Cause and Effect Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 6

Cause and Effect - Essay Example However, there is also an underlying anxiety about entering a new and unfamiliar world full of new challenges; and a hint of doubt about one’s ability to manage so many new challenges. Suddenly being pitched from the comfort of familiarity into a bewildering world inhabited by people from different cultures and communities – a world full of innumerable choices and temptations could be daunting. Another factor to be considered is that parents too are proud of the achievements of their youngster and getting ready to give him/her more freedom albeit with a touch of anxiety. Under these circumstances, living with parents during one’s college years can have many benefits both for the parents as well as the student. A student on the threshold of college life looks forward to an exciting new phase of independence and new and varied experiences. However, transition from high school to college could be tough; considering that one suddenly is looked upon as a responsible adult. However the freedom one has from strict parental control can be very welcome. Yet, freedom brings with it the weight of responsibility too when one has to take the consequences of one’s actions. Juggling finances and striking the right balance between academics and the hectic social and co-curricular activities, and yet making time to focus on studies in order to get good grades, cannot be easy. The sudden exposure to new people, who may be from varied cultures and backgrounds, new ways of learning when one cannot depend on notes given by teachers, and a different social and cultural life, can be overwhelming. Choosing new friends with common interests and adding others who can aid in your personal development are exciting and fun but can drain one physically and emotionally. Hence having the familiarity of family to comeback to everyday can be a huge relief. One can get gradually acclimatized to new responsibilities and a new social and academic culture while still

