Archeology Book Review

Bruseth and Turner’s book is highlights the finding of La Belle Ship wreck that happened thee centuries ago only to be excavated in latter years of twentieth century. The ship was owned by La Salle, a French renowned sailor who intended to establish a colonial in the new world.According to the evidence, Belle carried supplies that the new colony would need, especially in the early stages of establishment. The astonishing amount of artifact collected from La Belle’s resulted to a thesis that the founding was indeed an outstanding achievement that buried myths of what happened to the ship as well as filling the gaps on information missing in previous stories, something that could not have been achieved without such amount of evidence.Though deeply scholastic, the book is organized chronologically that is, in a story format and therefore allows those with interest in history and archeology to read and understand. To begin with, the authors have provided a backgrounder on L a Belle. Readers are therefore well prepared for information contained in subsequent pages.The background information on the ship and the owner further helps in understanding the importance of the wreck not just as part of archeological scholarship but also as part of American history.The authors then build up their story with research on what the world thought happened to the La Belle and eventually provide a vivid description of the excavations process. All these lead to keeping the reader well interested in reading further and therefore getting more informed regarding the story, archeology and its processes.Bruseth and Turner consulted a wide body of sources in their work. However, the greatest and most important sources are the millions of artifacts, including skeletons, collected from the wreck. Indeed, it is from these artifacts that Bruseth and Turner lead to conclusion that La Salle was well determined to establish a new colony in the New World.Pictures of the artifacts are contained and well explained. Bruseth and Turner have described maps of the route followed by La Belle. Sources from scholars have also been used especially in relation to perceptions of La Belle whereabouts. In addition, Bruseth and Turner and the company has beenReferenceBruseth, J. & Turner, T. (2007). A Watery Grave: The Discovery and Excavation of La   Ã‚   Salle’s Shipwreck La Belle. Collage Station: Texas A&M University Press.

Financial Analysis of PepsiCo and Coca-Cola

PepsiCo and Coca Cola are two major companies that manufacture beverages. They compete to be the number on manufacturer and distributor of beverages in the world. These two companies are very identifiable in this market and you know them as PepsiCo and Coca Cola. These two companies have undoubtedly dominated the markets worldwide that they both receive universal recognition for their different products. Although, there are many other manufacturers and distributors of beverages these two are the major competitors.Not only do they produce soda drinks, they also produce flavored water, spring water, and some energy drinks. PepsiCo, best known for Pepsi and Coca Cola best known for Coke have great marketing anddue to this they are able to target all income brackets. Their marketing and reasonable prices make iteasy for the people to buy their products in all income brackets. I will be examining both company’s income statements and balance sheets to disclose thefinancial condition of these companies in relation one to another.I will also perform vertical andhorizontal analysis from their annual report of financial data. There are a vast amount of manufacturers and distributors in this market, but Pepsi and Coca-Cola have managed to stay in the number one spot for a couple of decades. These two companies have not only dominated the market domestically they have dominated the worldwide market. They followed a plan that kept them above and beyond the market of soft drinks. They have overcome obstacles that allowed them to manufacture and distribute globally. (The Coca Cola Company, 2009).These companies compete with one another for the same customers. When one company comes up with a product the other company comes out with something very similar to it; this is called the â€Å"follow up strategy,† and while doing so they live the other companies behind dazed and confused, wondering what just happened. (www. PepsiCo. com, 2009). Being successful does not come without a price, both of this companies has had to deal with legal issues, precedents, and politics. These two companies are the best examples on how leadership is the power of influence.They design their product geared towards a certain taste and to appeal to a certain population and make look as though they are subjected to certain ethical and moral practices. Their influence in this market is so powerful that they drive out and shut down any other competitor in this market. I would like for you to keep in mind that all financial data of these companies are shown in millions so if you see a figure of 200 that means 200 million and if you see 5,000 it is in the billions. We will start with a vertical analysis of these companies. The vertical analysis comes from each company’s financial statements.The total assets for each company will be the starting point of this analysis. Coca Cola’s total assets in 2004 were $31,441 and its 2005 total assets were $29,427. Pep siCo’s total assets for 2004 were $27,987 and its total assets for 2005 were $31,727. (Weygandt, Kimmel, & Kieso, 2008). The total asset of each of the figures relates to items from each company’s balance sheet. The cost of sales for PepsiCo during 2004 was $12,674 yielding a ratio percentage of 45. 3% of total assets and for 2005 the cost of sales was $14,167 yielding a ratio percentage of 44. 7% of total assets.Coca-Cola’s cost of sales in 2004 was $7,674 yielding a ratio percentage of 24. 4% of total assets and in 2005it was $8,195 yielding a ratio percentage of 27. 8% of total assets. PepsiCo experienced a 5% increase within a one year span and Coca Cola experienced a 3. 4% increase during the same span. This does not mean that this increase is a positive analysis since the single figure does not reveal whether the increase is a positive measure. A higher cost of sales may not be offset by higher revenues matching or exceeding the increased cost. The next th ing we are going to look at is net income.Pepsi had in 2004 a net income of $4,212 and this yielded a ratio percentage of 15. 1% of total assets and in 2005 their net income was $4,078 yielding a ratio percentage of 13. 2% of their total assets. This is a 1. 9% decrease in their net income between 2004 and 2005 and they also show a decrease in the cost of sales during the same period. Coke on the other hand had a net income of $4,847 in 2004 yielding a ratio percentage of 15. 4% and in2005 their net income was $4,872 yielding a ratio of 16. 6% of their total assets. This shows and an increase of 1. 2% between 2004 and 2005.Although they experienced an increase it is not entirely an offset of their income overall, making this a negative indication for Coca Cola. Now the breakdown of each company’s consolidated balance sheets to compare current assets and current liabilities to their total assets for each year considered. Pepsi’s total current assets in 2004 were $8,639 which yields a ratio percentage of 30. 9% of total assets for that year. Pepsi’s total current assets in 2005 were $10,454 which yields a ratio percentage of 32. 9% of total assets. This shows a 2%increase in current assets.In contrast coca Cola current asset in 2004 were $12,281 yielding a ratio percentage of 39. 1% and in 2005 current asset were $10,250 yielding a ratio percentage of 34. 8%;which show a major decrease in their current assets. Although, there was a significant decrease in their current assets it was accompanied by a decrease in their current liabilities, which would be a positive indication for Coke instead of a negative one. Looking at the horizontal analysis of each company will give us more information. Horizontal analysis is also called â€Å"trend analysis† because of its ability to show financial data compared over a period of time.There are two different formulas that can be employed to teach this information. The first one uses the current yea r amount and subtracts from that the base year amount. The second formula divides the current year amount by the base year amount. The year 2004 is the base year for both companies in this analysis. Pepsi’s total current assets for 2004 were $8,639 and for 2005 were $10,454. In the first Pepsi had an increase of 121. 01% of total current assets; over their 2004 base year figure. The second formula yields a 21. 01% total current assets from the base year. Coke’s total assets in 2004 were$12,281 and $10,250 in 2005.As you can see Coke’s total current assets dropped between 2004 and2005 without performing the formulaic calculations. All the analysis shows that PepsiCo and Coca Cola both experienced lower net profits in 2005than in 2004. They showed an increased operation expenses which resulted in a lower net profit. Both has had a higher operating expense in 2005 than in 2004 and need to modify their operations to reduce their expenses so their profit margins can increase so they will not keep experiencing a decrease in profits. I have analyzed two well-known companies in this paper.These two companies are PepsiCo and Coca Cola. These two companies have been around for a long time and have stormed the market. We have seen in my vertical and horizontal analysis that their financial data reveals somewhat a different picture of each company’s financial status. Both companies have experienced a moment were they were not profitable and a moment when they were profitable. During this exercise made me realize that although these companies appear to be profitable the analyses showed that these two companies performance were very different from one another in the years 2004 and 2005

