Inspirational Leader Laurie Ann Gibson

Inspirational leaders hold great talents of motivating and inspiring people. They also help make a difference in lives and help others achieve their goals and dreams. Inspirational leaders tend not to lead through fear and like the famous words of Ghandi – help you â€Å"Be the change you wish to see†. Last television season, I watched a show called Born to Dance. This show was about 20 aspiring young dancers given the tools needed to take their dance careers to the next level with a prize of $50,000. What appealed about this show were the strong feelings a chorographer demonstrated that entitled her to be an inspirational leader. Her name is Laurie Ann Gibson and I portray her as an Inspirational Leader. Laurie Ann Gibson was an average girl who was born July 14, 1969 in Toronto, Canada. She grew up looking up to famous icons like Diana Ross and Gregory Hines and had a strong love for dance. At the age of 17 she took a greyhound bus to NYC, NY where she attended school to train at the prestigious Alvin Ailey. Her opportunities started to emerge in 1993 when she landed a gig as a Fly Girl on In Living Color with Jennifer Lopez, and soon after went on tour as a dancer with Mary J. Blige. At an early age, her talent must have been evident, as she was asked to choreograph for the then rising star Mary J and continued to do so for albums and tours to come. She is also known for her work on MTV’s Making the Band series, helped direct a movie called â€Å"Honey† which was based on her life and won a VMA 2010 Best Choreographer award (Interview, 2011). Little did she know, at the age of 17 she would become one of the top admired Dance Choreographers known today. Her professional title is Choreographer and Creative Director to many of today’s superstars , with over three-dozen music videos and television shows to her name, her credits include some of the biggest names in the music industry such as Nicki Minaj, P. Diddy, Alicia Keys, Brandy, Beyonce, Usher and Hilary Duff, just to name a few. Laurie Ann Gibson’s do-it-all attitude gives her an incredible ability to make a name for herself in the hip-hop world. In August of 2010, she aired Born to Dance which showed her humanitarian beyond just dance. It was very commendable to see the amount of dedication, signature tough love, motivational speeches, encouragements and most of all prayer she poured out to these ladies being most interpret shows like this reality shows. Laurie Ann stood strong on letting everyone know her show as not reality; it was real; real emotion and real performances. When she was younger, she felt that she was one brave soul that didn’t fully understand by taking her venture by herself and getting on the greyhound bus would change her life. And she wanted to show other young ladies there are others out here, behind them, supporting. Over 8 weeks, I watched 20 ladies go through hard, intense and stressful dance routines in a variety of creative challenges; including music video competitions, commercials and a live performance with Lady Gaga. But 19 had to be cut. Laurie Ann unleashed her hottest choreography and presented lots of tough love but what was truly admiring was how she told each lady at illumination how their individual journeys were just beginning and that this was just a stepping stone for their careers. And foremost, I also loved that she ended each episode in prayer. She was not afraid to let everyone know about her Christianity. This demonstrated how much of an inspiration is she to others, including non-dancers because we all can relate and feel how sincere her actions are (Television Series, 2011). I have several personal strengths but I wouldn’t put myself into a leadership role. I’ve learned a lot about myself throughout the class assessments and I would definitely say my ability to grasp an understanding of my lack of punctuality helps me prepare more timely. Also acknowledging my academic challenges gives me a better outlook on how to overcome my doubtfulness. People like Laurie Ann Gibson have contributed in my inspiration to continue to push forward, achieve and accomplish my goals. Laurie Ann Gibson said that while developing her skill, she noticed she would always teach with the words â€Å"Boom† and â€Å"Kack† with such force, power and drive that she didn’t realize she was demonstrating how she felt about dance. The â€Å"boom† was her heart and the â€Å"kack† is the soul; which gave birth to her dance team name; Boom Kack (Weblog, 2011). Laurie Ann wanted to these 20 ladies to understand how important it was to love what you do by get the technique under their belts first and continue to work your gift so they could stand on solid ground. But most importantly, through her helpful criticism, embodied passion, creativity, and identifying herself with every girl, Laurie Ann Gibson is setting her gift free to others and watching it soar. â€Å"There is hope, God still deliveries miracles†-Laurie Ann Gibson.

