Family Strengths, Functions and Structure Coursework

Family Strengths, Functions and Structure - Coursework Example Family accord contributes to the strength of family since it allows for competency when dealing with conflicts within the family. Factors such as open communication, commitment, spirituality, and appreciation also contribute to the strength of a family. Cultural beliefs have resulted in the change in the functions of various families. For example, in my culture the role of the family is viewed as that of ensuring the family name grows hence decisions are made in terms of how they will impact on the family name and not how they will impact on family members such as children. Another example of how culture has influenced families changing their view on the functions of a family is where in some cultures children are groomed to take care of their parents. Family structure is what makes up the family in terms of membership. There are various types of family structures. A nuclear family structure is one that is traditional where it is comprised of a father, a mother and their children. A single parent family structure is where a family is composed of children with one parent either a father or a mother. Finally, an extended family structures is one where a family is composed of various relatives. For example, living with ones grandparents and parents contributes to an extended family. Early childhood programs play an important role in families in that they introduce the children to the external world enabling them to venture outside the comfort of their

Red Snapper Fishing Regulations Essay Example for Free

Red Snapper Fishing Regulations Essay Recommendation to implement different regulations on Red Snapper fishing. Many people like myself, look forward each year to the overly exciting fishing season to catch the beloved snapper. Season dates along with size and possession limits are nothing new to the fisherman; but when a council decides to shrink a fishing season that is normally a month long down to a meager 9 days it can be heart breaking for many. Maintaining the support and sustainability of these fish is an extremely important task, that no one disagrees with, but when almost taking away the season, in its entirety, one can alter many people’s plans, hobbies, and ways of life. I plan to propose an alternant way to preserve and maintain the ecosystem of these fish while providing adequate and fair regulations for all. The purpose of this report it to persuade the fisheries councils to address the current issues that stand with recreational snapper fishing. I will provide statistics and also analyzed data that I have gathered to conclude as to what the best option is to solve these problems. Current Situation: The amount of anglers in the Gulf of Mexico rises every day with more wanting to catch snapper. For the length of my life there has been regulations to maintain these fish, while they did a great job to preserve life and keep the angler happy, the recent change as of 2014 does not. Many know that these certain fish can, mostly, be found in deeper waters near structure, such as reefs and oil platforms; and also many know that there are numerous organization and petitions to keep old, unused oilrigs standing in the gulf because of their ability to maintain and abundance of wildlife beneath. With more conservation to help these fish thrive why did the councils decide to shrink the season dates from a previous 30+ day season to a minute 9 days when there are other councils also participating to help the numbers of fish? With this drastic change in regulation many anglers, who, in years previous, fished for these snapper, found that it was not worth the time and money it requires to go after them. (Boat Launch) With a limit of 2 per person per day, a 9-day season simply makes no sense. The council did warn the public that the season would be shorter this year, but no one expected it to be a number in the single digits! The federal management of red snapper is based on the numbers coming out of the entirety of the Gulf of Mexico instead of by location, such as state waters. Now that the federal red snapper season has been set at a ridiculously low nine days it reiterates the fallacy of the current federal management of this great fishery. This system cannot be tweaked or incrementally improved. It needs to be totally overhauled; the management of the recreational red snapper fishery needs to be transferred to the states where we can do quality stock assessments and set reasonable seasons commensurate with the biomass that is in the Gulf of Mexico’’, says Alabama Marine Resources Director Chris Blankenship. (Gulf) When states want to take matters into their own hands without any federal management or help, the issue at hand has become quite serious. The councils responsible for negotiations and attributing propositions to the federal  regulation of these fisheries must undertake a new stand and take responsibility in order to serve the public fairly and justly. I believe a simple solution that will help this situation has been previously used for another species of fish. When speaking to Dr. L. Gleeson of the Coast Conservation Association he stated, â€Å" When we passed the motion to decrease the minimum size of Speckled Trout it was because after years of increased conservation we noticed that the population of the species was up about 75%, so we felt that we could maintain good numbers while pleasing the fisherman with a smaller legal size.†(Red Snapper) A simple maneuver that decreases the minimum legal size of the Red Snapper would do just as most want. It could keep the possession limit to 2 per person but allow more anglers to participate in the fishery by allowing the smaller snapper at the shallower oil rigs to be harvested instead of requiring anglers to spend the money and time that it takes to travel the extra nautical miles to the deeper rigs to find the larger, legal snapper. The CCA had its reservations when lowering the minimum legal size for trout but after research of the species for 5 years now the evidences provides belief that the population has not decreased, and spawning has remaining at equal levels. Certainly, you may have questions and reservations as well, but with all of the excess help to regulate and maintain the red snapper fishery there should be no question that this is an effective way to balance the support and establish a new regulation strategy for the recent years to come. I believe if this system were implemented soon we would see related results within the same time frame of a few years, if not shorter. Since there is no season dates for speckled trout, the off-season for red snapper would show normal spawning numbers with no decrease in population. This maneuver is focused mainly on maintaining fishery numbers while improving angler satisfaction and participation. Methodology: I have conducted personal interviews, researched numerous articles online,  and created an online survey in order to support my methodology. My first step was talking to a few strangers at the boat launch who frequently fish for snapper. The questions I asked mainly focused on the topic at hand, more specifically if they agree with the shorter season. While asking questions personally to peer anglers I found that 9/10 people did not fish for snapper this year because of the heavily regulated and shortened season. Most set out in hopes to catch snapper at least twice in a season, but with this 9 day season most couldn’t due to scheduling and time constraints. Many would also like to see an overhaul of the regulation entirely. (Boat Launch) I then created an online survey that I dispersed via Facebook and had numerous random individuals answer the questions at hand regarding this issue. In order to be sure that my data wasn’t skewed or distorted I asked that only individuals who were licensed recreational anglers take my survey. Of the 20 that took my online survey more than 16 actually pursue snapper and of those individuals all of them disagree with the ruling of the federally regulated 9-day season. (Tompkins) Also while searching for related articles online, I found numerous sites with multiple articles of disgust on the issue, multiple reports of upset anglers, and forums filled with questions asking â€Å"why†, the council made this act. (Gulf) Closing: I would like to say that the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council does a great deal to protect our waters and all that swims in it. We, as fisherman, appreciate every effort that the council puts forth in order to maintain and regulate the hobbies and lifestyles that make us who we are! Although we understand certain procedures and acts, this one, in particular, does not seem to advance any goals set forth by the council and the communities that it represents. This proposal aims to reconsider that previous acts set towards the red snapper fishery, or to reconcile the  change all together. As I do understand that this will take time to make these amendments I am willing to do my part and donate whatever necessary to make actions towards this. Thank you for your consideration of my proposal. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me via cell phone at Works Cited Survey: . â€Å"Red Snapper Season 2014.† SurveyMonkey.com. June 18, 2014 In Text: (Tompkins) Interviews: â€Å"Boat Launch†. Greenough, C. Watson, James. Thompson, Paul. Personal interview. June 21, 2014 In Text: (Boat Launch) interview: â€Å"Red Snapper†. Gleeson, Dr. L. Personal Interview. June 24,2014 In Text: (Red Snapper) Website: â€Å"Gulf Recreational Red snapper season reduced to 9 days.† AL.COM. Web. May 14, 2014. http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/05/gulf_recreational_red_snapper.html In Text: (Gulf)

Martin Luther King Jr. Essay -- Biography Biographies King Luther Essa

Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. not only spoke with purpose but also with a style unlike any others. He was an inspirational speaker and a motivational leader. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., due to his importance in the civil rights movement of the 1950's and 1960's, motivated masses with his tremendous speeches and actions. Dr. King utilized his charisma and inspirational tactics to change the views and beliefs of a nation and to lead his people throughout their course of the civil rights movement. His personality consisted of every good characteristic needed of a leader. He was sensible at all times and his ability to clearly state his ideas and thoughts surrounding peace and equality in the United States. There were other rights movements going on at the same time that Dr. King was leading his peaceful rights movements. The Black Panthers and other militant groups, some under Malcolm X's philosophy, often time would question King's leadership. King spoke in an eloquent manner and his abil ity to persuade and inspire is rivaled by none. Martin Luther King Jr. lived an exemplary life and although it culminated in his assassination, the strides that Dr. King made for the civil rights movement and his numerous speeches that inspired a nation such as his â€Å"I have a dream†¦Ã¢â‚¬  speech, should never be forgotten nor ignored. The â€Å"I have a dream†¦Ã¢â‚¬  speech is one of the most powerful speeches ever and is a main focus of the life of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin Luther King was born on January 15th, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. Martin was the second child in the family whose parents were the Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr. and Alberta Williams King. He was the first son of the family, and his older sister was named Christine King. His actual real name was Michael Luther King, but â€Å"he was renamed "Martin" when he was about 6 years old† (Seattle). King's education is one of the normal sorts for a child growing up in the mid 1900's. He went through the regular educational system. Until his junior year, Martin Luther King was always an above average student, but once his junior year hit he received excellent marks on his college entrance exams which granted him admittance to Morehouse College an entire year earlier that expected. Also, Martin Luther King was so above average in his earlier years that he also skipped the ninth grade entirely... ...eaks in the same manner as always when he declares, â€Å"Somehow this madness must cease. We must stop now. I speak as a child of God and brother to the suffering poor of Vietnam. I speak for those whose land is being laid waste, whose homes are being destroyed, whose culture is being subverted. I speak for the poor in America who are paying the double price of smashed hopes at home and death and corruption in Vietnam. I speak as a citizen of the world, for the world as it stands aghast at the path we have taken. I speak as an American to the leaders of my own nation. The great initiative in this war is ours. The initiative to stop it must be ours† (King 1967). King was one for peace, whether it is on the home front, in the home, at the workplace, or around the world. He tried to limit the amount of trouble in the world. He was monumental in changing the views of a nation and helping to end segregation, inequality, and discrimination in the United States. Such a man who has caused such great change as King has, should be respected, admired, and given gratitude by all for his undying efforts to end the oppression that African Americans had been dealing with for hundreds of years.

