Access Restrictions to Social Security Death Index

Access Restrictions to Social Security Death Index The Social Security Death Master File, maintained by the US Social Security Administration (SSA), is a database of death records collected from a variety of sources used by the SSA to administer their programs. This includes death information collected from family members, funeral homes, financial institutions, postal authorities, States and other Federal agencies. The Social Security Death Master File is not a comprehensive record of all deaths in the United States- just a record of those deaths reported to the Social Security Administration. The SSA maintains two versions of the Death Master File (DMF): The  full file  contains all death records extracted from the SSA database, including death data received from the States, and is shared only with certain Federal and State agencies pursuant to section 205(r) of the Social Security Act.The  public file  (commonly referred to as the Social Security Death Index, or SSDI), as of 1 November 2011, does  not  include protected death records received from the States.   According to the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), which disseminates the Death Master File, â€Å"Section 205(r) of the Act prohibits SSA from disclosing state death records SSA receives through its contracts with the states, except in limited circumstances.† This change removed approximately  4.2 million of the 89 million deaths at that time contained in the public Death Master File (Social Security Death Index), and approximately 1 million fewer deaths are now added each year.  At the same time, the Social Security Agency also stopped including the decedent’s residential state and Zip code in the public file (SSDI). Why the Changes to the Public Social Security Death Index? The 2011 changes to the Social Security Death Index began with a  Scripps Howard News Service investigation in July 2011, that complained about individuals using Social Security Numbers for deceased individuals found online to commit tax and credit fraud. Large genealogy services which offered access to the Social Security Death Index were targeted as helping to perpetuate the fraud related to use of social security numbers for deceased individuals. In November 2011, GenealogyBank removed social security numbers from their free U.S. Social Security Death Index database, after two customers complained their privacy was violated when the Social Security Administration falsely listed them as deceased. In December 2011, following a petition sent to the five largest genealogy services who provided online access to the SSDI, by  U.S. Senators  Sherrod Brown  (D-Ohio),  Richard Blumenthal  (D-Connecticut),  Bill Nelson  (D-Florida) and  Richard J. Durbin  (D-Illinois), A ncestry.com removed all access to the popular, free version of the SSDI that had been hosted on RootsWeb.com for over a decade. They also removed social security numbers for individuals who died within the past 10 years  from the SSDI database hosted behind their membership wall on Ancestry.com,  due to sensitivities around the information in this database. The Senators December 2011 petition urged companies to remove and no longer post on your website deceased individuals Social Security numbers because they believe that the benefits provided by making the Death Master File readily available online are greatly outweighed by the costs of disclosing such personal information, and that ...given the other information available on your website full names, birth dates, death dates   Social Security numbers provide little benefit to individuals undertaking to learn about their familial history.  While the letter conceded that posting the Social Security numbers is not illegal under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), it also went on to point out that legality and propriety are not the same thing. Unfortunately, these 2011 restrictions werent the end of the changes to public access to the Social Security Death Index. Pursuant to law passed in December 2013 (Section 203 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013), access to information contained in the Social Security Administration’s Death Master File (DMF) is now limited for a three year period beginning on the date of an individual’s death to authorized users and recipients who qualify for certification. Genealogists and other individuals can no longer request copies of social security applications (SS-5) for individuals who have died within the past three years under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. Recent deaths are also not included in the SSDI until three years after the date of death. Where You Can Still Access the Social Security Death Index Online

Technology Essays (1863 words) - Digital Media, Free Essays

Technology Essays (1863 words) - Digital Media, Free Essays The technology which surrounds almost everyone in the modern society, affects both work and leisure activities. Technology contains information that many would rather it did not have. It influences minds in good and bad ways, and it allows people to share information which they would otherwise not be able to attain. Even if a person does not own a computer or have credit cards, there is information on a computer somewhere about everyone. The technology which is just now beginning to be manipulated and harnessed is affecting the minds of small children and adolescents in ways that could be harmful. It is affecting our immediate future. It also gives another form of communication and exchange of information which was not available before, information that is both good and bad. Technology is one of the principal driving forces of the future; it is transforming our lives and shaping our future at rates unprecedented in history, with profound implications which we can't even begin to see or understand. Many different elements affect how satisfied we are with our lives. The impact of technology on these elements can change how safe, healthy and happy people feel. Throughout history, people have looked for better ways to meet their needs and to satisfy their expectations. Technology has improved the way people feed, clothe and shelter themselves. Technology has also changed other aspects of everyday life, such as health care, education, job satisfaction, and leisure time activities. People have used technology since they first chipped stone blades to improve their hunting. Yet some people call the current age the "Technological Age" because of society's dependence on technology. For the first time in human history, almost all the goods and services people use d epend on technology. Almost everyone believes that technology has made life easier and more comfortable and that it has enabled us to perform tasks that we could not do otherwise. A list of the benefits of technology would be very long indeed. However, as with almost everything we human beings have created, technology has a downside. There is, we might say, a dark side to technology. For openers, technology does not necessarily make life simpler; rather, it tends to make life more complicated. Nowadays, for example, nearly every discussion of the "wonderful power of technology to enrich our lives" mentions the cell phone. Certainly, the instant communication brought about by the telephone has been a boon. It was originally a rather simple device that anyone could learn to use in a matter of minutes, and we soon began using phones to make and receive phone calls, usually about matters of some consequence. Recently, however, we have enabled these devices to perform a ridiculous number of irrelevant functions. One needs a thirty-page booklet to learn how to use them. Anyone who enters a phone store today seeking a phone that simply sends and receives phone calls is likely to be looked upon as a refugee from the Dark Ages or from another planet. Furthermore, we have millions of people walking about or driving their cars while talking on cell phones, usually discussin g matters of no importance whatsover. If an alien civilization were to tap into our phone lines, its inhabitants would think that everyone on our planet was insane, and they wouldn't be far from wrong. In a sane world, would almost all of its inhabitants carry complex, multifunction gadgets that are used primarily to engage in trivial chatter and use them in ways that are socially annoying and unsafe? Another example of the complexity of modern technology is the computer. Again, nobody can deny that computers have enabled us to share information, process data, and perform numerous other tasks with speed and ease that, as recently as a generation ago, we would have thought impossible. Computer technology has been advancing so rapidly that new applications are discovered faster than anyone can keep pace and that's a problem. Even the experts understand only a fraction of what these machines do (just ask an expert for help when a computer malfunctions). Although most users can and do master some of the basic operations, most computer owners cannot use many of the functions that are built into computer programs. Much

