Deaf experience Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Deaf experience - Essay Example 488). Further, I learned that this group of people was impulsive to the signs whose underlying meaning seemed abusive or complicated to them despite the use being a normal one. I was nervous while communicating to the deaf people because I was unable to inform them that I was capable of hearing and speaking contrary to their expectations since the majority members in the chatroom were deaf. The fact that I was inconsistent in signing to them with the same speed they took to communicate to me spurred anxiety and I could not contemplate the alternative measures to establish in solving the imminent misunderstandings that would emanate from the delays. Despite bearing knowledge on the signs used by the majority population of people in the deaf culture, I was incompetent in elevating the desired skills as there different types of misunderstandings would result from the different perceptions that different chat members bore towards the signings (Davidson 792). Despite the challenges experienced during the chatroom conversations, the deaf people cooperated and educated me in their experiences while living with the condition as they were growing up. The chatroom experience influenced the understanding that the people were aggressive towards the people who were capable of hearing and speaking holding the belief that such people were ignorant of their inability to hear; hence, the use of verbal communication was deliberate and abusive. Further, I learned that the deaf community perceived that they were normal; hence, they were against any practices expressed by different people whose meaning communicated their inability to participate in verbal communication. Other members with whom I communicated to in the chatroom expressed their dissatisfaction to the practices used by the society in providing special learning centers to the deaf (Hauser

Effect of Force Majeure or Act of God Essay Example for Free

Effect of Force Majeure or Act of God Essay If upon the happening of a fortuitous event or an act of God, there concurs a corresponding fraud, negligence, delay or violation or contravention in any manner of the tenor of the obligation as provided for in Article 1170 of the Civil Code, which results in loss or damage, the obligor cannot escape liability. It has been held that when the negligence of a person concurs with an act of God in producing a loss, such person is not exempt from liability by showing that the immediate cause of the damage was the act of God. To be exempt from liability for loss because of an act of God, he must be free from any previous negligence or misconduct by which that loss or damage may have been occasioned. Fortuitous Event an event which could not be foreseen, or which, though foreseen is inevitable. Essential Characteristics of a Fortuitous Event 1. Cause is independent on the will of the debtor;  2. Impossibility of foreseeing or impossibility of avoiding it to be foreseen even if foreseen; 3. Occurrence renders it impossible for debtor to fulfill his obligation in a normal manner; and 4. Debtor is free from any participation in the aggravation of the injury to the creditor. General Rule: No liability in case of fortuitous event Exceptions: 1. By contrary stipulation in the contract;  2. Declared by law e.g. Art 552(2), 1268, 1942, 2147, 2148, 2159 of the New Civil Code; 3. Nature of the obligation requires assumption of risk when expressly declared by law; 4. When the obligor is in default or has promised to deliver the same thing to 2 or more persons who do not have the same interests (Art. 1165 (3)) Art. 1174. Except in cases expressly specified by the law, or when it is otherwise declared by stipulation, or when the nature of the obligation requires the assumption of risk, no person shall be responsible for those events which could not be foreseen, or which, though foreseen, were inevitable. If the performance of this Agreement, or any obligations hereunder is prevented, restricted, or interfered with by reason of: fire, flood, earthquake, explosion or other casualty or accident or act of God; strikes or labor disputes; war or other violence; any law,  order proclamation, regulation, ordinance, demand or requirement of any governmental authority; or any other act or condition whatsoever beyond the reasonable control of the affected party, the party so affected, upon giving prompt notice to the other party, shall be excused from such performance to the extent of such prevention, restriction or interference; provided, however, that the party so affected shall take all reasonable steps to avoid or remove such cause of non performance and shall resume performance hereunder with dispatch whenever such causes are removed.

