Science and Technology in Reflections and Enemies of Promise :: Reflections Enemies

Science and Technology in Reflections and Enemies of Promise      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The controversy over science is the central argument in both Max Born's "Reflections" and J. Michael Bishop's "Enemies of Promise." Science and technology have greatly influenced and improved the way people live in a society. However, while Born argues that science is the essence of the "breakdown of human civilization" (208), Bishop strongly disagrees with Born's views: that scientists must take responsibility for their inventions and discoveries. Born's essay partly portrays a negative view towards scientists and science. It shows examples of inventions along with their negative effects towards nature and the world. For example, "medicine has overcome most plagues and epidemic diseases and it has doubled the human lifespan within a single generation: the result . . . catastrophic overpopulation" (Born 209). On the other hand, Bishop believes that science has a more positive impact on the world. To him, "We live in an age of scientific triumph. Science has solved many of nature's puzzles and greatly enlarged human knowledge" (237). Bishop's view is right. But a point of similarity between the two works is   that to be a true scientist one needs a complete education, which includes humanistic subjects like literature, art, philosophy, history, religion, and music. For instance in Born's words, "Scientists should not be cut off from humanistic thinking" (212), for it has "insights to offer into the human condition" (Bishop 238). Here both agree.    Another strong argument is that society's judgment of science is clouded by ignorance. "It blames science for what are actually the failures of individuals or society to use the knowledge that science has provided. The blame is misplaced" (Bishop 239). For example, the government spends millions of dollars on the tobacco industry even though it is a proven scientific fact that tobacco kills. This shows that some people only want to misuse scientific products, so they should be prepared to take responsibility for their action and not blame it on science as Born implies.    Although Born's "Reflections" and Bishop's "Enemies of Promise" share some similar points the main focus of each work is quite different. In "Reflections", Born "confesses a sense of responsibility for the break down in human civilization" (208).

School Dress Code Standards

Most schools impose regulations on how students should dress. The sole intent is to keep students safe and get focused on academics. A well centered dress code couple with other appropriate interventions can have a position impacts on the fraternity of the school’s social environment (Hanks, 2004). School Dress Code Standards The supporters of the dress codes have come up with a list of advantages of standardized dress code in school. First, a sincere concern about safety is an overriding impetus towards the implementation of dress code policies. If everyone in school dresses alike there will be less violence in schools. There is a definite connection between clothing style and violence in schools. This is because many students will associate an image or sometimes a stigma to certain styles mostly gang-style clothing (Hanks, 2004) In many cases students have become targets of unintentional violence simply because of wearing a certain color combination which can be afflicted to a certain gang. An example is a popular style where boys wear baggy pants and oversized shirts. This image is closely associated with inner-city gang members who wear such loose fitting clothes so as to better hide weapons or drugs, which can also be carried to schools (Hanks, 2004). The students hunger to be fashionable is another dimension connecting clothing style and school violence. In this case students may envy other children’s clothes due to the lack of financial resources to purchase similar clothes and get abreast with style. Subsequently students’ have been injured or even get killed for their designers’ clothes or the professional sport-team paraphernalia. When students feel safe and secure they tend to perform better academically. Hence, enhancing academic performance is another argument that favours dress code policies (Feiler, 2004). Dress code in general helps children to follow on their school work instead of paying attention to what they and others are wearing. Imposing a dress code will prohibit wearing of clothing that can be disruptive. The other benefits attached t uniforms that can help enhance performance, includes; enhanced displine, respect for teachers, fewer distractions and improved classroom behavior. The other point to make on dress code in schools is the peer pressure. Middle school students’ can sometimes become cruel. In this case, if a child does not wear the right brand or style of clothing other student can make life a difficult for that student (Feiler, 2004). By removing the status depicted by clothing labels uniform becomes a great equalizer. The income of the child’s family is also concealed by the uniform which can thus eliminate a mark of distinction or shame. If the school uniform is attractive it promotes school spirit and self image the same way an athletic team uniform promotes spirit and unity (Feiler, 2004). If a dress code is instituted, many families will realize the great benefit of not having to buy so many expensive clothes for their children who maybe fashion conscious. With some comparisons the cost of uniform is significantly less compared to the cost of the latest fashions. Parents will also welcome uniforms because they have an added peace to the home. This means that if the school imposes what to the students should wear to school it will become one less battle to fight in the morning (Feiler, 2004). Dressing seductively poses a great distraction to the opposite sex. This makes sense why it’s important to put restrictions to what can worn in school. Sexual thoughts are frequent in middle school and in high school and hence most students do not need visual aids because their imagination is active enough. Uniform makes school not to be the appropriate avenue to express oneself especially in terms of clothing. The student should use his mind and voice so as to appropriately express his thoughts opinions and questions. Uniform and dress codes should be used as a part of life. Most of jobs have certain kind of restrictions that pertains to dress. Children and students should be made to adhere to simple roles such as those of dress codes while in school (Craik, 2005). Attendance is improved by imposing school uniform because the student will always have something acceptable to wear. Sometimes