Modern leaders still use Machiavelli's The Prince approach to, Essay

Modern leaders still use Machiavelli's The Prince approach to, politics - Essay Example This classic of political science has retained its relevance down the five centuries it has survived to come down to us, and leaders of various reputes have been acquainted with it, and consciously or sub-consciously followed its principles. Modern leadership in the twentieth and twenty-first century are no exception, and examples of Machiavellian wisdom abound from Stalin and Hitler, to Ronald Reagan, Nixon and George Bush. One of the most striking pronouncements that Machiavelli made was absolutely revolutionary in terms of accepting facts as they are, and not what they ought to be or portrayed to be in traditional political philosophies. He claims to talk about what really goes on behind the corridors of power and what a political aspirant should basically learn in order to get to the top: Because how one ought to live is so far removed from how one lives that he who lets go of what is done for that which one ought to do sooner learns ruin than his own preservation: because a man who might want to make a show of goodness in all things necessarily comes to ruin among so many who are not good. Because of this it is necessary for a prince, wanting to maintain himself, to learn how to be able to be not good and to use this and not use it according to necessity.( Machiavelli, 1513) Joseph Stalin, a totalitarian leader was a self-confessed admirer of Machiavelli, and sought to maintain his supremacy through being "not good". He validated torture and oppression by plainly declaring that anyone who did not agree with him was in fact and "enemy of the state" and deserved to be punished as such: Stalin originated the concept "enemy of the people." This term automatically rendered it unnecessary that the ideological errors of a man or men engaged in a controversy be proven; this term made possible the usage of the most cruel repression, violating all norms of revolutionary legality, against anyone who in any way disagreed with Stalin, against those who were only suspected of hostile intent, against those who had bad reputations. ( Russian Institute-orgname, 1956) But on the other hand, Stalin brilliantly followed the other machiavellian concept of appearing to be very good, where Machiavelli strictly instructs a political aspirant to always appear totally benevolent, "A prince, therefore, must be very careful never to let anything slip from his lips which is not full of the five qualities mentioned above: he should appear, upon seeing and hearing him, to be all mercy, all faithfulness, all integrity, all kindness, all religion". Stalin really took care to create a myth around himself about being a caring humanitarian gentleman, despite actually being a merciless and manipulative despot: As brutal despots have learned throughout the centuries, and as Machiavelli counseled, Stalin could show himself to be a caring, even benevolent father figure. .....Even today, among some older Russians a strong nostalgia persists for "Uncle Joseph," a kindly, all-seeing, and all-caring man who never really existed but lives on that way in the myths that still surround him. (Dvoretsky, Fugate, 1997) Another devotee of Machiavelli was the infamous Hitler, the scourge of our modern times who deceived the Germans into believing their superiority as the

Perfect markets, do they exist Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Perfect markets, do they exist - Essay Example Fundamentally speaking, the three salient market situations are monopoly, oligopoly and perfect competition. A monopoly is a market situation characterized by a single seller, similar products and many buyers. In a monopoly, the seller commands a major influence over the price of the product. An oligopoly is a market system that has few firms, homogeneous products and multiple buyers. In an oligopolistic market, the products usually have high investment costs that make the entry of new players in the market utterly difficult if not impossible. Contrary to a monopoly or an oligopoly, perfect market is a system defined by very different set of parameters. According to Lim Chong Yah, "Perfect competition is a market situation where there is a large number of buyers and sellers, a homogeneous product, free entry of products into the industry, perfect knowledge amongst buyers and sellers of existing market conditions and free mobility of factors of production among alternative uses (1981)." The question that often attracts the attention of the students of economics is that is perfect market a pragmatic and observable reality. A thorough catechism on the given line of query necessarily calls for a basic understanding as to what a perfect market is. The essential features of a perfect market are: 1. Perfect Rationality - All the participants including the buyers and the sellers tend to be perfectly rational and economic men. 2. Large Number but Small Size of Buyers and Sellers - In a perfect market, the number of buyers and sellers is very large. However, the potential of the respective buyers and sellers is so small that none of them has a discernable influence over the demand, supply and price of the commodity being sold. 3. Homogeneous Products - A perfect market is usually associated with homogeneous products so that the buyers have no reason as to prefer the product being sold by any particular seller. 4. Perfect Knowledge - In a perfect market, all the buyers and sellers have a perfect knowledge of the price of the product prevailing in the market at a given time. Therefore, in a perfect market there exists no uncertainty as to the price of the commodity being sold. 5. Free Entry and Exit of Firms - In a perfect market, there exist no social, financial or legal restrictions hampering the entry of a new firm in the market or the exit of any old firm from the market. 6. Free from Checks - A perfect market is free from checks in the sense that the buyers and the sellers are free from all types of restrictions governing the buying and selling of a commodity in the market. Such checks may include government restrictions and agreements between the buyers and the sellers regarding the quantity, price or the production of a commodity. 7. Perfect Mobility - One basic assumption associated with a perfect market i

