Something about Ambition

Ambition is the decision one makes and the resolution with which he carries out that decision. It provides us with the required driving force to accomplish any undertakings in our life. Just as Joseph Epstein, a famous American writer put it,“And as we decide and choose, so are our lives formed.” Indeed, once we make up our minds to choose to do something, then our life becomes meaningful and specifically orientated.

This notion of life, as far as I observe, is closest to truth and does apply to almost all aspects of life. First things first, ambition renders us a sense of mission.

 
No matter what decision you make you have to be responsible for your choice. Your choice procures you a sense of orientation, or more specially a sense of mission. And only a strong mission may enable one to accomplish greatness. Caesar of the ancient Roman Empire was urged by his ambition “I came, I saw, I conquered.” And became an unrivaled empire builder in the history of Rome. John Milton, stimulated always by his ambition that aimed at writing some “mighty lines” which England would unwillingly forget, had in due time secured his position as the second Shakespeare in the history of English literature. In the second place, ambition can bring one’s potentials to the full. Ambition may well serve as a catalyst activating one’s dormant potentials. Without ambition one’s potentials will remain slumbering like a dormant volcano. A case in point is Ms Zhang Haidi, a Chinese Helen Keller. It was her ambition to be a useful person has turned the almost paralyzed Zhang Haidi into a well-accomplished figure whose achievements would dwarf those of some normal people aim at the sun, though, at worst, they may probably land on the moon

Influential as it is upon us, however, ambition must be channeled in the right direction. If wrongly directed, one’s ambition may bring havoc on him and others. Hitler, whose ambition was to conquer Europe by whatever evil means, finally turned him into a demon. It was this demon that almost cast Europe into an unfathomable abyss of anguish and suffering. Another case is Macbeth whose ambition was to become the king of Scotland. However, his ambition was materialized by the murder of King Duncan. Consequently, unbearable guilt and psychological agony drove him to his tragic doom. To sum up, ambition can benefit us tremendously if wisely and correctly channeled, otherwise it may ruin others and ourselves. A poet says: life can be bad; life can be good; life can be dirty; life can be sad,; life can even be painful. In my mind’s eye, a person can make his life beautiful, meaningful and rewarding and stand out as a respectable personage if he is motivated by a well-orientated ambition.

The Attitude of Attending Classes of University Students

Some people believe that university students should be required to attend classes. Others believe that going to classes should be optional for students. Which point of view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.

Some people may believe that going to classes should be optional, but I disagree. I don’t understand how university students can expect to learn anything if they don’t attend classes. Personal experience can help people learn about themselves and the world outside the classroom, but when it comes to learning about academic subjects, students need to be in class.

In class they receive the benefit of the teacher’s knowledge. The best teachers do more than just go over the material in than class textbook. They draw their students into discussion of the material. They present opposing points of view. They schedule guest speakers to come, give the students additional information, or show documentary films on the subject.

Also, attending classes on any subject teaches more than just facts. It teaches students how to learn, how to absorb information and then apply what they’ve learned to other situations. Their teacher is the best one to help them with these skills. They can’t learn them just by reading the textbook.

Going to class also teaches students how to work with the other members of the class. Many times students will be given group assignments. This is different from what they did in secondary school. Here they’re with people from different backgrounds and experiences. In this situation, they learn how to handle working with people different from themselves to achieve a common goal.

Going to class also teaches students responsibility and discipline. Having to be at a particular place at a particular time prepares them for getting a job. Being at a place on time with an assignment completed prepares them for a career.

In short, by going to class students learn more than just information from the teacher. They also learn how to learn, how to work with others, and how to work responsibly. These are not optional skills in life, so attending classes should not be optional in college.

From: http://www.hxen.com/englishwriting/zhuanba/2009-08-04/86057.html

Why can’t we use cell phone aboard an airplane but can surf the Web?

