Adrienne Rich on Power in Society

Adrienne Rich on power in society Introduction The theme that interested me most in the poems by Adrienne Rich was the inadequacy of language as a means of communication. Rich shows that the reason for this lies in the way language expresses power relationships in society. Often this means the unequal relationship between women and men, but also between the powerful and the powerless. This theme is touched upon in almost every poem we studied, from Rich’s early poems to those written later. To illustrate how Rich explores this theme I will look in detail at â€Å"Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers†, â€Å"The Uncle Speaks in the Drawing Room†, â€Å"Our Whole Life†.Paragraph 1 In â€Å"Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers†, Rich creates a fantastic image of the aunt’s nonverbal communication through her tapestry. The poem opens with a vivid picture of the colourful, energetic alive world depicted on the tapestry. The aunt infuses the world of the tigers with many of the attributes she misses in her own life: a sense of being truly alive and in tune with the environment, and a state of fearlessness: â€Å"They do not fear the men beneath the tree/ They pace in sleek chivalric certainty. The ee- sound in these lines introduces a note of terror that heralds what is to come. Indeed the phrasing suggests a reason for fear from men. The feelings that the aunt is projecting into her artwork, her own fears and desires are developed in the middle stanza. Her shaking, fearful hands â€Å"fingers fluttering† are very vivid and the fact that they find the â€Å"needle hard to pull† suggests physical weakness and contrasts very much with the tigers. Paragraph 2 The reason for this weakness is â€Å"Uncle’s wedding band/ Sits heavily† on her â€Å"hand†.The possessive â€Å"Uncle’s† suggests that this is a one-way marriage that drains all life out of the aunt. Her hands come to represent her pers on in this poem and it is the hands that do the ‘talking’. The Uncle’s power over her seems to continue in death â€Å"When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie/ Still ringed with the ordeals she was mastered by. † However, her unspoken, yet very articulate legacy remains: â€Å"The tigers in the panel that she made/ Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid. The tigers represent happiness, confidence and thereby beauty. Interestingly, this image of self-determination and sense of entitlement to the world is projected into the jungle, i. e. outside of society. This is where freedom exists and Aunt’s art gives expression to this. Paragraph 3 In contrast to Aunt Jennifer’s indirect communication, â€Å"The Uncle Speaks in the Drawing Room† is the dramatic monologue of a wealthy, powerful man. He speaks as a representative of the ruling class looking out at a group of discontent working people.These people have neither wealth nor pow er. They have gathered outside his big house to express their anger at this inequality. The uncle’s attempt to convey confidence and reassurance to his family is undermined by the images of anger outside. The poem’s sound expresses this threat. O- sounds and S-sounds dominate: â€Å"Standing sullen in the square [†¦] Some have held and fingered stones. † As the poem develops, the Uncle’s own fear becomes clear. The image of â€Å"glass† echoes and comes to symbolise â€Å"class†.He admits that the â€Å"frailties of glass [†¦] Lead in times like these to fear/ For crystal vase and chandelier. † Even his reassurance â€Å"None as yet dare lift an arm† achieves the opposite – the suggestion of an uncertain future, â€Å"arm† in fact has two meanings in this context! Paragraph 4 In fact the two most vivid images in the poem are the angry crowd outdoors on the one hand and the terrified forefather (indoors à ¢â‚¬â€œ like this family) on the other: â€Å"When our grandsire stood aghast/ To see his antique ruby bowl/ Shivered in a thunder-roll. Despite his attempts to reassure, the Uncle admits to deep unease at the end of the poem regarding the precarious position of his class as â€Å"We stand between the dead glass-blowers/ And murmurings of missile-throwers. † In terms of the theme of language, the Uncle uses it to express his position as a powerful wealthy man. Although his fears still become clear, it is still a useful tool for him. The workers outside do not have a voice, their language is not verbal: â€Å"sullen stares†, â€Å"bitter tones† and holding â€Å"stones†. There is no common language between the powerful and the powerless.Paragraph 5 â€Å"Our Whole Life† was written later. There is a stark change in terms of form to the previous two poems. It is written in free verse and uses no punctuation whatever. This in itself indicates Richâ⠂¬â„¢s thinking about language and the ability to express truth. Here, she strips it of its traditional appearance. In terms of theme, â€Å"Our Whole Life† explores the shocking gulf between the powerful and the powerless at a new level. Language has failed the powerless completely. Language is used to manipulate people’s thoughts about the world, â€Å"rendered into the oppressor’s language†.In an incredibly vivid image Rich depicts language as a violent and self-destructive wild animal: â€Å"and now a knot of lies/ eating at itself to get undone/ Words bitten thru words†. The biting and eating is enacted in the abbreviated spelling â€Å"thru†. People’s actual lives and experience cannot be told: â€Å"meanings burnt-off like paint/ under the blowtorch/ All those dead letters/ rendered into the oppressor’s language†. Paragraph 6 This poem places one shocking image after the other and language has become an instrument in a very violent world.The vision goes much further than in â€Å"The Uncle Speaks†, it encompasses the whole world and is in essence apocalyptic. The image of the burning Algerian walking away from his village to a doctor with no words to describe is pain is haunting: â€Å"his whole body a cloud of pain/ and there are no words for this/ except himself†. The absence of punctuation and in particular of a concluding full stop suggests the ongoing nature of the problem. Language has completely and disastrously failed its purpose as a means of communication between humans.In conclusion, Rich has opened up for me a way of looking at language that in some ways coincides with my own thinking and experience. However, she takes it unflinchingly and with amazing honesty and courage to a final analysis. She creates in her poetry unforgettable images for how women and all the powerless have been deprived of a means of expressing themselves. Language is an instrument of the powe rful. Although Rich’s poetry is a reflection of radical feminism and political struggle in the USA during the 6os and 70s I feel that what if conveys is as true now as it was then. Adrienne Rich on Power in Society Adrienne Rich on power in society Introduction The theme that interested me most in the poems by Adrienne Rich was the inadequacy of language as a means of communication. Rich shows that the reason for this lies in the way language expresses power relationships in society. Often this means the unequal relationship between women and men, but also between the powerful and the powerless. This theme is touched upon in almost every poem we studied, from Rich’s early poems to those written later. To illustrate how Rich explores this theme I will look in detail at â€Å"Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers†, â€Å"The Uncle Speaks in the Drawing Room†, â€Å"Our Whole Life†.Paragraph 1 In â€Å"Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers†, Rich creates a fantastic image of the aunt’s nonverbal communication through her tapestry. The poem opens with a vivid picture of the colourful, energetic alive world depicted on the tapestry. The aunt infuses the world of the tigers with many of the attributes she misses in her own life: a sense of being truly alive and in tune with the environment, and a state of fearlessness: â€Å"They do not fear the men beneath the tree/ They pace in sleek chivalric certainty. The ee- sound in these lines introduces a note of terror that heralds what is to come. Indeed the phrasing suggests a reason for fear from men. The feelings that the aunt is projecting into her artwork, her own fears and desires are developed in the middle stanza. Her shaking, fearful hands â€Å"fingers fluttering† are very vivid and the fact that they find the â€Å"needle hard to pull† suggests physical weakness and contrasts very much with the tigers. Paragraph 2 The reason for this weakness is â€Å"Uncle’s wedding band/ Sits heavily† on her â€Å"hand†.The possessive â€Å"Uncle’s† suggests that this is a one-way marriage that drains all life out of the aunt. Her hands come to represent her pers on in this poem and it is the hands that do the ‘talking’. The Uncle’s power over her seems to continue in death â€Å"When Aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie/ Still ringed with the ordeals she was mastered by. † However, her unspoken, yet very articulate legacy remains: â€Å"The tigers in the panel that she made/ Will go on prancing, proud and unafraid. The tigers represent happiness, confidence and thereby beauty. Interestingly, this image of self-determination and sense of entitlement to the world is projected into the jungle, i. e. outside of society. This is where freedom exists and Aunt’s art gives expression to this. Paragraph 3 In contrast to Aunt Jennifer’s indirect communication, â€Å"The Uncle Speaks in the Drawing Room† is the dramatic monologue of a wealthy, powerful man. He speaks as a representative of the ruling class looking out at a group of discontent working people.These people have neither wealth nor pow er. They have gathered outside his big house to express their anger at this inequality. The uncle’s attempt to convey confidence and reassurance to his family is undermined by the images of anger outside. The poem’s sound expresses this threat. O- sounds and S-sounds dominate: â€Å"Standing sullen in the square [†¦] Some have held and fingered stones. † As the poem develops, the Uncle’s own fear becomes clear. The image of â€Å"glass† echoes and comes to symbolise â€Å"class†.He admits that the â€Å"frailties of glass [†¦] Lead in times like these to fear/ For crystal vase and chandelier. † Even his reassurance â€Å"None as yet dare lift an arm† achieves the opposite – the suggestion of an uncertain future, â€Å"arm† in fact has two meanings in this context! Paragraph 4 In fact the two most vivid images in the poem are the angry crowd outdoors on the one hand and the terrified forefather (indoors à ¢â‚¬â€œ like this family) on the other: â€Å"When our grandsire stood aghast/ To see his antique ruby bowl/ Shivered in a thunder-roll. Despite his attempts to reassure, the Uncle admits to deep unease at the end of the poem regarding the precarious position of his class as â€Å"We stand between the dead glass-blowers/ And murmurings of missile-throwers. † In terms of the theme of language, the Uncle uses it to express his position as a powerful wealthy man. Although his fears still become clear, it is still a useful tool for him. The workers outside do not have a voice, their language is not verbal: â€Å"sullen stares†, â€Å"bitter tones† and holding â€Å"stones†. There is no common language between the powerful and the powerless.Paragraph 5 â€Å"Our Whole Life† was written later. There is a stark change in terms of form to the previous two poems. It is written in free verse and uses no punctuation whatever. This in itself indicates Richâ⠂¬â„¢s thinking about language and the ability to express truth. Here, she strips it of its traditional appearance. In terms of theme, â€Å"Our Whole Life† explores the shocking gulf between the powerful and the powerless at a new level. Language has failed the powerless completely. Language is used to manipulate people’s thoughts about the world, â€Å"rendered into the oppressor’s language†.In an incredibly vivid image Rich depicts language as a violent and self-destructive wild animal: â€Å"and now a knot of lies/ eating at itself to get undone/ Words bitten thru words†. The biting and eating is enacted in the abbreviated spelling â€Å"thru†. People’s actual lives and experience cannot be told: â€Å"meanings burnt-off like paint/ under the blowtorch/ All those dead letters/ rendered into the oppressor’s language†. Paragraph 6 This poem places one shocking image after the other and language has become an instrument in a very violent world.The vision goes much further than in â€Å"The Uncle Speaks†, it encompasses the whole world and is in essence apocalyptic. The image of the burning Algerian walking away from his village to a doctor with no words to describe is pain is haunting: â€Å"his whole body a cloud of pain/ and there are no words for this/ except himself†. The absence of punctuation and in particular of a concluding full stop suggests the ongoing nature of the problem. Language has completely and disastrously failed its purpose as a means of communication between humans.In conclusion, Rich has opened up for me a way of looking at language that in some ways coincides with my own thinking and experience. However, she takes it unflinchingly and with amazing honesty and courage to a final analysis. She creates in her poetry unforgettable images for how women and all the powerless have been deprived of a means of expressing themselves. Language is an instrument of the powe rful. Although Rich’s poetry is a reflection of radical feminism and political struggle in the USA during the 6os and 70s I feel that what if conveys is as true now as it was then.