About FedEx and UPS and who has better financial health Essay

About FedEx and UPS and who has better financial health - Essay Example Both companies have negligible difference in paying off their creditors in AP turnover. Liquidity is the ability of the company to cover its operation and its obligations. In this aspect UPS fared better in the previous two years compared to FedEx (1.70 to 1.60, 1.96 to 1.70) indicating the financial stability of the company. It is supported by a better financial position with a cash ratio that higher than its liability compared to FedEx (.62 to .39, .57 to .48). This better financial position reflects in UPS higher oeperatoing cash flow ratio compared to FedEx (1.09 to .83 in 2011) indicating its ability to cover its operation and short term debts with its available cash. Ultimately, a company will be valued by its shareholder by its profitability or ability to give returns to its investors. In this aspect, UPS clearly dominated FedEx in all aspects of profitability that includes ROA (Return on Asset), Return on Equity (ROE) and Margin before interest and tax. Of the two companies, UPS is conclusively in a better financial position than FedEx. It is only in the efficiency aspect that FedEx came near UPS in terms of its financial position. With regard to financial vitality and profitability as indicated by liquidity and profitablity ratios, UPS was clearly ahead of FedEx. Its ratio on profitability which is many times over FedEx indicates the company’s ability to profit and give return to its shareholders and is the ultimate indication that it is a better company compared to FedEx . Moreover, UPS profitability is grounded on solid fiscal discipline indicated by its liquidity that it can cover its obligations and supported by its operational efficiency to generate sales with a very competitive (comparable to FedEx) use of its resources thus making it a better company in terms of its financial

