Cricks view of politics Essay

This essay will explain Cricks views on politics, as outlined in his book ‘In defence of Politics’ (1962). That politics is a way to bring together differing opinions to resolves problems and disputes in a peaceful manner for the benefit of the majority and for the good of the populace. Cricks belief of what politics entails involves a democratic ideology and as we are considered to have a democratic society in which we live validating with quotes from cricks book. Also Crick highlights the importance of the difference of opinion people have, and such opinions being recognised, and being able to have freedom of speech, being unrestricted in the way that other countries are bound by dictatorship. Crick acknowledges that politics is never a straightforward business, in Cricks words, he describes politics as a â€Å"messy business†, being unpredictable, for example international and domestic events. This essay will use contemporary examples to show how this so. In the 2010 election, there wasn’t any party that had an overall majority (no party had more than half of members of parliament in the House of Commons), which meant that the Conservatives would be unable to have the majority of votes, to pass laws etc, without the support of other parties. In this case, the support came in the form of a formal coalition, with the Liberal Democrats. This being the first time Britain has had a coalition government in seventy years. This situation could said to be in accordance with what Crick asserted, that politics, ‘ideally draws all these groups into each other, so that each individually, and together, can make a positive contribution towards the business of government, the maintaining of order’ (Crick 1962: 18). Crick (1962: 16) stated that for some ‘politics is muddled, contradictory, self-defeatingly recurant, unprogressive, unpatriotic, inneficiant mere compromise, or even a sham or conspiracy’ . In contemporary society, many would argue that this is the case, and the reason why we are seeing parties such as UKIP becoming more populer. Politics can also be on a micro level,involving issues on a smaller scale, such as in the family home, for example, refering to Crick Jones states that ‘People or groups of people who want different things-be it power, money, liberty, ect-face the potential or reality of conflict when such things are in short supply’. For instance, a situation may arise where a husband being given an employment opportunity,involving relocation to  another city,compromise would have had to play a big part,for financial gain for the greater good of the family,as the earning potential of the husband is greater than that of the wife. In this situation issues of power also being present, the husband having the advantage,having the dominant position,simple due to earning more money. In conclusion, although Crick wrote his book in 1962, his ideas regarding politics , and the positive role, he believes it plays,is still applicable in contemporay society today. In the case of the present day coalition ,political parties of differing ideologies,have had to join together for the smooth running of the country, for greater good of the people. However, Crick also recognised that politics is still very much a messy, complicated process,and not everyone would feel that politicians were working in their best interests. Also that compromise plays a vital part on both a micro and macro level to reduce conflict.

Interest groups in the U.S. politics Essay

The United States is a democratic country, which supports non-violent political and social movements, seeking different improvements in the U. S. domestic and international policies. That is to say, the requirements of interest groups are not always met, because whereas various types of interest groups are acknowledged, there still exist those factions, which have narrow social base and whose political presentation is limited in scope, as a rule, to financial interests of their members. For instance, the sugar lobbies (such as SIG) represent the opinion of 10, 000 -15,000 farmers, who call for the restriction of import of sugar and for the special social programs for sugar farmers. Such factions are usually intended as those with narrow interests and their founders and members lobby these interests in special moments and periods, when the atmosphere becomes more conductive for promotion –for instance, when they find out that the imported sugar does not fir into the international quality standards, or before the elections (Elhauge, 2002). Special interest groups are usually distinguished from â€Å"constituency-representing organizations, which have a broad social base, address a wide range of issues, and balance members’ interests with a strong commitment to the commonwealth† (Etzioni, 1990, p. 172). These organizations might pursue such non-financial interests as those related to social status, value issues in addition to financial ones, for instance the Urban League represents the interests of urban residents and seek environmental, social and political changes in large cities. â€Å"While the public views interest groups as threatening pluralistic democracy, the conventional wisdom of political science has seen them as beneficial† (ibid). In fact, it is possible to assume from the present situation, that the most beneficial activity is related to the constituency-representation. Furthermore, special interest groups are likely to bring problems to larger factions, due to dynamic interactions between political parties, movements and non-profit organizations. Small factions pursuing narrow goals are also more likely to use ‘black PR’ technologies, directed to changing public attitudes towards certain political parties and either to increase or to decrease loyalty rates. On the other hand, the eradication of small ‘narrowly-specialized’ factions is neither possible nor useful, as the statement that competing factions (Mcwilliams, 1988) are likely to reduce each other, is valid only for small groups, whose interests are temporary. On the contrary, constituency-representing organizations are more likely to produce long-term programs including political, economic, social and cultural dimensions of human life. â€Å"The balance between interest groups and the shared polity is maintained most effectively when the pro-community forces rise up, but not higher than, the level they are able to contain but not suppress interest groups† (Mcwilliams, 1988, A9). Moreover, the role of factions is viewed in the context of the historical development of the United States. Over the last three decades, the American political institutions have become less integrated, and the power of factions has increased. On the other hand, due to the growth of their number, it is much more difficult nowadays to maintain the balance between the main political course and the consent between the state and narrower interest groups (Etzioni, 1990). It would be also important to mention the functions of interest groups. First of all they serve as a supplementary force that intensifies the public opinion representation, especially during the electoral process. Moreover, they make the political process more receptive comparing to the electoral process, which is intended as a domination of majorities, while factions are more likely to have goals, which are cohesive with the main wishes of social and national minorities; and thus they serve as a mediating force standing between the person and the state. Interest groups are known to improve the disproportionate separation of the legislative and the executive branches, because their propositions of legislative changes are logically supplemented by similar propositions for the executive branch. Another important cultural function is associated with the growth of political consciousness and political culture as well as the amount of political information in media, which represents a number of standpoints. At all times interest groups and political parties served an indicator of public consciousness and diversity as well as intensified political antagonism, especially in the most critical periods: for instance, during the Vietnamese military invasion, Carter’s position were actually weakened by interest groups, including the most peaceful youth movements, dissatisfied with the resolution of Iranian hostage crisis. As a rule, interest groups arise in the most conductive atmosphere (liberal or democratic regime), in which human rights and freedoms are declared. Political, economic and social factions can originate from professional unions or leagues (like social workers’ professional organization), which seek to represent the opinions of their professional group or their customers’ viewpoint (for instance, social workers nowadays initiate law enforcement and the adoption of certain legal acts as well as get directly involved in lobbyist activities). The discontent with government policies is another important recondition for the arousal of an interest group: political activity is actually determined by the existing economic and social policies, so it’s easy to predict, for instance, the activation of industrial unions, when under the pressure of ecological groups, the U. S. government or certain local authorities put additional taxation on enterprises, dealing with toxic substances or with oil and natural gas. It is also important to note that interest groups will exist as long as the democratic system exists, because it is impossible to satisfy the needs of the whole society with respect to its diversity. Consequently, those concerns, which have already been satisfied, are likely to be replaced by new demands. This means, human needs are immeasurable and never-ending, whereas material resources are limited, so the U. S. government today can provide only partial gratification of political claims. Furthermore, the issue of representation is also quite contradictory: on the one hand, the growth of diversity among political parties signifies positive dynamics in this sense, on the other hand, due to the increase of public consciousness, the diversity in worldviews has grown disproportionably to the number of existing factions, so that even small groups (families, local communities) seek social or economic support, but in this case we cannot speak about true representation, since their influence is insufficient to initiate the changes at legislative or executive levels. The representation of each citizen’s interests is a utopia, as at the present time only large (more than 100,000 members) interest groups can achieve representation, can be heard, if speaking figuratively. Furthermore, it is important to note that the complete representation is inhibited by the demands of the epoch, to which self-respecting factions are supposed to adjust. For instance, the ISN movement, whose leaders several years ago (in 2000-2001) called for the changes in the U. S.immigration policy and were representing the viewpoints of national and ethnic minorities, who live and work in the country (Elhauge, 2002), has changed its directions and now are trying to create more constructive basis for the U. S. foreign policy. On the one hand, it is associated with the events of September 11, which were close followed by the violations of Muslim minorities’ human rights. On the other hand, political changes forced this faction to make a more profound inquiry into the current state of affairs and to find the most acute concerns of the society. Similar dynamics can be noticed in a number of special and constituency-representing interest groups which removed irrelevant concerns and posed new questions, such as those related to women’s rights, ethnic minorities’ human rights, social security and intellectual property. As one can assume, certain interests remain overlooked or underrepresented, whereas the most ‘fashionable’ sociopolitical trends (gender equality) are overstated and therefore prioritized. Works cited 1) Elhauge, E. Does interest group theory justify more intrusive judicial review? Yale Law Journal, 2002, Vol. 110 2) Etzioni, A. Special interest groups versus constituency representation: Research in social movements. Conflict and Change, 1990, Vol. 8. 3) Mcwilliams, R. The best and the worst of public interest groups; from lifting up the poor to shaking down the elderly, Washington Monthly, March 1988, Vol. 20.

