Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Theories of the Origin and Evolution of Human Language
Hypotheses of the Origin and Evolution of Human Language The articulation language sources alludes to speculations relating to the rise and improvement of language in human social orders. Throughout the hundreds of years, numerous speculations have been advanced and practically every one of them have been tested, limited, and disparaged. (See Where Does Language Come From?) In 1866, the Linguistic Society of Paris restricted any conversation of the theme: The Society will acknowledge no correspondence concerning either the starting point of language or the making of an all inclusive language. Contemporary etymologist Robbins Burling says that any individual who has perused broadly in the writing on language starting points can't get away from a sneaking compassion for the Paris etymologists. Reams of gibberish have been expounded regarding the matter (The Talking Ape, 2005). In late decades, be that as it may, researchers from such differing fields as hereditary qualities, human studies, and psychological science have been locked in, as Christine Kenneally says, in a cross-discipline, multidimensional fortune chase to discover how language started. It is, she says, the most difficult issue in science today (The First Word, 2007). Perceptions on the Origins of Language Divine root [is the] guess that human language started as a blessing from God. No researcher pays attention to this thought today. (R.L. Trask, A Students Dictionary of Language and Linguistics, 1997; rpt. Routledge, 2014) Various and shifted clarifications have been advanced to clarify how people procured language-huge numbers of which go back to the hour of the Paris boycott. A portion of the more whimsical clarifications have been given epithets, primarily with the impact of excusal by disparage. The situation by which language advanced in people to help the coordination of cooperating (as on the pre-memorable likeness a stacking dock) has been nicknamed the yo-push model. Theres the bow-wow model in which language started as impersonations of creature cries. In the crap model, language began from passionate interpositions. During the twentieth century, and especially its most recent couple of decades, conversation of language beginnings has become decent and even stylish. One significant issue remains, in any case; most models about language beginnings don't promptly loan themselves to the arrangement of testable speculations, or thorough testing of any kind. What information will permit us to reason that some model best clarifies how language emerged? (Norman A. Johnson, Darwinian Detectives: Revealing the Natural History of Genes and Genomes. Oxford University Press, 2007) Physical Adaptations - Instead of taking a gander at kinds of sounds as the wellspring of human discourse, we can take a gander at the sorts of physical highlights people have, particularly those that are unmistakable from different animals, which may have had the option to help discourse creation. . . . Human teeth are upstanding, not inclining outwards like those of chimps, and they are generally even in stature. Such attributes are . . . helpful in making sounds, for example, f or v. Human lips have significantly more complex muscle binding than is found in different primates and their subsequent adaptability absolutely helps in making seems like p, b, and m. Indeed, the b and m sounds are the most broadly bore witness to in the vocalizations made by human newborn children during their first year, regardless of which language their folks are utilizing. (George Yule, The Study of Language, fifth ed. Cambridge University Press, 2014) - Ã In the advancement of the human vocal tract since the split with different primates, the grown-up larynx plunged to its lower position. Phonetician Philip Lieberman has influentially contended that a definitive reason for the human brought down larynx is its capacity in delivering various vowels. This is an instance of normal choice for increasingly viable correspondence. . . . Children are brought into the world with their larynxes in a high position, similar to monkeys. This is useful, as there is a diminished danger of gagging, and children are not yet talking. . . . By about the finish of the primary year, the human larynx plunges to its close grown-up brought down position. This is an instance of ontogeny summarizing phylogeny, the development of the individual mirroring the advancement of the species. (James R. Hurford, The Origins of Language. Oxford University Press, 2014) From Words to Syntax Language-prepared present day youngsters learn jargon unquenchably before they start to make syntactic expressions a few words in length. So we assume that in the inceptions of language a single word stage went before our remote progenitors initial steps into sentence structure. The term protolanguage has been generally used to portray this single word stage, where there is jargon however no sentence structure. (James R. Hurford, The Origins of Language. Oxford University Press, 2014) The Gesture Theory of Language Origin - Speculation about how dialects begin and develop has had a significant spot throughout the entire existence of thoughts, and it has been personally connected to inquiries concerning the idea of the marked dialects of the hard of hearing and human gestural conduct as a rule. It tends to be contended, from a phylogenetic point of view, the cause of human gesture based communications is incidental with the inception of human dialects; communications through signing, that is, are probably going to have been the main genuine dialects. This is certainly not another perspectiveit is maybe as old as nonreligious theory about the manner in which human language may have started. (David F. Armstrong and Sherman E. Wilcox, The Gestural Origin of Language. Oxford University Press, 2007) - [A]n investigation of the physical structure of obvious signal gives bits of knowledge into the beginnings of linguistic structure, maybe the most troublesome inquiry confronting understudies of the cause and development of language . . .. It is the root of grammar that changes naming into language, by empowering individuals to remark on and consider the connections among things and occasions, that is, by empowering them to verbalize complex contemplations and, generally significant, share them with others. . . . We are not the first to recommend a gestural root of language. [Gordon] Hewes (1973; 1974; 1976) was one of the main present day defenders of a gestural inceptions hypothesis. [Adam] Kendon (1991: 215) additionally recommends that the main sort of conduct that could be supposed to be working in anything like an etymological design would have needed to have been gestural. For Kendon, with respect to most other people who think about gestural starting points of language, motions are put contrary to discourse and vocalization. . . . While we would concur with Kendons system of analyzing the connections among communicated in and marked dialects, emulate, realistic portrayal, and different methods of human portrayal, we are not persuaded that putting signal contrary to discourse prompts a profitable structure for understanding the development of discernment and language. For us, the response to the inquiry, If language started as signal, for what reason did it not remain as such? is that it did. . . . All language, in the expressions of Ulrich Neisser (1976), is articulatory motioning. We are not recommending that language started as signal and got vocal. Language has been and consistently will be gestural (in any event until we advance a solid and all inclusive limit with respect to mental clairvoyance). (David F. Armstrong, William C. Stokoe, and Sherman E. Wilcox, Gesture and the Nature of Language. Cambridge University Press, 1995) - If, with [Dwight] Whitney, we consider language a complex of instrumentalities which serve in the outflow of thought (as he would sayone probably won't wish to put it very like this today), at that point motion is a piece of language. For those of us with an enthusiasm for language thought about along these lines, our errand must incorporate turning out to be all the complicated manners by which signal is utilized corresponding to discourse and of demonstrating the conditions wherein the association of each is separated from the different just as the manners by which they cover. This can just enhance our comprehension of how these instrumentalities work. On the off chance that, then again, we characterize language in basic terms, along these lines barring from thought most, if not all, of the sorts of gestural uses I have represented today, we might be at risk for missing significant highlights of how language, so characterized, really prevails as an instrument of correspondence. S uch a basic definition is important as an issue of accommodation, as a method of delimiting a field of concern. Then again, from the perspective of an extensive hypothesis of how people do all the things they do by methods for expressions, it can't be adequate. (Adam Kendon, Language and Gesture: Unity or Duality? Language and Gesture, ed. by David McNeill. Cambridge University Press, 2000) Language as a Device for Bonding [T]he size of human social gatherings offers ascend to a major issue: preparing is the system that is utilized to bond social gatherings among primates, however human gatherings are enormous to such an extent that it is difficult to put enough time in prepping to bond gatherings of this size successfully. The elective proposal, at that point, is that language advanced as a gadget for holding enormous social groupsin different words, as a type of preparing a ways off. The sort of data that language was intended to convey was not about the physical world, but instead about the social world. Note that the issue here isn't the development of punctuation all things considered, however the advancement of language. Syntax would have been similarly helpful whether language developed to support a social or a mechanical capacity. (Robin I.A. Dunbar, The Origin and Subsequent Evolution of Language. Language Evolution, ed. by Morten H. Christiansen and Simon Kirby. Oxford University Press, 2003) Otto Jespersen on Language as Play (1922) - [P]rimitive speakers were not hesitant and held creatures, yet energetic people jabbering cheerfully on, without be
Saturday, August 22, 2020
The Shawshank Redemption Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
The Shawshank Redemption - Movie Review Example In the film it was indicated that a white individual is imprisoned and he meets a gathering of different detainees, having blended ethnicity. He builds up a sort of closeness with the gathering. This is somewhat unordinary, all things considered, considering the time portrayed in the film. As around then there was a lot of bigotry and for the most part individuals favored having kinship with individuals of a similar shading. Be that as it may, the film ceaselessly follows the subject of an obligation of companionship between a white and an African-American detainee. This subject has been the premise and the magnificence of the film. Despite the fact that it would have been improbable, all things considered, situation, yet it was selected making an allurement among the watchers (Bossik). The essential moral story in Shawshank Redemption is the fantasy appeared in the jail arrangement it. In the film there is indicated an airborne gunfire of the prison yard. The thing odd about this shot is itââ¬â¢s depictured of non-isolated racial decent variety. Detainees surrounded in the scene are delineated like a scatter plot with no affiliation. Aside from that, the instruction level and social class is additionally been featured in Shawshank Redemption which fairly repudiates with the truth. Andy is appeared as a man who is accomplished and has a place with an upper social class. In addition to the fact that this raises inquiries on the informed society, this sort of a situation isn't seen much among the individuals, all things considered. The detainees of those occasions, in actuality, were not extremely intelligent with one another and particularly with those which didn't had a place with them. For instance a white man would consistently be found with a white man. In any case, the film killed the idea of bigotry which around then was viewed as a difficult issue. The film portrays numerous things which are not exclusively to be taken as dream, yet in addition were extremely inverse of what really occurred during that time. The
IKEA IN CHINA ( international business) Research Paper
IKEA IN CHINA ( worldwide business) - Research Paper Example Additionally, there are likewise conceivable outcomes of a Free Trade Agreement. Likewise, the money in Qatar is steady and no outside trade controls are forced (Zahra, 2014). IKEA in Qatar needs to experience a point by point political knowledge before building up their business. Qatar is available to the outside organizations and the political components will help IKEA to win their approaches. The steady money permits IKEA to complete their technique of good quality items in moderate costs. Diminished levies and no superfluous exchange limitations would permit IKEA to do their deals without prevention (Fromherz 112). In any case, there are sure delicate bond necessities and joint endeavor prerequisites for universal organizations that may frustrate IKEAââ¬â¢s smooth developing in Qatar. Besides, there is an expanding charge on corporate salary which may undermine IKEAââ¬â¢s future benefit (Healy 53). Qatarââ¬â¢s socio-social elements are exceptionally significant in thinking about the market for universal organizations. Qatar has a little populace of around 1 million and out of those only one-fifth of the populace is Qataris while four-fifths are outside laborers. The assets, stable government and political framework, and the solid financial framework are prompting a populace development continuously. Qatar has an enhanced culture with numerous local people and outsiders from South Asia, Iran, Jordan, Egypt, and different nations. The change disapproved of government is as of now spending intensely on the foundation and development segments to improve the way of life and ways of life of the individuals (Algethami, 2013). The effect of socio-social factors on IKEAââ¬â¢s system will be prominent. These are significant as they would decide the acknowledgment of IKEA and their items in the nearby market. IKEA will confront difficulties as they should satisfy the requests and desires for local people who have a place with various societies rather
Friday, August 21, 2020
Smart Drugs essays
Brilliant Drugs papers Brilliant medications are the term, which represents lawful substances planned to impact action of human cerebrum. Those substances ought to be of characteristic birthplace or they ought to be in any event however much like common substances as could reasonably be expected. One of the key qualities is that those substances are non-addictive. As I said previously, those substances are expected to impact and extend action of cerebrum and that is the reason they are likewise called mind supplements. Cerebrum supplements are additionally called shrewd medications. This term isnt especially lucky, in light of the fact that the term medicate is deceiving and makes relationship with something perilous and hazardous. Cerebrum supplements and synapses are substances that either straightforwardly or after absorption enter the mind and impact nature of neuron sustenance or actuate their working movement or potentially renew their levels to ideal levels, fundamental for impeccable action. Idea and term of nootropics (substances all in all slang called brilliant medications) was first presented in 1972 by C.E. Giurgeou, boss research laborer in Belgian organization, which presented Piracetam (one of the most generally known substances) at the market. The principle regions of utilization are development of contemplating process, improving capacity of data, help of data stream between both mind sides of the equator and expanding of cerebrum insurance and nourishment. Brilliant medications should work in one of two primary ways: either by expanding blood stream to the cerebrum, or boosting the degrees of one or other of the synapses thought to have an impact in learning and memory. We can when all is said in done gap keen medications into two gatherings. Nootropics and Nutrientes. Nootropics are fairly proposed for sure fire use, with rather short impact, while supplements are of rather longer-time impact (talking in weeks or months). Presently probably the most broadly known, utilized and free sold nootropics and supplements. ... <!
