Ritalin And Its Uses Essay -- essays research papers

Ritalin and Its Uses In recent years, more and more kids seem to be on a prescription drug called Ritalin(methylphenidate). This drug is being handed out more and more by doctors as a way of treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a complex neurological impairnment that prevents kids from concentrating. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, it rose fron 200 grams per 100,000 people to over 1400 grams per 100,000 people in the last fifteen years. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that about one student in every classroom is believed to experience the disorder. The rate of Ritalin use in the United States is at least five times higher than in the rest of the world according to federal studies. Are doctors just catching this disabling affliction more often? Or does society just want a convenient way to solve a complicated problem. Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant that is somewhat similar to amphetamines. It was created in 1955, classified as a controlled substance in 1971, and became the drug of choice for ADHD in 1981. It is also used in treating narcolepsy. It is thought to activate the brain stem arousal system and cortex, and, like cocaine, works on the neurotransmitter dopamine. It appears to increase the levels of dopamine in the frontal lobe where attention and impulsive actions are regulated. When taken in its intended form under a doctor's prescritption, it has moderate stimulant properties. There has been a great deal of concern about it's addictive qualities and adverse affects. ADHD is a relatively new disorder. It was introduced in 1980, where it was labeled ADD(attention deficit disorder). In the 1950's, children were simply labeled "hyperkinetic." The term "hyperactivity" was added in 1987, hence the name ADHD. Not all children have the hyperactivity, and thus are labeled to have ADD. ADD is not treated with Ritalin; antidepressants are more commonly used. One of the problems with the label ADHD is that just because a child may be overly hyper, doesn't mean the child is not paying attention. The problem is, the child is paying too much attention to too many things at the same time. ADHD is children's #1 childhood psychiatric disorder. The prevalence is three time... ...ere), irregular heartbeat and respiration(may be profound and life threatening), anxiety, restlessness, paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, excessive repetition of movements and meaningless tasks, and formicaton(sensation of bugs or worms crawling under the skin). It seems to be abused by high school kids and college students predominantly. Although the drug is too complex to manufacture illegally, and it doesn't create the euphoric effect that cocaine has, it seems to be an aid in studying for final exams. It allows students to stay up all night allowing them to cram much easier. It is important to remember that too many children in America are suffering from this ailment, and yet too many kids are getting pills instead of proper care. Although Ritalin currently seems to be an effective way in treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, we must not treat this disorder hastily. Our society must realize that prescription drugs can have just as many complications as street drugs. Befor writing out a prescription, or carelessly diagnosing ADHD, we must remember that these are kids we are dealing with. They put all their faith in us to help them, and not just to medicate them.

The Human Function Argument Essay -- Philosophy Aristotle

The Human Function Argument Aristotle argues that the human function is activity of the soul that expresses or requires reason. This argument is found in Nicomachean Ethics approximately between Bekker lines 1097b24 and 1098a9. 1. Humans must have a function, or else they would be idle, which is absurd. Aristotle directly asks the reader if humans might have no important overall function other than a chosen occupation in society but suggests that this would not be expected of nature. Terence Irwin used the word idle in his 1985 translation when phrasing this disjunct of Aristotle?s question. 2. Each human body part has a function, so the whole human must likewise have a function. This premise appears parallel to Aristotle?s argument that many goods serve higher goods within a hierarchy (1094a10). Aristotle is invoking the concept a hierarchy to consider functions of body parts. Each part has a function that serves a larger part with a different function, and so it seems that the largest unit, the human body itself, must have a function. 3. The human function is unique to only humans themselves. Aristotle does not seem to consider that unique human features could simply be superfluous; he simply states as a goal that he is looking for a unique function. 4. Human function is not growth and nutrition because these aspects of life are shared with plants. It is sensible to make this exclusion if one accepts the third premise. 5. Human function is not sense perception because this aspect of life is shared with animals. Fulfilling a function like this would constitute a life of gratification, which Aristotle rejected earlier (1095b16). 6. The part of the human soul with reason is unique to humans. This is simply... ...unction argument points out its inadequacy to stand alone since the argument provides little evidence for some of its premises and rests only on certain common beliefs without making a strong connection to the supporting evidence. Bibliography Aristotle. "Nicomachean Ethics." Classics of Moral and Political Theory. 3rd ed. Trans. Terence Irwin. Ed. Michael L. Morgan. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 2001. Aristotle. "Nicomachean Ethics." The Internet Classics Archive. Trans. W. D. Ross. [sic]. Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics. Trans. Terence Irwin. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1985. Aristotle. Politics. Trans. C. D. C. Reeve. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1998. Plato. Protagoras. Trans. Stanley Lombardo and Karen Bell. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1992.