Seth Godin and his impact on modern marketing practices Research Paper

Seth Godin and his impact on modern marketing practices - Research Paper Example In fact, Godin has introduced the concept that marketing can play two key roles – in addition to its existing functions worldwide. It is explained that marketing can be used in order to sell products/ services to people of quite low income – reference is made to the markets of the emerging countries where the average level of income is quite low, compared to the developed countries (Fawkes 2010). It is further emphasized that the exclusive use of marketing in developed countries cannot be considered as acceptable leading to the promotion of social exclusion and discrimination. Instead, marketing should be also used in emerging economies for promoting products that are aligned with local needs. Another characteristic of the views of Godin on marketing is the following one: Godin believes that marketing is not just a business activity; rather it is a framework that can ‘change the world’ (Fawkes 2010). This target is achieved, in accordance with Godin, in the following way: by improving the quality of products sold, entrepreneurs increase their chances for success; if the products offered in the market are of good quality, consumers are more likely to buy them developing a trend based on the increase of quality/demand, as a characteristic of modern market. The existing practice of low price/ low quality products would be then eliminated changing market values and trends. At the next level, Godin supports that the individual who wishes to develop his career in marketing should start working on the specific field independently; then, he can try to enter a firm that operates in the particular sector; as Godin states ‘if you get great at it, you’ll discover jobs find you’ (Sakas 2010). Also, Godin considers marketing as a responsibility, and not as a right... To the question of Rachelle Money how his involvement in marketing is explained, Godin refers to one of his key characteristics: he ‘enjoys watching his ideas spread’ (Money 2008). It is perhaps in this context that Godin has tried, successfully, to develop terms that represent key marketing functions and characteristics. Through the issues highlighted above it is made clear that the success of Godin in the area of marketing can be considered as resulted because of the interaction of many different factors: personal views, experiences and knowledge. In accordance with the issues discussed above, the main difference between Godin and the supporters of the traditional marketing theorists are their views on the role of consumer in the success of a marketing campaign. As Godin highlighted, the success of each marketing strategy is depended on its ability to address the needs of consumer – a fact that should be made clear to the customer, not just hypothesized. The success of Godin in the particular field is related with a series of facts: a) the level of his knowledge on marketing – Godin holds a Stanford MBA, b) his long term experience in marketing – referring to his work as ‘a marketing director of Whole Food Market and vice-president of the direct marketing department in Yahoo’ (Business Week 2008), c) his innovative ideas on marketing, as explained above, which have introduced the following trend: marketing campaigns are aligned with the preferences of customers and not with the need of busine sses for improving their performance. Moreover, Godin has helped towards the improvement of existing marketing concepts; indeed, the views of Godin, as reflected in his Permission Marketing concept, has been the basis for the update of common marketing policies, like the e-mail marketing and the content marketing, in the context described above.

Historical development of nursing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Historical development of nursing - Essay Example Before the birth of Christ, nursing did not exist as a distinct profession. It started out as caring for sick members of one’s family. At this time, it was viewed as a way of expressing love and showing compassion one’s family member. It was mainly a woman’s work and no education or training was required. Between and 100 and 500 AD, nursing was mainly done by religious groups mainly churches. The establishment of the first general hospital by Fabiola in Rome was a landmark event in the history of nursing. In the 16th century, women were required to stay at home and look after their families (Nicola & Frances, 2012). This resulted in the deterioration of nursing care since at the time, it was still a profession for women only. Between 1654 and 1656 nursing was realized as sisters of charity took good care of soldiers who were wounded in the battlefields of Arras and Sedan in France. By 1960, the sister of charity was operating in 40 other countries besides France. However, according to Elizabeth and Jerome (2011), it was not until after Florence Nightingale that nursing started to become a reality in the world. After realizing that very few opportunities were given to women, Florence Nightingale started taking care of the ill while visiting the poor. This is where she developed an interest in a career in nursing. Her most notable contributions happened during the Crimean war. This is after she received reports wounded soldiers were in horrible conditions. In October 1854 together with 38 women that she had trained as nurses, she volunteered to take care of wounded soldiers in the battle field. After noting that there was limited supply for medicine, overworked medical staff and poor hygiene which resulted in fatalities among the soldiers, Nightingale appealed to the British government to find a solution to this problem. The British government commissioned the designing of a

Research Methods in Healthcare Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Research Methods in Healthcare - Essay Example For Polit and Beck (2004, p. 14), two important paradigm in research are positivism and naturalism. Ontologically, the positivist paradigm asserts that reality is objective and singular while the naturalistic paradigm holds that reality is multiple and subjectively constructed by an individual (Polit and Beck 2004, p. 14). Epistemologically, the positivist paradigm considers that the researcher is independent of its subject and, thus, findings are not influenced by researcher (Polit and Beck 2004, p. 14). In contrast, the naturalistic paradigm assumes that findings are product of the interactive process between the researcher and the researched (Polit and Beck 2004, p. 14). Axiologically, the positivist paradigm maintains that values and biases must be rejected in the interest of objectivity but, contradicting this, the naturalist paradigm hold that subjectivity is unavoidable (Polit and Beck 2004, p. 14). ... 18). Following Conger (1998), Bryman et al. (1988), and Alvesson (1996), Ospina (2004, p. 2) pointed out that there are at least three advantages in employing qualitative research. First, qualitative research designs are highly flexible as the research design can be modified in the course of research as unexpected situations unfold. Second, qualitative research is sensitive to contextual factors. Third, unlike quantitative research, qualitative research is more appropriate for symbolic dimensions and meanings. Hancock (2002, p. 2) pointed out that qualitative research is most appropriate for finding out the motives for behaviour, how opinions and attitudes are developed, how people are affected by events, and how social groups are different from each other. Hancock (2002, p.2) pointed out that qualitative research can concern itself with an elaborated description of the opinions, experiences, and feelings of individuals, something which quantitative research usually cannot do or can do so in a very limited way. There is an array of qualitative research techniques. Creswell (2007) focused on five: narrative, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, and case study. Narrative studies involve the documentation and study of written or spoken texts (Cresswell 2007, p. 54). A narrative study can be an autobiography or a recording by the subject of the study (Cresswell 2007, p. 54). It can also be a biography which is a study in which a researcher writes and records the experience of another person (Cresswell 2007, p. 54). A narrative can also be life history when the narration portrays a person’s entire life (Cresswell 2007, p. 54). For healthcare studies, one possible use

Abraham, the Greatest of Israel's Patriarchs Essay

Abraham, the Greatest of Israel's Patriarchs - Essay Example This has been the life that Abraham went through and has been considered for centuries, as the greatest among the patriarchs. Considered the â€Å"Father of faith† by the New Testament heroes, Abram, whose name was later changed to Abraham as a part of God’s covenant with him, did not just represent a life that received the promises of his God, but also, showed how he may have struggled to develop the faith that he is now known for. Abraham’s weaknesses as shown in the narration of his life in the book of Genesis are almost minimized by the completion of his faith as he obeyed God. However, what probably brought more fame and appreciation to this patriarch not only among the Jews but among other nations as well, is not just his moments of achievements but also his first steps when he was asked to leave his hometown and obey the God who has not been introduced to him in his place. Ur, the homeland of Terah, Abraham’s father (Genesis 11:31), is a place where polytheism is practiced and so it could be safely considered that Abraham was raised in such beliefs (Vos). However, when he heard the voice of God, without a doubt, he took his first step to the place God promised for him without even knowing where it is located or what lifestyle and economic status they might have there. The call of Abraham could be considered something great because with all the weaknesses Abraham showed afterwards, God still raised him to become the ancestor of Israel. He was not a perfect choice if one would look at the standards of a perfect God, yet, his weaknesses were overlooked and his strengths were rather magnified and nurture in the process. Faith and obedience were the basic ingredients Abraham possessed, and these qualities were needed for the task God had in store for the person He wanted to have a covenant with, and the great patriarch showed these through his obedience without question. However, the same faith that he had was still to be put to te st in the many circumstances he had to undergo within twenty-five years before he will finally get the point of God’s covenant with him. When he was seventy-five years old, Abraham was called from Haran to Canaan and although at that age, he and his wife, who was ten years younger, did not yet have a child; God promised Abraham to make him into a great nation and he believed Him (Genesis 12). It was only faith that would make an old man with a wife who was on the post-menopausal stage, believe God to make Abraham’s descendants numerous as the stars or countless as the sand. Abraham was the first among the patriarchs with whom God covenanted with and his descendants always referred to him whenever they claim the promises of God, reminding Him of his covenant with Abraham. For the creator of all things in heaven and on earth to make a covenant with His creation, there must be something great in the human being to have attracted the eyes of God and Abraham had such qualit ies. Although Abraham was not perfect in all his ways rather, he was a picture of great faith when God speaks to him about His covenant but, in times of trials, he showed little faith. For instance, during a time of famine that he and his wife had to go to Egypt for some time so that they will not perish because of all the hardships the famine brought, he feared for his life and asked for Sarah’s protection. He knew that his wife was very beautiful and that the Egyptians can kill him for her sake. He then asks his wife to tell the Egyptians that she is his sister so that he would be treated well instead. Sure enough, he was given many gifts because of Sarah, however, God inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household so they

