Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Art History Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Art History Paper - Essay Example This is usually different across the world and during the eras of time. Many individuals often experience the confusion when they have a different choice of opinions being offered from many sources in terms of the meaning of art. These opinions conflict with each other leading to even more confusion. This paper aims at expounding the relationship between society and art, based on two magazines photos, the photo of Marilyn Monroe and sculpture from MOMA bringing out the three works of Art and interpretation of photographs, from which the particular basis of art stems in. The photographs are from a magazine, and entails of two models, which in this case are titled Superstars and Superbitch. A well dressed gentleman and a lady both with grey suits. They look professional and their pause, looks and dress codes tells a lot. However, there is a caption based from Stout Hilaryââ¬â¢s quote that talks about the man being good at his job, and the tells the readers that they are also good at their work. He then asks why the successful women look very different from the men, and how we can break from such labels and forget about it. The relationship between society and art is simple but complex depending on the work of the artist. Artists tend to give a definition to trends of how they look at it, acting as propagandist and defining the movements. The artist also symbolizes the principles of culture or rather act as a mirror. Some artists try to bring out new trends and thoughts, which relies on what and how he or she is trying to do. For example, some of the great artists who left a legend are; Gast John who helped in showing that the perfect American and his greatest point of his age. Audobon, who was ahead of time, was an innovator and a chronicle, showed the next step to Romanticism in its view of nature (Kleiner, 2011, Pg 72). The artist who took pictures of the two photographs ââ¬Å"superstarsâ⬠and ââ¬Å"superbitchâ⬠seems to be ahead of time
Monday, October 28, 2019
Energy drink - Guarana Essay Example for Free
Energy drink Guarana Essay Are you ever extremely tired? In the generation we live in today, the average person does not get the eight hours of sleep that the body needs. They do not eat right or take vitamins, and they do not get the physical exercise they need to keep their body healthy. As a result; they get extremely tired, stressed, and moody by the middle of the day. A smart choice would be to get more hours of sleep, eat healthy, take vitamins and exercise daily. However, because we changed from a fast and active society to a lazy and overweight one, people have decided to take the easy way out. This easy way would be energy drinks. These drinks are said to give you a ââ¬Å"quick boost of energyâ⬠and they claim to have some sort of nutrition to them. Energy drinks have been around for over fifty years and are getting more popular as the years go by. They now are in almost every store you can go to and in many commercials and advertisements. The most popular energy drinks in the United States are Monster, Red Bull, Full Throttle, and Rockstar. However, my point here is that these energy drinks do the exact opposite of what they say they do. They say ââ¬Å"Healthy benefitsâ⬠I say ââ¬Å"Heart-attackâ⬠. Energy drinks are unhealthy because they can cause health problems that will last you a lifetime. First, the most obvious ingredient in an energy drink is caffeine. The bad thing about this ingredient is that people do not realize how much of it is in one can. Jenna Hogan, an author of the article ââ¬Å"What You Need To Know About Energy Drinksâ⬠, states ââ¬Å"In comparison, an average 8 ounce serving of a soft drink and a cup of coffee contains 25 to 85 milligrams respectively. This means that an 8 ounce energy drink can have as much caffeine as 14 colas! â⬠(Hogan 3) This much caffeine can lead to things such as bad sleep, kidney problems, dehydration, seizures, high blood pressure, and a decrease in bone mass. Caffeine increases heart rate and blood pressure, which then raises harmful stress hormones in the blood stream. Not only is there a high amount of caffeine, there is also a ridiculously large amount of sugar. An 8 ounce can of energy drink contains 13 tablespoons of sugar. These sugars are labeled as Fructose, Glucose, or Sucrose. They are carbohydrates that are metabolized quickly by the body and then produce a rapid burst of energy. If one is trying to stay healthy and free of illnesses, this much caffeine and sugar is the last thing he or she needs. Second, energy drinks are often ignored or exaggerated. However, the problem here isnââ¬â¢t only what is in the drink, but how many drinks a person consumes a day. In the Energy Supplements and Dangers article, the author recommends you take a moderation of two or less drinks a day. (Pursey 135) This is where the root of the problem stems from. One of the worst dangers in energy drinks is within athletes. These drinks are being used so frequently by many athletes before games or before major workouts. This is dangerous because these drinks arenââ¬â¢t designed for this. Because of the high sodium, caffeine and sugar content, they arent created to help replenish essential elements lost during intense workouts. The caffeine can then have a bad effect which is the opposite of what is needed. It is known that caffeine is actually banned from many sport competitions because it is known to improve strength and performance. Many caught consuming energy drinks before a game are automatically disqualified. The ingredients in an energy drink are very dangerous and overwhelming. Third, specific crowds are more prone to believe the variety of claims that energy drink companies make, and one main crowd would be teens. Energy drink companies make sure that their slogans are very memorable and catchy. For example, Red Bullââ¬â¢s slogan is ââ¬Å"Red Bulls give you Wings. â⬠Other slogans are ââ¬Å"Unleash the Beastâ⬠(Monster) ââ¬Å"Party like a Rockstarâ⬠(Rockstar) and ââ¬Å"Go Full Throttle or Go Homeâ⬠(Full Throttle). Teenagers thrive for acceptance. They will do anything to raise their popularity. In todayââ¬â¢s society, energy drinks are the ââ¬Å"coolâ⬠thing. Energy drink companies understand the importance of advertising, which is why they are becoming much more successful. An example of this would be before the Food and Drug Administration declared ââ¬Å"Four Lokosâ⬠(an energy drink) illegal. A fourteen year old boy stole his parents vehicle and crashed it on an interstate in Denton, Texas. His girlfriend, in the passengers seat, did not have a seatbelt on and died immediately. Police who searched his car found five empty Four Loko cans in the trunk, and the young boy was charged with intoxication and manslaughter (Sullum 1). We can finally thank the FDA for banning Four Lokos once and for all. Unfortunately, those lives lost to energy drinks can never be brought back. Some may argue that people need energy everyday and that is why thousands of Americans love caffeine. They work hard and dont get the right amount of rest, and that is where caffeine comes in the picture. Americans consume caffeine because it keeps them awake and running. Many of these people rely on the energy that caffeine gives them and it becomes a part of their everyday life. Without it they feel tired and miserable. Although many of these people need caffeine to survive through the day, many dont know what they are actually putting into their body. Curiosity strikes when people think about the FDA and why it hasnt put up a battle with the energy drink companies. There is one simple answer, Energy drinks are labeled as ââ¬Å"supplementsâ⬠instead of ââ¬Å"beverages. â⬠This classification allows companies to pretty much write whatever they would like on the back of their labels. There are no restrictions on the amount of ingredients or even which ones they choose to put on their products. Because the FDA canââ¬â¢t do anything about this, the public canââ¬â¢t be assured of its safety. Energy drink companies completely misinform the public about what their energy drinks do. They manipulate society into believing that their drinks will help improve their life. They target specific crowds in order to gain the success that they want. They dont tell their buyers about the long term effects these drinks have on their bodies. Obviously, they are more concerned about the money rather than the lives. Energy drinks have no benefit to the body. They will give you a quick boost of energy, just to bring you crashing down. Consuming more than one a day will only increase your risks of side effects. Energy drinks are very unhealthy and can cause you health problems that will last you a lifetime. The FDA banned Four Lokos and hopefully will do something to make energy drinks much less of a hazard and more of a nutritional drink.
