Cultural Advertising (how culture influences advertising) Research Paper

Cultural Advertising (how culture influences advertising) - Research Paper Example The culture of most individuals is determined at their place of birth whereby they pick up the behaviors and mannerisms of those around them. This influences their general outlook towards life and the way in which they perform certain actions in their day to day activities. Culture differs in various elements; the most common is due to the location. Individuals in various continents have various distinct differences and these can be easily noticed. A clear example is the popularity of sports in various continents. In the United States, the most popular sports are American Football and Baseball, in India, the most popular sport is cricket while in Europe soccer is the major attraction. This therefore means that children born in these regions will find that their sporting culture is inclined to these particular sports and therefore they are most likely to follow these sports. The environment we are in is a major determinant of the culture that we will adopt. Culture influences the languages that we speak and the religious beliefs that we are subscribed to. There is therefore a direct impact on the products that any given individual will use by the culture in which they belong. Some religious sects restrict the use of modern technology by their members and as such it would be pointless to try and them electronic. This therefore implies that advertisers should take keen note of the various cultures around the world so that they know exactly which type of people use certain products. They can then target these people selectively with advertisements that cater to their exact needs. The end result is that there will be positive response from the market since their needs will be catered for (Mueller 2004). The goal of this essay is to find out how the advertisements differ from each other on basis of cultural values, are there any similarities also between TV

Music In World War One Music Essay

Music In World War One Music Essay Classical music is undisputedly a vast notion usually connected with the traditions of Western art, spiritual and also concert music, encompassing a large period from roughly 1000 to the present day. Classical music developed as a separate movement in the period between 1550 and 1900 especially at that time all the worked out theories were widely transformed into practice. The main goals of this paper are to write about the style of classical music during World War I, and the affect of the World War on classical music. Evaluating the notion of classical music the first that comes to my mind is the names of the Classic Mohicans. It is truly impossible to imagine classical music without Beethovens symphonies. His genius is confided in his symphonies and piano concerts, and in reality Beethovens music represents a so-called catalogue for everyone who loves classics. Beethoven personalized the stand that music was a direct outpouring of a composers personality, his individual triumphs and tragedies. It should be noted that Joseph Haydn is often considered to be the father of classical music. The works of the composer served as a strong base for the other classical works. His work during this era forms the basis of influence for others who wrote classical music. Surprisingly, but he was not as much popular as Beethoven or Mozart despite Haydn was a progenitor of the classical music. The Surprise symphony is recognized one of the most prominent works in the world. The development of the classical music in the prewar period is rather eloquent as there took place different styles and genres that had a serious impact on modern music. Starting with the Baroque à ©poque, it covers the period 1600-1750, declaration of moods and emotions appeared to be the central idea used in music. Feelings and emotions were imparted through tonality and strict melodic organization. The Middle Ages brought a revaluation of goods in the minds of composers and merging into the clerical practice gave birth to new evaluation of musical objective and functions. Music was entirely the vassal of religion. According to Busoni (1957), we see that especially for the Church servants in the Middle Ages, music was recognized good only on condition that it would open the mind to Christian teachings and disposes the soul to holy thoughts. Addressing to Baroque à ©poque, most philosophers and musicians were captured by the idea that there was a cosmic relationship between mathematics science music. We must express gratitude to Pythagoras discovery of the The Harmonic Series or overtone series numerical relationship between musical interval and string length. Resuming on the Baroque period it is worth to mention such outstanding musicians as Bach, Vivaldi especially remembered for The Four Seasons. His investment in the development of classical music refers to enriching the German classical music with contrapuntal technique. He generalized the achievements of musical art in the Baroque epoch. The composers of Baroque music were alarmed by reproduction of human emotions (namely passions and devotion) and tried to convey it with the help of music tonality. They wrote music that was close to imitate the emotions. And the succeeded in expressing the unique emotional mood through musical means. The Enlightenment period brought its affection for natural law and practical morality over fantastic religion and metaphysics. This was a major shift towards music and arts connection. At that period of time music has its main purpose to inspire simplicity and elude the complication of contrapuntal devises. Romanticism style in music was marked by suggestion, metaphor, ambiguity, allusion and symbol and as a consequence appeared instrumental music, which was escaped by the early Church. It could be noted that the discreet, flourishing world of instrumental music corresponds to the concealed non-substantial world. The credo of Schopenhauer, as the main representative of romantic epoch, concerning music was that the very image and incarnation of the innermost reality of the world, the immediate expression of the universal feelings and impulsions of life in concrete, definite form. The temp of life during the second decade of the 20-th century was becoming faster and faster. The technological progress expressed by the automobile and plane transportation was not striking news. Popular music went step by step with this speed development, forming new musical trends such as jazz and swing. Despite this fact, people were still very naÃÆ' ¯ve and simple. But by the end of the decade that simplicity and naivety was lost as the nation found itself engaged in the World War 1. Evaluating the level of popular music, it is pleasant to mark that popular music was in its golden age. That was a period when the best and the most fruitful ideas were put into practice. It may seem strange but World War 1 only supported its great creativity and vitality. Some people prove that namely music finally helped to win the war. The fact how music helped people to survive and to cope with horrors of war is of especially great importance. By May 1915, when a great number of American civilians lost their lives the war tension started to be strongly reflected in music. The first songs about war appeared to be quite romantic and full of antiwar feelings, Dont Take My Darling Boy Away by Helen Clark Joseph A. Phillips and some others Fido Is A Hot Dog Now, Missouri Waltz, Rebecca Of Sunny-Brook Farm, St. Louis Blues. Chas. K. Harris composed When Angels Weep in which the lyrics makes everyone to think that we are brothers and that it is necessary for us to pray for peace. During that time American nation was divided into two classes: those who supported neutrality and those who insisted on mutual assistance. By 1915, more songs about war appeared. Frank Hudson composed a song I Didnt Raise My Boy to Be A Soldier with his song, I Tried To Raise My Boy To Be A Hero but still he music motives remained neutral. By 1916, most Americans came out in support of war and infused Congress to declare the war. The greatest hits were still neutral songs and brought some the greatest hits such as Nola, What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For, Have A Heart (Jerome Kern) and Poor Butterfly. By the April 1917, when America finally declared the war, the nation was fully engaged in it as well. Fuld and Lichtenwanger (1966) stated that composers started to invent music primarily related to war and the role of America in it. The music industry was running at full blast and we can observe the notes of patriotism in these short musical messages. Leo. Feist was one publisher that focused a great deal of attention on the role of music in the war, even declared that Music Will Win the War. The central idea of his article is A Nation that sings can never be beaten. And definitely those words are reasonable. During that time American songs started to widespread all over the world. Songs worked as a motive power of soldiers spirit. According to Albright (2004), it became obvious that the only thing that had a chance to inspire soldiers for victory was a kind, catchy melody. Later, the musical direction shifted to the appeal of population to join in the war and to help its countrymen. Joseph W. Stern, a famous music publisher, usually printed slogans and patriotic ideas on covers, for instance Food will win the war, Dont waste it! Another Sterns contribution was that he divided World war music into 6 categories, such as: ballad type, cheer-up type, stirring march type, comic type, appealing for support type, victory type. Whether music influenced the war outcome or not will remain a rhetoric question, but without any doubt the war had an enduring effect on music. Right after the First World War and after the experienced gamut of the emotions, many composers came back to past centuries achievements in search of inspiration and composed their works implementing the outgoing elements (it concerns structure, melodic tonality and form) from that works. The new trend claimed of itself. The name of this trend was neoclassicism. The main representatives of neoclassicism are Igor Stravinsky (famous for his Pulcinella and Symphony of Psalms), Sergei Prokofiev (for Classical Symphony), Ravel (for Le Tombeau de Couperin) and Hindemith (for Mathis der Maler). Neoclassicism was a new formed 20-th century trend, running in the period between the two World Wars. Musicians mostly returned to aesthetic concepts associated with classicism, namely order, balance, clarity, economy, and emotional restraint. Neoclassicism can be called a reaction against emotional outbreaks and realized lack of form. The main point of neoclassical trend was oriented on rhythm, harmonic tonality and centrality on absolutist tendencies in music which worked as a complete antithesis to romanticism period. By its thematic organization, neoclassical music works recalled the early classical music trends. Neoclassical music developed in two directions: German and French. The brightest representative of French neoclassicism was Igor Stravinsky. He is widely known for his ballet Pulcinella. Addressing to German neoclassicism, the outstanding role belongs to Paul Hindemith. This composer worked in the development of chamber music, orchestration and contrapuntal operas. Neoclassicism was quite popular in America and found its supporters there. It was the school of Nadia Boulanger that proclaimed the ideas about music based on her understanding of Stravinskys music. To crown it all together, classical music has overpassed great changes during the World War 1. There formed new trends in music such as patriotic, marching, victory and others which gave people the hope and support in the most challenging moments. The World War music left a remarkable imprint in the history of many nations.

Summary of Teaching Philosophy and Objectives Essay -- Philosophy of E

Summary of Teaching Philosophy and Objectives My desire to teach is based upon the belief that teaching will provide me with a challenging and rewarding career. This is my second college experience as I have accomplished a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and pursued jobs in the field of retail management and the banking industry. However, I found those career paths to be lacking in terms of fulfillment. I have come to the realization that I want my life’s work to accomplish more than a numerical salary. Teaching is the profession that will provide the opportunities for me to reach these goals. The philosophical stance that will guide my approach to teaching is idealism. For I believe that the individual is a creation of God’s own image and has free will. With this established, the process of learning is self-initiated. Plato best described this principle of idealism in his writing entitled â€Å"Allegory of the Cave† in which he states: â€Å"Whereas, our argument shows that the power and capacity of learning exists in the soul already; and that just as the eye was unable to turn from darkness to light without the whole body, so too the instrument of knowledge can only by the movement of the whole soul be turned from the world of becoming into that of being, and learn by degrees to endure the sight of being, and of the brightest and best of being, or in other words, of the good.† I agree with Plato’s reasoning that our cre...