In using a cell phone aboard an airplane really dangerous? More and more airline companies are expanding in-fight Wi-Fi internet service to their entire fleet. In-flight calls, however, are still prohibited. If one can surf the web, why can’t he sue the cell?

It operates on a totally different frequency. Cell phones transmit signals at roughly the same frequencies as aircraft communications—pilot radios and radar range from below 100 to 2,000 MHz, and many phones operate at 850 MHz or 1,900 MHz your cell could therefore—at least theoretically—interfere with navigation. Wi-Fi, on the other hand, signals at a higher frequency—anywhere from 2,500 to 5,000 MHz—and thus won’t get mixed up with the plane’s transmissions.
In-flight Wi-Fi works like a moving Starbucks hot spot. The plane is rigged with three antennae—two on its belly and one on top—that receive signals from towers across the country. The frequency of those transmissions, 849 MHz, is a dedicated frequency that was auctioned off and bought in 2006 by Aircell, which services American, Delta, and Virgin.

But are cell phones on planes really that dangerous, anyway? Studies analyzing the dangers of in-flight cell-phone use suggest the risks are small but real. In 2003, a study by IEEE Spectrum concluded that “continued use of portable RF-emitting devices such as cell phone will, in all likelihood, someday cause an accident by interfering with critical cockpit instruments such as GPS receivers.” A study produced by Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics in 2006 found that portable electronic devices can interfere with airplane communications and laid out testing guidelines for airlines to figure out which devices should be permitted.

The rational for switching off other portable electronic devices is slightly different. Even if a device doesn’t transmit a signal—think iPod, Game Boy’s, “anything with an on-off switch” –it still emits energy at a frequency that could, possibly, interfere with the plane’s electronics. The federal aviation administration requires all such devices to be off during takeoff and landings, but you’re allowed to turn them on once you reach a cruising altitude—presumably because any interference would be minimal and temporary. There are exceptions, though, for necessary devices like hearing aids and pacemakers.

Accents are unfortunately often used to reinforce preexisting linguistic stereotypes

One important part of para-linguistics id accent, which describes those features of pronunciation that identify a person either geographically or socially. Each of us speaks with an accent. It is not possible to do otherwise. Our accent quickly tells the listener where we come from, for unless we make a conscious effort to use another accent, we speak with the accent of those with whom we grew up or presently live amongst.

Some studies have focused on stereotyping as a source of this linguistic prejudice against nonstandard forms. The speech of ethnic groups seen as occupying a lower socio-economic position in American society was assessed by members of higher status groups using semantic differential scales. Not only were the assessments broadly negative but also the mere assignment of an ethnic label to a particular speaker was sufficient to trigger a stereotyped response. While speakers may vary in their own speech across dialect boundaries, often subconsciously, they were easily aware of slight differences in the speech of others. A form of linguistic prejudice emerges in that group may arbitrarily define their own speech as better than those of others.

Indeed, a deeper process is going on. Judgments about standards of speech, dialects, and accents might appear to revolve around notions of esthetics, or even pragmatics, but these are only symbolic representations. At a deeper level, they are not only markers of social identity but also the process by which that identity is realized. Accents give us direct information about the speaker, even though the information we decipher is, not always accurate. Accents tend to reflect existing prejudices toward people we hear using them. All of us tend to judge each other in this way, whether it is a stereotypical response—positive, negative or neutral—to the place where we assume a person is from, or a value we hold based on our perception of that person’s status in society.

The Consumer Manipulation of Fast Food Restaurants

Readers of a certain age can remember a time when a trip to McDonald’s seemed like a treat and when a small bag of French fries, a plain burger and a 12-ounce coke seemed like a full meal. Fast food wasn’t any healthier back then; we simply ate a lot less of it. How did today’s oversized appetites become the norm? it was largely the result of consumer manipulation.