Mix Design Procedure And Principles Engineering Essay

Mix Design Procedure And Principles Engineering Essay 1. Introduction In the following coursework we are going to take look at the steps that must be taken into account for performing a concrete mix design. When we talk about mix design, we are going to deal with two categories of property requirements: one category specific for fresh concrete (fresh properties of concrete); and another category specific for hardened concrete (Neville 1995). The aim of this coursework is also to analyze the properties of the freshly formed concrete due to the design performed, and not of the hardened concrete. As outlined in Lecture 2, the two types of property categories are not independent from one another, more likely they are directly linked, and failure in compliance with fresh properties will lead to poor concrete quality in hardened state. Basically, concrete mix design is performed by a careful selection of quantities for concrete ingredients with the aim at producing cost effective concrete having a minimum set of properties such as: workability, compressive strength and durability (Neville 1995). For the purpose of this coursework, we are going to design concretes which will contain mixes of classic ingredients like ordinary Portland cement as a bonding material and, either 100% Gravel or 100% Recycled Aggregates, as a filler material. Also, we are going to design mixes by replacing a part of the Portland cement with cementitious materials such as Silica Fume (10% SF) or Fly Ash (30% FA) and the reason of using these fine materials is that they will limit the amount of energy consumed in the mixing process, which ordinary Portland cement is not capable of doing. Having 4 types of concrete mixes, we are going to deal with different properties between these mixes, each set of concrete properties being governed by the properties of the materials used. For example, recycled aggregate presents an increase in porosity compared with gravel, so it is no surprise that concretes with recycled aggregates will demand more water content than ordinary, natural aggregates. Eventually the workability will be affected by the higher water demand (Dhir et al. 1998). Also, as comparison between the effects on concrete determined by SF or FA we must state that concretes with FA will experience a decrease in water demand, reduced bleeding and good cohesiveness, while concrete with SF will bring an increase in water quantity. Because they were 4 different types of mixes to be designed and tested in the lab, 4 groups, each designing their own mix, were created. Our group had the task of performing the mix design for the 10% SF mix and this was done according to BS 1881: Part 125: 1983 Testing concrete Methods for mixing and sampling fresh concrete in the laboratory. Silica fume has certain characteristics that make the handling, when we make the mixing of components, to be a difficult task. This is due to the small particle size and high fineness of the silica fume, so slurry is going to be prepared, by combining silica fume with water, when performing the mixing and also we should make sure that the slurry will be fully dispersed into the mix. By having a high fineness, the SF particles will demand a large surface to be covered with water, bringing an increase in water demand as stated above. Mixes having silica fume as ingredient will give us high performance concretes., and the presence of SF in the mix design process will not only affect the quantities of the mix proportions to be used as ingredients of concrete, but also will lead to an improvement in the fresh properties of the concrete like: high cohesiveness, little to none bleeding, suitable for pumping (Neville et al. 1995). In the lab, after we performed the mix, we made some tests in order to have quality control over the product: Slump Test, according to BS EN 12350-2:2000 Testing fresh concrete Part 2: Slump test, to determine the workability of the concrete and the Plastic Density Test, according to BS 12350-6, 2000 Testing concrete Method for determination of density of compacted fresh concrete, to determine the actual plastic density of the concrete. 2. Mix Design Procedure and worksheets. 2.1. Procedure principles. It should be stated that this method is not an exact method of quantity assessment mainly, because of the variability of the parameters affecting the constituents of this procedure. Trial mixes are made with the purpose of guessing which combinations of ingredients will be suitable for the desired concrete properties and we can modify these mixes to correspond to our requirements (Neville 1995). 2.2. Description for performing concrete mix design. Mix design follows several steps according to BRE Report 331, in which the flow chart of steps takes into consideration all parameters of the mix constituents and also shows us how they are linked together. The results of the computation are going to be written on a Concrete Mix Design Form. For performing this procedure a number of initial specifications must be given, specifications which include: Cement type 52.5 N; Aggregate type Gravel; Maximum aggregate size 20 mm; Fine aggregate grading 44%; Aggregate relative densities 2600 kg/m3; 10% Silica Fume 0.45, 0.6 and 0.75 w/c, 180l/m ³ water content, Slump of 30-60 mm (achieving S3 with SP) The stages which govern this procedure, as specified in BRE Report 331 are: Stage 1 water/cement ratio Stage 2 water content Stage 3 cement content Stage 4 total aggregate content Stage 5 fine aggregate proportion Stage 6 trial mixing Having the 3 free-water cement ratios, the slump and the maximum size of the aggregates given, we can skip the first stage and the amount of water needed can easily be determined. As we can see, 3 mixes will be prepared for which we can determine the amount of bonding material needed if the quantity of water is known. In this total amount of bonding material, 10% is Silica Fume, while 90% is ordinary Portland cement. In stage 4 we shall determine the total quantity of aggregate present in the mix. Because we have the grading of the fine aggregate, we can determine the quantity of the coarse aggregates by subtracting from the total quantity of aggregate the fine aggregate quantity. From the total quantity of coarse aggregate we know that 1/3 is for 10 mm Gravel and 2/3 for 20 mm Gravel. After we have determined all the mix proportions, we have to make specimens from the resulted concrete mix, specimens which will be subjected to different tests and conditions in order to determine the suitability of hardened concrete. These concrete specimens result from trial mixes for which batch weights are computed for a batch size of 0.02 m3. One aspect hasnt been discussed so far: the use of admixtures in the concrete mix design. Admixtures are regarded as secondary ingredients of concrete, and not in the same class of importance like water or cement. There are different types of admixtures, depending on their effect on concrete, and, also their use is regarded from an economical and an increase in concrete quality point of view. For the purpose of our assignment, the admixture type which we are going to use is Superplasticizer (Glenium 51) and the British standard that regulates and controls their use is BS 5075: Part 3: 1985. Superplasticizers are water reducing admixtures, and their effect on concrete is related to an improvement in fresh properties, mainly an increase in workability. 4. Batch quantities allowing for absorption. 4.1. Porosity, Absorption and their link. Porosity and absorption are aspects concerning the aggregates, so the following discussion will take into account the way in which the presence of pores will affect the concrete. There are 2 types of pores: internal and external pores, which vary in size- the external pores, can even be seen sometimes with the naked eye. Because of its viscosity, cement paste cannot fully cover the pores of the aggregates, but water is able to do that, which eventually will lead in an increase of water demand (Neville 1995). It might seem that because its only related to aggregate, porosity and absorption will not affect concrete, but lets not forget that the weight of aggregates represents approximately 75% of the weight of concrete. Also, by doing the mixing of concrete in the lab, the moisture content of the aggregates decreases, so an adjustment for absorption of aggregates must be done: we fully dry the aggregates in an oven, after which we put the aggregates in water, for 24 hours. An increase in weight occurs, meaning that all the pores are fully saturated (Neville 1995). The absorption is expressed as a ratio between the moisture content increase observed in the dried aggregates to the mass of the dried aggregates. The following absorption values for aggregates are used for our designed concretes: Gravel 5/20 1.0% Sand 0/5 0.5% RA 5/10 3% RA 10/20 4% 4.2. Adjustments for absorption. The adjustments for absorption, determined in accordance with BS 812: Part 2, are performed on the aggregate types which are going to be used in the mixture. The aggregates which we are going to use for the 10% SF mix concrete are: sand 0/5 and gravel 5/20. The method allows computing the additional quantity of water required for absorption by the following formula: Material batch weight (kg) x absorption value (%) = additional water required Having found the additional water quantity, the adjustment for absorption of aggregates can be performed by: Aggregate batch weight (kg) absorbed water (kg) = adjusted aggregate batch weight 5. Mixing procedure and tests carried out in Lab 1. 5.1. Mixing procedure. Relevant Standards: BS 1881: Part 125: 1983 Testing concrete methods for mixing and sampling fresh concrete in the laboratory. The mixing procedure is the combining of all concrete ingredients, with the purpose so that the aggregates surface is covered by cement paste, and it follows 2 steps: a) Sample preparation; b) mixing. At the previous topic, the adjustment of aggregates for absorption was explained. Its one of the requirements for the sample preparation step, and was the last one that needed to be carried out before the proper mixing of all concrete ingredients can be performed. When discussing about sample preparation, we also must take into account that we should produce at least 10% more quantity of concrete than the required quantity for the tests that have to be done; Follows a series of tasks: initially, the aggregates should be added in the following order: coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, sand after which we mix for 30 seconds. 1/2 of the water quantity must be added next, mix for another minute, after which we thoroughly mix by hand. Water absorption by the aggregates takes place when we leave covered the mixer for 8 minutes. Silica fume is mixed with water for 1 minute before adding it to the mix, after which we add the cement and mix it for 1 minute. We clean the paddles; we add the remaining water and superplasticizer and mix for other 4-5 minutes, after which we ensure homogeneity by mixing the sample by hand. 5.2. Tests carried out in Lab 1. Before starting the discussion about what tests must be done, we should note that all these tests on fresh concrete should be carried out within 15 minutes of mixing. Two tests will be done: slump test and plastic density. After the tests are carried out, we must put the used concrete in the mixer and mix for other 30 seconds. The Slump test has the aim of analysis of the workability of the fresh concrete, and it regulated by BS EN 12350-2:2000 Testing fresh concrete Part 2: slump test standard. When performing this test we must have some basic equipment: a slump cone with foot rests and a metal rod (16 mm diameter, 600 mm long). First, we must moisten the slump cone, after which we pour the concrete in the cone, while it is hold firmly into position. The pouring of the concrete must be done in 3 equal layers which are tamped 25 times with the steel road. The excess of concrete at the top and around the slump cone is removed, after which the cone is removed, inverted and placed next to the slumped concrete in order to enable us to measure the vertical distance from the top of the cone to the highest point of the slumped concrete. The measured vertical distance has to be reported for the nearest 5 mm, and shows us the nature of the slump that we deal with: true, collapse and shear slump. Fig. 5.2: True, shear and collapse slump (Neville et al. 1987) If the shear or collapse of the sample concrete occurs, we must perform the slump test once again. Plastic Density is determined on a compacted concrete sample in the lab, and is regulated by BS 12350-6, 2000 Testing concrete Method for determination of density of compacted fresh concrete standard. When performing this test we must have some basic equipment: 10 liter steel container (200 mm internal diameter, 320 mm internal height, and 4 mm wall thickness), vibrating table and 300 mm steel rule. The test is carried out as follows: we measure the mass of the empty container after which we measure the mass of the container filled with 10 liter of water. The concrete is poured in the empty container, in six equal layers which will be compacted on the vibrating table and the excess concrete at the top will be removed. We record the mass of the container with the concrete in it; we return the concrete to the mixer and clean the equipment. The computation can now be performed with the following formula: Plastic density, D = m / V Where, m = mass of concrete in container (To the nearest 10 g) V = volume of container = mass of water in container (from calibration) /1000. During the mix design we have found a plastic density for each water-cement ratio. Having found that plastic density, the new lab computed plastic density must not differ by more than  ±20 kg/m ³ then the actual plastic density (mix design). 7. Yield: corrected mix proportions and differences between design/plastic and volumetric method. Because in the mix design we have taken into account only those parameters that have a major impact on concrete characteristics, and we disregarded those that have a minor role, some errors might occur during the mix design. Such errors might include: faulty maneuvering of concrete ingredients, errors in performing the mixing procedure. These errors are visible when the total weight of the concrete ingredients is different than the lab computed wet concrete density (plastic density). Having computed in the lab the actual plastic density of the mix, we can make corrections to the mix proportion weights so that some of the residual errors might be able to be corrected. One of the ways by which this can be done is adjusting for yield. Yield is the ratio between the actual density and the total density, and the adjustment is performed by multiplying this ratio with the weight of each constituent, giving us corrected mix proportions. As an example we shall perform the correction of the mix proportions for the 0.45 w/c ratio mix: During the mix design we have found that the wet density of concrete (plastic density) is 2380 kg/m3. Cement+10% SF 360+40 kg/m ³ Water 180 kg/m ³ Sand 650 kg/m ³ 10mm Agg 385 kg/m ³ 20mm Agg 770 kg/m ³ TOTAL DENSITY 2385 kg/m ³ ACTUAL PLASTIC DENSITY 2410 kg/m ³ (tested in labs) The correction is done with the following formula: Corrected = (Actual density/ Total Density) x each constituent = 2410/2385=1.0105 Cement+10% SF (365+40) kg/m ³ Water 180 kg/m ³ Sand 655 kg/m ³ 10mm Agg 390 kg/m ³ 20mm Agg 780 kg/m ³ CORRECTED DENSITY 2410 kg/m ³ Another method by which we can adjust the mix proportions is the volumetric method. The main feature of this method is that, when performing the adjustment, we will take into consideration the particle density of each constituent taking part in the mix design. We shall also make an example for the volumetric method of correction of mix proportions. Cement 360 kg/m ³ / 3150 kg/m ³ = 0.114 SF 40 kg/m ³ / 2000 kg/m ³ = 0.02 Water 180 kg/m ³ / 1000 kg/m ³ = 0.18 Sand 650 kg/m ³ / 2600 kg/m ³ = 0.25 10mm Agg 385 kg/m ³ / 2600 kg/m ³ = 0.148 20mm Agg 770 kg/m ³ / 2600 kg/m ³ = 0.296 ACTUAL 1.008 THEORETICAL 1.0000 The correction formula: Correction factor = (Theoretical/Actual) x each constituent = 0.992 Cement 355 kg/m ³ / 3150 kg/m ³ = 0.1133 SF 40 kg/m ³ / 2000 kg/m ³ = 0.020 Water 180 kg/m ³ / 1000 kg/m ³ = 0.180 Sand 645 kg/m ³ / 2600 kg/m ³ = 0.2474 10mm Agg 380 kg/m ³ / 2600 kg/m ³ = 0.1461 20mm Agg 765 kg/m ³ / 2600 kg/m ³ = 0.2932 ACTUAL 1.0000 THEORETICAL 1.0000 The main difference between the two methods which we have shown is that the yield method requires computing the lab plastic density, and comparing it to the plastic density taken into account in the design phase of the mix, while for the volumetric method is not necessary to make that extra effort in order to make the adjustment. As far as to which method is more appropriate to be used, from a first look at our example, we can consider that the volumetric method is more appropriate, at least from an economic point of view, because the adjustments made gave us smaller weights of materials than the adjustment for yield weights. But my opinion is that the plastic density method is much more appropriate to be used, because its more reliable, and you have a superior certainty about the elimination of the errors that appear in the mixing phase and also a better control of quality of the concrete. 8. Comments on fresh properties. The discussion about the fresh properties of concrete might seem to be not as important as the hardened concrete properties from a structural point of view, but as we have previously noted, there is a direct link between the two types of properties: for example the strength of hardened concrete is greatly improved when a sufficient compaction of the fresh concrete was established (Neville 1995).The objective of this discussion is to see the degree by which different concrete components affect the fresh properties of concrete, and we shall do this by comparing the mixes presenting silica fume, fly ash and recycled aggregate with the ordinary Portland cement mix (100% Gravel). The influence of aggregate type: by comparing the fresh properties of the 100% Gravel mix and 100% RA mix. Due to the fact RA have a higher porosity, a larger amount of water is needed in the mix which will eventually affect the workability of the fresh concrete. Because we have considered an absorption value for RA which was too high (RA density was larger than 2400kg/m3), the RA mix presented collapse slump, thus poor workability, also a slight bleeding, and segregation of the concrete constituents is present, leading to a poor cohesiveness. In the 30% FA and 10% SF mixes we have used as aggregate, gravel, so the influence of aggregate type on fresh concrete is the same in all 3 mixes, the only differences occur from the influence of other parameters. The cement type that we have used was either ordinary Portland cement (CEM I 52.5 N) or composite Portland cement, by combining the Portland cement with a cementitious material like silica fume or fly ash. As we can see from the comparison of the composite Portland cement mixes with those having only Portland cement, the 30% FA mix presents no bleeding or segregation of materials, a good cohesiveness and finishability. Fly ash reduces the amount of water to be used in the mix, having a similar effect as a superplasticizer, so at larger water cement ratios we have collapsed slump, poor cohesiveness, and a slight bleeding and segregation is present but the compactibility and finishability is still good, making it suitable for pumping . That is not the case with silica fume. Silica fume increases the water demand, and generally the mixes with silica fume present good cohesiveness, no bleeding and segregation, true slump giving us a good workability. The usage of both silica fume and sup erplasticizers has a good effect on concrete. The amount of fine material is directly linked to the cost of both silica fume and fly ash. The cost of production is quite large, so the use of silica fume and fly ash is no longer a cheap, viable solution for Portland cement replacement. As far as their consequences on fresh properties, for the 100% Gravel mix, at lower water-cement ratios we deal with a stiff mix, having less finishability and compactibility than when the amount of Portland cement is decreased, while the cohesiveness, lack of bleeding and segregation is kept the same on all mixes. We could use higher amounts of SF and FA but after a certain amount they cease to have any effect on the fresh properties of concrete. The water-cement ratio is one of the main factors affecting the concrete fresh properties, simply because water and cement are two of the main constituents of concrete. In the 100% RA mix, because of the use of RA, it was necessary to have a higher amount of water than in the other 3 mixes, which in return gave us a poor cohesiveness, a collapsible slump resulting in a poor workability. Also some segregation and bleeding was observed, which was not present in the other mixes. As a general rule, when the w/c ratio is decreased, the ratio between the other concrete constituents is kept constant, so the workability increases (Neville 1995). The SP amount required for workability. Superplasticizers greatly affect the slump of a mix. For the 100% Gravel mix we used approximately 0.12% amount of superplasticizers for all w/c ratios, which gave us a true slump. When we look at the 30% FA and 10% SF mix we can see that we have increased the amount to about 0.31% which gave us a collapse in slump when we used FA, so too much SP, and a true slump for SF, because SF works much better with SP compared to FA. 9. Conclusions This coursework has to be looked at as being divided in two parts: a part about the concrete mix design and establishing all the mix proportions of the concrete constituents and another part relating to the fresh properties of the resulted concrete. During this coursework we have successfully designed 4 types of concrete, and as a result the fresh properties of the 4 concretes were individually established and assessed. The mix of concrete ingredients, the determination of slump and the computation of plastic density were all done in the lab according to the relevant standard governing each task. The designed concrete types were: 100% Gravel, 100% RA, 30% FA and 10% SF. By assessing the concrete fresh properties we have seen which mixes had problems and were not suitable for using on site, but excluding some problems found (a high amount of superplasticizer than the one needed in the 30% FA), in general the mixes presented good workability without segregation or bleeding, were suitable for pumping so they could be used on site, in real conditions.