students may miss school just because they do not have something cool to wear or because their shirt that was cool was wet to wear to school. How we dress matters a lot as even for the entrepreneurs that work out of their home tend to feel that their working is more productive if they dress appropriately other than working in pajamas (Craik, 2005) Conclusion Students should dress respectively when in school. They can be allowed to wear what they want but only to a certain extent. They should not be allowed to wear their pants around their knees or miniskirts. This is sloppy and does not show self respect or self confidence. Also there is no business that wants to hire a man with pants down her knees. If one wants a good job, then one needs too wear properly, as this shows respect. There are many reasons to why schools should impose dress codes its not for the hindrance of individuality but to promote a better life and one’s self-confidence. If you want to have a good education and a well paying job you have to dress for it (Craik, 2005)

Case Study Investigation Essay

Abstract This scientific research investigates about nowadays scientific advances. Two scientific advances which are RTerg and ultra-low-power digital memory have differences and similarities that were analyzed from 6 different internet resources. RTerg contribute more in human progress compared to the ultra-low-power digital memory because it can reduce death toll caused by tsunami. This research confirmed the thesis statement although some may have different opinions according to their different point of views, but it is recommended that RTerg should be properly placed and people that operate RTerg should be properly trained. 1.0 Introduction These days technology keeps improving and becoming more helpful to human beings. Now, technology can even prevent/reduce unnecessary death and can increase an object ability to its maximum capacity. This investigation purpose was to compare and contrast 2 different scientific advances. The  first scientific advance is called RTerg. RTerg is a new system which can warn of tsunamis within minutes. The second scientific advance is called ultra-low-power digital memory. This ultra-low-power digital memory is a new technology that would dramatically extend battery life for mobile devices. This research was expected to show that RTerg contribute more in human progress compared to the ultra-low-power digital memory. 2.0 Methodology This scientific case study investigation was based on 6 different internet sources. The first 3 sources were about the tsunami and the system, and the other 3 were about the new technology which can extend battery life. These sources were used to support the fact of this scientific investigation. The sources were used to compare and contrast the data and to find the differences and the similarities of the text discussed. The data was used to present the table. 3.0 Findings Topic 1 Aspects to be examined Topic 2 RTerg Scientific advance? Ultra-low-power digital memory Tsunami Issue? Battery life Earth science Part of science? Chemistry, Physics Andrew Newman, March 4, 2011 Discovered by? When? Eric Pop, March 10, 2011 Measurement of magnitude Previous strategy? Array of memory bits Reduce death tolls Contribution to human progress? Improves anything that uses battery Similarities: Cause good impacts Efficient New invention Contribute to human progress There are differences and similarities between both scientific advances. Both have different issue and historical perspective. The first scientific advance (RTerg) discuss about reducing death toll caused by tsunami and before it was invented, they used a strategy by measuring the magnitude. The second topic discussed about the battery life which drain fast. And before, the strategy used was by creating arrays of memory units which operate together. The first topic is part of earth science since tsunami is a natural disaster and was discovered by Andrew Newman, March 4, 2011. The second topic is part of chemical and physical science because they need to count the energy use and the material they should use to produce efficient battery, and was discovered by Eric Pop, March 10, 2011. The similarities contribute in bringing good impact and efficient in human life, also both are still considered as new technologies. 4.0 Discussion The new system which can warn of tsunamis within minutes (RTerg) is very useful because tsunamis may occur anytime and people usually are unaware of the signs, which may cause large amount of death. The most destructive and deadliest tsunami happened in 2004. The tsunami killed almost 250,000 people in Sumatra, Indonesia (Phillips 2011) because the citizens/communities didn’t get enough information of what will happen and some didn’t get the proper knowledge about the signs before tsunami that made them unaware and became victim of this destructive and deadly disaster. With this new system, death rate caused by tsunami can be reduced or even prevented. This new system inform the population near the location to evacuate to safer place only minutes after the initial earthquake because people usually didn’t realize the signs of tsunami since the earthquake felt like an order of  magnitude smaller than it supposed to be (New system can warn of tsunamis within minut es 2011). This new ultra-low-power digital memory is also useful to human progress because people can communicate longer and save their time waiting for their mobile devices to fully charge. Gadgets these days usually run out of battery after few hours of full use and wouldn’t last for a day. This new technology is also important to other devices that use battery, for example, satellites, military equipment, etc. (New technology would dramatically extend battery life for mobile devices 2011). Apart from long lasting battery life, this new battery is small in size. This battery use ultra-low-power memory to minimize the energy used for mobile activity. The battery also use nanotubes which is known for its extraordinary stability, since they are not vulnerable to degradation which can cause plague metal wires. (New technology would dramatically extend battery life for mobile devices 2011) RTerg is expected to contribute more in human progress because RTerg warn peoples/citizens near impact zone before the tsunami happens and they can be more prepared to what will happen next. Lives will be saved, those lives may be one of the peoples who will be successful in the future and they may invent more advanced technology. The research was effective since the sources used for this research was easy to obtain. 