Impact Magnum Has Had On Photography Photography Essay

Impact Magnum Has Had On Photography Photography Essay Magnum Agency was created in the 1947 just after Second World War .Agency was formed by photographers themselves Henri Cartier Bresson, Robert Capa, George Rodger and David Chim Seymour. They created Magnum to show their independence as photographers but also as a people who highlighted not only what was seen but the way one sees it. After the destruction to the world as a consequence of the War they were scared but full of believes that the world survived and that is still more to be explored out there (Magnum in motion website). Furthermore the history of documentary photography show us the most accurate records of events that we have in the past and the documentary photography was used to capture almost everything such as terrorism and war, world events right to documenting peoples lives. Early stage of documentary photography focused on urban settings, industry and often artist used photography as a tool for social reform. For example Walker Evans and Dorothea Lange created images for Farm Security Administration (FSA) who documented workers and their lives in America and also how the depression had an impact on them. Lewis Hine exposed horrors of child labour, homelessness and immorality. These photographs helped to pass the Child Labour Law in America. In addition a lot of images produced during World War II were captured by Magnum photographers. Magnum ability of storytelling and to work in series drew a line between documentary photography and photojournalism. Often attached with a moral position on th e artist who belief to show the viewer the best understanding of his subjects live. Altogether this kind of photo essay or series of images are more powerful to conveying the message then the single image. Sebastiao Salgado probably the best documentary photographer joined Magnum agency in 1994 creating artistic meaningful documents of cultures, world issues and places that would be better remember before human take their action. Salgado has earned his high reputation from his black and white photographs of places and people from all over the world. His work is about showing the world the war effects, poverty, disease and famine. His work was evidence what was happening on our planet. However the Martin Parr photographs strongly contrasts from work of Salgado. Parr humorous images document contemporary society, for example the image of the tourist in Mexico show us a woman in pink shirt taking a picture of something that we cannot see. Martin Parr takes the over dressed tourist one step up. The woman is a contemporary simple person who aimed her camera the wrong way. Ancient pyramid full of cultural and historical significance becomes an excuse just to be there. Parr demonstrate lack t o cultural values and intellectual pursuits. Also he contrasts form, colour and scale of the woman on the washout stone pyramid to depict society little interests and intellectual curiosity. In 1938 the British magazine Picture Post announced Robert Capa the greatest war photographer in the world, mostly based on his photojournalistic work in the Spanish Civil War and on the war in China. Capas photography is all about being there, close, telling a story about events he witnessed. It was him who made blurred, visceral images of the D-Day invasion that became its symbols. (Magnum Stories, p.67-73). On the other hand Henri Crtier Bresson had a different point of view ,interested in finding a visual agreement that he later called the organic coordination of the elements seeing by the eye'(In Our Time: The World as Seen by Magnum Photographers).His photographs mostly emphasized the complexity of whole piece seeing itself and often avoiding a narrative. Furthermore he was creating a broad essay concerned with a countrys past and present during a period of rapid social change. Also he was fascinated by Gandhi and India. Bresson written notes about Gandhi dead and they reveal a narrative writer, eloquently involved with negotiating the issues of Indias society and history. Even though he was denying his interest in the formulas of photojournalism Bresson was nevertheless engaged with what the photo story involved (Magnum Stories, p.74-75). Today people love snapshots in USA alone we take 7 billion images a year but it is a sad fact that in most of them people are photographing each other. In a way we submit to anonymity for example names of builders of Notre Dame or the Cologne Dom were lost in that age of faith. However the 21th century is exact opposite because we are possessed by overweening sense of self. Every moment is captured and posted in albums, every wedding are choreographed and videotaped for future generations. Another rising distinction between a picnic shoot and a great photograph is not subtle. You can look at the image and stay passive while art photograph engages you and force your instincts to participate. Photographers often deal with harsh, ironical material thats why sometimes their scepticism is shown in their work. Nevertheless we were and we will be enriched by their vision, by the strength of the world that they stalked, searching for decisive moments. Some photographers adapted techniques fr om great Magnum artists and using them today. Although documentary photography today does not trying to improve the situation of people or help resolve problems is just trying to get best shot and it is nothing else behind while 60 years ago it was life changing profession. Today photojournalists barely are present at the events they cover. The function changed from realism to consequence. Also what we seeing today for example in war photography is meant to show us the impact of war not its devices. I would point out that days of war photographer are long gone because nowadays photojournalists are fulfil with their own imagination of telling a story for less than a large conflict or issues. Images move from one category to another over period of time for example press photography of crime in the 1940s has moved to the art books and museum, as also Dorothea Langes documentary photographs of migrants in depression era and Robert Capa war images. Therefore all that definitions are just the schematic and act as a help for descriptions. I believe that documentary photography emphasizes in depth ongoing story on the long term basis. Documentary projects often lasts for years and focus on social issues rather than news. Again documentary is mostly assumed to be subjective because photographer has a point of view on what he is about to photograph. Not only had that it also believed to be honest reporting from witnessed event. As Henri Cartier Bresson said as far as I am concerned, taking photographs is a means of understanding which cannot be separated from each other means of visual expression. It is a way of shouting, of freeing oneself, not of proving or asserting ones own o riginality. It is a way of life (Masters of Photography Aperture, p.8). Other, art photography is more about creating and expressing personal points of view which is done to be sold or hang in galleries. Nevertheless some of its art may deal with issues but they are usually already covered by photojournalism and documentary, such as famine and war. At the end of the day of course all photography is an interpretation of what is in front of the lens. Summarising, for todays generation of young photographers there is much more complex awareness to what is or is not possible to explain. Today, if you pictures arent good enough you might be too close then not close enough, as Capa said (Time article, 2002). All those years Magnum promoted abstracted generalized narratives about human condition and their photographs often aim to the almost iconic status to represent themes about humanity. Magnum and its members had a political impact; they were interested how they can use their cameras to examine political and social issues. They showed examples of suffering and human dignity, brutality of war and photographer braveness in witnessing. This raises an important thought of what can be learn from images is still important and Susan Sontag wrote in her essays that The knowledge gained through still photograph will be some kind of sentimentalism, knowledge at bargain prices a semblance of knowledge and wisdom(On Photography,p.23-24). Today we are still learning how world changed since Capa found Magnum. From its beginnings which truly marked the advent of photojournalism legendary figures like Bresson and Capa aimed to record the truest and most essential stories, moods of our time. The drama of war and despair in Eastern Europe, the wounded and the dead in brush fire wars around the world. Finally, the greatest change over taking stills images is an introduction to computer technology which allows to generate imagery that appears to be as realistic as photograph, without using a camera.

