How Google Demonstrates Paradoxical Thinking Business Essay

How Google Demonstrates Paradoxical Thinking Business Essay For decades, the management theorists have focused their attention on three types of thinking i.e. Magical thinking, modern thinking and postmodern thinking. The latest inclusion is the paradoxical thinking which was being studied by the researchers of the science field. The main reason that paradoxical thinking has gained importance in the business world is that there were some buzz phrases that were being used by the employees of the organisations such as controlled chaos, getting outside the box, breaking the frame of reference, creative destruction, fuzzy logic and etc. (Lovy, 2011). All of these terminologies show that a business can develop something impossible by going beyond the imaginative framework and these old models have less importance in the contemporary world. The primary crux of the paradoxical thinking is that the openness can be anything but it is indecisive, lacks principled convictions and is sometimes passionless as well (Gebert, Boerner Kearney, 2010). According to Sak and Oz (2010), paradoxical thinking implies that problems should be looked from different angles rather than one perspective so that it can be resolved effectively. The term paradox is described as a range or group of statements that are contradictory and challenge the conventional thinking parameters. Likewise, the paradoxical thinking is stated as the way of looking at a situation or a problem form a various range of perspectives and carrying out in-depth analysis to understand the problem completely (Miron-Spektor, Gino Argote, 2011). One of the best examples of the application of paradoxical thinking is evident in the work performed by Farday in about 1830s. Farday observed that when the electricity current is passed through a wire it can cause a magnetised needle to move that is located adjacent to the wire to move in a direction which is rotational; it formed the basis of electric motor invention. In order to extend his learning and thinking capabilities, he increased his efforts and found that even the moving magnets can ease the flow of electricity in the system. He challenged the ways in which the conventional theorists of physics were working so that he could make valuable contribution in the field (Kasi et al., 2008). It has been found that the companies that encourage paradoxical thinking within their culture are able to make successful progression and their success is evident from the robust performance in the industry. The paradoxical thinking is found in abundance in leading corporations especially technology related firms such as Microsoft, IBM, Apple, Dell, Google, Sony, Wal-Mart, Coca-Cola and many more. Examples of how Google demonstrates Paradoxical Thinking Google is definitely the market leader around the world as it has created a new virtual world for the Internet surfers. The company has been growing at a rapid pace in the Internet-related products and services market as it has efficiently responded to all the demands of the customers as soon as they are required by them. Since gaining top position in the market as a dominant search engine in 1988, it has ensured that it fosters a paradoxical thinking climate within its business operations (Stoltzfus, Stohl, Seibold, 2011). The basic foundation of the paradoxical thinking is that the employees have to be provided an open and innovative culture that will allow them to think a huge range of imaginative and compelling ideas that have never been offered in the market. Google was the first company to identify the need of creating an online search engine from where the people seeking information about different things can retrieve valuable information easily. When Google was thinking about introducing this offering, it had to face resistance from the traditional companies who found the idea to be unrealistic and ineffective. The owners of Google were not let down by such discouraging comments and launched this facility for the Internet users. Since then, the company has been flourishing successfully in the market and has encountered all the challenges with determination and bravery. In order to present the customers with unique offerings, Google has created a work environment that is friendly, fun-loving, enthusiastic and relaxing so that the people working there love to come to their job every day (Baldwin et al., 2010). As a result of such appealing working environment, the employees have successfully employed the concept of paradoxical thinking in the companys product and service offerings which are even evident in the form of its advertisements. The employees show creativity by sharing their ideas with the management and the ones that are compelling are implemented after some modifications. Google has a Loose-Tight structure where the employees are given autonomy to work but have to comply with the Googles unified philosophy (Korn Silverman, 2012). Following are some of the initiatives that are undertaken by Google demonstrate the application of paradoxical thinking in its business operations: In 2005, the Summer of Code mentoring program was launched for students of ages eighteen and older to get them engaged in the free and open-source software. It even made valuable contribution in the open source community. Google MentalPlex on April Fools Days feature the usage of mental power for searching the web. In 2007, it announced the introduction of TiSP (Toilet Internet Service Provider) where one could easily obtain the connection by flushing an end of the fiber-optic cable down in the toilet. It even started advertisements in 2007 about the Gmail paper that could be used by Gmail users to print and ship the email messages. It changed its company name in 2010 to Topeka to display its honour of Topeka Kansas where its Mayor changed the name of the city to Google for limited time period so that it can sway Googles decision of new Google Fiber Project. In its search engine, it added language selection features of Swedish Chef such as Bork bork bork, Pig Latin, Klingon, Elmer Fudd and Hacker. Google Map, Google Notebook and other features are all examples of the paradoxical thinking implications. Hence, innovation is properly embedded in the companys culture so that it can create something new and pioneering for its customers and enhance their online surfing time. Paradoxical Thinking Whether it can be learnt or not The proponents of paradoxical thinking state that the people have to think out of the box and do in-depth analysis of any contradictory thought because it can give rise to something new that is not present in the market (Lovy, 2011). There is no science involved in learning the paradoxical thinking as the learners just have to change their thinking patterns. Sometimes, a solution or invention may appear not to make any sense but it might appeal to the target audience. For instance, when sports cars were introduced, people were sceptical about it that whether it will be accepted in the market or not; now it is the leading choice in the sports world. Similarly, when solar cars were launched by Saturn, it had to face huge amount of criticism but it was successful in meeting the demands of its customers and providing them an energy efficient car that is beneficial for the environment (Luscher Lewis, 2008). The key requirements of developing paradoxical thinking are open mindedness, courage to take risks and experimenting with new ideas. It is important to remain alert about the absurd ideas that are present all the time in minds; they have to be noted down and then dwelt. The employees of an organisation need to be encouraged to play with even vague ideas because there are chances that a unique proposition gets clicked in the mind that can be beneficial for the companys enhanced performance. For this form of thinking, openness is crucial because it allows the individuals to learn new subjects that might not have any linkages to the profession. It is vital to extend the learning boundaries so that unleashed features can be addressed; therefore, increased exploration is the basic requirement of paradoxical thinking (Gobert, Boener Kearney, 2010). Wagner (2009) stated that the basic foundation of the paradoxical thinking is being sceptical all the time; meaning looking at the things from varying perspectives. For instance, when looking at a product, a person can think about making changes in it that can make it look more attractive or changing the style or ingredients that can appeal to other markets (Ging et al., 2010). Hence, paradoxical thinking can be learnt easily by changing the way of looking and observing things in the surroundings so that a new perspective is highlighted. 