Masculinity in Beloved

Bondage steals away the human characteristics of the slaves. They are treated by others on par with animals that the fine distinctions that inhabit their society are not only blurred from the vision of the observers but also from themselves. Masculinity as a human trait that defines the other half of human race is an expression of individuality and it is no wonder that any trace of such individuality is suppressed and disfigured beyond recognition in the era of slavery.In Tony Morrison’s Beloved, there is a lot of malevolence and violence but the masculinity is itself like a slave trying to buy its freedom of expression and more often than not failing to do so. The murderous rage and grief of Sethe which prompts her to behead her own daughter with a saw (how savage) and try to kill her other children is an expression of the brutality of Slavery that mother would want her children dead than suffer the same fate as her.It is the destruction of masculinity, which finds more expre ssion in Beloved than the ideal shape of Masculinity. The distinction between the genders is obliterated in their common suffering and pain. Halle, who is reported to be a witness to the molesting of his wife by the nephews of he school master who nursed their milk which was by natural right her other daughter’s and also hid in the attic as a mute witness to her punishment which left her scarred is an expression of helpless ness that pervaded the male of the species called Slaves.A father’s natural instinct to protect his children and a mate’s instinctive reactions to the suffering of his partner are the truest and most enduring qualities of Masculinity which are denied to Halle (which perhaps leads him to become the mad, invisible, melancholy loser of the book) The biggest blow to a man’s identity and his gender is, perhaps, when his own wife is taken as a mistress by the man who is also his master and he can do nothing about it. Stamp paid was a victim of such misery and he became apart of the under ground railroad which helped the Negroes escape to freedom.All that he asked in return for his assistance was that their homes remain open for him always. The lack of a family or the loss of his erstwhile family and the need to be seen as a savior/protector, which is the ordained role of male of the species according to the rules of nature drives stamp paid o be of help to all who need it. He is also Baby Sugg’s friend, and keeps frequenting 124. In fact he is instrumental in saving Denver and the other two boys the day school teacher comes to take Sethe and her kids away and Sethe in a fit of rage kills her elder daughter.The central character, which in all its multihued splendor or pain brings about the various stages of suppressed masculinity in Beloved, is Paul D. He is the still living sweet home man and he has a colorful past to say the lest. He along with his two brothers, Halle and Sixo plot their escape from Schoolteach er but are captured. He is captured and lie an animal in chains with a metal in his mouth is dragged to prison for allegedly trying to kill Brandywine. He escapes to north and since attaining his freedom; he is restless with the normal human and male emotions of finding a home and settling down.He reaches 124 and finds Sethe whom he has fancied from their time in Sweet home and chooses to settle down there with her as she had none to take care of her except Denver and Beloved. In spite of himself and against his wishes he becomes tempted by Beloved’s seduction and makes her pregnant. He leaves 124 after he learns from Stamp paid about the fact that Sethe had killed her own daughter. A person trying to run away from himself and his painful past does not want to be man enough to deal with a life with Sethe, which forever shall remain ensconced in the past of murder of her own blood.On the other end of the spectrum is Sixo, the indigo colored slave at Sweet home who has his soul mate in a slave yard 30 miles away and therefore he calls her the thirty mile woman. As he along with Paul D and F and the thirty-mile-woman plan to escape, Schoolteacher catches him and sets him on fire. It is mentioned that he laughs for the first time when he set on fire and as his legs are burning, he shouts Seven –O as his thirty mile woman has escaped and she is pregnant with his child.This one instance of defiance and mirth in the face of mortal danger is the only symbol of malevolent and idealistic black masculinity to be found in the entire book. Paul Garner, as the kind man who knew to treat his slaves with respect and trust their judgment in the plantation matters and who gave them the independence to marry and in the case of Halle, buy his mother’ s freedom comes across as a man who is quietly confident of his won masculinity and also in the fact that men in any race or tribe try to be responsible for their women folk and children.Black masculinity is the most mutilated under-current of the story Beloved that Tony Morrison is able to create pathos in the novel towards the travails of Slavery by bringing into sharp contrast the suppressed need of a man to be a man and the deathly anguish (like that of Halle sitting by a butter churn, with a vacant look on his face with butter smeared all over his face) when he is not allowed to be so.More tragic than the murder, loss or betrayal is the denial of basic human traits and the lack of identity, which Slavery forced upon the colored people and shall forever remain a blot on the history of all civilized nations, which permitted the inhuman practice.

Buddhism & Converting To Taoism

Because the philosophical and spiritual principles involved in Taoism emphasize harmony and â€Å"creative quietude,† I would not forsee any kind of radical or major conflict which might occur in my life if I became a Taoist tomorrow morning. Becoming a Taoist is not like becoming a member of an organized church where it is necessary to attend specific services adn functions and the impact of Taoism on one's life is, to my understanding, rooted first in the personal and only secondarily in the public sphere. In fact, one might be a Taoist without nay one else even knowing the fact.The lack of dogma in Taoism means that it would never really be necessary to preach or proselytize to anyone about your beliefs. In the Toa' Te Ching, the verse which reads: â€Å"The tao that can be described / is not the eternal Tao. † (Tao) should be enough of a warning to any student of Taoism to remember that there is no one â€Å"truth;† no one â€Å"way† and so, unlike som e religions which stress preaching to others, Taoism, as a philosophical belief would require nothing like this kind of dogma or â€Å"witnessing.† The changes which I would expect and hope would happen in my life are based around the idea of giving up false ambitions and false self-images and allowing the natural ambitions and expressions of myself to emerge from where they have been â€Å"sleeping. † In America we are taught â€Å"no pain, no gain! † and this is a kind of philosophical burden that we all carry which is in conflict with another idea most of us simultaneously carry with us: that we want to be happy.The idea that we cannot gain unless we are in pain and that all gain is ultimately to create happiness is self-contradicting and it bears very little resemblance to the Taoist idea that â€Å"Freed from desire, you can see the hidden mystery. /By having desire, you can only see what is visibly real. † (Tao) but it is precisely this kind of reso lution to the contradictory impulses in Western society that I would hope Taoism would lead me through. The Taoist principles I would invoke, as mentioned, would be invoked primarily through action and not words.So, if someone found out that I often sought to be alone to meditate, or that I often followed intuition rather than â€Å"logic† in making decisions and that I sought to be emotionally and psychologically in touch with â€Å"Darkness born from darkness. / The beginning of all understanding. † (Tao), I expect I would be able to explain to them that my beliefs and practices were part of a larger, very ancient, philosophy with roots in the East and that through its tenants and practices I hoped to find harmony within myself and harmony with my surroundings: no more, no less.I think that practicing Taoist meditation and creative quietude would certainly result in a lessening of tension in my life. It would probably result in my having a more active imaginary and d ream-life, maybe a better sex life, and possibly even a better regiment of diet and exercise. The danger with any religion of philosophy is to look at it as a â€Å"cure all† to expect a miracle to come out of it immediately and change everything you don't like about yourself or your life.Another danger is obsession or the inability to see anything else but the dogma of one's religion or philosophy. I believe that Taoism is so genuinely free of dogma that it's basic ideas and practice would result in widening, rather than diminishing, my personality and personal disposition. I think I would find myself relaxed while others were getting tense. I think I would start slow with the more esoteric practices of sutra and yoga but lean very heavily at forst on the ideas and spiritual wisdom available in Taoist thought.

Critical analysis of the Titanic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Critical analysis of the Titanic - Essay Example Critical analysis of the Titanic The ship was divided based on social classes whereby there was the first, second and third classes. The elite were on the first class section, the middle class people were in second class while the poor or low class people were in the third class section. Even though the ships’ captain had received fore-warning of icebergs along the route on which he was bent on using, he ignored these warnings and soldiered on regardless of the risk involved. The ship hit an iceberg and water started rushing in the ship. This only meant that the ship was going to sink eventually. There were few life boats that would only allow for 1/3rd of the people in the ship to be saved. The priority was thus given to the women and kids. This order was however not completely adhered to because some of the elite men from the first class ad second class defied this order and decided to use the life boats to save their own skin. The issue of class is greatly focused on because as we can see, even the forbidd en love between Rose and Jack was across two classes on the extremes. Rose was from a wealthy family and jack was from a poor family. This explains why Rose was in the first class while Jack won a free 3rd class ticket while playing a game of cards. Roses’ mother was forcing Rose to marry Cal a wealthy man so as to maintain her social status. Rose as a character shows her demand for independence when she plans to take her own life instead of having to put up with her mothers’ demands to marry someone (Cal) she didn’t love for her mothers’ benefit.... Most of the people who belonged to the third class did not understand English and hence they could not understand what to do; they thus failed to escape hence most lost their lives as they drowned along with the ship. In addition there is also the issue of culture where we see the people in the first class have a different culture with those of the third class. Those in the first class live in their own structured and strict world while those in the third class are care free they just live their life. There were many members of the wealthy American families on the titanic and following this most members of the Americans were all lost in the sea. Sir Cosine Gordon together with his followers/ staff all survived having escaped using life boats to save their lives (Eaton 30). This was against the order that stated that women and men were to be given first priority. Wealth not only brought privileges but also responsibility; a way of conduct. There was the sense of duty as men were expec ted to give a higher priority to women and children. They were to sacrifice their own lives for the sake of others. This conduct is naturally expected of a gentleman. The life boats were not enough to save all the peoples’ lives which was very tragic. The life boats were few because the owners wanted a bigger space for the first class walkway decks hence made the life boats removed to create more space. This was selfish and inhuman as that action sacrificed the safety of all passengers just for the comfort of a fortunate few. Based on the statics of the survivals, very few people from the third class section of the ship survived which brought about the question of the people from the upper class and their right to life of to survive. Various reproaches are