Adam Sandlers Kids Choice Award :: essays research papers

Adam Sandler is in control -- really The clout of a child-man Monday, April 14, 2003 Posted: 1:07 PM EDT (1707 GMT) Adam Sandler accepts a Kids' Choice Award for best movie actor. Many adult movie critics would disagree. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Story Tools -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RELATED †¢ Review: Jack's back in 'Anger Management' †¢ 'Anger' tops box office with $44.5M LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Adam Sandler, who's become one of Hollywood's top box-office draws by playing infantile men prone to fisticuffs and tantrums, displays in real life a shambling politeness and faux-naive modesty. With a shy smile, he often looks down as he speaks, while deflecting questions with self-deprecating jokes. The 36-year-old comic's almost childlike behavior conceals his status as a Hollywood workaholic who's unwaveringly loyal to his friends. "I was in his office 12 hours a day, and he was either working with me, or working on editing something else, or working on one of his other projects," said David Dorfman, screenwriter of "Anger Management," which co-stars Sandler and Jack Nicholson. "He worked nonstop." Sandler has used his clout not only to gain greater control over his own films, but also to boost the careers of former "Saturday Night Live" friends such as Rob Schneider, David Spade and Dana Carvey by guiding their pet projects through the studio system. Dorfman described Sandler as "a benevolent mogul," and Carvey said his 2002 film, "The Master of Disguise," would have gone nowhere without Sandler's help. "I mean, I owe him. I don't really know why he did it, you'd have to ask him. But it was great to have him push it through. I guess I was nice to him on 'Saturday Night Live,' " Carvey said, adding with a laugh: "Thank God." Critical roasting But some Sandler favors backfire. He gave directing duties of "The Master of Disguise" to his longtime production designer Perry Andelin Blake, although Blake had no previous experience. Critics complained that the film was a mess, and Sony was still reworking the movie shortly before its release last summer. Carvey had already starred on the late-night comedy show for five years when Sandler began appearing in 1991, the same year as Spade, whose 2001 film, "Joe Dirt," and upcoming "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star" were produced by Sandler. Sandler co-stars with Jack Nicholson in "Anger Management." During his five-year run on the show, Sandler was known for impish characters such as Canteen Boy and musical bits such as Operaman.

Father of Science Fiction: H. G. Wells

H. G. Wells is the True â€Å"Father of Science Fiction† At the very end of the Victorian Era, there emerged a man of literature the likes of which the world had never before seen. Some know him best as an English novelist, though most of his works were not novels. Some call him a political and social commentator, due to the didactic themes in many of his works. Due to inclusion of the social and natural sciences in his works, he is also known as a popularizer of science.His devotion to the development and establishment of future studies as a science most certainly garnered him the reputation as an early futurist. His pervasive influence in the development of the science fiction genre is indisputable. However it was his masterful weaving together of futurism and speculative fiction into a single body of work dedicated to the future of mankind that earns H. G. Wells the title of â€Å"The Father of Science Fiction†. Herbert George Wells was born in Bromely, Kent, England in September of 1866, the son of a maid and a professional cricketer.When he was eight years old Wells broke his leg and began reading library books to pass the time, stimulating his desire to write. He attended a number of schools throughout his early life, acquiring an xtensive background in physics, astronomy, and chemistry. He even studied biology under Thomas Henry Huxley at the Royal College of Science, acquiring extensive knowledge in the theories of evolution. Joining the school Debating Society nurtured his interest toward social issues and reform.Wells considered himself a socialist and was a member of the Fabian Society that included other such notable members as George Bernard Shaw and Virginia Woolf. At that time he also founded The Science School Journal, allowing him a forum to develop his pen for literature, expressing his iews on society and perfecting his burgeoning fiction. After doing some teaching, he eventually graduated from The University of London with a Ba chelors of Science in zoology. His prolific writing career that followed included hundreds of works over the span of fifty years.His talent for combining the possibilities of science and technology in the form of fictional stories that became known as â€Å"science fiction† or as the genre was known in Britain at the time, the â€Å"scientific romance†. Science fiction as a modern literary genre is distinguished by its use of real cientific ideas and concepts to form a story that is plausible within a futuristic or alternative-world setting. The imaginative elements of science fiction are largely possible within the realm of scientific theory and fact.This differentiates science fiction from other speculative genres such as fantasy and horror in that those works are not concerned with scientific and technological possibility. Even Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1818), though certainly innovative in using themes of science fiction, is more accurately classified as a horro r novel. Horror and fantasy genres also delineate rom science