Med Net Case Essay

According to the table, MedNet is almost equal to the newspaper ad in terms of cost per one dollar of contribution. Marvel showed to be almost twice as expensive than MedNet. Situation with cholesterol.com is far more complicated. Case contains no information on cholesterol.com ad effectiveness other than that most often niche type sites become first source for the newly diagnosed. However, survey says that 85% of broad audience visit 3 or more sites to research  their condition. Taking into account high trustworthiness of the MedNet.com it is reasonable to expect that 85% of cholesterol.com users will also visit MedNet. Out of these 85%, 93% will visit MedNet again when medical information is needed. Therefore, roughly 80% of cholesterol.com visitors will either switch or become regular MedNet’s visitors. Generally speaking cholesterol.com will share almost all its visitor pool with MedNet. I would advise Marhia to request sample ad effectiveness metrics from cholesterol.com. From the tone of the case it seems like cholesterol.com charges disproportionally high premiums for their not so obvious competitive advantage. Chances are that cholesterol.com will prove less effective than MedNet. If cholesterol.com will prove to be more efficient and Windham will switch away from MedNet, the decision of future MedNet strategy will depend heavily on the competitive landscape and internal flexibility of the MedNet. In the first option, from the survey we know that 75% of MedNet’s audience will switch away once charge is introduced, so if 25% agrees to pay we would need to charge approximately $11.50 per visit per month to achieve same profitability of one million. $11.50 seems to be fairly reasonable number, but further elasticity research will be needed. Second option doesn’t solve the problem of flattening the advertising budgets, moreover, additional content will involve extra costs that MedNet won’t be able to recoup. Third option will be very capital intensive, as it will take long time to accumulate enough corporate contracts to remain profitable, but will almost immediately cut off advertising income. MedNet will need to find extra liquidity to pursue this option.

Accounting System Paper Essay

Kudler Fine Foods has done a wonderful job with its current accounting system by manually tracking data and not having a uniform system for providing information about that data. Data is the raw and unorganized version of information while information is categorized and decipherable data that correlates to the business. Kudler Fine Foods is making a transition from the less efficient and more labor intensive accounting methods to a technology based accounting system which saves money being that it is more efficient and more robust. The core features, benefits, and cost will be discussed as you continue to read this paper. As mentioned earlier, Kudler Fine Foods is making a transition to a computerized accounting system which will have the ability to communicate with all branches of the business. Kudler Fine foods will utilize an accounting system which is integral part of the Enterprise resource planning software that is being deployed in the Kudler Fine Foods environment. The ERP software will be able to capture real time data directly from the point of sale (cash registers) and automatically adjust inventory and profit data. See more:Â  Social Satire in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Essay The accounting software will also use a compliance management feature will provide complete transaction audit trails and rules-based controls and advanced reporting capabilities which are compliant with laws and regulations. More benefits are advanced financial forecasting the can accurately predict and estimate potential profits and pending losses, revenue and cash flow. This gives Kudler Fine Foods the ability to analyze past trends to help make better business decisions in the future. In addition, the accounting software will give Kudler Fine Foods the ability to deep dive into the cash management aspect of their business by more accurately assessing current and future cash needs and track all transactions that directly impact available cash levels. In an ERP environment, Kudler Fine Foods will adopt a client/server system. The Client/Server technology model is the model in which today’s softwares are developed. A Client/Server model is one in which the client computer is identified separately from the server computer. This will require servers with Windows serve 2008 and networking equipment which will allow all workstations to communicate to application servers, shared data drives and communicate with the outside world. With the added benefits of an ERP system in the Kudler Fine Food environment, comes an added expense of support of the system. Currently, Kudler Fine Foods can anticipate an expense of twenty-five thousand dollars with a potential ceiling of two hundred fifty thousand dollars. References Top 10 ERP. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.top10erp.org/sap-erp-software-comparison-technology-140 Technology required for Erp. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.vkinfotek.com/erp/erp-technologies.html

