Domestic Terrorism And Its Effect On Terrorism Essay

Domestic terrorism consists of violations against federal and state law that put humans into danger. The purpose of domestic terrorism is to influence or to instill fear into the population and government. Terrorism comes in forms of gun violence, assassinations, and destruction (1). Since 1970, there have been 2,608 attacks and 226 fatal attacks up until 2011 (3). In 1867, the development of dynamite contributed to increasing terrorism, and radicals have used explosives to bring attention to political issues within the country. This invention led to the Haymarket Affair, Los Angeles Times, and the Preparedness Day bombings (2). What has further caused domestic terrorism has been the argument over who is an American. This explains the emergence of the Boston Tea Party and the â€Å"white supremacy† of the Ku Klux Klan which both occurred to claim what being an authentic American means (3). After the Cold war, domestic intelligence and law enforcement suppressed terrorist plots , but since the leader of al-Qaeda increased website usage in 2003, more internet terrorist sites have grown. In 2009, the FBI stated that there were approximately 15,000 websites that advocated terrorism with 10,000 sites still active on 80% of U.S based servers. (4) An example of an attack was the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 which resulted in 168 people dead and 600 people injured; the motivation for this was to show the opposition against the U.S government by bombing the Alfred P. Murrah FederalShow MoreRelatedThe Effects of Domestic Terrorism1865 Words   |  8 Pages Domestic terrorism has played a major part in shaping the societies of the United States. The ideologies of individuals can become radicalized. This can lead to a movement. This movement involves the infliction of fear upon the communities, in attempt to make it a better world. It is critical to examine the events created by one man’s extreme ideologies in effort to better understand. Eric Robert Rudolph seemed to be the typical American. He joined the United States Army. After serving aboutRead MoreTerrorist Attacks On The World Trade Center1170 Words   |  5 Pagesdifferent than the dangers of terrorism at a global scale: domestic terrorism. At its core, domestic terrorism differs from any other type of terrorism in the sense that those who carry it out are citizens or permanent residents of a given country and who inflict violence and intimidation against their fellow citizens or permanent residents in the pursuit of political aims (Sharpe, 2000, p. 606). In that sense, domestic terrorism may also be called homegrown terrorism. Perhaps the best, and mostRead MoreDomestic Terrorism Is America s Greatest Threat : Mass Shootings And Hate Crimes1389 Words   |  6 PagesDomestic Terrorism is America s Greatest Threat: Mass Shootings and Hate Crimes I. Introduction The United States has been in a national state of emergency fighting a war on terrorism since September 11, 2001. The intelligence communities have pursued and tracked down terrorist suspects who pose a direct threat to this country, yet one of the greatest threat to this country is the astronomical number of mass shootings and hate crimes that have occurred in this country post 9/11. The UnitedRead MoreEssay about Homeland Security1415 Words   |  6 PagesSince 9/11, terrorism has become a priority for law enforcement and military personnel in the United States. Even more importantly, it has turned into a War on Terrorism. September 11th was the worst terrorist attack ever on the United States. Therefore, our government officials responded in the only way that felt suitable, attacking terrorism. The group responsible for the events of 9/11 is called the Al Qaeda. Al Qaeda is one of the most well known terrorist groups in the world. BecauseRead MoreTerrorism : Terrorism And Terrorism851 Words   |  4 PagesTerrorist attacks are major threats that could occur in any nation. Terrorism is one of those things that can happen at any time. It will strike in small, medium and large cities. Although we will never be able to remove all risk from terrorism, we can definitely reduce the risk through hazard mitigation and disaster preparedness (GBRA, 2011). To better understand terrorism we need to know what it is. Terrorism can be defined as the use of force or violence against persons or property in violationRead MoreTerrorism And The Acts Of Terrorists867 Words   |  4 PagesTerrorism and the acts of terrorists are recognized by few as a new phenomenon, but known by many to be an old phenomenon. Terrorism has existed for decades and continues to thrive today. There are many definitions that were created to define terrorism and a terrorist act; however, the definitions are not one in the same. Essentially the definitions vary, and that depends on the person or organization providing the definition. The one often used or recognized is â€Å"terrorism is the use or threat ofRead MoreFree Movement Policy1318 Words   |  6 PagesEmpirical Research Question Has the implementation of the European Union’s free movement policies led to a rise in domestic terrorism throughout its member states? Why In game theory, one of the more fascinating parts of current research is on how people make decisions that are sometimes against their own long-term interests if it gives a positive initial reaction. Sometimes, this can be extended to when an actor cannot reasonably determine their situation or its variables. This is an attemptRead MoreTerrorism The word terrorism seems to be easy to define. It is a word that everyone is1100 Words   |  5 PagesTerrorism The word terrorism seems to be easy to define. It is a word that everyone is familiar with. Terrorism, as used in todays media which covers a wide range of violent acts. Terrorism is violent acts that are intended to create fear(terror) are perpetrated for a religious ,political or ideological goal and deliberately target or disregard the safety of non civilians or we can say it is the threat of violence or an act of violence . Terrorism is an international problem in todays globalRead MoreDisadvantages Of Terrorism1013 Words   |  5 PagesOne common misunderstanding about terrorism is it is a new and unprecedented phenomenon. In actuality, terrorism is not an ideology or means of modern times. Terrorism can be highlighted throughout the history of mankind, with some historians even dating it before any records of militant armies. Whether it was one lone individual or small bands that attacked their enemies. Terrorism rings throughout history whether its the killing of lead ers or potential challengers to a throne, to raping and plunderingRead MoreRed Cell Analysis Of Right Wing Extremist Militias1638 Words   |  7 PagesRed Cell Analysis of Right Wing Extremist Militias in the United States Christopher A Caley HLSS230 Intelligence Homeland Security 13 August 2015 Right wing miliita groups represent a danger to the domestic security of the United States. Their ideology of violence or the threat of violence is consistent with the laws and values of the American people as a whole. From their perspective, they believe they are defending their liberty, property, and their lives from an oppressive government

The Rigorous Business of Budgeting for International Operations by Article

Essays on The Rigorous Business of Budgeting for International Operations by Milani and Rivera Article The paper "The Rigorous Business of Budgeting for International Operations by Milani and Rivera" is a brilliant example of an article on finance and accounting. Foreign matters have an intense effect on the budgeting activities of international firms. International organizations argue with a variety of external aspects, internal reflections, and other dynamics that affect budget policies, structure, and control. External aspects influencing budgeting operations of multinational firms include exchange rates of foreign currencies, rates of interest, and inflation (Milani and Rivera 38). Exchange rates of foreign currencies are the most influential ones as they influence an international firm through translation, dealing, and financial experiences. The Fisher Effect, International Fisher Effect, and rate of interest uniformity connections contribute to the rate of interest’s effect on global companies. Lastly, inflation affects multinationals by centering on differences between n ations and securing purchasing power uniformity and applying the Fisher Effect (Milani and Rivera 42). The main point of the article is that dealing with multinational risk is the core of budgeting for foreign subsidiaries. However, moving pricing and stock policy also affects global budgeting intensely (Milani and Rivera 38).The first point of interest is that global budgeting remains an uncertain practice even with concrete findings and strong geopolitical regulations. Second, multinational organizations should be continually alert and conscious of this uncertainty because it is more prevalent and undesirable than widely presumed. Lastly, multinational firms take on the demanding business of budgeting for translational activities because it is expected of their budgetary operations (Milani and Rivera 49).This article is important to a finance and accounting class because identifies with accounting standards necessary for learners in this class. The article presents a thorough and confined case of multinational dealings with budgeting across developed and developing economies across the world.Points I would like to discuss in class are:Cost budgets and their roles in transnational budgetingCapital and liquid budgetingTransfer valuationThe overall image of budget control or regulation

