The Robot in the Crib Essay Example for Free

The Robot in the Crib Essay 1) The background or motivation for the study, and the authors’ hypotheses or expectations. One’s life is the distance that one covers from the womb to the tomb. It is the mammoth journey, the joint efforts of about 500million sperm. They travel through the vagina, move to the uterus and reach the fallopian tube. Since sperm have a sense of smell, they smell their way to the egg. When egg and sperm merge and become one, conception takes place. ..And this is the beginning of enquiry, for a set of individuals that are outside the womb-the brain scientists/the developmental psychologists! The growth of two separate yet one consciousnesses, one growing within the other, is the marvel of nature, which is the concern of scientists for investigation. The actual study related to the subject of this article is the post-womb growth of the child, when it comes out after completing the nine month’s journey within. Research has revealed that human beings develop the capacity to understand other’s intentions during early in the first year of life. The developmental scientists lay emphasis of the brilliance of little minds and caution not to underestimate the brain capacity of the babies. It has been observed that the newborn babies, 42 minute old, imitate facial expressions. Stick your tongue out and see that the baby sticking its tongue out. This behavior is the pointer to something intense and deep within. The baby knows more than what you imagine it to know. Why and how the infants behave the way they do? Will roboticsts be able to match and reproduce the movements and talents related to various expressions of infants accurately? This is the prime motivation for research by the Developmental Psychologists. 2) A brief description of the participants, procedure, and methods: What is fundamental to human thought is the ability to read the intentions of other people. Not the physical motions involved, but the goals or intentions that cause these motions are important. Initially, infants’ action is that of grasping. Secondly even when the baby does not physically act on, it has the foundation for understanding when others attend to objects. To cite an example, when a person opens the lid of a box, the baby becomes aware that the goal is not the box, but the object inside the box. Further developments will provide the foundation, the initiative to learn from their caregivers. During the second year, children adopt critical abilities, like language, culturally appropriate behavior etc. They constantly observe the adults and try to emulate them. â€Å"Developmental psychologists have dedicated significant effort to studying the developmental progression of infant imitation skills, because imitation underlies the infant’s ability to understand and learn from his or her social environment.†(Demirisa†¦.) This has been an ideal issue for the roboticsts to intervene and make efforts to equip robots with the ability to observe and emulate human actions. The abilities acquired thus, will equip robots to observe and imitate human actions, paving way for rapid teaching of robots to perform specified tasks. Therefore the analysis relates two fronts. â€Å": (a) initial conditions what is innate in infants, and what functionality is initially given to robots, and (b) Developmental mechanism how does the performance of infants improve over time, and what mechanisms are given to robots to achieve equivalent behavior.†(Demirisa†¦.) The Development of Inverse and Forward Models is another set of model that makes detailed study of infant responses vs. their application in the science of roboticsts, but the child always proves smarter and leaves the robot stranded. Another important theory is the Emotion Theory. Here the mechanism employed is to give the robot with rich, recurring enforcement through emotive channels of communication. This theory offers explanations and possible solutions to the associated questions like how the robot can learn to associate the emotive content on the caretaker’s face with immediate stimulus conditions and action. 3) The main results and important points in the authors’ discussion. The important points in the author’s discussion are the Nature vs. the Nature debate in the natural sciences. The simple tasks performed by the child are very complex from the point t of view of getting them done through robot. It is unanimously agreed that tabula rasa algorithms for robot learning are not going to provide the desired results. It is not practicable to pre-impose designer’s own conceptions on the control structure of robot. â€Å"Imitation, which is seen as a fundamental avenue of learning in humans has been proposed as a promising method for a compromise between the two approaches. The robot architecture is designed to adapt in order to benefit from other agents’ knowledge; imitation can be used as a mechanism of learning for the robot in human and robot societies.