Some suggest that politics has become a minor form of show business Essay

Some suggest that politics has become a minor form of show business. Do you agree with this Consider the media-ization of politics in your answer - Essay Example The leader of present times is one who is in the eyes and minds of the commoners, no matter he does some good for the society or otherwise. (Schapiro, 1950) What people want from the politics of today is sensation, however deep down inside they want true democracy for their own betterment but then again everyone loves to gossip and politics is the favorite amongst the lot. (Arthur, 2005) The role of media-ization within the political realm is something that must be judged in the proper light to start with. The citizens of the state must be apprised of their due role within the country and then they must also be told about the different aspects related with the spreading of message through the right channels. Politics must make citizens stand up and act. They should take notice of what is happening around them and what the different regimes and movements are doing for their own betterment. This means that awareness and a sense of knowing needs to be the buzzword when we explore the true meaning of politics and media the same gives the whole discussion a real boost in the related scheme of things. Political media-ization aims to look at the positive sides of delivering quality to the end consumers, for whom the politics is being done. The society is the eventual recipient hence it is the duty of the society to find out what is happening around it. (Newhagen, 1999) The people are a part of this society and they are rightly the winners and/or losers at the end of the day. They must be made aware of the happenings around them when it comes to true political movements, activities, situations and the like. The usage of banners, websites, rallies, advertorials, email and text messages, web portals, newspapers, magazines and even television and radio suggest that political media-ization could be a real happening thing in the times much like today. (Kelley, 1973) What also is suggested

Advantages and Disadvantages of Various Communication Methods Research Paper

Advantages and Disadvantages of Various Communication Methods - Research Paper Example In a meeting, the manager or the supervisor gets the opportunity to communicate with the employees who also have the chance to discuss the issue. However, meetings are time consuming since they take much time as the ideas contributed are analyzed and a specific one settled upon. This provides one of the best ways of reducing company expenses through reduced travel expenses (Gilmore, 2012). However, this method may be challenging for the company at first because it takes significant resources to set up. If an employee is repetitively behaving in a way that is against the organization’s culture, then as the manager, I would use face to face communication since immediate reply from the specific employee is essential. In addition, as the manager, I would have to show the employee that the continuous irresponsibility would not be tolerated in the organization. Therefore, it would make a greater impact if I would address them directly. If I want to ensure that the employees are well aware of an existing company event, it would be effective if I would pass this information during the meetings. This is because all employees attend these meetings. In addition, this eliminates the expenses that would be incurred if other methods such as telephone were used. If one of my clients were considering signing up with a competitor, I would telephone call to deal with the case. This is because such issues are critical because they could expose the company’s competitive advantage compromising its ability to remain competitive in the market. Therefore, I would call the customer and request for a reason behind the change of mind so that I could help in improving the company and possibly retain the client. On the other hand, if I had several bids on a piece of equipment and needed a management decision on its purchase, I would result to using video conferencing to deal with the current case.

Inter Generational Theory Of Abuse Psychology Essay

Inter Generational Theory Of Abuse Psychology Essay The inter-generational theory of abuse is a widely accepted notion by professionals and lay people alike. This theory suggests that children exposed to physical, emotional or sexual abuse will subject their offspring to a one of these forms of maltreatment. However, the evidence that undermines this theory is too large to ignore. The evidence that supports this hypothesis refers to abused children becoming juvenile delinquents and the identification of the child with the abuser. Methodological problems, generalizability issues and low validity of the experiments conducted undermined the plausibility and truth in the hypothesis. Another strong factor is the protective factors and predisposition of abused children, who break the cycle of abuse which is more common than thought. In this essay I will discuss the evidence both for and against the hypothesis. Kaufman and Zigler (1987) found that the papers written on studies of inter-generational abuse assert validity without proper evidence because their primary sources of information are unreliable. These studies rely largely on case studies, agency records, clinical interviews, self-report questionnaires. An example of case studies was those mostly done with parents whose children were in hospital for non-accidental injuries (Kaufman Zigler, 1987). Most of these parents reported histories of abuse, but because there were methodological problems (such as limited control measures) the generalizability of the findings is not possible. Agency records also had many of the same limitations. The representative samples, comparison subjects and formal definitions of abuse differed. The omissions in agency records were rarely recorded. Clinical interviews are valuable for generating hypotheses about inter-generational theory but they lacked comparison groups and definitions were far from legal criteria (Kaufman Zigler, 1987). Self-report questionnaires lacked the exploration of the statistical relationships among determinants of abuse (Kaufman Zigler, 1987). Egeland Jacobvitzs observed that the history of abuse could not be separated from influence of poverty, stress and social isolation on parenting behavior. They also noted that the broader the definition is, the greater the apparent link becomes in the inter-generational hypothesis thus make the validity of the collected data low (Kaufman Zigler, 1987). According to Langeland and Dijkstra (1995) the variations of definitions of abuse cause considerable variation of the rates of transmission. They concur that due to bad methodologies making generalizations from the information is problematic. They also highlight the need to study both mothers and fathers (because they have clinical and theoretical relevance), which isnt always the case. Langeland and Dijkstra (1995) show how many studies only examine one child (e.g. Goodwin et al., 1981; Main Goldwyn, 1984; Altemeier et al., 1986; Egeland et al., 1988; Pianta et al., 1989; Burkett, 1991; Boyer Fine, 1992; Caliso Milner, 1992; Herzog et al. 1992; as cited in Langeland and Dijkstra; 1995) and suggest researchers need to look at wider family context (that is brothers, father, grandparents, aunts and cousins). Widom (1989) highlights that the methodological problems play a role in the misrepresentation and overestimation of the actual statistics related to the inter-generational theory. In Widoms review of the literature, she also emphasizes the over dependence on self-report, inadequate documenting of childhood abuse, and the infrequent use of control groups. According to Widom researchers should make a clearer distinction between abused and neglected children because the differences in consequences are significant the information collected overlaps and distorts the results. Widom thus suggests the need for better rating scales for studies, and the need for a greater methodological awareness and refinement. Protective Factors and Predispositions Kaufman and Zigler (1987) observed that some parents (with a history of abuse) became abusive parents whereas other did not. Hunter and Kilstrom (as cited in Kaufman Zigler, 1987) attributed this to the individuals having: extensive social support (e.g. therapy); fewer undecided feelings about being pregnant, they were openly angry about the abuse they endured, and their babies were healthier. Another study by Egeland and Jacobvitz (as cited in Kaufman Zigler, 1987) found mediating factors to be that one parent/foster parent was loving and caring towards the abused child, the abused had an emotionally supportive spouse, they also had fewer current stressful life events and they had a greater awareness of history of abuse and had come to terms with it. This study provides information on the interrelationships (etiology of abuse and other influences) of the many determinants of a parents behavior. Langeland and Dijkstra (1995) also found that many abused children manage to break the cycle of inter-generational abuse. They emphasize the factors that protect/buffer the transmission. Belsky (1980, as cited in Langeland and Dijkstra, 1995) says there are multiple factors at work that cause abuse such as: the individual (personality of parents); familial (the home/family environment e.g. marital relationship); community (formal informal social structures e.g. neighborhood and other family); cultural (societal expectations and attitudes). However, Belsky (1980, as cited in Langeland and Dijkstra) says the interaction of risk and protective factors are important because they effect likelihood of transmission of abuse between generations. Garbarino Gilliam (1980, as cited in Widom, 1989) reiterates that other life events or the predisposition of the child (e.g. natural abilities, physiological predispositions, and social supports) will protect them from the effects of abuse. Deliquency and Identification Kaufman and Zigler (1987) commented on the many other factors that contribute to abuse. Children may find themselves in similar social or relationship conditions (or have long lasting effects of child abuse) that led their parents to be abusive to them as children and cope in the same way. Quinton and Rutter (1988) reiterate that abuse occurs for many reasons namely: substantial social and environmental hardships and a constellation of psycho-social difficulties. It is noted that children may have the same or similar situations as their parents and cycle continues because of the same outside influences. They found that abuse can lead to: personality disorders, alcoholism, and criminality all of which are associated with abuse. Sir Keith Joseph (1972, as cited in Quinton and Rutter, 1988) said poor parenting is a central mechanism for encouraging inter-generational transmission of family problems (that is children learn from their parents). Men that were imprisoned for violence against children were found to have come from large families where abuse was common (Gibbens Walker, 1956; Scott, 1973, as cited in Quinton and Rutter, 1988) and women accused with child-battering were associated with unhappy, loveless and traumatic childhoods (Lukiarowitz, 1971 as cited in Quinton and Rutter, 1988). Quinton and Rutter (1988) noted that the vulnerabilities deriving from exposure to poor parenting can lead to them being abusive (e.g. depression is known to be associated with abuse). Widom (1989) emphasized that the immediate consequences of child abuse are physical injuries or emotional trauma but that the emotional and developmental scars may persist thus leading to the likelihood of inter-generational transmission of abuse. McCall Shields (1986, as cited in Widom, 1989) highlighted the context of violence in culture. Accordingly the approval of such behaviors legitimizes and reinforces the use of violence (Gil, 1973; Huggius Straus, 1980; Steinmetz, 1977; as cited in Widom, 1989) which in turn instigates the high degree of acceptance of violence in culture (R.A. Stark McEvoy, 1970 as cited in Widom, 1989). It is therefore not too difficult to deduce that learning to become violent through normal childrearing experiences might be transmitted from generation to generation (Goldstein, 1986; as cited in Widom, 1989). The social learning of a child and the witnessing/victims of physical and emotional aggression become a model for the child that violence is appropriate in the home (Bandua, 1973; Feshbach, 1980; as cited in Widom, 1989). Straus et al. (1980, as cited in Widom, 1989) suggest that each generation of abusive parents learns to be violent by being a participant in a violent home. Other evidence suggests that abuse leads to aggressive behavior, depression, withdrawal and self-punishing behavior all of which lead to abusive behavior which would suggest that the cycle of abuse can be and is transmitted. It is also suggested that abuse may lead to becoming an abusive parent, a delinquent, or a violent criminal (Widom, 1989). McCord (1983) did a study on abused, neglected, rejected, and loved boys. She found that 45% of the abused and neglected boys ended up being convicted for serious crimes, becoming alcoholics, suffering a mental illness, and/or died unusually young. Their parents were found to have been similar. Other researchers Rocklin and Lavetts (1987) research has demonstrated that identity formation (process by which a child incorporates aspects of a significant other) adds to inter-generational transmission. This is because they form these identifications as a coping mechanism rather than actual identity. However, the identification can persist and is often seen to be used later in life. Conclusion It is clear that being abused puts people at risk of being abusive towards their offspring but it is not the only factor and the path is not direct. There are many protective factors that buffer the adverse effects of abuse, which often breaks the cycle of abuse. The methodological limitations of most experiments (and lack of control measures) have lead to misleading representations of the statistics, and the inter-generational transmission of false facts (Widom, 1989). However the persistent acceptance of the inter-generational theory seems to have undermined many studies as well. The risk factors and society in which a child learns from seems to cause abuse and the transmission from generation to generation. In conclusion abuse is not necessarily transmitted from generation to generation, because there are many protective factors and the path is not direct. The past and present influence the likelihood of abused children becoming abusive parents, not just the possibility of the int er-generational abuse occurring.

