Peking Opera Essays - Vocal Music, Peking Opera, Aria, Recitative

Peking Opera David Widoff Topics in Music 251 March 15, 1999 Peking opera first started to gain national recognition in the 19th century, as is probably the best-known Chinese traditional music-theater in the West. Though known to the West as Peking opera, it is referred to in China as jing ju, translated as capital theater. This musical genre contains such diverse characteristics including virtuosic singing in romantic scenes involving young lovers, stylized battle scenes at land our at seas featuring spectacular acrobatics, comical slapstick often with underlying themes of political satire, and dramatic scenes of betrayal, revenge, retribution, and triumph. The origins of the plots of Peking opera come mostly from popular legend, historical events, novels, and other narrations. Peking opera is divided into five main categories and their subcategories according to age, sex, social status and character. These include the following: Sheng (male role), Dan (female role), Jing (painted face role), Mo (a minor old-male role), and Chon (male comic role). The basic musical elements of Peking opera include arias, musical speech (recitatives), and instrumental music. Though instrumental music has many functions in Peking opera, its most important function is to accompany the singing and the physical movements and dance. The instrumental ensemble is made up of two components: the melodic (wenchang) and the percussion (wuchang). The percussion ensemble is basically made up of five instruments. The danpigu (single-headed drum), ban (paired wooden clapper), xiaoluo (small going that produces rising pitch), and naoba (small pair of cymbals). The music of the percussion ensemble is comprised of sixty conventional rhythmic patterns, all which help to indicate kinds of dramatic situations, atmospheres, or moods. Other functions that these percussion pattern perform include accompanying fighting scenes, producing sound effects, and indicating entrances and exits of dramatic personages and their social status to name just a few. The instruments of the melodic ensemble of the Peking opera are mostly comprised of strings and winds, as well as a set of ten small, suspended pitched gongs called the yunluo. The strings include the jinghu (2-stringed bamboo spiked fiddle with high, piercing pitch), the erhu, the yueqin, and a small sanxian. The winds are the dizi transverse flute, the sheng, and the big and small suona (double-reed oboes). The primary functions of the melodic ensemble are to play introductions and interludes for arias, to accompany arias, and to play incidental music for dance and miming movements. The instrumental ensemble only contains nine players in the entire ensemble. Therefore, the players are obviously very versatile, and can usually play more than one instrument. For instance, one who plays both the single-headed drum and the clapper also plays the big and small barrel drum. Vocal music in Peking opera is comprised of arias, recitatives, and heightened speech. Heightened speech is used exclusively, however, by important characters and characters of high social status, while everyday speech is used by the comics and the characters of lower social status. All Peking-opera arias derive from a group of about thirty pre-existent tune-and-rhythm patterns called ban. By setting the same melodic-rhythmic type to a different text, a new aria is produced. Defined in terms of their rhythm, tempo, and timbre, five main aria types can be identified: the narrative aria, lyrical aria, animated aria, dramatic aria, and interjected aria. In conclusion, in the Peking opera, the oral and visual elements are both equally important. The actors have both mastered highly stylized acting techniques, just as thoroughly as singing. Also, audiences of Peking operas have been shrinking rapidly. One reason is because conventions of this opera-type are deeply rooted in an old society based on Confusion moral precepts and political outlooks. Although the government has tried to remedy this by taking certain form measures, it has not caused for a significant change. Theater

Too much punch for Judy Essays

Too much punch for Judy Essays Too much punch for Judy Paper Too much punch for Judy Paper Essay Topic: Play The play is about two girls from Essex that like to go out drinking and to clubs. Then they meet two men named Bob and Nob, they are of the box characters, and are up for anything. Then they are all drunk and Jo and Judy decide to go home, and not sure who should drive, and their giving their reasons on who should drive, then they reach a decision on who should drive and Judy gets the keys from her younger sister. They get in the car and drive past two policemen Pc Carter and PC Abraham. They then crash a short while after, and a young man Duncan gets out and runs across to the crash scene to see if he can help, he decides to ring the police and put some shoes on. The police get on the radio and start to make their way to the crash scene. Meanwhile Duncan gets Judy out from the car and she starts to make signs of recovery. At this point the police car comes round the corner and PC Abraham runs over to Jo who is dead and Pc carter checks for a pulse. PC Abraham then takes off his jacket to cover her, then goes to get a fire extinguisher. He then comes back on with two people who carry Jo off. The two policemen go to Vics house that is Jo and Judys mum, no one answered, so they came away. Later that day PC Carter gets hold of Vi at her house, and speaks to her about her daughter At this time Nurse Davis is speaking to Judy about her health and her sister, PC Carter takes Vi (Judys mother) to go to see her in hospital; they speak to each other about what happened and are they ok? Judy does a soliloquy to back before the accident (flashback) and everythings the same, but this time instead of talking, about whose going to drive, Judy tells Jo to ring for a cab, So this way the crash was prevented. Characters Lucy portrayed the character of Judy who is in her early twenties, I think Lucy could relate to this character well, because she is 18 and can do all these different things that Judy can do. So I think it was more reality for her, she played the part of Judy really well, she was able to get emotional at points in the play, and she had to tell the story like a narrator. There were a few parts that did not go too well, this was because of technical difficulty, like the timing of music, which was not her fault. But the timing with her speaking on her own, and with Carly was spot on and you could not fault it. Carly portrayed the character, so who was Judys younger sister, Carly acted so naive, and was looking up to Judy, Just like a younger sister would. The timing between Curly and Lucy was really good and effective. Curly also showed that they were not just sisters but were best friends, As well. When Carly done a scene where she dies before the crash, she shouts a line Judy slow down a bit. I think that this line was really effective and will stay in the audience minds. Charlotte portrayed the character of Vi, who is Judys and Jos mother, Charlotte showed real emotion and more people in the audience cry, where she speaks to Judy for the first time, since the crash. It seemed to be real, and she took on the role of the mother who was caring and strong, but still needed help and wanted this accidence to put her and her daughter Judy closer together. Bradley took on the role of Bob who is about 18 and he has no responsibilities. He just wanted to go out and go wild. Bradley rook on this role really well, because he is good at speaking to people and in the play has got to chat some one up. That made it really funny. Also he had to lead the lines between him and Matt, which is more responsibility. His acting techniques like timing, tableauxs and projection was good and everyone in the audience could see what he was doing clearly the whole time. Matt portrayed the character of nob. He is basically the same as bob but more, if he has not got bob, He will feel hes got nothing. He is bobs sidekick, Matt played this character well, because eh was replaces and enjoyed being Nob, this helped because it gave it some energy which finished off on Bradley. The only thing that could need an improvement is his articulating with his words top makes it a bit clearer. Lauren played Duncan, but we changed it to be a female part instead. Lauren is only really in one section, but she does most of the speaking in this part. Lauren tells the story and she says that she did not want to involved, and you could see this from her face and body language. But she did not want to be there. Also most of there lines were spoken to the audience, and she was telling it like she was there, and not telling it like she was telling how it was. Emma portrayed the character of Nurse Davis. Emmas showed that she could be caring and was only interest in her patients. She also showed from her character that she thought she knew that should be done and that she was using delaying tactics, to stop Judy from worrying. Emmas voice was warm and affectionate, just like a Nurses voice should be. Elliot portrayed the character of the Pc Cater, he weans a local police constable and a friend of Judys family, Elliot was good at body language, with the way he walked, and acted responsible. Elliots timing was also very good and showed affection towards the family of Judy. You could tell that in his voice, that he cared for the family, and was a friend in the way he spoke to them. Ben portrayed the characters of Pc Abraham and Pete, Pete is the man what had a baby with Judy and were married at seventeen. All I had to do for this character was walk normal towards Judy with a baby, give the baby to Judy, look at her and walk back off. which was really simple. PC Abraham I had to change by body language, and walk slowly with my hands behind my back, and speak a bit slower. This w3as to give the audience the impact of it being serious, Most of my lines were spoken to the audience, as a whole, I had to show as my character that I understand what was going on, and to tell the audience sort of in bullet points what happened, and Why you should drink and drive. Movement There was one movement piece, I like and will remember best, and it was Jo and Judy at the start, they are talking about getting ready to go out, and they act to the words, that are being said, and together, and it looked like a mirror image, because the timing was really good. This made the scene even better, Miss Kitsou made Carly stand on one side and Lucy the other for a part of it, and if I were in the audience, I would not know which way to look. And this will add the effect of the rush to get ready. Space We used most of the space that was provided, but the whole point of the play was to be simple but effective, we used a lot of the space in the crash scene, this is because of different characters walking off, each side and walking from side to side. |In this scene we cover a lot of the space because of all the congestion. Nut it was controlled congestion. We made it look like we need the space, we used, and not just used if for the sake of it. Body Language. The body language from all the characters was good, but one character showed more of it, and I felt it was Elliot, This was because eh he showed that he had some authority and that he is calm and focussed, as the character, also when he was caring when Jusy is in the wheelchair, he showed that he was comforting her. This stood out for me, because of the authority he showed during the play. Facial Expressions I could see that every expression on their characters faces, looked real. Judy showed that they were having a laugh and are relaxed by smiling and raising her eyebrows, this made it really clearly. Charlotte showed when she was shocked and you could see that she did not understand and was shocked at what was being said. Everyone showed how their characters should of reacted with their facial expressions. Conclusion In conclusion to this, theres always something to learn, and I think this one is, if you take a big risk you are more likely to come out much, much worse. The play as a whole went well, but at the very end where we say the facts, a few people stumbled at their lines, I think this was because they had switched off, and thought it was over before it was.