A Modest Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

A Modest Proposal - Essay Example 10), and the remainder may be sold on the market as food for wealthy landlords. He analyzes the disposal of poor children as a â€Å"saleable commodity† (Swift, par. 7), and discusses various ways to convert the flesh of children into delectable dishes. According to Swift, his proposal would ensure a reduction in the Irish Catholic population, serve as a source of income for the poor peasant, boost the economy of the country, lighten the financial burden of the parents, â€Å"bring great custom to taverns† (Swift, par. 25), encourage marriage and the good care of children, and boost the export of flesh. He declares that there is a good market for this ‘commodity’. Swift now lists the measures which would improve the conditions of the Irish peasants: the taxation of absentee landlords, the use of locally manufactured goods, the rejection of imported luxuries, the practice of thrift, the fostering of nationalism, unity and virtue, compassion towards the poor tenants, and â€Å"a spirit of honesty, industry, and skill† (Swift, par. 29) in merchants. He concludes his essay on a cynical note, saying that these measures will not be implemented in Ireland and, therefore, his proposal is the only practical alternative. Swift signs off with the affirmation the he is a totally disinterested participant in this debate, as he has no young children whom he could sell

Discuss the development of garvey's UNIA.what were the factors that Essay

Discuss the development of garvey's UNIA.what were the factors that made Garvey develop his organisationwhat role did geography - Essay Example He immersed himself into books in his quest for more knowledge to complement what he had gained from elementary school. Marcus Garvey’s quest for knowledge saw him travel widely in the Caribbean, Latin America and eventually he landed in London England. His education gave him an advantage over other people of African descent for he was able to secure employment in places where he visited. His position at different newspaper publishing companies gave him an insight into the prevailing conditions and circumstances under which people of African descent were experiencing. It is through his interaction with the outside world that Marcus Garvey became interested in advocating for minority human rights especially for those of African descent. The aim of this paper is to answer questions aimed at illuminating the role that Marcus Garvey played in the development of Pan-Africanism. Marcus Garvey’s exploits in the diaspora saw him attend the Birkbeck College in London where he st udied law and philosophy. His wide travels availed Marcus Garvey the opportunity to interact with a wide range of people from different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. This experience gave him the chance to know and understand different people’s opinions and perceptions of the African race in relation to their lives. He was able to realize that there was wide spread discrimination against individuals of African descent even in the minority races. During his stay in London, he worked for a newspaper called the African Times and Orient Review that was published by Duse Mohamed Ali who is claimed to have had significant influence on Marcus Garvey. His desire to address the oppressed and diminished position of people of African descent in society saw him sometimes address public gatherings in London. Marcus’ talks are said to have been greatly influenced by Booker T. Washington, Henry McNeal and Martin Delany who advocated for minority groups’ equal represe ntation in society. It is highly probable that Duse Mohammed’s Islamic principles played a critical role in influencing Marcus to form the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). UNIA was first established in his home country Jamaica in 1914 under the motto ‘One God, One Aim, One Destiny’. The factors that led to the formation of UNIA by Marcus Garvey were based on the ultimate goal of securing economic, social and political freedom for all people of African descent in the world outside and inside Africa. Marcus saw the need for a united forum through which individuals from minority groups could use to advocate for their rights and freedoms. In 1921, Marcus Garvey was able to garner support from most of the small African associations in a National conference. This strengthened his UNIA organization, which saw its membership swell to between 60 and 70 thousand members. This consolidation enabled him to gain a wider appeal and audience through representatio n by the different groups that UNIA had assimilated, and in turn furthering its agenda. His relocation to the United States of America furthered UNIA’s ambition because the realities of African-American oppression and discrimination were more pronounced than in Europe. This was particularly in London where he had a first hand experience of treatment and perception of people of African descent received from the whites. Marcus’ experiences in US prompted him to advance his organization’

Irish organizations' strategic Diversity management plan Assignment

Irish organizations' strategic Diversity management plan - Assignment Example Irish music on the other hand has also attained fame worldwide as Irish tunes are recognized by various diverse societies making Irish music stand out. Hospitality is a key element that establishes and shapes perceptions of people. People coming from diverse backgrounds merge on different occasions owing to the effects of globalization today, and how one remembers one another depends on the hospitality of the person. Many people have opted for Irish citizenship as a result of their great hype of hospitality which is said to be learned by Irish people from their ancestors2. The director of the film â€Å"Braveheart† reported how easily he managed to get access to Irish land and performed his tasks without troubles owing to the nature and hospitality of Irish people. To promote their culture, beliefs, ideologies and to motivate and educate the younger generation with the philosophy of Irish culture, a festival is held in Irish known as the ICONS (Irish Connections) festival3; it is an optimistic way for new people from diverse localities to experience what the Irish have to offer. The world we reside in today is globally connected, we tend to relate and compare to societies all around the world4. In such an environment, â€Å"Managing Diversity† is becoming popular not just as a concept but as a theoretical course in many different universities across the globe. Different societies have different norms and values and judge actions accordingly. Diversity is beneficial as it ensures the best outcome and efficiency, however, it comes with a cost; a manager of an organization needs to be well aware of management tactics as to manage people from various cultures. This concept is vital for multi National organizations who employ thousands of people all around the world from different ethnicities. Since these people come from different places, they tend to think differently and often their opinions will differ with their counterparts, in such situations wi thin organizations, it may lead to chaos and worsening reputation. Thus, companies such as Unilever and P&G tend to employ the best graduates from top most business schools for management of their staff. Irish people themselves are said to be open minded and flexible, with great regard to hospitality. However, this hospitality may be pertaining to certain occasions; there are times when every human being exhausts on its capability and goes off the page. Thus, just by looking at the culture of Irish people one cannot conclude they will likely make good managers who will be fully capable of managing diverse cultures and issues. Managing diversity is not as easy as it sounds; people are properly trained to handle tough situations for both the environment and the organization. Generally, Irish people are famous for hospitality. The likelihood that Irish people will not indulge in conflicts with people from diverse culture is high, but within organizations at Ireland or let’s say events at Ireland where different people from diverse localities come together meet, they might not be from such a friendly culture as Irish and hence may end up indulging in conflicts. Irish managers have to take a lot into account for the organization or for the community as a whole. If one talks about an Irish organization’s strategic Diversity management plan, it is important to ask a few questions like5: Do we actually have diversity? What

Daycare Centers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Daycare Centers - Essay Example They have their own Curriculum Department â€Å"with over 150 years of experience† (Kids R Kids). The curriculum is divided into developmental levels. â€Å"The heart of our curriculum is love. Love, along with a deep understanding of the individual educational and emotional needs of each child, sets the Kids ‘R’ Kids Curriculum apart† (Kids R Kids). â€Å"Kindercares innovative and comprehensive Excel Education program is designed to ensure that children are responded to and supported in developing their full potential† (KinderCare). They boast an innovative mandarin emersion program. As with Kids R Kids the programming aims to be developmentally appropriate. They provide greater structure in their centres and tend to present an emphasis on educational achievement. Lil Texans Learning Centre has numerous centres. For diversity a Christian Centre with a curriculum reflective of those beliefs was selected. Differenceswith this centre and the other two is that Christian education is given as top priority and that play and music and dance are listed as part of the mini Texans program. All three centers boast of trained staff and encourage upskilling, but give no commitment of financially support in this. The methods and full extent of teacher training is not made public. Teacher forums note that ‘chains’ are businesses and that privately owned daycare Centres are generally more committed to children’s needs. Both centres come in at a 3/5 rating. Teacher, child ratios are advertised at Kids R Kids as 1:4 in the infant age group, 1:6in the 18months-2.3 age group and 1:8 in the 3-4year age group. They mention provision of specialist teachers for children with additional needs. KinderCare do not advertise their ratios. The Lil Texans Centre selected does not present staff qualifications or teacher child ratios. The highest rating 4/5 is given to Kids R Kids due to their commitment to special education supported children with† early

Language of Hysteria Essay Example for Free

Language of Hysteria Essay During the 1690s, there was a mass hysteria due to beliefs of the existence of witches. With this fact came the Salem Witch Trials which occurred in Salem Village, Massachusetts. A young child began to exhibit abnormal behaviour and so she was taken in to be examined, they found nothing that could cause her to behave in such a manner. The entire village began to panick and started praying to God to get rid of evil. Conspiracies began to take rise in the village that made the villagers believe that there were witches in their village. Three women were accused of having relations with the Satan. Accusations grew larger and soon there were people who were tried and were killed. These events led to the Salem Witch Trials. The hysteria grew and began to worry people of high standings and soon the assumptions of witchcraft ended. Due to misconceptions and assumptions the Salem Witch Trials began. During the 1930s there was a mass hysteria of alien invasions. This became known as the War of the Worlds radio broadcast sent out by Orson Welles. Welles adds in effects that could cause the people to go into a state of panic. He got the idea from H. G. Wells’ novel The War of the Worlds. Bad timing became the cause of this mass hysteria. Due to the fact that during those times many people had radios and most families were listening to popular shows and by the time they got to Welles’ they were not able to listen to his introduction. They heard music being interrupted and surprising news of explosions and other sounds that exemplify an alien invasion. The people that tuned in to the radio broadcast late misunderstood and developed a fear and this one of the many causes of the mass hysteria in the 1930s. During the 1690s and the 1930s there mass hysterias like the Salem Witch Trials and the War of the Worlds radio broadcast that caused people to go into panic. These panic attacks were due to misconceptions and misunderstandings. The connection between these two mass hysterias is that the people misunderstood in both situations and caused them to start to panic. These two events have the common factor of how the events occurred.

