Heavenly Gates Essays - Cult, Pejoratives, Religious Persecution

Heavenly Gate's Recently I read an article about the Heavens Gate Cult, and I wondered why on earth would someone get involved in a cult whose purpose seemed so ridiculous. How can you make sense out of the suicide of 39 people? How can you explain behavior that seems so strange? Should we just assume that people who follow this kind of cult are weirdoes, stupid, insane, evil, or is there something more to it? I did a little research to find out a little more about cults. I found out that cults are really not all that uncommon, and that almost anyone can fall victim to a cult. Most people do not set out to join a cult. They get involved with a group of interesting people. These groups usually promise to fulfill a persons individual needs or to compensate for societies failures. These groups may promise to heal sickness, foretell the future, or enhance a persons life in some way. The leaders of these cults usually promise to have all the answers to whatever problems these people have. These groups become cults when they are seen as deceptive, dangerous, or they oppose the basic values of society. Usually people get involved with cults when they are at a vulnerable period in their lives. People who are at a transitional period in their lives, like people who recently lost a job, or someone who just moved to a new area may be susceptible. Another reason why people get involved with these groups could be that they are unsatisfied with their religions, their education, or their social lives. The cult seems to fill the void of whatever is missing in a persons life. People find instant friendships, a caring family, an identity, safety, security, and an organized agenda for every day life. Most people who are recruited into cults are recruited by people they feel they can trust in a setting that is familiar. Family, friends, neighbors, co-workers or teachers often do the recruitment. Recruitment often takes place in familiar places like school, home, work, churches, workshops, or even over the Internet. This makes the cult feel safe and comfortable. People dont feel like they are getting involved in a cult instead they feel like they are joining the crowd. Cult leaders offer simple answers to the complex problems of everyday living. They claim to know a simple path to happiness, to success, and to Salvation. . People who follow their simple rules and simple lifestyle will be on this path. Cult leaders give members very simple directions on how to think, act and feel. In return a member gets all those things that may be missing from their lives. What these leaders claim to know seems so simple and easy, that some people feel they can participate with little hesitation it seems like a perfect solution for those people who feel that they are powerless in their lives. Each new member contributes to a leaders power by trading their own freedom for the illusion of security that each group has. The madness of a cult leader becomes normalized as members embrace it. It becomes a members belief system. There are many different kinds of cults around. Some cults can be more dangerous than others. Some are money or power oriented, while others are spiritual centered. A money, or power-centered cult can become dangerous when it manipulates members into contributing large amounts of money or personal sacrifice. A member may be asked to spend large amounts of time earning money for the cult. They may be asked to beg, borrow, or steal money. A spiritual based cult can also become dangerous. Theses religious cults claim that they know all of lives unanswered questions. Typically members of these cults become isolated from the world around them. They are expected not to talk to anyone who is not a member. Is there anyway we can prevent cults from forming? I guess to answer that we would have to look behind the messages behind cults. Usually cults form because there is something missing from society. We would have to find a way to make our society make up for everything that is missing. We would

Klasies River Caves - Middle Paleolithic South Africa

Klasies River Caves - Middle Paleolithic South Africa Klasies River is the collective name of several caves eroded into the sandstone bluff located along a 1.5 mile (2.5 kilometers) stretch of the Tsitsikamma coast of South Africa facing the Indian Ocean. Between 125,000 and 55,000 years ago, a handful of our Anatomically Modern Human (AMH) (Homo sapiens) ancestors lived in these caves at the very southern tip of Africa. What they left behind provides evidence of the behavior of Homo sapiens at our very earliest moments of existence, and a slightly uncomfortable peek into our distant past. The Klasies River main site is one of the most intensively occupied sites within this area, associated with abundant cultural and subsistence remains of Middle Stone Age (MSA) hunter-gatherer-fishers. The site includes two caves and two smaller rock shelters, tied