Sociological Theories About The Modern Family

â€Å"The family is the most important institution in society. † This statement is repeated in almost every sociology text in some form or another. However, current trends suggest that there may be some inaccuracies in this claim. Family is indeed important and necessary. It can even be defined as very important, but its relationship to the term institutional may be problematic. The conflict is inherent in the definition of family based of the functionalists and the conflict theorists. Functionalist TheoryThis conservative, macro-level perspective emphasizes the role of family as a social institution that contributes to social stability. Carroll (2012) explains that the violence and terror of the French Revolution and the mass violence resulting from the desperate circumstances of the workers during the Industrial Revolution led to fears of the consequences of a crumbling social order. Out of this fear grew conservative intellectual writings that examined social bonds, rules, and socialization practices that enable society to maintain a sense of stability that benefits all members of society.Functional theorists warn of dire consequences if a strong society and effective socialization practices are not maintained. Carroll explains that Émile Durkheim, the French scholar who first presented this theory, suggested that society had a moral authority to â€Å"limit individual aspirations† in order to maintain norms and values and to limit social change in order to prevent social upheaval. Within this theory, family is seen as the institution that is responsible for socializing children, regulating sexual activity and reproduction, and provides its members with a social identity (Carroll, 2012).Conflict Theory This macro-level perspective focuses on the negative outcomes of societal norms, such as social inequality, and seeks to address and redress the aspects of society that perpetuate these undesirable norms. Carroll (2012) explains that this the ory grew out of the works of Marx and Engels who believed that revolution was a necessary step for transforming a capitalist social order that enslaved the working class (the proletariat) to the ruling class (the bourgeoisie) and perpetuates poverty and misery for the enslaved.The primary conflict according to Marx and Engels is based on perpetuating social norms within a class system that benefits one class over another. Conflict theorists examine how the family unit is also an institution that perpetuates inequality, by reinforcing patriarchy, between members of the family and seeks to find solutions to reduce or eliminate these innate inequalities. Feminist theory, in particular, evaluates how gender inequality is perpetuated within the family as children are socialized to fulfil future social, political, and economic roles (Carroll, 2012).Symbolic-Internationalist Theory A micro-perspective paradigm examines the meanings, interpretations, and understandings of the interactions o f individuals within a society. While this type of theory does not contribute to evaluating and solving social issues such as poverty, racism, sexism, or social change, it does allow a context for understanding the nature of institutions, such as the family, within the macro-perspective theories. Social order is transmitted through symbols— roles, behaviours, and other social constructions— that are integrated as a result of social interactions (Carroll, 2012).Although this is a micro-theoretical paradigm, understanding the interactions, communication, symbols, and expectations could contribute to alleviating the clash between the two macro-level theories. Understanding what works and what does not work permits opportunities to change or delete the aspects of family or family dynamics that contributes to inequality, without dismantling the entire institution and causing complete social upheaval.The Changing Nature of Family O'Neill (2002) evaluates the â€Å"fatherles s family† and provides ample statistics to show that the breakdown of the traditional family of father,  mother, and offspring— due to increasing divorce and out-of-wedlock reproduction— is correlated with poverty, emotional, psychological, and heath problems, and interaction problems with children for lone mothers; health issues or increased engagement in high risk behaviours for non-resident fathers; poverty, deprivation, school troubles, more health problems, and increased risk of abuse for children who do not live with their biological fathers. Her conclusion that these issues are the result of the breakdown of the family is an example of functionalist theory.She suggests that the outcomes are the result of the social breakdown of a vital social institution. A conflict theorist would more than likely suggest a different reason for the observed dysfunctions outlined by O'Neill (2002). The symbolic-internationalist would provide very specific context of the n ature of the interactions within the families described by O'Neill and may find that the dysfunctions are not the result of resistance to socialized norms, but in fact due to conformity.The â€Å"fatherless† family is led by a mother, and she is likely to be subject to societal norms that diminish her ability to earn as much as her male counterparts (increased poverty— which contributes to greater stress, diminished health, deprivation, etc. ). The functionalist would argue that the distressing results found in these families are also necessary outcomes, as society must not reward those who seek to disrupt the social order.This functionalist attitude is very evident in current American political discourse as a number of far right-wing conservative politicians are introducing and passing legislation that reflects their fundamentalist Christian ideals in which patriarchal values that limit the â€Å"individual aspirations† of women to control their own reproductio n. The traditional family consists of a bread-winning father and a home-making mother, an ideal that is held sacrosanct by this group of legislators.The conflict theorist, by contrast, seeks to discover the constructs in society and within the family that cause the inequalities, rather than to blame the inequalities on those who are trapped by them for not conforming to the functionalist ideals. Families are continuing to evolve— at least the definition is— in that there is increasing acceptance— both social and legal— for families in which the primary adults are a same-sex couple, either with or without offspring.The battle of ideologies still rages on in the United States, although an increasing number of states  have extended legal status to families of this type. In Canada, the Civil Marriage Act was passed in 2005 and after a brief re-vote in 2007— which defeated the Conservative motion to restore the traditional definition of marriageâ€⠀ marriage equality became a non-issue (politically) when the prime minister announced his government would not bring it up again (Makarenko, 2007). Family as a Societal Institution The family serves a functional purpose in society in that it provides the environment for producing, nurturing, and socializing the next generation.However, the nature of family has changed significantly and some of the new styles of families— single parent families, cohabiting unions, same-sex intimate partnerships, egalitarian marriages, and blended families— contradict the societal norms representative in a traditional patriarchal family. Cherlin (2004) explains that the â€Å"weakening of social norms that define partners' behaviour† has deinstitutionalized marriage. The political and religious backlash is indicative of the conservative functionalist view of social stability being reliant upon maintaining the status quo. In fact, these conservatives are holding many of societies ills (e.g. , increased crime, debilitating poverty, sexual promiscuity, etc. ) as evidence that society is breaking down and traditional norms must be re-established in order to preserve order.The conflict theorists would argue that social norms are, in fact, the source of the dysfunctions in society. The solution is somewhere in between. The social norms that define family as an institution are likely problematic. The aspects of family that support and nurture intimate partners and children are vital to our continued well-being. In fact research suggests that the â€Å"symbolic significance† of marriage is still valued by individuals (Cherlin 2004).Family as a refuge, a safe place to grow, learn, and achieve, is an ideal that inspires us, but family as a tool of the state to perpetuate inequity is what makes it an institution. The functionalists are correct, the institutions are failing, but a new family paradigm is emerging. Family is more about the relationships and what members of families can do for each other, rather than what the unit can do for the state. Burgess and Locke (1945) argued that the family is moving away from â€Å"institution† and moving toward â€Å"companionship†. Perhaps it is time to let go of the functionalist  definition and embrace the research of the social internationalists â€Å"to understand the other person's symbols and meanings†¦ [and] approach common ground† (Hammond, 2009).Inglehart and Baker (2000) found evidence in their World Values Surveys— that included 65 societies that represented 75 percent of the world's population— that religious and traditional values continue to leave an imprint upon cultures but economic development is â€Å"associated with shifts away from absolute norms and values toward values that are increasingly rational, tolerant, trusting, and participatory.†Conclusion The modern definition of family is much too diverse to fit the functionalists' traditional paradigm as an institution designed to perpetuate social norms in order to maintain social stability. Some modern families are examples of contradictory norms and are held up as examples by conservatives as the very reason society is on the brink of chaos. However, it is unlikely that society is in fact in danger of a complete breakdown. The new families are actually indicative of a society that is moving into a new paradigm where diversity is embraced.Family is still valued and supported, but not as an institution that perpetuates social norms, but as a function that supports individual growth and security. The nature of this societal grouping is one of affection and security for all its members and as such will remain important and as long as families— of all types— are supported and sustained by society and by its members, the larger community will also benefit with the same stable society that the functionalists so adamantly wish to preserve. Sociological Theories About The Modern Family â€Å"The family is the most important institution in society. † This statement is repeated in almost every sociology text in some form or another. However, current trends suggest that there may be some inaccuracies in this claim. Family is indeed important and necessary. It can even be defined as very important, but its relationship to the term institutional may be problematic. The conflict is inherent in the definition of family based of the functionalists and the conflict theorists.Functionalist TheoryThis conservative, macro-level perspective emphasizes the role of family as a social institution that contributes to social stability. Carroll (2012) explains that the violence and terror of the French Revolution and the mass violence resulting from the desperate circumstances of the workers during the Industrial Revolution led to fears of the consequences of a crumbling social order. Out of this fear grew conservative intellectual writings that examined social bonds, rules, a nd socialization practices that enable society to maintain a sense of stability that benefits all members of society.Functional theorists warn of dire consequences if a strong society and effective socialization practices are not maintained. Carroll explains that Emile Durkheim, the French scholar who first presented this theory, suggested that society had a moral authority to â€Å"limit individual aspirations† in order to maintain norms and values and to limit social change in order to prevent social upheaval. Within this theory, family is seen as the institution that is responsible for socializing children, regulating sexual activity and reproduction, and provides its members with a social identity (Carroll, 2012).Conflict TheoryThis macro-level perspective focuses on the negative outcomes of societal norms, such as social inequality, and seeks to address and redress the aspects of society that perpetuate these undesirable norms. Carroll (2012) explains that this theory gr ew out of the works of Marx and Engels who believed that revolution was a necessary step for transforming a capitalist social order that enslaved the working class (the proletariat) to the ruling class (the bourgeoisie) and perpetuates poverty and misery for the enslaved.The primary conflict according to Marx and Engels is based on perpetuating social norms within a class system that benefits one class over another. Conflict theorists examine how the family unit is also an institution that perpetuates inequality, by reinforcing patriarchy, between members of the family and seeks to find solutions to reduce or eliminate these innate inequalities. Feminist theory, in particular, evaluates how gender inequality is perpetuated within the family as children are socialized to fulfil future social, political, and economic roles (Carroll, 2012).Symbolic-Internationalist TheoryA micro-perspective paradigm examines the meanings, interpretations, and understandings of the interactions of indiv iduals within a society. While this type of theory does not contribute to evaluating and solving social issues such as poverty, racism, sexism, or social change, it does allow a context for understanding the nature of institutions, such as the family, within the macro-perspective theories. Social order is transmitted through symbols— roles, behaviours, and other social constructions— that are integrated as a result of social interactions (Carroll, 2012).Although this is a micro-theoretical paradigm, understanding the interactions, communication, symbols, and expectations could contribute to alleviating the clash between the two macro-level theories. Understanding what works and what does not work permits opportunities to change or delete the aspects of family or family dynamics that contributes to inequality, without dismantling the entire institution and causing complete social upheaval.The Changing Nature of Family O'Neill (2002) evaluates the â€Å"fatherless famil y† and provides ample statistics to show that the breakdown of the traditional family of father,  mother, and offspring— due to increasing divorce and out-of-wedlock reproduction— is correlated with poverty, emotional, psychological, and heath problems, and interaction problems with children for lone mothers; health issues or increased engagement in high risk behaviours for non-resident fathers; poverty, deprivation, school troubles, more health problems, and increased risk of abuse for children who do not live with their biological fathers. Her conclusion that these issues are the result of the breakdown of the family is an example of functionalist theory.She suggests that the outcomes are the result of the social breakdown of a vital social institution. A conflict theorist would more than likely suggest a different reason for the observed dysfunctions outlined by O'Neill (2002). The symbolic-internationalist would provide very specific context of the nature o f the interactions within the families described by O'Neill and may find that the dysfunctions are not the result of resistance to socialized norms, but in fact due to conformity.The â€Å"fatherless† family is led by a mother, and she is likely to be subject to societal norms that diminish her ability to earn as much as her male counterparts (increased poverty— which contributes to greater stress, diminished health, deprivation, etc. ). The functionalist would argue that the distressing results found in these families are also necessary outcomes, as society must not reward those who seek to disrupt the social order.This functionalist attitude is very evident in current American political discourse as a number of far right-wing conservative politicians are introducing and passing legislation that reflects their fundamentalist Christian ideals in which patriarchal values that limit the â€Å"individual aspirations† of women to control their own reproduction. The traditional family consists of a bread-winning father and a home-making mother, an ideal that is held sacrosanct by this group of legislators.The conflict theorist, by contrast, seeks to discover the constructs in society and within the family that cause the inequalities, rather than to blame the inequalities on those who are trapped by them for not conforming to the functionalist ideals. Families are continuing to evolve— at least the definition is— in that there is increasing acceptance— both social and legal— for families in which the primary adults are a same-sex couple, either with or without offspring.The battle of ideologies still rages on in the United States, although an increasing number of states  have extended legal status to families of this type. In Canada, the Civil Marriage Act was passed in 2005 and after a brief re-vote in 2007— which defeated the Conservative motion to restore the traditional definition of marriage— marr iage equality became a non-issue (politically) when the prime minister announced his government would not bring it up again (Makarenko, 2007). Family as a Societal Institution The family serves a functional purpose in society in that it provides the environment for producing, nurturing, and socializing the next generation.However, the nature of family has changed significantly and some of the new styles of families— single parent families, cohabiting unions, same-sex intimate partnerships, egalitarian marriages, and blended families— contradict the societal norms representative in a traditional patriarchal family. Cherlin (2004) explains that the â€Å"weakening of social norms that define partners' behaviour† has deinstitutionalized marriage. The political and religious backlash is indicative of the conservative functionalist view of social stability being reliant upon maintaining the status quo.In fact, these conservatives are holding many of societies ills (e .  g. , increased crime, debilitating poverty, sexual promiscuity, etc. ) as evidence that society is breaking down and traditional norms must be re-established in order to preserve order. The conflict theorists would argue that social norms are, in fact, the source of the dysfunctions in society. The solution is somewhere in between. The social norms that define family as an institution are likely problematic. The aspects of family that support and nurture intimate partners and children are vital to our continued well-being. In fact research suggests that the â€Å"symbolic significance† of marriage is still valued by individuals (Cherlin 2004).Family as a refuge, a safe place to grow, learn, and achieve, is an ideal that inspires us, but family as a tool of the state to perpetuate inequity is what makes it an institution. The functionalists are correct, the institutions are failing, but a new family paradigm is emerging. Family is more about the relationships and what mem bers of families can do for each other, rather than what the unit can do for the state. Burgess and Locke (1945) argued that the family is moving away from â€Å"institution† and moving toward â€Å"companionship†.Perhaps it is time to let go of the functionalist  definition and embrace the research of the social internationalists â€Å"to understand the other person's symbols and meanings†¦ [and] approach common ground† (Hammond, 2009). Inglehart and Baker (2000) found evidence in their World Values Surveys— that included 65 societies that represented 75 percent of the world's population— that religious and traditional values continue to leave an imprint upon cultures but economic development is â€Å"associated with shifts away from absolute norms and values toward values that are increasingly rational, tolerant, trusting, and participatory.†ConclusionThe modern definition of family is much too diverse to fit the functionalists' tra ditional paradigm as an institution designed to perpetuate social norms in order to maintain social stability. Some modern families are examples of contradictory norms and are held up as examples by conservatives as the very reason society is on the brink of chaos. However, it is unlikely that society is in fact in danger of a complete breakdown. The new families are actually indicative of a society that is moving into a new paradigm where diversity is embraced.Family is still valued and supported, but not as an institution that perpetuates social norms, but as a function that supports individual growth and security. The nature of this societal grouping is one of affection and security for all its members and as such will remain important and as long as families— of all types— are supported and sustained by society and by its members, the larger community will also benefit with the same stable society that the functionalists so adamantly wish to preserve.

