Public Safety

There has widespread public outcry on issues relating to safety, women are purported to be the main victims as they were the ones that most attacked at called the attention of relevant authorities. A series of interviews were carried out on three different women to on matters relating to public safety. This was in action to decipher the extent of the threat or imminent threats they faced, how they felt about it, how they would prevent or defend themselves when in such unfortunate situations and the recommendations that they would have to the public safety department in a bid to lower the risks of being attacked. The city was rated to be the least safe place in the country, but there were a few exceptions to the status quo. From the interviews it was discovered that all the respondents rated their hoods unsafe and they would prefer staying indoors all the time if need be. They all felt secure when in malls, places near the police station and mostly banks. There was a mixed answer in the places that were presumed to be less secure; I categorically picked the word ‘presume' because none of the respondents reported that they had ever been attacked or molested in the places they mentioned. The market place was rated to be the least secure place, then the central business district followed and deserted allays closed the list of dangerous places. The respondents felt secure in markets and the CBD because the probability of one noticing danger or more so evade it was very low. None of them had been attacked but they felt most insecure when in those two areas, deserted alleys were marked as red zones because one would feel very helpless when confronted in such places. Barber shops and clubs also fell into sharp criticism as their securities were termed inefficient for such crowded areas. Other people would opt to call for private barber services than risk exposing themselves to the areas they termed crime prone. Word was that no one could risk walking outside alone but if the situation forced it then they would either call some other person to tell them how insecure they feel then walk lit pathways or walk in a group of more than 10 people to boost personal security. The respondents agreed that they would forego walking in the dark at all costs if they other alternatives. Rainy was said to be the most dangerous time then followed by snow seasons. I bet this because of the darkness that engulfs when these seasons come. All the respondents were women and they said that feel more insecure than men would be because they felt that male masculinity was an added advantage when it comes to lessening the imminent security threat or even fighting it off. This claim was fortified by one respondent that said that her husband would be the first person she would ever call when in a dire situation. From the investigation it was clear that none of the women had ever been publicly molested in crowded areas of mugged in deserted alleys but they all felt very insecure about the places. Maybe that was an indication that the situation has always been under control and that the police department was working; but not publicly. Their recommendations of a secure city and neighborhood would be one that has regular police patrols and one that has all streets and deserted pathways properly lit. Peoples fear can be attributed to the psychological triggers of darkness and the one of feeling accosted when in dark alleys (leer-2017). With said, it is high time the peoples recommendations be worked on so as to boost public confidence in matters relating public safety.ReferenceA Lear- 2017, behavior therapySafety behavior after extinction triggers a return of threat expectancy

Biblical Worldview Essay Essay

We all have a set of values and beliefs that help shape the way we view the world. While many of us can share the same tools that shape our worldview; everyone’s is unique to themselves. Romans 1-8 provides valuable teaching regarding the natural world, human identity, human relationships, and culture. These 4 categories make up the majority of the world and life as we know it. As Christians, this passage in the Bible should hold a great influence on our worldview. I will outline what Romans 1-8 teaches us about each category and how that affects my personal view of the world. As Christians, we know that God created the universe and everything in it by simply speaking. Everything in His creation attests to Him and His glory. This allows people who may never actually hear about Christ to still be able to see Him through creation. There is a verse in Luke 19:40 that goes on to say that even the rocks will cry out if everyone is silent. Romans 1:20 says, â€Å"For since the crea tion of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.† Through the natural world, God has provided a way to show Himself to all mankind. When I am out in nature on a beautiful quiet day I can feel the Lord’s presence. When I am on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean watching the sun set, I can see the Lord. I am young and have not yet seen many of the natural wonders of this world. I have seen enough though to know that God is present throughout nature. I don’t understand how a person could look out on a beautiful scene of nature and not feel God. He truly does speak through the beauty of His creation. Our human identity is who we believe ourselves to be. Without God I know that I am a destitute and wicked creature. We are capable unspeakable evils. I have hope though through my redemption. I know that any good thing I do or obtain is not of myself but from God. God created us in His image so we can catch a glimpse of what He is truly like. However, as humans we are wicked and evil in heart. Nothing but the love of C hrist can save us. Romans 3:10-18 clearly lines just how unrighteous and devoid of hope we are within ourselves. This passage shows us our true human identity without Christ. We have hope though because we have been given Christ! Romans 8:26 tells us that Christ intercedes for us at the feet of God. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ once we accept Him!  (Romans 8:35) Relationships make up a huge part of our lives. The Bible has a lot to say about relationships and how to treat one another. Relationships make an enormous impact on our world view because we are influenced by the people in our lives. Romans 1:28-32 lists the evils things that we do to one another such as envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, and gossip. This is just a fraction of the sins that cause us to have damaged relationships with each other and ultimately God. How could you come before God and expect a good relationship if you have a broken relationship with someone in your life? Jesus teaches us to love one another and forgive over and over. When your heart is hardened towards another person, then you are u ltimately hurting your own relationship with God as well. The second chapter in Romans cautions us against judging others. We have to treat one another the way we would want to be treated; with kindness and mercy. We also have to be careful about what kind of people we have relationships with. If you surround yourself with evil people then you will be influenced to do evil. During the time that Paul was writing Romans, there was a religious hierarchy in place. The Pharisees were the leaders and aristocrats in the Jewish community. They were extremely strict and followed a huge list of rules. They were so caught up in their rules that they couldn’t open their hearts and minds to Jesus. Also at this time it was widely believed that only the Jewish community could be saved through following the rules and the Gentile population was doomed. Romans 3:23-25 teaches us that, â€Å"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.† Jesus death paved the way for everyone to be saved, not just the Jews! We learn that we are saved through faith and not by works. We can never earn our salvation. Today’s culture in America is so focused on material possessions and gaining more. We are caught up in our shiny toys and items much like the Pharisees were caught up in their rules. We have to stop getting caught up in things that don’t really matter and see what God is trying to use us for. We all have a purpose and a reason for being here. If you are not living your life to further God’s message than you are wasting it. Our culture today makes it so easy to forget what we are really supposed to be living for. As Christians we must be vigilant and not let the snares of this world snag our heart and divert it from our true calling. Everyone has their own unique  view of the world and reasoning for their views. Christians build their world view with the structure that the Bible has provided us. Paul writes about the natural world, our identity as people, how to treat others, and about the culture of the world. We are not perfect and can never hope to be but the grace of Jesus offers us salvation. Romans 8:12 reminds us that we have an obligation to live a life through the Spirit and not by the flesh. Every day we must work harder and strive for righteousness and a Christ-like attitude. Our worldview affects the way we live and can have an impact on all those around us. The better our worldview, the better our light will shine for Christ.

A clinical guide for nurse practitioners Essay

Reflection is a method used in clinical practice, where one expresses the experiences from a given situation, thus helping to learn and improve skills by applying the knowledge gained for future practice (Cottrell, 2011 and Schon, 1984). It is my intention to use Driscoll (2007) model of reflection to present my understanding of the issues I faced during a recent presentation to the medical centre. This case study involves a reflective account of a patient that I provided care for following blunt trauma, eye injury, sustained during exercise. Description of events A 23 year old male soldier presented to the medical centre complaining that he could not see out of his right eye, following being hit in the face with a blunt object. He was clearly agitated and distressed, as he was repeatedly asking if he would be permanently blind. Therefore prior to commencement of any physical examination I felt it was important to create a good rapport with the patient, in oder to gain his trust in my ability (Platt et al, 2001). Good communication skills are vital in building a therapeutic relationship with the patient. Hence I offered reassurance and advised the patient what examination and tests I was going to perform, in order to effectively assess his condition. Through the physical examination I was able to detect minor fractures in his zygomatic bone that where causing him pain. As the patient was concerned about losing his sight, I had to maintain a supportive environment while explaining the need for an Xray and further hospital input, without causing him undue stress. I assured him that he would regain sight in his eye and that the trauma had caused temporary blindness only due to the impact. Analysis of events It is important to take time to listen to the patient and understand how they are feeling following such injury (Barnes, 2003). However, due to the patient’s distress I was unable to begin a physical examination until I had calmed him down and reassured him that he was in good hands. Consequently, IÂ  found it difficult to deal with the patients’ behaviour initially as I was more concerned in ascertaining the extend of his injury. Although I soon realised that in order to gain his cooperation with the physical assessment I first needed to encourage the patient to relax and discuss his concerns. I feel I communicated well with the patient through the application of a well structured consultation and was able to gain an adequate history, to assist with the diagnosis of the patient’s injury (Seidel et al, 2010). Action following events Maintaining a therapeutic relationship with good rapport can be difficult in situations where the patient is uncooperative and/or distressed. Therefore, in order to find solutions for patients I treat it is imperative to learn many problem solving techniques, including effective communication skills (Egan, 1998). This situation taught me that building a rapport with your patient is just as important as developing physical examination competence. As offering encouragement to the patient ultimately led to a more productive consultation and improved patient/practitioner relationship. I intend to utilise the skills learned throughout this module to enable me to adequately adapt to stressful situations and communicate effectively with my patients. References BARNES, K. (2003) Paediatrics: a clinical guide for nurse practitioners. Edinburgh: Butterworth- Heinemann. COTTRELL, S. (2011) Critical thinking skills: developing effective analysis and argument. (Palgrave Study Skills): Palgrave Macmillan. DRISCOLL, J. (2007) Practising clinical supervision: A reflective approach for healthcare professionals. London: Bailliere Tindall. EGAN, G. (1998) The skilled helper: a problem-management approach to helping. London: Brooks/Cole. SCHON, D. (1984) The reflective practitioner: how professionals think in action. New York: Basic Books. SEIDAL, H.M., BALL, J.W., DAINS, J, E., AND BENEDICT, G, W. (2010) Mosby’s guide to physical examination. Philadelphia: Elsevier.

