Inequality for women in the workplace Research Paper

Inequality for women in the workplace - Research Paper Example 565) and yet just over thirty-years later, The Glass Ceiling Commission reported that equity was far from being achieved. The report noted that women continued to earn proportionately less than men for the same work or that there was a wage-gap, and that they made up only a very small fraction of the upper-level positions in U.S. Organizations (Russell, 1995, p. 8). Hence, where there are no visible or concrete (legal) barriers for advancement, the barriers are invisible or made of glass. The following will examine the barriers faced by women in the workplace, and this essay will try and make the transparent visible. It will be argued that inequality can only be explained by how the dominant class in society legitimates and perpetuates power, and how the distinction between gender and sex is important to understanding the actual barriers to equality. In order to arrive at understanding the invisible or glass barriers for women in the workplace, a brief overview of some of the legal o bstacles will first be presented. While it is true that many barriers remain for women in the workplace, it can also be held that the twentieth-century was marked by a significant amount of progress. At the turn of the twentieth century, many obstacles existed for women in the workforce. ... 154). However, as science progressed this form of legitimation proved untenable. Likewise, attitudes changed significantly, and access to higher education meant access to better positions in the workforce. As with progress in education, likewise with the the percentage of women in the workforce in the twentieth century. One of the main contributing causes for this change, are the two World Wars (1914-1918 and 1939-1945) where women were needed to work in the place of men who were participating military action. For example, in 1900 only 5.6 % of all women worked outside of the home, and following the First World War this percentage rose to 23.6 % (Webb, 2010, pp. 1-2). During the era of the Great Depression after the stock market crash of 1929, there was a public sentiment that maintained that the few jobs that existed ought to be given to men, but again, the Second World War changed the workforce demographics again and between 1942 and 1945 over 6.5 million women entered the workforc e in the U.S. (Webb, 2010, p. 2). And, while attitudes were still negative about women in the workforce, there were many public campaigns that promoted it because of the necessity of the War. This had a significant impact on changing attitudes toward women in the workforce, and as with the period following the First World War, the period following the Second was marked by a higher percentage of women who remained employed outside of the home (Webb, 2010, p. 2). Along with the barrier's of access to education and the workforce, a number of legal or legislative changes improved egalitarian conditions in the twentieth-century. The right to vote for women largely came about through the lobbying and

Final Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 2

Final Paper - Essay Example I will verify about existence of the problem myself. In the next step, I will try to gather relevant information so as to support the claim that the bike will accelerate dangerously when operated for long hours in hot climate. I will analyze the problem as well as confirm the same with production department that root cause of the problem is overheating of the solar panel. I would further discuss with the production and maintenance departments about possible solutions and select the appropriate one. Following this, an outline of the cost that the company will incur for each alternative solution will be prepared. The next step is to approach the management along with other employees from production and maintenance department with a report that explains the problem, associated cost of alternatives and future cost of company in case the problem is overlooked (Ho 583-593). It is important to note that payment of $5000 to buyers for placing the product on his selves is firstly a wrong approach as this will open an avenue for the buyer to repeat such claims in future. Secondly, the practice of bribing for business expansion purpose in the United States is illegal under the anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, 1977. The company, being a reputed one operating in production of sustainable products, must consider sustainability and transparency in the transactions made as well. Paying the buyer will result in breach of the FCP act as well as code of corporate governance of the company. In addition, it will also imply that the company is not sufficiently confident about its products and prefers buying shelf area from retailer. After considering all these factors, as a responsible employee of Green Move, I would not recommend payment of the special fee to particular buyer as the move is unethical and illegal (â€Å"Foreign Corrupt Pr actices Act of 1977†). For any product, it is important

Week 5 questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Week 5 questions - Essay Example ly defined roles and responsibilities, availability of required resources, and delegation of adequate authorities to facilitate faster and appropriate decision making, would lead to smoother communications amongst themselves, ultimately translating into realization of the organization’s corporate goals. External stakeholders include consumers, suppliers, competitors, creditors as well as the community at large. These groups form an inevitable part of organizational growth and hence satisfying their requirements is of utmost significance for any organization. The organizations, thus, should strive to establish long term strategic relationship / partnerships with the external stakeholders to gain maximum leverage from the same and to realize the ultimate organizational goals of growth and profitability. This could be achieved by providing high quality products / services to the customers, establishing solid long term relationships with the suppliers, offering a cost effective and niche product line, as well as