The Consumer Society Essay - 3590 Words

â€Å"People recognise themselves in their commodities; they find their soul in their automobiles, hi-fi sets, split level homes†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦social control is anchored in the new needs which the consumer society has produced. (Marcuse,1968:24)To what extent are we controlled by the consumer society we live in? The rise of the consumer culture is a phenomenon characteristic for the twentieth century. The impact of this cultural movement is disputable. The quote above was taken from Marcuse’s book â€Å"One dimensional man.†(1964) Marcuse believed that the products of consumer capitalism indoctrinate and manipulate society to promote a false consciousness of needs which become a way of life. He saw this as another form of totalitarianism which binds†¦show more content†¦He argues that in the age of consumption the identities are negotiated though consumption, with which he means that we define ourselves more and more by what we consume. His last characteristic to the definition of consumer culture is that Consumer Culture represents the increasing importance of Culture in the exercise of power. Ritzer (1999) refers to the places in which consumption takes place â€Å"cathedrals of consumption.† He argues that there are obvious cathedrals of consumption such as the supermarket, internet shopping or the shopping malls, but also ordinary everyday locations, which we would not associate with consumption, such as the railway station, the library or even our living room at home. Everywhere we go we are surrounded by cathedrals of consumption which aim to entice us to consume. Once can detect three different theories, to the power of these cathedrals of consumption. Weberian theory leads to the view that the cathedrals of consumption, when taken together, create a rationalized iron cage from which it is difficult, if not impossible, to escape. This is totally commodified world in which it would be futile, or nearly so, to hope to find a space in which one is free from commercial pressure. Supportive of this view is the proliferation of the new means of consumption, especially their spread into the home, so that even one is unable to avoid opportunitiesShow MoreRelatedConsumer Society And The Social Society1244 Words   |  5 PagesThis essay will seek to explore the view that a consumer society produces both winners and losers. A consumer society is â€Å"a society that is defined as much by how and what people purchase and use, as by what they make or do† (Blakeley and Staples, 2014, p. 16). Firstly it will look a Zygmunt Bauman’s concept of the seduced and repressed and some of the social inequalities that can underpin this. It will briefly introduce conspicuous consumption in relation to the seduced. Secondly supermarket powerRead MoreConsumer Society and Choice1317 Words   |  6 PagesA consumer society is a post-industrial term used to describe the fact that society is characterised more by what people consume and less by the jobs they do or go ods they produce (Hetherington, 2009). As our relationship with consumerism has changed so too have the choices available of why, when, where and how we consume. The first part of this assignment will look at the characteristics of a consumer society, the choices available and identify the divisions created from unequal choices. The secondRead MoreSociology and Consumer Society1326 Words   |  6 PagesTM02 Plan †¢ Introduction †¢ Consumer Society – choices and freedom †¢ Seduced and the Repressed †¢ Consuming uses and behaviour †¢ Baumans theories †¢ Supermarkets – how they seduce us †¢ Why big supermarkets can sell cheap goods and small shops can’t compete †¢ Repressed cant compete †¢ Conclusion –do we have freedom of choice TMA02 Explore the claim that consumer society is characterised by freedom of choice. Introduction. †¢ My essay is going to look at theRead MorePostmodernism And Consumer Society1809 Words   |  8 Pagesafter World War II in which, high and low culture are questionable in the view of society and Art. The postmodernist movement in literature creates a new set of ideals for fiction, such as the metafiction, the fable like representation in novels, the pastiche, irony, and satire. Fredric Jameson speaks about the movement and its theory in his essay â€Å"Postmodernism and Consumer Society†. He questions postmodernism in society as it creates the new societal norm of popular culture. On the other hand, JeanRead MoreInequalities: Sociology and Consumer Society774 Words   |  4 PagesA consumer society is best defined as the process in which goods and services are bought and used to satisfy people’s perceived needs (J.Obelkevich. 1994). The image of this consumer society can be described as one of individualism and freedom but it can also be marked by social divi sions, inequalities and exclusions. This essay examines the relationships there are between consumerism, the social divisions this engenders and ultimately the choices, if any, this offers to people. It shows how ourRead MoreExplore the Idea a Consumer Society Is a Divided Society1317 Words   |  6 Pagesthat a consumer society is a divided society. By using the information presented in the making social lives booklet it is hoped this essay will present itself clearly in its dialogue offering concise points of discussion relevant to the topic at hand. This essay will look at what consumer society is, how it evolved and why society might be considered consumerist also at how different members of society consume and why these things contribute to the opinion of divisions within a consumer society. SocialRead MoreConsumer Electronics And Its Impact On Society Essay2108 Words   |  9 Pagesis irrelevant when tangible progress is being made. As per the clichà ©, actions speak louder than words, and the electronics industry in particular exemplifies this proverb. Consumer electronics are so seamlessly integrated into society that people rarely consider the environmental impact of cell phones and computers; consumers, for example, may be unaware that electronic waste (aka e-waste) accounts for 70% of toxic waste produced (â€Å"11 facts About E-Waste†). Fortunately, the industry has adopted eco-friendlyRead MoreWinners and Losers in a Consumer Society Essay1681 Words   |  7 PagesEssay Plan: Outline who are the winners and losers in a consumer society. Introduction: Paragraph 1 Outline – short general explanation/ to give the main features or general idea of. Consumer society – Point out this essay is looking at consumer society. Who – highlight the essay is looking at who. The winners and losers - define this concept in the introduction as it is the main content phrase in the essay question. There are three parts include in the main body that discribeRead MoreWrite an Essay That Outlines the View That a Consumer Society Is a Divided Society.1598 Words   |  7 PagesWrite an essay that outlines the view that a consumer society is a divided society. In response to this statement, there needs to be consideration as to whether or not a consumer society, like the one we live in in the UK, is a divided one or not and if so then where these divisions are displayed. Therefore throughout this essay, I’m going to explore some potential divides within society, specifically looking at division between the rich and poor, able-bodied and less able, and lastly the divisionRead MoreExplore the Claim That a Consumer Society Is Always a Throw Away Society.1304 Words   |  6 PagesFactories Waste being sent overseas Seduced amp; Repressed Migrants Recycling Consumption Consumer society Explore the claim that a consumer society is always a ‘throw-away’ society. In this essay I will be outlining consumerism and claims that a consumer society is always a throw-away society. Consumption plays a big part in our lives and causes us to live in divided societies. It may make us feel like we fit in buying new gadgets and clothes and also give us that sense

Essay on Military Service Should be Mandatory - 822 Words

Military Service Should be Mandatory Americans, especially baby boomers, should be ashamed of themselves. How can the worlds richest population let its military go begging for recruits? Each year, the military services -- Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy -- establish recruiting goals to maintain adequate numbers of personnel. The numbers change annually depending on, among other factors, service needs, recruitment figures the year before and retention of current troops. Most informed folks are familiar with the sorry statistics, but let me repeat them for the record: The Air Force has a goal of 33,800 for this year; it expects to fall short by 1,700. The Army needs 74,500 but will miss the mark by 6,300. Currently short of its goal†¦show more content†¦Either way, the result is the same: hostility toward the military. The solution? We should bring back the draft, along with an alternative form of mandatory national service. Every American citizen has a duty to serve the nation for at least two years. No ifs, ands or buts about it. If a high school student decides, say, to attend college first and become a doctor. Fine. He or she still must serve. Why not serve for two years in a veterans hospital? Or treat the poor who otherwise cannot get decent medical treatment? So the kid wants to become a lawyer. Good. After law school, he or she can work for Rural Legal Services for two years. Why not do something to help those who cannot afford to get their day in court? Many of them are the working poor. In the Fort Lauderdale and Crescent City neighborhoods where I grew up, the old saying that the service makes you a man literally guided our lives. Despite the racial discrimination that prevented us from being real citizens, I and every boy I knew believed that we had a duty to serve in the military. Our heroes were the men in our lives who had served in World War II or Korea. My uncle Joe Maxwell, for example, was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. For us, he was larger than life. His Purple Heart was the center of his living room -- and our lives. His example, fulfilling his duty to the nation, inspired me to give up a college deferment and join the Marine Corps. Throughout the years, as aShow MoreRelatedShould Military Service Be Mandatory?1426 Words   |  6 PagesShould Military Service be Mandatory in the United States? In the world today, there is approximately fifty percent of countries that mandate their citizens to serve in their military for an extended period of time. Those countries that do require their citizens to serve base it on the simple fact that they need to be ready for war at a moments notice and if all their citizens know how to fight they will succeed in any battle in which they are placed. Israel, Brazil, South Korea, Mexico, GermanyRead MoreMilitary Service Should Be Mandatory Essay904 Words   |  4 Pagesactivist, an artisan or a business professional, the military has something for everyone. Finding a path in life is often filled with uncertainty and procrastination. The United States military is a path in itself, should one wish to retire from it; however, should a person wish to make their own path, there are benefits for that as well that can remove all doubt and curb procrastination. Due to these many benefits, I believe that it should be mandatory for all adults to e nlist for a minimum of twenty-fourRead MoreMilitary Service Should Be Mandatory For All American Citizens950 Words   |  4 PagesMandatory Military Service Military service should be mandatory for all American citizens. In lighter terms we could refer to it as the All American Selective Service Act, which will require all Americans to register for Selective Service as equal partners in the defense of America (Rangel). The average person, at one point or another, considers what they are going to do with their lives. The military has something to offer everyone. Deciding what to do with your life can be filled with uncertaintyRead MoreMilitary Service Should Not Be Mandatory For Everyone Starting At Age 181076 Words   |  5 Pagespublic of military service should not be mandatory for everyone starting at age 18. I’m an international student from South Korea and military service is required for all males aged 18 or over. Most of my friends who are over 18 have already finished the military service and some are still training in the army. In South Korea, most of people, including me, think two years of military service is useless. There are three reasons why it is a good-for-nothing. My first reason for denying military serviceRead MorePros And Cons Of Mandatory Military Service735 Words   |  3 Pages The military force of the United States is here to protect the country and the people in the United States. Many countries overseas have mandatory military service that a person must do. The countries do this to build their military and to keep their military strong. Even though these countries do like to keep their military strong, the men and women in the military may not be completely loyal to his or her country. In the United States the men and women that are not loyal to their country mayRead MoreUnited States Adopt A Similar Type Of Policy Of Mandatory Conscription1578 Words   |  7 Pagespeople to serve two years of military service, and as we continue to have military conflicts across the world, some people have proposed that the united states adopt a similar type of policy of mandatory conscription. I believe that a two-year period of national service should be obligatory for all 18 year olds. It’ll help strengthen the character of youth, and will help increase the collective conscience of a nation and the restraint of leaders when considering military action. As we have 18 yearRead MoreMandatory Military Conscription and Its Effect on Society Essay1213 Words   |  5 Pagesthey have made their own conscience decision to serve. However these men and women only make up a small percentage of the United States population. Should all men and women be required to serve in the U.S. armed forces when they graduate from high school or should the United States require mandatory military service? Mandatory military service, or conscription, may be as old as mankind itself. Conscription says that during a time of war all able bodied men and women must serve to defend theirRead MoreReinstating the Military Draft Essay863 Words   |  4 Pagesforces have seen a decline in enlistments, which has reignited and old debate. Should we reinstate the Military Draft? This one question has sparked a debate nationwide, between friends, family, and even perfect strangers. Reinstating the draft is just one way to ensure people can continue to enjoy those freedoms the armed forces have fought for over the years. With all the controversy surrounding mandatory military service, past and recent incidents have shown a greater need to protect ourselves fromRead MoreEssay about Our America: Your Duty1516 Words   |  7 Pagespoor that serve in the Federal Service; service guarantees citizenship. This is a short period in which a person serves in the military. A universal service that requires young (Americans) citizen, men and females: healthy and the disable, to obligatory serve an allotment of time. Basically, you have to earn the right to be called a citizen; this sounds like a good idea. Civilians do not have same rights as a Citizen; they choose not to serve in the Federal Service. If a person does not serve, heRead MoreLiterature And Law : The Military Draft1102 Words   |  5 PagesAnthony Appiah Mr. Skardal Literature and Law The military draft would require compulsory military service instead of voluntary service. It started in 1940 when volunteering personnel were not enough for the USA army. Thus, men were compulsorily drafted to join the army. Now, the USA no longer compulsorily drafts men to join the army. However, countries such as Switzerland do still draft its men. Conscription in US, also known as the draft, starts after Congress passed a legislation, which has