Fast food’s marketing strategies succeed only when they induce a substantial number of us to overeat. Fast food restaurants, 20 years ago, figured out that they were sustained largely by a core group of “heavy users”, mostly young, single males, who ate at fast-food joints as often as 20 times a month. Soon the race was on to capture a bigger share of these customers by streamlining food production and lowering prices.

It worked and if the marketing strategy and stopped there, we might not be the nation of fatties that we today, but the imperatives of the marketplace are growth and rising profits, and once everybody had slashed prices to the bone, the franchises had to look for a new way to satisfy investors. And what they found was…super-sizing.

Portion sizes had already been creeping upward. As early as 1972, for example, McDonald’s introduced its large-size fries. Here’s how it works. Let’s say a $1.25 bag of French fries costs $1 to produce. The potatoes, oil and salt account for only 20 cents of the cost. The other 80 cents goes toward all the other expenses. If you add half again as many French fries to the bag and sell it for $1.50, the non-food expenses stay pretty much constant, while the extra food costs the franchise only 10 more pennies. The fast food joint makes an extra 15 cents in pure profit, and the customer thinks he’s getting a good deal.

Unconditional Tuition Reimbursement Can Pay Off

Although many companies offer tuition reimbursement, most companies only reimburse employees for classes that are relevant to their position. This is a very limiting policy. A company that reimburses employees for all college credit courses—whether job related or not—offers a service not only to the employees, but also to the entire company.

One good reason for giving employees unconditional tuition reimbursement is that it shows the company’s dedication to its employees. In today’s economy, where job security is a thing of the past and employees feel more and more expendable, it is important for company to demonstrate to its employees that it cares. The best way to do this is with concrete investments in them. In turn, this dedication will create employee loyalty. A company that puts out funds to pay for the education of its employee will get its money back by having employees stay with the company longer. It will reduce employee turnover, because even employees who don’t take advantage of the tuition reimbursement program will be more loyal to their company just knowing it cares enough to pay for their education.

Most importantly, the company that has an unrestricted tuition reimbursement program will have higher quality employees. Although these companies do indeed run the risk of losing money on employees who go on to another job in a different company as soon as they get their degree, more often than not, the employee will stay with the company. And even if employee do leave after graduation, it generally takes several years to complete any degree program, and throughout those years the employer will have a more sophisticated, more intelligent, and, therefore, more valuable and productive employee.

nanotechnology

Very soon, unimaginably powerful technologies will remake our lives. This could have dangerous consequences, especially because we may not even understand the basic science underlying them. There’s a growing gap between our technological capability and our basic scientific understanding. We can do very clever things with the technology of the future without necessarily understanding some of the science underneath, and that is very dangerous.

The technologies that are particularly dangerous over the next hundred years are nanotechnology, artificial intelligence and biotechnology. The benefits that they will bring are beyond doubt. But they are going to be very, very dangerous. I’m working in the field of artificial intelligence. I have a model design for something that might be 50,000 million times smarter than the human brain. Target date is 2010. The only thing that’s not possible in the film Terminator is that the people win. If you’re fighting against technology which is 50,000 million times smarter than you, you probably will not win.

We are in a world now where science and commerce are increasingly bedfellow. The development of technology is happening in the context of global free trade regimes which see technological diffusion embedded with commerce as intrinsically a good. We should prepare for new and un familiar forms of argument around emerging technologies.

Apple and Samsung

Network World website reports say, Apple submitted to northern California district court on May 1 said that, in  the patent infringement litigation between Apple and Samsung, Samsung has ignored saving evidence of obligation, and destroyed a large number of relevant evidence. The lawsuit between Apple and Samsung patent dispute case is one of the most noteworthy in California.

Earlier this month, Apple says that, in this case should not let Samsung in front of the jury, because it can make the jury produce tendentiousness. The Samsung responded that the court should be banned and Apple related non-professional blog and articles, apple, Samsung and evaluation of the two companies’ products.