Hip Hop Music Culture Essay -- Rap, music and cultural movement

This essay aims to examine the importance of the Hip-Hop culture in 21st century society. It will begin with consideration of the history of Hip-Hop, discussing its stylistic adaptations, cultural preferences and concerns, referring to the studies of black culture by Ellis Cashmore and Mark Neal. Within this I will explore the ethnicity and authenticity of the culture, with reference to last years Popular Music and its Cultural Context unit. The essay will then move on to evaluate the culture’s relationship with the media, concentrating on the well documented moral panics associated with the culture; I will make particular reference to the theories of Stan Cohen. By studying the political and historical patterns of the culture, I endeavour to discover the overall meaning which the culture has for its members and for society. It is primarily important to coin what Hip-Hop is, the dictionary definition describes Hip-Hop as: hip-hop (h p h p ) or hip hop noun. 1. A popular urban youth culture, closely associated with rap music and with the style and fashions of African-American inner-city residents. 2. Rap music. As a culture Hip-Hop includes four main categories of expression; Mixing, Dancing, Graffiti Art and Rapping, known as MC’ing. Hip-Hop was first recognised in New York around the mid 1970s, considered as a reaction to social movements of the time. In America the 70s and 80s were subject to negative behaviour towards black communities which consisted of Jamaican and Puerto Ricans as well as African-Americans, it was argued that the ruling of Reagan led to this behaviour. Hip-Hop culture was seen as an escape from the explosion of gang violence throughout the 1970s and 80s, providing black American youths with a space for expression, this freedom of speech led to the spreading of Hip-Hop to other cities where black communities suffered. As Tricia Rose states, ‘It satisfies poor young black people’s profound need to have their territories acknowledged, recognised and celebrated.’ (Rose, 1994: p.11, cited in Neal, 1997: p.136) The first UK top ten Hip-Hop hit wa s recorded in 1979 by the Sugar Hill Gang, called ‘Rappers Delight’. The recognition of this song noted the continuous exchange of musical ideas between black and white. The atmosphere created between black and white musicians from Britain and America was perfect for the sounds o... ...the Hip-Hop culture will continue. The policing of artists and their music are likely to become stricter, with parental advisory placed on increasingly offensive lyrics and with the boost in crime rates associated with Hip-Hop policing will be more specific. However, I do not believe that increased awareness and policing of Hip-Hop will lead to the waning of its popularity, if anything; I think it will continue to add to the novelty of the culture. Bibliography Baker, H. & Diawara, M. & Lindeborg, R. (1996) Black British Cultural Studies: A Reader, University Press: Chicago Cashmore, E. (1997) The Black Culture Industry, London: Routledge Cohen, P. & Baines, H. (1982) Multi-Racist Britain, London: Macmillan Cohen, S. (1973) Folk Devils and Moral Panics, St Albans: Paladin Dyson, M. (1996) Between God and Gangsta Rap, University Press: Oxford Neal, M. (1999) Black Popular Music and Black Public Culture: What the Music Said, London: Routledge Oliver, P. (1990) Black Music in Britain, University Press: Milton Keynes Springhall, J. (1998) Youth, Popular Culture and Moral Panics, London: Macmillan Thompson, K. (1998) Moral Panics, London: Routledge

Is China A World Power?