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Christian Discipleship :: Religion Jesus Christianity Essays
Christian Discipleship Discipleship means ^one who follows^ or ^one who learns^ and this meaning has not changed over the centuries. The first disciples must have felt very special just as do today. Also, the first disciples were not fully understood and were rejected. This is true for disciples today aswell. The Bible is the most important reference for a Christian today. It contains all sorts of stories from the Old Testament and the New Testament. The New Testament concentrates on the life of Jesus which is probably more important to Christians than the Old Testament because Jesus^ death means that everyone has a chance to have all of their sins forgiven. The book I will be concentrating on is the gospel of Mark. Mark ^zoomed in^ on whom Jesus chose to be his disciples and what they were like. When people read Mark^s gospel they realise that you can be a disciple of Jesus no matter who you are. Jesus said, ^It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous but the sinners^ (Mark 2:17) Many people today see this and are inspired. They see that they too can be forgiven for all of their sins and lead a better life. Being a disciple today is nearly the same as being a disciple in the time of Jesus. As a disciple today you still have to have a true belief in God and to follow the word of Jesus. This is also true for disciples 2000 years ago. Christians today do not suffer as much as they did in the time of Jesus but in some countries Christians do get persecuted and even attacked or killed. The first twelve disciples are not so sacrificial and some probably wouldn^t give their life for God. However, there are still Christians who would do anything for God but this is only a small percent of Christians. The first twelve disciples weren^t just Christians straight away, they dropped all of their things to follow Jesus and spent years learning about God. Nowadays, many people wouldn^t just drop all of their things to follow someone they know nothing about. Many people are told about God and Jesus for a long time before becoming a Christian, just like in Emmanuel College in assemblies and in tutor prayer. Jesus told taught crowds of people that they must sacrifice everything to be a proper disciple. Some people want to learn more about Christianity but don^t want to be sacrificial in their living making them unable to be a disciple.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Graduation Speech -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Address
Welcome ... again ... to the graduation of the class of 2012... and a congratulations to you class ... you deserve it. First of all ... thank you class ... I am honored to be chosen to speak tonight and I am truly honored to have been able to spend these last four years ... with all of you. The day has finally arrived. It is June 7th, 2006... 7 p.m. It is so hard to believe that this is the day that we have been counting down to for the last few months. This is supposed to be the end of the beginning, the first day of the rest of our lives ... we all seem so set with our future and we seem so sure of exactly what it will foretell. However, regardless of how mature we may think we are ... we are not. We are still so young and new. We have so much to learn. So much more note-taking to take. So many more halls to walk and so many more people to meet. So very few allowed sick days to take. We have so much more space to make mistakes ... but also ... we have the space to correct them. We may be out of the building, friends, but we will be taught and tested for decades to come ... but this time in life. The memories of tonight and these last four years will soon be added with new memories, new friends, new jobs, new loves and relationships, and most important will be a new you. Maybe in the next few years you will be a mom ... or dad, but just maybe you will never have kids. Maybe you will start a career right out of high school, but maybe you will go to school ... hey maybe you will go to school for the rest of your life. But whatever we may become, we can all remember that these last four years have demanded patience ... and have demanded time. The last four years has offered an education ... the last four years has offere... ... with a small act of kindness. Kindness is just taking time out of your day to help ... and to not expect anything in return ... like Isaiah, Denies, and others with these special purple ribbons. Hey and maybe you are easy going like Blake c ... he thinks that just liking him for who he is and not for what you want him to be is kind. You never truly know what happiness a simple act of kindness will bring about. As said before, we are still so very young and new, and we have so much to learn. "Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day ... " The challenge is ours ... not just as graduates ... but us as the future ... let us create a world where human relationships are what we value ... and where kindness is the basis of that. Let us go into a world where small acts of kindness are more important that act of self.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
A Study of the Cultural Imperialism Theory Essay
ABSTRACT This paper explores the validity of the Cultural Imperialism Theory which says the Western culture has dominated the cultures of developing Nations. It examines to what extent and how the Western world in the real sense has dominated the developing countries. The study further examined the means through which the developing countries are being dominated culturally by the Western culture. The paper further looked at both the negative and the positive effects of cultural imperialism. It concluded that though the western world is succeeding in eroding the culture of developing countries and Nigeria as a study, Nigeria as a Nation should put on some safety belt in safeguarding our heritage. INTRODUCTION Culture is the way of life of a set of people. It encompasses the knowledge, ideas, beliefs, values, standards, and sentiments prevalent in the group. According to Charles A. Ellwood, an American Sociologist, culture is the ââ¬Å"collective name for all behavior patterns socially acquired and socially transmitted by means of symbolsâ⬠. Dare A., defines Culture as the collectivity of human activities and general principles that tend to guide ideas of a group of people with shared traditions (general acceptability), which are passed on, instilled into generation (socialization) and reinvigorated by members of the group (sustainability) while Imperialism as defined by The Dictionary of Human Geography is the creation and maintenance of an unequal economic, cultural and territorial relationship, usually between states and often in the form of an empire, based on domination and subordination The Theorist of Cultural Imperialism theory, Herb Schiller postulated that Western nations dominate the media around the world which in return has a powerful effect on Third World Cultures by means of imposing on them, western views thereby destroying their native cultures Western Civilization produces the majority of the media (film, news, comics, etc.) because they have the money to do so. The rest of the world purchases those productions because it is cheaper for them to do so rather than produce their own. Therefore, Third World countries are watching media filled with the Western worldââ¬â¢s way of living, believing, and thinking. The third world cultures then start to want and do the same things in their countries and destroy their own culture. In cultural Imperialism theory, the key words are culture and imperialism. According to Anaeto G., Onabajo, O. and Osifeso, J. (2008), they wrote that ââ¬Å"the western countries are technologically developed in television and motion programmes and developing countries that are not technologically developed depend on the programmes from the developed countries. This means that the programmes from the developed counties which portray their culture will be imbibed by the developing nations. This western culture now dominates our local culture simply because we are consuming their mass media messagesâ⬠. The assumptions of the theory according to Schiller, H., are classified into three namely 1. Ontological Assumptions 2. Epistemological Assumptions 3. Axiological Assumptions 1. Ontological Assumptions This theory says that humans do not have the free will to chose how they feel, act, think, and live. They react to what they see on television because there is nothing else to compare it to besides their own lives, usually portrayed as less than what it should be. 2. Epistemological Assumptions This theory explains that there is one truth and no matter what that truth never going to change. As long as Third World countries continue to air Western Civilizationââ¬â¢s programs then the third world countries will always believe they should act, feel, think, and live as Western Civilizations act, feel, think, and live. 3. Axiological Assumptions This theory is value-neutral and objective. It does not matter what beliefs the people of Third World may already hold, the television programs from the Western World will communicate the same message and affect them in the same way. CRITIQUES OF THEORY The critiques of the Cultural Imperialism theory came up with scientific theory which counter-argued the theory with the following responses: Explanatory Power: It explains what happens when one group of people with their own ideas sends messages through the media to a different group of people. Predictive Power: It predicts that Third World countriesââ¬â¢ culture will be destroyed and the people will identify with Western views. Parsimony: We can see a direct linear path from sender to receiver through the media channels and then watch the effects. Falsifiability: The theory could be proved false should the Third World countries not be affected by Western media and they do not lose their culture. E.G ââ¬Å"Under the intriguing title Seducing the French (1993), Richard F.Kuisel concedes that the French underwent a process of Americanization. But at the same time, they succeeded in defending their ââ¬Å"Frenchness.â⬠French consumers found some American products appealing but they also continued to cherish and idealize French national identity, notably the idea of a superior French high culture.â⬠Internal Consistency: There is a logical flow of events and consequences within the theory. Heuristic Provocativeness: This theory could lead to new hypotheses such as which cultures are affected more than others (if any) or whether low context differ in the reception of messages compared top high context cultures? Organizing Power: This fits with what we already know about differences between Western civilization and Third World countries. Another example the critique stated is that ââ¬Å"if an International Broadcast station shows a video depicting Nigerians as corrupt, dangerous and malnourished, should someone in Nigeria watch this the Western stereotype of Nigerians, and not affected by it, the theory have been proved falseâ⬠. John, T., further argues that Cultural imperialism consists of the spread of modernity. It is a process of cultural loss and not of cultural expansion. There never were groups of conspirators who attempted to spread any particular culture. Instead, global technological and economic progress and integration reduced the importance of national culture. Therefore, it is misleading to put the blame for a global development on any one culture. The notion of imperialism that is, purposeful cultural conquest is irrelevant; instead, all countries, regardless of whether they are located in the northern or southern hemisphere, are victims of a worldwide cultural change MODES OF CULTURAL IMPERIALISM Tracing world history all through the era of colonialism, there have been histories of cultural imperialism which will seem the only way to explain the popularity of the very-British game cricket in all countries that once served as British colonies. Invasion of a country most often doesnââ¬â¢t end with an invasion of the geographical territories within the political boundaries alone. Religious and cultural invasion are often inseparable parts of a political conquest. Itââ¬â¢s much easier to rule if your subjects share the same religious and cultural platforms as the invaders? The cultural imperialism theory is founded upon the premises of imposing the influences and beliefs of the stronger culture (the invaders) upon the weaker or more submissive culture (the invaded). How does this