The Impact of Leadership on an Organization free essay sample

Leadership has a relationship with a number of factors within an organization at all levels. It can be defined as the process of influencing the activities of an organized group in its efforts toward goal setting and goal achievement. However, this essay with reference to these four theories of leadership, transformational, participative, transactional, situational and will seek to discuss the relationship between leadership and employee and organizational outcomes. First transformational theories, focuses on the relationships between leaders and followers and seek to motivate and inspire by showing those in the organization the importance and higher good of the task. These leaders are focused on the performance of group members, but also want each person to fulfill his or her potential. Leaders with this style often have high ethical and moral standards. This theory can have an impact at the personal level of the employees where these results such as employee empowerment, job commitment, trust, beliefs and motivation can be achieved or enhanced, and unfortunately can either have a positive or negative impact. When leaders recognize that these factors can be determinants of a successful organization, they focus on influencing the behavior of the employees and take full advantage of a sustained positive impact on the organization. This leads to positive personal outcomes for the employees who are more trusting of the organization which leads to high levels of job commitment, high motivation, and will engage in organizational citizenship behavior. However, if these same factors are neglected, a negative impact can occur, and the followers can engage in deviant workplace behavior and counterproductive activities as a result of not being satisfied or demotivated through resistance to any kind of change, or ineffective communication. This method which can also be seen as leading by example and can inspire employees so that it does not feel as just a place to come and receive a pay check, but rather are focused on common goals and will put efforts in achieving those goals. Ultimately, the employees will be motivated and be satisfied in their roles that will then be inclined willingly to engage in organizational citizenship behavior. The organizational outcomes from this theory will be high performance, increased customer satisfaction and effectiveness. On the other hand, if the relationship is negative, thus a breakdown in  communication can occur and employees can seek to go against the culture of the organization possibly forming an interest group where they would engage in counterproductive activities and deviant workplace behavior which can have a spiraling effect on the organization causing inefficiency, ineffectiveness, reduced performance and dissatisfied customers. Secondly there is participative leadership theory, which suggests that the ideal leadership style is one that takes the input of others into account. This goes a very long way in that it encompasses communication from both parties, which is ideal as information is shared between leaders and employees to attain organizational success. These leaders encourage participation and contributions from employees which help them feel more relevant as part of the organization as they become involved in the decision-making process. In participative theories, employees are very motivated resulting from their input which leads to high productivity. In addition, they are very satisfied in their jobs and with their leader which leads to valued rewards such as working on a high classified project and feeling good about working independently with the high demands of the project. A negative impact would be feeling that they have to agree with the boss decisions and not their own ideas, deviant workplace behavior resulting from unrest, unfairness or corruption within the organization which can also lead to counterproductive activities. Organizational outcomes as a result from this theory can attain such as, high performance, customer satisfaction, effectiveness and efficiency. However, a negative impact can result in a high absenteeism and turnover culture, the perception of high power distance and reduced performance. In addition, the leader retaining the right to allow the input of others creates uncertainty which can happen as time passes, or management changes which can have negative outcomes. Another approach to leadership theories is transactional leadership which according to Organizational Behavior 11e John R. Schermerhorn, Jr., James G. Hunt, Richard N. Osborn, Mary Uhl-Bien, John Wiley Sons, Inc.pg 324 involves leader follower exchanges necessary for achieving routine performance agrees upon between leaders and followers. This theory can be  found in some form or another in all organizations, In fact most employees perform at their best when they are told what to do, when direction is clear. In short transactional leadership is viewed as; you give me something for something in return. When subordinates perform well, they receive some type of reward. When they perform poorly, they are punished in some way such as being looked over for advancement. Some employees do not want the responsibility of decision making thus avoiding the responsibility when something goes wrong and to avoid the possible punishment. Following the instructions of the leader is when they perform at their best which results in high productivity, job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior, as it is what they do which is also known as laissez-faire one of the dimensions of this theory. Organizational outcomes would be represented as high performance, high effectiveness and efficiency and full conformity with the culture of the organization. There are those however, that are motivated by responsibility and the rewards and recognition that comes with it, especially when the rewards are established beforehand. This is known as contingent rewards another dimension which also is represented by the same outcomes mentioned above. Active and passive management by exception round out the other dimensions and active management watches for deviations from rules and standards and immediately takes corrective action. This can be seen as a form of micro managing, and can present a negative impact on employees who may believe that they are seen as not capable thus can engage in counterproductive activities. On the other hand, this method offers to be on top of events as they occur minimizing down time improving effectiveness and efficiency as an organizational outcome. Passive only intervenes when standards are not met, thus the feedback resulting from this could be punishment or reprimand. This can serve as a motivator in the future in increased productivity and performance both at the employee and organizational levels. The last of the four theories of leadership is situational leadership which according to Robbins and Judge 14e says successful leadership is achieved by selecting the right leadership style and is contingent on the followers readiness to the extent where leaders can determine what their groups are going to do and what the outcomes of their actions are going to be. This  theory sees the importance of followers and uses the foundation that leaders can compensate for lack of ability and motivation with the use of these dimensions. When followers are unable and unwilling, clear and specific directions are needed which also serves as a motivator to obtain higher levels of productivity and job satisfaction for the employee and higher performance and effectiveness levels at the organizational level. However, if they are unable but willing leaders need to compensate for the lack of ability and get them to accept the leader’s desires. This too will have the same outcomes as above. Next when the employees are able and unwilling, the leader has to be supportive and participative in order to be effective. The outcomes at the individual level results in increased productivity because the motivation is high and they are more satisfied with their jobs. The leader does not have to do much when the employees are both able and willing. The four leadership theories mentioned resulted in different outcomes both at the employee level and at the organizational level. Transformational leadership theory focused on motivating and inspiring followers to reach for greater self awareness for the good of themselves and the organization. Transactional leadership guided their followers toward established goals by clarifying role and task requirements. Participation focused on consulting with subordinates and sought their suggestions before decisions were made, and finally situational leadership indicated that there is no one best way to lead and focused on the readiness of the followers.

Uses and abuse of drugs free essay sample

Many people do not understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. Substance abuse is a growing problem that not only affects the person who is abusing alcohol or drugs but also affects the lives of those who are close to the abuser. Substance abuse is the abuse of any substance. A drug is a substance that modifies one or more of the body functions when it is consumed. It is often mistakenly assumed that drug abusers lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop using drugs simply by choosing to change their behavior. In reality, drug addiction is a disease and quitting takes a lot more than Just changing your behavior. Drug Abuse is generally defined as the use of a drug with such frequency that the user has a physical or mental harm or it impairs social abilities. The substances that are discussed in this report are called psychoactive drugs; those drugs that Influence or alter the workings of the mind, affect moods, emotions, feelings, and thinking processes. We will write a custom essay sample on Uses and abuse of drugs or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Substances drugs affect the brain, heart, liver, lungs and also the people around you. When drugs get into the bloodstream they are carried to all parts of the body and some reach the brain. In fact, drugs change the brain in ways that foster compulsive drug abuse, quitting is more difficult than it appears. The quicker the drug reaches the brain, the more intense the effects. The quickest way to get a drug into the brain, and also the most dangerous way of using any drug is to injecting into the vein. Injecting into the vein Is almost as quick as smoking a drug, followed by sniffing or snorting and then by mouth. Eating or drinking a drug Is the slowest route, because the drug has to pass through the stomach first. Drugs are generally categorized into two groups, stimulants and depressants. Stimulants are drugs that peed up signals through the nervous system. They produce alertness, arousal and excitability. They also Inhibit fatigue and sleep. Everything from over-the-counter pain medication, prescriptions drugs such as,, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, and even coffee can abused In one way or another. The two man substances being abused In our nation are nicotine and alcohol. How does nicotine addiction work? Basically, when you smoke your first cigarettes, when you arent addicted yet, you get a head-rush which Is caused by the nicotine. In your brain there are nicotine receptors which arent used to the nicotine In a cigarette. Over time, the nicotine receptors get used to the amount of nicotine so they can cope with the nicotine. So when this nicotine stops being given to the receptors (when you give up smoking) they panic and cause you to feel unhappy and angry. When you smoke, the nicotine receptors send out messages to other parts of the brain which release a drug called dopamine which makes you feel happy, satisfied, relaxed. When you try to quit, or when you fancy a cigarette your dopamine levels are going down and you start to feel unhappy, aggressive, unsatisfied. Most smokers dont know that they are addicted to nicotine until they try to stop smoking completely they Just think that they Like smoking. The answer to your question Is that you will have a moderate nicotine addiction, and quitting wont be that hard. The signs of a severe nicotine addiction are needing to smoke a cigarette every 2 hours, having one as soon as you wake In night). Nicotine increases the levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain, activating the pleasure pathways in the same way other addictive drugs do. After the effects (calmness, sense of well-being) disappear, the smoker craves more. Why is alcohol addictive? Basically because alcohol, like nicotine and heroin and other substances stimulates the reward response in your brain. You have a drink, the brain rewards itself with a surge of chemicals and hormones that it really likes, and therefore the more you stimulate it, the more it wants. Some people are more susceptible than others in that their reward responses are stronger which is why some people will get addicted to things more easily than other people will. If you add to that a troubled background of some sort, then when the brain offers its reward response though making that person feels calmer and happier or more in control, hey are more likely than someone who is pretty happy. Alcohol is made of ethanol, it is a depressant, your body becomes addictive to the depressant effects and you eventually need it to stop the shakes (delirium tremors) and the withdrawals of the depressant effects on the brain and body. For example, caffeine is a stimulant, and people become addicted to that and when having caffeine withdrawals one has headaches and other neurological effects. However, alcohol is a lot more dangerous because if you are a hardcore not only can you die from drinking, if you stop cold turkey you can have convulsions and die from withdrawals. The addictive substance is ethanol. When you are pregnant, it is important that you watch what you put into your body. Consumption of illegal drugs is not safe for the unborn baby or for the mother. Studies have shown that consumption of illegal drugs during pregnancy can result in miscarriage, low birth weight, premature labor, placental abruptest, fetal death, and even maternal death. If its suspected that woman whose pregnant is using drugs they will test the baby to see if its born addicted, yes it is possible to see if the baby is addicted even before he/she is born.

The Chosen - Malters Development Essays - The Chosen, The Promise

The Chosen - Malter's Development One of the most emotional scenes from Chaim Potok's The Chosen is when Reuven goes with Danny Saunders to talk to his father. Danny has a great mind and wants to use it to study psychology, not become a Hasidic tzaddik. The two go into Reb Saunders' study to explain to him what is going to happen, and before Danny can bring it up, his father does. Reb Saunders explains to the two friends that he already known that Reuven is going to go for his smicha and Danny, who is in line to become the next tzaddik of his people, will not. This relates to the motif of "Individuality" and the theme of "Danny's choice of going with the family dynasty or to what his heart leads him." The most developing character from the novel is Reuven Malter. One of the ways that he developes in the novel is in hus understanding of friendship. His friendship with D\fanny Saunders is encouraged by his father, but he is wary of it at first because Danny is a Hasid, and regards regular Orthodox Jews as apikorsim because of the teachings of his father. Reuven goes from not being able to have a civil conversation with Danny to becoming his best friend with whom he spens all of his free time, studies Talmud and goes to college. Reuven truly grows because he leans, as his father says, what it is to be a friend. Another way that Reuven grows is that he learns to appreciate different people and their ideas. He starts out hating Hasidim because it's the "pious" thing to do, even though his father (who I see as the Atticus Finch of this novel) keeps telling him that it's okay to disagree with ideas, but hating a person because of them is intolerable. Through his friendship with Danny, studies with Reb Saunders, brief crush on Danny's sister (who was never given a name), and time spent in the Hasidic community, he learns that Hasids are people too with their own ideas and beliefs that are as valuable as his. He learns why they think, act, speak, and dress the way that they do and comes to grips with the fact that he doesn't have a monopoly on virtue. A third way in which Reuven grows, though the book doesn't really talk about it a great deal, is in his appreciation of life, or cha'im in Hebrew. He almost loses his vision, his father nearly works himself to death, six million Jews are butchered in Europe, and Danny's brother's poor health threatens Danny's choice to not become a tzaddik. When his eye is out of order he can't read, and indeed does remark that it's very difficult to live without reading, especially with a voracious appetite for learning such as his. His father almost dies twice and he talks about how difficult it is to live all alone in silence (which is a metaphor alluding to Danny's everyday life) for the month while his father is in the hospital. He sees Reb Saunders and his father feeling the suffering of the six million dead, Saunders by crying and being silent, David Malter by working for the creation of a Jewish state and being a leader in the movement, in addition to teaching at a yeshiva and adult education classes. And of course Danny is very worried by his brother's illness (hemophillia?) because if he dies it will be even harded for Danny to turn down his tzaddikship. By the end of the book, Reuven Malter is a very changed character. Potok is an expert with using allusion and metaphor. Very subtly throughout the book he uses this for the purposes of renforcing his points, foreshadowing, and to make the book a better read when you've read it previously and know the outcome. One example of this, one that I missed the first time I read the book in 7th grade is the paragraph at the end of chapter nine where Reuven is sitting on his porch and sees a fly trapped in a spider's web with the arachnid builder approaching. He blows on the fly, first softly,

