Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Narrative Essay on My Favorite College Teacher

Narrative Essay on My Favorite College Teacher My Favorite College Teacher There are many different teachers in college and high school that arouse the most controversial emotions. Students have different criteria when choosing their favorites; some of them prefer those who don’t give hard homework assignments, or don’t ask difficult questions. Some students like it when teachers don’t bother them at all and just read their lectures. But I am not one of them. As for me, the most important criterion for my favorite teacher is devotion to the subject he teaches. This feature may seem to be simple and primitive for people, as it is generally accepted fact that to choose a profession of a teacher a person has to love it. It is sad, but those who are really devoted to what they do are really hard to be found. But if you succeed to meet such teachers in your academic career, you are really lucky. They stand out from all the rest, as when they read lectures, they don’t use any additional materials, but only find some captivating illustrations of what they talk about. When they speak, it is really visible that they love what they do, as there is such a shining in their eyes that cannot be missed. Unfortunately, many students don’t like such teachers, as often they have strict requirements as to preparation to classes and ask many questions. But these students just don’t want to know this subject and don’t want to bother with it at all. But all those who are interested in studying will surely appreciate such bright personalities, as they will contaminate such students with love to the subject and show all its peculiarities. I consider myself to be a happy person, as I had such a teacher in college. He taught Biology and it was really interesting to attend his classes and listen to his lectures. I acquired

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Marketing Plan For Cookies Bar - 2348 Words

Background Cookie Bar is a sole proprietorship business located at 11 West 42nd Street, New York City with the mission to make remarkable, inventive, astounding cookies and give them by regional standards at a reasonable cost in a solitary store cookies shop. It is a new startup business that has about 50 employees who are responsible for cookie baking, internal operation and marketing management. My name is Linger Zheng, and I am responsible for assisting in creating, implementing and completing Cookie Bar’s marketing plan. Introduction Cookies Bar is a sole proprietorship business with the vision of giving cookies at a reasonable and Fair Price. Our main goal is To make remarkable, imaginative, great cookies and give them provincially at a reasonable cost in a our cookies shop. Our qualities are quality fixings and reasonable costs. Our monetary destinations are to attain to a normal deals exchange of $7 every client before the end of the first year and to build the first year benefit by 6% in the second year operation. The top neighborhood competitors are capable of producing incomes of over $500,000 every annum and are reasonable as most have been doing business for a long time or more. Monetary projections demonstrate that the business will have positive trade stream in for cold hard currency the first month of operations as 35percent of income produced. Startup cost will be around $40,000 with a net income of about $160,000 in the first year. Industry TrendsShow MoreRelatedMarketing Pl Subway Marketing Strategy1042 Words   |  5 PagesSummary The marketing plan bonds with the overall financial and business plan. This plan contents a strategy for success, and breaks it down into coherent, actionable components that will aid The Sub Shop to implement marketing activities to obtain a return on investment. 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For this particular business Beach front lane of brownsbay is considered as great location as there is a huge foot traffic and the locality is fond of eating at dine-in places insteadRead MoreCold Stone Creamery: Marketing Strategy1541 Words   |  7 PagesMarketing is the key to a successful business and in todays economy every organization should have a marketing plan in place. The organization discussed in the following paper is Cold Stone Creamery, the paper will entail a brief overview of the organization, and a description of a new product that Cold Stone Creamery will introduce. Since marketing is so important there is an explanation of how marketing is important to the success of Cold Stone Creamery and an analysis of the strengths, weaknessesRead MoreSample Business Plan - Pastry Shop1386 Words   |  6 PagesPATISSERIE DELIGHTS by SIETE ONSE – STUDENT BUSINESS PLAN Note: This document is intended only for school requirement. There is no â€Å"Patisserie Delights† by SIETE ONSE Pastry Shop as described below. The names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses used are invented. The data and studies cited are fictitious. May 20, 2013 BBA MM 2-3, SIETE ONSE Group Buenaventura, Gladyz Capuso, Czarilyn Karamihan, Ena Marie Gwyneth Guerta, Daniel Orbe, Joshua Rafol, Rehum Valencia, Aaron Jay Table of ContentsRead MoreThe Marketing Pl Cowsmoo Milk Bar1357 Words   |  6 Pagessustain the profitability of our business, and not turn off our customers by being overly pushy. Loyalty Status: Cowsmoo Milk Bar strives to make our consumer base consist of hard-core loyalists. We realize that this is an unobtainable goal in the early stages of our development, but we are confident that our hybrid blend of affordability and exemplary quality makes this dream a possibility. 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In 1945 Hershey s ran a good competition against a nutritional bar called Field Ration D. Sadly this was also the year that Milton Hershey passed away. Until this very day, a lot of different and awesome tasting chocolates were introduced. ProductRead MoreThe Multinational Company Nestle : The Biggest Fmcg Company Of The World1701 Words   |  7 Pagesbeen enhanced globally. Politics, economy, culture, technology and social circumstances in different countries are some of the issues that make the international marketing very hard (Hofstede, 2003). The aim of this project is to highlight the issues that occur due to differences of culture and designing and implementation of marketing strategies when organizations are operating in different countries. For this project I have chosen the multinational company Nestle; the biggest FMCG company in theRead MoreMarket Potential1708 Words   |  7 Pagesbiscuits, wafers, cracers and cookies type. In Malaysia, the headquarters succesfully established at Johor, around 1991. The Munchy’s term was derived from the Mandarin term â€Å"Mai Oi†.†Mai† which means flour or wheat and â€Å"Oi† that refers to the magical quality found in it’s deli cious wafer.Nowadays, the brands distributed all over country including Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa, North America and Latin America to expand the networking branched. The main marketing objectives of company includeRead MoreSpecial K. Product Life Cycle1657 Words   |  7 Pagesspecial k bars to the product range in 1999, to target the lucrative female market. The company has gradually introduced a range of flavors and varieties such as Special K bars apple Pear, chocolate, and Red berry. The parent company for special K is Kellogg’s and it’s a worldwide company for producing cereals. In 2010 sales reached nearly $12 billion, Kellogg Company is the world’s leading producer of cereal and a leading producer of convenience foods, including cookies, cereal bars, and fruit-flavored

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Cultural Event Paper Free Essays

A cultural event that I have attended in the past that has had a memorable affect on my life was a Native American Powwow. This event takes place every year, Thanksgiving weekend in Tucson, AZ. I arrived in the late afternoon, as the sun was going down. We will write a custom essay sample on Cultural Event Paper or any similar topic only for you Order Now I remember seeing many different types of people, from tourists to the different Native American performers. The physical setting of this particular celebration was outside, and based around, one main circle. Drums were beating so loud, you could feel the pound inside your chest. Different activities were going on all around, such as dancers, vendors, and a huge variety of foods to choose from. The circular dancing arena is known as the arbor, this area is blessed before any of the events begin (Schultz, 2001). This area is considered to be sacred ground, and is respected throughout the entire celebration (Schultz, 2001). The arbor was made of tree limbs and leaves. The four main entries into the festivities were used to resemble the four points of a compass (Schultz, 2001). The dancers entered from the east entrance, and the main announcer was located by the West entrance. Many spectators were sitting on blankets, and some on lawn chairs. The environment was relaxed, and a very friendly atmosphere. The activities included dance and drum contests, different ceremonies, and many different vendors. The crafts were all handmade and amazing. Each piece looked as if it were specially made from the heart. The Native American culture to me felt festive, warm, and very inviting. The dancer’s come from many different tribes. Their faces were painted, and their costumes consisted of beautiful festive colors. They were made of feathers, sequence, dye, and other natural fabrics. A powwow is a Native American gathering, or celebration that began with the Plains tribe, and continued to other Native American tribes through the years (Schultz, 2001). A powwow is also the oldest known public ritual of the Native Americans (Schultz, 2001). This culture considers this particular festivity, a celebration of the circle of life. They include much of their culture in their dance, music, art, food, and drumming, especially while performing these rituals (Schultz, 2001). In the past powwows took place around seasonal changes. This changed as non-natives began to join in celebrating these Native American customs (Schultz, 2001). Native American powwows earliest record dates back to July 4th, 1900 in a Missoula, MT newspaper (Schultz, 2001). Native Americans hold a type of esoteric concept that comes from their philosophy of preserving their environment as well as their kinship that ties them together (Access Genealogy, 2009). They not only have social ties, they are politically and religiously organized through their rituals, government, and other institutions (Access Genealogy, 2009). They work together to reside in a territorial area, and speak a common language (Access Genealogy, 2009). They are not characterized by any one certain structure (Access Genealogy, 2009). However, the society agrees on fundamental principles that bond together a certain social fabric (Access Genealogy, 2009). Different Native American tribes throughout the years have had different ideas, opinions, philosophies, which are not always predetermined by their past ancestors. The roots and customs of Native American tribes run deep. A feeling of respect and tradition is in the air. Every little detail has meaning and a certain level of pride and of importance to each individual taking part in the ceremony. According to Access Genealogy, 2009, â€Å"Humanities are studies of the human condition, whether it is the study of art, sociology, anthropology, literature, history, or any other human endeavor. † Humanities are the core of humanism, and are the product and creativeness of each individual society. Each culture’s has its own form of expression; in this case, it was the powwow. This was a way to entertain and promote awareness to the Native American culture. They are not afraid to show who they are, like other cultures, which can be more refined in the way they celebrate. Native Americans choose to embrace their heritage, and make it a part of their everyday lives. They are trying to hold on to a special place from their past, and not let it slip away. America is known as the â€Å"Melting Pot† with many different cultures, I believe that celebration is a way for each culture to hold onto their identity, and gain respect in a world that is constantly changing. How to cite Cultural Event Paper, Papers