cultural Imperialism take place? Dare A., states that Cultural imperialism takes place when one culture overtakes another in such a way that the latter ends up following a significant number of values, traditions, beliefs and influences of the former either completely or in a way merges the influences of the dominating culture with those of its own. Such a cultural invasion can either be active or passive. In its active form, the dominant culture forcefully imposes its cultural influences upon the dominated culture. This is a dynamic phenomenon where the subordinate culture is compelled to adopt the ways of the invaders. The passive form is when one culture (not necessarily subordinate) voluntarily embraces the influences and traditions of another culture. Here, the dominant culture makes little or no forceful efforts in imposing its cultural ideals upon another but the latter gets influenced as a consequence of its receptivity to the formerââ¬â¢s cultural impacts. The passive form of cultural imperialism is what largely takes place today. Cultural imperialism can also occur due to the significant commercial relations between two countries. A country heavily importing products and services of another country may get significantly influenced by the exporting countryââ¬â¢s lifestyle attributes and social values. We can see this phenomenon in the form of Westernization of a number of Eastern countries. This is a type of passive cultural imperialism as the receiving culture adopts the foreign values without perceiving the fact that they are, in fact, becoming slaves of a foreign culture. WORLD EXAMPLES OF CULTURAL IMPERIALISM English Cultural Imperialism English cultural imperialism has been rife in the history of cultural imperialism. Latin which has the Churchââ¬â¢s official language to popularizing its national game all across its colonies was changed to English. The British Empire left no stone unturned to make sure that its subjects adhered to its cultural idiosyncrasies even decades after ceasing to be its subjects. The fact that Cricket is among the top ten most popular sports around the world with an estimated 3 billion fan following, especially in countries like Australia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, New Zealand and certain African and Caribbean countries proves the strength of the English cultural imperialism. It is also a known fact that English is the third most spoken language after Mandarin and Spanish. Decades of dominion and repressive policies towards Tibet, Taiwan and various other neighboring regions by China has had a significant influence upon the religion and culture of these regions. The aggressive promotion of a standardized Chinese language across Mainland China and Taiwan indicates towards an attempted cultural imperialism aimed at overtaking regional dialects in these areas. Also, the fact that most traditional aspects of the Chinese culture pertaining to religious beliefs, festivals and social norms significantly inundate the socio cultural edifices of various Oriental countries indicate towards strongly existing cultural imperialism. The most widespread and still continuing instance of cultural imperialism can be seen in the form of Americanization. This is mostly due to the multitudes of commercial relationships the United States holds with a large number of countries in all parts of the world. This is definitely passive cultural imperialism and the countries that are most affected are those that have voluntarily adopted the stereotyped American lifestyle values and specific cultural aspects CULTURAL IMPERIALISM IN NIGERIA The Issue of Sagging Sagging has become the latest phenomenon among the male youths today in Nigeria. It is what is in vogue; if you have not exposed the lower part of your private, you belong to the old school system. What is sagging and where did it come from? According to Greg, M., sagging was adopted from the United States prison system where belts are prohibited. Belts are sometimes prohibited to keep prisoners from using them as weapons or in committing suicide by hanging themselves. The style was later popularized by hip-hop artists in the 1990s. It has since become a symbol of freedom and cultural awareness among some youths or a symbol of their rejection of the values of mainstream society. Jails are typically state run institutions. What usually happens is the state will order a set number of inmate uniforms. These uniforms are usually in general sizes like small, medium and large; making them ill-fitting for most inmates. When a medium sized inmate comes in and there are no remaining medium uniforms this inmate will receive a large instead. Prisoners are not allowed to have shoe laces or belts for fear theyââ¬â¢d use them to kill themselves (by way of strangulation or hanging), or as weapons to kill or injure other inmates. The combination of over sized clothing and lack of fastening devices created the perfect storm for falling pants. Many street hungry rappers latched on the dress of their incarcerated friends and family and brought the style to the masses. Thus a new trend was born and Nigerians have fallen into this trend Linguistic Imperialism Language is one of the principal elements in identifying a particular culture and the absence of it makes a culture unidentifiable. It is vital for cultural transmission and preservation. With the gradual loss of our indigenous languages in Nigeria, what culture are we then preserving? Ogwu, M., Agbanu, N. and Ofordile, J. describes Linguistic Imperialism as ââ¬Å"People who can relate with each other only through the medium of communication foisted on them by a former colonist are victims of a peculiar kind of Schizophreniaâ⬠. The use of our language is declining in Africa especially Nigeria because we are compelled to embrace Western culture and civilization as Western language. Western language has created a division between an elite and mass of our people who still cannot do business with foreign language. It causes alienation for people who cannot speak English or French. Language is a vehicle of culture; we are in a very serious problem. e.g. ââ¬Å"Professor Babafunwa project on local language as a basic tool of teaching in Nigeria was aborted because of the nature of our country.â⬠Parents also do not encourage their children or wards to speak in their local language as they belief it causes setback in their education. Fashion imperialism You hardly find few of our men, women and the youths who still embrace our cultural mode of dressing. Our people are going ââ¬Ëgagaââ¬â¢ with the western way of dressing thereby losing their root of African way of dressing. Itââ¬â¢s quite unfortunate that when expatriates and tourist who come to Nigeria appreciate our native attire while the owners of the heritage has seen it as something of old school and fashion. Tattoos have also become a common phenomenon. Both the young and old are stamping themselves all over the body with symbolic ââ¬Ëdevilishââ¬â¢ tattoos. Religious Imperialism Most churches in Nigeria today have gone the western way. When you go to some churches today, you marvel at the way some our ladies apparel. The custom of covering of hair has been eroded by the western way; all kinds of dressing are acceptable. The men or young male adults put on all sort of jewels and dress ââ¬Ëhaggardlyââ¬â¢. The sense of going to commune with God is lost. EFFECTS OF CULTURAL IMPERIALISM Moral Decadency Through the float of western culture into Nigeria through the advent of technology and globalization, there has been obvious moral decline in Africa and in Nigeria in particular. This moral decadence has permeated almost all spheres of our culture. Moral consciousness has been equated with awkward and odd life styles. According to Oshafu, H., in his article ââ¬Å"Cultural Imperialismâ⬠, this resulted due to Africaââ¬â¢s carelessness and failure to hold their culture with high esteem. He added that the moral excellence of African society has over night transformed into moral decay. Elders are no longer respected, our rapid festivals and ceremonies are now seen as ââ¬Å"old schoolâ⬠and we now have children of single parents, a phenomenon that is identifiable with America. People no longer communalize, nobody wants to be anybodyââ¬â¢s brotherââ¬â¢s keeper. Our mode of dressing has been totally distorted by western civilization through foreign films and media conten t. Today we seem not to have any cultural attire. Our people now prefer to go naked on the streets as against our culture, micro minis with handless tops has this to show. The acculturation of ââ¬Å"blue jean and hamburgerâ⬠has gradually found it way into young people in African society. The issue of dress code has led to controversies in our high institute in today. Cases of immoral dressing have also gave way to rapid sexual harassment among students and lecturers, bosses and their employees. Raping in our society today came as a result of reckless dressing code by ladies The traditional notion of chastity and virginity have been rendered absurd by pornographic and sleazy materials displayed on screens, distorting sexuality and condoning promiscuity, which has given rise to active homosexuality and lesbianism in our society today. These cases of reckless sex have led to the rapid spread of STDââ¬â¢s particularly, HIV/AIDs in our society today. Innocent children are dying of this disease. They paid dearly for the offence committed by their parents. This is immoral evil militating against the dignity of human person. Increase in Crime Rate With exposure to the western way of life, increase in crime rate is on high. Most of the films we watch on the television set are crime oriented thereby leading to increase in crime rate. In as much as there is positive impact of the television set, the negative aspect outweighs the good part, as the western world is teaching modern ways to crime though the kind of programmes being disseminated, which includes kidnapping, serial killing etc. Look for more points We have scholars who however belief that Cultural Imperialism theory regardless of its negative effect has its positive side. Cultural imperialism they say is not entirely bad as it increases the pace of development in Nigeria and other less developed countries. For example, in the giving away of media products free of charge or selling them at a very low price to these developing nations, the US actually accelerates the growth of the media industry and the advancement in technology, hence increasing the knowledge and skills of the people there. Their actions not only add on to actual growth; the subsequent increase in human capital further boosts potential growth, which is essential for the actual growth to be sustained in the long run. This investment in human capital goes a long way and benefits the country as it strengthens the competitive edge and increases productivity of the workforce. Economic growth is also achieved Even more so, being a developing nation, Nigeria would not have had the latest technology available to produce media products; it is only through the provision of the American companies that they are able to obtain state-of-the-art equipment. The advocacy of production of local-helmed programs would thus further enhance American influence on the nation. Despite government efforts to hinder cultural imperialism, they cannot completely eliminate the impacts of this influence as American media products have already found their way into the market and become a part of Nigeriaââ¬â¢s media production efforts. They need such ââ¬Å"interferenceâ⬠in order to keep their media industry alive WAY FORWARD Long Term Investment in the Development of our Mass Media One way cultural imperialism spreads is through the mass media. The local media imports foreign materials because it is cheaper than having to produce local indigenous content. An example of this issue is that indigenous journalists have to learn to transcribe and rewrite news by foreign news agencies rather than source for their own stories. Sometimes even rewriting local stories covered by the foreign news agencies. Our government and private investors should invest heavily in our local media and encourage the development of indigenous content that will reflect our culture, values, promote our languages etc. Media products like movies, news, music, advertising etc should be regulated to avoid the influx of foreign content. This is where organizations like the Nigerian Broadcasting Service come in. They should develop stronger laws and be strict in its enforcement of the laws such as the 60/40% rule (60% indigenous, 40% foreign). If the