together by a 69-foot (21-meter) thick shell midden that spills out of all four. Archaeological investigations have been conducted at Klasies River since the late 1960s, primarily at the main site. The Klasies River caves were first excavated by J. Wymer in 1967–1968, and then by H. Deacon between 1984–1995, and most recently by Sarah Wurz beginning in 2013. Chronology Early modern Homo sapiens lived in the Klasies River caves during the Middle Stone Age, periods which are roughly equivalent to the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS 5). At Klasies, MSA I (MIS 5e/d), MSA I Lower (MIS 5c), and MSA I Upper (MIS 5b/a) were relatively intensive human occupations. The oldest the oldest AMH bone found in the cave dates to 115,000 (abbreviated 115 ka). The main layers of occupation and listed in the table below; the most substantial occupation debris is from the MSA II lower levels. MSA III MIS 3 (80–60 ka)Howiesons Poort (MIS 5/a to MIS 4)MSA II upper (85 ka, MIS 5b/a)MSA II lower (MB 101–90 ka, MIS 5c, 10 m thick)MSA I (KR technocomplex) 115–108 ka, MIS 5e/d Artifacts and Features Artifacts found at the sites include stone and bone tools, animal bones and mussel shell, and over 40 bones or bone fragments of the human occupants of the cave. Hearths and artifact clusters within the shell midden indicate that the residents systematically exploited both land-based and marine resources. Animal bones found within the caves include bovids, baboon, otter, and leopard. The earliest stone tool tradition found in the caves is MSA I Klasies River techno-complex. Others include convergent Levallois tool types in MSA I known as Mossel Bay technocomplex; and the Howiesons Poort/Still Bay complex. Nearly 40 human fossil bones and bone fragments are in the catalogs from the excavations. Some of the bones look identical to modern Homo sapien morphologies, others show more archaic traits than recent human populations. Living in Klasies River Caves The people who lived in these caves were modern humans who lived by recognizably human methods, hunting game and gathering plant foods. Evidence for our other hominid ancestors- Homo erectus and Homo ergaster, for example- suggests that they primarily scavenged other animals kills; the Homo sapiens of Klasies River caves knew how to hunt. The Klasies River people dined on shellfish, antelope, seals, penguins, and some unidentified plant foods, roasting them in hearths built for the purpose. The caves were not permanent residences for the humans who inhabited them, as best as we can tell; they only stayed for a few weeks, then moved along to the next hunting stand. Stone tools and flakes made from beach cobbles were recovered from the earliest levels of the site. Klasies River and Howiesons Poort Apart from the debris of living, researchers have also found fragmentary evidence in these earliest levels of the earliest of ritual behavior- cannibalism. Fossil human remains were found in several layers of the Klasies River occupations, fire-blackened fragments of skulls and other bones showing cut marks from deliberate butchery. While this alone would not convince researchers that cannibalism had taken place, the pieces were mixed with the rubble of kitchen debris- thrown out with the shells and bones of the remainder of the meal. These bones were unequivocally modern human; at a time when no other modern humans are known- only Neanderthals and early modern Homo existed outside of Africa. By 70,000 years ago, when the layers called by archaeologists Howiesons Poort were laid down, these same caves were used by people with a more sophisticated stone tool technology, backed tools from thin stone blades, and projectile points. The raw material from these tools came not from the beach, but from rough mines some 12 mi (20 km) away. The Middle Stone Age Howiesons Poort lithic technology is nearly unique for its time; similar tool types are not found anywhere else until the much later Late Stone Age assemblages. While archaeologists and paleontologists continue to debate whether modern humans are descended only from the Homo sapiens populations from Africa, or from a combination of Homo sapiens and Neanderthal, the Klasies River cave populations are still our ancestors and are still representatives of the earliest known modern humans on the planet. Sources Bartram, Laurence E.Jr., and Curtis W. Marean. Explaining the Klasies Pattern: Kua Ethnoarchaeology, the Die Kelders Middle Stone Age Archaeofauna, Long Bone Fragmentation and Carnivore Ravaging. Journal of Archaeological Science 26 (1999): 9–29. Print.Churchill, S. E., et al. Morphological Affinities of the Proximal Ulna from Klasies River Main Site: Archaic or Modern? Journal of Human Evolution 31 (1996): 213–37. Print.Deacon, H.J., and V. B. Geleisjsne. The Stratigraphy and Sedimentology of the Main Site Sequence, Klasies River, South Africa. The South African Archaeological Bulletin 43 (1988): 5–14. Print.Grine, Frederick E., Sarah Wurz, and