Observations of an Apple Essay Example for Free

Observations of an Apple Essay The assignment was to observe a fruit or vegetable for at least an hour. I thought it was crazy and pointless but not so ridiculous that I would not do it and earn a bad grade. Before I started, I read Samuel Scudder’s essay â€Å"Learning to See† where he talks about having to do a similar type of assignment but with a fish. He eventually became engrossed in the fish and so I became determined that I was going to try to find all I possibly could about my apple in the hour that I had. With this in mind, I chose an apple from my bowl of fruit and prepared for what I thought would be a tedious sixty minutes. I grabbed some paper and a pen, turned on some music, and began the observation process. I started just by writing everything I could see on the outside of the apple. The skin of the apple had many different shades of red as well as a yellow patch on one side. It was covered in dark red stripes that looked like quick paint strokes from a tiny paintbrush. Little white and yellow dots gave it the appearance of a speckled egg. I then noticed the apple’s shape as well as the lumps, dents, and scratches on its skin. It was slightly cold to the touch, as well as smooth and dry. I was tempted to go ahead and cut the apple open but I wanted to make sure I had written down all the small details that would normally go completely unnoticed. After I was sure I had noted as much as I could about the outside, I sliced the apple in half horizontally to observe the inside. When it is cut horizontally, the little pit where the seeds are kept is in the shape of a star and feels like thin cardboard. There were five seeds, all dark brown and shaped like a raindrop. The flesh was softer on its own without the protection of the skin and almost mushy. When I looked even closer, it seemed that the flesh of the apple was made up of tiny crystals that glistened in the light because of the juice and its cream coloring. The inside was even colder since it was wet. The sweet smell of the apple grew stronger and I finally gave in and took a bite. I wrote about the crunchiness, how crisp it was, how my teeth left their impression in the apple, how the skin ripped when it was bitten, and how  juicy it was. I decided to check the time at that point and was extremely surprised that I had only fifteen minutes left to finish up my notes. So I decided to get a little more creative with what I did to the apple. I began dissecting pieces of it, cutting little spots in half, finding the veins and what seemed to be roots of the apple. I even noticed how it stained the paper towel it sat on when I cut it. Soon I realized I had just a few minutes left and so to finish it all off, I decided to see what would happen when the apple, or what was left of it, would do when thrown hard against the pavement. I quickly ran outside and excitedly hurled the apple at the ground. I was pleased to watch it break apart and splatter all over the sidewalk and even into the snow. I walked back inside and was surprised at how excited and enthusiastic I had become by going through this sort of experiment. I did not expect that sort of reaction to come from me especially when my first thoughts had been that I would end up hating this assignment and giving up on it. I never would have believed someone if they had told me that I would one day spend an hour observing an apple, and in the end, find that I had actually enjoyed it.

Windmill Energy is not an Acceptable Energy Source Replacement for Cali

Windmill Energy is not an Acceptable Energy Source Replacement for California Abstract Windmill energy is an old form of energy that is now being modernized to generate electricity in our society today. The big question is whether or not it is a feasible replacement of energy for California. Through research it has been concluded that energy for California cannot be produced only by windmill energy. It can produce about 50% of California’s energy. All aspects including, location, cost, and environment are important to how much energy is produced. Introduction From past to current situations, the United States has had to rely more and more on foreign countries to retrieve an efficient amount of fossil fuel. During these times, the production of nuclear energy had come to a halt and foreign energy was used. In 2000- 2001, California went into an energy crisis where there was an increase in the cost of gas and numerous blackouts. There were no longer any low-priced energy sources. Currently, gas prices have been soaring and it is not expected that they will reduce. Due to these circumstances, California has been in need of a more efficient energy source, outside of oil. For current times, an efficient energy source for California can be windmill energy because of its low-cost, California’s enormous coastal areas and locations, and environmental issues. Wind power has been a part of our lives longer than we have thought. â€Å"The Egyptians are believed to be the first to make practical use of wind power. Around 2800 Wind Energy 3 BC†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Park, 1981, p.13). Today, wind power can be used to heat up homes, produce electricity, and pump water. Windmills can be made by putting together old car generators. In the past, farmers would use ... ...m/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/02/27/MN200385.DTL Wolff, W. & Brabant, E.J. (1984). Your Wind Driven Generator. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company. Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program. U.S. Department of Energy. Retrieved August 3, 2006 Wind Energy 8 http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/astate_template.asp?stateab=ca (1996-2005) Part 5- The Future of Wind Power. Illustrated History of Wind Power Development. Retrieved August 3, 2006 from http://www.telosnet.com/wind/future.html Saum, S.B. (2005, November) Power Hunting. California Alumni. Retreived August 3, 2006 http://www.alumni.berkeley.edu/Alumni/Cal_Monthly/November_2005/Power_hunting.asp (2006, July). Watts Up? Schwarzenegger Weathers Perfect Energy Storm, Barely. Politics Central http://politicscentral.com/2006/07/29/watts_up_schwarzenegger_weathe.php