indigenous media products are of high quality, the citizens will be encouraged to consume them. This is so because a lot of people give the low quality of the products (movies, music, adverts, news etc) as reasons for not consuming them. If Nigerians consume indigenous media products, it will reflect in every area of our lives (culturally that is). An example is what is happening in the Nigerian music industry,. Because of the increase in local content in our music, it is now becoming acceptable and even encouraged to sing in our indigenous languages(Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo etc), dress in our native attires most especially Ankara and wear our national colors. There has been a rise in the popularity of Pidgin English as opposed to just speaking plain English. Also the teaching of our indigenous languages should be encouraged in our schools. All primary and secondary schools should be encouraged to teach at least one Nigerian language at all classes especially in the minority regions of the country where the minority languages are in danger of becoming extinct. Parents should further speak their native dialect with their wards or children to aid them to be conversant in their local dialect. Young adults today see it as a taboo or as inferiority complex speaking in their local dialect; ââ¬Å"it does not sound ââ¬Ëtushââ¬â¢ rather localâ⬠parents more importantly should be more watchful and observant in the kind of foreign stations their children tune to for their programmes as ââ¬Å"media has become the primary means by which many of us experience or learn about many aspects of the world around usâ⬠Stanley and Dennis, 5th edition,p.200). With the presence of technology, access to International broadcast station is at the tip of the hand, we have cables surrounding us and with just a remote control, you can be anywhere in the world learning and assimilating what is been impressed on you. As such supervision is needed to regulate what is been watched. Parents should devout time for their children while they are still young as most of the western values tend to catch them while they are still young just as the ââ¬Å"catch them young phraseâ⬠. Another solution is to try to export our own culture as this will help in boosting tourism in Nigeria. We should conscious try to sell and promote our media products to the rest of the world. This will improve our image globally and help foreigners understand our culture, values, cuisine better. I would like to say at this point that we should not consume wholly indiginous media products. A little foreign content is still advisable as there has been some good aspects of cultural imperialism such as technological and educational advancement, political structure (democracy), eradication of some harmful practices like the killing of twins etc. We should take a balanced approach, like an 80 (indigenous))/20% (foreign). CONLUSION As a result of globalization and technological advancement, the western world has succeeded in dominating the third world countries. This notwithstanding should not be an excuse for Nigerians and other third world countries to be subjugated by the western world. Nigerian as a nation should fight cultural imperialism and fight back for our lost culture. One way by which this could be done is through Long Term Investment in the Development of our Mass Media as it is the major means by which cultural imperialism spreads. The local media imports foreign materials because it is cheaper than having to produce local indigenous content. An example of this issue is that indigenous journalists have to learn to transcribe and rewrite news by foreign news agencies rather than source for their own stories. Sometimes even rewriting local stories covered by the foreign news agencies. Our government and private investors should invest heavily in our local media and encourage the development of indigenous content that will reflect our culture, values, promote our languages etc. REFERENCES Anaeto, S. G., Onabajo, O. S. and Osifeso, J. B. (2008). Models and Theories of Communication. African Renaissance Books Incorporated. Dare, A., (2010). The Effects of Western Civilization and Culture on Africa. Afro Asian Journal of Social Sciences (1/1) Quarter IV Grifin, E. (2000). A first look at communication theory. (4th edition). Boston, MA: McGraw- Hill Littlejohn, S. W. (1999). Theories of human communication (6th edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Oshafu H. U. Cultural Imperialism. Accessed from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/culturalimperialism-examples.html on 12/11/2012. Ogwu, M., Agbanu, N., and Ofordile, J. (December, 2010). ââ¬Å"Sustaining Cultural Values Through the Promotion of Indigenous Languages in Nigeriaâ⬠Journal of Communication and Culture: International Perspective. (1/3), pp 76 Schiller, H. I. (1976). Communication and Cultural Domination. Armonk, NY: International Arts and Sciences Press. Accessed online on 29/10/2012. Critics of cultural imperialism theory. Encyclopedia of the New American Nation available Accessed at http://www.americanforeignrelations.com on 29/10/2012
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Biography of Bessie Blount, American Inventor
Biography of Bessie Blount, American Inventor Bessie Blount (November 24, 1914ââ¬âDecember 30, 2009) was an American physical therapist, forensic scientist, and inventor. While working with injured soldiers after World War II, she developed a device that allowed amputees to feed themselves; it delivered one mouthful of food at a time to patients whenever they bit down on a tube. Griffin later invented a receptacle that was a simpler and smaller version of the same, designed to be worn around a patients neck. Fast Facts: Bessie Blount Known For: While working as a physical therapist, Blount invented assistive devices for amputees; she later made contributions to the field of forensic science.Also Known As: Bessie Blount GriffinBorn: November 24, 1914 in Hickory, VirginiaDied: December 30, 2009 in Newfield, New JerseyEducation: Panzer Collegeà of Physical Education and Hygiene (now Montclair State University)Awards and Honors: Virginia Women in History Honoree Early Life Bessie Blount was born in Hickory, Virginia, on November 24, 1914. She received her primary education at Diggs Chapel Elementary School, an institution that served African-Americans. However, a lack of public resources forced her to end her education before she had completed middle school. Blounts family then moved from Virginia to New Jersey. There, Blount taught herself the material required to earn her GED. In Newark, she studied to be a nurse at Community Kennedy Memorial Hospital. She went on to study at the Panzer College of Physical Education (now Montclair State University) and became a certified physical therapist. Physical Therapy After finishing her training, Blount began working as a physical therapist at the Bronx Hospital in New York. Many of her patients were soldiers who had been wounded during World War II. Their injuries, in some cases, prevented them from performing basic tasks, and Blounts job was to help them learn new ways to do these things using their feet or teeth. Such work was not only physical rehabilitation; its goal was also to help veterans regain their independence and sense of control. Inventions Blounts patients faced numerous challenges, and one of the biggest was finding and developing new ways to eat on their own. For many amputees, this was especially difficult. To help them, Blount invented a device that delivered one bite of food at a time through a tube. Each bite was released when the patient bit down on the tube. This invention allowed amputees and other injured patients to eat without assistance from a nurse. Despite its usefulness, Blount was unable to successfully market her invention, and she found no support from the United States Veterans Administration. She later donated the patent rights to her self-feeding device to the French government. The French put the device to good use, making life much easier for many war veterans. Later, when asked why she gave away the device for free, Blount said she wasnt interested in money; she simply wanted to prove that black women were capable of more than [nursing] babies and [cleaning] toilets. Blount continued to search for new ways to improve the lives of her patients. Her next invention was a portable receptacle support, which hung around the neck and allowed patients to hold objects near their face. The device was designed to hold a cup or a bowl, from which patients could sip using a straw. In 1951, Blount officially received a patent for her self-feeding device; it was filed under her married name, Bessie Blount Griffin. In 1953, she became the first woman and the first African-American to appear on the television show The Big Idea, where she exhibited some of her inventions. While working as a physical therapist for Theodore Miller Edison, the son of inventor Thomas Edison, Blount developed a design for a disposable emesis basin (the receptacle used to collect bodily fluids and waste in hospitals). Blount used a combination of newspaper, flour, and water to produce a material similar to papier-mache. With this, she made her first disposable emesis basins, which would have saved hospital workers from having to clean and sanitize the stainless steel basins used at the time. Once again, Blount presented her invention to the Veterans Administration, but the group had no interest in her design. Blount patented the invention and sold the rights to a medical supplies company in Belgium instead. Her disposable emesis basin is still used in Belgian hospitals today. Forensic Science Blount eventually retired from physical therapy. In 1969, she began working as a forensic scientist, assisting law enforcement officers in New Jersey and Virginia. Her main role was to translate the academic findings of forensic science research into practical guidelines and tools for officers on the ground. Over the course of her career, she became interested in the relationship between handwriting and human health; Blount had observed that writing- a fine-motor skill- could be affected by different forms of disease, including dementia and Alzheimers. Her inquiries into this area led her to publish a groundbreaking paper on medical graphology. Soon Blount was in high demand for her expertise in this emerging field. During the 1970s, she assisted police departments across New Jersey and Virginia, and she even served for a time as a chief examiner. In 1977, she was invited to London to assist British police with handwriting analysis. Blount became the first African-American woman to work for Scotland Yard. Death Blount died in Newfield, New Jersey, on December 30, 2009. She was 95 years old. Legacy Blount made major contributions in both the medical and forensic science fields. She is best remembered for the assistive devices she invented as a physical therapist and for her innovative work in graphology. Sources Inventors and Inventions. Marshall Cavendish, 2008.McNeill, Leila. The Woman Who Made a Device to Help Disabled Veterans Feed Themselves-and Gave It Away for Free. Smithsonian Institution, 17 Oct. 2018.Morrison, Heather S. Inventors of Health and Medical Technology. Cavendish Square, 2016.Overlooked No More: Bessie Blount, Nurse, Wartime Inventor and Handwriting Expert.The New York Times, 28 Mar. 2019.
Monday, October 21, 2019
Announcing the Worlds Ultimate Book Title Generator Reedsy
Announcing the Worlds Ultimate Book Title Generator Reedsy Announcing the World's Ultimate Book Title Generator Titling a book is a bit similar to picking a Fantasy Football team: you're never sure which oneââ¬â¢s the perfect fit and you end up trashing sixty combinations in the end, anyway. But the good news is that youââ¬â¢re not alone if youââ¬â¢re stressed about your book title. Jane Austenââ¬â¢s Pride and Prejudice started out as First Impressions. Ernest Hemingway spent months discarding titles before deciding on A Sun Also Rises. Then there was George Orwell, who once planned to title the now-iconic 1984 as The Last Man in Europe. Weââ¬â¢re familiar with the struggle, which is why weââ¬â¢re pleased to announce our book title generator: a resource for anyone whoââ¬â¢s in need of some title inspiration. Itââ¬â¢s got something for everyone, whether youââ¬â¢re dabbling in fantasy, mystery, romance, science fiction, and thriller. Best of all, it stores 10,000+ titles, so youââ¬â¢ll never run out of potential titles again!service@reedsy.com!Any questions about ti tling your book? Leave them in the comments below.