fiction in that they include magical and supernatural elements that are absent from the realistic and logical science fiction genre.Though some story elements of sci-fi can be purely imaginary, accurate depictions of science and technology are used to tormulate realistic conjectures ot the tuture, or even alternative timelines of the present or past. What distinguishes H. G. Wells from earlier authors who delve into themes of modern science fiction is that he studied science as a primary disciplinary field and applied his knowledge in a literary fashion, focusing on scientific and technological plausibility. All of Wells' scientific romances contain realistic elements that are based on applied scientific methodology and knowledge.Some of these include such famous works as The Time Machine (1895), The Invisible Man (1897), and The War of the Worlds (1898). Though Wells is considered the â€Å"Father of Science Fictionâ₠¬ , it is often argued that Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is the first work that could be considered true science fiction. Many of the innovative themes used by Mary Shelley unquestionably fall into the realm of modern science fiction. Never before had any story been written about a man of science† (the term â€Å"scientist† was not yet coined and would not be until 1834) that performs â€Å"experiments† in a â€Å"laboratory'.Written as a response to the recent Industrial Revolution, Shelley uses fantastical scientific innovations to explore the moral and ethical consequences of technology, a device used by nearly all modern science fiction writers, including Wells. However, unlike Wells, Shelley's works include precious little in the way of actual scientific fact or theory, leaving the audience to speculate about their plausibility. Her education, though broad and advanced for a oman of the Romantic era, was in literary studies and included no instruction in th e natural or physical sciences.Her sources were limited to discussions with her peers of earlyl 9th century experiments in vivisection and galvanism, the latter of which is an antiquated term for the stimulation of muscles by electric current, applied in the case of Frankenstein to the reanimation of dead tissue. Her scientific education is in contrast to Wells, who had an extensive educational background in the sciences. Although Shelley's science is neither plausible nor the main focus of her story, its ealistic nature made Frankenstein truly frightening to her audience, which was her intention in using such scientific elements.Shelley had originally conceived the work as a horror story, thus her themes of science fiction become secondary to the theme of horror as the focus of the work. She inspired the archetype of the â€Å"monster† that followed in literature and film. Though Shelley's idea of using science merged with fiction was innovative for the time and implemented by later writers (including Wells, and not for another 80 years), Frankenstein's designation as science fiction remains ncillary to that as a landmark novel of the horror genre.The title of â€Å"The Father of Science Fiction has also been applied to popular French writer Jules Verne, but is more accurately applied to H. G. Wells. While certainly a brilliant and talented writer that heavily influenced science fiction as a genre of literature, Verne's novels can easily be disputed as works of true science fiction. Much like Shelley's Frankenstein, the works of Verne contain elements and themes that are considered scientific but accessory to his primary literary theme.Much attention is given to Verne's Voyages Extraordinaires, a series of fifty-four stories hich include such famous works as Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864), From the Earth to the Moon (1865), and Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea (1869). At the time of their publication, the technological advancements pre sent in Verne's works had been extrapolated by him to aid in his fantastic voyages, but would soon atter become scientific realities. This earned him the reputation ot being a technological prophet, a reputation also held by Wells.Some of his prophecies that came true include the electric submarine, the helicopter, and a â€Å"projectile† to carry passengers to the moon. Although Verne's scientific prophecies were at times more grounded in reality than those of Wells, they were made almost primarily in the area of transportation, unlike Wells, whose prophecies were made in multiple areas of science. The argument can be made that Verne himself inspired these technological advancements. Many pioneering submarine, aviation and rocketry innovators have credited Verne as the inspiration for their successful inventions. However, Jules Verne was in no way a scientist. He was educated as a lawyer and studied geography, the latter of which inspired him to write his stories of adventur e and travel. Verne argued incessantly that his stories were not meant to be read scientifically, and even stated â€Å"l do not in any way pose as a scientist†2. The science he did use in his stories was well researched; Verne often spent time in the company of the best contemporary scientists of his day, consulting them on possibilities of future technology that he could realistically yet fantastically apply to his adventure stories.While not all science fiction writers are scientists, the case of whether Verne or Wells is â€Å"The Father of Science Fiction† can favor Wells as the true â€Å"Father† when it's argued hat Wells' scientific educational background gives him credibility and authority. His use of scientific elements as the primary theme of his works (unlike Verne, whose science was used as an auxiliary to the theme