Friday, December 6, 2019

Qualitative Characteristics of Financial Statements - Free Sample

Question: 1. Describe what you understand by the above statement and explain briefly the qualitative characteristics. 2. Discuss and describe two IASB / AASB accounting standards and the utilisation of the qualitative characteristics to promote decision useful information. 3. Select a company from the Australian Securities Exchange website and download the most recent annual report. With regard to your chosen standards, and in the context of your company annual report, comment on the effect the qualitative characteristics have had on the financial statements. Answer: Introduction The qualitative characteristics of financial statements are quite important. The report has been prepared analysing the various factors such as the qualitative characteristics of financial statements as mentioned in the AASB accounting standards, discussion and description of two IASB / AASB accounting standards i.e. AASB 10 and AASB 138 and the utilisation of the qualitative characteristics to promote decision useful information and lastly the analysis of the financial statements of Origin Energy Ltd for the qualitative characteristics. (1) Qualitative Characteristics of Financial Statements The qualitative characteristics of the financial statements are considered to be important for the effective and efficient decision making for the investors. The essence of the developing the accounting standard is to develop the financial information that can enable the investors and other decision makers outside the company to understand the different aspects of the business and to develop understanding on the competitiveness of the organization. These qualitative characteristics are beneficial for the companies as well, as it is the basis for the companies to take suitable actions. The qualitative characteristics as mentioned in AASB framework for the preparation and presentation of financial statements are ( Beest, Braam Boelens, 2009) Relevance: The financial dealings of the company involve large number of transactions. There is accounting information that is presented to stakeholders internal and external to the business. The key characteristics of the relevant information contained in the financial statements are predictive value and confirmatory value. The predictive and confirmatory value is associated to the ability to accurately predict the earnings capability of the company. Further the relevance of the financial statements can be considered based on completeness. Unless the information provided in the financial statements has complete information it will not be relevant. This is the fundamental characteristic of the financial statements. Reliability: It is the quality that authorizes the users of the financial statements to rely on it with surety. It is regarded as faithful representation and is reasonably free from biasness and errors. The concept of reliability includes the following aspects Identification criteria that is backed by realistic demonstration Material and economic reality as divergent to legal form Impartial or detachment free from partial consideration or deformation of information Carefulness and vigilant guess so that overstatement of assets or revenues or minimization of liabilities or operating cost isnt there No errors, false assumptions or decapitating presentations and materiality is ensured Comparability: The representation of the accounting information in the financial statements should be such that not only assists in the assessment of an entity at a certain point or given period but should also assist in analysing the information from similar but different entities. It helps the users to identify the similarities and the difference of the events and conditions prevailing in two entities but also analyse the performance of the entities under similar condition. This is important from the viewpoint of resource allocation. One of the important aspects of comparability is the consistency. Consistency in employing the accounting practices greatly impacts the comparability as variance in accounting standards that are being employed will have huge impact on the profitability and other figures in the income statement (Hirst, Hopkins Wahlen, 2004). Understandability: It means the ability of the users to understand the information with the viewpoint of decision making. This is the user specific quality as the understanding of the users to comprehend a given set of information will differ. Thus it is important that the financial information is produced in such a way so as to have a reasonable understanding of business and economic activities and develop the willingness to study the information in order to gain financial expertise of reasonable level. It is important that information related to complex matters needs to be presented, if important or material needs to be represented in understandable level without compromising with the quality of information. The complete study of the qualitative characteristics highlight that the IASB conceptual framework, in this respect, does not provide any guideline on how the financial statements need to be prepared but does provide the basis for the preparation of the financial statements. These qualitative characteristics need to be supported by the characteristics such as verifiability and timeliness. These are considered as enhancing qualitative characteristics. Verifiability will provide the basis for ensuring that the information that is provided is correct and the timeliness of the information will ensure timely availability of information which is an important aspect in decision making (Beest, Braam Boelens, 2009). This understanding and the viewpoint for the preparation of the financial statements is quite important and adherence to these aspects will certainly impart quality to the financial statements that will assist in decision making. (2) Utilisation of the qualitative characteristics in AASB Accounting Standard As discussed above the AASB established the standards for the preparation and presentation of financial statements. This was the basis of the other accounting standards that have been developed. AASB 10 for Consolidated Financial Statement and AASB 138 for Intangible Assets are quite important and essential for the development of financial statements. These have been discussed below AASB 10: Consolidated Financial Statements The accounting standard AASB 10 provides the principles for the preparation and presentation of the consolidated financial statements when one or more than one entity is being controlled by one entity. Certain conditions have been established for satisfying the controlling factor. These are (CPA Australia, 2011a) Power over the investee Rights to the variable returns as a result of the involvement with investee Ability to use the power to affect the returns to the investor However there are certain cases wherein there is no need to prepare the consolidated financial statements. These are (BDO, 2013) The parent company itself is the wholly owned or partially owned subsidiary and the other owners do not object to parent not presenting the consolidated financial statement The debt or equity instruments are not traded publicly The parent company of the parent company is producing the consolidated financial statement In case of non-controlling interests in an entity, the same must be shown in the statement of financial position separate from the equity that has been employed. AASB 138: Intangible Assets AASB 138 comprehensively deals with the intangible assets accounting. It replaces general requirements of the accounting standards for revaluation of non-current assets, depreciation, acquisition, revaluation and accounting for goodwill. This accounting standard isnt applicable for financial assets, expenditure on development extraction of oil related resources and Exploration evaluation assets while softwares are included in AASB 138. AASB 138 gives the definition of intangible assets, recognition, measurement and disclosure of intangible assets. Further classification of intangible assets as internally and externally generated. Further treatment of different intangible assets is described with illustrations (CPA Australia, 2011b). According to AASB 138 research cost can be expensed whereas the capitalization is to be done for the development cost. AASB 138 states that measurement of the intangible asset will be based on different consideration for each of the assets as separately acquired, acquired in business combination, assets acquired free of charge, assets acquired in exchange for non-monetary assets and internally generated assets that satisfy the recognition criteria. The two models that have been mentioned for the measurement of intangible assets are cost model and revaluation model (Lightfoot, 2013). Cost model is carried out by reducing the cost by the accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses. The revaluation model considers the fir value i.e. value as per the active market. The companies that are preparing the financial statements based on these regulations clearly highlight all the factors that have been mentioned above provide more clarity and knowledge on how the assets have been utilised. Further employing the fair value accounting in the valuation also ensures that value of the assets is aligned with the market parameters rather on the basis of book value. Further if there is any reduction in the valuation or impairment taking place, it will be included in the financial statements of the company. This would be backed by the performance of the company as the value of the intangible assets and the impairment, as identified above, is directly linked to the performance and the market forces. Overall considering the factors discussed above and inter-relating these factors with the qualitative characteristics clearly shows that these accounting standards do conform by these characteristics. However there may be issue with the understandability due to hig h level of complexity related to the aspects that have been covered by these accounting standards and the applicability of these standards for the assets of the company which are quite important. (3) Financial Statement Analysis: Origin Energy Ltd With respect to the various aspects that have been discussed above the effect the qualitative characteristics have had on the financial statements have been analysed based on the financial statements of Origin Energy Ltd. included in the annual report for the year 2014. Firstly the income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement and the statement of changes in equity clearly shows the value for the current year and the previous year. This enables the comparability with respect to different aspects such as interest, revenue, profitability, assets, liabilities, equity or any other aspect related to the cash flow. Secondly it has been reviewed that the financial statements include the notes to the financial statements. These notes discuss in detail the various aspects of the financial statements. The notes to the financial statements include separate discussion on each of the aspects. The key features as highlighted from the notes to the financial statement highlights that the company has included each and every aspect in the notes to the financial statements and complete detail on each and every aspect has been provided. For example the detailed discussion on aspects such as amortization, impairment or depreciation has been provided in much detail and thus assisting investors in understanding the level of impact on the performance. One of the most important and considerable factor that is to be considered is that the financial statement includes the statement for reconciliation of profit after income tax to net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities. This is quite useful in understanding the performance of the company. This highlights what are the aspects that impacted the cash flow and the liquidity in the company. Apart from these factors the annual report contains the message from the chairman and other high level management and their perspective on the performance of the company. Further the financial review, objectives from the coming year and the risks associated with the business have been identified. It enables the users of the financial statements to correlate these factors with the current years performance and the future profitability and the business environment. The annual report of the company also includes the sustainable report on the environment, land, employment and community specifying the key aspects and the strategy of the company in these aspects. Overall the above discussion with respect to the qualitative characteristics of the financial statements of the Origin Energy Ltd shows that company has ensured that the aspects related to the accounting standard for ensuring these characteristics in the financial statements is there. This has been done in quite detail which is very useful for the investors. For example the segment report seems to be quite inadequate and may require further detail on such aspects. Lastly considering the regulations that have been discussed above i.e. AASB 10 AASB 138 have been considered and information has been provided accordingly. The company has provided the complete details on the non-controlling interest that is there in the subsidiaries. The above discussion clearly highlights the company need to ensure that the company has prepared detailed financial statement with due consideration to the different accounting standards. References CPA Australia. (2011a). International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS): IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements. Available At: CPA Australia. (2011b). International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS): IAS 38 Intangible Assets. Available At: Lightfoot, S. (2013). Research into the accounting for intangible assets. Available At: BDO. (2013). Will the new consolidation and joint arrangements standards change your financial statements? Available At: Beest, F.V., Braam, G. Boelens, S. (2009). Quality of Financial Reporting: measuring qualitative characteristics. Hirst, D., Hopkins, P. Wahlen, J. (2004). Fair Values, Income Measurement, and Bank Analysts Risk and Valuation Judgments. The Accounting Review, 79(2), 453-472.

