The Bildungsroman and the Big Screen Essay -- Film

Abstract — The female bildungsroman, also known as the bildungsromane, is known as a sub-genre of novel where the principle focus of the novel is the education of the protagonist. Literary critic M.H. Abrams defines the bildungsroman as, "the development of the protagonist's mind and character, as [s]he passes from childhood through varied experiences†¦into maturity and the recognition of [her] identity and role in the world". The character of Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen's celebrated novel Pride and Prejudice is one such bildungsroman heroine. The reader is given insight into her psychological development as she matures over the course of the novel. She begins the novel as a clever, but somewhat immature character. While she initially revels in her powers of discernment, she later learns that she has allowed prejudice and her own pride to blind herself to reality. Her education and maturity are the principal foci of the novel and the principle foci of film adaptatio ns of the novel, as well. In order to illustrate this continuing emphasis on development, this paper discusses relevant passages from the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. The paper also analyzes how three modern film adaptations deal with the maturation of Elizabeth Bennet-- focusing on the ways they recognize the power of Austen’s coming-of-age narrative and its importance to the plot, independent of the courtship of Darcy and Elizabeth. The three modern adaptations analyzed within are as follows: Pride & Prejudice (2005) directed by Joe Wright, Bride & Prejudice (2004) directed by Gurinder Chadha, and Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) directed by Sharon Maguire. Elizabeth Bennet overcomes many obstacles on her journey to adulthood. The most profound obsta... ..."The Absent-Minded Heroine: Or, Elizabeth Bennet Has a Thought." Eighteenth-Century Studies 39.3 (2006): 337-50. Project Muse. Web. 10 Apr. 2011. Labovitz, Esther Kleinbord. The Myth of the Heroine: the Female Bildungsroman in the Twentieth Century. 2nd ed. New York: Lang, 1988. Print. Leitch, Thomas M. Film Adaptation and Its Discontents: From Gone with the Wind to The Passion of the Christ. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins UP, 2009. Print. Leitch, Thomas M. "Twelve Fallacies in Contemporary Adaptation Theory." Project MUSE. Johns Hopkins UP, Spring 2003. Web. 02 Feb. 2011. Pride & Prejudice. Dir. Joe Wright. Perf. Keira Knightly, Matthew Macfadyen, Rosamund Pike, Jena Malone. Studio Canal, 2005. DVD. Zacharek, Stephanie. "Pride & Prejudice." Rev. of Pride & Prejudice (2005). Salon. Salon Media Group, 11 Nov. 2005. Web. 13 Apr. 2011. .

Analysis of Shakespeares The Tempest - Racism :: free essay writer

Racism in The Tempest One manifestation of racism that Cesaire surfaces is the proliferation of negative Black stereotypes. Cesaire uses Prospero to expose the feeble, racist stereotypes many Whites propagate about Blacks. Prospero, presenting a common White opinion, says to Caliban, "It [Caliban's living quarters] wouldn't be such a ghetto if you took the trouble to keep it clean" (13). Such a statement is clearly racist and plays into the stereotypes many Whites have about Blacks (i.e., they are lazy and dirty). These stereotypes are White lies. The cleanliness of a residence has very little to do with whether it is a ghetto or not. Also, Prospero's stereotypical response puts the blame on Blacks for problems that were ultimately created by European colonization and the subsequent employment of Africans as slaves. Furthermore, it can he argued that Whites are the lazy race because they are the ones who initiated African slave labor. Another stereotype that Whites often impose on Blacks has to do with a Black man's supposed desire to have sex with White women. Cesaire addresses this issue when Prospero accuses Caliban of trying to rape his daughter(l3). Cesaire is pointing out a classic case of White male guilt projection. History has clearly shown that more White men, supposedly pious slave owners in particular, have taken advantage of Black women, than Black males have of White women. The historical White power structures in America have facilitated the circumstances that have made this kind of sexual exploitation of Black women possible. By using Prospero to accuse Caliban of laziness and sexual impropriety, Cesaire poignantly reveals: the hypocrisy of Whites. Another manifestation of racism that Cesaire draws to our attention is the woefully inadequate educational opportunities that exist for Blacks in America Caliban indicts Prospero when he says, "as for your learning, did you ever impart any of that to me? No, you took care not to. All of your science you keep for yourself alone, shut up in those big books" (12) While such a statement is historically accurate in the sense that Whites sought to keep Black slaves uneducated so that it would be easier to manipulate them, the statement also addresses the more subtle, but no less evil, form of educational racism that still exists to this day. Jonathan Kozol paints a graphic picture of degrading squalor when it comes

