The Cybernetic Plot Of Ulysses Essays - Ulysses, James Joyce

The Cybernetic Plot of Ulysses A paper delivered at the CALIFORNIA JOYCE conference (6/30/93) Good afternoon. To quote the opening of Norbert Wiener's address on Cybernetics to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in March of 1950, The word cybernetics has been taken from the Greek word kubernitiz (ky-ber-NEE-tis) meaning steersman. It has been invented because there is not in the literature any adequate term describing the general study of communication and the related study of control in both machines and in living beings. In this paper, I mean by cybernetics those activities and ideas that have to do with the sending, carrying, and receiving of information. My thesis is that there is a cybernetic plot to ULYSSES -- a constellation or meaningful pattern to the novel's many images of people sending, carrying, and receiving -- or distorting, or losing -- signals of varying import and value. This plot -- the plot of signals that are launched on perilous Odyssean journeys, and that reach home, if they do, only through devious paths -- parallels and augments the novel's more central journeys, its dangers encountered, and its successful returns. ULYSSES works rather neatly as a cybernetic allegory, in fact, not only in its represented action, but also in its history as a text. The book itself, that is, has reached us only by a devious path around Cyclopean censors and the Scylla and Charybdis of pirates and obtuse editors and publishers. ULYSSES both retells and re-enacts, that is, the Odyssean journey of information that, once sent, is threatened and nearly thwarted before it is finally received. We are talking, of course, of cybernetics avant la lettre -- before Norbert Wiener and others had coined the term. But like Moliere's Monsieur Jourdain discovering that all along he's been speaking prose, so Leopold Bloom might delight in learning that he is actually quite a proficient cyberneticist. Joyce made his protagonist an advertizing canvasser at the moment when advertizing had just entered the modern age. Bloom's job is to put his clients' messages into forms that are digestible by the mass medium of the press. If Bloom shows up in the National Library, for instance, it will be to find a logo (in what we would call clip art) for his client Alexander Keyes. The conduct of spirit through space and time is what communication's about. And James Joyce was interested, as we know, in the conduct of spirit: his own, that of his home town, and that of his species. * * * Once they're sent, what are some of the things that can happen to messages? They can be lost, like the words that Bloom starts to scratch in the sand: "I AM A..." Signals can be degraded by faulty transmission, like the telegram that Stephen received in Paris from his father back in Dublin: "NOTHER DYING. COME HOME. FATHER." A slip of the pen -- as in Martha Clifford's letter to Bloom -- destroys intended meanings, but it also, as Joyce loves to point out, creates new ones. "I called you naughty boy," Martha wrote to Henry Flower, "because I do not like that other world." Signals can be abused and discarded, like the fate of "Matcham's Masterstroke" in Bloom's outhouse. Signals can be censored, pirated, misprinted, and malpracticed upon by editors, as happened the text of this novel itself. Signals can fall into the wrong hands, like the executioners' letters in the pub, or they can land where they're sent but make little sense, like the postcard reading "U.P. up" that Dennis Breen gets in the mail. And signals can, finally, reach their intended recipient with the intended meaning, as in Bloom's pleasure in reading Milly's letter to him in the morning's mail. And what about that book that Stephen is going to write in ten years? There's a premonitory cybernetic allegory for you, and one with a happy ending to boot. * * * I would like to sketch for you, then, a brief and cursory chapter-by-chapter account of the cybernetic plot of Ulysses. But lest the listener persist in harboring doubts, as we say, concerning the cybernetic signature of the Joycean narrative, let me anticipate the first sentence

