Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Future Of Consumerism Will See An Increase In Purchases

The future of consumerism will see an increase in purchases being made. Although there is a small trend happening where individuals are simplifying their needs and desires, the organizations that are feeling the pinch from this trend are reorganizing the way they advertise to individuals. With the way technology is growing and expanding progressively more organizations are finding it easier to customize their ads to each individual. For example on Christmas morning I received and email from Best Buy. Where the subject line was â€Å"YOU DESERVE a gift†. The psychological aspects of how organizations are preying on individual consumers is astounding. Coupled with the fact that they track what you search and keep you posted on those items without†¦show more content†¦Years down the road when they retire, they will become a major burden on the government and the taxpayers of that time. So I will end with restating my opinion again FINANICAL EDUCATION in the school system is a necessity in helping, not only the individual and their family, but everyone that will be affected by the extreme poor decisions that millions continue to make on a daily basis in life. The one topic that peaked my interest the most was the conflict theory, the fact that it dates back almost to the beginning of time and still exists today is astounding. Conflict theory, is a theory established by Karl Marx which states that society is in a state of conflict because of competition for the worlds limited resources. He also believed that social order was ruled by those who had the resources and power holding the weaker individuals and groups down. â€Å"Tension between those with and those without resources is inevitable because those with resources have an interest in keeping them and those without resources have an interest in securing more resources.† (Turner) This is still true to this day,† The conflict perspective explains various aspects of our social world by looking at which groups have power and benefit from particular social arrangements,† (Mooney, Knox, Schacht) think about it theShow MoreRelatedConsumerism Is Not Harmful At Times1364 Words   |  6 Pages Consumerism, the theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable: a preoccupation with an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods, has been increasing over the last few decades. Although many individuals feel that the increase of can be hurtful to financial wellness, this is not always the truth. The consumption of goods and services is what allows the economic markets to flow freely and thrive as well as survive. Not to say that induvial consumerism is not harmfulRead MoreConsumerism : The Great Gatsby, And Harrison Bergeron1441 Words   |  6 PagesConsumerism is defined as the increase in the consumption of goods. It is the theory that buying more goods will ultimately lead to economic advantages. Consumerism has destroyed the concept of the idealistic nuclear family in America, in favor of materialistic chaos. American society used to be content with the little things in life, up until the rise of consumerism, starting during the industrial revolution, but reaching its peak after World War II. Americans have become more occupied with theRead MoreThe Study Of Human-Environment Interactions Has Been A1384 Words   |  6 Pagesinto new and usable products, dangerous chemicals can be replaced by harmless alternatives, and healthy food options continually emerge. These newer options are now widely available to the public (Roser-Renouf et al. 2016; Szasz 2007). We constantly see green products claiming to be all-natural, organically produced, or even in packaging that claims to be made of recycled materials and itself be 100% recyclable. This shift offers the public many options for engaging in environmentally friendly behaviorRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Consumerism In The Brave New World1050 Words   |  5 Pages to me where†¦.) Facts and stats Quote Rhetorical question We see a society where Mother and Father are seen as foreign words It seems to be a perfect world but when you srtach beneath the surface you see a ugly under belly Hook Imagine a world where happiness is quite literally a finger’s grasp away. But this apparent utopia hides an ugly underbelly where people are controlled through soma and condition. In the brave new world we see characters who represent metaphors for the sort of people weRead MoreConsumerism Of The Healthcare Industry Essay1204 Words   |  5 PagesPart A: There has been an indisputable growing trend in consumerism in the healthcare industry. The shift of patient to consumer has begun to take effect. The relationship between patient and consumer are closely related and complicated, â€Å"A patient is also a healthcare consumer, but a consumer is not necessarily a patient† (Jayanthi, 2015, para. 2). The definition of patient is arguable, Medicinenet.com varyingly defines a patient as a person requiring medical care, receiving treatment, under a physician’sRead MoreThe Future of South Africa1708 Words   |  7 PagesThe future of South Africa Predicting the future development of South Africa has become increasingly difficult due to radical changes that have occurred in the last few decades. These changes have left South Africa in a state of social and economical unrest. The largest of these changes was the abolishment of Apartheid. This allowed for black vote, and thus in 1994 a black government. This lead to black empowerment, which was subjugated for hundreds of years. This however created a new series ofRead MoreAmerican Consumerism And The United States Environmental Protection Agency Essay1608 Words   |  7 Pages Regardless of what one thinks about American consumerism or our high levels of production, it is a fact that we live in a throw-away society. What that means is that we produce a lot, throw away a lot, and most things are planned to become obsolete within a few years. Recently, there has been an unprecedented effort to correct these negatives habits of our society, seeing as they can’t last forever . This effort, aptly called sustainability, is one of the most grandiose undertakings in American societyRead MoreConsumerism : The Trap Of Materialism1704 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"The Trap of Materialism† Out of all of the different causes that people live for today, consumerism is the only one spread completely around the globe and into almost every culture. Throughout the thousands of years that humans have been on this planet the universal idea of success has been altered greatly. Today, the most common vision of a successful life is the ability to consume the greatest amount of stuff by obtaining the most amount of money possible. If you are unable to afford a houseRead MoreFahrenheit 4511858 Words   |  8 Pagesnovel Fahrenheit 451 as a way to admonish future generations against social and economic trends that would emerge during the twentieth century. I. Introduction II. Reasons behind novel A. World events B. Personal events III. Economic trends of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries A. The economics of consumerism B. Economic effects on society IV. Social trends of the twentieth century A Technology and individuals B. The rise of consumerism V Bradbury’s warning in the novel A. Bradbury’sRead MoreHow Marketers And Marketers Influence The Creation Of The Consumer1840 Words   |  8 PagesIn a world of consumerism, children represent a giant portion of an important demographic to marketers because of their purchasing power. They greatly influence their parents buying decisions and are the consumers of the future. Since children have this advantage, advertisers know that they should be a main target. Advertising was created to influence the creation of the consumer. This method became a revolutionary development. The advertisers’ goal was to cater to the consumers’ wants and desires