of adventure) makes him more deserving of the title. Also, Verne's title of â€Å"technological prophet† passed to Wells because of his dedication not Just to science but also the serious exploration and inquiry of the future.In 1901, H. G. Wells wrote a book called Anticipations of the Reactions of Mechanical and Scientific Progress upon Human Life and Thought which is onsidered the â€Å"first comprehensive and widely read survey of future developments in the short history of predictive writing†3. Wells was not the first person to take seriously the study of the future, but rather he had access to a vast amount of early speculative writings, including some utopian novels that explored the future state of society, that he combined into a single body of work.With the development of scientific thought during the 18th and 19th centuries and the movement of scholars away from religious apocalyptic future inquiry, scholarly thinking and literature that ealt with general human progress instead of eschatology began to emerge. The development of social sciences that studied human interaction showed predictiv e power when applied to how future society might develop. Many 19th century novelists such as William Morris synthesized sociology with speculative fiction perfecting the utopian novel that gives an image of an ideal society set in the future.Earlier works inherited by Wells that included futurist themes often had a different purpose than the actual scientific study of the future such as exploring God and nterpreting history. In Anticipations, all the early tendencies toward future thought were combined by Wells into the first volume of work that gave complete attention to futurist ideas and systematically explored the future. Like the works of Verne, Anticipations investigates the future of transportation, accurately predicting major highways and interstates as well as the prevalence of motor vehicles.He accurately predicts the rise ot suburbia and huge metropolises as an enormous unbroken sprawls of middle-class life. The book also dwells extensively on the future of world rder an d government, even predicting the formation of the European Union. After the publication of the book, the Royal Institution requested a lecture on future study, which he published under the name The Discovery of the Future (1902). The lecture calls for a whole new science to establish an ordered and working vision of the future, and is known to this day to be the birth of future studies.Wells continued this theme with other works dedicated to the future such as A Modern Utopia 1905), The Future in America (1906), What is Coming? (1916), A Year of Prophesying (1925), The Fate of Homo Sapiens (1939) and many, many more. His work The Shape of Things to Come (1933) is a fictional outline of future history, the title a phrase coined by Wells that has been used countless times and is still used today. The term â€Å"foresight† used in Anticipations was also coined by Wells.Wells' other accurate future predictions include lasers, cell phones, the Internet, and the atomic bomb (a phr ase he used in his book The World Set Free [1914] to describe the bombs that would not be developed until the 1930's). The attention that Wells gave to surveying the future not nly established future studies as a legitimate science, but also helped firmly established future thought as a major theme of science fiction. Before Wells published Anticipations, he published his first and most well-known novel The Time Machine (1895).The story features a scientist known only as â€Å"The Time Traveler† who built a device that can move through time. This device is known as a â€Å"time machine†, a term coined by Wells and still used to this day in reference to such a device. The Time Traveler Journeys forward in time almost 800,000 years and meets a peaceful society of child-like humans known as the Eloi. He also meets the frightening race of Morlocks that live underground and are keepers of the technology that achieve the above-ground serenity.The Time Traveler also soon lear ns that the Morlocks feed on the Eloi, and that their technology is used to keep the Eloi passive. He comes to the conclusion that the two races are a product of Darwinian evolution and the large gap between the social classes of British society. He speculates that the Eloi were once the leisure class, and due to their conquest of nature with technology they have become feeble in an environment where intelligence and strength are no onger necessary for survival. He also speculates that the Morlocks are descendants of the oppressed working class.This application of Darwin's theories as a literary motif echoes Wells' education under Huxley who was known as â€Å"Darwin's Bulldog†. Before publication of The Time Machine, the premise of time travel as a plot device had been used very little. There were some old folk tales and less than a handful of modern fictional works that had included time travel. The idea was certainly popularized by Wells and considered the inspiration of a ll later science fiction works that feature time travel. Like Anticipations, it also established time settings in the future as a major element of science fiction.Wells is the first author to use modern science fiction elements to compose social and political commentary. The Time Machine famously illustrates the possible future consequences of a stratified society that becomes too dependent on technology and will be subject to a form of extreme social Darwinism. In The War of the Worlds, Wells examines Victorian attitudes and values. In his story of Martians attempting to colonize Earth and exterminate humans, Wells provides an imaginative vehicle tor ommentary on British Imperialism.Wells