The Development of International Relations

INTRODUCTION This paper begins by outlining the definitions and what exactly is meant by international relations. Secondly, it tells the story of how and why the study of international relations emerged when it did, during the course of modern history.Even though, the history and the origins of this discipline alone does not reveal everything we need to know about how international relations functions in this day and age, it certainly would help us to understand the legacy left behind by this study’s original purpose, international gains and calamities, and by its traditional schools of thought; explanations starting from the time of the Great Powers, to the French Revolution, the first of the alliances, the Industrial revolution, the two World Wars along with the consequent Cold War, the formed international organizations such as the League of Nations and the United Nations, and finally, to where international relations stands today.The final outcome of this paper is to creat e a detailed understanding on the readers mind on how international relations developed into what it at present is – a science, or rather a field of study – during the course of the modern history, starting from the 16th century. WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS? International relations is a field of study that seeks to understand a variety of global issues, foreign affairs and the interactions of nations and states within the international system. International relations draw upon its expertise from a variety of other fields such as social science, including geography, history, sociology, political science, economics, law, etc†¦It is therefore a challenging field to master due to its both diverse and complex nature. Strictly defined, the field of International Relations (IR) concerns the relationships among the world’s governments. However, these so called world’s governments or in other words nation states, alone cannot regulate the events taking pl ace in international arena. They in fact are connected or rather influenced by other actors, namely, inter-governmental organizations (IGOs), international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and multinational corporations (MNCs) along with other social structures such as economics, cultural differences and ideology. Furthermore, the study of nternational relations has always been heavily influenced by normative considerations, such as the goal of reducing armed conflict and increasing international cooperation. International relations are an exceptionally important aspect of citizenship in a global society. As our world becomes smaller and smaller through communication technology, speedy air transportation and a complex international economy and interactions, the value of peaceful and cooperative relationships between nations is increasingly important. HISTORY The concept of international relations on some level is probably quite old, given that humans have been establishing governments and communicating with each other for thousands of years.Aspects of international relations have been studied for thousands of years, since the time of Thucydides, but IR became a separate and definable discipline in the early 20th century. However, many people agree that international relations truly began to emerge around the 15th century – the dawn of the modern era – when people started exploring the world and interacting with other governments and cultures. THE TREATY OF WESTPHALIA (1648) The modern international system is often dated from the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, which established the principles of independent, sovereign stated that continue to shape the international system today. Many even consider this treaty, also knows as the Peace of Westphalia as the birth of international relations as a field of study.The Treaty of Westphalia was a series of peace treaties signed between May and October 1648 in Osnab ruck and Munster, Germany. These treaties ended the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) in the Holy Roman Empire, and the Eighty Years' War (1568–1648) between Spain and the Dutch Republic, with Spain formally recognizing the independence of the Dutch Republic. These treaties resulted from a big diplomatic assembly, thus initiating a new system of political order in central Europe, between the Hapsburg alliance (Austria-Hungury and Spain) and the Protestant countries (France, Britain, Sweden). Later it was called by many parties as the Westphalian sovereignty. The key factor to this ystem was the ability of one state to balance the power of another state so that it could not obtain power of smaller units and create a universal empire, thereby forming a relationship between the many nations within the European terrain. THE FRENCH REVOLUTION (1789 – 1799) The French Revolution (1789–1799), was a period of drastic social and political turmoil in France and one tha t had a major impact not only on France but also throughout the rest of Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed within a mere three year period. However, 5 directors established control of the French state in 1795 and held power until 1799, when it was replaced by the Consulate under Napoleon Bonaparte. Meanwhile, by the nearing end of the 18th century Britain’s power multiplied due to industrialization along with its rival at the time, France.What was once the great powers in Europe and the adjacent terrain were by this era beginning to decline, namely Sweden, Netherlands and the Ottoman Empire. Nevertheless, nations such as Russia and then followed by Prussia (the forerunner of modern-day Germany) also developed in to major players or rather great powers. THE NAPOLEANIC WARS (1803 – 1815) The Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions. The underlying cau ses for these Napoleonic Wars took place due to many reasons. For one thing, the French Revolution inspired a desire among the French to export the ideals of freedom, equality and union. As a result, neighboring monarchs, especially the British Empire, found this very threatening.Napoleon happened to be both brilliant and energetic in defending the state from its enemies. Eventually, the dynamics of war and the changes in revolutionary spirit made Napoleon King of France and the territories he had conquered. Now he became a different kind of threat as he wanted to maintain his popularity and control in France through conquest of neighboring states. Thereby France, a single, very powerful European state was regarded as a threat to world stability and had to be put down. One way or the other France was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo by an alliance of Britain, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria-Hungary, Russia and Prussia.Nevertheless, Europe’s’ supreme, the British empi re realizing the threat that another challenging nation (the Napoleon’s empire) could bring upon, and therefore established an alliance with fellow European nations in 1815 named as the Congress of Vienna. THE CONGRESS OF VIENNA (1814 – 1815) The Congress of Vienna was a conference of ambassadors of European states chaired by the Austrian statesman and held in Vienna from November 1814 to June 1815. The objective of the Congress was to settle the many issues arising from the French Revolutionary Wars, the Napoleonic Wars, and the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire. This is to date considered as one of the first the most prominent alliances, or a series of relations between nations in the history of international relations. THE CONCERT OF EUROPE (1815 – 1914)The Convert of Europe was the balance of power that existed in Europe from the end of the Napoleonic Wars (1815) to the outbreak of World War I (1914). Its founding powers were Austria, Prussia, the Russian Empire and the United Kingdom, the members of the Quadruple Alliance which was responsible for the downfall of the First French Empire. However, in time France was established as a fifth member of the concert. The Concert of Europe, however, is closely connected to the congress of Vienna. It was the balance of power that existed in Europe from the fall of Napoleon in 1815 to the beginning of the First World War. THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION (1760 – 1830) The term Industrial Revolution is normally reserved for a set of events that took place in Britain roughly from 1760 to 1830.The historical events in question consisted of a set of technological, economic, and social changes that in the long run revolutionized not just the British economy but that of the rest of Western Europe, North America, and eventually much of the rest of the world. For Instance, The industrial Revolution sparked in Britain with the invention of the steam engine in 1769. Wooden sailing ships were discontin ued in production. Instead, the manufacturing of larger and faster coal powered iron steamships took its place. These accomplishments put Britain as the leading role in world’s economy along with two other competitors; USA from the west ; Japan from East.These developments in the fields of marine, road going and rail roads not only increased the world production and trade but also tied distant locations more closely together more faster and more economically. Furthermore, Britain dominated world trade in this period due to its advancement in technology was way above par at the time. Thus, it products met massive competition and as a result British Policy tend to favor free trade. The United Stated nevertheless overtook the British in terms of economy by the end of the 19th century, despite the fact that they suffered greatly during the great depression. However the United States government’s role in the economy intensified during World War II.By the dawn of the 20th ce ntury not only the British but also the United States and Japan were in the process of selling their merchandise in foreign land, and this to economically, industrially and socially influenced the field of international relations immensely. THE TWO WORLD WARS (1900 – 1950) The twentieth century saw the lights of two unfortunate World Wars. World War I took place during 1914 to 1918 and World War II, during the period of 1939 to 1945, together occupying a decade of the 21st century. Unlike a conventional war between two nations these two world wars were global or hegemonic wars in which almost all major states participated in an all out struggle over the future of the international system. WORLD WAR I (1914 – 1918)World War I was a global war centered in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918. This war is one which symbolizes the tragic irrationality of war. It was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until the start of World War II in 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter. It involved all the world's great powers. It involves the almost all the worlds great powers, which were assembled in two opposing alliances: the Allies (based on the Triple Entente of the United Kingdom, France and Russia) and the Central Powers (originally centered around the Triple Alliance of Germany,Austria-Hungary and Italy; but, as Austria–Hungary had taken the offensive against the agreement, Italy did not enter into the war). Although the participating great powers made plans for a quick, offensive and rapid victory – what has been called the cult of offensive, the war was neither short nor decisive. In fact scholars indicate it was a catastrophic war that was unnecessary and perhaps even accidental. Russia happened to be the first nation state to crumble as Revolution at home made it retreat from war in 1917. The revolution eventually let to the founding of the Soviet Union . Further, the entry of the United States on to the war turned the tables upside down for Germany.The Triple Alliance was consequently defeated by the United Kingdom, France and Russia which saw the end of the 1st World War. THE TREATY OF VERSALLIES (1919) The Treaty of Versailles was one of the peace treaties at the end of World War I. It ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers. The treaty was signed on 28 June 1919, exactly five years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (which was a reason for the occurrence of the world war). At the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was forced to give up territory, pay reparations, limit its future armaments and most importantly admit to guilt of the war, while the other Central Powers on the German side of World War I were dealt with in separate treaties.Even thought the treaty was agreed upon, the German resentment against the harsh terms of the Versaillian treaty would contribute to the German aggression in the mid 1930’s and later on, during the course of World War II. THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS (1920 – 1946) Witnessing the painful experience in World War I, at the time US president, Woodrow Wilson, along with other idealistic mindsets placed their hopes for peace in the newly formed League of Nations. The League of Nations (abbreviated as LN in English, and SDN in its other official languages), was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first international organization whose primary and principal mission was to maintain world peace.Its primary goals, as stated in its Covenant, included preventing wars through collective security and disarmament, and settling international disputes through negotiation and arbitration. At its greatest extent from 28 September 1934 to 23 February 1935, it had 58 members. Yet, the League lacked its own armed force and depended on the Great Powers to enforce its resolutions, keep to its economic sanctions, or provide an army when needed. However, the Great Powers were often reluctant to do so. After a number of notable successes and some early failures in the 1920s, the League ultimately proved incapable of preventing aggression by the Axis powers in the 1930s.Germany withdrew from the League, as did Japan, Italy, Spain and others. The onset of World War II showed that the League had failed its primary purpose, which was to prevent any future world war. The United Nations or the UN (which would be discussed later on) replaced it after the end of the war and inherited a number of agencies and organizations founded by the League. WORLD WAR II (1939 – 1945) World War II, or the Second World War was a global war that was underway by 1939 and ended in 1945. It involved a vast majority of the world's nations – including all of the great powers – eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies (U. S. Britain, Fr ance, Soviet Union, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Greece, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Yugoslavia) and the Axis (Germany, Italy, Japan, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria). It was the most widespread war in history, with more than 100 million people serving in military units. In a state of â€Å"total war†, the major participants placed their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities at the service of the war effort, erasing the distinction between civilian and military resources. Marked by significant events involving the mass death of civilians, including the Holocaust and the only use of nuclear weapons in warfare, it resulted in 50 million to over 70 million fatalities. These deaths make World War II by far the deadliest conflict in all of human history.Even though, the Empire of Japan was already at war with the Republic of China in 1937, the world war is generally said to have begun on 1 September 1939, with the in vasion of Poland by Germany, and subsequent declarations of war on Germany by France and most of the countries of the British Empire. Germany therefore set out to establish a large empire in Europe. From late 1939 to early 1941, in a series of campaigns and treaties, Germany conquered or subdued much of continental Europe. Later on however, the nominally neutral Soviet Union fully or partially invaded, occupied and annexed territories of its six European neighbors, including Poland. As a result the United Kingdom remained the only major force continuing the fight against the Axis, with battles taking place in North Africa as well as the long-running Battle of the Atlantic.In June 1941, the European Axis launched an invasion of the Soviet Union, giving a start to the largest land theatre of war in history, which tied down the major part of the Axis' military forces for the rest of the war. In December 1941, the Empire of Japan, which aimed to dominate East Asia and Indochina, joined the Axis, attacked the United States and European territories in the Pacific Ocean, and quickly conquered much of the West Pacific. The advancement of the Axis nations were stopped in 1942, after Japan lost a series of marine battles and German troops were defeated in North Africa and followed by, at Stalingrad. In 1943, with a series of German defeats in Eastern Europe, the Allied invasion of Fascist Italy, and American victories in the Pacific, the Axis lost the initiative and undertook strategic retreat on all fronts.Meanwhile in 1944, the Soviet Union regained all of its territorial losses and invaded Germany and its allies. The war in Europe ended with the capture of Berlin by Soviet and Polish troops and subsequently the Germans fell into surrender on 8 May 1945. After two devastating nuclear bombing n Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the war in Asia ended on 15 August 1945 when the Empire of Japan agreed to surrender. Thereby, victory of the Ally nations over the Axis in 1945 ended th e conflict. World War II altered the political alignment and social structure of the world. THE UNITED NATIONS (1945 – Present) The United Nations was established to encourage international cooperation and prevent future conflicts.The great powers that were the know as victors in the war – nations such as the United States, Soviet Union, China, United Kingdom & France – became the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. The United Nations is in fact an international organization whose original aims were regard to facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace. Founded in 1945 after World War II it went to replace the League of Nations, in hopes to stop wars between countries, and to provide a platform for dialogue. So far the United Nations has been successful in preventing a third World War, which otherwise would probably mean nuclear wa rfare & consequent destruction of the world.Furthermore, the United Nations proclaims to consist of 193 member states, which includes every sovereign state in the world with the exception of Vatican City. Nevertheless, this forming of this organization is known to be the biggest and the most successful alliance between nations in the history of International Relations. THE COLD WAR (1945 – 1889) The Soviet Union and the United States emerged as rival superpowers, creating a bipolar world and setting the stage for the Cold War. The cold war lasted for the next 46 years and each of them had its own ideology, its collection of alliances, third world consumers and a deadly armory of nuclear weapons.Meanwhile, the influence of European great powers started to decline, while the decolonization of Asia and Africa began. Most countries whose industries had been damaged moved towards economic recovery. Political integration, especially in Europe, emerged as an effort to stabilize post war relations between fellow nations. In addition, the United States forged NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), a military alliance using suppression of communism and encouraging capitalism as a main strategy in 1949, while the Soviet Union formed the Warsaw Pact in 1955. Some countries aligned with either of these 2 superpowers, whilst others chose to remain as Non-Aligned Movement.The Cold War was named likewise as it never featured direct military action, since both sides possessed nuclear weapons, and its use would result in mass destruction. However these two parties’ third world allies fell victim to s streak of devastating wars, namely, the Korean War (1950–1953), the Suez Crisis (1956), the Berlin Crisis of 1961, the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), the Vietnam War (1959–1975), the Yom Kippur War (1973), the Soviet war in Afghanistan (1979–1989), the Soviet downing of Korean Air Lines Flight 007 (1983), and the â€Å"Able Archer† NATO m ilitary exercises (1983). However, by 1991 the cold war came to an end as the Soviet Union collapsed and reformed in to 12 different states.In the 1980s, the United States increased diplomatic, military, and economic pressures on the Soviet Union, at a time when the communist state was already suffering from economic stagnation. In 1991 occurred the collapse of the Soviet Union, leaving the United States as the dominant military power, and leaving behind a resulting uni-polar world. Nevertheless, the Cold War and its events have left a significant legacy, a huge impact and a rather solid attitude towards the functions of International Relations. The aftermath of Cold War conflict, however, is not always easily erased, as many of the economic and social tensions that were exploited to energize Cold War competition in parts of the Third World remain sensitive.In Eastern Europe, the end of the Cold War has ushered in an era of economic growth while in other parts of the world, such as Afghanistan, independence was accompanied by state failure. SCOPE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TODAY The scope of international relations has greatly expanded in modern times. Initially international relations concerned only upon the study of contemporary foreign affairs with a view to draw certain lessons. Later on emphasis began to be laid on the study of both foreign affairs and international law and international relations began to be studied within the framework of international law. The field of the study of international relations was further widened with the establishment of the League of Nations after the First World War and the study of international organizations and institutions.The scope of international relations in the post World War II period got further widened due to significant changes which took place, with the emergence of USA and USSR as two superpowers; the entry of a large number of non-European states into the society of nations; the threat and danger of nucle ar warfare; increasing interdependence of states and rising expectations of the people in the under developed third world, etc†¦ CONCLUTION It is in this way quite evident that world history, especially modern world history plays a major role in the development of International Relations as a field of study. Although initial events indicate that war held prominence in international affairs, things were prone to change with the spark of the industrial era and the rapid globalization of the world economy.It is also evident that greater importance began to be placed on scientific study of international relations, which led to development of new methodologies and introduction of new theories in the study of international relations. It is therefore in this way quite clear that all in the recent past, the present and in the future, the scope of International Relations will be thoroughly important for the functions carried out in the international arena. ———â€⠀Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€œ [ 2 ]. Goldstein, Joshua S. International Relations, Sixth Edition. Pearson Education Inc. and Dorling Kindersley Publishing Inc. 2005: 29 [ 3 ]. Columbia Encyclopedia: international relations [ 4 ]. Goldstein, Joshua S. International Relations, Sixth Edition.Pearson Education Inc. and Dorling Kindersley Publishing Inc. 2005: 53 [ 5 ]. â€Å"Principles of the State System†. Faculty. unlv. edu. Retrieved 2012-09-11. [ 6 ]. Bloy, Marjie. The Congress of Vienna, 1 November 1814 – 8 June 1815. The Victorian Web. 2009 [ 7 ]. Dockrill, Michael. Atlas of the Twentieth Century World History. NY: Harper Collins, 1991. Ferguson, Niall. The pity of war: Explaining World War I. NY Basic, 1999 [ 8 ]. Willmott, H. P. World War I, New York: Dorling Kindersley Inc. 2003: 27 [ 9 ]. The Triple Entente was the name given to the alliance between France, Britain, and Russia after the signing of the A nglo-Russian Entente on August 31, 1907.The alliance of the three powers, supplemented by agreements with Portugal and Japan, constituted a powerful counterweight to the Triple Alliance. [ 10 ]. Bade, Klaus J; Brown, Allison (tr. ) (2003), Migration in European History, The making of Europe, Oxford: Blackwell (translated from the German). [ 11 ]. Goldstein, Joshua S. International Relations, Sixth Edition. Pearson Education Inc. and Dorling Kindersley Publishing Inc. 2005: 53 [ 12 ]. â€Å"Covenant of the League of Nations†. The Avalon Project. Retrieved 30 August 2011. [ 13 ]. Jahanpour, Farhang. â€Å"The Elusiveness of Trust: the experience of Security Council and Iran† (PDF). Transnational Foundation of Peace and Future Research. p. 2. Retrieved 27 June 2008. [ 14 ].Barrett, David P; Shyu, Lawrence N (2001). China in the anti-Japanese War, 1937–1945: politics, culture and society. Volume 1 of Studies in modern Chinese history. New York: Peter Lang. [ 15 ]. à ¢â‚¬Å"General Assembly of the United Nations – Rules of Procedure†. UN Department for General Assembly. Retrieved 15 December 2010. [ 16 ]. â€Å"Milestones in United Nations History†. Department of Public Information, United Nations. Retrieved 17 July 2008. [ 17 ]. Goldstein, Joshua S. International Relations, Sixth Edition. Dorling Kindersley Publishing Inc. 2005: 67 [ 18 ]. Cold War, From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Cold_War

