The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Poll

The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan, was a great read. I came into the adventure without much background regarding what kind of book it was going to be, and to my astonishment it was more of an educational journey than pages of force-fed beliefs. Michael Pollan has a writing style that is both loose and intriguing and really kept my attention throughout. Having already read extensively concerning human nutrition and food, I am usually skeptical when beginning such reads as this one, but I was very surprised that Mr. Pollan was very objective, in that this was seemingly a field trip and journey from environment to plate. I will begin this report with a summary of this great book and delve deeper into the thoughts that the literary family has of it. I will then go on to explain its importance in the development of environmental policy and impact, and end with my thoughts regarding the material and the interaction among social and environmental values and impacts presented by the author Michael Pollan. Summary The book begins with the question of â€Å"What should we have for dinner?† and stands to answer that question the rest of the way. Speaking directly of Americans, Pollan explains in-depth how the Nation tends to jump from fad to fad, first being afraid of carbohydrates, and then switching to fats, and so on. He goes on to explain where this thought process might have come from with the history of the Carter administration in 1977, as dietary goals were issued and the red meat lovers of America were warned to cut back. From that time on it has been an ever-changing lipo-, carbo-, phobia, with a cycle of weight loss and gain. With this question at hand, Michael Pollan begins to dive de... ...ormative history as he travels from the cornfields of Iowa, to the feedlot, to the forest floor in search of chanterelles, and then coming full circle to the dinner table. The information given is not always pleasant, but it is necessary for an informed eater in America to be aware of. The effects of knowing can cause us to be more responsible in what we are purchasing at the grocery store (and essentially voting for). He shows that making the correct decision to the question â€Å"What should we have for dinner?† can also be the choice that tastes the best and is the best for you. Works Cited Kamp, D. (2006). â€Å"Deconstructing Dinner.† New York Times: Sunday Book Review. 26 April 2006.http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/23/books/review/23kamp.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 Pollan, M. The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. New York. Random. 2006. Print

Legacy of colonialism and the economic development

One of the impacts of colonialism is in the development of trade and commerce between regions and countries that continue to be major factors in today’s economics. South Asia’s economy remains intimately connected to that of its colonizers, primarily with that of the United Kingdom’s. One of the key studies in the development of colonial to modern economics in the region is that of India (United Nations, 2003).The British East India Company was instrumental in expanding and developing India’s economy at the beginning of the 17th century (Reddaway, 1962). At the beginning, the Company had little leverage on the trade since India had little demand for the goods that it brought to the country but traders made lucrative profits in bringing Indian products to Europe. The commercial reforms reflected British policies and administration but also paved the way for the Indian traders and businesses who became significant in international commerce in the 18th centur y.The development of the agrarian economy, which similarly is a focus of current development objective of India, became the main industry. The policies integrated to the Indian customs and thus it did not significantly change the economic structure of the country but it provided more ground for UK companies to be established in the country (Rothermund, 1993).The shift in power developed through the India was effectively colonized by the crown, but the country’s economy remained closely linked with that of the UK (United Nations, 2003). The impact of such a relationship defied the prevalence of the US and Japan in Asian economics. One of the main reasons for the scenario is the degree by which social and cultural influences have been adopted by both countries. Support to UK companies and enterprises have been attributed to the number of Indian immigrants in the UK as well as of British citizens in India (Rothermund, 1991).According to the assessment of the management firm, McK insey & Company (2004), the history shared by India and the UK, both good and bad, has created long-term and successful partnerships that remain to be the critical factors with either country. The importance of economic systems and businesses established since the colonization of India is evident in the degree of confidence given to them in the country’s stock markets which have traditionally been conservative outside of the information technology industry (Levine & Zervos, 1996). Warren (1980) believes that countries that have a colonial history have adopted the capitalism that prevails in most of these countries today because imperialism has crated the economic and industrial foundations suited to capitalist economies.Rothermund (1993) furthermore points out that beyond the business and economic structures, the influence of colonialism can also be seen in the standards, practices and market preferences of Indian businesses: majority of Indian business follow UK standards an d prefer exporting to Europe than to the US, though McKinsey & Company (2004) qualifies such conditions maybe because of the China’s domination in US partnerships. Another indication of the influence of India’s colonial history is that most of its business leaders have been educated in the United Kingdom and the adoption of UK bases English to business communications.In conclusion, the impact of India’s colonial experience is apparent in the economic and business structures that still serve as the main architectecture of its industries. The influence can also be seen in the preferences and treatment of UK and Indian businesses of each other in both countries. Another indication of this influence is the characteristics of its markets, investments and policies that are in place both as a response to the needs of existing industries but also because of the close social and political ties between the two countries.ReferencesLevine, R. and   Zervos, S. (1996).   Stock Market Development and Long-Run Growth.   The World Economic Review, 10, p.323-339.McKinsey & Company (2004). China and India: The Race to Growth. McKinsey Quarterly . Retrieved on June 7, 2007 from http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/article_page.aspx?L2=19&L3=67&ar=1487&pagenum=1.Reddaway, W.B. (1962). The Development of the Indian Economy.   Homewood, IL: R.D. Irwin.Rothermund, D. (1993) An Economic History of India: From Pre-Colonial Times to 1991.   New York: Routledge.United Nations (2003).   Country fact sheet: India.   World Investment Report 2003 FDI Policies for Development: National and International PerpectivesPerspectives.   New York: United Nations Publications, E.03.II.D.8.Warren, B. (1980). Imperialism: Pioneer of Capitalism. London: Verso Press.