Thursday, August 6, 2020
You should consider studying economics if
You should consider studying economics if⦠So if youve been reading these blogs for a while now, you might already be familiar with my experience of choosing a major. In summary, I came into MIT not knowing what I would study, ended up going with economics (Course 14), realized over the course of the following year that this was a really good decision, and continue to highly recommend it. I like to talk about my major a lot, but one thing that I guess I havent mentioned here before is my feeling that it is super under-appreciated by undergraduates in terms of the number of people who do it. As of some time in the fall of last year, there were three economics majors in the entire class of 18. Seriously, three (!!) out of over a thousand. On first glance, its hard to see whats not to love about the department. Weve got a high density of intimidatingly famous economists, course material that is relevant and cool, diverse job prospects after graduation, and some #1 world rankings by those sketchy university ranking websites. I guess a lot of people do come here with their hearts set on building robots and stuff, but for those who arent quite sure of what to do, I would suspect that the under-appreciation is at least partly driven by two things. The first thing is that its been somewhat inflexible in terms of course requirements, with a single program and core courses which may or may not be relevant to the subfield that each student prefers. I say its been in the past tense, though, because as you might have heard, there are a lot of changes to the undergraduate program starting this year. In May I received an email with the subject line Revised Requirements for the Economics Major which announced that the traditional C ourse 14 major (now 14-1) would be amended in a way that gives several options in places where there was previously a single required course, as well as reducing the number of electives needed overall. More dramatically, the department would also be adding an entirely new major, Mathematical Economics (14-2), which would focus more on the abstract, mathy subjects in economics, incorporate a foundation of pure mathematics, and allow electives in Course 18 to count towards the degree. Its also flexible in a way that I think will end up allowing more people to major or double major in economics. Sample Mathematical Economics Major (not counting GIRs, of course) A second reason for the relative smallness of the major is probably something to do with people just not knowing enough about it, and not really giving it proper consideration amidst all the talk about big majors like EECS. MIT is best known as an engineering school, so it makes sense that economics isnât in the limelight among undergrads, but that totally doesnât mean it should be overlooked. Thereâs also the fact that people often judge a major by its intro classes, and 14.01 and 14.02 (Intro Micro and Macroeconomics) are sometimes said to be among the least engaging classes in the major. I basically remember coming out of 14.01 with the impression that economists spend all day doing basic algebra and drawing supply and demand graphs. Either way, although Econ isnât the major for everyone, I do think itâs for a lot more people than are currently actually studying it. More people should know more about Course 14, and for that I will do what I can. So, while I donât think this blog post is the optimal place for information about what you can do with an economics degree (use the Internet, ask your professors, advisor, etc!), I can definitely tell you about what itâs like to study economics as an undergrad at MIT, and why I personally find it to be enjoyable and rewarding. You could ask a different Course 14 person and easily get a different perspective on it depending on their individual interests and plans. Based on my own experience, though, I think you should consider studying economics if Youâre curious about people and human society, but prefer an analytical, mathematical style of reasoning that isnât provided by the humanities. One of the reasons I was initially so unable to decide what I wanted to study was that I thought I had to choose between an analytical style of problem-solving and an interest in human beings. I did enjoy the humanities a lot, but I couldnât see myself abandoning the satisfaction of technical rigor in my chosen field of study. At the same time, I couldnât imagine keeping myself motivated to endure gruesomely difficult math psets and sleep-deprived nights spent studying if I couldnât visualize what the math was for, or immediately be assured that its conclusions mattered to me. Abstract concepts were cool and interesting, but I thought that people were important. That isnât to say that there arenât applications of every field which impact people in highly significant ways, but economics is different in that the abstract concepts youâre studying are people, or approximations of them and their behavior. The basic conceptual units of neoclassical economics are decision-making agents, who are assumed to make rational decisions to maximize their overall happiness (utility) or profit in the case of firms. The paradigm begins with some idealized assumptions about these agents and mathematically proves what the societal outcome will be given their interactions in certain (also idealized) scenarios. Real life is hardly ideal, though, and these predictions might bear only passing resemblance to the actual world. The more interesting results come when we relax the assumptions, add complexity to the agents and scenarios, and allow for uncertainty, though not so much as to make the models intractable. Itâs also important not to forget that neoclas sical economics isnât the only economics, and that there are other highly influential ideas about how to construct these models which you can learn more about depending on which classes you choose to take. You want to understand how the world works In a class I took last semester, we would often be assigned to read an article or paper about a real-life event related to industry or business and then spend the next lecture discussing game-theoretic models to explain why they made sense. In a different class I that took last semester, we studied a different economic paradigm which attempts to axiomize a set of social and economic principles to not only explain, but predict how societies change over time. In another class, we learned about empirical and statistical methods used for extracting relationships between measurable variables in real-world data, and for interpreting them. I definitely would not say that economists understand the world far from it. They disagree with each other in major places and are generally very bad at predicting important things (for example, there were basically no economists who predicted the massive financial crash of 2008). The way I see the field, at present, is that a bunch of different perspectives each bring their own partial truths to the table: models which are good at describing some things, but not others, and equations which appear to hold true remarkably well until they donât. The reality of the world is chaos, and entirely taming that chaos into a neat and comprehensible form is undoubtedly an impossible task. So, economists will probably never understand the world in the scientific sense of making it predictable, but they do understand parts of it pretty well, or are beginning to. This is of course exciting in itself, but itâs also exciting because the next time people around you are yelling about some government policy, you can have something intelligent and empirical to yell back instead of pure opinion. You can think about popular issues through an economic lens to be a more informed and reasoned citizen, and start to understand the implications of economic events that you see on the news. And if youâre a person who looks at current trends and issues and wonders whats behind them, then youâll find satisfaction in learning the tools by which to approach these questions. Like, how do people actually make decisions? How does health economics work? What impact do new technologies have on job prospects for young people? To what extent are there really trade-offs between high living standards and equality? Why are business cycles a thing? Theres also the fact that the scope of economic modeling isnt limited to economic questions, as in situations where money and commerce are central. Many of these models, particularly in Microeconomics and game theory, are useful in understanding phenomena ranging from the everyday to the political to even the biological (see evolutionary game theory). For example, the prisoners dilemma, which is likely the first thing youll learn about when studying game theory, has been proposed as a mechanism behind both nuclear arms races and people not washing dirty dishes in a shared kitchen. As an economics student, you might start to think about everyday behavior using game theory, see signaling in social situations, or encounter the structures of the models you study and speculate accordingly on their outcomes (like, how could the mechanism of competition in college admissions play out over time?). Youâll be amused if it actually happens that way, and if it doesnt, then youll be in good co mpany among actual economists who are bad at predicting things anyway. You like to think about improving the world There is this thought experiment which we covered in the class 17.01 last semester. It was conceived by the philosopher Peter Singer, who describes it in an essay entitled The Drowning Child and the Expanding Circle. It starts like this: To challenge my students to think about the ethics of what we owe to people in need, I ask them to imagine that their route to the university takes them past a shallow pond. One morning, I say to them, you notice a child has fallen in and appears to be drowning. To wade in and pull the child out would be easy but it will mean that you get your clothes wet and muddy, and by the time you go home and change you will have missed your first class. I then ask the students: do you have any obligation to rescue the child? Unanimously, the students say they do. The importance of saving a child so far outweighs the cost of getting oneâs clothes muddy and missing a class, that they refuse to consider it any kind of excuse for not saving the child. Once we are all clear about our obligations to rescue the drowning child in front of us, I ask: would it make any difference if the child were far away, in another country perhaps, but similarly in danger of death, and equally within your means to save, at no great cost â" and absolutely no danger â" to yourself? Virtually all agree that distance and nationality make no moral difference to the situation. I then point out that we are all in that situation of the person passing the shallow pond: we can all save lives of people, both children and adults, who would otherwise die, and we can do so at a very small cost to us: the cost of a new CD, a shirt or a night out at a restaurant or concert, can mean the difference between life and death to more than one person somewhere in the world â" and overseas aid agencies like Oxfam overcome the problem of acting at a distance. The essay demonstrates the importance of donating to help the people who need it most, a perfectly good and true message. But while we were learning about it, I was also sort of thinking like, sure Peter Singer, I would save the drowning child, but the reality youâre trying to parallel isnât really much like that. A better analogy would be something like this: youâre walking along on your route to class and all of a sudden you come across an enormous lake in which, say, millions of children are all simultaneously drowning. You first scream in terror, and then maybe just stand there paralyzed by your shock