Dell Business Analysis: Organisation and Effectiveness

Dell Business Analysis: Organisation and Effectiveness Summary The research is about study of distribution channel management at Dell Computers, UK. My work is more practical in nature, studying the Distribution Channels of Dell, both at a strategic and an operational level. I would be analysing the business function on its efficiency and effectiveness, comparing with the other industry performers. I would mostly be comparing the function against Sony Electronics, the most respected name in multi-channel distribution network; Acer, pioneer of value computing products and proprietary brands like Advent. The research aims to analyse and study the distribution channel of Dell in UK, distribution channel of its competitors, efficiency and effectiveness of Dells Distribution channel as compared to its competitors. And based on the research and analysis propose recommendations to enhance its effectiveness. The literature review section of the dissertation explores the definition of distribution, channel, and distribution channel and distribution channel management. Apart from that the section also examines the activities and the levels of distribution channel. The latter half of the section focuses on the distribution strategy adopted by Dell, Sony and Acer. Research is conducted by means of case study as well as survey. Case study analysis incorporates the study and effectiveness of the distribution strategy of Acer, Sony and Dell. Two set of questionnaires are designed to collect data from the end customer and the channel partners. Apart from that secondary data is used from from books, journals, company reports and documents, government websites whereas primary data is collected by means of survey questionnaire distributed channel partners and the end customers. In all 50 questionnaires are collected duly filled out of 60 questionnaires being sent out to the end customer whereas the questionnaire for the channel partners was send to 50 channel partners out of which only 30 responses were received. Questionnaires were sent out using survey distribution services of a web site. Care was taken to ensure that diverse demographic is covered for the survey. The research has its own drawbacks such as the work limited to the English market. Financial and time constraints of my semester mean that Im not able to conduct a global research that would be more apt in this case. Another limitation is most of my work is conducted through a personal observation method; as such it is prone to my personal bias. Thirdly distribution channel model is a sensitive piece of company information. As far as information on the competitors distribution channel is concerned its bit difficult. CHAPTER 1: Introduction This chapter will introduce the topic, specify the key aim and objectives of the dissertation, discuss the research approach and state the dissertation outline. The key aim of this chapter is to establish the foundation for the research topic by giving out basic information. 1.1 Introduction The research is about study of distribution channel management at Dell Computers, UK. The dissertation is more practical in nature, studying the Distribution Channels of Dell, both at a strategic and an operational level. I would be analysing the business function on its efficiency and effectiveness, comparing with the other industry performers. I would mostly be comparing the function against Sony Electronics, the most respected name in multi-channel distribution network; Acer, pioneer of value computing products and proprietary brands like Advent. Dell Inc. is a multibillion dollar, multinational technology firm that manufactures, develops, sells and supports personal computing and computer related products. Dell has seen a rapid growth to become one of the top three vendors in the PC manufacturing industry, and has seen a substantial increase in share price and market value. While many other companies were unable to handle the demands of the competition, Dell has proved successful in such an environment. The main key to success to Dell has been its two innovative practices that is direct sales and build-to-order business model. This model is simple as a concept but highly complex to execute, especially in the present conditions of rapid growth and change. Dell has continually renewed and extended its business model while striking a balance between control and edibility. Dell made changes in its design, manufacturing, procurement, and logistics processes to reduce the costs, and to speed up the entire distribution system. It has expanded into International markets and it started making notebook and server product lines which has led to extraordinary profits for dell, and has given a great market value for the company. Dell has reached sales of $18.2 billion by the year 1998, with a profit of $1.46 billion, and Dells market share in the PC market grew from 3% in 1995 to 9.2% in the year 1999 with stock price increasing by 40 times. Dells market capitalization has reached $100 billion. 1.2 Research aim and Questions The primary purpose of my research work is to analyse the role distribution channels play in the functioning of a business, both in the long run and in the short run. My study is to present a detailed description of the unique distribution channel adopted by Dell Inc., analyse its efficiency and effectiveness, identify possible loopholes and put forth recommendations for development. My study is being undertaken with an aim to answer the following research questions: * How are the various distribution channels organised within Dell Inc.? * How does it compare with its competitors? * How effective and efficient is this channel management at Dell? * What can be done to make it better? The four research questions are the guiding blocks of my entire research and all of the work would be done, keeping them in view. Distribution Channels within Dell: I would be looking at Dells innovative distribution channel management which has literally revolutionised the importance of Direct Marketing in the consumer electronics space. Direct marketing is still the primary distribution mechanism within Dell. I would be documenting the evolution of this concept within Dell right from its customized sales regime during PCs Limited to the complex and sophisticated systems that it employs currently. I would be presenting a visual of the entire distribution network that it stands at today. Comparison with its competitors: I would be comparing the dynamic distribution systems of its arch rivals. Sony and Acer are the brands that I would be concentrating upon. I would be looking at the strategies adopted in different economies, though my primary concentration would be on the English markets. Efficiency and Effectiveness: I would be conducting an efficiency and effectiveness test of Dells powerful distribution network against its competitors. This would be an empirical study. I would be concentrating on the parameters of Customer Satisfaction and Vendor relationship management. Recommendations: Finally, I would be putting forth recommendations for future developments along with the cost benefit analysis of such implementations. 1.3 Research approach The study is conducted by collecting secondary data and primary data. Secondary data is collected from books, journals, government websites, company documents whereas primary data is collected by means of survey questionnaire distributed among channel partners and the end customers. Participants of research would be intermediaries in the distribution network and the end customer. In order to select the participants the study has made use of stratified random sampling method in order to make sure that major demographic segments are represented while selecting the samples (Rao Skinner, 1996). Questionnaire design consists of two parts. The first part contained the demographic information while the second part dwelled on each of the subjects perception on each variable using five point likert scales from 1 (â€Å"Strongly Agree†) to 5(â€Å"Strongly Disagree†). The study did not require any assistance from a third party or any other institution. In order to collect data the study made use of web portal survey to distribute survey and get responses. The system was designed in such a way that the respondent have to submit all the answers. Out of 60 questionnaires, responses for 50 surveys were obtained. The duration for the survey was kept as two weeks, a reminder mail was being sent to the respondents at the end of week one to remind them. 1.4 Importance of the study Organizations have been undergoing strategic changes over the past decade. More so in the past couple of years. The current recession has proved that risk management and strategic planning are most vital for an organizations long lasting and self-sustaining performance. My work will strive to highlight one such areas of strategic thinking and inform the senior management about the benefits involved. 1.5 Research Scope My work would primarily be concentrated on the UK market. Though Dell is a global corporation with intermediaries present across the globe, all working towards forming an effective value chain to maximize business potential and ensure efficiency in operations; UK being the second biggest market after the US will be a general approximation of the entire organizational behaviour. Furthermore, the cosmopolitan nature of London and demographic diversity ensures that it would be a close estimate of the general population. 1.5 Limitation of Research I intend to undertake my research as comprehensively as possible. As in any research work, inherent are some unavoidable drawbacks in my study. Few of them are: * Financial and Time Constraints: As outlined before, the scope of my work is limited to the English market. Financial and time constraints of my semester mean that Im not able to conduct a global research that would be more apt in this case. * Personal bias. Most of my work is conducted through a personal observation method; as such it is prone to my personal bias. However as the person who is to do the entire research right from formulation of research questions to recommending solutions, I would be most qualified to comment on the topic. * Information Constraints. Distribution channel model is a sensitive piece of company information. Though I have secured access to Dell, wherein I could do all the data mining myself, the extent of information that I would be able to muster about the rivals model is still to be seen. 1.5 Dissertation outline The structure of the dissertation is as follows Chapter 1: Chapter 1 encompass introduction to the topic, followed by brief background into the research topic. This beginning chapter also lays bare aims and objectives of the research followed by structure of the thesis. Apart from that this chapter also gives information on the research approach adopted and the limitations of the research. Chapter 2: The literature review section of the dissertation explores the definition of distribution, channel, and distribution channel and distribution channel management. Apart from that the section also examines the activities and the levels of distribution channel. The latter half of the section focuses on the distribution strategy adopted by Dell, Sony and Acer. The final section compares the distribution strategy by all the three players. Chapter 3: The thesis then moves on to methodology section wherein the research model, research framework and data collection methodology is discussed. Questionnaire method is used to collect the necessary data from the consumer. Chapter 4: This chapter explores data findings Chapter 5: This chapter presents the conclusion. Chapter 6: This includes references using Harvard referencing style Chapter 7: This includes the Appendix 1.6 Summary The chapter introduced the topic of the dissertation, specified the key aims and objectives of the research. Discussed the research approach in form of secondary and primary data collection through the means of questionnaire and clearly stated the limitations of the research in brief. The chapter also outlines the research structure specifying the contents of each chapter. Chapter 2: Literature Review During my research, I would primarily be looking towards the concepts of Distribution Channel and its management. I would be guided by the various contributions in the field, though my work would primarily be influenced by the theories and suggestions of Philip Kotler in the area. A Professor of Business Studies at the Kelloggs Business School, Kotler is often regarded as the ‘Father of Modern Marketing. My work also coincides with various other management thinking like Consumer Behaviour, Relationship Management, Marketing Mix and Optimization, among others. 2.1 Definition 2.1.1 Distribution Kotler (1996) states that distribution is a key element in the marketing mix (place amongst the 4Ps). It is the systems and practices in use which make a product or service available to the consumer of such a product or service. 2.1.2 Channel Channel is defined as â€Å"a set of interdependent organizations involved in the process of making a product or service available for consumption or use† (Gorchels, West, Marien, 2004). It can also encompass physical movement, warehousing, ownership of the product, presale transaction, post-sale activities; order processing, credit and collections; and other different types of support activities (Gorchels, West, Marien, 2004). 2.1.3 Distribution Channel The Distribution Channel is the chain of intermediaries, each of them passing on the product or service to another intermediary until it reaches the consumer. The business dictionary defines it as â€Å"The route by which a product or service is moved from a producer or supplier to customers. A distribution channel usually consists of a chain of intermediaries, including wholesalers, retailers, and distributors, that is designed to transport goods from the point of production to the point of consumption in the most efficient way† (Dictionary, 2010) Another definition of Distribution channel states â€Å"A group of independent and interdependent organizations involved in the sale and movement of goods and services to the end users may be called a distribution channel or network† (Gorchels, West, Marien, 2004). More specifically, a distribution channel is: * The transfer of goods from manufacturer to the end user. * Route of a company for distributing the goods. * The process of moving goods from the manufacturer to the consumer. * A supply chain consisting of all parties in between production to the end user. 2.2 Types of channel members The activities in the distribution channel can be carried out by the marketer himself or it can be carried out by specialist organizations. The specialist organizations and the channel members can be categorized into two types. * Resellers * Specialty Service Firms. Resellers are the companies which usually buy and take the ownership of the products from the manufacturer with the intention of selling to end consumers. An organization can have one or more than one reseller in the chain. The network or chain of resellers is known as reseller network. The resellers can be further classified into: Retailers: A retailer sells the product directly to the end customer. Wholesalers: Wholesalers buy the products from manufacturer or other wholesalers and then they sell the products to the retailers. Industrial Distributors: They are the ones who sell products from one business to other, they are suppliers who buy the goods and sell it to another firm. Specialty service firms are organizations that do not take the ownership of the products. They also provide additional services along with the products. Specialty firms can be: Agents and brokers: They are the firms which bring together the suppliers and buyers and mediate the sale and they charge a fee for this kind of service. Distribution service firms: They provide services which help with the movement of goods in the distribution channels like transportation, processing and storage of goods and products. Others: They are the firms which provide other services to the channels in distribution like insurance, routing assistance etc. The distribution channels consist of many parties among which each of them is trying to meet their objectives. Relationships between channel members should be strong with each others especially on which they are depending for the further distribution of product. 