Thursday, December 26, 2019

Air Pollution Is A Serious Problem - 1571 Words

Air pollution is a very serious problem throughout the world. Exposure to air pollution is easy and it can affect your health. Air pollution is the introduction of particulates, biological molecules, or other harmful materials into Earth’s atmosphere, causing diseases, death to humans, and damage to other living organisms such as animals and food crops, or the natural or built environment (Air Pollution, 2016, June 27). This definition proves that exposure to air pollution can harm the main things that we need to survive on earth. Depending on the environment an individual live in the quality of air can be good or bad. People living in the urban area have a higher chance of being exposed to air pollution than those living in the rural. I think if air pollution keep effecting the things we need on earth than we would no longer have any resources. In order to keep the resources we need we should decrease the exposure of air pollution in our environments and make the quality of i t better. Use of hybrid cars might improve the quality of the air. For this reason, tax credits ought to be given to drivers of hybrid vehicles. Air pollution from motor vehicles is also a serious matter on our resources because of the exhaust fumes. Due to this issue, when individuals are exposed to gas that come from their cars, it can affect their health. In order to reduce these negative effects individuals should keep their cars clean. Being exposed to particulate matter also can cause asthmaShow MoreRelatedAir Pollution Is A Serious Problem1507 Words   |  7 PagesAir pollution is a serious problem in our society that damages many things such as crops, trees, plants, and natural resources. Air pollution can be indoor or outdoors, when people smoke or vehicles exhaust pollutes the air. It is an additional harmful substance that damages environment, human health, and quality of life. The state of Minnesota has taken this into consideration and decided to protect its residence and visitor’s well-being and health. As stated in the Minnesota Department of HealthRead MorePollution Is A Serious Problem?1320 Words   |  6 PagesMarch 2016 pollution in china In the paper, I argue that what types of pollution in china by introducing the situation and problems in china. Following the development of economic and scientific, China is playing a very important role in the international arena. Increasing the number of people become rich. they can buy the new car, big house, and expensive clothes. In many people s opinions that China is becoming strong and rich. But they do not know China is also facing a serious problem, it is pollutionRead MoreEnviromental Pollution785 Words   |  4 PagesEnvironmental pollution  is a term that refers to all  the ways  by which people pollute their surroundings. People dirty the air with gases and smoke, poison the water  with chemicals  and other substances, and damage  the soil  with too many fertilizers and pesticides:  People also  pollute their surroundings in various other ways. For example, they ruin  natural beauty  by scattering junk and litter on the land and in the water. The y operate machines  and motor  vehicles that fill the air with disturbing noiseRead MoreAir Pollution As A Growing Problem1530 Words   |  7 PagesSince last century, air pollution has become one of the most popular topics related to people’s healthy life. After the Second World War, the consumption of fossil energy increase sharply due to the rapid development of industry and transportation, however, there almost no relevant environmental regulations to control the negative effects caused by industrial emissions. Therefore, air pollution became a growing problem. This paper will compare the conditions of air pollution between Los Angeles andRead MoreTo humans, having a healthy immune system is essential. Our immune system is important because it900 Words   |  4 Pagesimmune system is important because it helps the body fight any foreign bacteria, viruses, and diseases by attacking it, which is why we must take care of it as much as possible by strengthening it. But this so called defense system can also cause problems such as attacking donated organs or blood from another individual, unless the organs or blood are carefully matched. It may also overreact to harmless invaders such as pollen grains, which can cause hayfever, and even in certain cases, the immuneRead MoreThe Effects Of Air Pollution On Hong Kong1361 Words   |  6 PagesAir pollution is a phenomenon that there are harmful materials in the earth’s atmosphere. Worldwide attention has been focused on air pollution in rapidly urbanizing cities since the Kyoto Protocol of year in 1997. Hong Kong air pollution is one of the most serious over the world. Air pollution will bring a lot of influence such as health and economic problem. There are more than 7 million population in Hong Kong and this increase the requirement from different area such as transportation which willRead MoreInadequate Sanitary Facilities At Dhaka Water And Sewerage Authority ( Dwasa ) Essay1596 Words   |   7 Pagespose a serious environmental threat in Bangladesh. Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority (DWASA) can serve only for 15 to 20% of city population. In absence of the sanitation and infrastructural services, 40% having septic tank and soak pit, 15% using pit latrines and 30% using open latrines. The sewage is mostly released into low-lying areas and river water in untreated manner causing great environmental hazards. 