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Becoming a Crime Scene Technician free essay sample

However, before I decided that this is what I wanted to do, I needed to know information regarding being a forensic science technician. I need to know exactly what a forensic science technician does on and off the clock and the requirements such as school and special training. After plenty of research I am aware of the pros and cons of becoming a forensic science technician and it is an occupation I am extremely Interested In. I plan to take the appropriate classes o pursue this as my career. A forensic science technician plays a very important role at crime scenes and purgatories.Forensic science technicians that work at crime scenes, better known as crime scene Investigators are responsible for assisting In investigating crime scenes by collecting and analyzing physical evidence. They walk though the scene and determine what evidence should be gathered. They also take photographs of the evidence and different parts of the crime scene. We will write a custom essay sample on Becoming a Crime Scene Technician or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page They make sketches of the crime scene, take notes of their findings, collect all physical evidence and preserve and catalog evidence before it is transferred to the laboratory.Forensic science technicians that work In the lab also play a crucial role regarding crime scenes. They typically classify and identify evidence, explore links between suspects using the results of the physical and chemical analyses. Also, they work with experts regarding the case to study and examine their findings. Then they reconstruct crime scenes bases on their findings. Being a crime scene technician requires a lot of patients and availability because they have to work a regular day shift and must be available at all hours of the day.They could be called to investigate a crime scene so they must be available to travel to many different locations depending on where the crime scene is located. Crime scene technicians must also be aware of disturbing and unpleasant sights at certain crime scenes. This requires a lot of Important qualities. Critical thinking and problem solving skills are extremely important. Technicians must use their best Judgment to match physical evidence to suspects. Also, this would help assist law enforcement officials with solving crimes. Writing and speaking skills are very important as well. Technician may need to prepare written reports to provide in court as well as demonstrating their findings to the police and other law enforcement employees. Last but not least, technicians must control composure when working on crime scenes. Certain crime scenes may be extremely violent and gruesome and technicians must maintain professionalism when working on the scene. The first thing to do In order to become a crime scene technician is flesh all of the essential requirements.First of all, in order to investigate crime scenes and work in the laboratory, a bachelors degree in most departments are required and an extensive trained by more experienced technicians and they teach them the methods and procedures for collecting and documenting evidence. They are also trained in many other things as well. This includes firearm-analysis training which typically lasts up to 1-3 years and DNA-analysis training that last 6-7 months. Then technicians must pass a proficiency exam before they are allowed to perform independent case work or eave the ability to testify in court.Many crime scene technicians have met the requirements for the police academy as well. However, some larger law enforcement agencies are obligated to have a bachelors degree in natural or forensic science. Technicians who work in the laboratory typically have a bachelors degree in natural forensic science as well. Students who want to become a forensic science technician are required to take extensive coarse work in biology, chemistry and mathematics. Knowing all of the requirements and what forensic science technicians must encounter on a daily basis definitely motivates me to work extremely hard. There are a lot of pros and cons regarding being a technician and I am determined to endure all of the challenges in becoming one. I am fascinated with forensics and working on crime scenes which is why I think becoming a crime scene technician is a good fit for me. My goal is to return to Western Illinois University in the fall and continue my education. Western is an excellent law enforcement school and it would provide education resources to help me follow my dream of becoming a crime scene technician.