2.3 Levels The arrangement of the distribution channels can be classified into two types: * Independent channel arrangements. * Dependent channel arrangements. Independent channel arrangements: In this type of arrangement the channel members negotiate deals with others which do not result in the binding of the relationships. Channel members are free to make arrangements which they feel is in their own and best interest. An individual member decides what is best for them and not the entire channel. This is also called conventional distribution arrangement and often significant conflict as each member decides what is best for him and not in concern with the entire channel As shown in the figure 2 there are four levels of distribution channels. Channel 1 is called the direct marketing channel which is the distribution of products or services from the manufacturer to the customer. The best example for this channel is Dell which does not makes use of any intermediaries to distribute its products to end customers; there are no retailers, agents or wholesalers. The channel does not have any intermediaries. This type of channel helps to eradicate the excess cost and also helps to have good control over the quality and marketing. The other three channels fall in the category of â€Å"indirect marketing channels†. As shown in the figure 1, the second channel has one intermediary, if the market is a consumer market the one intermediary is basically a retailer. Electronic consumer goods market of UK is an example of second type of channel arrangement. In this type of distribution arrangement the companies sell good to large retail chains, example would be Sony, Canon, and HP selling their electronic goods to large retail chains such as Dixons. These retailers in return sell the goods to the end customer. As shown in the figure Channel 3 consists of two levels which are the wholesaler and the retailer. The role of the wholesale in this channel is to buy the products at bulk from the manufacturer and then sell the same to retailer in smaller quantities. This model works best for retailers on small scale and not for big chains such as Dixons. This type of distribution channel is best when there are large number of small retailers and not big companies. Example in this case would be the medical drugs distribution market in the UK. The fourth channel has added level to it in the form of agents who work as intermediary between manufacturer and wholesaler. The agent acts as representative for both the sides. This works in textile market. Figure 2 gives information on the four types of distribution channel. Dell follows the manufacturer to direct customer channel thus discarding the intermediaries in between. Source: http://nptel.iitm.ac.in/courses/IIT-MADRAS/Management_Science_II/Pdf/1_4.pdf A direct distribution channel is where a company sells their products direct to consumers. While direct channels were not popular many years ago, the Internet has greatly increased the use of direct channels. Additionally, companies needing to cut costs may use direct channels to avoid middlemen mark-ups on their products. Distributors, wholesalers and retailers are the primary indirect channels a company may use when selling their products in the marketplace. Companies choose the indirect channel best suited for their product to obtain the best market share; it also allows them to focus on producing their goods. Though, in practicality, a number of other players exist, they can be generalised to the above. The specific channel of distribution adopted by a company depends, to a major extent, on its business model, the industry type and the scale of its operations. As an Instance, Sony has its own set of company operated exclusive showrooms. The strong brand equity of Sony, the scale of its business and clearly identifiable product differentiations that it enjoys with the consumers, allow it to leverage on its economies of scale and scope by operating its own outlets. Directly, this result in better margins for the company and indirectly it helps building on its already demanding brand leadership. Dell, on the other hand, relies more on online sales. This is because of the organization of its service delivery utility. Dells business model is based upon its centralised manufacturing facilities, rather than the nuclear organization at Sony. Online sales suits such a strategy by negating the high costs of transportation and inventory planning issues involved. A manufacturer selling a physical product might require three channels: Sales Channel, Delivery Channel, and Service Channel. In Our case, Dell uses telephone and internet as sales channels, express mail services as the delivery channel and local repair people as its service channel. 2.4 Distribution Channel Activities Distribution includes different range of activities (Richard Gay, 2007) * Linking many suppliers to provide wide range of consumer choice * Assist the exchange process identify the needs of the buyer in the context of product categories, quantities, range etc. and devise manufacturing, inventory and packaging schedules to fit. * Marketing information: This encompass collection, distribution and analysing marketing research information such as the past sales data about the players within the organizations marketing environment. * Promotional activities- This involves setting of promotional objectives and activating the various elements of the marketing communications mix and measuring their effectiveness, this will encompass identify and communicate with prospects. * Pricing: Deciding on the sales terms and conditions at each stage of the value chain * Risk management This includes analysis and resource sourcing required for involvement in the channel , the degree of control and influence and the potential benefits such as revenue and profit generation. * Physical Distribution Management It includes the transportation all aspects of warehousing management and information flows. Other Activities that may be part of the distribution channels are as follows: * Order Generation. * Handling of Goods. * Shipping of Goods. * Storage of Goods. * Display of Goods. * Promotion of Goods. * Sale. * Feedback. 2.5 Distribution Channel Management Distribution Channel Management is all about getting the product or service to the right people at the right time under the constraints of profits, efficiency and effectiveness. Successful marketing does not end when a business has developed a product or service and has found its appropriate target audience with a view to selling it at the right price. The next issue that needs to be faced is how they are going to distribute and sell this product/service to these people- the consumers. When a product/service is purchased by a consumer, it may have been bought directly from the business, or it may have been through a number of intermediaries (wholesaler, retailer, etc.): these are known as distribution channels. Small businesses need to acknowledge the different types of distribution channels to utilize sales potential. Distribution channel management involves a lot of channel decisions, strategic alternatives and numerous linking concepts, all of which would be explored in my research paper. Distribution channel management involves a lot of channel decisions, strategic alternatives and numerous linking concepts. The PC industry is driven by rapid technological improvements in components, particularly microprocessors, other semiconductors, and storage devices. The improved performance of hardware has been matched historically by increased complexity of software, creating demand for the latest hardware. Figure 2 PC Supply Chain This means that time is a critical competitive factor in the industry in two ways: * Firstly, excess inventory loses value (at an estimated 10% per month 😉 and costs money; * Secondly, products incorporating the most advanced technologies are in high demand and carry a price premium. As a result, companies that minimize inventory and bring new products to market faster can reduce costs, increase market share, and maintain higher margins. Two factors come into play in determining the ability of PC companies to manage inventory and introduce new products. First is the standardized, modular nature of the PC. PCs are built from standard components, using common architectural interfaces determined largely by Intel, Microsoft, and, earlier, IBM. PC makers also can outsource much of their production and purchase components from a well-established production network of contract manufacturers and components suppliers. This makes it quite easy for PC companies to introduce new PCs with the most advanced technologies. By the 1990s, PC makers could no longer gain much of an edge by virtue of design and manufacturing, as everyone had access to the same technical information and supply base. The difference among PC companies was determined increasingly by the second factorâ₠¬â€the structure of distribution. The traditional distribution system of the PC industry is an indirect model often referred to as â€Å"the channel†. The PC maker sells its products to distributors, who buy products from many manufacturers and then sell them to a variety of retailers, resellers, system integrators, and others, who sell products and services to the final customer. This distribution system was an effective means for distributing high volumes of PCs with a variety of configurations to reach a broad customer base. However, it had inherent weaknesses that left it vulnerable in a time-based competitive environment. First was its reliance on market forecasting to drive production. Even the most successful PC makers, such as IBM, Apple, and Compaq, were chronically bedevilled by their inability to accurately forecast demand in a market driven by ever shorter product cycles. They were either caught with short supplies of hot products, causing them to lose sales to competitors, or stuck with excess inventories of slow sellers, which clogged the distribution channels and often had to be sold at a loss to move them out. Even with the best forecasting, the indirect model was plagued by the need to hold inventory at each step. In the early 1990s, it was common for PC makers to have up to 90 days of inventory on hand and in the channel. The high inventory costs and lack of responsiveness of the indirect channel meant that there was an opportunity for someone who could a way to circumvent the channel. The company that seized this opportunity was Dell, which pioneered a new business model based on selling PCs directly to the final customer, and building the PC only when an order was received Selling directly removes two links in the supply chain where inventory could build up and also enables Dell to know its final customers, provide better service to them, and promote repeat or expanded sales to them. Build-to-order production allows Dell to introduce new technologies as soon as customers want them and makes it possible to adjust production to demand very quickly. It also means that Dell does not purchase components and assemble PCs until it has received payment from the customer, giving the company a negative cash conversion cycle in which it receives payment from customers before it must pay suppliers. The current environment for the computer hardware industry is shaped by several macro forces. Primarily, Dell and its competitors are influenced by economic, demographic, technological and national forces. Government, social, physical and national forces peripherally affect the computer hardware industry to varying degrees. The commoditization of the personal computer—a vital tool for business and consumer. Customers- are a key driver for the economics of this industry. Corporate spending accounts for 80% of all technology spending, and economic conditions decreasing business capital expenditures has a negative and direct impact on the computer hardware industry. While this industry is mature in the U.S., leading to decreased growth expectations, computer spending by other countries around the world will likely fill this void. Pricing in the computer manufacturing industry is extremely competitive. IT reflects the rapid pace of technological change and decreasing PC costs. Since 2000, the prices of chips and disk drives declined and the standardization of primary components of PCs led to a decline in PC prices. Direct sellers, including Dell, have traditionally been able to under-price indirect sellers in the industry including Compaq and HP. However, most PC vendors now offer a desktop model for less than $500 and a laptop for $700. Key success factors for companies in this industry continue to evolve as the industry matures. Specifically, they include: * Competitive prices * Superior relationships with suppliers * Product customization for business and consumer customers * Quality customer service * Excellent cost structure 2.5.1 Channel Issues Some of the channels issues that the companies face are as follows Product related issues Promotions related issue Pricing related issues Target market related issue Product related issues: The nature and type of the product decides the distribution option that should be chosen for the product. A few products require special handling. Ex. Flowers, Fragile goods etc. Promotion related issues: The type of promotions that are required to sell the products to the customers also decides the distribution options; there are products which require an extensive contact of the sales person with the customer like automobiles etc. and there are products which require no sales assistance from the sales person like milk etc. Pricing issues: The price at which the marketer desires to sell their product also decides the distribution option for the channel if a product is prices really less it cannot have many members in the distribution channel as each one of them looks at making their own profit in the channel. Target market issues: The distribution channel is successful only if the product can reach the right customer. Choosing a distribution channel is the path to reach the target customer. A key decision in setting of a channel arrangement is for the marketer to choose the approach to reach his target customer in the best possible manner. 2.6 Dell 2.6.1 Company Background Dell Inc. is a multibillion dollar, multinational technology firm that manufactures, develops, sells and supports personal computing and computer related products. Based out of Texas, it employ