†(Demirisa†¦)Human infants are the subject of study by the developmental scientists for more than a century, by observation and experimental techniques. Their issue was simple and direct. With what capabilities the infants are born and how these develop over the period with experience and time. Imitation is one of the important factors. Soon the infants transcend the imitate-the-actions stage and grasp the underlying intentions and goals of demonstrators. Developmental studies of infant imitation skills are the foundation for roboticsts new algorithms. It provides the method for transferring skills from humans to robots 4) In addition, you are required to provide your OWN critique (and not one that was provided by the author/s), which may include problems with any aspect of the study (and how these problems/issues can be addressed), and/or suggestions for future research (if you are suggesting a future study, try to be as specific as possible). Robotics has made tremendous strides but there can never be a perfect robot of an infant. Many things can be achieved, there can be a good robot, but the ultimate robot will never be commissioned. For, robot is the mind product, and the infant is beyond-the-mind product. The knowledge of the robot is pre-programmed, but not that of infants. The comparison between infants and the related robots is as good as comparing the original currency with the devalued currency if not the duplicate one. The infants’ situation is mostly unclear and unpredictable. Infants do observe others to get some of their goals. But they also act with their own intuition and inspiration and perform random acts, which baffle their elders. They have their own special source, the incomparable one, of motivation, for which no precedent exists. So, the original question remains the original question! There can never be a complete robot—but all infants are complete. Every infant is original. For its response follows a pattern known only to it. It has no precedents. Model-based approach to the issue will continue to be researched and modified and the state of finality and perfection can never be reached. Developmental psychology, however, offers infinite possibilities for study and research. The infants are integrated personalities-their traits are that of Commander and soldiers integrated into one. In the role of a commander, the infant will assert its wish, as a soldier will exhibit discipline by obeying the command. This is an unpredictable issue and that is the problem of robticsts, which eludes the solution so far. New issues surface. For example, hierarchical formulations have been proposed and used. This is an interesting area for research with limitless possibilities. The technological advancement and the impact of the TV culture is going to affect the infant responses and the robot designers need to do overtime, to study and understand the implications. Infant development is an extraordinary process, as for brain and behavior. It is the culmination of thousands of experiences each day that happen—their intensity increases as babies move independently and explore their own world. The actions and functions of the robots can only be consequential.

Free Song of Solomon Essays: Erotica :: Song Solomon essays

Erotica in Song of Solomon The use of erotica can be seen very clearly in the "Song of Solomon". First of all, one must keep in mind that it comes from the bible so one will not here vulgar things or even words that you know are directly talking about sex. However, if you read closely, you can here the implicit remarks that these young lovers seems to be making, not only about each others body, but also about what each would like to do with the other. The first time that the male of the genre talks about his lover he describes her physical attributes. The most obvious is the description of her breast in which he says, "Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins"(7:3). When you here this statement one can only think that he is referring to her large perky (since she says young) perfectly round breast. When he talks about his lovers thighs, he not only praises them, he describes what the very most upper part of his lovers thighs look like: "the joints of thy thighs are like jewels"(7:1). One can only ask the question of how would this person know about someone's most upper part of their thigh, the part that is right next to the genitalia? This leaves much to the imagination. He also talks about her navel saying, "thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor"(7:2). When trying to interpret this quote, one must first keep in mind the fact that this is taking place during biblical times. During these times it was not proper for people to see, what was then looked at as X-rated parts of one another. Of course the exception to this rule would be if two people were married (or having an affair). So one can ask the question of how would this person know about the size and shape of another person's navel, which is hidden underneath everyday clothes? It seems not only does he know about its size and shape but also how it tastes. Again, the imagination of the reader is allowed to search the options. Not only is there sexual talk about physical appearances, but there is also talk about what will happen when the two of them are together alone. She is at one point looking for him and when she finds him she says that she held him and had him follow her and would not let go, ".

