ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Post Civil War times in American history are often marked as a Reconstruction Era. This era presupposed serious changes in both the political and economic spheres of the country. The focus of changes was primarily made on improving the situation in the Southern United States, where society had undergone certain transformations and was forced to leave a slave-owning system behind. As Janney (2013) stresses, “Lincoln was asking Americans, northerners and southerners both, to love their enemies” (p. 38). However, not only the south of the USA was subjected to the new government policy. The attempts to assimilate Native Americans with the rest of the citizens found their implementation in the Dawes Act, regulating land property rights. By this act, lands that earlier belonged to Indians had to be divided into individual plots. That period of history is known as the Gilded Age, an era of serious economic trials, accompanied by significant changes in social and political values. According to the Dawes Act of 1887, only those Native Americans who accepted the individual allotments were given the right to become US citizens (Wagner, 2015). The main objective of the act was to eliminate the social and cultural traditions of native residents and make them a part of an established system. It is known that its occurrence provoked noticeable disconcertment in the rows of Native Americans and turned to be the background for mass confrontations between the two nationalities. Mentioning these events becomes reasonable since the following years of conflict forced citizens of the country to fight for the tribal lands and wish for retaking more territories. Thus, raising the economy appeared to be a much harder task than one could imagine, for basically, the country was drawn into a new war during the entire Gilded Age. In the meantime, regular citizens of Post Civil War America had found inspiration in the theories of Charles Darwin and works of other known figures, such as Immanuel Kant and Ralph Waldo Emerson (the bright representatives of transcendentalism). The values had changed: creative and ambitious individuals became tempted by the new opportunities and, thus, invested their funds in the country’s industrial growth. As Gordon (2016) states in his book, “progress occurs much more rapidly in some times than in others” (p. 2). During the Gilded Age, it was streaming. Factories and mines across the country operated at their full capacity to provide the raw materials needed for a railway system expansion. After the discovery of gold and silver deposits and building a transcontinental railroad, the new horizons were breached, which formed a supportive environment for the rise of capitalism. A fast continental expansion corresponded to the very principles of Manifest Destiny. The people of America believed it was their
Evidence indicates that the customary teaching approaches that focus on discourse, routine memorization, and high-stakes evaluation have done little to prepare students to address challenges faced in the real world (So & Curt 191). In this regard, more weight should be placed on constructive approaches that focus on computer-assisted collaborative tools. The article below focuses on my experience with collaborative computer tools in my teaching classes. My experience with computer-assisted collaborative tools was thrilling. Unlike conventional teaching approaches, I noted that with collaborative tools, learning was more interesting and engaging. Through the approach, students were able to work in groups in coming up with solutions to the assigned tasks. I was required to play a vigorous role in facilitating learning. I noted that the teaching methodology enabled students to interact with one another, share information, and come up with concrete information in groups. Because the approach emphasized more on combined
Introduction The article ‘Consumer Gifting Behaviors: One for Me, One for you?’ explores the relationship between self-gifting and gift-giving. It identifies the consumer behavior while purchasing gifts both for themselves and for other people. The following is an analytical summary of the article body. Main points People usually buy gifts to celebrate special events like graduations, birthdays, and weddings; for consolation purposes in case of disappointment, and personal rewards. There are two types of gifts: Interpersonal gifts and self-gifts. The former involves those presents received from other people, the latter involves those gifts one buys for own self perhaps as an expression of personal treat. Self-gifts represent Behaviors controlled by the person and this is dependent on the situation that a person is in. For instance, a person with more money to spend may buy something to reward himself or when a person is feeling victorious, one may buy a gift to appreciate his achievement. However, this depends on a person’s life happenings but not special occasions. Rare victories are more inf
Introduction It is imperative to note that modern organizations have to deal with numerous changes, and some of them are problematic because enterprises do not know how to adjust to particular situations, and it may lead to many issues (Denning, 2015). Moreover, they are incredibly hard to predict most of the time, and it is a responsibility of a strategic manager to keep track of the latest trends in the industry and use resources as efficiently as possible to ensure that risks are avoided. Many approaches have been developed over the years, and it would be beneficial to improve an understanding of such techniques because it is a responsibility of a professional to be aware of methods that can be utilized to cope with changes. Key Points An article by Christensen & Overdorf (2000) should be highlighted, and the authors draw attention to several aspects. It is stated that it is paramount to understand the difference between sustaining and disruptive innovation. The first one utilizes qualities that are valued by customers, and they are improved to maintain the level of interest. They are mostly introduced by experienced enterprises that have access to the necessary resources. On the other hand, disruptive ones are hard to predict, and they can be developed even by small companies. They state that a set of approaches may be utilized by the management team to deal with disruptive or sustaining innovations. The problem is that new capabilities are required most of the time. Moreover, it