The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks - Assignment Example Cancer is a combination of diseases with various possible causes. Cancer is caused by genetic factors, environmental exposures, lifestyle factors and a group of infections. The human genes of the predecessors can affect their descendants in a family lineage. Some people get the risk of being affected by cancer through inheriting from their parents, but not common. The human lifestyles such as the physical activities, diet or tobacco use can cause cancer (Skloot, 2010). Tobacco contains tar, which usually affects the lungs and the throat affecting their cells resulting in cancer. Other drugs such as cocaine and bhang affect the brain cells, which can cause brain cancer. Some diets contain harmful antibiotics that can interfere with the body. Alcohol consumption can also cause cancer. Much exposure to sun radiations or other harmful radiations from machines such as x-ray machine also increases the chances of being affected by skin cancer (Skloot, 2010). Water and air pollution and some medical treatments and tests can also cause cancer if they interfere with body cells. However, the affected different body cells can be extracted from human organs and preserved where some can live forever while others cannot. The living cell assists the doctors in doing research about curing the various types of cancers. Unawareness is the state of not being familiar with what has happened or been happening. It is a common thing that usually happens in people’s lives. The issue of unawareness can last for a long time in decades or centuries. Unawareness covers many fields involving human activities such as education, economy, business, health among others. Most people live without the consent of their body health.

Technology discuss about ( IGES) & (X3D) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Technology discuss about ( IGES) & (X3D) - Essay Example The researcher compared the results between IGES and Web-Based 3D XML format after carrying the observations. This study collected secondary data was collected prior to the study to analyze and compare with findings of research already conducted in this field. 3D XML is a lightweight XML-based standard. It uses NURBS to represent graphic objects such as freeform surfaces and tessellating polygons. XML schema also includes product geometry, structure, and graphical display properties (3D XML 2008). Enables authors and designers to convey 3D information from various systems using a simpler and more direct syntax than straight VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language (An Approach to Accessing Product Data across System and Software Revisions, 2007) The IGES format is a neutral data format used to transfer the design to a dissimilar system. IGES is a commonly used for data interchange of 2D and 3D CAD model. It is also used to illustrate simple figures of CAD or "drawing" applications. IGES files include parameters of the IGES object such as; its version number, model size, and encoded elements. In March 1994, The IGES Project committee approved the registration of the format as a MIME data type. The above discussion highlights the existence of more advantages than disadvantages when comparing 3D XML to other formats. It also highlights the more advantages than disadvantages of IGES’s. This is mainly because of its comprehensive coverage and user friendly features such as its simple control strategies. It is concluded that advantages of IGES outweighs its

Differeng approaches to Strategic HRM Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Differeng approaches to Strategic HRM - Essay Example This implies that people (employees) form key components of an organisation development intervention. Thematic Analysis As presented in this case study, the Company "cockpit for you" is struggling with multiple problems, which it has to solve in order to achieve its short-term and long-term objectives. The thematic areas that have negative influence on the company should be critically considered by the management in formulating the strategic policies. This is core in organizational development because, if the influences emanating from the thematic areas are not addressed properly, the company risk loosing the targets it sets to achieve. In this regard, the areas include the following. First, restructuring of a company is not easy since the company has to spend a lot of money in consulting for the best option that it should adopt. Moreover, the situation becomes worse if the restructuring is hurriedly done without formulating and following the procedure (Armstrong 2006, p. 27). Consid ering the latest restructuring measures in the company, the modes of operation and employee relations changed, prompting the workers and management to adjust to the new production system. The alterations also led to changes in the company’s niche market, which affected the overall sales of the products in the market due to stiff competition. The little competition that the company experiences also influences the operations in the organization. This is because limited competition reduces the probability of engaging in creativity and innovation in the production and the delivery of services (Houldsworth & Jirasinghe 2006, p. 77). In fact, it is mainly through competitive business practices, which could enable the workers innovate new ways of manufacturing its products. Lack of healthy competition seemed to promote monopoly in the production of goods in the company and could lead to price fluctuation (Blyton & Turnbull 2006, p. 102). The other area that has negative influence on the organization is the fact that it has a bad reputation as an employer compared to the others operating in the region. For instance, it pays its workers poor salaries, making it less attractive to employees and job seekers. This problem of poor pay for the employees reduces their motivation, thereby interfering with the production of quality goods and low returns due to poor sales (Houldsworth & Jirasinghe 2006, p. 79). Currently, many people are attracted to quality products that guarantee them better utilities and value for their money. As pointed out in the case, the company is still very marked, and owner-initiative and creativity of the employees are not valued or even blocked. This aspect is very detrimental to the success of the organization because the practice limits the workers’ participation in decision making (Blyton & Turnbull 2006, p. 108). An employee whose ideas are valued would be motivated to propose for better means of production and service delivery, th us being able to contribute positively in an attempt to fulfil the company goals. In the organization, there was a corporate culture that the employees and the management identified with (Legge 2005, p. 105). Essentially, it is the organizational culture that defines the relationship among the workers, management and stakeholders and the attitude towards work (Cole 2006, p. 32). Since the existing corporate culture

A Comparative Narrative Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

A Comparative Narrative - Term Paper Example Both the countries have an open economy. Their relations have enhanced rapidly after the free trade agreement between them, which reduced their existing trade barriers (Berkelmans, Davis, McKibbin & Stoeckel, 2001, pp. 1-112). On the other hand, trade relation between China and the US has been a topic of serious discussion in recent times. Due to sustained growth in economies of both the countries, there has been a considerable enhancement in import and export activities between them (Wang, 2010, pp. 165-210). This paper intends to analyze the present trade or business relations between the countries of China and Australia with the US. Furthermore, the paper would aim to present a comparative analysis with regard to the business relationship between Australia-US and China-US. Discussion Trade is an important aspect for economy of any country. In the modern day context, trade between countries has expanded rapidly primarily owing to the enhanced globalization. In this portion of the p aper, the trade relations of Australia and China with US would be exemplified. Trade Relations of Australia with the US The two nations i.e. Australia and the United stated share a healthy trade relationship. Both the countries share many cultural and traditional values among them. Trade is equally important to both the countries. Approximately 11% of the Australian exports are conducted with the United States. Moreover, the United States is the origin of one-fifth of the imports of Australia (Garnaut, 2002, pp. 123-141). The US is one of the major single investors in Australia. The main source of finance of Australian’s firms is from the US investors. The extent of merchandise and services trade between the two countries is quite positive. It was observed that in the year 1999, the total trade involving the two countries was valued at around US$23.3 billion. 90 % of trade deficit between the two countries is in terms of merchandise and the remaining 10% is of services (Berke lmans, Davis, McKibbin & Stoeckel, 2001, pp. 1-112). Both the countries possess an open economy. To enhance their relation in terms of business, the two countries have undergone a free trade agreement (FTA) to minimize the existing trade barriers between them by a considerable extent. Both the countries have been recognized to be aware of the economic gains that would arise from the agreement. After the agreement both the countries have experienced an increase in welfare (i.e. distinguished by household consumption) and production (i.e. recognized by GDP) due to the reduced barriers. Australian welfare continued to rise from 0.3 percent to 0.5 percent. After the agreement, Australia enjoyed a US$2 billion annual increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) i.e. 0.33 percent increase. Similarly, the US also experienced an increase of US$2.1 billion annually in their GDP i.e. 0.02 percent increase. It can be seen from the GDP scenario that the Australian economy was more benefitted by the trade agreement than the US economy. Overall, there was an optimistic economic gain for both the Australian and the US economy from the trade agreement. The undertaking of the agreement would further increase the trade among the two nations in the future (Berkelmans, Davis, McKibbin, & Stoeckel, 2001, pp. 1-112). Nevertheless, there are certain barriers in relation to trade that prevail among the two nations. For the United States, the trade of dairy, sugar, shipping and commercial vehicles has certain barriers. The barriers to Australian sugar exports generate from high tariff which is almost equal to 80%. There are certain other barriers on trade of cotton, financial and metals services among others that exist for Australian

World Religions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 4

World Religions - Essay Example No less important difference between the two Christian denominations is relevant to the question of salvation. Protestants often say that faith is the primary and fundamental way for the salvation of man. Faith is the path that opens the way to the grace of God. Unlike Protestants, Catholics are inclined to say that despite the fact that faith is essential for salvation, it cannot be seen as the only way to salvation. In this respect, faith is not enough. Catholics consider â€Å"justification as a process, dependent on the grace you receive by participating in the Church --- which is seen as a repository of saving grace† (Rosario). As noted above, the differences between Catholicism and Protestantism are also manifested in the ritual area. In particular, the ritual of the Eucharist has a different interpretation in the denominations. Catholics insist on the doctrine of transubstantiation. According to this doctrine, the edible ritual elements used during the Eucharist should be seen as the literal embodiment of the body and blood of Christ. In turn, Protestants use the doctrine of consubstantiation, that is, they believe that the body and blood of Christ coexist along with the bread and the wine (Rosario). In comparison with the Protestants, Catholics give special importance to various saints, including the Virgin Mary. â€Å"Roman Catholics see veneration, not as praying to the Saints and the Virgin Mary, but as praying through them† (Rosario). Unlike Catholics, Protestants emphasize the direct communication with God.