Genre and artist case study

Most Post-Punk music tends to keep that British essence about it, bands use their accents to help shape their music, and this is very much the case with the Arctic Monkeys. Now a days Post-Punk incorporates electronic sounds or dance music instead of the dated ass's disco. The original Post-Punk movement was influenced by Crackpot, Dub and Disco Of the sass's. But now Post-Punk revivalists like Interpol, Editors, and White Lies tend to edge toward a more atmospheric Post-Punk sound optimized by Echo and the Funnymen and Joy Division. Issues which commonly affect this genre are typically mild.I don't think that Post-Punk Revival has a major problem, unlike Hip-Hop or Dance genres. Post-Punk Revival is more of an artistic genre, where artists are more unconcerned with re-creating music from the past and so forth. Although I think that the more recent bands Post-Punk Revival bands such as The Bravery, Arctic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand tend to have more problems with attitude. This laid back uncaring attitude comes across and the dress styles they bring with them affects people in our everyday lives, fashion is based around these types of music, and at the moment in particular.Shops like River Island and Tops all portray the music sound. And with the style comes the attitude which I personally think a lot of people are adopting. It's ore of a culture thing, as with all types of music, Indies has become a lifestyle. ‘The Indies spirit has been commodities and re-envisioned as a marketable lifestyle just like punk, Alternative, and Grunge before it†¦ ‘ Sean McCabe www. Edition. CNN. Com Post-punk is appealing to people because of the straight forward lyrics and catchy melodies.The lyrics are often about everyday life, and is seen as something that a lot of people can link to, this is another reason that it is part of our lifestyle, it talks about our lifestyle. When is comes to working relationships in the genre the key issues are cackles and unprof essional artists. One great example of an artist like this is Pete Doherty, who at one point was arrested twice in a matter of days. His manager was involved in a hit and run incident where he was using Doherty car. The singer being charged with supplying illegal drugs and other events such as rehab. Drug problem like his can also mean gig's being cancelled or ruined.And these sort of people can be hard to work with in this industry. ‘The best relationships are nurtured over the years and have been built on mutual trust and respect for different gifts we have as musicians and music equines professionals. ‘ Christopher Knap. Independent Music Consultant. Agree with this and think that this IS a common mistake in this genre, artist's come to the music industry thinking that they are in once their name gets big, but really they need to build a working relationship with colleagues. And the working relationship means that, now that they are in the spotlight they can't just do whatever they like.A history about the Arctic Monkeys The band the Arctic Monkeys are a Post-Punk Revivalist band from Sheffield, England. The Band is made up of front man Alex Turner, fellow guitarist's Cook, Bassist Nick Anomaly and Drummer Matt Holders. Bassist Andy Nicholson was the bassist of the band when the band shot to fame in 2006. Incision's reason for leaving the band was that he was suffering from fatigue. But it is now known that Nicholson was paid off by the band after they had found themselves being more of a band with Nick Maloney.We sorts found ourselves in a situation where we wanted to move forward† Alex Turner – Arctic Monkeys on Split NAME Interview The Arctic Monkeys shoot to fame – The Arctic Monkeys where one of the Auk's biggest bands in the New Millennium. Their rise began in 2005, when hey started getting offers from major labels. However the band were sticking to the Post-Punk/linden attitude of a smaller independent music label, as they tended to give the artist creative freedom with their music. â€Å"l like you, but I'm not sure about this bit, and that song could do with this changing†¦ And we never listened† – Alex Turner Arctic Monkeys Biography 2006 Seam's Craig think that this was a housewives for the Arctic Monkeys, as if they has of been signed up by a major up fading out. Also their music wouldn't have been original. ‘The market tempts bands to follow the record industry money. Those that adopt the success formula may well make it but, whatever the returns, it will be in the knowledge that they sold out their talent Seam's Craig Arctic Monkeys Biography 2006 As the Arctic Monkeys had declined offers from major labels, you would think why didn't etc remain an underground band.

Knowledge to Assess Essay

Sources A and B agree with the interpretation that the creation of the Kingdom of Northern Italy was due mainly to the support of France with Source A arguably providing the strongest argument for this. Both the Sources confirm that France was committed to providing military assistance to Piedmont with Source A clearly stating that France has ‘decided to support Piedmont with all [their] power in a war against Austria’ and Source B backing this up by saying ‘Piedmont might rely upon our vigorous support if attacked by Austria’. Both the Sources also prove that French support was important as both Sources show concern for the diplomatic consequences in the event of war with Austria with Source A saying ‘provided the war could be justified in diplomatic circles and in the eyes of†¦French public opinion’ and Source B confirming this by saying ‘my first duty was to my country and its interests’. Both Sources are reliable as evidence that the creation of the Kingdom of Northern Italy was due mainly to the support of France. In Source A, Cavour is attempting to persuade the King to support war as Piedmont has the support of the French. The author and purpose prove reliable as at the Congress of Paris after the Crimean War, a healthy relationship was established between Piedmont and France. Cavour is right to say such things in his letter as Napoleon did in fact show a great enthusiasm for the Italian cause and was a dedicated supporter of the Carbonari in his youth. In Source B, Napoleon is attempting to gain support from Queen Victoria of England whilst not alarming her at the prospect of war with Austria, a country whom she was pre-disposed to liking. What Napoleon says in Source B is unsurprising and he is correct to say such things as 7 months have passed since the ‘secret meeting’ at Plombieres which was in fact no longer secret by now. Tensions had been raised and Napoleon had become alarmed by this. The author, date and purpose of Source B prove reliable in Source B as well as Source A. The importance of French support is also mentioned briefly in Source E where Victor Emmanuel states that Piedmont has ‘gratitude to France for the services she has rendered to Italy’ and makes a ‘sacrifice’ for France. Again Source E is reliable as  concessions in the form of Savoy and Nice were made to France in return for their support in the 1859 war against Austria. Arguably Source C also implies that French support was important in creating the Kingdom of Northern Italy. Piedmont are seen to be struggling alone and French support was therefore important in victories such as those at Magenta and Solferino where French military support was the main factor in securing the victory. To conclude, Sources A and B provide the strongest evidence that French support was the main reason that a Kingdom of Northern Italy was created with Sources C and E also backing this up. Source A and B are reliable, accurate evidence considering opinions from both the French and Piedmontese making this group in support of the interpretation very strong. On the other hand, Sources C, D and E disagree with the interpretation that the creation of the Kingdom of Northern Italy was due mainly to the support of France with Sources E and D providing the strongest argument for this and claiming Piedmontese initiatives to be of greater importance. Both these Sources state that the work of Piedmontese citizens were far more important in securing the creation of a Kingdom of Northern Italy with Source E clearly stating ‘central Italy has been delivered thanks to the remarkable courage of its inhabitants’ and ‘Lombardy has been freed thanks to the glorious exploits of our heroes’ and Source D backing this up by saying ‘Assemblies which now exist in central Italy’. Contrastingly, Source C claims that French support was extremely lacking and accuses Napoleon of inactivity and duplicity, forcing the burden of the war effort to be shouldered by Piedmont whilst implying that France were self-interested and enquiring as to what they would get out of it. Sources D and E are reliable as evidence that the creation of the Kingdom of Northern Italy was due to Piedmontese initiatives. In Source D, Walewski is warning the Piedmontese of the consequences of sidelining the French in the Central Duchies. Walewski is right to make such warnings as the French had concerns about instability spreading into the Papal States and that therefore the terms of the Villafranca agreement would be invalid and Piedmont would not be guaranteed the possession of Lombardy. In Source E, Victor Emmanuel is attempting to explain to the Parliament in Turin why he has ‘sacrificed’ ‘Savoy and Nice’. What Victor Emmanuel says in source E is also unsurprising as it is typical of him to make a Risorgimento speech crediting Italians rather than the French as he was a believer in ‘Italia fara da se’. The date of Source E also makes it reliable as in April 1860, the war against Austria had finished and, when compared with source C and D, Victor Emmanuel has the advantage of hindsight enabling him to comment on both the importance of Italian initiatives as well as French support, despite leaving ‘the services’ that France rendered to Italy undefined. However, Source C is far less reliable as evidence that the creation of the Kingdom of Northern Italy was not due to the support of France. In Source C, the English political cartoon is attempting to belittle the importance of French support by making the French out to look greedy. What the cartoonist shows in Source C is unsurprising as British hostility toward Napoleon and the French was rife due to the long wars with Napoleon Bonaparte which ended in 1815 and the bitter relations that then existed between the British and the French. To conclude, sources B and D, written by the French Napoleon and Walewski stress the importance French in regard to diplomacy and agreements made between France and Piedmont. Sources A and E however, written by the Piedmontese Cavour and Victor Emmanuel stress the role of Cavour’s diplomacy and Italian heroes whilst simply acknowledging moral and military support of the French. In summary, the importance of the French was an extremely important factor in the creation of a Kingdom of Northern Italy as France provided military support at the battles of Magenta and Solferino and gave Lombardy and eventually Venetia over to Piedmont thus creating a Kingdom of Northern Italy.

