Night World : Black Dawn Chapter 20

Maggie held Sylvia gently. Or at least, she knelt by her and tried to hold herasbest she could without disturbing the piece of broken spear that wasstill lodged in Sylvia's body. It was all over. Where Hunter Redfern and hismost trusted nobles had been, there was a large scorched crater in the earth. Maggie vaguely recalled seeing a few people running for the hillsGavin the slave trader had been among them. But Hunter hadn't been one of them. He had been at ground zero when the blue fire struck, and nowthere wasn't even a wisp of red hair to show thathe had existed. Except for Delos, there weren't any Night Peopleleft in the courtyard atall. The slaves were just barely peeking out againfrom their huts. â€Å"It's all right,† Jeanne was yelling. â€Å"Yeah, youheard me it's all right!Delos isn't dangerous. Notto us, anyway. Come on, you, get out of therewhat are you doing hiding behind that pig?† â€Å"She's good at this,† a grim voice murmured. Maggie looked up and saw a tall, gaunt figure,with a very small girl clasped to her side. â€Å"Laundress!† she said. â€Å"Oh, and PJ.-I'm so glad you're all right. But, Laundress, please†¦ .† The healing woman knelt. But even as she did, alook passed between her and Sylvia. Sylvia's facewas a strange, chalky color, with shadows thatlooked like bruises under her eyes. There was alittle blood at the corner of her mouth. â€Å"It's no good,† she said thickly. â€Å"She's right,† Laundress said bluntly. â€Å"There'snothing you can do to help this one, Deliverer, andnothing I can do, either.† â€Å"I'm not anybody's Deliverer,† Maggie said. Tearsprickled behind her eyes. â€Å"You could have fooled me,† Laundress said, andgot up again. â€Å"I see you sitting here, and I see allthe slaves over there, free. You came and it happened-the prophecies were fulfilled. If you didn'tdo it, it's a strange coincidence.† The look in her dark eyes, although as unsentimental as ever, made Maggie's cheeks burn suddenly. She looked back down at Sylvia. â€Å"But she's the one who saved us,† she said, hardlyaware that she was speaking out loud. â€Å"She deserves some kind of dignity†¦.† â€Å"She's not the only one who saved us,† a voicesaid quietly, and Maggie looked up gratefully atDelos. â€Å"No, you did, too.† â€Å"That's not what I meant,† he said, and kneltwhere Laundress had. One of his hands touched Maggie's shoulder lightly, but the other one wentto Sylvia's. â€Å"There's only one thing I can do to help you,† hesaid. â€Å"Do you want it?† â€Å"To become a vampire?† Sylvia's head movedslightly in a negative. â€Å"No. And since there's woodnext to my heart right now, I don't think it would work anyway.† Maggie gulped and looked at the spear, whichhad cracked in the confusion when the guards ran. â€Å"We could take it out – !† I wouldn't live through it. Give up for once, will you?† Sylvia's head moved slightly again in disgust. Maggie had to admire her, even dying, she still hadthe strength to be nasty. Witches were tough. â€Å"Listen,† Sylvia said, staring at her. â€Å"There'ssomething I want to tell you.† She drew a painfulbreath. â€Å"About your brother.† Maggie swallowed, braced to hear the terrible details â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"It really bugged me, you know? I would put on my nicest clothes, do my hair, we would go out †¦and then he'd talk about you.† Maggie blinked, utterly nonplussed. This wasn't at all what she had expected. â€Å"He would?† â€Å"About his sister.How brave she was. How smartshe was. How stubborn she was.† Maggie kept blinking. She'd heard Miles accuse her of lots of things, but never of being smart. Shefelt her eyelids prickle again and her throat swellpainfully. â€Å"He couldn't stand to hear a bad word about you,† Sylvia was saying. Her purple-shadowed eyes narrowed suddenly, the color of bittersweet nightshade. â€Å"And I hated you for that. But him †¦ I liked him.† Her voice was getting much weaker. Aradia knelton her other side and touched the shimmering silvery hair. â€Å"You don't have long,† she said quietly, as if giving a warning. Sylvia's eyes blinked once, as if to say she understood. Then she turned her eyes on Maggie. â€Å"I told Delos I killed him,† she whispered.†But †¦I lied.† Maggie felt her eyes fly open. Then all at onceher heart was beating so hard that it shook herentire body. â€Å"You didn'tkill him? He's alive?† â€Å"I wanted to punish him†¦ but I wanted himnear me, too†¦.† A wave of dizziness broke over Maggie. She bentover Sylvia, trying not to clutch at the slender shoulders. All she could see was Sylvia's pale face. â€Å"Please tell me what you did,† she whisperedwith passionate intensity. â€Å"Please tell me.† â€Å"I had him †¦ changed.† The musical voice wasonly a distant murmur now. â€Å"Made him a shapeshifter †¦ and added a spell. So he wouldn'tbe human again until I wanted †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"What kind of spell?† Aradia prompted quietly. Sylvia made a sound like the most faraway ofsighs. â€Å"Not anything that you need to deal with,Maiden†¦. Just take the leather band off his leg.He'll always be a shapeshifter †¦but he won't be lost to you†¦.† Suddenly her voice swelled up a little stronger,and Maggie realized that the bruised eyes werelooking at her with something like Sylvia's oldmalice. â€Å"You're so smart †¦ I'm sure you can figure outwhich animal †¦Ã¢â‚¬  After that a strange sound came out of herthroat, one that Maggie had never heard before.Somehow she knew without being told that itmeant Sylvia was dying-right then. The body in the green dress arched up once andwent still. Sylvia's head fell back. Her eyes, the color of tear-drenched violets, were open, staringup at the sky, but they seemed oddly flat. Aradia put a slender dark hand on the paleforehead. â€Å"Goddess of Life, receive this daughter of Hellewise,† she said in her soft, ageless voice. â€Å"Guideher to the other world.† She added, in a whisper,†She takes with her the blessing of all the witches.† Maggie looked up almost fearfully to see if theshining figure who had surrounded Aradia like anaura would come back. But all she saw was Aradia's beautiful face, with its smooth skin the color of coffee with cream and its compassionate blindgaze. Then Aradia gently moved her hand down to shutSylvia's eyes. Maggie clenched her teeth, but it was no use.She gasped once, and then somehow she was in the middle of sobbing violently, unable to stop it.But Delos's arms were around her, and she buriedher face in his neck, and that helped. When she gotcontrol of herself a few minutes later, she realizedthat in his arms she felt almost what she had inher dream, that inexpressible sense of peace and security. Of belonging, utterly. As long as her soulmate was alive, and they weretogether, she would be all right. Then she noticed that P.J. was pressed up againsther, too, and she let go of Delos to put one armaround the small shaking body. â€Å"You okay, kiddo?† she whispered. P.J. sniffed. â€Å"Yeah. I am, now. It's been prettyscary, but I'm glad it's over.† â€Å"And you know,† Jeanne said, looking down atSylvia with her hands on her hips, â€Å"that's how Iwant to go. Taking my own way out †¦ and totally pissing everybody off at the end.† Maggie glanced up, startled, and choked. Thenshe gurgled. Then she shook her head, and knewthat her crying spell was over. â€Å"I don't even know why I'm like this about her. She wasn't a nice person. I wanted to kill her myself.† â€Å"She was a person,† Delos said. Which, Maggie decided, was about the best summing-up anybody could provide. She realized that Jeanne and Laundress andDelos were looking at her intently, and that Aradia's face was turned her way. â€Å"Well?† Jeanne said. â€Å"Do you know? Which animal your brother is?† â€Å"Oh,†Maggie said. â€Å"I think so.† She looked at Delos. â€Å"Do you happen to knowwhat the name Gavin means? For a shapeshifter?Does it mean falcon?† His blacklashed golden eyes met hers. â€Å"Hawk orfalcon. Yes.† Warm pleasure filled Maggie. â€Å"Then I know,† she said simply. She stood up, and Delos came with her as if he belonged by her. â€Å"How can we find the falcon she had with her thatfirst day we met? When you were out with the hunting party?† â€Å"It should be in the mews,† Delos said. A fascinated crowd gathered behind them as theywent. Maggie recognized Old Mender, smiling and cackling, and Soaker, not looking frightened anymore, and Chamber-pot Emptier †¦ â€Å"We really need to get you guys some newnames,† she muttered. â€Å"Can you just pick one or something?† The big girl with the moon face and the gentleeyes smiled at her shyly. â€Å"I heard of a noble named Hortense once†¦ .† â€Å"That's good,† Maggie said, after just the slightestpause. â€Å"Yeah, that's great. I mean, comparatively.† They reached the mews, which was a dark littleroom near the stable, with perches all over thewalls. The falcons were upset and distracted, and the air was full of flapping wings. They all lookedalike to Maggie. â€Å"It would be a new bird,† Delos said. â€Å"I thinkmaybe that one. Is the falconer here?† While everyone milled around looking for him, Jeanne edged close to Maggie. â€Å"What I want to know is how you know. How didyou even know Gavin was a shapeshifter at all?† â€Å"I didn't-but it was sort of logical. After all, Bernwas one. They both seemed to have the same kind of senses. And Aradia said that Sylvia took care of Miles down at her apartment, and Bern and Gavinwere both there. So it seemed natural that maybeshe made one of them pass the curse along toMiles.† ‘But why did you figure Gavin was a falcon?† â€Å"I don't know,† Maggie said slowly. â€Å"I justwell,he looked a little bit like one. Sort of thin andgolden. But it was more things that happened-he got away from Delos and over to the hunting party too fast to have gone by ground. I didn't really think about it much then, but it must have stuckat the back of my mind.† Jeanne gave her a narrow sideways glance. â€Å"Stilldoesn't sound like enough.† â€Å"No-but mostly, it was that Milesjust had to bea falcon. It had to be something small-Sylviawould hardly be carrying a pigora tiger or a beararound with her up the mountain. And I saw herwith a falcon that first day. It was something she could keep near her, something that she could control. Something that was an-accessory. It just allmade sense.† Jeanne made a sound like hmph.†I still don'tthink you're a rocket scientist. I think you luckedout† Maggie turned as the crowd brought a little manwith a lean, shrewd face to her-Falconer. â€Å"Well,we don't know yet,† she murmured fervently. â€Å"ButI sure hope so.† The little man held up a bird. â€Å"This is the newone. Lady Sylvia said never to take the green bandoff his leg-but I've got a knife. Would you like todo it?† Maggie held her breath. She tried to keep herhand steady asshe carefully cut through the emerald green leather band, but her fingers trembled. The leather tie fell free-and for a moment hexheart stood still, because nothing happened. And then she saw it. The rippling changeasthebird's wings outstretched and thickened and thefeathers merged and swam†¦and then Falconerwas moving back, and a human form was takingshape†¦ . And then Miles was standing there, with his auburn hair shining red gold and his handsome,wicked smile He gave her the thumbs-up sign. â€Å"Hey, I knew you would rescue me. What arelittle sisters for?† he said-and then Maggie was inhis arms. It seemed a long time later that all the hugging and crying and explaining was done. The slavesthe ex-slaves, Maggie corrected herself-had begunto gather and organize themselves and make plans.Delos and Aradia had sent various messengers outof the valley. There were still things to be settled-months' andyears' worth of things. And Maggie knew that lifewould never be the same for her again. She would never be a normal schoolgirl. Her brother was a shapeshifter-well, at least itwas a form he could enjoy, she thought wryly. Hewas already talking to Jeanne about a new way ofgetting to the summits of mountains-with wings. Her soulmate was a Wild Power. Aradia had already told her what that meant. It meant that theywould have to be protected by the witches and Circle Daybreak until the time of darkness came andDelos was needed, so that the Night World didn'tkill them. And even if they survived until the final battle†¦it was going to be a tough one. Plus, she herself had changed forever. She feltshe owed something to the people of the valley,who were still calling her the Deliverer. She wouldhave to try to help them adjust to the Outside world. Her fate would be intertwined with theirsall her life. But just now, everybody wastalking about getting some food. â€Å"Come into the castle-all of you,† Delos saidsimply. He took Maggie's arm and started toward it. Justthen P.J. pointed to the sky, and there was an awed murmur from the crowd. â€Å"The sun!† It was true. Maggie looked up and was dazzled.In the smooth, pearly sky of the Dark Kingdom, in exactly the place where the blue fire had flashedfrom the earth, there was a little clearing in theclouds. The sun was shining through, chasing awaythe mist, turning the trees in the surrounding hillsemerald green. And glinting off the sleek black walls of the castlelikeamirror. A place of enchantment, Maggie thought, lookingaround in wonder. It really is beautiful here. Then she looked at the boy beside her. At hisdark hairjust now extremely tousled-and hissmooth fair skin, and his elegant bones. At themouth which was still a bit proud and willful, but was mostly vulnerable. And at those fearless, brilliant yellow eyes whichlooked back at her as if she were the most important thing in the universe. â€Å"I suppose that all prophecies come true by accident,† she said slowly and thoughtfully. â€Å"From just ordinary people trying and lucking out.† â€Å"There is nothingordinary about you,† Delossaid, and kissed her. Onefrom the land of kings long forgotten; One from the hearth which still holds the spark; One fromthe Day World where two eyes are watching; One fromthe twilight to be one with the dark.