good payment terms for the creditors. This would ensure a satisfied team of individuals which would help in sustaining and developing the overall organizational goals. Long term goals define the vision of the company, which may include the goals of becoming the largest manufacturer in the world, attaining a specified percentage of market shares, or becoming a global leader by creating a niche for its products / services. Long term goals help the organizations in creating a fixed route which they have to follow in order to realize their specified objectives. For instance, for a company, if the long term goal is to be a world leader of a particular product, in terms of customer service, technology as well as quality, the management thus has to devise ways to reach the ultimate objective such as improving cycle times by speeding up the process of product availability, as well as reducing or minimizing the production costs by use of best technological aids

Economics 247 Assignment 2 Version A Essay Example for Free

Economics 247 Assignment 2 Version A Essay Economics 247 Assignment 2 Version A This assignment has a maximum total of 100 marks and is worth 10% of your total grade for this course. You should complete it after completing your course work for Units 6 through 10. Answer each question clearly and concisely. 1. In perfect competition, one result of the model was that there were no economic profits in the long run. In a monopoly, the firm typically earns a positive economic profit. Why is there this difference? The lack of barriers to entry will allow competitors to enter the market unil economic profit is zero. These firms are price takers, and they cannot affect prices because their demand curve is horizontal.(4 marks) 2. Assume that a single firm in a pure competitive industry has a fixed cost of $6500 and variable costs as indicated in the table below. a. Calculate the TC, AFC, AVC, ATC, and MC columns for this firm. (5 marks) Total Output TVC TC AFC AVC ATC MC 00 0 600 70,000 1000 76000 1400 81000 1800 87000 2200 90000 2600 93000 2800 96000 3000 100000 3100 110000 b. Explain the concepts of economies and diseconomies of scale, and describe the underlying reasons why both occur. (4 marks) 3. At its current level of production, a profit-maximizing firm in a competitive market receives $12.50 for each unit it produces, and it faces an average total cost of $10. At the market price of $12.50 per unit, the firms marginal cost curve crosses the marginal revenue curve at an output level of 1000 units. What is the firms current profit? What is likely to occur in this market and why?(4 marks) P=12.5 TR=P*Q = 12.5 * 1000 = 12500 TC=ATC*Q = 10 * 1000 = 10000 Profit=TR-TC = 12500 10000 = +2500 Profit is positive, but for perfectly competitive markets there will be no profits at all in the long-run, so in this markets new firms will enter  market attracted by profits thus increasing market supply and reducing equilibrium price till it reaches close to P=$10, consequently leading to zero economic profits in long-run. For lower price this firm will be pressed to reduce output a bit for new P=MR=MC equilibrium. 4. a.Why would a firm in a perfectly competitive market always choose to set its price equal to the current market price? If a firm set its price below the current market price, what effect would this have on the market? (4 marks) The assumptions of perfect competition that matter here are that in perfect competition 1 every firm is so small compared to the market so as to have no effect on market price 2 everyone is aware of everybodys price. Now if you set a price lower than the market, you are only cutting your nose to spite your face since you would sell as much as a higher price. (Remember, how much you produce is determined by your MC and the output level you produce at is the minimum MC). Cutting the price to sell more also costs more to produce; you are worse off. If you set a price higher than market, noone will buy from you. Explain how a firm in a competitive market identifies the profit-maximizing level of production. When should the firm raise production, and when should the firm lower production? In a perfectly competitive market, all firms are assumed to be very small compared to the market. Now the price is set at the market level, and as a small firm you take it as given; you couldnt sell at a higher price since nobody would buy from you. Now in the long run, you should be at the minimum point of your cost curve, ensuring you make just normal profits. The price is your MR and at the minimum point of your AC curve your MC cuts it: MC=MR and AC=AR. If the market price is higher than this, new entrants will sniff the opportunity created by super normal profits and the market supply curve shifts right/up, reducing price until there are no more super ormal profits  to be earned. If market price is lower, then firms are making losses, some exit and supply curve shifts left driving price up. In equilibrium, each firm is producing at the minmum point of the AC, where MC=MR=P. Hence the firm temporarily raises production when Pmin AC and makes supernormal profits until new entrants drive price back down; or lowers production temporarily when P

Mens And Womens Changing Famiy Roles Essay -- Gender Role Conflict

