ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction Autism is a devastating developmental disorder that can be diagnosed in any child regardless of social class, race, cultural or ethnic background. Its effects on personal development and relationship can be massive and may lead to stress among caretakers. Moreover, personal life development is a complex interlink of personality, cognitive and sociological development that are molded by voluntary and involuntary environmental factors as this paper analyses from the movie The Black Baloon . An individual’s development is a reflection of aspirations, successes and failures that a person and the community appreciate. This paper evaluates the character of Maggie and the aspects of stress, preeclampsia, having an autistic child and her life stage using the cognitive, personality and sociological models. Finally, the paper concludes by highlighting the importance of cognitive factors and emphasizes on mental health as well as moderating factors that anchor the ability of an individual to regain strong conscious of life even when under stress. Brief background of the movie The 2008 film The Black Balloon was directed by Elisa Down (Down & Jack 2008). It clearly depicts challenges faced by families living with autistic children. The main question that the film raises is whether parents and other members of a family have the ability to cope with such challenges and come out victoriou in the end by being unified with love in spite of the kind of the adversity they face. As the title suggests, Charlie is like a black balloon whose opaqueness hinders one from seeing inner contents. Besides, the presence of an autistic child in the family strains Maggie emotionally as depicted in the film bearing in mind that he has to devote all her attention to him. The Black Balloon theme has been used to explore this sensitive issue and reveals how each of the family members has his/her own strategy to deal with the challenges caused by autism. The generalization of literature on the issue Although Erickson’s theory has been largely employed in the study as the main supporting framework, it has other varying elements of related theories such as the Freud’s theory of personality development. Indeed, as Altiere and Von Kluge (2009. p. 142) point out, Erickson’s work was greatly influenced by the works of Sigmund Freud. This is evident especially in the first three stages of development whereby the symptoms and traits assimilated by an individual have
Introduction Aviation plays a pivotal role in the contemporary world, providing rapid transportation and allowing for extremely swift travel. This mode of transportation is also the safest transport available today (Duguay 2014), which is, in part, due to the strict physical security measures implemented in airports. However, the multi-layered security system – the dominant approach to airport security – is nowadays being criticised as consuming an excessive amount of money and resources; an alternative has been proposed in the form of a risk-based, outcomes-focused approach to aviation security, which may possibly save resources while lowering the level of security by a negligible amount. The current paper discusses key points of these two approaches to physical airport security, provides a comparison, and then engages in critical evaluation to identify their benefits and drawbacks. It is concluded that the implementation of the risk-based, outcomes-focused approach to physical security in aviation might be a viable alternative to the multi-layered security system. The Layered System of Aviation Security Currently in civil aviation, a considerable proportion of airports use the so-called layered physical security system for the purpose of safeguarding themselves from potential terrorist attacks (Chatterjee, Hora & Rosoff 2015). This system is comprised of a number of ‘layers’, that is, different security measures aimed at denying unauthorised individuals access to facilities, as well as intended to protect passengers, airport staff and property from damage or harm that could result from a terrorist attack, theft, espionage or any other activities that might be carried out with malicious intent (Chatterjee, Hora & Rosoff 2015). The crux of the layered system of security is that it should permit the detection of suspicious individuals, objects, cargo and more by conducting a wide array of scans and checks so that in the event any of these checks should be unable to detect anything suspicious, other checks will be able to do so, thus compensating for any potential weaknesses of the rest of the ‘layers’ (Jackson & LaTourrette 2015). A large number of layers are simultaneously employed. For instance, in the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (2017) stipulates that 20 different layers of aviation security are to be in place in civil airports. These 20 layers of security are as follows (Transportation Security Administration 2017):  1. Intelligence: the process of collecting and analysing data about phenomena t
