Why We Travel By Paul Theroux

Paul Theroux in Why We Travel explains why humans travel to various places, ranging from developing
countries to dangerous locations. Paul Theroux supplies readers with enriching encounters of visiting
places with complex political histories and with deep and current discords. Theroux claims we travel to
either find ourselves or lose ourselves, and through travel experiences, we open up our consciousnesses
(Theroux, 1996).

Theroux opined about the great pleasure of changing air, and a possibility of transformation. The reasons
why people travel vary on different people’s perspectives. Some may travel due to being banished from a
place and they need to move on. Theroux gives us an example of a noble Roman General who loves to
speak his mind (Theroux, 2006). The Roman general gets banned from Rome claiming there is a world
beyond Rome. This story motivated Theroux to start traveling, working as a lecturer at a local university
that did not approve of him. He left his job – his three year contract was never renewed.

The excitement of waking up early and getting into his car to start on another one of his expeditions is
what kept Theroux exhilarated. His wrote much about the dangerous places he had been and how no
real harm came to him. These accounts could be interpreted by some individuals as bragging. Yet
studying such information can shift a reader’s mind and therefore be enlightening (Theroux, 2011). The
joy of simply traveling is aptly displayed. For example, taking Spanish language lessons in Mexico while
on one of his travels, or cooking classes in Italy brought him immense satisfaction.

The maxim, “Never take the same road twice” is juxtaposed by Theroux, claiming that he gains a
particular thrill in revisiting select locations. As an example, he is nostalgic about Vietnam, as he claims it
one of the most peaceful places in the world (Weich, & Powells 2000).

Theroux insists on eliminating the fear as a barrier to travel. He advises that one should not be afraid to
visit or even have vacations in tyrannical countries. These places of conflict create such an awe-inspiring
experience, as shocking as it may seem at first. The reality of being a bystander in a sudden social or
political change can be frightening. But then again, the enrichment an individual gets from such
experience is gained maybe once in a lifetime and is unforgettable (The National Paragraphic. 1985, April
22). Theroux’s destinations are not based on places that are out of fashion. His thrill is in visiting places
that are associated with people being engulfed in fear or being announced in the news for tourists to
avoid.

References
The National Paragraphic. (1985, April 22). New York magazine, 18 (16), 144.

Theroux, P. (1996). The Pillars of Hercules: A grand tour of the Mediterranean. New York: Fawcett Books.

Theroux, P. (2006). The Great Railway Bazaar: By Train Through Asia. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Theroux, P. (2011). The Tao of Travel: Enlightenments from Lives on the Road. Boston: Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt.

Weich, D., & Powells.com. (2000). The Powells.com Interviews: 22 Authors and Artists Talk about their
Books. Lincoln, NE: IUniverse.com, Inc.

Why Do People Immigrate To Other Countries?

People move to other countries for a variety of reasons. The desire to leave their countries of origin is
triggered by diverse needs and aspirations. An individual can choose to leave their country of origin to
seek a better livelihood, to live with loved ones, or retain safety. Immigration to other countries is not a
simple task. While some people immigrate into other countries using genuine means, others prefer to
access such countries using illegal means. Illegal immigration poses many risks to the individual. In
addition to the challenges illegal immigrants face, the local folk in these countries also act as an
impediment for the wellbeing of these foreigners. International immigration poses a challenge as well as
an opportunity for foreigners.

According to the article, Why Do People Immigrate To Other Countries?, individuals leave their native
countries to search for a better life (Tonita 2010). The desire to live in better conditions and earn enough
money to sustain a decent life is sometimes high enough to trigger people to move to other countries.
Such people brave the difficult conditions in foreign countries and the distance from their loved ones to
earn decent wages and salaries (BBC, n.d.). The prospect of a better life, better jobs and salaries to send
back money to their families at home is one of the greatest motivators for opportunity seekers.

Other people immigrate to foreign nations to be with the people they love. Individuals who have lovers
or partners in marriage in foreign countries leave their countries of origin to join their loved ones
abroad. Even though there might not be any opportunities in the foreign country for them in terms of
employment, the lovers proceed to unite with their partners. The yearning to join their lovers becomes
their main motivation to immigrate even, though they may have to do it illegally.

Another factor that causes people to immigrate to other countries is the search for peace. People leave
their native countries because of war and unrest (BBC, n.d.). When countries are at war or facing internal
unrest, the lives of people are at stake. Violence puts the lives of citizens in danger. A lot of violence and
unrest also jeopardizes economic activities, making it difficult for people to carry out their daily
economic activities. A person would rather leave a country that is not at peace to seek sanctuary
elsewhere.

The overwhelming desire for some to immigrate has led to the rise of illegal immigration. Governments
that try to curb increased immigration impose laws that bar the increased entry of foreigners into a
country. This is a characteristic of well-developed countries wanting to stop the influx of immigrants. This
leads to a rise in illegal immigration in a country. Those people barred from entering the country seek
other illegal means of entering the country and are willing to be paid little in terms of wages and salaries
while inside foreign nations.
Immigration into other countries has many benefits and challenges. People move to other countries
because of various needs. Illegal immigration however is risky and poses great challenges to foreigners.
Individuals are forced to work hard for poor pay while facing opposition from locals. Some other people
have however gained from the opportunities that emerge with illegal immigration and achieved their
aspirations with little or no opposition.

