Productivity in Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Productivity in Economics - Essay Example In capital productivity, output per units of capital goods employed is measured but, in the case of multiple productivity, both labour and capital goods are used as denominator. The study of productivity analyzes how much output can be produced in a specific time span. Productivity can be increased in various ways. Labour productivity is the term used to know the average product of labour. Productivity in economics is an important term as a country's standard of living depends upon this. So, more is the production more will be the standard of living. According to Mankiw, a country's standard of living depends upon its ability to produce goods and service. The article we have taken from the Economist raises question, whether slow productivity in America really affects or not. It is an analysis about the impact of mass employment upon productivity. Though , the rate of unemployment in America is dropping, economy is also slowing down. So, this is the matter of concern that, how productivity affects. The hike in employment rate is assembled with slower worker efficiency. It implies that though people are getting employed, the rate of productivity or efficiency rate is decreasing. So, the reason of sluggishness is to be analysed. Productivity has two components, one long term and another is short term in nature. The long term factors depend upon quality of work force, speed of innovation etc., but short term fluctuations in business create factor for short term effects. In this article , it describes about how these temporary factor s are affecting productivity and economy. Among the various short term reasons, housing bust in America is also reason for this type disturbance. The fall in building activity is supporting for weakness in economy. It is very hard to measure productivity rate in an odd business cycle. Due to rapid innovation and vast investment in IT sector, efficiency rose. As per the 10 principles of Mankiw, computer has a lot of contribution for America's economy, it has raised the standard of living of Americans. It has developed the ability to produce. The IT evolution has upgraded the productivity of the country. Economist have argued that , it is possible due to the reallocaton of funds between firms. On the whole, the IT evolution is supporting and boosting the whole economy through productivity. But, when we are having a broad analysis on the economy and the ratio of productivity, it is really a matter to consider for. The principles of Mankiw is in contrary. The falling rate of unemployment and weakness of economy put a question ma rk on the principles of productivity. The article in 'The Economist' (http://www.economist.com/finance/displaystory.cfmstory_id=9005279 ) not only contradicts the principles of Mankiw, but also raises question on efficiency of the workers serving over there. The factor on sluggishness is to be eradicated, the reason why this type of deficiency is happening is to be debated. The title of the article given a'Making less with more' is a very well opted title as production has become less but employment of people is rising day by day. In other words by comparing the principles of Mankiw, we can say that according to the data and the article , the principle goes well. Mankiw has described that for a raised standard of living, more production of goods and services are to be done in a particular unit of time. But, as we have analysed in the article, there is no particular unit o

Order to create comedy Essay Example for Free

Order to create comedy Essay Bob Acres is seen as a comic character within The Rivals and this is for various reasons. He communicates a contrast between town and country, which immediately depicts Acres as a target for humour. I want my audience to find sympathy with the character and his nai ve attitude towards town life, this will be achieved by Acres creating comic moments within scenes and becoming a victim. For the role of Acres I feel he would be a small man, in build and height with an attractive face. This would emphasise his cowardice, particularly within the duel scene. I would like Bob Acres mannerisms and movement to take on an effeminate, almost foppish characteristic, yet I would like the character to appear uncomfortable with taking on these mannerisms as it will create the effect of comedy with Acres not fully being able to take on town life and show his country booby characteristics. I feel Acres accent should have a slight lilt of a Northern accent, again to create humour and show his country origin. With Acres having an accent, I think this would make his endeavour at imitating the speech patterns of town life more comic as the stereotype carried with the accents completely contrasts his speech pattern, particularly when using his genteel sentimental swearing If I were to perform the role of Bob Acres I would employ various styles of comedy to create the comic effect of Acres on the audience. Physical, visual comedy would be the key style, concentrating on the characters physicality. As Acres is trying to fit in with the town lifestyle his costume would be the foremost source of comedy that the audience would recognise. The Rivals is a comedy of manners and in the period in which it was written fashion was seen as very important. Wigs were worn and the dress style was very loud and flamboyant. When the audience first meet Acres I would want to create the impression of a country bumpkin immediately so that the next time he is introduced the contrast will be great therefore causing much humour. In Act 1 I would have materials such as tweed and very exaggerated styles