Mrs. Rose †The ninth grade task master! Free Essays

The teacher I most remember as a great teacher in my years of schooling would definitely be Mrs. Rose, my 9th grade English teacher.   Mrs. We will write a custom essay sample on Mrs. Rose – The ninth grade task master! or any similar topic only for you Order Now Rose combined the qualities of motivation, skill and content mastery in a way that I still remember today.   As a freshman in high school, I had not been exposed to any terribly difficult courses.   Most of the junior high work I did was simply answering questions or writing reports which did not have to well-cite or even grammatically correct.   I learned quickly that, because I was relatively smart to begin with, I could get away with a minimum of effort and studying. Mrs. Rose changed all that.   On the first day she mentioned the usual information – grading, pop quizzes, class materials and behavior expectations.   I had heard all this before, so I half-listened, planting polite expression on my face while my mind wandered.   Imagine my shock when we had a pop quiz of the first day’s information the very next day!   I did very poorly, to which I was not accustomed.   Worse yet, now my teacher’s first impression of me was that of a slacker.   I had to wake up and work extra hard to pull up that first low quiz grade.   Looking back, I am sure that was precisely her intention for all of us. As the year progressed, we were all subjected to coursework the likes of which simply did not exist in junior high.   We had to learn grammar, diagram sentences, write essay upon essay and read countless novels and plays without the luxury of Cliff’s Notes.   This era was pre-internet study aids!   We tried to complain that we had no foundation for this to which Mrs. Rose replied, â€Å"If that is true, it is neither your fault nor mine.   Unfortunately, we must correct it.† She could blend just the right amount of feeling for my battle with the semi-colon with the rigor of the curriculum itself.   She let my misuse go a couple of times, but on the third incident, I got an ‘F’ for punctuation in my essay.   I was floored and asked her to let me revise it (again).   She said â€Å"no.†Ã‚   From that point on, I have never, to my knowledge, misused a semicolon; however, I find such examples frequently in magazines and newspapers now.   Again, that particular strategy worked wonders for me and all the others in my class.   Her encouragement wasn’t overdone, but I could tell she really wanted me to learn. At times, I would be seized by jealousy when my friends in other classes would laugh at how easy their English class was, how like 8th grade it was, and how they were getting easy ‘A’s.   I had to work hard for my grades and resented their extra free time.   Later, though, I understood the importance of my 9th grade English class and Mrs. Rose.   I did not struggle nearly as much as my peers in upper level high school classes and in college courses where professors were even more demanding.   I firmly believe that Mrs. Rose knew more about grammar and writing than any of them and was grateful that I had a chance to learn from her early on in my education rather than have to suffer later. Mrs. Rose, who I believe has now passed away, was an exemplary teacher.   Try as I might, I could never devise a sentence she could not diagram.   She seemed to take pride in my educational victories, such as my high SAT verbal score and my college acceptance.   As a result, I decided to become a teacher myself and attempt to emulate Mrs. Rose in all that I do in my classes.   I, from experience now, know that Mrs. Rose did not receive any monetary rewards for her commitment to teaching.   In fact, our rewards as teachers are much more internal.   However, I am confident that she knew her influence on me because I told her, as did many other students I knew.   When a student tells me how much I have helped them, I know how she felt then.    How to cite Mrs. Rose – The ninth grade task master!, Essay examples

Civil Engineering for Issues in Earth Sciences- myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Civil Engineering for Issues in Earth Sciences. Answer: Introduction Stormwater is water that is generated during events of precipitation and snow or ice. The water can either be held on the surface and evaporate, soak in the soil or even run off and thus end up in the nearby streams, lakes, river or other surface water bodies. Stormwater harvesting is thus the collection, treatment, storage and the use of this water from the cities and other urban areas. Stormwater harvesting is dissimilar to rainwater harvesting in the sense that in stormwater harvesting, the runoff is collected from the drains as opposed to roofs of buildings(Feldman, 2017, p.275). Stormwater has been identified as significantly untapped resources of water that has very high potentials of being utilized more productively in such a way that can substitute the prevailing demands of potable water supplies. Stormwater can also be used in meeting the demands of new developments beside beings a prerequisite in the conservation and restoration of urban waterways. Stormwater harvesting involves numerous procedure and steps that must be undertaken to ensure that the water is not harmful at the point of consumption. Among the stages of stormwater harvesting include harvesting, storage, treatment and then finally distribution(Maheshwari, 2014, p.147). Harvesting involves collected stormwater from its sources which is usually the drains. These drains belong to either the city council of the town or Melbourne Water. Storage helps in the temporarily holding of the collected water above or below the ground storages. This holding helps in creating a balance between the demand and the supply of water. This can constrain a scheme at time factoring in such issues as cost constraints and restrictions with space. Such factors may limit the amount of water that can be stored. Reducing the levels of pollutions and pathogens is the aim of treatment of stormwater(Maksimovi?, 2014, p.197). This aims at ensuring that the quality of water is viable for the intend ed purpose and that it does not pose any health risks to the public and the environment. After successful treatment and justification that the stormwater is fit for the intended purpose, the water can then be distributed to the intended areas of use among them industrial complexes, wetlands and sports facilities. Water extraction from waterways or works of Melbourne Water has been maintained at the current levels of allocation for a long time now in a bid to protect the security of supply as well as the values of the environment(Sharma, 2015, p.215). The government of Australia has established that urban stormwater is a highly potential resource that can be used in meeting the demands of potable supply for such functions as irrigation of race course, golf courses as well as public gardens and parks. In this regard, the government had adopted and enacted various rules for the collection and usage of stormwater in the urban areas. When considerations are made in making proposals for stormwater harvesting, the entire catchment area must be taken into consideration and the intrinsic value of rainfall be acknowledged with regard to replenishing the flows of surface water and recharge of the groundwater(Brebbia, 2015, p.312). Also considered are the social and the environmental values of the harves ting proposals to the urban waterways. Objectives The objectives of this study are to: Reduce the demand for potable water through the provision of an alternative source of water supply for use for such purposes as irrigation of parks and gardens(Feldman, 2017, p.278) Tap the potential of stormwater resource that in most cases end up in water bodies, evaporate or even sink into the soil all of which are of limited help to the public Explore the various ways in which stormwater can best be harvested, stored and distributed in such a way that it does not pose a threat to the public health and the environment Scope and description This study aims at exploring into details the potential of stormwater in Melbourne and the most appropriate strategies that can be used in stormwater harvesting in the city. This is aimed at reducing overreliance on potable water especially for activities in which alternative sources of water be used. The study covers the entire catchment areas of stormwater in Melbourne city, analyzing the potential that lies within each and every catchment area. The challenges of stormwater harvesting in Melbourne are given a consideration in the study as they will form a basis of making recommendations as well as providing avenues for further research as may be deemed necessary by the findings of the study(Maheshwari, 2014, p.222). The focus of the study will be in Melbourne city and will only concentrate on stormwater harvesting as the central focus. The comparison may be made to other forms of harvesting the water resource though not to any greater depth. References Brebbia, C.A., 2015. Sustainable Development (2 Volume Set). 2nd ed. New York: WIT Press. Feldman, D.L., 2017. The Water-Sustainable City: Science, Policy, and Practice. 6th ed. New York: Edward Elgar Publishing. Maheshwari, B., 2014. The Security of Water, Food, Energy, and Liveability of Cities: Challenges and Opportunities for Peri-Urban Futures. 3rd ed. London: Springer. Maksimovi?, ?., 2014. Rethinking Infrastructure Design for Multi-Use Water Services. 4th ed. London: Springer. Ashton Acton, P., 2012. Issues in Earth Sciences, Geology, and Geophysics: 2011 Edition. 4th ed. New York: ScholarlyEditions. Sharma, A.K., 2015. Rainwater Tank Systems for Urban Water Supply. 5th ed. Kansas: IWA Publishing.