Frankenstein-value for modern readers :: essays research papers

Frankenstein-value for modern readers Mary Shelley’s text, Frankenstein is a text, which is highly regarded in today’s society for its outstanding literary worth. However, the text as it was seen during the time of Shelley and its appearance and appeal today, most certainly differ. The most significant difference is that over a hundred years ago, the text was seen as a popular text, our modern day Simpsons, if you like. Conversely, today it appeals to the cannon of high culture. Its gradual change over time has been based on a number of deciding factors.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Frankenstein’s immediate audience was that of a popular audience. Such an audience purely relied on a story, which would indulge them with exhilaration or apprehension. In the case of Frankenstein the audience was introduced to the horror thesis. The story told delved piquantly into the tragic ordeals of Victor as his fiend wreaked destruction and devastation to all those, who were close to Victor. This story line is symptomatic of a popular audience, as they craved a story, which would invigorate passion and tragedy. Vast arrays of appropriations have sprung from Shelley’s text, which influence as to why the text still remains today. The main source of today’s appropriations has been drawn directly from the figure of the monster itself. As, technology advanced and the idea of the stage was subjugated with the growing trend towards cinema, the figure of the original idea of the monster diminished. The figure slowly morphed into a hideous being, possessing green, stitched skin with bolts in the side of the head (lacking the original parallels to Adam). Unfortunately, the birth of cinema and its immediate success led to the demise of the philosophies and principles, which were initially at the crux of Shelley’s Frankenstein. A modern day appropriation of Frankenstein is The Rocky Horror Show, which draws directly from the creation of a monster, yet puts it in a satirical context, once again abating the traditional philosophies. The birth of the horror theme was partly due to She lley’s text and though the horror theme is carried through today, it differs greatly as society now expects a different form of horror. Shelley envisioned a strong sense of humanity in her novel. She encapsulated the quintessence of the period in which she lived by expressing ideologies, such as humanity’s relationship with God and the hypothesis of nature versus nurture. The relationship with God was vividly changed during the industrial era.

Betrayal in the city Essay

A critical analysis of the theme of betrayal in Francis Imbuga’s Betrayal in the City, Game of Silence and Man of Kafira This study examines the kind of influence postin dependence realities have had on Imbuga as a playwright. More specifically it is an exploration of some aspects of Imbuga’s dramatic transmission of these realities. A critical analysis of the dominant theme of betrayal, in Betrayal in the City, Game of Silence and Man of Kafira helps illuminate the realities. The guiding assumption is that drama in Africa carries a political dimension and is therefore socially committed. Drama may thus be read as a barometer of social change and progress. Imbuga’s drama artistically presents topical socio-political issues through dramatic exploration of the theme of betrayal and in the process reveals the playwright’s perception of society. The analysis starts off with a survey of the historical background of the three selected plays. This way we arrive at the origins of the theme of betrayal. The physical setting is Africa where the goings-on include the strangling of nascent democracy and the attendant oppression of the common people by the ruling elite. As Betrayal in the City demonstrates, the consequence of this state of affairs is a popular desire for change. Game of Silence is a dramatic critique of the culture of silence in which the playwright seems to advocate popular reaction against autocratic and anti-life forces. As Imbuga’s ideological stance as a writer becomes clearer in this play, we advance into Man of Kafira and its dominant theme of power crisis and the related positions of the former head of state. In the final analysis, we have read and understood society through Imbuga’s drama.

English Presentation Tourism Italy Essay

Good morning to Madam Teh and fellow classmates. Today, we would like to promote an affordable rate tourism package to Italy. We have made a research on The Most Popular Countries among Malaysians and we had Italy as the rank number one. So, that is why we decided to fulfill the people’s hunger to visit Italy and offer a low rate for the tourism package. The reason for people to pick Italy as their favorite country is mostly because of the sceneries. Italy, as we know has the most beautiful historic sceneries such as the churches, museums, historic sites and operas. If you think that Paris and Italy are almost the same, well, you are wrong about that one. Italy still has its historic auras better than Paris which has modern up a little bit. Back to the main point, the package included accommodations, transports, and food. So, you don’t have to worry. We will go from places to places by our tourism bus, sleeps in a very comfortable hotel and eat lots and lots of delicious food in Italy. You will fly with Air Asia on a 12 hours 31 minutes trip and land on the Fiumicino Airport in Fiumicino which is just 35 km away from Rome. Then, we will check in to your hotel, The Potrait Suites Hotel in Rome so you can rest and unpack your belongings in your rooms. After lunch at the hotel, we will bring you to some places in Rome. The first stop is The Church of San Luigi dei Francesi. It is one of the most visited churches in Rome. The uniqueness about this church is the interior and exterior designs and the tombs of the well-known French people in Italy. Then, we will go to the Coliseum. Everybody knows The Coliseum, right? It portrays the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering. It is also known to be as the place for gladiators contest. We will be having dinner at the neighborhood of Trastevere. The neighborhood is known for its restaurants. Furthermore, the view of Trastevere at night is very pleasant. Other than that, we are also going to take you to Venice. Venice is the second attraction in Italy which is full of palaces and churches. We have the Palazzo and Musica A Palazzo. Palazzo or more specifically known as Palazzo Venezia is a very beautiful place for you to capture some photographs for memories. The palace is magnificently eye catching. After that, we stop by the Musica A Palazzo. We will let you experience watching  an original Italian soap opera in the one and only historic place, Musica A Palazzo. Then, we head to San Rocco, the historical church known to be the grave of a priest there. At night, we will bring you to the Grand Canal where you can have a water taxi experience. The views from the taxis are very breath taking at night. So, we will spend our nights in the taxis and after that have a walk in the streets near the canal where you can shop for souvenirs. The third attraction that we would love to offer you is Florence. Florence is known for the monuments, museums and religious buildings. First, we can visit the Bargello Museum which is the Florence government building. Next, we can visit other historical museums such as Museo Galileo, the science museum. Then, we can take some photographs at the Giotto Bell Tower. After that, we can stroll at the parks and street known as Piazza. The prices that we are offering are very affordable for everyone because the package includes accommodation, transport and breakfast. There are individual, family and group packages. For the individual package, we already set the nett price as low as RM2000. As for the family package which includes 2 adults and 2 children, is only for RM6000 nett price. The group package which has to be more than 8 persons will be at very low price for just RM1000 per person. Affordable, isn’t it? So, what are you waiting for? Get your passports ready and make your reservations now. We will be waiting for you to be a part of this amazing journey. Thank you.