The Independent Record Labels of the 1950’s and 1960’s

The Independent Record Labels of the 1950’s and 1960’s History of Music Production Eric Eller Throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s, a wave of new musical movements by independent record labels and new artists emerged in the United States. This movement is captured in the stories of those label creators and owners, and in the turbulent journey through their successes and failures. The first emergence was fueled by multiple factors: competitive economic circumstances, up-and-coming local musical talent in conjunction with the independent labels and studio owners, and the commercially viable musical interest and curiosity of consumers in these local artists. An article poses another causative factor that makes sense: when rock and roll was a new genre, major labels such as Columbia, Capitol, and RCA were â€Å"reluctant to sign these acts; thus, sprung forth the independent label† (Jacobs). Grassroots production and engineering enthusiasts were given an in-road into the music industry and were able to gain their own clients in independent local artists. Independent label owners in connection with this local talent generate publicity and profit. One such example is found with the duo of Polish immigrant brothers named Leonard and Phil Chess, also known as the Blues Brothers. The Chess brothers bought sole ownership of Aristocrat Records in 1950, and change its name to Chess Records. Leonard specialized as the hands-on producer for the label, while Phil focused on finances and marketing. They found a signature sound in the electric guitar of Muddy Waters. Besides Muddy Watters, their rostser included Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Willie Nixon, Etta James, Little Walter, Billie Stewart, and Howlin’ Wolf. ’ Chapter Three of the History of Music Production Binder states: Chess Records flourished in those early days of both Rhythm and Blues and independent record companies†¦Chess, along with Atlantic, Aladdin, Specialty, Imperial, Modern and King were giving the public music that they couldn’t get from the larger, established, â€Å"major† record companies. (page 47) This quote explains that there was a multitude of independent record labels that emerged around this time. How did all of these homemade labels gain bearings? They were allowed financial success because there was actually a public commercial market to invest in their musical productions. In other words, there was a significant number of people were looking for a different sound and these labels could produce local talents that had the sound these consumers were looking and listening for. One of the independent labels mentioned in the quote above is Imperial Records. Founded in the late 40’s by Lew Chudd, its roster include Ricky Nelson and Fats Nelson. Chudd ended up purchasing Aladdin and Minit Records in 1960. In ’63, however, Domino and Nelson left for other labels and Chudd sold Imperial to Liberty Records. Liberty found success with the Imperial artists Irma Thomas, Johnny Rivers, Jacky DeShanon, and Cher. (‘Independent Record Labels’) During the time known as the ‘British Invasion’ which I go into depth about later in the paper, Liberty’s recordings were distributed by EMI in Britain. In turn, EMI licensed its artists The Hollies, Billy J. Thomas and The Sakotas, and others to be released on Imperial. By 1969, Imperial records had been phased out and all artists were absorbed by Liberty. Today EMI owns the Imperial Records Catalog. The Memphis Recording Service, which became Sun Studios, was owned by Sam Philips. Philips was a local blues and country disc jockey whose business had been mainly comprised of recording local blues and country musicians and some weddings. He started by recording artists who were signed under other independent labels, and eventually decided to start his own record label. He called it Sun Records. The facilities at Sun started humbly and could certainly be considered ‘independent. ’ It was a rectangular room with no acoustical treatment, and a control room with a used five channel presto mixer, a presto 6-N lathe and one loudspeaker. Philips would take a while to realize that a huge prospect was about to enter his life and studio. Elvis Presley, a young truck driver, had come in to record two songs at a cost of $8 as a birthday present for his mother. Philips was actually out of the office so his secretary Marion Keisker recorded Presley. Foreseeing talent, Keisker put aside a copy of the acetate master. Keisker continued to advocate to Philips the idea of investing in Presley’s commercially promising musical potential. Philips eventually agreed to give Presley a try and matched him up with local guitarist Scotty Moore and bass player Bill Black. This group became quite successful, and together, under the direction of Philips, helped to influence and redefine the ‘rockabilly’ genre of music at the time. It shows Sun’s success that by ’61, Phillips was able to buy a Presto 900-P recorder. Elvis Presley’s presence at the label allowed Philips to once again upgrade his system, this time opting for a Tube 76-D broadcast console and two new Ampex 350 tape recorders. The growing sophistication of his studio rig is a testimony to the success that he accomplished with such sensations as Presley. He delayed one tape head slightly in relation to the other, which made the signature â€Å"Sun Sound. † While Philips did find success for a while with artist Elvis Presley; Elvis’ popularity outgrew the facilities and financial capabilities of Sun Records by 1956. Elvis also had a new manager who pushed him to sign to a major label (HMP, Chapter III, pg. 52). RCA approached Sam Philips about Presley’s contract, and since Philips knew that he wouldn’t be able to afford renewing contract with Elvis nice their current agreement had expired, Philips agreed to sell Elvis Presley’s contact for $35,000. Philips’ story is common in this time for smaller independent record labels: they find some success that eventually dissipates due to the influence of more established labels. Philips’ relationship with Elvis Presley exemplifies the opportunity that was mutually available to local grass-roots artist and label/studio owners at this time of budding musical movements such as soul, R&B, rock and roll, and jazz. Rudy Van Gelder is yet another independent producer/engineer that was able to successfully make his own record label from the ground up. Van Gelder started as an optometrist and radio broadcaster, and became a pioneer in jazz recordings. His early works were recorded in his parents’ living room in New Jersey. He was known for his â€Å"meticulous and experimental recording techniques. While his recording began in his private home, Van Gelder built his own studio. Over his fifty-plus year career, Van Gelder collaborated with such prominent Jazz labels as Verve, Impulse, Prestige, Venus, Blue Note, and more. As an optometrist who started recording and broadcasting from his house, his 10,000+ repertoire of recording is a testimony to his success as an independent producer/label. While these examples do show the possibility for financial success as an independent label owner in these times, there were definitely obstacles to their success. One major trend that happened to act as an obstacle in this new market for independent labels was the absorption of independent record companies by larger labels, that had even begun as independent record labels them selves. For example, Atlantic Records was an independent record label, yet it gained such a holding that it began to buy out smaller independent labels. Atlantic Records acquired Spark Record Company in 1955†¦ â€Å"Due to Tom Dowd’s technical prowess, (Atlantic Records) was one of the first independent labels to record in stereo† (HMP, Ch III). Atlantic was formed in 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun, son of a Turkish ambassador, and Herb Abramson. It started out as a Rhythm and Blues and Jazz label. In the early 1950’s Jerry Wexler and Nesuhi Ertegun joined the team. Nesuhi started producing the jazz division in 1955 and signed the likes of Charles Mingus and John Coltrane (Jacobs, Pat). Atlantic went on to become a â€Å"powerhouse† in the 1960’s, signing such mainstream artists as Sonny and Cher. It was successful enough to also branch off into other sub-labels like Atco. From 1960-1968, Atlantic, spear-headed by Jerry Wexler, had a distribution deal with the Memphis record company that became Stax records (Jacobs). Stax Studios is another similar yet unique case in this time and movement. The independent studio Stax was formed by Jim Stewart, along with the investment of his sister Estelle Axton. It began in an old storehouse, but they later moved it to an old movie theatre, which they converted to a control room, studio space, and small record store. A young pianist, Booker T. Jones, lived nearby and began frequenting the studio. He hooked up with other local musicians Steve Cropper, Duck Dunn, and Al Jackson. Together, this group became known as Booker T. and the M. G. ’s, and they made up the backbone of the new Stax sound (HMP Ch. III). Stax had developed a distinctive soulful sound and Booker T. and the M. G. ’s had amazing chemistry as a band. Due to these factors, Atlantic soon took notice and began sending their head engineer, Tom Dowd, along with their own artists, to record at Stax. In 1962, Johnny Jackson recorded a single at Stax. When the session failed miserably, they used the last thirty minutes f the session time to record Jackson’s driver, a young Otis Redding. The song that they recorded reached the charts in April of 1963, and Otis Redding came back to record an even bigger hit in September of that same year. The eruption of these popular hits by new, poignant artists acted as a positive feedback loop for Stax business. Having successfully marketed Booker T. and the M. G . ’s, the Mar-Keys, Carla Thomas and Otis Redding, Stax attracted the attention of even more talents, through Atlantic and also on their own, independently. These new acts included Sam and Dave and Wilson Picket, Willian Bell, Eddie Floyd and the producer/writer duo David Porter and Isaac Hayes. Stax Records was obviously thriving at this time. In 1965, Stewart hired Al Bell as national sales director for Stax. With the rate of change and competition in the music industry at this time, however, things couldn’t stay the same for long. And along with the opportunities for independent owners came the means and motivation for exploitation of the underdog by more powerful enterprises. In 1965, Jerry Wexler told Stewart that Atlantic might be sold, and in order to save Stax, they should finalize their distribution agreement through a written contract. Stewart failed to consult a lawyer or examine the fine print of the contract, and essentially signed away the ownership of all Stax masters. Here is an evident example of the cutthroat commercialism and competition that began to take over the music industry in this time of change and commercial viability. Atlantic had sneakily tricked Stax into signing away ownership. Producers and Business Owners in this changing, flourishing and cutthroat industry had to be on top of their game, or they could be exploited and manipulated. The same can be said for artists, who were often exploited, paid less than they deserved and far less in comparison with the cut that producers and label representatives were taking from the profit that they accrued from these artists. In addition to the hardship caused by careless contractual practices, Stax lost Otis Redding in a plane crash, his masters belonged to Atlantic. Instead of giving in to Atlantic, Stewart sold the label Stax to Gulf and Western which went on the release hits by Booker T. and the M. G. ’s and Isaac Hayes. Today Stax masters prior to 1968 are owned by Atlantic Records. Masters recorded after the split between Stax and Atlantic are now owned by Fantasy Records. Leiber and Stoller of Spark Record Company are a good example of how this new business model could work to the advantage of the underdog. Leiber and Stoller worked as independent producers for Atlantic, meaning they were able to make records for other labels also, although Atlantic still proved to be the most profitable for them. A significant amount of Atlantic Records’ pre-production from the late 1950’s took place in the Brill Building. The owners of this building rented out the spaces to music publishers, because there were little other options due to the increasing economic depression. As a result, this building was filled with 165 music related businesses by 1962. It should be noted here that detrimental economic circumstances inadvertently created a beneficial opportunity for independent music producers, label representatives, engineers, and artists. The Brill Building is, in fact, an example of vertical integration- quite literally. The lay-out of the establishment allowed for personnel to go to one floor, write a song or pitch it to an array of publishers, go to another floor and have it arranged and notated for a small fee, book an hour long session and hire local studio musicians on site. This unique and efficient set up gave artists and producer’s the ability to cut a demo, then show it to recording companies, publishers, and other artists in and around the building. In the late 1950’s, Atlantic attained success in the cross over record market, meaning Rhythm and Blues music performed by African Americans that appealed to the white music-buyer. Atlantic Records provided the white consumer with authentic R&B recording artists such as The Drifters, Clyde McPhatter, Joe Turner, Ruth Brown, Ray Charles, the Coasters, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Led Zeppelin, Crosby, Stills and Nash, and more. It is one of the few labels to have notable success throughout this time period still operating today, and can be considered a success story for the independent record label model of the 1950’s and 1960’s. One temporary independent success that didn’t last nearly as long was Vee-Jay records, owned by a black female DJ named Vivian Carter and her husband, James Bracken. In 1953 the label opened in Gary, Indiana, and it soon became a powerhouse of major R+B. Before Motown, it was the biggest black-owned label of its time (Independent Record Labels). Its roster included John Lee Haooker, Little Richard, and the Four Seasons. They also released early Beatles material before they became massively popular in the United States. Once the British Invasion arrived, these Beatles recordings were bought out almost instantly. In early 1964, 2. 