A Surprising Tip to Finding Your Ideal Career

A Surprising Tip to Finding Your Ideal Career Embarking on the path to find a new career can be daunting. You can purse anything and everything, which seems  exciting–but for many, the idea of too many choices and directions adds more layers of stress. How do you narrow down the possibilities? Start by making a list titled, â€Å"Professional Activities I Hate.†Seem unproductive? Why be negative from the start? Well, when you can go in only a few of seemingly limitless options, it’s helpful to have a method of elimination. That way, you won’t waste your time pursuing career paths that might ultimately leave you unhappy and unfulfilled.To start your list, think about daily activities you really despise. Do you hate to talk on the phone? Are you not a fan of sitting indoors and a computer for hours on end? Does being on your feet all day make you grumpy and exhausted? Do you love working closely with people, or do you prefer a solitary workspace? Writing down what you don’t  like (and thinkin g about why you don’t like these activities) will help clarify what you do  like.Avoiding from the get-go jobs that will leave you unsatisfied is a smart way to find a career you can thrive in for years to come. Take time now to pare down your options so you don’t waste it in the job hunting process!Trying To Find Your Passion? Figure Out What You HateRead More at idealistcareers.org

French Revolution essays

French Revolution essays On AUGUST 10, 1792, enraged Parisian men and women attacked the kings palace and killed several hundred Swiss Guards. The result of this journee was the radicalization of the Revolution. Louis and Marie Antoinette were forced to flee the Tuileries and took refuge in the Legislative Assembly itself. The royal family was placed under house arrest, and lived rather comfortably, but the king could not perform any of his political functions. Although the revolutionaries had drafted a constitution, now they had no monarch. By September, Paris was in turmoil. Fearing counter-revolution, the sans-culottes destroyed prisons because they believed they were secretly sheltering conspirators. More than one thousand people were killed. Street fights broke out everywhere and barricades were set up in various quarters of the city. All this was done in order to consolidate the Revolution to keep it moving forward. On September 21st and 22nd, 1792, the monarchy was officially abolished and a republic established. The 22nd of September, 1792 was now known as day one of the year one. In December, Louis XVI was placed on TRIAL for violating the liberty of his subjects and on January 21, 1793, Louis was executed like an ordinary criminal. From this time on, the Revolution had no recourse but to move forward. After the execution of Louis, the National Assembly, now known as the National Convention, faced enormous problems. The value of paper currency (assignats) used to finance the Revolution had fallen by 50%. There was price inflation, continued food shortages, and various peasant rebellions against the Revolution occurred across the countryside. France was close to civil war. Meanwhile, the revolutionaries found themselves not only at war with Austria and Prussia, but with Holland, Spain and Great Britain. As the Revolution stumbled under the weight of foreign war and civil war, the revolutionary leadership grew more radical. Up to Jun...

E-Commerce Amazon Company Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

E-Commerce Amazon Company - Research Paper Example Some of the resources that are available for e-business are technology and Internet. This paper will therefore analyze how Amazon Company has used these resources in order to become one of the leading online companies. It will also analyze the products and services that the company produce or transact in order to earn its revenue. In addition it will analyze how the company reach and maintain a close relationship with its customers. Introduction With increased level of globalization, the world has experienced a great change in advertising and marketing sector. Globalization has enabled multinationals to open different branches in various parts of the world. They have also targeted different markets in the world due to efficient flow of information and opening up of trade boundaries by the countries. As a result e-commerce has become well established in order to fill the gap between the producer and customer. Companies have taken this opportunity and become successful. One of these co mpanies is Amazon Company. Literature review Amazon Company is an American company, which specializes with electronic commerce. It has its headquarters in Seattle, Washington. It was started in 1994 by Jeff Bezos. At first, they started as an online Bookshop but later, they diversified their operations to other items. These included VHS tapes and software, furniture, etc. currently the company has grown to employ approximately 14500 employees worldwide all of those who have specialized in different sectors of online marketing. The company has different websites for different countries such as, United States, Germany, Spain, Japan, etc. In 2011, the company partnered with DC comics. The main aim of the partnership was to get more digital rights to many comics (Amazon, 2012). The company has diversified its operation in order to reduce risks that are associated with online marketing. Some of the functions of Amazon Company include software development, warehousing, and retailing of go ods. Some of retail goods that Amazon deal with include books, music CDs, electronics garden items sporting equipments, jewellery, scientific supplies, etc. in 2007, Amazon went ahead to offer services that dealt with both perishable and non perishable foods. Customers needed to order and the products will be delivered in their homes either in the morning or at any specified time. In addition, Amazon provides a service referred to as Amazon prime. This is a service that involves two-day shipping on all purchases that are eligible, for a constant fee as well as shipping rates that are discounted. It also provides its customers with instant videos i.e. steaming movies and even TV shows at no extra cost. The company also develops and sell its software to different customers who are widespread in different parts of the world. It also acts as a distributer of different products by different companies at a low cost. This is made possible by different links that the company have overseas ( Amazon, 2012). Information technology and management had played a great role in helping Amazon Company to succeed. One of the greatest technologies that keep the company running is Linux-based. This technology enables Amazon Company to handle millions of back-end operations each day and about one million queries from third party sellers. In addition, the company uses information technology to record data on consumer behaviour which enable them to analyze and

Discuss the knowledge, skills and experiance you will need to manage Essay

Discuss the knowledge, skills and experiance you will need to manage contemporary health and social care services in the UK - Essay Example Defining the contemporary approaches which are used as well as how these develop into alternative needs within health care then create a stronger understanding of how management theories and styles create a direct relationship to other needs. The management theories and styles is the first concept which relates to the health care and policies that are intertwined with the various concepts of the system. There are a variety of styles which are portrayed and used for the development of a specific system. The first is the scientific methodology, introduced by Frederick Taylor. The approach which is taken with this is to develop a scientific and practical approach to the management styles to maintain and control the health care systems that are used. The scientific term is developed specifically with the ideology of favoring factual information over psychological information and knowledge that is used within society. The approaches as well as the policy development that is created is then based on creating factual information related to what is needed within the health care systems and not creating alternative responses or styles which may interfere with the expectations from a scientific viewpoint. The nature of this policy development is able to mainstream policies without interference with the complications which sometimes occur with health, specifically in terms of psychological and personal relationships that may be developed (Simpson, Connor, 2011: 25). The second way in which management is developed within health care is developed by Weber and is based on bureaucratic development with the policies. The initiation which is taken with bureaucratic policies is based on finding the legal and governmental approaches to the management styles. Decision making, policies and daily needs within health care are available specifically through the ideology of the political system. This is created with terms of

Databases Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Databases - Assignment Example The pitcher statistics are strikeouts, walks, saves, innings, pitched, earned runs, wins and losses. An entity is in the first normal form if it contains no repeating sets of data. Similarly the above attributes contain several repeating attributes. Walks for example are found within the pitcher and the hitter. This wastes a lot of space in the data base. To normalize the ERD into INF we eliminate the redundant data. In 2NF we further normalize the diagram and include foreign keys. These foreign keys are items that are used as primary key in other attributes. The awayteamID for example was used in 1NF as the primary key for the Awayteam. It is therefore introduced into the game attribute as a foreign key When we develop the 3NF we ensure that there is no redundancy. The relationship between player and batting is one to many. This means that a player can play for only one team at a time. The relationship between a team and a player is many to one meaning that many players can batt. Marston, T. (2004, September 30). The Relational Data Model, Normalisation and effective Database Design. Retrieved February 27, 2015, from Tony Marston:

The History And Growth Of Animation

The History And Growth Of Animation Ever since the establishment of photography people learned that if pictures of moving objects were taken in a quick series and flipped through in succession to create the false impression of a moving picture. Pottery is one of the best examples of early art still around today. One of the very first attempts at translating the motionless image into a moving image is found on such piece of pottery. About 5000BC a piece pottery, if spun illustrates a goat jumping and eating from a tree. It consisted of five sequential drawings. The interest of illustrating figures in motion can be seen in the still drawings of Paleolithic cave paintings, as in these paintings animals are illustrated with multiple legs in superimposed arrangements. The movement of anatomical structure was defined by Leonardo Davinci, courtesy to which today artists can come up with believable and beautiful animation. A toy created in 1824 known as the thaumatrope demonstrated the phenomenon of diligence of vision. The design was a disc, which showed a bird on one side and an empty cage on the other. When the disc was spun, the appeared in the cage. According to Patrick James à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦..This proved that the eye retains images when it is exposed to a series of pictures, one at a time. After the thaumatrope William George Horner invented Zeotrope in 1834. This device was cylindrical in shape with vertical slits around the sides. To the opposite side of the slits series of pictures were kept, around the inside of the cylinde r. In order to see the illusion of motion the user had to spin the cylinder and look through the slits. Peering through the slits was quite annoying for people, so in year 1877 Emile Reynaud invented Praxinoscope. This device was much like Zeotrope the difference was that animation was reflected on motionless mirrors on the inside of the wheel. It was much better than Zeotrope as it allowed large group of people to view animation at the same time. The first animated film was created in 1892. It was fifteen minutes long and was made by Reynaud. It was shown with the help of praxinoscope and a projector. Animation started appearing before 1910. It consisted of simple drawings photographed one at a time. As there were hundreds of drawings per minute of film, the animation process was highly labor intensive. As the time passed by, the technology evolved and new animation techniques came into existence. An animation technique, known as stop action was used by the animators earlier. The directors used to stop the camera and rearrange or remove items to the shot and then start rolling again. In 1900 J.Stuart Blackton created a film called The Enchanted Drawing by combining the live action of him drawing and stop action technique. Later in year 1908 Emile Cohl created a film named Fantasmagorie. This film was considered to be the first true animated film. The industrial revolution took place and most of the American studios turned to flat animation as it was much more efficient for their assembly line technique of making animated films. Animation was easily done by the celluloid technique developed around in the beginning of 1914. With the help of these celluloids the animators just had to make a complex background or foreground and compress in moving characters in between a number of other pieces of celluloids, which is transparent apart from where drawings were painted on it. This helped the animators, as they would just draw once the background as it remained motionless and only the character moved. If the foreground elements were positioned in the frame, it also formed a false impression of depth. In 1914 one of the pioneer of animation named Winsor McCay created the first animated cartoons titled Gertie the Dinosaur. Gradually animation then started to progress with quite a lot of animated films produced in next twenty years. Producers like Warners, MGM and Disney developed cartoon techniques in 1920s and 1930s. They used traditional animation methods of constructing complicated backgrounds and then imposing moving figures in them with celluloid. Then in 1928 it was Walt Disney, who took animation to a complete new level adding sound and producing the first ever animated film with sound, which was Steamboat Willie. In this film he introduced a new character named as Mickey Mouse. And in 1937 Walt Disney change the entire world of animation by opening doors that people never even thought of. The first full-length animated film in 1937 that was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was a box-office smash. This era was known as the Golden age of Animation. According to Steve Nyman The film became the most successful motion picture of 1938 and earned over $8 million in its original theatrical release. While looking at it economically, when Disney released Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs the studio ran out of money, as it was quite a labor incentive task. Immediately after Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Pinocchio and Fantasia were released and both of them were financial disappointments. Traditional animated feature films were financially unsuccessful in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Traditional animation was not successful because it required a lot of money, a huge team (labor) and the quality was also not that great as compared to todays computer animated films. With the passage of time animation has developed and evolved a lot. We can see the drastic changes in the way of doing animation. With the changing era technology is also changing hand in hand, as earlier people used to use traditional ways of doing animation but today animation is mostly computer generated which is far more easy and it consumes less time. Since then animated films have become one of the most frequently enjoyed forms of entertainment. Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King are some of the best movies by Disney. The social impact of animation is also very drastic. Earlier the target audience of animated cartoons or films were children. But as the evolving time every single person like animated movies. These films have a very light humor which sometimes doesnt even make sense, but it is done in such an appealing way that an 8 years old kid or a 80 years old granddad would love them. Every generation has been enjoying the stories and characters of these animated featured films. Traditionally animation was done in time consuming and labor intensive process of two-dimensional hand drawn cel animation. Today the way of doing animation is completely different and it is much more effective and it majorly depends on new advanced computer technology. Without the new advances in computer technology, outstanding animated films wouldnt have been possible. Films like Toy Story, Madagascar, Finding Nemo, Up etc are the magnificent pieces of work done by Walt Disney and they wouldnt have been possible without the computer technology. Earlier animators used to work very hard and they had to put a lot of effort just to make a small animated video, but now it is all computerized and one can easily see the evolution of animation that how significantly it has improved and made a special place for it self in the industry. According to Buffy Naillon, Computer animation changed the animated film industry. Animation today is based more on math formulas than the ability to draw According to Library.ThinkQuest.org, The company created a design system called DAC (Design Augmented by Computers). With it, they could look at 3D models of their cars from every angle. Consistent with PIXAR à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.where films go through four stages: development, creating storyline; pre-production, addressing technical challenges; production, making the film; and post-production, polishing the final product. Today the way of doing animation is completely different and is very effective, its a complete process with various steps which include the idea of the film development, then to create a story line in which pre-production is done and dealing with all the technical challenges are also done in this step, later comes the production and the making of the film and then with the final touches the polishing is done. Today we have 3 dimensional animated films, which give the impression of being more realistic. Everyone today is fond of animated films. The stories are very beautiful and yet simple, most of the time the comic stories arent even really funny and most of the time they dont even make sense and are completely illogical but still people love them as when that sledgehammer drops on Sylvesters Big toe and it grows to the size of a watermelon theres no trick photography involved. And the most important the quality of the animated films today is way different then what we had in past. Today when animated films are played in rapid succession they appear to have seamless movements within the layouts. Comparing the methods used today and the methods used earlier one can easily see that how the animation process has evolved and how it is getting better and better. The amazing animated films carry on in the new millennium with great movies like How to Train your Dragon, Toy Story 3, Shrek The Fi nal Chapter, and many more to follow as animated featured films are one of the best way of entertainment today.

The Defense of Marriage Act Violates the Civil Liberties of Same Sex Couples :: gay studies, gay marriage, argumentative

Marriage is the religious and legal commitment between two people, as well as the ultimate expression of love. However, marriages between same sex couples are not recognized by the federal government due to the Defense of Marriage Act. In essence, their civil right to be married is withheld from them. The Christian majority's influence in federal policy and lawmaking is one of the foremost reason why same-sex marriage has continually failed to gain long term acceptance in the United States. Same-sex unions have come to the forefront of American politics in the last couple of decades, but history has shown that it is a longstanding issue. The first historical mention of same-sex marriages occurred during the early Roman Empire. Emperors Nero and Elagabalus both married male slaves and historians are much agreed that same-sex marriages were common. However as Christianity, then a new religion, gained momentum, it's sanctions against homosexuality eventually ensured that same-sex marriages lost favor. In fact, as new Emperors themselves were now Christians, a new law in the Theodosian Code was issued, prohibiting same-sex marriage and making the offense punishible by execution. Thus began a long history of Christian persecution of homosexuals. Today, the most common objection to same sex marriage again seems to arise from religious doctrine. Opponents argue that same sex marriage not only infringes on religious freedom and that such unions are in contradiction to the biblical purpose of marriage, but will also have the effect of normalizing and encouraging homosexual behavior. However, many Christian leaders have spoken out in support of same sex marriage, going so far as to state that it would only strengthen marriage as an institution. Christian supporters also note that in widely respected works of biblical records the term "homosexual" is never used, affirming the claims that the term is actually a mistranslation from the original text of the bible. They further attest that since the original authors of the bible never use the term homosexual, the bible cannot therefore forbid homosexuality and by extention, same-sex marriage. Furthermore, The Church of Canada, many Quaker organization, The Church of Christ, The Met ropolitan Community Church and some Catholic theologians have openly supported and approved same-sex marriages. The legal issues surrounding same-sex marriage in the United States are complicated by the nation's federal government system of government.

John Steinbeck’s “The pearl” Essay

John Steinbeck’s The Pearl is a tale of a poor Indian family who stumbles upon the greatest pearl in the world. Headed by a man named Kino and his supporting wife Juana, they both are determined to live a wealthy life no matter what the cost. Although the story is fictional, it is based on the unpleasant truths of life as we know it. Steinbeck reveals an array of irony like no other: Starting with Kino finding the pearl of the world, the pearl buyers not to buy the magnificent pearl, and ending with the evil that the pearl brought upon the characters. Kino and Juana woke on a gloomy morning after a tragic accident where their baby, Coyotito, was slashed by a deadly scorpion and left to die. With hope of being able to pay for medication, Kino and Juana coasted out to sea to rummage around for their prize. Things were very uncertain on this dark and foggy day and their eyes were sure to be playing countless tricks on them. Even though Kino was an expert at his trade, pulling an ordinary clam into his canoe and prying it open to find the furthermost perfect pearl in the world was an incredibly ironic factor especially due to the misgivings of Mother Nature. â€Å"The great pearl, perfect as the moon† (19). Kino went on a brief voyage to sell the pearl to the local pearl buyers to achieve his dreams of a better life for him and his family. When he got to the main part of town and met up with each pearl buyer he was shocked to hear that the pearl buyers were not as greatly awed by the pearl the same way everyone else was. At first Kino and Juana accepted what the pearl buyers said and they sadly realized the flimsiness of their dreams. Kino wanted Juana and him to â€Å"be married – in a church† (24). Kino wanted a new harpoon and rifle. Kino imagined Coyotito going to school to â€Å"read and open the books† (26). The pearl was the path to his dreams. But instead of precious possessions and wonderful opportunity coming from it, it had pernicious reactions. The pearl brought evil over all the characters of the story. They were very wicked in the attempt to get what they wanted. The doctor is portrayed as unsympathetic and heartless. He does not care about the welfare of anyone but himself. He pretends to cure Coyotito’s scorpion bite and tries to  convince Kino that maybe he should give the pearl to him for safe keeping. The pearl also overcomes the priest of the church. The priest is not concerned with representing God. He was only lusting after â€Å"repairs necessary for the church† (21). He had the nerve to go to Kino and Juana in the village to remind them of the needs of the church and to convince them to have a wedding. Kino is not exactly a prime example of a good person himself. His greed for the pearl drove him to hit Juana and even kill a man. Kino did however learn his lesson at the end. It seems that the only person that remained pure throughout the whole novel was Juana. She never let the pearl take over her life like it did the other characters. She knew that the pearl was bringing evil to their family all along but couldn’t do anything about it. The pearl was perfect on the outside but the inside was manifested with great evil. Kino and Juana triumphed past the uncertainties of the dark and gloomy day to find the greatest pearl ever and their dreams were crushed when they discovered that the pearl buyers weren’t going to buy the pearl from them. The perfect pearl brought evil upon Kino and Juana. As you can see, Steinbeck shows us many ironic trials and hardship that are crucial for contouring Kino and Juana into wiser individuals.

