. Sedimentation stuck in the cooling mechanism of the hydropower plant leads to loss of efficiency in energy generation and also requires shutdown for repair. Also, silt adds to the wear and tear of the plant which decreases the lifespan of the machinery, depending on the abrasiveness of the mineral content in the silt. Hydropower generation is often stalled during floods to clean turbines and prevent damage resulting in very low power generation during flood season. Sedimentation also leads to reduced water storage capacity which results in less water for irrigation and cost of construction to raise the dam to maintain storage capacity. Currently, the cost of clearing sedimentation is prohibitive at $625 million ($5 to clear 1 m3 of silt, about 125 MCM is being cleared per year). Roseires Dam The primary mandate of the Roseires Dam is to ensure that runoff levels are maintained to meet irrigation and water storage requirements. The Roseires Dam is losing considerable parts of dead water storage capacity, as well as live storage capacity. In 1966, its storage capacity was 3,329 MCM which has been reduced to 1,920.89 MCM as of 2007, leading to a 37% decrease in storage capacity. The Roseires Dams height has been elevated in order to mitigate losses in functionality and another elevation project is being currently discussed. Aswan High Dam in Egypt Aswan High Dam has 100% trap efficiency of sedimentation which means that waters are almost perfectly sediment-free beyond the Aswan High Dam. Sedimentation transported to the reservoir and deposited there is practically negligible from December to June, peaking from July to September, reducing in October and November to none in December. Aswan High Dam is losing considerable part of live storage capacity, as opposed to dead storage capacity which was designed to absorb sedimentation. The reservoirs total operational span has been reduced to 362 years from an initial estimate of 500 years as a result of sedimentation. Desertification The African continent, with the Sahara desert in the North and the Sahelian belt below, is vulnerable to desertification. This condition is exemplified with increasing instances of drought and famines. The causes of desertification are complex, including both direct and indirect factors such as: Cultivation, inappropriate agricultural practices and overgrazing Unsustainable animal husbandry and pastoralism Climate change including reduced rainfall Population growth pressures Poor land use and management practices Lack of soil and water conservation structures; Removal and loss of vegetation; Deforestation and land clearing; Total dependency on natural resources for survival; Human activities comprising technological agents (water pumps, boreholes, dams) and institutional mechanisms and policies. Desertification in the Nile River Basin East and South-east regions of Rwanda show increasing desertification trends due to increase in population and migration leading to over exploitation and degradation of land. People from densely populated provinces in the North, for instance Ruhengiri, Gisenyi and Byumba, and Butare and Gitarama in the South, are moving towards the least populated provinces in the East including Umutara, Kibungo, Kigali and Ngali in the South East. In Burundi, the area of Imbo witnesses long dry spells leading to a gradual decrease in water resources, especially in the levels of Lake Tanganyika with a tendency towards desertification. Since 1999, there has been a strong variability of rainfall with a tendency for a long dry season from May to October (6 months) in the lower altitude outlying areas like Kumoso, Bugesera, and Imbo. In Tanzania, the main reason for desertification is expanding agriculture rather than overgrazing by pastoralists. Around 33% of Tanzania is affected by desertification. The coastal areas face pressure from intensive cultivation and fuel wood gathering. In Kenya, 80% of its area is estimated to be threatened by desertification with up to 30% of the population affected by desertification and drought. Drought and increasing population are key factors that enhance desertification in Kenya. The Nyika Plateau and the Coastal Region are affected and threatened most by desertification. Also, the woodlands are prone to drought and desertification, primarily due to slash and burn methods of land preparation. Kenyas drylands occupy 88% of the land surface area, and have a population of 10 million people. Approximately 50% of livestock and 70% of wildlife are located in these drylands. In Uganda, the North-east, especially the Cattle Corridor has been witnessing overgrazing, soil compaction, erosion and the emergence of low-value grass species and vegetation which have subdued the lands productive capacity, leading to desertification. Some dryland districts like Moroto, Nakasongola, Karamoja and Kakuuto in Rakai are experiencing desertification. Around 71% of Ethiopian land is prone to desertification including its highlands and lowlands. The Rift Valley suffers immense desertification and land degradation. Desertification threatens Ethiopias agricultural productivity, wherein more than 80% of the population depends on various forms of agricultural production. Also, 95% of the farms are small-scale and depend on rain-fed agriculture. Ethiopia suffers a loss of $139 million per year due to reduced agricultural productivity. Sudan and parts of Egypt are more prone to desertification in the Nile River Basin. Egypt has experienced accelerated desertification of rangelands in the last few decades. Presently, 45% of rangelands are severely degraded, 35% are fair, 15% are good, and 5% are excellent. It is reported that 11,000 hectares of land has been lost due to desertification. Parts of Western Egypt fall into the Sahara and are hot and dry areas which are extending into the mainland. Increasing evaporation has also led to drying out of one of the Toshka Lakes. Egypt witnesses various forms of desertification such as: Degradation of irrigated farmland due to low quality water in irrigation Degradation of rain-fed farmland (Northern coastal belt and Northern Sinai) Degradation of rangeland (Northern coastal belt) through overgrazing, plant covers degradation Sand Encroachments from the Western desert on the Nile Valley land (Southern Egypt) and on the High Aswan Dam reservoir (in Egypt and Sudan). Desertification in Sudan In terms of desertification, Sudan is the largest and most seriously affected country in Africa. The arid and semi-arid lands cover an area of 1.78 million km2, constituting around 72% of the total area of the country. There is moderate to severe land degradation in the desert and semi-arid regions in the Northern half of Sudan. The Western part of Sudan (in the Sahel region) is most prone to drought and increasing desertification, especially the states of Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum and Kassala. The total desertification between Darfur and Kordofan is 22% i.e. 200,000 km2. A decline in precipitation has caused a stress factor on pastoral societies in these two regions, thereby contributing to conflict. There is a very strong link between land degradation, desertification and conflict in Darfur. In northern Darfur, increasing population growth, lack of resources and environmental stress led to conflicts which were further sustained by political, tribal or ethnic differences. As a consequence of desertification in Darfur, there has been increased mortality due to famine and disease, a decrease in total water and land availability, quality of water and land (including fertility), production of major staple foods, and deaths of domestic animals. It is estimated that since the 1930s, there has been around 50 to 200 km Southward shift of the boundary between semi-desert and desert. This boundary is expected to continue to move Southwards due to declining precipitation. The remaining semi-desert and low rainfall savannah, which represent 25% of Sudans agricultural land, are at considerable risk of further desertification and could lead to a 20% drop in food production. Sand Encroachment Instances of desert encroachment in Sudan are