The difference between incidence and prevalence data

Statistical data can enhance insights by establishing the relationship of events or factors to a population. However, the value and validity of these insights depends on the researchers’ skill in using data available for their research. Therefore there is a need to understand the distinctions and uses of these data to be able to develop insights regarding the population or set of information. One example understands the difference between incidence and prevalence data. By understanding characteristics unique to each, researchers will be able to use them appropriately and effectively.DistinctionsIncidence refers to the probability that an individual will be fall under a constraint within a given period of time (Casella & Berger, 2001). In epidemiology, this refers to the chances that an individual will contract a specific in a particular time period. The rate of incidence is computed as a factor of the population susceptible to the constraint. Prevalence, on the other hand is d efined as the probability that a constraint given a population (McClave & Sincich, 2006). Extending the definition to epidemiology, this refers to the likelihood of an individual in a population to acquire the disease. Its rate is derived from dividing the number of diagnosed cases over the total population.The distinction between the two sets of data is based on the time and population it refers to. Incidence has a time frame or range while prevalence only considers the current data or data at a specific time. With regards to population, incidence is measured based on a constraint, usually defined because of its vulnerability to the diseases, whereas prevalence considers the whole population. If prevalence data is diminished, it means that disease is being eradicated versus in incidence where diminishing values only indicate the degree by which medical interventions are able to treat the disease (Bertoni et al, 2004). Furthermore, prevalence is the cumulative measure of incidence a s of the time period which can differ significantly from incidence values (Casella & Berger, 2001).UsesIncidence data is often used when studying new and or short-term events. The data is independent from data gathered from other time periods, measuring only the newly diagnosed cases and does not consider populations who still have the condition or disease. As a measure of success in medical intervention, it measures the rate of success of treatments of the disease’s symptoms. They are often utilized when conditions being studied are curable or when symptoms can become absent or in studies periods of vulnerability for a disease (Bertoni et al, 2004). Thus, in the study of respiratory sensitization and allergy n due to reaction enzyme producing plant, incidence data was used because the focus of the study the significance of exposure and host factors to employee reactions (Larsen, 2007). Incidence rates will better measure this relationship since the production of the enzymes that produce the sensitivity is seasonal and the population is limited to the employees who are exposed to the plants.Prevalence data in contrast is used more for long-term studies. As mentioned, it is a cumulative measure and therefore considers new and old diagnoses. It is often used in chronic illnesses or conditions whose symptoms will always fall under the constraints characterized for it. There is a presumption of the continuance of the disease or condition and the date is used often in conjunction with periodic measures.Thus, in the measure of effectiveness of vaccination against Hepatitis A in north-eastern Italy, prevalence data were used because the concern was the success of the preventive measures for drug users in low prevalence areas: the measure is not among the population the cases that will be reported and the comparison of data is annually (Lugoboni et al, 2005). Prevalence studies will better develop insights to the success rate of the intervention, in this case v accination against Hepatitis A, because vaccination implies that focus is on the non-occurrence of the condition and at the same time, the focus is not short-term.ReferencesBertoni, Alain G., Hundley, W. Gregory, Massing, Mark W., Bonds, Gregory Denise E., Burke, L. and Goff, David C. Jr. (20004). Heart Failure Prevalence, Incidence, and Mortality in the Elderly With Diabetes. Diabetes Care, 27: 699.Casella, George and Berger, Roger L. (2001)Statistical Inference, 2nd Edition. London: Â  Duxbury PressJohnsen, A. I. C. R. , Frickmann, J. and Mikkelsen, S. (2007). Incidence of respiratory sensitisation and allergy to enzymes among employees in an enzyme producing plant and the relation to exposure and host factors. Occup. Environ. Med., 64: 763 – 768.Lugoboni, Fabio, Quaglio, Gianluca, Pajusco, Benedetta, Foroni, Blengio, Maurizio Gianstefano, Talamini, Giorgio, Mezzelani, Paolo and Des Jarlais, Don C. (2005). Prevalence of hepatitis A among drug users in north-eastern Italy: Is vaccination necessary in low prevalence areas? Eur J Public Health, 15: 464 – 466.McClave, James T. and Sincich, Terry (2006). Statistics,10th Edition. by New York: Prentice Hall

