Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Is it possible to distinguish between science and pseudo-science Is Essay
Is it possible to distinguish between science and pseudo-science Is there a satisfactory criterion of demarcation which can be employed to make such a distinction - Essay Example Pseudoscience is any body of knowledge, methodology, belief, or practice that claims to be scientific or is made to appear scientific, but does not adhere to the basic requirements of the scientific method (Wikipedia). The word ââ¬Ëpseudoââ¬â¢ implies that the science is fake or false just because there are problems with the testability criterion (Thompson, 1980). Pseudoscience is supposed to lack supporting evidence and plausibility (Goldstein, 2000). According to Muralidharan (n.d.) one is an experimented science and the other is an experienced science. Simanek (2005) emphasizes that the practitioners of all that is termed as ââ¬Ëpseudoscienceââ¬â¢ do not recognize the validity of this term. The boundaries of science and pseudoscience continue to be debated. With the help of a therapy in alternative medicine, namely Reiki, this paper will demonstrate that it is not possible to distinguish between science and pseudoscience. According to Lakatos (1970), the demarcation between science and pseudoscience is through inductivism. According to this theory only those propositions can be accepted into the body of science that describe hard facts or are inductive generalizations from them. An inductivist accepts a proposition only if it is proven true, otherwise he rejects it. If a proposition remains unproven, it is called pseudoscientific. He firmly states that science is based on hard factual propositions and inductive generalizations. The experiments of physics and chemistry are associated with this concept. The draw back here is that inductivism does not explain why certain facts rather than others were selected in the first place. How do the scientists get the inspiration to select a hypothesis? When a drop of water falls on our hand, the realization of hot or cold is an experience. Science merely explains the phenomenon of hot or cold but the heat and cold have existed even before the scientist made an a ttempt to study
Monday, October 28, 2019
Employee development (ED) Essay Example for Free
Employee development (ED) Essay The purpose of ED can be defined as developing human potential to assist organizations and individuals to achieve their objectives. (Redman Wilkinson, 2001 p.129). Since the impact of the globalization, the new positioning and competitive competences of the company will bring the HR department new challenges of finding effective career paths for their global employees. A study conducted by the Global Leadership Institute shows a positive relationship between the level of employee internationalization and the organizations Return on Assets. (Black et al, 1999, p1). Thats why according to Black an international assignment is the single most powerful experience in shaping the perspective and capabilities of effective global leadersA global assignment play important roles in succession planning and leadership development; in coordination and control; and in technology, innovation, and information exchange and dissemination. According to a survey by the National Foreign Trade Council, the number of Americans working overseas, jumped 30% in 1995. Of the 74 companies the NFTC polled, 71% said they expect this growth to continue. (Hayes et al, 1996) However, somewhere between 25and 40 per cent of foreign assignments fail in US transnationals. (Stonehouse et al, 2000,p.210). In fact, 20% to 48% of expatriates leave their companies within the first year of returning from an international assignment In a Business Horizons survey of 135 repatriated employees, only 39% felt their firm used their newly acquired skills; a meager 29% claimed that the assignments helped their careers. (Hayes et al, 1996). Such a failure is partly due to the mismatch between the organizational goals and personal goals, which is the main purpose of ED. Other reasons are: * Lack of training, this includes language and cross culture training. A recent survey conducted by Runzheimer International, found that only 42% of the 54 multinational companies polled had any formal training program for acculturating expatriates with their host country. (Hayes et al, 1996). * Family-related problems are perhaps the most important cause of failure amongst expatriates (Harvey, 1985). Such family problems include relating to the adaptation of both spouse and children to a new cultural and social environment. (Stonehouse et al, 2000,p.210) * Inadequate compensation (Stonehouse et al, 2000,p.210) * Feeling of loss of status resulting from working at the periphery. (Stonehouse et al, 2000,p.210) * Expatriates are often staying within the circle of the emigrant community, (Hayes et al, 1996) which reduces the chances to communicate with local culture and create a barrier between local people and them. * With international assignments becoming more commonplace, few companies are implying that there is any career advancement on the horizon for taking oneMany of the who have been on overseas assignments come back and move right back where they were (Hayes et al, 1996) Thus, make the employees think that their career path is