Bilingualism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Bilingualism - Essay Example 183). Romaine (2000, p.2) notes that growing up bilingual means learning to be competent in two languages and this ultimately means compiling knowledge from two languages. This paper examines the potential advantages and disadvantages of growing up bilingual by first analysing the concept and process of acquiring bilingualism. The outcome of acquiring bilingualism will also be analysed. By taking this approach the challenges and how those challenges carry over in practice will provide a robust indication of the advantages and disadvantages of growing up bilingual. There appears to be two perspectives. Research dating back to 1913 reveals that growing up bilingual has a number of benefits particularly socially, culturally and linguistically. Other researchers argue that growing up bilingual limits the child’s ability to retain and extend his/her own language and creates distance from its own culture, society and impedes intellectual possibilities (Makin, Diaz and McLachlan 2007 , p. 205). Learning another language is expected to create some challenges particularly for the small child who is learning to speak generally. Theoretically at least, growing up bilingual must be particularly challenging for children who are learning to count, read and spell. Learning these basic functions in one language is difficult enough. Therefore it is not difficult to believe that growing up bilingual can inhibit the child’s intellectual possibilities. However, children who are exposed to two languages do have the opportunity to learn valuable linguistic skills and to exercise their respective cognitive skills in ways that monolingual children do not. The research sheds light on whether or not the advantages outweigh the disadvantages to growing up bilingual. I. Definition and Process of Bilingualism A. Definition Defining bilingualism has proven difficult as researchers are divided on what it means to be bilingual. Some researchers prefer a narrow definition of bilin gualism and insist that in order to be bilingual, an individual must be â€Å"very close to two monolinguals† (Reicholf-Wilscher 2008, p. 14). Other researchers in more recent times have preferred a broader definition of bilingualism, and have regarded bilingualism as a â€Å"common human condition that makes it possible for an individual to function, at some level, in more than one language† (Reicholf-Wilscher 2008, p. 14). Bilingualism means that children will be exposed to more than one culture and language at a very young age, most often at birth if they are growing up bilingual. There are obvious challenges for the young child as he/she begins the learning process. On the other hand, once the child learns two languages, this can be beneficial to the child later on. For instance if the family speaks one language at home and the child enters a school that teaches in another language, learning two languages will not only be necessary but beneficial to the childâ€⠄¢s education. Farther on, as the child enters adulthood, being bilingual will provide greater flexibility and opportunities in the job markets. However,if claims that bilingual children can suffer intellectual setbacks are believed, having flexibility and greater job opportunities is not only necessary but compensatory. B. The Process of Bilingualism In a majority of cases in which children become bilingual, the process of bilingualism occurs naturally and is

Entrepreneurs Personal Characteristics And Influence On Growth Commerce Essay

Entrepreneurs Personal Characteristics And Influence On Growth Commerce Essay Barons (2002) definition of entrepreneurship indicates that entrepreneurship involves a complex process in which specific individuals recognize opportunities and then act to convert them into tangible economic benefits by setting up a new business. This corresponds with Schumpeters (1934, from: Elliot, 1983) early definition of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs. He states that an enterprise is a carrying out of new combinations and entrepreneurs are the individuals whose function it is to carry them out. According to Schumpeter everyone is an entrepreneur only when he is actually carrying out new combinations, and he loses that character as soon as he built up his business. The entrepreneur then becomes only a small business owner (Carland et al., 1984). In this report I use Schumpeters definition of entrepreneurs and with that focus on entrepreneurs that started a business recently. Several meta-analyses have shown that entrepreneurs differ from other groups in terms of a broad range of personality (Zhao et al., 2010). The five-factor model (FFM) of personality provides a meaningful and generalizable taxonomy for studying these differences. The FFM consists of five relatively independent dimensions: Extraversion, Neuroticism, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, and Openness to Experience (Wang and Erdheim, 2007). Each dimension reflects certain personal characteristics. Small businesses are different from large organizations. Their characteristics are that they are reactive, fire-fighting mentality, have resource limitations, informal strategies and flexible structures (Terziovski, 2010). While small firms opportunity-seeking skills may be strong, their limited knowledge stocks and lack of market power inhibit their ability to enact the competitive advantages necessary to appropriate value from opportunities the firms choose to pursue (Ketchen et al., 2007). This paper consists of a literature study on the personal characteristics of entrepreneurs and their influence on small business growth. Scientific