Muscle Reading Essay Example

Muscle Reading Essay Example Muscle Reading Paper Muscle Reading Paper Assignment 04 Part A: Muscle Reading 1. Reviewing information increases brain activity, especially the long-term memory. The more you recall or access information, the easier to remember it. 2. Before you read preview, outline, question. While you read read, underline, answer.   Ã‚  Ã‚   After you read recite, review, review again. 3. The first part of muscle reading is to picture yourself go through the material and make up questions. The second is to work your muscles as you read. The third involves reviewing aloud the things you learned. 4. â€Å"A review within 24 hours moves information from your short-term memory to your long-term memory.† 5. Preview may include any or all of these: scanning the table of contents, flipping through the pages of a chapter, taking note of summaries, and observing headings and subheadings. 6. Ellis suggests the following: visualizing or forming a mental picture of the concept or idea; reading the material aloud; and getting a â€Å"feel†, a sense, or texture (even if imaginary) of the subject. 7. a. Pry out questions. Root up answers, Recite, review and preview again.   Ã‚  Ã‚   b. What makes an effective leader?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   What does it mean when the author says, â€Å"We are all   leaders†?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Who are considered leaders?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Are people with titles the only leaders?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   How do you own your leadership?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Why do we have to be a leader?   Ã‚  Ã‚   c. Read carefully first. Make choices about what to highlight. Underline then highlight.   Ã‚  Ã‚   d. An effective leader owns his leadership.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     It means at some point in our lives we have to assume a leadership position.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mahatma Gandhi is a leader.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   People with titles are not the only leaders.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To own your leadership, you should not to back out from the responsibility when   Ã‚   opportunity arises.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It can’t be avoided.    e. Using some of the strategies for muscle reading helped me to understand the material more. Previewing gives a feel of the material, however superficial. However, the suggestions for marking the text are time-consuming. To read the material and underline and read it again for highlighting is repetitive.   I wonder if there are other, easier ways. Part B. CyberLearning 1. Adam Robinson believes that the best students ask the same fundamental questions. He calls these 12 questions CyberLearning. The first six questions have to do with the student getting acquainted or â€Å"creating a dialogue† with the text. The next six questions are about learning from the text through organization and note taking. 2. a. I read this article in order to hoping I would learn tips on hoe to communicate effectively to people of different cultural backgrounds, especially non-Americans. As I came across the title, the first word that stuck was culture. Race and class are ideas I usually associate with culture. African Americans and American Indians also came to mind. I think the article tries to explain why it’s important to learn how use different communication styles for different sorts of people. The important concepts that have to be noted are desire, knowledge and skill.   Ã‚  Ã‚   b. I am also interested about conflict management. An environment that is culturally diverse is like to have conflict. Important tips are â€Å"keep temper in check† and â€Å"be patient.† Author also suggests giving crit in private, give the other person space, don’t intimidate   Ã‚  Ã‚   c. I am interested about conflict management because I sometimes instigate conflict unintentionally. An environment that is cultural diverse is likely to have conflict. According to the author, dealing with culturally different people requires patience. Rash temper should be avoided. Giving criticisms in private conveys respect for the culturally different person. Intimidation is a good way to get what you want, but the author advises otherwise: give the other person space.   Ã‚   d. I will definitely use note taking (which includes paraphrasing) to remember this material. I will also select, underline and highlight important passages and terms. I will keep in mind everything that I learned by regularly retrieving them in my memory and applying them to specific situations.   Ã‚   e. I work in an office that is culturally diverse. I can apply the ideas found in this article by being conscious of my communication style. I should adjust my style according to the attitudes of my peers and supervisors, and with respect to their customs. Familiarity with cultural nuances and idiosyncracies will hopefully make my job less stressful and encourage coworkers especially the minorities to like me. Part C. Exploring other Reading Strategies 1. Construct a word stack, from â€Å"Read with a Dictionary in Your Lap† (p.142). To enrich one’s vocabulary, the author suggests noting down an unfamiliar word in an index card, including the sentence in which it was used, and looking up its definition and etymology in the dictionary. The reader should collate these cards. This strategy will develop in me a conscious effort to improve my vocabulary. A robust vocabulary will help me write better. 2. Notice and release ineffective habits, from â€Å"Reading Fast† (pp. 143-144). Sometimes our eyes have the tendency to go slow and read the same words over and over without our noticing it. Sometimes, too, we get so used to the habit of reading every letter. We have to be aware of and change these habits, said the author. I am prone to doing these things, and I realize that I have to get rid of them. Instead of reading letters, I should probably try to read chucks of words, and stay focused on my reading. 3. Read it again, from â€Å"When Reading is Tough† (pp.145-146). When dealing with technical material, the author suggests taking breaks instead of forcing oneself to digest the material. Once the brain recharges, it is easier to read the text the second time. Frankly, I’m too lazy to read, let alone read the same thing twice. This tip is sure to be a challenge. 4. Visualization, from â€Å"Remembering What You Read† (csbsju.edu/academicadvising/help/remread.htm, accessed 1 February 2008). This strategy prescribes the use of mental images to recall ideas, concepts or persons. Associating an idea with a mental picture would enhance my memory and make studying more profitable. 5. Association, from â€Å"Remembering What You Read† (csbsju.edu/academicadvising/help/remread.htm, accessed 1 February 2008). This strategy entails grouping related ideas together. When reading a text for example, the reader takes down important information and links ideas that are related to each other. The relationship, of course, is intuitively made by the reader. This skill will help me select and organize necessary information.

Free Essays on Microprocesor History

Microprocessor History A microprocessor - also known as a CPU or Central Processing Unit - is a complete computation engine that is fabricated on a single chip. The first microprocessor was the Intel 4004, introduced in 1971. The 4004 was not very powerful - all it could do was add and subtract, and it could only do that four bits at a time. But it was amazing that everything was on one chip. Prior to the 4004, engineers built computers either from collections of chips or from discrete components (transistors wired one at a time). The 4004 powered one of the first portable electronic calculators. The first microprocessor to make it into a home computer was the Intel 8080, a complete 8-bit computer on one chip introduced in 1974. The first microprocessor to make a real splash in the market was the Intel 8088, introduced in 1979 and incorporated into the IBM PC (which first appeared in 1982 or so). If you are familiar with the PC market and its history, you know that the PC market moved from the 8088 to the 80286 to the 80386 to the 80486 to the Pentium to the Pentium-II to the new Pentium-III. All of these microprocessors are made by Intel and all of them are improvements on the basic design of the 8088. The new Pentiums-IIIs can execute any piece of code that ran on the original 8088, but the Pentium-III runs about 3,000 times faster! The following table helps you to understand the differences between the different processors that Intel has introduced over the years. Name Date Transistors Microns Clock speed Data width MIPS 8080 1974 6,000 6 2 MHz 8 0.64 MIPS First home computers 8088 1979 29,000 3 5 MHz 16 bits, 8 bit bus 0.33 MIPS First IBM PC 80286 1982 134,000 1.5 6 MHz 16 bits 1 MIPS IBM ATs. Up to 2.66 MIPS at 12 MHz 80386 1985 275,000 1.5 16 MHz 32 bits 5 MIPS Eventually 33 MHz, 11.4 MIPS 80486 1989 1,200,000 1 25 MHz 32 bits 20 MIPS Eventually 50 MHz, 41 MIPS Pentium 1993 3,100,000 0.8 60 MHz 32 bits, 64 bit bus 10... Free Essays on Microprocesor History Free Essays on Microprocesor History Microprocessor History A microprocessor - also known as a CPU or Central Processing Unit - is a complete computation engine that is fabricated on a single chip. The first microprocessor was the Intel 4004, introduced in 1971. The 4004 was not very powerful - all it could do was add and subtract, and it could only do that four bits at a time. But it was amazing that everything was on one chip. Prior to the 4004, engineers built computers either from collections of chips or from discrete components (transistors wired one at a time). The 4004 powered one of the first portable electronic calculators. The first microprocessor to make it into a home computer was the Intel 8080, a complete 8-bit computer on one chip introduced in 1974. The first microprocessor to make a real splash in the market was the Intel 8088, introduced in 1979 and incorporated into the IBM PC (which first appeared in 1982 or so). If you are familiar with the PC market and its history, you know that the PC market moved from the 8088 to the 80286 to the 80386 to the 80486 to the Pentium to the Pentium-II to the new Pentium-III. All of these microprocessors are made by Intel and all of them are improvements on the basic design of the 8088. The new Pentiums-IIIs can execute any piece of code that ran on the original 8088, but the Pentium-III runs about 3,000 times faster! The following table helps you to understand the differences between the different processors that Intel has introduced over the years. Name Date Transistors Microns Clock speed Data width MIPS 8080 1974 6,000 6 2 MHz 8 0.64 MIPS First home computers 8088 1979 29,000 3 5 MHz 16 bits, 8 bit bus 0.33 MIPS First IBM PC 80286 1982 134,000 1.5 6 MHz 16 bits 1 MIPS IBM ATs. Up to 2.66 MIPS at 12 MHz 80386 1985 275,000 1.5 16 MHz 32 bits 5 MIPS Eventually 33 MHz, 11.4 MIPS 80486 1989 1,200,000 1 25 MHz 32 bits 20 MIPS Eventually 50 MHz, 41 MIPS Pentium 1993 3,100,000 0.8 60 MHz 32 bits, 64 bit bus 10...

Medical and Dental Dialogue for ESL Learners

Medical and Dental Dialogue for ESL Learners English learners can practice medical vocabulary and reading comprehension with this dialogue between a patient and a dental hygienist.   Dental Hygiene Dialogue Sam: Hello.Gina the Dental Hygienist: Hello Mr. Waters. Im Gina. Ill be cleaning your teeth today. Sam: Dr. Peterson has just filled two cavities. Why do I need a cleaning?Gina the Dental Hygienist: Well, we have to make get your teeth and gums clean and disease free. Sam: I guess that makes sense.​Gina the Dental Hygienist: Oral health leads to trouble-free teeth. Ill start off by removing plaque. Please lean back and open wide. Sam: OK, I hope its not too bad.Gina the Dental Hygienist: Everybody gets plaque, even if they floss regularly. Thats why its important to come in twice a year for check-ups. Sam: (getting his teeth cleaned, cant say much...)Gina the Dental Hygienist: OK, please take a drink and rinse. Sam: Ah, thats better.Gina the Dental Hygienist: OK, now Ill apply some fluoride. Which flavor would you like? Sam: I have a choice?Gina the Dental Hygienist: Sure, we have mint, spearmint, orange or bubble-gum - thats for the kids. Sam: Id like to have the bubble-gum!Gina the Dental Hygienist: OK. (applies fluoride) Now, let me give your teeth a final flossing. Sam: What type of floss tape do you recommend?Gina the Dental Hygienist: Personally, I like the flat tape. Its easier to get between the teeth. Sam: OK, Ill remember that the next time I buy floss. How often should I floss?Gina the Dental Hygienist: Everyday! Twice a day if possible! Some people like to floss after every meal, but thats not absolutely necessary. Sam: (after finishing the cleaning) I feel much better. Thank you.Gina the Dental Hygienist: My pleasure. Have a pleasant day, and remember to floss every day - at least once a day! Key Vocabulary to clean someones teethdental hygienistto fill cavitiesgumsdisease freeoral healthto lead toplaqueto remove plaqueto flosscheck-upto rinsefluorideto apply fluorideflavorflossingfloss tapefloss after meals