stopped or blurred. In order to provide the employees a smooth international career development path, as well as to create an internationalized employees pool, organizations thus have to design a more systematic ED plan. This plan will include a clear definition of the international assignment, full training of the language and culture, effective expatriate policies, etc. For those MNCs with various employees come from different backgrounds, because of the culture impact, employees will have different views of career path. For example, in achievement-oriented corporation in western countries, young, promising managers are often sent on challenging assignment to faraway countries, whereas in ascribing cultures, older people, males, highly qualified persons are sent for those independent tasks or specific functions. (Trompenaars et al, 1998) Thus, organizations have to fully understand the career meaning to all of its employees and develop different career themes. References Stonehouse, G., Hamill, J., Campell, D., and Purdie,T., (2000) Global and transnational business: strategy and management, John WileySons, Ltd., UK Black, J.S., Gregersen, H., Mendenhall, M and Stroh,.L. (1999) The Strategic Role of Global Assignment, in Globalizing People Through International Assignments. London: Addison-Wesley. Pp. 1-31 Redman, T. and Wilkinson, A., (2001) Contemporary Human Resource Management, Prentice Hall Cassandra, H. (1996) The intrigue of international assignments in Black Enterprise, 26(10), pg. 98, NY Harvey, M.C. (1985) the executive family: an overlooked variable in international assignments, Columbia journal of world business, Spring. Tromenaars, F. and Turner, C.H (1998) Riding the waves of culture: understanding cultural diversity in business, Nicholas Brealey Publishing Ltd.,London
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Hospice in the United States Essay -- Hospice Terminal Illnesses Cance
Hospice in the United States Hospice is a concept of caring borrowed from medieval times, where travelers, pilgrims and the sick, wounded or dying could find rest and comfort. The contemporary hospice offers a program of care to patients and families facing a life threatening illness encompassing medical, nursing, spiritual, and psychological care. It is more than a medical alternative, it is an attitude toward death and the process of dying. Terminal disease is managed so patients can live comfortably until they die. The hospice program in the United States has evolved in part as an attempt to compensate for the inadequacies of the present medical system, particularly in caring for patients with a terminal illness. Hospice care has grown from an alternative health care movement to an established component of the American health care system. The modern hospice movement began in 1967 when Cicely Saunders opened St. Christopher's Hospice in London England. In the late 1960ââ¬â¢s, several Yale University student s invited Dr. Saunders to come speak at Yale. These students were inspired to create a similar service in the United States. They opened the Connecticut Hospice in Branford, Connecticut and pioneered the hospice movement in the United States. This became the nationââ¬â¢s first specially designed hospice care center. What is Hospice care? In an attempt to answer, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a statement in 1990 about the philosophy and techniques of hospice care. A.à à à à à Hospice affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. B.à à à à à Hospice neither hastens nor postpones death. C.à à à à à Hospice provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms associated with dying. D.à à à à à Hospice combines aspects of psychosocial and spiritual care. Eà à à à à Hospice offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death. F.à à à à à Hospice offers a support system to help the family cope during the patientââ¬â¢s illness and during the bereavement process. We can see that the hospice concept is a bio-psychosocial approach to the dying process, concerned with biological, psychological, and social health. Because of its proponents, Hospice is considered a more humane and sensible approach to terminal illness, combining care, comfort, and support of family and friends as the individual faces death. Their concern for dignity and fo... ...age dementia: A national survey of hospice programs. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 43(1), 56-59 Mesler, M. A., & Miller, P. J. (2000). Hospice and assisted suicide: The structure and process of an inherent dilemma Death Studies, 24(2), 135-155 Newsome, B. R., & Dickinson, G. E. (2000). Death experiences and hospice: Perceptions of college students. Death Studies, 24(4), 335-341 Oââ¬â¢Connor, P. (1999). Hospice vs. palliative care. Hospice Journal, 14(3/4), 123-137 Paradis, L. F. (1984). Hospice program integration: An issue for policymakers. Death Education, 8(5-6), 383-398 Russell, G. M. (1985) Hospice programs and the hospice movement: An investigation based on general systems theory Dissertation Abstracts International, 45(9), 3082 Simson, S., & Wilson, L. B. (1986) Strategies for success: An examination of the organizational development of early hospice programs. Hospice Journal, 2(2), 19-39 World Health Organization. (1990). Hospice Facts [On-line] Available HTTP://www.cp-tel.net/pamnorth/facts.htm Zehnder, P. W., & Royse, D. (1999) Attitudes toward assisted suicide: A survey of hospice volunteers. Hospice Journal, 14(2), 49-63. à à à à Ã