Saturday, April 11, 2020

The evolution of McGregors Theory X and Theory Y in relation to the development of management theory

Introduction New challenges were created in the 19th century due to the emergence of the industrial revolution. Among these challenges was the need to increase the effectiveness of the workforce. Therefore, creative thinkers in the early ages suggested theories that they believed if applied would result in higher management efficiency. Such theories were based on the fundamental belief that employees should be actively supervised and monitored (Gurey Junnark 2008).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The evolution of McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y in relation to the development of management theory specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, Douglas McGregor challenged this notion through his extensive work where he established two theories that defined the assumption held about employees’ attitude towards work. These assumptions automatically influenced the workers productivity (Kopelman, Prottas, Dav is 2008; Tatham, Waldaman Bennis 2010). It is therefore important to examine them in order to determine if they are practical or not, especially in the 21st Century. Theory X and Theory Y Douglas McGregor, a prominent figure in the evolution of management theory, made significant contribution in behavioural theory. In 1960 he suggested a radical change in the belief and perception managers had about their employees (Kopelman, Prottas Davis 2008). Whereas the previous theories had suggested the need for employees to be controlled and guided authoritatively, McGregor thought otherwise. He outlined that managers should instead adopt a motivator and role model approach hence moulding the desired employee behaviour (Tatham, Waldaman Bennis 2010). Unfortunately, He established that most managers perceive their employees negatively; He categorized this kind of assumption under Theory X (classical system theory). Manager ascribing to this assumption generally believe that most employees, despise work, are automatically lazy and hence unproductive (Kopelman, Prottas Davis 2008; Stohl 2008; Tatham, Waldaman Bennis 2010). As opposed to these assumptions, McGregor believed that the general intention of most employees is to be more productive. This assumption commonly referred to as theory Y (human relation) contradicted theory X notion; employees inherently hate working (Stohl 2008). Conventional view or what is referred as theory X exposed the underlying assumptions that surrounded the scientific era which the management practiced at the time, was evolving from. Here, effective management included harnessing the power of human labour to achieve organizational effectiveness.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The manager could achieve this through effectively; organizing all elements of production. Such elements included natural resources, machinery and equipmen t, money, people among others. Very important to note is that the process of managing people involved keenly directing and controlling their efforts and actions to suit the organization’s needs (Gurey Junnark 2008). According to this theory, failure to intervene constantly would result in undesirable outcome. This is because; workers here are viewed as lazy, irresponsible, un-ambitious and self-centred (Kopelman, Prottas Davis 2008). Due to this nature they may be passive and at times resistant to any initiative directed towards achieving organizational goals (Stohl 2008). Therefore managers could adopt the use of rewards and punishment to mould the appropriate behaviour. McGregor study (cited in Stohl 2008) established management practice and policies at the time reflected these assumptions, and as mentioned earlier, employees acted in the expected undesirable manner. The natural response of managers was to be more stringent and consequently the employees reacted to it, re sulting in a viscous cycle (Gurey Junnark 2008). Therefore, McGregor confirmed that expectations defines and to a great extent, dictates human behaviour. Moreover, he ascertained that the assumptions managers had on their employees would determine how they interacted with them. Only when managers take into consideration human nature would they enjoy effective co-operation resulting in an organizational economic achievement. Therefore he developed theory Y, which was based on the principle that managers are in charge of organizing functions. However, workers do not naturally posses negative attitude towards work, their negative reaction usually result from their past un-favourable experiences with the organization. Hence, managers need not control them actively and influence their actions; instead they need to create conducive working environment. With that in place, people will simply work to satisfy their ego, what Maslow referred as self-actualization (Stohl 2008; Tatham, Waldama n, Bennis 2010) On the other hand, theory X is inapplicable to 21st Century managers. In fact scientific management where most of its assumptions were derived from was phased out as a result of its ineffectiveness. Currently applying it would imply that managers should spend most of their time policing staff. Consequently, no creativity or independence would be expected on the part of the employee. Clearly, this indicates that nobody really would be in charge of adopting innovation or any other initiative that would advance the organization; both the managers and workers would be pre-occupied by routines.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The evolution of McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y in relation to the development of management theory specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Nevertheless, current managers need an intellectual approach, or an effective theory, to guide them through the process. The theory should act as the first step in defining their assumptions and attitude about people. Consequently, they should align this theory with actual actions. Striving to ensure they act in accordance with it. It is at this stage where theory Y becomes effective (Gurey Junnark 2008). Currently organizations need people as much as-or even more than-they need them. Successful organizations like apple Inc, Google among others, can attest to the fact that their employees creativity boosted by the confidence they hold in them, has significantly contributed to their success. To an important extent, managers at such organizations subscribe to Theory Y philosophy and hence encourage employees to apply their skills voluntarily to combat the challenging business environment (Tatham, Waldaman Bennis 2010). Nevertheless, even McGregor (cited in Stohl 2008) acknowledged that this is not an easy route. He emphasised on one to start by examining one’s thought; a step avoided by most managers (Heil, Ben nis and Stephens 2000). Nevertheless they insist that managers should view McGregor’s works as a framework to use for accomplishing their mission. Conclusion The contribution of Douglas McGregor to the management evolution cannot be overlooked. His works suggested new ways which managers could adopt as means of achieving more efficiency. Theory X, which is one of his theories, elaborated the perception managers hold on their subordinates. It was heavily influenced by the scientific management era that the business environment was emerging from. The negative assumptions about workers’ attitude underpinned in this theory are considered self-fulfilling. In addition, managers holding on to this school of thought hinder their employee from becoming creative, innovative and independent, just to mention a few. On the brighter side, McGregor viewed employees more positively. In his suggestion labelled Theory Y he saw employees as generally possessing positive attitude towards work. The negative reaction is usually as a result of the un-conducive working environment, aggravated by poor management practices. By examining McGregor’s work, it becomes apparent theory Y would be the most appropriate for 21st century managers. The success of current organizations will highly depend on how they treat their workforce. Reference List Heil,G, Bennis, W, Stephens, D 2000, Douglas McGregor Revisited: Managing The  Human Side of Enterprise, John Wiley Sons, N. Y.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Gurey, J, Junnark, GM 2008, Management Theory: Contemporary Approach,  McGraw, N.Y. Kopelman, RE, Prottas, DJ Davis, AL 2008, ‘Douglas McGregor’s Theory X and Y: toward a construct-valid measure’, Journal of Managerial Issues, vol. 20, no. 2, Summer, pp. 255-271, retrieved ABI Inform database. Stohl, M 2008, Understanding Management from McGregor View Point, Elsevier, Oxford. Tatham, K, Waldaman, H Bennis 2010, ‘Using Douglas McGregor Theoretical Model to Achieve Management Effectiveness in the 21ST Century’ Academic  leadership Journal, vol.13, no. 12, pp 212-243. This essay on The evolution of McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y in relation to the development of management theory was written and submitted by user Tinley Forbes to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Calculate Root Mean Square Velocity of Gas Particles