Construction Adjudication Law - Legal problem Coursework

Construction Adjudication Law - Legal problem - Coursework Example The architects in question who did the preliminary design had the obligation to check the ground conditions and foundation requirements. PCL bears a partial responsibility for the design flaw. The matter is referred to adjudication under clause 9.2 of the JCT Design and Building Contract. There were a number of issues with the adjudication process and this include a reliable information that the CEO of PDP and the Adjudicator went for a weekend in a country hotel where they were overhead discussing things related to the case. From the case study, there is the need for the following things and matters to be examined in relation to the relevant rules about: 1. The scope of the Adjudicator's obligations and whether it was met or not. 2. The independence of the Adjudicator. 3. The impartiality of the Adjudicator's processes in dealing with the case 4. The ability of the case to be escalated to a court dispute. Scope of Adjudication The main issue of contention is to define the actual que stion and the actual point of law that the adjudicator of the case at hand was supposed to handle. This is in response to the accusation of the CEO of PDP that the adjudicator addressed the wrong question. ... ication of the relevant provision, it can be said that the obligation of the Adjudicator in this case is to identify the procedure that was used by the contracting party and which party deserves to be held responsible for the damage. In other words, the Adjudicator has to examine the contract between PDP and PCL and identify who is responsible for the determination of the soil condition and the point in the contract that it went wrong. The evidence of both parties were to be examined and a conclusion could be drawn. However, in this case, it is apparent that the Adjudicator did not spend too much time studying those documents. Rather, he examined just two variables, the architects and PCL's relative positions. He did not go deep into the contract, neither did he set out a fair procedure. Hence, it can be concluded that he did not operate within the scope of the contract. Independence of the Adjudicator The Adjudicator happened to be the brother-in-law of the MD of PCL. This shows cle arly that they had an informal relationship that could have implications for the independence of the Adjudicator. The Adjudicator, as a professional, has codes of ethics in the profession he belongs to, whether he is a legal professional or a construction expert. Every adjudicator needs to be independent and be seen to be independent in his decisions and procedures3. In a landmark ruling in a construction arbitration case in France, which is part of European Union Law, it was stated that â€Å"An Arbitrator should not have any commercial or other similar connection with either party which may give rise to suspicion in the mind of a reasonable person that he may be biased†4. The implication is that there should be no relationship that exists between an adjudicator and any of the parties that

Sociology - Wal-Mart Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Sociology - Wal-Mart - Essay Example Eventually, the only thing that is left is Wal-Mart, and the people have no choice left but to shop there. This can cause an effect similar to a monopoly in a small town. People may have no stores for miles except for Wal-Mart because ever place has had to close because it couldn't compete with Wal-Mart. This then leaves people with no choice BUT to shop at Wal-Mart, and this only continues the vicious cycle elsewhere in other small towns. This can cause devastation effects on a town's economy. Wal-Mart then becomes the ONLY major player still in the economy of a town. This not only puts small stores out of jobs, but gets rid of the basis for all business, competition. This can then lead to Wal-Mart business policies becoming lax, as they no longer have to compete and now are the only game in town. The entire point of business is to have competition, but Wal-Mart makes sure to destroy all competition it can have early on. Wal-Mart also has many problems that go deeper than just the problems after the store comes in. If everybody who shopped at Wal-Mart sat down and watched this movie about how bad Wal-Mart treats its employees, and the poor wages that the corporation tries to pass by. Examples are given of major sexism against women, and how unfairly the Wal-Mart Corporation treats women.

Precis & Commentary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Precis & Commentary - Essay Example Then he explains by saying that having less secrecy will make it harder for criminals to plot harmful deeds. Later on, he gives examples of groups of people who have been better off once theyve revealed their secrets to society- naming homosexuals and HIV-AIDS sufferers. His view is contrasted to another which claims that "more information, rather than less, is our best protection against misjudgment" (Rosen, 2000, as cited in Austin, 2006). To conclude his article, the author compares the right for secrecy with Santa Claus and unicorns, claiming that it is unreal. He admits, however, that everyone needs their solitude and space, but claims that ignoring both the benefits of not having secrecy as well as the potential risks involved would be the wrong thing to do; that accepting our being flawed and being united by our common information will save us. He says that the term "privacy" has many different interpretations to other people and groups of people, as the media has a very different notion of it than the common citizen. He quotes people who have said that some masquerade as reformers, while actually taking care of their own interests and that patriotism is used by scoundrels to further their own agendas (2008, p.13). Regardless of his opinion, even presidents have been known to be against secrecy, claiming that "the very word secrecy in a free and open society is repugnant" (Kennedy, as cited in Blumner, 2005). In spite of this, Ackland may have a point. It is well known that the federal government of the United States "has a massive amount of secrets", which is estimated in the millions each year ("Government Secrecy", 2005). And there is no shortage of opponents of this secrecy: "we live in an open society where secrecy should be banished from the workings of the government" (Hamilton, 2006). The reason for that is that "we enjoy a free and open

Assignment 08 Marketing - previous order # 1084722 addition Essay

Assignment 08 Marketing - previous order # 1084722 addition - Essay Example All of us are consume products because of the needs we have to satisfy. Whatever they are, whether it is motivated by a need or a want, all of us allocate a certain amount of our money to the purchase of products where the end goal is to satisfy a need or want, which can be satisfied only if the product comes with the functionality that can meet the needs of the consumer. Thus, functionality of a product is an essential element to satisfy the needs of the consumer and its absence the product becomes useless for the buyer. This becomes evident from the behavior of the consumers where they would immediately ask for a replacement or product service for any damaged or defective produce they have just bought. With this said, functionality is the end all and be all. Though a form of products would attract people to buy unnecessary things while shopping, out of pure whim, this mainly applies only to impulsive buyers. Furthermore, a product with mere form that lacks in functionality can end up in a sale but not such items may not be able to forge a sustainable relationship with the consumers or command brand loyalty (Form Vs Function: Design, Emotion and Profitability, n.d.). When customers are not satisfied with a product’s functionality, they would definitely look for another brand that satisfies their needs in terms of its utility, and would not disappoint them due to the lack of proper functionality. However, I agree with the notion that the appearance of a product also has a significant role to play in their marketability. This is the reason why there are still products which lack functionality and yet they survive in the market because of the few consumers who put aesthetic considerations over functional considerations and may buy products merely on the grounds that they appeal to and satisfy their sense of aesthetics (Smashing

Anomie Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Anomie - Assignment Example However, many, especially the lower class and lower middle class are mostly affected and thus unable to achieve their desired thoughts and achievements they keep to the social rules, they thus claim responsibility for their failure, and they continue to keep to their social. Best examples of conformists could be team leaders, students especially at tertiary levels and also apart of workers or employees in an organization. Education and vocational ways are followed by these people to achieve their goals and gain more wealth. Merton discusses innovation as his second mode of adaptation. Merton argues that most of behaviors related with crimes can be categorized as innovative. Innovators are said to be people who live to embrace monetary and material success as a worthy goal, but also individuals who deviate or turn to crime when they realize that their experience or social status restricts access to genuine means of success. According to Gomme, the archetypal example of an innovator is a typical gangster young immigrant with intelligence and ambitions who abandons genuine means to succeed by means of corruption. A good example is a drug trafficker who desires wealth and the best social status yet the attempts of acquiring such ambitions are unfair and illegal. This means that innovators are not seriously offending others: individuals who fake their work experience or educational background in curriculum vitae or an interview would also fall in this class. The third adaptation according to Merton can be said to be ritualism. Ritualists isolate the strain of anomie by reducing their own aspirations of Victor to a point where goals are more practically achievable. They consent to their social status and caste, as well as adhere to the organizational means consistently as they are required to follow. Ritualists tend to avoid taking risks like a violation of law, and in addition, they have no problem living within the confines of daily monotony. As Gomme describes, fo r ritualists; the means became ends in them. A telemarketer or agent who is situated in a customer care desk can pose a demonstration about a ritualistic response. This agent will work hard and also behave conventionally on grounds that he/she accepts the personal wealth and additionally the social prestige. This will them make him/her have a revision on the goals so as he/she is subjected to alignment of possibilities that are practical.it is also depicted that bureaucrats and administrators who are employed in large institutions also pose such ritualistic response making their ambitions to be adaptable to the available possibilities for success. However, ritualists are not depicted as threats to the social and organizational structure since they maintain an outward stability on socio-cultural norms and hence they do not break the law (Gomme 51). Retreatism is discussed by Merton as his fourth adaptation. Retreatists have a tendency for a more dramatic response to the stress of ano mie. Retreatists finally give up if they are driven by the forced expectations of social achievement through conventional and indigenous ways: they then turn back to the cultural goals and also the norms of the society that brings success. Durkheim posed an observation that stated that suicide can be viewed as a retreat which so ultimate. Merton has

Ethical Issue Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ethical Issue - Research Paper Example Introduction End of life decision making has become a major focus of attention in healthcare sector, reflected in the media, legislation, research, and health professional education. Nurses are the primary caregivers to patients as they struggle to make difficult decisions, either in advance of serious illness or at the end of life, and to family members coping with impending loss. Nurses thus have a central role to play in ongoing efforts to improve both the care that dying patients receive and the readiness of individuals to plan for this last phase of life. No matter where nurses function in their varied roles, they are faced with ethical decisions that can impact them and their patients in equal measure. The legal and ethical issues are significant in this era of increased campaign to improve the overall quality of healthcare. Strict adherence to the legal policies and healthcare practice ethical standards serves to boost the performance of healthcare proffesionals Review and Eva luation of Issue Ethical issues near the end of life (EOL) often arise because of concerns about how much and what kind of care make sense for someone with a limited life expectancy, particularly if the patient is very old. There is often conflict between physicians or nurses and family members about what constitutes appropriate care (Keegan, Drick & Watson, 2011). Many of these conflicts can be avoided by clarifying who makes the difficult decisions to limit care and by advance care planning. Understanding the ethical and legal framework in which such decisions are made can also transform what appear to be problematic questions into straightforward answers. Ethical decision making is complex and difficult. For this reason, many professions compose ethical codes to aid their practitioners, to aid those in the profession in dealing with perplexing situations that inevitably arise (Keegan, Drick & Watson, 2011). The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics is of course one suc h code. It outlines the important general values, duties, and responsibilities that flow from the specific role of being a nurse. The relationship of the individual practitioner to the code, however, is an aspect of professional moral life that requires interpretation and may not always be well understood (Fry, Veatch & Taylor, 2011). A historical and theoretical analysis of the ANA Code can provide for an understanding as to how it is to be used not as a substitute for moral thinking but as an aid to moral thinking. According to Nightingale’s theoretical approach of observation and determining what needs to be done in caring for those dying and their families, there is still the unknown of what takes place in the present moment. End of life is associated with a substantial burden of suffering among many dying individuals as well as health and financial consequences that extend to family members and society. When Nightingale entered nursing, there were no formal ethical stand ards, but she embodied and advocated for the need of high ethical standards herself. In formalization stage, some organization, person, or persons amalgamates earlier traditions, precepts, practices, and rules, attempting to construct a coherent assemblage out of them, and, in the process, attempts to rationalize and justify them, and the field more generally, often emphasizing ideals of service to others and dedication to some public good (Lachman, 2006). The

