In what ways did the role of NATO during the course of the 1990s - 1100 Words

In what ways did the role of NATO change during the course of the 1990s (Research Paper Sample) Content: WritingIn what ways did the role of NATO change during the course of the 1990s?Customers NameCustomers Grade CourseCustomer Tutors NameIntroduction North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, is an organization that is said to have been founded to act in response to a number of threats which had been posed by and staged by the Soviet Union. However, this might be of no much truth since the creation of this Alliance had been reached as a fundamental decision in which it were to help in serving three major purposes, and such were to deter any kind of Soviet expansionism during this time of the war period and post war, as well forbid the possible revival of a new nationalist militarism which would be based in Europe, and which would be realized through the formation of a very big presence in North America within the continent, thirdly, to effectively encourage a stronger European integration in terms of politics. That had been the beginning and the main progression which had been put forth towards arriving at the formation of NATO. Changes in Roles of NATO during the 1990sPresently, the mission for NATO has been in the continued extension of peace through application of strategic projections which give room to security, and such a mission would not fit its operations and roles during the past years. Basically, the years following the end of the World War II is known to have seen much of the European nations devastated from the war, and is a manner which has up to today remained hard to come up with an appropriate envision. Approximately, about 36 million Europeans were known to have died during the world war and with majority of them being civilians. The need for refugee camps was a necessity and something which rationally dominated the daily life in the continent. This meant that the exact and original roles of NATO had to change accordingly. In that case, this paper gives an outlook on the role change in NATO in the 1990s. In the years of the 1 950s, this Alliance had been known to be purely a defensive tool and organization for the states who had become members. Come the next decade of the 1960s, the same NATO changed its roles and became a purely political instrument which had the mission for dtente. This means that the roles of NATO have been changing so as to address the specific problems which are being faced within different areas of the globe. For instance, another formidable change in roles was in the years of the 1990s. During this decade in time, it has been well known and confirmed that the roles of the Alliance did change significantly and became a purposeful tool in ensuring that there had been the continued stabilization and strengthening of Eastern Europe to its allies within Central Asia. Such a mission and a role had been brought forth through the massive incorporation of some new allies and partners from the specific areas. In the year of 1989, history record that the Soviet Union had almost come to a c ollapse following the eventful collapse of the Berlin wall which had divided the nation into a communism and a capital economy. During this time, it was necessary for the Soviet Union to run out and come up with new reforms and in that case withdrew from the European nations. In that case, the Soviet realized that they had been spending a lot from their economy in the struggle and hence they had decided to recede back and get out of Europe, and hence this led to a new definition of NATO, and some other nations and experts arguing that the Alliance had already achieved all what it wanted and should hence be brought to an end. Following this fall of the Berlin Wall in Germany, the nations were in a new era in which democracy had been opened and peace as well had been able to crop in. This led to greater joy within the nations but the greatest question was on whether the Germans were going to remain neutral. However, the question that had been greatly debated upon was whether there w as the need of having NATO still running. The major understanding was that the endurance of NATO during the past years had been in ensuring that Soviet Union had been contained, and hence still it had come to an end, there was the need of adopting new roles if the Alliance was to still remain in power. During this new era, it is well known that the new definition of Europe had expanded farther to the east following the union with countries such as Turkey. During this new era of the 1990s, there was the sudden incorporation of Germany into the alliance, and this is something which brought a lot of unrest and uncertainty.Following this development, NATO had become a new foundation and a corner stone in progression for a much larger security for a larger European architecture. During the year of 1991 in December, the allies who had composed NATO came up with a new establishment of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, NACC, and later renamed it to Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, EAPC, later in 1997. This new renaming of NATO did bring very many allies from far as Eastern Europe, Central Europe, and as well was able to incorporate into it countries from Central Asia who are neighbors to Europe. This saw a strong union which had been composed of many liberated nations and who wanted better peace for economic development and ensuring there