literature will be consulted to study this relationship. I have chosen to investigate the relationship between an entrepreneurs personal characteristics and their influence on small business growth because I am interested in entrepreneurship and because I am working on setting up my own small business. It is an interesting topic because there are not many articles written about it and I think it can give entrepreneurs insights in how to use certain personal characteristics to make a positive contribution to the growth of their small business. The research question of the paper is: To what extent are an entrepreneurs personal characteristics of influence on small business growth? The sub questions are: How can personality be defined? Which personal characteristics are according to the literature specific for an entrepreneur? What are the characteristics of the small business sector? What kind of challenges will an entrepreneur face after starting up a business? The paper will be structured as follows. In the next section I will put up a definition of personality and review the Five Factor Model. Some insights about personal characteristics of entrepreneurs that are written about in the literature are also being discussed. After that a section is dedicated to the characteristics of the small business sector and what kind of challenges entrepreneurs face after starting up their business. Section 4 consists of an analysis where the insights from the foregoing two sections are combined. I will also analyze and discuss the results of an interview with an entrepreneur in this section. In the last section a conclusion will be given with a concrete answer to the sub questions and the research question. I will also discuss the limitations of this study and some recommendations for future studies. Figure 1 summarizes the paper structure. Figure 1: Paper structure An entrepreneurs personal characteristics In this section an overview is given of an entrepreneurs personal characteristics that are elaborated on in the literature. First a definition of personality will be given. In the same section The Five Factor personality Model (FFM) is explored because in this model certain personal characteristics are grouped together into five different personality dimensions. After that other personal characteristics that are quoted in the literature are being discussed. The goal of this section is to derive a set of personal characteristics from the literature that are typical for entrepreneurs and match them to the dimensions of the FFM. Personality and the Five Factor Model This paragraph starts with a definition of personality. After that I will explain the FFM model and specify an amount of personal characteristics that are typical for the five dimensions of the model. Personality can be defined as enduring dispositions that cause characteristics patterns of interaction with the environment (Parks and Guay, 2009). Personality consists of personality traits that are endogenous basic tendencies tied to underlying biophysiological response systems. They are strongly heritable, immune to social and parental influences and quite stable throughout maturity (Olver and Mooradian, 2003). In the 1990s consensus was reached about five broad categories of personality. These five categories together are called the Five Factor personality Model. The five FFM dimensions are: Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability/Neuroticism, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Openness to experience (Parks and Guay, 2009; Wang and Erdheim, 2007; Zhao et al., 2010). Conscientiousness refers to making deliberate choices and being reliable. The personal characteristics that belong to this dimension are being careful, thorough, responsible, motivated, organized and efficient. Emotional stability/neuroticism represents the individual differences in the tendency to experience distress and the typical behaviors that are associated with it. According to Parks and Guay (2009) emotional stability refers to the characteristics self-confident, resilient and well-adjusted. According to Wang and Erdheim (2007) neuroticism is the opposite of emotional stability and is being anxious, depressed, emotional, worried and insecure. The third dimension, extraversion, refers to being ambitious, talkative, assertive, and sociable. Agreeableness consists of the social aspect of personality, that is being friendly, cooperative, loyal, courteous, good-natured and tolerant. Finally, openness to experience refers to the characteristics curious, imaginative, open-minded and artistically sensitive. This dimension reflects the creative side of personality. According to Zhao et al. (2010) these five dimensions do not cover all personality traits, so they expanded the model with the dimension Risk propensity. Risk propensity can be defined as the willingness to pursue decisions or courses of action involving uncertainty regarding success or failure outcomes. This was a short explanation about personality and the FFM. In the next paragraph I will discuss several personality traits of entrepreneurs that were elaborated on in literature. An entrepreneurs personal characteristics In this paragraph I will start with Schumpeters theory about the psychology of the entrepreneur. After that several personal characteristics of an entrepreneur that are reviewed in the literature will be discussed. Schumpeter (1934, from: Elliot, 1983) was one of the first to discuss the personal characteristics of the entrepreneur. He argues that there is the dream and the will to found a private kingdom, usually, though not necessarily, also a dynasty. Then there is the will to conquer: the impulse to fight, to prove oneself