Reading response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 25

Reading response - Essay Example Such portraits provided a chance for an individual to self-express and self-seek (Rosen 866). However, there has been a drastic change in form of self-expression. The change has occurred through emergence of numerous social sites. The most common social sites are listed as MySpace and Facebook. The sites offer an opportunity for the viewers to look at individual life as well as offer comments on such life expressed through online community (Rosen 866). As a result, the author notes that these sites are used by individuals mostly to get attention. On the other hand, the author provides a history perspective of the online social networks. These networks are shown to change and emerge as time progresses. The earliest online social networks are listed as the Bulletin Board systems said to have started in 1980,s (Rosen 867). The network provided a platform for users to send public messages, send and receive private messages, as well as exchange of software (Rosen 867). However, more pronounces social sites emerged in the 21st century. Such sites include Friendster, MySpace, and Facebook. The sites attracted millions of uses in this era. Other social sites are expected to emerge in the future. On the other hand, social sites are shown to play various roles in the society. First, the sites have been shown to provide an opportunity for those that make it in life to get attention. Moreover, the sites have also laid a platform for advertisers to market their products such as record labels and film studios (Rosen 868). These sites are also shown to play a significant role in politics. Politicians are shown to use sites to enlist followers and express their policies. Additionally, the author offers a comparative analysis of the popular social sites. The most popular are shown to be MySpace and Facebook. The sites are shown to be simple in setting online identity (Rosen 869). On the other hand, majority of Americans are shown to be a heavy

Global challenges Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Global challenges - Research Paper Example The paper describes the impact of globalization on RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland). Following globalization, there was a merger between RBS and NatWest. Secondly, the merger with ABN AMRO turned out to be unsuccessful as it made RBS more vulnerable to market deterioration which resulted in the fall of its capital ratio (The Failure of the Royal Bank of Scotland, 2011, pp. 6,). According to RBS chief Stephan Hester, globalization has led to deterioration in the efficiency of the sector (THE FIRST CRISIS OF GLOBALISATION, 2010). Globalization has led RBS to go global and thus have access to global currencies which in turn can help to smoothen the liquidity crunch. The Royal Bank of Scotland has set business objectives like increasing the capital ratio, lowering the leverage ratio, increasing liquidity and reducing its short term borrowings from money market. Hence from the point of view of the CVF model, RBS can explore the rational economic view model as this model will help RBS to incre ase its output and attain individual and organizational goals. The analysis of RBS has shown that management concepts can be utilized for the betterment of an organization. It can help to foresee the opportunities for the firm as well as its potential threats and weaknesses. Management theories and the models developed by it have helped the present society to understand the importance of scientific and a systematic way of approaching a problem. It helps to save time and resources as well as to gain many insights too.

Tourism - Activity Report Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Competitiveness in the Tourism Industry - Case Study Example By these approaches and management strategies, tourism providers would be in a position to establish themselves as sustainable destinations providing quality and meaningful business and pleasure experiences to tourists (Berridge, 2007). The first step in realizing these goals is to enlist the services of an experienced tourism management team, which would integrate their expertise and research experiences in the running of the activities of a tourism destination. A tourist provider’s services should, therefore, meet the global definition of tourism experiences with regards to the global economic, social, and cultural contexts and experiences. The 15 Cs Framework, outlined by Fyall et al ('Destination marketing: a framework for future research' in Kozak and Andreu (editors), Advances in Tourism Research: Progress in Tourism Marketing (2006) Elsevier, Oxford) could be used as pillars by tourism providers for basing their management strategies and policies for tourists’ ex periences. Included in the 15 Cs are customers, change, culture, commodification, crisis, complacency, complexity, communication, consolidation, control, creativity, channels, cyberspace, and collaboration (Fyall et al., 2006). By considering these 15Cs, some tourism providers have been able to achieve some degree of success in the examination and addressing of the issues and challenges encountered in their endeavor to improve tourists’ experiences. These destinations have also been cognizant of the fact that collaboration among the industry’s stakeholders is a key strategy in solving the challenges and other issues brought about by the increasingly demanding tourists (Shaw & Williams, 1997). This paper explores some of the management strategies that tourism providers use to manage tourists’ experiences. Tourism Experiences Management Strategies Examples of tourist providers that have attained success in improving tourist experiences via incorporation of the ele ments of Fyall’s 15Cs abound, the Disneyland Resort Complex in Anaheim, California is a rather effective cases study. This resort complex is under the ownership and management of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts division of the giant Walt Disney Company. There are several attractions at Disneyland Resort Complex that have helped it manage and expand tourists’ experiences. These attractions include theme parks such as the original theme park that Walt Disney personally built in the 1950s and the Disney California Adventure Park. This latter park opened on February 8, 2001, is specifically designed and intended to celebrate the history and the culture of the Golden State (Sandler, 2007). Besides the theme parks, the Disneyland Resort Complex also manages tourists’ experiences by other services such as outdoor retailing, dining, and entertainment activities in its Downtown Disney, which is located between the entrance promenade of the Disneyland Resort theme parks and the Disneyland Hotel. The Disneyland Resort Complex also has numerous resorts, including the Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, and Disneyland Hotel. Important to the success of these facilities in the management of tourists’ experiences are Disneyland’s operations, which lay a lot of emphasis on consumer satisfaction.  Ã‚  

Breast Cancer Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Breast Cancer - Assignment Example Overall, women’s risk of getting breast cancer is said to increase by 35-50% (GÃ ¸tzsche and Nielsen, 2011). Another risk factor has to do with lack of activity. In this, there continues to be variable rates of increase in risk. The main issue however remains that activeness is very necessary for all women to ensure that they are kept safe from the risk factor of inactiveness. The third major lifestyle related risk factor has been found to be the use of oral contraceptive, where premenopausal breast cancer is said to be the most likely in this situation (Wallace, 2012). This means that the onset of breast cancer with the use of oral contraceptive is very high as compared to the rate of onset for other risk factors (GÃ ¸tzsche and Nielsen, 2011). The last risk factor under lifestyle is diet, where high fat and high alcohol intake have been noted to be major risks. In terms of genetic risk factors, Nelson, Smith, Griffin and Fu (2013) mentioned that there are genetic susceptibility that play minor part in some cases of breast cancer. The causes of breast cancer as associated with genetics have however been quoted to be less than 10% in most of the case. The average range has often been given as 5% to 10% with variations occurring, depending on the number of relatives with the situation. GÃ ¸tzsche and Nielsen (2011) actually stressed that the probable rate of cause for people with 0, 1 and 2 relatives with the disease is 7.8%, 13.3%, and 21.1% respectively. There are actually women who have been found to develop hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome as a result of genetics but the rate given in this instance has been found to be only 5%. On medical conditions as risk factor, Nelson, Smith, Griffin and Fu (2013) mentioned that there are some diseases that increase the risk of women of getting breast cancer. Typical example of this has been mentioned to be diabetes mellitus. What is more, fibrocystic breast has been found to be common among those with benign

How does the Media Influence Perception of the Female Representation Essay

How does the Media Influence Perception of the Female Representation - Essay Example Gone are the days when beauty lay in the eye of the beholder, and a well-proportioned body was a thing of beauty and object of admiration. But, then, we live in a consumer, if not a consumerist, society where consumption means â€Å"the purchase and use of goods, leisure activities and services†. (Jagger. 2000). Though some writers (Schama. 1987) trace consumerism to the 17th century Netherlands, others (Ewen. 1976; Susman. 1982) emphasise that it was not until the years between the First and the Second World Wars in the USA and Britain that consumer culture became fully established. The elusive â€Å"ideal† Even today one hears it said the world over that â€Å"consumer is king†, or the â€Å"queen† as the case may be, but the insidious brainwashing of the â€Å"king† or the â€Å"queen† by the media at the instance of advertisers has left the â€Å"queen† with no volition. She dances to the tunes of the media, the tunes called by advertisers who pay the piper. Consumer society develops an increasing need to shop, meaning that individual consumers are increasingly finding the definition of themselves within commodities which can develop a feeling of high or low esteem if they do not have the new car, handbag, or pair of shoes presented as the new â€Å"ideal†. (Marcuse: 1964). Shakespeare may have had his own reasons for saying in one of his plays that â€Å"good wine needs no bush†(â€Å"As You Like It†), but in today’s world advertising rules the roost and helps what amounts really to commodification of the consumer. After all, they have come to see themselves in terms of the commodities and goods that they purchase and possess. Advertisers sell the "ideal" image that most people long for but not all of whom can achieve. That "ideal", of its very nature, is unattainable, a mirage that one keeps chasing all one's life, is not allowed to be realised in the palaver of the media. Those who buy the advertised products are made to image that they are buying the resultant image. Thus, advertising claims to sell a lifestyle through the wares it hawks. Commodities are consumed not only for their "use value" but also for their "sign value" (Jagger: 2000). That means commodities are bought also for "what they signify" (p.47) because "symbolic consumption is fundamental to the process by which modern individuals create and display their identities". Nature defied! Similarly, one's appearance "does express personhood" (Judith Andre. 1994. p. 21). "It expresses one's choice, one's values, and one's taste" and thus, possibly, one's identity. Thus, what was once considered immutable and the work of Nature is being reworked. For consumer culture to flourish, not only do new images have to keep being created, but consumers need to have reasons for keeping on buying. The reason, Jagger argues, is "the desire for the sign, not the commodity itself". In other words, it is not the intrinsic worth or utility of a commodity that influences that judgment of consumers but its appearance. Above all, the tendency to keep up with the Joneses, the need to be seen having what everyone wants, forgetting that the ideal is unattainable, combine to help advertisers put consumers into a straitjacket. An obvious example is the television programme "MTV Cribs" where the rich and the famous show viewers around their homes, and, in the process, show what is most likely something they will never have. However, it is something viewers will continue to

