All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace by Richard...

All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace by Richard Brautigan Man is still the most extraordinary computer of all. John F. Kennedy, May 21, 1963 (676) In his poem All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace, published in 1968, Richard Brautigan places the reader in a future realm: a sparkling utopia where mammals and computers live together in mutually programming harmony (1). He draws us in by juxtaposing images of nature, man and machine that challenge us to imagine this new world. In essence, Brautigans poem is a supplication for that dream world, but to the modern reader it can be a land of irony. Imagine a cybernetic ecology#8212;a place were silvery electronic wires run along a river, or where mountains are†¦show more content†¦Accordingly, All Watch Over By Machines of Loving Grace is a romantic supplication for a place where computers or machines of loving grace are symbolic for shepherds. Moreover, the time of which we live in mutually programming harmony. is symbolic of a Golden Age where humans and animals live watched over in peaceful accord with machines. In addition, the poem contains a satirical, biblical allusion. Brautigan writes, where mammals and computers/ live together in mutally/ programming harmony. These lines draw a sharp comparison to the famous passage Isaiah 11.6, The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. This passage refers to peace on earth, the very subject of Brautigans poem. The reader could conclude that the dangerous beasts made gentle are symbolic of the violent ways of man at its end. Also, the kid refers to the new technology of computers, who watch over us in loving grace. Yet, there is an irony in analyzing this poem as pastoral. The modern reader can also view the poems theme as a dark satire. Brautigans enthusiastic tone in lines such as, I like to think (and/ the sooner the better!), (right now please!), and (it has to be!), relate to a

Essay on The Welfare Reform Law - 1058 Words

Since the Welfare reform law was introduced in 1996 it has impacted American society greatly. The new welfare policy, named the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), replaced the Aid to Family and Dependent Children (AFDC) program; they have five known differences that only affect the ones who need the assistance. Critics argue that the TANF has negatively impacted the society while some argue that it has not. Linda Burnham, author of â€Å"Welfare Reform, Family Hardship Woman of Color,† asserts that â€Å"welfare reform has increased the hardship faced by many women leaving welfare for work and their movement into low-wage jobs, exposes them to higher level of housing insecurities, homelessness, food insecurity, and hunger.† She also†¦show more content†¦One main effort of welfare reform is to replace public assistance with earnings. To date, politicians and welfare reform advocates have applauded the efforts and claimed success. However, lurking at the surface of welfare-to-work policies are serious problems and structural impediments. Lack of jobs, low pay, job-readiness, and difficulties in securing ancillary supports like transportation and child care are obvious problems that are not easily resolved. Full-time low-wage work does not provide enough income to support families, nor does it accommodate the demands that full-time parents have. These problems plague welfare-to-work efforts and make life very difficult for poor, single-mother families. At the same time, they create an opportunity to consider the value of care giving work and to reform the nature of low-wage work. (Albeda 71) These women also have sometimes been victims of unfortunate circumstances and their impoverished state sometimes limits their access to contraceptives which are very expensive. Within the five years that these poor women are on welfare, their economic circumstances do not allow them a way to move up the socio-economic hierarchy. Welfare, therefore, is a short term phenomena for most recipients. Recipients most times cannot return to school because they are busy juggling their family life and the work world. The law also restricts their earnings and if they receive anyShow MoreRelatedEssay about Hcr 230 Week 3 Assignment the Welfare Reform Act1018 Words   |  5 PagesThe Welfare Reform Act HCR/230—Claims Prep II Jeana Timmcke University of Phoenix—Axia College The Welfare Reform Act Welfare has been a controversial issue since the 1960s, and continues to be a controversial issue. During the late 1980s, citizens were calling for reform of the Welfare System. 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Human Resources Management free essay sample

