Digital Image Alteration and Photojournalist Ethics in China and USA Es

Digital Image Alteration and Photojournalist Ethics in China and USA Introduction Photography is a process where lights are recorded through chemical means(by film) or by an electronic device such as digital sensor. The resulting photograph represents a optically realistic portrait of a specific event at a specific location and time. This connection to reality allows people place a significant amount of trust on photographs and coined the phrase "the camera does not lie." Thus, photographs are used heavily in news reporting as a proof that a certain event has occurred. Recently, news agencies have begin to digitize their photographic process. Using digital photography allows journalists to send their pictures to the editor with faster speed and better reliability than using film. However, digital images are easily modifiable. People or objects may be added, rearranged, reversed, distorted or removed from a scene. Colors and brightness may be adjusted. Pictures can be sharpened or blurred. Yet, when a picture is altered, its link to reality, to that particular even t, may be weakened or completely severed. To many people, this is a form of deception by the news agency to the public because people assume that photograph is a faithful representation of an event. In addition, these changes are difficult to detect since there is no physical negatives to inspect. The public can only rely on the news editorial board to perform as they promised-- to uphold journalist integrity and to report facts as accurately as they can While news editors have a duty to report news truthfully ,they also have to deal with publishing constraints. Editors are constantly tempted to alter the picture to fit the layout, deliver pictures with stronger ... ...oynter Online. 2 Apr. 2003.http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=28082 New York Times, Guideline on Our Integrity, December 2000, http://www.asne.org/index.cfm?id=408 Tung-chiang Ch'iu, Literary Inquisition, Banned Books and "The Series of Si Ku Banned and Burned Books". http://www.lib.nccu.edu.tw/mag/admin/26/p28.html Guideline for Chinese News workers. http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2003-10-14/19271921005.shtml Identifying fake photographs. http://www.dpnet.com.cn/school/school_show_new.asp?id=1491 Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Virtue Ethics. 18, July 2003.http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-virtue/ Kieran, Mathew. Media Ethics New York, NY: Routledge, 1998. Olen, Jeffrey. Ethics in Journalism Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1998. Kieran, Mathew. Media Ethics: A Philosophical Approach Westport, CT: Praeger, 1997.

The Twilight Saga 3: Eclipse Chapter 7. REPETITION

I WASN'T SURE WHAT THE HELL I WAS DOING HERE Was I trying to push myself back into the zombie stupor? Had I turned masochisticdeveloped a taste for torture? I should have gone straight down to La Push I felt much, much healthier around Jacob This was not a healthy thing to do. But I continued to drive slowly down the overgrown lane, twisting through the trees that arched over me like a green, living tunnel My hands were shaking, so I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. I knew that part of the reason I did this was the nightmare, now that I was really awake, the nothingness of the dream gnawed on my nerves, a dog worrying a bone. There was something to search for. Unattainable and impossible, uncaring and distracted but he was out there, somewhere. I had to believe that. The other part was the strange sense of repetition I'd felt at school today, the coincidence of the date. The feeling that I was starting overperhaps the way my first day would have gone if I'd really been the most unusual person in the cafeteria that afternoon. The words ran through my head, tonelessly, like I was reading them rather than hearing them spoken: It will be as if I'd never existed. I was lying to myself by splitting my reason for coming here into just two parts. I didn't want to admit the strongest motivation. Because it was mentally unsound. The truth was that I wanted to hear his voice again, like I had in the strange delusion Friday night. For that brief moment, when his voice came from some other part of me than my conscious memory, when his voice was perfect and honey smooth rather than the pale echo my memories usually produced, I was able to remember without pain. It hadn't lasted; the pain had caught up with me, as I was sure it would for this fool's errand. But those precious moments when I could hear him again were an irresistible lure. I had to find some way to repeat the experience or maybe the better word was episode. I was hoping that dj vu was the key. So I was going to his home, a place I hadn't been since my ill-fated birthday party, so many months ago. The thick, almost jungle-like growth crawled slowly past my windows. The drive wound on and on. I started to go faster, getting edgy. How long had I been driving? Shouldn't I have reached the house yet? The lane was so overgrown that it did not look familiar. What if I couldn't find it? I shivered. What if there was no tangible proof at all? Then there was the break in the trees that I was looking for, only it was not so pronounced as before. The flora here did not wait long to reclaim any land that was left unguarded. The tall ferns had infiltrated the meadow around the house, crowding against the trunks of the cedars, even the wide porch. It was like the lawn had been floodedwaist-highwith green, feathery waves. And the house was there, but it was not the same. Though nothing had changed on the outside, the emptiness screamed from the blank windows. It was creepy. For the first time since I'd seen the beautiful house, it looked like a fitting haunt for vampires. I hit the brakes, looking away. I was afraid to go farther. But nothing happened. No voice in my head. So I left the engine running and jumped out into the fern sea. Maybe, like Friday night, if I walked forward I approached the barren, vacant face slowly, my truck rumbling out a comforting roar behind me. I stopped when I got to the porch stairs, because there was nothing here. No lingering sense of their presence of his presence. The house was solidly here, but it meant little. Its concrete reality would not counteract the nothingness of the nightmares. I didn't go any closer. I didn't want to look in the windows. I wasn't sure which would be harder to see. If the rooms were bare, echoing empty from floor to ceiling, that would certainly hurt. Like my grandmother's funeral, when my mother had insisted that I stay outside during the viewing. She had said that I didn't need to see Gran that way, to remember her that way, rather than alive. But wouldn't it be worse if there were no change? If the couches sat just as I'd last seen them, the paintings on the wallsworse still, the piano on its low platform? It would be second only to the house disappearing all together, to see that there was no physical possession that tied them in anyway. That everything remained, untouched and forgotten, behind them. Just like me. I turned my back on the gaping emptiness and hurried to my truck. I nearly ran. I was anxious to be gone, to get back to the human world. I felt hideously empty, and I wanted to see Jacob. Maybe I was developing a new kind of sickness, another addiction, like the numbness before. I didn't care. I pushed my truck as fast as it would go as I barreled toward my fix. Jacob was waiting for me. My chest seemed to relax as soon as I saw him, making it easier to breathe. â€Å"Hey, Bella,† he called. I smiled in relief. â€Å"Hey, Jacob,† I waved at Billy, who was looking out the window. â€Å"Let's get to work,† Jacob said in a low but eager voice. I was somehow able to laugh. â€Å"You seriously aren't sick of me yet?