associated with people who live in the country. To contrast this I would want my costume to be greatly exaggerated using absurd colours such as purple and yellow silk, with a great deal of lace trimming to represent Acres outlandish approach. I would also uses wigs to represent his outrageous take on fashion, by using a very large, sensational wig. The effect I wish to have with this is once the audience have discovered the humour and comedy of Acres they would rake pity on the character. It would also allow the audience to see Acres disastrous attempt at becoming a man of fashion. At heart I feel Acres is a good hearted man and would play him thus, this is show in his perseverance to fit in with his friends, Absolute and Faulkland. This simplicity of the character again creates sympathy between the actor and the audience, mainly due to the comedy created by him. Acres also has a range of scenes when interacting with characters that would help create comedy. In Act 2 Scene 1 in Captain Absolutes lodgings, Acres relays information about Julia to Faulkland. I would have Acres does this in a very jovial tone, making of use hand movements and open body language to exaggerate Julias merriment. This would show Acres tactless, clumsy nature as he would be oblivious to Faulklands reaction, the audience however would see the effect it had on him and finding it a comic moment. The audiences sympathy would spark again from Acres naivety. Although Acres appears to be ridiculous in his behaviour he does try to maintain the concept of honour by challenging Ensign Beverly to a duel. This in turn proves to show more of the cowardly humour within him. When he is talking to Jack Absolute I would play Acres as being very nervous and uneasy, trying to show a guise of false bravery. This would add to the humour of the scene as his attempts at trying to be brave would be failing, which the audience will recognise and find humour within it. At closer inspection of Acres discomfort the audience again would be made to feel sympathy with this character. The final duel scene within the play would also reinforce the characteristics. He would again show his nervous characteristics by trying to avoid fighting and showing his inexperience at duelling. Firstly when Sir Lucius is trying to show Bob the distance the duellists must stand from each other, when this is happening I would have Acres trying to get as far away from the gun as possible, firstly by walking as far from Lucius as possible, and running around him dodging the barrel of the pistol. When Acres takes the pistol, I would play him very apprehensive of holding the pistol, having a limp wrist when holding it so it would droop to show Acres inexperience again. This would also create humour within the audience as the visual comedy would be almost farcical and highly entertaining as well and creating sympathy for the character and his tense situation. I feel the comedy would assist in this characters portrayal as any victim of humour can manipulate the audience, particularly if they display and innocence similar to Bob Acres.

Hidden Exposure - Working Diary :: Drama

Hidden Exposure - Working Diary =============================== This is a written analysis and evaluation of the creative process leading up to, and applied during, the dance performance of 'Hidden Exposure', based on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Dreams. The piece, was choreographed by 'Dance Performance Experience' year 2, and performed on January 13, 1998. The aims of this 'Dance Performance' module were to apply newly learnt techniques, movement skills, and the research of existing practitioners, combine them with existing dance skills and knowledge to create an original innovative dance performance. Members of the class will choreograph sections, with the common theme, in pairs or individually that will be put together to create a collage style dance. Each individually choreographed section should make use of some recurring motifs and demonstrate contact improvisation where possible. Before we started any of our own choreography we had to decide on a stimuli. This is very important, as it will be the idea that all movements are representing. This is called Ideational Stimuli and is when "the movement is stimulated and formed with the intention to convey an idea or tell a story."[1], as opposed to us taking a piece of music and dancing to it. As a group we had many ideas to choose from but after weighing out the options we opted for OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The idea of counting within the disorder gives us a good basis for a dance, because we perform to a beat, or a count, usually of eight. It is an interesting subject with much scope for contact improvisation, or non-contact, as the sufferers would prefer. The stimulus for the dance, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, is a condition that affects approximately 2.5% of the UK population. More common in females than males, the sufferer has an irresistible impulse to perform relatively meaningless acts repeatedly and in a specific manner. Compulsive persons do not enjoy their ritualistic behaviour and view the activity as foreign to their personality. They are unaware of the absurdity of their behaviour and yet are unable to stop it. Compulsive hand washers may wash their hands several times in an hour. In addition to being time consuming, compulsions can be costly to a person's well being. Other common compulsions are counting things to make sure that they are all there, checking the placements of objects, checking appliances are switched off, Exercising, cleaning, and feeling suffocated. (See appendix 1) A dance session should always start with a warm up; this comprises of warming up the different body parts in a range of exercises. Start, standing in parallel, beginning with the head and neck, we gently roll the head slowly to the left and then to the right repeating this

