To What Extent Are Organizations Socially Constructed Phenomena Coursework - 3

To What Extent Are Organizations Socially Constructed Phenomena - Coursework Example The present paper has identified that after studying the patterns of cultural evolution, the writer of this paper is inclined towards the belief that there is a significant amount of similarity in the manner in which culture is manifested in business organizations and in society in general (Rollinson et al, 1998; Morgan, 1998). To understand cultural diversity in organizations, it would be helpful to understand its roots at a sociological level. Cultural diversity in the workplace is a direct result of ‘multiculturalism’ in society. A multicultural society simply denotes a society in which there exist several cultures (Watson, 2000). Culture is defined as,   Ã¢â‚¬Å"A pattern of shared assumptions a group learned as it solved its problems of external adaptation and internal integration that has worked well enough to be considered valid and, therefore, to be taught to new members as the correct way you think, perceive, and feel in relation to those problems† (Schei n, 2003). So, multicultural society has in it different groups, which have learned different ways of thinking, perceiving, and tackling problems that exist in the society. Each group taken individually is a society on its own, with its own individual culture. When all these individual societies are brought under one single core society, the culture of such a society becomes the core culture, with the individual cultures as its subcultures (Watson, 2002). A peaceful co-existence of the subcultures depends on the way the core culture is structured and shaped. Culture is a sensitive term even today and it still has the ability to invoke an emotional and nostalgic association with an individual’s distinctive way of life, and speaks directly to their sense of identity and belonging (Watson, 2002). A general view of cultural differences is that they affect intercultural encounters, usually by leading to misunderstanding or conflict, at both the individual and group levels (Larkey, 1996).

Historical Background Of The Upanishads Philosophy Essay

Historical Background Of The Upanishads Philosophy Essay The Upanishads are said to contain the essence of the Vedas and the Vedas are the source of the (no need for the here) Vedanta philosophy. They contain the spiritual experiences and revelations of sages, the Rishis. They are said to be the products of the highest wisdom, supreme divine knowledge, which was directly heard (shrutti) in meditation. Hence they stir the hearts of people and inspire themà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦..They give supreme food for the soul  [1]  They are rich in profound philosophical thought and there is great depth of meaning in the passages and verses. They give a vivid description of the nature of Atman, the Supreme Soulà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ and expound suitable methods and aids to attain the Immortal Brahman, the Highest Purusha.  [2]  They have exercised considerable influence on the religion and philosophy in India. The Upanishads are regarded as the final part of the Vedas, and primarily discuss philosophy, meditation and the nature of God and form the core spiritual thought of Vedantic Hinduism. They are considered as mystic and spiritual contemplations of the Vedas, and are known as Vedanta (the end/culmination of the Vedas). Although the Vedas look outward in reverence and awe of the phenomenal world, the Upanishads look inward to the powers of human consciousness. Opinion differs as to the age of the Upanishads. Some Western scholars have fixed the age as 6th century BCE, but they do not belong to a particular period of Sanskrit literature. The oldest, such as Brhadaranyaka and Chandogya may date to the Brahmana period (roughly before the 7th century BCE) while the youngest may date to the medieval or early modern period. However, Sivananda would say they are dateless and eternal as they came out of the mouth of Brahman and so existed before the creation of the world. Shad means to shatter or destroy so by having knowledge of the Upanishads one destroys ignorance, and knowledge of Brahman is called Upanishad because it leads to Brahman and helps aspirants attain Brahman. Other schools of thought say Upanishad means sitting at the feet of the teacher. The Upanishads were not meant for the masses, as they contain the highest speculations of philosophy. They were only meant for the select few, who were seen as worthy to receive instruction initially from the rishis and later from the Brahmin teaching caste, hence the term Upanishad at first signified secret teaching or doctrine. The teachers integrated to become the Brhma Rishis. The Vedas were initially not written down but passed on orally, by chants and hymns. The Aryan migrants brought Sanskrit to India and so the Upanishads were eventually written down by the Rishis and Brahmin priests. Over 1000 have been recorded but Sankaracharya (8th century mystic who reawakened India to its spiritual herit age) is said to have collected together 108 Upanishads, which are summarised in his famous work The Viveka Chudamani. Of these the principal 10 Upanishads still studied today, are the Brhadarnayaka, Chandogya, Isha, Kena, Katha, Mandukya, Aitareya, Taittiriya, Mudaka and Prashna. The ancient rishis sought to understand the fundamental truths of mans being; the origins, the nature and the destiny of man and his universe, the meaning of life, the world and the relation of the individual to the supreme soul. They sought answers to these basic questions: who am I, what is the universe, whence are we born, on what do we rest, where do we go, are there such things as immortality, freedom, perfection, eternal bliss, everlasting peace, what is Atman, Brahman, or the Self, which is birthless, deathless, changeless, self-existent how to attain immortality or Brahman, what is the means of freedom from earthly bondage. The road to self-discovery is discussed in the Taittiriya Upanishad, which gives us rules for right conduct in our lives and advises If you are in doubt about right conduct, Follow the example of the sages, who know what is best for spiritual growth.  [3]  (chpt 11-v4). It tells us the body is only the outer layer surrounding our self, each layer less physical than the last: the physical sheath is made up of food (Pt 2, 2.1), the vital sheath is made up of living breath (3.1), the mental sheath is made up of waves of thought (3.1) and the sheath of wisdom is the intellect and within this is the sheath of bliss. Bliss is the heart, and Brahman the foundation. Those who affirm the Lord affirm themselves.  [4]  In the journey to discover who we are, the rishis looked at these states of consciousness (Brihadranyaka Upanishad chpt4). As awareness is withdrawn from these layers of consciousness it was discovered that the mind is not conscious, it is only an instrument of our consci ousness. If we were able to observe from within each state, would that be the knower, ie the self? In all creatures, all persons the Self is the innermost essence. Janaka asks who is the self and Yajnavalka replies: The Self, pure awareness, shines as the light within the heart, surrounded by the sense. Only seeming to think, seeming to move, the Self neither sleeps nor wakes nor dreams. This notion of the Self and Brahman being one is considered in the Katha Upanishad (chpt2-v20). Hidden in the heart of every creature exists the Self, subtler than the subtlest, greater than the greatest. They go beyond sorrow who extinguish their self-will and behold the glory fo the Self through the grace of the Lord of Love. A similar theme can be seen in the Isha Upanishad in its description of the Lord as being enshrined in the hearts of all. This seems to merge into a description of the Self culminating in v8 He it is who holds the cosmos together. The question of attaining immortality or Brahman is discussed in the Katha Upanishad, where we have a teenage boy (Natchiketa) as the student and Death (Yama) being the teacher. This studies the notion of reincarnation, wherein Natchiketa is sacrificed to death by his father but Natchiketa is granted three wishes, one for each of the three nights he has spent in the house of Yama (Pt 1-chpt1-v9-29. Natchiketa asks that when he is reincarnated his father will recognise him, secondly that he wants to remember what has gone before, he doesnt want to lose prior knowledge and thirdly he wants to know for certain if his sole really exists after death. The answer is to renounce passing pleasures and seek wisdom (chpt2-v3-4). Death says, The truth of the Self cannot come through one who has not realised the Self  [5]  , so self-realisation is the key. The ignorant believe that when the body dies, they die. This is further expounded by the Mandukya Upanishad which teaches us the need for knowledge through awareness and how this can be passed on through teachers. There are two types of knowledge, that taught through study, or lower knowledge, and the higher knowledge which leads to self-realisation, through mediation those who are pure in heart, who practice meditation and conquer all their senses and passions, shall attain the immortal Self.. The Prashna Upanishad also tells us after the sage Pippaladas explanation of where we come from (qu1-v4-10), that those who meditate, seek wisdom, self-discipline and faith in God will travel after death to the Supreme refuge, beyond the reach of fear and free from the cycle of birth and death. This Upanishad concludes with the question Do you know the self? (QuVI-v1) and Pippaladas summary describes the sixteen forms of the self within the body and that one must realise the self so that these sixteen forms disappear. Then there is no more name or form for us as human beings and we attain immortality. The self is the paramount goal of life. Attain this goal and go beyond death. (QuVI-v) iii) Where did I come from? This question is posed by the Kena Upanishad: by whom? Who makes my mind think?who sees through my eyes and hears through my ears? The teacher replies The Self is the ear of the ear, the eye of the eye and the mind of the mind.. This Upanishad is about knowing Brahman yet how can this not be an impossible task for the average man? How can we possibly conceive of understanding something so abstract and inscrutable? Yet we are urged to try: It is the power of Brahman that makes the mind to think, desire, and will. Therefore use this power to meditate on Brahman. (chpt4-v5-6) However, it seems we are compelled to continually ask questions without questions we cannot develop. What gives us this desire to know, to attain self-realisation? Easwarans interpretation of this question is: by whom impelled do all the motions of life stir?  [6]  Easwaran also quotes Shankara, By whose mere presence does that desire arise which moves the universe? Swami Vishnudevananda says just as the perception of things in the gross world is impossible without light, so knowledge of self cannot emerge other than by inquiry. Who am I? How was this universe born? What is its cause?  [7]  Just as mans quest for enjoyment finds that joy is within himself, knowledge will never be complete until he turns his vision inwards. The Upanishads tell us that all knowledge is in the self, and in fact, knowledge is self. That eternal knowledge of the self when reflected through the mind and brain of man becomes intuition, reason and instinct. In lower animals it is manifested as instinct, in man as reason and in advanced man as intuition. Individual existence is therefore a manifestation of the real existence of the self. So it seems to me we are compelled to seek knowledge, and therefore by implication to seek knowledge of the self. As Easwaran points out, exploring the unconscious requires the daring of youth, as in the Katha Upanishad. The Katha Upanishad seems to be saying that within all human experience it is only the Self that is the enjoyer, and so once one attains self-realisation there will nothing further to know. In the meantime man is forever searching, searching, even when he doesnt know what he is looking for. As Vishnudevananda points out some scale Mount Everest to learn, others navigate under the Artic oceans, while others fly into outer space. Others retire from the world to study or roam the world in search of knowledge. I feel this will go on for a long time yet until man has reached a stage of intellect where self-realisation becomes attainable for all, in ages to come. In the meantime we aspire to seek out extra little bits of knowledge and we pick up lots more along the way by accident without even r ealising it. The problem for us lowly mortals is in a quote I heard a long time ago when I was at college and has stuck with me ever since, although I dont know who said it or when: is not just the known unknown but the unknown unknown. I am aware of many things I do not know but there is of course an ocean of things which I dont even realise are there to be known. It seems an impossible task. Perhaps as I take the advice of the Upanishads and practise meditation, in years to come I may begin to feel as if I have started on my own journey.