My Favorite Japanese Restaurant

I was driving down the road and I was feeling very hungry. So hungry, I could hardly think straight. All I wanted to do was gobble down lots of Japanese food. I could taste the Kung Pow Chicken and smell the steaming rice as I drove my truck. To my delight, I spotted my favorite Japanese restaurant and it was calling my name. Unable to resist, I parked in the parking lot and got out of my truck faster than I ever had before. The building was very old and badly in need of a fresh coat of paint. There were also several roof tiles missing. Not exactly a five star restaurant. The large sign hanging in the front window was slightly tilted to the left because some broken ceiling tiles were coming out of place. It was hard to miss the brightly lit neon blinking sign that read, â€Å"Sunami†. From the front windows, I could see the tables inside and it did not appear to be very crowded. At the entrance of the restaurant, there was bronze statute of a pudgy monk sitting crossed legged with his large belly bulging out and a huge smile on his face. As I stepped inside, my ears filled with the sound of booming noises that came from the customers. It was obvious from the sound of laughter and chatter that everyone was having a good time. I took a seat at my usual booth, the one with the tear in the old red fake leather. I was such a frequent customer that I could order without looking at the menu, â€Å"#13 Kung Pow Chicken†. Moments later, I was approached by a waitress who had the sweetest sounding voice I had ever heard. After I placed my order, I sat in the booth waiting for my food, enjoying the sights and sounds. I took a sip of water, with a slice of lemon neatly stabbed on the rim, then took a deep breath and the most wonderful yet familiar aroma filled my nostrils. I could not place it but it smelled a little like the Japanese dish I usually order, Kung Pow Chicken. I kept taking deep breaths and turning my head to see where this delicious aroma was coming from. Sure enough, there it was, my platter of chicken and rice brought in by the waitress and it was mine to devour. The wonderful sounding waitress laid down the food and reminded me to leave some room for desert. Right then, desert was the last thing on my mind, all I wanted to do was enjoy my Kung Pow Chicken. I put the first morsel of Kung Pow Chicken in my mouth and wow, it tasted GREAT! The salt was not too much and the seasonings were just right. The rice as well was cooked to perfection and oh so scrumptious. Fifteen minutes later I was finished with the whole plate of food. I was feeling absolutely stuffed, a little like an over inflated balloon ready to burst. Then I was approached by the waitress again, this time trying to convince me to eat some sushi. I had never eaten any sushi before so I agreed to give it a try. So, she brought some out to me on a black plate, it looked like it was something smashed together into a roll. I took it apart and felt it in my hand. The raw fish felt cold and slimly. The rice felt very coarse, a little like it had not been cooked thoroughly. I had a bite of the sushi and realized that it was not as bad as I thought. The salmon just melted in my mouth and the rice gave the whole thing great texture. If I had eaten any more I certainly would have burst. Resisting the temptation of delicious looking deserts, I gracefully paid the inexpensive check, left a generous tip for the sweet sounding waitress, then left the best restaurant in town.

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Knowledge management - Assignment Example Since KM concentrates on improving people’s skills, knowledge, experience, wisdom and overall personal as well as professional quality, they are prompted to work better and thus helps the organization achieve high performance. As Noe (2002, p. 168) defined, Knowledge Management focuses on creating knowledge and sharing or exchanging it for further use in the organization for its overall purposes. It is thus a management process that can enhance business performance by designing, implementing and strategically aligning various tools, processes, systems and cultures with a view to improve people’s knowledge. Its theoretical foundation is that knowledge is power, people are most powerful assets in the firm and therefore improving people’s knowledge is the best strategy to enhance greater productivity in the firm. Bumrungrad, as the word itself denotes ‘care for community’ has grown to be an internationally renowned hospital with more than 30 years in service. It has also become an illuminating example for better model for knowledge management practices. As its Annual Report (2011, p. 17) reported, a training program conducted by Spine Institute in cooperation with Anna Hospital in Germany for doctors from Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, India and other countries. This training not only helped doctors learn something new, but also shared their views, opinions and experiences in relation to full-endoscopic spine surgery among the doctors and other members of the training. An effective way the Hospital has implemented for KM practice was IDP (Individual Development Program) that comprises of continuous education, regular training programs and other knowledge sharing functions. it holds Town Hall Meeting wherein employees get opportunities to raise their voices and views and thus to exchange knowledge among its people. As Bumrungrad’s Annual report (2011, p. 90) revealed, the company believes that work efficiency is the result of loyalty its

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ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and International Trade in The Middle Eastern Developing Countries - Dissertation Example This is what this paper’s topic will all be about. This paper will explore the changes ICT has brought about thorough presentation of peer-reviewed literature that contained previous studies of researchers also about the same topics. It will also explore the digital divide existing in developing countries and how ICT has helped resolve this problem. It will also be discussing the status of ICT in three countries in the MENA region, namely, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Dubai. This paper will show how ICT developed in these region and how it helped socially, politically and most importantly, economically. 2.2: Research Questions The research questions in this study are used as a guide to analyze the attractiveness of the Middle East countries as a market for international entry. The industry used in this dissertation is of the high tech information and communication technology. The digital divide and the importance of the distribution channel to the ICT industry are al so studied. The emerging and high growth nature of the Middle Eastern region has attracted small to very large ICT vendors from the world over. This paper will be guided by the following research questions: 2.4.1: What makes the Middle East an attractive destination for ICT vendors to set up sales and marketing ventures? 2.4.2: What is digital divide and how does it figure in the Middle Eastern region, particularly the developed and developing countries. 2.4.3: How ICT has changed the international trade of Middle Eastern developing countries. 2:3 Background of the Problem The fast development of ICTs served only to highlight other technological disparity complexities associated with it. This can happen to both developed and developing nations. It came to the attention of those concerned that such disparity may occur in a developed nation more than between developed and developing nations. Moreover, this disparity does not only pertain to internet and computer use but also other ICT forms such as mobile phones, landlines and even pagers. The awareness of this disparity led to yet another terminology that as of today is not widely used, i.e., â€Å"digital divide†. Digital divide has a broader meaning than simple â€Å"information gap†. This digital divide present in developed or developing countries, particularly those in the Middle East (ME) is going to be the focus of this paper. How ICT either solved or worsen this disparity problem in the ME region will be included in this paper. Likewise, the advantages and changes brought about by ICT to the nations experiencing digital divide in the ME will also be explored. The literature of 3 ME countries that enjoyed the development of ICT in their midst will also be given focus. CHAPTER 2 - LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1: Introduction This paper will make use of academic and peer viewed literature that corresponds to the main themes of digital divide and the ICT industry as applied to the Middle Eastern countri es with focus on three of them, namely Saudi Arabia, Dubai and UAE. The study is based on a qualitative research approach that strives to collect relevant information and data from different available secondary resources. The literature included in this chapter will

