Matt Medeiros Interview - the Founder of Matt Report

Hey, so here we are again touching base with some inspiring WordPress people who are always ready to share their stories and keep us motivated! Today, were happy to welcome Matt Medeiros, best known for his podcast, Matt Report.By the way, if you missed our previous interview, check it out here (Jean Galea of WP Mayor).Matts show, Matt Report is one of the most popular WordPress podcasts on the air currently. The episodes touch on a number of different WordPress-related topics, including marketing, development, sales, community, and more.  If you havent checked out any of the episodes yet, you really should. Matts a great podcaster!Apart from the podcast, he is the  co-founder of Slocum Studio, a WordPress design and development business that he and his father started nine years ago. Matts also an active speaker, engaged member of the WordPress community, and a frequent WordCamp attendee.Heres our Matt Medeiros interview:Matt Medeiros InterviewWhen and how did you start working w ith WordPress? Is there an interesting story here?Matt Medeiros:I grew up in my familys car dealership. I was always the one to fix the computers, and help people with tech problems. When consumer internet hit in the late 90s I managed the website that was controlled by General Motors CMS. Fast forward some years later, I was working full-time as a product manager for a local Internet Service Provider.We acquired another ISP, which came with a Drupal development team. We evaluated Drupal (at the time version 4) and realized that it was too complex for this new business. Their designer really pushed us on WordPress, and I dove into learning as much as I could. The first commercial theme I bought was The Standard theme, and we used it on a few client sites.As that company wound down, I started Slocum Studio with my father, roughly 9 years ago.Whats your technique for staying productive throughout the day?Matt Medeiros:I do a lot of things, lots of irons in the fire. Theres always a bl og post to create, podcast to record or edit, customer to talk to, or support ticket to answer. Now that I have a child, time is even more compressed, so its imperative to get as much done as I can during my work time.How do you define being successful?Matt Medeiros:Being challenged, learning, discovering and helping new people every day. Finding a sense of purpose and integrity in the work that I produce. Enjoying all of it, even during the down times.Love the way you make money, not how much of it you make.What do you like to do when youre not WordPress-ing?Matt Medeiros:Being with my family, working out, playing the occasional video game.What do you wish more people knew about WordPress?Matt Medeiros:Customer facing: I wish people knew how flexible it was, and what kind of opportunity it affords their organization. That the ownership of content, and the platform you build, is paramount to the success of their efforts.Consultants: I wish they would spend more time educating themse lves on building a more sustainable business. On the financial side, and the technical side. I still see too many shortcuts, just to make a quick buck.Whos doing things that are just cutting-edge and incredible in the WordPress space right now?Matt Medeiros:Big players would be a handful of the leading web hosts and agencies. Pagely, WP Engine, 10up, and WebDevStudios come to mind. Those are the PR stories you read about, but theres a whole bunch of micro-awesomeness coming from a large amount of individuals and small teams, as well.Describe the WordPress community in one word.Matt Medeiros:Humans.Whats the main threat to WordPress these days? Other platforms like Ghost, or maybe things like Squarespace?Matt Medeiros:Theres market threats like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify which are gunning for the consumer and prosumer users to build on their platforms. There will always be a tug of war and shift in market share between the popular DIY platforms.Theres outlier threats like Facebook , Google, and Medium, which look to create a monetized platform/network of content where you dont need to visit a WordPress powered website. Especially Facebook for businesses, folks seem to be spinning up their small FB Pages, putting in all of their contact information and calling it quits.WordPress faces a threat from within as well. What is WordPress? A blogging platform, website builder, web app framework? Why WordPress.com vs self-hosted? Easy to answer right now, but lines will be blurred as Jetpack matures especially to newbies. Why is the WordPress experience so fragmented? A theme wants you to built the site one way, while a page builder plugin decides on another way. Web hosts have 1-click installs with their own list of required themes/plugins, and on boarding walk-throughs.In my opinion, were going through a round of growing pains at the moment.Whats the one thing youd like to change about WordPress?Matt Medeiros:For me, it would be the theme + plugin repos. Id like to see better search features and some form of verified author program.What are your recommendations for a WordPress novice?Spend time learning the fundamentals of web publishing. Like basic formatting of a post, sharing content, and making your content as great as it can be. I see a lot of people start a WordPress site and give up, mainly because they dont see results. This sums up our Matt Medeiros interview. If you have any questions for him, please leave them in the comments section below. Also, who would you like to see interviewed next as part of Pirate Interviews?