Java programing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Java programing - Essay Example When confronted with a complex programming task, the programmer can make use of object oriented programming methodology to simplify the process. Instead of employing a large number of procedures in the code, the programmer chooses a number of objects and models their behavior, in such a manner that collectively these objects and interactions can cater to the system requirements. In addition, the programmer can now work on modules, which are classes to implement the system design. These can be reused and the standard library offers a vast number of such modules to perform a myriad of tasks (Buyya 166). Furthermore, the object – oriented programmer can employ inheritance to reuse the code written by him and add elegant features and behavior to an existing class, at the time of adapting it to a new problem (Balagurusamy 5). Features such as encapsulation and abstraction provided by object – oriented programming, greatly enhance the elegance and simplicity of the programming process. Consequently, it becomes easier for the programmer to focus on the actual requirements and work dynamically in teams, without redundancy (Goodrich and Tamassia 59 –

Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Marxist perspective on Essay

Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Marxist perspective on globalization - Essay Example The dominant group, which was identified as the producer, would depend on the proletariat for labour and manpower (Mann 1997). They, thus, would require the situation to remain as it is to ensure their power. Karl Marx believed that with economic power came social and political power. Looking at the world today, it is not difficult to see what he claimed. This paper will look at some of the strengths and weaknesses on his perspective on globalization. Philosophers and sceptics to Marxism may admit that some of Marx’s theories resonate with today’s world. In modern times, it has become a common occurrence for gigantic corporations to have a hand in most of what goes on around the world. There is the control of massive goods, products, and services through a few individuals who ensure that there is a continuous flow of labour (Schirato & Webb 2003). In doing so, the proletariat class ensures they survive. This is regardless of what they feel on what is going on around the m is not all fair. The strengths that show up in Karl Marx’s perspective on globalization offer an individual a concise image of what is happening today (Westra 2010). Strengths of the Marxist perspective on globalization One of the key aspects of globalization that Marx indicated was the positive trend that may benefit consumers. In the growth and development of markets, it is highly likely that the consumers may benefit from the production of more goods, services, and products. There will be an efficient way of allocating these products and goods to markets and consumers. This gets to prove that the individualistic driven market are getting higher up, and are present. It may be impossible to have national competitiveness if there is a regulation placed on the allocation of products in such markets (Scholte 1997). This is what Marx sought to claim during his time. However, it was only after his lifetime that individuals came to see what was happening. Karl Marx was a sceptic of globalization. He saw it as a means for the wealthy to get more powerful, while the poor remain poor. Nationalism and governments will remain the determining factors in every day and age. All these are controlled from the background by individuals who have a hand in the global market, which inadvertently controls the proletariat class. Competition allows capitalists to improve their products, make new products for consumers, and expand their bases. Countries that need their economies to grow must, therefore, compete with foreign markets and have a place in the expanding market (Ritzer 2009). Marx’s perspective indicated that lines along race will no longer be considered. Individuals will only be looked at as consumers that have the ability to pay for products. This is regardless of where they are, or who they are. Moreover, the Marxist perspective’s strength comes in the form of its ability to explain change and conflict in society. As seen earlier, for these indiv idualistic controlled markets to survive, it is imperative that they change their goods, products, and services to sustain their consumers’ urges. The proletariat class is responsible for the manpower and labour that enables the bourgeoisie class to have a hold on everything. If a shift occurred, there would be an unsettling balance that would indicate the dominant class is no longer in control. By maximising their control over the less dominant class, they have control over their

Wiretapping and why obama is for it Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Wiretapping and why obama is for it - Assignment Example This authority was extended for five years from 2013. Other communication platforms that would be affected by this law include Facebook and Google. The law stipulates that the government should be allowed to review messages sent via the platforms from time to time, at will. Obama is for wiretapping because his government aims at expanding communications assistance for the Law Enforcement Act. This law requires carriers of networks and phones to include interception capacities into their systems. Obama is for wiretapping because he believes the FBI will be given the ability to carry out online eavesdropping that is approved by the court. This way, the FBI has the ability to monitor the communication of suspects, even as new communication technologies continue to evolve. Obama is for wiretapping because he believes that it can assist law enforcement authorities to identify and deal with unlawful or terrorist activities (Rasch 1). The effects of wiretapping are that it can be used as a means to combat terrorism. The government’s support of legal wiretapping is based on the premises that security will be improved. However, wiretapping has been faced by many ethical issues, with many claiming that their rights to privacy and other liberties will be infringed on if wiretapping is allowed (Rahavy 88). Rahavy, S. K. â€Å"The Federal Wiretap Act: The Permissible Scope of.† Journal of High Technology Law, 2.1 (2003): 87-100. Web.

Community Response to a Community Problem Essay Example for Free

Community Response to a Community Problem Essay The youth gang problem in Southern California has reached epidemic proportions, and it calls for immediate action. However, any meaningful response on a social concern must be made with an understanding of the root causes of such an issue. Here we identify possible key causes of gang involvement and draw out implications for possible solutions to the problems involved. The key solutions require going beyond the individual, towards taking community action. Solving Californias gang problem, as in any â€Å"issue† or social problem, would not be easy. As a social problem, it must be studied systematically and would invariably require a social response. This social response means the involvement of many if not all community members, not just those directly concerned with the issue. It also means tapping significant community resources. At a practical level, community response is key as some possible solutions would entail a lot of resources, such as increasing self-esteem among youth at risk, stressing the importance of education, and providing training services. Gangs, Youth, Class and Violence: Reasons to Act Los Angeles County in particular has been called the gang capital of the world. Gang activity in the place accounts for a significant amount of violent crimes with approximately 6617 gang-related crimes committed in 2006 (House of Representatives, 1993). Gang members were believed responsible for 19 percent of the robberies, and 10 percent to 12 percent of the total felonious assaults in the southeast division of Los Angeles (Joint Committee on Organized Crime and Gang Violence). Today, in the City of Los Angeles alone there are more than 250 active gangs with over 26,000 members, while in the entire LA County there are around 950 gangs with more than 100,000 individuals (www. lapdonline. org). The most unfortunate aspect of this development perhaps is that more and more young people are involving themselves in gangs and are being exposed to or are themselves causing a lot of violence. Juvenile offenders are the nations fastest growing crime problem. While adult violent crime rates have remained fairly steady over the past decade, juvenile offenses have soared. It appears that the catalyst for this violence is the presence of gangs in low-income, urban areas. A study by the Office of the Attorney General of the State of California reveals that in 2006 approximately 5,168 arrests were made per 100,000 juveniles (age 10-17) compared to 5,283 arrests per 100,000 adults. (http://ag. ca. gov) In low-income, urban areas of Southern California, much of the increase in youth violence can be traced to gangs, usually in confrontations between rival gang members. As one expert witness has testified, â€Å"Drive-by shootings, turf wars, and homicides are mostly tied to gangs† (http://www. lapdonline. org).

