Laughter And Music Can Give You Overall Better Health

Michaela Gianci Mrs. Paone English H 6 October 2014 How Laughter and Music can give you overall better health Laughter and music are very important in many people’s lives. Whether it is a funny joke, seeing something that’s amusing, or starting the day listening to a favorite song, Laughter and music can make a person feel good. Not many people realize the health benefits that come with laughter and music; both can affect a person’s health in a positive way. This research paper will explain the ways that both laughter and music can affect the way one’s mind works, how it improves the way one functions, and how it has a positive effect on one’s own health overall. Many people do not realize†¦show more content†¦There are many health benefits that come with laughter. First of all, laughter and exercise share many similar characteristics. When you have a good laugh you get a feeling in your stomach just like when you’ve had a really good workout. Both can boost your health, and ultimately make you stronger. Sometimes people are faced with tough situations that we have no control over. In those times you can either get worked up about them, or you can lighten up the situation and have a good laugh, laughing will help you cope in those unexpected times and help you get through it. It can make anyone feel better from a difficult situation and that is a great benefit. With that said, laughing can decrease stress. When we are faced with anxiety, stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine start to get high. Lots of laughter will decrease those stress hormones and make you feel better. According to http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/ facts.htm â€Å"67 million American adults suffer with high blood pressure that’s 1 of every 3 adults†. Laughter can improve cardiac health; laughter can lower the balance of high blood pressure and is known to increase blood flow. When you are laughing that is causing your blood to circulate, and increases oxygen. This is what helps fight against heart disease. â€Å"Laughing 100 times is equivalent to 10 minutes on a rowing machine or 15 minutes on a bike machine† according to a researcher on

Analysis Of Sylvia Plath s Cinderella A Moving Reading

Cinderella a Moving Reading Believing love and romance encompass haunting uncertainty and excitement, Sylvia Plath’s poem connects my personal experiences and those depicted within a classic fairytale, I loved all my life and enjoyed hearing my parents read day after day. Having had many relationships begin with an unforgettable moment, blossom through school dances and dates with friends, and end instantaneously, I relate with how the prince feels. I too have leaned forward and kissed a date, whirled around the dance floor envisioning combined futures, and then experienced pain as my date rapidly disappears from my life. Plath’s Cinderella adaptation focuses on the moment Prince Charming and Cinderella dance right before they separate, symbolically representing my experiences and inspiring my poetry choice. During scenery description, Path brings a haunting excitement and motion within the room and readers together. Plath brings forth memories covering past and curren t loves. While reading this poem, I utilized underscoring, voice tone changes, and varying length pauses, capturing the constant movement and the progressively building excitement throughout the scene. During the first stanza, Plath utilized both visual and auditory imagery, such as the Cinderella’s description, thus setting a romantic, slow and almost haunting tone for the piece. Showcasing the romance between the girl and the prince depicted here, with some haunting overtones, I underscored the word