Blue Monday Strip by Rebecca Horn: Themes and Techniques

Blue Monday Strip by Rebecca Horn: Themes and Techniques Artist: Rebecca Horn. Title/Date: Blue Monday Strip, 1993. Materials: Typewriters, ink, metal, and motors. Dimensions: 192 1/8 x 137 inches. Site: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Provenance: Gift of the artist. Introduction to Blue Monday Strip by Rebecca Horn The work of Rebecca Horn is appealing to many in the art world. To me, it is appealing in ways that I, as a fellow artist, find particularly compelling; although we work in different media, a common theme seems to resonate when I observe her work and compare it to my own. There is a sense of the fleeting nature of our corporeal existence against a background of the mundane details of life. Her works are animated, though in a much different way than my own art is ‘animated’ The sense of activity and movement I see in her work is something that is appealing and energizing. It brings to mind the limitations of the human body, yet at the same time it brings to light the concept that human activity goes on, even though we as individuals do not. According to one biographer/critic, Horn’s work is ‘located in the nexus between body and machine’, and it ‘transmogrifies the ordinary into the enigmatic’ (Ragheb, 1993). Horn’s ability to do this with such deft yet subtle precision is part of her appeal to me as a practitioner. She can take everyday objects and juxtapose them with such uniqueness that viewers look at them in new ways. Doing this within my own medium is something I can strive for, and hope on some level to achieve; what she has done with her sculpture, in her unique way, sets a standard I can aspire to in my own chosen medium. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Blue Monday Strip, a 1993 piece that was a gift from Horn to the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. Blue Monday Strip: Salient characteristics of Form and Content Horn’s piece, Blue Monday Strip, was actually a gift that the artist bestowed upon the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City. This dynamic work measures, in inches, 192 1/8th by 137, and is composed of ‘everyday’ (although some are somewhat dated) materials: older, or ‘vintage’ typewriters, ink, metal, and motors. A crucial aspect of this particular piece is that it is mechanized, so there is movement: it is essentially, animated, and in quite a literal sense. As an animator, this is a feature that is important to me. Ragheb has described Blue Monday Strip as a group of ‘vintage typewriters’ that ‘are liberated from the orderly office world and set akimbo, transformed into an unruly lot whose keys chatter ceaselessly in a raucous dialogue’ (1993). The monotony of the droning typewriters is clearly symbolic of the relentless sameness that was at one time experienced by the secretaries who operated them each week, starting on the first day of the work cycle—the ‘blue Monday’ An occasional splotch of blue paint—presumably ink? Might we go so far as to say sweat, or possibly tears?—breaks the monotony. The ability to breathe life into inanimate forms in such an effective and dramatic way is something that I, as an animator, find truly compelling. Another feature of Horn’s work that appeals to me is her sense of perspective; her work is based in reality—a quantifiable and verifiable reality, as I would like mine to be. In other words, much of modern art has been criticized for its abstract qualities; often a sculpture or painting will be impossible to describe until we read the title. Then we can say, ‘oh, yes, it’s clearly a pear, anyone can see that’—when in reality it looks nothing like a pear at all. Horn’s work does not have this type of abstractness: its primary components are easily identified as typewriters, but because of the mode of presentation, we are forced into seeing them in a new way. As Winterson has written, ‘art has the knack of helping us to see what we would normally miss. . . Artists see better than we do, and help us to look twice. Horns way of seeing is to go past the sensible, obvious arrangements of objects and people, and rearrange them in a way that is not obvious at all’ (Winterson, 2005). In this specific piece, the objects before us are authentic, but they are in an unusual setting, one which calls attention to them and forces us to consider them in unusual ways. Blue Monday Strip is, as the title suggests, a ‘strip’, or section, of a life that includes not just one, but several typewriters. What does this suggest, other than an office? An office on a blue Monday? A setting in which individuals—most likely women—find themselves trapped again and again, Monday after Monday, with little likelihood of change beyond the Saturday and Sunday that separate the weeks. This is the kind of thought process I would like to spark with my own work—it need not be mysterious to the viewer; it need be nothing more than what it appears to the average eye. But to those who care, or dare, to look, it will suggest ideas and themes in subtle, yet consciously planned ways. As Ragheb says of Horn’s sculpture, the viewer can see a disorganized row of machines and nothing more; or, he or she can see something further. One can feel the drain of wasted lives, the emptiness of disappointed hopes, the frustration of unfulfilled desire, by taking a second look at the forlorn collection of typewriters: ‘Whether mechanomorphic bodies or anthropomorphic machines, all of Horn’s works are fraught with sexual allusions and the ache of desire’ (Ragheb). Horn’s career has spanned over three decades, and though she has experimented with form and theme throughout, she has returned again and again to somatic themes. At times, her work is a celebration of the body, in respectful, awed praise of its power; at others, it seems a reproachful and cynical statement on the treachery of the body. Ideas, Practices, and Issues Relating to the Body Horn’s early reading stirred an interest in Surrealism and the absurd; this was further inspired in young adulthood, when she was introduced to the works of Franz Kafka and Jean Genet, and by the films of Luis Buà ±uel and Pier Paolo Pasolini (Ragheb). The absurdist philosophies of Kafka and Genet, and the obscure themes of Buà ±uel and Pasolini, are evident to a great extent in all of her works. Yet what affected her life and her work most was what she has interpreted as a betrayal of her own body. In an interview with Jeanette Winterson last year, Horn described two of the key events that caused a change in the course of her life and work. First was the onset, at age 20[i], of a serious lung condition. This was the result of working, by her own account, unprotected, with glass fibre. No one had told her that it was a dangerous material. As a result, after a period of intense work, while living in a cheap hotel in Barcelona—‘one of those hotels where you rent rooms by the hour’—she found herself dangerously ill. During this unfortunate period, she also found herself alone—both parents had died. ‘I was totally isolated’, she told Winterson. To recuperate, she was forced to spend time in a sanatorium, a setting in which her sense of isolation was magnified. This enforced period of extended rest became an experience that ultimately led her to consider the workings of the body in a new way. She began to view the body it in terms of isolation and vulnerability. ‘Thats when I began to produce my first body-sculptures. I could sew lying in bed’ (qtd. in Winterson, 2005). What resulted from this period were a series of designs ‘that would extend her body’ explains Winterson (2005). Apparently, this was more than a reactionary phase, as Horn continued on this trajectory after her release from the sanatorium. Back at art school, she worked with soft materials, such as prosthetic bandages and padding, creating protective, cocoon-like pieces. Works from this early period include Finger Gloves (1972), Pencil Mask (1972), and Black Cockfeathers (1971). According to Winterson, ‘isolation becomes a message in a bottle; the viewer can retrieve what is inside’ (2005). Eventually Horn gravitated more and more into performance art, but instead of abandoning the body-extension sculptures, she used them as part of her performance (Ragheb). The limitations of the body, and of one’s time on earth, are apparent even as the actions of Horn’s mechanized sculptures suggest endless time. There is a beauty in the symmetry of Blue Monday Strip, a duality in the suggestion of the mundane in a setting of what appears to be perpetual motion. To express animation through inanimate objects is to do the unexpected, particularly in Horn’s chosen format. This is what I would like to achieve in my own art. Conclusion: A Contextual Investigation All art is contextual in that it is dependent upon its environment. What it is, as well as the time in which it is brought into existence, are both aspects that must be considered when assessing its value. Art that relates to the body is unique in the sense that although our individual bodies have a limited amount of time on this earth, the body, such as it is, is perpetual. It will always exist, though each of us as individuals has a limited time span on this earth. The work of Rebecca Horn is appealing in a timeless sense; one gets the feeling that it will be appreciated and valued even in the far distant future, in a time when machines such as ‘typewriters’ have ceased to play a role in society, other than as a symbol of the past. Her work is relevant in ways that I, as a fellow artist, find significant and familiar—and this familiarity exists despite the fact that we work in media that are altogether different from each other. Despite this difference, a common theme exists and seems to resonate when I observe her work and consider it against my own. Though we work with different materials, there is a common theme, a sense of the fleeting nature of our corporeal existence against a background of the details of life. Her works are animated, though in a much different way than my own art is ‘animated’. The sense of activity and movement I see in her work is something that is appealing and energizing. It brings to mind the limitations of the human body, yet at the same time it brings to light the concept that human activity goes on, even though we as individuals do not. Doing this within my own medium is something I can strive for, and hope on some level to achieve. As Ragheb has written, Horn’s work is ‘located in the nexus between body and machine’, and it ‘transmogrifies the ordinary into the enigmatic’ (1993). I would take these even further; Horn’s ability to find a niche between body and machine has been accomplished with dexterity and precision, yet at the same time with a subtlety that lends itself to individual interpretation. This, in essence, is the crux of her appeal to me as a practitioner. She can take everyday objects—typewriters, motors, ink, bits of metal—and juxtapose them in such unique ways that viewers look at them in ways that are new and yet familiar at the same time. References Cork, Richard. 2005. ‘Rebecca Horn invades our senses’.  Times Online, Weekend Review, Arts, May 21, 2005. Retrieved from  http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,14933-1620638,00.html Ragheb, J. Fiona. ‘Rebecca Horn’. Retrieved from  http://www.guggenheimcollection.org/site/artist_bio_66.html Smith, Roberta. 1993. ‘Review/Art; Fountains of Mercury, a  Piano Spitting Out Keys: Sculpture as Dramas’. New York Times, July 2, 1993.  Retrieved electronically on 5/12/06 from  http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE3D81E3BF931A35754C0A965958260&sec=&pagewanted=print Winterson, Jeanette. 2005. ‘The Bionic Woman’. The  Guardian. Monday, May 23, 2005. Retrieved from http://arts.guardian.co.uk/features/story/0,,1489933,00.html [i] In the Winterson interview, Horn is quoted as explaining that the onset of her illness occurred at age 20, although critic J. Fiona Rahgreb and others have written the age as 24.

