Prelude to Foundation Chapter 12 Aerie

ROBOT-†¦ A term used in the ancient legends of several worlds for what are more usually called â€Å"automata.† Robots are described as generally human in shape and made of metal, although some are supposed to have been pseudo-organic in nature. Hari Seldon, in the course of The Flight, is popularly supposed to have seen an actual robot, but that story is of dubious origin. Nowhere in Seldon's voluminous writings does he mention robots at all, although†¦ Encyclopedia Galactica 56. They were not noticed. Hari Seldon and Dors Venabili repeated the trip of the day before and this time no one gave them a second look. Hardly anyone even gave them a first look. On several occasions, they had to tuck their knees to one side to allow someone sitting on an inner seat to get past them and out. When someone got in, they quickly realized they had to move over if there was an inner empty seat. This time they quickly grew tired of the smell of kirtles that were not freshly laundered because they were not so easily diverted by what went on outside. But eventually they were there. â€Å"That's the library,† said Seldon in a low voice. â€Å"I suppose so,† said Dors. â€Å"At least that's the building that Mycelium Seventy-Two pointed out yesterday.† They sauntered toward it leisurely. â€Å"Take a deep breath,† said Seldon. â€Å"This is the first hurdle.† The door ahead was open, the light within subdued. There were five broad stone steps leading upward. They stepped onto the lowermost one and waited several moments before they realized that their weight did not cause the steps to move upward. Dors grimaced very slightly and gestured Seldon upward. Together they walked up the stairs, feeling embarrassed on behalf of Mycogen for its backwardness. Then, through a door, where, at a desk immediately inside was a man bent over the simplest and clumsiest computer Seldon had ever seen. The man did not look up at them. No need, Seldon supposed. White kirtle, bald head-all Mycogenians looked so nearly the same that one's eyes slid off them and that was to the tribespeople's advantage at the moment. The man, who still seemed to be studying something on the desk, said, â€Å"Scholars?† â€Å"Scholars,† said Seldon. The man jerked his head toward a door. â€Å"Go in. Enjoy.† They moved inward and, as nearly as they could see, they were the only ones in this section of the library. Either the library was not a popular resort or the scholars were few or-most likely-both. Seldon whispered, â€Å"I thought surely we would have to present some sort of license or permission form and I would have to plead having forgotten it.† â€Å"He probably welcomes our presence under any terms. Did you ever see a place like this? If a place, like a person, could be dead, we would be inside a corpse.† Most of the books in this section were print-books like the Book in Seldon's inner pocket. Dors drifted along the shelves, studying them. She said, â€Å"Old books, for the most part. Part classic. Part worthless.† â€Å"Outside books? Non-Mycogen, I mean?† â€Å"Oh yes. If they have their own books, they must be kept in another section. This one is for outside research for poor little self-styled scholars like yesterday's.-This is the reference department and here's an Imperial Encyclopedia†¦ must be fifty years old if a day†¦ and a computer.† She reached for the keys and Seldon stopped her. â€Å"Wait. Something could go wrong and we'll be delayed.† He pointed to a discreet sign above a free-standing set of shelves that glowed with the letters TO THE SACR TORIUM. The second A in SACRATORIUM was dead, possibly recently or possibly because no one cared. (The Empire, thought Seldon, was in decay. All parts of it. Mycogen too.) He looked about. The poor library, so necessary to Mycogenian pride, perhaps so useful to the Elders who could use it to find crumbs to shore up their own beliefs and present them as being those of sophisticated tribespeople, seemed to be completely empty. No one had entered after them. Seldon said, â€Å"Let's step in here, out of eyeshot of the man at the door, and put on our sashes.† And then, at the door, aware suddenly there would be no turning back if they passed this second hurdle, he said, â€Å"Dors, don't come in with me.† She frowned. â€Å"Why not?† â€Å"It's not safe and I don't want you to be at risk.† â€Å"I am here to protect you,† she said with soft firmness. â€Å"What kind of protection can you be? I can protect myself, though you may not think it. And I'd be handicapped by having to protect you. Don't you see that?† â€Å"You mustn't be concerned about me, Hari,† said Dors. â€Å"Concern is my part.† She tapped her sash where it crossed in the space between her obscured breasts. â€Å"Because Hummin asked you to?† â€Å"Because those are my orders.† She seized Seldon's arms just above his elbow and, as always, he was surprised by her firm grip. She said, â€Å"I'm against this, Hari, but if you feel you must go in, then I must go in too.† â€Å"All right, then. But if anything happens and you can wriggle out of it, run. Don't worry about me.† â€Å"You're wasting your breath, Hari. And you're insulting me.† Seldon touched the entrance panel and the portal slid open. Together, almost in unison, they walked through. 57. A large room, all the larger because it was empty of anything resembling furniture. No chairs, no benches, no seats of any kind. No stage, no drapery, no decorations. No lights, merely a uniform illumination of mild, unfocused light. The walls were not entirely blank. Periodically, arranged in spaced fashion at various heights and in no easy repetitive order, there were small, primitive, two-dimensional television screens, all of which were operating. From where Dors and Seldon stood, there was not even the illusion of a third dimension, not a breath of true holovision. There were people present. Not many and nowhere together. They stood singly and, like the television monitors, in no easy repetitive order. All were white-kirtled, all sashed. For the most part, there was silence. No one talked in the usual sense. Some moved their lips, murmuring softly. Those who walked did so stealthily, eyes downcast. The atmosphere was absolutely funereal. Seldon leaned toward Dors, who instantly put a finger to her lips, then pointed to one of the television monitors. The screen showed an idyllic garden bursting with blooms, the camera panning over it slowly. They walked toward the monitor in a fashion that imitated the others-slow steps, putting each foot down softly. When they were within half a meter of the screen, a soft insinuating voice made itself heard: â€Å"The garden of Antennin, as reproduced from ancient guidebooks and photographs, located in the outskirts of Eos. Note the-â€Å" Dors said in a whisper Seldon had trouble catching over the sound of the set, â€Å"It turns on when someone is close and it will turn off if we step away. If we're close enough, we can talk under cover, but don't look at me and stop speaking if anyone approaches.† Seldon, his head bent, his hands clasped before him (he had noted that this was a preferred posture), said, â€Å"Any moment I expect someone to start wailing.† â€Å"Someone might. They're mourning their Lost World,† said Dors. â€Å"I hope they change the films every once in a while. It would be deadly to always see the same ones.† â€Å"They're all different,† said Dors, her eyes sliding this way and that. â€Å"They may change periodically. I don't know.† â€Å"Wait!† said Seldon just a hair's breadth too loud. He lowered his voice and said, â€Å"Come this way.† Dors frowned, failing to make out the words, but Seldon gestured slightly with his head. Again the stealthy walk, but Seldon's footsteps increased in length as he felt the need for greater speed and Dors, catching up, pulled sharply-if very briefly-at his kirtle. He slowed. â€Å"Robots here,† he said under the cover of the sound as it came on. The picture showed the corner of a dwelling place with a rolling lawn and a line of hedges in the foreground and three of what could only be described as robots. They were metallic, apparently, and vaguely human in shape. The recording said, â€Å"This is a view, recently constructed, of the establishment of the famous Wendome estate of the third century. The robot you see near the center was, according to tradition, named Bendar and served twenty-two years, according to the ancient records, before being replaced.† Dors said, † ‘Recently constructed,' so they must change views.† â€Å"Unless they've been saying ‘recently constructed' for the last thousand years.† Another Mycogenian stepped into the sound pattern of the scene and said in a low voice, though not as low as the whisperings of Seldon and Dors, â€Å"Greetings, Brothers.† He did not look at Seldon and Dors as he spoke and after one involuntary and startled glance, Seldon kept his head averted. Dors had ignored it all. Seldon hesitated. Mycelium Seventy-Two had said that there was no talking in the Sacratorium. Perhaps he had exaggerated. Then too he had not been in the Sacratorium since he was a child. Desperately, Seldon decided he must speak. He said in a whisper, â€Å"And to you, Brother, greetings.† He had no idea whether that was the correct formula of reply or if there was a formula, but the Mycogenian seemed to find nothing amiss in it. â€Å"To you in Aurora,† he said. â€Å"And to you,† said Seldon and because it seemed to him that the other expected more, he added, â€Å"in Aurora,† and there was an impalpable release of tension. Seldon felt his forehead growing moist. The Mycogenian said, â€Å"Beautiful! I haven't seen this before.† â€Å"Skillfully done,† said Seldon. Then, in a burst of daring, he added, â€Å"A loss never to be forgotten.† The other seemed startled, then said, â€Å"Indeed, indeed,† and moved away. Dors hissed, â€Å"Take no chances. Don't say what you don't have to.† â€Å"It seemed natural. Anyway, this it recent. But those are disappointing robots. They are what I would expect automata to be. I want to see the organic ones-the humanoids.† â€Å"If they existed,† said Dors with some hesitation, â€Å"it seems to me they wouldn't be used for gardening jobs.† â€Å"True,† said Seldon. â€Å"We must find the Elders' aerie.† â€Å"If that exists. It seems to me there is nothing in this hollow cave but a hollow cave.† â€Å"Let's look.† They paced along the wall, passing from screen to screen, trying to wait at each for irregular intervals until Dors clutched Seldon's arms. Between two screens were lines marking out a faint rectangle. â€Å"A door,† Dors said. Then she weakened the assertion by adding, â€Å"Do you think?† Seldon looked about surreptitiously. It was in the highest degree convenient that, in keeping with the mourning atmosphere, every face, when not fixed on a television monitor, was bent in sad concentration on the floor. Seldon said, â€Å"How do you suppose it would open?† â€Å"An entrance patch.† â€Å"I can't make out any.† â€Å"It's just not marked out, but there's a slight discoloration there. Do you see it? How many palms? How many times?