Karl Marx presented two class models of society namely the bourgeoisie and proletariat. The bourgeoisie are the capitalists who are few in number and are the owners of capital. They are also rich, powerful, oppressors, exploiters and they always win elections in democratic countries. On the other hand, the proletariats are the workers, owners of labor and they are the majority in numbers but are powerless since they are oppressed and exploited by the rich and they always lose in election in democratic nations. The proletariat can be described as a class in itself in the sense that they share same objectives and relationships to the means of production, that is, they are laborers who are paid in wages. The two classes are always in conflict with each other because their interests are incompatible. While the bourgeoisie have the interests of maintaining the status quo which ensures their dominance, the proletariats are interested in changing the status quo which deprives them of good life. However, the two classes are not aware of the nature of the circumstances which they live in but assume that the situations which they find themselves in are natural and nothing can be done to change them. This is what Karl Marx calls a false class consciousness. The bourgeoisie are not aware that they are the exploiters while the proletariats are not aware that they are exploited or oppressed, they are also not aware that they are poor but assume that they are naturally supposed to be poor. However; when the proletariats become aware of the reality, that is, when they know that they are exploited by the bourgeoisie, what follows is a revolution. Marx argues that the Russian revolution of 1917 was as a result of the realization of the proletariats that they were being oppressed by the bourgeoisie. Karl Marx understood work as alienating. His argument was based on the capitalistic mode of production which has its roots in the industrial revolution of 1600. This mode of production is characterized by the two groups named above that is, the bourgeoisie and the proletariats. According to Karl Marx, the proletariats own nothing except their labor, which they sale at cheap price to the capitalists (Wharton 44-68). The concept of alienation simply means the existence of some dividing forces between things which are essentially supposed to be in harmony with each other. For example, ma
According to economists a banking crisis can only be considered a banking crisis if there is a systematic panic (Calomiris, 2008, p.1). This simply means that the panic is widespread and affects national banks and a great number of people. A bank in the rural United States, failing due to problems in agriculture and the farmers unable to pay their loans is a financial problem but cannot be considered a banking crisis. In order for an event to be considered it has to create an impact as widespread the current financial crisis of the first decade of the 21 st century. In this case the systematic panic came as the mismanagement of the U.S. subprime lending sector and it has something to do with the unique structure of the U.S. banking industry. The problem with bank losses and the ensuing panic that it creates is nothing new. Financial crisis has been documented as far back as ancient times in the financial industry of Greece and even in Rome in 33 A.D. (Calomiris, 2008, p.2). Even in other parts of Europe and in the United States banks losing money and depositors dismayed by the insolvency of banks are common occurrences. These problems may occur regularly but oftentimes these are isolated cases and its effects not given the chance to consolidate to create widespread panic. Experts even agree that for most of modern history, banks were perceived to be stable and that large losses from failed banks are uncommon (Calomiris, 2008, p.2). But the unique structure of the U.S. banking industry is the reason why banks are now being perceived as unstable. In the past a central bank and a few policies were enough to prevent a meltdown but the American experience proves that more stringent measures should be in place. There is also a need to point out that major financial crisis in the United States appears to be a replay of past events. The details may not be the same but there similarities such as the link between the decline of the stock prices and the panic that resulted from news that several businesses are failing. In other words the U.S. banking industry is easily undermined by panic and there seems to be no system in place that prevents the general public from pulling down the banking sector with bank runs and other actions that multiplies the fears of the people and investors. There is indeed a pattern that can be observed starting from the early 1900s to the 1930s and now in the 21 st century. There is a replay of familiar historical phenomena (Calomiris, 2008, p.1) This means that the problem is not with the economy and U.S. industries per se but the system that was created to manage the U.S. market, banking sector and overall economy that created the opportunity for speculation, confusion, and panic. A background history of the formation o
Introduction Culture is one of the major factors that dictate the way in which people act under given circumstances. Vance & Paik (2006) define culture as “a system of values and norms that are shared among a group of people and that, taken together, constitute a design for living”. The influence of culture on life is all encompassing and culture impacts on all relationships, be they personal or professional. This paper shall begin by stating and analyzing the reasons why people may not appreciate the cultural point of view of others. It shall then proceed to discuss how appreciating cultural diversity affects peoples’ ability to communicate effectively in the context of a multinational corporation. Reasons why People may not Appreciate Different Viewpoints One of the reasons why people may not appreciate the cultural point of view of others is because of the differences in cultural values. This is contrary to the fact that for people to peacefully coexist with each other, they have to have a uniform sense of what is acceptable. This sense of “shared moral and social values” according to which the members of the community are expected to behave is the defining characteristics of a community. Bridgeman, Lind and Keating (2008) state that this shared morals and values are learnt from the unique society in which one comes from. Another reason for lack of appreciation is because different cultures lay emphasis on different values. For example, in the Chinese culture, values such as modesty and cooperation are held in high esteem (Singelis & Brown, 1995). The Western world on the other hand places greater value on individualism and personal ambition and success. A person brought up in a highly collectivist culture (such as the Chinese) will not relate with the person from the individualistic culture. There exists some competition between cultures and this may cause people not to appreciate the culture of others. This competition may lead people to see their own traditions and roots as being better than those of others. Kuran & Sandholm (2008) rightfully reveal that in all interactions, individuals face tradeoffs and a person has to contend with competing needs. A person from one culture may therefore fail to appreciate the views of another person since they see their culture as the “right one”. This rigid stance will result in a breakdown in communication relationships since effective communication demands that all parties t