was peace and good relationship with all the member states.During the time of the 1990s, we shall thus see that the new ideology was in coming up with new relationships and setting in place a new foundation towards the development and aspiration for a new peace, democratic region, and as well fostering the rightful European interrelationship and integration. During this same time, the role of NATO was thus in making sure that there had been the development of freedom and maximum cooperation which would be extended southwards. Because of this need to incorporate more nations and by so doing enhance cooperation, the southwar d move was able to capture a number of countries within the Northern Africa region such as Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania, Jordan, and even Israel in Asia. During this time, the new approach was in spreading a dialogue which had been aimed at ensuring that there had been the approximate development of stability and security, and as well ensure there was a better and a mutual understanding within the whole of the Mediterranean region. Looking at NATO during this time period in age, it will be noted that there was a new pledge in which a new cooperation among nations was being bread, thus abandoning the former roles and missions which had been in addressing and containing the progression of the Soviet Union. Basically, the successful collapse of communism is something which gave rise to new developments and a new rise in nationalism. During the time, the first test of the new roles was the ethnic violence which was recorded in Yugoslavia. During this time, the allies had decide d to keep away and by so doing hesitating to intervene, but later it was sad that the war had greatly aggravated and had led to a lot of ethnic killing and cleansing, and during the time NATO decided to come in strongly and make sure such war had been brought to an end. Towards the engagement, the alliance decided to offer sipper to United Nations, and very soon there was the enormous effort which was able to bring an end to the civil war. The alliance also enforced peace through naval embargo and by so doing being able to record a new line of duty which had been its new purpose for the member nations. During the year of 1995, this alliance is also known to have engaged a strong air attack which is known to have been the successful missions that led to end of the civil unrest which had been faced in the nation. It has also been able to hold a number of peace talks and agreements which have been ...

The Influence of Media on Teenagers Diet - 788 Words

The Influence of Media on Obese Teenager’s Diet Introduction Media influence Food product choice is overwhelming as well as TV commercials and print advertisements that want to sell their food products to us. Who to believe? How to choose? Do you trust what is shown to you? Obviously, it’s up to each of us to decide what we eat but if we’re constantly bombarded with images of food every time we pick up a magazine then we’re going to be swayed in what we choose. The advertising of snack and so called junk foods to young people is being blamed for an obesity epidemic in the United States and elsewhere. Is advertising to blame? Are there other factors going on? How does advertising, for example, work to target young people? Many†¦show more content†¦We also asked the participation of our group member, Princess Domingo to be the subject on our case study, and observe how food advertisements affect her diet. Hypothesis 1. That food advertising affects eating behavior of obese teens. 2. That brand preference on food affects food choices. 3. Watching while snacking increases risk for obesity and other nutrition related diseases. 4. Nutrition marketing is used on labels of foods that are high in saturated fat, sodium, and/or sugar. 5. Food manufacturers link diet to obesity risks in advertising and labeling. 6. Shoppers consider food advertisements on choosing foods they will pick on groceries mostly leads to obesity. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK * Television * Magazines * Newspaper * Internet * Billboards * Restaurant’s leaflets * Risk for diseases * Low self esteem * Poor performances on physical activity * Insecurities o Obesity FIGURE 1 The paradigm illustrates that media such as television, magazines, newspapers, internet, billboards and restaurant’s leaflets are factors that influence obesity in teenagers. 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Activity Based Costing Vs Full Costing Method - Free Solution

Question: Explain how activity-based costing differs from the full costing method. How can activity-based costing be applied to the service sector when the activities that it seeks to analyse tend to be related to manufacturing? Answer: Introduction The given assignment provides about activity based costing and how it differs from Full Costing system. Also, the application of ABC is discussed for service sector and manufacturing Activity based costing is a powerful tool for performance measurement. Activity based Costing; assigning indirect cost (overhead) into direct cost, this is what defines the ABC. It can also be defined as approach to monitor activities which involves tracing resource consumption and costing final outputs. Discussion Under the full costing method, the cost of the finished goods is calculated as the sum of the cost of the direct materials, cost of direct wages, variable overheads and the fixed manufacturing overheads. Under full costing the