† â€Å"I'll try. Keep an eye out and kick me if anyone looks in this direction.† He held his breath casually, touched the discolored spot to no avail, and then placed his palm full upon it and pressed. The door opened silently-not a creak, not a scrape. Seldon stepped through as rapidly as he could and Dors followed him. The door closed behind them. â€Å"The question is,† said Dors, â€Å"did anyone see us?† Seldon said, â€Å"Elders must go through this door frequently.† â€Å"Yes, but will anyone think we are Elders?† Seldon waited, then said, â€Å"If we were observed and if anyone thought something was wrong, this door would have been flung open again within fifteen seconds of our entering.† â€Å"Possibly,† said Dors dryly, â€Å"or possibly there is nothing to be seen or done on this side of the door and no one cares if we enter.† â€Å"That remains to be seen,† muttered Seldon. The rather narrow room they had entered was somewhat dark, but as they stepped farther into it, the light brightened. There were chairs, wide and comfortable, small tables, several davenports, a deep and tall refrigerator, cupboards. â€Å"If this is the Elders' aerie,† said Seldon, â€Å"the Elders seem to do themselves comfortably, despite the austerity of the Sacratorium itself.† â€Å"As would be expected,† said Dors. â€Å"Asceticism among a ruling class-except for public show-is very rare. Put that down in your notebook for psychohistorical aphorisms.† She looked about. â€Å"And there is no robot.† Seldon said, â€Å"An aerie is a high position, remember, and this ceiling is not. There must be upper storeys and that must be the way.† He pointed to a well-carpeted stairway. He did not advance toward it, however, but looked about vaguely. Dors guessed what he was seeking. She said, â€Å"Forget about elevators. There's a cult of primitivism in Mycogen. Surely, you haven't forgotten that, have you? There would be no elevators and, what's more, if we place our weight at the foot of the stairs, I am quite certain it will not begin moving upward. We're going to have to climb it. Several flights, perhaps.† â€Å"Climb it?† â€Å"It must, in the nature of things, lead to the aerie-if it leads anywhere. Do you want to see the aerie or don't you?† Together they stepped toward the staircase and began the climb. They went up three flights and, as they did, the light level decreased perceptibly and in steady increments. Seldon took a deep breath and whispered, â€Å"I consider myself to be in pretty good shape, but I hate this.† â€Å"You're not used to this precise type of physical exertion.† She showed no signs of physical distress whatever. At the top of the third flight the stairs ended and before them was another door. â€Å"And if it's locked?† said Seldon, more to himself than to Dors. â€Å"Do we try to break it down?† But Dors said, â€Å"Why should it be locked when the lower door was not? If this is the Elders' aerie, I imagine there's a taboo on anyone but Elders coming here and a taboo is much stronger than any lock.† â€Å"As far as those who accept the taboo are concerned,† said Seldon, but he made no move toward the door. â€Å"There's still time to turn back, since you hesitate,† said Dors. â€Å"In fact, I would advise you to rum back.† â€Å"I only hesitate because I don't know what we'll find inside. If it's empty-† And then he added in a rather louder voice, â€Å"Then it's empty,† and he strode forward and pushed against the entry panel. The door retracted with silent speed and Seldon took a step back at the surprising flood of light from within. And there, facing him, eyes alive with light, arms half-upraised, one foot slightly advanced before the other, gleaming with a faintly yellow metallic shine, was a human figure. For a few moments, it seemed to be wearing a tight-fitting tunic, but on closer inspection it became apparent that the tunic was part of the structure of the object. â€Å"It's the robot,† said Seldon in awe, â€Å"but it's metallic.† â€Å"Worse than that,† said Dors, who had stepped quickly to one side and then to the other. â€Å"Its eyes don't follow me. Its arms don't as much as tremble. It's not alive-if one can speak of robots as being alive.† And a man-unmistakably a man-stepped out from behind the robot and said, â€Å"Perhaps not. But I am alive.† And almost automatically, Dors stepped forward and took her place between Seldon and the man who had suddenly appeared. 58. Seldon pushed Dors to one side, perhaps a shade more roughly than he intended. â€Å"I don't need protection. This is our old friend Sunmaster Fourteen.† The man who faced them, wearing a double sash that was perhaps his right as High Elder, said, â€Å"And you are Tribesman Seldon.† â€Å"Of course,† said Seldon. â€Å"And this, despite her masculine dress, is Tribeswoman Venabili.† Dors said nothing. Sunmaster Fourteen said, â€Å"You are right, of course, tribesman. You are in no danger of physical harm from me. Please sit down. Both of you. Since you are not a Sister, tribeswoman, you need not retire. There is a seat for you which, if you value such a distinction, you will be the first woman ever to have used.† â€Å"I do not value such a distinction,† said Dors, spacing her words for emphasis. Sunmaster Fourteen nodded. â€Å"That is as you wish. I too will sit down, for I must ask you questions and I do not care to do it standing.† They were sitting now in a corner of the room. Seldon's eyes wandered to the metal robot. Sunmaster Fourteen said, â€Å"It is a robot.† â€Å"I know,† said Seldon briefly. â€Å"I know you do,† said Sunmaster Fourteen with similar curtness. â€Å"But now that we have settled that matter, why are you here?† Seldon gazed steadily at Sunmaster Fourteen and said, â€Å"To see the robot.† â€Å"Do you know that no one but an Elder is allowed in the aerie?† â€Å"I did not know that, but I suspected it.† â€Å"Do you know that no tribesperson is allowed in the Sacratorium?† â€Å"I was told that.† â€Å"And you ignored the fact, is that it?† â€Å"As I said, we wanted to see the robot.† â€Å"Do you know that no woman, even a Sister, is allowed in the Sacratorium except at certain stated-and rare-occasions?† â€Å"I was told that.† â€Å"And do you know that no woman is at any time-or for any reason-allowed to dress in masculine garb? That holds, within the borders of Mycogen, for tribeswomen as well as for Sisters.† â€Å"I was not told that, but I am not surprised.† â€Å"Good. I want you to understand all this. Now, why did you want to see the robot?† Seldon said with a shrug, â€Å"Curiosity. I had never seen a robot or even known that such a thing existed.† â€Å"And how did you come to know that it did exist and, specifically, that it existed here?† Seldon was silent, then said, â€Å"I do not wish to answer that question.† â€Å"Is that why you were brought to Mycogen by Tribesman Hummin? To investigate robots?† â€Å"No. Tribesman Hummin brought us here that we might be secure. However, we are scholars, Dr. Venabili and I. Knowledge is our province and to gain knowledge is our purpose. Mycogen is little understood outside its borders and we wish to know more about your ways and your methods of thought. It is a natural desire and, it seems to us, a harmless-even praiseworthy-one.† â€Å"Ah, but we do not wish the outer tribes and worlds to know about us. That is our natural desire and we are the judge of what is harmless to us and what harmful. So I ask you again, tribesman: How did you know that a robot existed in Mycogen and that it existed in this room?† â€Å"General rumor,† said Seldon at length. â€Å"Do you insist on that?† â€Å"General rumor. I insist on it.† Sunmaster Fourteen's keen blue eyes seemed to sharpen and he said without raising his voice, â€Å"Tribesman Seldon, we have long cooperated with Tribesman Hummin. For a tribesman, he has seemed a decent and trustworthy individual. For a tribesman! When he brought you two to us and commended you to our protection, we granted it. But Tribesman Hummin, whatever his virtues, is still a tribesman and we had misgivings. We were not at all sure what your-or his-real purpose might be.† â€Å"Our purpose was knowledge,† said Seldon. â€Å"Academic knowledge. Tribeswoman Venabili is a historian and I too have an interest in history. Why should we not be interested in Mycogenian history?† â€Å"For one thing, because we do not wish you to be.-In any case, two of our trusted Sisters were sent to you. They were to cooperate with you, try to find out what it was you wanted, and-what is the expression you tribesmen use?-play along with you. Yet not in such a way that you would be too aware as to what was happening.† Sunmaster Fourteen smiled, but it was a grim smile. â€Å"Raindrop Forty-Five,† Sunmaster Fourteen went on, â€Å"went shopping with Tribeswoman Venabili, but there seemed nothing out of the way in what happened on those trips. Naturally, we had a full report. Raindrop Forty-Three showed you, Tribesman Seldon, our microfarms. You might have been suspicious of her willingness to accompany you alone, something that is utterly out of the question for us, but you reasoned that what applied to Brothers did not apply to tribesmen and you flattered yourself that that flimsy bit of reasoning won her over. She complied with your desire, though at considerable cost to her peace of mind. And, eventually, you asked for the Book. To have handed it over too easily might have roused your suspicion, so she pretended to a perverse desire only you could satisfy. Her self-sacrifice will not be forgotten.-I take it, tribesman, you still have the Book and I suspect you have it with you now. May I have it?† Seldon sat in bitter silence. Sunmaster Fourteen's wrinkled hand remained obtrusively outstretched and he said, â€Å"How much better it would be than to wrest it from you by force.† And Seldon handed it over. Sunmaster Fourteen leafed through its pages briefly, as though to reassure himself it was unharmed. He said with a small sigh, â€Å"It will have to be carefully destroyed in the approved manner. Sad.-But once you had this Book, we were, of course, not surprised when you made your way out to the Sacratorium. You were watched at all times, for you cannot think that any Brother or Sister, not totally absorbed, would not recognize you for tribespeople at a glance. We know a skincap when we see one and there are less than seventy of them in Mycogen†¦ almost all belonging to tribesmen on official business who remain entirely in secular governmental buildings during the time they are here. So you were not only seen but unmistakably identified, over and over. â€Å"The elderly Brother who met you was careful to tell you about the library as well as about the Sacratorium, but he was also careful to tell you what you were forbidden to do, for we did not wish to entrap you. Skystrip Two also warned you†¦ and quite forcibly. Nevertheless, you did not turn away. â€Å"The shop at which you bought the white kirtle and the two sashes informed us at once and from that we knew well what you intended. The library was kept empty, the librarian was warned to keep his eyes to himself, the Sacratorium was kept under-utilized. The one Brother who inadvertently spoke to you almost gave it away, but hastened off when he realized with whom he was dealing. And then you came up here. â€Å"You see, then, that it was your intention to come up here and that we in no way lured you here. You came as a result of your own action, your own desire, and what I want to ask you-yet once again-is: Why?