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Not All Epithets are Insults
Not All Epithets are Insults Not All Epithets are Insults Not All Epithets are Insults By Maeve Maddox Judging by the words common use in todays media, one might imagine epithet to be no more than a synonym for insult. Some epithets are insults, but the word has a wider application. For example, look at all these epithets Handel applied to the Baby Jesus in The Messiah: Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Here are some Homeric epithets: many minded Achilles, swift-footed Odysseus, the ox-eyed lady (Hera) epithet 1. An adjective indicating some quality or attribute which the speaker or writer regards as characteristic of the person or thing described; 2. A significant appellation. OED 2nd edition. In 1993 this definition was added: An offensive or derogatory expression used of a person; an abusive term; a profanity. Leaving aside the literary uses of epithets, heres a look at some ways journalists use them. Some epithets, first used by one particular writer, become so attached to persons and things that it becomes rare to see one without the other: powerful Ways and Means committee embattled Governor Rod Blagojevich worlds largest retailer Wal-Mart Sometimes epithets may be used to predispose readers to a positive or negative frame of mind without seeming to editorialize: Motorist Rodney King Troubled pop star Brittany Spears NFL star Michael Vick semi-repentant zillionaire Mel Gibson greedy Wall Street bankers Some thoughts on epithets 1. Cliched epithets are not intrinsically bad. They can be useful shorthand devices for writers and readers in a hurry. 2. The epithet is a respectable rhetorical device. Writers with more time at their disposal might revise for cliched epithets and come up with fresher epithets of their own. 3. If one is writing about someone hurling epithets it might be helpful to specify what kind of epithets were hurled. Were they racial epithets? Did they attack the target in terms of gender, politics, occupation, or morality? Its conceivable that a speaker could be showered with complimentary epithets by his listeners. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Comparative Forms of AdjectivesConnotations of 35 Words for Funny Peopleââ¬Å"Least,â⬠ââ¬Å"Less,â⬠ââ¬Å"More,â⬠and ââ¬Å"Mostââ¬
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Managing Human Resources Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words
Managing Human Resources - Case Study Example Therefore the function of the human resource department then becomes central to the operation of any organization. The department is given the role of hiring, supervising and organizing training and development of the workforce. Therefore it is important to the management and development of the workforce. (Beer, 1995) In order to function properly, human resource department comes with particular policies and strategic plans that act as guidelines on how the organization is going to function. These policies and guidelines helps the organization to function properly in light of various workforce need for the organization. In order to ensure that these polices meets the needs for the organization and of the workforce, strategic human resource management (SHRM) has become the cornerstone for planning any human resource activities in an organization. Therefore SHRM has become the central focus to the operation of the human resource. SHRM implies the organized way in which the human resource department and in this case the whole organization comes up with strategies to manage the workforce. It involves taking into consideration a number of perspectives which are important of the operation of the department as a whole. ... (Truss, 2004) Background of Sainsbury J. Sainsbury plc. is one of the leading food retail in the UK and has been able to establish interest in non-food and financial services. It was established in 1869 by John James and Mary Ann Sainsubring and it has been declared Britain longest standing major food retailing chain. It was established with a mission for making the company the first choice for consumers for quality goods, delivering of products and outstanding qualities which are cost effective. The shareholding is a mixed of individual with 42% shares, Bank and nominees with 56% and insurance companies with 2% of the shares. The group is made up of service chain supermarket called Sainsbury's supermarket, Bells stores, Jacksons Stores, and Sainsbury Banks. The corporation employs more the 145,000 people in all its operations. The company has been in the market for along time and has built a business empire based on its principle of ensuring that they give their customers the best butter in the world and at the affordable price. It has aimed at cutting in niche in the market by becoming the leading consumer first choice for food, delivering of outstanding quality products at the most competitive price in the market. The company has been taking various steps towards ensuring that it satisfies its customers in terms of meeting their demands through delivery of high quality goods and through ensuring that it pays attention to the matters of the environment. The company is best known for various productions in the market. Sainsbury has been know not only as a leading supermarket retailers in the UK but is also knows for other holdings. It operates Shaw's supermarkets Inc, Sainsbury Bank, J Sainsbury Developments Ltd, and Sainsbury's Property
Friday, October 18, 2019
The Mediating Effects of Time Structure on the Relationships between Article
The Mediating Effects of Time Structure on the Relationships between Time Management Behavior, Job Satisfaction and Psychological Wellbeing - Article Example Macanââ¬â¢s (1994) model conceptualizes how individuals manage time to achieve performance and maintain well being. Bond and Feather (1988) termed ââ¬Å"time structureâ⬠to ââ¬Å"the degree to which individuals perceive their use of time as structured and purposiveâ⬠(p. 321). How employment provides individuals with a sense of structure and purpose, and how the absence of such a structure has negative influences. In a recent study, Kelly (2003) examined the relationship between worry and time usage amongst university students. Kelly found that the negative impact of Time Structure is worry. Kellyââ¬â¢s finding is inconsistent with many previous studies, which suggest that Time Management Behaviors (TMB) positively predict psychological consequences, such as personal wellbeing, work and life satisfaction. Macan and her colleagues developed the Time Management Behavior scale (Macan, 1994; Macan et al., 1990) by the twin surveys of college students and organization employees. Macan classified time management behavior into three categories Setting goals and priorities; mechanics of time management behaviors, and preference for organization. Setting goals and priorities includes ââ¬Å"items that tap the setting of goals the person wants or needs to accomplish and prioritizing of the various tasks to achieve these goalsâ⬠(Macan et al., 1990, p. 761). Mechanics of time management refers to the ââ¬Å"behaviors typically associated with managing time, such as making lists and planningâ⬠(Macan et al., 1990, p. 761). Preference for organization refers to a reverse-scored factor that includes items measuring ââ¬Å"a general preference for disorganization in oneââ¬â¢s workspace and approach to projectsâ⬠(Macan et al., 1990, p. 761). Based on this categorization of time ma nagement behaviors, Macan (1994) proposed the process model, which hypothesized that time management behaviors predict an individualââ¬â¢s perceived control of time, which in turn predicts job
The Relationship Between Domination and Resistance Essay
The Relationship Between Domination and Resistance - Essay Example The absolute power of the monarch was then displayed to all in the (punishing of the) body of the prisoner. In later centuries, systems changed. Prisons were introduced, and prisoners were subject to strict discipline and control. Discipline meant that almost every bodily movement of prisoners was sought to be controlled - the space they used, the movements (exercises) they did, the food they ate and even their sleep. The panopticon, a circular design for prison houses (designed by Jeremy Bentham in the 18th century) with the warder's room in the center, allowed the warder to view a prisoner at any time; this made the prisoner feel that he was constantly being watched. This drill of prison life led to the transformation of people into obedient zombies, which facilitated the exercise of control by the state. The way the death penalty is administered in many countries of the world, including the US, is evidence that state sanctioned violence still exits. Such violence is orchestrated in a bizarre, ritualistic manner to make it appear as a necessary tool of the state justice system. But when we consider that capital punishment does not deter crime in any way, it becomes evident that it continues as a throwback to a primitive and uncivilized way of treating fellow humans. Dwight Conquergood gives some horrifying facts about the administration of the death penalty in the US. For instance, the US is one among a handful of countries, which allows the death penalty for a minor. Besides, a greater part of those who are on death row are minorities; a large percentage of women charged for serious crime are lesbian; one in seven persons are wrongly executed (!); and all this, though capital punishment is much more costly to administer than a life sentence. (Conquergood 2002)Power is thus used by t he state to reinforce the viewpoint of the majority. An impression of humaneness is sought to be created through the sanitation of the whole process of killing by the state. Prisoners are made to participate in their own annihilation. When a person on death row accepts the fact that he has no way to escape his fate, he is 'persuaded' to go through silly rituals of stating what he wants for a last meal, articulating his 'last wish' before death and so on. (Conquergood 2002)In the face of the exercise of such raw and violent power by the state against those who dare to express opinions contrary to what the state sanctions, political prisoners in Turkey have refined hunger strikes as a way of expressing their dissent. Patrick Anderson chronicles the longest lasting such strike, which started in Oct 2000 in Turkish prisons as a protest against shifting of prisoners to solitary cells. The strike has been carefully managed by the strikers so that they do not die of starvation soon. The st rikers have developed methods to see that their emaciated bodies survive - by drinking more liquids, by using potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride and so on. (Anderson 2004). Moving from the details of the narration, what is horrifying is the fact that in almost all countries of the world, including those which claim to be developed, the legal and justice system exists for the privileged class.Power operates outside prison gates too - through the mechanism of the market economy. An 'upper' class
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Reflecting on Food Systems Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words
Reflecting on Food Systems - Personal Statement Example I still enjoy a Whopper and fries, but when I eat one now I am more keenly aware of the path that the burger has taken to get to my table, the lives that it has impacted, the social footprint it has made, and the alternatives I have when choosing the foods I eat. I have listened for years as the news has told about the health issues that surround the foods we eat. It seems like every week there is another new health scare that portrays the American diet as dangerous and unhealthy. Trans fat, bacon, mayonnaise, and cheese have all come under fire as health advocates have suggested the limiting or elimination of certain foods from our diet. At some point it becomes like the boy who cried wolf too often. I have to wonder what is the food of the week that has drawn the attention of dieticians and nutritionists. If I had taken it as serious as they portrayed it then my favorite double cheeseburger with a large fries would have been out and replaced by a bowl of greens and alfalfa sprouts. Still, I had only a few sources for my food and had no knowledge how different it all was. If I didn't get my food from Burger King, then what alternatives did I have I had never given much thought about how the food had arrived at my table, or how the process h ad taken its toll on the nutritional benefits of the food I was eating. Being told my food was unhealthy didn't ... I need facts and figures and they need to make a connection that I can understand. The learning that I have done in food systems has been instrumental in fundamentally changing the ways that I think about food, the decision I make regarding the foods I buy, and my future plans for creating an alternative means of acquiring it. Yet, this would not have been possible without being involved in this class, my exposure to the UCD student farm, and the education that I have gotten in regards to alternative means of food production. I am far more aware of the risks we take when deciding what foods to eat and the ways it impacts growers and farmers around the world. It wasn't that I didn't care about the health of the food I ate; it was that I simply was not aware of the myriad issues that surrounded the topic. One of the issues that I became more aware of was the use of chemicals that are required to feed the population of the world. I never stopped long enough to think that there are other species on the planet that are competing for the same food that the human race is. I didn't know how the smallest of insects could damage and kill a field of vegetables before they are even given an opportunity to grow. They can feed off the roots or the vines and bring death to the plant long before there are any signs of fruit. Killing the pests can be accomplished through the use of chemical pesticides, but they leave a residue that works its way into the plant. We then ingest the food and in doing so we consume some trace of the original pesticide. Weeds can overtake a field or garden plot as they also compete for space. Many weeds have evolved for the m illennia to endure the harsh outdoor conditions and are a