Calculate Root Mean Square Velocity of Gas Particles This example problem demonstrates how to calculate the root mean square velocity of particles in an ideal gas. This value is the square root of the average velocity-squared of molecules in a gas. While the value is an approximation, especially for real gases, it offers useful information when studying kinetic theory. Root Mean Square Velocity Problem What is the average velocity or root mean square velocity of a molecule in a sample of oxygen at 0  °C? Solution Gases consist of atoms or molecules that move at different speeds in random directions. The root means square velocity (RMS velocity) is a way to find a single velocity value for the particles.  The average velocity of gas particles is found using the root mean square velocity formulaÃŽ ¼rms (3RT/M) ½whereÃŽ ¼rms root mean square velocity in m/secR ideal gas constant 8.3145 (kg ·m2/sec2)/K ·molT absolute temperature in KelvinM mass of a mole of the gas in kilograms. Really, the RMS calculation gives you root mean square speed, not velocity. This is because velocity is a vector quantity, which has  magnitude and direction. The RMS calculation only gives the magnitude or speed.The temperature must be converted to Kelvin and the molar mass must be found in kg to complete this problem. Step 1 Find the absolute temperature using the Celsius to Kelvin conversion formula:T  °C 273T 0 273T 273 K Step 2 Find molar mass in kg:From the periodic table, the molar mass of oxygen 16 g/mol.Oxygen gas (O2) is comprised of two oxygen atoms bonded together. Therefore:molar mass of O2 2 x 16molar mass of O2 32 g/molConvert this to kg/mol:molar mass of O2 32 g/mol x 1 kg/1000 gmolar mass of O2 3.2 x 10-2 kg/mol Step 3 Find ÃŽ ¼rmsÃŽ ¼rms (3RT/M) ½ÃŽ ¼rms [3(8.3145 (kg ·m2/sec2)/K ·mol)(273 K)/3.2 x 10-2 kg/mol] ½ÃŽ ¼rms (2.128 x 105 m2/sec2) ½ÃŽ ¼rms 461 m/sec Answer The average velocity or root mean square velocity of a molecule in a sample of oxygen at 0  °C is 461 m/sec.

Saturday, February 22, 2020

Research Methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Research Methods - Essay Example The different perspectives of each individual researcher scholar vary to a large degree, ranging from those who view the two research strategies as separate processes, to those that are ready to mix the two approaches within their projects. As for example, we find that Bryman (1988) in his paper contended that the best process for completing one’s research work is using best of both the processes, or in other words, a combination of the qualitative and quantitative approaches should be adopted. Hughes (1997) on the other hand warned against such mixed methods, and suggested that quantitative approaches are scientific and hence more objective in nature (413-420). While exploring the subject of quantitative and qualitative researches, this paper is primarily based on epistemological notions presented within the query, `what is research and what are the research techniques?’ Eileen Kane, in the book Doing your own research (1985, gives an interesting perspective to the ent ire debate on the research processes, where she comments, â€Å"research techniques are a bit like fishing flies: you choose the right one for fish you want to catch. No fisherman would use the same kind of fly for twenty different varieties of fish† (51).... her wishes to use in his/her research work depends, as suggested by Kane (1985), on the researcher’s wish, which he must decide as per his requirement and subject. Data Input data output analysis knowledge William M.K. Trochim depicted the methods followed in any research project, in Knowledge based research (fig 1). Fig 1: The Yin and the Yang of Research (Trochim, 1999, 8). The figure represents the framing of the studied material using the Knowledge Base. Left side of figure depicts the research theory, while the right part depicts the research practice, and the theoretical introduction of any research project and the practical aspect on how to formulate the undertaken research project are linked. The left arrows delineate the validity types that must be accounted in any research paper, which is actually concept of providing the reader with a unifying theory for understanding the entire project. The right arrows point to the research practice areas that match the validity t ypes in order to prove the research problem (Trochim, 1999). While conducting a research a researcher may adopt various techniques as per his subject requirements. The various research techniques that one may adopt are conducting interviews, questionnaires, participant observation, and studying written sources (Kane, 1985, 51). Each technique gives a certain form of information and not any other type; however, the techniques can complement each other within one research paper (fig 2). Fig 2: The figure (Kane, 1985, 52) shows the various ‘petal-like’ research techniques that are combined together within a single project. In the figure we find petals representing research techniques, they overlap at the centre, while each overlaps with its neighbour at the sides. The areas that do not overlap

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Compare and Contrast the Fundamental Differences Between the Research Paper