† It was Dors who answered this time, her voice firm, her eyes hard. â€Å"We will tell you yet once again, Mycogenian. We are scholars, who consider knowledge sacred and it is only knowledge that we seek. You did not lure us here, but you did not stop us either, as you might have done before ever we approached this building. You smoothed our way and made it easy for us and even that might be considered a lure. And what harm have we done? We have in no way disturbed the building, or this room, or you, or that.† She pointed to the robot. â€Å"It is a dead lump of metal that you hide here and we now know that it is dead and that is all the knowledge we sought. We thought it would be more significant and we are disappointed, but now that we know it is merely what it is, we will leave-and, if you wish, we will leave Mycogen as well.† Sunmaster Fourteen listened with no trace of expression on his face, but when she was done, he addressed Seldon, saying, â€Å"This robot, as you see it, is a symbol, a symbol of all we have lost and of all we no longer have, of all that, through thousands of years, we have not forgotten and what we intend someday to return to. Because it is all that remains to us that is both material and authentic, it is dear to us-yet to your woman it is only ‘a dead lump of metal.' Do you associate yourself with that judgment, Tribesman Seldon?† Seldon said, â€Å"We are members of societies that do not tie ourselves to a past that is thousands of years old, making no contact at all with what has existed between that past and ourselves. We live in the present, which we recognize as the product of all the past and not of one long-gone moment of time that we hug to our chests. We realize, intellectually, what the robot may mean to you and we are willing to let it continue to mean that to you. But we can only see it with our own eyes, as you can only see it with yours. To us, it is a dead lump of metal.† â€Å"And now,† said Dors, â€Å"we will leave.† â€Å"You will not,† said Sunmaster Fourteen. â€Å"By coming here, you have committed a crime. It is a crime only in our eyes, as you will hasten to point out†-his lips curved in a wintry smile-â€Å"but this is our territory and, within it, we make the definitions. And this crime, as we define it, is punishable by death.† â€Å"And you are going to shoot us down?† said Dors haughtily. Sunmaster Fourteen's expression was one of contempt and he continued to speak only to Seldon. â€Å"What do you think we are, Tribesman Seldon? Our culture is as old as yours, as complex, as civilized, as humane. I am not armed. You will be tried and, since you are manifestly guilty, executed according to law, quickly and painlessly. â€Å"If you were to try to leave now, I would not stop you, but there are many Brothers below, many more than there appeared to be when you entered the Sacratorium and, in their rage at your action, they may lay rough and forceful hands on you. It has happened in our history that tribespeople have even died so and it is not a pleasant death-certainly not a painless one.† â€Å"We were warned of this,† said Dors, â€Å"by Skystrip Two. So much for your complex, civilized, and humane culture.† â€Å"People can be moved to violence at moments of emotion, Tribesman Seldon,† said Sunmaster Fourteen calmly, â€Å"whatever their humanity in moments of calm. This is true in every culture, as your woman, who is said to be a historian, must surely know.† Seldon said, â€Å"Let us remain reasonable, Sunmaster Fourteen. You may be the law in Mycogen over local affairs, but you are not the law over us and you know it. We are both non-Mycogenian citizens of the Empire and it is the Emperor and his designated legal officers who must remain in charge of any capital offense.† Sunmaster Fourteen said, â€Å"That may be so in statutes and on papers and on holovision screens, but we are not talking theory now. The High Elder has long had the power to punish crimes of sacrilege without interference from the Imperial throne.† â€Å"If the criminals are your own people,† said Seldon. â€Å"It would be quite different if they were outsiders.† â€Å"I doubt it in this case. Tribesman Hummin brought you here as fugitives and we are not so yeast-headed in Mycogen that we don't strongly suspect that you are fugitives from the Emperor's laws. Why should he object if we do his work for him?† â€Å"Because,† said Seldon, â€Å"he would. Even if we were fugitives from the Imperial authorities and even if he wanted us only to punish us, he would still want us. To allow you to kill, by whatever means and for whatever reason, non-Mycogenians without due Imperial process would be to defy his authority and no Emperor could allow such a precedent. No matter how eager he might be to see that the microfood trade not be interrupted, he would still feel it necessary to re-establish the Imperial prerogative. Do you wish, in your eagerness to kill us, to have a division of Imperial soldiery loot your farms and your dwellings, desecrate your Sacratorium, and take liberties with the Sisters: Consider.† Sunmaster Fourteen smiled once again, but displayed no softness. â€Å"Actually, I have considered and there is an alternative. After we condemn you, we could delay your execution to allow you to appeal to the Emperor for a review of your case. The Emperor might be grateful at this evidence of our ready submission to his authority and grateful too to lay his hands on you two-for some reason of his own-and Mycogen might profit. Is that what you want, then? To appeal to the Emperor in due course and to be delivered to him?† Seldon and Dors looked at each other briefly and were silent. Sunmaster Fourteen said, â€Å"I feel you would rather be delivered to the Emperor than die, but why do I get the impression that the preference is only by a slight margin?† â€Å"Actually,† said a new voice, â€Å"I think neither alternative is acceptable and that we must search for a third.† 59. It was Dors who identified the newcomer first, perhaps because it was she who expected him. â€Å"Hummin,† she said, â€Å"thank goodness you found us. I got in touch with you the moment I realized I was not going to deflect Hari from†-she held up her hands in a wide gesture â€Å"this.† Hummin's smile was a small one that did not alter the natural gravity of his face. There was a subtle weariness about him. â€Å"My dear,† he said, â€Å"I was engaged in other things. I cannot always pull away at a moment's notice. And when I got here, I had, like you two, to supply myself with a kirtle and sash, to say nothing of a skincap, and make my way out here. Had I been here earlier, I might have stopped this, but I believe I'm not too late.† Sunmaster Fourteen had recovered from what had seemed to be a painful shock. He said in a voice that lacked its customary severe depth, â€Å"How did you get in here, Tribesman Hummin?† â€Å"It was not easy, High Elder, but as Tribeswoman Venabili likes to say, I am a very persuasive person. Some of the citizens here remember who I was and what I have done for Mycogen in the past, that I am even an honorary Brother. Have you forgotten, Sunmaster Fourteen?† The Elder replied, â€Å"I have not forgotten, but even the most favorable memory can not survive certain actions. A tribesman here and a tribeswoman. There is no greater crime. All you have done is not great enough to balance that. My people are not unmindful. We will make it up to you some other way. But these two must die or be handed over to the Emperor.† â€Å"I am also here,† said Hummin calmly. â€Å"Is that not a crime as well?† â€Å"For you,† said Sunmaster Fourteen, â€Å"for you personally, as a kind of honorary Brother, I can†¦ overlook it†¦ once. Not these two.† â€Å"Because you expect a reward from the Emperor? Some favor? Some concession? Have you already been in touch with him or with his Chief of Staff, Eto Demerzel, more likely?† â€Å"That is not a subject for discussion.† â€Å"Which is itself an admission. Come on, I don't ask what the Emperor promised, but it cannot be much. He does not have much to give in these degenerate days. Let me make you an offer. Have these two told you they are scholars?† â€Å"They have.† â€Å"And they are. They are not lying. The tribeswoman is a historian and the tribesman is a mathematician. The two together are trying to combine their talents to make a mathematics of history and they call the combined subject ‘psychohistory.' â€Å" Sunmaster Fourteen said, â€Å"I know nothing about this psychohistory, nor do I care to know. Neither it nor any other facet of your tribal learning interests me.† â€Å"Nevertheless,† said Hummin, â€Å"I suggest that you listen to me.† It took Hummin some fifteen minutes, speaking concisely, to describe the possibility of organizing the natural laws of society (something he always mentioned with audible quotation marks in the tone of his voice) in such a way as to make it possible to anticipate the future with a substantial degree of probability. And when he was done, Sunmaster Fourteen, who had listened expressionlessly, said, â€Å"A highly unlikely piece of speculation, I should say.† Seldon, with a rueful expression, seemed about to speak, undoubtedly to agree, but Hummin's hand, resting lightly on the other's knee, tightened unmistakably. Hummin said, â€Å"Possibly, High Elder, but the Emperor doesn't think so. And by the Emperor, who is himself an amiable enough personage, I really mean Demerzel, concerning whose ambitions you need no instruction. They would like very much to have these two scholars, which is why I've brought them here for safekeeping. I had little expectation that you would do Demerzel's work for him by delivering the scholars to him.† â€Å"They have committed a crime that-â€Å" â€Å"Yes, we know, High Elder, but it is only a crime because you choose to call it so. No real harm has been done.† â€Å"It has been done to our belief, to our deepest felt-â€Å" â€Å"But imagine what harm will be done if psychohistory falls into the hands of Demerzel. Yes, I grant that nothing may come of it, but suppose for a moment that something does and that the Imperial government has the use of it-can foretell what is to come-can take measures with that foreknowledge which no one else would have-can take measures, in fact, designed to bring about an alternate future more to the Imperial liking.† â€Å"Well?