Music for survival or a luxury Free Essays

Is music a luxury, or a necessity for humans? Even though we can live with out it, unlike food and water, I do believe music is a necessity. Even in countries where food and water are scarce, they will still find a way to make music. Some luxuries are necessary to live a peaceful life, music being one of them. We will write a custom essay sample on Music for survival or a luxury or any similar topic only for you Order Now So, with that being said, music not only helps us through the tough times, but also keeps us alive. Music Is like glue. It lets us keep our sanity. Music relates to us, thus letting us know, â€Å"Hey, you’re not the only one going through this. Also, I’ll bet my life that each and every one of o listens to music at least once a day. Weather It’s on TV, or on the radio when you go to work, or even if you heat a street performer In a park, you’ve all heard music. If you haven’t, then probably deaf. Music surrounds us, no matter what. Plus, music Is not only good for your health, It’s good for your soul. For some people, music Is a distraction, but others, It helps them work, exercise, and even helps then remember easier. I know It dose for me. So many people suffer from depression across America, and across the world. An estimated 9. 2 million people suffer from depression. But, most of them seek out music that relates to them, makes them feel loved, or even just music in general. Music is their life, they live for music. And in some cases, music keeps them living. With out music, where would they be? But, this doesn’t mean, â€Å"Unless your depressed, then you don’t need music. † We all need music sometimes. Weather you’re sad that your boyfriend/girlfriend broke up with you, or you got in a fight with your best friend, or you could Just be having a bad day. Music will always be there, waiting for you. Who doesn’t Just want to curl up with a blanket and listen too loyalist of music you made when you’re sad, maybe even bring your favorite book with you. Or, you’re Just so happy, and you Just want to dance, you’re most likely to put on a really good song, a Just dance till you can’t. â€Å"Music expresses that witch cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent† – Victor Hugo Music is everywhere. It’s on the TV we watch, on the streets we walk on, in the cars we drive, one could even say it’s practically in the air we breath. No matter where you go, there’s bound to be music. You might not be able to understand it, but it’s still there. It’s always has been, and always will be. In my life, personally, I listen to music for a good six hours per day. From the time my alarm goes off, to when my mom makes my take out my eat buds to go to bed. With out It, I don’t know where I’d be. Music also brings people together. Whether It’s at a concert, or someone Likes the same band as you. Music brings us closer then anything else on earth, expect love. I’d would have missed out on so many opportunities If It wasn’t for music. To be honest, I met most of my friends thanks to music. Music brings us together, It’s a fact. Some people consider music as a luxury though. Usually a luxury Is something that Is afforded my one group or person, but not by another, poorer group or person. But, that doesn’t apply to music, as it is enjoyed across the entire planter, regardless of would want to? There is something special about music. It Just makes everything better. Music, at it’s best moments, is a most miraculous expression of humanity. That’s why I love it. For most people, music is a distraction. But for others, like myself, it actually helps them work. Music stimulates certain parts of the brain. When you’re writhing an easy about, let’s say, world hunger, you might want to listen to some music that you consider â€Å"emotional† while you write. By doing this, you could be more likely to be able to put more feeling into your easy. Also, collage students often listen to music while they study. That way, when you take the test, and the song pops up in your head, you’ll remember what you learned. If you listen to up-beat music while you exercise, it raises your heart beat, and making you work header. Up-beat music will also help you not fall asleep. Another good use for music is, when you hear a certain song, it might remind you of something. Like, the song that was playing when you had your first kiss. Or maybe you hear a song that was popular back when you were in gig school. Music works in strange ways. Music has the ability to make a person feel emotions, of course, we already knew that. The thing is though, one song could make a person feel so happy, and the person next to them could be in tears because of that song. It’s weird how music has such an impact on our lives, and we hardly notice it. The same song you think sucks so much, could be the one thing that is keeping a person alive. Or maybe, that person could be you, who knows. But what we do know is this. The first written form of music can be traced all the way back to 600 AD, and can still be found and heard today all cross the world. If we didn’t need music to survive, then why has it been around so long? Think about it. When the first song was sung, and the first instruments were played, who was there? Our ancestors were there, and I bet they were cheering on, and dancing, having a good old time. Enjoying life as if it would never end. Those first people past on their experiences on from generation to generation, and pretty soon, every one loved music. They couldn’t get enough of it. It would be crime to take that away form us. Music is our history, music is our life. With out it, what are we? How to cite Music for survival or a luxury, Papers

