Be My Brother

Belonging and alienation is the process of being either excluded or accepted by the society in which you live. Belong is a human conception,mostly considered a fundamental human need and a source of survival, safety, protection and happiness. To belong is usually considered positive and essential for a successful existence:however a negative sense of belonging:found among the displaced, marginalised and uncared for can lead to many social, filial and personal problems that can be almost insurmountable for the individual.The short trop fest film â€Å"Be My Brother† by Genevieve Clay 2009, represents these ideas through the films central characters. The film deals with society and people with disabilities feeling displaced within society due to prejudices. It also displays the notions of disconnection and isolation within the family home of the main character and his brother. The viewer here develops a strong connection to the idea of alienation and not belonging. The short fil m â€Å"Be My Brother† explores the concept of isolation through disabilities.Richard the protagonist is born with a disability and is isolated from society. Richard feels as though he doesn’t exist around his brother Damien. As the film progresses, Richard the protagonist meets a girl names Amanda and she neglects him at first, though she discovers another side to him, and so form a relationship with him. Social acceptance is the process of affiliation with society, but within the film â€Å"Be My Brother† it begins with the exclusion of the main character that has a disability. This is evident when Richard meets Amanda for the first time.As she see’s Richard approaching, she immediately moves towards the edge of the seat. The wide shot used in this scene indicates Amanda’s discomfort, where it demonstrates her fear towards people who are physically different. Furthermore, as Richard offers his hand to Amanda for a handshake, she quickly touches h is hand, and faces the other way. The close up shot within this scene reveals Amanda’s disgust towards Richard through hand gestures, where it emphasies her cruelty and superiority towards him.Clothing in this segment plays a crucial role. Amanda is wearing black clothing, which portrays her social standing, which represents class, elegance, and wealth, whereas Richard is wearing brown clothing, expressing dull, inferior and being less important. The full shot used demonstrates the relationships between characters, and where they stand in society. In addition, social acceptance can be displayed within the family. Richard feels displaced around his brother Damien.This is exemplified in the scene where Damien wearing a black hoodie with his hood up, incorporated with the wide shot depicts resentment and exclusion, where Damien feels embarrassed about his brother because he has a disability. The black hoodie symbolises something evil and depressed which contributes to the isolat ion Richard is experiencing. As Richard passes his hand with the audio recorder to Damien, Damien promptly tries to avoid Richard by moving his head. The close up shot allows the audience to see Damien’s facial expression conveying Damiens arrogance towards Richard.Social acceptance is the key concept within the film â€Å"Be My Brother†, where cameral angles and clothing play a crucial role in revealing the idea of feeling accepted and to belong within society. Disconnection and isolation is portrayed throughout the film between Richard and his brother. The negative sense of belonging, where someone feels isolated; found among the marginalised and uncared for can lead to anger and disappointment. The ideas of isolation can be seen at the beginning of the film. The extreme long shot at the beginning of the film reflects the setting, as Richard is disconnected from society.The blur of the background enhances Richards loneliness and societies prejudice against people wit h disabilities. Furthermore, the aspect of displacement can be manifested in the segment where Damien is sitting by himself at the bus stop and Richard is standing up, expressing his point. The major quote Richard plays in his audio recording â€Å"I am what I am, I can’t change that, my brother doesn’t seem to understand, he seems like he doesn’t want to be near me, I seem to always embarrass him and I don’t like to be ignored! shows evidence of self-expression where Richard seeks to be accepted by his brother and society. Anger and disappointment emerges within the audio recording which shows Richards frustration towards his brother, creating tension and indicating family breakdown.However, Damien experiences a change of heart when he is unable to pay his bus fare. Richard steps in and pays the driver. The long shot used in this scene culminates Damien’s feelings towards his brother, creating a journey as he walks down the narrow bus path toward s his brother and he is thinking and taking into account what his brother did for im and how he has treated his brother. The notions of anger, resentment and embarrassment slowly fade away as he takes off his hoodie and Richard hugs him. This important factor leads to acceptance with his brother and the formation of a positive family relationship. Disconnection and isolation is portrayed throughout the film between Richard and his brother, although it diminishes when Damien comes to the realisation that he is taking his brother for granted and thus the film shapes our understanding of belong and alienation.Ultimately the short film â€Å"Be My Brother† has further developed the understanding of belonging and alienation. Details of the social acceptance, disconnection and isolation portrayed throughout the film between Richard and his Brother, all expose â€Å"belonging and alienation† as a human conception whereby to belong is usually considered positive and to not bel ong leads to marginalisation. The feeling of belonging means acceptance however if someone is under the threat of not belonging the feelings of isolation, anger and disappointment emerge.

An analysis of television chat shows Essay

Television chat shows are probably the favourite genre of the majority of daytime viewers, with the schedule full to bursting point with them, there are few channels that show fewer than two chat shows on a daily basis. There are few times when you can switch on your television and the screen not be filled with the smiling faces of a chat show host and his guests. There are a wide range of chat show styles but they all conform to the same basic conventions. The conventions are that the host is famous and often comes from a journalistic background and their show is named after them. The guests are famous people and come on to the shows to promote themselves etc. the set is basic with just a few chairs and sometimes a table and also there is an audience who are in the studio watching the show live. In the traditional style chat shows these conventions are followed as if they were law. In the newer forms of chat shows these rules aren’t followed as closely. Although they have a host, guest and audience there set is not basic and is full of props such as computers and fake plants to add effect. The purpose of this assignment is to analyse and explore a traditional chat show in the style of ‘Parkinson’ and a ‘new-age’ style chat show in the form of ‘Friday Nights All Wright’ Michael Parkinson is assuredly the finest example of a traditional British television chat show host. His show ‘Parkinson’ is well respected, highly respective and conservative and is produced by the B. B. C. his reputation exceeds him and this is echoed by the shows status. The way that Parkinson dresses also reflects the style and status of the show. As well as the dress code of the show, the title sequence is also very sophisticated. The title sequence is an integral part of the show because it is the first thing that is seen by the viewers, so it will have to display the style and reputation of the show as well as appeal to the more mature viewers which is the shows intended audience. The title sequence for ‘Parkinson’ consists of numerous still shots of previous guests such as Billy connel1y and Heather Mills-McCartney smiling and looking relaxed and comfortable. Some of the shots are posed but the majority look as if they were taken during the show, this gives the audience the idea the guests are normal people and that the show is in a very relaxing environment. As the title sequence comes to an end we are presented with a montage of celebrities faces which them form a real still shot of Parkinson’s face and this then goes in to a dissolve and into the show. The music used to accompany the opening title sequence is classy, cheerful and has a big band feeling, which I think would appeal to the viewers of the show because generally the people who watch the B. B. C are from the older generation and are therefore more conservative than the viewers of I. T. V. Parkinson’s entrance is stylish and grand. He enters at the top of a staircase to the theme music from the show and walks slowly to his seat; this grand entrance is a convention of a typical television chat show. It is at this point that it becomes clear who is in charge of the show. Compared with this grand entrance the entrances of Parkinson’s guests are mediocre. Elton john entrance is from the side of the stage probably because he had just been performing his latest song. When Parkinson introduces Elton john he is full of compliments and the language he uses is full of flattery. He refers to Elton john as ‘a superstar of Rock and Roll’ and ‘lately ennobled’. This may be used to make Elton feel relaxed and confident. He uses these phrases so that the audience will have to guess who the guest is and this will help to create suspense amongst the audience because he does not mention his guests name until the end of his monologue. After Elton takes his seat his body language is quite defensive with his hands clenched together and he doesn’t look straight at his interviewer. Parkinson’s body language shows that he is confident and open and I also think it shows he is experienced. He sits with a straight back and his hands are open palms up on his lap. Parkinson’s opening question to Elton is ‘what’s up’ I think this simple question is used to direct the interviewee to the reason for his appearance on the show. It also shows that although Parkinson uses formal language his language can also include some Yorkshire dialect. Elton John answers politely and hints at why he is on the show. The body language of Parkinson is open and appealing, this is so that the guest will feel relaxed in his company and will answer his questions more openly. Elton’s body language shows that e is defensive and doesn’t want to reveal too much to his host. The style of questioning used by Parkinson is set so that it would help Elton to open up and become more confident in the answers he gives. Although the questions were probably agreed before the show they will still tell the audience what they want to know about the guest. Elton Johns appearance on the show in terms of his reasons for being on the programme fulfil the conventions of a chat show because he is on the show to promote something that he is doing at the moment in his career and one of the conventions of a chat show is that the guest in famous and appears on the show to promote there career. The set for the show is simple yet sophisticated. It has a pale blue background which is used to relax the interviewee and it gives the studio a modern look. Also there is a hint of pink which would make the studio warm and homely. The guest and host sit close together separated only by a small table. The guests who had appeared earlier on in the show sit further away from the host but they are still quite close. There are probably four cameras used to film this show. One camera will cover both host and guest, this would be used when the host is asking a question. Two cameras would cover the host and his guest individually, these cameras would be used to show the person who is speaking. The final camera is used to cover all four people that are on the stage. Most of the cameras are fixed and would just cut from shot to shot throughout the show. When the guest is speaking they would use a big close-up to show their facial expressions and emotions. The audience only participate in the show when a guest or the host enters onto the stage or when a guest finishes a performance. Ian Wright is a light weight chat show host when compared with Parkinson. His show ‘Friday nights all Wright’ is not as well known as ‘Parkinson’ and it is targeted towards the younger generation viewers. It is not a very conservative show which is a characteristic of the house style of I. T. V 1 which is not a conservative channel. His reputation as a chat show host is limited but his reputation as a footballer is legendary. Ian Wright’s dress code reflects the style of the show. He is wearing a black short sleeved t-shirt and imitation leather pants. The style of the show is also tacky compared to the sophisticated ‘Parkinson’. In the clip Ian Wright comes onto the show to loud music, this music is similar to the type of music played in night clubs and it gives the impression that this show is modern. Prince Naseem enters onto the stage accompanied by the same loud music played when he enters the boxing ring. He goes straight to Ian Wright and ‘high-fives’ him and then he goes into the audience and interacts with them. He walks through the audience and plays up to them and shakes hands with them. When he returns to the stage he once again high fives Wright. When he takes his seat naseem sits with his arms open wide, this show that he is confident and cocky. The opening question asked by Ian Wright is ‘so why did it take you so long to get in the ring? ‘ he uses this question as a joke to make naseem feel at home. He also adds ‘talk to me’ in a Jamaican accent to make the audience laugh. The language used throughout the show is slang and it is not very sophisticated and this echoes the style of the show. The set is cheap and simple with a fake brick wall background to give a feel of the inside of a house and there is a mural of the country side on another wall which I think is supposed to give a calming and relaxing effect. The host sits on a simple purple leather chair with a table with a C. C. T. V screen on top of it. Then there is another simple purple sofa for the guest to sit on. There are two steps down from the stage and in this area the audience sit in groups on simple chairs around small tables as if they were in a pub or night club. In the corner of the studio there is a cage containing football fans. I think that there are probably three cameras, the first is at the back of the studio and is used to show the guest, host and audience together and the second and third cameras are used so that both the host and guest have individual shots when they are speaking. The audience participate more in this show than in ‘Parkinson’ because they shake hands with the guest when he enters and also they laugh a lot more than in Parkinson and the laughing is not forced as it often is in Parkinson. The most effect of these two chat shows is probably ‘Parkinson’ because it will appeal to a wider audience than ‘Friday nights all Wright’ and also the guest will be more sophisticated and well known than those on Ian Wrights show. Out of the two chat shows I think I prefer ‘Parkinson’ because there is a wider range of guests and the guests are often in the news at the time so I like to hear there views on current affairs.

