Abstract This paper deals with the motive of continuity and discontinuity in Graham Swift's novel "Last Orders", focusing on postmodernism and intertextuality. The recollections of each character are related and utilized to demonstrate the underlying theme of continuation and discontinuation.
From the Paper "The reader, because he bears the role of voyeur and intruder in those streams of consciousness, progressively happens to own more knowledge than any isolated enunciator. The reader is like the private eye of a detective story, slowly watching the truth unfold. This very precisely worked-out reorganization of time makes him the only omniscient instance of the discourse. For instance, in Vince's soliloquy of page 136 to 137, the photograph of Ray and Jack in the desert - a recurring object that participates in the dimension of continuity - wouldn't have the same effect if we had not known before that it was taken after both of them came out of the Egyptian brothel. Vince's mentioning of Jack appearing "all by himself, with his shirt undone, chest bare, holding a ciggy" or "grinning, still alive, like he knows you don't know who he really is" bears then another meaning, only accessible through our experience as intruders."
Abstract The paper explains how in business and other endeavors, communication and decision-making are invariable factors that contribute to the success - or failure - of any undertaking. The paper examines Mark H. Fowler's term of philosophical discontinuity in a case where one manager left a company due to disagreements in decision-making. The paper shows how despite the misgivings of the one manager, the decision was seen as the best one for the company. The paper looks at Allan Chapman's "decision-making maxims" and at Carter McNamara's "downward and upward communications." The paper concludes that the key to avoidance of disagreement is communication.
From the Paper "Simplistically, it may be termed as "difference of opinion" or "varying viewpoints." But as Fowler (2002) presented in the case of the "Owner vs. Manager" wherein the owners "wanted to focus on the existing customer base and develop new products for existing customers" while the managers "wanted to reach new markets and expand firm capabilities", despite growth in sales after "discussing the different plans and agreeing to" the direction of the owners, one manager still left. This is also a case in point of not being able to satisfy everyone's wish and if a person strongly disagrees with management decision, quitting is always a prerogative."
Abstract This paper defines and discusses discontinuous innovation and whether or not it is likely to affect a specific unnamed organization. It suggests how the organization should respond to the possibility of disruption. The paper examines areas such as R&D, marketing activities, technology strategy and organization and relates them all to new product development. It also examines radical innovation and incremental innovation.
From the Paper "It is clear that the pre-phase innovative potential vested within a project or within an organization or team is critical in the determination of whether the project, organization or team will be innovative in nature and in an ongoing and expanding manner. Radical innovation and incremental innovation are quite different from one another and it is likely that both types of innovation are required in projects, organizations or teams that are successful for an ongoing period-of-time. Breakthrough innovation is also a requirement in the successfully discontinuous innovative initiative. Innovation in the High-Tech market certainly combines the requirements of all these groupings and types of innovative components in order to be successful and stay competitive in the rapidly changing, advancing and expanding high-tech marketplace."
Abstract This paper explains that Jack London's works have received praise for their vivid descriptions of nature, and of the Klondike Territory in particular, and his works generally deal with the theme of the individual in opposition to an amoral, natural world. The author points out that an interesting perception of the inner logic that functions within London's work is the analogy to modern sports; the elements within the ethos of modern sports form a foundational perspective for understanding the works. The paper reveals that one of the most important aspects of London's work is the ?discontinuity? that is revealed between man and nature and between civilization and instinct, which is particularly true with regard to the work, "To Build a Fire", where civilization and society are brought into extreme contrast with nature.
From the Paper "Howard makes an important point to aid our understanding of naturalism in that naturalism contains within it some essential assumptions; one of the most important being that of "reality" as an external referential environment that is unquestioned. This runs counter to post-modern theoretical stance, which sees reality as relative and determined by the individual's perception. The critical literature also emphasizes an exploration of London's work from a socio-cultural and more time bound point of view."
Abstract Technological advancements have allowed society to be actively involved in a virtual world, thus providing cognitive stimulation. This paper examines how the effects of video games can influence the six major themes in developmental psychology. These themes include nature and nurture, socio-cultural influences, the active role of the child, continuous versus discontinuous, individual differences, and the interaction among domains.