superior to others, to succeed for the sake, not of the fruits of success, but of success itself. Finally, there is the joy of creating, of getting things done, or simply of exercising ones energy and ingenuity (p. 93). After Schumpeter several other researchers investigated the psychology of the entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs differ from the rest of the population in a number of ways (Beugelsdijk and Noorderhaven, 2005; Brandstà ¤tter, 1997; Zhao et al., 2010). Entrepreneurs can be characterized by an incentive structure based on individual responsibility and effort, and a strong work ethic (Beugelsdijk and Noorderhaven, 2005). This means that they think that the state should not take more responsibility, private ownership should be increased, that unemployed should not have the right to refuse a job and success is not a matter of luck and connections but of hard work. Brandstà ¤tter (1997) attaches an entrepreneurs personal characteristics to some situational characteristics that are common to all entrepreneurs. First, it is the absence of people who give orders, set goals and control the outcome. This means that entrepreneurs are more individually oriented than other people (Beugelsdijk and Noorderhaven, 2005). A second aspect is the insecurity. There is always the risk of economic failure that entrepreneurs have to deal with. They dont need to be upset or worried very easily, so emotional stability is a prerequisite for entrepreneurs. This corresponds with the vision of Zhang et al. (2009). They mention that the level of neuroticism was a key predictor of centrality in advice and friendship networks. People that score low on the level of neuroticism tend to obtain central positions in advice and friendship networks and people high in neuroticism tended to become the center of adversarial networks. Because social networks are very important for entrepreneurs, these results suggest that entrepreneurs have to be emotional stable. The third characteristic Brandstà ¤tter (1997) defines is the demand for social contact. Entrepreneurs have to convince their customers of the usefulness of their product and they have to keep in touch with them to fulfill their needs. Finally, entrepreneurs have to be ready to try out new ideas and respond quickly to changes around them. This means that entrepreneurs have to be more innovative than others. Another characteristic of entrepreneurs is that they score high on the extraversion dimension (Zhang et al., 2009). This seems logical because extraverted people tend to have more social skills and this is important for entrepreneurs because they have to persuade different stakeholders. Baron (2002) supports this vision. He states that entrepreneurs who are successful in generating enthusiasm in others, may be significantly more successful than those who are not. Smith-Hunter et al. (2003) defined the most researched personal characteristics from the traditional school, that is a group of researchers who focused on the personality characteristics of the individual. These characteristics are locus of control (Poon et al., 2006), risk-taking (Zhao et al., 2010), achievement motivation (Poon et al., 2006), and problem solving style and innovativeness (Beugelsdijk and Noorderhaven, 2005; Schumpeter, 1934, from: Elliot, 1983). Locus of control can be defined as peoples perception of their ability to exercise control over the environment (Poon et al., 2006). People with an internal locus of control believe that their own effort determines certain outcomes in life, whereas people with an external locus of control believe that outcomes are determined by external factors they cant influence. Locus of control is one of the classical themes in the entrepreneurial trait research that differentiate entrepreneurs from non-entrepreneurs (Beugelsdijk and Noorderhaven, 2005; Poon et al., 2006). Entrepreneurs are characterized by a more internal locus of control (Dvir et al., 2010). Many recent studies have focused on the relationship between the locus of control and an entrepreneurs level of self-efficacy (Smith-Hunter et al., 2003). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy is the degree to which people perceive themselves as having the ability to successfully perform the various roles and tasks of entrepreneurship (Hmieleski and Baron, 2008). Hmieleski and Baron (2008) investigated that self-efficacy is moderated by the degree of optimism and the industry conditions. The results of their study indicate that (1) in dynamic environments, entrepreneurial self-efficacy exerts positive effects on performance for firms led by moderately optimistic entrepreneurs, but exerts negative effects on performance for firms led by entrepreneurs who are highly optimistic and (2) in stable environments, the effects of entrepreneurial self-efficacy on firm performance are less clear and not moderated by the degree of optimism. The opinions about the characteristic risk-taking are diverse. Some researchers found that entrepreneurs are high risk takers (Zhao et al., 2010), but others mention that entrepreneurs are moderate risk takers (Xu and Ruef, 2004). There are two forms of risk tolerance that may lead individuals to entrepreneurial activity, strategic and non-strategic (Xu and Ruef, 2004). In strategic risk tolerance rational actors actively prefer low-probability, high payoff outcomes. In non-strategic risk tolerance rational actors need not have active risk preferences, but only appear to prefer low-probability, high payoff outcomes because their information on the distribution of outcomes is based on conditions of imperfect knowledge. The need to achieve refers to a desire to do well in order to achieve