Asias Economic Potential and Most about China

Asian countries look forward for a more favourable economic future. It is seen that the output can expand at a rate of 2 per cent every year if individual crisis is not met. With the discoveries of new resource frontiers and further development of advanced technology in source of energy and method processing, Asia cannot improve unless output grows (Atighechian et al., 2016). Under the conscious and skilful leadership, economic can change through a purposeful domestic action. Potential growth is determined by the supply of the economy. It particularly depends upon the changes in the structure of the economy like industrial employment, working-age population, share of net exports, export growth, share of foreign investment, GDP and human capital accumulation (Gillam & Siriwardena, 2013). Political landscape in Asia is evolving constantly throughout centuries. The dynamics within the regions of Asia like Japan, China, India, Singapore, etc. has ranged from vibrant multi party democrats to repressive regimes. The potential explode is contrary effecting the proliferation of cooperative multilateral mechanism to introduce peace (Atighechian et al., 2016). Many historical influences and contemporary issues have transformed Asia’s critical importance for long term U.S interests. NBR works assesses to render the in-depth analysis for policymakers and other business communities. Since Asia is affected by colonialism and imperialism, the governors retain close links with the states (Gillam & Siriwardena, 2013). As seen, China and India, Russia and Japan or North Korea and South Korea are moving towards peace treaty and greater co-operation and communication within the region of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Economic progress is highly essential to sustain political vigour including the national independence (Pestle, Crowley & Weirauch, 2014). China has experienced moderate growth in 2015, at 6.5%and is now gradually projected to a medium average of 6.2 in the coming 2016-20. There is this growing recognition of opportunity cost relating to intensive economic integration (Atighechian et al., 2016). Since the global economic outlook is volatile, it faces downside risks aroused from rising oil prices, protectionism, re-alignments, and etc. Also the underutilized capacity in engineering and construction industries is met. An intensive cooperation to match this capacity could put the region on a high growth trajectory and help Asia re-emerge as a centre of gravity in the world economic category The glittering cities and bustling ports bear record of calling Asia the ‘Asian Miracle’. Despite of gains many Asian countries fall victim to economic stagnation, social unrest and confront to crucial challenges that creates an unsustainable path to prosperity. Such challenges are persistent poverty, widening corruption and growing ethnic and religious conflicts (Gillam & Siriwardena, 2013). China has reported to change in the existing law to a two child policy to help address aging issues. This law was passed as a standing committee for couples now allowing having two children. Again Bangladesh women face region’s social progress; remuneration and treatment of gender for social justice according to gender equality and labour market launched at ADB’s headquarter Manila, Philippines. Asia has clearly identified a better way to understand technology adoption trend mostly in key Asia-Pacific (APAC) markets. As a result it influenced the assessing and profiling ownership for key consumer technologies, also identifying the technological adoption barriers. It also quantified the consumer purchase adding to buying behaviour and establishing priorities from a technology point of scale (Atighechian et al., 2016). Singapore is looking forward to build a smart nation using the block chain technology thereby replacing the central registries. This will lead the way in making a trusted, tamper proof depository publishing to a common platform, regulators or other interested parties and find real time trade. Asia developing economics face serious environmental problems that threaten its future growth, food security and regional stability. Endangered species problem, air pollution, coral reefs destruction, deforestation, water security, and increased urbanization has posed like an act of pulling people out of poverty and at an expense of local environment (Gillam & Siriwardena, 2013). This is acute for Southeast Asian nations because of their economic mostly the tourism sector that depends on their natural resources.   With fast, relevant and trusted legal advice on Asia’s corporate counsel, the change of foreign investment laws and its effect has turned its attention to Asia legal markets. Asia has explored few issues over successful efforts. Few are: lack of transparency and accountability, access to justice and human rights. Japan and Turkey have seized the potential growth seeking international capital and cross-border investments within (Atighechian et al., 2016). As complex transaction with offshore connection, Asia is sees the growing demand for offshore legal services in the region. Anyway the Chinese businesses have embraced the neutrality, flexibility and structured in accessing the international capital and in financing and trading transactions. This report is all about the analyse efforts of generative sectors that articulate domestic economic development with the creation of new systems of international economic and political relations. In conclusion the trade blocks association provide analysis to potential economic and social benefits through various pathways towards free trade areas thus identifying the challenges and realising the goals. Atighechian, G., Maleki, M. R., Aryankhesal, A., & Jahangari, K. (2016). Are Macro and Micro Environment Affecting Management of Fresh Water Resources? A Case from Iran with Pestle Analysis.  Materia Socio-Medica, 28(4), 307. Gillam, S., & Siriwardena, A. N. (2013). Leadership and management for quality.  Quality in primary care,  21(4), 253-259. Oey, E., & Nitihardjo, E. C. (2016). Selecting Regional Postponement Centre Using Pestle-Ahp-Topsis Methodology: A Case Study in a Pharmaceutical Company.  Global Business Review, 0972150916656696. Pestle, W. J., Crowley, B. E., & Weirauch, M. T. (2014). Quantifying inter-laboratory variability in stable isotope analysis of ancient skeletal remains.PloS one,  9(7), e102844. Visconti, R. M. (2016). Healthcare Public-Private Partnerships in Italy: Assessing Risk Sharing and Governance Issues with Pestle and Swot Analysis. Zalengera, C., Blanchard, R. E., Eames, P. C., Juma, A. M., Chitawo, M. L., & Gondwe, K. T. (2014). Overview of the Malawi energy situation and A Pestle analysis for sustainable development of renewable energy. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews,  38, 335-347.

Culture of an Organization Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Culture of an Organization - Research Paper Example In the said article, the report clearly states that there was major collaboration between the US and Mexican informants which resulted to the fall of some major drug cartels across Mexican boundary. Although Mexico was no longer part of the US’s area of responsibility, powerful and influential drug cartels in the said country remain to affect the US which usually would result to its continuing problem and fight with major prevailing crimes. In the article of Thomson, it also states that American officials believe that the Drug Enforcement Administration informants having link with cartels are of great help in tracking down culprits of major crimes. The US law enforcement agency is a significant component of the country’s criminal justice system. This agency must have important information as basis prior to its actual decision-making process towards the society’s concerns on criminal activities initiated by highly systematic criminal individuals, groups or organiz ations. This agency is therefore having a strong culture about relying on exact information. Its ability to incur services from Drug Enforcement Administration informants is a remarkable justification of its existing culture. In other words, informants have critical role to play towards the kind of decision that the US law enforcement agency must remarkably apply. ... e US law enforcement agency must therefore improve further its capacity to track down criminals and one way of doing so is to establish a high system of information-based system. Informants are significant components of it, which only means that they are elemental factors for the future directions of the US law enforcement agency. After all, an organization must remarkably consist of a social network which would not only make monitoring of flow of information and work output possible, but as well as culture (Carpenter, Bauer & Erdogan, 2009). In the case of the US law enforcement agency, its potential networks for the fulfillment of its objectives involve the informants as its external stakeholders. The second article is â€Å"Independent Agency Gets New Powers to Prosecute New York Police Officers† written by Baker and published in New York Times. Board lawyers have been given the chance to act as prosecutors instead of the police agency employees in cases when police officer s will be subjected to internal or administrative discipline (Baker, 2012). According to Baker, this was the response of the federal government after the Police Department faced cases concerning corruption, stop-and-frisk practices, lack of integrity of its crime data, and some associated violations in policing. All of these are potential grounds and bases concerning series of Wall Street protests against the Police Department. In this agreement, civilians at last have the opportunity that their voices be heard through the Civilian Complaint Review Board. Based on the above summary of the second article, it is clear that civilians are therefore other external stakeholders that have potential impact on the decision-making of criminal justice agencies. After all, it is the people which the criminal