Outline
Introduction
The Effects of Video Games on the Cognitive Development of the Child
The Effects of Video Games on the Motor Performance of the Child
The Effects of Video Games on the Social Development of the Child
Recommendations
Conclusion
From the Paper "In recent events, violent acts from adolescents at school have taken precedence. An adolescent need not fire at gun to be an outstanding marksman. Video games proved the target practice that facilitates becoming one. A fascination with computer games turned Michael Carneal, a fourteen-year-old from Kentucky, into an excellent marksman. As Grossman describes it "Michael Carneal...fired eight shots...at a bunch of milling, scrambling, creaming children.... Even more astounding was the kill ratio. Each kid was hit once. Three were killed; one was paralyzed for life... He simply fired one shot at everything that popped up on this screen" (Anderson & Song, p. 4 ). Sadly, such adverse effects on varying levels are seen commonly among aggressors whose reality is tainted with the illusions of video games."
Abstract The paper explores the ethics of the practice of terminating patients for lack of compliance to prescribed medical treatments. The paper also researches the ramifications of this practice for the patient and for the medical practice. The paper then looks at the alternatives to dismissing a patient and discusses the steps that can be taken by the nurse practitioner to help avoid this unfortunate event.
Outline:
Factors Affecting Patient Noncompliance
Legal Ramifications of Discontinuation of Treatment
Conclusion
From the Paper "Advanced Practice Nursing represents a partnership between the patient and service provider. Many times the success of the treatment plan depends on the patient taking responsibility for compliance with certain prescribed actions. Examples of these actions include taking prescribed medication as directed, following a certain diet, or following an exercise regimen. If a patient does not follow the treatment plan, it can jeopardize the outcome of the treatment. Many physicians and other medical practitioners now view patient noncompliance as a breach of the relationship."
Tags: medication, discontinuation, treatment, communication
Abstract This is a serious look at the way women are treated in Kenya. The paper goes out to explain the various consequences and types of Female Gentalia Mutilation . It also tries to justify why the practice is still carried out through the eyes of the traditional people. . The author argues that there is a need for strong outreach, education at the grassroots and family life education: that involves the communities and addresses the main reasons to discontinue the practice. This should be done in compromise but not by attacking the practicing few.
From the Paper "According to the Kenya demographic Health Survey (KDHS), female circumcision is the partial or complete cutting away of a woman's external genitalia. While the practice is thought to be a cultural tradition in Kenya, KDHS says its origin and underlying cultural rational is not clearly understood. It is commonly referred to as female circumcision mostly to imply that it is similar to male circumcision. However, the degree of cutting is more extreme and often impairs a woman's sexual and reproductive functions. It is because of this that the name female genital mutilation is starring."
Tags: circumscision, clitoridectomy, passage, rights, rite, womanhood, women
This paper analyzes how Aristotle and Plato separately lead to the question of nature, and how there is a complete difference in political recommendations between a master and his former pupil.
Abstract This paper draws a comparison between Aristotle's "Telos" and Plato's "Form", arguing that the "material good" is the basis of politics. It also analyzes the differences in their philosophies and shows the discontinuity between their theories.
From the Paper "Greek thought has indisputably provided a cornerstone throughout the development of western civilization. Perhaps two of the most influential contributors to this thought were Aristocles, better known as Plato, and his pupil, "the reader(1)," Aristotle. Among them existed a traditionally non-sophist view of an ultimate truth which dominated many of their philosophies. These views, however, deviated from each other in even the most primal state, becoming Plato's Form and Aristotle's Telos, and affecting them towards often discontinuous political philosophies. Whereas Form dealt with an ultimate truth beyond the sphere of the physical plane, Telos centered on a final causality, an objects "good," which manifested itself as the result of the nature of that object within the sphere of material existence. This led Plato on a search for a higher thought above traditional politics, and Aristotle on a search to provide the best possible path to achieving the final "good" within it."
Abstract The author states that, in the early days, the basic principle of Einstein's relativity was confusing to the public and to scientists. The paper continues that the theory should not be different from the idea it conveys: Every motion must only be considered as a relative motion. Examples are presented. The paper concludes by reviewing the book, "Einstein, History, and Other Passions" by Gerald Holton.
From the Paper "This principle not only maintains that it may equally be well to choose the carriage or the embankment as our reference-body for the description of any event. The principle rather asserts what follows: If we formulate the general laws of nature as they are obtained from experience, by making use of the embankment as reference-body, the railway carriage as reference-body, then these general laws of nature (e.g. the laws of mechanics or the law of the propagation of light in vacuum) have exactly the same form in both cases."
This paper discusses the education component of Affirmative Action, a social action program of President Johnson's "War on Poverty" that attempted to counterbalance minority injustices by increased opportunities for minorities.