6 million Beatles singles were sold in a month. Eventually, however, this label met with financial difficulties, and in August of 1966 Vee-Jay records filed for bankruptcy (‘Independent Record Labels’). Another prime example of a successful independent record label is found in Motown Records. While Motown did eventually sign and produce some of the soul legends whose popularity still holds up today, the label’s creator, Berry Gordy, did not find success instantly; he came up against a lot of failure along the way as well. When Berry Gordy left the military in 1953 he launched a jazz record store called the 3-D Record Mart. It was financed by his family, who owned a number of businesses. By 1955 this record store had failed. He searched for success elsewhere, and eventually found it as a song-writer. His first success came with the tune â€Å"Reet Petite†, performed by Jackie Wilson. The song landed him 1,000 dollars. In addition, over the next two years, he wrote four more hits performed by Jackie Wilson. Encouraged by these successes, Gordy decided to pursue producing. He had an uncanny ability to sniff out talent, and this allowed him to find success as a producer. In 1959, He discovered The Miracles, which included Smokey Robinson, at a talent show, and pitched a business relationship to them which would benefit him in the future. He borrowed $800 from his family to start his own record company that he called ‘Tamla’. Marv Johnson’s â€Å"You Got What It Takes† was released through Tamla that same year, and was the first big break experienced by Berry Gordy. It was such a success, in fact, that it placed within the top ten. By the late 1950’s, Detroit was one of, if not the last city that did not have its own strong independent record company. This allowed for Gordy’s success because he was in the right place at the right time, and was able to provide a production outlet for the local talents of the area. The third Miracles recording was released in conjunction with another label that Berry Gordy had formed on the side, called Motown. In 1960, Gordy commandeered the contract of a young singer from Washington DC by the name of Marvin Gaye. Marvin Gaye did have one moderately successful release in the 60’s, but really hit it big later in the 1970’s. Through a Miracles connection, Steveland Morris auditioned for Motown and impressed Gordy. Gordy signed the youngster and renamed him â€Å"Little Stevie Wonder†. In 1963, Stevie Wonder’s hit â€Å"Fingertips Part II† made it to the number one spot on the pop charts. Berry Gordy did indeed have a knack for finding talent and selling records. In fact, â€Å"Gordy turned Motown into the most profitable black entertainment company in the country† (HMP, Ch. III p. 59). The History of Music class binder attributes this in part to Gordy’s frugal business practices: the in-house writers, artists, and producers that he hired were paid on salaries that were deducted from their royalties for songs. In addition, they were paid a flat-rate on a weekly basis, and were required to be on call. Employees were only allowed to view the accounting records twice annually, and the RIAA was never allowed to view them. For this reason, Motown may have received less awards than they would have, because the real rates of sale where not publicly disclosed. Yet despite all these circumstances, Motown maintained a family-oriented reputation and attracted producers, song-writers and artists from all over. There was an atmosphere of camaraderie and healthy competition in Gordy’s studio. Gordy had a good eye for talented producers and artists alike, quickly adopting Smokey Robinson to his team. Under Gordy’s label, Smokey Robinson was uniquely permitted to produce his own work and other artists like Mary Wells, The Temptations, and The Miracles. Motown accumulated a number of artists that put out continuous hit songs, including a run of five Supremes hits in a row: â€Å"Where Did Our Love Go,† â€Å"Baby Love,† â€Å"Come See About Me,† â€Å"Stop! In the Name of Love,† and â€Å"Back In My Arms Again. † The Robinson produced â€Å"My Guy† by Mary Wells in 1964, which also reached the #1 spot is a good example of the burgeoning mid 60’s Motown sound. This string of successes gave Motown the names â€Å"Hitsville, USA. The Motown Sound, The Sound of Young America† which was painted over the headquarters entrance. In 1966, Motown produced fourteen songs that ranked in the Top Ten. In 1967, thirteen songs reached that status. And in 1968, ten singles reached that status. As you can see, while they did continue to rank in the Top Ten, the degree of their success decreased every year. This is yet another testimony to the fact that the success of these indie labels was rarely long-lasting. Another example of an individual producer who found a pathway in to the music industry during the 1950’s and 1960’s is the eccentric engineer, Harvey Philip Spector. Hoping to break into the music business, Spector booked a session at a local independent recording business called Star Studios. He raised $40 for the session and the price of tape, aided by his mother and several friends to pay for this session and the tape to record onto. He produced and performed on all instruments for the single â€Å"Don’t Worry My Little Pet,† an original composition. Spector and his friends, who were investors in his venture, formed the musical group â€Å"The Teddy Bears. † They appeared on American Bandstand. They performed another of his original songs, â€Å"To Know Him Is To Love Him,† which sold more than a million copies in two months. Phil Spector and his band The Teddy Bears signed on with Imperial Records, but they encountered problems while there. This is because Spector was used to being his own boss and producer, and now he wasn’t allowed to record at Goldstar, use stacked harmonies, or control production. After unsuccessful releases with Imperial, Spector broke up the Teddy Bears and asked Lester Sill and Lee Hazelwood, two established producers/label owners, to show him the ropes of the business. Spector actually moved in with Sill and his family. Sill taught Spector how successful Rock and Roll Records were made (HMP, Ch. III). He was then given the task of recruiting new artists to the label, yet his choices didn’t prove to be beneficial investments. Spector became frustrated and asked Sill to disclose his contacts from Stax. Spector then moved to New York City and began working for Lieber and Stoller in 1960. There at Lieber and Stoller’s studio, Spector started out as a studio guitarist, then worked as a producer for Ray Peterson and Curtis Lee, two artists on the label. Both of these artists’ releases were received very well, yet Spector faced failure with the public reaction to the release of the original â€Å"Twist and Shout,† which was performed by Top Note. Berns was outraged with Spector’s approach to â€Å"Twist and Shout,† and took this tune, reproduced it, and found success with it. Spector took this incident to heart and decided to leave Atlantic and return to the West Coast. There on the West Coast, he then formed the Phelles Label in Hollywood with Lester Sill, his former boss. Spector developed a unique sound that he called â€Å"impressionistic sound productions. † To the rest of the world, it became known as the â€Å"Wall of Sound. † It was characterized by abundant use of reverberation and un-isolated instrument overdubbing. Spector hated the concept of isolation and focused on creating a sonic â€Å"wall† by fixating all of the instrumental pieces, objects and people in the room and also by recording solely in mono. He then fed those un-isolated microphone tracks into different echo and reverb chambers. He was so extreme and specific in his endeavors that he wouldn’t even allow any of the people in his recordings to leave the room to go to the bathroom, or to even move around at all, claiming that it disturbed his perfect wall of sound: the relationship between the sound waves with all the surfaces and angles in the recording space. Within three years, he had put out twenty hits in a row, including â€Å"Da Doo Ron Ron,† â€Å"The Best Part of Breaking Up,† and others. In 1964, however, Spector’s success was cut prematurely by the British Invasion. This British Invasion, or the ‘Second British Invasion’, as it could be ironically considered, was marked by the Beatles’ victorious entrance into New York in February of 1964. This event symbolized the success of the Beatles in the eyes of the American public and also paved the way for British musical talent in America. The relationship between American and British musicians and fans is quite interesting, because there are many parallels between the two. â€Å"Like their transatlantic counterparts in the 1950s, British youth heard their future in the frantic beats and suggestive lyrics of American rock and roll. † (‘British Invasion’). While the Beatles were trying to mimic the American pop style of the time, they inadvertently created their own style that reflected back to American audiences who became obsessed. With the advent of the Beatles’ more â€Å"sophisticated,† pop/rock sound, Phil Spector and other pop/rock producers faced a competition as the British wave swept over their consumer audience. Spector fought to prolong his success, but with his release of an Ike and Tina Turner record in 1966 that only reached number eighty-eight on the charts, he was humiliated and decided to retire from the industry, although he would make a minor comeback and a flop or two) in later decades. Spector is an example of an independent record label whose niche was filled up by another entity. In England during the 1950s and 1960s, EMI, Philips, and Decca towered over small independent record labels as a trio of major record companies. As a result, it was quite difficult for the independent labels to become esta blished. Still, many producers and musical artists set up their own independent labels. These producers included Joe Meek with his release of Triumph, Andrew Oldham (Immediate), and Larry Page with Page One. One independent label that was able to thrive in this atmosphere and continued to grow and develop clientele was Chrysalis Records, the joint project of Chris Wright and Terry Ellis. Rock stars that launched their own record labels during this time included The Beatles with Apple Records, Elton John with Rocket, and The Rolling Stones with Rolling Stones Records. Unfortunately, these ventures did not succeed commercially on their own, while some were absorbed by the major labels. Through the examples of Stax, Atlantic, Sun, Motown, Phil Spector, Vee Jay, and all the other players involved in this unique time in music history, we can see the complex combination of positive opportunities and negative repercussions of taking a chance with a label, with an artist, a producer, and/or a song. It is quite clear that all of these independent record label starters of the 1950’s and 1960’s faced a lot of competition and conflict in their attempt to make it, despite the unique opportunity for success that they were granted in the circumstances of the music industry, market, and economy of that time. It seems that it took a while for the more major labels to catch on to the commercial viability of rock and roll and other new types of music, and yet at the same time, independent record labels who already had a holding on this new market had found success. References Jacobs, Pat. â€Å"Independent Record Labels of the 50’s and 60’s†. Rewind the Fifties, 1997. < http://www. loti. com/sixties_music/sixties_indie_labels. htm>] Theakston, Scott. History of Music Production, Course Binder. Chapter III. 2010. Rogan, Johnny. â€Å"Introduction† in the Guinness Who's Who of Indie and New Wave Music, Guinness Publishing, 1992. ISBN 0-85112-579-4