Compare and Contrast the Fundamental Differences Between the Ideologies of Liberalism and Conservatism - Research Paper Example â€Å"congress shall make law†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The concept of classic liberalism has gone through several changes overtime in the past century. These changes are known as revolution of 1930s and the revolution of the 1960s. In the revolution of 1930s, which is also termed as FDR revolution, the main idea of liberalism was shown by assuming that the true meaning of right cannot be seen until and unless the rights were exercised. It was discussed by Franklin Roosevelt as individuals with no accessibility to the necessities of life are not considered as free souls. He was of the belief that in order to provide the individuals of the state liberty in true sense, the state should work for them to eliminate deprivation, lack of job opportunities, uncertain sickness and poverty of old people. So, the 1930s revolution of liberalism created a new horizon of freedom by making the government responsible for the role to play rather than the others as considered by the founders of America. During the period of 1960s, the second revolution of liberalism began and made several changes to the society. The main concept of this revolution was liberation and it was developed by Jean Jacques Rousseau. Prior to the sixties, many Americans were of the view for a universal moral order, which was external for individuals and that made demand for them. The role of the individual was to adjust according to those moral orders. The generation of previous time up till the generation of world war two took all these moral order and its commands for granted that included to work hard in order to make your future better, be good to your better half, fight for your country and many others. Since the starting of the 1960s, there were many movements took place such as antiwar movement, feminist movement, gay activist movement and others that encounters those moral orders badly by reporting them as oppressive and restricted (Myers 127). These movements started working for some other set of

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Falconry Essay Example for Free