The Intricacies of Cubanness :: Personal Narrative Writing

The Intricacies of Cubanness â€Å"Hey bro, en Hialeah me quedo,† I said to my friends Eddie Safille, Alex â€Å"G† Gonzalez and Orlie Castelblanco as we finished up our Cuban coffee while playing a game of dominos. Eddie, in an enthusiastic voice, answers, â€Å"You better believe I’m staying in Hialeah. This place is our home.† We all love Hialeah, as city in Miami-Dade County located a few miles from Miami city limits and is predominantly Cuban. Hialeah is one of the only cities in this country where we don’t feel like a minority. We cling to our Cuban culture like a python clings to its prey while it squeezes the life form its lungs with its muscular body. I feel a strong bond with my Cuban heritage, every time I play my bongos, every time the Salsa beat moves my feet across the floor like a hurricane taking a town by storm, or every time I drink some cafà © while playing dominos in the park or behind La Carreta restaurant. One of my favorite memories is of my friends and I playing a game of dominos at Bayfront Park downtown with Latin music in the background, feeling the ocean breeze brush against our faces, and seeing all the skyscrapers tower over us in a seemingly endless bundle of beauty and majesty. The city, with its sun-splashed avenues has treated the Cuban people with love and respect and has contributed to my pride in where I’m from. I like to think of my cultural heritage as a chocolate chip cookie. The dough of the cookie is an Americanized version of both Cuban and Lebanese cultures making up the majority of the cookie, while the chips are a mix of many cultures that have influenced me in smaller ways, such as my father’s Irish roots. The reason the Cuban and Lebanese cultures because the most predominate is mostly as a result of how I grew up. All my life I have lived with my parents, and my mother’s parents. Although both my Cuban and Lebanese influences have greatly impacted my life, my Cuban-American culture is without doubt the most influential of all. The first language I spoke was Spanish. Most of my friends are also of Cuban decent, and the city that I grew up in, Miami, is a strong hold of Cuban power in the United States.

Pros and Cons of Computer Technology :: Computers

Pros and Cons of Computer Technology In the last couple of decades, compute technology has expanded enormously and has become part of our daily lives. Many of us use computers at work, school and even at home. We are at the point where we can not return to our old lifestyles because we have accustomed ourselves to an easier way of life through computers. There are many advantages to working with computers as well as disadvantages. The implementation of computers in our society has helped facilitate our lives. Computers can help us create and edit documents very easily and can help us speed up work. It is now easier to communicate and send documents through computers at the push of a button. The Internet and E-mail services are just two examples of many features that computers can offer. There are many benefits that technology can offer but not everyone has the sufficient background or training required. Computer literacy is a demand in today's work force and is mostly affecting the older generation. The older generation is at a disadvantage compared to the younger generation that is already being exposed to computers at school. Computer skills are a major issue and will force the older generation to return to school for training. The older generation will have to live with this drastic change and will be forced to adapt to our technology otherwise they will be left behind. Many people feel that computers have eliminated thousands of jobs. For example, in the "Interview with the Luddite", Kirkpatrick Sale states, "We have an estimated 6 million people who have lost their jobs to automation, or overseas shops, since 1988". Kevin Kelly on the other hand disagrees with Kirkpatrick Sale and states, " It's leading them to study coputers and to learn how to get a job with computers". "The number of jobs created by computers and technology is rally more sizable". I agree with Kevin Kelly on the fact that computers and technology has generated just as many and even more jobs to our society than it has eliminated. I feel that computers do not mean that jobs will be eliminated because we still need people to run these machines but that people need to be trained in a different skill. For example, many years ago the Engineering Industry use to develop blue print projects by hand. Today Engineers use different types of computer software such as Cad Key, Auto Cad, an d Micro Station which require cmputer training in the specific software.

The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn :: essays research papers

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn "Though the novel is entitled The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and the story is told by Huck, the key character in the novel is Jim" The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has two key characters, one is the slave Jim, the other; the protagonist Huck. Jim and Huck could each be considered the key characters for different reasons, Jim as he is the main representative of the typical slave (slavery being the most important theme of this novel) and Huck for he is the main storyteller. Jim is an important character in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and without him the novel would be ineffectual. However The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a novel about the adventures of the protagonist Huck, and it is more likely that the key character of this novel is Huck because we see everything from his view. In a novel which is written as a satiric social comment upon the southern states of America Jim's role as the manifestation of slavery must be a key one. Incidents in which Jim interacts with other characters and their reactions to him are meant to symbolise the wider society's opinions on slaves and the practice of slavery. Jim, is a heroic figure in a book whose main characters consist of liars, cheats and scoundrels. Jim always does the right thing if he can, he always feels empathy for others even if those people show no such emotions for him. The incident at the end of the novel when he saves Tom and risks what he believes to be his own freedom is a case in point. We empathise with Jim because even though other characters suggest that his feelings are least important, whose life is lesser, whose existence is trivial, he manages to stay cheerful, and even kind to those who treat him in this manner. This quality makes him even more heroic, for he is a figure who turns the other cheek, and is kind to others no matter what. Jim doesn't lie or cheat, or steal or gamble and looks down on these activities. Jim is never bitter, he never complains, and never expects Huck to return or even notice what he does for him. However this is no to say that Huck is not heroic himself, his support for Jim, a black man, who Huck has been taught is inferior and as important as a pack horse is astounding, and displays that Huck is strong enough and heroic enough to make the harder choice and choose his heart over his conscience.