Study of Effect Rollings Process

Study of Effect Rollings Process 1.1 Introduction Aluminum composites are favored building material for car, aviation and Due to the elite demands, another sort of, supposed, innovative materials which are utilized as a part of air ship, rocket or car industry, for high voltage electrical links, need a decent mix of properties underling statics with elements stacking. One gathering of materialls thats could meeting suches necessities were metallizing composites witches comprise metallics lattice (metalling or combination) strengthened whist hairs or directional lying arranged strands auxiliary phases [1]. Presently days with the cutting edge improvement need of advancements of cutting edge building materials for different designing applications continues expanding. for meeting suches requests metal framework composite is one of solid source. Composite material is one of the solid answers for such requirement [2]. Those were an extraordinary improvement of one classes of composites with aluminum combination lattice best as knowing samespasmodically strengtmhened aluminum materials (DRA). These materials comprise of aluminum compound network fortified on artistic particales [1]. Through the course of analysts in late decades to discover contrasting options to customary building materials and supplant it consolidates light weight mechanical and physical details that empower these Material s work in various conditions with high proficiency has been the utilization of composite materials with a metal base and strengthened by various types of high mechanical particulars material materials .Aluminum framework composites for these highest quality to weighting proportion, minimal effort and highest wears resistance are broadly fabricated , utilized as a part of auxiliary applications alongside aviation and vehicle industry. Additionally a Straight forward and financially savvy strategy for assembling of the composites is exceptionally fundamental for extending those applications. Fortifications likes particulates alumina, silicon carbide, graphite, fly fiery debris and so on†¦ can without much of a stretch be joined in the dissolve utilizing shabby and broadly available[2]. A Composite material is shaped when at least two materials are consolidated on a naturally visible scale, So that the properties of composite are distinctive (typically better) from those of the individual constituents. Lattice is the materiales works to tie the fortifying material together with a specific end goal to make a composite material that can convey loads or stresses [3]. Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) blends of pottery and metals (Primary Phase, for example, established carbides and different cermets that serves to Provides the mass type if parts on item made of the composite material, holding imbeddeds stage set up, generally encasing and regularly hiding it. At the point when a heap is connected, the lattice imparts the heap to the optional stage, now and again disfiguring so that the anxiety is basically conceived by the fortifying operator. While Reinforcings Phases (Secondaryes Phases) was the Functionfor fortify essential stage Imbeddeding stage is most generally one of the accompanying shapes, filaments, particles and Flakes [4]. Meaning of composite material, as indicated by Broutman and Krock, contained in publications [5] is as per the following: A composite material is shaped by a nearby blend of no less than two artificially and physically unmistakable materials which ought to stay isolated and particular while a decent and persistent interface between them is kept up; the strengthening segments in the entire volume of the lattice ought to be as uniform as could reasonably be expected. The vast majority of the Al-compounds utilized contain magnesium; this is on the grounds that lights, modest, financially practical possessesing great erosion resistances. utilization of TiC same a support offeres a highest softening points, to a great degree high hardness, is moderately reasonable and shows great wetting qualities by aluminum and its combinations [6] . The most critical prerequisite fluid metal to been drawing fired preform by capillaritys was wettings of the strongest substrates. fluid stage wets a strong when ÃŽ ¸b90 °. At the points where there is a decent wettings in a metal ceramic framework undeingr satisfactory states on temperatures. [6] Expansion highest modulus and high quality unmanageable molecule to the low malleable framework produces composite whose properties are in the middle of lattice and support. In this properties are enhanced by controlling the handling conditions, dispersion of support and relative sum, appropriate concoction organization, shape, estimate, etc.[7] Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) are routinely manufactured utilizing diverse procedures, for example, powder metallurgy, press throwing, semi-strong mixing process. Mix throwing is thought to be best technique to get ready substantial amount of composites because of its preparing straightforwardness, adaptability and low cost [8]. Whats more, the optional procedure is metal shaping and which are an imperative assembling operation. It appreciates mechanical significance amongst variousing productions operationes because of its points of interest, for example, cost adequacy, improved mechanical properties, adaptable operations, higher profitability, significant material sparing. Materials were changed over into completed items however extraordinary assembling forms. Producing procedures were grouped into molding [casting], framing, joining, covering, partitioning, machining of altering materials property [9].Rollingwas one of forming process knew of fourteenth century. Leonardo da Vinci for moving golds ,silverwasplanned the main moving plants in 1480. By around 1600, lead and tin was icy moved by physically moving plants. In Europe, press bars were moved forsheets on eighteenth centuries. Afterward, the present day moving began from 1783 when England issued patent for utilizing notched moves to create the iron bars [10]. Forces and deformations during the hot. (Typically, recrystallization temperattures to materials range from 0.5 Tm to 0.8 Tm, when Tm was melting temperatture on materiales) and cold metal forming depend upon mechanical properties of processed materials, which in their turn depend upon the nature (chemical composition, structure) of metal as well as upon the deformation conditions (temperature, degree and rate of deformation)[11].And finally the relay process can be considered as composite materials have many features including: Prodect costs wasreduce. Composites may be made by a wide wide for prodection [12], Increment in yield quality , rigidity at room temperature or more while keeping up the base flexibility or rather sturdiness, Increases in crawl resistance at higher temperatures contrasted with for traditional compounds, increment in weakness quality, particularly at higher temperatures, Improvement warm stun resistance, Improvement erosion resistances ,Greater resistance to chemicals and weathering (not rust). Increases in Youngs moduelus, Redueses of warm elongationing. lighting weightes, performances at higherest temperattures, highest strengthen, lowest densities , betters wears [13]. While the Disadvantages the reinforcement of metals as: Composite was most breakthan wrought metals whats more, subsequently were all most effortlessly harmed. Thrown metals additionally have a tendency been weak, change of their mechanical properties and physical properties faster than traditional materials under different conditions, Age shorter than the age of traditional materials and itsthermal resistance is still low (despite the existence of studies of the existing experience in this regard, it is enough to say that the introduction the space shuttle is made of material composed, which bear the bulk of the resulting,chemicals harmful to the environment often cannot be remanufactured and hard to get rid of them[12]. 1-2 Aim of the Research: The main aim of this work lies on: 1- research aims to study effect rollings process to resist wears tear to using differents proportions of formingat differenes temperatures to reach the best values were obtained from which good mechanicall propertiess. 2- researches aims to producing composite materials using alumminum alloyed by vortex techniques disperse TiC particales in the lattice of alloyed containing 4.5 Mg. 3- research aim to study effects TiC contents sizes on micarostructure, densities, haradness weasr resistances of Al-Mg lattice compoisites were fabricated using casting method, below specific of Tic. In this study, it was important to have a fundamental understanding of mechanism effect of forming on wears Resistances of Al-Mg composites. 1-3 Objective of the Research Titanium carbide (TiC) powdering was picked as fortification due to its higher haradness (near jewel) than traditional routinely utilized support, for examples, SiC, Al2O3,†¦ and so forth. Composites of TiC particaulates in alumminum combinations have been effectively created by throwing methods. It has been exhibited that critical changes in firmness, quality, weariness break proliferation, crawl quality, wears resistances were accomplished as contrasted unreinforced aluminum compounds. Furthermore, they can likewise be molded by customary metals working procedures, for example, expulsion, producing, rolling or super plastic framing into complex auxiliary parts. Thus, theywere economical to create contrasted other metal grid composite frameworks. The comparative reports of used the Tic particles as the reinforced material are not available. This research area is still vacant and scope for work in this particular field. The made for TiC as a reinforcements offered a highest meltings points, was relative yes shows great wet qualities by aluminum and its combinations. AlMg/tic composite has the advantages be so lights metallic. And to study the effect of weight percentage of titanium carbide on mechanical behavior of aluminum metal matrix composite. 1-4 Thesis Layout This thesis includes in addition to the foreground and objective search for another six seasons, where Chapter II deals with the private theoretical side Special matrix aluminum- magnesium and Phase Diagram and its properties behavioral her addition to the overlapping materials and their properties The third chapter deals with the scientific research of mineral compounds and the effect of the minutes and specifications on the characteristics of behavioral article basically deals Chapter IV configuration process on the cold and their properties as well as the way the casting and The fifth chapter deals with the practical part of the way that sample preparation and tests related to research and Chapter VI deals with the results of tests that were made and discussed and the seventh and last chapter deals with the most important conclusions and recommendations.