a sense of personal accomplishment (Poon et al., 2006). The need to achieve can be related to the characteristics desire for independence (Dvir et al., 2010; Poon et al., 2006) and risk-taking propensity (Zhao et al., 2010). People who have a high need for achievement possess five critical attributes (Smith-Hunter et al., 2003). High achievers like situations where they can take responsibility. They like rapid feedback on their performance, so they can criticize their own improvements. They avoid very easy or very difficult tasks and they dislike succeeding by chance. They prefer striving to achieve targets and the last characteristic is that they are interested in concrete knowledge about the results of their decisions. Finally innovation and problem solving capabilities are expected to be the core of the entrepreneurial capability of an entrepreneur (Smith-Hunter et al., 2003). Schumpeter (1934, from: Elliott, 1983) mentioned that creative destruction, whereby new products and processes replace old ones, is more important than price competition among existing firms and products. This means that entrepreneurs are more innovative than non-entrepreneurs (Beugelsdijk and Noorderhaven, 2005). For this end the most important characteristics of an entrepreneur that were cited in literature were discussed. Dvir et al. (2010) mentioned the most frequently cited personality traits of entrepreneurs. These are the desire to be independent (Beugelsdijk and Noorderhaven, 2005), internal locus of control (Poon et al., 2006), creativity or innovativeness (Schumpeter, 1934, from: Elliott, 1983), risk-taking propensity (Xu and Ruef, 2004; Zhao et al., 2010), need for achievement (Poon et al., 2006), and credible role models. In the next paragraph the above mentioned characteristic will be related to the FFM dimensions. An entrepreneurs personality traits and their relation with the FFM dimensions The characteristics mentioned in the foregoing paragraph can be related to the dimensions of the FFM. The five dimensions were Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability/Neuroticism, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Openness to experience. The extra dimension added by Zhao et al. (2010) was risk propensity. Because of the strong work ethic (Beugelsdijk and Noorderhaven, 2005) and the high need for achievement (Poon et al., 2006) entrepreneurs score high on the conscientiousness dimension. Conscientiousness has been found to be a consistent predictor of job performance across occupations involving managing others and sales performance (Ciavarella et al., 2004). Emotional stability is a prerequisite for entrepreneurs because of the insecurity they have to deal with (Brandstà ¤tter, 1997). People that score high on the level of emotional stability tend to obtain central positions in advice and friendship networks (Zhang et al., 2009). An internal locus of control (Poon et al., 2006) and mostly a high level of entrepreneurial self-efficacy (Hmieleski and Baron, 2009) are specific for an entrepreneurs emotional stability. Entrepreneurs also score high on the extraversion dimension (Zhao et al., 2010). The reason for this is that being extraverted should facilitate the development of social networks, ultimately resulting in stronger partnerships with suppliers and customers, which is very important for entrepreneurs (Ciavarella et al., 2004). The characteristics of extraversion are being ambitious, talkative, assertive, and sociable (Parks and Guay, 2009). According to Ciavarella et al. (2004) agreeableness is an interpersonal factor that focuses on the quality of relationships through cooperation and trust. Entrepreneurs who establish trusting, flexible, and courteous relationships with their customers should expect to reap the profits of repeat business. Zhao et al. (2010) expected that, given the limited margin for unselfish behavior and the high likelihood of guarded and even conflictual interpersonal relationships associated with entrepreneurship, there would be a negative relationship between agreeableness and entrepreneurial intentions. However their results have shown that this is not true and that entrepreneurs do score high on agreeableness and with that are highly cooperative and reliable. Openness to experience describes the extent to which individuals tend to be curious, creative, and open to new ideas, which relates to self-direction values, those are beliefs that individuals ought to be independent and self-directed (Parks and Guay, 2009). Successful entrepreneurship is likely to require constant information monitoring and learning to keep up with changing tastes and market trends, competitor behavior, and new Technologies (Zhao et al., 2010). This indicates that entrepreneurs are more innovative than non-entrepreneurs (Beugelsdijk and Noorderhaven, 2005) and that they score high on openness to experience. For the last dimension, risk propensity, the visions are not always the same. Zhao et al. (2010) argue that entrepreneurs are characterized by a high risk propensity, while Xu and Ruef (2004) argue that entrepreneurs are moderate risk-takers. The goal of this second section was to derive a set of personal characteristics for an entrepreneur from the literature and relate them to the FFM dimensions. After first discussing the FFM model and after that, reviewing the personal characteristics of an entrepreneur, I attached the personal characteristics to the dimensions of the FFM. With this the second section is finished. In the next section I will discuss the characteristics of the small business sector. Because of the focus on entrepreneurs that recently started their business, some challenges they face will also be reviewed.