increasing, whereby the entire strip of the country along the Nile especially between Delgo and Karima in Northern Sudan is threatened. Sand dunes on the Eastern bank of River Nile in Sudan and encroachments in North-central regions can threaten the rivers course. Sand encroachment is also affecting the productivity of soil which has been witnessed extensively in the Gezira scheme and also in some areas of North Kordofan, North Darfur and Kannar in the Northern State, Sudan. In the Dongola-Merowe region of Sudan, the area covered by sand dunes increased from 51.2 km2 to 61.2 km2 between 1976 and 1996 and decreased to 35.1 km2 in 2000. This decrease could be attributed to an increase in the area covered by gravel and/or coarse sand. In Egypt, active sand dunes and encroachments occupy more than 16.6% of the countrys total land area. Sand encroachment in Egypt is further enhanced by the erratic rainfall, active winds, and scarcity of plant cover. Some inactive sand accumulations have been noticed in the Eastern side of the Nile delta and in the Sinai Peninsula. Types of Desertification Processes Underway in Sudan Climate-based conversion of land types from semi-desert to desert The least drought resistant vegetation fails to survive and reproduce. For instance, in Northern Darfur and Northern Kordofan, this is manifest in the widespread death of trees during drought events which are not followed by recovery. The desert climate is estimated to move Southward by approximately 100 km over 40 years. Degradation of existing desert environments, including wadis and oases At least 29% of Sudan is desert, within which there are hundreds of smaller wetter regions resulting from localized rainfall catchments, rivers and groundwater flows. It was discovered that all these areas were moderately to severely degraded, primarily due to deforestation, overgrazing and erosion. Conversion of land types from semi-desert to desert by human action Activities such as deforestation, overgrazing and cultivation result in habitat conversion to desert, even though rainfall may be sufficient to support semi-desert vegetation. One of the problems is the conversion of dry and fragile rangelands into traditional and mechanized cropland. Chapter 5 Water Quality Several factors pollute Nile waters, in particular faecal coliform bacterial contamination caused by lack of sanitation facilities and a high dependence on pit latrines, leading to presence of animal and human waste alongside open water bodies. Additionally, agricultural fertilizers and pesticides discharge high concentrations of nutrients and phosphates that runoff and leak into ground and surface water. Also, chemical pollution from industrial waste, mining activities and domestic sewage are released into water bodies without any effective wastewater treatment. Furthermore, sedimentation and siltation caused by deforestation, land degradation and soil erosion impact overall water quality. Lastly, poor planning practices, weak infrastructure and inadequate wastewater treatment systems add to the untreated water discharge. Some of the impacts of water pollution are death and destruction, loss of livelihood and income, and health hazards. The problem with a transboundary water resource in terms of water quality is that, polluted water from one area flows into the other area. This is specially witnessed in the Lake Victoria Basin. Water Hyacinth is another transboundary issue between the countries as it has a tendency of spreading fast and also leads to increased evaporation. Pollutant loads are washed away along with runoff and sedimentation loads which lead to water quality deterioration further downstream, rendering it non-viable for drinking purposes. Rwanda The main sources of water pollution are domestic, commercial, industrial, agriculture, water hyacinth and mismanagement of wetlands. Due to increased population and agricultural practices, inadequate sanitation facilities, there is an extensive use of fertilizers and pesticides. Also, wastewater from rural towns and villages containing faecal pollution are left untreated, giving rise to water borne diseases. In River Nyabugogo, there have been high rates of Iodine at 7.62m per litre. Additionally, there are large concentrations of Copper at 1.3mg per litre, Fluoride at 1.85mg per litre, Ammonia at 1.7mg per litre and Sodium at 105.3mg per litre. Also, Hexavalent Chromium was found ranging between 0.09 to 0.28 ÃŽÂ ¼g per litre. Although the Rwandan Ministry of Lands, Environment, Forest, Water Mines (MINITERE) and ELECTROGAZ have laboratories in place for water monitoring, the data is insufficient. The water drinking standards have been defined but have not been adopted yet. As a result of eutrophication by water hyacinth and agricultural pressure, Lakes Mihindi and Muhazi in Southern Rwanda are diminishing in size. Burundi There are several types of water pollution including bacteriological pollution from animal waste, organic pollution due to waste effluent from coffee processing plants, and industrial pollution via chemical fertilizers such as nitrates, phosphates and pesticides. Some of the causes of pollution are high demographic density, lack of latrines and waste dumping, and mining activities resulting in discharge of heavy metals and arsenic, especially in River Kanyarus tributary, Nowgere. Bujumbura accounts for 90% of industries in Burundi. However, data regarding industrial pollution is unavailable and not much has been achieved in monitoring and managing water quality due to under-resourcing of laboratories. Tanzania The water quality in Tanzania is affected by natural factors and human activities. The former comprises high fluoride concentrations and salinity in natural waters. The latter includes discharge of municipal and industrial wastewater, run-off from agricultural lands, and erosion encompassing high concentrations of nutrients, pathogens, BOD and COD levels. Additionally, gold mines in the Lake Victoria Basin consist of heavy metal pollution. Tanzania has no comprehensive national program for monitoring the quality of water or pollution even though water utility companies are required by law to monitor the water source and quality of water they supply. Kenya Water pollution in Kenya is caused by point and non-point sources such as agricultural activity, urbanization, industry, leachates from solid waste tips, sediments, salts, fertilizers and pesticide residues. Additionally, municipal sewerage plants discharge untreated wastewater into surface watercourses, causing significant health hazards and localized eutrophication. Tanneries, pulp and paper mills, coffee processing factories, breweries and sugar cane processing facilities do not have effective wastewater treatment plants and their effluents contribute organic loads, heavy metals and other toxic substances. The point pollution sources include sugar, paper, and fish industries, and also municipal sewage, oils and lubricants, marine workshops, petrol stations, human wastes and refuse from market and urban centres and fishing villages. The main non-point pollution sources comprise high nitrate, phosphate and pesticides from poor application of agricultural chemical and soil erosion. The Kenyan Lake Victoria Basin has a population of 12 million people and a low depth of approximately 6 meters, thereby causing an inability of catchment areas to perform purification of water. Although only 8% of Lake Victoria falls into Kenyan territory, tributaries such as Sio, Nzoia, Yala, Nyando and Mara are already severely polluted and contribute further to the lake pollution. Uganda The increased demand and use of pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and fertilizers is impacting the water quality in Uganda. Agricultural practices account for 50% of nitrogen and 56% of phosphorus into the Lake Victoria Basin. Additionally, the exploitation of petroleum threatens the overall ecosystems of Lake Albert and Edward Basins. The Northern end of Lake George, Uganda, and its associated wetlands receive localized metal pollution from a former copper mine and tailings left after metal extraction. There is a