Critical Perspectives on HRM in Britain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Critical Perspectives on HRM in Britain - Essay Example Research shows that when an organisation is able to achieve a cohesive and unified organisational culture, it improves problem-solving capacity within a firm and leads to enhanced organisational performance (Yilmaz and Ergun 2008). Furthermore, a longitudinal study conducted by Kotter and Heskett (1992) discovered that having a cohesive organisational culture was correlated with a 765 percent improvement of business incomes for the investigated organisations occurring between 1977 and the year 1988. With such evidence of organisational improvement and enhanced problem-solving capacity as a result of developing a cohesive organisational culture, it would appear that it is, indeed, desirable for senior managers to seek to change their organisational cultures if it is determined that existing culture in insufficient for enhancing organisational performance. However, change resistance is commonplace in many organisations in which managers become the victims of illogical and irrational employee responses when organisational members are faced with change (Ford, Ford and D’Amelio 2009). Hence, it might not be feasible to seek change of culture as a result of the intensity of psychological retaliation imparted upon management when attempting to elicit cultural change. There appears to be significant evidence that seeking to change organisational culture maintains a variety of benefits for an organisation. O’Donnell (2006) asserts that when an organisation maintains a cohesive culture, culture can facilitate development of innovations that support an organisation’s goals. For many organisations, especially those that operate in saturated competitive markets, the capability of an organisation in achieving many innovative outputs serves as a predictor of competitive advantage and holistic organisational performance. Kalyanaram and Gurumurthy (2008) describe an example of being a first mover in a new market where a firm

Tax cases and internal research memo Assignment

Tax cases and internal research memo - Assignment Example In this particular case, Artnell Company has faced obligation from the court of the United States regarding its transferee and tax payment. In this regard, it has been recognized that the issues has upraised from the deferral operations of its assets and liabilities. As an effect, it has been observed that the company has not been able to recognize its actual income due to irregularity. As a consequence, the company was not able to submit its due amount of tax. Correspondingly, the court of the United States has appealed for the penalty including the due tax amount of the Artnell Company. CASE 2 In this case the United States court has filed a charge against the Federal partnership tax returns of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Ltd. In this regard, the partnership firm has not recorded its income items on the basis of deferral method, which has affected the taxation of the company. Under section 451, a lawsuit against the company was filed for not maintaining the yearly income receipt adequately. On the other hand, under section 446(c), taxpayers are liable to pay the computed taxable income. In this regard, the United States court has recognized that $125,000 sponsor fee was unpaid. In this case, petitioner has kept all the record related to the income tax return on the accrual basis. The U.S. Supreme Court has identified the problem regarding the income of the firm. In this regard, the Supreme Court of the U.S. has sought for the cash receipts of includible amount. Moreover, during the inspection the Commissioner of the U.S. Supreme Court had asked for the receipts regarding installments including the due amounts as well as total payable amounts. During that phase the company has unable to show the gross income for the year. At the same time, due to deferral of prepaid income, company was not able to reflect its deferral income. Thus, under the section 41

Consumer Perceptions of Mobile Phone Marketing A Critical Analysis Assignment

Consumer Perceptions of Mobile Phone Marketing A Critical Analysis - Assignment Example There is lack of clarity in conceptualization, and consequentially, in Operationalization of the concept, that is, measurement of the variables consisting of specific observations.   â€Å"Consumer perceptions of mobile phone marketing† has been relegated to the second place as an ‘incidental factor’ which could be inferred from the author’s statement, â€Å"Thus, it is proposed that a consumers level of involvement with their mobile phone will influence their decision to adopt or reject marketing communications sent via this channel†    Internet, telephone, and media are converging with greater velocity.   The mobile phone is the property of the user.   When his mobile phone is used without his consent for marketing, his initial reaction may be indifference or negative.  Ã‚  Ã‚  The individual’s perception is dependant upon the utility derived by him.   Therefore, blending utility aspect in marketing is necessary to improve the consumers’ perception.   Advertising through SMS is gaining momentum as a part of mobile marketing, and the marketing strategies of trade and business can’t ignore mobile phones in the field of advertising.   The sample does not represent the population meaningfully.   The samples used in the methodology might have been suitable for mobile phone usage in Colleges and Universities.   The observations would be homogenous as it will not reflect the disparities in income in the society.   Important factors such as such as income levels, age group, business or employment background, educational backgrounds etc. have no bearing on the samples selected for observation and analysis. The original study examined â€Å"how a consumers perception of the relative advantages, compatibility and complexity associated with mobile phone marketing, and their involvement with their mobile  phone, influenced their intention to accept marketing communication sent via this channel.†

Integration - Casual Chains and Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Integration - Casual Chains and Strategy - Essay Example More than 2700 courses are being taught in the training centers of TRADCO all over United States in which some of them directly assist mobilization. TRADCO not only provides training only in respect of directly armed force related subjects but also the language courses which are nearly 350 in number. The training centers have more than 503,000 seats among which nearly 435,000 seats are reserved for the armed forces personnel i.e. soldiers, around 34,000 are reserved for service personnel, 8,000 for the soldier who do not belong to United States and the rest of 26,000 seats are reserved for civilians of United States (TRADCO, 2012). Vision and Mission Statement of TRADCO The Commanding General of TRADCO has set the vision statement of the training center which states that ‘Strengthen America’s Force of Decisive Action and provides the Nation an adaptable Army for an uncertain future’ (TRADOC, 2012). Similarly, the mission statement states that ‘Training and D octrine Command develops, educates and trains Soldiers, civilians, and leaders; supports unit training; and designs, builds and integrates a versatile mix of capabilities, formations, and equipment to strengthen the U.S. Army as America’s Force of Decisive Action† (TRADOC, 2012). ... Apart from that TRADCO has opened up its training centers especially for the highly qualified and trained instructors no matter from which part of the world they belong to as long as they can add value to the training provided by TRADCO. Strategy of TRADCO The major aim of TRADCO is to develop such training programs which are aimed at the future training of the US armed forces. In order to create a competitive training center, TRADCO has established institutional training, design and implementation process. The training center has also developed a knowledge management center in order to pursue its strategic plans designed for its soldiers and civilian personnel. The major purpose achieved through knowledge management system in the horizontal and vertical integration followed by TRADCO (DePuy and Swain, 2000). With this, the management of TRADCO can integrate the objectives of the organization through assessment, coordination, analysis and recommendations. Among various other departme nts, TRADCO has a marketing research department as well. With the marketing research, TRADCO is benefitted with the prevailing marketing trends of the armed forces training industry and develops its strategies in the light of the results of the marketing research. The likelihood of attracting qualified faculty for training center can be enhanced through marketing research (King and Demsey, 2008). TRADCO has also implemented a program named as acquisition management insight (Cameron, 2003). This program is used in providing the more focused picture of the requirements of various contracts for training centers. The program is friendly and it ensures that the leaders are involved in the acquisition activities of the training centers. The financial

International Hospitality Operations Coursework

International Hospitality Operations - Coursework Example Essentially Dubai is one of the countries that form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Different ethnic groups reside in the Emirates, some of the include Pakistani, European, Bangladesh, Indian and Emirati. It is significant to note that, Middle East, is burgeoning in numerous ways, which include politically, economically and demographically (Baum, 47). It is evident that, much of the region’s wealth is attributable to having the world’s largest deposits of easily extractable oil and tourism activities. Background information The tourism industry in Dubai and in the whole Gulf region is comparatively young. Until the late 19550s, Dubai had no hotels. Visitors would spend with their hosts. It is noticeable that, the following two decades saw Dubai grow tremendously in developing basic facilities for travelers (Baum, 49). The opening of an international airport in 1959 and discovery of oil in 1966 spurred development and opening of several hotels. The founding of the Emirat es Airlines in 1985 and the Dubai Tourism Board saw Dubai attract investors and tourists from across the globe. The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) facilitated international promotion and positioning Dubai as both commercial hub and resort destination (Rehman, 217). The establishment of the Jumeirah Group in 1997 as a hotel management company has seen the development of a portfolio of high-end hotels in Dubai and across the globe. For instance, the Burj-Al-Arab was opened in 1997 as the first seven-star hotel in the world (Brotherton, 151). This trend has accelerating to the current state, which puts Dubai in the global arena in tourist attraction and foreign investment (Rehman, 218). Political trend The middle East is often professed by westerners to be tantamount with conflict, but it middle East has serene areas where many diverse nationalities congregate, work and live together in a harmonious way (Buhalis & Costa, 122). It is imperative to note that, the UAE is one of the peaceful places with Dubai having the highest influx of international workers who make up to 80% of the country’s work force (Rehman, 219). Dubai is politically stable, and it has developed a reputation for being a safe hub for people of diverse nationalities, who work for companies from all over the globe. It is a constitutional monarchy ruled by Sheikh Mohammed (Rehman, 215). Mohammed, who has been on the wheel of leadership since 1995, had a vision for Dubai as an international hub for business and leisure. Mohammed realized his vision for Dubai quickly by the establishment of business centers, tourist attraction centers, which included skyscrapers such as the Burj Khalifa. It is the tallest building in the world. Such building makes Dubai distinct from the rest of the United Arab Emirates. They act as tourist attraction centers. It is imperative to note that, Dubai has managed to raise numerous sophisticated and pleasurable buildings even on water. The Burj Khalifa is illustrated below (Tizabi, 321). Additionally, is a member of numerous global organizations and associations, which include the Arab League, United Nations and World Trade Organization, this trend has sustained healthy relationships with the Western democratic countries. This membership has strengthened Dubai’s internal political stability (Tizabi, 317). Culture and religion background It is vital to note that, Dub