Comparison Of Thoughts Between Plato And Machiavelli Philosophy Essay

Comparison Of Thoughts Between Plato And Machiavelli Philosophy Essay An ancient discussion in individual olden times is what to perform through rule as well as what is considered to be the finest method to control. Who must boast authority, in what way must an individual control, and which is the best reason for regime supply have constantly existed queries within the front inside society, as well as other than one time have flashed disagreement and argument. The vital fundamentals of statute have sited the individual necessitate for regulation and construction next to the personal aspiration for liberty, and negotiating among them both has by no means existed simply. This is an issue which is well thought-out and disagreed till these days. On the other hand, the disagreement has not reprieved exclusively through armed forces supremacies or officials, however theorists in addition. Two well-known says within these discussions that are Plato and Machiavelli, in cooperation of who had extremely diverse thoughts of regimes function inside the existences of its citizens. On behalf of Plato, the indispensable roles the regime should give are the allowance for its people to be in this world within their appropriate habitats. In addition, Platos rule strengthens necessitates on behalf of arrangement although providing the false impression of sovereignty. Nevertheless, Machiavelli suggested to facilitate regimes most important apprehension is to stay behind integral, by this means protecting constancy for the citizens that survive beneath it. The elements where both theorists contribute to be which they challenge to cooperate among constancy and liberty, also in the procedure declare which neither can be able of survival completely included. Platos beliefs of regime perceive the State as a superior description of the human being, and the spirit of a human being is encompassed of three components. He verifies that these three components comprise the desire, the courage, and motive, and these fractions contain objectives and aspirations which relate solitary to them. As an illustration, reason discovers accomplishment in the learning of the Forms, otherwise crucial magnificence that may be capable of merely to recognize in the course of the intelligence. The courage locates appearance in touching provisions, like antagonism, happiness, and depression. The enthusiasm is apprehensive by means of the tracking down of physical enjoyment. This feature of the spirit is fulfilled solitary by the mortal reassures for example like foodstuff, sex, and drink. These three components are initiated in the human being, nevertheless in unstable amounts. Several will bend over other to the desire, despite the fact so as to further be sole- motivated, and at a halt additionally discover superior completion throughout the academic searches of cause. Plato without a doubt supports the cause within his three element spirit, given that it is by means of cause which one be able to snatch the Forms, which they are the crucial in attractiveness and reality. Near this conclusion, the State, similar to the human being, includes three components which match up to the components of the being spirit. The lowest of the divisions is the desire that is encompassed of the ordinary beings. These may be specialists, manual workers, and cultivators that achieve the unskilled responsibilities necessary to the performance of the State. Individuals that create this division of the State are most excellent departed to their personal procedures, to benefit from and chase animal and matter enjoyments, for the reason that they are not proficient of grasp the Forms. The following level, the soul, would be consisted of armed forces. It is the def ense forces that have a minor distinguishing of the Forms, nevertheless not sufficient of one toward allowing cause to utter their procedures. Territorial armies struggle to the fatality to protect the State for the reason that their emotional lashes to it. However, Plato recommends that the regime elevate broods, in that way constructing the State a familiar mother to all. In conclusion, explanation encompasses the uppermost division of the state, and from this place, thinkers and head of states come out. These are the persons that are not attracted in material enjoyment or emotional connections. Head of states and theorists are engaged with the revision of the Forms for the reason that they are capable of nearly all willingly to seize them. This perceptive of the definitive superior consent to the survival of male and female rulers, those are able to control above the soul and the desire and guarantee that the State continues in its appropriate operational category. Plato visions the good regime surrounds partitions that may be observed as a kind of classism. Every human being is born into a fussy fraction, or division, surrounded by the State and its found in that fraction which they will exist in it intended for living. In order to highlight on the spot, Plato places into view the anecdote where human beings are beard with metal, sculpture, silver, or gold inside their spirits. Gold is assorted into the spirits of theorists and leaders, silver in the spirits of the military, while iron and bronze are found in the spirits of cultivators and craftsmen. For the guarantee of the poorer rank that does not seek to control or manage, or that the managers are not attracted for the animal/substance happiness of the desire, he says in his tale that the mainly significant authority from the divinity to the leaders is that there is not anything which they have to protect in an enhanced way otherwise observe more cautiously than the combination of metals in the essence of the upcoming born. Therefore if every human being recognizes what his position with respect to the metal in their spirits, subsequently nearby will be no rebellion by the people or conquest by the armed forces. Every single one will recognize their appropriate positions and be satisfied in them, and the regime will operate in agreement. On the other hand, and in comparison with Plato, Machiavelli suggests a viewpoint of ruling which is to some extent comparable to Plato in character, but is extremely have a large singular in accomplishment. Machiavellis answer distress is steadiness of the regime. A steady regime is the finest possibility to tolerate, and to maintain the masses pleased. A steady regime in addition supplies the most excellent benefits of the populace that obey it. Finally, Machiavelli proposes that a leader of state watches in opposition to being commonly unloved by his matters. Furthermore, he believes it is intelligent in favor of a sovereign to exist surrounded by his themes, in the core to recognize who they are and what they desire from their state. Where he and Plato appear to be from the similar views so as to if any can keep the common population pleased, afterward no main troubles or intimidation will face the regime. Nevertheless, Plato prà ©cised that just definite forms of people are abl e of suiting philosopher the king, while Machiavelli says that everyone that have the force to obtain authority and the capital is capable of doing it. A key to attain control and maintain it is by having the hold up of individuals that one will be controlling. If the community is commonly satisfied with their regime, no one will propose for a new-fangled method or form of ruling, or an innovative monarch. In this element, Machiavelli recommends that people that become heir to their authority for example like the ancestors who law governments in excess of a extensive time, have a greatly effortless instance of maintaining it. The memoirs where the inhabitants encompass of the leaders relatives will be the flattering individuals, supplied so as to the ruling people has indulgenced its issues fine historically. This will clearly support the recently caped rulers that will rule, ever since he doesnt have to emphasize authority during vigorous accomplishments alongside with the citizens. We can see clearly here the consequences of a steady regime, where the population doesnt fright from fresh or insensitive leader pending to authority f or the reason that they have acquaintances with the ruling people. In occurrences where a person approaches to control the state or regime during aggressive strength, despite the fact that, the condition of maintaining authority is greatly further complex. The regime has previously been frightened into insecurity for the reason that it was and still deposed, were the citizens that previously existed in this condition, might nearly all be challenging to the alteration. As a result of no resources does Machiavelli consider that the regime is by no means constructed during aggressive ways. In truth, Machiavelli sets down three techniques through which a sovereign that grasps supremacy preserve to preserve it subsequent to such procedures. The sovereign is capable of, first arrange the town to devastate, second is to survive in the town and surrounded by the populace that the ruler will be ruling, third, is to construct a selected category which will stay faithful to the head of state a t the same time permitting the population to keep on existing underneath their previous commandments. Once more, the fundamental concern is the constancy of the regime. Nevertheless, he considers that citizens that bear in mind the previous traditions of living and of regime will be the nearly all hazardous to a recently recognized shape of ruling. This is in particular correct of folks that one time existed in a status of freedom. In his vision, the merely method to preserve authority in those circumstances is to demolish the town and disperse its native population. An additional technique is to construct the best ranks that are faithful to the head of state. This category will be a protector in opposition to pressures to the leaders influence for the reason that it was produced by the head of state. If supremacy alters from to another, in that case individuals building up this division will drop their selected rank, or still their existences. In this situation of those citizens th at had been under the rule of a realm, the arranged technique intended to maintain authority is diverse. An individual is obliged to get rid of the leftovers of the previous controlling rank for example the removed noble family and fundamentally exist between the citizens. Ultimately the public will disregard the earlier leader and surrender to the fresh leaders power, afforded the latest sovereign that is suspicious with reference to turn into a despised body. Nevertheless the creation of constancy in several regimes is the input for guaranteeing that one is capable of preserving control. The means to launching solidity in the regime, after that, is to carry on individuals that are existing as a authorized happily. Some of the significant differences flanked by Machiavellis viewpoint of supervision and Platos, is simply the function of the public. However, Plato desires to maintain the people in their positions and create an arrangement for the State in the course of classism. Alternatively, Machiavelli has greatly fewer fears in support of arrangement than Plato for solidity, and a pleased public are steady. Machiavelli moves to propose with the aim of a sovereign to support the nation, for after a leader makes that, the citizens arms turn into the rulers own (p. 457). In addition, Machiavelli shapes a head of state that defends the nation will perpetually gain their shore up and faithfulness, and which the performance entails a type of faith flanked by the leader and the themes. On the other hand, Plato might create merely one precise rank for it being the equipped guardians for the State. Conversely, Machiavelli might construct a combating power where a person that appears experienced to use a gun might do so (p. 457). However even further discussion of the distinction among these two theorists is the reality so as to Machiavelli considers where everyone is able to get higher to authority. Machiavelli utters that a citizen-ruler may go up through distinction in a reason of any of the two circumstances are got together. One situation which is the head of state has the support of the public, and this back up might to a great extent is because that the leader is an individual in his nation. However, the further situation is that the head of state is eminent for this position due to the the favor of the elite (p. 438). Nevertheless, the sovereign located in control by the leaders features a complex duty of grasping that place. The leaders that place a leader in control frequently feels of there selves as his colleagues, moreover will accordingly not follow a person they perceive as if he is as of the identical sort. Additionally, Machiavelli utters so as to the aims of the selected ones, at the time contrasted to the public, are further dissolute for the reason that they desire for domination. The citizens dont hope to tyrannize, however slightly looks for the avoidance of domination. As a consequence, a leader that tries to gather the aims of the rulers will fundamentally have a critical standing, as well as to discover themselves bordered by the public which wont act upon. In comparing the two authors, one preserves to observe an essential foundation that is done for the perfect regime. Platos structure of the regime is connected to classism, by maintaining the citizens where ever they are and making their tasks which are perfectly matched to them. With respect to this point of view, the citizens will cheer merely for the reason that they are making what they want to make at best. The ordinary citizens are acting as the tough workers and coddling in physically enjoyments, together of which are the entire that is able to wish to comprehend. The armed forces struggle in favor of their home town for the reason that the State has turn out to be a type of relatives or blood relation. The armed forces struggle for the reason of protecting the accessory, and as a consequence of struggling on sensation. The heads of state in Platos State, including guardians, implement their influence in the form of the maximum consideration of the structures, and as a result of the definitive certainty, which is by any means achievable. On the other hand, Machiavellis observation of the regime is entrenched extremely profound in certainty, on the other hand, in addition to it, this entails that constancy is simply considered to be the best solution to a permanent method controlling. On condition that the masses do not suffer that they are in danger of course in a situation of removing their properties from them as well as their belongings, however the people will be prepared for surrender to their leader. As soon as the citizens are permitted to walk off among their existence not including the concern of a fresh government grasping supremacy or squashing their civil liberties and pinching their properties, they are able to survive in a situation of satisfaction as well as pleasure. Seeing the publics job in the regime, a person is able to encompass a force on the plan of authority in a condition that they are familiar with what how should they act and e ncompass the backup in order to perform it. Authority is not limited for a specific category of citizens or else a division, nevertheless is there for someone to take it specifically for the bravest to snatch it. As per Machiavelli, the citizens are further presently an accumulation that should be alienated and positioned appropriately, although an influential power which have to be measured and appreciated by the person that might control the state. Except in cooperation with the two philosophers, the regime appears to be an essential as well as an ordinary condition beneath which civilization have the power to function and continue to exist.