Dehumanization in Night Essay -- The Holocaust Experience, Elie Wiese

Many themes exist in Night, Elie Wiesel’s nightmarish story of his Holocaust experience. From normal life in a small town to physical abuse in concentration camps, Night chronicles the journey of Wiesel’s teenage years. Neither Wiesel nor any of the Jews in Sighet could have imagined the horrors that would befall them as their lived changed under the Nazi regime. The Jews all lived peaceful, civilized lives before German occupation. Eliezer Wiesel was concerned with mysticism and his father was â€Å"more involved with the welfare of others than with that of his own kin† (4). This would change in the coming weeks, as Jews are segregated, sent to camps, and both physically and emotionally abused. These changes and abuse would dehumanize men and cause them to revert to basic instincts. Wiesel and his peers devolve from civilized human beings to savage animals during the course of Night. Segregation from the rest of society begins the dehumanization of Sighet Jews. The first measure taken by the Hungarian Police against Jews is to label them with yellow stars. Early in Night, while life is still normal despite German occupation of their town, Wiesel explains: â€Å"Three days later, a new decree: every Jew had to wear the yellow star† (11). This decree is demoralizing to Jews because it labels them and sets them apart from the rest of Sighet’s population. Like trees marked for logging or dogs marked with owner tags, many people in Sighet are marked with yellow stars, to reveal their Jewish faith. Avni describes Wiesel and the Jews as being â€Å"propelled out of himself, out of humanity, out of the world as he knew it† (Avni 140). The Jews are taken out of the normal lives they have led for years and are beginning to follow new rules... ...ely so, since they are so close to death. Their lives are only about death. Through segregation, loss of identity, and abuse, Wiesel and the prisoners around him devolve from civilized human beings into savage animals. The yellow stars begin separation from society, followed by ghettos and transports. Nakedness and haircuts, then new names, remove each prisoner’s identity, and physical abuse in the form of malnourishment, night marches, and physical beatings wear down prisoners. By the end of Night, the prisoners are ferocious from the experiences under German rule and, as Avni puts it, â€Å"a living dead, unfit for life† (Avni 129). The prisoners not only revert to animal instincts, but experience such mental trauma that normal life with other people may be years away. Night dramatically illustrates the severe dehumanization that occurred under Hitler’s rule.

Now and then :: essays research papers

Why Rate? To paraphrase the old Chuck Berry tune, bye-bye, Johnnie. Johnnie Johnson, the rhythm-and-blues piano wizard whose pioneering partnership with Berry produced such indelible tracks as "Roll over Beethoven" and "No Particular Place To Go" and helped to lay the foundations for rock 'n' roll, died Wednesday. He was 80. According to his agent at New York-based Talent Consultants International, Johnson died of natural causes at his home in St. Louis. Musician John May told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Johnson had been hospitalized a month ago for pneumonia and had also been on dialysis for a kidney ailment. Despite his ailments, Johnson refused to stop playing, taking the stage as recently as two weeks ago Johnson, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, influenced generations of rockers through his collaborations with Berry--everyone from Elvis Presley and Little Richard to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Fellow rock originator Bo Diddley, who performed with Johnson on Feb. 9, called Johnson "a great man and a great musician." "It was so much fun to play with Johnnie," Diddley said in a statement. "He will be missed but his music will live on." Berry was traveling back from Europe and was not immediately available for comment, according to his publicist. A self-taught musician, bandleader and composer, Johnson composed the riffs for many of Berry's most famous tunes, including "Maybellene," "Sweet Little Sixteen" and "Rock and Roll Music," which Berry transposed to guitar. Berry wrote his best-known song, "Johnny B. Goode," in tribute to Johnson. But it was Johnson who actually gave Berry his first big break. On New Year's Eve in 1952, Johnson, then fronting the his own trio in St. Louis, was stuck. His sax player fell ill and he needed an emergency replacement, so he called in his pal Berry, a promising young guitarist, to fill in. The show was a hit, Johnson asked Berry to join the band, and soon the more charismatic Berry was the frontman. Their partnership produced dozens of hit songs before they parted company in 1973. Wracked by alcoholism, Johnson fell off the radar. He was driving a bus when Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards tracked Johnson down during the making of the 1987 Berry documentary, Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll. Richards, convinced that Johnson should be in the rock pantheon alongside Berry, launched a high-profile campaign to get Johnson into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Now and then :: essays research papers Why Rate? To paraphrase the old Chuck Berry tune, bye-bye, Johnnie. Johnnie Johnson, the rhythm-and-blues piano wizard whose pioneering partnership with Berry produced such indelible tracks as "Roll over Beethoven" and "No Particular Place To Go" and helped to lay the foundations for rock 'n' roll, died Wednesday. He was 80. According to his agent at New York-based Talent Consultants International, Johnson died of natural causes at his home in St. Louis. Musician John May told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Johnson had been hospitalized a month ago for pneumonia and had also been on dialysis for a kidney ailment. Despite his ailments, Johnson refused to stop playing, taking the stage as recently as two weeks ago Johnson, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, influenced generations of rockers through his collaborations with Berry--everyone from Elvis Presley and Little Richard to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Fellow rock originator Bo Diddley, who performed with Johnson on Feb. 9, called Johnson "a great man and a great musician." "It was so much fun to play with Johnnie," Diddley said in a statement. "He will be missed but his music will live on." Berry was traveling back from Europe and was not immediately available for comment, according to his publicist. A self-taught musician, bandleader and composer, Johnson composed the riffs for many of Berry's most famous tunes, including "Maybellene," "Sweet Little Sixteen" and "Rock and Roll Music," which Berry transposed to guitar. Berry wrote his best-known song, "Johnny B. Goode," in tribute to Johnson. But it was Johnson who actually gave Berry his first big break. On New Year's Eve in 1952, Johnson, then fronting the his own trio in St. Louis, was stuck. His sax player fell ill and he needed an emergency replacement, so he called in his pal Berry, a promising young guitarist, to fill in. The show was a hit, Johnson asked Berry to join the band, and soon the more charismatic Berry was the frontman. Their partnership produced dozens of hit songs before they parted company in 1973. Wracked by alcoholism, Johnson fell off the radar. He was driving a bus when Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards tracked Johnson down during the making of the 1987 Berry documentary, Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll. Richards, convinced that Johnson should be in the rock pantheon alongside Berry, launched a high-profile campaign to get Johnson into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Heavy Metal Essay -- Art