Free Essays on Shawl

Use of Imagery in â€Å"The Shawl† Cynthia Ozick’s short story â€Å"The Shawl† is a masterful work recounting an almost unspeakably horrible time in world history. The story takes place in the middle of World War II in Nazi Germany. The lead character, Rosa, is a Jewish woman trying to flee from a terrible fate in a concentration camp with her two daughters, the infant, Magda and the teenager, Stella. Rosa, tired and weary from the endless flight, and her daughters, malnourished and weak, all continue on until they reach a place to sleep for the night. Magda, whose shawl is a source of comfort for her, loses the shawl one night in her sleep to her sister Stella. The baby, who has not said a word for days, howls and goes outside the barrack in search of her shawl. Rosa immediately wakes to find her daughter howling outside near a concentration camp looking for her shawl. She runs outside and runs back into the barrack to get the shawl in an attempt to lure Magda back into the relative safety of t he barrack. The attempt fails though, and Magda is discovered by a Nazi soldier and is killed, thrown into an electric fence. Now, this story by itself is very compelling and heart-wrenching. It is almost a primal instinct in humans to have compassion for our fellow man. The previous description only described setting though, and did not delve much into other aspects of the story. However, it is in this reader’s opinion that the aspect of the story that makes it so lasting and memorable is not just the situation that these characters are placed in, but also the method of storytelling that Ozick used. The previous paragraph discusses the plot of â€Å"The Shawl,† but it does not describe it in the way that makes this story so great. Cynthia Ozick strategically placed a great deal of imagery into the story in order to achieve various wanted effects. In "The Shawl", Ozick weaves significant details in the setting to create ... Free Essays on Shawl Free Essays on Shawl Use of Imagery in â€Å"The Shawl† Cynthia Ozick’s short story â€Å"The Shawl† is a masterful work recounting an almost unspeakably horrible time in world history. The story takes place in the middle of World War II in Nazi Germany. The lead character, Rosa, is a Jewish woman trying to flee from a terrible fate in a concentration camp with her two daughters, the infant, Magda and the teenager, Stella. Rosa, tired and weary from the endless flight, and her daughters, malnourished and weak, all continue on until they reach a place to sleep for the night. Magda, whose shawl is a source of comfort for her, loses the shawl one night in her sleep to her sister Stella. The baby, who has not said a word for days, howls and goes outside the barrack in search of her shawl. Rosa immediately wakes to find her daughter howling outside near a concentration camp looking for her shawl. She runs outside and runs back into the barrack to get the shawl in an attempt to lure Magda back into the relative safety of t he barrack. The attempt fails though, and Magda is discovered by a Nazi soldier and is killed, thrown into an electric fence. Now, this story by itself is very compelling and heart-wrenching. It is almost a primal instinct in humans to have compassion for our fellow man. The previous description only described setting though, and did not delve much into other aspects of the story. However, it is in this reader’s opinion that the aspect of the story that makes it so lasting and memorable is not just the situation that these characters are placed in, but also the method of storytelling that Ozick used. The previous paragraph discusses the plot of â€Å"The Shawl,† but it does not describe it in the way that makes this story so great. Cynthia Ozick strategically placed a great deal of imagery into the story in order to achieve various wanted effects. In "The Shawl", Ozick weaves significant details in the setting to create ...

English Writing Standards Essay Example

English Writing Standards Essay Example English Writing Standards Essay English Writing Standards Essay Introduction Proofreading is fundamentally about hunting for errors, both grammatical and typographical, before presenting your paper for a crowd of people. It can be a troublesome procedure, particularly when one is not certain where to begin or what this process involves. Editing includes searching for any irregularities and syntactic errors, style and spelling issues. This process should not be hasty because many mistakes occur because we rush. This process also entails reading aloud to notice run-on sentences, awkward transitions, and other grammatical and organization issues that you may not see when reading silently (Purdue OWL, 2016). Most educators recommend writing in several sessions to maintain the fresh flow of idea to avoid mental tiredness.It is also recommended to following the following review sequences: once the text is revamped, to then polished it while paying consideration attention to its correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, paragraph structure, sentence co nstruction, formatting, and, when appropriate, citations. Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation Although MS Word can be very useful to realize potential problems, it is limited in its capability to detected some grammar and spelling error. It’s important to know that computers are not able to negotiate meaning with us, and they may not realize when we use a wrong word or spell our intended word like another word; for example: Live, love; home, hone; mine, mime. Punctuation is one of those things bilingual folks often struggle with; however, MS Word is not always reliable in helping catch those misuses of hyphens, periods, question marks, or even parentheses. Likewise, with the grammar rules, punctuation rules expand on themselves. Sentences end with periods. Compound sentences have a comma before the conjunction, yet if there is no conjunction, there ought to be no comma. If one does not utilize a conjunction, then the two independent clause

Dark Energy (Definition)

Dark Energy (Definition) Dark energy is a hypothetical form of energy that permeates space and exerts a negative pressure, which would have gravitational effects to account for the differences between the theoretical and observational results of gravitational effects on visible matter. Dark energy is not directly observed, but rather inferred from observations of gravitational interactions between astronomical objects. The term dark energy was coined by the theoretical cosmologist Michael S. Turner. Dark Energys Predecessor Before physicists knew about dark energy, a cosmological constant  was a feature of Einsteins original general relativity equations that caused the universe to be static. When it was realized the universe was expanding, the assumption was that the cosmological constant had a value of zeroan assumption that remained dominant among physicists and cosmologists for many years. Discovery of Dark Energy In 1998, two different teamsthe Supernova Cosmology Project and the High-z Supernova Search Teamboth failed at their goal of measuring the deceleration of the universes expansion. In fact, they measured not only a deceleration, but a totally unexpected acceleration  (Well, almost totally unexpected: Stephen Weinberg had once made such a prediction). Further evidence since 1998 has continued to support this finding, that distant regions of the universe are actually speeding up with respect to each other. Instead of a steady expansion, or a slowing expansion, the expansion rate is getting faster, which means that Einsteins original cosmological constant prediction manifests in todays theories in the form of dark energy. The latest findings indicate that over 70% of the universe is composed of dark energy. In fact, only about 4% is believed to be made up of ordinary, visible matter. Figuring out more details about the physical nature of dark energy is one of the major theoretical and observational goals of modern cosmologists. Also Known As: vacuum energy, vacuum pressure, negative pressure, cosmological constant

Management and Leadership Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Management and Leadership Paper - Essay Example Each of these aspects brings complexity to the leadership process. The findings presented in the paper provide discussion of leadership and management within Microsoft organization. Researched applied for the company reflects findings in the organizational culture of Microsoft, leaders' attempts to attempt to meet the retention and productivity challenges facing the company today as well as emphasize the role that organizational managers and leaders play in creating and maintaining a healthy organizational culture A primary activity of any type of leader within Microsoft involves motivating and reinforcing others to encourage superior performance (Chee et al., 2001). Following the theories of motivation, managers encourage employees to tie important outcomes to desired behaviors. Thus, whether managers endorse some variant of expectancy theory or reinforcement theory, the message is clear: to sustain motivation, leaders must demonstrate to employees a close link between performance and rewards. When speaking about leadership within Microsoft, it is needed to say that a highly authoritarian, control-oriented executive is likely to centralize the organization. The development of many rules and regulations and manuals also reinforces control, and so they are likely to be present. On the other hand, a participative leader delegates many of the decisions and may even be less likely to demand the development of uniform handbooks. Consequently, the style and personality of the leader are likely to be at least partly reflected in the structure of the organization. It is important to note the reverse relationship: The structure of a firm is one of the factors that influences the choice of leader. Microsoft organization is very informal and decentralized is likely to consciously or unconsciously recruit and select CEOs who have similar philosophies. The company has a leader whose style is known to mirror that of company's founder. The same firm is highly unlikely to select a hands-off manager unless a major crisis occurs, requiring a major shakeup (Microsoft Corporation Annual Report). Microsoft leaders are known for their attributes of high intelligence, their desire to dominate competitors, and their high technical competence. Microsoft business results revolve around moving to the Internet and maintaining software ubiquity. So the integration of Microsoft leadership attributes and business results might create a leadership brand statement such as: "Microsoft leaders embody high intelligence, a desire to win in every industry, as well as superior technical competence so that we can successfully transition to become a dominant Internet player while maintaining our presence in every software market." (Balthazard, Cooke 2004) Organizational culture of Microsoft can be referred to as a cultural web which is a useful tool when considering the cultural context for its business. Culture generally tends to consist of layers of values, beliefs and taken for-granted actions and ways of doing business within and outside the company. Therefore, the concept of cultural web is the representation of these actions taken for granted for understanding how they connect and influence the

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Property Management - Research Paper Example Property Management is a hot topic among modern real estate managers who are entrusted with the profitable care of any residential, commercial or industrial real estate in most modern cities and states around the world. Since the 1800's, effective and professional Property Management has been in demand, with the arrival of steel-frame buildings and elevators, the proliferation of the suburbs and the explosion of large real estate property-investment institutions that specifically aim to build more urban dwellings and infrastructure for the purpose of generating profits from real estate as an enterprise (Kyle et al, 3). With the advent of large urban commercial and industrial complexes, Corporate Property Management took its imposing place in the real property management scene while big government similarly responded with equally imposing bureaus intended to regulate the residential settlements and commercial complexes, with their sophisticated modeling schemes for simulating the growth, and implementing land audits that help dictate the land values of zoned areas in vast metropolises while placing various zonal restrictions aimed at efficiently harmonizing the explosion of mega-cities and the suburban sprawl. Sophisticated corporate... Sophisticated corporate strategies, financial instruments and computer based management information systems and property management-outsourcing which underlay the development of modern property management have been around for quite some time already, with much of their contribution to the practice of real estate property development, still evident in today's real estate property values that have been arrived at through the methods and practices advanced by modern-day property managers. However sophisticated this industry may now seem, Property Management began as the very basic practice of ensuring a property's maximum value (in terms of financial worth or appraisal) while expending the least amount of resources (financial or otherwise) for its upkeep and development. It involves the simple concepts of ensuring the maximum "value for money" on the part of the occupier and maximum profit on the part of the owner. It has been the property manager's job to make sure that the owner's best interests are sufficiently advanced while satisfying the requirements of the tenants. Property Management, as practiced by the State, by private corporations or by common individuals have remained fundamentally unchanged over the 19th century, that is to say that its objectives of profitability and operational efficiency remained the same, until the late 20th century wherein the real property market environment had undergone sweeping changes such that the management of a certain property, be it residential, commercial, industrial, mixed-use or special-purpose, has become a major discipline requiring an interdisciplinary approach that involves an intricate network of whole government bureaucracies and corporate divisions that