Oedipus and Creon: Leaders of Thebes Essay

In the plays Oedipus the King and Antigone Sophocles portrays two characters, Oedipus and Creon, as rulers of Thebes. After the murder of Laius, former King of Thebes, Oedipus became leader when he successfully solved the riddle of the Sphinx. Some time later, Creon became King of Thebes as the result of his nephews deaths. â€Å"Oedipus is a good ruler in spite of his defects. Creon is a bad ruler in spite of his virtues.† This essay will discuss Oedipus and Creon as rulers of Thebes. In the eyes of the townspeople, Oedipus is seen as a good leader. He demonstrates the qualities any good leader possesses. When Oedipus learned of the plague that had spread through the town he immediately took action before the town confronted him with their fears. Upon meeting with the town, he notified them of his actions and his understanding of their concerns regarding the outcome of Thebes. Oedipus says, â€Å"You can trust me. I am ready to help, I’ll do anything. I would be blind to misery not to pity my people kneeling at my feet† (Sophocles 159). We see that Oedipus is sympathetic to their needs and concerns and dependable as he had already sent his brother-in-law to gain information from the oracle Upon Creon’s return from the oracle, Oedipus demonstrates his honesty, truthfulness, and determination as leader. Creon states, â€Å"If you want my report in the presence of these people†¦I’m ready now, or we might go inside† (Sophocles 163). Oedipus responds by asking Creon to report right then and there suggesting that he has nothing to hide and only truth to share with Thebes. The news from the oracle suggested that the only way to end the plague was to remove the source of Laius’s death, either by banishment or murder. Oedipus immediately seeks out to uncover the murderer of the former king. These qualities are those admired in a leader, like Oedipus, but hard to find in Creon. Creon, unlike Oedipus, is seen as a poor leader of the town, Thebes. The qualities with which he rules are unlikable. Creon immediately instills a sense of fear as he acknowledges the absolute power he possesses in his initial speech as ruler of Thebes. â€Å"Whoever refuses to adopt the soundest policies but fearing someone, keeps his lips locked tight, he’s utterly worthless. And whoever places a friend above the good of his own country, he  is nothing† (Sophocles 67). Furthermore, Creon issues a decree to his people that anyone who provides Polynices with a proper burial will face death. By enforcing the decree, Creon lacks sympathy for the beliefs of his town and his blood relatives, Antigone and Ismene. When the sentry enters with a message for the King we learn that Creon’s rule focuses on threats and violence. The sentry hesitates to relay this message to Creon fearing that he would react harshly. Creon then demands that the sentry tell all that he knows. The sentry informs Creon that someone has defied the decree and given Polynices proper burial. Creon irrationally accuses the sentry; although he has spoken several times that he is not to blame. The king threatens the sentry saying, â€Å"Well now, you just be clever about your judgments – if you fail to produce the criminals for me, you’ll swear your dirty money brought you pain† (Sophocles 75). Terrified by the King’s word, the sentry quickly leaves to keep watch of Polynices and later returns with news that Antigone is the culprit. We find that Oedipus is a good leader because he is honest, sympathetic, dependable and determined. On the other hand, Creon fails to sympathize with the citizen. The fear and violence of his absolute power became detrimental to his leadership. Despite these differences between Oedipus and Creon, the leaders did share some qualities that influenced the way they ruled. Oedipus and Creon both ruled with pride. Each individual was proud of their actions and the way they lead the people of Thebes. At times they were so proud that they failed to believe what was being told to them. Tiresias proclaims to Oedipus, â€Å"You are the curse, the corruption of the land† (Sophocles 179). Oedipus refuted the truth, â€Å"Aren’t you appalled to start up such a story? You think you can get away with this?† (Sophocles 179) Tiresias warned Oedipus of his family curse and the he was the cause of the plague, but he failed to see this. Similarly, Creon was warned by Tiresias in Antigone of the trouble that was to result from his injustice. â€Å"If he tried to make amends, however low he’s fallen, and stops his bullnecked ways. Stubbornness brands you for stupidity-pride is a crime† (Sophocles 112). Creon failed to accept the information told to him by Tiresias,  instead his pride prevailed until he admitted his wrongdoings at the end of the play, at which it was too late. The town of Thebes was also ruled by both with stubbornness. Once they had an idea set in their minds nothing could change it. Each had a firm belief in what they thought. Creon sentenced Antigone to death, since she was the individual who gave her brother, Polynices, a proper burial. Despite warnings from the town and Tiresias, Creon carried out the sentencing of his niece by sealing her in a cave. His stubborn character led to defiance of the Gods, which led to his downfall as King of Thebes. In Oedipus the King, Oedipus goal was to save his people from the plague by removing the murderer, who was present in the town. Oedipus was stubborn and refused to see the clues which revealed the