Choctaw Tribe Essay -- Sociology, Dead, Spirit

When a Choctaw tribal member became terminally ill, it was common practice for the medicine man to inform the family of impending death (Swanton 1931:170). Upon death, the Choctaws believed that the spirit of the dead continued on a voyage to either the good hunting ground or the bad hunting ground. This journey would take many days, which would require the proper provisions. A dog would sometimes be slain in order to accompany his master on the long journey. After the introduction of horses, they, too, were killed so that the spirit had means of transportation. Food, drink, clothing and shoes were also offered (Cushman 1999:302, Swanton 1931:170). After death, the corpse was placed on a scaffolding about five or six feet above ground. The platform was constructed of timber and placed on poles. The body was then covered with a blanket made of animal skin and tree bark so not to attract scavenging animals. The body remained in this position until the flesh decayed, approximately four to six months (Cushman 1999:302-3). During this time, immediate family was considered to be in formal mourning. Each day for a short period of time, family members would be found weeping at the scaffolding (Fogelson 2004:507). Once the flesh had decayed, the bone picker began his ritual. â€Å"The Bone-Picker never trimmed the nails of his thumbs, index and middle fingers which accordingly grew to an astonishing length – sharp and almost hard as flint – and well adapted to the horrid business of their owner’s calling† (Swanton 1931:176). The remaining flesh, tendons, muscles and nerves were ripped from the skeleton, bundled up and placed on the corner of the platform and burned, or disposed of in a field (Cushman 1999:303, Swanton 1931:1... ... the spirit would feel guilt or fear, and attempt to dodge the stones. Slipping from the log, he would fall into the raging river and over the waterfall, landing in rapidly swirling pool of water. Pulling his beaten, tattered, and unclothed body from the water, the shilup, begins his journey into the bad hunting grounds. Every step is filled with the pain from briars, thorny trees, chestnut burs. The sun never shines and cold winds are always present. Every spirit encountered is an enemy with no safe place to take refuge. Food is scarce, due to unfertile soil, and hunger is constant. The bad hunting grounds are perpetually lonely, with only the joyous sounds coming from the other side of the mountains. The doomed spirits constantly struggle to climb the treacherous mountains, but to no avail. They are eternally destined to an afterlife of desolation.