Integrating Social Media into Mainstream News Essay

Integrating Social Media into Mainstream News - Essay Example The social media therefore cannot be replaced with the mainstream news in entirety due to the fact that the social media is still a great deal behind the mainstream news in terms of authenticity and genuineness of its content. This has been implicated time and again by the immense changes which have come about within the related ranks of technological growth and development. Even though the technology has markedly changed and for the better, there still are many apprehensions within the minds of the conservatives and thinkers of the society who believe that social media cannot and will never replace the traditional news methodologies and conventions which have been there for such a long period of time. Hence one comes to the conclusion that the pitfalls are immensely driven in order to understand how the social media has lagged far behind in its race to achieve supremacy over the mainstream news. This is because the mainstream news takes into perspective many different conventions an d routines which the social media does not really pay heed to2. The social media looks at delivering the message of the common man and woman on the ground where more personalization and customization of processes is undertaken. The mainstream news is a collective mesh of all these angles and points of view where emphasis has remained on getting the job done through a pool of news reports, stories and events’ coverage. The social media has therefore been treated differently by distinctive sets of people. This is because they require that the news stories are propagated by renowned institutions and corporations which are more reliable and easily digestible by the audiences3. What is even more interesting is the observation that the social media does not really solve the quandaries that are related with the collective wisdom of the people rather it focuses on the individuals who hail within a singular group or faction for that matter. The real world examples that could be quoted here comprise of individuals who have become famous for leaking news stories and reports over the Internet before the traditional mainstream news has even gotten a clue about the same. This is a very interesting observation that has been much quoted and discussed at length within the relevant circles and thus has been given significance by people from varied strata of life. Some of the more common examples include the live embedding of video, images and sounds over the Internet which is virally transmitted to people4. This is markedly different from what is transferred over the traditional mainstream news where a great of control and influence is exerted by the news makers and news controllers. What is even more significant is how they exert this control to get their point of view across which is exponentially increased within the reigns of the social media phenomenon. Hence a great deal of positive and negative aspects come about when one speaks of the discussion as to whether int egrating the social media into mainstream news would do any good. What this would eventually mean is the fact that this integration shall result in perspectives that are result-oriented and which would do more good than harm in entirety5. How this discussion will be summed up is dependent on how problems need to be tackled which come up close and personal within the related spheres. The

Consumer Behavior Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Consumer Behavior Paper - Essay Example In this case, my problem was motivated by an internal stimulus. The social factor that prompted my decision was the need to experience convenient mobility around my hometown. Additionally, the psychological motivator was the need to be feel I belonged to the same class with my peer, Arnold. When it came to seeking information about possible solutions to my needs, I looked for external information because I had never owned a car before. My search was active; initially Arnold was the primary source. He explained the fundamentals of a fuel efficient vehicles and the convenience offered by different transmission system. He suggested many models, but only two met buying criteria; Honda CR-V 2014 or a Toyota Harrier. Additionally, I did an online search on the various sports utility vehicles available before the search culminated with visits to at least three dealerships. Salesmen offered different pricing range for the two models. They explained the off-road performance for each type. I was had a hand on experience with both vehicles through brief road tests. Evaluating the alternative needs the buyer to choose a model by which to access the available choices. I used the expectancy value model. Fuel efficiency, five gears automatic transmission, sunroof, intelligent multi-information display and price were the attributes I was seeking in a car. My comparison was based on ease of operation with an element of perceive reliability. It is worth noting that consumer will always assess products by the characteristics or benefits that are significant to them. Since I was a young, I always wanted my first car to be blue in color, and this can attributed to my association of the color blue with coolness. While making these decisions, there were risks that I perceived in my mind could come as a result of making that purchase. These included; functional risks, physical risks, and psychological risks. To deal with the

