1984 Questions for Study and Discussion

1984 Questions for Study and Discussion 1984â is extraordinary compared to other known works by George Orwell. This great novel portrays life in an observation state where free reasoning is alluded to as thoughtcrime. 1984 authored terms like Big Brother and Newspeak that are as yet being used today, and its incredible investigation of authoritarianism is a key reference point in political conversation and examination. Think about the accompanying inquiries as you find out around 1984. Regardless of whether youre getting ready for a test or planning for a book club, these inquiries for study and conversation will reinforce your insight and comprehension of the novel. 1984 Questions for Study and Discussion What is significant about the title of 1984? What are the contentions in 1984? What kinds of contention (physical, good, educated, or passionate) are in this novel?How does George Orwell uncover character in 1984?What are a few subjects in the story? How would they identify with the plot and characters?What are a few images in 1984? How would they identify with the plot and characters?Is Winston predictable in his activities? Is it accurate to say that he is a completely evolved character? How? Why?Do you discover the characters affable? OK need to meet the characters?Does the story end the manner in which you anticipated? How? Why?What is the focal/basic role of the story? Is the reason significant or meaningful?How does this novel identify with tragic writing? Is Winston a solid character?How basic is the setting to the story? Could the story have occurred anyplace else? In some other time?What is the job of ladies in the content? Is love significant? Are connections meaningful?W hy is 1984 disputable? Why has it been banned?How does 1984 identify with contemporary governmental issues/society? Okay prescribe this novel to a friend?Why do you think words like Big Brother and Newspeak have gone into our ordinary lexicon?What, on the off chance that anything, alarms you about the future Orwell portrays? Why or why not?How is doublethink utilized in the novel? Do you figure it could or is utilized in our ebb and flow society?Do you think its significant that Oceana is continually at war with somebody? What point do you think Orwell is attempting to make?How does the age distinction among Julia and Winston influence how they see the activities of Big Brother and the administration? Do you see contrasts like this in your own life? How is innovation utilized by Big Brother and the Party? Does it help you to remember any momentum innovative issues? If you were in Room 101, what might be sitting tight for you?What is the hugeness of the name Ministry of Love?How is sexual restraint used to persecute the individuals of Oceana? Are there instances of this sort of abuse in the gen uine world?How are characters indoctrinated in the novel? Do you figure such a programming can occur, all things considered? What alerts would we be able to take from Orwells tale?

Revolutionary History Essay

Somewhere in the range of 1765 and 1788, the insurgency that set up the United States of America happened. This insurgency emerged, on the grounds that the intensity of the British Parliament to legitimately force burdens on the American provinces was questioned by the last mentioned. This insurgency brought about the foundation of a huge republic and served to discredit the hypothesis of political scholars that republicanism couldn't oversee over a nation that was huge. As such the state and government constitutions that were received in the period from 1776 to 1788, spoke to the premier political yearnings of that age. Another impact of this perpetual republicanism was that governments got out of date over some undefined time frame (American Revolution.The Crystal Reference Encyclopedia. CredoReference). This transformation, which was just in nature, built up the guideline of equivalent rights in the US. This was expected in extraordinary measure to the endeavors of ranchers and craftsmans. The degree to which these individuals supported opportunity can be evaluated from the way that they assumed control over the reins of government in the conditions of Pennsylvania and Vermont. Thusly, in 1777, these states disassociated themselves from New York, so as to actualize foundations that were fundamentally popularity based. In addition, social change was induced by this upheaval, in as much as bondage was changed into a political and good issue from what had been a settled reality. In the Northern states servitude got terminated and in northern bit of the South, the quantity of blacks who were no longer slaves expanded significantly (American Revolution.The Crystal Reference Encyclopedia. CredoReference). The French Revolution destroyed the Bourbon government and the ancien rã ©gime. It initiated with a rebellion by the respectability against anticipated monetary changes in the year 1787. In this way, the white collar classes took an interest in this revolt. The National Assembly replaced the Estates †General and it distributed the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen. After this the regular workers of Paris assumed responsibility for the Bastille in July 1789. In 1791, the imperial family was imprisoned for making arrangements to organize a counter insurgency. The countries of Europe got disrupted because of these improvements in France and this brought about the French Revolutionary Wars. In 1793, King Louis XVI was beheaded by methods for the guillotine. The presence of different political groups brought about the Terror, which kept going from 1793 to 1794. During this period, around 200,000 individuals were confined and around fifteen thousand individuals were executed (French Revolution. Andromeda Encyclopedic Dictionary of World History. CredoReference). The French Revolution, which began in the 1789, finished the government that had been in presence for a thousand years. After the King had been ousted, the legislature was constrained by Robespierre and others of his kind. They executed countless individuals and thusly released significant fear. In this way, Robespierre was himself executed and control went to the Directory. This end up being a clumsy and degenerate body, which allowed Napoleon Bonaparte to hold onto power in France and at last become its Emperor. The French Revolution was formally finished when Napoleon announced himself to be the Emperor of France (French Revolution. The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. Houghton Mifflin). This was a drawn out battle in Mexico that followed the statement of Porfirio Dã ­az. He was a despot who guaranteed that force was gathered in the hands of a couple and who upheld the first class. Pioneers like Francisco Madero, Pancho Villa, Pascual Orozco, and Emiliano Zapata gathered an enormous number of supporters. Hence, in 1911, Madero was made the leader of Mexico. Nonetheless, his changes were not executed rapidly and this caused the two his previous partners and enemies to contradict him. He was executed by Victoriano Huerta, who turned into the tyrant of Mexico. Be that as it may, Huerta an inebriated tyrant was ousted by the intrigues of Villa, Carranza and Obregã ³n and Carranza turned into the president in the year 1914. Since, Villa was not pleasant to this, extensive slaughter resulted. Carranza guaranteed that a liberal constitution was composed and received in 1917. He had Zapata, a well known worker pioneer, trapped and executed. This prompted a famous rebel against Carranza, who was executed while endeavoring to escape Mexico City. The furious battling nearly reached a conclusion after Obregã ³n came to control. Nonetheless, a couple of conflicts kept on occurring and the progressive time frame finished uniquely in 1934 when Lã ¡zaro Cã ¡rdenas came to control (Mexican Revolution. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia). The American Revolution brought about a free United States of America, though the French Revolution shut down its own national government. The American Revolution impacted the French individuals with the thoughts of opportunity and autonomy. The visits of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson to France during the 1780s inspired the spirits of the French individuals with new trusts in freedom from oppression. Lord Louis XVI upheld the American Revolution that initiated in 1776 and empowered the American settlements in their battle against the British so as to acquire autonomy. The King, notwithstanding, neglected to envision that he was introducing his own ruin. The impacts of both the American Revolution and the French Revolution changed the course of the history so that outright governments couldn't get by in numerous European nations, which were supplanted calmly with republics and vote based systems (American Revolution versus French Revolution). The French Revolution turned out to be profoundly speaking to different countries because of the straightforwardness and all inclusiveness of its targets. Numerous individuals were motivated and persuaded by the ideas of â€Å"Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity† that had been premise of the French Revolution. The main uncertain issues identified with the translation and use of these ideas to the social and political milieu. This answer for this issue was given by Karl Marx in his Das Capital, in whose feeling the French Revolution had not been taken to its obvious end result and was in this manner fragmented. His dispute was that however opportunity had been gotten, laborers had been abused and denied of property. The advantages that had emerged because of the French Revolution had neglected to inspire society all in all. Karl Marx accepted that the liberation of the general public in its totality was conceivable just if there was a communist or socialist upset, which would kill private property and structure an agreeable of makers. During the last phase of this change the state would shrivel away as it would stop to have any reason. This last phase of Marx’s hypothesis was like that of the rebels of France, Italy, Russia and Spain (The Revolutionary Idea in the Modern World). The French insurgency impacted the ensuing patriot developments and a portion of these were the 1821 Greek Independence development, the undertaking to realize modernization in Egypt by Muhammed Ali and in the Ottoman Empire by Selim III and Mahmut II. A few social uprisings of the 1968s had additionally been enlivened by the French Revolution. In addition, the French Revolution influenced the considering people in the future by empowering them to acknowledge change as ordinary and cohesively affected the majority in procedure of building the state (Robinson). The Mexican Revolution was an achievement in the class of against †state uprisings. It ousted the Diaz system and smothered the caudillismo of Huerta and Carranza. It denoted an achievement throughout the entire existence of well known unrests and famous sway in immature countries. This unrest exhibited that transformations by local people groups could rise triumphant. It made ready for the ensuing upheavals against state specialists including both vicious and peaceful resistance. The majority of the Latin American governments received the standards brought up in the Mexican sacred guideline of no re †eleccion. This protected rule had not been exposed to any endeavor to alter or cancel it by any of the Mexican heads, ensuing to the death of Alvaro Obregon in 1928 (Mexican Revolution). The standards of the insurgency were bantered by the political and scholastic researchers all through Mexico. The occasions, members and the results of the Revolution were archived by numerous outside creators. For example, John Womack had composed Zapata and the Mexican Revolution, and Friedrich Katz composed Life and Times of Pancho Villa. These works portrayed an extensive and very much recorded report of the occasions of the Revolution. Additionally, the eventual outcomes and the occasions of the Mexican Revolution keep on affecting Mexican governmental issues just as worldwide arrangements (Mexican Revolution). The main portion of the twentieth century was observer to changes in the Mexican government that were like that of the French Revolution. Each upheaval comprises of four phases and in the fundamental stage both Mexico and France confronted issues that were reflected later on. These issues were because of the surviving administration. After this starter stage there happens the subsequent stage comprising of incessant uprisings against the administration. In this manner, the upset enters the third stage, which is described by a lot of disturbance and can accordingly be named as the emergency stage. There were a few occurrences when slaughter and disorder won during this emergency stage. The last stage is that of recuperation and in this stage the legislatures agree to execute the plans and measures that would induce changes that would profit the individuals. The starter phases of the Mexican and French Revolutions were the equivalent. The Mexican president, Por

Motivational Essay

Inspirational Essay What is â€Å"Motivation†? Inspiration implies the craving to accomplish something, or having interest or drive. Individuals need inspiration to do things that they have no intrigue or drive to do. For me for instance, I need inspiration to rise early every morning, to go to class, or in any event, heading off to the rec center. I used to have issues doing things since I never had any inspiration to do anything, No companions to be there when I required them. They we’re consistently busy.So I needed to make sense of something. I looked through numerous approaches to carry my life to arrange, Some of them worked in the short run, yet nothing genuinely satisfied the necessity of life harmony. A couple of months prior this all started to change. I began a day by day exercise plan; I have been heading off to the rec center 4 to 5 times each week , I’ve been going for nearly 12 months. I began a sound eating routine, I don’t eat out as much as I used to. I used to eat McDonald’s, Burger ruler , Carl’s Jr. very day . Presently the entirety of my nourishment is home cooked, and I quit smoking cigarettes since I have asthma and furthermore did it, to better my wellbeing, and right up 'til today it has carried strength to my own life just as my public activity . I likewise chose to switch up my considering propensities in which it helped me propel myself. Growing better investigation propensities will assist me with my course of study since it will better set me up for any assignments or tests that are given in the future.In the past, and even now and again now I have had a regular issue of tarrying, and due to this I need both rest and readiness to either complete my schoolwork or excel on my tests. Starting either my examinations or assignments at an early stage will help me radically in light of the fact that separating the outstanding burden inside a few days will assist me with holding data all the more successfully, when contrasted with across the board night. In finish, all things considered, I made sense of my equalization to life. I defeated my persuasive obstruction and demonstrate to everybody that no one but I can, (as my very own source) be the just one to completely change myself up and improve.

