German Writers Every German Learner Should Know

German Writers Every German Learner Should Know What is it that your German teacher always says? If you can’t speak, then read, read and read! Reading will help you tremendously in improving your language skills. And once you are able to read some of the great writers of German literature, you will understand German thought and culture more in depth. In my opinion, reading a translated work never equals the original in the language it was written in. Here are a few German writers that have been translated in numerous languages and that have influenced people all over the world. Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller (1759-1805) Schiller was one of the most influential German poets of the Sturm und Drang era. He ranks high up in German people’s eyes, alongside with Goethe. There’s even a monument depicting them side by side in Weimar. Schiller was successful in his writing from his very first publication on - Die Ruber (The Robbers) was a play written while he was at a military academy and quickly became renowed thoughout Europe. Initially Schiller had first studied to become a pastor, then became a regimental doctor for a short period, before finally devoting himself to writing and teaching as a professor of history and philosophy at the University of Jena. Later moving to Weimar, he founded with Goethe Das Weimar Theater, a leading theatre company at the time. Schiller became part of a German Enlightment period, die Weimarer Klassik (the Weimar Classism), later on in his life, of which also famous writers such as Goethe, Herder and Wielandt were a part. They wrote and philosiphized about aesthetics and ethics, Schiller having penned an influential work entitled ÃÅ"ber die sthetische Erziehung des Menschen On the Aesthetic Education of Man. Beethoven famously set Schillers poem Ode to Joy in his ninth symphony.   Gnther Grass (1927) Gunter Grass is one of Germany’s most notable writers currently living, whose work has garnered him a Nobel Prize of Literature. His most renowned work is his Danzig Trilogy Die Blechtrommel (The Tindrum), Katz und Maus (Cat and Mouse), Hundejahre (Dog Years), as well as his most recent one Im Krebsgang (Crabwalk). Born in the Free City of Danzig Grass has worn many hats: he’s been also a sculptor, graphic artist and illustrator. Further, throughout his life, Grass has always been outspoken about European political affairs, receiving the2012 European of the Year award from the European Movement Denmark . In 2006 Grass has received much attention from the media involving his participation in the Waffen SS as a teenager. He has also recently voiced his disapproval of facebook and other social media, stating that â€Å"anybody who has 500 friends, has no friends.† Wilhelm Busch (1832-1908) Wilhelm Busch is known as a pioneer of the comic strip, due to his caricature drawings that accompanied his verse. Among his most popular works are Max and Moritz, a children’s classic that recount the mischievous pranks of the aforesaid boys, a ballad that is often read and dramatized in German schools.Most of Busch’s works are a satirical spin on practically everything in society! His works were often a parody of double standards. He poked fun at the ignorance of the poor, the snobbery of the rich, and in particular, the pomposity of clergymen. Busch was anti-Catholic and some of his works greatly reflected this . Scenes such as in Die fromme Helene, where it is hinted that the married Helene had an affair with a clergy man or the scene in Der Heilige Antonius von Padua where the catholic Saint Antonius is being seduced by the devil clad in ballet attire made these works by Busch both popular and offensive. Due to such and similar scenes, the book Der Heilige Antonius von Padua was banned from Austria until 1902. Heinrich Heine (1797-1856) Heinrich Heine was one of the most influential German poets in the 19th century that German authorities tried to suppress because of his radical political views. He is also known for his lyrical prose which was set to music of classical greats such as Schumann, Schubert and Mendelssohn in the form of Lieder form. Heinrich Heine, a jew by birth, was born in Dà ¼sseldorf, Germany and was known as Harry until he converted to Christianity when he was in his twenties. In his work, Heine often ridiculed sappy romanticism and over exuberant portrayals of nature. Though Heine loved his German roots, he often critiqued Germanys contrasting sense of nationalism.

Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning After reading her poems for the first time, Robert wrote to her: I love your verses with all my heart, dear Miss Barrett- I do, as I say, love these verses with all my heart. With that first meeting of hearts and minds, a love affair would blossom between the two. Elizabeth told Mrs. Martin that she was getting deeper and deeper into correspondence with Robert Browning, poet, and mystic; and we are growing to be the truest of friends. During the 20 months of their courtship, the couple exchanged nearly 600 letters. But what is love without obstacles and hardships? As Frederic Kenyon writes, Mr. Browning knew that he was asking to be allowed to take charge of an invalids life- believed indeed that she was even worse than was really the case, and that she was hopelessly incapacitated from ever standing on her feet- -but was sure enough of his love to regard that as no obstacle. The Bonds of Marriage Their subsequent marriage was a secret matter, taking place on September 12, 1846, at Marylebone Church. Most of her family members eventually accepted the match, but her father disowned her, would not open her letters, and refused to see her. Elizabeth stood by her husband, and she credited him with  saving her life. She wrote to Mrs. Martin: I admire such qualities as he has- fortitude, integrity. I loved him for his courage in adverse circumstances which were yet felt by him more literally than I could feel them. Always he has had the greatest power over my heart because I am of those weak women who reverence strong men. Out of their courtship and those early days of marriage came an outpouring of poetic expression. Elizabeth finally gave her little packet of sonnets to her husband, who could not keep them to himself. I dared not, he said, reserve to myself the finest sonnets written in any language since Shakespeares. The collection finally appeared in 1850 as Sonnets from the Portuguese. Kenyon writes, With the single exception of Rossetti, no modern English poet has written of love with such genius, such beauty, and such sincerity, as the two who gave the most beautiful example of it in their own lives. The Brownings lived in Italy for the next 15 years of their lives, until Elizabeth died in Roberts arms on June 29, 1861. It was while they were living there in Italy that they both wrote some of their most memorable poems. Love Letters The romance between Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett is legendary. Heres the first letter that Robert Browning sent to Elizabeth, who would eventually become his wife.   January 10th, 1845New Cross, Hatcham, SurreyI love your verses with all my heart, dear Miss Barrett,and this is no off-hand complimentary letter that I shall write,whatever else, no prompt matter-of-course recognition of your genius and there a graceful and natural end of the thing: since the day last week when I first read your poems, I quite laugh to remember how I have been turning again in my mind what I should be able to tell you of their effect upon mefor in the first flush of delight I  thought  I would this once get out of my habit of purely passive enjoyment, when I do really enjoy, and thoroughly justify my admirationperhaps even, as a loyal fellow-craftsman should, try and find fault and do you some little good to be proud of herafter!but nothing comes of it allso into me has it gone, and part of me has it become, this great living poetry of yours, not a flower of which but took root and grew... oh, how different that is from lying to be dried and pressed flat and priz ed highly and put in a book with a proper account at bottom, and shut up and put away... and the book called a Flora, besides! After all, I need not give up the thought of doing that, too, in time; because even now, talking with whoever is worthy, I can give reason for my faith in one and another excellence, the fresh strange music, the affluent language, the exquisite pathos and true new brave thoughtbut in this addressing myself to you, your own self, and for the first time, my feeling rises  altogether. I do, as I say, love these Books with all my heart and I love you too: do you know I was once seeing you? Mr. Kenyon said to me one morning would you like to see Miss Barrett?then he went to announce me,then he returned... you were too unwell and now it is years agoand I feel as at some  untoward  passage in my travelsas if I had been close, so close, to some  worlds wonder  in chapel on crypt,... only a screen to push and I might have entered but there was some slight ... so it now seems... slight and just-sufficient bar to  admission and the half-opened door shut, and I went home my thousands of miles, and the sight was never to be!Well, these Poems were to beand this true thankful joy and pride with which I feel myself. Yours ever faithfully Robert Browning