Black Mamba essays

Black Mamba essays When choosing an exotic animal, my first thought was to choose something dangerous. After thinking, I remembered dendroaspis polyepsis. The black mamba is not only a beautiful creature, it is dangerous, exciting, and utterly fascinating. The black mamba, as a predator, is the unchallenged leader. The black mambas prey is almost solely warm-blooded animals, such as birds and small mammals, including dassies or rock hyraxes and rodents (Robert Burton). Mambas main enemies are mongooses, but only when they are young. Eagles and secretary birds may eat them and young ones may be eaten by snake-eating snakes (Robert Burton). A full-grown black mamba has little to fear except those age-old destroyers of serpents-people (Douglas Lee). I was not able to find information about a symbiotic relationship, nor was I able to find any information about competition. I think this is because the black mamba is the most feared predator in its habitat. The black mamba ranges from the east of Zaire and southern Ethiopia southwards to Natal and South West Africa (Robert Burton). My research has revealed that the black mamba is a very adaptable denizen, living anywhere from tree branches to holes in the ground. The favored place of residence is in areas of sparse brush, where it inhabits a variety of different shelters, including rocky areas, abandoned termite mounds, and animal holes (Chad H. Mummert). The black mamba will not build its own shelter, but will live in the same place for years if not disturbed. Black mambas will climb into low trees but are more given to climbing rocks, where they lie sunning themselves Robert Burton). The black mamba tends to live alone, only seeking other snakes when it is time to breed. The role the black mamba plays in its environment is mainly as a rodent control. Mating occurs in spring after the male finds a female from her scent trail. Copulation can be drawn out to hours or ...

MSW vs. Ph.D. vs. DSW for a Career in Social Work

MSW vs. Ph.D. vs. DSW for a Career in Social Work Unlike many fields, social work has several graduate degree options. Many applicants considering careers in social work wonder which degree is right for them.   MSW Careers While bachelors degree holders in social work are employed in social work settings and work alongside social workers in many therapeutic roles, they must be supervised by MSW-level supervisors.   In this sense, the MSW is the standard entry requirement for most social work positions. Advancement to supervisor, program manager, assistant director, or executive director of a social service agency or department requires a graduate degree, at minimum an MSW, and experience. With an MSW a social worker may engage research, advocacy, and consulting. Social workers who go into private practice require, at a minimum, an MSW, supervised work experience, and state certification. MSW Programs Master’s degree programs in social work prepare graduates for work in a specialized field, such as with children and families, adolescents, or the elderly. MSW students learn how to perform clinical assessments, supervise others, and manage large caseloads. Master’s programs generally require 2 years of study and include a minimum of 900 hours of supervised field instruction or internship. A part-time program may take 4 years. Seek programs that are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education to ensure that the graduate program you choose will provide an appropriate education and meet state requirements for licensure and certification. The Council on Social Work Education accredits over 180 master’s programs. Doctoral Social Work Programs Social work applicants have two choices of doctoral degrees: the DSW and the Ph.D. A doctorate in social work (DSW) prepares graduates for the most advanced jobs, such as administration, supervision, and staff training positions. Generally speaking, the DSW is an applied degree in the sense that it prepares DSW holders for roles in practice settings as administrators, trainers, and evaluators. The Ph.D. in social work is a research degree. In other words, similar to the PsyD and   Ph.D. (degrees in psychology), the DSW and Ph.D. differ with regard to an emphasis on practice vs research. The DSW emphasizes training in practice, so graduates become expert practitioners, whereas the Ph.D. emphasizes research, training graduates for careers in research and teaching. College and university teaching positions and most research appointments generally require a Ph.D. and sometimes a DSW degree. Licensure and Certification All States and the District of Columbia have licensing, certification, or registration requirements regarding social work practice and the use of professional titles. Although standards for licensing vary by State, most require completion of an exam plus 2 years (3,000 hours) of supervised clinical experience for licensure of clinical social workers.   The Association of Social Work Boards  provides information about licensure for all states and the District of Columbia. In addition, the National Association of Social Workers offers voluntary credentials to MSW holders, such as the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW), the Qualified Clinical Social Worker (QCSW), or the Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (DCSW) credential, based on their professional experience. Certification is a marker of experience, and is particularly important for social workers in private practice; some health insurance providers require certification for reimbursement.