It goes without saying: the family is the core of society. It's the core where values and characters are formed. All of us are aware of this fact. However, we may not be aware that it is within the family unit that the origin of women's oppression began. It began with the power struggle between man and woman. With the "nuclear family" in decline and the "dual-earner" family becoming the norm, it's no wonder that women's positions have changed radically. Although their positions in the family and work force are indeed changing, their workload, however, is not.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  With this radical change many issues can be addressed, particularly, to the women's role and how it has remained fairly constant over the years. A closer examination will look at the development of gender inequality within the family as a result of the ever-changing issue. A second issue that needs to be inspected is that the family roles have changed in regards to family make-up as women have moved into the work force. This growing capital effort to increase standards of living by pushing every family member into the paid labour force has taken a toll on the family unit. The final issue that will be investigated in this report is how the traditional sex roles have remained constant, even with women's ever-changing family position over the years.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For decades, commencing back to the time when patriarchy was the "norm" and women were their husband's property, men have oppressed women. This ideology of patriarchy existed way before it was ever examined by sociologists and it was accepted as a natural or biological way of living. It wasn't until the 1960's when feminist groups began to explore patriarchy and at the same time began to exploit it, that patriarchy was established. Feminists at that time, and even still today, believe that patriarchy operates to achieve and maintain gender inequality and is the essential key to women's present subordination. Not only does patriarchy exist in the pubic domain of the paid labour force, but also in the private domain of the household, or better yet, the family.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  With patriarchy by its side, gender inequality has developed into one of the biggest controversies amongst sociologists, feminist groups, and women. In modern day society women are working their way into the labour force, and "expanding their roles to include working outside the hom... ...des, and they will continue to do so until domestic work becomes a paid labour. Bibliography   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Blair, Sampson Lee and Daniel T. Lichter. "Measuring the Division Of Household Labour". Journal of Family Issues 12.1 (1991), 91-113. Kaufman, Gayle. "The Portrayal of Men's Family Roles in Television Commercials". Sex   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Roles 41.5/6 (1999), 439-459.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Luhaorg, Helen and Marilyn T. Zivian. "Gender Role Conflict: The Interpretation of Gender, Gender Role and Occupation". Sex Roles 33.9/10 (1995), 607-619. Lye, Daniel and Timothy J. Biblarz. "The Effects of Attitudes Toward Family Life and   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Gender Roles on Marital Satisfaction". Journal of Family Issues 14.2 (1993), 157-188. Mintz, Robert D. and James R. Mahalik. "Gender Role Orientation and Conflict as   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Predictors of Family Role for Men". Sex Roles 34.11/12 (1996), 805-821.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Pittman, Joe F., Wei Teng, Jennifer L. Kerpelman et al. "Satisfaction With Performance of Housework". Journal of Family Issues 20.6 (1999), 746-770. Sharpe, Mark J, Paul Heppner and Wayne A. Dixon. "Gender Role Conflict,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Instrumentally, and Well Being in Adult Men". Sex Roles 33.1/2 (1995), 1-18.

Biological Weapons and America’s Secret War Essay

Each and every day, everyone is exposed to germs. Despite our distaste for germs, nature has assured us that many, perhaps most of the germs we encounter are not harmful, but many are not just harmful, but deadly. Perhaps man spent most of his existence without any first hand knowledge about germs, but man almost certainly has recognized that unseen germs have undesirable effects. In ancient times, people thought that germs came from demons or the gods. In ancient history, Hypocrites acknowledged that this was not true. From ancient times to the Black Death of the fourteenth century and on to the arrival of Columbus to the New World, germs killed millions of people. During the Plague of the fourteenth century, known as the Black Death, fully one third of all Europeans are thought to have perished. Invisible at the time, germs such as bacteria were first seen when Anton Van Leeuwenhoek noticed them with the invention of the microscope. Even then, some germs are so small that they could not be seen until the electron microscope was invented in the 1930s. Although seen for the first time, no defense against them was readily available until Dr. Edward Jenner created the first vaccine in 1796. In the nineteenth century, medical professionals realized that taking precautions as simple as washing one’s hands could reduce the likelihood of being infected by germs. In 1928, Alexander Flemming discovered that penicillin kills bacteria, a discovery that might have helped the world a decade earlier when an estimated 20 million people world wide died from influenza. This staggering figure demonstrates just how deadly germs can be, and vividly drives home the dangers of germs and their potential for use in warfare. Recent events also demonstrate the cause for concern about the spread of germs and the possible dangers of widespread germ warfare. In 2003, fully two decades after the world first grew alarmed about the spread of the human immunovirus (HIV) and the dangers AIDS that result, a Chinese man living in China became ill with an unusual type of pneumonia labeled SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). Although initially localized to China, SARS quickly spread throughout the world in just three months, another vivid illustration of the dangers of germ warfare. Those who might use germ weapons targeted at a particular enemy are not endangering their enemy. Germs do not recognize boundaries. This is one of the central concerns the authors express in their book. Germs are bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. Although the vast majority of germs are probably harmless, some can invade plants and animals and make them sick and many are deadly. However, not all are harmful and some can be beneficial. For example, some bacteria grow in our intestines and help us to incorporate nutrients in our bodies from the foods we eat. Such bacteria are not cause for concern and not the subject of the authors’ book. Rather, authors Judith Miller, Stephen Engelberg and William Broad focus on biological warfare and the deadly germs used in and/or