The Rainbow Essays

The Rainbow Essays The Rainbow Essay The Rainbow Essay it is emphasised that the women looked outwards, removing themselves figuratively from the blind intercourse of farm-life, to the spoken world beyond. (42). With this description, Lawrence suggests that the women were discontent with assuming a position of participation amongst the blind intercourse of unconscious activities that were assumed of them, and that the men were content with practicing. It was enough for the men, that the earth heaved and opened its furrow to them (42) The men are described as their senses being full fed and being unable to turn around (43), in contrast to the women, who had in a sense, opened themselves to the world and what she had to offer, by no longer being passive Brangwen female participants of farm-life, by being aware of the lips and the mind of the world speaking and giving utterance, they heard the sound in the distance, and they strained to listen. (42). The Brangwen women at moments, seem to inhabit different houses and/or worlds from the men, Her house faced out from the farm-buildings and fields, looked out to the road and the village with church and Hall and the world beyond. (43), whereas the Brangwen men are described in a fashion portraying their satisfaction with farm life and activities, it was enough that they helped the cow in labour, or ferreted the rats from under the barn, or broke the back of the rabbit . While it seems a strange metaphor, it is the woman who looks out to the active scope of men, and who is concerned with government, education and progress in a magic land to her, where secrets were made known and desires fulfilled. (43). The Brangwen women are depicted as looking at the children of the upper classes and wondering why their children are disadvantaged. Lawrence portrays the women as deciding that the difference is not money, nor even class. It was education and experience, she decided. (44). Thus, education becomes not a means of social progress for working class children, but rather a thing of inherent value, a higher form of being, which is why the Brangwen women want it for their own children. The Brangwen women are portrayed according to their developing being, she craved to know. She craved to achieve this higher being, if not in herself, then in her children(44) and aspirations of striving beyond herself, towards the further life of the finer woman, towards the extended being she revealed, as a traveller in his self-contained manner reveals far-off countries present in himself. (45). The Brangwen woman contemplating her childs potential advance, deciding that it is a question of knowledge, as well as the allusion used by her, of the vicars power over Tom Brangwen on a desert island, his soul was master of the other mans (44), shares a common trait, in terms of relating these metaphorical descriptions to the essence of what Lawrence wished to achieve: the stages of the advance of consciousness in terms of knowledge, suggesting that this stage is both important and temporary; the creative and evolving being unable to be contented with contemplation of what is known, but rather has to discover what is new also. 18). Thus, ironically, it is the women in The Rainbow who, whilst her husband looked out to the back at sky and harvest and beast and land, she strained her eyes to see what man had done in fighting outwards to knowledge her deepest desire hung on the battle that she heard far off, being waged on the edge of the unknown. She also wanted to know, and to be of the fighting host. (43), provides for the reader the departure point of Lawrences masterfully depicted journey into discovering a history of the relation between man and what lies beyond him, and the history of the struggle of men to become conscious and to become themselves.

Preliminary Questions for the Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Preliminary Questions for the - Research Paper Example In addition, it has led to reliability because people from any part of the world are able to access the information passed. Seeing as this mode of communication has only come into existence in the last approximately two decades, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding it. As with any new introduction, it has garnered both support and opposition. Those that support it cite the immense benefits and the heavy impact that it has drawn upon communication since its onset. Those that do not support it assert that the establishment of its relevance is quite hard and that it is merely a passing phase. This paper‘s focal point is to illustrate that mobile communication has had an observable and immense impact on the field of communication. The paper’s main subject is to indicate that whether negatively or positively, mobile communication has changed the face and direction of advertising on a long-term basis. One of the most popular means of mobile communication is the use of the social media platform. According to e-marketer, an online statistical site, the number of people subscribed to social media networks in the world totaled down to 1.73 billion as of 2013. This means that social media act as a means of mobile communication as it reaches about 26% of the world population. This is exclusive of other mobile communication means such as mobile texting. This illustrates that mobile communication is one of the only means of advertisement that in actuality affects over a quarter and nearly half of the world’s population. In the same site, they estimated that by 2015, 2.55 billion people would have to social media accounts. Statistically, this indicates that the growth rate for social media subscription stands at 18% annually. This statistic lays out just how relevant mobile communication is on the human populace. Eric Clemmons, an Information professor at the University of Pennsylvania, states that advertising

Consumer decision making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Consumer decision making - Essay Example n opportunity to get in touch with the foreign products and they got enough opportunities to compare the quality and prices of the domestic products with that of the foreign products. Such evaluation from the part of consumers may often change their buying habits. Online marketing and e-commerce are growing day by day and based on that the purchasing decisions of the consumers are also changing. In many cases, a purchasing situation occurs out of the fear of losing social recognition or once the existing product goes out of order. Some of the people have blind belief in brand values while others are more practical. Some consumers may seek further assistance from the supplier to improve the performance of the product they purchased. This paper briefly analyses the consumer decision making attributes. Recognition is a primary psychological need for human beings and hence most of their purchasing decisions were influenced by their desire to get recognition from others. Most of the consumers feel inferiority, if they possess old goods. In many cases, consumers postpone their purchasing decisions until they acquire ample financial resources for executing the purchasing. Once the consumer feels confidence about his/her financial abilities, the next step is to gather information about the product he/she wants to purchase. â€Å"Sources of information could be family, friends, neighbours who may have the product you have in mind, and alternatively you may ask the sales people, or dealers, or read specialist magazines. You may even actually examine the product before you decide to purchase it† (Consumer Buying Behaviour, n. d) Most of the people rely on, advertisements in television, news papers, Super markets and internet for the information regarding the product they want to pu rchase. They will collect information from the friends also. The User’s comments will always be valued more than anything else. Once ample information is collected about a particular product, most

Week4 report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Week4 report - Essay Example I performed the task of balancing the clearing checks which are deposited in the accounts of the customer. Moreover, I had to deal with the rejected checks which were drawn on the local banks’ accounts (Parker 48). I learned numerous new skills in the past 30 hours such as, I learned to make use of appropriate language and be positive while communicating with others. I was able to be flexible enough to adjust according to the need of work and the requirements of dealing with the customer. I am able to be calm and patient along with being polite to the customers. I learned to be able to keep the customers’ information confidential and to maintain their privacy according to the policy. I have been able to be careful and attentive about the single details and their accuracy. Most importantly in this work experience, I have learned from my mistakes and observed many ways to work out of difficult situations and in different conditions (Fitch 50). I have adopted the troubleshooting skills while facing some problems and handled them during training in the last 30 hours. The problems I encountered made me flexible and enabled me to find out their solutions accordingly. In the fourth week, the problem was that the workers were too busy because of upcoming Eid vacation. Therefore, it was difficult for me to complete my training as there was lesser time. I resolved this issue by being calm and followed the workers patiently. I also took help from the detailed papers to get an idea of the new tasks. Secondly a problem occurred when I forgot to write the customer’s phone number on the check while depositing that could cause trouble in rechecking if any error would be detected in depositing. I verified the customer’s account for the contact number with the help of a worker and then I wrote it on the check. Another problem I faced was that according to the bank policies a check cannot be deposited after 12:00 P.M., that I solved by explaining the customer our

Does Violence in the Media Contribute to Violent Children?