A world power may be defined as a country, which has great political power, great military, great economy et cetera. The People's Republic of China may have completed some of these criteria itself but it may not be considered a world power as some of the small factors are holding them behind. China may be a big country with large population, which face inequality, corruption, social stability and the Chinese environment that is not very grand for the health and also with it limited supplies and energy. China claims that they are a communist state but they are just capitalist, under their current government. A lot of discrimination is there in the nation. Health for the Chinese isn't very pleasant either for the country lack proper medication care and doctors. China is a capitalist state under the â€Å"SOCIALIST REPUBLIC† government. This has made many things difficult in China such as Human rights, freedom and equality. The Chinese government are very tolerate people as they closed its door towards people, yet they declare an open door policy in the late 70's and 80's which is not true in all cases. The new Chinese settlers have created an alternate society: a Chinese apartheid which, denying Tibetans equal social and economic status in our own land, threatens to finally overwhelm and absorb us. † was quoted by the Dalai Lama in 1991. Groups who fought for political freedom to be heard were jailed without trial and have been forgotten imprisoned. Religious freedom is another problem in China, as religions don't get any freedom. All religions have to be within the communist party (they have to register within the government) and must be loyal to the Mainland. This have caused many affairs with some religion for example Catholicism who is led by the Pope in Rome, China doesn't allow that and they created the Chinese Patriotic Catholic- Association to replace Roman Catholic. Another unfair factor is that religious people aren't allowed to work with the government as they say being openly religious can affect the economy. Other rights that people should have are No child policy where people can have as many babies, so no girls are being abandoned, Labour rights, as people should not have small wages for long hour of work. China also has problems with the whole of African continent as they treated those Africans poorly during the 1990's and in 2005 it still happen as Manfred Nowak (human rights lawyer) visited China to observe the country. He complained the officials for not letting him interview people and say what he want to say, he also said the discrimination can be seen widespread. The economy of the PRC has increased so much during the past 10 years. Their economy is fourth largest in the world. The value of their Gross National Product was 2. 3 trillion in 2006, which is extremely high, but there's one thing we shouldn't be forgetting; they also have the largest population, which average the GDP per capita to roughly i1,000 whilst it's around i25,000 in countries like Ireland, Switzerland and Denmark. As economy in China is rapidly increasing, it's also facing labour shortage, wages demand and less service. Workers are quitting agricultural jobs to get industry job. The wages of worker have been raised to an average of i 55 a month but as Industry increase, pollution increases. China emits 19% of the world CO2 emissions that is a real shame. The Kyoto Protocol does not require China to reduce its emission, as their status is â€Å"Developing Country â€Å"not† Developed. A world health organisation reported that seven out of the ten most polluted are in China. 30% of acid rain falls on the country. It is estimated that 7% of the GDP per annum must be spend to control the environmental problem so far only 1% is spent on this trouble; this show China's lack of environmental concern. Main economic area for China is it's eastern coast where most of their economy rely. This also create another problem, the equality of income isn't same throughout China as it should be, City such as irimqi, Piking, Shanghai, Canton, Shenzhen et cetera receives most of the high income when city such as Lanzhou, Lhasa et cetera receives a lot lesser. Health of the Chinese can be considered as very poor at the moment that they were ranked 144 out of 191 by The World Health Report. The life expectancy for China s of 2006 is 73, this have been a huge improvement since 1950 when it was 32 but can still be considered low compared to countries like Sweden, Switzerland and Japan whose expectancy is over 80. Their infant mortality currently is 23 per thousand people, which aren't very bad compared to others for example Singapore and Japan (2). Health Development Index of the PRC is medium as it stood at 0. 768 as of 2007. As Chinese economy has grown rapidly, health problems also have. Some of the problems they face now are Air pollution (this killed 760,000 people per annum alone), cigarette smokers is also another problem as the number increases each year and Urban youngster can also be overweight as Chinese at average take in 2,940 calories a day (25% more than what Food and Agriculture Organisation suggested). China lacks doctors, 680 people per one doctor doesn't sound too bad but they still need more doctors so that those with sickness could be attended and cared for more. Schizophrenia are suffered 7. 8 million Chinese and only 60% is being cared for properly. Male also outnumber female in China as they have the superstition of boys are better than girls, this leaves hundred of thousands baby girls orphaned. 2. 3 million is the number of the People's Liberation Army, the largest force in the world plus it's 500,000-reserve force. The number have actually decreased from 4 million from 1980 compared to another emerging super power such as India who has an armed force of 1. 3 million from 500,000 in 1960s. Military personnel should not be all that counts but reserves should also be taken into account, China has a reserve force of five hundred thousand compared to Taiwan which has 1. 5 million. The result from 1980 is that their army have decreased twice the number from 1980 (from 120 divisions to 60). The spending on military have also decreased. China can defend itself from foreign occupation and remain a regional status-quo power, but it is not a rising or threatening power† James H. Nolt, 2006 Chinese military use to create it's own weapons but this stopped in 1980's when their weapons were made of the very worst quality and workmanship. An Incident occurred when it sold Thailand and Burma what they claimed to be â€Å"A NEWLY MADE CHINESE FRIGATES† after the delivery both discovered that the vessels were purely rubbish that can't float properly. The Thais later demanded they give them a new one with an empty hull, as they'll modernise it themselves. After all the Chinese military doesn't seemed to be very strong as it's viewed. Professor James H. Nolt even says it can't even beat those of Vietnam, Taiwan or India. Their possession of nuclear weapons may fill them in for the nuclear criterion. They have never launched one before and stated it themselves that they will never use it, this have put them off for being a nation with nuclear power. Resources that China lacks can be a huge problem. It produces 6. tonnes of oil equivalent per capita and it consumes 7. 3, this is a huge problem they found a way to dealt with the way which is not very reliable. In 2004 Wen Jinbao the prime minister offered Russia almost i 6,000,000,000 for energy purchase. China therefore rely on Russia for energy, Russia could use this as a weapon and they did but not to China, In 2005 Vladimir Putin cut off energy supply to Ukraine as it wants higher price for energy. Russia may not be very reliable for this source either. Some of the other things they lack off may be public transportation where there s an average of 2 buses per one thousand people. Some of the children in China still lack education, as 10% of the children under age 15 are literate. With all these weaknesses revealed, does China fit in the definition of â€Å"World Power†: The answer is resounding no. Not now or anywhere in the future like others who say China will someday be a world power. Their current government won't last longer than 30 years, when they collapse the idea of China being a world power will start to fade away and a more favourable China would be reality.