Horizontal and Vertical Financial Analysis - PepsiCo vs Coca-Cola Essay

Horizontal and Vertical Financial Analysis - PepsiCo vs Coca-Cola - Essay Example The structure of this article is framed in such a manner that firstly income statements of both the companies are analyzed on horizontal and then on vertical basis. Next section is based on the analysis of balance sheets for the two companies on horizontal basis and then followed by vertical analysis. The major components of income statements are analyzed for both the companies in respect of cost of goods sold, operating income, income before taxes and finally net income. Cost of sales for PepsiCo is around 43% of the sales whereas the same for Coca-Cola is around 35% of the sales which is substantially lower than that of PepsiCo. In respect of operating profits, Coca-Cola has also an edge over PepsiCo such that its operating income is around 26% of the sales whereas PepsiCo remained behind and has the operating profit of just around 18%. Coca-Cola remained successful in maintaining a healthy position in respect of its income before taxes such that it managed to earn income before ta xes around 28% of the sales whereas PepsiCo hardly managed to earn income before taxes of around hardly 19% of the sales. Net income for Coca-Cola has remained on a stronger side pursuing around 21% of its sales. On the other hand, PepsiCo just managed to earn net income of 13% of its sales in the three years. Following are the attached tables for percentage change on horizontal basis for two companies.... s 19.60 18.95 18.51 Provision for Income Taxes 7.08 4.69 5.28 Income from Continuing Operations 12.52 14.26 13.23 Tax Benefit from Discontinued Operations 0.00 0.13 0.00 Net Income 12.52 14.39 13.23 Coca Cola Inc.                Income Statement    Horizontal Analysis 2005    2004    2003 Net Operating Revenues 100.00 100.00 100.00 Cost of Goods Sold 35.47    35.30    37.28 GROSS PROFIT 64.53 64.70 62.72 Selling, general and administrative expenses 37.82 36.29 34.94 Other operating charges 0.37    2.21    2.75 OPERATING INCOME 26.34 26.21 25.03 Interest income 1.02 0.72 0.84 Interest expense 1.04 0.90 0.85 Equity income — net 2.94 2.86 1.95 Other loss — net (0.40) (0.38) (0.66) Gains on issuances of stock by equity investees 0.10    0.11    0.04 INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 28.96 28.62 26.35 Income taxes 7.87 6.32 5.50 NET INCOME 21.09    22.29    20.84                   Income Statement Analysis on Vertical Basis In respect of vertical analysis, PepsiCo is found to have earned much more growth as compared to Coca-Cola such that PepsiCo’s revenues increased by 8% and 11% respectively as compared to previous years whereas Coca-Cola’s revenues increased with 4% and 6% during the same periods. Operating profits of PepsiCo increased by around 10% and 12% as compared to previous years, however, only 9% and 7% increase in operating income for Coca-Cola can be observed. Net income of PepsiCo decreased by 3.18% as compared to previous year but Coca-Cola managed to increase its net income by 0.52%. Following tables highlight the comparative vertical analysis for both companies. PepsiCo Inc.       Income Statement    Vertical Analysis 2005 2004 Net Revenue 11.28 8.49 Cost of sales 11.85 8.41 Selling, general and administrative expenses 11.63 8.70 Amortization of intangible

Discussion post Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Discussion post - Essay Example Common symptoms of acute bronchitis include; persistent cough which lasts for about 10 to 20 days which creates clear mucus. While for pneumonia includes; high fever, chest pains, and shortness of breath. The acute bronchitis affects the lower respiratory tract while pneumonia affects the upper respiratory tract (US Department of Health & Human Services, 2011). I agree with Christopher Johnson on the need for the patient to find someone to guide her through some positive lifestyle changes. The signs and symptoms by the patient indicate she is suffering from chronic bronchitis. The recommendations made after diagnosis will help the patient to get well soon and manage the sickness. I also agree the patient needs to be given lessons on antibiotics intake. The patient needs to be encouraged to take the flu and pneumonia vaccines (Cunha, 2014). I agree with Peng Anderson from the patient’s symptoms she has emphysema which is manifested by her history of tobacco use and physical examination (WebMD, 2014). The patient needs to know the severity of the condition and make changes. She needs to control her tobacco use in order to slow the progression of emphysema. I also agree a social worker would be of great help to the patient in locating and utilizing community