4. Arsenic Contamination of Ground Water Arsenic in ground water poses a serious environmentalRead MoreImportance Of Water Pollution Essay1176 Words   |  5 PagesTwo-Thirds of the Earth’s surface is covered in water. As the Earth’s population continually increases, we are putting too much stress on our water sources. The environmental campaign organization WWF states,  Pollution from toxic chemicals threatens life on this planet. Every ocean and every continent, from the tropics to the once-pristine polar regions, is contaminated. In Indonesia, the Citarum River is the most polluted river in the world. 5 million people live in the river’s basin and manyRead MoreOverview of Air Pollution1861 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Air pollution remains one of the most urgent and serious problems facing the world today. Research studies conducted in the past have clearly indicated that in addition to harming the environment, the effects of air pollution on human health are particularly adverse. In this text, I discuss air pollution, its causes, and effects. Further, I propose solutions that could be embraced to rein in the problem of air pollution. Air Pollution: An Overview Air pollution in the words of MillerRead MoreAir Pollution Of Beijing And China1315 Words   |  6 PagesAbstract: In the past few years, the air pollution in Beijing becomes more and more serious. Frequent smog weather cause social disordered and serious harm to the health of residents. The number of respiratory diseases increased. Citizens live in a bad living condition. Because of the smog, we have to stop all outdoor works and activities. It also caused great economic losses. So we must do some thing to control the air pollution. Keywords: air pollution, control measures, Beijing Introduction:

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Introduction to Economic System - 3031 Words

What is system? System (from Latin systema, in turn from Greek systÄ“ma) is a set of interacting or interdependent entities, real or abstract, forming an integrated whole. A group of interdependent items that interact regularly to perform a task. Economic System An economic system is a system that involves the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services between the entities in a particular society. The economic system is composed of people and institutions, including their relationships to productive resources, such as through the convention of property. In a given economy, it is the systemic means by which problems of economics are addressed, such as the economic problem of scarcity through allocation of finite†¦show more content†¦A central directorate controls the production of goods and services. The directorate decides the nature, quantity, and mood of production of goods. This distribution of goods is also directed by the central body. Socialism refers to a broad set of economic theories of social organization advocating state or collective ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods, and the creation of an egalitarian society. Modern socialism originated in the late nineteenth-century working class political movement. Karl Marx posited that socialism would be achieved via class struggle and a proletarian revolution which represents the transitional stage between capitalism and communism. Socialists mainly share the belief that capitalism unfairly concentrates power and wealth among a small segment of society that controls capital and creates an unequal society. All socialists advocate the creation of an egalitarian society, in which wealth and power are distributed more evenly, although there is considerable disagreement among socialists over how, and to what extent this could be achieved Some features of socialism are written below 1. Socialism is not a discrete philosophy of fixed doctrine and program 2. Its branches advocate a degree of social interventionism and economic rationalization, sometimes opposing each other. 3. Another dividingShow MoreRelatedIntroduction A system is a network of parts which interlock to form an overall pattern. An economic1500 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction A system is a network of parts which interlock to form an overall pattern. An economic system is a pattern of organisation which is aimed at solving the three central questions discussed in the previous sections. Economic systems do not always work well, but they are often so vast and complicated that it is quiet marvellous that they work at all. Mohr Fourie.