Grapes of Wrath Language Use

Grapes of Wrath: Unsophisticated Characters and Language The Grapes of Wrath poses a different writing scheme than what most modern students may be used to. In the 1930’s, where this novel is set, the characters act and speak in a manner that is very common of their time. Many pieces of literature of this time period didn’t become much more sophisticated. Steinbeck may have aimed to create a novel that all of the general public could relate to, and understand the hardships after the Dustbowl.The characters are relatable and simple, the dialogue is easy to understand, and reflects the people of the generation. The novels protagonist, Tom Joad is a simple man who has recently been released from prison. He is not sophisticated. He acts as he does, and does as he acts. He speaks in a dialect like everyone else in the novel, and he is easy to understand. Steinbeck wanted him to be relatable to others reading the novel. His writing differs from others that have been popular s uch as Dickens and Shakespeare.No reader could easily identify the direct emotions and understand perfectly in those novels/plays. Readers can relate to Tom Joad and understand him like no other character before. Tom Joad says a very meaningful qoute that explains his character. â€Å"The last clear definite function of man—muscles aching to work, minds aching to create beyond the single need—this is man. † Joad is just a relatable, strong, hard-working Man who has values. The dialogue is accurately represented of the time period and accent of the location. Simple folk from oklahoma speak english with a strong southern accent.They didn’t use detailed or large words, so anyone from a child to an adult could understand what was happening and being said. The dialect reflects exactly how one would say the words in the proper accent. The dialogue connected with the simple characters, and displayed the actions of them in a simple way. This method got Steinbeck' s themes across simply and understandably for the demographic of the current readers. The dialect is represented here: â€Å"Sure don't look none too prosperous. † Steinbeck captured the accurate intellect and style of the 1930’s in a imple fashion. The Grapes of Wrath is written in a novel format, with vividly descriptive writing and yet still remains understandable. This hybrid writing style is one of the first of its kind. He keeps his strong characters together, and uses symbolism heavily. An example of symbolism is the turtle crossing in chapter 3, where the turtle may represent the Joad’s journey. In conclusion, The Grapes of Wrath possess simple dialogue, relatable characters, and 1930’s style. Steinbeck captured a generation of simple folk, and did so vividly and simply.

Importance Of Education

In todays society, young people are consistently told that the key to a successful future is receiving post-secondary education. Many teenagers find themselves wondering, â€Å"what is the importance of school? † With the recent success of entrepreneurs and businessmen who lack university/college diplomas, many students begin wondering what is the real importance of post-secondary education. To the dismay of many young people, school is one of the most important parts on the road to success for individuals.By attending post-secondary schools, individuals have a higher chance of finding a Job; higher paying salary, and more prepared and eady to make sensible choices. Forbes magazine posted the ten highest and lowest income Jobs for 2012, the highest being anesthesiologists at $232,830, and the lowest being fast food cooks at $18,720. It can not be a coincidence that all of the ten highest-paying Jobs require at least seven years of post-secondary education while the ten worst p aying Jobs have no post-secondary education required.It is no coincidence at all, as the higher paying Jobs require individuals to possess a lot more knowledge in their field. For example, anesthesiologists are required to monitor individuals before, during, and fter surgical procedures by monitoring patients' vital organs to ensure that no complications arise. This requires over sixteen years of post-secondary education to have attained this knowledge. In comparison, a typical fry-cook will not be required to possess sixteen years of knowledge in order to know the toppings on a burger or the cook time of french fries.Also, not only does education aid in Jobs within a particular field, education in general will earn people more money. Individuals who possess a master's degree will earn 1. 3 million dollars over their lifetime earnings than if they ad only acquired a high school diploma. â€Å"At most ages, more education equates with higher earnings, and the payoff is most notable at the highest educational levels,† said Jennifer Cheeseman Day, author of The Big Payoff: Educational Attainment and Synthetic Estimates of Work-Life Earnings.Possessing a post-secondary degree will not only earn individuals more money, education will also increases the chances of finding a Job. In 2011 researchers for the U. S. department of labor compared the unemployment rate versus the amount of education that individuals have received. The trend was blatantly obvious; the more education individuals have, the less likely that they are to become unemployed. This is shown with the 9. 4% unemployment rate for high school graduates in comparison of the 2. 5% rate for those with doctoral degrees.Also, not only does more education decrease individuals' unemployment rate it will also increase the re-employment rate. A study by the University of British Columbia states that â€Å"the chances of â€Å"re- employment† (finding work after a period of unemployment) rise by 27 percentage points if you've finished high school. As well as increase by two to three percentage points for every additional year of education after high school. Employers for corporate companies, or even the local fast-food restaurant will typically prefer having a university/college graduate to a high school graduate.The main reason for this being that most employers believe that the more educated individual will not require as much training or practice to be ready tor the Job. Also, employers also believe that since graduates could work hard, and persevere through university, then that individual could work Just as hard on the Job. While multiple individuals may be equally qualified for a given Job, the individuals with the greater education will look instantly more qualified to employers.Furthermore, a post-secondary degree provides more career options and opportunities. With a degree an individual has the choice on what Job that individual could do. However, without a post-sec ondary degree, individuals only have a few choices for their career path. Not only does university increase the financial earnings, and Job security of individuals, university aids in maturing young people and preparing young people for eal world adult responsibilities. Generally, eighteen year olds are not fully ready to be immediately making mature life decisions.However, studies have shown that those who have attended some form of post-secondary education are more civil- minded, confident, and higher self-esteem. The reason being that college or university graduates have had at least two years of independence, where students have to responsible for their grades as well as attending classes. High school graduates do not have access to this type of environment, where young people learn rom experience how to manage their time effectively, where they can afford to make some mistakes.High school graduates have to learn from their mistakes in the real world, where mistakes can be more costly. Post-secondary graduates fin that they can already carry out difficult tasks and be responsible, boosting their confidence as well as their self worth. While high school graduates can earn more money from the get- go by working right away, those who graduate from university will be more prepared to take on the world and begin a successful life. School has one of the most important roles on the road to success for individuals.By completing post-secondary education people are able to earn a higher salary, have more accessibility to different Jobs, as well as being more mature people in general. These aspects of an individual's life are what many deem to be â€Å"successful†. Importance of education The importance of college education has a direct and profound impact on the world but more importantly on me. As Nelson Mandela stated â€Å"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. † By gaining knowledge through college education I am ensuring a better future for myself and in turn I am ensuring a better future for those around me thus changing the world one small step at a it me. College education provides tools, knowledge and preparation necessary to compete in today's tough job markets.As a current fourth year medical student, I am supplementing my deiced education with an associates degree in health administration so that I can gain an advantage and also to prepare myself for future leadership roles within the medical profession. Medical field is a field in which constant advances and progresses are made and to stay current and to progress with the times, one must constantly further himself through education. An article in the Heritage Foundation suggest that the base foundation of the U. S. Healthcare is the ability to provide the best healthcare.Having said this, we must understand that having the best healthcare means training our medical refashions and investing into new technologies and education so that they are able to provide the best healthcare. The article suggests that there is a shortfall in followed education that is provided to medical professionals in their quest for professional excellence. To me, this places and emphasis on the importance of college education and continuing education so that we can continue to strive to be the best not just in the field of healthcare but also in other fields.In a recent article in Forbes Magazine comparing college versus high school education, we can clearly see that earning a college degree doesn't only give you a competitive advantage and a solid base for the future but it also gives you an additional $830,000 during your lifetime according to Forbes. This shoul d also be a major inspiration for wanting to obtain a college diploma. Financial future and stability of my family directly correlates to the amount of education I have received though my lifetime. Although our economy has turned a new leaf and is on a recent upswing, we are still reeling from the economic collapse of the late sass's.According to Bellevue university research, those with little to no higher education are finding the most difficult to find jobs and secure their family futures. The study confirms that more and more people are looking for â€Å"recession proof' jobs that are mostly attainable through college education rather than trades. In today's society finding a job is much harder because of all the competition, people with similar qualifications vying and competing for the same jobs. What will set me apart? College can give me the training I need to get ahead and Stay head of my competition.Social development is a very important aspect of college education. Higher education is generally lauded for developing academic knowledge in their students, its leaders are routinely criticized for not adequately preparing students for the types of roles and leaders that organizations need (Jaeger, 2003; Tucker, Osaka, Barron, & Mccarthy, 2000; Coleman, 1 995; 1998; Williams & Sternberg, 1988). Our future leaders, although highly educated, lack social ability to to present themselves as leaders and to serve as leaders.One of the reasons I chose the degree program at Seaworthy university is just that, social development as well as educational, that is scholastic. Through the discussion boards, chats, and other interactive socially interactive media; I will not only be able to learn from students that are in my immediate vicinity but I will gain a broader perspective that an online university gives. This perspective is global and invaluable to those who seek to not only further their textbook knowledge, but would also like to share experiences with efferen t cultures and races to gain a better social understanding and the impact education has globally.There are ample reasons for a college education and I have only listed a few Of the ones dearest to me above. In the ever changing world, it has become more important now than ever before to obtain a college education. Its not just the economic reasons that push us to learn further and achieve greater, as I have mentioned above, it is also a great social development outlet that sometimes we don't use as much as we should. Importance of Education Importance of Education A leader is a person who takes charge of their own life by self education. Sherman Alexie and Malcolm X demonstrate leadership by trying to further their people. In Sherman Alexie’s essay â€Å"Superman and Me† he demonstrates how influential education is to him. Once Alexie was able to read he wanted to show how smart he was in the classroom. However, the other Indian boys kept trying to keep him quiet because they were expected to be stupid. This infuriated Alexie because until his people became educated they were going to continually be taken advantage of. In Malcolm X’s essay â€Å"Learning to Read† he explains how education made him the person that he is today. After Malcolm X became literate his whole world changed. Up until he started reading he believed that the best way for African Americans to gain civil rights was to use violence. However, after reading the history of his people and how they had been taken advantage of, he realized that the best way to gain rights was through knowledge. Both of them try to lead their people to educate themselves. Education was necessary for Alexie and Malcolm X to overcome the disadvantages in their background because they were able to learn about their histories and became examples to others. Both Sherman Alexie and Malcolm X had obstacles to overcome in their past. For Alexie, it was that of his childhood â€Å"classmates whom fought with him daily† (pg 13). Alexie was constantly trying to speak up during class and participate but the other children told him to keep quiet. The Indian children were accepted into society if they were submissive and struggled in the â€Å"non-Indian world† (pg 13). The people on the reservation lived this way for generations believing that their place wasn’t in the classroom and that they had to fail. Malcolm X had to overcome not only his personal obstacles of poverty and illiteracy but also the abuse of his people. X only had an eighth grade education and throughout all of his schooling he was never taught how to read. After X taught himself how to read in jail he started learning about the abuse that his people had endured. X said he would never forget â€Å"how shocked [he] was when [he] began reading about slavery’s total horror† (pg 286). This was only the beginning of all the cruelties he soon learned had been inflicted upon his people. After Sherman Alexie and Malcolm X educated themselves they were able to go back and lead their people to change. Alexie visited the Indian schools in an effort to show the children that education should be accepted not feared. He teaches creative writing and poetry to the children in an effort to spread the importance of education. He said that the children whom read many books and stared at him with bright eyes and arrogant wonder were â€Å"trying to save their lives† (pg 14). By becoming educated they would no longer be prone to being taken advantage of any longer. With out education these children will lead the same lives as their parents have, filled with hard labor and small wages. Malcolm X’s view on education is stronger than most because he had lived a life with his eyes closed until the day that he was able to read. Once he became literate he realized how much easier his people’s lives could have been if they had been educated. They would have been able to clearly see how wrong their situation had been for so long. X said that â€Å"with every additional book that [he] read he was given a little bit more sensitivity to the deafness, dumbness, and blindness that was afflicting the black race in America† (pg 289). He is saying that the only way to keep his people from being mistreated is to educate them. With education they will gain opinions and the knowledge to understand how helpless they are without it. Education was necessary for Alexie and Malcolm X to overcome the disadvantages in their background because they were able to learn about their histories and became examples to others. Throughout both their lives and struggles each of them realized that achieving their goals were impossible without education. My advice to a new college student who would like to become a leader would be first to take charge of their life and identify the problem they need to resolve. A leader has a clear vision of achieving specific goals. They attack their obstacles head on and inspire others through their examples. Works Cited Samuel Cohen. 50 Essays Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007. Print Importance of Education Importance of Education A leader is a person who takes charge of their own life by self education. Sherman Alexie and Malcolm X demonstrate leadership by trying to further their people. In Sherman Alexie’s essay â€Å"Superman and Me† he demonstrates how influential education is to him. Once Alexie was able to read he wanted to show how smart he was in the classroom. However, the other Indian boys kept trying to keep him quiet because they were expected to be stupid. This infuriated Alexie because until his people became educated they were going to continually be taken advantage of. In Malcolm X’s essay â€Å"Learning to Read† he explains how education made him the person that he is today. After Malcolm X became literate his whole world changed. Up until he started reading he believed that the best way for African Americans to gain civil rights was to use violence. However, after reading the history of his people and how they had been taken advantage of, he realized that the best way to gain rights was through knowledge. Both of them try to lead their people to educate themselves. Education was necessary for Alexie and Malcolm X to overcome the disadvantages in their background because they were able to learn about their histories and became examples to others. Both Sherman Alexie and Malcolm X had obstacles to overcome in their past. For Alexie, it was that of his childhood â€Å"classmates whom fought with him daily† (pg 13). Alexie was constantly trying to speak up during class and participate but the other children told him to keep quiet. The Indian children were accepted into society if they were submissive and struggled in the â€Å"non-Indian world† (pg 13). The people on the reservation lived this way for generations believing that their place wasn’t in the classroom and that they had to fail. Malcolm X had to overcome not only his personal obstacles of poverty and illiteracy but also the abuse of his people. X only had an eighth grade education and throughout all of his schooling he was never taught how to read. After X taught himself how to read in jail he started learning about the abuse that his people had endured. X said he would never forget â€Å"how shocked [he] was when [he] began reading about slavery’s total horror† (pg 286). This was only the beginning of all the cruelties he soon learned had been inflicted upon his people. After Sherman Alexie and Malcolm X educated themselves they were able to go back and lead their people to change. Alexie visited the Indian schools in an effort to show the children that education should be accepted not feared. He teaches creative writing and poetry to the children in an effort to spread the importance of education. He said that the children whom read many books and stared at him with bright eyes and arrogant wonder were â€Å"trying to save their lives† (pg 14). By becoming educated they would no longer be prone to being taken advantage of any longer. With out education these children will lead the same lives as their parents have, filled with hard labor and small wages. Malcolm X’s view on education is stronger than most because he had lived a life with his eyes closed until the day that he was able to read. Once he became literate he realized how much easier his people’s lives could have been if they had been educated. They would have been able to clearly see how wrong their situation had been for so long. X said that â€Å"with every additional book that [he] read he was given a little bit more sensitivity to the deafness, dumbness, and blindness that was afflicting the black race in America† (pg 289). He is saying that the only way to keep his people from being mistreated is to educate them. With education they will gain opinions and the knowledge to understand how helpless they are without it. Education was necessary for Alexie and Malcolm X to overcome the disadvantages in their background because they were able to learn about their histories and became examples to others. Throughout both their lives and struggles each of them realized that achieving their goals were impossible without education. My advice to a new college student who would like to become a leader would be first to take charge of their life and identify the problem they need to resolve. A leader has a clear vision of achieving specific goals. They attack their obstacles head on and inspire others through their examples. Works Cited Samuel Cohen. 50 Essays Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007. Print