My HR Plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

My HR Plan - Assignment Example The compensation package of the company is fit to motivate the employees. The training program of the company is appropriate for training the new employees. The new employees of the company will be provided training so that they can understand the job requirements correct and act accordingly. Table of Contents Overview 4 Recruitment and Selection 8 Compensation and Benefits 9 Performance Management 10 Training Program 10 Ways of Training 11 12 Overview An HR plan is a systematic process of matching the interest of the employees with their talents and skills so that the long term goals of the organization can be met. An HR plan is critical for setting up a strategic plan of an organization as it will help to determine whether the organization will be able to achieve the goals in the future. This HR plan is a comprehensive plan which would help the organization to achieve its goals. The leadership of an organization must be able to successfully guide the employees in achieving the goal s. The HR manager must prepare an appropriate plan which would help the organization to achieve its goal (Asdorian, 1992). Therefore before setting up the HR plan the company needs to decide on type of plan it wants. There are three different types of plan, company level plan, developmental level plan and job level plan. The plan can be on national level, sartorial level and industrial level. These plans deal with the responsibilities of the human resource department in the respect of manpower planning are:- a) Assist the operating mangers to set objectives so that they can direct the employees properly. b) Collect the manpower data and then summarize it for preparation of a long term HR plan. c) Monitor the performance of the employees and see whether it is according to the HR plan. d) Provide research information for effective manpower planning. The basic objective of an HR manager is to ensure that the employees are able to maintain their lifestyles. The elements that should be k ept in mind while preparing the HR policy must include appropriate monetary allowance, housing allowance, education costs of the dependent and transportation allowance. Now in the context of the company Skypack Ltd which is an audio set manufacturing company based in USA has been chosen. The company is presently headquartered at New York. The company was established in the year 2000 by J. K. Packman. The company is indulged in the manufacturing and marketing of audio devices. However there are a many variants for the product. It mainly offers 4 categories 2.1 channels, 4.1 channel, 5.1 channel and large boxes of 10000 watt sound systems. Presently the company operates only within the US market and owns 35 exclusive retail outlets. However the company also proposes to expand into the international arena. The major competitors of the company are Altec lancing, Boss, Creative, Alesis, JBL and other local palyers. Within 10 years of its incorporation the company has been able to achieve a respectable position in the market. Currently the company holds 22% of the market share in context with audio devices. The company has also developed a core competency for itself in the form of wireless devices. All the audio sets of the company are wireless. Also the qualities of the products are according to the international standards. The reason behind such innovations is to remain with the current trends. In the context of work culture, the company has a

The standard policy of new technology applied in distribution power Essay

The standard policy of new technology applied in distribution power network - Essay Example not merely includes within its ambit, interlinked transmission systems, but moves ahead to encompass all the aspects of energy industry that is energy generation, transmission, distribution and consumption (Saint 2009). It includes within its scope, the energy related technicalities at the household and industrial level. It is a pity that in the last few years, much stress has been laid on developing efficient household and industrial complex distribution and transmission models; a commensurate enthusiasm was not shown in developing smart distribution networks. In this context, the concept of Smart Grid is path breaking and ingenious. There is no denying the fact that the US Energy Policy and Security Act of 2007 is a trail blazing strategy that has laid down the framework for standardizing policies pertaining to new technologies in the distribution power networks (Saint 2009). The strategy enshrined in this document not only aspires to achieve maximum reliability and obliterating an y barriers to the development and deployment of Smart Grid, but also intends to gain in terms of energy savings and making cost effective investments in the realm of Smart Grid (Saint 2009). The standard policy towards energy distribution in the developed countries around the world tends to encourage the modernization of transmission and distribution systems, while making way for dependable, fool proof and reliable power infrastructure that can adjust to and accommodate any future alterations in demand and technology. The crux of the Smart Grid is to facilitate a demand response that is in consonance with the ethos of free markets and economies, and also enables the consumers to have a proactive role in adjusting their energy needs to the changing prices (Saint 2009). At the same time it intends to exploit all the possible power generation and storage options, by it the wind, solar or bio energy (Saint 2009). The eventual idea is to forge such an approach towards energy generation and