Invention of the Phonograph Essay -- Exploratory Essays Research Paper

Invention of the Phonograph The idea of the phonograph came from the man who invented the light bulb. Thomas Alva Edison is one of the greatest inventors of all time decided to create this invention. In 1877, Edison was working on a machine that would decipher telegraphic messages to paper tape. He used a diaphragm with an embossing point. This would be held onto a moving paraffin paper. Thus when spoken into it, the vibrations made indentations on it. Edison decided to change the idea by using a tin foil wrapped metal cylinder instead of the paper. The final cylinder phonograph had 2 diaphragm and needle units. One would be for recording date and the other would be for playing it. For the machine to work, one would have to speak into a mouthpiece and the sound vibrations would be imprinted on the cylinder. Then the recording needle would create some sort of groove pattern on the cylinder. The data can then played by back by the data from the created grooves. From this invention Edison started the Edison Speaking Phonograph Company in 1878. Edison had received $10,000 for the sales and manufacturing rights plus 20% of the profits from this company. The machine had a variety of uses including dictation, creating listening books, a sort of a â€Å"family record† which had precious recorded memories of the family like last words, teaching elocution, adn other uses as well The cylinder phonograph proved to be successful, but the problem with the machine was that the tin foil only allowed a few uses. With the help of another great inventor, new advances could be made to improve this invention. The inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, had set up a laboratory for his cousin, Chichester Bell and Charles Tainter. Bell a... ...ndex.asp?s=1&mode=long. 7. â€Å"The History of the Edison Cylinder Phonograph.† American Memory: Historical Collects for National Digital Library 13 Mar. 2003. http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/edhtml/edcyldr.html. 8. â€Å"The History of the Edison Disc Phonograph.† American Memory: Historical Collects for National Digital Library 13 Mar. 2003. http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/edhtml/eddschst.html. 9. â€Å"The History of Turntablism.† Ilikemusic.com. 21 Mar. 2003. http://www.ilikemusic.com/index.asp?fdLocation=%2Farticle%2Easp%3FfdSectionid%3D2%26fdSubsectionid%3D11%26fdArticleId%3D128. 10. â€Å"The Rave Page.† Angelfire.com 13 Mar. 2003. http://www.angelfire.com/ar2/raves/. 11. â€Å"Turntables and CD players.† Turnt(L)able.com 13 Mar. 2003. http://www.turntablelab.com/index1.html. 12. â€Å"Turntable History.† Enjoy the Music.com 13 Mar. 2003. http://www.turntablelab.com/index1.html.

Arts and pornography Essay

?No-one ever asks ‘When does art become realistic? ‘, or ‘When does art become abstract? ‘, or ‘When does art become literary? ‘, although questions like these make as much sense because art can be all or any of these things. This is because we can usually distinguish an abstract work from a realistic or literary one, whereas what pornography is, is unclear in the minds of most people. Pornography derives from two Greek words: porne, which means harlot, and graphos, which refers to writing; however, we use the term today to describe much more than stories about prostitutes. And when we use it, it is as more than the definition of a class of writing and visual art: it has an ethical (usually pejorative) connotation also. And, like most ethical and aesthetic terms, its use is intensely personal. Just as beautiful really means no more than ‘I like it (although I cannot clearly explain why)’, pornographic means ‘I find this offensive (although I cannot really explain why)’. There is no generally agreed meaning for either of these terms – which bedevils our discussion of both. Art exists in many different forms. Sculpture, paintings, graphics, drawings and such are part of the visual art. Dance, film, music and theater, as well as literature, are also forms of art. Throughout the years, art has, in all of its forms, interpreted, presented, or made allusion to nudity. Many famous masterpieces or important art represent nude people, and sometimes even persons making love; yet, it is recognized as beautiful art by many people. What difference is there, if any, in the interpretation and importance that we humans give to nude art and pornography? So it leads to my first knowledge issue: When does art become pornography? Here is a real life example. As we all know, our school invites some nude models for art class, they expose their nude bodies to the art students. I am not sure if it is the reason why many guys take art. Do you think it is art, nasty art, performance art or pornography? Art, nudity and pornography are different, and every individual’s sense perception of what these are will also be different. The area of knowledge of art is one of the most subjective of all the areas of knowledge, which explains why persons interpret it differently. Nudity may or may not be included in the AoK of Art, but it is a part of many art pieces. Nudity is present in many forms, for example, the famous sculpture of David by Michelangelo Buonarroti. This 5. 17 meter tall statue represents the biblical King David, nude, and it is recognized by many as a masterpiece, and some even consider it a symbol of the defense of civil rights. Vitruvian Man, by Leonardo Da Vinci, is the drawing of a nude man, legs and arms stretched. Michelangelo did not limit himself to sculpting nude man, but also painted many important figures nude on the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling, such as Adam, Eve, Jesus, and others. All these art pieces, famous and important, widely recognized masterpieces include nudity. Of course, the importance and recognition of these art pieces is debatable and can be argued, but many people and important art communities consider them to be masterpieces. These art pieces illustrate both, men and women, sometimes together, other times separated, but share many things in common. All of these art pieces include nudity, and are recognized by many as important art. But then, when does art become pornography? Is it just like crossing a line, on one side its art and the closer you get to that line, it becomes less art until you cross that line and it becomes pornography? If that is the case, what if you stand on the line, would it be neither art nor pornography, or both? Every single person can interpret it as they want, but as I see it, many factors affect the decision of whether it is art or pornography. I see it as a line, on one side it is art, and on the other it is pornography, because I don’t think that an art piece can be both art and pornography at the same time for a single person. I emphasize on the fact that it is for a single person, as this is very subjective. Although this is very subjective, as mentioned before, it is also very cultural. In most of Western Europe, nudity is seen in a very different way than in the Middle East, due to cultural and historical differences. In the Middle East, for example, Muslim women must wear the burkha, while in Western Europe there are many semi-nudist or nudist beaches that anyone, regardless of age and gender, can enjoy. This, however, does not justify or imply anything else than the fact that there are higher chances for western Europeans to have higher limits and Middle Eastern people to have lower. It only means higher chances, because as mentioned before, although culture is a factor that affects where the individual puts the limit, it still is subjective, based on beliefs, ideals, past experiences, and many other factors. The Ways of Knowing apply to this judgment or decision of whether it is art or pornography in different ways for each individual. Sense perception, which includes the five senses, is the main element that allows the interpreter to perceive the art piece, whether it is through hearing, seeing, or touching. The other two senses, smelling and tasting, are not as relevant for the interpretation of the forms of art mentioned earlier. With the three senses mentioned (sight, hear and touch), a person can interpret a work of art and decide what it is, give an interpretation, a symbol, a meaning to it. Then, through emotions, the person can associate feelings and ideas to the work of art. If the person feels shocked or offended (emotions) from seeing (sense perception) a nude sculpture, he or she might decide it is pornography. Finally language is very important as it is one of the most important filters affecting the decision between art and pornography. The simple definitions of what is art and what is pornography are evidences of the implications of language. Art can be defined as â€Å"the quality, production, expression or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance† in other words, something exceptional according to a set of principles (decided by a majority of people). According to this definition, the masterpieces mentioned before are still art. Pornography is more difficult to define. The first definition (from dictionary. com) describes pornography as â€Å"obscene writings, drawings, photographs especially those having little or no artistic merit†. The definition states â€Å"obscene† materials, but obscenity is very subjective and varies from person to person, just like the limit at which art becomes pornography. The second part of the definition is very interesting, and I would agree with it: materials with â€Å"little or no artistic merit† so that would mean that is not exceptional according to the set of principles previously mentioned, which again supports the idea that it’s subjective. Another definition of pornography (from The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition) states it is â€Å"sexually explicit [material] whose primary purpose is to cause sexual arousal†. This definition is more ambiguous then the first mentioned. According to this definition, two factors are needed in order for something to be pornography: it needs to be sexually explicit, and it needs to primarily cause sexual arousal. The problem with this definition is that anything containing nudity is sexually explicit, so all the masterpieces mentioned above have at least the first factor needed to be considered pornography (according to this definition). The second part of the definition is very subjective, because we cannot know what the purpose of the nude sculpture, drawing or painting was unless the author tells us. To conclude, in my personal point of view, art cannot â€Å"become† pornography, it is either born as art, or born as pornography, and this depends on each individual’s interpretation of the material in question. Not only the visual arts, but other forms of arts, especially Medias, have many influences on young people. Anyone who watches television, goes to the movies, or picks up a magazine today knows sex is prominent across all media. Discussions regarding the early sexualization of children and young people are an increasingly hot topic with celebrities and politicians alike having something to say. An analysis of use of the term sexualisation published on the Global Media Insight blogspot showed that in early 2010 use of the term ‘sexualisation’ in both mainstream and social media more than doubled (fig. 1). This is not to say that the concerns behind the idea of sexualised childhood are new ones; it does however suggest that this is a concept which is increasingly in the collective public consciousness. Although the effects of sexual content have received little attention from researchers in the 1980s, there are strong theoretical reasons to believe that media may play an especially important role in the socialization of sexual knowledge, attitudes and behavior. These were well summarized by Elizabeth Roberts (1982): â€Å"(1) the adult nature of most programming children watch; (2) children’s limited access to or experience with countervailing information or ideas; (3) the ‘realism’ with which roles, relationships, and lifestyles are portrayed; and (4) the overwhelming consistency of the messages about sexuality that are communicated† (Roberts, 1982, p. 209). Each of these points is even more pertinent in 1998 than in 1982. Children watch a great deal of adult programming, and there has been a steady increase in the frequency and explicitness of sexual content on broadcast television. Young people have access to a much wider range of video content as well as to other entertainment media than they did in the early 1980s. Movies Adolescents see movies in theaters, and the same movies are soon available on pay TV channels and video tape. Many of these movies are â€Å"R-rated. † They contain more frequent and more explicit portrayals of sexual behavior than broadcast TV – an average of 17. 5 per film in one analysis (Greenberg, Siemicki, Dorfman, Heeter, Stanley, Soderman, &Linsangan, 1993). Like TV, the most frequent sexual activity shown is unmarried sexual intercourse. Sex is often in the context of profanity, alcohol and drug use, and nudity. Not only have the movies, music world confronted similar problem as well. Let’s see a real example. Modern music is becoming increasingly pornographic. It is not about being old-fashioned. It’s about keeping values that are important in the modern world. We can’t watch modern stars like Britney Spears or Lady Gaga with a two-year-old. 99 percent of the charts in R&B and 99 percent of that is soft pornography. Children and young people are being forced to grow up too young. A researcher named Larson (1995) used an experience sampling technique to analyze the relationship between emotional states and the use of television and other media. He argues that adolescents experience increased emotionality and that such emotionality may be related to increased use of music because â€Å"it both speaks to adolescents’ personal issues and helps them create a separate experiential space at home†¦ music is also important to adolescents because it helps define their public self outside the family†. Private, solitary use of both music and television use by adolescents is important in providing them an opportunity to deal with the stress and emotionality of this stage of development. Young people select media which entertain them, contribute to their identity formation, help them cope with their problems and emotional mood states, and form the basis of their selection into youth subcultures. Today’s generation of youth has easier access to sexual content. From television, movies, magazines, and advertisements (billboards, print, and electronic), to music (on radio and in music videos) and the Internet, youth who are interested in nudity, sexual role models, romance and depictions of sex and intercourse, have a range of media options readily available. Media provide perhaps the least embarrassing way to get information about sex and romance.