Belonging - A Clockwork Orange Essay Example for Free

Belonging A Clockwork Orange Essay The concept of belonging is essential. To belong is to form a connection which will allow a sense of identity, without this we lose our humanity; however, conformity is in a sense a facade of belonging, as it restrains our freedom and forces us to only mimic. My studied texts show how society demands us to conform, yet conformity prevents a sense of true identity being ever created. This notion is elaborated in the novel, A Clockwork Orange. Alex is a criminal who doesn’t belong anywhere within society. In the novel, the government attempts to suppress his criminality by physically preventing him from thinking of violence—thus making him conform to their standards. This is a prime example of how society attempts to make us conform to what is considered ‘normal’. Towards the end of the novel, the character F. Alexander tells Alex: â€Å"They have turned you into something other than a human being. You have no power of choice any longer. You are committed to socially acceptable acts, a little machine capable only of good. The quote shows us the central theme of the novel; if we cannot choose where we belong we lose our humanity—thus showing us the value of choice as well as the value of individuality. The metaphor and imagery of the title, a clockwork orange, symbolises what conformity does to a man. If we cannot choose where to belong we cease to be human but clockwork, or some type of mechanism. We need to be able to choose where we belong, for if it is not chosen its authenticity ceases. The novel ends with Alex choosing the path of goodness, the established normality of society. He states; â€Å"Perhaps I was getting too old now for the sort of life I had been leading, brothers† Alex chooses to belong to society, thus allowing a connection to be formed between him and the world. Conformity and the need to conform to a group or community is the central theme throughout both of the chosen texts I have studied, those being Strictly Ballroom and A Clockwork Orange. â€Å"Strictly Ballroom† also supports the fact that society attempts to make us conform to what is considered ‘normal’. The movie shows the disastrous effect conformity and fear have among members who gain their place inside the group at the price of conformity. Shirley Hastings, for example, lives a â€Å"life half-lived† cowering before what Barry Fife will say or think. She has let the Federation so dominate her that she has no respect for Doug and can only see her son Scott in terms of winning competitions. The movie represents belonging using a variety of techniques to distinguish between the world of artifice and the more realistic world. The image of the artificial world, shown as the ballroom world, is glitzy and colourful. Luhrmann has presented this world as having power, whereas the character of Fran, shown in plain clothes and reading glasses, is initially shown as powerless, because she does not conform to the ballroom world. The movie traces the shift from a world of false belonging dominated by conformity, fear and the cynical manipulations of the ultra-sleaze Barry Fife, towards the iconic last scene where the line between spectators and professional dancers blurs and is dissolved as Scott dressed in Spanish costume and Fran in Spanish-style red dress put passion back into dance, rescuing it from the deadening effect of the old brigade. Taking the similes of the two texts we can arrive at the conclusion that conformity allows us to become part of a functioning society but can in turn stifle individuality, expression and self-identity. I’ll leave you with two thoughts from â€Å"A Clockwork Orange†. â€Å"Goodness is something to be chosen. When a man cannot choose he ceases to be a man. † And so I ask you, ‘Is it better for a man to choose to be bad than to be conditioned to be good? † That is both the crux of the issues involved and the decision we must all, as individuals, make.