Religious Groups Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Religious Groups - Essay Example In America, religion forms a much more part of public life regardless of what the constitution dictates. Several reasons can be attributed to this. The main reason is that the evangelical Christians in the banner of the moral majority created a determined drive to influence American political leaders. This, therefore, injected religion into American political debates. The influence of religious groups in American politics has not changed over time. This is because religion has always been and is still embroiled in the political life of Americans. As a result, American politicians manifest the obvious significance of religion in everyday lives of people. Religion should be paramount in politics. Even with its weaknesses on a human level, the society would be more chaotic than the way it is presently, without religion. This is so because people, who oppose religion, intend to continue committing sins and wish not to be opposed to them. It would, therefore, be a tragic and profound mistake to attempt to separate religion or God from anything, especially

Early Byzantine and Christian Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Early Byzantine and Christian Art - Essay Example One painting that gives a certain interpretation to a piece of literature is called Dido Makes a Sacrifice and was painted to go along with Virgil’s Aeneid. This painting goes away from the passionate language that is used in the Virgil text and instead focuses on the importance of imperial sacrifice. This is because as the times change, so did the values of the people and therefore, the painters wished to accomplish something much different than Virgil. The painting itself features the emperor personified as a military leader and a powerful human being. One reason for this is that the emperor was viewed as the head of the Church as well, making him an important religious figure. There is also very little detail in the background of this painting, which gives the viewer the impression that nothing but the emperor matters. Virgil wished for this section of the text to show the passion that Dido had in her life, although this could be because Dido was depicted in a variety of di fferent manner, like â€Å"an enchantress, like Calypso; a temptress, like Eve; a seducer, like Cleopatra, or a mere adventuress in wait for a marriageable and warlike widower highly desirable for a defenceless female in the midst of barbarous neighbors† (Pease, 1927, P. 246). It was meant to show fire and emotion, but this painting takes this emotion out of the section and, therefore, it could possibly change the reading that someone would take of the actual text. This painting instead focuses on the positive traits of the emperor.

Japanese Colonialism Was no Different to Western Colonialism Essay

Japanese Colonialism Was no Different to Western Colonialism - Essay Example Although, Japanese and British colonialism took place during the same period, their colonial policies were quite different in some aspects while similar in other. The major areas in which Japan and Britain formed its colonies were significantly different. The regions where the Japanese were the most dominant in their colonial rule are Korea, Taiwan and Philippines. Whereas the British rule was prevalent in Africa and the Indian subcontinent. Their policies seemed significantly different in some aspects, yet somehow similar in others. The basic difference in the policies of these colonial powers was their aim of colonization. The colonization by Japanese aimed at extending the Japanese empire in various parts of the world. Whereas the British aimed to give independence to its colonies whenever the need arises. Their policies relating to laws, rule and regulations and economic development were significantly different. In areas of managing cultural diversity and education, their policie s were quite similar. Japanese wanted to rule its colonies directly while the British supported the idea of indirect rule. In Africa, British let the African leaders to carry out their judicial and executive functions with the support of British officials. The British were in favor of indirect rule as they did not have to spend money in order to recreate the constitutional framework and hiring and firing of government employees. By letting the native leaders to continue carrying their functions, the British were able to save manpower and money. They gave a high degree of autonomy and strength to native authorities. In areas where there was one ethnic group, the local customary laws seemed to work. In areas where there were many ethnic groups, the British made councils which were made up of the natives who were the educated elite. These councils were in the supervision of British. It seemed that British were more interested in reaping the economic benefits from the region rather than in governing it (Kenneth A. Schultz and Alexander Lee). On the other hand, the Japanese installed new governments in which the governor generals were in charge of controlling the law and accommodating the needs of the native Koreans and Taiwanese. The legal system was extremely discriminatory against native populations in the colonies. Koreans ,who had gained education could participate in government, were given fewer rights than Japanese. The natives did not have the same level of protection under Japanese law as the Japanese did and were not given the right to elect their government. This kind of discrimination was practiced in order to make the colonial subjects so weak that they are unable to rebel against the colonial powers. Later the education system was also designed as such that the colonial subjects were not provided that level of education which would lead to a rebellion or at least empowerment of the colonial subjects. The Japanese aimed to have a controlled empire whic h would be controlled from Tokyo and the laws would be no different from those which govern the original Japanese nation. Initially, the local laws were kept intact and the Supreme court in Japan had no control over those in Taiwan and Korea. The impression was given that the judiciary will remain independent of the parent company’s laws. In reality, this initiative was just taken in order to win the support of

Case asalysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Case asalysis - Assignment Example 12 percent of the respondents claim they would immediately consult a health care provider if the option of a weight-loss prescription drug was available. The results of the clinical trials are also pretty encouraging. All these aspects have prompted CSP to seek a nod from the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval for manufacturing and marketing Metabical. Two major decisions pertaining to packaging and pricing of Metabical still need to be taken. Both these decisions are to be taken by Barbara Printup, senior director of marketing for CSP. The company expects Metabical to be approved as a 12-week treatment plan. CSP contemplates that a days-of-the-week, ‘blister’ style wrap up would be the optimal package for the drug. The quantum of medicine to be put in one pack is dependent on the price and paying capacity of the target market. The final decision on pricing is to be taken on one of the three models; competition based pricing, mark-up pricing and value based pricing. In the ultimate analysis, these important decisions would determine the demand (unit value) for Metabical. Market research suggests that the condition of being overweight is all pervasive. It affects people of all demographic profiles. Both men and women, young and old are overweight. Thus CSP can segment the potential Metabical consumers on various segmentation variables including demographic, socio-economic and behavioral. CSP can use multiple criteria to segment the customers. At the outset the behavioral segmentation can be deployed to identify the customers who are willing to avail the benefit of weight loss. Printup has valuable information on important parameters like age, gender, education level, income level and prevalence of obesity in the United States. This data will enable Printup take an informed decision on segmentation of customers. Printup has reasons to

