Interest Group Report Essay Example for Free

Interest Group Report Essay John Muir made the incomparable Yosemite Valley the center of his experience. Soon his words reached the larger audience of the New York Tribune and other influential publications, and he was writing that the Sierra should be explored by everyone, and permanently protected as a recreational resource accessible to all. In 1889 Muir embarked on an excursion in northern Yosemite with Robert Underwood Johnson. The two planned a campaign for a Yosemite National Park, a campaign that succeeded the following year when Congress established the park. Sierra Club was founded on May 28 with 182 charter members in 1892 The Sierra Clubs charter members elected Muir president, an office he held until his death in 1914. In the first decade of the 1900s, the Sierra Club became embroiled in the famous Hetch Hetchy Reservoir controversy that divided preservationists from resource management conservationists. The Sierra Club served its members as a social and recreational society, conducting outings, improving trails and building huts and lodges in the Sierras, it had some 7,000 members in 1950. In September 2005, the Sierra Club held its first Sierra Summit in San Francisco. Approximately 1,000 volunteers from around the country, selected by their chapters and groups, were delegates; some nondelegate members also attended. In 2008, the Sierra Club endorsed Senator Barack Obama for President, citing his strong record of support for clean air, wetlands protection, and clean energy. The Sierra Club has several goals and creates campaigns to dedicate mainly on each goal they pursue. The Beyond Coal campaign’s main objective is to replace dirty coal with clean energy by mobilizing grassroots activists in local communities to advocate for the retirement of old and outdated coal plants and to prevent new coal plants from being built. The Resilient Habitats campaign’s main objective is to protect wildlife habitat from climate change. Youth and Diversity campaign is about how people of every age and background embrace the Sierra Clubs motto to explore, enjoy and protect the planet. The Beyond Oil campaign’s main goal is to block the most dangerous oil projects, eliminate the outsized influence of the oil industry, raise and defend strong fuel-efficiency and pollution standards, and accelerate the transition to cleaner cars and trucks. Sierra Club Water Sentinels work to protect, improve and restore our waters by fostering alliances to promote water quality monitoring, public education, and citizen action. Beyond Natural Gas campaign’s main goal is to close industry loopholes, clean up drilling, protect our parks, and stop liquefied natural gas exports. To become a member of The Sierra Club you have to sign up on the website and choose an amount of dollars to pay monthly and go to every event. The current president of The Sierra Club is Robin Mann Robin Mann grew up outside Wilmington, Delaware, near a pond and stream where the springtime nights were alive with spring peepers, small chorus frogs whose high-pitched calls made the air vibrate. After starting a family, she lived in rural Connecticut, and got active with the local Sierra Club as newsletter editor, pasting up copy at the local newspaper plant. She moved to Pennsylvania and started working with Chapter Director Jeff Schmidt on nutrient pollution of the Chesapeake Bay. There she found her niche in wetlands and water quality protection and developed the expertise to join and later lead the Clubs national campaign work in that area. The currently proposed legislation is called Sierra Club 2012 Legislative Priorities for Washington: This year the sierra club presents acute challenges to their efforts to advance an environmental agenda at the State Capitol. At the Sierra Club, they believe that environmental protections improve their quality of life and are essential to a long-term sustainable economy. Environmental programs and policies may have upfront costs, but will prevent staggering future costs. In 2012, their priorities in the Legislature are no rollbacks of environmental standards in a difficult budget situation; sustain I-937, the Renewable Energy voter-approved standards; ensure clean water and realistic, data-based management of limited water resources; sustainable transit funding in a transportation budget that emphasizes maintenance. There are also some legislations that’s been passed with The Sierra Club help like Priority Legislation to combat global warming, legislation limiting solar permit fees, The Capitol Watch legislation, 2011 Legislature, Sustainable and Equitable Transit Funding, The 2011 Clean Water Jobs Act, REAL ID Act was passed as part of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief. â€Å"The Sierra Club had taken money, gobs of it, from an industry that we in the grassroots have been in the fight of our lives to oppose. The largest, most venerable environmental organization in the United States secretly aligned with the very company that seeks to occupy our land, turn it inside out, blow it apart, fill it with poison. All for the goal of extracting a powerful heat-trapping gas, methane, that plays a significant role in climate change. National Sierra Club served as the political cover for the gas industry and for the politicians who take their money and do their bidding. It had a hand in setting in motion the wheels of environmental destruction and human suffering. It was complicit in bringing extreme fossil fuel extraction onshore, into our communities, farmlands, and forests, and in blowing up the bedrock of our nation. And I can’t get over it†. Sandra Steingraber My conclusions and thoughts about The Sierra Club is very positive, since what they do and aim for is to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of earth, to practice and promote the use of the earths ecosystems and resources responsibly, to educate and recruit humanity to restore and protect the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out all these objectives. I think not every organization is perfect, sometimes they can fail in some other things like projects, campaigns, but it doesn’t mean that they are a bad organization since the impact they have made worldwide has been huge and successful. The founder of The Sierra had a purpose and a goal, he build the organization and through years people around the world has been joining The Sierra Club since is a positive and good cause to support and they have done several campaigns that have helped a lot like protecting rivers, the formation of Blue-Green Alliance that pursue a joint public policy agenda reconciling workers need for good jobs with mankinds need for a cleaner environment and safer world. It also has chapters across the country. Each chapter offers opportunities for hikes and other outings, activism on local and state issues. I think that the fact they don’t focus just in the environment but with thwarting industry and obstructing technological progress is a positive thing as well. Links: http://socialistworker.org/2004-1/494/494_06_SierraClub.shtml http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Club#Organization http://activistcash.com/organization_overview.cfm/o/194-sierra-club

An Analysis Of Personal Leadership Skills Nursing Essay

An Analysis Of Personal Leadership Skills Nursing Essay For this essay I have audited my leadership skills using theoretical models and referred to specific situations and experiences. This encompasses personal, academic and professional reflections and explores opportunities for my career paths and personal development with an Action Plan for the future. This has required critical evaluation of my own development needs in light of my own aspirations, establishing an understanding of my transferrable skills and how these can be enhanced. For this I have considered situations in which my leadership traits, styles and skills have been utilised to help create successful outcomes. Background My career path has involved working closely with and taking an interest in people, both clients and colleagues alike. In developing my management skills, I am continually pursuing further ways of improving the effectiveness of these interactions which is immensely rewarding for me. On leaving school, my first employment was within the travel industry. From the outset, I sought to improve skills and enjoyed the challenge of meeting the needs of customers, budgetary targets, training of staff, problem solving, through to the opening and management of a travel agency branch several years later. Apart from the GCSE qualifications gained at school, any further academic or professional learning has been gained whilst in employment. The skills and achievements in my personal life are equally transferrable to my work life. For example, as Chairman of a genealogical society for several years and public speaking engagements both serve as reminders that I have organisational, research and presentation abilities which I can and should be utilising and developing along my career path. I am a prison officer and, three years ago, I learnt that my establishment was funding a Foundation Degree in Offender Management. My initial reaction was one of excitement as I had, for several years, considered some form of Higher Education by way of personal and professional development, but had never explored the options. It was a source of immense satisfaction to pass the course and achieve Distinction grade. My learning journey, experiences and personal developments, undertaken in the last three years, would take more than the word count of this essay allows, yet there are key points to reflect on in order to analyse my own leadership skills and continue their development. Theoretical Models and Personal Experience of Reflection in my Professional Development: From my earliest days in retail employment, then Care Work and on to prison officer, I have been fascinated by people and behaviour. Working alongside others, as well as empowering and training gives me great personal and professional satisfaction. Using reflective models such as Gibbs (1998), shown in Appendix III, I came to