Case Studies: Chapter 1-4

Chapter 1: What’s the Buzz on Smart Grids? 1. How do smart grids differ from the current electricity infrastructure in the United States? One of the main differences between smart grids and present electricity infrastructure in the U. S. is that smart grids provide electricity by utilizing digital technology in order to save energy, to reduce costs, and to increase reliability as oppose to present electricity grids provides electricity which is obsoleted and inefficient (Laudon & Laudon, 2012).Another difference is that current electricity grids do not deliver any information about how people utilize energy which makes even more difficult to create approaches to distributions in the efficient manner (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). Since current electricity grids do not provide useful information, distributors and consumers may not be able to make proper decisions about how they use energy efficiently (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). Conversely, smart grids provide information to both energy provides and consumers so that they can make decisions for better efficiency (U.S. Department of Energy, 2012). Additionally, smart grids deliver information from the house to the power provider and can monitor the electricity usage to lower the cost to the consumers and save energy by using them more efficiently (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). 2. What management, organization, and technology issues should be considered when developing a smart grid? The management issues that need to be considered during the development of smart grid would be to convince the consumer to switch over to the smart grid system (Laudon & Laudon, 2012).The need for smart grid must be relayed to the consumer and shown how the utilization of the smart grid will benefit both the power provider and the consumer by being able to utilize power more efficiently (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). Consumers will like to have their privacy protected, and the management of the power provider must assure their consumers not to feel i ntruded by the power company but focus on the benefits of the smart grid system such as lowering their electricity bills though the information feedback system that can relay how the energy s being used and the ability to analyze it (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). The organizational issue that the smart grid system will have to overcome would be the high cost of the smart grid system to be put into place. The meter that needs to be installed in each household may range from $250 to $500 per unit (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). Some consumers are not willing to initially spend the money to have the meter installed especially when they know that to save energy they need to turn off lights and other appliances or electronics when they are not being used (Laudon & Laudon, 2012).Additionally, once the smart grid system has been successfully been set up, the power provider may risk losing revenue as more consumers are able to use their energy more efficiently (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). The technology iss ue would be the fact that in the initial installation of the system, it will be time and money consuming on both the consumer and the power provider (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). A completely new system must be put into place and replace the old system. With the advancement of technology, this may become vulnerable to forms of cybercrimes as with any other advanced forms of technology may be attacked (Laudon & Laudon, 2012).Also, the complicated technology may not be user friendly to everyone especially to the elders or someone who is not as technologically aware. 3. What challenge to the development of smart grids do you think is most likely to hamper their development? The challenges that smart grids face that may hinder their development would be the fact that first of all the startup of the system is very expensive and time consuming (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). The complete infrastructure must be changed in order for smart grids to be fully replaced (Laudon & Laudon, 2012).It is also ex pensive for the home or business owners to install the meter necessary to monitor the electricity use and have to figure out who will pay for the initial installation of the meter, when the power provider will have to cover the cost of the system running which may be as high as $75billion (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). As mentioned in previous question, the consumers must also be assured that they do not have to worry about being a victim of a cybercrime and their privacy will be protected.Additionally with the advancement of technology, they must make sure it is user friendly to everyone as some consumers are already making claim that they had a hard time figuring out how to read and analyze the meters (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). The hardest part of the power providers starting up with the grid system is to solve all of the issues mentioned above and convince the entire nation to switch over to the smart grid system. 4. What other areas of our infrastructure could benefit from â€Å"smartà ¢â‚¬  technologies?Smart technology can monitor, assess and analyze any form of data and optimize the consumption of resources to be able to utilize them effectively. Smart car can effectively monitor the consumption of gasoline and use it to minimize the consumption and extend it in order to get the maximum miles per gallon ratio to save money and gasoline (McGlaun, 2012). Some cars automatically shuts their engine off while the vehicle is not in motion and automatically turns itself back on when it needs to move (McGlaun, 2012). Hybrid vehicles use gasoline and combine it with electricity to further increase the miles to the gallon ratio.Other smart technologies that are used in cars would be the two way communication technology that will tell cars where other cars are at and what path they are taking. In that way the computers inside the cars can know exactly where each other are at and avoid collision (McGlaun, 2012). Smart technologies are being utilized in automobiles and oth er areas not only limited to houses but also electricity in order to maintain and preserve the nonrenewable resources (McGlaun, 2012). 5. Would you like your home and your community to be part of a smart grid?Why or why not? Explain. I personally would not like to be a part of the smart grid system. I think that the grid system is a great idea for someone who needs to be reminded and guided on how to effectively utilize electricity. In addition, I also believe that it is important for the environment to conserve power; however like many other consumers I know how to conserve electricity. For example, I turn off electronics and unnecessary appliances when they are not in use, I lower the air conditioner at night time and when I leave the house and make ure all the lights and TV are turned off when they are not being used to name a few. I feel that I am responsible and have the ability to regulate my electricity consumption. That being said, I do wish to pay up to $500 up front for so mething that I already know and can manage. That is why I do not wish my neighborhood to switch over to the smart grid system. Chapter 2: Collaboration and Innovation at Procter & Gamble 1. What is Procter & Gamble’s business strategy? What is the relationship of collaboration and innovation to that business strategy?The Procter & Gamble’s business strategy is to keep the consumers by maintaining the brand and popularity they have with existing consumers (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). Procter & Gamble also focuses on improving their already existing line of products in order to keep the popularity that they already have (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). Lastly, Procter & Gamble creates completely new products from start to the final product and sent out new items to the market to improve their sales (Laudon & Laudon, 2012).Procter & Gamble innovates and adds to the market by dividing its focus to developing and creating new brands and items for the market. The company needs the colla boration between all of their stake holders being the researchers, marketers and the managers to all work together in order to improve work efficiency which has made them one of the top companies in the world (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). 2. How is P&G using collaboration systems to execute its business model and business strategy?List and describe the collaboration systems and technologies it is using and the benefits of each. The collaboration of over 8,000 scientists and researchers that are employed by Procter & Gamble worldwide, marketers and managers working together increases innovation and as a result further their success in the industry (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). As large as the company is, they keep utilizing all of their employees to research, experiment, produce, market and organize their own brand and create new products (Laudon & Laudon, 2012).With a large amount of employees throughout the world, good communication was crucial to working as one and becoming successful. Proc tor and Gamble collaborated with Cisco Telepresence to improve their communication abilities and made certain that all employees have access to the system to bring the organization into one well-oiled machine (Cisco, 2008). While P&G were conducting business, they realized that one communication system was not sufficient enough to be able to satisfy their large demands and needs (Laudon & Laudon, 2012).They also incorporated Connectbeam, which is another communication system which allowed employees to share more effectively more information by the utilization of networks between one coworker to another in the form of tagging and bookmarks (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). 3. Why were some collaborative technologies slow to catch on at P&G? Some collaborative technologies were slow to catch on at P&G because it took time for all employees to try out something new as many people are more comfortable with what they are used to and are not eager to make changes (Laudon & Laudon, 2012).Employees may feel intimidated or does not want to change their normal routine even though they may be told that the new system such as the new communication systems are better and more efficient than the ones that already exist such as new email systems (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). Another example would be a specific incident where researchers were using old outdated version of Microsoft software to print out the research and paste them onto notebook physically with paper and glue (Laudon & Laudon, 2012).To counter this effect, Microsoft overhauled the communication system and attempted to make it easier for the employees to utilize new technology and bring everything together (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). 4. Compare P&G’s old and new processes for writing up and distributing the results of a research experiment. In the past, researchers wrote up experiments that were performed or to be performed using Microsoft Office (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). The researchers then printed out what they have ty ped, and physically glued them onto a notebook one page at a time to place them into a book format (Laudon & Laudon, 2012).The old email system were too controlled by the employees in terms of the receivers of that specific email, being that if the employee who was sending the email did not send it to the appropriate receiver, then the email was ineffective as a means of communication (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). On the other hand, other forms of communications such as blogs reached out to too large of an audience that being anyone who were interested and cannot be relied on sending sensitive messages (Laudon & Laudon, 2012).Microsoft products streamlined the communication problems and issues that P&G had to make communication more effective (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). 5. Why is telepresence such a useful collaborative tool for a company like P&G? Telepresence is a useful collaborative tool for company such as P&G because in an organization as large as P&G, they need to be able to keep all of their employees which lives in 80 different countries connected through communication (Cisco, 2008).Not only does Telepresence allow international communications not only by the forms of telephone, email or the internet, Telepresence has the ability to supply P&G with 300 videoconferencing rooms where employees such as researchers can see each other during conference which may allow the researchers visual communication or actually show each other’s research and experiment over the video than just verbally explaining tedious and confusing procedures (Cisco, 2008). The videoconferencing room will also allow for a company meeting or private meetings between any employees of P&G without having to travel, which can save time and travel fees.Telepresence can help the P&G Company by effective communication methods (Cisco, 2008). 6. Can you think of other ways P&G could use collaboration to foster innovation? Procter and Gamble has more than 8,000 researchers with 1,000 or more o f them having Ph. D. experimenting, researching and innovating new products for the company in approximately 30 research facilities (Coleman & Hymowitz, 2012). Procter and Gamble is well known and respected company that is known to innovate new products and as a result they have a collaboration of many individuals and organization working for the company and assisting those (Coleman & Hymowitz, 2012).Procter and Gamble can reach out and incorporate more researchers from other parts of the world to collaborate and innovate new products using new ideas and point of view from different part of the world (Coleman & Hymowitz, 2012). Chapter 3: HOW MUCH DO CREDIT CARD COMPANIES KNOW ABOUT YOU? 1. What competitive strategy are the credit card companies pursuing? How do information systems support that strategy? The credit card companies may be following low-cost leadership strategy and product differentiation strategy at the same time (Laudon & Laudon, 2012).For instance, the credit compan ies can categorize the cardholders based on the regular charges the cardholder charges on the credit card (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). From the types of charges that are made on a regular bases. For example the credit card company may see someone charging many speeding ticket costs onto their credit card as being risky and impulsive just as much as someone who has a record of being behind on their bills (Laudon & Laudon, 2012).Furthermore, someone that will pay off their credit card bills in a timely matter or someone that will go out of their way to put a high quality product on their credit card categorized as being responsible and a better customer and may have a higher maximum balance on their card (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). The information system gathered by the credit card company profiles cardholders and places them into categories which may be bias and profiling (Laudon & Laudon, 2012).Additionally using this data and reaching out to the customers and offering them advices may res ult in the customers wanting to pay off their debt to their credit card companies before they pay off other credit cards as an individual who was going through a divorce paid off their debt to one company who took time to offer the customers assistance while that customer was unable to pay off other credit cards (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). 2. What are the business benefits of analyzing customer purchase data and constructing behavioral profiles?The benefits of analyzing customer purchase data and constructing behavioral profiles would be that the business can have an idea based on the data who will be more likely to pay back the debt in a timely matter and potentially avoid loss (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). Customers with a history of not paying off their debt or customers who spend in an impulsive matter may have a hard time paying off the charges and have a hard time getting qualified for loans and higher limit. An example would be customers who lost their homes to foreclosures that put their mortgage on their credit card and abandoned paying their debt (Laudon & Laudon, 2012).On the other hand, customers who have a history of paying off their credit card debt in timely matter may be able to get a higher limit and may have a better reputation from their credit card company (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). There are benefits to the credit card company to analyze using the purchase data being that the credit card companies will be paid back the customers debt, however this does create a bias opinion of their customers as some may not be true and potentially good customers.Additionally, by using analysis from data, it may protect the cardholders as it may alert the credit card companies any charges that may be unusual and ultimately alert the cardholders and potentially avoid or protect the customers from fraudulent transactions (Dhanapal, 2012). Once the fraudulent transaction is identified, the cardholders can then request to start an investigation and shut down that accoun t (Dhanapal, 2012) (Mavri, Angelis, Ioannou, Gaki, & Koufodontis, 2008).Once the investigation has been initiated, it allows law enforcement to track down the date, time and the location of transactions and even request a video surveillance of the fraudulent transactions and create a starting point for investigators and law enforcement officer to conduct and identify the subjects (Laudon & Laudon, 2012). 3. Are these practices by credit card companies ethical? Are they an invasion of privacy? Why or why not? I believe that these practices by the credit card companies on analyzing their customers purchase data have both pros and cons.They are unethical in the terms that every situation is different in every case. If the customer is having a hard time in their life, such as being in between jobs, they may not have the financial means to pay off all of their debt on time, however it does not mean that the customer is intentionally not paying off their debt to steal from the credit card companies (Mavri, Angelis, Ioannou, Gaki, & Koufodontis, 2008). It may be that the individual may have a job lined up and they may pay off the credit card debt as soon as they get more financial stability (Mavri, Angelis, Ioannou, Gaki, & Koufodontis, 2008).As a customer, the idea of credit card would be that the customers can purchase what they need at the time even though they don’t have the liquid asset in that particular time and pay them off on a later date and time (Mavri, Angelis, Ioannou, Gaki, & Koufodontis, 2008). By being judged by the analysis based on data, customers may be being judged by unfair bias (Mavri, Angelis, Ioannou, Gaki, & Koufodontis, 2008). On the other hand credit card companies are business and need to be paid back the debt that people make by making a purchase on their credit cards.If the company does not get paid back the debt, then the credit card company will be losing revenue in a highly competitive industry. Chapter 4: The Perils of Texting 1. Which of the five moral dimensions of information systems identified in this text is involved in this case? Accountability and control is one of the moral dimension of information systems that is involved in this case because people that text while driving should be held accountable and liable if they put someone in danger, injure, or worse (Laudon & Laudon, 2010).Mobile phone subscriptions have increased considerably over the past decade and have been continuing to rise at a rapid rate. According to recent study, 5,870 more deaths and 515,000 more accidents were caused from prior years by texting while driving (The Perils of Texting, 2012). Based on this information, it is obvious that we should not wait until someone gets injured in order to hold people accountable for texting and driving; there needs to be accountability now.Quality of life is another moral dimension of information systems that is involved in this case because though we are living in an information-and-knowle dge based technological society, there are certain values and practices that should be preserved and supported (Laudon & Laudon, 2010). Valuing human life is one of those practices that should be supported. Those who text while driving put so many people at risk. Society as a whole is aware of the dangers associated with texting while driving; therefore, those who do so, are not valuing human life. 2. What are the ethical, social, and political issues raised by this case?Several States, 31 to be exact, have already prohibited texting while driving, and there are likely more to come; President Obama has also prohibited texting while driving for Federal government workers (Laudon & Laudon, 2010). The ethical, social, and political issues raised by this case are very important as texting while driving has become one of the most prevalent and dangerous practices people all over are vulnerable to. The laws surrounding texting while driving vary among states, some severer than others. The point is that this is a major issue in anywhere throughout the world.It is ethically wrong to text while driving because people are putting others in dangerous way (Laudon & Laudon, 2010). There is, however, still some debate between the social and political aspects of this problem; some feel that we should be allowed to text while driving because we should be free to make our own decisions, while others argue it is not the state’s or federal responsibility to outlaw poor decision-making (Laudon & Laudon, 2010). Despite the opposition, there is a need for legislatures to set harsher penalties for drivers who creates an unsafe road conditions when they text and drive (Laudon & Laudon, 2010). . Which of the ethical principles described in the text are useful for decision making about (Dhanapal, 2012)texting while driving? The ethical principles described in the text that are useful for decision making about texting while driving are: †¢The Golden Rule because people shoul d do unto others as people would like to have them do unto themselves (Laudon & Laudon, 2010). Therefore, people should not put others in harm’s way by texting behind the wheel if they don’t want to be put themselves in harm’s way because others could potentially do the same thing. Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative principle is applicable because it applies to everyone. It is not ok for me to text while driving and not others because my actions could endanger someone else. If everyone texted while driving the probability of that action endangering people increases enormously. †¢Descartes Rule of Change is useful for decision making about texting while driving because every time you text you are increasing the risk of injury to yourself or others.This rules states that if the action cannot be taken repeatedly, it is not right to take it at all. This also applies because if you text and drive once and get away with it, you may be inclined to keep doing. This is the slippery slope rule (Laudon & Laudon, 2010). †¢Risk Aversion principle is useful for decision making about texting while driving because it asks you to take a course of action that produces the least amount of harm (Laudon & Laudon, 2010). In this case, you should choose not to text while driving because it could potentially cause a great deal of harm.