Curtis W. Marean. The Middle Stone Age Human Fossil Record from Klasies River Main Site. Journal of Human Evolution 103 (2017): 53–78. Print.Hall, S., and J. Binneman. Later Stone Age Burial Variability in the Cape: A Social Interpretation. The South African Archaeological Bulletin 42 (1987): 140–52. Print.N ami, Hugo G., et al. Palaeomagnetic Results and New Dates of Sedimentary Deposits from Klasies River Cave 1, South Africa. South African Journal of Science 112.11/12 (2016). Print. Nel, Turid Hillestad, Sarah Wurz, and Christopher Stuart Henshilwood. Small Mammals from Marine Isotope Stage 5 at Klasies River, South Africa–Reconstructing the Local Palaeoenvironment. Quaternary International 471 (2018): 6–20. Print.Voigt, Elizabeth. Stone Age Molluscan Utilization at Klasies River Mouth Caves. South African Journal of Science 69 (1973): 306–09. Print.Wurz, Sarah. Variability in the Middle Stone Age Lithic Sequence, 115,000–60,000 Years Ago at Klasies River, South Africa. Journal of Archaeological Science 29 (2002): 1001–15. Print.Wurz, Sarah, et al. Connections, Culture and Environments around 100?000 Years Ago at Klasies River Main Site. Quaternary International (2018). Print. Klasies River Caves Fast Facts Name of Site: Klasies River or Klasies River MouthSpecies: Early Modern HumansStone Tool Traditions: Klasies River, Mossel Bay (convergent Levallois), Howiesons PoortPeriod: Middle Stone AgeDate of Occupation: 125,000–55,000 years agoConfiguration: Five caves and two rock sheltersMedium: Naturally eroded into the sandstone cliffLocation: 1.5 mi (2.5 km) stretch of the Tsitsikamma coast of South Africa facing the Indian OceanOffbeat Fact: Evidence that our ancient human ancestors were cannibals

What was the most important invention of the 19th Century Essay

What was the most important invention of the 19th Century - Essay Example It then follows that the invention of electricity actually came into being the day the bulb was lit, or in other words the day mainstream use of electricity took effect .For this reason, invention of electricity can be argued to have been in the 19th century. This argument can be squarely credited to Nikola Telsa, a mechanical and electrical engineer and inventor. His works led to the development of modern day electrical systems that use alternating current1. Basically the reason why electricity invention becomes the greatest in the 19th century is because of the rapid activities that came into light during this era. Such activities include the agrarian revolution that saw people go to great lengths in such of better welfare and improved transport system. It is almost impossible to imagine this era without electricity, to imagine people trying to run engines in the industry without electricity, or it can be impossible to imagine how we could be staying at our homes using our kerosene lanterns and may be candles and that is very hard very hard to imagine2. During industrial revolution when people across Europe were trying to get industries going, electricity was the all the more important. Heavy machines meant electricity was in place and for this reason industrial revolution was a success. Since then, the world has never looked back and electrically supported gadgets have been invented. In essence, almost in everything we do, electricity is part of us. Even small gadgets we use today like phones use electricity and that explain the impact electricity has had all over the world. It also explains why it is the greatest invention of all time if not the greatest invention of the 19th century3.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is very important to note that the transport industry has been revolutionized by electricity. Electric trains have been introduced courtesy of electricity. This milestone has been achieved in many developed count ries and general infrastructure improved. Communication can be described as the backbone of development and without electricity, breakdown in communication could be evident. Industrial revolution is still evident, sophisticated equipment is being used vastly there and electricity is the source of power. It is therefore safe to say electricity is pivotal in almost every aspect of life without which almost nothing is going to happen. Both communication and transport have been improved and in the process making the world â€Å"smaller†. One could say life could have been a bit4. Agriculture and animal husbandry can also be argued to have been improved by electricity. For one, mechanization meant invention of such electric tools as grinders and reapers. Other machines in the field of agriculture were invented and definitely ones which used electricity. On the other hand, animal husbandry was also improved. For example, milking machines were introduced in ranches where large scale production of milk was the main economic activity. Building technology has also been revolutionized by electricity to a larger extend. This is evident in urban facilities like elevators that have shaped the existence of skyscrapers and other monumental structures in the urban areas. Just like during the industrial revolution, steel industry continues to be a major consumer of electricity in the sense that, during assembling of automobiles high voltage current is required to melt and twist the metals. In that connection, electricity seems to be the only