developed for biological warfare. This book is a revealing look at the biological weapons programs that have existed in the US and Russia in the past and might exist today. In Russia, for example, the program was â€Å"Known to the Soviets as ‘the Concern,’ Biopreparat [the laboratories and plants that supposedly manufactured vaccines and other civilian pharmaceutical products] was in fact a hub of Moscow’s germ effort, a vast network of secret cities, production plants, and centers that studied and perfected germs as weapons. † (p. 135) While nuclear energy and the potential to develop and use nuclear power for military purposes was the novel weapon of the 20th century, the comparable weapon of this century may be germ bombs and the threat of germ warfare. Germs are less costly to cultivate and develop than nuclear power, easier to develop and available to anyone with adequate expertise and laboratory facilities. Unlike the millions of dollars required to develop and design nuclear weapons, biological weapons are relatively inexpensive to develop and use. Developing an efficient delivery system to use with biological weapons may be more difficult than developing or cultivating deadly germs, but the tendency of people to move among themselves and the propensity of germs to quickly spread from one individual to another make germs and germ warfare a cause for concern. Of course, protective gear is required for their development so as to avoid contamination during research or use and to protect from accidents and wastes, but developing germ weapons is relatively easy and available. What are the effects of viral infection? Despite their minute size, germs are among the most deadly things in the kingdom of living things. The authors provide an example. In their scenario, the victims contracted the virus after eating in a restaurant. â€Å"The stomach cramps began later that day†¦ Two days later,(they) started getting ill†¦ by week’s end, thirteen of †¦ twenty-eight employees were sick. And dozens (more) called to complain that they had gotten violently ill†¦. † (p. 18) Germs are or can be the cause of great illness and biological destruction and can cause death in numerous painful and undesirable ways. The spectrum of effects that can be attributed to germs ranges from very beneficial to mildly beneficial to mildly harmful and all the way to deadly. Once germs invade a body, they consume nutrients and energy and produce toxic wastes that act as poisons leading to any number of health problems. The beneficial germs are not what concern the authors. The authors’ message is that germs can be deadly and that governments have and probably still are developing germs specifically for use as weapons in military situations, and while that is of concern, the authors point out that other concerns are just as worrisome or of more concern. What if biological weapons developed by the military were to fall into the hands of terrorists? Even though the means to deliver biological weapons is difficult, in a terrorist act or even in a military situation, even an inefficient means of delivery can be sufficiently effective to be frightening and cause the rapid spread of germs. The germs can be spread by human interaction and contact. In situations of terrorism, germs can be sprayed or merely distributed by means of tiny vials. Once the spread begins, the germs can be more difficult to eradicate than they were to deliver even if only distributed in a small area. The problem then becomes how to contain the germs and prevent their spread. General focus of the book Although the authors focus on the biological weapons program in the US, they also consider other elements of concern as regards biological weapons and biological warfare. They point out that research into the development and use of biological weapons has grown despite the deadly nature of the weapons and the reality that such weapons, like the gases used during World War I, are just as deadly and harmful to those who would use the weapons as to those who are the intended victims. It may be impossible to protect victim or victimizer from the effects of biological weapons. The authors are concerned that on numerous occasions, the U. S. has considered using biological weapons despite the dangers they pose. But the U. S. is not the only culprit. Other countries have biological weapons programs and some biological weapons have been used in the past. These weapons pose a threat for the future. During the Gulf War, for example, biological weapons developed by Iraq posed a threat and they might, in fact still pose a threat. While U. S. went in search of nuclear weapons and found none, the threat of biological weapons posed just as great a danger. The authors consider and compare chemical and biological weapons and outline the relative dangers of each. Author’s view and why author feels this is important The authors make clear that everyone is playing with germs for use in warfare. During World War I, the combatants used mustard gas to kill the enemy, but they learned that a temporary shift in the wind direction could result in deaths on both sides. While it is perhaps only a value judgment that germs are worse than nuclear weapons, nobody can deny that germs might be at least as bad. If the radiation pollution and effects of nuclear weapons can last for hundreds or thousands of years, how long could the effects of a living virus last and how are we to combat them: perhaps not as long as nuclear radiation and perhaps not forever; perhaps longer and even forever. Who can predict? What is to stop them from infecting all parties? Of course, conventional warfare is not the only reason for concern as regards biological weapons. Of particular concern are terrorists. The authors of this book review the problems associated with the creation and existence of biological weapons manufactured by countries around the world. They point out that the biological weapons prepared for use in war are just as deadly and just as much of concern for their value to terrorist for use in acts of terror. Unlike nuclear weapons, both chemical and biological weapons can be easy and inconspicuously transported from one location to another by