How to Fill Out a Check, Step by Step

How to Fill Out a Check, Step by Step SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Between online bill pay and money-transferring apps like Venmo, many of us don’t fill out checks very often. On the occasion that we do need to write one, like to pay rent, take care of a bill, or send a birthday gift to a relative, we might find ourselves feeling uncertain about whether we’re doing it right. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about how to fill out a check. To start, let’s get up close and personal with this small but mighty piece of paper. Anatomy of a Check: Full Diagram Did you know that a check has your bank account number on it? Or that each check has its own number that shows up not once, but twice? Did you ever notice that official checks have a tiny image of a padlock to show they’re certified by the almighty Check Payment Systems Association? Check out this diagram of a personal check to take a close look at everything on it. This particular check belongs to Archibald Squiggles of Splitsville, Indiana. Sam Lindsay for PrepScholar/All rights reserved. As you can see, your checks will show your name and address, bank account and routing number, and a check number. They also may feature the name of your bank. Using this diagram for reference, let’s look at everything you need to do to fill out a check. How to Fill Out a Check First off, you should fill out your check in pen. You could use a pencil, technically, but then your writing could get smudged or, worse, an unsavory character could come along, erase what you wrote, and change it to something else! Pen is more secure and official, especially when a signature is required. When you’re writing a check, you just need a few pieces of information: Name of the recipient, whether it’s an individual or a company Amount of money you’re writing the check for The date you want the recipient to cash the check You’ll also need to know how to write out the amount of money in words, a task that most of us rarely do outside of the context of writing checks. You’ll find some more tips on how to do this below. Once you have all of this information, you’ll find that writing the check is easy. There are five required pieces of information, plus an optional sixth. You can add these five (or six) pieces of information in any order, as long as you fill them all out in the end. For the purposes of this guide, the steps for how to write a check are presented in the order that they appear on the check from top to bottom and left to right, starting with the date. Many of us write checks every month to a landlord or realty management company. Step 1: Write the Date First, you should write the date on its designated line near the top right corner. Put the date on which the recipient can first cash the check. That might be the current date, or a date in the future. For instance, if you’re writing a check for December, 2016 rent, then you might put the date as December 1, 2016. This means that you want the recipient to cash the check on or after December 1, but not before. You can write the date in long form or in the format MM/DD/YYYY. For instance, using the example above, you could write July 1, 2016 or 07/01/2016 (leaving out the zeros and writing 7/1/2016 is fine, too). If you’re writing a longer month, like November, you can also abbreviate it, e.g. Nov. 1, 2016. In the example below, Loretta Checkworth has started writing a check to pay back Archibald Squiggles. She’s writing the check in late September, but dates it as October 1, 2016. Since she and Archibald Squiggles are close friends, he doesn’t mind waiting a week to cash it until Loretta’s sure she has the funds in her account. You’ll notice that Loretta has redacted her home address and bank account number. She knows better than to share personal information with strangers on the internet. Like Loretta, you can date a check in the future if you want the recipient to wait to cash it. If you have insufficient funds in your account until that date, you should also pass the message along to the recipient to wait to deposit the check until the stated date. You could date your check for way in the future, but who knows if we’ll even still be using checks by then. Maybe we’ll pay for everything in flowers to our robot overlords. Step 2: Name the Recipient After you write the date, fill in the name of the recipient. If you’re writing a check to a person, then write his/her first and last name. Loretta writes out Archibald's full name, as you can see on the check below. If you’re sending money to a company, write the full name of the company (e.g., Acropolis Realty, Inc.). You can also write â€Å"cash† as the recipient. Writing cash means that anyone can cash the check. It’s usually not recommended, for security reasons. Step 3: Fill in the Numerical Amount of Money In the payment box, write out the amount of money. Since the dollar sign should already be outside the box, you don’t need to repeat it. Just write the numbers. Include the cents, even if the amount of cents is zero. For instance, five dollars should be written as 5.00, rather than just 5. It is possible to write a check for less than a dollar. In that case, include the zero before the decimal point. An amount of 75 cents, for instance, would be written as 0.75. Loretta owes $150.99 to Archibald, which she indicates in the payment box below. Since the dollar sign is already outside the box, Loretta doesn't write it again when writing a check. Just the numbers, "150.99" are fine. This piggy bank just learned you can write checks for amounts less than a dollar and is rightfully alarmed. Step 4: Write Out the Amount of Money in Words Now comes the slightly less usual task. In addition to writing the numerical amount of money, you also need to write out the amount in words. You’ll write out the dollars in words and the cents in words or as a fraction out of 100. For instance, an amount of $5.00 could be written as â€Å"Five dollars and zero cents† or â€Å"Five dollars and 00/100.† Writing the cents as a fraction is more common because it saves room on a relatively short line. When there’s no change, you can also follow the amount in dollars with the word â€Å"even.† In this example, your third option would be to write, â€Å"Five dollars even.† If you’re writing a compound number between 20 and 100, you should include a hyphen. For example, $21 becomes â€Å"Twenty-one dollars† and $49 becomes â€Å"Forty-nine dollars.† If you’re writing an amount less than a dollar, then you could write out the cents in one of two ways. You could write â€Å"zero dollars and† followed by the fraction, or write the amount out in words preceded by the word â€Å"only.† For example, 50 cents would become â€Å"zero dollars and 50/100† or â€Å"Only fifty cents.† Using these rules, let’s look at a few more examples of how to write out numerical amounts of money in words. Example 1: $10.00 Ten dollars and 00/100 OR Ten dollars and zero cents OR Ten dollars even Example 2: $39.99 Thirty-nine dollars and 99/100 OR Thirty-nine dollars and ninety-nine cents Example 3: $0.75 Zero dollars and 75/100 OR Only seventy-five cents Example 4: $1,789.74 One thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine dollars and 74/100 As you can see, the fourth example only writes the cents as a fraction. While you technically can write out the change in words, you probably wouldn’t have space on the line with such a large number. You could also add clarifying commas when writing out big numbers, although you don’t have to. If you’re running into trouble writing out the numerical value in words, you can also enlist the help of a website, like Calculator Soup. It converts numerical currency values into words. It’s best to make sure you know how to write everything out before you start filling out the check, so you don’t waste a check. Before filling out your check, you can use another piece of paper for some check writing practice. You also want to make sure to write small enough so you can fit the amount all on one line. Loretta is used to writing checks, so she went ahead and wrote â€Å"One hundred fifty dollars and 99/100s† on her personal check in the correct check writing format without a practice run first. Loretta also added a dash after the amount to indicate that nothing should come after. You can include a line like this to safeguard your check and make sure no one can add any additional numbers. Personal checks, where words and numbers collide. Step 5: Add an Optional Memo See the memo line near the bottom left-hand corner on the diagram of the check? Filling out this line is optional. You can write a word or two as a note to the recipient or to describe what the check is for. For instance, you could write â€Å"July rent,† â€Å"Happy Birthday,† â€Å"IOU,† or â€Å"Laser tag.† If your recipient is getting several checks from you or other people, then it may be useful to fill out this memo line to make sure your check doesn’t get mixed up. Step 6: Sign It! Finally, once you’ve filled out the date, recipient, amount of money in numbers and words, and optional memo, you’ll sign your name! A signature is essential, as the check can’t be cashed or deposited if it’s not signed. Once you’ve completed these six steps, you’re all done! Your check is filled out and ready to go. After filling out all of the other essential information, Loretta signed her full name. Now the check is ready for Archibald. Besides knowing how to write a check, there's one other step you should take before sending off your check. Read on for one extra tip about check writing. Extra Tip: Write Down the Check Number Before sending off your check to your friend, landlord, laser tag partner, health insurance company, or whoever the recipient may be, you should take one additional step: write down the check number. Every check has its own number to help you keep track of it. As you can see on Archibald’s check, the check number can typically be found twice on the check, on the top right and bottom right corners. Recording the check number helps you keep track of which check you’re using in case it gets lost or you need to cancel it. Canceling a check costs between $15 and $36 depending on your bank, but it could be worth it if you’re worried about the check falling into the wrong hands. You may also want to cancel the check if you don’t have enough money in your account, depending on your bank’s overdraft fees. Usually, banks charge an overdraft fee between $20 and $40 if a check bounces. If you have overdraft protection, then your bank will cover the cost of the check, but this coverage will be a loan with interest, plus you may have to pay an additional fee. You'll have to compare your bank's overdraft fee with its cancellation fee to decide if the check is worth canceling. If you’re worried about a check bouncing, try to tell the recipient to wait to deposit until you’re sure you have enough money in your account. Writing down the check number is a smart move just in case you need to cancel your check or order new ones. When you order from a third party, like Costco, you need to know the number of your last check so your next group of checks can start with the following number. Loretta Checkworth, of course, recorded her check number before she paid back Archibald Squiggles for their laser tag weekend getaway. Archibald recently deposited Loretta’s check into his bank account, so there’s no longer a debt between them. While Loretta’s an old pro when it comes to check writing, what should you remember as you fill out your own personal checks? Remember to record the check number in case your check gets lost in transit... How to Write a Check: Key Takeaways Filling out a check is no great mystery. You just need a small amount of information, namely the name of the recipient, the amount of money, and the date on which they can cash or deposit the check. If you’re unsure about writing numerical values out in words, perhaps practice on another piece of paper first, so you don’t end up wasting a check. Before sending out your check, record the check number, just in case you need to cancel it. Knowing how to fill out a check a useful skill that anyone with a checking account should have. Next time you need to send a check for rent, a bill, or a gift, you can feel confident that your money transfer will go through.