total cost is allocated among the product units. The full costing method is also known as the absorption costing method. It is the traditional method of accounting which focuses on the assigning of the cost of various resources to the products and services directly. Under the absorption costing method the cost of the various fixed overheads is distributed equally on the basis of number of unit of the goods produced. The method of fixing of the prices is dependent on the inventory. The higher level of inventory leads to lower level of product cost and the lower levels of inventory leads to higher levels of cost. The absorption costing complies with the rules and regulations that are provided in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles, financ ial accounting standards board. The absorption costing method helps to calculate the overall profitability of manufacturing system. The full costing method is suitable for the small firms and the firms that are producing the homogenous products. (N. Nayab Jean Scheid, 2010) Under the activity based costing, the various activity centers are identified in the organization and after that the various cost are assigned on the basis of the identified activity centers. Under this the activity is properly evaluated and thus the purpose of the activity is identified and the cost is assigned on the basis of the demand of each activity by various units. Under the activity based costing the various incurred cost is traced in order to allocate them. It is the modern system of allocating cost and it is based on the concepts that the various activities are consumed by the products and the services and resources are required for those activities. The method of fixing the prices does not change with the levels of the inventory. Activity based costing requires two types of cost systems to be prepared one is the cost system and the other is the accounting books of records. It provides information in relation to the cautioning of the enterprise and thus helps in the proces s of decision making. It is beneficial in large companies and companies with multi product operations. (Dr. Carl Marx, 2009) The activity based costing can be applied to the service sectors where the activities that it seeks to analyze tend to relate to manufacturing can be implemented after the execution of the various provided steps: 1. The cost needs to be properly classified by classifying the drivers in accordance with the respective groups. 2. After the classification of the cost, the various identified cost drivers need to be aggregated and grouped into different activities that are to be analyzed. 3. The proper reporting need to be done in relation to the aggregated costs. 4. The various activity centers need to be identified. 5. The various cost drivers are selected on the basis of the first and the second stage and thus the total cost is calculated. (Ruhl, J.M., B.P. Hartman, 1998) Conclusion ABC costing and full costing method are differentiated and the above mentioned steps should be followed for application of Activity-Based Costing to the service sector where the activities that it seeks to analyze tend to relate to manufacturing. References: 1. Nayab Jean Scheid, 2010, Absorption Costing vs. Activity Based Costing. 2. Rose Johnson, 2014, Traditional Costing vs. Activity Based Costing. 3. Carl Marx, 2009, Activity Based Costing (ABC) and Traditional Costing Systems. 4. Horngren, Charles T., Gary L. Sundem, and William O. Stratton. Introduction to Management Accounting. 11th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1999 5. Ruhl, J.M., B.P. Hartman, 1998, Activity-Based Costing in the Service Sector Advances in Management Accounting, pp. 147-161. 6. Ashford C. Chea, 2011, Activity-Based Costing System in the service sector: A strategic approach for enhancing managerial decision making.

Marketing Product Dove free essay sample

STP Segment Target Group Personal Health Care – Soap , Hair Care Deodorants Targets women of all ages, shapes sizes Dove is committed to help all women realise their personal beauty potential by creating products that deliver real care. Positioning SWOT 1. Dove contains 1/4 moisturizing cream 2. Zero pH levels 3. Flagship product of HUL with strong brand awareness through advertising and branding 4. Promises not to leave any residue on the skin 1. Highly priced for the Indian Market 2. Targets only the female segment 1. Can target male audience 2. Continuous innovation 1. Increased Competition in this market segment 2. Popular only in Metro cities 3. Only for higher income and upper middle class group Strength Weakness Opportunity Threats 4 P’s Of Marketing Product Dove product line includes a variety of skin care soaps. Its range includes a variety of products such as antiperspirants/deodorants, body washes, beauty bars, lotions/moisturisers, hair care and facial care products . Place The dove products are manufactured in The Netherlands, Hammold, Indiana, USA, Germany, Ireland and Brazil. We will write a custom essay sample on Marketing Product Dove or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Dove enjoys its highest share in Canada, unilever canada played the lead role in the global marketing push for the brand. It markets its products globally Promotion Media channels: consumer magazines, tv, outdoor ,road shows. Dove regularly uses magazines for advertisement such as, cosmopolitian, marie claire and elle. Dove released a marketing campaign in 2008- playing less on super models, laying more emphasis on â€Å"real beauty† real , normal people posing for the camera. Price Initially the brand was not successful in India because of its high prices. (example: dove soap’s initial price was around Rs. 50 that put of even the premium customers). WAfter the â€Å"Campaign for real beauty† the brand lowered its prices which had somewhat become reasonable. (example: dove soap was now available at Rs 28). Competitors Olay (Procter Gamble) Neutrogena (Johnson Johnson’s) Nivea (Beirsdorf’s)