0230190406001.png (Source: Smith, Binns Tushman, 2010) Paradoxical Thinking Least used intelligence skill Since every organisation emphasises the importance of creating work environment that is conducive and comprises of competed people who have high intelligence skills, such organisations encounter problems when implementing the paradoxical thinking framework. The basics of the paradoxical thinking implies considering the irrational aspects as well so that innovation is encouraged throughout the organisation. It has been found that the paradoxical thinking is one of the eight skills that are related to the intelligence framework (Banff Executive Leadership Inc., 2010). The eight skills that are linked to the intelligence are judgement, perception, reason, intuition, imagination, logic, memory and paradox. Among all the skills mentioned, the least commonly used one is the paradoxical thinking because people are reluctant to get involved in illogical thinking. The traditional specialists still show resistance to apply the concept of paradoxical thinking within the business environment because they feel that it is not appropriate for a business to get involved in such irrational activities. However, the trend is now shifting to the paradox paradigm when the companys management have realised that the customers are looking for both functional and creative solutions (Baldwin et al., 2010). The reason that paradoxical thinking is linked to intelligence is that it allows the people to apply their thinking skills to modify the idea into something feasible that will be appealing for the end-consumers. IBM has ensured that it allows its employees to give any kinds of practical suggestions to the company that can help it in increasing its proficiency and eliminate the drawbacks that are prevalent within the firm (Miron-Spektor, Erez, Naveh, 2011). USA Today is the leading newspaper in the country and it was the first one to introduce the concept of online newspaper so that the customers can read the paper on Internet. When the owner wanted to launch this idea, majority of the people felt that it will have to encounter problems as people prefer to enhance their knowledge about the latest happenings through paper newspapers. However, the paper is considered to be the top selling newspaper in the region that has successfully met the needs of the customers especially who is looking for previous issues to get access to a particular article or piece of information (Wit Meyer, 2005). Ways in which paradoxical thinking can improve organisations performance Since the basic requirements of paradoxical thinking are open working culture and going out of the traditional ways to introduce innovative offerings, the organisations have to make these two elements the integral part of their working environments. The leaders of these companies have to show their appreciation for the efforts put in by the employees in the form of imaginative and appealing ideas so that they are encouraged to enhance their level of productivity (Wit Meyer, 2005). When employees are encouraged to become a crucial part of the organisations decision making process, it enhanced their level of motivation and they are willing to make more meaningful additions in the business processes (Miron-Spektor, Gino, Argote, 2011). In order to support the paradoxical thinking within the company, the top management has to understand that they need to create an environment which allows the employees to play with creative elements, get engaged in activities that will help them in unleashing unexploited avenues of the business operations and ensure that the customers are provided with unique offerings at a fast pace. 0010470201001.png (Source: Ging et al., (2010)) Hence, with the help of creativity, openness, innovation and sceptical thinking, the paradoxical thinking will be promoted within the business organisation. All of these factors will ensure that the companys productivity is increased, competitive edge is attained in the industry and performance continues to grow in a profitable way and at an accelerating rate. Conclusion In todays competitive environment which is being impacted by globalisation and accelerating rate of changes, the organisations have to remain alert all the time about the happenings so that the challenges can be encountered proactively. The managers and leaders of the organisations have to foster an innovative climate within the firms so that the paradoxical thinking can be nurtured which will ultimately make significant contribution in their enhanced performance.

Buddhism, Jainism and Hinudism Essay -- world religions, comparative re

Jainism, in many respect, is the most prominent religion in India, it is also associated with other major religions e.g. Hinduism and Buddhism. In the past, it was considered that Jainism was a stem either of Buddhism or of Hinduism. However, nowadays it is a well-known reality that Jainism is a separate religion of India but not a branch of either Buddhism or Hinduism. It is accepted that Jainism is the primordial religion of India. As Jainism, Hinduism and Buddhism, are the most prominent religions of India, and have existed side by side for many centuries, it is accepted that they have impacted one another in several ways. Similarities are evident in images of paradise, earth and hell, and faith in the verity of the teachers of religion. Various issues like clothing and curios, occupations and professions, sports and amusements, sacraments and rituals, speech and journalism, stance on life and character, religious festivals and fasts, are a range of common practices among Jainas a nd Hindus. Certain castes have their members in the Hindus and the Jainas as well as marital relations to a certain extent (McKay, Hill, Buckler,Ebrey,Beck, Crowsto and Wiesner-Hanks, 2009, p.0). Buddha viewed as very progressive was an all the rage of Mahavira and came from the same social class. Just like Mahavira he was born to a leader of one of the communities in the Himalayan slopes in what is now Nepal. Discontented with his days of placate at age 29, and concerned by the anguish he saw around him, like mahavira he left his residence to become a peripatetic ascetic. While he was meditating under a Bo tree, he became enlightened and gained an ideal insight into the systems of the universe. He emphasized a middle-way amid asceticism and worldly l... ... view of the fact that people knew their positions in society (McKay et al. , 2009). Both Jainism and Buddhism are religions of India, and disregard the Vedas of the Hindus as powerful binding. Both religions also attach importance to the ascetic way of life. For the bulk of Indians, religion inculcates into every facet of life, from every day chores to culture and politics. Works Cited Dowling, E. M., & Scarlett, W. G. (2006). Encyclopedia of religious and spiritual development. Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE Publications. Ibbetson, D., Maclagan, E., & Rose, H. A. (1991). Religious life of Indian people: (Bonn in Tibet, Budhism, Jainism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, etc.). Delhi: Amar Prakashan. McKay, J. P., Hill, B. D., Buckler, J., Ebrey, P. B., Beck, R. B., Crowston, C. H., & Wiesner-Hanks, M. E. (2009). A history of world societies. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's.

