Does Violence in Video Games Affect Youth

Why the Scientific Revolution did not Take Place in Chinaâ€Or Did It

Why the Scientific Revolution did not Take Place in China–Or Did It Introduction During the 16th and 17th centuries, new ideas were invented in the fields of biology, astronomy, chemistry and physics. These inventions transformed ancient and medieval perception of nature into modern science in the period that was called the scientific revolution.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Why the Scientific Revolution did not Take Place in China–Or Did It? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Scientific revolution began in Europe towards the end of the renaissance period. According to Sivin (10), it was during this period that human beings began explaining natural happenings without consultation of the Christian doctrine. Discussion The history of science and technology in China contributed much to the advancement of the global knowledge in science and technology. Philosophers in China made advancements in various disciplines including astronomy, mathematics, science and technology. Her bal and traditional Chinese medicine played an important role in the society. One of the ideas invented by the Chinese includes the shadow clock. Kites and Kongming lanterns are among other flying machines that were invented in China. The use of the compass, papermaking and printing as well as gunpowder spread to Europe and other countries in the world from China (Sivin 13). There are many reasons put forward to explain the reason behind the failure of scientific revolution in China. One of the reasons is geographical position of the country. The climate of Britain favors agriculture because of its fertile soils and animal keeping especially in the western parts of the country. Incidences of drought and diseases were rare in Britain. Apart from providing meat, animals served industrial purposes in Britain such as pulling ploughs and transportation of goods, a factor that contributed to its development (Sivin 15).Advertising Looking for assessment on asian? Let's see if we ca n help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Ecological benefits of Britain contributed much towards its industrialization unlike China. For instance, mines that were near markets made it easy for transportation of minerals. The northern part of China had coalmines that made the place unsafe as people feared attacks that forced them to migrate to the southern parts hence preventing extraction of coal. The steam power discovered from coal in Britain provided transport facilities using powerful machinery contributing to industrial revolution. Coal was obtained from Britain at cheaper prices motivating the country to continue with innovations (Sivin 20). This was not the case for China. The population of China plays a significant role in explaining why scientific revolution did not take place in the country. During this period, the population of China was higher than that of Europe. Laborers were paid low wages in China than in Europe because so many people were in need of jobs. Due to this reason, China did not see the need of developing devices to replace human labor. Furthermore, labor was not a problem. On the contrary, Europe had a small population and a large piece of arable land. In addition to this, Europe was frequently affected by natural disasters such as wars, famine and epidemics that reduced the population making it easier for countries in the region to manage their population needs. In addition, it meant that Europe had to look for ways of providing labor therefore establishing mechanization as the solution to their problem. The sparse population and need for employees meant increased salaries (Guohao Mengwen and Tianqin 83). Britain was technologically advanced than China that led to the earlier scientific revolution. Industrialization was mainly based on technological development and Europe had invented many things. For instance, Europe discovered how to capture heat and utilize it for human benefit. The problem in Chi na was because subsequent generations seemed to start from scratch instead of going on in advancing ideas already invented by earlier generations (Guohao Mengwen and Tianqin 120). The complex culture of the Chinese was a reason towards its delay in scientific revolution. Cultural traditions and customs like mode of diet commonly referred to as the cuisine, literature, music among other things vary from one city to another. The country was made up of different ethnic groups whose traditional practices were different.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Why the Scientific Revolution did not Take Place in China–Or Did It? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This implied that there was no unity in the country as far as cultural practices were concerned. This made it difficult to join the people together for development of the county. Ebrey Walthall and Palais point out that for successful technological advancement, people should have common values and practices as symbol of unity (369). Scientific revolution was delayed because China did not produce surplus that could be exchanged with other countries to earn them foreign exchange. The country’s main crop was rice and most of it was consumed locally. In addition to this, accessibility was a problem. Transport facilities were not fully developed for easy transportation of goods making it difficult for commerce, which was crucial in the development of the economy (Ebrey Walthall and Palais 372). Conclusion In conclusion, scientific revolution marked a very significant period in many countries because it led to advancement in technology. In spite of the importance attached to the phase, China did not encounter the phase revolution at the same time when Europe did because of its large population, geographical setting and inadequate output. Before this period, most of the work was done manually, which was untidy and time-consuming. However, the invention of machine labor made work easier. Work that should have been done for many days could be done in few hours. Ebrey, Patricia, Walthall Anne and Palais, James. East Asia: A cultural, social, and political history. London: Cengage Learning, 2008.Print. Guohao, In, Mengwen, Zhang and Tianqin, Cao. Explorations in the history of science and technology in china. Shanghai: Shanghai Chinese Classics Publishing House, 1982.Print.Advertising Looking for assessment on asian? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Sivin, Nathan. Why the scientific revolution did not take place in China or did it? Shanghai: Chinese Science, 1982.Print