Symbolisms in Kate Chopin’s “The Storm”

Symbolisms in Kate Chopin's â€Å"The Storm† Kate Chopin's â€Å"The Storm† is a short story written in 1898 but was not published until 1969. The story explores an excess of turbulent emotions of the protagonists in the backdrop of unexpected storm. Chopin effectively confronts the brewing conflict of the story by her unflinching depiction of the story through symbolisms. The symbolisms most evident in â€Å"The Storm† includes: the storm itself, Assumption, a small town in which the protagonists first met and whiteness as mentioned many times in the story.Chopin opens the first part of the story by using the illustration of the threatening storm with Calixta's husband, Bobinot: â€Å"Bobinot, who was accustomed to converse on terms of perfect equality with his little son, called the child's attention to certain somber clouds that were rolling with sinister intention from the west, accompanied by a sullen, threatening roar† (123). The storm is one of the obvious themes of the story. It is involve in practically every element of the plot.The text above describes the impending change of weather that is about to come, foreshadowing the series of events that is about to unravel. Bobinot then, decides to wait at the general store with their son, Bibi until the storm evens out. This waiting out or avoidance from the storm suggests that he also avoids the storm of passion that his wife had expected of him. Bobinot's less passionate nature becomes more evident on how he is described later in the story: â€Å"Then he returned to his perch on the keg and sat stolidly holding the can of shirmps while the storm burst† (123).The text gives an insight on Bobinot's general behavior or nature as an individual describing him as stolid, meaning having or revealing little emotion or sensibility or it could also means not easily aroused or excited. After this, the readers are introduced to Calixta at their home who is at first â€Å"unaware of the storm coming† because she is occupied with sewing and doing other mundane chores (124). The story introduces the female protagonist as a dedicated homemaker sewing furiously and gathering her usband's Sunday clothes put out to dry before huge drops of rain wet them. This behavior potrayed by Calixta in beginning story implies that â€Å"her sexuality is repressed by the constraints of her marriage and society's view of women, represented in this passage by the housework† (121). Chopin efficiently compares the storm brewing in nature with the storm within Calixta as she encounters Alcee in her home alone: â€Å"As she stepped outside , Alcee Laballiere rode in at the gate.She had not seen him very often since her marriage, and never alone† (124). The text displays Calixta's surprise reaction upon seeing a past lover right through her door. Out of courtesy, she then let Alcee in her house more so, since the rain is starting to get stronger: â€Å"He expressed an intention to remain outside, but it was soon apparent that he might as well have been out in the open: the water beat in upon the boards in driving sheets, and he went inside, closing the door after him† (125).The text describes the growing intensity of the storm. It also foreshadows the growing storm of passion that is building up between Calixta and Alcee. Chopin's description of the intensity of the storm that is starting to build as the story progress is parallel to the tension raging between Calixta and Alcee: â€Å"The playing of the lightning was incessant. A bolt of lighning struck a tall chinaberry tree at the edge of the field† (124). The text describes the violent temperament of nature. This draws Calixta and Felix physically closer together.Calista, being scared of the raging storm is comforted by Alcee: â€Å"Alcee clasped her shoulders and looked into her face. The contact of her warm, palpitating body when he had unthinkingly drawn her into his arms, had aroused all the old-time infatuation and desire for her flesh† (125). The text explores the passion waging in Calixta's heart suffused with the raging of the storm outside. This also reminds her of the past flirtation they shared a couple of years ago in a place called Assumption. Storms as we know it is useful.Storms is also known for its destructive effects. And lastly storms usually occurs briefly. The storm of passion that takes over Calixta and Alcee is depicted in the story as something beautiful and significant: â€Å"When he touched her breasts they gave themselves up in quivering ecstacy, inviting his lips. Her mouth was a fountain of delight. And when he possessed her, they seemed to swoon together at the