† â€Å"Is there any doubt, High Elder, that the alternate future more to the Imperial liking would be one of tightened centralization? For centuries now, as you very well know, the Empire has been undergoing a steady decentralization. Many worlds now acknowledge only lip service to the Emperor and virtually rule themselves. Even here on Trantor, there is decentralization. Mycogen, as only one example, is free of Imperial interference for the most part. You rule its High Elder and there is no Imperial officer at your side overseeing your actions and decisions. How long do you think that will last with men like Demerzel adjusting the future to their liking?† â€Å"Still the flimsiest of speculation,† said Sunmaster Fourteen, â€Å"but a disturbing one, I admit.† â€Å"On the other hand, if these scholars can complete their task, an unlikely if, you might say, but an if-then they are sure to remember that you spared them when you might have chosen not to. And it would then be conceivable that they would learn to arrange a future, for instance, that would allow Mycogen to be given a world of its own, a world that could be terraformed into a close replica of the Lost World. And even if these two forget your kindness, I will be here to remind them.† â€Å"Well-† said Sunmaster Fourteen. â€Å"Come on,† said Hummin, â€Å"it is not hard to decide what must be going through your mind. Of all tribespeople, you must trust Demerzel the least. And though the chance of psychohistory might be small (if I was not being honest with you, I would not admit that) it is not zero; and if it will bring about a restoration of the Lost World, what can you want more than that? What would you not risk for even a tiny chance of that? Come now-I promise you and my promises are not lightly given. Release these two and choose a tiny chance of your heart's desire over no chance at all.† There was silence and then Sunmaster Fourteen sighed. â€Å"I don't know how it is, Tribesman Hummin, but on every occasion that we meet, you persuade me into something I do not really want to do.† â€Å"Have I ever misled you, High Elder?† â€Å"You have never offered me so small a chance?† â€Å"And so high a possible reward. The one balances the other.† And Sunmaster Fourteen nodded his head. â€Å"You are right. Take these two and take them out of Mycogen and never let me see them again unless there comes a time when-But surely it will not be in my lifetime.† â€Å"Perhaps not, High Elder. But your people have been waiting patiently for nearly twenty thousand years. Would you then object to waiting another-perhaps-two hundred?† â€Å"I would not willingly wait one moment, but my people will wait as long as they must.† And standing up, he said, â€Å"I will clear the path. Take them and go.† 60. They were finally back in a tunnel. Hummin and Seldon had traveled through one when they went from the Imperial Sector to Streeling University in the air-taxi. Now they were in another tunnel, going from Mycogen to†¦ Seldon did not know where. He hesitated to ask. Hummin's face seemed as if it was carved out of granite and it didn't welcome conversation. Hummin sat in the front of the four-seater, with no one to his right. Seldon and Dors shared the backseat. Seldon chanced a smile at Dors, who looked glum. â€Å"It's nice to be in real clothes again, isn't it?† â€Å"I will never,† said Dors with enormous sincerity, â€Å"wear or look at anything that resembles a kirtle. And I will never, under any circumstances, wear a skincap. In fact, I'm going to feel odd if I ever see a normally bald man.† And it was Dors who finally asked the question that Seldon had been reluctant to advance. â€Å"Chetter,† she said rather petulantly, â€Å"why won't you tell us where we're going?† Hummin hitched himself into a sideways position and he looked back at Dors and Seldon gravely. â€Å"Somewhere,† he said, â€Å"where it may be difficult for you to get into trouble-although I'm not sure such a place exists.† Dors was at once crestfallen. â€Å"Actually, Chetter, it's my fault. At Streeling, I let Hari go Upperside without accompanying him. In Mycogen, I at least accompanied him, but I suppose I ought not to have let him enter the Sacratorium at all.† â€Å"I was determined,† said Seldon warmly. â€Å"It was in no way Dors's fault.† Hummin made no effort to apportion blame. He simply said, â€Å"I gather you wanted to see the robot. Was there a reason for that? Can you tell me?† Seldon could feel himself redden. â€Å"I was wrong in that respect, Hummin. I did not see what I expected to see or what I hoped to see. If I had known the content of the aerie, I would never have bothered going there. Call it a complete fiasco.† â€Å"But then, Seldon, what was it you hoped to see? Please tell me. Take your time if you wish. This is a long trip and I am willing to listen.† â€Å"The thing is, Hummin, that I had the idea that there were humaniform robots, that they were long-lived, that at least one might still be alive, and that it might be in the aerie. There was a robot there, but it was metallic, it was dead, and it was merely a symbol. Had I but known-â€Å" â€Å"Yes. Did we all but know, there would be no need for questions or for research of any kind. Where did you get your information about humaniform robots? Since no Mycogenian would have discussed that with you, I can think of only one source. The Mycogenian Book-a powered print-book in ancient Auroran and modern Galactic. Am I right?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"And how did you get a copy?† Seldon paused, then muttered, â€Å"Its somewhat embarrassing.† â€Å"I am not easily embarrassed, Seldon.† Seldon told him and Hummin allowed a very small smile to twitch across his face. Hummin said, â€Å"Didn't it occur to you that what occurred had to be a charade? No Sister would do a thing like that-except under instruction and with a great deal of persuading.† Seldon frowned and said with asperity, â€Å"That was not at all obvious. People are perverted now and then. And its easy for you to grin. I didn't have the information you had and neither did Dors. If you did not wish me to fall into traps, you might have warned me of those that existed.† â€Å"I agree. I withdraw my remark. In any case, you don't have the Book any longer, I'm sure.† â€Å"No. Sunmaster Fourteen took it from me.† â€Å"How much of it did you read?† â€Å"Only a small fraction. I didn't have time. It's a huge book and I must tell you, Hummin, it is dreadfully dull.† â€Å"Yes, I know that, for I think I have read more of it than you have. It is not only dull, it is totally unreliable. It is a one-sided, official Mycogenian view of history that is more intent on presenting that view than a reasoned objectivity. It is even deliberately unclear in spots so that outsiders-even if they were to read the Book-would never know entirely what they read. What was it, for instance, that you thought you read about robots that interested you?† â€Å"I've already told you. They speak of humaniform robots, robots that could not be distinguished from human beings in outward appearance.† â€Å"How many of these would exist?† asked Hummin. â€Å"They don't say.-At least, I didn't come across a passage in which they gave numbers. There may have been only a handful, but one of them, the Book refers to as ‘Renegade.' It seems to have an unpleasant significance, but I couldn't make out what.† â€Å"You didn't tell me anything about that,† interposed Dors. â€Å"If you had, I would have told you that it's not a proper name. It's another archaic word and it means, roughly, what ‘traitor' would mean in Galactic. The older word has a greater aura of fear about it. A traitor, somehow, sneaks to his treason, but a renegade flaunts it.† Hummin said, â€Å"I'll leave the fine points of archaic language to you, Dors, but, in any case, if the Renegade actually existed and if it was a humaniform robot, then, clearly, as a traitor and enemy, it would not be preserved and venerated in the Elders' aerie.† Seldon said, â€Å"I didn't know the meaning of ‘Renegade,' but, as I said, I did get the impression that it was an enemy. I thought it might have been defeated and preserved as a reminder of the Mycogenian triumph.† â€Å"Was there any indication in the Book that the Renegade was defeated?† â€Å"No, but I might have missed that portion-â€Å" â€Å"Not likely. Any Mycogenian victory would be announced in the Book unmistakably and referred to over and over again.† â€Å"There was another point the Book made about the Renegade,† said Seldon, hesitating, â€Å"but I can't be at all sure I understood it.† Hummin said, â€Å"As I told you†¦ They are deliberately obscure at times.† â€Å"Nevertheless, they seemed to say that the Renegade could somehow tap human emotions†¦ influence them-â€Å" â€Å"Any politician can,† said Hummin with a shrug. â€Å"It's called charisma-when it works.† Seldon sighed. â€Å"Well, I wanted to believe. That was it. I would have given a great deal to find an ancient humaniform robot that was still alive and that I could question.† â€Å"For what purpose?† asked Hummin. â€Å"To learn the details of the primordial Galactic society when it still consisted of only a handful of worlds. From so small a Galaxy psychohistory could be deduced more easily.† Hummin said, â€Å"Are you sure you could trust what you heard? After many thousands of years, would you be willing to rely on the robot's early memories? How much distortion would have entered into them?† â€Å"That's right,† said Dors suddenly. â€Å"It would be like the computerized records I told you of, Hari. Slowly, those robot memories would be discarded, lost, erased, distorted. You can only go back so far and the farther you go back, the less reliable the information becomes-no matter what you do.† Hummin nodded. â€Å"I've heard it referred to as a kind of uncertainty principle in information.† â€Å"But wouldn't it be possible,† said Seldon thoughtfully, â€Å"that some information, for special reasons, would be preserved? Parts of the Mycogenian Book may well refer to events of twenty thousand years ago and yet be very largely as it had been originally. The more valued and the more carefully preserved particular information is, the more long-lasting and accurate it may be.† â€Å"The key word is ‘particular.' What the Book may care to preserve may not be what you wish to have preserved and what a robot may remember best may be what you wish him to remember least.† Seldon said in despair, â€Å"In whatever direction I turn to seek a way of working out psychohistory, matters so arrange themselves as to make it impossible. Why bother trying?† â€Å"It might seem hopeless now,† said Hummin unemotionally, â€Å"but given the necessary genius, a route to psychohistory may be found that none of us would at this moment expect. Give yourself more time.-But we're coming to a rest area. Let us pull off and have dinner.† Over the lamb patties on rather tasteless bread (most unpalatable after the fare at Mycogen), Seldon said, â€Å"You seem to assume, Hummin, that I am the possessor of ‘the necessary genius.' I may not be, you know.† Hummin said, â€Å"That's true. You may not be. However, I know of no alternate candidate for the post, so I must cling to you.† And Seldon sighed and said, â€Å"Well, I'll try, but I'm out of any spark of hope. Possible but not practical, I said to begin with, and I'm more convinced of that now than I ever was before.†