Cloud computing Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cloud computing - Thesis Example ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Immense credit for the study conducted on cloud computing basics and infrastructure goes to my Most Respectable teacher ________[Name of instructor]_____________. With utmost gratitude I humbly state my instructor helped me immensely throughout my study on ________________[name of course you have studied]__________ course in _________[Name of University]________. This thesis would have been incomplete without the critical assistance provided by them. The writers of the researches in pursued in order to compile a comprehensive study on Cloud Computing deserve utmost thanks as well as their enlightening works assisted me greatly and paved the way for me so that I could exercise to attempt the boundaries of knowledge with all my heart. Lastly, I express sheer gratitude for my parents, siblings and my extended family for providing their moral and financial assistance in the shaping up of this thesis. Aims and objectives The aims and objectives associated with the research report are to provide a comprehensive review of the current state of cloud computing.an introduction to recent phenomenon of cloud computing, which by some is stated to lead to death of personal computers as we know them today. It is for this purpose that a comprehensive study on cloud computing has been carried out keeping in account the intricacies that were possible at most. This was accompanies with the most important information that was up to date. Outline The report is aimed at writing a comprehensive narration of the core concepts of cloud computing. It is for the purpose mentioned above that the reports progresses as narrated in the outline below: I. Introduction: Thesis Statement: The revolutionizing and emerging concept of Cloud Computing is assessed for conceptuality and strength. II. Background. ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­ A. Conventional Pre-Cloud computing infrastructures and architectures would be introduced. B. The way cloud computing differed from conventional networks would be explained. III. Architecture. A. Technology A. Technologically advanced devices that lay down the basis of cloud computing have been explored. B. Master Slave approach operating underneath. B. Cloud Storage C. Cloud Security IV. FUTURE TRENDS A. Hybrid Cloud Computing. COMPANIES INVOLVED. A. Insightful, Facebook, Amazon, Mosso. VI. REGULATORY ISSUES. A. Data Protection Act and its Salient features. VII. GLOBAL IMPLICATIONS A. Rising adoption and spread of cloud computing globally. B. ERP and the CLOUD. C. SaaS. D. Real World Organizations. VIII. ENTERPRISE CLOUD COMPUTING A. Concept, Implication and Strategies. IX. Conclusion A. Concluding the standing of cloud computing in the modern Era. B. Proposing Future expansions in the domain. THE STUDY CLOUD COMPUTING INTRODUCTION: ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­===================================================================== The phenomenon of cloud computing and the concept of clo ud is well known among the IT techies now. However, for a novice to get to know the basics of the concept the definition provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is quoted as follows: NIST defines cloud computing in the following few words: â€Å"model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal

Enterprise resource planning Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Enterprise resource planning - Research Paper Example By definition, Extended ERP components is the entire set of collaborating companies, both up-stream and down-stream, from raw materials to end-use consumption, that work together to bring value to the market- place. The advantages of extended enterprise derive from a firm’s ability to quickly utilize the entire network of suppliers, vendors, buyers, and customers. The flows of information that lie at the core of the coordination and collaboration among network members not only link disparate information sources, they also provide an opportunity to build knowledge based tools. Companies engage in long term partnering relationships built around mutual goals and accompanied by very rich and deep exchange of information. Members view that their element of joint action, value chain partners as still retaining some aspects of self serving behavior. Business intelligence (BI) is an information technology concept, representing current state of the historical development of information technologies. This development started in the mid 1960s with the first versions of management information systems (MIS).Therefore BI is more than the fashion and needs to be defined, categorized and explained and analyzed. Of course, information systems are an important variable determining the design of organizations and demand in some cases organizational restructuring processes. Thus BI has direct impact on the organizational structure without giving any direct recommendations and prescriptions as to what the organization is supposed to end up like. CRM uses information technology to create a cross-functional enterprise system that integrates and automates many of the customer-serving processes such as sales, marketing, and services that interact with a company’s customers. CRM systems also create an IT framework of Web-enabled software and databases that integrates these processes with the rest of a company’s business operations. CRM systems include a family of software

Arabic petrol Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Arabic petrol - Research Paper Example The first aspect is the economic development that took place during this particular time. Three major economic development are attributable to the discovery of oil in the Arab Gulf (Cleveland, & Bunton, 2013). Key among these three economic development occurred immediately after the oil discovery and happened between the year 1930s and 1960s. It is vital to point that this region was among the poorest across the globe prior to the discovery of its oil. Thus, for the first time after the discovery, there was building of the basic infrastructure and improvement in the standards of living. It prompted the growth and development of urban centers in most parts of the region. These developments presented a number of business opportunities for most states within the region. Many countries developed the interest to engage the region in business activities. The rapid growth and infrastructural development provided the leaders the means to make a profound economic transformation (Cleveland, & Bunton, 2013). Additionally, it gave them the power to control their country and its citizens. Socially, for the first time the region had a say on issues regarding international ties and economic development. As mentioned the discovery improved the standard living of the residents of this region and strengthened the social fabric. Hence, this was a major social development. Another economic and social development that happened after the oil discovery was due to the changes in the oil price. This occurred between the year of 1973 and 1974. There was a gold-rush atmosphere because of the income, which was tripling. The region directed much of its spending on infrastructural projects, as well as other social developments. The result was an emergence of a new generation of citizens with a good education (Cleveland, & Bunton, 2013). The number of professionals increased, which paved ways for more job opportunities. For instance, the number of teachers who could take up the

Evolution Of Quantity Surveying And Its Effects Construction Essay

Evolution Of Quantity Surveying And Its Effects Construction Essay Quantity implies amount, number, measure, extent, size, magnitude and mass. Surveyor denotes inspector, assessor, examiner, reviewer and evaluator. The name Quantity Surveyor was originally derived from the initial need for the profession; which is to prepare the Bill of Quantities from plans, describing the material, items of work and the quantities required. Builders also use the Bill of Quantities when submitting tenders in order to secure work. Currently, Quantity Surveyors functions involve numerous activities. It is these activities that far remove the profession from that of simple bean brick counting. With the changing environment, the quantity surveyor has evolved to satisfy the marketplace by filling the gaps across diverse industries, as is reflected in industry changes, title changes and education. Suitable titles have now become necessary, namely those of Construction Cost Consultants, Building or Construction Economists, Cost Engineers and Commercial Managers. The cluster sampling survey method was used, which involved pilot interviews and structured questionnaire surveys. Investigations were limited to the views expressed by both students of Quantity Surveying and professionals employed outside the traditional construction industry who were members of the South African Council of Quantity Surveyors, although the views of practitioners with no professional affiliations were also sought. Content analysis, descriptive statistics, multi-attribute techniques and rank correlation tests were used in the analysis of the research data. The Potential Outputs of my research this work in progress could include Changes in courses at tertiary institutions or the introduction of new courses, a name change for Quantity Surveying as a Profession. Keywords: Changing, Effects, Evolution, Quantity Surveying 1 Introduction Historically, the three major employers of Quantity Surveyors were; professional Quantity Surveying firms (PQS), municipalities and government departments, as well as construction and civil engineering companies . companies. Quantity surveyors are increasingly employed across several industries. Industries rang, ranginge from chemical e.g. Fluor, communications e.g. Telkom, electrical e.g. Eskom, Oil oil refineries e.g. Sapref. What does this mean regarding the demand for the profession? This report will also strive to ascertain what they are doing there, how they are valued and so forth. The option of working in an industry of your choosing elevates the status of quantity surveying as a profession. This should be tantamount to greater job opportunities and employment security, further enhancing quantity surveying as a target profession. How does this impact on students career choice? Due to the range of services currently provided, the profession is becoming less reliant on construction, as it places more emphasis on finance, which enables greater involvement in other industries such as insurance, banking, law, and property management. If in fact there are many other industries employing quantity surveyors, this spells good news for the profession. A knock on effect would be an increase in the number of students applying to study Quantity Surveying as a career, as it moves away from the traditional construction approach. Throughput rates will also be affected, as a greater number of students could havecould have access to in-service training earlier. For the long term, course material/notes might change/adapt to suit the various sectors, as each, having subtle differences in approaches would need the necessary Curriculum curriculum and syllabus changes. The Quantity Surveying profession is at an interesting stage, where opportunities and rewards will be high for those who are innovative, keen on research and willing to embrace the hallengeschallenges of the future and emerging technology. 2 Literature Review 2.1 The Establishment of Quantity Surveying There is a shortage of qualified Quantity Surveyors with good employment opportunities in various industries the (AIQS, 2010). Demand for qualified and experienced Quantity Surveyors has been high in recent years. Historically, this demand follows the fortunes of the building, construction and engineering industries. When industry booms, so does the need for Quantity Surveyors. By the middle of the 20th century Quantity surveying had evolved to a recognised profession in the construction industry (Ashworth and Willis, 1995). Quantity Surveying had developed into the traditional role of keeping accounts and controlling of construction costs for both the client and the builder. The prime role of the quantity surveyor pivots around the aspect of cost control of projects (Willis and Trench, 1999). From inception to completion necessitates a detailed knowledge of contractor s prices, experience of the construction process and an ability to foresee the likely effect of economic trends. Quantity surveyors are construction economists who fulfil varied and comprehensive duties to support cost-effective construction and property development projects (Ilias et al., 2010). The core competencies of quantity surveyors include determining project budgets, measuring project quantities, preparing contract documentation such as Bills of Quantities and cost control documents, administering contracts, and preparing final accounts. Despite being recognised as a professional discipline distinct from architecture and civil engineering since 1836, quantity surveyors are not immune to the threats and changes in their operating environment. Some parties in the construction industry have been critical about the quality of works and services provided by quantity surveyors. Some even question the importance of appointing quantity surveyors as project consultants. Because of these challenges, the profession needs to regroup and take stock of the whole situation so that they will not become extinct in the future, this includes all parties who have vested interest in the development of the profession, be it the students, educators and professionals. Every profession evolves in response to the ever-increasing changes in the global business environment (Marcel and Jasper, 2009). In order to remain relevant, globally competitive and successful, New Zealand Quantity Surveyors need to constantly scan their business landscape to discern new directions and to adapt to imminent changes in their professional practice. This study aims to investigate the current areas of, and future directions in, quantity surveying practice in the New Zealand construction industry; imminent opportunities and threats; and ways to proactively maximise the opportunities and minimise the threats. The results of a survey, based on a structured questionnaire reflecting 23 defined competencies, which were derived from the literature and from in-depth interviews with selected practitioners, indicated that technically orientated competencies were rated of highest importance for current services, while management orientated competencies were rated of higher importance for future services (Nkado and Meyer, 2001). Quantity surveying firms that offer services overseas have more staff than non-exporters .exporters. They also handle larger projects and offer a wider range of services (Florence Yean and Chan, 2008). Recent practice, however, has gone back to the original intent of value engineering, i.e., to improve the value of the end product or service (McDuff, 2001). This typically means that the client is going to receive more for their money because of the practice of value engineering. 2.2 Current and Future Trends of Quantity Surveying Quantity surveyors are also employed by large engineering companies as well as and housing agencies (AGCAS, 1994). Specialist home builders seek the expertise of quantity surveyors, as do some trading agencies, including any public committees who control extensive property investments. Multinational mechanical contractors and energy conglomerates regularly employ quantity surveyors under the unconventional title of Cost Engineer. The University of Salford is offering post graduate Electrical Quantity Surveying courses, Mechanical Quantity Surveying courses and Electrical Mechanical Quantity Surveying courses (Salford, 2011). These courses are accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. The MSc Quantity Surveying in Mechanical Electrical programme is aimed at the mechanical and electrical sectors. Due to the increased importance on low carbon emissions and sustainability in the modern built environment, new roles are emerging for the Mechanical Electrical Quantity Surveyor in the areas of renewable energy, sustainability, low carbon technologies and energy management involved in the provision of careers and employability. With buildings accounting for around 50% of all carbon emissions, the quantity surveyor plays a significant role in combating climate change. The need for Quantity Surveyors is relatively consistent (AIQS, 2010). The range of services provided by the profession has become less dependent on the level of construction but more on finance and property management. Quantity surveyors are known by various names, as they are also called Construction Cost Consultants, Building / Construction Economists, Cost Engineers and Estimators. The Quantity Surveying profession is at an interesting stage, where opportunities and rewards will be high for those who are innovative, keen on research and willing to embrace the challenges of the future and emerging technology. A description of the quantity surveying profession states that, Quantity Surveyors get a lot more involved in all aspects of construction as well as other industries such as insurance, banking, law etc. (University, 2010). An article in a career recruitment company further speaks of a Chartered Quantity Surveyor working as a Commercial Manager (Kempthorne, 2010). As a job description for a Quantity Surveying role, it was stipulated that market need creates evolved Quantity Surveyors (Construction, 2011). Quantity Surveyors meet the ever evolving needs of their clients, offering a vast range of services as depicted in the following website article (Brown, 2010). Today several Quantity Surveyors have explored opportunities out of the boundaries of construction industry, examples being the financial industry, insurance industry, manufacturing industry and real estate sector. (NISA et al., 2006). As emphasised, being one of the key professional experts in the construction sector, Quantity Surveyors have the utmost responsibility to address the key cost, financial and contractual issues of the construction process, which is always highly influenced by the environmental parameters, which are very sensitive to changes and are unique for every project (Senaratne and Sabesan, 2008). The new approaches in construction culture, procurement strategies, changing markets, delivering added value and supply chain management, partnering, private finance initiatives have directed the construction industry towards a new route of evolvement (Cartlidge, 2002). The importance of this is further emphasised due to the declining role of manufacturing and increasing growth in the service sector of the economy .economy. In order to subsist and grow in the future, quantity surveying profession has the utmost necessity to respond to the accelerating social, technological, economical and environmental changes quickly as well as productively (Surveyors, 1992). Since the needs and expectations of the clients are ever changing facts, in order to compete and to excel in the profession, quantity surveyors have to acquire and operate wide range of diverse skills outside the normal traditional Quantity Surveying role (Pathirage and Amaratunga, 2006). The changing nature of the construction and development industry such as the adoption of innovative technological processes and development, the emergence of highly focused professionals and the full range of advanced technologies will necessitate a much stronger emphasis on job competencies than ever before (Lenard, 2000). The findings are important given the increasing globalization of construction services, especially given the international ties between designers, quantity surveyors and other built environment professionals (Bowen et al., 2010) .