Heavy Metal Heavy Metal’s popularity is and has been on the rise due to its many bands and increased guitar technology. Since the mid 1960’s, when heavy metal spread to the U.S. from England, it has grown in popularity. Many of the first bands that came from Europe came with two intentions; to spread heavy metal to other parts of the world, and to make it grow in popularity. (Ragland 1). Heavy metal is a form of rock ‘n’ roll music played on electric guitars and amplified to unnatural volume levels. Such effects as feedback, distortion, reverb, and Wah Wah pedals are commonly added to the music. These effects create completely new sounds, exploiting the possibilities of electric guitars. Most heavy metal music is based on death, Satanism, youth, and teenage rebellion. It is broken into three sub categories; speedcore, thrash metal, and death metal. Heavy metal is the general term for these three categories combined. It is often just called metal. Most heavy metal music is based around the electric guitar. (Ragland 1-2). Guitar technology has changed a lot since the beginning of the rock era. In the early 1950’s electric guitars were very expensive and had few capabilities. Inventions such as wah wah pedals, fuzz boxes, distortion, reverb, and amplifiers have increased the electric guitar's capabilities of making new sounds and music. The new devices have also made rock music more popular. More among the heavy metal population than the many other branches of rock ‘n’ roll. (Hewens). Heavy metal music grabs a hold of rock’s most rudimentary elements; youth, rebellion, sex, fantasy, and a good time at all costs. It is directed towards the alienation and trauma that plagues adolescent life, particularly among the lives if teenage boys. They tend to see their lives as controlled by parents and teachers. For many others, it is a way to release frustration and anger. For instance, a heavy metal concert to those who like heavy metal, is not just a musical performance, full of elaborate costumes and settings. It is a community of teenagers who participate in a shared celebration of youth. (Ragland 1-2). Heavy metal tends to be male-oriented, but metal is not exclusive to the male population. Its basic audiences are dominate by white, male teenagers from criminal backgrounds. Women in heavy metal are usually objects of lust. They are visualized as m... ...icion. "Money is what makes the world turn round." Although that is just a saying, it is somewhat quite true. It brings happiness and misery into peoples lives. In Great Expectations, Pip proves to the reader that money can really make a difference in a person's life. In the beginning of the story Pip was not wealthy, he was living in poverty. His manners were not as great as a rich person's, he did not own much of anything, and he was treated poorly because of that. Joe was not wealthy, and nor was Mrs. Joe. They treated Pip like they would anyone else, as an equal. When he went to Estella’s house, she treated him like he was a laboring boy. Just by looking at him, she concluded that she was better than him because he looked poor, and she looked rich. That was the first time Pip didn’t look at everyone as an equal. He looked at Estella as being rich, and him being poor. As Pip gets older, he becomes wealthy. He took this for granted and treated the poor as he was once treated so many years ago. He believed that money was power. Estella and Ms Havisham were powerful people through his eyes. He wanted to be more like them. As he became a gentleman, he became more like them.

Individual Behaviour

ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR MSC 42102 Individual Processes Attitude and Values Organizational Behavior Submitted To :Submitted By : Dr. Pramod PathakAjit Vinod Kujur Manwendra Prakash Anshul Rawat Prateek Purty Prateeksha Maurya Individual Processes Individual behavior is how we as individuals behave ourselves. This behavior is subject to many personal traits as well as habits, values, perceptions, and other qualities and features. People make assumptions about those whom they work with, supervise, or spend time with in leisure activities.To some extent, these assumptions influence the person’s behavior towards others. Effective employees understand what affects their own behavior before attempting to influence the behavior of others. Individual behavior is the foundation of organizational performance. Understanding individual behavior, therefore, is crucial for effective management. Each person is a physiological system composed of a number of subsystems- attitudes, perception, personality, needs, values and feelings. Attitude A tendency to feel & behave in a particular way towards objects, people or events. Characteristics Remain unchanged for a long period – unless influenced by external forces * Evaluative statements – favorable or  unfavorable Components * Cognitive – the opinions, values or  beliefs of an individual * Affective – the feelings of a person towards something * Behavioral – the intention of a person to behave in a particular way Sources of  Attitude * Attitudes are acquired by parents, teachers,& peer group members * Individuals are willing to modify their  behavior & shape their attitude – to match with the opinion leader   * Attitude can be changed by providing feedbackTypes of  Attitude * Job satisfaction * The pleasurable or positive emotional state that results when an individual evaluates his job or job experience. Dimensions * It is an emotional response to a job. * The satisfac tion that an individual derives from his  job depends on the extent to which outcomes meet his expectations. * Job satisfaction reflects other attitudes of employee. * 6 dimensions (P. C. Smith, L. M Kendall, C. L. Hulin) i. e. 1) The work 2) The pay 3) Promotion 4) Opportunity 5) Supervision 6) Co-worker 7) Working conditions Job Involvement * The extent to which person identifies himself psychologically with his job, actively participates in it & considers that his performance in the job contribute to his self worth * Organizational Commitment * An employee’s satisfaction with a particular  organization & its goals OC is affected by a number of * Personal variables – employee’s age, attitude towards job. * Organizational variables – job design, leadership style of the superior. John P. Meyer & Natalie J. Allen gave 3 component model i. . * Affective commitment – It is concerned with employee’s emotional attachment & involvement with th e organization * Continuance commitment – It is influenced by the costs that could accrue to the employee if he leaves the org * Normative commitment – It refers to the extent to which an employee feels obliged to continue in the organization. Functions of Attitudes * The adjustment function * People modify their attitudes to adjust to their work environment * When fair treatment is given – positive attitude When treatment is not good – negative attitude * Ego-defensive function * Attitudes help employee to defend their self  image – when mistake identified – protects their ego * The value expressive function * Values can be expressed through attitudes E. g. if mgr wants employee to work hard – may tell company has a tradition of hard work. * The knowledge function * Attitudes act as a standard of reference which allows people to understand & explain their environment. E. g. Union leader’s attitude towards management – based on past.Attitudes & Consistency * People may change their attitude – do not contradict their action * If any discrepancy arises, individuals will try to bridge the discrepancy by developing a rational explanation for  the discrepancy. Cognitive Dissonance Theory – Leon Festinger (1950s) * Cognitive dissonance – Incompatibility that an individual may perceive between 2 or more of his attitudes or between his behavior and attitude. * Emotional dissonance – Conflict between the emotions an individual experiences & emotions he needs to expressAn individual can deal with dissonance either by * Sticking to his attitude * Give up his attitude * Change the attitude Values Values are enduring beliefs that a specific mode of conduct or end state of existence is personally or socially preferable to an opposite or converse mode of conduct or end state of existence. Values in the Workplace * Stable, evaluative beliefs that guide our preferences * Define right or wrong, good or bad * Value system — hierarchy of values Values and Behavior Habitual