How does the director Steven Spielberg make ‘Jaws’ a tense and exiting film to watch? Essay

How does the director Steven Spielberg make ‘Jaws’ a tense and exiting film to watch? The film Jaws, directed by Steven Spielberg in 1975, featuring various techniques to create suspense,excitement and fear throughout the whole film. This is done using different types of camera shots and movement, music, and mis-en-scene.Its about when a gigantic great white shark begins to terrorise the residents in small island community of Amity, a police chief, a marine scientist and fisherman set out to stop it. One of the three significant scenes was, The death of Alex Kitner. the scene takes place on a crowded beach.High key lighting is used through out the scene. The camera uses a tracking shot of a young boy as he goes up to his mother and pleads her to let him have another 10 minutes in the sea. The camera then follows him as he goes to get his lilo and this can create suspense since the audience isn’t sure whether the boy will be the shark’s next victim. His swim shorts are red (red being the colour that attracts sharks as well as being symbolic for danger, fear, and blood). The audience is introduced to different possibilities of the shark’s next victim. This can create suspense since we don’t know who it will be. First, there is the man throwing sticks in the water for his dog to catch- both the man and his dog are possible victims since they are near the sea and it may be that the man has to go in the water himself just in case his dog needs helping. Ther e is also the large lady floating in the water. Brody spots a black shiny shape swimming towards the woman; and then we realise that it’s just the top of an old man’s swim hat as he swims through the water. The camera shot is level with the water and large lady, so it may make the audience feel that they’re in the sea too. A character in the film, named Brody, is also at the beach. He watches the different people and seems agitated as he is not sure if the shark will attack. As one of Brody’s friends are talking(close up on friends face, and wide shot on the side of his face) he sees a young woman screaming and splashing about in the water, paying no attention to his friend, he stands up, ready for action, and then realises it was her boyfriend lifting her up from the water. These two false alarms create anticipation for the audience since they expect the attack to happen and it doesn’t. A tracking shot is used as the boy rushes into the water with his yellow lilo, and the man calls for his dog. This implies that something  fearful is about to happen since his dog has gone missing. This creates suspense since the audience does not know why and how the dog is gone; and whether he’ll return or not. A low angle is used as the boy’s legs kick under the water,with something hurdling towards him.The Jaws theme music is used creating suspense and fear as it gets closer leading to the build up of Alex Kitners death.(Non digectic sound used) The attack is seen in the distance and the long shot indicates that the people on the beach are too far away to save the boy. A general panic occurs as people rush out of the water this scene becomes very fast paced. We do not see the shark. Causing a sudden sense of anticipation. During this, Brody realises what is happening and the camera quickly zooms in on his terrified face. The zooming-in camera shot signifies the attack as powerful and large, coming towards him; which reflects back on what the actual shark itself is like. While parents are rush towards the water to get their children Brody still does not enter the water all he does it tell everyone to get out. After the attack is over, a yellow lilo washes up on the shore, soaked with blood. A high angle is used, the colour yellow is used as the symbolic colour for danger and warning throughout the scene. The man who owns the dog is wearing yellow shorts, and his dog has been attacked by the shark. The boy was floating on a yellow lilo, and he became the shark’s second victim.Usually the colour for danger (red or black) and yellow is normally the colour for happiness and sunshine. So already the audience can sense a tone of difference portrayed in this film. Another scene is Hooper and the boat. It takes place in the Amity sea. Low key lighting is used and it is very misty.This is to cause tension and fear as people most vulnerable when it is dark. When Hooper finds Ben Gardeners boat there is no body there, this cause a sense of mystery. So he goes in the water to find him. Hooper then finds a sharks tooth there is a close up on the tooth. So the audience can try and picture how big the shark is .On his way down calm creepy music is played, Steven does this to trick the viewer into thinking nothing will be happen but then Hooper sees a hole and out comes the remains of Ben the camera zooming to Ben’s face to create more fear. Hooper screams in shock.The music becomes much more high pitched. Hooper then gets away in fear of what will happen if he stay in there any  longer. The third and final scene is the climax. This scene takes place in Amity sea, and has a mixture of both high and low key lighting.The boat is sinking this is shown with a long shot. Brody is stuck inside with the shark on its way. As he tries to find an exit the shark breaks through the window and attacks, with is mouth wide open(close up) and then after an extreme close up of its teeth. This done to scare the audience and is very effective. Brody then puts a gas canister in the sharks mouth with then causes it to retreat but no for long. Spielberg does this to give the audience a sense of relief so when the shark attacked again it will be more shocking.The bells ring to show the boat is sinking.(digetic sound).High pitched music begins. Brody climbs up the pole armed. The shark attacks again. He stabs it with a shark pole.(low angle). There is now a close up of the shark trying to bite Brody (high angle) and a long shot of him trying kill it. The shark eats the pole a goes back into the sea. Brody now prepares to kill the shark by shooting at the gas canister in the sharks mouth.The scene is becomes faced paced as the shark heads toward the boat,waiting for the last second Brody finally shoots at the canister creating a mass explosion(wide shot) of the shark pieces. The is done to cause suspense and excitement for the audience, as waiting till the last second to destroy the shark is more fearful and interesting. These were not the only scenes that were tense and exiting, there was the death of Quint. Both high key lighting and low were used. Since Brody went to the back of the boat when the shark attacked he was not killed.Then the shark came from the water (low key lighting) and opened mouth, close up on mouth, to eat them the boat tilted so that Quint would be falling into its mouth. This was done to show that Quint was powerless to make it more cruel and horrifying death. As quint was sliding it became more fast paced and there were cuts between the shark and Quint this was to build suspense. When Quint was bit, the sound of his bones cracking was to add more effect to make this more realistic and ruthless, him shouting(digetic sound also added effect). As the shark swayed him side to side it became more dreadful to watch but this is what made the scene interesting. When he was dead and the shark pulled him down this built the suspense and what made the scene so captivating. I think Jaws was ground breaking and intense it was made in the 19s and is still so popular. The shark theme music was great it had a good plot and there was a good connection between characters. Some of the shots were great. e.g. the zoom shot. I think people might not like Jaws because of its effects as the 21st century prefers what they watch to be HD and the action scene to look extremely realistic (shark to not look fake), also Jaws was the type of movie which did not let see the shark at the beginning to build the suspense but some people don’t like that other classify Jaws a more of a thriller than a horror. Jaws is still poplar today for many reasons- it theme became popular as you could not forget it, the suspense of not knowing how the shark looked and the fact that everyone thought it was destined to fail as when they started making the movie they had not script, no cast and no shark until Steven came†¦