Unit 1 Individual Project Pres111

Marketa S Marshall Unit 1 Individual Project AIU Online – PRES 111 Professor C. Embry Presentation Essentials Before I begin with the videos I chose for this assignment I will first define the rhetorical triangle and the parts of it. The rhetorical triangle refers to the relationship of the three forms of Aristotelian rhetoric-Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. A speaker who aims to attain perfection in his speech must strive to use all three forms of rhetoric. Similarly Ethos, Pathos and Logos form the basic components of all kinds of writing.It is important to learn and recognize the use of these three elements not only in our own writing but also in others writings. It is by the use of Ethos, Pathos and Logos that one can develop a text appealing to readers on various levels. The three parts of the triangle are ethos, logos, and pathos. Ethos is more concerned to the character of speakers. Any kind of text document that is ethos-driven concentrates on the character and reputation of writer. It reflects the reputation of author. If listeners can recognize the speaker’s credibility, it will help the speaker to make his task more easy and perfect.Ethos helps to interpret the relationship between listeners and speakers. Ethos-driven document is highly focused on the qualities of author that give credibility to his personality such as sincerity, trust, grooming, eye contact, dress, movement, height and expertise. Pathos is highly focused on emotions, feelings and psychological state of the listeners. It is the fact that we can interpret the concept of document easily when we are in good mood but we cannot interpret it when we are in hostile mood. So it is the fact that pathos-driven document concentrates on the mood, emotions and feelings of the audience.Logos-driven document is always focused on concepts or logical ability. It concentrates on proof that is given to the audience through logic reasoning. Humans make decisions on what grabs their attention thr ough logical reasoning. If speaker’s communication is perfect and convincing, audience will inspire because they always try to find logical reasoning in the speech of speakers. Educational or official documents are focused on logos. (Ranjan, 2012) The first video is about Breast Cancer: http://www. youtube. com/watch? =bjXCnAXp8cs The second video is about students who attend a high school in New York and the discuss the STEP program which helps them to better understand technology http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=bjXCnAXp8cs First video †¢ What is the background information for this presentation? The information in this video provides info about breast cancer, the presenter tells you in the simplest way how to prevent breast cancer and how to detect it in the early stages hands on, and she gives you an example on how to test yourself for breast cancer.She also gives you in depth information about the subject and why she feels the subject is a sensitive topic for her. W hat is the name of the presenter? Megha Shah What is the name of this presentation? Breast Cancer Prevention Presentation by students of Lewis University Where can it be located? (What is its URL? ) http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=4zrTI25mV9I part 2 of the presentation is http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=bjXCnAXp8cs When was this presentation given? August 2, 2010Where was this presentation given? On the Lewis University campus Who was in the audience? Faculty, students, staff, friends, and family How does each part of the Rhetorical Triangle operate in the presentation? Pathos is focused on emotions and feelings of the listeners, since the presenter felt sensitive on the subject since she either has a family member or a friend who has suffered from breast cancer she was able to reach out to the audience not in just an informative matter but in a personal matter as well.Logos is built on how much the presenter has informed the audience I feel she did a great job, since she has ex perienced the topic in a personal way she was able to give tips and help the audience understand the subject better, she also gave great examples on presentation and how to catch the early signs of the illness. Ethos is described as the personality of the presenter I feel she was a bit nervous in front of the camera but she still did a great job when presenting it. She stumbled on a couple of words when doing the presentation in a face to face camera mode.How does The Speaker operate in the presentation? Based on what you have learned in U1 about the Rhetorical Triangle, is this successful (i. e. , effective)? Yes I feel the speaker did successfully touch the basis of all three steps in the triangle though there were some mishaps altogether it still came out to be a great presentation. The speaker gave an effective method for the presentation as well she was able to properly inform the audience on the subject and give them examples on prevention. How does The Audience operate in the presentation?Based on what you have learned in U1 about the Rhetorical Triangle, is this successful (i. e. , effective)? The audience seemed compelled because I believe all women need to know and understand the causes and effects of breast cancer and learn how to catch the early signs of it, they seemed very attentive when it came to listening ad understanding the topic. How does The Situation/Purpose operate in the presentation? Based on what you have learned in U1 about the Rhetorical Triangle, is this successful (i. . , effective)? The situation given for the topic was to inform women more on an illness that causes death for women today; so the purpose was to inform, educate, and help the audience to better understand the subject and gave them tips on how to prevent and catch the early signs of it. What is the relationship between these elements in this video presentation? Based on what you have learned in U1 about the Rhetorical Triangle, overall, is this successful (i. e. , ef fective)?Since the presentation was given on a campus site, not only did it help the faculty and staff, the students, but it also gave them an opportunity to bring family and friends and help them get involved on the issues of the subject and to help them understand the subject as well. Second Video What is the background information for this presentation? The students in this video attempt to inform the audience about a program that is given to them after school hours(weekends) and it help enrich them in technology and further pushes them to their goals.I think that the program offers the students ways to help them achieve their goals, the program also allows them to go a step further with their homework it’s something like a homework help program that is offered to them after school. It helps the kids in writing, math, and reading as well as English. What is the name of the presenter? Various high school students What is the name of this presentation? The Barnard STEP Progr am special presentation 2012 Where can it be located? (What is its URL? ) http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=oxO7t0vs5QE When was this presentation given? March 26, 2012Where was this presentation given? Various locations that offer the after school program to its students. Who was in the audience? Teachers who volunteer at the program and various audience members who wanted to learn more about the program. How does each part of the Rhetorical Triangle operate in the presentation? Not every step was offered in this presentation I think, Ethos was effectively terminated in this presentation the students were still in school clothing I think or clothes that they wore at home after school I think they could’ve had the students look more presentable.Pathos was initiated since all of the students seemed to come across the program by friends, teachers or family members who wanted to see them succeed. Logos was initiated but could’ve been handled differently if I were just bro wsing online the presentation given on the site would not have just caught my attention, the students were knowledgeable on the subject but only to a certain extent. One of the volunteered teachers could’ve made an appearance in the video and talked more to the parents watching about the subject.It was just students in the video so they pretty much reached out to other students, but students must be able to help their parents understand the subject as well so a teacher should’ve been in the video to help capture the attention of the parents of the students who were interested in the program. How does The Speaker operate in the presentation? Based on what you have learned in U1 about the Rhetorical Triangle, is this successful (i. e. , effective)? All speakers pretty much went over why they joined the program, and what it offers.I didn’t get to see information on why or who started the program where it was offered or why students should join. Students just told w hy they started the program because of who brought it to their attention i. e friends, family members or teachers. No one gave in depth information on why the program was started and who stated it and why. How does The Audience operate in the presentation? Based on what you have learned in U1 about the Rhetorical Triangle, is this successful (i. e. , effective)?Various members were able to watch it was a video that was uploaded in order to let students know about the program, since the video didn’t properly execute why or how the program was stated and gave follow up information of the program I don’t think most audience members would be that interested in letting their students join. How does The Situation/Purpose operate in the presentation? Based on what you have learned in U1 about the Rhetorical Triangle, is this successful (i. e. , effective)?Every school has a after school program, the video didn’t really discuss why or what made their program so special, or more important than any other program †¢What is the relationship between these elements in this video presentation? Based on what you have learned in U1 about the Rhetorical Triangle, overall, is this successful (i. e. , effective)? It was mildly successful I think that if any other student were to view the video they’d just watch and move on to another video relating to the same subject due to lack of information.Both videos were entertaining but the second video proved to be more entertaining than the first the first video gave more information on the subject as well as examples and presentations on prevention, the presenter was able to capture the audience’s attention because the subject is a touchy matter and she was able to capture the attention of not only the faculty and staff as well as her fellow students but other women as well.The second video would prove to have a mild audience it lacked of information. The students who presented the video just dis cussed why they felt the program was useful, no one went into detail on how or why the program was started and what the program offered. REFERENCES http://www. alloutdigital. com/2012/09/what-are-three-parts-of-the-rhetorical-triangle/ http://www. youtube. com