Mood Swings Essay

Have you ever felt that feeling when you hate every single thing around you? Or the feeling that even someone breathing can annoy you? And lets not forget that feeling when you’re just sad and you just feel so empty, for no apparent reason? Well, being a girl it kind of comes naturally being hormonal and all at that certain time every month and no it doesn’t immediately mean that were bipolar. But, not only girls experience these kinds of hormonal activities even boys do. Studies show that everyone can experience mood swings due to the daily factors in our lives like stress, for girls PMS, sometimes even the food we eat, sudden changes and many other factors. Needless to say mood swings cannot be avoided yet it can be coped with. 1. Make sure you get enough sleep. A recent study by the U.S. Mental Health Association and the Better Sleep Council identified a relationship between positive moods and sleeping between 6 and 8 hours a night. Regular bedtimes were also important. 2. Keep your bedroom as dark as possible as this stimulates production of melatonin. (Low melatonin levels are linked with depression.) 3. Make sure you have a diet that supports brain health. For example, the following nutrients have been shown to promote more stable moods: B-complex vitamins, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, zinc and fatty acids. Also, rapid changes in blood sugar can also precipitate changes in mood, so watch your consumption of refined sugar products, and make sur e you eat lots of complex carbohydrates. 4. Try some natural remedies. Chamomile, lemon balm or valerian root tea are recommended for helping with anxiety. St. John’s wort is said to soothe the mind and relieve irritability. In terms of homeopathic remedies, lycopodium is believed to help with anger, and feelings of agitation; tarentula hispanica is used for mania; and chaste berry, red raspberry, black cohosh and sarsaparilla may help with female hormonal mood swings. 5. Include some regular exercise in your daily schedules. This releases endorphins, the feel good hormones. It also helps with insomnia. 6. Try and identify coping mechanisms that can ward off or soothe fluctuations in mood. Also, keeping a journal of negative triggers can help you interrupt a pattern early on, and work on strategies for coping with these triggers. I have yet to try these remedies because at the point where I experience a lot of stress and don’t get enough sleep and of course PMS, I can honestly say that I am a very moody person and well to avoid arguments and false misconceptions I will definitely try the remedies I stated earlier.