Does Violence in the Media Contribute to Violent Children? Alaina Davis While some people may disagree that violent media contributes to violent children, the fact remains that violence is now part of our everyday world. Many tragedies, from the Gulf War to the loss of the World Trade Center Towers were televised nightly or even 24 hours a day on some news channels. I am not suggesting children be deprived of the knowledge that there is violence in our world, rather I would suggest that children must be supervised for such programming, because children cannot always tell the difference between fact and fantasy. In this paper, we will look at three specifically violent events and the feelings of children who viewed the events on television, or were within close proximity to the violence and watched it televised as well. I do not personally believe that television has the exclusive power to create a violent child however; I do believe that it can be an integral part of a storm of events that can help to create a violent child. There is an amazing array of numbers and facts surrounding television alone, regardless of programming and the ages of the children who watch unsupervised. Fremont (2007), states that there is an average of three televisions in 41% of American homes. Children from ages 2-7 watch television unsupervised and alone 81% of the time. In this same age group, 33% have televisions in their own bedrooms. I personally feel that this is far too much television for children of this age to watch television so much with no adult supervision. It is obvious that television has indeed become the new babysitter. Another statistic from Fremont (2007) is that children watch televised news 65% of the time as compared to 44% who read newspapers. Television, and images in general tend to generate a more visceral reaction than reading printed text does. For example, I can write a text only report about the violence surrounding the Twin Towers Attacks on September 11, 2001, and it will no doubt stir up some reaction, in part because we all had such a large amount of television exposure to the event. However, even at that, reading a text only report, will not elicit the same visceral response as showing pictures will, and that response will heighten with each enhancement to the report. Videography, with a narrator and actual live footage of the event, elicits the strongest reaction to any event, good or bad. However, in our society, violence seems to elicit the strongest responses and the most interest. This is true of not only our news broadcasts, but of television shows, movies and video games. A few more facts, which will become more clear as we relate them to specific events: Less than 50% of children display feelings of anger, depression, or sadness after watching the news (Fremont, 2007). Bushman (2007), states that younger children are more likely to imitate what they see on television. Considering the amount of the age 2-7 group of children that are allowed unsupervised viewing and the psychological processing of that age group, it is easy to see why they would imitate what they see without reasoning for consequence. Browne Hamilton-Giachritsis (2007). have shown a correlation between homes that are violent in nature, children who watch large amounts of televisions in these violent homes, and juvenile delinquency in their teenage years. There are many forms of violence available on television, as entertainment, education, or in conjunction with television and the internet, such as on violent gaming. As a starting place, we are going to briefly visit three national tragedies, in order of happening because television coverage increased with each tragedy. As coverage increased, so did the amount of televisions available to view it on, as well as the time of the coverage. The first national tragedy is the Challenger accident, resulting in the destruction of the space capsule, as well as everyone on board, including a civilian female schoolteacher. Compared to the next two national tragedies, the Challenger received little airplay of the accident scene that was aired on the national news of the takeoff, and the very sudden violent explosion of the capsule. As an adult, I briefly remember the news coverage about the accident, and I remember that coverage was short lived. I had a 3-year-old daughter at the time, but she was never allowed to watch television unsupervised as a child, and she did not watch televised news. However, in a small study done at the time of 153 children from Concord, NH, and Porterville, CA, there was no initial reaction difference between the two coasts (Fremont, 2007). There was an increase in post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in East coast children, as opposed to the West coast children (Fremont, 2007). Fremont (2007). did not state the ages of the children involved in the study, but we know that children under eight are generally less able to tell the difference between fantasy and reality. That is why children from 2-7 still believe in the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and the monsters under the bed. Because they do not always process these events as real, and therefore not as horrific as older children, juveniles do and adults do, if they develop symptoms at all, it is likely as an emotional cue that this is how we are supposed to act in response to such a tragedy. The Oklahoma City Bombing was a personal event because I live in Oklahoma. There was more national coverage on the news, and for a longer period of time than with the Challenger accident. Neighbors talked about it for longer periods, even after the news stopped covering it. In another study, seven weeks after the event, 3000 children of middle and high school age were surveyed. Freemont (2007). noted that those who were bereaved through involvement, directly, or indirectly, were more likely to report symptoms than those who were not so closely involved with the incident. However, it is also important to note that the Murrah Building Bombing’s television exposure did lead to trauma related symptoms for more than 2 years past the actual event date (Fremont, 2007). Given the additional coverage time and duration of this incident, which occurred nine years after Challenger, it is obvious that violent television broadcasts do have an effect on children. Our final national tragedy is the day simply known now as 9/11. On September 11, 2001, hijacked jets being flown into each of its twin towers attacked the World Trade Center in New York (Manhattan). Television and radio coverage started before anyone even knew what was happening. First reports were only for a plane of undetermined size having crashed into the North Tower. Before it was all over, a third plane would have crashed into the Pentagon, and a fourth would be diverted by extremely brave passengers into crashing into a farm field, rather than its target, which was assumed to the be the White House. The second crash into the Twin Towers was televised in live time, as it happened. People all over America and the world watched as those towers burned, smoke rolling from them, and people jumping amid the papers blowing off the exposed upper floors. Finally the entire crash of first one tower and then the other, all taking place on live television, in real time. This was horrific f or a number of reasons: the amount of people initially dead and missing, relatives across the country, and around the world were uncertain if they were in shock for the nation, grieving personally, or both. Television coverage went on and on, replaying the horrific images repeatedly on 24-hour broadcasts. Other news was reported while these images played in the background on some channels. Fremont (2007). reports in a study done of grade 4-12 aged children in the New York City School system reported an increase of 8.5% of PTSD symptoms following this tragedy. A supporting study confirmed that there were symptoms of PTSD (particularly anxiety) in children who had excessive television exposure to this event even as far away as the West Coast. The difference was that children at a distance suffered more anxiety over whether a loved one was injured or killed; children on the East Coast suffered grief for those injured or killed in the attacks, as well as anxiety about their futures, and