(2008. P42). Scarcity is the fundamental challenge confronting all individuals and nations. We cannot always get what we wantRead MorePersonal Finance959 Words   |  4 Pagessolutionsmanualtb.com click it ,it has the list Introduction to governmental and not-for-profit accounting, 7/e martin ives terry k. Patton solutions manual and test bank Introduction to information systems 2e canadian ed rainer cegielski splettstoesser hogeterp sanchez rodriguez instructor manual Introduction to logic, 14e irving m. Copi solutions manual and test bank Introduction to managerial accounting 6e brewer garrison solutions manual and test bank introduction to organic and biochemistry, 8th editionRead MoreArticle: Euro Effects1717 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Euro Effects Introduction European Monetary System (EMU) is the arrangement by following which most EU (European Union) nations have connected their currencies to put a stop to great changeability and vacillations relative to one another. It was in 1979 that this system was organized in order to soothe and stabilize the foreign exchange and respond to price increases among member nations. However, sporadic changes not only elevated the values of strong currencies but at the same time, loweredRead MoreModernization of Japan: The Meiji Restoration Essay638 Words   |  3 PagesThe Meiji Restoration played a significant role in the modernisation of Japan. The Meiji period was a time of political and social revolution. It brought momentous social, political and economic changes to Japan, and these changes became the foundation of the Japan we know today. Prior to the 1868 Restoration, Japan was a militarily weak country with a feudal agricultural society, and was controlled by feudal lords. When the Meiji peri od ended with the Emperors death in 1912, Japan was a well-developedRead MoreDefinition Of A Social Institution1281 Words   |  6 Pagesidentified the social institution in the article as ‘economic’. Economic Institution There are five common types of social institutions: economic, governmental, family, educational, religious. They are the principal structures in all societies and relate to general factors of social life and life overall. The chosen article relates to salary matter of males and females that is a part of the economic institution. General information In the textbook ‘Introduction to sociology’ stated that in sociology, economyRead MoreObjectives of Macroeconomics1477 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction to Macroeconomics Chapter 1 Introduction to Macroeconomics 1.1 INTRODUCTION †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Economics is divided into two main branches: microeconomics and macroeconomics. Macro means large, and micro means small. Microeconomics takes a close-up view of the economy by concentrating on the choices made by individual participants in the economy such as consumers, workers, business managers and investors. Microeconomics stresses on the role of prices in business and personal decisionsRead MoreThe Invention Of An Invention1685 Words   |  7 Pagesa new product or process and its commercial and social exploitation. Thus, to turn an invention into an innovation, a firm, requires combining numerous types of knowledge, skills, capabilities, market knowledge, a properly functioning distribution system and sufficient finances. In a firm the sources of innovation can be both internal and external. The former includes research and development, design, tooling up and marketing while the later are capital goods and equipment, consultancy, licences andRead MoreIndustrialization During The Industrial Revolution1180 Words   |  5 Pageschanged from home businesses to machine-aided production in factories. This was after the factory system evolved from the cottage industry just at the beginning of Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century. The cottage industry was driven by workers who woul d buy raw materials from merchants and then take it home so that they could produce specific commodities. It was a slow and tedious system because the items were made by hand. Additionally, the workers’ productivity was also low. SubsequentlyRead MoreAn Optimistic Vantage Point On Human Existence And Natural Behavior897 Words   |  4 Pages From an optimistic vantage point on human existence and natural behavior, a Democratic Confederate Socialist government system spanning across the world, canvassing all separate countries that exist today, would be ideal. Being Democratic, it would serve to promote the ideas and serve the needs of the people for which it is created--fulfilling the social contract theory of John Locke. Being a Confederacy, instead of following a Unitary or Federal structure, it would serve even more to that end,Read MoreCOMMERCIAL BANKS AND NEW CAPITAL REGULATION Essay1050 Words   |  5 Pages COMMERCIAL BANKS AND NEW CAPITAL REGULATION MAF 202 - GROUP ASSIGNMENT Prepared By Group 26: Simardeep Sran - 211689444 Due: September 12, 2013 School of Accounting, Economics and Finance Deakin University, Burwood Campus August 30, 2013 Dear John Ovens, Letter of Transmittal We wish to present to you a research report regarding commercial banks and new capital regulation prepared through collective collaboration

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Organizational Factors of Stress-Free-Samples-Myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Define Stress. Briefly describe the Symptoms of Stress and Explain the role of the HR department in helping Employees cope with Stress. Answer: Definition of Stress: The report is based on the Google Company. Stress is considered as an emotional disturbance that is created out of demanding or adverse circumstances(Nieuwenhuijsen Bruinvels, 2010). Generally, it can happen to a person at school, college or workplace when the demands become more than the persons capability, or so equal that the person need to stretch himself or herself to the optimum level. Stress can be defined as a dynamic condition within which a person confronts an opportunity, demand or