very botherland of life's mystery† (125). The text explores the beauty of abandon within the rage of their passion Calixta and Alcee discovered.The symbolism â€Å"The Storm† in the story is intended to reflect Calixta's sub-conscious sexual longin g as a result of her inadequate conjugal relationship with her husband. Just as the climatic storm takes in the characters in the story by surprise, the emotional storm of sexual fulfillment takes her by surprise. She realizes this arousal only after it passed and after the fact (121). Going back to the fact that they were both married to another people, the readers are prompted to question the morality aspects of what happened between Calixta and Alcee.However, such question is dismiss quickly by the story's plot. As quickly as the storm passes by the town where the characters are, so as passion that took over Calixta and Alcee: â€Å"The rain was over; and the sun was turning the glistening green world into a palace of gems. Calixta, on the gallery, watched Alcee ride away† (125). Although Calixta gives in to Alcee's advance, there is no suggestion by the author that the act was one of love making. The whole affair was not so much one of Calixta's love for Alcee, but one of her love for herself.Hence, from a technical point of view this is not a story of romance, but one of human nature. Though acclaimed now, this work was published after Chopin's death as she knew it was in direct oposition to societal norms of her times (433). After the spontaneous sexual encounter between Alcee and Calixta, the storm subsides. The sexual act was not to be forgotten and buried out of consciousness. Both of them have to put it in the context of their lives. While the reader would expect feelings of remorse and guilt from the two, they instead feel rejuvenated and relieved.Chopin captures the state of their minds using the following words: â€Å"So the storm passed and everyone was happy† (126). The tone of ending of the story suggests that everything works out for everyone's benefit. Calixta and Alcee's secret is officially safe, dissipating as the storm itself has. Another symbolism that is evident in the story is Assumption or the small town where Calixta an d Alcee met up and shared kisses five years ago: â€Å"Do you remember– in Assumption, Calixta?Oh, she remembered; for in Assumption he had kissed and kissed her; until his senses would well nigh fail, and to save her he would resort to a desperate flight† (124). The text describes the passion they once shared in Assumption although it does not lead to sex because Alcee would leave Calixta in heights of their passion so as to save her purity. The name Assumption has religious connotations that reminds us of virginity and chastity. In Christianity, it refers to a specific event: the Virgin Mary's ascent to heaven after she dies.Instead of having sex in a place associated with chastity, the place where Calixta and Alcee consumate their feelings for one another is Calixta's home. However, it is the memory of their time in Assumption: a place that reminds them of chastity, where they could not be together that sparks a more mature interlude between them. Another symbolism that Chopin examines in the story is the repeated mention of â€Å"whiteness†. While usually white symbolizes purity or chastity, the story twists it around to represent sexual desire and longing: † She was a revelation in that dim, mysterious chamber; as white as the couch she lay upon.Her firm elastic flesh that was knowing for the first time its birthright was like a creamy lily that the sun invites to contribute its breath and perfume to the undying life of teh world. The generous abandon of her passion, without guile or trickery, was like white flame which penetrated and found response in depths of his own sensuous nature that had never been reached† (124). While this whiteness in literature would traditionally refer to a body the male character could not access, this text transform the meaning of purity into desire and sexuality.The â€Å"flame† of Calixta's â€Å"passion† is â€Å"white†; her body in all its ecstasy is â€Å"like a cre amy lily. † In this story, the color white might almost be better understood as red-hot. It means giving in, not holding back. Works Cited Farca, Paula Anca. â€Å"Foucault Informs Kate Chopin's Short Fiction. † Academic Exchange Quarterly 11. 1 (2007): 120-24. Print. Manning, S. L. â€Å"Kate Chopin Reconsidered: Beyond the Bayou. † The Review of English Studies (1995): 433-442. Print. Kennedy, X. J. , and Dana Gioia. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. New York: Pearson Longman, 2007. Print.