The Nuremberg Trials Sentencing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Nuremberg Trials Sentencing - Essay Example All this was happening after World War II, at a time when the world was coming to terms with the presence of human rights and civil liberties. This paper will examine the political heads and military leaders that had a part to play in the death of innocent Jews, and their fate after the verdicts were made after the initial IMT (International Military Tribunal). Twenty-four men were to face trial, but only twenty-one stood before the court to prove their innocence. Subsequent hearings were for judges, doctors, and the military in that region to prove whether they were guilty of the crimes. This group was identified as the second-tier and after a lot of deliberation, the guilty parties received much lesser punishment than their predecessors in the IMT. During that time in German’s history, the military had might and carried out activities and operations that may not have been permitted in this day (Evans 82). The Chief Prosecutor, Frencz B. Benjamin, during his time in the regio n admitted to letting some things pass unnoticed like the burning alive of an individual. This was meant to be an undercover task to evaluate the practices of the military in the region. It was during these subsequent hearings that a significant number of individuals were sentenced to prison. Brigadier Telford Taylor, Chief of Council for the prosecution, ensured that trials were carried out in the regions that still required the court’s attention. The growing differences between the allied forces made it more difficult to have control over the court. However, the Control Council Law ensured that trials were conducted without the presence of all the members of the allied forces. These trials may have found the second-tier parties guilty, but the sentences they were handed may not have been befitting (Evans 93). This was according to some parties that thought they were handed lesser punishment than what they actually deserved. The military personnel indicted by the courts were thought to have violated their code of conduct and ethics. They, therefore, could not be given a dignified death according to some of the parties present in the sentencing of these groups. Death by hanging was familiar in that time, and it is alleged that it was agonizing and painful as some of the parties had to struggle during strangulation for 14 to 28 minutes before they died (Ehrenfreund 145). Some saw this as well-deserved, as death through firing squad, as was the case during that time, would have been much dignified. Top ranking military officials were tried during the first IMT, but the subsequent hearings may have been for the lesser individuals that actually played a part in the persecution of innocent individuals. Twelve subsequent trials were carried out after the first International Military Tribunal, and the judges’ trial was the third. Josef Altstotter, Hermann Cuhorst, Herbert Klemm, Wolfgang Mettgenberg, Hans Peterson, and Curt Rothenberger were among some of the parties indicted during the subsequent trials (Ehrenfreund 167). Some of the mentioned parties were acquitted of the charges while others faced life imprisonment. It is evident that the subsequent trials conducted were for groups that were much lower in rank than the previous group, which paved the way for the tribunals. The military and this group of judges were

Business Personnel and Human Resource Management Essay

Business Personnel and Human Resource Management - Essay Example Human resource management is the management that helps in the recruitment, selection, training and development of workers in an organization to get members who can work towards achieving the goal of the organization (Aswathappa, 2005:5). Although personnel management and human resource management may seem to be the same, the difference is that personnel management deals entirely with the workforce while human resource management deals with the resources (Pangarkar, 2008:17). The organizational purpose of a company depends majorly on the human resource management. An organization that lacks good and organized human resource cannot achieve its goal. Human resource management is important because it is the management that deals with the recruitment of the workers, without which the purpose of the company cannot be achieved. If there is lack of the workforce, then the organization would not achieve its goal. It is the human resource management that deals with the selection of the newly r ecruited workers, to ensure the workers work in the fields that they can deliver their duties well. The human resource management also organizes for training to the workers to ensure they gain knowledge. The processes of recruiting selection and training of workers, all which lie under human resource management work towards accomplishing the goal of an organization; thus, human resource management have an important impact on the purpose of an organization (Weber, 2008.:51). B. Access the role and responsibilities of a line manager in the Google Company The Google Company is a company formed with the aim of making it easy for people to search for anything from the web. It is a site that understands everything that anyone searches and gives back exactly what people need. Google, being a company like any other has its organizational structure which helps in its daily operation. A line manager is the manager who is closer to the workers, who deals with the issues brought to them by empl oyees or teams and is responsible for a higher level of management for the employees (CIPD, 2013). Line managers are responsible for daily management of workers and issues affecting them. The line manager in this company is the one who manages the operational costs of the company through accessing the company’s operational expenses. Line managers should also provide technical training to the workers. They induce the workers to the job through organizing for trainings in the various job fields in the company. A line manager has the responsibility if allocating the work to different workers to ensure that the right person attends the right duty. It is also their duty to supervise the progress of the work in the company, to check for any failures in delivery of duty by the workers. They also monitor the quality of the work done to ensure that the company meets and maintains its standards. Customers in a given field of business have their needs and desires that need to be address ed. Responsibly, the line manager responds to the needs and complaints of the clients effectively to aid in realization of organizational golas. All these duties of the line manager focus on ensuring a successful progress on the company; thus it is the duty of the line manager to measure the performance of all the operations (Weber, 2008:73). C. Examine the organizational environment that impacts the HRM function in your organization, outlining the impacts of legal and

Fleet planing (AVIATION) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Fleet planing (AVIATION) - Essay Example They committed to honoring tickets as usual and not altering their frequent flying program during the whole process. That same month that the company had applied for bankruptcy protection, it was approached by US Airways about a possible merger. US Airways had put forward plans to take over American Airlines while it was in the process of restructuring its operations through bankruptcy. It is possible that the plans for the merger are as a result of the wave of mergers that has hit the industry since the year 2008. In 2008, Delta Airlines signed a merger deal with Northwest Airlines while in 2010, United Airlines and Continental airlines joined forces. It would therefore follow that the companies that have merged are in a better position to have a larger market share as compared to the other companies. Therefore in support of the merger proposal, US Airways has been of the opinion that a merger would make the two companies a stronger force in the market as opposed to operating as sin gle airline units (Jones, 2011). This essay will be assessing the fleets of the two airlines and recommend changes of fleets, where necessary, assuming that the merger between the two companies will be successful. A comparison of the fleet of the two companies is imperative and this will be the first area that this essay will explore. The first fleet that will be analysed is the American Airlines fleet. American Airlines was formed in 1930 after 82 small airlines conglomerated through acquisitions. Having being in business for over 70 years, it is evident that the company is well established in terms of fleet size and information. The active fleet count as of December 2011 stood at 898

Developing small business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Developing small business - Essay Example A strong economy aids consumer confidence and encourages the propensity to eat out. Another study that surveyed 456 companies in UK in the same industry found that "There has never been a better time for these dynamic companies to splash the cash.†(Big Hospitality 2008). Another report from researchand market.com predicts that â€Å"The UK catering market will produce further steady growth over the period from 2008 to 2012†. It further adds, â€Å"Over the longer term, the UK economy is expected to remain favourable, and a strong incoming tourist market should continue to boost sales†. Many leading operators and pub chains have planned expansion and refurbishment with the greater emphasis on food, should also encourage sales growth. In view of these positive trends from the industry, it is therefore proposed that a Restaurant be setup in London to capitalize on the opportunity presented. However, keeping in mind the large number of existing Restaurants already prevailing, it is proposed that the said restaurant should include something different from others that can attract the public and ultimately hook them to the food and ambience. The emphasis is equally on ambience as the plans are to provide visitors with an experience so invigorating to all their senses. This proposal aims to create a multi bandwidth, multimedia, distributed virtual reality (VR) environment for entertainment, socializing, eating out and for stimulating and providing fulfilling experiences to all the human senses with a new paradigm. A virtual environment, where surroundings are immersive, i.e. the guests are inside a three dimensional, multi-sensorial world. This can be achieved with the help of stereoscopy, motion, and 3D sound woven together to create the illusion of being inside virtual worlds. Presentations developed using multimedia technologies are interactive as well. Guests have the abilities to move, look around, and act upon objects

Tuition Assistance Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Tuition Assistance - Case Study Example Additionally, the tuition-aid program suffers from a lack of internal recruiting. Supervisors are not checking internal job postings and informing the appropriate employees are these opportunities. Finally, Garden Gate does not seem to lock employees in once they receive the tuition assistance, meaning that without this they are almost free to leave and taking advantage of the generous program on offer. The table does not indicate any special problems or issues; in fact, the table shows that Garden Gate has greatly encouraged diversity because there is a balanced mix of males and females and also employees from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. Of the 18 employees who left the company after receiving tuition aid, quite a few of the employees took on a different job from the one they held at Garden Gate. This perhaps shows that they were unsatisfied at Garden Gate and wanted a change. It is up to supervisors and managers to communicate so that it is known just exactly which direction each employee wants to go in and then how that can be facilitated. I dont think that Garden Gate should discontinue its tuition-aid program because although there have been some problems with it, there is the potential for it to create a competitive advantage over competitors. The program is very attractive for employees who wish to up-skill, so this is something that should be pursued. Also, the company holds the value of treating its employees like investors, meaning that it makes sense to invest in them. Doing anything to the contrary would be going back on the companys principles. The company has grown at 12 percent per year for the last few years, and it wants to continue this rate for at least the next five years. For Garden Gate to be able to do this, it will have to retain most if not all of its current employees before looking to hire new ones. The best way to do this is by investing in human capital, which is what the tuition-aid program was designed