Finance accounting solution Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Finance accounting solution - Coursework Example The student’s actions have consequences. If the store owner discovers the student’s mischievous actions, he can take legal action against her. Additionally, the business relationship of the two will be ruined, and the student may not be allowed to purchase from the store anymore. There are consequences to the store such as suffering losses because of the fraudulent returns by the student. Return fraud costs retail shops billions every year. Due to this, retailers are trying to come up with policies that curb the behavior, but still protect legitimate customers (Paul, 2012). There are ways through which retailers account for returned merchandise. First, the goods are examined, and their value is determined. If the goods are in good condition, they are restocked and sold again at new prices. However, if the merchandise is not in good condition and cannot be sold again, the retailer bears the loss of both the profit and the cost of acquiring the

Business Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Business - Article Example Similarly, their analysis that their customers generally liked driving a Skoda indicated that they needed to actually make no changes to the actual car. The most interesting element was that Skoda realized that other manufacturers focused on the car, despite nominal changes in performance, and that they should instead focus on the experience of the brand and intangible assets. Microsoft Hafner and Hibbert performed a SWOT analysis of Microsoft in 2001. Some of the conclusions were obvious: Linux and Macintosh were potential threats, Microsoft had been slow in coming to the Internet and had been beaten out by companies like Google, etc. But others were more interesting. For example: â€Å"Currency exchange rates affect demand for application/operation software and hardware, and fluctuating currencies can negatively impact revenues in the global marketplace†. Hafner and Hibbert point out that Microsoft had not done the management to protect against that kind of volatility. Concl usion SWOT in practice, then, can help companies do two things: 1) Catalog for the obvious that has thus far escaped attention or has simply been assumed and not been critically analyzed; 2) Perceive past the obvious to the non-trivial. Works Cited Skoda Autos. â€Å"SWOT Analysis in Action†. Times 100. 2008. Web. Retrieved from: http://www.thetimes100.co.uk/downloads/skoda/skoda_13_full.pdf . Accessed 1/9/2011.

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Contemporary Issues in Business (Individual Report) - Essay Example Greenhouse emissions are currently projected to increase significantly within the next few decades which will cause an increase in global temperatures and subsequently put to great risk the human society and natural environment worldwide (Pedersen and Nordic Council of Ministers 2000). The temperature on the surface of the earth is largely determined by the balance between the energy that is constantly re-radiated to space from the earth mostly in the form of infra-red radiation and the energy that comes from the sun which is seen to be in the form of visible radiation (sunlight). When the sunlight passes through the earth’s atmosphere, it has relatively very little warming effect but when it finally manages to come into contact with the earth’s surface, it warms it and the earth in turn warms the atmosphere by both convection and via emission of infra-red radiation which are absorbed by the greenhouse gases (R.I.C. Publications 2007). The greenhouse gases eventually return some of the infra-red radiation back to the earth’s surface which ends up further warming the earth’s surface. An analogy of this chain of events is often made with reference to greenhouses which generally allow sunshine to pass through their clear plastic or glass which in turns stop the heat that is inside the green house from escaping into the atmosphere and hence the use of the term â€Å"greenhouse effect† (R.I.C. Publications 2007). Fossil fuels are formed when the bodies of living organisms die and remain compressed and heated over extremely long periods of time to form natural gases, oil and coal. When burned, fossil fuels are seen to produce significant amounts of energy a factor which causes them to be considered as an extremely valuable energy source. However, the burning of these fossil fuels produces the emission of carbon dioxide, resulting in the introduction into the carbon cycle of carbon that would have otherwise still remained trapped

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Critical appraisal of a qualitative research paper - Essay Example he review links potential findings of the study to a wider framework of theoretical knowledge in the area of community health services and helps the reader identify gaps in the existing body of knowledge and justify the need for their study. Such synthesis of relevant information relating to the previous research provides adequate background to the study. Specific nature of the formulated research purposes raised a set of specific requirements to be addressed within a certain methodological framework. The context of study undertaken by Bissel and colleagues suggests that the choice of qualitative approach is the most appropriate alternative in this case. Such choice of methodology and research design is absolutely justified by the formulated research purposes and obtained results: the type of reasoning utilised by Bissel and colleagues is apparently inductive: the authors do not formulate any specific hypothesis or suggest a theory to be tested. Instead, they offer several research objectives to be fulfilled. Data gathering techniques chosen by the authors within the qualitative methodology are congruent with the purposes of their study. The authors prefer semi-structured interview is the instrument of data collection. Semi-structured interview is one of the most popular types of interviewing due to several reasons. Firstly, semi-structured interviewing allow for focused two-way communication. Secondly, while the questionnaire framework implies formulation of detailed questions, a semi-structured interview starts with more general topic or questions, identified ahead of time, and makes it possible for the interviewer to seek for relationships between the questions/topic and variety of relevant issues. The answers given by the interviewee serve as the basis for more specific questions formulated during the interview. And finally, semi-structured interviewing is not as time-consuming and costly as other qualitative methods, while the data is valid, diverse and

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Pachelbels Canon Essay Example for Free

Pachelbels Canon Essay In what people consider as classical music, there are different eras of music, two in particular that deserve a closer look are the Baroque Period and the Classical Period. The two different styles, or eras, are very close in what the untrained ear. Listening to the two different eras at first it was difficult hear a distinct difference between the two eras of music. In the Baroque Era music like Bach’s Water Music, Handel’s Messiah and Pachelbel’s Canon are soft rhythmic pieces generally with smaller ensembles of instruments, the focus on strings in the music and was generally written between 1600 and the 1750’s (Differences 2011). In the Classical Era such as Haydn’s String Quartet, Mozart’s Symphony no. 40 and Beethoven’s Symphony no. 5 the music is a little more chaotic and not as in tune with the other pieces. Classical pieces also tended to be larger orchestras that focused more on the winds and brass, even though strings were still part of the group. The music is generally considered to from 1750’s to the 1820’s (Differences 2011). Two pieces of music that are good to compare from the eras is Pachelbel’s Canon and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Pachelbel’s Canon is a very peaceful, rhythmic and melodic piece of music that is soothing to ear and is escape music, it has the power to take the listener and transport, or escape them from where they are at. Canon has been used in advertisements as well as a wedding song, which is what is most known for this day is as a processional piece of music. Beethoven’s Fifth is another popular and well known piece, Beethoven uses the whole orchestra and the piece rises and lowers throughout the piece in its different movements. Pachelbel’s Canon is more of a peaceful piece; this piece is more violent and chaotic. Beethoven has described the opening notes, some describe as s-s-s-L, as â€Å"Fate knocking on your door† (Beethovens 5th). The piece is instense and from the beginning there is a sense of intensity and drama that carries throughout the piece. The two subject pieces are hard to relate to today’s music other then Pachelbel’s Canon is more of a love song, or perhaps a comparison to Enya in that in melodic and peaceful. Beethoven’s Fifth is more of your Hard Rock, or a Rap song that is intense and as a story to tell in the piece.