The Morality of Stem Cell Research Essays

The Morality of Stem Cell Research Essays The Morality of Stem Cell Research Essay The Morality of Stem Cell Research Essay Much debate has raged over the influence of nature and nurture on how people behave. Indeed human behavior can be studied by using environmental and biological approaches. However, there is a divergence in beliefs as to the roles of nature and nurture as far as human development is concerned. Fukuyama in his book Our Posthuman Future (2002) believes that science when taken to extreme, would very well be the cause of humanity’s end. The book argues that the manipulation of the very process that define life can create minute but certain changes in our common humanity, thereby altering our collective values underlie our history. (Fukuyama, 2002, p. 7) Consequently, the author believes that biotechnology may very well signal a revolution of catastrophic levels and advocates for controlling such rapid advances in medical and biological technology. This paper seeks to analyze this argument by framing it within an existing and controversial issue which is stem cell research. Humanity: A Sense of Personhood What separates humans from animals? That question has long baffled philosophers, psychologists, and scientists alike, because the answers are both simple and complex that any one person can come up theories as to the elements that distinguish humans from other kinds of animals. More than anything else, it is the ability to be deliberate in our choices and actions as we navigate the daily responsibilities of life. The ability to be guided by reason and free will and discern right and wrong separates us from animals (Harre 1998). This ability to differentiate and reflect between right and wrong is called personhood. The idea of personhood is something that is intimately tied with our collective consciousness and humanity, which explains why it can be very difficult to define, much less describe within certain parameters. The ideas behind personhood are the basis of fundamental human rights, humanitarian acts, as well as laws and regulations of an ordered society. Personhood may be defined as that innate capacity and right of a person for conscious deliberation and self-determination, based on proper reasoning. Personhood is not merely a function of genetic or organic existence. Much of personhood is an intangible concept that goes beyond simply being labeled as a living organism. Frankfurt (1971, p 6) defines a person as a creature with the capacity to fulfill needs and desires in ways that indicate free will and reasoning. The person is able to identify these needs and desires and acts in deliberation and fr ee will in order to achieve such desires. The person, acting in such capacity, is fully aware of the motivations that lead him or her to such actions. A person is a unique creature and stands apart from other animals because humans have the ability to deliberate on desires and make the appropriate choices and actions based on their free will. The person’s free will and reasoning enables him to make appropriate actions and whether to repress these desires or pursue its fulfillment. Unlike animals that are driven by instinct and basal needs, a person has the ability to exercise his free will and reason and make a choice on what actions to take. Raz (2006, p. 3) elevates the concept of personhood further to emphasize the role of reason in the exercise of free will. Raz maintains that it is reason that determines if an individual is truly using his free will or not. Given a variety of desires and needs, the person, guided by reason, decides on what desires to act on, if at all. T he choices are based on the individual’s ability to evaluate and prioritize desires and recognize motivations and ascribe to them values of right and wrong (Watson 1987, p. 217). Analysis of Ethical Issues Unlike animals that are driven by instinct and basal needs, a person has the ability to exercise his free will and reason and make a choice on what actions to take. Raz (2006, p. 3) elevates the concept of personhood further to emphasize the role of reason in the exercise of free will. Raz maintains that it is reason that determines if an individual is truly using his free will or not. Given a variety of desires and needs, the person, guided by reason, decides on what desires to act on, if at all. The choices are based on the individual’s ability to evaluate and prioritize desires and recognize motivations and ascribe to them values of right and wrong. (Watson, 1987, p. 217) From these values we make the choices that we make and create a civilized and ordered society. However, the challenges of life create blurred lines between what is ethical and what is not. Stem Cell Research Stem Cell is deeply related to personhood. New discoveries in medicine and science technology have pushed the boundaries of medical technology and the mapping of the human DNA has given scientists the blueprint for life and the variables that make it so unique to each person. The