Stereotypes and Stereotyping Essay - 1000 Words

Racial Labeling and Stereotypes I distinctly remember my first encounter with the mysterious box, I slumped in my desk, sullenly listening to wiry little Mrs. Force, my third grade teacher, read the long, meticulous list of dos and donts that always accompany standardized tests. The new box blended in quietly with the others at first: name, address, social security number. Yet there it was, the box marked race in vile green capital letters. Below were choices, concise words to supposedly sum up an important aspect of ones self. Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian, or other I read to myself. Later, of course, as test writers struggled painstakingly to be politically correct, the options changed. The choices became†¦show more content†¦Was this other thing some mystical secret revealed to one only when he or she crossed the threshold into the adult world? I would not accept my teachers opinion without proof. Several hours later, after completing well over a hundred bubbles worth of reading, math, social studies, and science, I surreptitiously erased Mrs. Forces handiwork and recolored the other bubble with gusto. In the decade since my first encounter with racial labeling, it has continued to amaze me that anyone is able to classify themselves or others in the arbitrary terms that modern society has set. I am quite unable and unwilling to do so for perfectly legitimate reasons. Genealogy is a favorite hobby of mine. Many branches of my family are traced back ten or more generations to just three European countries. This means little to me, however, because it is the branches that are missing, the nameless, faceless, raceless ancestors, that keep me filling in other time after time. My second and more damning reason revolves around the sheer biological absurdity of defining race in the terms of society and dictionaries. Related individuals who share physical characteristics such as skin color do not constitute a race. True races, meaning populations with unique combinations of inherited traits, are extremely rare in our world of eclectic migrants. Many people who appear to share traits actuall y evolved separately and adapted to similar environmental conditions.Show MoreRelatedStereotyping : Stereotypes And Stereotyping1494 Words   |  6 PagesStereotyping In Education Stereotyping is when you treat people unfairly just because they have characteristics of a certain group (Merriam Webster Dictionary). In education stereotyping is something you come in touch with every single day, it is so common we don’t even know it is happening. In everyday life Stereotypes are used, they are directed towards ethnicity, gender, and education. â€Å"In ethnicity, we have the ideas that each race is a certain way† (Aronson. The impact of stereotypes). HereRead MoreStereotypes, Stereotyping, And Stereotyping1402 Words   |  6 PagesIn today’s society, many people use stereotypes, a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing, amongst these are race, gender, age, social class etc. Stereotypes are essentially used as categorization. Categorization and stereotyping are both fundamental to human nature; helping make the world more predictable. Stereotyping is most often used by everyday people who don’t know a person, so they judge them by how they look, or by how they carry themselvesRead MoreStereotypes, Stereotyping, And Stereotyping942 Words   |  4 PagesStereotypes Most people have encountered stereotypical behavior, either by being stereotyped or by stereotyping a particular group of individuals themselves. This simplistic or overstated vague notion may occur consciously or unconsciously depending on a person’s perspective, his or her exposures to diverse cultures, as well as immediate social influences. Moreover, stereotyping has the potential to result in negative generalizations that may progenerate displaced anger towards scapegoats; howeverRead