Summitry Analysis and Diplomacy

Summitry Analysis and Diplomacy This essay represents the perfect and imperfect world of summitry and it also discusses on how summitry can be integrated as a constructive mode of diplomacy. Summitry has indeed changed the landscape of political interactions between states and political leaders across the globe over the past years. In respect to this, Churchill questioned the crowd during one of the House of Commons meeting in 1953, if there is not at the summit of the nations the wish to win the greatest prize of peace, where can men look for hope? (Churchill cited in Eban, 1983, p. 360). The idea behind Churchills statement is that, it explains on how summitry can be an instrument in getting states actors to gather at one place to discuss on international political issues among them (Dunn, 1996, p. 4). Ideally, summits not only have been used as a tool to break down intense barriers between nation states leaders, but it has also helped state leaders to be more focused in addressing issues of their concerns in the best possible way. Although, in the real world of summitry, this is not always the case. As Plischke argues in Modern Diplomacy: It should not be regarded as an instant elixir for the assuagement of crisesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦to dissimulate relief from the realities of inter-governmental ailment (1979, p. 186). To begin with, this essay will discuss both on some of the possible strengths and flaws of the different types summits. It also argues on how summitry can be infused as a tool of a constructive means of diplomacy and it will also unearth some factors that could help determine the success of summits. The first part of this essay discusses on how summitry could be a tool in the engagement of public diplomacy and followed by with an insight on how timing is crucial in initiating a summit. Meanwhile, the second part of this essay details on how summitry could provide an opportunity for state leaders to administrate and show their capabilities in winning a summit. The perfect and imperfect world of Summitry Summits are designed in such a way where each and every one of them has various themes and different objectives to be fulfilled. One must be able to segregate the different types of summits and its goals in order to further the understanding on the roles of summits. For instance, bilateral, multilateral, regional and global summits. Now, this boils down to one question, how effective are these summitries in resolving the targeted issues? The answer to this is rather subjective. Since each summit has its different purpose, the measure of success would vary as well and therefore it is difficult to layout the positive and negative aspects of summitry in general (Melissen, 2003, p. 4). For instance, the Yalta summit in 1945 and the Paris Conference of Parties 21 (COP 21) in 2015 are seventy years apart and may have little significant in common. Hence, generalising summits into one big picture would be very difficult. Looking at the different types of summits, the Rio Earth Summit or also known as United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) was one of the largest intergovernmental global climate conference ever organised. It was represented by over one hundred and eighty countries and participated by over one hundred states and government leaders across the globes. It was indeed a media magnet event that catches the attention of the news and broadcasters from all over the world (Dunn, 1996, p. 220). This calls for an engagement in public diplomacy for state and government leaders. The purpose of the summit was to synthesise the global economic landscape or development towards a more forward looking context which takes into account on the preservation of the environment (The Editors of Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, 1998). Dunn also mentioned in Diplomacy at the Highest Level: It was hoped that this serve as a blueprint for how the nations of the world could preserve the environment and achieve sustainable development in the twenty-first century (1996, p. 222). In relation to this, the Rio Earth Summit were seen to be a quite symbolic kind of summitry (Dunn, 1996, p. 249). This is due to the nature of the summit in which it possesses a propaganda value to it that could be either used for good purpose or just for the sake of winning the hearts of the domestic and general audiences through their participation. Not only it was the largest and the most costly climate change summit that was ever held, but it was also attended by hundreds of state leaders from all over the world. Hence, the opportunity to engage in public diplomacy was pretty massive (Palmer, 1992). To put it briefly, attending such an eventful summit was worth every moment of being noticed by the public considering the number of media coverage during that time was enormous. According to Dunn, attending the summit was very much an attestation to these state leaders in showing their relentless commitments towards the preservation of the environment regardless if they did not agree upon the discussed agendas during the meeting. They want to be perceived as a leader who cares about just everything and they wish to give an impression to the general public that they are trying to make some changes (1996, p. 249). This approach is often used as a form of public diplomacy and indeed, it can be considered as a constructive mode of diplomacy. For example, Bush used the opportunity to be seen as a good leader by attending the summit despite of the series of situations that was going on in the US during that time. His hands were tight with different kinds of issues including his upcoming re-election. Hence, to be seen under the limelight were one of the many ways for him to attain more credits from the domestic audiences (Dunn, 1996, p. 233). As stated by Hamilton and Langhorne in The Practice of Diplomacy, air travel and television cameras have made world statesmen of the humblest party hacks (1995, p. 221). Having said that, summit has not only been beneficial for s tate leaders but also for the politicians in hope to enhance their status in the public from meeting all these world leaders. In respect to this, symbolic summits are not just limited to this kind of agenda, but it could also exemplify the relations between nations through summits. To support this statement, as documented by Dunn in Diplomacy at the Highest Level: The handshake on the White House lawn between Yasser Arafat and Yitzhak Rabin in 1993 was equally important as an attempt to symbolize the new era of relations between Israel and the Palestinian people (1996, p. 248). On the other side of this coin, level of preparation process in terms of timing also matters in ensuring the success of a summit. Regardless of its positive strand in the engagement of public diplomacy, Rio Earth Summit was barely a mere success. For instance, Rio Earth Summit was not a perfect timing for countries like the US. Considering that US was perceived to be the paramount actor in this conference, but in the actual fact, the US delegations were really keeping their heads down throughout the meetings (Dunn, 1996, p. 233). How does timing has got anything to do with this? In the case of the US, the countrys economy was going through a recession and as mentioned earlier, President Bush was also due for his nearing re-election. One of his main concerns were also the risk of committing into any agreement on the sustainable developmental programmes that was discussed during the summit. The potential results from agreeing to any agreements from the summit were rather ambiguous as i t could jeopardise the USs employment level even further and also, his fear for losing the trust and his wealthy conservative supporters from both the political parties the US (Dunn, 1996, p. 233). Hence, this explains for the quiet actions from the US delegation at Rio Earth Summit. Therefore, the summit could have been more favourable if the US did not have to hold back due to their situations back home. In addition to this, US was not the only one who were torn in leading the conference, the EC (European Community) could have also done a greater job at it but of all the EC state members, only Germany was set on making an equitably significant amount of commitment towards the agreement. The rest of the other EC state members like Italy and France were on the same boat as the US due to their respective issues in their home countries (Dunn 1996, p. 233). As articulated by Weihmiller, Doder and Newsom in U.S.- Soviet Summits, that, timing of a summit has been seen as one of the criti cal factors in ensuring the success of a summit (1986, p. 98). In retrospect, the issue on timing were noticeably reflected during the Kennedy Khrushchev summit in 1961 at Vienna which severely affected the resolution to the root of the problem. It was too soon to be holding another summit as the Paris summit of the year before that were not settled yet and to top it all, the issues with Berlin previously has lead this summit to a total flop (Weihmiller et al., 1986, p. 99). In this context, when summit is initiated at a wrong time, it could lead to a waste of resources and also, affecting diplomatic relations between state leaders as the subject discussed during the conference remains unresolved. Therefore, it remains debateable to as whether or not if summitry can be an elixir or regarded as an effective mode of diplomacy. On a brighter side, summits could also provide room for state actors or non-state actors to show their capabilities in leading a summit especially on international level that could not be consummated on a lower level (Dunn, 1996, p. 251). This has been seen on some climate change conferences such as the recent Paris Agreement (COP 21), Kyoto Protocol (COP 3) or even Copenhagen Agreement (COP 15) in 2009. The European Union (EU) in particular. The EU has tremendously manifested the world with their pro-climate change leadership. What they are doing is an incontestably positive in attracting other state members to follow their footsteps. As Maljean-Dubois and Wemaera states in their journal, Carbon Climate Law Review, EU has always claimed a climate leadership role in the climate negotiations, leading by example with its ambitious climate policy (2016, p. 3). That said, summitry is not only impactful in terms of public diplomacy, but it is also a constructive method in improving diplo matic relations through positive movements by a bold leader such as the EU. Although to be fair, the United States were one of the first and the most powerful supporters of international climate change and environmental agreements. However, the limelight has shifted to the EU as the major leader in global environmental scene (Kelemen and Vogel, 2009). In light of this, summitry can also give a fair opportunity for leaders from small nations to represent themselves on the highest league table and hence, making them more noticeable in the global diplomatic arena. This was proven when the Small Island Developing states (SIDS) and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) managed to turn the table at the COP 15 at Copenhagen in 2009 (de à gueda Corneloup and Mol, 2013). Climate change is a threat for small island nations especially those of which nations which are prone to extreme weather conditions. As stated by de à gueda Corneloup and Mol in International Environmental Agreemen ts, The raise of sea temperature threatens marine ecosystems, on which small island populations usually strongly depend (2013, p. 282). The SIDS were able to negotiate through the representative organisation, AOSIS and be heard by the rest of the other state members at COP 15. Being in a vulnerable position themselves, this has helped them to initiate action plans through several leadership skills and remained as significant as other state members at the summit. Their perseverance has lead them to some fairly successful negotiations especially on the 1.5 ÃÅ'Ã…  C target as it was finally embedded in the Copenhagen Accord (de à gueda Corneloup and Mol, 2013). However, summits on climate change are often being seen as highly sensitive area and often associated to the level of power that the state actors have. For instance, considering SIDS state members are seen to be on a weaker side as they have very little power on the international level, structural power of state actors is oft en regarded as a determining factor in any international negotiations (de à gueda Corneloup and Mol, 2013). As disclosed by Ambassador Dessima Williams of Grenada at the COP 15 summit: We went in, AOSIS fought for everything we could come out withà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦as you could see we didnt come out with much (Wasuka cited in de à gueda Corneloup and Mol, 2013, p. 291). To put it briefly, no matter how much effort has been pumped into these summits by these weaker states, level of structural power of state actors is still one of the major determinant in negotiation process on any international summits. Summit: yes or no? What can be concluded based on the arguments above is that, despite of its contestations on the effectiveness and its constructive role in diplomacy, summitry has become an indispensable means of convention both on regional and international level. As Dunn argues in Diplomacy at the highest level: Summitry has evolved considerably in the post-war period. From being an exceptional and therefore high-profile event, summitry has developed to become a frequent and routine instrument of international diplomacy (Dunn, 1996, p. 265). However, one cannot deny that summitry has its substantive risks particularly on how the timing matters in initiating a summit especially involving states from all across the globe. The aim of a summit is not to only discuss on the subject of interests, but also to produce a fair outcome by the end of the meetings. Or else, the effort of organising a summit will be in vain if nothing comes out of it. Hence, it is crucial to take into account timing as one of the important factors during the preparation period. Although to be fair, factors like economic recessions and political instability of other state members are something that is rather inevitable. In this respect, the power position of ones state has also been a major determinant in ensuring the success of reaching the summits objectives. On a lighter note, summitry has been proven to be an effective mechanism for some weaker states to be prominent in the global arena despite for its limited structural power. In addition to this, summitry also has a unique nature that it could be use as tool in promoting public diplomacy especially in a global scale summit. This has been utilised as a best practice by state leaders and diplomats in pursuit of grabbing the attention of the public eye including the media. Especially in an era of free flow of information, state leaders and diplomats find summits to be quite amusing as public opinions matters in todays world of politics. Regardless of the outcome of the summit, these leaders do not walk out of the conference with empty handed. Some walk out of the summit with pride and several accomplishments, but in many instances, most of them walk out with just one thing, a free publicity to themselves. Which how I would like to put it as, free-riding at its best.