Friday, November 29, 2019

Awesome List of Philosophy Dissertation Topics and Questions

Writing philosophy papers presents challenges because the majority of philosophy topics pursue questions that have no specific answers or issues to which no solutions have been found. Such topics mostly rely on critical thinking of the students to defend their arguments. This guide highlights some tips to help you choose appropriate questions as well as sample topics to consider. Do you Know How to Select the Best Philosophy Dissertation Topic? The selection procedure aims to find what topic you can explore best. However, selecting a topic for your dissertation can be the difference between success and failure in your paper. You need to be careful in the selection process because it dictates the nature of your dissertation paper. So how do you select the best one? Below are some useful tips to help you determine a suitable dissertation topic. Knowledge on the Subject Matter Pick a topic which you are familiar with. Many students have gotten stuck or failed to complete the work because they realized later that the topic was ‘too hard for them.’ You are given the freedom of choice, and you should use it to your advantage. Your Interests Choose a topic that aligns with questions that fascinate you or issues that you are interested in. Writing about something that you like is motivating, and thus you are likely to complete the work on time. Manageability Too wide or too narrow topics are your enemies. Find a topic whose content can fit within the required number of pages. You should be able to exhaust all the essential points in a topic and adequately present them in the dissertation. We Have a List of Philosophy Dissertation Topics to Guide You Philosophy dissertations are based on themes such as religion, theology, ethics, epistemology, morality, ontology and many more. Unfortunately, we cannot cover them all here. However, our experts have gathered random sample topics to help give you some inspiration in creating one of your own. The topics include: How God and the grounds of morality affects human actions The theory of resistance and its impact on human beings Theories behind moral obligation and how they affect society The rationality of taboo and its consequences to human practices The moral justification between combatants killing each other in war and murder. The justification behind the use of terror tactics in war and their effects on society. The difference between blasphemy laws and freedom of expression. An examination of shame in relation to immoral art. An application of corporate social responsibility to the entertainment industry. Investigating artificial intelligence against philosophical logic. An analysis and defense of the concept of evil. An analysis of religion versus ethics and defense of medical studies opting to use animal parts to save human lives. The philosophical foundations in ancient Indian medicine. The concept of empathy and how it lacks in sadists. An analysis of the concept of happiness and its direct correlation to helping others. A basic ontology of play and leisure. Ethics and religion in William of Ockham philosophy. The logic behind the insanity defense. Philosophy Dissertation Questions You Can Consider Below are sample questions that can help you develop a topic for your philosophy dissertation. Why can’t physics explain the presence of evil in the world? Would it be ethical to get brain implants that give you an eidetic memory? Is God real? Should voluntary euthanasia be legalized? What makes an action to be considered evil? Why should we be moral? Should science be controlled? Can all forms of equality ever be achieved? Is it morally justifiable to sterilize another human being? Do genetics determine human behavior? Is sexual behavior the key to interpreting human behavior? Why do we have dreams? Does wealth make life easier or harder? Find Your Fit with Philosophy Dissertation Ideas You Can Pursue There are many concepts in philosophy that you can choose to explore to develop a dissertation topic. Let’s highlight some of them: Deductive reasoning The illusion of free will Hedonism Idealism Knowledge and the nature of knowledge The existence of life beyond death Moral reasoning War crimes The concept of beauty Human rights The concept of modernism Marxism The concept of humanitarianism Theory of functionalism Fatalism concept Ethics and decision making Political obligation Human behavior and genetics The concept of equality Philosophy as a way of life Pragmatism Philosophy science and the concept of substance Existentialism Contact us for Help Is that philosophy paper making your life difficult? Let us handle it for you. Our team of experts can provide a dissertation help service on any topic tailored to suit your requirements. Contact us today. We assure quality and confidentiality.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Essay on Sociology Self and Society

Essay on Sociology Self and Society Essay on Sociology: Self and Society Essay on Sociology: Self and Society  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The issue regarding the role of appearance and beauty in contemporary society has been widely discussed in academic literature and the mass media sources. Beauty is not only biologically programmed to function in human representation, but also it is culturally constructed to address the culture of human societies (DeMello, 2007).   It has been found that human character can be better understood if there is a reflection of one’s sense of identity that can be found in the way an individual is dressed or how he/she behaves (Finkelstein, 2013). Psychologists state that there are many significant physical features that â€Å"both men and women are programmed to find beautiful, including smooth skin, thick shiny hair, and symmetrical faces and bodies† (DeMello, 2007, p. 28). Most people would agree with the fact that appearances could be created to impress others. For example, â€Å"dressing a fter a particular fashion is done in order to convey a certain impression†( Finkelstein, 2013, p. 1). Beauty is not an isolated quality, according to Plato, as beauty and appearance are associated with goodness. However, in some cases, the increased attention to beauty and appearance leads to the violation of effective functioning of the value system. Thesis statement: The emphasis on appearance and beauty in contemporary societies reflects and promotes a distorted system of value because inner beauty is often ignored by the individuals, who highlight the role of appearance in social interactions.The major goal of this paper is to discuss whether the emphasis on appearance and beauty in contemporary societies reflects and promotes a distorted system of value. In order to achieve the established goal it is necessary to discuss the role of appearance and beauty in contemporary society, the nature of the distorted system of value and the relationship between appearance and beauty and the accepted system of values.The role of appearance and beauty in contemporary societyAppearance and beauty play an important role in contemporary society because any individual can be judged by appearance, based on the fact that â€Å"the true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible† (Wilde, 2009, p. 49). The importance of beauty is learned by an individual from the early age. The values of society regarding the role of appearance and beauty cannot be kept from children who realize that unattractive men and women cannot become movie stars or leaders. Children are taught to accept the cult of beauty because parents and teachers are obsessed by the existing system of valuing human worth. In fairy tales, ugly characters are always wicked and ill-natured or unhappy because of the lack of outer beauty.Some people believe that outer beauty is a reflection of inner beauty because those people, who are in love, always look beautiful and attractive. In ancient cu ltures, the definition of beauty differed from modern cultures. Both men and women grow older and their beauty is said to grow with their age. This fact means that wisdom that comes with age can be valued as a deeper or inner beauty. According to researchers, â€Å"in today’s society looking good is more important than you would think†(Edom, 2011, p. 134). Psychologists point out to the fact that physical appearance does matter because it is associated with the traits of personality that influence human interaction and treatment. According to psychologist Nancy Etcoff, attractive people are â€Å"perceived as being nicer, smarter and more sociable,† and â€Å"more competent and moral than unattractive people† (qtd. in Edom, 2011, p. 134).The propaganda of the beauty ideal can be found in the mass media sources. In recent years, practically every newspaper, magazine and the Internet sources highlight the significance of appearance and beauty, providing pic tures of â€Å"enlarged breasts, whittled down waists, wrinkle-free foreheads, pumped up lips, reduced vaginas, etc† (Edom, 2011, p. 134).In addition, today everybody knows that human face is a reflection of beauty. Face can be perceived in different ways: â€Å"as a mask in social interaction,† â€Å"the face as art: makeup and plastic surgery† and â€Å"the face as battlefield: a source of ideological controversy† (Synott, 1989, p. 55). Face cannot be ignored in the process of human interaction because the beauty of face influences the effectiveness of interaction and the significance of the self. In other words, the beauty of face can be perceived as goodness. Actually, face reflects the character of an individual, making his/her appearance more attractive. Both Aristotle and Plato supported the idea of the significance of beauty in human interactions (Synott, 1989). According to Plato, beauty is identical to success, happiness and wisdom. Thus, the be auty of human face signifies not only attractiveness, but also wisdom.Nevertheless, there are several widely accepted assumptions, such as   sayings â€Å"beauty is only skin deep†, â€Å"appearances are deceptive† and â€Å"all that glitters is not gold† (Synott, 1989, p. 55). The ideology of beauty is controversial in its nature because face can be perceived not only as mask of the self, but also as the mirror of the soul, which reflects inner beauty. It is necessary to assess the role of cosmetic surgery, which promotes the ideal of beauty (Synott, 1989).The nature of the distorted system of value  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The distorted system of value is propagated in human society. Undoubtedly, a serious damage is done to children who do not understand the difference between outer beauty and inner beauty. The distorted system of value in relation to appearance and beauty is based on improper understanding of the notion of beauty, which i ncludes outer beauty and inner beauty.   According to researchers, the human soul has the capacity not only to deal with hardships, but also to reflect inner beauty. The purity of human soul helps to maintain a positive outlook on different life circumstances, avoiding the growth of negative experiences, such as oppression and discrimination (Canfield, 2002). It is necessary to match inner and outer beauty in order to use the power over others, especially in social interactions. This fact means that is an individual does not embody the outer beauty; he/she could use the beauty of the soul to succeed in interactions.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A system of value is considered to be distorted if there is no harmony is social interactions. If the emphasis is placed on appearance and beauty in contemporary societies, the system of value will be distorted because the role of inner beauty is ignored. The distortion of moral values leads to damaged cultures and destroyed people. Today special attention is paid to the promotion of the ideal of beauty. Central role is given to moral transformation of individuals who ignore inner beauty. As a result, there are many critical responses to the promotion of cosmetic surgery, which ruins inner beauty, making people look perfect, but using face as a mask in social interaction.The relationship between appearance and beauty and the accepted system of values  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There is a close relationship between appearance and beauty and the accepted system of values. This relationship can be explained by individualism. People accept what is good in terms what is useful for them. Individualism is associated with selfishness, which promotes injustice in social interactions. According to Finkelstein (2013), â€Å"in the consumer culture of modern society, physical appearance has come to be seen as an important means for claiming a degree of social status† (p.2). Undoubtedly, this fact means that appearance and beauty can promote social inequality in human interactions. Many individuals are focused on using various strategies in order to improve their physical appearance. They tend to buy clothing made by world famous fashion designers, use individualized fitness programs to improve their physical forms, buy special sport equipment for home usage, attend yoga classes and follow strict diet regimes. These practices contribute to supporting the ideal of beauty, but ignore the system of values in some way. For them, physical appearance is of great importance.Certain implications of the question  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Certain implications of the question discussed in this paper are concluded in different perceptions of appearance and beauty. Some people would not agree with the fact that the emphasis on appearance and beauty in contemporary societies reflects and promotes a distorted system of value. They consider that attractiveness of oneà ¢â‚¬â„¢s own appearance cannot express real character of an individual. They believe that it is necessary to judge an individual based on his/her personality traits, no matter what appearance he/she has. According to Finkelstein (2013), â€Å"this conflation of reality with appearance has a long tradition†(p.2). Moreover, appearance can be changed by employing a variety of cosmetics and specially developed devices. In contemporary society, it is easy to use conspiracy, which helps to create artificial complexion and body shape, but overlook the real representation of one’s own character. It is very important to understand the identity of an individual’s character to avoid any misunderstandings and misperceptions.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In addition, the ideal of beauty is changing because the elements of appearance that can be perceived as attractive are changing. According to researchers, â€Å"the same themes are reworked and re-interprete d in each age†(Synott, 1989, p.73). This fact means cultural, social and even political changes influence the perception of appearance and beauty. For example, the growth of Black Nationalism has led to the perception of â€Å"black beauty†, while the growth of feminism movement has led to the â€Å"rejection of beauty trap† (Synott, 1989, p.73). These changes can have certain implications on the established perception of the ideal of beauty.The criteria for answering the questionThe criteria assumed for answering that question are based on individual perception of appearance and beauty. It is necessary to measure the extent to which the emphasis on appearance and beauty in contemporary societies reflects and promotes a distorted system of value. For example, in the 19-th century, both appearance and an individual’s character were very important in social interaction. Finkelstein (2013) provides Samuel Well’s explanation of the process of reading an individual’s character. He states that in most cases, â€Å"appearances are deceitful† (qtd. in Finkelstein, 2013, p. 5). In other words, it is crucial to associate an individual’s character with his/her physical appearance, but observe positive and negative features.The major problems addressed by the questionThe problems the question is asking to address include the problems of inequality and injustice that occur in the process of social interaction. According to Finkelstein (2013), it is necessary to have a deep understanding of human character from personal experiences because â€Å"appearances, styles and images have become an authoritative narrative of modern social life, which has a significant influence on our habits of sociality† (p. 9). For example, those individuals who have constructed powerful social identity and effectively use beauty and attractiveness to succeed in social indications can have negative attitudes toward others.   In gener al, the problems addressed by the question that has been raised in this paper require prompt and adequate solutions. Beauty and appearance should not promote conflict between individuals through distortion of the accepted system of value.Conclusion  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Thus, it is necessary to conclude that the emphasis on appearance and beauty in contemporary societies reflects and promotes a distorted system of value. There is a close relationship between appearance and beauty and the accepted system of values because the ideology of beauty contributes to the promotion of ignorance regarding the real traits of character, making individuals selfish and self-absorbed. Individualism that is caused by the increased attention of contemporary societies to cosmetic surgery leads to the violation of the functioning of the value system.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