Why a College Education Is Important to Me

Heather Keller AC1300869 EN110 Achieving Academic Excellence Assignment 5_06 Why a College Education is Important to Me April 17, 2013 The importance of an education in today's society proves demanding and also essential. To understand the importance of education, we must first understand what education entails. Education can be described as the process of learning and applying the materials learned to everyday situations. Education plays an important role in our success in this ever changing world.As our economy explodes with many advances, the necessity for education grows considerably. As an adolescent in high school we begin to examine the significance of that of an education. Questions pertaining to our choice in a particular career field, the amount of salary that we desire, and the goals we wish to obtain may arise. The choice to pursue a college education can open numerous opportunities. Also a college education will improve your overall success throughout life.In securing a future involving a college education, one must be dedicated to spending several hours to studying and obtaining realistic goals. The advantages to obtaining a college education are endless. For most individuals the clear cut advantage is a higher paying salary. According to the U. S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, an individual with a bachelor's degree earned more than twice as much as those without a high school diploma or equivalency.Opportunities for employment are in higher demand for those who demonstrate higher more efficient knowledge. The knowledge or skills gained from attending college with help further guide you throughout life. With multiple career opportunities available, college proves to be beneficial to a persons success. Another advantage to having a college education is the personal growth and development that a person acquires during this time. For myself, personal growth is a main factor for achieving my personal goals.Personal growth and development can be described in many different forms. Mental, physical, financial, and emotional are just a few examples. The sense of accomplishment or personal gain received from applying one's self, is an advantage all in its self. The importance of an education has been repeatedly stated by several of history's inspirational leaders, such as Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin stated â€Å"Genius without education is like silver in the mine. † Also he stated â€Å"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. These ingenious words are clear in their meaning and hold a very inspirational thought. The rationale for pursuing a college education is all to clear. The outcome that arises from extended education has proven more beneficial compared to those of a high school graduate. Potential for better career opportunities, higher pay salary, advancements in career fields and personal satisfaction are clear advantages to the importance of a college education. References: Brainyquote. com Author: Benjamin Franklin Source: National Center for Education Statistics The Condition of Education 2012 Why a College Education Is Important to Me Heather Keller AC1300869 EN110 Achieving Academic Excellence Assignment 5_06 Why a College Education is Important to Me April 17, 2013 The importance of an education in today's society proves demanding and also essential. To understand the importance of education, we must first understand what education entails. Education can be described as the process of learning and applying the materials learned to everyday situations. Education plays an important role in our success in this ever changing world.As our economy explodes with many advances, the necessity for education grows considerably. As an adolescent in high school we begin to examine the significance of that of an education. Questions pertaining to our choice in a particular career field, the amount of salary that we desire, and the goals we wish to obtain may arise. The choice to pursue a college education can open numerous opportunities. Also a college education will improve your overall success throughout life.In securing a future involving a college education, one must be dedicated to spending several hours to studying and obtaining realistic goals. The advantages to obtaining a college education are endless. For most individuals the clear cut advantage is a higher paying salary. According to the U. S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, an individual with a bachelor's degree earned more than twice as much as those without a high school diploma or equivalency.Opportunities for employment are in higher demand for those who demonstrate higher more efficient knowledge. The knowledge or skills gained from attending college with help further guide you throughout life. With multiple career opportunities available, college proves to be beneficial to a persons success. Another advantage to having a college education is the personal growth and development that a person acquires during this time. For myself, personal growth is a main factor for achieving my personal goals.Personal growth and development can be described in many different forms. Mental, physical, financial, and emotional are just a few examples. The sense of accomplishment or personal gain received from applying one's self, is an advantage all in its self. The importance of an education has been repeatedly stated by several of history's inspirational leaders, such as Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin stated â€Å"Genius without education is like silver in the mine. † Also he stated â€Å"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. These ingenious words are clear in their meaning and hold a very inspirational thought. The rationale for pursuing a college education is all to clear. The outcome that arises from extended education has proven more beneficial compared to those of a high school graduate. Potential for better career opportunities, higher pay salary, advancements in career fields and personal satisfaction are clear advantages to the importance of a college education. References: Brainyquote. com Author: Benjamin Franklin Source: National Center for Education Statistics The Condition of Education 2012

Amish Tripathi

The three books collectively comprise the Shiva Trilogy. THE IMMORTALS OF MEHULA was a surprise bestseller, breaking into the top seller charts within a week of its launch. The Shiva Trilogy has become the fastest selling book series in the history of Indian publishing, with 1. 7 million copies in print and over Rs 40 crores in sales. Forbes, India has ranked him 85 in the 2012 Celebrity 100 list. Before being an author is journey was very different. Amish tripathi had completed is MBA from IIM-Calcutta. He worked for 14 years in the financial services industry, in companies such as Standard Chartered, DBS Bank and IDBI Federal Life Insurance, before starting his writing career. He never wanted to be a writer which is very hard to believe. The Banker turned author of popular Shiva trilogy recently won a millon dollar for her books. The Immortals of Meluha and The Secret of the Nagas, the first two novels by Tripathi, have been commercial successes. Amish's books have sold a million copies in the span of two years with a gross retail sale of Rs 22 crores. The third installment, titled The Oath of the Vayuputras, was released on 27 February 2013. With The Oath of Vayuputras selling more than 400,000 copies even before its release, the trilogy has become a success. The Shiva Trilogy has become the fastest selling book series in the history of Indian publishing, with 1. 7 million copies in print and over Rs 40 crores in sales. In the Indian market where large sales volumes of books are rare, Tripathi's books have been enormously successful. Tripathi's marketing skills and strategies have been widely credited for the success of his novels. Tripathi himself says: â€Å"It’s a fallacy to think that a good book sells itself. I can give you a long list of books that I think should have been bestsellers but nobody’s heard of them. My management background along with marketing experience helped me devise effective strategies for promoting my book. Weeks before The Immortals of Meluha hit the bookshops, Tripathi printed sample copies of the first chapter and persuaded bookshops and chains to give them away free to anyone who approached the cash counter, creating a buzz. It was an unprecedented move and gave the book very high visibility considering that at that time, Tripathi was an unknown author. He also made presentations to big retail chains, visited smaller retailers, met local distributors and regularly sent email updates to various stakeholders. Tripathi targeted social media websites for promoting his debut novel, and made a trailer film with a background score reportedly by Taufiq Qureshi and uploaded it on YouTube. For promotion of his second book, Tripathi created video trailers and screened them at multiplexes. These trailers were of similar quality as movie trailers, complete with visual effects. They were released with the Shahrukh Khan starrer Ra. One. Tripathi believed that this would â€Å"work as the audience that visits theatres is the same that reads my books. Three other trailers were released on YouTube. In 2013, a music album called Vayuputras, an original soundtrack based on The Oath of the Vayuputras, the final book of the Shiva Trilogy, was released. The album had songs by artists like Sonu Nigam, Taufiq Qureshi, Palash Sen, Bickram Ghosh amongst others working on this. This was the first time ever that an original soundtrack has been made for a book series. It was not just his writing skills but the marketing skills & techniques which made him a successful person.

Practical UNIX Security Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Practical UNIX Security - Assignment Example However, these modules require frequent updates for virus definitions and new threats, which may affect the network anytime. Every now and then, new threats are designed and developed by hackers or cyber criminals. In spite of securing the networks and data centers, with the most updated and advanced security modules, there is still a probability of a new threat to intrude into the network. In addition, hackers and cyber criminals are exploring efficient codes day by day to improve the hacking software, in order to breach in to classified information, banks, online websites etc. As the threats and vulnerabilities are infinite, no one can memorize them in order to take a measured approach, the initial step is to identify the vulnerability type. An organization named as CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposure) provides a database to search for a particular public known vulnerability. The sponsors for CVE are US-CERT and managed by MITRE Corporation. The goal is to provide common names for all publicly known security threats and exposures. In order to extract information from CVE, access of National Vulnerability Database is mandatory (NVD) (Cve. 2011). (CVE) The Standard A comprehensive definition is available on the CVE website, which states as â€Å"Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE ®) is a dictionary of common names (i.e., CVE Identifiers) for publicly known information security vulnerabilities, while its Common Configuration Enumeration (CCEâ„ ¢) provides identifiers for security configuration issues and exposures. CVE’s common identifiers make it easier to share data across separate network security†. One more definition available in network dictionary states it as â€Å"common vulnerabilities and exposure is an emerging refers industry standard for identifying and naming vulnerabilities and various other information security exposures† (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures. 2007). The primary objective of CVE is to provide a separate database accessible, in order to find out all the known threats and vulnerabilities currently, with the help of tools and services. What is CVE 3872 ? As CVE 3872 is a threat that operates on web technologies, before understanding CVE 3872, it is vital to focus on some of the web technologies that are associated with CVE 3872. Common Gateway Interface A newly developed website providing information must possess a database to store information, which is published on the website. In general, many people on the Internet will visit the website and access information, which is extracted from the database. This is where the importance of Common Gateway Interface (CGI) becomes useful. Dave Chaffy defines it as â€Å"A method of processing information on a web server in response to a customer’s request. Typically, a user will fill in a Web-based form and a CGI script (application) will process the results. Active Server Pages (ASP) are an alternative to a CGI script† (Chaffey 2006). Moreover, if the users query the database of the website, the CGI script will transmit the queries to the database and retrieves results on the website. It has become a standard for synchronizing information servers from external web applications. CGI is eminent in the form of a plain HTML file which his static, while CGI operates in a real time environment to display dynamic contents on a website. An

Group Dynamics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Group Dynamics - Essay Example Additionally, particular reference will be paid to the Rofle reflection model theory. Within a group, the individual members always interact and continuously communicate to achieve a particular objective. The members of a group are connected by universal harmony and combined forces. Plasters, Sagull and Xiao (2003) cite that in most cases, the members of a particular group have matching abilities and rely on each other in a robust power-sharing and accountability framework. According to Duffy (2010), there are different domains in a group dynamic that emphasize on different types of teamwork skills. For example, the group dynamics in an operating room is different in some ways from that of the intensive care unit team due to the nature of work performance in the two areas. The two areas have different role team structures, time pressure, criticality, as well patient volume. Weaver et.al (2010) observes that medical care and practice is undeniably a team effort. Weaver et.al (2010) elaborates that different types of groups are important to all organizations; however, these groups should observe high standards of communication, cooperation and coordination. Well-coordinated teamwork especially in complex service areas such as the operation theater is associated with crucial patient outcomes like increased patient satisfaction while reducing nursing turnover (Machary et.al 2006). Furthermore, Weaver et.al (2010) asserts that effective teamwork is also linked with other positive outcomes such as job satisfaction and reduced stress level. Mosser and Begun (2013) are of the opinion that teamwork in the operating theater makes task performance faster because of the rapid interaction of individuals in the working the team. Subsequently, teams also enable the OR personnel to learn to provide high quality health care by working closely with each other. Within the healthcare set up, there exist four main types of