at how something like this could possibly be real (I hope this is all just a thought experiment..) and then you then look to the sides of the lake and notice that thousands more children are falling into it by the second. Itâs terrifying! So what do you do? You could jump in and save a few of them, but after a while youâll start to feel that itâs futile. At that point you could run away and try to forget what you saw, but if you really want to help them, you might start to wonder about the reasons why all of these children are falling into the lake in the first place while you remain safe and dry. It isnât just a random accident where some kid happened to fall in one day, and itâs obvious to you that thereâs some kind of structure behind it. Here you can start to think like a scientist: how do I figure out what that structure consists of? What can be done to fix it? Some of the most prominent work that has come out of our Econ department attempts to answer these questions. If youâre interested in learning more about it, I will recommend you the books Why Nations Fail and Poor Economics, which represent two very different approaches to these questions developed here at MIT. One theorizes on the role of institutions and political power on economic outcomes, while the other emphasizes empirical experimentation (conducted by MITâs JPAL) as a way to understand and alleviate poverty. I remember someone at CPW told me she decided to come to MIT and major in Course 14 after reading Poor Economics, which is awesome, especially because we have the opportunity to do this kind of research while still an undergraduate. Other than that, economics is indispensable in solving all sorts of problems, like in designing and evaluating policy, improving logistical efficiency, and designing institutions that improve the way people work and live. Personally, Im not really sure what Ill end up doing, but one of my favorite parts of the major is being immersed in all the normative implications about what can be done, theoretically or empirically, to make a significant difference in peoples opportunities and outcomes. The question of what should the world be like? isnt reserved as a private, personal value question, but thrown out in the open and debated as a major part of the discipline. Anyway maybe these reasons will apply to you more or less depending on what you want to do, but they cover much of what I enjoy about the subject, and I hope they can be useful to you in deciding what you want to major or double major (or minor, concentrate, whatever) in. Id also be happy to chat if you have any questions or anything. Otherwise, good luck to you and happy major choosing. :) Post Tagged #Course 14 - Economics
Sunday, June 28, 2020
Understanding the Differences Between MD and DO Programs
Before you decide whether you want to apply to allopathic (MD) and/or osteopathic (DO) medical schools, I recommend that you shadowà both types of doctors. They each represent dramatically different approaches to health and healing. Gaining exposure to both forms of medicine will help you make an informed decision about what types of treatment options you would like to offer your patients. Which is More Competitive? There are 153 allopathic schools and 37 osteopathic schools in the U.S. Only two schools offer both programs,à Michigan Stateà and Rowan University. Statistically, there is a much larger number of MDs practicing than DOs. In researching the differences between these two courses of study, some students claim on premed forums that the DO schools are considered ââ¬Å"less competitiveâ⬠and therefore easier to matriculate into. The average MCAT and GPA for students accepted into MD programs in the 2015-2016 application cycle were 28.3 and 3.55 (3.45 science), while they were 26.38 and 3.44 for DO programs for the same application year, as reported by the AAMC and ACCOMAS. While the osteopathic scores are lower, the numbers are not so dramatically different. Given the increasing number of students applying to medical school in recent years, the gaps between these numbers are closing quickly. The difference in scores for students accepted into either program is projected to shrink. Educational Advantages Benefits Essentially, the decision to apply osteopathic orà allopathic should be based on the different educational advantages each approach can give you. The MD educational pathway includes more opportunities in research and specialty training, since allopathic medical schools have more funding and resources available in these areas. They are also more likely to have a hospital connected to their medical school campus. DOs are best known for their hands-on and holistic approach to patient care. The DO route provides training in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM), also referred to as Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), depending on the program. Post-Degree Plans: Residency This quote leads us directly into the second most common issue in the MD vs. DO dilemma: the issue of obtaining a residency after completing your medical education. In the past, there have been fewer residency spots available for DO residents than MD residents. However, in July 2014, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education announced that both DO and MD medical school graduates would be applying for residencies through a single match process in 2020. This merger will simplify the residency application process since currently there are two separate systems with two separate deadlines. Both of the licensing exams (USMLE Step 1 and COMLEX Level 1) will be accepted for MDs and DOs (at most schools). Primary Care vs. Specialization The last point to take into consideration when considering which path to take is whether you are interested in practicing primary care or specializing. Most students are not able to make this decision until after they have completed their rotations and have gained exposure to all the possibilities. Some doctors argue that DO programs are excellent in training students for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and primary care. Capitalizing on this strength, there are DO schools that offer three-year accelerated programs in primary care. However, if you are interested in specializing you may have more opportunities in research and exposure to certain fields through an allopathic education. Making an Education Decision To learn more about both programs: â⬠¢Ã Shadowà allopathic as well as osteopathic doctors. â⬠¢ Read books written by doctors from both backgrounds. â⬠¢ Attend premed conferences to meet representatives at all levels from both disciplines. â⬠¢ Visit medical school campuses and events. â⬠¢ Sign up for a mentoring program to work with a medical student mentor. â⬠¢ Join discussion forums and network to ask medical students, residents and doctors for their advice and opinions. Actively begin collecting more information about the options available to you. The more thought you put into your decision, the happier you will be with the end result. Both DOs and MDs provide valuable perspectives and approaches to patient care. Do you need help designing, strategizing, and implementing your MD or DO admissions plan? Our expert advisors can guide you through the entire medical school application. Check out our catalog of Medical School Admissions Services for more information on how we can help you get ACCEPTED! Alicia McNease Nimonkar worked for 5 years as the Student Advisor Director at the UC Davis School of Medicine's postbac program where she both evaluated applications and advised students applying successfully to med school and other health professional programs. She has served Accepted's clients since 2012 with roughly a 90% success rate. She has a Master of Arts in Composition and Rhetoric as well as Literature.à Want Alicia to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources: â⬠¢ The Quick Guide to Acing Your AACOMAS Application â⬠¢Ã How to Get Into NYITââ¬â¢s College of Osteopathic Medicine, a podcast episode â⬠¢ 5 Ways to Stand Out in the AACOMAS Experience and Achievements Sections Understanding the Differences Between MD and DO Programs Before you decide whether you want to apply to allopathic (MD) and/or osteopathic (DO) medical schools, I recommend that you shadowà both types of doctors. They each represent dramatically different approaches to health and healing. Gaining exposure to both forms of medicine will help you make an informed decision about what types of treatment options you would like to offer your patients. Which is More Competitive? There are 153 allopathic schools and 37 osteopathic schools in the U.S. Only two schools offer both programs,à Michigan Stateà and Rowan University. Statistically, there is a much larger number of MDs practicing than DOs. In researching the differences between these two courses of study, some students claim on premed forums that the DO schools are considered ââ¬Å"less competitiveâ⬠and therefore easier to matriculate into. The average MCAT and GPA for students accepted into MD programs in the 2015-2016 application cycle were 28.3 and 3.55 (3.45 science), while they were 26.38 and 3.44 for DO programs for the same application year, as reported by the AAMC and ACCOMAS. While the osteopathic scores are lower, the numbers are not so dramatically different. Given the increasing number of students applying to medical school in recent years, the gaps between these numbers are closing quickly. The difference in scores for students accepted into either program is projected to shrink. Educational Advantages Benefits Essentially, the decision to apply osteopathic orà allopathic should be based on the different educational advantages each approach can give you. The MD educational pathway includes more opportunities in research and specialty training, since allopathic medical schools have more funding and resources available in these areas. They are also more likely to have a hospital connected to their medical school campus. DOs are best known for their hands-on and holistic approach to patient care. The DO route provides training in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM), also referred to as Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), depending on the program. Post-Degree Plans: Residency This quote leads us directly into the second most common issue in the MD vs. DO dilemma: the issue of obtaining a residency after completing your medical education. In the past, there have been fewer residency spots available for DO residents than MD residents. However, in July 2014, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education announced that both DO and MD medical school graduates would be applying for residencies through a single match process in 2020. This merger will simplify the residency application process since currently there are two separate systems with two separate deadlines. Both of the licensing exams (USMLE Step 1 and COMLEX Level 1) will be accepted for MDs and DOs (at most schools). Primary Care vs. Specialization The last point to take into consideration when considering which path to take is whether you are interested in practicing primary care or specializing. Most students are not able to make this decision until after they have completed their rotations and have gained exposure to all the possibilities. Some doctors argue that DO programs are excellent in training students for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and primary care. Capitalizing on this strength, there are DO schools that offer three-year accelerated programs in primary care. However, if you are interested in specializing you may have more opportunities in research and exposure to certain fields through an allopathic education. Making an Education Decision To learn more about both programs: â⬠¢Ã Shadowà allopathic as well as osteopathic doctors. â⬠¢ Read books written by doctors from both backgrounds. â⬠¢ Attend premed conferences to meet representatives at all levels from both disciplines. â⬠¢ Visit medical school campuses and events. â⬠¢ Sign up for a mentoring program to work with a medical student mentor. â⬠¢ Join discussion forums and network to ask medical students, residents and doctors for their advice and opinions. Actively begin collecting more information about the options available to you. The more thought you put into your decision, the happier you will be with the end result. Both DOs and MDs provide valuable perspectives and approaches to patient care. Do you need help designing, strategizing, and implementing your MD or DO admissions plan? Our expert advisors can guide you through the entire medical school application. Check out our catalog of Medical School Admissions Services for more information on how we can help you get ACCEPTED! Alicia McNease Nimonkar worked for 5 years as the Student Advisor Director at the UC Davis School of Medicine's postbac program where she both evaluated applications and advised students applying successfully to med school and other health professional programs. She has served Accepted's clients since 2012 with roughly a 90% success rate. She has a Master of Arts in Composition and Rhetoric as well as Literature.à Want Alicia to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources: â⬠¢ The Quick Guide to Acing Your AACOMAS Application â⬠¢Ã How to Get Into NYITââ¬â¢s College of Osteopathic Medicine, a podcast episode â⬠¢ 5 Ways to Stand Out in the AACOMAS Experience and Achievements Sections