Apple the accused is mainly because, Apple thinks that Samsung’s witnesses have provided more than expected. Apple says: “Samsung with a special and without monitoring the E-mail way to save an unknown number of related electronic mail lost. Apple thinks, Apple and the court were not clear some team Samsung of sending and receiving e-mails, and these E-mail may in the patent infringement for Apple in the favorable.

The court plans to have a hearing on the case on June 7, and Samsung must give response on May 15 of these charges But Samsung has said, these accuse from Apple were not reasonable, and required more time to prepare for the statement

At the same time Samsung asked the court for a delay to July 10 hearing because the time will be nervous.The competition continuously between Samsung and apple, from patent litigation between Samsung and Apple, to Samsung Galaxy mobile phones and apple’s iPhone series competition, Smartphone market duopoly in the pattern of competition has been formed. Two big giant follow their competition strategy, for both sides decides in products, marketing tactics of many of the contrast.  Samsung is expected to sell 200 million this year of smart phones, the global market share will, up from 21.1% in 2011 to 23% ~ 24%, and Galaxy series would be the biggest hero.

From the data perspective, Samsung and apple has other competitors in the away from behind, global Smartphone market seems to have entered the Samsung and apple’s duopoly pattern. At present in the high-end Smartphone market can compete with apple’s only Samsung, with Samsung continuously introduce high-end Smartphone, the iPhone user group may be transferred to the Samsung.  Apple must expand their product line, or face the market share of the decline of the risk. Apple has been to the high quality and the user experience is famous, if the product line do and wide and more, the product will affect the brand image to make any further reduction

Wonderful and useful Fujifilm FinePix F505 16 MP CMOS Sensor

With a stylish design and pocketable dimensions, the FinePix F505 EXR is set to become the must-have compact in 2011. this latest recruit to the range is the ideal camera for discerning point-and-shoot photographers or SLR users who want to travel light but don’t want to compromise image quality and picture-taking versatility.

The 16-megapixel sensor developed by Fujifilm is a clever combination of Back Side Illuminated CMOS (BSI-CMOS) and EXR technologies, which delivers superior results to a conventional sensor; particularly in low light conditions, and also offers high-speed shooting facilities and Full HD movie capture. the FinePix F505 EXR delivers extra fast, high quality results in a wide range of lighting conditions.

The FinePix F505 EXR isn’t just clever; it’s quick as well, boasting a range of features that will keep pace with even the fastest moving action without compromising picture quality. It’s a minor miracle that Fujifilm has managed to pack such a high level specification into the FinePix F505 EXR’s compact dimensions, but it’s even more impressive that the camera also features a 15x optical zoom.  the F505EXR will have real appeal to those that want to be in true control of their images. By shooting in RAW mode you can ensure that you get the true uncompressed image just as the camera sees it. Using the longer focal lengths can cause camera shake, but the FinePix F505 EXR has the bases covered fighting camera shake on three fronts.

New to the F505 EXR, Fuji’s EXR SN mode is now available when shooting videos. “Pixel Fusion Movie technology” fuses pixels together to create superpixels which are extra sensitive to light (and therefore capture much crisper low-light videos with lower levels of noise.  But if it’s higher quality you’re after, you can also capture the action at 160 frames per second at 320 x 240 pixels or 80 frames per second at 640 x 480 pixels.  The FinePix F505EXR is a full-featured and technologically advanced camera for discerning point-and-shoot photographers or SLR users who want to travel light but don’t want to compromise image quality and picture-taking versatility.

Superb results are assured with exciting new features including an innovative 16 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor, RAW image capture, high speed shooting capabilities, a high quality Fujinon 15x wide-angle lens, full HD movie capability and an improved user interface in a stylish and compact design. It makes all the right adjustments in macro, aperture, white light, shutter speed, etc. If the room is dim, the photos are bright. the camera adjusts the white light filter to prevent those ugly yellowish or washed-out photos that you probably get with your current camera.