Transnational Media and Globalization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Transnational Media and Globalization - Essay Example In the process cultural diversity becomes a victim though the extent to which TMCs can be held responsible for these development depends on a number of endogenous and exogenous factors such the ever increasing influence of TMCs due to their rising revenues and involvement in foreign countries. On the other hand how best local communities are able to resist these extraneous influences on their cultures is not particularly amenable to a particular interpretation. In the process theoretical and conceptual frameworks of analysis are used to develop contingency models of behavioral impact arising from activities of TMCs and their behemoth-like approach to societal transformation. A critical analysis of the activities of a broader cross section of the key global media corporations would demonstrate the extent and the nature of their influence on local cultures other variables remaining constant. It's in this extended context that an element of threat to these native cultures is seen in their global role. 1. Analysis1.1. Overview Neo-liberal ideology has persistently been advocating globalization as the sole solution to all economic problems and the underlying political agenda in this ideological approach is obviously mind-gobbling. TMCs have been in the forefront of this propaganda campaign that supports integration of societies into the global system at each level. However it's not so much the intention of TMCs that has been questioned but its emphasis on a particular practical approach to globalization, viz. the world culture theory. According to this theory globalization is "the compression of the world and the intensification of consciousness of the world as a whole" (Robertson, 1992). In fact those elements in the whole system or consciousness are assumed not to question the motive behind globalization. In other words 'the end justifies the means' approach to globalization and the subsequent TMCs' actions are inseparably interconnected.The current literature on the subject of TMCs' role in cultural tra nsformation of societies has been intensely focused on the world culture theory of globalization. Analysts and researchers have identified the extent and the manner of TMCs' involvement in these efforts. The threat perception of TMCs' actions has been interpreted in this context as the ultimate outcome of an otherwise elusive set of nuances associated with subterfuge. Communication is part and parcel of the whole culture centric theory of transformation in the globalization process. This is all the more subtle in the third world society context because these societies or polities have much less power to resist TMCs' attempts at integration or transformation. Global culture thus becomes a vehicle for unity.The evolutionary process of

Burma Religion (Burma) Essay Example for Free

Burma Religion (Burma) Essay Since the Myanmar ancient times, there has been full freedom of worship for followers of Burma religions in Myanmar. So many different religions can be practiced in Myanmar. Buddhism is practiced by almost 90 percent of Myanmar religion Burmas population, with the Myanmar Theravada Buddhism School being the most prevalent. It has a firm hold in Myanmars culture along with an observance of animism, or the worship of ancestors (nat). In Myanmar culture, there are many Myanmar festivals and celebrations held that correlate with nat. Nat also has influence on the practice of Myanmar traditional medicine in Myanmar religion Burma. There are other religions in Myanmar, but they are not as widespread as Buddhism and animism. Some of the beliefs found include Christianity (Baptists) in Myanmar hill areas and Muslims. Christianity is practiced by 5.5 percent of Burmese Myanmar, Islam by 3.8 percent Hinduism by 0.5 percent and Animism by 0.2 percent before respectively in Myanmar. Myanmar is a predominantly Theravada Buddhist country. Buddhism reached Myanmar around the beginning of the Christian era, mingling with Hinduism (also imported from India) and indigenous animism in Myanmar. The Pyu and Mon kingdoms of the first millennium were Buddhist, but the early Burmese Myanmar peoples were animists. According to Myanmar religion Burma traditional history, Myanmar King Anawrahta of Bagan adopted Buddhism in 1056 and went to war with the Mon kingdom of Thaton in the south of Myanmar country in order to obtain the Buddhist Canon and learned Myanmar monks in Myanmar religion history. The religious Myanmar tradition created at this time, and which continues to the present day in Myanmar, is a syncretalist mix of what might be termed pure Buddhism (of the Sri Lankan or Theravada school) with deep-rooted elements of the original animism or nat-worship and even strands of Hinduism and the Mahayana tradition of northern India. Islam reached Myanmar at approximately the same time, but never gained a foothold outside the geographically isolated seaboard running from modern Bangladesh southwards to the delta of the Ayeyarwady (modern Rakhine, known previously to the British as Arakan, and an independent kingdom until the eighteenth century) Myanmar. The colonial period saw a huge influx of Muslim (and Hindu) Indians into Yangon and other Myanmar  cities, and the majority of Yangons many mosques and temples owe their origins to these immigrants. Christianity was brought to Myanmar by European missionaries in the 19th century. It made little if any headway among Myanmar Buddhists, but has been widely adopted by non-Buddhists such as the Karen and Kachin in Myanmar. The Chinese contribution to Myanmars religious mix has been slight, but several traditional Myanmar Chinese temples were established in Yangon and other Myanmar large cities in the nineteenth century when large-scale Chinese migration was encouraged by the British. Since approximately 1990 this migration has resumed in huge numbers, but the modern Chinese immigrants seem to have little interest in Myanmar religion Burma. Some more isolated indigenous peoples in the more inaccessible parts of Myanmar country still follow traditional animism. The Roman Catholic Church, Myanmar Baptist Convention and the Assemblies of God of Myanmar are the largest Christian denominations in Myanmar. There are no totally reliable demographic statistics form Myanmar, but the following is one estimate of the religious composition of Myanmar country: Buddhists: 87% Animists: 5% Christians: 4.5% Muslims: 4% Hindus: 1.5% Burma Arts Jamie Therese Jainar The culture of Myanmar has been heavily influenced by Buddhism. More recently, British imperialism has influenced aspects of Burmese culture, such as language and education. More recently, British imperialism has influenced aspects of Burmese culture, such as language and education. Its neighbors, particularly India, China, and Thailand, have made major contributions to Myanmar culture. In more  recent times, British colonial rule and westernisation have influenced aspects of Burmese culture, including language and education. Historically, Burmese art and literature was based on Buddhist or Hindu cosmology and myths. In addition to the traditional arts are silk weaving, pottery, tapestry making, gemstone engraving, and gold leaf making. Temple architecture is typically of brick and stucco, and pagodas are often covered with layers of gold leaf while monasteries tend to be built of wood. Although court culture has been extinguished, popular street-level culture is vibrant and thriving. Drama is the mainstay of this culture, and just about any celebration is a good excuse for a pwe (show). Performances may recount Buddhist legends, or be more light-hearted entertainments involving slapstick comedy, dance, ensemble singing or giant puppets. Myanmar music is an integral part of a pwe; it originates from Thai and emphasizes rhythm and melody. Instruments are predominantly percussive and include drums, boat-shaped harps, gongs and bamboo flutes. The toys of Myanmar are not only for the children but also famous in the world, known as the Marionettes (or) Puppets of Myanmar. It’s a combination of Myanmar Art and Culture, together to show the inner expressions of the Myanmar people. A. The Prehistoric Period c. 1100 BC to 200 BC The Pre historic Period in Burma is known from a limited number of excavations that were carried out in selected rock shelters, caves and other sites along the middle course of the Irrawaddy River. Since Burma even today is sparsely populated, it would not be surprising to find that early cultures in Burma developed in isolation. However, the artifacts uncovered in these digs resemble those in other parts of Southeast Asia indicating that there was meaningful contact over wide areas at a very early date, and the arts in Burma were not isolated even at this early time. This pattern of intra-area contact continued into the later historical periods. Since there are no written records for this early period, we know little about religious practice. However, since the artifacts that have been discovered conform to those used in small-scale societies for animist rituals, it might be presupposed that these early societies practiced a type of Animism. Therefore, Animism, and artifacts associated with its practice, will be discussed as a bridge between this most remote period and contemporary  animist art forms. B. The Pre-Pagan Period Mon and Pyu Urbanism c. 2nd BC – 8 AD During the Pre-Pagan Period there is ample evidence that the lowland peoples in Burma adopted ideas from India as indicated by a few standing structures, numerous excavated foundations, and a wide array of artifacts. These materials were produced for worship in Animism and Hinduism as well as Mahayanna and Theravada Buddhism. The first cities appear throughout central Burma and were directly dependent on extensive irrigation systems. Thus begins the parmountcy of the central region of Burma that continues until the present. The cities occur in well-planned forms that are a combination of indigenous and Indian concepts. Within these cities, the first buildings in non-perishable materials were constructed. These brick and mortar buildings were all used for religious purposes whereas secular buildings, even palaces, continued to be made of perishable materials until the modern era. This dichotomy between the type of material used for construction and the use of the building generally continued through all later developmental periods. Also, at this time, a particular interest develops for two types of religious structures – the Buddhist stupa and the Buddhist temple. Brick foundations of what were most probably the first monasteries are dated to this period. Although the number of images from the Pre-Pagan Period is limited, the diversity of styles and subject matter is generally broader than in later periods. The Mon and Pyu languages are written using alphabets and concepts adopted from India. A Burmese calendar was later created that begins with the fall of the Pyu dynasty in 836 AD. C. The Pagan Period 11th to 13th centuries Classic forms emerged during the Pagan Period for many aspects of Burmese culture, including the economic, political, religious, social, and artistic. These forms were the models used by later Burmese dynasties to create new but related forms, often through slightly modifing their content. Classic architectural forms emerged as embodied in the Shwezigon Stupa and the Ananda Temple that were repeatedly copied by later donors. The styles of sculpture from the Pagan Period were also periodically revived. Theravada Buddhism became the preferred faith and thereafter remained the predominant Burmese religion. The first examples of figurative painting occur on temple walls and employ the Pala style of India and Nepal. Although Pagan ceased  to be the political capital of Burma in the 13th century, the city continued to be a respected religious center and many later monarchs returned to Pagan to endow new foundations or refurbish old ones. D. The Post Pagan Period -14th to 20th centuries After the decline of Pagan, Burma fragmented into a number of small kingdoms that looked back to Pagan for validation and for artistic inspiration. None of these kingdoms rivaled the earlier period in art and architectural accomplishments and all can be seen as â€Å"Pagan writ small†. Pagan buildings were proudly copied, but often with significant modifications. The stupa became the most favored religious building and temples were rarely built. Wooden monasteries constructed on a raised wooden platform largely replaced the brick and stucco monasteries of Pagan. A number of Burmese styles arose, particularly in sculpture, as a result of fewer contacts with India due to the Muslim invasions there and the Muslim destruction of Buddhist religious sites. Burmese styles of painting develop and in the nineteenth century borrow pictorial devices from the West. The Mandalay Style that arose during the latter half of the Post Pagan Period became dominant in central Burma and has continued until the present as the preferred style in Burmese art.