Portrayal of Australian Mining Towns Essay

Arthur Boyd and Oodgeroo, formally known as Kath Walker, both effectively depict their own view of Australia through the painting â€Å"The Mining Town† and the poem â€Å"The Time Is Running Out. † They each present slightly differing interpretations of the country based upon their altered perspectives and context. Arthur Boyd presents a vivid and vibrant life of an Australian mining town of 1920 through his painting while Kath Walker aggressively portrays an outraged view of what Australia has become violently outlining the damages caused by European settlement. In Kath Walkers poem â€Å"time is running out† she uses a passionate and forceful tone allowing it to illustrate an Aboriginal perspective of the mining town, which effectively portrays her view of Australia. â€Å"The miner rapes the heart of the earth† the use of the word â€Å"rape,† describes a traumatic and violent action. Kath Walker uses this aggressive quote to start her poem essentially stating the miners are ruining the natural part of Australia. She then proceeds to say â€Å" With this violent spade† meaning the spade the miners are using is killing the earth. â€Å" Stealing, bolting her black blood. † The use of a metaphor in this quote depicts the miner taking the black coal from the earth. She then personifies the earth to exemplify that the Europeans are destroying the natural beauty of Australia â€Å"for the sake of the greedy trade. † Kath Walker demonstrates her disappointment throughout the poem in the European culture of Australia and is horrified by what the country has become. She effectively conveys her view of Australia. In the second part of Kath Walkers poem she proceeds to use a patriotic and again a violent tone to portray her view of Australia. She challenges upon all Aborigines to take a stand against the violent nature on the earth caused by the foreigners. The repetition of â€Å"violence† â€Å"he knows violence† â€Å"will be violently written† â€Å"make the violent miner feel† exaggerates her perspective of Australia by portraying Australia as a terrible violent country. Throughout her poem she over exaggerates the terrible wok of the miners and at the end of her poem she hypocritically gives a violent message of retaliation against the miners â€Å"to defend their timeless land. † â€Å"Come gentle black man† she creatively changes the audience’s state of mind by showing that the aborigines are the victims and are innocent. Kath allows the audience to feel her frustration with the use of her aggressive tone and adjectives essentially providing the audience with not only Kath’s view of Australia but also the whole Aboriginal community. It is because of Kaths poetic devices and techniques which allows her to present her perspective of Australia from an Aboriginal point of view. Her aggressive and serious tone, shows her passion and love for the nature of the country. She also spreads a message of violence of retaliation and revenge on the European miners who are destroying nature in Australia all for â€Å"the filthy dollar. † Therefore I think that the poem most effectively conveys a view of Australia rather than the photo.