source of the plague. Eventually, Oedipus overcame his stubbornness and accepted the truth that he was indeed the source of the plague by murdering his father and marrying his mother. Oedipus, being a good leader, remained true to his word and banished himself from Thebes. In conclusion, Sophocles portrays two rulers of Thebes in his plays Oedipus the King and Antigone. Oedipus and Creon share similarities and differences that characterize them as leaders of Thebes. Oedipus is seen as a good ruler due to the fact that he possesses the qualities the town seeks in a leader. Creon is deemed a bad ruler. He places himself above the state, people, and gods therefore being a feared and intimidating leader. Works Cited Sophocles. The Three Theban Plays: Antigone, Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus. New York: Penguin Books, 1984. Works ConsultedMcManus, Barbara. â€Å"Background for Antigone.† CLS 267 Topic Page. 1999. The College ofNew Rochelle. 20 April 2005 Mitchell-Boyask, Robin. â€Å"Study Guide for Sophocles’ Oedipus the King.† Department ofClassics. 2002. Temple University. 22 April 2005

Lead and Manage Group Living for Adults Essay

I work in a residential care home and as much as we try our very best to individualise and personalise care plans, bedrooms, give freedom of choice wherever possible, the home still has barriers to full freedom and because of the shared living space, it can be difficult for the residents to have their own space. The decision to come into a residential care setting usually means that the resident needs that extra support and wants the extra company and reassurance that being in a care home gives. Person centred care is set to enable everyone to live as independently as possible, but the reality is, people need care. Residential care homes and sheltered living accommodation have improved greatly when we compare the institutions of many years ago, the asylums, where people with all sorts of disabilities were held together. There were numerous reports of abuse in such places, which led to them closing and a more community style care service was put in place. Now there are many different options for the elderly, there is a lot of elderly people in Wales that are maintaining their independence at home, with a care package. Carers from an agency call several times throughout the day, night, depending on what the social services think they require, or what they can afford privately. As much as I think this is great, as it must be heartbreaking to give up your family home, it concerns me, as I hear horror stories of the elderly being left for several hours, maybe falling, sitting in their own urine or excrement and having limited choices throughout their day as to when they can get up out of bed, go to bed or even eat. The carers have allocated time slots each day and are allowed only a set time with each house visit, and then in-between they might be alone for long periods. I know that such people can have a lifeline, which they can press to get assistance, the lifeline reaches a call centre and the call centre will then contact the named people on their list to go and see if all is well, or might send an ambulance if they feel the need. Lifelines are a great idea, if they are used correctly, I have heard of several who leave theirs at the side of the bed, they either cannot reach, or fall whilst visiting the toilet and are unable to get to it. I have also heard tales of people pressing their lifeline to get some response off someone, someone to talk to, some company, as they are lonely or even fretful during the lonely  night hours. Sheltered accommodation is a great idea, each person has their own individual flat, often with a main front door with different door alarms on so they can call on the person they are visiting and go straight to see them. These flats are contained, small, easy to get around and keep clean, they can have call leads in several rooms in case of an emergency, they can cook for themselves if they so require, make themselves tea, watch what they want on the television and live quite independently. There used to be a warden present 24 hours a day, well almost, a 9-5 day shift, and then sleep in, during the night to be available in case of an emergency. Of course now there are so many cutbacks that live in wardens have been stopped throughout Wales, possibly elsewhere. There are now teams of 3 or 4 wardens that look after several establishments, they take turns to go around each unit, calling on the residents to ensure they are ok, they are usually there 9-1, half a day, then if the residents have any issues they must use their lifeline, or the emergency chord, which instead of being linked to the warden is now linked to a head office, who will contact relevant help for the resident. A residential home, I can only speak of ours, I have worked in 2 other nursing homes as well as the residential home I currently work in. Our home is homely, not clinical, it has carpet, not laminate or tiled flooring and it has a beautiful garden and outlook, large communal areas, including a big conservatory and lounge space split into two sides. The home is decorated tastefully for the residents, with flowers and plants and pictures, homely but not cluttered, the residents bedrooms are personalised by themselves with their belongings and choice of dà ©cor. The home does its best to treat every resident in a person centred approach, but it can be difficult to meet all needs accordingly. There are set meal times, which can be flexible to a point, they are offered alternative menu choices, but it isn’t always convenient for residents to eat whenever they so chose to. I must say that the residents are offered several