Essay --

The world we live in today is full of an exceptional variety of animals. The time it took to conclude to the various sorts of species seen today has been throughout a period of millions of years. The vast majority of these animals are accredited to evolutionary advancements. When the environment changes, organisms have become accustomed to changing to fit their environment, to ensure their species does not die off. These physical changes have resulted in different phyla, ranging from basic structures, like sponges to advance systems, like that of an octopus. Porifera is the most simplistic phylum under the kingdom Animalia. The sponges have no tissue layers, but instead an interior and exterior layer with a gelatinous middle layer that separates the two. They are the only phylum with asymmetrical symmetry. Throughout the advancing phyla it will be shown this trait is lost. Porifera lacks a proper digestive system, but a canal system allows the sponges to filter feed. Along the inside of a sponge, flagella pump water through the sponge’s body. This process brings in oxygen and other small organisms and then flows out the top of the sponge, the osculum, removing waste by diffusion. Sponges lack a circulatory system, as does many of the first couple of phyla. A coinciding factor could be their small size. A nervous system is also missing, but very basic nerve cells within the pores sense the water currents. Gas exchange occurs through these pores. Reproduction in sponges can be asexual by budding, gammation, or fragmentation. Some s ponges can also have sexual reproduction occur as an egg gets released and fertilized in the open water by free floating sperm. After this stage they cling onto rock and begin their sessile, basic, life.... ...d female reproductive organs. An egg becomes fertilized when they rub clitellum. Earthworms play an important part in the environment. They break down organic matter and dig tunnels under the soil that help increase water and oxygen flow. Throughout the various phyla discussed evolutionary advancements are relevant. Starting from the basic, simplistic life forms of a sponge, up to the intelligence of an octopus and advance organ systems of Annelida the changes have only improved. Some species changed and evolved because as populations grow, they spread out farther and different conditions begin to affect their life. Why some species haven’t changed is because their body plan and system works for the environment they inhabit. Evolution has helped animals spread out all over the world and adapt to various conditions, seen in the habitats Aschelminthes can prosper in.

Hip Hop and the African American Dream Essay

Spoken-word music arrived in America for the first time with slave ships from West Africa.   Ethnomusicologists have traced the roots of hip hop to the dance, the drum, and the song of West African griots or storytellers.   The pairing of word and music is recognized as a portrayal of the painful journey of slaves who survived the passage.   In early America, the slaves drew on the common elements of African music with their ring shouts, their field hollers, as well as their spirituals.   Thus, Samuel A. Floyd, the director of the Center for Black Music Research at Columbia College in Chicago attests: â€Å"Speech-song has been part of the black culture for a long, long time† (McBride).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the summer of the year 1973, an African American teenager in one of the Bronx River Houses, stuck a speaker in his living room window, ran a wire to the turntable in another room, and set the housing project of three thousand folks alight with party music.   Thus, Bronx turned into a music magnet, and hip hop was given birth to.   This birth led to the creation of dance styles, and graffiti artists found a new job: to paint the word â€Å"I† loud and clear because hip hop is all about identity, that is, â€Å"I am the best† (McBride).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   James McBride notes: â€Å"Not since the advent of swing jazz in the 1930s has an American music exploded across the world with such overwhelming force.†Ã‚   As a matter of fact, hip hop is nowadays enjoyed by people from around the world, and by all races.   Still, the role of this music among the African Americans – the race through out of which emerge the best hip hop musicians – is crystal clear.   For African Americans, the music represents the good old dream to hit upon a pot of gold to millions of dollars.   Agonizing over how their parents slave many hours a day, young African Americans long to make it big in the hip hop business with fame and riches. Works Cited McBride, James. â€Å"Hip Hop Planet.† National Geographic, April 2007.

Armageddon: A Reaction Paper Essay

In the movie Armageddon, who are the evil ones? They are thousands of rocks led by an asteroid the size of Texas that threatens to extinguish life on Earth? And who are the good ones? They are a motley makeshift group of old-drillers who will risk their lives in a daring rocket journey to save the world. A few NASA astronauts and one Russian cosmonaut are also thrown in to help steer the two shuttle spacecrafts. So these are the heroes of the movie. But, except for rig owner and drilling expert Harry Stamper (played excellently by Bruce Willis), the oil workers are moonlighting criminals. Mobsters as saviors? Is this any way to improve the moral fabric of our country? You would think that a movie about the extinction of life on Earth would be serious. Not so. The best description of Armageddon is an action-adventure film sprinkled with comedy. Every effort is made to excite and entertain. No effort is made to educate or inform. Scientific accuracy is tossed out the window. The laws o f physics are continually violated in order to maximize the drama. What happened to the good old movie classics that tried to teach us something about life? It is amazing that the asteroid is able days in advance to send warning signals consisting of deadly meteor showers. The first one strikes a space station orbiting the Earth. The craft is drilled with holes before exploding. The next attack is on New York City. It is pelted with huge meteorites. The Chrysler Building is decapitated, while the City is decimated. Several days later, Shanghai falls victim. And near the end of the movie, Paris is destroyed by an asteroid fragment. This is one of the few places where a realistic image of an impact is portrayed. The explosion produces a cloud of dust that surges outward. Paris is totaled. Only a huge crater and the bottom halves of the Arc de Triumph and other buildings are left. It is curious how well directed that these strikes are Despite the unrealistic nature of the movie, it is entertaining and full of action. The frame time is usually no longer than 3 seconds as one image after another flashes on the screen in an effort to maximize the tension. Such rapid-fire images also limit a viewer’s ability to notice the many scientific flaws. A love story between Grace Stamper, Harry’s daughter played by Liv Tyler, and A. J. Frost, a young oil rig worker played by Ben Affleck, adds a romantic element to the movie. Of course, everyone knows that these space-age, spaced out oil drillers will in the end save us from destruction. In the film, NASA officials meet to discuss proposals to avert the asteroid catastrophe. The suggestions are laughable: Destroy it with lasers? Americans have clearly been watching too many Star Trek episodes. Attach sails to it? This is ludicrous. What’s going to provide the drag? Outer space is virtually empty. There is no wind out there except for the â€Å"solar wind,† which can only blow dust and particles and certainly cannot change the direction of a heavy asteriod in a matter of days. Destroy it with nuclear weapons? As correctly stated in the movie, 150 nukes would hardly be sufficient. Although such bombs would produce 150 craters, the asteroid would remain intact. So what plan do they come up with? They propose to drill a hole about 800 feet deep, insert a hydrogen bomb, explode it and split the asteroid in two pieces that will fly past Earth on either side. If 150 nukes won’t do the job, certainly one will not either, even if it is inserted in the ast eroid. Can one hydrogen bomb create a crack that stretches across the state of Texas? When it comes to man versus Nature in life-threatening battles, can man always win? When a tornado touches down, can we stop it? When a tsunami or giant wave, speeds across the ocean, can we diminish it? When a volcano is about to erupt, can we extinguish its hot temper? When a hurricane heads towards a populated coastal region, can we divert it? When lightning strikes, can we reflect its flash? The answers to these questions are no. But we can take measures. In most instances, our only recourse is evacuation. In these battles of man versus Nature, Nature is supreme. Solar system scientists classify asteroids with letters such as S, C, M and E. The makers of Armageddon have discovered a truly remarkable object that will revolutionize planetary science. From a distance, it appears to be almost comet-like and engulfed in a blue-green cloud. While most asteroids have a topography not so different from the Moo n’s, the Armageddon asteroid has a treacherous terrain of jagged knife-like rocks, steep crevices and pointed mountain peaks. Its surface is as intricate as a crystal chandelier. It is almost as though its stalagmites threaten to stab Earth’s heart. But, of course, in reality the danger to Earth is created by the asteroid’s tremendous kinetic energy, which gets translated into heat, pressure and pounding power upon impact. The Armageddon asteroid is also the first to have a significant atmosphere and rock storms. Yes, the efforts of our heroes are impeded when dozens of rocks start raining down upon them. Obviously, NASA should have equipped our heroes with steel umbrellas. The air must contain oxygen to feed the sparks of fires that are blown by a sometimes howling wind. There must also be a â€Å"fifth force† that holds Stamper’s crew to the asteroid’s surface. It can’t be gravity. The force of gravity on the Armageddon asteroid is about 20 times weaker than that on Earth. A 180-pound human would weigh only 9 pounds. Armageddon is an action-packed adventure in which National Aeronautics andSpace Administration (NASA) astronauts save the world from a huge asteroid or should we call a â€Å"Global Killer† that can kill even bacteria. It is entitled Armageddon which means â€Å"the end of all things† and it came from the bible. It’s a nice movie but lots of arguments, quarrels, andtragic parts. I can say that Armageddon is interesting because it is somewhat related to Science which is my favorite subject. I don’t understand some parts of it because they speak fast but I’d still understand this movie on the way they move. All the scenes in Armageddon seemed real, the explosions, the satellites, the space shuttles travelling and the asteroids falling and crashing to the Earth, all I can say is, amazing! I salute all the makers of this movie because they have made Armageddon a realistic one. Armageddon is full package, romance, comedy and action combined into one. It is entertaining and full of action. When the parts of the asteroids are crashing all I can do is to scream. In summary, Armageddon is a wonderful movie but a tragic one.Armageddon is somewhat related to Chemistry. Asteroids are included to Astrochemistry. A giant, global-killing asteroid, like the one that killed off the dinosaurs 65million years ago is 18 days away from hitting the Earth. The oil drilling is somewhat related to Industrial Chemistry, that is showed on the first part of the movie. Nuclear bombs are related to Nuclear Chemistry. Bombs that are detonated in the drilled part of the huge asteroid that blew it into pieces. This movie told us some information about Chemistry.