Masculinity In Victorian Gothic Novels

Masculinity In Victorian Gothic Novels In both Robert Louis Stephensons The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Bram Stokers Dracula, social expectation reveals anxieties surrounding sexuality in the Victorian period. Stephensons novel depicts the masculine as a vehicle of self denial where the protagonist Jekyll will not allow himself to surrender to his immoral alter-ego. In a similar way, the novel Dracula depicts sexual power as a major threat to masculinity, whereby the male characters refuse to permit the females to act upon their sexual desires for fear that such liberation will destabilise patriarchal control. Whilst Victorian ideology is not outwardly challenged in the novels, as liberation sexual or otherwise is entirely condemned, investigating the function of the masculine reveals a somewhat radical gender ideology which contests Victorian expectation. In general, critics comment on oppression of the female within the Victorian period and overlook the same subjugation faced by men. Female disempowerment is commonly recognised whereas male suffering in the context of the same social rigidity is often omitted in criticism of the time. Critic George Landow comments that feminist analysis of the Gothic focuses on the concern of the stereotyping of the female characters according to male fantasy, however Stokers Dracula indulges the male imagination by subverting stereotypical female characters and allowing women power through sexual liberation. Stoker challenges Landows comments that it is only the feminine that suffers under marginalisation of the stereotype by presenting masculine subjugation as a consequence of social restraint. Critic Cyndy Hendershots work on male oppression in Victorian society further challenges ideology of the time. She argues that, generally, the notion of Victorian masculinity is ambiguous as stereotypical an d presumptuous representations of male characters are rarely questioned. Stefan Collini is a critic who acknowledges the ambiguity surrounding representations of Victorian masculinity. He comments that there appears to be a general consensus of gender ideals whereby the accepted single, rigid idea of Victorian masculinity remained unquestioned. Collini suggests that the concept of Victorian masculinity as heterosexual rises from an unquestioned assumption of this as the norm. As a result, it seems that the novels work to challenge accepted roles of gender and sexuality within the Victorian period. Within Victorian society, one of the fundamental concerns was the preservation of reputation. Alongside this concern lay an anxiety over sexuality and how to express and, in turn, suppress, sexual desires. In many ways, the oppressive nature of society, and consequently the inability for men, as well as women, to be sexually expressive, only heightened the fascination of a more sinister side of sexuality. In Jekyll and Hyde, there is a major emphasis on the value systems within Victorian society, especially with regards to their concern to preserve reputation. This is made evident through the characters of both Utterson and Enfield, both respectable members of the society who consider gossip as detrimental to a persons reputation. Dr Jekylls major concern is the way in which others perceive him and he is conscious to maintain an upstanding reputation throughout the novel. On the other hand, the character of Hyde is presented as wholly monstrous and as a means through which Jekyll can become uninhibited, unleashing the emotions society compels him to contain. The characters are anxious to remain within the boundaries of social expectation, yet this overbearing force of constraint is often detrimental as it is clear in both novels that what is constantly suppressed is ultimately released. It is interesting to consider the role of the male characters within the novels as it is evident that the masculine is not, as it would first appear, prioritised. Moreover, the omission of the female, which would generally suggest lack of authority on the part of the feminine, suggests here that the male characters are problematic to themselves, exposing the weakness of the male in a supposedly patriarchal society. In Jekyll and Hyde, the way in which the male characters are so evidently anxious about women and sexuality, despite the fact there are no predominant female characters, suggests that the masculine sphere is continually threatened by female influence. In many ways, the removal of the feminine exposes the flaws of the masculine, and shows that it is not the female who causes the male to suffer but the male alone. The threat of female sexual expression despite the lack of females within the novel demonstrates the psychological turmoil the men face under the constraints of th e Victorian society. Dracula uses female sexuality as a threat to men, again demonstrating the power that women hold over the men and consequently emphasising the weakness of the male. One of the key themes within Stokers novel is the fear surrounding sexual expression. Female sexual expression is seen as a threat which provokes a form of pleasure in the male imagination. The characters are liberated from the pressures of social constraint by means of the imagination, through which they can give a free rein to their sexual desires. Female sexuality is fundamental to the novels exploration of the role of the male within Victorian society as the novel shifts power from one gender to another, as the females exercise their voluptuousness and the men act to maintain social order. Critic Heath comments that feminism makes things unsafe for men, unsettles assumed positions and undoes given identities. Stokers Dracula confirms this theory in its exploration of sexually powerful women who threaten patriarchal authority. On the other hand, the way in which the female characters transform into vampire vixens is not categorically a feminist depiction as the females simply tran sform into embodiments of Dracula, meaning that they shift and take on a masculine form in order to gain power. The three females who become sexualised are clearly representations of gender subversion as they seek to dominate Harker and use him to fulfil their own sexual urges. Yet, in many respects, these females must adopt the role of the male in order to acquire any form of power. Their sharp teeth, which they are determined to bite Harker with, are undoubtedly phallic symbols which epitomise the penetration of the victim. Ultimately, the way females attain power in the novel is through masculinity, therefore gender ideals are not subverted in this sense. Although female characters in the novel are permitted a degree of power and sexual liberation, masculinity remains as the more powerful position. Stoker uses Freudian theory in his novel in order to examine sexuality in the Victorian period without appearing overtly critical of the society in which he lived. The vampire element of the novel distances the reader from the society being described and yet there are noticeable parallels which suggest Stokers deliberate attempt to challenge accepted ideology. Dracula begins with a description of Jonathan Harkers description of how he arrives at the castle. Harker uses the word uncanny in this description which immediately makes reference to Freuds theory, published in 1919, on the uncanny. This theory is referenced throughout the novel, as the vampire who brings about death with his mouth, is representative of the first stage of psychosexual development, according to Freud. It is at this stage where, Freud believes, the person develops the compulsion to destroy that which is living. The characters of Lucy and Mina are presented as being wholly devoted to the men in their lives. This innocence depicts these women as both docile and two-dimensional. Dracula threatens to change these women into devils of the Pit and give them power through sexualisation, and it is only through these transformations that the female characters may acquire a voice within the text. When Lucy Westerna is transformed into a sexual being by Count Dracula, she changes from a weak and passive female character into a vampire vixen who seeks to satisfy her own sexual desires. She is at first submissive at the hands of the male characters but, once she becomes sexualised, she hunts for to use men for her own advantage and fulfil her sexually. Stokers Dracula investigates the possibility of a kind of fluidity within gender roles. When Lucy transforms into a voluptuous vampire, any potential male suitor is warned off at the demand of any form of objection to established sexual identity. The men are perturbed at the prospect of a woman usurping power and subverting accepted roles. Lucys transformation is seen as so insubordinate of social expectation that Van Helsings men are determined to destroy her in an attempt to reinstate social order. The men are fearful that Mina will also be transformed and dedicate themselves to controlling female sexual behaviour in order that the women do not become disparaged socially and therefore incapable of any relationship with them. The mens fears over the womens transformations are entirely selfish as they feel unsafe with any attack on social order. Dracula mocks them saying your girls that you love are mine already; and through them you and others shall yet be mine. He suggests here tha t his transformation of women into sexualised vampire vixens, where their sexual desires are uncontained and liberated, leaves men exposed and will ultimately destroy patriarchy within society. Stoker depicts Victorian horror at the thought of a sexually liberated woman through his description of Harkers own fear at confronting the vampires. His confusion surrounding the kiss of the vampire, where he feels both desire, in his longing for the kiss, and deadly fear at the same time, is representative of the way that Victorian society constrained the mobility of sexual desire for men, as well as for women. His confusion as to whether he was dreaming in his visions of pleasure as the women approached him suggest that he will not allow himself to consider any sexual desire as real and he will not confront his feelings. He decides that if the vampires are more than just visions then they will drink his blood, making themselves stronger and, in turn, weakening him. However, he is still fearful of these vampires if they are simply visions as they still threaten to drain him of semen, as they are providing him with sexual pleasure, as he lies in languorous ecstasy. Harkers weakness as a male is revealed when he is described as being both sickened and excited by the thought of any sexual contact with the female vampires. This demonstrates the oppressive nature of Victorian society in that Harker was forced to subdue his desires as he did not have the power to act upon them. The way in which Stoker depicts Harkers fear in losing valuable fluid, whether blood or semen, in either situation, presents an image of the collapsing patriarchal structure of Victorian society. Stoker may be warning men of this social change, but it seems more likely that he is encouraging social ideology to be reconsidered. The function of the vampire in the novel can be considered as a representation of sexual oppression. The male characters in Dracula all fight to contain female sexuality as they panic for their own wellbeing. In Christopher Crafts essay on gender and inversion in the novel, he argues that Dracula uses gender stereotypes in order to encourage exploration into sexuality and in order that social expectation can be re-imagined. He comments that the novels depiction of transformation, whether from victim to vampire or from vampire to the victim, permits an investigation into sexuality and gender. Often, the way in which the novel challenges oppressive Victorian society is overlooked in favour of its apparent denunciation of gender inversion. Dracula seems to imply a failing on the part of women who seek to subvert conventional social roles and yet in many ways the females are not permitted any form of power as they adopt masculine qualities when they are transformed into vampires. It can be said that gender roles are not definitively reversed in the novel, as the females must become male as they become vampires. In becoming male, the female vampires lose any maternal sense as they prey on innocent children and they become penetrators in their desire to suck blood from their victims. The novel, therefore, has no real female representation, suggesting that Stoker was not setting men and women up against each other but commenting on society as a whole. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a novel which confronts anxieties of the Victorian period. The narrative presents the idea of one body which contains two opposing personas. Dr Jekyll, who is well-educated and an upright member of society is contained within the single body alongside the wholly immoral Mr Hyde. Dr Jekylls underlying desire to liberate himself from the oppressive society in which he lives is outplayed through his alter-ego Mr Hyde, who enjoys the freedom of acting upon his desires and human urges. This representation seems to emulate Victorian societys deep-rooted fascination with emancipation from social imprisonment. Many critics suggest that masculinity is often presented as an adaptable and indefinite sphere within the novel, a factor which has permitted a degree of reimagining the concept of the male in literature. Critic Cohen argues that from as early as the 1880s, fictional depictions of English masculinity often narrativise the difficulties of the male embodiment as a splitting within the male subject precisely in order to assert new modes of self-representation. He suggests here that the male figure was less frequently written as a stable representation and was more commonly represented as a character with more than one persona. The image of Victorian London presented by Stephenson is a society almost entirely lacking in females. The only woman who is present in the narrative is the maid who witnesses the murder of Sir Danvers Carew. Her status instantly suggests that the woman is lower class and she is presented as an almost insignificant member of society. She describes the body of Sir Danvers Carew as beautiful. This is the only instance novel in the novel where there is any form of interaction between the genders and, even this interaction is presented as non-sexual. The consequences of such a repressive society are clearly detrimental to the people who inhabit it, as Dr Jekyll proves through Hyde, and this oppression is demonstrated through the lack of open sexual desire within the novel. Furthermore, the absence of women within the novel suggests that the male identity crisis was a social creation rather than due to female influence. The men in the novel are at peril with their sexual identity and plac e in society because of the imposing nature of society itself. Whilst Stephenson presents the idea that Victorian society regarded displays of sexuality as indecent, Hydes actions within the novel are undoubted of a sexual nature. When Hyde is first introduced to the novel, there is a description of him trampling a young girl underfoot, and, afterwards, he pays for her family to keep quiet about the incident. This incident could insinuate that Hyde was involved in the common Victorian crime of child prostitution. Moreover, the lack of sexual desire towards females on the part of the male characters may imply that these men were concealing homosexual tendencies. The close relationship shared between Utterson and Enfield may also imply that these two men take part in some kind of sexual behaviour that would have been condemned at the time. Freudian theory labels the character of Hyde as an illustration of the unconscious mind, known as the id. Jekylls ability to conform to social expectation is controlled by his ego which suppresses his unconscious thoughts. Critic Michael Kane believes that Victorian society found the unconscious mind as detrimental. He comments that repressed desires were projected upon those it considered inferior, not only women but any lower order of society, who became the unconscious of respectable society. His ideas suggest that gender is not the significant factor which causes people to act upon their basic urges; it is the idea of levels of the class which impose social rigidity. By this he means that upper class citizens are more likely to suppress any improper desire because of their position within society. This argument is not supported by the novel, however, as Jekyll is a doctor so he is clearly educated and he is a respectable member of society who falls victim to the social oppression he faces. The novel uses the concept of the double in order to examine the way in which characters of either gender can be identified by more than one state, exploring Stephensons own claims that every human being contains some form of alter-ego. Dr Jekyll is an upstanding citizen who conceals an immoral monster in the form of alter-ego Hyde. Throughout the novel the two are presented as entirely distinct beings and it is only in the novels conclusion that the reader can fully understand the two personas as one character. The use of the double personality of Jekyll and Hyde is a useful concept when considering male gender identity, as the dual nature of the individual is said to destabilise male character itself. The novel challenges the idea that the male character represents unquestionably the embodied attributes of a male and a gender ideology that qualifies masculinity as proper male character. Despite the fact that the novel does appear to confront gender stereotypes referenced in the pre vious statement, the idea of masculinity is difficult to consider in the context of social influence, the idea that society constructs the way that gender identity is formed. Stephenson does not condemn men as individuals but comments on the way that the stringency of Victorian society and its expectations does not account for the duality of human nature. Both Stokers Dracula and Stephensons Jekyll and Hyde share a similar narrative structure, introducing a monstrosity and then exploring this idea before eradicating the monster with the intention that social order is reinstated. The monster in Dracula is the Count himself and the monstrosity of the novel is the liberation of female sexual expression through his transformation of women into vampire vixens. Stephensons novel shows the monster as repressed desires of Jekyll which are unveiled through the vehicle of Hyde. At the end of the novel, Jekyll reveals that he knows Hyde will be no more by the time Utterson reads his final letter. At the end of Stokers novel, Dracula is killed and Little Quinceys birth fulfils Van Helsings prophecy of the children that are to be and restores order among the community. Critic Christopher Craft comments that the monstrous threat in the novels is contained and finally nullified by the narrative requirement that the monster be repudiated and the worl d of normal relations restored. The restoration at the end of both novels suggests that gender ideals cannot be subverted entirely, despite challenging social expectation to a certain degree. Nevertheless, the conclusions of the novels are not positive which suggest that although ideals remain as established this is not necessarily the best outcome and there is an inference that change needs to be made. Gothic novels are commonly recognised as texts which exemplify the subjugation of women yet the oppression faced by the male characters is often disregarded. Both men and women suffered equally under the repressive Victorian society which directed sexual behaviour and regarded open sexual expression as depraved. The function of the male character within the novels is not merely to criticise the patriarchal society of the 19th century but to challenge the way that social ideology was a detrimental factor to both men and women.