† I wondered. He must be starting to ask himself how desperate I was for company. Jacob led the way around the house to his garage. â€Å"Nope. Not yet.† â€Å"Please let me know when I start getting on your nerves. I don't want to be a pain.† â€Å"Okay.† He laughed, a throaty sound. â€Å"I wouldn't hold your breath for that, though.† When I walked into the garage, I was shocked to see the red bike standing up, looking like a motorcycle rather than a pile of jagged metal. â€Å"Jake, you're amazing,† I breathed. He laughed again. â€Å"I get obsessive when I have a project.† He shrugged. â€Å"If I had any brains I'd drag it out a little bit.† â€Å"Why?† He looked down, pausing for so long that I wondered if he hadn't heard my question. Finally, he asked me, â€Å"Bella, if I told you that I couldn't fix these bikes, what would you say?† I didn't answer right away, either, and he glanced up to check my expression. â€Å"I would say that's too bad, but I'll bet we could figure out something else to do. If we got really desperate, we could even do homework.† Jacob smiled, and his shoulders relaxed. He sat down next to the bike and picked up a wrench. â€Å"So you think you'll still come over when I'm done, then?† â€Å"Is that what you meant?† I shook my head. â€Å"I guess I am taking advantage of your very underpriced mechanical skills. But as long as you let me come over, I'll be here.† â€Å"Hoping to see Quil again?† he teased. â€Å"You caught me.† He chuckled. â€Å"You really like spending time with me?† he asked, marveling. â€Å"Very, very much. And I'll prove it. I have to work tomorrow, but Wednesday we'll do something nonmechanical.† â€Å"Like what?† â€Å"I have no idea. We can go to my place so you won't be tempted to be obsessive. You could bring your schoolworkyou have to be getting behind, because I know I am.† â€Å"Homework might be a good idea.† He made a face, and I wondered how much he was leaving undone to be with me. â€Å"Yes,† I agreed. â€Å"We'll have to start being responsible occasionally, or Billy and Charlie aren't going to be so easygoing about this.† I made a gesture indicating the two of us as a single entity. He liked thathe beamed. â€Å"Homework once a week?† he proposed. â€Å"Maybe we'd better go with twice,† I suggested, thinking of the pile I'd just been assigned today. He sighed a heavy sigh. Then he reached over his toolbox to a paper grocery sack. He pulled out two cans of soda, cracking one open and handing it to me. He opened the second, and held it up ceremoniously. â€Å"Here's to responsibility,† he toasted. â€Å"Twice a week.† â€Å"And recklessness every day in between,† I emphasized. He grinned and touched his can to mine. I got home later than I'd planned and found Charlie had ordered a pizza rather than wait for me. He wouldn't let me apologize. â€Å"I don't mind,† he assured me. â€Å"You deserve a break from all the cooking, anyway.† I knew he was just relieved that I was still acting like a normal person, and he was not about to rock the boat. I checked my e-mail before I started on my homework, and there was a long one from Renee. She gushed over every detail I'd provided her with, so I sent back another exhaustive description of my day. Everything but the motorcycles. Even happy-go-lucky Renee was likely to be alarmed by that. School Tuesday had its ups and downs. Angela and Mike seemed ready to welcome me back with open armsto kindly overlook my few months of aberrant behavior. Jess was more resistant. I wondered if she needed a formal written apology for the Port Angeles incident. Mike was animated and chatty at work. It was like he'd stored up the semester's worth of talk, and it was all spilling out now. I found that I was able to smile and laugh with him, though it wasn't as effortless as it was with Jacob. It seemed harmless enough, until quitting time. Mike put the closed sign in the window while I folded my vest and shoved it under the counter. â€Å"This was fun tonight,† Mike said happily. â€Å"Yeah,† I agreed, though I'd much rather have spent the afternoon in the garage. â€Å"It's too bad that you had to leave the movie early last week.† I was a little confused by his train of thought. I shrugged. â€Å"I'm just a wimp, I guess.† â€Å"What I mean is, you should go to a better movie, something you'd enjoy,† he explained. â€Å"Oh,† I muttered, still confused. â€Å"Like maybe this Friday. With me. We could go see something that isn't scary at all.† I bit my lip. I didn't want to screw things up with Mike, not when he was one of the only people ready to forgive me for being crazy. But this, again, felt far too familiar. Like the last year had never happened. I wished I had Jess as an excuse this time. â€Å"Like a date?† I asked. Honesty was probably the best policy at this point. Get it over with. He processed the tone of my voice â€Å"If you want. But it doesn't have to be like that.† â€Å"I don't date,† I said slowly, realizing how true that was. That whole world seemed impossibly distant. â€Å"Just as friends?† he suggested. His clear blue eyes were not as eager now. I hoped he really meant that we could be friends anyway. â€Å"That would be fun. But I actually have plans already this Friday, so maybe next week?† â€Å"What are you doing?† he asked, less casually than I think he wanted to sound. â€Å"Homework. I have a study session planned with a friend.† â€Å"Oh. Okay. Maybe next week.† He walked me to my car, less exuberant than before. It reminded me so clearly of my first months in Forks. I'd come full circle, and now everything felt like an echoan empty echo, devoid of the interest it used to have. The next night, Charlie didn't seem the smallest bit surprised to find Jacob and me sprawled across the living room floor with our books scattered around us, so I guessed that he and Billy were talking behind our backs. â€Å"Hey, kids,† he said, his eyes straying to the kitchen. The smell of the lasagna I'd spent the afternoon makingwhile Jacob watched and occasionally sampledwafted down the hall; I was being good, trying to atone for all the pizza. Jacob stayed for dinner, and took a plate home for Billy. He grudgingly added another year to my negotiable age for being a good cook. Friday was the garage, and Saturday, after my shift at Newton's, was homework again. Charlie felt secure enough in my sanity to spend the day fishing with Harry. When he got back, we were all donefeeling very sensible and mature about it, tooand watching Monster Garage on the Discovery Channel. â€Å"I probably ought to go.† Jacob sighed. â€Å"It's later than I thought.† â€Å"Okay, fine,† I grumbled. â€Å"I'll take you home.† He laughed at my unwilling expressionit seemed to please him. â€Å"Tomorrow, back to work,† I said as soon as we were safe in the truck. â€Å"What time do you want me to come up?† There was an unexplained excitement in his answering smile. â€Å"I'll call you first, okay?† â€Å"Sure.† I frowned to myself, wondering what was up. His smile widened. I cleaned the house the next morningwaiting for Jacob to call and trying to shake off the Litest nightmare. The scenery had changed. Last night I'd wandered in a wide sea of ferns interspersed with huge hemlock trees. There was nothing else there, and I was lost, wandering aimless and alone, searching for nothing. I wanted to kick myself for the stupid field trip last week. I shoved the dream out of my conscious mind, hoping it would stay locked up somewhere and not escape again. Charlie was outside washing the cruiser, so when the phone rang, I dropped the toilet brush and ran downstairs to answer it. â€Å"Hello?† I asked breathlessly. â€Å"Bella,† Jacob said, a strange, formal tone to his voice. â€Å"Hey, Jake.† â€Å"I believe that we have a date† he said, his tone thick with implications. It took me a second before I got it. â€Å"They're done? I can't believe it!† What perfect timing. I needed something to distract me from nightmares and nothingness. â€Å"Yeah, they run and everything.