the impact this tragedy would have on their future (Wilson, A.C., Lengua, L.J., Meltzoff, A.N., Smith, K.A., 2010). Again, parental influences did have some bearing on how much stress a child suffered from this event. According to Wilson, A.C. et.al. (2010), children from single parent homes displayed more symptoms than homes where both parents were present. Another important point is that children who had parents who showed positive emotional responses following the 9/11 attacks, such as crying in grief were much more likely to seek out or ask for help with their feelings over the attack. We do see that violence has an effect on children, at least, on school age children. The three events we have discussed so far were real incidents, happening to real people, and being broadcast in real time on television. But what effect does interactive violent media have on our children? The more attractive video games, to the age 8 and above group, are violent. Whether it is fantasy violence, such as Angry Birds, or animated human violence, such as Halo, or other war programs, these are the games that are advertised heavily, promoted as â€Å"great gifts† and come with a great amount of attached peer pressure to play these games. Bushman (2007). noticed that females had become increasingly violent as the media and society supports the tough, aggressive female character. Traditionally, females are exposed to violent video games later than males, because they are not drawn to watch violent sporting events such as football and hockey (Bushman (2007). While news broadcasts of national tragedies obviously cause symptoms of stress and anxiety in older children, what about younger children? For younger children, violence seems to really have not much of an effect. We read Grimm’s stories to our toddlers; it rarely gives them cause for stress, or anxiety. They are unlikely to display infantile reactions to stress from being read Hansel and Gretel, for example by sucking their thumb, or wetting the bed after hearing the story. Yet, this story is violent; two children, left in the woods by their parent, found by a witch, who attempts to murder them. For children under the age of eight, most research seems to agree that televised violence, viewing video games, or even hearing stories such as Grimm’s Fairy Tales, have little to no effect. Kotler and Calvert (n.d.), support that younger children tend to use instrumental aggression; aggression that is used in the quest of controlling or obtaining an object. Therefore, an average preschooler may strike another child in the quest to get a toy, for example. However, by the time the child enters the first grade, at age 6 or 7, they are starting to use words to fight, rather than physical violence, and may even reject physically aggressive school peers. Supporting my theory that violent media alone does not make a violent child, Kotler and Calvert (n.d.) assert that by the time a child is a pre-adolescent or adolescent, they understand that the quest of revenge, such as is displayed in many video games, is the wrong moral path. However, those children without strong social ties, and who tend to be isolated, endorse violent revenge (Kotler Calvert, n.d.). Further support to the fact that while violent media does contribute, but is not the sole reason for violent children, is a study conducted by Johnson, et.al., over 17 years in a community of 707 individuals. In each case, there was significant support for those who watched violent television in early adolescence and subsequent aggressive acts in adolescence and young adulthood. Males outweighed females in the same age brackets, but routinely, those who watched television for more than 3 hours per day, regardless of the violent content, were 14.6% more likely, overall to engage in physical assault or fighting that would result in injury at age 16 or 22. For those same ages and the same amount of television, 12.7% were likely to engage in any aggressive act on another person. These statistics were true whether or not the adolescent had any of the other risk indicators present for aggressive behavior, or a history of aggressive behavior (Johnson, Cohen, Smailes, Kasen, Brook, 2005). I have to admit that when I chose this topic, I was not on the side of violent television causing violent children, or even being a major contributor. However, the facts are irrefutable; children who view violence after the age of 8, particularly when the situation of the children’s lives are coupled with a low income home that may be violent in nature, is more likely to become violent, or at least accept violent behavior in their adolescent and young adult years. Of course, contributing to my own view is the fact that when I was a child, most homes did not even own one television, programming was rarely violent in terms of today’s acceptable programming, and we were generally limited to an hour of prime time, supervised viewing with the entire family between dinner and bedtime. With the research conducted however, it is not possible to deny that younger children (under age 8) are less able to process and disseminate information, because they simply have no frame of reference for what is acceptable and unacceptable in terms of violence. I do not believe, however, that children of this age should watch television unsupervised, simply because they are learning to reference what they see. Without an adult present to help them interpret what they see, in later years, they will not have a frame of reference to fall back on. Society will never be perfect; we will always have those children, as well as adults who suffer rejection, bullying, and other forms of violence simply because they are different. However, I honestly believe if we all take the advice of the researchers, and supervise our young children, rather than forbid violence in all forms, we will raise children who will be able to survive those rejections, bullying’s and other hurts of growing up without becoming violent. On the other hand, limiting and supervising the viewing and use of violent media in the home may help those children who suffer from disabilities that already promote low empathy (such as Autism Spectrum Disorders like Asperger’s) to understand that violence solves nothing. Finally, parents must accept primary responsibility for their children, their children’s viewing and gaming habits, and ensure that their friends have parents who are involved and engaged with their children as well. Fremont (2007). recommends that the age group under eight not view television or other media without supervision. She also recommends that the adults in a child’s life be prepared to help them with responsible interpretation of any violent content that is viewed. References Browne, K.D., Hamilton-Giachritsis, C. (2005). The influence of violent media on children and adolescents: a public health approach. Lancet, 365(9460), 702-210. Retrieved from Ebscohost. October 29, 2011. Bushman, D. B. (2007, March 2). The impact of entertainment media on children and families. Retrieved October 30, 2011, from Iowa State University Extension: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/families/media/pages/qa.bushman.html Fremont,Wanda P., M.D., (2007, November 15). Reactions of children exposed to media coverage of terrorism. Retrieved October 28, 2011, from St. Josephs Hospital and Health Center: www.sjhsyr.org/sjhhc/pdf/chip_FremonReactions07.ppt Johnson, J. G., Cohen, P., Smailes, E. M., Kasen, S., Brook, J. S. (2005, March 29). Television viewing and aggressive behavior during adolescence and adulthood. Science, 295, 2468-2471. Retrieved from Ebscohost. October 29, 2011. Kotler, J. A., Calvert, S. L. (n.d.). Children and adolescents’ exposure to different kinds of media violence: Recurring choices and recurring themes (Research Paper). Retrieved from Children’s Digital Media Center/Georgetown University: http://cdmc.georgetown.edu/papers/children_and_adolescent’s_exposure.pdf Wilson, A.C., Lengua, L.J., Meltzoff, A.N., Smith, K.A. (2010). Parenting and temperament prior to September 11, 2001, and parenting specific to 9/11 as predictors of children’s post-traumatic stress symptoms following 9/11. Journal of Clinical Child Adolescent Psychology, 39(4), 445-459. Doi: 10.1080/15374416.2010.486317, Retrieved from Ebscohost. October 30, 2011