Governance Regulation and Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Governance Regulation and Ethics - Essay Example Consumer transaction the seller is well informed and consumer on the other hand are ignorant thus the need for the government to impose some form of control on consumer transactions. The governments through legalisations impose regulations which govern the business dealings and any business must be conducted with the confines of the law. Features in the movie and chapter 8 The right to know First in conducting business the business world is required to perform disclosure. This in the perspective of the consumer is the right to know. It is important so as to protect consumers from personal harm which includes economic loss and physical injury. The manufacturers are bound to disclose some information to consumers so that the consumers are able to make informed choices. The right to know is an individual right premised on the freedom of choice and freedom of contract. If a business person lies to a consumer in regard to the choice made by the consumer, then the business person denies th e consumer the freedom of choice. This in essence is a manipulation of the consumers’ decisions and thus violates their individual rights. Moral philosophers opine that an individual with all the relevant information is responsible for his decisions whether they were mistakes or not. On the other hand those who withhold relevant information to decision makers are accountable to any harm arising from such a decision made without the relevant information. Relevant information is necessary for economic interest of the decision maker. A good example is where the consumer is informed about the quality of a certain product. In this case the consumer is able to compare the quality of the various brands and at the same time bearing in mind the prices of the various brands. The consumer is able to choose a quality product at reasonable price in such a case (Woodroffe, Lowe, 2010 pp. 78-79). Regulations of quality standards- consumer health and safety The government ensures that the ec onomic rights of consumers are protected by ensuring that consumer are offered adequate and complete information as discussed above and that they are also offered reasonable contract terms. However the government may find that regulations relating to disclosure are not enough to protect the interest of the consumers, it may take further step to impose regulations on quality of products and services. The government regulations in form of quality standards include: imposing minimum educational requirement and also licensing professional suppliers, imposing the standards for the practices and procedures of all sorts in business, specifications for the services and goods, and a combination of any of the above standards of quality. The various governments attempt to ensure enforcement of the above quality standards by inspections, licensing, reviews, and approvals of final products before they are released into the market is to ensure that they are safe for the consumers. The government have imposed such quality standard on various industries which include the food industries and textile industries. Regulation of trade practices – South Africa The general rule is that under commercial law applicable in many countries and general principles of contract the seller is liable for any misrepresentation made to the consumers. However there is an exception to this

Clarence killed Essay Example for Free

Clarence killed Essay This reveals that Richard plans to have Clarence killed, before his brother enters Richard utters,  Dive thoughts, down to my soul: here Clarence comes  This shows the audience that he is not going to be his true self in the next scene as if his thoughts dive down to his soul then they will be too deep down to surface, yet Clarence is not aware of his brothers falsities, and yet again, because of his acting ability Clarence thinks that his brother loves him. Richard claims not to know the reason Clarence is in the tower. That you should be new-chistend in the Tower  But whats the matter, Clarence may I know?  But he himself reveals his part in Clarences imprisonment in the soliloquy previous to this scene,  About a prophecy, which says that G?  Clarences naivety is seen the most before his murder when he says in desperation,  And I will send you to my brother Gloucester  Who shall reward you better for my life   And even after the murderers tell him that his brother hates him he is adamant that they are wrong. This scene, when Clarence is trying to bargain with the murderers, shows how dangerous Richards intelligence is, as little does Clarence know, it is his brother that wants him killed. Richard has lured Clarence into a web of deceit in which Clarence has become susceptible to Richards lies showing how dangerously alluring Richard is in this play  Richards other personalities include, confident to the audience, in his soliloquies where he is his self. Lover to Anne,  Your beauty was the cause of that effect Loving Uncle to the princes,  Where it seems best unto your royal self..  Leader of his people, a devout pious man,  O do not swear , my lord Buckingham  and many, many more. This makes him alluring because his many sides make him an intriguing character as he his not two dimensional like the rest of the cast. His multiple personas make him dangerously alluring because it is difficult to say which of his personas his is utilising, and it would be difficult to believe him as it would be hard to tell whether what he is saying is an act. For example when he is speaking with Clarence he seems genuinely concerned about his brother, From whence this present day he is deliverd?  Ã‚  We are not safe, Clarence, we are not safe!  Perhaps without the aid of the soliloquies we would not know otherwise?.  To conclude, I personally think that the two words Dangerously alluring do justice to Richards manipulative ways. Richard suffers from chronic ambitiousness, and as a result he does not have a conscience. Richard lures people into his web of deceit and quickly exterminates them if they do not fit the mould. He is a dangerous character as; I think he does not see people as human but as pawns to manipulate on the way to the throne. The factor that makes him most alluring is his multiple personalities which he explores throughout the play. His chameleonic ways are perilous because he can swap quickly for personality to personality making him interesting to the audience. This is not only perilous to the people around him, but also to himself as if he plays all of these characters he will soon lose himself in all of the pretence. By the end of the play he begins to deteriorate as personally I think that once he has achieved his main goal, he does not know what to do with himself, he quickly becomes paranoid and as a strong, dangerously alluring character, he collapses, and is no longer appealing to the audience. He become guilty, mistrustful, and vicious compared to his previous character which oozed charisma. No longer is he Richard, the anti hero with an alluring personality, but Richard III who no longer has control over a world which he once had wrapped around his little finger. Once upon a time Richard was dangerously alluring but towards the end he becomes dangerously aware.