† â€Å"Jacob, you are absolutely, without a doubt, the most talented and wonderful person I know. You get ten years for this one.† â€Å"Cool! I'm middle-aged now.† I laughed. â€Å"I'm on my way up!† I threw the cleaning supplies under the bathroom counter and grabbed my jacket. â€Å"Headed to see Jake,† Charlie said when I ran past him. It wasn't really a question. â€Å"Yep,† I replied as I jumped in my truck. â€Å"I'll be at the station later,† Charlie called after me. â€Å"Okay,† I yelled back, turning the key. Charlie said something else, but I couldn't hear him clearly over the roar of the engine. It sounded sort of like, â€Å"Where's the fire?† I parked my truck off to the side of the Blacks' house, close to the trees, to make it easier for us to sneak the bikes out. When I got out, a splash of color caught my eyetwo shiny motorcycles, one red, one black, were hidden under a spruce, invisible from the house. Jacob was prepared. There was a piece of blue ribbon tied in a small bow around each of the handlebars. I was laughing at that when Jacob ran out of the house. â€Å"Ready?† he asked in a low voice, his eyes sparkling. I glanced over his shoulder, and there was no sign of Billy. â€Å"Yeah,† I said, but I didn't feel quite as excited as before; I was trying to imagine myself actually on the motorcycle. Jacob loaded the bikes into the bed of the truck with ease, laying them carefully on their sides so they didn't show. â€Å"Let's go,† he said, his voice higher than usual with excitement. â€Å"I know the perfect spotno one will catch us there.† We drove south out of town. The dirt road wove in and out of the forestsometimes there was nothing but trees, and then there would suddenly be a breathtaking glimpse of the Pacific Ocean, reaching to the horizon, dark gray under the clouds. We were above the shore, on top of the cliffs that bordered the beach here and the view seemed to stretch on forever. I was driving slowly, so that I could safely stare out across the ocean now and then, as the road wound closer to the sea cliffs. Jacob was talking about finishing the bikes, but his descriptions were getting technical, so I wasn't paying close attention. That was when I noticed four figures standing on a rocky ledge, much too close to the precipice. I couldn't tell from the distance how old they were, but I assumed they were men. Despite the chill in the air today, they seemed to be wearing only shorts. As I watched, the tallest person stepped closer to the brink. I slowed automatically, my foot hesitating over the brake pedal. And then he threw himself off the edge. â€Å"No!† I shouted, stomping down on the brake. â€Å"What's wrong?† Jacob shouted back, alarmed. â€Å"That guyhe just jumped off the cliff! Why didn't they stop him? We've got to call an ambulance!† I threw open my door and started to get out, which made no sense at all. The fastest way to a phone was to drive back to Billy's. But I couldn't believe what I'd just seen. Maybe, subconsciously, I hoped I would see something different without the glass of the windshield in the way. Jacob laughed, and I spun to stare at him wildly. How could he be so calloused, so cold-blooded? â€Å"They're just cliff diving, Bella. Recreation. La Push doesn't have a mall, you know.† He was teasing, but there was a strange note of irritation in his voice. â€Å"Cliff diving?† I repeated, dazed. I stared in disbelief as a second figure stepped to the edge, paused, and then very gracefully leaped into space. He fell for what seemed like an eternity to me, finally cutting smoothly into the dark gray waves below. â€Å"Wow. It's so high.† I slid back into my seat, still staring wide-eyed at the two remaining divers. â€Å"It must be a hundred feet.† â€Å"Well, yeah, most of us jump from lower down, that rock that juts out from the cliff about halfway.† He pointed out his window. The place he indicated did seem much more reasonable. â€Å"Those guys are insane. Probably showing off how tough they are. I mean, really, it's freezing today. That water can't feel good.† He made a disgruntled face, as if the stunt personally offended him. It surprised me a little. I would have thought Jacob was nearly impossible to upset. â€Å"You jump off the cliff?† I hadn't missed the â€Å"us.† â€Å"Sure, sure.† He shrugged and grinned. â€Å"It's fun. A little scary, kind of a rush.† I looked back at the cliffs, where the third figure was pacing the edge. I'd never witnessed anything so reckless in all my life. My eyes widened, and I smiled. â€Å"Jake, you have to take me cliff diving.† He frowned back at me, his face disapproving. â€Å"Bella, you just wanted to call an ambulance for Sam,† he reminded me. I was surprised that he could tell who it was from this distance. â€Å"I want to try,† I insisted, start ing to get out of the car again. Jacob grabbed my wrist. â€Å"Not today, all right? Can we at least wait for a warmer day?† â€Å"Okay, fine,† I agreed. With the door open, the glacial breeze was raising goose bumps on my arm. â€Å"But I want to go soon.† â€Å"Soon.† He rolled his eyes. â€Å"Sometimes you're a little strange, Bella. Do you know that?† I sighed. â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"And we're not jumping off the top.† I watched, fascinated, as the third boy made a running start and flung himself farther into the empty air than the other two. He twisted and cartwheeled through space as he fell, like he was skydiving. He looked absolutely freeunthinking and utterly irresponsible. â€Å"Fine,† I agreed. â€Å"Not the first time, anyway.† Now Jacob sighed. â€Å"Are we going to try out the bikes or not?† he demanded. â€Å"Okay, okay,† I said, tearing my eyes away from the last person waiting on the cliff. I put my seat belt back on and closed the door. The engine was still running, roaring as it idled. We started down the road again. â€Å"So who were those guysthe crazy ones?† I wondered. He made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat. â€Å"The La Push gang.† â€Å"You have a gang?† I asked. I realized that I sounded impressed. He laughed once at my reaction. â€Å"Not like that. I swear, they're like hall monitors gone bad. They don't start fights, they keep the peace.† He snorted. â€Å"There was this guy from up somewhere by the Makah rez, big guy too, scary-looking. Well, word got around that he was selling meth to kids, and Sam Uley and his disciples ran him off our land. They're all about our land, and tribe pride it's getting ridiculous. The worst part is that the council takes them seriously. Embry said that the council actually meets with Sam.† He shook his head, face full of resentment. â€Å"Embry also heard from Leah Clearwater that they call themselves ‘protectors' or something like that.† Jacob's hands were clenched into fists, as if he'd like to hit something. I'd never seen this side of him. I was surprised to hear Sam Uley's name. I didn't want it to bring back the images from my nightmare, so I made a quick observation to distract myself. â€Å"You don't like them very much.† â€Å"Does it show?† he asked sarcastically. â€Å"Well It doesn't sound like they're doing anything bad.† I tried to soothe him, to make him cheerful again. â€Å"Just sort of annoyingly goody-two-shoes for a gang.† â€Å"Yeah. Annoying is a good word. They're always showing offlike the cliff thing. They act like like, I don't know. Like tough guys. I was hanging out at the store with Embry and Quil once, last semester, and Sam came by with his followers, Jared and Paul. Quil said something, you know how he's got a big mouth, and it pissed Paul off. His eyes got all dark, and he sort of smiledno, he showed his teeth but he didn't smileand it was like he was so mad he was shaking or something. But Sam put his hand against Paul's chest and shook his head. Paul looked at him for a minute and calmed down. Honestly, it was like Sam was holding him backlike Paul was going to tear us up if Sam didn't stop him.