RCBC Savings Bank Essay

I. Synopsis RCBC Savings Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of one of the country’s top universal banks, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC). RCBC Savings Bank was incorporated on the 15th day of January, 1996 to provide retail banking services to its target clientele and serve as the consumer and retail banking arm of RCBC. RCBC Savings Bank formally started its thrift banking operations on the 27th day of February, 1996. It grew extensively in just over a year, from a lean one-branch organization with a seven-man skeletal force to an institution with a network of six branches supported by 106 full-time personnel in 1997.In September 1998, RCBC Savings Bank acquired selected assets and assumed deposit liabilities of Capitol Development Bank. As a result of the strategic alliance, the Bank further widened the reach of its branch network and became the 2nd largest thrift bank in the country with 117 branches. One of its branches is the RCBC Savings Bank La Paz in Iloilo City. It serves many Ilonggos in banking and financing services. Despite of its fast growing business, the Management paid no attention to some internal control aspects of its branches. Like the La Paz Branch many complaints from customers regarding the efficiency and slow-moving service of the bank. The long queuing of the customers every time they do transactions to tellers is really a problem; it decreases the goodwill of the company and much more the customer satisfaction. As we all know, the competition in banking industry is high and many banks are already here in Iloilo. How would the Management address this problem? What course of actions or solutions should the Management put in place to achieve higher customer satisfaction? Is the company really into realizing its vision to be the most-sought-after by the consumer market when it comes to financial products and services?