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Ethical Theories Essay
A virtue is a trait of a certain person that is valued as being good from a particular point of view and answers the question of what actions are moral and what are not. Also, morality is the basis of being ethically correct and good. There had been several different ethical theories that exist in the society and each having different standards or basis for morality. One of the well known theories in the contemporary time in the field is virtue ethics which is one of the 3 major normative ethics approaches. à à à à à à à à à à à Virtue ethics originated in the ancient Greek times that takes inspiration from the works of the Greek philosopher, Aristotle while other theories in virtue ethics also incorporate elements from the works of Hume, Plato, Aquinas and as well as Nietzsche. Basically, virtue ethics gives importance on the character of a person.à Thus, it is the character of a person that is the key element and the basis of being good or morally correct rather than laws/rules or even the consequences or outcome brought about by a particular action. à à à à à à à à à à à According to virtue ethics, we should look at the character of a person rather than his or her duties and actions. It is how one can be better person that is given emphasis rather than the right thing to do. It is easy to live a virtuous life according to Aristotle and that the main reason for those who do so is to be happy. Thus, a virtuous life gives happiness which is the main or ultimate goal of every human being according to virtue ethics. à à à à à à à à à à à In order to become a better person, virtue ethics suggest that one must practice virtuous acts on a regular basis. These acts will eventually become habitual and thus, making the habit of doing such acts as a natural day to day activity which in the long run, will make the person a better being. Thus, the ultimate aim of the particular person is to make people happy. Virtue ethics suggests that a person living a virtuous life will eventually do virtuous things not only to be happy but as well as to make people happy which in turn will be their main objective and goal in life of a virtues person. à à à à à à à à à à à Virtue ethics also assumes that all humans have capacities that are inherited and that, as stated earlier, actions that could improve these capacities are considered as ethical and those that hinder the improvement of these capacities are not, that is, if an action is able to develop the potential of the particular person, it is the morally right thing to do and otherwise, morally wrong. These, inherited potentials, according to ethical theories are wisdom and intelligence and so, in order to live a virtues life, we must be able to develop our wisdom and intelligence. Thus, rather than trying to define goodness or righteousness, improving oneââ¬â¢s character is given the importance and is the basis of ethically good actions and is virtue ethicsââ¬â¢ central theme. à à à à à à à à à à à à By giving emphasis on the personââ¬â¢s being rather than actions, virtue ethics aims to achieve something that is genuinely wanted by the person rather than focusing on the incoherent ideas about the after-life which are found to be arguable. It is said that virtue ethics is applicable to all, can easily be understood and fits into both dos and donââ¬â¢ts of philosophies and as well as religion. Therefore, it is like a combination of both religion and philosophy. à à à à à à à à à à à Every ethical theory suggests standards of morality and according to virtue ethics, right actions are the results of being a moral person. It is by becoming a moral person that we will eventually know what actions are righteous from what are wrong and thus, we flourished as human beings. Virtue ethics also suggests that virtue is an important and admirable human characteristic just as courage and kindness. Virtue ethics also suggests that a good society is a result and accomplishments of virtuous people in that particular community. Thus, it can be said the virtue ethics is far more different than other ethical theories present such as Consequentialism that focuses on the results of a certain actions or Deontology that focuses on certain rules and duties of every individual as set by the society. Consequentialism would ask what actions will bring the most benefit and the least harm to the persons that are involved and will be affected by the action. On the other hand, Deontology will ask what actions are approved by the society and that are accordance to the moral rules or laws as dictated by the society or culture. Still, as mentioned earlier, virtue ethics does not focus on the action itself or on the result of that action or even in the set of rules that are present in the society but rather, on the character of the person involved in making the decision. By evaluating the points of these ethical theories, it can be said that all have their own strength and as well as weak points when it comes to decision making and one cannot be considered as superior to the other. Still, taking either side will also be dependent on the points of view of