Practical vs. Theoretical essays

Practical vs. Theoretical essays Alexis de Tocqueville was born into a noble French family in 1805. After swearing his allegiance to the new government of France, he and a friend, Gustave de Beaumont, sought and received an assignment to study prison systems in the United States. After his arrival in May of 1831, Tocqueville made some of the cleverest, most enlightening observations anyone has ever made. His outlook on why the Americans were more addicted to practical rather than theoretical science was one of the most interesting. Equality begets in man the desire of judging of everything for himself: it gives him, in all things, a taste for the tangible and the real, a contempt for traditions and for forms. Tocqueville meant that people in America thought for themselves. They could figure out what was actually real, and did not like to follow traditions or go along with what other people thought, said, or did. This quote clearly shows that Tocqueville thought that the American people were obviously more practical than theoretical. He even stated in chapter 10, the chapter covering this issue, that Americans always displayed a clear, free, original, and inventive power of mind. He also went on to state that hardly anyone in the United States devoted himself or herself to the essentially theoretical and abstract portion of human knowledge. In a community thus organized, it may easily be conceived that the human mind may be led insensibly to the neglect of theory; and that it is urged, on the contrary, with unparalleled energy, to the applications of science, or at least to that portion of theoretical science which is necessary to those who make such applications. Alexis de Tocqueville seemed to think that Americans needed to be theoretical from time to time. He thought it would bring them more intellect, and perhaps interest. He also thought that instead of wasting good energy and activity, people should become more theoretical about things...

German Gift Ideas (Geschenkideen)

German Gift Ideas (Geschenkideen) Are you looking for a good gift for the German fan on your list? Heres a list of gift ideas for people who love German and the German-speaking countries of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. In some cases, youll find a link to the product or more information, but most of the listings below are just helpful gift ideas related to German and the German-speaking countries. Books and Dictionaries A serious all-German dictionary (hardcover)A German-English dictionary (hardcover)Dual-language books (German poetry, literature)Harry Potter books in German, German audiobooks, travel guidebook You can also look online  for books, CDs, DVDs, and more German gift ideas Christmas Season Gifts If youre giving a gift to a German lover during the Christmas season, consider the following: Carved wooden Nativity setChristmas pyramidGerman pewter or crystal tree ornamentsNutcracker figureBook of German Christmas carolsAdvent wreath with candlesChocolate Advent calendar (before Dec. 1)Steiff teddy bear or dollGerman incense smokers (figures) Steiff Teddy Bears The German Steiff company made its first teddy bears in the early 1900s. Some early Steiff bears sell for thousands of dollars to collectors. Steiff still makes its high-quality bears, and they remain the most valuable of all teddies. A new Steiff bear or other figures generally cost between $30 and $250. German Incense Smokers (Raucher) Incense smokers can be very attractive- in both modern and traditional designs. These often colorful figures represent fisherman, firemen, soldiers, postmen, and people in traditional dress. The smoke from the incense comes out of the figures mouth. Cooking, Food, and Drink Gifts German cookbookRaclette set (for fondue)Glà ¼hwein (hot mulled wine) packet with bottle of wineGerman or Austrian wineGerman wine decanter stand (Weinheber)Gift certificate to a local German/Bavarian/Swiss restaurantAustrian/Swiss chocolateCookie and gingerbread moldsEgg cup set (Eierbecher) German Decor Austrian crystal (Swarovski, Kisslinger) glass ornamentsCeramic beer steinGerman, Austrian or Bavarian flagHummel ceramic figures  Decorative bells (Bavarian, Swiss, Tyrolian)Cuckoo clockGerman hand-made candles (modern)Pewter items (steins, ornaments)Posters and photos (German scenes, Austrian/German people: Bach, Einstein, Mozart, etc.)Stuffed animals (classic Steiff teddy bear)Good luck ceramic pig (a sign of good fortune in Germany). Austrian Crystal and Glass (Krystal) Austria is well known as a producer of beautiful crystal glass in many forms and designs. Although Swarovski is the best-known brand, you should also consider Kisslinger in Tyrol.   Miscellaneous German Gifts Dirndl dress or lederhosen (Austrian/Bavarian leather pants)German TV subscription (in North America)German wrap-around sling baby carrier (Storchenwiege) Music and Movie Gifts CDs by German-language artists (Falco, Fanta4, Die Prinzen, etc.)iTunes gift certificate (for downloading music by German music/artists)iPod or MP3 playerGerman movie DVDs Travel Gifts Set of plug adapters or voltage transformers (large small)Handheld computer/PDAMultiband cell phone (that works in Europe and North America)Electronic English-German dictionaryPortable DVD playerTravel guidebook and maps