Saturday, May 23, 2020
Drugs, Morphine, And Vicodin - 2297 Words
Codeine, morphine, and vicodin are some prescription drugs that one may hear of for treating pain. What some people do not know is that in the early 20th century, these drugs were very harmful because they were being made into others much worse. Many of these drugs come from the same types of places and plants and are also made in a similar way. Cocaine, morphine, and heroin started to be produced just as often as the first opioid based prescription drugs and the only difference is that these were much more addictive and dangerous. The introduction of drugs in America caused a serious problem in the early 20th century that spread like a wildfire. As these drugs began to worsen, President Nixon formed the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to combat these lethal drugs, as well as the gangs and cartels distributing them. In 1968, the Justice Departmentââ¬â¢s Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs was formed to try and combat the rise in illegal drugs. The agents in this department were composed of previous agents from two separate departments, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) and the Bureau of Drug Abuse Control (BDAC). After a few years, the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD) failed to even decrease the illegal drug usage slightly. The president at the time, Richard Nixon, proposed a new offer to combat the war on drugs. The proposition passed and President Nixon stated, ââ¬Å"In order to decrease the illegal drug problems in America, we have to first stopShow MoreRelatedOpiate Addiction : Opiate Abuse And Addiction859 Words à |à 4 Pagesabuse and addiction destroys the lives of many people. These drugs are generally used for pain management, but are often misused and abused. This research paper will define the action of opioids, drug categories, withdrawal symptoms, and t reatment options that are available. Opioids Opioids are prescribed to treat moderate- to-severe pain following surgeries, individuals with chronic pain, cancer patients, or for dental pain. These drugs alter the perception and response to pain by binding to opiateRead MoreThe Opium Cultivation Of Opium2755 Words à |à 12 Pagesqualities. Opium is the juice extracted from the opium poppy. It contains alkaloids such as morphine and codeine. These alkaloids carry intense analgesic (painkilling) capabilities but also contain intense euphoria and addictive qualities. Opium has analgesic qualities, which are second to none, however, because of its addictive qualities it is pertinent that doctors find an alternative to opioid drugs and prevent further addiction problems. I chose to write about Opium in my final paper becauseRead MoreThe Heroin Epidemic1241 Words à |à 5 Pagestraveled through the small quiet community of Monroe, MI you would probably never think that this town has a drug problem. From the outside it seems like a nice middle class suburb that might be ideal to raise a family. For those that reside here however, they know that there is a growing problem. There arenââ¬â¢t many families that havenââ¬â¢t been affected by heroin addiction in this small town. The drug has literally swept through this county like an angry mob of rioters bringing crime, death, and destructionRead MoreEssay about Abuse of Prescription Drugs2259 Words à |à 10 Pagesof prescription drugs is using a medication in a manner other than prescribed, by a person who it was not prescribed for, to obtain a particular experience. Many people, but especially teenagers and young adults, have turned to abusing prescription medication. Some people have an increase d genetic risk of getting addicted to medications but environmental factors such as economic level, lack of employment and pressure from peers also have a significant impact. Abuse of these drugs has harmful sideRead MoreQuestions on Psychology1708 Words à |à 7 Pages1. Which of the following statements most accurately represents the use of plant-based psychoactive substances? A. Plant-based psychoactive drugs are uncommon today and rarely used. B. Today marijuana is the only plant-based psychoactive substance that is still used. C. All plants that yield psychoactive substances are illegal today. D. About 4,000 plants yield psychoactive substances, and the vast majority are not illegal. 2. The Gin Epidemicâ⬠¦ E. is a myth Read MoreAmerica s Drug Use Migration Essay962 Words à |à 4 PagesAcross the country social shifts of the twenty first century has been the drug use migration. It goes from centers of urban poverty to places that are suburban, white and or middle class. Over the recent years, a third of all DEA heroin seizures took place in the state of New York. Drug abuse is rising and becoming deadlier than ever. Staten Island has become a particular nexus of affliction. In the 1970ââ¬â¢s and 1980ââ¬â¢s, heroin was considered to be a plague in some of New York Cityââ¬â¢s poorest neighborhoodsRead MoreThe Effects Of Substance Abuse On Adolescents1651 Words à |à 7 Pagescommon bad decision is substance use and abuse. Although drug and alcohol use is common and many users donââ¬â¢t develop a dependence on the substances, the adolescents who end up developing the disorders of substance abuse and dependence make substance use a major public health concern (Sanchez-Samper, Kni ght, p. 83). Substance abuse can lead to many developmental problems in adolescents. Problems experienced by adolescents who use alcohol and drugs include ââ¬Å"impaired peer relations, depression, anxietyRead MoreThe s Fastest Growing Drug Problem1750 Words à |à 7 Pagesopioids are described as the ââ¬Å"ationââ¬â¢s fastest-growing drug problemâ⬠(p. 276) and are also known as narcotics. Opioids originated from the opium poppy and have been chemically altered throughout the years in order to create more potent drugs such as hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin), oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin, Percocet), morphine (e.g., Kadian, Avinza), and codeine. Known for analgesic properties, opioids are seen to be the most commonly used drugs among clinicians. Historically, although these narcoticsRead MoreConspiracy Theories Are An Integral Part Of Society1332 Words à |à 6 Pagesfrom 1804 to now. In 1972 Contin was put on the market at a controlled drug-release system (Purdue Pharma L.P.). In 1984 MS Contin was put on the market as an extended-release formula of morphine, and in 1996 OxyContin was put on the market as an extended-release formula of Oxycodone (Van Zee). These drugs were released in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. According to the Center for Addiction and Mental Health these drugs are commonly used for pain and recreational use (__). Purdue PharmaceuticalsRead MoreOpioids And Its Effects On Society1722 Words à |à 7 Pagesopioids are described as the ââ¬Å"nationââ¬â¢s fastest-growing drug problemâ⬠(p. 276) and are also known as narcotics. Opioids originated from the opium poppy and have been chemically altered throughout the years in order to create more potent drugs such as hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin), oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin, Percocet), morphine (e.g., Kadian, Avinza), and codeine. Known for analgesic properties, opioids are seen to be the most commonly used drugs among clinicians. Although these narcotics are legally
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
The Disease And Chronic Kidney Disease ( Ckd ) - 1679 Words
Policy Practice While researching journal articles related to End Stage Renal Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), an alarming statistic was found. Since 1990, kidney failure cases have more than tripled in the United States and are likely to increase due to the aging population and higher prevalence of conditions such as diabetes and hypertension; both of which are risk factors for CKD (CDC, 2014). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes and hypertension are the leading causes of kidney failure in the United States. In 2011, approximately 44% of new cases of kidney failure, as a primary diagnosis, were attributed to diabetes with an additional 28% attributed to hypertension. Adults with diabetes, hypertension, or both have a higher risk of developing CKD than those without these diseases. (CDC, 2014) To affect public health a social policy where social work strategies and self-care management will join forces to prevent and treat CKD risk factors. The European Diabetes Policy Group that was enacted in 1988 has worked on major types of diabetes where multi-disciplinary teams join forces to affect change by creating a desktop guide for professional to improve care for those with non-insulin diabetes . This can be done through increased awareness, early screening and proper treatment. Although there are racial and ethnic disparities that include diabetes and hypertension, to affect policy change on the national level, the adultShow MoreRelatedChronic Kidney Disease ( Ckd )1720 Words à |à 7 PagesIntroduction 1.1 Chronic kidney disease Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is global health problem with increasing incidence and economic burden every year. CKD is defined as decreased in glomerular filtration rate with albuminuria (Jha et al., 2013). Jha et al., 2013 estimate that the worldwide prevalence of CKD is 8-16% with higher incidence among poorer populations. Among the whole world countries, the highest end stage renal disease prevalence is in Taiwan (Chan et al., 2014). Diabetes mellitus isRead MoreChronic Kidney Disease ( Ckd ) Essay1145 Words à |à 5 PagesChronic Kidney Disease (CKD) It is common to encounter patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), most likely occuring with other comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension. As nurses, providing a plan of care to prevent acute illness is imperative in the disease management of patients. Additionally, it is important in instilling a learning relationship with the patient with regards to knowing their current lifestyle, medications, and stage in the disease. For example, I have hadRead MoreChronic Kidney Disease ( Ckd )1630 Words à |à 7 PagesChronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 10% of the adult population and this number