Lewis and Clarks attitudes toward Native Americans Essay

Lewis and Clarks attitudes toward Native Americans - Essay Example For Jefferson, he required maximizing their time looking for the natural resources and while learning more about the geographic of the American Interiors. Moreover, Jefferson required that they treat the natives America with kindness and establish a good relationship that would culminate to winning over their trust. This was a different tactic from that that the British exploration was using in their quest for American territory. Jefferson, Lewis, and Clark found an established natives in Mandan villages. The native had organized businesses and favorable settlement. For them, they required little effort to create rapport with the population of about 5000 natives. After they have spent the winter in the native’s villages, Clark and Lewis brought a new disease that wiped the entire populations of the natives. They unwittingly wipe away local natives by 1830s. However, except for the interruption of the native by the white disease Lewis and Clark had to achieve most of the things they were required to collect by President Jefferson. They had a wonderful time with a native, and they would feel lonely when they could not find any of Indians to talk to. More than the expectation of Jefferson, Clark, and Lewis were able not only to gather ethnographic data, but they established a relationship that later defined the expansion of Jefferson administration. Jefferson though had instructed Lewis and Clark to relate well with the native had his worst among the natives. He feared that they would end his political careers. His fear is confirmed by his spending on the study of the native to understand them better and offer opinions and recommendation on how to establish a working relationship.5 However, Lewis and Clark had cordial and well intentions to the local natives. For example, Clark argued that the native belonged to the Great Chief of the white people. Jefferson though had instructed Lewis and Clark to relate well with the native had his worst among the natives. He feared that they would end his political careers. His fear is confirmed by his spending on the study of the native to understand them better and offer opinions and recommendation on how to establish a working relationship.However, Lewis and Clark had cordial and well intentions to the local natives. For example, Clark argued that the native belonged to the 'Great chief of the white people.' For them, they did not fear the Native American but saw opportunities in their rich culture and settlements.

Market Efficiency and Investment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Market Efficiency and Investment - Essay Example Marketing is an oft conceived word used in our daily life. It is a normal word which may often be found as a part of our day to day conversations and has more to do with the approach than the execution of a business idea.   It was first explained by the American Market Association as an â€Å"activity†.   Later the definition was elaborated and modified to involve the various institutions and processes employed for making, communicating and delivering products which are of value to the stakeholders-customers, clients, partners and the society at large. The term was derived from the original meaning which taken literally meant simply going to the market to shop or to sell goods and services there. Before we proceed further, clear and crisp definitions of the terms that would be used in the text are needed. This is important to develop a clear and concise understanding of what will follow. Market Price is the total lump sum money that is actually paid for a particular asset. The worth of an asset can be further categorized into 2 broad genres. These are the individual worth and the market worth of the asset. Individual worth is the highest price bid by an individual purchaser who takes into perspective all information that is available to him in a very effective manner. Market worth, on the other hand, is the price at which investment would be exchanged and traded on the market. It is the place where buyers and sellers use all available information in a very efficient manner. According to some noted scholars, an individual’s worth need not be equal to the market’s worth. It is not necessary that it is equal to the market price or the valuation. The point in perspective is that an individual’s worth is dependent on certain specific inputs whereas market worth, on the other hand, is dependent on market views and consensus cum collaboration on inputs.