History of Welfare in Ireland: Poor Law and Beveridge Report

History of Welfare in Ireland: Poor Law and Beveridge Report This paper will briefly outline the development of social service provision in Ireland from 1922 to the present day, highlighting several factors such as the Poor Law (1598-1948) and The Beveridge Report (1942) that have played a significant role in the shaping of this welfare approach known as ‘residual welfare’. For a variety of reasons such as economic growth, different political parties and differing welfare system options, UK’s welfare state has gained much crisis discussion. Residual welfare is not a universal welfare model; rather it is a system aimed at providing provision for those specific individuals in society that need and fit certain criteria, generally defined as ‘the poor’. Within residual welfare systems, welfare provision is considered to be a safety net, available only to those defined within the policy context as most in need, usually when the market or family has failed. According to Titmuss’ framework from 1974, Britain represents the ‘individual welfare system’ where there is a limited function of state welfare. Universal welfare is based upon the premise that welfare services are accessible to everyone, usually determined on the basis of citizenship within a nation state. The difficulty with this system is that it can be costly. Therefore, a residual system is aiming to reduce those costs by apportioning provisions to only those who need them. (Mau 2001, pp. 5-9; Titmuss, R 1974, p.20). It is helpful to acknowledge that welfare is an ambiguous term which can cause discrepancies between individuals and agencies when looking at welfare needs and services. Some individuals expect a return for any contribution they make to a social system whereas other are content with knowing the system is there for those that need it and that might not necessarily include themself. There is a strong belief that the system should be a premium-benefit one, where the current financiers will one day be the future users. It can also open the question of who it should be available to, how long, should they pay and are they deserving? Welfare is generally used in three main senses, the first referring to a person’s refers to general well-being. Of course, well-being is another term that can mean different things to different people. From a sociological framework, it generally means having access to basic needs such as shelter and food, but it does go beyond simply needs; to achieve we ll being, people must have choices, and the scope to choose personal goals and ambitions. Welfare also refers to the range of services available to look after people in a number of conditions throughout their life, for example childhood, sickness and old age. (Mau 2001, pp. 4-6). Historically, the model of welfare which has been the most dominant model in English-speaking countries is known as ‘residual welfare’ which stemmed from Poor Law (1598-1948). Poor Law was first implemented in 1598 and continued until 1948. This Elizabethan method aimed at providing three central aspects, a compulsory poor rate, the creation of overseers of relief and the provision for setting the poor on work. It provided discretionary payments to individuals assessed as being in need. It was a harsh law aimed at providing the bare minimum an individual would need to survive in the aim that people would rely upon it for existence, creating a dependence upon social security which would result in a negative image of public support. It aimed to control and discipline the poor and in some ways punch by providing support that was below the lowest wage, a principle known as ‘lowest eligibility’. This law continued to be important in the delivery of many means-tes ted benefits until the last two decades of the twentieth century. (Alcock 2003, p. 24-8; Williams 1989, pp. 150-4). Following on this movement in Britain’s welfare system, Mau (2001) stated that on some levels, a welfare state can help to repair social divisions or at least ‘to mitigate social inequalities; not only in terms of material inequalities, but also in ideological and political terms.’ Thus the Beveridge Report from 1942 proposed a system of National Insurance, based on three assumptions, family allowances, a national health service, and lastly full employment. It was written by Sir William Beveridge, a highly respected economist and expert on unemployment problems. Opinion polls reported that the majority of the British public welcomed the reports findings and wished to see them implemented as quickly as possible, seemingly relieved at the possibility of a less harsh social system than the Poor Law. The first post-war election, in June 1945, resulted in a victory for the Labour Party, devout promoters of the Beveridge Report. It quickly became the blueprint for the m odern British welfare state, even being referred to as by any measure a landmark. (Alcock 2003, p. 24-8; Williams 1989, pp. 150-4; Historic Figures. William Beveridge, 23rd February 2007). The Beveridge Report aimed to provide a expansive system of social insurance for an individuals whole life. Here we have the induction of the ‘residual model’ that still exists to a degree in Ireland. It proposed that all working people should pay a weekly contribution to the state, in other words, tax. In return, benefits would be paid to the unemployed, the sick, the retired and the widowed, those who needed it. Beveridge wanted to ensure that there was an acceptable minimum standard of living in Britain below which nobody fell, very different to the aims of Poor Law. (Alcock 2003, p. 6; Mau 2001, p. 3; Schifferes, S, 26 July 2005). Changes in the welfare system have continued to the present day, post 1948, the key elements of Irelands welfare state have remained focused upon social security, health, housing, education and children. The Welfare State was not intended to respond to poverty; that was what the Poor Law had aimed to, rather its main purpose was to encourage the provision of the social services on the same basis as the public services, including medical services, roads, libraries, local community needs. In other words, it aimed to create an institutional model of welfare. (Mau 2001, pp. 3-5; ). This paper has aimed to briefly illustrate the changes in Ireland’s welfare system highlighting several factors such as the Poor Law (1598-1948) and The Beveridge Report (1942) that have played a significant role in the shaping of this welfare approach known as ‘residual welfare’, a system, aimed to be available if and when an individual needs its services.The development and implication of welfare provision in Britain is a lengthy and complicated issue, therefore this paper aimed to provide a brief summary of some of the key events leading to its present situation known as a ‘residual welfare system’. Bibliography Alcock, P. 2003. 2nd Edition. Social Policy in Britain. Palgrave Macmillan, Hampshire. Esping-Anderson, G 1990. The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism. Polity Press, Oxford. Mau, S 2001. Patterns of Popular Support for the Welfare State. A Comparison of the United Kingdom and Germany. Social Research Center, Berlin. Offe, C 1987. Democracy against the Welfare State? Structural Foundations of Neoconservative Political Opportunities. In Political Theory, Vol.15, No 4, November, pp. 501-537). Page, R Silburn, R 1999. British Social Welfare in the Twentieth Century. St Martin’s Press Inc, Hampshire. Titmuss, R.M. 1974. Social Policy. Allen and Unwin, London. Williams, F 1989. Social Policy. A Critical Introduction. Polity Press, Cambridge. bbc.cok.uk, 2007, Historic Figures. William Beveridge (1879 1963), BBC Homepage 23rd February, retrieved 23rd February 2007 from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/beveridge_william.shtml. Schifferes, S 2005, Britains long road to the welfare state, BBC News 26 July, retrieved 23rd February 2007 from:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4696391.stm. Investigation: Personal Technology Mediated Communication Investigation: Personal Technology Mediated Communication Table of Contents List of abbreviations List of extracts List of figures 1Introduction 2Analysis 2.1Choice of mode 2.1.1Cost 2.1.2Degree of comfort 2.1.3Medium uniqueness 2.1.4Formality 2.1.5Peer influence 2.1.6Immediacy 2.1.7Intertextuality Retrievability Navigability 2.1.8Multifunction 2.1.9Lack of desire for self-disclosure 2.2Nature of language used 2.2.1Language background 2.2.2Keyboard affordance 2.2.3Intimacy level 2.2.4Cultural value 2.3Semiotic resources 2.3.1Numbering, paragraphing, colouring textual specification 2.3.2Emoji, stickers, symbol 2.3.3Tagging function 2.3.4Telepresence indicators 2.4Interweaving of media in extended interactions 2.4.1Postponement 2.4.2Confidentiality/Secrecy 2.4.3Spatial constrain 2.4.4Clarification 2.4.5Instant feature and directive influence 3Conclusion References FtF face-to-face FB Facebook FM Facebook Messenger Extract 1 Extract 2 Extract 3 Extract 4 Extract 5 Extract 6 Extract 7 Extract 8 Extract 9 Extract 10 Extract 11 Extract 12 Figure 1 Emoji Figure 2 Sticker MimYam Figure 4 Green dot Figure 5 Group conversation Figure 6 Message seen Communication in todays world is profoundly affected by technological features and users perceived of their usage. Multimodal technological resources facilitate interaction beyond temporal and spatial distance with various participation modes (Barton Lee, 2013, p. 29), also correlate with users medium choice, behaviour and psychology. In technology-mediated communication, choice of mode is decided by the setting, selecting strategy and evaluating outcome of the communication (Joinson, 2003, p. 125), or by participants perceived affordances of the media (Herring Demarest, 2011, pp. 19-21). For instance, text can be preferred over more novel medium like audio or video thanks to its richer communication markers, asynchronicity and low level of self-consciousness. In a paper by Laursen (2012, pp. 87-97), the shift from text message to call is attributed to synchronicity, immediacy, complex information processing, and chance for negotiation. Call also denotes some degree of intimacy involving simultaneous checking of relationship status through breath, pitch or pauses in oral exchange. Innovation in communication technology also entails more types of semiosis for interaction. Hutchby (2001, p. 96) points out telephone conversation has a distinct means of summon not by human oral production but by the sound of the ring which signals an upcoming call that the other end of the line will pick up and respond. Later when Internet appears, it enables greater access to information thanks to intertextual hyperlinks or expression of emotions via emoticons (Barton Lee, 2013, p. 29). Added to this, (Lamy, 2006, p. 388) lists clicking a button to denote conversation ended, retaining of message after the interactants have left the chat platform, also the help of telepresence indicators like the faded name or photo. Vandergriff (2013, pp. 8-10) focuses on the use of CMC cues in which the use of multiple exclamation mark could express assertiveness or intensified disagreement, smiley icons indicate a dispreference of an action, or turn ellipsis is understood as mitigated disappro val or openness for conversation expansion. Additionally, technology also influences our language and our self-expression. Hutchby (2001, p. 86) concerns the lack of physical context cue that makes telephone conversations normally involve identification process at the beginning of the conversation. In online language analysis, Barton and Lee (2013, p. 69) and Herring and Demarest (2011, p. 4) mention gender in which male users tend use more impersonal expression and longer messages whereas female prefer to use the first person and express more feelings. Moreover, Barton and Lee (2013: 68-69) claim that the dynamics and control over our online self-disclosure involve choosing which part of and how our identities to be revealed and accordingly present a less or more associative image in comparison to our offline identities. This regulates our online writing language and entails adjustment of language to whom we could expected or imagined. Regarding behaviour and psychology, Joinson (2003) proposes five key dimensions of tool-behaviour relationship involves synchronicity, the cues transmitted, bandwidth and cost constraints, level of anonymity, and sender-recipient exclusivity. In CMC, people may also tend to follow the hyperpersonal model (Walther et al., 2015, pp. 13-14) whereby they exaggerate perceived reality about the other interactants and use it to inform their future actions. Devices affordances may cause users to be under pressure to be constantly available for being contacted (Cumiskey Ling, 2015, p. 231). Also, online psychology and behaviour involves individual self-disclosure where people desire to express themselves (Walther et al., 2015) and act as the source of information (Sundair et al., 2015), whereas includes deindividuation in which individual identity is partially or fully hidden (Walther et al., 2015, p.11) or self-awareness is reduced to merge in online social norms (Spears Postmes, 2015, p. 25). In a nutshell, a number of aspects related to technology-mediated communication have been investigated and is being studied in response to the rapid development of technological applications and diverse users perceived affordances. The following part, hence, will dedicate to analyse my own use of technology for communication in the light of the reviewed studies, and hopefully brings out some contributive findings. Devices involved in this analysis were tablet, mobile phone and computer, and the tablet also has a SIM card reader so it can act as a mobile phone. Soft medium analysed included Google Email and online data cloud, Facebook (FB), Facebook Messenger (FM) a separate application for sending messaging or calling among FB users, and Skype another application for sending text messages and making calls. All these applications are Internet-based and free of charge. 2.1 Choice of mode 2.1.1 Cost Cost is the first-and-foremost factor that manipulates my communication mode choice. The more the medium costs, the less likely it is to be chosen. Though the SIM card enabling domestic and international calls, mobile phone was not favoured since phone service always charged money and the fee would be burgeoned for overseas interaction. Consequently, I only employed free services like email to contact professors or Skype and FB to contact relatives and friends though all of them are approachable on telephone line. I once used mobile phone to contact an overseas travel agency in the US because their line was toll-free, so I only had to pay a minimal amount of money for international dialling but I could talk on the phone as long as I want since the call fee was paid by the travel agency. 2.1.2 Degree of comfort Thanks to its light weight mobility and availability, Tablet was more preferred with higher comfort degree over computer with heavier weight and requiring more acts like starting, shutting down or plugging charger. Tablet was more mobile to carry along to all places such as desk, bed, classroom and in motion like walking on the street. The degree of comfort was also true to the choice of soft medium where none of my communication involved video sharing or video calling. This is explained by my preference for modes with low level of self-consciousness like texting or calling where I could comfortably maintain interaction without being distracted by my reflection or worrying about my appearance on the screen. 