constraint in relation to the desires of the particular individual, and the outcome of the same is important and uncertain. The stress can be either physical, mental or emotional. Generally, the physical stress is something that an individual feels when the worker is made to work beyond the working hours, and the same person feels the fatigue but still needs to work. The physical capacity of the person might give way to feeling sleepy, fatigued, and the same individual might not be able to work for a long time(De Cenzo, et al., 2013). This physical fatigue of the worker can create a huge problem for the entire company. The mental stress might occur when the given work is too difficult or complex to understand. Such a complex piece of work might even become stressful when it is not explained properly by the management, and there is nobody to seek help(Berman Bowman, 2012). The emotional stress might occur due to quarrels at home or at the workplace, which the management is completely unaware of. The mental stress is higher in the company than the physical stress. Most of the people at the company are generally concerned about the mental stress created by the company for enhancing the creativity at workplace. The employees are also given extra leaves for doing something creative, which increases more pressure on the brains to do something creative. The employees are rather forced to bring out something creative, and targets on increasing their creative potential is given, which is a big stress factor even for the expert employees at the company. All the persons are not equally creative, and so, this particular stress factor is often observed in many companies where the project depends on the creativity of a particular employee. The employee gets no help or previous material to perform the project, however, the pressure from the management remains to make it something creative. This creates a stress factor within many companies, and this company is one of them. Report Summary: The report covers the negative effects of stress mainly concerned with workplace, which is detrimental both to the individual as well as the company. It can make the company lose a valuable employee either due to resignation or illness(Ji Kim, 2011). The report also covers the HRM techniques that are utilized to give work-life balance to all the employees at the company Causes of Stress: There are two common causes of stress in the workplace, namely, organizational and personal. The organizational stress consists of extra pressure of work given by the management whereas the personal stress is mainly caused due to pressure of certain work at household, which might increase the stress because an individual need to complete both the household chores as well as the professional work(Cooper Marshall, 2013). Organizational Factors of Stress: Task Demands: The task demands that causes stress are mainly related to the job design, the working condition, the physical layout and the work quotas. The job design means the type of work an individual has to do, the condition of work mainly stresses on the ambience, the physical layout of a job indicates the amount of physical labor one has to put in(Carter Danford, 2013). The foreign nationals are themselves under some stress as they have to perform in unknown circumstances. There they find that some other expatriate employees have lower levels of job demands. This is again a cause of stress. The job design of various companies are of different kinds. Some kind of work are completely intellectual, where the individual needs to do an audit, or write a management report in the office. Some work consists of physical labor like the cleaning of the office(Fjorback Arendt, 2011). However, nowadays, multitasking is something that is mainly stressed on due to the maximum number of work becoming automated. This is actually making the work more stressful for the employees at the company. The working condition and the physical layout mainly talks about the office ambience. Sometimes, the office ambience is too bad, and the overall workplace does not look like an office. The facilities of toilets, the air-conditioners and the refreshments in the office are not satisfactory. Mostly, the employees at the company here adapts to two things, one, the bad atmosphere, and secondly, the work pressure. This kind of atmosphere is bound to increase the stress(Glasser Meagher, 2014). The foreign nationals are quite different than the locals because they are under the work quota. They have certain restrictions in the amount of money they can send to their own country. These nationals also get the work visa for only a limited amount of time. (Boss Bryant, 2016). So, they want to earn the maximum amount of money possible within a very short period of time. Owing to this, they work overtime and that also goes on to increase the stress factor. Role Demands: Overload, conflicts and ambiguity are the main causes of stress related to role demands. Often too much work is put on an individual due to the team target and the companys profit without concern for the person. Ambiguity signifies when an individual does not find much help to do a particular work even if one doesnt understand it(Gold Smith, 2010). The process of getting help is very vague, and everything is expected to be understood. The conflicts are generally with the management where the individual demands are