How Far Does the Poet Want Us to Symphatize with Miss Havisham Essay

How Far Does the Poet Want Us to Sympathize with Miss Havisham? The poet wants us to sympathized Miss Havisham greatly, but not entirely. Her own trappings of her strong need to revenge and her morbid existence that has destroyed her carries a symbolic meaning of self – absorption and destruction. This poem introduces us to Miss Harvisham’s character, who has become a type of embittered woman who was disappointed in love and enjoys withdrawing from the world. First of all, this poem is written in a first person’s point of view. She begins by telling the reader the cause of her pain and suffering – her â€Å"beloved sweetheart bastard† which gravitates into a sense of bitterness and vengeance/retribution. In addition to that, the use of oxymoron in the above-said phrase indicates a contradiction of words. The words â€Å"beloved† and â€Å"sweetheart† indicates a very admirable personality, but the word â€Å"bastard† gives us a completely conflicting quality. Besides, she tells us that she not only wished him to be dead, but instead she prayed for his death, evidently by â€Å"Not a day since then I haven’t wished him dead. Prayed for it†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She prayed so hard that she had â€Å"dark green pebbles for eyes and ropes on the back of my hands she could strangle with.† She uses metaphors here to explain to us that while she prayed, she had her eyes shrunk hard and felt that her hands were strong enough to strangle someone, which fits her murderous personality. It makes us feel piteous for her as seeing that she has suffered a great amount until it has reached insanity, but at the same time it makes us feel really disturbed by her mad identity. The second stanza symbolises her â€Å"self-absorption† and â€Å"self-pity† behaviours. She started off with a strong word: â€Å"Spinster†. The use of caesura in beginning of this stanza shows how much she emphasizes and detests this word. Besides, the feeling of abhorrence has been further strengthen by the use of trochee can be seen in the word â€Å"Spinster† as the first syllable is stressed. Moving on, Miss Havisham is also aware of her own stink as she does not ever change her clothes. This show how withdraw she is from the world. Moreover, she stays in bed all day and â€Å"caws† in denial, which shows how she was on the verge of irrationality and stupidity. In the end of this stanza, she ended with â€Å"who did this†. She knows very well that she was a big cause to this problem, but I feel that she also wanted to put the blame on the ex-fiancà © as she only completed her question in the next stanza. This stanza makes us feel really sorry for her seeing  that she cannot get over her past as it keeps haunting her. In the third stanza, she started to dream about her lost lover in a tenderly manner. â€Å"Some nights better, the lost body over me†¦Ã¢â‚¬  suggests that she misses her lost lover enormously. She fantasizes about herself enjoying her time with her ex-lover, but it did not last long as when she finally regain her conscience, her hatred and ager returns, evidently by â€Å"then down till I suddenly bite awake.† This stanza truly reaches out to me because I can feel that deep inside she tries to recover the wonderful memories they may have had together but she eventually decides to ignore it as she still had that tinge of anger inside her that she cannot let go. The last stanza is mainly talking about how her rage and abhorrence restores. It is somewhat similar to the first stanza, but she seems more furious in the last stanza. Thinking of how she actually â€Å"stabbed a wedding cake† shows us that she is plotting a huge revenge on a â€Å"male corpse† which we all postulate that it is her lover. This stanza makes me feel a little frightened by her as her attitude is rather alarming. Overall, I really do sympathized Miss Havisham deeply, but I do criticise some of her actions. For instance, I do not like the fact that she wants to inflict pain on others just because it is for her own sake. By praying for someone to die and planning a revenge on someone is not the right way to solve a problem. However, I do greatly pity her because of the phase she is going through. It is not easy getting over someone. In conclusion, the poet wants us all to sympathize her greatly, but only to a certain extent. We commiserate her for her peculiarity and her self-indulgence, but her sullenness and vindictiveness make us feel that she is a very vivacious and debauched person.

Genealogy of Legendary Singer James Brown

Genealogy of Legendary Singer James Brown The man often referred to as the Godfather of Soul was born James Joseph Brown in a small shack in rural Barnwell County, South Carolina. His father, Joe Gardner Brown, was of mixed African-American and Native American descent, and his mother, Susie Behling, was of mixed African-American and Asian descent. This family tree is presented with an  ahnentafel  numbering system. Check these tips for reading this family tree. First Generation 1. James Joseph Brown was born on May 3, 1933, outside of Barnwell, in Barnwell County, South Carolina, to Joseph Gardner Brown and Susie Behling. When he was four his mother left him in the care of his father. Two years later his father took him to Augusta, Georgia, where he lived with his paternal great-aunt Hansom (Scott) Washington. His aunt Minnie Walker also helped with his upbringing. James Brown married four times. He wed his first wife, Velma Warren, on June 19, 1953, in Toccoa, in Augusta County, Georgia, and had three children with her: Terry, Teddy (1954–June 14, 1973), and Larry. That marriage ended in divorce in 1969. James Brown next married Deidre Jenkins, with whom he had children Deanna Crisp, Yamma Noyola, Venisha, and Daryl. According to his autobiography, they were married on the front porch of a probate judge in Barnwell on October 22, 1970, and divorced on January 10, 1981. In 1984, James Brown married Adrienne Lois Rodriguez. They separated in April 1994 and had no children. The marriage ended when Adrienne died on January 6, 1996, in California from complications following plastic surgery. In December 2001, James Brown married his fourth wife, Tomi Rae Hynie, at his home on Beech Island, South Carolina. Their son, James Joseph Brown II, was born on June 11, 2001, although James Brown questioned his paternity. Second Generation (Parents) 2. Joseph Gardner Brown, known affectionately as Pops, was born on March 29, 1911, in Barnwell County, South Carolina, and died July 10, 1993, in Augusta, Georgia. According to family history, his father was a married man and his mother worked as a housekeeper in the home. The story says he was born Joe Gardner and took the name Brown from the woman who raised him after his mother left him, Mattie Brown. 3. Susie Behling  was born Aug. 8, 1916, in Colleton County, South Carolina and died Feb. 26, 2004, in Augusta, Georgia. Joe Brown and Susie Behling were married, and their only child was James Brown: 1 i. James Joseph Brown Third Generation (Grandparents): 4.–5. The parents of Joseph Gardner Brown are uncertain, but his siblings (or half-siblings) were the children of Edward (Eddie) Evans and wife, Lilla (surname possibly Williams). Edward and Lilla Evans appear in the 1900 U.S. Census in Barnwell County, South Carolina, and in the 1910 U.S. Census in Buford Bridge, Bamberg County, South Carolina. By 1920 it appears that Edward and Lilla Evans had died, and their children are listed as the children of their aunt and uncle, Melvin and Josephine Scott in Richland, in Barnwell County, South Carolina. This means that either Edward Evans or Lilla Williams is a parent of Joe Brown. 6. Monnie Behling was born about March 1889 in South Carolina and died between 1924 and 1930, probably in South Carolina. His parents were Stephen Behling, born about May 1857, and Sarah, born about December 1862, both in South Carolina. 7. Rebecca Bryant  was born about 1892 in South Carolina. Her parents were Perry Bryant, born about 1859, and Susan, born about 1861 in South Carolina. Monnie Behling and Rebecca Bryant were married and had the following children: i. Docia Behling, born about 1908ii. Arris Behling, born about 1910iii. Jettie Behling, born about 19123. iv. Susie Behlingv. Monroe Behling, born about 1919 in Fish Pond, in Bamberg County, South Carolina, who died May 4, 1925, in Bamberg County, South Carolinavi. Woodrow Behling, born May 24, 1921, in Fish Pond, in Bamberg County, South Carolina, who died May 25, 1921, in Fish Pond, Bamberg County, South Carolinavii. James Earl Behling, born Feb 5, 1924, in Fish Pond, in, Bamberg County, South Carolina, who died July 3, 2005, in Bamberg County, South Carolina

Platform †Its About Making Friends

Platform – Its About Making Friends Who you know and how far you can reach. Thats pretty much the definition of platform. But so many people are writing that the competition is fierce. And theres so much competition for entertainment that books arent everyones first choice. Which means putting a book on Amazon will not sell it. Someone told me their book was in Barnes Noble, and they were excited. I asked if they were in the stores, and they said, no, not that they knew of. But they were online at the website. Sorry, but everyone is there. Jane Friedman, publishing guru and previous editor of Writers Digest and Virginia Quarterly, states that your platform is measured in three ways: Ability to reach new readers Ability to engage existing readers Ability to mobilize super fans At a recent conference, I changed this to read: Ability to reach new friends Ability to engage existing friends Ability to mobilize super best friends When you stop and consider that you are asking people to invest money and loads of time reading your work, it gives you pause. How do you convince these strangers to buy your stuff? But if you consider them friends, the effort has a softer feel to it. But still, how do you find these friends? Create a newsletter that sounds like a letter to a friend. Be constantly available online to anyone interested in you or your work. Establish yourself on at least two social media sites and share yourself. Do not alienate folks. Be genuine. People know about me. I share myself with them. And slowly but surely, people are finding my books. . . because we became friends.

Comma Before But

Comma Before But Comma Before But Comma Before But By Maeve Maddox This reader’s question illustrates the uncertainty felt by many writers about when to use a comma before the conjunction but: In the following sentence, the secondary clause isn’t truly independent; it lacks a subject, yet it conveys an almost-complete thought: â€Å"I left Susan a message last week but haven’t heard back from her yet.† My question is whether a comma precedes but even though a subject doesn’t follow but. Put another way, is the secondary clause’s implied subject, I ¸ sufficient to require a comma before the coordinating conjunction? There is no â€Å"implied† subject in the sentence â€Å"I left Susan a message last week but haven’t heard back from her yet.† The sentence’s stated subject is I. It’s the subject of both verbs, the one before and the one after the but. The answer, therefore, is that no comma is needed before the but. The rule for but is the same as that for the other six coordinating conjunctions: and, for, or, nor, so, and yet. If the conjunction precedes an independent (main) clause, use a comma: â€Å"Jack tried a new diet, but he still gained weight.† If the but is not followed by an independent clause, no comma is needed: â€Å"Jack tried a new diet but still gained weight.† If a writer finds himself hesitating over a sentence like the one in the example, the easiest way to settle the comma question is to supply another subject for the second verb: â€Å"I left Susan a message last week, but I haven’t heard back from her yet.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Dialogue Dos and Don'tsItalicizing Foreign WordsWhat the Heck are "Peeps"?