realise that how I interpret situations influences my interactions with others. As I will illustrate, this relates directly to my personality style and how I manage people and situations. Linked to this is the importance I place on how I am viewed by others and naturally seek collaborative and open relationships. Many of these values are found in Carnegie (1938), listed in Appendix I. The Study Skills Self-Assessment which I completed on 23 October 2007 (Appendix II) highlighted three main employability skills I need to develop as: Improving own learning and performance Application of number (data collection and interpretation) Information and technology proficiency Alongside these, to develop, are my personal attributes of Self confidence Flexibility and adaptability Judgement In this assessment I also reflected on my own specific weaknesses which include being too self-critical and not praising my own achievements enough which can affect my ability to be objective about my performance. I have a strong underpinning need to defend others and leap to their rescue which I have come to see as a hindrance to my own development and of those I seek to help. This is a particularly important area for me to address as future management roles will require me to allow others to take their own personal responsibility and only offer guidance as appropriate. This rescuer style is schema-related and I have considered schema theory and how this applies to me. Beck, (1967:233), described a schema as ..a cognitive structure for screening, coding, and evaluating the stimuli that impinge  on the organism. In short, schemas are the filters or core beliefs we have about ourselves or the world around us which influence how we interpret different situations in our lives. The nature of the work I do in offender rehabilitation requires me to undertake regular de-briefing, supervision, yearly health reviews and bi-monthly counselling. This, together with schema theory and other therapy models I use with prisoners, which I have also applied to myself, means I spend a lot of time being introspective and sharing reflections with colleagues. This helps define practical steps for a successful future but also enables me to gain wider perspectives in understanding, leading and managing others with a range of resources and situational analysis capabilities. Whereas, in the past and even recently, I have questioned the decision making processes of management, this has reshaped into a desire to gain a holistic overview of the work environment. Understanding the way we think and manage ourselves and others has been an important facet of my learning over the last three years. Straker (2008) who expands on the work of Gardner (2006) was helpful in appreciating that how we interact with people, at all levels, and is crucial for self development. Overcoming objections to understanding others, for fear that this might disprove our own theories about ourselves and the world are key hurdles of which I must continually be mindful. Negative experiences in this have resulted in an unhealthy view of the workplace but, as I said earlier, the benefits of a more engaging view have proved beneficial in my work and personal well being. As well as using Gibbs Reflective Cycle (1998), Kolb (1984) also helped me to evaluate experiences and test hypotheses but I did not find it took me to the point of action whereas Gibbs sets out the plan for ongoing development which is crucial for me so as not to remain procrastinating. Moon (2004) has been a useful resource on reflective practice, reminding me that reflection is not just important in itself, but must also lead to positive change, In observing what gets in the way, rather than being stuck in analysis, to move beyond and set goals for positive development has been essential learning for me and has been a surprising benefit which I had not expected several years ago. Leadership Employability Skills I recently completed an Employability Skills self assessment exercise which we first undertook in the first semester of the Foundation Degree. On doing this, I compared the results from the two. It was encouraging that one of my main developments appears to have been in problem solving and I consider my Higher Education studies over the last three years as contributing to my deeper analysing abilities. In light of earlier descriptions of my learning journey and reflective logs, it is gratifying to see that I have come a long way in, not only overcoming my own obstacles to learning, but making measured and significant achievement which then enables me to guide others in their roles. Among the key learning experiences for me, alongside the above, are a recognition of the roles of others, networking and effective communication. My career path has involved working closely with and taking an interest in people, both clients and colleagues alike. This was particularly apparent when I recently updated my Curriculum Vitae (Appendix IV), which was last compiled almost fifteen years ago. In developing my management skills throughout my degree studies, I have discovered further ways of improving the effectiveness of these interactions which is immensely rewarding for me. Through networking with management and departments for resources on researching prison policy, security and management skills, I am now feeling positive and motivated to succeed in career development. Not only is this important from a practical, self-development perspective, but also the fulfilling sense of achievement this will bring. Until recently, I was Supervisor of the Core Sex Offender Treatment Programme which was an important role in developing my leadership skills, promoting staff well-being as well as guiding staffs professional development. Another important aspect of this was to remain flexible yet consistent in balancing these needs whilst focussing on the goals of the establishment Business Plan and Key Performance Target (KPT) priorities. This mirrors Handy (1987) who argues for such flexibility in his Trust Control Theory. I find myself taking the opportunity to develop the skills of others very seriously and is personally rewarding and empowering. The values I attribute to this mirror those of Kandola and Fullerton (1994) in their Mosaic Vision which I have included in Appendix V. In Transactional Analysis Theory (Bern, 1961), every individuals personality is made up of three parts Parent, Adult and Child. An assessment of my own revealed a predominantly Nurturing Parent relationship style which is immensely rewarding personally, but can prove emotionally draining and is not without its practical problems. However, developing assertiveness skills in establishing my own identity and skills base has the benefit of overcoming any negative rumination and keeps lines of communication open. An example of achieving this was in challenging my line manager over my yearly performance review where I was rated Achieved and not Exceeded which I felt was deserved. I could have overlooked this and ruminated unhelpfully, believing him to be responsible for not recognising my achievements, but chose instead to manage my manager and argued my case. I found the www.h2training.com website interesting which had useful strategies for reminding me how to maintain my own degree of self-determination. Quoting from this site: Its unreasonable to expect your manager to be entirely responsible for accelerating your career: ultimately, its your own responsibility. Remember that an expectation is also resentment waiting to happen, and it is very difficult to hide resentment. http://h2training.com/managing_manager_tips.html [accessed November 2010] Suffice to say, my performance record was amended accordingly. I recently had to step down from Sex Offender Treatment work which I found difficult to accept. I, therefore, reappraised my personal development and used reflective skills (Kolb, 1984 and Beck 1967) to help evaluate the experiences and to understand how I was interpreting them. By doing this, I was able to negotiate a role within the drugs support team after originally being offered an office based assessment position which I would have found unfulfilling. Indeed, on reflection, assertiveness and negotiation are two core management attributes which are now part of my skills set. Drawing together the range of experience and interests I have enjoyed over successive years keeps me, first and foremost, actively engaged in working for and alongside others. My role as a drugs support worker requires the key skills I possess with the realisation and expectation that they can be further developed with a particular emphasis on evaluating the management requirements of this work. This is encouraging and, in this period of change, I have come to realise the importance of job satisfaction as a key motivator for me. An important element of my professional life is to uphold personal and corporate values of decency and ethical practice including cultural diversity. I was pleased to be able to highlight these values in my Diversity Foundation Degree project from January 2009 where I made recommendations for valuing the diversity of staff and prisoners and improving ethical practice in Programmes Awareness training at Full Sutton. This was well received by the treatment management team resulting in the training being strengthened in this area. On sharing the findings of my Transactional Analysis with a work colleague, my nurturing parent style was acknowledged and confirmed through my perceived empathic nature. In looking at my management style, it is important that I maintain a balance between this and being careful not to go into White Knight schema-driven mode, where I need to defend others at all costs. Developing a style which cares for others yet enables them to function on their own merits allows me to function better as a genuinely caring person in my work and as a leader. Maslows Hierarchy of Needs theory (1943), reminds me that my own needs count as well as those of other people. In other words, putting other people first all the time is detrimental to my own well-being and valuing myself is, in itself, a key assertiveness skill. I