Retail failue Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Retail failue - Essay Example Failures and bankruptcy cannot occur overnight. The symptoms start showing years ahead of the actual failure. According to Mellahi, Jackson and Sparks (2002) organizational failure can occur due to changes in both the external and internal business environment, but failure is necessarily caused by the external factors over which the managers have no control, contend Sharma and Mahajan (1980) and Mellahi and Wilkinson (2004). This is because the external environment imposes pressures and constraints on the firm’s strategies that can lead to failure. This suggests that firms do not fail due to the inefficiency of the management but they fall victims of the external environment. Changes in customer tastes, brand switching, cyclical decline in demand, competitive rivalry, technological uncertainties due to product and process innovations, are some of the external factors that can lead to organizational failure (Mellahi, Jackson & Sparks, 2002). In addition, retailers undergo the à ¢â‚¬Ëœwheel of retailing’ where they start as low cost, low set business offering modest products but as they develop, they add to the ambience, the products and then they make themselves vulnerable to the other new entrants. Circumstances lead to the inability to respond to the threats of the business. This suggests management inefficiency as the cause of organizational failure. ... When trading conditions became difficult, they sought new trading opportunities. Their decisions were such that at one point they were confused whether they were retailers or consumer finance company (Pal, Medway & Byrom, 2006). They operated under uncertain micro-environment conditions; they changed their format and refurbished their stores when the real estate market was at its height. Failure at AGS was a multi-factor issue. There was no top management homogeneity and hence continuity and growth was also affected. Each decision maker had his own perception and this was based on the micro- and macro- environment prevalent during his tenure. Managers also tend to become blinded to their own weaknesses and strengths, to the customer demands and to the competitors (Mellahi, Jackson & Sparks, 2002). Once success is achieved, overconfidence and arrogance steps in. When organizations become conditioned to exploit their old advantages, they become vulnerable to failure. They either ignore or do not respond to new opportunities. These are internal inadequacies in dealing with external threats. Impulsive decisions, poorly informed managers and the habit of taking unwanted risks are also some of the causes that can cause failure. Managers fail to react to external threats and they continue to focus on the internal methods that were successful in the past. Marks & Spencer’s (M&S) the legendary UK retailers, referred to as ‘managerial giant in the western world’ by Peter Drucker, was recognized as one of the best managed companies in the world. It started facing survival crisis since 1998. M&S were blinded by their past success and refused to advertise (except for new store openings) or make any other