Theory and Current Issues in Accounting Business Profitability

Question: Describe about the Theory and Current Issues in Accounting for Business Profitability. Answer: Introduction International Financial Reporting provides guidelines and basic principle that helps the organizations to prepare their financial report for the accounting year. It ensures that the financial report shows appropriate value of the company and transparency of the financial statement all across the globe. The IFRS set accounting standard for the companies that should be followed (Berk and DeMarzo, 2007). Financial statement is considered to be one of the major sources to provide a great deal of financial information which eventually helps to analyse the financial position and health of the company by providing the platform to calculate the financial ratios. Financial ratio helps to focus on the key aspects of the company such as profitability ratio, liquidity ratio, and efficiency ratio and leverage ratio. Three major element of financial statement are balance sheet, income statement and cash flows statement (Choi, 2003). Balance sheet of the company helps to provide a clear and precise idea about the company key facts and figure regarding asset and liability which eventually help to provide the platform to estimate the key financial ratio such as current ratio and quick ratio and thus help to determine the business risk such as liquidity risk and solvency risk. The objective of the general purpose of the financial reporting is to get the status of the financial position of the company. Five elements of theFinancial statement mentioned inn International Financial Reporting Standard Financial statement helps to provide the key information about the reporting of the entity monetary resources and overall claim along with their respective changes. What to report Where to report Economic resource and claims Statement of the financial position Changes in the ERC resulting from financial performance Statement of the comprehensive income Changes in the cash flows Statement of the cash flows Changes in the ERC not resulting from financial performance Statement of the changes in Equity Element of financial statement The elements of the financial statements are classes of items included in the financial statements. The elements of financial statements include liabilities, assets, revenues, equity, losses, gains and expenses. The five elements are briefly mentioned in the table format to provide a clear and precise picture of the five elements (Elliott and Elliott, 2008). Related to Financial position (Balance Sheet, Cash flow statement) Financial Performance (Income Statement, Cash flow Statement) Assets Income ( Revenue and Gains) Liabilities Expenses (from ordinary activities and losses) Equity (Residual, Asset-Liabilities) Recognition of the asset reflects the asset in the balance sheet. IFRS helps to provide and discuss when to signify or recognize the item in the financial statement. The two basic assumption of the recognition of the item helps to provide the probability where any future economic advantages will be related with the increase in the value of the company (Fifield and Power, 2011). The cost of the item or the overall value can be analyzed and determine with accuracy. Recognition signifies whether or when to identify or recognize, determination indicate in what level to recognize equity, asset, income or expense, liability. There are various way used to analyses and estimate the item in the financial statement such as historical cost, present value or current cost net realizable value (Gowthorpe, 2008). The most basic one is the historical cost. There are plenty of ways to determine and measure the financial statement such as historical, current cost but the most common method is the hist orical cost. US GAAP versus IFRS The standard for financial reporting is different for different countries. The IFRS standard helps to provide guidelines and rules for preparing the financial reporting but one the other hand US general accepted accounting principle is slightly different from IFRS. The company of different nation follows different accounting standard which are prevalent in their respective countries (Hillier, 2010). The county US follows US GAAP accounting standard to prepare the financial reporting while the Australia follows IFRS, China has his own Chinese national accounting standard similarlydifferent nation follows different accounting standard which create a chaotic situation for the users of financial statement. Therefore in order to end this confusion a universal accounting standard was established to abolish the risk and cost related to analyses the financial position of the company operating in different countries(Holton, 2012).There are several key similarities between the US GAAP and IFRS presentation. Both the standards, the component of the finished set of the financial statement consist of the income statement, cash flow statement and balance sheet. Both the standard needs the changes in shareholders equity to be reflected and represented. US GAAP permit the overall requires in the shareholders equity o be reflected in the overall notes to the financial statement whereas the IFRS needs the changes in the shareholders equity to be reflected in the separate statement(Moles, 2011). Both the financial statement need to be prepared in accrual basis. Differences Financial periods - US GAAP comparative financial statement are presented, it is seen that a single year is reflected in key situation whereas comparative information is essentially revealed with respect to the past financial year for all the key reported amounts in the present fiscal year. The preparation of the balance sheet and income statement - In US GAAP no such essential requirement is there to prepare a balance sheet and income statement(Moretto, 2008). On the other hand in IFRS does not provide a standard framework but consist of a minimum list of line items. Measurement methodologies from company annual statement of US GAAP and IFRS US companies utilizes the GAAP and predominantly do not use IFRS for their SEC filing whereas the IFRS nevertheless impact them. For instance, in global mergers and acquisition where they have non US subsidiaries or non US Stakeholders such as investors, customer