the person making the decision. à à à à à à à à à à à One problem with virtue ethics is that it is mostly not applicable or of little help to persons who are facing dilemma. The same thing also goes for Consequentialism and Deontology. à If for example, you can save a friend by lying to a certain person or group, would lying be the action by a virtuous man or is it considered as a simple lie that a virtuous man should avoid? In this case, it can be said that virtue ethics cannot be applied and does not help the person in making a decision. à à à à à à à à à à à Another problem faced by virtue ethics is that it cannot justify a certain problem for doing so would require a basis of what is moral. In this case, the decision on which virtues are considered morally correct and which are not are has to be made which is definitely a hard thing to do. Thus justifying certain actions based on what virtues are moral and what are not are still a big question. à à à à à à à à à à à On the other hand, it can also be said that the one of the distinct strength of virtue ethics is that it gives emphasis on the connection between our characters and our acts. It also views our character as whole and unified rather than treating each as isolated when it comes to making ethical decisions. Thus, a personââ¬â¢s virtue is considered as a totality and not as fragment of different aspects and that one character/trait is not isolated from the other. Thus, virtue ethics looks at the individual, something that most ethical theories fail to do. à à à à à à à à à à à There is no absolute theory that exists in which all will agree that it is definitely the right standard of living a virtuous life. Thus, every theory has its own critique and opponents. This is because of the difference in the experiences, knowledge and points of view of every individual, being unique in different ways. Thus, an ultimate theory can never really exist. The actions that must be taken by every individual defends on both his or her experiences and values together with the situation at hand and no theory will be able to solely suggest what ought to be and not be done. Therefore, decision making is not just a matter of theories and principles but of experiences, knowledge of the situation and of the people involved and the complete being of a person making the decision. Reference Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2000). Virtue Ethics. Retrieved April 28, 2008 à à à à à à à à à à à from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-virtue/#3
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Behaviors Related to the Use of Urban Facilities at Le Van Tam Park
Contentss Introduction: 1.Research inquiry 2.Hypothesis: 3.Purpose: 4.Methodology: Literature reappraisal: Consequence: Discussion Outline: Behaviors related to the usage of urban installations at Le Van Tam park ( strength countries )Introduction:Harmonizing WHO, physical inaction is a chief subscriber to decease and disablement from lifestyle-living diseases such as bosom disease, diabetes, high blood force per unit area worldwide. Promoting the degree of physical activities is one of the precedence undertakings. Making the built environment or installations in the park to promote the physical activity degree is more necessary in Ho qi minh metropolis due to there has been increasing in sedentary occupation and dependance on minibike. Recent surveies documented that the recreational installations give important parts to the physical activities degree by grownups [ 1 ] . Harmonizing to McKenzie [ 2 ] , community Parkss have possible scenes to advance the physical activities of people, irrespective to age, gender. Despite some type of Parks has been built to promote the physical activities degree near the abode in Ho qi minh metropolis such as Le Van Tam park, Gia Dinh park, â⬠¦ However, no research on how features of these topographic points can impact PA degrees Vietnam in general, Ho Chi Minh in peculiar. Therefore, the intent of this survey to understand the relationship between built environments and physical activities degree.1.Research inquiryRaise inquiries:+ How are people able to entree the park in general, the strength country in peculiar? +Who are the users of strength country? + Do people socialise when they exercise? + How often are strength country used + What affect has built environments the usage of urban installations? + How does it impact the frequency of usage? , the effectual of usage, the satisfactory of the usageAims:to understand effects the reinforced environments on the usage of urban installations: instance survey in Le Van Tam park.Specific aim: + to determine the consequence of reinforced environments on the usage of urban facilitie + to find the ways in which reinforced environments affect the physical activitiesHypothesis: the improving of the reinforced environment, or diversion installations can better physical activities.Purpose: The intent of this survey to understand the relationship between built environments and physical activities degree. From this, whether this signifier of park can use more Parkss in Ho qi minh metropolis.4.Methodology:The methodological analysis provides an apprehension of how the research was carried out and organized in order to obtain information that could be utile for understanding the relationship