Study And Overview Of The Scientific Calculator Computer Science Essay

Study And Overview Of The Scientific Calculator Computer Science Essay The first scientific calculator that included all of the basic features above was the programmable Hewlett-Packed HP-9100A released in 1968, though the Wang LOCI-2 and the Mechatronics Mathatron had some features later identified with scientific calculator designs. The HP-9100 series was built entirely from discrete transistor logic with no integrated circuits, and was one of the first uses of the CORDIC algorithm for trigonometric computation in a personal computing device, as well as the first calculator based on reverse Polish notation entry. HP became closely identified with RPN calculators from then on, and even today some of their high-end calculators (particularly the long-lived HP-12C financial calculator and the HP-48 series of graphing calculators) still offer RPN as their default input mode due to having garnered a very large following. The HP-35 introduced on February 1, 1972, was Hewlett-Packards first pocket calculator and the worlds first handheld scientific calculator. Like some of HPs desktop calculators it used reverse Polish notation Introduced at US$395, the HP-35 was available from 1972 to 1975. HP continues to develop and market high-end scientific calculators, like the HP-35s and HP-49 series, which have been favored by scientists and engineers, in labs, offices, as well as in the field. INTRODUCTION The calculator was written by Rolf Hawarth in early 1996. A scientific calculator is a type of electronic calculator, usually but not always handheld, designed to calculate problems in science (especially physics), engineering, and mathematics. They have almost completely replaced slide rules in almost all traditional applications, and are widely used in both education and professional settings. A fully featured scientific calculator with proper operator precedence is implemented, including trig functions and logarithms, factorials, 12 levels of parentheses, logs to base 2 (a handy function for information entropists!), bitwise logical operator, hex, octal, binary and ASCII display. The calculator is written in Java Script and you are welcome to view the JavaScript source (visible within the HTML page) for personal educational purposes as long as you recognize that it is copyrighted and not in the public domain. This calculator is now available as part of Humming birds Enterprise Information Portal. All enquiries regarding licensing the calculator should be directed to Hummingbird Ltd. Basic Functions Modern scientific calculators generally have many more features than a standard four or five-function calculator, and the feature set differs between manufacturers and models; however, the defining features of a scientific calculator include: Scientific notation Floating point arithmetic logarithmic functions, using both base 10 and base e trigonometric functions (some including hyperbolic trigonometry exponential functions and roots beyond the square root quick access to constants such as pi and e In addition, high-end scientific calculators will include: hexadecimal ,binary, and octal calculations, including basic Boolean math complex numbers fractions statistics and probability calculations equation solving calculus conversion of units physical constants While most scientific models have traditionally used a single-line display similar to traditional pocket calculators, many of them have at the very least many digits (10 to 12), sometimes with extra digits for the floating point exponent. A few have multi-line displays, with some recent models from Hewlett-Packed, Texas Instruments, Casio, Sharp, and Canon using dot matrix displays similar to those found on graphical calculators. Addition The addition (sum function) is used by clicking on the + button or using the keyboard. The function results in a+b. Subtraction The subtraction (minus function) is used by clicking on the - button or using the keyboard. The function results in a-b. Multiplication The multiplication (times function) is used by clicking on the x button or using the keyboard * key. The function results in a*b. Division The division (divide function) is used by clicking on the / button or using the keyboard / key. The function results in a/b. Sign The sign key (negative key) is used by clicking on the (-) button. The function results in -1*x. Square The square function is used by clicking on the x^2 button or type ^2. The function results in x*x. Square Root The square root function is used by clicking on the x button or type sqrt(). This function represents x^.5 where the result squared is equal to x. Raise to the Power The raise to the power (y raised to the x function) is used by clicking on the y^x button or type ^. Natural Exponential The natural exponential (e raised to the x) is used by clicking on the e^x button or type exp(). The result is e (2.71828) raised to x. Logarithm The logarithm (LOG) is used by clicking on the LOG button or type LOG(). Natural Logarithm The Natural logarithm (LN) is used by clicking on the LN button or type LN(). Inverse Multiplicative inverse (reciprocal function) is used by pressing the 1/x button or typing inv(). This function is the same as x^-1 or dividing 1 by the number. Exponent Numbers with exponents of 10 are displayed with an e, for example 4.5e+100 or 4.5e-100. This function represents 10^x. Numbers are automatically displayed in the format when the number is too large or too small for the display. To enter a number in this format use the exponent key EEX. To do this enter the mantissa (the non exponent part) then press EEX or type e and then enter the exponent. Factorial The Factorial function is used by clicking the ! button or type !. PI PI is a mathematical constant of the ratio of a circles circumference to its diameter. Permutation The permutation function is used by clicking the nPr button. Combination The combination function is used by clicking the nCr button. Cube The cube function is used by clicking the x3 .The function results in x*x*x. Cube root The cube root function is used by clicking 3|x . Trig function Various trig functions are involved as:- Sine, cosine, tangent etc. Inverse trig functions Various inverse trig functions are also involved as:- sin`x,cos`x,tan`x etc. PROPOSED SYSTEM The following documentation is a project the Name of the term paper allotted. It is a detailed summary of all the drawbacks of the old system and how the new proposed system overcomes