snacks and drinks throughout the day so are very rarely hungry. The residents are able to come and go to their rooms as they wish, if they are safe to do so. The residents have a choice of communal area, or to go out and sit in the garden if they wish. Their meals are served in a communal dining room, but there are a few ladies that prefer  to sit alone in the communal areas to eat their meal, which is fine. There are carers available 24 hours a day, to assist as little or as much as needed for each resident, they are assisted with personal care, if required, with meals and much more. Throughout the home there is a nurse call buzzer system, if a resident needs help they can just buzz the buzzer, which is linked to a panel that shows the care staff where the buzzer has gone off so they can go and assist in whatever way needed. The home has a lift and a chair lift, aids in the bathrooms, toilets and showers, a laundry facility, a kitchen, domestic assistants, etc. I imagine many people compare the residential care setting to the hotel model of care, where residents come into care and do nothing much for themselves anymore. Maybe a lot of that is true, but not because they are not allowed to do anything for themselves, but because many chose not to, they are old, tired and have health complications and restrictions and want a rest. There are a few residents who like keeping busy and love to help with tasks around the home, laying tables, wiping tops, collecting cups, folding napkins, which is fantastic, but there are more that aren’t interested in any domestic chores. Housing with care for later life, a review written for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, suggests that there are so many different levels of housing facilities and choices available as a result of how care has developed in the UK over the last 20 years, with things changing to meet the needs of the tenants. Housing with some care is the most popular option that social and health care professionals like to choose for as many as possible, it seems to be the most popular as it is the most independent way of living for the elderly, with some level of support and security if needed. Extra care housing, which are establishments that provide a meal, additional services , barrier free environments are also known as very sheltered housing, I know very little about or I don’t know of any in my area, but they sound great. (Oldsman 200, Baker 2002) have written about such housing. There isn’t much difference between them and residential care homes, except they have their own front doors and are called tenants or owners, they can go and mix with other tenants in communal areas if they wish and are provided with a meal and the use of communal facilities or assisted technologies if they want them. It is important to consider an individual’s safety as well as their own choices, safety and security are as important as freedom of choice, as there are many elderly people that are extremely vulnerable and think that they are able to do much more than they can. Take for example Mrs H in our home; she loves to sit in her room alone for hours at a time. She is unable to walk, only transfer from chair to chair, to bed etc, she is a really bad epileptic and once she has a fit, it is difficult for ambulance staff, when called to bring her out of the fit, she usually requires hospital assistance as she has trouble breathing during her fit. She asks to go to her room all the time, but it is a huge risk and Mrs H has severe mental health issues after a brain bleed has been deemed to not have capacity to make safe decisions for herself. Several times when she has fitted, the care staff have seen it start in the lounge as they pass by and have managed to get to her in time to put her in the recovery position and remove anything that might cause her more harm Mrs H doesn’t understand when trying to explain to her why she is unable to go and sit in her room for hours at a time, but does go up for shorter time periods. It is important that any care setting is tastefully decorated to suit the residents that live there, to look homely, welcoming, and familiar, kept clean, and refurbished whenever necessary. Residents will feel more positive if they are in a pleasant environment, with a nice outlook, with comfortable furniture to sit on, with accessible amenities they can use themselves, a TV, drinks machine, books, music equipment, suitable lighting etc. Legal requirements have made a huge impact on care offered to the elderly today, when we look back at how things have changed, we have definitely come along way, but I would definitely not say we are there yet, as things are always changing, people change, and we need to also. Individualistic consumer led approach to care in the 80’s and 90’s led to the government looking at decreasing the dependency culture, to enable people to be as independent at they could. There have been many changes over the years with the financial support given to those with various needs, which enables them to choose their level of care and support and where they wish to live etc. The 1989 Caring for People white paper led the way for care in the community, as well as the NHS Community Care Act 1990, which promoted independent living for people with a more flexible care  service. In 200 the Care Standards Act came into place, they are basically in place to regulate all care facilities to ensure that everything within their power is being done to a satisfactory level. Along with the regulating, they also inspect care settings and have power to make big decisions and requirements for each place they visit, as a result of this Act we now have the National Minimum standards to adhere to.