Personal reflective ( Critical perspectives in Global Management) Coursework

Personal reflective ( Critical perspectives in Global Management) - Coursework Example Volkswagen is a company that that had almost disappeared to obscurity in the early 1990s when Mr. Piech took over as the CEO, however through his leadership and management skills, the company has enjoyed sustained growth and development into the greatest European car manufacturer with expanded markets and a variety of products that respond to the needs of customers. The main issue here is that the former CEO Mr. Piech who has now retired upstairs to chair the supervisory board exhibited an authoritarian and autocratic form of leadership which is not characteristic of most modern organizations; as a result workers have little voice in the strategy and operations of the company. even though a new CEO in the shape of Mr. Bernd Pischetsieder has taken over, the main fear is that the former CEO has sufficient personal power to continue controlling most aspects of Volkwagen’s organization from outside, this raises fears of intransigence in terms of organizational operations. Obvious ly, most workers would like more space and ideological input in the operations of the company. ... Piech. It is clear that the former CEO appreciated discipline, authority, and unity of command with him being the major center of the last two. This indicates a distrust of other people’s leadership and a sense of authoritarianism. Max Weber’s bureaucracy also comes out clearly in the operations of Volkswagen with the former CEO appearing as a leader who ensured that every process and decision followed a clearly set path. This is clear in the fear that decision making will always be pushed upwards. Within the contingency theory, it is clear that Volkswagen under Peuch, was a company largely built around mechanistic structures characterized by centralization, strict division of labor, vertical communication, and low trust (Burns and Stalker, 1961). This is a system that current members of the organization fear will be continued under the new CEO, who has largely been groomed by the former CEO and that it will eventually be detrimental to the organization. There are a num ber of problems that can be identified in the Volkswagen case. The first and most clear of all is the problem around leadership and motivation. It is clear that although under the autocratic leadership of the former CEO the company flourished, many of the workers especially in the managerial level expected a new style of leadership synonymous with global trends that would afford them more input into the running of the company and its development to new heights. However, with the presence of the former CEO still looming large and the new CEO most likely to work under the guidance of Mr. Piech, distrust and lack of confidence has cropped up. This may affect morale and performance. On the face of it, the problem is intransigence, with organizational members having the feeling that things may

Social Systems Change as Possible Solution to Information Overload in Essay

Social Systems Change as Possible Solution to Information Overload in Organizations - Essay Example On a daily basis, the generated information can take an average person weeks or even months to ingest through reading, listening, or viewing (Becker, 2008). Information overload is undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges that the modern society has to grapple with especially with the rapid advancement of technology. The information overload does affect people not only at the individual level, but the impact has also penetrated into the corporate world where it is the current major enemy to the efficient production within many organizations. A lot of organizations claim that due to information overload, they have experienced decreased productivity and the general reduction in efficiency of many employees. Indeed, technology is the main cause of information overload as in the ancient days when technology was still low, the rate of information overload was relatively low as compared to modern times. This is because technology advancements generate more information to people, which ma y affect them negatively if not well managed (Becker, 2008). With many organizations suffering from the impact of information overload on their highly esteemed employees, a number of them have taken measures in order to deal with the menace in a rational and logical manner. It is only through organizations implementing radical changes in their social systems that they will be able to find both short-term and long-term solutions to the negative impacts of information overload. ... Therefore, organizations ought to implement changes in their social systems if they are to mitigate the effects of information overload (Strother, Ulijn, & Fazal, 2012). The Merits of Social Systems Change in Solving Information Overload Although the benefits that come with technological advancements are good to any organization or nation, the information overload that comes with technology is detrimental to both the personal and organizational growth. The negative impacts of information overload include reduced overall performance, fatigue, incompetence, laziness, forgetfulness, and the inability to make sound decisions especially during critical situations. This problem has gradually developed over time and is now the epidemic that troubles many corporates. Recognizing the fact that human beings are not the objects of information overload by rather the subjects, organizations should make overhauls that affect the operations of their employees. This is so, because no one can reverse technological advancements, but one can mold a human character to fit in given situations and circumstance in order to negate the effects of information overload (Strother, Ulijn, & Fazal, 2012). One of the major reasons why organizations should go for the social systems change in curbing information overload is that the impact of information overload is more or less social in nature. Some of the adverse effects of information overload include poor performance at work, increased health risks of the individuals, and breakdown or reduced vigor in social relationships. As seen, these effect rest directly upon the subjects of information overload as the object that include technology does not have a direct part to play, but it