† He groaned. â€Å"Like a bad western. You know, Sam's a pretty big guy, he's twenty. But Paul's just sixteen, too, shorter than me and not as beefy as Quil. I think any one of us could take him.† â€Å"Tough guys,† I agreed. I could see it in my head as he described it, and it reminded me of something a trio of tall, dark men standing very still and close together in my father's living room. The picture was sideways, because my head was lying against the couch while Dr. Gerandy and Charlie leaned over me Had that been Sam's gang? I spoke quickly again to divert myself from the bleak memories. â€Å"Isn't Sam a little too old for this kind of thing?† â€Å"Yeah. He was supposed to go to college, but he stayed. And no one gave him any crap about it, either. The whole council pitched a fit when my sister turned down a partial scholarship and got married. But, oh no, Sam Uley can do no wrong.† His face was set in unfamiliar lines of outrageoutrage and something else I didn't recognize at first. â€Å"It all sounds really annoying and strange. But I don't get why you're taking it so personally.† I peeked over at his face, hoping I hadn't offended him. He was suddenly calm, staring out the side window. â€Å"You just missed the turn,† he said in an even voice. I executed a very wide U-turn, nearly hitting a tree as my circle ran the truck halfway off the road. â€Å"Thanks for the heads-up,† I muttered as I started up the side road. â€Å"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention.† It was quiet for a brief minute. â€Å"You can stop anywhere along here,† he said softly. I pulled over and cut the engine. My ears rang in the silence that followed. We both got out, and Jacob headed around to the back to get the bikes. I tried to read his expression. Something more was bothering him. I'd hit a nerve. He smiled halfheartedly as he pushed the red bike to my side. â€Å"Happy late birthday. Are you ready for this?† â€Å"I think so.† The bike suddenly looked intimidating, frightening, as I realized I would soon be astride it. â€Å"We'll take it slow,† he promised. I gingerly leaned the motorcycle against the truck's fender while he went to get his. â€Å"Jake†I hesitated as he came back around the truck. â€Å"Yeah?† â€Å"What's really bothering you? About the Sam thing, I mean? Is there something else?† I watched his face. He grimaced, but he didn't seem angry. He looked at the dirt and kicked his shoe against the front tire of his bike again and again, like he was keeping time. He sighed. â€Å"It's just the way they treat me. It creeps me out.† The words started to rush out now. â€Å"You know, the council is supposed to be made up of equals, but if there was a leader, it would be my dad. I've never been able to figure out why people treat him the way they do. Why his opinion counts the most. It's got something to do with his father and his father's father. My great-grandpa, Ephraim Black, was sort of the last chief we had, and they still listen to Billy, maybe because of that. â€Å"But I'm just like everyone else. Nobody treats me special until now.† That caught me off guard. â€Å"Sam treats you special?† â€Å"Yeah,† he agreed, looking up at me with troubled eyes. â€Å"He looks at me like he's waiting for something like I'm going to join his stupid gang someday. He pays more attention to me than any of the other guys. I hate it.† â€Å"You don't have to join anything.† My voice was angry. This was really upsetting Jacob, and that infuriated me. Who did these â€Å"protectors† think they were? â€Å"Yeah.† His foot kept up its rhythm against the tire. â€Å"What?† I could tell there was more. He frowned, his eyebrows pulling up in a way that looked sad and worried rather than angry. â€Å"It's Embry. He's been avoiding me lately.† The thoughts didn't seem connected, but I wondered if I was to blame for the problems with his friend. â€Å"You've been hanging out with me a lot,† I reminded him, feeling selfish. I'd been monopolizing him. â€Å"No, that's not it. It's not just meit's Quil, too, and everyone. Embry missed a week of school, but he was never home when we tried to see him. And when he came back, he looked he looked freaked out. Terrified. Quil and I both tried to get him to tell us what was wrong, but he wouldn't talk to either one of us.† I stared at Jacob, biting my lip anxiouslyhe was really frightened. But he didn't look at me. He watched his own foot kicking the rubber as if it belonged to someone else. The tempo increased. â€Å"Then this week, out of nowhere, Embry's hanging out with Sam and the rest of them. He was out on the cliffs today.† His voice was low and tense. He finally looked at me. â€Å"Bella, they bugged him even more than they bother me. He didn't want anything to do with them. And now Embry's following Sam around like he's joined a cult. â€Å"And that's the way it was with Paul. Just exactly the same. He wasn't friends with Sam at all. Then he stopped coming to school for a few weeks, and, when he came back, suddenly Sam owned him. I don't know what it means. I can't figure it out, and I feel like I have to, because Embry's my friend and Sam's looking at me funny . . and† He trailed off. â€Å"Have you talked to Billy about this?† I asked. His horror was spreading to me. I had chills running on the back of my neck. Now there was anger on his face. â€Å"Yes,† he snorted. â€Å"That was helpful.† â€Å"What did he say?† Jacob's expression was sarcastic, and when he spoke, his voice mocked the deep tones of his father's voice. â€Å"It's nothing you need to worry about now, Jacob. In a few years, if you don't well, I'll explain later.† And then his voice was his own. â€Å"What am I supposed to get from that? Is he trying to say it's some stupid puberty, coming-of-age thing? This is something else. Something wrong.† He was biting his lower lip and clenching his hands. He looked like he was about to cry. I threw my arms around him instinctively, wrapping them around his waist and pressing my face against his chest. He was so big, I felt like I was a child hugging a grown-up. â€Å"Oh, Jake, it'll be okay!† I promised. â€Å"If it gets worse you can come live with me and Charlie. Don't be scared, we'll think of something!† He was frozen for a second, and then his long arms wrapped hesitantly around me. â€Å"Thanks, Bella.† His voice was huskier than usual. We stood like that for a moment, and it didn't upset me; in fact, I felt comforted by the contact. This didn't feel anything like the last time someone had embraced me this way. This was friendship. And Jacob was very warm. It was strange for me, being this closeemotionally rather than physically, though the physical was strange for me, tooto another human being. It wasn't my usual style. I didn't normally relate to people so easily, on such a basic level. Not human beings. â€Å"If this is how you're going to react, I'll freak out more often.† Jacob's voice was light, normal again, and his laughter rumbled against my ear. His fingers touched my hair, soft and tentative. Well, it was friendship for me. I pulled away quickly, laughing with him, but determined to put things back in perspective at once. â€Å"It's hard to believe I'm two years older than you,† I said, emphasizing the word older. â€Å"You make me feel like a dwarf.† Standing this close to him, I really had to crane my neck to see his face. â€Å"You're forgetting I'm in my forties, of course.† â€Å"Oh, that's right.† He patted my head. â€Å"You're like a little doll,† he teased. â€Å"A porcelain doll.† I rolled my eyes, taking another step away. â€Å"Let's not start with the albino cracks.† â€Å"Seriously, Bella, are you sure you're not?† He stretched his russet arm out next to mine. The difference wasn't flattering. â€Å"I've never seen anyone paler than you well, except for† He broke off, and I looked away, trying to not understand what he had been about to say. â€Å"So are we going to ride or what?† â€Å"Let's do it,† I agreed, more enthusiastic than I would have been half a minute ago. His unfinished sentence reminded me of why I was here.