For Poorer and For Poorer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

For Poorer and For Poorer - Essay Example As an initial matter, it must be noted that changing economic conditions do seem to affect both work roles and family roles in relationships. As noted by Hansen, in general terms, the changed economic conditions have resulted in "more fighting, postponed weddings, and less sex" (2003: np). The most immediate effect is the postponement of weddings. Rather than pursuing traditional roles as husband and wife, because of the large expenses associated with formal weddings, couples are delaying marriage while awaiting better economic times. In addition, young couples are hesitant to have children when they are unable to take care of themselves adequately. The family roles are consequently replaced by a more permanent boyfriend-girlfriend role and the relationships assume a less secure status. There is less romance, less self-esteem, and less sex. In addition to the alteration of family roles, there have also been alterations of traditional work roles. Couples are confronted with periods of unemployment and underemployment. Some people have admitted to removing advanced academic degrees in an effort to find jobs for which they are overqualified. In sum, the recent economic instability has affected both family roles and work roles in negative ways. In addition, a comparison of the idealism of the 1990s with the current period of economic instability highlights the very real financial pressures that young couples are experiencing.

Major Depressive Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder Major Depressive Disorder Preface Today, there are so many people suffering from so many diseases. Likewise, so many people started to feel depressed without a reason. Maybe there should be a reason but most people fail to find it and live their life as it goes by. Now, depressive disorder has become one of major diseases. Boys, girls, teenagers, 20s, 30s, 40s, most people regardless of their age are suffering from major depressive disorder. Because of this, suicidal rate has been increased far more than ever. Maybe, because of technological revolution, many people started to feel as if they are alone, for people talk through internet, telephone, and so on, they do not feel as if somebody is beside them. Because of this, I wanted to research on ‘major depressive disorder to figure out what are causing this and what are some ways to prevent this. Symptoms and Signs Major depression is a serious illness that affects a persons family and personal relationships, work or school life, sleeping and eating habits, and general health. Its impact on functioning and well-being has been equated to that of chronic medical conditions such as diabetes. A person suffering a major depressive episode usually exhibits a very low mood, which pervades all aspects of life, and an inability to experience pleasure in activities that formerly were enjoyed. Depressed people may be preoccupied with, or ruminate over, thoughts and feelings of worthlessness, inappropriate guilt or regret, helplessness, hopelessness, and self-hatred. In severe cases, depressed people may have symptoms of psychosis. These symptoms include delusions or, less commonly, hallucinations, usually of an unpleasant nature. Other symptoms of depression include poor concentration and memory (especially in those with melancholic or psychotic features), withdrawal from social situations and activities, reduced sex drive, and thoughts of death or suicide. Insomnia is common among the depressed. In the typical pattern, a person wakes very early and is unable to get back to sleep. Hypersomnia, or oversleeping, is less common. Appetite often decreases, with resulting weight loss, although increased appetite and weight gain occasionally occur. The person may report multiple physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, or digestive problems; physical complaints are the most common presenting problem in developing countries, according to the World Health Organizations criteria for depression. Family and friends may notice that the persons behavior is either agitated or lethargic. Depressed children often display an irritable rather than a depressed mood, and show varying symptoms depending on age and situation. Most exhibit a loss of interest in school and a decline in academic performance. They may be described as clingy, demanding, dependent, or insecure. Diagnosis may be delayed or missed when symptoms are interpreted as normal moodiness. Depression may also coincide with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), complicating the diagnosis and treatment of both. Older depressed persons may have cognitive symptoms of recent onset, such as forgetfulness, and a more noticeable slowing of movements. Depression often coexists with physical disorders common among the elderly, such as stroke, other cardiovascular diseases, Parkinsons disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Causes The biopsychosocial model proposes that biological, psychological, and social factors all play a role to varying degrees in causing depression. The diathesis-stress model posits that depression results when a preexisting vulnerability, or diathesis, is activated by stressful life events. The preexisting vulnerability can be either genetic, implying an interaction between nature and nurture, or schematic, resulting from views of the world learned in childhood. These interactive models have gained empirical support. For example, researchers in New Zealand took a prospective approach to studying depression, by documenting over time how depression emerged among an initially normal cohort of people. The researchers concluded that variation among the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene affects the chances that people who have dealt with very stressful life events will go on to experience depression. Specifically, depression may follow such events, but seems more likely to appear in people w ith one or two short alleles of the 5-HTT gene. A Swedish study estimated the heritability of depression—the degree to which individual differences in occurrence are associated with genetic differences—to be approximately 40% for women and 30% for men, and evolutionary psychologists have proposed that the genetic basis for depression lies deep in the history of naturally selected adaptations. A substance-induced mood disorder resembling major depression has been causally linked to long-term drug use or abuse, or to withdrawal from certain sedative and hypnotic drugs. Biological Monoamine hypothesis Most antidepressant medications increase the levels of one or more of the monoamines—the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine—in the synaptic cleft between neurons in the brain. Some medications affect the monoamine receptors directly. Serotonin is hypothesized to help regulate other neurotransmitter systems; decreased serotonin activity may allow these systems to act in unusual and erratic ways. According to this permissive hypothesis, depression arises when low serotonin levels promote low levels of norepinephrine, another monoamine neurotransmitter. Some antidepressants enhance the levels of norepinephrine directly, whereas others raise the levels of dopamine, a third monoamine neurotransmitter. These observations gave rise to the monoamine hypothesis of depression. In its contemporary formulation, the monoamine hypothesis postulates that a deficiency of certain neurotransmitters is responsible for the corresponding features of depression: Norepinephrine may be related to alertness and energy as well as anxiety, attention, and interest in life; lack of serotonin to anxiety, obsessions, and compulsions; and dopamine to attention, motivation, pleasure, and reward, as well as interest in life. The proponents of thi s theory recommend the choice of an antidepressant with mechanism of action that impacts the most prominent symptoms. Anxious and irritable patients should be treated with SSRIs or norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and those experiencing a loss of energy and enjoyment of life with norepinephrine- and dopamine-enhancing drugs. Schematic of a synapse between an axon