The Host Chapter 45: Succeeded

Healer Knits Fire and Cerulean walked through the door together. The Healer handed me a tall glass of water. It didn't feel as cold as the first-my fingers were cold with fear now. The dark-skinned woman had something for me, too. She handed me a flat rectangle with a handle. â€Å"I thought you would want to see,† Knits Fire said with a warm smile. The tension flooded out of me. There was no suspicion or fear. Just more kindness from the souls who had dedicated their lives to Healing. Cerulean had given me a mirror. I held it up and then tried to stifle my gasp. My face looked the way I remembered it from San Diego. The face I'd taken for granted there. The skin was smooth and peachy across my right cheekbone. If I looked carefully, it was just a little lighter and pinker in color than the tan on the other cheek. It was a face that belonged to Wanderer, the soul. It belonged here, in this civilized place where there was no violence and no horror. I realized why it was so easy to lie to these gentle creatures. Because it felt right to talk with them, because I understood their communication and their rules. The lies could be†¦ maybe should be true. I should be filling a Calling somewhere, whether teaching at a university or serving food in a restaurant. A peaceful, easy life contributing to a greater good. â€Å"What do you think?† the Healer asked. â€Å"I look perfect. Thank you.† â€Å"It was my pleasure to heal you.† I looked at myself again, seeing details beyond the perfection. My hair was ragged-dirty, with uneven ends. There was no gloss to it-homemade soap and poor nutrition were to blame for that. Though the Healer had cleaned the blood from my neck, it was still smudged with purple dust. â€Å"I think it's time I called the camping trip quits. I need to clean up,† I murmured. â€Å"Do you camp often?† â€Å"In all my free time, lately. I†¦ can't seem to keep away from the desert.† â€Å"You must be brave. I find the city much more comfortable.† â€Å"Not brave-just different.† In the mirror, my eyes were familiar rings of hazel. Dark gray on the outside, a circle of moss green, and then another circle of caramel brown around the pupil. Underlying it all, a faint shimmer of silver that would reflect the light, magnify it. Jamie? Mel asked urgently, beginning to feel nervous. I was too comfortable here. She could see the logic of the other path laid out before me, and that frightened her. I know who I am, I told her. I blinked, then looked back at the friendly faces beside me. â€Å"Thank you,† I said again to the Healer. â€Å"I suppose I'd better be on my way.† â€Å"It's very late. You could sleep here if you'd like.† â€Å"I'm not tired. I feel†¦ perfect.† The Healer grinned. â€Å"No Pain does that.† Cerulean walked me to the reception area. She put her hand on my shoulder as I stepped through the door. My heart beat faster. Had she noticed that my pack, once flat, was now bulging? â€Å"Be more careful, dear,† she said, and patted my arm. â€Å"I will. No more hikes in the dark.† She smiled and went back to her desk. I kept my pace even as I walked through the parking lot. I wanted to run. What if the Healer looked in her cabinets? How soon would she realize why they were half empty? The car was still there, in the pocket of darkness created by a gap between streetlights. It looked empty. My breath came fast and uneven. Of course it should look empty. That was the whole point. But my lungs didn't calm until I could glimpse the vague shape under the blanket on the backseat. I opened the door and put the backpack on the passenger seat-it settled there with a reassuring clatter-then I climbed in and shut the door. There was no reason to slam the locks down; I ignored the urge. â€Å"Are you okay?† Jared whispered as soon as the door was closed. His voice was a strained, anxious rasp. â€Å"Shh,† I said, keeping my lips as still as I could. â€Å"Wait.† I drove past the bright entrance and answered Cerulean's wave with one of my own. â€Å"Making friends?† We were on the dark road. No one was watching me anymore. I slumped in the seat. My hands started to shake. I could allow that, now that it was over. Now that I'd succeeded. â€Å"All souls are friends,† I told him, using my normal volume. â€Å"Are you all right?† he demanded again. â€Å"I'm healed.† â€Å"Let me see.† I stretched my left arm across my body, so he could see the tiny pink line. He sucked in a surprised breath. The blanket rustled; he sat up and then climbed through the space between the seats. He pushed the backpack out of the way, then pulled it onto his lap, testing its weight. He looked up at me as we passed under a streetlamp, and he gasped. â€Å"Your face!† â€Å"It's healed, too. Naturally.† He raised one hand, holding it in the air near my cheek, unsure. â€Å"Does it hurt?† â€Å"Of course not. It feels like nothing happened to it in the first place.† His fingers brushed the new skin. It tingled, but that was from his touch. Then he was back to business. â€Å"Did they suspect anything? Do you think they'll call the Seekers?