Overpopulation in India Essay -- Environment Environmental Essays

Overpopulation in India: The Need for Improved Quality and Diversity of Contraceptive Options On May 11, 2000, Astha (Faith) was born in the Indian capital on New Delhi.[1] Her birth was not only a significant occasion for her parents, but for the entire Nation of India. Astha’s birth was designated the official point at which the Indian population crossed the one billion human beings mark.[2] India was thus officially inaugurated into the very exclusive one billion inhabitants of one nations club, and the world was left to ponder the repercussions of such a development. Stepping over the one-billion line brought into question all the policies, efforts, and difficulties that the Indian government had implemented and fought for over a half a century in order to prevent just such a joyous occasion from happening. The Indian Family Planning Program, initiated in 1952, was a sign of the desire of Indian leadership to develop the nation and take the steps necessary to do so. The program has evolved throughout the years, meeting varied success; however, in the year 2000 one aspect of the program has become blatantly clear – it has not succeeded in slowing India’s rapid population growth to a population replacement level. One of the major reasons India has failed to reach the replacement rate is because of a family planning program that emphasized sterilization as the main method of contraception and de-emphasized temporary methods. The services provided by the program were of poor quality. If the Indian government can even hope to reach its ultimate total fertility rate (TFR) of 2.1 in all of its states and provinces, it must shift its policy from the emphasis on sterilization as the main method of birth con... ...could be a good alternative for women who forget to take daily birth control pills. The ring is inserted into the vagina where it releases estrogen and progestin. The benefit of the ring is that it can be inserted for three weeks at a time thus disposing of the daily pill-taking requirements of traditional oral contraceptives. The widespread availability of such a method could have a similar effect as that of centchroman. Another contraceptive method, the female condom, could help alleviate cultural resistance to birth control. The female condom would perhaps increase participation in family planning by those couples who do not wish to use methods that have more side effects, but whose male partner is reluctant to use condoms. [47] Government of India. Department of Family Planning. National Population Policy. 2000. http://mohfw.nic.in/ppolicy.html.pdf

Chapter 16 Professor Trelawney’s Prediction

Harry's euphoria at finally winning the Quidditch Cup lasted at least a week. Even the weather seemed to be celebrating; as June approached, the days became cloudless and sultry, and all anybody felt like doing was strolling onto the grounds and flopping down on the grass with several pints of iced pumpkin juice, perhaps playing a casual game of Gobstones or watching the giant squid propel itself dreamily across the surface of the lake. But they couldn't. Exams were nearly upon them, and instead of lazing around outside, the students were forced to remain inside the castle, trying to bully their brains into concentrating while enticing wafts of summer air drifted in through the windows. Even Fred and George Weasley had been spotted working; they were about to take their O.W.L.s (Ordinary Wizarding Levels). Percy was getting ready to take his N.E.W.T.s (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests), the highest qualification Hogwarts offered. As Percy hoped to enter the Ministry of Magic, he needed top grades. He was becoming increasingly edgy, and gave very severe punishments to anybody who disturbed the quiet of the common room in the evenings. In fact, the only person who seemed more anxious than Percy was Hermione. Harry and Ron had given up asking her how she was managing to attend several classes at once, but they couldn't restrain themselves when they saw the exam schedule she had drawn up for herself. The first column read: Monday 9 o'clock, Arithmancy 9 o'clock, Transfiguration Lunch 1 o'clock, Charms 1 o'clock, Ancient Runes â€Å"Hermione?† Ron said cautiously, because she was liable to explode when interrupted these days. â€Å"Er — are you sure you've copied down these times right?† â€Å"What?† snapped Hermione, picking up the exam schedule and examining it. â€Å"Yes, of course I have.† â€Å"Is there any point asking how you're going to sit for two exams at once?† said Harry. â€Å"No,† said Hermione shortly. â€Å"Have either of you seen my copy of Numerology and Gramatica?† â€Å"Oh, yeah, I borrowed it for a bit of bedtime reading,† said Ron, but very quietly. Hermione started shifting heaps of parchment. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had plenty of opportunity to speak to Hagrid. â€Å"Beaky's gettin' a bit depressed,† Hagrid told them, bending low on the pretense of checking that Harry's flobberworm was still alive. â€Å"Bin cooped up too long. But still†¦we'll know day after tomorrow — one way or the other –â€Å" They had Potions that afternoon, which was an unqualified disaster. Try as Harry might, he couldn't get his Confusing Concoction to thicken, and Snape, standing watch with an air of vindictive pleasure, scribbled something that looked suspiciously like a zero onto his notes before moving away. Then came Astronomy at midnight, up on the tallest tower; History of Magic on Wednesday morning, in which Harry scribbled everything Florean Fortescue had ever told him about medieval witch-hunts, while wishing he could have had one of Fortescue's choco-nut sundaes with him in the stifling classroom. Wednesday afternoon meant Herbology, in the greenhouses under a baking-hot sun; then back to the common room once more, with sunburnt necks, thinking longingly of this time next day, when it would all be over. Their second to last exam, on Thursday morning, was Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professor Lupin had compiled the most unusual exam any of them had ever taken; a sort of obstacle course outside in the sun, where they had to wade across a deep paddling pool containing a Grindylow, cross a series of potholes full of Red Caps, squish their way across a patch of marsh while ignoring misleading directions from a Hinkypunk, then climb into an old trunk and battle with a new Boggart. â€Å"Excellent, Harry,† Lupin muttered as Harry climbed out of the trunk, grinning. â€Å"Full marks.