Secrecy in Bleak House and The Devil in the White City - Literature Essay Samples

The basis of the entirety of the plot in Bleak House by Charles Dickens is essentially an investigation. As the novel unfolds, little bits of the story come together in what is essentially a murder mystery at the end. Similarly, in The Devil in the White City, Erik Larson spends half of the book discussing the life of America’s first serial killer and the murders he commits. Together, both novels tell a tale of mystery and secrecy and how it coincides with reputation – the status and hierarchy of two major characters, H.H. Holmes and Mr. Tulkinghorn. There are layers of mystique within Bleak House that are apparent as soon as it begins. The focus is on Esther Summerson, a strange girl with a murky past that is later unraveled in a shocking way. On the way to revealing her background is the murder of Mr. Tulkinghorn, the esteemed lawyer of Sir Leicester and Lady Dedlock. Tulkinghorn is a man of many secrets – whatever is said in front of him is in pure and total confidence. His reputation is extremely respected within London as he is the leading attorney within Chancery Court. In direct comparison to this is H.H. Holmes in The Devil in the White City. Holmes is the cause of mystery and intrigue in Chicago in the late 1800s. An amazingly likeable man, he charms his way through most of his life, gaining the reputation of an esteemed pharmacist and hotel owner within the Windy City. Much like Tulkinghorn, he harbors secrets that affect the lives of several others. With all the murders he commits and suspicious actions he demon strates, Holmes is required to keep quiet to prevent himself from being found out. That being said, each and every secret he keeps is poorly reflected on the lives of those he harms. This same idea is reflected by Tulkinghorn. As he has an obligation to investigate anything suspicious he comes across in order to protect his clients, he harms the likes of Esther, and in a conflicting way, Lady Dedlock. Though Tulkinghorn is ultimately murdered before he can truly reveal the biggest secret of the book – the fact that Lady Dedlock is Esther’s mother – he goes through extensive trials of research in order to initially uncover it. It may seem as though the lawyer is doing so to obtain minimal fall out in regards to his client, but the more possessive and obsessed he gets about the Lady’s secret, the more it seems as though he is only wanting to uphold his reputation. Throughout an interaction in which Tulkinghorn reveals he knows the Lady’s secret, he m aintains a strong, threatening composure and eventually, â€Å"he has conquered her† (Dickens 656). Tulkinghorn is a ruthless man, in the end only aiming for what will benefit him and sustain his high regard within the community. As he threatens to reveal the secret that Lady Dedlock could not bear to have revealed, he confirms himself as a man who will always choose himself, even over dear friends of several years. A combination of mystery and secrecy leads both Tulkinghorn and Holmes down dark paths. Holmes bases nearly everything in his life on his killings and his intent to keep them undiscovered. With this in mind he creates multiple identities and is extremely careful about who and where he murders. Eventually, Holmes’ past catches up with him in the form of Frank Geyer, a detective who is ultimately able to prove just how guilty he is. Yet even when Holmes has been caught and eventually hanged, the case is left unsolved. The journey that Holmes takes, filled with intrigue and discretion, is one that sets him up for failure, much like Tulkinghorn. As the lawyer becomes ruthlessly consumed with Lady Dedlock’s secret, he finds himself caught up in a dangerous web that he wove himself. Eventually, his involvement in uncovering the secret proves fatal, as Hortense murders him after he refuses to find her another job. After hiring Hortense to pretend to be Lady Dedlock in order to find out information about her past, Tulkinghorn in turn digs himself into a deeper hole involving the mystery. Similarly, the way in which Holmes sometimes missteps in his attempt to cover up a murder builds up into his ultimate downfall. Together, not only do Tulkinghorn and Holmes involve themselves willingly in a world of mystery, they also let said enigmas become their end. Both characters become obsessed with secrets and how intriguing they are. Ultimately, despite the mystery ending in despair for each, they maintain their reputation incredibly successfully. Holmes especially had success in this, as â€Å"†¦he stood too close, stared too hard, touched too much and long. And women adored him for it† (Larson 36). Despite how often he was taking people’s lives, he still managed to keep quiet the secrets and uphold his charm. Tulkinghorn was majorly successful in this as well, keeping his business with Sir Leicester and others separate from his investigation i nto Lady Dedlock. This way, he would not let the mystery interfere with how he looked in the eyes of those he worked for and cared about. Both the antagonists of their stories, H. H. Holmes and Mr. Tulkinghorn are encased in mystery and secrecy and ultimately thrive off of it. With their mutual desire to obtain the respect and trust of those around them, reputation ultimately blinds them into meeting their demise. Intrigued by the secrets he discovers while in the background of it all, Tulkinghorn investigates Esther and Lady Dedlock until he is murdered in relation to it. H. H. Holmes creates the secrets he must then hide, allowing the mystery of his life to eventually kill him. Upholding these secrets and allowing them to rule their lives essentially maintains these characters’ ways of life. Through it all, Tulkinghorn continues his investigation in order to protect himself and his standing within London, and Holmes keeps up his charming faà §ade as the only way to extend his murder spree.

Othellos Tragic Flaw Essay example - 1082 Words

Othellos Tragic Flaw The extravagant language and literary techniques used in Shakespeares Othello enhance the settings, characters, and themes. Othello, an intricate tragedy about good versus evil, loyalty, love, sexual jealousy, and appearance versus reality, is told in a first person point of view. The play is entitled Othello and the plot and action encompasses him, thus supporting his position of protagonist. The play takes place during the Renaissance in Venice, Italy and in Cyprus over three days. The opening scene of Othello is very dramatic as it begins in the middle of a disagreement or argument between two of the characters, Iago and Roderigo. Iago is a corrupt individualist who†¦show more content†¦Therefore the term ‘Moor’ used for Othello throughout the play may have or not shocked the audience, as it is a racist remark. One of Othello’s focal flaws would be his colour. One could argue is Othello is a racist play? This play does conform to the stereotypical image of a Moor; the play opens with racist language, ‘Moorship’, ‘the thick lip’, ‘Old black ram’. At the start of the play when he is seen heroic and noble, he is seen as being ‘more fair than black’, however when he kills Desdemona he is the ‘blackest devil’. On the other hand Shakespeare has dealt with the issues of race, and h as written about it, he challenges stereotypical labels such as ‘Moor’ and exposes racism. However Othello clearly feels himself to be an outsider, â€Å"your great business†. â€Å"Your† implies that he does not feel himself to be part of Venice, he does not say â€Å"we†. Iago expects this feeling Othello has very cleverly by appearing as a world-weary man, knowledgeable of Venice and Venetian women. Othello is a prestigious character, ‘Valiant Othello’ and is respected by the senators for his valiant service in war. Othello seems to have a good deal of ‘self knowledge’. This is revealed through his calm assurance when faced with Brabantio’s fury as he had â€Å"stolen† Desdemona from him. Othello Marries Desdemona, a Venetian white woman, who is also the SenatorShow MoreRelatedOthellos Tragic Flaws746 Words   |  3 PagesOthello’s tragic flaws Rodrigo Diaz 5/13/14 William Shakespeare wrote many plays in the 1600’s, lots of them were tragedies. William Shakespeare’s plays often had the downfall of a hero in it. In the play Othello: the tragic hero, Othello who is a larger than life character has earned a high rank in life as well as the military. He is a much respected man even though he is black. And has married a white woman named Desdemona. But when he makes the decision to make Casio Lieutenant instead ofRead MoreOthellos Tragic Flaw Essays1208 Words   |  5 Pagesby becoming a military general. In the military Othello meets Cassio and Iago, he chooses Cassio as his lieutenant which upsets Iago. The promotion of Cassio begins to show jealousy in the play. Even though Othello is not a ruler in Venice, his tragic flaws are jealousy and gullibility, therefore Othello is easily manipulated by Iago because Othello feels the need to be accepted. Iago plans to revenge Othello for not choosing him to become lieutenant, and knowing that Othello is easily deceived makesRead MoreEssay on Othellos Tragic Flaw852 Words   |  4 PagesShakespearean tragic heroes by the absolute feeling of affection the audience feels for him even unto the very end of the play. Any discerning reader painfully recognizes the virtue and goodness of Othello throughout the entire play, in contrast to the general degeneration of character so typical of a tragic hero. It is this complete pity that makes the death of Othello so tragic as the audience lends their full hopeful support until the inevitable and unavoidable fall. The evil side of Othello’s tragicRead MoreEssay about Othellos Tragic Flaws983 Words   |  4 PagesCreek, once commented that, â€Å"like all great romantics, Shakespeare realized love was a lot more likely to end with a bunch of dead Danish people than with a kiss†(Americans on the Bard). This emphasizes how easil y people can relate Shakespeare to tragic love. Although he did write many poems and plays with happy endings, his tragedies stand out the most. In these tragedies, people are often led through use of misconception, trickery, or both. An example of misconception can be shown by another ofRead MoreOthello, By William Shakespeare1134 Words   |  5 PagesIn Shakespeare’s play Othello, there is love, jealousy, death and of course, a tragic hero. A tragic hero is one who experiences an inner struggle due to some flaw within his/her character; that struggle results in the fall of a hero. According to Aristotle, â€Å"A tragic hero is a character who is not eminently good and just, yet whose misfortune is brought about not by vice and depravity, but by some error or frailty†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Aristotle, Poetics). Othello is an intricate play that dwells into the privateRead MoreEssay The Tragedy of Othello1292 Words   |  6 Pagesexample of a tragic hero. Shakespeare was influenced by Aristotle’s concept of a tragic hero and used Aristotle’s principles to create Othello. William Shakespeare attempted to create an Aristotelian tragedy play with a tragic hero and succeeded in Othello, the Moor of Venice by weaving in pity and fear into each line and action. The power of pity and fear creates the upmost tragic situation and follows in accordance of Aristotle’s definition of tragedy. Othello makes the ultimate act as a tragic hero byRead MoreA Comparative of Shakespeares Othello and Oedipus Rex1511 Words   |  6 PagesA Comparative of Shakespeare’s Othello and Oedipus Rex In Shakespeare’s work Othello: The Moor of Venice, Othello’s over trusting nature was revealed when his trust in false accusations about his wife Desdemona’s unfaithfulness causes him to kill her and himself, conveying Othello as a tragic hero. Oedipus, the main character in Oedipus Rex, is characterized as a tragic hero when he tries to run away from his fate and finds out that the cause of his fate was his attempt to escape it. Oedipus RexRead MoreTragedy In Shakespeares Othello1519 Words   |  7 Pagesthe tragic hero of the play that drives the narrative rather than Machiavellian Iago. Audiences are attentive in the protagonist being caught in a crisis situation where an error is made through judgement or action. Shakespeare uses this idea by adapting Aristotles view on hamartia and applying it to his play Othello. Aristotle’s Hamartia is an incident in the plot this is often translated as the tragic flaw. The tragic flaw is what captivates the audience to further reflect on Othello’s characterRead MoreShakespeares Use of Aristotles Guidelines to Tragedy in Creating the Play Othello1572 Words   |  7 Pagesof its ability to bring the viewer into the drama and feel for the characters, especially the tragic hero. This analysis of tragedy was formed by the Greek philosopher Aristotle, and also noted in his Poetics (guidelines to drama). As a playwright, Shakespeare used Aristotle’s guidelines to tragedy when writing Othello. The play that was created revolved around the tragic hero, Othello, whose tragic flaw transformed him from a nobleman, in to a destructive creature, which would inevitably bring himRead MoreThe Mirror Of Weaknesses Of Shakespeare s Othello Essay1483 Words   |  6 PagesThe grand tragic play Othello written by Shakespeare illustrates the contradictions in human natures through the display of tragic falls of various characters such as Othello, Iago, and Roderigo. Othello, the protagonist of the play, fell in love with the daughter of a nobleman, Desdemona. However, this relationship is soon broken up because Othello believed the accusation from Iago, Othello’s subordinate, towards Desdemona for having a disloyal relationship with her husband Othello’s lieutenant