Lord Liverpool’s Government Essay Example for Free

Lord Liverpool’s Government Essay Liverpool faced many economic and financial problems, as well as some political problems. Some of these problems included national debt, unemployment, wars with France and America and popular protest groups. Each of these factors also contributed to the popular unrest which occurred during this period. Liverpool was highly effective in defeating Napoleon and also in dealing with protest groups. Additionally he was also successful in bringing about some economic prosperity as well as reducing the deficit. However he was least effective in gaining the support of Prince Regent. Liverpool was most successful in winning the war with Napoleon in 1815. Liverpool had been the only person which had been able to defeat Napoleon to date which consequently made him seem unbeatable. During the war Napoleon implemented an ‘economic blockade’. In response the British tried to stop America from trading with certain countries, this hardened American opinion of the British and they now wanted independence. This eventually led to another war, however this was resolved in a few years. Liverpool’s military success led to him gaining much support and therefore strengthening his position. Liverpool was also successful – to an extent in restoring economic prosperity. The war had disrupted British trade and economy and it had also encouraged British economy to over specialise in war industries which resulted in inflation and rising prices. The Corn Laws which were implemented in 1815 caused bread prices to rise rapidly in the poor harvest of 1816; this angered many working class people and caused a lot of popular unrest, it also made Liverpool very unpopular, the corn laws benefited the upper classes. Additionally by 1815 Britain had and  £861 million national debt and the deficit had reached  £13 million. The income tax which had been imposed in 1799 and brought in  £15 million was defeated by 37 votes and abolished in March 1816. This meant that the government lost a substantial amount of revenue therefore worsening the economic state of the coun try. Further the end of the Napoleonic war in 1815 caused depression as the economy shifted from a war economy to a peacetime one. Liverpool’s government thought lower tariffs on imported goods would mean lower prices for costumers and therefore increasing demand and stimulating trade which would mean economic prosperity. Liverpool’s main source of revenue was the indirect tax. During this time the government was also under increasing pressure gain the support of the people as in the election of 1818 they had lost seats. The government was severely embarrassed over its handling of Peterloo, the spy system and the Queen Caroline Affair. Matters were only made worse by Castlereagh’s weak defence of the government position in each of the matters. The government was in deep embarrassment and on the verge of losing support from voters. As a response Liverpool shuffled the cabinet in 1822. Canning was appointed as foreign secretary. This was highly controversial and further cabinet changes took places. This was an attempt to make the restore the people’s faith in the government and Liverpool hoped to regain some credibility. This reshuffle provided the impression of change, however this was not really the case therefore it wasn’t particularly effective in solving any problems. There was also much radical threat in Britain at the time. During this time Liverpool did several things to try and suppress radical action: introduced the six acts, suspended the Habeas Corpus and the Seditions meeting act. Also people were transported and some were executed due to Luddite protests. These acts allowed the magistrates to take action necessary in order to prevent any action which seemed revolutionary. This made the government seems repressive and reactionary. This was also the first time any government had to deal with mass protest and therefore it could be said that perhaps for the experience they had, the government dealt with matters fairly effectively. Although there are perhaps better ways in which it could have been handled the government was somewhat effective in oppressing revolutionary protest. Liverpool was clearly most effective are regards military action – winning the war with Napoleon and also restoring the peace with America. As regards to the economic and financial problems Liverpool was somewhat successful in reducing the problem rather than getting rid of it.

Bias In Printmedia :: essays research papers

Print media provides its readers with information, but what the reader very often does not recognize is the bias within the articles. Bias is not so easily recognized. Writers have the gift to blend the bias in with their work. It is so well done, that in order to see the bias, one must thoroughly analyze the article. A person must also know what the types of bias are and how they are used. There are many different types of bias that are used in health related articles such as statistics and crowd counts, word choice and tone, and through omission. Print media demonstrates these types of bias in many articles.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One method of bias being used is print media is through statistics and crowd counts. A writer can manipulate the reader into thinking that the results are very high or very low in some cases. In The Toronto Star on October 23, 1999, the article â€Å" Pregnancy biggest threat to women, V.N. says† uses statistics to give an estimation, â€Å" an estimated 585,000 women do every year†. This article explains how pregnancy affects many women. By using this statistic, it gives the reader an approximation, but not an exact number. This is used to make the reader think that the statistic is very high. Another article in The Toronto Star, â€Å"Tamil health crisis probed†, on October 29, 1999,demostrates bias by saying, â€Å" At least 70,000 people†. The article is talking about the Tamil community and how 70,000 people have been affected, but it does not give the amount of people in that community. This type of bias is often used in print med ia to make an article more important than it is.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Bias through word choice and tone is often used in print media sources. By choosing specific words, the writer can easily influence the reader’s opinion about the article. Certain words give the reader a different meaning. In an article, â€Å"Health care to receive $3.8 billion injection†, in The Toronto Star, on October 22, 1999, the Governor, Hilary Weston, is reading a passage from a â€Å"throne speech† given by the government to introduce a Patient’s Bill of Rights. By using the word, throne, the writer suggests that the speech given is very important. During this speech, there is a â€Å"caucus chuckle† from a Liberal at the meeting. The writer uses caucus to indicate that it is more than a normal chuckle during an important speech.