Apple Computers G4 Snafu :: Essays Papers

Apple Computers G4 Snafu In fulfillment of the periodical paper assignment, I have chosen a recent story concerning Apple Computer Inc. as the topic for the first paper. Summary of Situation: After setting off a storm of consumer complaints earlier this week, Apple Computer Inc tried to make amends Friday by reversing a retroactive price increase for a small number of customers who had pre-ordered its new top-of-the-line G4 PowerMacs. Earlier this week, Apple said it was unable to offer the G4 PowerMac model equipped with a 500-megahertz processor until early next year because of supply constraints at its main chipmaker, Motorola Inc. Apple then ratcheted up the price on the 350, 400, and 450 MHz models that it could supply, trying to offset the lost potential revenues that the 500 MHz G4 would provide. Ethical Implications: I believe that Apple might have broke even concerning this ordeal; however, let's examine the specifics of both sides of what transpired here: When the company determined that the supply of 500 MHz chips was not going to meet the demand requested, they reconfigured its G4 family of desktop computers, offering systems with processors running at 350, 400 or 450 MHz -- but at higher prices -- instead of the original 400, 450 or 500 MHz machines. After the company received numerous complaints from customers, both loyal Apple supporters, and potential new customers, the company retracted its new restructuring, allowing the original pricing and megahertz versions to stay. Apple may have lost the faith of even some extreme supporters. Bill Bryant, who runs a health-care consulting business in Dallas, said he has been a Macintosh loyalist for 20 years. "...I'm thinking of buying a Dell or something. Some people are saying it's time to go to the dark side," he added, referring to PCs running on Microsoft's Windows operating system and processors. On the other hand, at least this was nothing close to the Intel fiasco of the early Nineties. I feel Apple handled this situation much more smoothly; it decided much faster that it could not incur a loss back onto customers. How the Situation Should Have Been Handled: I feel the company made the right ethical decision, despite the fact that this situation should not have happened at all. I think the decision to restructure the G4 line around the lack of the 500 MHz chip, and the corresponding price increase of available models was a very bad business decision, and possibly unethical.

Video games Essay -- Government, Censoring Video Games

Do videogames really need to be censored by the United States’ Government? Over the past several years there has been a controversial court case under discussion to censor videogames. This case is trying to get the United States’ Government to prohibit the selling of all videogames that may include graphic violence, virtual sex, violent and gory scenes, partial or full nudity, portrayal of criminal behavior or other provocative and objectionable material (Mears, Para 1). There are numerous arguments why videogames should or should not be censored. Videogames should not be censored because parents should show responsibility in raising their children, it is unconstitutional, videogame companies take enough steps to already censor their products already, and censorship would impact the videogame industry tremendously. During the past years there has been the first ever videogame court case called Schwarzenegger v. Entertainment Merchants Association, trying to pass a law against selling or renting violent games to minors (Scholssman, Para 1). This case has been going on for several years and has recently escalated all the way to the Supreme Court. The morning of November 2, 2010, the United States Supreme Court began hearing oral arguments for this case. During the oral arguments; both sides gave their reasons of why they thought the bill should be approved or thrown out. During the oral arguments of the Californian Representative; Justice Scalia brought up the point that even Grimm’s Fairy Tales, a series of German household and children fairy tales, are violent and could these be excluded by the law. This brought up instant argument weather or not could this be broadened to just video games or all sources of entertainme... ...ame Votes Network say â€Å"government regulation based on games’ content will stifle creativity, and will have a chilling effect on game publishers who may feel the need to dilute content due to the threat of government action and fines† (2010, Para 2). These regulations will put vast limitations on videogame producers that producers of other forms of media don’t face. This case is still going on and under dispute in the Supreme Court. The fact that Entertainment Merchants Association has won all of the cases in the lower courts gives them a huge advantage in the Supreme Court ruling. They are expecting to hear a ruling in late February or early March of 2011, but in June at the latest because that is when this term of the Supreme Court ends. When a ruling is made there will be no warnings and once the ruling is dropped everyone will have to go from there.

Johnson County Stock War: Big Business versus Small Ranchers Essay

Johnson County Stock War: Big Business versus Small Ranchers On March 10, 1892 the Billings Gazette reported, â€Å"The opening of spring may be more red than green for the horse thieves and cattle thieves of Johnson County† (Brash, 143). The writer of the article could little have known how truthful their premonition would prove to be. The late 1800’s were turbulent times in the West. Large tracts of publicly held range ground would be at the center of Wyoming’s very own civil war. Gil Bollinger, author and western researcher, reports that by the 1870’s and 1880’s fencing of land to enclose both crops and water sources was common (Bollinger, 81). This practice, however, was still illegal according to the federal government. In 1877, the United States Government sued Swan Land and Cattle Company, in an effort to set an example that all fences on open range must come down (Bollinger, 81). The fencing of lands was a major problem, as agricultural producers needed open access to the limited resources, especially water. Johnson County, in northern Wyoming, was an agricultural nucleus for cattle and sheep producers who knew the lush grass and good water supply would greatly benefit their operations. Since fencing was illegal, these resources were available to everyone. Cattle operators, large and small alike, ran their livestock loose and participated in large roundups once a year where all the cattle were branded. Slick calves, called mavericks, were often unrightfully claimed. Lack of fencing made any free ranging livestock available to whoever was devious enough to take them (Smith, 25). Helena Smith quotes Horace Plunkett, a producer, in a letter he wrote to the Wyoming Stock Grower’s Association as saying, â€Å"The relations bet... ...576. Harvey, Mark E., A Civil War in Wyoming: A Centennial Commemoration of the Johnson County War. M.A., American Studies Program, December 1992. Pfeifer, Michael J. (2004). Rough Justice: Lynching and American Society: 1874-1947. Chicago: University of Illinois Press. Retrieved October 30, 2006 from . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnson_County_War. Norman, David. (1994) The Johnson County War against Nate Champion and the "Red Sash Gang". Retrieved October 30, 2006 from http://www.gunnyragg.com/redsash.htm. Robert, Phil. (2006) Events Leading up to the Johnson County War/Invasion. History of Wyoming class syllabus. Retrieved October 30, 2006 from http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/RobertsHistory/Johnson_County_Invasion_06.htm. Smith, Helena H. (1966). The War on Powder River: The History of an Insurrection. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press.

Generations of Computer Essay

The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third generation of computers. Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors, which drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers. A chip is a small piece of semi conducting material(usually silicon) on which an integrated circuit is embedded. A typical chip is less than  ¼-square inches and can contain millions of electronic components(transistors). Computers consist of many chips placed on electronic boards called printed circuit boards. There are different types of chips. For example, CPU chips (also called microprocessors) contain an entire processing unit, whereas memory chips contain blank memory. Computer chips, both for CPU and memory, are composed of semiconductor materials. Semiconductors make it possible to miniaturize electronic components, such as transistors. Not only does miniaturization mean that the components take up less space, it also means that they are faster and require less energy. Instead of punched cards and printouts, users interacted with third generation computers through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating system, which allowed the device to run many different applications at one time with a central program that monitored the memory. Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass audience because they were smaller and cheaper than their predecessors. Fourth Generation – 1971-Present: Microprocessors The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as thousands of integrated circuits we rebuilt onto a single silicon chip. A silicon chip that contains a CPU. In the world of personal computers, the terms microprocessor and CPU are used interchangeably. At the heart of all personal computers and most workstations sits a microprocessor. Microprocessors also control the logic of almost all digital devices, from clock radios to fuel-injection systems for automobiles. Three basic characteristics differentiate microprocessors: * Instruction Set: The set of instructions that the microprocessor can execute. * Bandwidth: The number of bits processed in a single instruction. * Clock Speed: Given in megahertz (MHz), the clock speed determines how many instructions per second the processor can execute. In both cases, the higher the value, the more powerful the CPU. For example, a 32-bit microprocessor that runs at 50MHz is more powerful than a 16-bitmicroprocessor that runs at 25MHz. The CPU is the brains of the computer. Sometimes referred to simply as the processor or central processor, the CPU is where most calculations take place. In terms of computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computer system. On large machines, CPUs require one or more printed circuit boards. On personal computers and small workstations, the CPU is housed in a single chip called a microprocessor. Two typical components of a CPU are: * The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which performs arithmetic and logical operations. * The control unit, which extracts instructions from memory and decodes and executes them, calling on the ALU when necessary. In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home user, and in 1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh. Microprocessors also moved out of the realm of desktop computers and into many areas of life as more and more everyday products began to use microprocessors. As these small computers became more powerful, they could be linked together to form networks, which eventually led to the development of the Internet. Fourth generation computers also saw the development of GUI’s, the mouse and handheld devices. Fifth Generation – Present and Beyond: Artificial Intelligence Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are still in development, though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today. Artificial Intelligence is the branch of computer science concerned with making computers behave like humans. The term was coined in 1956 by John McCarthy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Artificial intelligence includes: * Games Playing: programming computers to play games such as chess and checkers * Expert Systems: programming computers to make decisions in real-life situations (for example, some expert systems help doctors diagnose diseases based on symptoms) * Natural Language: programming computers to understand natural human languages * Neural Networks: Systems that simulate intelligence by attempting to reproduce the types of physical connections that occur in animal brains * Robotics: programming computers to see and hear and react to other sensory stimuli Currently, no computers exhibit full artificial intelligence (that is, are able to simulate human behavior). The greatest advances have occurred in the field of games playing. The best computer chess programs are now capable of beating humans. In May, 1997, an IBM super-computer called Deep Blue defeated world chess champion Gary Kasparov in a chess match. In the area of robotics, computers are now widely used in assembly plants, but they are capable only of very limited tasks. Robots have great difficulty identifying objects based on appearance or feel, and they still move and handle objects clumsily. Natural-language processing offers the greatest potential rewards because it would allow people to interact with computers without needing any specialized knowledge. You could simply walk up to a computer and talk to it. Unfortunately, programming computers to understand natural languages has proved to be more difficult than originally thought. Some rudimentary translation systems that translate from one human language to another are in existence, but they are not nearly as good as human translators. There are also voice recognition systems that can convert spoken sounds into written words, but they do not understand what they are writing; they simply take dictation. Even these systems are quite limited — you must speak slowly and distinctly. Today, the hottest area of artificial intelligence is neural networks, which are proving successful in a number of disciplines such as voice recognition and artificial intelligence.