Internet Freedom of Speech and Censorship

Internet Freedom of Speech and Censorship The United States, a bastion of democracy to the world, has long recognized the importance of freedom of expression to safeguard democracy and grow as a nation. It is a right enshrined in the very first provision of the United States Constitution. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution, adopted in 1791, provides that Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Although freedom of speech enjoys heightened protection from the government, this protection is not really absolute. The Supreme Court imposes some very narrow restrictions which are deemed not fully protected under the First Amendment. These include advocacy of imminent illegal conduct, defamation, obscenity, and fraudulent misrepresentation. In any of these categories, the speech should be suppressed because of its harmful content (Wang, page 1). Freedom of speech is equally a dangerous right because with it goes the freedom to deviate against established rules and norms or to go against the status quo and advocate change. As such, all over the world, it is also the most threatened right. Many in the United States today, that include several citizens groups with specific advocacies, are pushing for censorship of the freedom of speech which interestingly finds expression in many varied forms. The internet is one arena that has lately been the target of these efforts as it provides practically everyone with the ability to communicate their ideas to wide audiences and conveniently escapes the ability of the state to control it. The internet, composed of millions of computers and telephone lines that are inter-connected and networked, have scant rules regarding what can be said and done with no one tasked to supervise the users as well no certain authority that controls it Time and again, court cases have ruled against censorship but many still continue to fight to limit the freedom of expression. Government, for one, regularly undertakes efforts to regulate, restrict, or even prohibit a great many types of speech, often with popular support from the public. One reason for censorship of speech that is gaining strong following among the citizenry is the widespread proliferation and publication of extremely offensive materials that glorify violence and pornography. In his essay â€Å"Censorship Can Be Beneficial,† Thomas Stork says, â€Å"Now if we can identify certain evils and if advocacy of those evils seems likely to encourage people to commit them, then why should we not take the next and logical step and prohibit such advocacy†¦ Must the authorities be helpless to restrain the source of the evil?† (As cited in Planet Papers, page 1). The general American public certainly wants not only to be protected from violence, but they also want to keep material out of the hands of those who are unable to handle the ideas and themes presented in such material. For instance, it can not be argued that small children do not have the maturity to view pornographic material or be exposed to extreme violence on television and that exposing them to such kind of â€Å"entertainment† is detrimental to their development. Many believe that pornography is equally harmful to adults. The issue of censorship versus free speech has been, since time immemorial, a hotly contested subject.  With the dawn of the electronic age, the birth and progress of the internet and the increasing use of electronic media for the dissemination of information, new questions over First Amendment rights are being raised.  A lot of issues and concerns have been raised that borders around Web access to pornographic materials by minors, gambling on the Internet and the posting of abusive content on newsgroups. Web sites have been created promoting censorship in the Internet like â€Å"Filtering Facts†, an online source for information on making Internet access in libraries safe for children and communities and â€Å"Enough is Enough† which aims to protect children and families from illegal pornography on the Internet. Filtering, rests on the premise that technology can solve the problem technology created. Filters block out Web sites with offensive content, usually based on keywords or lists complied by the filter developer. Filter supporters say the technology is ideal because it empowers parents and blocks out speech without silencing the speaker. In February 1996, Congress moved to pass a law, the Communications Decency Act (CDA) which prohibited the posting of indecent or patently offensive materials in a public forum on the Internet including web pages, newsgroups, chat rooms, or online discussion lists. The Children’s Online Protection Act, tried to ban material harmful to minors and In 2000, the U.S. Congress passed the Childrens Internet Protection Act (CIPA) which requires schools and public libraries receiving federal funding to install internet filters or blocking software. Another way of making Internet communications more secure is encryption, which is a technique for encoding messages, making the person who has the encryption key the only one who can read the message. These programs have been available for years, but law enforcement officials were concerned that criminals and terrorists will use the programs to send messages they cant break. Under heavy pressure from the technology industry, and after a 1999 appeals court ruling that said creating encryption programs is a form of free speech, the federal government essentially gave up trying to control encryption technology. In the wake of Sept. 11, the debate over encryption has been reopened, and Congress has made it easier for authorities to use electronic surveillance. Forums and Chatrooms frequently have moderators, who will edit or remove material against the rules of that community. The scope of these rules varies from community to community some will want material to be suitable for a specif ic audience, whilst others only require discussions to be kept within the law. In a landmark decision on June 26, 1997, the Supreme Court ruled that the Internet is a unique medium entitled to the highest protection under the free speech protections of the First Amendment giving it the same free speech protection as print. It was a victory for the Citizens Internet Empowerment Coalition (CIEC), a broad coalition of library and civil liberties groups, online service providers, newspaper, book, magazine and recording industry associations, and over 56,000 individual Internet users which represents the entire breadth of the Internet community. The CIEC was assembled in February 1996 to challenge the CDA on the grounds that the Internet is a unique communications medium, different from traditional broadcast mass media which deserves broad First Amendment protections. Rejoicing with the CIEC in their victory are the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) which has been promoting the future of the First Amendment and free expression in the Information age and the Electronic Frontier Foundation which protects rights and freedom in the electronic environment. Clamor for censorship of the freedom of speech, whether in broadcast or print media, in television or motion picture, in culture or arts, or in the electronic medium of the Web or the Net, are mostly based on moral and ethical considerations which can be highly subjective depending on the individual’s beliefs, culture, principles, and many other factors. However, if we are to read and understand every word in the First Amendment, there was no mention of any restriction whatsoever; the emphasis rather was on providing equal rights to everyone. If this is so, neither the government nor individuals have the constitutional right to censor the other on the basis that his or her statements may be hateful or prejudicial because the law guarantees the right to express one’s thoughts vocally or in writing without fear of retaliation. What one may say need not be popular or correct. I really do not think that censorship is a solution to the atmosphere of violence, obscenity and other social concerns pervading American society today. Censorship may even be harmful as it gives a temporary feeling of false security. Freedom of speech is just among the many rights guaranteed under the Constitution. The risk, however, is allowing our other rights to be diminished in the end. This is in contravention to the fundamentals of democracy and right to dignity which have been specifically enshrined in our Constitution for us to exercise our liberty and live without fear and prejudice. Today, millions of people are combating internet censorship through writing Blogs as well as by forming organizations that raise the people’s awareness regarding Internet censorship. An example would be the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) which opposes Internet censorship and as such, has filled several lawsuits against censorship laws. In 2007, the Childrens Online Protection Act (COPA) which made information that can be harmful to minors illegal even if the same information is necessary to adults, was brought to the federal court by the UCLA saying that it was unconstitutional. The development of a new medium always creates new anxieties. Gutenbergs press prompted two centuries of debate over whether the spread of books would corrupt society. Privacy and free speech are already among the nations most difficult social issues; and it would be startling if the Internet did not raise new concerns about both of them. Even the Internet itself is only the beginning. The electronic age is creating an entirely new medium, one that combines the interactive Internet with older media like TV, radio, print, mail, and the telephone. he questions of how to balance personal privacy and public safety have become all the more urgent since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The â€Å"war on terrorism† evolves daily, even as the technology continues to evolve. The publics opinions about this medium are in flux and their views on free speech and privacy were far from settled to begin with. A Planet of Publishers Press critic A.J. Liebling once said that freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one. Thanks to the Internet, millions of individuals now have the power that formerly only belonged to the owners of printing presses and broadcast licenses the power to spread their views, whether profound or profane, to a worldwide audience. That has prompted a remarkable burst of creativity, but it has also provided hate groups and pornographers with a low-cost way of spreading their messages to anyone, including children, with a personal computer. So far, the U.S. government has supported two approaches to dealing with offensive content: regulation and filtering. Two major attempts at regulation have been struck down by the courts, either in whole or in part. The first, the Communications Decency Act of 1996, would have made publishing indecent or patently offensive material on the Internet a federal offense. The U.S. Supreme Court, in ACLU vs. Reno, came down firmly on the side of granting the highest free-speech protection to the Internet and struck down the indecency portions of the law. A second law, the Children’s Online Protection Act, tried to ban material harmful to minors. The Supreme Court sent the law back to a lower court for further review in May 2002, effectively blocking enforcement for the time being. The other tactic, filtering, rests on the premise that technology can solve the problem technology created. Filters block out Web sites with offensive content, usually based on keywords or lists complied by the filter developer. Filter supporters say the technology is ideal because it empowers parents and blocks out speech without silencing the speaker. Critics say filters are a crude tool at best because they depend on keywords that could crop up on perfectly legitimate sites devoted to breast cancer, AIDS prevention, or the novel Moby Dick. A third federal law would have required all public libraries to use filters, but a federal court threw out the law in 2002, saying filters would block porn and protected speech alike. Your Personal Fish Bowl The Internet itself may seem anonymous, but it is far from private. E-mail can be easily intercepted by anyone with enough technical skill, and Web sites can track substantial information about users, either by voluntary registration or involuntarily through the use of cookies files quietly stored on a visitors computer that will identify them to the Web site on their next visit. One way of making Internet communications more secure is encryption, the technique for coding messages so they can only be read by someone who has the encryption key. Encryption programs have been available for years, and businesses contend that strong encryption is critical to keeping online commerce secure. But even before Sept. 11, law enforcement officials were concerned that criminals and terrorists will use the programs to send messages they cant break. Under heavy pressure from the technology industry, and after a 1999 appeals court ruling that said creating encryption programs is a form of free speech, the federal government essentially gave up trying to control encryption technology. In the wake of Sept. 11, the debate over encryption has been reopened, and Congress has already made it easier for authorities to use electronic surveillance. But the ability of Web sites and hackers to collect information pales next to the newfound power technology gives to governments and marketers. Data warehouses are able to mix information from different sources to create a single, detailed profile of an individual, including vital statistics, how much they earn, what they buy, the state of their health, their interests, what they read, and more. And all of that information is for sale to direct marketers, current and potential employers, or just anybody willing to pay for it. Already, as part of the war on terrorism, the federal government and financial services companies are discussing how to use their databases to flag suspicious activity. Current privacy laws are rarely enforced and would offer spotty protection even if they were. The Supreme Court has upheld a federal law barring states from selling information they collect, such as voter registrations and motor vehicle records, to direct marketers. References: Communications Decency Act. Center for Democracy Technology. 2008. 2 May 2008 . â€Å"Speak Your Mind: The Censorship Controversy in American Culture. Planet Papers. 2006. 1 May 2008 http://www.planetpapers.com/Assets/5616.php â€Å"Supreme Court Rules CDA Unconstitutional.† Citizens Internet Empowerment Coalition. 2008. 2 May 2008 . Wang, Xinyi. Freedom of Speech in the United States Constitution. Perspectives. 30 Apr 2001. 2 May 2008 .

