Monday, May 25, 2020

The Commonly Confused Words Flew, Flu, and Flue

The words flew, flu, and flue are homophones: they sound the same but their meanings are different. Definitions Flew is the simple past form of the verb fly, which means to move through the air, to travel by aircraft, or to move quickly or suddenly.The noun flu (a shortened form of influenza) refers to a contagious viral infection.The noun flue refers to a duct or channel in a chimney or in any enclosed passageway. Examples Wire, briar, limber, lockThree geese in a flock.One flew east, one flew west,One flew over the cuckoos nest.(Childrens nursery rhyme, the source of the title for Ken Keseys novel One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, 1962)The greatest aerialist of all time was a Mexican, Alfredo Cordona. In 1930, after years of practice, Cordona achieved what to the circus world had been an impossibility--no less than a triple somersault! It is estimated that to achieve that feat, he flew through the air at sixty miles per hour.(Richard Lederer,  The Word Circus: A Letter-Perfect Book. Merriam-Webster, 1998)Millions are at risk of going without the flu vaccine this year.Although the media called the 1918 pandemic the Spanish Flu—because about 80 percent of the Spanish population  caught the flu, and it was widely reported in the Spanish press—the actual source of the pandemic is unknown.(Joan R. Callahan,  Emerging Biological Threats. ABC-CLIO, 2010)  Customers have been told that exp ensive flue work is required to bring their homes up to modern standards.The stove was plugged into the flue of the marble fireplace, and there were parquet floors and Axminster carpets and cranberry-colored tufted Victorian upholstery, and a kind of Chinese  Ãƒ ©tagà ¨re, inside a cabinet, lined with mirrors and containing silver pitchers, trophies won by Skoglund cows, fancy sugar tongs and cut-glass pitchers and goblets.(Saul Bellow, A Silver Dish. The New Yorker, 1979) Flew Out vs Flied Out [In the game of baseball,] when a batter has hit a fly ball which is then caught, the past tense of his action is flied out. The only time flew out would be correct is if the batter dropped his bat, flapped his arms, and soared out of the stadium, thereby earning himself the frothiest head in the Guinness Book of World Records.(William Safire, On Language. Avon Books, 1981) Practice (a) He was a big, raw man, with too much strength, whose delight in winter was to hunt the sea ducks that _____ in to feed by the outer ledges, bare at low tide.(Lawrence Sargent Hall, The Ledge. The Hudson Review, 1960)(b) If you have a working chimney, you should have the _____ checked regularly by a professional.(c) About every 30 years, there is a major change in the genetics of the _____ virus. Answers to Practice Exercises (a) He was a big, raw man, with too much strength, whose delight in winter was to hunt the sea ducks that flew in to feed by the outer ledges, bare at low tide.(Lawrence Sargent Hall, The Ledge. The Hudson Review, 1960)(b) If you have a working chimney, you should have the flue checked regularly by a professional.(c) About every 30 years, there is a major change in the genetics of the flu virus.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Optimism - 1666 Words