Regulations Influencing The UK Construction Industry Essay

Regulations Influencing The UK Construction Industry - Essay Example Due to this concern, sustainable construction’s concept emerged, while national governments passed a number of regulations to help in the management of the large construction industry. Undeniably, sustainable construction remains an imperative channel of improving the construction industry’s performance, hence rendering it more sustainable. Consequently, national governments have helped to reduce the environmental challenges posed by the diverse construction activities (Hackett et al, 2006). The construction sector remains an imperative industry in the UK. It has profound social, environmental, and economical impacts. According to Barkham (2012), the construction industry of the UK contributes around 10 percent of the total GDP of the UK. Besides, it provides over 1.5 million individuals with employment. However, it has dire environmental effects attributed to the diverse construction activities. For instance, the UK reports an annual average waste of about 70 million t ones with about half of all generated energy being used by the sector. The UK has passed several acts, including the Anti -Corruption Act of 2012. Such developments have improved sustainable construction levels throughout the nation, even though it still lags much behind compared to the other European nations (Morton, 2007). The purpose of this paper is to examine some regulations, which impact upon the UK construction industry and the impacts they have had upon it. The first regulator of the construction industry is the CIS (Construction Industry Scheme). The CIS stipulates the rules and procedures of how contractors must handle their subcontractors’ payment during construction work within the construction sector. The CIS applies primarily to construction contractors and subcontractors within the mainstream construction activities. Conversely, the firms and businesses whose central work is not construction are required to handle their work as contractors within the construct ion sector; they consequently fall under CIS. This is usually applicable to firms and businesses that have a relatively high yearly expenditure on construction work (Morton, 2007). All contractors under CIS must follow some stipulated regulations when paying their subcontractors. Subcontractors are advised to register themselves with the HMRC and ensure they inform them about any changes they make to their businesses in order to ascertain that they are paid their dues correctly (Morton, 2007). Contractors under CIS are also obliged to make their monthly returns every month. Finally, both contractors and subcontractors working under the CIS should update the HMRC about any alterations they make to their business since their registration with the scheme. These changes or details include change in address, business legal structure changes, liquidation, and cessation of operations among other issues (Ruddock, 2008). Another important regulation is the 2008’s Climate Change Act of the UK, which became a law on first December 2008. This act concerns itself with the cutback of greenhouse gases emission. It goes further to affirm that the UK government has a binding duty of assessing the diverse risks associated with climate change within the UK. Conversely, this act only guarantees a certain level of carbon cutback by the year 2050. In addition, it affirms that carbon emissions must be minimized by at least twenty six percent and eighty percent by 2020 and 2050 respectively. The government intends to achieve this via several ways involving increased carbon pricing and utilization of renewable energy (Myers, 2008). Therefore, it is advisable to mull over

The marriage cure, inadequate solution of poverty Essay

The marriage cure, inadequate solution of poverty - Essay Example From ancient times a marriage supposed to be the effective tool to eliminate poverty. But is it an adequate solution today Literary critics express different views as for the Boo's article message. Some of them suppose that the research suggesting that governments and individuals tend to benefit from an increase in marriage rates is at this point very persuasive, and don't see much point in being coy about it. Marriage is probably the most cost-efficient antipoverty instrument a society possesses (Stewart, 2004). The author gives special detailed attention to the difficulty which can follow single women in marriage rush. The article describes the problems of two single women and the imperfection of the institution marriage at the beginning of the 21st century. In the article Boo describes the realities of a marriage promotion program and their outcomes for low-income woman. She wrote: "Still, the days now contained enough hours for a reasonable woman to fret about her future" (Boo, 2003). In one of her interview Boo argues that: "And if, inspired by that indoctrination, Kim, whose income was less than ten thousand dollars, manages to meet and marry a man who makes ten thousand dollars, their combined income would remove both of them... Boo criticizes the Bush's welfare reform to eliminate poverty by marriage and sees it as inadequate solution giving supported reasons. Some critics argue that success in the workforce may make women more independent and therefore more selective about the men they will consider marrying. In addition, more time at work means less time to pursue relationships, especially for single mothers whose time is already stretched thin (Stewart, 2004).. The important fact to note is that poverty is a complex problem which is difficult to solve in one day. Bear in mind the facts mentioned by Katherine Boo it is possible to say that if this problem of poverty can be solved by successful marriage, our society would not have poor creatures looking for better days. Race, gender, familial status, age, and place of residence are some but not all of the characteristics that enhance the risk of living in poverty. Boo gives a vivid examples contrasting with those "rosy dreams" proposed by Bush's administration. She describes that Kim's annual income was: "five thousand dollars, but, except for ten months when she and her husband first separated, she had not received welfare. The child support was supposed to have covered us, but when it stopped coming I couldn't afford a lawyer" (Boo, 2003). The marriage cure is nothing more than survival of time affected the mind of many single women. "Marriage promotion programs, therefore, must be viewed in the context of battered women's lives and how poverty and children affect their decision-making. Most moms I know will do anything for their children and this often includes putting up with years of violence and abuse. When you tell a woman who is desperately trying to keep a roof over her head, put food on