Pedestrian and bicycle facilities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Pedestrian and bicycle facilities - Essay Example Both regional and local authorities have the responsibility of planning, and implementi8ng cycling policies. National level commitment is essential for putting right the legal, regulatory, and financial framework that lead to successful implementation of cycling initiatives. This is the city in the region with a well advanced form of League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly Community where bicycling is an important means of transport and recreational activity. According to the 2007-2011 American Community Survey, 4% of Newark households engage in bicycling for recreation (Delaware Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Survey). It is a normal phenomenon that all cyclists at one time have felt to be invisible to motorists. Bike Delaware has provided the â€Å"intentional blindness† that addresses this phenomenon. Another issue of safety is the question as to why cyclists’ and pedestrians’ safety is termed as invisible to traffic engineers. Most traffic engineers pay close attention to road safety and traffic congestion. Despite this safety, little is realized on the ped/bike safety projects. The federal program called the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is responsible for funding Road Safety in Delaware. According to the data collected from the research, Delaware has spent more than $8 million HSIP dollars every year on road safety improvement projects but none focused on reducing pedestrian or cyclist fatalities. As a result, motor vehicle occupant fatalities have reduced while pedestrians’ fatalities have not. Cycling around Delaware University and Newark area is a favored means of transport to students, staff, faculty, and locals living in the area. Cyclists are assisted by the Newark Traffic Relief Committee (NTRC) that has prepared a Newark City Bicycle Map. The map shows cycling and pedestrian routes in the city and provides

Same Sex Marriage Revelation through Media Assignment

Same Sex Marriage Revelation through Media - Assignment Example From the discussion it is clear that  while Murray dwells upon both sides of the truth, he is also capable to striking at the empathy of the audience by appealing to equality as well as religion for the religious fanatics. Although majority of republicans conform to the norm that states should have the right to formulate their laws themselves, but Congress approves of the Defense of Marriage Act which indicates that marriages performed in other states shall be ignored and the federal denies the recognition of legal gay marriages. Using relevant quotes of scholarly critics, the Murray shows how the law and the politics meet at the flash point, which is the same sex marriage.  This essay highlights that  quite skillfully, both the authors here have avoided laying too much emphasis on the case for same sex marriage and never give any personal opinion of theirs throughout the article. They merely highlight the reality and incidence of same sex marriages.   At the same time they i dentify the legal and political dimensions which support the case in favor of the issue rather than supporting the issue themselves. At the same time they project the opposing opinions of critics and finally by highlighting the legal court cases, they try to prove that same sex marriages are being accepted by the law at a stage where ‘equality’ demands of utmost attention.  Murray is liberal in his outlook and also point out another reality that this is such an issue regarding which different states differ in their judgments.

Socrates Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Socrates - Essay Example This doctrine of Socrates is right. Suppose, if a person has a psychological some problem and he or she feels happy to cut his or her skin, then in the light of this example, the doctrine of Socrates hold true, because by cutting skin that person cannot benefit himself or herself in any way. So the doctrine of Socrates is right that the person do evil actions to get some benefit. In Philosophy, there are two concepts about evil. One concept is narrow evil and the other is broad evil. Broad concept of evil divides evil acts in natural evil and moral evil. Moral evils are result of human intentions whereas natural evils do not results from the intentions of the human beings. The narrow concept of evil includes the most despicable actions character and events. Philosophy is also of the view that the clash of interest in different people causes evil to prevail despite the fact all think it wrong. In essence, Socrates was of the view that human beings are responsible for evils and evils harm the person who does evil acts. His thinking is right as the person who does evil act, does wrong to his of herself. Philosophy also asserts that human beings are responsible for evil

Nonverbal Communication Communication-Impacts on Small Business Research Paper

Nonverbal Communication Communication-Impacts on Small Business - Research Paper Example Words can have no or insignificant effect if they are not supported by nonverbal communication. By learning how to interpret the nonverbal communication and practicing the tactics, the business would not only create good communicators but also be having good businesspersons, which is essential for a business to reach its goals. People in organizations typically spend over 75% of their time in an interpersonal situation; thus it is no surprise to find that at the root of a large number of organizational problems is poor communications. Effective communication is an essential component of organizational success whether it is at the interpersonal, intergroup, intragroup, organizational, or external levels. Non-verbal communication consists of all the messages other than words that are used in communication. In oral communication, these symbolic messages are transferred by means of intonation, the tone of voice, vocally produced noises, body posture, body gestures, facial expressions or pauses. Small business owners should possess the ability to read the many nonverbal cues employees, customers, and suppliers may communicate. If you observe gestures, facial expressions, tone variation, etc., the probability of effective communications is significantly increased. This breakdown indicates that effective nonverbal communication skills are essential. ... There is nothing worse than delivering a speech about how well your organization is doing while at the same time, shrugging, frowning and turning away from the audience. You would be sending mixed messages and based on the above scale no one in the audience will believe that the company is actually performing well. Effective communication is the combined harmony of verbal and nonverbal actions. Nonverbal communication consists of body movement, facial expressions, and eye movement. Body Movement indicates attitude, conveys feelings serves as illustrators and regulators. Illustrators are nonverbal movements that accompany and illustrate verbal communication. Regulators are nonverbal cues that monitor or control the speaking of another individual. While listening to a person you nod your head to indicate that you understand and are in agreement with the speaker. You look away or yawn to indicate that you are bored or would like for the speaker to stop talking. You frown or raise your eyebrows to indicate to the speaker that you either don't believe they are that you don't understand. Non-verbal behavior predates verbal communication because of individuals, since birth, rely first on non-verbal means to express themselves. This innate character of non-verbal behavior is important in communication. Even before a sentence is uttered, the hearer observes the body gestures and facial expressions of the speaker, trying to make sense of these symbolic messages. They seem to be trustable because they are mostly unconscious and part of every-day behavior. People assume that non-verbal actions do not lie and therefore they tend to believe the non-verbal message when a verbal message contradicts it. Â  

Socrates Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Socrates - Essay Example This doctrine of Socrates is right. Suppose, if a person has a psychological some problem and he or she feels happy to cut his or her skin, then in the light of this example, the doctrine of Socrates hold true, because by cutting skin that person cannot benefit himself or herself in any way. So the doctrine of Socrates is right that the person do evil actions to get some benefit. In Philosophy, there are two concepts about evil. One concept is narrow evil and the other is broad evil. Broad concept of evil divides evil acts in natural evil and moral evil. Moral evils are result of human intentions whereas natural evils do not results from the intentions of the human beings. The narrow concept of evil includes the most despicable actions character and events. Philosophy is also of the view that the clash of interest in different people causes evil to prevail despite the fact all think it wrong. In essence, Socrates was of the view that human beings are responsible for evils and evils harm the person who does evil acts. His thinking is right as the person who does evil act, does wrong to his of herself. Philosophy also asserts that human beings are responsible for evil

Human cloning is not playing god Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Human cloning is not playing god - Essay Example However, this depicts that only God has the power to create and sustain life as opposed the concept of cloning. On the other hand, cloning does not play god as it carries out the role of man as given in the biblical accounts of creation. This is concerning going forth and filling the world, where man attempts to sustain life by extending it. This is done by using cloning for is benefits in overcoming certain health conditions that may lead in fatalities. The entire process involves the manipulation of DNA, as opposed to the biblical accounts, where man is created from dust thus, cloning has no hand in an attempt to take over Gods role (â€Å"Human Cloning†). Therefore, human cloning does not play the role of god in any way following the distinct differences in the creation process. This is as seen in both cases of cloning and creation, where one is the source of life, while the second is only but a means of extending life. â€Å"Human Cloning†. American Medical Association. n.d. Web. 9 Oct. 2012. Candel, Joseph. â€Å"Playing God?: Facts and Thoughts on Human Cloning†. Activated Ministries. 2003. Web. 9 Oct. 2012.