Safety Program Development

Effective evaluation of the safety program. Increase employers and employees' involvement in worksheet hazard assessment and control by 25%. Reduce accident rate by 25% Pages Appendix 01 â€Å"Safety & health program responsibilities† Appendix 02 â€Å"Job Safety Analysis OSHA)† 12 Appendix 03 â€Å"Sample form for correction tracking† 15 Appendix 04 â€Å"Rout cause analysis† 18 I. Chapter 01 : Management & Employee involvement The overall safety in a workplace is a responsibility of both the employers and employees. The employers need to work together with their employees toward safety improvements.Management must encourage employees' involvement in improving safety. Employees need to inform and communicate with management to what is needed to be done to improve safety. L. A. Being a visible management and taking charge Management must prove their commitment and detection toward achieving a safer environment for their workers. Management musts make thems elves visible by being out there in the working area inspecting how to improve safety. Getting where you can be seen: Be visible when taking parts in any operation in order to be more aware of the working environment and the employees.This way the workers feel appreciated and aware of management good intentions for improving safety. This method can be done formally or informally depending on management participation levels. 0 Being Accessible: Employees need to have chances to communicate to management when necessary without going through complicated procedures. The employers must give the employees an easy two way communication process for reporting situations, comments or any work related issue regarding safety. Sacrificing or cutting authority to obtain accessibility between management and workers is not necessary.Adequate accessibility is as simple as having an open door policy or skipping large formal meeting. Being an example: When rules and regulation are issue management sho uld be the first to follow it showing the workers their participation and dedication. Rules must apply to everyone in the workplace with no exception. Following rules can be as simple as wearing safety equipment, such as, safety glasses. Taking charge: Management must be clear on what is required by their workers. Rules, regulations and polices must be officially stated and written in a clear easy to understand language.In addition, rules and regulation must be enforced with no exception. Management must follow on safety processes and make sure that individuals are performing their responsibilities. Management must not neglect employee involvement regarding safety issues. Workers are the first to be exposed to potential hazards. Workers are the ones who understand what must be done to reduce hazards associate with working procedures. Management need to encourage and increase worker precipitations, making them more aware of their safety roles and expectations.Employees can help manag ement in safety issues by: Participating in Joint labor-management committees and other advisory or specific purpose committees. Conducting site inspections. Analyzing routine hazards in each step of a Job and/or a process and preparing safe work practices or controls or eliminate or reduce exposure. Developing and revising the site safety and health rules. Providing program and presentations at safety and health meetings. Training of both current and newly haired employees. Conducting accident or incident investigations.Management can increase employees' precipitation in safety by: Showing workers management's detection to make the workplace safer and healthier. Adequate leadership from management that leads to employees' commitment. Management must not refuse any worker involvement; get as many help as you can. Reward and recognize workers for their efforts and accomplishments in achieving safety or following rules. Be clear on want you need workers to do (good communication). Giv e workers the resources necessary to perform the Job with the adequate training. Show your seriousness in their work toward safety.II. Chapter 02: Supervision and responsibility to the safety program All personal and acknowledge and understand their responsibilities toward safety. The employer has a responsibility to his/her workers, making sure that they are not exposed to any potential hazards and work in a safe environment. In addition, employers must clearly communicate with workers about their responsibilities toward safety, making ere that no confusion occurs. II. A. Reviewing existing organization Management must understand and be well inform of each individual safety roles in the workplace.Employees' roles in any safety and health program can be identified by using a specific worksheet (Appendix OLL- Page 04). Organizational structure and Job titles vary from one company to the next, but they include general assignments of health responsibilities. Some examples Job titles an d job decryption include: President/owner/site manager: Establish policies – provide leadership & resources – set objectives – assign susceptibilities – hold people accountable – interact with employees – set a good example – review accident reports – provide medical programs – establish safety training programs.Safety and health director/coordinator: Maintain safety & health – familiar with safety laws – aware of all presented hazards and their preventions – evaluation of the workplace' safety – design control & preventive procedures – assist & support supervisors & employees regarding safety – communicate safety rules – review hazard reports – evaluate emergency drills. Plant superintendents/division managers/directors:Provide leadership – maintain accountability – follow up on employees' suggestions analyze the facility for potential hazards  œ follow up on periodic hazards analysis encourage reporting hazards by employees – provide the necessary PEP (Personal Protective Equipment) – maintain safety meetings – help develop emergency procedures. Supervisors: Evaluate worker's performances – encourage precipitation in safety and health programs follow up on preventive maintenance – investigate accidents – discourage short cuts follow safety rules – familiarize everyone with emergency procedures. Employees' responsibilities:Understand all safety rules – responsible for your safety and the safety of other employees – offer safety and health suggestions – get involve in safety – be aware of your responsibilities in an emergency – know where the first aid kit is – report all accidents. II. B. Assigning & determining responsibilities Corporate management roles in safety: Management is responsible to their employees for providing a working area free of any recognized hazards that can causes injury or death. Managements must