First Amendment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

First Amendment - Essay Example Speech, as defined by the Constitution is not limited to the spoken word. It can be an expression or idea. Symbolic speech, as it is often referred to, includes various types of nonverbal communications such as peaceful protests, campaign signs in the front yard and burning the American flag. Yes, burning the flag is a legal expression of free speech. The Supreme Court, through years of rulings, has clearly defined the parameters of free speech. For example in 1969 Brandenburg v. Ohio case the Court ruled that government could not forbid speech that encourages subversive or illegal activity unless that â€Å"advocacy is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action.† (Brandenburg v. Ohio, 1969) Using Brandenburg as precedent the Supreme Court ruled the government could not prosecute a Vietnam draft dodger who said â€Å"if they ever make me carry a rifle, the first man I want in my sights is L.B.J.† in Watts v. U.S. (1969). ... A person risks their life in many other countries for much less flagrant self expressive speech than that. The right to free speech is not all-inclusive however. The Court has ruled speech which damages another person’s reputation or defamation including both slander and libel is actionable in court. (Cohen, 2009). â€Å"Defamation law attempts to balance the freedom of speech and open exchange of ideas without giving someone permission to run around spreading lies about another that may harm his or her reputation, ability to earn a living, etc.† (Fabio, 2009). Merely expressing an opinion, however, is not regarded as defamation. Factual statements can only be considered defamatory. Public figures such as celebrities and government officials have not enjoyed the same level of protection under defamation laws. For those in the â€Å"public eye† actual malice toward that person by the speaker must be demonstrated in order to prevail on a defamation claim. (Cohen, 2 009). This is the reason we see so many celebrity tabloids with outrageous headlines in he checkout lanes in grocery stores. It’s much tougher for celebrities to win a lawsuit than the general public. Most forms of speech are covered by the First Amendment but besides defamation other types of speech may be legally restricted and civil litigation initiated based on these restrictions. The Supreme Court has set guidlelines for these other types of speech such as obscenity, causing panic, incitement to crime, sedition, fighting words and hate speech. The test for obscene speech established by the Court is (a) whether that spoken word or expression of speech such as artwork is regarded by the average person as being erotic, (b) whether the words or art depicts acts that are obviously offensive, and (c)

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Cultural studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cultural studies - Essay Example This experience is diametrically opposite to the experience of the ‘academics’. The pedestrians make use of the spaces that cannot be seen by the visionary. As opposed to the visionary, the pedestrians do not have a single map or a picture of a city, but a series of migrational metaphors which always undergoes alterations. [93]. The author seems to mean that experiencing something is more meaningful than visualizing something. The understanding of the people is managed by speculative and classificatory operations which are always liable to contradictions when they encounter the social extremes. The people who actually walk and live in the city will not agree with the concept of the decaying city. [94] Walking in the city can never be captured objectively by drawing maps because the experience of walking is very much subjective. The writer also speaks about the rhetoric of walking where the walkers unconsciously produce sentences using a series of signifiers that only experience can provide. The signifiers used by planners will be taken over by these walkers. Traveling can replace the lost legends, which once offered a series of ‘habitual spaces’. Walking is compared to a story that violates traditional notions and extends to the reality of human experience. Edward Said begins the essay by referring to a French Journalist’s comment about East as â€Å"the Orient† (P.1), which purports three independent things: First, an academic discipline; then, the â€Å"ontological and epistemological distinction† between occidental Vs. oriental; and finally, a historically defined phenomenon, where orientalism is a device of dominance (P.2). He further dwells on the Franco-British as well as American involvement in developing the concept of orientalism. Said thinks that both oriental and occidental are not real but fictitious creations, and are interdependent. He examines this interdependency in three

Monday, November 18, 2019

The Quintessence of Human Nature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Quintessence of Human Nature - Essay Example Some people deemed that humans are basically evil. Hobbes believed that the state of nature was so horrible, and people in their natural state so degenerate, that any form of government was preferable to it (119). Thus, Hobbes opposed any revolution in any kind, not because he supposes that kings govern by absolute right but because he believed that authoritarian governments were mandatory to keep human beings’ worst impulses under control (119). Hobbes highlighted in his theory that the natural state of humanity is war, by which he means not necessarily armed conflict but a struggle in which each person’s interests are intrinsically opposed to everyone else’s (119). In such a state, Hobbes described human nature as solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short (119). Hobbes stressed that men have no pleasure, but on the contrary, a great deal of misery, in keeping company where there is no power to over-awe them all (121). Likewise, he supposes that every man thinks that his companion should value him at the same degree he sets upon himself, and upon all signs of hatred, or undervaluing, fundamentally endeavors, as far as he dares which amid them have no common power to keep them tranquil and that power though is great enough for men to destroy each other, to extort a superior value from his critics, by harm to others for instance (121). Hobbes also cited the three principal factors of quarrel that the nature of man possesses and these are rivalry, diffidence and the drive for grandeur (121). The sense of rivalry drives men to invade for gain; they also employ the use of violence to make themselves the masters of other men’s persons, wives, children and cattle. On the contrary, the principle of diffidence highlights that men dominate others for their safety; hence, they utilize hostility to defend themselves. Conversely, the drive for grandeur motivates a man to overcome another for reputation; mainly, they use aggression for trifles suc h as a word, a smile, a diverse opinion and any other sign of undervalue, either direct in their persons, or by reflection in their kindred, their friends, their nation, their profession or their name (Hobbes 121). Just like Hobbes, the Chinese philosopher Hsun believes that man’s nature is basically evil (100). Hsun saw Confucian rites as indispensable because they restrained and redirected humanity’s innate disposition towards evil (100). Moreover, he believed that strict discipline could make human beings good despite their natural inclinations. He also argued that human beings must be forced into rectitude by strict laws and harsh penalties for disobedience (100). Man’s nature is evil and the goodness is the result of conscious activity; the nature of man is such that he is born with a fondness for profit and if he indulges this fondness, it will lead man into squabbling and conflict, and all sense of courtesy and humility will vanish (Hsun 100-101). He is b orn with feelings of resentment and abhorrence, and if he indulges these, they will direct him into violence and crime, and all sense of fidelity and good faith will disappear (Hsun 101). Man is born with the desires of the eyes and the ears, with a fondness for beautiful sights and sounds; if he indulges these, they will lead him into license and depravity, and all ritual principles and correct forms