5.0 Conclusions and Recommendations To conclude, RTerg contributes more to human progress compared to the new technology which can extend battery life because the warning by the RTerg can save thousands of life. It is recommended that: 1. RTerg should be installed in places where tsunamis happen often 2. People who operates RTerg should be properly trained so RTerg can work with its maximum ability 3. People should read about this report so they may know more about this information References New technology would dramatically extend battery life for mobile devices (2011), (e) Science News [online]. Available from: http://esciencenews.com/articles/2011/03/10/new.technology.would.dramatically.extend.battery.life.mobile.devices [Accessed 10 March 2014] Two Technologies Could Significantly Increase Your Next Smartphone’s Battery Life (2011), Brighthand [online]. Available from: http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=18391&news=Battery+technology+Qualcomm+Mirasol+displays+Improving [Accessed 10 March 2014] Nanostructures Boost Battery Life Fivefold (2013), MIT Technology Review [online]. Available from: http://www.technologyreview.com/news/509501/nanostructures-boost-battery-life-fivefold/ [Accessed 10 March 2014] New system can warn of tsunamis within minutes (2011), (e) Science News [online]. Available from: http://esciencenews.com/articles/2011/03/04/new.system.can.warn.tsunamis.within.minutes [Accessed 10 March 2014] Phillips, C. (2011), The 10 most destructive tsunamis in history, Australian Geographic [online]. Available from: http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/science-environment/2011/03/the-10-most-destructive-tsunamis-in-history/ [Accessed 10 March 2014]

Migrations CCOT Essay

From 1700 to 1900 the migrations of people from Europe and Africa to the US grew and then receded due to the limits the U.S. put on immigrants.At the beginning of the period, Europeans stuck to their side of the ocean. However, When the Irish potato famine struck in 1845 however, there was a mass exodus of irish people in search of a steady source of food and a new life. In the beginning on the African side of things, there was a mass movement of africans to the US due to the slave trade but by the end of the period the slave trade was outlawed so there was a mass migration of Africans who migrated as indentured servants to find a better life. During the 18th century, there was much migration in between the thirteen colonies, Europe and Africa. In the 18th century, the slave trade was in full swing. People from the colonies and Europe were buying slaves very frequently. There were many slave markets and any child born to a slave also became a slave. Millions of Africans were shipped across the Atlantic Ocean. During this time, although people went from Europe to the colonies, it was only to strengthen the colonies themselves. During the 19th century, the migration patterns changed. In 1845 the Irish potato famine made 250 thousand people migrate from their homes. The country had no food and was riddled with disease so the Irish people came to the U.S. to try to start a new life for themselves. In addition to this, people from Europe came to the U.S. as indentured servants to have a better life. In Africa, by 1807 the slave trade had been abolished.

Busienss Coach

Advance course on Logotherapy Logotask 1 (as specified in tutorial letter 103/2012) Name: Wessels, Nicolaas Johannes Student no: 7294-232-0 Course code: LOGO 01-8 Academic Qualifications: B Comm (Marketing) UP; B Comm (Marketing) (Hons) Unisa; MBL Unisa Occupation: Business Leadership Coach Postal address: PO Box 786411, Sandton, 2146 Tel: 011 783 4155 (H); 011 253 9919 (O); 082 554 4614 (M) e-mail: [email  protected] co. za â€Å"As much as it was a point of utter determination, it was also a point of surrender†. By reading Teria’s story one could also say that â€Å"it was a moment of truth†.She seemed to have reached new levels of self awareness and consciousness about what her life was like up to that point and what could be from there on. What we see here is a defining moment, a moment of truth and a moment of decisiveness. To take action and turn the focus on what is and what could be, not on what was. By all accounts she has reached a level of self aware ness to such an extent that she could transcend herself and connect to her spiritual dimension where a discovery was made of life changing proportions.We have here a very good example of how tension had played a role in directing someone towards her values and what is important to her. By transcending herself, Teria not only moved away from a needs driven focus on the past, she moved to a values directed focus on the future and all the possibilities it holds. â€Å"I was somehow missing to fully live my present life with an eye on the future that was â€Å"waiting† to be reached out to. My life seemed to lack vision – a dream to realize or ideals to be inspired by† (Shantall 2002: 13). The tension which brought on this state of realization is a health one.Without this meaning will not be found. â€Å"A sound amount of tension, such as that tension which is aroused by a meaning to fulfill, is inherent in being human and is indispensible for mental well-beingâ₠¬  (Frankl 1998: 48). By recognizing her own power to self transcend, Teria reached the â€Å"highest stage in human development† (Lucas 1998:34). In this turning point, three catalysts are particularly interesting. Firstly the death of her father presented not only the shock of losing a loved one, it also served as a stark reminder of the transitoriness of life. And how wasteful lost opportunities are.Sometimes this awareness of how life’s opportunities are passing us by comes easier with older people who have experienced the full granaries of life. With others the urgency to live life fully may need to be awakened by techniques such as the Socratic dialogue. Teria was aching for something different and experiencing the effects of an awakened consciousness prompting her towards action. As Frankl puts it â€Å"Thus, the transitoriness of our existence in no way makes it meaningless. But it does constitute our responsibleness; for everything hinges upon our realizing the essentially transitory possibilities†. Frankl 2004:124). Teria wanted more from life, more vision, more meaning and more significance. This moment in her life, this point of surrender suggests an awareness that now is the time to make a decision. And the application of transitoriness as a Logotherapeutic tool is testimony to Frankl’s observation â€Å"Logotherapy, keeping in mind the essential transitoriness of human existence, is not pessimistic but rather optimistic† (Frankl 2004:124). The second catalyst was the diary her father left her. It served as a powerful metaphor and last challenge from him to live life powerfully with authenticity. I felt that he expected me to fill up the yet