not properly met. Work overload is mainly signified by the increase of work pressure over time only by concentrating on the business profits without any concern for the worker. This is also harmful for the company because it decreases the retention rate, and makes the company lose valuable employees. (Selye, 2013). Moreover, the increase of stress can decrease the quality of service by the worker. This is a fact which has been sometimes noted amidst the working at the company. Conflicts within the company signifies either the conflicts with the management or the conflicts among the fellow employees at the company. The conflicts at workplace increases the stress and decreases work productivity because it increases the passive aggression(Henderson Harvey, 2011). Ambiguity at workplace is the worst because it makes everything in the company quite vague. The employees at company dont understand their responsibility, their type of work, and the overall business of the subject company. It increases apprehensions, which increases the stress. Interpersonal Demands: The social support at a workplace comes when most of the people involved with a particular work are supportive(Back Seidler, 2012). However, when racial slurs and insulting another person at office is very commonplace, it can even increase the stress. Organizational Structure: Every company department has a structure or a hierarchy for the promotion, the management, and how everything is coordinated in the office(Wolever Bobinet, 2012). If the coordination falters, or when it becomes too vague, then it increases the stress in the minds of a worker. The organizational structure of the company is very hierarchal where the employees at the company need to follow the orders coming from the higher ranks, and the type of leadership is quite authoritarian at the top level(Marmot Allen, 2012). However, the leadership is also participative, and the company tries to reduce stress by giving a number of leaves to the employees at the company. The organizational structure of the company is given below:- (Berman Bowman, 2012) Organizational Leadership: The authoritarian leadership increases the stress in minds of workers at the company because the employees at the company always remain fearful of the boss(Grahn Stigsdotter, 2010). This philosophy might always make an employee become apprehensive about losing the job, and thus, it creates more stress on the work. Personal Factors of Stress: Family Issues: Some of the workers at the company might have certain disputes in the family, which results in an increased amount of stress in the workplace(Back Seidler, 2012). The conflicts of a family often create a thinking barrier in the mentality of a person at work. So, many companies advise people to wear an imaginary professional cap at workplace. Economic Problems: Some people have economic issues like pending loans, house rent, etc., which they dont openly discuss at workplace either with the colleagues or the management(Carter Danford, 2013). Such issues coupled with an increased pressure of work often creates a stress at workplace, which increases because the individual cannot communicate it with the management. Inherent Personality Characteristics: There are two types of personalities that are often found among the employees at the company, namely, the Type A and the Type B personalities. Often, the management ignores it but should not. The Type A personalities are very competitive, aggressive, and want to get promoted. These people also want incentives(Cooper Marshall, 2013). However, the Type B personality always want more freedom to work, and are not too competitive. Too much work on the Type B and too little work on the Type A personality can increase stress at workplace. Symptoms of Stress: The physiological stress symptoms are an increase in blood pressure, headache, as well as an increase in the pulse rate(Back Seidler, 2012). These symptoms are very difficult to find out, and often goes unnoticed. The physiological stress factors also include some observable symptoms by the management like not willing to take part in conversations, restless behavior, and a visible fear during the conversation with the management are certain symptoms that can make the management understand the person is under extreme stress. The psychological symptoms are an increased boredom towards the work day by day, increase of anxiety and tension, as well as an attitude to procrastinate, which is detrimental to the company (Gold Smith, 2010). The psychological symptoms are an extrovert in the company office suddenly getting introvert, and stopping to talk to others. When asked, the individual always replies being busy. Such manners are highly probable indicators of stress. The behavioral symptoms related to stress includes the sleep disorders, increase of smoking and substance abuse, and these things also affect the quality of work in an adverse manner(Cooper Marshall, 2013). The company does not allow smoking within the corporate workplace, and the employees need to go out of the premises for a smoke. However, if an employee is observed quite often in the smoke breaks, then it can be assumed that some kind of stress is going on inside that person. Unemployment and fear of losing a job was a big stress at workplace during the 90s, however, the employees were not much pressurized to learn the computer oriented skills. In the 