Structure of an Organization of Bank of Canada Essay - 1

Structure of an Organization of Bank of Canada - Essay Example This paper illustrates that most of the organizations’ structure tends to be quite flexible and easy to manage for the day to day business. However, large organizations in majority of times become bureaucratic and tend not to be flexible enough in order to deal with the challenges of the contemporary day business. The most significant point to consider is that the structure of the organization needs to permit it to fulfill its objectives and also needs to ensure that the structure fits with the business environment in which it works. The range of organizational structures are the ‘entrepreneurial structures’, the ‘product-based structures’, the ‘function-based structures’, the ‘divisional structures’, the ‘matrix structures’, and the ‘holding company structures’. The bank is observed to present the financial services that are generally diversified in nature. The various business segments of the compa ny are wealth management, international banking, capital markets, Canadian banking and insurance. The chart presented below is the three-level organizational chart of Royal Bank of Canada. It can be stated that the board of RBC has an independent chairman. There are 16 directors who are associated with the organization independently and there are two executive directors. The term departmentalization can be understood as the process whereby the tasks are grouped into departments. Five basic methods of grouping the activities are followed; they are ‘departmentalization by-product, departmentalization by the process, departmentalization by customers, departmentalization by geographical regions and departmentalization by function’. In the organizational structure, it is the jobs that are the most significant factors. The primary managerial decision is job design in the organizing function. Those jobs are generally assigned to the individuals that consist of the objectives a s well as the specialized task of the organization. It is worth mentioning that the overall task of the organization cannot be assigned to a single person. For instance, the bank may consist of numerous individuals. However, it is not possible for the single individual to take the responsibility of the entire task. A few may take the responsibility of taking deposits while others may be assigned the task of the granting loans.

IKEA's global sourcing challenge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

IKEA's global sourcing challenge - Essay Example During the video program the company representative will come prepare with information about the good deeds of the company to demonstrate the high level of corporate socially responsibility the company applies. Social corporate responsibility can be defined as the economic, legal, ethical, and discretionary expectations that society has of organizations and its members (Referenceforbusiness). b. What actions should she take regarding the IKEA supply contract with Rangan Exports? IKEA has to take a strong stance against Rangan Exports. A simple yet effective solution is to cancel the contract of the supplier. This decision would push away the critics that claim that IKEA supported suppliers that used child labor. The strategy behind such a move is to deny knowledge of the existence and child labor. The business move is a reactive strategy. One of the cons with this alternative solution is that the exploited children are not benefiting from the move. A second alternative for IKEA is to fine Rangan exports and to implement a process improvement plan to eliminate child labor and to find other ways to reduce costs. Rangan Exports would agree to immediately eliminate all child laborers and would accept termination of contract if a future violation occurs. IKEA would negotiate a deal in which Rangan Exports would publicly apologize for their actions and they would certify that IKEA had no knowledge of their actions. To compensate the exploited children IKEA will pay a full scholarship to the children to be effective from the grade the student is enrolled until college graduation. The scholarship will pay the child $300 a month, books, educational materials, and tuition to private school. The company should also invest money in hiring a law firm to consult on the possible collateral damage associated with continuing the relations with Rangan Exports. IKEA should also implement an audit system that would mandate four yearly visits to the facilities of Rangan Exports. c. What long-term strategy would you suggest she take regarding IKEA’s continued operation in India? Should the company stay or should it exit? (Be prepared to describe the impact of such a decision and how you would manage it) Leaving India would be a simply way to push away a problematic region and minimize the risk to the reputation of the company of doing business with contractors that rely on child labor. IKEA should attack the problem head on and leaving India is the coward’s way out. IKEA should stay in India to take advantage of the low labor costs available in the Indian marketplace. By staying the company can continue to offer low cost items particularly rugs imported from India. The company must hire an Indian accounting consulting firm. This firm will be responsible of performing audits in all IKEA Indian suppliers. The company must perform at least two audits per supplier yearly. Staying in India will help IKEA keep its cost structure low which can help the company pass off the savings to its customers to continue to offer very low prices. IKEA would decrease its sales in the rugs marketplace in the short term if it exited the Indian marketplace. The labor cost advantage in India should be further exploited by IKEA by expanding its supply chain operations in India. IKEA also has to improve its relations with the governmental agencies and non-profit organizations in

US relations with Cuba Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

US relations with Cuba - Essay Example Cuba and the United States of America have had a complex history of relationships. â€Å"Nothing is ever simple in relations between the United States and Cuba†. Both have had interest in one another since well before either of their independence movements. Relations between the North American mainland and the Caribbean Spanish colony began in the early 18th century through illicit commercial contracts between the European colonies of the New World, trading to elude colonial taxes. As the Spanish influence waned in the Caribbean, the United States gradually gained a position of economic and political dominance over the island, with the vast majority of foreign investment holdings, the bulk of imports and exports in its hands. It also boosted the legal and illegal trade and soon Cuba became a comparatively prosperous trading partner in the region.In the last quarter of 20th century, the Cuban resistance against the Spanish colonial rule grew stronger. Initially the rebels fight ing for independence were supported by US President Grant led government, yet as the fighting erupted across mainland, US President Grant declined his support and hence the resistance was curtailed. US Secretary of State James G. Blaine wrote in 1881 of Cuba, â€Å"that rich island, the key to the Gulf of Mexico, and the field for our most extended trade in the Western Hemisphere, is, though in the hands of Spain, a part of the American commercial system†¦ If ever ceasing to be Spanish, Cuba must necessarily become American and not fall under any other European Domination† (Sierra, 4). Domination" (Sierra, 4). The United States major intervention in the Cuban conflict started on February 15th, 1898 when the American battleship USS Maine sank in Havana Harbor due to an explosion of some unknown reason. In Cuba the war became known as "the U.S. intervention in Cuba's War of Independence" (Franklin, 5-34). On the 10th of December 1898 Spain relinquished control of Cuba to the United States with the Treaty of Paris.The treaty put an end to the Spanish Colonial Empire in the Americas marking the beginning of United States expansion and long term political dominance over the region. Immediately after the signing of the treaty, the US-owned "Island of Cuba Real Estate Company" opened for business to sell Cuban land to Americans (Sierra, para. 1), yet the struggle against the U.S. military rule continued under the brave leadership of Cuba's national hero Jose Marti, until on May 20, 1902 Cuba was finally granted formal independence. Nevertheless, United States authorities had already made a decision to continue its right to intervene in Cuban affairs (either to preserve its independence or stability) and on March 2, 1901, a year before formal impedance, the Congress of the United States of America had passed an act called Platt Amendment (Bevans, 1116-17). Despite recognizing Cuba's transition into an independent republic, United States continued to exercise its right. The Plat Amendment was repealed in 1934 and both countries entered a new agreement called the "Treaty of Relations". Among other things, the Treaty of Relations continued the 1903 agreements that leased the Guantanamo Bay naval base to the United States. The rise of General Fulgencio Batista in the 1930s to de facto leader and President of Cuba for two terms (1940-44 and 1952-59) led to an era of close co-operation between the governments of Cuba and the United States. According to U.S. Ambassador to Cuba Arthur Gardner, "Batista had always leaned toward the United States. I don't think we ever had a better friend. It was regrettable, like all South Americans, that he was known-although I had no absolute knowledge of it-to be getting a cut, I think is the word for it, in almost all the, things that were done. But, on the other

Banking Act of 1933 Glass-Steagall Act Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Banking Act of 1933 Glass-Steagall Act - Article Example Senator Carter Glass, who was a former treasury secretary, is the main man behind the act. Henry Steagall was the other sponsor. The act applies to both national banks and state chartered banks (Dept 12). Though the Glass-Steagall act, the government upheld its role to provide quality, public policy. It can be argued that the act went a long way in easing the depression. This occurred because of the measures the Act put in place to prevent further losses. For instance, limiting commercial banks investments prevented underwriting by banks. This allowed for faster liquidation of assets by banks. This led to separation of commercial banks from investment banks. In 1999, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley act repealed the provision that restricted banks and securities firms affiliations section 16 prevented the purchasing or selling of securities by national banks except when the bank acts as a customer’s agent (Dept 23). Under the act, the government tried to resolve the conflict of interest that arises with regard to granting credit. Section 32 prevented common directors and employees access to credit Four sections of the act,sections16,20,21and 32,laid out the provisions for acquiring secur ities, both directly and indirectly in case the bank needed fast access to short term credit. For instance, section 11(a) prevented Federal Reserve member banks from placing loans to dealers or brokers. The Act limited the previous enormous power of the banks. This Act prevents bank’s ability to expand greatly, which was possible to achieve by creating a barrier between banking and insurance against aggressive expansions. As a result of the bank’s risky moves, there was the provision for insurance to minimize losses. Over time, limits on insurance from 2,500 USD in 1934, continues to take place. Currently the FIDC provides insurance for safety deposits of member banks of up to 250,000 USD per depositor in each bank initially, under the act. FDIC had the mandate to regulate and supervise banks, which are non-members in a given State. Through the US treasury, and Federal Reserve an initial 289 million funded the Act. The Act through FDIC also prohibited payment of intere sts on checking accounts. There are also provisions in the Act, which allow national banks to have branches statewide depending on the state’s law (Dept 20). The Glass-Steagall Act provided the government with the opportunity of displaying its understanding of the public’s interest. The institution of the Act by the government proved beneficial in helping the public deal with the recovery period after the effects of the Great economic depression of 1929. The creation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) affected the public on a personal level compared to the other reforms brought about by this Act. This is because the FDIC created a buffer for citizens making a deposit of over 5,000 USD by insuring the money deposited. This served to eliminate any unforeseen, future risks, for example, an economic depression. As a result, individuals had the opportunity of getting their money back in the event of an economic catastrophe. The FDIC also helped to reaffirm the government’s commitment in safeguarding the financial welfare of its citizens (Dept 25). The different branches of the government played an integral role with regard to