Majorca – Geography

Majorca – A Holiday DICKS Paradise? Map of Majorca Majorca in the Mediterranean Majorca is the largest of the 4 main Balearic Islands, located in the Mediterranean Sea, off the east coast of Spain. It is a highly popular holiday destination in the world, especially to Western European countries. Majorca’s capital city is Palma de Mallorca. Main Attractions for Tourists at Majorca North Majorca – * Serra de Tramuntana – large mountain range * Cap de Formentor – Northernmost cap of Majorca Valldemossa – Famous village related to composer, Chopin * Port de Soller – Village, port North Majorca is more scenic-tourism based compared to South Majorca, and features more natural attractions than artificial ones. Unlike South Majorca’s westernisation, North Majorca contains intact traditional culture. Much tourism in the north resides around beaches and the natural environment. South Majorca – * Cuevas de Drach – subterranea n cave * Es Trenc Beach – a beach.South Majorca is generally more westernised, Americanised, and tourist abundant. Resorts are designed to be extravagant and luxurious. Attractions are mostly man-made venues, such as casinos, night clubs, cruises, brothels, etc. That is not to say South Majorca lacks natural attractions; its beaches and landscape are just less visited. General – * Palma de Mallorca – Majorca’s capital city * Santa Maria Cathedral – Massive Gothic cathedral in Palma * Binissalem – specifically its wine * Prostitution – think what you will.Advantages/Disadvantages of Tourism Advantages – * Improved economy and wealth, which leads to†¦ * Improved infrastructure, which in turn†¦ * Improves local living conditions * Improves tourist conditions, welfare, accommodation, etc. * Rejuvenation/maintenance of historical and cultural interests * Sustainable tourism is emphasised and promoted * Employment created * Jobs and pay for locals Disadvantages – * Gradual disintegration of native ethnic culture to cater for tourists * Locals all generally speak fluent English Destruction of natural landscape * 25 tons of sand are removed from beaches by tourists with sticky bodies annually * Littering and pollution by the typically ignorant millionaire American tourist and his V8 truck(s) or the British drunk and his cardboard box * This kills the native flora/fauna of the island * Property Inflation * Locals are replaced in their houses by overseas aristocrats * Artificial Drought * Increased consumption of water by tourists, i. e. pools, cleaning, drinking, etc. combined with few days of rain equates to a growing lack of water* Majorca becomes over reliant on the tourism industry * Tourism sector makes up 95% of its economy Conclusion Is Majorca a holiday paradise or not? Google and its mechanics define paradise as: ‘†¦a place in which existence is harmonious; where there is only peace, prosperity, and happiness. ’ The definition for ‘holiday paradise’ would therefore be along the lines of†¦. ‘†¦a holiday ecosystem where the tourism infrastructure system is harmonious, prosperous, and provides happiness to the tourist. Note that the concept of a ‘holiday paradise’ comes from a tourists view (locals don’t have a holiday on the spot where they live, and the environment doesn’t have holidays). We can deduce from the definition of a ‘holiday paradise’ that Majorca is indeed a holiday paradise. Majorca does offer a tourism infrastructure that is harmonious, and prosperous whilst providing happiness to the tourist. Majorca’s tourist catering is at a sublime level, with a massive amount of services destined to be harmonious with a tourists needs.Majorca’s tourism industry is also extremely prosperous, making up 95% of its economy and providing plenty of healthy economic stimul ation for the locals. Most importantly of all, the tourist is happy in Majorca, which is why so many tourists go there in the first place. Majorca’s abundance of fascinating tourist attractions, such as its culture, beaches, caves, natural landscape, historic villages, night clubs, casinos, marinas, restaurants, brothels, as well as its compliance with the definition of a ‘holiday paradise’, proves that Majorca is without doubt a tourist’s holiday paradise.References http://www. mallorca-info. co. uk/where-to-stay-mallorca. html, Where to stay in Mallorca, (30/7/12– 5/8/12) http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Balearic_Islands, Balearic Islands (26/7/12– 5/8/12) http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Majorca, Majorca (26/7/12– 5/8/12) http://www. tripadvisor. co. uk/Attractions-g187462-Activities-Majorca_Balearic_Islands. html, Things to do in Majorca (1/8/12– 5/8/12) http://etravel. org/places/europe/spain/top-five-places-to-visit-in-mallorc a/, Top 5 places to Visit in Mallorca (31/7/12– 5/8/12) ttp://www. seemallorca. com/mallorca/guide. html, Introduction to Majorca (27/7/12– 5/8/12) http://www. akademifantasia. org/europe/top-5-natural-attractions-in-majorca/, Top 5 Natural Attractions in Majorca (2/8/12– 5/8/12) http://wikitravel. org/en/Mallorca, Mallorca (26/7/12– 5/8/12) http://www. majorca-mallorca. co. uk/, Welcome to Majorca (27/7/12– 5/8/12) http://www. geographypages. co. uk/major. htm, Majorca tourism Project(26/7/12– 5/8/12)

Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events The WritePass Journal

Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events Introduction Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events IntroductionReferencesRelated Introduction We often defined climate as a long term weather pattern for a particular region. Climate is part of the ecosystem where wildlife adapts with it over long period of time. Changes in climate may lead to extinction of species and other catastrophes. According to Charlie Moore, CNN producer of â€Å"Planet in Peril†, rate of extinction due to human pressure is pronounced. It is estimated that three species are lost per hour.1We are going to investigate the relationship between climate change and extreme weather events we have experienced in recent decades.   Besides, adaptation and mitigation strategies at local, national and international levels to reduce rate of climate change and at the same time reduce its impacts to vulnerable group would be discussed as well. Human activities such as deforestation, extensive burning of fossil fuels, over farming to support food demand, agriculture and others have cause a drastic rise in greenhouse gasses including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Accumulation of these greenhouse gasses brings unwanted greenhouse effect which will lead to global warming, melting of glaciers and rising of sea levels. From statistic2, burning of fossil fuels for the purposes of transport, heat, manufacture and light has emitted more than 30 billion tonnes of CO2 annually and this has caused a significant increase in global surface and ocean temperature. Rising of temperature may have negative effects on human health, food availability and ecosystems. Food and water availability would be uncertain due to variable rainfall patterns as crop yields are depending on availability of rainfall. Besides, climate change would cause climate sensitive diseases such as dengue fever, respiratory tract diseases, diarrhoeal diseas e to be worsen especially in third world countries where shortage of health facilities and health professions are often observed. 3As World Wildlife Fund 4suggested, climate change would also impose irreversible changes on ecosystem and animals. More species extinction would be expected due to the disability of animals and plants to adapt with new habitats. The Fourth Assessment Report5 from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that since 1750 human activities have attributed to the warming of mother Earth.   Scientists believed that human induced climate change would increase the likelihood of extreme weather events. More floods, drought, heat waves would be expected due to uncontrolled human activities. As what we have been experiencing in recent decades, climate has been changing in the last century. We are now on the trend towards warmer temperature and more frequent extreme weather events.6 Figure 1 shows the Changes in average surface temperature both in central England and globally, compared with the 1961-1990 baseline. (Taken from Summary report on the change in average surface temperature produced by Department of Energy and Climate Change2) The following case studies tell us how vulnerable is UK to climate change and how we are going to adapt with it. Water scarcity has become an issue in some parts of UK especially south west area due to longer, drier and hotter summers brought by continuing warming. Drought would be more frequent. Population in south west area particularly at higher risk as their water bills are higher than anywhere else in UK and water poverty is already an issue there. Other socio economic factors such as fast growing tourism sector, planned development and expanding population have worsened this scenario. One is described as water poor when he spends 3% of his income on water bill. This phenomenon is likely to worsen with bills predicted to raise by 5%a year for some consumers.7In this scenario; water companies such as South West Water Company are the leaders that play significant role. Challenges for leader would be to maintain water affordability and at the same time improving water efficiency. There is no doubt that the primary root to alleviate water poverty is to slow down climate change by reducing emis sion of greenhouse gasses drastically. However, it may take a long time before we can see the obvious effect in this issue. In order to adapt climate change, a new pricing system, Rising Block Tariff (RBT) 8 has been introduced in south west region. People would be charged depends on amount they used. Three different prices are introduced depends on their consumptions. RBTs have three blocks: Essential use-Cheap water for daily use (drinking, washing and cleaning) Standard block-Standard priced water as a safety net for households exceeding â€Å"Essential use† Premium Block-Expensive water for household consuming more than they need In short, the more a person use, the higher they would be charged. This system sounds reasonably practical as people would tend to save water if they are charging on their consumptions. South West Water claimed that the â€Å"essential use† block will be 27% cheaper than standard use. Customers who use water efficiently would be able to save up to  £60 annually for a large family.9 However, it is argued that this system is unfair especially to households that are not able to reduce their water consumption due to household size, medical needs and ability to invest on water-efficient devices. This â€Å"differential water charging† approach may create affordability problem in vulnerable households especially those have low incomes.10 In order to protect vulnerable group from this adaptation strategy, South West Water Company has set up support schemes.8,10,11 WaterCare scheme provides advice, repair and practical help to improve water efficiency for households in debt whereas Watersure scheme is a capped charged to help qualifying households in paying water bills. WaterSure and WaterCare support schemes are only available to qualifying households. Not all vulnerable groups can benefit from these schemes. Low income single household and unmetered customers are ineligible for the support schemes which mean water poverty continue to become an issue in these groups of people. Water companies may help those unqualified but having hard time in paying water debt group by allowing them to pay water debt by instalments and provide free installation of water meter so that they can limit their water usage.12 Another solution to water poverty problem in south east England is to build water reservoirs.   Water companies such as Southern Water, South East Water, Portsmouth Water and Mid Kent Water would develop new resources by building four new water reservoirs by 2020 to maintain adequate water supply. It is more cost effective as compared to building pipeline transferring water from North of England or from Wales.13 Reservoir plays an important role in supplying water for home, industry and agricultural use. Building of new reservoirs may solve the immediate water shortage problem but it has its drawbacks as well. It needs long time to plan and build. Other than that, the building of new reservoirs may create other environmental, social and economic problems such as deforestation for dam construction, emission of greenhouse gasses during construction, relocation of dwellers and others. Therefore, a lots of geographical, social, economic and environmental factors need to be taken into c onsideration before building new reservoirs. Heat wave is another popular extreme weather event. According to research, global warming has increased the likelihood of heat wave by four to six times.19 Severe heat wave and drought cases were reported in several Europe countries in the summer of 2003. This extreme weather event has caused enormous detrimental effects in Europe with more than 30,000 premature deaths occurred. 8The heat wave that raised average temperature by 20-30% spreads from northern Spain to Czech Republic and from Germany to Italy. UK reported that there are more than 2045 casualties during the month of August in 2003 using a method from National Institute of Health and Medical Research.14 Elderly are more sensitive to heat stress due to their disadvantages in ages, physical and mental health. Other than causing deaths of vulnerable elderly people, heat wave causes advance ripening and maturity of fruits and over consumption of water.14 This in turn creates problems of soil water depletion and lower crop yields. In this case, Department of Health is the leading party. They launched an annual national Heatwave Plan for a risk posed by high temperature in UK.8 This plan is to support vulnerable group during emergencies. Heatwave Plan incorporates the nature of the threat and respective obligations of health and social care services. One of the challenges in this adaptation strategy is the identification of heat vulnerable group. Local decision makers may have hard time to define heat vulnerability and identify all vulnerable groups due to limited tools and resources. This limitation may reduce the effectiveness of planned response. Department of Health use physiological and health related factors to measure people’s heat vulnerability which is insufficient as research suggested. Factors such as social networking, social support, knowledge and awareness on heat stress as well as financial ability may have to take into consideration when determine whether a person is heat vulnerable. Anot her potential challenge is service provider tends to overlook on certain groups of people as they are likely to omit those social processes when defining heat vulnerability. Besides, another weakness of this plan is limited engagement of service providers. This is because Department of Health’s Heatwave Plan focuses only on health sector and emergency response planning. A large variety of agencies may have no way to get involved. As Stern Report suggested, climate change is going to cost us more when we are living with it compared to preventing it;   a long term and more comprehensive preventative strategy involving multiple sectors, governmental, non-governmental organisations should be proposed. In order to protect those vulnerable from heat stress, campaigns and talks can be held to encourage participation of community and voluntary sectors. For effective implementation of Heatwave plan, health care providers and frontline staffs should be informed on the nature of plan and the expected service from them.15 Sufficient training should be conducted so that health care providers are able to deliver support to vulnerable group completely. Other than that, up-to-date database containing list of vulnerable groups should also be provided so that they can appropriate care can be provided.15 Besides, preventative skills and knowledge should be taught to family members of vulnerable group to avoid outbreak of heat related morbidity and mortality. Last but not least is financial aid. Vast amount of funding needed in order to carry the plan at national level, benefiting a wider community. Other than heat wave that hit Europe in 2003, widespread floods in UK have shown how vulnerable UK is to the climate change. In year 2000, floods in England and Wales have caused 10,000 houses been flooded, paralysis of rail services and power supplies.16 Flood damage costs up to one billion pounds every year. A new research has suggested that climate change attributes to the increased risk of flood occurs in England and Wales during October and November 2000.16Coastal communities are more likely to suffer from the impact of climate change due to their geographical position and other factors such as migration of youth, high proportions of retirees and benefit claimants, transitory populations, physical isolation.17 Climate change in coastal region would cause more frequent and intense flooding, storms and rising of sea level which will then leads to severe coastal erosion. Besides, extreme weather events including flooding and heat wave would cause more severe effects in coastal regi on due to their prior disadvantages such as poor housing and higher ratio of elderly. Flooding, erosion and storms would affect the agricultural sector, public transport and other public infrastructure. Challenge for this scenario is the spending cut on flood defences. 18Scientists have proved that climate change do increase the risk of flooding which means more funding and investments are needed to reduce flood risk of vulnerable group.   A fall of 8% in spending on flood defences over the next four years, compared with the previous four years would make local authorities and communities that have already lacked of support and funding to tackle flooding issue. Poor public awareness on wider impacts of climate change and incorrect perception of climate change are challenges to this issue as well. It would be hard to protect vulnerable group if they themselves do not have knowledge on the danger of climate change and how climate change is going to affect their health, lifestyle, economic source and society. Besides, adaptation activities are not always in the priority list as some of the coastal local authorities had more concerning issues. Immediate adaptation actions should be taken to protect vulnerable communities. Local authorities have to incorporate adaptation in their land management policy and activities.17 This is to avoid any further exposure of vulnerable region to climate change. Good communication and right message should be conveyed to local communities to raise their awareness so that appropriate actions could be taken.17 Furthermore, computer modelling is used to monitor effect of climate change on weather pattern. Climateprediction.net was introduced to predict Earths climate up to 2100 and to test the accuracy of climate models. 19However, the computer system is time consuming and it totally depends on the time devoted by volunteers. It needs up to one billion hours processing time which cost 120 million pounds if it is not running on voluntary basis. It would be costly to run the project if there is no enough volunteers. Climate change is not a new idea. People have increased awareness on this issue in recent decades especially those experienced it.17 However, how well a person knows about the climate change and its impacts to our society, economy and ecosystem? It is true that Earth weather pattern is always changing but human activities have speed up the rate of change and leads to several extreme weather events such as drought, flood, heat waves and tropical storm.   Scientist has estimated that there would be a rise of 6 degree Celsius at the end of this century if accumulation of excess greenhouse gasses is left unattended. Small temperature rise of 2 degree Celsius means more severe storms, floods and droughts, acidic seas, disrupted food chains and many more negative impacts on ecosystem. 20 In conclusion, climate change and extreme weather events are not an individual issue. They are linked to each other and the primary root to eliminate extreme weather events is to work on climate change by reducing our carbon footprint. It is a global issue where cooperation from all parties is demanded. We have to adopt adaptation and mitigation strategies in our daily life if we are going to maintain the global temperature rise below 2 degree Celsius. The saying â€Å"Roman wasn’t built in one day† comes into play here. Time and commitment are needed in order to achieve our goal. Remember, together, we can make the changes! References 1. Moore,C., 16 March 2007. Umm, are those spider fangs in your leg? Anderson Cooper Blog 360 °.Available from: http://edition.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/anderson.cooper.360/blog/archives/2007_03_11_ac360_archive.html [Accessed 21 April 2011]. 2. Department of Energy and Climate Change, 2011. What is Climate Change? London: Department of Energy and Climate Change. Available from: decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/change_energy/what_is_cc/what_is_cc.aspx [Accessed 21 April 2011]. 3.World Health Organisation,2010.Climate change and Health.Geneva:World Health Organisation.Available from:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs266/en/index.html [Accessed 21 April 2011]. 4.World Wildlife Fund,UK,2010.The Impacts of Climate Change on Nature.United Kingdom:World Widlife Fund.Available from:   http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/aboutcc/problems/impacts/ [Accessed 21 April 2011]. 5.Oreskes,N.,2005.The Scientific Consensus on Climate Change.Science,306,1686.Available from: sciencemag.org/content/306/5702/1686.full.pdf [Accessed 21 April 2011]. 6. Union of Concerned Scientists, 2003.Has the climate changed already? Cambridge: Union of Concerned Scientists.Available from: ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/science/has-the-climate-changed.html [Accessed 21 April 2011]. 7.Doward,J.,2011. ‘Water poverty’ to rise in the UK as scarcity pushes up bills.The Guardian.Available from:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/feb/20/water-poverty-uk-scarcity-bills [Accessed 21 April 2011]. 8.Benzie, M., Burningham,K.,Harvey,A.,Hodgson,N.,Siddiqi,A.,2011. Vulnerability to heatwaves and drought: adaptation to climate change,York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.Available from: jrf.org.uk/publications/vulnerability-heatwaves-and-drought-adaptation-climate-change [Accessed 21 April 2011]. 9.South West Water,2009.Water tariff trial,prices and investment for 2009/10.Devon:South West Water.Available from:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  southwestwater.co.uk/index.cfm?articleid=6903   [Accessed 21 April 2011]. 10.Stott, J., 4th March 2011.Unintended Consequences – understanding the impact of policy responses to climate change.Joseph Rowntree Foundation blog.Available from: jrf.org.uk/blog/2011/03/unintended-consequences-policy-responses-climate-change [Accessed 21 April 2011]. 11.Auriga Services Limited,2011.Help for water and energy customers.(1st ed.)Sutton Coldfield: Auriga Services Limited.Available from:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   i-m-a.org.uk/pdfs/help_for_water_and_energy_customers_booklet.pdf [Accessed 21 April 2011]. 12.National Health Services Choices,2010.Personal and household finance.London:Department of Health.Available from: nhs.uk/CarersDirect/moneyandlegal/finance/Pages/Utilitybills.aspx [Accessed 21 April 2011]. 13. Environment Agency,2006.Do we need large-scale water transfer for south east England?Rotterham: Environment Agency. Available from:  Ã‚   environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Research/grid_1464452.pdf [Accessed 21 April 2011]. 14.United Nations Environment Programme,2004.Impacts of Summer 2003 Heat Wave in Europe. Environment Alert Bulletin. Available from: grid.unep.ch/product/publication/download/ew_heat_wave.en.pdf [Accessed 21 April 2011]. 15. Abrahamson,V.,Raine,R.,2009. Health and social care responses to the Department of Health Heatwave Plan.Journal of Public Health,31(4),478-489.Available from: http://jpubhealth.oxfordjournals.org/content/31/4/478.full.pdf [Accessed 21 April 2011]. 16.Aina,T.,Allen,M.R., Hilberts,A.G.J., Lohmann,D.,Pall, P., Nozawa,T., Stone,D.A.,Stott,P.A., 2011.Anthropogenic greenhouse gas contribution to flood risk in England and Wales in autumn 2000.Nature, 470,382-386.Available from: nature.com/nature/journal/v470/n7334/full/nature09762.html [Accessed 21 April 2011]. 17.Fernandez-Bilbao,A., Knight,J., Smith,D., Scott Wilson,J.A., Zsamboky,M.,2011. Impacts of climate change on disadvantaged UK coastal communities.York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Available   from: jrf.org.uk/publications/impacts-climate-change-disadvantaged-uk-coastal-communities [Accessed 21 April 2011]. 18.Carrington, D., 2010.UK flood defence cuts leave 5m vulnerable homes ‘at risk’.The Guardian. Available from: guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/dec/22/uk-flood-defence-cuts-risk   [Accessed 21 April 2011] 19.Carrington, D., 2011.Climate Change doubled likelihood of devastating UK floods of 2000. The Guardian. Available from: guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/feb/16/climate-change-risk-uk-floods [Accessed 21 April 2011]. 20.World Wildlife Fund UK,2010.Global Warming?Climate change?What’s it all about?.United Kingdom:World Wildlife Fund.Available from: wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/tackling_climate_change/climate_change_explained/   [Accessed 21 April 2011].

Technology and Language essays

Technology and Language essays ?Language and words are the most important intangible things we have as humans. Having the ability to communicate abstract ideas with others by making sounds with our mouths is what sets us apart from other Earth-walking animals, and is quite incredible when you think about it. However, when the times change, language changes right with it. We are now in what is called the Age of Technology and the major increase in use of the internet, mobile devices and TV has created a whole new set of words that are being looked at as detrimental to traditional language. I do not think the language of new media is corrupting communication but helping, and the idea that it is helping comes from a bias towards younger people. People are generally afraid of change. So its understandable why someone who grew up talking a certain way, would be quick to be against the way a new generation was talking. Older people feel as if the words that new media have introduced to our culture are slang and are making us dumb because its taking over the traditional way of speaking and writing English. If everyone had this mindset, we would still be speaking like Shakespeare. In the video Tweets, Texts by Professor David Crystal, he disproves the common myths of modern vernacular. Crystal talks about how this new language is not really used as much as believed, and that they do not hurt peoples ability to write and communicate in a formal setting. Through a classroom study, Crystal found that those students who used the language of new media the most actually received higher marks on written assignments. So perhaps new language is not hurting, but in fact helping. A big part of the movement against the new language that mass media and technology have created is a bias towards younger people, who are the ones that use it the most. People fail to realize that just because someone is young, d...