Strategies and Resources for Success Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Strategies and Resources for Success - Coursework Example ges that an online learners may anticipate may be like: how to build on the existing base of knowledge and how to evaluate the multifaceted online resources. In addition it might be very difficult for them to find an appropriate comparison groups that can help them in solving data collection problems and even in the interpretation of the program maturity impacts. This paper seeks to evaluate the challenges that the online learners may anticipate when undertaking their online studies and to give strategies that they can use to ensure that they succeed in their learning experience. One of the challenges that the online learners are experiencing is lack of the self-discipline that is needed to devote enough time to class in courses that may not have regular time schedule to meet the synchronous online (Ottenbacher & Harrington, 2010). Setting and following the specific study hours is one of the factors that can work for online learners. For example evening hour can be designated for reading the lessons and the weekend can be used for doing the writing assignment. It is very important to note that designating specific hours to read, completing the assignments and even post dialogues to other learners may be very helpful. Professional online learning requires resources like the technology, materials and even time. All these resources are dependent on the availability of funds. How these resources will be prioritized so that they can be in line with the professional needs may greatly affect the quality, access and effectiveness of the experience of the educators. When the learners are committed to ensure equity in the allocation of these resources and they have thoughtful consideration of their priorities, the intended outcome for both the learners and the educators can be achieved. Interactions of most students commonly take place through online threaded discussions that gives the instructors and the students’ time to interact in a synchronous manners. This may

The basics of quality management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The basics of quality management - Essay Example His research took place during the Second World War when there was a need for quality appraisal in strategic goods such as ammunitions and other products used during the war. His ideas were also borrowed from Japans need to improve the quality in the building of its country. The theory was based on 14 major principles that explained quality management processes (Adetule 50). Deming’s theory is also based on the principle of profound knowledge that is crucial in the success of an organization. Reflective knowledge is based on four principles that generalize the 14 pillars of the theory. System appreciation includes comprehension of the company’s ways of operation. Workers have to understand the code of conducts before employing quality management in the organization. Variation knowledge provides for changes in the organization that may happen before quality monitoring. Psychology knowledge assists the managers to understand customer and employee trends that may affect th e operation of quality management procedures. Deming continued his research in countries with developing industrial environments and used his knowledge to come up with principles such as Plan-Do-Check-Act that can be used for continuous quality improvement (Adetule 49). His research projects began during his career as an engineer where he used his knowledge in human relations to standardize production in companies that he worked. Joseph teamed up with other scholars to write books and campaign the need for a standardization organization that would monitor the quality of goods and services in the markets. The ‘Juran Trilogy approach highlighted on managerial processes that would affect quality management tactics in businesses (Adetule 49). They include quality improvement, control and planning. He also incorporated the use of statistical and scientific methods such as acceptance sampling and control charts in quality management. Cause-and-effect diagram or the Ishikawa chart

Selecting a Company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Selecting a Company - Essay Example Business, first and foremost, is a commercial, industrial or mercantile activity by a person(s) or company. E-business refers to carrying out the above-mentioned activities via the internet; that is, online. E-commerce, however, is a narrower term-only referring to buying and selling goods and services online. This report will amicably evaluate gains made from e-business and any information and communication technologies. In the research, I will target the Google Corporation based in California-USA. The challenges facing the electronic business, in a nutshell, will be outlined. According to business world statistics, most of financial valuation of e-business is attributed to transactions that involve one business and another (Hinton and Barnes, 2005). Efficiency and effectiveness in terms of reaching out to consumers globally, market changes and information dissemination has been realized by the firm. Secondly, business to consumer growth was achieved in the corporation (Hinton& Barnes, 2005). According to the European Commission, 98% of the firms in the USA with e-business or e-commerce in infrastructures in place made up 14% of business turnover (Hinton& Barnes, 2005). Time taken to do business transactions was reduced in the Google Corporation. Receipts, according to the study, were generated accurately within in time. This was time saving compared to earlier times when done manually. Information on Google website, according to study spreads faster. This made it impossible for smaller companies using print-based catalogs to compete in disseminating information. This gave the firm a competitive advantage in business. The prices, for example, of consumer prices are among the items posted on the web. Despite all these benefits that accrue to the use, e-business is not without challenges. High-tech crimes such cyber-crime, threaten to jeopardize the business life of corporations in the US (Hinton& Barnes,

Research Report on foreign language film Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Report on foreign language film - Research Paper Example The movie revolves around a young Polish boy whom Visconti uses to incarnate beauty. He is a 14-year-old boy named Tadzio, played by Swedish Bjà ¸rn Andresen. The boy’s mother is played by Silvana Mangano, a beautiful Italian actress. Tadzio, the longhaired blond boy is the focus of attention of Gustav Von Aschenbach (Dirk Bogarde). An obsession of the boys beauty by Aschenbach leads to the question on the nature of the admiration (Andre 34). The main question in the movie is whether it is ethically okay in the moral standards or not. There is the mystery behind the movie in its structure and style, its symbolism and politics owing much of these to the novel by Thomas Mann’s with the same title Death in Venice, which the movie is based on. The movie is largely silent, in performance, and the actor Bogarde delivered an enlargement of meaning. The romantic suffering of Von Aschenbach manifested by his passion for Tadzio, emotional suffering on the death of his daughter. Setting Von Aschenbach on a journey of creation of beauty and purity discovered in Tadzio. The cinematography by Pasquale De Santis is also depicted in the movie. Scenes are well framed; there are lots of camera spinning from left to right allowing the observation of secondary characters. Costumes are highly stylized, and convey a Victorian look and feel, (Can 18). Can continues by making analysis on the soundtrack, which he says are echoes of one of Mahler melodies; the Adagietto of the Fifth Symphony. According to Snowball, Visconti overdid many things in the movie, which is quite evident at the end with the death of Aschenbach. He feels the movie become very boring toward the end but only saved by lovely things on the periphery. According to Snowball, he movie represents a deadly pestilence threatening both physically and represents the corruption that compromises and threatens all ideals. James feels that the Death in Venice was