behavior usually consistent with values, but conscious behavior less so because values are abstract constructs * Decisions and behavior are linked to values when: * Mindful of our values have logical reasons to apply values in that situation * Situation does not interfere Values Congruence * Used where two or more entities have similar value systems * Problems with incongruence * Incompatible decisions * Lower satisfaction/loyalty * Higher stress and turnover Benefits of incongruence * Better decision making (diverse perspectives) * Avoids â€Å"corporate cults†Values across Cultures: Individualism and Collectivism * Degree that people value duty to their group (collectivism) versus independence and person uniqueness (individualism) * Previously considered opposites, but unrelated — i. e. possible to value high individualism and high collectivism Ethical Behavior Ethical Beh avior means acting in ways consistent with one’s personal values and the commonly held values of the organization and society. Qualities Required for Ethical Decision-making * The competence to identify ethical issues and evaluate the consequences of alternative courses of action. The self-confidence to seek out different opinions about the issue and decide what is right in terms of a situation. * Tough-mindedness – the willingness to make decisions when all that needs to be known cannot be known and when the ethical issue has no established, unambiguous solution. Values, Ethics & Ethical Behavior * Value Systems – systems of beliefs that affect what the individual defines as right, good, and fair * Ethics – reflects the way values are acted out * Ethical behavior – actions consistent with one’s values

Does Age Really Matter? Essay

Some people may think that age matters in relationship while others say that relationships work best when the male is older, but I do not agree with either ideology. I used to believe that age matters in a relationship but after personally going through an experience that counteracted those beliefs, I finally believed. When my cousin, Mojgun, met the love of their life no one, including myself, ever believed that the relationship would work, especially since she was five years older than him. Usually in the Persian culture, the man is supposed to be older than the female, always, and when that isn’t the case, there is not much hope for the relationship. After being together for six years, they finally married, and now she is expecting their second child, and they are happier than they could ever be. With that, age doesn’t matter in a relationship because it all depends on the individual’s ideals, culture, and what their goal is in that relationship or that point in their life what they’re looking for. Age doesn’t matter in a relationship; as long as they both are mature and they have a same goal in their life and they care about each other. A relationship is like a boat in the ocean if they don’t know where they’re heading too and if they can’t work together, they never can land the boat. The only thing that matters the most in a relationship is the love between couples. If you are in a relationship with a person that takes advantage of you or abuses you, it makes no difference what your situation or age is they will do that no matter what the age is. An example of that is one of my mom’s childhood friends married a man two years younger than here, and since they have been together he has been abusive to her ever since. It has not gotten any better, in fact it has gotten worse, because now she is use to it and thinks that’s what love is. No matter what people try to do, including my mom intervening, she always goes back to him because that ’s how her brain is trained now. That’s what she grew up with, especially with her relationship, and that’s what she is accustomed to. The relationship obviously is not healthy because they both don’t have the same goals in that relationship, which should be including treating each other with respect, not degrading each other. No matter what the age, if she was younger or  older, her husband is the type of person who is abusive, and age would not fix any of it. It would remain the same because that’s how his personality is. Perhaps, if he was actually loving, and really treated her with respect, she would know what real love is, but she does not, and it is sad to see her live with that, thinking that deep down it is love. Love should not hurt, and in her case that’s all she feels on a constant basis from him. Through this example, it clearly shows that age does not take a toll on the end result or on what’s occurring between my mother’s friend and her husband. No matter what the age, everything will still stay the same, and eventually as time passes by things will get worse and w orse, as sad as that is. When people have the same goals on the other hand, like for example, wanting to settle down and have children, relationships are more likely to be successful. When couples have the same goals at the time of meeting or starting a relationship, it plays really vital to the success of that relationship. If one likes to go out and party, and the other does not there is always going to be that friction between them because one is doing something the other does not approve of, and so forth. Regardless of the age, there is always going to be that friction. On the other hand, if both like to stay at home, dine in, and share the same interests it really doesn’t matter what age they are because they share the same interests or common goals. When couples have the same long-term goals in mind, such as having kids or settling down getting married, they will do whatever they have to do to complete that end goal, and both do that to make sure it happens. For example, if a man is not looking to settle down, while the woman is, there is always going to be friction, and most likely that relationship is not going to work out. In my own experience, even though I am only twenty two years old, I have had relationships where girls wanted to become something more serious than I could handle, and I just was not ready for that. As a result it caused a lot of road blocks because we did not see eye to eye on what was going on with the relationship and where it was going, therefore me having to break up with her because it’s not a common goal we shared. I did not plan on marrying her or being in a committed relationship where I knew I wanted to marry her, I just was not ready. Regardless of age, if one is ready to settle, when the other is not, the relationship is most likely not going to work, because it’s in their  mentality, the personality, whether they want to settle down at that point in time or in their life. Anyone could make an argument that if someone was older or younger, it could have an impact, but in the end, it all depends on the individual and age doesn’t necessarily mean that your outlook, personality, or opinions change. As one gets older, you can argue that their opinions become more solidified, and they become more stable with who they are, and what they want in life. Primarily in the Persian culture, women are always treated with the utmost respect. It does not matter how old each partner is in the relationship, because there is always the basic foundation of treating each other with respect, especially Persian men with Persian women. They are like a team, and no matter what, they will do what they have to do to win the game (life), side by side. When a couple sees eye to eye, it does not matter how old they are, it matters that they understand each other, and want their relationship to work. Relationships work if you take the time to get to the know the person you are going to be with. If they don’t share the same ideals, culture beliefs, or goals in life, most likely the relationship is not going to work. It all depends on the type of individuals that are paired together and whether there is chemistry and that drive to make it work, otherwise it’s an uphill battle. When couples who are together share the same interests, goals in life, and beliefs, there’s a higher probability that their relationship will work, regardless of their age.