Introduction Inspired by a true story, Kinky Boots is a film about an unlikely collaboration between a drag queen and a shoe factory owner. By putting together their efforts and aside their myriad personal issues and insecurities, they work together to save the shoe business by inventing high heeled men’s boots. Les Miserables is the take of Jean Valjean an ex-convict trying to live by the law but is forced to be on the run escaping recapture by the ruthless Inspector Jevert who intends to re-incarcerate him. He adopts and brings up Cosette and after going through numerous challenges, they end up being swept up in the political turmoil that rocked Paris prior to and during the French revolution (Failes par. 6). In Kinky Boots , the lighting mood is warm and bright, which have the result of bringing out the optimism and romance that makes a big part of the movie (LNS Online America par. 7). This contrasts sharply with the overall dark lighting in Les Miserables . However, then again, this is not surprising since the theme of the film is a darker and more forlorn (Failes par. 9). The overriding emotion in the film is one of hopeless and fear rather than the optimism and the hope that is dominant in Kinky Boots . Body In Kinky Boots, there are several instances where non-motivate light is applied to reinforce the mood of the current scent and/or create and fill multiple spaces within the same scene. For example after the death of Charlie’s father, the lighting goes of abruptly with only a beam of light illuminating Charlie. This serves to personify the sorrow and depression that Charlie is facing, he fells alone and abandoned with no hope and this ultimately inspires sorrow in the audience who are forced to focus for a few moments on the monstrosity of the loss and loneliness of his brother. In Les Miserables , after Fountine has sold her teeth she is depicted lying in bed with light only showing her face and the rest of the body shrouded in darkness (LNS Online). Like the scene in Kinky Boots , this helps the viewer appreciate her sorrow and isolation as well as compelling them to focus on these. Separation of space is another way in which lighting is used in Kinky Boots , at one point, Lolar is dancing in the club with a backdrop of shining red light while in a separated image, Charlie is in his office contemplating the business ideas he got from her. His part of the scene is covered in normal blue light, which juxtaposes the
Many people are so caught in the endless hustle of the modern world that they allow autopilot to dictate everything they do. It is particularly evident in the manner of their speech and communication, whether personal or professional. In the same way, people who lack mindfulness do not control their overall behavior, they also have little power over their speaker habits. Not only does it showcase their inadequate communicative skills, but it also damages the others’ perception. Understanding what behaviors are frequently exhibited by mindful speakers is essential in ascertaining their importance for their personal and professional life. Firstly, mindful speakers are focused on listening as much as speaking. Many people forget that communication is a two-way process and involves at least two parties. When people are not trained at controlling their impulses and mind wandering, they find themselves interrupting their interlocutors or using non sequitur arguments. Mindfulness teaches people to pay attention to all expressions of the world, including what other people say. When distracting thoughts, which may prevent understanding of the interlocutor, appear, a mindful speaker acknowledges them and focuses on listening. Subsequently, they can follow what the conversation is about without the fear of losing the idea in the process of mind wandering. Listening is also important during activities, which presuppose speaking. For instance, when giving presentations, speakers are supposed to provide the most information. However, unless they acknowledge the audience, their ideas may not be conveyed to them clearly. When I give presentations, I allow the audience to interrupt me at any point and ask a clarifying question. I believe that these questions are important because th