Alternative Transportation & Greenways System Plan Essay -- Transporta

Alternative Transportation & Greenways System Plan In Transportation Alternative's "Bicycle Blueprint" for the five boroughs of New York City, John Kaehny, executive director, states: Making greenway networks a reality will require partnership between planners and advocates, on the one hand, and public officials controlling purse strings on the other. Local elected officials, particularly city council members and borough presidents, have to be reminded that greenways can multiply the value and variety of open space in the region at very low cost in public resources; under ISTEA, bike and pedestrian projects may be paid for using a 20/80 local/federal matching formula. What's more, by offering fresh air, recreation, quiet and sheer visual relief, this enhanced open space can increase property values for both residential and commercial uses along the route. Greenways can also save or generate money by reducing infrastructure and energy costs, improving air quality and public health, and boosting tourism.1 Of course, Bloomington is a far cry from New York City but the statements made above hold just as strongly for the city of Bloomington, Indiana as for any other community interested in developing an alternative transportation greenway network. Over the past several months the city of Bloomington has been holding a series of public meetings and discussions to aid Bloomington planners in the creation of a greenways plan for the community. "The city already has miles of alternative transportation routes, including bike routes and lanes, trails, side paths, and multi-use trails, and the idea is to connect the parts," states Tom Micuda, Bloomington Planning Director.2 In fact, even before the public meetings began a grou... ...ricia Collingwood, City of Bloomington Planning Manager, and Josh Desmond, City of Bloomington Senior Planner, at City Hall on March 2, 2001. Follow-up meeting with Josh Desmond on March 30, 2001. Interview / phone conversation with Steve Cotter, Bloomington Parks and Recreation, on March 29, 2001. Johnson, Jennifer. Parking Revenue at $2.5 Million. Indiana Daily Student, January 29, 2001. Johnson, Marda. Ideas Sought to Link Greenways in Bloomington. Herald-Times, February 19, 2001. Johnson, Marda. Greenways Wish List Assembled. Herald-Times, February 21, 2001. Peck, Nick. Motorless in Montreal. Utne Reader, March-April 2001. Stuebe, Gayle et al. "Friends of the Limestone Trail" article from the Herald-Times provided by Scott Burgins. Transportation Alternative's "The Electronic Bicycle Blueprint" at http://www.transalt.org/blueprint/index.html