1984 By George Orwell Character Sketch Essay

1984 By George Orwell: Character Sketch Essay, Research Paper1984 by George Orwell: Character Sketchby Jeffrey Bowerman.The two chief characters in 1984 are Winston Smith and Julia. Winston has hisbeliefs. It is really difficult to do him believe in person else # 8217 ; s thoughts or prevarications.He is a small paranoid about people watching him. In the narrative 1984, people canbe watched through TVs ( telescreens ) . Because of this paranoia, he found atopographic point in his flat were he could sit without being seen. He spends much ofhis clip sitting in this corner composing in his journal. In his journal, he writesthings that could easy hold him killed. Winston is a quiet individual who has afew friends. He has a strong feeling about how the universe is and a strongerexperiencing about how it should be.Here is my illustration from the book that shows Winston # 8217 ; s character: # 8220 ; Just now I held up the fingers of my manus to you. You saw five fingers. Makeyou remembe r that? # 8221 ; # 8220 ; Yes. # 8221 ;O # 8217 ; Brien held up the fingers of his left manus, with the pollex concealed. # 8220 ; There are five fingers at that place. Make you see five fingers? # 8221 ; # 8220 ; Yes. # 8221 ;And he did see them, for a fleeting blink of an eye, before the scenery of his headchanged. He saw five fingers, and there was no malformation. Then everything wasnormal once more, and the old fright, the hate and the obfuscation came herdingback once more. But there had been a minute? he did non cognize how long, 30seconds, possibly? of aglow certainty, when each new suggestion of O # 8217 ; Brien # 8217 ; shad filled up a spot of emptiness and had become absolute truth, and when twoand two could hold been three as easy as five, if that were what was needed.It had faded out before O # 8217 ; Brien had dropped his manus ; but though he could nonrecapture it, he could retrieve it, as one remembers a graphic experience at somedistant period of one # 821 7 ; s life when 1 was in consequence a different individual.Earlier in that subdivision O # 8217 ; Brien had tortured him into believing two plus twopeers five.Julia # 8217 ; s feelings are non about every bit strong as Winston # 8217 ; s. She is slightlysneaky, and she is really good at evading The Thought Police. Julia is quiet, andshe likes to believe of the hereafter and the yesteryear instead than the present. Sheenjoys little things that are old and simple. Julia is slightly interested inthe manner the universe is turning. She enjoys nature and animate beings.Here is my illustration from the book that shows Julia # 8217 ; s character:She fell to her articulatio genuss, threw unfastened the bag and tumbled out some wrenchs and ascrewdriver that filled the top portion of it. Underneath was figure of orderly paper packages. The first package that she passed to Winston had a unusual and yetfamiliar feelings. It was filled with some sort of heavy, sand-like material whichyielded wherever you touched it. # 8220 ; It isn # 8217 ; t saccharify? # 8221 ; he said. # 8220 ; Real sugar. Not cloying, sugar. And here # 8217 ; s a loaf of staff of life? properwhite staff of life, non our bloody material? and a small pot of jam. And here # 8217 ; s a Snof milk? but look! This is the 1 I # 8217 ; m truly proud of. I had to wrap a spotof plundering unit of ammunition it, because? ? ? # 8221 ;But she did non hold to state him why she had wrapped it up. The odor wasalready make fulling the room, a rich hot odor which seemed like an emanation fromhis early childhood, but which one did on occasion run into with even now, blowingdown a passage-way before a door slammed, or spreading itself cryptically in acrowded street, sniffed for an blink of an eye and so lost once more. # 8220 ; It # 8217 ; s java, # 8221 ; she murmured, # 8220 ; existent coffee. # 8221 ;Julia had more interesting things in her bag after the java, this illustrationshows her involvement in old and simple things.If Winston had a level tyre, he would likely sit in his auto for a piece.After possibly one half hr, he would acquire out of the auto and trade with it. Whenhe was covering with it, he would non believe about the work really much. Winstonwould decidedly compose a batch about it in his journal.In 1984, all the dish lavation is done by the cooks. If Winston had to makethe dishes, he would likely non be really good at it. He would take a long clip.He likely would non interrupt really many dishes. If he had the option to utilize adishwasher, he would decidedly make it. Winston would likely hold a few dishesthat he liked utilizing and would utilize merely them. Before he met Julia, he would eatwithout much appetency and was skinny.If Winston were faced with a bully, he would respond with choler. After hisfirs t reaction, he would look the individual over. If he thought the individual werestronger, he would go afraid and huffish. Winston would get down to state theindividual that he was right, in hope of get awaying hurting. Winston does non wishproblem ; but if he has to cover with it, he does it with force.If Winston had to travel food market shopping, he would be every bit speedy as possible. Hewould likely non make the best possible occupation, and he would likely bury things.Winston would non utilize any vouchers or travel to certain shops because they werecheaper. He would non bask shopping. Winston would seek to acquire other people tomake the shopping for him.

Problem Solving Activities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Problem Solving Activities - Essay Example ESPN is the largest source of money for Disney and  is believed to be the worlds most valuable media asset. According to www.forbes.com , the company is worth more than $40 billion as of 2012. Therefore one may beg to ask where all this money for ESPN comes from. According to bloomberg.com, the companys revenue hit a $9 billion in 2012 above any other cable network in the world and was projected to hit $11 billion as of the end of 2013 due to increased subscriber charges. Apart from being a sports channel, the company also broadcasts news relating to sporting events and its websites gives fixtures for the next sporting events. This ensures that its customers do not miss scheduled sporting events. One of the major sources for ESPNs money is the customer subscriptions. This is executed worldwide where the moment cable TV customers access the channel, the provider gets revenue which is paid by the customer. For example, many DSTV subscribers are able to watch ESPN at different channels through customer subscriptions, the company gets substantial revenue which enables it manage its day to day operations. Monthly subscriptions make up the largest source of revenue for ESPN standing at almost 60% of the total revenue for the company. In 2012, the company charged the cable TVs the largest amount of money per subscriber regardless of whether the subscriber watched the channel or not. At 4.6 dollars per subscriber, it was the highest in US and the charges continued to increase by up to 17.9% in 2013 meaning that the money generated will continue to increase for 2013. The other source of money for ESPN comes from advertising. In advertising, the company has up to three avenues for making advertising money. These are digital advertising, magazine advertising and television advertising. Of these, television advertising is expected to net up to $4 billion in 2013 the largest share, followed by digital adverts at 700

Cell phones and how they have changed us socially Research Paper

Cell phones and how they have changed us socially - Research Paper Example The 20th century witnessed an explosion of technological growth. Telephone technology dates back to the late 19th century through the inventions of Alexander Graham Bell and the subsequent Bell Telephone Company. Still, it wasn’t until the 20th century through American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T) that the Western world experienced the profound impacts of this technology, and not until the late end of this century that cell phones would come to dominate the social landscape. Indeed, between 1990 and 1998 cell phone subscribers increased from 11 million to 312 million (Stevens 2010). Along with the Internet, cell phones would come to profoundly impact the way humans interact and function in the contemporary world. This essay examines the way cell phones have changed us socially. The most prevalent impact of cell phones on social life has been in the very fabric of humanity’s daily existence. Within this context of understanding it’s demonstrated that individuals have gained considerable social freedom from the implementation of cell phone technology. Hindel (2008) argues that cell phones and this corresponding freedom have resulted in advancements in time management and efficiency that have profoundly altered the modern world. Today people are more independent and confident – considering having a cell phone on a long drive – in navigating the modern social landscape. Still, individuals such as Davis (2010) argue that the infusion of cell phone technology has had a negative impact on human social relations. This perspective contends that cell phones have resulted in a generation of people who have learned to communicate primarily through the mediation of these devices. This has resulted in a populace that is unable to deal with so cial problems on a face-to-face level. Individuals also argue that such changes have resulted in decreased ethical responsibility. With the high