Robert Gagne's Conditions of Learning Research Paper

Robert Gagne's Conditions of Learning - Research Paper Example Learning can take place anywhere and at any time and anyone can be the benefactor of the said learning experience. In this essay, attention will be focused on the learning conditions of Robert Gagne who is famous for writing a lovely piece of literature called the Conditions of learning (Conditions of Learning (R. Gagne), 2012).   This piece of literature is an educational piece of writing that is also composed of psychological meanings and importance. By analyzing the literature, it can be seen that Robert was of the assumption that in learning, there are different types of learning that do exist and they are totally different. Some people might look at the definition of learning and see that learning is the amassing of facts that is sometimes are different while at other times are the same type of knowledge. In the journal, there are different types and levels of learning that bring about the accumulation of knowledge. From the journal, it is hard not to view Gagne as an individu al with the need for perfection (Conditions of Learning (R. ... Again from the journal, Gagne identifies that for each category, there is the need for certain conditions, both internal and external which differ from each other that is needed in order to have a meaningful learning experience (Conditions of Learning (R. Gagne), 2012).   At such a point, it is not hard to figure out where Gagne is heading. From his journal, it is safe to assume that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction in that for certain categories of learning to proceed as planned like say cognitive strategies, there has to be a certain gap in which one can practice the development of new solutions that will solve certain problems. There has to be a chance in which one can learn new attitudes of coping with learning and how to find their way around problems. While taking a look at learning in general, it is assumed that in whichever way that an individual gets the knowledge, it has fulfilled its part. From Gagne’s point of view which many might find i nteresting; learning occurs best when a certain number of tasks are done in a well organized and efficient manner (Conditions of Learning (R. Gagne), 2012).   From the journal, there are certain things that cause the concentration of an individual to be at its best. Such things are influenced by stimulus, response generation, following of procedure, the use of certain terminologies, certain discriminatory ways, and formation of concepts, application of a said or written rule and the general idea of solving problems. When the things concerning learning are placed in an orderly manner, in that they are arranged in a hierarchical way, they give rise to the much needed knowledge of how information is accumulated. The main work of the system of hierarchy

The Common Agricultural Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Common Agricultural Policy - Essay Example Thus (at least) from the perspective of the Treaty on European Union, (and its predecessor Treaties) funding for agriculture should be a medium for reducing or eradicating regional disparities within the European Union. Funding for agriculture within the Union has historically been dispensed under the Common Agricultural Policy. The Common Agricultural Policy came into being in 1962 after the ratification of the Treaty of Rome in 1957 and the resultant establishment of the Common Market. The establishment of the Common Market came with Treaty requirements that guaranteed the free movement of goods (among other freedoms like the free movement of services, persons, and capital). The member states of the then European Economic Community - France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxemburg - all had different agricultural policies that had some state intervention in the sector. France was however notable for its very strong state intervention in its agricultural sector and insisted on the maintenance of subsidies for the agricultural sector as a condition for the establishment of the Common Market. (BBC Q&A, 2005) Thus the issue of free trade guarantees in the Treaty of Rome and the barriers to trade in agricultural products that individual state intervention through subsidies in the agricultural sector would bring was evident. ... olicy thus presented a compromise through which a harmonisation of state intervention on a common basis could be maintained within the free trade guarantees of the Treaty of Rome and for the functioning of the Common Market. The establishment of the Common Agricultural Policy had the following objectives - to increase productivity to ensure fair living standards for the agricultural community, to stabilise markets, to ensure availability of food, and to provide food at reasonable prices. (Article 39 of the Treaty of Rome) In practice, the Common Agricultural Policy is a programme of financial subsidy paid to farmers and a trade policy that sets tariff and quota restrictions on the import of agricultural products from outside the European Union's Common Market. (El-Agraa, 2007) The financial subsidy under Common Agricultural Policy offers a guaranteed minimum price payable to producers of agricultural products, though the actual implementation and maintenance of the subsidy programme varies from different member states in the European Union. The Common Agricultural Policy has undergone changes over time to meet with policy, structural and domestic and international demands for reform among others. Currently, the 'decoupling' scheme is one of the central reform tools being used by the European Union detach production subsidies. (Jeffery, 2003) Payment of subsidies is no longer tied to the volume of production of agricultural produce. The single payment scheme is one of the policies that have been adopted to 'decouple' subsidies from production. (El-Agraa, 2007; Anderson and Josling, 2007) The maintenance of subsidies with production had resulted in a system where farmers produced for subsidies and not necessarily for the market. This resulted in an over production of

Prejudice Intertextuality Essay Example for Free

Prejudice Intertextuality Essay â€Å"Why does he hate me so much? Is it me personally or just what I am? † I have chosen to explore the idea of prejudice (judgments of a person based on race, gender, social class, and religion or group associations. ) These themes are evident in the short film ‘Chinese Whispers’ directed by Neil Paddington and Stuart McKenzie, and in three written texts ‘Noughts and Crosses’ by Malorie Blackman, ‘Patches Hide No Scars’ by Haree Williams and ‘On the Sidewalk Bleeding’ by Evan Hunter. â€Å"I used to comfort myself with the belief that it was only certain individuals and their peculiar notions that spoilt things for the rest of us.  But how many individuals does it take before its not the individuals who are prejudiced but society itself? † ‘Noughts and Crosses’ is a powerfully written, fictional novel about two teenagers Callum (a nought) and Sephy (a cross), who are stuck in a racist dystopia separated only by skin colour. In Malorie Blackman’s imaginative novel the characters are either a â€Å"black dagger bitch† or a â€Å"white blanker bastard. † Callum and Sephy are surrounded by a hierarchy, in which Noughts are considered second-class citizens and forbidden to be together. This disturbed society shows a racial prejudice in which interracial relationships are not allowed and there is favoritism towards the Crosses. â€Å"Youre a Nought and Im a Cross and theres nowhere for us to be, nowhere for us to go where wed be left in peace Thats why I started crying. Thats why I couldnt stop. For all the things we mightve had and all the things were never going to have. † This example shows the desperation of Sephy as she realizes that because of the prejudices of her society she will never be allowed to be with Callum. This film relates back to events in the past in ‘our’ world with issues such as discrimination and the mistreatment of people of a particular race or religion. An example of this is the class-system in America. For many years African-Americans, (like Noughts), were judged by their skin colour and treated as inferior beings. Author Malorie Blackman used specific examples from events in the Black Civil Rights movement in the novel to add impact to her novel. An example used is the pioneering achievements of Robert Peary. Examples like these show that Noughts’ achievements are undervalued or ignored because they have white skin. I strongly believe it is important for children of today to be educated on issues like these to remove all racisim. ‘The Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ states â€Å"all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights†¦. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. This novel has made me believe in the importance of educating young people on events and issues, like genocide (eg the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, only 18 years ago, where an estimated 7 Tutsi citizens were brutally murdered every minute for 100 days! ) and racism, in order to prevent the future from becoming a place like in ‘Noughts and Crosses’. How are we to learn from the mistakes of mankind if we are never educated on them? â€Å"Dreams of living in a world with no more discrimination, no more prejudice, a fair police force, an equal justice system, equality of education, equality of life, a level playing field † His name is Andy. † This gang related short story â€Å"On the Sidewalk Bleeding† relates to the theme of prejudice by exploring the idea of lost identity through group association. At the exposition of this story, Andy (a member of the ‘Royal’ gang) is stabbed by a rival gang (‘The Guardians’) during a ‘rumble’. The plot then follows Andy’s thought path as he slowly bleeds to death. â€Å"The knife had not been plunged in hatred of Andy. The knife hated only the purple jacket. The jacket was as stupid meaningless thing that was robbing him of his life. † Andy wears a purple silk shirt, a symbol of his membership with the ‘Royals’. In his dying moments Andy comes to the realization that people don’t see him as Andy, a human being, but a member of the ‘Royals’. At the climax of the short story Andy uses his last strength to take off the jacket so that he can be Andy again. â€Å"I want to Andy. † Sadly, just after his death, Andys girlfriend Laura, finds Andy’s dead body and races off to find a police officer. The police officer sees the purple ‘Royal’ jacket next to Andy’s body, the officer then proceeds to say â€Å"A Royal, huh. † This shows that Andy’s efforts to remove himself from the gang have failed as the police officer judges him by the sight of the jacket. The police officer associates Andy as a part of the gang the ‘Royals’ and doesn’t see him as Andy, a sixteen year old boy. This short story by Evan Hunter has shown me how easily a person’s identity can be lost through association and how people can perceive you as a member of a group not an individual because of an item of clothing. â€Å"The world didn’t know he was Andy. † ‘Chinese Whispers’ directed by Stuart McKenzie and Neil Paddington also relates to racial prejudice or judgments based on race before actually meeting a person. The short film â€Å"Chinese Whispers† is based around Wellington teenager Vincent Chan’s struggle to fit in. Vincent confused by the two diverse aspects of his culture. At the beginning of the film Vincent lives in fear of encounters with xenophobic bogans who dislike and harass Vincent because he is Chinese. â€Å"Vincent is ashamed to be Chinese. † Vincent feels pressure to conform to the ‘social norm’ of his age group. He turns his back on his father’s cultural ways and instead joins Swan’s triad gang. Swan offers Vincent an illicit world of reward. Vincent sees this as an opportunity to stand up to xenophobic bogans but by joining the gang Vincent isolates himself from his family. Directors Neil Paddington and Stuart McKenzie use dark, blue lightening in many of the scenes in ‘Chinese Whispers’ to portray the sad, sinister world Vincent is being lured into. This is an effective visual feature because it stresses the consequences of Vincent’s decisions. An example of this is Vincent’s decision to conform to the Triad ways by taking illegal narcotics. Blue lighting is also used when Vincent’s father is sitting in a room lonely and longing for his distant son. This New Zealand film has made me more aware of the Chinese struggles in New Zealand. ‘Chinese Whispers’ has given me deep insight into the Chinese point of view and the pressures they withstand. It has shown me the importance of being accepting of minorities and their differences. Stuart McKenzie’s and Neil Paddington’s film has also shown me how important it is to end xenophobia and prejudices in order to help people like Vincent Chan to make better decisions to keep a balance between their culture and fitting in to society. All men are dangerous brutes, intruders, vagrants. † Haree William’s poem ‘Patches Hide No Scars’ refers to young Maoris, turning their back on the way of their ancestors preferring the â€Å"direction, discipline and orders† of gang life. This New Zealand poem has captured the sad truth about the loss of the Maori culture as the lost youths turn to gang membership in a search to add meaning to their lives. ‘Patches Hide No Scars’ relates to the idea of prejudice by describing the members of Maori gangs as one group, a whole, not a group of individuals. How do we prosecute those already punished? How do we fine those lost in the street of no direction? † Throughout this short text author Haree Williams continually uses words like ‘we’ and ‘those/them’, by doing this the gangs (‘those’) are separated from the rest of society (‘we’). By doing this Maori gangs distance from the rest of New Zealand is emphasized. This poem has raised questions to me: why do these youths find security in the rules and orders of gangs but not the rules and orders of regular jobs or life in the ‘normal’ society? And what is society doing to make the youngsters of the Maori race feel like they do not belong in society? By reading and viewing these texts, ‘Noughts and Crosses’, ‘Chinese Whispers’, â€Å"Patches Hide No Scars’ and ‘On the Sidewalk Bleeding’, I have learnt of the struggles and pressures many people, fictional or not, suffer through due to the prejudices of modern society. â€Å"And just like that, Id been assessed and judged. Nurse Fashoda didnt know the first thing about me but shed taken one look at my face and now she reckoned she knew my whole life story. †