Edward R. Murrow - The Father of Broadcast Journalism Essay Example for Free

Edward R. Murrow The Father of Broadcast Journalism Essay The movie Good Night and Good Luck portrays the early 1950s when America experienced the threat of communism that created fear amongst Americans. There were even some who took advantage of such situations such as Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin. But there was one person who knew of his scheme and did everything to expose his deception amongst the people, this was Edward Murrow. This film showed his and his producer’s pursuit to expose the truth. The bravery and determination of Edward Murrow to reveal the truth by the use of media made him known as the father of broadcast journalism. The bravery of Edward Murrow to deliver only the truth to his viewers was one of the reasons why he was well known during the 1950s. This movie showed how far Murrow would go just to reveal the truth. He did not consider the danger that would come with his plan to expose the public deception of Senator McCarthy. Being a journalist and a democrat, he had in him the drive to let the public know the truth no matter what (MURROW, EDWARD R.  U. S. Broadcast Journalist†). Because of this dedication, people saw him as a person who upholds public service at its best; until now, he is known for his bravery in exposing the truth. The pursuit of Edward Murrow to expose the truth about the public deception of Senator McCarthy showed his determination to reveal the truth and save his fellow Americans. Murrow made use of his resources to uncover the truth behind the communism threat to America imposed primarily by Senator McCarthy. When chaos was dominating the society, Murrow knew that he had to do something to bring back the peace among the people. He served as the voice of the people, exposing information after information of the truth behind the â€Å"red scare† that started chaos all over America (Jeff, n. d. ). Edward Murrow not only served as a journalist who wanted to reveal the truth, but most importantly he served as a hero for the Americans in their time of crisis. He did not think of the danger that he would encounter in his pursuit to expose the truth. He believed that the people deserve to know the truth and, him being a journalist, he knows that it is his job to deliver the truth to the public. Because of his bravery and dedication to his work, he was acknowledged by journalists as a person to look up to and an epitome of â€Å"journalistic excellence† (MURROW, EDWARD R. U. S. Broadcast Journalist†). These and many more are the reasons why Edward Murrow is regarded as the father of broadcast journalism.

Neuropsychologist and Patient Perspectives :: Tumors Cancer Neurology Medical Essays

Neuropsychologist and Patient Perspectives There are many classifications of tumors that compress or destroy the hypothalamus. A few forms are craniopharyngioma, germinoma, and glioma. Symptoms of craniopharyngioma include headaches, visual disturbances, pituitary hormone deficiencies, retardation of growth, and calcification of the sella region in children. Germinoma, also called ectopic pineoloma or atypical teratoma, has similar effects to serninoma of the testis or dysgerminoma of the ovary. Another destructive cancer is glioma of the hypothalamus. Hand-Schuller-Christian disease produces hypopituitarism with delayed puberty, growth retardation, and diabetes insipidus; this type of cancer occurs in children (Yen and Jaffe 1986). Since the hypothalamus regulates release of hormones through the pituitary gland, one of the most common effects of damage to the hypothalamus is disruption of hormone release or hormone deficiency. Some common types of hormone deficiencies are gonadotropin, thyroid stimulating, adrenocorticotopic, growth, multiple, and panhypopituitarism. Gonadotropin deficiency is characterized by low levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. This deficiency can lead to decreased fertility, disrupted menstruation, decreased sex drive, headaches, sexual dysfunction, and loss of body hair. Typical treatment is hormone replacement therapy. Deficiency of thyroid stimulating hormone and subsequent lack of thyroid gland stimulation lead to a condition called hypothyroidism. Common symptoms include intolerance to cold, weight gain, constipation, fatigue, and pale, waxy skin. Before hormone replacement is used to stimulate the thyroid, it is typical to try treating the adrenal glands with steroids. Adrenocorticotopic hormone deficiency is the name for low levels of corticotropin (ACTH), a hormone that stimulates the adrenal gland to produce cortisol. Some signs of ACTH deficiency are low blood pressure, weakness, fatigue, weight loss, and in women nausea, pale skin, and loss of pubic hair. Daily doses of hydrocortisone or cortisone are used to correct this deficiency. Deficiency of growth hormone before physical maturity will impair growth, and in adults may be noticeable by obesity or skin wrinkling. Careful doses of growth hormone are administered to children with this condition and in adults may help restore the healthy muscle to fat ratio. Multiple hormone deficiency is more common than deficiency of a single hormone and usually loss occurs in a specific order: first growth, then luteinizing, follicle- stimulating, thyroid stimulating, and adrenocorticotopic. This process is typically slow and occurs over months and years, but hypopituitarism can start suddenly as in the case of traumatic brain injury. Panhypopituitarism is the loss of all hormones released by the pituitary, also called complete pituitary failure.