Hippopotamus Facts

Hippopotamus Facts With a broad mouth, a hairless body, and a set of semi-aquatic habits, the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) has always struck humans as vaguely comical creatures. Found only in sub-Saharan Africa, a hippo in the wild can be almost as dangerous (and unpredictable) as a tiger or hyena. Fast Facts: Hippopotamus Scientific Name: Hippopotamus amphibiusCommon Name: Common hippopotamusBasic Animal Group: MammalSize: 11–17 feetWeight: 5500 pounds (female), 6600 pounds (male)Lifespan: 35–50 yearsDiet:  HerbivoreHabitat: Sub-saharan AfricaPopulation: 115,000–130,000Conservation Status: Vulnerable Description Hippos arent the worlds largest land mammals- that honor belongs, by a hair, to the largest breeds of elephants and rhinoceroses- but they come pretty close. The biggest male hippos can approach three tons and 17 feet, and apparently, never stop growing throughout their 50-year life span. The females are a few hundred pounds lighter, but every bit as menacing, especially when defending their young. Hippopotamuses have very little body hair- a trait that puts them in the company of humans, whales, and a handful of other mammals. Hippos have hair only around their mouths and on the tips of their tails. To make up for this deficit, hippos do have extremely thick skin, consisting of about two inches of the epidermis and only a thin layer of underlying fat- theres not much need to conserve heat in the wilds of equatorial Africa. Hippos do, however, have very delicate skin that needs to be protected from the harsh sun. The hippo produces its own natural sunscreen- a substance called blood sweat or red sweat, it consists of red and orange acids that absorb ultraviolet light and inhibit the growth of bacteria. This has led to the widespread myth that hippos sweat blood; in fact, these mammals dont possess any sweat glands at all, which would be superfluous considering their semi-aquatic lifestyle. Many animals, including humans, are sexually dimorphic- the males tend to be larger than the females (or vice-versa), and there are other ways, besides directly examining the genitals, to distinguish between the two sexes. A male hippo, though, looks pretty much exactly like a female hippo, except that males are 10 percent heavier than females. The inability to easily tell whether a particular animal is male or female makes it difficult for researchers in the field to investigate the social life of a lounging herd of hippos. Wikimedia Commons Species While there is only one hippopotamus species- Hippopotamus amphibius- researchers recognize five different subspecies, corresponding to the parts of Africa where these mammals live. H. amphibius amphibius, also known as the Nile hippopotamus or the great northern hippopotamus, lives in Mozambique and Tanzania;H. amphibius kiboko, the East African hippopotamus, lives in Kenya and Somalia;H. amphibius capensis, the South African hippo or the Cape hippo, extends from Zambia to South Africa;H. amphibius tchadensis, the West African or Chad hippo, lives in (you guessed it) western Africa and Chad; and the Angola hippopotamus; andH. amphibius constrictus, the Angola hippo, is restricted to Angola, Congo, and Namibia. The name hippopotamus derives from Greek- a combination of hippo, meaning horse, and potamus, meaning river. Of course, this mammal coexisted with human populations of Africa for thousands of years before the Greeks ever laid eyes on it, and is known by various extant tribes as the mvuvu, kiboko, timondo, and dozens of other local variants. There is no right or wrong way to pluralize hippopotamus: some people prefer hippopotamuses, others like hippopotami, but you should always say hippos rather than hippi. Groups of hippopotamuses (or hippopotami) are called herds, dales, pods, or bloats. Habitat and Range Hippos spend most of each day in shallow water, emerging at night to travel to hippo lawns, grassy areas where they graze. Grazing only at night allows them to keep their skins moist and out of the African sun. When theyre not grazing on grass- which at night takes them into the African lowlands several miles away from the water and for periods of five or six hours at a stretch- hippos prefer to spend their time fully or partially submerged in freshwater lakes and rivers, and occasionally even in saltwater estuaries. Even at night, some hippos remain in the water, in essence taking turns at the hippo lawns. Diet Hippos eat between 65–100 pounds of grass and foliage each night. Somewhat confusingly, hippos are classified as pseudoruminants- theyre equipped with multiple-chambered stomachs, like cows, but they do not chew a cud (which, considering the huge size of their jaws, would make for a pretty comical sight). Fermentation takes place primarily in their fore-stomachs. A hippo has an enormous mouth and it can open up to a whopping 150-degree angle. Their diets certainly have something to do with it- a two-ton mammal has to eat a lot of food to sustain its metabolism. But sexual selection also plays a major role: Opening ones mouth very widely is a good way to impress females (and deter competing males) during mating season, the same reason that males are equipped with such enormous incisors, which otherwise would make no sense given their vegetarian menus. Hippos dont use their incisors to eat; they pluck plant parts with their lips and chew on them with their molars. A hippo can chomp down on branches and leaves with a force of about 2,000 pounds per square inch, enough to cleave a luckless tourist in half (which occasionally happens during unsupervised safaris). By way of comparison, a healthy human male has a bite force of about 200 PSI, and a full-grown saltwater crocodile tilts the dials at 4,000 PSI. Behavior If you ignore the difference in size, hippopotamuses may be the closest thing to amphibians in the mammal kingdom.  In the water, hippos live in loose polygynous groups made up mostly of females with their offspring, one territorial male and several unallied bachelors: The alpha male has a section of beach or lake edge for a territory. Hippopotamuses have sex in the water- the natural buoyancy helps to protect the females from the suffocating weight of the males- fight in the water, and even give birth in the water. Amazingly, a hippo can even sleep underwater, as its autonomic nervous system prompts it to float to the surface every few minutes and take a gulp of air. The main problem with a semi-aquatic African habitat, of course, is that hippos have to share their homes with crocodiles, which occasionally pick off smaller newborns unable to defend themselves. Although male hippos do have territories, and they squabble a bit, that is usually restricted to roaring vocalizations and ritual. The only real battles are when a bachelor male challenges a territorial male for rights over his patch and harem. Reproduction and Offspring Hippopotamuses are polygynous: One bull mates with multiple cows in his territorial/social group. Hippo females usually mate once every two years, and the bull mates with whichever cows are in heat. Although mating can occur throughout the year, conception only occurs from February to August. The gestation period lasts nearly a year, with births taking place between October and April. Hippos only give birth to one calf at a time; calves weigh 50–120 pounds at birth and are adapted to underwater nursing.   Juvenile hippos stay with their mothers and are reliant on mothers milk for nearly a year (324 days). Female juveniles remain in their mothers group, while males leave after they are sexually mature, about three and a half years. WILLIAM WEST/Getty Images  Ã‚   Evolutionary History Unlike the case with rhinoceroses and elephants, the evolutionary tree of hippopotamuses is rooted in mystery. Modern hippos shared a last common ancestor, or concestor, with modern whales, and this presumed species lived in Eurasia about 60 million years ago, only five million years after the dinosaurs had gone extinct. Still, there are tens of millions of years bearing little or no fossil evidence, spanning most of the Cenozoic Era, until the first identifiable hippopotamids like Anthracotherium and Kenyapotamus appear on the scene. The branch leading to the modern genus of hippopotamus split off from the branch leading to the pygmy hippopotamus (genus Choeropsis) less than 10 million years ago. The pygmy hippopotamus of western Africa weighs less than 500 pounds but otherwise looks uncannily like a full-sized hippo. Conservation Status The Internal Union for the Conservation of Nature estimates that there are 115,000–130,000 hippos in central and southern Africa, a sharp drop from their census numbers in prehistoric times; they classify hippos as vulnerable, experiencing a continuing decline in area, extent, and quality of habitat. Threats Hippopotamuses live exclusively in sub-Saharan Africa (though they once had a more widespread distribution). Their numbers have declined most precipitously in the Congo in central Africa, where poachers and hungry soldiers have left only about 1,000 hippos standing out of a previous population of almost 30,000. Unlike elephants, which are valued for their ivory, hippos dont have much to offer traders, with the exception of their enormous teeth- which are sometimes sold as ivory substitutes. Another direct threat to the hippopotamus is the loss of habitat. Hippos need water, at least mudholes, all year round to take care of their skin; but they also need grazing lands, and those patches are in danger of disappearing as a result of climate-change-driven desertification. Sources Barklow, William E. Amphibious Communication with Sound in Hippos, Hippopotamus Amphibius. Animal Behaviour 68.5 (2004): 1125–32. Print.Eltringham, S. Keith. 3.2: The Common Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus Amphibius). Pigs, Peccaries, and Hippos: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. Ed. Oliver, William L.R. Gland, Switzerland: International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resouces, 1993. Print.Lewison, R. and J. Pluhcek. Hippopotamus amphibius. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.e.T10103A18567364, 2017.  Walzer, Chris, and Gabrielle Stalder. Chapter 59 - Hippopotamidae (Hippopotamus). Fowlers Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, Volume 8. Eds. Miller, R. Eric and Murray E. Fowler. St. Louis: W.B. Saunders, 2015. 584–92. Print.