Abstract This paper states that affirmative action was never intended to give prospective students a significant advantage based solely on racial origin. The author feels that affirmative action has had a negative effect on both minority and non-minority students and should be discontinued. The paper recommends that educational inequalities should be rectified before students get to college.
From the Paper "However, some California university officials have responded by seeking ways to get around Proposition 209. They now use an admission policy called ?comprehensive review.? (Williams, 2002) Under this new admissions policy, the personal circumstances of all students are considered, ostensibly without regard to race. If a student has faced significant hardship in his or her life, the student is given extra consideration for admission."
Abstract George Gmelch and Sharon Bohn Gmelch examine the continuities and discontinuities in the village life in St. Lucy, which is Barbados' northern and most rural parish. In many respects, this is an ethnographic and social study. The authors discover that the citizens are not as isolated and estranged from the world as many stereotypes would have it. In many respects, there are positive as well as negative features to this reality. On the one hand, globalization helps keep the island economically afloat, but at the same time the forces of the free market hurt the island in a cultural and economic sense as well.
Abstract It is a commonplace of history to observe that all ages are periods of transition, for history is characterized by continual change in human affairs. The Meiji Restoration of late 19th century Japan was such a transitional moment, for in a brief span of time the society, culture, economic and political order of Japan experienced a fundamental restructuring from a pre-Restoration society that was akin to the feudalism of medieval Europe, into a modern industrial nation state. A superficial reading of the history of this era would emphasize the extensiv and pervasive, changes Japan underwent in its social order during the late 19th century and give little attention to the elements of continuity which carried over from the pre-Restoration era. This paper will argue that, while it is impossible to characterize the elements of discontinuity and continuity in the society of Meiji Japan as being in "balance", given the rapid and radical nature of change in the country at this time, nonetheless an understanding of the history of Meiji Japan requires an appreciation of the elements of continuity in Japanese culture.
Abstract This paper assesses how the events of September 11th have resulted in drastic changes within Bush's cabinet, especially in respect to discontinuing many of the isolationist policies that were evident before the attacks took place.
Abstract This paper discusses how, although their numbers are still disappointingly small, military women now serve with distinction in every service. It examines how women are still prohibited from direct combat and how this factor, more than any other, leaves women at a distinct disadvantage in military service, particularly in the U.S. Marine Corps. It shows how hostility and backward attitudes toward pregnancy also impede the integration of women in the Marines. It evaluates how, as the requirement for physical strength and skills has lessened as technology has modernized combat, studies show that women with correct training could perform traditional male duties in the military. It also shows how discontinuance of segregationist policies in training and work might help reduce the degree of discrimination and sexual harassment to which women are currently subjected.
From the Paper "The Marine Corps has the smallest percentage of women largely because a higher proportion of Marines than members of the other services are serving in combat roles. Presently, ninety-two percent of all military specialties in the armed forces are open to women. Positions closed to women are in areas of direct combat which is defined as a position well forward on the battlefield where there is a high probably of physical combat. Thus, women are excluded from the infantry and Special Forces, two areas that offer higher pay and the greatest opportunity for rapid advancement. In addition, there have been recent moves to ban women from the new reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition teams."
Abstract This paper examines the process by which myth is built within a community. What are the commonalities in the construction of myths? What is the return mankind receives by being a part of a myth structure? It explains that the underlying assumption is that, if there was not a need or an identifiable benefit from the myths, then men would discontinue their use. It discusses that this was the core of Nietzsche's hypothesis. However, the continuance of constructed myth in mankind's societal belief systems is similar to the ongoing need for grease in a wheel bearing. Without the myth, social orders to not function well. Atheistic communism has fallen, and social discord follows in nations that attempt to outlaw the exercise of religious beliefs. Like a thin coating of grease on sliding metal parts, the myth must serve some purpose. The final section of this paper considers the question as well.
From the Paper "Since Nietzsche declared that God was dead, science and mankind has begun a twofold search. Nietzsche's declaration asserted that, in detail, the need for God in the society's constructed identity no longer existed. The scientific method and accompanying hopes for a utopian society would be ushered in by modern thought. Modern, logical and rational thought would be able to replace oppressive superstition, religious, and myth. Since his work, along with Jung, Kant and a myriad of others, the social sciences have searched for the purpose of religious life within the context of community. The ongoing survival of religion in the cultures around the world long after God's widely reported death has created problem for sociologies and theologians alike."
