Common Misconceptions Essay Example for Free

Common Misconceptions Essay Commonly thought of as belligerently walking the streets late at night, or at any time in fact, the Irish culture is inaccurately perceived as the drinking type, at any point of the day on any day of the week, though usually all of the above. Americans drink, French people do too, as well as our friends from Great Britain, but for some reason people always accuse those Irish people of being too drunk too often. It just so happens to be that I am Irish, and American, though I am not drunk at this time of writing this paper. I may just be the exception, as many people believe or have believed at some time that they are just heavy drinkers. There are the stories we are told, how the potato famine in Ireland was a result of the Irish being too drunk to realize something’s wrong with their potatoes, and possibly continue to believe nothing is wrong. Then they came over to America and brought their drinking problems and potato famine ignorance with them and the rest is history that they will soon forget. With them jumping seas, it gave us Americans an excuse for our own belligerent ways; we could use those drunken Irish as a scapegoat! Now, if we are caught by our friends in a bush after a long night, we may say â€Å"It’s alright, I’m Irish, I’m just respecting my ancestry† or we have an excuse to celebrate the holiday St. Patrick’s day, which is more of a reason to drink than celebrate the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. If this myth helps All-Americans get out of sticky situations through deception, than it sure is doing its job, just be sure to say â€Å"I’m Irish† and wear that green clover hat every once in a while. Some could find it offensive, such as the Irish who didn’t jump ship because they paid good attention to their potatoes. So instead of reading the myth as â€Å"those drunken Irish are always drunk†, it should read â€Å"those drunken Irish who forgot about their potatoes are always drunk†. Now, where’s my shot glass?

America: Freedom And Violence Essay -- essays research papers

America: Freedom and Violence   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Imagine the emotionless testimony of a violent youngster, who may not realize he is fingering an accomplice as he quickly excuses his violent act,  ¡Ã‚ §Oh I don ¡Ã‚ ¦t know. I just saw it on TV. ¡Ã‚ ¨ Countless acts of senseless violence in the past few decades have led our society to believe that although freedom of speech is a trait that separates America from many other countries, it has also made us more brutal. Media outlets such as television, movies, and music have had a major impact on our nation. The outlets can allow us to be creative, make money, and have fun. The downside is when it leads to homicide, suicide, and other serious crimes. The best example of seeing the influence of violence is the exact copy cat crimes that are played out day after day. Media also tends to guide children that may seem insecure, confounded, or simply daunted by what they see on the television. This cause creates a variety of effects, mostly leading to violence or de sensitization to the events that occur around them. To understand how violence can be seen through media look to a common feeling when people listen to a new song that they start liking. It   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   can be described as an almost euphoric high. People that share this common feeling go to concerts where it seems like anything is fun and exciting. Often with so much intense hysteria people can feel pushy and violent as they try to get into the music. As a result concerts such as the 1999 Woodstock can end in violence. Events like this and other media extensions are uncontrollable because people have the right to be able to say what they want to say and express what they feel with little to no intervention. It is the first amendment that allows us to have the rights of freedom in our country. Freedom of speech has allowed media to be one link to the chain of violence in our nation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The United States was founded on the principle that the people and the government had the right to freedom of speech. The words  ¡Ã‚ §It ¡Ã‚ ¦s a free country! ¡Ã‚ ¨ are four of the most important words to America. The term is used generally because we can not get away with everything in the United States. The rights we do have are our most cherished personal freedoms. The formation of our country began with the idea that freedom above all was ... ...crease in violence correlates with the increase of television in our country. Violence can haunt the minds of many children and adolescents while they are still growing and learning to function. A time like this can make all outside events become more sensitive to a child ¡Ã‚ ¦s mind. Media can help give ideas or promote certain acts, especially if it seems like the viewer is making a connection with the role model that makes these actions. For children that live in abusive homes or have lived a psychologically damaging life, media is something they may try to connect with when things in the viewer ¡Ã‚ ¦s life do not seem to be going well. Not only can it create more violence but also it makes people who live here become more fearful of the world around them. Media has learned to focus on the exaggerations and extremities in our country so that one who views this could see his environment as a fearful enigma. The identity of America can be unclear. The founding of the first a mendment has made our country full of violence. What use to be a strengthening trait that made America attractive, has now turned into violent turmoil that makes many more people filled with fear instead of freedom.