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Episodic Memory: Definition and Theories

Episodic Memory: Definition and Theories FRITZ Claudia KRENN Nora SCHALLEHN Anna Episodic memory is defined as a memory for personal unique past experience. Experimental approaches with diverse species were done in order to test for the â€Å"what where and when† of some unique recent event. These experiments provide convergent evidence that processes similar to episodic memory occur in animals, which is the main focus of this essay. The memory in general is divided into two parts – procedural and declarative memory. Declarative memory is further divided into semantic and episodic memory. Episodic memory is the latest kind of memory to develop and the first to degenerate with age. When it was first discussed by Tulving in 1972 he proposed a distinction between episodic and semantic memory, knowing versus remembering. Episodic memory was defined primarily as a memory for personal unique past experience that is what happened, where and when, also known as the WWW theory. According to Tulving â€Å"episodic memory receives and stores information about temporally dated episodes or events, and temporal-spatial relations among these events.† In contrast, semantic memory is the knowledge of general facts, a structured record of details, concepts and skills that we have acquired. It is used as an aid in placing episodic events in time. Semantic information is derived from accumulated episodic memory. Episod ic memory can be thought as a map that ties together items in semantic memory. For example, memory for the experience of dinner at Luigi’s Restaurant last Saturday night is episodic whereas knowledge about what was involved in having dinner at a restaurant in general is semantic. Furthermore supported by evidence that some people with hippocampal damage have semantic but not episodic memory, the definition of episodic memory evolved to emphasize its conscious component, a feeling of re-experiencing the remembered event which is also known as autonoetic consciousness (Tulving 2002). It enables an individual to be aware of the self in a subjective time. It is further claimed to be part of a uniquely human faculty of â€Å"mental time travel,† the ability to mentally project oneself into the future as well as into the past. How does mental time travel the reconstruction of past events work? Imagine the last presentation you gave? Do you remember the audience’s rea ction? You might have snapshots of what the scene looked like. But this imagery does not tend to unfold in an orderly fashion from start to end. Extensive research on episodic memory clearly shows that we do not simply press the rewind button – we actively reconstruct past events from the gist or from visual snapshots, but draw heavily on our general semantic knowledge. We tend to reconstruct in ways that help justify our current attitudes. Let us get back to Tulving’s proposal. Do we agree on the aspect that humans are alone in their ability to recall about the past and imagine the future? Some argue that language is the key difference between humans and animals and that episodic memory can only emerge in an organism that possesses language. However, there have been efforts to demonstrate episodic memory in animals. In one attempt pigeons were taught a language in order to respond to an unexpected question. Furthermore, a fundamental question in comparative cognition is whether animals remember unique personal past experiences. It has long been argued that memories for specific events, known as episodic memory, are unique to humans. We know that animals from dolphins to monkeys can learn from single events. But do they revisit the events that shaped their past? Innovative work by Clayton and Dickson has produced perhaps the strongest case yet for the WWW memory in animals. The animals’ memory is referred to as episodic-like because it satisfies the original definition of episodic memory for what, where and when but without any evidence of autonoetic consciousness. Clayton and Dickinson (1998) where the first ones who tried to demonstrate the discrimination of WWW in scrub jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens). The birds got to cache perishable peanuts on one side of a storage tray and non-perishable wax worms on the other side. Two caching phases were separated by 120 hours. The birds either cached peanuts followed by worms or the other way round. After four hours they were allowed to recover the stored items. Before the actual test phase, one group of the birds learned that worms decay over time, thus after the four hours gap they directed their first inspection to the worm side. After the 124 hours gap the worms had already perished and the birds turned to the peanut side first. To validate that the preference for the peanuts on the longer trial was not because the scrub jays simply forgot where the worms were, the group was compared to a second group. This group learned that the worms never decay as they where removed immediately after caching and replaced by fresh ones. As a result all birds of this group inspected the worm side of the tray in both the short and the long trial first. In conclusion the switch from worm side to peanut side by birds in the first group can only be explained by recalling what items were cached, where they were stored and when they were cached, which is evidence for episodic-like memory. Not only scrub jays but also rats were used for experiments for testing the â€Å"WWW†-theory. This was done by Babb and Crystal (2005), using the circadian rhythm. Critics stated however, that this could not be seen as a proof for â€Å"when† since the rats’ biological rhythm is responsible for the â€Å"when†. As a consequence Babb and Crystal (2006) modified the experiment, controlling for the time of day. The rats however could still accomplish the trials. It is therefore called episodic-like memory. In an experiment by Roberts et al. (2008), rats were tested if their memory is based on when or how long ago a specific event occurred. The results clearly displayed that rats use elapsed time as a cue for when an event happened. In terms of the definition of episodic-like memory the conditions for â€Å"what-where-when† were fulfilled in these types of experiments. However in terms of the definition of episodic memory the evidence of autonoetic con sciousness is missing. Subsequently one can argue that those experiments had long training phases and the animals learned therefore rules on how to behave in certain situations. This could be declared as semantic memory. A different approach to test episodic-like memory in animals was done by Zentall et al. (2001). In this study, the aim was to avoid the possibility for the tested animals to solve the task because of a lot of experiences with the â€Å"rules† of the task and thus form semantic memory. This was done by asking them nonverbally unexpected questions. Therefore the eight tested pigeons were forced to travel back in their minds. To test the pigeons, Zentall et al. used a study design with multiple phases. At first, the pigeons had a language training where they learned to respond to the question â€Å"did you just peck?† They were shown one of two different symbols. At the symbol with vertical lines they would peck and at the one with horizontal lines they would refrain from pecking. The demonstrated symbol was followed by a red and a green light. After pecking the choice of the red light was reinforced. After refraining from pecking the choice of the green light was reinforc ed. Now the red light can be seen as the answer â€Å"yes† and the green light as the answer â€Å"no† to the question â€Å"Did you just peck?† In the next phase they learned to peck at one of a new pair of symbols without being asked about what they had just done. However in the test phase they were confronted for the first time with the red and green comparisons after the interaction with a new symbol. They were also tested with a symbol where they would spontaneously peck at and the absence of a symbol, so that they would not peck. And again they were asked whether they had just pecked. In both cases they chose the right answer in about seventy percent of the first four test trials, which is above chance. This study outcome speaks in favor of episodic-like memory in pigeons. Zentall et al. (2001) could demonstrate, that the pigeons were able to retrieve knowledge of recent experiences on unexpected request. Additionally, further research displayed, that the pigeons did not solve the task through proprioceptive cues (Singer and Zentall 2007, as cited in Crystal). However the pigeons had to remember only their actions for a few seconds, while humans are able to remember episodes for a long time or even a lifetime. So studies on what-where-when memory with integration of unexpected questions could lead to stronger evidence (Crystal 2010). Experiments testing for episodic-like memory in animals were moreover done with Dolphins. Mercado et al. (1998, as cited by Zentall et al.) demonstrated that these animals were capable to remember their actions by asking them to perform a certain behavior they had done most recently or a performance they had not recently done. Studies with pigeons as well as with dolphins indicate therefore that processes similar to episodic memory occur in animals. Since the tests were done with diverse species, it might be that this form of memory represents a general capacity in animals. All the experimental approaches discussed in our presentation involve testing for the what where and when of some unique recent event. As discussed, these experiments provide convergent evidence that processes similar to episodic memory occur in animals. This kind of memory is now known as â€Å"episodic like† memory rather than episodic memory because it satisfies the original definition of episodic memory defined by Tulving as a memory for what where and when of a unique experience but without any evidence of autonoetic consciousness. Additionally, the series of studies raised doubt about the claim, mental time travel being unique to humans. Therefore the variety of approaches that have developed might be taken as a welcome evidence of a search for convergent data but they also reflect the fact that no one approach to date has captured all aspects of human episodic memory in another species. Knowing now all the definitions and experimental approaches one could come up with t he question â€Å"why is it important to have the ability of episodic memory?† The answer is that there is no selective advantage to reconstruct the past per se, unless it matters for the present or future. It is proposed that episodic reconstruction is just an adaptive design feature of the future planning system such as building a nest. References Babb, S. J., and J. D. Crystal. 2005. Discrimination of what, when and where: Implications for episodic-like memory in rats. Learning Motivation 36: 177-189. Babb, S. J., and J. D. Crystal. 2006. Discrimination of what, when, and where is not based on time of day. Learning Behaviour 34(2): 124-130. Clayton, N. S., and A. Dickinson. 1998. Episodic-like memory during cache recovery by scrub jays. Nature 395: 272-274. Cognition, Evolution and Behavior (pp. 249-256) Crystal, J.D. (2010). Episodic-like memory in animals. Behavioural Brain Research, 215 (2), 235–243. Mercado E. et al. (1998). Memory for recent actions in the bottlenosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus): Repetition of arbitrary behaviors using an abstract rule. Animal Learning Behavior, 26, 210-218. (cited in Zentall, T.R. et al. (2001). Roberts, W. A., M. C. Feeney, K. MacPherson, M. Petter, N. McMillan, and E. Musolino. 2008. Episodic-like memory in rats: Is it based on when or how long ago?. Science 320: 113-115 Suddendorf T. and Busby J. Mental time travel in animals? Early Cognitive Development Unit, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane Singer, R.A. and Zentall, T.R. (2007). Pigeons learn to answer the question ‘where did you just peck?’ and can report peck location when unexpectedly asked. Learning Behavior, 35, 184–189. (cited in Crystal, J.D. (2010) Tulving, E. 1972. Episodic and semantic memory. In Organization of memory, ed. Tulving, E., and W. Donaldson. New York: Academic Press. Zentall, T.R. et al. (2001). Episodic-like memory in pigeons. Psychonomic Bulletin Review, 8 (4), 685-690.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Best Evidence :: essays research papers