The Road to the American Revolution

The Road to the American Revolution In 1818, Founding Father John Adams famously recalled the American Revolution as having started as a belief â€Å"in the hearts and minds of the people† that eventually â€Å"burst out in open violence, hostility, and fury.† Since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in the l6th century, England had been trying to establish a colony in the â€Å"New World† of North America. In 1607, the Virginia Company of London succeeded with the settling of Jamestown, Virginia. England’s King James I had decreed at the time that the Jamestown colonists would forever enjoy the same rights and freedoms as if they had been â€Å"abiding and born within England.† Future kings, however, would not be so accommodating. During the late 1760s, the once-strong bonds between the American colonies and Britain began to loosen. By 1775, ever-growing abuses of power exerted by British King George III would drive the American colonists to armed revolt against their native country. Indeed, the long road of America from its first exploration and settlement to organized revolt seeking independence from England was blocked by seemingly insurmountable obstacles and stained with the blood of citizen-patriots. This feature series, â€Å"The Road to the American Revolution,† traces the events, causes, and people of that unprecedented journey. A ‘New World’ Discovered America’s long, bumpy road to independence starts in August of 1492 when Queen Isabella I of Spain funded the first New World voyage of Christopher Columbus to discover a westward trading passage to the Indies. On October 12, 1492, Columbus stepped off the deck of his ship, the Pinta, onto the shores of the present-day Bahamas. On his second voyage in 1493, Columbus established the Spanish colony of La Navidad as the first European settlement in the Americas. While La Navidad was located on the Island of Hispaniola, and Columbus never actually explored North America, the period of exploration after Columbus would lead to the start of the second leg of America’s journey to independence. The Early Settlement of America To the mighty kingdoms of Europe, establishing colonies in the newly-discovered Americas seemed a natural way to grow their wealth and influence. With Spain having done so at La Navidad, its arch-rival England quickly followed suit. By 1650, England had established a growing presence along what would become the American Atlantic coast. The first English colony was founded in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607. Hoping to escape religious persecution, the Pilgrims signed their Mayflower Compact in 1620 and proceeded to establish the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts.   The Original 13 British Colonies With the invaluable assistance of local Native Americans, English colonists not only survived but thrived in both Massachusetts and Virginia. Having been taught to grow them by the Indians, uniquely New World grains like corn fed the colonists, while tobacco provided the Virginias with a valuable cash crop.   By 1770, more than 2 million people, including a growing number of enslaved Africans, lived and worked in the three early American British colonial regions. While each of the 13 colonies that were to become the original 13 U.S. States had individual governments, it was the New England colonies that would become the breeding ground for a growing dissatisfaction with the British government that would ultimately lead to revolution. Dissent Turns to Revolution While each of the 13 now thriving American colonies was allowed a limited degree of self-government, the individual colonists’ ties to Great Britain remained strong. Colonial businesses depended on British trading companies. Prominent young colonists attended British colleges and some future signers of the American Declaration of Independence served the British government as appointed colonial officials. However, by the middle 1700s, those ties to the Crown would be strained by tensions between the British government and its American colonists that would turn into the root causes of the American Revolution. In 1754, with the French and Indian War looming, Britain ordered its 13 American colonies to organize under a single, centralized government. While the resulting Albany Plan of Union was never implemented, it planted the first seeds of independence in the minds of Americans.   Seeking to pay for the costs of the French and Indian War, the British government began imposing several taxes, like the Currency Act of 1764 and the Stamp Act of 1765 on the American colonists. Having never been allowed to elect their own representatives to the British Parliament, many colonists raised the call, â€Å"No taxation without representation.† Many colonists refused to buy the heavily-taxed British goods, like tea. On  December 16, 1773, a band of colonists dressed like Native Americans dumped several crates of tea from a British ship docked in Boston Harbor into the sea as a symbol of their unhappiness with the taxes. Pulled off by members of the secretive Sons of Liberty, the Boston Tea Party stirred the anger of the colonists with British rule. Hoping to teach the colonists a lesson, Britain enacted the Intolerable Acts of 1774 to punish the colonists for the Boston Tea Party. The laws closed Boston Harbor, allowed British soldiers to be more physically â€Å"forceful† when dealing with dissenting colonists and outlawed town meetings in Massachusetts. For many colonists, it was the last straw. The American Revolution Begins In February 1775, Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams wrote to a friend: â€Å"The die is cast †¦ it seems to me the Sword is now our only, yet dreadful, alternative.† Abigail’s lament proved to be prophetic. In 1774, a number of colonies, operating under provisional governments, formed armed militias made up of â€Å"minutemen.† As British troops under General Thomas Gage seized the militia’s stores of munitions and gunpowder, Patriot spies, like Paul Revere, reported on British troop positions and movements. In December 1774, patriots seized British gunpowder and arms stored at Fort William and Mary at New Castle, New Hampshire. In February 1775, the British Parliament declared the Massachusetts colony to be in a state of rebellion and authorized General Gage to use force to restore order. On April 14, 1775, General Gage was ordered to disarm and arrest colonial rebel leaders. As British troops marched from Boston toward Concord on the night of April 18, 1775, a group of patriot spies including Paul Revere and William Dawes rode from Boston to Lexington alarming the Minutemen to assemble. The next day, the Battles of Lexington and Concord between British regulars and the New England minutemen in Lexington sparked the Revolutionary War. On April 19, 1775, thousands of American Minutemen continued to attack British troops who had retreated to Boston. Learning of this Siege of Boston, the second Continental Congress authorized the creation of the Continental Army, appointing General George Washington as its first commander. With the long-feared revolution a reality, America’s founding fathers, assembled at the American Continental Congress, drafted a formal statement of the colonists’ expectation and demands to be sent to King George III. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted those now-cherished demands as the Declaration of Independence. â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.†

Kantianism Nagel, Moral Luck

Kantianism: Nagel, Moral Luck Moral luck is a term used by Nagel to describe the external factors beyond our control, which act upon moral decisions we make. Nagels opinion is that people make moral decisions that may have good or bad intentions, but because of moral luck the outcome may be contrary to what he/she intended. Moral luck can be constitutive, the kind of person that someone is. Some people are born with certain characteristics, which enable them to be more virtuous then others. Others are born with a nasty streak of envy or jealousy, which makes it that much harder for them to make moral decisions. Another type of moral luck is ones circumstances. People are faced with different types of situations and problems, and certain situations make is easier to make the right moral decision. Nagel also describes two types of consequential lucks. One type is antecedent, in which certain consequences took place before the moral act and influence the moral decision to be made. The other type o! f consequential luck is the way actions and decisions turn out. Basically, moral luck is all the outside factors, which are beyond human control. These factors will determine whether a moral act turns out to be found moral by others or by oneself. A student may decide that he will not study for a specific exam because he intends to cheat off his neighbors paper. However, upon arriving to class he finds that all the seats but one in the front of the classroom are taken. The student, who had every intention to cheat no finds himself unable to look at anyones paper and must take the test on his own. This is an example of moral luck. According to Kant the student should be judged as having committed a moral wrong because Kant believes that moral acts must be judged on good or bad will. The student definitely had bad will in this case, however any Consequentalist would say the conseque...