Comparing the Humility of Kings in Shakespeares Richard II through Henry V :: comparison compare contrast essays

The Humility of Kings in Richard II through Henry V  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Though Shakespeare was a conservative, he believed in the humility of Kings. The plays Richard II through Henry V assert Shakespeare's idea that a King must understand the common man to be a good ruler. These four plays chronicle the history of three Kings' ability to recognize, relate to, and be part of the humanity he rules. Shakespeare advocates his belief with the falling of Richard II, who could not or would not understand his subjects; the constancy of Henry IV, whose combined humility and strength won him the thrown; and Hal, whose raucous behavior led his father to worry and his country to victory. King Richard II is Shakespeare's example of a king who removes himself from the reality of the common people. Richard views his position as a source of amusement. His "cares" as King, other than an opportunity for an agreeable audience, are merely a burden. Instead of investigating the accusations of treachery from Henry and Mawbrick, he exiles both men as an easy way out. Richard was born a King, and knows no life other than that of royalty. Unfortunately the lesson that must know men to rule them costs him the thrown. Richard's lesson influences his usurper and his usurper's heir to the thrown, demonstrating to them both the value of humility. After exiling Henry, Richard takes the opportunity to criticize his "courtship to the common people." His speech at first seems to merit Henry for his sociability, but it quickly becomes clear that, to Richard, commoners are not fit for royal consumption: How he did seem to dive into their hearts With humble and familiar courtesy, What reverence he did throw away on slaves, Wooing poor craftsmen with the craft of smiles (I.iv.25-8) Shakespeare is of course establishing Henry's ability to gather support from the masses, the very key to his victory over Richard later in the play. The speech also clarifies Richard's position on the subject to underline this contrast between the two men. To fine tune Richard's character, Gaunt gives a revealing and unbridled description of Richard to his face just before dying. After Richard exiles the soul heir to his estate, Gaunt is bitter and fed up with his weak and pompous qualities: A thousand flatterers sit within thy crown, Whose compass is no bigger than thy head,

Book Review: The Blueprint of a Green Economy

The Blueprint of a Green EconomyDavid Pearce, Anil Markandya, Edward BarbierBook Review Background The book â€Å"A Blueprint for a Green Economy† was written as a study for the Department of Environment in the U.K. under the name – â€Å"Sustainable Development, Resource Accounting and Project assessment: State of the Art Review† popularly known as the Pearce Report. Post the well-known Brundtland Report, the authors, conservationists, economic experts David Pearce, Anil Markandya and Edward Barbier have presented the â€Å"economic underpinnings of the thought of sustainable development† in the book documenting their thoughts and positions refering sustainability. The book depicts the meeting of the market doctrine of Margret Thatcher popularly called Thatcherism with the late articulated concern for the environment. Refering the demand of the hr inquiry, the book became a best merchandising in the field of environmental economic sciences when it was released in 1989. Contented Analysis and Major Subjects The rules were three:Policy to be based on sustainability, Delegating rating to environmental effects and incentivizing environmental betterment. Thesustainability constructis explained as a two-pronged attack, as much capital and environmental wealth to future coevalss as the present coevals. The 2nd subject concerns therating of environmental effectswhich aimed at seting a positive monetary value / economic value on the environment alternatively of 0 monetary value policy. The 3rd subject advocates theusage of market inducementsfor accomplishing preferable environmental results. The writers have tried to develop a market-based attack to reflect all these issues as it is in footings of variables of demand, supply and monetary values as they steadfastly believe that is the easiest and best manner to react and turn to the issues of environment-development tradeoff and sustainable development. The Congestion charges of London, the Carbon credits trading—are a twosome of illustrations of the 3rd subject mentioned. The Blueprint for a Green Economy believes in long-run policy steps for following a way to sustainable economic development. The book brought the way interrupting thought of sing Environment as capital plus brings out the position to include non merely natural resources and inputs as portion of these assets but besides the constructs of eco-tourism, and installations or chances such as fishing, hunting, wildlife sing etc as natural capital. As this natural capital is non earned unlike our fiscal and physical capital, there tends to be a grade of sloppiness associated in footings of our point of view. Hence, there is inclination to over-exploit and see them as abundant or limitless without caring for their equal saving and handiness for the future coevalss. While such usage leads to immense growing now, its long-run impact would be to sabotage it. The book answers the refering inquiry is where to pull the line, what is the tradeoff? Blueprint of a Green Economy gives a different return to theenvironment vs. economic growing argument. It points out that the existent trade-off is between our stock of semisynthetic capital ( viz. physical and human capital ) and our natural capital. It does non prophesize abandoning any economic development merely because there would be environmental impacts. The book recognizes worlds and the fact that some sum of environmental effects is ineluctable even at zero-growth phases. All that the book argues is that such a trade-off must be rational i.e. the economic development must warrant the environmental cost it would incur and for that the economic rating of the environmental impact must be right and non undervalued as it has ever been historically. Therefore, a