The History Of Quipu Essays - Inca, Knots, Numerals, Proto-writing

The History Of Quipu Quipu is a set of cords and knots tied together, most of them were made of cotton and dyed in one or more colors. Each of the pendants and the knots tied on it represented numbers and the colors had their own representatives. It was invented by Incas for the purpose of recording and accounting. The following paragraphs will cover the positive and negative aspects of quipu and the difference between the communication systems of the western civilization, for example writing. Some of the positive aspects of quipu are, firstly, they were used to store information, for example, the output of gold mines *1*, the amount and kinds of tribute gave by other tribes or the result of a census were all recorded on quipus. Secondly, they can be read in horizontal direction therefore they have timeliness of before and after. They can be read vertically so terms like below and above can also apply. Thirdly, Cords on quipu can be moved until the last knot is fixed into position, so they are flexible to adjust mistakes. Fourthly, they are easy to preserve, as they wont wear out as easy as paper. Fifthly, they are in three-dimensional form, which means the making of the quipu involves greater tactile sensitivity *2* than other kind of communications for example writing. Lastly, as it may be the most important aspect of quipu, they predated and help created the coming of the civilization of Incas. There are some negative aspects of quipu too. Firstly they have limitation in meanings, which means the cords and knots represent numbers only, they cannot be used to convey complex thoughts. Secondly, the making of quipus is complicated compared to writing. They need specific skills and also take a while to train of quipumaker as there are hundreds of color vocabulary and different styles of knotting. Thirdly, quipu cannot record things as fast as writings. Compared to modern writing by brush, pencil or pen, quipus take a period of time to complete as a whole record. *1* Crowley D. Heyer P. 1999 Communication in History page 30 *2* Crowley D. Heyer P. 1999 Communication in History page 35 The differences between writing and quipu are, firstly, writings are in two-dimensional form, they are recorded on planar surfaces *3*. Quipus are recorded in construction, which are in three-dimensional form. As already analyzed above, they involve a sense of touch in a greater degree. Secondly, the purposes of these two forms of communications are different, writing is a system of graphic symbols that can be used to express and convey any or all thought. They are often used for propaganda *4*, recording, predicting, identifying and accounting purposes while quipu has limitation in conveying meanings as it is only a form of counting and recording. Thirdly, writing involved filling the space continuously in the direction from left to right or up to down *5*, they are to say in a linear composition. In contrast, quipu was nonlinear. It had no definite direction and space when connecting, but when the strings were attached, the space became defined. Lastly, writing is a more convenient form of communication than quipu as space can be expanded by adding more papers or sheets if needed, mistakes can be adjusted easier by rubbing out the unwanted words and they are lighter and easier to carry. Writing as a modern way of communication is a more advanced and convenient way to exchange thoughts. The invention of writing brought the human civilization into a higher state which makes quipu a unfamiliar term to people as no one use them anymore. *3* Crowley D. Heyer P. 1999 Communication in History page 35 *4* Crowley D. Heyer P. 1999 Communication in History page 37~40 *5* Crowley D. Heyer P. 1999 Communication in History page 35 History Essays

Raising the Driving Age essays

Raising the Driving Age essays The question about raising the minimum age for a driving license has been pushed to the headlines because of the growing amount of automobile accidents. Whether it would reduce or even prevent accidents of this sort or will simply do no good is the heart of this argument. The reason for wanting to raise the driving age is because it has been proven that teenagers have caused most accidents. The argument is a big decision for whether it should be raised or shouldnt it be raised because of the consequences of both sides. Are teenagers responsible enough to have the privilege to driver or are there alternatives to this big issue rather than raising the driving age. Earning a drivers license is most import for most young Americans, but teens are the ones with poor driving performance. According to Memmer, Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death in people ages sixteen to twenty (Sect. 2). Teens for some reason have road rage and in fact love to drive at night with other teens speeding through the streets like if they were the only drivers on the road. Statistics show that young people age fifteen through twenty make up 6.7 percent of the total driving population in this country, but are involved in 14 percent of all fatal crashes (Memmer 1). This percentage of crashes needs to be reduced. There are plenty of consequences both positive and negative if the driving age is raised. Positive consequences would be that there would be more responsible drivers out in the road, going away from home and job opportunity. Negative consequences are that teens will not obey the law and drive without a license. Teens will also have less of an opportunity to get a job. Last but not least, what some parents dont like is to have to drive their teens to school and all school functions. Another question being asked is, What is going to happen if the driving age is not raised? Both positiv...