Asnwer the qutions for articel reading Assignment - 2

Asnwer the qutions for articel reading - Assignment Example They used indicators such as the rate of child death and the competition that children have in schools in assessing the extent to which the countries are achieving particular economic and social rights (Fukuda-Parr, Randolph and Lawson-Remer 4-48). They found out that increasing the amount of public spending, use of public policies and programs that are effective towards improving social and economic rights should be encouraged. They found out that in low-income countries, the donors should increase the amount of the financial aids they give, therefore, enabling those countries in financing those policies and programs that influence their realization. The problem with their estimation approach is that they only focused on the fulfillment of human rights and neglected the levels to which the rights are violated. They failed to capture and integrate some aspects of human rights that are being violated, such as high levels of discrimination, lack of transparency and freedom of participation. Some of the indices they used in their estimation failed to look at the right to health hence giving poor performances towards measuring the economic and social rights. Constitutional rules have always been acting as the devices towards ensuring that that there are greater provisions and commitments in the various aspects of the human life. However, some constitutions are interpreted and enforced differently to others while others undergo writings and publications and constructions have the image of an enforceable law. They used empirical studies in finding out the effects of constitutionalizing the rights. Here they tend to find the magnitude of the effects on following the constitution on both the economic and political basis. They compare the amount of spending in those governments that follow the constitution to the letter

California State and Local Government Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

California State and Local Government - Essay Example It also does the establishment of mandatory funding levels (Patterson 26). The funding restoration order to some agencies and programs is done by the California Supreme Court. Legislatively, the government of California is made up of the Assembly minority, the governor, the Senate president pro tempore, the Assembly speaker and Senate minority leader. Legislative campaign funds are controlled by the California legislature. Therefore, they have a say in influencing in their caucus votes in the Big Five meetings (Patterson 19).   Currently, California uses the plurality voting system in its elections. In certain cases, municipalities such as Berkeley and San Francisco use a system of preferential voting or ranking choice voting. The Democratic Party and Republic Party are the major political parties in the U.S congress and state legislature representation (Patterson (21). Others include Peace and Freedom Party, American Independent Party, Libertarian Party and Green Party. The court of appeal of U.S` decision may be reviewed by the U. S Supreme Court when asked by a Party in Judicial Branch of California. In Federal Government Judicial Branch, the case is heard by the highest state court when asked by the parties. In the Judicial Branch of California, the judicial power is invested by the constitution article 111. The state courts are established by the laws and constitution in the federal government (Patterson 34). There have been conflicts between the local government and the state of California fiscally for the three decades ago. This arises when the local revenue gives much control of the state government and also state and local spending and taxing limitation (Patterson 27). Therefore, the California government needs to stop fighting because of fiscal resources and focus on the main problems that plague the state to resolve budget

Early Childhood Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Early Childhood Education - Essay Example The development of the senses of the child in its formative years, which is between three and six years of age, precedes that of the higher intellectual powers.   Montessori believes that their sensorial curriculum can aid the development of the senses of the child in its early years.   The aim is not to sharpen the senses but rather to refine the child’s senses so that he can differentiate even the slightest differences in order to truly observe and appreciate the world around him.   The training will help him understand what he sees, hears touches, tastes and smells.    Montessori further breaks down the five basic senses into nine isolated senses namely: visual/seeing, auditory/hearing, olfactory/smelling, tactile/touch, and gustatory/taste, chromatic/color, baric/weight, thermic/temperature, and stereognostic/tactile-muscular.   Several sensorial materials and activities are used in the Montessori method.   One of them is the Color Boxes which is directed towar d the visual and chromatic sense.   Children learn about the colors of the earth and their visual sense is refined.   Color Box 1 teaches the three primary colors: red, blue and yellow. The initial lesson is merely matching the three sets of col s, to demonstrate an ability to distinguish between the three.   Color Box 2 is similar to Color Box 1, except that it includes eleven colors: gray, black, white, pink, brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.

Sociology Theory of Symbolic Interactionism Essay

Sociology Theory of Symbolic Interactionism - Essay Example For one, symbolic interactionists highly consider the importance of subjective meaning within any kind of human interaction or intercommunication. Evidently, the principles marked in symbolic interactionism generate implications particularly to the study of sociology. This paper briefly traces the history of the concept of symbolic interactionism. Further, it discusses the definition of symbolic interactionism given by Herbert Blumer. And finally, the paper examines the impacts of symbolic interactionism to three prominent strands or levels, namely, intrapersonal state, interpersonal process, and social institution. Of history The emergence of the term â€Å"symbolic interactionism† basically originates from Herbert Blumer of the University of Chicago; it was in the 1930s when Blumer coined such term and, from there, established the key concepts or principles attributed to present-day symbolic interactionism (Appelrouth & Edles, 2008). It is strange, though, that Blumer (1968) describes his coinage as â€Å"somewhat barbaric neologism† (p. 1). Of course, every new word -- neologism is derived from the Greek language which means â€Å"new word† -- is strange or foreign especially to people who are not accustomed or familiar to it. Nevertheless, the barbaric description is far from being scholarly. Perhaps Blumer chooses the signifier â€Å"barbaric† in describing his new sociological theory for the reason that such theory or concept emphasizes the subjectivity of persons with regard to certain symbols or meanings. In the process, the â€Å"barbaric† aspect of symbolic interactionism is rightly construed by the fact that such theory critically opposes the dominant thoughts (i.e., objectivity) marked in the early 20th century. On the other hand of the scale, Blumer (1968) highly considers George Herbert Mead to be the central figure who â€Å"laid the foundations of the symbolic interactionist approach† (p. 1). Like Blumer , Mead is associated to the University of Chicago. Mead is famous for his idea of symbols or meanings as shared by many people or minds. Especially in the realm of language, he argues that symbols and their meanings are constructed and reconstructed -- in essence, shared -- by interacting persons. Similar to other symbolic interactionists, Mead views the individual human self as a social construction in which it is â€Å"crafted through the linguistic exchanges† (as cited in Harter, 1999, p. 677). However, Blumer (1968) still holds that he is the one who developed or expounded the full version of such sociological theory in spite of Mead’s being the â€Å"founder† of symbolic interactionism (p. 1). Generally speaking, symbolic interactionism is historically traceable to the â€Å"Chicago School† of sociology (Burnier, 2005). Of theory Blumer (1968) categorically defines the concept of symbolic interactionism as a â€Å"distinctive approach to the study o f human group life and human conduct† (p. 1). In order to fully appreciate this definition, there are five key elements that need to be emphasized and discussed: (1) approach, (2) human, (3) group, (4) life, and (5) conduct. First, Blumer views the theory of symbolic interactionism as an approach in studying a particular phenomenon salient in human society. As an approach, there are several premises, ideas, or frameworks that constitute such an approach or methodology; and these premises or frameworks are the fundamental principles that make-up

Land law part 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Land law part 2 - Essay Example The property which was habitable in 1997 has deteriorated over the years. It has become very damp, because the gutters are very dilapidated and when it rains water runs down the outside walls of the property rather than down the pipes and into the drains. The sash window frames are rotting and mould is growing in the bathroom where it is impossible to open the window at all. Cracks are appearing in the ceiling and P thinks there could be some loose slates on the roof. He has rung Bridley Housing Association’s offices on a number of occasions this year to tell them about the damp, but no-one from the Association has visited the property or carried out any repairs. In order to be able to advise P and Q it is necessary to examine the law in relation to short term licences. This will involve a discussion on the difference between a lease and a licence, and the different rights given to leaseholders over licence holders. From this it should then be possible to advise P and Q of their rights to insist on the repairs being carried out. In the UK leases can be distinguished from licences in relation to the occupation of the property. With a lease the occupier will enjoy exclusive occupation and the amount paid for the property will not include any services. Landlords cannot terminate leases at short notice. By comparison those who have a licence do not have exclusive occupation and the landlord can allow other persons to move into the property. Where the agreement is deemed to be a lease the lessee would have full ownership rights over the property.1 If the occupier does not have exclusive ownership, than the courts will deem that a licence has been created. In Shell-Mex & B P Ltd v Manchester Garages Ltd [1971]2 the court distinguished between a lease and a licence by examining where the control lay. In this case the court

Sociology Theory of Symbolic Interactionism Essay

Sociology Theory of Symbolic Interactionism - Essay Example For one, symbolic interactionists highly consider the importance of subjective meaning within any kind of human interaction or intercommunication. Evidently, the principles marked in symbolic interactionism generate implications particularly to the study of sociology. This paper briefly traces the history of the concept of symbolic interactionism. Further, it discusses the definition of symbolic interactionism given by Herbert Blumer. And finally, the paper examines the impacts of symbolic interactionism to three prominent strands or levels, namely, intrapersonal state, interpersonal process, and social institution. Of history The emergence of the term â€Å"symbolic interactionism† basically originates from Herbert Blumer of the University of Chicago; it was in the 1930s when Blumer coined such term and, from there, established the key concepts or principles attributed to present-day symbolic interactionism (Appelrouth & Edles, 2008). It is strange, though, that Blumer (1968) describes his coinage as â€Å"somewhat barbaric neologism† (p. 1). Of course, every new word -- neologism is derived from the Greek language which means â€Å"new word† -- is strange or foreign especially to people who are not accustomed or familiar to it. Nevertheless, the barbaric description is far from being scholarly. Perhaps Blumer chooses the signifier â€Å"barbaric† in describing his new sociological theory for the reason that such theory or concept emphasizes the subjectivity of persons with regard to certain symbols or meanings. In the process, the â€Å"barbaric† aspect of symbolic interactionism is rightly construed by the fact that such theory critically opposes the dominant thoughts (i.e., objectivity) marked in the early 20th century. On the other hand of the scale, Blumer (1968) highly considers George Herbert Mead to be the central figure who â€Å"laid the foundations of the symbolic interactionist approach† (p. 1). Like Blumer , Mead is associated to the University of Chicago. Mead is famous for his idea of symbols or meanings as shared by many people or minds. Especially in the realm of language, he argues that symbols and their meanings are constructed and reconstructed -- in essence, shared -- by interacting persons. Similar to other symbolic interactionists, Mead views the individual human self as a social construction in which it is â€Å"crafted through the linguistic exchanges† (as cited in Harter, 1999, p. 677). However, Blumer (1968) still holds that he is the one who developed or expounded the full version of such sociological theory in spite of Mead’s being the â€Å"founder† of symbolic interactionism (p. 1). Generally speaking, symbolic interactionism is historically traceable to the â€Å"Chicago School† of sociology (Burnier, 2005). Of theory Blumer (1968) categorically defines the concept of symbolic interactionism as a â€Å"distinctive approach to the study o f human group life and human conduct† (p. 1). In order to fully appreciate this definition, there are five key elements that need to be emphasized and discussed: (1) approach, (2) human, (3) group, (4) life, and (5) conduct. First, Blumer views the theory of symbolic interactionism as an approach in studying a particular phenomenon salient in human society. As an approach, there are several premises, ideas, or frameworks that constitute such an approach or methodology; and these premises or frameworks are the fundamental principles that make-up

ASB 2104 Principles of Organisation and Management Essay

ASB 2104 Principles of Organisation and Management - Essay Example The discussion explains some prominent management theories, their similarities and dissimilarities and their present day relevance. The classical theory of management is the oldest and the most widely accepted school of management. The classical theory was propounded and practiced extensively between 1885 and 1940. The genesis of the theory can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution that necessitated the need for systematic and logical methods to manage organizations. Many factories were set up during the Industrial Revolution because of which the need for proficient planning, organizing, and controlling the activities of workers arose. The classical theory of management evolved with a view to enhance the worker-level productivity and that of the entire organization. The classical theory of management consists of two major schools: There were many contributors to the theory of scientific management. However, the most prominent work in this sphere was that of Frederick W. Taylor who is regarded as the father of scientific management. Taylor, who worked at the Midvale Steel Company, felt a pressing need to cut costs, analyze work methods and develop labor and management co-operation. On the basis of his time studies, Taylor recommended a differential piecework plan wherein workers were paid higher wage rates for above standard performance and low wage rates for below standard performance. The concept of minimum basic wage rates can also be attributed to Taylor’s works, for till that point of time, there was no guarantee of minimum wages to workers. The contribution of Henri Fayol forms the backbone of the theory of general administration. Fayol termed planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating and controlling as the basic functions of management. According to the author, all activities in industrial projects could be classified into six broad categories: technical, commercial, financial, security, accounting and managerial. Additionally, Henri