2.1.3 Medium uniqueness Choice of mode was restrained by the other entity and this made me stick to only one medium. For instance, brands or organizations websites all offer visitors to leave their emails so that new reduction/sales or upcoming events would be sent to them automatically, and the sole medium used to subscribe was email. In another case of citizen services, when I wanted to book a visa appointment via an Embassy, the office only allowed booking via mobile phone in which visitors dial the provided number to provide personal information and receive confirmed schedule by an officer. Besides, some of my addressees only provide me their email or their FB so email or FM were the sole channels to communicate with them and no other choice of medium could be employed. 2.1.4 Formality Formality of the message and the interaction itself also decides the modes of communication. For formal communication like asking for professors supervision, excusing absence in a class session or job application, email would be a better choice. The email interface itself is more neutral and professional with separate spaces for typing subjects and contents, office font sizes, bullet and numbering, etc. to present the information in a well-organized and formal format. Those functions are not provided by the instant messaging, mobile phone SMS or calling. For informal talks like gossiping about non-academic problems, email may not be as suitable as other texting or chatting applications that allow instant response. 2.1.5 Peer influence The medium I choose was also affected by the technology that the other entities use. If the addressees encounter some technical or personal problems, I accordingly opt for the medium that best works on their device and suit their condition. For example, my mothers eyes are far-sighted so its hard for her to navigate where to click to see inbox or to send text in emailing and texting. For that reason, I only used voice chatting or video calling rather than texting when communicating with her. My father, more interestingly, does not know how to use any smart devices and could only be approached by classic media like SMS or phone calling, so whenever I wanted to contact him phone-calling is my only resort. 2.1.6 Immediacy Regarding the immediacy in communication, email seems to be inferior to other applications like mobile phone, Skype or FM. Email could take long duration to receive a response and they are at risk of being filtered as spam or junk by the email account. If the recipient does not check their spam box, there is likelihood that my email never reaches them. There is also another case when sending emails to organizations/offices and my email is not instantly checked and replied until the next day because it has to queue in a line of many other enquiries sent to the offices. And of course it is very awkward and time-consuming when having an informal and close-knit chat with friends in which me and my friends keep clicking and sending emails while we can choose to text each other using FM or Skype. Therefore, in case I need an immediate response for my communication, I prefer calling via mobile phone (if the information is urgent) or Skype or texting with FM. 2.1.7 Intertextuality Retrievability Navigability Obviously, text mode normally allows better information retrieval than call mode, and this function is more enhanced in CMC where external sources of information exchanged in interaction could be accessed by all interactants and be easily navigated with one click even when the conversation has ended. For example, functions incorporated in Google email enables searching sent or received mails through typing keywords and provides capacity to upload audio, video and documents easily shared with other people who have Google account just by one click. Or in another case when I had a group chat discussing accommodation booking, we decided to type because it was easier to refer to different options by pasting the links or screen captures into the chatting box and the whole group could see exactly which hostel was being considered. Those options were retained forever in the box chat so we could retrieve them several days/months later. 2.1.8 Multifunction Sometimes the consideration of hard medium between computer or Tablet is decided by the affordances of the device itself, and it is obscure that computer is more multifunctional than the other counterpart. Computer allows multi-window operating at the same time while my Tablet does not, also many acts are easier to be done on bigger screen and keyboards rather than on touch device, e.g long text processing. Multifunctional features also applied for my choice of soft medium and this could be illustrated in the comparison between email and IM via FM or Skype. Emails affordances are superior with possibility to forward a large amount of information, to format the text in highlighted forms with colouring, large font size, or underlining, or to send emails to different recipients simultaneously without letting them know about each other (Bcc). FM or Skype undeniably has not included all those functions, they do not have a search box to type in keywords, no data cloud, no font size or bull et options, and previous messages are time-consuming to retrieve. However, their function to track whether the recipient has seen their messages made them surpass email in some cases. 2.1.9 Lack of desire for self-disclosure My choice of medium, or to be exact, the functions of medium was affected by my low desire for self-expression in which I use FB but hardly employed multimodal resources for posting, sharing, surfing, hashtag, or commenting. I have little demand for self-disclosure so I did not share the things I read, the feelings I have or the events/places I had been to on my FB page. All my interactions via FB channel were instant messaging initiated by the need to update situation of relatives and friends in my home country or exchange information about a particular problem. Even though I am a member of some FB group, I still sent private message to other members when they post a question that I can help instead of publicly typing my answer in the comment box. 2.2 Nature of language used 2.2.1 Language background The majority of my interaction with friends or relatives is translingual since we have multilingual background. Our exchange has frequent code-switching between Vietnamese and English, or in some cases three languages when I use Thai to chat with friends who know Thai. An ample evidence for this could be seen in the following extract between me and other two friends discussing about booking a room for a cruise trip (English words are highlighted in the left column): Extract 1 Anh the thoi xong chac cho ten + passport de dang ky la xong Thao in the worst case thà ¬ phà ²ng 8107 cÃ…Â ©ng Ä‘Æ °Ãƒ ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ £c ha Anh uhh worst case cung dc re nhung tren web con nhieu lam, hon chuc phong co, ko lo Phuong Thà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ¿ là   chà ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬Ëœt xog Ä‘Ã ºng hok Chà ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬Ëœt là ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ¡i bn ng Thao 4 ng mail sent TrÆ °a mai chÆ °a rep thà ¬ e gà ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ i Ä‘ià ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬ ¡n cho à ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ng luà ´n Anh thats all then perhaps we give (him) our names and passport to register Thao in the worst case, is room 8107 OK? Anh Yes, that worst case is OK. cheap But dont worry, the web stills show a lot of spare rooms, more than ten of them. Phuong Thats finalized right? In the end how many people? Thao 4 people mail sent If he does not rep the mail until next noon, I will call him. 2.2.2 Keyboard affordance Languages involved in my conversations are used in customized form due to keyboard. For instance, some of my Vietnamese friends did not have keyboard allowing typing tone markers or special Vietnamese characters, so their message were written in reduced Vietnamese. Though in some rare occasion did this obstruct our communication, the conversation generally went smooth because all interactants have Vietnamese as mother-tounge. Take the message from the following extract as an illustration, the friend that customized language is Anh: Extract 2 Original message Standard language Translated message Anh the thoi xong chac cho ten + passport de dang ky la xong Anh thà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ¿ thà ´i xong chà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ¯c cho tà ªn + passport Ä‘Ã ¡Ã‚ »Ã†â€™ đăng kà ½ là   xong Anh thats all then perhaps we give (him) our names and passport to register Also due to keyboards lacking special characters, some language not using Latin alphabet must be transliterated and in my case is Thai. There was Thai virtual keyboard but it took time and may impede understanding so it was not employed: Extract 3 Original message Standard language Translated message Thao Uh hihi tks quà ¢n nhà ¬u Hong May pà ªn ray krub Thao Uh hihi tks quà ¢n nhà ¬u Hong à  Ã‚ ¹Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ¡Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¹Ã‹â€ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¹Ã¢â€š ¬Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â‚¬ ºÃƒ  Ã‚ ¹Ã¢â‚¬ ¡Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â€ž ¢Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¹Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ £Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ £Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ±Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã… ¡ Thao Yeah hihi thanks a lot Hong Youre welcome! 2.2.3 Intimacy level Intimacy is the key factor shaping the choice of language in all my communications, and the level of formality in language is accordingly adjusted. Informal language could be detected via the use and density of colloquial, emoji, stickers, slangs, swear words. When talking with close friends, I used these informal expressions uncontrollably or rampantly, but I was more conscious and limit the use of them when interacting with normal friends, which are exemplified in the following extracts: Extract 1: with close friends (me, Trung and Ngoc). Ngoc is talking about her disgust when coming across her ex-boyfriends photos on Facebook. The language is flooded with swear word, exclamation, emoji, emphatic form like capitalisation and repetition of letters: Extract 4 Thao mà  y cà ³ cà ¢u thà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ §n chà º gà ¬ k mà ¡Ã‚ »-i là ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ §n là ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ¡nh gà ¡y thà ¬ là ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ©m nhà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ©m Ngoc Ä‘Ã ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ £t trc Ä‘Ã £ block hà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ¿t tà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ¥t cà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ £ mà ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ i thà ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ © mà ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ i ngÆ °Ãƒ ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ i thà ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬Å"i thà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ¿ Ä‘ nà  o và ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ «n sà ³t à ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬Ëœi già ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ £i Æ ¡i cà ³ hà ´m thà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ¿ nà  o xem Ä‘c dm cà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ £ nà ³ cà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ £ ny mà ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬ ºi dm Ä‘i phÆ °Ãƒ ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ £t à ´i Quoc Ngoc m phà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ £i hià ¡Ã‚ »Ã†â€™u là   cà ¡i nhà ³m bà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ¡n là ¬n cà ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ §a nà ³ chuyà ªn Ä‘i phÆ °Ãƒ ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ £t và   chà ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ ¥p à ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ £nh và   ăn là ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ©u và   chà ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ ¥p à ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ £nh (net uà ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬Ëœc king) nà ªn dm nhià ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ u à ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ £nh vc ra Cà ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ ¨U TÔI Và ¡Ã‚ »Ã… ¡I :((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Thao Do you have any incantation whenever feeling disgusted? Ngoc I blocked all things and all people related to him but I still missed out some photos Oh my god Fuck it the other day I saw he and his new girlfriend fucking went trekking. oh Quoc Ngoc U have to understand that his fucking group of friends frequently go trekking and take photos and eat hotpot and take photos (networking) So theres a fucking bunch of photos HELP ME :((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( With a normal friend. This is Doan one friend I have acquainted for about 3 months, she is talking about her travel plan for Christmas. The relationship is not too close-knit hence the language is informal enough with the use of emoji but no swear words or emphatic forms: Extract 5 Doan tà ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ ¥i tà ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬ º xmas nà  y Ä‘c nghà ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬ ° dà  i Ä‘i 1 phà ¡t luà ´n Thao uh bà ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ n tà ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬ º cÃ…Â ©ng nghà ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬ ° dà  i nhÆ °ng tà ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬ º cÃ…Â ©ng khà ´ng ham Ä‘i là ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ¯m Doan ^^ uh Thao cà ¡c bà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ¡n Ä‘i khu nà  o tà ¢y à ¢u hay Ä‘Ã ´ng à ¢u Doan tà ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬ º Ä‘i Ä‘Ã ´ng à ¢u, tà ¢y à ¢u và   nam à ¢u 5 nÆ °Ãƒ ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬ ºc 1 thà ¡ng luà ´n Thao mà ¡Ã‚ »-i nÆ °Ãƒ ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬ ºc à ¡Ã‚ »Ã… ¸ 6 ngà  y? Doan uh Thao thà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ¥y anh vià ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬ ¡t đăng xin Ä‘Æ °Ãƒ ¡Ã‚ »Ã‚ £c visa phà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ §n lan thà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ ¿ là   Ä‘i phà ¡Ã‚ ºÃ‚ §n lan trÆ °Ãƒ ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬ ºc à   Doan anh vià ¡Ã‚ »Ã¢â‚¬ ¡t Ä‘i finland 1 mà ¬nh mà   =)) Doan This Xmas we have a long holiday. We travel the whole holiday. Thao Yeah we also have long Christmas holiday But Im not really interested in travel Doan ^^ yeah Thao Where are you going to travel to? Western or Eastern Europe? Doan Eastern, Western and Southern Europe 5 countries 1 month Thao 6 days per country? Doan yeah Thao I heard Mr. Viet said he had got his visa for Finland so you start your trip in Finland? Doan No, Mr. Viet travels to Finland by himself.