The Battle Of The King Xerxes - 1530 Words

Battle Analysis SSG Briceida Casas Senior Leader Course 16-006 20160730 SFC Chase Tippets Thesis The legendary Spartan King, Leonidas and 300 of his formidable royal body guards, led a coalition of Greek warriors against a much larger opponent, the Persian King Xerxes. Against the odds, the Greeks stood their ground and deterred Xerxes’ Army for three days at the Thermopylae Pass, known as the Hot Gates. Xerxes might have won the tactical battle, yet, the Spartans proved superior training, equipment, and intimate familiarity with the terrain were critical force multipliers. The Spartan power, willpower, and determination came from an undying sense of patriotism and duty. 300 Spartans and countless Greeks may have lost their lives at the Thermopylae Pass, nonetheless their courage rallied the Greek states to fight and prevail against a tyrant. The in-depth preparation, tactical expertise, loyalty, and courage these warriors displayed are the defining factors that made this battle a strategic win for the Greeks and would ultimately lead to the Persian Kings defeat. Introduction Persia, under King Darius’ rule expanded its level of influence into Western Europe with hopes of conquering Athens, Greece between 522-486 B.C. Attempting to, â€Å"quell once and for all a collection of potentially troublesome rebel states,† Darius desire to conquer Greece would ultimately lead to one of the most influential battles of ancient history (Cartwright, Marathon,Show MoreRelatedPersian Empire Expedition : Greece ( 492 B.c )1121 Words   |  5 Pagesdescribes the expansion of the Achaemenid Empire under the power of its kings Cyrus the Great, Cambyses, and Darius the Great, in his book â€Å"The Histories† says, â€Å"Darius the Great had begged his god to grant him the punishment of the Athenians.† Due to interfere of Greeks in Ionian war with Persian Empire, the Persian army invaded mainland Greece to gain revenge for the Athenian’s aid to the Ionians. The Battle of Marathon was a major battle in the first war between the Greek city-s tates and the Persian EmpireRead MoreThe Infamous Battle Of Thermopylae1301 Words   |  6 PagesThe Infamous Battle of Thermopylae The battle of Thermopylae may just be the most epitomized ancient story for historians and filmmakers alike. To us common folk, this battle has been anecdotally portrayed as where 300 Spartans defended and withstood the constant rigor of battle against the invading Persians. Movies have been made to capture the essence of battle and the valiant efforts exerted by the 300; as well as historians played their part by publishing works that promise to speak truthRead MoreAnalysis of the Battle of Thermopylae1528 Words   |  7 PagesThe battle of Thermopylae was the Greek’s first stand against the massive army of King Xerxes, and was the most influential battle of the entire war. Up to this point, the Persian army was seen as too massive and powerful to be stopped. The once warring city-states of Greece knew they couldn’t stand against the Persians alone, and knew in order to defend their homeland they would have to unite. A unity of command was agreed upon; King Leonida s of Sparta was chosen to lead the Greek forces. He wasRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie 300 By Frank Miller And Lynn Varley925 Words   |  4 Pages The movie 300 is about King Leonidas of Sparta and a force of 300 men fighting against the Persians at Thermopylae in 480 B.C. (300) This movie is based on the novel â€Å"300† written by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley. (Frank Miller 300 Movie vs. 300 Spartans History - Battle of Thermopylae) But, how much of the movie corresponds to what it was really like in 480 B.C. with the battle in Thermopylae. According to historians, Leonidas is deliberated as one of the renowned potentates of Sparta, whoRead MoreAnalysis Of The 300 Spartans By Frank Miller And Lynn Varley1047 Words   |  5 PagesNicknamed â€Å"The Real King†, a mysterious and admirable leader, Sparta’s king â€Å"Leonidas† is the main personality of two editions true story movies â€Å"The 300 Spartans† in 1962 and â€Å"300† in 2007. Born and raised with ruthless conditions, he led a group of 300 elite warriors to defend his kingdom Sparta from a massive Persian attack composed of more than 300,000 soldiers. II- Facts and Events: Starting with the newest movie edition, â€Å"The 300† is a 2007 American fantasy war film based on the 1998 comicRead MoreFilm Analysis Of 300 Movie1428 Words   |  6 Pageson one boy growing up through the years. This boy goes into the wilderness, kills a savage wolf, and returns to Sparta to be crowned King Leonidas. The movie fast forwards through many years to when messengers approach King Leonidas in Sparta. The messengers request King Leonidas, and all of Sparta, to bow to King Xerxes, the Persian king. Angered by the request, King Leonidas kicks one of the messengers in a well while yelling the famous phrase, â€Å"THIS IS SPARTA!† Leonidas later visits the Ephors,Read MoreEphialtes and the Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC)1088 Words   |  5 PagesThe Zack Snyder film 300, released in 2006, depicts a sensationalized account of the Battle of Thermopylae, which was fought in 480 BC between Persia, under the command of Xerxes, and a contingent of Greek soldiers l ed by the Spartan King Leonidas. Howerver, the film is not based on history, but on a graphic novel by Frank Miller, and, not surprisingly, there are many scenes in the film that are not historically accurate. Some of these scenes involve the betrayal of Sparta by Ephialtes, who, needlessRead More Herodotus Essay1240 Words   |  5 Pagesto Herodotus’ view on moral issues. Herodotus expresses his view on the way death should be perceived by society through the words of Artabanus. Xerxes represents the common perception of death when he is admiring the vastness of his army and begins to weep because he realizes that they will all be gone in short span of time. Artabanus tells Xerxes â€Å"Life is gives us greater occasion for pity that this. Short as his life is, no man is happy†¦but many times, to wish himself dead rather alive (ArtabanusRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie 300 By Frank Miller1270 Words   |  6 Pagesnovel â€Å"300†, written by Frank Miller, than history itself. The reason people today know anything about the battle between the Persians and Spartans is due to an ancient Greek historian named Herodotus. His documentation of the war can be found in his writings called the histories. The purpose of this essay is to analyze the historical accuracies of the movie 300 compared to the actual war and battle between the Persians and the Spartans of Greece. While the film does a good job of entertaining the audienceRead MoreBeing a Hero in The Histories of Herodotus Essay1662 Words   |  7 PagesPersians and Greeks, Herodotus presents the qualities and attributes which, for his understanding, make a real hero. In his book, Herodotus talks about Xerxes, the king of the Persians who led the offense against the Greeks, and Leonidas, the king of the Spartans who fought with honor and bravery against the Persians. According to Herodotus, although Xerxes won the war with big advantage, Leonidas was the real hero of the story because he confronted the enemy with great passion, humility, strength, and

Case Analysis Managing Business Ethics Essay - 874 Words

Ethical dilemmas are virtually impossible to avoid if you are a participant in the workforce. The definition of an ethical dilemma stands as a situation that challenges two or more â€Å"right† values that arise in a conflict (Trevià ±o Nelson, 2014). As ethical persons, how may we overcome ethical dilemmas and finish on the â€Å"right† side? The research mentioned in Trevino’s and Nelson’s book, â€Å"Managing Business Ethics: Straight Talk About How to Do It Right,† suggests that preparing for specific ethical challenges before a situation occurs can adequately prepare the workforce to better handle real-world applications when an ethical situation transpires. The notion that ethics is teachable inspires the following case analysis. The case analysis involving chemical safety will discuss the facts and issues, stakeholders, decision alternatives, and real-work constraints. Focusing on each of the previously mentioned topics, I will describe the applications using Utilitarian, Kantian Ethics, and Rawlsian Justice Analysis’s. I. Facts and Issues Recently, a good friend of mine hired me on for the positon of Vice President for Research, Development, and Safety for a mid-sized chemical refinery company. Shortly after, I found out that the old management team had neglected to take care of chemical tanks sitting under our headquarters building. The company drained the tanks holding the chemicals, ranging from oil to highly toxic chemicals, nearly twenty years ago. Unfortunately, a strongShow MoreRelatedOrganizational Ethics934 Words   |  4 PagesManagerial Ethics †¢ Identify typical ethical problems of managers. †¢ Recognize differences in ethical behavior and responsibility between an employee and a manager. Course Assignments 4. Readings †¢ Read Ch. 6 7 of Managing Business Ethics. †¢ Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. 