The American Red Cross Humanitarian Organization Essay

The American Red Cross Humanitarian Organization - Essay Example In 2005, the American Red Cross played a critical role in providing humanitarian assistance to thousands of Americans who were affected by the Hurricane Katrina. Jones (2012) indicate the Red Cross assisted in the evacuation of the affected families as well as proving first aid services to the injured, as well as food and temporary shelters to those who were affected by the disaster. The American Red Cross also assisted greatly during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, where the organization provided emergency assistance to the affected people. In fact, the American Red Cross is currently synonymous with humanitarian assistance. This document will conduct a review of the Red Cross business model, lobbying efforts, leadership profile of CEO, SWOT analysis, strategic planning, administration, and operations. The American Red Cross is the largest humanitarian organization in the country. The organization was founded in 1881 to assist those who were injured during the Civil War. The American Red Cross main areas of operation are the provision of humanitarian assistance to those affected by disasters and emergencies. The first major area of Red Cross operation is the provision of disaster response services. America is one of the countries that are prone to natural and manmade disasters most of which are devastating. However, the American Red Cross has always played a key role in providing disaster response services. In fact, the American Red Cross has provided many response services, which has helped save lives of thousands of people affected by disasters. Some of the disaster incidences where the Red Cross has provided effective response services include Hurricane Katrina, 9/11 terrorist attacks, Comair Flight 5191, the Kansan tornadoes, and the Florida tornadoes just to name but a few (Am erican Red Cross, 2006). In all these incidences, the Red Cross responded by assisting in the provision of evacuation services, first aid to the injured, food, temporary shelter, clothes and bedding.American Red Cross also provides blood services in the form of donations to hospitals in need of blood. The Red Cross works closely with community centers that help in the donation of blood. The Red Cross then supplies the blood to hospitals and health facilities that require blood.  

Strategic management and marketing for the luxury brand--BVLGARI Essay

Strategic management and marketing for the luxury brand--BVLGARI - Essay Example Bvlgari is now considered to be Italy’s â€Å"best known luxury brand† (Foulkes 2007, p.1). To capitalise on this positive brand identity, the company will be introducing a line of wedding gowns and high heels into the market. This report highlights an introduction of a new product into Bvulgari’s established market, offering a comprehensive analysis of external market factors that pose opportunities or threats to Bvlgari, micro-level considerations that could potentially impact success in the new product line launch, and an overview of the viability of the market to sustain the new product line. Between 2007 and 2009, the luxury good market experienced financial problems as a result of the global recession (Euromonitor 2011). However, the luxury market in Europe is in a recovery stage and BRIC nations are demanding more luxury products. On a global basis, demand for luxury products continues to escalate. In 2000, the global luxury market that includes cosmetics, jewellery, handbags and fragrances is estimated to be worth $170 billion USD (York University 2001). In 2012, China became the number one market for consumption of luxury products, overtaking all other global markets (Inocencio 2013). China has surpassed even Germany, Italy, the United States and the UK in luxury goods consumption volume. It has further been estimated that the global luxury market will increase to a value of â‚ ¬880 billion between 2014 and 2024 (Zargani 2014). nation, surpassed all markets in the world as the largest consumer of luxury products (Inocencio 2013), inclusive of Japan, Russia, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States and Brazil. There is ample growth in luxury consumption and luxury marketer profitability as a result of developing economies in Asian nations. In the year 2014, it is expected that the global luxury sector will grow to a value of 880 billion Euros over the next 10 years (Zargani 2014). Hence, this is a lucrative global market with

Literary analysis of The Darling written by Anton Chekhov Research Paper

Literary analysis of The Darling written by Anton Chekhov - Research Paper Example On receiving the telegram informing her of his death, Olga is devastated. For some time she is lonely and heart-broken. She then meets Pustovalov, a timber merchant who helps Olga to get over the loss of Kukin. She begins to like him and marries him. Once again Olga adopts his beliefs and opinions as she did when she was married to Kukin. She finds happiness for the second time. But a tragedy strikes again as Pustovalov is struck by illness, from which he never recovers. After Pustovalov’s death, Olga has an affair with Smirnin, a veterinary surgeon. Smirnin who is separated from his wife has a son. This time too Olgas views are the views of Smirnin. Meanwhile Smirnin gets relocated, and Olga again is alone. She stays alone for many years and continues to have no views or opinions of her own. Few years later, Smirnin returns with his wife and son and looks for a place to stay. Olga offers them her place. She begins to love Smirnins son, Sasha, as her own child. Once again, Olg a finds someone to love, and gets a chance to share views and opinions. However Sasha feels suffocated by her excessive love. At the end of the story we find that Olga has no intellectual life that she can call her own. She is always agreeing and following the opinions and views of the persons she loves. She does not have any personality of her own and finds happiness in reflecting the beliefs of her husbands or lovers. Olga is shown as trying to fill her empty life with the love, thoughts, views opinions of others. So it can be said that the story is a negative commentary on the life of a woman who has no identity of her own but only reflects the beliefs and opinions of others. Chekhov’s short stories and plays usually do not have strong plots and focus more on characterization than action. Olga is the protagonist of the story. She is attractive, compassionate and eager to help people. She cannot make up her mind on any

Language Issues in Public Discourse Research Paper - 1

Language Issues in Public Discourse - Research Paper Example This essay will explore three ways in which the English language is changing, and the discourse around those changes, as they are being debated and discussed in the media. Political language and how it changed during the Bush era in the United States is being discussed widely in academic circles and this phenomenon will be examined and analyzed briefly. The printed media particularly in Great Britain raises the question of American terms and their effect on English worldwide. Contemporary magazine and newspaper articles form the basis of the discussion of the British attitude to American language in this essay. Current discussions regarding spelling are examined, from the perspective of young people, citing as examples a web forum, and the transcript of a high school debate. Finally, the trend toward politically correct language is the focus, with spoken and institutionalized language being examined. In short, this essay will comment on the changing language and how these changes are perceived across a reasonably wide spectrum of English speakers. (Not included in word limit) The Essay When discourse is analyzed, the linguistic output of someone other than the analyst is examined (Brown & Yule, 1983: 2). This implies that the analyst also contributes his/her own meaning to the analysis, and that the context of more than just the words, and the grammar of the language are at play. Brown and Yule (1983: 3) further contend that the language may contain features such as â€Å"†¦ hesitations, slips and non-standard forms† so that an analysis of written text on its own is perhaps never altogether complete. It is, however, also true that â€Å" †¦ the task is this: to think more deeply about the meanings we give people’s words do as to make ourselves better, more humane people and the world a better, more humane place.† (Gee, 2005: 3). Hence it is necessary to examine many aspects of language if a fuller understanding of the meaning of s ocial worlds as all individuals experience them is to be reached. There are certain aspects of language that are clearly of some concern to analysts and general public commentators. Media, both print and electronic, carries a significant amount of comment on the changing nature of English. Sometimes these aspects are serious and of great importance in the formation of the societies and their attitudes, values and behaviors; sometimes they are less serious but still interesting from a social and psychological perspective. One area which does carry great weight is in the leadership of societies. The leaders of communities worldwide do use language to form meanings and the understanding of the public. Hence it is necessary that everyone remain aware of the possible hidden meaning and unrevealed intentions of leaders and particularly politicians. When politicians speak, it is widely accepted that their motives are not always directly connected to the words and language they are using. I nevitably, their language has characteristics that show the real intention of their words: to persuade the public that what they say is correct, and that they should be voted for in the next election. Elena Mihas of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has examined and commented on the language used during the Bush era in the United States. She highlights specifically the metaphoric and euphemistic forms of language used by politicians in this period, in addition to examining the coherence, arguments,