Creative Thinking

Much of the thinking done in formal education emphasizes the skills of analysis–teaching students how to understand claims, follow or create a logical argument, figure out the answer, eliminate the incorrect paths and focus on the correct one. However, there is another kind of thinking, one that focuses on exploring ideas, generating possibilities, looking for many right answers rather than just one. Both of these kinds of thinking are vital to a successful working life, yet the latter one tends to be ignored until after college. We might differentiate these two kinds of thinking like this: Critical ThinkingCreative Thinking nalyticgenerative convergentdivergent verticallateral probabilitypossibility judgmentsuspended judgment focuseddiffuse objectivesubjective answeran answer left brainright brain verbalvisual linearassociative reasoningrichness, novelty yes butyes and In an activity like problem solving, both kinds of thinking are important to us. First, we must analyze the problem; then we must generate possible solutions; next we must choose and implement the best solution; and finally, we must evaluate the effectiveness of the solution. As you can see, this process reveals an alternation between the two kinds of thinking, critical and creative.In practice, both kinds of thinking operate together much of the time and are not really independent of each other. What is Creativity? An Ability. A simple definition is that creativity is the ability to imagine or invent something new. As we will see below, creativity is not the ability to create out of nothing (only God can do that), but the ability to generate new ideas by combining, changing, or reapplying existing ideas. Some creative ideas are astonishing and brilliant, while others are just simple, good, practical ideas that no one seems to have thought of yet.Believe it or not, everyone has substantial creative ability. Just look at how creative children are. In adults, creativity has too often been s uppressed through education, but it is still there and can be reawakened. Often all that's needed to be creative is to make a commitment to creativity and to take the time for it. An Attitude. Creativity is also an attitude: the ability to accept change and newness, a willingness to play with ideas and possibilities, a flexibility of outlook, the habit of enjoying the good, while looking for ways to improve it.We are socialized into accepting only a small number of permitted or normal things, like chocolate-covered strawberries, for example. The creative person realizes that there are other possibilities, like peanut butter and banana sandwiches, or chocolate-covered prunes. A Process. Creative people work hard and continually to improve ideas and solutions, by making gradual alterations and refinements to their works. Contrary to the mythology surrounding creativity, very, very few works of creative excellence are produced with a single stroke of brilliance or in a frenzy of rapid activity.Much closer to the real truth are the stories of companies who had to take the invention away from the inventor in order to market it because the inventor would have kept on tweaking it and fiddling with it, always trying to make it a little better. The creative person knows that there is always room for improvement. Creative Methods Several methods have been identified for producing creative results. Here are the five classic ones: Evolution. This is the method of incremental improvement. New ideas stem from other ideas, new solutions from previous ones, the new ones slightly improved over the old ones.Many of the very sophisticated things we enjoy today developed through a long period of constant incrementation. Making something a little better here, a little better there gradually makes it something a lot better–even entirely different from the original. For example, look at the history of the automobile or any product of technological progress. With each new mode l, improvements are made. Each new model builds upon the collective creativity of previous models, so that over time, improvements in economy, comfort, and durability take place.Here the creativity lies in the refinement, the step-by-step improvement, rather than in something completely new. Another example would be the improvement of the common wood screw by what are now commonly called drywall screws. They have sharper threads which are angled more steeply for faster penetration and better holding. The points are self tapping. The shanks are now threaded all the way up on lengths up to two inches. The screws are so much better that they can often be driven in without pilot holes, using a power drill.The evolutionary method of creativity also reminds us of that critical principle: Every problem that has been solved can be solved again in a better way. Creative thinkers do not subscribe to the idea that once a problem has been solved, it can be forgotten, or to the notion that †Å"if it ain't broke, don't fix it. † A creative thinker's philosophy is that â€Å"there is no such thing as an insignificant improvement. † Synthesis. With this method, two or more existing ideas are combined into a third, new idea.Combining the ideas of a magazine and an audio tape gives the idea of a magazine you can listen to, one useful for blind people or freeway commuters. For example, someone noticed that a lot of people on dates went first to dinner and then to the theater. Why not combine these two events into one? Thus, the dinner theater, where people go first to eat and then to see a play or other entertainment. Revolution. Sometimes the best new idea is a completely different one, an marked change from the previous ones. While an evolutionary improvement philosophy might cause a professor to ask, â€Å"How can I make my lectures better and better? a revolutionary idea might be, â€Å"Why not stop lecturing and have the students teach each other, working as teams or presenting reports? † For example, the evolutionary technology in fighting termites eating away at houses has been to develop safer and faster pesticides and gasses to kill them. A somewhat revolutionary change has been to abandon gasses altogether in favor of liquid nitrogen, which freezes them to death or microwaves, which bake them. A truly revolutionary creative idea would be to ask, â€Å"How can we prevent them from eating houses in the first place? A new termite bait that is placed in the ground in a perimeter around a house provides one answer to this question. Reapplication. Look at something old in a new way. Go beyond labels. Unfixate, remove prejudices, expectations and assumptions and discover how something can be reapplied. One creative person might go to the junkyard and see art in an old model T transmission. He paints it up and puts it in his living room. Another creative person might see in the same transmission the necessary gears for a multi-sp eed hot walker for his horse. He hooks it to some poles and a motor and puts it in his corral.The key is to see beyond the previous or stated applications for some idea, solution, or thing and to see what other application is possible. For example, a paperclip can be used as a tiny screwdriver if filed down; paint can be used as a kind of glue to prevent screws from loosening in machinery; dishwashing detergents can be used to remove the DNA from bacteria in a lab; general purpose spray cleaners can be used to kill ants. Changing Direction. Many creative breakthroughs occur when attention is shifted from one angle of a problem to another. This is sometimes called creative insight.A classic example is that of the highway department trying to keep kids from skateboarding in a concrete-lined drainage ditch. The highway department put up a fence to keep the kids out; the kids went around it. The department then put up a longer fence; the kids cut a hole in it. The department then put up a stronger fence; it, too, was cut. The department then put a threatening sign on the fence; it was ignored. Finally, someone decided to change direction, and asked, â€Å"What really is the problem here? It's not that the kids keep getting through the barrier, but that they want to skateboard in the ditch.So how can we keep them from skateboarding in the ditch? † The solution was to remove their desire by pouring some concrete in the bottom of the ditch to remove the smooth curve. The sharp angle created by the concrete made skateboarding impossible and the activity stopped. No more skateboarding problems, no more fence problems. This example reveals a critical truth in problem solving: the goal is to solve the problem, not to implement a particular solution. When one solution path is not working, shift to another. There is no commitment to a particular path, only to a particular goal.Path fixation can sometimes be a problem for those who do not understand this; they become overcommitted to a path that does not work and only frustration results. Negative Attitudes That Block Creativity 1. Oh no, a problem! The reaction to a problem is often a bigger problem than the problem itself. Many people avoid or deny problems until it's too late, largely because these people have never learned the appropriate emotional, psychological, and practical responses. A problem is an opportunity. The happiest people welcome and even seek out problems, meeting them as challenges and opportunities to improve things.Definition: a problem is (1) seeing the difference between what you have and what you want or (2) recognizing or believing that there is something better than the current situation or (3) an opportunity for a positive act. Seeking problems aggressively will build confidence, increase happiness, and give you a better sense of control over your life. 2. It can't be done. This attitude is, in effect, surrendering before the battle. By assuming that something canno t be done or a problem cannot be solved, a person gives the problem a power or strength it didn't have before.And giving up before starting is, of course, self fulfilling. But look at the history of solutions and the accompanying skeptics: man will never fly, diseases will never be conquered, rockets will never leave the atmosphere. Again, the appropriate attitude is summed up by the statement, â€Å"The difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes a little longer. † 3. I can't do it. Or There's nothing I can do. Some people think, well maybe the problem can be solved by some expert, but not by me because I'm not (a) smart enough, (b) an engineer, or (c) a blank (whether educated, expert, etc. Again, though, look at the history of problem solving. Who were the Wright brothers that they could invent an airplane? Aviation engineers? No, they were bicycle mechanics. The ball point pen was invented by a printer's proofreader, Ladislao Biro, not a mechanical engineer. Major a dvances in submarine design were made by English clergyman G. W. Garrett and by Irish schoolmaster John P. Holland. The cotton gin was invented by that well known attorney and tutor, Eli Whitney. The fire extinguisher was invented by a captain of militia, George Manby. And so on.In fact, a major point made by recent writers about corporate excellence is that innovations in industry almost always come from individuals (not research groups) outside of the area of the invention. General Motors invented Freon, the refrigeration chemical, and tetraethyl lead, the gasoline additive. Kodachrome was invented by two musicians. The continuous steel casting process was invented by a watchmaker (fooling around with brass casting). Soap making chemists turned down the problem of inventing synthetic detergents: those detergents were invented by dye making chemists.In a nutshell, a good mind with a positive attitude and some good problem solving skills will go far in solving any problem. Interest in and commitment to the problem are the keys. Motivation–a willingness to expend the effort–is more important than laboratory apparatus. And remember that you can always do something. Even if you cannot totally eradicate the problem from the face of the earth, you can always do something to make the situation better. 4. But I'm not creative. Everyone is creative to some extent. Most people are capable of very high levels of creativity; just look at young children when they play and imagine.The problem is that this creativity has been suppressed by education. All you need to do is let it come back to the surface. You will soon discover that you are surprisingly creative. 5. That's childish. In our effort to appear always mature and sophisticated, we often ridicule the creative, playful attitudes that marked our younger years. But if you solve a problem that saves your marriage or gets you promoted or keeps your friend from suicide, do you care whether other people desc ribe your route to the solution as â€Å"childish? † Besides, isn't play a lot of fun?Remember that sometimes people laugh when something is actually funny, but often they laugh when they lack the imagination to understand the situation. 6. What will people think? There is strong social pressure to conform and to be ordinary and not creative. Here are some overheard examples: Creative Person: â€Å"I like to put water in my orange juice so it's less sweet. † Ordinary Person: â€Å"You're weird, you know? † Ordinary Person: â€Å"What are you doing? † Creative Person: â€Å"We're painting our mailbox. † Ordinary Person: â€Å"You're crazy. † Creative Person: â€Å"Why don't we add a little garlic? Ordinary Person: â€Å"Because the recipe doesn't call for garlic. † Ordinary Person: â€Å"Why are you going this way? It's longer. † Creative Person: â€Å"Because I like the drive. † Ordinary Person: â€Å"Did anyone ever t ell you you're strange? † The constant emphasis we see in society is toward the ruthlessly practical and conformist. Even the wild fashions, from those in Vogue to punk rock, are narrowly defined, and to deviate from them is considered wrong or ridiculous. Some peoples' herd instinct is so strong that they make sheep look like radical individualists. So, what will people think?Well, they're already talking about you, saying that your nose is too big or your shoes are funny or you date weird people. So, since others are going to talk about you in unflattering ways anyway, you might as well relax and let your creativity and individualism flow. Almost every famous contributor to the betterment of civilization was ridiculed and sometimes even jailed. Think about Galileo. And look what happened to Jesus. Quotation: â€Å"Progress is made only by those who are strong enough to endure being laughed at. † Solutions are often new ideas, and new ideas, being strange, are usually greeted with laughter, contempt, or both.That's just a fact of life, so make up your mind not to let it bother you. Ridicule should be viewed as a badge of real innovative thinking. 7. I might fail. Thomas Edison, in his search for the perfect filament for the incandescent lamp, tried anything he could think of, including whiskers from a friend's beard. In all, he tried about 1800 things. After about 1000 attempts, someone asked him if he was frustrated at his lack of success. He said something like, â€Å"I've gained a lot of knowledge–I now know a thousand things that won't work. † Fear of failure is one of the major obstacles to creativity and problem solving.The cure is to change your attitude about failure. Failures along the way should be expected and accepted; they are simply learning tools that help focus the way toward success. Not only is there nothing wrong with failing, but failing is a sign of action and struggle and attempt–much better than inactio n. The go-with-the- flow types may never fail, but they are essentially useless to humanity, nor can they ever enjoy the feeling of accomplishment that comes after a long struggle. Suppose you let your fear of failure guide your risk taking and your attempts.You try only three things in a year because you are sure of succeeding. At the end of the year the score is: Successes 3, Failures 0. Now suppose the next year you don't worry about failing, so you try a hundred things. You fail at 70 of them. At the end of the year the score is Successes 30, Failures 70. Which would you rather have–three successes or 30–ten times as many? And imagine what 70 failures will have taught you. Proverb: Mistakes aren't fun, but they sure are educational. Myths about Creative Thinking and Problem Solving 1. Every problem has only one solution (or one right answer).The goal of problem solving is to solve the problem, and most problems can be solved in any number of ways. If you discover a solution that works, it is a good solution. There may be other solutions thought of by other people, but that doesn't make your solution wrong. What is THE solution to putting words on paper? Fountain pen, ball point, pencil, marker, typewriter, printer, Xerox machine, printing press? 