empty pages of that diary with the events of my life that I would now undertake to life fully and with care† (Shantall 2002:14). Her will to meaning was triggered and she was challenged to be creative with her life and treat it with a responsibility becoming of her. Wi th this diary her father created a healthy tension between Teria and life, asking her to take up a commission to run her race. She was reminded of her own freedom of will by the blank pages staring at her.Freedom of will is one of the three fundamental tenet on which Logotherapy is built â€Å"Logotherapy’s concept of man is based on three pillars, the freedom of will, the will to menaing and the meaning of life†. (Frankl 1988:16). The diary played the role of visible canvass against which she could transcend and surrender the old and connect to a point beyond herself. The third catalyst was the physical distance between her and the rest of the family. By being far away, alone and not able to pay last respects, Teria was forced to deal with this traumatic incident herself and find her own defiant power to awaken her will to meaning.With no distraction or consolation she had to dig for courage to process the full implications of this experience. With this third catalyst she was put alone before life as if to be asked two questions: what are you going to give life and what is life asking from you? â€Å"This experience of a breakthrough of meaning in my own suffering, with the added feeling of greater sense of responsibility as I came to see my life as a gift which I could either use or abuse† (Shantall 2002:15).The morning after the death of her father, Teria experienced heightened levels of appreciation for what was important to her, what was possible and what was meaningful to her at that stage. The two dominant emotions presented to us in her quote: determination and surrender are also of interest. Determined to find some defined destination worth living for, she connected to her defiant power to overcome and knew that nothing else but a strong, clear, meaningful life would do. And by surrendering the old and the meaningless, she made way for new meaning to be discovered.Clearing the past and transcending onto a new level of possibilitie s. These two emotions or channels of energy go hand in hand like the critical chemicals without which the desired reaction would not be possible. Without determination, surrender could have been left alone to sulk and doubt. Without surrender, determination could have been a relentless energy with no direction, possible of destruction. Giving up on her self-centered way of living, she may also have given up on a hyper reflective ways of thinking. My own psychodynamics, which I have explored during my years of psychoanalysis began to fade in importance or, most surprisingly began to take on a refreshingly new and deeper meaning† (Shantall 2002: 14). With a state of hyper-reflection and hyper-intention, fulfillment and happiness will elude. She may also have been surrendering to faith that happiness and fulfillment will ensue â€Å"Attaining a goal constitute a reason to be happy. In other words, if there is a reason for happiness, happiness ensues, automatically and spontaneou sly, as it were.And that is why one need not pursue happiness, one need not care for it once there is a reason for it. But, even more, one cannot pursue it† (Frankl 1998:34). Aching for something more, something worthwhile, she transformed and became inspired to be present, take up the challenge and recognize her scope of free choice. I would contest that her life up to this point has not been wasted. True to the duality which life presents so frequently to us, her new sense of highs would not have been reached had it been for her perceived sense of lows.The discovery of a new powerful meaningful life is like the discovery of a secret garden in a fairy tale. Often it is protected by an angry dragon and we are tested by life on how badly do we want to be more, and live significantly. This experience in Teria’s life was clearly a turning point away from the meaningless, a new beginning of something profoundly powerful and a courageous change in direction. What is meaning all about? â€Å"Existence is not only intentional but also transcendent. Self transcendence is the essence of existence† (Frankl 1998:50).And what is there to live for if living is un-intentional and just for one self alone? In order to get a grasp on meaning, one could look at the various facets and characteristics it constitutes, yet even after having done so, it may still elude full comprehension. Meaning first and foremost has to be experienced. And it is something to be experienced personally. It is not something which could be passed on, taught or transferred. It may be illuminated or hinted at but is uniquely personal in its experiencing. â€Å"Meaning is relative in that it is related to a specific person who is entangled is a specific situation.One could say that meaning differs from man to man and from second from day to day, indeed from hour to hour† (Frankl 1998:54). On the question â€Å"what is meant by meaning? †, Frankl comments that â€Å"it i s absolutely down to earth inasmuch as it refers to that which a concrete situation means to a concrete person† (Frankl 1998:140). Whereas meaning may be hard to define conceptually, it is simple and clearly visible in its experiences. We will recognize meaning when we find it! And paradoxically â€Å"the more comprehensive the meaning, the less comprehensible it is†. (Frankl 2000:136).Semantically, meaning is both verb and noun. It is alive and reveals itself though action and activity. And it is discovered like a treasure hidden waiting for the right time and the right person to appear. Although we cannot observe it in itself like a concrete object, we can observe the powers it has on a subject. And it can appear at any time in any situation. â€Å"The perception of meaning as I see it, could be defined suddenly becoming aware of a possibility against a background of reality† (Frankl 1998: 140). Our inherent desire to find meaning is the most powerful energy we posses.In Nietzsche’s words, â€Å"He who has a Why to live for can bear almost any How† (Frankl 2004:7). Without a reason to live for or to move towards, life will be empty and fragile. Meaning gives us the power to move forward and this will to meaning is one of the three pillars on which Logotherapy is built (Frankl 1988:16). Our will to meaning is expressed in a space of freedom to pursue whatever is meaningful to the individual. We are not free from, but free to do what is meaningful. â€Å"Man’s freedom is no freedom from conditions but rather a freedom to take a stand on whatever conditions might confront him† (Frankl 1998:16).We are constantly challenged by