New York and Nebraska

In this world no two places can be considered to be same. All the places have a certain amount of distinctness, a certain flavor and a very dominant persona. If we consider two places, New York and Nebraska, there are a lot of similarities and contrasts, as they are the states of a same country, i.e. United States of America. Both the states have discrete histories but have common grounds on the basis of European Settlers. Nebraska became officially part of United States of America only in 1812 after Missouri Treaty bill.   New York on the other hand was dominant by the point of British and it was an important place in terms of the revolution for Independence.Comparisons between New York and NebraskaNew York and Nebraska are both large states of America and have lot of importance to the country. Both the states being large on their own are blessed on natural terms. On the whole the two states have similarities on the basis of its large parks and greenery. Also both the states are b lessed with the amount of voluminous rivers flowing through them. Nebraska and New York have a very good base in agriculture and have large share of their economy dependent on agricultural products. On a religious point of view too, both the states comprising have similarities in terms that both have a maximum population of Christians than any other religions. The states also are very rich in its heritage and culture and the no. of museums both have are outstanding, as both the states have a view of protecting and highlighting their culture.Contrasts between New York and NebraskaFirstly the climate of both the states is very different, and their discreetness is so high that the state of Nebraska has in fact two climates in its region. The state is grossly divided between a humid climate and a steppe climate. Also the effect of Global warming though being everywhere in the world is marginally higher in Nebraska compared to New York. This is assessed by the following:‘Nebraska i s home to an incredible diversity of native wildlife species, including 346 birds, 83 mammals, 87fish, 47 reptiles and 13 amphibians. Rising temperatures in the state will likely change the makeup of entire ecosystems, forcing wildlife to shift their ranges or adapt. Global warming could contribute to a 20-50 percent decline in forested area, particularly in eastern Nebraska, where grasslands and savanna could replace forests and woodlands’.(Courtesy: Myra Wilensky, â€Å"Global warming and Nebraska†. Retrieved on May 4, 2008 from http://www.nwf.org/globalwarming/pdfs/Nebraska.pdf#search=%22%22global%20warming%22%2C%20Nebraska%22)Both the states have a massive difference in the terms of economy as the state of New York is one of the key finance providers of the nation compared to Nebraska. One of the major contrasting feature of the two states politically is Nebraska is a religious Republican follower while the state of New York is avidly a Democratic supporter.Conclus ionBoth the states have their own theories of running the economy and are well blessed with flora and fauna. The comparison between the two states assesses the fact that how much ever two places might be distinct or similar, both of them are unique in their own way.Reference:1)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Myra Wilensky, â€Å"Global warming and Nebraska†. http://www.nwf.org/globalwarming/pdfs/Nebraska.pdf#search=%22%22global%20warming%22%2C%20Nebraska%22 New York and Nebraska In this world no two places can be considered to be same. All the places have a certain amount of distinctness, a certain flavor and a very dominant persona. If we consider two places, New York and Nebraska, there are a lot of similarities and contrasts, as they are the states of a same country, i.e. United States of America. Both the states have discrete histories but have common grounds on the basis of European Settlers. Nebraska became officially part of United States of America only in 1812 after Missouri Treaty bill.   New York on the other hand was dominant by the point of British and it was an important place in terms of the revolution for Independence.Comparisons between New York and NebraskaNew York and Nebraska are both large states of America and have lot of importance to the country. Both the states being large on their own are blessed on natural terms. On the whole the two states have similarities on the basis of its large parks and greenery. Also both the states are b lessed with the amount of voluminous rivers flowing through them. Nebraska and New York have a very good base in agriculture and have large share of their economy dependent on agricultural products. On a religious point of view too, both the states comprising have similarities in terms that both have a maximum population of Christians than any other religions. The states also are very rich in its heritage and culture and the no. of museums both have are outstanding, as both the states have a view of protecting and highlighting their culture.Contrasts between New York and NebraskaFirstly the climate of both the states is very different, and their discreetness is so high that the state of Nebraska has in fact two climates in its region. The state is grossly divided between a humid climate and a steppe climate. Also the effect of Global warming though being everywhere in the world is marginally higher in Nebraska compared to New York. This is assessed by the following:‘Nebraska i s home to an incredible diversity of native wildlife species, including 346 birds, 83 mammals, 87fish, 47 reptiles and 13 amphibians. Rising temperatures in the state will likely change the makeup of entire ecosystems, forcing wildlife to shift their ranges or adapt. Global warming could contribute to a 20-50 percent decline in forested area, particularly in eastern Nebraska, where grasslands and savanna could replace forests and woodlands’.(Courtesy: Myra Wilensky, â€Å"Global warming and Nebraska†. Retrieved on May 4, 2008 from http://www.nwf.org/globalwarming/pdfs/Nebraska.pdf#search=%22%22global%20warming%22%2C%20Nebraska%22)Both the states have a massive difference in the terms of economy as the state of New York is one of the key finance providers of the nation compared to Nebraska. One of the major contrasting feature of the two states politically is Nebraska is a religious Republican follower while the state of New York is avidly a Democratic supporter.Conclus ionBoth the states have their own theories of running the economy and are well blessed with flora and fauna. The comparison between the two states assesses the fact that how much ever two places might be distinct or similar, both of them are unique in their own way.Reference:1)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Myra Wilensky, â€Å"Global warming and Nebraska†. http://www.nwf.org/globalwarming/pdfs/Nebraska.pdf#search=%22%22global%20warming%22%2C%20Nebraska%22