Mother Night Essays -- Literary Analysis, Kurt Vonnegut

Life is a Snake which Bites its Tail Vonnegut uses the cyclical nature of life to counteract the perceived definitive nature of it. Vonnegut believes that all real life events, history, and time are circular; they have no determinable beginning or end. Each of Vonnegut’s novels stresses the notion that life is cyclical. In Breakfast of Champions, Vonnegut states that time, â€Å"Is a serpent which eats its tail† (205). This imagery shows Vonnegut’s depiction of time as a circle. According to Vonnegut time has no beginning, middle, or end, thus it is impossible to depict it in any linear form. In Slaughter House Five, Vonnegut introduces the Tralfamadorians concept of time, which emphasizes the cyclical return embodied in Billy’s time travels (Wayne D. McGinnis, 118). Vonnegut believes that people perceive life in terms of an old fashion story book, â€Å"With leading characters, minor characters †¦ and a beginning, middle, and an end† (215). However Vonnegut proves in his novel, Breakfast of Champions, that this is certainly not the case. He states, â€Å"I resolved to shun storytelling. I would write about life. Every person would be exactly as important as any other. Nothing would be left out† (215) and that is exactly what he does. Vonnegut believes that â€Å"People have this illusion that when beginning, middle, and end are strung together in one story, a causal and teleological development is implied, and the identification of the cause driving events is what gives meaning to the story† (Daniel Cordle). Vonnegut’s goal is to eliminate this illusion and attempt to prove to his readers that it is not the structure of time or events which gives meaning to the story, it is all the moments combined which give the story its meaning. Just as Von... ...ally rescued by his â€Å"blue fairy god mother† right when he finally accepts his fate as a war criminal. Vonnegut’s use of irony, exaggeration and ridicule in Mother Night is constant throughout the book, from beginning to end, this novel is told in Vonnegut’s unique satirical tone, which he uses to expose and criticize people’s stupidity and willingness to conform and throw their ideas out the window for the sake of survival and acceptance. Literary critic Peter J. Reeds states that Vonnegut’s â€Å"painful comic rendering of the form acknowledges not just the suffering that existence may impose, but the essential absurdity of the situation in which its randomness and incomprehensibility frequently place us† (37). The comedy in Vonnegut’s fiction is meant to express the depths and tragedies of the world in a way which is bearable enough for the reader to comprehend.

The Problem in Macbeth :: Free Macbeth Essays

The Problem in Macbeth    1.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   We have already seen that the focus is on Macbeth and his wife, furthermore, we have seen that the crucial problem is the decision and the act, especially in which sense you can consciously and freely choose to do evil, then do it and then be faced with the consequences. The problem is old. Socrates maintained that no one with full insight in what was evil, would of his own free will do it and that claim had been dominating for almost two millennia. The logical power of this claim was that it was a tautology or even better; a definition.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Any human activity, to think, to speak, to act, has to focus on a purpose. The definitive impulse to throw yourself into an activity is the urge towards selfpreservation that lies deep in any living creature. That is why man cannot want his selfdestruction; he only wants the Good, understood as that which promotes its own selfpreservation.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If, however, we exclusively define the Good as man's selfpreservation, man's different attempts to achieve this would lead to mutual destruction. If I - and everyone included - unhampered and in absolute selfishness only seek my own, the misfortune I could inflict on someone would naturally be limitless. So there has to be a further addition to the concept of Good.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Good, we might add, is not only the instantaneous need for satisfaction - in a matter of time it will often turn out to be an evil - but it is in fact the absolute purpose for any human being (the highest Good), and it isn't just common for everyone, but, when you strive for it, you include the others in a true community.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   But that means that the Good isn't just a subjective phenomenon; it is objective, and in a philosophical analysis you begin to see a picture of a hierarchical construction of still higher goods, from the simple ones you can strive for in everyday life to the eternal salvation that can only be sought for its own sake. Since man wants to be in accordance with himself and since the whole area of Good is conform with man, man must freely want the Good; you could be more accurate by saying that man necessarily wants the Good.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, it is a fact that man once in a while actually chooses the evil and that needs an explanation. First and foremost, this explanation is lack of insight. It is reason which in the given situation can choose the right The Problem in Macbeth :: Free Macbeth Essays The Problem in Macbeth    1.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   We have already seen that the focus is on Macbeth and his wife, furthermore, we have seen that the crucial problem is the decision and the act, especially in which sense you can consciously and freely choose to do evil, then do it and then be faced with the consequences. The problem is old. Socrates maintained that no one with full insight in what was evil, would of his own free will do it and that claim had been dominating for almost two millennia. The logical power of this claim was that it was a tautology or even better; a definition.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Any human activity, to think, to speak, to act, has to focus on a purpose. The definitive impulse to throw yourself into an activity is the urge towards selfpreservation that lies deep in any living creature. That is why man cannot want his selfdestruction; he only wants the Good, understood as that which promotes its own selfpreservation.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If, however, we exclusively define the Good as man's selfpreservation, man's different attempts to achieve this would lead to mutual destruction. If I - and everyone included - unhampered and in absolute selfishness only seek my own, the misfortune I could inflict on someone would naturally be limitless. So there has to be a further addition to the concept of Good.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Good, we might add, is not only the instantaneous need for satisfaction - in a matter of time it will often turn out to be an evil - but it is in fact the absolute purpose for any human being (the highest Good), and it isn't just common for everyone, but, when you strive for it, you include the others in a true community.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   But that means that the Good isn't just a subjective phenomenon; it is objective, and in a philosophical analysis you begin to see a picture of a hierarchical construction of still higher goods, from the simple ones you can strive for in everyday life to the eternal salvation that can only be sought for its own sake. Since man wants to be in accordance with himself and since the whole area of Good is conform with man, man must freely want the Good; you could be more accurate by saying that man necessarily wants the Good.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, it is a fact that man once in a while actually chooses the evil and that needs an explanation. First and foremost, this explanation is lack of insight. It is reason which in the given situation can choose the right

The Idealization of Science in Sinclair Lewis Arrowsmith Essay

The Idealization of Science in Sinclair Lewis' Arrowsmith Sinclair Lewis's 1924 novel Arrowsmith follows a pair of bacteriologists, Martin Arrowsmith and his mentor Max Gottlieb, as they travel through various professions in science and medicine in the early decades of the twentieth century. Through the brilliant researcher Gottlieb and his protà ©gà ©, Lewis explores the status and role of scientific work at universities, in industry, and at a private research foundation as well as in various medical positions. The picture he presents is one of tension and conflict between the goals and ideals of pure science and the environments in which his protagonists have to operate. Although Gottlieb and Arrowsmith are able to pursue their research in some places, their work is continually obstructed and undermined. The conclusion of the novel seems to suggest that it is essentially impossible to truly practice pure scientific research in early twentieth century America. It is only when Arrowsmith abandons his family and his job, cuts his ties with the world and retreats into a sort of scientific monastery with his compatriot Terry Wickett that he is able to "feel as if [he] were really starting to work."1 Many of the tensions that appear in Arrowsmith reflect actual debates and conflicts in the real world. The debate over whether universities should be dedicated primarily to teaching or to research (and whether that research should be practical or abstract) was important in the development of modern colleges and universities. There was a great deal of argument over the virtues of research laboratories in industry, and over how much control companies should exert over the scientists working in their labs and over the direction of their ... ...an University, 178. 12. Lewis, Arrowsmith, 136. 13. Ibid., 280. 14. Frank Jewett qtd. in Kevles, The Physicists, 100. 15. George Wise, "Ionists in Industry: Physical Chemistry at General Electric, 1900 - 1915," Isis 74 (1983), 7. 16. Kevles, The Physicists, 99 - 100. 17. Ibid., 100. 18. David Noble, America By Design: Science, Technology and the Rise of Corporate Capitalism (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1977), 112. Brackets as in the original. 19. Bruce, The Launching of Modern American Science, 141. 20. Frank Jewett qtd. in Noble, America By Design , 115. Ellipses as in the original. 21. Kevles, The Physicists, 25. 22. A. G. Bell & Hubbard qtd. in Ibid., 47. 23. Noble, America By Design, 112. Italics as in the original. 24. Lewis, Arrowsmith, 138. 25. Ibid., 409. 26. Hermann van Holst qtd. in Veysey, The Emergence of the American University, 150. The Idealization of Science in Sinclair Lewis' Arrowsmith Essay The Idealization of Science in Sinclair Lewis' Arrowsmith Sinclair Lewis's 1924 novel Arrowsmith follows a pair of bacteriologists, Martin Arrowsmith and his mentor Max Gottlieb, as they travel through various professions in science and medicine in the early decades of the twentieth century. Through the brilliant researcher Gottlieb and his protà ©gà ©, Lewis explores the status and role of scientific work at universities, in industry, and at a private research foundation as well as in various medical positions. The picture he presents is one of tension and conflict between the goals and ideals of pure science and the environments in which his protagonists have to operate. Although Gottlieb and Arrowsmith are able to pursue their research in some places, their work is continually obstructed and undermined. The conclusion of the novel seems to suggest that it is essentially impossible to truly practice pure scientific research in early twentieth century America. It is only when Arrowsmith abandons his family and his job, cuts his ties with the world and retreats into a sort of scientific monastery with his compatriot Terry Wickett that he is able to "feel as if [he] were really starting to work."1 Many of the tensions that appear in Arrowsmith reflect actual debates and conflicts in the real world. The debate over whether universities should be dedicated primarily to teaching or to research (and whether that research should be practical or abstract) was important in the development of modern colleges and universities. There was a great deal of argument over the virtues of research laboratories in industry, and over how much control companies should exert over the scientists working in their labs and over the direction of their ... ...an University, 178. 12. Lewis, Arrowsmith, 136. 13. Ibid., 280. 14. Frank Jewett qtd. in Kevles, The Physicists, 100. 15. George Wise, "Ionists in Industry: Physical Chemistry at General Electric, 1900 - 1915," Isis 74 (1983), 7. 16. Kevles, The Physicists, 99 - 100. 17. Ibid., 100. 18. David Noble, America By Design: Science, Technology and the Rise of Corporate Capitalism (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1977), 112. Brackets as in the original. 19. Bruce, The Launching of Modern American Science, 141. 20. Frank Jewett qtd. in Noble, America By Design , 115. Ellipses as in the original. 21. Kevles, The Physicists, 25. 22. A. G. Bell & Hubbard qtd. in Ibid., 47. 23. Noble, America By Design, 112. Italics as in the original. 24. Lewis, Arrowsmith, 138. 25. Ibid., 409. 26. Hermann van Holst qtd. in Veysey, The Emergence of the American University, 150.