Different Types Of Network Devices

Different Types Of Network Devices Infrastructure security depends on the correct use of the network components. Network components are an essential aspect of the computing environment to improve the performance and security. The network components such as routers, switches and cables connect to the firewalls and gateways that manage communication from the network design to the protocols employed. If security fails then the availability of the system fails. Security failures can occur in two ways as follows: 1. Sometimes unauthorised users access the resources and data, which they are not authorised to use. 2. Security failure prevents the user from accessing the resources and data, the user is authorised to use. Both these security failures are serious. Hence, primary goal of network infrastructure security is to allow all authorised usage and deny all unauthorised usage of resources. 8.2 Devices Todays business environment consists of not only clients and servers but also network devices that are required to connect them. These network devices are called communication devices. These devices are hubs, switches, routers, LAN cards, gateway, modem, hardware firewall and so on. This also includes wireless access points, special-purpose devices such as Virtual Private Network (VPN) devices. Each of these devices has a specific network functions and plays an important role in maintaining network infrastructure security. 8.2.1 Workstations The workstations are client computers in the client-server architecture. This device is used to send and receive e-mail, to create spreadsheets, to write report in a word processing program and to play game. Many threats to information security can start at a workstation when it is connected to a network. Workstation security can be maintained by following basic steps as follows: Remove all share point that is not required. Rename the administrator account and secured it with a strong password. Remove unnecessary user accounts. Install an antivirus program and keep it updated. Disable USB ports in CMOS settings to restrict data transfer through USB devices. Install firewall between the machine and the Internet. Install latest patch for the operating system (OS) and keep the OS up to date. 8.2.2 Servers Servers are the computers in a network that host applications and data for users to share. Servers are available in many sizes, from small single CPU systems to multiple CPU systems such as mainframe computers. Servers use operating system such as Windows Server, Linux, UNIX and other mainframe operating systems. Server OS is more robust than the workstation OS and is designed to service multiple users over a network at the same time. Workstation security basic steps are applicable to server as well. 8.2.3 Network Interface Cards Network Interface Card (NIC) is a hardware device used to connect a server or workstation to a network. A NIC is used for particular type of network connection, either ethernet or token ring. In local area networks, ethernet protocol is the most common network type in use and RJ-45 is most common connector. A NIC is the physical connection between a computer and the network. NICs are available as single-port and multiport NIC. Workstation use single-port NIC, as only a single network connection is required. Whereas, server use multiport NIC to increase the number of network connections that increases the data throughput to and from the network. Every NIC has a 48-bit unique number, referred to as a Media Access Control (MAC) address which is stored in Read Only Memory (ROM). MAC address is used in the addressing and delivery of network packets to the correct system. 8.2.4 Hubs Hub is a central connecting device in a computer network. It connects multiple machines together in a star configuration with the hub as the centre. Hub broadcasts all data packets that are received, to all LAN cards in a network. The intended recipient picks the data and all other computers discard the data packets. Hub has five, eight, sixteen and more ports. One of the ports is called uplink port and this port is used to connect with the next hub. 8.2.5 Bridges Bridges operate at the data link layer of the OSI model. Bridges check the incoming traffic and decide whether to forward or discard it. 8.2.6 Switches Switches are a type of networking device similar to hubs, which connect network equipment together. In todays high-performance network environment switches have replaced both hubs and bridges. Switches operate at the data link layer of the OSI model. It uses MAC address of network cards to route packets to the correct port. Switches are intelligent network devices and are therefore can get hijacked by hackers. Switches are administered using the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and telnet protocol. Both the protocols have a serious weakness. These two protocols send passwords across the networks in clear text. In such instances hacker can capture the administrative password. The major problem with the switch is that it ship with default passwords. If user does not change this password during setup, hacker can easily access it. Caution: To secure a switch, disable all access protocols other than a secure protocol such as Secure Shell (SSH). Use only secure methods to access switch will limit the exposure to hackers and malicious users. 8.2.7 Routers Router connects two or more computer networks and then exchanges packets of data between them. Each data packet contains address information that a router can use to determine if the source and destination are on the same network, or if the data packet must be transferred from one network to another. Routers operate at the network layer of the OSI model. It has two or more network interfaces through which network traffic is forwarded or blocked. They are used to segment networks into smaller subnets or to link multiple networks together. The router decides how and when to forward packets between the networks based on an internal routing table. Routing table tells the router which packets to forward. Routers allow technicians to explicitly deny some packets the ability to be forwarded between segments. For example, internal security features of some routers can prevent users on the internal network from using telnet to access external system. Telnet is always a security risk as the passwords and all communications are transmitted in clear text. Hence, do not create telnet sessions between the internal network and an external network. Router has the ability to block spoofed packets. Spoofed packets are packets that contain an IP address in the header which is not the actual IP address of the source computer. Hackers used this technique to fool the systems showing that the packet came from an authorised system whereas, it actually came from the hackers system. Router has the ability to drop such packets. Routers are available in various sizes, small and big and from different vendors. Small router is used with cable modem and DSL service. (Figure). Larger routers handle traffic of up to tens of gigabytes per second per channel, using fibre optic cables and moving tens of thousands of concurrent Internet connections across the network. 8.2.8 Firewalls A firewall is hardware or a software program that is used to protect an internal network from outside intruders. It is much like a wall with a window. The wall keeps things out, except those permitted through the window. (Figure.). Network security policies act like a glass in the window. Security policies define what traffic is permissible and what traffic is to be blocked or denied. For example, Web server connected to the Internet may be configured to allow traffic only on port 80 for HTTP and have all other ports blocked. Firewall allows only the necessary access for a function, and block or denies all unnecessary functions. 8.2.9 Wireless In wireless device, radio waves or infrared carry data, that allows anyone within range access to the data. Placing a wireless device behind the firewall does not serve, as firewall stops only physically connected traffic from reaching the device. The devices associated with wireless networking are wireless access points. The wireless network cards are used to communicate with the access points. (Figure). Wireless access points have a limited range within which they can communicate with the client systems. When planning a wireless implementation within a new construction, make sure that the external walls contain metal studs that are grounded. Create wireless shield by using thin layers of aluminium under the drywall. This will block radio transmission into and out of the building. This will also interfere with pager and cellular phone usage. Note: Applying secure transmission protocols and configuring the wireless access point to only accept authorised connections will help in securing a network. 8.2.10 Modems Modulator and Demodulator (Modem) converts analogue signals to digital and vice versa. Modems are slow method of remote connection that is used to connect client computers to remote services over standard telephone lines. Modems are becoming less necessary, but many corporate systems still have modems installed for remote access. In corporate network, modems are located in Remote Access Service (RAS) servers and fax servers. Corporate users remotely access their system configuring modem in their PC. This is done when no other remote access solution is available or the existing remote access solution is inconvenient. These types of situations can provide an intruder the entry point to a network. The best solution to avoid this is to implement a security policy to control the installation of modems on corporate systems. Also verify that systems which need modems are properly secure. 8.2.11 Telecom/PBX In the IT security field Telecommunication (Telecom) is often overlooked. Most small companies use a small number of dedicated telephone lines for both incoming and outgoing calls. However, in larger companies having dedicated lines for thousands of employees is both inefficient and expensive. Hence, to overcome these problems install a Private Branch eXchange (PBX). A PBX is a device that handles routing of internal and external telephone lines. This allows a company to have limited number of external lines and an unlimited number of internal lines. PBX systems are cost beneficial to large companies but they also have their own vulnerabilities. PBX s is designed to be maintained by an offsite vendor and therefore have remote access available. The remote access can be through a modem or through a LAN. Hence, disable these remote access methods to limit the susceptibility to direct remote access attacks until the vendor is notified that they need to perform maintenance or prepare an update. 8.2.12 RAS Remote Access Service (RAS) connects the client and server through a dial-up telephone connection. It is slower than cable and Digital subscriber line (DSL) connection. When a user dials into the computer system, authentication and authorisation are performed through a remote access protocols. RAS servers offer security feature such as mandatory callback. This allows server to call back to the client at a set of telephone number for the data exchange. For more information on remote access protocols refer chapter 9, Authentication and Remote Access 8.2.13 VPN VPN allows users to create a secure tunnel through an unsecured network to connect to their corporate network. In large environments, VPNs are less expensive to implement and maintain than RAS servers, because there is no incoming telephone line or modem. In addition, a higher level of security can be implemented as communications are encrypted to create a secure tunnel. 8.2.14 Intrusion Detection Systems Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) is a device designed to monitor network or system activities for malicious activities or policy violations. They are an essential part of network security. There are two main types of IDS that are used: network-based IDS and host-based IDS. For more information on intrusion detection systems refer chapter 11, Intrusion Detection Systems 8.2.15 Network Access Control Network Access Control is a method of network security that restricts the availability of network resources to endpoint devices as defined in the security policy. There are two main competing methodologies exist: Network Access Protection (NAP) and Network Admission Control (NAC). NAP is a Microsoft technology that controls network access of a computer host whereas, NAC is Ciscos technology that controls network admission. 8.2.16 Network Monitoring or Diagnostic The computer network needs continuous monitoring or diagnostic routine to keep administrators aware of the status of the network and allow them to take corrective actions to potential problems. This can be done through monitoring software or dedicated devices located on the network. Network monitoring or diagnostic equipment that is remotely accessible uses strong password and encrypted sessions to handle security vulnerabilities. 8.2.17 Mobile Devices Mobile phones and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are the latest devices used to send and receive e-mail, connect to remote network applications, browsing the Web and so on. Many of the devices have word processor and spreadsheet applications and the ability to store limited amounts of data. Since these devices can be connected to the Internet, they are remotely accessible to potential attackers. Hence, use data encryption which is available in newer mobile devices built into their OS or use third-party software. 8.3 Media Media is used for transmitting data to and from network devices. The media can be either in the form of wire, fibre or radio frequency waves. There are four common methods used to connect devices at the physical layer as follows: Coaxial Cable Twisted-pair Cable Fibre Optics Wireless Coaxial Cable Coaxial cables are used for cabling televisions, radio sets and computer networks. The cable is referred to as coaxial because both the centre wire and the braided metal shield share a common axis. It is less susceptible to interference. Today, coaxial cable is replaced by faster and cheaper twisted-pair cable. UTP/STP Twisted pair cables replaced coaxial cables in ethernet networks. Single pairs of twisted cables reduce electrical crosstalk and electromagnetic interference. Multiple groups of twisted pairs are then bundled together and easily wired between devices. Twisted pairs are of two types: Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) and Shielded Twisted Pair (STP). STP has a foil shield around the pairs to provide extra shielding from electromagnetic interference. Whereas, in UTP twist itself eliminates interference. Depending upon the data transmission, twisted pair cables are classified into three different categories as follows: Category 3 (Cat 3) It is used for data and voice transmission and for 10Mbps Ethernet. Category 5 (Cat 5/ Cat 5e) It is used for 100 Mbps fast ethernet. Cat 5e is an enhanced version of the Cat 5 specification to address far end crosstalk. Category 6 (Cat 6) It is used for gigabit ethernet. Fibre Fibre is a very thin piece of glass or plastic that has been stretched out and enclosed in a sheath. Fibre optic cable uses beams of laser light to connect devices. It transfers data over long distances and at higher speeds. Since it does not contain any metal part to conduct current, it is not vulnerable to electromagnetic interference. This also protects it from lightening strikes. Two major drawbacks using these cables are their high cost. Other drawback is the connection has to be optically perfect or performance will be downgraded or the cable may not work. Figure: Unguided Media Unguided media does not use any physical connector between the two devices for communication. The data transmission and reception is through the air or antenna and is referred to as wireless. The three types of wireless media are as follows: Radio waves Microwaves Infrared waves 8.4 Transmission Media Security 8.5 Removable Media Removable media is a type of storage device that can be removed from a computer while the system is running. These media introduces virus when they are attached back to the network. Theft or loss of organisation secret information stored on a media can be severe financial problem or it will effect on organisations reputation. These issues can be rectified by using security policies and software. The removable media are of three types: magnetic, optical and flash memory. Magnetic Media Magnetic media devices are hard drives, floppy disks, zip disks and magnetic tape. Each device is sensitive to external magnetic field. These devices are also affected by the high temperatures and by exposure to water. For the security concern about the critical and important organisational data, do not allow users to bring floppy disk inside the organisation, as they could contain viruses or other malicious programs. Another security policy can be applied by removing floppy disk drive from users computers. Encrypting the contents of a hard drive and tape ensures the security of data. Optical Media Optical media such as CD, DVD, blu-ray and optical jukebox hold the data in digital form. The data on the physical media is read and write by laser. Optical disks are not vulnerable to magnets hence, they are more reliable and durable than the magnetic tape. CDs are very vulnerable to being scratched. If the plastic disk from the media is scratched too much, the laser will be unable to reflect through the plastic and the data will not be readable. For security of data, do not allow personal CDs inside office premises. Only authorised users should have the access to these devices and for other users these devices should be disabled or physically removed from the computers. Electronic Media The electronic media uses integrated circuit technology to store the data hence they are more stable. Since these devices are small and portable, they can be used to store limited amounts of data when portability or reliability are key necessities. Smart cards, flash cards, memory sticks and CompactFlash devices are examples of electronic media. These devices are commonly used in digital cameras, mobile phones, MP3 player, video game consoles and so on. These devices are also used to transfer data between computers. Hence, they can easily carry the virus and worms with data. For security purpose run the antivirus software before transferring any data. 8.6 Security Topologies Multiple hardware devices are connected within a network and a key characteristics of a network is its layout or topology. Security topology is implemented in such a way that it provides the internal security and public access. For example, to place an online order the organisation will require Web servers which can be accessed by the users. Then the Web servers will require access to internal database servers and internal users will require access to different servers and Internet. 8.6.1 Security Zones Modern secure network have different layers of protection with outermost layer provides basic protection and the innermost layer provides the highest level of protection. Trade-offs between access and security are handled through zones with successive zones guarded by firewalls. The outmost zone is the Internet is guarded by the firewall. The internal secure corporate network and the Internet is an area where computers are considered at risk. This zone is called as Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). DMZ DMZ acts as a buffer zone between the Internet and organisations internal secure network. To differentiate the zones, a firewall is placed at both sides of the DMZ. The firewalls are placed in such a way that the Internet users cannot directly access the organisations secure data (Refer to Figure ). Web servers, remote access server and external e-mail servers are fall in DMZ area. Domain name servers and database servers which has organisation important data should not be accessible to the Internet users. As well as application servers, file servers and print servers of trusted network zone should be placed behind both the firewalls. The main idea behind using the DMZ topology is to force an outside user to get across DMZ before user can access information inside the trusted network zone. Internet The Internet is a worldwide connection of networks. It is used to transfer e-mail, Web pages, files, financial records between networks. It is an untrusted network as it is not possible to apply security policies. Hence a firewall should be present between organisations trusted network and the Internet. Intranet Intranet resides inside the trusted area of a network and network administrators can manage its security. Intranet Web servers contents are not available to the Internet users. The organisation data can be published to outside users with two methods as follows: 1. Information can be duplicated onto computers in the DMZ so that untrusted users can access it 2. Extranets can be used to publish data to trusted users. Extranet Extranet allows outside users such as companys partners, vendors, customers and resellers to share some of the business information with authentication and authorization. Extranet allows to access data available on the intranet mainly in the DMZ. To provide security and privacy of the information, extranet requires firewall server management or digital certificates or user authentication, encryption of messages. To protect it from unauthorised access use the VPN. VLAN Virtual LAN (VLAN) is network of computers and these computers are connected to the same broadcast domain, even though they are physically located on different location. VLAN s are configured through software hence they are more flexible. When system is physically moved to different location, without any hardware reconfiguration the system stay on the same VLAN. Increased network performance, easy manageability, less configurations and higher security is the advantages of VLAN.   Note: A broadcast domain is a network (or portion of a network) that will receive a broadcast packet from any node located within that network. NAT Network Address Translation (NAT) is developed by Cisco. It is commonly used in TCP/IP network. It works at OSI layer 3 which is network layer. It uses two sets of IP addresses, one set for internal use and other for external use.   NAT is a feature of firewalls, proxies and routing capable systems. It has ability to hide the IP address and the internal network from the Internet users. This feature of NAT reduces the risk of strangers to collect important information about the network such as structure of a network, the network layout, the names and IP address of systems, and so on. Hence, they cannot gain access of the network. NAT enables internal users within an organisation to use nonroutable IP addresses which means that these IP addresses will not be routed across the Internet. These IP address is called private IP address. The private address ranges are as follows: Class A 10.0.0.0 10.255.255.255 Class B 172.16.0.0-172.31.255.255 Class C 192.168.0.0- 192.168.255.255 After NAT configuration, external malicious users can access only the IP address of the NAT host that is directly connected to the Internet. The users are not able to access any of the internal systems that go through the NAT host to access the Internet. When NAT is used to hide internal IP addresses (Refer to Figure), it is called a NAT firewall. Internal users communicate with outside networks through the NAT device such as NAT router (Refer to Figure). This NAT router has a routing table. This table keeps track of all connection requests that have come from internal network. Each outgoing request proceeds through NAT and replaces the internal users IP address with its own IP address. This IP address then forwards to the final destination. Returned packets look up in the routing table and forward the information to the correct internal user.   8.7 Chapter Review Questions 1. Which layer of the OSI model switches operate? (A) Physical layer (C) Network layer (B) Data link layer (D) Transport layer Ans: B 2. Which layer of the OSI model router operates? (A) Physical layer (C) Network layer (B) Data link layer (D) Transport layer Ans: C 3. DSL stands for ________. (A) Domain Subscriber Line (C) Digital Specific Line (B) Domain Specific Line (D) Digital Subscriber Line Ans: D 4. What should you do to secure data on the hard drive if the drive is removed from the site? (A) Encrypt the data (C) Archive the data (B) Compress the data (D) Keep strong password to log into all computers at the site Ans: A 5. Which is the most secure cable for implementing a secure network infrastructure? (A) Coaxial cable (C) Fibre cable (B) Twisted-pair cable (D) None of these Ans: C 6. What network topology area will contain public Web servers? (A) VPN (C) Firewall (B) VLAN (D) DMZ Ans: D 7. What network topology area will contain critical servers such as private Web servers, domain controllers or SQL servers? (A) Intranet (C) Internet (B) Extranet (D) DMZ Ans: A 8. What network topology area will allow business partners, customers to access the owners intranet? (A) Intranet (C) Internet (B) Extranet (D) DMZ Ans: B 9. Network access control is associated with which of the following? (A) NAT (C) IPv6 (B) IPsec (D) NAP Ans: D 10. The purpose of twisting the cables in twisted-pair circuits is to _____. (A) reduce crosstalk (C) increase bandwidth (B) increase speed (D) None of these Ans: A 8.7.1 Answers 1. B 2. C 3. D 4. A 5. C 6. D 7. A 8. B 9. D 10. A Summary In the chapter, Infrastructure Security, you learnt about Different types network devices such as Workstations, Servers, NIC, Hubs, Bridges, Switches, Routers, Firewalls, Wireless, Modems, Telecom/PBX, RAS, VPN, IDS, Network Access Control, Network Monitoring and Diagnostic and Mobile Devices. Different types of communication media between the devices such as Coaxial Cable, UTP/STP Cable, Fibre Cable and Unguided Media. Different types of removable media such as Magnetic Media, Optical Media and Electronic Media. Different types of security topologies such as DMZ, Internet, Intranet, Extranet, VLAN and NAT.