Discuss ‘The Chinese Room’ Argument Essay

In 1980, John Searle began a widespread dispute with his paper, ‘Minds, Brains, and Programmes’ (Searle, 1980). The paper referred to a thought experiment which argued against the possibility that computers can ever have artificial intelligence (AI); in essence a condemnation that machines will ever be able to think. Searle’s argument was based on two key claims. That; â€Å"brains cause minds and syntax doesn’t suffice for semantics† (Searle, 1980, p.417). Syntax in this instance refers to the computer language used to create a programme; a combination of illegible code (to the untrained eye) which provides the basis and commands for the action of a programme running on a computer. Semantics refers to the study of meaning or the understanding behind the use of language. Searle’s claim was that it is the existence of a brain which gives us our minds and the intelligence which we have, and that no combination of programming language is sufficient enough to contribute meaning to the machine and therein for the machine to understand. His claim was that the apparent understanding of a computer is merely more than a set of programmed codes, allowing the machine to extort answers based on available information. He did not deny that computers could be programmed to perform to act as if they understand and have meaning. In fact he quoted; â€Å"the computer is not merely a tool in the study of the mind, rather the appropriately programmed computer really is a mind in the sense that computers given the right programs can be literally said to understand and have other cognitive states† (Searle, 1980, p. 417). Searle’s argument was that we may be able to create machines with ‘weak AI’ – that is, we can programme a machine to behave as if it were thinking, to simulate thought and produce a perceptible understanding, but the claim of ‘strong AI’ (that machines are able to run with syntax and have cognitive states as humans and understand and produce answers based on this cognitive understanding, that it really has (or is) a mind (Chalmers, 1992)) is just not possible. A machine is unable to generate fundamental human mindsets such as intentionality, subjectivity, and comprehension (Ibid, 1992). Searle’s main argument for this notion came from his ‘Chinese room experiment’, for which there has been much deliberation and denunciation from fellow researchers, philosophers and psychologists. This paper aims to analyse the arguments, assess counter augments and propose that John Searle was accurate in his philosophy; that machines will n ever think as humans and that the issue relates more to the simple fact that a computer is neither human nor biological in nature, nor can it ever be. In 1950, Alan Turing proposed a method of examining the intelligibility of a machine to become known as ‘The Turing Test’ (Turing, 1950). It describes an examination of the veracity to which a machine can be deemed intelligent, should it so pass . Searle (1980) argued that the test is fallible, in that a machine without intelligence is able to pass such a test. ‘The Chinese Room’ is Searle’s example of such machine. ‘The Chinese room’ experiment is what is termed by physicists a ‘thought experiment’ (Reynolds and Kates, 1995); such that it is a hypothetical experiment which is not physically performed, often without any intention of the experiment ever being executed. It was proposed by Searle as a way of illustrating his understanding that a machine will never logically be able to possess a mind. Searle (1980) suggests that we envisage ourselves as a monolingual (speaking only one language) English speaker, locked inside a room with a large group of Chinese writing in addition to a second group of Chinese script. We are also presented with a set of rules in English which allow us to connect the initial set of writings, with the second set of script. The set of rules allows you to identify the first and second set of symbols (syntax) purely by their presenting form. Furthermore, we are presented with a third set of Chinese symbols and additional English instructions whi ch makes it feasible for you to associate particular items from the third batch with the preceding two. This commands you consequently to ‘give back’ particular Chinese symbols with particular shapes in response. Searle encourages us to accept that the initial set of writing is a ‘script’ (a natural language processing computational data set); the second set a ‘story’ and the third group ‘questions’. The symbols which are returned are the ‘answers’ and the English instructions are the ‘computer programme’. However, should you be the one inside ‘the Chinese room’ you would not be aware of this. However, Searle suggests that your responses to the questions become so good, that you are impossible to differentiate from a native Chinese speaker; yet you are merely behaving as a computer. Searle argues that whilst in the room and delivering correct answers, he still does not know anything. He cannot speak Chinese yet is able to produce the correct answers without an understanding of the Chinese language. Searle’s thought experiment demonstrated that of ‘weak AI’; that we can indeed programme a machine to behave as if it were thinking and such to simulate thought and hence produce a perceptible understanding, when in fact the machine understands nothing; it is simply following a linear instructional set, for which the answers are already programmed. The machine is not producing intuitive thought; it is providing a programmed answer. Searle was presented with many critical replies to ‘the Chinese room’ experiment, for which he offered a rejoinder; a retort to the replies by looking at the room in a different way to account for such counterarguments presented by researchers in the field of AI. Harnard (1993) supports ‘The Systems Reply’ in refute of the work of Searle. This argues that we are encouraged to focus on the wrong agent; the individual in the room. This implies that the man in the room does not understand Chinese as a single entity, but the system in which he operates (the room), does. However, an evident opposition to such claim is that the system (the room) again has no real way of connecting meaning to the Chinese symbols any more than the individual man did in the first instance. Even if the individual were to internalize (memorise) the entire instructional components, and be removed from the system (room), how would the system compute the answers, if all the computational ability is within the man. Furthermore, the ‘room’ cannot understand Chinese. ‘The Robot Reply’ is due to refutation by Harnard (1989) who argued that meaning is unable to be attached to the ciphers of Chinese writing due to the lack of ‘sensory-motoric’ connection. That is, the symbols are in no way attached to a physical meaning, that which can be ‘seen’ and comprehended. As children, we learn to associate meaning of words by attaching them to physical ‘things’. Harnard argues, that ‘the Chinese room’ lacks this ability to associate meaning to the words, and thus is unable to produce understanding. Yet, Searle’s defence is that if we were to further imagine a computer inside a robot, producing a representation of walking and perceiving, then according to Harnard, the robot would have understanding of other mental states. However, when Searle places the room (with the man inside) inside the robot and allows the symbols to come from a television attached to the robot, he insists that he still does not have understanding; that his computational production is still merely a display of ‘symbol representation’ (Searle, 1980, p.420). Searle also argues that part of ‘The Robot Reply’ is in itself, disputing the fact that human cognition is merely symbol manipulation and as such refutes the opinion of ‘strong AI’, as it is in need of ‘causal relations to the outside world’ (Ibid, p.420). Again, the system simply follows a computational set of rules installed by the programmer and produces linear answers, based upon such rules. There is no spontaneous thought or understanding of the Chinese symbols, it merely matches with that already programmed in the system. ‘The Robot Reply’ is therefore suggestive that programmed structure is enough to be acc ountable for mental processes; for cognition. ‘[this suggests] that some computational structure is sufficient for mentality, and both are therefore futile’ (Chalmers, 1992, p.3). Further to ‘the Robot Reply’, academics from Berkley (Searle, 1980) proposed ‘The Brain Simulator Reply’, in which the notion of exactly what the man represents is questioned. It is hereby proposed that the computer (man in the room) signifies neurons firing at the synapse of a Chinese narrator. It is argued here that we would have to accept that the machine understood the stories. If we did not, we would have to assume that native Chinese speakers also did not understand the stories since at a neuronal level there would be no difference. The opposition clearly defines understanding by the correct firing of neurons, which may well produce the correct responses from the ‘machine’ and a perceived understanding, that is assumed, but the argument remains; does the machine (man) actually understand that which he is producing (answering), or is it again, merely a computational puzzle, solved through logical programming? Searle argues yes. He asks us to imagine a man in the room using water pipes and valves to represent the biological process of neuronal firing at the synapse. The input (English instructions) now informs the man, which valves to turn on and off and thus produce an answer (a set of flowing pipes at the end of the system). Again, Searle argues that neither the man, nor the pipes actually understand Chinese. Yes, they have an answer and yes, the answer is undoubtedly correct, but the elements which produced the answer (the man and the pipes) still do not understand what the answer is; they do not have semantic representation for the output. Here, the representation of the neurons is simply that; a representation. A representation which is unable to account for the higher functioning processes of the brain and the semanticist understanding therein. Further argument suggests a combination of the aforementioned elements known as ‘The Combination Reply’ should allow for ‘intentionality†™ to the system, as proposed by academics at Berkley and Standford (Simon and Eisenstadt, 2002). The idea is such that combining the intelligence of all the replies aforementioned into one system, the system should be able to produce semantic inference from the linear answer produced by the syntax. Again, Searle (1980) is unable to justify such claims, as the sum of all parts does not account for understanding. Not one of the replies was able to validate genuine understanding from the system and as such, the combination of the three counterarguments, will still remain as ambiguous as first presented. Searle quotes; â€Å"if the robot looks and behaves sufficiently like us then we would suppose, until proven otherwise, that it must have mental states like ours that cause and are expressed by its behavior†¦ [i]f we knew independently how to account for its behavior without such assumptions†¦we would not attribute intentionality to it, especially if we knew it had a formal program† (1980, p. 421). Searle’s argument is simple. If we did not know that a comput er produces answers from specifically programmed syntax, then it is plausible to accept that it may have mental states such as ours. The issue however is straightforwardly so, that we do know that the system is a computational set and as such is not a thinking machine any more so than any other computational structure. ‘The Chinese Room’ thought experiment is undoubtedly notorious and controversial in essence. The thought experiment has been refuted and discredited repeatedly, yet perceivably defended by Searle. His own defensive stance has appeared to cause infuriation amongst ‘strong AI’ theorists, resulting in questionable counter attacks, resulting in more of what appears a â€Å"religious diatribe against AI, masquerading as a serious scientific argument† (Hofstadter 1980, p. 433) than a significant opposition. Searle (1980) argues that accurate programming in no instance can ever produce ‘thought’ in the essence of what we understand thought to be; not only the amalgamation of significant numbers of neurons firing, but the underlying predominance which make us what we are, that predominance being consciousness. From a functionalist perspective, with the mind being entwined within the brain and our bodies entangled further, creating a machine which ‘thinks’ as a human is nigh impossible. To do so, would be to create an exact match of what we are, how we are constructed and the properties of substance of which we stand. If successful, we have not created a thinking ‘machine’ but a thinking ‘human’; a human which alas, is not a machine. Searle (1982) argues that it is an undeniable fact that the earth is comprised of particular biological systems, particularly brains which are able to create intellectual phenomena which are encompassed with meaning. Suggesting that a machine is capable of intelligence would therein suggest that a machine would need the computational power equivalent to that of the human mind. Searle (Ibid, 1982, p. 467) states that he has offered an argument which displays that no recognised machine is able ‘by itself’ to ever be capable of generating such semantic powers. It is therefore assumed, that no matter how far science is able to recreate machines with behavioural characteristics of a ‘thinking’ human, it will never be more than a programmed mass of syntax, computed and presented as thought, yet never actually existing as actual thought. References: Chalmers, D. 1992, ‘Subsymbolic Computation and the Chinese Room’, in J. Dinsmore (ed.), The Symbolic and Connectionist Paradigms: Closing the Gap, Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. Harnad, S. 1989. Minds, machines and Searle. Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Artificial Intelligence, 1, pp.5-25. Harnad, S. 1993. Grounding symbols in the analog [sic] world with neural nets. Think 2(1): 12-78 (Special issue on â€Å"Connectionism versus Symbolism,† D.M.W. Powers & P.A. Flach, eds.). Simon, H.A., & Eisenstadt, S.A., 2002. A Chinese Room that Understands Views into the Chinese room. In: J. Preston * M. Bishop (eds). New essays on Searle and artificial intelligence Oxford: Clarendon, pp. 95-108. Hofstadter, D. 1980. Reductionism and religion. Behavioral and Brain Sciences 3(3),pp.433–34. Reynolds, G. H., & Kates, D.B. 1995. The second amendment and states’ rights: a thought experiment. William and Mary Law Review, 36, pp.1737-73. Searle, J. 1980. â€Å"Minds, Brains, and Programs.† Behavioral and Brain Sciences 3, pp.417-424. Searle, J. 1982. ‘The Myth of the Computer: An Exchange’, in New York Review of Books 4, pp.459-67.