is trending upward due to increasing prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and obesity (Lopez-Vargas et al., 2013). Individuals with CKD are required to invest immense time and effort into managing their health such as, attending appointments, modifying their diet, and managing their medications. This can have a great impact on all aspects of people s lives physically / mentall y / socially. This essay will analyse theRead MoreChronic Kidney Disease ( Ckd )1915 Words à |à 8 PagesIntroduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition when the function of kidney goes down progressively. This decrease of kidney function leads to renal failure which requires dialysis and transplantation. There are five stages of CKD. Each level reflects the damage of kidney and estimate the kidney function. The glomerular filltratior rate (GFR) is the basic of determination the stage. In stage 3, patients are treated to slow down the drop of kidney function. In the US, 13% of general populationRead MoreThe Problem Of Problem With Ckd Chronic Kidney Disease984 Words à |à 4 Pagesstage 3 renal failure, also known as CKD Chronic Kidney Disease. There is no cure for this disorder, all that can be done is to take measures to slow the progression. The Center for Disease Control has ranked CKD as the 9th leading cause of death. According to the National Kidney Foundation, 1:3 adults are at risk for CKD and 26 million have it but do not know it. Normally, people are born with two kidneys but it is possible to live with only one. The kidneys regulate body fluid levels, filterRead MoreA Short Note On Chronic Kidney Disease ( Ckd )2862 Words à |à 12 PagesCHAPTER 1 Introduction Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is emerging as a major challenge for the global health-care systems with increasing life-expectancy and rising rates of obesity, diabetes and hypertension (1). Not surprisingly, the incidence-rates of End-stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) have been rising world-wide with rates ranging from 12 to 455 per million population (pmp) (1). ESKD affects 107 individuals per million population in the United Kingdom (2). Although the incidence-rates have beenRead MoreAnemi Common Systemic Consequence Of Chronic Kidney Disease ( Ckd )1153 Words à |à 5 PagesAnemia: Anemia is a common systemic consequence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) (Shemin, 2014). An individual who has a hemoglobin (Hgb) that is less than 11.0g/dL, is considered anemic (Shemin, 2014). As CKD continues to become worse, the individual is at higher risk for developing anemia. More than 40% of patients in stage V CKD develop anemia (Shemin, 2014). CKD leads to anemia due to a decrease or deficit in the production of erythropoietin (EPO) (Shemin, 2014). Bone marrow receptors areRead MoreChronic Kidney Disease : Diagnosis, Treatment, And Lifestyle1147 Words à |à 5 PagesChronic Kidney Disease: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Lifestyle Recommendations Janelle Giggey Nur6531 Walden University August 2, 2015 Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function over time (kidney.org, 2015). Renal failure is a complex and challenging health issue that demands the involvement of both specialists and primary care providers (Buttaro, Trybulski, Polgar, Bailey, Sandberg-Cook, 2013). In this paper I will discuss what chronicRead MoreCaring for Adults With Chronic Kidney Disease Essay1268 Words à |à 6 PagesCanadians have kidney disease or are at risk for itâ⬠(p. 17). According to Porth (2011) and the Kidney Foundatoin of Canada (n.d.c), chronic kidney disease (CKD) has several different causes that combined cause a loss in renal function over 3 months or more, resulting in kidney failure, and its progression is classified into five stages. The two main causes for CKD are diabetes and hypertension (HTN) (National Kidney Foundation, 2012a). Practical nurses caring for adults with chronic kidney disease must considerRead MoreThe Problem Of Chroni c Kidney Disease1490 Words à |à 6 Pagesthe onslaught of chronic diseases that accompany the aging process. To combat this impending health care shift, health care is being transformed from the traditional hospital setting to more community based and long term, health care treatments/solutions. One of these diseases that plague older adults and impose a burden for the health care system is chronic kidney failure. Headley (2014), explains that chronic kidney disease (CKD) involves a progressive, irreversible loss of kidney function (p. 1107)
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
The Religious Hypocrisy in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Free Essay Example
Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1104 Downloads: 3 Date added: 2019/05/17 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Huckleberry Finn Essay Mark Twain Essay Did you like this example? In an era of realism and war, the ideology of the American society began to shift. Subjects that were deemed normal were being criticized by society, and Mark Twain, author of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, used his platform to degrade American Christianity and the hypocrisy behind how many individuals behaved during the time. In the novel, Twain uses many characters and scenarios, such as the Watson sisters, the Grangerfords, and Huck Finns actions, to criticize the aspect of how people react in the name of religion. During the first few chapters of the book, two characters by the name of Widow Douglas and Ms. Watson are introduced as the caretakers of huckleberry, and with these characters Twain begins to criticize the religious hypocrisy in their actions. For example, in chapter 2 after Miss Watson described heaven and hell to Finn, and then Finn responds out of anger and frustration that he wished [he] was [in hell] (Twain p.10) that Miss Watson responds that it was wicked [for Huck] to say what [he] said; said she wouldnt say it for the whole world; she was going to live so as to go to the good place. (10). According to Fredrick Kallin, from Kristianstad university, Huck Finn emphasizes the use of the word she in to demonstrate her adamant belief and desire that she is a good person and that she will go to [heaven] (Kallin p.10). Her desperate belief that she is good shows how many of societys individuals in the 19th century used to think of themselves to give some meaning to their goodness. Another behavior exhibited that shows their hypocrisy, in the name of religious belief is when Widow Douglas advocates for Huck to help other people (Twain p.19), and to do everything he can for other people (p.19), yet at the same time she has no hesitation or guilt in owning slaves. Another time, she scolds Huck Finn for his mean practice (p.10) of smoking, yet she done it herself (p.10). Discus article Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, that explains the societal and religious hypocrisy in the book, claims that: Donââ¬â¢t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Religious Hypocrisy in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" essay for you Create order The former us easily illustrated by the irony of the Widow Douglass attempt to teach Huck religious principles while she persists on holding slaves. As with her snuff-taking which is acceptable because she does it herself there seems to be no relationship between her fundamental sense of humanity and justice and her religion. Hucks practical morality makes him more Christian than the widow, though he takes no interest in her principles. (Grant). The article conveys and explains the idea that Hucks morality and sense of what is right and wrong makes him more in the right than widow Douglas, who herself has lived by the words of the bible. In the end, the use of Miss Watson and Widow Douglas prove Twains point across of the hypocritical points in religion and how it sometimes contradicts what is considered as morally good. Further on, in the novel, Huck meets the Grangerfords, and their deadly feud with the Shepherdsons. Twain uses the Grangerfords to criticize many points including the mocking of southern hospitality, romanticism, and the aggression for no reason. Mark Twain also uses the Grangerfords in a scene in which they all went to church the men took their guns along and kept them between their knees The Shepardsons done the same. It was pretty ornery preaching all about brotherly love everybody said it was a good sermon (Twain p.114). Article Racial and Religious Hypocrisy in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, claims that the fact that the families brought guns to a sermon preaching about brotherly love demonstrates the absurdity and hypocrisy of the situation displayed in the novel (Killan). Twain continues to use satire to display the situation of religion in society and how hypocritical it can become while also mocking the southern views of religion. Throughout the novel, Twain additionally uses Huckleberry Finn himself, and his moral conflict in a way to ridicule the religious hypocrisy in society. For example, after the widow tells him about the concept of prayer, and he could get whatever [he] asked for (Twain p.19), but he never got what he wanted (a hook for his fishline); therefore, he became skeptical of prayers. According to Chrissie Henning, from University of Hawaii, in her paper Personal Freedom and Religion, she claims that the idea od spiritual gifts can be an exotic concept to a simple person like Huck, and while the widow explains that true gift is with helping people Huck still does not appreciate prayer; however, in the climax of the novel, Huck begins to question himself and pray in the concept of saving Jim escape or not. Notably, this produces the infamous line, you cant pray a lie (Twain p.214), and with Huck concluding that he would rather go to hell and help Jim escape than do the correct thing. Henning con tinues by explaining that through Huck Finn, Twain states that society and religion are just as bad as hell. In conclusion, Twains view of religion can be seen through the thought process of Huck, and how it affects the views and morals of the protagonist throughout the story with satire. In the novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twains morals and beliefs shine through his satire and questioning of what was normal during his time. Twains skepticism of religion and how hypocritical the individuals preaching it shines throughout the novel with characters such as Widow Douglas and Miss Watson, the Grangerfords, and the protagonist himself: Huckleberry Finn. Twain continues to show the acts of brutality and hypocrisy through the people in society, and he also shows the thought process of a simple boy trying to grasp the concept of Christianity as a whole. While the setting of the piece of writing was set in the 19th century, many concepts twain addressed about religion continues to be an issue today; So, no wonder the novel is still important nowadays. Works Cited Twains Influence Of A Racist Society. The Progressive Movement Was A Liberal Triumph Essay 927 Words, brightkite.com/essay-on/twains-influence-of-a-racist-society. Grant, William E. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Masterplots, Fourth Edition, Nov. 2010,pp.1-4. EBSCOhost, scsl.idm.oclc.org/login?auth=discusurl=https://search.ebscohost.com.scsl.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=truedb=lfhAN=103331MP410159310000004site=lcr-live. Henning, Chrissie. Personal Freedom and Religion. Academia.edu Share Research, www.academia.edu/14923511/Personal_Freedom_and_Religion. Killan, Fredrick. Racial and Religious Hypocrisy in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Diva Portal, 2007, www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:230890/fulltext01.pdf. Twain, Mark. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Penguin Group, 2014.