Financial Valuation for Microsoft Essay Example for Free

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The Impact of Globalization on Poor Countries

The Impact of Globalization on Poor Countries Globalization refers to integration of regional societies, cultures and economies through reduction of state enforced limitations on exchanges between different countries thereby enhancing a global network of trade and communication. While globalization is driven by interaction of different, economies, technology, political factors and social cultures, the term is in most cases used to refer to economic globalization where different countries economies become integrated into an international economy through a globe spanning network of trade, migration, foreign trade investments, technology and capital flows. Globalization also involves transnational exchange of ideas, languages and acculturation (Amin, 2004). Globalization history can be traced from the Hellenistic age and the rise of cosmopolitan when commercialized urban centers of Greek culture like Athens, Antioch and Alexandria enhanced a widespread of trade and commercial links. Globalization continued with the colonization of Americans by Europeans which initiated the Columbian exchange enhancing a wide spread of crops, trade and human populations and migration. Globalization however got its modern form in 19th century shaped by imperialism when industrialization brought about economies of scale which made cheap production which was sustained by increased population demand. Its argued that the forces of globalization enhanced the world war (Barkema Drogendijk, 2007). Globalization as used by different economists and social scientists can be traced back in 1960s and has inspired diverse and numerous definitions and understanding. Globalization and internationalization are interchangeably used; the only distinction in the usage of the two terms is that internationalization is more focused on international relations, trade and treaties which are driven by labor and capital mobility. Globalization as used in economic context refers to reduction and elimination of barriers between different countries economies in away that flow of goods and services capital and labor is facilitated. Some of the things that slowdown globalization include countries political and capital policies which are inward looking and focused to protection of countries industries (Wood,1998).To enhance globalization microeconomics processes need to be focused on economic policies, political subjectivity, capital and other different dynamics and domains so as to denationalize what has been made national. Globalization is seen as a way of flattening the world into global system of trade, supply chain and outsourcing and this has greatly and permanently changed countries economies, political forces both in a good and a bad way. The rate of globalization is increasing and continues to have a rising impact on business practice and commercial organization, giving a neoliberal kind of international economic systems (Beall, 2004). Rapid expansion of transnational corporations in U.S and Europe has given rise to systematic trend of economies growth and die dynamics which are the main drives of the quickening globalization which has stand the counter tendency changes and forces that emanate from trade union actions and political activities. Globalization has become an irreversible phenomenon whose long history in market economic systems has given rise to transnational elites and political globalization which has phased out the traditional form of powerful-nation states, globalization has given rise to cultural and ideological homogenization worldwide coupled with significant inventions. Globalization has largely been driven by political planning which has seen a breakdown of trade borders and increasing interdependence of states through international commerce and trade and the establishment of international institutions to manage the globalization process. These institutions include the World Bank (formerly know n as bank for International Reconstruction and Development), World Trade Organization and International Monetary Fund. Advanced Technology has greatly reduced the trade and negotiation cost through agreed trade tariffs which have seen the possibility of free trade among different countries (Ostry, 1998). Some of the actions involved in the General Agreement on Trade Tariffs include elimination of trade tariffs creating free trade zones, lowering the transportation costs and enhancing containerization which has made Ocean hipping in different countries possible, introduction of harmonized trade subsidies globally which has attracted different corporations in the international market. Increased restrictions in the harmonized intellectual property laws have also seen a great breakthrough for free trade such that intellectual properties and patents are recognized across states. Trade treaties enhanced by the WTO like the Uruguay Round which has introduced a uniform trading platform, oth er multilateral and bilateral agreements on trade like North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) have greatly reduced the trade tariffs and barriers and enhanced free trade and given a  Ã‚   rise in world exports and the total gross world product (Lazear, 1999). Advanced communication technology; mobile pone and other computer software technology spread among countries which have made communication cheap and possible among countries, and worldwide marketing has greatly driven cultural globalization with western American culture dominating most regions in expense of the traditional diversity. The contrasting trend led by movements in protest to globalization has not given any fruits in its defense for local individuality uniqueness and identity (Yeung, 2002). According to Rothstein (2005), various economic characteristics of globalization like capital, labor, technology and exports and imports, we can easily measure globalization if we take it as economic globalization. Exports and imports can be determined as a proportion gross national income while labor can be determined as net migration rates flow; weighted by population inward and outward flow. Inward and outward capital flow can be determined through investment as a proportion of per capital income while technology can be measured in terms of worldwide research as well as development flows and the rates of change noted through inventions that has given new products in telephone, motor vehicle and broadband industries (Knaude, 2001). However globalization is not economic phenomenon only and therefore requires a multivariate approach in taking its measurement. Swiss index has taken into consideration three key dimensions of globalization as political, economic and cultural effects taking some sub-indices like economic flows and restrictions, personal contact data, information flow and cultural proximity data which are available on annual basis. According to the Swiss index, Belgium is the most globalized country worldwide followed by Austria and Sweden while United Kingdom comes fourth followed by Netherlands (Agell, 1999). The Index has shown that Haiti is the least globalized countries followed by Myanmar and Burundi. Globalization has given forth to good and bad aspects which have affected countries in different ways. Movement of production materials and manufactured goods has given rise to emergence of worldwide markets and given consumers and firms a broader access to foreign products. The trade between China and Africa particularly has rise seven times fro the period between 2000 and 2007. Emergence of international financial markets has given customers worldwide access to external finance. This has however grown fast than the transnational regulatory regime and given rise to instability in the worldwide financial infrastructure as evidenced by the current financial crisis (Mishkin, 2009). Realization of a worldwide market where goods and capital are free exchange has a great economic realization while its interconnectedness would give great effects in case of one economy collapsing. For instance, every worldwide IT company has established its market in India, if Indias economy collapses this would have the adverse effects spread amongst many other economies (Buckley Ghauri, 2004). Globalization has greatly affected the health systems on a global scale where health has became a trade commodity especially in developing nations following the structural adjustment programs which have seen the health sector privatized and the health policy largely fragmented due to various private interests which have focused on partnerships as a way to fight the various problems instead of a comprehensive health strategy. Health policy has greatly been affected by the global trade and economy driven by the technological advancement which has given innovative medical care trade. At time the global priorities have run over the nation health care priorities making the health infrastructure more valuable to public the privatized form of health care which largely focuses on the wealthy (Dunning, 1998). Globalization has led to creation of governments with relaxed relationships and guaranteed social and economic rights. United State has over time taken a powerful position following its strong and wealthy economy. The republic of China has experienced rapid growth following globalization and with support from the United States. Economists have projected that if Chinas growth is maintained at that rate, this would bring a great change world wide in the next twenty years since it will mean power reallocation among world leaders with China being one of the wealthy and industrialized nations and this will rival the United States worldwide powerful position (Jones, 2008). Increased Informational flow between different geographical locations has brought technological change with the introduction of fibre optic communications and improved accessibility via telephone and Internet facility. Globalization has also increased competition due to worldwide market which has challenged different companies and industries to improve their products and skillfully use technology. Globalization has brought various ecological changes and environmental challenges due to cross boundary pollution of water and air and the overfishing of oceans as well as spread species which are invasive. This can be faced out through international cooperation, but its noted that most factories run their plants in developing nations where environmental regulations are lenient. As such globalization and free trade has largely increased pollution in these countries and deteriorated peoples standard of living. The world ecological capacity has proved insufficient to handle the ambitions of C hina, U.S, and Europe among other countries sustainably. Also globalization would bring about depletion of resources like zinc, terbium and indium, if U.S, China and India continue with the current consumption this would lead to conflict over diminishing natural-resources (Casson, 1996).   One classic cultural aspect of globalization is food consumption whereby people in China can be consuming American food while those in Africa can be consuming Italian meals. McDonalds is one of the American food companies with a global network of 31,000 locations worldwide and has had great cultural influence globally. In addition to international travel, migration and tourism internet has broken down cultural borders worldwide through enabling interaction and communication among people from different state, thus sharing different lifestyles and cultures even beyond the language barriers by use of photo sharing websites. Globalization has led to spread of multiculturalism where some come local cultures have been assimilated and others have been supplanted (Taylor, 2008). Globalization has however faced significant opposition internationally arguing that it has lowered the quality of life and increased the environmental degradation by reducing the competitiveness of some countries industries, and perhaps agriculture in nations that have not yet adapted to the changes brought by globalization (Daryl, 2009). The flow of information, products and people across countries has led to spread of deadliest diseases like HIV/Aids which still remain a top cause of death especially in Asia and Africa while the infectious disease actually began in America. Also, globalization played vital role in the recent bird flue which spread to different nations and killed several. Other diseases whose spread has been fueled by globalization include the chagas disease and tuberculosis (Bernstein Cashore, 2000). Globalization has created opportunities in developed and rich nations thereby driving talent from poor countries which has led to brain drains. This has cost Africa continent approximately $4.1 billion expatriate professionals yearly. Globalization negative economic liberalization effects are also manifested by the global financial crisis which has been as a result of interconnected states forming global economic system such as the crumple of subprime financial or mortgage market in U.S. The flow of products like televisions, textiles and others in the U.S have fueled expansion of Asian economies but has as well raised great criticism against Chinese textile products in Europe as well as in African countries (Levy-Livermore, 1999). For instance, the influx of Chinese textile goods in South Africa has led to loss of jobs by textile workers in that industry. Different studies show that, globalization has not fought Income disparity and food insecurity such that the three richest people worldwide owns more financial assets than what 10% of the poorest world population possess. For example, in sub-Saharan basin Africa communities continue to live in extreme poverty with studies indicating that almost half of children population in India is undernourished. Globalization opens door for a poor country to reach international market, and as such large corporations have taken advantage of such economies to facilitate export poverty such that they invest in these nations due to low wage rates and if the countries labor laws are changed in favor of employees the corporations close down and relocate to other countries with conservative economic policies (Zander Mathews, 2007). In conclusion, critics argue that globalization has led most poor countries suffer disadvantages since their exports are mainly agricultural products and they are unable to offer their producers subsidies which are enjoyed in the developed nations thereby lowering the prices for poor producers. 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