Mrs. Rose †The ninth grade task master!

The teacher I most remember as a great teacher in my years of schooling would definitely be Mrs. Rose, my 9th grade English teacher.   Mrs. Rose combined the qualities of motivation, skill and content mastery in a way that I still remember today.   As a freshman in high school, I had not been exposed to any terribly difficult courses.   Most of the junior high work I did was simply answering questions or writing reports which did not have to well-cite or even grammatically correct.   I learned quickly that, because I was relatively smart to begin with, I could get away with a minimum of effort and studying. Mrs. Rose changed all that.   On the first day she mentioned the usual information – grading, pop quizzes, class materials and behavior expectations.   I had heard all this before, so I half-listened, planting polite expression on my face while my mind wandered.   Imagine my shock when we had a pop quiz of the first day’s information the very next day!   I did very poorly, to which I was not accustomed.   Worse yet, now my teacher’s first impression of me was that of a slacker.   I had to wake up and work extra hard to pull up that first low quiz grade.   Looking back, I am sure that was precisely her intention for all of us. As the year progressed, we were all subjected to coursework the likes of which simply did not exist in junior high.   We had to learn grammar, diagram sentences, write essay upon essay and read countless novels and plays without the luxury of Cliff’s Notes.   This era was pre-internet study aids!   We tried to complain that we had no foundation for this to which Mrs. Rose replied, â€Å"If that is true, it is neither your fault nor mine.   Unfortunately, we must correct it.† She could blend just the right amount of feeling for my battle with the semi-colon with the rigor of the curriculum itself.   She let my misuse go a couple of times, but on the third incident, I got an ‘F’ for punctuation in my essay.   I was floored and asked her to let me revise it (again).   She said â€Å"no.†Ã‚   From that point on, I have never, to my knowledge, misused a semicolon; however, I find such examples frequently in magazines and newspapers now.   Again, that particular strategy worked wonders for me and all the others in my class.   Her encouragement wasn’t overdone, but I could tell she really wanted me to learn. At times, I would be seized by jealousy when my friends in other classes would laugh at how easy their English class was, how like 8th grade it was, and how they were getting easy ‘A’s.   I had to work hard for my grades and resented their extra free time.   Later, though, I understood the importance of my 9th grade English class and Mrs. Rose.   I did not struggle nearly as much as my peers in upper level high school classes and in college courses where professors were even more demanding.   I firmly believe that Mrs. Rose knew more about grammar and writing than any of them and was grateful that I had a chance to learn from her early on in my education rather than have to suffer later. Mrs. Rose, who I believe has now passed away, was an exemplary teacher.   Try as I might, I could never devise a sentence she could not diagram.   She seemed to take pride in my educational victories, such as my high SAT verbal score and my college acceptance.   As a result, I decided to become a teacher myself and attempt to emulate Mrs. Rose in all that I do in my classes.   I, from experience now, know that Mrs. Rose did not receive any monetary rewards for her commitment to teaching.   In fact, our rewards as teachers are much more internal.   However, I am confident that she knew her influence on me because I told her, as did many other students I knew.   When a student tells me how much I have helped them, I know how she felt then.   

Snake

Analysis of Theme in â€Å"Snake† A theme found in the poem â€Å"Snake† is that the respect man has for nature hinges on the difference between instinct and learned behavior. D. H. Lawrence expresses this theme through the use of similes and conflict. The literary elements used in the poem help clearly point out this meaningful message. As the poem begins, the narrator comes across a golden-brown snake as he approached his water trough. At first, the narrator shows respect and admiration for the creature.As stated in line (27), â€Å"But must I confess how I liked him, How glad I was he had come like a guest,† shows He felt honored by the snake’s presence. It is the narrator’s natural instinct to feel this way. The narrator then goes on to compare the snake to cattle by saying in line (16) â€Å"He lifted his head from his drinking, as cattle do, and looked at me vaguely, as drinking cattle do. † The use of this simile represents the respect the narrator has for the snake and reflects on the snake’s harmless behavior. Soon after, the narrator’s natural admiration and respect for the snake is interrupted by the voice of his education.Here begins the main internal conflict the narrator faces. The narrator listens to the voice in his conscience say, â€Å"The voice of my education said to me, he must be killed, for in Sicily the black, black snakes are innocent, the gold are venomous. and voices in me said, if you were a man, you would take a stick and break him now, and finish him off. (Line 22)† The narrator’s decision to listen to the voice of his education instead of his true feelings is what ultimately brings about the main consequence, which is the sense of guilt resulting from such a petty action.The consequence the narrator faced for killing the snake he had once admired was the feeling of regret and guilt. Although he showed respect and felt honored by the snake’s presence, both were overshadowed by the action of the narrator. The peaceful atmosphere immediately shifted when the narrator thought in his mind, â€Å"And immediately I regretted it. I thought how paltry, how vulgar, what a mean act! I despised myself and the voices of my accursed human education. (Line 63)† The negative feelings felt by the narrator were brought forth by something that man usually views as insignificant, the elationship between nature and man-kind. All that was left for the narrator to do was to extinguish his self-inflicted sense of sin against nature. The poem concludes on line 72 when the narrator utters, â€Å"And I have something to expiate: a pettiness. † The poem â€Å"Snake† clearly sends the message that the respect man has for nature depends on the difference between the inner conscience and the impulse of learned human behavior. The theme shines light on the importance of the relationship between nature and mankind because at the end of the day, they are both more similar than we assume.