† â€Å"No. I told you they wouldn't be suspicious. They didn't even check my eyes. I was hurt, so they healed me.† I shrugged. â€Å"What did you get?† he asked, opening the drawstrings on the backpack. â€Å"The right things for Jamie†¦ if we get back in time†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I glanced at the clock on the dashboard automatically, though the hours it marked were meaningless. â€Å"And more for the future. I only took what I understood.† â€Å"We'll be back in time,† he promised. He examined the white containers. â€Å"Smooth?† â€Å"Not a necessity. But I know what it does, so†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He nodded, digging through the bag. He muttered the names to himself. â€Å"No Pain? Does it work?† I laughed. â€Å"It's amazing. If you stab yourself, I could show you†¦ That's a joke.† â€Å"I know.† He was staring at me with an expression I didn't understand. His eyes were wide, like something had deeply surprised him. â€Å"What?† My joke hadn't been that bad. â€Å"You did it.† His tone was full of wonder. â€Å"Wasn't that the idea?† â€Å"Yes, but†¦ I guess I didn't really think we were going to make it out.† â€Å"You didn't? Then why†¦? Why did you let me try?† He answered in a soft almost-whisper. â€Å"I figured it was better to die trying than to live without the kid.† For a moment, my throat was choked with emotion. Mel was too overcome to speak as well. We were a family in that one instant. All of us. I cleared my throat. No need to feel things that would only come to nothing. â€Å"It was very easy. Probably any of you could get away with it, if you acted naturally. She did look at my neck.† I touched it reflexively. â€Å"Your scar is too obviously homemade, but with the medicines I took, Doc could fix that.† â€Å"I doubt any of us could act so natural.† I nodded. â€Å"Yes. It's easy for me. I know what they expect.† I laughed briefly to myself. â€Å"I'm one of them. If you trusted me, I could probably get you anything in the world you wanted.† I laughed again. It was just the stress fading, making me giddy. But it was funny to me. Did he realize that I would do exactly that for him? Anything in the world he wanted. â€Å"I do trust you,† he whispered. â€Å"With all our lives, I trust you.† And he had trusted me with every single human life. His, and Jamie's, and everyone else's. â€Å"Thank you,† I whispered back. â€Å"You did it,† he repeated in wonder. â€Å"We're going to save him.† Jamie is going to live, Mel rejoiced. Thank you, Wanda. Anything for them, I told her, and then I sighed, because it was so true. After reattaching the tarps when we reached the wash, Jared took over the driving. The way was familiar to him, and he drove faster than I would have. He had me get out before he pulled the car into its impossibly small hiding place under the rock slide. I waited for the sound of rock against metal, but Jared found a way in. And then we were back in the jeep and flying through the night. Jared laughed, triumphant, as we jolted across the open desert, and the wind carried his voice away. â€Å"Where's the blindfold?† I asked. â€Å"Why?† I looked at him. â€Å"Wanda, if you wanted to turn us in, you had your chance. No one can deny that you're one of us now.† I thought about that. â€Å"I think some still could. It would make them feel better.† â€Å"Your some need to get over themselves.† I was shaking my head now, picturing our reception. â€Å"It's not going to be easy, getting back in. Imagine what they're thinking right now. What they're waiting for†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He didn't answer. His eyes narrowed. â€Å"Jared†¦ if they†¦ if they don't listen†¦ if they don't wait†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I started talking faster, feeling a sudden pressure, trying to get him all the information before it was too late. â€Å"Give Jamie the No Pain first-lay that on his tongue. Then the Inside Clean spray-he just has to inhale it. You'll need Doc to -â€Å" â€Å"Hey, hey! You're going to be the one giving the directions.† â€Å"But let me tell you how -â€Å" â€Å"No, Wanda. It's not going to go down that way. I'll shoot anyone who touches you.† â€Å"Jared -â€Å" â€Å"Don't panic. I'll aim low, and then you can use that stuff to heal 'em back up again.† â€Å"If that's a joke, it's not funny.† â€Å"No joke, Wanda.† â€Å"Where's the blindfold?† He pressed his lips together. But I had my old shirt-Jeb's raggy hand-me-down. That would work almost as well. â€Å"This will make it a little bit easier for them to let us in,† I said as I folded it up into a thick band. â€Å"And that means getting to Jamie faster.† I tied it over my eyes. It was quiet for a time. The jeep bounced along the uneven terrain. I remembered nights like this when Melanie had been the passenger†¦ â€Å"I'm taking us right to the caves. There's a place the jeep will be fairly well hidden for a day or two. It will save us time.† I nodded. Time was the key now. â€Å"Almost there,† he said after a minute. He exhaled. â€Å"They're waiting.† I heard him fumbling beside me, heard a metal clank as he pulled the gun from the backseat. â€Å"Don't shoot anyone.