Emergenetics in the Work Place

Emergenetics in the Work Place Introduction Emergenetics is a modern psychometric assessment tool based on the brain. It is used to highlight how an individual thinks and behaves (Browning, 2005). This tool provides an understanding of how people live, work, communicate and interact with one another. There are several emergenetics profiles generated for various purposes. Some are meant to test the leadership skills of individuals or the type of behaviour of different people at work. This paper seeks to highlight the history and background of emergenetics, as well as the benefits of this tool for relationships at the workplace. The History and Background of Emergenetics Emergenetics is based on research that indicates that individuals have inborn traits that make them act and think in a certain way (Williams, Browning, 2010). However, these traits are modified and shaped as people interact with their surroundings. Personal experiences and genetics combine to form a commonly recognized pattern of personality traits. There are seven sets of attributes as described by Emergenetics, and each of these has a unique colour code. Of these, four ways describe ways of thinking, and three describe ways of behaving (Williams, Browning, 2010). The four ways of thinking are analytical preferences (represented by blue), structural preferences (represented by green), social preferences (represented by red) and conceptual preferences (represented by yellow). The behavioural attributes are all represented by the purple. These are expressiveness behaviour, assertiveness behaviour and flexibility behaviour (Williams, Browning, 2010). Development of the Emergenetics Profile When developing the Emergenetics profile instrument, a number of factors were considered. The first factor is the underlying theory, which proposes that an individual has a combination of genetic tendencies (Hunter, 2010). These are tendencies that make one think and act in a certain way, and to act and think in a way that has been modified through socialization. This is from recent research that behaviour and way of thinking is influenced by genetics, which is referred to as nature, as well as the environment, which is referred to as nurture. Another important factor to consider when creating the profile is reliability. Every test developer is concerned about having a question that reliably measures the construct it is supposed to measure. In a test that is well designed, scores from one part of the test should correlate with scores from another part of the test, which is a demonstration of reliability. In the Emergenetics profile test, the statistical procedures used include item by item reliability, split-half reliability and a test/re-test reliability (Hunter, 2010). The item to item reliability is an internal measure to show how well each item correlates to the total score for that item. The split-half reliability is a measure of relationship between scores in different parts of the test (Hunter, 2010). The test/re-test reliability is a measure of how consistently an individual constructs their profile from one time to another. The other factor that was considered is validity, and this refers to how well the test measures what it is supposed to measure. In the same way that there are many types of reliability, there are many types of validity. One is face validity, which refers to whether the individual taking the test considers it to be credible (Hunter, 2010). Having irrelevant questions in the test can make the person taking the test question its validity. If this happens, the person taking the test may provide unreliable answers. Questions on the Emergenetics Profile were written to be relevant to daily events and behaviours. There is content validity, which refers to the adequacy of the Emergenetics tool to measure the behaviour it is designed to measure (Hunter, 2010). For instance, in a typing test, there is a relationship between a specific skill and what the test measures. This, however, is heavily dependent on feedback from people who have used the test. Many people that have taken the Emergenetics test agree that it accurately measures ways of thinking and behaviour. There is the criterion validity, which is a measure of correlation of a person’s scores in different areas of the test (Hunter, 2010). Quoting an example that was used earlier, a high score in a typing test could be used as a criterion to determine the general performance of that child or individual. However, since the Emergenetics Profile Instrument was not developed to measure performance in specific tasks or jobs, no information on criterion validity is available. The last type of validity that was considered is construct validity. A construct is defined as a deeply rooted mental characteristic. From this definition, construct validity refers to whether the Emergenetics tool measures the four ways of thinking preferences and three ways of behaviour (Hunter, 2010). This type of validity is determined using measures similar to those used to determine the reliability of the test. How Emergenetics can be used to Enhance Healthy Workplace Relationships As was mentioned earlier, Emergenetics is a scientific tool that is used to help understand human behaviour and their way of thinking, which makes them approach work and life differently (Browning, 2005). This tool consists of an analysis of left-brain/right-brain, determining how people tend to behave, and this is what defines personality. When applied at the work place, the Emergenetics Profile will provide a true picture of everyone working in a given organization. The tool makes it easier to identify how every individual at the workplace thinks, behaves, and communicates, as well as their preferences (Browning, 2005). Other personal analysis tools provide suggestions on how an individual can change to meet the needs of the organization, but this tool takes a different approach. It appreciates that every individual is unique and helps them stand out through their genetics by creating a profile that shows personal and professional implications (Browning, 2005). The tool focuses more on the strengths of an individual, meant to build on personal energy and passion. Once an individual identifies their strengths, they can then find ways to make these work for them at the workplace. When applied at the workplace, this tool works by exposing cognitive preferences of an individual, by highlighting their distinct, brain-based strengths (Browning, 2005). With such an understanding, people can build better working relationships especially when working as a team on something. The tool also works by tapping into an individual’s uniqueness, distinctive work and learning preferences. The tool helps individuals to discover their innate strengths, shaping ways of how people should go about their work because it highlights where their strengths lie (Browning, 2005). The Emergenetics Profile provides a blueprint for managers at the workplace to engage everyone through methods and strategies that encourage appreciation and collaboration. While taking this approach, it becomes easier to identify people who have leadership skills. When such people are identified in good time, their strengths are assessed fully and skills are developed in a relatively short amount of time (Browning, 2005). These strategies work together to energize individuals to perform even better at the workplace. When the Emergenetics tool is applied, as described above, the organization is better positioned to meet its strategic objectives and goals. Further, people working in such an organization can communicate effectively with the leaders or managers and with each other (Browning, 2005). The organization also enjoys high retention of employees because it can assign responsibilities and duties in accordance with the strengths of an individual. When the management of an organization understands how employees behave and think, they can develop a cohesive organizational culture based on the Emergenetics insight, through an informed perspective based on personal experiences (Browning, 2005). Benefits of Emergenetics in terms of Relationships at the Workplace Emergenetics is an efficient tool because it integrates everything in an organization. It contributes to goal setting, trust building, communication enhancement and team initiatives (O’Connell, 2012b). It makes an impact on everyone in the organization, because it provides a basis for everyone to shine in their unique way. Anyone who takes the Emergenetics test becomes more aware of themselves, their colleagues, and their leaders, managers, and supervisors. This kind of awareness is a basic requirement for fostering good working relationships. When such a person is working in a team environment, they are more effective and more creative in their strong areas. Emergenetics serves as a foundational element upon which an organization can facilitate its dynamics to build a talent-rich organization (O’Connell, 2012b). This happens because it helps people identify their strengths and ways to make the best use of them. It also improves communication and productivity at the workplace. Since the tool appreciates the uniqueness of each employee, employees can apply unique approaches to complete their duties and responsibilities, and the result of this will be high competencies. Case Study: Emergenetics at ACSA Emergenetics is a tool that the Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA) uses on a daily basis as a foundation for common language and perspective, which has helped the organization to become more cohesive and successful in its provision of services (O’Connell, 2012b). The ACSA, Charlottesville, Virginia, now enjoys better communication among its employees, and between employees and management (O’Connell, 2012a). This is one of the tools that the organization has invested in. All of its employees are trained on the basics of Emergenetics, giving them the opportunity to explore the tool at a personal level, and then at an organizational level (O’Connell, 2012b). The tool is used in team building across departments in the organization. This has enhanced productivity in the organization because the tool aligns the strengths of each team to team and organizational goal. The organization also uses the tool to foster good relationships at the workplace, since all employees are aware of their personalities and strengths (O’Connell, 2012b). Being self-aware, employees are more open to understanding their colleagues and leaders, and this fosters good relationships between them. Emergenetics has also provided a lens for all employees in the organization to appreciate the uniqueness of their roles in the teams they work in, and to the organization as a whole. Conclusion Emergenetics is a powerful tool that can be applied to every organization to improve work-relationships between employees and their leaders, as well as among employees. Its usefulness starts with the kind of awareness that the tool brings to the workplace. The tool also leads to a form of satisfaction and motivation, because every employee feels that they are appreciated for what they can do. Emergenetics also works well to maintain effective communication within the work place. References Browning, Geil. (2005). Emergenetics  ®: Tap into the New Science of Success. New York:  Harper Business. Hunter, Gordon. (2010). Strategic Information systems: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and  Applications. Hershey: IGI Global Snippet. O’Connell, Gary. (2012a). Albemarle County Service Authority, Charlottesville, Virginia.  Albemarle County Service Authority, pp. 1-8. O’Connell, Gary. (2012b). Welcome to Emergenetics- A New Science-Based Learning tool for  Individuals, Teams, and Organizations. Emergenetics International. Retrieved from http://icma.org/en/Article/102036/Welcome_to_Emergenetics_a_new_science_based_learning_tool_for_individuals_teams_and_organizations Williams, Wendell, Browning Geil. (2010). Origins and Discussion of Emergenetics Research. Emergenetics Research. Retrieved from https://www.emergenetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Origins-and-Discussion-of-Emergenetics-Research.pdf