Working with emergent change

Working with emergent change Introduction Nowadays, people tend to speak of living in a fast-moving and unpredictable world (Burnes, 2004, p. 886), in a turbulent, dynamic and unpredictable environment (Burnes, 2000, p. 300) in which the frequency, dimensions and unpredictability of changes are higher than ever before (e.g. Kotter, 1996). Hammer and Champsy even go so far as to say that because of its ubiquity and endurance change is the norm (2001, p.25). Thus, the Heraclitean dictum that everything changes and nothing abides seems more topical than ever. Nonetheless, you have to take notice of the fact that about 70% of all change initiatives fail (Beer Nohria, 2000, p.133). How can this phenomenon be explained? What approaches of change exist and what enables organisations to manage changes successfully? In the following essay, I will first outline the traditional approach of planned change, its critics and, out of these, the evolving Emergent Change approach. Subsequently, I will question if a sheer focus on the apparent predominant processual approach is sufficient. I will do so by outlining case studies of two organisations that successfully implemented changes by paying attention to both planned and emerging changes. These results and Burnes analysis of a further organisational change initiative will lead to my conclusion that the consideration of both perspectives is necessary for successful organisational changes. Then, I will briefly analyse possible reasons that might lead to the previously discussed one-sided perspectives before I end the essay with a conclusion. Planned Change The Planned Change approach seemed to prevail in the theory as well as the practice of change management from the late 1940s to the early 1980s (Burnes, 2000, p.281) and is often referred to as the best developed, documented and supported approach to change (Ibid.). Its roots mainly lie in the work of Kurt Lewin (Bamford and Forrester, 2003, p.547) who is called by Schein the intellectual father of (à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦) planned change (1994, p.239). Many planned change attempts are based on his three-stage model of unfreezing, moving and refreezing (Livne-Tarandach Bartunek, 2009). Nevertheless, it has to be noted that Lewin himself believed that a successful change considered his concepts about Field Theory, Group Dynamics and Action Research in addition to his famous three-stage model (Burnes, 2004, p.887). However, in regard to his latter model, the three steps can be outlined as followed: Unfreezing describes the destabilization of a quasi-stationary equilibrium that exists in a compount field of driving and inhibiting forces (Ibid.). It is postulated that this equilibrium has to be unsettled to overcome old stable human behaviour. Moving refers to the process of transmission to a new way of being (http://www.change-management-coach.com/kurt_le win.html). To lead to an enduring change this process requires reinforcement. Thus, the last step, refreezing, covers the stabilization of the new behaviour (Burnes, 2004, p.887). Bamford and Forrester state that this perspective is grounded on the assumption that organisational change is a process that moves from one fixed state to another through a series of pre-planned steps (2003, p.547). Consequently, it is to be systematically analysable and can be intentionally designed, initiated, and realized (Livne-Tarandach Bartunek, 2009). The importance of Lewins work on organisational change is indisbutable. Accordingly, several authors have developed resembling approaches, such as Cummings and Huses (1989) eight-phase model or Bullocks and Battens (1985) four phase model of planned change (Bamford Forrester, 2003, p.547). Nonetheless, the weaknesses of the planned change approach at a time in which the environment becomes more and more unpredictable and turbulent seem obvious. Thus, many critical voices arouse especially in the early 1980s following the oil shocks of the 1970s, the expanding Japanese competitive power and the apparent eclipse of Western industry (Burnes, 2000, p.281). These events raised questions regarding the efficacy and appropriateness of the established approaches. The main points of criticism, that mainly came from the culture-excellence school, the postmodernists and the processualists are outlined in the following (Burnes, 2004). First, the Planned Change perspective is reproached to neglect environmental factors that might be incompatible with the planned change. For instance, Stickland, who draws on systems theory, emphasises the role of internal and external influences as drivers for organisational change (Tarandach Bartunek, 2009, p.4). A further point of criticism, that is especially brought out by the processualists, is that a change is not a series of pre-identified discrete and self-contained events, but a more open-ended and continuous process where it is often unfeasible or unwanted to define a precise end state (Livne-Tarandach Bartunek, 2009, p.5). Furthermore, critics, such as Pfeffer (1992), blame the approach for ignoring the role of power and politics. They claim, in addition, that the advocated assumption of easily recognizable and resolvable conflicts is unrealistic in most organisational settings (Tarandach Bartunek, 2009, p.5). Emergent Change Taking these points of criticism into account, a different perspective on organisational change has evolved, namely an emergent, processual approach. According to Weick, emergent changes comprise ongoing accommodations, adaptions, and alterations that produce fundamental change without a priori intention to do so (2000, p.237) and although Bamford and Forrester argue that its followers seem to be more united in their stance against planned change than their agreement on a specific alternative (2003, p.547), you can still highlight certain characteristics that are typical for the Emergent Change approach. Peculiar to the approach is the assumption that organisational change occurs as a continuous process of experiment and adaption with the goal of adjusting the organisational processes and competences to a continuously changing environment. The idea of a turbulent environment, that prevails in todays societies and makes exclusive planned change programmes insufficient, is supported by several authors. Dawson (1994) and Wilson (1992), for example, emphasize the demands for a higher employee flexibility and constant structural adjustment that are associated with an increasingly dynamic and uncertain business environment (Burnes, 2000, p.283). This constant structural adaption is brought about through a great number of small- to medium-scale incremental changes which might give rise to a major re-configuration and transformation of an organisation (p.299). Related to this assumption is a further characteristic of the Emergend Change Approach, that is to say, the belief in the iterative and messy fashion of change processes (p.300). Thus, Pettigrew stresses the multi-causal, non-linear and unpredictable nature of change that develops through the interplay of multiple variables (à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦) within an organisation (p.284). These variables involve different contexts, political processes and consultation. Similarly, Dawson states that disruption, confusion and unforeseen events that emerge over long time-frames determine change processes (Dawson, 1994, cited in Burnes, 2000, p.285). Furthermore, the Emergent Change perspective sees organisational change as a political-social process and does not narrow it down to a sheer analytical-rational routine (p.300). Hence, it is assumed that during a change various parties will seek to preserve or amend their own interests. This can lead to conflicts and intrigues. Accordingly, Burnes argues that the successful management of power and politics is a prerequisite for effective change (p.292). These power struggles are not limited to the upper professions of an organisation. Thus, Burnes continues that it is beneficial not only to possess the support of senior and local managers, but also of trade unions and workplace employees. Summing up, you can say that the Emergent Change approach stems from the idea that change is continuous, unpredictable, and essentially political in nature (Livne-Tarandach Bartunek, 2009, p.5). It evolved in response to the traditional Planned Change approach that rooted in the works of Kurt Lewin, but seemed insufficient in a time characterized by a dynamic and unpredictable environment. However, although the declination of the Planned Change approach appeared predominant and the literature provided increasing support for the Emergent Change approach, it has to be questioned if a sheer focus on the lauded processual approach is adequate. Or would organisations profit from a combinational perspective paying attention to both approaches? Several authors, in fact, suggest combining varying approaches to change (e.g. Burnes, 2004; Beer and Nohria, 2000) or have developed connection frames to link planned and emergent change over time (Livne-Tarandach Bartunek, 2009, p.3). In the foll owing I will present two examples of organisational changes to underpin my opinion that neither a solely planned nor a sheer emergent change approach is likely to lead to successful changes. On the contrary, I argue for a combination of both approaches. Example 1 A first example of the insufficiency of a perspective that would solely focus on planned or emergent changes is provided by Orlikowski and Hofman (2003) who studied the introduction of a new technology and the accompanied changes in a software company. They even go one step further and assume not just planned and emergent changes in organisations, but also opportunity-based changes. Zeta is one of the Top 50 software companies in the USA and produces several powerful software products enabling decision support, executive information and marketing (p.269). Furthermore, it has a revenue of $100 million, and employs approximately 1000 people in its offices around the world. In 1992, a new groupware technology was introduced in the Customer Service Department (CSD) within which a new Incident Tracking Support System (ITSS) was developed. The CSD consisted of specialists who technically advised clients, consultants and other Zeta employees and stakeholders via telephone. The aim of the new ITSS was to facilitate the minuting of customer calls and of the respective resolving progress of customers problems. In the course of this process some planned organisational changes were executed. These changes are referred to as planned changes because they were predicted prior to the introduction of the new technology. For instance, the specialists were now to provide an additional work-in-progress documentation and the managers controled the departments recources more precisely through the real-time access to workload information (p.271). Nevertheless, while using of the new technology, several emergent changes could be noted as well. The specialists, for example, worked out a body of informal quality indicators to ascertain the quality and value of prior resolutions (p.270) and managers considered documentation skills as decisive factors in hiring and evaluation processes. In the course of time further changes were introduced which Orlikowski and Hofman reference to as opportunity-based changes. In contrast to the beforehand mentioned, these changes were neither anticipated before the introduction of the new technology nor did they simply emerge spontaneously. Opportunity-based changes occur when an emergent change is observed and actors deliberatley decide to reinforce (or undercut) that change (http://icd.si.umich.edu/~cknobel/?q=node/41). Thus, they are enforced in situ and responding to arising chances and problems. An example of such an opportunity-based change appeared along the invention of partnerships betwee n less expert junior specialists and more experienced senior specialists to redistribute call loads which lead to unforeseen problems. For instance, the junior specialists refused to cede calls that were too difficult to their senior partners because they wanted to appear competent and didnt want their senior partners to be overloaded. On the other hand, the senior specialists were too engaged to monitor their junior partners. Thus, the new role of an intermediary was introduced to prevent the collapse of the system. This intermediary was seen as a buffer to facilitate the information flow between the junior and the senior partner. A range of opportunity-based changes arouse during the usage of the new technology that demonstrated the importance of ongoing learning and change in practice in organizations. Thus, the example showed that although planned changes occur in organisations, they are usually accompanied by emergent and opportunity-based changes. This means that the planned change of the introduction of the new technology in the CSD was followed by other planned changes as the additional work tasks of the employees on the one hand. Nevertheless, further ongoing changes emerged that made a continuous adaption of the organization essential. Example 2 Wikstrà ¶m (2004) presents another vivid example of an organisation that has to deal with planned as well as emergent changes that arise at environmental, organisational and individual levels. His case study of the company Tieto-X discusses a successful customer relationship marketing (CRM) implementation and illustrates diverse ongoing changes to which the company had to respond. Tieto-X is Finlands leading contract work solutions company that specializes in Information Technology. In 2002 employed about 270 people. The structure of the organisation and the collaboration with its clients made it necessary that the customer could have recourse to Tieto-Xs operational system. This allowed the client, for example, to follow up the progress of an IT project. To cope with its rapid growth, Tieto-X decided to start a total systems renewal process in 2002 (p.6) and to change its business strategy from product/service-oriented to a customer-oriented one (p.8). In addition to this planned change event the company was exposed to several further planned as well as emerging changes that took place on an environmental, organisational and individual level (p. 6). On an environmental level of observation, Tieto-X faced, for instance, the socalled Year 2000 phenomen and Finlands accession to the EMU that both lead to increased business chances through higher demands for IT services. Another emergent change event that affected the company from the environment was the enlarged entry of foreign firms into the Finish market and the accompanied sharpened competetion. On an organisational level several planned change events could be observed in addition to the beforehand mentioned fundamental change of Tieto-Xs business strategy to a more customer-oriented perspective and the final CRM implementation. For instance, there were multiple company mergers during the years 2000 and 2002 and the associated merging of disparate organisational cultures. Furthermore, a new product and service portfolio was elaborated and an altered reward system was invented. However, even on this organisational level of observation, Tieto-X had to cope with an emergent change event, namely the turnover of top management. Moreover, you could observe different planned and emergent change events on an individual level. Thus, changes in occupational descriptions and new divisions of tasks represented planned change events and the rise in turnover of salespeople as well as the request for new competencies consituted emergent changes to which the company had to respond. The example illustrates that organisational change is a multifaceted phenomenon (p.9) with planned and emergent changes happening on an environmental, organisational and individual level. Tieto-Xs CRM implementation was successful because the organisation managed to deal with both the anticipated as well as the ongoing and unforeseen changes. Complementing the two discussed cases that clearly demonstrate the need for organisations to pay attention to both planned and emergent changes, Burnes is a decisive advocate of the combinational perspective. For instance, he draws on the case of XYZ construction, a multi-national enterprise that used planned as well as emergent changes between 1996 and 2000 to transform itself, illustrating that planned and emergent changes are not to be seen as competitors and that they are neither mutually exclusive nor incapable (Burnes, 2004, p.899). In addition to spotting the right moment when an organisation is ready for a change, he identifies the ability to understand the organisational context as a key competency of management to ensure successful organisational changes. Thus, the management has to comprehend the organisations nature and its circumstances that determine what and how changes have to occur (Ibid.). Possible reasons for a onesided perspective Regarding this discussion one might ask why people solely considered a planned or emergent change approach in the first place. The reasons for managers to consider planned change initiatives seem obvious. First, planned change programmes communicate a sense of security and control (e.g. Nutt, 1993). The idea of a change initiative starting at a certain point, running through a series of predetermined stages and ending at a predefined endpoint might appear riskless and especially appealing to managers who face the pressure of conducting a change programme while keeping up the business as usual. Furthermore, people perceive uncertainness as strongly aversive in general (Bordia, Hobman, Jones, Gallois and Callan, 2004). Even if one could argue that this promised predictability might be illusionary when conducting change problems in real dynamic business environments with people who are, at least partly, led by their own desires, fears, perceptions and assumptions, one has to take into a ccount that some situations certainly require a planned, systematic approach. Consider for example the introduction of a new IT-sytem. On the other hand, advocates of the emergend change approach might argue that planned changes are useless because of the unpredictable nature of the organisations business environment and the change process in general. Thus, they might ask why attempt a planned change anyway if you assume that plan A does not lead to anticipated result B. Here you see a problem that is often associated with approaches that arise out of a backblash from an apparent devaluated one. Although the main ideas themselves seem totally reasonable and appropriate, a sheer focus on the newly originated aspects might turn out to be as insufficient as the initially criticised approach. Conclusion This essay critcally discussed the statement that as the environment becomes more unpredictable, OD will have to help organisations learn to work with emergent change (in addition to planned change). Therefore, I introduced the traditional approach of planned change and the critical review that faced it especially during the 1980s. The Emergent Change approach that arouse out of the outlined points of cristicsm was presented subsequently. Afterwards, I challenged the appropriateness of the Emergent Change approach and raised the question if it might be necessary to consider both approaches to set the conditions for successful organisational changes. Hence, I analysed this question by presenting two case studies of organisations that faced planned and emergent change events during their organisational changes. Both companies succeed due to their attention paid to both approaches. This fact and Burkes case study strengthened my belief in the beforehand raised question and led to my con clusion that an organisation must to be able to deal with planned and emergent changes to survive in the dynamic and unpredictable environment of the 21st century.