Mission Vision Values

Mission Vision Values Mission, Vision, and Values Paper Strategies for Competitive Advantage Mission, Vision, and Values Paper A mission, vision, and values are an essential part of a company and its success. These contribute to the companys ability to reach its goals and objectives. Once these things have been put into place, the organization can develop a strategic plan to guide them in the decision making process. Company Background- General Motors Corporation General Motors Corporation (GM) was founded in 1908. Based in Detroit, it is the worlds largest automaker, and has been the global industry leader in sales for 76 years (General Motors, 2008a) with the United States being its largest national market, followed by China, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany years (General Motors, 2008a). Today, the company employs about 284,000 people worldwide and manufactures cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, the company sold 9.1 million cars and trucks globally under its many brands, which include Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, to name a few (General Motors, 2008a). GM has ventured into partnerships with many automobile manufacturers around the world. The company is currently the majority shareholder in GM Daewoo Auto Technology Co. of South Korea (General Motors, 2008a). GM has collaborated with Suzuki Motor Corp. and Isuzu Motors Ltd. of Japan with product, powertrain, and purchasing (General Motors, 2008a). The company has also collaborated with DaimlerChrysler AG, BMW AG of Germany, and Toyota Motor Corp. on advanced technology and ventured in vehicle manufacturing with several automakers, such as Toyota, Suzuki, and Renault SA of France years (General Motors, 2008a). GM currently sells its genuine parts and accessories under many brands including GM Goodwrench, and ACDelco brands (General Motors, 2008a). With all of GMs success in the past, the company is facing challenges during this time of economic hardship. The companys market valuation has decreased to $5.9 billion and its stock prices are at its lowest in 50 years (Lowenstein, 2008), which is evident with a closing price of $9.69 on July 10, 2008 (Yahoo Finance, 2008a). The skyrocketing price of oil seems to be the immediate cause of GMs problems, decreasing the sale of its sport utility vehicles and trucks (Lowenstein, 2008). The automaker is potentially looking at more layoffs and speculation of a possible sale of Buick and Pontiac (Lowenstein, 2008), however GMs vice president states that Hummer is the only brand the automaker is considering selling at this time (Yahoo Finance, 2008b). Mission/Vision Statement The mission/vision of GM is â€Å"to be the world leader in transportation products and related services† (General Motors, 2008b). Through continuous improvements driven by teamwork, integrity, and innovation, the company has earned its customers trust and enthusiasm. With all the competition and the advancement of hybrid and alternative fueled vehicles, GM should look to being a leader of innovation. With this in mind, the mission statement could read GM will become the world leader in quality, innovative, and cost efficient products. The mission is for GM to become the auto industry leader in sales and market share in the global market. Company Values GM has six core values in which employees are to use in conducting daily business practices (General Motors, 2008c). These core values consist of continuous improvement, customer enthusiasm, innovation, teamwork, and individual respect and responsibility (General Motors, 2008c). These values must portray an image to the companys consumers that it values their needs and wants. With this said GM should add customer value and thinking green to its core values. This measure would show the company is focused on achieving high levels of customer satisfaction by providing innovative products that offer customers more choices with alternative fueled vehicles. Thinking green will show the company is concerned with doing right by the environment How Mission, Vision, and Values Aid in Reaching Desired End State Mission/Vision In order for GM to achieve its vision, the company understands that many issues must be addressed in order to attain its many goals. In order to become a more sustainable company, GM recognizes the importance of integrating economic, social, and environmental objectives into its daily business objectives and future endeavors. The future success of the company partly depends on technology, innovation, and partnerships (General Motors, 2008b). With technology, GM can efficiently address climate changes and fuel efficiency through its products. By accelerating the development and deployment of new technology, GM is able to improve its existing technology. Innovation provides the company with the tools needed to develop new ways of operating as a company. With increased competition in the global industry, innovation is critical in the future success of the company. In order to continue being responsive to the stakeholders needs and concerns and create a sustainable future, GM understands the importance of continuing to build strong relationships its employees, industries, governments, markets, and communities (General Motors, 2008b). Values GM is based on is six fundamental values.  With these values, the company has adopted and endorsed principles, such as the GM Environmental Principles and the Global Sullivan Principles (General Motors, 2008c). These principles are consistent with the companys values and serve to inform its strategies. The company states, â€Å"These strategies drive our behaviors and actions, which produce the results that matter† (General Motors, 2008c). Components of the Strategic Management Process Needing to be Analyzed Strategic planning involves the decisions and actions needed to formulate and implement plans designed to achieve the companys goals (Pearce Robinson, 2005). It encompasses long-range planning, with an increased emphasis on environmental forecasting and external considerations in formulating and implementing plans. There are multiple opportunities available to GM to deal with the current trends and threats in the automobile industry. In order to deal with them, the company must clearly identify its strengths and weaknesses. The auto industry as a whole faces issues with the rising fuel costs, as well as political and environmental issues with the rage of going green. As competition increases, there will be an even greater demand for oil. Although GM has a global presence and continues to expand in other markets, the company can reduce more operational costs by eliminating vehicles that are to similar and brands that are not selling. The company can use the savings to invest in furth er development and production of alternative vehicles that are more fuel-efficient. Strategy Effects on Leadership, Culture, and Stakeholders There will be numerous affects on the GMs leadership, organizational culture, and stakeholders after implementing the new strategy. Leadership will have to devise an effective method of getting the work done effectively and efficiently to make the new strategy work (Pearce Robinson, 2004). This will entail a plan to organize and educate all staff throughout the organization about accomplishing the mission, roles of leadership, and specific values that will guide the everyday activities. Leadership will also have to assess the competition and address the needs of their customers. In addition, commitment must be gathered amongst the organization and stakeholders to embrace change and implement strategies that allow the organization to be competitive. The stakeholders will face the decisions to accept or reject the new strategy. The organizational culture should be established to provide meaning, direction, and a basis for action (Pearce Robinson, 2004). The organization would benefit if leaders promote and identify key themes and dominant values within the organization to reinforce competitive advantage they seek to maintain and build (Pearce Robinson, 2004). Conclusion GM and the automobile industry as a whole is experiencing tough times, however, there are many opportunities available to GM. The company now has an opportunity to expand market share and once again be the leading automotive manufacturer. The company must look at the trends and threats as new strengths and opportunities by developing and implementing a strategic plan that best positions GM to deal with the threats within the auto industry. References General Motors. (2008a). About GM: Company profile. Retrieved July 10, 2008, from http://www.gm.com General Motors. (2008b). Sustainability and GM: Vision and Strategy. Retrieved July 10, 2008, from http://www.gm.com General Motors. (2008c). 2005/06 corporate responsibility report. Retrieved July 9, 2008, from http://www.gm.com Lowenstein, R. (2008). Siphoning G.M.s future. New York Times, p. A.21. Retrieved July 10, 2008, from ProQuest database. Pearce, J. Robinson, R. (2005). Strategic management: Formulation, Implementation, and control (9th ed.).[University of Phoenix Custom Edition e-Text]. New York: McGraw-Hill. Retrieved July 10, 2008, from University of Phoenix, rEsource,  MBA/580- Strategies for Competitive Advantage Web site. Yahoo Finance. (2008a). General Motors Corporation (GM): Historical prices. Retrieved July 12, 2008, from http://finance.yhoo.com/ Yahoo Finance. (2008b). GM reassures dealers only Hummer brand is for sale. Reuters. Retrieved July 10, 2008, from http://biz.yahoo.com