------------------------------------------------- Optimism Optimism is a mental attitude or world view that interprets situations and events as being best (optimized), meaning that in some way for factors that may not be fully comprehended, the present moment is in an optimum state. The concept is typically extended to include the attitude of hope for future conditions unfolding as optimal as well. The more broad concept of optimism is the understanding that all of nature, past, present and future, operates by laws of optimization along the lines of Hamiltons principle of optimization in the realm of physics. This understanding, although criticized by counter views such as pessimism, idealism and realism, leads to a state of mind that†¦show more content†¦He hoped that society would eventually reach the state where calm reason would replace all violence and force, that mind could eventually make matter subservient to it, and that intelligence could discover the secret of immortality. Much of this philosophy is exemplified in the Hou yhnhnms of Jonathan Swifts Gullivers Travels. Panglossianism The term panglossianism describes baseless optimism of the sort exemplified by the beliefs of Pangloss from Voltaires Candide, which are the opposite of his fellow traveller Martins pessimism and emphasis on free will. The phrase panglossian pessimism has been used to describe the pessimistic position that, since this is the best of all possible worlds, it is impossible for anything to get any better. The panglossian paradigm is a term coined by Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Lewontin to refer to the notion that everything has specifically adapted to suit specific purposes. Instead, they argue, accidents and exaptation (the use of old features for new purposes) play an important role in the process of evolution. Some other scientists however argue the implication that many (or most) adaptionists are panglossians is a straw man. Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other Confusions of Our Time Michael Shermer relates Frank J. Tipler to Voltaires character Pangloss to show how clever people deceiveShow MoreRelatedOptimism And Pessimism And Optimism1439 Words   |  6 PagesOptimism is a disposition or tendency to look to the more favourable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favourable condition (optimism, n.d.). Counter to optimism is pessimism which is the tendency to anticipate only bad or undesirable outcomes (pessimism, n.d.). When looking at optimism it is important to look at the opposing side to emphasis the unwelcome effects of thinking negatively in terms of wellbeing which in the long term could be detrimental to health and prosperityRead MoreOptimism : Optimism Over Pessimism997 Words   |  4 PagesOptimism can be defined as â€Å"Hopefulness and confidence about the future or the success of something† (en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition, n .d.) or more specifically as â€Å"extent to which people hold generalized favorable expectancies for their future† (Birkeland, Blix, Heir, 2007). It’s a characteristic trait which is unique and observed in certain individuals. It’s a form of mental state in which, one believes that the outcome of some specific task or result, will be positive or good. A widelyRead MoreCandide, The Idea Of Optimism1551 Words   |  7 Pagesas a whole. Characters use wit, mockery, and clever language as a way to mimic and mock their challenger. In the case of Candide, the idea of optimism (Pangloss’ views) and pessimism (Martin) are pinned against each other. Optimism is an attitude in which one remains hopeful and positive despite the negative circumstances. Pangloss’ view of optimism involves his belief that everything happens for a reason. Pangloss is stuck in this particular state of mind through out the novel. He firmly believesRead MoreEssay on Dispos itional Optimism2953 Words   |  12 Pages this new type of learning tells us that we learn best through the consequences of our behaviors (p. 277). Dispositional optimism is my choice of behavior for this assignment because it mirrors my personal perspective, motivating me to investigate further on why I engage in this action frequently, and the possible outcomes of this behavior. Dispositional optimism by definition is a general expectation that more good things than bad will occur. Optimistic behavior can give people positiveRead MoreCharacteristics Of Optimism And Pessimism738 Words   |  3 PagesOptimism and pessimism are personality traits relevant in the lives of every individual. Research of the two is an escalating field; there have been more analyses on the effects of it in the last seven years than in the previous twenty. Martin Seligman is known as the father of positive psychology and believes optimism is seen as reacting to problems with a sense of confidence and strong personal ability. Particularly, optimists think negative events are momentary and controllable. On the other handRead MoreThe Importance of Pos itive Perception and Optimism1440 Words   |  6 PagesThe Importance of Positive Perception and Optimism Every human being perceives events and situations differently. However, many researchers have found that perception is a choice. Negative perception can stem from multiple areas of a person’s life. The most positive and fulfilling method to bettering the quality of one’s life is to possess a positive attitude and optimistic perception in all situations. Many people do not realize why having a negative attitude is so influential. However, a negativeRead MoreEssay on A Handful of Optimism1279 Words   |  6 PagesA Handful of Optimism Despite race, religion, sex, or age the world can be divided into two different groups. Those who see the glass as being half full and those who see the glass as being half empty. In other words, being either that of an optimist or a pessimist. Though a simple question, often times people find it difficult to answer. Just when one thinks they have decided that they are one or the other, they come across a song, poem, or an experience that makes them reevaluate the mindRead MoreOptimism Research Paper1232 Words   |  5 Pagesas old as the ages. I have always found myself to look at the brighter and lighter side of every situation. I find that not dwelling on the negative or pondering on the downside keeps me in a better place and state of mind. I recently took an optimism test administered, this test can be taken by anyone and found at www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu. Authentic Happiness is the homepage of Dr. Martin Seligman, Director of the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania and founderRead MoreOptimism as a Theme for Candide Essay1121 Words   |  5 PagesOptimism as a Theme for Candide Just as on the title, Candide, or Optimism, Optimism is also used as a major theme. Voltaires satire of philosophical optimism is one of the major issues of Candide. Throughout the story, satirical references to the best of all possible worlds contrast with natural catastrophes and human wrongdoing. According to Wikipedia, optimism, the opposite of pessimism, is a lifeview where the world is looked upon the as a positive place. Optimists generally believe thatRead MoreThe Pessimism Bias : The Optimism Bias1897 Words   |  8 Pages The optimism bias Jazmin Arias California State University, Fresno Information ____ Podcast ___X__ TED talk or video Name of Podcast, TED talk, or video: The optimism bias URL Link: http://www.ted.com/talks/tali_sharot_the_optimism_bias Topic Introduction This Ted Talk is about optimism bias which is the tendency to think more positively about a person’s life than to think negatively. We have these high expectations that good things would happen than bad ones. It is a positive bias