anyone. Even if the countries that have germ weapons have no intention of using them, who can prevent them from falling into the hands of terrorists. Terrorists have a death wish of sorts. Perhaps they don’t want to die, but they are willing to die for their cause, and while no one can object to a person being willing to die for a cause, not all causes are for the benefit of humankind. In the hands of terrorists who don’t care about anyone or anything but their cause, biological weapons pose an equal danger to everyone. Germs do not recognize boundaries, race, nationality or cause. Terrorists can but biological weapons just as they buy other weapons or manufacture them on their own. The authors describe biological weapons as â€Å"the poor man’s hydrogen bomb. † Often, they are simple to make in a laboratory. Sociological consequences from author’s perspective Biological weapons are more than merely a military concern. They are a sociological concern and a concern to society in general. Perhaps the only reason biological weapons might not be of as great a concern as the concern surrounding nuclear weapons is that most terrorists might not have a proper means to spread contamination by biological microbes, but even with the limited use of a biological weapon, stopping the spread of germs is complicated. Even limited use of such weapons can cause widespread contamination, especially during the initial period before anyone becomes aware that a biological weapon has been used and action can be taken to stop the spread of the microbes. Once released, stopping the subsequent spread of the biological germs is both a medical and a sociological problem. Sociology involves how people interact with people, and the widespread use of biological weapons would dramatically alter and restrict human interactions. Typical human interactions from one day to the next, from one moment to the next dictate that germs will spread quickly and rapidly become a global concern as was demonstrated with the SARS outbreak in 2003. Weaknesses and strengths of the book Perhaps the book’s greatest weakness is adequately addressing what can be done to prevent the further development and spread of such weapons. How can we prevent similar situations in other countries? Even if we could persuade the U. S. and Russia to abandon research and development of biological weapons, what can be done to prevent the spread and use of such weapons throughout smaller countries of the developing world? The authors do not pose viable solutions for that problem and, sadly, there may be none. Signing treaties may alleviate fear, but treaties signed in public are broken in secret. No one realizes they have been broken until it is too late. That, perhaps, is among the greatest concerns connected with this issue. While the book is well written and adequately considers a number of important issues, the question as to how to prevent biological weapons from spreading is not adequately considered, perhaps because, in my view, openly signing treaties is no guarantee that anyone will adhere to what has been signed. That, therefore, is a concern, at least my concern. Yes, Americans could put pressure on U. S. politicians to stop research in and development of germ weapons and germ warfare, but that wouldn’t necessary stop such research among terrorists. How can we really prevent germ weapons from falling into the hands of rogue countries and terrorists? The book addresses the issue, but no viable solutions are presented. Another concern, perhaps a major one, is the manner in which the authors pose or form their conclusions. For example, they ask, â€Å"Is the threat of germ weapons real or exaggerated? Our answer is both. † This leaves the reader wondering what to conclude, or at the least leads the reader to wonder what message the authors are trying to relay. Fortunately, this book is not designed to be an alarmist book, but rather to point out the threat currently posed by biological weapons and what can be done to minimize their impact in the event of a biological attack. Author’s biases Of course, everyone has a bias and slant on everything. The authors slant their work on the dangers of germ weapons and ignore the benefits. Considering the true dangers, one might ask, â€Å"Do germ weapons present any benefits in the long run? † Certainly, no rational person could blame the authors for ignoring the assumed benefits of germ warfare. For example, is it possible that just the threat that these weapons exist might serve as a deterrent to war? From my perspect, that question, although it seems logical, is foolish to the point of being ridiculous. Any weapon that is so deadly and dangerous that it cannot be used is useless because it leaves no rational options. Fail to use it and be destroyed. Use it and be destroyed. Those seem to be the options and, as you can see, they do not constitute an option at all. The final outcome is destruction. The authors explain, â€Å"Once the rod-shaped bacteria entered a victim’s body, the invaders multiplied wildly over hours and days, damaging tissues and overwhelming rival bacteria. Their main weapons were toxins and sticky hairs†¦ The toxins caused the intestines to exude waves of watery fluid. † (p. 19) By the end of the outbreak, nearly 1,000 people had been infected, medical facilities and staff had been overwhelmed and infected individuals had moved around so as to spread infection. This is how viruses act on everyone, victim and victimizer alike. They create situations that overwhelm facilities, medical professionals and staff alike. On the other hand, if situations never come to the point where such issues need be considered, then the weapons and their creation were needless in the first place. So, the bottom line is not to develop such weapons at all. They pose many serious dangers and no real advantages. Personal experiences with Germs Like most people perhaps, my personal experiences and perspective on this issue involve no more than the common colds I occasionally get. Some are worse than others, but I am well away that people, me included, tend to take colds for granted. We assume that colds are things that generally come unexpectedly, last briefly and then go