References

Tonita, H. (2010, May 31). Why Do People Immigrate To Other Countries? Retrieved from
http://articles.famouswhy.com/why_do_people_immigrate_to_other_countries/

“Migration Trends: Why Do People Migrate”. (n.d). BBC. Retrieved from

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/migration/migration_trends_rev2.shtml

Why Leaders Lose Their Way By Bill George

Understanding of the Self in the Article Why Leaders Lose Their Way By Bill George
According to Bill George, many leaders do not reason properly before they get into leadership positions.
Leadership comes from one’s inner self and cannot be faked, nor can one pretend to be a leader. Many
people enter the leadership field for money, prestige and power. Once a person is in a leadership
position, they forget the virtues and values of those they stand for and start being selfish. According to
George, before one takes any leadership role, they should ask the questions, “What do I want to lead?
What is the purpose of my leadership?” This enables one to prepare the ‘self’ for a leadership role.

In Why Leaders Lose Their Way, George presents various aspects that make a person loose touch with
their leadership role. A person once in leadership may crave for more success and tends to forget their
purpose in their position. Many leaders tend to want to heal from childhood wounds of being
unsuccessful and want to reward themselves by demanding more leadership power than its necessary
(Stogdill, 1948). The craving for more leadership is unnecessary and it always leads to an eventual failure.
George also points out the fear of failure as a failing point among leaders. Many leaders believe that in
everything they do, they must be successful to please and satisfy others. Failure is a part of leadership,
as it always enables one to realize a way of handling challenges in different dimensions.

According to George, a loss of self-reality causes failure in leadership. Many people who become leaders
do not want to face the reality e.g. where they come from or their family life. The lack of touch with one
self drives one out of the reality. Facing reality makes one a successful leader and also teaches one the
way to go and without this one follows the falling trend of leadership. In Why Leaders Lose Their Way,
George states that greed is the most significant influence as to why leaders lose their way in their
leadership careers. Once some individual appoints you as their leader, they have high expectations that
the individual will be selfless and will do anything for the common good. Though in reality, this is usually
not the case: leaders are usually oriented towards their self-benefit.

According to Chemers, a professor of social psychology, leadership is a calling and it starts from one’s
heart. A leader is an example to others and vises should not be part of a leader’s heart. Stated by
George, many individuals will make wrong decisions when it comes to critical issues that involves
leadership, but will make decisions that favor those close to them or to only themselves.

Leadership is a gift and when vises come in between it, a leader falls apart or the subjects of whom they
are leading denies their chance at leadership. The virtue of being selfless must come in order to achieve
their objectives of taking their subordinates to greater heights. True leadership endeavors to do more for
people at large.

References
Bill, G. (2011). Why Leaders Lose Their Way. America. Harvard Business School.

Chemers M. (1997) An Integrative Theory of Leadership. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers.

Stogdill, R.M. (1948). Personal Factors Associated with Leadership: A Survey of the Literature. Journal of
Psychology

Hoyle, John R. Leadership and Futuring: Making Visions Happen. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, Inc.,
1995.

“The Benefits of Being Introverted at Work” by Sonia Acosta

In our contemporary world, which is run by the active, sociable and confident extroverts, it seems that
there are not many evident benefits to being an introvert. What is more, it is believed that in the
extroverted business world, introverts have to survive. Sonia Acosta, in her article “The Benefits of Being
Introverted at Work” for CareerBuilder is ready to argue with this statement.
In her piece of writing, Acosta does not investigate the nature of being an introvert and their
relationships with society. Instead, she focuses on one integral and important area of our life which is
work and explores how introverts act in a work-flow. She considers seven myths about “quiet workers”,
as she calls introverted employees, widespread in the modern society, and debunks them, writing in
simple language and providing clear examples.

According to Acosta, introverted employees contribute in a team setting because of their traits, and
being an introvert is beneficial for a working process. Though introverts may be more reserved at work
than in their personal life, that does not mean they have nothing meaningful to say, they do not like their
colleagues, or they are ineffective workers. It is a way they respond to social stimulation which is
comfortable for them. We should not blame them for it. Still, they are usually diligent and committed
workers who carefully do their part of work.

Examining myths about introverted workers, Acosta writes that people usually assume that introverted
workers are not social and they are shy. Susan Cain, the author of one of the US bestseller Quiet: The
Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking, explains that shyness is related to the fear of
social judgments. For instance, at a job interview we might be exceedingly concerned about what an
employer thinks of us. Whereas introverts might not feel these fear at all, they just prefer to be in a
quieter atmosphere. In practice, many introverts are not shy (Tuck, 2012). Acosta adds that introverts,
working by themselves, accomplish the same high goals as extroverts do by communicating with people.
As to introverts’ anti-sociality, she expounds that the way quiet employees behave at work may differ
from their behavior in their private life.