Falconry Essay Falconry, also known as hawking, is a form of hunting which involves the use of trained hawks and falcons to prey on other animals. Falconry may be considered one of the oldest sports, dating back over 4,000 years ago in Egypt and China that is still practiced today. Falconry was considered a status symbol, restricted to noble classes, in medieval Europe and a way of obtaining food. Falconry still exists today with more than 3,800 licensed falconers in the United States. Historically, falconry was not only a popular sport but was considered a status symbol among the aristocracy of medieval Europe. Legend has it that a Persian King watched a falcon kill another bird and ordered his men to capture the falcon. The king kept the falcon with him at all times, learned many lessons from it and was considered the first falconer. The origin of falconry can be traced back to 2000 BC through ancient writings, drawings and artifacts. There is debate as to when and where falconry originated, however, some historians place its origin in Asia around the second century A. D. and then spread west, while other historians place the origin in Arabia or the Middle East based on records dated 8,000 BC, found of a king who used birds of prey. It is known that by the fourth century, falconry had spread through Western Europe and Britain. Most of the information about falconry comes from its popularity in medieval Europe and the Middle East during the middle ages. The sport of falconry began to decline in popularity during the 1700 and 1 +-*. 800s because of the decline of nobility and the increased use of firearms to kill animals for food and for sport. However, by the 1900s, its popularity was renewed and the largest falconry association, the Peregrine Blub was established in the United States. Falconry is now legal in the United States in all states except Hawaii and the District of Columbia. State and federal licenses are required to practice this sport. Falconry not only exists today in the United States but also is practiced throughout the world. Originally, the purpose of falconry was to obtain food to eat, however, nobility (Kings of Britain, Russian Czars and the Holy roman Emperors) shifted this purpose to one of social entertainment. Frederick II of Hohenstaufen, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Sicily and Jerusalem was considered to be the greatest falconer of the medieval age. Falconry became so popular that it became regulated with a strict set of customs called the Laws of Ownership. These laws dictated what type of birds could be owned by various social ranks. The table shown below gives a partial listing of social rank and appropriate bird. There were also severe punishments including time in jail to anyone who harmed a falcon’s bird nest, eggs, and young or took a falcon from the wild that did not belong to you. One of the most severe punishments was given to a person who flew a bird above what your rank permitted. This punishment was having your hand cut off. Social rank and appropriate bird (adapted from original table) King| Gyr Falcon| Prince| Peregrine Falcon| Knight| Saker| Squire| Lanner| Lady| Female Merlin| Priest| Female Sparrowhawk| Knaves, servants, children| Kestrel| Adapted from The Ancient Art of Falconry The players in this sport are the falconer and his or her raptor. The falconer is the person that handles or trains the raptor. Their principle responsibilities were to ensure that his master’s birds of prey, raptors, were fully trained, well-fed and ready to hunt when called upon. The raptor is a bird of prey with a hooked beak for tearing meat, and powerful, hooked talons for grasping and holding prey. Not all raptors are suitable for falconry. Suitable raptors can be grouped by the way they are flown at the prey and are divided into three categories: broad-winged hawks, short-wing hawks and long-wing hawks. The broad-wing hawks (Buteos) include the Golden Eagles, Buzzards and Harris hawk that hunt rabbits and other ground game. They are also known as the â€Å"bombers†. The short-wing hawks (Accipiters) are used to hunt other birds in wooded or bushy terrain and include goshawks. They are called the â€Å"attack helicopters. † The long-winged hawks, considered the â€Å"true† falcons, are considered the â€Å"fighter jets. † They hunt other birds, such as waterfowl in open country. The Peregrine Falcons, Gyrfalcon, Lanner Falcon and the American Kestrel are included in this group. The different physical characteristics of these raptors allow the hunter to vary his or her hunting method. Each of the various physical characteristics