Energe sources Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Energe sources - Research Paper Example Generally unlike fossil fuels which are considered to be expensive, pollutants and non-renewable energy, the new alternative energy sources like wind and solar energy should be encouraged and supported by the federal government in an attempt to curb the nation’s increased demand for conventional fuel. This paper proposes the development and support of solar energy and wind power as some of the best alternative sources that should receive government assistance to enable the country address some of its energy related challenges. Solar energy Solar energy refers to the clean energy that is derived from the sun in form of solar radiation. Generally the current technology primarily harnesses solar energy either through the use of solar thermal collectors or the more complex photovoltaic cells. Although currently only 1% of the total energy consumed in America is derived from solar energy, the renewable energy source has got immense potential in the future and is consequently one of the best energy sources that should receive federal funding and support. ... According to Bradford â€Å"this is a relatively large area with an untapped potential to produce up to 76,000MW of clean photovoltaic electricity.†(106). On the other hand, there is also a huge energy potential in solar thermal power plants. Although critics argue that such plants often occupy large tracks of land, a comparison of their electricity output verses land size reveals that solar thermal plants use significantly less land than hydroelectric power or coal plants. It is also worth noting that adopting solar energy will significantly help the government in its efforts to reduce the emission of green house gasses that have been largely associated with the fossil fuels. This is particularly because solar power is a clean energy source that does not produce any green house gases, smoke or other chemical by products. Consequently as a green energy technology, assisting the development of solar energy will also help the United States to be a leader in addressing the issue of climate change and curbing emissions. Lastly solar energy is a decentralized power source that does not need to be transported from one place to the other within the country or internationally and therefore its adoption will bring additional benefits such as reduced pollution due to transport as well as less tear and wear of our roads (Scheer, 67). Generally the role and purpose of the federal government in the development of solar energy include the provision of incentives such as loan guarantees and tax credits, funding researches on solar energy and developing policies that support investment in such renewable energy sources. Wind power Wind power is another

How does the Media Influence Perception of the Female Representation Essay

How does the Media Influence Perception of the Female Representation - Essay Example Gone are the days when beauty lay in the eye of the beholder, and a well-proportioned body was a thing of beauty and object of admiration. But, then, we live in a consumer, if not a consumerist, society where consumption means â€Å"the purchase and use of goods, leisure activities and services†. (Jagger. 2000). Though some writers (Schama. 1987) trace consumerism to the 17th century Netherlands, others (Ewen. 1976; Susman. 1982) emphasise that it was not until the years between the First and the Second World Wars in the USA and Britain that consumer culture became fully established. The elusive â€Å"ideal† Even today one hears it said the world over that â€Å"consumer is king†, or the â€Å"queen† as the case may be, but the insidious brainwashing of the â€Å"king† or the â€Å"queen† by the media at the instance of advertisers has left the â€Å"queen† with no volition. She dances to the tunes of the media, the tunes called by advertisers who pay the piper. Consumer society develops an increasing need to shop, meaning that individual consumers are increasingly finding the definition of themselves within commodities which can develop a feeling of high or low esteem if they do not have the new car, handbag, or pair of shoes presented as the new â€Å"ideal†. (Marcuse: 1964). Shakespeare may have had his own reasons for saying in one of his plays that â€Å"good wine needs no bush†(â€Å"As You Like It†), but in today’s world advertising rules the roost and helps what amounts really to commodification of the consumer. After all, they have come to see themselves in terms of the commodities and goods that they purchase and possess. Advertisers sell the "ideal" image that most people long for but not all of whom can achieve. That "ideal", of its very nature, is unattainable, a mirage that one keeps chasing all one's life, is not allowed to be realised in the palaver of the media. Those who buy the advertised products are made to image that they are buying the resultant image. Thus, advertising claims to sell a lifestyle through the wares it hawks. Commodities are consumed not only for their "use value" but also for their "sign value" (Jagger: 2000). That means commodities are bought also for "what they signify" (p.47) because "symbolic consumption is fundamental to the process by which modern individuals create and display their identities". Nature defied! Similarly, one's appearance "does express personhood" (Judith Andre. 1994. p. 21). "It expresses one's choice, one's values, and one's taste" and thus, possibly, one's identity. Thus, what was once considered immutable and the work of Nature is being reworked. For consumer culture to flourish, not only do new images have to keep being created, but consumers need to have reasons for keeping on buying. The reason, Jagger argues, is "the desire for the sign, not the commodity itself". In other words, it is not the intrinsic worth or utility of a commodity that influences that judgment of consumers but its appearance. Above all, the tendency to keep up with the Joneses, the need to be seen having what everyone wants, forgetting that the ideal is unattainable, combine to help advertisers put consumers into a straitjacket. An obvious example is the television programme "MTV Cribs" where the rich and the famous show viewers around their homes, and, in the process, show what is most likely something they will never have. However, it is something viewers will continue to

Controversial Essay Topic Essay Example for Free

Controversial Essay Topic Essay For this paper, you will discuss a controversial, recent news story and map out the reaction to this story using Storify as a medium to organize and curate links, social media posts, and photos. The goal of this assignment is not only to understand what is going on in a particular controversy, but also to chart the ways in which people talk about that controversy. Storify is particularly useful for this purpose because it allows one to curate news stories, social media posts, and images alongside ones analysis. What will result from this assignment is not a paper in the traditional sense, but it will be your sense-making of a controversy and the conversations around it, along with tweets, images, and links that exemplify these conversations. Choose a story that interests you, but that has a variety of interpretations available. For example, you might choose to analyze the Miley Cyrus VMA performance and the ways in which race was discussed afterwards, or the ways her controversial performance alienated certain people. Your news story must be recent (within the last six months), popular (your classmates will know at least cursory details of the story), and controversial (other people need to have talked about it). I strongly discourage going out of your depthif the controversy surrounding Syria vaguely interests you but you have no prior knowledge of the conflict, you may find another topic easier to manage. Narrowing down your topic of analysis is important; otherwise youll be far too overloaded. Instead, youll need to focus in on the conversationfor example, while discussing the Steubenville Rape case, you might focus on the ways on which the victim was portrayed, or alternatively, the ways in which the football players were talked about in the news coverage. Narrow down to what you think is important in the story—what most makes you curious about this controversy? What’s the key issue here? This assignment will have two general parts: first, you must discuss the news story, summarizing its key components. Second, you must explore the conversation happening around that news story, looking up tweets, Facebook posts, and opinions articles from around the web that summarize a perspective on the event. For this assignment, youll need a combination of three posts (not all tweets or Facebook posts) that exemplify the conversation and the angle youve chosen. Remember the medium: since this assignment is based online to be viewed online, youll need your artifacts to be engaging and deep. Vivid photos, interesting links, and credible authors are important tools to engage your audience. You arent restricted to a Word document, so be creative! The text of your Storify must still be paper-lengthbut since you wont be using traditional pages, I expect 800-1000 words instead. You will generally be posting between links/pictures/posts, but traditional paper-writing skills still apply; an introduction, conclusion, topic sentences, and transitions are all necessary components of this assignment. Due dates: Proposal Due Thursday, Sept 12 First Draft Due Wednesday, Sept 18 Second Draft Due Monday, Sept 23 Final Draft Due Friday, Sept 27