these shortcomings. The new system takes into account the various factors while designing a new system. It keeps into the account the Economical bandwidth available for the new system. The foremost thing that is taken care of is the Need and Requirements of the User. DESCRIPTION Before developing software we keep following things in mind that we can develop powerful and quality software PROBLEM STATEMENT Problem statement was to design a module: Which is user friendly Which will restrict the user from accessing other users data? Which will help user in viewing his data and privileges? Which will help the administrator to handle all the changes? FUNCTIONS TO BE PROVIDED: The system will be user friendly and completely menu driven so that the users shall have no problem in using all options. The system will be efficient and fast in response. The system will be customized according to needs. View Add Delete Modify SYSTEM REQUIRMENTS Operating system: MS Windows XP or Windows Vista Language: C Language Processor: Pentium IV Processor RAM: 512 MB Hard disk: 5 GB Flowchart Welcome to main menu of Scientific Calculator Enter Your Choice? On calculator Do your any task Do you want to continue? START Trignometery(sin,cos) Inverse (1/x) STOP Switch off calculator Yes No Uses Scientific calculators are used widely in any situation where quick access to certain mathematical functions is needed, especially those such as trigonometric functions that were once traditionally looked up in tables; they are also used in situations requiring back-of-the-envelope calculations of very large numbers, as in some aspects of astronomy, physics, and chemistry. They are very often required for math classes from the junior high school level through college, and are generally either permitted or required on many standardized tests covering math and science subjects; as a result, many are sold into educational markets to cover this demand, and some high-end models include features making it easier to translate the problem on a textbook page into calculator input, from allowing explicit operator precedence using parentheses to providing a method for the user to enter an entire problem in as it is written on the page using simple formatting tools. APPLICATIONS In most countries, students use calculators for schoolwork. There was some initial resistance to the idea out of fear that basic arithmetic skills would suffer. There remains disagreement about the importance of the ability to perform calculations in the head, with some curricula restricting calculator use until a certain level of proficiency has been obtained, while others concentrate more on teaching estimation techniques and problem-solving. Research suggests that inadequate guidance in the use of calculating tools can restrict the kind of mathematical thinking that students engage in. Others have argued that calculator use can even cause core mathematical skills to atrophy, or that such use can prevent understanding of advanced algebraic concepts. There are other concerns for example, that a people could use the calculator in the wrong fashion but believe the answer because that was the result given. Teachers try to combat this by encouraging the student to make an estimate of the result manually and ensuring it roughly agrees with the calculated result. Also, it is possible for a child to type in à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢1  ÃƒÆ'-  Ãƒ ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢1 and obtains the correct answer 1 without realizing the principle involved. In this sense, the calculator becomes a crutch rather than a learning tool, and it can slow down students in exam conditions as they check even the most trivial result on a calculator. FUTURE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT Our project will be able to implement in future after making some changes and modifications as we make our project at a very low level. So the modifications that can be done in our project are: To make it screen touch so no need to touch key buttons and one more change which can we made is to add snaps of the person who use it.

adventures :: essays research papers

B orn in a liberate and democratic atmosphere, I as well as people around me take freedom for granted. In our eyes, freedom is innate, coming hand in hand with the very first cry. The seeming God ¡Ã‚ ¯s truth obviates the endeavor to obtain it, thus incarnating the equality of all inscribed in the Holy Scripture, which even in some part of the world today is still Arabian nights, let alone in turbulent climate then. The period during which the author Mark Twain lived could be called tumult itself when the legal rights for Afro-Americans had not yet been granted and the antagonism to slavery was in the prime. The uprising of John Brown brought the anti-slavery campaign to its zenith, promulgating the idea to numerous blacks who were enlightened only at this time. Their resistance to the planters, namely the interior force, together with exterior one from peace-loving people contrives to emancipate tens of thousands of slaves from the claws of racial discrimination. Living in a social background as such, Mark Twain, the advocate for democracy for all, embodies his noble thoughts in the novel. Jim, the maroon, escapes from the plantation and seeks his way to Cairo where a newly impartial life can be anticipated. For him, or rather, a host of fugitive slaves like him, freedom is not like air or sunshine that is ubiquitous, but like almost a catch-22. Great efforts should be made if they are to get freedom. The road to paradise is bestrewed with brambles. Throughout his hegira, Jim wades through difficulties and setbacks now and again. The same applies to the abolition of slavery, and later the elimination of racial discrimination. There is no social progress but is at the expense of some of its components. The emancipation of black slaves undoubtedly impinged the interests of planters who reckon themselves on the cheap labor force of these slaves, so it is understandable that they bitterly oppose the Act. Apart from freedom, another central theme of the novel is friendship, which is also vital to social well-being. As the saying goes, a father is a treasure, a brother a comfort, but a friend is both. In the book, true friendship between Jim and Huck is represented on a higher level. Albeit Jim is black, Huck simply pays no attention to that. Admittedly, there were millions of anti-slavery people then, I don ¡Ã‚ ¯t bracket Huck with them.