There are archetypal patterns in life. They reoccur and become familiar to people through all ages and ethnicities. Throughout history, few literary works have captivated audiences by incorporating these patterns. The epic Beowulf is one literary work that effectively incorporates timeless components. The epic poem relates the tale of Beowulf, a warrior who throughout his life overcomes evils. It has strong elements of Anglo-Saxon elements of bravery, strength and of religious tenets. Beowulf enjoys universal appeal primarily because of its elements of characterization, plot and theme that prove timeless. Beowulf’s portrayal of human nature proves eternal. The protagonist Beowulf brashly lists his accomplishments before entering battle: "But the truth is simple: no man swims in the sea as I can, no strength is a match for mine†¦ other monsters crowded around me, continually attacking. I treated them politely, offering the edge of my razor-sharp sword," (265-294) . His boasts are symbolic of his personal insecurity. Beowulf seems scared of defeat and faliure. His boastful remarks are reminders to himself of his invincibility. Because he is insecure, Beowulf is an accurate representation of human nature. The poem also discloses social behaviors through Welthow, who portrays appropriate submissiveness of a wife. Women in society and position always are hot topics for discussion in any country and time period. She is subservient to her husband and " [pours] a portion from the jeweled cup for each, till [she] had carried the mead-cup among [the guests]," (354-372). Jealousy is a accurately portrayed in the poem. is a human attribute that will apply to any time period anywhere. In the incident with Unferth, for example: "angry that anyone in Denmark or anywhere on earth had ever acquired glory and fame greater than his own"(236-238) tries to belittle Beowulf’s claims to bravery, and, by doing so, adds realistic qualitie s to his character. Belief Divine or supernatural notions are also tendencies of human nature. The poem reflects this ageless concern through references to "that Shepherd of Evil" (432) and "[sacrifices] to the old stone gods" (90). These are both conflicting allusions to the two prominent religions of the time. One pertains to Christian ideology; i.e. "The Almighty God" (493), and "the Almighty making the earth" (8), and the other relates to Anglo Saxon religious beliefs; i.e., "the omens were good" (118) and "fate will unwind as it must," (189). The poem alludes to Christianity, a monotheistic religion that rejects ideas of fate.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Misconceptions Among Muslim Essay

This is the biggest misconception about Islam, no doubt resulting from the constant stereotyping and bashing the media gives Islam. When a gunman attacks a mosque in the name of Judaism, a Catholic IRA guerrilla sets off a bomb in an urban area, or Serbian Orthodox militiamen rape and kill innocent Muslim civilians, these acts are not used to stereotype an entire faith. Never are these acts attributed to the religion of the perpetrators. Yet how many times have we heard the words ‘Islamic, Muslim fundamentalist, etc.’ linked with violence. Many people use the name of religions for their own purposes. One should consult the source of Islam and separate what the true religion of Islam says from what is portrayed in the media. Islam literally means ‘submission to Allah’ and is derived from a root word meaning ‘peace’. Islam may seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps this is because religion doesn’t dominate everyday life in the West, whereas Islam is considered a ‘way of life’ for Muslims and they make no division between secular and sacred in their lives. Like Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self-defence, in defence of religion, or on the part of those who have been expelled forcibly from their homes. It lays down strict rules of combat, which include prohibitions against harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees and livestock. Nowhere does Islam enjoin the killing of innocents. The Quran says: {Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. Allah does not love transgressors} (Quran 2:190), {If they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in Allah for He is the One that heareth and knoweth all things} (Quran 8:61) War, therefore, is the last resort, and is subject to the rigorous conditions laid down by the sacred law. The term ‘jihad’ literally means ‘struggle’. Muslims believe that there are two kinds of jihad. The other ‘jihad’ is the inner struggle of the soul, which everyone wages against egotistic desires for the sake of attaining inner peace.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Things Fall Apart (Janie essays

Things Fall Apart (Janie essays Janie saw her life like a great tree in leaf with the things suffered, things enjoyed, things done and undone. Dawn and doom was in the branches." Throughout the life of Zora Neale Hurston, she has accomplished all that a woman in her time could achieve. She has been a best selling author, and she has set an inspiration for women of all ages today. From the 1930s to the 1960s, she published seven books, many short stories, magazine articles, and plays and was known as an outstanding folklorist and novelist as well as being the most prolific black woman in America. She lived through a time of poverty and rough times for black people but she didnt see anything wrong with being black. She felt that her blackness was so special that others could benefit just from being around her. Her works were seen as manifestos of womanhood and shared positive aspects of black life. In her most famous story, Their Eyes Where Watching God, she depicts Janie Crawford, a 40+ year old woman who tells her life to her friend Phoebe Watson. In Their Eyes Where Watching God, Janie is trying to find love but she does not know the correct places to loo k for love. Her first two attempts at love, one that was forced and the other that was not equal at the start, but finally third time is a charm as she love. Zora Neale Hurston life serves much purpose in the story and by reading Their Eyes Where Watching God, the reader will not only enjoy the story of a woman life from the other side of the horizon but also some personal information about the author. (Their Eyes Were Watching God, University of Illinois Press, 1937) In my report I will explain why Zora Neale Hurston is an inspiration and serves as a model for Janie and debate on the many similarities and difficulties between Janie Crawford and Zora Neale Hurston in Their Eyes Where Watching God. Before Zora Neale Hurston started to write, she was born on a small farm in Eatonvil...

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

By the Waters of Babylon essays

By the Waters of Babylon essays Steven Vincent Benet, shows all of the different concepts and literary terms in this story. Some of the concepts and terms he uses are: Sequence, the order events happened in the story to make the ending good; Conflict, amongst John with outside forces; Rites of Passage, John has to be a man and leave fast. Theme, the changes and ways characters look at thing, which John and his father thought gods were east but they were really people and they were all dead. In order to show that Johns a man he travels east where it is forbidden. This is where people say the gods are. He first started going on trips with his dad, who is a priest, and who is not afraid of anything. He asks his dad if he can leave, and he starts traveling east. He walks back west to where he lives, and talks to his father. He tells him that the Gods were really people and they all were dead. He also told his father, that he did not know why they were all dead. His dad says to tell the town what his experience, but slowly enough so they can understand. On his way east, John encounters many Barriers that make it hard for him to travel. First, he meats a panther that is eating a fawn and the panther sees him and charges John, so, John shoots him in the eye. Second, he has to build a raft, to cross the Great River. He just hopes he will not be taken out into the land of the legends. Third, he woke up and saw a wolf lying there, and more wolves came and tried to kill him, but he ran into a house and shut the door. After all, of John's obstacles he finally gets to the forbidden land, and the land of the gods, New York. Everyone is dead, because of the destructive technology, which John does not know about. He finally realizes that the gods are actually human beings just like him. In conclusion, John traveled east to find out that the gods were actually humans and they were all dead. But in order to get there he had to be a man and ...

Monday, November 4, 2019

Outline the key criticisms against western feminist theory by 'third Essay

Outline the key criticisms against western feminist theory by 'third world' feminism, drawing on the work of at least TWO - Essay Example Redefining feminism by location and with the third world approach can be analyzed with a variety of theorists, all which redefine the main concept of feminism in society. 2.0 Definition of Third World Feminism The concept of third world feminism has been identified by the location which one is in and the problems which are in society. The main definition is based on social change which is needed in different regions of the world. For instance, in the U.S., the approach to feminism is based on social, historical and political changes, specifically because of the inequalities which women faced in society from the level of consciousness toward gender inequalities and the lack of social justice in society. However, in places that are underdeveloped, such as regions throughout Africa and Asia, third world feminism is redefined. Rather than a social injustice and sense of inequality, feminism is based on the politics and priorities that are within society as well as how these each link to the opportunities which women have. The lack of resources which are in third world countries change the approach to feminism, specifically because the social injustices differ with the lack of opportunities and changes which occur among those that are in the culture. The main difference is based on the post modern regions and places which are underdeveloped (Henderson, Waterstone, 2008: pg. 338). 2.1 Culture and Third World Feminism The concept of third world feminism is further defined by the ideologies of culture and the association which this has with developed equality between genders in specific regions. This relates to the overall definition of feminism because culture becomes a main component in the identity of feminism and how the capacity for women to be equal exists. In many cultures in third world countries, there is a different component of identity, specifically based on social and religious regulations. These are often given because of the social viewpoint of safety of women as well as the place which women should have in relation to men. The cultural component that is based in the regions leads to many of the feminist beliefs which occur in a post modern country to not be pertinent for those that are in a third world country. With the persistence of these traditions, there is the inability to change the dilemmas which are based on gender equality within the third world countries (Lewin, 2006: pg. 153). 2.2 Society and Third World Feminism Religious and cultural issues with gender equality further with the lack of resources which is a part of society and which not only cause inequality between men and women, but also persist with the needs of men that are in society. Many third world countries are not to the point of focusing on gender equality because of the social viewpoints which are pertinent in society and which create alterations in what is occurring in the different regions. Slums, poverty, lack of education to all and inability to have av ailable employment are some of the main continuous problems that are within the culture. However, this is not associated with the main components of women not having the opportunity to work. Instead, this is a social problem that is based on the lack of opportunity and resources, as well as the inability to provide opportunities to those that are in socie