buy custom Poems of George Herbert essay

buy custom Poems of George Herbert essay George Herbert (1593-1633) is widely recognized as one of the greatest English metaphysical poets. He was a clergyman from Wales and he has got his higher education at Cambridge. His distinct religious poems were notable for its pure and effective choice of words. His style was very clear and direct with quietness of tone on his verses as well as precise use of language and conceits. His works were greatly influenced by the works of John Donne who was a Metaphysical poet like himself. Their poems often relate on their relationship to God using conceits mixed in a moderately simple and natural conversational tone. His texts were meticulously interpreted with annotations rich in historical, literary, canonical information and contemporary critical contexts which elucidate from the poems as you try to absorb the main thoughts of his poems. Some of his poems are interpreted below in laymans term for other readers to understand the flow of his poems. Interpretation of Church Monuments. (Anatomy) In the poem called Church Monuments, we will be able to see the sermonizing tendency of the poet who is at work again. As he prays as indicated in the phrase soul repairs to her devotion, the poet imagines himself as his flesh is placed in the church where he is surrounded by gravestones and memorials. Through all of these, George Herbert learns the lessons of his own mortality as well as the madness of keeping the mortals in separate tombs. The most significant lesson which one can learn from this poem is definitely amplified in the magnificent final stanza in which mans mortality is not the only thing that will pass away but also the reality that time will also pass away after a while. The phrase the dust on the monuments and the dust they cover implies to the poet`s image of the flesh as a sort of hourglass filled with dust which will determine the span of mans life. This is the image that suggests the brevity of life. This has to be inculcated in the mind especially during the time when the body is aroused by unruly passions. At this time, George Herbert tells his flesh that it should know that the flesh is only but glass that holds the dust and in turn measures all the time. It will also be crumbled into dust eventually. Such familiar message is depicted in an arresting image along with progressively mounting force as the syntax compels the continuation of the lines. The intonation of the lines will reinforce the measuring of the lives. The interment of the flesh which is seen in the opening lines to be subordinated to the devotions of the soul will turn out to be the starting point for the process of the devotions. Interpretation of the poem The Collar. (Anatomy) In The Collar, you will probably see the best treatment of the subject regarding submission to the Divine will. This is certainly one of the most celebrated lyrics of the poet. For another time, the form of the poem closely reflects the argument. The poem begins with an account of an infuriated outburst of rebellion by the poet which states I struck the board, and cryd, No more. I will abroad. What follows next is the utterance of spleen such as the assertion of freedom and the complaint of grievances against the life of devotion in which the poet wants to break. This will result in a boastful challenge to the presumed morbid seriousness and the timidity of life which the poet renounces. As the poet speaks incoherently with fierceness and wildness at each word, he hears the voice of God calling him and in an instant he knows his place and acknowledges the authority of God. The poem has an iambic meter, yet, the lines are of different length and there are no divisions into stanzas. The obvious randomness of the form will serve two purposes. One of which is the exaggeration of the conversational tone and the other is the implication with regards to the indiscipline of the rebellious spirit which can be both the cause and the consequence of the rebellion. On the other hand, the argument is heated and passionate but is unconvincing. As the poem goes on, the reader will have the sense that reasoning was not premeditated and pondered but instead, was impulsive and spoken in heat. It appeared to be a boastful posturing even prior to the conclusion of the poem. The technical feature which most personifies the self-assertion is the redundant question in which the answer is supposed to be self-evident and supportive of the greater argument in which it will appear. As the poet is aware of where his poem will end, he probably have used the rhetorical question ironically with a sense of ridiculousness most especially when it was used with predictable frequency of about eight times in not more than eight short lines. Interpretation of the poem Man. (Astronomy) This poem makes use of the traditional perspectives of Christianity when examining the relationship between humankind, the natural world and God who made the first two. What is humankind? This subject matter is very common to a lot of writers and thinkers. The natural thinking of the poet draws on the Bible. For instance, in Psalms, it asserts that humankind was created to be a little lower than the angels and jurisdiction over the earth was provided. This in turn will reflect the creation account found in the book of Genesis. Some passages from Psalms and Genesis must be read first before you study this poem in depth. Man is partly a meditation and partly a celebration of human beings. The poet makes use of central conceit in order to demonstrate that every human being may be seen as a microcosm of the wider world along with the same important features. The second set of four stanzas provides a description of how the world was created for the human beings. This will somehow challenge the modern scientific thinking which sees the forces of nature to act impersonally and independently. George Herbert sees the world as being made to serve humankind. The imagination of the poet appears to be extremely domestic. The final stanza helps the readers to see why the collection of poetry by George Herbert was called The Temple. The poet makes use of the more secular metaphor of Palace which is associated with the stately habitation found in the first stanza of the poem. The right attitude would be to invite God back into what he has made. Since God is already dwelling within the human beings, they have to live with Him in heaven after death. However for now, both the natural world and human beings should serve each other and also Him. Interpretation of the poem Prayer. (Astronomy) This poem is an exceptional celebratory sonnet consisting of a series of images for prayer which makes use of a technique that will not be out of date in the modernist poetry. Every image may be pondered as a point of meditation for Christianity. However equally, the complete variety and the energy released by the imagery will be enjoyed for its own sake. Of course, prayer is a common activity for all kinds of religions. In some, this is prescribed for set time or days and there is also some sort of regular pattern in some church liturgy as well. Nevertheless, there is another type of personal and more spontaneous prayer which is encouraged in Christian devotion. The spontaneity effect of the poem will suggest that anyone will get used to the second prayer as much as to the first one. By its very nature, prayers will transcend all relationships and so the poet makes use of a series of metaphors with one on top of the other in an effort to invoke something which is believed to be beyond human understanding. Several of the meanings of the specific images may have to be guessed at like the milky way or the exotic land of spices and birds of Paradise. What makes them actually work would be their suggestive quality but not their exact content. Whatever it is, it would be associated with spaces or the Milky Way will be applied to prayers. It will be up to the reader to make the association. However, there are other images which have more precise connotation. For instance the phrase Gods breath in line two of the poem refers to the verse in Genesis wherein God breathes life into Adam. Such breath today comes back to God as a form of prayer. Another would be the phrase Christ-side-piercing spear refers to thespear that is plunged into the side of Christ during his crucifixion. There are also several images which need some time to be worked out such as the reversed thunder. This indicates that thunder literally descends from the heaven to earth. If you reverse this, prayers will ascend powerfully as zapping heaven. It is important for the reader to believe that prayer works just like the poet. On the other hand, manna was used as sustenance being sent from heaven and now this goes back to the heaven. This kind of reverse process is the main idea to the cosmic imagination of George Herbert. Analysis of Easter Wings. (Biology) The poem Easter Wings was written in a style of poetry pattern known to be the Carmen figuration. This is also known as shaped verses in which both words and lines are arranged on a page in order to create a visual image or illustration of the subject of the poem. Even if the visual image which design illustrated by the creativity of the author is significant, still it is the metrical form utilized by the poet that will create the supporting foundation for the poem. Through the use of shaped verse, the poet was able to create a visual image of wings. These wings which can either be of angels or of birds provide a thematic view of the human state. In addition, as the poet progresses from the first stanza to the second, the nature of man will progress from Gods creation as well as the gifts responsible for the fall of man and the needed acceptance of Christ. As closing, the poet referred wings and the repair as the assistance of God so that he will be able to fly again in order to progress spiritually from his purposeful suffering. With regards to the rhyme scheme, George Herbert uses ababacdcdc in the two stanzas to give the poem a sense of order in the structure. With every stanza representing a different relational aspect between God and man, in terms of the fall of man and redemption of man through Christ, the rhyme scheme advocates that even with mans failure, God is still able to keep balance and order within the universe. While writing his form of verse in the poem, Herbert compels nearly every line to stand by its own with the use of hard punctuation placement at the end of practically every line. Furthermore, he pushes the aspect that every line is vital by capitalizing the first letter of every line. But the line design for the longer lines both at the start and the end of every stanza when compared to the middle lines will do more than simply make a visual image. The middle four lines of every stanza are minimized to four syllables on lines four and seven. There are only two syllables on line five and six when compared to ten syllables in every line which will form the cap and base of every stanza. Furthermore, in every stanza, it is essential to note that every line is reduced to two syllables until there will only be two syllable remaining in lines five and six. At that time every line is expanded by two syllables in order to provide a syllabic patter for every line of 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 for every stanza. Due to the development of a meter in the poem, the poet was able to adjust not just the number of accentual placements in every line, but the number of feet as well to give the poem the flow which feels to make the work contracting and expanding. This will be identical to the opening and closing of wings being represented in the visual image generated by the layout of lines. This will also indicate the possible contracting and expanding of a mans heart in which God lives. The poet makes use of alliteration in order to observe the location of man in the process of redemption in closing every stanza. This is particularly existent in stanza one as the poet emphasized the word fall and mentioned indirectly that fall is important to further the flight in me. Also, in stanza two the poet inferred that by repairing the wings and grafting those to Gods will allow man to have closer communion with the Lord. Interpretation of the poem Virtue. (Biology) Support for the poem may be found in the connotation of the word die which would be often mentioned indirectly to a sexual climax or an orgasm in the figurative language. The metaphor of the poem captures the animalistic tendencies which happen