MTV :: essays research papers

Somewhat perversely, it might be expedient to begin by pointing out that this paper is not about the music video per se. There will be no close textual analysis of individual clips. Eminent pop philosopher Elvis Costello once said that "writing about music is like dancing about architecture. It's a really stupid thing to want to do" (quoted in Goodwin, 1993: 1). Conscious that 'accidents can happen", this paper is concerned with the institutional as opposed to the purely textual; with the processes of production and reception (although it should be noted that it is perhaps inevitable that such a consideration will touch upon the channel - if not the videos themselves - as "text" in its most socially-engaged sense). The focus here, then, is on those organisations which broadcast music videos, on Music Television (MTV) in particular, and on the possible impact of what has become a truly global phenomenon. There is a common perception that American products dominate the world's markets. Coke and Pepsi slug it out across continents. It would appear that there is no place on earth where one cannot purchase a Big Mac. In his book Superculture, Christopher Bigsby offers this assessment of America's global dominance: American corporations shape the physical and mental environment, influence the eating habits, define the leisure pursuits, produce TV programmes and movies: devise, in other words, the fact and fantasy of the late twentieth century (Bigsby, 1975: 4). The perceived threat of globalisation has prompted fears and resentments not dissimilar in temper and tone to those by-now familiar reactions to the threat of Americanisation. Globalisation is sometimes seen as a force that will erode or, worse still, dissolve cultural difference and variety. Yet, the presence and pervasiveness of American-made goods does not necessarily signal the death of the local, regional or national. As Frederic Jameson notes, late modern or postmodern capitalism has led to a more disorganised set of relationships between trading nations. Thus, it is one of the characteristics of the dreaded "P"-concept - postmodernism or, perhaps more accurately, postmodernity - that it leads to uncertainty and paradox, as opposed to certainty and confidence. As a kind of postmodern capitalism, globalisation reflects this. For with it, the act of cultural transfer becomes more problematic, the flow of goods and ideas so much more difficult to "police". Economically, globalisation refers to a shift in capitalist practice. Today's multi- nationals talk of "global marketing strategies" and securing a "global market share" - corporate- speak which alludes to a kind of capitalism sans frontieres. MTV :: essays research papers Somewhat perversely, it might be expedient to begin by pointing out that this paper is not about the music video per se. There will be no close textual analysis of individual clips. Eminent pop philosopher Elvis Costello once said that "writing about music is like dancing about architecture. It's a really stupid thing to want to do" (quoted in Goodwin, 1993: 1). Conscious that 'accidents can happen", this paper is concerned with the institutional as opposed to the purely textual; with the processes of production and reception (although it should be noted that it is perhaps inevitable that such a consideration will touch upon the channel - if not the videos themselves - as "text" in its most socially-engaged sense). The focus here, then, is on those organisations which broadcast music videos, on Music Television (MTV) in particular, and on the possible impact of what has become a truly global phenomenon. There is a common perception that American products dominate the world's markets. Coke and Pepsi slug it out across continents. It would appear that there is no place on earth where one cannot purchase a Big Mac. In his book Superculture, Christopher Bigsby offers this assessment of America's global dominance: American corporations shape the physical and mental environment, influence the eating habits, define the leisure pursuits, produce TV programmes and movies: devise, in other words, the fact and fantasy of the late twentieth century (Bigsby, 1975: 4). The perceived threat of globalisation has prompted fears and resentments not dissimilar in temper and tone to those by-now familiar reactions to the threat of Americanisation. Globalisation is sometimes seen as a force that will erode or, worse still, dissolve cultural difference and variety. Yet, the presence and pervasiveness of American-made goods does not necessarily signal the death of the local, regional or national. As Frederic Jameson notes, late modern or postmodern capitalism has led to a more disorganised set of relationships between trading nations. Thus, it is one of the characteristics of the dreaded "P"-concept - postmodernism or, perhaps more accurately, postmodernity - that it leads to uncertainty and paradox, as opposed to certainty and confidence. As a kind of postmodern capitalism, globalisation reflects this. For with it, the act of cultural transfer becomes more problematic, the flow of goods and ideas so much more difficult to "police". Economically, globalisation refers to a shift in capitalist practice. Today's multi- nationals talk of "global marketing strategies" and securing a "global market share" - corporate- speak which alludes to a kind of capitalism sans frontieres.