Ethics in Food Labeling and Packaging

Ethical Food Labeling and Packaging After seeing the ad on television or in the weekly grocer flyer, seeing the actual labeling on a product is what consumers have to make informed choices. What started out to be another form of advertising and last attempt to sell a product, food packaging and labeling has been regulated through the FDA and FD&C to require certain information. It was declared to be the policy of the Congress to assist consumers and manufacturers in reaching these goals in the marketing of consumer goods (Regulatory).Beyond giving the name of the food, net quantity of contents, name and address of manufacturer, statement of ingredients and nutrition information, a product can still be misleading beyond the principal display panels. Accurate and legally complete labels make sense from the standpoints of both ethics and good business (Scott par. 1). Consumers depend on product labels every day to make informed decisions when buying products and those misleading and dec eptive labels make it much more difficult to make good purchasing decisions.Proper labeling to provide the consumer with useful, factual information was the rationale for the original FDCA misbranding provisions, and that motivation has not changed in more than half a century (Committee). Label information can be used to mislead the consumer by providing untrue information or to exaggerate their products’ features. As an example, nutrient information claiming â€Å"low fat†, â€Å"100% natural† or â€Å"organic† have been used on products that left out pertinent information in supporting those claims.Unlike 100% Organic, Organic and Made with Organic Processes, which have tight regulations, the FDA has almost no regulations about the use of the word â€Å"natural†. The FDA has not developed a definition for use of the term natural or its derivatives, however the agency had not objected to the use of the term if the food does not contain added color , artificial flavors or synthetic substances (Committee).A product may contain a claim regarding company processes are green or environmentally friendly, however without the claim being associated to the actual business; consumers are left to think that the product itself lines up with the claim due to mislabeling. There are many cases that the packaging does not represent the actual product. For instance, the packaging of a certain product looks nice and attractive. However, when a consumer opens the package, the product does not look as good as it appears on the packaging.Common deceptive packaging tricks include encasing small products in large containers or decreasing the amount of the product in a box (Margaret). Manufacturers have downsized their product, yet kept the same price and closely the same package with a new net weight listed, looking very similar to the previously larger size on the shelves not too long ago (Sullivan). As long as the products didn’t falsely d o all the above and keep the net weight at the same amount, the manufacturer is abiding by the packaging and labeling act.Slack-filled packaging reveals packaging that looks empty or having less of the product than it could actually contain. Yet again, there are legitimate reasons as to why the consumer pays for air. Companies using same sized containers to sell different-sized products to save on packaging costs, added space helps air circulate, preserving freshness and other statements regarding why food items are not packed full can and have been justified (Sullivan).Sullivan maintains that ultimately the reason is to mislead consumers due to the perception that the larger the box, the better the deal. Concerns about environmental and ethical values are closely related. Customers are increasingly seeking to purchase products from companies that are taking care of our environment (Carbonfree). The Federal Trade Commission regulates environmental marketing claims so consumers can b e reasonably confident that any promises apply to most of the packaging or contents of the product and not to â€Å"minor, incidental components†(Margaret).Excessive paper or wrapping and the harms caused by non-biodegradable materials have become a hot topic and companies have realized the public is equally concerned about the ethics of packaging. Not only having safe and effective packaging equipment qualifies companies as being ethical, but the processes and working conditions of employees are under the microscope as well. As an example, a company that produces sugar can have the claim of being â€Å"Carbon Free†.For many consumers, this sounds good and well intentioned, however the claim is not directly for the product but instead meant for how the product was manufactured. Without statements tying the two together the general public will continue to be misled or misinformed. The claim of packaging made out of recycled material when only a small percentage of the c ontainer was indeed recycled is a continuation of product misrepresentation and manufacturers point to shoplifting as an explanation for packing items in difficult-to-open containers (Margaret).Margaret points out that even this issue leads to the environmental issues of how much energy is being expended to produce, ship and properly store the deceptively large packages. Certain food processes have been tolerated that go against what the product represented and are not mentioned on the food label itself. Within the food industry there isn’t a right to know what is in the food as well as the manufacturing processes. Andrews reported that processing aids are substances used to aid food production, which are not found at significant levels in the final product and have no â€Å"functional or technical effects† on the food. Lean finely textured beef† (LFTB) otherwise known as â€Å"Pink Slime† is produced by mashing and sterilizing beef scraps with ammonia. Ev en though a large portion of the burger patties produced, including McDonald’s up until recently, undergo the ammonia cleanse, there is no need to label it due to the FDA and USDA not requiring food makers to list processing aids on labels (Andrews). The Food Safety and Inspection Service have thirteen categories of processing aids used in the production of meat, poultry and eggs.Processing aids are defined as a material used to process the food, but having no intentional technical effect on the food itself and having the potential of trace levels to remain in the food after the manufacturing process (Magazine). Based on new government legislations, enhanced media coverage and sensationalism, increased company and personal responsibility and heightened consumer vigilance and demands, the growing global food industry is undergoing a new level of increased controls through new certifications, standards and moving towards global harmonization (Magazine).Consumers ought to break out their grocery calculators and see what gets the best bang for the buck instead of flashy packaging and wording that captures the â€Å"wants† instead of the â€Å"needs† of its consumer base. As Sullivan noted, compare unit prices provided on store shelves as this is the only way to compare a type of product with another. The best thing a consumer can do is vote with their food dollars and to vote smart. As regulations within food packaging and labeling get a closer look it is still up to the consumer to make the decisions best for them and their families.