Working With Sexual Abuse Victims Social Work Essay

Working With Sexual Abuse Victims Social Work Essay Sexual abuse has been a growing concern in our society. The statistics on sexual abuse in America are alarming. According to Finkelhor (1994) approximately 150,000 confirmed cases of child sexual abuse were reported to child welfare authorities in the United States during 1993 (p.31). Lucinda stated, I have worked with children who have been sexually abused and it is a devastating experience for the individual. Working with an individual who has a history of sexual abuse would be very difficult. The individual will likely be guarded and possibly closed off from the surrounding environment. He or she may not want to talk about what happened in their past, and want to shut it away so they never have to relive the horror that happened to them. Since this abuse is not as visible as physical abuse, it is harder for people outside the abuse to recognize it. The individual in the abuse may feel that it is their fault, or they are inviting the abuser into the relationship. The abused individual may also feel that when speaking about the abuse to another person, that person will judge them think it is the fault of the abused. Core Issues Some of the core issues in treatment while working with someone diagnosed with a history of sexual abuse is gaining the clients trust so that they may disclose their history of being sexually abused and feeling safe and not being judged. Lucinda stated, For me, the most important factor for the clinician is to gain the trust of the individual first before the client feels safe enough to share such an experience with a total stranger. Sexual abuse is a touchy subject to some and some individuals do not disclose having been sexually abused because they feel ashamed or guilty or they fear being judge has damaged goods. According to Levs post, 88% of cases of sexual abuse are never disclosed by the child. In agreement, Alaggia (2005) states, 50% to 80% of victims do not purposefully disclose childhood sexual abuse before adulthood (p.454). Another core issue is the ability to gain that initial trust between the client and the clinician. For someone that has had a history of sexual abuse this can be a hard aspect to have happen. This is understandable because at some point in that persons life they lost the ability to trust when someone took that opportunity away from them. Its like that individual had their bond of trust violated and that may carry over as an adult for the ability to trust their own feelings and judgment. Additional core issues noticed with those sexually abused would be placing the blame on themselves or taking the responsibility for what has occurred to that individual. Also, having a constant fear instilled in them that something is wrong with them. Perhaps even issues with power and control because one may feel that was stripped away from them. An abused child will not open up unless they can trust again (trust is obviously something that is tarnished and even lost through the abuse). Another core issue in treatment while working with someone diagnosed with a history of sexual abuse is using memory to work through the trauma. As Courtois (1992) points out, Therapy is geared not only to the retrieval of autobiographical memory, but towards the integration of affect with recall to achieve resolution of the trauma. Because so many feelings, emotions of the memories are difficult to deal with on a day to day basis, many victims of sexual abuse tend to dissociate and therefore can suffer from dissociative disorder and PTSD. I think it is extremely important to address sexual assault of males. So often is hard to come forward about the assault but as Hopper (2010) addresses, Approximately one in six boys is sexually abused before age 16. He goes on to talk about the long lasting affects of sexual abuse and how it can become a perpetuated cycle of being hurt: Avoiding getting close to people and trying to hide all of ones pain and vulnerabilities may creating a sense of safety. But this approach to relationships leads to a great deal of loneliness, prevents experiences and learning about developing true intimacy and trust, and makes one vulnerable to desperately and naively putting trust in the wrong people and being betrayed again. A core factor for many that are abused is that they are not alone. Many times knowing that others are dealing with a similar situation can make a huge difference. Therapeutic Models The types of therapeutic modality that works best for someone who has been abused should be determined based on the individual and the therapist preference. In the article by Courtois (1999) discusses that the resolution of sexual abuse trauma requiring retrieval of memory and the working through of the associated affect. This is important so the individual can heal by having fully acknowledged what has occurred to them in the past. The article further states, memory retrieval is an important component of the therapeutic process. As a therapist, an essential task when working with the client, would be having them acknowledge the abuse that has happened to them and be able to retrieve the full memory to proceed in the healing process. Courtois (1999) notes how memory deficits are quite characteristic of trauma response and are utilized in the interest of defense and protection. This is an essential point for the clinician to understand in working on trauma resolution in general and me mory retrieval in particular. The strengths perspective acknowledges the client as the expert, which allows the memory retrieval to be a lot easier, and to be more accurate from the client. It is crucial that clinicians be educated when working with individuals who have a history of childhood sexual abuse. Stearn (1988) states, to diagnostically assess and treat clients in the most effective manner, social workers need to discover how each sexual abused clients views himself or herself, significant others, and the world (p.466). Jennings (1994) examines ways of using a broad spectrum of creative approaches, such as art, play, dance, music and drama, and combinations of those, to work with people who have been traumatized by experiences of sexual abuse (p.471). Lucinda stated, In my opinion, the best therapeutic modality that would work best with clients who have a history of childhood sexual abuse is using the strengths perspective. The client is the expert on his or her own experience because only they know how they felt and what actually occurred during those moments. Bell (2003) believes the strengths perspective involves turning away from rational, empirical models that order and codify reality, toward a constructivist view, which holds that the identification of human problems reflects not objective reality, but the perspective of the one doing the looking. With this constructivist understanding, three assumptions emerge from the strengths perspective. First, clients have personal and environmental strengths and are more likely to act on those strengths when they are affirmed and supported. Second, the strengths perspective views the client as the expert on his or her own experience. Third, the roles of the social workers shift from expert and fixer to collaborator who respects and fosters the strengths of the client (p.513). Lucinda stated, I feel that being empathetic, understanding, and compassionate are important in working with these clients. According to Calof (1993) listening to their stories and helping them explore the truth of their experiences has enabled many to turn their lives around (p.45). Family therapy is also important. Acknowledging the important and loving family members and their role in the victims life can help. With their love and support, the abused can work with the family to form treatment plans and other means of support. As social workers, we have to not only listen to what our clients are saying but also read their body language as well as anything else they give us as clues. They are children who have been violated and are reluctant to speak because in their minds they did something wrong. We have to work collaboratively with the non-offending family (if that is obvious), schools, doctors, and other professionals so that we can get a full picture of the childs symptoms, behaviors, and problems. Once we establish there has been abuse and from whom, we must remove the abuser if that has not already been done. Only then will we be able to work with the child towards a state of healing. Healing cannot happen when someone is still being abused. However literature does state most do not disclose what has happened until they are adults. Sometimes, it is not possible to remove the abuser if nothing is said about the abuse. As social workers, we would have to take every incident as it comes and deal with it as soon as possible. Unfortunately and sadly, most sexual abusers get off with a slap in the hand while the children they abuse suffer for the rest of their lives. Essential Task for Therapists An essential task for the therapist is providing a safe environment. Ensuring that a victim of sexual abuse feels comfortable in their setting is a pertinent factor in providing treatment. Also, maybe the sex of the therapist will matter. If the victim is female and was sexually abuse by a male, she may only feel comfortable speaking with another female. Lana stated, The women in my placement have expressed many times their fears and anxieties when in groups with men after sexual assaults that they faced both as children and adults. As therapist we should not only be treating for sexual abuse, we should also be doing more about prevention and education to all young children. It should not take years for a person to disclose that they were abused as child without having the ability to address the abuse. They should not have to go through the feelings that it was their fault or the one to blame. Laura stated, I think it is very important for children to understand that it is often an adult that they know who becomes an abuser. Schools teach stranger-danger, and to fear the stranger, when often the threat comes from an individual close to or seen by the child. Children need to be aware that there are monsters who can appear as nice people, who are not only strangers, and the only way to make something bad go away they have to talk. Some ways to do this is by using examples of what is appropriate from different people is the best way to get things across. Also, using child-like language is very important as well. U sing characters from TV and books can be used as examples of love and family as long as the child can relate and understand in a certain way. A therapist of someone who has a history of sexual abuse would need to patient and empathetic, while urging the individual to share their story. The individual has likely lived many years of hiding the abuse and trying to act like it never happened, while trying to live a normal life. This is not possible, as the horrible history will present itself in varying disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, dissociative disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder and create upset in their life. The therapist must create an era of trust and safety in which the individual can feel comfortable and able to speak about their past. I think the therapist needs to ease into the revelations in order to help the individual to feel more comfortable; with each small piece, followed by safety and reassurance, another may follow, allowing the individual to reveal their past. This is really the ideal, and the therapist will need to be able to help the person overcome the varying disorders and o ther issues in their life.

Dulce Et Decorum Est - Critical Response Essay -- essays research pape

A poem which I have recently read is: â€Å"Dulce Et Decorum Est† by Wilfred Owen. The main point Wilfred Owen tries to convey in this poem is the sheer horror of war. Owen uses many techniques to show his feelings, some of which I’ll be exploring. Wilfred Owen is a tired soldier on the front line during World War I. In the first stanza of Dulce Et Decorum Est he describes the men and the condition they are in and through his language shows that the soldiers deplore the conditions. Owen then moves on to tell us how even in their weak human state the soldiers march on, until the enemy fire gas shells at them. This sudden situation causes the soldiers to hurriedly put their gas masks on, but one soldier did not put it on in time. Owen tells us the condition the soldier is in, and how, even in the time to come he could not forget the images that it left him with. In the last stanza he tells the readers that if we had seen what he had seen then we would never encourage the next generation to fight in a war. Owen uses imagery constantly to convey the conditions and feelings experienced during this war. Firstly I will be exploring Metaphor as it is used so much in this poem. The first metaphor which I will examine is: â€Å"Haunting Flares† on line 3 of the first stanza. This quote has so many connotations, my first opinion on this was that the flares which the enemy are firing to light up the battle field are said to be representing the souls of the soldiers fallen comrades. This could also be said to represent the power the enemy has on their own mortality as the bright flares would light up the battle-field exposing everything to their view, this indicates that the enemy always seem to have power upon the soldiers, almost godly. The second metaphor which I will explore is: â€Å"An ecstasy of fumbling† on line one of the second stanza. This metaphor is significant as it describes the quick manner in which the soldiers will have been trying to put their masks on. The soldiers would have been trying to put their masks on in a hurry but due to their physical condition their minds would have been wanting them to go faster than their body would have been allowing them, this is why there is said to be a: â€Å"Fumbling†. The term: â€Å"Ecstasy† would normally suggest a time of extreme emotion, normally joy, however in this situation it is used as a term of irony as this is a completely b... ...ration, onomatopoeia, rhyme etc. One of the sound types I will be looking at is Full or perfect rhyme. This sound type is significant as in Dulce Et Decorum Est at the end of each sentence rhymes with the one before the last. This is significant as when reading this poem you notice this rhyming scheme and take more time to stop and ponder over the significance of the language it is based around and what connotations that word has: â€Å"Bent double, like old beggars under sacks† and â€Å"Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs†. This is one of the most effective rhyming schemes in the poem. Due to every second line rhyming this makes your remember what the poet was trying to put across in the previous lines as all the different lines have a way of tying in with one another. Through reading this poem several times I decided that the message from the poem is that war is full of horror and there is little or no glory. Methods which I found most effective were Full rhyme and metaphor. Overall Wilfred Owen shows that there is no triumph in war, he does this by using the dying soldier as an example. His main point is that the old saying: â€Å"Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori† is a lie.