Use of Scientific Management in the 21st Century

Use of Scientific Management in the 21st Century Roberta Larkins Jones International University April 14, 2010 Abstract The 19th and 20th Century gives the foundation of the shift in management modeling. Frederick Taylor, Henry Gantt, and Lillian Gilbreth gave great insight into the need for a paradigm shift in business. The elements of this shift form the basis of the four principles of Scientific Management. The principles of Scientific Management and their use in the 21st Century are the elements of this paper. Use of Scientific Management in the 21st Century The management of an organization that has a structural system which clearly defines the functions of the departments, groups, and individuals can be defined by the term Scientific Management originated by Frederick Taylor. (Nelson, 2003, p. 1) The Encyclopedia for Business (n. d. ) defines Scientific Management as â€Å"methods aimed at determining the best way for a job to be done. (n. d. , pg 6). While the initial use of Scientific Management in dealing with issues of efficiency and productivity is rooted in the history of management theory during the 19th Century and early in the 20th Century, the same organizational needs are evident in business today and the usage of the fundamentals of Scientific Management can be used to effectively increase both efficiency and productivity in a 21st Century organization. The Pioneers Frederick Taylor, known as ‘the most in? ential business guru of the 20th century’ (154), began his journey into business in an apprenticeship to a patternmaker for a pump manufacturing company in Philadelphia. (Wren, 2004, 121) It is here Taylor has the opportunity to see firsthand what the employees are experiencing and make note of the elements of discourse. Wren describes the conditions as â€Å"worker restriction of output, poor management, and lack of harmony between labor and management† (2004, p. 122). As Taylor continued to adva nce in his career, he stood witness to instances of these same conditions in the employees at Midvale Steel Company. It is during this time in his career along with his desire to change those working conditions that he began the work in Scientific Management that allows him to make his mark in managerial history. Henry Gantt, also a mechanical engineer, worked with Taylor for many years and both were partners in the development the concept of scientific management, although Taylor is more widely recognized for the model. Gant’s influence provided fuel for a better understanding of human nature in the workforce by improving employee representation plans , improving the practices of human-resources, and cooperation by labor-management,. Wren, 2004, p. 165) The human side of management is also the focus of works by Lillian Gilbreth, who is often called the first lady of management. (Pioneers of Management, n. d. , p7). Together they were the driving force in the use of Scientific Management and the creation of human resource principles within an organization. The Fundamentals Taylor viewed busi ness as â€Å"a system of human cooperation that will be successful only if all concerned work toward a common goal† (Wren, 2004, p. 125). The four principles of Scientific Management address the initial concerns that Taylor witnessed. Hodgetts and Greenwood (1995) share the four fundamentals as (1) Develop a science for each element of the person’s work, thus replacing the old rule of thumb, (2) Scientifically select, and then train, teach, and develop the worker, (3) Heartily cooperate with the personnel so as to insure that all of the work is done in accordance with the principles of the science that it has been developed, and (4) Management should take over all the work for which it is best fitted than the workers, and allow the latter to handle the rest. (1995, p. 18-221) These fundamentals can also transfer into the resolution of the original conditions by increasing worker productivity, effective management, and creating a harmonious relationship between management and worker. Increasing Worker Productivity Embedded into principles one and two, are considerations for sound human-resource management today. Taylor anticipated the concept of matching the abilities of a worker to an assigned job. (Wren, 2 004, p. 129) Instead of developing their own approach to a job through experience, the employee will learn to do it the right way. Hodgetts & Greenwood, 1995, p. 218) plus trained in newer techniques which will allow the employee to be more productive in their output. Taylor’s belief in productivity was grounded in the idea â€Å"the real potential for increased output was not ‘working harder’ but ‘working smarter. ’† (Wren, 2009, p. 128). Hodgetts and Greenwood (1995) describe the ability to increase productivity â€Å"by training, teaching, and developing their personnel, this quality-driven organization was able to achieve substantial increases in efficiency and cost savings. † (1995, p. 220). Effective training assesses the training need within an organization, trains the employee with advanced or more efficient tools and techniques, then allows the employee to return to the organization and utilize their new skills thereby increasing the productivity of the employee. Effective Management The third principle in scientific management is presented by the utilization of effective management in an organization. According to Taylor, the principle object of management is to secure the maximum level or prosperity for both employer and each employee. (Wren, 2009, p. 48). Whether this is done by 21st Century talent management programs including bonuses and promotions, or 19th Century reward and recognition system, the inclusion of something that demonstrates to the employee that he or she is valued is essential. Harmonious Relationship The fourth principle of scientific management is to enforce the theory of workers and management coming together in order to run a successful organ ization. Part of this effort is in allowing the workers to become part of the solutions needed achieve higher levels of efficiency and productivity. Darmody (2007) shares that management now realizes that when workers are given the opportunity to suggest ideas, they will work harder in the implementation of and assurance in the success of them. (2007, p. 23). Taylor’s view of this is continuous improvement effort. Conclusion The four principles of scientific management were important in the 19th century and continue to be important in the 21st Century in business. An organization that has a goal to remain successful and competitive must incorporate all four components into the strategic plan. As the mindset of management shifts to deal with the internal and external forces of business in moving forward, a look back at the vision of Taylor, Gantt, and Gilbreth will assist the organization to succeed. References Darmody, P. (2007). Henry L. Gantt and Frederick Taylor: The Pioneers of Scientific Management. AACE International Transactions, 15. 1-15. 3. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database. Hodgetts, R. , & Greenwood, R. (1995). Frederick Taylor: Alive and Well and Ready for the 21st Century. Academy of Management Best Papers Proceedings, 218-222. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database. Nelson, D. , (2003, Jan) Scientific Management, Dictionary of American History, Retrieved from http://www. highbeam. com/doc/1G2-3401803768. html Pioneers of Management. (n. d. ). In Encyclopedia of Business (2nd ed. ). Retrieved from http://www. referenceforbusiness. com/management/Or-Pr/Pioneers-of-management. html Wren, D. , (2009) the evolution of management thought (6th Ed). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons

Colonialism and Imperialism - The White Male and the...

The European, White Male vs. the Other in Heart of Darkness The novella Heart of Darkness has, since its publication in 1899, caused much controversy and invited much criticism. While some have hailed its author, Joseph Conrad as producing a work ahead of its time in its treatment and criticism of colonialist practices in the Congo, others, most notably Chinua Achebe, have criticized it for its racist and sexist construction of cultural identity. Heart of Darkness can therefore be described as a text of its time, as the cultural identity of the dominant society, that is, the European male is constructed in opposition to the other, the other in Heart of Darkness being defined as black and/or female. Notions of cultural†¦show more content†¦In the case of the second instance it is somewhat appropriate that the leaders death is announced by one of the people of the group he is seen to have joined. Therefore Africans are constructed as being inferior to Europeans through Conrads refusal to grant them the power of language and speech and even when they are given the opportunity to speak, Conrad constructs Africans as being largely inarticulate. Thus confirming the superiority of the white race. Conrad further marginalises and degrades the African characters and race not only through the denial of language but also the denial of human form. When Marlow first sees Africans in a small boat on the water, he describes them in terms of their muscles, bones and white teeth, despite also recognizing a vitality and spirit. The disembodiment continues when Marlow encounters the chain gang at the outer station. It is when seeking shade however that Marlow stumbles upon the grove of death. Here he finds emancipated and dying Africans, cast off by their imperialist owners because they are no longer deemed to have monetary value, or economic viability. 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