Social media

All three articles promote the concept of using social media to build and maintain relationships with the public. In the state of emergency all three highlight the significance of social media networks because they allow for Instant communication between lost family members, volunteers and emergency services. Article 1 concludes that companies that are active on social media need to follow 3 strategies: disclosure or openness, Information delimitation and Interactivity and Involvement (Men & Tsar 2011).Both Article 1 and 3 both underline poor use of social medals attention and recommended online Interaction through two-way communication, which Includes replying or acknowledging user posts and comments, and posting content for entertainment purposes rather than just promotion. Article 2 showcases how organizations can better use social media platforms to interact and build relationships with their publics.The studies in all three articles reveal that overall the Chinese level of engag ement with corporate social network sites was rated at the medium level because users on Render (Chinese social media site) viewed social Edie as a platform to ask enquiries not Just view marketing and promotion material. 3) The common theme found in the research surrounding ‘social media' is its rapid transformation over the past ten years and how its use can go beyond its original intention. Backbone, was referred to at the time as a college version of Friends (DRP.Curtis 2013). Backbone and Twitter have developed new features to companies to stay relevant in the new digital age. Social media has changed communication channels and mediums over the last 10 years (Pashas 2013). All of the articles display the significance of creating a ‘sense of community belonging and affiliation' because social media connects and engages people from the comfort of their own home. However, our group learnt that organizations do not utilize social media to its best potential in relation to creating user to company relationships.As seen in the additional two articles ‘Moms for Blobbing' (source 1) and ‘China's Social Medal Fuel Citizen Quake Response' (source 2), social media Is connecting societies and communities around the world. As seen In source 2 the ability of civil society groups o coordinate a relief effort were â€Å"enhanced by Sins Hello, the Twitter-Like microbiology that did not exist in 2008 but now has more than 500 million users â€Å"(c)level society Is much more capable today compared to 2008,† (Levin 2013).All five articles and additional research highlight the evolution of social prom has the ability to influence people's attitudes and behaviors. 4) When it comes to social media and public relations the ability to form, build and maintain affiliations is a pivotal factor and will assist an organization to attain positive public relationships. As Ferguson stated ‘relationships – not the organization, nor the publi c, nor the communication process – should be the unit of study in public relations (Manager 2012).Therefore the relationship theory, which focuses on public relationships, is proposed by a number of scholars. As recommended in all the supporting articles time invested [in creating and maintaining relationships] makes a difference' (Sterner 2012). The relationship theory best demonstrates the conclusions of all articles because it supports the concept of developing ‘a social Edie strategy to grow virtual communities with stakeholders' (Lovely, Waters & Sexton 2012). It also promotes effectively building and maintaining relationships between the organization and the publics.However as illustrated in the articles 1, 2 and 3, the effective execution of this may be limited due to ‘cognitive dissonance' through the instruction received on application of social media. The notion of organizational public relationships as core to public relations is the focus of scholars B urning and Laddering (2000, p. 9) who state that, â€Å"the purpose and direction of an organization (its mission) is affected by relationships with key constituents (publics) in the organizational environment†.The emergence of social media has altered public communication and interaction from human-tachometer to human-to-human and human-to-content. The excellence theory provides a rich and abundance body of knowledge in public relations and a key finding in the study found that PR is a â€Å"unique management function that helps an organization interact with the social and political components of its environment† (des Chic,J & Snotty, G 2009). Social media All three articles promote the concept of using social media to build and maintain relationships with the public. In the state of emergency all three highlight the significance of social media networks because they allow for Instant communication between lost family members, volunteers and emergency services. Article 1 concludes that companies that are active on social media need to follow 3 strategies: disclosure or openness, Information delimitation and Interactivity and Involvement (Men & Tsar 2011).Both Article 1 and 3 both underline poor use of social medals attention and recommended online Interaction through two-way communication, which Includes replying or acknowledging user posts and comments, and posting content for entertainment purposes rather than just promotion. Article 2 showcases how organizations can better use social media platforms to interact and build relationships with their publics.The studies in all three articles reveal that overall the Chinese level of engag ement with corporate social network sites was rated at the medium level because users on Render (Chinese social media site) viewed social Edie as a platform to ask enquiries not Just view marketing and promotion material. 3) The common theme found in the research surrounding ‘social media' is its rapid transformation over the past ten years and how its use can go beyond its original intention. Backbone, was referred to at the time as a college version of Friends (DRP.Curtis 2013). Backbone and Twitter have developed new features to companies to stay relevant in the new digital age. Social media has changed communication channels and mediums over the last 10 years (Pashas 2013). All of the articles display the significance of creating a ‘sense of community belonging and affiliation' because social media connects and engages people from the comfort of their own home. However, our group learnt that organizations do not utilize social media to its best potential in relation to creating user to company relationships.As seen in the additional two articles ‘Moms for Blobbing' (source 1) and ‘China's Social Medal Fuel Citizen Quake Response' (source 2), social media Is connecting societies and communities around the world. As seen In source 2 the ability of civil society groups o coordinate a relief effort were â€Å"enhanced by Sins Hello, the Twitter-Like microbiology that did not exist in 2008 but now has more than 500 million users â€Å"(c)level society Is much more capable today compared to 2008,† (Levin 2013).All five articles and additional research highlight the evolution of social prom has the ability to influence people's attitudes and behaviors. 4) When it comes to social media and public relations the ability to form, build and maintain affiliations is a pivotal factor and will assist an organization to attain positive public relationships. As Ferguson stated ‘relationships – not the organization, nor the publi c, nor the communication process – should be the unit of study in public relations (Manager 2012).Therefore the relationship theory, which focuses on public relationships, is proposed by a number of scholars. As recommended in all the supporting articles time invested [in creating and maintaining relationships] makes a difference' (Sterner 2012). The relationship theory best demonstrates the conclusions of all articles because it supports the concept of developing ‘a social Edie strategy to grow virtual communities with stakeholders' (Lovely, Waters & Sexton 2012). It also promotes effectively building and maintaining relationships between the organization and the publics.However as illustrated in the articles 1, 2 and 3, the effective execution of this may be limited due to ‘cognitive dissonance' through the instruction received on application of social media. The notion of organizational public relationships as core to public relations is the focus of scholars B urning and Laddering (2000, p. 9) who state that, â€Å"the purpose and direction of an organization (its mission) is affected by relationships with key constituents (publics) in the organizational environment†.The emergence of social media has altered public communication and interaction from human-tachometer to human-to-human and human-to-content. The excellence theory provides a rich and abundance body of knowledge in public relations and a key finding in the study found that PR is a â€Å"unique management function that helps an organization interact with the social and political components of its environment† (des Chic,J & Snotty, G 2009).