A Rhythmic History of Hip-Hop Essay -- Hip Hop Music Beat Essays

A Rhythmic History of Hip-Hop Hip-hop, which originally began more than 20 years ago, has undergone many changes during its lifetime. The music has always remained centered in urban landscapes, with most performers of the music rising up from the inner-city neighborhoods. Throughout its history, hip-hop has centered on the rhythm of the beat rather than the melody, which shows the connection between modern hip-hop and traditional African tribal music, often featuring complex polyrhythms and little to no melody. Hip-hop has also featured heavy bass sounds through out its history, with the rhythms hitting the second and fourth beat of each measure hard with either a heavy bass drum or a bass guitar. Hip-hop beats have evolved in many different ways throughout their twenty-year history, yet they are all centered around rhythm and feature heavy, syncopated bass. For my field report, I chose to compose a number of different hip-hop beats, each one emulating a different style of beat from the history of hip-hop. I composed five different beats. The first is an emulation of a beat from the mid-eighties, the second is based on a gangster rap beat from the west coast during the early nineties, the third is based on a beat from New York City during the early nineties, the fourth based on a beat from the south during the late nineties, and the fifth is based on a beat from New York City during the late nineties. For two of the beats I used samples, which is a common practice in the construction of hip-hop beats. The other beats are all originals, yet they are not as long in length as those that contain samples. The first beat is one that is based on the song . South Bronx. by Boogie Down Productions, which was released in 198... ...t, and it does have a sad and reflective tone to it. My song features a sample from the song "Ballad of the Thin Man" by Bob Dylan. The beat is still repetitive, which has proven to be the one constant between all the beats that I chose to emulate. Most of my beats succeeded in trying to capture the feeling of a different time and a different area in music. As is evident by the difference in the beats that came out of New York, Los Angeles, and the South, whatever area the beat comes from has an influence on how those beats will sound. The time from which a beat came also has an influence on how it sounds, with the old school beats sounding quite different from the modern beats. While hip-hop beats have progressed and changed over time, there have also been constants, such as repetition and rhythmic complexity, that remain as similarities between all the beats.

Life of Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman is one of the most eminent poets of America who expressed the condition of nineteenth century American society in his works, which always reflected the cruel, unjust and discerning face of the country. In his period the Americans reviewed those illustrations unpatriotic so his poetic license was very much condemned. At the time of his death only he got recognition by his country.Walt Whitman was born on May 31, 1819 in West Hills, New York. His father, Walter Whitman, Sr., was a carpenter and farmer. Whitman was named after his father. His origin was mixed with English and Dutch. He was the second son of Walter Whitman and Louisa Van Velsor, the granddaughter of a sea captain. When Walt was not just even four years old, Walter Sr. with his family that consisted of nine children moved to Brooklyn, which was a growing city, across from New York. As he was not successful in any of his trade so he decided to try his fortune in house building. And when Walt was six year old, General Lafayette who visited the New York that time carried him. This is described in some of Walt’s stories (Ed Folsom and Kenneth M. Price).Walt was born in a newly shaped United States. The young Whitman got lots of opportunities to gather experience from his farm life and the new city society that helped him to prepare his attitude for writing. Walt’s love for living close to the East River later reflected in his poem â€Å"Crossing Brooklyn Ferry†, published in 1856 where he has shared his experience that how as a child he used to ride ferries onwards and reverse to New York city. That was the most reminiscent experience in his life. This daily commuting became the symbol of the way from life to death and to life again (Ed Folsom and Kenneth M. Price).In Brooklyn Whitman finished his elementary schooling. He spent his six years in Brooklyn public school with different backgrounds and age group children. He described later in his journals and poetry that he never liked physical punishment in schools. Except this formal education of schooling he received most of the significant education from outside like visiting museums and libraries and by attending lectures. He never forgot the first great lecture given by Quaker leader, Elias Hicks who was a very good friend of his grandfather Jesse.In his boyhood, Whitman’s one of the favorite activities was to visit his grandparents on Long Island and the beauty of that mystical land attracted him a lot. His love to that place is revealed from his poem â€Å"Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking†. As Whitman grew up in both places like growing and energetic city Brooklyn and idle Long Island countryside, the double adherence of urban and rural life can be marked out in his poetry (Ed Folsom and Kenneth M. Price).When Whitman finished his formal schooling, at the age of eleven, he started working as a clerk in a local office of some lawyers where his work was related to the libraries and there he got chance to start with his informal education. His love to get engaged with everyone in conversation and discussion also increased his knowledge. He was also a nonstop reader. When other celebrated writers of his time were taking well-arranged education from private institutions, Whitman was busy in gathering information about history, literature, music and some other fields from the fastest growing city New York.In 1831 he learnt printing trade during being an apprentice in Patriot, a newspaper and started liking written word. Here he observed how the thoughts could be changed in to language and soon could be transmitted to the readers. As he was mainly self-taught, he became familiar with the works of Dante, Shakespeare, Homer and the Bible. At the age of twelve only he also added his words in the newspaper.In 1833, his family moved back to the West Hills. Whitman was alone in the city experiencing the freedom that could make his career. These were the years, which taught him the changing parameters of life that reflects in his poetry also. In his poetry, journalism and prose one can find focus on the history of Brooklyn, Long Island and New York City.Walt was living separately from his family and was increasing his knowledge from different sources like in the libraries he read about Sir Walter Scott, James Cooper and other romance novelists. He saw the theatres where he liked Shakespeare a lot. Richard III had always been Whitman’s favorite play. He gathered lots of knowledge from different lectures of Francis Wright who was a Scottish Women’s right advocate   (Ed Folsom and Kenneth M. Price).At the age of sixteen he was about to set his career in the printing trade and news paper when in two cases of fire destruction in the printing industry of New York city stopped him and in 1836 Whitman joined his family back in Hampstead.Though Whitman had very little formal education still he developed some skills of reading and writing through the profession of apprentice in the newspaper. That was sufficient for the type of teaching he could do for some time. He opposed his father who wanted him to work on their new farm, as he never wanted to be a farmer. Only teaching was the career left for him to support him and his family in a very bad financial situation.In his five years of teaching profession he taught in many different towns of Long Island with a very little payment. Whitman proved to be a good teacher and he encouraged the students to think instead of only reciting. He discouraged the punishment and he involved the students in educational games. Whitman’s educational philosophy can be understood in his poem â€Å"There Was a Child Went Forth† commemorating extra curricular learning. He valued the variety of education. His suspicion for the classroom is produced from the poem â€Å"Song Of Myself† where a child ask the question â€Å"What is a grass?† and this is the question that makes Whitman thinking for a simple question. He kept himself energetic by discussing about societies. He also did campaigning for Martin Van Buren’s and became the hard worker for the Democratic Party.In 1838, he tried to start his own newspaper ‘The Long Islander’. He also bought a press and kept his brother George as an assistant. Though he actively wrote, published and edited still, he could not continue long in this field and unwillingly he had to continue in teaching and by 1841 his teaching career was almost at end. He was happy with his newspaper work and could not find happiness in teaching.In the late 1840s, Whitman wrote some journalistic pieces and by the early 1860s, he permanently left teaching career, as he did not find himself suited in this career. Then he decided not to make his career in fiction writing, instead establish himself in the career of journalism. His poetry and fiction was published in about twenty newspapers and magazines. His stories were published in Democratic Review, the most reputed magazine of the nation. His stories are full of professional and psychological matters.His story ‘The Shadow and The Light of a Young Man’s Soul’ narrates Whitman’s own attitude. In the story, the hero, Archibald Dean, left the New York City due to a fire incident and took the charge of a school. H e successfully wrote some novella about rising temperance movement. Benjamin who was Whitman’s partner published his Franklin Evans; or the Inebriate in New World. Whitman’s handling romance and passion in this novel is remarkable. Approximately, 20000 copies of Franklin Evans were sold. This was the novel that Whitman completed in three days.Whitman supported temperance movement in his another two stories- ‘Wild Frank’s Return’ and ‘The Child’s Champion’ Soon he started another novel ‘The Madman’ on the theme of temperance but he lef t it in the middle. It is assumed that his temperance issue came from the drinking habits of his father or may be his habit of drinking at the time of school teaching.Whitman and The Leaves of Grass:Having faith in his own fictional journey of national importance, Whitman published his Leaves of Grass on 4 July 1855. He believed that he could give his poetry to the common men and when Leaves of Grass got published, he imagined himself the poet of America and referred himself â€Å"one of the roughs†, a common man (Pierce A. Jason, 1992).The poem clearly classified Whitman’s goal as a national poet who was a self styled poet. Leaves of Grass had the series of edition making the poet and nation’s life unique (Pierce A. Jason, 1992).His ‘The Leaves of Grass’ became the notorious collection. In 1855, he got it published privately, as no reputed publisher was ready to publish it. The 19th century Americans were not ready to accept the subjects like homo- sexuality, respect for prostitutes, religious references about Adams and Eves that was the subject of this work.Whitman included the civil war thing in the third edition of ‘The Leaves of Grass’ as the war erupted in 1861. At that time Abraham Lincoln’s assassination affected him a lot and he got inspiration to write his most remarkable poem â€Å"When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom†. His war poetry titled â€Å"Drum Taps† was added in to Leaves of Grass. He would declare that his leaves of Grass spin around the four years of civil war   (Pierce A. Jason, 1992).Whitman was never discouraged. He never stopped revising â€Å"The Leaves of Grass† and kept on adding poems. He added poems at leas eight times. For the first edition of â€Å"The Leaves of Grass†, he paid from his own pocket and got only 795 copies printed. Whitman never put his name on the title page of the book and that was assumed unconventional and it was understood t hat not putting the name on the title page was much about America not the writer himself.Whitman never got married and never left America. He never lost his hope even in his last years, though he was badly criticized for his work â€Å"The Leaves of Grass†. He always kept his self-esteem.In 1881, again the disputable publication of â€Å"The Leaves of Grass† appeared. Same time Whitman published â€Å"Specimen Days and Collect†. In 1888, his collection of newspaper pieces â€Å"November Boughs† was published.On May 26, 1892 Whitman died. And after death he got lot of recognition. American poetry got enriched with the poetic ideas of Whitman. He emphasized on the natural and simple way of poetry. His use of free verse put deep effect on the poetry. His poems have variety in rhythm.After his death he left many notes about the intention of writing â€Å"The Leaves of Grass†. He was a tolerant, contended and joyful man. Whitman’s place in Americ an history is mysterious. It seems that it is based on the ideas upon which America was established (Pierce A. Jason, 1992).References:Biography of Walt Whitman, http://utut.essortment.com/waltwhitmanbio_pmq.htmFolsom, Ed and Price, Kenneth M., Biography of Walt Whitman, http://whitmanarchive.org/biography/index.htmlCarpenter Edward, Days with Walt Whitman With Some Notes On his Life and worksFolsom, Ed and Price, Kenneth, Rescripting Walt Whitman: An Introduction To His Life and Work.Pierce, Jason A., 1992, Walt Whitman and the development of Leaves of Grass, http://library.sc.edu/spcoll/amlit/whitman.htmlThe Life of Walt Whitman, http://www.poetseers.org/early-american-poets/walt-whitman/whitman-biography/Walt Whitman, http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/wwhitman.htm