Hyundai Case Study Essay

Part I Overview 1. Time Context Mr. Muhammad Soeparno was appointed by thegovernment of Indonesia to succeed Mr. Lumenta as President Director of GarudaIndonesia Airways on January 6, 1988. He had to announce his decision in frontof his head quarter’s employees during the monthly flag raising ceremony heldon the 17th of each month. Thus, the problem has to be solved on the 17thJanuary, 11 days after his inauguration. 2. Viewpoint From the first place, the problem was aroused fromthe new President Director of the company. And the person who has the abilityand authority to solve the problem was Mr. Muhammad Soeparno. 3. Major Policy Statement Garuda Indonesia Airways was an airline company. Itwas the first airline company in Indonesia and was reported as the biggest inthe Southern Hemisphere. And since it was owned by the government of Indonesia,its basic goal is to support the success of the development of airtransportation and tourism of the country. 4. Background of the Case Garuda Indonesia Airways was able to operate infull swing March 1, 1950 since the historical time an aircraft bearing theIndonesian flag crossed the skies carrying the name of Indonesian Airway. Itsflight network continued to expand encompassing all of Indonesia, Singapore,Bangkok, manila and was able to establish routes reaching Europe and Tokyo. Garuda continued to grow and gradually beganreplacing their propellered aircraft with full jets. In 1960’s, Garuda had beenthe only airline operating the domestic routes. However, such monopoly positionhad failed to help the company to grow because the Indonesian economy had beendeteriorating during that decade. In 1966, the New Order Government took over Garuda(Soekarno) as it was going through difficult times and was unable to contributetowards national development. The result was a sustained period of high growthin the economy. The oil boom in the early 1970’s generated a highereconomic growth for Indonesia and for this in turn sustained passengers growthfor Garuda. In 1979, the improvement works are done on runways in majorairports (Supono). And by this time, Garuda experienced another breakdownbecause of its poor services and coincidence of almost simultaneous delivery ofairbuses and a decline to the number of passengers. And these problems wereresolved partly on 1984 (Lumenta). 5. Environment Analysis A. SWOT Analysis Strengths  · Garuda Indonesiamonopolizes the use of jets  · It wasproclaimed as the biggest airline in the Southern Hemisphere  · It has twosubsidiary companies, one providing airline catering in the three majorairports in Indonesia and the other running a chain of resort hotels.  · Garuda wasconsidered that has much below rates that offered by Asia’s more popularairlines like Singapore, Thai International, Japan or Cathay Pacific. Weaknesses  · Systems in allaspects: sales, preparation, flight, supervisory  · The risk ofhaving the magnitude of the debt servicing  · Inefficiency ofits international operations  · The company’sorganization is still unsteady that makes the organizational behaviorincompetent in supporting the company Opportunities  · Political willof the government in tourism  · The still-abundant-availableseat capacity  · The economicgrowth of Indonesia Threats  · The moreincreasing competition  · The uncertaineconomic situation  · The bureaucracywhich still caused problems in managing company professionalism B. CompetitorAnalysis The directcompetitors of Garuda are Singapore, Thai International, Japan and CathayPacific Airlines. These airlines are more popular than Garuda and offer alittle higher cost than Garuda. They render services better. 6. Present Company Departmental Plans A. Product Planningand Development- expansion of flight network and improvement works on airportsand runways B. Market Planning-it serves for all passengers C. FinancialPlanning- no definite financial planning presented D. ProductionPlanning- it acquires new equipments and aircrafts by buying E. ManpowerPlanning- good performance of the staff F. Organizationalplanning- good implementation of strategies Part II Problem Resolution 1. Background of the Problem It was in 1981 that Garuda proclaimed as thebiggest airline in the Southern Hemisphere and has reported a net loss of U.S.$ 46 million for the year ended December 1983 leaving Mr. R.A.J. Lumenta, thenew President of Garuda, debts amounting to U.S. $ 1.3 billion at 12% interestper annum. Mr. Lumenta adopted a strategic thinking in making plans to turn thecompany’s situation around including Garuda’s lack of competitiveness inservice, visibility and distribution. And so, he almost did, and then he was replacedby Mr. Mohammad Soeparno. 