The History and Career of Smokey the Bear

The History and Career of Smokey the Bear Smokey Bear came to us by necessity. At the beginning of World War II, Americans feared that an enemy attack or sabotage could destroy our forest resources at a time when wood products were greatly needed. In the spring of 1942, a Japanese submarine fired shells onto an oil field in Southern California near Los Padres National Forest. Government officials were relieved that the shelling did not start a forest fire but were determined to provide protection. The USDA Forest Service organized the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention (CFFP) Program in 1942. It encouraged citizens nationwide to make a personal effort to prevent forest fires. It was a mobilized civilian effort in support of the war effort to protect valuable trees. Timber was a primary commodity for battleships, gunstocks, and packing crates for military transport. Character Development Walt Disneys Bambi character was very popular and was used on an initial anti-fire poster. The success of this poster demonstrated that an animal of the forest was the best messenger to promote the prevention of accidental forest fires. On August 2, 1944, the Forest Service and the War Advertising Council introduced a bear as their campaign symbol.​ Albert Staehle, noted illustrator of animals, worked with this description to paint the forest fire prevention bear. His art appeared in the 1945 campaign, and the advertising symbol was given the name Smokey Bear. The bear was named Smokey after Smokey Joe Martin, who was Assistant Chief of the New York City Fire Department from 1919 to 1930. Rudy Wendelin, an artist for the Forest Service, began producing a tremendous quantity of Smokey Bear art in various media for special events, publications, and licensed products to promote the fire prevention symbol. Long after retiring, he created the art for the Smokey Bears 40th anniversary commemorative U.S. Postage stamp. Many within the Forest Service still acknowledge Wendelin as being the true Smokey Bear artist. The Ad Campaign After World War II, the War Advertising Council changed its name to The Advertising Council. In the years that followed, the focus of Smokeys campaign broadened to appeal to children as well as adults. But it was not until the 1965 campaign and the work of Smokey artist Chuck Kuderna that Smokeys image evolved into the one we know today. The Smokey Bear concept has matured into a cottage industry of collectibles and educational material on fire prevention. One of the most popular Smokey products is a set of posters known as his educational poster collection. The Real Smokey Bear Smokey Bears living history began early in 1950 when  a burned cub survived a fire in the Lincoln National Forest near Capitan, New Mexico. Because this bear survived a terrible forest fire and won the love and imagination of the American public, many people mistakenly believe the cub was the original Smokey Bear but, in reality, he did not come along until the advertising symbol was almost six years old. After being nursed back to health, Smokey came to live at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. as a living counterpart to the CFFP Programs fire prevention symbol. Over the years, thousands of people from around the world came to see Smokey Bear at the National Zoo. A mate, Goldie, was introduced with the hope a young Smokey would continue the tradition of the famous living symbol. These efforts failed and an adopted son was sent to the zoo so the aged bear could retire on May 2, 1975. After many years of popularity, the original Smokey died in 1976. His remains were returned to Capitan and rest beneath a stone marker in Smokey Bear Historical State Park. For more than 15 years, the adopted Smokey carried on as the living symbol, but in 1990, when the second Smokey Bear died, the living symbol was laid to rest. Smokeys Detractors Smokey Bears task is becoming increasingly difficult. In years past, it was a challenge for his message to reach traditional visitors to the forest. Now we are faced with getting his wildfire prevention message to an increasing number of people who live in and around these areas. But Smokey the Bear may have done too good a job. There are some who suggest that we have eliminated fire to the point that it is hurting not only forest management but is building fuels for future fire disaster. They dont want Smokeys message out anymore. Charles Little, in an editorial called Smokeys Revenge, states that in many circles the bear is a pariah. Even at the National Zoo in Washington DC, which tends to be inclusive, the popular Smokey Bear exhibit was quietly dismantled in 1991 - after having featured since 1950 a bear going by this name (involving two separate animals). The point is, Smokeys ecological correctness quotient is low, as an increasing number of forest ecologists have been pointing out in recent years. We anthropomorphize at our peril. Another good essay was written by Jim Carrier for High Country News. It gives a humorous but somewhat cynical view of Smokey. He does not sugar-coat and offers a very entertaining piece called  An Agency Icon at 50. This is a must read! Adapted from USDA Forest Service Publication FS-551 The Real Smokey Bear Smokey Bears living history began early in 1950, when a burned cub survived a fire in the Lincoln National Forest near Capitan, New Mexico. Because this bear survived a terrible forest fire and won the love and imagination of the American public, many people mistakenly believe the cub was the original Smokey Bear, but in reality he did not come along until the advertising symbol was almost six years old. After being nursed back to health, Smokey came to live at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., as a living counterpart to the CFFP Programs fire prevention symbol. Over the years, thousands of people from around the world came to see Smokey Bear at the National Zoo. A mate, Goldie, was introduced with the hope a young Smokey would continue the tradition of the famous living symbol. These efforts failed and an adopted son was sent to the zoo so the aged bear could retire on May 2, 1975. After many years of popularity, the original Smokey died in 1976. His remains were returned to Capitan and rest beneath a stone marker in Smokey Bear Historical State Park. For more than 15 years, the adopted Smokey carried on as the living symbol, but in 1990, when the second Smokey Bear died, the living symbol was laid to rest. Smokeys Detractors Smokey Bears task is becoming increasingly difficult. In years past, it was a challenge for his message to reach traditional visitors to the forest. Now we are faced with getting his wildfire prevention message to an increasing number of people who live in and around these areas. But Smokey the Bear may have done too good a job. There are some who suggest that we have eliminated fire to the point that it is hurting not only forest management but is building fuels for future fire disaster. They dont want Smokeys message out anymore. Charles Little, in an editorial called Smokeys Revenge, states that in many circles the bear is a pariah. Even at the National Zoo in Washington DC, which tends to be inclusive, the popular Smokey Bear exhibit was quietly dismantled in 1991 - after having featured since 1950 a bear going by this name (involving two separate animals). The point is, Smokeys ecological correctness quotient is low, as an increasing number of forest ecologists have been pointing out in recent years. We anthropomorphize at our peril. Another good essay was written by Jim Carrier for High Country News. It gives a humorous but somewhat cynical view of Smokey. He does not sugar-coat and offers a very entertaining piece called An Agency Icon at 50. This is a must read! Adapted from USDA Forest Service Publication FS-551

Crime and punishment Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Crime and punishment - Coursework Example However, in a revocation hearing, guilt has been established so therefore some rights and rules of evidence are more relaxed. Even though the rights of a defendant in a criminal trial are more structured and strict than those of an offender whose probation is being revoked, the offender will always have the right to defend his or her position. In understanding the process to revoke probation, it must first and foremost be understood that without due process, probation cannot be revoked. This process is important in order to ensure that revocation is done for reasons that are valid and noteworthy and that the probation has been violated in such a way to warrant its revocation. Someone who has violated probation and will have it revoked will be afforded fewer rights than someone who has just been arrested. This does not mean they have no rights. The rights that they will be afforded is as follows: 1. Written notice of the violations before the revocation hearing 2. The right to see and hear the evidence against them. 3. The opportunity to be heard in person and to present witnesses and documentary evidence in their favor. 4. The right to confront and cross-examine the witnesses against them. 5. A hearing panel made up of neutral members. 6. A written statement by the hearing panel, including the evidence relied on and the reasons for revoking probation (Samaha 416). Revocation of probation is the result of having violated the terms of probation which may vary from person to person depending on the charges that have been levied against them. According to Sheb, there is a two step process in revoking probation on a federal charge as described in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. The first step is a preliminary hearing which will allow the magistrate to assess whether or not there is probable cause to believe that a violation has occurred and that it is a just sanction to proceed with revoking the probation. The requirements for the preliminary hearing includ e the right to council for the defendant and that the proceeding be recorded by a court reporter. The defendant must be provided with written notice of the hearing which will include the violation with which the defendant is being charged. The defendant has the right to appear and to question any witness to his or her violation unless it is determined by the judge that the witness does not have to appear. At this point, the judge will determine whether the violation is valid and must go onto a revocation hearing, or if the charge is without validity and may be discharged (228). The next step is the revocation hearing. This hearing must be conducted within a reasonable time from the preliminary hearing and from the time of being taken into custody. This hearing can be waived by the defendant. The person is entitled to receive a written notice of this hearing, a list of evidence that is against them, notice of the right of council, and the right to make a statement and present any evi dence that pertains to their innocence or mitigating circumstance. At this hearing the formal revocation can be enacted (Sheb 229). While the rights for this procedure are more relaxed than the formalized rights for a trial, the defendant still has the right to defend his position. Some of the differences between a criminal trial and a probation revocation hearing is that in a criminal trial hearsay evidence cannot be presented. In a criminal trial evidence