Consider bauman's idea that central features of modernity underpinned Essay
Consider bauman's idea that central features of modernity underpinned the possibility and actuality of the holocaust - Essay Example Out of job, Bauman had enough spare time in his hands and completed his masters in philosophy from Warsaw University where he remained as a lecturer till 1968. With the outbreak of public protests in Poland against the ruling communist government and subsequent fanning of anti-Semitic sentiments by the government to deflect public criticism, Bauman shifted to Leeds University after briefly teaching in Tel Aviv University. Bauman faced anti-Semitic sentiments twice in his life and both were from non-Nazi state machinery. This experience led him to form an opinion that modernity, bureaucracy and social exclusion creates a situation where an extreme phobia against those social groups that cannot be neatly categorised and slotted into predetermined and well established hierarchical superstructure prevalent in the society. This in essence is the beginning of a potential holocaust that will inevitably result if this xenophobic attitude towards those social sub-groups that cannot be effectively analysed according to existing social norms is not brought under control. Such social mores can be brought under control only if the authority is aware of the potential dangers and initiates strong measures to counter such a mass phobia against so-called outsiders. History, however, has witnessed several instances of cynical exploitation of the deep seated distrust among Europeans against so-called killers of Christ by governments of several European nations, Poland and Soviet Russia being the main culprits, to further their narrow and selfish class interests. Bauman has worked extensively on these issues where he has clearly laid bare the intrinsic interconnection between modern society where people wilfully forego several facets of personal freedom (both in the realm of actions and in thoughts) and the inherent distrust of the ââ¬Ëoutsiderââ¬â¢ who does not conform to the established mores of the society. His contention is
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Reflecting on Food Systems Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words
Reflecting on Food Systems - Personal Statement Example I still enjoy a Whopper and fries, but when I eat one now I am more keenly aware of the path that the burger has taken to get to my table, the lives that it has impacted, the social footprint it has made, and the alternatives I have when choosing the foods I eat. I have listened for years as the news has told about the health issues that surround the foods we eat. It seems like every week there is another new health scare that portrays the American diet as dangerous and unhealthy. Trans fat, bacon, mayonnaise, and cheese have all come under fire as health advocates have suggested the limiting or elimination of certain foods from our diet. At some point it becomes like the boy who cried wolf too often. I have to wonder what is the food of the week that has drawn the attention of dieticians and nutritionists. If I had taken it as serious as they portrayed it then my favorite double cheeseburger with a large fries would have been out and replaced by a bowl of greens and alfalfa sprouts. Still, I had only a few sources for my food and had no knowledge how different it all was. If I didn't get my food from Burger King, then what alternatives did I have I had never given much thought about how the food had arrived at my table, or how the process h ad taken its toll on the nutritional benefits of the food I was eating. Being told my food was unhealthy didn't ... I need facts and figures and they need to make a connection that I can understand. The learning that I have done in food systems has been instrumental in fundamentally changing the ways that I think about food, the decision I make regarding the foods I buy, and my future plans for creating an alternative means of acquiring it. Yet, this would not have been possible without being involved in this class, my exposure to the UCD student farm, and the education that I have gotten in regards to alternative means of food production. I am far more aware of the risks we take when deciding what foods to eat and the ways it impacts growers and farmers around the world. It wasn't that I didn't care about the health of the food I ate; it was that I simply was not aware of the myriad issues that surrounded the topic. One of the issues that I became more aware of was the use of chemicals that are required to feed the population of the world. I never stopped long enough to think that there are other species on the planet that are competing for the same food that the human race is. I didn't know how the smallest of insects could damage and kill a field of vegetables before they are even given an opportunity to grow. They can feed off the roots or the vines and bring death to the plant long before there are any signs of fruit. Killing the pests can be accomplished through the use of chemical pesticides, but they leave a residue that works its way into the plant. We then ingest the food and in doing so we consume some trace of the original pesticide. Weeds can overtake a field or garden plot as they also compete for space. Many weeds have evolved for the m illennia to endure the harsh outdoor conditions and are a
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Challenges Facing the Development of Social Enterprises in China Essay
Challenges Facing the Development of Social Enterprises in China - Essay Example This essay stresses that the development of the social enterprises is hindered by the challenges regarding attracting, retaining, and developing talents. With the social enterprise sector being young compared to other countries across the world, they can only achieve growth by ensuring that new ideas are refined in order to create growth opportunities to the enterprises. Many of the multinational organizations have been able to thrive in the markets because they have experienced workforce which is able to guide the rest of the subordinates. However, in China, the social enterprises are young. Therefore, the managers do not have the necessary skills to guide the young generation working in these enterprises on how to nurture their talents in order to make a difference in the organization. This report makes a conclusion that The complexity of registering a social enterprise has made it hard for them to expand to other areas, an aspect that would enable them to increase the number of beneficiaries. Many of these enterprises are located in urban areas. With lack of support from the government and many registration hurdles, the enterprises have been unable to open up various subsidiaries in the rural areas in order to help more people. In addition, constant internal wrangles regarding the best places to establish these branches have been affecting the progress of these institutions in China. The reason is that there are no effective internal mechanisms to solve these issues.
Prison Inmates Should Be Allowed To Take College Courses Essay Example for Free
Prison Inmates Should Be Allowed To Take College Courses Essay Prison Inmates Should Be Allowed To Take College Courses Prison inmates should be allowed to take college course because having an education helps reform the inmate into a useful member of society. Education is useful in helping the inmate acquire the life skills necessary to make a life change for the better. Studies have shown that inmates who participate in educational programs were less likely to recidivate once released back into to society than those who did ot participate. Allowing prisoners to take college courses restructures the way inmates think and benefits society as a whole by helping inmates adapt once released, providing Job skills necessary to find work, and aiding in inmate rehabilitation. Providing an education for inmates helps them acquire the necessary life skills to make better choices once released and makes it easier to adapt to life outside the prison walls. An educated person is better able to choose etween right and wrong and also make wiser decisions. By restructuring the way an inmate thinks, the inmate makes better choices and finds better role models to emulate. An inmate who has the ability to read and write is better able to find information for himself and is more likely to use that information to make informed decisions. It is therefore easy to deduce, an inmate who has received a prison education can think more clearly and will act more positively preventing most inmates from recidivism. Using the education gained in prison will facilitate an inmates adaption to society and provides the necessary Jobs skills to find work once released. Education for inmates helps build a foundation for future success and provides the Job skills necessary to help inmates find work once they are released. Teaching basic educational skills to inmates such as reading, writing, and math skills increases their chances of passing employment tests and greatly improves their..
Monday, October 14, 2019
Essay on Barack Obama Leadership
Essay on Barack Obama Leadership Choose an example of a successful leader from the public/political or private sphere; and explain why s/he is a good example of leadership personified. Support your claim and bolster your argument with the theories and concepts in the text and lectures. Be sure to use facts, statistics, figures, and academic or scholarly articles to support your claims INTRODUCTION Leadership is the art of motivating or inspiring a group of people to act towards achieving a common goal. A leaderÃâà stepsÃâà upÃâà inÃâà timesÃâà ofÃâà crisis, and is able to think andÃâà actÃâà creatively in difficult situations. There are numerous leaders out there who have been successful in leading a group of people, an organization or the general public. Functions of a leader includes: Engaging followers, integrating them, catering to their needs, aspirations, and goals in a common organization while making them better citizens, followers and leaders. (Simmons, 2008). A good example that fits this category of leadership is Barack Obama. Barack Obama was catapulted into national prominence, in part, because of his skill at building bonds of empathy with supporters from a seemingly impossibly broad political base (Noble , 2009). Conservatives marveled at his use of language and metaphors that resonated with their core beliefs, while Liber als and progressives believed that the rise to prominence of a self-identified African American with impeccable civil rights credentials represented a triumph for their own core agenda (Noble , 2009). This paper will focus on the leadership of Barack Obama; how he made history and was able to lead the country during the time of crisis. Furthermore, the theoretical standpoints of postmodernism and transformational leadership will be implemented to discuss some of the reasons he was successful as a leader. BIOGRAPHY Barack Obama was born in 1961 to a father from Kenya and a mother from Kansas. He was raised with the help of his grandfather, who served in Pattons army, and his grandmother, who worked her way up from the secretarial pool to middle management at a bank (Luce 2008). After working his way through college with the help of scholarships and student loans, he moved to Chicago, where he worked with a group of churches to help rebuild communities devastated by the closure of local steel plants. After that, he went on to attend law school, where he became the first African-American president of theÃâà Harvard Law Review (Luce, 2008). After graduation, he returned to Chicago to help lead a voter registration drive, teach constitutional law at the University of Chicago, and remain active in his community. Barack Obamas years of public service are based around his unwavering belief in the ability to unite people around a politics of purpose. In the Illinois State Senate, he passed the fir st major ethics reform in 25 years, cut taxes for working families, and expanded health care for children and their parents (Luce, 2008). As a United States Senator, he reached across the aisle to pass ground-breaking lobbying reform, lock up the worlds most dangerous weapons, and bring transparency to government by putting federal spending online (Luce, 2008). HISTORIC ELECTION November 4, 2008 was an historic day for Americans, as they celebrated the election of Barack Obama as the 44th President.