continually remind myself of the announcements on aircraft during safety briefings where, in the event of oxygen masks being deployed, you are instructed to put your own on first before aiding anyone else. If you dont, you might pass out beforehand and then no one is saved. Critically evaluating My Leadership and Management Style Some years ago, a colleague of mine who has since retired, told me his thoughts on a particular Senior Manager. He used a phrase which, though meant in a derogatory sense, I have never forgotten. He said ..as a leader of men, I would only follow him out of curiosity. This colleague had spent many distinguished years in the Armed Services as a Regimental Sergeant Major and had been in the Prison Service for around 15 years. He had, therefore, some considerable experience of different management and leadership styles. Using established theory I continually analyse my own strengths and weaknesses in areas of leadership and management. Fayol (1916) highlighted five commons elements of management which are essential to the role. These include the ability to look to the future, to be organised and co-ordinate the organisational objectives, leading (though he defined it as commanding which is unhelpfully autocratic) and, finally, to control the above elements using all means at his or her disposal. Whilst this was written at the beginning of the last century, the basic tenets of management Fayol lists are still valid though ones own personality also engenders an effective workforce which can achieve results. The latter is personally important as I seek to have followers rather than delegates and makes me, as a manager, more of a leader. I recently completed the Myers Briggs Personality Type Questionnaire. Having done this a couple of years ago, I decided to redo this using an internet-based assessment resource (www.teamtechnology.co.uk) [accessed 15 September 2010], which produced a comprehensive 200 page report. Summary in Appendix VI The results proved very interesting and formed a cohesive assessment which affirmed the beliefs about my personality and leadership attributes gained over the last few years. This was confirmed through the initial questionnaire together with a separate subtest which had similar outcomes and, interestingly, the results were very similar to my previous assessment two years previously. Essentially, I have a strong focus on values, feelings, compassion and important beliefs where current experiences hold great learning importance. Team values are high and my role in ensuring the well-being of those with whom I work is important to me. There are, however, elements of this personality type which I am aware can be problematic if not managed appropriately. I do have a tendency to avoid conflict yet can be stubborn where my own values come into conflict with corporate ideals in which I run the risk of failing in objectivity. These are negative traits which I have been consciously working on over the last few years and serve to remind me that, whilst having a default style, this does not preclude effective working on these to the benefit of all concerned. Interestingly, the top two best matches of jobs for me based on enjoyment are actor and musician; for match came out as counsellor and customer care and a combination of match and enjoyment came out as counsellor and actor. All of these I have both experience and interest in and the traits from these have indeed shaped my leadership style. The Humanist approach described by McGregor (1964) looked at how individual attitudes can affect behaviour. He purported that there are 2 types of leader (using an X and Y continuum ranging from a negative to positive view of subordinates respectively). The latter, he showed, have a greater chance of effective performance from the workforce through a nurturing approach which I can identify with. A reflective log from December 2009 is included in Appendix VII. Again, as with most models, there is a typical style for each individual manager but even the most open and supportive one can revert on occasions to X-typical strategies and responses. This can be somewhat confusing and lacking in continuity for the workforce and, potentially unsettling as I will illustrate later in this essay. The model is similar to Tannenbaum and Schmidt (1958) who use the continuum from Authoritarian Task Orientation to Democratic Relationship Orientation where I operate towards the latter and Goleman (2000) on which I identify with the Affiliative (people come first) stage. Operational leaders, as covered by Maxwell (2002) have great value to an organisation in providing stability, devising systems and solving problems with positive engagement. However, because of their focus on detail they can overlook the bigger picture, sometimes lack motivation and are not effective in dealing with conflict. Very often, paraphrasing Maxwell here, operational leaders are not very good at getting their hands dirty but readily raise the flag at the moment of achievement. Thankfully, whilst viewing myself as an operational leader, I do like to share in tasks as well as delegate. John Adair (2002) in his range of leadership treatises, (which, incidently, build on the previous models of Maslow (1943), Herzberg (1964) and Fayol (1916) highlights three key management responsibilities under his banner of Action Centred leadership. Achieving the task Managing the team or group Managing individuals Whilst advocating a shared responsibility between the individual and external factors, it does not, however, take stock of the individual in the leadership role which I view as crucial. A similar but more complex model I have become interested in, is known as Crew Resource Management (CRM) which was originally devised by NASA to explore the human factors in civil aviation accidents in the 1970s. Several industries have adopted and adapted their own models accordingly and my interest will culminate in a dissertation for my Degree on the benefits of adopting a CRM approach to Prison Service critical incidents. Tasks or people? Workforce or Team ? It is clear that leadership is different to management though a good leader will have good management skills. In considering whether I impose myself as leader to focus on task or allow the team to flourish utilising their own skills, I completed the T-P leadership questionnaire (Appendix VIII). This scored exactly midway between the two, highlighting my awareness and flexibility to respond to both important aspects. How we respond to a leader gives some indication of our own skills and that of the one in the supervisory role. As one who aims to lead by inspiration, I am more inclined to follow Kolbs (1984) model of learning and encourage people to adapt concrete way of doing things to update their skills base and find more effective ways of working (feeling, watching, thinking, doing). An autocratic leader would be less inclined to allow such flexibility and attempt to ensure compliance from those who might be more inclined to kick and scream in and against the process. An effective leader should also take individual learning styles into account as no one method fits all. Honey and Mumfords Learning Style Inventory (1982), highlights the differences that exist, as I have found even within small teams, yet we all work together and effectively, notwithstanding that everyones experience of being under the same leadership will be different. One of the most important sources of reflection in considering my own style of leadership, plus a reinforcement of my own beliefs and values, is represented in the Style Theory of Leadership developed by Blake and Mouton (1964). This, essentially, follows on from McGregors X-Y theory and is more relevant to those predominantly on the Y axis and where a level of trust in management structure exists in the workplace. However, Blake and Mouton explored the benefits of those that put tasks before people and vice versa. Ultimately they considered whether concern for people or concern for production was more important for leaders. As with other models, the day to day style of individuals in leadership roles can vary but everyone has their own default mode. Where productivity appears more important than the maintenance and well-being of the staff, I can find myself at odds with the management and perceived ethos of the establishment at which I work. With the Blake Mouton model, I was relieved to have my default leadership style confirmed as Team Leader. This is indicative of high concern for both people and production where emphasis is placed on a spirit of teamwork and mutual co-operation. This also engenders a safe environment in which commitment from all sides is more readily forthcoming. However, in completing a recent practical assessment for a promotion board I failed to attain the required grade. I knew this as soon as the assessment was over, though I had to wait two months for the official result. In fact, I knew during the assessment, I was reacting totally contrary to my normal sense of priorities when faced with a constant stream of problems to solve. I found myself focussing primarily on the tasks and not enough on the personnel. For example, when faced with a member of staff who was emotionally upset at a domestic issue, I asked if he was okay to continue to get his landing unlocked and would look to help him with his problem later. Afterwards I learnt that the assessors were looking for Utopian responses in all scenarios assuming all needs could be immediately provided so I could have put staff welfare first, getting his role covered immediately so he could then get home to sort his issues. However, I reverted to my current work role where the pressure to meet deadlines sometimes overrides well-being. As this was completely at odds with how I believed I would normally have reacted, I was left feeling ill at ease and questioned why I persisted in this way when I am naturally Y (using McGregors model, 1960) and more team focused than task orientated (Blake Mouton, 1964). Whilst I may not fully understand why, at least it is a recognised trait à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦..theory X managers (or