Contract & Purchase Negotiation Not Just the Beatles Essay

Contract & Purchase Negotiation Not Just the Beatles - Essay Example Thus, because of lack of preparation Brian Epstein lost in these negotiations resulting to lose of millions of revenue. However, he would have prevented this from happening if the following steps of effective planning for negotiations were followed; framing the problem and recognizing it is a common problem between the negotiating parties. Brian Epstein failed to recognize how the problem that was facing him would be beneficial to the media and entertainment industry and hence made it difficult for him to have a strong bargaining power in the negotiations hence resulting to the loss of millions of revenue. In addition, determine your goals, articulate what you want to achieve through them and finally prepare for the negotiations (Roy, et al., 1999). Your goals must define the ultimate agenda and the conflict situation. Brian Epstein failed to formulate a plan, and goals that he wanted to achieve through his negotiations with the media and entertainment industry players like George Martin hence resulting to the loss of millions of revenue. Exchanging the list of issues you want to discuss with the negotiating party is another effective negotiating step that can provide an opportunity for the negotiating parties to synthesize the merits and demerits of the negotiations prior to the negotiations process. If Brian Epstein would have presented his agenda to the media and entertainment industry early and articulated the benefits thereafter, he would have managed a better bargaining power that would have saved the Beatles the millions of lost revenue. Evaluation and prioritization of ones’ goals and trying to identify any possible tradeoffs between them is another key step in the negotiation process (Roy, et al., 1999). As a negotiator, you must be aware of your position and goals to help and guide you identify your concerns and desires that underlie your major objectives of

One Shot Society Essay Example for Free

One Shot Society Essay As the great Colin Powell said, â€Å"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work learning from failure. † People’s success in life is determined by their sacrifice and hard work while young. We can go back in time and arrange every error we commit, meaning that we only have one opportunity in life. My essay will talk about the differences between Hondurans and South Koreans in terms of effort, opportunities, demands and expectations. Countries such as South Korea take very seriously the academic part of life in order to succeed in every aspect of it. Since early people grow with this way of life in which giving every inch of effort counts. Parents lead their children with strict habits of studying instead of doing other activities. Society demands youth to get well prepared for life and they have to respond by demonstrating it in their academic life. The results of studying and being dedicated shows when preparing for college. For example, admissions test for college is a day where society paralyzes, because this is crucial, this is the only shot they got to start with the right foot and have a decent life for probably the next 60 years. If people are not enough dedicated, they will have more difficulties in life. Koreans are usually hard working by nature; they don’t need to be told what to do, they work for it and at the end everything pays. On the other hand we have Honduras, a poor country where society has low demands on individuals; A country where goods are not fairly distributed. Not everyone in the country has opportunities to succeed, if people do not have money, even if they have the desire of giving everything in academics, opportunities do not present. Public education is very poor. Only the social class that can pay has a fair higher education. Academics is not something primary and society’s demand are not so harsh on young people. Even if youth doesn’t have a fine education after high school they can probably find a way out and earn money and because of this reasons not every student gives all their effort. Opportunities present to the ones who know wealthy people and government figures. The majority of Hondurans are not hard working people and society doesn’t give that much opportunities. These two countries are very different in almost every aspect but have similarities on a few. South Korea is a rich powerful country where every kid has to be very dedicated to their studies in order to succeed, young people usually study until 4 and then go with tutors, and meanwhile few Honduran kids are dedicated because of the poor society demands. Schools end about 2 or 3, then do a couple of homework and that’s it. 00% of South Korean parents want their children to get to college, while not every Honduran parent sees college as a mandatory thing to do. The level of work in South Korea surpasses Honduran one and the results show in the evolution as a society and as a country. The little similarity between these two countries is that not so much work opportunities are presented for people who study, making it hard for some people to succeed. In conclusion people should take advantage of that one shot life gives us even if we are in different countries.  To make a difference and overcome difficulties people have to be hard workers to demonstrate society our capacities and accomplish our life goal, which I think for the most is having a wealthy life. Rich countries such as South Korea evolve because of their work, even if this means doing sacrifices and passing through lots of stress. At the end results will show and society will grow. â€Å"Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of life. The very striving and hard work that we so constantly try to avoid is the major building block in the person we are today†.