The Punishment of a Sinner in The Scarlet Letter :: Scarlet Letter essays

The Punishment of a Sinner in The Scarlet Letter Who should punish a sinner? Should it be religion, society, or the individual? In Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter all three affect the main character Hester Prynne. Religion punishes her with the Scarlet Letter, society ostracizes her as punishment, and individually she was able to move on in life but still returned to her haunting past where she died. Religion plays a big part in the Scarlet Letter. Hester Prynne wore the Scarlet Letter to remind her of the mistake ahe made. Instaed of taking Pearl away the people wanted her to wear the "A" for adultry. Hester brought up her child forcing the the thought of the heavenily father. Hester's whole lifestyle was altered. She obeyed everyone and for seven years was cursed by standing on the scaffold. The people's beliefs strongly enforced the idea that Hester would wear the Scarlet Letter, so she did. It constantly forced the tought of the sin she had commited and would haunt her for good. "I have thought have death," said she, - "have wished for it, - would even have prayed for it, were it fit that such as I should pray for anything." Society was an influence on the scarlet letter. People of the town believed that Hester was a witch as well as sinner. Society ostracized her because no one in the town had ever delt with any kind of sin as adultry so they looked at her as a witch. The people in a way wanted to ruin her life because people actually thought she was bad. One of the real canadites that wanted to ruin Hester was Mistress Hibbins. Through out the whole story Mistress Hibbins constantly gives Hester her piece of mind. "Thou thyself wilt see it, one time or another. They say, child, thou art of the lineage of the Prince of the Air! Wilt thou ride with me, some fine night, to see thy father." Individually she was ostracized and critizied no matter where she went. As time went on she helped the people proving there was a true side to Hester Prynne. That led to the "A" no longer standing for adultry but for able.

A Summation of Pride-Related Occurrences in The Stone Angel :: Stone Angel

A Summation of Pride-Related Occurrences in The Stone Angel Margaret Laurence's The Stone Angel is one of the most acclaimed Canadian novels of all time. In this novel, the most prevailing theme is that of pride; this is seen predominantly through the protagonist, Hagar, but also through other characters, such as Jason Currie. As John Moss states, "What gives Margaret Laurence's vision the resonant dimensions of universal truth is the†¦interlacing of the destructive and constructive effects of (Hagar's) recalcitrant pride†¦Pride is a double-edged sword." Indeed, her great pride helps her to cope with the many difficulties she faces throughout her life. This pride, however, also "separates inclination and response" (J. Moss), resulting in several strained relationships which Hagar was unable to mend. John Moss believes that "Hagar's pride repeatedly imprisoned her within the confines of thwarted affections and misdirected emotion." More specifically, her pride caused such things as an unhappy marriage with Brampton Shipley and a seve rance of all ties with her father, Jason, and her brother, Matt. Her pride serves her best in her dying days, when "she will not submit to frailty and deferential concern. She rages 'against the dying of the light' with the same wrong-headed spleen that she had always displayed†¦in the counterpointed present her†¦pride is heroic" (J. Moss). Definition of Pride: Pride n. 1. Inordinate self-esteem; high opinion of one's own importance or worth; conceit. 2. arrogance; haughtiness. 3. honorable self-respect; personal dignity. 4. smug pleasure taken in the success of oneself or another. 5. a person or thing in which one takes such pleasure. Analysis of the Theme of Pride via a Short Summation of Pride-Related Occurrences: The first reference to pride is in the second sentence of the novel: Hagar describes the Stone Angel as "my mother's angel that my father bought in pride to mark her bones and proclaim his dynasty†¦" (3). Hagar's father was a very proud man, a trait that was passed on to his daughter, and he takes great pride in this "terribly expensive" statue, which "had been brought from Italy" †¦ "and was pure white marble" (3). Hagar recollects exhibiting her pride as early as age 6 when she says "There was I, strutting the board sidewalk like a pint-sized peacock, resplendent, haughty, hoity-toity, Jason Currie's black-haired daughter" (6). Jason Currie was a "self-made man" who "had pulled himself up by his bootstraps" (7).

Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Pan-Islamic terrorism in the Middle East Essay