The batteries are cheap, lightweight, and readily available.  The battery life is very good. For the price of a burrito you can have three spare batteries plus the original to keep you going for days of continuous shooting. You can also find out more about compatible accessories. The camera is relatively lightweight and pretty small for the features you get.  The video quality is really high and you can adjust it to different sizes and speeds if you need more space for a long day of shooting.

Useful Mini HDMI To Standard HDMI Cable

Video camera shown in main product image is for demonstration purposes only, and is not included with the Targus TGK-HDSK Mini HDMI Starter Kit. Mini HDMI Cable instantly allows you to watch your favorite movies on your High-Definition TV! and Portable Tripod extends to 6 inches, is compact, lightweight, and has a Universal Mount. The Table Top Tripod, Mini HDMI is to standard HDMI Cable. Universal Neoprene Camera Case has an attached Carabiner for easy toting easily attaches to Belt Loops and Backpacks

HDMI mini cable has orange plug heads and is a generous 6 feet long! The soft case protects your camera or recorder. And the mini-tripod is compact and sturdy. For all that it includes, this is a great value. It is Convenient carabiner allows you to hook the case inside of larger camera bags Also includes a sewn-in belt loop on the back. The Great value given all the features.  The product gives you three very functional products for a reasonable investment. This can be used for a compact camera, but it is perhaps more ideal for a handheld video recorder. Cord works for me, it’s nice to have a mini-hdmi to hdmi cord, it does what its meant to do.  Additionally, it feels like such a hassle to get my camera out of the bag to take pictures.

this is still a good kit given the great value. This price for everything beats the pants off what Cannon wants for the three separately on their web site.  the case is universal enough that it works with a lot of electronics that I have.Tripod is solid and pretty versatile, It’s nothing crazy, but it extends to a height of over half a foot and seems solid to me, each leg can have its own height to create good angles. Case is very soft and a little squishy. Cord works for me, it’s nice to have a mini-hdmi to hdmi cord, it does what its meant to do. Both of these issues take away from the fun of photography and make me not want to take pictures when I am out with this bag.

The strapping goes completely around the bag, which is a nice touch. Also there is velcro connectivity inside the lid on the sides to further strengthen the bag’s closed posture. Oh, and the tripod straps built accross the bottom of the case are a nice touch.  It looks like to school bag and it can hold up to 2 DSLR’s at the same time. the spare battery works and is as handy as a spare battery should be. The HDMI cable functions and since that’s 1′s and 0′s, that’s about all you can ask for as well.

How to have a successful diet

Everyone has a flash point that makes it hard to say no, but ultimately, resisting temptation is the key to successful weight loss.    Dieting is often doomed to failure. The problem is. We don’t follow the rules we learn. No carbs after 6bm? No problem—until we’re out for dinner, on our second glass of wine and reaching for the bread basket.

Leading the charge is Professor Walter Michel, the psychologist who, in the 1960s, developed the “marshmallow test” which demonstrates that if children were able to delay gratification, they would be more successful in later life. Michel’s research has shown that to resist temptation, we have to shift activity away from the “hot” parts of our brain to the “cool” parts. Now research from leading psychologists has identified the parts of the brain involved in resisting temptation, and how we can sue them to stop reaching for chocolate cake.  The mind brain has two systems: one is cool, slow and deliberate, and allows for self-control, goal-setting and willpower—the “no” system, if you like. The other is hot, emotional and instinctual, and present from birth—the “go” system.

Instead of giving in, what you need to is to activate the cool part of your brain by thinking about your goals and practicing farsightedness. Imagine the sense of satisfaction you’d get, from fitting into your favorite dress in a couple of weeks’ time, say, or from losing your unsightly tummy bulge before you go sunbathing this summer. So when you see a chocolate cake, the hot part of your brain reacts to thoughts of the delicious taste, and the sugar rush that you have learnt a slice will give you. It is a simple strategy, but experiments have shown it is highly effective.