Comparing Society Today with Ayn Rands, Anthem Essay -- Government

Imagine a world where people are only expected to live up to 45 years old. In today's society, there are countries that experience this. In the novel Anthem, by Ayn Rand; there are many factors like lifestyle, government, medicine, and education that lead to this. There are a couple of ways where the world in the novel is similar and different to today's society. A reason why life expectancy is so short in the novel is because of the "Great Rebirth", the "Great Rebirth" led to a new world that doesn't have machinery or electronics. Because of this there was a lack of medicine. Life expectancy is so short in this society because there isn't any advanced medicine. They think that by cutting them open and letting them bleed the infections would go away. In fact, this would cause someone to bleed to death. This relates to us because in the beginning we didn't know much about medicine or technology, which lead to many deaths. Now, our society has greatly improved because medicine has been greatly developed and diseases that were once thought to be incurable now have a cure. Also, educa...

Psychology of Prediction Essay

Over the decades, there has been much controversy on the effectiveness of clinical predictions which are mostly based on experts’ intuition. Researches from the past decades have proven that statistical methods are more accurate than clinical predictions and other researches examined heuristic principles used in predicting and judging outcomes during times when there is uncertainty or insufficient information. Although relying upon these heuristics simplifies judgment to a certain degree, this may lead to severe errors. Basically, there are three heuristic principles proposed by Kahneman and Tversky (1974). The first is called the availability heuristic, wherein predictions are made based on the information available. The second is anchoring, wherein predictions are based on a series of numerical estimates or â€Å"anchors†. The third one is called the representativeness heuristic, wherein predictions are made based on the subsistence of apparently similar cases. This paper studies one of these heuristic principles namely, representativeness heuristic, to show how this heuristic can lead to bias on clinical predictions and hence, show that such heuristics are, indeed, less accurate than predictions based upon statistical methods. First, the author feels compelled to give a little background on a few studies over the on-going clinical-statistical controversy. In 1996, Grove and Meehl proved that statistical method â€Å"is almost invariably equal to or superior to clinical method† (p. 293) in terms of accuracy in prediction. They analyzed secondary data coming from 136 published English researches since the 1920s which dealt with the prediction of health-related phenomena or human behaviour. These researches should also contain at least one of each prediction — that is, at least one clinical prediction or one based on human judgment and at least one mechanical or statistical prediction. As have mentioned earlier, all of the researches they included in their studied proved that statistical method is indeed almost always equal to or superior to clinical method because statistical prediction obtained from organized data are almost always free from bias. These data are observed from actual experiences and are recorded with precise instruments instead of relying on unaided memory. Moreover, statistical inferences are more objective than the human mind which can be bias at times or which can neglect certain important attributes that are necessary before even concluding on the result and thus, sometimes resulting to severe errors in predictions. Hence, predictions obtained from these statistical methods produce unbiased results in contrast with predictions made from human judgment. There are many reasons and examples that can show the superiority of statistical method over clinical method. In this paper, one type of heuristic is presented based on the observations of Kahneman and Tversky in their paper On the Psychology of Prediction (1973). Their paper is chosen due to the fact that it presents how people, specifically clinicians, judge certain events based on similar events that happened in the past. In the end, this paper shows how such a heuristic (representativeness) can lead to certain and possibly severe errors in judgment as compared to the event of using statistical method. Data analysis, discussion and conclusion are all based upon the findings of Kahneman and Tversky (1973) and Grove and Meehl (1996). In 1973, Kahneman and Tversky discussed two classes of prediction, the categorical prediction, in which predictions are presented nominally and numerical prediction, in which predictions are presented in numerically. They first examined category predictions by dividing 248 participants into three groups — 69 participants for the base-rate ¬ group, 65 participants for the similarity group and 114 participants for the prediction group. The base-rate group was asked to guess the percentage of first-year graduate students in the US who are enrolled as of the time the study was in progress in each of the nine fields of specialization namely, Business Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Library Science, Medicine, Physical and Life Sciences, and Social Science and Social Work. The similarity group was given a personality sketch (see Kahneman and Tversky, p. 38) and asked to rank the nine areas in terms of â€Å"how similar is Tom W. to the typical graduate student in each of the following nine fields of graduate specialization? †. The prediction group, which consists of graduate students in psychology at three major universities in the United States was also given the same personality sketch as that given to the similarity group with some