21st century, the fear of losing jobs, and its related stress is a lot less mainly owing to the increase of jobs. However, it is also to be noted that the increasing pressure of overtime, and work demands increase greater amount of stress. Reducing Stress: Explain the role of the HR department in helping employees at the company cope with stress: HR department should help the people come out of stress factors by establishing a good communication with them(Grahn Stigsdotter, 2010). The worst HR scenario is when the employees at the company are afraid to communicate. The decreased communication also helps in the increased loss of a business. Discuss the techniques HR can implement such as: The HR department helps the individuals to get the required job according to their qualification, as well as the likes and dislikes of a person. It is always in the minds of the HR team that a person who doesnt like ones job would never make oneself happy or the company happy. HRM Approaches: Matching Individuals to Their Jobs: Every individual gets their job according to their qualifications, experience, and likings. The HRM division should allow the employees at the company to join a particular kind of work only when the same employee is deemed fit in that particular job as well as has some likings for the job(Back Seidler, 2012). It is quite difficult for an employee to survive in a particular field if the same employee has no liking for that kind of job. Clarifying Expectations: The HRM department helps the employees at the company understand the exact kind of facilities, salary, and perks they are likely to get. The HR department also tries to understand the body language of the employees at the company when the facilities, perks and other factors are informed(De Cenzo, et al., 2013). Moreover, the HR team always tries to start with the loopholes of a particular job so that the employees at the company become ready for them during the beginning. Redesigning Jobs: The same kind of work is not often given to the same employees at the company, and the types of jobs are often redesigned to make an employee taste the variety. There might be three types of jobs in the operations, namely, keeping the records, meeting the clients and checking whether all the registration forms are filled up properly or not. In such circumstances, where the job nature is a bit monotonous, the management generally incorporates job rotation so that there is no boredom among the employees (Fjorback Arendt, 2011). Offering Employee Involvement and Participation: The proper communication is established by involving the employees at the company in sports, meetings, and grading their managers according to their performance. When the decision of the employees at the company are taken into account, and their valuable opinions are also asked for the improvement of business, it is quite natural that their enthusiasm about the work would consequently increase(Glasser Meagher, 2014). This reduces stresses in the workplace a lot when they understand the meaning of a democratic and participative leadership. Wellness Programs: The wellness programs consists of exercises, yoga, meditation and other such parameters that can be used as an alternative stress buster at work. There are many companies that have made an exercise program compulsory for all the employees at the company (Grahn Stigsdotter, 2010). Such programs often relieves the mental stress at work, and also helps in concentrating on the work in a more positive manner. Conclusion: The overall project deals with the way the stress of an employee is managed at the workplace because it adversely affects the business as well as the overall performance of the company (Nieuwenhuijsen Bruinvels, 2010). So, there are several techniques used by the HRM for the same purpose, which is given in the workplace. The techniques are actually used for understanding the problems related to the factors of increasing of stress. The increase of stress affects a company employee in a different manner. It decreases the productivity of a workplace, which is why; the HRM department has taken the initiative for adjusting with this factor. The stress factor increases related to many factors like emotional conflicts, mental turmoil, workplace ambiguity and the physical stress that is dependent on the overload. The HRM division makes several techniques for understanding the main cause of stress in the workplace, and adjusts with the same in a proper way(Nieuwenhuijsen Bruinvels, 2010). The HRM uses manifold techniques for reducing the stress factors at workplace like mentioning the facilities and the drawbacks related to a particular type of work, and it would also help in understanding the willingness of an employee in a particular type of work, and help the employee to get a job based on his qualification and his likings. References Back, E. Seidler, A., 2012. The role of psychosocial stress at work for the development of cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review. International archives of occupational and environmental health, 85(1), pp. 67-79. Berman, E. Bowman, J., 2012. Human resource management in public service: Paradoxes, processes, and problems. 3 ed. London: Sage. Boss, P. Bryant, C., 2016. Family stress management: A contextual approach. 