Cultural Experience Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cultural Experience - Essay Example It surely was a very different experience for me. I usually don’t get to see males having sexual feelings for each other and that too in full public view. However the gay club didn’t have any restrictions whatsoever and men were allowed to touch each others’ private parts, commit into sexual arousal activities, make-out and so on. The experience taught me that like lesbians have their own rights, gays have theirs too. And they experienced it solely within the domains of the gay clubs that have opened within the different city centers. As far as cultural dynamics are concerned, I learned that those actions and behaviors on the part of the gays were not accepted far and wide. Their actions rested solely within the realms of the gay club. When they stepped out of it, they were ordinary men who would keep a distance from other men. Thus the cultural taboo-ness of the whole saga made it even more appealing. It was a double standards situation happening right in front of me, one set of rules inside the gay club and another one, outside it. The otherness of the event made it very interesting in entirety. The otherness stemmed from the fact that I had never seen such a thing taking place in my entire life. The otherness also came about when I didn’t get to see any women in the gay club, which once again was understandable and a sheer lack of knowledge on my part. But what was really bizarre was the fact that these gays enjoyed the company of one another in explicit ways and made sure all around them knew what they were doing. As a culturally responsive helper, I gained quite a few insights. I learned that it is a taboo within any society to have gay and lesbian relationships but these run deep within any country of the world. There are separate places fixed for such activities where no limitations are bound on the gays. I also learned that everything has its limits and such activities might be considered

Dissertation proposal Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Dissertation - Research Proposal Example This is to facilitate communication and formulation of superior performance policies that focus on the participation of everyone. Employee engagement remains a hot issue with most professionals posting diverse opinion on its suitability in measuring performance in institutions. One school of thought reports that employee engagement indices criteria form a fundamental element that provides relevant incentives for measuring performance. It acts as a scorecard guideline that measures the satisfactory level of employees and consumers in service delivery. However, another school of thought faults its use since it fails to provide clear benchmarks that can be applied to facilitate credible measurement of performance. Ideally, employees hold the requisite capacity of influencing performance in institutions (Macey, Schneider & Barbera, 2009, p. 224). To ensure superior innovation and creativity in product development, proper employee engagement is essential. It ensures adequate sharing of id eas and formulation of policies with innovative ideals. It is crucial to note that, employee performance can be achieved when their morale is enhanced through adequate engagement in diverse aspects. Over the past two decades, the term employee engagement has gained increased popularity. ... Most of the previous studies on this subject have addressed a number of aspects that are related to it; others have been very general, while others have addressed the particular aspects relating to the subject (Attridge, 2009). Over the years, management practitioners and management scholars have reiterated the need of coming up with the actual measures and indicators of specific management practices in order to evaluate their relevance (Markos and Sridevi, 2010). It is in the light of this view that it is important to evaluate the relevance of employee engagement indices as a performance measure and indicator in institutions. This evaluation will be fundamental in establishing how relevant these indices are, and whether there is need of changing them in order to make them more relevant. This paper evaluates the imperativeness of employee engagement as a performance measure and advancement of cordial relations in business institutions. Background The fact that modern business demands more efficiency and higher productivity than in the past cannot be disputed. This situation has come about as a result of various factors that affect the business environment (Ologbo and Saudah, 2011). These factors include technological advancements, increased competition, and heightened customers and shareholders’ expectations among others. Organizations are making a lot of efforts to improve their performances in order to remain competitive, make more profits and survive in the turbulent business environment. Several studies have shown that one of the critical ingredients of organizational success is employees (Harter et al, 2002). More satisfied