Even in Pot-Legal States, Federal Marijuana Laws Remain

Even in Pot-Legal States, Federal Marijuana Laws Remain Even as more states legalize marijuana for recreational or medical uses, production, sale, and possession of marijuana in those states continue to be violations of federal drug laws.   And as the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will, under certain circumstances, arrest and prosecute violators of federal marijuana laws even in pot-legal states. Background As of June 2015, Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and the District of Columbia had enacted laws legalizing marijuana for both recreational and medical uses. In all, 23 states and the District of Columbia currently had enacted laws legalizing marijuana in some form. However, in a classic example of federalism at work, the GAO noted that the U.S. Attorneys will continue to prosecute cases that threaten federal marijuana enforcement priorities, despite state legalization laws. Just for the record, the current federal penalties for possession of up to 50 kilograms of marijuana or 1 to 49 marijuana plants range from up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for a first offense, to up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 for a second offense. What are the Federal Marijuana Enforcement Priorities? Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) officials and U.S. Attorneys in six states with medical marijuana laws told GAO investigators that their decisions on enforcement and prosecution of federal marijuana laws were typically based on three main factors: Resources needed to target the most significant public health and safety threats, such as violence associated with drug-trafficking organizations;Addressing the concerns of local law enforcement agencies regarding detrimental social side-effects related to the growth of the commercial medical marijuana industry; and Resources need to implement the DOJ’s current marijuana enforcement policy guidance. In an August 29, 2013 memo to all U.S. Attorneys, the DOJ made it clear that they should continue to use their â€Å"limited investigative and prosecutorial resources† to â€Å"rationally† address what the DOJ considers   When are Federal Marijuana Laws Most Likely to Be Enforced? In most cases, enforcement and prosecution of federal marijuana laws in the marijuana-legal states has been and will continue to be focused on preventing the following significant threats: That marijuana will be distributed to minors.That revenue from the sale of marijuana will go to criminal enterprises, gangs and drug cartels.That marijuana from states where it is legal under state laws will be distributed in other states.That state-authorized marijuana operations will be used as cover for trafficking other illegal drugs, like cocaine or heroin.That violence and firearms will be used as part of the growing and distribution of marijuana.That drugged driving and other â€Å"adverse public health consequences† will result from the use of marijuana.That marijuana will be grown on public lands, like national parks, possibly endanger the pubic or government employees.That marijuana will be possessed or used on federally-controlled property. GAO Finds Problems With DOJs Enforcement Monitoring Process According to the GAO, the DOJ molds its marijuana enforcement policies by monitoring the effects of state marijuana legalization in two ways: First, the U.S. Attorneys consult with state law enforcement officials about the potential impacts of federal marijuana enforcement policies. Second, the DOJ consults with the Drug Enforcement Administration and other federal agencies, including the Office of National Drug Control Policy to assess the marijuana enforcement-related data those agencies provide. However, the GAO reported that DOJ had failed to document and report on the federal marijuana enforcement monitoring program as required by its own guidelines. â€Å"Documenting a plan specifying its monitoring process would provide DOJ with greater assurance that its monitoring activities relative to DOJ marijuana enforcement guidance are occurring as intended,† reported the GAO. Providing all of the appropriate federal agencies with a fully documented plan would help the U.S. Attorneys identify state enforcement that are and are not effectively protecting the eight federal enforcement priorities. The DOJ agreed with the GAO’s recommendation that it create and share a fully-documented plan specifying its process for monitoring the effects of state marijuana legalization.

International hospitality- To critically evaluated marketing strategic Essay

International hospitality- To critically evaluated marketing strategic in accommodation sector - Essay Example This is possible only when the products and services match the best possible industry standards and then excel in as many aspects as possible related to customer service and experience.   Sales and promotional activities, aimed at promoting and marketing a hotel are taken up by every management but effective ones do this in a way unique to them. Marketing concepts of the hotel industry need to be understood as the process by which the customer is informed about the availability of the services and goods that meet their expectations and needs on the right time and at the right place, (Frolick, and Ariyachandra, 2006). It needs to arouse their  interest and sustain it in what the hotel has to offer. The marketing aspect should be able to arouse a strong desire in the minds of the customer to try out what is offered, and then gently nudge them towards being the client of the hotel in the long run. The Hospitality industry provides both tangible and intangible services. Good food tha t satisfies the appetite, comfortable beds that provide a good night restful sleep, wide range of beverages that provide a sense of having tasted some of the finest drinks available, are some of the most tangible benefits that the clients look forward to during their visits, (Aylsworth, 1996). If a hotel management staff fails to meet any of these above client expectations, then it is hard for them to sustain in the competitive hospitality industry. As a result, it is important for the hotel management to meet these standards and must closely focus on every little edge they have over the others in order to please and attract customers, (Lowson, King, and Hunter, 1999). A Hotel’s efficiency and effectiveness will depend on the ability of its management staff to frame the right strategies for marketing and lead the marketing team and the entire staff in implementing that strategy. It goes without saying that such an approach requires the marketing department to be staffed adequ ately with the right kind of personals. However, there should not be extravagant expenditure on the marketing aspect.   The Hospitality Industry has definitely changed with times. By its very nature, it is a matrix of several inter-related consumer oriented services, each of which can be seen as an independent one also. It can face unexpected crises, surges and slumps, challenges and opportunities. Hotel Industry needs to possess strategic planning techniques in anticipation as well as in speedy response to such situations. Such preparedness has to be maximum in marketing functions.  Uncertainties challenge the ingenuity of the hotel staff and management and effective planning has to factor in the long term goals of the management, into the current and contingency plans in response to emerging uncertainties, (Aylsworth, 1996). This way, the management can avoid the derailing of their long term goals when challenges arise. Such integrated planning both for long term goals and cur rent realities is called Strategic planning. Marketing on these lines is called strategic marketing. Strategic Marketing should be able to convert challenges into opportunities, in keeping with the hotel management’s long term goals.  In fact,  a well designed marketing plan is actually the integration of  strategic  plans with the various aspects of marketing. Due to the ever

Care plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Care plan - Essay Example After her diagnosis of the aforementioned health problems, she also lost her income source. At a certain instance, she was identified to have experienced a fall and was lying in her kitchen for approximately forty-eight hours, as reported by her neighbour. Her records also depict that she has a daughter who used to visit her twice in a month. In lieu of this case study, the discussion henceforth will aim at developing a care plan with the objective of offering elderly people with adequate assistance on the grounds of sociability, depression, physical health problems, loneliness and other health related issues. In accordance with the case, the healthcare facility will majorly aim at offering Mrs. Jones with healthcare services in relation to her risk of short term health troubles such as cold (hypothermia), constipation and fear of mobility. Notably, with this concern, due significance will be rendered towards implementing the guidelines suggested by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and by using the Roper, Logan and Tierney (RLT) activities of living model. Assessment In nursing, there are many conceptual models which provides the basic framework in accordance with which nurses should evaluate and formulate plans as well as implement those plans with the objective to offer the patients with better care facilities and services (Nicol, 2013; Timmins & McCabe, 2008). Roper, Logan and Tierney (RLT) Activities of Living Model The RLT model has been formulated with the aim of supporting elderly people with adequate care and improving their psychological as well as physical conditions to enjoy a healthy living. Nurses, with the assistance of RLT model, are quite likely to be facilitated with the opportunity of offering individualised care services to ageing people (Nicol, 2013; Coyne & et. al., 2010). Additionally, this model has been undertaken with the intention of determining the issues or problems which are faced by Mrs. Jones. This model will aid nurses in offering adequate and effective services to the patient with the aim of improving her health problems as well as psychological conditions (Timmins, 2005). A problem solving approach has been adopted likewise, with the intention of devising appropriate care services. There are five concepts under this model which include the following: The 12 Activities of Living (ALs) The 12 activities of living signify the activities which are executed by every individual, irrespective of the individual’s health conditions. The 12 activities have been presented in the diagram below: Roper, Logan and Tierney’s activities of living (ALs) Source: (Dingwall, 2010) The influence of lifespan (age) The component implies that individuals pass through development phase from conception to death. The individuals throughout their life span are determined to witness and adapt change in their physical, social as well as cognitive developments (Dingwall, 2010; Singh & Misra, 2009). Accordingly, it c an be observed from the case scenario that Mrs. Jones is a widow of eighty years of age and used to reside lonely in her home. However, prior to her diagnosis from frequent fall and severe osteo-arthritis, Mrs. Jones used to visit social club to play Bingo with her next door neighbour. The influence of the dependence-independence continuum The dependence-independence continuum assists in determining the activities which are carried out by individuals. The activities of individuals are based on

Foreign Relations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Foreign Relations - Essay Example The September 2001 terrorist attack in the United States motivated the formulation of new strategies. Such strategies moved the United States to attack Iraq, drawing support from its European allies. Louise Fawcett and Raymond Hinnebusch are two of the analysts who have sought to define how the Iraq war redefined the global political arena and the positions held by certain states in the global society. Evidently, the war caused a shift in the understanding of foreign relations trends. However, these two analysts express competing perspectives on the shift on the global foreign relations. This paper will address the competing perspectives. Hinnebusch considers the effects of the Iraq war, stating that the smaller states were under a surging threat as a consequence of the war. After the September 2001 attack, the United States heightened its surveillance and vigilance system. Such heightened systems provided a timely expose that Iraq had become a growing hub of nuclear weapons that cha llenged global security. The United States made the move to wage war against Iraq, in a bid to destabilize it, and eliminate the threat it was posing to the global societal welfare. Evidently, political and security trends are some of the critical issues that determine the direction taken by social agendas. As expected, the United States received support from Europe, specifically from closest ally in the region, United Kingdom. According to Hinnebusch, such support served as a restraint for the emergence of some form of constraints to the development of the war in 2003. In his argument, he makes it evident that the United States was a hegemony that made all the critical decisions determining the direction of the war (Hinnebusch 453). After the attack, Bush sets new strategies that would define the war on terror. The evident position of America on a global front compels it to prove highly decisive in sensitive issues such as the emerging terror. America decided that it would engage t he Iraq because of the threat it posed. Hinnebusch argues that all the other states only had to choose their stand depending on their relationship with the United States and the Middle East. The United Kingdom and japan exploited the opportunity to their advantage, a factor that altered the trends taken by foreign relations between these countries and the United States. However, smaller states had limited choice because they faced the greatest threat. The war affected numerous sectors of the global business front that in turn affected societies directly. The United States pursued personal interests, especially those tailored to promote its hegemony in the global economy. According to this critic, some countries defied the opinion expressed by their publics and confirmed their support for the united states because of the perceived benefits (Hinnebusch 457). The author describes how the hegemony stability order defines the strategies used by America to continue prevailing unconditiona lly. He further describes the global empire that America creates, that would serve to disadvantage the third world states because of the pressure it exerts on global economic and political scenarios. On the other hand, Fawcett explores the same issue, shedding new light on the effects of the Iraq war. According to him, may of the objectives of the war as never materialized despite the perception of the United States (Fawcett 328). Acting as a global hegemony, the United States

Not sure Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 8

Not sure - Essay Example Due to the increasing technological and environmental catastrophes there is a need to develop the best practice of a crisis management. One of the situations that call for dire management is associated with the explosion of a bomb in a populous region. The explosion of a bomb and other explosives result in death and other physical injuries, as well as the destruction of various structures. Additionally, the individuals that are related to the victims and properties that are destroyed are normally left with emotional traumas. During this event, the local and national leaders are faced with the task of handling the crisis. This paper is focused on evaluating the best practice that should be employed in a crisis management in the event of an explosion which results to death, physical injuries, destruction of properties and emotional injuries. The paper will attempt to employ the Restorative Rhetoric approach in managing an explosion that results in injuries, death and property destruction; the analysis will be executed in the light of the local and national leaders who are tasked with the responsibility of managing the crisis. The Restoration Rhetoric approach emerged as an effective approach with respect to the management of the Hurricane Katrina and the destruction of the World Trade Center which occurred in September 2001(Griffin-Padgett, 2010). The restoration rhetoric was used by Mayor Ray Nagin and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in the management of the terrorist attack and natural disaster respectively (Griffin-Padgett, 2010). This model indicates that, unlike other approaches of crisis management, the restoration of image is not the chief objective; in this respect, there is a need to manage risk while ensuring the safety of the public is restored. As a result, this approach calls for an intensive examination of the leadership skills and aptitudes in crisis management.