Jean Baptiste Lamarck (1744 - 1829) :: Biographies Biography Lamarck Essays

Jean Baptiste Lamarck (1744 - 1829) Jean Baptiste Lamarck was one of the first people to propose a theory of evolution to the public. Although his ideas were not widely accepted they paved the way for others to do work in that field. Even before his work on evolution he did extensive work with invertebrates. His work on invertebrates inevitably led him to his theory of evolution. This theory was not accepted at his time and has since been proven wrong. The way he was raised and the institutions he attended gave him the opportunity to perform his work. BACKGROUND Jean Baptiste Lamarck was born in the village of Bazentin-le-Petit in northern France on August 1,1744. He was born into a military family as the youngest of eleven children. Around 1756 Lamarck joined a Jesuit seminary at Amiens, but left to join the French military after his fathers death in 1761. He remained in the army until illness forced him to leave in 1768. Not too long after leaving the army Lamarck started to study medicine and plants. (Waggoner 2) Lamarck took many excursions with Jean-Jacques Rousseau which led him to an interest in plants rather than medicine. (Weber 49) Ten years later he gained attention and notoriety from his book Flore Francaise, about the plants of France. He had the help of well known botanist Buffon on this book, which helped with his credibility. From this book he was given the position of assistant botanist at the royal botanical garden, the Jardin des Plantes. This position was not well paid and Lamarck was forced to live in pover ty. (Clifford 1) But in 1793 the Jardin des Plantes was reorganized to become the National Museum of Natural History. This museum was run by twelve professors in twelve different scientific fields. Lamarck was appointed to the professorship of the natural history of insects and worms. Lamarck later gave these organisms the term invertebrates. (Waggoner 1-2) WORK WITH INVERTEBRATES Lamarck knew nothing about the subject of invertebrates at this time in his life. Not many scientists did know anything about invertebrates. Some even included snakes and crocodiles in this classification. The name invertebrate did not even exist at this time, Lamarck coined the phrase after he had done his research. Jean Baptiste Lamarck (1744 - 1829) :: Biographies Biography Lamarck Essays Jean Baptiste Lamarck (1744 - 1829) Jean Baptiste Lamarck was one of the first people to propose a theory of evolution to the public. Although his ideas were not widely accepted they paved the way for others to do work in that field. Even before his work on evolution he did extensive work with invertebrates. His work on invertebrates inevitably led him to his theory of evolution. This theory was not accepted at his time and has since been proven wrong. The way he was raised and the institutions he attended gave him the opportunity to perform his work. BACKGROUND Jean Baptiste Lamarck was born in the village of Bazentin-le-Petit in northern France on August 1,1744. He was born into a military family as the youngest of eleven children. Around 1756 Lamarck joined a Jesuit seminary at Amiens, but left to join the French military after his fathers death in 1761. He remained in the army until illness forced him to leave in 1768. Not too long after leaving the army Lamarck started to study medicine and plants. (Waggoner 2) Lamarck took many excursions with Jean-Jacques Rousseau which led him to an interest in plants rather than medicine. (Weber 49) Ten years later he gained attention and notoriety from his book Flore Francaise, about the plants of France. He had the help of well known botanist Buffon on this book, which helped with his credibility. From this book he was given the position of assistant botanist at the royal botanical garden, the Jardin des Plantes. This position was not well paid and Lamarck was forced to live in pover ty. (Clifford 1) But in 1793 the Jardin des Plantes was reorganized to become the National Museum of Natural History. This museum was run by twelve professors in twelve different scientific fields. Lamarck was appointed to the professorship of the natural history of insects and worms. Lamarck later gave these organisms the term invertebrates. (Waggoner 1-2) WORK WITH INVERTEBRATES Lamarck knew nothing about the subject of invertebrates at this time in his life. Not many scientists did know anything about invertebrates. Some even included snakes and crocodiles in this classification. The name invertebrate did not even exist at this time, Lamarck coined the phrase after he had done his research.