also explores morality and technological ethics, specifically within the realm of vivisection and genetic engineering in his novel The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896). The use of science in a fictional setting to make a didactic point is a reoccurring theme in Wells' scientific romances. It has since then became a major literary device in modern science fiction works to explore the impact of technology on society and humanity. In his best-known and most influential work, 2001 : A Space Odyssey (1968), British author Arthur C.Clarke explores the moral and hilosophical implications surrounding technology and artificial intelligence, evolution, and alien life. Clarke was strongly influenced by Wells; he was even vice president of the H. G. Wells Society. The British author C. S. Lewis was a champion of science fiction that is philosophically reflective and includes a moral point. He created his Cosmic Trilogy as a direct influence by H. G. Wells, citing his novel The First Men in the Moon (1901) as â€Å"the best sort [of science fiction] I have read†4.Out of the Silent Planet (1938), the first book in Lewis' trilogy, is so similar to The First Men in the Moon that the opening age says â€Å"Certain slighting references to earlier stories of this type which will be found in the following pages have been put there for purely dramatic purposes. The author would be sorry if any reader supposed he was too stupid to have enjoyed Mr. H. G. Wells fantasies or too ungrateful to acknowledge his debt to them. â€Å"5 Wells' influence on science fiction extends to many more authors, including British science fiction author Olaf Stapledon.Stapledon himself was a heavily influential writer, contributing many ideas to the genre of science fiction. Stapledon and Wells orresponded for over a decade, both creating ideas together and borrowing from each other. In his book The Billion Year Spree, Brian Aldiss calls Stapledon the â€Å"greatest of Wells' followers†6. Wells' science fictional reach extended beyond the sphere of British authors and diffused quickly to America, where his influence can be seen in such notable science fiction authors as Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein.During the 19th and 20th centuries, when the idea of the utopia as story element be gan to have a prominent place in literature, Wells himself wrote a number of utopian novels such as A Modern Utopia (1905) and Men Like Gods (1923). Wells progresses the idea of the utopia with his novel The Time Machine by turning the theme into an anti-utopia point of view. He illustrates the seemingly utopian society of the Eloi, and upon the discovery of the violent Morlocks, the world transforms into a horrifying dystopia.In his novel When the Sleeper Wakes (1899) about a man who falls asleep for two hundred years and wakes up in the future, Wells gives definitive form to the dystopia as a science fiction theme. This theme was taken up by later authors, most notably the British authors George Orwell and Aldous Huxley in their amous novels Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949) and Brave New World (1932) respectively. These two novels have been explicitly touted by their authors as directly influenced by the works of Wells, and have in turn influenced many other authors, works, philosopher s, thinkers, and even nations and governments.The achievement of H. G. Wells in the development of science fiction as a respected and important literary genre is unquestionable. His background as a scientist combined with his adept queries on futuristic ideas provided a springboard into an illustrious and intluential literary career His creative inventions ot science fiction themes such as the time travel, alien invasions, and invisible men have taken their place as staples of sci-fi literature.This, along with his numerous coined terms, technological prescience and populizing of proto-science fiction themes into mainstream literature designate Wells as the most important science fiction writer the genre has ever seen. And when his pervasive influence on future science fiction writers is regarded along with his other contributions, the only conclusion that remains is that H. G. Wells is the true â€Å"Father of Science Fiction†. Works Cited Wells, H. G. Anticipations of the R eactions of Mechanical and Scientific Progress upon Human Life and Thought.

An Overview of the Bardet-Biedl Syndrome

In a case report presented by Uzun, Ar, Canan, Aktas, & Bas (2007), an 11-year-old boy was admitted to a hospital in Turkey due to complaints about â€Å"loss of vision, speech deficit, learning difficulty, poor balance, and ataxic gait†. Results of the physical examination showed that the boy manifested the following special features: facial dysmorphism, visual problems that included nystagmus or rapid, involuntary movement of the eyes from side to side, poor coordination, being overweight, an extra digit on the left foot, mild mental retardation, among other distinctive characteristics.What the authors (Uzun et al. , 2007) had presented was a usual case of a developmental disorder called Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS). The World Health Organization (WHO) developed the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), which is a news classification system that focuses on the components of health (Stewart & Rosenbaum, 2003). The ICF also emphasizes the re lationship between health condition and contextual factors, as illustrated in Figure 1 using the ICF model.This document aims to explain the Bardet-Biedl Syndrome in terms of the patients’ body structure & functions, activities, participation, and their limitations. General Description Bardet-Biedl