† Flushed with his success, Harry hung around to watch Ron and Hermione. Ron did very well until he reached the Hinkypunk, which successfully confused him into sinking waist-high into the quagmire. Hermione did everything perfectly until she reached the trunk with the Boggart in it. After about a minute inside it, she burst out again, screaming. â€Å"Hermione!† said Lupin, startled. â€Å"What's the matter?† â€Å"P-P-Professor McGonagall!† Hermione gasped, pointing into the trunk. â€Å"Sh-she said I'd failed everything!† It took a little while to calm Hermione down. When at last she had regained a grip on herself, she, Harry, and Ron went back to the castle. Ron was still slightly inclined to laugh at Hermione's Boggart, but an argument was averted by the sight that met them on the top of the steps. Cornelius Fudge, sweating slightly in his pinstriped cloak, was standing there staring out at the grounds. He started at the sight of Harry. â€Å"Hello there, Harry!† he said. â€Å"Just had an exam, I expect? Nearly finished?† â€Å"Yes,† said Harry. Hermione and Ron, not being on speaking terms with the Minister of Magic, hovered awkwardly in the background. â€Å"Lovely day,† said Fudge, casting an eye over the lake. â€Å"Pity†¦pity†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He sighed deeply and looked down at Harry. â€Å"I'm here on an unpleasant mission, Harry. The Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures required a witness to the execution of a mad Hippogriff. As I needed to visit Hogwarts to check on the Black situation, I was asked to step in.† â€Å"Does that mean the appeal's already happened?† Ron interrupted, stepping forward. â€Å"No, no, it's scheduled for this afternoon,† said Fudge, looking curiously at Ron. â€Å"Then you might not have to witness an execution at all!† said Ron stoutly. â€Å"The Hippogriff might get off!† Before Fudge could answer, two wizards came through the castle doors behind him. One was so ancient he appeared to be withering before their very eyes; the other was tall and strapping, with a thin back mustache. Harry gathered that they were representatives of the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures, because the very old wizard squinted toward Hagrid's cabin and said in a feeble voice, â€Å"Dear, dear, I'm getting too old for this†¦.Two o'clock, isn't it, Fudge?† The black-mustached man was fingering something in his belt; Harry looked and saw that he was running one broad thumb along the blade of a shining axe. Ron opened his mouth to say something, but Hermione nudged him hard in the ribs and jerked her head toward the entrance hall. â€Å"Why'd you stop me?† said Ron angrily as they entered the Great Hall for lunch. â€Å"Did you see them? They've even got the axe ready! This isn't justice!† â€Å"Ron, your dad works for the Ministry, you can't go saying things like that to his boss!† said Hermione, but she too looked very upset. â€Å"As long as Hagrid keeps his head this time, and argues his case properly, they can't possibly execute Buckbeak†¦.† But Harry could tell Hermione didn't really believe what she was saying. All around them, people were talking excitedly as they ate their lunch, happily anticipating the end of the exams that afternoon, but Harry, Ron, and Hermione, lost in worry about Hagrid and Buckbeak, didn't join in. Harry's and Ron's last exam was Divination; Hermione's, Muggle Studies. They walked up the marble staircase together; Hermione left them on the first floor and Harry and Ron proceeded all the way up to the seventh, where many of their class were sitting on the spiral staircase to Professor Trelawney's classroom, trying to cram in a bit of last-minute studying. â€Å"She's seeing us all separately,† Neville informed them as they went to sit down next to him. He had his copy of Unfogging the Future open on his lap at the pages devoted to crystal gazing. â€Å"Have either of you ever seen anything in a crystal ball?† he asked them unhappily. â€Å"Nope,† said Ron in an offhand voice. He kept checking his watch; Harry. knew that he was counting down the time until Buckbeak's appeal started. The line of people outside the classroom shortened very slowly. As each person climbed back down the silver ladder, the rest of the class hissed, â€Å"What did she ask? Was it okay?† But they all refused to say. â€Å"She says the crystal ball's told her that if I tell you, I'll have a horrible accident!† squeaked Neville as he clambered back down the ladder toward Harry and Ron, who had now reached the landing. â€Å"That's convenient,† snorted Ron. â€Å"You know, I'm starting to think Hermione was right about her† — he jabbed his thumb toward the trapdoor overhead — â€Å"she's a right old fraud.† â€Å"Yeah,† said Harry, looking at his own watch. It was now two o'clock. â€Å"Wish she'd hurry up†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Parvati came back down the ladder glowing with pride. â€Å"She says I've got all the makings of a true Seer,† she informed Harry and Ron. â€Å"I saw loads of stuff†¦Well, good luck!† She hurried off down the spiral staircase toward Lavender. â€Å"Ronald Weasley,† said the familiar, misty voice from over their heads. Ron grimaced at Harry and climbed the silver ladder out of sight. Harry was now the only person left to be tested. He settled himself on the floor with his back against the wall, listening to a fly buzzing in the sunny window, his mind across the grounds with Hagrid. Finally, after about twenty minutes, Ron's large feet reappeared on the ladder. â€Å"How'd it go?† Harry asked him, standing up. â€Å"Rubbish,† said Ron. â€Å"Couldn't see a thing, so I made some stuff up. Don't think she was convinced, though†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Meet you in the common room,† Harry muttered as Professor Trelawney's voice called, â€Å"Harry Potter!† The tower room was hotter than ever before; the curtains were closed, the fire was alight, and the usual sickly scent made Harry cough as he stumbled through the clutter of chairs and table to where Professor Trelawney sat waiting for him before a large crystal ball. â€Å"Good day, my dear,† she said softly. â€Å"If you would kindly gaze into the Orb†¦Take your time, now†¦then tell me what you see within it†¦.† Harry bent over the crystal ball and stared, stared as hard as he could, willing it to show him something other than swirling white fog, but nothing happened. â€Å"Well?† Professor Trelawney prompted delicately. â€Å"What do you see?† The heat was overpowering and his nostrils were stinging with the perfumed smoke wafting from the fire beside them. He thought of what Ron had just said, and decided to pretend. â€Å"Er –† said Harry, â€Å"a dark shape†¦um†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"What does it resemble?