Dark tourism: mediating between the dead and the living Essay

Dark tourism Introduction            In general, tourism covers several kinds of travel and a very broad destination ranges. One of the niches of tourism is what is known as Dark tourism that covers the visitation of places where tragedies or where ancient deaths in history have taken place and the institutions that deal with the human heritage (Stone, 2012). In the last decades, this type of tourism has received more attention and hence it has become very popular (stone, 2012). As Lennon and Foley (1999) states, tourism that is associated with the death sites and also tragedy places are registering a huge number of visits hence experiencing a rapid growth. Smith (1996), in her research shows that the warfare memoralia along with the allied products are probably forming the largest category of tourist attraction in the globe, in spite of the dissuasive and tragedies that have happened there( Stone, 2012). For instance, the Jailhouse in the United States has formed one of the earliest example of dark t ourism in the break of the 19th century has received a lot of attention due to its novel practices and architectural innovations( Stone, 2012).            In the meantime, visitation of the sites of death and tragedy has developed into a global phenomenon. However, the demand for the spots of dark tourism is becoming very versatile. Besides the death and tourism matters, culture interests or just the desire for entertainment are some of the other reasons why thousands of people are pilmigraging in the dark tourism sites day by day (Stone, 2006). In spite of the ever increasing number of research on this topic, the reasons why people are visiting these dark tourism sites and also identifying themselves with death matters, genocide and disaster is not clear (Foley and Lennon, 2000; sharply and Stone, 2009). Owing to the daily and rapid increase in the dark tourism niche, it is very vital for people to understand the reasons that motivate people to visit the places of genocides and disaster. Dark Tourism definition            As described by Foley and (Lennon, 1999), dark tourism is the type of tourism that encompasses the supply and consumption by the people who are the visitors, of real and commodities of disaster and death sites( Stone, 2012). One example of dark tourism in the in the ancient ages is the gladiatorial games of the area of the Romans or the execution during the medieval age as noted by (Stone, 2009). Boorstin (1964), shows that the first England tour which was organized and carried in the year 1838 was a trip by a train, where people had organized to go and witness the hanging of two murderers.            (Sharply, 2005) denotes that Dark tourism is not only becoming more popular but it also varies very much in their presentation of death. Dark tourism is reaching from the jocular houses of horror in the famous places of the well know individuals to the sites of mass murder especially the Holocaust death camps. (Seaton, 1996), demonstrates a lot of attraction sites which include th Waterloo Battle fields along with the buried city of Pompeii with the latter being cited as the largest and the most famous destination for the thanatoptic travel of the Romantic period (Seaton, 1996)            Mostly, the word Thonatourism is preferred to Dark tourism as it describes the travel to locations that are partially or wholly motivated by the actual or symbolic desire to the death encounters which is particularly and not exclusive to the violent death, to a varying degree that it is activated by the individual’s specific features of the ones that deaths is their focal objects. this shows that the main reasons for the people who visit these places are only active visiting there so as to experience the atmosphere of such places. Stone believes that thanatourism should only be defined by the motives of the consumer and also the motivation of the individuals in this kind of tourism plays a lot of roles. The other definition synched with Dark tourism is â€Å"the black spots† which are the commercial development sites of graves or the places where celebrities or famous people have been met with sudden or violent deaths (Rojek, 1993). Rojek quotes three different examples of these black spot sites; the site of the famous murder of John Kennedy murder in Dallas, Texas, the annual travel to the Californian highway where Dean James met his death in a sudden car crash and the annual candlelight vigil in the memory of the famous Presley Elvis (Stone, 2012).            In this paper, both thanatourism and Dark tourism will be used as they got the same meaning although they are interpreted differently. Dark tourism is based on the attraction and location based while thanatourism basis on the motivational aspect. Black spots are the places associated with Dark tourism in the sense that they are the sudden and violent death sites. Benefits of Dark tourism            Dark tourism creates an exotic experience to the travelers for the tourists who are seeking an unusual experience apart from their everyday lives (J Khang e etal, 2012). In most instances, it creates a dull vacation concept to the people who are more open minded and they usually want to explore the world (J Khang e etal, 2012). It is a general nature of human beings also to want to have a eyewitness of the suffering of others that is formed basically from the curiosity of the mind (J Khang e etal, 2012). Also, Dak tourism is a very interesting aspect of tourism where visiting of the battlefields, cemeteries and concentration camps give one a firsthand information experience of the hardship through their own eye witness. Dark tourism is a muti-dimensional feeling that could have a deep impact in life (Daams, 2007).            (J Khang e etal, 2012) notes, Dark tourism also generates income for the society that has or was affected by the said tragedy or disaster to rebuild itself. The tourist influx helps the local by bringing in money to them. Without these tourists coming in to witness the sites, it could be very hard for the community that is affected to rebuild itself and live to their original standards. For instance the Katrina hit places of Orleans saw the tourist figures drop by 35 percent of what was there before and hence a tourist surge would help this part rebuild itself (Dams, 2007).            Dark tourism also provides emotional benefit not only to the tourists but also to the community where they are situated (J Khang e etal, 2012). Also dark tourism site could be used for educational purposes to educate the young generations on the cause of the tragedy and how to evade such. For instance, the Auschwitz in the country of Poland was listed in the UNESCO world heritage site in the year 1979 and it became mandatory for every school child in German to visit it during their education9Kate N.d). By raising the soberness of the past horrific events it leads cooling of our minds in our endeavors of understanding the world that we live in (Daams, 2007). Also, dark tourism helps us to notice and pay tribute to the ones who fought for the betterment of the country (Kendle, n.d)            Dark tourism gives a positive impact both to the economy and to the emotional wellbeing of the community at hand along with the visiting tourists. It generates income to the economy, provides a new experience to the tourists and also provides emotional wellbeing of the affected residents. So the dark tourism revenues generated should be channeled to the right places so that it can help the affected people to rebuild their lives and also raise their living standards (J Khang e etal, 2012). Examples of Dark tourism sites The Buried village            One of the examples of Dark tourism site is the buried village in New Zealand. This happened when mount Tarawera started to erupt in the early hours of 10th June 1886 and it is termed as one of the greatest natural disasters. It was just after the midnight when Te Wairoa people were woken by a sequence of earthquakes (Chris Ryan and Rahul Kohli, 2006). About a period of two hour after this, a huge earthquake took the center stage which was followed by a big explosion and the for the following four hours, the peaceful village was bombarded by rocks, ashes and mud. This sadistic and unanticipated eruption buried the village of Te Wairoa along with other several neighboring villages in the area with hot mud, ash and mud (Chris Ryan and Rahul Kohli, 2006). The eruption destroyed the white and pink terraces, a silicon- stained natural formation, which formed the largest New Zealand’s tourist attractions changing the landscape dramatically. It led to loss of more than 150 people, and has since been a tourist attraction which is one of the dark tourism sites as coined by Croy and Smith (Chris Ryan and Rahul Kohli, 2006). The Jeju Massacre            The Jeju massacre is one of the forms of the dark tourism site where more than 30, 000 people were executed by the military (J. khang et al, 2012). . A peace park was constructed and every year people go there to commemorate theor loved ones. This is termed as one of the biggest dark tourist sites in the world, for instance the 3rd April peace park case (J. khang et al, 2012). Dark tourism Motivators            In accordance to Smitt(1996), the war sites attract basically people with strong interests in history and also the military strategists. The people who visit these sites are always keen to analyze the past event while they walk around the scene. This is to show that the battlefield visitors are not motivated by any interest on the deaths but by the interest in the history of the battlefields. These same results were also confirmed by Crompton (1979) and also Anderson (1995), who stipulated that Historical and cultural interest could also be a motivator for travel. Crompton (1979) formed this conclusion from interviewing 44 adults that novelty and education are also travel motivators. To sum up the topic on history motivation, it can be noted that history could be the major motivating factor that drives people to visit the battlefield and disaster sites. Owing to the little research that has been carried on the tourist motivation to the disaster sites, it can be con cluded based on the little research that the motive to learn more and more about history could be the main driving factor but not only or single reason why individuals visit these sites. Below are the other reasons why people visit the dark sites. Education            So as to understand the reasons behind battles and deaths and what were their aftermaths, dark tourism could be very helpful in opinion forming. Also, some people needs to know why their relatives and friends had to die. Travel education was introduced into learning in the break of industrialization back in the 17th century, when educational enhancements and also infrastructure increased 9Burkart and medlik 1981). In the year 1982, the first exhibitions on dark tourism with educational components were prompted in the city of New York, USA. Presently, Dark tourism sites are implementing educational aspects ni them so as to promote themselves. The tourists also get a chance of self learning through these educational travels. There are many institutes which are offering educational tours to the war sites and also delivering information sessions, for instance the Smithsonian associates in Washington a D.C educational department which was offering a tour that was tracin g the route of the murderer of president Abraham Lincoln. One of the main reasons for such tours and events is for the people to learn from the past and put mechanisms on how re-occurrence of such events could be prevented. In most of the learning places, like pearl Harbor in USA, people always believe that education could provide a more secure tomorrow. The people who visit such places are thought to know why these tragedies happened and hence they should realize that it should never happen anymore (Ryan, 2007). Remembrance            Lennon nad foley(1993) describe remembrance as an important human activity which connect people between the past and the future. They also declare that how humans remember defines us in the present. These sites are mostly constructed for remembrance and to commemorate the ones who died or the event which led to their deaths. Like for instance, there is a day in Christianity which is meant to remember all the saints that died and it is known as all saints day. It is a common practice where the Christians visit these cemeteries where loved ones were buried. It is meant also for the remembrance of the events that formed the identities of these individuals. Identity            People also visit these sites for indent purposes. Even if people have no direct connection to the people in these sites or event which lead them to it, they visit these sites for identity purposes. For example, people who visit the sites where famous people met their deaths, mostly they have the soul purpose of indentifying themselves with the dead character (Rojek, 1993).            According to a research by Ashworth (2004), many tourist visit the sites of disaster or battlefields because of their curiosity. Other researchers have it that people visit the atrocity sites so as to view the macabre exhibits (Yuill, 2003) and (cooper, 2003) as (Yuill, 2003) states, the tourists or visitors who come to the atrocity sites rarely have no connection to any of the person that fought in these wars or participated in the battlefield. The future of dark Tourism            Owing to the fact that Dark tourism has been increasing day by day, there has been a lot of incites on the future of this kind of tourism (H. Muzaini, 2007). One of the most exploited parts is in the educational part of it. Many Universities have launched courses that are basing their information from the dark tourism. For instance, the University of Central Lancashire launched a program where they will be examining the reasons why people visit these sites, what are their motivations and also offering trips to these sites (Reed Courtney, n.d).            Also, the business minds people are converting these sites into big hotels especially the prisons which were famous dark tourism sites are being converted into hotels and they attract a lot of tourist who want to feel the identified with these places (H. Muzaini, 2007). For instance the Oxford prison has been converted into a luxurious hotel that is attracting a lot of visitors. Most of these sites are being converted into luxurious sites (Reed Courtney, n.d).            In addition, we have the websites that are designed for visitor’s attractions to the museums in most cases employ images and narratives of the life in prison in the ancient times and also the more punitive incarnation elements (Reed Courtney, n.d). You will see some of the writings like, â€Å"Sit in a prison cell, hear the door slam shut and imagine the harsh conditions of Victorian prison regimes. Try on prison uniforms, imagine the horror of being set in the pillory, strapped in a restraint chair or hung in chains. Turn the crank, carry out shot drill or work the treadmill† (H. Muzaini, 2007). References A.V. Seaton (1996) Guided by the dark: From thanatopsis to thanatourism, International Journal of Heritage Studies, 2:4, 234-244, DOI: 10.1080/13527259608722178 Malcolm Foley & J. John Lennon (1996) JFK and dark tourism: A fascination with assassination, International Journal of Heritage Studies, 2:4, 198-211, DOI: Alcatraz and Robben Island. Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 30, No. 2, pp. 386–405. Elsevier Science Ltd. Chris Ryan & Rahul Kohli (2006) The Buried village, New Zealand – An example of dark tourism?, Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 11:3, 211-226 Walter, T. (2009) Dark tourism: mediating between the dead and the living. In: The Darker Side of Travel: The Theory and Practice of Dark Tourism. Aspects of Tourism . Channel View Publications, Bristol, U. K., pp. 39-55. ISBN 9781845411152 Walter, T. (2009) Dark tourism: mediating between the dead and the living. In: The Darker Side of Travel: The Theory and Practiceof Dark Tourism. Aspects of Tourism . Channel View Publications, Bristol, U. K., pp. 39-55. ISBN 9781845411152 Philip Stone and Richard Sharpley,(2012). CONSUMING DARK TOURISM: A Thanatological Perspective. Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 574–595. Elsevier Ltd Daams, Eric (2007) ‘Dark Tourism: Bearing Witness or Crass Spectacle? http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/10/10/dark-tourism-more-than-a-spectacle/ [accessed 20 October 2009] Erik H. Cohen (2011) EDUCATIONAL DARK TOURISM AT AN IN POPULO SITE.The Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 38, No. 1, pp. 193–209. Elsevier Ltd Griffiths, Kate (n.d) ‘Ground Zero & the Phenomena of Dark Tourism’ http://www.pilotguides.com/destination_guide/north-america/new-york/ground_zero.php [accessed 20 October 2009] Rasul A. Mowatt and Charles H. Chancellor. (2011) VISITING DEATH AND LIFE. Dark Tourism and Slave Castles. Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 38, No. 4, pp. 1410–1434. Elsevier Ltd Philip R. Stone, (2012)DARK TOURISM AND SIGNIFICANT OTHER DEATH. Towards a Model of Mortality Mediation. Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 1565–1587 Elsevier Ltd. Park, Korea, Eun-Jung Kang, Noel Scott, Timothy Jeonglyeol Lee, Roy Ballantyne, (2012). Tourism Management. Beneï ¬ ts of visiting a ‘dark tourism’ site: The case of the Jeju April 3rd Peace. School of Tourism, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia Reed, Courtney (n.d) ‘Shedding Light on Dark Tourism’ http://www.gonomad.com/features/0704/dark-tourism.html [accessed 20 October 2009] Hamzah Muzaini , Peggy Teo & Brenda S. A. Yeoh (2007) Intimations of Postmodernity in Dark Tourism: The Fate of History at Fort Siloso, Singapore, Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 5:1, 28-45, DOI: 10.2167/jtcc082.0 Source document