5. Learning Team Instructions †¢ Begin preparing for the Ethics in the Workplace Case Study Action Plan Presentation due in Week Five by reading one of the following case studies from Managing BusinessRead MoreThe Value Of Ethical Conduct And Managing Diversity Essay1482 Words   |  6 PagesGlobal Issue: The Value of Ethical Conduct and Managing Diversity Review of Subject This essay explores what Organizational Behavior (OB) is and the value of ethical conduct, and discusses the methods of managing diversity taking into consideration socializing and organization culture. OB is a study of the people in organization, about how they work, and how they produce results. Organizational ethical conducts are those morally accepted by the employees, the customers, and the public. It couldRead MoreMartin Marietta Case Essay1475 Words   |  6 PagesMartin Marietta: Managing Corporate Ethics (A) In an industry  overwhelmed with fraud and corruption, Martin  Marietta was ready to revamp their reputation to become an ethical company. This concept  catapulted a decade of creating, developing, and tweaking an ethics program. Martin Mariettas goal was to maintain a work place with descent people doing quality work (page 1). But with this idea came a series of difficult  challenges the company needed to overcome. Martin Marietta  arose to the  challengeRead MoreSiemens Ag Bribery1261 Words   |  6 PagesSiemens AG Bribery Scandal This paper will focus on the analysis of the well-known and popular bribery scandal in the world, such as Siemens AG Bribery Scandal which occurred in November, 2006. Siemens AG is one of the largest and most popular electrical engineering companies operated in the world. The present company was founded in 1847 in Berlin and is now headquartered in Munich, Germany. The discussion and the proper analysis of this bribery scandal will help to learn many effective lessonsRead MoreCost Accounting and Decision Making Essay822 Words   |  4 PagesACC2CAD COST ACCOUNTING AND DECISION MAKING SEMESTER 1, 2011 MINI CASE STUDY 1 DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION; ETHICS Page 1 Recommendation Page.3 Executive summary Page.4 Introduction Page.5 Analysis Page.6 Recommendations and conclusion Page.7 Appendix 1 – Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants Page.8 References Page.9 Page 2 Recommendation Erin should notify Smart Worx of the postponementRead MoreGlobalization And Its Effect On Employment Relations1694 Words   |  7 PagesBackground Literature Review While, there is variety of definitions, the most simplistic is that ‘business models’ describe how companies conduct their business, create value, and generate revenue (Boselie 2010; Breiby Wanberg 2011). With the rise of neoliberalism and globalization, companies such as Enron, Wal-Mart, Lemon Brothers, etc., tells us horror stories of unethical business conducts that ultimately affects all stakeholders involved, including national economies (Lissack RichardsonRead MoreEthical Issues Within The Whole Merger Process Essay1709 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction The contents of this document define specific consideration for the legal and ethical issues within the whole merger process, accompanying with suggested implementation plan for managing the prospect legal and ethical anxieties for the merger, the proposed plan clarifies establishing an ethical and healthy work environment with proposed resolution to the mentioned issues. Consideration of the ethical issues during the whole merge process. The HR management interface with complex ethicalRead MoreLearning Team Assignment: Case Study Discussion Executive Summary1420 Words   |  6 PagesLearning Team Assignment: Case Study Discussion Executive Summary MGT/216 University Of Phoenix Learning Team Assignment: Case Study Discussion Executive Summary In 1968 the Ford Motor Company decided to introduce a new subcompact car to compete with foreign imported vehicles in the subcompact category. The Vice-President of Ford at the time Lee Iacocca felt that in order to grab a larger share of the market Ford must remain competitive and a decision on putting money before humanRead MoreFord Pinto Fires Case Study and Executive Summary Essay1208 Words   |  5 PagesFord Pinto Fires Case Study and Executive Summary John Bonner, Scotti Greenleaf, Rose Scarbrough MGT216 University of Phoenix October 18, 2010 Sarah Nelson Ford Pinto Fires Case Study and Executive Summary Introduction During the Late 1960’s the Ford Motor Company was one of the leading auto manufactures in the United States. Ford was credited with revolutionizing the muscle car era of the 1950’s and 1960’s. During the mid 1960’s Lee Iacocca helped Ford establish itself in the late 1960’sRead MoreInternal and External Factors Affecting Performance Management649 Words   |  3 Pagesorganization to be effective and successful in the ever-changing business world, these four functions of management are necessary. However, the performance of these functions in any organization is usually affected by both internal and external factors. While examples of internal factors include diversity, ethics, and innovation, external factors include technological advancements and globalization. An analysis of the internal factors shows that ethics impacts leadership and controlling functions of management

Where Human Rights And Cultural Relativism Meet Essay

Where Human Rights and Cultural Relativism Meet The fight for and discussion of human rights and the applicability of such rights has raged for decades, and more broadly for centuries. Philosophers such as John Locke and Thomas Hobbes have touched on human rights, and political figures such as Eleanor Roosevelt have made the theoretical discussion of such rights a reality through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since the Declaration, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10th, 1948, there has been more and more literature on the topic, as well as if considerations should be made for different cultures. Phyllis Chesler, professor emerita of psychology and women s studies at the College of Staten Island, recently took up this apparent clash between the universality of human rights and considerations of cultural relativism. She addressed this clash by arguing in favor of banning the burka in Western countries. Martha Nussbaum, however, argu ed against a proposed ban on the burka in Spain and other European countries on the grounds that it was discriminatory against the Islamic faith to ban that certain piece of clothing. Nussbaum argued that the practices and customs of cultures should be considered when considering laws that will affect them. Amartya Sen, an Indian economist and philosopher pointed out the glaring disparity between men and women in many countries. He also explained the faults and failures of two prominentShow MoreRelatedCultural Relativism Essay1108 Words   |  5 PagesIs cultural relativism good for our society? Cultural relativism is a belief where there are no absolute moral views or beliefs can be apply to all cultures, which makes â€Å"right† and â€Å"wrong† different in every society; what is considered â€Å"right† in one society may be considered â€Å"wrong† in another. Since no universal standard of morality exists, no one has the right to judge another society’s customs. If this belief is held true, then every culture will have their own set of â€Å"rules† to live byRead MoreThe Universal Declaration Of Human Rights1728 Words   |  7 Pagesminorities and those who don’t fit the traditional mold of a people. Culture can impede progress and leave women, minorities and other sub-sects of a society without the basic human rights that they deserve. Clinging too close to culture can be dangerous. The Foundations of a Universal Declaration The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was drafted shortly after the United Nations was established in 1945. The aim of the Declaration was to ensure that an atrocity such as the mass killings of JewsRead MoreThe Cultural Landscape Of Church And Culture1257 Words   |  6 PagesChurch and Culture The cultural landscape is constantly bringing about new challenges that the church must address in order to reach the world for Christ. Each of these new challenges requires the church to evaluate their approach and adjust to reach the world without compromising their mission and values. The church must decide what is unchanging and what can change in relation to culture, not everything is relative to our environment. Relativism â€Å"Moral relativism of the cultural, as opposed to individualRead MoreEthics Away From Home By Thomas Donaldson1507 Words   |  7 Pagesin foreign countries whose own ethical standards contradict the company’s and those of the company’s home country. He also raises the question of whether or not it is an acceptable practice for a company to invest in a country where the people’s human and political rights are being violated. Early in his essay he poses four questions. First, should a home country or host country prevail when deciding the basis for a company’s ethical standards? Second, how can managers resolve ethical problemsRead MoreMoral Relativism And The Ethical Dilemma1615 Words   |  7 Pagesmy teachers. When I started reading about moral relativism and realised that this might be a way to explain how a â€Å"wrong† choice can sometimes be a â€Å"right† one, or at least to the person acting on it. Moral Relativism â€Å"The view that moral judgements are true or false only relative to some particular standpoint†¦and that no standpoint is uniquely privileged over all others†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Westacott, date unknown) The foundations of the concept of moral relativism were first expressed in 5th Century Greece; priorRead MoreCultural Relativism And The View That Ethical Systems Or Moral Actions1351 Words   |  6 PagesSection 1 1. Cultural relativism Cultural relativism refers to the view that ethical systems or moral actions that are perceived to vary across cultural diversity are all equal and valid and as such, no one culture is better than the other is. For instance, by taking how words are used in one culture to mean a thing, the same words may be employed in a different culture to mean another thing. Another example is prayer announcements in Saudi Arabia can be heard from far distance which legal. 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However despite the UN’s effort somewhere there is a man or woman being denied of what should be their unquestionable rights. For many years certain rights did not exist in America for slightly under half of the American population. This group of people was madeRead More Cultural Relativism as Applied to Female Genital Mutilation Essay2765 Words   |  12 PagesCultural Relativism as Applied to Female Genital Mutilation I remember the blade. How it shone! There was a woman kneeling over me with the knife. I bit her; it was all I could do. Then three women came to hold me down. One of them sat on my chest. I bit her with all my might. These words reflect Banassiri Sylla’s account of her experience undergoing female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation (FGM), at the young age of eight in the Ivory Coast. This disturbing descriptionRead MoreThe Common Denominator of Security and Feminism600 Words   |  3 Pages refers to the area where theory and practice meet, it is about the struggles of the women`s movement and the theory that flows from their experiences, about women`s security understanding that transform our understanding of men`s security. The link between feminism and security points out that understanding security issues needs an enlargement to include specific security concerns and beliefs of women. This research emphasizes context-based interpretations of gender in human security. In respect