Crowdfunding: Revolutionizing the Investment Essay

In April 2012, President Obama signed the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act into legislation, (potentially) allowing small startup companies to gain investment from private individuals through crowdfunding. This case study explores the viability of crowdfunding as a means of investment, its advantages and disadvantages, its utilization thus far, and its potential success going forward. Features and benefits * MarketLine Case Studies describe topics such as innovative products, business models, and significant company acquisitions. * Fact-based and presented in an accessible style, they explain the rationale of commercial decisions and illustrate wider market and economic trends. Highlights In recent years, crowdfunding websites such as Kickstarter have seen a dramatic increase in activity as the trend has gained momentum. As a result, the number of crowdfunding platforms is on the rise, and such enterprises are beginning to see their business models change in accordance with the future direction of this burgeoning new industry. Advantages of crowdfunding include the fact that it offers a much larger pool of investors from which startups and entrepreneurs are able to raise capital. Additionally, crowdfunding lessens the risk of bringing a new product to market, and enables startups to benefit from large-scale brand and product exposure. Crowdfunding ventures, such as the Pebble Watch, which launched on Kickstarter, have shown the potential rewards of a successful crowdfunding campaign, although this example also serves to exemplify the drawbacks of such a means of raising capital. Your key questions answered * What are the potential implications of the JOBS Act? * What are the advantages and disadvantages of crowdfunding initiatives? * How successful have crowdfunding initiatives been thus far? * What impact is crowdfunding likely to have on the traditional investment landscape

Hero Myth †Achilles Essay

The concept of the hero is as old as myth itself. Throughout history both concepts have evolved together. Myths tell tales of the adventures of man, frequently the son of a god or goddess and a human, who is endowed with great promise and destined to perform great feats. Often these feats involve acts of rescue, war or protection. This heroic myth is rooted in the ideal of familial romance. Particularly during adolescence it sustains and expresses the identification of the ego with idealized imagery. The hero myths have been used for centuries to educate and train youths as parts of institutions and groups. One example of a hero is Achilles, made famous through Homer’s epic Illiad. While we may not look at myths today in the same ways as our ancient forebears, the hero myth is still alive and well in our culture today. Achilles was the hero of the Trojan war as related by Homer in the Illiad. He was the mightiest of the Trojan warriors. He began life as a demigod, the son of Peleus, the king of the Myrmidons and a mortal, and Thetis who was a Nereid. The Myrmidons were legendary warriors, very skilled and brave. Nereids are sea nymphs being the daughters of Nereus and Doris. Thetis was very concerned that her son was a mortal. Therefore she attempted to make him immortal. There are two stories of how she wet about this. The lesser-known story is that she burned him in a fire nightly and then healed his wounds with a magical ambrosia. The more well-known story is that she held him tightly by the heel and submersed him in the river Styx. This made his entire body invulnerable except for the spot on his heel where she held him while he was in the river. During Achilles’ boyhood, a seer named Calchas prophesied that Troy would not fall without help from Achilles. Knowing that he would die if he went to Troy, Thetis sent Achilles to the court of Lycomedes in Scyros. He was hidden there in the guise of a young girl. While at the court he had a romance with Deidameia who was the daughter of Lycomedes. The result was a son who was named Pyrrhus. The disguise finally came to an end when Odysseus exposed Achilles by placing arms and armor amongst a display of female garments and picked Achilles out when he was the only â€Å"female† to be interested in the war equipment. Achilles then willingly joined Odysseus on the journey to Troy. He led a host of his father’s Myrmidon troops in addition to his utor Phoenix and his friend Patroclus. Once in Troy, Achilles quickly gained the reputation as an undefeatable warrior. One of his most notable feats was the capture of 23 Trojan towns. One of these was Lyrnessos where he took a war prize in the form of a woman named Briseis. The central action of the Illiad was sparked when Agamemnon, the leader of the Greeks, was forced to give up his war-prize woman, Chryseis, by an oracle of Apollo. As compensation for the loss of Chryseis, Agamemnon took Briseis from Achilles. Thus enraged, Achilles refused to continue fighting for the Greeks. With Achilles’ withdrawal from the action, the war started to go badly for the Greeks and they offered large reparations to try to lure back their greatest warrior. Achilles continued to refuse to rejoin the war, however, he did agree to allow his close friend Patroclus to don his arms and armor and fight in his place. The next day Hector, a Trojan hero, mistook Patroclus for Achilles and killed Patroclus. Achilles was engulfed with rage at Hector and consumed by grief for his friend’s death. Thetis went to Hephaestus and obtained fabulous new armor for Achilles. Achilles recommenced fighting and killed Hector. Not satisfied with Hector’s death, Achilles used his chariot to drag the body before the walls of Troy and refused the corpse funeral rites. Hector’s father Priam, the king of Troy, went secretly to the Greek camp to beg the return of the body. Finally, Achilles relented and allowed Priam to take Hector’s remains. After Hector’s death time started to run out for Achilles. He continued to fight heroically and killed many Trojans as well as their allies. Eventually, Paris, who was another of Priam’s sons, enlisted the aid of Apollo and wounded Achilles in his weak spot – the heel – with an arrow. This caused Achilles death. The enduring legend from the story of Achilles has to do with the concept of the Achilles’ heel. An Achilles’ heel has come to mean that despite overall strength, there is a mortal weakness that can lead to one’s downfall. While the original myth refers to a physical weakness, in modern times it has come to reference other types of character flaws or qualities that can cause ruination. The concept of the hero has changed somewhat in our modern culture. Instead of daring people who buck trends and traditions in order to help their families, nations or cultures, today we tend to revere people like sports figures and actors. While we have the occasional government or political leader such as Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King or Nelson Mandela, most of what you hear about is who is making the most money due to their sports or acting ability. The concept of the sports figure hero can have some validity as these figures do occasionally overcome great odds and perform daring feats on the modern â€Å"battlefield†, i. e. , the sports arena. However, this is nothing compared to the feats of the ancient heros. Hero myths are powerful stories from ancient times. So powerful are they that they cross cultures and ages, continuing to influence us today. Achilles was one of the great heros of ancient times as the mightiest warrior of the Trojan war. While who we classify as a hero has changed in our modern societies, we still look to the concept today. We teach young people about heros as a method to inspire them. We look to our heros as adults to give us guidance and to give us something to guide our hopes and dreams. While modern heros may not be of Achilles’ status, they remain an integral part of our cultures.

Discuss two or three texts which explore the idea that gender roles Essay

Discuss two or three texts which explore the idea that gender roles are performative rather than innate. Discuss with reference - Essay Example Socially accepted mannerisms and functions are them critiqued through frameworks of understanding that are at once rebellious and radical. These texts open up new ways of understanding the gender relations that exist in patriarchal societies and the influences that such societies have on the people who are a part of such societies. The texts also open up the possibilities for social theorists to understand the ways in which society as a whole is complicit in the victimization of women. The victim’s complicity is also often explored and this results in a better understanding of how the power structures that area associated with patriarchy are able to stifle women’s roles without any voice of dissent making itself known or heard. Film theorists have often been able to locate such discrepancies in the society that is modern and yet patriarchal; they have also been able to locate better the performative aspect of gender because of the very nature of film as a medium. The Gr eat Gatsby is an important example of gender relations in the American society during the 1920s. This was an era when there was a great emphasis on the improvement of the economy and speculative investments were on the rise during this era. As a result of this, there were a large number of people who were extremely wealthy and held a great number of very lavish parties. Jay Gatsby is one such person. His source of income is very mysterious. What the reader knows of Jay Gatsby is what he chooses to tell the narrator Nick. As a result of this, the reader has no option but to accept the version of Gatsby. This passage makes this very clear- The truth was that Jay Gatsby, of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his Platonic conception of himself. He was a son of God—a phrase which, if it means anything, means just that—and he must be about His Father’s business, the service of a vast, vulgar, and meretricious beauty. So he invented just the sort of Jay Gatsby that a s eventeen year old boy would be likely to invent, and to this conception he was faithful to the end (Fitzgerald 1995, 16). The idea of inventing for oneself the kind of identity that was in vogue during the twenties is what Gatsby does. What he does is informed by the gender codes of the time and he is able to successfully inhabit such a role. This makes him a successful person for those who are around him. To inhabit a gender role is thus, what makes a person successful in a patriarchal society according to Fitzgerald. This inhabitation of gender roles can also be seen in the women characters of the novel. For instance, the extreme femininity of Daisy is what makes her attractive to the two men who are in love with her. Her rejection of the gender roles that are prescribed then makes room for turmoil and tension within the novel, the kind of tension that finally leads Gatsby to his death. Tom is another character who chooses to inhabit a space that has been socially prescribed. He p lays out an older form of masculinity. According to this role, he is physically strong and is also the provider of the family. Such ideas of gender, according to feminists like Simone de Beauvoir are based on the idea that gender roles are based on the sex of a person. Such roles are then sanctioned by the society and this leads to them being set