General Education Curriculum Access Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

General Education Curriculum Access - Essay Example In the 2004 â€Å"reauthorization, another provision was added to take the monitoring process further† (p. 234) Districts with an overrepresentation of minority group members in special education must set aside 15 percent of their federal aid for students, particularly those in grades K-3, who need â€Å"additional academic and behavioral support to succeed in a general education environment,† according to the law (Andy and Beaker, 2001). The 2004 reauthorization also required states to allow districts to use a strategy called â€Å"response to intervention,† as a tool for determining if a child has a specific learning disability. Response to intervention, or RTI, involves early identification of students’ learning problems and the use of increasingly intensive lessons, or interventions, to address those problems before they become entrenched. The process has been credited as a factor in reducing the overall rate of students diagnosed with specific learnin g disabilities, which has been on a  steady decline  since 2005, Aruba (2001). ... Although parents often play an important role in securing special education services for their children, much of the responsibility of helping students with disabilities succeed in the classroom falls to teachers, Camacho and Perez-Quiroz (2002). No Child Left Behind and IDEA require special education teachers to be â€Å"highly qualified† in special education as well as in the subjects they teach. General educators, who typically have more experience teaching a specific subject area, must be able to work effectively with students with special needs, but they are not required to be highly qualified to teach students with disabilities† (Camacho and Perez-Quiroz, 2002). An experienced special education teacher typically has helped support the learning of hundreds of children with disabilities or other special needs. In order to be qualified for this work, she has had to undergo a rigorous certification process, which graduate generally includes course work at the undergrad uate and/or level in special education, depending upon the specific licensure requirements in her state (Andy and Beaker, 2001). Susan is a first grader with a wonderful imagination who loves listening to stories and quickly incorporates new words into her spoken vocabulary. Yet, while most of her classmates have begun to read fluently, she continues laboring over each word and her comprehension remains low. Susan is not a real student, but a composite of many students familiar to virtually every experienced teacher: the ones who appear bright and engaged but inexplicably founder when trying to learn some essential part of the curriculum. Determining whether a student like Susan has a specific learning

Key Success Factors for luxury good industry Assignment

Key Success Factors for luxury good industry - Assignment Example Many people, therefore, buy brand names for class and the luxurious experience associated with the brand. In the Coach case, the strategy to diffuse in all markets was to ensure that their products were of a world class level; hence, attracting all sorts of individuals. Even the middle class people want to feel a sense of luxury, hence the need to have a product whose brand is recognized as it gives them a sense of belonging (Okonkwo & Palgrave Connect, 2007). A well-recognized and respected brand positively affects the industry by increasing sales; hence, economic growth, not only in the countries that have been outsourced for manufacturing, but also in other parts of the world as most people prefer a recognized brand. The strategic implication of a well-recognized and well-respectable brand is the growth of the industry. Secondly, there is the aspect of expertise in a particular field in the Coach case, it is the expertise in the luxury industry. Appointing a person in the luxury industry who has the expertise on the market and design is very important as they help in coming up with new and innovative products that are fast moving. This is a key success factor, because today’s consumers are appealed by fast moving products in the market, regardless of whether the quality of the material used is expensive or not. In the Coach’s case, after they realized their products were not moving they employed Reed Krakoff as the new creative director. His idea was that the products in the luxury industry should be based on market research rather than the designer’s instincts. This factor affects the industry by creating a competitive advantage and when it comes to strategic implication it ensures that the luxury industry stays on top as it gives it customer’s goods that are satisfacto ry. The third factor is the aspect of national or global distribution capabilities. It is an imperative or key success factor, because without the right mode

In the explanation made by Aaker Essay Example for Free

In the explanation made by Aaker Essay Accordingly, there are various management approaches that the company may use to have a strong and effective brand image. In order to build a strong brand and effective image, the management who are tasked to build brand image should think of two things in planning a strategy. Such things are first is to sell the service of the company as a short-term goal and second is to build a strong brand image in the long run. In time of the process of promoting the brand name, the industry should apply integrated marketing communications to ensure the efficient introduction of the quality of service that the organization stands for (Clowe Baack, 2007). The strong and effective characteristic of the brand is also linked with the performance of the company. In this regard, to ensure the effectiveness of their brand image, the industry must be able to integrate all the available resources as well as recognize essential opportunities include combining a strong image with an external opportunity to establish competitive position and advantage of the brand. A comprehensive analysis of the characteristic of a strong brand image of the company should be integrated to solidify the connection of the brand with the target market. A strong and effective brand image has also the ability to consider various consumer behaviors to be able to introduce a consistent message with the target market (Engel, Blackwell Miniard, 1995). Another characteristic of the strong and effective brand image is its ability to effectively communicate with the target audience which starts on the organisation per se. The strength of the brand image can be determined through the values and principles of the industry as well as the extent that the company established its position. A strong and competitive brand image in the company has various components which can be considered as tangible and intangible aspects. The tangible characteristics of a strong brand include the quality of the products or services identified with the brands, the different subcategories of the brand names in terms of the needs and demands of the clients, the brand accessibility; the marketing communications approach used by the company, company name and logo which represents the image of the brand and the staffs of the company whore are considered as the forerunners of the strong brand image (Asher, 1997). On one hand, the intangible characteristics of the brand image includes the operational as well as the human resource policies of the company; the culture of the company which determines the beliefs as well as the practices of the industry personnel, the internal and external environment as well as the location of the organisation which include the accepted personal and business practices of the specific country where the brands are operated. A strong and effective brand image also plays a crucial role in the perspective of consumer. A strong and effective brand image provides an assurance to the target market that the decision to purchase the product or service of a specific company in unfamiliar settings is worth it. A strong and effective brand image also has the capability of assuring the clients of the quality of the products and service when the clients have no previous experience of the company. The brand image perceived of the company also lessens the time spent looking for other alternative and substitute brands that could meet and the needs and of customer. A strong and effective brand is also perceived to determine the nature and extent of connection that the clients develops with the company based on the perceived openness of such company. Furthermore, a strong and effective brand image can also be attributed with the point of view of the company. It has the ability to ushers the acceptability of change and developments within the industry including the introduction of new products and services as well as setting up of new brand categories under the initial brands. Moreover, a strong and effective brand has the ability to determine the appropriate price of the product or services offered. It can be said that a strong and effective brand is the one which consistently meets the needs of target market results to the return of target market and positive endorsements through word-of-mouth. A strong and effective brand not only attracts target market but also qualified staffs willing to work to maintain the strengths and effectiveness of the brand and lastly, strong and effective brand attracts favorable reviews from industry experts (Laforet Saunders, 1999).

Prostitutes: Victims Or Offenders?