Integrated Marketing Communication To Build Brands Essay

Integrated Marketing Communication To Build Brands - Essay Example To find a relationship between IMC, market orientation (MO), learning orientation (LO), brand orientation (BO) and brand performance 1000 questionnaires were mailed to 1000 organizations in Australia. MO has a direct positive relationship but LO do not have the relationship. Again BO has the relationship Both IMC and BO have a direct positive relationship with brand performance. IMC has a significant role to play in promoting the performance of the brand in the market. Conceptual approach redefining and supporting the empirical relationship could have been done.To find a relationship between IMC, market orientation (MO), learning orientation (LO), brand orientation (BO) and brand performance 1000 questionnaires were mailed to 1000 organizations in Australia. MO has a direct positive relationship but LO do not have the relationship. Again BO has the relationship Both IMC and BO have a direct positive relationship with brand performance. IMC has a significant role to play in promoting the performance of the brand in the market. Conceptual approach redefining and supporting the empirical relationship could have been done.Laric & Lynagh (2010) Role of IMC in sustainability marketing Based on operations of various firms and organizations, the ways as to how they tackle challenges by IMC Conceptual Approach Role of sustainability is very essential in organizations and IMC plays an effective part in enhancing it The key focus of the research was on sustainability and it has been marked as an important concept for organization. Both sustainability and IMC are important for organizations as they are correlated. A more in-depth analysis could have made the findings more viable. To examine the linkage between IMC and revenue generation. Earlier literature about IMC have been analyzed and propositions formulated and model has been developed Conceptual Approach. Internal marketing has an important role to play in organizations for generating revenue. Internal marketing enha nces the relationships among brand orientation, market orientation, and IMC. Both internal marketings, as well as intra-organizational marketing in the form of IMC, are important for organizational performance Propositions once developed are better evaluated by an empirical approach. To examine the effect of customer and competitor orientation and inter-functional coordination on the brand orientation that in turn affect to brand performance in SMEs. The hypothesis was developed and questionnaires were mailed to 4502 SMEs in Finland regarding the topic. Empirical Approach Customer orientation along with inter-functional coordination has an effect on brand orientation but competitor orientation does not have the relationship. The constructs of IMC has a direct impact on the brand performance.   Brand orientation and market orientation are directly related to the positive performance of the brand. More focus on the core concept of IMC should have been made. To focus on the concept o f IMC as a relationship-building strategy Random sample of communicating professionals from 1000 non-profit organizations were selected and the quantitative online survey was conducted.