controversy surrounding stem cell revolves around the use of embryos to harvest stem cells and use them as potential cures for wide range of illnesses from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease, from spinal cord injuries to lung diseases and most degenerative diseases. (Panno, 2006, p. 76) The curative power of stem cells lies in its undifferentiated state. These stem cells are the progeny of all the kinds of cells and tissues that form in the body. Stem cells can be developed into any kind of cell, replacing those that are aberrant or damaged in the patient’s body. Stem cells can be harvested and then planted into people with illnesses. (Fukuyama, 2002, p. 58)   Once inside the body, the stem cells can then be molded into any specific cell that the person needs. Stem cells are present in all individuals, however in adults, the stem cells lose some of their purity and patency and there is a high risk of mismatching and consequent failure to graft. However the bigger issue is that the potential of adult stem cells to differentiate is narrower, meaning that their potential to become other types of cells are limited, often limited to the type of tissue where they came from. Embryo stem cells have no such limitations; they are pluripotent – which means they have the capacity to become any kind of cell in the body. This quality of embryonic stem cells makes them the ideal source for undifferentiated cells that can be used to repair cell and tissue damage. (Holland, Lebacqz, Zoloth, 2001, p. 5) The Emotional Case Against Stem Cell Research Ethical issues arise because embryos or fetal tissues can be used only to be sources of stem cells. These embryos may be used or even destroyed in the course of harvesting and research. The developing fetus does not have the power to refuse such actions and is helpless to do anything about it. Taking the debate further, when the technology has been perfected, there is also the fear of creating embryos only for the purpose of healing someone else’s illness and not for the creation of life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   At the heart of the debate of stem cell research is personhood and the question of the viability of life. Pro-life groups reiterate the same arguments for abortion as they are doing with stem cell research. They fight for the right of the unborn and argue that life begins upon the meeting of the sperm cell and the egg. Pro-life sections of society argue that stem cell research violate the most basic of human rights and bioethical principles, foremost of which is the principle of informed consent. Implicit to the element of respect for personhood and basic human rights is the concept of informed consent (Merrill 1998). In the medical field, informed consent is legal stipulation that presupposes that patients of legal age agree to have a medical operation or procedure done on them only after being given the full facts of the situation, including the risks that they may face while undergoing said procedure. (Beauchamp Childress 1994, p. 21) This principle extends to experimental and mainstream medical procedures. While it may be argued that the knowledge gained from stem cell research and the potential it has to save millions of lives, the knowledge gained is stained by how it was attained. Certainly there are better ways to harvest and use embryo stem cells and such information could have been obtained using more humane and ethical procedures, one that would not have to entail the destruction and the blatant disregard for human life. The concept of informed consent is grounded on the principle that medical professionals should be able to communicate properly the situation and all the possible risks that the medical intervention may entail. Based on the information given the patient will then weigh whether the benefits of the intervention outweighs the risks and then makes the decision. Informed consent empowers individual to make choices about their own health conditions and what can and cannot be done about it. Health care professionals are legally and ethically bound to engage the patient and involve them in issues that concern their own bodies. (Beauchamp Childress 1994, p. 48). Informed consent, as a manifestation of our basic human right to freedom and dignity is the cornerstone of bioethics. If we are stripped of the right to determine what happens to our own body in the name of medical science, then it is in violation of the very essence of research. However, we disregard such basic rights when it comes to the unborn precisely because they have no capacity to demonstrate their choices and no capacity to deliberate on the consequences. Because embryos have no such abilities, we assume that they do not have the right to be accorded or extended the same rights as we do adult humans. The Case for Stem Cell Research (Proponents) Those who support stem cell research argue that embryos are not viable human beings. Therefore, in the absence of personhood and the viability of life, embryos can be treated as we do any lab animal to further the cause of medical science and cure the many illnesses that beset mankind. Scientists and researchers believe that they are doing a greater good because of the great potential of stem cells to cure heretofore incurable maladies. Indeed, the ability of embryonic stem cells to cure has long been proven and there have been many instances of dramatic life-saving stories involving stem cell. The proponents have scientific data to validate their