Organisational Culture of Oral Smooth Plc Essay

Organisational Culture of Oral Smooth Plc - Essay Example It is the process of establishing the empire of business by a series of strategies viz. executing the business concept, promotion, services, goods, pricing, equal and effective idea generation to generate healthy relationship to meet the organizational and personal objectives (Harris, 1994). We can analyse the situation by strategically approach to the business of Oral Smooth Plc. Oral Smooth Plc is based in London; an innovative company produces tooth pastes for smokers. In the past, Product Diversification and Customer Care do have due attention from the management experts. Today it has become a powerful tool for the consultants to enhance the managerial efficiency. Edgar Scheins theory also caters the same effect to better the performance of the organisations. Objective of the study Oral Smooth Plc is having its presence in every part of the UK. The product diversification always enables the company the market leader of the sector without any challenges. Here Oral Smooth Plc wants to put their business mark in UK as a part of diversification in the business. We would like to know the differences, similarities and the difference within the organization, how the organization manages his employees and the process to ensure successful service delivery and customer satisfaction. Organizational culture of the company using Edgar Scheins theory The particular theory focuses on an organisational culture ethics the system. Scheins says that culture is the basic factor for change in an establishment (Campbell, 2003). The thorough understanding about the organisational dynamics starts with this fact. In order to have a strong and dominant leadership Scheins suggests 3 levels of culture (Black, 2003). They are, 1. Artifacts (this can be very easily seen just like our outfits and not very easy to decipher) 2. Espoused values (Philosophies and targets) 3. Assumptions (unconscious beliefs) Scheins also suggest, group dynamics for a better leadership in organisational cultu re. He says that small groups function within a particular group culture in the similar way firms function within the culture of the firm. His model categorise informal groups into 3. 1. Vertical cliques containing different ranks in the same section/dept 2. Horizontal cliques containing similar ranks 3. Mixed cliques containing members of various depts. Here we can implement the Schein management theory for the better performance of the firm. To Biech, Elaine 1998, Culture envelops us in fully. They are, pervasive and complex. Hence as per Scheins we cannot understand Organizational development and planned change, if not we consider it as the main origin of resistance to change. Furthermore, Biswas & Twitchell (1999) remarks that if management consultants are not in a position to understand about culture, naturally they will handle the situation and such embedded culture will manage them .In fact cultural awareness is everything for a society to know but as far as leaders are conce rned, they are the top-notch community to learn this properly as they are to lead the society. To Block (1999), with his Three categorisation of Culture, Edgard Schein has contributed much to make the management practitioners aware what culture is. The plan Oral Smooth intends to ensure its monopoly across the country by their corporate strategic management. So as a first and prime step they want to organise a good campaign to make the event more noticeable there in the country. They wish to make it reorganised their marketing presence within a short time period. A clear but brief background of the two markets, with a

Organization Theory, Design And Structure; Ethical Leadership And Assignment

Organization Theory, Design And Structure; Ethical Leadership And Communication - Assignment Example Melvina here is required to change the figures of the number of animal deaths owing to exposure to the drug to less than 10 percent in order to help the development and commercialization process of the new cancer drug. Her making alterations to the figures stated in the report would help the drug move to the last testing stage in regards to human beings thus promoting its steady launch in the market. In here if Melvina obliges to listen to her superior’s advice in altering the figures pertaining to death of animals in regards to their exposure to the drugs then certainly she would help her company gain a strategic stand in launching the medicine. However, Melvina’s obligation to meet the needs of the company exposes human beings to a greater risk for drugs that happen to be fatal to animals also would render a large amount of harm on humans. Again her obligation to her superior’s words would also happen to invite greater risk to the company for at a later stage the company and she also might fall into serious trouble. Thus the plan of action that can be taken in this case in regards to Melvina is to make her superior understand the emerging risks tied to the sanctioning of the plan through adulterated means. This activity would help in creating awareness of the management body as to the potential risks involved in regards to the drug plan, which would have ev entually triggered dropping the decision taken. The Potent Stakeholders to the Decision The above case reflects that the human beings are being subjected to malicious and wrong information which in turn may prove detrimental to the well being and healthy lives of the community. Thus in the interest of global mankind, Melvina should consider the first right objective of paying heed to her superior when fulfilling the first right would tantamount to depriving the human race and cancer inflicted people of a better and healthy future. The Defining Moment The above analysis reflects that Melvina tends to convey a message where she does not like to meet the demands of her superior in manipulating the figures related to the number of deaths of the animals exposed to the drugs. Through such non-compliance to her superior’s requirement she intends to protect the interests of both the company and the human race in particular. However in regards to the company it tends to convey the mes sage of gaining a way out in whatever fashion possible for letting the drug gain due acceptance in the consumer market of the region. Thus the manager advices Melvina to take resort of adulterated means to change the figures abruptly and thereby help in strategizing the launching process of the drug. Chances and Hard Decisions In here, Melvina can take chances in obliging by her superior’s decisions in rightly adulterating the numbers in the report and thereby taking first chances in inviting health and fatal risks in regards to humanity and secondly in taking hard decisions knowingly. However, Melvina can also take chances in not obliging by the decisions of her superior and thereby creating risks in regards to her position and employment in the company. Again such decision needs to be taken on a hard stand for it would tantamount to non-compliance of her to the needs of her concern. Analysis based on Three Tests The Newspaper Test Here if the decision of the management team of the pharmaceutical company in regards to the passing of the

Masculinity Exhibited in Advertisements Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Masculinity Exhibited in Advertisements - Essay Example This "Masculinity Exhibited in Advertisements" essay outlines masculinity depiction in different ads. The days of dry statistical display in advertisements are gone. On going through centuries of developments encompassing several ups and downs, like pre industrial revolution, post industrial revolution, Great Depression of World War II, advertisement has grown to adopt story-telling as the finest form of its execution, in which culture and gender occupy key roles.(O’Guinn et al, 2009) The motivation research being carried out in the field of advertisements by several business concern still have their vigour. The types of media have also grown exponentially to keep the consumer populace at its grip. Through ages culture is the soul of advertising everywhere. The dry depiction of mere information gave way to pictorial display of youth especially women. For many decades women played the core of business advertisements even to promote sales of products that were purely for men. Th e advents of lesbianism and gay culture have introduced the knack of understanding what gender means really in a business society. Masculinity was felt need not be kept behind the screen for a long time. Men are pictured either as care taking father/son or as anarchic, seducers, warriors and rogues with extraordinary physical strength and pomp. However, certain advertisers depict men with both pomp and responsibility bearing appearance. No more rebellious images are mixed with this type of responsible bearing men. In the contemporary image of masculinity, the idea of a caring, loving and gentle man is not a taboo but integral in the current image of masculinity. RALPH LAUREN: Ralph products are of course, very nice that they provide a sense of different feel at different timings. This aspect is mainly centred on the quality of the product; however, the advertisement team had brainstormed to inculcate this factual information into the minds of consumers with hectic experiments. A clo se look on the Polo advertisements of Ralph Lauren would reveal the hidden facet of womanliness in man. If you imagine a young woman wear the same costume, then also the product would look very nice. This type of opposite gender attraction has tactfully been employed in the advertisements of Ralph. Fashion and beauty no more enjoy the sole propriety of woman hood. Ralph had cleverly combined the flair for fashion with the taste of tradition. Even in the designing of women’s wear, Ralph Lauren added the Polo logo. The loosely cladding belt in this advertisement provides a mere manly look to the product. The Polo logo in women’s wear had tremendously attracted women too and made a great hit. Usages of masculine tint in his advertisements for women’s wear have effortlessly fetched greater results. Ralph Lauren’s advertisement for men’s wear invariably hinted men’s quest for soft touch, while loudly exhibiting the toughness of masculinity. This was made possible by way of underpinning womanliness inherently running inside every man. Likewise, women’s wears were advertised with men’s touch. A perfect blend was meticulously calculated and harnessed in the advertis

Representation of New Zealand masculinity in beer advertising Essay

Representation of New Zealand masculinity in beer advertising - Essay Example This "Representation of New Zealand masculinity in beer advertising" essay outlines the connection between traditional New Zealand's sports games, masculinity and how media used this in a beer commercial. During peace times rugby was one of the sporting events in which the Kiwis took pride. Rugby gave a feeling of masculinity and enhanced manhood to the Kiwis in the early years. When Edmund Hillary along with tensing reached the world’s highest peak, it was taken as an expression of New Zealand’s Anglo-Saxon manhood. He depicted colonial honesty. This Kiwi hero had a warm and caring heart who dedicated his life to the concern and welfare of the people of the Himalayas. Peter Snell, a gold medalist at the Rome Olympics, became the personification of Kiwi manhood. He too had immense muscular strength and was extremely modest. These were connected with masculinity but along with these, the culture of beer and alcohol added to the image of manhood. The New Zealand man had an image of being strong, resilient, and modest. He could hold his own drink, yarn with his mates, and eventually settle down as a family man. Hence, beer, alcohol, muscles, murder, adventurous activities, was all associated with masculinity. What added to the image was that after all this, such a man was even a successful family man. These ‘good keen men’ of Barry Crump won secret admiration from the male counterparts. As family bond strengthened in New Zealand, men started identifying themselves with the traditional heroes and the male culture.

Archaea as a Group of Single-Celled Microorganisms Essay - 2

Archaea as a Group of Single-Celled Microorganisms - Essay Example Methanogens produce methane and thermophile Archaea thrive in environments with very high temperatures. Throughout the essay, an extensive overview of the reasons as to why the Archaea have been classified as Prokaryotes will give. In addition, the essay covers the evolution of the Archaea and relation to Eukaryotes and Bacteria. Lastly, the discussion will elaborate on the reasons why Archaea are classified as extremophiles. Gottschalk G. (2012). Archaea and bacteria have a similarity in the cell structure. To be exact, Archaea have shown no difference with the Gram-positive bacteria in terms of cell structure. This could be the reason as to why Archaea is under the prokaryotic domain because is held together by a single unit of a lipid membrane with a very heavy layer sacculus. Through the diagrams above, the similarities in the cell structure of the Archaea and Bacteria can be seen. A further link through research has shown that some Archaea species like Viz Thermoplasma contain staining of the Gram-positive bacteria species, for instance, Viz mycoplasma. Just like most prokaryotes, Archaea has a small cellular size because it lacks the nucleus (Koonin et al., 1997). This makes their locomotion very swift because it can take up the shape of an object. It can also change its form depending on the surrounding to avoid harm. In research findings, it has been established that about 65% of the genes in a species of Archaea M.janaschii are found in most of the bacteria with only 7% being in Eukarya. Even though Archaea shows uniqueness in its gene composition, the same is a trend is evident in most prokaryotic genomes. Basing the argument using the prokaryotic homolog only, then the phylogenetic tree can actually prove that there is a very close relationship between Archaea and Gram-positive bacteria. This, however, shows that the Gram-negative bacteria have little similarities with the Archea. Signature sequences in the diversity of the protein structure have been used to show the unique relationship between the Gram-positive bacteria and the Archaea.