The Role of Music During and After Puerto Rican Migration to the United

The Role of Music During and After Puerto Rican Migration to the United States For Puerto Ricans, music served infinite purposes. It allowed for the formation and reformation of cultural views and opinions, through the lyrics in the songs. These views were constantly changing, which in turn fed into the ever evolving identity of the Puerto Rican people. As a vehicle of expression it stimulated thought and provided a method of communication for the community. In The Puerto Rican community of New York City the increasing popularity of music indicated a desire for Puerto Rican based and oriented entertainment but more importantly for national unity. For the musicians themselves music served as an outlet for creativity while doubling as a secondary source of economic growth. In Puerto Rico music became the major avenue for social acceleration. Musicians on both the island and the mainland looked to music as a career choice that would eventually lead to amassed wealth. This opinion, however, was not universal as the upper classes saw music as simply a hobby. â€Å"The white and more affluent populations... did not see music as a step up the social or economic ladder† (Glasser 32). Many musicians migrated to the mainland in search of a musical career that would reap fame and fortune. â€Å"For blacks and mulattos from an impoverished background, music could be a means of upward mobility† (31). Within the confines of their economical situation there was a dire necessity for improvement that was readily available in the music industry or so they thought. Unfortunately the will and desire of the people did not suffice in a society where the mere color of the skin automatically closed many doors. This aspect of American soc... ...an era. For the Puerto Rican community music created an outlet for their pain and sorrow as seen in Lamento Borincano. Also it established a much needed nationally recognized identity based on a common culture as opposed to the pigmentation of the skin. Glasser’s loose interpretation of race channeled the readers attention more onto the issue of race and what it should mean. For Glasser race is equated with color. Although I disagree with the statement, it is a viable one. The ambiguity of the word creates the problem. Her inconsistency with her terms shows a lack of preparation. This problem could have been easily remedied with a brief explanation of the terms used and her stance on the issue. Bibliography Glasser, Ruth. My Music is my Flag: Puerto Rican Musicians and their New York Communities 1917-1940. (University of California Press: Berkeley, 1995).

Music Censorship is Not Needed Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive Essay

Music Censorship is Not Needed    Marilyn Manson. Eminem. Limp Bizkit. Rammstein. All of these musical artists have been under fire in the past few years by government officials, the media, and activist groups. Supposedly, their music conveys too violent of a message. The sounds and words these artists have so carefully crafted have been targeted as the cause for violent acts, especially by young people. For example, Columbine shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold idolized German industrial bands such as Rammstein and KMFDM, as well as American shock rocker, Marilyn Manson. The public has been quick to blame these musicians for violence in the United States. People are calling for government regulations in the form of ratings, warnings, edited material, and even bans on such allegedly offensive music. But how far is too far? Should the government regulate what should rightfully be the responsibility - and the right - of parents or guardians?    It cannot be denied that there is an excess of violence in today's music. Eminem raps about spousal abuse and murder sprees, Marilyn Manson sings of anarchy, drugs, and atheism, and Limp Bizkit urges fans to "break stuff." Some critics argue that fans will take these words seriously, and act out on the urging of their beloved artists. However, if listeners aren't mature enough to know the difference between the fictional world these lyrics invoke, and the reality that they personally live in, perhaps they aren't mature enough to listen to it. If a young person seriously believes in the message he or she hears, perhaps it is because the parents have not done a sound job of teaching the difference between fiction and reality, between right and wrong. Too man... ...or what it is - entertainment, and not be taken so seriously as people try to make it. Music, be it rap, alternative, country, or bubble gum pop, is merely another form of expression. If you don't like what you hear, don't want your children exposed to it, or are offended by it, just turn it off. Thousands of people have attended concerts by the most hated artists in America. Millions watch Marilyn Manson prance about in music videos. Yet, the general majority of the population is not inspired to murder innocent people. Teens that are depressed, troubled, or rejected and taunted by their peers need to get help before they let their warped sense of fantasy and reality mix too far. Don't deprive more mature listeners all because it's something that frightens you. Music may be a huge influence, but it cannot be blamed for all of society's problems.      

The Extraordinary Contributions of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet :: Essays Papers

The Extraordinary Contributions of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet There are commonly held stereotypes that women in the early twentieth century were passive or unimportant in affecting the development of the Western Frontier. However, women in Arizona during this time period helped shape history in a multitude of ways. One area impacted by the role of women during the early twentieth century was medicine. An area greatly dominated by males, medicine may not have advanced as successfully in Southern Arizona if it had not been for the efforts of seven women from St. Joseph, Missouri. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet made profound contributions to the Western Frontier in many ways. They severely impacted both areas of education and medicine in Arizona. By exploring the Sisters’ various contributions, this paper will uncover the significance of the Carondelet Sisters’ role in the development of the Western Frontier. In the early twentieth century, pioneers began to inundate the area of Southern Arizona. Among them were the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet; Emerentia Bonnefoy, Monica Corrigan, Euphrasia Suchet, Hyacinth Blanc, Martha Peters, Ambrosia Arnichaud, and Maxine Croisat (Bryne and Cammack). In 1870, these seven women began the exhausting and rigorous journey from St. Louis to Tucson, traveling by rail, sea and wagon. The Sisters came to Tucson on a mission to help Jean Baptiste Salpointe, who was a Bishop in the area. They were to teach in Tucson’s first school, which would transform the ways of education in the Western Frontier. Before the Carondelet sisters’ arrival, little had been done in the state of Arizona in the means of education. The Sisters established education in the area and contributed to the demise of the negative attitudes that parents had about raising their children in the West. Before these contributions, many parents found it necessary to move to a town or settlement where there would be more advantages for their children. "Mother did not let any of the unusual life about us interfere with our bringing up," a young Arizona girl recalled. "Except for the desire of giving us a more extended education than we could get in the state at that time, I am sure my father and mother would have remained†¦instead of removing to New Mexico" (Myres, pg.