Can consumers’ scepticism be mitigated by claim objectivity and claim extremity?

Tan’s (2002) analysis of consumer view of advertisements is based on idea that not all commercials are believable or provide the true picture of commodities depicted therein.Tan has specifically listed for qualities of effective advertisement. First, the commercial has to be believable in consumer eyes; second, the ad needs to be credible passing message; third is that consumers need to see the product being advertised as highly desirable and therefore lead to making purchase decisions.Fourth, the commercial needs to be of greater informational value to consumers. This means that effective advertisements are the ones which provide consumers with new information that helps in decision making processes. Poor information leads to the making of wrong choices that make consumers to avoid the advertised products and even respective company’s goods again.At worst, consumers have greater influence on each other and could therefore lead to fast spreading information on how speci fic company advertisements happen to be duping consumers to purchase defective products. Such occurrence has a long term effect on respective company’s revenue and market share.Consumer watchdogs might further start investigating the accused company and cause disruption in production and marketing processes. The management would end up wasting valuable time attending to hearings with authorities instead of developing long term strategies for their businesses.In understanding that consumers are generally skeptic of advertisers’ messages, Tan has gone further to explain that products are key victims of incredibility compared to services.In other words, consumers are more likely to believe advertisements on services and less on those involving services. Marketers should in this regard make extensive use of Integrated Marketing Communication (ICM) initiatives in ensuring that advertisements are truthful and provide important information to consumers.Effective commercials a re the ones which call on marketers restrain themselves from developing ads that overstate respective products; it is better to have commercials whose messages seem to undermine product effectiveness. Consumers who purchase such products end up being awed by their effectiveness and therefore develop loyalty.ICM has a role of diluting consumer skepticism over advertisements and should be used for that purpose by marketers (Kim 2006). In fact, marketers need to be on the forefront of ensuring that messages contained in ads are completely believable. Secondly, they have to liaise with senior management to ensure the development of organizational culture that involves developing and submitting ads helpful to consumers.This is in understanding that truthful advertisements that help consumers get the right products and services is usually the first step in developing long term relationship with manufacturers (FCC 2000). Repeat business that would be generated by such positive ads could fu rther help companies generate the much important brand loyalty.In addition, consumers satisfied with the advertised products end up becoming marketing tools as they embark on influencing others in respective sphere of influence to purchase the truthfully-advertised products.Tan (2002) further observed that consumer skepticism over advertisements changes with age, with the younger populations (especially from adolescents mid thirties) being more skeptic, whereas the older population are more likely to believe advertisements. Individual companies’ marketing teams should therefore ensure that ICM techniques are used to effectively address the target market.ReferencesFCC, 2000, Truth-in-Advertising Public Forum. Available At:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.fcc.gov/Speeches/Kennard/spwek937.htmlKim, Y., 2006., Consumer Skepticism and Ad Credibility. Available At:http://www.ciadvertising.org/sa/fall_05/adv392/yeojungi/index.htmTan, S. 2002. Can consumersâ⠂¬â„¢ scepticism be mitigated by claim objectivity and claim   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   extremity? Journal of Marketing Communications. Vol. 8, pp. 45-64

Favorite Holiday

Favorite holidays As an immigrant, Christmas is not my traditional holiday. I celebrated Christmas for the first time when I was in India. It was my first and last Christmas with my Indian friends. I collected money from friends and we held a little party at my house. Our Christmas party was very different than an American Christmas party. We didn’t decorate the Christmas tree and also there was no snow. I didn’t get different kinds of food for my friends because at the end I left with very little money. We didn’t tell our parents about celebrating Christmas and we made our gifts at home.For example, I made a card and one of my friends made a sewed a hankie. After the celebration we started to clean up and during clean up time we were telling jokes and laughing. It was the best Christmas of my life. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday because Christmas comes with snow, decorations and different varieties of food. First, Christmas is not complete without snow and cold. I love the combination of snow, cold and wind. Every single morning is like a surprise for me because I do not know what the weather will be like.When I glance around, I see snow everywhere just like a white blanket. I usually don’t go outside in the snow, but I adore watching snow from my window. It is also the best time for snow ball fights and for going snow sledding. When I go outside, I see people with heavy jackets and coats roaming around gives me cozy and warm feelings. Sitting on the couch, drinking coffee, and watching snow during Christmas time gives me feelings which are not comparable to any other feelings. Second of all, decorations on Christmas are usual and are very important parts of Christmas.Christmas time decorations are typically put up in stores in early December and people start to white wash their houses for this big occasion. Going to stores in Christmas time, everything looks very colorful to me. I usually see the Christmas decoration s in three colors like red, white and green. A week before Christmas day, people decorate their houses and front yards with lights, wreath, and plastic snowman. During Christmas time I love to go on walks because the decorations of the streets and houses everywhere make the holidays very pleasant for me. Looking at ecorated houses and streets in the night during walk fills my heart with happiness and joy. The sensation which comes to my spirit by looking at the decorations can’t be compared to anything else and makes me love Christmas. Third of all, the best part of the Christmas is the school break. Spending time at home without any worry of school is the greatest thing about Christmas. Every student in high school/college waits for Christmas desperately because teachers don’t give homework. Instead of doing assignments, I get to stay home and relax all day long.Going to school all year and working on school work doesn’t give me enough time to spend with my fam ily. On Christmas break, I help my mom with chores and go to work with my dad. Last year on Christmas I went to India. I didn’t get to stay long but it was memorable trip. Christmas allows me to go on vacation and gives me time to spend with my family. I don’t celebrate Christmas because of my religion, but Christmas is my favorite holidays. During Christmas I love the mixture of fantastic weather, the beautiful decorations and the awesome school break.

Working Students

In educational institutions, success is measured by academic performance, or how well a student meets standards set out by local government and the institution itself. As career competition grows ever more fierce in the working world, the importance of students doing well in school has caught the attention of parents, legislators and government education departments alike. Read more: Define Academic Performance | eHow. com http://www. ehow. com/about_4740750_define-academic-performance. html#ixzz2NEVziRNN Significance Although education is not the only road to success in the working world, much effort is made to identify, evaluate, track and encourage the progress of students in schools. Parents care about their child's academic performance because they believe good academic results will provide more career choices and job security. Schools, though invested in fostering good academic habits for the same reason, are also often influenced by concerns about the school's reputation and t he possibility of monetary aid from government institutions, which can hinge on the overall academic performance of the school.State and federal departments of education are charged with improving schools, and so devise methods of measuring success in order to create plans for improvement. History * In the past, academic performance was often measured more by ear than today. Teachers' observations made up the bulk of the assessment, and today's summation, or numerical, method of determining how well a student is performing is a fairly recent invention. Grading systems came into existence in America in the late Victorian period, and were initially criticized due to high subjectivity.Different teachers valued different aspects of learning more highly than others, and although some standardization was attempted in order to make the system more fair, the problem continued. Today, changes have been made to incorporate differentiation for individual students' abilities, and exploration of alternate methods of measuring performance is ongoing. Full-text education books, articles, journals at Questia. www. Questia. com/Education Function * The tracking of academic performance fulfills a number of purposes.Areas of achievement and failure in a student's academic career need to be evaluated in order to foster improvement and make full use of the learning process. Results provide a framework for talking about how students fare in school, and a constant standard to which all students are held. Performance results also allow students to be ranked and sorted on a scale that is numerically obvious, minimizing complaints by holding teachers and schools accountable for the components of each and every grade. Features * Performance in school is evaluated in a number of ways.For regular grading, students demonstrate their knowledge by taking written and oral tests, performing presentations, turning in homework and participating in class activities and discussions. Teachers evalu ate in the form of letter or number grades and side notes, to describe how well a student has done. At the state level, students are evaluated by their performance on standardized tests geared toward specific ages and based on a set of achievements students in each age group are expected to meet.Considerations The subjectivity of academic performance evaluation has lessened in recent years, but it has not been totally eliminated. It may not be possible to fully remove subjectivity from the current evaluation methods, since most are biased toward students that respond best to traditional teaching methods. Standardized testing is best responded to by students that excel in reading, mathematics and test-taking, a skill that is not in itself indicative of academic worth. The tests reward visual learners, and give no chance for kinesthetic or auditory learners to show their abilities.The standardized test fails to recognize students with learning and physical disabilities that do not all ow them to complete the test in the same manner or amount of time as other students. Evaluations from classroom teachers, though they give the most detailed information, may still retain bias if individual differentiation and learning styles have not been taken into account. Read more: Define Academic Performance | eHow. com http://www. ehow. com/about_4740750_define-academic-performance. html#ixzz2NEXuduq0 Working studentsINTRODUCTIONMany college students today work part-time. Employment during school could improve grades if working promotes aspects that correspond with academic success, such as industriousness or time management skills, or instead reduce grades by reducing time and energy available for schoolwork. Otherwise, working might be associated with academic performance, yet not directly influence it, if unobserved student differences influence both labor supply and grades. Unmotivated students might neither work for pay nor receive good grades because they put little effo rt into the labor market or school.In contrast, students uninterested in academics might work long hours that would otherwise have been devoted to leisure. Students might misjudge the link between college achievement and future earnings when making labor supply decisions. If so, obtaining a consistent estimate of how such decisions affect academic performance is prospectively important for policy consideration. A student refers to someone who is formally engaged in learning, especially the one who is enrolled in a school or college. You would call an individual a student if he or she is a learner.Employment then correlates to jobs, vocation, profession, and etc. W would you then define ‘working student’? On another person’s mind, they would think of it as a student who engages in learning and working at the same time. It does not matter what nature of work it would be. Many college students today work part time. Their reason for working is mostly due to the fact that they lack the financial support they need. Few would reason out that they only needed the extra income for personal leisure. Parents would normally support their child for their education. In