establish specific goals and objectives that aim to reduce injuries caused by specific unsafe behaviors.Any safety and health program will not be able to go very far without management support. Management must hold employees accountable for their actions. This can be done by rewarding workers for following safety and taking the necessary disciplinary action when they fail to follow safety rules. Management need to obtain constant feedback for determining the effectiveness of the safety program. In addition, management must get involve in the safety program, through attention to workers, precipitation in investigations and following safety rules. The facility manager roles in safety:The facility manager must acknowledge his or her responsibilities to maintain adequate house keeping, establishing safe working procedures and making sure that employees follow them. The shape and physical condition of the facility also plays an important role in achieving safety. The facility manager must make sure that everything is in good condition, taking employees suggestions into active consideration. Workers must obtain adequate training in using PEP and machines operations. Also, the facility manger must educate the employees about the areas' safety rules and polices, making sure that they are followed correctly.The facility manager is accountable to both upper management and his or her employees. The facility mangers must also have significant involvement in communications, obtaining feedback and performing tours around the working area (formal & informal) making any necessary corrections. First line supervisor roles in safety and health: The first line supervisor has more specific goals and objectives compare to other managers. The first line supervisor has various roles regarding safety, since he or she is in first contact with the employees.He or she need to set the necessary standard or achieving safety through good housekeeping and desired safety conditions. The first line supervisor must determine the employees understanding and practice of safety rules and regulation in the work area. Effective safety training of employees and continuous observation from the first line supervisor is essential. Employees' level of safety awareness can be increased by: Setting specific working standards and following them through. Employees' precipitation in safety meeting with their superiors. Following up on safety inspection and making all the necessary corrections.Management recognizes employees' outstanding achievements toward safety. Supervisors must sincerely listen to employees' complaints and suggestions. The employer must provide an adequate Hazard (Hazard Communication Standers) to his or her employees. Information on all the chemicals in the workplace must be easily accessible to workers in case of an emergency. In addition, proper training for chemical handling, s torage and transportation is necessary as part of an ongoing process. Ill. A. Chemical overview, communication standards & hazards Chemical overview: Chemicals can be either in a solid, liquid or gaseous state.Chemicals can be found in drums, tanks, pressure vessels and process systems. Responses to spills or exposure depend on the chemical properties. Material Safety Data Sheets (MASS) and labels on the chemical containers are essential for determining how workers must respond. Hazard communication standards: Chemical handling requires adequate training before any initiations are taken. The training and education must include the following: Knowledge about Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) standards. Knowledge on all chemicals in the workplace and hazards associate with them.Informing workers of the facility written plan to deal with chemical hazards. How to use MASS and labels. How can workers protect themselves and others. Hazards: Physical Hazards: Physical haza rds includes, a sudden violent reaction involving flammable, explosive or reactive materials. Proper handling is the key to deal with physical hazards. Information from MASS can be obtained about storing, mixing or moving chemicals. Physical hazards can be identified as: Oxidized Water reactive Organic peroxide Combustible Health Hazards: Chemicals can cause adverse health effects if workers became over exposed.There are two types of health effects: Acute health effects: occurs over short periods of time due to immediate exposure, they can be minor or serious. Some examples include burning or irritation. Chronic health effects: occurs over long periods of time due to prolong exposure in small amounts. Some examples include cancer, liver disease or lead poisoning. Ill. B. Exposure limits, controlling exposure & Safety on the Job Exposure limits: Exposure limits are governmental standards indicating when overexposure occurs. PEEL – Permissible Exposure Limit: Must not be exceed ed, over an our average rookery.TTL – Threshold Limit Value: Must not be exceeded, over an our average workday. STEEL – Short-Term Exposure Limit: can be safety exposed to over 1 5-minute period. IDLE – Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: very hazardous, must not be exposed to. Controlling exposures: There are several methods used to control exposures to chemicals. Engineering controls can be use to keep exposures below PEEL and TTL levels. Also, maintaining adequate ventilation system can reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals. When exposure can not be avoided, using proper PEP depending on the chemical is essential.PEP are used to prevent exposure through skin absorption, inhalation, ingestion and injection. Chemical safety on the Job: Identify all chemical hazards in the workplace. Know how to deal with chemical in both regular and emergency operations. Treat unknown chemical as hazardous ones. Make sure to use the appropriate PEP by looking at MASS. Ins pect your PEP before and after use. Know the workplace emergency procedures. Know location of emergency showers, first aid kits, fire extinguishers and eyewash. Always secure the exposed area and ask for help. Maintain good hygiene to prevent outside exposures. IV. Chapter 04: Lockout / DugoutThere are energies in the workplace that might be accidentally released and cause serious injuries or death. The employers, with the proper training of workers, must prevent the accidental release of these hazardous energies. This can be achieved through using lockout/dugouts. ‘V. A. What is lockout/dugout & when they must be perform What is lockout/dugout? Lockouts: The employer places a lock on any energy isolating device, making sure it cannot be removed from the closed position. Such devices include circuit breaker or valve handle. Dugout: The employer attaches a written note (warring tag) on the equipment or device that