Statement of Purpose Essay Example for Free

Statement of Purpose Essay Alvin Toffler once said that all education begins with a dream for the future and, simultaneously, all education creates a dream of a new future. I have also read an article in which he said that modern industry is on its third wave but that our country’s education still remains on its second wave. I do not need to rely only on the words of the eminent futurologist: it is simply undeniable that our society has reached an overall crisis with regard to education. In such circumstances, the social responsibility of teachers who take charge of actual educational fields is desperately demanded. It is my goal to improve the reality of English education in my country and to create educational programs that will appropriately serve students in the light of social changes. I chose the MA in TESL course at 000 University because I truly wanted to be a teacher—specifically, an English teacher. I zealously focused on my studies and enjoyed making preparations to become the kind of teacher I had been dreaming of becoming. With a strong sense of responsibility as a teacher, I always thought deeply about how to teach students effectively and about which method I could use to inspire them with positive academic attitudes. In that process, I gradually became most interested in developing an effective English education method. When I was a middle school student, my English teacher always played pop music or showed videos containing simple English to capture the attention of the class before lecturing. While studying various teaching methods in college, I realized how important it is to motivate students before starting the class. Actually, motivation might be the most important factor in learning a foreign language, because spending a whole hour can be meaningless if the students fail to concentrate in the class. There is also research that proves that highly motivated students study hard of their own accord. With that in mind, I came to the understanding that it is necessary to break away from the old, traditional English education methods and develop methods that well suit the changing times. Now I particularly look forward to studying efficient teaching methods in depth. Currently, the educational system of Korea has strayed from practical methods, suited for modern society, of studying English, and it is entangled with unchanging grammar study and uninteresting reading comprehension. While teaching, I’ve been upset by the fact that while students might have an advantage in grammar and reading, they considerably lack the ability to freely communicate orally with English speakers and to express their opinions logically and fully in writing. Therefore, I highly concentrate on the importance of speaking and writing when I teach students in the institute. I help the students to improve their writing, and I also try to give them opportunities to speak freely with native English speakers in the institute. I also do my best to interact with my students and help them to become familiar with English studies by preparing materials from famous U.S. TV dramas and animations. The students at first felt awkward with my efforts and had trouble adjusting; however, they later understood my genuine intentions, and my method eventually made an immense impact even on the students with low scores who was not interested in or fond of studying English. One unsatisfactory thing was that some students could not fully catch up because of other extracurricular activities, and I did not have sufficient experience to care for them fully. Because I have experienced such successes and failures, I have been constantly researching to discover a more advanced teaching method. I personally agree with the current TOEFL system, because it evaluates the student’s practical ability to speak and write English in addition to having a good command of grammar. After deeply studying TOEFL, I still felt that I lacked the ability to speak English fluently, even though I am an English major, and that is the crucial reason I resolved to study abroad. While going to an institute to study TOEFL, I have met many fellow students who are not majoring in English, and I feel sort of sad that they indeed have great potential but are frustrated by the huge barrier of the English language. After I successfully complete every course of your graduate school, I plan to return to my country to devote myself to helping non-English majors, so that TOEFL will not be an obstacle when they decide to study abroad to pursue their dreams. I want to cultivate my ability as an English educator at XXX University. By taking your Ph.D program, I will expand my capacity in English and research teaching methods for effective English education. The future-oriented curriculum of your Ph.D program seems quite suitable for training top quality educators by focusing not only on the theory and practice of English education, but also on the development of English speaking. To make the best of this program, I will acquire the quality of a native speaker and instill a sense of duty in myself. I believe what the 21st century demands is an expert who does not remain still, but keeps developing. Considering an old saying that education is a plan that spans a hundred years, I argue that a person who aspires to be a teacher should try very hard. While studying in your school, I want to do my best to develop and research the English education method that suits my original style. To make this happen, I am open to pursuing diverse academic activities, and, if necessary, I will extend my academic aspiration to a doctoral program. If I am given an opportunity, I long to be a professor who inspires students who want to be English teachers while never neglecting my duty as a scholar to keep researching. Lastly, I will provide students with more than just language skills by obtaining an international sense and playing the role as a mediator of English culture who teaches what they truly need to know.

Terror in 1831 America Essay Example for Free

Terror in 1831 America Essay Media is a very powerful tool in communicating with people. In so many ways, it allows us to interact with others and exchange stories with the people we know and we do not know. Media as a tool helps us to be informed about the things happening around us but at the same time, it offers exaggeration in news that may affect our perception over an issue being discussed in a hot debate. Furthermore, media sometimes spoils the moment and talks about issues which they bring into exaggeration that may cause threat to the people in the society. In 1831, media played a very important role in delivering news to the rest of the people in the South and even in the North of the American continent by informing the people of the latest happenings about the scariest massacre ever happened involving both white and black Americans. Black Americans in the White World   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Throughout the history, Black Americans had been a subject for the rejection of the entire Caucasian race. Unlike Caucasians with white skin, Black Americans are commonly Black if not mulatto. They were treated as slaves and properties rather than as people like the entire society. There is racism in the air and that people have their expectations of those they will be with. A black man is not invited anyhow in any place. They will remain as the puppets of the society and though not all masters treat them bad, those who became good were only few and do not compose the entire population.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Several books in history may attest to the fact that Black Americans were mistreated and yet there were also instances that may allow us to be informed that they too can hurt people if needed. Sometimes they were the first people who are blamed when a crime happened. A Black man is always the prime suspect even if they are clear of any crime. They were portrayed as bad men and yet what we do not know is that as slaves, they were subject to being fooled and being degraded as person. Slaves as they are, with no freedom of their own and the society condemned them of being such for the longest time. 1831 Years of Eclipse   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The slaves in Virginia in 1831 almost outnumbered the population of white men (Masur, page 10) which means that there had been a large number of slaves in the state that people have nothing to do anymore and these slaves were the ones who does the chores for them and almost all the jobs except for administrative labors. In Louis P. Masur’s story entitles â€Å"1831 Years of Eclipse†, he talked about the massacre in Virginia and how it changed the lives of the people living there. An account of the massacre including the people involved and slavery in the South, this book talked not only about the issue but how media treated it as news. The massacre in Virginia wherein several white men died including their whole family was caused by rebels composed of Black Americans in the leadership of Nat Turner. The Slave Revolt which happened in 1831 in Virginia caused too many deaths in the state that it also caused too many fear among the residents. There were over or nearly two million slaves in Virginia and the people, particularly the slave masters thought that they are contented already. They claimed that they were good masters and yet they were not saved (Masur, page 10). No one is left alive. Everyone is killed and for a long time, there had been fear all around until the rebels were caught in the absence of Nat Turner. When Nat Turner was caught, he surrendered immediately and when he was interviewed, he said he was never sorry and perhaps he had felt that what he did was the right thing to do I exchange of all the things they experienced as slaves of the upper class society. Media and the Massacre On the other hand, the newsmakers or the journalists did not make too much noise until the massacre happened between the slaves and the masters. It was the scariest story in history that every people in Virginia were contained of fear. However, the newspapers editor did try their best to stop the growing fear that the people had by minimizing the story and offering less exaggeration. Despite of the goal of minimizing exaggeration so that people will not be restricted with too much fear of the current situation in Virginia, different newspapers offered different news and approach towards the incident that no matter how much they try to prevent the attack of fear in people. For three long months, every newspaper released their statements over the issue and each statement contains different facts that there is no consistency of the truth anymore. Although they tried their bests to explain the tragedy, why it happened and why Nat Turner did allowed it to happen, it is useless to think about it that much because the people were already killed and it is all done. One of the newspapers which was firm with their call for the abolition of slavery in the South is â€Å"The Liberator† wherein William Lloyd Garrison (Masur, page 22). Picturing myself in 1831 America   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Spoiling the news or adding exaggeration to it might affect the perception of the people. As a person living in 1831, I could say that the exaggeration in the news and at the same time several information which have no basis could have affected my perception and outlook towards the problem of the society. Different information coming from the media will not help in any way to relax the mind of the public. At the same time, it will not allow us to know more about the issue because there is no hint of which one is true.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I would definitely be afraid if I was in that time that Nat Turner led a revolt against their masters. In the perspective of a White person being victimized by Black rebels, I will be very afraid of my life because I have no idea when they will take it away. It is something that I would not want to happen because it is a matter of life and death already. On the other hand, as a black man who suffered too much from the hand of my masters, I cannot blame myself if I would dare to something like the massacre just to escape from their dictatorial masters.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Media as a tool in communication might give us too many information that we can never contain and too many exaggerations will only open the possibility of being more afraid than ever, furthermore, as a citizen in 1831, the exaggerations and incompetent information given by the newspapers will not help to ease the fear in me. Black Americans suffered too much that the revolt seems to be their way of getting back to their masters who degraded them as a person. Works Cited Masur, Louis P. 1831 Years of Eclipse