Barriers to Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Barriers to Change - Essay Example The group concurred with this view. Ineffective communication hinders change efforts. The leader needs to articulate goals clearly and give frequent feedback on the change process. Moreover, the group agreed that leaders need to communicate the reasons for change and how it will affect those involved. This eliminates fear, uncertainty and doubt about the change. Another barrier is unclear processes and procedures. If carried out in a haphazard way, change could fail. It makes people to lose direction of where they are going and what is expected of them and consequently lack of commitment and resistance. Lastly, the group cited not paying attention to people issues as significant to success of change management. Leaders need to pay attention to psychological processes that people experiences in dealing with change hence help them to overcome. The group also discussed how the leaders might provide psychological safety to individuals in times of change. They agreed that correctional leaders should have the will to share mistakes with staff to promote organisational learning. Employees also need to feel that they can air their views and give input regarding the change without fear of reprisal. Giving them rewards and recognition for achievements is vital. The role of the leader is to help create effective relationships in the organisation. By being transparent, the leader creates an environment of psychological safety which in turn leads to increased participation in decision making and greater trust in the leader. Psychological safety also entails honesty, openness and will to learn continually which in turn leads to higher degree of physical safety. The employees thus feel secure and learn more leading to positive change. People are unique hence react to change and conflict in different ways. Change management is all about ensuring

Galen Strawson Considers Freedom of Will to Be Profanation Essay

Galen Strawson Considers Freedom of Will to Be Profanation - Essay Example I disagree with Strawson’s position and posit that humans can and should be held responsible for their actions because, as Strawson points out, even if the situation is such that you have a gun to your head, you still have a choice.   The unpleasantness of the choice does not nullify the presence of the choice or the fact that we always have the option to choose either the pleasant or more tolerable route over the unpleasant option and vice versa.According to Strawson’s analysis, humans lack the capacity to make free choices.   The influences of society, parents, friends, teachers, and all of the contributory factors that shape each of us into the unique individuals we are countermand our ability to freely make decisions.   Since we do not control who we are and who we determine the decisions we make, logic dictates that we are not engaging in free will because we did not have the power to shape who we are.   Additionally, Strawson states that, even if a person changes who they are, this does not mean they have free will because heredity and experience have already affected you in ways that you can never change.   The way a person is ultimately has a significant effect on how they are able to change and what attributes they are able to change, which causes the redundancy in the whole concept of change to facilitate free will.  Strawson begins by presenting the gamut of views concerning free will from the perspective of the Compatibilists and the Libertarian and No-Freedom Incompatibilists.   The philosophical view of the Compatibilist is that humans have free will and are morally responsible for their actions (Strawson, 1995).   According to Strawson, Compatibilists base their analysis of the condition of free will on the fact that it is compatible with the concept of determinism, which states that each action creates a pattern that makes subsequent actions or reactions unavoidable.This theory deems the determining factors that aff ect personality irrelevant and maintain that free will is absolute, despite the inclusion of determinism.   However, the presence of determinism in the Compatibilist view of free will actually nullify the viewpoint because how can you freely choose an option that has been predetermined?  

International Relations and how Iran has effected the Middle East Research Paper

International Relations and how Iran has effected the Middle East - Research Paper Example Situated in the Persian Gulf, Iran remains the region’s strongest military power and hosts the region’s largest population. Moreover, Iran is the Persian Gulf’s â€Å"main country straddling the strategic Strait of Hormuz through which† more than half of the world’s oil passes (Ramazini, 1979, p. 821). The Persian Gulf’s strategic position and Iran’s prominent political and geographical position within, makes Iran a very important actor in both regional and international security. The Persian Gulf joins Africa, Europe and Asia and connected to the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf also connects the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Moreover, Islam was born in the Persian Gulf and thus the culture of the Persian Gulf is profoundly characteristic of Islamic values (Sajedi, 2009). It is therefore hardly surprising that the Persian Gulf has come to be known as the â€Å"center of the Muslim world† (Sajedi, 2009, p. 77). Stagedi (2009) informs that: Owing to its strategic location, the Persian Gulf region has been the center of attention for traders, businessmen and big powers for a long time. The commercial interests, through shipment of goods from the Persona Gulf to the outside world and vice versa have made this region so important for big powers that wars have been fought over its control (p. 77). From 1700 hundreds forward, the Persian Gulf has been the focus of political and commercial competition among maritime factions in the West. When oil was discovered in the 1900s in the Persian Gulf, oil became another fortified the interest in the region. In the aftermath of the Second World War, the Cold War saw competition between the US and the Soviet Union for power in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East generally. Until 1991 a climate of fear was perpetuated in the region over

Sheikh Mohammed and the Making of Dubai Inc Essay

Sheikh Mohammed and the Making of Dubai Inc - Essay Example He founded the Emirates airlines that now covers over 100 destinations, and developed the thriving real estate market of Dubai. Such rapid development was primarily achieved by adopting capitalist market values, and despite the unfavorable conditions in the surrounding countries Sheikh Mohammed with his strong leadership qualities managed to turn Dubai into a story of success. However the success story of Dubai were not without its pitfalls, and there were claims of violation of human rights of thousands of laborers that had migrated from other countries in search of jobs, while there were claims by local inhabitants of the place losing its own cultural values. Besides these, the real estate business which had been one of the major driving forces behind Dubai’s astronomical economic growth was showing signs of falling apart during the global economic crises that started in 2007-2008. In order to counteract these negative aspects and maintain a stable socio-economic growth of D ubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed had to adopt tactics that integrated his skills as a business entrepreneur and a skillful business leader, with that of an effective political head of a country. Sheikh Mohammed’s leadership style and approach shows traits of a visionary leader with traits of transformational leadership qualities.... This quality is evident in Sheikh Mohammed where it is seen that while serving as Head of Police and Security, and Director of the Department of Oil, he successfully collaborated with Conoco and many other foreign companies, while concurrently dealing effectively with a large number foreign consultants, laborers, and field workers from countries across the world, residing in Dubai. An effective leader is generally motivated to seek one of the two types of power, personalized (where one looks for personal power and sense of authority) or socialized (seeks collaboration). From the aforementioned style of working, it is clear that Sheikh Mohammed looked for socialized power where he sought collaboration from firms, experts and workers worldwide. Sheikh Mohammed, through various interviews can effectively communicate and pass his messages regarding his visions and strategy, as regards growth and development of his country, and he uses it successfully to convince his own countrymen and ot her powerful leaders and businessmen all across the world. Effective leaders also must possess self-confidence, in order to create a sense of self-esteem in others working around him or her, while still preserving a high level of personal integrity. Along with this ability the leader must possess the ability to affect an organization horizontally, vertically, externally and internally. Here the leader must gain acceptance of others involved, if he or she wishes to see a particular idea come true. The capability to forge collaborative relationships and to form an atmosphere that is conducive in nature for team work, are typical characteristics of an effective leader. This characteristic is

Digestion and Food Essay Example for Free

Digestion and Food Essay Digestion is the breakdown of large insoluble food molecules into smaller molecules so they can pass though the intestinal wall into the bloodstream and be transported throughout the body. There are seven different food groups in a balanced diet which should include Carbohydrate, fat, water, protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals. Although most foods contain these in some shape or form the foods that contain most of one type fall into that category, a chicken fillet for example would fall under the protein category because it contains more protein per hundred grams than any other nutrient. This assignment will explain the systems and processes necessary for the digestion of a Beef sandwich and a chicken Tikka Masala with rice. In the digestion of a beef sandwich containing sliced Beef, bread, butter and a chicken Tikka Masala there are different stages of where food is broken down. Enzymes are added at different times to ensure the food is absorbed properly. Digestion technically starts in the brain. Even before food touches your lips the stomach is already preparing for the food about to be ingested. The ingestion process starts with taking food into the mouth (eating and drinking). The purpose of this is so the food can be cut into smaller pieces and saliva is added before it is swallowed. This is where the first enzymes start work. There are two enzymes found in the saliva of the mouth, salivary amylase and lingual lipase. Amylase breaks down dietary carbohydrates such as monosaccharides, disaccharide sugars and complex polysaccharides (starch). Monosaccharide’s can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream so the others need to be broken down into these before they can be absorbed (Derrickson, Tortora 2006 p906). The salivary amylase starts to break down the polysaccharide starch found in the bread of sandwich and the rice in the chicken Tikka meal while it is being chewed. Once the food has been swallowed it slides down the throat which extends into the esophagus. The smooth muscle, mucus and secretions in the esophagus enable the food to slide down easily into the stomach. At the end of the esophagus is the lower esophageal sphincter which connects to the stomach. The stomach is a j-shaped organ where food is mixed with gastric juices secreted by the lining. The gastric juices consist of water, enzymes and hydrochloric acid to kill any harmful bacteria (Parker 2007 p176). The main enzyme in the stomach is called pepsin which specialises in the break down of protein. Gastric pepsin breaks proteins into polypeptides, pancreatic trypsin, chymotrypsin and carboxypeptidase which change the polypeptides into peptides (Lippincott, Williams, Wilkins 2005 p224). The proteins in the beef part of the sandwich and chicken part of the Tikka Masala are broken down by theses enzymes in order to extract the essential amino acids found in the peptides so that they can be easily absorbed in the small intestine where the food moves to after the stomach has done its work. The intestinal mucosal peptidases in the small intestine break the peptides down into amino acids allowing this to happen. As the carbohydrate (rice and bread from the two meals) enters the stomach the salivary amylase is deactivated by the ph level. As the food then enters the duodenum which is the first part of the small intestine, another type of amylase is then added from the pancreas which changes the carbohydrates into simple sugars (Parker 2007). The simple sugars are maltose lactose and sucrose. As these are pasted further into the small intestine ‘the enzymes maltase, lactase and sucrase chop maltose, lactose and sucrose into smaller bits, more easily absorbed, which are eventually converted to glucose and absorbed through the intestinal walls into the bloodstream’ (Collins 2007). Once this has happened the glucose is transported to the liver where it can be where it can be stored or distributed to cells throughout the body (Collins 2007). Fats fall under three categories, saturated (mainly found in animal products); Unsaturated (fish, nuts) and Trans fats which are mainly found in vegetable oils and processed foods made from hydrogenated vegetable fats. Fats or lipids as there also known ‘are diverse compounds that are grouped together because they are insoluble in water, but soluble in nonpolar solvents’ (Bailey 2008). This means lipids take longer to digest than carbohydrates and proteins. The fat content of the two meals comes mainly from the butter of the beef sandwich and the cream of the Masala sauce. The Short chain triglycerides found in these are digested by gastric lipase in the stomach. The majority of fat digestion though is done in the small intestine where pancreatic lipase and bile salts are added. The bile salts emulsify fat into droplets which makes them water soluble allowing them to be absorbed more easily. The pancreatic lipase ‘breaks down fats and phospholipids into a mixture of glycerol, short and long-chain fatty acids, and monoglycerides’ (Lippincott, Williams, Wilkins 2005 p224). Small finger like projections on the small intestine called Villi give it a large surface area making it easy for the absorption allowing the fatty acids and monoglycerides to pass through into the blood stream. Nearly all vital nutrients from food are absorbed in the small intestine and the left over waste that passes into the large intestine afterwards is known as the chyme. The chyme descends through three main regions of the large intestine called the caecum, colon and rectum. During this journey sodium, chloride, and water are absorbed through the lining of the colon into the blood making less watery faeces to be excreted out of the anus.