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Ethical Communication in Contemporary Business

Question: Write an essay onEthical communication in contemporary business. Answer: In the contemporary era of technologically and developed informational period, effective and ethical communication is very necessary for business organizations. Communication is effective when both the sender and the receiver understands and responds to the purpose of the communication. A business organization cannot function without effective communication among the management and the subordinates. For business organizations, which want to be socially and ethically responsible, as well as financially successful, it needs to develop an effective, ethical communication within the organization as well as with customers and stakeholders. Ethically responsible business organizations gain the competitive advantage in the market. Communication without ethics can bring miscommunication and misunderstanding within organizations. Ethics in communication can refer to the circumstances of ethical reflection in communication processes. Maintaining ethical communication for business organization balancing between what is profitable and ethical is a struggle. A further feature of ethical communication is promoting dialogues and communication that consist of thoughtful and common considerate that compliments the inimitable requirements and characteristics of individuals (Guffey Loewy 2012). The fundamental components of ethical business communication discussed below: The management of the organization should practice ethical and integrated leadership in the decision-making process. The ethical business organizations establish foundation a code of conduct that chains with the organizations mission. Maintaining integrity of the organization brings fair work environment, which leads to employee satisfaction and employee loyalty. Valuing respect for employees, customers, and vendors in the market is key characteristics of the ethically responsible organization. An ethical business has concern consumers, human resources, vendors and the society. All choice made by the organization includes the consequence on society, workforce, workers or the environment adjacent it. One of the ethical dilemmas faced by the contemporary technological market is unethical to use of smartphones to cheat in examinations. According to recent news, how high school and university students are unethically using Smartphone and other digital devices in examinations (The Conversation., 2016). It shows how effortlessly such advanced technological devices are obtainable to an individual who looks to gain an undue benefit in examinations. Using Smartphone and other technologically advanced devices use in examinations banned throughout Australian Schools and Universities. For example, Google Glass can take pictures and send the information to other devices. The handset received criticism from different institutions and organizations. As a result, Google announced recently that it will stop production but will continue to upgrade the technology (ABC News., 2016). Even though these devices are used for lawful and allowed purposes, the advertising of such gadgets to students is a matter that is tormenting the learning institutions. In the above situation, Google has practiced ethical communication, which advocated honesty, exactness, and integrity; as these promote and continue the reliability in business. If in the scenario, Google had avoided the responsibility for unethical use of Google Glass, the organization would have send miscommunication. As a result, users and consumers could have lost trust in them. Rather, by accepting ethical responsibility concerning the production of the product, Google emerged as an Ethically Responsible Organization. Reference: Students are using 'smart' spy technology to cheat in exams. (2016). The Conversation. Retrieved 17 May 2016, from https://theconversation.com/students-are-using-smart-spy-technology-to-cheat-in-exams-59241 Google Glass social media accounts shut down. (2016). ABC News. Retrieved 17 May 2016, from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-27/google-glass-social-media-accounts-shut-down/7116234 Guffey, M. E., Loewy, D. (2012).Essentials of business communication. Cengage Learning. Ulrich, P., Sarasin, C. (Eds.). (2012).Facing public interest: The ethical challenge to business policy and corporate communications(Vol. 8). Springer Science Business Media.