indeed theory Y managers displaying theory X are primarily results oriented Internet source http://www.businessballs.com/mcgregor.htm [October 2010] On reflection, I am convinced that the culture and environment of the higher management structure (which demands and focuses on results and targets) filters down and, no matter how much one tries to resist or even kick against it, it permeates ones own work practice after a while. The climate in which I work consistently places emphasis on the meeting of Key Performance Targets (KPTs) and now, the Service Level Agreement (SLA). In meeting these as well as ever increasing budgetary constraints, every facet of work culture is placed under the microscope and, wherever possible, cut, yet the targets must be met regardless. However, no matter the circumstances in which we find ourselves or expectations laid at our office door, it is how we respond that is important and the acceptance of our personal responsibility to be channelled into effective working. An important element of relationships, at all levels including personal and business, is trust. Where one perceives this to be eroded or not present due to conflict in aims or values, it can have a destructive affect on effective co-working. As can be seen above, this is something I am struggling with in the corporate ethos where I am constantly second-guessing the motives behind management decision-making. However, to be an effective manager, I am mindful of maintaining a healthy approach to embracing the mission of the workplace even though I may not fully understand or have access to the full rationale behind the decision making processes from Higher Management. As a leader, I have to convey to those I wish to work effectively under me, that this mission is achievable and in the common interest despite my own such uncertainties. Maintaining personal integrity and establishing trust are essential in my personal, professional and leadership identity. Straker (2008:208) talks of transaction cost and trust boundaries. Essentially he argues that trust, if allowed to erode or not fostered within an organisation can impact on delivery and there has to be a cost on both sides to re-establish this. As he says .. the overall cost can be minimised with up-front investment in, and subsequent maintenance of, trust. If one does not have that sense of belonging within the trust group then there is something wrong with the work relationship and part of effective management and leadership performance is to be pro-active in fostering trust and encouraging people to enter the trust boundary. It begs the question, therefore, who and under what conditions will we follow? Should we be expected to lead and expect blind faith? What criteria and principles should be presented in order for others to set out on the journey with us ? Handy (1987) suggests that in order for an outcome to remain constant, the Trust-Control balance might need to shift between leader and subordinates and I can see merits in this as relationships, as well as work pressures, are fluid in nature. There are three established styles of leadership: autocratic, paternalistic and democratic. History records successful leaders who have exhibited all of the above. Each style can work and produce results but demands a flexibility on the part of the workforce to fit in with the style and it is that response which can be acknowledged and worked with or not as the case may be, As for my own style, confirmed as a nurturing parental approach, this has immense benefits for myself and for those who work under me as they feel supported and, more importantly in my opinion, affirmed in their roles with their own skills base recognised and developed. As with any style there are costs and, as I am finding, where my own sense of values conflicts with the demands laid upon me, this can have a detrimental effect to my own sense of purpose within the organisation. It is important, therefore, that structures and lines of communication are open which allow for that expression of view. However, this, in itself, is not without the potential cost. As I found when raising my head above the parapet on several occasions, to express concern and personal frustration with the direction expected by senior managers, it can blot ones copybook. Again, it is important for me to consider how much of this is down to my own personal perception and how able I am to see my subordinates perspective and, crucially, the aims and focus of the establishment delivery objectives. Conclusion In terms of future roles, I am best placed to consider managerial positions. The Foundation Degree and BA(Hons) are regarded as valuable qualifications both for their content relevant to the Criminal Justice System and Leadership and Management but also symbolising the desire and commitment I have and have shown for continued self development (Appendix IX). In the final analysis, the human dynamic is the most beneficial resource in the workplace but it is also the most fickle and, at times, fragile. To lead is a privilege and to follow is an opportunity. I can only strive to make myself worthy of the trust placed in me to, not only get the job done, but to enable others to be the very best they can be and, in the process, ensure I am followed out of respect and not coercion or, indeed, curiosity. Appendices: I. Excerpt from Carnegie (1938) II. Study Skills Self Assessment III. Gibbs (1998) Reflective Cycle IV. Curriculum Vitae V. Kandola and Fullerton (1994) Mosaic Vision VI. Myers Briggs Personality Type Questionnaire VII. Reflective Log on McGregor X,Y Theory VIII. T-P Leadership Questionnaire IX. Professional Development Plan Appendix I Excerpts from How To Win Friends and Influence People Carnegie (1938) Fundamental Techniques in Handling People Dont criticize, condemn, or complain. Give honest and sincere appreciation. Arouse in the other person an eager want. Six Ways to Make People Like You Become genuinely interested in other people. Smile. Remember that a mans Name is to him the sweetest and most important sound in any language. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves. Talk in the terms of the other mans interest. Make the other person feel important and do it sincerely Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking Avoid arguments. Show respect for the other persons opinions. Never tell someone they are wrong. If youre wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically. Begin in a friendly way. Start with questions the other person will answer yes to. Let the other person do the talking. Let the other person feel the idea is his/hers. Try honestly to see things from the other persons point of view. Sympathize with the other person. Appeal to noble motives. Dramatize your ideas. Throw down a challenge. Be a Leader: How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment Begin with praise and honest appreciation. Call attention to other peoples mistakes indirectly. Talk about your own mistakes first. Ask questions instead of directly giving orders. Let the other person save face. Praise every improvement. Give them a fine reputation to live up to. Encourage them by making their faults seem easy to correct. Make the other person happy about doing what you suggest. Appendix II. Study Skills Self Assessment Appendix III. Gibbs (1998) Reflective Cycle Appendix IV. Curriculum Vitae Appendix V My Personal and Professional Values Related to The Mosaic Vision (Kandola and Fullerton, 1994) Mission and values (I tend to have a rescuer style in

RU-486 :: essays research papers

Ethics 101 Stienfeld Deliberation Brief RU- 486 â€Å"Mifepristone, The French Abortion Pill, The â€Å"anti-pregnancy† pill, Mifeprex, Abortion by Pill, RU- 486, ru486, mifegyne, M&M, RU-486, Miracle Pill, The Abortion Pill, non-surgical abortion, the â€Å"easy† abortion, Makes-the-baby-go-away pill, Unpregnancy, Contragestion Chemical Abortion, RU-28486, Medical Abortion, Mf.† (RU486: The Pill, The Process, and The Problems). Call if what you want, but on September 28, 2000 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a drug known as RU-486, which will now be known by trade name as Mifeprex. Basically, what this drug does is cease early pregnancy. A woman may take this drug 49 days or less from the beginning of the last menstrual period. By using this method, three steps need to be taken. The first step includes a dose of three 200 milligrams of Mifepristone orally. The next step occurs two days later taking two 200 micrograms of Misoprostol orally. After completing those two dosages the woman has to go back to the doctor for a â€Å"follow-up† visit about 14 days later, to make sure that the procedure was successful, and the pregnancy was indeed terminated. Even though the procedure sounds easy, there are many set backs that make the drug not â€Å"the easy way† out. A woman will experience about 9-16 days of bleeding or spotting, other side effects may be nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and painful cramping. Unlike an abortion the procedure is indeed a process, it isn’t a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am type of ordeal. There are very serious and cautious steps a woman needs to take in order for the abortion pill to complete itself.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Looking back at the history of RU-486, we need to take a trip to Europe back in 1980, which is when it was invented. Years later it was approved in France in 1988, and manufactured by a French industry called Roussel-Uclaf, hence the name RU. The 486 came from the shortened version of the first compound number the pill had, or 38486. After the drug started to spread throughout Europe, many other non-Europe countries such as Russia, United Kingdom, China, Israel, and South Africa approved the pill as well. Although the drug was becoming â€Å"popular† across seas, the United States delayed permission to allow the drug. The main reason for this delay was that President George Bush was a strong pro-life advocate, but that all changed in 1993 when President Bill Clinton came into office. In 1996, tests were being done with the FDA to approve the RU-486 pill.