UK Health Policies on Obesity

UK Health Policies on Obesity Social, economic and industrial changes have changed the patterns of life globally. Changes in diet and physical activity patterns have been central to the rise of obesity among many of the worlds population. Obesity was traditionally seen as a disease of high-income countries only, but it is now replacing malnutrition and infectious diseases as a problem transcending social divides. Obesity carries a higher incidence of chronic illness including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. This paper will critically evaluate the current UK and NI policies aimed at addressing the obesity epidemic. There will also be a discussion around definition of policies, role of government in healthcare, previous and current healthcare policies regarding obesity in both Britain and Northern Ireland. The official calculation for defining obesity was set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) where adults are registered overweight and obese using a formula of Body Mass Index or (BMI), that is a persons weight in kilograms divided by the height in metres squared (DWP, 2012). The main restraint with using body mass index as an indicator is that it does not distinguish fat mass from lean mass; so a person could be healthy and have a low body fat, but be clinically overweight if they have a high enough BMI. A person is thought to be overweight if they have a BMI of 25.0 or more and obese if the BMI is 30.0 or more. Obesity has three classifications: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Class 1 BMI 30 to 34.9 (waist perimeter 102cm plus for males and 88cm plus for females). Person is categorised as overweight à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Class 2 BMI 35 to 39.9. Person is classed as obese à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Class 3 BMI 40 and over. Is when a person with a BMI of 40+ is said to be morbidly obese (WHO, 2012). Policy originates from the government that are in power, who are also the legal authority and have a status and guidance over all policy whether they be private or public (Crinson, 2009). According to Crinson 2009 Health policy is hypothesised in terms of macro and micro social developments, with the macro level reading the working of social and formal structures, such as the economic context of the state and the market, and the National Health Service (NHS). The micro side focuses on the influence of policy from the level of the healthcare professionals and the experience of the users (Crinson, 2009). Policy making, according to a White Paper published by the Labour Government in 1999 states that it is a method in which a government interpret their political vision into programmes and actions in order to make changes that are required and wanted by the population (Cabinet Office, 1999). It was also focused on modernising the government schema (Cabinet Office, 1999a) and the need for more inclusive and reactive policys linked to peoples demands. It planned to guarantee that policy making was to become more forward thinking and evidence-based, as well as correctly assessed and based on best practice. It went on to note the need for improved evidence when addressing policy making and to ensure a more joined-up approach across government departments and agencies (Cabinet Office, 1999). According to the World Health Organisation health policy signifies decisions, plans and actions that are started in order to reach detailed health care goals within a society. It goes on to note that and clear and string policy can outline an idea for the future whilst helps to establish objectives and points of orientation. A health policy can also help to design a framework and build agreement in addition to informing people (WHO, 2006). There are three key policies areas within the Department of Health and they are National Health (NH), Public Health (PH), and Social Care (SC) (Kouvonen, 2012). The current theory has two dissimilar backgrounds; the first is a public policy analysis that is favoured by the United States and Northern Ireland. The second is favoured in the United Kingdom and is a social policy theoretical structure (Kouvonen, 2012). Policies are intended to improve on current provisions in health and social care in the UK and aim to guarantee services that are funded or supported by the Department of Health are delivered in an open and patient-centred way (www.dh.gov.uk). This was not always the case, as according to Crinson governments were indifferent to the type of care delivered within the healthcare service; that was the concern of the doctor. This was to change in the 1970s when the economy declined and tax revenue was reduced (Crinson, 2009). The roll of the state in providing health and welfare to the public according to Crinson 2009 takes the view that there are five diverse conceptualisations and they echo differences between political and conceptual actions of the role that the state should play when delivering health and welfare services (Crinson, 2009). The writer goes on to give examples of these conceptualisations one of which is the neoliberal prospective that influenced the change in the health and social welfare policies of the Thatcher Government in the 1980s (Crinson, 2009). In the Political-Economic Critique, according to OConnor et al welfarism serves to build consent for capitalism through the process of dividing the population into groups with specific needs. This he notes had the effect of individualising what are widespread social and health problems associates with living in a capitalists society (Gough, 1979). In a paper by David Berreby in which he asks the question, why do people get fat and risk major health problem?, He believes the answer to this question is capitalism and sites it as the main cause of global obesity (Berreby, 2012). Conversely in a programme