Let us consider another myth which is especially prevalent today. It says that introverts do not become
successful leaders. Indeed, people in Western cultures still hold a stereotype that a leader needs to be
aggressive and extroverted. But what introverts should do in this case? Acosta does not deny that
networking and sound presentation skills are important factors to increase a person’s visibility, but for
introverts she recommends them to use social media to gain exposure and express themselves
professionally.

It is important to understand that extroversion and introversion are not fixed categories. Bryan Walsh in
his article “The Upside of Being an Introvert (And Why Extroverts are Overrated)” pays particular
attention to this question. Except extroverts and introverts, there are ambiverts – people who are
neither extremely extroverted nor extremely introverted. They are not loud, but they are not quiet as
well. They are in the gap between these two traits (Walsh, 2012). While interacting with people, we
should keep this fact in mind.

Acosta, in her article, induces us to look closer at introverts, especially if they are our colleagues, and try
to understand them. It is a matter of great importance, because according to Jonathan Rauch, a well-
known American author, introverts possibly are among the most aggrieved and misunderstood people in
the world (Rauch, 2003). We should not interpret their quiet and calm nature as a negative feature.
When we let go off negative assumptions and accept them as they are, we may be surprised as to how
effective we can work with them.

“The Benefits of Being Introverted at Work” will be useful for people who feel pressure from their
colleagues because of their introverted nature. It will help them ensure they are not worse than their
more chattier counterparts. This article will be helpful for extroverts as well. When we learn to
understand each other, our relationships within working groups will definitely improve.

References:

Ian Tuck: “Susan Cain: ‘Society Has a Cultural Bias towards Extroverts’”, The Guardian, April 1, 2012.

Jonathan Rauch: “Caring for Your Introvert”, The Atlantic, March 1, 2003.

Bryan Walsh: “The Upside of Being an Introvert (And Why Extroverts are Overrated)”, Time Magazine,
February 06, 2012.

Why Have There Been No Great Female Artists8

The article "why have there been no great female artists?” was written by an American art
historian famously known as Linda Nochlin. Throughout my entire reading of the essay, it is clear that the
article focuses on the history of the feminist art and the theory of the feminist art. The author begins the
article by an illustration of the facts about her will to take her feminist stance differently from the recent
feminist activities. Linda Nochlin drives most of her argument through the appeal of emotions that
provide a historical investigation. A keen reader will realize that the author points out some important
issues regarding the problems that women face in the modern society by providing a standard discussion
of other issues that women face socially. We should not judge women while answering this question, but
rather find out what is going on in the organization of art (Nochlin and Linda 54).

It is evident from the reading that Linda portrays prove about the semireligious
commencement of the role of artists that is more prevalent in the nineteenth era. You will always find
notable artists with sentimentalized stories accompanying their success, for instance in the case of a
weak position in their life (Nochlin and Linda 43). From the article, it is clear that the anticipation of the
women and the aristocrats in the society does not leave the women at any time of their life to devote
their lives to art. Linda also discusses the fact that it is incorrect to argue that all the countless women
artists are different from the countless men artists. It is not correct to state that people like the Eskimo
tennis players are great since it is an apparent fact they are not great. A keen reader will realize that in
the same particular way that there are great women writers, for instance, Sylvia Plath smartness of
writing; then this can also be compared to that of the male writers (Parker, Rozsika and Griselda 98). In
this case, the women artists can easily be equated to the males artists in their respective 9periods of
time.

Linda Nochlin also notes that the reason as to why there are no great women inart is due to
the lack of chances for the women who are in the art. Notably, it is not correct to argue that art is a
different job from any other ground that requires some decent prospects and training (Haynes, Rachael,
and Courtney 76). It is always inappropriate to assume that the notable artists are born being great. It is
also inappropriate to believe that the great artist was born being a genius or containing some secretive
supremacies which make them notable artists. Every artist was once an apprentice or a student to a
diverse artist while some had a family background that had some artists.

Linda Nochlin appears to argue that all these forms of enlightening institutions were not
accessible to the females as enthusiastically as to the men. It is unfortunate that most of the upcoming
artists could only look at the established male artists. It is also worth noting that only men in the family
could learn the art. The art school and teachers also accepted only the male students. From the article,
one will keenly realize that even the females who had the ability to train art came from the extremely
wealthy families. All these ladies could only study art as being a hobby and not as a career that could
later support them in future. Regarding Linda Nochlin, it is the lack of these training opportunities that
can explain why great female artists do not exist. arguments on how language came to be, and even the
evolutionary theory has failed them. For this reason, it remains unclear how people developed language,
and theefforts towards learning this may become futile, just like the case of the French, who decided to
ban such discussions.
References:

Haynes, Rachael, and Courtney Pedersen. "Acting out: performing feminisms in the contemporary art
museum." Journal of Australian Studies40.2 (2016): 203-214.

Nochlin, Linda. "Why have there been no great women artists?." The feminism and visual culture reader
(1971): 229-233. Origin: A Multidisciplinary Approach, 421-448.

Parker, Rozsika, and Griselda Pollock. Old mistresses: Women, art, and ideology. IB Tauris, 2013. 10