away. Most people fail to realize that colds kill and most people today cannot fathom the seriousness of the global influenza epidemic of 1918. It is said that so many American men being sent to war in Europe died from influenza that the virus actually posed as great or greater threat of death than the war. My personal experiences with colds make it difficult to fathom this situation, but it also emphasizes the point that viruses kill and that even apparently simple and common viruses are of greater concern than we realize. Further research needed If further research were pursued, where should we place most of our research emphasis? Certainly, much research should be devoted to finding ways and means to cope with the effects of the viruses most likely to be used in biological warfare. Providing medical assistance after a biological attach may be useless since viruses can exert their lethal effect so quickly that many would die long before any effective treatment could be delivered. Perhaps a research focus on preventing the spread of such weapons would be of greater value although certainly treatment should not be ignored. What treatment would there be, or could there be for newly developed biological weapons? While we cannot develop treatment for deadly viruses not yet developed, perhaps we can pursue research that would head off the development of such viruses. I feel that this is impossible because you cannot head off what you cannot even vaguely predict or foresee. Even as I consider this issue, it seems the possibilities of pursuing research that would provide medical cures for biological germs not yet developed is rather preposterous. In my view, research is not the answer to any of the problems except possibly treating the victims of the potential biological weapons we already have and the germs we already know exist, but what about protecting people from newly developed germs? Ultimately, the real solution appears to be finding a way to stop the development and use of such weapons. Certainly, that might be much easier said than done, but it might mean that the most effective â€Å"medical† research is â€Å"sociological† in nature. I don’t like to view anything as being hopeless, but in this case, it seems to me that the greatest hope lays not so much in any type of research, but in finding ways for human beings to get along better. If further research were pursued, where should we place most of our research emphasis? Certainly, much research should be devoted to finding ways and means to cope with the effects of the viruses most likely to be used in biological warfare. Providing medical assistance after a biological attack may be useless since viruses become resistant to any attack. In a sense, they are perfect fighting machines. This topic is of sociological concern because it indicates how important it is to find ways to address and deal with the social situations and problems we encounter as individuals and as countries. For example, not mentioned in the book is that naive individuals might use viruses to vent grudges against other individuals. Personally, I am just as happy that this idea is not presented in the book because I would not want to give anyone foolish and dangerous ideas that would go far beyond affecting the intended victim, and perhaps that is a central message the book tries to convey as well. Germ warfare is not a strategy that assures national security but a dangerous idea that serves no valid purpose and assures danger, mayhem and widespread death. Book’s Relationship to Sociology its Value in Class Lectures. This topic has value in the class, but in my view, its value lies only in bringing the issue to our attention and allowing us to address the research and development of such weapons in America and perhaps Russia, China and the European countries. There is little we can do about terrorists or rogue countries and certainly, showing too much concern for the creation of such weapons only increases the likelihood that terrorists might be foolish enough to use them. So, the question as to the value of this topic in class is questionable. Certainly, we need to be aware of the dangers of germs and take measures to protect against them and to prevent their spread, but that is mainly a health issue and it remains a health issue whether or not viewed from the perspective of sociology or medicine. Personally, I don’t like calling undue attention to things we cannot control because it alarms people in a manner that leads to a feeling of helplessness. Summary and conclusion In conclusion, this book vividly presents the dangers and concerns that surround germ warfare. While the book focuses on the biological weapons program in the US it points out that many countries are playing with this deadly idea and that developing countries view it as a poor man’s nuclear bomb. Even so, from the author’s perspective at least, biological weapons are much worse than nuclear weapons. In my view, perhaps that is not true. While the methods (nuclear vs. biological) are different, in the final analysis, both cause great illness and (different types of) global pollution that will affect the world for decades, centuries, possibly millennia. In my personal view, I believe that surviving a biological war is more likely than surviving a nuclear war, but I find the idea of choosing between one or the other ludicrous. I feel that more people might die quickly and painfully with biological weapons than with nuclear weapons, but ultimately, I feel that the global pollution with nuclear weapons would be worse. It is a question of seeing a glass as half empty or half full. The idea that there is a difference or distinction is more or less an illusion. In the end, the only viable alternative is to completely avoid both. Choosing between the value judgment as to which is worse is a decision I would rather never take and it is also one that I wish no one else in the world had the opportunity to make. Yes, perhaps that is a naive view, but in the end, isn’t that what you would probably prefer as well. Reference Miller, Judith, Stephen Engelberg and William Broad. (2002). Germs: Biological Weapons and America’s Secret War. Simon and Schuster, New York, NY.