† whispered Professor Trelawney. â€Å"Think, now†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Harry cast his mind around and it landed on Buckbeak. â€Å"A Hippogriff,† he said firmly. â€Å"Indeed!† whispered Professor Trelawney, scribbling keenly on the parchment perched upon her knees. â€Å"My boy, you may well be seeing the outcome of poor Hagrid's trouble with the Ministry of Magic! Look closer†¦Does the Hippogriff appear to†¦have its head?† â€Å"Yes,† said Harry firmly. â€Å"Are you sure?† Professor Trelawney urged him. â€Å"Are you quite sure, dear? You don't see it writhing on the ground, perhaps, and a shadowy figure raising an axe behind it?† â€Å"No!† said Harry, starting to feel slightly sick. â€Å"No blood? No weeping Hagrid?† â€Å"No!† said Harry again, wanting more than ever to leave the room and the heat. â€Å"It looks fine, it's — flying away†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Professor Trelawney sighed. â€Å"Well, dear, I think we'll leave it there†¦A little disappointing†¦but I'm sure you did your best.† Relieved, Harry got up, picked up his bag and turned to go, but then a loud, harsh voice spoke behind him. â€Å"IT WILL HAPPEN TONIGHT.† Harry wheeled around. Professor Trelawney had gone rigid in her armchair; her eyes were unfocused and her mouth sagging. â€Å"S — sorry?† said Harry. But Professor Trelawney didn't seem to hear him. Her eyes started to roll. Harry sat there in a panic. She looked as though she was about to have some sort of seizure. He hesitated, thinking of running to the hospital wing — and then Professor Trelawney spoke again, in the same harsh voice, quite unlike her own: â€Å"THE DARK LORD LIES ALONE AND FRIENDLESS, ABANDONED BY HIS FOLLOWERS. HIS SERVANT HAS BEEN CHAINED THESE TWELVE YEARS. TONIGHT, BEFORE MIDNIGHT†¦THE SERVANT WILL BREAK FREE AND SET OUT TO REJOIN HIS MASTER. THE DARK LORD WILL RISE AGAIN WITH HIS SERVANT'S AID, GREATER AND MORE TERRIBLE THAN EVER HE WAS. TONIGHT†¦BEFORE MIDNIGHT†¦THE SERVANT†¦WILL SET OUT†¦TO REJOIN†¦HIS MASTER†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Professor Trelawney's head fell forward onto her chest. She made a grunting sort of noise. Harry sat there, staring at her. Then, quite suddenly, Professor Trelawney's head snapped up again. â€Å"I'm so sorry, dear boy,† she said dreamily, â€Å"the heat of the day, you know†¦I drifted off for a moment†¦.† Harry sat there, staring at her. â€Å"Is there anything wrong, my dear?† â€Å"You — you just told me that the — the Dark Lord's going to rise again†¦that his servant's going to go back to him.† Professor Trelawney looked thoroughly startled. â€Å"The Dark Lord? He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? My dear boy, that's hardly something to joke about†¦Rise again, indeed –â€Å" â€Å"But you just said it! You said the Dark Lord –â€Å" â€Å"I think you must have dozed off too, dear!† said Professor Trelawney. â€Å"I would certainly not presume to predict anything quite as far-fetched as that!† Harry climbed back down the ladder and the spiral staircase, wondering†¦had he just heard Professor Trelawney make a real prediction? Or had that been her idea of an impressive end to the test? Five minutes later he was dashing past the security trolls outside the entrance to Gryffindor Tower, Professor Trelawney's words still resounding in his head. People were striding past him in the opposite direction, laughing and joking, heading for the grounds and a bit of long-awaited freedom; by the time he had reached the portrait hole and entered the common room, it was almost deserted. Over in the corner, however, sat Ron and Hermione. â€Å"Professor Trelawney,† Harry panted, â€Å"just told me –â€Å" But he stopped abruptly at the sight of their faces. â€Å"Buckbeak lost,† said Ron weakly. â€Å"Hagrid's just sent this.† Hagrid's note was dry this time, no tears had splattered it, yet his hand seemed to have shaken so much as he wrote that it was hardly legible. Lost appeal. They're going to execute at sunset. Nothing you can do. Don't come down. I don't want you to see it. Hagrid â€Å"We've got to go,† said Harry at once. â€Å"He can't just sit there on his own, waiting for the executioner!† â€Å"Sunset, though,† said Ron, who was staring out the window ill a glazed sort of way. â€Å"We'd never be allowed †¦'specially you, Harry†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Harry sank his head into his hands, thinking. â€Å"If we only had the Invisibility Cloak†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Where is it?† said Hermione. Harry told her about leaving it in the passageway under the one-eyed witch. â€Å"†¦ if Snape sees me anywhere near there again, I'm in serious trouble,† he finished. â€Å"That's true,† said Hermione, getting to her feet. â€Å"If he sees you†¦How do you open the witch's hump again?† â€Å"You — you tap it and say, ‘Dissendium,'† said Harry. â€Å"But –â€Å" Hermione didn't wait for the rest of his sentence; she strode across the room, pushed open the Fat Lady's portrait and vanished from sight. â€Å"She hasn't gone to get it?† Ron said, staring after her. She had. Hermione returned a quarter of an hour later with the silvery cloak folded carefully under her robes. â€Å"Hermione, I don't know what's gotten, into you lately!† said Ron, astounded. â€Å"First you hit Malfoy, then you walk out on Professor Trelawney –â€Å" Hermione looked rather flattered. They went down to dinner with everybody else, but did not return to Gryffindor Tower afterward. Harry had the cloak hidden down the front of his robes; he had to keep his arms folded to hide the lump. They skulked in an empty chamber off the entrance hall, listening, until they were sure it was deserted. They heard a last pair of people hurrying across the hall and a door slamming. Hermione poked her head around the door. â€Å"Okay,† she whispered, â€Å"no one there — cloak on –â€Å" Walking very close together so that nobody would see them, they crossed the hall on tiptoe beneath the cloak, then walked down the stone front steps into the grounds. The sun was already sinking behind the Forbidden Forest, gilding the top branches of the trees. They reached Hagrid's cabin and knocked. He was a minute in answering, and when he did, he looked all around for his visitor, pale-faced and trembling. â€Å"It's us,† Harry hissed. â€Å"We're wearing the Invisibility Cloak. Let us in and we can take it off.† â€Å"Yeh shouldn've come!† Hagrid whispered, but he stood back, and they stepped inside. Hagrid shut the door quickly and Harry pulled off the cloak. Hagrid was not crying, nor did he throw himself upon their necks. He looked like a man who did not know where he was or what to do. This helplessness was worse to watch than tears. â€Å"Wan' some tea?