Learning Theories and Implications for Educational...

Learning Theories and Implications for Educational Technology Abstract The theories of Vygotsky, Gardner, and Gagne present vary different models of learning. Vygotsky and Gardner see culture as an important factor in how a child learns, and see growth and development and individual thing. Gagne, however, focuses on a formal model of instruction, with the method used depending upon the content being taught. All three theories have a role to play in educational technology. Learning Theories and Implications for Educational Technology There are a variety of learning theories that have been presented over the past several decades, each proposing different thoughts on how and where learning takes place and how instruction should be†¦show more content†¦(â€Å"Vygotsky and Social Cognition† n. d.) Language takes the center stage in this process, with play and imagination also playing important roles. (â€Å"Application of Vygotsky’s Theory† n.d.). A key component of Vygotsky’s theory is a concept called the zone of proximal development. Social Cognition theory holds that there is a gap between what the child can do independently and what can be done with assistance, called the zone of proximal development. (â€Å"Application of Vygotsky’s Theory† n.d.). Ricardo Shutz provided an excellent analogy to help understand the concept of the zone of proximal development: â€Å"In mechanics, when you adjust the timing of an engine, you set it slightly ahead of the highest compression moment in order to maximize power and performance.† (2002). Howard Gardner Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligence proposes that there are multiple ways of knowing and learning, challenging previous held notions that intelligence comes in one form and can be measured in one standardized way. (Smith 2002). The forms of intelligence that Gardner proposed go beyond the traditional thinking and reasoning skills that are often thought of when discussing intelligence. To Gardner, intelligence is â€Å"the capacity to solve problems or to fashion products that are valued in on or more cultural setting.† (Gardner Hatch 1989, as quoted in Smith 2002) A great musician, a dancer, a counselor, and an architect are allShow MoreRelatedThe Examination Of Human History Displays The Connection Of Learning And Technology764 Words   |  4 Pagesof human history displays the connection of learning and technology. eLearning theories provide guiderails for educators and students to express and cultivate a systematic approach to distance education in an increasingly online world. Various eLearning theories informed recent DE Practice; however; this paper thesis is supported by two: Constructivist and Online Collaborative Learning (OCL). The fundamental principles of each theory and the implications those principles have on distance educationRead MoreEducational Principles Essay849 Words   |  4 PagesEDUCATIONAL PRINCIPLES 1 Educational Principles and Piaget’s Limitations of Preoperational Thought Cathleen Barney Excelsior College EDUCATIONAL PRINCIPLES 2 Jean Piaget’s theories continue to have a major impact on both teacher training and classroom practices. This essay will discuss the three educational principles derived from his theory and also discuss the limitations of preoperational thought from his point of view. The first educational principleRead MoreUnderstanding Of Different Learning Theories1092 Words   |  5 PagesDIFFERENT LEARNING THEORIES AND THEIR IMPLICATION AND APPLICATION TO e-LEARNING AND ONLINE LEARNING ABSTRACT: The aim of this paper is to explain the understanding of different learning theories and their implication and application to e-learning and online learning. These theories are classical conditioning, behaviorist theory, information processing theory or cognitive theory and constructivist theory. The paper focuses mainly on how learners should learn from different learning theories and howRead MoreAdult Learning Theory in Online Education Essay1208 Words   |  5 PagesAdult Learning Theory in Online Education The developments of technology has changed the way which adult students may choose to obtain a college degree. Through the use of their computer, they may opt to attend an online only college or university. While it may not be apparent to the student, a lot of research has been conducted regarding the most effective way to teach adults and children based upon how they learn. An awareness in different teaching theories could make an adult student a betterRead MoreChild s Mind And Brain Process New Information1566 Words   |  7 Pagesinformation, uses of the mental resources and skills, learning different languages and other characteristic that a child will develop comparing to an adult’s brain. For decades, different psychologist such as Jean Piaget, Jerome Bruner, and Lev Vygotsky have researched and created different kind of theories that helps the adults to understand how a child’s mind and brain process new information especially in their developing ages. Educat ional curriculum is always changing because of the evolvingRead MoreSituated Cognition967 Words   |  4 PagesSituated cognition is â€Å"the notion of learning knowledge and skills in contexts that reflect the way they will be used in real life† (Brown, Collins, Duguid, 1989). A close relative of cognitive apprenticeship and constructivism, this concept encourages educators to construct an environment that mimics as closely as possible the setting in which their instruction will actually be put to use. Whereas cognition and the situation it was learned in had historically been considered separate entitiesRead MoreUsing Mobile Technology For Farming And Economic Reasons1343 Words   |  6 PagesIndian government then asked why not create mobile learning through the use of cell phones? The Indian farmers were able to use mobile technology to solicit prospective crops sales around the various remote agricultural communities. The authors, Sampangi, Viswanath and Ashish Ray stated that the Indian government was really on to something â€Å"new† with the Indian culture. Does this application not â€Å"go beyond† what the theory claims? This writer contends that –â€Å"If You Build It They Will Come† (KinsellaRead MoreTheories Of Development : Piagets Theory Of Cognitive Development1363 Words   |  6 PagesPiagets theory of cognitive development In the 1960s and 1970s, the Freudian psychology was changed with the initiation of the empirical methods to study the human behavior. Psychologist and philosopher Jean Piaget empirically verified, moving towards the cognitive development theory to provide the new perspective to the individual in getting awareness about the developmental stages of the children. Just like Freud, Piaget thought that human development could only be described in stages. On theRead MoreVygotsky - Zone of Proximal Development Essay example1322 Words   |  6 Pagesfull range of students in the classroom? Teaching is not just a matter of standing in front of a class and distributing knowledge to a group of learners. Teaching is a much more complex procedure that requires educators to consider a variety of educational components in order to maximize a learner’s true potential. Teachers are responsible for catering to the needs of a group of learners with a range of needs, and therefore have an obligation to meet the needs of learners with differing levels ofRead More Situated Cognition Essay1083 Words   |  5 PagesSituated Cognition Learning and Knowledge Relates to Situated Cognition Learning and knowing are integrally and inherently situated in the everyday world of human activity (Wilson, 1993, p.71). Learning is situated in the context in which it is taught. In other words, the context in which something is learned is very important. The activity in which the learner is engaged in at the time of learning is also important (Griffin and Griffin, 1996, p.293). If the goal of a learner is to solve