Greek Mythology and Athena Essay Example for Free

Greek Mythology and Athena Essay On the top of Mt. Olympus lived one of the greatest g o d d e s s e s , A t h e n a . A t h e n a w a s k n o w n a s a g o d d e s s o f w a r, w i s d o m a n d a r t s . S h e i s p o r t r a y e d a s s t r o n g , f a i r a n d m e r c i f u l . S h e h e l p e d m a n y w a r r i o r s o n t h e i r j o u r n e y s . S h e w a s g r e a t l y a d m i r e d b y h u m a n s f o r h e r c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o m a n . A t h e n a w a s a l s o v e r y i n t e l l i g e n t a n d t h o u g h t f u l ; s h e r a r e l y l o s t h e r t e m p e r  a n d p u s h e d f o r a s o l u t i o n t h a t w a s b e n e f i c i a l . A s y o u r e a d o n y o u w i l l f i n d t h a t A t h e n a w a s a g r e a t a s s e t t o t h e O l y m p i a n s a n d h a d f a r m o r e p o s i t i v e a t t r i b u t e s t h a n o t h e r g o d d e s s e s . The birth of Athena was more than an unusual one. Her m o t h e r w a s M e t i s a n d h e r f a t h e r Z e u s . Z e u s r e i g n e d o v e r a l l t h e gods and goddesses of Mt. Olympus. It is no wonder that a god this powerful and dominant would need no woman to bear his  o f f s p r i n g . Z e u s w a s t o l d b y h i s m o t h e r a n d F a t h e r t h a t M e t i s w o u l d b a r e c h i l d r e n . Z e u s w a s n o t h a p p y a b o u t t h i s ; h e f e l t i t w o u l d j e o p a r d i z e h i s p o s i t i o n a s r u l e r. W h e n M e t i s w a s a b o u t t o g i v e b i r t h , Z e u s s w a l l o w e d h e r a n d i n t h e p r o c e s s g a i n e d h e r i n t e l l i g e n c e a n d w i s d o m . A t t h e t i m e Z e u s t h o u g h t i t w a s a g o o d i d e a b u t i t w a s n o w c a u s i n g h i m p a i n . H i s h e a d a c h e b e c a m e s o s e v e r e t h a t h e w o u l d d o a n y t h i n g t o r e l i e v e i t . H e gave permission for another god to hit him in the head with an axe. When he did this, out popped Athena full grown and w e a r i n g a s u i t o f a r m o r . A t h e n a b e c a m e h e r f a t h e r ’s f a v o r i t e . S h e r e m a i n e d h i s a l l y b u t a l s o h i s p r o t e c t o r. S h e p r o m o t e d h i s i n t e r e s t s a n d s e r v e d a s h i s a d v i s o r. A t h e n a a l s o i n h e r i t e d s o m e  i m p o r t a n t t r a i t s f r o m h e r m o t h e r a s w e l l ; w i s d o m a n d j u s t i c e were two of the big ones. A t h e n a w a s t h e g o d d e s s o f w i s d o m a n d w a r . S h e w a s normally depicted holding a spear, but she was known more for h e r r o l e a s m e d i a t o r a n d d i p l o m a t t h a n f o r a c t u a l l y f i g h t i n g i n b a t t l e . H e r d e c i s i o n s w e r e h i g h l y e t h i c a l a n d s e l d o m m o t i v a t e d b y h e r s e l f i n t e r e s t o r b e l i e f s . M a n y o f t h e G r e e k m y t h s t e l l  tales of her giving help to various gods, goddesses and hero’s a s t h e y w e n t i n t o b a t t l e . A t h e n a h a d g i v e n P e r s e u s h i s m o s t h e l p f u l t o o l t o s l a y M e d u s a , h i s s h i e l d . A n y o n e w h o l o o k e d t h e m o n s t e r d i r e c t l y i n t h e e y e s w o u l d b e t u r n e d t o s t o n e . A f t e r h e b e h e a d e s M e d u s a h e g a v e i t t o A t h e n a t o d e c o r a t e h e r a r m o u r. A l s o o n t h e v o y a g e b a c k f r o m t r o y s h e p r o t e c t e d U l y s s e s . T h e most help she gave though was to Hercules. She stood by his s i d e a n d w a s a g r e a t c o m f o r t t o h i m . A f t e r h i s p a s s i n g s h e w e l c o m e d h i m i n t o t h e g a t e s o f M t . O l y m p u s . A t h e n a c a m e d o w n f r o m M t . O l y m p u s a n d w a l k e d b e t w e e n t h e t w o a r m i e s a n d m a d e b o t h s i d e s s w e a r t o k e e p p e a c e , s h e d i d t h i s t o p r e v e n t t h e T r o j a n Wa r . U n f o r t u n a t e l y o n e o f t h e s o l d i e r s w e n t a g a i n s t h i s o a t h a n d l e t l o o s e h i s a r r o w ; t h i s w a s t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e  T r o j a n Wa r . A t h e n a e x p r e s s e d h e r a n g e r t o w a r d t h e s o l d i e r b y helping the other side to victory. In one of her most well known adventures Athena took shape of men, women and children to l e a d w a n d e r i n g O d y s s e u s . T h i s a l l o w e d h i m t o r e t u r n h o m e s a f e l y t o h i s f a m i l y a n d c h i l d r e n . Athena is one of the three virgin goddesses, referred to as a v i r g i n b e c a u s e s h e w a s a b l e t o r e m a i n u n s w a y e d b y A p h r o d i t e . Aphrodite is the goddess of love, marriage and motherhood. M o t h e r l e s s h e r s e l f , A t h e n a u s u a l l y p l a c e d P a t r i a r c h a l principles above motherly bonds. Athena not only gave to the w a r r i o r s b u t t o a l l h u m a n s . H e r r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s