The Host Chapter 17: Visited

The heat hit me first-like a wall of steam, the moist, thick air rolled over me and dewed on my skin. My mouth opened automatically as I tried to pull a breath from the abruptly denser air. The smell was stronger than before-that same metallic tang that clung in my throat and flavored the water here. The murmuring babble of bass and soprano voices seemed to issue from every side, echoing off the walls. I squinted anxiously through the swirling cloud of moisture, trying to make out where the voices came from. It was bright here-the ceiling was dazzling, like in the big room but much closer. The light danced off the vapor, creating a shimmering curtain that almost blinded me. My eyes struggled to adjust, and I clutched at Jeb's hand in panic. I was surprised that the strangely fluid babble did not respond in any way to our entrance. Perhaps they couldn't see us yet, either. â€Å"It's a bit close in here,† Jeb said apologetically, fanning at the steam in front of his face. His voice was relaxed, conversational in tone, and loud enough to make me jump. He spoke as if we were not surrounded. And the babble continued, oblivious to his voice. â€Å"Not that I'm complaining,† he continued. â€Å"I'd be dead several times over if this place didn't exist. The very first time I got stuck in the caves, of course. And now, we'd never be able to hide out here without it. With no hiding place, we're all dead, right?† He nudged me with his elbow, a conspiratorial gesture. â€Å"Mighty convenient, how it's laid out. Couldn't have planned it much better if I'd sculpted it myself out of play dough.† His laugh cleared a section of mist, and I saw the room for the first time. Two rivers flowed through the dank, high-domed space. This was the chatter that filled my ears-the water gushing over and under the purple volcanic rock. Jeb spoke as if we were alone because we were. It was really only one river and one small stream. The stream was closest; a shallow braided ribbon of silver in the light from above, coursing between low stone banks that it seemed constantly in danger of overrunning. A feminine, high-pitched murmur purred from its gentle ripples. The male, bass gurgle came from the river, as did the thick clouds of vapor that rose from the gaping holes in the ground by the far wall. The river was black, submerged under the floor of the cavern, exposed by wide, round erosions along the length of the room. The holes looked dark and dangerous, the river barely visible as it rushed powerfully toward an invisible and unfathomable destination. The water seemed to simmer, such was the heat and steam it produced. The sound of it, too, was like that of boiling water. From the ceiling hung a few long, narrow stalactites, dripping toward the stalagmites beneath each one. Three of them had met, forming thin black pillars between the two bodies of flowing water. â€Å"Got to be careful in here,† Jeb said. â€Å"Quite a current in the hot spring. If you fall in, you're gone. Happened once before.† He bowed his head at the memory, his face sober. The swift black eddies of the subterranean river were suddenly horrible to me. I imagined being caught in their scalding current and shuddered. Jeb put his hand lightly on my shoulder. â€Å"Don't worry. Just watch your step and you'll be fine. Now,† he said, pointing to the far end of the cavern, where the shallow stream ran into a dark cave, â€Å"the first cave back there is the bathing room. We've dug the floor out to make a nice, deep tub. There's a schedule for taking baths, but privacy's not usually an issue-it's black as pitch. The room's nice and warm so close to the steam, but the water won't burn you like the hot spring here. There's another cave just past that one, through a crevice. We've widened the entrance up to a comfortable size. That room is the farthest we can follow the stream-it drops underground there. So we've got that room fixed up as the latrine. Convenient and sanitary.† His voice had assumed a complacent tone, as if he felt credit was due to him for nature's creations. Well, he had discovered and improved the place-I supposed some pride was justified. â€Å"We don't like to waste batteries, and most of us know the floor here by heart, but since it's your first time, you can find your way with this.† Jeb pulled a flashlight from his pocket and held it out. The sight of it reminded me of the moment he'd found me dying in the desert, when he'd checked my eyes and known what I was. I didn't know why the memory made me sad. â€Å"Don't get any crazy ideas about maybe the river taking you out of here or something. Once that water goes underground, it doesn't come back up,† he cautioned me. Since he seemed to be waiting for some acknowledgment of his warning, I nodded once. I took the flashlight from his hand slowly, being careful not to make any quick movements that might startle him. He smiled in encouragement. I followed his directions quickly-the sound of the rushing water was not making my discomfort any easier to bear. It felt very strange to be out of his sight. What if someone had hidden in these caves, guessing I would have to come here eventually? Would Jeb hear the struggle over the cacophony of the rivers? I shone the flashlight all around the bathing room, looking for any sign of an ambush. The odd flickering shadows it made were not comforting, but I found no substance to my fears. Jeb's tub was more the size of a small swimming pool and black as ink. Under the surface, a person would be invisible as long as they could hold their breath†¦ I hurried through the slender crack at the back of the room to escape my imaginings. Away from Jeb, I was nearly overwhelmed with panic-I couldn't breathe normally; I could barely hear over the sound of my pulse racing behind my ears. I was more running than walking when I made my way back to the room with the rivers. To find Jeb standing there, still in the same pose, still alone, was like a balm to my splintered nerves. My breathing and my heartbeat slowed. Why this crazy human should be such a comfort to me, I couldn't understand. I supposed it was like Melanie had said, desperate times. â€Å"Not too shabby, eh?† he asked, a grin of pride on his face. I nodded once again and returned the flashlight. â€Å"These caves are a great gift,† he said as we started back toward the dark passageway. â€Å"We wouldn't be able to survive in a group like this without them. Magnolia and Sharon were getting along real well-shockingly well-up there in Chicago, but they were pushing their luck hiding two. It's mighty nice to have a community again. Makes me feel downright human.† He took my elbow once more as we climbed the rough stair-case out. â€Å"I'm sorry about the, um, accommodations we've got you in. It was the safest place I could think of. I'm surprised those boys found you as quick as they did.† Jeb sighed. â€Å"Well, Kyle gets real†¦ motivated. But I suppose it's all for the best. Might as well get used to how things are going to be. Maybe we can find something more hospitable for you. I'll think on it†¦ While I'm with you, at least, you don't really have to cram yourself into that little hole. You can sit in the hall with me if you prefer. Though with Jared†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He trailed off. I listened to his apologetic words in wonder; this was so much more kindness than I'd hoped for, more compassion than I'd thought this species was capable of giving their enemies. I patted the hand on my elbow lightly, hesitantly, trying to convey that I understood and wouldn't cause a problem. I was sure Jared much preferred to have me out of sight. Jeb had no trouble translating my wordless communication. â€Å"That's a good girl,† he said. â€Å"We'll figure this all out somehow. Doc can just concentrate on healin' human folks. You're much more interesting alive, I think.† Our bodies were close enough that he was able to feel me tremble. â€Å"Don't worry. Doc's not going to bother you now.† I couldn't stop shivering. Jeb could only promise me now. There was no guarantee that Jared would not decide my secret was more important than protecting Melanie's body. I knew that such a fate would make me wish Ian had succeeded last night. I swallowed, feeling the bruising that seemed to go all the way through my neck to the inside walls of my throat. You never know how much time you'll have, Melanie had said so many days ago, when my world was still under control. Her words echoed in my head as we reentered the big room, the main plaza of Jeb's human community. It was full, like the first night, everyone there to glare at us with eyes that blazed anger and betrayal when they looked at him and murder when they looked at me. I kept my gaze down on the rock under my feet. From the corner of my eye, I could see that Jeb held his gun ready again. It was only a matter of time, indeed. I could feel it in the atmosphere of hate and fear. Jeb could not protect me long. It was a relief to scrape back through the narrow crevice, to look forward to the winding black labyrinth and my cramped hiding place; I could hope to be alone there. Behind me, a furious hissing, like a nest of goaded snakes, echoed in the big cavern. The sound made me wish Jeb would lead me through the labyrinth at a quicker pace. Jeb chuckled under his breath. He seemed to get stranger the longer I was around him. His sense of humor mystified me as much as his motivations did. â€Å"It gets a bit tedious down here sometimes, you know,† he murmured to me, or to himself. With Jeb, it was hard to tell. â€Å"Maybe when they get over being cheesed off at me, they'll realize they appreciate all the excitement I'm providing.† Our path through the dark twisted in a serpentine fashion. It didn't feel at all familiar. Perhaps he took a different route to keep me lost. It seemed to take more time than before, but finally I could see the dim blue light of the lamp shining from around the next curve. I braced myself, wondering if Jared would be there again. If he was, I knew he would be angry. I was sure he wouldn't approve of Jeb taking me for a field trip, no matter how necessary it might have been. As soon as we rounded the corner, I could see that there was a figure slumped against the wall beside the lamp, casting a long shadow toward us, but it was obviously not Jared. My hand clutched at Jeb's arm, an automatic spasm of fear. And then I really looked at the waiting figure. It was smaller than me-that was how I'd known it was not Jared-and thin. Small, but also too tall and too wiry. Even in the dim light of the blue lamp, I could see that his skin was dyed to a deep brown by the sun, and that his silky black hair now fell unkempt past his chin. My knees buckled. My hand, grasping Jeb's arm in panic, held on for support. â€Å"Well, for Pete's sake!