Too Many People :: Populating Environment Papers

Too Many People Introduction Do people realize that there is a population problem? Can our earth support and sustain the incredible number of 5.6 billion people, constantly increasing at the rate of 1.7 percent each year (conservation 67). At this rate 95 million people are added to our world every year. To bring this into perspective, every month 11,000 new babies are born, every second, three new people are added to the already over populated planet (Ehrlich 14). Every person added to the world has a claim to the earth's food, energy and other resources. We must also realize that there is not a single factor that limits how many people the earth can support. The rising population will only aggravate the problems staring us in the face right now, such as food shortages, and damage to the environment. The Club of Earth, whose members belong to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, released this statement in 1988. Arresting global population growth should be second in importance only to avoiding the nuclear war on humanity's agenda. Over population and rapid population growth are intimately connected with most aspects of the current human predicament, including rapid depletion of nonrenewable resources, deterioration of the environment and increasing international tensions. (Ehrlich 18). The human population has drastically increased in the last couple of centuries. The earth will not be able to sustain the growing population due to increasing environmental and economic stresses. We must confront the issue and come up with workable solutions. Why Are People Not Scared. In order to come up with solutions, one must first realize the problem. Why are people not aware of the population crisis? Up until just recently, in Cairo, Egypt where a dialog and a Programme of Action was established to confront overpopulation by the United Nation International Conference, there has not been much talk on this issue. One of the main reasons people do not recognize overpopulation to be a problem is it's slow developing nature. Over two thousand years ago there was an estimated 250 million people. It took 1650 years before the population first doubled. Since then the doubling time of the population would shrink to 200 years, and continued to shrink to a time span of just 35 years. But even with these incredible increasing growth rates, it is impossible to notice these "slow motion changes" as compared to an every day event (Ehrilich 15).

Drug Legalization Essay -- Drugs Argumentative Use Essays

This paper will prove that America’s drug laws are ineffective and cause more harm than good. The notion that a state of freedom exists in America is completely voided by narcotic laws. Narcotic laws cause a black market, which raises the prices of drugs to astronomical levels. These high prices cause drug addicts to turn to crime in order to support their habit. There exists substantial evidence that marijuana is less harmful than legal product like alcohol or nicotine. The war on drugs is comparable to the Vietnam War in its harm on the current generation of minorities. The government avoids ending anti-narcotic legislation because of the vast amount of capital which is spent on the war on drugs in terms of law enforcement and prison systems. Also there are many legislators whose campaign corner stones are often getting tough on drugs, to make an about face would mean political suicide. Yes, drugs are illegal. This very fact is what discourages many Americans from using drugs. However the illegality of the substances in question do not stop all people from using. Despite the severe punishment users of illicit drugs face if caught, illicit drug use is widespread in the United States. â€Å"According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse's 1992 National Household Survey, more than one in three Americans (36.2%) have used illegal drugs at least once in their lifetime, nearly 28 million Americans (11.1%) used them in the previous year, and almost 14 million Americans (5.5%) used them during the past month† (Skolnick 3). This is clear evidence that the war is not working. Drug addicts will continue using drugs regardless of the penalties associated with procession, simply because they are addicted to these dangerous substances an... ...nment run store where drugs would be sold only to adults. Much the same as the way liquor is sold in many areas of the country today. Drugs would for the most part be out of the reach of children. Drugs would be relatively inexpensive, and within the reach of addicts, who would no longer have to turn to crime in order to obtain them (when was the last time you heard of someone getting mugged in order for the perpetrator to buy beer). People would be allowed to freely grow marijuana and or hemp. Treatment for addicts would be free and easily obtainable. Money would be spent on improving the conditions of schools, roads and other things that Americans really need. There would exist much the same laws for operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs as exist for operating under the influence of alcohol today. There would once again be a state of freedom in America.

Ri Paper For Internal Circulation Only Raffles Institution 2012 Essay

Passage 1 1. What is the writer hoping to emphasise by italicising ‘does not’ and ‘cannot’ in line 6? [1] Lifted â€Å"Just because money does not buy happiness does not mean money cannot buy happiness,† says Elizabeth Dunn, a social psychologist and assistant professor at the University of British Columbia. Paraphrased The author hopes to emphasise †¦ (the contrast / difference between) what money often fails to do but actually has the potential to achieve. {MUST attempt to explain ‘does not’ and ‘cannot’. Merely saying that there is a difference/contrast is stating the obvious. E.g. ‘Does not’ is different from ‘cannot’. = 0m.} 1 2. Using your own words as far as possible, explain how we use money wrongly (line 8). [2] Lifted a. we tend to value GOODS over experiences, b. OURSELVES over others, Paraphrased a. People tend to think that commodities/things {must be tangible} are more important than experiences, b. People value themselves over others/self-centred†¦ OR spend on themselves rather than others, c. THINGS over people. c. People prefer spending on objects rather than people. d. [Inferred] We are spending on temporary pursuits and cravings that tend to disappear over time. {MUST capture the comparison (the reason it is wrong is because the preference is wrong). Need not follow the sequence in the answer scheme.} 3-4 points – 2 marks 1-2 points – 1 mark d. †¦ the spending that makes us happy, it turns out, is often spending where the money vanishes and leaves something INEFFABLE in its place. 1 For Internal Circulation Only 3. Using your own words as far as possible, explain three reasons why experiences are ‘inherently more social’ (line 28) [3] Lifted As experiences are inherently more social – when we vacation or eat out or go to the movies it is usually with other people, †¦we are liable also to RELIVE the experience when we see those people again. And past experiences can work as a sort of social adhesive even with people who did not PARTICIPATE with us, providing stories and conversational fodder in a way that a new watch or speedboat rarely can. In addition, †¦experiences do not usually trigger the same sort of PERNICIOUS comparisons that material possessions do†¦ (lines 2835) Paraphrased a. [Inferred] Experiences naturally involve interaction with people and 1 b. We are likely to recall / revisit / reminisce / recollect the experience when we meet those people again. c. People can also bond with people who were not present / strangers / others (through the sharing of anecdotes/conversational material). 1 1 d. Experiences do not cause hurtful comparisons†¦ OR experiences do not make people envious/jealous/ [inferred] insecure. 1 {MUST capture negative connotation.} 1m per point for any 3 of the above points. Maximum 3m. 4. Why does the writer use ‘seeming’ in the phrase ‘even for seeming essentials like cars, houses and, clothes’ (line 41)? Use your own words as far as possible. [1] Lifted Paraphrased Much of the impetus for a. Such needs are (could be) perceived to be crucial for discretionary spending everyday life even though they are not. OR†¦ even for seeming essentials like cars, b. Suggests that the author has doubts about whether houses, and clothes†¦ these objects are crucial. OR†¦ OR We might MISTAKE that c. The  writer feels that it is wrong to associate happiness with material/luxury goods. motivation for happiness, or for having a better life, but it is driven by something else, a human {Answer MUST include the idea of doubt and the need to compete or to fit explanation. in. Denied: sarcasm, cynicism, mockery Accepted: sceptical/scepticism (on its own), sceptical about this.} 1 2 For Internal Circulation Only 5. Explain what the writer means by ‘Talking about money and happiness in the same breath, it turns out, is not necessarily a surrender to crass materialism.’ (lines 47-48) [2] Lifted Talking about money and happiness in the SAME BREATH, it turns out, is not necessarily a SURRENDER to CRASS materialism†¦ Paraphrased a. Connecting / Linking money and happiness†¦ OR Talking about / discussing money and happiness together†¦ b. is in reality not always giving in to†¦ OR a submission to†¦ OR being a victim of†¦ c. a vulgar desire for material goods. OR excessive/shallow desire for luxury goods. 