of one neuron and a dendrite of another. Synapses are specialized gaps between neurons. Electrical impulses arriving at the axon terminal trigger release of packets of chemical messengers (neurotransmitters), which diffuse across the synaptic cleft to receptors on the adjacent dendrite temporarily affecting the likelihood that an electrical impulse will be triggered in the latter neuron. Once released the neurotransmitter is rapidly metabolised or pumped back into a neuron. Antidepressants influence the overall balance of these processes.In the past two decades, research has revealed multiple limitations of the monoamine hypothesis, and its explanatory inadequacy has been criticized within the psychiatric community. Intensive investigation has failed to find convincing evidence of a primary dysfunction of a specific monoamine system in patients with major depressive disorders. The medications tianeptine and opipramol have long been known to have antidepressant properties despite the fact that the former is a serotonin reuptake enhancer and the latter has no effect on the monoamine system. Experiments with pharmacological agents that cause depletion of monoamines have shown that this depletion does not cause depression in healthy people nor does it worsen symptoms in depressed patients—although an intact monoamine system is necessary for antidepressants to achieve therapeutic effectiveness. According to an essay published by the Public Library of Science (PLoS), the monoamine hypothesis, already limited, has been further oversimplified when presented to the general public as a mass marketing tool. Other theories MRI scans of patients with depression have reported a number of differences in brain structure compared to those without the illness. Although there is some inconsistency in the results, meta-analyses have shown there is evidence for smaller hippocampal volumes and increased numbers of hyperintensive lesions. Hyperintensities have been associated with patients with a late age of onset, and have led to the development of the theory of vascular depression. There may be a link between depression and neurogenesis of the hippocampus, a center for both mood and memory. Loss of hippocampal neurons is found in some depressed individuals and correlates with impaired memory and dysthymic mood. Drugs may increase serotonin levels in the brain, stimulating neurogenesis and thus increasing the total mass of the hippocampus. This increase may help to restore mood and memory. Similar relationships have been observed between depression and an area of the anterior cingulate cortex implicated in the modulation of emotional behavior. One of the neurotrophins responsible for neurogenesis is the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The level of BDNF in the blood plasma of depressed subjects is drastically reduced (more than threefold) as compared to the norm. Antidepressant treatment increases the blood level of BDNF. Although decreased plasma BDNF levels have been found in many other disorders, there is some evidence that BDNF is involved in the ca use of depression and the mechanism of action of antidepressants. Major depression may also be caused in part by an overactive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) that is similar to the neuro-endocrine response to stress. Investigations reveal increased levels of the hormone cortisol and enlarged pituitary and adrenal glands, suggesting disturbances of the endocrine system may play a role in some psychiatric disorders, including major depression. Oversecretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus is thought to drive this, and is implicated in the cognitive and arousal symptoms. Depression may be related to the same brain mechanisms that control the cycles of sleep and wakefulness.Depression may be related to abnormalities in the circadian rhythm, or biological clock. For example, the REM stage of sleep, the one in which dreaming occurs, may be quick to arrive and intense in depressed people. REM sleep depends on decreased serotonin levels in the brain stem, and is impaired by compounds, such as antidepressants, that increase serotoninergic tone in brain stem structures. Overall, the serotonergic system is least active during sleep and most active during wakefulness. Prolonged wakefulness due to sleep deprivation activates serotonergic neurons, leading to processes similar to the therapeutic effect of antidepressants, such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Depressed individuals can exhibit a significant lift in mood after a night of sleep deprivation. SSRIs may directly depend on the increase of central serotonergic neurotransmission fo r their therapeutic effect, the same system that impacts cycles of sleep and wakefulness. Research on the effects of light therapy on treating seasonal affective disorder suggests that light deprivation is related to decreased activity in the serotonergic system and to abnormalities in the sleep cycle, particularly insomnia. Exposure to light also targets the serotonergic system, providing more support for the important role this system may play in depression. Sleep deprivation and light therapy both target the same brain neurotransmitter system and brain areas as antidepressant drugs, and are now used clinically to treat depression. Light therapy, sleep deprivation and sleep time displacement (sleep phase advance therapy) are being used in combination quickly to interrupt a deep depression in hospitalized patients. The hormone estrogen has been implicated in depressive disorders due to the increase in risk of depressive episodes after puberty, the antenatal period, and reduced rates after menopause. Conversely, the premenstrual and postpartum periods of low estrogen levels are also associated with increased risk. The use of estrogen has been under-researched, and although some small trials show promise in its use to prevent or treat depression, the evidence for its effectiveness is not strong. Estrogen replacement therapy has been shown to be beneficial in improving mood in perimenopause, but it is unclear if it is merely the menopausal symptoms that are being reversed. Other research has explored potential roles of molecules necessary for overall cellular functioning: cytokines and essential nutrients. The symptoms of major depressive disorder are nearly identical to those of sickness behavior, the response of the body when the immune system is fighting an infection. This raises the possility that depression can result from a maladaptive manifestation of sickness behavior as a result of abnormalities in circulating cytokines. Deficiencies in certain essential dietary nutrients, particularly vitamin B12 and folic acid, have been associated with depression; other agents such as the elements copper and magnesium, and vitamin A have also been implicated. Prevention A 2008 meta-analysis found that behavioral interventions, such as interpersonal therapy, are effective at preventing new onset depression. Because such interventions appear to be most effective when delivered to individuals or small groups, it has been suggested that they may be able to reach their large target audience most efficiently through the Internet. However, an earlier meta-analysis found preventive programs with a competence-enhancing component to be superior to behaviorally oriented programs overall, and found behavioral programs to be particularly unhelpful for older people, for whom social support programs were uniquely beneficial. Additionally, the programs that best prevented depression comprised more than eight sessions, each lasting between 60 and 90 minutes; were provided by a combination of lay and professional workers; had a high-quality research design; reported attrition rates; and had a well-defined intervention. The Coping with Depression course (CWD) is claim ed to be the most successful of psychoeducational interventions for the treatment and prevention of depression (both for its adaptability to various populations and its results), with a risk reduction of 38% in major depression and an efficacy as a treatment comparing favorably to other psychotherapies. References http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depressive_disorder#Prevention