w e r e g i v i n g w i s d o m , i n v e n t i o n s , i n s p i r a t i o n s a n d p r o t e c t i n g t h e A t h e n s . O n e o f h e r g r e a t e s t g i f t s w a s h e r k n o w l e d g e o f t a m i n g h o r s e s , s h e taught the people of Cyrene and word soon spread. She also  c r e a t e d t h e p o t t e r y w h e e l a n d m a d e t h e f i r s t v a s e o n i t . S h e w a s a l s o a g r e a t w e a v e r a n d l o v e d t o d e c o r a t e . S h e w a s a g o d d e s s o f m a n y t a l e n t s a n d a n e x p e r t a r t i s a n . N o b o d y e v e r c a m e c l o s e t o s u r p a s s i n g h e r w o r k a l t h o u g h a y o u n g m o r t a l w o m a n n a m e d A r a c h n e ’ s p u t h e r t o t h e t e s t . T h e c h a l l e n g e w a s t o s e e w h o w a s t h e b e t t e r w e a v e r. A r a c h n e ’s t a p e s t r y h a d o f f e n d e d h e r g r e a t l y,  i t d e p i c t e d Z e u s a s a d u l t e r o u s . A t h e n a r i p p e d t h e t a p e s t r y t o s h r e d s a n d A r a c h n e e v e n t u a l l y h u n g h e r s e l f . O n c e A t h e n a h a d cooled off from what had happened, she transformed the woman i n t o a s p i d e r o u t o f p i t y. T h e w o m a n w a s n o w a b l e t o w e a v e b e a u t i f u l s p i d e r w e b s f o r e t e r n i t y. In the past Poseidon and Athena had a fight to take over a c i t y i n G r e e c e . To s e t t l e t h e a r g u m e n t , t h e y e a c h h a d t o g i v e a  g i f t t o t h e c i t y. T h e o n e w i t h t h e b e t t e r g i f t w o u l d b e c o m e l e a d e r o f t h e c i t y. P o s e i d o n g a v e a s p r i n g o f w a t e r t o t h e c i t y, b e c a u s e i t w a s s a l t w a t e r i t w a s o f n o u s e t o t h e p e o p l e . A t h e n a g a v e t h e c i t y a n o l i v e t r e e . F r o m t h i s t r e e t h e y c o u l d e a t , m a k e oil and have wood for fire. By ruling of the city, Athena’s gift w a s b e t t e r t h a n P o s e i d o n s . I n h e r h o n o r t h e y n a m e d t h e c i t y A t h e n s . T h e r e i s a l s o a p a l a c e d e d i c a t e d t o h e r i n A t h e n s . H e r s y m b o l s a r e t h e o w l a n d t h e o l i v e t r e e . T h e o l i v e s , t a m i n g o f t h e h o r s e a n d h e r c r e a t i o n o f t h e p o t t e r y w h e e l w e r e a l l c o n t r i b u t i o n s t h a t w e r e g r e a t l y a d m i r e d . O t h e r w o m e n r a r e l y t o o k t h r e a t t o A t h e n a ; t h e m o s t n o t a b l e e x c e p t i o n t h o u g h w a s h e r c h i l d h o o d f r i e n d P a l l a s . I n o n e o f t h e s t o r i e s P a l l a s a n d  A t h e n a w e r e b o t h t o m b o y s a n d i n s e p a r a b l e , t h e y p r a c t i c e d f i g h t i n g s k i l l s a n d s h a r e d p l a y f u l a d v e n t u r e s . D u r i n g t a r g e t p r a c t i c e , A t h e n a a c c i d e n t a l l y s h o t a n d k i l l e d P a l l a s w i t h a b o w and arrow. So distraught over the loss of her friend, Athena t o o k P a l l a s ’ n a m e a n d a d d e d i t t o h e r s . O f t e n t i m e s s h e w a s r e f e r r e d t o a s P a l l a s A t h e n a , t h i s w a s t o h o n o r h e r f r i e n d . N o t  o n l y d i d A t h e n a ’s d e c i s i o n s d e m o n s t r a t e w i s d o m b u t a l s o c o m p a s s i o n a s w e l l . I n a n o t h e r s t o r y a m a n n a m e d Te i r e s i a s a c c i d e n t a l l y w a l k e d i n o n A t h e n a w h i l e s h e w a s b a t h i n g . T h i s w a s a n a c t t h a t n o r m a l l y w o u l d h a v e b e e n p u n i s h e d b y d e a t h . Athena took pity on him though; she covered his eyes with her hands making the man blind. She gave him the gift of inner s i g h t. A t h e n a n o r m a l l y p u t p a t r i a r c h a l p r i n c i p l e s a b o v e  m a t r i a r c h a l b o n d s . S h e i d e n t i f i e d w i t h t h e p a t r i a r c h y a n d usually supported their side in a dispute. In the first trial of h i s t o r y, A t h e n a c a s t t h e f i n a l v o t e o n a c q u i t t i n g O r e s t e ’ s o f m u r d e r i n g h i s m o t h e r t o a v e n g e h i s f a t h e r ’s d e a t h . S h e w a s p e r s u a d e d b y A p o l l o w h o s a i d a m o t h e r ’s d e a t h w a s o f l e s s i m p o r t a n c e t h a n a f a t h e r. Wo m e n s i m p l y n u r t u r e a s e e d b u t m e n a c t u a l l y p l a n t i t . M e n a r e v i e w e d a s h i g h e r i m p o r t a n c e t o A t h e n a . M o r e t h a n a n y o f t h e o t h e r g o d d e s s e s A t h e n a r e m a i n s a s y m b o l o f k n o w l e d g e , w i s d o m , l o g i c a n d c i v i l i z a t i o n . A t h e n a r e m i n d s u s t h a t w e c a n s u c c e s s f u l l y u s e o u r i n t e l l e c t a n d c r e a t i v i t y t o r e a c h a n y g o a l s . WORKS CITED: 1. ) http://www. theoi. com/Olympios/AthenaMyths. html 2. ) http://ancienthistory. about. com/cs/grecoromanmyth1/p/Athena. htm 3. ) http://gogreece. about. com/cs/mythology/a/mythathena. htm.