† he said. His great hands were shaking as he reached for the kettle. â€Å"Where's Buckbeak, Hagrid?† said Hermione hesitantly. â€Å"I — I took him outside,† said Hagrid, spilling milk all over the table as he filled up the jug. â€Å"He's tethered in me pumpkin patch. Thought he oughta see the trees an' — an' smell fresh air — before –â€Å" Hagrid's hand trembled so violently that the milk jug slipped from his grasp and shattered all over the floor. â€Å"I'll do it, Hagrid,† said Hermione quickly, hurrying over and starting to clean up the mess. â€Å"There's another one in the cupboard,† Hagrid said, sitting down and wiping his forehead on his sleeve. Harry glanced at Ron, who looked back hopelessly. â€Å"Isn't there anything anyone can do, Hagrid?† Harry asked fiercely, sitting down next to him. â€Å"Dumbledore –â€Å" â€Å"He's tried,† said Hagrid. â€Å"He's got no power ter overrule the Committee. He told 'em Buckbeak's all right, but they're scared†¦Yeh know what Lucius Malfoy's like†¦threatened 'em, I expect†¦an' the executioner, Macnair, he's an old pal o' Malfoy's†¦but it'll be quick an' clean†¦an' I'll be beside him†¦.† Hagrid swallowed. His eyes were darting all over the cabin as though looking for some shred of hope or comfort. â€Å"Dumbledore's gonna come down while it — while it happens. Wrote me this mornin'. Said he wants ter — ter be with me. Great man, Dumbledore†¦.† Hermione, who had been rummaging in Hagrid's cupboard for another milk jug, let out a small, quickly stifled sob. She straightened up with the new jug in her hands, fighting back tears. â€Å"We'll stay with you too, Hagrid,† she began, but Hagrid shook his shaggy head. â€Å"Yeh're ter go back up ter the castle. I told yeh, I don' wan' yeh watchin'. An' yeh shouldn' be down here anyway†¦If Fudge an' Dumbledore catch yeh out without permission, Harry, yeh'll be in big trouble.† Silent tears were now streaming down Hermione's face, but she hid them from Hagrid, bustling around making tea. Then, as she picked up the milk bottle to pour some into the jug, she let out a shriek. â€Å"Ron, I don't believe it — it's Scabbers!† Ron gaped at her. â€Å"What are you talking about?† Hermione carried the milk jug over to the table and turned it upside down. With a frantic squeak, and much scrambling to get back inside, Scabbers the rat came sliding out onto the table. â€Å"Scabbers!† said Ron blankly. â€Å"Scabbers, what are you doing here?† He grabbed the struggling rat and held him up to the light. Scabbers looked dreadful. He was thinner than ever, large tufts of hair had fallen out leaving wide bald patches, and he writhed in Ron's hands as though desperate to free himself â€Å"It's okay, Scabbers!† said Ron. â€Å"No cats! There's nothing here to hurt you!† Hagrid suddenly stood up, his eyes fixed on the window. His normally ruddy face had gone the color of parchment. â€Å"They're comin'†¦.† Harry, Ron, and Hermione whipped around. A group of men was walking down the distant castle steps. In front was Albus Dumbledore, his silver beard gleaming in the dying sun. Next to him trotted Cornelius Fudge. Behind them came the feeble old Committee member and the executioner, Macnair. â€Å"Yeh gotta go,† said Hagrid. Every inch of him was trembling. â€Å"They mustn' find yeh here†¦Go now†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Ron stuffed Scabbers into his pocket and Hermione picked up the cloak. â€Å"I'll let yeh out the back way,† said Hagrid. They followed him to the door into his back garden. Harry felt strangely unreal, and even more so when he saw Buckbeak a few yards away, tethered to a tree behind Hagrid's pumpkin patch. Buckbeak seemed to know something was happening. He turned his sharp head from side to side and pawed the ground nervously. â€Å"It's okay, Beaky,† said Hagrid softly. â€Å"It's okay†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He turned to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. â€Å"Go on,† he said. â€Å"Get goin'.† But they didn't move. â€Å"Hagrid, we can't –â€Å" â€Å"We'll tell them what really happened –â€Å" â€Å"They can't kill him –â€Å" â€Å"Go!† said Hagrid fiercely. â€Å"It's bad enough without you lot in trouble an' all!† They had no choice. As Hermione threw the cloak over Harry and Ron, they heard voices at the front of the cabin. Hagrid looked at the place where they had just vanished from sight. â€Å"Go quick,† he said hoarsely. â€Å"Don' listen†¦Ã¢â‚¬  And he strode back into his cabin as someone knocked at the front door. Slowly, in a kind of horrified trance, Harry, Ron, and Hermione set off silently around Hagrid's house. As they reached the other side, the front door closed with a sharp snap. â€Å"Please, let's hurry,† Hermione whispered. â€Å"I can't stand it, I can't bear it†¦.† They started up the sloping lawn toward the castle. The sun was sinking fast now; the sky had turned to a clear, purple-tinged gray, but to the west there was a ruby-red glow. Ron stopped dead. â€Å"Oh, please, Ron,† Hermione began. â€Å"It's Scabbers — he won't — stay put –â€Å" Ron was bent over, trying to keep Scabbers in his pocket, but the rat was going berserk; squeaking madly, twisting and flailing, trying to sink his teeth into Ron's hand. â€Å"Scabbers, it's me, you idiot, it's Ron,† Ron hissed. They heard a door open behind them and men's voices. â€Å"Oh, Ron, please let's move, they're going to do it!† Hermione breathed. â€Å"Okay — Scabbers, stay put –â€Å" They walked forward; Harry, like Hermione, was trying not to listen to the rumble of voices behind them. Ron stopped again. â€Å"I can't hold him — Scabbers, shut up, everyone'll hear us –â€Å" The rat was squealing wildly, but not loudly enough to cover up the sounds drifting from Hagrid's garden. There was a jumble of indistinct male voices, a silence, and then, without warning, the unmistakable swish and thud of an axe. Hermione swayed on the spot. â€Å"They did it!† she whispered to Harry. â€Å"I'd — don't believe it — they did it!†

Puritan Women’s Value of Piety Contradictory in the Crucible