Shostakovichs Chamber Music and Musical Tradition

Shostakovichs Chamber Music and Musical Tradition To what extent does Shostakovich draw on musical tradition in his chamber music? Your answer must be supported by a discussion of two or three appropriate pieces of chamber music by Shostakovich that you have studied in the module materials. Musical tradition has been part of our cultural heritage for as long as we can remember. Still it is not that simple to define. One can say that traditional music are songs and tunes which have been passed down orally for generations, and are often folk songs, country dance and similar, but it can also be pieces of written music from early composers etc. We are going to look at three compositions of chamber music written by the Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-75). String Quartet No.2: first movement String Quartet No. 7: second movement Piano Trio No. 2: last movement The discussion is whether these are more of a traditional Classical musical structure, or an expression of a musical artist, that uses different elements to dissent from prevailing political ideologies at a time when the Communist Soviet Union restricted an artists freedom of speech. Originally, chamber music was written with the intention for small groups to play for private functions, and as the number of instrument were so few, there was no need of a conductor. That is one of the reasons that chamber music by its nature is so intimate. They have to learn how to communicate with each other with eye-contact and signs between themselves. String Quartet is a genre of chamber music which originated around 1760-1820, the Classical period of western music. The traditional ensemble is made up of two violins, a viola and a cello, sitting in a slightly curved line to be able to see each other. There are four movements in a Classical string quartet. One of the significant differences of this Shostakovich string quartet is, that in the first movement, it is actually written in a typically classical sonata form. (Samson Diamond, speaking in Shostakovich, scene 5). The first movement of String Quartet No. 2 is divided into three parts: Exposition Development Recapitulation. In the exposition, where the theme is, are two melodic ideas presented, traditionally played by the first violinist. Dominantly and energetic, he is accompanied by the other three. Then, the second violinist is getting more purposeful and intense with her bow strokes, following by the viola. The cello is playing contrasting and forceful in a lower pitch. The second melody coming up, is lacking the forceful strong moves from the previous section, but expresses more intense winding. At this point, Shostakovich decides not to follow the traditional structure, of continuing straight to the development. Instead he dissents from this by showing a hint to repeat the exposition instead of moving on to the development, although he does not. In the development, the melodies changes, and the first violinist becomes again more dominant, and the music becomes more intense and pulsating with a different tone colour to the exposition. Then, after the development, the sonatas recapitulation restates the theme, more intense and reversed. Shostakovich wrote fifteen string quartets, which are highly expressive and very personal. many composers used chamber music to give us the truest portraits of themselves, their most intimate thoughts and feelings. (Reading 6.1 in Richards, 2008, p. 223). Which explains why the quartets he decided to dedicate, were to family and close friends only, unlike his symphonies that were tributes to national events. The String Quartet no. 7, is in F sharp minor, a musical key, which is traditionally associated with pain and suffering. This quartet was written in memory to his wife Nina, whose sudden death affected Shostakovich profoundly, which clearly mirrored the choice of key for this piece. The second movement of a quartet (Lento), is traditionally the most expressive and personal of the four movements, where the music is transmitting the meaning, and that is definitely the case here. In a classical string quartet, there are usually four movements, but for some reason, Shostakovich breaks away from the traditional structure, and uses only three linked movements: Allegretto Lento Allegro The Heath Quartet, which are playing the second movement on the DVD (Shostakovich, 2008, scene 7) opens first with the second violin playing a seductive and controlled melody, which continues throughout the movement. Then the first violinist enters, playing a pitch higher, and the effect is almost hypnotic with the winding melody from the second violin. Both of violins are muted with an object that restricts the vibrations and changes the sound. Shostakovich uses the mute quite often in his work to gain the desired intensity of the movement. I think it adds to the stifled expression, the kind of emotion that is under the surface, that never really shows itself in the slow movement. (Oliver Heath, speaking in Shostakovich, 2008, scene 7) Piano Trio No.2 is another chamber work where Shostakovich expresses his grief and despair. It is a different type of chamber work to Quartet No. 7, for the reason that here there are three solo instruments: violin, cello and piano, and it is made up of four movements. Initially, in the 17th century, the piano trio was in a three movement form, but with the early 19th century, some composers like Beethoven for example, preferred to cast in the four movement form. Shostakovich was the one composer that definitely looked back at other composers. He is very often avant-garde on certain things. But he studied the compositions of great masters like Beethoven. (Michael Gurevich, speaking in Shostakovich, 2008, Scene 1). It was both national and personal tragedy that drove him to write this piece of music. It was finished in the spring of 1944, after WWII. Russia was in a state of exhaustion and the facts of the horrifying death camps and the fate of the Jews had started to unravel. Shostakovich had also lost his closest friend and mentor, Ivan Sollertinsky, when he was composing the Piano Trio. Shortly after, when Shostakovich had finished the trio, he decided to dedicate it in memory of his friend, following in a tradition of Russian elegiac piano trios, similar to Tchaikovsky, who had dedicated his trio to Nicholas Rubinstein. The final movement of Piano Trio No.2 (Shostakovich, 2008, Track 19), brings together many of the various elements being used until now; the ghostly opening, the frenzy crash of chords in a furious pace. Glee and madness following the anguish in the final movement. The whole piece of the fourth movement is under shadow of death and frustration, and it evoked controversial reactions from the critiques. This movement is nothing less than a gruesome dance of death; its quiet ending is the stillness of the mass grave. (Huth, 2005, in Richards, 2008, in Richards, p. 220). The Soviet Communist ideology was idealism, and therefore it expected Shostakovich finales to finish on a high spirit. However, Shostakovich choses to express dissent by showing the truest portrait of reality through his music. The Jewishness in Shostakovichs music was another factor that provoked dissent under the Stalin regime, because; distinctive Jewish culture was anti-Soviet, and therefore undesirable. (Richards, 2008, p.195). Nevertheless, Shostakovich kept making use of Jewish elements in his music, like Jewish folk poetry and melodies. One critique writes, after hearing Piano Trio No. 2; This is Klezmer, the wild music of Jewish celebration,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Philip, 2005, in Richards, p. 221). Shostakovich says in Testimony: Jews were tormented for so long that they have learned to hide their despair. They express despair in dance music. and he adds; Jews became a symbol for meà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ I tried to convey that feeling in my music. (Reading 6.2 in Richards, 2008, p.224). Many of his works were forbidden because of the anti-Semitism, and his use of musical material that provoked dissent. Despite his efforts to hide the real meaning, some of his music could not be performed until long after Stalins death in 1953. Much of Shostakovichs music follows the traditional Classical musical structures, and as any musical tradition that is still alive, it is destined to become tradition. (1317 words) Bibliography Richards, F. (2008) Dmitri Shostakovich, AA 100 Book 2, Chapter 6. Shostakovich (2008) AA 100 Audio CD. Shostakovich (2008) AA 100 DVD Video. The Open University (2014) Exploring Music, https://learn2.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=855780section=5.4 (Accessed 29 January 2017).