Chinese Contemporary Art Museum Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 2

Chinese Contemporary Art Museum - Essay Example Noting that the museum has a huge number of Chinese imperial art, this fund is indented to fund the national level museum art that is dedicated to collecting, displaying, and the research of the contemporary and modern China artistic works. Certainly, the fund shall be the key building element of the four stories of the Museum including the areas of a display (Falk 12). Generally, the fund will take care of twenty-one exhibition halls in the museum. These collections are divided into various categories. This includes the Chinese traditional painting, print, oil painting, sculpture, caricature, new year painting, lacquer, traditional story picture, costumes, and pottery. It is worth noting that this category is expected to perform better, as well as improve the performance of the museum. Extensively, the funding provides an opportunity for the museum to increase the level of art and design in China. Unlike others, this category of funding is focused on boosting not only research and outreach in China but also the sector of education. This implies that through this funding, the collections in the museum shall be of great importance to researchers serving as an academic source for varied purposes. These collections have been known for displaying certain species at a certain time and place (Harris 14). Through it researchers shall have an opportunity to examine the temporal and geographical changes in populations, communities and species, thus tracking the patterns relative to human-induced or natural changes (Harris 16). This category of funding is the best since it will enable the specimens of the museum to establish the research basis for the evolution of the research, distribution, and speciation. This will give vital baselines for studying emerging diseases, conversations and artworks. Different specimens are linked to data thus giving out information regarding life history, and natural traits of animals.  

Case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 15

Case study - Essay Example This event is investigated in light of the company’s behavior post the oil spill and their consequent reaction in front of the press and as expressed in their annual reports. More specifically, this paper looks at how BP’s reaction post the disastrous oil spill ties in with the theories about company behavior. There is extensive secondary research that discusses company behavior and explains how and why a company might behave in certain specific situations. According to the legitimacy theory, an organization only acts according to the behavior that is deemed correct and wanted by society it operates in and as deemed fit by other potentially influential parties; the actions performed by the company should thus be ‘socially acceptable’ otherwise the company will have trouble operating in a society that thinks of it as ‘unethical’, ‘immoral’ or ‘unable to comply with social norms or requirements’ and will be fast rolling downhill on its way to failure. (O’Donovan, 2002, p.344). Results of some empirical researches confirm the legitimacy theory (Branco and Rodrigues, 2006, p.232; Deegan et al., 2002, p.312) while on the other hand, some scholars and their studies outright reject the concept put forward by the legitimacy theory (Guthri e and Parker, 1989, p.343). According to research, the stakeholder theory explains how a company may be portrayed with regards to the internal relations between different units and individuals that comprise it and that this may manipulate the firm’s performance. According to this theory, the company’s stakeholders include not only shareholders, but also other groups such as employees, suppliers, society, etc that have an inherent stake in how the company performs. (Freeman et al., 2010, p.28; Jones, 1995, p.407). critics of the stakeholder theory say that the nature of the relationships between the management and investors are always different from the nature of the associations

Marketing Management Project wk4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Marketing Management Project wk4 - Essay Example This target market saves business owners from wasting time and money, among other resources, while trying to sell their products to people who do not require them. All businesses need a marketing strategy so as to concentrate their efforts to the right channels of generating income. A good marketing strategy is important in ensuring that the target market is fully captured and purchases the presented product or service. To understand a market and the impact of a product or service on it, several methods can be applied in studying a business. These methods create a situation analysis. The situation analysis is a key component of a marketing plan and should be carefully thought on and done. For the service in question, which involves the supply of textbook-like content to students online, a large portion of the target market is made up of school children, and specifically those who have access to a computer with an internet connection. This market constitutes children and young adults who have the desire to read textbooks but have little or no access the hard copies. This site will be open to anyone, meaning that the market will not be limited to a specific geographical region. The strengths of the service are that it can serve a large population regardless of geographical location and contains relevant academic content that would only be available in academic textbooks. Its weakness lies in the fact that anyone can copy this idea and create their own version of it, probably even an improved one. The opportunities that lie within this service include the addition of professional academic materials that can be supplied to universities and colleges at a fee. Finally, threats such as already existing knowledge sites, among them Wikipedia, are known to many students who heavily rely on them. Threats of new entrants into the business sector are also to be considered (Wood, 2005). The main competitors of such an online