Intrapersonal effectiveness

Definite aim, vision and repose are three attributes out of a long list that have been deemed â€Å"Qualities that make ordinary people extraordinary' Monsoon, M. C. And Hager, P , 2008). As a result, in this portfolio, I will conduct an indented analysis of my own interpersonal strengths and weaknesses in relation to those attributes that are likely to assist me in my perusal of success, and those attributes that are likely to assist me in my own career path as an investment banker.More specifically, I will be focusing on a reelection of my interpersonal effectiveness using the NEO ‘PIP measure of personality and associate these to my life experience. In conjunction to this, I also identify how I intend to build such attributes in regards to my career goals, which will be done in relation to the â€Å"SMART† criteria. 2. Interpersonal Effectiveness The definition of interpersonal effectiveness is given as ‘understanding yourself (and your goals, strengths, weakne sses, style and biases) and improving self-management skills, such as time management and stress management. (De Janis, Wood, Gotcha, Dodd & Schneider, 2006, p. 3). The detailed intricacies of interpersonal effectiveness will be cross examined through the use of the Big Five, a highly accurate hero based on the personality and performance of an individual. 2. 1 The Big Five An individuals personality can be defined as â€Å"the characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that make a person unique. It arises from within the individual and remains fairly consistent throughout life†, (Genera Cherry, 2014).Personality is commonly seen as being made up off number of attributes which can be defined as vast dimensions on which people vary, such as conscientiousness. Knowing which category we fit into in regards to major personality traits is likely to aid us in our pursuit to reach our personal and professional goals. Many contemporary personality psychologists beli eve that there are five basic dimensions of personality, often referred to as the â€Å"Big five† personality traits.The five broad personality traits described by the theory are extroversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neurotics, (Genera Cherry, 2014). It has been observed over time that certain personality traits can result in greater success in life on both a personal and professional level. In relation to investment banking, personality traits such as being resilient, charming and flexible have all been shown to align with 2. Analysis and reflection of results My personality test scores (see Table 1 below) show that I am high in extroversion and conscientiousness but low in Neurotics.This result labels me as an individual whose traits include characteristics such as excitability, sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness and high amounts of emotional expressiveness in the extroversion category, and high levels of thoughtfulness, with good impulse cont rol and goal- directed behaviors in the conscientiousness (Costa & McCrae, 1999). From both my personal and professional experience, I can see a strong connection between the rats of a extroversion and conscientiousness individual and myself.In the past I have been regarded as social and assertive (almost overpowering), but also a friend who is willing to help others solve their personal problems, all of which are characteristics of extroversion and conscientiousness. In terms of neurotics, I also feel as if the low score was an accurate scaling for me as I am a very positive young member of society who is blessed with the opportunities and success that life has presented me with so far. Table 1.NEO-PIP Results Dimension My score Neurotics 15/50 Extroversion 43/50 Openness to Experience 9/50 Agreeableness 27/50 Conscientiousness 35/50 that I do poses extroversion qualities which will help me in my pursuit to become a successful investment banker, but I also poses qualities such as c ompassion and thoughtfulness which might pull me back, (Sarah Butcher, 2013). Investment banking can be a cut throat industry where your personal decisions can determine the future of hundreds of peoples Jobs. If I let my conscientious traits get in the way of the bigger picture, I might not be able to perform at the top of the league.Although it might be perceived as a negative attribute, it is possible that to be successful in my reflections career, I need to learn to be less compassionate and let situations take on there natural course without trying to fix them myself. I plan on doing this by goal setting using the SMART criteria, and Kola's experiential learning theory. 2. 3 Goal setting My personal goal is to improve on the core elements of the trait â€Å"conscientiousness†, but rather than trying to increase my depth in this field, I intend to decrease my score on the NEO ‘PIP test over a period of twelve months.By doing so I will score low in all traits except Extroversion, which is where I need to be to excel and match the resonantly of a successful investment banker. By using SMART goals and experiential learning theory (Kola, 1984), I believe that I can set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely goal of decreasing my conscientiousness to a score of below 25 on the NEO ‘PIP test. I aim on doing this by actively implementing a reflective learning method that will decrease amounts of sympathy, compassion and the need to solve issues that don't directly affect me.I will implement this plan using Kola's experiential learning theory (Salesman, C. K. , & Rider, E. A. (2008). This involves; 1. Understanding the importance f emotional intelligence in all aspects of life. 1. 1 . Self-awareness: Understanding and mastering my own emotions and being aware of their origins. 1. 2. Self- management: knowing my boundaries, only get involved in situations that will directly affect my personal and professional performance. 1. 3. Soc ial awareness: Becoming familiar with recognizing hierarchy within groups and knowing when to take control of a situation. . 4. Relationship management: Learning the ability to become unanimously liked by social groups, manage conflict, inspire and influence people to communicate clearly. 2. Join a real work group in a study area with a clear performance goal. 3. Incorporating communication strategies in the first group meeting, including 3. 1 Not blindly rejecting opinions or options that seem weak or lack creativity. 3. 2 Not forcing my ideas onto others, use â€Å"l suggest† or â€Å"l propose†. 4.Examining my behavior and performance by creating a reflective Journal at the end of each meeting, and seek constructive criticism to enhance my learning procedure and gain a higher understanding of the impression I leave behind. 5. Reflecting on my overall performance of the process and repeating all steps in a second work rope if necessary. Throughout this portfolio, I h ave reflected on my interpersonal attributes, and have set specific SMART goals to solve the primary imperfection identified (higher levels of conscientiousness than needed for an investment banker).First, I assessed my interpersonal effectiveness through the use of the Big Five model of personality. Second, I evaluated the likely implications of these attribute scores for both my personal and my professional success. Third, I identified one detailed SMART goal, which focused on decreasing my empathy, compassion and need to resolve issues hat don't directly affect me, and provided a detailed outline to show how I intend to meet this goal.In conclusion, I believe that although decreasing my conscientiousness might mean that I come across as a slightly less caring person, in the long run it will help me achieve my professional goal of becoming a successful investment banker.