series aired on the BBC on the 11th July 2012 the reporter Jacques Peretti reports that our eating habits were changed by a decision made in America 40 years ago. Peretti travelled to America to examine the story of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) a calorie-providing sweetener used to sweeten foods and drinks, chiefly processed and shop-bought foods. The sweetener was backed in America in the 1970s by Richard Nixons farming administrator Earl Butz to use additional corn grown by farmers. Inexpensive and sweeter than sugar, it rapidly found its way into nearly all convenience foods and soft drinks. HFCS is not only sweeter than sugar; it also inhibits leptin, the hormone that controls hunger, resulting in the inability to stop eat ing (BBC, 2012). This was backed up by evidence from Robert Lustrig an endocrinologist, who according to this report, was the first to identify the dangers of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). His findings however, were discredited at the time. and a US Congress report sited fat, not sugar, for the alarming rise in cardio-vascular illness and the food industry responded with a series of low fat and heart healthy foods in which the fat was removed. (BBC, 2012). Policy makers encouraged farmers to overproduce corn and soy with the promise of foreign trade (Philpott, 2008). It was also in the 1970s that Britains food manufactures used advertising drives to encourage the idea of snacking between meals. A fast food culture also developed and fast food chains offered tempting foods and customers served themselves, and according to Ritzer this was the beginning of McDonaldization of Society. He goes on to write how fast food restaurant contribute to the development of obesity and it emphasis on supersizing its portions (Ritzer, 2004). Conversely poverty increased in the 1970s under Thatcher Government and according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies in 1979 13.40% of people in Britain lived below 60% on median income before housing costs. With this came a big rise in inequality and under the gini score for Britain was up to 0.339 from 0.253 (Crib, et al 2012). Due to the comorbidities associated with obesity and their increasing cost to the NHS, the consequences of obesity are currently and will continue to be important public health challenges globally and in the UK. It impacts through society and across all life courses, and can increase the risk of life threatening disease (Kouvonen, 2012).Appendix 1. Currently there is a framework in Northern Ireland titled A Fitter Future for All, this agenda spans from 2012 to 2022. Within this paper it explains that in Northern Ireland 59% of adults are either overweight (36%) or obese (23%) (DHSSPSNI, 2012). This policy addresses the need to act from childhood based on evidence from the Foresight Report 2007, and is now a cross sectorial cohesive life course agenda that will address obesity over the next 10 years (Foresight Review, 2012). The Department of Health has published a follow-on document to the Public Health White Paper called Healthy lives, healthy people: A call to action on obesity in England, which sets new national drives for a descending trend in excess weight by 2020. The Tackling Obesities: Future Choices project presented its findings on 17 October 2007 and the Project aims to deliver a feasible response to obesity in the UK over the next 40 years. It also sets out examples of what is intended on a national level to help ch allenge obesity, one of these is called Change4life programme. In this programme it states it will help consumers make healthier food choices (www.dh.gov.uk). This could be linked to Professor Marmot point, when he discussed behavioural choices as individuals such as where to shop for food, and how these decisions are dictated by the individuals socio-economic circumstance, and if they can afford the recommended good food (UCL Institute of Health Equity, 2012). A fitter Future for All and Healthy Lives, healthy people are policies that both the British and Northern Ireland government support, but there are wider determinants of poor health such as poverty and inequalities that play an important role in obesity (HM Government, 2010). It could be argued that while policies such as these are targeting the causes of obesity, they are not actively seeking out realistic solutions to the problem; people may know they need to eat healthier, but simply cannot afford to buy the better food. In developing countries rates of obesity are inclined to rise, and this is associated with growing social disadvantage; addressing social deprivation and material disadvantage is likely to reduce obesity (Kouvonen. 2012). Socio-economic class as a factor in health is not a new phoneme in the United Kingdom, as it has a history of many hundreds of years. According to Edwin Chadwicks report on sanitary conditions of the labouring population in Britain in 1842 showed that in Liverpool the average age of mortality for people in the upper classes was 35 years, and 15 years for labours and servants (Richardson, 2008). Inequalities still exist today, but have improved and in the Black report published in 1980 it states that there are still inequalities with regard to life expectancy and the use of medical services (Whitehead et al, 1992). According to the Foresight report (2007) a government science think tank reported that most adults are already overweight. It goes on to note that modern living will ensure that upcoming generations will be heavier than the last, and by 2050, 60% of men and 50% of women maybe clinically obese. The report also states the obesity is a multifarious and there is no evidence anywhere in the world where obesity has reversed. Social policy frameworks are paramount according to this report (Foresight Review, 2012). The Marmot Report the third such officially approved