stand and they make use of the actual lives that have been saved by using stem cells. The point is to advance medical knowledge and improve existing technologies and methodologies. Some also argue that we need to do the research in order to discover ways that would harvest fetal stem cells without destroying it. (Bellomo, 2006, p. 12) Some sacrifices must be made in the refinement of the process and soon a technique may be discovered that would point to a less destructive source of pluripotent stem cells or to some technique that will enable us to create stem cells separate from a fertilized egg. The potential of stem cell research is as unlimited as the potential of the stem cells themselves. The medical community believes in its greater good to cure sick people and to extend to people the healthy and happy life that is also an inherent right of all mankind. Abortion: The Roots of the Debate Against Stem Cell Research Clearly, based on these definitions, personhood is an attempt to define the characteristics that allows us to determine whether an organism is a person or not. Simply, put three elements must be present for personhood: free will, reasoning, and moral decisions. Our actions are constantly being judged as moral or not, and we have the choice whether to ascribe to these moral laws. Of course all of these actions, whether moral or not will then have consequences that the person must deal with. Why should there be a debate in the first place as to what renders a person a human being? The debate is mainly a legal issue. Much of the legal laws that govern most societies are based on personhood and legal debate is also the basis whether an action is illegal or not. One of the most enduring and controversial issues about personhood is the question of when it actually begins. The issue of personhood determines whether stem cell research is morally and legally right. Of course, people on both sides of the fence would arbitrarily argue that personhood is one thing or another, depending on what best suits their purpose. Those who are against stem cell research would argue that personhood begins during conception, while those on the opposite side would maintain that personhood cannot exist during the fetal stage and therefore, there is no actual act of violation to the baby while in this stage. (Fukuyama, 2002, p. 89) The debate against stem cell research is intimately tied with issues of abortion. Because stem cell technology is fairly new, there is no judicial precedent yet. However, in terms of personhood and the viability of life debate first came to a head in the watershed Roe vs. Wade (1973) case. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the woman has the right to have an abortion up until a certain time when the fetus becomes â€Å"viable†. Viable in this case is defined as the period when the fetus has the potential to survive outside the womb, regardless of any medical or artificial assistance. This is generally considered to take place during the 6th or 7th month of fetal life. Abortions before this period of viability are then ruled to be permissible if needed to protect the woman’s health. The decision does not legalize abortion but allows it as long as the woman has an abortion before the fetus becomes viable and only for medical reasons (Scott 1990, p. 67). At the heart of the controversy and debate that continues to rage to this day is the respect for both the personhood of the mother and the baby inside her and the stem cells that fetal cells contain. If, by exercising her personhood, the mother decides to harvest the stem cell to help a relative or another child, is she morally wrong or right? Or what if she decides to terminate her pregnancy altogether? What conditions make stem cell harvest legal and when is it not? Of course, the much deeper issue that should be addressed is where do we go off deciding the viability of a fetus and the value of life? The case created a deep schism and polarized a country between those who were pro-life (anti-abortion) and pro-choice (pro-abortion). The decision practically upheld abortion as a basic human right, and is protected by law as long as it is done with within certain narrowly-defined parameters. The woman’s decision to terminate her pregnancy falls under her right to privacy and pe rsonhood. She, being the owner of her body, has the right to deliberate and determine how she wants her own body to be. Roe was a rape victim who got pregnant as a result of the criminal act. She then wanted to have an abortion, arguing that the circumstances of her pregnancy give her moral and legal right to an abortion. Interpretation Perhaps we shall never be able to fully deliberate on the morality and legality of stem cell research because at best, we can only speculate on the viability and personhood of a fetus. In such cases, the value of a human life is debated only when stem cell harvesting becomes an option or when a legal case arises from it. In most cases, there seems to be a consensus that human life begins at the moment of conception and that personhood, as a process, begins also at this time. The controversy of stem cell research and the challenges that it poses to our moral and ethical directions is a reflection of our exercise of personhood. It should be discussed and deliberated and questioned because the failure to do so is the failure of our own collective and individual humanity. And in this case, Fukuyama may be right. Such issues that cause such polarization can very well erode humanity.