2. The best answer/solution/method has already been found. Look at the history of any solution set and you'll see that improvements, new solutions, new right answers, are always being found.What is the solution to human transportation? The ox or horse, the cart, the wagon, the train, the car, the airplane, the jet, the SST? Is that the best and last? What about pneumatic tubes, hovercraft, even Star Trek type beams? What is the best way to put words on paper? The word processor? Is that the last invention? How about voice recognition, or thought wave input? On a more everyday level, many solutions now seen as best or at least entrenched were put in place hastily and without much thought–such as the use of drivers' licenses for ID cards or social security numbers for taxpayer ID numbers.Other solutions are entrenched simply for historical reasons: they've always been done that way. Why do shoe laces still exist, when technology has produced several other, better ways to attach shoes to feet (like velcro, elastic, snap buttons, and so on)? 3. Creative answers are complex technologically. Only a few problems require complex technological solutions. Most problems you'll meet with require only a thoughtful solution requiring personal action and perhaps a few simple tools. Even many problems that seem to require a technological solution can be addressed in other ways.For example, what is the solution to the large percentage of packages ruined by the Post Office? Look at the Post Office package handling method. Packages are tossed in bins when you send them. For the solution, look at United Parcel. When you send a package, it is put on a shelf. The change from bin to shelf is no t a complex or technological solution; it's just a good idea, using commonly available materials. As another example, when hot dogs were first invented, they were served to customers with gloves to hold them. Unfortunately, the customers kept walking off with the gloves. The olution was not at all complex: serve the hot dog on a roll so that the customer's fingers were still insulated from the heat. The roll could be eaten along with the dog. No more worries about disappearing gloves. (Note by the way what a good example of changing direction this is. Instead of asking, â€Å"How can I keep the gloves from being taken? † the hot dog server stopped thinking about gloves altogether. ) 4. Ideas either come or they don't. Nothing will help. There are many successful techniques for stimulating idea generation. We will be discussing and applying them. ________________________________________ _______________________________________ Mental Blocks to Creative Thinking and Problem Solv ing 1. Prejudice. The older we get, the more preconceived ideas we have about things. These preconceptions often prevent us from seeing beyond what we already know or believe to be possible. They inhibit us from accepting change and progress. Example problem: How to connect sections of airplanes with more ease and strength than using rivets. A modern solution is to use glue–glue the sections together. We probably wouldn't think of this solution because of our prejudice about the word and idea of glue.But there are many kinds of glue, and the kind used to stick plane parts together makes a bond stronger than the metal of the parts themselves. Another problem: How can we make lighter weight bullet proof windows? Thicker glass is too heavy. Answer: Use plastic. Again, we are prejudiced against plastic. But some plastics are not flimsy at all and are used in place of steel and in bullet proof windows. Another problem: Make a ship's hull that won't rust or rot like steel or wood. Solution: Use concrete. Our prejudice is that concrete is too heavy.Why not make lightweight concrete? That's what's done. Final example: How to divide a piece of cake equally between two kids so they won't complain that one kid is preferred over the other: â€Å"You gave him the bigger piece; you like him better! Waaaah! † Solution: Put the kids in charge of dividing the cake. Our prejudice is that immature, selfish kids can't do the job. But the solution, one cuts the cake, the other has first choice of pieces, works very well. 2. Functional fixation. Sometimes we begin to see an object only in terms of its name rather in terms of what it can do.Thus, we see a mop only as a device for cleaning a floor, and do not think that it might be useful for clearing cobwebs from the ceiling, washing the car, doing aerobic exercise, propping a door open or closed, and so on. (Later on in the semester, we will be doing â€Å"uses for† to break out of this fixation. ) There is als o a functional fixation of businesses. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries the railroads saw themselves as railroads. When automobiles and later airplanes began to come in, the railroads didn't adapt. â€Å"That's not our business,† they said.But if they had seen themselves as in the people transportation business rather than in the railroad business, they could have capitalized on a great opportunity. Similarly, when the telephone began its rise, some of the telegraph companies said, â€Å"That's not our business; we're telegraph companies. † But if they had said, â€Å"Hey, we're in the communication business, and here's a new way to communicate,† they would have grown rather than died. Compare Western Union to AT&T. And have you heard of those big calculator companies Dietzgen or Pickett? No? Well, they were among the biggest makers of slide rules.But when electronic calculators began to rise, they didn't know what business they were in. They thought they were in the slide rule business, when they were really in the calculator business. They didn't adapt, they didn't accept the challenge of change and opportunity, and they fell. And there's a functional fixation of people, too. Think a minute how you react when you see your pastor mowing his lawn, or your auto mechanic on a television show promoting a book. Stereotyping can even be a form of functional fixation–how many people would laugh at a blonde quoting Aristotle?Too often we permit only a narrow range of attitudes and behaviors in other people, based on bias, prejudice, hasty generalization, or limited past experience. Think of those statements like, â€Å"I can't believe he said that,† or â€Å"Imagine her doing that,† and so on. But recall the proverb, â€Å"The goal of my life is not to live down to your expectations. † 3. Learned helplessness. This is the feeling that you don't have the tools, knowledge, materials, ability, to do an ything, so you might as well not try. We are trained to rely on other people for almost everything. We think small and limit ourselves.But the world can be interacted with. If you are in need of information, there are libraries, bookstores, friends, professors, and, of course, the Internet. And there are also city, county, and state government agencies with addresses and phone numbers and web sites. There are thousands of government agencies that really exist and that will talk to you. Contact the EPA if you're working on air pollution or pesticides. Get some government publications. Call your state senator or federal congressman for help on bills, information, problems. Contact the manufacturer of a product to find out what you want to know about it.If you are technologically poor, you can learn. Learn how to cook, use tools, make clothes, use a computer. You can learn to do anything you really want to do. All you need is the motivation and commitment. You can learn to fly an airpl ane, drive a truck, scuba dive, fix a car–name it. 4. Psychological blocks. Some solutions are not considered or are rejected simply because our reaction to them is â€Å"Yuck. † But icky solutions themselves may be useful or good if they solve a problem well or save your life. Eating lizards and grasshoppers doesn't sound great, but if it keeps you alive in the wilderness, it's a good solution.Perhaps more importantly, what at first seem to be icky ideas may lead to better solutions–de-ickified analogues of the original. When doctors noted that some unsophisticated natives were using giant ant heads to suture wounds, they imitated this pincer-closing technique by inventing the surgical staple. Psychological blocks prevent you from doing something just because it doesn't sound good or right, which is a pretty ridiculous thing. Overcoming such blocks can be really beneficial. Navy commandos in Vietnam overcame their blocks and put on women's panty hose when they marched through the swamps and jungle.The pantyhose cut down on the friction and rubbing from the plants and aided in removing the dozens of leeches after a mission. Overcoming the block to using your own blood to write a help note could save your life someday if you got kidnapped. Positive Attitudes for Creativity 1. Curiosity. Creative people want to know things–all kinds of things– just to know them. Knowledge does not require a reason. The question, â€Å"Why do you want to know that? † seems strange to the creative person, who is likely to respond, â€Å"Because I don't know the answer. † Knowledge is enjoyable and often useful in strange and unexpected ways.For example, I was once attempting to repair something, without apparent success, when an onlooker asked testily, â€Å"Do you know what you're doing? † I replied calmly, â€Å"No, that's why I'm doing it. † Next, knowledge, and especially wide ranging knowledge, is necessary for cr eativity to flourish to its fullest. Much creativity arises from variations of a known or combinations of two knowns. The best ideas flow from a well equipped mind. Nothing can come from nothing. In addition to knowing, creative people want to know why. What are the reasons behind decisions, problems, solutions, events, facts, and so forth? Why this way and not another?And why not try this or that? The curious person's questioning attitude toward life is a positive one, not a destructive one reflecting skepticism or negativism. It often seems threatening because too often there is no good reason behind many of the things that are taken for granted–there is no â€Å"why† behind the status quo. So ask questions of everyone. Ask the same question of different people just to be able to compare the answers. Look into areas of knowledge you've never before explored, whether cloth dying, weather forecasting, food additives, ship building, the U. S. budget, or the toxicity of laundry detergents. 2. Challenge.Curious people like to identify and challenge the assumptions behind ideas, proposals, problems, beliefs, and statements. Many assumptions, of course, turn out to be quite necessary and solid, but many others have been assumed unnecessarily, and in breaking out of those assumptions often comes a new idea, a new path, a new solution. For example, when we think of a college, we traditionally think of a physical campus with classrooms, a library, and some nice trees. But why must college be a place (with congregated students and faculty) at all? Thus, the electronic college now exists, where students â€Å"go† to college right at home, online.Correspondence courses have existed for years, too, beginning with the challenging of the school-as-centralized-place idea. When we think of an electric motor, we automatically think of a rotating shaft machine. But why assume that? Why can't an electric motor have a linear output, moving in a straight line rather than a circle? With such a challenged assumption came the linear motor, able to power trains, elevators, slide locks, and so on. Problem: We make brandy, and for this special edition of our finest kind, we want a fully-grown pear in one piece inside each bottle. The bottle is narrow necked. How can we do it?As you think, watch for the assumptions you are making. Possible solutions (assuming fully grown pear): close the neck or bottom after insertion, use a plastic bottle like heat-shrink tubing, change to a wide mouth bottle. If we do not assume a fully grown pear: grow the pear from a bud inside the bottle. 3. Constructive discontent. This is not a whining, griping kind of discontent, but the ability to see a need for improvement and to propose a method of making that improvement. Constructive discontent is a positive, enthusiastic discontent, reflecting the thought, â€Å"Hey, I know a way to make that better. Constructive discontent is necessary for a creative problem sol ver, for if you are happy with everything the way it is, you won't want to change anything. Only when you become discontent with something, when you see a problem, will you want to solve the problem and improve the situation. One of the hallmarks of the constructively discontented person is that of a problem seeking outlook. The more problems you find, the more solutions and therefore improvements you can make. Even previously solved problems can often be solved again, in a better way.A constructively discontent person might think, â€Å"This is an excellent solution, but I wonder if there isn't another solution that works even better (or costs less, etc). † Another mark of constructive discontent is the enjoyment of challenge. Creative people are eager to test their own limits and the limits of problems, willing to work hard, to persevere and not give up easily. Sometimes the discontent is almost artificial–they aren't really unhappy with the status quo of some area, but they want to find something better just for the challenge of it and the opportunity to improve their own lives and those of others. 4.A belief that most problems can be solved. By faith at first and by experience later on, the creative thinker believes that something can always be done to eliminate or help alleviate almost every problem. Problems are solved by a commitment of time and energy, and where this commitment is present, few things are impossible. The belief in the solvability of problems is especially useful early on in attacking any problem, because many problems at first seem utterly impossible and scare off the fainter hearted. Those who take on the problem with confidence will be the ones most likely to think through or around the impossibility of the problem. . The ability to suspend judgment and criticism. Many new ideas, because they are new and unfamiliar, seem strange, odd, bizarre, even repulsive. Only later do they become â€Å"obviously† great. Other ideas, in their original incarnations, are indeed weird, but they lead to practical, beautiful, elegant things. Thus, it is important for the creative thinker to be able to suspend judgment when new ideas are arriving, to have an optimistic attitude toward ideas in general, and to avoid condemning them with the typical kinds of negative responses like, â€Å"That will never work; that's no good; what an idiotic idea; that's impossible,† and so forth.Hospital sterilization and antiseptic procedures, television, radio, the Xerox machine, and stainless steel all met with ho-hums and even hostile rejection before their persevering inventors finally sold someone on the ideas. Some of our everyday tools that we now love and use daily, were opposed when they were originally presented: Aluminum cookware? No one wants that. Teflon pans? They'll never sell. Erasers on pencils? That would only encourage carelessness. Computers? There's no market for more than a few, so why build them?R emember then that (1) an idea may begin to look good only after it becomes a bit more familiar or is seen in a slightly different context or clothing or circumstance and (2) even a very wild idea can serve as a stepping stone to a practical, efficient idea. By too quickly bringing your judgment into play, these fragile early ideas and their source can be destroyed. The first rule of brainstorming is to suspend judgment so that your idea-generating powers will be free to create without the restraint of fear or criticism. You can always go back later and examine–as critically as you want–what you have thought of.Proverb: â€Å"A crank is a genius whose idea hasn't yet caught on. † 6. Seeing the good in the bad. Creative thinkers, when faced with poor solutions, don't cast them away. Instead, they ask, â€Å"What's good about it? † because there may be something useful even in the worst ideas. And however little that good may be, it might be turned to good e ffect or made greater. Example problem: How can we get college students to learn grammar better? Solution: Spank their bottoms with a hickory stick. This isn't a good solution, partly because it's probably illegal. But should we just toss it out? Why not ask what's good about it? 1) it gives individual, attention to the poor performers, (2) it gives them public attention, (3) it motivates other students as well as the student being spanked, (4) it's easy and costs nothing. The next question is, Can we adapt or incorporate some of these good things into a more acceptable solution, whether derivative of the original or not? We easily fall into either/or thinking and believe that a bad solution is bad through and through, in every aspect, when in fact, it may have some good parts we can borrow and use on a good solution, or it may do inappropriately something that's worth doing appropriately.And often, the bad solution has just one really glaring bad part, that when remedied, leaves qu ite a good solution. In the above example, changing the physical spanking to a verbal spanking changes the entire aspect of the solution while keeping all the good points we identified. 