Carnivorous Plants Essay -- essays research papers

Carnivorous Plants In a world where plants are at the bottom of the food-chain, some individual plant species have evolved ways to reverse the order we expect to find in nature. These insectivorous plants, as they are sometimes called, are the predators , rather than the passive prey. Adaptions such as odiferous lures and trapping mechanisms have made it possible for these photosynthesizers to capture, chemically break-down and digest insect prey (and in some cases even small animals.) There is no reason to fear them though. The majority are herbaceous perennials, usually only 4 to 6 inches high, and nothing like the plant in "Little Shop of Horrors". Almost all carnivorous plants have a basically similar ecology and several different species are often found growing almost side by side. They are most likely to be found in swamps, bogs, damp heaths and muddy or sandy shores. Drosophyllum lusitanicum from Portugal and Morocco is the one exception, it grows on dry gravelly hills. Like other green plants, carnivorous plants contain the organic pigment chlorophyll. This pigment helps to mediate a chemical process called photosynthesis. This converts light energy into the chemical bond energy of carbohydrate which is utilized as cellular energy, plant growth and development. Water, carbon dioxide, nutrients and minerals are also needed for survival. In wetlands, where stagnate water contains acidic compounds and chemicals from decaying organic matter many plants have a difficult time obtaining necessary nutrients. It is in these nutrient poor conditions that some plants evolved different ways of obtaining nutrients. The ability of carnivorous plants to digest nitrogen -rich animal protein enables these plants to survive in somewhat hostile environments. The evolution of carnivorous plants is speculative due to the paucity of the fossil record. It is believed that plant carnivory may have evolved millions of years ago from plants whose leaves formed depressions that retained rain water. Small insects would sometimes fall into these water reservoirs and drown, eventually being decomposed by bacteria in the water. The nutrients from the insects would be absorbed by the leaf. The deeper the leaf depression the more insects that could be drowned. This would have creat... ... as frogs and small rodents. Nepenthes are unique amongst carnivorous plants as the only dioecious genus, which means there are separate male and female plants. These plants are very endangered and several species or extinct. Some species of Nepenthes are sold for hundreds of dollars to collectors and are involved in illegal overseas trade. The growing of carnivorous plants has become very popular in recent years. Unfortunately the endangered status of many species does not stop collectors from risking high fines and field collecting them. This has had seriously impact on many species, but collectors are not the biggest problem facing carnivorous plants. In the USA and other developed countries wetlands are considered useless and are being drained and developed on. At present it is estimated that only 3-5% of carnivorous plant habitat remain in the US. Another problem is that fires are put out before they spread even though many plants, such as the Venus fly trap, benefit from periodic burns. Habitat destruction from slash and burn agriculture, however, does not benefit any of the carnivorous plants and is also causing a great deal of the extinctions.