additional information (see Kahneman and Tversky, p. 239) and was asked to predict Tom W’s choice of specialization. Kahneman and Tversky compared the results of these three groups by presenting a table (see Kahneman and Tversky, p. 238) and computing the product-moment correlations between the columns of the table. In so doing, they confirmed their hypothesis that most people predict certain events based on representativeness. Kahneman and Tversky explained that this happens because all the participants ignored certain important features before drawing their conclusions. In this way, they violate the normative rules of information. The participants, basically, ignored the three types of information relevant in any statistical analysis namely, prior or background information (presented to the participants using base rates of fields of graduate specialization, specific evidence concerning the individual case (presented to the participants using the personality sketch of Tom W. ) and the expected accuracy of prediction. The statistically correct method of predicting Tom W’s choice of specialization would be to compare the relative weights assigned to specific evidence and prior information with that of expected accuracy. As Kahneman and Tversky explains â€Å"when expected accuracy decreases, predictions should become more regressive, that is, closer to the expectations based on prior information† (p. 239). However, the participants in their study predicted without even considering the prior probabilities assigned to the specific evidence as described in Tom W’s personality sketch. Kahneman and Tversky (1973) also examined in their paper how numerical predictions can also lead to bias judgments or severe errors. In a study designed analogously with their study on categorical predictions, they showed that people also tend to predict by representativeness. That is, most predict an outcome using a score that is most representative of the description they were provided. Kahneman and Tversky’s showed us that whether people were given nominal or numerical data, they tend to predict outcomes by representativeness. Most may think that predicting by representativeness is more efficient than statistical methods since one should only consider similar or representative events while statistical methods require rigorous (as most think) tasks such as observing and gathering data and computing for too many measures such as mean, standard deviation and the like. However, this can become less accurate since they fail to consider some important parts in their analysis before drawing conclusions whereas statistical methods consider all of the important parts required before completely analyzing a data. Such statistical and mechanical methods reduce bias since these methods rely on precise measuring instruments than heuristic methods which rely almost entirely to memory or past knowledge which are most of the time insufficient or cannot wholly represent a certain event. Moreover, results derived from heuristic methods such as representativeness can vary depending upon the perception of different people. Results from statistical method, on the other hand, vary only because of variation between groups or within-groups. But even if data is given to five hundred different people, as long as the data is still the same, it will still yield the same result.

4p’s on Marketing

The Marketing Mix Strategies 1. Product Nokia's main product is mobile phone and it has a wide range of product portfolio including over a hundred devices. Nokia has produced the first mobile phone with the antenna inside, the first built-in camera, the first changeable faceplate or short-message chat function and so on. Nokia offers various mobile phones with varied quality, shape, size and color. Product segmentation is very significant factor in the mobile device market to reach all consumers. Nokia cell phones can be divided into three categories which is business line, the multimedia line and the connect line.The business line refers to the mobile phones that have priority functions such as connectivity (Bluetooth, WAP, internet connection), time management applications such as a calendar. The multimedia line is targeted the young users with N-series mobile phones that enable users to watch video and TV, play games, listen to music and the other features such as navigation, larg e capacity hardware. The connect line category's users consist students who do not have disposable income or do not want to pay a lot of money for a mobile phone.These devices are still stylish and equipped some technological features such as internet, camera and mp3 player. The market researches of Nokia shows that the consumers make decisions in accordance with their own preferences, the product brand and the ability of the economy when supplied with the mobile phone products with the same quality. Thus, researchers in Nokia analyze the different personalities, divide consumer groups and decide what kind of mobile should be supplied to a particular consumer community. This process is products positioning.Designing professional mobile phones with suitable size that fits the requirement of the user and high technology-enablement is what defines the Nokia brand. Consumers view a brand as an important part of a product, and branding can add value to a product. Nokia keeps being good a t molding the good brand image by injecting individuality into product design. For example, Nokia designers believe that the screen of a phone is the â€Å"eye into the soul of the product†. In marketing mobile phones specifically, each mobile phone has a product lifecycle.Nokia could extend the product’s life to 2 years. Successful products progress through four basic stages: introduction, growth, maturity and decline. This progression is known as the Product Life Cycle. The introduction stage is concept of phone, growth stage is Nokia E-Series phone, maturity stage is Nokia N-Series phones, and decline stage is Nokia 3110. 