analysis in as many decades probing the link between health and wealth. The findings confirmed an alarming social incline, the poor not only die seven years earlier than the rich, but they can expect to become disabled 17 years sooner. Professor Marmot continues to discuss behavioural choices we make as individuals are part of our social and economic settings. He believes that people born into more affluent milieu tend to adopt a healthy lifestyle, resulting in healthcare differences between the social classes (UCL Institute of Health Equity, 2012). In 2011 the Chief medical Officers (CMOs) from across the UK published new strategies for physical activity, and they addressed a life course methodology, and included guidelines for early years (www.ic.nhs.uk). It could be argued this is a blanket policy and it is widely known that poorer people have limited choices with regards to lifestyle choices such as gym memberships. Also the report appears to place the responsibility of exercise on the individual. People from poorer socio-economic backgrounds have poorer housing and environments that dont encourage physical exercise which could be due to social culture of where these people live and lack of resources (UCL Institute of Health Equity, 2012). Addressing overweight children that become obese in later life was issue raised by Dr Hilary Jones on Good Morning Britain, when he stated that obesity begins in childhood. He went on to say that the National Health Service and the Government know causes of obesity but actively preventing it in childhood needs to be addressed (www.gm.tv). Prevention of obesity is more achievable goal than addressing obesity when it becomes established, as some health problems that are acquired through obesity remain an issue even after weight loss. Therefore government policies are mostly directed at primary prevention of obesity such as eating well, exercise and no smoking (Kouvonen, 2012). Social determinants of health are also a key factor in obesity in both children and adults. According to the World Health Organisation the social conditions in which people live are paramount to their health. It goes on to note that lack of income, poor housing and lack of access to healthcare facilities are just some of the factors leading to inequalities (www.who.int). Medical care on its own cannot adequately improve individuals health and addressing where people live and work is also important The social determinants of health are the upstream social, economic, and environmental factors that affect the health of individuals and populations, including income, social support, education and literacy, employment and working conditions. Downstream determinants, which include physical activity, clean air and water and healthy housing. These factors can influence health inequalities difference between social groups that can result in obesity in poorer areas (Kouvonen, 2012). Incidents of Childhood obesity are higher in areas with a lower socioeconomic population according to National Health Service Information Centre report on obesity. It also states that obesity is more widespread in schools in disadvantaged areas. It also noted that with Reception children (children in the primary school age group) 6.9% of those in least deprived areas were obese, in comparison to 12.1 percent of children in most deprived areas (www.ic.nhs.uk). In Northern Ireland statistics show that 8 percent of children ages between 2 and 15 years are obese, according to the Health Minister Edwin Poots. The health Minister went on to say that the likelihood of obese children become obese adults was probable; this would put greater strain on the health and social care services due to the comorbidities associated with the condition (Northern Ireland Executive, 2012). Governments state that health policies are micro driven, but in reality it could be argued that they are macro driven as ultimately obesity will cost more in the long run due to obesity related illness such as diabetes and heat disease, and according to NHS website the cost will be  £4.20 billion per year (HM Government). Tackling obesity is a challenge for not only the UK, but globally and according to the Department of Health and Social Services Northern Ireland website, overweight and obesity will overtake malnutrition and infectious disease in terms of their cost to the health services and people suffering from the condition (www.dhsspsni.gov.uk). Appendix 2. It was not until 1999 that obesity was declared an epidemic in America and was considered to affect all racial groups and across all ages in United States (National Medical Association, 1999). According to the information published there was an increase from 12% to 18% over a seven year period using a body mass index (BMI) that was greater than 30 (National Medical Association, 1999). Historically obesity rates were low and unaffected until 1970s and 80s, and the obesogentic environment (an environment that encourages and leads to obesity in individuals that relates to the influence that contribute towards obesity such as food, physical activity and environment. Many broader determinants of poor health such as health inequalities, poverty and deprivation play a significant role, and these factors have not swayed over the years. In pre-war Britain large differences in mortality and morbidity levels between rich and poor were recognised as the norm by policy makers. It was the introduc tion of the National Health Service in the 1940s that brought with it hope that the social class differences affecting health would decline. It wasnt until the 1970s that the Marmot Report stated peoples lifestyle and circumstances have a direct effect on their health (Crinson, 2009). The health implications from obesity are immense and can ultimately result in a premature death. Although obesity is caused by intake of more energy through food and drink