MoreStereotyping And Stereotypes1560 Words   |  7 PagesTo many people, both inside and outside of the psychology field, stereotypes are seen as negative overstatements about individuals and groups of people, which may be used to justify discrimination (Allport, 1954/1979). However, there are distinctions to be made between stereotypes and the act of stereotyping. Stereotyping is a natural process that can actually be beneficial. This process has been characterized by different cognitive processes, such as perception and memory, and social theories, likeRead MoreStereotyping As A Stereotype1493 Words   |  6 PagesStereotyping is commonly underestimated in its power. The use of stereotypes is a major way in which we preconceive decisions on people just by their appearance. The Oxford Dictionary (2010) defines ‘stereotypes’ as â€Å"the widely but fixed and oversimplified image or an idea of a particular type of a person or a thing†. The dictionary of Cambridge (2012) also adds, that this set of ideas, that people have, are frequently wrong (p.703). Psychologists Craig McGarty, Vincent Y. Yzerbyt and Russell SpearsRead MoreStereotyping Stereotypes1914 Words   |  8 PagesThe denotation of stereotyping itself is comprised of a derogatory attitude that people hold against or towards individual’s within a specific group. Stereotyping has always been a part of humanity’s nature to judge because of the societal perception that p eople constantly use to analyze and classify things. It is an everyday habit, that has highly influenced society’s character towards people that belong to different groups, more particularly, people’s â€Å"age, gender, race, religion, etc†(ChenRead MoreA Speech Of Stereotyping : Speech, And Stereotypes1474 Words   |  6 Pagesstereotypes-SPEECH First of all, what is a stereotype? According to google, a stereotype is a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. To simply put it, a stereotype is when you judge someone based on their appearance, behaviour or race. Stereotyping is something that happens everyday. Usually before meeting or actually knowing someone. It has been proven that the instant we meet someone or the first few moments of encountering a new personRead MoreMedia And Stereotyping On Gender Stereotypes1395 Words   |  6 Pagesportrayals of women in these ads were never seen by any of the informants as sexist or inappropriate, contrary to the researcher s own introspection. Dominant Culture Stereotyping on Pinterest | Gender Stereotypes ... It was about time someone addressed the phrase â€Å"like a girl†. It’s full of negativity and perpetuates the stereotype that the way women do things is inferior to the way men do them. So, hold high the foam finger of feminism for this advert that was screened in the Super Bowl, for tacklingRead MoreGender Stereotyping And Gender Stereotypes848 Words   |  4 PagesGender stereotyping is one of the most controversial topics in the field of education. Professionals are constantly trying to find efficient and effective ways to monitor not only teachers and administrators, but the students as well, to be sure that gender stereotyping and gender biases are kept to the minimum within the school environment. With the goal of neither gender biases nor gender stereotyping in the school system, higher educational professionals constantly seek and research to find waysRead MoreGender Stereotyping And Gender Stereotypes1504 Words   |  7 Pagesbe more on soft, shy and pretty side of the spectrum. These associations are known as gender stereotypes. The textbook definition of gender stereotyping follows the ideal of overgeneralizing characteristics and attributes of a person solely based on the gender of the person without viewing them as an individual (Nobullying.com). From the moment new parents find out the sex of their child, gender stereotyping beings. Typically, most little girls are dressed up in pink frilly outfits with nurseries decked