may be necessary to establish additional organizational structures to facilitate their development. It is also suggested that a particular team needs to be selected if the company has to deal with a disruptive innovation or trying to initiate changes. Such factors as organizational processes and values play an enormous role, and it is imperative to understand which aspects should be prioritized in a particular situation. Access to resources and professional qualities of employees is of the utmost importance in this case, and all of these aspects should be evaluated. Furthermore, a lightweight team can be established if the situation is not complicated. However, a variety of specialists could be needed, and it may be necessary to hire external professionals to avoid possible issues (Christensen & Overdorf, 2000). Relation Such learning points are closely connected to the course material because enormous attention is devoted to such aspects as coping with changes, and how possible losses of profits can be avoided. Moreover, understanding of concepts that are suggested by MacIntosh & MacLean (2015) may be quite beneficial, and particular points can be compared to identify patterns and approaches that may be utilized when an organization has to deal with emerging changes. Moreover, the fact that it is stated that various aspects should be measured to avoid issues also needs to be noted (MacIntosh & MacLean, 2015) Conditioned Emer
Innovative approaches to communication at an organization have proven to be effective solutions to problems associated with fast decision-making. E-mail exchange within the structure of a company allows for the aligned and systematic exchange of information pertaining to operations within an organization. However, given the different approaches to arranging e-mail-based communication, various types of organizations might benefit from them in different ways. Tesla, as an innovative company whose structure is less complicated than that of General Motors, is more likely to benefit from unconventional free communication due to the emphasis on the ideas and overall company outcomes. Elon Mask’s approach to free communication between any representatives of any department contradicts the conventional e-mail rules in business but serves the purpose of the organization. The reason why this approach would work better for the Tesla company than for General Motors is that Tesla is driven by innovative, fast, unique, and effective solutions that originate in employees. The ability to incorporate each individual’s contribution on the team through the unconstrained exchange of information allows Tesla to implement bold projects and concentrates on the company’s overall mission (Bariso, 2017). On the other hand, General Motors is a manufacturing-driven enterprise characterized by precision in operational processes, systematic performance, and standardization for larger volumes of production. Innovation is not the critical aspect of this company’s work, which is why subordination and a structured approach to information exchange in the form of formal reports would suffice the needs and requirements of such a company. Conclusively, the memo sent to the employees of Tesla illustrates the communication culture at an innovation-driven company that prioritizes effectiveness and idea-generating over subordination and hierarchy. Elon Mask’s approach to e-mail rules adjustment validates the innovation-based mission of the organization and motivates employees to prioritize the interests of the company and not separate departments’. Therefore, such a school of thought on organizational communication might be more effective for Tesla than for General Motors. Reference Bariso, J. (2017). This email from Elon Musk to Tesla employees describes what great communication looks like. Inc. Web.
Peter Pan is a classic children’s story and it endures simply because it is a good story well told. Sir James Matthew Barrie rewrote Peter Pan numerous times, and the author got as close to perfection as can be achieved in a children’s story. Peter Pan has been analyzed over and over again, and some of the critics seem to go a long way to find things in it that simply are not there, such as Freudian symbols of genitalia in the thimble that Wendy gives to Peter. (Pharand)This is just plain silly. Peter Pan is a complex, well-crafted story about all the fantasies that children have and about their fears of growing up. The book is simply written, yet the story is so complex that anyone who reads it can find whatever they are looking for. Normal children, even today in this time of bloody arcade games and violent television, will never see complex symbols in a crocodile. From a review on a collection of essays about Peter Pan we find this, “The dominant impression one is left with after reading these essays is of a Neverland where dark, threatening forces lurk just beneath the surface” (Pharand) Peter Pan has been a stage play, a Novel, and numerous movies from the silent era to 2003 (the most recent version), and it has inspired sequels and prequels, more of which are in the works. It gets retold in various eras with different emphases, different tones from frothy to dark, and yet it’s still the same story, with the same elemental, archetypal appeal. There are a few stories that can thrive over centuries of retelling -“Jack line Giant Killer” and “Cinderella” come to mind–but few that are quite as interesting, complex, or ambivalent as Peter Pan. (Freeman 38) Children of all generations since its writing have loved this story in whatever form they encountered it. It speaks to all their fantasies of running away to a magical land where they never have to grow up, of pirates, Indians, fairies, and flying and it has just enough scary stuff to thrill without causing nightmares. Peter Pan has characters they can laugh and cry with, and share their hopes, dreams, and triumphs. More than this, Peter Pan makes children the heroes, the central characters, and believably so, because the characters are true to life and they use reasoning the children can understand. While the book is generally read either with parents or siblings, the movies are watched in groups, and it never fails that when Tinkerbell needs children to believe in fairies, the whole theater