7. Problems lead to improvements. The attitude of constructive discontent searches for problems and possible areas of improvement, but many times problems arrive on their own. But such unexpected and perhaps unwanted problems are not necessarily bad, because they often permit solutions that leave the world better than before the problem arose.For example, the first margarine was made from beef fat, milk, water, and chopped cow udder. It wasn't extremely tasty or healthy. Then about the turn of the century a shortage of beef fat created a problem. What to use? The margarine makers turned to vegetable fats from various plants and the soybean, corn, and sunflower oils they used are still used today. The margarine is healthier and tastes better. Or think about exams or papers. When you don't do as well a s you want, you think, â€Å"Oh no! † But actually, you have a good insight into what you don't know and still need to learn.You are aware of the geography of your knowledge in a much more detailed form than before the errors showed up. 8. A problem can also be a solution. A fact that one person describes as a problem can sometimes be a solution for someone else. Above we noted that creative thinkers can find good ideas in bad solutions. Creative thinkers also look at problems and ask, â€Å"Is there something good about this problem? † For example, soon after the advent of cyanoacrylate adhesives (super glue), it was noted that if you weren't careful, you could glue your fingers together with it.This problem–a permanent skin bond–was soon seen as a solution, also. Surgeons in Viet Nam began to use super glue to glue wounds together. Another example, also involving glue: 3M chemists were experimenting with adhesives and accidentally came up with one that was so weak you could peel it right back off. Hold strength, shear strength, all were way below the minimum standards for any self-respecting adhesive. A glue that won't hold? Quite a problem. But this problem was also a solution, as you now see in Post-It Notes. 9. Problems are interesting and emotionally acceptable.Many people confront every problem with a shudder and a turn of the head. They don't even want to admit that a problem exists–with their car, their spouse, their child, their job, their house, whatever. As a result, often the problem persists and drives them crazy or rises to a crisis and drives them crazy. Creative people see problems as interesting challenges worth tackling. Problems are not fearful beasts to be feared or loathed; they are worthy opponents to be jousted with and unhorsed. Problem solving is fun, educational, rewarding, ego building, helpful to society. Miscellaneous Good Attitudes 1.Perseverance. Most people fail because they spend only nine mi nutes on a problem that requires ten minutes to solve. Creativity and problem solving are hard work and require fierce application of time and energy. There is no quick and easy secret. You need knowledge gained by study and research and you must put your knowledge to work by hard thinking and protracted experimentation. You’ve surely read of the difficulties and setbacks faced by most of the famous inventors–how many filaments Edison tried before he found a working one, how many aircraft designs failed in the attempt to break the sound barrier.But planning to persevere is planning to succeed. 2. A flexible imagination. Creative people are comfortable with imagination and with thinking so-called weird, wild, or unthinkable thoughts, just for the sake of stimulation. During brainstorming or just mental playfulness, all kinds of strange thoughts and ideas can be entertained. And the mind, pragmatist that it is, will probably find something useful in it all. We will look at several examples of this later on. 3. A belief that mistakes are welcome. Modern society has for some reason conceived the idea that the only unforgivable thing is to fail or make a mistake.Actually failure is an opportunity; mistakes show that something is being done. So creative people have come to realize and accept emotionally that making mistakes is no negative biggie. One chief executive of a big American corporation warns all his newly hired managers, â€Å"Make sure you make a reasonable number of mistakes. † Mistakes are educational and can lead to success–because they mean you are doing something. Sir Francis Pettit Smith, one of the early developers of the screw propeller, tried one design in 1836.During the test, half of it broke off–what a failure–but then the boat increased in speed substantially, revealing the efficiency of a new design, formed from a mistake. In sum, as Vergil once said, â€Å"They can who think they can. † Havin g the proper positive attitude about generating new and useful ideas and solving problems is really a large part of the whole process. A few years ago, the pipes in my mom's house had finally rusted through and I was faced with the task of finding a plumber to get a bid. Knowing how much they charge for small repairs, I knew that doing a whole house would cost a fortune.I thought, â€Å"You know, I'd really like to do this job myself, but I wonder if I can. † My neighbor happened to be around once when I said this, and he said, â€Å"Oh, you can do it. † Just that simple expression gave me the positive attitude I needed to do it. So I did. Characteristics of the Creative Person †¢curious †¢seeks problems †¢enjoys challenge †¢optimistic †¢able to suspend judgment †¢comfortable with imagination †¢sees problems as opportunities †¢sees problems as interesting †¢problems are emotionally acceptable †¢challenges assumptions â € ¢doesn't give up easily: perseveres, works hard Creative Thinking 1. If you had the power to transform the educational system to more effectively develop critical thinking abilities, what suggestions would you want to see implemented? You should focus on only one level. Draw upon the research and principles presented in Chaffee’s book and identify the specific processes that you wish to encourage. If I had the power to transform the educational system to more effectively develop critical thinking abilities, I would start to familiarize children with the concepts as early as possible. In the past when I was growing up, the emphasis for learning was placed largely on memorization. Since then, however, there is a trend toward teaching critical thinking skills in the classroom. These skills emphasize more than memorizing. They emphasize analysis and logic. If I were revamping the education system I would have classrooms begin to teach these concepts as early as kindergarten. â€Å"Being open to new ideas and different viewpoints means being flexible enough to change or modify your ideas in the light of new information or better insight. † (Chaffee p. 56) This would be an important concept to foster in kindergarten because at that age children are still open to new ideas and concepts. To teach them at that age to be open to new ideas would help them when they get older. This would help the child to grow as a thinker. Having children become critical thinkers at an early age can be accomplished by asking questions that have more than one correct answer. This teaches the child that they can answer the question without being afraid of being wrong. Another important method for teaching young children is to have them work in groups. This exposes them to others’ thoughts and ways of thinking. This is where being flexible comes into play. Young children are naturally flexible in their thinking and open to new ideas. If we emphasize the importance of being flexible at this young age, the child will have an easier time remaining flexible in their thinking and be more open to new ideas later on in life. Even though working in groups is important, encouraging young children to think independently is also important. (Chaffee p. 71) This can be encouraged in a young child by giving them various ideas and having the child arrive at his own thoughtful conclusion. The reason I would start so young is that I feel that the earlier children are exposed to these concepts the earlier they will be able to use a combination of cognitive abilities, basic attitudes nd thinking strategies. These skills enable a person to clarify and better understand the world. (Chaffee p. 71) 2. Imagine that you were born in a different sociocultural context. Describe the factors that would influence your chances of achieving creative breakthroughs. Emphasize whatever domain you feel best reflects your potential. Be sure to also include the cognitive and developmental notions that are discussed by Csikszentimihalyi. For this question I imagined that I was alive during the depression era and was not part of the wealthy class of that time. My domain would be the writing of novels because I have always liked writing stories. The following factors would influence my chance of achieving a creative breakthrough. One factor is exposure. One can’t be creative in a domain without being exposed to it. For example, â€Å"No matter what mathematical gifts a child may have, he or she will not be able to contribute to mathematics without learning its rules. † (Csikszentimihalyi p. 29) What this means is that if I was not able to be exposed to writing, books or famous authors through school, I would not be successful in writing myself. If I don’t learn the rules of grammar and spelling it would be very hard for me to write anything worthwhile that anyone would want to publish. Chance, perseverance or being at the right place at the right time is also important. Conditions might not be favorable for me as a writer during the depression. Times were hard for everyone and everybody was struggling just to put food on the table. There might not be much opportunity for chance no matter how much I persevere. Also, I might not have much energy to put into writing after spending the majority of my time earning enough money to live. No matter how gifted a person is, he or she has no chance to achieve anything creative unless the right conditions are provided by the field. â€Å" (Csikszentimihalyi p. 330) The book gives the example of Michael Jordan and stated that if he â€Å"had been born in a country where basket ball was not practiced, he would not have been able to refine his skills and would not have been recog nized. † (Csikszentinihalyi p. 331) Also, I would need to have hope. If there is no hope to use my skill, I will not be successful. It is extremely difficult to make a living as a successful writer. If I don’t have hope, I will not have much of a chance. One of the most important things I would need is luck. Without luck on my side, my book won’t ever be read by an editor. One would have to have luck for the publisher to choose my manuscript out of the many they receive. It is very important to be at the right place at the right time. The book gives the example of a painter who made an important contact at a party. Using this example, if I go to a party, I might make an important literary contact which could start my career. If I choose not to attend this party for any reason, I may never meet that contact person and therefore never jump start my career. It is the luck of being at the right place at the right time. Cognitive variables may make me more predisposed to become a writer. I may have more of a strength for writing and less of a strength for math. Writing may come easy to me and if I was exposed early to books, authors and good writing, I may be able to develop this inherited potential. Overall, I feel that it would be extremely hard to become a successful author during the depression unless luck was on my side and I was able to persevere. . The last chapter in Chaffee and the last two chapters in Csikszentimihalyi discuss improving creativity. Analyze the differences and similarities between the two authors on this issue. How does critical thinking facilitate creativity and what else, beyond critical thinking is necessary for creativity to occur. Chaffee states that both thinking critically and creatively are â€Å"two essential and tightly interwoven dimensions of the thinking process. These two forms work as partners to produce effective thinking enabling us to make informed decisions and lead successful lives. Chaffee p. 276) Both Chaffee and Csikszentmihalyi have views on creativity. There are both similarities and differences to these views. Csikszentmihalyi feels you should be be surprised and surprise others frequently while Chaffee feels that a person should expect the unexpected. Both authors agree that the creative person should follow up on ideas that create a spark of interest when they emerge. They also agree that it is best to look at a problem from multiple perspectives and that this can be done by using the confirmation of other people. Csikszentimihalyi suggests the following for improving creativity. First of all he suggests both keeping notes of your interests and having specific goals. He also suggests that a person interested in improving their creativity do things that are enjoyable but also have some challenge to them. Also, by taking charge of your time, being open and focused, allowing time for relaxing and making a space conducive to the creativity you are trying to achieve you will be able to be more creative. Both Chaffee and Csikszentimihalyi feel that establishing a creative environment is important. This would be a physical environment that allows the person to be more creativ Chaffee feels that in order to improve creativity, one should begin by understanding how the creative process works. He also states that by allowing yourself to be absorbed by the task and the more knowledge you have on the subject in which you wish to be creative the more prepared you are to be creative. Chaffee feels that it is also important to stop thinking about the subject and let the subconscious take over. A person’s mind will continue to work on the subject in the background. He also says in his book to become aware of our negative voice which he calls the â€Å"voice of criticism†. This is a danger to a person’s creativity and the creative person has to learn to recognize the voice of criticism and to ignore it. A person can create a positive voice to put in place of the voice of criticism. When a person thinks of different ways to solve a problem, they are using creative thinking. The evaluating of these alternatives is the critical thinking process. Beyond critical thinking, having the ability to choose freely and decide in what area you choose to be creative facilitates creativity. To exercise genuine freedom, you must possess the insight to understand all of your options and the wisdom to make informed choices. † (Chaffee p. 293) Chaffee goes on to state â€Å"You can learn to redefine your daily life in a new light and enhance its value through free choices derived from thinking critically and creatively. â€Å" (Chaffee p. 293 ) Sources Chaffee, John. Thinking Critically A Concise Guide. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. Print. Csiksentmihalyi, Mihaly. Creativity:Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1996. Print.