Why Trump Should Not Compromise With Democrats - 1712 Words

Even with the looming divide, America remains optimistic about the future of the nation, and only 45% of the nation believes that the election did real damage to the nation (Hackman 1). While almost one-in-two Americans believing the nation suffered a blow during the election would seem alarmingly high, with the way the election went, it would be expected that more Americans would agree the election did damage. Also, according to the same survey 59% of Americans think Trump should compromise with Democrats (2). To be sure, this relatively uplifting statistic still remains a headwind to unifying the nation. It remains a fact, according the the Washington Post survey, more than four-in-ten Americans believe Trump should not compromise with Democrats. To say, in a blanket statement, a politician of any stature should not compromise is toxic to its core. Unfortunately, however, both Republicans and Democrats suffer from this never give an inch mentality. When citizens or politicians beli eve their positions are so superior that compromise is not an option, there is simply no way to convince these people that they are actually wrong or that there may be a better way to solve the problem at hand. There are, however, actions that the people can pressure government to take, which would mitigate and mend the divide. These actions, however, require a champion. With any luck, that champion is Donald Trump. Although a large portion of the nation feels that Trump will destroy America,Show MoreRelatedUnite Us807 Words   |  4 Pagesthe â€Å"United† States. Debates over the Health Care Bill, the Trump presidency, DACA, and more have deeply divided our country, and while Trump claims that he is going to unite the Democrats and Republicans, a vast majority, 66 percent, of Americans blame Trump for sharpening the divide, including 27 percent of Republicans and 91 percent of Democrats. Now, after months of turmoil, Americans across the country are asking themselves, â€Å"What should we do next?† In order to move forward, the first step weRead MoreThe Rise And Fall Of The Religious Community Essay1273 Words   |  6 PagesTrump’s shocking victory, Democrats and liberals have much soul searching to do about their strategy, platform, and base moving forward. But equally important, we need to take a hard look at what tenants of liberalism we did not embrace in this election. We must not only ask ourselves how our campaign against racism, sexism, and jingoism failed in this election, but what other tenants of our beliefs we sacrificed along the way. Moving forward, we must embrace compromise, conversion, and engagement—Read MoreRep. Adam Smith, Lorella Praeli, And Faiz Shakir1065 Words   |  5 PagesPolicy and Campaign. Faiz Shakir is the National Political Director of the ACLU and senior advisor to a former senate democrat. Representative Adam Smith, has been in Congress since 1997 for the state of Washington for the democratic party. With such close relations with the Democratic party, both Lorella Praelli and Faiz Shakir are able to attract support from members of the ACLU, Democrats, Latinos, and immigration activist for Rep. Adam Smith. Proposing this policy will indicate that Rep. Adam SmithRead MoreFinal Paper Assignment : Presidential Election2347 Words   |  10 Pagesworking-class and Midwest voters Donald Trump was able to upset Hillary Clinton to win the election. This election was very much a partisan election, in an exit poll conducted by the New York Times it shows that 90% of Republicans voted for Donald Trump while 89% of Democrats voted for Hillary Clinton. In the same poll it also showed that while those who voted for Hillary Clinton much more strongly favored their candidate than those who voted for Donald Trump, at the same time, those who dislikedRead MoreSocrates And Aristotle s Views On Democracy1124 Words   |  5 Pageseveryone has an equal say and the majority’s opinion wins. There is no real account to knowledge and reason. The people in a democracy are very focused on equality that they fail to understand reason. The democrat acts in this manner because it is the spoiled child of the oligarch. The democrats are only motivated by pleasure unlike other regimes such as aristocracy that are motivated by honor. This pleasure destroys man and brings madness (p.272). Wealth is part of a pleasure and when their wealthRead Mor eUs Constitution Essay1653 Words   |  7 Pagesthe Virginia and New Jersey plan, came the Great Compromise. The Great compromise stated that in states with slavery, one slave would be counted as three-fifths of a person. This is written in Article one section eight, clause one of the constitution. How can the constitution still be relevant today when the topics of Slavery are still found in the constitution. Therefore, a new constitution shall be written to officially end the talk of slavery. Why is the topic of slavery found in our constitutionRead MoreThe Member Of The Democratic National Committee1097 Words   |  5 PagesNational Committee. As of November 8th, 2016, Donald Trump is the 45th president elect of the United States. As much as this is a defeat, or victory for a numerous amount of citizens across America ,that is not exactly what this is about. I’m here to say shame on you. If it wasn’t already apparent, your chosen establishment candidate, Hillary Clinton was one painted in scandal, dishonesty, secrecy, and unpopularity. I can’t imagine why you, the democratic establishment, felt it would be wiseRead MoreThe Party System Is Not The Best System For America1606 Words   |  7 PagesRepublican party candidates. Many Americans would prefer an alternative to our current system, but are either bullied into conforming to it, or are convinced that third-party is a waste of a vote. One of the main reasons we stick to either Republicans or Democrats is because it is familiar and we oppose change. The two-party system is not the best system for America and could be improved upon greatly.. America currently has a two-party system. This means that there are only two major political parties thatRead MoreI Am About My Vote For Donald Trump1124 Words   |  5 Pagesmy message gets past the initial reaction of not another one. I am voting for Donald Trump for many reasons, but primarily I am casting my vote for him because I have 2 children, 4 grandchildren, and hopefully, God willing, I ll be around to welcome my great-grandchildren into this world. I want these children to have the hope and opportunity that I enjoyed, and that is only going to be with President Trump, and his running mate, Mike Pence. Just as easily as the Never Trumpers, I could say,Read MoreBarack Obam The Choice Of A New President1835 Words   |  8 PagesThank you, thank you! Thank you Joe, and thank you Massachusetts for the great honor of serving as your senator. Thank you guys! What a night. Wow. Michelle Obama, Cory Booker. And we still have Bernie coming up. Bernie reminds us what Democrats fight for every day. Thank you, Bernie. Thank you. Now we’re here tonight because America faces a choice — the choice of a new president. On one side is a man who inherited a fortune from his father and kept it going by cheating people, by skipping out on