life to make it meaningful and called on our courage to do so. This strongly suggests there is a responsibility attached to meaning. A responsibility to live authentically and courageously – to do the right thing. This is emphasized by an Logotherapeatic imperative: â€Å"live as if yo u were living already for the second time and as if you had acted the first time as you are about to act now† (Frankl 2004:114). Our lives are not something beyond our control – whereas we cannot control what happens to us, we can certainly control how we behave or respond.And it is here where our biggest responsibility presents itself. To act the right way, befitting of how we could be potentially. Living in a dimension of meaning means to live responsibly according to our governing values and conscious awareness. By connecting to our consciousness we will identify for ourselves what the right action is and there is ever only one right action. And conscience is essentially intuitive (Frankl 2000:40) and the only means for grasping the meaning of any moment. To quote Graber: â€Å"The human experience calls for an ability to make independent decisions at each moment in life.To live responsibly calls for listening to the thousands of commandments arising from the thousa nds of unique situations of which life consists. It is the intuitive conscience that guides us in the moment by moment experiences of life. It gives voice to the available resources of the spirit within† (Graber 2004:79). Consciousness and creativity are the most important facilitators to find meaning. It is in our noetic realm where we connect to our consciousness and a deeper desire to do the right thing. Paradoxically, by experiencing meaning we connect to our spiritual consciousness.In terms of Frankl’s dimensional ontology, our noetic dimension is what makes us human. And it is in this dimension where we have the faculty to identify meaning. â€Å"Freedom of choice, intentionality, creative and artistic interest, religious encounters, ethical sensitivity, conscience, understanding of values and love, the capacity to be awed by experiences, intuition and inspiration and the search for meaning are at home† (Graber: 2004:71). This is not to suggest that meaning is found inside ourselves. Our conscious is where meaning is interpreted.Meaning is found outside ourselves by connecting to something greater or beyond. By this statement I am not suggesting it is very far away. It may be very close indeed, but beyond and outside nevertheless, discovered by self-transcendence as Frankl calls it (Frankl 2000:138). And it resides in the future like a magnet to which we are drawn, pulling us out of our self absorbed existence and connecting us to life. With no real meaning there is no real connection to life. Experiencing meaning presents itself as a paradox.According to Frankl: â€Å"The more meaning is experienced as a reality of our lives, the more exercised and refined is our faith in the reality of its existence and the broader is our experience and awareness of the deeper meanings of life†. We only know it when we know it! Meaning is found by having uniquely personal encounters with life. It could be by way of what we do creatively or gi ve to the world; by what we get as an experience or take from life; or thirdly by the attitude we adopt towards what is presented to us. (Frankl 1988:70).Not only does meaning rewards us, it gives us strength it gives life sustained worth and defines our unique purpose. Whilst suggesting meaning is waiting to be discovered right in front of us in everyday life, one has to acknowledge that there may be a deeper meaning to life. Or as Frankl calls it â€Å"ultimate meaning† (Frankl 2000:143). This is meaning of the whole – of life as a whole or of our life as a whole. And the comprehension of this is beyond our mental faculties, which positions ultimate meaning in a realm inaccessible to reason or intellect (Frankl 2000:144).And as he puts it â€Å"but what is unknowable need not be unbelievable. In fact where knowledge gives up, the torch is passed on the faith† (Frankl 200:146). Or as Albert Einstain once said: â€Å"supra-meaning is no longer a matter of think ing but rather a matter of believing† (Ffankl 1998:145). To sum up, meaning is connected to purpose, to goals, a mission and linked to a cause beyond and outside ourselves. The key enabler to fining meaning is hidden in our conscious where we can awaken an element of tension and become aware of how things are now and how things could be.To attain meaning requires an open attitude and requires us to choose, to interact and engage with life. It shapes our life and makes everything worthwhile. In a logotherapeutic session, the following diagram could serve as a discussion guide: How meaningful life could be (what we do, experience of or the attitude we take) Indispensible noetic tension of what ought to be How things are now * Become aware of uniquely personal values, strengths, dreams, and existing characteristics of life. * Use these realities as guideposts towards what ought to be. What does meaning mean to me?Thinking about my own experience of meaning, I am aware of the many sources I have tapped into and could still tap into, in order to experience a more fulfilling and purposeful life. Within all the dimensions and facets of my life, meaning lurks. And by this I do not imply by any means that my life is ultimately fulfilling at the moment or that I have identified all the places and sources of finding meaning. It is rather a case of me having noticed the rays of meaning by what I did, experienced or by the stance I took in my journey through life up to now.It’s been said that if life’s purpose is to find your gift, your mission is to use it – and that makes life meaningful. I am aware happiness and sadness are emotions, and fulfillment is a state of being. Right and wrong are judgmental and when one operates from a higher level of consciousness, there is no judgment. And is in this higher level of being where I find my biggest growth and my most profound meaning. As Frankl states: â€Å"In no way are we justified in speaking of man as only a somatic-psychic whole. Body and psyche may form a unity- a psychophysical unity- but this unity does not yet represent the wholeness of man.Without the spiritual as its essential ground, this wholeness cannot exist† (Frankl 2000:34). If I have to highlight the most meaningful moments or areas of my life, it could be summarized in the meaning matrix below. Reflecting on my own dimensional ontology (Frankl 2000:34) my wholeness exist by recognizing all the dimension of my being. And I am aware of the meaning imbedded in fleeting moments and in longer passages of my life, on different levels. For me the most powerful awareness about meaning