Understanding The Work Culture Samples †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Understanding The Work Culture. Answer: Introduction People around the world are getting closer due to Globalization. This is affecting the organizations on a large scale. This phenomenon does alter the available business opportunities overseas. The growth in developing countries is an important aspect in terms of business expansion. Operating a business across geographical and cultural boundary is often difficult for the business organization (Harzing and Pinnington, 2010). With the widespread use of technology and an ability to communicate, and a wide market,International Human Resource Management has become a gigantic issue. As a business expand into a foreign market or hire employees from a different cultural background, they face issues relating to the employee law and tax liabilities. Compliance with the international law is a tough task for a HR manager due to increasing complexities. In this situation, it is recommended to keep knowledge of the legal requirement and business operation to mitigate the complexities. The report is based on the Number 2 Faction that supports a tailored organizational culture (i.e. there is no particular size that fits idea). HRM staff has to manage the activities while expanding the business. Indian and Australian wok culture is completely different. While setting the business goals, it is important to set the different HRM policies in order to organize the activities appropriately(Armstrong and Taylor, 2014). It is tough for the company to imbibe the working culture of some different country. Instead, they must try to focus efforts on managing the business function through the local culture. This will help the employees in understanding the work culture in a proper way. This will reduce the training cost, hence increasing the overall productivity (Berman, et al 2012). Australia is a pioneer of Western Culture. They foster an open environment as compared to the other Asian countries. India has a conservative work culture with a wide range of talent. The difference in culture creates a need to implement a mixture of both the Asian and Western work culture (Beugelsdijk, 2008). Situational Analysis In the given situation, the major issue is to maintain cultural diversity. Working with people belonging to a different cultural background and lifestyle means adapting new work style and Ideas. The pre-notion concerning one idea fits all no longer accumulate. To gain competencies and relevancy, it is evident to manage the employees on the basis of their experiences. Being open to new technology and style will add positive impacts on the organizational cultural diversity. The up-bringing of employees living in India will be different from the one living in Australia. Rigid HRM policies are destructive for the organizational growth and development. The given situation differentiates the HRM practices followed at different countries and how it impacts the HR policies. The report further focuses on the approach i.e.: Different approach for every country. In this way, it is possible to manage the HRM functions in an effective way. Essential ingredients of internal Dispute management system Effective integrated conflict management system Effective integratedconflict management system allows in preventing, identifying, and resolving all types of problems. There can be issues in relation to the "non-hierarchical" disputes between employees or between managers. This can affect all persons in the workplace Effective integrated conflict management systems is important for managing culture good faith and encourages resolution of conflict. The Integrated conflict management systems helps in providing multiple access points. In this way the Employees can readily identify and access an individual whom they trust for advice. Effective integrated conflict management systems gives multiple options for addressing conflict, giving employees the opportunity to choose a problem-solving approach in order , to seek fortitude and enforcement of rights. In order to achieve an Effective integrated conflictmanagement systems provide necessary systemic support in case of conflict. This is important for managing the dispute to access multiple options and promote competence The dispute management system looks after conflicts at the workplace without sufficient training, tools, outlets, or support. There is a different mean to manage the conflict taking place in different country. The conflict and distress at the offices in the India and Australia has to be managed in order to manage the adverse consequences. The employees need to be managed with an effective system that focuses on managing the dispute taking place at different level. This will escalate their concerns to channels outside the company. Process to implement the conflict management plan Benefits and compensations The benefits and compensation are to be given as per the standard of living. Multinational companies are expanding business in India due to liberated policies and cheap employees. While comparing it with Australian economy, the cost of living is high. There will be a difference in compensation packages. This will be the major concern. While deciding on the compensation packages, a special consideration needs to be given to these factors. Benefits and compensations are important for an individual and forms to be an important part of HRM policies. The main notion behind this concept is to provide employees with a work-life balance. This is considered to be an important part of international Hrm policies. Multinational companies need to absorb the local culture in order to grow effectively. Implementing the changes at a local level will ultimately reward the international HRM (Collings and Mellahi, 2009). Training and development Training includes, an in-house seminars and meetings designed to give employees with a better idea to grow. Professional development classes are important to develop a network among people. It tends to give competency regarding a particular idea. Professional development of the employees allows in managing global marketing and international business issues (Dessler, 2009). This completely depends upon the changes that are introduced in an organization. Sometimes it is tough to provide training to the employees. The purpose is to manage the organizational activities in an effective way by meeting the requirements of the employees. The training program has to be made in accordance with the employees working in the organization. The training and development pattern in both the countries is different. India working culture is different consequently. India is a multilingual, multi-ethnic and pluralistic society. There is a gap in cultural between North and South India. Hence it is suggested to develop HR training program as per the locality. This will help in dedicating the efforts in a better way (UK India Business Council, 2017). The work culture in Australia does resist changing. It is tough to implement changes in the organization (Macmillan and Dowling, 2008). Though training structure need to be made according to the organization. It is important to understand the needs of employees and to structure the training process accordingly. In this way it is possible to gain competencies (Dowling, 2008; Mou, 2017). Technological advances Technological advances do have an impact on HR business practices. An Improvement in technology has brought a drastic change in the approach to the various venture and the situations that guide the organizational regulations (Boxall, Purcell and Wright, 2007). There is a technological difference in both the countries. India is a developing country with limited access to technology. Resistance to change in technology is very common. People are mostly accustomed of using labor intensive technology (Birdi, et al 2008). In case of change in the organization, there can be resistance to adopt the new technology. Australia is technologically advanced. They are mostly influenced by the western culture. Business is carried with technological services. However there are problems in managing the changes at the fast moving technology. In a globalized business environment, product life cycle has reduced to months asking for a fast delivery of services. For a Multinational organization it is becom ing important to speed up the services (Boselie, 2010). Consumers today want services at the speed of thought. It has become an important to work in congruence with the world. The decisions regarding the real time are immediate. With the impact of technology, there is an increasing role of communication between businesses located in different countries. This is an important parameter to access information and knowledge to make an effective decision making (Boxall and Purcell, 2011). This is the time to integrate the functionally and geologically separate units through cooperation of the entire workforce by the process of effective communication. There is a growing need to systematize, motivate, deploy, enable, measure, and reward the value-operational work. This will gradually help in understanding the culture to gain competitive advantage. There must be an effective communication in order to locate cultural difference. It is through a clear understanding that the difference between the two countries in terms of culture diversity and value- system can be managed in an effective way. Those managers can effectively communicate with the employee international horizon and accomplish business goals. Workplace Diversity With the fusion of talent oversea, an organization can faced vivid challenges in managing the talent. The risk of losing talent to the competitors is very high. This is affecting multinational companies who are working globally on a large scale. The problem is related to management of employees with a different ethical belief and behavior. HR manager need to be watchful and employ a Think Global, Act Local approach to mitigate the problems. India has enactments divided into 5 broad categories: Working Conditions, Industrial Relations, Wage, Welfare and Social Securities. These enactments are based on Constitution of India and the resolutions taken in ILO Conventions from time to time. The workplace diversity is managed by following the law, rules and regulations established. Companies investing in India have to take care of the legal obligations. Whereas the Australian Employment law is guaranteed by generous leave entitlements and an exclusive legal framework characterize Australian employment law. The interesting aspects of workplaces in Australia are as follows: Modern awards, enterprise Agreement, parental leave for 24 months, Long service leave etc. Hence, while framing the HRM policies individually, it is important to look into the issues faced locally. This will help in establishing effective changes in order to implement HRM functions. There is already certain level of differences in the work culture and business functions (Bratton and Gold, 2012). Conclusion As discussed above the dominant issues and challenges faced by HR mangers and organization are related to management of diverse workforce. The primary work by the HR is to expand sound organizational structure with well-built interpersonal skills. Training employees is an important concept of globalize human resource management to give better results in the global organization context. The changing working environment is creating issues for the HR department is to manage the functions in order to gain market competency. There is a vast difference in managing the business activities in a diversified environment. For the purpose, it is the responsibility to manage the business functions. The work culture in Australia is different from that of India. The only way is to design the structure with the help of an effective training process. This will help in managing the business activities in an appropriate way. As a business expand into a foreign market or hire employees from a different cultural background, they face issues relating to the employee law and tax liabilities. For a business expanding its work in Australia and India, it is important to understand the work appropriately. Benefits and compensations are important for an individual and forms to be an important part of HRM policies. Hence, it is possible to gain efficiency by developing an effective business plan to gain competency. The report focus on the use of Number 2 Faction based on tailored organizational culture and needs (i.e. there is no particular size that fits idea) References Armstrong, M. and Taylor, S., 2017. Armstrong's handbook of human resource management practice. Kogan Page Publishers. Armstrong, M., 2011. Armstrong's handbook of strategic human resource management.Kogan Page Publishers. Berman, E.M., Bowman, J.S., West, J.P. and Van Wart, M.R., 2012. Human resource management in public service: Paradoxes, processes, and problems. Sage. Beugelsdijk, S., 2008.Strategic human resource practices and product innovation. Organization Studies, 29(6), pp.821-847. Birdi, K., Clegg, C., Patterson, M., Robinson, A., Stride, C.B., Wall, T.D. and Wood, S.J., 2008. The impact of human resource and operational management practices on company productivity: A longitudinal study. Personnel Psychology, 61(3), pp.467-501. Boselie, P., 2010. Strategic human resource management: A balanced approach. Tata McGraw-Hill Education. Boxall, P. and Purcell, J., 2011. Strategy and human resource management. Palgrave Macmillan.Dowling, P., 2008. International human resource management: Managing people in a multinational context. Cengage Learning. Boxall, P.F., Purcell, J. and Wright, P.M., 2007. The Oxford handbook of human resource management. Oxford University Press on Demand. Bratton, J. and Gold, J., 2012. Human resource management: theory and practice. Palgrave Macmillan. Collings, D.G. and Mellahi, K., 2009. Strategic talent management: A review and research agenda. Human resource management review, 19(4), pp.304-313. Dessler, G., 2009. A framework for human resource management.Pearson Education India. Dowling, P., 2008. International human resource management: Managing people in a multinational context. Cengage Learning. Harzing, A.W. and Pinnington, A. eds., 2010. International human resource management. Sage. Mou,Q.2017. Australian employment law: 10 key features. Online, Available at: https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/australian-employment-law-10-key-features/ Accessed on: 6 October 2017 UK India Business Council,2017. BUSINESS CULTURE IN INDIA Online, Available at: https://www.ukibc.com/india-guide/how-india/business-culture/ Accessed on: 6 October 2017