Prostitutes: Victims Or Offenders? The profession of prostitution has existed since times immemorial, with some people even claiming that it is one of the oldest professions in the world. However, till today sex work remains a highly stigmatized and taboo topic in most states and regions of the world. Most people tend to look down upon those who pursue it and perceive prostitutes to be despicable, sex-loving and morally corrupt criminals. Others sympathize with their predicament and consider them oppressed victims of circumstances in which they had no agency. It appears that in most cases, acceptance to be subjected to degradation in the form of sex work is a direct result of poverty and lack of opportunities and hence, is a coerced choice rather than an independent one. In many countries, the profession has been given legal standing though it continues to be illegal in the United States (with the exception of ten counties in the state of Nevada), Argentina, India and a number of Muslim and Communist countries. In England and Wales, current legislations on sex-work are far from straight-forward and leave room for much ambiguity and controversy. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 defines a prostitute as a person who on at least one occasion and whether or not compelled to do so, offers or provides sexual services to another person in return for payment or a promise of payment. Strictly speaking, prostitution is and has always been legal in the United Kingdom though a number of laws criminalize certain activities directly connecting to it. The Sexual Offences Act, 1956 makes it an offence to keep a brothel for the use of prostitution and the 2003 Act bans causing/inciting prostitution or controlling it for personal gains. Moreover, loitering or soliciting sex on the streets, pimping, pandering and kerb-crawling (the act of driving slowly against a pavement to entice somebody for sexual purposes) are all against the law. Since 2001, adverts placed in phone booths have been banned. Human trafficking, which arguably fuels the market for prostitution, has also been addressed under the law. There are several general laws in place for indecency and public nuisance which can be said to target the sex trade industry. In 2009, Section 14 of the Policing and Crime Act rendered it a strict liability offence to pay for the sexual services of a prostitute who has been subjected to force, threat, coercion or exploited in some way by a third party and ignorance of the circumstances will be no defence. The UK government had high hopes the creation of this new offence would reduce demand for sexual services and thereby tackle the rampant issue of sex trafficking and exploitation. Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which has been ratified by the Council of Europe and incorporated into domestic legislation through the Human Rights Act 1998, states All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Moreover, the UDHR prohibits slavery and servitude and states no one shall be subjected to cruel, degrading or inhuman treatment. At the very essence of the Act, lies the notion that the right to equality and liberty is every living persons birthright and cannot be alienated. Radical feminist Catherine Mackinnon  [1]  argues that women in prostitution are denied all imaginable human rights as they are prostituted precisely in order to be degraded and subjected to cruel and brutal treatment without human limits; it is the opportunity to do this that is exchanged when women are bought and sold for sex. She reflects The gap between the promise of civil rights and the real lives of prostitutes is an abyss which swallows up prostituted women. To speak of prostitution and civil rights in one breath moves the two into one world, at once exposing and narrowing the distance between them. In a similar vein as Mackinnon, American radical feminist and one-time prostitute Andrea Dworkin likens a prostitute to a gang rape victim, asserting the two experience the same trauma and suffering. Oh, you say, gang rape is completely different. An innocent woman is walking down the street and she is taken by surprise. Every woman is that same innocent woman. Every woman is taken by surprise. In a prostitutes life, she is taken by surprise over and over and over again. The gang rape is punctuated by a money exchangeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Thats the only difference. In Dworkins opinion, women are generally considered to be dirty and a prostitute is not a metaphor of the dirt but in fact, a literal manifestation of scum and filth. Prostituted women are being killed every single day, and we dont think were facing anything resembling an emergency. Why should we? Theyre no one. When a man kills a prostitute, he feels righteous. It is a righteous kill. He has just gotten rid of a piece of dirt, and the society tells him he is right. Prostitution is hardly a victimless crime it dehumanizes and commodifies women, rendering them mere objects of fetish and lust. By its very nature, it tends to be degrading for women and involves risk of violence in the face of both physical and sexual attacks. Perpetrators of such offences vary from pimps, abusive clients and violent bystanders waiting to catch a free ride. Women who have been involved in the profession often describe it as paid rape and voluntary slavery. In a research conducted by PhD of Prostitution Research Education, Melissa Farley entitled Prostitution: Fact sheet on Human Rights Violations, Farley asserts that prostitution is sexual harassment, rape, battering, verbal abuse, domestic violence, a racist practice, a violation of human rights, childhood sexual abuse, a consequence of as well as a means of maintaining male domination over women. She writes: All prostitution causes harm to women, whether it is being sold by ones family to a brothel, or whether it is being sexually abused in ones family, running away from home, and then being pimped by ones boyfriend, or whether one is in college and needs to pay for next semesters tuition and one works at a strip club behind glass where men never actually touch you all these forms of prostitution hurt the women in it. Farley and a team of researchers drafted a report titled Prostitution and trafficking in nine countries: An update on violence and Posttraumatic stress disorder where they interviewed 854 current/recent prostitutes in 9 countries (Canada, Columbia, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, United States and Zambia) inquiring about sexual and physical violence. The results were astounding. Farley discovered that prostitution is multi-traumatic: 71% of the respondents were physically assaulted, 63% were raped, 89% wanted to escape prostitution but had no other career options available and 68% met the criteria for PTSD. According to a study conducted in Exeter University in the UK, at any given time, one in four hundred women is a sex worker. The global economic crisis and recession has driven young girls into the profession of prostitution, against their will. They enter the profession, young, gullible and vulnerable, only to be exploited by pimps and those who pay for their services. Disillusioned and exhausted, they resort to drugs as a means of momentarily relieving themselves of their misery and pathetic state. Call girls or escorts as they are colloquially referred to, are an easy target for men who use them to get sexual favours and ruthlessly beat them up if they dare ask for money. Statistics show crimes committed against prostitutes usually go unreported and the few that are reported with the authorities, tend to go unpunished. There seems to be tacit acceptance of this form of violence that is prevalent in society as very few people question the status quo and the deplorable state of affairs of sex workers. This moral disdain is mirrored on the judicial level where prostitutes bear the brunt of the criminal justice system and their male counterparts, namely the pimps and clients, get off relatively lightly. The violence and abuse, prostitutes face is illustrated by the Ipswich Serial Murders. In the winter of 2006, naked dead bodies of five prostitutes at different locations were discovered in and around Ipswich, Suffolk in England. In 2008, forty-nine year old Steve Wright, pleading guilty, was convicted for murdering all five of them. A forensic scientist informed the court that Wright had had prolonged physical contact with three of the women he later killed and had left behind extensive samples of his DNA. During the courts proceedings, Wright admitted that he had been paying for sex for the last 25 years since he had been working as a steward on cruise ships. In response to the murders, Suffolk Police launched a strategy to effectively eliminate all street prostitution in the town. But the Ipswich case is not a one off instance. Neither will ending prostitution be a long-term solution. In 2001, twenty-one year old Vicky Glass had been missing for two months before her naked and decomposed body was discovered dumped in a stream near Damby, North Yorkshire. Similarly, thirty-three year old Julia Dorsett went missing in 2002. Six years later, her upper torso skeleton, wrapped in a duvet was found dumped in Walthamstow. In recent times, forty year old Stephen Shaun Griffiths has been charged and convicted for murdering three prostitutes in Bradford. Soon after the Ipswich Serial Murders, an extremely pertinent and contentious issue was widely debated as to what kind of legislative measures could change the prevailing conditions of prostitutes. One of the measures proposed by the current Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill was the mandatory rehabilitation of women involved in the profession of sex-work. As per the Bill, street prostitutes would be obliged to attend three counseling sessions with support workers. In the case of absence, they can be held up in custody for up to three days. It is argued that rather than solving the problem, such measures will exacerbate it. Probation officers enforcing mandatory rehabilitation orders are as it is over-stretched and lack the relevant resources required to deal with the issues prostitutes and sex-workers face. Support services for prostitutes lack the capacity to address specific troubles of the latter such as client violence. For example, 15 London boroughs have no sexual health ou treach provision for women in the sex industry. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was adopted by the United Nations in 1979 and provides for an international standard for the protection and promotion of womens human rights. The CEDAW committee, which monitors compliance with the commission, incessantly opposes forced prostitution, trafficking of women and young girls and exploitation of prostitution. Though it does not legalize prostitution, CEDAW has in the past, urged certain countries such as China to decriminalize the trade so that women can come out in the open without fear of being labeled consensual criminals and insofar as reducing instances of HIV/AIDS, trafficking and violence against women. India, a country where an alarming number or rape incidents take place every year, suggested the legalization of the trade in 2002. Khushwant Singh, columnist and novelist wrote in an article titled How a rapist should be punished: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦[A] necessary step [to prevent rape] is to legalise prostitution carried out in brothels or by call-girls provided the sex workers are adults and have not been forced into the trade. The more you try to put down prostitution, the higher will be the incidence of crime against innocent women. You may find the idea repulsive but ponder over it and you will realise there is substance in the argument. The United Kingdom has a number of sex workers rights groups who argue that the only way to prevent gross human rights violations being committed against prostitutes is by completely legalizing the sex trade. They claim legislation will resolve many issues and have a positive impact on society. Not only will it allow law enforcement agencies to respond to more important crimes but it will also relieve the justice system from nuisance cases and allegedly trivial litigation as well as freeing women who are caught by the shackles of prostitution and preventing teenagers from being ensnared into the profession. Over the years, the authorities have adopted an ostrich-like approach towards the predicament of prostitutes; legalizing the worlds oldest profession will allow the trade to be regulated and managed. Health care safety measures can be planned which will significantly reduce instances of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV and herpes simplex virus. Pimps and traffickers will be prevented from treating prostitutes on sub-human levels. Moreover, studies have found that when brothels are closed, incidents of rape tend to increase significantly. Countries where prostitution is legal, report less cases of murder, rape, and HIV/AIDS. Suicide rates have also been found to be lower along with divorce rates. On the other hand, a research conducted by the London School of Economics, German Institute for Economic Research and Heidelberg University revealed that out of the 116 countries sampled, those where prostitution was legal displayed a higher inflow of trafficking as compared to those countries where the trade was illegal. Furthermore, legislation will not remove the stigma attached to sex work and neither will it improve the economic conditions of those who resort to this profession. In 2000 the Home Office published Setting the Boundaries which was a thorough and detailed analysis of the law governing sexual offences. The report led to the milestone metamorphosis of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. In 2004, yet another strategy report was introduced, titled Paying the Price: a consultation paper on prostitution. This report sought to set a realistic and coherent framework to tackle the issue of sex work. It asserted that to address the issue of social exclusion and to achieve a reduction in anti-social behaviour and violence against women, an in-depth debate on prostitution is imperative. Organised criminality, including trafficking and substantial drug misuse, and sexually and drug transmitted infection, are all part of the problem. Systematic abuse, violence and exploitation are endemic. The strategy included prevention, tackling demand, developing routes out, ensuring justice and dealing with street prostitution. As per the Home Office, in the UK as many as 60 women involved in prostitution have been murdered in the last 10 years; 80,000 women work in on-street prostitution and the average age women become involved is a meager 12 years. Though the arguments against legalizing prostitution are plentiful and relevant, in my opinion the trade should be decriminalized insofar as it reduces exploitation of women and children. Women involved in sex-work are treated as consensual criminals and offenders of the law but are, in fact the victims of a lawless and brutal profession that strips them of their self esteem and individuality. Putting our ethical and moral views aside, if legislation can in any way improve the existing deplorable conditions of sex workers, it should be seriously considered and accordingly reforms should be recommended by the Law Commission. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/jun/27/ukcrime.prisonsandprobation http://revdlesley.blogspot.com/2010/10/impact-of-prostitution.html# http://prostitution.procon.org/sourcefiles/paying_the_price.pdf http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/childrens-social-care/protecting-children-from-harm/protecting-and-safeguarding-children/protecting-and-safeguarding-children-publications/home-office-prostitution-strategy-report http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/168614/SSCB-Prostitution-Strategy.pdf http://www.idppcenter.com/CEDAW_Comm_Pressures_Nations_on_Prostitution.pdf http://www.amnestyusa.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/cedaw_fact_sheet.pdf http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/feb/22/stopcriminalisingthevictims