Battle of the Bands Discussion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Battle of the Bands Discussion - Essay Example Giovanni Gabrieli was the more outstanding in relation to his composition as compared to Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Giovanni Gabrieli was born in Venice in a family of five children. After listening to various tunes from the three composers, he stood out as the most entertaining: To begin with, his focused mostly on composition on a variety of sacred composition as well as sacred instrumental music. His unique style of composition which was Baroque was quickly emulated in other parts of Europe. Listening to one of his Baroque composition entails the use of dynamic and specifically noted instruments. His tunes, for example the sonata pian’ e forte; indicate a higher sense of sonority exploitation giving it a maximum effect as compared to Pierluigi’s tunes. In relation to classical musical composition, Antonio Vilvadi born in 1678 stands out in relation to entertaining tunes and the dynamics of composition as compared Johann Sebastian Bach. To begin with, he is a master of and sacred choral composition. Listening to one of his compositions, â€Å"La Primavera†, various musical dynamics are evident: The first dynamic is ascribed to that fact that this composition sounds innovative. Moreover, this composition also creates a sense of brightness and a unique rhythmic structure hence creating a feeling of harmonic contrast. These features are not evident in Bach’s composition. Romantic musical compositions also attracted large numbers of listeners throughout the world. During the renaissance period, there were two major Romantic musical composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig Van Beethoven. However, Mozart’s romantic musical composition stands out more than Beethoven. Listening to one of his symphonies, Symphony No. 25 in G Minor, a romantic composition, a variety of unique features, which are not evident in Beethoven’s romantic composition are: Existence of clarity of various musical instruments as well

The Yield Curve Kink Decision Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Yield Curve Kink Decision - Case Study Example The past last seven years of operation the company has been outstanding as revealed by its ability to attract new clients in that same period it lost two small pension accounts that is worth $ 10million while gaining a whopping $400 million in new pension business. The investment style is summed up by a pension consultant as 20% pure interest rate anticipation and 80% quantitative strategies based on values. The company anticipates trying to predict whether the interest rate will rise or fall. The periods when the interest rate reaches volatile state are rare, but when it does like in a period between December 1994 and July 1995, then a timing mode was engaged because GBA already expected a fall in interest rates.AT such scenarios a barbell strategy was employed where other bond are retained with the bench mark or entering a period long dated trip bonds. The system created a system of long dated strips and a shorter duration bond that form a barbell. Barbell is an investment strategy mostly employed in fixed type of investment that comprises a combination of short term and long term bonds. The term barbell is used here to reflect the both end loading the system look to be experiencing. Therefore in a nutshell, barbell tries to exploit the best of both end of situation hence it combine the high and the low risk assets to influence for the best outcome. However during the period the interest rate is stable, then their family gets in and creates a management for portfolio’s that ranges for a 1.5 year period and are standard income benchmark which most clients are awarded unless the request differs. Most or all of the GBA invested strategies on computer models and quantitative models which compare the bond selling price to the price as determined by GBA.GBA has its own analysis technique regarded as proprietary model which has parameter’s close to fifty with 20 of it being critical checking points and that help GBA

Properrty Law Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Properrty Law - Case Study Example Arnold, however, paid the mortgage instalments until he died in 2001, leaving all his property to Wendy. Very shortly thereafter, Bill's marriage broke up and he had to leave his matrimonial home. Wendy invited him in writing to move in with her "as you have a share in it anyway". Bill moved in, together with his son, then aged 8. Thereafter Bill paid some of the mortgage instalments. The mortgage loan was paid off by 2006, Bill having paid instalments equal to 25% of the original purchase value. Wendy has now died, by her will leaving all her property in equal shares between her two daughters and one son, all of whom had by then left home. They are now indicating that they would like the house to be sold so that they can share the money between them. Bill and his son, now aged 15, wish, however to remain You are a trainee in the firm of solicitors consulted by Bill. Your principal has asked you to research the relevant law and report to the principal (in 1,000 words) on the legal principles and relevant case and statute law as to (ii) Your principal has also asked you to do a separate piece of research, unconnected to these facts, as she has heard that there have been a number of recent cases concerning the presumptions of advancement. She wants you to give her a summary, in 500 words, of the cases in the last 6 years that have concerned these presumptions. You are a trainee in the firm of solicitors consulted by Bill. Your principal has asked you to research the relevant law and report to the principal (in 1,000 words) on the legal principles and relevant case and statute law as to (a) what are the current legal and beneficial interests in the house (b) on the basis that Bill is not solely entitled, could Wendy's daughters and son (or any of them) force a sale of the house. The principal will then formulate the advice to give to Bill. (ii) Your principal has also asked you to do a separate piece of research, unconnected to these facts, as she has heard that there have been a number of recent cases concerning the presumptions of advancement. She wants you to give her a summary, in 500 words, of the cases in the last 6 years that have concerned these presumptions. Introduction The Parliament of Commonwealth has the power to legislate and standardise real estate practice that under the assumption that bill pass by the two houses. 2. Australian Constitutional system and power Constitution of Australia authorizes the legislative power to the commonwealth and states concurrently and divides it up by specifying a list of subjects on which the Australian Parliament may enact laws, which is known as Section 51 of the Australia Constitution Act (Ron McCallum 2006) . Any subjects who fall outside this list are exclusively available to the state parliament.This pattern of distribution follows the model of the United States Constitution and differs from the plan adopted by Canada by the British North America Act 1867 . It appears that the Federal Parliament is stronger than the State parliament, but only in the narrowly defined field of activity. So whether the real estate

Naomi Klein's Don't Fence Us in Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Naomi Klein's Don't Fence Us in - Essay Example This paper illustrates that in recent times on a worldwide scale, capitalism has been evident in free trade, as carried out by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and in the phenomenon called globalization. Klein’s essay uses the metaphor of the fence to describe the barriers that come up every time capitalist policies are enforced. The fence here can be virtual as to stop or paralyze people from exercising their freedom   The fence can real and visible, as when governments or powerful groups prop up security apparatuses to keep out workers or activists from getting too close in their protests against capitalism. She describes capitalism as the all-source or origin of state policies such as privatization, of World Bank missives to borrower-governments dictating fiscal or budgetary priorities, and to the recent phenomenon of globalization. On the other hand, she also writes that capitalism is dismantling â€Å"necessary fences† such as the one protecting schools from be ing invaded by advertisements, an example of a public space being overtaken by the private sphere. The purpose of the â€Å"Don’t Fence Us In† is to dominate and discredit capitalism for being the all-source of the negative manifestations of privatization, of the continuing debate on free trade and globalization and of even on the issue of what is behind genetically-modified food. Her arguments are too all-embracing as they try to tackle several issues all at once and point to one single cause, capitalism.

The Second Rate Speaker Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Second Rate Speaker - Essay Example The presentation is on the entrepreneurship within the Computers Industry and is a two-part presentation to be delivered by Mr. Bruce. However, part 1 of the presentation did not go well as Mr. Bruce certainly lacked preparation and was unable to impress the audience. Many of the audience were of the opinion that they may not be able to attend the second session provided the quality of the presentations and the jokes shared by the speaker. During the first session, he touched many topics which were not directly related with the topic and kept on sharing things which were directly related with the topic of discussion. It was clearly evident that either there was a clear lack of interest by Mr. Bruce or there was lack of preparation and skills to deliver such kind of informative sessions. There were many occasions where he completely failed to deliver what was required therefore a rapport with audience cannot be developed easily during the session. In order to deal with the situation, there are few options available which may be needed in order to ensure that next session remains productive and informative for the participants. One of the options is to basically disallow Mr. Bruce and hire someone else to deliver rest of the sessions. Secondly, Mr. Bruce can be coached in how to deliver effective presentations which can keep the interests of the audience as well as deliver the required message to the audience. 1. A coaching session may kindly be arranged for Mr. Bruce to provide him effective tools and techniques as to how to develop a presentation and what kind of information is required to be included. Further, through this short coaching session, the overall feedback of the participants should also be provided to Mr. Bruce. In the light of the overall feedback, the coaching session shall be developed. 2. This coaching session will be in-house and delivered by our own Staff based upon the overall criteria defined and outlined by

The Islamic Empire Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

The Islamic Empire - Essay Example The Muslim physicians were very early and keen experimenters too, and they invented many surgical techniques and dietary improvements. Unlike Christian doctors of the period, they believed in active intervention to heal people and had considerably more success than western monks and nuns, who mainly offered basic nursing and religious support. 3 The Christian Crusades started out as pious journeys which individuals made as a way of doing penance for their sins. They were extensions of local pilgrimages to various churches and holy places and people banded together to set off for Jerusalem, which was revered above all places on earth because of its association with Jesus Christ. Over time the need for protection against the hazards of the journey grew more intense, whether from opportunist robbers or from some powerful Islamic figures who resented the Christian presence on their lands. The people who went on the large scale and well-armed pilgrimages were usually noblemen and their en tourage, and they were motivated by greed and a sense of adventure, rather than religion. Kings and churches supported the crusades also for political and economic reasons since they distracted people from troubles at home and offered chances to bring back spoils of war. Inventing a horrible enemy encouraged people to become mercenaries and defend their own culture. In an imitation of Islamic ideas, the concept of a â€Å"Holy War† was used to drum up support but in fact, a lot of this was just propaganda with no real basis in fact.

The Second Rate Speaker Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Second Rate Speaker - Essay Example The presentation is on the entrepreneurship within the Computers Industry and is a two-part presentation to be delivered by Mr. Bruce. However, part 1 of the presentation did not go well as Mr. Bruce certainly lacked preparation and was unable to impress the audience. Many of the audience were of the opinion that they may not be able to attend the second session provided the quality of the presentations and the jokes shared by the speaker. During the first session, he touched many topics which were not directly related with the topic and kept on sharing things which were directly related with the topic of discussion. It was clearly evident that either there was a clear lack of interest by Mr. Bruce or there was lack of preparation and skills to deliver such kind of informative sessions. There were many occasions where he completely failed to deliver what was required therefore a rapport with audience cannot be developed easily during the session. In order to deal with the situation, there are few options available which may be needed in order to ensure that next session remains productive and informative for the participants. One of the options is to basically disallow Mr. Bruce and hire someone else to deliver rest of the sessions. Secondly, Mr. Bruce can be coached in how to deliver effective presentations which can keep the interests of the audience as well as deliver the required message to the audience. 1. A coaching session may kindly be arranged for Mr. Bruce to provide him effective tools and techniques as to how to develop a presentation and what kind of information is required to be included. Further, through this short coaching session, the overall feedback of the participants should also be provided to Mr. Bruce. In the light of the overall feedback, the coaching session shall be developed. 2. This coaching session will be in-house and delivered by our own Staff based upon the overall criteria defined and outlined by

A Significant Problem of the Airline Industry and the Profitability of Research Paper

A Significant Problem of the Airline Industry and the Profitability of the Company - Research Paper Example The Rivalry is a major factor that influences the operation of a business in the industry. At present, there are 10 best budget airlines operating in Asia that has been rated by Smart Asia Travel, an online travel magazine (rediff.com, 2008) as Asia’s top 10 budget airlines. On the basis of cheap tickets, reliable schedules, decent service, route network and access, Air Asia has been rated number one by this travel magazine. Other budget airlines that follow are Jetstar Asia, Nok Air, Tiger Airways, Cebu Pacific, Virgin Blue, Air Deccan, Spice Jet, Viva Macau and Hongkong Express. Rivalry among the budget airlines is considered intense because of its big number that competes for the same number of customers and market shares. Thus, there is a continuing race for leadership in budget airlines. Others reasons that intensify rivalry among budget airlines are the high fixed costs that require airlines to implement strategies to attract passengers and fill the airlines into the ful l capacity to attain the lowest cost per unit. High fixed cost is required in operating an airline, thus Air Asia needs to sell to a large number of passengers in order to attain profitability. This situation leads to the increased rivalry. Because of these high fixed costs, a firm finds it hard to make an exit in the industry. Take, for example, the situation of Air Asia that incurred huge losses before 2001 when it was owned by the government. The takeover of Tony Fernandez, a private investor revived the business and steered it to profitability.