History and Influences of Mexican Americans and the United States Essay

Looking around the United States, it is not hard to see the influence that Spanish-speaking nations, namely Mexico, have had on us. Every day we see signs in Spanish. We hear it as we walk through the streets of Madison and Milwaukee. We feel the impact it has on us in our public school system. We also see the controversy it causes on the news. What I will be attempting to explore in this paper is the origins of Mexican Americans and their continuing influence on the United States. I believe it is important to first understand the history of the relationship between Americans and Mexicans to understand the preconceived notions many Americans have towards Mexico. Although both nations are technically â€Å"Americas†, for the duration of the paper I will refer to the United States as America. After winning its independence from Spain, Mexico first had large-scale contact with Americans during the early 1800s when Americans were migrating farther west to what is present day Texas. Mexico allowed these citizens to reside despite the tension and friction that was building between Whites, Indians and Mexicans in these territories. Texas citizens declared themselves an independent nation, and due to the United States recognition of such, a war was prompted between the United States and Mexico. Mexico lost the war as well as its territories in North America. Mexican citizens who stayed behind in the lost territories became American citizens (Marger, 2012). One of the things that always confounded me about racism in the south, and states like Arizona, is the complete indifference or ignorance of this fact. I have always wondered how the White Supremacist mindset works when Mexican Americans have a natural ancestry in these states and were the first citizens of these states. How can we still see bumper stickers that say â€Å"Learn English or Go Home†, or â€Å"Go back to your own country† when the first citizens of these states were Mexicans? I believe that a cause for this is the lack of emphasis of early Mexican American history taught in schools. I I believe that if this were emphasized, these specific ethnocentric arguments would be dispelled sooner. Immigration of Mexicans and other Hispanics to America is not going to stop, so to ignore their political influence would be foolish. Demographics are showing that the Hispanic population is on the rise. There are an estimated 6. 6 million illegal immigrants from Mexico alone residing in the United States (Marger, 2012). The European American population, although still the largest in size, declining. (Marger, 2012). Since there are an increasing amount of people in the United States who are a mixed race, such as myself who is part Mexican American, true numbers of those who identify as part Hispanic are not yet known. (Marger, 2012). I believe that due to this, it is more crucial than ever to understand what kind of influence Mexican Americans will have on the socioeconomic and political structure of the future America. As much as certain groups of people would want to deny the influence of Mexican culture, as well as that of other Spanish-speaking ethnicities on the United States, the population statistics, (as well as the 2012 Election results, in my opinion) prove otherwise. Hispanics are the largest minority group (Naumann, Benet-Martinez, Espinoza 2013), and it is estimated that by 2050, 46% of the United States population will be Hispanic. (Marger, 2012). Insofar as political influence is concerned, 2008 held 19. 5 million registered Hispanic voters, and it is estimated that 23. 7 million registered voters were Hispanic in the 2012 election. To more specifically cite the influence of Mexican Americans in today’s voting world, there are 33 million Mexican Americans in the United States and 73% of them were born in America (Naumann, et al 2013). Despite attempts of the Republican Party to capture the vote of Hispanic Americans, 70% of them are still voting Democratic. (Naumann, et al 2013). Although Cubans tend to vote primarily more for Republicans, the larger population of Mexican Americans is still voting for Democrats. (Naumann, et al 2013). By analyzing these data, I can only conclude that the dire need for the Hispanic vote from the GOP is the sole purpose of the existence of Marco Rubio in modern politics. A question arises, as much as Mexican Americans influence us, how much do we influence them? The answer would have to depend on how in favor they are of assimilation. Studies have shown that most Mexican American youth would prefer a â€Å"biculturism† form of acculturation, preferring to hold on to their ethnic customs but also to embrace new American ones (Naumann, et al 2013). It was also shown in these studies that the more deep-routed Mexican Americans tend to be in their ethnicity, that the likelier they are to vote liberally (Naumann, et al 2013). Understanding Mexican Americans role in the workplace currently will also help explain motivations as to how they vote and continue to influence the rest of America. A study published in 2005 showed that Mexicans, while living in Mexico, have fewer expectations for advancement in the workplace, including to upper-management positions. This leads them to believe there are less forms of discrimination based on age, sex and ethnicity (Bennington, Wagman, Stallone, 2005). Although these studies were done for Mexicans, not Mexican Americans, I believe that during the newest wave of immigration this attitude could carry over, which could explain at least one reason that despite the large population, there are not heaping amounts of Mexican Americans in upper-level positions. For work life itself, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Mexican Americans have at large suffered the same impact of the recession other ethnicities have suffered, having Unemployment peaking strongly in the 2009-2011 years and just now in 2013 starting to make a recovery (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013). I believe this relates to the influence Mexican Americans have on us because since newer immigrants do not seek power as quickly as other ethnic groups, it can lead to certain prejudices of them being unmotivated, which in turn would influence behavior of White Americans to treat them as subordinates. In summation, I believe that educating the true history of Mexican Americans (such as their origin as joining the US as citizens after the Mexican War), can help stop certain forms of prejudice, as well as helping Americans to realize that they are an ever-increasing demographic that is not going away anytime soon. Their influence is growing in US Politics, and this will have to be recognized if certain political groups wish to survive in the new century. I believe that if there is more respect given to them while they are a minority group, the more respect they will give to White America once Whites lose their status as the dominant ethnic group.

Burgertown Report Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Burgertown Report - Research Paper Example 1.2 312 Staff Cost 127664 0.74 94.952 Total Variable Cost 406.952 Marginal Contribution 260000 0.00 295.048 Fixed Cost 83 Depreciation Cost 25 Total Fixed Cost 108 Profit Before Interest 187.048 & Tax (PBIT) Interest 30 12% on Rs. 250000 Profit Before Tax (PBT) 157.048 c) Break Even Point Fixed Cost / Marginal Contribution 95170.96 Per Unit As you can see above that by producing 95,170.96 units the total sales realized would be equal to the total cost and thus the firm would be under Break Even situation meaning thereby that they would be a no profit no loss situation. d) Margin of Safety Actual Sales - Break Even Sales 164829 (in volumes) The Firm is in a better situation as the Margin of Safety is in a much strong position both in terms of quantity as shown above and in percentage as shown below : = Margin of Safety / Total Sales * 100 164829 / 260000 * 100 = 63.40% f) No. of units to be produced extra to gain additional profit of Rs. 50,000 PARTICULARS No. of Units Rate Value Sales x 2.90 2.90x Variable Cost Cost of Meals x 1.2 1.2x Staff Cost x 0.74 0.74x Total Variable Cost x 1.94x Marginal Contribution 0.96x (Sales - Total Variable Cost) Fixed Cost (Break up given below) 173000 Depreciation Cost 25000 Total Fixed Cost 198000 Profit Before Interest 237048 & Tax (PBIT) (Stated that the profits would be 50,000 additional than the earlier profits Also Marginal Contribution = Fixed Cost + Profit Before Interest & Tax Therefore no. of units produced to achieve an additional profit of Rs. 50,000 would be (237048+198000) /... Some limitations are typically due to the lack of precision in the numbers (e.g., what is the actual price, is it purchase price or life cycle price) and getting the precise figures for fixed and variable costs. Beyond that, it is limited by its total focus on the quantitative elements of a business plan and doesn't consider competitive reactions, customer needs, etc. http://books.google.co.in/booksct=result&id=958o8MoaYmMC&dq=high- low+method++variable+labour+cost+per+meal+and+the+annual+fixed+labour+cost.&ots=RibYVyeuS7&pg=PA133&lpg=PA133&sig=ACfU3U2ievG4GwJltFY_kQEL94YQYXEaKw&q=high-low+method++variable+labour+cost+per+meal+and+the+annual+fixed+labour+cost.+#PPA135,M1

Unit 1 - Business Enviroment + Unit Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 7500 words

Unit 1 - Business Enviroment + Unit - Coursework Example erent organizations, there are however four basic goals that an organization focuses on like survival in the growing competitive market, enhancing profits through increased sales and reduced production costs, growth and expansion, and capturing increasing share of the national and international markets. Since most organizations essentially seek profits therefore making maximum profit becomes the most important objective of the owners. However, there are some organizations like the charitable organizations whose principle purpose is to provide service to people. In the beginning of any business, an organization has no goodwill in the market nor does it have loyal customers. Therefore, in the initial stage the key objective remains survival which can be achieved through good marketing and promotional strategies. With the growth of the business, profit making becomes the most important objective. In most organizations, it is the owners who decide what the objectives should be for a give n period; however there are other stakeholders who can also give their views and opinions. Stakeholders are any group of people who have interest in the activities of the business organization which can be managers, employees, suppliers and customers. When a stakeholder’s interest is considered then it is known as stakeholder consideration like owners giving up part of their profits to pay bonus to the employees in order to motivate them to focus harder towards fulfilling the objectives of the concerned organization (BBC, 2014). The objectives of a business organization are subjected to change for both internal reasons, like business expansion, and external reasons, such as economic depression. When a profitable business gets negatively affected by economic depression like decreasing sales, it may change its goal from profit maximization goal to survival as it may become difficult to maintain the same level of output. Organizational objectives and missions are some of the vit al