Critical Evaluation of the research methodologies

Critical Evaluation of the research methodologies 1. Introduction: In this report I have critically reviewed the methodologies which are used by Chevrier in her research paper. In this paper I have revealed whether she has used the correct methodology for her research or not, whether her evidence support her findings or not and I have mentioned an alternative methods to improve her conclusion. Chevrier paper aims at better understanding the dynamics of international project groups and she focuses on how project leaders manage the cultural differences to overcome and to use national cultures, ethnic diversity efficiently and effectively in the multinational project team. In her research she has depict three kinds of cross-cultural practices which were implemented by the project leaders. With these findings she has proposed a strategy to enhance the functioning of cross-cultural projects. I think the methodology which she has used in this research i.e. Case study is largely fine but not an effective one instead of this if she had used Grounded theory methodology for this research it would have been much more better research. I argue that the three case studies which she has chosen is not a typical one of all the multinational project groups. I argue that the Data collection technique which she has used in this research i.e. informal discussion is not a good technique to collect the data from participant. I argue that the strategy which she has proposed doesnt hold good for all types of cross-cultural project groups. 2. Literature review: Research can be a tricky, fascinating, awkward, tedious, annoying, hilarious, confusing, disturbing, mechanical, sociable, isolating, surprising, sweaty, messy, systematic, costly, draining, iterative, contradictory, open-ended process (Anthias, 2002) Methodology is identical to a research model employed by a researcher in a particular project, including basic knowledge related to the subject and research methods in question and the framework employed in a particular context (Sarantakos, 1998 cited Lather, 1992:87). Sarantakos (1998) relates the nature of Methodology to a theoretical and more abstract context, and perceives it in conjuction with distinctive, unidimensional, and mutually exclusive theoretical principles. Methodologies offers the research principles which are related closely to a distinct paradigm translated clearly and accurately, down to guidelines on acceptable research practices. Methodology is determined not by the research model but rather by principles of research entailed in a paradigm. Case-study research involves studying individual cases, often in their natural environment, and for a long period of time and employs a number of methods of data collection and analysis. (Sarantakos, 1998 cited Kromrey, 1986:320) 3. Critical Analysis of her Methodology: In this research the Methodology which is used by Chevrier is Case study. I think to do this research survey studies or experimental strategies will be too complex to implement, this is the main reason for Sylvie to choose Case study as the Methodology for this research. Generally case studies are done by a researcher when he/she is interested in the structure, process and outcomes of a single unit. (Sarantakos, 1998) Case studies are done by a researcher when he/she wants to extract data from a single field of study. Here Chevrier has chosen Engineering (i.e. three Project groups) as a field of study in which she has extracted the data and processed into information in which it will fit into the research topic. But this research topic demands to do study on all different kinds of field; but Sylvie hasnt done it, this is the main drawback of this research paper. In this research Chevrier focuses on how project leaders deal with cultural differences to surmount and even benefit from the variety of national cultures in their team. They have studied three cross-cultural practices that the project leaders explicitly or implicitly use to manage their international team and also studied the related outcomes from these practices. I think some methods and techniques which are used by Chevrier in her research paper doesnt holds good to the research topic. I think the samples(case studies) which she has chosen for this research doesnt sounds well because she has chosen only three international project groups to study the cross-cultural practices which are implemented in the team and moreover all these three project groups has the same background i.e. engineering. I believe just three project groups of the same background will not give a good weightage to her research paper. This is mainly because other than these three project groups there are different types of multinational project groups in which they are directly related to the cross-cultural management which I think she should have taken into this research paper. This research paper is pointing towards Multinational groups but the project groups which she has chosen has only people who are from European countries and Brasil, it misses out people who are from Asia, Africa and Australia. In this field work data is collected from Formal interviews, attendance to their meetings as a participant observer and informal discussions. I think the Primary data obtained from the formal interviews with project leaders and project members will be useful to analyse the data in this research and this data is important because the members of the project groups are the one who will be following cross-cultural practices and they will be knowing whether these practices are useful or not . In her research she has used participant observer as a data collection technique. I think it is a good technique for collecting the data in this research. Since her team will be a part of the cross-cultural group so they can observe easily how the team members/managers will behave and whether they are following the cross-cultural practices or not. They have attended even meetings to collect the data I think this is the place where they might have got a good data because this is a place where they can observe whether the managers and leaders are following cross-cultural practices or are they giving any importance to it or not. Chevrier and her team was also present daily among the project groups particularly for project 1(for 2 project weeks) and project 2(for 2  ½ months), I think daily presence in a project group is important because generally people wont behave same way in every time/day and also we cant judge their behaviour on cross-cultural practices in a single day. So daily presence in a project group will give a good data for the researcher but interesting point in her data collection is she or her team was not present daily for project team 3 but they were present only in project team 1 2 and that to in project team 1 they were present daily with team for just 2 ‘project weeks, so I dont think within these 2 weeks they have collected a strong data because in just 2 weeks it is less practical to summarize their behaviour. I think the primary data which they have collected in project team 2 will be useful because for 2  ½ months they were daily present with the team so with this time they will be in a better position to judge their behaviour with respect to cross-cultural. I also think that the Informal discussion which she has used in this research is not an effective technique. I agree this technique partially and I also disagree partially. I think this technique should be used depending on the situation in the working environment; if the working environment is not so good then there is no use of having discussion with them because the interviewee may give answers simply just to pass time. I think they should use only when the team members are in a good mood and moreover this discussions will take place mainly during lunch time of the employees, this is the time where most of the employee will relax, spend time with their colleagues and chat with them, if Chevrier and her group starts to discuss with these employees then most of them wont be interested and they will just say something or they will give less answers so that the discussion will be over fast. She has analysed the collected data by Cutting of Tran scripted interviews and meeting notes by theme. She has prepared a monograph for each and every theme which I think its a good idea and it will be useful for comparing all the themes. This type of comparison will help to find out the common and uncommon features of all the cases 4. Will her evidence support her findings? I think the evidence which she has used in Case 1 will support her findings. This is a project group of European consortium set up to make RD in the telecommunication industry. The contract which is signed by these companies designates one company as a primary contractor which will appoint a project leader among its engineers. We know that the newly appointed project leader has no hierarchical authority over the other partners due to this he/she cannot demand anything from other partners, infact he/she cant expect that other partners will involve totally (100% commitment) in this project and there is also a possibility that this may also lead to lack of institutional management with the other partners. In this project the leader has to take some technical decisions in which sometimes it may not be accepted by the other partners as she found this from Northern Europe and especially from Scandinavia that they only speak up when they disagree with what is being said. These project groups were not totally involved in the project. In this case the project leader has no choice he has to tolerate with these kinds of partners. This is what Chevrier has found that the leader explicitly or implicitly relies on tolerance of team members to surmount difficulties. The project group (RD consortium) has people from different countries; definitely all of them will have different opinion on Cross-cultural activity. Some may tolerate the diversity and some may not. Chevrier has found out different opinions from the interviewees e.g. In multinational teams some team members tend to forget the nationality of their colleague to focus on technical issues. Oppositely, the second part of interviewees says that they make their best to struggle against prejudices, stereotypes and ethnocentrism. In the 2nd case of Chevrier it is said that the greatest difficulty for the project manager is to make the work required for his own project a priority for team members who are very much in demand. If this is the case most of the manager tries to protect his team members to work in his project because every manager will have some task to complete, so to do this task without skilled workers in his team it will be difficult for him to complete it. If the manager couldnt maintain these workers in his team then there is every chance of showing less interest in the project. This is what happened to Swiss manager as it is told in Chevrier paper that â€Å"Swiss manager straightforwardly declared he did not want to make any difference and was careful to manage all team members the same way.† Chevrier has also backed up this argument by giving the reference of Laurent (1998), â€Å"we observed that when managers encounter cross-cultural differences, they often do nothing and consider that it is legitimate not to talk about them.† In case 1 the main job of the project leader is to maintain a strong institutional management with the other partners. Since the leader doesnt have the hierarchical authority over the other partners it will be difficult to manage all the other partners. His main job is to get the task done, since he doesnt has the upper hand over other project members it will be difficult for him to give orders for other groups to complete the job. In chevriers research, for this problem she has founded that â€Å"developing personal relationship with one another in a team will set up working arrangements more easily. If they know each other very well, it will help them to become acquainted with one other†. This strategy will suit only for RD consortium project group because in this project all its partners doesnt know each other so this strategy may enable effective mutual agreements between all the partners. But it doesnt suit for Electrical engineering project infact it can reinforce negative stereotypes and polarization between cultural groups. This is true because in this project the Swiss manager straightforwardly declared that he did not want to make any difference and was interested to manage all team members the same way, if this strategy (developing personal relationship) is implemented in this project group it may result in other way because due to less involvement by Swiss manger there is a more chance of negative stereotypes and polarization between cultural groups. This may lead in such a way that project may not complete. The strategy which is proposed in this paper by Chevrirer (cultural mediator) suits good for some multinational project groups but for some project groups it doesnt. Since in this strategy cultural mediator has to invite the project members quite regularly to find out the exact problem, this is possible only when all the project members are meeting together quite regularly at some place but this strategy cannot be applied to some multi-national groups where the project members wont meet regularly. However, in a multi national group most of the time the project groups will be from different countries so it is not practical to implement this strategy because all groups are from different countries and also it will be difficult for all the members to attend the meeting if it is put up by cultural mediator. As we can see in RD consortium group all the team members meet each other only four or five times a year. During these weeks all the project members will be busy with other partners about their plan and objectives in their project. So if this strategy is applied to this group then cultural mediator will not find sufficient time to spend with the team members to talk about their problematic situations which have encountered. I think this strategy can be applied to the project team in electrical engineering because this team is composed of a project manager, engineers who are all located in a single building but in a different floor. In this team cultural mediator can easily set up a meeting with the team members and find out the problematic situations which have encountered. Even in the product development project have subsidiaries which are located in different countries such as Germany, France, Belgium and Italy and co-ordinating the development process is in charge by ‘‘central group which is located in the French subsidiary. So even in this project group cultural mediator will find difficult to set up a meeting to talk about their problematic situations which have encountered. I think she has not justified all the problems which will occur in the multinational group. For e.g.— Race can be a problem in the group. Merriam et.al. in their research has found that â€Å"Racism was the specific dominating factor in cross cultural groups†. Color As an issue of concern amongst Blacks, colorism is examined and debated in Black communities in a less than open manner. This intraracial discrimination among Blacks gives preferential treatment to those who have lighter skin shades. (Merriam et.al) 5. Alternative Methodology: I think Grounded theory analysis will be a better approach for this research because in this research topic we need to analyse more number of case studies, interviews and observation so I think grounded theory will be the best methodology for this research. Another reason for using grounded theory techniques is â€Å"Grounded theorising is well suited to capturing the interpretive experiences of owner/managers/employees and developing theoretical propositions from them.† Rowlands B. (2005 cited from Strauss Corbin 1990) From the above reason we can say that, Since Chevriers research is related to the cross-cultural practices which are followed by Leaders, Managers, and Team members, so this methodology will be very useful in gathering and analysing the data. Similarly, Grounded theory has been effectively used in recent Information System research to develop theory of Information System practice. Rowlands B. (2005 cited from Urquhart et.al., 1997) In choosing the International project groups Chevrier has chosen the groups in which all groups has the same background i.e. Engineering. Instead of choosing three project groups from a single background she could have chosen three project groups from different fields. Because choosing a sample project group which is typical to that environment is very important and the data collected from this typical one will bee much stronger than the data which she has collected from the three Engineering project groups. I think Ethnographic interview will be useful to get valuable data from the interviewee. The main aim of this type of interview is to study the Culture of the people and to find out how it will impact on the people behaviour. â€Å"It aims to discover or understand the culture of people in their social environment and of explaining the social justification of their role and position in that culture.†(Sarantakos, 1998). This interview would have helped her in finding the culture of the project members/leaders and based on her understanding on their culture she could have compared with the Cross-cultural practices which were implemented by the management and she could have got a better result. If Chevrier had used all the above methodology in her research, I think this would have improved her research conclusion. 6. Conclusion: In this paper I have revealed that the methodology which is used by chevrier for her research is not a good one. I have shown that some of her methodology which she has used is not effective with respect to the research. The three case study which she has chosen in her research is not a typical one because all the case studies had the same background i.e. Engineering, instead of that she could have chosen case studies which are from different background and I also showed that the data collected from participant observation in project group 2 was strong. I showed that the data collected from informal discussion technique was not good. This paper reveals that Ethnographic interview and Grounded theory would have helped her to collect the strong data and to analyse the data which she has collected. I have shown that up to what extent of her evidence will support her findings. In this paper I have also concluded that her proposed strategy will holds good only if all the project members/g roups are in the same company or at least in the same country, it doesnt suit if all the project members/groups are in a different countries. 8. Bibliography: Sarantakos S.,(1998).Social reseach, 2nd edition, Macmillan Education: Australia, Chapter 8, pp 33,191,251. Floya Anthias,( 2002) Where do I belong?: Narrating collective identity and translocational positionality, [Online] Accessed from: http://etn.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/2/4/491 [Accessed on: 05/11/07] Merriam S., et.al., Power and Positionality: Negotiating Insider/Outsider Status in Multicultural and Cross-Cultural Research, [Online] Accessed from: http://merriamsetal1-final.pdf [Accessed on: 05/11/07] Rowlands B., (2005), Grounded in Practice: Using Interpretive Research to Build Theory, [Online] Accessed from: http://v3-i1-art7-rowlands.pdf [Accessed on: 03/12/07]