Feasting your eyes on desirable food activates the hot system in the brain, which explains what we know instinctively: putting biscuits out of sight in a cupboard will mean you eat fewer of them. Perception is also important. “The problem with diets is they are also full of pictures of delicious diet food and all of this is just priming the hot system,” Michel says.

The first thing to do is to be aware of how stress changes your behavior. Then develop an action plan to deal with it. Stress is another key issue. It has been shown to switch on the hot part of the brain and cause us to overeat.  This might involve taking healthy snacks to work or finding ways to cope better with your time and emotions.

Brain scans have also shown that memory plays a significant role in overeating. If you habitually eat chocolate, for instance, then every time you see it, you remember the high. So the research is clear: if you want to be slim, fit and healthy, it’s time to take control of your mind

The protection of legal rights of slower vehicles

I’m very interested in maintaining the legal right of drivers of slow vehicles to access every destination they choose.  As a bicycle commuter, club cyclist, and fan of lightweight electric vehicles.

Historically, drivers of slower vehicles including bicycles, tractors, and horse-drawn carriages have been allowed to use virtually every roadway not posted with a minimum speed limit beyond the vehicle’s capabilities. With few exceptions, these minimum speed limits apply only to controlled access freeways that do not provide exclusive access to destination and are redundant to local roads accessible to slow vehicles. This status quo protests the travel rights of people without the use of high speed vehicles.

At first, many states and cities tried to ban cyclists from these arterial roads, claiming them to be hazardous for them, but bicycling organizations successfully challenged these discriminatory laws by showing that these roads are essential for cyclists to use for basic transportation to everyday destinations, and that the accident data showed that the injury rate on arterial is not much higher than other roads.  An increasing number of new suburban communities, especially in the Sunbelt, feature high speed arterial roads as the only useful through roads connecting increasingly segregated land uses such as residences, shopping, schools, and employment.

Bicyclists also worked hard to preserve the legal right to operate according to the same rules as drivers, instead of by pedestrian rules, because the rules for drivers were shown to be much safer and much more convenient for cyclists. Instead of banning bicycles, states and municipalities instead turned their attention toward how to improve accommodation of cyclists.  Bicycling organizations and supporters of the Amish, who travel by horse-drawn carriage, have waged a constant political battle in the courts and legislatures for most of a century to protect the right to travel on all streets to important destinations, regardless of the posted minimum speed limit.  It looks like we may finally be winning the war to protect our constitutional travel rights.

The gender gap between girls and boys on computers

In a similar though less insidious fashion, often the initial contact children have with computers lure them into the world of computers.  Marijuana has been considered by some as a “gateway” drug that can lure young experimenters towards addiction to stronger drugs.   However, many preadolescents and adolescents do not enjoy their initial experiences with these playful introductions to technology, and large numbers of those who are disenchanted are girls.

Girls tend to be less comfortable than boys with the computer. They use it more for word processing rather than for problem solving, rather than to discover new ways in which to understand information. Girls usually have the same access to computers as boys but researchers say, by the time they to high school, they are victims of what the researchers call a major new gender gap in technology.

Researcher found that girls make up only a small percentage of students in computer science classes. Girls consistently rate themselves significantly lower than boys in their ability and confidence in suing computers and they use computers less often than boys outside the classroom.

While there are no signs at the doors to computer labs that say, “No girls allowed,” barriers do exist that discourage girls from participating fully in technological advancements of the late 20^thcentury, and many of them are, unfortunately, self-imposed. Girls observe the association between males and computers and decide they don’t belong.  Socialization in American culture is rife with messages about the gender appropriateness of computers from the media, parents and schools.

Computer labs themselves, with their stark walls isolating cubicles and distinct culture comprising its vocabulary, humor and status system among members, can cause nonmembers of the culture to have negative initial encounters with computers that result in computer avoidance. Especially during their teen years, when girls are defining themselves and their place in society, the risk of venturing onto such unfriendly turf can seem too great.