Napoleon I Essay -- essays research papers

Napoleon I Napoleon's life was a very interesting one. Starting a poor boy, hated by most, rising to rule a huge empire, and then finally being destroyed by his own arrogance and ending his life humbled, remembering what he had doe, and leaving it all in his memoirs for the world to read. Napoleon was born in 1769, on the Island of Corsica. His parents, Carlo and Letizia Bonaparte, were poor nobles. When Napoleon was just 10 years old, his father helped to get him a mathematical scholarship to a military school at Brienne. In the school, Napoleon was hated and considered a foreigner. With no friends, Napoleon concentrated on academics, but still only graduated 42nd in us class of 58. he then continued his education at the Military academy of Paris. After one year there, he became second Lieutenant of artillery, at the age of 17. As a Lieutenant, Napoleon did a lot of reading, mainly in the subjects of history, geography, economic affairs, and philosophy. Napoleon was assigned to a post at the Valence garrison when he became a Lieutenant, but spent most of his time in Corsica, without permission. During one of these visits, Napoleon had trouble with a Corsican nationalist, named Pasquale Paoli, and Napoleon and his family fled to Marseille in 1793. Later in 1793, the beginning of the French revolution, Napoleon led an artillery brigade to push out a British fleet that the Royalists had allowed in. Napoleon's mission was a success, and he was promoted to general, and was assigned to the army in Northern Italy. During the early part of the revolution, Napoleon had supported Maximilien Robespierre's revolutionary group, and when Robespiere was overthrown in 1794, Napoleon spent two months in jail for being associated with him. When he was released from jail, Napoleon refused to fight a rebellion in Vandee, and he lost his military position for it. In 1795, Paul Barras, the military leader of a soon to be implemented government, asked Napoleon to fight a revolt in Paris, Napoleon accepted, and quickly ended the revolt. When the directory, the government Barras was part of, came into power, they rewarded Napoleon by appointing him the commander of the army of the interior in 1796. He also married Josephine de Beauharrais in the same year. Later in 1796, Napoleon launched a campaign to push the Austrian and Sardinian armies out of Northern Italy. Napoleon qui... ... fled to Paris, refusing to give up any territory, fearing that doing so would result in an overthrow. In 1814, the coalition invaded France. Napoleon tried to take advantage of the distance between the armies approaching Paris by picking them off one by one, but was eventually outnumbered. Napoleon gave up his rule and was exiled to the island of Elba, and giving small amounts of governmental power there. Louis XVII took the crown of France. Aware of the French peoples dissatisfaction with Louis XVII's rule, Napoleon returned to France in 1815. Napoleon marched toward Paris, going through areas in which he was popular, and King Louis fled the nation. Napoleon said that he wished to return in peace, but the allies prepared to push him out. Napoleon won several early victories against the rush of allied attackers, but was defeated for the last time at the battle of Waterloo. Fleeing back to Paris, Napoleon once again stepped down, and surrendered to the British ship Bellerophon. The British exiled him to the Island of Saint Helena. Napoleon spent the remaining six years of his life living with his secretary and a few friends. There, he dictated his memoirs. He died on May 5, 1821.

Avian Influenza Essay

Avian Influenza, also known as bird flu, is a zoonotic disease with several different subtypes that affect mostly other birds, but few can be transmitted to humans. The most prevalent avian influenza virus in humans is the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) virus, which has caused over 380 confirmed cases in 15 countries (Rabinowitz, 2010). Majority of cases have been transmitted via bird-to-human, with rare cases of human-to-human transmission. Continued exposure to the virus not only poses the threat of ongoing morbidity and mortality, but also the threat of H5N1 being able to adapt and change allowing sustained human-to-human transmission. (Rabinowitz, 2010). Human exposure to H5N1 begins with the natural host for the virus, wild birds, which is then transmitted to domestic birds, and then finally reaching humans as a host. Starting with wild birds, most commonly waterfowl, the virus lives in the intestines and is shed through fecal matter, saliva, and nasal secretions. Most wild birds are resistant to infections associated with avian influenza A. Wild birds are exposed to the virus when they come into contact with contaminated nasal, respiratory, or fecal material from infected birds, most commonly fecal to oral transmission (Korteweg & Gu, 2010). Transmission to domestic birds, mainly poultry, can occur with direct contact with infected birds or indirect exposure through contaminated dirt, cages, water, and feed. Domestic birds have little to no resistance to the virus and suffer serious health issues, often resulting in death (Influenza Viruses, 2005). In the case a human is infected with H5N1, transmission routes are either through direct contact or indirect contact. Direct contact consists of people holding, catching, hunting, or playing with unknowingly infected birds. Slaughtering, defeathering, processing and preparing poultry for consumption are other ways a person can be infected through direct contact. Examples of indirect contact are touching contaminated surfaces and materials, swimming in or washing with contaminated water, living and working in areas with contaminated air, or ingesting the active virus in contaminated food (Rabinowitz, 2010). There is little evidence supporting human-to-human transmission and few cases have been confirmed. From what is known, intimate and close contact with infected individuals are possible routes of transmission (Avian Influenza A, 2005). The potential for H5N1 to develop into a strain easily transmissible from person to person in a sustained matter poses as a threat for a possible pandemic infection (Influenza Viruses, 2005). Signs and symptoms associated with H5N1 are much like those of the more common seasonal flu virus; fever, headache, sore throat, cough and rhinitis. Other symptoms include conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal complications, shortness of breath, lower respiratory problems, rhinorrhea, myalgia, diarrhea, leukopenia, lymphophenia, impaired liver function, renal impairment, and prolonged blood clotting (Apisarnthanarak, 2004). As of March 2011, over 530 confirmed human cases of H5N1 have been found in 15 countries since 2003 (WHO image 1), 85% occurring within Asian countries. Countries with the highest prevalence rates are Vietnam, Egypt, and Indonesia. Median age of those infected is 18 years old (Korteweg & Gu, 2010). A contributing behavioral factor associated with the disease being more prevalent in children and young adults is the age groups participation in the slaughter, defeathering and cooking of poultry (Smallman-Raynor & Cliff, 2008). H5N1 had not been seen in humans prior to 1997, first presenting itself in China. The virus was then seen again in humans in 2003, in Vietnam and again in China. By 2007, H5N1 had spread to Cambodia, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Turkey, Laos, Myanmar, Nigeria and Pakistan (Smallman-Raynor & Cliff, 2008). The following public health organizations have been working closely together to track and control recent outbreaks: World Health Organization (WHO), Organization for Animal Health (OIE), and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (Smallman-Raynor & Cliff, 2008). WHO has been responsible for providing recent data and statistics regarding H5N1 in humans. Avian Influenza is covered by GAR, WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, which is responsible for monitoring and keeping surveillance on the disease. OIE is responsible for reporting recent data relating specifically o outbreaks of avian influenza in animals. FAO, working collaboratively with OIE and WHO, â€Å"sets the context for national and regional strategies, policies, programs and projects designed to control and prevent the disease (Strategy and Policy)† from spreading. According to a study by Smallman-Raynor and Cliff (2008), fatality rates for H5N1 are greater than 50% in observed cases, which is mu ch higher than the common flu virus. The virus has spread to over fifty countries on three continents, being labeled as a panzootic disease (animal disease equivalent to a pandemic in humans). H5N1 first crossed species barriers to humans in 1997 and has extended its host range to several other mammals, causing severe disease and death. An approach to control the spread of this disease amongst birds has been culling of exposed birds, quarantine and disinfecting. However, Avian Influenza continues to spread due in part to migratory birds becoming infected (Smallman-Raynor & Cliff, 2008). The virus’s ability to evolve poses as threat and is currently classified by WHO at Phase 3 of the global pandemic alert for influenza.