2. Statement of the Problem How would Mr. Mohammad Soeparno maintain Mr.Lumenta’s eager in resolving the company’s problem which would enhance thecompany’s ability to deal with the challenges it may face during his term andbeyond? 3. Statement of Objectives The company, after addressing the root problemshould achieve and expect the following objectives: a. To improveGaruda Indonesia’s internal control especially in policy of setting a newmanagement team of the company. b. To develop thecompany’s plans in addressing the maintenance stability of the company. c. To be moreresponsive to the market demands and to be adept to adapting those changes. d. To keep ahead ofthe competition intoday’s age of modern air travel. 4. Areas of Consideration The areas of consideration in solving the probleminclude the history of the company’s management and their standing under eachmanagement, the outside environment of the company and their competitors. 5. Alternative Courses of Action A. Mr. Mohammad Soeparnoshould continue the policies what Mr. R.A.J. Lumenta has contributed as aresponse to the increasing uncertainties of the company. B. Mr. MohammadSoeparno should formulate a new set of policies for the company to attest hisworth as the new president of the company. C. Mr. MohammadSoeparno should decline from the position. 6. Analysis of the Alternatives A. Continuation ofthe Policies Advantages  · There is a less possibilityof risk because the policies are proven to be effective.  · Mr. Soeparnowould be tested to flexibility since the policies were not his own.  · The policieswere already given the company a good response on the uncertainties in and outof the company. Disadvantages  · The existingpolicies might not be successful to be carried out by Mr. Soeparno.  · There might be agap between his understanding about the policies and the understanding of theperson who originally formulated them. B. Formulation ofNew Policies Advantages  · Mr. Soeparnowould prove that he was worth of the position he was given.  · Formulation ofnew set of policies means that there is a chance of gaining more respect fromthe company organization. Disadvantages  · The new set ofpolicies might not be effective as the old policies the company currently has.  · The company wasnot ready to for new set of policies. C. Declining fromthe Position Advantages  · Mr. Soeparnowould feel less responsibility in the company’s fate.  · Mr. Soeparnowould feel not pressured. Disadvantages  · Mr. Soeparnoshows that he is not competitive and not worthy of the position.  · Mr. Soeparnowould feel disappointment from the organization. 7. Decision Statement After analyzing the alternative courses of actionpresented above, it showed that the best was the first alternative. It isbecause aside from it generates more advantages than the others, it also showsthat the company has already been attached to it and the result was not onlygood but better. The existing policies managed the company to stand again fromits depression. The other two alternatives were also be solutions but they areonly getting the company into risk again. Part III Implementation Program 1. Action Plans A. Long-term ActionPlans a. Garuda’simprovement in implementing its strategy regarding its structure, system, style (leadership), staff andskill. b. Garudahas to keep up with the changes in the internel and external environment. B. Short-termAction Plans a. Sustenance of the policies to maintain theproductivity of the company. b. Improvement ofsome of the policies for more enhancement of the company’s productivity as awhole. 2. Proposed CompanyOperational Plans A. Product Planningand Development- periodically infrastructure improvements for better services B. Market Planning-it serves for all passengers and reach for them perfectly with high hospitality C. FinancialPlanning- sells theunproductive assets D. ProductionPlanning- it acquires new equipments and aircrafts by buying E. ManpowerPlanning- good training system will be conducted regularly for better outcomesfrom customers and organization F. Organizationalplanning- better implementation of the policies and strategies of the company 3. Other Problems and Proposed Solutions Other Problems Proposed Solutions Employee/Staff-Customer Relationship Garuda should have a good training system and have some strength in increasing customer satisfaction. Domestic Airline Competition Indonesia people still look at â€Å"price† as a determinant variable. So the lower price strategy that has been implemented by its competitor, the new comer firm could disturb Garuda market. Garuda could loose its loyal customer. So strategy that must be done by Garuda is by improving its quality service. Securiry Issue Garuda have to respond to the terrorist attacks by improving procedures and aircraft security to help restore travelers’ confidence. Even, it means price, but it is very useful for Garuda’s future. Safety and security is the most important thing that are needed by the passenger. Part1 Overview 1. Time Context The problem has to besolved in the year 1989. 