Quality managment techniques and their relationship to revenue Research Paper

Quality managment techniques and their relationship to revenue managment - Research Paper Example All of the information connectivity devices are exchanging data. As a consequence, the Internet has evolved into an efficient and effective means of commercial marketing and data exchange. This is applicable as e- commerce . This new phenomenon of e- commerce allows greater free market trade. Smaller suppliers can vie for commerce in the same manner as larger firms, simply by providing a website representing their products and services. By the same means, the consumer who purchases services online has access to a greater selection of products and services. The Internet facilitates communication between buyers and sellers by means of electronic data exchange (EDI). E- commerce is known as the free trade of products and services by suppliers and consumers through the Internet. Consumers and producers are enabled with an opportunity through the free exchange of information and the ability to effect purchases online- to be better informed, in order to acquire the correct product or servi ce at the correct time. Trend setting business people and small to medium sized concerns are leading the way to e- commerce. Research has demonstrated that 90% of all business people are applying the case of data exchange over the Internet, to either promote their products or services and/ or to create new opportunities (Hallin & Marnburg, 2008). The purpose of this research paper is the following: To demonstrate how Internet based services may facilitate the travel and hospitality industry in increased sales and revenue. To demonstrate how the coordination of this procedure can help vacationers receive efficient customer service by means of the Internet. To demonstrate how the introduction of web... The research tells that the travel and hospitality industry is composed of a number of enterprises which are involved in supplying travel services to vacationers, business executives and entrepreneurs. These services may include hotel packages or bed and breakfasts, airline travel packages or services such as guided tours and automobile rentals. An important element is the travel representative, who is the intermediary between the vacationers, business executives, entrepreneurs and the purveyors of travel based services. The expertise of the travel consultant is desired and required by the travel and hospitality consumer. Many individuals select a travel consultant in order to look for the best vacation packages and to establish the travel and hospitality reservation. The travel consultant coordinates a number of travel and hospitality elements and combines them into a single hospitality and travel package. In some instances, government based tourist organizations provide the service s of the travel consultant, disseminating information and pamphlets for the travel and hospitality purveyors in their vicinity. The main function of the travel consultant in all of these instances, is to enable the interchange of information and to facilitate the consumer decision making process. In order to achieve this result, the travel and hospitality suppliers, airline passenger carriers, automobile rental enterprises, hotel and tour guides must all provide the correct information to the travel consultant in an attractive presentation, in order to enable the generation of revenues in the travel and hospitality industry.

BOOK REPORT HUMAN SEXUALITY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

BOOK REPORT HUMAN SEXUALITY - Essay Example The author offers practical advices to enable women have a joyful sex life. (1) â€Å"Twenty five percent of women have orgasmic dysfunction where they encounter difficulty to reach orgasm.† (p. 23). Recently, new developments in sexual medicine make headlines with a promise to increase orgasmic potential. Two procedures that include O-Shot and the new patent implant promise pleasurable results. Hopefully, this will enable a woman enjoy sex and reach orgasm more naturally. (2) â€Å"The inability to orgasm stem from weakened pelvic floor muscles that occur with childbirth or after menopause.† (p. 31). Fixing the root cause will naturally solve orgasmic dysfunction without using needles or medication. Exercises and tones of the pelvic muscles can improve a woman’s sexual experience while providing targeted stimulation that will increase orgasm. (3) â€Å"The O-Shot makes many claims concerning orgasm and sensation since it is an expensive procedure, invasive to run the risk of scar tissue or uncomfortable sensation.†(p. 43). The doctor proposes natural solutions such as Intensity and Replens to ensure comfort before sex. (4) â€Å"There is a misconception that there is no alternative to loss of libido or sexual dysfunction since many doctors are not professionals in sexual health to offer latest solutions.†(p. 73) Assisted reproductive techniques can help people with fertility issues. Medical doctors can provide guidelines to improving libido since it is a psychological process. (5) â€Å"Sixty-one percent of American adults turn to the internet for most of their intimate health information.† (p.97). A higher percentage of people resort to the internet for probable solutions as posted by others with similar problems. It is advisable to such people, especially Women with that problem, to consult their medical profession to provide them with the best solution. (6) â€Å"Misinformation

Quality managment techniques and their relationship to revenue Research Paper

Quality managment techniques and their relationship to revenue managment - Research Paper Example All of the information connectivity devices are exchanging data. As a consequence, the Internet has evolved into an efficient and effective means of commercial marketing and data exchange. This is applicable as e- commerce . This new phenomenon of e- commerce allows greater free market trade. Smaller suppliers can vie for commerce in the same manner as larger firms, simply by providing a website representing their products and services. By the same means, the consumer who purchases services online has access to a greater selection of products and services. The Internet facilitates communication between buyers and sellers by means of electronic data exchange (EDI). E- commerce is known as the free trade of products and services by suppliers and consumers through the Internet. Consumers and producers are enabled with an opportunity through the free exchange of information and the ability to effect purchases online- to be better informed, in order to acquire the correct product or servi ce at the correct time. Trend setting business people and small to medium sized concerns are leading the way to e- commerce. Research has demonstrated that 90% of all business people are applying the case of data exchange over the Internet, to either promote their products or services and/ or to create new opportunities (Hallin & Marnburg, 2008). The purpose of this research paper is the following: To demonstrate how Internet based services may facilitate the travel and hospitality industry in increased sales and revenue. To demonstrate how the coordination of this procedure can help vacationers receive efficient customer service by means of the Internet. To demonstrate how the introduction of web... The research tells that the travel and hospitality industry is composed of a number of enterprises which are involved in supplying travel services to vacationers, business executives and entrepreneurs. These services may include hotel packages or bed and breakfasts, airline travel packages or services such as guided tours and automobile rentals. An important element is the travel representative, who is the intermediary between the vacationers, business executives, entrepreneurs and the purveyors of travel based services. The expertise of the travel consultant is desired and required by the travel and hospitality consumer. Many individuals select a travel consultant in order to look for the best vacation packages and to establish the travel and hospitality reservation. The travel consultant coordinates a number of travel and hospitality elements and combines them into a single hospitality and travel package. In some instances, government based tourist organizations provide the service s of the travel consultant, disseminating information and pamphlets for the travel and hospitality purveyors in their vicinity. The main function of the travel consultant in all of these instances, is to enable the interchange of information and to facilitate the consumer decision making process. In order to achieve this result, the travel and hospitality suppliers, airline passenger carriers, automobile rental enterprises, hotel and tour guides must all provide the correct information to the travel consultant in an attractive presentation, in order to enable the generation of revenues in the travel and hospitality industry.

The Fashion Industry - Zara Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The Fashion Industry - Zara - Coursework Example The paper "The Fashion Industry - Zara" will look into the marketing environment of Zara. The fashion industry is greatly effectually by the political variable that’s are present in different nations. According to Holmquist (2003), there is certain liberty when it comes to the quantity of material import related to the fashion industry. This is a positive approach for them, especially in the Euro zone. Zara creates very good social connections and is also involved in CSR activities that has helped Zara a good brand name in the global political environment. The government is involved in the changes that affects the environment at large. The fashion industry is rapidly changing with the several trends that keeps on changing from a day to day basis. However, they also involve a lot of environmental wastage (Allen, 2013). According to Allen (2013), that the per capita income or in other words the GDP is also an important decision making factor for the fashion industry. UK in this case, has a strong GDP and that is why all the companies are concentrating on entering the UK market. However, there are different market where many people also prefer to buy cheap apparels. The economy of Europe is rising gradually and that is why the future is bright for the fashion and retail industry especially because the rise in the disposable income in the general public, gives them the opportunity to buy the fashionable clothes to stay with the current trend of the market. From the point of view of the currency.