Effects of Culture Shock on Communication

Effects of Culture Shock on Communication Table of Contents (Jump to) Introduction Summary and critical evaluation Theoretical models of culture shock and adaptation in international students in higher education An Integrated Process Model of Stereotype Threat Effects on Performance Scientific Model of Culture Shock and Intercultural Communication References Introduction For the purpose of the study, three peer-reviewed editorials have been considered from applicable scholastic journals written in the precedent five years. The content summarizes the each of the articles along with the critical impending based on the past experiences and educational training. Summary and critical evaluation Theoretical models of culture shock and adaptation in international students in higher education The editorials indicate the solitary disputes linked among conditional disgrace and the reserves desirable for performance for various diverse chores. If physiological pressure does not lessen operational remembrance instantly, at that time the augmented worry to individuals performance, or repressing unenthusiastic sensations. The predicament envisaged by individuals who are in a social context dishonored is principally insidious for the reason that it is probable to be envisaged by lots of others at some point too (Zhou, Jindal-Snape, Topping, Todman, 2008). A learner at diverse universities discovers the culture dissimilar from their personal, and should struggle with novel communal and manners, in addition to tackling with the troubles of alteration is widespread to learners. This is confused adequate if the learner is conscious of the distinctions sound in proceed, but smooth additional hard to those who are uninformed and presumes that the innovative culture functions as their domicile nation. The combined consequence of such unusual situations on enlightening explorers is normally expressed as ‘civilization shock’. There are further than a million learners and researchers learning in establishments of superior tutoring overseas (Amodio, Kubota, Harmon-Jones and Devine, 2006). The superiority of the, social learning and emotional skills of this collection is the majority significant, at any rate in encouraging international inter-enlightening thoughtful. There are lots of journalism has been anxious with learners’ adjustment dilemmas. Scholar so visitors are the best-investigated cluster of traverse-culture. Diverse studies have discovered communal and alliance arrangements, family members, communal expertise and cluster awareness’s. This piece of writing assesses the development of theories. The edition of learners in senior education is a distribution of the ‘civilization shock’ carried out by an extensive choice of civilizing explorer. Premature forms of ‘civilization shock’ were founded on medical viewpoints and paid attention on psychological wellbeing, including both pre-organizing issues and consequence of resettlement. The later forms were founded on broader enlightening, communal, and emotional theories which observed the explorer as an energetic mediator regardless of sufferer of pathology. Essential variables and interactive developments within ‘civilization learning’ social classification ‘and ‘anxiety and coping’’ features were distinguished from countless research studies. These dealt with the conducts and cognitive (facets of adjustment). They proposed a supplementary multifaceted but additional fit and influential sculpt, and propose d diverse accomplishment that was distributable on a large extent. Intercessions grown via this model were seen as being valuable. This editorial has employed the culture synergy representation to focus on the adjustment of global learners in higher schooling. Our focal point is on the equivalent/disparity of enlightening anticipations has the advantage of escorting not merely to the research impending, but in addition to insinuations for the pre- and post-egress preparation of both teachers and students that may guide to more adaptations by each. The many variables distinguished and propose conduits for assisting numerous students and their educators to recover the excellence of their general outcome. It chases the establishment-wise strategies for sustaining consciousness-raising, and showing diverse learners and their educators ought to be totally, effortlessly accessible and really employed. These concern the identical for all foundation cultures and each and every host custom. The study has focused particularly at Chinese scholars going to the UK. It appears probable that the practices of learners from diverse cultures with diverse destinations could vary. On the other hand, there is a little testimony (e.g. Redmond and Bunyi 1993) that Asian students breaking in the UK and USA face utmost divergences in cultural beliefs. For this grounds they might outline a constructive ‘intense case’ for explore diverse principles concerning scholar sojourners in common (Applehans and Luecken, 2006). An Integrated Process Model of Stereotype Threat Effects on Performance The majority of Research demonstrates that unenthusiastic typecasts can hurt the performance of human beings. A whole perceptive of the key procedures these typecast hazard which causes on performance is still missing (Schmader, Johns Forbes, 2008). The writers learn typecast risk in the circumstance of research on, self regulation, pressure, watchfulness and operational remembrance extend a development model of the way unenthusiastic stereotypes damage performance on cognitive and societal missions that necessitate managed dispensation, in addition to sensor motor missions that necessitate involuntary indulgence. The writers dispute that stereotype risk dislocates performance by means of 3 dissimilar, conversely interconnected, devices: (a) A physiological strain response that unswervingly harms pre-frontal indulgence, (b) An inclination to aggressively observe performance, and (c) Attempts to hold down unenthusiastic contemplations in the revamp of self instruction. These instruments approach mutually to put away decision-making sources desirable to carry out fine on diverse chores. The vigorous scrutinizing equipment interrupts arrangement on sensor-motor chores. The 21st century conveys with it rising assortment in, disciplines and association making it essential to appreciate how the salience of standing influences accomplishment. They have configured a mold of stereotype risk that comprises cognitive, emotional, physiological procedures to illume ultimo concluded by these diverse conduits. As portrayed, this form has the potential to clarify a diversity of experiences varying from minorities and females who have executed not as much in convinced educational grounds. Inter-cultural interfaces are over and over again qualified as scratchy. Even though someone can be acquainted with how the procedures summarized in the form on the other hand it is largely for those who contend with unenthusiastic stereotypes regarding their force. Scientific Model of Culture Shock and Intercultural Communication The motive of this piece of writing has been to discharge the kind of we view as a relatively functional suggestion for indulgent characteristics of relocation of scholars to overseas nations and disclose its technical consequences there are additional extensively recognized theories in this editorial we have disputed in advancing psychology. We know, this is actually probable (Abe, Talbot Geelhoed, 1998). Culture distress is a well-designed conception, however it is not impressive you ‘get over’ by your possess employments. It is a comprehensible procedure, reassuring with their technical information. In the increasing era of Intercultural Communication, academics must comprehend the significance of genetics in the manner sojourners contradict with inhabitants and the way they respond to latest surroundings (Ambady and Gray, 2002). Or else, the entire obedience may turn out to be an additional unempirical development that will take scholars remote from the accuracy. To keep away from this, we have to endorse a debate amid intercultural announcement and discipline. The editorial inspects the ‘civilization shock’ form by the way of systematic theories of behaviour. It will dispute that at the same time as culture shock is construct on equally civilizing determinist in addition to civilizing relativist support, it is principally empirically accurate. Conversely, it needs to be delivered reassuring Culture shock is in addition established to be in conformity with technical performance research. My individual understanding discovers that English verbal communication is one of the principal barricades for global learners in Australia. The speech barriers debarred Asian scholars from communicating with professors and other scholars. It is not easy for worldwide students in Australia building verbal presentations, captivating tests, articulating themselves in English. References Abe, J., D.M. Talbot, and R.J. Geelhoed. (1998). Effects of a peer program on international student adjustment. Journal of College Student Development 39: 539–47.  www.researchgate.net/publication//3deec528ba8c1ab3a1.pdf Ambady N, Gray HM. (2002). On being sad and mistaken: Mood effects on the accuracy of thin-slice judgments. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology ;83:947–961. [PubMed: 12374446] Amodio DM, Kubota JT, Harmon-Jones E, Devine PG. (2006). Alternative mechanisms for regulating racial responses according to internal vs. external cues. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience;1:26–36. Applehans BM Luecken LJ. (2006). Attentional processes, anxiety, and the regulation of cortisol reactivity. Anxiety, Stress Coping: An International Journal ;19:81–92. Schmader, T., Johns, M., Forbes, C. (2008). An integrated process model of stereotype threat effects on performance. Psychological review, 115(2), 336.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC2570773pdf=render Zhou, Y., Jindal-Snape, D., Topping, K., Todman, J. (2008). Theoretical models of culture shock and adaptation in international students in higher education. Studies in Higher Education, 33(1), 63-75  http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/03075070701794833

The Womens Room Experience Essay -- Personal Narrative Essays

I slid down off of my barstool and picked my way across the room. Luckily, the women’s restroom wasn’t too far because it was a crowded night at the bar. I opened the large wooden door and was surprised to see that even though there appeared to be another girl waiting, one of the two stalls empty. Before I even had a chance to let my eyes adjust to the lighting change, the other girl said, in that just-a-little-too-loud drunken voice, â€Å"There’s no toilet paper in that one!† I hadn’t yet made any attempt to enter the stall and she was making sure I didn’t. She then took it upon her self to make sure that we acquired some of the precious paper as soon as humanly possible. She did this by leaning in towards the door of the other stall (which was occupied) and demanding, in the same slightly-too-loud voice, â€Å"Help us out and give us some toilet paper, will ya?† There was no answer from the other side of the stall door so she continued to make her demands. The girl on the outside of the stall gave more warnings to others that stumbled into this semi-chaotic restroom. Still no response from inside the stall. I was half tempted to launch into the Seinfeld â€Å"Spare a Square† tirade (in which Elaine gets into a fight with a woman in a neighboring stall who refuses to pass her some toilet paper), since it seemed fitting in such a situation. But I held off, doubting that either girl would understand the joke. Fortunately, I didn’t have to ponder what to do for too much longer because, just then, the door to the occupied stall swung open and a strikingly tall, slim girl stepped out, still zipping her pants. â€Å"There, have as much as you like!† she said, as a form of greeting, in the same intoxicated voice. She was... ...ng co-eds in the bathrooms of fraternity houses (technically not â€Å"ladies rooms,† they are usually populated with a female majority during large parties) and discussed everything from hairstyles to events on the nightly news with women while waiting in line use a bar bathroom. One would think that somewhere where such a â€Å"private† act takes place would not be considered so freeing. However, Good Housekeeping was right on the mark in its comment on the importance of the ladies room. The ladies room is a place where traditional social norms loose their importance and, as strange as it may seem, new honesty emerges. Now, I don’t have first hand knowledge of the typical men’s room experience, but I have been told it is far from similar to its female counterpart. It’s too bad really, imagine what sort of peace agreements could be made if they were held in the loo.