What is meant by a strategic approach to HRM? How can a strategic approach to HRM be a source of competitive advantage to an enterprise? Illustrate your view by reference to relevant literature and case studies drawn from GSN406 course materials. â€Å"The most powerful of the strategic configurations of power remains people you must work on developing an organizational espirit de corp that aligns the hearts and minds of your staff with the aims of the business†. (Boar 1997, p. 196) Acronyms used in this paper: This essay discusses strategic approaches to HRM and how they can provide those advantages. It begins with some relevant definitions, moves to a discussion of broad SHRM frameworks, then proceeds to show how strategic approaches can provide competitive advantages for organisations. The essay concludes with a selection of illustrative case studies, followed by concluding comments. Definitions 2. 1Human Resource Management There are a plethora of definitions for human resources management (HRM). Two definitions cited by Cornelius (2001, p. ) include: a) (HRM the) critical management task is to align the formal structure and the HR systems (selection, appraisal, rewards and development) so that they can drive the strategic objectives of the organization. (Fobrum, Tichy and Devanna in Cornelius 2001, p. 9) b) (HRM) is directed mainly at the management needs for human resources (not necessarily of employees) to be provided and deployed. There is a greater emphasis on planning, monitoring, and control, rather than on problem-solving and mediation. It is totally identified with management interests, being a general management activity and is relatively distant from the workforce as a whole. (Torrington and Hall in Cornelius 2001, p. 9) 2. 2Strategic management Viljoen and Dann (2000, p. 618) define strategic management as: The process of identifying, choosing and implementing activities that will enhance the long-term performance of an organisation by setting direction and by creating ongoing compatibility between the internal skills and resources of the organisation and the changing external environment within which it operates. Competitive advantage Viljoen and Dann (2000, p. 619) define sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) as â€Å"long-term advantage over the organisation’s competitors which is achieved by offering unique value†. Therefore, competitive advantage can reasonably be defined as per above, but not necessarily long-term/sustainable. Strategic approaches to HRM There are several broad approaches t o strategic HRM, which can be grouped into the following three frameworks: a) Universal (best practice): Focus is on broad aspects of the business environment. Suggest that a given set of HR practices or conditions will provide strategic/competitive advantage to any firm in any circumstances; b) Contingent (best fit): Focus is on specific business operating environments. Suggest that particular types of HR practices will provide competitive advantages for particular types of firms depending on their strategic environment and reaction to it; and c) Organisation-specific (unique): Focus is on the firm and its internal resources. Suggest that individual organisations contain unique and inimitable human capabilities that will provide sustainable competitive advantages. (Cornelius 2001, pp. 99-300) How SHRM can provide competitive advantage Based on the three broad frameworks, there are several approaches to how SHRM can provide competitive advantages to an organisation. They are discussed independently of each other below: a) Universal (best practice) Organisations create competitive advantages by integrating a suitable ‘HRM bundleâ€℠¢ of best practices into the firm’s overall structure. The ‘HRM bundle’ typically includes ‘high ground’ elements of HRM, some of which may include: †¢ A goal of employee commitment; †¢ A goal of organic structure and functional flexibility; †¢ A goal of quality; and A goal of integrating corporate objectives and HR objectives. (Guest 1987, p. 48) In theory, successful integration of the above practices into a firm will ultimately result in an environment in which HRM actually helps to determine strategy (rather than just implement it). The validity of this framework is commonly substantiated by drawing causal relationships between, for example, motivation and customer satisfaction, or other relevant factors (Cornelius 2001, p. 301). b) Contingent (best fit) As per the â€Å"best practice† framework, except that in this instance best practice is contingent on the firm’s situational environment. The competitive environment, industry and workforce structure interact to create a specific context in which HRM adds competitive advantages (Cornelius 2001, p. 302). c) Organisation-specific (unique) Dollinger (1999, pp. 56 et seq. ) uses the resource-based theory of sustainable competitive advantage to posit that intellectual and human resources are sets of attributes (i. e. the knowledge, training and experience of a firms employees), and that they can provide the firm with sustainable competitive advantages. The firm must control the resources, and they must satisfy one or more of the following criteria: Valuable |They allow the exploitation of a market opportunity | |Rare |Rivals cannot also have access to these resources | |Hard to copy |Rivals cannot simply duplicate or emulate the resources held | |Non-substitutable |No suitable substitutes for the resources held | Competitive advantages are best realised when the sets of attributes (e. g. of each individual employee) are strategically integrated in a manner that creates synergy (Wood et al. 2001, p. 6). This synergy is difficult for competitors to identify and duplicate because of the social complexity of individual organisations. 5. 0Validation of SHRM: Case studies of successful firms 1 SAP (Australia) †¢ Annual employee conference where everyone participates in developing the Company’s vision and strategy; †¢ Staff and managers jointly compile business plans; Staff and management jointly manage performance evaluations; and †¢ Bonuses linked to ‘rated’ customer satisfaction system; (Davidson and Griffin 2000, p. 471) 2 Delta Airlines (USA) †¢ HRM is a primary activity; †¢ Human resources are viewed as a core competency for competitiveness; †¢ HRM managers have â€Å"access to the top job† (i. e. CEO); and †¢ HR system correlates w ith resource-based theory of SCA (i. e. VRHN). (Swiercz and Spencer in Southey and Lewis 2000, p. 93) 3 Pepsi-Cola International Adopts a common values approach to HRM, to enhance competitiveness; †¢ Has a multinational vocabulary that unites staff from different cultures and countries; and †¢ Has identified 11 success factors for performance measurement and management. (Schuler and Huselid in Southey and Lewis 2000, p. 158) 4 Apple Computer (USA, Europe, Pacific) †¢ Adopted a growth/prospector/high-tech strategy for HRM; †¢ Facilitated rapid HR growth by â€Å"fattening† corporate structure to create opportunities while simultaneously maintaining innovative spirit; and †¢ Removed original founders in the best interest of the Co. nd its strategies. (Anthony, Perrewe and Kacmar in Southey and Lewis 2000, p. 120) 6. 0Conclusion Organisations can realise significant benefits by adopting a strategic approach to HRM (i. e. an approach that closely interfaces with the broader strategies of the organisation). This entails developing and implementing HR policies and practices that help to achieve organisational objectives, as compared to the traditional routines of personnel management. The policies and practices must be: †¢ constant enough to instill confidence in the employees; and flexible enough to contribute and adapt to changing organisational priorities and strategic directions.