The Tyranny of Choice Essay Example for Free

The Tyranny of Choice Essay Happiness is a long standing abstract concept. It starts from choosing the best options there is, induced by properly allocating and utilizing resources, and maintained when one can truly enjoy the gains from it while accepting the imperfection of his or her choices. And as such, every individual is always in search for happiness and well-being.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Utility and happiness are two intertwined notions (Verme, 2007, p. 2). The quest for attaining true happiness starts with choosing which options are best and what things should be utilized. The result of which comprises a persons well-being. The choices that an individual makes greatly affect the level of satisfaction one attains.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, the relationship between well-being and choice is ultimately complicated and not at all predictable. In making a choice, a person is usually thwarted by the abundance or lack of choices. Sometimes, the wideness of choice varieties creates a great amount of confusion for the person and as such it also increases the probability that the choices he or she might make will become regretful. The same way that the lack of choices gives a person a limited space of discovering better options. As such, opportunity costs engraved in every option open for an individual contribute to confusion, thus making it harder to choose and at the same time increasing the chances of regretting whatever choice that was made (Schwartz, 2004, pp. 2-7).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Making choices is immensely complex. Thus it causes people to become weary and conscious on selecting their options in order to avoid making choices that they will soon feel sorry about in the end. Individuals develop a false sense of looking for the â€Å"best option†, or settling down for a â€Å"good enough† choice. These kinds of individuals are labelled as either maximizers or satisficers (Schwartz, 2004, pp. 4-7).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Maximizers are individuals who are most keen on looking for the best option. They tend to strive hard in achieving this goal at the expense that in the process of their quest for looking for the best possible choice present, they are being daunted by the appearances of more choices. In the end, they become less satisfied of the choices they have made and they are more prone to experiencing regrets and depression (Schwartz, 2004, pp. 2-7).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   On the other hand, satisficers are individuals who aim on ending up with a choice that is â€Å"good enough† for them. They seek not the best there is, but on finding something that can adequately meet their standards and is equally useful and worthy of their choice. These people experience less depression on the event that the option they chose did not work out as satisfying   as possible. They are more probable to be happy with their choice because they do not expect too   much from it, and hence are quite surprised when they gain positive effects from it (Schwartz, 2004, pp. 4-7).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Given the complexity of making choices, the people are still and always keen on the gift of freedom of choice. Even though the process of choosing makes people vulnerable to regret and depression, the right to choose what people think is best for them adds to the happiness and well-being that a person can attain. The freedom of choice and how it is always linked to peoples fulfillment is always an integral factor in measuring happiness (Verme, 2007, p. 3).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As such, it is a false notion for maximizers that the absence of choices will make them less prone to regrets. The same goes for satisficers that more choices will make them more happy. Being happy and satisfied rests on the individuals choice. To become truly happy, a person should know how to appreciate what he or she has; being contented with the choice he or she has made and stop thinking of what might have been if he or she decided to chose another option; and most importantly, do not expect too much out of something. Choosing something that is good enough can become the best choice if a person knows how to handle his or her priorities well. References Schwartz, B. (2004). The Tyranny of Choice. Retrieved June 27, 2008, from www.swarthmore.edu/SocSci/bschwar1/Sci.Amer.pdf Verme, P. (2007). Happiness and Freedom.   Retrieved June 27, 2008, from www.ppdoconference.org/session_papers/session15/session15_paolo.pdf