Being unique is what sets us apart from others; it gives us the edge over other people. Differences amongst us have been one of the most unique features God has granted human beings. One look and the differences are evident, making it clear no one is the same and no one will end-up in the same way. Human beings not only vary physically but also in lifestyle, culture, emotions, perspective in life, and in religion. At times human set aside these differences for the greater good, for the cause of peace and prosperity, but most of the time they fight for what they believe in even if it costs them or others life. Countless wars have been waged for the cause of justice, freedom and sovereignty over a piece of property. One dispute over a piece of land known to the world is the dispute between Israel and Palestine over the Land of Israel/Palestine. Israelites are Jews while the Palestinians are Arabs, but, this does not mean that the dispute is a religious one, it is solely a dispute over a 10,000 sq. mile property where both party claim rights over it. The reason for such a 60-year old dispute is based on the history of the land each party is trying to claim. According to the History Guy1, historically, the ancient Jews from Biblical times called their land Israel, Canaan, Judea, etc. and that in the days of the Bible God gave the land to the ancient Jews known as the Hebrews. But due to massive killings brought about by the Roman Empire, Jews were forced to move out from their land resulting to â€Å"The Diaspora†. But after some years, the Palestinians settled, earning them as the majority ethnic group in the land, thus Palestines claim the right over it. And since the Jews have returned, they also want their rights over the land given that it was granted to them by God. Both of these groups struggle to keep what they believe is theirs, by law or by nature. But the Palestinians went over board. They have inflicted intolerable pain to the world. Where Palestinians send out death threats, destroying infrastructures as well as eliminating __________________________ 1 â€Å"The Israeli-Palestiniam Conflict†, The History Guy. Retrieved June 5, 2007 from The History Guy Website. http://www. historyguy. com/israeli-palestinian_conflict. html job opportunities, and worse, destroying the lives of countless innocent souls now forever shadowed by fear. Terrorism as defined by Britannica Online2, is the systematic use of violence to create a general climate of fear in a population and thereby to bring about a particular political objective. Many Islamic groups have arisen in different parts of the earth to spread terrorism in the face of the planet. The Al-Qaeda, Abu Sayyaf and others are examples of the different Islamic groups present in different locations on Earth with one mission in mind, to inflict pain. Islamic issues on terrorism have stopped the world in its tracks, as the massive killings became worse. The world became spectators as bomb after bomb set off, killing people stripping them of their right to live. The world watched in horror as the World Trade Center where many employees work, were blown off to pieces. Some were found severely injured, others were never found under dusts and pile of debris. No one surely knows the reason for such terrorism; could it be that these Palestinians want to rule the world? Or they just want to prove something? There are many speculations on the cause of the terrorism brought about by these Arabs. But a certain speculation reveals that this terrorism was started by the dispute of the Palestinians and Israelites over the piece of property. That due to this dispute over a piece of property, the Palestinians brought terrorism to the world to inflict fear and pain in order to get what they want, and eliminating those who stand in their way. And as these Palestinians see it, the only way to get what they want, and in this circumstance that piece of land, force has to be used. Believing that inflicting pain and fear to the masses can weaken their decisions and give these Arabs what they want. These Palestinians truly believe that the piece of land they are fighting for is truly theirs. And they will fight for the right over it even if it takes how many lives or how much blood shall be spilled, as long as this goal is achieved.  2 terrorism. (2007). In Encyclop? dia Britannica. Retrieved June 5, 2007, from Encyclop? dia Britannica Online: http://www. britannica. com/eb/article-9071797 References: terrorism. (2007). In Encyclop? dia Britannica. Retrieved June 5, 2007, from Encyclop? dia Britannica Online: http://www. britannica. com/eb/article-9071797 â€Å"The Israeli-Palestiniam Conflict†, The History Guy. Retrieved June 5, 2007 from The History Guy Website. Being unique is what sets us apart from others; it gives us the edge over other people. Differences amongst us have been one of the most unique features God has granted human beings. One look and the differences are evident, making it clear no one is the same and no one will end-up in the same way. Human beings not only vary physically but also in lifestyle, culture, emotions, perspective in life, and in religion. At times human set aside these differences for the greater good, for the cause of peace and prosperity, but most of the time they fight for what they believe in even if it costs them or others life. Countless wars have been waged for the cause of justice, freedom and sovereignty over a piece of property. One dispute over a piece of land known to the world is the dispute between Israel and Palestine over the Land of Israel/Palestine. Israelites are Jews while the Palestinians are Arabs, but, this does not mean that the dispute is a religious one, it is solely a dispute over a 10,000 sq. mile property where both party claim rights over it. The reason for such a 60-year old dispute is based on the history of the land each party is trying to claim. According to the History Guy1, historically, the ancient Jews from Biblical times called their land Israel, Canaan, Judea, etc. and that in the days of the Bible God gave the land to the ancient Jews known as the Hebrews. But due to massive killings brought about by the Roman Empire, Jews were forced to move out from their land resulting to â€Å"The Diaspora†. But after some years, the Palestinians settled, earning them as the majority ethnic group in the land, thus Palestines claim the right over it. And since the Jews have returned, they also want their rights over the land given that it was granted to them by God. Both of these groups struggle to keep what they believe is theirs, by law or by nature. But the Palestinians went over board. They have inflicted intolerable pain to the world. Where Palestinians send out death threats, destroying infrastructures as well as eliminating __________________________ 1 â€Å"The Israeli-Palestiniam Conflict†, The History Guy. Retrieved June 5, 2007 from The History Guy Website. http://www. historyguy. com/israeli-palestinian_conflict. html job opportunities, and worse, destroying the lives of countless innocent souls now forever shadowed by fear. Terrorism as defined by Britannica Online2, is the systematic use of violence to create a general climate of fear in a population and thereby to bring about a particular political objective. Many Islamic groups have arisen in different parts of the earth to spread terrorism in the face of the planet. The Al-Qaeda, Abu Sayyaf and others are examples of the different Islamic groups present in different locations on Earth with one mission in mind, to inflict pain. Islamic issues on terrorism have stopped the world in its tracks, as the massive killings became worse. The world became spectators as bomb after bomb set off, killing people stripping them of their right to live. The world watched in horror as the World Trade Center where many employees work, were blown off to pieces. Some were found severely injured, others were never found under dusts and pile of debris. No one surely knows the reason for such terrorism; could it be that these Palestinians want to rule the world? Or they just want to prove something? There are many speculations on the cause of the terrorism brought about by these Arabs. But a certain speculation reveals that this terrorism was started by the dispute of the Palestinians and Israelites over the piece of property. That due to this dispute over a piece of property, the Palestinians brought terrorism to the world to inflict fear and pain in order to get what they want, and eliminating those who stand in their way. And as these Palestinians see it, the only way to get what they want, and in this circumstance that piece of land, force has to be used. Believing that inflicting pain and fear to the masses can weaken their decisions and give these Arabs what they want. These Palestinians truly believe that the piece of land they are fighting for is truly theirs. And they will fight for the right over it even if it takes how many lives or how much blood shall be spilled, as long as this goal is achieved. __________________________ 2 terrorism. (2007). In Encyclop? dia Britannica. Retrieved June 5, 2007, from Encyclop? dia Britannica Online: http://www. britannica. com/eb/article-9071797 References: terrorism. (2007). In Encyclop? dia Britannica. Retrieved June 5, 2007, from Encyclop? dia Britannica Online: http://www. britannica. com/eb/article-9071797 â€Å"The Israeli-Palestiniam Conflict†, The History Guy. Retrieved June 5, 2007 from The History Guy Website. http://www. historyguy. com/israeli-palestinian_conflict. html.

Poetry and Happiness

In the poem, â€Å"Happiness†, the poet, Priscilla Leonard, illustrates for the reader that happiness cannot be contained and that one human cannot own all happiness. The poem happiness is about how to live life to the fullest. In the first two lines of the poem, †Happiness is a crystal/ fair and exquisite and clear† the feeling and emotion that the poet gives the reader, is peaceful and tranquil(1-2). Leonard throws a different perspective at the reader when she write ,†broken in a million pieces/shattered scattered far and near(4-5).The emotion has now been cut off. It is like an alarm clock to the reader. She goes onto say in the last part of the stanza that if one understands this and â€Å"now and then along life’s pathway/lo! Some shining fragments fall† and they are lucky enough to behold these pieces of happiness, they will experience great joy(5-6). Leonard writes that â€Å"there are so many pieces/ no one ever finds them all† t o say happiness is not bought, nor to be stolen, but it is to be earned, found, and given to one another(7-8). There are different pieces of happiness.Some pieces of happiness that Leonard says, are that â€Å"you may find a bit of beauty/or an honest share of wealth†(9-10). beauty and honest wealth are two things modern women wish to have and to be. Leonard being a woman might have placed these two elements of beauty to reach out to certain woman readers, so that they could relate to the poem. Leonard tells a tale about a neighbor, and how their greed got them no happiness, and no matter how much they searched and reached out to grab all happiness, it escaped their grasp.Before that she tells of the wise on their journey of life. She wrote that they â€Å"treasure every fragment clear/[and] fit them as they may together/imaging the shattered sphere†(17-19). The wise care about and realize that they are â€Å"to be ever thankful† even though their share of wisdo m is tiny, they understand that â€Å"it has so many pieces no one ever finds them all†(20,22-23). The wise know that their gift of happiness is being wise and that there are also many other great gifts in the world. There is, of course, a difference etween the fool and the wise. Once the fool receives a gift , he tries to get all he can. The wise get a gift and know to be satisfied with what they have, and not to wander around looking for more satisfaction. The wise, being wise imagine not just a sphere that the poet has put into context for u, but the true meaning of happiness. The reason why the author uses a crystal ball as a symbol for happiness is because a crystal seems fragile and priceless, but at the same time a sense of immortality.A crystal is treasured and admired by all who see it. Thieves and fools want it so they can have more pleasures. Respectable and wise people use it as a gift and are humble. Holding all happiness in your hands can have a strange effect t hough. Even some of the wisest men have fallen under its luring spell. Don’t be deceived by happiness, it is like a double-edged sword. If people would pay more careful attention to poets like Priscilla Leonard there might not be so many corrupted souls in the world.Happiness is not a toy that can be pulled out and played with, only to be lost when searching for more. Since happiness cannot be contained, but it can easily be destructive and lost. Treat it like a crystal; clear, true, and exquisite. When happiness seems to be out of reach, wait a little until some falls on your lap. Until then admire it as you would a passing cloud. This close reading has helped to take a step back and to realize the value of looking at life through a wide angled lens. And to not just look at happiness, but in all the elements of life.