Stefan’s Diaries: Bloodlust Chapter 10

I awoke next as dusk was settling over the city. From my window, I could see the goldfish-orange sun sinking low behind a white steeple. The entire house was silent, and for a moment, I couldnt remember where I was. Then everything came back: the butcher shop, the vampires, me being flung against the wall. Lexi. As if on cue, she glided into the room, barely making a sound as she pushed open the door. Her blond hair was loose around her shoulders, and she was wearing a simple black dress. If looked at quickly, she could be mistaken for a child. But I could tell from the slight creases around her eyes and the fullness of her lips that shed been a full-grown woman, probably around nineteen or twenty. I had no idea how many years shed seen since then. She perched on the edge of my bed, smoothing back my hair. â€Å"Good evening, Stefan,† she said, a mischievous glint in her eye. She clutched a tumbler of dark liquid between her fingers. â€Å"You slept,† she noted. I nodded. Until Id sunk into the featherbed on the third floor of the house, I hadnt realized that Id barely slept in the past week. Even on the train, Id always been twitching, aware of the sighs and snores of my fellow passengers and always,alwaysthe steady thrum of blood coursing through their veins. But here no heartbeats had kept me from slumber. â€Å"I brought this for you,† she said, proffering the glass. I pushed it away. The blood in it smelled stale, sour. â€Å"You need to drink,† she said, sounding so much like me speaking to Damon that I couldnt help but feel a tiny pang of irritation–and sorrow. I brought the tumbler to my lips and took a tiny sip, fighting the urge to spit it out. As I expected, the drink tasted like dank water and the scent made me feel vaguely ill. Lexi smiled to herself, as if enjoying a private joke. â€Å"Its goats blood. Its good for you. Youll make yourself sick, the way you were feeding. A diet made exclusively of human blood isnt good for the digestion. Or the soul.† â€Å"We dont have souls,† I scoffed. But I brought the cup to my lips once more. Lexi sighed and took the tumbler, placing it on the nightstand next to me. â€Å"So much to learn,† she whispered, almost to herself. â€Å"Well, we have nothing but time, right?† I pointed out. I was rewarded with a rich laugh, which was surprisingly loud and throaty coming from her waif-like body. â€Å"You catch on quickly. Come. Get up. Its time to show you our city,† she said, handing me a plain white shirt and trousers. After changing, I followed her down the creaking wooden stairs to where the other vampires milled about in the ballroom. They were dressed up, but all looked faintly old-fashioned, as if theyd stepped out of one of the many portraits on the wall. Hugo sat at the piano, playing an out-of-tune rendition of Mozart while wearing a blue velvet cape. Buxton, the hulking, violent vampire, was wearing a loose, ruffled, white shirt. and Percy had on faded britches and suspenders that made him look as though he were running late to play a game of ball with his schoolmates. When they saw me, the vampires froze. Hugo managed a slight nod, but the rest merely stared in stony silence. â€Å"Lets go!† Lexi commanded, leading our group out the door, down the slate path, through zigzagging alleyways, and finally onto a street marked Bourbon. Each entryway led to a dimly lit bar, from which inebriated patrons stumbled out into the night air. Suggestively clad women gathered in clumps beneath awnings, and revelers acted punch-drunk, ready to laugh or fight at a moments notice. I instantly knew why Lexi took us here. Despite our odd attire, we attracted no more attention than any of the other lively revelers. As we walked, the others flanked me, keeping me in the center of their circle at all times. I knew I was being watched sharply, and I tried to remain unaffected by the scent of blood and the rhythm of beating hearts. â€Å"Here!† Lexi said, not bothering to consult the rest of the group as she pushed open a saloon door that read M ILADIESin curlicue script. I was impressed by her boldness–back in Mystic Falls, only women of ill repute would ever enter a barroom. But as I was fast realizing, New Orleans wasnt Mystic Falls. The floor of Miladies was caked with sawdust, and I winced at the overwhelmingly acrid smell of sweat, whiskey, and cologne. The tables were packed shoulder to shoulder with men playing cards, gambling, and gossiping. One entire side of the room was filled with Union soldiers, and in another corner, a motley band consisting of players with an accordion, two fiddles, and a flute was playing a jaunty rendition of â€Å"The Battle Hymn of the Republic.† â€Å"What do you think?† Lexi asked, leading me to the bar. â€Å"Is this a Union bar?† I asked. The Union army had captured the city some months back, and soldiers stood sentinel on nearly every corner, maintaining order and reminding Confederates that the war they were fighting looked to be a losing cause. â€Å"Yes. You know what that means, right?† I scanned the room. Aside from the soldiers, it was a solitary crowd. Single men drowned their loneliness at wooden tables, barely acknowledging their neighbors. The bartenders filled glasses with a mechanical air, never seeming to register the people for whom they poured their wares. I understood immediately. â€Å"Everyone here is a stranger passing through.† â€Å"Exactly.† Lexi smiled, clearly pleased that I was catching on. Buxton cleared his throat in disapproval. I could tell he didnt like me–that he was waiting for me to slip up so he could stake me without incurring Lexis wrath. â€Å"Hugo, find us a table!† Lexi commanded. Hugo walked his hulkish frame over to a rough-hewn table next to the band. Before he could even open his mouth, the blue-coated soldiers at the table glanced at each other and stood up, leaving half-filled mugs behind. Lexi pulled out two chairs. â€Å"Stefan, sit next to me.