Case Study Of Taman Negara Malaysia Tourism Essay Essay Example

Case Study Of Taman Negara Malaysia Tourism Essay Essay Example Case Study Of Taman Negara Malaysia Tourism Essay Essay Case Study Of Taman Negara Malaysia Tourism Essay Essay In this study I will be analyzing a touristry site with specific ecological importance to it. For this I have focused on choosing a part with rain forests as I feel they are an of import factor of ecological balance in the given planetary warming environment with increasing pollution in the ambiance. After my initial hunt on looking for rain forests, I narrowed down on Asia specifically to Malaysia given its developed economic system with a rich history of 1000s of old ages old rain forests still preserved without any intercession. I feel this would be an of import factor in my choice as being a developed state it would be easy to understand more about the state s rich geographic part as there would be lesser linguistic communication barriers with more research and cognition along with easiness in making these topographic points. Since the rain forests are more than thousand old ages old, it would be rather imperative for the planetary ecotourism to keep this topographic point in the best possible direction. It would besides hold an of import topographic point in eco touristry as its one of the few topographic points staying on Earth which still has vegetations and zoologies dating back 1000s of old ages back. Tropical rain forests provide a rare and valuable position of development and ecology. It is a topographic point where there is age old species along with diverseness of species which coexist in this environment to supply ecosystem services like H2O, food, energy cycling which is rather critical for our planet. Of all the ecosystems, rain forests are one of the most due to their big figure of species and C shops. Rain forests are straight responsible keeping local ecological and societal conditions, if non good managed it will do impairment of regional conditions and species distribution would divert. Over the old ages, rather small has been achieved by rainforest saving motions, attempts made to cut down both rainforest deforestation and diminishment have achieved small. Existing environmental and political groups have shown to be of small aid to ecology as there is still a big figure of rainforest lumbermans runing for commercial involvements. Rainforest loss and diminishment is consuming the Earth of its vitalizing mantle and hence it is of import that the ecological sustainability motion commit itself to stoping primary wood logging and protecting and reconstructing rain forests. 2. Academic rating Architect Ceballos-Lascurain was one of the initial research workers to come up with definition of ecotourism. He stated that: We may specify ecological touristry or ecotourism as that touristry that involves going to comparatively undisturbed or uncontaminated natural countries with the specific object of analyzing, look up toing and basking the scenery and its wild workss and animate beings, every bit good as any bing cultural facets found in these countries. ( Ceballos-Lascurain, 1987: 13 ) During the clip when he came up with this definition, ecotourism already existed in assorted parts of the Earth. For illustration in the 1960 s there was heavy over-use in the North American national Parkss with traffic congestion and ensuing impacts, such as eroding. During this clip, Yosemite National Park attracted 1.7 million visitants per annum ( Johnson, 1967 ) . In the recent old ages, other ecological research workers have modified, extended and developed legion ecotourism definitions including Blamey ( 1997 ) , Fennell and Eagles ( 1989 ) etc. Definitions are largely based on the importance of literature with the definition of ecotourism. Assorted research workers advocate that the assorted definitions of ecotourism, in assorted national and regional contexts, are of import to both the supply and demand sides of the ecotourism phenomenon. Contributions to the literature turn toing the definition of ecotourism are wide in range and varied in virtue. However, it is of import t hat it is defined in order to further robust and widely recognised industry criterions ( provide side ) while besides functioning visitant involvements in accomplishing the ecotourism experiences that they seek ( demand side ) . From my reappraisal of assorted ecotourism definitions, I can deduce that some reference of preservation, instruction, local ownership, sustainability etc while other definitions focus on cardinal facets, such as host community engagement , natural countries etc. The above definitions provide a platform to establish or develop farther operations of ecotourism conformity with definition. Here we will see 2 definitions by research workers to farther understand the range available in ecotourism. In 1994, Ballantine and Eagles researched some tourers to Kenya based on a specific definition consisting of three standards. This standard was put in topographic point so as to cognize a tourer s position as an ecotourist and his or her categorization based on three dimensions: the societal motivation ; the desire to see wilderness/undisturbed countries ; and a temporal committedness. In another research in 1992 by Butler he developed a more comprehensive checklist of standard for the ecotourism position. This standard focused on the other side of the definitional graduated table. While it contained rather a batch of facets of definitions found throughout the literature, these points place certain restraints on ecotourism operators. For illustration in the instance of New Zealand where ecotourism operators go through assorted standards for operating which was identified by Warren and Taylor ( 1994 ) . They infer that most of the ecotourism operations are small-scale and family-owned therefore barely executable commercially. These standard and definitions besides make it compulsory for ecotourism operations to restrict the development and growing of their commercial operations and therefore concentrate on the ideals of ecotourism. Another reading of this definition by Orams ( 1995 ) , is to presume that ecotourism is non possible or that no ecotourism can run into the standards of purist definitions. Therefore it is seen that there is positive every bit good as negative impacts seen on the softest signifier of ecotourism. In 2001, designer and ecotourism researcher Ceballos-Lascurain stated that he believed in ecotourism and non in eco purism . The end is to fit as many of the standards as possible while Lindberg and McKercher ( 1996: 65 ) suggest, sustainable touristry is postulated from a positive overall balance in environmental, experiential, sociocultural and economic impacts . The assorted contrasts which exist in the definitions of ecotourism give out the general inoperability of this construct. These assortments in definitions could perchance be viewed with a focal point on the economic and environmental dimensions of ecotourism. Notwithstanding the rhetoric of sustainable touristry development, economic viability is the bottom line of sustainable touristry operations. Other ecotourism operators besides face disputing barriers to commercial viability. By definition they should be small-scale, resolute in restricting the growing of commercial operations ( Butler, 1990 ) and, by deduction, blinkered to economic theory associating to economic systems of graduated table. The recommendation that visitants are managed by keeping an appropriate ratio of ushers to visitants once more brings with it economic challenges associating to pricing and commercial viability. 