Psychological Factors Affecting Consumer Behavior

It has been stated that â€Å"marketing management rests upon some conception or other of how consumers behave (Foxall 2001).† I will proceed to demonstrate, beginning with an overview of consumer behavior as it relates to the psychological factors that cause one to comply with a given request, through to an examination of the various trends in marketing which are reflective of consumers changing demands as they respond to world events and societal evolution, why it is vital that marketers understand and evaluate consumer behavior. I will also demonstrate, through the use of examples, how various organizations are employing specific strategies based upon their understanding of consumer behavior to produce record growth and profitability in the marketplace. Psychological Factors Affecting Consumer Behavior As one social psychologist has termed the â€Å"weapons of influence,† there appear to be certain driving forces in human nature, or automatic psychological triggers, that propel individuals to respond in predictable ways to given requests (Cialdini 1993, p.3). One such force is the principle of Reciprocation, whereby one feels obligated to return a favor that has been provided him (Cialdini 1993, p.17). This principle is most clearly evidenced by the consumer's natural tendency to buy a product from someone after he has been extended a kindness or favor from him. It has been demonstrated that this psychological principle of the pressure to return a favor with a favor is so strong, that it even surpasses the need to like the individual extending the favor (Cialdini 1993, p.21). One example of the rule of reciprocation at work has been evidenced by the wildly successful marketing strategy of the Hare Krishna Society, an eastern religious sect known for its solicitation of funds from passersby in public places (Cialdini 1993, p.22). Having been mostly unsuccessful at raising funds through traditional methods of chanting on the streets while begging for donations, the group devised a brilliant strategy that essentially invoked the principles of reciprocation (Cialdini 1993, p.22). As an individual would pass by, a Society member, rather than ask for a donation initially, would hand the unsuspecting person a flower, offering it as a free gift from the Society and not accepting its return under any circumstances. Only then would the Society member ask for a donation (Cialdini 1993, p.22). The response was overwhelming, and a testament to the extraordinary power of reciprocation. The individual, aware that he had been given a gift and feeling the pressure to reciprocate, was often compelled to respond with a donation (Cialdini 1993, p.24). Another powerful psychological principle in a marketer's arsenal of tools is the commitment and consistency factor (Cialdini 1993, p. 37). It has been discovered that people feel a very powerful drive to be consistent once they have committed themselves to something (Cialdini 1993, p. 37). An example of this principle at play is witnessed through the offering of testimonial contests by such big-name companies as Proctor & Gamble and General Foods (Cialdini 1993, p.39). In these contests, the companies ask participants to write short essays, often for large prizes, which include praise for the companies' products. Usually no purchase is required; what is more important is that by forcing potential customers to record, in writing, praise for the company's product, the company relies on the psychological drive of the individual to believe what he has written (Cialdini 1993, p 40). Apart from the psychological triggers that persuade individuals to comply with given requests, marketers must seek to understand the equally intriguing psychological processes at work in the unconscious mind that cause consumers to choose one particular course of action, or product, over another (Zaltman 2003, p.53). One example of such an unconscious process can be seen in the overwhelming tendency of customers to choose a product offered for $9.99 over an identical one offered for $10.00 (Zaltman 2003, p64). Consumer Need: Practicality Or Emotionality? It has been stated that, contrary to popular belief, people do not so much buy things they don't need, but that the need is often based more upon emotions and feelings than it is upon concrete physical necessity (Danziger 2004, p.1). Though the gross domestic product in the United States has largely been generated by consumer spending since 1929-a full 60 to 70 percent of it- â€Å"the way consumers [generally] spend their money has changed significantly over the past 70 years (Danziger 2004, p.3).