to be inherent among human beings. Furthermore, it also captures the raw passion which will usually accompany an orgasm which is believed to an unnecessary supplement to the reproductive act of sexual intercourse. If a person gives in to these animalistic tendencies, this will only insinuate impurity and scandal to the virtue of the person. If this is seen in this perspective, the sweet and virtuous soul who never gives will primarily live. This will not only reflect a command from a compassionate speaker but will also indicate the result of not being able to experience sexual climax. Along with the mention of the bridal of the earth and sky in the first stanza, the mention of the bride during her last night of chastity will prepare the reader for this kind of interpretation. In the fourth stanza, the word soul is compared to seasons timber which literally means dried up wood even if it becomes better with age. This is at the very least an unappealing way to describe a virtuous soul. In addition, this will give support to the theory that the virtuous soul had never had an experience with physical pleasures. The speaker reminds of the subject of the vices in the world that he hopes to protect her. He also wants to preserve the purity and innocence of the subject which is obviously a paternal feature. Nonetheless, any one will not escape mortality and despite the fact that his/her hope is quite optimistic, an individual will eventually succumb to death regardless of whether it is figurative or literal. Interpretation of the poem The Flower. (Chemistry) This poem is recognized by a lot of critics to be the finest lyric of George Herbert. This is a joyful and high-spirited life that is expanded with naturalness and elegance which appears to be unforced. The clarity of the poem could be impressive in the work of a modern writer particularly when it comes to the historical context. In The Flower George Herbert celebrates the delight which accompanies the spiritual renewal which follows the times of trials. Even if he has experienced this a lot of times, every time this takes place, such joy is as boundless as ever. In the second line of the poem, he compares this to the regeneration of flowers in spring and subsequently, regards himself as if he was one of these flowers. The modern horticulture views the subject of the poem as a flowering plant which is of the hardy perennial kind. Clearly, this simile makes the reader understand that everything that is written regarding the flower will be understood as the picture of the life of man in relation to God. However, we can also enjoy the idea of the flower expressing its feelings with regard to killing frosts and the sweetcleanreturns. This indicates that the flower loves the return of spring but it is yet fearful of the late frost and it is sure that winter will come again after a while and longs for spring in which no flower will wither. The selfishness and sinfulness of the flower are watered and tried to seize heaven with its own growth. Such kind of arrogance is usually punished by the anger of God which could be severe than any frost. Nonetheless, the severity of God is only remedial and not malicious. Once the lesson is learned, the flower is permitted to put out new growth. By nature, this is its proper function in Gods eyes and delight. The joy of man can be found in doing the proper and appointed duty regardless of how high or humble he has received from God. In the conclusion of the poem, it was presented that the purpose of God is to show us that every one of us are flowers that glide and we should therefore acknowledge our limitations and inconsequentiality. Ironically, if we are able to see this, the reward will be great. It is actually those who want more than this who will forfeit their paradise by their arrogance or eminence. Interpretation of the poem Life. (Chemistry) You can read this poem Virtue which is also another poem written by George Herbert. Both are based on the same theme of transience and make use of nature imagery. In the attitude to dying, this poem can also be compared to his death. But unlike Virtue the poet makes the title obvious at once. The posy appears to be an emblem of his life. Flowers and the day are images of humanity and of shortness of life. This happens to be a conventional image which goes back to the Old Testament period. The prophet Isaiah talks about the grass withering and the flower falling, which is a verse that is quoted extensively in some areas of the Bible. Nonetheless, a posy is a particular sort of bunch of flowers which are usually chosen for their smell. During a period where hygiene is not important, bathing was rare and the smell of disease was usual, posies were valued for their medicinal aroma or sweet savor. This is another term used for biblical image. Likewise, sugaring is a similar term of disguise which is applied to taste. The application of emblem to the life of the poet is obvious all through the three stanzas of the poem. In stanza one, there is brevity, in stanza two as a guard against the taste and smell of death and in stanza three, the concept that even after death, there is still usefulness. Flowers can be dried and be utilized for medicinal purposes. What do you think this emblem would mean to the poet? Well, perhaps the memory of a good life or possibly even his poems. These two smart guesses can be true in retrospect. In reality, the poet can also be a sweet savor to himself as well as to others. This series of thoughts will be a consolation to the poet and this is exactly the kind of poem a consolation in the face of death. It will lead a person to just simply accept the shortness of life. Paradoxically, the poem itself is short but very effective and this is the precise point of George Herbert. Interpretation of the poem The Altar. (New Machines) This kind of poem falls under the category of shape poems as its shape will echo the meaning of the verse. In The Altar it appears to be an internal visible structure which will complement the implied meaning found externally. If we isolate the capitalized words from the poem, we will be able to see poetic them in an outline form such as this: It is believed that the poems of George Herbert are actually records of his private life in devotion. Hence, the altar metaphor must provide an insight to his personal relationship with God. Perhaps, the most basic biblical definition of an altar is a structure for offering a sacrifice to worship and serve God. To nurture a structure would be to raise it up on end and this is far more difficult when it is actually broken. Brokenness appears to be an expression of the heart that is felt with a sense of inadequacy. In line two of the poem, readers will learn that the metaphorical altar is the heart of the poet. Oftentimes, the servant is called upon to render service to his Lord regardless of his personal pain so that he can attend to the task with tears. However, there is a reason to believe that the servant will recognize the need to bind together his brokenness with the use of tears as the binding cement. Typically, the tears are the binding elements when it comes to personal relationships. For instance, a funeral is the time to mourn the loss of someone special, yet it is also the time to strengthen the lives of people who care enough to weep with the family members of the dead. The heart is something that is created by God and is furnished with desires, passions and natural inclinations. It is only the hand of God which can frame a man. In contrast to the idea of the heart is the word workman in which this mixed with the idea of mans work. The altar of the poet has not been structured by the work of mans tools. Several of the ideas of George Herbert regarding the nature of the altar appear to be a reference to as well as interpretation of some Old Testament ideas. Among the first incidents which are associated with an altar was the killing of Abel by his brother Cain. One of the direct descendants of Cain was named Tubal-Cain who made counterfeited tools from bronze and iron. The stigma that is associated with the faithless offering of Cain was passed on to his descendants who metaphorically continued righteous work for himself through their tools. Thus, when God later on gave a commandment about the making of altars, he required to make it obvious that tru e worship was purely based on faith and not the works of man. The stone which was described by the poet in his poem was a homely metaphor which is familiar to everyone during his time. A stone can be large or small, light or heavy and hot or cold. Whatever it is, it is still considered to be dead. This knowledge can also be true for the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. According to the biblical point of view, following The Fall, the spiritual heart of man became dead just like the stone. Originally, the heart was conceived to be alive to Gods Will but because of Adams sin, it died. There seems to be a paradox that through the broken and dead stone which the poet had sought to create an altar intended for worship. Moreover, it is with the heart that God will require true worship. Hence, the heart that is desired by God will not be natural to man but the one which is cut by the hand of God. This irony was resolved by God as stated in the scriptures. In the lines 9 through 16 of the poem, a change of tone can be felt and this is referred to as trusting hope. This change is because of his confidence that God will be able to change his heart. The poet came to the realization that the parts of his once hard heart may still be the same, but are already directed to a new end. In other words, the natural parts of the heart have finally met his unified frame to the praise Gods name. Probably, the frame metaphor must be understood as a description of his personal makeup. George Herbert extended his stone metaphor to the location where he has fulfilled the symbolic words of Christ about the stones. It will be safe to say that we may have the reference to the words of Christ during his triumphant entry to Jerusalem. Through his devotion, the poet faithfully expects that God will sanctify the altar of his heart. Furthermore, God will also set apart a life in submission to Him as if it was His own. Indeed, the altar metaphor provided an insight to the personal relationship of George Herbert to God. Interpretation of the poem Virtue. (New Geographical Locations) The possession of virtue will not determine the mortality of a person. While it may be a quality which a lot of people respect and try to uphold, virtue will not be able to grant promises of life. However, if death is seen figuratively, virtue may outlive the world of coal, sweet days and roses, and spring in which all of them will die. The four quatrains which form this lyrical poem will divide the thoughts of the speaker regarding mortality with the fourth tetra-syllabic iambic dimeter line in every stanza to determine the verdict of the stanzas subject. Every stanza starts with a stressed syllable and continues with an iambic tetrameter pattern that is predominant. The rhyme schemes derived from the first three stanzas will remain consistent with the patter abab, cbcb and dbdb. But there is a marked variation in the fourth stanza in which the rhyme scheme will deviate to the efef pattern. It is the b rhyme which echoes the word die and is considered to be a sonically strong symbol all throughout the poem. This provides unity to the first three stanzas. On the other hand, the f rhyme in the fourth stanza provides the introduction to the words gives and lives which will break away from that rhythm. The pivotal changing point in the poem occurs in the last stanza with the concept of living. While the speaker affirms that day, rose and spring that will encompass the sweet days and roses will all eventually die, the soul with virtue will improve with age and must live even in a blackened world just like a piece of coal. Repetition is also apparent in the poem. This will provide the reader with the room to question the monologue of the speaker. The word sweet is mentioned six times in the poem and requires further assessment. The repetition can set a tone of determination and insistence on the part of the speaker as he tries to convince the subject to maintain her sweetness if she wishes to live. It can be concluded from the title of the poem that the virtue of the subject needs to be maintained by remaining chaste, pure and innocent and by all means, give into the devious distractions which the world has to offer. Buy custom Poems of George Herbert essay