Roman Polanski Essays - Roman Polanski, Knife In The Water

Roman Polanski Roman Polanski incorporated religious themes into his films, A Knife In The Water (Poland 1962) and Rosemarys Baby (U.S. 1968). A Knife In The Water contains some Christian imagery that is not incorporated into the plot or theme of the film. In contrast, the central theme of Rosemarys Baby is religion. I believe this difference illustrates the fact that Polanski desired to make a radical religious film but was unable to do so until he came to The United States. A Knife In The Water is a film about money and power. A wealthy couple picks up a young hitchhiker and invites him to spend the day with them on their yacht. Through out the day the older man, Andre, and the boy struggle for power. The struggle ends with Andre thinking he has killed the boy, and the boy sleeping with Andres wife. (Polanski 1962) Christian imagery, and illusions to Biblical mythology, are subtly woven into this film. The boy is portrayed as somewhat of a Christ figure. At one point he is seen lying on the deck of the yacht in a crucifix position with the sun forming a halo around his head. He hangs off the boat while it is moving and attempts to walk on the water. The boy has wounds on his hands from holding the hot saucepan. Like Christ the boy wanders from place to place on foot. The most obvious comparison Polanski makes between the boy and Christ is that the boy is presumed to be dead after Andre plunges him into the water. He then rises from the dead after Andre swims ashore to contact the authorities. (Butler 39) Rosemarys Baby is very different from Polanskis first film. This film is about an expectant mother whose husband allows her to become impregnated by the devil in exchange for success in his acting career. When Rosemary begins to catch on to the fact that her husband and neighbors are witches and worshipers of the devil she becomes afraid for her baby. She suspects that they are going to take her baby from her and use it in a satanic ritual. Both Rosemary and the viewer are shocked to discover that the coven of witches doesnt plan to give her baby to Satan. The demonic looking baby is Satan. It becomes apparent that religion is an important issue in Rosemarys Baby early on in the film. The first time Rosemary and Guy have dinner with the Castevets the conversation quickly turns to religion. Rosemary becomes uncomfortable when the Castevets express their opinion that the Catholic religion and the Pope are more about appearance than authenticity. (Butler 149) Both the meals shared with the Castevets and the special pregnancy drink that Minnie makes for Rosemary represent communing with the devil. (Bruce 2) The concept of dinning as a form of communing with the devil is discussed in the Bible. (1 Corinthians 10: 20-22) The food and drink given by the Castevets symbolizes the Christian Eucharist with an evil twist. Instead of representing the body and blood of Jesus, it represents the body and blood of Satan. The chocolate mousse given to Rosemary and Guy by Minnie brings about Rosemarys ultimate communion with the devil. A drug placed in the mousse causes Rosemary to pass out. While shes unconscious she is raped and impregnated by Satan. Small doses of reality mingle with drug-induced dreams. Rosemary dreams that she is in the Sistine Chapel. She sees Michelangelos Creation of Adam. This painting symbolizes her fruitlessly reaching out to God for help. She finds herself on a Catholics only yacht and then floating in the sea. In literature the flowing and ever-changing sea often symbolizes the Chaos Monster. (Bruce 2) In the Old Testament of the Bible the Chaos Monster is a figure of evil. (Psalm 89: 9-10) The image of Rosemary floating in the sea represents her helplessly drowning in an evil to vast for her to combat. In her dream, Rosemary sees her friend Hutch dressed as the Pope. He holds out his papal ring for her to kiss and she discovers that it contains tannis root, the same herb that is found in the charm

Julieus Ceasar Essay

Julieus Ceasar Essay Julieus Ceasar Essay Both speakers are connecting to Caesar by trying to prove a way to make Caesar either stay home or got to work. One speaker is Calpurnia, she wants Caesar to stay at home, because she has a feeling that Caesar might die. The other speaker is Decius Brutus and he wants Caesar to go to work so that he and his friends can kill him. Both speakers have their own reasons that want to make Caesar want to stay but what Calpurnia said wasn’t enough so he was frightened. I think that Caesar would believe Brutus more because Brutus sounds more realistic than Calpurnia does. The words that Calpurnia uses in the passage are nervous because she doesn’t want anything to happen to her husband. She also uses the words I circled to try and convince Caesar not to go to work. On the other hand the words that Brutus uses are more persuasive because he twists the things Calpurnia says and make them seem positive. He also says things like that make Caesar want to go to work like when Brutus says, â€Å"If Caesar hide himself, shall they not whisper, ‘Lo, Caesar is afraid’?†. This quote shows what people will think of Caesar is he listens to his wife and stays home. I believe that Brutus is more persuasive because he gives great examples. The examples that both passages give are okay, but some are better like when Calpurnia said that she had a bad dream about Caesar’s death. Calpurnia says, â€Å"Your statue spouting blood in many pipes†. This quote shows that if Caesar goes to work and get crowned there will be bloodshed. Obviously the example that Calpurnia gave Caesar wasn’t enough to convince Caesar to stay home so he leaves his home and ran into Brutus, who convinced Caesar to go to work and get crowned. Decius Brutus says, â€Å"If you shall send them word you will not come, their minds may change†. This quote means that if Caesar doesn’t show up to get crowned, the crowd of people won’t want him as king any more. In both of the passages the speakers both talk in a different point of view, Calpurnia speaks in first person, while Brutus talks in second person. Calpurnia speaks in first person because she is trying to get a point though Caesar in hopes to convince Caesar

My mother tongue Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

My mother tongue - Essay Example to learn that one’s native dialect forms a foundation for understanding other languages, but it is also difficult communicate when outside the cultural setting within which it is normally spoken. What’s more, I strongly believe that our cultures, family members, and peers influenced our mother tongue most. My mother tongue is Chinese. Regardless of the language I speak presently, I have spoken Chinese for my whole life. As such, I knew Chinese and English are totally different in some ways. For example, in terms of â€Å"Though†, Chinese grammar said you must have a transition â€Å"but† after words like though/although/even though. However, in English, it doesn’t, it’s wrong if we add â€Å"but† in the sentence. Well, my culture influenced me a lot in that way so that when I first came to United States 3 years ago, I kept making this mistake. Additionally, Chinese culture has one tense, what we did is just simply add a time period before sentence started. For instance, when we want to talk about something in the past, we just add â€Å"in the past† before the whole statement, followed by a comma, making all the succeeding words to be in the past tense. If we need to end that past tense, we simply add another transition word. However, in Engli sh, I came to learn that sentences could not be outlined like that. Instead, we should use past tense when talking about something in the past and use the future tense when something is about in the future. To that effect, my Chinese culture has influenced my grammar so much that I sometimes keep making mistakes when differentiating tenses. These examples show that, even though all languages are supposed to make communication between people easy, they can differ based on the cultural environments where they are used. My family and peers were the primary influence to my mother tongue as I grew up. As far as I remember, People who live in Zhejiang Province like me, find it hard to pronounce the letter â€Å"R† in Chinese

Summarize Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Summarize - Research Paper Example It claims to be an eco-friendly option of transportation, and factually as having reduced the harmful greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1 tonne on average (cited in Tecsult Inc., 2006). Communauto Car-sharing Service: Useful or Not? Before concluding anything about the usefulness of Communauto service for the people, an analysis has been done in the further part of the paper. The usefulness of this service is largely dependent on the response of its users, benefits that car-sharing provides, the target group of people being wide or narrow, the USP (unique selling proposition) of the Communauto service and the market competitors. About Communauto Car-Sharing Service. It involves multiple users using fewer vehicles. It leads to reduction in congestion, pollution-level, number of vehicles per household and reduction of money spent on individual transportation. Communauto Users. The corporate usage of Communauto is more as compared to individual car-sharing, people who drive less and youth associating with ‘Green’ keeping in consideration style and comfort also can be included among the general users of Communauto vehicle service. The usefulness of Communauto lies in the information that its vehicles are eco-friendly through zero-emission cars, low per family car-expenses, lot of stations for Communauto car pick-up, 24 hours availability and low rent.

Invitation meeting Essay Example for Free

Invitation meeting Essay Boston global is a company that has provided outsourced resources services for fortune 500 companies. The companies have been able to solve their problems through our advice. We are the industry leaders in taking care of our employees in terms of their compensation insurance and disability insurance coverage. Your company has recently experienced numerous human resource problems. This may be due to the expansion that you are undergoing. Your company is growing fast and needs to grown in human resource services too. I also understand that your company does not have the in – house expertise to quickly establish the human resource and the procedures needed within a larger, publicly traded organization. It is important for every company to have a human resource department with qualified employees that look into the welfare of its employees. I was wondering whether your company has ever considered worker’s compensation disability exposure. It is for these reasons that my company would kindly like to ask you to set up a meeting with us I order to discuss the problems you are currently facing and the services that our company offers. We are hopeful that we will enter into a contract with you for these services so that you company can continue growing.

The Life Behind Things :: Psychology Technology Personal Narrative Papers

The Life Behind Things Free: this is how human beings living in democratic societies describe themselves. The general idea, nowadays, is that as long as you are considered equal and are able to voice your opinion and defend your own beliefs, the power is in your hand. Gone are the chains of repression and tyranny that permeated ancient times and enslaved whole societies in the prisons of silence and immobility, forcing them to surrender all of their power to the ruler. All that is left now is one word, resounding gloriously in the back of our minds every time we compare our current situation with that of the past: freedom. I used to feel that liberation every day, especially when I learned about foreign societies that had "remained" imprisoned by unscrupulous leaders who refused to relinquish their power and wealth to the people, however needy the latter were. Political police, torture, propaganda: all these horrifying stories whirled in my head and inevitably brought me back to the same evident conclusion, the fact that I was lucky to inhabit a "modern," "Western" country, and that my freedom, both compared to these unfortunate people and in absolute terms, was unlimited. Indeed, I had never felt any pressure of any kind to act a certain way, or hold specific beliefs at the expense of my own ideas. The origins of such a view of the world were the innate thought that only another human being, especially a man-have we ever seen a female dictator?-could take away my personal power and control my actions. For what else could? Such had been my state of mind when I came to NYU-sixteen years spent holding the firm belief that I had control over my actions, probably silently injected in my mind by my proud parents, as well as by the French society in general and all that it entails: the media, school, politicians. It pervaded my mental life, and I whispered this doctrine to myself, as though humming a baby nursery rhyme, probably pacifying my unconscious claims the way the soft lullaby would console a newborn baby, making his tears subside and causing him to forget why he was weeping in the first place. I had never considered and thought about my life in other terms. Originally not wanting to question this whole system of ideas, which would unavoidably cause great chaos in my mind, I started thinking about the recent turn that my life had taken, a few weeks ago.