Indian air force

Indian air force CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Indian Air Force is undergoing a major shift in the field of technology and information warfare which requires the steady infusion of new technology and modernization and replacement of equipment. However, material superiority alone is not sufficient. Of greater importance is the development of doctrine, organizations, training and education, leaders and people that effectively take advantage of the technology. While fancy gadgets are nice, technology will not achieve full spectrum dominance without knowledgeable people. Professional continuing education can bridge that gap. In the bilateral exercises with the air forces of USA, UK, FRANCE, SOUTH AFRICA, SINGAPORE and RUSSIA, our men and machines put up outstanding performances making the world take notice of our exceptional professionalism. Besides exercises, the contribution of IAF detachments in peace keeping operations too has been exemplary[ii]. At the same time, IAF is undergoing unprecedented historical changes. From being a sub- continental force, it is transforming itself to become a force having continental reach and effect. We are acquiring state of the art equipment and technology and are linking ourselves with space. The modernization process includes acquisition of AWACS, additional Air to Air Refuellers, Aerostats and high technology aircraft and precision weapon system[iii]. All this is planned to be achieved by year 2022. Obviously, the technological environment surrounding military members will be very different than the one today[iv]. A full-fledged war is unlikely[v]. The expected nature of conflict could be asymmetric warfare. The military conflicts that do occur will probably be limited in terms of objective, area, force utilization and time; but the perpetrators and the responders will both use the military only as one part of a closely integrated multidimensional effort[vi]. Civil and military interaction would be inescapable. Psychological warfare (PSYOPS) and effective utilization of the media would be the indelible ingredients of the coercion process[vii]. All this would require the officers to handle a large amount of information which would be time consuming and tiring both physically and mentally. They would be required to understand the political, economic, diplomatic, technical and military environment. Most of the operations would be joint and a cyber war would add another challenge. Therefore, there is today a need to evolve an effective Professional Military Education (PME) program to develop future Aerospace leaders who are able to quickly understand the complexities of the prevailing situation and appropriately apply the highly potent capabilities of Aerospace power to achieve the desired results most cost effectively. METHODOLOGY STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM This paper focuses on Professional Military Education (PME) requirements of the officer cadre in view of the transformation of the Indian Air Force by 2030. HYPOTHESIS India is likely to grow ten times bigger by the year 2050[viii]. In consonance with the emergence of an economically strong and technologically advanced India, its role in global affairs is likely to increase further. The young officers would get more exposure in working along with air forces of the other countries. They may be required to project Indias views on complex issues in international fora. This would require them to possess greater cognitive skills and better cultural awareness of international politics in general and of South Asia in particular. With the technology advancement in the inventory of the IAF there would be a requirement of exploiting technology to its maximum effect. Also, the large scale data base of information would pose difficulties to the officer in decision making. While hardware is important, it is converted into capabilities by people. Aerospace power requires highly-skilled and impeccably trained personnel. Also, in aviation, optimum performance usua lly lies close to safety margins, which brings in the concern of costs both in human and material terms. Attracting quality youth, training and retaining them is another of IAFs challenges. Inculcating qualities of leadership and innovativeness and ushering in meritocracy and productivity are important on our agenda. However, the expanding civil aviation sector exerts a huge pull on this resource and we are doing our best to blend personal aspirations with organisational compulsions. We need Government support to make this happen. Updating of skills is an associated challenge, for which international exposure has been very useful. But in the long run we might need an Air University. Again, if our manning is adequate, we would be able to send our people on sabbaticals of higher learning. As the hardware changes, new capacities and capabilities are generated that sometimes radically alter the way we do business. And it is hard to do things differently with the old processes, interfac es and organisational structures. Keeping pace and adapting to the changes, as an organisation, is another challenge. JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY India will emerge as a major regional power in the early 21st century and IAF organisations capabilities will, to a significant degree influence the outcome of future wars in our region[ix]. No other profession demand more of a human being, than the military profession[x]. It is noteworthy that, despite the responsibilities attached to the man in uniform, very little has been written about the kind of education that he undergoes. While IAFs vision 2020 gives the force structure in the future battlefield scenarios it neither talks about how the IAF would be providing PME to the future leaders nor the infrastructural requirements to meet the demands. Today, we stand astride a transitional period, as the machine age moves into the information age[xi].New technologies are increasing our military capability almost daily which has resulted in exponential increase in the complexity of the modern battlefield. The challenges before us place an enormous intellectual demand upon our military professionals[xii]. In our urgency to adopt technological transformation, we are neglecting the human side of the equation. We have plans to advance our weapon technologies, but a similar commitment is not seen to advance our officers understanding of the art of warfare. The complexity of the modern battlefield requires a deeper understanding of the operational art of war for which we need to push the joint professional military education system to meet that need. It must give students the intellectual tools they need to fight the next war- not the war they are fighting today. SCOPE This study addresses the PME requirements of the officer cadre in view of the emerging technological changes brought out in the organization by year 2030 as a result of Revolution in Military Affairs. OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS PME Is intended to provide the student with three critical kinds of knowledge: the ethos, culture and core values of his or her service; the technical and tactical skills appropriate to how that service wages war; and most importantly, the wisdom and judgement to be applied in a multiplicity of situations[xiii]. Military education and training is a process which intends to establish and improve the capabilities of military personnel in their respective roles. Military education can be voluntary or compulsory duty. Before any person gets authorisation to operate technical equipment or be on the battle field, they must take a medical and often a physical test. If passed, they may begin primary training[xiv]. The military concept of Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) is a theory about the future of warfare, often connected to technological and organizational recommendations for change in the United States military and others. Especially tied to modern information, communications, and space technology, RMA is often linked to current discussions under the label of Transformation and total systems integration in the US military[xv]. Continuum of Learning links Education, Training and Experience through an officers career to produce the right person at the right place and time to achieve AF missions[xvi]. Knowledge management is the end-to-end continuous process that describes the systematic creation, acquisition, integration, distribution, application and archiving of knowledge to drive behaviour and actions which support organisational objectives and mission accomplishment. METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION Despite being a very contemporary topic, not many books/ publications have been written on it. The data for this paper has been collected mainly from the books, periodicals, college lectures and various sites on the internet. Bibliography is placed at the end of the text. ORGANISATION OF THE DISSERTATION It is proposed to study the subject in the following manner:- Chapter 1- Introduction and Methodology. Chapter 2- Transformation of the IAF by 2030. Chapter 3- Recent Training Developments in IAF. Chapter 4- PME and Technological Challenges. Chapter 5- Concepts on Future of Air Force Education and Training. Chapter 6 Desired Traits in Future Leaders. Chapter 7- Officers Professional Military Education Policy: US Armed Forces. Chapter 8- Limitations in PME. Chapter 9- Recommendations: Educational Requirements Chapter 10- Conclusion. CHAPTER III TRANSFORMATION OF THE IAF BY 2030 Enhancing Combat Power Two eventful developments have made it easier to predict the shape of the IAF in 2030. First was the emergence of India as the new economic powerhouse; second, was the IAFs growing aspirations to transform itself from a mere sub-continental, strategic aerospace power in conformity with other leading air forces in the world[xvii]. The IAF would be required to acquire comprehensive capabilities cauterised by flexibility, quick response, mobility and transportability of all forms of national power, as well as, long reach and precision targeting firepower with minimal collateral damage. The IAF is at present struggling with a depleted strength of around 30 squadrons[xviii]. Therefore, IAF will have to embark on a modernisation plan coupled with a comprehensive inventory augmentation programme to build up its combat force to the desired levels. The aim would be to augment the squadron strength to 45 squadrons by 2030[xix]. This would amount to approximately 900 combat aircraft[xx]. In addition to this the IAF would induct large no of Heavy Lift and Medium Transport Aircraft. The helicopter fleet would induct sophisticated platforms like Apache AH-64 and the LCH. The force multipliers would include the IL-78, FRA, AWACS, AEWC aircraft. UAVs would play an important role in not only war but also in Operations Other Than War. The IACCS, AFNET and the Defence communication Network would provide large information to the user and require 24 hour monitoring. To cater for this large inventory the requirement would be of focussed logistics and the maintenance setup which again would be dominated by the technology. By 2030 new areas of expertise and specialisation may be necessary. In 2030, we may find it necessary to deploy space warriors, or hackers, instead of (or in addition to) a more traditional military force. Future Warfare The first important consideration is that all military action against the two major adversaries, China and Pakistan, would be taken under the shadow of proclaimed nuclear capabilities. Secondly, the operating environment and manoeuvre space for the armed forces will be increasingly restricted due to various factors, such as need to minimise collateral damage, legal and international issues and media glare. Last, but not the least, would be the increased relevance of technological dominance in the conduct of operations, irrespective of the level of conflict[xxi]. A typical air campaign will be executed at a very high intensity and with reduced Decision Cycles'[xxii]. All assets would be networked to such an extent, that they will provide total transparency of the battle-space, so as to dominate the operational environment, through control over the domains of Information, Space and Cyberspace. ISR assets on station would provide real time intelligence and targeting assessment that would permit switching of responses instantaneously, as the battle progresses. Such flexibility and responsiveness would be possible only by the networking of all elements on a secure and robust architecture, which will enable distribution and access to all kinds of data. Possession of these capabilities and flexibility in their employment will hold the key to success in both conventional and sub-conventional scenarios. CHAPTER IV RECENT TRAINING DEVELOPMENTS IN IAF In the year 2005, a review of training courses was carried out by Air HQ and HQ TC to overcome some of the existing limitations[xxiii]. The aim was to reduce the duration of absence of officers from the operational units, streamline the course syllabi and provide Just in Time training. It was felt that the basic learning should be carried out more by Distance Education with a short contact programme. Distance Education leverages existing technology to provide learning to wider audience at different locations and that too at low cost[xxiv]. In addition, all the courses were graded and the Grade Point Average is now linked with promotions. In the new system, instead of JCC, there is Basic Air Staff Course at AFAC for all officers with minimum 03 years service, Basic Professional Knowledge Course for all aircrew with minimum 4.5 years service, Intermediate Air Staff Course at AFAC for all officers with minimum 07 years service, QFI/FCL/TP courses between 08-11 yrs, Advance Professional Knowledge Course with minimum 9.5 years service, Advance Air Staff Course between 10-12 years and HACC between 19-21 years of service. The main benefits of the new training policy is that in a methodical manner, wider number of officers benefit from these courses, as some of them are mandatory for all officers to attend, current issues get speedier dissemination to a wider audience and knowledge bank gets continuously updated as information eventually would be available at Air Force WAN. There would be two sets of mandatory courses each year that itself will constitute two parts; the first part would be Distance Learning (DL) and the second part Contact Program (CP) at an appropriate location. The Air Force Academy shoulders the prime responsibility of initiating the leadership development program in the IAF[xxv]. The essential focus at AFA is on teaching basic flying skills, enhancing knowledge on flying related subject and air and space issues and developing physical and mental toughness. When the young officers reach the operational units, the responsibility for continuing with their leadership development process lies with the Commanding Officer/Station Commander. For the pilots, initially the officer focuses on learning how to fly an advanced ac and how to use it as weapon system. Subsequently, he is taught how to lead in air. Flying itself relates to an unknown environment and to an extent develops