3. Case survey Taman Negara National Park Beginning: www.tamannegara.org The instance I would specifically take would be on Taman Negara National Park of Peninsular Malaysia which is one of the largest protected country in Malaysia covering an country of 434,350 hectares of rain forest. It is one of the oldest rain forest in the universe, estimated about 130 million old ages old. It is said to hold approximately 14500 blossoming workss and trees, 600 species of birds, 200 species of mammals, 350 species of reptilians and legion species of insects and other life signifiers. I would wish to analyze here how is this topographic point prepared from the crisis of commercialisation and possible stairss it can take to heighten the same. There has been old research which has focused chiefly on different factors for sustainable touristry nevertheless there is non much research on the relevant facets like societal factor apart from commercial benefits. Social factor would include the safety and security of the tourer whilst touring in such parts. Taman Negara must do its ain definition of crisis by understanding its ain environment for possible dangers and measuring events which would hold direct impact on the achievement of its end. It is besides critical to hold a base for the execution of constructions, regulations and ordinances within an organisation ; to organize attempts with the authorities to extenuate effects of such catastrophes. Similar to other concern activities, ecotourism industry has to bring forth gross to financially prolong whilst supplying alone experience and attractive forces to vie in this blooming industry ( Weaver, 2008 ) . Business bookmans and practicians likewise have argued those crises are inevitable ( Perrow, 1994 ) . An overview of the research on Taman Negara shows that service suppliers are by and large incognizant of any formal construction or system to manage crisis state of affairs ( Hayati, D, Noryati A 2010 ) . This deficiency of consciousness could intend that in instance of an exigency or crisis state of affairs the caretakers of the topographic point would be unable to react in a positive mode. Besides, the cognition of basic crisis direction was seen to be less amongst the service suppliers. Most do non give precedence to crisis direction as at that place have non been frequent instances while success in old such instances provides them with a sense of assurance. Another breach of ordinances here was found to be the deficiency of attending on enrollment of tourers, where a figure of tourers got off without registering themselves. Since tourer Numberss are recorded which aid in instance of casualties, keeping a balance on the figure of tourers at a peculiar clip in the park and other exigencies, it should be ensured that such records are enforced consequently. There could be besides illegal safety from neighbouring states or Acts of the Apostless of terrorist act. An organisation may hence be over planned but under prepared ( Dahan, 2005 ; Mitroff ) . Therefore I conclude that crisis direction requires different planning, processs and activities than everyday direction. Besides I feel that progress readying for such unanticipated fortunes would be in the best involvement of a critical topographic point like Taman Negara. 4. Challenges to touristry industry Harmonizing to a research done on the environmental industry by Lindberg and Hawkins, they define ecotourism as a responsible travel to natural countries which conserves the environment and improves the public assistance of the local . Taking into history this statement there is a high degree of possibility that due to infrastructure development or other grounds for development in the tourer topographic point some or the other portion in this part would be affected in a negative manner like acquiring depleted of its vegetations or fauna life. In add-on, an ecotourism topographic point which is non monitored good would non accomplish its ends to heighten the overall criterion of life of the local community shacking in the tourer part. All such factors need farther focal point and development to be done particularly in reserved and rare musca volitanss like Taman Negara National Park. Bing an country under particular protection, one of the chief attractive forces of the ecotourism industry is its rich environment and rare species found in it. Therefore there is likely to be conflict whenever there is a program to develop the country for tourer commercialisation and to conserve the environment in such countries. I feel that if ecotourism in Taman Negara is non good maintained on clip, it could take to negative reactions on the environment. Besides as discussed before, the rare species of life would besides go extinct without of all time being discovered. Recently there are several enterprises taken by ecotour operators to carry on their activities in a more holistic manner by presenting constructs like recycling and utilizing renewable energy in their procedure. Tourists at the National Park are besides communicated via mark boards and circuit operators to transport minimal necessities when geting in such parts and be careful whilst disposing waste, so as to non li tter the topographic point. Other regulations and ordinances imposed are to detect all park regulations to avoid harm to its biodiversity. The direction should peculiarly be keener on pass oning with group visitants as this would forestall possible big amendss to the part. Since this industry is chiefly based on nature, group visitants could perchance do larger harm to the biodiversity of an country. A relevant illustration I have found in the close locality would be that of Payar Island and Sipadan Island in Sabah. Recently both these parts observed a high volume of tourers sing these topographic points which in bend is said to hold caused irreversible harm to the corals on the islands. There have been instances where circuit operators have over exceeded the bound on the capacity of these parts. Management of Taman Negara should take into history such illustrations and protect the part from amendss due to over burden of tourers. Governments will necessitate to use rigorous regulations sing the figure of tourers come ining the part and closeguard their activities to minimise any harm to the biodiversity. Some other possible booby traps I have come across through research would be the building of resorts and hotels near the entryway country of Taman Negara to suit higher volumes of tourers expected in peak seasons. These actions will most likely affect the nearby environment in ways such as migration of species, dirt eroding and H2O pollution. This whole procedure will find the chances of sustainability in the country. Another facet of ecotourism which needs to be considered is the possible jobs faced by locals and their societal life with the addition in touristry. 5. Decision From the research done, I can deduce that at that place needs to be a more proactive attack in pull offing possible hazards in parts such as Taman Negara instead than depending on the nothing catastrophe records maintained yet. In such a important topographic point which needs to be preserved for the following coevals, we need to see its value non merely to the state but globally. Taking into history the research by Pearson and Clair ( 1998 ) wherein they province that the attitude towards hazard is every bit of import as consciousness to hazard. While the consciousness to hazard may be same in a instance but a proactive attitude could assist in guarding off possible instances of negative incidents. From my research through diaries and white documents on Taman Negara, I have found that the country lacks an official crisis direction squad to counter any such catastrophes, based on old incidents such squads are formed entirely on adhoc footing between the assorted societal elements in the part like service suppliers, locals etc. While there is no official crisis direction office in the part, the governments should non be self-satisfied about the fact that no catastrophe has of all time damaged the image of Taman Negara as an ecotourism finish as most minor instances were good handled by the ad hoc squads therefore extinguishing any catastrophe or crisis instances. In order to accomplish a long term strategic aim of keeping its environment and image as a safe ecotourism topographic point the governments at Taman Negara Park will necessitate to review its mentality on pull offing future hazards including direct 1s like landslides, fires every bit good as indirect in signifier of overcrowded tourers. There is a critical demand for them to consolidate its crisis direction programme into all eco-tourism related parts. Few of import stairss to be taken which I feel would be helpful could be: Research and place loss exposures, digitize and record yesteryear incidents. Monitor and analyze current processs for crisis direction and their effectivity and if they are on par with modern engineering. Making a centralised information bank for information sharing related to crisis direction which can be accessed by other similar ecotourism musca volitanss every bit good.