An analysis of internal controls

An analysis of internal controls Internal control as a process, effected by an entitys board of directors, management and other personnel, designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of objectives in Three categories: 1. Effectiveness and efficiency of operations 2. Reliability of financial reporting, and 3. Compliance with applicable laws and regulations 1.Internal control our EDP System Internal controls are a vigorous part of accounting and data processing systems. It is important that the auditor be aware with the functions and uses of internal controls with respect to both manual and automatic systems. The controls of an electronic data processing system (EDP) and their identification, evaluation, and importance to the external auditor 1.1.1. Importance of Internal Control Internal controls are a important part of accounting and data processing systems. It is important that the auditor be familiar with the functions and uses of internal controls with respect to both manual and automatic systems. 1.1.2. What are Internal Controls? In a broad sense, internal control comprises controls which embrace the organizational plan and the methods used to protection the assets, create the dependability of financial data and records, endorse working efficacy and loyalty to managerial policies. Internal control is categorized by independence between departments and lines of vicarious duty and authority. It is important that these internal controls verify the dependability and correctness of the data supportive all transactions using control total techniques, sanctions and approvals, contrasts, and other tests of data accuracy. Committee on Auditing Procedure. Auditing Standards and Procedures, Statements on Auditing Procedure No. 33. New York: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, 2008, p. 27. 1.1.3. Why Internal Controls are Important? Before management can make judgments to maximize the long run profit of a firm, it must first have dependable accounting data on which to base these decisions. This info should be timely, accurate, complete, and reliable. The protection of the assets of the firm against losses from misappropriation, robbery, failure to take discounts, inadequacy, and unjustified delays of credit are some functions of internal control that should be sufficiently interweaved in any good accounting system. These controls are necessary to assure management that the agreed procedures and orders are obeyed to since the management of large companies are not usually involved in personal supervision of their employees. Therefore, controls add reliability to accounting and financial data. Internal controls are important to deliver appropriate segregation of functional responsibilities and to create a system of authorization and sanction to provide reasonable safety over these assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. Sound practices shadowed in the performance of duties with in the organization and the allocations of persons of a quality appropriate with responsibilities are two additional necessary and correct functions of internal controls in any system. 1.1.4. Why the Auditor is Concerned with Internal Controls? Management identifies the needs and importance of internal controls as valuable tools to assure that events and transactions are properly carried out. The use and attendance of sufficient internal controls loans reliance and credibility to accounting records and consequently, reduces the length and detail of the audit. These internal controls reduce monotonous, routine, mechanical checks and verifications of bookkeeping accuracy, authorizing replacement of less time consuming approaches that involve judgment, reasoning, and common sense. 1.2. Internal Control Over Financial Reporting The internal control system of an entity is severely interconnected to the structure used by management to supervise the activities of the organization, or to what is defined as the entitys corporate governance. Good corporate governance should deliver proper inducements for the board and management to follow purposes that are in the interest of the company and shareholders and should ease effective monitoring, thereby encouraged firms to use resources more proficiently (OECD Principles of Corporate Governance). The Board of Directors is thus accountable for providing governance, supervision and oversight for senior management and guaranteeing that a suitable internal control system is in place and effective, meaning it ensure that foreseeable objectives are attained. Financial reporting is the connection between the company and its external environment. One of the main features which contributed to these failures relate to the internal control system established around the disclosure of information to stakeholders. It seemed that not attaining the objective of effective internal control system over financial reporting demoralizes the status of a company, even at the attendance of many other control components, making it problematic or impossible for a company to be dependable on the market, to be able to collect financing resources, to be believable to shareholders and stakeholders in general. 1.2.1. Role of the Internal Auditor in Evaluating Internal Controls The Internal auditor should scrutinize and contribute to the continuing effectiveness of the internal control system through evaluation and commendations. Though, the internal auditor is not lodged with managements primary obligation for designing, applying, maintaining and documenting internal control. Internal audit functions add value to an organizations internal control system by transporting an orderly, disciplined approach to the evaluation of risk and by making commendations to strengthen the effectiveness of risk management struggles. The internal auditor should emphasis towards improving the internal control structure and promoting better corporate governance. The role of the internal auditor consists of: Evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of internal control à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Commending new controls where essential or stopping unnecessary controls à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Using control framework à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Developing Control self-valuation The internal auditors assessment of internal control includes: Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Determining the significance and the compassion of the risk for which controls are being measured; Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Measuring the vulnerability to misuse of resources, failure to reach objectives concerning moralities, economy, efficiency and effectiveness, or failure to accomplish accountability obligations, and non-obedience with laws and regulations. Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Identifying and understanding the design and operation of related controls. Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Determining the grade of control effectiveness through testing of controls. Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Measuring the sufficiency of the control design. Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Reporting on the internal control evaluation and debating the essential corrective actions. The comprehensive areas of review by the internal auditor in assessing the internal control System are: Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Mission, vision, ethical and organizational worth system of the entity. Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Personnel allocation, evaluation system, and growth policies Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Accounting and financial reporting policies and obedience with applicable legal and regulatory standards Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Objective of dimension and key performance pointers Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Documentation standards Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Risk management structure Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Operational framework Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Processes and procedures followed Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Degree of management administration Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Information systems, communication channels Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Business Continuousness and Disaster Recovery Procedures The internal auditor should get an understanding of the important processes and internal control systems adequate to plan the internal audit engagement and develop an effective audit tactic. The internal auditor should use professional finding to assess and evaluate the adulthood of the entitys internal control. The auditor should obtain an understanding of the control environment sufficient to evaluate managements attitudes, consciousness and actions regarding internal controls and their importance in the entity. Such an understanding would also help the internal auditor to make an initial assessment of the sufficiency of the accounting and internal control systems as a basis for the preparation of the financial statements, and of the likely nature, timing and magnitude of internal audit procedures. The internal auditors measures the as is internal control system within the organization. The internal auditor should become an understanding of the internal control. Procedures adequate to develop the audit plan. In obtaining that understanding, the internal auditor would consider knowledge about the attendance or absence of control procedures obtained from the understanding of the control environment, business processes and accounting system in determining whether any additional understanding of control procedures is essential. The internal auditor should document and understand the design and operations of internal controls to assess the effectiveness of the control environment. When attaining an understanding of the business processes, accounting and internal control systems to plan the audit, the internal auditor obtains information of the design of the internal control systems and their operation. For example, an internal auditor may perform a walk-through test that is; present a few transactions through the accounting system. When the transactions selected are typical of those transactions that pass through the system, this procedure may be treated as part of the tests of control. The internal auditor should deliberate the following aspects in the evaluation of internal control system in an entity: Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Discovering the entity has a mission statement and written goals and objectives. Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Evaluating risks at the activity (or process) level. Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Completing a Business Controls worksheet for each important activity (or process) in each function or department with documentation of the attendant controls and their degree of effectiveness (partial or full); arranging those activities (or processes) which are most critical to the success of the function or department Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Ensuring that all risks identified at the entity and function or department level are addressed in the Business Controls worksheet along with the combined documentation of the operating controls. Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Discovering from the Business Controls worksheet, those risks for which no controls exist or existing controls are insufficient. 1.2.2. The assessment of internal control over financial reporting The total assessment gives a complete opinion of the effectiveness of entitys internal control system across internal control components. To facilitate the comparability with other entities and give complete assessment of the effectiveness of an entitys internal control system as such, universal system for evaluations is needed. Assessments and audits of internal control system should be tailor-made to the size, business, operations, risks, and procedures of each company, not directed by standardized lists (Heuberger 2009). This should more exactly identify possible problems, promote more efficient allocation of resources to higher-risk areas, and encourages a focus on outcomes rather than on processes. Internal control over financial reporting can be judged effective when reasonable assurance subsists that financial statements are being prepared reliably. Quantitative assessments are intended to measure the level of confidence that can be placed on the internal control systems ability to perform effectively (Perry 2010). Perry and Warner (Ibid: 52-55) have suggested a five-step model for quantitative assessment of internal control system, which is described on figure 1.1. The most important feature to note in this framework is scoring individual control objectives against the selected model. Using a suitable framework as a basis of the evaluation helps to attain a complete and structured assessment without missing important features of internal control. Figure 1.1. Quantitative assessment of internal controls. Perry 2010: 52-55. A framework can be deemed suitable as the fundamental for evaluation, when it is free from bias; it permits reasonably consistent qualitative and quantitative measurements; it is adequately complete so that those related factors that would modify a conclusion about the effectiveness of a companys internal control over financial reporting are not mislaid; and it is related to the evaluation (PCAOB 2009: 11). There are two key components of quantitative scoring: establishing how the maximum score will be assigned within the model and determining what percentage of the total allotted score to award to each control components. The initial COSO cube provides insight into the importance of the five internal control components in relative to each other, emphasizing the great importance of control environment and observing. However, Perry. (2010:54) note that those performing the assessment should apply their own experience with and information of internal controls and use this in combining with COSO guidance. COB IT model describes numerous different levels of dependability or maturity of an internal control system. Levels may range from initial, the lowest level of dependability, to optimized, the highest. COBIT Internal control reliability model is drawing the evaluators consideration to different features of the effectiveness of internal control, which would otherwise go unobserved, e.g. documentation and perceived value of controls. At the same time, this model is incomplete with respect to COSO internal control framework, because control environment and risk assessment are not comprised. Also, difficulties may arise greatly in small and medium-sized enterprises, where documentation regarding internal control system is limited and control procedures informal, but consciousness, communication and observing functioning might still be at high level. The Internal Control Institute in the US features six categories in rating internal control components. Groups range from reactive controls to world class system pronounced in table 1.3. Each category is worth a percentage that is proportionate with the attained level of control (Perry 2005: 54). Specifically, category 1 is worth 162/3 percent (1/6) and category 6 is the highest level of maturity and is worth100 percent. The points for each control principle should be assigned according to the evaluated percentage of proposed maximum score, then concise and an assessment report prepared. In this system, the evaluators score the internal control over financial reporting according to the fulfillment of the principles of internal control through numerous criteria. The total evaluation of internal control is attained through summarizing the scores across objectives and components. Perrys model allows giving an total numerical opinion of the effectiveness of the internal control system, taking into account the distinct features of every organization by assigning different percentages for different control principles and components according to the entitys size, ownership and business activities. The assessment of the efficiency of internal control over financial reporting in an entity is closely associated to the concept of fraud. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) defines fraud as those intentional misrepresentations of financial statements and other records which are carried out to conceal the misappropriation of assets or otherwise for gain (Pickett 2000: 550). For a person to commit fraud, three factors need to be in place: incentive or burden, chance and rationalization (Rittenberg 2005: 301; Pickett 2000: 550).