â⬠¦.in Le Van Tam park. The methodogy is based in interview with strength country, questionnaire, and obsevations. The undermentioned portion will supply the chracteristics of the research carried out, explicate the study methods used to obtain information from users, depict how the information was collected and processed, detail how participants were selected and approached, and depict how the information obtained was analyszed. The research involves a survey of strength country in which observation and some note pickings was applied to acquire information from different place users. A entire 3 little interviews and 24 users to make questionnaire were conducted indiscriminately in study country at different hours of the twenty-four hours among different age-group users. In this survey, . The research procedure consisted several stairss: Measure 1: Observation and little interview Measure 2: Preparation for study Measure 3: Survey through questionnaire Measure 4: Photograph analysis Observation of users:The initial observation was carried out on Thursday, 13 November 2014, followed by a 2nd visit on Friday, 14 November 2014 to acquire information related to country.The user study was conducted on Sunday in the forenoon and in the afternoon, 15 November 2014The activity audit was carried out after study on Sunday forenoon and afternoon, 23 November and on Monday forenoon, 24 November, from 6:45am to 8:00 am and 5:00 autopsy to 6h30 autopsy to number the figure of people take parting in the activity by gender.The secThe combination observation and study through questionnaire:TheIn field work, the fixed country was choosen through the observation in the first clip. Field-based observations were ab initio developed during the forenoon and afternoon hours in Thursday and Friday. Some important jobs that were observed in the survey country were the followers: + which country, installations people use the most + Observed physical qualities and measures + Gender and age + Social interaction + Security of the country + Counting the figure of people utilizing the recreational installations + TheQuestionnaire: The figure of particiapnts surveyed for this research was 25 users. Strength country users were approached while making their regular exercising. If they were exerting, permission was asked if interview could be conducted while making exercising, which they agreed. Peoples that were by and large sitting for resting besides asked. When attack, the academic intent of making questionnaire was explained: it was mentioned that the questionnaire were for assignments.Interview:Indicator, Variable:IndexVariableMethodFrequency of usageââ¬â How many times/weekââ¬â How long day-to-day ( h/day )ââ¬â Whenââ¬â Questionnaireââ¬âHandinessââ¬â By agencies of transit ââ¬â How long? ( minuites?QuestionnaireSocialbilityââ¬â The figure of people participate in activities ââ¬â Group or entirelyUserââ¬â¢s penchantsSercurityInterview ObservationStudy populationââ¬â Age ( old ages old ââ¬â Gender ( male/female ââ¬â OccupationAnalysis:The information from questionnaire was entered in Excel and analyzed utilizing that plan Study restriction: Due to restrictions on clip, there were some mistakes in my informations aggregationBehaviors related to the usage of urban installations at Le Van Tam parkLiterature reappraisal:Count, Mapping, Photographing, Keeping a journal, QuestionnaireWhat is known?i?what is unknownPublic infinite is defined as ââ¬Å"all countries that are unfastened and accessible to all member of the populace in a society, in rule though non needfully in practiceâ⬠( Orum and Neal 2010: p.1 ) . The other definition of PPS, 2000 that public infinite screen out-of-doorss environments, which by and large give alleviation from urban feverish life. Harmonizing to Josph Rowntree foundation in ââ¬Å" The societal value of public spaceâ⬠, include high streets, streets markets, shopping preincts, community Centres, Parkss, resort areas, and vicinity infinites in residential country.Physical activities in general, making exercising in privateThe definition of physical activities harmonizing to WHO organis ationPublic infinite drama an important function in community life. ( why is of import? ) ( the part of public infinites to community These topographic points are topographic points for people gather to run into, hear, listen exchange information. Many research show that the parts of the public infinite to physical activity, that means ( In this portion, I will compose every thing about the public infinite I know, the intent of publice topographic point, why every organic structure, or urban interior decorator have to concern aboutu the public infinite design ) Public infinite is a topographic point that people can accessibly easy with low or no cost, or make infinite for everybody to hold a lacing to sit, to listen, to see, to hear, to interchange information. In my experience, I ever choose a topographic point where I can see the big vision, may be the intent of alone state of affairs will be varied, but have to some standards to satisft the humanââ¬â¢s need ) ( what is charact eristic of good public infinite ) There are many benefits from public topographic point generaly, particularly Parkss:Social benefit+ Creating stable vicinities with strong community. Park is an ideal environment / topographic points for everybody