Management Research Methods

Questions: 1) Define the terms with brief examples; ontology, episemology and research 'paradigm'.2)Evaluate the literatre reviewing within the article in terms of its coverage and currency, analysis, criticality, synthesis and the identification of gaps in the existing literatre.3) Explain the 4 main principles of ethical management research and evaluate the empirical research reported in the article against these principles. Answers: 1. Research Paradigm The authors did the study about the contribution of the university accommodation to international student security. The international students that come to Australia or any other country can avail university accommodation or they can arrange their own accommodation outside the campus. The presence of university accommodation provides the social and the physical security to international students. In the past there has been various cases of the violence against the international students in Australia. Therefore, authors wanted to research about the role of university accommodation in the security concern of international students. Authors used secondary research methods to complete their research. An ontological position refers to the researcher relationship with the reality of his study (Goertz Mahoney, 2012). Authors used the logical positivism approach to complete their research. Epistemology is the knowledge about the knowledge. It focuses on the things that people know and the w ay people know the things. In this study, authors have used a constructivist epistemology to complete the research. Authors have approached the research in an effective manner. Authors decided the stance that they want to use in the research. Once the ontological and epistemological framework was decided the next step for authors was to develop the specific research questions (Scotland, 2012). Authors developed the cause and effect relationship between the two variables of university accommodation and security of international students. In the research, authors have established the relationship between these two variables. The security of international students is the dependent variable and the university accommodation is the independent variable. The existing literature was studies and researched to establish the relationship between these two variables. It appears that the authors have used the suitable ontological and epistemological stance to complete the research. The research problem is a real life problem and the people in the society can have different perceptions about the problem. Therefore, it is important to use the subjective approach to complete this research. Authors did the research without indulging themselves into any preconceived notions. 2. Evaluation of literature review Authors used the secondary method of research to complete the research. A lot of researches have been done in this area. The objective of the authors was to use the existing researches to make meaningful conclusions. It can be said that the literature review is an important part of the research work. One of the good points of the literature review of authors is that they collected the data and information from various sources. The literature review was an important part of the research for authors. As a part of literature review, authors have used more than 20 sources to complete the research. In terms of coverage, it can be said that authors have a completed an exhaustive literature review. Authors have a good coverage of the literature review. Authors have also done good analysis from the existing literature. It is important that the researchers should select only the credible and reliable sources to conduct the analysis and to complete the literature review. The good point of the literature review is that the authors have collected the data only from credible and reliable sources. Authors have not used any blogs or websites to complete the literature review. The analysis of the literature review has been qualitative for the authors. As a part of secondary research, authors have used the qualitative methods of research to complete the research. Authors used the critical analysis to complete the literature review. It would be correct to say that the authors were critical in their approach to complete the literature review. There would always be certain gaps in the literature and with this research authors have tried to bridge that research gap. A lot of researches have been done in this area that discusses the problem at a global level. However, there are limited researches that address this issue in the Australian context (Forbes, 2013). Authors conducted the study to bridge this existing gap. Authors did a focused research and the research of the authors were focused to Australia and Australian universities. On a scale of 1 to 10, the literature review of this study can be rated as 8 out of 10. It would be correct to say that the literature review of this research is a major strength of the study. Authors have taken a critical approach to complete the literature review. As a part of literature review, authors picked different resources and analyze the source. With this literature review, authors were able to synthesize the information from the analysis of the existing literature. 3. Ethical management principles There are a number of ethical principles that should be taken into account when performing the research. The need of the ethical principles or the basic guidelines the surrounds the ethical principles are: Beneficence: To do well Non-Malfeasance: To do no harm Anonymity and Confidentiality: To protect the privacy of respondents No deceptive practices: To tell the research objectives and truth to all the stakeholders The research shows that authors have maintained the high ethical standards. Authors have not compromised on ethics to complete the research. As a part of research, authors have focused to fulfill all the above ethical principles. The research highlights that all the above four principles are covered in the research work. Authors used a very systematic and structural approach to complete the work. The entire research work was done to do well and to shed new information in the area of university accommodation and security of international students. Therefore, it can be said that there is a good empirical evidence of beneficence in the research work. Likewise, in the research work, the authors did not have any objective or hidden agenda to harm anyone. The research was done to establish the relationship between two variables and this relationship was established (Mayson, 2010). Moreover, the principles of beneficence and non-malfeasance are more critical when the research includes the p rimary research. However, in this research work, the authors used the secondary research methods to complete the research. The ethical principle of anonymity and confidentiality is more applicable in the primary research. This ethical principle states that the personal data and information of respondents should be held secured and the personal information should not be declared without taking the consent from the respondents. It can be said that this principles is not directly applicable as there were no respondents in this research (Hemmings, 2012). In this research work, the authors ensured that they are not using any deceptive practices to complete the research. Authors completed the research in a fair and unbiased manner. The literature review was the major chunk of the research and it was done with a holistic analysis and critical evaluation of the secondary sources. There is a critical evidence of effectiveness and thought process in the literature review. It would be correct to say that the deceptive practices like biasness or the personal opinions can dilute the research goals and objectives. How ever, it does not happen in this case as the authors ensured that their personal opinions and judgements do not interfere with their research goals, aim, objectives and methodologies. Reference Goertz, G., Mahoney, J. (2012). Concepts and measurement: Ontology and epistemology.Social Science Information,51(2), 205-216. Hemmings, C. (2012). Affective solidarity: Feminist reflexivity and political transformation.Feminist Theory,13(2), 147-161. Nyland, C., Forbes-Mewett, H., Hrtel, C. E. (2013). Governing the international student experience: Lessons from the Australian international education model.Academy of Management Learning Education,12(4), 656-673. Paltridge, T., Mayson, S., Schapper, J. (2010). The contribution of university accommodation to international student security.Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management,32(4), 353-364. Scotland, J. (2012). Exploring the philosophical underpinnings of research: Relating ontology and epistemology to the methodology and methods of the scientific, interpretive, and critical research paradigms.English Language Teaching,5(9), 9..