undertaking should be undertaken merely if its economic benefits exceed the overall environmental costs every bit good as the benefits that are presently accruing due to non-existence of such a undertaking. The Southern Cross of unsustainable development in today’s universe is the gross undervaluation of environmental impact of economic development. Such wrong rating leads to incorrect picks as the trade-offs are non right assessed. Another cardinal subject highlighted in this book is theimmensefalse belief in disregarding the rating of cardinal constituents of natural capitalthat provide us services or serve of import natural maps for free such as purification of H2O by coastal wetlands. As this map has a nothing monetary value and there is no market place for it, there is natural hazard of its development or over-usage resulting in debasement. Exhaustible resources like oil have a market-determined monetary value that would mostly maintain in cheque such a effect but such natural capital is bound to stay unaccounted for. Hence, the writers have mandated environmental accounting so that a stock of such resources is profiled in a balance sheet. The flow of their utilizations must besides be accounted and stairss taken to guarantee that their stocks and flows are matched to maintain an history of their efficient use and look into development besides doing informed rational picks in the trade-off. Further, such ac counting and rating will besides supply the policy-makers a dependable and consistent database for effectual direction of the natural capital of the economic system. The book besides generates some contention over theundertaking assessmentsand their concern of dismissing the hereafter by sing that the price reduction rates do non necessarily move as a disadvantage to the environment. The present value of costs of 1000000s of dollars over the period of a longer clip frame say 100 old ages reduces it to a few dollars doing any action highly difficult to warrant on economic evidences. Continuing on their accent on market-based instruments for sustainable development, the writers argue that market-based incentive systems like pollution licenses for industries are better environmental-protection steps than Govt.-mandated bid and control steps. Critical Appraisal This book depicts treatments on the construct of a green economic system and presents an docket for policy on environment. The book limpidly explains why such an economic roadmap to a greener hereafter is indispensable, if modern economic systems are to develop successfully and sustainably. With the increasing jutting growing rate and force per unit areas on natural resources, it is indispensable to anticipate the deductions of this on the environment and program steps to carry through sustainable development. The market rule can happen some relevancy in economic policy-making in India excessively where the environment vs. growing argument finds a considerable policy infinite. However, any undervaluation or wrong measuring of these variables will get the better of the whole procedure and hence must be guarded against. This is a authoritative on the academic topic – environmental economic sciences and widely recommended for reading by pupils and research workers. This is a great book for acquiring started on the issue for a cause that finally has a much larger and long-run impact. The book explores the span of the ways in which we have distorted and damaged the environment and what can be done to account for that harm and perchance cut down or change by reversal it. This is a well-written book on the environmental economic sciences in seven chapters. The writers devote attending to assorted aspects in a systematic and limpid mode. The usage of illustrations, tabular arraies and graphs makes reading and understanding better. Not dismissing the powerful thoughts that the book puts Forth, my broad-spectrum feeling of the book is that the potency of the book is non rather realized. Although the book identifies attacks and schemes for rating of the environment, it seems to be a hard text for the non-practicing economic expert to work with. The book has besides dealt with the pecuniary every bit good as physical attacks to environmental accounting but does non reply which attack to follow but leaves the treatment by acknowledging that the work on the same is still at babyhood and more research needs to be done about it. Obscure Concepts such as ‘intergenerational equity ‘ , ‘informational value of hold ‘ , ‘uncertainty ‘ , ‘irreversibility ‘ , ‘importing and exporting sustainability ‘ , etc. are used in an abstract mode. Chris Patten, the Secretary for Environment at that point of clip, failed to implement the ideas put away by the study, but this does nonper Secan be used to indicate fingers at the content of the study. But the positive image was that, that the book brought all the issues on the tabular array and in public position. The writers could hold included alternate theoretical and methodological attacks like the followers: †¢Tangible thoughts of execution for sustainable development – focal point on how instead than what. †¢Quantitative non qualitative processs for measurement e.g instead than physical/monetary attack, rating of a tree by the energy stored in it, chance cost et Al Overall, although the book is over two decennary old, it is still both appealing and pertinent for person who believer in the cause of the environment. The read should be supplemented by reading the subsequence written twenty old ages post the publication of the original book i.e. â€Å"A new Blueprint for a Green Economy: which highlights the new attacks needed to pull off the turning environmental concerns. The subsequence emphasizes on the implementable policies for economic systems, and explains the importance for the same. In a nutshell, the book’s practical relevancy even today can non be doubted. It has influential thoughts and its realistic proposals continue to fascinate policy shapers till day of the month. Its message underscoring the importance of sustainable economic development is merely deriving more relevancy with each go throughing twenty-four hours in today’s epoch of planetary heating and clime alteration. One can merely disregard this at its ain hazard.