The Crucible presents women on a narrow spectrum reflecting the culture of the Puritan New England and the â€Å"cult of true womanhood. † Many of the play’s central conflicts exist because of limitations on the rights of women, and their low status in society. The status of the Puritan white male allows the infringement of women’s fundamental human rights to be overlooked by the public. The role of women and the theme of misogyny or distrust of women is an undercurrent theme in The Crucible.According to the ideals of the â€Å"cult of true womanhood†, women were supposed to embody perfect virtue in four cardinal aspects: piety, purity, submission, and domesticity. Piety maintained that a woman is more religious and spiritual than a man. Yet, in Miller’s play women were more susceptible to sin. Eve’s corruption, in Puritan eyes, extended to all women, and justified marginalization them within social avenues. In The Crucible, the ideal of femi ninity is presented within the traditional role of subservience, lack of voice, and suffering.The two female characters, Elizabeth Proctor and Tituba, both subordinate to their husbands and master, respectively, and in the religious life of both home and church. The fate of both characters; Elizabeth Proctor’s loss of her husband, and Tituba’s execution as a witch, provides a standing critique of the Puritan ideal of women being superior in embodying the Puritan religiosity juxtaposing the subordination of their gender. The virtue of piety affirms that a woman is naturally religious. Consequently, it is a woman’s job to raise her children to be good Christians and keep her husband on a strait and narrow path.Wives are fully responsible if their husbands disobey the commandments, especially adultery. In The Crucible, this idea is reaffirmed with the character Elizabeth Proctor. Elizabeth is the ideal Puritan woman as she exemplified the principles of the piety, s ubmissiveness, and purity. Throughout the play, she proves to be moral, cold, and determined. As John states in Act 2, â€Å"Oh, Elizabeth, your justice would freeze beer! † (Miller 53) Yet, the â€Å"cult of true womanhood† requires her to be predisposed to conceal the gentler emotions, while her manners are calm and cold, rather than free and impulsive.Abigail, the mistress, represents the opposite. She is young, attractive and brings forth a zest of life. A zest that Elizabeth lacks. John Proctor conveys this when he seasons the pot of stew Elizabeth is cooking. Within Act II, scene one opens with John Proctor walking into the kitchen. His wife is absent but there is stew cooking. He lifts the ladle from the pot, tastes it, and adds a pinch of salt. The significance of this short scene may justify his affair with Abigail and a contradiction of Puritan society. Elizabeth embodies the ideal of a Puritan woman, but her Puritan husband does not desire it.After she has s pent a few months alone in prison, Elizabeth comes to this realization: she was a cold wife, and it was because she did not show love to her husband that her marriage suffered. She comes to believe that it is her coldness that led to his affair with Abigail. Additionally, it is with this situation that builds up to her telling a lie to save her husbands reputation. â€Å"In her life, sir, she have never lied. There are them that cannot sing, and them that cannot weep — my wife cannot lie. I have paid much to learn it† (Miller 103). John Proctor states that his wife, Elizabeth wont tell a lie.However, she lies in an attempt to save his life. And as such, lying to save a family member’s life or reputation is justified. Throughout the play, Elizabeth is depicted as being one without sin. It is a scene in Act 3 she lies in court, saying that John and Abigail's affair never happened. This is supposedly the only time she has ever lied in her life. Though she lies in a n attempt to protect her husband, it actually results in his death. She is accosted in Act 4 to persuade her husband in giving the false confession of being a witch. But she refuses. Hale disagrees with this.He says â€Å"‘It is mistaken law that leads you to sacrifice. Life, woman, life is God's most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it . . . it may well be God damns a liar less than he that throws his life away for pride'† (Miller 122). Hale implies that John’s death is a waste of life and â€Å"God’s most precious gift. † Thus Hale’s reasoning with Elizabeth is to let her come to terms with her responsibility with her husband's sin and let her be accountable for the affects of her decision in not lying again to protect him from the gallows.Besides gender inequality, racism was extremely prevalent in Puritan society. As such, the character Tituba is not only limited by her race, but also by her gender. She was the first person to be accused and confess to witchcraft in the village. At first she denied that she had any involvement with witchcraft, but was then quickly coerced into confessing to having spoken with the Devil. Tituba provides the following confession: â€Å"He say Mr. Parris must be kill! Mr. Parris no goodly man, Mr. Parris mean man and no gentle man, and he bid me rise out of my bed and cut your throat! They gasp.But I tell him â€Å"No! I don’t hate that man. I dont want kill that man. † But he say, â€Å"You work for me, Tituba, and I make you free! I give you pretty dress to wear, and put you way up in the air, and you gone fly back to Barbados! † And I say, â€Å" You lie, Devil, you lie! † And then he come one stormy night to me and he say, â€Å"Look! I have white people belong to me. † And I look – and there was Goody Good† (Miller 44). In the selected quote she lies and provides a false confession of witchcra ft as well as the name of another witch in town to hopefully save herself from being subjected to the gallows.Though Tituba admits her supposed sin, she is not given a free pass like the others who confessed. Instead, she is condemned to death. The fact that she was convicted at all shows that the Puritan society is inherently prejudice. In The Crucible, Titibua is depicted as an indirect object within an elite discourse of religious freedom and slavery. The Puritan society was obsessed with keeping up a veneer of religious piety and proper moral conduct. The play’s setting of the woods in the opening scene represents the epitome of an uncontrollable wildness.It is there where she held power and peril while she engages in incantations in the woods. Being an outsider makes her more likely to be in cohorts with the Christian Devil. Before being brought to Massachusetts, Tituba never considered her singing, dancing, and spell casting as evil. Such practices were spiritual and de scended from her African roots. Her spirituality had no connections to ideals of absolute good or evil. This is shown in Act Four, when Tituba tells to her jailer mockingly: â€Å"Oh, it be no Hell in Barbados.Devil, him be pleasure-man in Barbados, him be singin’ and dancin’ in Barbados. It's you folks – you riles him up 'round here; it be too cold ‘round here for that Old Boy. He freeze his soul in Massachusetts, but in Barbados he just as sweet â€Å" (Miller 113). The irony of the ill treatment of Tituba’s religious outsider status is the fact Puritans migrated to the New World to flee religious