Altruism is rational and an integral part of a nation

Certainly, much economic analysis is concerned with how individuals behave, and homo economicus (economic man) is usually assumed to act in his or her self-interest.  Bah! Humbug”, was Scrooge’s opinion of charitable giving and even today some economists reckon charity goes against economic rationality. It is often alleged that altruism is inconsistent with economic rationality, which assumes that people behave selfishly.

Other economic models relax the traditional assumption of fully rational behavior by simple assuming that people sometimes behave altruistically, even if this may be against their self-interest. The peace corps is an example, for people often give up potentially lucrative starts to their careers or interrupt them to do good work overseas. Some economic models assume that self-interested individuals behave altruistically because they get some benefit, or utility, from doing so, for instance, it may make them feel better about themselves, or be useful insurance policy against social unrest.

The peace corps is an example, for people often give up potentially lucrative starts to their careers or interrupt them to do good work overseas. People who work for the Peace Corps do so because they want to and to keep the Peace Corps dynamic with fresh ideas. Sociologists would argue that there is a natural inclination of human beings to engage themselves in helping others, as a natural instinct to preserve the species. Thus public duty is a survival act.

Politics often requires service in committees, care and trouble and expense of many kinds, patient endurance of rebuff, chagrins, ridicules, disappointments, and defeats.  The question then is raised regarding political participation, whether it can be classified as an act of economic rationality or of altruism. Public duty may not necessarily mean official duty, although it may include that constant and active practical participation in the details of politics without which, upon the part of the most intelligent citizens, the conduct of public affairs falls under the control of selfish and ignorant or crafty and venal men.

All these duties and services, when selfishly and meanly performed, stigmatize a man as a mere politician, but when performed with honesty and vigilance, they become gradual building blocks, stone by stone and layer by layer, of a nation of self-restrained liberty.

The Attitude and Way of Altering Children’s Behaviors

Reinforces practice means that you pay as much attention as possible to the positive opposite so that your child falls into a pattern: Do the right behavior, get a reward (praise or a token); do the behavior, get a reward. Real life is never as mechanically predicable as that formula makes it sound, and many other factors will bear on your success—including your relationship with your child, what behavior you model in your home, and what influences your child is exposed to in other relationships—but, still, we know that reinforced practice usually works. If you handle the details properly, in most cases a relatively brief period of intense attention to the problem, lasting perhaps a few weeks should be enough to work a permanent change in behavior. Thanks to more than 50 years of research, we know how to change children’s behavior. In brief, you identify the unwanted behavior, define its positive opposite, and then make sure that your child engages in a lot of reinforced practice of the new behavior until it replaces the unwanted one.

Many unwanted behaviors, including some that disturb parents, tend to be drop out on their own, especially if you don’t overreact to them and reinforce them with a great deal of excited attention. Take thumb sucking, which is quite common up to age 5. At that point it drops off sharply and continues to decline.  So, yes, you can change your child’s behavior, but that doesn’t mean you always should. When faced with an unwanted behavior, ask yourself if changing a behavior will really make a worthwhile difference in your child’s life and your own.  Unless the dentist tells you that you need to do something about it right now, you can probably let thumb sucking go.

There’s an important distinction to be made here between managing behavior and other parental movies and duties. Parents punish for several reasons—to teach right and wrong, to satisfy the demands of justice, to establish their authority—that have little to do with changing behavior. Now, we’re not saying that you should ignore lying or stealing or some other potentially serious misbehavior just because it will probably drop out on its own in good time.

You can’t just let vandalism go without consequences, and it’s reasonable to refuse to put up with even a lesser offense such as undue whining, but don’t confuse punishing misbehavior with taking effective steps to eliminate it. Punishment on its own has been proven again and again to be a fairly weak method for changing behavior. The misbehaviors in question, minor or serious, are more likely to drop out on their own than they are to be eliminated through punishment.