Prelude to Foundation Chapter 18 Overthrow

THALUS, EMMER-†¦ A sergeant in the armed security forces of the Wye Sector of ancient Trantor†¦ †¦ Aside from these totally unremarkable vital statistics, nothing is known of the man except that on one occasion he held the fate of the Galaxy in his fist. Encyclopedia Galactica 87. Breakfast the next morning was served in an alcove near the rooms of the captured three and it was luxurious indeed. There certainly was a considerable variety to the food and more than enough of everything. Seldon sat at the breakfast table with a mound of spicy sausages before him, totally ignoring Dors Venabili's gloomy predictions concerning stomachs and colic. Raych said, â€Å"The dame†¦ the Madam Mayor said when she came to see me last night-â€Å" â€Å"She came to see you?† said Seldon. â€Å"Yeah. She said she wanted to make sure I was comfortable. She said when she had a chance she would take me to a zoo.† â€Å"A zoo?† Seldon looked at Dors. â€Å"What kind of zoo can they have on Trantor? Cats and dogs?† â€Å"There are some aboriginal animals,† said Dors, â€Å"and I imagine they import some aboriginals from other worlds and there are also the shared animals that all the worlds have-other worlds having more than Trantor, of course. As a matter of fact, Wye has a famous zoo, probably the best on the planet after the Imperial Zoo itself.† Raych said, â€Å"She's a nice old lady.† â€Å"Not that old,† said Dors, â€Å"but she's certainly feeding us well.† â€Å"There's that,† admitted Seldon. When breakfast was over, Raych left to go exploring. Once they had retired to Dors's room, Seldon said with marked discontent, â€Å"I don't know how long we'll be left to ourselves. She's obviously plotted ways of preoccupying our time.† Dors said, â€Å"Actually, we have little to complain of at the moment. We're much more comfortable here than we were either in Mycogen or Dahl.† Seldon said, â€Å"Dors, you're not being won over by that woman, are you?† â€Å"Me? By Rashelle? Of course not. How can you possibly think so?† â€Å"Well, you're comfortable. You're well-fed. It would be natural to relax and accept what fortune brings.† â€Å"Yes, very natural. And why not do that?† â€Å"Look, you were telling me last night about what's going to happen if she wins out. I may not be much of a historian myself, but I am willing to take your word for it and, actually, it makes sense-even to a nonhistorian. The Empire will shatter and its shards will be fighting each other for†¦ for†¦ indefinitely. She must be stopped.† â€Å"I agree,† said Dors. â€Å"She must be. What I fail to see is how we can manage to do that little thing right at this moment.† She looked at Seldon narrowly. â€Å"Hari, you didn't sleep last night, did you?† â€Å"Did you?† It was apparent he had not. Dors stared at him, a troubled look clouding her face. â€Å"Have you lain awake thinking of Galactic destruction because of what I said?† â€Å"That and some other things. Is it possible to reach Chetter Hummin?† This last was said in a whisper. Dors said, â€Å"I tried to reach him when we first had to flee arrest in Dahl. He didn't come. I'm sure he received the message, but he didn't come. It may be that, for any of a number of reasons, he just couldn't come to us, but when he can he will.† â€Å"Do you suppose something has happened to him?† â€Å"No,† said Dors patiently. â€Å"I don't think so.† â€Å"How can you know?† â€Å"The word would somehow get to me. I'm sure of it. And the word hasn't gotten to me.† Seldon frowned and said, â€Å"I'm not as confident as you are about all this. In fact, I'm not confident at all. Even if Hummin came, what can he do in this case? He can't fight all of Wye. If they have, as Rashelle claims, the best-organized army on Trantor, what will he be able to do against it?† â€Å"There's no point in discussing that. Do you suppose you can convince Rashelle-bang it into her head somehow-that you don't have psychohistory?† â€Å"I'm sure she's aware that I don't have it and that I'm not going to get it for many years-if at all. But she'll say I have psychohistory and if she does that skillfully enough, people will believe her and eventually they will act on what she says my predictions and pronouncements are-even if I don't say a word.† â€Å"Surely, that will take time. She won't build you up overnight. Or in a week. To do it properly, it might take her a year.† Seldon was pacing the length of the room, turning sharply on his heel and striding back. â€Å"That might be so, but I don't know. There would be pressure on her to do things quickly. She doesn't strike me as the kind of woman who has cultivated the habit of patience. And her old father, Mannix IV, would be even more impatient. He must feel the nearness of death and if he's worked for this all his life, he would much prefer to see it done a week before his death rather than a week after. Besides-â€Å" Here he paused and looked around the empty room. â€Å"Besides what?† â€Å"Well, we must have our freedom. You see, I've solved the psychohistory problem.† Dors's eyes widened. â€Å"You have it! You've worked it out.† â€Å"Not worked it out in the full sense. That might take decades†¦ centuries, for all I know. But I now know it's practical, not just theoretical. I know it can be done so I must have the time, the peace, the facilities to work at it. The Empire must be held together till I-or possibly my successors-will learn how best to keep it so or how to minimize the disaster if it does split up despite us. It was the thought of having a beginning to my task and of not being able to work at it, that kept me up last night.† 88. It was their fifth day in Wye and in the morning Dors was helping Raych into a formal costume that neither was quite familiar with. Raych looked at himself dubiously in the holomirror and saw a reflected image that faced him with precision, imitating all his motions but without any inversion of left and right. Raych had never used a holomirror before and had been unable to keep from trying to feel it, then laughing, almost with embarrassment, when his hand passed through it while the image's hand poked ineffectually at his real body. He said at last, â€Å"I look funny.† He studied his tunic, which was made of a very pliant material, with a thin filigreed belt, then passed his hands up a stiff collar that rose like a cup past his ears on either side. â€Å"My head looks like a ball inside a bowl.† Dors said, â€Å"But this is the sort of thing rich children wear in Wye. Everyone who sees you will admire you and envy you.† â€Å"With my hair all stuck down?† â€Å"Certainly. You'll wear this round little hat.† â€Å"It'll make my head more like a ball.† â€Å"Then don't let anyone kick it. Now, remember what I told you. Keep your wits about you and don't act like a kid.† â€Å"But I am a kid,† he said, looking up at her with a wide-eyed innocent expression. â€Å"I'm surprised to hear you say that,† said Dors. â€Å"I'm sure you think of yourself as a twelve-year-old adult.† Raych grinned. â€Å"Okay. I'll be a good spy.† â€Å"That's not what I'm telling you to be. Don't take chances. Don't sneak behind doors to listen. If you get caught at it, you're no good to anyone-especially not to yourself.† â€Å"Aw, c'mon, Missus, what do ya think I am? A kid or somethin'?† â€Å"You just said you were, didn't you, Raych? You just listen to everything that's said without seeming to. And remember what you hear. And tell us. That's simple enough.† â€Å"Simple enough for you to say, Missus Venabili,† said Raych with a grin, â€Å"and simple enough for me to do.† â€Å"And be careful.† Raych winked. â€Å"You bet.† A flunky (as coolly impolite as only an arrogant flunky can be) came to take Raych to where Rashelle was awaiting him. Seldon looked after them and said thoughtfully, â€Å"He probably won't see the zoo, he'll be listening so carefully. I'm not sure it's right to thrust a boy into danger like that.† â€Å"Danger? I doubt it. Raych was brought up in the slums of Billibotton, remember. I suspect he has more alley smarts than you and I put together. Besides, Rashelle is fond of him and will interpret everything he does in his favor. Poor woman.† â€Å"Are you actually sorry for her, Dors?† â€Å"Do you mean that she's not worth sympathy because she's a Mayor's daughter and considers herself a Mayor in her own right-and because she's intent on destroying the Empire? Perhaps you're right, but even so there are some aspects of her for which one might show some sympathy. For instance, she's had an unhappy love affair. That's pretty evident. Undoubtedly, her heart was broken-for a time, at least.† Seldon said, â€Å"Have you ever had an unhappy love affair, Dors?† Dors considered for a moment or two, then said, â€Å"Not really. I'm too involved with my work to get a broken heart.† â€Å"I thought as much.† â€Å"Then why did you ask?† â€Å"I might have been wrong.† â€Å"How about you?† Seldon seemed uneasy. â€Å"As a matter of fact, yes. I have spared the time for a broken heart. Badly cracked, anyway.† â€Å"I thought as much.† â€Å"Then why did you ask?† â€Å"Not because I thought I might be wrong, I promise you. I just wanted to see if you would lie. You didn't and I'm glad.† There was a pause and then Seldon said, â€Å"Five days have passed and nothing has happened.† â€Å"Except that we are being treated well, Hari.† â€Å"If animals could think, they'd think they were being treated well when they were only being fattened for the slaughter.† â€Å"I admit she's fattening the Empire for the slaughter.† â€Å"But when?† â€Å"I presume when she's ready.† â€Å"She boasted she could complete the coup in a day and the impression I got was that she could do that on any day.† â€Å"Even if she could, she would want to make sure that she could cripple the Imperial reaction and that might take time.† â€Å"How much time? She plans to cripple the reaction by using me, but she is making no effort to do so. There is no sign that she's trying to build up my importance. Wherever I go in Wye I'm unrecognized. There are no Wyan crowds gathering to cheer me. There's nothing on the news holocasts.† Dors smiled. â€Å"One would almost suppose that your feelings are hurt at not being made famous. You're naive, Hari. Or not a historian, which is the same thing. I think you had better be more pleased that the study of psychohistory will be bound to make a historian of you than that it may save the Empire. If all human beings understood history, they might cease making the same stupid mistakes over and over.† â€Å"In what way am I naive?† asked Seldon lifting his head and staring down his nose at her. â€Å"Don't be offended, Hari. I think it's one of your attractive features, actually.† â€Å"I know. It arouses your maternal instincts and you have been asked to take care of me. But in what way am I naive?† â€Å"In thinking that Rashelle would try to propagandize the population of the Empire, generally, into accepting you as seer. She would accomplish nothing in that way. Quadrillions of people are hard to move quickly. There is social and psychological inertia, as well as physical inertia. And, by coming out into the open, she would simply alert Demerzel.† â€Å"Then what is she doing?† â€Å"My guess is that the information about you-suitably exaggerated and glorified-is going out to a crucial few. It is going to those Viceroys of sectors, those admirals of fleets, those people of influence she feels look kindly upon her-or grimly upon the Emperor. A hundred or so of those who might rally to her side will manage to confuse the Loyalists just long enough to allow Rashelle the First to set up her New Order firmly enough to beat off whatever resistance might develop. At least, I imagine that is how she reasons.† â€Å"And yet we haven't heard from Hummin.