‘Who am I when I am transported?’ Postcolonialism and Peter Carey’s Jack Maggs :: Essays Papers

‘Who am I when I am transported?’ Postcolonialism and Peter Carey’s Jack Maggs In Decolonising Fictions, theorists Diana Brydon and Helen Tiffin claim that postcolonial writers create texts that ‘write back’ against imperial fictions and question the values once taken for granted by the once dominant Anglocentric discourse of the imperial epicentre. In Jack Maggs the process of ‘writing back’ is well illustrated. As in Jean Rhy’s Wide Sargasso Sea , the colonial ‘other’ character from a canonised Victorian novel becomes the principal figure in a modern 'decolonising' text, and the peripheral reaches of empire become of central importance. In Jack Maggs, Australian novelist Peter Carey reconfigures the plot of Dickens’s classic Great Expectations so that it is the maginalised, (colonial) convict figure who now becomes the narrative focus. By filtering the experiences of the exiled convict through a post-colonial lens, Carey creates a text that pays homage too, yet simultaneously questions the values at the heart of the source text’s imperialist discourse. As Brydon and Tiffin point out, Anglocentrism refuses Post-Colonial territories the right to their own identities, assuming instead that they are merely engulfable parts of the imperial centre. Therefore, in Great Expectations, Australia functioned not as a coherent, cohesive nation, but rather, as an off stage peripheral location were characters awaited their return to the on stage action of the imperial centre, London . Carey tackles this trend head on, by writing a novel that seeks ‘non repressive alternatives to imperialist discourse’ and which refuses to privilege the metropolitan centre over the Colonial margins. At the heart of the text’s reconfiguration of imperialist discourse lies the complex relationship between returned convict Jack Maggs and up-and-coming writer Tobias Oates. Significantly, Oates bears more than a few biographical similarities with Charles Dickens. For instance, like Dickens, Oates has a feckless, indebted father, an unhappy marriage, a fascination with mesmerism, and the fierce desire to make his name ‘not just as the author of comic adventures, but as a novelist who might one day topple Thackeray himself’ (Carey 43). By having Oates, a fictionalised Charles Dickens figure, exist in the same imaginative space as Jack Maggs, the modern reworking of one of Dickens’ most memorable characters, Carey is able to explore not only the questions left unanswered by the source text, but also the difficult relationship that exists between character and creator. The relationship between Oates, soon to become the Empire’s greatest living writer, and Maggs, the marginalised colonial figure, is one that parallels the manner in which the literary potential of the Imperial colonies was mined by Victorian writers.

Stereotypical Images of Native Americans Essay -- American America His

Stereotypical Images of Native Americans The encounter of Christopher Columbus with the indigenous people of the Americas and the Caribbean would ultimately set in motion the destruction of Native American life and culture as it had existed for thousands of years. Images and stereotypes of the Native Americans were indelibly etched into the minds of the Europeans and we struggle today to eradicate these harmful portrayals. When Columbus arrived in the Caribbean in 1492, he was greeted by the natives of what is currently Haiti and the Dominican Republic, on the island of Hispaniola. These people were the Taino Indians, who belong to the general group Arawak, which primarily describes the common language shared by the native people from the area now known as Venezuela all the way up to modern-day Florida. Columbus was immediately struck by the peaceful, generous nature of the Taino. He wrote, "they are gentle and comely people. They are so naive and free with their possessions that no one who has not witnessed them would never believe it. When you ask for something they have, they never say no. To the contrary, they offer to share with anyone... They willingly traded everything they owned..." The Taino society was very highly organized, with a patriarchal hierarchy and distinguished by happiness and friendliness. There were 5 different kingdoms on the island of Hispaniola and each kingdom was led by a cacique. Polygamy was in practice and the caciques often had as many as 30 wives, although most men had only 2 or 3. The wife of a cacique enjoyed great status and honor, as did her children. The people of the kingdom paid a tax or tribute to their cacique in exchange for overseeing the village. There were other hierar... ...ine: I. Columbus meets the Taino/Arawak Indians A. Peaceful/ generous nature 1. highly organized society 2. little defense capabilities or the necessity for them B. Manner of living 1. dress 2. housing C. Genocide 1. cruel treatment 2. disease 3. disappearance of cultural heritage 4. population estimates II. European Impressions A. Strong, self-determined people 1. King Ferdinand's letter to the Taino B. Savages 1. Religious implications 2. Self-serving rationalization III. Native American Stereotypes A. Film B. Literature C. Children's Books 1. The Indian in the Cupboard 2. demeaning vocabulary, "vanishing Indian" concept IV. Contemporary Impressions A. "red" man - designation created by Linnaeus 1. tribal affiliations disregarded 2. assimilation in "white" society B. Discrimination in current society