is the understanding of where it may be and how to look for it.I have found it in the seemingly most insignificant actions (by giving someone at work a spontaneous hug), and in epic sporting events like finishing 8 day cycle races where shear attitude and commitment got me to the finish line. My meaning matrix. Populating the rea lms of what makes me human according to Frankl’s dimensional ontology with the three principle ways to find meaning. (Frankl 1998:70). Where meaning is foundOntological dimension| What I do/give to life| What I get and experience from life| The attitude I take towards life| Noetic dimension| Acting out my values and setting examples. Being conscious of doing the right thing.Connecting to my consciousness and communicating with my soul. Behaving like it is my mission to make a difference (trying to! ). | Noticing synchronicities, finding peace though spiritual rituals of mediation and contemplation. Receiving feedback from life on the level of my soul. | Having faith in an ultimate meaning, trusting life to be unconditionally meaningful, knowing I have a unique purpose to fulfill no matter how challenging â€Å"this† moment may be. | Psychic dimension| Facilitating coaching conversations, mentoring and counseling people. Assisting people with their personal development and growth.Helping my family and loved ones wherever & however I can. | Meaningful moments with wife, kids and friends – Relationships. Coaching & mentoring someone and noticing the change in perception or awareness. Coaching & mentoring at the school in Soweto. | Resigning myself to what will be and to whatever life challenges me with. Treating challenges and emotional stress as signposts for personal growth. | Somatic dimension| Doing sport and adventure activities with friends (triathlons, cycle rides/races, mountain climbs). Cooking. | Sharing the experiences of bicycle rides, triathlons and mountain climbs with friends.Enjoying a great cup of coffee. | Gritting it out when I suffer physically, reminding me extreme sport is â€Å"what I do† and what gives me energy. | Reflecting on the role of my conscience and my awareness of responsible action, I recognize the healthy tension of what I want to be/have/do, and what ought to be/have/do. This tension is what unlocks meaning and protects me against psychic rigor mortis as Frankl puts it. Finding the balance between responsibility and dependence on something other than ourselves bring into the conversation the concept of authenticity.And the extent to which decisions are based on personal, right choice rather than inclination (as Teria phrased it). By taking full responsibility and not be dependent or rely on what others may say or think, a state of independence and interdependence will be reached. This responsibility also includes acceptance of what happens to one and the attitude with which someone embraces the cards dealt by life. Striking a balance between what is right, authentic and responsible action for me, and what am I inclined to do given the external, dependency based conditioning of conformism and totalitarianism, has shown itself in a number of instances.Whereas I had perceived meaning in some parts of my life, it was greatly lacking in my work environment. I was reveling in my â⠂¬Å"extra mural† sporting activities, had a great circle of friends and enjoyed wonderful times with my family. Yet, my work life was becoming increasingly grey. In 2005, I found myself stuck in a very successful, well paying corporate job at a company that has been my professional home for 25 years. Amidst all the success and trappings of corporate life was the feeling of time and potential being wasted. I was increasingly getting g more irritable with people around me, intolerant and short tempered.I was in an existential vacuum (Frankl 2004:110), and the only meaning I had was my sport where I lived my passion out by focusing on training for endurance events rather than making an effort to attend to my business challenges and responsibilities. I was displaying the classic characteristics of the neurotic triad with behavior of aggression (impatience with people around me), depression (boredom and feeling stuck) and addiction (excessive training). (Graber 2004:124). Over a pe riod of two years I contemplated my corporate life and finally reached the conclusion that my behavior at the time was not any different from that of a mercenary.I was not doing the job the company is paying me for to the fullest of my abilities neither was I free to express myself to my authentic calling. I was not living authentically and not according to my values and was becoming a cheat. â€Å"Man lives by ideals and values. Human existence is not authentic unless it is lived in terms of self-transcendence† (Frankl 1998:52). During this period my brother died of cancer at the relatively young age of 61 and my father passed away at the age of 93. The passing away of my father was in itself not a traumatic experience for me and by all accounts, not for him.As a Springbok track athlete he often referred to himself as â€Å"having run his last lap† and being ready to pass on. â€Å"For me the bell of the last lap has tolled. I am ready to die†, he often would t ell me. Maybe the death of my brother and father in the space of this time reminded me of the transitoriness of life. I was becoming acutely aware of the wealth in health and how important it is to do what my heart was telling me. I was increasingly questioning myself on what am I still doing here in a crude rendition of a Socratic dialogue.Confronting myself with questions like: * What is the worst that could happen? * Is this it? * Although I am successful, where to from here? * What advice will some of my mentors give me? * What if I was to get terminally ill – will I regret not having made the decision to leave? * But the most powerful question was a promise I made myself about 20 years earlier in my life, when as a 16 year old school boy, I likened myself to David Livingstone, the explorer. And I was not living this dream! I too wanted to explore one day. And this dream was slipping away from me.During the month of December 2006, I made the decision to resign. The tensio n I felt was text book existential vacuum but I had no idea and very little understanding on how to deal with it. although I was thinking about resigning constantly I am not sure exactly what made me do it that time and at the moment I did. A financial bonus had some effect on the timing of my public announcement but the final internal trigger escapes me. All I recall is one day standing alone in an office looking at the blue sky outside and thinking â€Å"there’s a sun shining outside, but not in here where I am! maybe this realization was final confirmation for me to get off