physical courage. Whilst they are learning advanced flying skills, they are also exposed to secondary duties that deal with administrative aspects like Adjutant, UFSIO or Oi/c messes, though in an adhoc fashion. During the formative years, there is very little structured exposure for the pilots towards administering and leading men on ground. This deficiency stand out when they become Commanding Officers and have to perform administrative functions too[xxvi]. After few years of service, the young officer is eligible to undergo BASCO/BPKC[xxvii]. The AFAC teaches him basis aspects related to administration, AF Law, Psychology, Leadership and Airpower. CAW teaches aspects related to airpower employment to flying branch officers. At TACDE, the fighter and helicopter aircrew learn qualities of leadership in air, while undertaking FCL/FSL/HCL/MFC/SAGW courses. Subsequently, the officer undergoes ISCO/APKC. However, the training of young leaders till now deals only at the tactical level. The next step in the officers leadership development program is to undertake the Air Staff Course at DSSC, Wellington. The course exposes officers to perform effectively in Command and Staff appointments tenable by Sqn Ldrs to Group Captain ranks. After the officer has finished command of a unit, he could be detailed for Higher Air Command (HACC)/Higher Command/ Naval Higher Command Courses at College of Air Warfare / Army War College / College of Naval Warfare or for Higher defence Management Course (HDMC) at CDM. The aim of HACC is to train selected officers of the three services to occupy senior Command and Staff appointments, who will be involved in planning and conduct of operations and for command of stations. However, only selected officers undergo such courses. NDC is the last structured course on national security and strategic studies in the leadership development process[xxviii]. This is pitched at the grand strategic and strategic level to provide insight into issues related to national security and higher leadership requirements. CHAPTER V PME AND TECHNOLOGICAL CHALLENGES The new military soldiers, who use their brains, can deal with a diversity of people and cultures, who can tolerate ambiguity, take initiative, and ask questions, even to the point of questioning authority. The willingness to ask and think may be more prevalent in the US armed forces than in many businesses. As in the civilian economy, fewer people with intelligent technology can accomplish more than a lot of people with the brute-force tools of the past[xxix]. Alvin Toffler The challenge before us is to absorb new technologies and translate them into operational effectiveness. Managing this period of transition is the task before all of us and we are confident that we shall find new and innovative ways to fully exploit our new inductions[xxx] . Air Chief Marshal PV Naik Technology is one of the factors necessary to meet the capability requirements of PME 2030. Trends in technology today, in general indicate the technological fields of the future will be tremendously fertile and highly affordable[xxxi] . This would help people to connect to each other easily, access data and to train computer networks to automatically gather and analyze data based on user demands. Virtual reality is being used now as one solution to the information overload[xxxii]. Automated assistants with even greater capabilities will ensure current and relevant information tailored to his or her needs and background. The military services are actively developing artificial intelligence and expert systems to aid humans digest information and act on it[xxxiii]. For example, the systems are been developed for analysing radar signatures, labelling automatically generated situations and air-to-air encounters, planning for contingencies, diagonising maintenance problems on aircraft, playing the role of intelligent opponent in war games, developing attack strategies for complex targets, helping to detect the counter C3 countermeasures, providing advice on allocation decisions and even predicting likely locations and times of outbreaks of violence. The pace of technological improvements will continue to accelerate. Exponential change will be the norm. Increases in computing power, graphics and bandwidth will lead to advancements in visualisation, modelling, simulation and animation[xxxiv]. Therefore, our PME system must respond to the exploding technological and informational environment, evolving personnel characteristics and the fiscal constraints. Obviously, the technological environment surrounding military members will be very different than the one today[xxxv]. It will include commonplace use of artificial intelligence, intense miniaturisation, expert systems, virtual and artificial realities and automated computer assistants. Therefore PME 2030 must harness this technology to educate the entire military force. Since, the rate of change in technology and the rate of growth in available information increase every day, all the technological advances mean that by 2030, information needs will grow exponentially and the amount of new information will be astronomical. Without careful planning and information- handling skills, the decision makers of the future will be susceptible to analysis paralysis[xxxvi]. Handling Space would be another challenge in any future vision of the IAF. In his book The Next Hundred Years, George Friedman predicts the possibility of the next Great War being fought almost entirely in space. By about 2050, he suggests the US would operate huge space stations- which he calls Battlestars after the popular TV series-that would serve not only as weapon platforms but as command and control centres to manage conflicts on the Earths surface[xxxvii]. One system of satellites alone generates more than 10 quadrillion bytes of information about the Earth, equal to about 10 billion books[xxxviii] . This will pose difficulties to military analysts in determining and locating the critical information which can mean life-or-death and success-or-failure in the combat environments of 2030. The military education system must help analysts and operational units by determining which methods and technologies will be needed. CHAPTER VI CONCEPTS ON FUTURE OF AIR FORCE EDUCATION AND TRAINING We have all heard the phrase flexibility is the key to airpower. I would like to add that Knowledge- Enabled Airmen are the key to flexibility[xxxix]. Michael W. Wyne The concepts that are essential to meet the needs of the future Air Force and defines one approach to the future of education and training are[xl]:- Knowledge Management. Continuous Learning. Precision Learning. The requirement is to develop and field systems that are not just network-centric, but knowledge-centric. For the air force of the 21st century to be agile, adaptive and learning organisation it must embrace change, accept risk, cope with reverses and learn to reinvent itself constantly[xli]. To achieve this we need to transform our existing education and training system to build a future learning organisation employing new learning concepts and leveraging new technology. The future Air Force must successfully operate in and dominate not only the domains of air, space and cyberspace, but the cognitive domain as well[xlii]. The cognitive domain exists in the human mind and involves information processing. Therefore, IAF must focus its transformation efforts to achieve superiority in the cognitive domain and to achieve cognitive and learning superiority; the air force must develop a new learning culture. Future Learning Knowledge Management Knowledge management is the end-to-end continuous process that describes the systematic creation, acquisition, integration, distribution, application and archiving of knowledge to drive behaviour and actions which support organisational objectives and mission accomplishment[xliii]. Knowledge management captures both existing and newly created information and knowledge, stores it in an enterprise knowledge base through which information can be distributed, shared and accessed by the officers to support both learning when and where needed and the application of knowledge and skills to perform assigned tasks and solve problems. Officers need to be more creative and innovative to solve tomorrows problems. Therefore, access to a dynamic knowledge base will provide closer integration between training and operations. In the IAF there is a requirement of a major cultural change to become a learning organisation. Air force knowledge management system will be revolutionary, leveraging existing efforts and rapid technological advancements. The requirement is not only to train the way we fight but to fight the way we train using the same knowledge databases, networks and technologies. With the development of the AFNET, The IAF has a unique opportunity to leverage new technologies to advance the knowledge management concept. This can serve as a potential platform for the delivery of services supporting future learning systems and the distribution and application of knowledge. As the culture of learning is instituted in the organisation, it would be easier to master the cognitive domain. Continuous Learning In the future wars highly skilled and educated Air warriors would be required[xliv]. The key to personal and organisational growth in the Air Force, and development of officers dealing with complex missions operating in air, space and cyberspace is continuous learning. Continuous learning focuses on the development of the officer from before commissioning through retirement and beyond. This concept is consistent with the continuum of learning. It allows the officer to individually recognise the right skills, knowledge and the aptitude they need to accomplish assigned tasks and missions. This requires a systematic and holistic approach so as to provide the right education, training and experiences at the right time. The basic principles embodied in continuous learning include[xlv] :- (a) Recruit the best and brightest candidates who can learn and operate in the future Air Force. (b) Offer effects- based learning opportunities based on learning objectives and outcomes. (c) Provide career long progression through deliberate education, training and experimental opportunities to enable officers reach their full potential. (d) Provide learning opportunities on demand. (e) Provide a push and pull system to make learning opportunities available when and where appropriate to enable a sustainable military advantage. (f) Leverage operational competence and tactical expertise through timely education, training and experience. (g) Development supported by leaders who internalise and visibly espouse the vision, values, climate, motivation and behaviours that constitute the new learning environment. Training, education and experimental learning power continuous learning[xlvi]. Therefore, it would be important to use these means to develop the appropriate combination of specialists and generalists to meet the mission requirements. Future officers would be required to perform a wide variety of functions, enabled by new technologies, new learning paradigms and robust knowledge management systems. Continuous education offer a good opportunity to reduce skill decay, keep skills current and remain informed of the latest technological changes and developments in the field. Two factors which epitomise the need for continuous learning are critical thinking and problem solving skills[xlvii]. With the process of continuous learning the critical thinking will no longer be restricted to the senior Air Force leaders. One of the most challenging skills to develop is leadership at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels. Successful application of human judgment to orchestrate mission success requires much more than force of personality. In the future, it will require a greater ability to multi-task, prioritize subordinate actions, and assimilate vast amounts of information while fostering collaboration. Some leadership scenarios must be executed in an atmosphere of maximum situational awareness, while others may impose an information-limited setting. Application of modern leadership will necessitate new methods in the way we train and educate current and future leaders. All education and training programs, including advanced operational training and Professional Military Education (PME), will adapt to the needs, skills and training proclivities of Generation Y- the Millenials. According to Mark Prensky, Millenials are considered Digital Natives because they: are all native speakers of the digital language of computers, video games and the Internet. Those of us who were not born into the digital world but have, at some later point in our lives, become fascinated by and adopted many or most aspects of the new technology are Digital Immigrants. Digital Natives are used to receiving information really fast. They like to parallel process and multi-task. They prefer their graphics before their text rather than the opposite. They prefer random access (like hypertext). They function best when networked. They thrive on instant gratification and frequent rewards. They prefer games to serious work. To address these needs, courseware that is interactive and multi-media enhanced will be available through a next generation distributed learning system that will offer live, virtual, and constructive scenarios for development of all officers. These capabilities will enhance the decision-making, communication, and negotiation skills that are critical for senior leadership. Distance learning will evolve from basic enrolment in computer and web-based courses to virtual learning environments that support online collaboration and classes taught by both live and virtual instructors. Precision Learning Precision learning delivers the appropriate education, training, or experience at the right time and place, in the right format, to generate the right effect. Precision learning relies on customised learning, mass collaboration, push and pull learning systems, distributed learning opportunities, increased use of simulated and virtual technology, and enhanced use of visualization technologies. It focuses learning on the learner[xlviii]. This would provide the officer access to the knowledge base through mobile or internet and organised by the advanced knowledge management systems. Precision learning has the potential to enrich the learning experience and increase effectiveness while reducing the cost of instruction and increasing efficiency. The delivery of training and education must be flexible and permit schedule, delivery and media formats tailored to individual needs. It will deliver customised course material based on each students ability to learn. CHAPTER VII DESIRED TRAITS IN FUTURE LEADERS Professional attainment, based upon prolonged study, and collective study at colleges, rank by rank and age by age-those are the title reeds of the commanders of future armies, and the secret of future victories[xlix]. -Winston Churchill, 1946 Having seen the variables that are likely to affect future leadership, let us examine the traits that need to be present in future leaders to overcome these uncertainties. Although these traits were required earlier too in