Selecting, Developing, Managing and Retaining Knowledge Workers

Do HR departments have the right strategies to select, develop, manage and retain knowledge workers? As Peter Drucker recently quoted, the new knowledge economy will rely heavily on knowledge workers who are not, as a rule, much better paid than traditional skilled workers but also see themselves as professionals. Knowledge technologists are likely to become the dominant social and perhaps, political force over the next decades. Thus, it is very important to have the right strategies in place to select, develop, manage and retain knowledge workers. But before we proceed to analyze if HR departments do have these strategies, we need to understand what the term ‘knowledge workers’ means. A knowledge worker is one who works primarily with information or one who develops and uses knowledge in the workplace. In a knowledge-driven economy, a knowledge worker is oriented more towards research, analysis and manipulation of the symbols, as in information, rather than the mechanical tools. These individuals have domain knowledge expertise and may include broadly: architects, finance experts, graphic designers, fashion designers, pharmaceutical scientists, researchers, teachers, and policy analysts, to name but a few. In order to focus on strategically critical knowledge workers, it is necessary to move beyond merely creating a supportive culture or a best place to work. Top innovators understand their worth. These workers are independent and entrepreneurial, for instance like the originators of eBay, Google and Facebook. To keep such people, it is necessary to make them feel like they are building their own businesses within the larger organization. This can be achieved partly by recognizing their status as thought leaders but it is also important to give them a stake in the new lines of business they develop. The bottom line is that organizations need to view key talent as partners, rather than as employees or â€Å"resources†. The balance of power has shifted such that highly skilled innovators need to be seen as partners or they are gone. In the past, human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists performed the administrative function of an organization, such as handling employee benefits questions or recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new staff in accordance with policies established by top management. Their task was to attract, motivate, and retain the most qualified employees and match them to jobs for which they are best suited. Today the role of human resources workers is more than just managing these tasks, but, increasingly, that of strategic planning in consultation with top executives. They have moved from behind-the-scenes staff work to leading the company in suggesting and changing policies. Many organizations claim to have a commitment to developing their employees and phrases such as â€Å"our people are our most valuable assets† are often spotted on motivational posters in companies. In my opinion, however, very few companies embrace a structured approach to training and retention programmes. HR departments may claim to have several strategies to select, develop, manage and retain employees, but what is important is that the psychological contract, which is vital to building and sustaining a win-win relationship, needs to be reinforced. Research shows that several well-intended training and development initiatives fail to deliver the desired results. In fact, during economic slowdowns the budget which is often the first to be cut back on is the training budget. Adopting a structured approach to employee training and retention requires a change in mindset at the very top-level of the organization. The entire issue of staff retention needs to be treated in a strategic way and this is where most organizations lack. The first step in the development of an employee retention strategy is identifying the pinch points for the organization, the areas where the company regularly suffers from a high staff turnover and the particular concerns and problems of the targeted staff groups. It is also important to have a clear understanding of the expectations and aspirations of your employees; only then can you develop the strategies needed to meet some of these aspirations and begin to develop a workplace that is a great place to work and employees who see the company as a good company to work for. A good retention strategy should address issues such as:   support in the workplace, progression, opportunities for development, remuneration, working time, and flexible working. The focus should be on retaining existing talent and keeping the available organizational knowledge intact rather than searching for new talents. The key to success will be the integration of training and development within the retention strategy. Training and development provides the means of supporting staff to operate effectively and enabling staff to access the opportunities provided by the retention strategy. Levels of remuneration and flexible working will signal the right environment but it is through using training and development as a mechanism to demonstrate investment in employees on an on-going basis that will turn an organizational commitment into a reality. The techniques and processes that help new hires learn quickly are also the techniques and processes that help retain organizational knowledge. Knowledge sharing techniques such as communities of practice, mentoring, lunch and learn sessions, business process maps, expertise directories of staff are just as useful for retaining organizational knowledge as they are for fast learning by new employees. A good knowledge sharing technique should address questions such as ‘What does it offer me? ’ ‘What does it offer us? ’ ‘What does it offer to the organization? Once these techniques fill the personal and group learning needs of staff, they will also evolve to sharing strategic information. Techniques such as communities of practice can be HR's role in strategic information management for the organization. The success of an organization in its strategy will be judged ultimately by its success in engaging individuals in development activities, not in simply having them available. The key to success will be how relevant and appropriate the development activity is and how accessible it is to employees. It requires talent to retain talent. The successful employer of the future will be a keen competitor in the skills market. They will compete for the best recruits but not in terms of purely financial rewards but by offering them the best working experience, one that offers security as well as progression and personal growth. They will focus on retaining the available organizational knowledge and harnessing it to the maximum rather than on hunting for new talents.