persecution. They sought to express their faith freely, yet equally boasted great suspicion to others who were different.And as such, it can be inferred that Miller’s belief is that despite the Puritans’ self-proclamation of individualism, they exude as much intolerance as the European powers that set out to control them. The Puritans fai led to learn from the persecution of their ancestors. The persecution of Tituba and her â€Å"heathen† religious practices reflect this conflict. In The Crucible, it was viewed that women were more likely to enlist in the Devil's service than was a man, and women were considered lustful by nature as seen with the character Abigail. Ironically, Puritan women are prized for having a higher sense of religiosity.Almost all the accused who were imprisoned and executed for the crime of witchcraft were women who were social outcasts or predominant in the community. Tituba was a social outcast as she was a slave and Black woman. Elizabeth Proctor was a virtuous woman but was marred by her husband’s affair with their house servant. The village's problem with Tituba’s different religious beliefs and expressions reflects the hypocrisy of Puritan intolerance, and John Proctor’s engagement in adultery highlights an inconsistency with the Puritan ideal of its women.

American Government and politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

American Government and politics - Essay Example Presidential speeches are dynamically recorded online in which individuals can discuss their opinions on. Furthermore, networks such as CNN and even white house are on twitter. Although this may seem risky, it allows the government to convey their message and benefit from these avenues of social networking. Law exists because it is critical for human existence. It is in human nature to engage in constant warfare. When law is implemented and citizens give up their rights to a sovereign ruler, things seem to be in harmonious manner. When someone violates the law, they are imprisoned for their actions. Prison and fines are the common ways punishing individuals who don’t abide with the law. Congress and the government makes the law to secure the freedom for the citizens of America. However, the process of laws being enacted is a long due process which can be often frustrating not to mention the rivalry that exists between Republicans and Democrats. Select ONE of the following scenarios  for the assigned chapters and complete the Critical Analysis questions.   Your written response must be at least 100 words in support of your position on the questions.   Be sure to note the chapter number and feature in your response. The concept of Shariah laws is complicated that are handled carefully with Islamic scholars. The shariah insists that a person must say the word â€Å"talaaq,† which means divorce in order to obtain that talaaq. If a person says this three times to a same person, he is not allowed to marry her every as the marriages becomes null. The problem is the fact that when men just write the word divorce instead of saying it. In essence, does it become valid if a person does it through texting or email? Indeed, Islamic jurists have pondered upon that issue. Recently though, the Saudi courts have upheld this issue and said that divorce through texting should be upheld. Freedom of expression is

Should the NHS treat patients with smoking related cancers Essay

Should the NHS treat patients with smoking related cancers - Essay Example By the late 1980s when the idea was first come under consideration, the NHS was suffering from a severe lack of resources. This was the result of three factors. Firstly, because of the policies of the government, which was cutting back on public expenditure. Secondly, because of the increasing numbers of elderly with their demands on the health services and thirdly, the increasing demand for higher standards of health. The situation was so bad that districts were not paying their bills, and operations were being cancelled. Waiting lists were increasing rapidly. As a result, a review of the NHS was announced. The Government Review produced a list of the strengths and weaknesses of the NHS, and suggested that one of the main problems lay in the lack of incentives for employees of the NHS to make savings and be more efficient. The government was strongly influenced by an economist, Enthoven, who argued that by introducing an internal market to the NHS, managers would be encouraged to become more efficient and without extra spending many of the NHS could be solved. He claimed, " there is nothing like a competitive market to motivate quality and economy of service "(Carrier, 1998, p.145). What Enthoven meant by the internal market, was that each hospital or community care unit would compete against others to win contracts to care for specified numbers of patients. This is similar to the situation faced by companies in the private sector of the economy, which compete against each other to win commercial contracts. For the treatment of smoking related cancers patients the idea of competition between hospitals and community care units was the basis for the NHS and Community Care Act of 1990. The NHS reforms, which came into effect in 1991, aimed to give patients, wherever they lived in Britain, better health care and greater choice of service. (Collee 1996, 1-7)Therefore the concept of the internal market was introduced, according to which, the 'providers' of healthcare were to be separated from the ' purchasers ' of healthcare. The idea was that by giving the purchasers the freedom to choose where to buy the best care, including the private sector, the system would place competitive pressure on the providers to offer greater quality, efficiency and value for money. Fundamental changes had to be made to the traditional relationship between the various parts of the NHS to make the new system work. Health authorities ceased to run the service directly and become purchasers of healthcare from a range of providers (hospitals, community services, ambulance services) who, in turn, were given the opportunity of becoming NHS Trusts. They were to be self- governing bodies with the freedom to decide things like staff numbers, rates of pay and what to charge for their services. Though independent of local health authority control, trusts remained part of the NHS. They had to provide a range of care accident and emergency services, but can choose which other services to concentrated on. A central role in the new system was reserved for family doctors who, for the first time, were offered budgets to buy a range of services for their own patients, such as non- emergency surgery,