6 ed. London: Sage Publications. Carter, B. Danford, A., 2013. Stressed out of my box: employee experience of lean working and occupational ill-health in clerical work in the UK public sector. Work, employment and society, 27(5), pp. 747-767. Cooper, C. Marshall, J., 2013. Occupational sources of stress: A review of the literature relating to coronary heart disease and mental ill health. From Stress to Wellbeing , 1(1), pp. 3-23. De Cenzo, D., Robbins, S. Verhurst, S., 2013. Human Resources Managment. 11 ed. New Zealand: John Wiley and Sons. Fjorback, L. Arendt, M., 2011. Mindfulness?Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness?Based Cognitive Therapya systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 12(4), pp. 102-119. Glasser, M. Meagher, J., 2014. Choice theory. 5 ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers. Gold, E. Smith, A., 2010. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for primary school teachers. Journal of child and family studies, 19(2), pp. 184-189. Grahn, P. Stigsdotter, U., 2010. The relation between perceived sensory dimensions of urban green space and stress restoration. Landscape and urban planning, 94(3), pp. 264-275. Henderson, M. Harvey, S., 2011. Work and common psychiatric disorders. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 10(4), pp. 198-207. Ji, K. Kim, J., 2011. Effect of high-pressure oxygen annealing on negative bias illumination stress-induced instability of InGaZnO thin film transistors. Applied Physics Letters, 98(7), pp. 103-509. Marmot, M. Allen, J., 2012. WHO European review of social determinants of health and the health divide. The Lancet, 98(9), pp. 1011-1029. Nieuwenhuijsen, K. Bruinvels, D., 2010. Psychosocial work environment and stress-related disorders, a systematic review. Occupational medicine, 60(4), pp. 277-286. Selye, H., 2013. Stress in health and disease. 7 ed. London: Butterworth-Heinemann. Wolever, R. Bobinet, K., 2012. Effective and viable mind-body stress reduction in the workplace: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of occupational health psychology, 17(2), p. 246.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Many People Today Assume Automatically That Technology Is Progress. St

Many people today assume automatically that technology is progress. Still, there is some criticism of this view in America, partially because of 20th century wars and arms races. Marx visited China in 1984, and it seemed as though the Chinese were incredibly optimistic about western technology, and had little sense any problems that technology might create. Where did this idea of technology as progress come from, and where do the roots of distrust of technology come from? Early Americans like Ben Franklin saw technology as a means to achieving social and political liberation for the masses; it was part of the revolt from authoritarianism. If some technology, especially the factory system, would jeopardize these social and political goals, then that thing isn't worth its price in quality of life and should be rejected. As America became more industrialized, the new industrialists who had both money and power came to see the technology which they helped produce as an end in itself, or as a means to more purely economic ends. The used phrases like manifest destiny and the conquest of nature to help justify the increasing forces of technology, even at the cost of the environment or Native Americans, all in the name of civilization. Technological advancement is seen as advancement, period, regardless of what social and political changes it might bring. There was a great deal of optimism that if we continue to make scientific innovations, the rest--quality of life, and social and political ideals--will take care of itself automatically. The technocratic ideal, which sees everything as parts of the machine, began to take control, and humanitarian goals like justice, freedom, and self-fulfillment became secondary. Technology was accepted unquestioningly, and efficiency and scientific progress were the mai n goals. This is the stage that the Chinese seem to be at, says Marx. However, there was some backlash from the technocratic view. Emerson, Thoreau, and others questioned whether we were remaking America for the better, and whether we were beginning to almost worship technology. They questioned whether new inventions were improved means to unimproved ends (p. 12), and whether we're becoming the tools of our tools (p. 12). However, it was hard to take this too seriously when rapid improvements were being made in the material conditions of life. Today, as we're becoming aware of some of the unintended effects of technology, many people are starting to wonder if technology is always a good thing. Is technology better used as a tool for social and political progress, or is it instead an end in itself? Moreover, can technology cure all of our social and political problems (for example, SDI)? The early notion of progress which saw technology as a mere means to more important ends provided natural limits, and a way of assessing particular pieces of technology. If, however, we view technology as an end in itself, we're not led to ever question its value or place any limits on it. Marx thinks we need to consider what we want our technologies to accomplish. Does technology mean progress? Progress toward what, Marx asks. What are our goals? When we answer that question, we can see that technology does not automa tically mean progress toward those goals