7 talent mistakes that are destroying your bottom line

7 talent mistakes that are destroying your bottom line Recruiting and managing talent has become one of the hottest topics in this hiring market, both for boots on the ground recruiters and the executives who are tasked with strategizing and organizing. If you find you’re getting frustrated by the challenges and stresses of talent management, you’re certainly not alone- but it doesn’t have to be that way. Let’s look at some of the pitfalls you may be experiencing, and how they’re sabotaging your best efforts.1. Limiting diversity to the hiring processOnce you’ve found and hired a diverse team, that checks off the diversity success box, right? Not quite. Finding diverse talent is a great first step, but you need to keep up that momentum among employees, and not just new recruits. It’s important to keep considering how to manage diversity on an ongoing basis, well after the team is in place. Are team leads equipped to manage a diverse team? Are diverse team members supported, culturally, or are they expected to blend in with the homogenous corporate identity?Another key mistake in this area is thinking too narrowly about diversity, and not considering diversity beyond the obvious gender and ethnic differences. There’s also cognitive diversity, which essentially means embracing different thinkers, people who have leadership styles that may seem unorthodox to your company, or personality types that haven’t typically had broad representation at your company before. It’s about diversifying thought and perspective to maximize success, not just about diversifying the demographics.2. Prioritizing change for change’s sakeEveryone wants to be innovative. But are you pushing innovation initiatives at the expense of things that are already working and clicking well? Think of it like those New Year’s Day resolutions. In December, the status quo is happy and merry and full of sugary goodness. January 1, reality hits, and suddenly there are draconi an goals about fitness and diet as an immediate reaction. Try to see change management as a lifestyle change, not a crash diet. Make sure you’re taking stock of what’s working with your talent management, and change things up when it feels right- not because you feel like you should be shuffling things around just to keep up with the times.3. Letting disagreement derail projectsHaving everyone sign off on every project is†¦unlikely. The whole point of having diversity in perspective is making sure that all angles of a project are considered. But when it comes time for the leaders to commit, they need to ensure that naysayers are willing to commit to the project- even if they disagree with the methods. It’s not about making sure everyone comes around to a particular position, but rather that they’re willing to go along with the leader’s final assessment and plan.hbspt.cta.load(2785852, '9e52c197-5b5b-45e6-af34-d56403f973c5', {});And if there ar e serious fundamental disagreements, those have to be managed as well. Part of this can be done during the recruiting and hiring process, with interview questions designed around determining whether someone is a â€Å"my way or the highway† type of team member, or someone who is comfortable expressing differences, but also being willing to commit to a larger vision.4. Assuming that recruiting priorities and larger company strategy are the same thingThis one can get tricky. Ostensibly, you’re hiring people who will serve the company’s needs and strategies. But hiring is focused on the company’s immediate needs- putting someone in place who can manage the day-to-day right away. That might not always square with where you want the company to go in the next year, three years, ten years. Overcoming this potential gap means focusing on growth goals on both the employee and company levels.This means creating a culture where goals are not only encouraged, but tra cked and managed against the larger company strategy. It means working with people at all levels- executive, managerial, and employee- to create achievable, specific goals that align with the company’s strategic goals. This requires openness about the company’s goals, and a two-way feedback program so that employees aren’t setting their own goals in a vacuum. Studies have shown that employees who feel informed about and engaged in company goals are more satisfied and productive in their jobs.5. Allowing a disconnect between talent and cultureIf your company’s culture is very specific or static, you risk having training and recruiting efforts that aren’t aligned with the realities of working at the company. If employees are trained on processes that are in place just because they always have been in the past, then you’re essentially training them for the past. Talent is then conditioned toward aligning themselves with the status quo- not nece ssarily toward the kind of flexible thinking that could move things forward.This doesn’t mean you have to rewrite your company culture every time someone new comes along but think of the culture as a work in progress, with an emphasis on agility, change, and innovation in the service of the larger company goals. Make sure that your talent is being managed with an eye toward context, and make sure they understand the reasons why they’re being asked to do their jobs a certain way.6. Not focusing on short-term talent developmentWith so much recruiting and management effort focused on employees’ long-term goals, it can be easy to lose sight of the short-term goals that a) help them develop, and b) serve the company in the meantime. Instead of thinking only of the â€Å"five-year plan,† help employees see the â€Å"five-month plan,† and the steps they can take in the meantime.Giving employees opportunities to engage in your organization and join committ ees, make presentations, or lead projects can help short-term development and ensure that employees don’t feel stagnant in their roles- and start looking to take their talents elsewhere.7. Not relying on a core group of â€Å"company evangelists†When it comes down to handing down strategy or goals, don’t forget that your company has an infrastructure in place for supporting and communicating that vision throughout the company. Sometimes called the â€Å"top 100,† this group is typically the CEO, his or her direct reports, and the level of direct reports below that. These employees are familiar with both the company strategy and also what it means in the day-to-day for their teams, so lean on them to make sure that information is communicated and supported throughout the company network. Making sure that you have the support and engagement of this core group will help spread the word to all levels of the company, making it feel less like a royal edict and more like a collective project.None of these mistakes are fatal for a company, but making them can absolutely slow your progress toward your corporate goals. You want your talent management to be as efficient and painless as possible, so knowing and avoiding these common mistakes will definitely benefit you in both the short and the long run.