my backside and step into the sun. This dynamic tension I experienced at the time can be graphically illustrated as follows: Consequences and possible outcomes of in-authentic actions What I want or must (selfish desire, conformism or totalitarianism) Dynamic tension within my conscience to do the right thing. The voice of reason with me which will guide me towards meaning. Consequences and possible ou tcomes of authentic right action Where am I nowWhat I ought (right action) Consequences of being responsible (and of being irresponsible) was particularly high on my agenda during this time. The consequences of staying in my current job felt to me like a bad compromise. I would have been untrue to myself, my company and my family by hanging around any longer. I felt torn between being responsible to a deep-felt desire to seek out a more purposeful life of meaning vs perpetuating lucrative mediocrity. Once the decision was taken and announced, I felt liberated, free and terribly alone.What I had to do here, is to look beyond my immediate circumstances to what might be. I had a dream and had to make some pretty uncomfortable decisions in order to get myself out of the headspace I was stuck in. Self transcendence, knowing that there is more waiting for me to be discovered covered my thinking. It was clear to me that the work has only just begun. As clear as I was that it’s time to go, as unclear was I on where to. It took me quite some time to get used to my new status as a free agent and many times felt anxious by my scope of free action.Too many choices and a deliberate action to seek out something new and meaningful lead me in many interesting directions – not all of them meaningful. Finally after almost 18 months of searching did I find a new rhythm and sense of energy. Like a snowball it gained momentum and with it, clarity of what I find meaningful as a vocation – helping people discover meaning in their own lives. My search for a new career had lead me to â€Å"adventure coaching† or what I would like to term â€Å"experiential logotherapy†. I have managed to manifest a ombination of two personal passions – physical adventure and helping people discover something unique about themselves best described by the personal development journeys to the slums of India and Everest Base Camp. This has become the signature pie ces of my new career – taking people on adventurous journeys mixing physical experience with contemplating matters of the mind and connecting to a deeper self. The EBC journey will be the subject of my research workshop and I will present more detail on this experience later in the year.Teaching in a Delhi slum school – I took people on a personal development journey in October 2011. At the moment I apply myself in 4 areas: Corporate Talent Management (businesses in Sandton) , Individual counseling and coaching (various types of people), Adventure coaching (journeys to India and Nepal) and Empowerment coaching (coaching disadvantaged black school kids). My empowerment coaching initiative is worth a mention. I do this at a school in Dobsonville, Soweto and this came about as follows: In 2010 I decided to climb Aconcagua in South America – the highest mountain in the world outside the Himalayas.I had taken the decision to do this expedition on my own, but was look ing for a cause that could benefit and hope to turn it into a fundraising campaign. A friend of mine was involved with a corporate social responsibility initiative called â€Å"one school at a time† and this fitted perfectly. He had identified Forte High school in Dobsonville as the first beneficiary of this CSI program and we turned my Aconcagua expedition into a fundraising campaign for the school. We managed to raise R530,000 through corporate contacts I had and the expedition was a huge success in financial terms.The climb itself was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and the lows I reached and internal change I experienced is food for another essay! Suffice to say I didn’t make it to the top as we were caught in a constant snow storm for 5 days at an altitude of 5,600m. Stuck for 5 days in a high altitude camp weakened us severely and when our food eventually ran out we pulled the plug and headed home. Some big logotherapy experiences! However, when I got bac k to SA I decided to do more at the school and offered to start group coaching conversations with some of the kids.Since then I have been working with groups of grade 10 and 11 kids facilitating structured conversations about whatever they choose to talk about – topics include confidence, fear, reaching dreams, relationships and doing picture dream boards. I am slowly working logotherapy into the conversations and the kids love it! Fundraising campaign in Johannesburg in October 2010 and carrying the flag on Aconcagua, South America (I’m on the right). In July this year, I will be taking a group of 15 high school kids to Dharamsala, India where the Dalai Lama lives, to â€Å"teach English to Tibetan monks†.This is part of their personal development program and aims to awaken gratitude, patience, understanding and strong sense of purpose with participants. We will go for 8 days and I am coordinating this journey directly with the office of the Tibetan People in C enturion. Responsibility is something I am acutely aware of. However, in the past couple of years I have become consciously aware of my responsibility to â€Å"be more† and not merely to â€Å"provide†. Life has so much to offer and if I can overcome my own self limiting beliefs and connect to my inner source of energy, I will be more.To make a difference and be of value are my governing intentions and I am constantly aware of the effort it takes to be authentic and responsible to the life that has been given to me. The opportunities and potentialities I encounter persistently remind me of what could be and pulls me towards living meaningfully. I am dependent on my own conscience and my faith in life, that meaning is all around me. I am also aware of the tasks and challenges life presents to me and believe that it is up to me to make it happen – not anyone else. Reference list: 1. Shantall, T 2002.Life’s meaning in the face of suffering. Testimonies of ho locaust survivors. Hebrew University Magnes Press. ISBN 965-493-142-7. 2. Frankl, V E 1988. The Will to Meaning. Foundations and Applications of Logotherapy. Expanded edition. First Meridian Printing. 3. Frankl, V E 2000. Man’s search for ultimate meaning. Perseus Publishing. ISBN-13: 978-0-7382-0354-6. 4. Graber, A V 2004. Victor Frankl’s Logotherapy: Method of Choice in Ecumenical Pastoral Psychotherapy. Wyndham Hall Press. ISBN 1-55605-364-9. 5. Lukas, E 1998. Logotherapy Textbook: Meaning centered Psychotherapy. Liberty Press. ISBN 0-9686496-1-0.