2. Price Nokia understand that most of the consumer demand for portable multifunction device, so the budget of the target consumer for specific model is considered.Nokia price the products by comparing to other products with similar function in the market. Nokia Corporation, which targets all customer segments, has a wide range of price variations from the lower price group to the higher price group depending on customer's positions and needs. In the mobile phone market, the factors affecting Nokia's device prices are the cost of products, customer demand and competition. Nokia initially sells products at a higher price to gain profit. It is to reimburse the cost of investment and cost of research and development.After a period of time, the company reduces the high price for beginning depending on their competitor prices and they make less profit. However, there is still a large profit because of increasing amount of sales. Because of Nokia is establishing as branded so it has the power to sell products at the price they want or even lower price when compete with other company. This successful price strategy enables Nokia to gain competitive advantage in the market. The major method for Nokia to pricing decision is the Brand Life Cycle Model. This model is to set different prices based on different life cycle of product.Nokia set a high price for new products, medium price for second line products and low price for third line products. Nokia pricing on the basis of sufficient market research on consumer number mature an advance technology that a product has, it will successful once the consumers love and purchase the products. For example, Nokia 88 series and Nokia 89 series, consumers who have strong purchase abilities treat the mobile phone as a symbol of status. So this kind mobile phone has a high price and long life cycle and will seldom reduce prices because they will not change their obile phone too frequently 3. Place Nokia Company, which doesn't contact directly with consumers, uses some distributing channels to reach the customers and sells their devices through the mobile service operators such as Vodafone, T-mobile; independent mobile phone retailers such as Carphone Warehouse, The Link; some electrical suppliers like a Dixon and finally the Company's web site. This selling policy carried ou t in the all countries in which Nokia has got the market provides to reach all consumers. Company has made ease of ordering Nokia handsets all over the country.There are around 1, 00,000 distributors of Nokia handsets across the country. Launch of â€Å"Nokia Concept Stores† which makes consumer feels that he or she is standing in the middle of the cellular tech-hub. Initially, the distribution strategy was focused on urban population negating growing demand in rural areas. In order to become competitive, Nokia reformulated its distribution strategy with more focus in the rural areas which were previously served by local competitors. The new efforts made in revamping distribution strategy helped boost sales and increased market share as well.Nokia choose its local business agent based on 5C principle. Nokia will decide whom to choose according to their capital, credibility, channel, cooperation and management. Meanwhile, pay attention to the network marketing and try to take intensive marketing strategy in all domains. For example, Nokia chose new channel pattern called FD, which has ability to change the provincial agent into funds platform. This saves a lot of intermediate links. Through this method, most of Nokia monopoly stores can acquire the ability of direct supply which ensure its good post-sale service. . Promotion Promotion was done by Nokia to increase sales and their publicity. For instance, Nokia offered precious gifts such as get a chance to win Yamaha bikes and Toyota Vios. This is to attract consumers to purchase Nokia mobile phone. During festival such as Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya, Nokia will always hold a promotions. In advertising part, there are printed advertisements used by the company to promote their products. There are newspaper, magazines, brochures, TV, radio, website banners, billboards and others.In the advertisement, the Company always emphasizes their well-known slogan â€Å"connecting people† to build relationships, to bring people together, to collaborate and communicate. Nokia invites famous actors to become spoke persons of the products. This will attract more buyers because many people will support their idol. Retailers and mobile phone operators generally carried out sales promotion for Nokia’s devices. Nokia promotes the product to retailers such as Carphone Warehouse, then they promote to consumers.Sometimes they can be joint promotions with a bank or credit card company. Moreover, the mobile phone operators offer campaigns including mobile phone and phone line are the most popular way of promotions. Public relations also play an important role in the Nokia's promotion strategies. The company supports financially some social programs such as educational activities, charities and accept being sponsorship for sports, music and television. Nokia has education, creative arts and civic engagement programs in 57 countries.These kind of social relations make Nokia more att ractive in the mind of consumers to ensure positive opinions about the company. Social media is the fastest, easiest and most cost effective ways of publishing news for a global audience in highly visible way. Nokia have creates and use Facebook Fan Page, Youtube videos to pass the messages to a wider audience. For instance, Nokia N9 is one of the products that have been promoted. It shows functions and strength of Nokia N9 with innovative way and with a suitable music to draw attention of potential buyers.