† It is claimed that, â€Å"today, over 40 percent of consumer spending is discretionary†¦ based on wants, not needs (Danziger 2004, p.4).† Changing Trends And Their Affect On The Marketplace Another important factor in predicting consumer behavior involves changing trends in the marketplace. Marketers must be ever vigilant to customers' changing needs as society evolves and new events cause consumers' wants and needs to adjust accordingly. A clear example of this is witnessed by the fairly recent change in menu selections offered by fast-food chains such as McDonald's and Burger King. Responding to a concern over the rising tide of obesity in the U.S. and around the world and consumers' increasing desire to maintain healthier lifestyles, such fast-food conglomerates have been adding healthier choices to their menu selections which includes salads, apple slices instead of French fries, and so on (Plunkett Research 2005). Another example of a change in consumer behavior was reflected in consumers' response to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The airline industry, facing huge setbacks as a result of consumers' new reluctance to travel by air for fear of another terrorist attack, was forced to undergo massive restructurings to accommodate the new environment imposed upon them (Plunkett Research 2005). Consumers, wishing to reconcile their fears and need to reduce expenditures with the desire to continue enjoying and experiencing life as usual, were searching for ways-and bargains- to enable them to do this. Hence, there began a shift in the airline industry away from luxury to economy, as discount airlines began setting the new standard for air travel by luring passengers with price, not perks (Plunkett Research 2005). With Southwest Airlines and JetBlue leading the pack, these airlines have achieved success and profitability responding to consumers' changed needs, mainly by cutting maintenance, operating and labor costs, such as by offering a single-plane platform and an open-seating policy (Plunkett Research 2005). In the meantime, of course, as full-service airlines have struggled to compete with the burgeoning success of the discount model, some, like Delta, have begun developing their own low-cost models, which manage to keep costs down by hiring younger flight crews. Another shining example of marketers' need to understand and predict consumer behavior comes in the form of the relatively recent phenomenon of online delivery and piracy-or theft-of copyrighted music and video files ((Plunkett Research 2005). Forced to adapt to this trend following a 2002-2003 decline in music revenues, music companies have been seeking ways to safeguard their files â€Å"from illegal download and distribution,† as well as to capitalize on the internet craze by finding methods by which to distribute their files through legal means via the internet (Plunkett Research 2005).† Responding to this need, iTunes Music Store, a digital service provided by Apple Computer, Inc.,was launched in 2003, and it offers music files for download over the internet (Plunkett Research 2005). On a different front, automobile manufacturers have been responding to consumers' rising concern over escalating gas prices, which reached a record-high in September 2005 of $3.01 per gallon (Plunkett Research 2005). After suffering huge losses on their lines of minivans, pickups and sport utility vehicles (SUVs), the â€Å"big three† U.S. manufacturers, Ford, GM and Chrysler, are focusing on raising fuel efficiency for these bigger models (Plunkett Research 2005). In addition, as foreign car companies like Toyota, Honda, and BMW have continued to steal sales away from U.S. automobile manufacturers, partially due to a reputation for producing higher quality cars, these American manufacturers have been responding by designing new product lines, such as the hugely successful Chysler 300C, with its â€Å"eye-catching grill and boxy, elegant design (Plunkett Research 2005).† In sum, whether responding to a consumer's instinctual drives, which dictate that he or she will likely react in a certain way to a given stimulus, or evaluating the marketplace and consumer behavior based on world events and changing needs, marketing management does indeed rest on a conception of how consumers will behave, now and in the future.