Matigari by Ngũgĩ wa Thiongo | Summary and Analysis

Matigari by NgÃ… ©gÄ © wa Thiongo | Summary and Analysis Matigari is novel written by one of the most famous east African writer NgÃ… ©gÄ © wa Thiongo. The novel Matigari was first written and published in Kikuyu in 1986, which was later translated and published in English in the year 1987. NgÃ… ©gÄ © wa Thiongo, wrote Matigari in Kikuyu so that the messages within the novel can reach the masses of Africa (the poor). According to F.Odun Balogun, Ngugi states that African literature in foreign languages is inaccessible to the vast majority of the African population (Balogun 129). He even renounced his Christian name James and English language and began writing in his native language Kikuyu and Swahili because English to him is a colonial language which undermines the colonized. The novel Matigari takes on the oral form where the narrator can be seen as telling a story to his readers or listeners. For an example the novel starts with a note to readers or listeners Once upon a time, in a country with no name ( Ngugi wa Thiongo ix). However , Matigari oral tradition does not serve, as in the past, but rather is served by the Western novelistic tradition ( Balogun 131). Some of the main issues confronted by Ngugi wa Thiongo in the novel are oppression, colonization, decolonization and neo-colonization. Furthermore it is also about Matigari, the protagonist of the novel in search of truth and justice in his land where the people(masses) are oppressed by their own countrymen who held power( bourgeoisie), a form of neocolonialism. According to Ngugi wa Thiongo, there are only two types of people in the [Kenyan] land-patriots and the oppressors ( Nyame. JR 128). It is clear that this statement is significant because there are patriots and the oppressors in the novel Matigari. Patriots are represented by characters such as Matigari ma Njiruungi, the patriots who survived the bullets( Ngugi wa Thiongo 20), Guthera, Muriuki and Ngaruro wa Kiriro. The patriots love their country and strive for its freedom from the oppressors. They are willing to give up their lives for their beloved land. This is a special announcement. This is a special announcement. The police have shot one of the escaped madmen. He has been identified as Ngaruro wa Kiriro (Ngugi wa Thiongo 135). In the novel Matigari, the patriots firstly fought against the white colonialist (oppressors) who colonized and dominated Africa. The colonizers ill treated the colonized as if they were the other who are looked upon as uncivilized and needed to be con trolled. Much of the narrative of the novel centers on the exploitative relations between the colonizers and the Kenyans, for whom Matigari is a representative( Nyame. JR 129 ).Furthermore these colonizers reaped all the resources of Africa for their own benefits and left the masses to dwell in poverty. For an example, You see I built the house with my own hands. But Settler Williams slept in it and I would sleep outside the veranda. I tended the estates that spread around the house for miles. But it was Settler Williams who took home the harvest.I worked all the machines and in all the industries, but it was settler Williams who would take the profits to the bank and I would end up with the cent that he flung my way I produced everything on the farm with my own labour. But all the gains went to Settler Williams (Ngugi wa Thiongo 21). The protagonist, Matigari ma Njiruungi is a patriot who went to the forest to oppose the colonialists and fight for freedom of his land. He had spend many years in the forests and mountains to hunt down the oppressors so that he could liberate his country and countrymen. Matigaris character represents everyone who toiled under the colonialists and fought in the war of independence (Loflin 90). Armed with his AK47 and other weapons, Matigari spent many years hunting down colonialist Settler Williams and John Boy(Settlers servant). After his victory, he reemerges from the forest to reclaim what was his, especially his house. Matigari felt freedom and liberation was achieved by his country and people from the white settlers. Our main protagonist Matigari even buries his weapons under the mugumo fig tree and girdles himself with a belt of peace believing that full independence was attained from the oppressors. To his utter dismay, though they may have gained independence from the coloni alists, now they are being ruled by African themselves ( bourgeoisie imperialist) who treat their own people badly. Matigari attempts to challenge the new type (neo-colonialism) of oppression peacefully, but failed. He searched for days for truth and justice; but had to succumb to defeat for there is none under the African exploitative regime. For example, He approaches a student, a teacher, and a priest ; all fail abysmally. Their denial of Matigari condemns them as irresolute and complicit with the oppression (Gurnah 171). Finally he resorts to arms and trampled his belt of peace because he realized that justice for the oppressed comes from a sharpened spear (Ngugi wa Thiongo 131). The prototypical revolutionary hero, Matigari, must ultimately abandon his attempts to challenge the current system peacefully(Williams 60). Matigari had to take up arms in order to get back his house again, but now against The Minister of Truth and justice , John Boy JR who are the oppressive elite Af ricans. Guthera and Miuruki are also patriots in the novel Matigari. However they were transitioned from being the oppressed to become patriots with the influence of Matigari ma Njiruungi. Both of them played important roles in helping Matigari to make sure that John Boy JR, will never sleep in my house again (157). Guthera for example, lets go of her eleventh commandment never open my legs for any policemen, these traitors no matter how much they are prepared to pay for the favors( Ngugi wa Thiongo 37) in order to save Matigari from the policemen. This proves that she wants to safe a patriot who is in the path of justice, truth, right and yearns goodness for the country and its people. Furthermore through her narratives we came to know that her father( a Church Elder) was a patriot as well who was arrested and killed for he would not support the oppressors. Guthera was ready to die by going against the traitors and the oppressors with Matigari. She wants to be the vanguard and never wants to get left behind. Guthera states One can die once, and it is better to die in the pursuit of what is right (Ngugi wa Thiongo 139). Thus it is clear in the novel that Guthera too a patriot following the footsteps of Matigari ma Nijuungi. Muriuki is an orphan who lives in the children village(scrapyard) and survived by scavenging rubbish after paying entrance fee. He called an old Mercedes Benz at the scrapyard his house . Muriuki was not the only one,for there were many children parents-less and poor due to the new ruling system after independence which cared less. Muriuki like Guthera joined Matigaris quest in the battle against these oppressing bourgeoisie Africans. It is a world in which the bourgeoisie act criminally within the law (Indangasi 194). Muriuki may have not been under the oppression of the colonizers but he is under the injustices of neocolonialism within Africa. He understands that his land is in absence of justice and Matigari was willing to get it back for them. So Muriuki joins him and becomes a patriot himself. He even called himself and his fellow Children of the village as , Yes. We are the the children of Matigari ma Njiruungi, we are the children of the patriots of the patriots who survived the war (Ngugi wa Thiongo 139). He aided in Matigaris mission by providing him shelter at children village from the policemen and accompanied him alongside with Guthera . At the end of the novel Muriuki was portrayed as picking up Matigaris weapons from the mugumo tree and strapping them to himself . This then establish an understanding that Muriuki will continue Matigaris fight and mission for freedom as a patriot for his beloved country from the heartless oppressors. Hence, even though Matigari and Guthera were never stated as survived or dead in end of the novel,through Muriuki, Matigari ma Njiruungi remains undefeated (Loflin 90). Ngaruro wa Kiriro a factory worker was also classified as a patriot in the novel Matigari. In the first few pages of the novel, we can see that Ngaruro was involved in a strike outside the factory. This is because the workers were not being paid appropriately and were being unjustly treated .Ngaruro, was not afraid to ask for justice. According to the Minister of Truth and Justice, Ngaruro was the first to stood up in public and oppose the presidential decree after the independence. For that he was sent to the mental hospital with Matigari. However before he was taken away, Nagruro shouted bravely ,you may arrest me , but the workers will never stop demanding their rights (Ngugi wa Thiongo 123). Sadly he was killed by the policemen for resisting the power abusing ruling party Kiama Kiria Kirathana(KKK). According to Ngugi wa Thiongo, there are only two types of people in the [Kenyan] land-patriots and the oppressors ( Nyame. JR 128). In the novel Matigari there are two types of oppressors. The first oppressor would be the white colonialist like Settler Williams. The second oppressor in the he novel would be the elite African themselves who misuse power and oppress the poor people. For example, John Boy JR, The Minister for Justice and Truth, His Excellency Ole Excellence and the ruling party KKK who are sell-outs, traitors, parasites, enemies, ogres, and even dogs' (Idangasi 194). The mass of Africa felt that they were out from the frying pan into the fire. Lives and standard of living of the people in the novel after independence did not get better but deteriorated. Children living in old cars, women are prostituting themselves , unjust at working place and corruption within the police enforcements are some of the examples portrayed in the novel. If a person were to question thes e abuses, The Minister for Truth and Justice himself sends the questioner to jail or mental asylum. The establishment of Parratology and newspaper Daily Parratology, were ways to keep the masses under control by the neo-colonial power as well. People who subdue and abide to their unjust laws were called Loyalists (Ngugi wa Thiongo 103). These oppressors having the black skin but white masks behaved like they were the colonialists and ill treated their own people. Sadly after fighting against the colonialists, now Matigari has to continue battling against the neo-colonial power. Having fought against colonial rule, he returns to discover that injustice still exists, albeit in a slightly different form that reflects changed circumstances of neo-colonial society. Settler Williams and his servant John Boy, whom Matigari had fought to death in the forest, have been replaced by their sons, now partners in reaping-what-theydid-not-sow (Gurnah 170). The white colonialist had given a few people(elite) like John By colonial education. Furthermore he was brought up to see his own people through the lenses of the colonialists. Now, this education which instills ideology of the colonizers was given by the oppressors for their own benefits. The elite Africans ,to white colonizers are still collaborating servants , and not much difference from the masses. Through this colonial education, the colonialists retained power over the colonialized land. African leaders is itself a product of a discursive formation and ideological construct specific to the project of mental and psychological colonization of Africans perpetrated by colonialist ideology (Nyame JR 134). Therefore,in the novel Matigari Ngugi states that though liberation was achieved by the Africans from the colonizers , their minds were not decolonized. Ideology of the oppressors still lingers within the leaders and it creates more subordination, poverty, oppression to the Afric an society.According to Ngugi and Maya Jaggi, What is needed is for us in Africa and the Third World to become as conscious of neo-colonial arrangements and their economic, political and cultural implications, and to be horrified by them with the same force, determination and sincerity, as we were vis-al-vis colonialism(Ngugi wa Thiongo and Maya Jaggi 246). For example in the novel, Africans have this strong sense of communal bonds and in the novel Matigari calls almost everyone his child. However, John Boy JR prefers the individual over the term masses because it is primitive. The change of thought within John Boy JR are brought about by colonizers. Our country has remained in the darkness because of the ignorance of our people. They don;t know the importance of the word individual, as opposed to the word masses. White people are advanced because they respect the word and therefore honor the freedom of the individual, which means freedom of everyone to follow his own whims without worrying about others (Ngugi wa Thiongo 48). Thus, the dream of Matigari and others that someday John Boy JR will be the future patriot was dashed. These elite Africans become the neo-colonisers and imperialists , who continue the oppression taught by the settlers. In conclusion, the statement there are only two types of people in the [Kenyan] land-patriots and the oppressors ( Nyame. JR 128) is relevant for the main characters within the novel Matigari are the patriots and the oppressors. However, one must not forget that there are the oppressed Africans depicted in the novel as well represented by the student, teacher and priest who would rather be complacent than fight for truth and justice. They are scared to voice out their opinions for fear of trouble. So they rather ignore and deny Matigari rather than joining him in the battle for freedom and decolonization. Work Cited Indangasi, Henry. Ngugis Ideal Reader and the Postcolonial Reality. The Yearbook of English Studies 27 (1997): 193-200. Web. 3 Mar. 2011. . Loflin, Christine. NgÃ… ©Ã„ ©gÄ © wa Thiongos Visions of Africa. JSTOR 26.4 (1995): 1-19. Web. 3 Mar. 2011. . Ngugi wa Thiongo, . Matigari. Bostwana: Heinemann Kenya Ltd, 1987. N. pag. Print. Ngugi wa, Thiongo, and Maya Jaggi. Matigari as Myth and History: An Interview. Third World Quarterly 11.4 (1989): 241-51. Web. 3 Mar. 2011. . Nyame JR, Kwado Osei. Ngugi wa Thiongos Matigari: and the Politics of Decolonization. A Review of International English Literature 30.3 July (1999): 127-40. Print. Williams, Katherine. Decolonizing the Word: Language, Culture, and Self in the Works of NgÃ… ©Ã„ ©gÄ ©wa Thiongo and Gabriel Okara. Research in African Literatures 22.4 (1991): 53-61. Web. 3 Mar. 2011. .

Artificial Intelligence Essay -- Technology, Automated Online Assistan

This paper summarizes various definitions of Artificial Intelligence and provides a brief account of progress in the field. The origin and purpose of artificial intelligence is discussed. This paper also discusses a few of the many subcategories of research, applications and current technological obstacles that scientist face when developing AI. In particular, this paper overviews various specific military applications of AI. Finally, the paper provides discussion on the impact that the future of artificial intelligence may have on humans. The literature that exists regarding artificial intelligence shall also be examined briefly, and finally how it has affected humanity, particularly psychologically. â€Æ' Statement of topic Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often depicted by science fiction authors and scientists as potentially equal—or superior—to human intelligence. Yet this dream may remain elusive until machines attain the basic human virtue of common sense. Some of the leading experts and researchers in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) have tried to define the term or the subject. Phillip Jackson, in his book An Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (1985), defines AI research as ‘an attempt to discover and describe aspects of human intelligence that can be simulated by machines’ (Jackson, 1985). John McCarthy, one of the pioneer scientists in the field and the person believed to have coined the term ‘artificial intelligence’ defined the goal of AI as ‘to develop machines that behave as though they were intelligent.’ This definition, however, is insufficient because it does not comprehensively capture the intended purpose of AI; it is to o general. The definition that best captures the definition of AI was given ... ...l the cursor of a mouse by what they think and using their speech. The system, created at Washington University, enables people who have had damage to their speech because of a brain injury or who have limited mobility because of injury to use computers just as normal people would (Leuthardt, et al., 2011). Scientists currently try as much as possible to focus on solutions that help solve limitations that machines have, trying to improve them as much as possible. One good example is the research currently being undertaken by researchers to find easier ways in which soft robots used in search and rescue can move faster. As a result, the researchers have focused on the movement of different species of caterpillars, looking up to these soft-bodies caterpillars for inspiration on how to create more intelligent systems of robot locomotion (Lin, Leisk, & Trimmer, 2011).