Mamas words Essay Example For Students

Mamas words Essay I took in a deep breath of the thick air that surrounded me; it had the acidic, after stench, of a burnt match or a bonfire that had gone on for far too long, and suddenly all the memories of last night came flooding back into my confused head. Had it all really happened? Where was T.J? Was T.J. OK? My head rolled over onto my pillow, which was still wet from my tears during the night admit I dont like T.J. but he didnt deserve anything that happened last night wouldnt wish it upon anyonenot even the people I hate the most. I lay silent for a few minutes just thinking. I could here mama and papa talking in hushed voices in the next room. I put my ear against the wall so I could hear well. I shouldnt be too long, Mary, I need to go and see the Averys, we need justice round here, and its come to the point where, we will do anything to get it  Papa would probably put his old tattered cap on now like he always does when he is going out to visit someone. An awkward silence hung in the air, like a thick smog in winter hangs midway in the air, after a few seconds of quietness, which seemed liked minutes, I heard mama sniffle Oh David, its not fairpoor ole T.J., he dont deserve this. Mama was crying It could be one of our children next.  I hate it when Mama is upset, I slipped down from the wall and lay in bed, and then I quickly hopped out and ran through to the room in which Mama sat on the chair with her head in her hands. She was sobbing away, Papa was trying his best to comfort her but it was going to take more than a cuddle to solve this problem. I ran towards her, Oh mama I cried out, and as soon as I was in Mamas arms I let my tears out again, I dont want T.J. to die. I wept inconsolably, I kept repeating myself I dont want him to die. Mama placed me on her knee and rocked me until our grief had gone away. Her long, silky hair fell on her slender shoulders, she tried her best to console me with some comforting words Look Cassie girl, T.J. did do some bad things and so did the white adultsbut justice will be done, ok? Somehow I didnt think justice would be done, I had no faith in the justice in this town. It had let us down before, Inside I felt sick with fear, nerves and dread of the unknown, and I was trying to imagine what T.J. was going through. The pain was too unbearable to think of, He doesnt know what his destiny is, other people were going to choose it for him. His life was in the hands of some people, who dont even know him, it was so unfair. He deserves another chance.  Papa remained silent, I looked up at Mama, she smiled at me, Papa is going to see T.J.s father soon, to sort some things out. I will go now, will you too be alright? Papa piped up he then patted my head, kissed Mama on the cheek.  I let out a little chuckle We will be fine  Mama nodded in Papas direction. He left the room and closed the door quietly behind him. Mama remained tranquil for a while, I interrupted her moment Mama  I took a deep breath Do you think T.J. will be hung?  Oh Cassie, no. No. Hes only a child. They wouldnt do that to him, he will probably be put in the town cells for a few weeks at the most, if that. .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23 , .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23 .postImageUrl , .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23 , .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23:hover , .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23:visited , .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23:active { border:0!important; } .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23:active , .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23 .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ub35b72440b6789fcaf77a04bad6cee23:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Birling Family Essay PaperSomething deep down made me suspect that Mama was lying to me, she seemed to be covering something up. Why would she be so upset at the idea of T.J.being arrested for a few weeks? And what did my Papa and Mr.Avery have to sort out? I was beginning to worry myself with the thoughts that filled my inexperienced mind.T.J should be able to get himself out of this one I hoped, T.J. was the best at talking his way out of things, probably the best in the world. Then I started to think-what if T.J. couldnt he himself out of this one, what if he gets the punishment, instead of the Simmes. Stacey would be heart broken if T.J. did go to prison or even worsedie. I dont want my brother to go through losing his closest friend, our closest friend. Its as if T.J. is just another brother, to us, he has been there since I can remember, and we can not lose him. Stacey and I will fight to our deaths to save T.J., I want Stacey to wake up so we could start to plan something, to save T.J. nevertheless I also want Stacey to carry on sleeping softly so he doesnt have to find out about T.J. Monday morning, first day back at school, since the incidents of the weekend and I didnt know if I could face it, but I just remembered Mamas words Smile and put your brave face on. Stacey is feeling the same as me, we are both thinking of what to say to people when they ask how T.J. is and they will all want to know hat happened, and oh no! I just realised I have to face Miss Lillian Jean, she will probably try and start an argument, she will be shouting some abuse at me no doubt about. I let out a little whimper mama do I have to go today? Big ma looked up from her stitching she was doing on Christopher Johns trousers, she looked up and flashed me a glint of her chestnut deep brown eyes. Cassie girl. You have to go to school; you need dat good education girl, like your mama got when she was a just a kid, you hear me? Now no more whining, girl.