Ãâà The election was the longest presidential campaign and the most expensive in history (Green Roberts, 2012). Moreover, the historic event marked the first time that two US senators ran against each other. New York Senator Hilary Clinton was the first serious female presidential candidate, while Senator Barak ObamaÃâà was the first African American nominated by a major party for president. For the Republican Party, Arizona Senator John McCain had hoped to become the oldest person elected president to a first term in America. His running mate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was the first woman vice president candidate for the Republican Party (Green Roberts, 2012). The whole presidential race was full of historic moments and it was an election like no other. During the historical presidential race, the media and other experts would often discuss whether a multiracial candidate could win. Some observers argued that Obama may not win because of his racial background. Conversely, other observers viewed him as a post-racial candidate (Green Roberts, 2012). Other opponents mentioned that Obama was too inexperienced, untested, and unready to become the president. Nevertheless, his political savvy, innovative election strategy, and charismatic personality was enough to make him victorious. The former Senator has managed to inspire astonishing numbers of people from different races (Black, White, Latino, Asian etc.) with his wisdom, optimism, wit, and exuberance. In one of his speech that took place on 27 July 2004 at the Democratic National Convention in Boston he spoke of his belief that, Theres not a liberal America and a conservative America, theres the United States of America. Theres not a Black America and White America and Latino America and Asian America; theres the United States of America. (Noble , 2009). TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP After the end of George Bushs presidential reign, the American people had grown tired of the same political atmosphere. Voters wanted something new that could bring change to the country. Transformational leadership places intrinsic motivation on their followers, thereby creating a massive appeal to supporters (Green Roberts, 2012). Bass and Riggio (2005) suggested that transformational leadership assist followers to grow and develop into leaders by responding to individual followers needs, by empowering them, and aligning the goals of the individual followers. Transformational leaders possess the personal characteristics of other effective leaders, especially charismatic leaders (Dubrin, 2013). Transformational leaders who possess a clear and compelling vision can impose their views of reality on followers violating the foundational principle of individual and collective knowledge creation autonomy characteristic of the postmodern value system (Green Roberts, 2012). During the 200 8 presidential election, there was a strong desire by many citizens for change in leadership. There were a number of things that needed to be fixed such as, the imploded housing market and the collapse of the economy. The bush administration achieved one of the lowest approval ratings in history (Green Roberts, 2012). During the presidential election, there was a cry for change. Young voters wanted a leader who inspires and possesses a clear vision. This was exactly what Barack Obama did as a leader. He captured the young voters attention and gave the American people the change theyve been longing for. He is a good example of a transformational leader. LEADING DURING CRISIS Barack Obama got sworn into office during the time of an economic crisis. The country was undergoing a recession but nonetheless, he came into office ready to take action. One of his first priorities after getting into office was to tackle the financial crisis. His stimulus package and some of the carryover from the Bush administration pushed money into the economy when it was needed the most. His auto bailout gave manufacturing a lifeline (GM, Chrysler, Ford), and his support for credit starved banks, slowed down the spread of subprime contagion (Barmak, Beer, Brearto, Castaldo, Cowan, 2012). Even though some believe he did not make the economic life better in his first four years in office, he certainly prevented it from getting much worse. And on re-election day, voters rewarded him for that. According to exit polls, more than half of voters still blamed George W. Bush for the sluggish economy. Only 38% blamed the president (Barack Obama). Surprisingly, four in ten people told po llsters they believed the economy was getting better. Among that cohort, 88% sided with Obama (Barmak, Beer, Brearto, Castaldo, Cowan, 2012). In the last full quarter before the second election, real GDP in the U.S. grew at a slow rate of 1.3% and Joblessness remained very high. No sitting president had ever won re-election with unemployment above 7.4% in the months leading up to a vote (Barmak, Beer, Brearto, Castaldo, Cowan, 2012), but Barack Obama was able to pull it off. During his second and most recent presidential campaign, ObamaÃâà argued that the only solution to Americas deficit problem was a mixture of increased revenues and lowered spending. In contrast, Mitt Romney consistently maintained that he could eliminate the deficit without raising taxes. He even promised to cut them below their current rates. Mitt Romneys plan was not realistic and his political agendas were rather inconsistent. Obamas plan was a far more realistic approach. By promising to increase marg inal rates on the very wealthy-essentially by allowing some Bush tax cuts to expire-Obama offered a path that, while not perfect, at least heads in the direction of future deficit reduction (Barmak, Beer, Brearto, Castaldo, Cowan, 2012). POSTMODERNISM According to research, younger generation in the United States and throughout the developed world now possess a more postmodern and post-materialist value system. For the first time in American history, there are four generations co-existing in the workplace. Which are, the Greatest Generation (1922-1945), the Baby Boomer (1946-1964), Generation X (1965-1980), and Millennial (1981-2000) groups (Green Roberts, 2012). It became clear that Obamas campaign communication methods and message appealed to the Millennias sense of community involvement. Barack Obama used the opportunity to connect with his generation and the younger voters population. The Bush administration was not able to meet the new set of values and expectations that the millennial generation is driven by. Some core postmodern traits include challenging authority, attacking conventional wisdom, tolerating ambiguity, accepting diversity, and building constructive reality (Green Roberts, 2012). Consequently, postmodernist s find themselves distrustful of institutions and hard facts. Baby Boomers leadership style is characterized by an autocratic mentality while Millennial are governed by a democratic approach (Green Roberts, 2012). These divergent generational leadership traits inspire some followers while inhibiting others. It is important for a leader (Presidential Candidate) to understand the cultural differences of this postmodern generation in order to win them over as followers/supporters. For example, Barack Obamas inclusiveness regarding the issue of religion was consistent with postmodern assumptions that reject mutually exclusive truth claims (Green Roberts, 2012). He was also able to connect with the younger generation through the internet (e.g. twitter) and was successful in getting more than the usual amount of youths to go out and vote for him. Therefore, one may conclude that Obamas understanding of post-modernism and all the cultural differences of the new generation made a big diff erence for his campaign and contributed to his success as a historic leader. CONCLUSION To summarize in short, Barack Obamas knowledge of postmodernism and his appeal to the different cultural groups across America (Blacks, Latino, Whites and other races) are some of what contributed to his success as a leader. He is a good example of a transformational leader. Barack Obama was catapulted into national prominence, in part, because of his skill at building bonds of empathy with supporters from a seemingly impossibly broad political base. His charisma, honesty and wit made him a unique leader. He believed in the slogan of Change which was what the American people wanted after the Bush administration left office. He was also able to connect with the younger generation through his savvy communication methods and through the internet which got more than the usual amount of the younger generation to go out and vote. This paper analysed the leadership of Barack Obama; how he made history and led the country during the time of crisis. It also incorporated the theoretical standp oints of postmodernism and transformational leadership to discuss some of the reasons why he was successful as a leader. His leadership during the time of crisis was also touched upon with some credible statistical data to back it up.
Sunday, October 13, 2019
The Black Market :: essays research papers
à à à à à à à à à à The Black Market is defined as people who engage in illicit trade. Smuggling of Nuclear weapons plays a role in this. The Russians, U.S., and other countries are involved. Russia has been one the move since the Cold War ended. The Russians position threat to many lives with nuclear sales. Many Russian affiliations and events are to blame including Russian Mafia, military intelligence, Trading Air, collapse in economy, and disgruntled Nuclear employees. Russian Crime organizations have grown to a high number since the end of the Cold War. The Nuclear Black market is no stranger to the Russian Mafia. Russia may be poised to sell nuclear weapons to the highest bidder as organized crime expands its influence in Russian society (Phinney). Some of the 200 Russian organized crime groups now operate worldwide, including in the United states and gaining the ability to manipulate its banking system and financial markets (Phinney). Roughly two-thirds of Russiaââ¬â¢s economy is under sway of crime syndicates, and protection rackets have been the norm since the collapse of communism(Phinney). The Russian Mafia and the antifada becoming nuclear powers or the likelihood that some of this dangerous material being transferred to rogue states like Iran, Iraq, or North Korea. Even if the uranium and plutonium are not used to build nuclear technology, these materials are radioactive and therefore intrinsically dangerous to any one who comes in contact with them, particularly the smugglers themselves. In March 1995, U.S. Customs agents in Miami launched a two-year undercover investigation reaching into high-level official circles in Russian, Bulgaria, and Lithuania. It would become the first credible case of a scenario to smuggle tactical nuclear weapons into the U.S. (Frontline). According to Russiaââ¬â¢s Ministry of Internal Affairs, the government agency in charge of combating organized crime, 40 percent of private business, 60 percent of state-owned enterprises and between 50 percent and 85 percent of banks are controlled by organized crime. According to Russiaââ¬â¢s Ministry of Internal Affairs, the gov ernment agency in charge of combating organized crime, 40 percent of private business, 60 percent of state-owned enterprises and between 50 percent and 85 percent of banks are controlled by organized crime. à à à à à Russia crime organizations are not even the source when it comes to smuggling Nuclear Weapons. Warheads come from one place, the military. There is major corruption in the Russian Military. Although, you can make your own type of Nuclear weapons, but this is a different case.
Friday, October 11, 2019
The Neem Tree: The Village Pharmacy Essay -- Botany
The Neem Tree: The Village Pharmacy The neem tree Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (=Melia azadirachta L. and Melia indica Brandis) is known as the Indian lilac or Margosa (Koul, 1990). Neem is a large evergreen tree with a wide trunk, which can grow 12-24 meters tall. The leaves are bright green with 9-15 leaves, oblique at the base or slightly curved, coarsely toothed, with a pointed tip Shodini, 1997). In India, neem flowers from January to April, and fruits mature from May to August (Koul, 1990). The one-seeded neem fruits are yellow when ripe, and are about one inch long (Shodini, 1997). neem is native to the and regions of the Indian subcontinent, was introduced into Africa, and is presently grown in many Asian countries, as well as tropical areas of the New World (Koul, 1990). Neem trees are fast growers, and in three years may grow to 20 feet in height from seed planting. It will grow where rainfall is only 18 inches per year and it thrives in areas of extreme heat up to 120 degrees. Neem trees can live up to 200 years (Conrick). The neem tree's history goes back a long way, with indications it was used in medical treatments about 4,500 years ago. There is evidence found from excavations at Harappa. and Mohenjo-Daro in Northwestern and western India, in which several therapeutic compounds including neem leaves, were gathered in the ruins (Conrick). India's ancient books of knowledge are called the Vedas. Some of the most ancient surviving documents that have been translated, are the Caraka-Samhita (about 500 BC), and the Susruta Samhita (about 300 AD). These books are the foundations of the Indian system of natural healing, or Ayurveda. These texts mention neem in almost 100 entries for treating many diseases whi... ...Association. http://www.ajtsc.coni/neemtree.htm Koul, Opender, et. al. 1990. Properties and uses of neem Azadirachta indica. Canadian Journal of Botany. v68. National Research Council of Canada. McCaleb, Rob. The Original neem Co. neem Ancient Herb From India. http://www.neemaura.com/. Randhawa, 1997. Cyber India Foundation. http://www.neemfoundation.org/ Sharma, Priya Vrat. 1996. Classical Uses of Medicinal Plants. Chaukbambha Visvabharati. Varanasi 1, India. Sharma, S.B. 1997. ( Book Review) The neem Tree Azadirachta indica A. Juss. and Other Meliaceous Plants: Sources of Unique Natural Products for Integrated Pest management, Medicine, Industry and Other Purposes. International Journal of Nematological Research. E.J. Brill Leiden, The Netherlands. Shodini. 1997. Touch Me, Touch-me-not: Women, Plants and Healing. Kali for Women. New Delhi, India.