† â€Å"I'm sure he must be doing something just the same. This is too important to ignore.† â€Å"Has it occurred to you that he might be dead?† â€Å"That's a possibility, but I don't think so. If he was, the news would reach me.† â€Å"Here?† â€Å"Even here.† Seldon raised his eyebrows, but said nothing. Raych came back in the late afternoon, happy and excited, with descriptions of monkeys and of Bakarian demoires and he dominated the conversation during dinner. It was not until after dinner when they were in their own quarters that Dors said, â€Å"Now, tell me what happened with Madam Mayor, Raych. Tell me anything she did or said that you think we ought to know.† â€Å"One thing,† said Raych, his face lighting up. â€Å"That's why she didn't show at dinner, I bet.† â€Å"What was it?† â€Å"The zoo was closed except for us, you know. There were lots of us-Rashelle and me and all sorts of guys in uniforms and dames in fancy clothes and like that. Then this guy in a uniform-a different guy, who wasn't there to begin with-came in toward the end and he said something in a low voice and Rashelle turned to all the people and made with her hand like they shouldn't move and they didn't. And she went a little ways away with this new guy, so she could talk to him and no one could hear her. Except I kept paying no attention and kept looking at the different cages and sort of moved near to Rashelle so I could hear her. â€Å"She said, ‘How dare they?' like she was real mad. And the guy in the uniform, he looked nervous-I just got quick looks because I was trying to make out like I was watching the animals-so mostly I just heard the words. He said somebody-I don't remember the name, but he was a general or somethin'. He said this general said the officers had sworn rel igious to Rashelle's old man-â€Å" â€Å"Sworn allegiance,† said Dors. â€Å"Somethin' like that and they was nervous about havin' to do what a dame says. He said they wanted the old man or else, if he was kind of sick, he should pick some guy to be Mayor, not a dame.† â€Å"Not a dame? Are you sure?† â€Å"That's what he said. He like whispered it. He was so nervous and Rashelle was so mad she could hardly speak. She said, ‘I'll have his head. They will all swear allegiance to me tomorrow and whoever refuses will lave cause to regret it before an hour has passed.' That's exactly what she said. She broke up the whole party and we all came back and she didn't say one word to me all the time. Just sat there, looking kinda mean and angry.† Dors said, â€Å"Good. Don't you mention this to anyone, Raych.† â€Å"Course not. Is it what you wanted?† â€Å"Very much what I wanted. You did well, Raych. Now, go to your room and forget the whole thing. Don't even think about it.† Once he was gone, Dors turned to Seldon and said, â€Å"This is very interesting. Daughters have succeeded fathers-or mothers, for that matter-and held Mayoralties or other high offices on any number of occasions. There have even been reigning Empresses, as you undoubtedly know, and I can't recall that there was ever in Imperial history any serious question of serving under one. It makes one wonder why such a thing should now, arise in Wye.† Seldon said, â€Å"Why not? We've only recently been in Mycogen, where women are held in a total lack of esteem and couldn't possibly hold positions of power, however minor.† â€Å"Yes, of course, but that's an exception. There are other places where women dominate. For the most part, though, government and power have been more or less equisexual. If more men tend to hold high positions, it is usually because women tend to be more bound-biologically-to children.† â€Å"But what is the situation in Wye?† â€Å"Equisexual, as far as I know. Rashelle didn't hesitate to assume Mayoral power and I imagine old Mannix didn't hesitate to grant it to her. And she was surprised and furious at encountering male dissent. She can't have expected it.† Seldon said, â€Å"You're clearly pleased at this. Why?† â€Å"Simply because it's so unnatural that it must be contrived and I imagine Hummin is doing the contriving.† Seldon said thoughtfully, â€Å"You think so?† â€Å"I do,† said Dors. â€Å"You know,† said Seldon, â€Å"so do I.† 89. It was their tenth day in Wye and in the morning Hari Seldon's door signal sounded and Raych's high-pitched voice outside was crying out, â€Å"Mister! Mister Seldon! It's war!† Seldon took a moment to swap from sleep to wakefulness and scrambled out of bed. He was shivering slightly (the Wyans liked their domiciles on the chilly side, he had discovered quite early in his stay there) when he threw the door open. Raych bounced in, excited and wide-eyed. â€Å"Mister Seldon, they have Mannix, the old Mayor'. They have-â€Å" â€Å"Who have, Raych?† â€Å"The Imperials, Their jets came in last night all over. The news holocasts are telling all about it. It's on in Missus's room. She said to let ya sleep, but I figured ya would wanner know.† â€Å"And you were quite right.† Seldon pausing only tong enough to throw on a bathrobe, burst into Dors's room. She was fully dressed and was watching the holo-set in the alcove. Behind the clear, small image of a desk sat a man, with the Spaceship-and-Sun sharply defined on the left-front of his tunic. On either side, two soldiers, also wearing the Spaceship-and-Sun, stood armed. The officer at the desk was saying, â€Å"-is under the peaceful control of his Imperial Majesty. Mayor Mannix is safe and well and is in full possession of his Mayoral powers under the guidance of friendly Imperial troops. He will be before you soon to urge calm on all Wyans and to ask any Wyan soldiers still in arms to lay them down.† There were other news holocasts by various newsmen with unemotional voices, all wearing Imperial armbands. The news was all the same: surrender by this or that unit of the Wyan security forces after firing a few shots for the record-and sometimes after no resistance at all. This town center and that town center were occupied-and there were repeated views of Wyan crowds somberly watching Imperial forces marching down the streets. Dors said, â€Å"It was perfectly executed, Hari. Surprise was complete. There was no chance of resistance and none of consequence was offered.† Then Mayor Mannix IV appeared, as had been promised. He was standing upright and, perhaps for the sake of appearances, there were no Imperials in sight, though Seldon was reasonably certain that an adequate number were present just out of camera range. Mannix was old, but his strength, though worn, was still apparent. His eyes did not meet the holo-camera and his words were spoken as though forced upon him-but, as had been promised, they counseled Wyans to remain calm, to offer no resistance, to keep Wye from harm, and to cooperate with the Emperor who, it was hoped, would survive long on the throne. â€Å"No mention of Rashelle,† said Seldon. â€Å"It's as though his daughter doesn't exist.† â€Å"No one has mentioned her,† said Dors, â€Å"and this place, which is, after all, her residence-or one of them-hasn't been attacked. Even if she manages to slip away and take refuge in some neighboring sector, I doubt she will be safe anywhere on Trantor for long.† â€Å"Perhaps not,† came a voice; â€Å"but I'll be safe here for a little while.† Rashelle entered. She was properly dressed, properly calm. She was even smiling, but it was no smile of joy; it was, rather, a cold baring of teeth. The three stared at her in surprise for a moment and Seldon wondered if she had any of her servants with her or if they had promptly deserted her at the first sign of adversity. Dors said a little coldly, â€Å"I see, Madam Mayor, that your hopes for a coup can not be maintained. Apparently, you have been forestalled.† â€Å"I have not been forestalled. I have been betrayed. My officers have been tampered with and-against all history and rationality-they have refused to fight for a woman but only for their old master. And, traitors that they are, they then let their old master be seized so that he cannot lead them in resistance.† She looked about for a chair and sat down. â€Å"And now the Empire must continue to decay and die when I was prepared to offer it new life.† â€Å"I think,† said Dors, â€Å"the Empire has avoided an indefinite period of useless fighting and destruction. Console yourself with that, Madam Mayor.† It was as though Rashelle did not hear her. â€Å"So many years of preparation destroyed in a night.† She sat there beaten, defeated, and seemed to have aged twenty years. Dors said, â€Å"It could scarcely have been done in a night. The suborning of your officers-if that took place-must have taken time.† â€Å"At that, Demerzel is a master and quite obviously I underestimated him. How he did it, I don't know-threats, bribes, smooth and specious argument. He is a master at the art of stealth and betrayal-I should have known.† She went on after a pause. â€Å"If this was outright force on his part, I would have had no trouble destroying anything he sent against us. Who would think that Wye would be betrayed, that an oath of allegiance would be so lightly thrown aside?† Seldon said with automatic rationality, â€Å"But I imagine the oath was made not to you, but to your father.† â€Å"Nonsense,† said Rashelle vigorously. â€Å"When my father gave me the Mayoral office, as he was legally entitled to do, he automatically passed on to me any oaths of allegiance made to him. There is ample precedence for this. It is customary to have the oath repeated to the new ruler, but that is a ceremony only and not a legal requirement. My officers know that, though they choose to forget. They use my womanhood as an excuse because they quake in fear of Imperial vengeance that would never have come had they been staunch or tremble with greed for promised rewards they will surely never get-if I know Demerzel.† She turned sharply toward Seldon. â€Å"He wants you, you know. Demerzel struck at us for you.† Seldon started. â€Å"Why me?† â€Å"Don't be a fool. For the same reason I wanted you†¦ to use you as a tool, of course.† She sighed. â€Å"At least I am not utterly betrayed. There are still loyal soldiers to be found.-Sergeant!† Sergeant Emmer Thalus entered with a soft cautious step that seemed incongruous, considering his size. His uniform was spruce, his long blond mustache fiercely curled. â€Å"Madam Mayor,† he said, drawing himself to attention with a snap. He was still, in appearance, the side of beef that Hari had named him-a man still following orders blindly, totally oblivious to the new and changed state of affairs. Rashelle smiled sadly at Raych. â€Å"And how are you, little Raych? I had meant to make something of you. It seems now I won't be able to.† â€Å"Hello, Missus†¦ Madam,† said Raych awkwardly. â€Å"And to have made something of you too, Dr. Seldon,† said Rashelle, â€Å"and there also I must crave pardon. I cannot.† â€Å"For me, Madam, you need have no regrets.† â€Å"But I do. I cannot very well let Demerzel have you. That would be one victory too many for him and at least I can stop that.† â€Å"I would not work for him, Madam, I assure you, any more than I would have worked for you.† â€Å"It is not a matter of work. It is a matter of being used. Farewell, Dr. Seldon. Sergeant, blast him.† The sergeant drew his blaster at once and Dors, with a loud cry, lunged forward-but Seldon reached out for her and caught her by the elbow. He hung on desperately. â€Å"Stay back, Dors,† he shouted, â€Å"or he'll kill you. He won't kill me. You too, Raych. Stand back. Don't move.† Seldon faced the sergeant. â€Å"You hesitate, Sergeant, because you know you cannot shoot. I might have killed you ten days ago, but I did not. And you gave me your word of honor at that time that you would protect me.