Addiction And Drug Related Sentencing Essay - 924 Words

Addiction is a word most people are familiar with. In 2016 it is hard to avoid hearing about drugs, or knowing someone who indulges in them. We see it every day, in the news, in movies, from coworkers, and from friends. We know that addiction is an illness that affects all of us; it does not discriminate, and it controls every aspect of the addicts’ life. We also know that the addict uses these substances as self-medication to treat anything from a mental instability, to a physical medical condition - But do we know what we are doing to help the addict? What about our justice system, are we giving them the proper medical treatment they require when incarcerated, or should we be offering another option prior to sentencing an addict to incarceration? Above all, are there other options than the processes we currently use for addiction and drug related sentencing, and how does it affect us as a society? I, myself, suffered from an addiction throughout my teenage years and know fir sthand how hard it is to fight this battle. I have seen the struggle that addicts face when it comes to receiving help. The lucky few are handed over to rehabilitation centers, like myself; the unlucky majority are handed over to jails and prisons upon being caught with their substance of choice. Upon entering rehabilitation I was shocked to learn that almost everyone in my group had already spent time in jail and/or prison in previous years. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, inShow MoreRelatedDo Queensland s Sentencing Laws Focus Too Heavily On Punishment948 Words   |  4 PagesQueensland’s sentencing laws focus too heavily on punishment, rather than rehabilitation, of drug offenders? Queensland’s current drug sentencing laws primarily focus on punishment more than rehabilitation. Courts in Queensland have penalties that can be enforced on an offender such as Community Service Order, Fines Restitution, Probation, Intensive Correction Order, Imprisonment and Parole for the use of illegal drugs. The penalties vary according to the type and amount of drug use involved. Drug traffickingRead MoreDrug Addiction Treatment Vs. Incarceration966 Words   |  4 PagesDrug Addiction Treatment vs. Incarceration: Gaining Insight Regarding the Facts Drug addiction is most often defined as a chronic progressive relapsing cycle in which an individual experiences excessive compulsions in using a mood altering substance despite the consequences associated with the drug. Drug addiction is also considered a disease that affects the brain; which results in a chemical imbalance caused by the abuse of illegal substances. The effects of drug usage can cause long term brainRead MoreSentencing Guidelines For Non Violent Drug Offenders1371 Words   |  6 Pagesworld’s inmate population. Drug offenders who committed no act of violence make up a large portion of the inmates in the United States. County, State, and Federal prisons are so over populated that the private sector has opened up corporate facilities to house convicted persons. The cost each year to hold a person rises, placing larger financial demands on the judicial system. The Judicial System of the United States should reevaluate the sentencing guidelines for non-violen t drug offenders to alleviateRead MoreSentencing Guidelines For Crack And Powder Cocaine1154 Words   |  5 PagesAttorney, 14th Judicial District, Durham County Subject: Seeking Equality in Sentencing Guidelines for Crack and Powder Cocaine Date: October 17, 2014 Most of us would agree that drug abuse and addiction is no respecter of persons. Regardless of age, race, gender, or economic status drug addiction can rear its ugly head in any situation. Like most Americans, I have personally been affected by the pitfalls of drug addiction from relatives and friends. Therefore, I have witnessed firsthand the devastationRead MoreThe And Its Effects On The United States955 Words   |  4 PagesThe debilitating disease â€Å"addiction† naturally creates criminals, somebody willing to go to any extent to obtain there drug of choice. Sadly, The solution has always been to incarcerate the individuals involved, without taking into consideration the extenuating circumstances surrounding the offenders criminal behavior. This does nothing but fuel the addiction that ultimately led to the crime being committed in the first place, leaving the newly minted pariah with no where to go but back to all heRead MoreDrug Addiction And Its Effects On The Centr al Nervous System1468 Words   |  6 PagesDefine: drug, drug addiction, narcotic drugs, depressants, stimulants, opioids, cannabinols, hallucinogens, inhalants and over the counter drugs. †¢ Drug; Natural or synthetic substance introduced into de body produces on alterations of the SNC of the individual and is susceptible to create psychological, physical or both.. †¢ Drug addiction: is a dependence on an illegal drug or a medication when you are addicted, you may not be able to control your drug use and you may continue using the drug despiteRead MoreAbolishing Mandatory Minimum Sentencing On The United States1690 Words   |  7 PagesAbolishing Mandatory Minimum Sentencing in the United States EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The concept of mandatory minimum sentencing has been plaguing the justice system of the United States of America for too many years and therefore must be abolished. If mandatory minimum sentencing were to be done away with, then the criminal justice system could finally start to bring desperately needed change to itself and start to get back to where it needs to be; a system that takes people with a problem andRead More U.S. Drug Policy Versus Drug Reality Essay1334 Words   |  6 Pagesserious about winning the war on drugs, it will have to face some hard facts about the failure of its drug policy to date. Since Reagan introduced the war on drugs in the early 1980s, the focus of anti-drug legislation has been on incarceration and eradication, not on drug education and treatment. Drug use is viewed as a crimethe same way that burglary and murder are viewed as crimeswithout examining the social and economic causes behind drug use. This categorization of drug use as criminal misrepresentsRead MoreIllegal Drug Use1378 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Illegal drug use and abuse remains a pervasive social issue despite significant efforts to quell its existence. In fact, a recent report released by the RAND Corporation (2005) notes that drug abuse has become such a prominent social issue that substantial increases in prison populations all across the United States have been attributed to the tougher sentences that have been put in place for drug users. With the realization that current social policies toward reducing drug abuse are not working—onlyRead MoreThe Failure of the War on Drugs Essay1529 Words   |  7 PagesThe War on Drugs in the United States has a profound influence on both the incarceration rates and activities of the criminal justice system. Many politicians and advocates of the policy claim that the War on Drugs is a necessary element to deter criminal behavior and reduce the crime rate. However, studies show that drug deterrent policies on possession and use have been inadequate and unsuccessful (Cole Ger tz, 2013). Studies also show that the War on Drugs has not attained its objectives because