Children face unique Health Risks Essays

Children face unique Health Risks Essays Children face unique Health Risks Paper Children face unique Health Risks Paper Essay Topic: Unique Because of their physiology, children face certain health risks that adults do not, and have been found to be particularly at risk to health dangers from exposure to pesticide residues in food. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, governmental agencies and independent organizations conducted studies on chemical pesticide toxicities. In 1996 the EPA began testing of all pesticides on the market to specifically determine their risk levels for children. Many pesticides have already been banned because of their propensity for causing cancer, birth defects, and neurological disorders in children and infants. Because there is conflicting information in the media about which chemicals are dangerous and to what degree, parents must be wise about the measures they take to protect their own children. Using only organically grown produce and refraining from the use of any pesticide products in ones own garden and lawn are two of the most important ways parents can protect their childre! n. Introduction Children face unique health risks because of their physiological differences with adults. Unfortunately, it is easy for adults to forget this fact. According to scientists Lawrie Mott of the Natural Resources Defense Council, pesticides are one of the five worst environmental threats to our nations children (Dumanoski, p. 46). Indeed, the recent increases in cases of childhood cancer (brain and leukemia are the most common forms in children), birth defects, and learning disorders are serious causes for alarm. Can any of these disorders be proven to be caused by pesticide residues? Of all health risks to children, pesticide use is certainly one that seems to have garnered much attention from researchers and the media. Unfortunately for consumers, there are so many conflicting opinions and information that it is difficult to determine the true dangers, how much of what will cause which medical problems? Children are exposed to so many dangers, such as falls and accidents, these are challenges that have a clear link between cause and effect (Partridge, p. 71). On the other hand, pesticide use does not. There are so many factors involved, including the thousands of chemical pesticides on the market, concentration levels of those pesticides, and the ages at which children are exposed to specific pesticides. There are no absolutes. Even the few chemicals that have been proven to cause health risks offer no definitive information about the severity of potential damage. It is most difficult to determine risk factors without human experimentation, and that is considered by many people to be unethical. Parents need assistance weeding through all the information available on pesticide dangers in order to determine how to protect their children. In recent years, many federal agencies and legislators, as well as nonprofit groups, have become involved in the issue. Actress and mother Meryl Streep and other Connecticut mothers founded Mothers Others for a Livable Planet in the late 1980s in response to the National Resources Defense Councils (NRDC) report Intolerable Risk: Pesticides in Our Childrens Food. The study examined data on the eating habits of American children and the pesticide levels in 27 different food crops, relating this information to rates of cancer and other diseases in children. Eight of the pesticides studied were found to be carcinogens. Scientists determined that a child was four times more likely to be exposed to these specific carcinogens as was an adult, because of the childs eating habits and the fact that the tolerance levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were based on someone with the body weight of an average grown man. This would mean that children could potentially be ingesting high enough levels of chemical pesticides to be harmful to their health. Because of Mothers Others and similar consumer organizations, public awareness of environmental toxins and synthetic growth hormones in our food has risen, and sales of organic food products have increased. The Intolerable Risks study reported that in some cases, depending upon the age of the child and other factors such as body mass, even brief exposures to certain toxins can cause damage to the development or function of an organ system. The report recommended that the EPA set new tolerance levels for pesticide use on food products, keeping in mind the differences between children and adults as well as health considerations. In response, the EPA announced in 1995 a new national health policy under which all future EPA risk assessments (such as those dealing with toxins in food) would consider threats to children and infants. One year later, Congress passed the Food Quality Protection Act, which stated that infants and children need additional protection against exposure to pesticides; it requires testing of all pesticides to determine their effects on children. Under this law, unless tests prove that there is reasonable certainty of no harm (Heubner and Chilton, PG), no pesticide residue is allowed on any food product. The EPA has estimated that it will take approximately 10 years to re-evaluate all of the tens of thousands of chemical pesticide compounds that are currently on the market. Even though pesticide companies have tested products on human volunteers for decades, the EPA will not utilize the findings of such studies in its determinations of legal pesticide limits (Reuters, PG). In 1996 the EPA released its Environmental Health Threats to Children report, which had several purposes. Among them was to provide recommendations for funding for comprehensive studies on environmental health risks to children. The agency recommended that research be done for the first time on the cumulative effects of exposure, rather than simply studying the possible effects of singular chemical exposures, as had historically been done. It makes sense. Most children are exposed to many more than one chemical by age five. The 1996 report affirmed that because children are still growing, children breathe more air, eat more food, and drink more liquids per body mass than do most adults. Furthermore, they are more vulnerable to toxin exposures because their organs and immune systems are still developing; this is especially true for infants. Likewise, infants are often exposed to things that older children arent because they crawl around on floors, tend to put objects into their mouths, and suck on thumbs or fingers that may have been exposed to toxins such as pesticides or other chemicals on grass, carpet, or in soil. Additionally, children consume more fruit, like grapes and apples; applesauce; and fruit juices than do adults. In 1997 the EPA conducted a conference on Preventable Causes of Cancer in children, in order to examine the possibility of a link between cancer in children and environmental toxins. Although death rates from cancer have decreased recently due to better treatment methods having been developed, the incidences of cancer in children have risen. It was determined that the incidence of cancer in children has increased since the 1970s from 12. 8 cases per 100 children to 13. 6 cases per 100. Cancer is the third leading causes of death in children between the ages of one and four, accounting for approximately eight percent of all deaths in that age group. In the five to 14 age group, the disease is the second leading cause of death, and accounts for approximately 12 percent of all deaths. About 1500 children die each year from various forms of cancer. Many pesticides have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals, and thus are dangerous to children. It is believed that leukemia, a cancer of the immune system, may be caused by toxic exposures to chemicals during pregnancy (Dumanoski, p. 48). As the childs immune system matures during the first two years of life, the leukemia develops. Many birth defects are also linked to pesticide residue. Birth defects account for about 11 percent of all deaths in the one to four age group, and about five percent of all deaths in the five to 14 age group. The link between pesticides and birth defects can be illustrated by a study by the University of Minnesota Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Pathology, which determined that the rates of genital and urinary tract birth defects in the children of Minnesota farmers and other families living in the states farming communities are particularly high where specific pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides are used. Researchers were stunned to discover that children conceived in the spring, when the use of these chemicals is higher than in any other season, tended to have higher rates of birth defects (Dumanoski, p. 47). Childrens brains and immune, endocrine, and reproductive systems take years to fully develop. The potential for infertility can occur with just a single exposure to a dangerous chemical. This can even occur through a chemicals passage from mother to infant in the womb. Over time, toxic substances a womans body has accumulated are stored in her fat cells. Therefore, even toxins she has been exposed to pre-pregnancy can cross the placenta to the fetus. In 1998 the U. S. Department of Agriculture performed tests on thousands of domestic and imported fruits and vegetables for pesticide residues. The produce samples used for the study consisted of a combination of fresh and processed items. The highest levels of residue were found in apples, cantaloupes, grapes, green beans, peaches, pears, spinach, strawberries, and winter squash. Pediatrician and author Philip J. Landrigan, M. D. is the director of the environmental risk study panel of the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D. C. His panel recently confirmed that pesticide testing does not take into account the special vulnerability (Joyce, PG) of children and infants. The panel has not determined that there is evidence of pesticides causing childhood diseases, only that there is a necessity for