allows adaptation to their hunting environment. The buteos will usually perch in high trees and then dive on the prey out in the open, hence the name â€Å"bomber†. Because the Accipiters have short wings, they can easily maneuver and can chase their prey through the various terrains, similar to â€Å"attack helicopters. † The long-winged hawks, â€Å"fighter jets†, circle hundreds of feet in the air and then stoop at very high speeds (averaging 25-34 mph and reaching up to 200 mph) to knock their prey out of the sky using their feet as fists. Broad-winged-buzzardShort-winged-Goshawk Long-winged-Peregrine Falconmonacoeye. com goshawk dove4. jpg mysideofthemountain. wikispaces. com The relationship between the falconer and raptor is very important and training a falcon is not easy. Although the raptor is not a pet, it is trained to accept the presence of their trainer in their natural pursuit of prey. Great skill and patience is involved when training falcons. A falcon responds to its trainer not out of affection or fear but out of the association of a trainer to its only source of food. The first stage of training is called manning. In this stage, the tethered raptor becomes accustomed to being handled and eating food from a gloved hand. During the next stage, a tethered raptor is rewarded with food for flying short distances and returning. The use of a hood on the bird kept the bird calm and prevents distractions while it is preparing to fly. Once a tethered raptor has learned to fly to his trainer consistently, the raptor can be brought out to an open meadow where they are taught to rise from the owner’s wrist on command and gain the experience of hunting. The introduction to the swing-lure is part of this next phase of training. A string is attached to one of the bird’s claws and the bird had circled around it would be reeled in at the falconer’s command. When the raptor makes a kill, the reward is only a small piece of the kill because only hungry raptors hunt. If the raptor is not hungry, it is possible that it will not return to the falconer. One of the misconceptions is that the raptor will bring back its kills to the falconer. The falconer must find his raptor; some use a dog as part of the team, and exchanges a fresh piece of meat for the catch. irportjournals. com Falconry became popular again in America in 1920 after an issue in the National Geographic Magazine published an article â€Å"Falconry, the sport of Kings†. Unfortunately, just as interest in falconry was peaking, the raptors were beginning to die due to synthetic chemical poisons such as DDT. This poison caused reproductive failure in many of the raptor birds including the peregrine falcon. The United States banned the use of DDT and enacted the Endangered Species Act that gave protection to some bird species including the Peregrine Falcon. Two U. S. falconers, Tom Cade and Heinz Meng, began a captive-breeding program to lead repopulation efforts of these endangered species. Their program has been very successful by breeding and releasing thousands of peregrines. The practice of modern day falconry is very similar to traditional falconry with some minor modifications. These modifications include: use of transmitters, type of birds used and the ability to use captive-breed birds. Often transmitters are now placed on the falcon in order to help a falconer locate his bird from several miles away. The type of birds used in modern falconry has increased. Birds such as the Red-Tail and Harris’ Hawk are two new additions that have been successfully used. Finally, ancient falconry required that a falconer trap his own bird from the wild. Today, falconers have the ability to selectively breed and hybridize their own birds. This came about during the time of repopulation efforts of the endangered Peregrine Falcon. Modern day falconry is currently being practiced in many countries around the world including the United States and is legal in all states except Hawaii and in the District of Columbia. The biggest change from traditional falconry is the restraints and legalities under which falconers must practice their sport. A falconer must possess both a state and federal license in addition to serving as an apprentice for 2 years under a licensed falconer. Only at this time, can the falconer possess either an American kestrel or a red-tailed hawk legally. Presently, there are over 10,000 licensed falconers in the United States. Falconry seems like a very interesting sport that I would definitely be interested in learning more about. If I had enough money and time, I might consider becoming a falconer as one of my hobbies.