Self Reflection Australian Couselling Association

Question: Discuss about theSelf Reflectionfor Australian Couselling Association. Answer: Introduction The present report is based on internal process of Australian Couselling Association (ACA) which is an insurance company (ACA, 2016). The report dictates about information flow and managing the operational procedure within the organisation using performance measures and compliance strategies. The most important concept that I learned from internal process of aca is controlled proceedings, in which assumptions and realisation of the organisational objective are of utmost importance. Often while managing change and implementing robust policies, the challenging situation are reflective with resistance from employees, undermining newer initiatives, and neglecting the real objectives (Hill, Jones and Schilling, 2014). One such example is shift from paper-based system to computerised process for information management. In this prospect, it is important that every employee must realise their responsibility such that efficiency of procedure and continuity of work can be managed in a positive direction. It was also realised such liability of managers and leaders are pivotal for accurate planning and coordinating among the staff (Kettner, Moroney and Martin, 2016). This also includes use of appropriate motivational tools to encourage employee for using their skills in bringing innovation. Furthermore, using a robust framework for evaluation and monitoring of work procedure, ACA ensures organisational success. Overall, such approach helps in understanding the precise role of managers that are essential for the maintenance of organisational behaviour. Internal control requirement such as accurate identification of capabilities and potential of individual employees, optimising the workflow, accuracy in terms of using right people at the right place and at the right time is also reflective in routine operational management at ACA. Similarly, it is also requisite to maintain proper flow of information and efficient communication, which is reflective with coordination and work practices at ACA (Hill, Jones and Schilling, 2014). For example, use of two-way communication, clear messaging, appropriate advocacy, specifying the deadline, cordial comment, and related procedure have enabled ACA employees to manage best work practices. Another important consideration that is critical to managing the performance and quality aspect includes strategies like Six Sigma, Kaizen models, ISO 9000, and Total Quality Management (TQM), which the company regularly used in audit and evaluation procedures (Rosemann and vom Brocke, 2015). These quality impr ovement procedures not only help in elucidating the weakness and strength of work process but are also useful in identifying key risk mitigation strategies. Often in this consideration, managers can use tactics like the punitive, generative, normative and remunerative approach that in turn can help in increase in the efficiency of the procedural part at the workplace. ACA also put emphasis for their employees towards knowledge acquisition for the organisational, regulatory provision that can reduce the negative emotion, can enhance coordination, and manage effectivity at the workplace. For example, using accounting standards and regulatory measures by Australian Securities and Investment Commission are effective (Kettner, Moroney and Martin, 2016). Likewise, in conjunction with the employment regulations, documentation, employee act, equal pay act, workplace health and safety provision, and labour hire laws are employed as compliance in ACA. These provisions are indeed essential to maintain work ethics as well as to enforce consistency to all disciplinary mechanisms (Hrebiniak, 2013). The internal process also includes effective operational management within the organisation that include workflows, accurate reporting as well as communication such that the structure of ACA can be produce maximum effectiveness in terms of outcomes. In this prospect, first important aspect is linked with uniformity within the organisation such that every employee must receive orders only from one boss as it will avoid any form of conflict. Likewise, another important requirement is linked with using a two-way and unbroken chain of communication from top to bottom line (Hrebiniak, 2013). It is also realised that within the traditional structure ACA, the first division line within the organisation is based on functional aspect, followed by divisional perspective (Rosemann and vom Brocke, 2015). The most important aspect of ACA structure includes matrix where the distribution of task assignment, evaluation, and analysis of procedure should be of prime importance. In other terms, this st ructure ensures that type of work and responsibility sharing as individual team member should be channelized (Cameron and Green, 2015). In addition to this, the cross-functional team is responsible for the development of the newer insurance plans, market analysis, and ensuring efficient organisational behaviour. Of note, within this organisational structure of ACA, it is also realised that labelling of the team such as permanent, temporary, and part-time, significantly enhances the performance. The key challenge in this regard is the evaluation of performance, access to individual employee, and handling the complex situation within the organisation (Cameron and Green, 2015). The key guidelines that have been learned from this analysis of ACA operarional procedure, dictates that goals must be declared explicitly and the critical role of managing a team is always handled by an experienced leader. Likewise, every team at ACA includes competent professional, employees are provided with adequate resources, requisite training, and by updating them with relevant information. Correspondingly, using motivational tactics and ensuring employees to be accountable for their performance is of keen requirement (Kettner, Moroney and Martin, 2016). Lastly, it was learned that planning a project is equally important as that of managing the organisational structure and environment. For example, explicit declaration of work statement, using work breakdown structure, using resource levelling software, grant chart, and human resource matrix to optimise the functioning are the key elements of effective monitoring and planning framework, employed at ACA. 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