Developing yourself as an effective HR practitioner Essay

What are the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to be effective in your HRM/D role? The HR Profession map was designed and created in 2009 by leading HR specialists and generalists around the world. The map is used by many organisations and is universally acknowledged as the guidelines for the structure of the HR profession. The map is built up of ten professional areas, eight behaviours and four bands. The professional areas are different skills and specialisms that are within HR, employee relations and resourcing talent would be two examples. The eight behaviours are characteristics you need to have to be able to succeed as an HR practitioner, these include being a decisive thinker and being a role model. The bands show the level of competency and knowledge you are required to have at each stage of your career. The map can be used for an individual, a team or even the whole organisation. The map covers all aspects of the profession whether it be large or small. The core of the map shows two professional areas which are strategies, insights and solutions and leading HR. These are at the core because regardless what level you are at in your career you must be able to demonstrate the skills required in these two areas to be in any HR role. They are fundamental to any organisation. Insights, Strategy and solutions: This area focuses on the understanding of the organisation you work in and the development of that. This could include collating ideas and observations from colleagues and trying to influence policies and put forward ideas in band one to assessing the social and economic environment to create change in an organisation which would demonstrate skills from band four. Of all the behaviours there are some that are required more in certain professions. Being able to demonstrate yourself as a skilled influencer would be very beneficial in this area as you could be required to influence  the stakeholders or senior management to go ahead with your proposed changes or the need to influence the organisation with new policies. Being curious would be another behaviour required for this as you would want to seek ways to develop the organisation and add value, to do this you would need to actively develop understanding of the sector you are in and all that encompasses that to make effective decisions. Collaborative is another behaviour and this would link well with the curious behaviour as this one shows respect and empathy to all cultures and beliefs within band one and going up the bands you are able to effectively work with a range of people inside your organisation and outside. You are able to bring people together to make positive decisions for the organisation. Leading HR: This core professional area is about maximising the contribution you, the whole HR function or the specialist function make on the organisation. You should always be aware of any issues or threats to the organisation and prioritise the needs of the business. Within band one you are able to provide sound advice and understanding based in the organisations policies and within band four you are able to lead and develop whole functions or organisations. The development of being a role model is required in this profession as all the competency levels require you to lead by example and encourage positive change. You are able to set the standards required for the organisation which will then be conveyed to the rest of the business. The courage to challenge is going to always be a requirement for an HR practitioner and is an important behaviour. Within this professional area you would need to stand by your decisions and be ready to face difficult questions and provide substantial evidence to prove the need for your proposals. Driven to deliver is the underpinning of being a good HR practitioner as you need to show consistency and determination to deliver the best HR you can.  Showing ways to work efficiently and effectively are strong characteristics required for this behaviour and within the professional area of leading HR. Employee Relations: This professional area is necessary to be able to keep good working relations between employers and employees. The HR act as the go between to ensure the employers are acting appropriately and the employees are managed correctly. This is all done by having clear frameworks within the organisation and by abiding the relevant employment law. To be able to do this you need to be personally credible and able to develop your own skills and performance to convey the right message to others. Within higher bands your skills would be efficient to mentor and coach others across the organisation and to highly impact key decisions within the business. Within employee relations many situations could arise including uncomfortable and highly sensitive ones so being a decisive thinker is very important. You are able to identify the most appropriate solution which will resolve any employee issue but will also be supporting the organisation. Leading negotiations with unions and so forth would require decisive thinking and to not become complacent as this could damage the organisation. My current role is an HR Administrator for a manufacturing company that operate worldwide. I would place myself in band one at present but in some areas I show skills and behaviours from band two. My main professional area currently would be service delivery and information and this is where I have developed many of the band two competencies. I Maintain and develop the HR database, I also consolidate and send out information required by the business. My goal is to now develop myself and work towards achieving the skills within band two in the other professional areas to progress and move to an HR advisory role as a generalist in the not too distant future. Bibliography CIPD. (2014). CIPD. Available: http://www.cipd.co.uk/cipd-hr-profession/profession-map/profession-map-download.aspx. Last accessed 26th October 2014. Malcolm Martin and Fiona Whiting (2013). Human Resource Practice. London: CIPD. p289-p313. CIPD. (2014). Profession Map. Available: http://www.cipd.co.uk/cipd-hr-profession/profession-map/. Last accessed 26th October 2014.