Barriers to Effective Communication Essay

Effective communication is a major element to success in any relationship, business, or organization. Communication barriers attempt to impede, and in some instances stop, the successful completion of the communication process. Law Enforcement agencies are susceptible to the consequences of ineffective communication and should work toward reducing and eliminating barriers blocking the flow of communication. Organizational flaws in the entangled hodgepodge of agencies within the American criminal justice system cause various communication barriers resulting in confusion and inefficiencies throughout the system. Law enforcement agencies began sharing more information after the attacks on 9/11 but barriers still exist. Understanding the communication process and using active listening skills is vital to overcoming barriers to effective communication. Process of Communication Wallace and Roberson (2009) define communication as, â€Å"a process involving several steps, among two or more persons, for the primary purpose of exchanging information† (p. 15). The communication process is dependent on the sender’s ability to create an understandable message for the recipient and the recipient’s ability to interpret the message. The process begins by transmitting an idea into a message made of carefully chosen symbols understandable to the receiver (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). To ensure success of the communication process, the sender should consider the recipient’s point of view while forming the message and selecting the means of transmission. The message can take the form of writing, speaking, or movement (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). Receipt of the message is very important or the process of communication stops. Sending the message using the appropriate medium continues the communication process to the next step. Understanding the idea of the message requires interpretation by the recipient. The receiver interprets the message and provides feedback to the sender. Feedback indicates receipt of the message and whether the message was understood or requires more information. Formal and Informal Channels of Communication Information flows up and down through the police organizations according to the chain of command. The formal channels of communication within police organizations require strict adherence to order, written memorandums, and directives (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). The Momentum that information flows within the formal channels is slow creating a delay in sharing new information throughout the organization. Slow transmission reduces organizational efficiency, wastes valuable time, resources, and puts the reputation of the police agency at risk. Formal channels are restrictive and at times seem unnecessary but police agencies do receive benefits using the formal channels. Through formal channels, all officers receive the same directions in an understandable message that reduces confusion among officers and creates documentation for later reference (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). Informal channels of communication exist in all law enforcement agencies and are used to pass information outside the formal channels of communication. Informal channels of communication give officers a break from the rigid protocol of formal channels. Opportunities for personal discussions that build camaraderie naturally improve morale and work performance. Police agencies know the benefits of informal channels of communication. When the right balance of formal and informal communications is achieved, the agency becomes a united police force. Overcoming Barriers to Effective Communication  The barriers that influence effective communication within the criminal justice system are emotional barriers, physical barriers, semantic barriers, and ineffective listening (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). The sender and receiver both can contribute emotional barriers reducing effective communication by allowing beliefs, attitudes, perceptions, and life experiences to enter the process. Criminal justice professionals can overcome emotional barriers by using peer support systems within the police department or support from outside sources (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). Physical barriers are obstructions that interfere with movement of a message and are the hardest to overcome. The weather, distance, and failures in technology are a few examples of physical barriers a police officer may encounter (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). Some barriers are out of the officer’s control and cannot be overcome quickly such as an ice storm that becomes a physical barrier when power and telephone lines go down ending communication. Semantic barriers consist of language differences and ambiguous word meanings and prevent a clear exchange of ideas resulting in failed communication. Hiring a diverse group of officers can reduce language barriers and choosing words carefully with the receiver in mind can help ease semantic barriers. Ineffective listening is another barrier present in the criminal justice system and occurs from disinterest, speaker bias, emotions, distractions, and words that invoke emotion (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). Every officer needs active listening skills. An officer using active listening skills can diffuse dangerous situations when armed with a clear understanding of the circumstances. Active listening is different from hearing. Hearing is an automatic response to sound and listening is an act. While using active listening skills the officer is processing what the speaker is saying with interest, free of speaker bias, and emotions, before giving a response (Wallace & Roberson, 2009). Improving and eliminating barriers to effective communication is achieved through education and self-improvement courses offered as part of a criminal justice professional’s continuing education. Communication Failure 9/11  The repercussions of failed communication can be seen in the attacks of 9/11. Many factors contributed to known terrorists entering the United States undetected and successfully killing Americans. Ineffective communication resulting in communication failure is one variable that allowed the United States to be attacked by terrorist from another country. The structure of American law enforcement agencies is conducive to linkage blindness. Grant and Terry (2008) define linkage blindness as, â€Å"the inability to analyze and link critical information across or within agencies† (p. ). Communication failed because Federal law enforcement agencies did not share terrorist information with state and local law enforcement agencies. Competition and territorial greed between agencies contributed to the loss of communication within the law enforcement community (Grant & Terry, 2008). Best (2007) stated, â€Å"Almost all assessments of the attacks of September 11, 2001 have concluded U. S. Intelligence and law enforcement agencies had failed to share information that might have provided advance warning of the plot† (Summary, para. 1). Congress eventually acknowledged communication barriers exist within the system of law enforcement agencies and enacted legislation and regulation to facilitate the sharing of information. Conclusion Most communication barriers can be overcome by using common sense and active listening devoid of emotion and bias. Police agencies and individual criminal justice professionals are responsible for learning and using active listening skills. Understanding the communication process reveals strategies to overcoming barriers that block the flow of information. Formal and informal channels of communication can drive the movement of messages forward or stop movement completely. When terrorists attacked the United States September 11, 2001 Congress enacted legislation and regulations to tear down the communication barriers that existed between law enforcement agencies. Communication barriers will always exist within the structure of American law enforcement agencies but efforts will continue to eliminate barriers within reach and reduce those harder to reach.