† â€Å"What are you waiting for?† snapped Rashelle. â€Å"I said shoot him down, Sergeant.† Seldon said nothing more. He stood there while the sergeant, eyes bulging, held his blaster steady and pointed at Seldon's head. â€Å"You have your order!† shrieked Rashelle. â€Å"I have your word,† said Seldon quietly. And Sergeant Thalus said in a choked tone, â€Å"Dishonored either way.† His hand fell and his blaster clanged to the floor. Rashelle cried out, â€Å"Then you too betray me.† Before Seldon could move or Dors free herself from his grip, Rashelle seized the blaster, turned it on the sergeant, and closed contact. Seldon had never seen anyone blasted before. Somehow, from the name of the weapon perhaps, he had expected a loud noise, an explosion of flesh and blood. This Wyan blaster, at least, did nothing of the sort. What mangling it did to the organs inside the sergeant's chest Seldon could not tell but, without a change in expression, without a wince of pain, the sergeant crumbled and fell, dead beyond any doubt or any hope. And Rashelle turned the blaster on Seldon with a firmness that put to rest any hope for his own life beyond the next second. It was Raych, however, who jumped into action the moment the sergeant fell. Racing between Seldon and Rashelle, he waved his hands wildly. â€Å"Missus, Missus,† he called. â€Å"Don't shoot.† For a moment, Rashelle looked confused. â€Å"Out of the way, Raych. I don't want to hurt you.† That moment of hesitation was all Dors needed. Breaking loose violently, she plunged toward Rashelle with a long low dive. Rashelle went down with a cry and the blaster hit the ground a second time. Raych retrieved it. Seldon, with a deep and shuddering breath, said, â€Å"Raych, give that to me.† But Raych backed away. â€Å"Ya ain't gonna kill her, are ya, Mister Seldon? She was nice to me.† â€Å"I won't kill anyone, Raych,† said Seldon. â€Å"She killed the sergeant and would have killed me, but she didn't shoot rather than hurt you and we'll let her live for that.† It was Seldon, who now sat down, the blaster held loosely in his hand, while Dors removed the neuronic whip from the dead sergeant's other holster. A new voice rang out. â€Å"I'll take care of her now, Seldon.† Seldon looked up and in sudden joy said, â€Å"Hummin! Finally!† â€Å"I'm sorry it took so long, Seldon. I had a lot to do. How are you, Dr. Venabili? I take it this is Mannix's daughter, Rashelle. But who is the boy?† â€Å"Raych is a young Dahlite friend of ours,† said Seldon. Soldiers were entering and, at a small gesture from Hummin, they lifted Rashelle respectfully. Dors, able to suspend her intent surveillance of the other woman, brushed at her clothes with her hands and smoothed her blouse. Seldon suddenly realized that he was still in his bathrobe. Rashelle, shaking herself loose from the soldiers with contempt, pointed to Hummin and said to Seldon, â€Å"Who is this?† Seldon said, â€Å"It is Chetter Hummin, a friend of mine and my protector on this planet.† â€Å"Your protector.† Rashelle laughed madly. â€Å"You fool! You idiot! That man is Demerzel and if you look at your Venabili woman, you will see from her face that she is perfectly aware of that. You have been trapped all along, far worse than ever you were with me!† 90. Hummin and Seldon sat at lunch that day, quite alone, a pall of quiet between them for the most part. It was toward the end of the meal that Seldon stirred and said in a lively voice, â€Å"Well, sir, how do I address you? I think of you as ‘Chester Hummin' still, but even if I accept you in your other persona, I surely cannot address you as ‘Eto Demerzel.' In that capacity, you have a title and I don't know the proper usage. Instruct me.† The other said gravely, â€Å"Call me ‘Hummin'-if you don't mind. Or ‘Chetter.' Yes, I am Eto Demerzel, but with respect to you I am Hummin. As a matter of fact, the two are not distinct. I told you that the Empire is decaying and failing. I believe that to be true in both my capacities. I told you that I wanted psychohistory as a way of preventing that decay and failure or of bringing about a renewal and reinvigoration if the decay and failure must run its course. I believe that in both my capacities too.† â€Å"But you had me in your grip-I presume you were in the vicinity when I had my meeting with His Imperial Majesty.† â€Å"With Cleon. Yes, of course.† â€Å"And you might have spoken to me, then, exactly as you later did as Hummin.† â€Å"And accomplished what? As Demerzel, I have enormous tasks. I have to handle Cleon, a well-meaning but not very capable ruler, and prevent him, insofar as I can, from making mistakes. I have to do my bit in governing Trantor and the Empire too. And, as you see, I had to spend a great deal of time in preventing Wye from doing harm.† â€Å"Yes, I know,† murmured Seldon. â€Å"It wasn't easy and I nearly lost out. I have spent years sparring carefully with Mannix, learning to understand his thinking and planning a countermove to his every move. I did not think, at any time, that while he was still alive he would pass on his powers to his daughter. I had not studied her and I was not prepared for her utter lack of caution. Unlike her father, she has been brought up to take power for granted and had no clear idea of its limitations. So she got you and forced me to act before I was quite ready.† â€Å"You almost lost me as a result. I faced the muzzle of a blaster twice.† â€Å"I know,† said Hummin, nodding. â€Å"And we might have lost you Upperside too-another accident I could not foresee.† â€Å"But you haven't really answered my question. Why did you send me chasing all over the face of Trantor to escape from Demerzel when you yourself were Demerzel?† â€Å"You told Cleon that psychohistory was a purely theoretical concept, a kind of mathematical game that made no practical sense. That might indeed have been so, but if I approached you officially, I was sure you would merely have maintained your belief. Yet I was attracted to the notion of psychohistory. I wondered whether it might not be, after all, just a game. You must understand that I didn't want merely to use you, I wanted a real and practical psychohistory. â€Å"So I sent you, as you put it, chasing all over the face of Trantor with the dreaded Demerzel close on your heels at all times. That, I felt, would concentrate your mind powerfully. It would make psychohistory something exciting and much more than a mathematical game. You would try to work it out for the sincere idealist Hummin, where you would not for the Imperial flunky Demerzel. Also, you would get a glimpse of various sides of Trantor and that too would be helpful-certainly more helpful than living in an ivory tower on a far-off planet, surrounded entirely by fellow mathematicians. Was I right? Have you made progress?† Seldon said, â€Å"In psychohistory? Yes, I did, Hummin. I thought you knew.† â€Å"How should I know?† â€Å"I told Dors.† â€Å"But you hadn't told me. Nevertheless, you tell me so now. That is good news.† â€Å"Not entirely,† said Seldon. â€Å"I have made only the barest beginning. But it is a beginning.† â€Å"Is it the kind of beginning that can be explained to a nonmathematician?† â€Å"I think so. You see, Hummin, from the start I have seen psychohistory as a science that depends on the interaction of twenty-five million worlds, each with an average population of four thousand million. It's too much. There's no way of handling something that complex. If I was to succeed at all, if there was to be any way of finding a useful psychohistory, I would first have to find a simpler system. â€Å"So I thought I would go back in time and deal with a single world, a world that was the only one occupied by humanity in the dim age before the colonization of the Galaxy. In Mycogen they spoke of an original world of Aurora and in Dahl I heard word of an original world of Earth. I thought they might be the same world under different names, but they were sufficiently different in one key point, at least, to make that impossible. And it didn't matter. So little was known of either one, and that little so obscured by myth and legend, that there was no hope of making use of psychohistory in connection with them.† He paused to sip at his cold juice, keeping his eyes firmly on Hummin's face. Hummin said, â€Å"Well? What then?† â€Å"Meanwhile, Dors had told me something I call the hand-on-thigh story. It was of no innate significance, merely a humorous and entirely trivial tale. As a result, though, Dors mentioned the different sex mores on various worlds and in various sectors of Trantor. It occurred to me that she treated the different Trantorian sectors as though they were separate worlds. I thought, idly, that instead of twenty-five million different worlds, I had twenty-five million plus eight hundred to deal with. It seemed a trivial difference, so I forgot it and thought no more about it. â€Å"But as I traveled from the Imperial Sector to Streeling to Mycogen to Dahl to Wye, I observed for myself how different each was. The thought of Trantor-not as a world but as a complex of worlds-grew stronger, but still I didn't see the crucial point. â€Å"It was only when I listened to Rashelle-you see, it was good that I was finally captured by Wye and it was good that Rashelle's rashness drove her into the grandiose schemes that she imparted to me-When I listened to Rashelle, as I said, she told me that all she wanted was Trantor and some immediately adjacent worlds. It was an Empire in itself, she said, and dismissed the outer worlds as ‘distant nothings.' â€Å"It was then that, in a moment, I saw what I must have been harboring in my hidden thoughts for a considerable time. On the one hand, Trantor possessed an extraordinarily complex social system, being a populous world made up of eight hundred smaller worlds. It was in itself a system complex enough to make psychohistory meaningful and yet it was simple enough, compared to the Empire as a whole, to make psychohistory perhaps practical. â€Å"And the Outer Worlds, the twenty-five million of them? They were ‘distant nothings.' Of course, they affected Trantor and were affected by Trantor, but these were second-order effects. If I could make psychohistory work as a first approximation for Trantor alone, then the minor effects of the Outer Worlds could be added as later modifications. Do you see what I mean? I was searching for a single world on which to establish a practical science of psychohistory and I was searching for it in the far past, when all the time the single world I wanted was under my feet now.† Hummin said with obvious relief and pleasure, â€Å"Wonderful!† â€Å"But it's all left to do, Hummin. I must study Trantor in sufficient detail. I must devise the necessary mathematics to deal with it. If I am lucky and live out a full lifetime, I may have the answers before I die. If not, my successors will have to follow me. Conceivably, the Empire may have fallen and splintered before psychohistory becomes a useful technique.† â€Å"I will do everything I can to help you.† â€Å"I know it,† said Seldon. â€Å"You trust me, then, despite the fact I am Demerzel?† â€Å"Entirely. Absolutely. But I do so because you are not Demerzel.† â€Å"But I am,† insisted Hummin. â€Å"But you are not. Your persona as Demerzel is as far removed from the truth as is your persona as Hummin.† â€Å"What do you mean?† Hummin's eyes grew wide and he backed away slightly from Seldon. â€Å"I mean that you probably chose the name ‘Hummin' out of a wry sense of what was fitting. ‘Hummin' is a mispronunciation of ‘human,' isn't it?† Hummin made no response. He continued to stare at Seldon. And finally Seldon said, â€Å"Because you're not human, are you, ‘Hummin/Demerzel'? You're a robot.†