† â€Å"No promises.† â€Å"Stop!† someone shouted. The sound carried in the empty desert air. The jeep slowed and then idled. â€Å"It's just us,† Jared said. â€Å"Yes, yes, look. See? I'm still me.† There was hesitation from the other side. â€Å"Look-I'm bringing the jeep in under cover, okay? We've got meds for Jamie, and we're in a hurry. I don't care what you're thinking, you're not going to get in my way tonight.† The jeep pulled forward. The sound changed and echoed as he found his cover. â€Å"Okay, Wanda, everything's fine. Let's go.† I already had the pack on my shoulders. I got out of the jeep carefully, not sure where the wall was. Jared caught my searching hands. â€Å"Up you go,† he said, and lifted me over his shoulder again. I wasn't as secure as before. He used only one arm to hold me. The other must have had the gun. I didn't like that. But I was worried enough to be grateful for it when I heard the running footsteps approaching. â€Å"Jared, you idiot!† Kyle shouted. â€Å"What were you thinking?† â€Å"Ease up, Kyle,† Jeb said. â€Å"Is she hurt?† Ian demanded. â€Å"Get out of my way,† Jared said, his voice calm. â€Å"I'm in a hurry. Wanda's in perfect shape, but she insisted on being blindfolded. How is Jamie?† â€Å"Hot,† Jeb said. â€Å"Wanda's got what we need.† He was moving fast now, sliding downhill. â€Å"I can carry her.† Ian, of course. â€Å"She's fine where she is.† â€Å"I'm really okay,† I told Ian, my voice bouncing with Jared's movement. Uphill again, a steady jog despite my weight. I could hear the others running with us. I knew when we were through to the main cavern-the angry hiss of voices swelled around us, turning into a clamor of sound. â€Å"Out of my way,† Jared roared over their voices. â€Å"Is Doc with Jamie?† I couldn't make out the answer. Jared could have put me down, but he was in too much of a hurry to pause for that second. The angry voices echoed behind us, the sound constricting as we entered the smaller tunnel. I could feel where we were now, follow the turns in my head as we raced through the junction to the third sleeping hall. I could almost count the doors as they passed me invisibly. Jared jerked to a halt and let the sudden stop slide me down from his shoulder. My feet hit the floor. He ripped the blindfold from my eyes. Our room was lit by several of the dim blue lanterns. Doc was standing rigidly, as if he'd just sprung to his feet. Kneeling beside him, her hand still holding a wet cloth to Jamie's forehead, was Sharon. Her face was almost unrecognizable, it was so contorted with fury. Maggie was struggling to her feet on Jamie's other side. Jamie still lay limp and red, eyes closed, his chest barely moving to pull in air. â€Å"You!† Sharon spit, and then she launched herself from her crouch. Like a cat, she sprang at Jared, nails reaching for his face. Jared caught her hands and twisted her away from him, pulling her arms behind her back. Maggie looked as if she was about to join her daughter, but Jeb stepped around the struggling Sharon and Jared to stand toe-to-toe with her. â€Å"Let her go!† Doc cried. Jared ignored him. â€Å"Wanda-heal him!† Doc moved to put himself between Jamie and me. â€Å"Doc,† I choked. The violence in the room, swirling around Jamie's still form, scared me. â€Å"I need your help. Please. For Jamie.† Doc didn't move, his eyes on Sharon and Jared. â€Å"C'mon, Doc,† Ian said. The little room was too crowded, claustrophobic, as Ian came to stand with his hand on my shoulder. â€Å"You gonna let the kid die for your pride?† â€Å"It's not pride. You don't know what these foreign substances will do to him!† â€Å"He can't get much worse, can he?† â€Å"Doc,† I said. â€Å"Look at my face.† Doc wasn't the only one who responded to my words. Jeb, Ian, and even Maggie looked and then did a double take. Maggie glanced away quickly, angry that she'd betrayed any interest. â€Å"How?† Doc demanded. â€Å"I'll show you. Please. Jamie doesn't need to suffer.† Doc hesitated, staring at my face, and then let out a big sigh. â€Å"Ian's right-he can't get much worse. If this kills him†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He shrugged, and his shoulders slumped. He took a step back. â€Å"No,† Sharon cried. No one paid any attention to her. I knelt beside Jamie, yanking the backpack off my shoulders and tugging it open. I fumbled until I found the No Pain. A bright light switched on beside me, pointed at Jamie's face. â€Å"Water, Ian?† I twisted the lid open and pinched out one of the little tissue squares. When I pulled Jamie's chin down, his skin burned my hand. I laid the square on his tongue and then held out my hand without looking up. Ian placed the bowl of water in it. Carefully, I dripped enough water into his mouth to wash the medicine down his throat. The sound of his swallow was dry and painful. I searched frantically for the thinner spray bottle. When I found it, I had the lid off and the mist sprayed into the air above him in one fast movement. I waited, watching his chest until he inhaled. I touched his face, and it was so hot! I scrambled for the Cool, praying it would be easy to use. The lid screwed off, and I found that the cylinder was full of more tissue squares, light blue this time. I breathed a sigh of relief and placed one on Jamie's tongue. I picked up the bowl again and dribbled another mouthful of water through his parched lips. His swallow was quicker this time, less strained. Another hand touched Jamie's face. I recognized Doc's long bony fingers. â€Å"Doc, do you have a sharp knife?