Denied SSD Applicants Face Economic Challenges

Denied SSD Applicants Face Economic Challenges Few Alternatives in the Face of SSDI Denials A new study examined economic outcomes of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) applicants denied benefits by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Findings indicate such applicants suffer economic harm and fare poorly in the job market. A detailed article on the findings appears here.Older SSDI applicants denied benefits due to stringent SSA standards go on to struggle with greatly decreased earnings in the job market. Though disability causes applicants economic harm, most are denied benefits at first. Without an appeal, these applicants face dim prospects going forward.About SSDIThe SSA provides SSDI to those who have worked, paid into the system, and suffered a disability that leaves them unable to work. SSDI benefits carry over until the recipient reaches retirement.About the StudyResearchers Jody Schimmel Hyde and April Wu of Mathematica tracked a group of applicants who were initially denied SSDI benefits through SSA. Among the sample group studied:All applicants wer e at least 50-years-oldThe average age of the group was 59 yearsEach had worked enough hours to qualifyMost worked five years before applyingFew worked for five years after denialOver 50% of the sample group eventually received benefits before reaching their full retirement age, including successful appeals, new applications, or reduced benefits at early retirement.About the FindingsThe study shows poor economic outcomes for those denied benefits. For those who came close to qualifying, too disabled to return to their jobs, yet capable of other work, employment numbers fell off sharply. This confirms a 1989 Government Accountability Office (GAO) study in which few people denied SSDI benefits ever worked again, and those who returned to work saw declining wages and high poverty. A summary of studies from 2011 and 2015 supports these findings.We Can HelpIf you are disabled and unable to work, call Disability Attorneys of Michigan for a free confidential consultation. We’ll let you know if we can help you get a monthly check and help you determine if any money or assets you receive could impact your eligibility for disability benefits.Disability Attorneys of Michigan works hard every day helping the disabled of Michigan seek the Social Security Disability and Veterans Disability benefits they need. If you are unable to work due to a physical, mental, or cognitive impairment, call Disability Attorneys of Michigan now for a free consultation at 800-949- 2900.Let Michigan’s experienced disability law firm help you get the benefits you deserve.Disability Attorneys of Michigan, Compassionate Excellence. Michigan Social Security Disability Lawyer, Michigan Social Security Disability Lawyers, Social Security Disability Benefits

Engineering Ethics essay

Engineering Ethics essay Engineering Ethics essay Engineering Ethics essayIn this case it would be better to discuss the problem with the design engineer to see what he suggests (option 3). The design engineer of the company is responsible for any technical services that are necessary to complete the project. I believe that the design engineer will be able to find the new component of the machines to meet the required deadline. In case he fails to solve this problem, it would be ethically to ask Parker to extend its deadline. Ethical decision making in engineering practice is crucial to satisfy the needs of clients. The pressure of deadlines should not affect the quality of work.Question 2Tim is aware of his responsibility to solve the issue and find the right solution, but he needs experience. It would be better for Tim to call Arnold because this person is competent in quality control issues. He can help Tim to find the most suitable solution in order to provide the product that meets minimal safety and durability standards. Tim should not resolve the problem by himself because Arnold Peterson, the Vice President of Product Engineering, can help him to keep up the company’s reputation. Anyway, Tim should not disregard Arnold’s advice because he holds a higher position and he is more competent in quality control issues than Tim. Besides, Tim has the potential to become competent in these issues in the future.Question 3 (Version 1) In the first scenario, Tim should be ready to find the proper solution to the existing problem by himself. He should use the old components in place of the new ones in order to meet the deadlines. In the second scenario, Tim should do the same. He can use the old components in place of the new ones. He will be able to keep this information in secret because the customers should not know about this problem. In the second scenario, Tim should break up and regrind the remaining supply of the old component. He will be able to meet the deadlines.Tim should say that he had to approve substituting the old component in place of the new one because he did not want to inform his customers of the existing problems. He should add that he wanted to keep the company’s reputation. Actually, Tim is responsible for quality control. He knows that using the old component does not affect the functioning of the product. Besides, Tim should explain Arnold that it would be unlikely that the clients would ever detect the substitution. Tim should use his professional skills to give a clear and concise explanation because of engineering ethics that lies in the basis of engineering profession. Tim’s actions are regulated by â€Å"ethical standards, embodied in the code of ethics† (Catalano 1).Tim should be prepared to give a clear and concise explanation of the process of replacement. The major goal of Tim is to prove the fact that substituting the old component in place of the new component does not affect the functioning of the product because of si milar characteristics of the components. Tim should be ready to demonstrate the functioning of the product based on the knowledge and experience he has got in the process of work. Anyway, Tim should be confident in his actions. To avoid conflicts, Tim should offer compensation if Parker continues complaining. Tim should promise to replace these components.If Tim substitutes the old component for the new one, and neither Parker nor anyone else outside of Ruskin ever finds out, this fact means all parties are satisfied and Tim acted appropriately. There are several factors that explain his appropriateness. First, he managed to meet deadlines. Second, he did not tell his clients about any problems. Third, he managed to keep the company’s reputation. In general, Tim demonstrated his professionalism in terms of engineering ethics. He determined his personal approach to solving engineering ethics problems. He was focused on the principles of â€Å"duty ethics†, â€Å"virtue ethics† and â€Å"rights ethics†, which help to respond to various situations. Engineering Ethics essay Engineering Ethics essay Engineering Ethics essayIt is possible to analyze Marvins response from the utilitarian perspective. Utilitarian ethics relies on the evaluation of positive and negative consequences for all stakeholders (Frederick, 2008). Immediate stakeholders in this case are Marvin Johnson, Edgar Owens and plant employees. Other stakeholders are people in the area and tourists. Ignoring the problem would lead to positive consequences for Edgar Owens and plant employees since the plant will not lose money and will be able to remain competitive. However, there will be minor negative consequences for the tourists and for the people living in the area due to the excess pollution. In the short-term perspective, however, the positive consequences from ignoring the increased level of pollution would overweigh potential negative consequences.At the same time, in the long-term perspective ignoring the problem would be unethical from the perspective of utilitarianism. Indeed, any external check of pollutio n would indicate that the plant exceeded legal limitations. The plant would have to pay expensive fines and remodel its equipment. Furthermore, the cumulative effect of the pollution on people is not known, and there is a high risk of adverse health consequences for the tourists and for the people living in the area. The harm done to the fish might destroy the ecosystem and lead to larger environmental issues. Therefore, considering the long-term consequences, Marvin should refuse to ignore the problem and report the real data.The stakeholders related to the considered case are: Marvin and Edgar, other employees of Wolfog, senior management of Wolfog, the plants shareholders or investors, local government, people living in the area and tourists. According to Kantian theory, it is important to treat all these people as ends in themselves and respect their interests (Crane Matten, 2010). Therefore, from the perspective of Kantian theory it is inadmissible to ignore the problem and to adjust the data.Deboras work responsibilities include checking the compliance of industry reports and anti-pollution requirements. From the position of virtue theory, it is possible to state that she ensures that every company would maintain the balance and demonstrate the virtue of temperance (Guha, 2008). In other words, Debora ensures that companies do not use the environment over the limits provided to them. From Deboras point of view, the plant managers idea to view the excess pollution as a mere technicality is unethical; moreover, such occasions should be prohibited and fined to eliminate further occurrences of such behavior.The position of parents of local children swimming in the lake can be viewed from the point of view of Kantian theory. It is unfair to expose the lives of children to risk in order to save some money for the plant. In this case, plant manager was willing to treat people as means and not ends in themselves. Such approach is deemed as unethical in Kantian ethics (Boylan, 2013).Ethical analysis of the situation can also be performed using the Categorical Imperative. If a decision or choice is universalizable, non-controversial in the universal perspective and desirable as a universal rule, then it is ethical (Bredeson, 2011). In the considered case, if there were several plants which exceeded the limit on pollution and adjusted their pollution reports, the emissions will quickly exceed the acceptable level and harm the health of all people. Such tendency might even harm the well-being of the whole mankind. Therefore, the considered decision is not universalizable and is not desirable as a universal rule. Hence, the idea to adjust the results of the report is unethical and should be rejected.The analysis of the situation at Wolfog was performed from several perspectives: utilitarian (in section 1), deontological (section 2, 4 and 5) and virtue theory perspective (section 3). Each of these ethical theories applied to the situation shows that the idea suggested by the plant manager is unethical and potentially harmful, so Marvin should refuse to adjust the results of the report.