The Dawn Of Understanding: Three Years Later :: essays research papers

Throughout my life, the same scene in the television screen registered in different ways. The camera zooms in for the last shot of a lone hyena wheezing his way out of life. He may be dying of heat exhaustion or thirst or hunger, but his small eyes roll side to side slowly and then....just.....stop. Equally significant and striking is the close-up of the very violent death of a baby seal as a hyena simultaneously shakes him into submission and breaks his spine. The camera is always held steady; no one is shocked or upset yet the sense that something important has happened is always instilled in me. When I was younger I would cry during the sad moment in movies when someone died. The person or animal had a name and an identity which gave them a level of reality. My fascination for animals existed even then and I often followed with my eyes and imagination the lives of the documented animal. I turned away from the brashness of the lion tearing into the zebra because I turned away from all violence but I was too disgusted to feel any real compassion. Perhaps reality was harder to absorb than fiction. Perhaps these scenes weren't real to me because what I had seen of death in my own experience always involved sorrow and the cameramen felt none, the sun felt none and the narrator felt none. Later in my life I realized the zebra or coyote or prairie dog that was being forced to succumb to dehydration or starvation was real. I don't think that I had ever, consciously seen anything die before; watched the same close-up many times before but never really seen anything die. Insects perhaps; never a person, never a baby lemur, never a cat, never anything except within the confines of fiction. What my mind had seen as I sat there was the product of lighting and actors and a voice but unlike real fiction, this did not seem real. As I have lived in a city for most of my life and never truly experienced what wildlife was like, this was it; the cameras lent my alienated consciousness a sense of the reality experienced by the other inhabitants of this earth: the four legged (and sometimes two-legged) ones. I was being carried on the shoulders of Richard Nassau and Michael Drencher as they journeyed to the desserts of Africa and mountains of Peru.