The Great Gatsby Quotations

Figurative Language: Foreshadowing is used in this. When Jordan says this it foreshadows on the accident Of Daisy hitting Myrtle. 3) â€Å"Some time toward midnight Tom Buchanan and Mrs.. Wilson stood face to face in impassioned voices whether Mrs.. Wilson had any right to mention Daisy name. â€Å"Daisy! Daisy! Daisy! † shouted Mrs.. Wilson. â€Å"I'll say it whenever want to! Daisy! Dad-† Making a short deft movement Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand. Importance: The importance of this quote is showing how the richer class people think that being snobs makes them â€Å"fancy†.It shows how the era this book was set in was a time much different hen ours. Symbolism: This shows how Tom is unworthy of Daisy and her love, no matter what his social status. It is also showing the darker side of the jazz era. Seeming Nick did not respond to Tom hitting myrtle this shows you his non-judgmental side to him. Figurative Language: Personification is used here w hen â€Å"Impassioned voices† is said, as well as â€Å"a short deft movement. † 4) â€Å"l believe that on the first night I went to Gatsby house I was one of the few guests who had actually been invited. People were not invited-?they went there. Importance: The importance Of this quote is that it is showing how society used Gatsby, they didn't know him or particularly like him, but they felt more then happy, and welcome to party at his house. Even though he would throw a party for all of New York the East egger wouldn't accept him. This also shows the general corruption of the roaring ass's. It also helps show that people wanted to escape from their empty lives. Symbolism: This quote helps show that for some reason Gatsby wanted to meet Nick, he wanted to make sure that Nick showed up. Which then helps you realize that Nick has a connection to someone or something that Gatsby wants.Which would be Daisy. Figurative Language: Foreshadowing is used. Because the fact th at Gatsby invited Nick, and no one else shows that he wants to see him badly for some reason. Which is then explained later on in the book. 5) â€Å"A stout, middle-aged man, with enormous owl-eyed spectacles, was sitting somewhat drunk on the edge of a great table, staring with unsteady concentration at the shelves of books. As we entered he wheeled excitedly around and examined Jordan from head to foot. â€Å"What do you think? † he demanded impetuously. â€Å"About what? † He waved his hand towards the bookshelves â€Å"About that.As a matter of fact you needn't bother to ascertain. I ascertained they re real. â€Å"The books? † He nodded. â€Å"Absolutely read-they have pages and everything. I thought theft be a nice durable cardboard. Matter of fact they're absolutely real. Pages and-Here! Lemma show you. † Importance: This quote is important to the plays pot because it helps describe how real of a man Gatsby is compared to the rest of the people i n society. It shows how Gatsby is genuine, and isn't just an illusion like everybody else in society in the ass's was. Symbolism: The constant bringing up of â€Å"owl eyes† in the book is symbolizing wisdom.It symbolizes that Gatsby is a wise man. It also symbolizes for how Gatsby is blinded by assays beauty and for his love for her. Figurative Language: Owl eyes is used as a symbol in this quote, they come up often in the book. They symbolize for how Gatsby has a difficult time separating the ideal from the real. 6) â€Å"l hope she'll be a fool-?that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool†¦ You see, I think everything terrible anyhow†¦ And I know. I've been everywhere and seen everything and done everything. Importance: Daisy says this to Nick and Jordan, talking about how she hopes her daughter will turn out.Importance of this is that it shows that she lives in a time when Oman are not expected to be quite intelligent, she hopes t hat her daughter can be a â€Å"beautiful fool†. Woman in this era were expected to be docile. Importance to Character: This shows how she refers to the social values of her era, but does not challenge them. Instead Daisy describes her own boredom with life, and believes that a girl can have more fun in her time when she is beautiful and simplistic. Daisy conforms to the social standard of American femininity in the 1 dad's to avoid tension issues as her undying love for Gatsby.Figurative Language: This foreshadows on Tom having a mistress because Daisy is a fool. She has no idea that Tom has a mistress, so she herself is a â€Å"beautiful† fool. 7) ‘There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams-not through her own fault but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion. It had gone beyond her, beyond everything. He had thrown himself into it with a creative passion†¦ † Importance: The importance of this quo te is that it explains how Gatsby expected more out of Daisy then what she could give.He expected her to be the same Daisy that he had fallen in love with before the war, and he expected her to love only Gatsby and not Gatsby and Tom. Symbolism: This shows that Gatsby is that Daisy is the golden girl. A symbolic validation that his love for her makes him a real man, while to Daisy, Gatsby is symbolic of freedom and