Gendering Childhood Essay

Toy stores are places where the gender of different children is being shaped – be it femininity, masculinity or gender-neutrality – according to the current ideas of society and culture about gender. It is therefore evident that toy stores are actually catalysts to the ongoing ideas about a certain kind of gender. In terms of gender-neutral toys, toy stores can be seen as a channel for interaction or equality between the sexes, although this is only seen some of the toys intended for toddlers and teens, and the toys that are digital/computer-based such as educational toys and consoles. In most toy stores, there are clear divisions and may even be separated and placed on opposite ends of the store. There are also sections where it is not clear whether or not the intention is for either gender. The toy stores are also divided depending on the age of those who are going to buy them. Usually, the age is progressive as one goes deeper into the store from the most simple of dolls and balls for one-year olds to the complex digital, computerized toys that can span from the age of seven and up. Looking at the store itself, the general theme of a certain section can actually point to whether or not the section is intended for boys, girls or neither gender. It is seen in many ways including the color scheme of the section, the featured toys and, sometimes, even the salespersons manning the section. However, the toy stores aren’t explicit in their customers in terms of labeling a section either for boys or for girls. Most of the signs in the sections are only implicit in the themes that they take. Gender neutral sections are often filled with toys that are educational and electronic gadgets. Also, gender neutral sections often have neutral colors such as white and silver as opposed to the gendered colors of pink and blue. They are also often seen in the middle of the gendered section. In terms of packaging, some of the toys are explicit in their intended customers by showing either boys or girls playing with the toys they are selling printed on the boxes. Gender neutral toys are often printed with both a girl and a boy on the cover, cooperating or looking very intrigued as they play or tinker with the toys. Other gender-neutral toys have neither child involved but only a feature of the product without any action that denotes the culture’s (in this case, America’s) notion of femininity or masculinity. The colors are neutral – often just a white background – and does not feature any actions that could be seen as either soft (feminine) or hard (masculine). A gendered toy’s packaging, on the other hand, has an implicit message conveyed on the box. Action, competition, adrenaline, and the macho effect are often portrayed in the boxes of boys’ toys in the boys’ section. On the girls’ section, flowers, happy homes, cute and sexy themes seem to dominate the shelves; often, older themes of make-up and fashion are being made as toys, as if pushing for girls to be women at a younger age. Going further into the connection of age and gendered toys, there seems to be a pattern concerning gendering them with respect to age. This is not to say, however, that other toys that don’t fall into these two categories are not gender neutral. There are also toys, most belonging to sports, which are gender-neutral. Toddlers usually have gender neutral toys intended for two things. The first involves amusement in the form of dolls and other soft items that they can chew on, throw, fall on and hit without causing them any harm or danger. Some of these toys may be gendered but many of them are not. The second is to educate them. These educational toys are completely gender-neutral as toy-makers consider the minds of either sex of the children as capable of processing basic information that they should learn, such as knowing what a cow is and what sounds they make. And since toys are not exactly limited to children, some toys that can have adults as audiences as well, such as game consoles and sports-oriented toys, are gender-neutral and are only gendered when it comes to the accessories and other things that they append to these toys. Some examples include the game cartridges. Because of gendering of the majority of toys in the formative years of the child, the idea of femininity and masculinity are instilled in society in an ongoing cycle. The current society’s ideal of masculinity are seen instilled in children in the early stages, dictating and instilling ideas on how girls and boys should be and how they should grow up to be. This forces them to conform to society’s current ideas of them aside from possible biological and other external influences that dictate children from their earliest years. Although gender preference may change in the later years, the influence of toys given to children – even if it is â€Å"feminine† toys given to boys – is a factor in how these children grow up to be.

Free Essays on Methadone

Methadone-A Treatment? Methadone is a synthetic opiate. It was first synthesized by a German chemist during World War II and used as an analgesic. Methadone produces almost identical effects of that of morphine, but chemically they are very different. Methadone is used as a detoxification treatment for heroin addicts. It is also used to manage pain in cancer patients. Methadone belongs in the drug family opiates. It is grouped with such drugs as opium, morphine, codeine, and heroin. Opiates date back more than 3,000 years. Papyrus of Thebes, one of our earliest written records, gave instructions for the use of opium in the treatment of pain. (Hutchings, 1992) Opiates come from the milky juice of the poppy plant, in fact, the word opium comes from the Greek word for vegetable juice. Traces of poppy juice being used to alleviate pain can be found back to the third century B.C. By the 16th century though, the medicinal uses of opium were widely known across Europe. It was even written in 1680 â€Å"Among the remedies which it has pleased almighty God to give to man to relieve his suffering, none so universal and so efficacious as opium.† (Hutchings, 1992) During the 1800’s opium was so readily available it could even be purchased at the local grocery stores. Due to death rates increasing due to opium use, and rising drug-related crime rates, restrictions were implemented on the sale and use of opium in England in 1868. During the 19th century the United States caught on and they started importing opium for use as an aspirin. Physicians openly distribute the drug. You could also purchase opium in the grocery store, general, pharmacies, and even mail order. Many over-the-counter medicines, from teething medicines, to painkillers, could be purchased that contained opium. During the mid to late 19th century opium was very common. Opium dens, places where people would go, usually locat... Free Essays on Methadone Free Essays on Methadone Methadone-A Treatment? Methadone is a synthetic opiate. It was first synthesized by a German chemist during World War II and used as an analgesic. Methadone produces almost identical effects of that of morphine, but chemically they are very different. Methadone is used as a detoxification treatment for heroin addicts. It is also used to manage pain in cancer patients. Methadone belongs in the drug family opiates. It is grouped with such drugs as opium, morphine, codeine, and heroin. Opiates date back more than 3,000 years. Papyrus of Thebes, one of our earliest written records, gave instructions for the use of opium in the treatment of pain. (Hutchings, 1992) Opiates come from the milky juice of the poppy plant, in fact, the word opium comes from the Greek word for vegetable juice. Traces of poppy juice being used to alleviate pain can be found back to the third century B.C. By the 16th century though, the medicinal uses of opium were widely known across Europe. It was even written in 1680 â€Å"Among the remedies which it has pleased almighty God to give to man to relieve his suffering, none so universal and so efficacious as opium.† (Hutchings, 1992) During the 1800’s opium was so readily available it could even be purchased at the local grocery stores. Due to death rates increasing due to opium use, and rising drug-related crime rates, restrictions were implemented on the sale and use of opium in England in 1868. During the 19th century the United States caught on and they started importing opium for use as an aspirin. Physicians openly distribute the drug. You could also purchase opium in the grocery store, general, pharmacies, and even mail order. Many over-the-counter medicines, from teething medicines, to painkillers, could be purchased that contained opium. During the mid to late 19th century opium was very common. Opium dens, places where people would go, usually locat...