2. Viewpoint Mr. Chung Ju Yung theowner of the Hyundai group has the ability and authority to solve the companyproblem. 3. Major PolicyStatement The Hyundai group featuredas one of the principal engines of the Korean economic miracle in the past twodecades. The Hyundai group makes a wide range of products- ships, bridges,cars, cement, steel and etc. They do not only prosper there in Korea but alsoin Middle East. They even gained praises from New York Times correspondent. 4. Background ofthe Case Company Hyundai Company wasfounded by Chung Ju Yung in 1967 and immediately partnered with the ford motorcompany to produce the Cortina compact car in 1968. Hyundai focused onmanufacturing quality economy cars and began exporting excel to the Unitedstates in 1986. Today Hyundai consistently ranks among the top quality importcars in the U.S. Hyundai group manufacture products such as ships,bridges, buildings, cars, cement, steel, chemicals, oil drilling platforms,microchips, sneakers, pipes, furniture and locomotives. In early 1980’s hedecided to make Hyundai a factor in the electronics industry, focusing at firston production of semiconductors. Later Hyundai become the largest automobilemanufacturer in Korea. For Hyundai to grow as an extension of its founder’spersonality it is not surprising that the management style in the organizationhad always been authoritarian. Industry Hyundai group covered all kinds of industry. Itis involved in ship building, construction of bridges, cars, otherinfrastructure, steel, cements, oil drilling platforms and even manufacturingof microchips and became the largest enterprise in South Korea. Management Theprojects and activities of Hyundai is headed by its owner Mr. Chung Ju Yung andmanaged by his surviving son Mr. Chung Mong Ku. It is also said that part ofthe private enterprises in Korea are open to the government, thus the presidentis also responsible for the management of Korea. 5. Environmental Analysis a. SWOT analysis Strengths 1. Strong Domestic Market 2. Good Quality of products 3. Cheap labor cost Weaknesses 1. Poor management style 2. Making poor investment decision Opportunities Middle East warm welcome to Hyundai gives them a good start in international business. The Government sees Hyundai with a good impression. Threats 1. The competitors of Hyundai have grown rapidly forthe past year. b. Competitor analysis The competitors ofHyundai Group are Samsung electronics and Lucky Gold star which had made asuccessful transition to large scale chip production. Hyundai Electronicsperformance had been a disappointment, losing $11.9 million. Rivals have largeelectronics subsidiaries. Another competitor of Hyundai is the Daewoo. Daewoois the supplier of the successful leading edge computer. 6. Present CompanyDepartmental Plans a. ProductPlanning and Development The Hyundai groupplanning to put their products to the construction of buildings. To Korea or toother countries. b. MarketPlanning The plan is designatedto domestic and foreign country. c. FinancialPlanning The financial is comefrom in the land of Chung Ju Yung. And from the help of the other business manwho helped him. d. ProductionPlanning Hyundai company doesnot only focus on production of cars but also other projects such as governmentconstruction of bridges, cars, ship building, other infrastructure, steel,cement, oil drilling platforms and even manufacturing of microchips. e. ManpowerPlanning Hyundai company hasseparate workers for car manufacturing for road construction. f. Organizational Planning Hyundai company isowned by Mr. Chung Ju Yung and managed by his surviving son Mr. Chung Mong Ku. Part2 ProblemResolution 1. Background of the problem The problem of HyundaiGroup was deemed to start in 1987 when it has experienced a loss of 11.9million dollars. They have invested in Silicon Valley project which was seen tobe a loss even at its proposition. Hyundai tried to jump to the productionsophisticated one-megabit dynamic random access memory chips instead ofpursuing the market for 256K. They are said to be not fully committed to hightechnology. They only see semiconductors just as an accessory but not assomething to be done because competitors are doing it. 2. Statement of the Problem Whatchanges in management style should the top management adopt to satisfy theneeds of the workers on strike and so as to break the series of uprising?3. Statement of Objectives Hyundai Group of companies would like to: Ø Ceasethe uprising of the employees of Hyundai Group. Ø Toregain the trust of the public to the firm especially to its chairman Mr.Chung. Ø Toget back the shattered hope of peace and unity among all nations that wascaused by Hyundai’s unpeaceful solution to the conflict. 