The Effects of Caffeine on the Human Body
How does Caffeine affect the human body? Caffeine is the worldââ¬â¢s most popular drug (Spiller, 1998), and can be found in over 60 species of plants throughout the world. Consumption of caffeine comes from cola, coffee, cocoa, tea, some medications and so much more. In this paper I will describe the effects of caffeine on the human body, from the health risks to how it can help your body; here are just some of the ways caffeine affects the human body both physically and psychologically.First of all, caffeine has been shown to lead to a loss of minerals found in bones, which eventually will cause osteoporosis, a disease that is characterized by very weak and brittle bones (Liddell, 2011). According to Spiller (1998), ââ¬Å"caffeine intake equivalent to 2 or more cups a day was associated with a significantly increased hip fracture risk in womanâ⬠(p. 351). This is because caffeine decreases the ability of your body to absorb calcium by a small amount.To maintain a proper bon e density and drink caffeine regularly, it is important to ââ¬Å"aim for three or four daily servings of calcium-rich foods such as milk, cheese and yogurtâ⬠(Liddell, 2011). Caffeine has many Psychological symptoms linked to it as well, such as addiction because caffeine is labeled as a stimulant so overtime people can become addicted to it (Martinez, 2010). Surprisingly you can become physically dependent on caffeine with only taking in doses as low as 100 mg a day (Gaskins, 1998), this is equivalent to 1 cup of coffee or 2 sodas!Also just like any other drug you can become addicted to, ââ¬Å"people who are addicted to caffeine will experience withdrawal symptoms when they don't have enough in their systemâ⬠Running head: Caffeine and the human body (Martinez, 2010). Other psychological symptoms that correlate to excessive caffeine ingestion are increased anxiety for those who already have anxiety and sleep disorders such as insomnia. On the other hand caffeine is not all bad for the human body, it has been shown to protect against Parkinsonââ¬â¢s disease and depression, as well as preventing cognitive decline in elderly women (Anitei, 2007).Also evidence suggests that consuming moderate amounts of caffeine could help prevent diabetes, certain cancers and liver disease (Bartlett, 2011). Another way caffeine is beneficial is because it helps athletes significantly improve their endurance during explosive exercises such as sprinting or jumping. According to Bartlett (2011), ââ¬Å"Consuming between 140 to 400 mg of caffeine before exercising can increase your endurance and overall exercise performance. â⬠Overall, caffeine is the most popular drug and can be both harmful and beneficial to the human body.It can make your bones brittle, but it can also help boost your metabolism and fight certain diseases. Caffeine just like most things is good in moderation, and as long as you make sure to get enough calcium and nutrients it should have no l asting effects on your body.References Anitei, S. A. (2007). Top 15 effects that coffee has on your health. Retrieved from: http://news. softpedia. com/news/Top-14-Coffee-Effects-on-Your-Health-70537. shtml Liddell, A. L. (2011). The effects of caffeine on bone density. Retrieved from: http://www. livestrong. om/article/326827-the-effects-of-caffeine-on-bone-density/ Martinez, E. L. (2010). Harmful psychological effects of caffeine. Retrieved from: http://www. livestrong. com/article/325109-harmful-psychological-effects-of-caffeine/ Spiller, G. S. (1998). Caffeine. Boca Raton: CRC Press. Gaskins, P. (1998, Caffeine is addictive. Scholastic Choices, 14, 7-7. Retrieved from http://search. proquest. com/docview/208801684? accountid=36304 Bartlett, M. B. (2011). Pros of caffeine. Retrieved from http://www. livestrong. com/article/501876-pros-of-caffeine/
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Pritchett, Lant (2006) Center For Global Development Essay
Introduction: When the wings are strong, even the birds fly! Birds also, as a rule migrate, flying thousands of miles to the area and the climate of their choice every year. Even before the Christian era, adventurous traders and devoted missionaries have been moving from one country to another for their purposes in view. Migration is an age-old happening. The industrial and internet revolutions, the modern materialistic civilization have commercially shrunk the world. ââ¬ËAtlas has shrugged!ââ¬â¢ When basic conditions are created for the people to move from one country to another, irresistible demographic forces are bound to exert their pressure. To check these forces through anti-immigration ideas is like blocking the furiously advancing avalanche with the fence of straw. Or trying to touch the moon by kite-flying! Or controlling the rising flood waters by filling pitchers! Statistical studies are no doubt needed, but it is no use digging the well when the house is on fire. In times of war, your goal should be to win the war, no matter how you win. I mean to say, all the relative efforts should be to tackle the root cause of the problem. It is no ordinary chat on the subject of migration by Pritchettâ⬠¦. Pritchettââ¬â¢s ideas are far-sighted. The world leaders talk about globalization and ââ¬Å"the world is one familyâ⬠concept, but the so-called national interests are entrenched too strongly in them. They wish to remain dry under water. Efforts are constantly on the anvil to check labor mobility.à Political interests are the main consideration; welfare of the common man is nicely swept under the carpet, by arguments and counterarguments. The governments are resisting the liberal ideas, because the rich people of the country protest against creating favorable conditions for the labor to immigrate! Some forward thinking statesmen/ politicians have to take initiative to break he deadlock if they really wish to do something tangible for the welfare of the people to whom employment means their livelihood. Temporary work-permits and protection of migrantsââ¬â¢ fundamental human rights are the important issues. Lant Pritchett is touching the live wire! Your book will be controversial, Mr. Pritchett, but do not bother. All great ideas have been controversial. Some centuries ago, people and intellectuals did believe that the Earth is flat and the sun does the rotations! The book is not a voluminous work by page-count, just 151 pages, but they are sufficient to stir the thinking process of the individuals concerned, the politicians and the policy-makers. He tenders provocative ideas, on the issues where provocation is required.à The book has 5 chapters, i) Four Irresistible Forces for Increased Labor Mobility, ii) The Fifth Irresistible Force: Ghosts & Zombies, iii) Immovable Ideas: Myths and Truths, iv) Accommodating Forces and Ideas to achieve developmentââ¬âFriendly Labor Mobility v) Conclusion: Let their People Come. To the fundamental question in Economics, what are the factors of production, the answer is, land, labor, capital and organization. Labor is the most important of them for capital without labor is dead! It is not that Lant is unaware of the political consequences of labor immigration. But he is an economist. He has soft-corner for the labor and it is not mere wishful thinking. He gives his favorable disposition towards the labor force and makes out a brilliant case for expanded immigration in rich countries. If you are thinking in terms of globalizing everything, why not labor, is the question posed by Lant. He has his own style of working on his projects. He is not concerned about the ideologies and methodologies. He will not stick to any special type of ââ¬Å"ismâ⬠. He is a man without a label or a tag. He works with a pure heart and for the cause which he considers and concludes to be right. He is truly a global person with the global approach to his thinking. He doesnââ¬â¢t believe in half- hearted measures. He is the proverbial individual who believesââ¬âdo not strike; if you strike, strike so hard that there is no need to strike again! He gives unassailable ideas and reasons in the very first chapter of the book: He says, ââ¬Å"Four irresistible forces today cause observed increases in labor mobilityââ¬âand each promises to become even more powerful in future. Those forces are wage gaps, demographics, ââ¬Å"everything but laborâ⬠globalization, and the services future of labor demand in industrial countries. A fifth forceââ¬ârapid and massive shifts in the desired populations of various countriesâ⬠¦. Four preliminary observations are useful.â⬠(Pritchett, 2006, p.13) Pritchett is on war with both left and rightââ¬âand therefore, he invites controversy. His question to world leaders is why you stop at standard solutions, trade and aid. He stands solidly behind the guest-worker program. Why shouldnââ¬â¢t millions of the poorest of the world choose to work in richest economies? He is worried why people are so insensitive about this issue. He is willing to beat the national borders on this issue and paints the grim picture emerging on the curtain of the mind of an ordinary worker. ââ¬Å"Gaps in per capita across countries are only suggestive of migration pressures, because the relevant question for a worker is the difference in wages that he or she would earn in two countries.â⬠Pritchett, 2006, p.18) Pritchettââ¬â¢s critics say he thinks much ahead of his time; all great thinkers do think so! He is opposed for, Western countries do not wish to jeopardize their sovereignty, cause tremors in à the levels of domestic wages, terrorism is such a big question that involves national security, the developing countries would not like to drain their own talent on a large scale, with children migrating on such a large scale, what about the poor parents?ââ¬âit is going to be such a big sociological problem, the cultural cohesion of all the affected countries will be disturbed beyondà repair, the churning process will be damagingââ¬âPritchett has some soft à answers for many such important issues, butà his hard critics are not willing to listen. Pritchett says that the migrants are temporary workers; they are coming to return to their home country. They will stay 3 to 5 years, with no scope for regular citizenship, and they are coming as stop-gap arrangements to work in areas with certified labor shortages. They will not bring the families. So, the taxpayers of the host country need not take up the responsibility of educating the migrantsââ¬â¢ children. A revolving labor pool will be created. Lant Pritchett is no ordinary think-tank and he is always battle ready to talk and write on global issues. He is a non-resident fellow at the Centre for Global Development and is a lead socio-economist with the World Bank, based in New Delhi, India. He is to take up the assignment of Professor of the Practice of Economic Development at Harvardââ¬â¢s Kennedy School of Government, shortly. (I think he has since taken up his assignment.) Conclusion: Labor unrest has been the cause of many devastating revolutions. Then pages of labor movements all over the world, daubed in bloodshed, ask a crying question. How to make this Planet Earth peaceful with plenty and prosperity? The answer is simple and direct. Eyes full of understanding, heart full of love, life that effuses conflicts, and employment opportunities and freedom of movement for one and allââ¬âthese alone are enough!
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