Communication and Thought

Question: Write a report that contains correct in-text citations from at least eight academic sources along with a reference list which presents the full details of each source in alphabetical order. Answer: Introduction: Interpersonal skill is the tool that people uses to interact and have conversation with individuals in an organization. To commence effective interaction and communication one should be have proficiency in interpersonal skills (Koprowska 2014). Developing interpersonal skill escalates the rate of success both professionally and personally. Customer service is the service that is thoroughly dependent on the interpersonal skills of a person. Customer service of an organization assists different person with product related problems and grants information about the organization. Customer relationship technique encompasses a number of skills. They need to possess knowledge about customers who are old acquaintances and about those who are newly acquainted with the organization. Verbal communication is the bridleway through which interactions take place between the customer and the service man takes place. Importance of Interpersonal skill: Customer service is a discipline that implements techniques to provide customer with satisfactory response. Communication being the essential tool for any service, one has to be proficient and knowledgeable in interpersonal skills. Communicating in correct tone and using correct sets of word while communicating is very important in every discipline. Be it a doctor, psychologist, teacher or customer service provider, they have to have positive attitude and substantial communication techniques (Guy, Newman and Mastracci 2014). This is an ability, which can assist a person to get along with the people working in the organization. Effective listening, negotiation skills, solving problem and decision-making are the important factors that assemble interpersonal skill. Interchanging of information that takes place between people is the key part of Interpersonal skill. Communication skill is the prime element in interpersonal skills. Effective communication comes from listening and answering the questions according to the necessity. Social penetration theory is the practice that defines relational closeness. Interpersonal skill is the field that can convert a superficial conversation into an intimate one. Uncertainty reduction theory is the theory that reflects that personal relationships are distraught with uncertainties. This presumption helps in reducing this uncertainty with knowledge and interpretation. Relation dialectic theory is the relationship that pinpoints the inconsistency and tension in an interaction. Several factors needed in order to understand this theory. There are contradictory factors, which affects this theory like openness closeness, certainty-uncertainty etc. Interpersonal skills have two sections verbal and non-verbal. Verbal interpretation of word is communication and interpretation of non-verbal communication is by body language and writing skills (Goldstein 2013). A research operated by the institute for human- animal connection said propounded the importance of interaction. They have studied the area that concerns the interaction that can take place between human and animal. Interactions are the key process by which understanding can be created. Human beings are rational creatures so interacting is naturally more important to them. Paul Baards article about motivation matter consults about the ways that can acuminate interpersonal skills. He deduces that listening, articulating, enunciating, collaborating and initiating are some key skills that can hone interpersonal skills of an individual. In the journal published by O'Neil 2014 discusses about the importance of negotiation in interpersonal skill. It explores the vitality of interpersonal skill for developing competency and assessment of the workforce. Interpersonal skill in Customer service: I am an IT specialist and I work as a customer service provider. A Customer service provider should have extensive knowledge on the product and service the organization is projecting. Effective communication skill comes from listening, questioning and feedback. Customer service is distributing of service to the customers. Customers who have queries about the product or about the service provided by the enterprise calls the customer service in order to clarify their doubts. Customer service represents the culture of the organization. Their top priority is customers and they also helps in retaining customer for the organization (Culbertson and Chen 2013). Providing training to customer service is necessary in order to enhance their interpersonal skill. Their pursuit is dependent on supplying suitable information to the customers and attaining their satisfaction with their communication skill. A customer service agent needs to build genial yet professional relationship with the customers. He or she should be advertent listener. Listening is the primary yet necessary stage of interpersonal skill. According to the academic article published by Mast and Latu 2016, assertiveness is also necessary. A customer service provider should be confident in his approach so that they can gain customer attention. Tactfully handling of the customers also deals with individual interpersonal skill. Through communication, a customer needs to have the necessary information. Expertise plays the key role in order to handle the client tactfully. The service provider has to be empathetic so that the client feels comfortable while talking about his needs.In the article published by Shen et al. 2014 contemplates that customer satisfaction is the ultimate obligation of an organization which only customer service can acquire by their expert administering of customers. Interpersonal skills can be of two types verbal and non-verbal. Verbal communication is a significant part of communication but non-verbal communication should receive the same priority. Non-verbal communication in not massively use in customer services as the customer could not see to whom they are speaking. Non-verbal communication is genre, which deals with expression and body languages that in case of customer service are unnecessary factors. According to the article published by Clarke 2016, interpersonal skills or the soft skills are necessary for an organization. In the article it has been broadly discussed the problems that an enterprise faces if their customer service operators are not trained in soft skills. Hoque and Picard 2014 in their journal Computer, reveals about the automated technology that can replace human but the article also illuminate the fact that human will always be the best option in case of customer service because a customer will certainly feel more comfortable talking to a human than a robot. Springer International publication gives insights about the growth of the customer care services. Brohman et al. 2015, gives an extensive view about the origin of the service and has discussed the fact as to how interpersonal skills have evolved the role of customer service and made them principle assets of an organization. Benefits of interpersonal skills in customer service: Interpersonal skill has profoundly benefited the customer service by endowing on them the knowledge of perfect communication. Interpersonal skill has largely helped in developing passive strategies that help in understanding a person. Background study about the customer by collecting information and data from the database of the organization also helps in accumulating knowledge about the customer. The skill is all about social exchange theory. Social exchange theory relates to the symbolic interactions that can take place between two or more people. This reflects the theory of interdependence that was proposed by Thibaut and Kelly, two famous theorists. Challenges regarding interpersonal skill in customer service: Customer Service pivotally depends on verbal communication that means customer will not be able to see the person with whom they are having conversation (Isaacowitz, Vicaria and Murry 2016). This kind of conversation often leads to misinterpretation. According to Hill 2015, Confusion takes place when the service provider could not understand what the client needs or what service he may offer in order to reach his clients satisfaction so clarification in communication is necessary. Serious misunderstanding will inflict bad influence on the company reputation. Sometimes language barrier serves as a hindrance on the path of communication. Some service providers may indulge into unprofessional behaviors by engaging into verbal clash with the client. It is a not at all ethical either professionally or personally. It is taken into consideration that the violation of the laws of interpersonal skill. Customer service is the representative of a company. According to a journal published by Calero et al. 2015, customer service professionals communicate in behalf of the organization so their conversation procedure should be strictly professional. Interpersonal skills highly reflect on problem solving and social awareness (Ming 2012). Therefore, it is necessary for a person to be in tune with the customers and the colleagues emotionally. Conclusion: Interpersonal skill is undoubted important in every sphere of life. The fundamental value that interpersonal skill possess on the workplace should be followed because better communication leads to success in the field of personal and professional relationship. Interpersonal skill projects insight of the human psychology and helps to interpret different psychological aspects that a human being possesses. Customer service is the discipline that deals with communication so that they can apply customer related information to achieve goals. Interpersonal skill is the factor that refines the skills of interacting and helps in generating suitable communication between two individuals. Communication builds bond between the customer and the service provider. 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