or vendors, in such situations companies needs to provide financial information on the basis of the IFRS standards(Peterson, 2002). The transition from GAAP to IFRS will considered to be challenging for several US companies. In the given section of the report comparison between the two measurements methodologies will be discussed which will helps to provide a clear idea about the company annual report preparation and presentation done in US GAAP and IFRS. For describing the two measurement methodologies the two companies selected are Wal-Mart from USA and Woolworth Limited from Australia. Both the countries follow different accounting standard for the preparation and presentation of the annual report(Spiceland, Sepe and Nels on, 2011). A company can use different measurement techniques such as direct measurement method, indirect measurement method, fundamental measurement method, comparison measurement method and substitution measurement method. Effective Interest rate for Woolworth limited IFRS follows the effective interest rate method to prepare and publish the annual report. For providing a clear and precise idea about the measurement methodologies, company annual report along with their format is taken which helps the user of the financial statement to get a clear idea about the financial performance of the company in the market (Stittle and Wearing, 2008). The effective interest method is considered to be one of the primary techniques for calculation of the interest rate for the given fiscal year which is based on the overall amount of the financial instrument book values at the beginning of the fiscal period. Thus if the overall book values of the company increases the amount of the related interest will also increase on the hand if the book values of the financial instrument decrease the interest rate will also decreases (Wild, 2005). In February 2008, IFRICS received a request for the overall guidance on the key application of the effective interest rate method to the financial instrument whose cash flows are interlinked with the overall key changes inaninflation index. Profitability 2014-06 2015-06 2016-06 Tax Rate % 30.06 30.33 38.21 The effective tax rate of the company has been shown for the year 2014, 2015 and 2016. The tax rate has been increased from 30.6% in the year 2014 to 38.21% in the year 2016. The effective tax rate shows the average rate of tax at which the company is taxed. The effective tax refers to the income taxes that is incurred by the tax payer during a period of time(Winters, 2008). The estimation of the interest rates shows the amount of interest that to be paid by the company during a period time. The financial statements show the interest rates that to be paid by the company. It is the responsibility of the auditor to determine and evaluate the tax rate to be paid during a period of time. The effective interest rate is the rate that is actually paid or earned on an interest, financial product or loan due to the result of the compounding(Wolf, 2008). The company may have to pay fixed rate of tax on the amount borrowed during a period and may earn interest from a deposit. The effective rate of interest is to calculated on the basis of the guidelines of the IFRS rules. The financial report of the company shows the calculation of the interest rate and the total value of the company. Straight line method for Wal-Mart Straight line method use amount which are subtracted the asset salvages value from the overall total cost to get the decreasing asset cost. The devaluation sum continues as before over the advantage's life. Utilize straight-line devaluation when the quality you get from the benefit continues as before every year. The benefit is higher when the company utilizes the straight-line method instead of the double declining equalization(Zopounidis, 2008). With double declining parity, the company deducts a greater amount of the benefit's quality amid the start of the advantage's life.the financial statement of the company shows the calculation of depreciation of the assets which shows the decrease in the value of the assets during a specific period. The starlight line method has been followed by Wal mart to calculate the depreciation during a period of time. It is the method used to minimize the carrying amount of the fixed asset over the useful assets. The method is basically used to design the pattern of consumption of the underlying assets. Therefore, it is used to determine the cost of the fixed asset and the useful life of the assets. The company can use straight line method to calculate depreciation of the assets. Conclusion The financial report of the companies shows the effective tax rate and method of calculating depreciation of the assets. The companies follow different accounting standards. The preparation of the financial statements is based on the rules and guidelines prescribed the accounting standards. References Berk, J. and DeMarzo, P. (2007).Corporate finance. Boston: Pearson Addison Wesley. Choi, F. (2003).International finance and accounting handbook. Hoboken, N.J.: J. Wiley. Elliott, B. and Elliott, J. (2008).Financial accounting and reporting. Harlow: Financial Times Prentice Hall. Fifield, S. and Power, D. (2011).Managerial finance. [Bradford, UK]: Emerald. Gowthorpe, C. (2008).Financial analysis. Oxford: CIMA. Hillier, D. (2010).Corporate finance. London: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Holton, R. (2012).Global finance. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Moles, P. (2011).Corporate finance. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley. Moretto, E. (2008).Managerial finance. [Bradford, England]: Emerald. Peterson, R. (2002).Accounting for fixed assets. New York: J. Wiley. Spiceland, J., Sepe, J. and Nelson, M. (2011).Intermediate accounting. New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Stittle, J. and Wearing, B. (2008).Financial accounting. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications. Wild, J. (2005).Financial accounting. Boston: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Winters, D. (2008).Managerial finance. [Bradford, England]: Emerald. Wolf, M. (2008).Fixing global finance. Baltimore, Md.: Johns Hopkins University Press. Zopounidis, C. (2008).Managerial finance. [Bradford, England]: Emerald.