† Jeb exclaimed, obviously irritated. â€Å"Can't nobody keep a secret around this place for more'n twenty-four hours? Gol' durn, this burns me up! Bunch of gossipmongers†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He trailed off into a grumble. I didn't even try to understand the words Jeb was saying; I was locked in the fiercest battle of my life-of every life I'd ever lived. I could feel Melanie in each cell of my body. My nerve endings tingled in recognition of her familiar presence. My muscles twitched in anticipation of her direction. My lips trembled, trying to open. I leaned forward toward the boy in the hall, my body reaching because my arms would not. Melanie had learned many things the few times I'd ceded or lost my command to her, and I truly had to struggle against her-so hard that fresh sweat beaded on my brow. But I was not dying in the desert now. Nor was I weak and dizzy and taken off guard by the appearance of someone I'd given up for lost; I'd known this moment might come. My body was resilient, quick to heal-I was strong again. The strength of my body gave strength to my control, to my determination. I drove her from my limbs, chased her from every hold she'd found, thrust her back into the recesses of my mind, and chained her there. Her surrender was sudden and total. Aaah, she sighed, and it was almost a moan of pain. I felt strangely guilty as soon as I'd won. I'd already known that she was more to me than a resistant host who made life unnecessarily difficult. We'd become companions, even confidantes during our past weeks together-ever since the Seeker had united us against a common enemy. In the desert, with Kyle's knife over my head, I'd been glad that if I had to die I would not be the one to kill Melanie; even then, she was more than a body to me. But now it seemed like something beyond that. I regretted causing her pain. It was necessary, though, and she didn't seem to grasp that. Any word we said wrong, any poorly considered action would mean a quick execution. Her reactions were too wild and emotional. She would get us into trouble. You have to trust me now, I told her. I'm just trying to keep us alive. I know you don't want to believe your humans could hurt us†¦ But it's Jamie, she whispered. She yearned for the boy with an emotion so strong that it weakened my knees again. I tried to look at him impartially-this sullen-faced teenager slumped against the tunnel wall with his arms folded tightly across his chest. I tried to see him as a stranger and plan my response, or lack of response, accordingly. I tried, but I failed. He was Jamie, he was beautiful, and my arms-mine, not Melanie's-longed to hold him. Tears filled my eyes and trickled down my face. I could only hope they were invisible in the dim light. â€Å"Jeb,† Jamie said-a gruff greeting. His eyes passed swiftly over me and away. His voice was so deep! Could he really be so old? I realized with a double pang of guilt that I'd just missed his fourteenth birthday. Melanie showed me the day, and I saw that it was the same day as the first dream with Jamie. She'd struggled so hard all through the waking hours to keep her pain to herself, to cloud her memories in order to protect the boy, that he'd come out in her dream. And I'd e-mailed the Seeker. I shuddered now in disbelief that I'd ever been so callous. â€Å"Whatcha doing here, kid?† Jeb demanded. â€Å"Why didn't you tell me?† Jamie demanded back. Jeb went silent. â€Å"Was that Jared's idea?† Jamie pressed. Jeb sighed. â€Å"Okay, so you know. What good does that do you, eh? We only wanted to -â€Å" â€Å"To protect me?† he interrupted, surly. When did he get so bitter? Was it my fault? Of course it was. Melanie began sobbing in my head. It was distracting, loud-it made Jeb and Jamie's voices sound farther away. â€Å"Fine, Jamie. So you don't need protecting. What do you want?† This quick capitulation seemed to throw Jamie off. His eyes darted between Jeb's face and mine while he struggled to come up with a request. â€Å"I-I want to talk with her†¦ with it,† he finally said. His voice was higher when he was unsure. â€Å"She doesn't say much,† Jeb told him, â€Å"but you're welcome to try, kid.† Jeb pried my fingers off his arm. When he was free, he turned his back to the nearest wall, leaning into it as he eased himself to the floor. He settled in there, fidgeting until he found a comfortable position. The gun stayed balanced in the cradle of his lap. Jeb's head lolled back against the wall, and his eyes closed. In seconds, he looked like he was asleep. I stood where he'd left me, trying to keep my eyes off Jamie's face and failing. Jamie was surprised again by Jeb's easy acquiescence. He watched the old man recline on the floor with wide eyes that made him look younger. After a few minutes of perfect stillness from Jeb, Jamie looked back up at me, and his eyes tightened. The way he stared at me-angry, trying hard to be brave and grown-up, but also showing the fear and pain so clearly in his dark eyes-had Melanie sobbing louder and my knees shaking. Rather than take a chance with another collapse, I moved slowly to the tunnel wall across from Jeb and slid down to the floor. I curled up around my bent legs, trying to be as small as possible. Jamie watched me with cautious eyes and then took four slow steps forward until he stood over me. His glance flitted to Jeb, who hadn't moved or opened his eyes, and then Jamie knelt down at my side. His face was suddenly intense, and it made him look more adult than any expression yet. My heart throbbed for the sad man in the little boy's face. â€Å"You're not Melanie,† he said in a low voice. It was harder not to speak to him because I was the one who wanted to speak. Instead, after a brief hesitation, I shook my head. â€Å"You're inside her body, though.† Another pause, and I nodded. â€Å"What happened to your†¦ to her face?† I shrugged. I didn't know what my face looked like, but I could imagine. â€Å"Who did this to you?† he pressed. With a hesitant finger, he almost touched the side of my neck. I held still, feeling no urge to cringe away from this hand. â€Å"Aunt Maggie, Jared, and Ian,† Jeb listed off in a bored voice. We both jumped at the sound. Jeb hadn't moved, and his eyes were still closed. He looked so peaceful, as if he had answered Jamie's question in his sleep. Jamie waited for a moment, then turned back to me with the same intense expression. â€Å"You're not Melanie, but you know all her memories and stuff, right?† I nodded again. â€Å"Do you know who I am?† I tried to swallow the words, but they slipped through my lips. â€Å"You're Jamie.† I couldn't help how my voice wrapped around the name like a caress. He blinked, startled that I had broken my silence. Then he nodded. â€Å"Right,† he whispered back. We both looked at Jeb, who remained still, and back at each other. â€Å"Then you remember what happened to her?† he asked. I winced, and then nodded slowly. â€Å"I want to know,† he whispered. I shook my head. â€Å"I want to know,† Jamie repeated. His lips trembled. â€Å"I'm not a kid. Tell me.† â€Å"It's not†¦ pleasant,† I breathed, unable to stop myself. It was very hard to deny this boy what he wanted. His straight black eyebrows pulled together and up in the middle over his wide eyes. â€Å"Please,† he whispered. I glanced at Jeb. I thought that maybe he was peeking from between his lashes now, but I couldn't be sure. My voice was soft as breathing. â€Å"Someone saw her go into a place that was off-limits. They knew something was wrong. They called the Seekers.† He flinched at the title. â€Å"The Seekers tried to get her to surrender. She ran from them. When they had her cornered, she jumped into an open elevator shaft.† I recoiled from the memory of pain, and Jamie's face went white under his tan. â€Å"She didn't die?† he whispered. â€Å"No. We have very skilled Healers. They mended her quickly. Then they put me in her. They hoped I would be able to tell them how she had survived so long.† I had not meant to say so much; my mouth snapped shut. Jamie didn't seem to notice my slip, but Jeb's eyes opened slowly and fixed on my face. No other part of him moved, and Jamie didn't see the change. â€Å"Why didn't you let her die?† he asked. He had to swallow hard; a sob was threatening in his voice. This was all the more painful to hear because it was not the sound a child makes, frightened of the unknown, but the fully comprehending agony of an adult. It was so hard not to reach out and put my hand on his cheek. I wanted to hug him to me and beg him not to be sad. I curled my hands into fists and tried to concentrate on his question. Jeb's eyes flickered to my hands and back to my face. â€Å"I wasn't in on the decision,† I murmured. â€Å"I was still in a hibernation tank in deep space when that happened.† Jamie blinked again in surprise. My answer was nothing he'd expected, and I could see him struggling with some new emotion. I glanced at Jeb; his eyes were bright with curiosity. The same curiosity, though more wary, won out with Jamie. â€Å"Where were you coming from?† he asked. In spite of myself, I smiled at his unwilling interest. â€Å"Far away. Another planet.† â€Å"What was -† he started to ask, but he was interrupted by another question. â€Å"What the hell?† Jared shouted at us, frozen with fury in the act of rounding the corner at the end of the tunnel. â€Å"Damn it, Jeb! We agreed not to -â€Å" Jamie wrenched himself upright. â€Å"Jeb didn't bring me here. But you should have.† Jeb sighed and got slowly to his feet. As he did so, the gun rolled from his lap onto the floor. It stopped only a few inches from me. I scooted away, uncomfortable. Jared had a different reaction. He lunged toward me, closing the length of the hallway in a few running strides. I cowered into the wall and covered my face with my arms. Peeking around my elbow, I watched him jerk the gun up from the floor. â€Å"Are you trying to get us killed?† he almost screamed at Jeb, shoving the gun into the old man's chest. â€Å"Calm down, Jared,† Jeb said in a tired voice. He took the gun in one hand. â€Å"She wouldn't touch this thing if I left it down here alone with her all night. Can't you see that?† He stabbed the barrel of the gun toward me, and I cringed away. â€Å"She's no Seeker, this one.† â€Å"Shut up, Jeb, just shut up!† â€Å"Leave him alone,† Jamie shouted. â€Å"He didn't do anything wrong.† â€Å"You!† Jared shouted back, turning on the slim, angry figure. â€Å"You get out of here now, or so help me!† Jamie balled his fists and stood his ground. Jared's fists came up, too. I was rooted in place with shock. How could they scream at each other this way? They were family, the bonds between them stronger than any blood tie. Jared wouldn't hit Jamie-he couldn't! I wanted to do something, but I didn't know what to do. Anything that brought me to their attention would only make them angrier. For once, Melanie was calmer than I was. He can't hurt Jamie, she thought confidently. It's not possible. I looked at them, facing off like enemies, and panicked. We should never have come here. See how unhappy we've made them, I moaned. â€Å"You shouldn't have tried to keep this a secret from me,† Jamie said between his teeth. â€Å"And you shouldn't have hurt her.† One of his hands unclenched and flew out to point at my face. Jared spit on the floor. â€Å"That's not Melanie. She's never coming back, Jamie.† â€Å"That's her face,† Jamie insisted. â€Å"And her neck. Don't the bruises there bother you?† Jared dropped his hands. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. â€Å"You will either leave right now, Jamie, and give me some space, or I will make you leave. I am not bluffing. I can't deal with any more right now, okay? I'm at my limit. So can we please have this conversation later?† He opened his eyes again; they were full of pain. Jamie looked at him, and the anger drained slowly from his face. â€Å"Sorry,† he muttered after a moment. â€Å"I'll go†¦ but I'm not promising that I won't come back.† â€Å"I can't think about that now. Go. Please.† Jamie shrugged. He threw one more searching look at me, and then he left, his quick, long stride making me ache again for the time I'd missed. Jared looked at Jeb. â€Å"You, too,† he said in a flat voice. Jeb rolled his eyes. â€Å"I don't think you've had a long enough break, to be honest. I'll keep an eye on -â€Å" â€Å"Go.† Jeb frowned thoughtfully. â€Å"Okay. Sure.† He started down the hall. â€Å"Jeb?† Jared called after him. â€Å"Yeah?† â€Å"If I asked you to shoot it right now, would you do it?† Jeb kept walking slowly, not looking at us, but his words were clear. â€Å"I'd have to. I follow my own rules. So don't ask me unless you really mean it.† He disappeared into the dark. Jared watched him go. Before he could turn his glower on me, I ducked into my uncomfortable sanctuary and curled up in the back corner.