syndrome is an autosomal recessive condition or an inheritable disease involving non-dominant chromosomes (Barnet, Reilly, Carr, Ojo, Beales, & Charman, 2002; Beales, 2005; Beales, Elcioglu, Woolf, Parker, & Flinter, 1999; Chan, Ho, But, & Tse, 1999; Hrynchak, 2000; Uzun et al. , 2007). It was first described by George Bardet and Alfred Biedl in 1920 (Chan et al. , 2000).This syndrome has a prevalence rate of 1/160,000. The cardinal features of BBS as seen in numerous case reports include retinal dystrophy, obesity, cognitive deficit, hypogonadism, polydactyly (Hrynchak, 2000), mental retardation, and renal dysfunction (Beales et al. , 1999; Chan et al. , 2000; Uzan et al, 2007). A rguments regarding the accuracy of the cardinal features emerged and consequently prompted Beales et al. (1999) to conduct a study that aimed to clarify and determine the major criteria for proper diagnosis of the syndrome. According to the results (Beals et al., 1999), individuals diagnosed with BBS must have the following cardinal features: (1) Visual disorders. The individual suffers from rod-cone dystrophy, also known as atypical retinitis pigmentosa, which is characterized by â€Å"night blindness†, loss of peripheral or tunnel vision, loss of central vision in childhood and adolescence, and â€Å"severe visual impairment by adulthood† (The Foundation Fighting Blindness [TFFB], 2000). (2) Limb defects. A widespread condition among individuals with BBS is postaxial polydactyly, or having extra accessory digits in the hands or feet (Beales et al., 1999). Some are born with only one extra finger or toe, but in other cases, the condition is â€Å"present in all four limbs† (Beales et al. , 1999). There were also cases that extra digits were only found in both hands or in both feet (Beales et al. , 1999). In the case study mentioned above, the 11-year-old boy had an extra digit on the left foot (Uzun et al. , 2007). (3) Height and weight. In the survey conducted by Beales et al. (1999) among children who developed BBS with an average age of 9 years old, the average height of males was 1.73 m, which was significantly lower than the average height of males in the general population which was 1. 76 m; the average height of females, on the other hand, measured 1. 62m—a number that was not significantly different from the average height of females in the general population that measured 1. 63 m (Beales et al. , 1999). When it comes to weight, Bardet-Biedl syndrome is widely linked to being obese or overweight (Beales et al. , 1999; Beales, 2005). Obesity was considered by a number of researchers as one of the accepted major criteria of B BS (Barnet et al., 2002; Hrynchak, 2005). Uzun et al. (2007) even addressed obesity in his case study as â€Å"one of the most common features of BBS†. (4) Education. Individuals with BBS exhibit learning difficulties (Beales et al. , 1999) which â€Å"can range from mild cognitive disability to mental retardation† (TFFB, 2000). However, Green et al. (as cited in Hrynchak, 2000) questioned this feature and found that â€Å"when appropriate verbal and performance IQ tests were given, only a minority of patients were found to have a cognitive deficit†.(5) Renal tract abnormalities. The kidney is one of the affected body organs when a person is developed to have BBS (Beales et al. , 1999, Chan et al. , 2000, Hrynchak, 2000). Most patients were found to have structural abnormalities (Beales et al. , 1999, Chan et al. , 2000). Kidney failure has been one of the leading causes of death among individuals with the syndrome (Chan et al. , 2000; Uzun et al. , 2007). The s ymptoms mentioned above are considered the major criteria; however, the descriptions of BBS are not limited to these items.Hypogonadism was considered by some researchers as one of the key features (Hrynchak, 2000); it is described as a structural deficiency characterized by Beales et al. (1999) as having small penises buried in adipose tissue. These concrete descriptions of the major criteria or symptoms for proper diagnosis of the Bardet-Biedl syndrome are one thing; behavioural patterns in patients with the syndrome are another. Beales et al. (1999) were able to include brief descriptions of BBS patients. These â€Å"difficult† behaviours include â€Å"emotional immaturity, frequent volatile outbursts, and poor reasoning† (Beales et al., 1999). They also claim boldly that â€Å"all BBS children preferred fix routines† (Beales et al. , 1999). Barnet et al. (2002) extensively studied the behaviour of individuals with BBS and found, apart from the aforementioned description by Beales et al. (1999), that children with BBS felt â€Å"withdrawn†, â€Å"anxious†, or even â€Å"depressed†. One of the main arguments of the article by Barnet et al. (2002) was the existence of a â€Å"behaviour phenotype† or a behaviour gene. One revelation that fuelled his speculations was the emergence of closely similar behaviour patterns of individuals born with BBS.That is simply one way to explain behaviour. On the other hand, we can find links between affect, behaviour, and cognition to explain why they act the way they do. Consider feelings of withdrawal, anxiety, and depression. These are all negative feelings indirectly pointed towards the self. A person with BBS would want to withdraw from the normal population because of possible shame or fear of encountering ridicule due to other people’s inconsiderate and usually unkind remarks. Anxiety might be felt due to a developed fear of being ridiculed.Depression, which is mo st probably the worst thing a child can feel, might have developed due to low self-esteem and self-worth. They would probably make comparisons between people like themselves who have impairments and people who are