Immunizations are safe for children Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Immunizations are safe for children - Essay Example Going by the first definition of safety, there is no immunization that is safe. According to Baggs, Gee, Lewis et al. (2011), in vaccines are generally safe and effective even though they may be associated with rare and long term adverse effects. Apart from these potential long term effects, a majority of them cause pain, tenderness or even redness during injection. For instant the pertussis (or whooping cough) vaccine can cause persistent, inconsolable crying, high fever or seizures connected to fever. Though some of these side effects can be severe, they are not permanent (Offit 2013). In real sense, no activity in this world is 100 percent safe, and most of the things considered safe do possess hidden danger. For instance in the United States, 350 people die from shower or bathroom related accidents, 200 people get killed due to food getting stuck in the wind pipe and 100 people die due to lightening strikes every year (Offit 2013). Despite these risks, very few people consider taking a bath, eating food or walking outside in the rain as dangerous activities (Offit 2013). The other definition of safety is hinged upon preserving from real danger. Going by this definition, the danger (infection or disease) is leads to a graver consequence as compared to the protective measure (vaccine) against the danger. In other words, the benefits of having an immunization are clearly greater than the risks of not having one (Offit 2013). Baggs, Gee, Lewis et al. (2011) note that the safety of vaccines is assured by the rigorous assessments they are subjected to during their pre -licensing clinical trials. To better examine the safety of immunization for children, benefits of immunization must be looked into. One of the best ways to protect children is through immunization as this has the ability to protect their lives against ailments that are associated

Air pollution of fracking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Air pollution of fracking - Essay Example In this essay, we shall discuss the documentary and the changes that have occurred since its production in 2010. ‘Gasland’ is an American documentary film produced in 2010 by Josh Fox to educate and enlighten communities in the United States of America on the impact of natural gas drilling especially horizontal drilling otherwise known as fracking. Fox starts the movie with narrating how he received a letter in May 2008 requesting him to lease his family land in Pennsylvania for $ 100, 000 to drill for gas, a claim that Energy In Depth later refuted arguing that it did not offer anyone money to lease his land for drilling gas. Fox goes to the west where the process of mining natural gas through fracking has been for the last 10 years. He engaged and stayed with the residents as they narrated their stories and experiences of natural gas drilling in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Texas among other several states, he talked with residents of those areas who had developed chron ic ailments that can be directly traced to contaminated air quality and pollution of water wells and surface. Fox goes ahead to show how some of the residents who have been affected by the negative effects of pollution from fracking have obtained court injunctions and settlements in terms of money from the gas mining companies in order to replace the water supplies that have been affected with safe drinking water or portable water purification kits. In his documentary, Josh Fox tries to reach out to the scientists, politicians and executives and all stakeholders in the gas mining industry. In addition to congress sub-committee, which was tasked with discussing the ‘fracking responsibility and awareness of chemicals act’, which was intended to amend the ‘safe drinking water act’ to repeal the exemption of hydraulic fracturing from safe drinking water act. Since 2010, a lot of changes have happened in the gas mining industry with relation to the process of mi ning that uses hydraulic fracturing. despite the concerns that have been raised over the pollution levels of the process, the number of gas wells that are being sunk have been constantly increasing with estimations putting that there are at least 35 wells that are being drilled daily for the last one decade. This has been largely contributed by the federal government’s laxity to enact federal laws that regulate the use of hydraulic fracturing in mining gas. In 2012, more than 30 million cubic feet of natural gas were drilled, which signified about 25 per cent, increase since the year 2006 (Anonymous, 13). Most of the proponents of the process have argued that the process of hydraulic fracturing could help the country become energy independent by the year 2020 and supply the country with relatively cheap and clean energy for the next 90 years. In addition, the states that have been using hydraulic fracturing to mine natural gas have been able to create recession resistant econ omies that have withered the economic storm that had swept the country in the last 5 years. However, despite these benefits, people living within the areas that these mining companies operate have always complained about the noise and air pollution that include odours that comes from these companies. The environmental protection agency study in 2011, which tested water and air in Wyoming where