meet with others every bit good as encourage societal sustainability.All groups of society, irrespective to age, income, position, faith or cultural background, can participant in any activities which are offered in the park.In the park, everybody have in common somehow such as to cut down the emphasis, relax, or merely make exercising, â⬠¦ Each person has alone intents when they go into the park, but really they want to fulfill their demand, their feeling ( what is human demand? ) People gather information though many sense such as visual perception, hearing, â⬠¦ to roll up information, experience. In the park, one of the signifier of simple public infinite, by detecting or listening contact, people can hold theirself experience. Most of of import information can r oll up information about people and the society around us. . In humanââ¬â¢s basic demand, In the park, people have more chances to run into each others, leads to the increasing face-to-face interaction, whichs is of import skills/ demand. Two sorts of societal contact: Passive and active. With inactive contact, with the status of the Parks, where many events are happening, single usage human sense of hear, sense of listen, sense of ticker, they can detect and garner information about people and society around us. With active contact, merely merely little negotiations or conversations, or more merely recognizing each others, they can oper more chances to run into the same subjects to discourse. Social capital, which is defined as the relationships among people that make productive activity more easy, may be related to wellness and physical activity. ( How can I understand this sentence ) ( what connexion between increasing societal benefit signifier park and societal capital )Public wellness benefits: [ 3 ]+ Physical activity makes people healthier + Access to park additions frequence of exercising. Strong cogent evidence shows that when people have entree to Parkss, they exercise more. In a survey published by the CDC, entree to topographic points for physical activity more easy led to a 25.6 per centum addition in the per centum of people exerting on three or more yearss per hebdomad. + Exposure to nature and verdure makes people healthier.From the survey in American, they found that contact with the natural universe improves physical and psychological wellness.Environment benefit+ Reducing Pollution + Making the atmosphere cool Parks may be play important function in cut downing environment pollution. Air pollution is one of serious jobs has caused many lasting or temprorary disease such as coughing, concerns, lung, pharynx, and respiratory and malignant neoplastic disease.Tree in the park somehow can cut down the degree of air pollution by absorbing soiled hatj. Furthermore, important figure of trees in the park will convent the ambiance which be cleaner, ice chest.What is diversion installationsWhat I will compose in literature reappraisal is that I have to happen out the instance survey has the same status in Ho qi minh park? The life status is the same? the park is in the cardinal metropolisHo Chi Minh nowadays has emerging developedConsequence: cong vien Gia A?aà »Ã¢â¬ ¹nh, 23/9, Le VA?n Tam, Tao A?an la 4 cong vien Aââ¬Ëa?à §u tien ap daà »?ng loai hinh nay. DiscussionObservation determination: The first observation, I merely concentrate on what go oning in the strength country, I donââ¬â¢t do number the figure of people do to hold general information about survey country. The first observation during weekends, I recognized that among kids the frequence of park usage was higher during the weekends as compared with weekday. What I see when I observe 1.5 yearss, during 1 hours during in the forenoon and In the afternoon. The first observation, each forenoon at 7:00 am, I started numbering during 10 minuites, the consequence is that the figure of mal is more than female. But around 8:00 am, the figure of female is more than male. Possibly the figure of female from other activities happening in the park. Unfortunately, I observed one twenty-four hours with inclined limate, with somewhat raining, but surprisingly, the figure of people taking portion in the strength country is 19, including 3 female. The same with the consequences form ââ¬Å" utilizing experimental methods to measure public unfastened spcaes and physical activity in brazi ; â⬠. The figure of physically active persons vary significantly harmonizing to the periods of the twenty-four hours and the yearss of the weekend. Furthermore,Mc Kenzie et Al [ 4 ] have documented that work forces were more physically active than adult females.Mc Kenzie et Al found that the intent of utilizing park and the physical acitivty degrees vary following different clipMany research show that the important part of park installations to physical activities [ 5 ]
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
South Koreas Infatuation With Computer Gaming Culture