Impact of internet social and political Essay

The internet is less than two decades old but its impact has been felt by almost everyone in the global village. It has not only revolutionized our personal interaction habits but has also impacted greatly on other spheres of our life, most notably the economy. In many societies, the digital technology has not only influenced the political communication but also the whole political systems. Shapiro (1999) suggests that the digital technology has captured the attention of everyone from the media, government and the general public. Although the invention of the internet has brought with it some negative aspects, the digital technology has been hailed as the man’s new road to the better world. This paper will try to discuss some of the aspects of the internet that have continuously impacted on our social and political behaviours as citizens. Computers and the internet have greatly facilitated and expanded the individuals’ capacities in every sector of the society. Gurstein (2000) contends that the new ICTs have impacted almost everyone from institutions to business to organizations to the political arena. The impact has been so great that every sector of our society feels obliged to embrace the information communication technology in order to either improve the running of the government, community networking or to improve the citizen participation in the new information society. Terms such as â€Å"citizen networks†, â€Å"digital cities† or â€Å"e-governments† have become common expressions these days. They simply imply the new ways of interactions that exist between the governed and the government and new ideas regarding the metropolitan policies, through the use of electronic media (Sclove, 1995). The urban settings, built landscape as well as the social setting in our society, has undergone tremendous transformation from the last decade into the new millennium. The citizens have also not been left behind in this era of transformation. What we consider space, time, and our perception of politics as well as what we consider public or private and local or global has greatly changed. The advancement in the information communication technology has largely contributed to the changes in our cities and contemporary societies (Tsagarousianou, Tambini, & Bryan, 1998). There is a new concept that has caught on with most people in our society concerning governance. The term â€Å"electronic democracy† though has been in use since 1960s when most activists introduced a number of communication medias like free radio stations, to make the governments more accountable and responsive to its citizens, has found its way back in the advent of the internet (Sclove, 1995). Internet is currently being used to marshal grassroots groups to support a certain cause by most civil activists. There is also a growing mass of citizen initiatives that help to shape public opinion and thus influencing policies both at the national and local level. The internet therefore has greatly challenged the hitherto monopolies of the most political classes through better communication networks that have empowered the citizens to create a form of democracy in the society (Schuler, 1998). Today, many cities around the globe have created home pages in the internet and forums for interaction with their city residents. Governments around the world both at the local and national level in developed and developing nations alike, have invested in e-government projects through networks that enable citizens access to government structures, engage in online transactions or to get information on government policies. Some of these networks and sites have enable citizens to participate in most decision making regarding the management of urban habitats (Underwood, 2002). The internet has great potential to amass groups of people persuasive to certain ideologies. Many organizations now have websites which they use not only to communicate with their members but to recruit more like-minded individuals into their groups. Indeed the internet has become one of the major tools for lobbying citizens to a particular cause. Such organizations as the Internet Society and Voters Frontier Foundation have been very active in recruiting and educating the public on political issues in America (Tsagarousianou, Tambini, & Bryan, 1998). These groups have greatly contributed to the policy making processes through intensive lobbying. The internet has therefore provided a better platform for the citizens to actively participate in the political arena. This development has actually dealt a big blow to the interest group politics that have gone on over the years (Davis, 1999). The internet has impacted greatly on how we interact these days. Due to its widespread and accessibility, the information communication technology has completely changed the forms of social engagements. Today, there are numerous social networking sites that have increased the speed at which we do interact and organize our social activities. The most notable ones are MySpace and Facebook, which have simply taken the social interactions to the next level. These sites not only make it easier to keep in touch with friends and family members but enable subscribers to find other friends online. The era of information communication has ushered in a new way of keeping contacts with others no matter the distance between us. In a nutshell, the internet has reduced the world to a global village where everyone can be reached simply by a few clicks of the mouse (Subrahmanyam & Greenfield, 2008). The social networking sites have also been very important in educating the public on social and political problems afflicting the society. There are groups of people who have formed social forums and recruited individuals with like-minded views on the social and political events in the country. Members would be easily reached through the internet and topics as well as current affairs discussed. These forums have been quite helpful in bringing change in the political and social arenas in our country. It is the emergence of the internet as a political tool that some countries like the Myanmar, Iran and China have censored its usage among their citizens. These countries have restricted contents of political and religious materials that are accessible to their citizens (Shapiro, 1999). Again, a new internet phenomenon has emerged reshaping the politics and political activities in many countries around the global. What has been referred to as the internet activism has caught on in many countries and political players and citizens alike have embraced internet to win masses into their camps and political groupings (Tolbert, & McNeal, 2003). The current United States president Barrack Obama owes much of his political success to the internet. He amassed overwhelming campaign funds that enabled him outmuscle his opponents in the 2008 elections simply by recruiting a greater mass of followers through the internet. The citizens who were eager for change contributed wholeheartedly to this cause through internet donation. What was most remarkable was the overwhelming following Obama was able to attract over a short period of time in politics. Those who contributed included even non-Americans, who found it easier because of the internet. The internet has also provided leisure activities to its users through social entertainment sites. Currently, there are a number of forums that provide games, videos, and cartoons to entertain internet users. The internet has also enabled easy access to news and information. People these days are able to watch and listen to news, book for vacations, get information on weather and many other things of their interest. There are also thousands of blog sites that have not only provided a platform of communication but have enabled most people to interact by sharing views on various happenings around them. The blog sites have also become political tools most citizens use to lobby people onto their way of thinking (Rodgers, 2003). During the early stages of its development, in the early 1990s, the digital technology led to what many considered internet-euphoria. Many optimists believe it was the new dawn to mankind’s participation in social, political as well as economic spheres in his society. These euphoric evaluation has somewhat changed over the years as more people are now becoming more aware of the dangers technological advancement may pose to the society (Engel, & Keller, 2000). There is the issue of lack of internet safety as the social networking sites have proved to be. The critics of internet claim that it may increase cyber thefts or deceits because one may be able to steal one’s identity especially from the social networking sites. The challenges posed by the internet to the political activities have been cited as some propaganda wars between nations which may spill over into real battles (Tolbert, & McNeal, 2003). Conclusion The internet has profound altered our societal operation both in political and social spheres. The citizens will continue to access vital information that would eventually empower them which in turn will reshape the politics and political class that have long governed with their interest-based policies. Again, the internet has proved to be a better social tool in our society because it has made interaction easier than before. However, there are a few challenges that must be overcome to make it safer for every user.

Education System in Desperate need of Change Essay

Sir William Haley once said, â€Å"Education would be so much more effective if its purpose were to ensure that by the time they leave school every boy and girl should know how much they don’t know, and be imbued with a lifelong desire to know it†. If students were guaranteed to leave school with knowing of what they don’t know and the desire to continue learning, the method of learning will be correct. Today’s education system does not give students the opportunity to enjoy what they are learning. The banking method, where students are empty vessels which educators must deposit knowledge into, deprives them of creativity and the desire to learn. No child is given the chance to shine and be unique. Students today are simply being placed on a conveyer belt, sorted, and then labeled according to their so called intelligence. We need an education system that provides a slower learning method, a method where you focus on what is being learned instead of zipping through it, and the freedom to make mistakes as this will electrify and stimulate students to fulfill their potential. We must recognize students as individuals and keep in mind their diverse backgrounds. In â€Å"Lives on the Boundary,† Rose states, â€Å"The canon has intended to push to the margins much of the literature of our nation: from American Indian songs and chants to immigrant fiction to working-class narratives† (100). The messages that are received from the text are crucial. The students need to be able to relate to what they have before them. One of the problems with today’s education system is we are given material to read, memorize, and expected to repeat it back at the snap of a finger. But without the ability to relate and connect with the material, the learning doesn’t take place. Everything that is read or being said is just going through one ear and out the other. By adding relatable texts, you add life to learning. In â€Å"Learning in the Key of Life,† Jon Spayde states, â€Å"people cannot learn what they do not love† (69). When students are reading or learning about a subject they love, they are inspired and motivated to learn more. This alone can benefit the learning process for students. It becomes much easier to grasp concepts learned in class. Today’s education system does not allow all students to thrive in their own way. It is fast paced with limited space for creativeness. We are given large amounts of information at a time and attempt to move as quickly as possible through all that we can. There is never â€Å"time† to stay longer on a topic. The instructors try their hardest to keep the pace, but this way of teaching does not benefit any student. In â€Å"Learning in the Key of Life†, Jon Spayde states, â€Å"†¦we are focusing far too much of our energy and resources on fast knowledge, ignoring all the richness and meaning slow knowledge adds to our lives† (68). When the focus is on just getting through the material, we are skipping over the value and richness of slow knowledge. Instead of zipping through a lesson because it needs to be done by a certain day to move onto the next, the focus needs to be on what is being learned than making a time requirement. Spayde also states, â€Å"You can figure out what you can do pretty quickly, but the ethical understanding of what you ought to do comes slowly†. We need to adopt the slow learning method, without it we are missing out on more than we think. There is so much more to learning than getting through the material, the purpose of it is to benefit and gain from it. With slow knowledge we will achieve this. One of the most important changes that needs to be done is the view on mistakes. In the article, â€Å"How to Make Mistakes,† Dennett states, â€Å"Mistakes are not just golden opportunities for learning; they are, in an important sense, the only opportunity for learning something truly new†. When fear is being put into a student to never make a mistake, their education is stunted. They lose the ability to explore and take the chance of being wrong because they are repeatedly punished for being incorrect. When a mistake is made, students will learn where they went wrong and will then grow from it. The key to progress is making mistakes. The reason we are in school is to learn, but with this opportunity taken away from students their ability to learn is ripped from their grasp. Daniel C. Dennett also states, â€Å"You should seek out opportunities to make grand mistakes, just so you can then recover from them†. Instead of using all of their energy to attempt to be perfect and run from being inaccurate, every student should look for every opportunity to be wrong. Without errors, the students can not accomplish much. If you look at Todays’ education system is in desperate need of change. No student is given the opportunity to show what they are fully capable of. Instead they are told what they can do. They are simply labeled and placed where they â€Å"should be†. But when students begin to pursue their mistakes and soak in the richness of slow knowledge, they will begin to truly learn. Maria Montessori once said, â€Å"If education is always to be conceived along the same antiquated lines of a mere transmission of knowledge, there is little to be hoped from it in the bettering of man’s future. For what is the use of transmitting knowledge if the individual’s total development lags behind? †. If many students are having difficulty learning in the method we have created ages ago, why not change it? The time is now and there is no time to waste. We must refocus this outdated system to insure that the students will have a secure future and keep the standard of living that we have today.