Phenomenological Perspective And Theoretical Framework Sociology Essay

Phenomenological Perspective And Theoretical Framework Sociology Essay The aim in this chapter is to offer the foundations on which I base my methodological approach and data analysis. In this section I will clarify theoretical issues which I have examined and informed my work. I outline a framework that highlights the interconnectedness of the macro and micro in explicating the actions and policies of local government in implementing the renewed race relations approach. In this regard, the chapter covers a range of important issues and introduces a number of theoretical concepts relating to race relations and equality. For work of this sort to have meaning it has to embody a rigorous conceptual analysis which underpin a critical theory approach. These definitions are located in a broader theory of oppression and intrinsic discrimination and inequality. Below are the concepts which have informed my approach, these concepts will allow me to examine and understand the complex situation. Phenomenological perspective To state that research doesnt happen in vacuum / isolation acknowledgement of historical and social influences will shape the research Objectivity/subjectivity Positionality Structuration theory Through social action that structures and agency are shaped. Rejects Parsons functionalism subjectivity And also hermeneutics approach on agency He argues his theory of structuration reveals how the micro (personal) is shaped by the macro (social systems) Read Positioning chapter in 1984 book. Social practices ordered across space and time refer to the actions of individuals and groups understood in their social, cultural and historical context. A key element of this theory, therefore, is the attempt to understand reality in terms of structure the significance of social divisions and other aspects of social organisation and agency the exercise of choice. While many forms of social theory address either structure or agency, structuration theory is characterised by a focus on structure and agency and the ways in which they are intertwined. In understanding the ability to participate in community matters what is needed then is an appreciation of both structure and agency. It is not a matter of either or, nor is it an underemphasising of the role of agency by concentrating on the social structures to the almost total exclusion of issues of choices, intentions, wishes, fears and aspirations, or an overemphasising of the role of agency, failing to recognise the power role of social structure in shaping, enabling and constraining the actions of individuals and groups. Our agency is rooted in the complexities of social systems but is not determined by them. Racism, discrimination and oppression are also imbedded in those social systems. Power Power is a central feature of the struggle to promote social justice and equality. It is envisaged power in this study will be played out in many ways. In a practical sense, it is the local government who holds the power both with policy and resources (staff, time, organisation, money), in this case the dominant party, to eliminate the inequalities faced by minority groups. Power analysis is useful in identifying resistance to change as this does not rely solely on the While in the workings of organisations power is transparent in the formal decision-making process, work by Hunter study of decision makers and places of net-working , Mills study of power elite, Bachrach and Baratzs power is,exercised by containing the scope of decision-making to relatively safe issues (p. 6). Steven Lukes (1974) three dimensional framework of power identify other ways in which power may operate. In this study I am informed by Lukess three dimensional framework of power as it illuminates the different dimensions where power operates. Lukes theory is built on earlier theories on power which he addresses in his book Radical View. Dahls one dimensional model of power is conceived of as intentional and active in the political arena by political actor groups, and power consists in defeating the opponents preferences. The focus is on decision-making behavior on issues where there is an observable conflict of subjective interests as revealed by policy preferences. Criticism of this view, is that power is not only reflected in concrete decisions. Individuals can limit decision-making to non-controversial issues by keeping certain topics off the agenda and argued that power should be analysed by two-dimensional model of power. According to Lukes, the two-dimensional view of power is limited in that it focuses only on observable conflicts, whether overt or covert. Lukes claims power can also by influencing, shaping, or determining his wants and preferences. Another second criticism is that this view is too committed to behaviorism, that is to the study of concrete decisions, whereas inaction can also be the outcome of socially structured and culturally patterned collective behavior. The third point on which this view is seen as inadequate is in its claim that non-decision-making power only exists where there are grievances which are denied entry into the political process in the form of issues. However, Lukes argues that power can be also exercised by preventing grievances by shaping perceptions and preferences in such a way as to secure the acceptance of the status quo since no alternative appears to exist, or because it is seen as natural and unchangeable. This he refers to as the insidious/invisible third dimension of power, through which the relatively powerless came to internalise and accept their own condition, and thus might not be awa re of nor act upon their interests in any observable way. Lukes third face of power was inspired by Gramscis ideas about hegemony and manufacture of consent as the means by which the willing compliance of workers is secured in capitalist societies. In practical terms, Gramscis insights about how power is constituted in the realm of ideas and knowledge expressed through consent rather than force. Lukes contrasts two meanings of hegemony: the first as an unconscious psychological process that is cultural and internalised, and the second a more conscious, wilful and coordinated strategy of domination. Hinson and Healey (2003, 4) further write that [Invisible power] is exercised in part through control of the institutions that shape and create meaning: religious institutions, the media, mass consumer culture, popular ideas about government, etc. Although the concept of power is used, it is itself is highly contested. What accounts for the highly contested nature of the concept of power? One explanation is that how we conceptualize power is shaped by the political and theoretical interests that we bring to the study of power  Lukes 2005, p63.   Some theorists define power as getting someone else to do what you want them to do (power-over) whereas others define it more broadly as an ability or a capacity to act (power-to). Many very important analyses of power in political science, sociology, and philosophy presuppose the former definition of power (power-over). As Steven Lukes notes, Dahls one-dimensional view of power, Bachrach and Baratzs two-dimensional view, and his own three-dimensional view are all variations of the same underlying conception of power, according to which A exercises power over B when A affects B in a manner contrary to Bs interests (1974, 30). Similarly, but from a very different theoretical background, Michel Foucaults highly influential analysis presupposes that power is a kind of power-over; and he puts it, if we speak of the structures or the mechanisms of power, it is only insofar as we suppose that certain persons exercise power over others (1983, 217). Feminists refer to this kind of relation as a specific kind of power-over relation, namely, one that is unjust and oppressive, they also refer to this kind of relation as oppression, patriarchy, subjection, and domination to those over whom power is exercised, this oppressive power will be discussed below. For the above section should I include Huner and Mills ways in which way power is used to manage people , manipulation and coercion see separate document how power works Global effects local While this is local community study, I am drawing upon the study of international developmental work by Gaventa and colleagues. Firstly, they contend that effects of globalisation have changed the spatial relations of power, therefore, power increasingly should be understood not only at the local, national or the global level, but also in their inter-relationships p4 (ESRC undated). The ripple effects of 9/11 in the US and the increase in Islamophobia, the renewed race relations can be seen in this context. Places where power is held Although in the past it was the local government who controlled and made the decisions in the city and neighbourhoods, governance is now characterised by multiple intersecting actors, arenas and networks. The decision making arenas in which power may be found have become increasingly more varied and porous. Especially with the increase in arms-length-companies, social enterprises (joint private and public projects). Therefore attention to the decision-making in such spaces require equal focus in the study of power and decision makers. Who says they have become more porous? Gaventa There are different approaches to understanding and analysing power, I will use the powercube approach offered by by Gaventa and team which is based on Lukes three faces dimensions of power three faces. The power cube is an analytical device, which can be used along with other approaches to reflect on and analyse how strategies for change in turn change power relations: The approach, developed over the years is largely based on studies of community groups based in southern hemisphere. The theoretical approach grew originally as a way of exploring how powerful actors control the agenda through and the ability of less powerful actors to build their awareness and action for change.   The powercube is a framework for analysing the  levels,  spaces  and  forms  of power, and their  interrelationship.   It is useful in exploring various aspects of power and how they interact with each other.   The  levels  dimension of the powercube refers to the differing layers of decision-making and authority held on a vertical scale, including the  local,national  and  global. The  spaces  dimension of the powercube refers to the potential arenas for participation and action, including what we call  closed,  invited  and  claimedspaces. The  forms  dimension refers to the ways in which power manifests itself, including its  visible,  hidden  and  invisible  forms. The powercube can build on and be used to further explore the  expression of power:   power over, power to, power with, and power within. In the study, where the dominant group have to bring about change for minority groups, expressions of power such as power-over by actors who are instructed to make changes. The power lens will also help to identify partnerships which help to generate power-with across wider range of actors/ groups. The empirical work should highlight power-within as minority communities self-determine within the community to work towards improving their lives. In this respect, the power lens will illuminate sources of claimed space by the mobilisation of networks and supporters within the neighbourhood. John Gaventa takes invisible power further. In the powercube, invisible power need not be limited to intentional acts of thought control by the powerful, but can also be seen as self-reproducing social processes in which the thinking and behaviour of the powerful and powerless alike are conditioned by pervasive norms. Invisible power in the powercube can therefore embrace both meanings of hegemony its structure and agency and points to the need for appropriate strategies for engaging with both forms of invisible or internalised power. This third face of power is likewise treated by VeneKlasen and Miller (2002) as a multidimensional barrier to effective citizen participation, requiring well-designed tactics for building self-awareness, self-esteem and power within to challenge dominant norms such as gender and racial discrimination. Their practical methods are grounded in experiences of womens organising and empowerment, and recognises the direct links between gendered norms in society and the fragile condition of womens power within. Invisible power in this sense bridges agency and structure. The use of power analysis is effective in uncovering/ identifying resistence and compliance to changes rather than relying solely on the formal decision-making process. Critical race theory Relationship to other movements Critical race theory builds on the insights of movements such as anti-racism and radical feminism to which it owes a large debt. CRT also draws from certain European philosophers and theorists such as Steven Lukes, Antonia Gramsci, as well as from the American radical tradition exemplified by such figures as Sojourner Truth, W.E.B. Du Bois. race equality policies are developed by white people/the oppressors themselves. CRT also shares a sympathetic understanding of group empowerment. Racism/Discrimination The term race is problematic The term race itself is problematic, a clear understanding of the term race is paramount in understanding what is racism and what impact this has on institutions and people. While the term race is used, Miles and Phizacklea (1982), have suggested that race should be dispensed with as an analytic category because the very use of the term reproduces and gives legitimacy to a distinction, existence of different human races, that has no scientific status or validity. Thus, an analytic category helps to perpetuate and legitimises the notion that race is a meaningful term (Miles and Phizacklea 1984). Although this may be the case at one level, to deny the significance of race this also