South Korea's Infatuation With Computer Gaming Culture South Korea is a country infatuated with video games. It is a place where professional gamers earn six-figure contracts, date supermodels, and are treated as A-list celebrities. Cyber competitions are nationally televised and they fill-up stadiums. In this country, gaming is not just a hobby; itââ¬â¢s a way of life. Video Game Culture in South Korea Although the per capita access to broadband internet is high, most Koreans actually conduct their gaming activities outside of the home in local gaming rooms called ââ¬Å"PC bangs.â⬠A bang is simply a LAN (local area network) gaming center where patrons pay an hourly fee to play multiplayer games. Most bangs are cheap, ranging from $1.00 to $1.50 USD an hour. There are currently over 20,000 active PC bangs in South Korea and they have become an integral part of the countryââ¬â¢s social fabric and cultural landscape. In Korea, going to a bang is equivalent to going to the movies or the bar in the West. They are especially prevalent in big cities like Seoul, where heightened population density and the lack of space offers residents few options for recreational and social interaction. The video game industry makes up a large share of South Koreaââ¬â¢s GDP. According to the Ministry of Culture, in 2008 the online-gaming industry earned $1.1 billion dollars in exports. Nexon and NCSOFT, South Koreaââ¬â¢s two largest game development companies reported a combined net income of over $370 million in 2012. The entire game market is estimated at approximately $5 billion dollars annually, or about $100 per resident, which is more than three times what Americans spend. Games like StarCraft have sold over 4.5 million copies in South Korea, out of a worldwide total of 11 million. Video games also stimulate the countryââ¬â¢s informal economy, as millions of dollars are traded yearly through illegal gambling and betting on game matches. In South Korea, cyber competition is considered a national sport and numerous television channels broadcast video game matches regularly. The country even has two full-time video game television networks: Ongamenet and MBC Game. According to the Federal Game Institute, 10 million South Koreans regularly follow eSports, as they are known. Depending on the matches, some video game tournaments may garner more ratings than pro baseball, soccer, and basketball combined. There are currently 10 professional gaming leagues in the country and they are all sponsored by big corporations such as SK Telecom and Samsung. The monetary rewards for winning a league tournament are colossal. Some of South Koreaââ¬â¢s most famous players like the StarCraft legend, Yo Hwan-lim could earn more than $400,000 a year just from league matches and sponsorships. The popularity eSports has even led to the creation of the World Cyber Games. Gaming Addiction in South Korea Over the past decade, the Korean government has spent millions of dollars on clinics, campaigns, and programs to minimize this problem. There are now publicly funded treatment centers for game addicts. Hospitals and clinics have installed programs that specialize in treating the disease. Some Korean game companies such as NCsoft also finances private counseling centers and hotlines. In late 2011, the government took a stern step further by imposing a ââ¬Å"Cinderella Lawâ⬠(also called the Shutdown Law), which prevents anyone under the age of 16 from playing online games on their PCs, handheld device, or at a PC bang from midnight until 6 a.m. Minors are required to register their national identification cards online so that they can be monitored and regulated. This law has been highly controversial and is contested by the majority of the general public, video game companies, and game associations. Many people argue that this law infringes on their liberty and would yield no positive results. Minors could just register using someone elseââ¬â¢s identification or completely circumvent the ban by connecting to Western servers instead. Although by doing so, it certainly affirms oneââ¬â¢s addiction.
Monday, October 21, 2019
Essential Vocabulary for Air Travel in France
Essential Vocabulary for Air Travel in France Is travel in your future? Are you planning to fly to France or another French-speaking country? Study this airport vocabulary to help you make reservations, buy tickets, negotiate airports, and get on the plane. Bonà voyage! General Airport Terms airline: une compagnie aà ©rienneairplane: un avionairport: un aà ©roportArrivals: les arrivà ©esbaggage: les bagagesbaggage claim: la livraison des bagagesboarding pass: la carte dembarquementcarry-on luggage: les bagages maincart: un chariotchecked luggage: les bagages enregistrà ©scheck-in: lenregistrementcustoms:à la douaneDepartures: les dà ©partsduty-free: une boutique hors taxesearly: en avanceeconomy (coach) class: la classe à ©cologique, la classe à ©co (informal apocope), la classe touristein economy class: en classe à ©cologique / à ©co / touristefirst class, in first class: la premià ¨re classe, en premià ¨re classeflight: un volgate: une porteimmigration: limmigrationlate: en retardone-way ticket: un billet simplepassport: un passeportplane ticket: le billet davionround trip ticket: un billet aller-retoursecurity check: le contrà ´le de sà ©curità ©shuttle: une navettestopover: une escaleterminal: une aà ©rogarevisa: un visa People passenger: un passagerpilot: le pilotesteward: un stewardstewardess: une hà ´tesse de lair Travel Verbs to board: embarquerto buy a ticket: acheter un billetto check bags: enregistrer (les bagages)to declare: dà ©clarerto land: atterrirto make a reservation: faire une rà ©servationto take off: dà ©coller
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)