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
ZZZZ Best Company Fraud Case Study - 1772 Words
ZZZZ Best Company Fraud Case Study 1) At an early age, Barry Minkow was introduced to the carpet cleaning industry by his mother who worked part time as a telephone solicitor for a small carpet cleaning company. This insight of the industry allowed Minkow to understand that the carpet cleaning industry was one which had very few barriers to entry, no licensing requirements, and required only a small amount of capital to enter. Also, because of these few barriers to entry, the industry has historically attracted a larger number of faulty startups in comparison to other industries. At 16 years old, Minkow started his carpet cleaning company under the name of ZZZZ Best Company. Right away he had a difficult time with customerâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦3) There were two external auditors mentioned in the case that dealt with ZZZZ Best. The first was not a firm that was included in the Big Eight accounting firms at the time. George Greenspan was the sole practitioner who performed the first full-scope independent audit for ZZZZ Best. Greenspan insisted that he had properly audited Minkowââ¬â¢s company, and testified that while planning the audit he had performed various analytical procedures to identify unusual relationships in ZZZZ Bestââ¬â¢s financial data. Greenspanââ¬â¢s procedures reportedly included comparing ZZZZ Bestââ¬â¢s key financial ratios with its industry norms. Greenspan identifies ââ¬Å"unusual relationshipsâ⬠but does not go into detail in order to explain these unusual relationships. This shows that Greenspan did not show enough professional skepticism while conducting the audit and just blew off these unusual relationships. Also Greenspan testified that he had obtained and reviewed copies of all key documents that pertained to the false insurance restoration contracts. It would have been hard for Greenspan to uncover the fraud through the contract paperwork because Minkow and Morze went through such great detail in creating false documents in order to cover the false contracts, but finer details were overlooked by Greenspan. A journalist found one of these finer details which caused the domino effect leading to the destruction of ZZZZ Best. This shows that the first auditor,Show MoreRelatedCase Study Examination And Ethical Questions1646 Words à |à 7 PagesCase Study Examination and Ethical Questions Fraud in financial statements is one of the most common types of financial fraud committed by organizations. Tactics are utilized to inflate or deflate revenues and expenses to arrive at the desired financial position of executives of the business. Fraud, however, is not something derived from years of experience. As is the case of ZZZZ Best, the perpetrator of fraud in the case of this organization was its 15-year old owner, Barry Minkow. CaseRead MoreZZZZ Bests Story 2733 Words à |à 11 PagesZZZZ Best, Inc. The start of ZZZZ Best: ZZZZ Best started as a carpet cleaning company. Barry Minkow founded ZZZZ Best in his parentsââ¬â¢ garage in 1982 when he was only sixteen years old. Due to high competition in the industry, low enter barriers, and bad internal control, this young entrepreneur started to have cash flow problems, and a shortage of working capital. Pressure Leads to Fraud: Under financial pressure, Minkow started to commit fraud. He forged credit card applications, stagedRead MoreDifference Between A Review And An Audit1238 Words à |à 5 PagesZZZZ Best Case 1. Difference between a Review and an Audit. The review is much less in scope than an audit, it mostly involves inquiries of clientââ¬â¢s personnel and analytical procedures and is usually performed on a quarterly basis, whereas audits are done annually. However, the main difference is in the level of assurance that the reports are providing. While both required to perform inquiry and analytical procedures, the review produces limited assurance, that there are no material modificationsRead MoreEssay on ZZZZ Best Company, Inc.: Case Study1340 Words à |à 6 Pages------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ZZZ Best Company, Inc. ------------------------------------------------- Case Study 2 ------------------------------------------------- Due Date: March 30,2010 ZZZ Best, Case 1. Ernst amp; Whinney never issued an audit opinion on financial statements of ZZZZ Best but did issue a review report on the companyââ¬â¢s quarterly statements for the three months ended July 31, 1986. How does aRead MoreAuditing Cases22626 Words à |à 91 PagesAdditional Cases for the Course The case readings have been developed solely as a basis for class discussion. The case readings are not intended to serve as a source of primary data or as an illustration of effective or ineffective auditing. Reprinted by permission from Jay C. Thibodeau and Deborah Freier. Copyright à © Jay C. Thibodeau and Deborah Freier; all rights reserved. 1â⬠¢Ã¢â¬ ¢Ã¢â¬ ¢ ( Case 61 à ® Enron Enroriââ¬â¢s First Few Years hi~ 1985 Enron had assets along the three major stages of the supplyRead MoreCase Analysis : Zzzz Best Company, Inc.1688 Words à |à 7 Pages 1. Read Case 1.9, ZZZZ Best Company, Inc. in your text. Answer questions #1, 2, and 4 found at the end of the case. Question # 1 A review is like an audit yet is less in extension and just gives restricted affirmation with respect to the financial statements. This varies with an audit that gives sensible affirmation that no material mistakes or illicit acts are detected. The goal of an audit is to give a sensible freedom of expressed opinion the money related proclamations taken all in all. ARead MoreFraud Triangle Not Good Enough3956 Words à |à 16 Pagesto find ways to set fraud in motion ââ¬â and a new breed of offenders is finding cunning ways to do so. After more than 60 years, the classic fraud triangle of three elements or events that motivate an employee to cross the line has morphed â⠢ into Croweââ¬â¢s Fraud Pentagon. Company boards and senior management must take an offensive stance against the five conditions that precipitate fraud with a clear plan that limits the opportunity for fraud and minimizes the impact when fraud does occur.â⬠JonathanRead Morewall board12806 Words à |à 52 Pagesin which the auditors accepted a forged bank confirmation that was allegedly faxed to the auditors by Parmalat client personnel (a copy of the actual forged Parmalat fax is included in these instructor notes for instructor use in debriefing the case). Notice of Erratum: The first printing of the fourth edition includes a minor error in the audit program (schedule C 2). The reference in step three should be to schedule C 14 rather than to schedule C 13. This error will be corrected in subsequent
The Golden Lily Chapter 15 Free Essays
string(42) " was trying to stay serious for her sake\." I FELT SO BAD for Brayden the next day that I actually called him, as opposed to our usual texting and e-mailing. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m so sorry,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Running out like thatâ⬠¦ itââ¬â¢s not my usual style. We will write a custom essay sample on The Golden Lily Chapter 15 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Not at all. I wouldnââ¬â¢t have left if it wasnââ¬â¢t a family emergency.â⬠Maybe that was stretching it. Maybe not. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s okay,â⬠he said. Without seeing his face, I couldnââ¬â¢t tell if it really was okay. ââ¬Å"I suppose things were winding down anyway.â⬠I wondered what ââ¬Å"thingsâ⬠he meant. Did he mean the dance itself? Or was he talking about us? ââ¬Å"Let me take you out to make up for it,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"You always do everything. Iââ¬â¢ll handle it for a change. Dinner will be on me, and Iââ¬â¢ll even pick you up.â⬠ââ¬Å"In the Subaru?â⬠I ignored the judgment in his tone. ââ¬Å"Are you in or not?â⬠He was in. We made the necessary arrangements, and I hung up feeling better about everything. Brayden wasnââ¬â¢t mad. Adrianââ¬â¢s visit hadnââ¬â¢t ruined my fledgling relationship. Things were back to normal ââ¬â at least for me. Iââ¬â¢d kept to myself the day after the dance, wanting to catch up on work and not stress about social matters. Monday morning started the school week again, back to business as usual. Eddie walked into Eastââ¬â¢s cafeteria when I did, and we waited together in the food line. He wanted to know about Adrianââ¬â¢s visit to the dance, and I gave a glossed-over version of the night, simply saying that Adrian had gotten drunk and needed a ride home. I made no mention of my role in getting the queen to act on his behalf or of me being ââ¬Å"the most beautiful creature walking this earth.â⬠I certainly didnââ¬â¢t mention the way Iââ¬â¢d felt when Adrian had touched me. Eddie and I walked over to a table and found the unusual sight of Angeline trying to cheer up Jill. Normally, I wouldââ¬â¢ve chastised Angeline for what sheââ¬â¢d done at the dance, but thereââ¬â¢d been no damage doneâ⬠¦ this time. Plus, I was too distracted by Jill. It was impossible for me to see her down without immediately assuming something was wrong with Adrian. Eddie spoke before I could, noticing what I hadnââ¬â¢t. ââ¬Å"No Micah?â⬠he asked. ââ¬Å"He was out the door before me. I figured he wouldââ¬â¢ve beat me over here.â⬠ââ¬Å"You had to ask, didnââ¬â¢t you?â⬠Angeline grimaced. ââ¬Å"They had a fight.â⬠I swear, Eddie looked more upset about this than Jill. ââ¬Å"What? He didnââ¬â¢t say anything. What happened? You guys seemed to be having such a great time on Saturday.â⬠Jill nodded morosely but didnââ¬â¢t look up from her uneaten food. I could just barely catch sight of tears in her eyes. ââ¬Å"We did. So good that he actually talked to me yesterday and askedâ⬠¦ well, he asked if I wanted to have Thanksgiving with his family. Theyââ¬â¢re from Pasadena. He thought he could either get permission from the school or talk to you guys.â⬠ââ¬Å"That doesnââ¬â¢t sound so bad,â⬠said Eddie cautiously. ââ¬Å"Thanksgiving with his family is serious! Itââ¬â¢s one thing for us to hang out together here, but if we start expanding thatâ⬠¦ becoming a couple outside of schoolâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ She sighed. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s going to go too fast. How long would I be able to hide what I am? And even if that wasnââ¬â¢t an issue, itââ¬â¢s not safe anyway. The whole point of me being here is that itââ¬â¢s a safe, controlled environment. I canââ¬â¢t just take off to meet strangers.â⬠It was another step of progress to her accepting the difficulties of a ââ¬Å"casualâ⬠relationship with Micah. I offered a neutral comment. ââ¬Å"Sounds like youââ¬â¢ve thought a lot about this.â⬠Jill looked up sharply, almost as if she hadnââ¬â¢t even realized I was there. ââ¬Å"Yeah. I guess I have.â⬠She scrutinized me for a few seconds, and weirdly, her distraught expression softened. She smiled. ââ¬Å"You look really pretty today, Sydney. The way the light hits youâ⬠¦ itââ¬â¢s kind of amazing.â⬠ââ¬Å"Um, thanks,â⬠I said, uncertain as to what had prompted that comment. I was pretty sure there was nothing remarkable about me today. My hair and makeup were the same as ever, and Iââ¬â¢d chosen a white shirt and plaid skirt uniform combo today. I had to make up for this weekendââ¬â¢s color splurge. ââ¬Å"And the burgundy trim in your skirt really brings out the amber in your eyes,â⬠Jill continued. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s not as good as the bright red, but still looks great. Of course, every color looks great on you, even the dull ones.â⬠Eddie was still focused on Micah. ââ¬Å"Howââ¬â¢d the fight come about?â⬠Jill dragged her gaze from me, much to my relief. ââ¬Å"Oh. Well. I told him I didnââ¬â¢t know if I could do Thanksgiving. Probably if Iââ¬â¢d just given him one reason, it wouldââ¬â¢ve all been fine. But I started freaking out, thinking about all the problems, and just went off on a ramble, saying we might go back to South Dakota or maybe family would come here or maybe you wouldnââ¬â¢t let meâ⬠¦ or, well, a bunch of other things. I guess it was pretty obvious I was kind of making it all up, and then he outright asked me if I didnââ¬â¢t want to be with him anymore. Then I said I did but that it was complicated. He asked what I meant, but of course I couldnââ¬â¢t explain it all, and from thereâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ She threw up her hands. ââ¬Å"It all just kind of exploded from there.â⬠Iââ¬â¢d never thought much about Thanksgiving or meeting oneââ¬â¢s family as a rite of pas sage in dating. Braydenââ¬â¢s family lived in southern California tooâ⬠¦ would I be expected to meet them someday? ââ¬Å"Micahââ¬â¢s not the type to hold a grudge,â⬠said Eddie. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s also pretty reasonable. Just tell him the truth.â⬠ââ¬Å"What, that Iââ¬â¢m one of the last in a line of vampire royalty and my sisterââ¬â¢s throne is dependent on me staying in hiding and surviving?â⬠Jill asked incredulously. Amusement flickered in Eddieââ¬â¢s eyes, though I could tell he was trying to stay serious for her sake. You read "The Golden Lily Chapter 15" in category "Essay examples" ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s one way, I suppose. But noâ⬠¦ I meant, just give him the simplified version. You donââ¬â¢t want to get too serious. You like him but just want to watch how fast things are going. Itââ¬â¢s not unreasonable, you know. Youââ¬â¢re fifteen and have been ââ¬Ëdatingââ¬â¢ for barely a month.â⬠She pondered his words. ââ¬Å"You donââ¬â¢t think heââ¬â¢d be mad?â⬠ââ¬Å"Not if he really cares about you,â⬠said Eddie vehemently. ââ¬Å"If he really cares, heââ¬â¢ll understand and respect your wishes ââ¬â and be happy at just any chance of spending time with you.â⬠I wondered if Eddie was referring to Micah or himself, but that was a thought best kept quiet. Jillââ¬â¢s face lit up. ââ¬Å"Thanks,â⬠she told Eddie. ââ¬Å"I hadnââ¬â¢t thought of it that way. Youââ¬â¢re so right. If he canââ¬â¢t accept my feelings, then thereââ¬â¢s no point to anything.â⬠She glanced over at a wall clock and jumped to her feet. ââ¬Å"I think Iââ¬â¢m going to go try to find him now before class.â⬠Like that, she was gone. Good work, Eddie, I thought. You may have just helped get the girl of your dreams back together with her boyfriend. When Eddie caught my eye, the look on his face told me he was thinking the exact same thing. Angeline watched Jill dart out of the cafeteria, her blue eyes narrowed in thought. ââ¬Å"Even if they make up, I donââ¬â¢t think itââ¬â¢ll last. With their situationâ⬠¦ it canââ¬â¢t work.â⬠ââ¬Å"I thought you were all about vampire and human relationships,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Oh, sure. Back home, no problem. Even out in your world, no problem. But Jillââ¬â¢s a special case. Sheââ¬â¢s got to stay out of sight and stay safe if sheââ¬â¢s going to help her family. Dating him wonââ¬â¢t do that, and she knows it ââ¬â no matter how much she wishes it werenââ¬â¢t true. Sheââ¬â¢ll do the right thing in the end. This is duty. Itââ¬â¢s bigger than personal wants. Jill gets that.â⬠Angeline then declared she needed to get back to her room to catch up on homework. Eddie and I were left staring. He shook his head in amazement. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t think Iââ¬â¢ve ever seen Angeline soâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"â⬠¦ subdued?â⬠I suggested. ââ¬Å"I was thinkingâ⬠¦ coherent.â⬠I laughed. ââ¬Å"Come on, sheââ¬â¢s coherent plenty of times.â⬠ââ¬Å"You know what I mean,â⬠he argued. ââ¬Å"What she just said? It was totally true. It wasâ⬠¦ wise. She understands Jill and this situation.â⬠ââ¬Å"I think she understands more than we give her credit for,â⬠I said, recalling how much better-behaved sheââ¬â¢d been since the assembly ââ¬â breaking into dances aside. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s just taken her time to adjust, which makes sense, considering what a change this is. If youââ¬â¢d seen where sheââ¬â¢s from, youââ¬â¢d understand.â⬠ââ¬Å"I may have misjudged her,â⬠Eddie admitted. He seemed astonished by his own words. Part of me had expected to get chastised by Trey today for having skipped out on Brayden at the dance. Instead, I found Trey missing again from our morning classes. I almost worried but then reminded myself that his cousin was still in town, possibly muddling Trey in ââ¬Å"family stuff.â⬠Trey was competent. Whatever was going on, he could handle it. Then why all the bruises? I wondered. When I reached Ms. Terwilligerââ¬â¢s independent study, she was waiting expectantly for me, which I took as a bad sign. Usually, she was already hard at work at her own desk and just gave me a nod of acknowledgment when I took out my books. Today, she was standing in front of her desk, arms crossed, watching the door. ââ¬Å"Miss Melbourne. I trust you had an enjoyable weekend? You were certainly the belle of the ball at the Halloween dance.â⬠ââ¬Å"You saw me?â⬠I asked. For a moment, I expected her to say sheââ¬â¢d been watching the whole dance through a crystal ball or something. ââ¬Å"Well, certainly. I was there as a chaperone. My post was near the DJ, so Iââ¬â¢m not surprised you didnââ¬â¢t see me. That, and I hardly stood out the way you did. I must say, that was an exquisite neo-Greco reproduction you were wearing.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thanks.â⬠I was getting compliments left and right today, but hers were much less creepy than Jillââ¬â¢s. ââ¬Å"Now then,â⬠said Ms. Terwilliger, all business again. ââ¬Å"I thought it might be useful for us to discuss some of the spells youââ¬â¢ve been researching for my project. Notating them is one thing. Understanding them is another.â⬠My stomach sank. Iââ¬â¢d grown comfortable in my avoidance of her and the repetitive, almost mindless nature of annotating and translating spells. So long as we didnââ¬â¢t have to actually delve into them, I felt reassured that I wasnââ¬â¢t doing anything real with magic. I dreaded whatever she had in mind, but there was little I could make in the way of protest, so long as this was all couched in the terms of my study and didnââ¬â¢t involve harm to myself or others. ââ¬Å"Would you be kind enough to close the door?â⬠she asked. I did, and my feeling of unease increased. ââ¬Å"Now. I wanted to examine that book I gave you further ââ¬â the one on protective spells.â⬠ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t have it with me, maââ¬â¢am,â⬠I said, relieved. ââ¬Å"But if you want, Iââ¬â¢ll go get it from my dorm room and bring it back.â⬠If I timed the shuttle bus right ââ¬â by which I meant, wrong ââ¬â I could probably use up a huge part of our hour in the round-trip. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s all right. I obtained that copy for your personal use.â⬠She lifted a book from her desk. ââ¬Å"I have my own. Letââ¬â¢s take a look, shall we?â⬠I couldnââ¬â¢t hide my dismay. We sat in adjacent student desks, and she began by simply going over the table of contents with me. The book was divided into three sections: Defense, Planned Attacks, and Instant Attacks. Each of those subsections was divided into levels of difficulty. ââ¬Å"Defense includes a lot of protective charms and evasion spells,â⬠she told me. ââ¬Å"Why do you think those come first in the book?â⬠ââ¬Å"Because the best way to win a fight is to avoid one,â⬠I said immediately. ââ¬Å"Makes the rest superfluous.â⬠She looked startled that I had come up with that. ââ¬Å"Yesâ⬠¦ precisely.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s what Wolfe said,â⬠I explained. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s the instructor in a self-defense class Iââ¬â¢m taking.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, heââ¬â¢s quite right. Most of the spells in this section do exactly that. This oneâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ She flipped a few pages into the book. ââ¬Å"This oneââ¬â¢s very basic but extremely useful. Itââ¬â¢s a concealment spell. Many physical components ââ¬â which youââ¬â¢d expect from a beginner spell ââ¬â but well worth it. You create an amulet and keep a separate ingredient ââ¬â crumbled gypsum ââ¬â on hand. When youââ¬â¢re ready to activate it, add the gypsum, and the amulet comes to life. It makes it nearly impossible for someone to see you. You can leave a room or area in safety, undetected, before the magic wears off.â⬠The wording wasnââ¬â¢t lost on me, and in spite of my inner resistance, I couldnââ¬â¢t help but ask: ââ¬Å"ââ¬ËNearly impossible?'â⬠ââ¬Å"It wonââ¬â¢t work if they actually know youââ¬â¢re there,â⬠she explained. ââ¬Å"You canââ¬â¢t just cast it and become invisible ââ¬â though there are more advanced spells for that. But if someone isnââ¬â¢t actively expecting to see youâ⬠¦ well, they wonââ¬â¢t.â⬠She showed me others, many of which were basic and amulet based, requiring a similar means of activation. One that she dubbed intermediate had kind of a reverse activation process. The caster wore an amulet that protected her when she cast the rest of the spell ââ¬â one that made all people within a certain radius go temporarily blind. Only the caster retained sight. Listening, I still squirmed at the thought of using magic to directly affect someone else. Concealing yourself was one thing. But blinding someone? Making them dizzy? Forcing them to sleep? It crossed that line, using wrong and unnatural means to do things humans had no business doing. And yetâ⬠¦ deep inside, some part of me could see the usefulness. The attack had made me reconsider all sorts of things. As much as it pained me to admit it, I could even see how giving blood to Sonya might not be so bad. Might. I wasnââ¬â¢t ready to do it yet by any means. I listened patiently as she went through the pages, all the while wondering what her game was here. Finally, when we had five minutes left of class, she told me, ââ¬Å"For next Monday, Iââ¬â¢d like you to re-create one of these, just as you did with the fire amulet and write a paper on it.â⬠ââ¬Å"Ms. Terwilliger ââ¬â â⬠I began. ââ¬Å"Yes, yes,â⬠she said, closing the book and standing up. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m well aware of your arguments and objections, how humans arenââ¬â¢t meant to wield such power and all of that nonsense. I respect your right to feel that way. No oneââ¬â¢s making you use any of this. I just want you to continue getting a feel for the construction.â⬠ââ¬Å"I canââ¬â¢t,â⬠I said adamantly. ââ¬Å"I wonââ¬â¢t.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s no different than dissecting a frog in biology,â⬠she argued. ââ¬Å"Hands-on work to understand the material.â⬠ââ¬Å"I guessâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ I relented, glumly. ââ¬Å"Which one do you want me to do, maââ¬â¢am?â⬠ââ¬Å"Whichever you like.â⬠Something about that bothered me even more. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢d rather you choose.