Over the Hedge Essay Example for Free

Over the Hedge Essay Over the Hedge is an animated film about the difficulties little harmless animals experience when man encroaches on their habitat (Fry, 2006). The film starts with the end of winter and the animals in the forest are coming out of hibernation. A hyperactive and mischievous raccoon named RJ forages on the junk food of the bear; he escapes alive with the promise of returning all of the bear’s food within a week. On the other side, a family of cute little animals awakens with a green wall in the middle of their forest and suddenly fears what lies beyond the hedge. Verve the turtle ventures over the hedge to find out what was on the other side; however he was subjected to the ferocious human machines like the lawn mower, grass sprinkler, bikes and etc. He returns to the forest and warns that no one should ever venture over the hedge as it is dangerous. The group of animals however had another problem, they had no food. Then here comes, the rascal raccoon RJ and convinces the group that humans throw out their food every time and all they needed to do was go out there and gather it. Verve disagreed and warned them against the idea, but as food became scarce Verve finally agreed with RJ. RJ on the other hand was really thinking of how the group could help him gather the food he owed the bear and here the conflict started. The rest of the film tells about friendship, trust, honesty and love of family. The film does this effectively within the context of man’s environmental responsibility to be stewards of Mother Nature. The plot of the story was actually very simple however, since the characters were cute, furry, funny and adorable animals, the film held much interest. The visuals were very good; it was clear, crisp and very alive. Although one would notice that it was not created in the traditional way, in fact the movie’s animation were all computer generated, from the drawing to the filming. The sound was in the standard Dolby format, and it was clear and loud, however some of the characters dialogues were tweaked to resemble that of the animal, sometimes the dialogue got lost in the way it was pronounced but one could still understand the gist of the sentence. I especially liked the three baby possums because they were really cute, and they were very funny. They had this way of saying things in chorus and then either refuting or supporting each other and their thoughts resembled the candidness of children. The vividness of the colors and images really fed my interest in the film, however I was lost in the burping of the squirrel and the farting of the skunk, maybe the director thought it would add to the comedic element of the film, but it did not feel that way to me. The film talks about the importance of living well with our animal friends, and it shows a very real example of how man react to animals when they start invading our homes and community. The film however had the ability to make us realize that man had been the first to invade the animals’ home and since they get their food from their ecosystem, man’s invasion of their habitat also affects their existence (Peabody, 2006). The film is far from serious and boring, it is funny, entertaining and honest, and brutally honest I must say. The film actually appealed to my sense of justice and equality knowing that man and beast should live together in the best possible way. Although, the film was targeted for children of all ages, some of the dialogues were brazen and crude, thus the film landed in the PG rating, but all the same it contains the essential elements of a good story, interesting characters, excellent animation and great actors and this held my interest in the film until its end.