Language and Social Position Essay -- Expository Essays

Language and Social Position As I sat in my never-all-that-comfortable seat at the theater to watch "Titanic" for the second time on the big screen, a thought quite alien came over me: good usage in language. This film, based on the 1912 disaster, went to the extremes on details to make everything about it convey the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The language of the film was scripted as best to the year 1912 as was the model made of the ship itself. The film showed the language of both the upper crust ("nobility" of America) and the lower class of different nations of the world. Concentrating on the educated, monied, upper-class, their language was so pure, concise, and definitive. The best example that I can quote from the film was a line from young Rose, when trying to get it through her thick-skulled, snobbish mother's head that there were not enough boats for everyone on board, in fact less than half of the passengers would get a spot on a lifeboat. She says to her mother, "Not enough by half!" In four words, Rose has said what would have taken me at least ten words to say in our modern language usage, something similar to "There are not enough [boats] for even half of the people!" "Not enough by half" is a phrase I easily comprehended, but I have never heard a phrase so worded in my life (in contemporary conversations, dialogue, speeches, etc.). It reminds me more of diction in writings from the past, that authors such as Shakespeare or Benjamin Franklin may have used. Why isn't a phrase like "Not enough by half" used today in modern American English? This phrase is clear, concise and is not difficult to say. Robert Hall would probably praise such a phrase as a fine example of good usage. It ... ...ld've thought "groovy" and "crazy, man" would have made a comeback, huh? Language usage should not be the criterion by which we judge one another. Language was created to communicate, and shouldn't we communicate in the easiest and most efficient manner? We should heed Robert Hall's advice and make the rules of good usage based on "the most efficient way of saying" (hand-out) govern our language usage. However, in reality, it seems that William Tanner's thoughts creep into our opinion of good usage and connect it with social etiquette, thereby creating judgments of social class and distinction based on one another's speech. We, as listeners and speakers, need to make a conscious decision to stop judgment of others based on language usage and to start to become followers of Hall (we'll call ourselves Halloons), and make our language clear, concise and efficient.

The Dual Nature of Man in Young Goodman Brown Essay -- Young Goodman B

The Dual Nature of Man in "Young Goodman Brown" In "Young Goodman Brown," Hawthorne tells the story of one man’s loss of faith in the human race. As Goodman Brown travels into the woods one night, he is sees the innermost secrets and desires of the people he once placed upon a pedestal. He sees that humans are evil by nature, and this causes him to lose faith in his fellow man. By viewing the story as an allegory, the journey into the woods is associated with the Puritan concept of justification. The Puritans viewed justification, or the means by which one receives the salvation of Christ, as a psychological journey into the "hell (or evil) of the self" (Soler). Goodman Brown fails to complete his process of individuation because he cannot come to terms with the dual Apollonian and Dionysian nature of his being. The Puritans believed that to be justified, one must let go of his worldly dependence and strive to live a life free of sin (Soler), making the story an allegory â€Å"in its treatment of the nature and consequences of the Puritan belief in the total depravity of man† (Waggoner 250). This would have had an impact on the development of the psyche, as the ego struggled to repress certain instincts that the superego deemed as sinful based on Puritanical beliefs. To understand the effects that Puritanism has on the psyche, one must also realize that Puritanism depraved the human spirit of both Dionysian and Apollonian instincts. Even though it favored Apollonian in the sense that it supported a distancing from the world, it does not support the development of the individual, which is associated with Apollo. Puritan Society frowned upon expressing one’s individuality (that is why, besides the obvious dishonor, wea... ... The Continuum Publishing Company, New York, 1995. Soler, Angie. "The Journey Into the Puritan Heart: Nathaniel Hawthorne’s ‘Young Goodman Brown’" Dr. Jim Wohlpart. American Literature and Analysis Web Site. Florida Gulf Coast University. 1998. Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Young Goodman Brown and Other Short Stories. Appelbaum, Stanley, ed. Dover Thrift Edition. General Publishing Company, Canada. 1992. Martin, Terence. Nathaniel Hawthorne. Revised Edition. Twayne’s United States Authors Series. G.K. Hall & Company. Massachusetts. 1983. Foster, Jr., John Burt. Heirs to Dionysus: A Nietzschean Current in Literary Modernism. Princeton University Press. New Jersey. 1981. Male, Roy R. Hawthorne’s Tragic Vision. University of Texas Press. Austin. 1957. Waggoner, Hyatt H. Hawthorne: A Critical Study. Harvard University Press. Massachusetts. 1955.

Napoleon Essay

Bonaparte was nil more than a autocrat as he exploited France in chase of his ain aspirations to accomplish a dynasty in his name. A absolutism is frequently associated with repression and the workings of a constabulary province. Both of these were. in fact. being used in France. For illustration Napoleon smartly censored the imperativeness and even the theater. When Napoleon took power. Paris had a vivacious newspaper concern. by the terminal of his reign there were merely four newspapers left due to his denial of a free-press and all of these had been under his control. These newspapers were censored and used by Napoleon for propaganda. He besides had undercover agents and betrayers working for his Ministry of Police. he used particular tribunals and arbitrary imprisonment which truly supports the construct of a constabulary province under a absolutism. Implementing these resources allowed Napoleon to quash any resistance to his regulation and oppress any civil agitation Sing these facts merely it would look that Napoleon was nil but a oppressive dictator. but. this would non needfully be a just judgement as throughout his reign he continued to utilize certain administrative organic structures which limited his freedom of action. such as the Senate and the Legislative Body which suggests he didn’t have or want overall power as a dictator for affairs such as jurisprudence devising. He besides introduced the Civil Code. which assured legal rights. he besides instituted a figure of reforms that brought echt benefits to the Gallic people. such as spiritual acceptance. which non merely followed radical ideal of freedom and equality as anyone was allowed to pattern their chosen faith. but would besides hold had popular support in France. Under Napoleon. the upper ranges of representative authorities had no serious power and were reduced to back uping Napoleon. The Senate. packed with Napoleon’s protagonists. did mostly what it was told. cashing their wage and picking up honours. The Tribunate was to a great extent purged in 1802 after knocking Napoleon. and remained careful afterwards ne'er to talk excessively loud. until it was shut in 1807. Napoleon therefore faced small resistance from politicians until the events of 1813-4. and at the terminal the senate did eventually seek and evict their great helper from power. Crucially. most of these places were filled by people who had been involved in radical authorities. However. The First Consul found solutions for a despairing state of affairs: he brought approximately spiritual mollification with the Concordat in 1801. restored fundss ( making the Banque de France and the franc-germinal ) . reformed the disposal ( go throughing the jurisprudence of 28 Pluviose. An VIII making the prefects ) . won triumphs abroad. conveying about an terminal to ten old ages of war. It is true. as people tend to show presents. that this success benefited from some steps and triumphs of the Directoire ; but there is no denying that Bonaparte brought solutions to the jobs inherited from the Revolution. something which the Directoire had non been able to make. Heredity did non hold much significance since the new emperor had no kids and Josephine was distributing the rumor that he could non hold any. The cardinal point here was to avoid a vacuity of power which would hold as a effect a Restoration of the Bourbons. a possibility that had terrified the ex-members of the Convention of all time since the endangering announcement of Louis XVIII in Verona. after Louis XVII’s functionary decease. Thus. a continuity would be maintained in instance of accident or successful slaying effort against Bonaparte. The solution remained probationary merely because it was impossible to happen a solution which would guarantee the heritage of the Revolution. Napoleon is reforms did profit France greatly. For illustration one of his economic reforms. The Bank of France. established in 1800. restored stableness to the state by giving a monopoly of note issue to the new cardinal bank and endorsing it steadfastly with gold and Ag. Labour was besides controlled. Napoleon’s thoughts on economic sciences were instead old fashioned. He even considered reconstructing the clubs. The prohibition on trade brotherhoods remained though and bankbooks were introduced to restrict workers’ freedom of motion. The concluding point of Napoleons economic direction was that the control of monetary values and the supply of nutrient was introduced. There were no bread public violences to endanger his regulation. The export of maize was steadfastly restricted and maximal monetary values for staff of life and flour were introduced in 1812. He was cognizant that hungriness was a much greater menace than the desire for autonomy. Napoleon himself was instead unshockable: he one time said. â€Å"If I were regulating Jews I would reconstruct the Temple of Solomon† . However. he realised the value of organized faith as a agency towards societal peace and order: â€Å"The people ust have a faith and that faith must be in the custodies of the government† . The consequence was the spiritual colony of 1801: the Concordat. which said the Catholic religion was recognised as the faith of the great maj ority of the population’ and the clergy were to be paid as province functionaries. Besid es buyers of former Church lands were guaranteed ownership. However. so that he should non be seen as reconstructing Roman Catholicism Napoleon attached the Organic Laws to the colony. They included a charter of Protestant autonomies. verification of the subjugation of the Church to the secular power in France. In fact. the Concordat endured even when Rome was annexed in 1809 and the Pope became a Gallic captive. To reason. Napoleon ruled like a dictator during his regulation of France between 1799 and 1815 as he used censoring and the secret constabulary etc to stay in power nevertheless his reforms did convey echt benefit to France. nevertheless the term ‘enlightened despot’ might be more suited to depict his nature.