National identity in music: The Beatles

National identity in music: The Beatles Evaluate depictions of Britishness in the songs of the Beatles and 1990s Brit pop groups and discuss the relation between politics and music. A feature that is evident in the music of the Beatles from 1966 on wards is the way in which they use representations of everyday British cultural life. Such representations are not contained to the latter of the Beatles work but do take on a much more important role in the way the music is formed and words are written. Tracks like Eleanor Rigby, A Day in the Life, Penny Lane and Polythene Pam are all connected by their distinctive British sound and context. The Small Faces and the Kinks were also bands that had a keen eye for writing about different aspects of the lower to middle-class British peoples lives in the 1960s. A resurgence of this type of writing appeared in the 1990s with such Brit pop groups as Blur, Pulp and Oasis portraying an ever-changing view of Britain. I will begin my discussion by briefly looking at what it means to be British and discuss the connections between music and national identity. I will then analyse how the Beatles developed a distinctly British sound by looking at their influences and then give examples of this sound by referencing the bands music. National Identity in music and what it means to be British What does it mean to be British? Freedom? Democracy? Trial by jury? Freedom of speech? Acceptance? Tolerance? White? It would seem that politicians were unaware of what it meant until it started to fall away from us and deteriorate. The national flag, the Union Jack or Union Flag, is not a proud flag that we as one nation unite under as the Americans do with the Star-Spangled Banner. A regulation was previously in place across government that meant the Union Jack could only be flown 18 fixed days a year on government buildings (The governance of Britain green paper 2007). A regulation now waved. The government for specific forms of the military reserves the flag. It is used by the Royal Navy and as a way to display the rank of admiral of the fleet, which is the reason why it is still illegal for a civilian ship to fly it. In war time Britain we were defined by our one nation joining together to fight for a common purpose. The common man was out fighting against an evil dictatorship. We had one of the most advanced Naval forces in the world bringing technology in Britain to the forefront and an outs tanding air force, which repelled an overwhelming German attack at the Battle of Britain. But in the 64 years since the end of world war two Britain has seen many changes in its cultural make up. America has had a very powerful influence over the music we listen to, the way we dress and eat and we seek to replicate their dominant cultural traditions (Mundy 1999). We have seen an influx in the number of immigrants coming to Britain to live and work. Injecting a little of their culture into our own. Furthermore, the industries such as the ship building in Glasgow and Liverpool, the shoe factories in Northampton and the steal works in Scunthorpe and Sheffield have all but disappeared. The traditions that shaped the country and gave it international acclaim and recognition have been lost to overseas countries that have the technology to produce it cheaper. I will revise the sociological aspects of our changing culture later and analyse whether British society has changed over the years and if this has made Brit Pop differ from music of the 1960s. For now I will touch upon music and national identity and the reasons for national patriotism. Music has long been a fundamental tool in the study and assembly of national identities. Its intricate framework has been studied in great depth. Possibly one of the most obvious ways in which music is amalgamated with national identity is the national anthem. It provides an opportunity for people to obtain a state of deep heart felt emotion towards their country and is used in Britain before various sporting events, before the Queens Christmas Message and in the event of a royal announcement or death. Perhaps the oldest form of national pride is found in folk music, commonly described as an accurate look at a way of life as it was or a life about to fade away. Richard Middleton explains the real meaning of folk music well. The Romantics, who originated the concept, often thought of the people in the sense of a national essence. Or and this later became more common they thought of a particular part of the people, a lower layer, or even class. Middletons thoughts therefore could be applied to Brit Pop. With the eighties at an end, Margaret Thatchers government leaving record unemployment rates of 3 million unemployed, factories closed and there were cuts in spending. Things looked bleak and it was hard for young people to get a job. In the nineties Brit Pop, backed by this 60s inspired form of pop/rock with the qualities of folk music, exploded onto the scene. Artists such as Damon Albarn from Blur were writing songs that echoed issues regarding the lower classes and once again music was recognizable as being British. It is vital to understand what this British sound consists of and more importantly where it came from and who pioneered it. I will now go on to discuss the Beatles development as British artists and their everlasting footprint on music. The Beatles developing a British sound The Beatles were the first of a selection of bands from the 1960s to start a movement called the British Invasion. The name British Invasion was invented by the press to describe British bands that travelled to America and made a name for themselves. This all began in 1964 with the appearance of the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show but was continually used to describe many British bands who made a huge impact on the American music market. Namely the Rolling Stones, The Who, The Small Faces, The Yardbirds and The Kinks with the Beatles making the largest impact. The Beatles cannot be so neatly categorised as the archetypal British band, as their style is so eclectic and borrows from many different cultures. Early on in their career, the band had been mainly focused on writing songs about love and the loss of a love with not much indication of Britishness in the lyrics but there were a few facts that made their style stand out from their American competitors. One such fact is the accent the group sang with. In the early 1960s, radio was populated with simple two-minute pop songs from American artists like Elvis Presley and British artists who sounded American like Cliff Richard and the Shadows. However, Lennon and McCartney were singing songs like I Wanna Hold Your Hand with a British accent. The Beatles were different, fusing exciting melodies with classical harmonies and a guitar sound that was full bodied and dominant. This brand new sound was one that defined the British sound of the sixties. When one says sound of the sixties it really m eans the period from 1963-1970, the Beatles era. Between 1955 and 1963 would be described as the sound of the fifties (Zarecki 2007). The Beatles changed music to a point that a child growing up in the 60s would call the records of the 50s oldies, a word still used today to describe the same records (Wald 2009). The musical education the Beatles received can be traced back as far as the mid 1930s when Robert Johnson, kindly named the Grandfather of Rock n Roll, was recording the blues/rock tracks which would be an inspiration for artists like the Memphis born B.B. King who in turn was greatly admired by another king, Elvis Presley. Elvis forged the rock n roll sound of the fifties that the Beatles loved. They covered many songs by Chuck Berry and Little Richard during their time in Hamburg in the early 1960s. John Lennon is famously quoted as saying, Nothing really affected me until I heard Elvis. If there hadnt been Elvis, there would not have been The Beatles But there was more to the Beatles sound. Although most of their influences came from America, they were not a band trying to replicate the American sound. Harmonies that the band integrated into songs were reminiscent of early Motown records and the Everly Brothers provided a strong influence when it came to producing close harmonies, a technique where the notes of a chord are sang within a narrow range. Influences of the Beatles were not confined to what had come before them. Throughout their career they continued to remain open to new influences. Paul McCartney sites one of his favourite albums as the 1966 album Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys and talks about its importance over the idea for creating the Beatles 1967 album Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. It was Pet Sounds that blew me out of the water. I love the album so muchthat, I think, was probably the big influence that set me thinking when we recorded Pepper The Beatles were at the vanguard from 1966 onwards when music began to progress from the pop/rock love songs into something altogether more experimental and risky. Looking at the memoirs of Kate Paul (2000) makes it clear the significance art school training had on new artists, fashion and music. It was becoming more common for teenagers to attend Art School and this training is said to have shifted the thinking behind the writing of many bands and change British music forever. As musical ideas were changing so was the way people were thinking about art. Music and art were becoming more abstract and new and radical thinking was being poured into both. In 1961, a group of artists graduated from the Royal College of Art including David Hockey and Patrick Caulfield. This pair along with other young artists put the Pop Art style on the map. The style quickly became very popular and the artists involved in its production became fashionable celebrities receiving much notification in the pr ess. By 1968 for the very first time in the Twentieth Century, London had risen to become the world focus in art and Britain the focus for new and innovative art and music. Pop Art was not solely the reason for the popularity of the art scene in London. It was very diverse, and more artists were turning their hand to abstraction, which involved more gestural marks, block colours and interesting shapes. Sculpture also went through a great transformation in the sixties with sculptors such as Anthony Caro, whose interest in shape and colour came straight from America. Gone were the days of bronzed statues on plinths, now it was all about sheet metal and plastic arranged on the floor in amazing shapes. This environment of such an eclectic mix of artists and so much competition would have forced students to think in an original way. Just as artists were using new materials to create their work, musicians like the Beatles were using new instruments such as the Indian Sitar and using new t echniques like playing tape recordings in reverse to create never before heard sounds. George Martin often said that John Lennon would enter the studio every morning with the intent of sounding different to yesterday. John Lennon attended Liverpool Art College with friend and short term fifth Beatle Stuart Sutcliffe. John was always a disruptive pupil and continued to be through art school. Although John failed an annual exam and eventually dropped out of art school before his final year the impact it made would stay with him, encouraging him to push the boundaries and keep his music inspirational and contemporary. John always had a devoted interest in the art world, even deep into the Beatles experimental career. Their use of orchestral scores accompanied only by voice, three part harmonies and psychedelic arrangements would stand to become a major influence to Brit Pop bands. This entwined with the shifting context of the Beatles lyrics would shape the music of the late 60s and pr ove to be the very essence of what Brit Pop came to embody. The most noticeable example of this experimental and contemporary writing is found in the album Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. Released in June 1967 Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band was a groundbreaking album that combined revolutionary engineering and musical techniques. It is believed to be the first concept album and also the first album to print the lyrics to the songs on the sleeve. All the songs on the album except possibly George Harrisons experimental Within you without you either lyrically or musically express a sense of British culture. Sgt Peppers is steeped in images of brass bands playing in bandstands, Punch and Judy, cream teas, donkey rides and naughty postcards. In When Im Sixty four, Paul McCartney gives us a description of what life can be like growing old in Britain. He talks of going for a drive on a Sunday, doing some gardening and renting a cottage in the Isle of Wight, If its not too dear. Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite arouses clear images of the great British past time of the circus and also creates a joyous atmosphere with the merry go round sound playing along with the main organ melody. This effect was created when producer George Martin told engineer Geoff Emerick to splice up old Victorian tapes of organ music and throw them into the air. He was then ordered to piece the tapes back together in a completely random order to create an energetic looping sound (Martin 2008). The images Lennon and McCartney present in a lot of their songs make it hard for the listener to fully understand the content. Their writing would often stumble into the surreal, and perplexing words would be used to compliment the music. Some of their music however, seems to be more clear in the way it comments and often ridicules observations of ordinary British cultural life. In the final track on the Sgt Pepper album, A Day in the Life, this trait seems to be evident. The lyrics were inspired by two newspaper articles and contain many haunting but also some quite comical images. Within the song Lennon mentions three distinct British places, The House of Commons, Blackburn in Lancashire and the Royal Albert Hall. In the first verse John talks loosely about the death of Tara Browne the Guinness heir who died in a car crash. Lennon said, I didnt copy the accident. Tara didnt blow his mind out, but it was in my mind when I was writing that verse. The Line Theyd seen his face before/N obody was really sure if he was from the House of Lords refers to the British public turning what should be a solemn moment into some cheap excitement. Some people in the crowd may know the individual involved in the car crash as a face on television or in a newspaper but he is no more than that. The second verse came from a newspaper article concerning the state of the roads in Blackburn which Lennon jokes could fill the Albert Hall. This type of ironic and sarcastic view of Britain was commonly found in John Lennons writing. Andy Bennett writes, Tracks like A Day in the Life, are clearly meant to be seen, in part at least, as satirical commentaries on aspects of British society. Lennons descriptions of the slavish counting of the holes in the streets of Blackburn, andto the double life led by politicianswould appear not merely to poke fun at British society but also to criticize it. On the other hand, the song Penny Lane doesnt appear to criticize British culture but instead runs like a commentary of what can be seen. Penny Lane was written by Paul McCartney and released alongside Strawberry Fields Forever as a double-A side single in 1967. It was common practice to release singles that were not on the album at the time. George Martin always believed it wasnt fair to the public that singles should come from the album. The title Penny Lane came from a street in the bands hometown of Liverpool. Lennon and McCartney would often meet at Penny Lane Junction to catch a bus into the centre of town and had met up with friends around the area as teenagers. Penny lane is a study of the humdrum lives of people, evoking feelings of blissful memories and describing the ordinary sights and sounds of a suburban British neighbourhood. Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes/There beneath the blue suburban skies. During this line a brass section plays a small musical fill couple d together with McCartneys quaint English tone to create an altogether exultant sound. This song, different from A Day in the Life, has a strong feeling today of harking back to a happier and simpler Britain now lost and forgotten. The man who has popped into the barbers for a shave, the fireman who carries a picture of the queen in his pocket and the standard procedure of carrying an hourglass now seem long-gone. Its a song that takes the listener on a ride and brings up various emotions ranging from nostalgia to a pride of Britain during the piccolo trumpet solo and to laughter at the sexual slang of the time A four of fish and finger pie. The qualities found in both these Beatles songs can also be found in songs from other British bands from the 1960s. The Small Faces song Rene tells the unpleasant tale of a woman parading the quayside every night to welcome sailors from Kuala Lumpur who have docked with plenty of readies (ready money) to spend at the pub having a good time. Whil e Lazy Sunday rebels against the neighbours that complain when Steve Marriott and his friends play their music loud. The Small faces songs Rene and Lazy Sunday are both sung in ridiculously thick Cockney accents and seem almost to make fun of their London ancestry. The same examination can be made in the music of The Kinks who gave us their keenly observed satires A Well Respected Man and Dedicated Follower of Fashion (which lampooned the characters of Carnaby Street in swinging London). The contrast of Britpop In the early 1990s Britpop emerged fusing new British ideals with the pop music of the 1960s. The two main aims of Britpop were to drown out the electronic sound of the eighties and to react against the grunge sound of Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Britpop made British alternative rock mainstream and formed the foundations for a larger British cultural movement called Cool Britannia. This phrase, a pun on the patriotic song Rule, Britannia, was first used as a song title by the Bonzo dog Doo Dah Band in 1967. It emerged in the 1990s as the name of one of the company Ben and Jerrys ice cream flavours. The name came about through a competition the company were running. An American lawyer living in London named Sarah Moynihan-Williams won with her suggestion and recipe for Cool Britannia, which was in relation to the New Labour era. The media quickly picked up on this term, and seeing a young Prime minister in power and the fashionable nature of London at the time gave the idea new scope. Looking now at the representations of Britishness in the music of Britpop bands from the 1990s presents a different argument. The Beatles and other bands from the same era such as The Kinks and The Small Faces heavily influenced Brit Pop. Musical pioneers of the nineties such as Blur, Pulp and Oasis completely dropped the synthesizers and the electric drums of the eighties and began creating music with full guitars and raw drumming. The orchestral and brass band instruments were introduced once again to achieve the complete British sound of the 1960s. An example of this resurrection can be established through the Blur song Sunday Sunday. The song featured on the apt 1993 album Modern Life is Rubbish, features a trumpet solo that could easily have been found on any later Beatles track. The lyrics in the first verse read much like a social commentary with lines such as You read the colour supplement, the T.V. guide and Together the family round the table. Both bring to mind visions of a quiet ordinary Sunday at home with the family. The second verse however mentions a walk in the park where the writer meets a soldier who fought in both world wars and says, The England he knew is no more. Quite unlike the interpretation of a British Sunday morning the second verse takes a nostalgic look back with a conceivable chance of the soldier appearing as a metaphor for a Britain that used to be. Britpop resonated with a sound of the past. Singers and back up singers were producing exciting harmonies like the ones found on the Oasis record Cast no shadow. Artists were being commended for their song writing abilities and musical talent unlike the dry and dreary song-writing period of the eighties, which featured Duran Duran, Gary Newman and Depeche mode. The mod subculture of the 60s also became popular again. People began growing their hair with the Beatles various styles in mind. Jarvis Cocker from the band Pulp used to wear suits which echoed the mod style. The Whos manag er Pete Meaden famously described modism saying, Modism, mod living, is an aphorism for clean living under difficult circumstances Not everyone believed that Britpop reminisced of a past idea of Britishness. Some suggested that bands crafted an entirely new image altogether, focusing on an attitude based not on a nostalgic Carry On Mr Kipling Britain, but a Britain that you will recognise as the one you live in (Jones 1994). Undoubtedly the song Girls and Boys which is performed in front of a club 18-30s holiday backdrop with its subject matter of casual sex is one which is more contemporary rather than the wistful longing for old England found in Sunday Sunday. Also, Oasiss accounts of throwing up on a Sunday and their wild views that cigarettes, alcohol and drugs are a remedy for a dull, ordinary life may have appealed to the young generation of the 1990s but it was miles apart from the Beatles idealized and glamorized version of Britain. It appears that this type of topical writing is in the minority and more songs relate to similar representations conjured up by the Beatles in the 1960s. There is another are a that is imperative to study when analysing depictions of Britain and that is the view created through the music video. The Beatles and the Birth of the Music Video One main important difference in the way in which music is presented in the 1990s is the availability of the music video, which further enhances depictions of Britishness. The Birth of the music video may to some be credited to the band Queen. In November 1975 due to tour commitments they could not appear on Top of The Pops and so produced a video to promote their new single Bohemian Rhapsody. But as much as a decade before, the Beatles were generating videos to be broadcast on television shows all over the world. In 1996, with the release of the Beatles Anthology film box set, George Harrison received an interview and in relation to the promotional video made for the song Rain he made the statement: So I suppose, in a way, we invented MTV Now that the music video is fast becoming an art form in itself it is interesting to analyze how Lennon and McCartneys influence on the British social commentary style of writing transposed into video format. I will begin by analysing the reflection of Britain the Beatles achieved through their use of video and the reasons for them depicting society in this way, then I will compare this to the music videos in the 1990s. The first Beatles film was released in 1964 entitled A Hard Days Night. With prospects of an accompanying soundtrack album, the film was released as a way to make more money from the bands growing success. As Bob Neaverson said: The project was initially envisaged by the American-owned company as little more than another low budget exploitation picture which would capitalize on the groups fleeting success with the teenage market No matter which way it is looked at, the decision to release a Beatles film came about because of a money making business deal. Although it turned out much more was achieved than simply money. Director Richard Lester broke rules that had been associated with the pop music format since the 1950s. To begin, one of the opening scenes is filmed in an unconventional train carriage, a setting with no musical connection. His use of free hand documentary filming not only added excitement and energy but also made the viewer feel as if he or she were in the film closely interacting with the band. This made the Beatles able to be shown as the guys next-door, seemingly unaffected by fame, instead of fictional characters. Whereas realism had already been established in British films through the working class genre known as kitchen sink drama with films like The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962) and A Taste of Honey (1961), A Hard Days Night was the first music video to incorporate thi s into its style and content. This working class image was an important factor that shone through the films of the Beatles. In a time when all well-known artists were predominantly imported, any British act doing significantly well was a joy. The bands natural working class attitudes coupled together with their down to earth, oblivious out look on fame only endeared them to the British public who Neaverson says, upheld them as symbols of the new social mobility and classlessness of sixties Britain. In this sense, this approach broke down barriers and was vital to the modernization of British national identity in the 1960s. Having looked at how the Beatles became symbols for a cultural shift I will now investigate how music videos in the 1990s adapted the skills that Richard Lester put into practice and decide if the substance of the video is similar to that of Lennon and McCartneys writing. One such video that involves strong British connotations is Park Life by Blur. It is a song that lyrically documents parts of British life with examples including being wakened by the dustmen, cups of tea and feeding the pigeons. Although these are very banal actions the visuals found in the video take on a different, more contemporary feel. In the video actor Phil Daniels plays a creepy door-to-door double-glazing salesman driving around in his Ford Granada Coupe Mk1. It seems at times that the video is not related to the song until the rapid images of British life the row of terraced houses, the red post boxes, the arrival of the ice cream van and the playful nature of the band meeting up with friends in 90s style attire spinning each other in a trolley crop up. In many ways the video resonates with a feeling not to dissimilar from Penny Lane, which I mentioned earlier. This parallel is continued through the use of characters in the video the man with the four King Charles dogs, the fat man in the shirt and braces, the jogger and the couple sprawled across their sports car with their names printed above the drivers and passengers window. These are visually very interesting characters and like McCartneys fireman; banker and nurse could easily be fantastic characters in a book of British cultural life. The Park Life music video is obviously based around actual everyday encounters experienced by Damon Albarn that have been tweaked to appear more surreal much the same format as the lyrics take on in the song. Using Pop Music to Promote Political Interests Popular music has long been associated with showing dissatisfaction or opposition with the government and the government has always shown an interest in securing for itself a stake in the management of powerful bands. Conversely, today in China, leader Hu Jintao has spoken out frequently about building a harmonious society. He has great power and influence over the media, mainly monitoring everything that is broadcast on the radio. The governments ideas to create harmony are through censorship of the media. All music heard on Chinese radio consists of love songs or upbeat ballads. These gentle songs are not damaging to Chinas image of a stable and harmonious country. Pop and Pop/Rock songs where politics, rebellion and casual sex are the themes are disregarded for fear of a revolution. The state cannot completely censor music they find harmful, although they do have complete ownership of all broadcasting media giving them a loophole through which they can have the majority rule. Chin ese people believe the popular music they hear on the radio all sounds the same and if youve heard one song you know them all. Even musicians asked to submit songs for the Olympic games in Beijing were too worried to write anything with fear of going against the state policies. In this example the state is controlling the music. They are keeping a lid on the pot of society to prevent the revolution inside over spilling. In addition something that is so carefully prohibited may incite curiosity within youths of any culture and a notion to rebel will ensue. An example of this use of music to revolt was apparent in Germany during world war two. If music can be said to be associated with nationalism and national identity then it can also be criticized for supposed destabilization of the nations culture. During world war two, young German music fans sought after the British and American way of life and defined themselves through the music of Swing. Although they were not an organised political opposition group, they refused the culture of National Socialism. The group made such an impact in 1941 that the Gestapo violently repressed them and police ordered anyone under the age of 21 to stay out of dance bars (Whiteley, Bennett and Hawkins 2005). Whether a connection is made as a shared goal for public popularity or a way to manipulate or even to revolt, music and politics have a bond. Throughout the 1960s and again in the 1990s political groups created a connection with pop stars of the time. In 1965, current Prime Minister Harold Wilson showed he was in touch with the younger generation by awarding the Beatles with the honour of an MBE. It proved a popular move with young people. This move did however spark some controversy. Protestors and picketers who had received the award for military service showed their displeasure towards Harold Wilson but there were too few of them to make any real impact. Attackers thought it a clever and crafty plan to solicit votes for the next years general election but defenders argued the fan base of the Beatles were generally under the age of 21, too young to vote at the time. In any case, bestowing an MBE on the Beatles showed that Harold Wilson was a modern leader willing to embrace new ideas and be part of a contemporary Britain that culturally, the Beatles were helping to shape. A year later George Harrison would write the song Taxman as a retort to the 95% super taxes introduced by Harold Wilson and even included a harmony within the song incorporating his name. John Blacking argues that, Cultural politics, the use of culture and the arts to promote political interests, invariably exploits and contains the power of music to restrict political argument. It diverts attention from the real political issues or simply asserts the hegemony of its promoters (Blacking) On the other hand, not all people would agree with John Blackings statement. Some believe that in the right hands music can open up avenues and make people pay attention to various issues. Khaver Siddiqi would argue that, In an era where politics uses as many avenues it can to reach the people, it is ultimately the words of song and rhyme that will attract the attention more, than speeches ever will. (Siddiqi 2009) This thought can be put into practice if we look at the issues of race in the 1960s. In 1968 James Brown wrote a song called Say it Loud (Im Black and Im Proud) that become a very successful black power anthem. It was a racially chaotic period during the 1960s and this song filled black Americans with pride. This elevated Brown to the status of icon and also made him the face for a movement that shaped the 1960s. In 1997, after a period of predominantly conservative power in Britain, a new Prime Minister was elected, Tony Bl