† I sat, vaguely embarrassed that I was so compliant, like a child. But I reminded myself that even Hugo followed her lead. Lexi had Power, and she knew how to use it. Percy, Hugo, and Buxton also settled around. â€Å"Now,† Lexi said, taking one of the abandoned beer mugs and waving it around in the air, just as the waitress approached us. â€Å"Lets teach you how to behave in public.† My cheeks flushed with anger. â€Å"I am behaving,† I said through clenched teeth. â€Å"Despite the fact that there are so many people that its nearly impossible to concentrate.† Percy and Hugo snickered. â€Å"Hes not ready † Buxton said in a surly tone. â€Å"Yes, he is.† Lexis words were low and slightly menacing. Buxton clenched his jaw, clearly trying to rein in his temper. I shifted in my chair. I suddenly felt like I was ten years old again, with Damon protecting me from the Giffin brothers. Only this time it was a girl standing up for me. I was about to point out that I didnt need Lexi to answer for me when she placed a hand on my knee. The touch was gentle and calmed me. â€Å"It gets easier,† she said, briefly catching my eyes. â€Å"So, lesson one,† she stated, addressing the entire group. A kindness on her part, I realized, since I was the only one who didnt know the finer points of being a vampire. â€Å"Lesson one is learning how to compel without drawing attention to yourself.† She leaned back and eyed the band. â€Å"I dont like this song. Stefan, what song would you like to hear?† â€Å"Uh .† I glanced around the table, confused. Percy snickered again, but stopped when Lexi glared at him. â€Å",,God Save the South?† I said hesitantly. The first thing that came to my head, it was a tune Damon used to whistle when he was on leave from the army. Lexi scooted her chair back, the legs kicking up a layer of sawdust. She sauntered over to the band and looked each of the members in the eye as she said something I couldnt hear. The band stopped mid-chord and immediately switched to â€Å"God Save the South.† â€Å"Hey!† one soldier shouted. His comrades glanced at one another, clearly wondering why a band in a Union bar had suddenly been inspired to play a pro-Southern song. Lexi grinned, as if delighted by her trick. â€Å"Are you impressed?† â€Å"Very,† I said, meaning it. Even Percy and Hugo nodded in agreement. Lexi took a sip of her beer. â€Å"Your turn. Pick someone,† she said. I glanced around the bar, my eye catching on a dark-haired barmaid. Her eyes were deep brown, and her hair was tied in a low knot at the nape of her neck. Her lips were parted, and she wore a cameo pendant that nestled in the notch of her neck. In the split second between seeing and knowing, I was reminded of Katherine. I thought of my first glimpse of Miss Molly, and how Id mistaken her for Katherine as well. It felt as though my maker were intent to haunt me in New Orleans. â€Å"Her,† I said, nodding toward the girl. Lexi looked at me sharply, as if she knew there was a story behind this decision. But she didnt pry. â€Å"Clear your mind,† she said instead, â€Å"and allow your energy to enter her.† I nodded, remembering the moment on the train when my thoughts had touched Lavinias. I fixed my gaze on the barmaid. She was laughing, her head tilted back toward the ceiling, but as soon as my focus locked on her, her eyes lowered to mine, almost as if Id bidden her to do so. â€Å"Good,† Lexi murmured. â€Å"Now, use your mind to tell her what you want from her.† That was the piece I had missed. When Id tried to compel the conductor, Id had thousands of thoughts about possible scenarios that could happen during our interaction, but I had not asked for any of them. Come here, I willed, staring into her liquid chocolate eyes.Come to me.For a moment she held her place behind the bar, but then she took a hesitant step forward.Yes, keep going.She stepped forward again, more confidently this time, making her way toward me. I had expected her to look dazed, almost as though she were sleepwalking. But she didnt appear to be in a trance. To any bystander, she could have simply been coming to our table to take our drink orders. â€Å"Hello,† I said when she reached us. â€Å"Dont break eye contact,† Lexi whispered. â€Å"Tell her what you want her to do now.† Sit down,I thought. And, almost instantly, the girl wedged herself between me and Buxton, her thigh warm against mine. â€Å"Hello,† she said unblinkingly. â€Å"Its the strangest thing, but suddenly I just knew that I needed to sit here with you.† â€Å"Im Stefan,† I said, shaking her hand. My fangs elongated, and the sides of my stomach knocked together. I wanted her. Badly. â€Å"Dont embarrass us,† came Lexis final words before she turned from me to face the band. It was clear that while she wasnt condoning any of my subsequent actions, she wasnt necessarily condemning them. Invite me outside, I thought, placing my hand on the barmaids thigh. But even as I thought the words, I glanced at Lexi, breaking my connection with the girl. The girl shifted, pulled her hair up, then dropped it down on her back. She glanced at the band, rubbing her forefinger on the rim of a glass. Invite me outside, I thought again, refocusing my attention fully on her. Sweat prickled my temple. Had I lost the connection for good? But then she gave a slight nod. â€Å"You know, its awfully loud in here, and I want to speak with you. Would you mind if we went outside?† she asked, staring at me. I stood up, my chair scraping against the floor. â€Å"Id like that very much,† I said, offering her my arm. â€Å"Bring her back alive, boy, or youll be answering to me,† said a voice so low that I wondered if Id imagined it. But when I turned back, Lexi merely smiled and waved.