Perspectives Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Perspectives - Research Paper Example It might be of some interest to note that that not only ‘behavior’ but also ‘learning’ was not given much importance by early day psychologists. Possibly they concluded that ‘behavior’ was something that could neither be quantified nor categorized and thus did not merit any special investigation. However, at the beginning of 20th century some psychologists felt that ‘behavior’ indeed identifies a man and makes him stand out in his interactions with fellow humans and therefore can very well be considered as an outward manifestation of an individual’s psychological constitution. Though, they did agree that it cannot quantified and thus cannot be measured or compared in absolute terms. Thus, a small band of psychologists took it upon themselves to study ‘behavior’ in intricate detail while the majority continued to stick to the earlier stance of not giving ‘behavior’ that much importance. In this paper the perspectives of Watson, Skinner and Tolman are compared and contrasted and an attempt has been made to relate their perspectives to modern day approach to psychology as a separate discipline. John B. Watson Watson is widely believed to be the father of the term ‘behaviorism’ and is credited with the introduction, or should we say, infiltration of this term in mainstream psychology. Watson also took a distinctly adamant stand in the age old nature versus nurture debate in that he believed that nurture, which is, how a person is brought up and his experiences since childhood, plays a distinct role in shaping his approach and attitude and nature has very little role to play in such formation. As a proof of his contention, he conducted the famous experiment of white rat and how fear got instilled in the psyche of Little Albert when a loud frightening sound accompanied every time the rat was shown to the child. As a further proof of his contention, in a slightly changed scenario, he showed the white rat to the child who was struck with a steel bar a little while after he observed the white rat. Thus fear acquired two connotations to Albert, one is the sight of the white rat and the other was the sound of his crying as he was struck by a steel bar. By this combined exposure to conditioned stimulus of the white rat and unconditioned stimulus of getting struck by a steel bar Albert was conditioned to be perpetually afraid of white rat. Watson reasoned that fears that are conditioned remain with a person and modify his behavior for the rest of his life (Leary, 2004). By the end of the first decade of 20th century Watson published his classical treatise Psychology as the Behaviorist Views It where he made a tersely woven logical case for behavior to be considered as an integral part of psychological analysis. He started his argument with the assumption that was never doubted or challenged by any scholar that psychology is a scientific discipline on its own merit. As psychology is a separate science it needs to be based on empirical data that could be independently verified through experiments. Facts that are observed during experiments are by definition observable and could be codified. The only publicly observable aspect of psychology is behavior and not consciousness that can neither be observed nor codified. Therefore, the most popular method at that time of studying consciousness, that is, introspection cannot be termed as a scientific

Entrepreneurship Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Entrepreneurship - Assignment Example Though they constitute a major element of the countries growth, very little was done for their growth and development in the past. It is a common misconception that unemployed people call themselves entrepreneurs. But, in reality they provide several basic services necessary for huge corporate companies as well as the local public. The government has started to realize their importance only in the recent days. Government encourages the small and medium level entrepreneurs to get rated because they believe the sole aim of encouraging entrepreneurship is job creation and economic growth. Several steps to improve them are taken from offering them easy loans to giving them subsidies to improve their infrastructure. The major obstacle faced by the SMEs are their inability to garner funds when they are in dire need. Getting a good credit rating will help them demand the finance they require from various agencies with confidence. But, there is little awareness regarding the process and its importance among the entrepreneurs. Credit rating is basically a system which statistically determines a person or businesses ability to pay back the money borrowed. The credit ratings are offered by three financial bureaus Equifax, TransUnion and Experian in the U.S. Their rating for each business might differ slightly. An American citizen is entitled to get a free credit report once in every 12 month from these bureaus. But, they should pay a minimal fee of $7.95 to get a detailed credit rating. An alternate way is to use software like FICO to get the credit rating. People applying for the report will usually get it within 30 to 45 days of application. They bureau takes into account certain features like credit repayment history, current debts and time taken to pay back the previous credits, the frequency of getting credits and the credit type to create the credit

Instructional leadership and curriculum Assignment

Instructional leadership and curriculum - Assignment Example Apropos to students’ situation, there is needed to take careful examination on their differences for instance multicultural, international travelling and many others. (Mc Caleb, 2013). Knowing a learners condition will assist in fair learning process for all learners since they are the center of learning and great concern is required. After knowing the learners situation, the leaders should consult the situation at the family level. Teachers and educational supervisors should involve parents through visits. Parents can be invited over to assess their children in the classroom or within the school. Alternatively, they can visit students at their homes in presence of the parents to inquire what they might consider to be part of the curriculum. After which support opportunities are created for dialogue between parents, teachers and educational leaders to improve student learning. From family level, the school should create bonds with the local residents and community organization during the process of curriculum implementation and planning (Mc Caleb, 2013). There is great need for partnership strategies to reach educational stakeholders creating an environment for change. This will ensure addressing of cultural differences, community cries and data collection on areas of weaknesses. By doing all, these there will be tremendous change in education sector and better learning strategies to match current educational

Brain Structure and Smoking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Brain Structure and Smoking - Essay Example Scientists discovered that a chain smoker suddenly lost all his interest in smoking because he suffered some damage to the brain, which altered the structure of the brain. This led scientists to believe that a brain structure deep in the brain was primarily responsible for the habit of smoking and if this can be treated the habit could be kicked very easily because then the smoker would loose all interest in smoking just as the person mentioned above lost all interest because of the stroke that altered his brain structure. Smoking is one of the highest causes of death which is preventable because most people are hooked to the highly addictive nicotine. This is just one example of how physical activities affect the brain or how the brain affects the activities of human beings, it is very vital to understand that addiction is due to structures in the brain that actually cause the addiction to nicotine, the respective brain structures will also be mentioned in the paper. Most people that are hooked on to smoking say that they want to quit smoking but do not know how to do so; this research would be very helpful in making people realize how they can quit their smoking habits and patterns to lead a much more healthy life. There are manStructures of the Brain There are many structures in the brain that affect the habits of human being, as mentioned before the brain has back up resources so some functions might be carried out by other parts if some damage occurs but if any part does get damaged then some habits are affected because there is not a back up resource for it. The insula in the brain is one such part because researchers have found out that any damage to the insula would cause people to quit smoking, they found this out by studying a man who smoked 40 cigarettes per day and he suffered a deep stroke which altered, to an extent, the brain structure and after the stroke the man felt no need to smoke at all. Smoking also has some affects on the brain which tend to damage the brain but the most damaged areas are those of the parietal and the temporal lobes, as mentioned before these lobes tend to the functions of feel and problem solving, once damage has been done to these lobes the problem solving ability decreases and also lowers t he resolve to quit smoking. There are hereditary causes of smoking as well because in a research it was indicated that there were certain receptors known as 'alpha-4, beta-2' are responsible for the 'head rush' that smokers feel when they smoke and it is believed that parents who smoke may transfer these recipients in large quantities to their children and hence this might be a cause of smoking when they children grow up and it is also thought that the initial smoking habits and patterns reflect those of the parents. The reasons for smoking in teenagers and young adults are mostly peer pressure and academic related concerns that cause them to smoke, the top most reason is not the lack of knowledge because every one knows how smoking is a cause of concern to their health's but the problem lies in how are they informed Are they just told the facts and figures or are they showed, how badly smoking can really hurt them They should be told that peer pressure is a daily phenomenon and also should be told how to

CW1 & CW3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

CW1 & CW3 - Essay Example Reggae has always been associated with Rastafarianism, a culture where people wear dreadlocks hair covered with woollen hats in green, gold and red colours (Blake, 1997). Origin of Reggae Most of reggae’s original versions can be found in Mento, Ska and Rocky Steady. Reggae changed the original traditional patterns when they allowed guitar to play off-beat chords, while the bass guitar played melodic patterns (Waters, 1985). Music in the society was used to explain to the rest of the world the oppressions that the citizens were going through. The extreme pressures of lack of jobs, good houses and political unrest was becoming a menace at Kingston. This made many Rastafarians and singers to get into Rastafarianism as a way of escaping from the injustices that were being experienced in the society. Popular artists such as the wailers, Burning Spear, Bob (Andy), Gregory Isaacs, Culture and Marcia (Griffiths), became popular during this era and they all turned into Rastafarianism as a way of life (Knight & Martnez-Vergne, 2005). Reggae music had also an impact to the politics of Jamaica. The opposition leader at one time spoke of how the message in the music is interwoven with politics and it’s a good avenue where information can be passed from one generation to another. Thus music and politics cannot be separated. Since reggae evolved in the 60’s, it has become among the most listened to music genres as the culture that is contained in it is really appreciated. Bob Marley and the Wailers are the biggest sellers of the gene ever and their hit Exodus was voted the best and most influential album of the twentieth century. Musicians and groups such as; Black Uhuru, Gregory Isaacs, UB40, Maxi Priest, Shabba Ranks, Super Cat Shaggy, Buju Banton, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Beenie, Bounty, Sean Paul, TOK among others are the most influential artists that are spreading the music genre to many generations. They have earned a lot of cash and fame globally, an aspect that was not imagined to ever happen in the world of music (Longhurst, 2007). Impacts of Reggae in modern society The modern society is full of many social, political and economic issues. Music plays a greater role in spreading important information about what happens in any given societies. Gospel music, spreads the good news of God, patriotic songs talks about the love of one’s country, reggae music too has a message to pass to the rest of the world. Main themes that are found in most reggae songs are equality, justice, poverty, marriage, sex, drugs politics, religion among other many types of themes that the music spreads all over the world. It has been liked by most international audiences who views most African culture as being rich and of important lessons to their day to day lives (Potter, 1988). For a better understanding of the themes and message that the music brings forth, it is important to closely examine an artist who is commonly recognised as the father of reggae and Rastafarianism in Jamaica. The music of the late Bob Nesta Marley who introduced reggae music to international perspectives can be termed to combine a feel good of rhythm with militant call for justice and freedom from oppression. He was born in Jamaica’s countryside, but later moved to at a young age to Trench Town, Kingston, one of Jamaica’s most hopeless towns that one could imagine of living in. He abandoned school and left