Ed Gein Essay -- essays research papers

This paper is based on the life of Ed Gein. He was an unusual character, born on a farm, and raised by a religious crazy, domineering mother. In the space of a few years his entire family passed away and he was left to take care of his farm all by himself. In the next few years he became a grave robber, a necrophiliac, a cannibal, and also took up arts and crafts in body parts. He is known as one of the weirdest serial killers of the twentieth century. He also inspired movies like Psycho, Silence of The Lambs, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Ed Gein/Page 4 Profile Name - Edward 'Ed' Gein. AKA - The Butcher of Plainfield, The Plainfield Butcher, The Mad Butcher, The Plainfield Ghoul. DOB/DOD - 1906 - 26 July 1984. Mother 'Augusta 1878-1945', Father 'George 1873-1940', Brother 'Henry 1901-44'. Residence(at Time of Murders) - 160-Acre Farm Seven Miles Outside Plainfield, Wisconsin. USA. Murder Type/Practices - Serial Killer / Graverobbery, Necrophilia, Cannibalism, Sadism, Death Fetishism. Method/Weapons Used - Shooting / .22, .32. Organization - Mixed. Mobility - Stable. Victim Vicinity - Plainfield, Wisconsin. Murder Time Span - 1954 - 1957. Victim Type - Old Women. Victims - Mary Hogan (Died 8 Dec 1954), Bernice Worden (Died 16 Nov 1957) Ed Gein/Page 5 Before the Events Ed Gein and his brother Henry were raised by his religious crazed mother. She was a very domineering woman, and discouraged her sons from women. They lived on a 160-acre farm seven miles outside of Plainfield, Wisconsin. The boys were always busy with farm work. His alcoholic father died in 1940 and a few years later his brother Henry died in 1944, trapped while fighting a forest fire. Shortly after his mother suffered a stroke and in 1945 she suffered another one which she never recovered from and left Ed alone. It was then that he decided to close off the upstairs of his farm home, the parlour, and his mother’s bedroom by boarding it off and set up his own quarters in the remaining bedroom, kitchen and shed of the big house. He stopped working the farm because of a government soil-conservation program. They offered him a subsidy, which he augmented by his work as a handyman in the area. Ed Gein/Page 6 Robbing Graves In his spare time Ed read books on human anatomy and Nazi concentration camp... ...ection of shrunken heads), two skulls for Gein’s bedposts, a pair of human lips hanging from string, Ed’s full woman body suit constructed with human skin and complete with mask and breasts, Bernice Worden’s heart in a pan on the stove, and the refrigerator which was stacked with human organs. Ed Gein /Page 12 Conclusion Gein was in a series of examinations at the Central State Hospital for the Criminally insane. He was proven insane. The reasons for his actions were seen; he loved his mother but he hated her, so that is why he killed older women. It is said that Mary Hogan had more of a passing resemblance to his mother. At Christmas, 1957, Gein was judged insane and he was committed to Waupan State Hospital for a life sentence. Gein died of cancer on July 26, 1984, at the age of 78. He was buried back in Plainfield next to the graves of his family. Ed Gein/Page 13 References http://www.houseofhorrors.com/gein.htm http://www.crimelibrary.com/gein/geinmain.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Gein http://www.prairieghosts.com/ed_gein.html Ed Gein/Page 14 Pictures Ed Gein Essay -- essays research papers This paper is based on the life of Ed Gein. He was an unusual character, born on a farm, and raised by a religious crazy, domineering mother. In the space of a few years his entire family passed away and he was left to take care of his farm all by himself. In the next few years he became a grave robber, a necrophiliac, a cannibal, and also took up arts and crafts in body parts. He is known as one of the weirdest serial killers of the twentieth century. He also inspired movies like Psycho, Silence of The Lambs, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Ed Gein/Page 4 Profile Name - Edward 'Ed' Gein. AKA - The Butcher of Plainfield, The Plainfield Butcher, The Mad Butcher, The Plainfield Ghoul. DOB/DOD - 1906 - 26 July 1984. Mother 'Augusta 1878-1945', Father 'George 1873-1940', Brother 'Henry 1901-44'. Residence(at Time of Murders) - 160-Acre Farm Seven Miles Outside Plainfield, Wisconsin. USA. Murder Type/Practices - Serial Killer / Graverobbery, Necrophilia, Cannibalism, Sadism, Death Fetishism. Method/Weapons Used - Shooting / .22, .32. Organization - Mixed. Mobility - Stable. Victim Vicinity - Plainfield, Wisconsin. Murder Time Span - 1954 - 1957. Victim Type - Old Women. Victims - Mary Hogan (Died 8 Dec 1954), Bernice Worden (Died 16 Nov 1957) Ed Gein/Page 5 Before the Events Ed Gein and his brother Henry were raised by his religious crazed mother. She was a very domineering woman, and discouraged her sons from women. They lived on a 160-acre farm seven miles outside of Plainfield, Wisconsin. The boys were always busy with farm work. His alcoholic father died in 1940 and a few years later his brother Henry died in 1944, trapped while fighting a forest fire. Shortly after his mother suffered a stroke and in 1945 she suffered another one which she never recovered from and left Ed alone. It was then that he decided to close off the upstairs of his farm home, the parlour, and his mother’s bedroom by boarding it off and set up his own quarters in the remaining bedroom, kitchen and shed of the big house. He stopped working the farm because of a government soil-conservation program. They offered him a subsidy, which he augmented by his work as a handyman in the area. Ed Gein/Page 6 Robbing Graves In his spare time Ed read books on human anatomy and Nazi concentration camp... ...ection of shrunken heads), two skulls for Gein’s bedposts, a pair of human lips hanging from string, Ed’s full woman body suit constructed with human skin and complete with mask and breasts, Bernice Worden’s heart in a pan on the stove, and the refrigerator which was stacked with human organs. Ed Gein /Page 12 Conclusion Gein was in a series of examinations at the Central State Hospital for the Criminally insane. He was proven insane. The reasons for his actions were seen; he loved his mother but he hated her, so that is why he killed older women. It is said that Mary Hogan had more of a passing resemblance to his mother. At Christmas, 1957, Gein was judged insane and he was committed to Waupan State Hospital for a life sentence. Gein died of cancer on July 26, 1984, at the age of 78. He was buried back in Plainfield next to the graves of his family. Ed Gein/Page 13 References http://www.houseofhorrors.com/gein.htm http://www.crimelibrary.com/gein/geinmain.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Gein http://www.prairieghosts.com/ed_gein.html Ed Gein/Page 14 Pictures