The Bravery And Loyalty Of Macbeth

The Bravery And Loyalty Of Macbeth People watching the play in Shakespeares time would feel that Macbeth had no fear and is precious and worthy. O valiant cousin, o worthy gentlemen. This suggests and gives people the impression that Macbeth is a brave and steadfast warrior. People would also think that Macbeth is a staggering warrior in the battle and that hes very successful and very resilient. People would also feel that Macbeth is a hammering and a successful person that needs no help therefore because of this he should be worshiped and treated as if hes the God of the universe. People also at that time would also have good views of Macbeth because he showed a lot of bravery and became undefeatable. They would also have a good conclusion about Macbeth because hes unstoppable and so no one in the area was able to prevent him from killing other people, leaving the area with dead people. People would also think that Macbeth is victorious and they would also think that the people in the battle deserved to die and that the people in the battle were as bad as a devil because it says o worthy gentlemen. This also means that Macbeth must have done something beneficial for people in such a high extent and it also suggests that Macbeth fought against whats right and bad to be in such a high rank, to be well respected by people and so the dead people deserved to die. Shakespeares uses a type a language called repetition because the word O is repeated. Also the word Valiant are nowadays archaic, which means that its less common to be used. The purpose of that type of language is to make people think twice and also gives them a reminder and it makes it more focused for the audience to understand Macbeths impression and to keep it in their mind with ease. In act one scene three the audience learn more about Macbeth, good points when he meets the witches because he shows his bravery. When he says stays you imperfect speakers, tell me more this suggests that Macbeth is powerful because hes shouting at the watches and telling the witches what to do. Imperfect speakers suggests that the witches are just making false tales up and that the witches are being untruthful and unreliable about what they are saying, as a result it makes Macbeth assume that the witches are making false tales up and that the witches are lying but hes eager to know and because he is powerful he is screeching at the witches and commanding the witches in an aggressive way to tell more about the story that Macbeth is going to be the king. Macbeth would appear in the scene with a lot of enthusiasm, excitement and with a lot of anger. When he sees the witches Macbeth would react in an enthusiastic way because the witches were telling him stories about his future. Macbeth would also find it alike about what hes hearing also he would think that theyre clowns and are just here to make false stuff up, as a result it would make Macbeth entertained. Macbeth would speak as if hes God because hes all powerful. When Macbeth says tell me more it suggests that Macbeth is angrily and desperately demanding the witches to tell him more about what theyre saying. The quote would also suggest that Macbeth at that time would move in an aggressive way and point at the witches to show and teach the witches that Macbeth is bigger, higher in rank and better and so he is to be well respected and honoured. Tell me more also suggests that Macbeth would be speaking in a cocky way. Macbeth would also be moving in a threatening way and would say s peeches like if you dont stay I will make you regret angrily to get his point across and to show that he is powerful. He would be saying all that because the witches were refusing to follow his instruction and that the witches were being very fast to try to leave the conversation. Shakespeare uses exaggeration because in the quote its written in a more of a demanding way for Macbeth. The purpose of this is to force the witches to follow what Macbeth is saying and to show that Macbeth is interested also to get the witches buzzed. In act 1 scene 3 we find out a lot more about how Macbeth feels when hes told that hes going to be the thane of Cawdor. Macbeth has become thane of Cawdor as third prediction by the witches. If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me, without my stir. This means Macbeth may become the king because the witches have also predicted this. He feels that the next the prediction that hes going to become king can also be true and he feels confused but glad at the same time. Macbeth would also feel that what he heard is true; however he wouldnt do anything to be the king. He would leave it all in luck. The quote also suggests that Macbeth isnt really self-encouraged to do anything to be the king instead he would leave it all in luck to be the king, and also he would feel that there is not point for him to stir stuff up in anyway or to fight to be the king when there is no need because he is very powerful. This is a rhetorical question, because Macbeth is asking himself that quote and the purpose of this is to make Macbeth think twice, does he think its worth it, what the consequences will be, how can he overcome?, whats the benefit etc. Similarly the purpose is like taking a move in Chess because once youve done that there are a lot to think from and it gives you a buzz, impressions and it makes you ask yourself whether its worth it or not etc. In scene 1 scene 7 Macbeth doesnt want to kill King Duncan because he says I am his kinsman and his subject, this suggests that Macbeth is very closely related to King Duncan and that Macbeth has blood relationships with King Duncan and that they both go along with each other very strongly. To clarify Macbeth is trying to say I am a cousin of the king and I will serve him. The quote also suggests that King Duncan is like a father to Macbeth and so its Macbeths duty to take care of him and treat him with great respect as if hes the slave of King Duncan. It also suggests that he cant get along with the crime as he is the kings man. The purpose of this language is to tell Lady Macbeth that Macbeth is a cousin of the king and so hes doesnt want to kill King Duncan. At the beginning of the conversation Macbeth decides not to murder King Duncan, he says we will proceed no further in this business. This means that Macbeth will not take a step to follow her instruction and that he will take no tolerance with the conversation. It also suggests that Macbeth will definitely not going to murder King Duncan and hes feeling guilty and scared of what hes planning to do and so he doesnt want to go any further. His last speech to Lady Macbeth suggests that Macbeth is prepared to kill King Duncan; he says I am settled. This means that Macbeth is prepared, certain to kill King Duncan, steady and stable to go into action and kill King Duncan. This also suggests that Macbeth will stay 100 per cent focused on King Duncan to carry out the murder; also it suggests that Macbeth will be successful due to his focuses. The purpose of this language is to tell the audience how Macbeth feels and what hes trying to say. This changes because the first reaction of Macbeth suggests that hes definitely not going to murder King Duncan and he thinks hell feel guilty, very hesitating and that hell take zero tolerance. But the last reactions of Macbeth suggests the opposite, Macbeth feels that hes 100% certain to do it, also hes eager and focused to do so. The reason why this changes because his ambition for power grows as well as being persuaded to do so. In the background Macbeth has a lot of loyalty and is honoured and well respected by others due to his bravery. He also has a lot of power and it grows dramatically and later hes very eager to become the king. Later on even though his main ambition was to become king he doesnt want to reach a stage where he thinks its bad. However his wife persuades him and argues against Macbeth, persuading him to kill King Duncan and eventually she manages to pull him to her side. Her wife uses a variety of techniques to persuade Macbeth so that he murders King Duncan. She accuses Macbeth of being a coward and soft because he doesnt want to kill King Duncan and this has an effect on Macbeth and most her speeches that she says to Macbeth is totally the opposite of what people thinks of him, and therefore it makes Macbeth feel that what her wife is saying is right, and for Macbeth in order for him to prove that Lady Macbeth is wrong he must kill King Duncan. Eventually all that stirring up that her wife does to Macbeth has an huge effect, eventually, Macbeth decides to follow her instruction and do it because Macbeth wants to prove it wrong and therefore he wants to kill King Duncan. In act 2 scene 1,the scene opens with some casual conversation which tells us that its very dark, and that something bad is about to happen. The audience must be in a way of state like as if they are watching a very horror movie; William Shakespeare made this scene scary just to match up with the killing of the king. But at the beginning of this scene it starts off with Banquo and his son Fleance in the courtyard of Macbeths castle, and Fleance is carrying a torch in this scene. Banquo asks Fleance, How goes the night, boy? Hes not asking Fleance how hes doing; hes asking how late it is. Fleance hasnt heard a clock strike, but the moon is down, so it must be past midnight. Banquo then hands his sword to Fleance, who is apparently serving as his fathers squire. Banquo also gives Fleance something else, perhaps the belt and sheath for the sword. It appears that Banquo is getting ready to go to bed, and he remarks that Theres husbandry in heaven; / their candles are all out. Husbandry i s thriftiness; Banquo means that heaven has gone to bed, and has put out its candles for the night. The moon is down, the night is starless, and there are no street lights in Macbeths castle. In short, its darker than any dark most of us have ever seen. And within this dark is fear. Banquo is dead tired and feels as heavy as lead, but hes fighting sleep because hes afraid of his own thoughts or dreams. He asks the powers above to Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature / Gives way to in repose!, but we dont know exactly what thoughts hes afraid of. A little later he says that he has dreamed of the weird sisters, so maybe hes been thinking about their prophecies. Perhaps he fears that Macbeth is planning murder. Or he might fear his own thoughts about how he might become the father of kings. Or maybe hes just been having uncanny thoughts, such as seem to creep up on us in a very dark night, when every bush can be a bear. Whatever fear it is thats keeping Banquo awake, its also made him edgy. When he sees another torch, he takes his sword from Fleance and calls out Whos there?. Logically, he should have nothing to fear within the locked gates of Macbeths castle, but he still feels the need to have his sword ready, just in case. But the main factor of this scene is when Macbeth goes in to kill the king of Scotland, and it all starts off with him preparing everything for the kill, until when the bell is rang by lady Macbeth just to make clear that theres no one there in the castle that is awake apart from lady Macbeth and Macbeth himself. The audience at this point would be shocked at Macbeth because of the go along of Macbeth with Lady Macbeth; the audience would not be in favour with Macbeth due to going to kill the king. While Macbeth is getting ready to kill the king and is waiting for the thumbs up by his wife at his quiet and peaceful castle something appears in front of him. Macbeth says: Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. This conveys that Macbeth is standing in the corridor of his castle when suddenly he discovers the floating dagger which is in front of him, he is really confused and does not know what to do, he is talking to himself saying is it a false creation of the mind or is it related to the witches, Macbeth says: A dagger of the mind, a false creation, proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?. The dagger seems to be showing Macbeth the path which he already is in he yet again talks to himself, he says: Thou marshallst me the way that I was going, and a instrument I was to use, the readers of this play would be saying that the floating dagger is from the evil wayward sisters and they are trying to push Macbeth into killing Duncan. But suddenly within seconds Macbeth looks above to see the dagger once more, he discovers that the dagger he saw earlier is not the same, he discovers that th e dagger has gouts of blood on, dipping away on the concrete floor, he says: I see thee still, and, on thy blade and dudgeon, gouts of blood, which was not so before. He follows the dagger into the hall way up the stairs leading him to the chamber of the king Duncan, where he lays in bed, with the drunken guards a sleep not knowing anything thats going on beside them. The bell of Macbeths house rang; giving Macbeth a signal from Lady Macbeth to let him know thats everything is fine. Macbeth says: I go, and it is done: the bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven or hell, this is showing that Macbeth is ready to go and kill Duncan. Shakespeare wanted the audience to feel very sad and angry with Macbeth of what he has done in this scene and I think that this scene changed the opinions of readers likes of Macbeth to dislikes. In act 2 scene 2, Macbeth seems to find the killing regretful and bad. Ill go no more: I am afraid, to think what I have done: look ont again, I dare not. This suggests that Macbeth is a timid, terrified, angry, regretful, apologetic and guilty because he was forced and controlled and unwillingly murdered King Duncan. Look ont again, I dare not is suggesting that hes physically trying to force himself to flash back in his mind what happened but he cant because hes scared. Ill go no more: I am afraid, to think what I have done suggests that hes scared because he killed his sort of father King Duncan who he always honoured and respected, however he unwillingly he killed King Duncan and so Macbeths main aim would be to get revenge on his wife because Macbeth ended up with a lot of bad feelings and didnt want to murder King Duncan at first but he was forced to do it by Lady Macbeth and she tricked Macbeth by saying stuff like youre a coward and your weak so that Macbeth gets offended and carry out the murder. Shakespeares uses a variety of techniques. The letter I gets repeated 4 times. The purpose of this is to tell the readers how Macbeth is feeling and no one else, another of its purpose is to show that Macbeth is saying it which he is saying is more exact and that no one else is saying it. Another technique that Shakespeare uses is rhetorical question, the purpose of this is to make Macbeth think what he done and thing in which he couldve done to no do etc. The last technique that Shakespeare uses is opinion; this is a great way to let people see how Macbeth feels during that event. In Shakespeares time people were scared of witches and potions; nowadays people arent scared of witches so if it happened in a modern time people wouldnt be that scared whereas if it happened in Shakespeares time the audience would find it frightening. Appearance would have a difference people nowadays would were a robe and a wizard hat to represent that theyre witches which would make easy for the audience to identify them. In olden times they wouldnt look like this, their would be more like a tramp style, they would look ugly and dirty and it would be much harder to identify who they are, the audience would think that they are beggars and nothing else. The appearance of women also has a big difference nowadays women wears bikini, bras, and skirts whereas in Shakespeares time women wore gowns and dresses. Men would dress as women in Shakespeares time because there were no women actors because they were weak to make a suggestion whereas if it happened in a modern time there would be women actors and they would have great power. Also in Shakespeares time black magic and unusual form of magic e.g. potions, vials would be more commonly used whereas nowadays they are hardly used. The speeches would have a huge difference compared to Shakespeares time, they would use very classic words and they would speak formally in Shakespeares time would speak formally instead of slang whereas nowadays slang is more commonly used to get our message across. The use of Technology would also have a massive difference nowadays if it happened in a theatre there would be sound effects, smoke effects, and lightning effects and so on to keep spectators entertained also the performers would have a great advantage to get their message across because of loud voice due to microphone usage. The theatre would be performed live so that people can watch it. If it happened in Shakespeares time there would be no use of technology meaning that no sound effects would be used other than instruments, the audience in Shakespeares time would find i t very difficult on what the performers were saying because there would be no microphone to extend their voice and so the performers voice wouldnt be that loud, this would make the performers difficult to get their message across and also the spectators would find it hard to hear what they were saying. The acting would also have a major difference if it happened in a modern time the performers would use machine guns, laser weapons rifles etc. Whereas if it happened in Shakespeares time the performers would use swords, knifes, bows, magic etc. In conclusion of this play, I think that the play Macbeth written by William Shakespeare is one of the greatest tragic dramas the world has ever encountered. Macbeth is my favourite drama play of all time and another thing that is attracting the readers is the writers use of dramatic techniques to convey his character to the audience. I really like this play due to fascination of kings and queens and most of all the witches, I would recommend this play to other people who have not read it before, it is BRILLIANT! I think that the main cause for Macbeths actions inside the play is because of the witches who played an important role in the play to try and convince Macbeth that what the witches were telling, was the truth but also his driving ambition to become king had an effect on him because all he could think of is to become king and this driven him to the driving seat. But not only was his driving ambition of becoming king was the main cause for Macbeths actions, it was also his ve ry ambitious wife who controlled her husband into killing Duncan to become king, she had the main event in her hands and that is when lady Macbeth persuaded Macbeth to murder King Duncan. I also think that Macbeth was really brave to go along and kill Duncan, and to eventually become king but also I think that he was very stupid and gullible to actually do this because at the end of the play he dies in a painful death and that is because of his driving ambition of becoming king, due to his wife and mainly the witches. Although Macbeth was a good and a well honourable man at the beginning (for example, he was called Brave Macbeth), he made one big mistake that put him in the worst situation. Right at the beginning he was well respect and honoured by his surroundings. But at the end because he killed King Duncan because he got persuaded due to his ambition, as well as being persuaded to do so by his wife, at the end Macbeth became very disrespectful, and became very cruel because he murdered anyone surrounded by him and because of this he died in a painful death. Macbeth says I will not be afraid of death and bane, Till Birnam forest come to dunsinane. This suggests tha t Macbeth is not afraid to die, also hes saying that is England and that is Scotland and so come and get me, to the warriors. I would personally say that Macbeth is a coward because he unwillingly killed King Duncan and also because he had a free will, he couldve chose the option to reject and to not kill King Duncan. And even though Macbeth had a free choice he didnt reject Lady Macbeths instructions, so I believe he is a coward. I think that Macbeth had changed because practically he showed great respect and treated King Duncan as if its his own father and he had good views of him. But he changed because eventually because he murdered King Duncan cowardly because he was controlled by his wife to do so despite Macbeth didnt want to but he followed her instruction to murder King Duncan. He changed because he killed his own beloved King Duncan when he didnt want to; this also suggests that Lady Macbeth had influence on Macbeth and that Lady Macbeth is sly and cunning. Macbeth had great power in the background but he couldnt make use of it to reject what Lady Macbeth instructed him to do. Macbeth was weaker a nd didnt have the courage to fight or argue back with his wife. It also suggests that Macbeth was a coward because he obeyed Lady Macbeths rule when he didnt want to.