† â€Å"I have a scalpel. You want me to open the wound?† â€Å"Yes, so I can clean it.† â€Å"I thought about trying that†¦ to drain it, but the pain†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"He'll feel nothing now.† â€Å"Look at his face,† Ian leaned in beside me to whisper. Jamie's face was no longer red. It was a natural, healthy tan. The sweat still glistened on his brow, but I knew it was just left over from before. Doc and I touched his forehead at the same time. It's working. Yes! Exultation swept through both Mel and me. â€Å"Remarkable,† Doc breathed. â€Å"The fever has cooled, but the infection may remain in his leg. Help me with his wound, Doc.† † Sharon, could you hand me -† he began absentmindedly. Then he looked up. â€Å"Oh. Ah, Kyle, do you mind handing me that bag right there by your foot?† I scooted down so that I was over the red, swollen cut. Ian redirected the light so I could see it clearly. Doc and I both rustled through our bags at the same time. He came up with the silver scalpel, a sight that sent a quiver of unease down my spine. I ignored it and readied the bigger Clean spray. â€Å"He won't feel it?† Doc checked, hesitating. â€Å"Hey,† Jamie croaked. His eyes were open wide, roaming the room until they found my face. â€Å"Hey, Wanda. What's going on? What's everyone doing here?†

Employee Benefit and Google Essay

Google, Inc. was ranked by Fortune magazine as the best place in the U.S. to work in 2009, and it has reached another zenith by becoming the most popular Web site. Google, Inc.’s goal of providing benefits and rewards is to â€Å"strip away everything that gets in our employees’ way† (Google, 2009). Google, Inc. provides a standard package of fringe benefits, but on top of that are first-class dining facilities, gyms, laundry rooms, massage rooms, haircuts, carwashes, dry cleaning, commuting buses – just about anything a hardworking employee might want. Schmitt states, â€Å"Let’s face it: programmers want to program, they don’t want to do their laundry. So we make it easy for them to do both† (Google, 2009). Google believes in providing both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards. They understand that many humans are not motivated by pay incentives alone. Google Inc. believes in administering rewards and that good company culture is vital to company success, therefore, Google hired a Culture Czar. Google, Inc.’s CCO, Chief Culture Czar, Stacy Sullivan, is devoted to one thing—make Googlers happy. One way of maintaining Google, Inc.’s culture and keeping employees happy is administering the best perks and rewards (Culture, 2009). Along with its compensation and traditional extrinsic benefits such as free health and dental benefits, flex spending accounts, 401K plans, insurance, tuition reimbursement, and vacation packages, they also have very unique benefits. These unique benefits include maternity benefits up to 18 weeks off at approximately 100% pay. In addition, new mothers and fathers get Take-Out Benefits to help make things easier. They are provided with expenses up to $500 for take-out meals during the first three months that they are home with their new baby. Additionally, Google, Inc. provides back-up child care and in the Gift Matching Program, Google, Inc. matches contributions of up to $3000 per year from eligible employees to non-profit organizations. With Adoption Assistance, Google, Inc. assists their employees by offering financial assistance in the adoption of a child. Google, Inc. will reimburse employees up to $5000 to use towards legal expenses. Free lunch and dinner from gourmet chefs create a wide variety of healthy and delicious meals every day. Got the munchies? Google, Inc. also offers snacks to help satisfy you in between meals. At Google headquarters in Mountain View, California employees have the convenience of seeing a doctor on-site. Google, Inc. is pleased to provide its Mountain View employees with free shuttles to several San Francisco, East Bay and South Bay locations. At Google headquarters in Mountain View, there is on-site oil change, car wash, dry cleaning, massage therapy, gym, hair stylist, fitness classes and bike repair. Google, Inc. will reimburse an employee for buying a hybrid car, up to $5000. Google, Inc. provides other benefits, too many to list, but one can assume that their full-time culture czar is not finished inventing new ways to reward employees (Google, 2009). More than the extrinsic rewards, people who choose to come to Google, Inc. come for other reasons besides just the outward perks and rewards. They come for freedom.