Jack the Ripper essays

Jack the Ripper essays Jack the Ripper Essay, Page 1 On August 31, 1888, at 3:45 a.m. the body of a woman was found in Whitechapel. Her throat was cut, deeply enough that her spinal cord had been severed. Her abdomen was cut open so much that her skin could be lifted and laid down as a flap to expose her internal organs, some of which were missing. Upon further inspection, the coroner learned her genitals had also been mutilated, with two small stab wounds. On September 8, 1888, at 6:10 a.m. Scotland Yard learns of another murder. The victim was a female, found with her throat cut, and disembowelled. The morning of September 30th would bring a new feeling of unease to Scotland Yard. Two women were found murdered, one of which only had her throat cut. The other, however had facial mutilations so severe that it was nearly impossible to make an identification. Like the previous victims, her throat was cut, and she had been disembowelled. The killer took her uterus and left kidney. Near her body, a bloody piece of her apron, as well as an inscription on the wall reading The Juwes are the men who will not be blamed for nothing were found. Up until this point Scotland Yard was unable to indicate a possible profession the killer may have worked in, as there was no need for a knowledge of the human anatomy. After this murder, however, Scotland Yard began to look for a qualified surgeon, or a surgical student, as the missing organs were difficult to find and remove quickly, unless there was a prior knowledge Then, on November 9, 1888, a fifth woman was found in her home. Her throat was cut, and once again her entire body was mutilated. These women were all prostitutes, or unfortunates as they were called at the time, who lived in lodging houses and workhouses. Fifteen other murders were committed around the same time which tend to be attributed to him as well. Howeve...

Direct Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Direct Marketing - Essay Example Data is generated by transactions that form the foundation of many industries, such as retail, manufacturing, utilities, transportation, insurance, credit cards, and banking. In addition to these internal data, external data sources also provide demographic, lifestyle, and credit information on retail customers, and credit, financial, and marketing information on business customers. Data mining is a very useful tool to analyse business data and to use it to identify key customers and in turn increase business opportunities by targeted marketing. From the direct marketing perspective, data mining and data fusion provide a necessary means to collect and analyse customers' data in order to utilise direct marketing strategy most effectively. Data mining and data fusion are the exploration and analysis of large quantities of data in order to discover meaningful patterns and rules (Berry et al., 2004). Used in various simpler forms in earlier times, mining and fusion have made way for businesses to finally make some sense out of all the data that they have accumulated for years (Rudd, 2000). Several books and journals have been published to strengthen the cause of these tools to improve relations between customers and generate more business. Some other areas where data mining and data fusion have been extensively used include credit scoring, direct marketing, sales forecasting, insurance, manufacturing, telecommunications, web-mining and text mining. An area pertaining to the scope of this paper is the application of data mining and fusion in direct marketing. Mining and fusion are useful tools in almost all aspects of a business and direct marketing. It helps in building supporting systems for day-today business. It is u seful in forecasting trends, it is used in decision making processes. It can be used in strategic planning of the course of action to be followed (Berson et al., 1999). A significant application in this area is the usage of data mining and fusion as tools in customer marketing and effective promotion (Berry et al., 2004). Customer acquisition is another such application. Statistical modeling using data mining and fusion are useful in effectively segmenting customers so that suitable marketing efforts can be carried out (Berson et al., 1999). Estimation of customer profitability is another such vital application of data mining. Determining customer segments help establish better marketing and services practice (Berson et al., 1999). Data mining and fusion thus help businesses to a very great extent in managing customers and helps maximise the tenure of relationship with customers, optimise the transactions or business carried out, increase profits associated (Berry et al., 2004). Mining is an activity that processes raw data or information recorded on a transactional basis. Earlier in smaller companies, this 'mining' process was carried out by people who dealt directly with customers. Now with companies that have billions of customers, a system has to be established to carry out these activities. Mining is a follow-up and is closely connected with data warehousing (Berson et al., 1999). If useless data has been collected and warehoused, the mining process will yield no better results. At the same time, having

Just in Time for Starbucks Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Just in Time for Starbucks - Case Study Example This paper seeks to analyze Starbucks Operations Management in the lights of broad and diverse academic resources. Recent research conducted in the market suggests that Starbucks has been unsuccessful in meeting expectations of consumers in the customer satisfaction domain. The organization needs to devise and implement a strategic plan in order to generate revenues as well as improving customer satisfaction. Market research suggests that Starbucks was considered to be the biggest coffeehouse in the United States as well as in other countries. It concentrated on younger, lower income, customers. At the same time, it is not meeting the demands of customers in the customer satisfaction domain (Thompson & Martin, 145). At Starbucks, the Senior Management is responsible for analyzing the outcomes of the market research so that it could understand the factors which led to customer dissatisfaction in order to devise plan to meet their demands and increase revenues and sales. In recent times, the demographics of conventional Starbucks have changed. Now days, younger, low income and less educated customers visit the coffee house. Research suggests that traditional customers in the past were considered to be white collar customers aged between twenty five and forty (Zeithaml, 50). Although several factors were identified which had made an impact on customer satisfaction, the speed of service and overall service have been acknowledged as the most important. The company has spent and invested huge amount of money of employee benefits in order to maintain speed of service. Competition Research suggests that Starbucks was ahead of its competitors in operations and profitability. In the United States, Starbucks have competed against several coffeehouse chains. Its competitors include Caribou Coffee, independent specialty coffee outlets, Dunkin Donuts, etc. Company Strategy and Objective The aim and objective of Starbucks is to establish itself as the most popular and famous coffee brand in the world by concentrating on expansion of retails and introducing new products. At the same time, it concentrates on creating a memorable experience around coffee consumption and to accomplish it, they have expanded and operated an experimental branding approach. Customer service was integral part of this approach. Context As mentioned earlier, Starbucks strives for innovation and keeps on investing on new products in order to generate sales and profits. The recent market research indicates that customer service was deemed as unsatisfactory because customers viewed Starbucks as a giant corporation which concentrates on making profits and expanding it self. This indicates that using customer snapshot scores were ineffective in determining the service performance (Hammonds, 245). Consequently, the senior management is worried and needs to devise a plan in order to address the issue of customer satisfaction. By investing more than forty million dollars on additional labor hours is uncertain and risky because this strategy would only concentrate on improvement of speed of service. Recommendations The company needs a wide ranging diverse and broad strategy, which concentrate on customer service. This strategy should concentrate on understanding the needs of the customers and improving their experience. With the improvement in customer satisfac

Acne and Its Phychosocial Impacts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Acne and Its Phychosocial Impacts - Essay Example 438). In a society which places high regard for appearance, and a healthy, glowing skin, skin disorders are often associated with uncleanliness, In many cases, people with skin conditions are avoided, because of the perception that all skin problems are contagious. Minor skin conditions can have major psychosocial effects to individuals experiencing it. Such condition affects a person’s self image, as well as how an individual interacts with others. Interpersonal relationships often suffer and affected individuals are traumatized with stares and expression of revulsion that they receive from society. In cases when skin conditions are chronic, affected persons may be branded as social outcasts, hence leading to other psychological issues such as depression or social anxiety. For the purpose of this paper, the author will explore the effects of acne on an individual’s social experience. Acne vulgaris (common name, acne) is a â€Å"disease of the hair follicles of the fac e, chest, and back† (Rockoff & Cole, 2011). It is considered as the most common disease and almost all males and females have experienced it. It usually appears during puberty, peaks at around 14 to 19 and resolves by mid-twenties (Adityan & Thappa, 2009, p. 272). The disease tend to be more persistent in females but the more severe form is more commonly experienced by males. To gauge its severity, lesion counting is often used. Acne typically appears as blackheads or whiteheads (congested pores called comedones) or tender red bumps more commonly known as pimples. In more severe cases, acne takes the form of pustules and cysts. Acne happens when an hair follicles attached to oil glands enlarges. This causes the bump visible on the skin. Sometimes the walls holding the follicle may rupture which then allows skin bacteria to enter the deeper levels. When this happens, inflammation can happen. Pimples are inflammation in the deep levels, but deeper levels produce cysts. Whitehead s are oil which breaks out of the surface of the skin while blackheads are â€Å"black oil†, they are either oxidized oil or they may have accumulated melanin. In a study conducted by F. Ballanger, P.Baudry, J.M. N’guyen, A. Kammari, & B. Dreno (2006) shows that heredity is a prognostic factor for severe acne but in the case of minor to mild conditions, heredity does not matter. Moreover, there is indication that the parents experience is not always the same as that of their children. Choice of food can aggravate acne but there is no real evidence showing that it has a direct impact on the occurrence of the skin disease. Stress is also often cited as a cause of acne, but researches show that its effects are not direct (Rockoff & Cole, 2011). Some factors which may contribute to acne includes increased pressure from helmets, suspenders, etc., use of drugs containing steroids and prednisone, and use of comedogenic (skin clogging) products. While acne is a normal conditio n among adolescents, and will typically resolve on its own, there are instances when it will require treatment. Harald Gollnick, Andrew Finlay, & Neil Shear (2008) presents several indicators when acne should be considered a chronic disease: when its distribution and severity is constantly increasing, when acne treatment becomes necessary for months at a time, and if it affects the individual’s quality of life. The authors believe that acne should be treated as a chronic disease and that effective treatment must be made available through research. Several studies show that people suffering from acne are more â€Å"prone to depression, social withdrawal, anxiety, and anger and are more likely to be