Religious Syncretism and its Consequences in Mayan Society Essay

Religious Syncretism and its Consequences in Mayan Society When Spaniards first set foot on Mesoamerican shores in the early sixteenth century, they encountered not the godless mass of natives they believed they found, but a people whose rich spiritual traditions shaped and sustained them for thousands of years. These diverse spiritual practices legitimized nearly every aspect of Mesoamerican daily life, from science and architecture to art and politics (Carmack 295), in many of the same ways Catholicism did in Spain. The collision of these cultures in the Great Encounter and the resulting Spanish colonial state mixed not solely two different peoples—Indian and Spanish—but thousands of variants: elites and slaves, peasant farmers and traders, priests and traders, organized and local spiritual customs, all with different degrees of diversity in their respective religious practices. This diversity set the stage for the syncretic religious traditions that emerged in Mayan society and remain a vital part of that culture today. Syncretic refers to the "nature of ideas, deities, and practices that derive from historically distinct traditions that become reinterpreted and transformed in situations of a cultural encounter" (Carmack 303). The cultural encounter between Mesoamericans and the Catholic Church was a natural result of mutual needs. The Indians needed protection from the cruelties inflicted by Spanish colonists, and the Church in many ways fought for their basic human rights; the Church needed land and support for their missions, and the Indians provided provisions and labor in much the same fashion as they had been giving tribute to ruling elites for thousands of years (Fash). This arrangement gave missionaries access not only to the Indians’ bodies—in the form of sweat and labor—but also their hearts and souls. The introduction of Christianity to native Mesoamericans, however, expressed itself in ways unexpected to the Catholic missionaries. For example, the concept of Jesus Christ—both in colonial Mesoamerica and today in thousands of Indian communities—became one of the several manifestations of the sun god (Carmack 304). The Virgin of Guadalupe, today the patron saint of Mexico, was and is embraced by Indians who interpreted her and the myth surrounding her 1531 appearance to Juan Diego in traditional spiritual custom: she is depicted as a d... ...storical documents such as Altar Q at Copà ¡n and the codexes. Other religious practices that resulted from the blending of ancient Mesoamerican and Catholic cultures in the diversity of colonial life include: the construction of churches and cathedrals on or near ancient temple sites; the ritual use of a fermented drink in spiritual practices (pulque and wine); public worship; incense; bundle cults; and many other "little traditions" (Carmack 304). Myriad syncretic spiritual forms evolved during the era of colonial Mesoamerica, expressing both public devotional practices and private household rituals that many times were veiled from Church scrutiny (Carmack 308). These rituals, born in indigenous culture and adapted to the drastically changed socio-economic and political landscape of colonial life, represent some of the few remaining links to the region’s spiritual and historical past. Bibliography: Carlsen, Robert. The War for the Heart & Soul of a Highland Maya Town. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1997. Carmack, Robert, Janine Grasco, and Gary Gossen. The Legacy of Mesoamerica: History and Culture of a Native American Civilization. New York: Prentice Hall, 1996.

Show on a Diagram How a Monopoly Firm Will Make Supernormal Profits by Restricting Ouput

Show on a diagram how a monopoly firm will make supernormal profits by restricting output. Discuss how the theory of contestable markets could impact on the price and output of a monopoly. Neo-classical theory defines monopoly as a market structure where one dominant firm supplies most or all output in the industry without facing competition because of high barriers to entry to the industry. The monopolist is a short run profit maximiser and due to the demand under a monopoly being moderately inelastic at any given price, the monopolist is said to be a price maker, unlike perfect competition where the firms are price takers. The diagram below shows the monopoly making supernormal profits by restricting output. The equilibrium profit maximising level of output is 0A where MC = MR, and price will be 0p. Supernormal profits are made, shown by the area on the diagram shaded red. If profit maximisation was not an objective for a monopoly, it might produce at the bottom of its average costs curve (AC). Thus, price being lower than P and quantity produced would be greater. However, because a monopoly is partly defined by wanting to profit maximise in the short run, this is not the case. C AC Price Quantity mR p A Demand 0 Under perfect competition, supernormal profits can only be made in the short run, due to low barriers to entry. The monopolist can earn supernormal profit in the short and long run due to not having to produce at the bottom of the AC curve and having high barriers to entry. These barriers to entry, preventing other potential new entrance from coming in and competing with the monopoly can take various forms. Perhaps the monopoly has control over the source of an essential raw material. Perhaps the monopoly has extremely strong brand loyalty and takes great care to protect its brand image and the loyalty of its consumers through extensive marketing. It has been shown that neo-classical theory suggests that high barriers to entry will earn supernormal profits for a monopoly. Contestable market theory, in which states that there is freedom of entry to the industry and where costs of exit are low, suggests that a monopoly will earn supernormal profits dependent to a large extent on the costs of exit from the industry. If the costs of exit from the industry are low, then the monopoly arguably won’t make supernormal profits in the long run. If a monopoly in the short run is charging high prices and earning supernormal profit, a competitor will enter the industry and take some market share from the monopolist by charging a lower price. The monopolist will react by reducing prices, forcing the new competitor out of the industry. This happens because the competitor cannot compete with the new lower prices set by the monopolist due to its costs being too high. Thus, if the costs of exit from the industry are low, it is worth the competitor entering the market and having earned supernormal profits in the short run. Though, once the competitor has left the industry and the monopolist raises its price again wanting to earn supernormal profits, another competitor will enter the industry reducing the monopolists overall profits and taking market share away from it. Clearly the only way to avoid potential competitors from adopting ‘hit and run’ tactics would be for the monopolist to price at a level where it only earned normal profits. In the long run the monopolist will increase output and decrease price, operating at the optimal level of output where MC = AC. Thus in conclusion it has been shown that a monopoly will make supernormal profits by restricting output. The monopoly chooses the output level to produce at, and wanting to profit maximise, it produces at the point where marginal costs equals marginal revenue. In contestable market theory, the established firm, the monopoly, must behave as if it operates in a perfectly competitive market to prevent ‘hit and run’ tactics by potential competitors, producing where MC = AC.

Los Angeles Riots – Speculating About Causes

May 14, 2012 Born of Neglect – The Los Angeles Riots â€Å"It was the city that failed†¦It was police management, past and present, that has failed. This has to be taken into account to reflect a just and fair sentence†¦There simply has to be some allowance for the official negligence of the city which allowed this to take place and which will take place again† (qtd. in Cannon 3) On April 29, 1992, the day the verdict in the Rodney King trial was read, I was seventeen years old. Standing in the living room, I watched the news with my parents as they waited for the verdict.When the four â€Å"not guilty† verdicts were announced, I asked my parents why the police were found not guilty if they were caught on tape, that didn’t seem fair. My mom answered, â€Å"No one ever said life is fair. † This was news to me; however the people of Los Angeles had learned this lesson the hard way. The people of L. A. and the justice system have had a long a nd rocky relationship. There have been three major riots in L. A. since 1942, and coincidentally or not, each has a direct correlation with racial bias of the judicial system.While there is good cause to question whether mob mentality took over and created the riots themselves, the circumstances that created the perfect atmosphere for violence cannot be discounted. The Zoot Suit Riots of 1942 involved the predominately Mexican youth of central L. A. and the predominately white servicemen that had been stationed there. Tension between the two had been building, partly due to the servicemen’s rowdy behavior and perceived disrespect to the Mexican community, and partly due to the Mexican youth’s territorialism and pride.Due to the current wartime state of the country however, the media and most citizens gave favor to the servicemen, and portrayed the Mexican Zoot Suitors as gangsters and troublemakers. When Jose Diaz was discovered murdered, the media and police were quic k to label it a gang killing. The subsequent arrests and trial were such a charade of justice that all of the convictions were later overturned. However, the resentment the Mexican youth had for being treated so unfairly simmered, and created the tinderbox that ignited the Zoot Suit Riots. In 1965 the L. A. P. D. ulled over Marquette Frye, a young black man suspected of drunk driving. Frye was new to L. A. , and did not realize the seriousness of the police in L. A. He attempted to joke with the officers, and being close to his home, Frye’s mother arrived on the scene and began to scold Frye for getting into trouble. At this time a crowd had begun to form, and look on as the police used their batons to subdue Frye, his mother, and his cousin with excessive force. The crowd began throwing things at the police, and the rumblings of what became the worst riot in Los Angeles’s history began.Unlike the previous riots, The Los Angeles Riot of 1992 started abruptly. Still, th ere was a general distrust between the L. A. P. D and the people of Los Angeles, and many complaints of police brutality were ignored. In March of 1991 a fifteen year old girl named Latasha Harlins walked into a Korean-owned store to buy some juice. She had her money in her hand, but put the juice into her backpack before she paid. The store owner, Soon Ja Du, perceived Latasha to be stealing, and grabbed her arm. Latasha struck Soon Ja Du and knocked her down.She threw the juice on the counter, and turned to leave the store. Soon Ja Du pulled out a gun and shot Latasha in the back of the head as she was leaving, and instantly killed her. The community went into an uproar, and racial tension was stronger than ever. Soon Ja Du went to trial and was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, and her recommended sentence was sixteen years. When she went before the judge for sentencing however, the judge assigned her five years probation, 400 hours community service, and a $500 fine.During th is same time period, a black man named Rodney King was pulled over after leading the police on a high speed chase, and brutally beaten by five white police officers. The police were unknowingly being videotaped, and the tape was released to the public. The trial of the officers involved was followed by the entire country, and the conviction of the officers seemed a sure thing. When a white jury returned four â€Å"not guilty† verdicts to an already tense city, it had the effect of setting a match to a fuse. The verdicts were announced at 3:15pm; 45 minutes later a flash mob formed at the intersection of Florence and Normandie.The group of people, angry and betrayed, began throwing bricks, shouting, and breaking windows. When the police arrived, they did not call for back-up to control the situation immediately, and instead retreated. The police formed barricades around the city, effectively protecting the upscale neighborhoods surrounding the city, as well as trapping anyone who might have wanted to escape. Around this time the line between righteous anger and mob mentality may have become blurred. In the full scale riot that ensued, building were looted and burned down, pedestrians were brutalized, and some were killed.One of the most remembered events of the riots was the live broadcast of Reginald Denny being dragged from the cab of his truck, knocked down, and being beaten with a fire extinguisher, hammer, and brick. In retrospect many people considered this a hate crime, because Denny was white. However, some people consider this merely a crime of opportunity, with Denny simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Duncan, Hugh Dalziel. Introduction. Permanence and Change: An Anatomy of Purpose. By Kenneth Burke. 1935. 3rd ed. Berkeley: U of California P, 1984. xiii-xliv. Print.