Argumentative Essay Sample on Cell Phones Pros and Cons

Argumentative Essay Sample on Cell Phones Pros and Cons Argumentative Essay on Cell Phones Before the emergence of cell phones, people used to hang around their houses so as to use voice calling services. Cell phones have improved upon this norm by offering mobile telephone gadgets that could be fixed in cars and also carried around since they are portable and are light in weight. Cell phones that were made in the first years of manufacturing were heavy in weight and also installed in vehicles permanently. In addition, limited services were provided for each geographical area as few frequencies could be available. Later, modern cell phones (also known as hand phones) exploit the idea of cellular network which possesses frequencies that can be used repeatedly in the same area in the city. Cell phones have enabled Americans to travel with technology everywhere they go. This allows many users to access and share the radio bandwidth and also allows calls to be made in a wide geographical area. The user does not have to own the station but is a subscriber. Cordless telephone contrasts cell phones as they can be used only in the range of a one personal base station. Indisputably, ever since the emergence of cell phones people can constantly keep in touch with their loved ones regardless of the distance. One can reach almost everywhere without any difficulty. Additionally, people can immediately get help in case of emergencies. Furthermore, through mobile phones people can lessen their boredom through listening to their favorite music or watching downloaded movies. Emergence of cell phones has lead to massive changes in United States. Generally, people spent many hours talking on cell phones. American culture has tremendously changed with cell phones. The ring tones firms, which enables people to listen to popular music is at the moment a five dollar billion market every year, an enlightening case of an ancillary industry resulting from the use of a mobile phone. Minor firms now market cell phone games as well as video content aimed specifically to be watched on cell phones. Additionally, other creative functions have arisen, such as text messaging, Short Message Service (SMS), as well as fake talking (people pretend to converse using cell phones to fight fear and loneliness). In cases where young people (men and women) are controlled in their capability to socialize; cellular phones have been helpful for social interaction. Cell phones have an effect on America’s built environment, especially through widespread advertising. Cell phones have grown to be popular in the United States unlike the Internet, which on the other hand has caused digital division between various social classes. It is also recognized to be glamorous and inexpensive. The majority of the cell phone subscribers in America personalizes and decorates their cell phones, bringing about folk art cottage sector. The cell phone has grown to be a kind of art, whereby a cell phone users preference of phone and decoration serves as a sort of personal statement. The emergence of the mobile cellular phone has as well brought about changes in various cultural norms in America. Industries, movie theaters, cafà ©s and parks are just a number of spaces where the suitability of cell phone discussions is unclear and doubtful. Cell phones prioritize socialization with people who are far-away over those who share space. Classrooms are also other sectors that have significantly changed in America due to use of cell phones. Nowadays most students use cell phones in class, especially text messaging and the internet. Students can now get information faster through the cell phones. This has significantly affected education standards since most of the students use cell phones to cheat during exams. Despite the presence of moderately small screen sizes, majority of the people in America have started watching TV on their cell phones, this is to distance themselves from jam-packed situations and also prioritize their attention. Regardless of the widespread recognition of the cell phones’ video technology, consumers are still cautious of two-way video, caused by anxieties about privacy and surveillance. The political sector in America has also changed tremendously as a result of cell phones. Cell phones have been utilized to mobilize followers of political causes. Protesters use their cell phones to send text messages to organize activities and also to avoid the police. Evidently, as a result of these advantages, cell phone market in America is very dynamic and competitive. There are several service providers in America that are competing with each other so as to offer America the best possible rates. The majority of cell phone companies launch campaigns that enable America to communicate at a slightly cheaper rate. Furthermore, making international calls though the cell phone is much cheaper than through land line. This has enabled expansion of international trade between America and other states. In conclusion, cell phones have enabled people to form their own micro-cultures. In America, people are changing cultural customs and values, and are greatly demonstrating consumers skill to repurpose and modify technology for their personal use. In my opinion, given that cell phones have allowed Americans to protect their private relations from the culture in their surrounding, they have encouraged the existence a variety of complex but exclusive micro-cultures.