When Christopher Columbus discovered America towards the end of the 15 th century, the historical significance of this discovery could not be established immediately. However, historians postulate that the 1492 discovery left behind significant trails of historical impacts in America. As a matter of fact, the history of America was greatly shaped after the exploration by Columbus. This essay offers a brief account of how the American history has been modeled by the discovery. To begin with, it is profound to note the contemporary civilization being experienced in America was mainly triggered by the Columbus’ discovery of 1492. [1] While some historians may argue that the American civilization was bound to take place even in the absence of Columbus’ discovery, it is definite that the discovery of America gave a major impetus to the rate of growth in civilization that the continent has enjoyed up to date. The history of American civilization since the classical era was a product of the Columbus’ discovery. Some of the major areas of civilization included politics, social life and economic empowerment. It should be understood that America (especially North America) was opened up to the rest of the world. Therefore, it created an open platform through which other explorers could visit America and spread their influence. [2] The geographical knowledge of America was also expanded as a result of the Columbus’ discovery. Initially, American land was a secluded continent that the rest of the world did not understand. The fact that the disciplines of history and geography are closely interrelated; the geography of America has been an integral part of its historical pa
Red flags raised in the opinion letter External auditors play the role in providing independent opinion on the true and fair view of the financial statements of an organization. Reflectively, “an auditor’s opinion can either be unqualified, qualified, adverse, or disclaimer” (Finkler 2010, p. 25). The opinions are arrived at after reviewing the financial statements of the organization. The reviews are carried out on a sample basis. It reviews the standards applied when preparing the financial statements. The auditors have the opinion that financial statements of an organization, the results of the operations, changes in net assets and cash flows presented fairly in all material, respects the true financial position of the company. They further give the view that the statements are in conformity with the GAAP. Despite the favorable comments, the auditors do not give a straight unqualified opinion on the true and fair view of the financial position of the organization though there are no major concerns raised in opinion letter. This could raise concern on the financial condition of the organization (Finkler, 2010). Review of the financial statements Upon review of the statement of the financial position, it was observed that the Center had amount due from the third part reimbursement program amounting to $6,539,000 in 2012. This amount was not present in 2011. Further, long term investment increased from $618,000 to $1,132,000. Further, the amount of accrued salaries and accrued expenses increased from $20,096,000 to $25,572,000. Further, inventory and pledges receivable declined by close to 50%. These are major areas of concern. Review of statement of the operation reveals that there was a decline in the amount of interest expense from $5,253,000 to $4,456,000 despite the increase in the amount of long term debt. Further, increase in unrestricted net assets increased from $897,000 to $2,568,000. In the cash flow statement, operating income increased from $751,000 in 2011 to $2,429,000 to 2012. Review of notes to financial statement In general, notes to financial statements is expected to provide details of amounts reported in the financial reports. The notes also “give additional information on amounts that are not reported in the financial statements” (Finkler 2010, p. 31). The notes to financial statements does not give detailed explanations on significant changes in the financial statements highlighted above. For instance, the notes on third party reimbursement programs does not give details and a breakdown of the amount involved I the program. On property, plant and equipment, the notes do not give details of the amount of depreciation for each category of assets. Also, the notes to financial statements do not give details of the amount in excess of $1,900,000. This could create an indication of fraud. The notes did not provide the makeup o
The chapter Journey to Excellence focuses on how pursuing excellence in professional sport can inform one’s personal everyday life. Orlick (2016) defines this pursuit as a quest to commit to one’s goal, acting with positive intentions of becoming the best version of oneself. According to Orlick (2016), there are obstacles to everyone’s ambitions, primarily mental barriers that prevent people from succeeding. The author emphasizes that it is crucial to concentrate on the achievement of one’s personal goals. It is even more vital to enjoying the activities performed in the pursuit of those goals. The enjoyment of the process also makes these accomplishments possible. Overall, the author argues that excellence in any area of life requires dedication. I agree with this idea completely. Specifically, I believe that mental preparedness plays the most pivotal part in achieving any goal. The ability to focus on one’s goal at the right time is crucial. The athlete who is focused on the race is more likely to outrun one thinking about their issues on the track. This tendency holds for any other activity or goal a person sets for themselves. The ability to enjoy the actions required to achieve that aim only adds value to that journey, helping individuals stay focused on their goals. There are many examples from my personal experience that can illustrate this point. For instance, I have always lost matches playing tennis at school. At the same time, I excelled when playing team sports. When playing tennis alone, I never enjoyed the game, believing that I would not win. In a team, the focus of all the players, myself included, was on winning the match. Everyone enjoyed working towards the same goal, not wanting to let their teammates down. I believe that mental focus at the right time helped me improve as a player, contributing to the team improving as a whole. When playing alone, I lacked the same motivation, not enjoy the process. The experience showed me that dedication is of utmost importance in sport. Reference Orlick, T. (2016). In pursuit of excellence: How to win in sport and in life through mental training (5th ed.). Human Kinetics.