Analysis of the Enzyme Sucrase for Optimum Temperature, pH, and Concent

Analysis of the Enzyme Sucrase for Optimum Temperature, pH, and Concentration ABSTRACT Enzymes react differently under different conditions and concentrations, being the most productive at the enzymes specific optimum condition and concentration. The enzyme sucrase, extracted from yeast, breaks down the complex sugar sucrose into the simple sugar glucose. Testing for sucrase’s optimum environment, multiple reactions were ran using varying amounts and concentrations of sucrose and sucrase at different pHs and temperatures. The product was then treated with Benedicts solution to visually observe what amount of glucose was present after the reaction was ran; negative results being little to no glucose present and positive results being glucose present. The varying levels of colors created by the Benedicts test were recorded as 1 (negative) blue; 2 green; 3 yellow; 4 (positive) orange; and 5 (positive) red. After running the reactions to determine the optimum temperature and pH, 37 degrees Celsius was determined to be the optimum temperature while pH 2.0 was determi ned to be the optimum pH. This means that under these conditions the enzyme will help produce the most product from the substrate. After finding the optimum conditions the two different concentrations of sucrose were ran for ten minuets taking an initial sample and then subsequent samples every minuet, under those conditions, one concentration at 2.5% sucrose and again at 10% sucrose. The 10% sucrose had the most positive results because there were sufficient active sites to bind with most of the sucrose present producing glucose more efficiently than the 2.5% sucrose. As with the 2.5% sucrose all of the sucrose was bond to the active sites of sucrase and there were ... ...ty Benedict test results. One of these possibilities or some combination can lead to inaccurate optimum temperature and or pH, which in turn would through off the optimum concentration. Over all I feel that the most important part of the optimum environment is the pH because of the competitive inhibition caused by free protons in solution. WORKS CITED Halverson, K. M. and B. A., Barry. 2003. Sucrose and glycerol effects on photosystem 2. Biophysical Journal 85: 1317 Lawrence, S., M. K. Heidemann and D. O. Straney. 2006. Biological Sciences 111L Laboratory Manual. Hayden-McNeil Publishing, Inc., Plymouth Peluffo, D. R.. 2004. Effect of ADP on NA+-NA+ Exchange Reaction Kinetics of Na,K-ATPase. Biophysical Journal 87: 883 Shaevitz, J. W., S. M. Block, and M.J. Schnitzer. 2005. Statistical Kinetics of Macromolecular Dynamics. Biophysical Journal 89: 2277

Mixed :: Personal Narrative Racial Papers

Mixed "Did your real mom die or something?" The boy with the snot-streaked face asked me on the playground, next to the jungle gym. He wore a striped blue shirt open at the neck and his eyes were so dark I couldn't see his pupils. "W-what do you mean?" I stared hard at him, my voice already taking on a defensive edge. I gripped the edge of my red corduroy jumper with my grubby hands. "I mean, what happened to your real mom? The one that's not a gaijin." Then I understood. Gaijin. Foreigner. I looked down at my clenched hands, too dirty to rub my face with if I started to cry. The boy wasn't trying to be mean, he was just curious. But I was sick of it-the teasing, the questioning, the staring. When I hit him hard in the face, he looked more stunned than hurt, his eyes so wide open that I could see white all around the iris. Back in those days, I told many stories about myself. One of them was about why my eyes were golden-greenish-brown and not dark brown due to an illness I'd had. Another was about how I dyed my hair to make it reddish-brown instead of black. The most absurd one was about how my mom really was Japanese, but had lived in America all her life and that's why she looked white. Most of them made no sense. I don't know if the kids ever believed me. No matter how many lies I told about myself, I knew deep down that I could never imagine away who I was. I would always be "Half," not whole. In Japan, people would identify me as "haaf"-the Japanese bastardization of the English word, "half"-used to connote someone of mixed race. My dad would get angry again and again when strangers tried to touch my hair when we went out in Tokyo. And my mom would be asked, "where did she adopt those adorable Vietnamese children?" every time she brought my brother and me back to the States to see my grandma in Florida. Most of my memories of growing up in Japan can be divided into two groups-my interactions with adults and those with children. Having grown up in a house with five adults until I was 5-years old, I naturally preferred the company of older people.

Government’s Expenditures during the Cold War

Even though the Cold War era is a distant memory, encased in glass forever like some museum piece, our government is still spending as if the Soviet Union was in its prime. If the arms race is a forgotten memory, then why is the military still spending 86% of what it was spending during the Cold War. It†s not that us Americans do not want a solid military, we just believe that our military is wasting billions of dollars at the expense of our children†s education and well being. 50 years ago our country, and the entire world was in disparate need of a strong U.S. military. We inflated our military budget, and gave the government and private businesses an enormous appetite. Without a major threat to the United States since the collapse of the Soviet Union, our government seems to be in competition with itself. 50 years ago we sent tons and tons of troops overseas to fight in a foreign land, while we pumped private businesses up with the manufacturing of military equipment. The need for such products and the need for an over-healthy military allowance is long gone. While we sunk billions after billions of taxpayer†s money on wars that we were boisterously proud to spend (it gave us all the prestige we could ever ask for), our Allies were investing in their children†s education and well being. The result now is that while we have the most elite military capabilities, our children†s educational level is extremely under developed. European and Japanese children significantly outperform American children in math and upper-level reading. This should not be too surprising, our children are studying history books that are from a decade ago. This creates difficult obstacles for our children to keep up on current politics and other global events. Also the over crowding of classrooms makes it extremely difficult for your child to get that personalized learning which may determine his or her ability to learn at all. Every child learns at a different rate and possibly in different ways, this makes it virtually impossible for teachers to tap into every child†s full learning potential. If your child needs that extra, personalized attention, but is not â€Å"defined† as handicapped their specific learning needs will most likely be overlooked and that may be the beginning of your child†s inability to learn. According to a study done by the state of Tennessee, reducing classroom size in early grades (K-3rd) can improve a child†s performance even after being placed back into their regular sized class. Another major problem hindering our children†s education is the fact that the teachers with the priceless responsibility of developing our child†s mind are absolutely underpaid. Teachers barely make an honest living and are often subliminal role models to our young students. Although there are countless exceptionally dedicated teachers in America, a significantly higher salary would ensure the quality of almost all teachers. Remember what we were taught about incentives at a young age, the carrot in front of the rabbit, well that would definitely apply for these individuals we need to count on everyday. So, where is all of the money going to come from to improve our children†s education, well, remember our friend with that uncontrollable appetite? During the Cold War†s prime the U.S. was spending $325 billion a year. And today, with the Cold War boxed up and put on a shelf, the military is still spending $290 billion a year (NCR,1999). This is an alarming figure that we are spending on a military without any outside threat to contend with, in fact it seems to be their only real mission is to play servant to the United Nations, fighting little skirmishes in countries that don†t want our help. One would be hopeful that since we are in an era of peace time that we could enjoy â€Å"peace dividends.† However, the military and those private sector businesses that created such an enormous appetite refuse to exercise a Post-Cold War diet. Maybe we need to e-mail the pentagon, they might be reading our children†s decade old history books, in that case they wouldn†t know that the Berlin Wall is down and the Soviet Union has collapsed. Another astonishing fact is that our country has become the world†s largest arms dealer, selling to almost any country with the money to do business. And if they can†t afford them, our government will put them on a payment plan, acting much like a scene right out of The Godfather. Is this our government, or is this Don Corleone, striking deals with some pretty shady characters. One can†t help wondering where all of this cold hard cash is going from these deals. It is no mystery that our government budgets are in desperate need of reform, well, there are active groups lobbying to change the spending habits of our government. One of the most effective of these groups is the Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities, which is comprised of influential individuals like Ben Cohen, cofounder of Ben & Jerry†s; and former assistant secretary of state, Lawrence Korb, along with a cabinet of ex-military and big business leaders. The group is most certainly not an anti-military faction, however they are dedicated to refocusing the military†s useless spending (NCR, 1999). They are not opposed to our military having the best equipment possible, that is if someone were to donate it to them. If the decision is for the military to have a great new ship, or for our children to have a better education, of course the military is going to have to make due. Currently the federal government only participates in 7% of the funding for our schools, while the state and the local community split the rest. This is an raises enormous concerns due to the fact that poorer communities are at a significant disadvantage. Some communities can spend up to five times as much as less fortunate ones (NATIONAL PTA, 1996). To achieve these goals for a better future for our kids and further more, our country, we need to make education our biggest priority. Adding up the military†s inflated $290 billion a year, and comparing it to what†s left over for all other spending, including education, a meager $246 billion (NCR, 1999). This is an insult to our children†s development as growing intellectuals. 6% of the entire budget is allocated for our children†s education, this states the true fact that their education is not important. The money is truly there, we simply need to redirect it and our governments priorities. Like stated by Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities, † The winners and losers are not going to be determined by the size of their gunboats, but by the level of their children†s level of education.†