3 points – 2 marks 1-2 points – 1 mark. Passage 2 6. â€Å"If you are a single male driving around in the Ferrari with nobody next to you, it is a glaring omission.† (lines 14-15) a) Why does the writer refer to the Ferrari in line 15? [1] Pt Lift (not possible) Other trophies simply do not bring the payoff one expects. Says Loewenstein, â€Å"If you are a single male driving around in the Ferrari with nobody next to you, it is a glaring omission.† Inference a. A Ferrari is an example of a ‘trophy’. b. A Ferrari is a well-known example of a highly desired product. c. A Ferrari signifies high status / wealth in society. {Any of the above will be accepted.} 1 3 For Internal Circulation Only b) What does ‘glaring omission’ (line 15) imply here? Pt Lift (not possible) Other trophies simply do not bring the payoff one expects. Says Loewenstein, â€Å"If you are a single male driving around in the Ferrari with nobody next to you, it is a glaring omission.† [2] Inference [Inferred from ‘glaring’] a. It is strongly believed/popularly accepted that/very obvious {‘Emphasise’ and ‘highlight’ are not accepted because the question is not asking for the writer’s intention.} [Inferred from ‘omission’, reinforcing stereotypes.] b. that driving a Ferrari/luxury sports car will attract women / ladies / females / companions / partners. {Direct paraphrase of the quote is not acceptable.} 1 1 7. ‘A life that was constantly happy was not a good life’ (lines 30-31). Explain why this is a paradox. [2] Pt Lift â€Å"Part of the meaning of life is to have highs and lows. A life that was constantly happy was not a good life.† Inference [Must capture the clash.] a. We aim/wish/expect for maximum/optimum happiness in our lives all the time AND any of the following [Must capture what ‘good life’ entails.] b. Yet, a good life is one that has ups and downs, not just ups OR c. Yet, a good life is one with adequate/comparable negative experiences, not just positive experiences OR d. Yet, it is not just happiness that is ‘good’ but the ‘bad’ (of lows) is also seen to be ‘good’ {The key idea here is to question the value of ‘constant’ as a ‘good’ thing.} Answers will get either 2 marks or 0 mark. 1 1 4 For Internal Circulation Only 8. Summary Using material from paragraphs 2 to 5, summarise what Matthew Herper has to say about why wealth does not bring a constant sense of joy, why happiness is overrated, and the relationship between money and happiness. Wealth does not bring a constant sense of joy as†¦ Pt a. Lift Re-phrase â€Å"Part of the reason is that people are not people do not know how to use their money very good at FIGURING out what to do to get happiness with the money,† (lines 6-7) OR {Main idea of a lack of knowledge people are incompetent when it comes to understanding how to use money about how to manage money.} People generally OVERESTIMATE (line they have unrealistic expectations of the 8) {Students must capture the idea that it is off the mark.} the amount of long-term PLEASURE they will get from a given object. (lines 89) The way people spend money can make them less happy. (lines 9-10) Other trophies simply do not bring the (line 14) b. c. d. e. (Enduring) joy / happiness / positive outcomes that they can derive from something/object. The way people spend money can make them less happy. Other possessions also may not deliver f. g. {Do not accept ‘prizes’ / ’plaques’ / ’rewards’} PAYOFF one expects. (line 14) the rewards / utility / happiness we hope / wish to have. The central problem is that the human Next, our brain is accustomed to brain becomes CONDITIONED to pleasant/happy/joyful experiences as positive experiences. (lines 15-16) OR You can get used to anything, be it hanging by your toenails or making millions of dollars a day. (lines 19-20) Getting a chunk of unexpected money registers as a good thing, but as time passes, the response WEARS off. (lines 16-18) Mood may be set more by heredity†¦ (line 20) h. with time, their effect on us weakens/dies off/subsides. i. Lastly, our happiness level may depend on our genes 5 For Internal Circulation Only j. k. than by anything else†¦ (line 20) But this raises another question. How IMPORTANT is happiness anyway? (line 23) People with chronic illnesses describe themselves as happy, but they would still pay large sums for better health. And although healthy individuals are not much happier than quadriplegics, they would pay large sums of money to keep the use of their limbs. (lines 23-26) Some of life’s most SATISFYING experiences (line 26) do not bring happiness. (line 27) â€Å"Part of the meaning of life is to have highs (line 30) and lows†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (line 30) A life that was CONSTANTLY happy (line 30) was not a GOOD life.† (lines 30-31) more than other factors. OR predominantly / mostly [Inferred] However, the significance / necessity / crucial nature of happiness is still in doubt. [Inferred] Even supposedly happy people find happiness insufficient [Inferred] as they are willing to pay to ensure certain privileges†¦ OR health. l. m. n. o. p. q. r. s. Besides, some of the most gratifying/rewarding experiences do not make us happy. A meaningful life should also have its joyous and sad moments. A life that is always / perpetually happy is not fulfilling. t. u. {Do not award for point s in the absence of point r.} However, there may be at least one Yet, there remains a significant link IMPORTANT relationship between between money and happiness in that money and happiness†¦ (lines 31-32) †¦ happy people tend to have higher happy people earn more. incomes later on in their lives. (lines 3334) OR So, while money may not help make people happy, being happy may help them make money. (lines 34-35) Total: 21 points, 11 words that cannot be lifted Points ≠¥ 14 12 – 13 10 – 11 8–9 7 5–6 3–4 1–2 Marks 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 For Internal Circulation Only Wealth does not bring a constant sense of joy as†¦ people do not know how to use their money {a} and have unrealistic expectations {b} of the enduring joy that they can derive from something {c}. Other prized possessions {e} also may not deliver the rewards we wish to have {f}. Next, our brain is trained to be accustomed to pleasant experiences {g} as with time, their effect on us subsides {h}. However, the significance of happiness is still in doubt {k}. Even supposedly happy people find happiness insufficient {l} and are willing to pay to ensure their health {m}. Besides, some of the most gratifying experiences {n} do not make us happy {o}. A life that is always happy {r} is also not fulfilling {s}. Yet, there remains a significant link {t} between money and happiness – happy people earn more {u}. (16 points, 116 words) Vocabulary: 9. Give the meaning of the following words as they are used in the passage. You may write your answer in one word or a short phrase. Passage 1 Futility (line 3) noun Philosophers and gurus, holy books and self-help manuals have all warned of the futility of equating material gain with true well-being Answer should capture: ï‚ · Does not achieve purpose  OR lacks meaning ï‚ · Negative connotation Intriguing (line 8) adj The intriguing explanation for the poor wealth-to-happiness exchange rate is that the problem is not money, it is us. Answer should capture: ï‚ · Arousing intense curiosity OR very interesting ï‚ · Intensity 1 mark ï‚ · Hopelessness ï‚ · Uselessness ï‚ · Lack of purpose or meaning ï‚ · Efforts are in vain Accepted ï‚ · Ineffectiveness ï‚ · Meaningless ï‚ · Pointlessness 0 marks ï‚ · Wastage ï‚ · Worthless venture ï‚ · Failure ï‚ · Improbable ï‚ · Inability ï‚ · Foolishness ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · Ability to arouse intense curiosity Fascinating Deeply/very interesting Appeal strongly To captivate Very interesting and unexpected Very interesting and surprising ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · Capture interest Arouse curiosity Extremely interesting Thoughtprovoking ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · Interesting {indication of intensity is not very apparent} Exciting Puzzling Ignorance Surprising Curious Intellectually stimulating 7 For Internal Circulation Only impetus (line 40) noun Much of the impetus for discretionary spending – even for seeming essentials like cars, houses, and clothes – comes from a desire to send certain signals about our buying power and our tastes. Answer should capture: ï‚ · The idea of a push or drive. Quell (line 45) verb And $5,000 worth of new stuff, or even $500,000 worth, is unlikely to permanently quell that need. Answer should capture: ï‚ · Suppressing. 1 mark ï‚ · (Sustained) drive ï‚ · Push ï‚ · Motivation ï‚ · A moving force ï‚ · Impulse ï‚ · Stimulus ï‚ · Boost Accepted ï‚ · Catalyst ï‚ · Thrust ï‚ · Spur ï‚ · Spark ï‚ · Trigger ï‚ · Incentive 0 marks ï‚ · Impulsive ï‚ · Penchant ï‚ · Impetuous ï‚ · Attack ï‚ · Assail ï‚ · Reason ï‚ · ï‚ · Subdue Suppress ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · Quiet Satiate / Quench Satisfy Appease Fulfil (incidental / part / whole) Allay Pacify Assuage ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · Vanquish / Defeat {wrong context} Stop / Halt / Cease Remove Overthrow / Overcome Repress Oppress Extinguish Destroy / Annihilate Kill Dispel Diminish Literally Figuratively Approximately {the idea of estimation, not accepted} Ostensibly Actually Effectually Basically Passage 2 Virtually (line 1) adverb Surveys have found virtually the same level of happiness between the very rich individuals on the Forbes 400 and the Maasai herdsmen of East Africa. Answer should capture: ï‚ · For the most part. ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · Nearly; Practically; Almost completely Almost wholly Almost entirely For the most part Just about ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · Almost Effectively Essentially ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · 8 For Internal Circulation Only 10. Application Question: Drake Bennett talks about how pro-social spending can lead to happiness while Matthew Herper argues that money does not lead to happiness. Which writer’s views do you find more persuasive? Discuss the relevance of the arguments presented in both passages to you and your own society. [8] ï‚ · ï‚ · Answers that refer to only material from one passage would not be awarded more than 3 marks Explanation/evaluation should not just be a paraphrase of authors’ opinions Possible points From Passage 1 Bennett 1 Extract For deep-seated psychological reasons, when it comes to spending money, we tend to value goods over experiences, ourselves over others, things over people. (lines 9-11) Possible explanations & S’pore context Relevant : In a society that is economically driven more than anything else, this is not a surprise. This drive, whether marked by early economic migration, post-war rebuilding, separation from Malaysia or simply Government push, remains sustained, if not stronger. Material success is celebrated and sheer narcissistic consumption is validated by commercial as well as social media. Examples : 2011 SMU study – S’porean women are significantly more materialistic than their American counterparts. Relevance of 5 ‘C’ [cash, credit card, car, condo, country club] notations despite more than a decade of use Not so relevant: There is a rising trend of S’poreans spending on people rather than objects; in 2007, Finance Minister Tharman had indicated clear tax concessions for charity spending and to focus Singapore as a ‘philanthropy hub’. More people, not just the rich, are donating generous sums to their alumni schools, religious charities and other organizations catering to  specific demographics such as the elderly, physically disabled, terminally ill etc. There is also increase in charity through CSR, whether by global MNCs or S’pore GLCs. Of course, the real intention behind the generosity is debatable but as corporations form a substantial percentage in a small workforce, the evidence is mathematically there that ‘we, the management/employees of company X, Y, Z†¦ are altruistic and caring’. There is a rising trend of social entrepreneurs opening restaurants to help the less fortunate and former prisoners. 9 For Internal Circulation Only 2 †¦ higher â€Å"prosocial spending† – gifts for others and donations to charity – was indeed correlated with higher selfreported happiness. (lines 18-20) Relevant : well-known philanthropists such as popiah king Sam Goi, Elim Chew of 77th Street, remisier Peter Lim, Chinese Chamber of Commerce ex-president Chua Thian Poh, Mustaq Ahmad of Mustafa Centre etc have gone on record to say so on newspaper interviews. Hong Kong billionaire loves to donate to Singapore, especially for education charity, for the same purported reason. The education system also introduces students to prosocial spending. The persistence of students in doing charitable acts also suggests happiness and satisfaction obtained. Not so relevant: This is not a technical disagreement. While the actual amount on ‘pro-social spending’ could be higher, it is usually by a small group of uber-rich AND older persons. The majority of Singaporeans, especially youth, have gone on record in many academic surveys that high levels of nuanced selfish material consumption is more rewarding than engaging in others’ welfare. The intense hours and anxiety spent on studying/work necessarily need to see material purchases as a direct reward. Perhaps this material reward can THEN lead to social happiness by the envy/admiration they evoke – e.g. for a Prada handbag, for the possession of a prized virtual weapon for a Diablo 3 PC online game character. This could be an unintended consequence of a meritocratic society. Most parents would also largely spend on their children and obtain great satisfaction. 3 money spent on experiences – vacations or theatre tickets or meals out – makes you happier than money spent on material goods. (lines 21-23) Relevant: Points to support this will  be relatively difficult based on available Singapore studies. Typically, Singaporeans vacationing will covet purchases from overseas; theatre ticket purchases locally may indicate a need to belong to a certain materially privileged crowd rather than the sheer love of the arts. Nevertheless, any qualified evidence is welcome to support agreement however the difficulty is in establishing the level of happiness obtained. Not so relevant: Typical youth population notes that playing World Of Warcraft or getting a new iPhone 4S is far more meaningful; middle-aged men and their toy figure collections; ladies of all ages on record saying that splurging on themselves, expensive cosmetic treatment more rewarding than anything else – refer to any Friday URBAN section of The Straits Times. As mentioned in earlier point, first the money has to be spent on material goods and THEN the experience related or shared can increase your happiness as a corollary. 4 As experiences are inherently more social †¦ we are liable also to relive the experience Relevant : the rise of alumni associations locally, aided by social media, have greatly increased networking; heritage and memorabilia gatherings are on the rise with 10 For Internal Circulation Only when we see those people again. And past experiences can work as a sort of social adhesive even with people who did not participate with us, providing stories and conversational fodder in a way that a new watch or speedboat rarely can 5 (lines 28-32) Talking about money and happiness in the same breath, it turns out, is not necessarily a surrender to crass materialism – it can also be a route to a new and more humane way to think about vitally important things like consumption, satisfaction, investment, and value. (lines 47-50) rich persons being key drivers behind these projects. Various hobby groups would also be relevant such as cycling clubs, dragon boating groups or cosplay groups. Not so relevant: There are hobby groups based on material goods such as car clubs or clubs for owners of toys. Material goods can also generate a sense of nostalgia. Relevant: SMU Board chairman Ho Kwon Ping and wife Claire Chiang regularly  promote pro-social spending and business; they are seen as new-age positive materialists and intellectuals. Christina Ong, boss of homegrown Club 21, is known for widespread charity outreach and growing her business, with equal pleasure. Not so relevant: For the majority of Singaporeans who lack such education or reflective practices, blatant monetary and property acquisition is the norm and only leads to a vicious cycle of debt, miscalculated risk-taking in investment etc From Passage 2 1 Extract People generally overestimate the amount of long-term pleasure they will get from a given object. Sometimes, Loewenstein notes, the way people spend their money can actually make them less happy. (lines 8-10) Possible explanations & S’pore context Relevant: Just the consumer electronics industry here can attest to this; spending on upgrading of Apple smartphones from 3Gs to 4 to 4S; disposing of existing LCD for widescreen and 3D monitors, graphics cards in favour of new ones even though all are fully functional; rising number of secondhand computer parts shops is evidence of increasing technology shopping, which ultimately leaves one unhappy and insecure in the face of inability to keep up with the latest. While the tech spending may supposedly be mostly for males, the females display this ‘overestimation of long-term pleasure’ in copious fashion couture purchases and cosmetics. The increase in level of credit card debt is also an indication of less happiness as a result of overspending. Not to relevant: A basic level of income is necessary in Singapore to live a comfortable life. With a median household income of S$6000, anyone earning less would be hard pressed to live comfortably. In wired Singapore, having electronic goods is a necessity and can help attain more happiness in terms of education and interacting with peers. 2 The central problem is that the human brain becomes Relevant: Just looking at government financial decisions which affect the majority of the population – after a while, 11 For Internal Circulation Only conditioned to positive experiences. Getting a chunk of unexpected money registers as a good thing, but as time passes, the response wears off. An expected paycheck does not bring any buzz at all  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ and does not contribute to overall happiness. (lines 15-19) Not so relevant: Since the Singapore population composition keeps changing with addition of foreigners, for the majority of the new citizens, this buzz is sustained. As Singaporeans also travel more, they might be more aware of societies which are not as fortunate as Singapore. Relevant: raising a family is universally seen as rewarding; the Government keeps promoting childbearing YET almost the first twenty years of a local child causes much stress for parents – working mothers post-maternity leave and the perennial maid/mother/mother-in-law management; young couples griping about childcare and choice primary schools; until the child is in a choice pri school and moving on to a premier sec sch, the parents put themselves under great duress. There is growing feeling that work-life balance is impossible and people are focusing more on their careers. Not so relevant: Hard to convince for majority local context but there is evidence that a positive change in attitudes to raising children is present, thanks to religious organizations, pro-family policies, national movements e.g. DadsForLife!. There are people who are giving up their careers for the sake of their children. There is also a push for women to return to the workforce after raising their children initially. 