ShineNatashia Unit

It is my job to work with the investigating detectives and the police department to build a sold case against Tim Masters. The burden Of proof rest souls on my shoulders, I must prove without a reasonable doubt that Tim Masters killed Peggy Whittier. My job is the hardest job of all the court actors. I have several rules of conduct I must follow to ensure that my case in lawful and does not violate any person rights. In the case of Tim Masters, used evidence found in his home to win he case against him.As the prosecuting attorney, I first had to look at the evidence presented by me from the police department and determine if this was enough evidence to try' Tim Masters for murder. Make the ultimate decision rather or not to take Tim Masters to court, give him a plea bargain, or send him somewhere for treatment, decided to take him to court. Defense Counsel As the defense attorney, represented Tim Masters, and defended him. It is my job to defend my client and make sure they don't get punished for a crime they did not commit.Due to the Sixth and Fourteen amendments, every defendant regardless of their ability to pay will have the right to a defense lawyer in most court cases. My client Tim Masters was accused of murdering Peggy Hatcheck, in a field close to his house, have to prove this was not true. All the evidence they has against my client was circumstantial, the prosecution used inadmissible evidence in court to convict Tim Masters. The great news is years later after two denied appeals, my client Tim Masters was exonerated of all charged and set free.

In what ways does Shakespeare make Duncan’s death dramatic? Essay

Macbeth is a tragedy vex full with deceit, evil and ambition. However what makes this play so expectant is the carriage in which Shakespe are unfolds the gambling to us.In the play Macbeth, Shakespeare makes the destruction of Dun faeces issuestanding in many ways.A way in which Shakespeare makes Duncans death see so period of playtic is by the detail that his loyal and trusted servant is the iodin to kill him. This sense of irony heightens the drama as from the description of Macbeth, he would be the last person to expect this from.Macbeth is the genius of the play as well as being the villain and it is this dual utilisation that makes the play seem so salient. Shakespeare r finish upers a twist into the play by making Macbeth appear to be something which he is not. He is first presented to us as a loyal servant to the king and to Scotland. This is reflected by Duncans appreciative comments such(prenominal) as more is thy due than more than solely can pay and the s uperlative o worthiest cousin. We are told that due to his heroic acts in the battlefield, he is dismission to replace the Thane of Cawdor, who has been deceitful, and betrayed Duncan. This tells us that Duncan has already been betrayed before. Macbeth is courageous and looks up to Duncan, to whom he sees it his duty to protect and honour. We find bug out that Duncan himself is not a fighter himself as he is un aware of what brutal things ingest happened on the battlefield because he says,What b solelyy(a) man is that? He can report, as seemeth by his plight( comport 1, circumstance 2, define 1)This tells us Duncan is the type of King who remain in his castle and leaves the soldiers do the fighting. at that place has been a civil war in Scotland, which indicates to us that Duncans kingship is being doubted, accordingly the reason for the Thane of Cawdor betraying him and thus becoming a traitor. We are alike made aware of the central issue of the chain of Beings and the p rophesy regenerate of Kings. The order is theology, King, Nobles and finally frequent people. The King sees himself, as does everyone else, as beau ideals representative on Earth, and sidesplitting him is by far worse than cleanup spot an ordinary person. If the chain is ever low-toned chaos is said to break out and in this way Shakespeare makes Duncans death dramatic as by killing him, Macbeth testament cause chaos because he is in fact hiting someone who has been elect by God.Duncan is the King of Scotland. Recently at that place has been political unrest, and there has been an yield on to knock over him. He is presented to us as a religious, innocent and nave man. Duncan is seen as nave. He says,Theres no art to find the minds social organisation in the face.(Act 1, Scene 4, line 11-12)This metaphor indicates to us that he is a nave man. He is so innocent that appears that it allow be blue- communication channeled for Macbeth to take advantage of him. Here he claims that one cannot tell by look at someone what they are thinking. As he believes this, he makes no attempt to see by means of people. This makes us challenge his judgement as he had create absolute trust on a man that had betrayed him. This also makes the audience enjoy whether he pull up stakes be deceived again by the man that will take the The Thane of Cawdors position and therefore add to the sense of drama by giving the audience a sense of intrigue.Macbeth is in a dilemma whether he should or should not kill the king. This is all revealed in Macbeths soliloquy where he speaks solely to the audience, revealing his inner most patterns. This is a dramatic way in which Shakespeare lets us k instanter what the characters are really thinking. In this speech Shakespeare creates a sense of mishap by the actors line with which he gives to Macbeth. He recognises that he should not do the enactment when he states that as the Host he should against his executioner shut the door not bear the knife myself. This poetic language makes us realise that Macbeth is subtile and adds a sense of drama as it makes us more aware that what he is doing is greatly wrong. The heavy sounding d of ample eternal damnation sticks in the audiences ears as Macbeth is sensitive as indicated by the poetic language.Hath been so clear in his great office, that his virtues will plead like angels, trumpet-tongud, against the deep damnation of his taking-off(Act 1, Scene 7, line 18-20)The imagery of angels verbalize heaven and vowelizes like trumpets to call option out against the deed, which is not what he wants, and so he steadytually decides not to do it. This makes Duncans death dramatic because it is such a huge decision to make and there is a twist and shimmer in him making his decision, and the fact that Duncan is link up with religious imagery in the spurt of angels. Shows the impact of the death high ignitor that every eye shall be bear on reinforcing what a loved man Duncan isAct Two opens dramatically with immorality environ the stage and the audience in incredulity as to whether or not Macbeth will commit the horrid deed.However, by the end of the scene, Macbeth decides to kill Duncan, after(prenominal) being persuaded by his wife. Lady Macbeth has ambitions for him. She wants him to be king and has forever and a day wanted this for her husband, and is determined that he fulfils his ambitions. She persuades him and tells him her plan. each Macbeth has to do is put it into action. This leaves the ball in Macbeths court. Everything is set up for him, and all that is left for him to do is commit the murder, which also adds to the drama.Lady Macbeth also adds drama as she waits downstairs waiting for Macbeth to report to her after he has dispatch Duncan. This leaves us in suspense over whether he is going to follow his own will or that of his wife, and we are kept in suspense. beneficial before killing Duncan, there is other s oliloquy. Macbeth gauges that there is a dagger in front of him, which is guiding him towards killing Duncan. He is ready to kill, and he is in a horrific state. all(a) the evil things are coming together, and he is breaking the order. In doing this, he is going against the Divine Right of Kings, and is going against the whole military man. There is darkness and Macbeth does not want the whole world to see how evil he is. When the toll rings, that is the point where he proceeds to murder Duncan, who once again has failed to read the minds construction in the face.We are not shown the killing and in this way it appears more dramatic as we are left to imagine for ourselves. After killing Duncan, Shakespeare makes things more dramatic and this is shown by the language that Shakespeare gives to Macbeth to convey his sense of delinquency. He tells his wife,One cried God purge us and Amen the other, as they had seen me with these hangman custody, listning their fear, I could not say Amen when they did say God Bless us.(Act 2, Scene 2, lines 29-32)Macbeth cannot pray, and this is shown to us when Macbeth is obsessed with his inability to say Amen, as he knows that he has been seen with his product liney workforce after murdering Duncan. He is conscience impaired as he struggles to say Amen. Macbeth now feels cut off completely from God, and there is no longer a kindred between himself and God and because God has seen everything he has done, he can neer flip to him again, and pray.Macbeth also feels haunted by a voice saying that he has murdered and will never sleep again,Me super acidght I heard a voice cry, sleep no more Macbeth does murder sleep(Act 2, Scene 2, lines 37-39)Now Macbeth thinks he hears a voice that is telling him that he will never sleep again. All this makes Duncans death so dramatic, not because of the way Macbeth killed him, but the consequences going through Macbeths head afterwards. Not altogether is Macbeth unable to pray, but now he is unable to sleep as well.to a fault the fact that Macbeth feels that not even an consummate ocean can wash his hands of the deed, suggests a state of total damnation. He says,Will all great Neptunes ocean wash all this blood clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incardine, making the unfledged one red(Act 2, Scene 2, lines 63-64)Macbeth feels that not even an entire ocean can remove the guilt and wash the blood from his hands, and instead the countless masses of pee will work out blood red, because there is so much of it, and the green sea a red sea. Macbeths guilt is expressed through the image of blood, and he believes no matter what he does or where he goes, the guilt will everlastingly be there with him.Macbeth finally admits how great the crime he has committed is, when he says,Wake Duncan with thy knocking I would thou couldst(Act 2, Scene 2, line 77)Macbeth wishes he could turn back time. He wishes that the moment when he plunged the dagger into Duncans flesh never happened, and that he could make it disappear. He says that if it were thinkable to bring Duncan back to life he would. This seals Macbeths misery, and makes the death seem even more dramatic because the murderer himself is ridiculous and regrets killing Duncan.