changing the way pesticides used on food crops are measured. According to Landrigan, less than half of the 75,000 synthetic chemicals now on the market have undergone testing for toxicity; of those that have, few of them have been tested specifically for toxicity in children (Dumanoski, p. 47). A long-time advocate of childrens health, Dr. Landrigan was recently instrumental in establishing a special EPA Office of Childrens Health Protection. As of June 2000, the nonprofit consumer advocacy group Consumers Union (publisher of Consumer Reports magazine has become involved in the pesticide issue, and has urged the federal government to require greater precautions in treating food crops with pesticides on behalf of Americas children. Consumers Union has reported that there are approximately 20 specific chemicals that are to blame for most of the toxic residues found in our food. One of these is chlorphyrifos, which the EPA has recently banned because of its potential for causing blurred vision, memory loss and other neurological deficiencies. Two of the most common brand names for chlorphyrifos are Dursban and Lorsban. These pesticides are commonly found in apples grown in New Zealand, grapes grown in Chile, tomatoes grown in Mexico, and soybeans grown in the United States. The chlorphyrifos products are among the most widely used pesticides (Hebert, PG), and they will likely stay on store shelves until the end of 2001. Its use has already been completely banned on fruits and vegetables, but will still be allowed on some grains and other crops. Another recently banned agricultural chemical is Captan, a fungicide that has been proven to be a carcinogen. Captan has been banned by the EPA for use on 42 different food crops. It is hoped that, as a result of the more intensive testing required by the 1996 food safety law, more of these dangerous chemical pesticides will be banned in the near future by the EPA. In a June 2000 report, the Consumers Union encouraged consumers to take special precautions in feeding fresh produce to their children, revealing that many pesticides banned by the EPA as far back as the 1970s are still showing up in some food products today. One of these is the chemical dieldrin, which remains in soil for long periods of time. The National Agricultural Chemicals Association has announced that it will take the recommendations of all the involved agencies and organizations very seriously, and will take whatever actions are necessary to make the food safety system in the United States better for children (Joyce, PG). Heubner and Chilton posit that some of the policies regarding food production could be more harmful than helpful by bringing about other risks. For example, reducing the amounts of pesticides used on fruits and vegetables has been proven to lower crop outputs. This means less food, a decreased variety of food, greater costs for farmers, higher prices for consumers, and a potential for increased rates of incidence of natural toxins and carcinogens. Indeed, many plants produce their own poisons to ward off insects and other pests. These can also be dangerous to human health, but it is only the man-made chemical pesticides that are currently being studied for their negative effects. Perhaps a better option is utilizing nonchemical synthetic pesticides that are less dangerous to our health. The infamous Intolerable Risks report did not discuss potential exposures to natural toxins, nor did it compare the risks of pesticides to the benefits of a varied and plentiful food supply (Heubner and Chilton, PG). Perhaps what this country needs is the ability to put environmental risks in context with other risks to childrens health. Certainly, environmental contaminants are not one of the top risks to the health of our children. Scientists are attributing childhood cancer, birth defects, asthma, and other disorders to environmental toxins when there is sometimes no concrete and definitive proof. There are many other factors that could contribute to health problems in children, including poor diets, increased exposure to tobacco smoke, and poor prenatal care. All of these are lifestyle issues, and the lifestyles of American people can certainly be considered to be at least contributors to some childhood ailments. For example, approximately five million of the 15 million Americans who have asthma are children. Even though air quality is reported to have improved since 1970, asthma rates have doubled since that time. Asthma deaths have increased by 40 percent since 1982. These increased rates of incidence and death can be attributed, at least partially, to lifestyle changes. Children spend more time indoors than they used to, which exposes them to more tobacco smoke, cockroach allergens, and other indoor pollutants. The fact is, we dont know why asthma is becoming more prevalent†¦ (Heubner and Chilton, PG), but to blame it entirely on environmental toxins is hardly fair. The same could be true for cancer and birth defects. As a nation, perhaps we should spend less time worrying about environmental effects on children and more time dealing with social problems that are undeniable risks to children drugs, gunshot wounds, etc. There is so much conflicting information in the media about pesticide toxicity, that consumers have a difficult time determining what is the truth. For example, in 1989 the EPA called for a gradual phasing out of the user of Alar, the brand name of the Uniroyal Chemical Companys apple growth enhancement chemical daminozicle. Alar was used by apple orchards to regulate apple growth, so that farmers could harvest them all at once. Subsequent to the EPA action, a 60 Minutes segment on Alar use led to a nationwide boycott of apples, resulting in a complete withdrawal of Alar from the market. Alar had been pointed out in the Intolerable Risks report as a possible carcinogen. In fact, the NRDC determined that Alar was likely to cause at least one case of cancer in every 4,200 children under the age of five who were exposed to the chemical. In 1999, however, the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) determined that there has never been any scientific, definitive proof that Alar causes human disease, and that in order to develop any negative effects from Alar residue on apples, one would have to consumer gallons of juice made from apples grown with the chemical, per day, for a long period of days. Therefore, the risk is now thought to be minimal. With so much conflicting information available through both the media and governmental agencies, how can parents know how best to protect their children? Firstly, experts warn parents not to stop feeding their children fruits and vegetables. These foods contain important nutrients for growing bodies. There are several ways that parents can protect their children from pesticides in food. The consumer organization Environmental Working Group recommends that parents demand that their supermarkets carry fresh locally produced fruits and vegetables. Produce grown locally is less likely to have high exposure to chemicals, because they dont need preservatives to stay fresh for transport across the country. Other options include buying organic or pesticide-free produce, or growing ones own pesticide-free produce at home. All product should be carefully washed before being eaten. If a fruit or vegetable has a waxy buildup on the outside, it should either be peeled or washed with a drop of mild soap before being given to children. Children can also be exposed to pesticides while playing in their own backyards. The National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides suggests that parents avoid using chemical lawn products, and water their lawns less frequently but for longer periods of time. This practice will allow grass to grow stronger with the ability to crowd out weeds (Gould, p. 145). Not all of these suggestions will work for every familys lifestyle. Parents should review the available information and make informed decisions that make sense to them. Additionally, there are plenty of materials on the market that can offer further information to consumers on reducing their risks of pesticide exposure. Gould recommends the book Raising Children Toxic Free: How to Keep Your Child Safe From Lead, Asbestos, Pesticides and Other Environmental Hazards, by Herbert L. Needleman, M. D. and Philip J. Landrigan, M. D. Organizations such as the Childrens Environmental Health Network and the EPA offer free information on environmental health hazards to children. What about environmental issues besides pesticide use that can affect the health of Americas children? The EPA has pledged to consistently and explicitly consider children when assessing environmental hazards (Dumanoski, p. 51) in the future for example, hazards in air and water quality. Pesticide use is really only a drop in the bucket. American lifestyles are causing many of the medical problems suffered by children in this country. **Bibliography** Bibliography Dumanoski, D. Childs Plague: Its Dangerous to be a Kid in a Polluted World, Sierra. 21 November 1997. Volume 82, p. 46-52. Gould, J. Keeping our Children Safe: What You Can Do to Protect Them from Hazards in the Air They Breathe, the Foods They Eat, and More, Good Housekeeping. 1 October 1996. Volume 223, p. 145-147. Hebert, H. J. EPA to Ban Common Pesticide, AP Online. 8 June 2000. www. elibrary. com [November 18, 2000]. Huebner, S. ; Chilton, K. Overplaying Environmental Threats to Children, Consumers Research Magazine. 1 April 1998. Volume 82. www. elibrary. com [November 18, 2000]. Joyce, C. Scientists Concerned About Pesticide Effects on Kids, All Things Considered (NPR). 28 June 1993. www. elibrary. com [November 18, 2000]. Krasnow, I. Militant Mothers, Taking up Issues That Matter, The Washington Post. 2 November 2000, p. C4. Partridge, K. Choose Your Poison, Todays Parent. 1 September 1999. Volume 16, p. 69-74. Toufexis, A. Watch Those Vegetables, Ma; Pesticide-Laden Produce May Endanger Your Tots, Time. 6 March 1989, p. 57. Author Not Available. Pesticide Residues Seen Too High in Childrens Food, Reuters Business Report. 7 June 2000. www. elibrary. com [November 18, 2000].