Brown v. Board of Education v. Today :: Comparative Essays Papers

Brown v. Board of Education v. Today Whenever I walk into Foellinger Auditorium, it’s usually to attend my econ lecture, but this time is different. I’m not going to listen to a lecture about how the economy works, but instead to listen to a family that caused the nation to rethink the educational system. The famous Brown family was going to give a talk about the famous case that carried their name and forever put them in history. The Brown v. Board of Education decision eliminated segregation in public schools, an injustice that so many African-Americans fought to end not only in public schools, but also public places. The Brown v. Board of Education decision was a step into the future where African-American and Caucasians could intermingle rather than be separated just because of race. Segregation in the early 50’s had finally reached the end of its journey and a new law was made to ban segregation and promote integration. Walking into the auditorium, conversations about the excitement of the Brown sisters giving a talk about the historical decision, politics, sports, and other everyday conversations could be heard. The auditorium filled with people of different ethnic groups, mainly Caucasians but several African-Americans came to hear the true story behind Brown v. Board of Education. I would have to say about 60 percent of the people were Caucasians, 25 percent African-Americans and the other 15 percent were either Asians or Hispanics. People of all ages came to hear what the Brown sisters had to say; some as young as the age of seven and some as old as in their late 60’s. Children, undergrad students, grad students, professors, as well as people with other professions filled the auditorium, with undergrad students making up most of the people who attended. However, the auditorium was not full or as filled as one would expect knowing that the Brown family was going to discuss the Brown v . Board of Education decision, a disappointing reality. The long awaited talk finally started a few minutes after four. Susan Fowler, co-chairman of the Brown v. Board commemoration, started by introducing the ten winning students who wrote to Linda Brown expressing their feelings about the Brown v. Board trial and decision. She then talked about how Project 500, established in 1968, recruited African-American students to the University of Illinois campus as a way to make the campus more diverse; project 500 was a direct result of Brown v.

Mr. Mefisto - Foreign Language Essay :: Foreign Language Essays

Abstract Mr. Mefisto. Before asking who he is, the first question must be, he exists or not? I did not meet him directly, face to face, but I heard a lot about. If you ask people who knows they will give you all kind of answers. They will tell you that, he us good, bad, obedient or is THE GOD. My opinion is that it do not exists by it self, it exists as a relation between you and the World. If you are not in Harmony with the World, you are under his power. D-ul Dracu , Inainte de a te intreba cine e Dracul, cred ca trebue sa te intrebi daca intradevar exista. Eu nu m-am intalnit cu el, fata in fata, dar din timpuri stravechi si pana astazi, multi spun ca intradevar exista. Fortale Binelui si Fortele Raului. Cu Achriman fiind "intunericul absolut" si Christos "Iubirea Vie". Sunt persoane care ar trebi sa stie. Chistos a scos un demon dintr'un om si l-a bagat intr'o ciurda de porcii. In zilele noastre Papa Paul Ioan II zice " Demonul exista, are regatul sau, are un program bine stabilit †¦." iar Papa Benedict XVI, zice "Dracul e o prezenta misterioasa, dar reala, personala, nu simbolica" . Asta e convingator ? O idee interesanta apare la Gnostici ("comoara" Templarilor e probabil o copie a Evangeliei apocrife a lui Toma) cu Simeon Magnus si bineinteles cu Valentinian in "Imnul Perlei" Dar mai ales in critica Legei Mozaice prin "Scrisoarea catre Flora" a lui Ptolomeu, "Lumea nu a fost creata nici de Dumnezeu Tatal si nici de Satana, ci de Demiur g". Ceace ar putea explica dece Dl Dracu exista. Sau dece Seful Ingerilor s-a razvratit inpotriva lui Dumnezeu. Daca exista inceputul exista si sfarsitul. Daca exista Ying exista si Yang. Tot nu sunt absolut convins, dar sunt inclinat sa accept, pentru ca stiu ca ceva e Bine si ceva e Rau. Nu stiu de unde stiu, dar cred ca e in legatura cu idea de "Just" si "Injust" Cred ca e just ca Socrate sa se si e injust sa furi bomboane dela copii. Acum cand de bine de rau, cred ca Dl Dracul exista, as vrea sa stiu cine si ce e. Nu cred ca e sarpele care a ispitit-o pe Eva. Am vazut in o catedrale din Gubbio, o fresca cu tentatia Evei. Sarpele avea maini si merge pe 2 picioare.

Project Management Essay

1. Discuss why many information technology professionals may overlook project cost management and how this might affect completing projects within budget. Information technology professionals do not understand basic accounting and finance principles to be able to do a net present value analysis return on investment and payback analysis. It should also be considered that new technologies or software development expenses are very inaccurate as it is hard to put a figure on something has not been developed. The problems they face may be they estimate too quickly, do not have the estimating experience, may be biased towards underestimating and management may require more accuracy. The book states that IT professionals understand the value of a balanced portfolio aligned with business objectives but lack a well-defined and consistent process for managing the origination, evaluation and execution of IT investments. As far as contemplating projects with budgets it would not be an accurate estimate of cost unless all the stakeholders are involved to make these determinations. 4. Explain what happens during the process to determine the project budget. A project budget involves allocating cost estimates to individual work over the time of the project and is based on the WBS. The budget is determined using the cost estimates, basis of estimates, scope baseline, schedule, resource calendar, contracts and organizational process assets. The main goal is cost budgeting which creates a cost baseline for measuring performance and funding requirement and taking into consideration document updates. It is also important to understand how the company operates so the budget is created appropriately. 6. What is project portfolio management? Can project managers use it with earned value management? Project portfolio management allows organizations to collect and control an entire suite of projects or investments as on set of interrelated activities. Project managers can use it with earned value management as it is a performance measurement technique that let them know how well the project is meeting scope, time and cost goals by entering actual information and then comparing it to a baseline. 7. Describe several types of software that project managers can use to support project cost management. Spreadsheets are a common tool used for cost estimating, budgeting and control. Microsoft Project is a project management software that allows for the following to be created such as: cash flow, budgets, over budget tasks, over budget resources and earned value reports. Some project managers simply use the company’s accounting software and spreadsheets to receive more flexibility. They have also learnt to connect their accounting software to the project management software for more accurate information.