obscures the ways in which it has real effects both in material and representational terms (look up this quote and amend) (Anthias 1990). While it is clear that races do not exist, in any objective scientific reality, it is clear that it does exist as a category /group which is reflected in political and popular discourse (Solomos). Race is a way of constructing differences (Anthias and Yuval-Davis, 1993, Cashmore and Troyna 1983, Gilroy, 1987). Race is a social category used in reference to divisions within a particular society. Cashmore and Troyna, suggest that race should be seen as a stigmatized identity forced on other people. Similarly, Modood (1988) proposes that race relates to mode of oppression, how a group is categorised and subordinated. Race theorists such as Bonnet 1993, Gilroy 1987, Brah 1996 and others understand the notion of races as a social construct. As Bhavani argues the development of race as a spurious scientific category is a consequence of imperialism and colonization. It is this scientificism which informed, (and still informs), prevailing ideologies of biological superiority and inferiority among human beings on the basis of race. Jackson and Penrose (1993) argue that race is so rooted in the way we think about the world that we tend to take the category for granted. It is through the apparent naturalness and immutability that racist ideology works. Although the terms race and racism are themselves contradictory, the terms are useful as a way of categorizing the systematic mistreatment experienced by people from black and minority ethnic communities and is used in this study. Donald and Rattansi (1992) suggest that instead of starting with the question as to whether race exists, it is more useful to ask how the category operates and how racial frames of reference are articulated and deployed, and with what consequences (p1). Race and ethnicity used interchangeably The terms race and ethnicity are often used interchangeably, the terms are generally distinguished in that race evokes a biological and genetic referent while ethnicity refers to cultural and religious difference and kinship (Gunaratnam).  The term ethnicity has been preferred in some quarters; however, ethnicity is also linked to liberal notions of multi-ethnic societies and multi-culturalism which have a tendency to obscure the force of racism with their celebrations of benign pluralism. Race theorists argue the markers and signifiers that racism uses need not be those of biology and physiognomy but can be those of language, territorial rights or culture (Anthias p24). P.262 Rolston ethnicity slowly became term used to discuss the internal conflict in Northern Ireland not its history, inequalities, structural policies or action. p.257 Rolston use of postmodernist language in policies, work etc. there is not any mention of historical legacies such as Thus the unequal relationship s, where the Irish and blacks were the oppressed by the British suppressers is ignored, in a way attempts are made to blank out the history . Racism works through oppression, and the form of oppression can be through discrimination, bias, prejudice and bigotry Bluemenfeld. Anti-racist theorists have drawn upon theories of oppression to examine how racism works, two key themes are prevalent. Firstly, there is the awareness is a system of oppression that not only stigmatises and affects the dominated group but also does psychic and ethical violence to the dominator group as well. The second theme is that racism functions not only through overt, conscious prejudice and discrimination but also through unconscious attitudes and behaviours of a society that presumes an unacknowledged but pervasive white cultural supremacy. The concept of unmarked and unacknowledged norms bolsters the power position of the dominant group. For instance, by group identities, the dominant group have positive value, while labelling the dominated groups as minorities. While in the UK, racism is popularly understood to be white people having power over black people, Rolston points to anti-Irish racism, which exists in the UK. Rolston argues there are similarities between black oppression and Irish national oppression. In both cases, the root cause of conflict and inequalities is not addressed but hidden behind a veil of multiculturalism which is articulate through the use of postmodernist language. Ethnicity, diversity, integration, tolerance, difference,cultural awareness is considered to be all that is needed. The study of racism has shown that it operates through systems of oppression. This often involves a dominant group who knowingly or unknowingly exploit and reap unfair advantage over members of subordinate or target groups (Johnson 2004). The dominant group also has economic, political or social, power over the subordinate group. (Essed and Goldberg 2002)suggests that racism is created through routine practices by people. They describe racism as both structure and process. It is structure because dominance and discrimination exists and is reproduced through the formulation and application of rules, laws, and regulations and through access to and the allocation of resources. As a process, it exists in the everyday practice where it is reproduced and reinforced, adapting continually to the ever-changing social, political and economic societal conditions. It becomes normal to the dominant group to see others as different and inferior particularly in relation to the colour of their skin (Bhavnani 2005). Everyday racism refers to forms of discrimination that manifest themselves in systematic, recurrent, familiar practices. Everyday racism is infused into familiar practices, it involves socialized attitudes and behaviour (Johnson 2004). Racism also serves to deny full participation in economic, social, political and cultural life by the essence that they posit (Anthias and Yuval-Davis 1992; (Gunaratnam 2003). However, there is not a unitary system of signification that can be labelled racist nor is there a unitary perpetrator or victim. This position requires addressing the ways in which the categories of difference and exclusion or the bias of class, gender and ethnicity incorporate processes of racialisation and are intertwined in producing racist discourses and outcomes Anthias (1992 (p3). Include different levels that racism can operate from SCIP (Pincus). There more ethnicity and culture matters the more its characteristics are represented as relatively fixed, inherent within a group, transmitted from generation to generation, not just by culture and education, but by biological inheritance (Gunaratnam 2003). Cultural difference has largely displaced the notion of biological difference, as a basis for excluding or inferiorising, both in discourse and practice (Anthias and Yuval-Davis 1992) and recently faith has been used as categorising difference (Cantle 2007). Anthias and Yuval-Davis (1992) argue that exclusionary practices that are formulated on the categorization of individuals into groups whereby ethnic or racial origin are the criteria of access or selection then they are endemically racist. They content that racism is not just about beliefs or statements, but about the ability to impose those beliefs or world-views as hegemonic, and as a basis for denial of rights or equality. Racism is thus embedded in power relations of diff erent types. Whilst it is known that racism is not only carried out by white people but also by black people, it should not be confused with the occasional mistreatment experienced by whites, with the systematic and institutionalized mistreatment experienced by people of colour (Anthias and Yuval-Davis 1992). The studies of oppressive behaviour, attitudes and structures have been studied by other oppressed categories such as feminists. Iris Young has oppression names a family of concepts and conditions, which can be divide into 5 categories: exploitation, marginalisation, powerlessness, cultural imperialism and violence (Young). Marxist explanations of racism is that class divide. In using the concept of race there is the danger of essentialising difference. There are difficulties and contradictions involved in working with the concept, as other concepts such as gender, class, sexuality, ableism also impact on how people live. Hall further argues that the interactive nature of racial or gender categories should be recognised as a complex process and a set of factors through which identity is formulated and contested. Constructions of race as of class, gender, sexuality, ethnicity interact, fuse with or displace each other in an on-going process of confrontation and negotiation (Hall, 1992). Culture Institutional racism While institutional discrimination had been recognised by anti-racist to exist, it was as significant marker in racism in that institutional racism was publicly exposed and put on the political agenda in the Macpherson Inquiry published in 1999. (Back et al 2002). For the purposes of the Inquiry the concept of institutional racism which was applied was The collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their colour, culture or ethnic origin. It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping which disadvantage minority ethnic people 6.34 Oppression can also be structural. Its causes are embedded in unquestioned norms, habits, and symbols in the assumptions underlying institutional rules and the collective consequences of following those rules. Some groups suffer as a consequence of often unconscious assumptions and reactions of well-meaning people in ordinary interactions, media and cultural stereotypes and structural features of bureaucratic hierarchies and market mechanisms in short, the normal processes of everyday life Young. Need to bring social structures and institutional contexts under evaluation as these are at least partly the cause of patterns of distribution of jobs or wealth. Young has noted three primary categories- decision-making structures and procedures, division of labour and culture (p22). Young argued that Justice should refer not only to distribution, but also to the institutional conditions necessary for the development and exercise of individual capacities and collective communication and cooperation (p37 Power to omit The decision makers have the power to keep and control the topic on the agenda for discussion. Thus by not addressing issues which are pertinent to minority groups the decision makers collaborate in the discrimination. Impact of racism on BME and WHITE communities The impact of racism in British society can be seen in the racialised and gendered forms of class exploitation either as homeworkers or in low-waged occupations on employers premises (Amrit Wilson). Race significantly affects black womens experiences of treatment in areas such as education, the health service and the labour market (Brah 1991). The influence how black people are represented in popular culture and the mass media (Modleski 1986) Points to include in definition of racism From the discussion above, the following points have been identified as appropriate to include in the working definition of the term racism which will be used in this study. Although the terms race and racism are themselves contradictory, the terms are useful as a way of categorizing the systematic mistreatment experienced by people from black and minority ethnic communities (BME). The systematic mistreatment experienced by people from BME communities is a result of institutionalized inequalities in the social structure. In denying people from BME communities, full participation in economic, political and social power, a self-perpetuating imbalance occurs. This imbalance consistently favours members of some ethnic and cultural groups at the expense of others. The consequences of this imbalance pervade all aspects of the social system and affect all facets of peoples lives. The systematic mistreatment of any group of people generates misinformation about them, which in turn becomes the explanation of or justification for continued mistreatment. Racism exists as a whole series of attitudes, assumptions, feelings and beliefs about people of colour and their cultures which are a mixture of misinformation, fear and ignorance. Participation and citizenship Participation of general population Big Society Although the concept of participation or community participation as it is often known, has been around since 1970s?, in the UK it has re-emerged with renewed vigour in the last decade. Participation and engagement are terms used intermittently today. While there are differences in the meaning of these terms there is also a lot of overlap. These terms are associated with the importance of involving wider groups of people in decisions, services and design, it is often thought services should be client-led, user-led for the service to be more effective. Concerns about a democratic deficit in the accountability of public services, and an increasing view that lay citizens, members of the public and service users have an important contribution to offer to the improvement of public-service provision, have given rise to a variety of new initiatives in local government, health and social care, and other fields (see, e.g., Barnes, Newman and Sullivan, 2007). Race perspective Participation from citizens rights to citizens responsibilities Participation allows people to be part of the democratic process, sense of belonging, and part of the decision making. However, the process of racial discrimination excludes black people from fully participating in society and being equal members in all the structures of the society. It is often the case, black peoples role is limited to being the clients service-users. Black people are excluded from participating to a greater extent. The multiculturalism policies did not address the deep rooted racism epidemic within the UK. It was merely about steel drums and samosas. As discussed earlier, racism excludes black people from fully participating in societies.