Bad Habits of Trusting Online Essay

One thing that I have learned as a young adult is that trusting is not always the best thing to do and in fact it could turn out to be the worst thing you ever did. Now working in the fast-food business every day, I learned that trust is more than just believing that someone else knows what they are talking about; trust is also about knowing what you’re getting whether that means a soft drink that is full to the top instead of half way, for a rude customer; or knowing that behind another computer screen there might not always be a good guy trying to help you get your money into your bank account. Instead their goal is to take your money and never be traced again. Trusting the internet with bank information, social security numbers, and personal information is the perfect antidote for online identity theft. This fraud is causing banks’ bad reputations, financial losses to thousands of Americans in the United States and will have a huge impact on E-commerce (activities th at relate to the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet). In 2007, a study from Cyveillance, a company involved in cyber intelligence, showed that within the same two months, 1 million social security cards were thought to be stolen off of the internet; and in that same year online phishing which can be defined as the practice of using fraudulent e-mails and copies of legitimate websites to extract financial data from computer users for purposes of identity theft; had grown by fifty percent (Britt).Trusting the internet with social security numbers is one of the worse things to do, because it allows hackers more abilities and more information. So this means while you sit, frantic about how you trusted online sites, the bad guy on the other screen profits from their access to your credit cards, bank accounts and your identifying information. The worst part about it all is that after the fraud it is unlikely that the person who caused you so many problems would ever be caught or punished for their harm to you. Online identity theft allows cri minals to do crimes or things in your name, or even change bank account information. For some people like Amy Browne, a Yahoo Contributor and a mother, she was a victim of identity theft. Amy experienced a harsh battle for her identity, on Oct 19, 2011 Amy did not only lose a lot financially when her rent card was short hundreds of dollars, she also lost her son’s trust and love when she accused him of  stealing the rent money each time. What I understood from Browne and her experience with online identity theft was that it can be very confusing, scary, and hurtful. The real problem with identity theft is that it cannot be taken back, so for Browne and her family they suffered. The solution to making online phishing decrease from fifty percent is to rely less on online interactions, because when an actual banker is in front of you he or she does not ask you for your social security number. Instead they let you type it into a pin pad, never having a chance for identity theft to occur. For banks such as Wells Fargo and Bank of America, protection from identity theft have become extremely important to their companies, which is why they have incorporated tools and alerts, like password changes to help their customers be safer from online identity theft. With the frauds becoming more sophisticated, banks need to find better ways of identifying the crimes. For banks that do not want bad reputation, this means hiring more staff, or investing in technologies that help identify the acts of bank fraud .As Americans we are a bit greedy, and scared to lose what we have worked hard for. Some people spend years working a family business simply because of traditions dear to relatives that started family legacies. We all know that leaving our money at home in a safe is predictable, and that leaving it under our beds could be dangerous in case of a fire or flood. So we trust our banks. What we have found out through Daniel T. Woolley in his journal, â€Å"Journal of retail banking services, was that loses attributed to computer fraud, theft, and vandalism across all industry segments are currently estimated at $10 billion – and rising steadily. (Woolley.) Now hearing scary things like this make it hard to believe that the banks might not be much safer than online fraud, but it is safer, because banks are coming up with solutions to help their customers be completely safe from identity fraud. The solution is that trusting the banks may not be the best thing to some people because there are still occasions of identity theft within bank accounts, but what has to be recognized by consumers and customers is the amount of effort and time the bankers are taking to try and keep customers safe. In reality the banks will do whatever is needed to satisfy their customers, they need customers just as much as customers need them. Numbers of fraud within banks has fallen due to the regulations from the bankers. Teddy de Rivera, EVP of the Internet services group at Wells Fargo reports  Ã¢â‚¬Å"We know that because of all the tools we have in our layered security approach, as well as through relationships we’ve built with other banks, the actual losses we’re seeing — and we guarantee all online banking fraud losses — has actually dropped year over year† (Crosman). De Rivera does not prove his facts but the number of losses he suffered from at the bank were very little. De Rivera says that relationships with other banks and security have been the key to helping the numbers lessen. Being aware and educated about banking is the key to finding the best way to keep your money safe and accessible. Overall banks are more reliable than the internet because banks are constantly being looked at by bankers to help their customers with identity safety. In America today there are nearly eighty seven percent of people who shop online. E—commerce -activities that relate to the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet –has had negative effects due to the amount of fraud and identity theft with online transactions. What this means is that online businesses like Amazon, and EBay are suffering from business loss. The amounts of threats are scaring their customers away. As Americans the enjoyable things are cheap and quick to have. Although everyone doesn’t look at price ranges most people would go for the lowest price they could weather they are rich or poor. For example Toms shoes were founded in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie, who came up with a very inspirational theory to help children in need. With every pair of Toms that is sold another pair is given to a child in need. Not only does it feel good as a customer to know that you are hip and in style it also feels rewarding to know that you are helping others. Since the big boom from the Toms shoes Mycoskie has been able to donate ten million pairs of shoes to children in need. At the start Toms were fifty dollars a pair, now they can be found in places such as Nordstrom’s and EBay for way cheaper. As customers we want the best deals and online shopping does its best to help customers find those deals. Nordstrom’s sells Toms f or thirty seven dollars whereas EBay sells them for twenty five dollars. There are several benefits for online shopping customers, they are able to buy anything at any time, it is convenient, lots of discounts, and has a large variety. There are also disadvantages to online shopping as well, shipping costs, must wait for shipment, cannot inspect purchase physically, cannot use cash to pay, and not all sites are trustable, fraud number are increasing with online  purchases. On most sites like EBay and Amazon customers are able to leave feedback on their products which helps other customers to know the good and the bad in products, well when EBay made the decision to cut out their buyers reference with the hopes of better customer experience; customers argue the act will cause more fraud. â€Å"EBay said the changes to the feedback system will improve accuracy and accountability. Critics argue that the move could increase buyer fraud. Opponents have left thousands of comments complaining about the elimination of negative buyer references (eBay’s). One of the hardest things about online shopping is the trust, not know if you will get the actual item you are shopping for. About a year ago my mother was on the hunt by my side for Toms that were red; we looked in stores but could not find them, so we relied on the internet. After she put in her card number and her personal information we knew the transaction was complete. I remember waiting weeks and watching my shipment tracker as the days counted down for the delivery day, but when I got my shipment of red toms we were shocked to find that inside the random box not even Toms symbolized there laid a one dollar gold coin. My mother was not able to get her money back or a replacement for the wrong product which shoes how un-predictable online shopping can be. In some cases convenience is necessary but how helpful is it to shop online and get the wrong product, and end up having to wait or except a loss as my mother did. Fraud has become a very big issue in society today. The more willing and vulnerable a person is the more likely their chance is to be a victim of identity theft and fraud. Currently we live in a place that moves forty miles per hour daily, individuals now a days don’t just work one job and go home to their families, but instead a second or third job. Money has always had negative and positive effects on people’s lives whet her it helps build or makes loss, money doesn’t change. Just like money doesn’t change so doesn’t the people the Americans who steal, harm, and rob others via online fraud. Trusting someone else with your money that you work hard for can be hard whether you spend it online or in person, but the positive to buying all items in person is a valid recipe for returns, a trained worker to help with social security issues rather than an operator, and the fact that all in person interactions are going to be more recognizable than transactions online. As Americans we put our trust in a lot of people, fast-food workers, doctors, and bankers with that being  said we hope for the best outcomes and sometimes can be surprised at the carelessness, and disrespect of some of the people we trust the most. With online Identity theft growing so quickly and the knowing of the subject, as individuals we have to be more knowledgeable towards things in order to escape completely from fraud online. With each transaction online there is an unknown that could be a person, scenario, or problem. Americans have to recognize the damages of trusting the internet with bank information, social security numbers, and personal information because online identity theft is real. Don’t share personal information with the web. Citations: Britt, Phil. â€Å"Keeping up with fraudsters: to fight fraud, banks must gather information about current schemes and educate consumers.† Bank Systems + Technology Aug. 2005: 31+. Academic OneFile. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. Trusting the internet with social security numbers is one of the worse things to do, because it allows hackers more abilities and more information. So this means while you sit, frantic about how you trusted online sites, the bad guy on the other screen profits from their access to your credit cards, bank accounts and your identifying information. The worst part about it all is that after the fraud it is unlikely that the person who caused you so many problems would ever be caught or punished for their harm to you. Online identity theft allows criminals to do crimes or things in your name, or even change bank account information. Crosman, Penny. â€Å"Standing Guard.† Bank Systems + Technology 1 May 2010: 12. Academic OneFile. Web. 11 Mar. 2014. De Rivera does not prove his facts but the number of losses he suffered from at the bank were very little. De Rivera says that relationships with other banks and security have been the key to helping the numbers lessen. Being aware and educated about banking is the key to finding the best way to keep your money safe and accessible. Overall banks are more reliable than the internet because banks are constantly being looked at by bankers to help their customers with identity safety. â€Å"eBay’s Plan To Eliminate Negative Buyer Comments Draws Fire; eBay says  sellers will no longer be able to leave negative or neutral feedback about buyers.† InformationWeek 7 Feb. 2008. Academic OneFile. Web. 12 Mar. 2014. EBay will do away with negative buyer references, along with a host of other changes it says are aimed at improving customer experience. What EBay has to recognize is that by shutting their customers out and giving them no voice to be able to say how they felt about products is giving customers more reason to assume that EBay cannot be trusted. Woolley, Daniel T. â€Å"Electronic robbery: how to prevent huge losses in nanoseconds.† Journal of Retail Banking Services Summer 1998: 49+. Academic OneFile. Web. 12 Mar. 2014. Its hard to believe that the banks might not be much safer than online fraud, but it is safer, because banks are coming up with solutions to help their customers be completely safe from identity fraud. The solution is that trusting the banks may not be the best thing to some people because there are still occasions of identity theft within bank accounts, but what has to be recognized by consumers and customers is the amount of effort and time the bankers are taking to try and keep customers safe.