Apartheid Era Blacks Act No 67 of 1952

Apartheid Era Blacks Act No 67 of 1952 Definition: The Blacks (Abolition of Passes and Co-ordination of Documents) Act No 67 of 1952 (commenced 11 July) repealed early laws, which differed from province to province, relating to the carrying of passes by Black male workers (e.g. the Native Labour Regulation Act of 1911) and instead required all black persons over the age of 16 in all provinces to carry a reference book at all times. They were required by law to produce the book when requested by any member of the police or by an administrative official. The pass included a photograph, carried details of place of origin, employment record, tax payments, and encounters with the police. A special court system was devised to enforce the pass law – people appearing at such commissioners courts were considered guilty until they had proven their innocence. During the 60s, 70s and 80s around 500,000 Blacks were arrested each year, their cases tried (mainly uncontested), and in the 60s fined or sentenced to a short prison term. From the early 70s the convicted were deported to Bantustans instead (under the Admission of Persons to the Republic regulation Act No 59 of 1972). By the mid 80s, by which time almost 20 million people had been arrested (and tried, fined, imprisoned, or deported), the pass law had become increasingly difficult to enforce and it was abandoned. Repealed by the Identification Act No 72 of 1986. Also Known As: Natives (Abolition of Passes and Co-ordination of Documents) Act No 67 of 1952

Choose one Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Choose one - Essay Example There has been a lot of emphasis on empowerment of people, equality of rights, and eradication of racism from the society at all levels over the past few decades. This has made gay marriage one of the most debatable topics of the present age. â€Å"Fifty percent of Americans believe same-sex marriages should be recognized by law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages† (Newport). Anti-gay notions that have been an integral part of the conservative culture are being openly discussed and challenged now as these notions are being identified as racism and discrimination against the gay community. I personally believe that since religion has condemned gay marriage, and religion happens to be the fundamental source of knowledge of ethics for the mankind; gay marriage should remain illegal. Analysis of the Issue Proponents of the gay marriage say that it should be legalized because illegalization of gay marriage is a discrimination against the gay community. The Natio nal Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Executive Director, Rea Carey shared her views in these words, â€Å"Equal protection under the law is a foundational guarantee for all Americans, and denial of the right to marry flies in the face of this shared value† (Carey). ... Even some heterosexual people approve of gay marriages. While declaring that he approves of gay marriages in an interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts, President Barack Obama said, â€Å"I hesitated on gay marriage in part because I thought civil unions would be sufficient [and that] for a lot of people, the word marriage was something that evokes very powerful traditions, religious beliefs and so forth† (Obama cited in â€Å"JUST IN†). Opponents of the gay marriage primarily base their argument on the teachings of religion. Homosexuality has not only been condemned but has been described as a transgression of the limits imposed by God upon mankind in most of the religions in general and the Abrahamic religions in particular. George (Carey) refers to the gay marriage as a threat to the bond between the state and the church. In addition to religion, opponents of the gay marriage consider it an unnatural act since gay couples cannot produce children in the biological w ay. They either have to adopt children or live with the children they have had through previous heterosexual marriages. Opponents of the gay marriage also highlight the negative implications of the gay marriage on the psychology of children living with the gay couples, as well as upon the society particularly which suffers from a negative rate of population growth. Conclusion Legalization of gay marriage is an ethical controversy since it involves the right of a certain community i.e. gay community and its implications on their own lives, on the lives of people related to them, and the society at large. In most countries of the world, women outnumber men in population. On one hand, if gay marriages are legalized,

Human Rights Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Human Rights - Essay Example Previously and even now in many places, people are not aware of their rights and are not even aware of what their country’s constitution has promised them or the benefits that have already been highlighted for them. Many people take life and the treatment they receive in its stride and just hope that one day things will look up for them. Many people today are victims of biasness, prejudice, unfair and unequal treatment due to several reasons. Surprisingly, while we perceive the world to be a progressive place and a tolerant environment for diversity, there are very visible signs of an abuse of human rights in some of the most progressive and successful nations of the world (Buchanan, pg. 80-82, 2005). The problem or the issue that prevails is that no one seems to be standing up for such clear biasness and mistreatment in society. Today’s world does not show the determination, bravery, and diligence of people such as Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, and many other peop le who have taken a stand for an issue of human rights (Donelly, pg. 25, 2003). While the issues relating to human rights are numerous and biasness may exist based upon gender, age, ethnicity, skin color, religion, nationality, social status, sexual orientation, beliefs, values, lifestyle, and many other categories, the people of the 21st century do not seem to be taking a very active stand against such mistreatment and intolerance expressed towards individuals in different positions all over the world. The belief that all human beings are equal and should be given equal treatment is no more prevalent. In fact, inequality is promoted and exposed openly on various occasions. Attitudes of ethnocentrism and self centeredness show that people are apathetic towards what state other human beings around the globe are in. Their main concern is being the best for themselves and for their own good and are not even minutely concerned about how people are being treated around the world. The onl y time they will show a slight bit of concern, is when one of their basic human rights is denied to them. Many humans across the globe are denied the right to freedom, equal opportunities, food, shelter, education, and a proper place in society. They may also be denied the right to express their opinion, travel the world, or practice their own religion. However, many people think that human rights are a relative term and vary with the perception of an individual. While some people may perceive something as a basic right, other people may perceive it as a luxury. The dilemma today is how to bridge the gap between these two divergent ways of life and to enable all people in the world to be treated equally (Rieser & Mason, pg. 75-80, 1992). The aim of this paper is to discuss the issue of human rights that prevails around equality and diversity. The saying that â€Å"beauty lies in differences† is very true in every regard as if everyone was the same, then the world would be a v ery boring place. Beauty is discovered through different colors, genders, personalities, ethnicities, languages, lifestyles, and any other differences which may set someone apart from another person. If everyone was the same, beauty could not be found as there would be no basis for someone to be better at something than the other or someone possessing a certain skill or feature that would set them apart from others. To be beautiful is to be different and according to the Human Rights law of many progressive countries, everyone has a right to be who they are and deserve just as much as any other person as long as they are not harming any other individual unfairly to attain that benefit (Donelly, pg. 15-16, 2003). Underdeveloped countries such as countries in Africa and Asia have no particular