The Debate Concerning Stem Cell Research :: stem cell argumentative persuasive argument

"Stem cell research is the key to developing cures for degenerative conditions like Parkinson's and motor neuron disease from which I and many others suffer." -- Stephen Hawking As college students, it is important that we know and care about the issue of stem cell research. Stem cell research is currently legal in most countries. The United States, normally a leader in new frontiers, is one of the last to explore this territory. As it is slowly being pushed forward, we are going to have to know about it. If it keeps progressing, we as citizens will have to vote on it. It affects most of our lives in a personal way. Most of you know at least one person with diabetes, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s. Perhaps even you will face one of these illnesses at some point in your life. It is important to know about issues like stem cell research, which can help many people in our society. Stem cell research is becoming an issue that is one of the most profound of our time. The issue of research involving stem cells derived from human embryos is increasingly the subject of dinner table discussions and a national debate. The issue is confronted every day in laboratories as scientists ponder the ethical consequences of their work. It is agonized over by parents and many couples as they try to have children, or save children already born. The issue is debated within the church, with people of different faiths, even many of the same faith coming to different conclusions. Many people are finding that the more they know about stem cell research, the less certain they are about the right ethical and moral conclusions. What is stem cell research? It starts with an embryo. An embryo is created when a male sperm and a female egg are joined. A large number of embryos already exist outside the natural environment. They are the product of a process called in vitro fertilization, which helps many couples conceive children. When doctors match sperm and egg to create life outside the womb, they usually produce more embryos than are planted in the mother. Once a couple successfully has children, or if they are unsuccessful, the additional embryos remain frozen in laboratories. Some will not survive during long storage; others are destroyed. A number have been donated to science and used to create privately funded stem cell lines.

Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa Essay -- Essays on Eating Disorde

  Ã‚   Imagine starving yourself to the point of death. Imagine throwing up repeatedly after every meal. This may seem too harsh of a reality to comprehend, but between 30-60% of all United States females are on calorie restrictive diets. (Reel, 3) These diets eventually lead to obsessions about their desired weight and often result in an eating disorder. The two most prevalent disorders today are; Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. Bulimia Nervosa affects 2 to 3 % of all women 15 to 40. Many young women between middle and high school develop often these bad habits to cope with the insecurities developing around them. These two disorders are affecting individuals younger and younger each year. Anorexia generally begins between 12 and 20 and coincides with the beginning and ending of high school. Recent studies have shown that Bulimia tends to affect 5% of all high school girls. (Levine, 132-4) These girls either have a serious Bulimic disorder or have routine weekly binges. Why are eating disorders so prevalent among young women? This question plagues many teachers, parents, and even friends of victims. There are many controversial causes surrounding this very question. Three major causes seem to dominate the minds of researchers worldwide. One's family factors and social scene ultimately effect one's psychological factors, which could eventually lead into the development of a serious eating disease. Each of these factors tend to effect everyone differently, but from various research they all have the same outcome; an eating disorder.    Bulimia, or "ox hunger", is a disease characterized by abnormal increases in hunger whereby an individual binges rapidly, then attempts to undo the effects by vomiting, taking laxatives,... ... Every disease can be cured with love and patience. With these eating disorder patients life has seemed to treat them wrong, all they need is some reassurance that everything will turn out fine.    Works Cited Ask NOAH about Mental Health. "Eating Disorders: Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa." http://noah.cuny.edu/wellconn/eatdisorders.html How Serious Are Eating Disorders (16 March 1999) Berg, Frances M. Afraid to Eat. Hettinger: Healthy Weight Journal, 1997. Costin, Carolyn. Your Dieting Daughter, Is She Dying for Attention? New York: Brunner/Mazel Publishers, 1997. Eating Disorders Recovery Group. "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Who's the Fattest of Them All?" http://www.mirror-mirror.org/eatdis.html (17 March 1999) Levine, Michael P. Student Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia. Washington: National Education Association, 1987

Review of a Leader Movie Armageddon Essay

1. Style Of Leadership The style of leadership portrayed by Bruce Willis was decisive and with full conviction, in the best interest of everyone under his care and jurisdiction as shown below. a) As a father, he undertook the sole responsibility of bringing up his daughter from young, after his separation from his wife. He brought her everywhere he went and when she got romantically involved with one of his workers, he showed much concern and took actions in the interest of his daughter’s future. b) As a company boss, he was decisive in terminating the services of his best worker, for taking matters in his own hands and thus jeopardizing the safety of the other workers. He did not tolerate any insubordination and commanded everybody’s respect. c) As a project team leader for NASA, he showed great concern for all humanity and thus, agreed to undertake the assignment. This decision showed his compassion and his willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of others. As he was knowledgeable and showed great leadership skills, even NASA staff listened to him. This emphasize the fact that a good leader is able to influence and guide everyone, through exemplary actions and compassion for others. d) His willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice and switch places with his worker in staying back to detonate the bomb summarizes all his leadership qualities. As a father, he was more concerned for his daughter’s future and happiness and thus switched place with his worker, even though he realized that by doing so, he would die. As a company boss and the project leader, he felt that it was his responsibility to ensure that the job was done well and his compassion for the human race led him to make the ultimate sacrifice. 2. Leadership Communication Strategy The communication skills and strategy showed by Bruce Willis in the movie was very well portrayed. He was strict but fair. He communicated effectively at all levels and strategized it to ensure that it achieved its desired results, as shown below. a) He was initially very upset when he discovered his daughter’s affair with his worker, but later showed his acceptance without even letting them know. This is strategy. by showing his worker his disapproval initially, it makes his worker realize that Bruce Willis was very much concerned and would do anything to protect his daughter’s future. but as depicted at the end of the movie, it showed how Bruce Willis finally admitted his approval and was even willing to sacrifice his life for them. This is effective communications strategy. b) As the project leader, he showed conviction and determination to get the job done, even when faced with extreme situations. He reprimanded his staff accordingly when necessary and allowed them some recreations when needed to. This shows great strategy and very effective communications. When earth lost faith in him, he managed to persuade the commander to disarm the bomb. When he switched places with his worker to detonate the bomb, nobody suspected he would do so. He managed to strategize his communications well and achieved his target, even though he knew that by doing so, he would die. This was the ultimate strategy of a leader, leading by example and good communication skills. 3) Personality Of A Good Leader Through out the movie, Bruce Willis was portrayed as a leader with a good and humble personality, who was intelligent and critical with his words and actions. he was depicted as a very responsible father, a caring company boss and also a convicted project leader as described below. a) As a responsible father, he cared for his daughter all by himself, even with his hectic work schedule and the dangerous nature of his work. He loved his daughter very much and was very protective of her well being and future. b) As a company boss, he was well liked and well respected by all his workers. He did not hesitate to terminate his best worker when he jeopardized the safety of the other staff, thus confirming that he was fair, but strict, and this applied to all. c) As the project leader, he showed great conviction and determination. His ability to make decisive decisions and actions showed his leadership qualities and his ultimate sacrifice showed that he was a leader with great compassion for others without any regards for his own well being. 4) Motivation A good leader is always able to motivate all by his exemplary actions and effective communications. This was well depicted in the movie. It described how a good leader can have appositive effect on others and can turn failures into success, danger into safety and despair into joy as portrayed by Bruce Willis. a) He managed to motivate and convinced his daughter to allow him to undertake the assignment, even though it might cost him his life. Even though the movie does not depict much about his relationship with his daughter, we can imagine how much his motivation affected his daughter’s willingness to follow him everywhere he goes. Even though her role in the project was minimal, it showed how motivated she was, in trying to ensure that the project was successful. This was portrayed in scenes where she had confrontations with the ground crew. b) As a company boss and project leader, he managed to persuade his staff to follow him and inadvertently, put their lives in danger. Even then, they were willing to do so, through his motivations and his communications skills. Throughout the assignment on the asteroid, he played the part of the motivator, never giving up and never despaired, even though he had lost some of his men, who were also his closest friends. How he managed to persuade the commander to defuse the bomb prematurely, was the best example of a good motivator in action. The words he used to convince the commander and how he managed to persuade him was very effective and only a good leader would be able to achieve such a task. To be able to ask someone to put his life on the line and make the ultimate sacrifice for you, requires all the attributes of an exceptional leader. 5. Leadership Management Only a good leader would be able to manage well. There is a danger of a leader becoming a dictator, if he or she is does not have good management skills. These skills needs to be taught and practiced. In the movie, Bruce Willis plays the part of a father, a boss, and later a project leader. As a father and a boss, he had acquired the management skills and experience to be a good father and a caring boss, and applied these management skills as a project leader, as shown below. a) Even though it was not depicted, he managed to bring up his daughter to be a well educated and responsible person, who could contribute his company. Even under stressed situations, he managed to manage his daughter’s personal affairs and ultimately, ensured that she would be well taken care of, even when he was no longer alive. b) He would not be the boss of the company if he was not a good leader with good management skills. Thus, he was able to manage his team and all others in his attempt to ensure that the assignment was successful. As a leader, he managed to control all personnel under any situations. The fact that he managed to save the world in the movie, after going through extreme conditions and situations and even a near failure, shows that through good leadership management, you can achieve every success. In summary, there is no such thing as a born leader. Good leadership qualities needs to be learned and practiced. Anybody can be a leader but not everyone can be a good leader. The movie â€Å"Armageddon† is about a good leader, as described above. It portrayed how 1 man, who possessed all the right attributes, is able to successfully complete a near impossible mission and achieve the desired results and thus saving the world. This movie might seem unreal, but the message behind the movie is very clear. A good leader is able to affect the lives of other people in a positive way. It may be only one life or it could be billions of lives. The fact is, we could apply the message of this movie in our daily lives. We should all try to be good leaders and have good leadership qualities, for the best interests of ourselves, our family, our race, our religion and ultimately, our nation.