Jean Baudrillard’s concept of the orders of simulacra Essay

‘A commodity appears at first sight, a very trivial thing, and easily understood. Its analysis shows that it is in reality, a very queer thing, abounding in metaphysical subtleties and theological niceties’ (Marx). It has long been a condition of western culture to act for the accumulation of material objects. This is in part due to the capitalist nature of the world within which we live. Marx identifies in ‘The Critique of Capitalism’ the emergence of two new classes of people, namely ‘capitalists’ and ‘labourers’. The term ‘capitalist’ describes any person who has personal ownership of capital, which ‘consists of raw materials, instruments of labour and means of subsistence’ (Marx). In contrast a ‘labourer’ has only the value of his labour (life activity), which he exchanges with the capitalist for a wage and as such ‘the worker sinks to the level of commodity’ (Marx). Because the labourer produces for the capitalist a commodity of greater value than that of his wages and in addition those wages are paid back to the capitalist in return for subsistence, therefore social control in exerted over the working class, whilst providing the capitalist with excess commodity. The labourer consentingly becomes a slave to the system on which he depends. In addition Marx states that as the relation between capitalist and labourer (manufacturer and consumer) develops, so competition between rival capitalists becomes apparent. In effect the capitalist is forced to capture more of the market by selling goods more cheaply by the consolidation and exploitation of labour power e.g. by machinery. Such a strategy ultimately limits the demand for labour and so new industries must be developed for exploitation. These new industries are necessary because capital exists only in relation to its ability to command labour and social control and as such ‘they reciprocally condition the existence of each other’ (Marx). These forced increases in demand and therefore production are evident in the contemporary world market. Important to the development of Capitalism is the use of money which abstracts labour and commodity values to a common unit for the purpose of trade. In effect the labourer discovers that ‘the product of his activity is not the object of his activity’ (Marx) thus a level of abstraction occurs, which was consistent with the modernist values of the time. Karl Marx and early capitalism were mainly concerned with production which remains important but it was Situationist, Guy Debord, who gave the first insights into late capitalism and the theories that best apply to today’s world economics and culture of commodities. Debord, in his book ‘The Society of the Spectacle’, bases his examination of commodities around consumption, media, information and technology. As such Debord suggests that ‘in societies where modern conditions of production prevail, all of life presents itself as an immense accumulation of spectacles. Everything that was directly lived has moved away into a representation.’ By this he means to describe the world and its products as mere appearances, where the real meanings and values of commodities are translated into signs. Essentially ‘it is a world vision that has been objectified’ (Debord). Debord explains the phenomenon of the spectacle as resulting from the ever increasing production of capitalism. Because competition between capitalists inevitably leads to an excess of produce, so consumer demand must be increased. Such an increase is controllable by the spectacle as ‘the real consumer becomes a consumer of illusions,’ (Debord) so he can be manipulated to believe he must consume beyond the basic necessity for survival e.g. leisure products. Therefore ‘the spectacle’s form and content are identically the total justification of the existing system’s conditions and goals’ (Debord). The spectacle is mediated in society ‘as information or propaganda, as advertisement or direct entertainment consumption,’ (Debord). The effects of the mediated spectacle tend to lead the consumer to an experience of alienation as the consumers’ want for commodities is dictated to serve and maintain capitalism. In addition the spectacle constantly reinforces itself, for example the television, which is in itself a product of the spectacle that is then used by the capitalist to implement the advertisement of other spectacles. Essentially the ‘spectacle is the nightmare of imprisoned modern society’ (Debord) and explains the transition from the ‘degradation of being into having’ to ‘having into appearing’ (Debord). Jean Baudrillard took Marx’s ‘Critique of Capitalism’ and Debord’s ‘The Society of the Spectacle’ to their conclusions with his own theory of simulation and simulacra. Similar to the idea of the spectacle, Baudrillard describes a world where the subject of everything has been replaced by a semiological value that has become more important than the original, ‘real’ meaning of the object. This object he calls a ‘simulacra’. In ‘Simulacra and Simulation’ Baudrillard adds extra complexity to these ideas by establishing a hierarchy of simulation, which he gives four orders. In the first order the object is a copy of an original and so can be linked to a basic reality, for example a photograph of an actual event. The second order of simulation misrepresents the original subject; in the example the photography has been digitally manipulated in Photoshop to present a non-occurrence. In the third order a reality is recreated from a simulation of an original reality, when in fact, through the process of simulacra, the original has been lost, e.g. a scene is recreated from the digitally manipulated photograph of the original event. Finally, the forth order of simulation is the combined process of the first, second and third order to such an extent that the object bears no relation to reality or the original, for example the photograph has become a virtual reality. In this instance the link between reality and the signifying systems is almost impossible to ascertain, thus creating a ‘hyper-reality’. It is the use of one simulacra as a basis for the formation of another simulacra that shows the first signs of relevance to post modernity. Consequently, in post modernism, everything is understood in relation to everything that has come before, which in design manifests itself in referencing. Post modernism is also concerned with the fact that there is no right or wrong and essentially that no real truth exists. It is of course possible for a sign to make a transition through all four of the orders of simulation, constantly abstracting meaning and widening the gap between simulation and reality. However due to the complexity of repeated abstraction and signification it becomes necessary for an amount of speculation and simplification to occur when examining transitional examples. If we take, for example, the now famous emblem of automotive company Rolls Royce, it becomes apparent the extent to which a symbolic object can be re-simulated, each time loosing a part of it’s original meaning. ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’, designed by sculptor Charles Sykes and mass produced in 1911, is a cast metal emblem representing the figurine of a girl with arms outstretched to hold the folds of her gown blowing in the breeze. To the present day this emblem has been displayed on the bonnets of Rolls Royce cars and is the first order of simulation in terms of it being a representation of a real person from which the sculpture has been modelled. The object also references the figure heads of classic sailing ships in an attempt to convey the automotive product as an elegant, quite and reliable vehicle, which were the mediated associations with the brand during the early development of the company. In this instance the object enters the third order of simulation as a real event (model posing for sculptor) is created from an existing symbolic object (sailing boat figure heads) in order to be recreated as a new symbolic object (Spirit of Ecstasy emblem). At this point it is important to note that this example as an investigation could examine many more stages of referencing prior to the sign’s use as figure heads, though this could prove too difficult and inaccurate, again reinforcing the existence of a hyper-reality. The tea pot, designed by Michael Graves in 1985 for Alessi, brings the symbol to its conclusion. The tea pot employs a plastic emblem of a bird that is attached to the spout of the kettle and creates a whistling noise when the water is boiled. This creates a pun between the whistling of a kettle and the singing of bird but more importantly, its similar visual appearance (i.e. the wings of the bird and the outstretched arms and gown of the girl) makes a reference of Rolls Royce cars. Because during the late 20th century the values associated with Rolls Royce have matured to convey the brand as one of top class and status, so it are these value that are associated with Grave’s tea pot, supposed to the original associations that Rolls Royce was referencing from classic sailing ships. Therefore the product has clearly entered the forth order of simulation is it holds no relation to the original meaning that the original object as sign attempted to represent. Also, by referencing past signs, it can be described as a post modern object. Like Debord, Baudrillard agreed that simulation was important to the survival of capitalism as it, through mediation, can control the level of consumption within society. Baudrillard used the term ‘valorisation’ to describe the process through which symbolic objects attain value. An excellent example of valorisation is Pokemon cards, which are essentially printed illustrations on card and so their use value is very low. However, via mediation, Pokemon cards have been given a simulated symbolic value that has made them desirable and powerful as a commodity. As well as design, Baudrillard’s theory of simulation and simulacra has also proved influential in film making, for example in ‘The Matrix’, directed by the Wachowski brothers. The Matrix is set in the future at a time when the real world has been reduced to a desert waste land by a war between humanity and machines; after the invention of artificial intelligence. Because the machines are dependant on solar power, the humans have caused the equivalent of a nuclear winter by blocking out sunlight. This has caused the machines to retaliate by imprisoning humans in gel filled pods so that energy can be extracted from them in the form of heat. In order to control the humans in this procedure a computer simulated world called the matrix exists, that all of the imprisoned humans are connected to, living their lives in what they believe is the late 20th century, oblivious to the fact that their real bodies are in stasis in the real world. The film therefore acts as a metaphor for contemporary western cultures. Firstly the matrix is an existence of the fourth order of simulation in that it is a system of mere signs that are completely detached from reality, i.e. hyper-reality. Just as in contemporary cultures, the people who live in the matrix are unaware that they are controlled by a system through simulation. â€Å"You are a slave, neo, like everyone else you were born into bondage, born into a prison that you cannot smell or taste or touch, a prison for your mind†¦ What is the matrix? Control. The matrix is a computer generated dream world built to keep us under control in order to change a human being into this† (he holds up a copper battery) (Morpheus talking to Neo, The Matrix). In addition the film suggests that the prisoners of the Matrix are also dependant upon it, to the extent that they will fight to protect it. Baudrillard’s idea of mediasation appears in the film when it is suggested that there was a machine â€Å"spawning a whole race of machines† (Morpheus talking to Neo, The Matrix), thus the social control of the machines (mediation of signs) increasingly exert themselves with every new generation. Interestingly The Matrix seems to offer a solution to simulation and social control by the system, which is one of enlightenment. Once Neo understands the systems and can see the signs (computer code) of the matrix for what they really are, then he can choose to follow a different set of rules thus gaining control of his environment. As well as a theological basis on Baudrillard, The Matrix tends to convey the story via symbolic references and thus is post modern by nature. For example the ‘follow the white rabbit scene’ employs a tattoo of a white rabbit, which is referenced from ‘Alice in Wonderland’ in order to convey the uncertainty in discovering the truth of an alternate reality. In the same scene Neo also opens a copy Baudrillard’s ‘Simulacra and Simulation’ in effect reinforcing links to that element of the film. In conclusion, I have identified the main themes surrounding Baudrillard’s orders of simulacra and simulation, shown how they relate to modern and post modern design and have given contemporary examples of their use in product design and film making. I believe that such an understanding of simulation has served well to better understanding referencing in post modernity. References Debord, G., (1977) The Society of the Spectacle, Black & Red Poster, M., (1998) Jean Baudrillard: Selected Writings, Polity Press Tucker, R. C., (1978) The Marx – Engels Reader Second Edition, Norton & Company Bibliography Hebdige, D., (1994) Hiding in the Light, Routledge http://www.geneseo.edu/~bicket/panop/baudrillard.ht http://www.artisanitorium.thehydden.com/nonfiction/film/matrix.htm http://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/master_frame.html