Drug Smuggling in Australia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Drug Smuggling in Australia - Essay Example These only make obvious the fact that most, if not all, of the country's drugs and narcotics supply come from outside its national borders. Because the drug problem has not yet been solved, the glaring truth is that the country's points of entry and exit remain vulnerable to drug smuggling. This paper aims to explain further the gravity of the problem in the current times as well as its potential consequences should it not be solved soon. Its significance dwell on the fact if an in-depth study of the problem is made, ideas may be drawn out to solve this. Ultimately, it may result into the necessary formulation of new policies against drug smuggling or the improvement of those already in existence. Just like many highly developed countries in the world, Australia has a problem with the proliferation of illegal drugs. Since it does not have its own source for these contraband, most of these drugs came from other countries and smuggled in through different means and transit points. This condition, fortunately, has made the country achieve a lesser incidence of drug use among its citizens compared to the US and the countries of Europe. However, this is not an excuse for complacency. In a survey done in 2004, 38 percent of the population aged 14 years and above were found to have used illegal drugs at least once. Of this number, 15 percent admitted that they used it only very recently. (Crime Facts Info) In fact, the problem may have only exacerbated with rising incidence of other crimes such as physical assault, sexual assault, robberies, and kidnappings. In many instances, drug use has been found to be contributing factors in the commission of these crimes. A majority of the cri minals have admitted using drugs. Historically, drug abuse in the country worsened during the Vietnam War. US soldiers on leave stayed in the country and they happen to be the most susceptible buyers of the drugs. The 1960's was also the time when the Australian youth, influenced by the hippie movement in the US, began to experiment on illicit drugs. Members of the US armed forces stationed in Australia's key cities smuggled heroin often from war-torn areas in Southeast Asia, particularly in the Thai-Burmese border. (Hamilton) Heroin, a narcotic byproduct of opium, was abundant in these areas. It was also the top selling illegal drug in the Asian-Pacific during these times. Australia, being near to the drug sources, was a most likely victim. After a brief surge in the 70's and 80's, heroin smuggling to the country has greatly diminished in the 90's. By the 2000's, there was virtually no more high-grade heroin being sold on the streets. (Weatherburn et al) However, the drug problem never actually abated since other addictive substances came into the country. Drugs as methamphetamine, cocaine, and morphine filled the void left by the heroin of Southeast Asian origin. In a media release in early 2008 by the AFP, the authorities claimed to have arrested 33 people for smuggling drugs internally. Those arrested and charged were on flights coming from Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, India, and the United Arab Emirates. (AFP, 2008) In 2008, Afghan heroin was smuggled into the country and was seen being sold in Sydney. (Kidman) II. Internal Drug Smuggling and Transnational Organized

Research paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 15

Research paper - Essay Example In the following paragraphs, we will try to extract the information about the life of this great man from the biographies written about William Shakespeare. Shakespeare was the offspring of an alderman, John Shakespeare and Mary Arden, a daughter of a wealthy farmer. The birthplace of this great poet is Stratford-upon-Avon. No exact information is available about is date of birth but he was known to have been baptized on 26th April, 1564. There is no record of date of birth in church’s register but â€Å"traditionally, Shakespeare’s birthday has been 23rd April, which was feast of St.George† ( Potter 1). William Shakespeare was named after his godfather, William and â€Å" according to Camden, this name has been most common in England since king William the Conqueror â€Å" ( qtd. in Potter 5). The early schooling of the bard was done at King’ s New School situated at Stratford. At the age of 18 he married Anne Hathaway who was eight years older than he. The couple had to hasten their marriage due to the pregnancy of Anne. The couple had three children, the eldest a daughter name Susanna and twins Hamnet an d Judith. The son died in childhood at the age of 11. Bevington refers to the controversy regarding the religious affiliations of Shakespeare and suggests that no one has the sure knowledge whether he belonged to Anglican church or was a covert believer of Catholic church. He also alludes to the skeptic mind of the great poet ( Bevington ch. 2). Schoenbaum reveals that during Shakespeare’s time church going was compulsory and the people who did not attend the church were dragged to church by church court and were imposed heavy fines. Throwing light on religious leanings of William Shakespeare, Schoenbaum declares that â€Å" the religious training provided for Shakespeare by his community was orthodox and Protestant† ( 55). He also clarifies the claims that Shakespeare was a