Recession in economics Essay

Recession in economics is generally used to refer to a situation at which a nation’s gross domestic product has sustained a negative growth. The use of generally is due to the fact that different economists can describe recession in different ways. The agency responsible for declaring a nation’s economy is at a state of recession is mainly the NBER other wise the National Bureau of Economic Research. It has been argued that the normal recession occurs when the natural growth rate of is less than two percent in average and it lasts virtually over one year. There have emerged various debates concerning the causes of recessions however, the generally agreed cause of recession is mainly by the actions taken with an aim at controlling the supply of money in the economy. The Federal Reserve is mandated with the responsibility to maintain the balance between money supply, inflation and interest rates. The moment the balance is lost in this equation,the economy can run out of control forcing itself to balance. This is exactly was experienced by many nations in the year 2007. The Federal Reserve monetary policy injected significant amount of money supply in the money market. This kept the interest rate low while at the same time the rate of inflation continued to rise. This together with relaxed policies that govern the lending practices made borrowing of money easy thus the economic activities became unsustainable and consequently leading to the economy coming to a stand still. Other minor factors that cause the economic recessions could be the presence of wars or the increase of oil prices. They are however, short term and correct themselves in a faster way. A recession can always be spotted before it occurs. It is possible to oversee an economic scale changing especially in quarters coming before the actual onset. Some these signs may include,high levels of unemployment, decline in stock market, decline in housing prices and lack of foreign investment among many other factors. A global recession is generally a significant fall of economic activity that is spread across the world’s economy. It should last more than three months and is usually more visible in a nation’s gross domestic product, industrial production, real income in addition to wholesale and retail sales among others. Recessions normally starts immediately after the economy has reached a peak of activities and comes to an end as the economy reaches its trough. It is involved with simultaneous declines and falling of commodity prices otherwise called deflation. Alternatively, it may be a sharp rise of commodity prices also called inflation mostly in a process called stagflation. A severe recession may be referred to as economic depression. Global recession usually is estimated to occur over a cycle that may last between eight to ten years. It has been said that during the last three decades, the world per capita output growth has been either none or negative. Most of the global nations have been affected by the recession both the developed and the developing nations. If nations like the US, UK and Australia among other nations can feel the pinch,what about the poor countries in the developing world? The recession of the early year 2000 was mostly felt in western nations. It affected the European Union during the year 2000 and 2001 as well as the US in the year 2002 and year 2003. Countries like Australia and Canada avoided the recession for the better part of the time. Russia began to prosper while Japan continued with its 1990s recession. This recession did not meet the economists by by surprise. They had predicted it following the 1990s boom which had the experiences of both low unemployment and low inflation. In the United States of America, the recession was took the form of large layoffs and outsourcing in addition to formally highly paid employees who are being coerced into less paid service positions. In answering the Alan Greenspan question, it is actually becoming clear that Europe is not an exception of the global recession. The previous confidence enjoyed by the UK housing market has fallen especially in march to the lowest point in the last three decades. Other countries like Ireland and Spain have housing markets that have fallen over the last decade to the earth. There is a prediction that these and other nations might possibly experience a wholesale collapse. Once the housing markets more so in eastern Europe as well as Baltic estates are experiencing a significant cooling,the western European have now stopped buying properties places like Estonia, Warsaw and other places. In southern China and in India,the prices are no more surging. The stock markets have experienced sharp down fall after reaching high levels thus people do not have money to buy what they want vivid example is the slowing down of sale of apartments in Hong Kong which is usually a very hyper active market. Britain have had one of the most robust housing markets in Europe with little of an oversupply than in Spain. According to Alan Greenspan who was the former chairman of Federal Reserve said that global recession might create backlashes that might force nations to retreat from the worldwide markets. This decade’s early years global recession have had little effects on the Eastern and Central Europe’s export markets. The first phase of the financial gloom spared this region which affected the initial public offerings, acquisitions and mergers. It also experienced a few multinationals scrapping projects and cancelling of planned investments in addition to scaling back the oversees expansion. A study conducted by Vienna Institute of Economic studies in year 2003 showed that the FDI flows to the nations of central Europe were halved in the first three months of year 2002 in spite of their well grounded and looming European Union membership. During the years 1999 to 2003,there were frequent delays in export transactions. Privatization also attracted little interest. It is of no doubt that Europe is headed for a recession.

Health Risks Associated with Technology Essay

The widespread use of technology has led to some important use health concerns. Some of the move common physical health risks are repetitive strain injuries, computer vision syndrome, and muscular pain. These injuries are on the rise for users of technology. A repetitive strain injury (RSI) is an injury or disorder of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, and joints. Technology-related RSIs include tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon due to repeated motion or stress on that tendon. CTS is inflammation of the nerve that connects the forearm to the palm. Repeated or forceful bending of the wrist can cause tendonitis or CTS of the wrist. Factor that cause these disorders include prolonged typing or mouse usage and continual shifting between a mouse and keyboard (Jones 45-48). If untreated, these disorders can lead to permanent physical damage. Computer vision syndrome (CVS) affects eyesight. Symptoms of CVS are sore, tired, burning, itching, or dry eyes; blurred or double vision; distance blurred vision after prolonged staring at a display device; headache or sore neck; difficulty shifting focus between a display device and documents; difficulty focusing on a screen image; color fringes or afterimages when looking away from a display device; and increased sensitivity to light. Eyestrain associated with CVS is not thought to have serious or long-term consequences (Anderson and Dean) People who spend their workday using the computer sometimes complain of lower back pain, muscle fatigue, and emotional fatigue. Lower back pain sometimes is cause from poor posture. It is advisable to sit properly in a chair while working and take periodic breaks. Users also should be sure their workplace is design ergonomically. Ergonomic studies have shown that using the correct type and configuration of chair, keyboard, display device, and work surface help users work comfortably and efficiently and helps  protect their health (Sanchez). Many physical health risks are associated with using technology. These risks include repetitive strain injuries, computer vision syndrome, and muscular pain. User should take as many preventive measures as possible to avoid these risks. Works Cited Anderson, Cricket Finley and Stacey Anne Dean. â€Å"Computer pains.† The Medical Update Aug. 2014:n. page. Web. 2 October 2014. Jones, Jacob Lee. Medical concerns of the 21st Century. Chicago: Smiley Incorporated, 2014. Print. Sanchez, Jorge Mario. Aches and Pains. 30 Sept. 2014. Course Technology. Web. 5 Aug. 2014.