declared by society to be normal. One of the most notable behaviour patterns observed was traces of obsessive-compulsive behaviour; as with individuals who are diagnosed with autism, which is another developmental disorder linked to cognitive deficit, those with BBS are most comfortable with a â€Å"fixed routine† (Barnet, 2002).Activities & Limitations in Activities It is an observable fact that the features of Bardet-Biedl syndrome entail a lot of limitations in learning and applying knowledge. First, once the visual problems emerge, they interfere with visual learning, which is an important facet of education since most instructional media are visual. Hrynchak (2000), however, claimed â€Å"early identification of the visual disorder and appropriate educational intervention can be of great benefit in people with this condition†. In the study of Beales et al.(1999), half of the patients received education in a â€Å"special school†; some even further pursued their education and earned university degrees. Visual problems also hamper the day-to-day activities of older patients. Hrynchak (2000) presented the case of a 20-year-old white man with the condition who worked as a janitor. He complained about â€Å"decreasing visual acuity†, specifically, â€Å"missing debris while sweeping†. â€Å"He also had reduced ability to see fine print, difficulty seeing the credits on television, mobility problems (especially judging depth), and difficulty adapting to changing illumination conditions† (Hrynchak, 2000).Hrynchak (2000) also mentioned that majority of individuals become â€Å"legally blind† before the age of 30. Obesity also entails a lot of health risks including heart disease (Beales et al. , 1999). Th is affects the amount of emotional and physical stress the individual is capable of doing. Ataxia, which is characterized by poor coordination, was also found in patients with BBS. This affects how people with BBS move properly. It is probable that obesity is prevalent in some cases because of ataxia, which hinders activities that need proper coordination such as sports and other physical exercises.There is also the matter of speech deficit. Beales et al. (1999) pointed out that there is a problem in language use and vocabulary is limited due to learning difficulties. Participation & Limitations in Participation The case presented by Hrynchak (2000) shows the ability of individuals with BBS to function effectively in society as a working individual. However, Beales et al. (1999) described that â€Å"adult patients are often disinhibited and appear to recognise social cues†. This means that they often find it difficult to relate and mingle with other people.Perhaps this is a c onsequence of feelings of depression and anxiety in childhood brought about by possible ridicule and rejection among peers. Fatherhood is a major societal role that the males will not get to play. Due to hypogonadism, males are infertile and are unable to procreate (Beales et al. , 1999). According to Hrynchak (2000), â€Å"there have been no reports of a man with Bardet-Biedl syndrome having fathered children. † Treatment & Outcome It is an unfortunate matter that this genetic disorder has no known holistic treatment according to The Foundation Fighting Blindness (2000).To perhaps decrease the complications of the condition, one must address each symptom separately. For visual problems, an eye specialist should be consulted to see how the vision could be improved or what adjustments should be made by the patient or by the people around him. Hrynchak (2000) suggested the use of â€Å"field expansion devices† or a guide dog. Poor vision might hamper an individualâ€℠¢s ability to learn, hence, the cognitive disabilities. Learning disabilities, on the other hand, can be overcome with early intervention and had not been a hindrance to those who completed university degress.For renal abnormalities or kidney problems, one can approach a nephrologist or â€Å"a physician that specializes in kidney diseases† (TFFB, 2000). Kidney diseases are usually not detected until the patient undergoes radiological testing or x-ray after being diagnosed with BBS (Hrynchak, 2000). Take note that the leading cause of death among BBS patients is renal or kidney failure. Reference Barnet, S. , Reilly, S. , Carr, L. , Ojo, I. , Beales, P. L. , & Charman, T. (2002). Behavioural phenotype of Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Journal of Medical Genetics 39, e76-e76. Beales P. L. (2005).Lifting the lid on Pandora’s box: The Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Current Opinion in Genetics & Development, 15(3), 315-323. Beales, P. L. , Elcioglu, N. , Woolf, A. S. , Parker, D. , & Flin ter, F. A. (1999). New criteria for improved diagnosis of Bardet-Biedl syndrome: Results of a population survey. Journal of Medical Genetics, 36, 437-446. Chan, W. K. Y. , Ho, S. , But, B. , & Tse, W. W. Y. (2000). Renal disease in Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Hong Kong Journal of Paediatrics 5, 34-39. Hrynchak, P. K. (2000). Bardeit-Biedl syndrome. Optometry and Vision Science, 77(5), 236-243. Stewart, D. , & Rosenbaum, P. (2003).The international classification of functioning, disability, and health (ICF): A global model to guide clinical thinking and practice in childhood disability. Keeping Current, 3(3), 1-8. The Foundation Fighting Blindness. (2000, February). Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Retrieved March 12, 2008, from http://www. blindness. org/pdfs/resources/bardetbiedl. pdf Uzun, H. , Ar, K. , Canan, F. , Aktas, A. , & Bak, M. (2007). A case of Bardet-Biedl syndrome. The Internet Journal of Pediatrics and Neonatology 7(1). 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