escape, everything that Daisy wants 8) â€Å"She was appalled by West Egg†¦ By its raw vigor that chafed†¦ And by the too obtrusive fate that herded it's inhabitants along a short-cut from nothing to nothing.She saw something awful in the very simplicity she failed to understand† Importance: This quote shows how Daisy is a judgmental character and does not understand what it is like to not have much money to upend. Daisy doesn't understand the amusement of new wealth partying crowd. Daisy grew up knowing that there must be a concrete difference between po or and rich. Daisy and Tom like the old traditional way of wealth, the status and reputation. They like the â€Å"classy' way of life, so when there is woman there asking to daisy to have a cold shower, she is disgusted that a woman would let herself get that drunk.Symbolism: This quote shows how Daisy loves Gatsby. Even though this party disgusted her and Tom, she still tries to defend Gatsby when Tom says something nasty about the party. She rises to explain that a lot of people who weren't invited must have came, and those were the people that are acting not appropriately. 9) â€Å"You ought to go away:' I said. â€Å"It's pretty certain thefts trace your car† â€Å"Go away now, old sport? â€Å"Go to Atlantic city for a week, or up to Montreal† He wouldn't consider it. He couldn't possibly leave Daisy until he knew what she was going to do.He was clutching at some last hope and couldn't bear to shake him free. † Importance: This quote shows that Gatsby is too hung up on Daisy that he can't leave without her. He believes himself to be so in love with her that e can't leave. Gatsby doesn't know that his life is at risk because Mr.. Wilson is running around the countryside trying to find the owner of the yellow car. Symbolism: This quote shows how Gatsby lives Off Of hope. It shows how hope is the only thing that is keeping him from loneliness, and from just giving up. 0) minis is a valley of ashes-?a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air. Occasionally a line of gray cars crawls along an invisible track, gives out a ghastly creak, and comes to rest, and immediately the ash-gray men swarm up with leaden spades and stir up an impenetrable cloud, which screens their obscure operations form your sight. Importance: The val ley of ashes is a dividing point between West egg and East egg, It is a division between two totally different life styles, West egg is a place full of people who are happy and searching for what to be, while East egg is full of people who are wealthy and spend money on whatever they like, while in the middle, is the valley of ashes. A place that is burnt down, nothing but grey from ashes, where it is filthy and dusty, and people are just getting by. Symbolism: The Valley of Ashes symbolizes for a place of death, of something dark.It symbolizes that dreams are left there, and that there is no hope there. The Valley of Ashes is a place where god sees everything, because of the large billboard with the dry in the large glasses on it. 1 1) â€Å"It makes me sad because Eve never seen such- beautiful shirts before† Importance: This quote shows you how Daisy is very materialistic. After seeing Gatsby mansion, and finally seeing his bedroom and the mount of money/things he ash, she becomes overwhelmed. Symbolism: The shirts symbolize for something of the bigger picture. They symbolize a rainbow, especially because it is raining outside.The shirts show her how Gatsby become wealthy for her to love him because he knows that she is materialistic, she starts sobbing because she knows she can never return the ardent love for him. 12) ‘They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together and let other people clean up the sees they had made† Importance: Tom is careless because he goes out and cheats on Daisy with myrtle, while Daisy is careless because she lets Tom go out and snoop.It makes you wonder how Gatsby received his endless amounts of money he seems to have. 4) â€Å"If it wasn't for the mist we could see your home across the bay†¦ You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of yo ur dock. † Importance: This quote shows how Gatsby is so in love with Daisy that he bought a house right across the bay from her, just so he could see the green light at the end of her dock. It's not quite enough for him, but its just enough to keep that hope their in Gatsby mind.Symbolism: The green light is a symbolic representation of Daisy, Which is everything that Gatsby desires. It shows how much he truly loves her. 15) ‘With every word she was drawing further and further into herself, so he eve that up, and only the dean dream fought on as the afternoon slipped away, trying to touch what was no longer tangible, struggling unhappily, UN- despairingly, toward the lost voice across the room† Importance: This quote shows how when Gatsby is speaking to Daisy, he realizes that she will never be his, the way that she was before.He realizes that he had lost her for good, and that she was never coming back again. Symbolism: This quote shows an illusion. It shows how Daisy was all a made up illusion in his mind, and he made her to be greater then what she actually was. Just like the American Dream, his hopes were crushed.