Brave New World: A Shortened Long Form Essay

The Author and His Times Aldous Huxley was born to an elite and intellectual family on July 26, 1894. His family consisted of writers and scientists, and he felt obliged to have the same success. When he was younger, he showed more intelligence and insight than the rest of the children. He also, however, had a rather large head which kept him from walking until he was two. His large head also gave him the childhood nickname of â€Å"Ogie†, which was short for Ogre (Brave New World P.S. 3). In school he was interested in becoming a scientist. However, at the age of sixteen, he contracted an illness which rendered him almost completely blind. In one of his letters to George Orwell, he stated that, â€Å"Since poor sight makes it necessary to ration my reading, I had to wait a long time before being able to embark on Nineteen Eighty-Four†(Brave New World P.S. 12). His condition did not stop him from graduating from Oxford with honors; however it did stop him from serving in the military during WWI with his friends. He was married twice and had one son, named Matthew Huxley. Aldous wrote about forty- seven books during his lifetime, but his most popular are all novels. He wrote a few of the books while experimenting with drugs such as LSD, which he believed allowed a person to achieve an expanded mind. However, the influences that affected him were not all drug related. Other things and events that may have influenced him include his mother dying of cancer when he was fourteen, his life in England and his social status, his visit to America, and his beliefs about drugs and insanity. Form, Structure, Plot, and Point of View The novel flows in chronological order, however, it often switches between two or more conversations, which can be confusing. The novel starts with Henry Foster guiding a group of young scientists through the lab where embryos are decanted. He explains the processes and shows them how the infants are conditioned to like and dislike certain objects based on their class. Outside the group sees Mustapha Mond, one of the world leaders, and he tells them about History. In the girl’s bathroom, Lenina is being berated by her friend for having an exclusive relationship with Henry Foster. It is strange because in this world â€Å"everyone belongs to everyone else† (Brave New World 43). She admits, however, that she finds Bernard Marx. In another part of the building, Bernard is furious at Henry and the Assistant Predestinator for treating Lenina and talking about her like a piece of meat. Later, Lenina accompanies Bernard on a trip to the Savage Reservation. There, they meet Linda, the Director’s ex-lover, and her son John. The sight of the aged people and mothers revolts both Bernard and Lenina. When they return to their home, Bernard pulls some strings and the two savages are allowed to live with them. Linda revolts the other women and the Director resigns when she says that he made her have a baby. Linda then locks herself in her room taking soma holiday after holiday, which would eventually kill her. Meanwhile, John has made Bernard quite popular, and he is able to get more girls. However, the live in London revolts John, and when he refuses to attend a party, Bernard’s social success instantly plummets. Bernard introduces the boy to his friend Hemholtz. The two like each other, but john is laughed at when he recites Shakespeare. Lenina becomes obsessed with John, and tries to seduce him. It does not work, and he responds with more Shakespeare. After he makes a call and finds out his mother is dying from the soma. When the lower class boys who are getting their death conditioning say that she is ugly, John loses it and starts a riot. This is probably the main conflict, because John, Hemholtz, and Bernard are arrested and sent to Mustapha Mond. In his office, John and Mond discuss the World State’s Policies. Mond explains to john why art, religion, and science have been done away with. An argument breaks out, and Hemholtz and Bernard are sent to a far away island. John lives in a light house. When word gets out of his location, he is met by several London citizens. He reacts by taking out his whip. An orgy takes place, and in the end he hangs himself for submitting to the World State Society. Characters Bernard Marx is a male Alpha who was mistaken for a lower class when he was decanted. It resulted in him being smaller than the other alphas, which is his source of insecurity. He does not take interest in sports like the other normal people, and has unorthodox beliefs about relationships and community events. In a conversation about Bernard between Lenina and Fanny, Lenina says, â€Å"Bernard’s an Alpha Plus. Besides, he asked me to go to one of the Savage Reservations†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ â€Å"But his reputation?†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ â€Å"What do I care about his reputation?†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ â€Å"They say he doesn’t like obstacle golf†¦ and then he spends most of his time by himself- alone† (Brave New World 44-45). Lenina was being questioned by Fanny about her seriousness on having relations with Bernard because of his reputation. However, he is in love with Lenina and would love to have a relationship with her, but his unorthodox mind is furious at the way she treats herself and is treated by other men. His character is surprisingly human for the new world. He feels jealous and lovesick; things that people like Mustapha Mond say have been eliminated. However, Bernard really just wants to be like everyone else, and is therefore seen as a hypocrite. It is not known what class Lenina belongs to, but she is thought to be an Alpha or a Beta. She is a vaccination worker at the Central London Hatchery and Conditioning Centre. She is very promiscuous, except for her four month relationship with Henry Foster. She is attracted to Bernard and his strange appearance, and becomes obsessed with John and his strange behavior. She is desired by many men, and Henry even says, â€Å"Lenina Crowne†¦ oh, she’s a splendid girl. Wonderfully pneumatic. I’m surprised you haven’t had her† (Brave New World 44). She is the image of the World State’s Policy; she relates to people through sex, and cannot understand John and Bernard’s alternate way of thinking. John is the son of Linda, the Director’s ex-lover which took her to the Reservation, and then lost her. He reads Shakespeare, and loves Lenina. He was alienated from the rest of the Reservation children, much like Bernard and the World State. When John goes to the