4 †¦ happy people tend to have higher incomes later on in their lives. So, while money may not help make people happy, being happy may help them make money. (lines 33-35) Relevant: There are professional who have given up their careers to take up their passions such as opening restaurants and bakeries, and they are doing well. There is an increasing number of entrepreneurs who pursue their passions. The main issue here is that happiness is independent of money and they do not have any links. Not so relevant In 2012, S’pore ranks high in benchmarks of physical comforts – healthiest country in the world, richest country in the world BUT ranks 90th in Happiness Index. Almost the entire local labour force can be on record for having technically higher incomes through their lives but the cost of living never lets up. Singaporeans are not happy or not happy enough but they keep making money anyway. the public becomes numb to the government’s welltimed monetary handouts and utility bill/town council fee reductions; the public expects more consultative engagement for sustained happiness. Recent feedback from the public seems to suggest that people overlook what is good in Singapore and focus on only the negative in terms of healthcare,  transportation, housing, and standards of living. Possible reasons could be a lack of sufficient information about life in other societies and countries. 3 Some of life’s most satisfying experiences do not bring happiness. For instance, having children actually makes people less happy over the short term (lines 26-28) 12

Gulliver’s Travels: Don Pedro de Mendez

In the beginning, Book IV of Gulliver’s Travels starts off as an almost comedic anarchist story of a captain being held hostage on his own ship and being thrown off board on a strange unknown island, but in reality ends up being a satiric comment on society with a deep philosophical meaning. The author, Jonathan Swift, cleverly intertwined many intelligent, complex and interesting characters into the voyages of the antagonist: Lemuel Gulliver. Don Pedro De Mendez, a character introduced by Swift in the eleventh chapter, serves great use to the plot as well as to the readers’ understanding of Book IV of Gulliver’s Travels.Particularly as a bridge between two worlds; the reason (being the land of the Houyhnhnms) and the lawless (the yahoos or humankind around the world). Don Pedro De Mendez serves as a function of making the antagonist reflect. When the first encounter is made with Don Pedro we see that he is an outstanding â€Å"Yahoo†. â€Å"He was a very courteous and generous person; {†¦} desired to know what I would eat or drink {†¦} but he ordered me a chicken and some excellent wine. † (Swift 2456). The reader acknowledges from the start that he is a kind, generous, amiable and loving man.Many manners Don Pedro presents towards Gulliver lead’s him to commence his questioning in regard of whether humankind is really as awful as the Houyhnhnms have portrayed. â€Å"that I wondered to find such civilities in a Yahoo† (Swift 2456). Don Pedro showed care for Gulliver not only when he took him on board gratis but when he saved him from jumping off the boat to his death. â€Å"He desired to know my reason for so desperate an attempt; assured me he only meant to do me all the service he was able {†¦} that at last I descended to treat him like an animal which had some little portion of reason† (Swift 2456).At this point Gulliver begins to realise that, even though he is still repulsed by human l ook and smell, not every Yahoo is as appalling as he is lead to believe. At this point, it is quite obvious that Don Pedro is inserted into the plot for a definite reason and it starts to take effect on Gulliver. Not only does he manage to withstand Don Pedro and his sailor’s company but he begins to create false pretences â€Å"but pretending I was sick, kept close in my cabin. (Swift 2458) while he says that only Yahoos lie â€Å"the use of speech was to make us understand one another, and to receive information of facts; now, if any one said the thing which was not, these ends were defeated, because I cannot properly be said to understand him; and I am so far from receiving information, that he leaves me worse than in ignorance; for I am led to believe a thing black, when it is white, and short, when it is long. † (Swift 2428). â€Å"For I had quite forgot the faculty of lying, so particular to Yahoos in all countries where they preside, and consequently the dispo sition of suspecting truth in others of their own species. (Swift 2456). More and more as the plot refines itself, Gulliver begins to regain old everyday humanoid habits. â€Å"I only desired he would lend me two clean shirts, which having been washed since he wore them, I believed would not so much defile me. These I changed every second day, and washed them myself. † (Swift 2457). â€Å"The captain persuaded me to accept a suit of clothes newly made {†¦} which I aired for twenty-four hours before I would use them. † (Swift 2457). Jonathan Swift also used the character of Don Pedro as a plot mover. He helps advance and continue the plot in many ways.Primarily, if his ship was not spotted at just the perfect time by Gulliver, Gulliver would have continued to the northern end of the peninsula and probably have been hunted down by natives and murdered. The presence of Don Pedro saves Gulliver’s life twice that day, â€Å"and in half an hour stole out, when I thought the crew was at dinner; and getting to the side of the ship, was going to leap into the sea, and swim for my life, rather than continue among Yahoos. But one of the seamen prevented me {†¦} I was chained to my bed† (Swift 2456) so if Don Pedro’s men would not have been there to stop Gulliver from jumping, the plot would have ended. When they began to talk, I thought I never heard or saw any thing so unnatural, for it appeared to me as monstrous as if a dog or a cow should speak in England, or a Yahoo in Houyhnhnmland† (Swift 2456). Also, Don Pedro and his men were the first Yahoos he spoke to in five years, which helped his progression from a houyhnhnm to a humanoid. â€Å"When they began to talk {†¦} they spoke to me with great humanity, and said they were sure their captain would carry me gratis to Lisbon. † (Swift 2456). Finally, thinking that Gulliver is ready, shown in this quote: â€Å"In a week’s time he seduced me down to the door.I found my terror gradually lessened, but my hatred and contempt seemed to increase. I was at last bold enough to walk the streets in his company. † (Swift 2458). Don Pedro assists the plot by persuasively pushing Gulliver to return to his hometown in England and try to weave back into society. â€Å"Don Pedro {†¦} put it upon me as a point of honour and conscience that I ought to return to my native country, and live at home with my wife and children. † (Swift 2457). Although Don Pedro’s intentions were kind and comely, the attempt was a failure.Once arrived in Redriff, his hometown, he realised that he was not cured. â€Å"The sight of them filled me only with hatred, disgust and contempt; {†¦} my wife took me in her arms, and kissed me; at which, having not been used to the touch of that odious animal for so many years, I fell in a swoon for almost an hour. † (Swift 2459). In conclusion, Don Pedro De Mendez serves as a function of mak ing the antagonist reflect on whether he shall return to the world of the Yahoos or not, in this sense Jonathan Swift uses his character as a plot mover thus demonstrating a bridge between two worlds.Don Pedro also serves as a summary clearly stating the most important part of the climax to the readers so they may understand better what is going on. In general, Swift uses Don Pedro as a coin flip; on one side we find the rational world of the Houyhnhnms and on the other side the â€Å"irrational† world of the Yahoos or humankind. If you compared the situation between the Houyhnhnms and the Yahoos to present society throughout the world, how rational are we exactly?Difference in opinions has cost many millions of lives: for instance, whether flesh be bread, or bread be flesh; whether the juice of a certain berry be blood or wine; whether whistling be a vice or a virtue; whether it be better to kiss a post, or throw it into the fire; what is the best colour for a coat, whether black, white, red, or gray; and whether it should be long or short, narrow or wide, dirty or clean; with many more. Neither are any wars so furious and bloody, or of so long a continuance, as those occasioned by difference in opinion, especially if it be in things indifferent. (Swift 2432).