â⬠ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t be silly,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"You have freedom in your larger term paper and freedom in this. I donââ¬â¢t care what you do, so long as the assignmentââ¬â¢s complete. Go with what interests you.â⬠And that was the problem. In having me choose, she was making me get invested in the magic. It was easy for me to claim no part in it and point out that everything I did for her was under duress. Even if this assignment was technically dictated by her, that one small choice sheââ¬â¢d given me forced me to become proactive. So, I put the decision off ââ¬â which was almost unheard of for me when it came to homework. Some part of me thought that maybe if I ignored the assignment, it would go away or sheââ¬â¢d change her mind. Besides, I had a week. No point in stressing about it yet. Although I knew we had no obligation to Lia for giving us the costumes, I still felt the appropriate thing to do was return them to her ââ¬â just so there was no doubt of my intentions. Once Ms. Terwilliger released me, I packed up my and Jillââ¬â¢s costumes into their garment bags and headed into downtown. Jill was sad to let hers go but conceded that it was the right thing to do. Lia, however, felt otherwise. ââ¬Å"What am I going to do with these?â⬠she asked when I showed up at her shop. Large rhinestone hoop earrings made her dazzling to look at. ââ¬Å"They were custom made for you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m sure you can alter them. And Iââ¬â¢m sure theyââ¬â¢re not far off from your sample sizes anyway.â⬠I held the hangers out, and she obstinately crossed her arms. ââ¬Å"Look, they were great. We really appreciate what you did. But we canââ¬â¢t keep them.â⬠ââ¬Å"You will keep them,â⬠she stated. ââ¬Å"If you donââ¬â¢t take them, Iââ¬â¢ll just leave them on your counter,â⬠I warned. ââ¬Å"And Iââ¬â¢ll have them shipped back to your dorm.â⬠I groaned. ââ¬Å"Why is this so important to you? Why canââ¬â¢t you take no for an answer? There are plenty of pretty girls in Palm Springs. You donââ¬â¢t need Jill.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s exactly it,â⬠said Lia. ââ¬Å"Plenty of pretty girls that all blend into each other. Jill is special. Sheââ¬â¢s a natural and doesnââ¬â¢t even know it. She could be great someday.â⬠ââ¬Å"Someday,â⬠I repeated. ââ¬Å"But not right now.â⬠Lia attempted another approach. ââ¬Å"The campaign is for scarves and hats. I canââ¬â¢t do masks again, but I can put her in sunglasses ââ¬â especially if we shoot outside. Tell me if youââ¬â¢d agree to this plan ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Lia, please. Donââ¬â¢t bother.â⬠ââ¬Å"Just listen,â⬠she urged. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢ll go do a photo shoot. Afterward, you can go through all the pictures and throw out any that donââ¬â¢t meet your weird religious criteria.â⬠ââ¬Å"No exceptions,â⬠I insisted. ââ¬Å"And Iââ¬â¢m leaving the dresses.â⬠I set them on a counter and headed out, ignoring Liaââ¬â¢s protests about all the amazing things she could do for Jill. Maybe someday, I thought. Someday when all of Jillââ¬â¢s problems are gone. Something told me that day was far away, however. Although my loyalty to Spencerââ¬â¢s was steadfast, a small French cafe caught my attention as I walked back to my car. Or rather, the scent of their coffee caught my attention. I had no obligations at school and stopped into the cafe for a cup. I had a book for English class on me and decided to do some reading at one of the cafeââ¬â¢s small tables. Half of that time was spent texting back and forth with Brayden. Heââ¬â¢d wanted to know what I was reading, and we were swapping our favorite Tennessee Williams quotes. Iââ¬â¢d barely been there for ten minutes when shadows fell over me, blocking the late afternoon sun. Two guys stood there, neither of whom I knew. They were a little older than me, one blond haired and blue eyed while the other was dark haired and deeply tanned. Their expressions werenââ¬â¢t hostile, but they werenââ¬â¢t friendly either. Both were well built, like those who trained regularly. And then, after a double-take, I realized I did recognize one of them. The dark-haired guy was the one whoââ¬â¢d approached Sonya and me a while ago, claiming to know her from Kentucky. Immediately, all the panic Iââ¬â¢d been trying to suppress this last week came back to me, that sense of being trapped and helpless. It was only the realization that I was in a public place, surrounded by people, which allowed me to regard these two with astonishing calm. ââ¬Å"Yes?â⬠I asked. ââ¬Å"We need to talk to you, Alchemist,â⬠said the blond guy. I didnââ¬â¢t twitch a muscle in my face. ââ¬Å"I think youââ¬â¢ve got me mixed up with someone else.â⬠ââ¬Å"No one else around here has a lily tattoo,â⬠said the other guy. Heââ¬â¢d said his name was Jeff, but I wondered if heââ¬â¢d told the truth. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢d be great if you could take a walk with us.â⬠My tattoo was covered up today, but something told me these guys had been following me for a while and didnââ¬â¢t need to see the lily to know it was there. ââ¬Å"Absolutely not,â⬠I said. I didnââ¬â¢t even need Wolfeââ¬â¢s reminders to know that was a terrible idea. I was staying here in the safety of the crowd. ââ¬Å"If you want to talk, youââ¬â¢d best take a seat. Otherwise, go away.â⬠I looked back down at my book, like I didnââ¬â¢t have a care in the world. Meanwhile, my heart was pounding, and it took every ounce of control I had to keep my hands from shaking. A few moments later, I heard the sounds of metal scraping on concrete, and the two guys sat down opposite me. I looked back up at their impassive faces. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve got to go inside if you want coffee,â⬠I remarked. ââ¬Å"They donââ¬â¢t have service out here.â⬠ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re not here to talk about the coffee,â⬠said Jeff. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re here to talk about vampires.â⬠ââ¬Å"Why? Are you filming a movie or something?â⬠I asked. ââ¬Å"We know you hang out with them,â⬠said Blond Hair. ââ¬Å"Including that Strigoi, Sonya Karp.â⬠Part of my tattooââ¬â¢s magic was to prevent Alchemists from revealing information about the vampire world to outsiders. We literally couldnââ¬â¢t do it. The magic would kick in and prevent it if we tried. Since these guys seemed to already know about vampires, the tattoo wasnââ¬â¢t going to censor my words. Instead, I chose to censor myself of my own free will. Something told me ignorance was the best tactic here. ââ¬Å"Vampires arenââ¬â¢t real,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Look, if this is some kind of a joke ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"We know what you do,â⬠continued Blond Hair. ââ¬Å"You donââ¬â¢t like them any more than we do. So why are you helping them? How could your group have gotten so muddled and lost sight of our original vision? Centuries ago, we were one united group, determined to see all vampires wiped from the face of the earth in the name of the light. Your brethren betrayed that goal.â⬠I had another protest ready, and then I noticed a glint of gold in Jeffââ¬â¢s ear. He was wearing a tiny earring, a small golden sphere with a dark dot in the middle. I couldnââ¬â¢t help myself. ââ¬Å"Your earring,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s the sun symbol ââ¬â the symbol for gold.â⬠And, I realized, it was exactly the same symbol that had been on the hilt of the sword weââ¬â¢d retrieved from the alley. He touched his earring and nodded. ââ¬Å"We havenââ¬â¢t forgotten the mission ââ¬â or our original purpose. We serve the light. Not the darkness that hides vampires.â⬠I still refused to acknowledge anything they said about vampires. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re the ones who attacked my friend and me in the alley last week.â⬠Neither one denied it. ââ¬Å"Your ââ¬Ëfriendââ¬â¢ is a creature of darkness,â⬠said Blond Hair. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know how sheââ¬â¢s managed this current enchantment ââ¬â making herself look like one of the other vampires ââ¬â but you canââ¬â¢t be fooled. Sheââ¬â¢s evil. Sheââ¬â¢ll kill you and countless others.â⬠ââ¬Å"You guys are crazy,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"None of this makes any sense.â⬠ââ¬Å"Just tell us where her main lair is,â⬠said Jeff. ââ¬Å"We know itââ¬â¢s not that apartment on the other side of downtown. Weââ¬â¢ve been watching it and she hasnââ¬â¢t returned since our last attempt to destroy her. If you wonââ¬â¢t actively help us, that information will be all we need to rid the world of her evil.â⬠Weââ¬â¢ve been watching it. Adrianââ¬â¢s apartment. Chills ran through me. How long had they been spying on his place? And to what extent? Had they simply sat outside in a car, stakeout style? Did they have high tech surveillance equipment? Wolfe had warned against being stalked in parking lots, not in homes. The small comfort I had here was that they obviously didnââ¬â¢t know about Clarenceââ¬â¢s. Their surveillance couldnââ¬â¢t have been that thorough if no one had followed her yet. But had they followed me? Did they know where I went to school? And with their own words, they were confirming the terrible reality Iââ¬â¢d hardly dared speculate about. It was a reality that meant there were forces moving unseen beneath the Alchemistsââ¬â¢ seemingly all-knowing vision, forces working against our goals. Vampire hunters were real. With that realization came a hundred more terrifying questions. What did this mean for the Moroi? Was Jill in danger? Was Adrian? ââ¬Å"The only thing Iââ¬â¢m going to do is call the police,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t know who you guys are or why youââ¬â¢re obsessed with my friend, but neither of us have done anything to you. Youââ¬â¢re even crazier than I first thought if you think Iââ¬â¢m going to tell you where she is so that you can stalk her.â⬠Then, by the sheerest luck, I saw a patrolling police officer walking down the street. The two guys at my table followed my gaze and undoubtedly could guess my thoughts. It would be very easy to call her over. Weââ¬â¢d filed no report about the alley attack, but accusing these guys of a recent assault would certainly detain them. In sync, they both rose. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re making a terrible mistake,â⬠Jeff said. ââ¬Å"We could have had this problem eradicated ages ago if our groups worked together. First the Strigoi, then the Moroi. Your misguided descent into their corruption has nearly ruined everything. Fortunately, we still walk the true path.â⬠The fact that heââ¬â¢d just named the two groups was particularly alarming. These guys were scary, certainly, but less so if they were just talking about vampires in shadowy, vague terms. Using ââ¬Å"Moroiâ⬠and ââ¬Å"Strigoiâ⬠indicated extensive knowledge. Blond Hair tossed down a small, homemade pamphlet. ââ¬Å"Read this, and maybe youââ¬â¢ll see the light. Weââ¬â¢ll be in touch.â⬠ââ¬Å"I wouldnââ¬â¢t if I were you,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Mess with me again, and Iââ¬â¢ll do a lot more than just have a pleasant chat.â⬠My words came out more fiercely than Iââ¬â¢d expected. Maybe Dimitri and Wolfe were rubbing off on me. Jeff laughed as the two of them began walking away. ââ¬Å"Too bad you got so bogged down in books,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ve got the spirit of a hunter.â⬠How to cite The Golden Lily Chapter 15, Essay examples
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