Ethics in Counseling Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ethics in Counseling - Essay Example In certain cases emotions take precedence over intellect, when it is difficult to do justice to do duty as per the prescribed norms of the profession. Harmonious blending of emotions and intellect is one way to tackle countertransference but it is difficult to achieve that level. Here is the opportunity for the therapist, to learn something new from every session of interaction with the patient. Presenting a clear and concise compendium on countertransference, Gelso and Hayes (2007) mention, â€Å"This book is about the inner world of the psychotherapist, and how that comes into play and is enacted within the psychotherapy relationship.† (p. ix). Their arguments help to raise the awareness about countertransference and how it is the valid aspect of the treatment. It is present in all forms of therapy, and it varies in degrees depending upon the nature and duration of the treatment. In the broad environment in which a clinician functions countertransference is an all-pervading phenomenon. Its presence in therapeutic relationships is also strong. It is as well encountered in the branches of forensic, hospital psychiatric sett ings, pharmacotherapy and consultation-liaison. Countertransference leaves the transformational effect on the therapist. Irwin Hirsch (2008) elucidates, â€Å"I have become much more tolerant person in the context of meeting individuals toward whom I feel an initial distaste, getting to know them beyond their character armor and developing strong feelings of affection.†( p. x)If treatment is done with emotional reaction to the patient, the results are not going to be accurate. The analyst’s unresolved issues and prejudices will have the detrimental effect in arriving at right type of diagnosis and conclusions and act as hurdles to the treatment. To establish universal rules for countertransference from which deductions can be made, is impossibility. Because each patient carries

Occupational Health and Safety Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Occupational Health and Safety - Research Paper Example Confined space is a component of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007. The probable hazards associated with confined spaces include asphyxiation, loss of consciousness, injury, death, fire, and many more. According to Auburn University (2012), a Hot Work Permit is required where a temporary operation requires work involving open flames or producing heat and/or sparks. Welding and soldering are some examples of such work. According to Work Safe Victoria (2012), a job safety analysis (JSA) which brings together accepted safety and health principles and practices, and applies it to a particular task or operation. It indentifies each basic step of a job, and then addresses the most safest manner in which the job should be performed (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety 2008). A Safe Work Methods Statement (SWMS), is quite similar to a JSA. However, a SWMS is created for high risk construction work, as well as other work activities. These statements are to be provided, regardless of the cost of the project (Housing Industry Association 2004). According to the Best Practice Regulation Handbook (2010), a Regulation Impact Statements (RIS), is compulsory for all decisions made by the Australian Government and its agencies which will most likely affect the regulations on business or government activity, unless the impact is of a minor nature. 6) Review your workplace and list 15 or more hazards that you and or someone else would be exposed to on a regular basis. You are to also list the consequences of being exposed to such hazards and would they now become risks? The unit is quite narrow and small, and had various objects that tend to stick out, such as the hooks for the tongs and the cash registers drawer. This could lead to staff members getting hit by these objects, causing injury. We have a vault drop box, in which we bank our takings daily. In order to bank we need to deposit in a small compartment in the top drawer which then