User Sampling Methods :: essays research papers

1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sampling Methods When surveying, for any purpose, it is important to recognise that the results are only as representative as the survey subjects (the sample), and as such much academic research has been performed in to techniques for selection, broadly placing them in one of two categories – probability sampling and non-probability sampling. In short, with probability sampling the participants are selected by chance. There are dozens of methods of selecting members, using a variety of mathematical techniques, but the key is that each subject has a random, calculable chance of being selected. There is no human intervention involved in the selection. Method  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Characteristics Simple (random) Sampling  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The sample is selected entirely at random Stratified  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The population is first divided in to exclusive subgroups based on some predetermined criteria (e.g. location), then samples are selected at random Proportionate Stratified  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As above, but a smaller group that would otherwise not provide statistically valid results may be oversampled then the results weighted to correct for this. For example, if a particular group is too small to provide a statistically significant sample, more members of that group would be sampled Clustering  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The starting point for the sample is randomised, then assumes that the sample at that point is representative of the region. For example, selecting a street corner, interviewing the first 10 people, and assuming that they are representative of the area Table 2 - Probability Sampling Methods Non-probability samples, however, contain an element of human bias in the sample selection. Again, there are various methods for the selection, the most common of which are: Method  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Characteristics Quota  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Respondents are preselected to ensure that the sample is representative Purposive  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Subjects are selected as they have some specific characteristic, for example, hold a certain position or job type Convenience  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The sample is selected by availability Snowballing  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Contacts provide information about other potential respondents Self-selection  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Respondents volunteer themselves for selection Judgement  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  An â€Å"expert† uses his or her judgement to nominate people for sample Table 3 - Non-probability Sampling Methods Most samples use a combination of sample selection methods. For example, quota sampling is often used to ensure that a random sample is actually representative of the population. 2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Survey types There are three basic surveying techniques that are suitable for consideration in the project: †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Interview †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Telephone †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Self Administered Survey 2.1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Interview (face to face) This category includes in-depth interviews, focus groups and projective methods (such as word association tests) which are not suitable for use in this project. There are several distinct advantages to this type of survey, such as: †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Response rates tend to be higher than other methods †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ability to reassure the subject about their responses

John Locke- Equality Essay

What is equality? Equality is not something that a government can grant or deny a body of citizens; for this right is unalienable. This basically included life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and was not allowed to be taken away by governments. It could be utilized to describe the same political rights that people may have, including males and females. However, John Locke in the Second Treatise of Government outlines his theory of equality and how it works in his political society, known as the common-wealth. Despite, Locke writes later in the same paragraph that they are equal and free â€Å"unless the lord and master of them all should, by any manifest declaration of his will, set one above another, and confer on him, by an evident and clear appointment, and undoubted right to dominion and sovereignty. † I believe that through this statement, Locke refers to monarchy. Basically what this means is that during Locke’s lifetime, it was still widely believed that the kings and queens of the world are selected by God to rule over that particular kingdom. As naturally born people both free and equal, humans can build a common wealth. Locke’s theory of equality, which grants human freedom from being subjects of others is given to the family’s right to have material goods for survival. During his society, everyone has a claim to some sort of property. Locke defines the common wealth as â€Å"not a democracy, or any form of government, but any independent community. † John Locke, in the Second Treatise, outlines the structure of government that best suits the people who give up natural freedoms, such as the pursuit of justice, to accumulate and secure property. Locke’s point of view was that common wealth is equipped with the natural right to hold property. This basically meant that they cannot lose their property, even to the government, unless consent is given by the public.

Factors affecting participation in certain sports Essay

Peer group Your peers are the people you mix with who have similar interests and backgrounds and are roughly your age. Your peer group has a big influence on the way you behave and the things that you do. This is not always expressed words. If you wear the â€Å"wrong† clothes or do the â€Å"wrong† things you can very quickly feel left out. If you peers approve of an activity, you will feel encouraged to do it. Sadly, peer-group pressure can also force people to give up sports even though they enjoy them. Family Your family can have a similar effect on you as your friends can. We pick up many of our habits and values from home. If your family enjoys sport and gives you the opportunities to participate, then it is likely that you will. Most young people depend upon parents and family for kit and help with travel to sports events. The opposite is again true. If your Family has a negative attitude to physical activity it is likely you will to. Gender There is a mistaken believe held by some people that sports is a man’s world. There certainly seem to be few barriers put up to prevent men from participating in physical activity. Far more men Participate in physical activity than women. Race People from minority ethic groups can be discriminated against when it comes to physical activity. Many people have the mistaken belief that they are physiologically different because they are a different colour, and this means they will be good at some activities and not others. For example some people believe that all black people are fast runners and they can not swim very well. This belief could be the reason why we see so many black runners and so very little black swimmers. Socio-Economic The activity you participate in may be determined to a large extent by what you can afford. Activities like sailing, golf and riding can be very expensive so many people from lower socio-economic groups are excluded from them. There are also many activities that cost very little. A kick around in the park with a group of friends, for example, and sport at school are mostly free. Unemployed people are in a difficult situation: plenty of time to fill but not much money. To encourage them, sports facilities often charge less, especially at quiet times of the day. Age Young people are encouraged to participate at school and have plenty of free time to take up sport. It also depends on the activity. To be a good gymnast you need to be young and flexible. Today, however, with computer technology not all youngsters want to spend their free time playing sports and not all sports are open to very young people. People tend to take part less in physical recreation as they get older as they often have more responsibilities and less free time to spend on sport. Stereotyping can mean that older people are discouraged from being physically active. Some older people stereotype themselves and believe that they are too old to take part in physically activity. However, there are many sports that you can enjoy into your old age. All you need is motivation to do it, the right facilities and no barriers to prevent you. Disability A disability may restrict your activities and other people’s prejudice can be a barrier to your participation. But disabled sport has received a much higher profile since the Paralympics games in Sydney, and the efforts of disabled athletes like Tanni Grey-Thompson have provided disabled people with excellent role models. Many sports have charged their rules to suit the needs of disabled people and have set up coaching and competitions for them. Facilities must now include ramps and lifts and special changing rooms so that disabled people can have full access. Access If there is a sports facility near where you live, and there is a good road system and public transport in place, then getting there is made easy. However, many people do not live within easy reach of sports facilities, and the public transport system is poor, so participation is made more difficult. Popularity, Promotion and Role models Participation in many sports varies. Because of media coverage during Wimbledon fortnight, tennis courts across the country are heavily used as seeing role models perform on TV encourages people to play the sport themselves. Not all sports attract media attention, however, and not all media coverage is positive. Some sports have increased in popularity by operating national schemes. Basketball, for example, is much more popular since the Basketball Outdoors Initiative of the 1990’s. Thousands of free facilities began to appear in parks and school playgrounds across the country encouraging more people to play. Environment and climate Participation in some activities also depends upon the environment and climate. It is very hard to become a top skier if you live in a very hot country and, if you want to practise mountaineering and you live in Holland, you have got to travel. So it is not hard to understand why countries like Switzerland and Canada produce very good skiers. Britain is traditionally good at sailing because it is an island and surrounded by water, Tradition and Culture Tradition and Culture also affect participation. For examples some cultures disapprove of women taking part in physical recreation in public or in mixed company. This is one reason why many sports centres operate â€Å"women only† sessions. Most sports (like rugby) have had a tradition of being male only. Women have had to work hard to be allowed to participate. Education Your education has a big effect on your attitude to sport physical recreation. If your school is keen on sport you will be encouraged to participate and if you enjoy it, you are likely to continue after you leave. The opposite is also true, however, for those who dislike PE. It is know that there is a drop in participation at the age of 16 when youngsters leave school. This is know as the post school gap and is perhaps caused by the desire to leave all school based activities behind you when you leave. Thankfully, many young people then see the benefits of physical activity and return to it later on in life. Politics The extent to which people take part in a physical activity also depends on their politicians. All governments get involved in sport for one reason or another. For example, facilities cost so much to build that the government usually has to pay at least something towards them. A government may promote sport for all in an attempt to cut the cost of the health service or cut crime. It may promote excellence in sport so as to bring a sense of pride to the country and raise its standing in the outside world. Sponsorship Sponsorship also has an effect on participation, as it is this that brings money into sport. Even local level, small businesses often sponsor teams and help them financially, allowing people to play. How ever sponsors can decide to pull out of the deal very easily and leaves the team needing to find another one or stop playing.