Hamlet by William Shakespeare Essay

You make decision everyday; whether it is choosing what you make for breakfast or choosing what you want to be when you grow up. It is natural in humans to make decisions and act on what they believe is to be true. This not only applies to humans, but authors use them in their books or plays to create different types of characters. In one of the greatest works by William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, there are characters that make many different kinds of decisions that determine their role in the book. In the play, the protagonist Hamlet, after his father’s death, is angry about his mother’s hasty marriage to Claudius. He sees a ghost of his father one night and tells him that Claudius had murdered him. Hamlet plans to kill Claudius but he has trouble making decisions and throughout the play, his poor decision making skills bring downfall to himself and many others. Every tragic hero has a tragic flaw and Hamlet’s tragic flaw is his inability to make decisions. Hamlet’s inability to kill Claudius after hearing from the ghost, that he had killed Hamlet Senior, contributes to his stubborn indecisiveness, which brings about his own downfall. His indecisiveness leads to many character’s deaths; such as Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, Laertes, Polonius and his own mother. He had many chances of killing Claudius but he constantly over thinks the situation thus delaying his major task of killing Claudius: To take him in the purging of his soul When he is fit and seasoned for his passage? No.  Up, sword, and know thou a more horrid hent. When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage, Or in th’ incestuous pleasure of his bed, At game a-swearing, or about some act That has no relish of salvation in ’t— Then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven (III.III. 85) This is an example of Hamlet being indecisive on whether or not to kill Claudius in the Church after the Mouse Trap play. He decides not to kill him there because he is praying and therefore will be forgiven for his sin. This results in delaying of his main task and also made more room for error; such  as killing Polonius and also getting sent to England, which leads to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s deaths. If Hamlet would have decided to kill him then, he would not have created the mess he ends up making at the end. Hamlet’s inability to talk and discuss to Ophelia about what is happening, after she starts rejecting his messages, leads to losing his love and ultimately ends up to her demise. Even though they were in love, when Ophelia begins rejecting Hamlet’s messages because Polonius told her to, Hamlet tells Ophelia that she was not worth anything to him. This leads her to believing that Hamlet does not love her anymore. As a conclusion, she goes crazy and out of control; for example: By Gis and by Saint Charity, Alack, and fie, for shame! Young men will do ’t, if they come to ’t. By Cock, they are to blame. Quoth she, â€Å"Before you tumbled me, You promised me to wed. So would I ha’ done, by yonder sun, An thou hadst not come to my bed. (IV. V. 40) This is the scene where she has become insane. She sings about how a man promised her to marry her before they went into bed together but he left her. On top of Hamlet’s rejection, Hamlet has killed her father, Polonius, so she has completely lost control of herself. She sings a very sorrow song in front of many people and also gives out fake flowers to people. After this scene, she ends up committing suicide at the lake. If Hamlet had talked with Ophelia about what was going on and why she was ignoring her messages, she would have not become insane and Hamlet and Ophelia would still be in love. Hamlet’s final flaw is his inability to decide whether life is worth living or not, which contributes to his stubborn indecisiveness, which ultimately leads to his own downfall. Hamlet is very confused about his own life and is out of his mind. He is very depressed from his father’s death and the feeling of betrayal he has from Gertrude, his mother, who remarried right after his father’s death. He does not know if life is worth living or not and this is obvious when he says: To be, or not to be–that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune Or to take arms against a sea of troubles And by opposing end them. To die, to sleep– No more–and by a sleep to say we end The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to. ‘Tis a consummation Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep– To sleep–perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub, For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause. (III.I.56) This is his famous soliloquy on the topic of life. He compares life and death and he cannot decide whether or not to stay alive or to be dead. He believes that death is the way to escape all his troubles and his depression but then on the other side, he knows he needs to complete the task of killing Claudius. His indecisiveness about his own life delays his action from doing what he really wants to accomplish. Even though Hamlet kills Claudius at the very end, as a result of his indecisive behavior, he has taken way too much time to accomplish one single task. Also, it killed many innocent people he could have prevented from killing them. If Hamlet would have not been so depressed and actually decide whether or not he should stay alive or die, he might have had a better chance accomplishing his tasks much faster and efficient. Clearly, Hamlet is very indecisive all over and his indecisiveness brought about his own downfall. His mother’s death, his love’s death and his friend’s deaths are all caused by Hamlet. If he were to be decisive and straightforward, he could have killed Claudius much faster and he also could have prevented all of the deaths that happened. Many theories attempt to explain why Hamlet takes so long to kill Claudius but out of many theories, Hamlet’s indecisiveness is the only one with full satisfactory answers. Every book or play has a tragic hero and every tragic hero has a tragic flaw and in the play Hamlet, there is no exception. These themes present in many of William Shakespeare’s plays are relevant even today. There are times when we are indecisive when it comes to difficult situations. To be able to decide and to act on what you decided to do is what we try to aim for, however, since Hamlet did not complete this, he led himself to his own downfall and also many other’s to their downfall as well.

Current Issues in Business Ethics and CSR Essay

Current Issues in Business Ethics and CSR - Essay Example See the comments alongside the text for detail about course material that really would have been useful support for points you make. You also throw away 10% of the marks available by not writing a self-reflection on your class group presentation. Of the 60 or so students on the module you are just about the only one not to submit a self-reflection- why? "This feedback is being given for purposes of advice and guidance and to assist your learning and development in this module. References to standards or marks are entirely provisional and subject to confirmation following University procedures. Only University Assessment Boards are able to issue confirmed, definitive marks† â€Å"The problem with sweatshops is that there are not enough of them†(Jeffrey Sachs â€Å"The End of Poverty†). In light of the Rana Plaza Bangladesh sweatshop fire that killed 1,100 people (2013) is it wrong to love sweatshops? Business ethics involves the concept of social responsibility towards the stakeholders. The stakeholders include the investors, customers, workforce, and government. They are those people who are involved in the corporate processes and also are impacted from the corporate decisions and any changes that happen in the corporate. Corporate stakeholders are also those people who can affect the corporate decisions and functioning as well (Werther & Chandler et al, 2010). Stakeholders, especially the workforce needs to be given equal opportunities and their rights must not be violated. The workforce drives the corporate functions, especially the people that work in the lower classes as in sweatshops. These groups of people follow orders and work for the production of goods for the company functioning for long hours in a day. The stakeholders of a company need to be satisfied and their demands have to met at all times (Werther & Chandler et al, 2010). This is because as mentioned earlier t hey are very

Semiotic interpretation of an image Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Semiotic interpretation of an image - Essay Example With the signs in photos open for interpretation, an observer can be able to appreciate the denotative and connotative signification. The caption that has been provided is a photo of the Olympic event. It captures the moment where the participants involved are awarded with medals after victory in the sports they had participated. When awarding the Olympic participant, the protocol is that the winner is awarded with a gold medal then the first runner up is awarded with silver followed by brass for the second runner up. After receiving the medals, the next stage involved playing of the national anthem in front of everyone. Only the person who takes the gold is awarded the chance of having his or her country’s national anthem played. From the background of the picture provided, there is a possibility of stating that the event is not a recent one and may have taken place somewhere in the middle 1900s. An aspect that brings out the background of the photo is the ‘black power’ salute that the two of the participants posed. During the 1960’s, there were many instances where the black Americans fought against what they believed to be racism from the original citizens in the country. From this, it is clear to deduce that the time the Olympic event in the picture is taking place might be the 1968 summer Olympics. This aspect then is possible to award the photo with both the denotative and connotative values (Bathes, 35). There is a connotative value that the ‘black power salute’ poses awards the photo. This value is in the unity of the black Americans. The two Olympic participants can be said to be sending a message to the other black people. The message here is not only directed to the black Americans but to all the black people all over the world since Olympics is an international event. The first African country to participate in the Olympics was South Africa in the year 1904; this was under the

Witnessign to Jehovah's Witnesses on the Issues of Life and Death Research Paper

Witnessign to Jehovah's Witnesses on the Issues of Life and Death Decisions - Research Paper Example Modern civilization now puts its emphasis on the respect for individuals and this includes the ideas, beliefs and ideologies of a person. For a better world to exist, this would be an ideal notion that everyone might agree with and even advocate. However, there is also the fact to be considered that there are differences among individuals that usually make it difficult for an ideal world to be had. Individuals in a family have different perspectives which usually cause misunderstandings. Likewise, individuals in organizations, fraternities or even churches have this similar problem. No matter how similar people’s beliefs are, there are always points of differences where contradictions among members occur and these should be understood and respected to achieve the old adage, ‘Live and let live.’ This paper will look into the situation of a couple who are faced with a decision considering the medical condition of the young woman as dictated by their beliefs. The wom an suffers from severe pain and abdominal cramps and is found to have ectopic pregnancy. The doctor explains the situation and the remedy and warns the couple that if the woman does not undergo the operation, blood transfusion and other procedures needed to be done, she would die. Being members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the couple believe that the entire procedure is entirely against their beliefs. So, the question of whether they will push through with the procedure to save the young wife’s life or not receive medical attention at all and face the sting of death, is upon their shoulders. The following discussion will offer the possible result of this decision-making the couple is to make. Blood transfusion is one of the major concerns of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ beliefs and in fact to this day, the most debated among its beliefs. It is believed by critiques that such belief reflects their rejection of modern science and the extreme literalism of their exegesis (Horton, 2006). Witnesses prohibit members from receiving blood transfusions based on Acts 15:20 (Schmidt, 1993) so that in this view, the couple would most likely decline the idea of the operation to save the life of the woman. Spiritual beliefs could be difficult to debate about when such circumstances occur so that the medical team should be as well versed with different belief systems as they are with the technicalities of their profession. With such a weapon, they can try to convince patients to concede to whatever is needed to make an operation successful however; they should also know their limitations and boundaries so as not to desecrate what patients consider important for them. Most physicians with their educational training would desire to save a life and in the aforementioned situation, would like to save the life of the wife. A medical practitioner could probably try to convince the couple by looking closely at their basis for their belief found in Leviticus 1 7:11-14. It can be noted that the scripture prohibits men to eat blood and blood transfusion is not the same as eating. It is the desire of a loving God for His people to live in health and wellness and therefore would want the woman to live healthy and well. The same scripture claims that blood is life (NIV, 2005) that is why blood transfusion is a means of giving life to the patient. In addition, according to James Sire, the Witnesses’ argument about Acts 1520 is based on a false analogy. He agrees that blood transfusion is not the same as eating blood. He even claims that it is far different from intravenous feeding because the blood goes straight to the blood vessels and does not undergo the process food does, passing through the stomach to be processed before being distributed to the different parts of the body through the blood (Schmidt, 1993). One of the reasons that Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse blood transfusion is the fact that there have been those who underwen t blood transfusion