Christmas carol Essay Example for Free

Christmas carol Essay Set in Victorian England Dickens A Christmas Carol famously shows a transformation of the character of Ebenezer Scrooge he is portrayed as a tight fisted old man. Scrooge ends up repenting with the help of the ghost of his old business partner, Jacob Marley, and the three spirits. The last stave celebrates Scrooge enjoying Christmas e. g. I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. In this essay I intend to explore in detail, the variety of ways Dickens uses to show the development of Scrooges character Stave 1 In stave 1 we see Scrooge presented as an old, grumpy and selfish man. Jacob Marley, his business partner, had recently passed away on Christmas Eve. Scrooge attended the funeral but on the same day Dickens tells the reader that Scrooge went back to work, where he gained an undoubted bargain. This shows that Scrooge is more interested in money than his business partners funeral. The first words at the start of stave 1 are, Marley was dead Dickens had to make this abrupt point to make it clear Marley had died to prepare the reader for the fact that his ghost can come back. Charles Dickens uses a narrator, to both describe Scrooge and to judge him. The more the narrator describes Scrooge the angrier he seems to become and the harsher he speaks of him e. g. when he exclaims that Scrooge is a tight fisted hand at the grindstone Scrooge! he then uses a long list of adjectives to emphasise the meanness in scrooge and how he is prepared to hurt others deliberately so that he can be more wealthy. These are: A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner. The narrator also makes it clear that scrooge is self-contained and as solitary as an oyster. This is a simile. This may imply that Scrooge is a cold creature protected by his own hard shell, but in the interior he may have the ability to create a beautiful pearl this may be saying that scrooge has the ability. This may be saying that scrooge also has the ability of creating something beautiful and long lasting. No warmth could warm, nor wintry weather chill him. The narrator is saying that Scrooge is unnatural in some ways and the weather doesnt affect him however hot or cold it is. Even the blind mans dog stays away from Scrooge. This tells the reader even the natural world knows that he is a man to be avoided and feared. Dickens uses contrast to highlight Scrooges character at this stage. On page 4 Scrooges nephew comes to meet Scrooge He greets him with a Merry Christmas. Scrooge then replied bah humbug, which shows Scrooges disbelief in Christmas and his sullenness. Later Scrooge asks, What reason do you have to be merry? Your poor enough. This shows that Scrooge bases his happiness only on wealth Scrooge then had two visitors. They were portly gentlemen who ask Scrooge if he will donate money for the poor and destitute Scrooge didnt give them anything. This shows how tight fisted and selfish Scrooge is. Scrooge suggests to the men that work houses and prisons are the place where the poor should go, Scrooge is showing that he does not believe he has any responsibility to help others. This was a common attitude in Victorian England, which Dickens wants to challenge. When Marleys ghost appears for the first time he suspects the ghost is a figment of his imagination. He tries to hide his fear of it by assuming it is an upset stomach which is causing these disturbing images. However when the ghost speaks he begins to believe it is true. The arrival of the ghost disturbs him. The ghost tells him he is going to be visited by three spirits. Scrooge takes this news and replies to it as a chore or menial task. The ghost speaks of why he is weighed down by chains and shackles. He told Scrooge these chains represent all the bad things he did in his life. He also told scrooge that he had a similar chain but longer. His reaction to this is of disliking. He doesnt like what he hears. He asks the ghost to speak comfort to him, but the ghost cannot speak comfort to him because he has done nothing good or pure in his life. His greed and loathing for everything has turned him into an evil bitter man who has no time for friends of family and he is heartless to his employee Bob Cratchit. Now Scrooge has had a terrible warning about what may come to him if he does not change his ways. Stave 2 Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Christmas past in stave 2 who takes him back in time to see his childhood. This is a very effective way of enabling the reader to see how Scrooge was when he was younger and bring the reader to understand why Scrooge is so mean and to show he hasnt always been like that. Scrooge is shown sitting in a classroom on his own while all the other children have gone home for Christmas. This is because Scrooge and his father didnt get on very well and his father didnt want him home for Christmas. We know this because his sister comes to take Scrooge home one Christmas and she says father is much kinder than he used to be Charles Dickens uses this to show the reader that scrooge was very used to being alone and this might explain why he is so solitary when he grows up. This would have had a great affect on Scrooge at an early age and could be the reason why he is so cruel, mean and bad tempered. At this point the reader starts to have some sympathy for Scrooge and care about his future life. The first change in Scrooges personality is when Scrooge looks back at his younger self and is reminded of the carol boy he saw earlier that night. He feels guilty for not giving the boy anything. We can tell this because he says I should have liked to have given him something thats all. This is the first example of kindness and regret we see from Scrooge, reinforcing the point that Scrooge is not completely heartless and cold and shows he is able to change. Dickens involved Scrooges sister fan to remind Scrooge of his nephew because they are similar generous characters. We can see that Scrooge cared about fan. This may be a sign that there is the potential that Scrooges view of his nephew may also change. Dickens next includes a visit to Fezziwig, Scrooges old employer. This is to show a contrast between how scrooge as an employer treats Bob Cratchit and the way Fezziwig treats Scrooge. Whereas Fezziwig threw a party for Christmas. Bob Cratchit had to ask Scrooge for the day off and Scrooge was still reluctant to give it to him. We can see that Scrooge liked Fezziwig by his reaction when he first saw him. He exclaims, Why its old Fezziwig alive again. This makes Scrooge think of Bob Cratchit. He says I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just know. Again Dickens involves this episode to show that a change in Scrooges personality is possible.

directors notebook on a scene :: essays research papers

DIRECTOR'S NOTEBOOK SYNOPSIS As Jon Jon walks in the club, all the attention is drawn on him. The people who are waitin in the line, the people inside , and especially the women. He usually he walks in with his crew but this time he goes to meet up with his long time friend Daquan. They have a quick conversation until JonJon spots one of the most gorgeous women in the club. He uses his deceiving techniques by offering her a drink. She quickly accepts. He then exchanges numbers but then has to leave for unknown reasons. TIMES The Setting takes place in a club where the gang goes every weekend in the downtown area of Manhatten , New York City. It’s July in the summer of 2004. The club is crowded with young adults , inside and out. IMAGERY/TONE The only lights I will have outside the club , are the streetlights and the lights from the cars on the street. I will use dim lights facing toward the characters inside the club to create a real atmosphere with the cameras shooting eye level to make the audience feel as if they were there inside with the characters. THE CORE The crowds or extras will consist of adults between the ages of 18 and 25. Most of the crowd will be mostly young Black and Hispanic men and women. They can all be wearing the latest urban clothing lines to show that this story is believable. The most flashy on them all will be JonJon. On the waiting line I want all eyes drawn on him because he just walks in after greeting to the bouncers. Many women inside wll be drawn to him because of the flattery look on their faces. A couple of women I will use in the background to look at him as if they were talking to each other about the main character. The scene inside the club will be showing the typical club scene that goes on in most cities, which have drinks, bathrooms , bouncers and a V.

Repairing the Problem with Americas Transportation System Essay

Repairing the Problem with America's Transportation System   There is a serious problem with our nation's roads and highways.   I find myself repeatedly avoiding trips to the city for this very reason, as I'm sure many others do as well.   This nerve-wracking congestion is even beginning to find its way into the suburbs and surrounding areas of large cities.   It is a  Ã‚   serious problem that affects everyone who owns an automobile, as well as, businesses that are dependent on reliable and convenient transportation.   To top it all off, this problem is getting worse every year.   The population of this nation is growing, which translates to an increase in cars on the road.   More people are moving to cities and the suburbs that surround them, creating gridlocks everywhere.   No matter what any politician in Washington or employee of the Federal Highway Administration may say, there is a serious and immediate problem with our nation's transportation systems.   The Texas Transportation Institute has recently done several studies that have produced some very alarming results.   For example, the average American spends approximately 26 hours a year stuck in traffic.   Let?s think about that.   The ?average? American spends this long cruising at five miles per hour and cursing at other cars around.   By saying average, the study means this figure also takes into account people living in rural areas who spend maybe one hour a year stuck in traffic.   That means for the majority of us, in the Phoenix area and other large cities, we spend 3 or 4 times more wasting our valuable time in traffic.   For people who drive into the city   everyday for work, it might even be worse (Fay 3).   Now that?s a lot of time if you ask me. To make matters worse... ...ve. Works Cited Fay, William D. & Slater, Rodney E.   ?Q: Should gasoline taxes be used exclusively for  Ã‚   highways Insight on the News   May 26, 1997: 24. Henderson, Rick. ?An end to highway robbery Reason August-Sep 1996: 12. Peratta, Ed.   ?Despite bumps in the road, privatization races on.?   American and City and   County Oct 1995: 50. Peters, Eric.   ?Privatization: the Road Ahead   Consumers? Research Magazine   Dec   1995: 10. Roth, Gabriel.   ?How to Solve our Highway Problems.?   Consumers? Research Magazine  Ã‚   June 1997: 10. Samuel, Peter.   ?The case for privatizing America?s highways.?   USA Today Jan 1997:  Ã‚   60. Voinovich, George V. ?Federal highway spending needs to be road less traveled.? Insight  Ã‚   on the News Jan 6, 1997: 29. West, Jim.   ?Different Views of Gasoline Taxes.?   The Oil and Gas Journal   August 14,   1995: 9.