Marketing Strategy Victoria Secret Essay

Victoria’s Secret was started in San Francisco, California, in 1977 by Roy Raymond who was Business alumnus of Tufts University and Stanford Graduate School. He felt embarrassed trying to purchase lingerie for his wife in a department store environment. He opened the first store at Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, and quickly followed it with a mail-order catalog and three other stores. With this store he hoped that it could create a comfortable environment for men, with wood-paneled walls, Victorian details and helpful sales staff. Instead of racks of bras and panties in every size, there were single styles, paired together and mounted on the wall in frames. Men could browse for styles for women and sales staff would help estimate the appropriate size, pulling from inventory in the back rooms. In 1982, after five years of operation, Roy Raymond sold the Victoria’s Secret Company, with its six stores and 42-page catalogue, grossing $6 million per year, to Leslie Wexner, creator of The Limited, for $4 million. The Limited kept the personalized image of Victoria’s Secret intact. Victoria’s Secret was rapidly expanded into the U. S. malls throughout the 1980s. The company was able to vend a widened range of products, such as shoes, evening wear, and perfumes, with its mail catalog issued eight times annually. By the early 1990s, Victoria’s Secret had become the largest American lingerie retailer, topping one billion dollars. However, The Company gained notoriety in the early 1990s after it began to use  supermodels  in its advertising and fashion shows. Throughout the past decade, it has turned down celebrity models and endorsements. Current business At present, Victoria’s Secret is the fastest growing subsidiary of Limited Brands and contributes 42% of corporate profits. More than 1000 Victoria’s Secret retail stores are open in the United States. Products are also available through the catalogue and online business, Victoria’s Secret Direct, with sales of approximately $6000 million in 2010. Victoria’s Secret is known for its annual fashion show, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, and for its catalogs, both of which feature top fashion models. II – Executive summary (NG? C) In 2012, Victoria Secret’s goals are to increase 10% in revenue and 13% in market share. To achieve those, the marketing plan will be divided into 4 quarters with a clear division of labor for each department. Every people in company from management to employees will perform each mission separately in order to helps achieve the best returns.

Big movie

The movie Big which starred Tom Hanks is about a thirteen-year old boy named Josh who wished that he were already an adult after he was refused from one of the rides at a fair because he did not make the height limit. He wakes up one morning to find out that he was already all grown up. He rushes out of the house after scaring his Mom who does not recognize him. With the help of his friend Billy, he gets a job at a toy company and begins going through the life of an adult. Toward the end of the movie he realizes how much he misses being a kid.He wishes that he were a kid again and returns home to his mother. First of all, Big is a fantasy film. In real life, nobody could grow overnight like what happened to Josh without supernatural intervention like the Zoltar wishing booth which helped Josh make his wish come true. While watching the film one could not but help wonder if Josh might be dreaming. Toward the end of the film, one realizes that the young boy was not dreaming at all when he slowly turns back into the thirteen year old boy right before the eyes of his girlfriend Susan whom he met at the toy company.In spite of it being a fantasy film, the movie which is all about growing up was able to focus on one aspect of adolescence which is getting attracted to the opposite sex which is one reason for Josh’s desire to be all grown up. He becomes attracted to a young girl whom he tries to impress by attempting to get on one of the rides at the fair. Another aspect of adolescence that was featured in the film is the desire of teenagers to free themselves from being a kid and have freedom from their parents.Just to give the impression that he was all grown up Josh lied to his crush when he told her that he was all by himself at the fair. When Josh saw his crush, he got rid of the funny shark hat he was wearing just so he would not look funny in front of his crush which is what teenagers Josh’s age would normally do. Another important aspect of adoles cence is the rate by which girls mature compared to that of boys. It’s a known fact that girls mature faster than boys. This was shown in that scene in the film where the grownup Josh brings his girl to his apartment which he shares with Billy.The girl expects to see a man’s room but instead she sees a room full of toys. The girl expects to have Josh make love to her the whole night but they end up jumping up and down on the trampoline. This slow rate of maturation on the part of the boys was also shown in that scene wherein his boss caught Josh playing with one of the toys at a toy exhibit and how Josh and Billy spent the former’s first pay on fun things rather than on more important items like clothes and food. The movie was able to depict the pain of leaving behind childhood things on the part of the boys.In spite of having achieved success in his present position in the toy company, Josh suddenly felt a longing for the days when he was still thirteen years o ld. The movie shows him going back to his home town where he sort of envies two boys who were playing ball, his crush riding in the car with her boyfriend as well as with her other friends, and his school mates who were having fun with their picture being taken in front of the school. Because of the uncontrollable desire to be thirteen again he explains to his surprised girlfriend that he was a thirteen year old boy trapped in a man’s body.This desire to go back to who he was before reaches its peak when during a presentation he walks out of the room, goes to his hometown and becomes the thirteen year old Josh again after putting in his wish in the Zoltar machine. The movie was able to depict the process of growth when boys, particularly go through the stage of adolescence. This was depicted in that scene when Josh stopped going out with his friend Billy because he wanted to spend more time with his girlfriend especially after he had his taste of first kiss and sex.Josh also discovers the importance of being responsible especially in the performance of one’s job and the use of money. Tom Hanks did justice to the role of Josh who was acting as a kid in man’s body. The actor was able to portray the innocence of Josh as he gradually discovered the things that grownups go through. The movie also had its funny moments too. There was that scene in the company party wherein Josh wore a funny looking tuxedo. As he tasted the food he was acting like a kid who just picks up the food without caring about what the other guests would say.Of course, the scene wherein Susan’s former boyfriend was presenting his new idea for a toy was funny too. While the presentation was going on, Josh was not able to resist the temptation of tinkering with the toy building that was supposed to transform into a robot. Since the movie is about the pains of growing up, counselors may use some scenes from the film for giving advice to troubled teenagers and their par ents. For example, there are teenagers who think that they can grow up overnight just like what happened to Josh.Counselors can cite what happened to Josh to explain to them that growing up is a gradual process and is not easy to do. One of the things that growing up involves is giving up things like toys and spending a lot of time with one’s friends and making discoveries in life. To parents who are worried that their thirteen year old son is developing feelings of attraction, the counselor can use the movie to help the parents understand that it is but natural for boys who are as old as Josh to develop those kind of feelings.Sometimes parents are worried that their son or daughter is still acting like a child even though he or she is already a teenager. The movie can help parents understand that sometimes mental age and physical age do not always travel down the road at the same pace as what happened to Josh who still continued like a kid in spite of being aware that he had already become a man. Overall the movie was not only entertaining but educational as well. References Mannheim, Jennifer. (2008). Puberty and Adolescence. Medline Plus. Retrieved from http://www. nlm. nih. gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001950. htm.

A Study Of Lewins Model Management Essay

A Study Of Lewins Model Management Essay In the refreezing stage the company stabilized changes by establishing systems that can establish behavioural pattern in the organisation. A new performance appraisal system based on behaviour and results was introduced to encourage customer service. (Goodstein., D., L. & Burke, W., W., 1991) 14 It is not easy for an organisation change its structure and business processes since any change may lead to some level of resistance by the employees. One of the main causes for resistance is the fear of the unknown and loss of what is familiar. There are four reasons of resistance from employee to organisational change including 1) Parochial self-interest, 2) Misunderstanding and lack of trust, 3) Contradictory assessments, and 4) Low tolerance for change. (Buchanan D. & Huczynski A., 2004) BA tried to change behaviour by changing the management style from authoritative to participative. BA wished employees participate more in management decision but since this was unfamiliar employers woul d fall back to the old patterns. 15 A tactic that was used in BA to manage resistance to change was the HR policy which included training guidelines. Such an HR policy is important in making the employees understand and react positively to change. There is also an example where resistance to change hindered the organisations goals and objectives. In an attempt to cut down cost can compete with low cost airlines BA tried implementing a new payment system and also hiring workers for lower salaries. This created insecurity among the employees which ended in a strike that cost the company in millions in 2000. Therefore handling resistance and the HR aspects of the company is vital to a successful change process. 15 REFERENCES 16 Wilson, C.D., (1992), A Strategy of Change, Thomas Learning, London 16 British Airways, 2006, Leaders For Business: What are we looking for?, http://www.britishairwaysjobs.com/baweb1/?newms=info196 (22 December 2006) British Airways, 2006, Our Recruitment Proces s: The Assessment Process, http://www.britishairwaysjobs.com/baweb1/?newms=info48 (22 December 2006) 16 Paton, R.A. & McCalman, J. (2008) Change Management 2nd ed. Sage Publications, London 16 Cellars, T. (2007), Change Management Models: A Look at McKinsey’s 7-S Model, Lewin’s Change Management Model and Kotter’s Eight Step Change Model, Associated Content, [Online], http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/237685/change_management_models_a_look_at_pg5_pg5.html?cat=3, accessed on 30 November 2009 16 Green, M. (2007), Change Management Masterclass, Kogan Page Limited, Philadelphia 16 Syque. (2007). Lewin’s freeze phases. Retrieved April 12, 2007, from Changing Minds 16 12Manage. (2007, April 9). 7-S framework (mckinsey). Retrieved April 12, 2007, from 12Manage Web site: http://www.12manage.com/methods_7S.html 16 Chapman, A. (2006). Change management. Retrieved April 12, 2007, from Business Balls Web site: http://www.businessballs.com/changemanagement.htm 16 Mind Tools. (2007). Lewin’s change management model: Understanding the three stages of change. Retrieved April 12, 2007, from Mind Tools Web site: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_94.htm 16 Morgan, O. (n.d.). Organization management part 1. Retrieved April 12, 2007, from Oliver Morgan Web site: http://www.omorgan.info/download/Part%20I/organisation_management_Part_I.pdf 16 Recklies, D. (2007). The 7-s-model. Retrieved April 12, 2007, from Recklies Management Web site: http://www.themanager.org/Models/7S%20Model.htm 16 Johnson G and Scholes k (2002) Exploring Corporate Strategy, Prentice Hall, 6th ed. 17