Greek Mythology Essay -- essays research papers

Greek Mythology Mythology was an integral part of the lives of all ancient peoples. The myths of Ancient Greece are the most familiar to us, for they are deeply entrenched in the consciousness of Western civilization. The myths were accounts of the lives of the deities whom the Greeks worshipped. The Greeks had many deities, including 12 principal ones, who lived on Mt. Olympus. The myths are all things to all people – a rollicking good yarn, expressions of deep psychological insights, words of spine-tingling poetic beauty and food for the imagination. They serve a timeless universal need, and have inspired great literature, art and music, providing archetypes through which we can learn much about the deeper motives of human behavior. No-one has the definitive answer as to why or how the myths came into being, nut many are allegorical accounts of historical facts. The Olympian family were a desperate lot despite being related. The next time you have a bowl of corn flakes give thanks to Demeter the goddess of vegetation. The English word "cereal" for products of corn or edible grain derives from the goddess' Roman name, Ceres. In Greek the word for such products is demetriaka. Demeter was worshipped as the goddess of earth and fertility. Zeus was the king and leader of the 12. His symbol was the thunder and in many of his statues he appears holding one. Poseidon, god of the sea and earthquakes, was most at home in the depths of the Aegean where he lived in a sumptuous golden palace. When he became angry (which was often) he would use his trident to create massive waves and floods. Ever intent upon expanding his domain, he challenged Dionysos for Naxos, Hera for Argos and Athena for Athens. Ares, god of war, was a nasty piece of work – fiery tempered, bloodthirsty, brutal and violent. In contrast Hestia, the goddess of the hearth, symbol of security, happiness and hospitality, was as pure as driven snow. She spurned disputes and wars and swore to be a virgin forever. Hera was not a principal deity; her job was a subservient one – she was Zeus' cupbearer. Athena, the powerful goddess of wisdom and patron of Athens, is said to have been born (complete with helmet, armor and spear) from Zeus' head, with Hephaestus acting as midwife. Unlike Ares, she derived no pleasure from fighting, but preferred settling disputes peacefully using her wisdom... ...ed to Greece where he organized drunken revelries and married Ariadne, daughter of King Minos. In addition to the gods the Ancient Greeks revered many beings who had probably once been mortal, such as King Minos, Theseus and Erichthonious. Intermediaries between gods and humans, such as the satyrs, also appear in the myths. The satyrs lived in woods and had goat horns and tails; they worshipped the god Dionysos, so, appropriately, they spent much of their time drinking and dancing. Nymphs lived in secluded valleys and grottoes and occupied themselves with spinning, weaving, bathing, singing and dancing. Pan found them irresistible. The Muses, of which there were nine, were nymphs of the mountain springs; they were believed to inspire poets, artists and musicians. Finally, mention should be made of the three crones Tisiphone, Aledo and Megara – sometimes called the Furies – whose job it was to deal with grievances from mortals, and punish wrongdoers. They had dogs' heads, snakes' hair, bloodshot eyes, coal black bodies and bats' wings and carried brass-studded scourges. It was considered unlucky to call them by name – they had to be called Eumenides – the kindly ones! Bill Gates

Death and Time in Slaughterhouse-Five Essay -- Slaughterhouse-Five Ess

Death and Time in Slaughterhouse-Five We all wish we could travel through time, going back to correct our stupid mistakes or zooming ahead to see the future. In Kurt Vonnegut's novel Slaughterhouse-Five, however, time travel does not seem so helpful. Billy Pilgrim, Vonnegut's main character, has come unstuck in time. He bounces back and forth between his past, present, and future lives in a roller coaster time trip that proves both senseless and numbing. Examining Billy's time traveling, his life on Tralfamadore, and the novel's schizophrenic structure shows that time travel is actually a metaphor for our human tendency to avoid facing the unpleasant reality of death. Because he cannot control time travel, Billy is forced to relive again and again some of the most painful parts of his life. For example, Edgar Derby, his wartime father-figure, is senselessly executed by the Germans for stealing a teapot, while Valencia Pilgrim, his own wife, dies accidentally from carbon monoxide poisoning after her car's exhaust system is damaged in an accident. Barbara Greeley has observed that the effect of having to witness these events over and over is that "Billy becomes emotionally desensitized to human suffering and death, and is thus robbed of compassion" (3). Her point is well taken, for without this human emotion Billy is reduced to the level of an unfeeling machine. On the planet Tralfamadore where Billy is taken after he is kidnapped by extraterrestrials, his machine-like response to suffering and death grows only worse. Like Billy, the Tralfamadorians have no sense of chronological order; they see time as an earthling might "see a stretch of the Rocky Mountains" (85-86), with... ...ound by time, which includes the ultimate reality of death. Although death limits us by limiting our experiences, our lives are made more meaningful precisely because they are so short. Unlike Tralfamadorians, who cannot change history, we can look back in time and learn from the mistakes of the past. Only in this sense can we truly be time travelers: that we reflect on the past and incorporate its lessons into our present lives so that the future will be more productive. Sources Greeley, Barbara. "New Insights into Vonnegut's Thinking: Slaughterhouse-Five and The Sirens of Titan." Psychology Today June 1990: 1+. Marten, Stephen Edward. "Why We Read Vonnegut Today." Twentieth Century Interpretations of Kurt Vonnegut. Ed Russell Baker. New York: Norton, 1988. 8-25. Vonnegut, Kurt. Slaughterhouse-Five. New York: Dell Publishing, 1988.