How to Write a PhD Personal Statement

How to Write a PhD Personal Statement How to Write a PhD Personal Statement A person might be required to write a personal statement when he or she is completing a PhD application. Professionals in this area have specific guides that need to be followed when completing the application process. The reader is supposed to understand what type of PhD program is being sought and the reasons behind the student’s preference to study in the proposed university. The reader must understand clearly what is of most interest to the customer in the specific field of study. A good PhD personal statement should have all of these details, and the writer should be able to provide a background of their earlier academic credentials and empirical experience which may highlight his or her interest in the specific area of study. When applying for a PhD, experience and prior knowledge is very important to help convince the board that one actually qualifies for the program. This is the highest level of study and hence professionalism and integrity applies at all times. As such, the skills and experience acquired by the applicant are vital in the process of transition from the undergraduate program to the postgraduate program. This also guarantees the level of success in the area of study. One may not want to apply the same statement to every application, and instead make each application unique based on the area of interest and the person who will be reading it. In addition, it is of great use to a writer if they conduct thorough research on the University that offers the program that they are applying to. Grammar and type of vocabulary used must be well thought out. Very long sentences with repetition should be avoided at all cost. The sentences should be short and precise and the tone of the statement should be positive and enthusiastic. The word limit should also be adhered to. The statement should be structured with an introduction, main body and a conclusion. The purpose of the introduction is to captivate the reader and make them interested in reading the statement to the end. The reasons for choosing that particular institute of learning must be explained and the individual’s strength and personal skills should also be highlighted. The ability to communicate effectively and work as part of a team should be brought out by the writer. What’s more, the relevance of the undergraduate program to the PhD study should be described to demonstrate the foundation which was laid for further research and study. The career aim should be exemplified to demonstrate the intended c ontribution to society. One must try to make their statement unique; it must stand out among the rest. Professional personal statement help at is provided by academic experts. They can write a custom personal statement paper starting at $13/page. High quality and on-time delivery guarantee!

Ethical Hacking Final Challenges Research Paper

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Long run economic growth and development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

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