Saturday, November 2, 2019

The Communication Challenge In Change Management Essay

The Communication Challenge In Change Management - Essay Example The project starts off with the concepts and theories of change management to give us a handle on what the process is all about. We acknowledge that enough has been written about the subject, but a thorough discussion of its theoretical roots is necessary for us to pin down the object of our own research, which is expected to be uncovered from the results of the survey and research based on sub-questions 1 and 2. These sub-questions are as interesting and necessary as the primary question because they will allow us a look-see on how the change management theories are translated into actual practice, and how communication plays a role in that process. We then attempt to justify this information through a case study of companies that practice change management. Relations to Existing Literature The basic idea of change management is to bring order to a disorderly situation. It is also described as the process of locating and identifying problems for the purpose of solving them. Once the problem is identified, change is then carried out either by transformation, reduction or application. By transformation, the objective is to change the situation from a "problem state"... From the research, it can be comprehended that the basic idea of change management is to bring order to a disorderly situation. It is also described as the process of locating and identifying problems for the purpose of solving them. Once the problem is identified, change is then carried out either by transformation, reduction or application. By transformation, the objective is to change the situation from a â€Å"problem state† to a â€Å"solved state.† Through reduction, change management is aimed at lessening the magnitude of the problem to at least blunt its effects on the organization. As for application, management deals with the problem by calling in specialists to transform, reduce or eliminate said problem. For efficient management of the changes that could influence the smo oth operation and viability of the business, there are four basic change management strategies set forth in the literature, which are led by the â€Å"empirical-rational† strategy. In this particular strategy, Lewin, K. says the changes are communicated to the employees by setting up reward and incentive systems based on the notion that people, being rational beings, respond positively to a give-and-take proposition. The chief concern of the proposed dissertation is to sketch change management as it is applied and communicated in different industries, of which precious little is mentioned in the existing literature. For the most part, the literature is only concerned with the theories and concepts of change management.

Thursday, October 31, 2019

IUD Birth Control Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

IUD Birth Control - Case Study Example An IUD is positioned in the uterus by a healthcare specialist to prevent unwanted pregnancies and/or for family planning purposes. There are two types of IUD contraceptives; Mirena and Paragard (Grimes, 2007). Mirena is the type of IUD that contains hormones. Its functionality depends on levonorgestrel, a hormone released from the IUD once inserted into the uterus. In other words, Mirena is a hormonal IUD which prevents pregnancies for the period it remains inserted into the uterus. The effectiveness of this IUD contraceptive can last for up to a period of five years, although this effectiveness is not a hundred percent guaranteed. However, Mirena is slightly more effective compared to copper IUD. Paragard is another IUD contraceptive, and it is most commonly used compared to the hormonal IUD. In this IUD, the T-shaped plastic device is wrapped with a copper wire, preventing pregnancies by killing sperm through the toxicity of the copper wire wound around the plastic device’s stem (Grimes, 2007). This type of IUD can remain inserted into the uterus for up to a period of ten years, the period throughout which it remains effective. Just like the hormonal IUD, Paragard’s effectiveness is not a hundred percent guaranteed, since cases of pregnancies have been reported even with this IUD still fitted into the uterus. Both the above identified IUD contraceptives (Mirena and Paragard) prevent pregnancies from occurring. They do so by hindering the egg fertilization by the sperm. The mode of functionality is ether damaging the sperm to a point that it cannot fertilize the egg, or killing it altogether, meaning that the fertilization cannot, therefore, take place. Mirena damages or kills the sperm using a form of hormone progestin known as levonorgestrel (Fritz & Speroff, 2011). Mirena also thickens the mucus found in the cervix, making it sticky and unfavorable for sperm to get to the uterus. Over and above damaging or killing the sperm, Mirena makes

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Influence of American Pop Culture and Media Essay Example for Free

Influence of American Pop Culture and Media Essay Pop culture and the media has firmly imbedded itself into the mindset of todays society resulting in people emulating and interpreting as hard fact everything that they see and hear through TV, magazines or radio. This is due to the fact that popular media has becomes a window into the rest of the world for most people because of its availability, entertaining qualities and popularity with a majority of ones pears. This has caused a mindset to develop wherein individuals believe that what they see in the media and what is being espoused in popular culture is what they should be like. As a result what has been created is a culture of emulation wherein people dress like what they see on T. V. and in magazines, act the same way as their idols, develop systems of beliefs based on what they perceive to be the norm and finally go so far as to change their very bodies all in an effort to become what they perceive to be the way they should be as dictated by pop culture and the media. The novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is a depiction of the end result of a cultural attitude of relying too much on popular media as source of information in ones daily life. It portrays a dystopian society where books are illegal and people get all their information from TV or the radio shows resulting in a society where no new ideas are created and suffers from a distinct lack of being able to learn from its mistakes or to think for itself. Compared to todays media based society where people have become increasingly reliant on popular media in the form of TV and radio to nearly the verge of addiction the future described by Bradbury doesnt seem far off. What this paper will seek to examine is the positive and negative effects of popular media on society and how it effects the behavior of society in general. Positive effects of pop culture and the media Cultural Understanding Popular culture and the media has given rise to an assortment of cultural attitudes adopted by different cultures around which are distinctly American. As a result cultures and societies which normally wouldnt have anything to do with the U. S. all of sudden have adopted American customs as their own due the influence of pop culture and the media. This has resulted in the spread of the English language, the creations of a distinct appreciation of the American movie industry as well as a growing dependence on American programming as way to pass the time. Through mass media people have been connected in a way that hasnt been present since the start of civilization. Movie stars have fans in the millions, along with various TV actors and music artists. It has come to a point wherein American pop culture has an almost religious following in the form of the numerous fans who idolize American stars (Hollander 2010). Growth of American business Pop culture and mass media is an ever growing industry brining in hundreds of billions of dollars in annual earnings. In the form of advertising deals, satellite TV fees, merchandising and other forms of money making schemes generated by the industry. As a result the pop culture of American is actually helping to support the U. S. economy since not only are there people willing to buy products that they see on TV or in magazines in the U. S. but there are foreign buyers as well who are just as adamant in buying these products, if not more so (Hollander 2010) . Negative Effects of Media Creation of a materialistic culture Due to the obsession of the public over what they see in magazines and TV the result has been a culture that is obsessed over brand name goods, unique gadgets or anything that their idols on TV are shown to be using whether it be a brand of water or a type of earring the general public becomes so obsessed with trying to look like them that they spend thousands of dollars doing so. No where is this more obvious that with the brand of shoe wear Nike. In order to get specific shoe models like the Air Jordans or other such version associated with a famous star a lot of shoe aficionados are willing to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars just to collect items that for them are associated with a famous individual. This is due to the proliferation of commercials portraying their stars using these sort of products which results in people buying just for the sake of being more like their idols even if the product is grossly overpriced and overrated. Not only that but people in the process of buying these products develop huge credit card debt because of another development of pop culture namely the use of the credit card wherein instead of waiting and saving to obtain a certain product people satiate their immediate desires by using a credit card with its â€Å"buy now pay later† attractiveness. Which unfortunately has resulted in a attitude of bad spending and debt as a result of the America’s credit card culture. Creation of a TV centric culture Pop culture and the media has created a culture literally obsessed with televisions. Individuals spend hours on end watching TV and not moving from a single spot. This is due to the fact that a lot of shows are so entertaining and geared toward keeping an audience riveted in their seats that few people have the inclination to do otherwise. It is due to this that most people prefer watching TV than reading books or even going out for regular exercise resulting in a rise in the number of cases of people being overweight or even being obese due to lack of exercise. Not only that but a slow mental deterioration has occurred with a percentage of the population since instead of books they prefer the convenience of televisions resulting in a population that is actually more insular and less prone to new ideas and concepts as a result of this preference of TV over books. Effects on Society Development of Stereotypes Since popular forms of media such as TV, magazines and radio are thought of as windows to the world most individuals believe that the cultural connotations and the portrayal of individual ethnicities in TV programs as well as their unique characterizations are based on reality. The truth is that most of what is being portrayed is meant to entertain and amuse and audience and not be taken as hard fact. The end result is truth blended with fiction to such an extent that the distinction between the two is blurred and results in false impressions and perceptions. These impressions can cause a negative impact on how a particular ethnic group is thought of in reality. In movies and television series different ethnic groups always seem to have a generic characterization of the way that their particular race is suppose to act. This has resulted in a situation wherein these ethnic groups are rarely seen as anything else even outside of realm of media and popular culture. An example of this sort of perception is the characterization of African Americans in movies and programs. They are shown as loving to wear expensive jewelry, oversized clothes, have gold plated teeth or that nearly all of them are related to gang affiliated violence, have tattoos prominently placed on enjoy sporting shaved heads (Associated Content 2010). In reality this particular perception may not be true at all as evidenced by the current U. S. President who is an African American and does not seem to conform to the image portrayed by the media as what a black person is like. Unfortunately due to their portrayal in the media black Americans are often thought of as having criminal tendencies and being inherently violent with no actual basis on this perception aside from what is in the entertainment industry. Another ethnic group that is often maligned in movies and television shows are Asians. They are commonly associated as possessing the distinct inability to be understood, having a distinct inability in speaking the English language, are in possession of strange accents and strange association with all Asians as being of Chinese origin. As a result of their portrayal in popular media discrepancies occur in what people believe Asians to be and how they really are. Image Issues The power of the media is such that people are easily influenced by what they see. They choose to emulate even when that emulation leads to disastrous consequences. For adolescents the idea of what it means to beautiful is based upon their impressions of what is being portrayed by the media, these days the image that the media has been espousing is the idea that being thin equates to being beautiful. This is shown through the numerous commercial, magazine and billboard models who are all nearly stick thin and shallow faced. This has led to todays popular notion that being thin is in resulting in the numerous cases of eating disorders of adolescents who are desperate to look thin in order to appear beautiful in other people’s eyes (Kendrick 2008). The popularity of dieting is such that based on studies that have been conducted nine out of 10 people have tried dieting in the past in order to lose weight. This obsession with dieting is due to constant references to it via popular media either through magazine articles, sitcom characters and even models quoted during interviews. It is a fact that the media has created the concept that in order for women to attract men they have to be beautiful and since the idea being popularized by the media is that being thin makes you look beautiful a lot of women wind up dieting in order to conform to this image of beauty to attract a potential partner (Perez – Cueto 2009). The media through its proliferation of programs, advertisements and articles that portray thin women as being beautiful and popular is definitely at fault for the growing number of adolescents who have been affected by eating disorders. Adolescents are at the age wherein they are easily influenced by whatever they see and hear. This results that they possess the need to be accepted by others and feel like they are needed. With the media showing that being thin means being popular and well accepted it is no wonder that cases of adolescent anorexia have risen. Conclusion While American pop culture and mass media does have a good side since it does support the proliferation of the American culture to other societies around the world the advantages do not outweigh the disadvantages. Mass media has actually caused a devolution in the way people think since they prefer the mind numbing effects of television than that of mental stimulation from books. That through the spread of popular culture misconceptions arose about the different ethnic groups out there which people believe as the truth due to their reliance on popular media. That people have been becoming lazier, more easily influenced and more likely to cause irreparable damage to their bodies due the influences that have affected their minds. In the end American pop culture and mass media while being immensely popular is also a source of immense deterioration of the common sense and intellect of society.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Worldwide Impact Of Magical Realism English Literature Essay