World State, he is alienated even more, and is looked at like a museum item. He worries about his mother taking so much soma, and when she dies and the lower class trainees say she is ugly, he starts a riot. However, when he first arrives in the World State, he is happy to finally see the place his mother loved and missed so much. When he arrives he says, â€Å"O brave new world that has such people in it† (Brave New World 160). So at first he really likes London. However, when he starts to learn more about the place he is in he becomes disgusted, and when he is drawn into an orgy, he hangs himself for conforming to such a society. Theme Sex in Brave New World is depicted as something that even children should be able to do. It is so important to the World State that two-thirds of Women are sterilized, and the rest have to use contraceptives. Abortion is necessary for failures to use them, if the women wish to stay a part of society. Being a mother is considered an obscenity, while being a father is not as bad, but is still absurd to the people. In a way this is similar to our own world, where women who are promiscuous in any way are considered dirty or unclean, while men are free to sleep around, and are even congratulated by their friends for doing so. The book, however, takes sex to the next level. Children run around naked and interact with erotic play. It is considered as normal as using soma and participating in orgies. At the beginning of the book, Lenina says, â€Å"Everyone belongs to everyone else† (Brave New World 43). This lets the reader know what to expect from the characters as far as their sexual relationships are concerned, and it also lets the reader catch a glimpse at what the World State is about. Throughout the book, the view of sexual relationships is different only for John and the Savages. The savage women beat John’s wife for sleeping with their men, and Linda has no idea what she has done to deserve it. John, on the other hand, from reading Shakespeare learned to be sexually passive, and earn the love of a woman with chivalry instead of seduction. This other view is confusing to Lenina, who sees nothing wrong with the way she acts. John tries on many occasions to get her love, but instead is only met with lust. He tries Shakespeare to no avail, and is very frustrated with the way London’s people think and act. Towards the middle of the book, Lenina says, â€Å"but it was fun†¦ wasn’t it?† after she and Bernard slept together. He was feeling bad about not waiting, while she was confused and told Fanny that she found him to be odd. At the end of the book, after John has participated in the orgy, he says, â€Å"Oh, my God, my God!† (259), and hangs himself for conforming to such a society. Style/Motifs/Diction/Tone The author makes his writing more interesting by switching between conversations that are happening simultaneously. It shows that their world is very busy, and moves at a fast pace. However, it also tends to confuse its readers because they forget who is talking about what, and the rest of the conversation that a certain group of characters are discussing. Besides switching between conversations, the author uses his diction to make the writing more interesting. His word choice shows that the more intelligent characters are telling the story, as opposed to the lower class Epsilons and Deltas. The language was formal, and gave a feeling of sternness and confidence. The novel was not at all poetic, but it got its point across with formal language and very educated word choice. The scientific procedures seemed to be accurate and valid; as though they could someday be real. The recurring motifs of sex, the word pneumatic, Ford instead of God, references to Shakespeare and alienation play important parts in the novel. The word pneumatic is used throughout the book as a way to describe both Lenina and a chair. For Lenina, it is a reference to her skin, and for a chair, that it is airy or has air pockets in it. Though it is unusual for a person to be called pneumatic, it is not unheard of. The use of Ford instead of God means that the new world is completely rid of religion. The word Ford is used instead to show that religion has been replaced by technology. Three of the characters; John, Bernard, and Hemholtz, are subject to alienation throughout the book. John is an outsider in both the savage village and the World State, Bernard is too small to fit his position, and Hemholtz is too smart to even be an Alpha Plus. They are all treated poorly because of their differences (except Hemholtz who is very popular with the women). Sex is probably the most recurring motif because the World State is abundant with free love and open relationships. Everyone belongs to everyone else, and it is wrong to see only one man for a long period of time. The last motif is Shakespeare, which inspires and drives John to act the way he does. He can recite lines from Shakespeare with no trouble, and tries to make Lenina fall in love with him, instead of her just trying to seduce him. In a way, Shakespeare is how John understands the world around him, so he is very lost when he gets into the World State. He feels like he is the only true human, with human emotions and wants. Memorable Quotes/ Personal Response Overall I enjoyed the book to an extent. The story was interesting, but the way it was written bored me and it was hard to follow the switching of conversations. Its strength lies in the story itself, while the weakness is in the execution (the way it was written). It really reminded me of 1984 by George Orwell. It has a different view on how the world will end up, but both worlds are controlled by certain people, and population control is in place. The biggest difference is that one encourages sex, and the other forbids it. I would recommend this book to people who like to read. Some quotes that stood out to me include: â€Å"Cleanliness is next to fordliness† (110), â€Å"We had Elementary Sex for the first forty minutes†¦ but now it’s switched over to Elementary Class Consciousness† (27), and â€Å"I don’t want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin† (240). The first is another version of a saying that we use, the second refers to the children being exposed to sex very early, and the third refers to the fact that even though the population is conditioned, some still have the ability to revert to human mind sets. Works Cited â€Å"Aldous Huxley – Biography – The Author And His Times.† Aldous Huxley – Biography – The Author And His Times. Web. 8 May 2012. Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1946. 8 May, 2012. Print.