The 1980s American Economy

The 1980s American Economy In the early 1980s, the American economy was suffering through a deep recession. Business bankruptcies rose sharply compared to previous years. Farmers also suffered due to a decline in agricultural exports, falling crop prices, and rising interest rates. But by 1983, the economy  had rebounded and enjoyed a sustained period of growth as the annual inflation rate stayed below 5 percent for the remainder of the 1980s and part of the 1990s. Why did the American economy experience such a turnaround in the 1980s? In â€Å"Outline of the U.S. Economy,† Christopher Conte and Albert R. Karr point to the lasting impacts of the 1970s, Reaganism, and the Federal Reserve. Impact of  the 1970s The 1970s was a disaster on American economics. The recession marked the end of the post-World War II economic boom, and the United States experienced a lasting period of stagflation- a combination of high unemployment and inflation. Voters held Washington politicians responsible for the economic state of the country. Upset with federal policies, they ousted President  Jimmy Carter in 1980 and voted in former Hollywood actor and California Gov.  Ronald Reagan  as president, a position he held from 1981 to 1989. Reagans Economic Policy The economic disorder of the 1970s lingered into the beginning of the 1980s. But Reagan’s economic program soon had an effect. Reagan operated on the basis of supply-side economics- the theory that advocates lower tax rates so people can keep more of their income. Proponents argue that supply-side economics results in more savings, investment, production, and, ultimately, greater economic growth. Reagan’s tax cuts mainly benefited the wealthy, but through a chain-reaction, they also helped lower-income earners as higher levels of investment eventually led to new job openings and higher wages. The Size of the Government Cutting taxes was only one part of Reagan’s national agenda of slashing government spending. Reagan believed the federal government had become too large and interfering. During his presidency, he cut social programs and worked to reduce or eliminate government regulations that  affected the consumer, workplace, and environment. But he did spend on the military. In the wake of the disastrous Vietnam War, Reagan successfully pushed for big budget increases for defense spending by arguing that the U.S. had neglected its military.   Growing Federal Deficit In the end, the reduction in taxes combined with increased military spending outweighed the spending reductions on domestic social programs. This resulted in a federal budget deficit that went well beyond the deficit levels of the early 1980s. From $74 billion in 1980, the federal budget deficit ballooned to $221 billion in 1986. It fell back to $150 billion in 1987, but then started growing again. Federal Reserve With such levels of deficit spending, the Federal Reserve remained vigilant about controlling price increases and raising interest rates any time they seemed a threat. Under the leadership of Paul Volcker and his successor Alan Greenspan, the Federal Reserve effectively guided America’s economy and eclipsed Congress and the president. Although some economists were nervous that heavy government spending and borrowing would lead to steep inflation, the Federal Reserve succeeded in its role as an economic traffic cop during the 1980s.   Source Conte, Christopher and Karr, Albert R. â€Å"Outline of the U.S. Economy.† U.S. Department of State, 2001, Washington, D.C.

ENEMA in Relieving Constipation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

ENEMA in Relieving Constipation - Essay Example An enema is the introduction of a solution into the rectum and sigmoid column. And is a common clinical practice by nursing to promote the evacuation of feces in patients complaining of constipation (Funnell, Koutoukidis & Lawrence, 2009). Bowers, 2008, in the evaluation of evidence on the use of phosphate enema as an intervention for constipation, points out that though phosphate enemas are routinely used in clinical practice for relieving constipation, there is no clear evidence to support the continued use of phosphate enemas. This finding stems from the limited evidence available in support of enemas, as a more effective intervention in constipation, over the other medication and treatment strategies available in the management of chronic constipation, though phosphate enemas have useful for some diagnostic bowel investigations. This lack of evidence of efficacy on enemas is further compounded by two factors, reducing the potential use of enemas as an intervention in constipation . The first factor lies in the detrimental complications in the patient that could arise from the use of enemas in the management of constipation. The second factor pertains to the need to avoid the use of phosphate enemas in patients with certain underlying conditions (Bowers, 2008). The findings of Bowers 2008, in the evaluation of phosphate enema is strongly supported by the body of knowledge on constipation and its treatment, which can be extended to the use of enemas in the interventions to alleviate constipation. Based on the history of the patient and the duration of symptoms, it is possible to differentiate constipation into occasional constipation (Johnson, 2006). Using enemas is known to interfere with normal bowel movement and enemas are not recommended in simple constipation. Enemas should not be considered as a means to alleviate constipation when there is obstruction of the bowel and the cause of the obstruction is still to be diagnosed. Additionally, enemas are not an option when the constipation is accompanied by abdominal pain, rectal fissures, and ulcerated hemorrhoids. This is because evidence shows that in all these cases enemas can lead to mechanical damage and perforation of the bowel (Lemone & Burke, 2008). Evidence points to use of enemas only in the case of significant or chronic constipation, particularly, when the constipation arises from fecal impaction. The general rule in the use of enemas is that it be employed in acute situations and that too only on short term basis. Phosphate enemas are efficient is such situations through its ability to draw fluid into the bowel and irritate the mucosa, causing evacuation of the bowel. However, repeated use of enemas is known to cause impaired bowel function and fluid and electrolyte imbalances. This is particularly true in the case of phosphate enemas and tap water enemas (Lemone & Burke, 2008). Meier & Monias, 2005, point out a further restriction in the use of phosphate en