Kathrine Lugar is currently heading the American Beverage Association, a governmental lobbying group represented by major US soft drinks and water producers. She joined the organization as a president and chief executive officer in 2018 to advocate for its members (PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and others) and leverage comprehensive public policy (American Beverage Association, 2018). She also chairs the Board of Directors of the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America. This institution supports community-based initiatives providing grants for projects that improve local citizens’ environmental and physical health. Before joining ABN, Lugar proved her competency in the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) and Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA). Her rich experience in private-sector public affairs (more than 20 years) is the key to her success. Before joining RILA, Lugar worked in the National Retail Federation (NRF) dealing with Travelers Insurance as vice president of political and legislative affairs (American Beverage Association, 2018). The depth of experience helped her, as the head of AHLA, to focus on essential priorities, including distribution, technology, workforce issues, and travel promotion. Lugar is a great negotiator and leader who encourages collaboration among industry members. For instance, she leveraged the new membership model that grew the AHLA’s membership to the highest point in its 100-year history (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2015). Lugar’s renewed focus on advocacy and aligning brands to the same policy interests tripled revenue during her five-year tenure. It is interesting how the current head of ABA combines advocacy and internal managerial obligations. Lugar used to select proper employees and set high expectations to enhance their focus on helping beverage producers. The CEO establishes a strong culture within the organization that implies support and encouragement when it is needed. Success is praised, whereas multiple opinions are taken into consideration. For example, Lugar, together with AHLA, honored the hotel industry standouts back in 2017 (Little, 2017). Top industry properties and employees have been appreciated annually for showing promise, dedication, and passion for service at Stars of the Industry awards. It also awards members of Congress for their support and commitment to the hospitality indu
The novels Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih and Beer in the Snooker Club by Waguih Ghali brightly reveal the story of two male heroes who are in constant search of a better life. Both characters move to England to apply their knowledge and to reach self-realization and self-expression thus believing that they would not have more possibilities for improvement in their native country. Though the writers narrate the stories about the lives of their protagonists in different ways and styles, both novels render the meaning of Arab masculinity. The first story Season of Migration to the North is about Mustafa Sa’eed, Sudanese, who comes to London for an advanced study where he is nicknamed “the black Englishman.” Before, the writer depicts the story about the previous life of the protagonists in the Sudanese society where he was not highly appraised since “This country hasn’t got the scope for that brain of yours, so take yourself off” (Sallih, 23). There, in London, he resorts to sexual violence against women thus seducing them in his room decorated in the African style. The second novel by Waguih Ghali narrates about the main personality whose name is Ram and about his own vision of the events taking place in the Cairo privileged society. He is just an observer who tries to interfere and to focus on the vices of society thus condemning cruelty, insincerity, and greed. As it can be viewed, the novels discover a contrasting interpretation of Arab masculinity, its evil sight subjected to the animal instincts and its good sight revealed in nobleness and gentleness of the character. Hence, Mustafa Sa’eed is depicted as a hunter who is to conquer the women and satisfy his desires. He is a man of direct goals for whom the methods do not matter but the result. Mustafa is the “invader who had come from the South, and this was the icy battlefield from which [he] would not make a safe return” (Salih 160). In his vision, the subjec
Introduction The film Himalaya, directed by Eric Valli, was released in 1999. The film runs for more than 100 minutes. Some of the main characters in the film include Tinle (old chief), Lhakpa (Tinle’s son), Tserin (Tinle’s grandson), Lhakpa Tamshoe (wife to Lhakpa), Karma (Tinle’s rival), and Norbou (Tinle’s second son). Himalaya tells the story of a village leader leading his community in the search of a precious mineral (salt) during a harsh winter. The film uses wonderful cinematography that highlights the magnificence of the surroundings in the film. The camerawork employed, and the script, give a feeling of real-life events. The characters are well developed throughout the story as well. One of the most compelling things about the film is the close tie between leadership and community survival. Plot Summary The Tibetan community trades salt they harvest from the mountains for other necessities. The invasion of the Chinese, however, led to the fast depletion of the salt. Thus, not only did the invasion threaten the culture of the people, but also depleted their source of livelihood. The community’s biggest trade was with neighbors living in the plains. According to the film, much of the trade decisions were made by the chief. As the story evolves, the chief (Tinle) is portrayed as the most powerful person in the village. However, he is too old and decides to retire, paving way for his son, Lhakpa. Lhakpa is, however, killed while executing leadership functions. Karma, the main rival of Tinle, delivers Lhakpa’s body to become chief himself. Karma’s claim of the chiefdom divides the village, with elders supporting Tinle, and the younger generations supporting Karma. To show who is more superior, both teams decide to harvest salt. Tinle’s more experienced team reaches the mountains first, and harvest the salt. However, in the end, it is Karma who has a majority of the population backing him, and he becomes chief. Description Himalaya is certainly a reminiscent film. The original version is in Chinese, but it has also been translated into English. The film captures Tibetan culture, which has since become extinct as a result of the Chinese occupation of Tibet. It also captures the determination of the young generation in Tibet to track their ancestral paths in an attempt to retain their unique culture but