First Term Paper - Why I know I am not in the Matrix

First - Why I know I am not in the Matrix - Term Paper Example As a means of integrating with the plot and philosophical subthemes of The Matrix, this particular analysis will seek to engage the reader with a well balanced understanding for why it is obvious that the life that each and every individual experiences is not a type of virtual or coded reality. In order to integrate with the question of what is â€Å"real† and what is â€Å"a subjective viewpoint†, it is necessary to discuss the way in which the theme of The Matrix can adequately be defined with respect to the way in which Descartes discussed reality and what made humans certain of anything. Descartes viewed the subjectivity of the human experience, the question of reality, and the fact that no understanding or knowledge – even any expectation – could be made with regards to the existence of something beyond our own world. However, rather than letting this be a determination for the fact that all reality is subjective and could possibly be a clever illusio n on the part of a twisted higher power, Descartes determined that the best approach to this question of reality was the famous quote, â€Å"I think therefore I am†. ... In other words, if in fact some type of computer simulation of reality helped to define the world and laid a framework for the way in which humans thought and interacted with one another, it is only logical to assume that this very same construct would not allow for independent thought with regards to considering the truth of reality. Thus, utilizing this train of logic, the individual can firmly come to an understanding that if in fact a computer simulation, far and above beyond the capabilities of humans to infer, understand, or replicate, was indeed somehow invisibly in charge of the dynamics of our own reality, any such doubt and/or consideration for such a fact would be highly discourage and ruled insane (Johnsen 227). However, as has been noted in the past several decades, consideration for such a topic has not been distanced to the outer realms of possibility and in fact has even been represented to the individual participant within society in the form of movies, artwork, grap hic novels, and discussions within the philosophical community. Another reason why the individual should not integrate with the belief that the â€Å"brain is in a vat† or that all reality is merely a construct that is carefully designed is the fact that such an approach is inherently non-falsifiable (Smoyak 9). Naturally, even a cursory level of understanding with regards to the scientific method or philosophical understanding should lead the individual to understand that a non-falsifiable theory is in and of itself unacceptable. The ultimate reason for this is that each and every theory must be able to stand upon its merit and not based upon a caveat of inherent truth. In such a way, the belief that all

Accelerating Virtual Team Performance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Accelerating Virtual Team Performance - Essay Example fact, as virtual teams become more and more prevalent, businesses edge ever closer to a culture where "job" means logging in to companys online project management site from ones home or collaborating with individuals who each work for various teams or roles at their local co-working setting. "Company headquarters" is becoming more and more of a concept than an actual premise (Duarte & Snyder, 2013). . And as physical establishment becomes less essential, companies today can hire the best talent regardless of their geographical setting. In addition, firms can enhance efficiency in their operations by handing off work across different time zones, enabling the companies to be productive around the clock. Therefore, there is a link that exists between performance boosters and virtual team. Through appropriate performance, boosters perfect virtual team leaders can be selected to enhance growth of the company. Virtual team leaders are required to be very diligent about how they coach, infl uence, recognize and hold team members for meeting commitments as the skills are essential in long-run efficiency of virtual teams (Duarte & Snyder, 2013). Physical Observation Limitations in the past caused lack of trust. Building trust was the greatest challenge in the past in creating successful virtual teams in the organization. Trust has always been referred to as the real glue of the global workplace. Most of leaders of the team in the past tends to be arranged on the assumption that workers cannot be relied upon or trusted, even in tiny matters of management. For instance, in the past the organization believed that it is unwise to trust workers whom they do not know well, employees who the company felt they have not observed in action over period of time, and who are not committed to the same goals. When trust lacks, it can undermine every other safety measure taken to ensure successful virtual work channel. What could have been done to combat the problem was by recognizing