than needed and the resulting excess stored in fat in the body, the view that obesogenic environment also plays a part in obesity is becoming widely accepted. Social and economic circumstances are also evaluated in this paper as are the role of governments and policy makers, both in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. The overall view of this paper would be that policies are made by individuals that have no insight into what part of society they are directed at such as deprived and socio-economic areas that lack the means and facilities whereby individuals feel that their contribution to society is valued and important enough for them to care about their own wellbeing. Policies are not directed at one specific group such and the one size fits all doesnt appear to be working as obesity is now a global epidemic. Bibliography BBC (2012) The Men who made us fat: episode 3, available at www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01kd06l (Accessed 06/11/2012 @ 20.05) Berreby, David. (2012). Is Capitalism To Blame for Worldwide Obesity? Available at http://bigthink.com/Mind-Matters/is-capitalism-to-blame-for-worldwide-obesity (Accessed 5/11/2012) Braveman, Paula. Egeter, Susan. Williams, R. 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Legal Aspects †International Business Law

Executive Summary In order to fully understand the dichotomy of this case there must first be an anlysis of the salient points.   This case of international trade law applies to transactions for goods or services that cross national boundries.   Parties stated herein were affected by disputes regarding contractual rights and duties   The case concerns government substantive and procedural law at an international level. Case backround Bob keyes, CEO of Fullerton-based MemoryTech Inc., initiated telephone and email communications with purchasing agents in Vietnam, Turkey, Great Britain and Mexico.   In his multiple conversations, there were no formal contractual negotitations between MemoryTech and purchasing countries, to his own neglect. Substantive and procedural issues Keyes is determined to file suit against Minh and the Government of Vietnam in an American court.   However, his claim of breach of contract is not substantiated in his argument. â€Å"Procedural law prescribes a method of enforcing rights or of obtaining redress for the invasion of rights.†1   There is no mention, in the text, of any wrongdoing from Minh that would result in penalty.   Unless there is other evidentiary material to prove otherwise, there is an absence of information to build a foundation for this claim. Furthermore, the fact that an official written contract was never endorsed leads to a gray area which would be difficult to interpret in court. The case between Gul and Keyes has a more lucid interpretation. The language in Gul’s fax indicated that, â€Å"any disputes arising out of this contract must be resolved by arbitration in Istanbul.†Ã‚   The assumption here is that the fax was intended to be a written contract initiated by Gul and signed by both parties.   However, for a written contract to be legal and binding, it must be signed by both parties. Keyes did not sign and return the document; therefore, the only avenue available to Gul is to choose an alternative resolution. In addition to this case, there is an incident involving Keye’s daughter, Benn, who made an oral commitment and promise to deliver shirt-pocket computers to several of her classmates.   Generally, courts do not regard oral commitments as a legal and binding contract and, in most cases, interpret them as hearsay. Finally, the accident which occurred in a Mexican warehouse causing serious bodily injury and property damage is a case of punitive damages and should be referred to a CISG advisory council. Specific to this case is the fact that an innocent injured party wants to be compensated for the damage caused by the injury.   International courts will have to address this case with more scrutiny. Legal rights and duties of MT and all other relevant parties All four of these issues are civil cases in which the parties have, available to them, procedural and substantive law.   â€Å"The basic function of civil procedural law is to facilitate the movement of a lawsuit through the legal system.†2 This is a safeguard initiated by international law in order to ensure that each party will be afforded fair and impartial treatment. In addition to their right to procedural law, each party has the right to substantive law which basically encompasses the principles of right and wrong as well as the principle that any civil wrongdoing will result in penalty. What should be done? In brief, MT’s board of directors should seek a second opionion from legal counsel because of the confusion in the interpretation of internationl law from both parties. Traditionally, in this country, parties turn to the court system when they cannot come to an amicable solution by themselves.   However, when disputes arise between parties in international business transactions, parties are reluctant to use foreign courts to resolve their disputes.  Sometimes parties entering an international contract will consider alternative methods of resolving disputes without going to court. These methods, known as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), offer a mechanism of neutrality for resolving disputes. To resolve future disputes without resorting to a foreign legal system, parties should plan ahead by including an ADR clause in their contract.   If this clause would have been included in a contract, the issue between Keyes and opposing parties could have been avoided.3 Works Cited: 1.   Delmar Au: Walston-Dunham, ‘Introduction to Law’, pg. 95 2.   IBID 3.   Kathryn H. Nickerson, (2005), ‘Primer on International Alternative Dispute Resolutions’, Office of the Chief Counsel for Int'l Commerce, pp. 1-2