One of the most notable historical events in the pre-revolutionary history of Britain’s colonies in North America was the First Great Awakening. Sermons delivered by charismatic preachers, such as Jonathan Edwards, offered the audience answers to the questions that mattered to them most – those about saving their souls from eternal damnation. At the same time, the British colonists were not the only fervent believers on the Northern American continent. Native American tribes of the Great Lakes, seeking ways to counter growing European influence, turned to their religion for answers as well. Responding to the visions of self-proclaimed prophet Neolin, the Delaware chieftain Pontiac insisted on resisting the British to fulfill the will of the Master of Life. Interestingly, while professing different faiths and belonging to profoundly different religious traditions, Edwards and Pontiac demonstrated a common theme in their addresses. Both painted the deity as relishing at the suffering of those who deserved it and both insisted that god’s benevolent attention is not guaranteed but conditional and will only extend to the righteous. Discussing Edwards as a religious figure inevitably necessitates discussing “Sinners at the Hands of an Angry God.” This sermon, first delivered in 1741 in Massachusetts, is, by far, the best-known work by one of the most notable preachers of the First Great Awakening. It offers a vivid depiction of hellish suffering that awaits the wicked people in the afterlife. Moreover, the sermon spares no effort to emphasize that this fate is not merely unavoidable for all sinners but can also come at any moment, including when they expect it the least. The best summary of the preacher’s thesis is in his own words: “men are held… over the pit of hell; they have deserved the fiery pit, and are already sentenced to it” (Edwards). After painting this picture of the dreadful afterlife in hell that awaits any unrepentant sinner, the author stresses that the
Introduction   * There are 9 ranks (or rates) in the U.S. navy.   * Each of them defines a pay grade.   * They are arranged in the order of seniority. The United States Navy has nine rates for each type of recruit. They are all assigned a number and a letter, such as E-1, E-2, E-3, and so on. Each of them corresponds to a pay grade, starting from the lowest at E-1 and the highest at E-9. The first three assignments are called “rates” as sailors in those grades are “considered to be in apprenticeships” (United States Navy, 2006). Recruits in each paygrade are assigned to different groups, each of which has its identification rate marks (stripes). All the ranks above E-4 are considered to be non-commissioned officers and carry specific sleeve. Apprenticeship ratings: E1-E3   * Divided into 5 groups based on occupational choice: Seaman, Fireman, Airman, Constructionman, Hospitalman.   * Titles change with each rank, as E1 and E2 add the words “recruit” and “apprentice” to the group name.   * E1 has no insignia while E2 and E3 have two and three stripes on their sleeves. In the three apprenticeship ratings, the names and responsibilities are defined by experience and seniority. Typically, all enlisted personnel start as a recruit and moves ranks gradually, gaining the necessary skills and expertise to execute different commands. Ratings E-1 through E-3 are divided into five groups engaging in various activities in the military, such as seaman, fireman, airman, constructionman, and hospitalman. The respective grades receive varying identification marks, from no insignia for recruits to three stripes for those listed in E-3 (United States Navy, 2006). Non-commissioned officers: E4-E6   * Established in 1841, formalized by 1894.   * Different insignias : a spread-winged eagle atop a chevron.   * Number of chevrons increases with rank.   * Supervisors and technical leaders. The title of a non-commissioned officer (NCO) first appeared in 1841 but was not formally developed until 1894 with the definition of the uniform and attached insignias. In contrast with the first three ratings, the NCOs have an eagle with spread wings atop a chevron as their individual mark. Similarly, the number of chevrons increases rank progression. For the most part, NCOs serve as first-order supervisors and technical leaders to the grades below (Naval Historical Center, 2006). Officer ranks: CPO   * Established on April 1, 1893.   * Chief Petty Officers (CPO) belong to the 7th paygrade (E-7).   * CPOs are known as “dec