Worldwide Impact Of Magical Realism English Literature Essay Imagine a world where flowers rain from the sky and people can transform into animals at will, a place in which time flows unpredictably and the fantastic seems unremarkable to observers. This is the chimeric, phantasmagorial realm of the magical realist genre of literature. Magical realism, as seen in the works of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, is a reflection of the Latin American postcolonial culture and has greatly influenced world literature for the last century, despite a complicated history and chronic nominal confusion. The history of magical realism is complex and multinational. To understand it, one must understand the history of the term itself. The phrase magic realism was coined by Franz Roh, a German art critic, in his 1925 book Post-Expressionism, Magic Realism: Problems of the Most Recent European Painting (Bowers 9) to describe the post-expressionist art of certain contemporary German painters (Bowers 9-10). This original magical realist movement featured a detailed, clear depiction (Bowers 9; Zamora 24) of, in Rohs words, the strange, the uncanny, the eerieaspects of everyday reality (Baker). In 1949, a second, similar term, marvelous realism, first appeared in Cuban author Alejo Carpentiers seminal essay On the Marvelous Real in America, describing the extraordinary idiosyncrasies that make up the everyday reality of Latin American life (Bowers 14-16; Feinstein). Finally, the more familiar term magical realism was first used by Angel Flores in his 1955 essay, Magical Realism in Spanish American Fiction, in which Flores contends that the genre has its roots in the romantic realism of Spanish-language literature (Bowers 17-18). Soon after this essay was published, the 1960s saw the beginning of a decades-long flowering of Latin American literature and of magical realism. During this Latin American Boom, an emerging continent-wide desire to develop a distinctly Latin American culture catalyzed a creative explosion led by Garcia Marquez of Colombia, Carlos Fuentes of Mexico, Mario Vargas Llosa of Peru, Jose Donoso of Chile, and Julio Cortazar of Argentina that perfected the genre (Bowers 17-18; Feinstein). Neither magical realisms authors nor its origins are confined to Latin America, however. It was largely influenced by the Romantic and Surrealist movements in Europe, and important precursors include quasi-surrealist German writer Franz Kafka, sixteenth-century Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes, and Italian surrealist painter Giorgio de Chirico (Bowers 18). Among the first genuine magical realists was German author G ¨unter Grass, author of The Tin Drum (Bowers 19). Modern magical realists hail from such nations as the United States, India, Japan, Canada, Nigeria, and Italy, including noted authors Toni Morrison and Salman Rushdie (Bowers 18; Cowan 4). Perhaps because of this complicated history, there is a general consensus that there is no general consensus on how to precisely define magical realism (Baker). This can be attributed in part to confusion over the precise meanings of and distinctions between the terms magic realism, magical realism, and marvelous realism (Bowers 2). However, the styles features are less nebulous and readily identifiable. According to Flores, the essence of magical realist fiction is that, time exists in a kind of fluidity and the unreal happens as part of reality. Wendy B. Faris gives an irreducible element of magic as its most important criterion (Faris, The Question 102), in addition to a strong presence of the world we know (Faris, Ordinary Enchantments 7). This corresponds to the realism portion of magical realisms name.In general, the supernatur al coexists with the mundane, and neither character nor narrator express any feeling that such fantastic occurrences are out of place (Baker). This all creates what Adam Feinstein eloquently calls a rich, often disturbing world that is both familiar and dreamlike(Feinstein 15). Briefly, magical realist fiction presents magical events in a realistic manner. Magical realism can best be understood through examples from its authors. Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the Colombian author of the novels, One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera, and winner of the 1982 Nobel Prize in Literature, has come to typify the genre, and even all of modern Latin American literature (Bowers 3). Fuentes calls magical realism the personal stamp of only one: Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Faris, The Question 108), and Michael Wood refers to him as the undisputed master of the magical realist voice that tells of fantasies in deadpan prose (Wood 10). Garcia Marquezs work is full of examples of magical realism. For instance, in his short story, Light is Like Water, the light from a common house fixture acts in such a way that children can sail boats on it (Faris, The Question 114), and household objects [] [fly] with their own wings through the kitchen sky (Faris, Ordinary Enchantments 12). But all subsequent examples will be taken from what is arguably his most famous work, One Hundred Years of Solitude, the story of the Buendia family. The erraticism and ambiguity of time can be seen in the example of Pilar Ternera, who, upon turning 145, [gives] up the pernicious custom of keeping track of her age and [] [goes] on living in the static and marginal time of memories, in a future perfectly revealed and established, beyond the futures, disturbed by the insidious snares and suppositions of her cards. (Garc ´Ãƒâ€žÃ‚ ±a M ´arquez 394) Similarly, a rain shower lasts for nearly five years; insomnia can erase the past; a room exists where it is always a Monday in the month of March (Faris, Ordinary Enchantments 23); and, after he dies, Melqu ´Ãƒâ€žÃ‚ ±ades Buend ´Ãƒâ€žÃ‚ ±a begins to chronicle the history of the town of Macondo, both recording and predicting the towns events (Faris, Ordinary Encantments 10). In another example of magical realism, yellow butterflies, relentlessly swarming and invasive, accompany Mauricio Babilonia to his trysts with Meme Buend ´Ãƒâ€žÃ‚ ±a (Garc ´Ãƒâ€žÃ‚ ±a M ´arquez 285-287); despite being magical, they are vulnerable to an insecticide bomb, demonstrating the realist component (Faris, Ordinary Enchantments 18-19). And, during the funeral of Jos ´e Arcadio Buend ´Ãƒâ€žÃ‚ ±a, tiny yellow flowers rain from the sky, carpeting the streets (Garc ´Ãƒâ€žÃ‚ ±a M ´arquez 144). The fantastical elements of magical realism can be explained in part by the cultural situation that existed at the time of the genres nascence. Magical realisms duality might be considered to be a residue from the colonial occupation of the Latin American continent. The European conquerors imposed their own culture on that of the conquered, resulting in the coexistence of two conflicting world views-European rationalism and ancient native spiritualism (Baker). In the words of Stephen Slemon, the two oppositional systems [] each [work] toward the creation of a different kind of fictional world from the other (Faris, The Question 102). Magical realism can also be seen as a form of resistance to colonial ideologies, a discursive system that challenge[s] the restrictions of a circumscribed colonial space (Baker). It honors native tradition by frequently giv[ing] voice [] to indigenous myths, legends, and cultural practices and simultaneously serve[s] a decolonizing role, one in which new voices have emerged, an alternative to European realism (Faris, The Question 103). The fact that magical realist authors often hail from transitional, third-world countries supports this hypothesis (Cowan 6). But now the magical realist tradition appears to be dying. Magical realism has been victimized by modernization and unification in Latin America, and the need to develop a distinct Latin American writing style no longer persists (Feinstein). Only a few writers like Isabel Allende still practice it (Cowan 6; Feinstein). Also, recent magical realist work is a testament to the change in the landscape of the continent, infused with urban elements and modern issues. (Feinstein). And, unfortunately, the magic is increasingly being used as an instrument of lazy deus ex machina instead of an element in an alternate world, resolving plot conflicts rather than creating them (Khair). Thus, the future of magical realism looks dim. Even if the magical realist movement has lost its  ´elan vital, it has been an important player in the history of twentieth-century literature, spearheaded by fountainheads of creativity like Gabriel Garc ´Ãƒâ€žÃ‚ ±a M ´arquez. Although the remnants of European hegemony led to it being most prominent in Latin America, over the course of its rich history, magical realism has left a permanent impact on worldwide literature.