4. Areas of Consideration  · In Korea, the private sector played animportant role in Korea’s economic development. They are interdependent with anumber of other forces such as government, economic and non economic factors. -Fulleighty percent of Korea’s economy is open and heavily dependent on theinternational economy. 5. Alternative Courses of Action Ø TheHyundai top management should amend their present â€Å"authoritarian† style of leadershipto another style which is more employee-friendly. Ø Hyundaishould just give the employees the increase in wage that they are demanding. Ø Fullydetach Hyundai from the government influences. 6. Analysis of Alternatives 1. The Hyundai topmanagement should amend their present â€Å"authoritarian† style of leadership toanother style which is more employee-friendly. Advantages:  · This would improve the relationship ofthe employee and the management subsequently. The daunting ways of the chairmanto the people will be eliminated.  · The trust and the confidence of theemployee of Hyundai would be recaptured by the management. Disadvantages:  · This would require great adjustment tothe part of employees also because almost all of the companies in Korea followauthoritarian type of management. 2. Hyundai should justgive the employees the increase in wage that they are demanding. Advantages:  · This alternative would terminate theuprising of the employees abruptly.  · This would create a better image for thecompany immediately. Disadvantages:  · The company is not sure if they cansuffice the financial needs if they would provide the increase in wages.  · This act will only tolerate theemployees. They will think that with a strike, they can easily get what theywant from the management. 3. Fully detach Hyundaifrom the government influences. Advantages:  · Hyundai will be free in deciding fortheir own.  · No one will hinder decision of themanagement Disadvantages:  · Hyundai will lose financial support  · Hyundai will lose much of its projects Decision statement Thebest alternative is alternative # 1.The Hyundai top management should amendtheir present â€Å"authoritarian† style of leadership to another style which ismore employee-friendly. In this way, the company would not require to spendmuch money but it would change its imageto the employees. Most of the time, the management forgot the needs andcapacity of the people. Now if they will try another style of leadership whichunderstands their employees. The employees would feel that they are loved andrespected by their management so theywill love and appreciate the work that they are doing. Part3 IMPLEMENTATIONPROGRAM 1. Action Plan †¢ Long-term Action Plans Tochange the management style of Hyundai so as to change its image to the publicand its employees. This way Hyundai will be able to regain its reputation tothe market. †¢ Short-Term Action Plans To stopthe uprising temporarily by the help of the government. The deployment of powerby the government will create an effect that would stop the uprising. 2.Proposed Company Operation Plans Product Planning and Development- Studies show that it’s muchbetter if Hyundai would focus on a certain venture and develop it. Market Planning They established good name in theMiddle East so it is better if they expand to another foreign country andestablish a new market there. Financial Planning Since they experience loss frompast, it is advisable for Hyundai to loan in banks. Production Planning Proper training should be givento the people in production department to come up with good quality products.  · Manpower Planning The management should know how toreinforce their employees. One of which is giving incentives and benefits.  · Organizational Planning Previousmanagement would still be the future component of organization. Other Problems and Proposed Solution Other Problem Solution  · The diversified needs and wants of employees Conduct survey or questionnaires regarding the employees wants and complaints about the management.

Philosophical Theories Ideas