20 Opinion Essay Topics How to Write about the History of Architecture in an Interesting Way

20 Opinion Essay Topics How to Write about the History of Architecture in an Interesting Way It is a known fact that the content of an essay is determined by the subject matter to be discussed but its structure relies heavily on the topic you choose. Therefore, when writing an opinion essay, the first step to shaping your opinion and that of the reader starts with selecting a topic that wakes up the urge to learn in the reader. Writing on the history of architecture is a task that can be simplified if a topic that truly interests the reader is chosen. This article will attempt to provide you with some topics on the history of architecture which will serve as a portal into learning more about ancient cultures and their influences on the architecture of their time. Dissecting the Role of Ancient Cultures in Driving Architectural Growth Architecture in the Neolithic Era and the Birth of Modern Architectural Designs Neolithic Architecture and its Role in Human Creative Growth Spotting Religious Influences in Ancient Architectural Design Understanding the Importance of Religion in Ancient Architecture and Creative Design The Effects of Roman Architectural Innovations to Urban Planning Outlining the Architectural Innovative Feats of the Roman Era Discussing Islamic Architecture and the Cultures that Influenced it The Unchanging Face of Chinese Architecture through the Years Chinese Architecture and its far-reaching Influence Over Asia The Incan Architecture and the History of Suspension Bridges European Medieval Architecture and its Religious Influences The Need for Defense and Offense in Ancient Societies and Medieval Architecture Gothic Architecture and the Rise of the Christian Religion in Europe The Rise of Renaissance Architecture and the Structures it Inspired The Spread of Italian Renaissance Architecture and its Impact in 16th Century Europe The Impact of Aksumite Architecture across The Sahel Region The Spread of Gothic Architecture and the Role of French Architects A Study of African Architecture and its External Influences The Incan Architectural Feats and its Impact on Asian South American structures Above are the topics on the history of architecture which you can use to develop your opinion essay on ancient cultures and the architectural revolutions they birthed. You can choose any of the listed topics as yours or seek some inspiration from them. Also, we intend to provide a sample essay using a topic listed above as the inspiration behind it. So please stay tuned to learn more about writing a  great  essay. Lastly, facts from the complimentary article which provides 10 facts for an opinion essay on the history of architecture will be used in developing the sample essay in the coming paragraphs. Sample Essay: Dissecting the role of Ancient Architecture Cultures in Driving Architectural Growth The history or architecture through the ages has been replete with the cultural beliefs of the people who created the structures that defined bygone eras. In my essay, I intend to explore the role of culture as a determining factor in advancing the field of architecture as we know it. To effectively discuss culture and ancient architectural growth, I believe it is important to first understand the meaning of culture and what makes up the cultural fabric of a society. Culture is defined as the ideas, customs, religious beliefs and social behavioral patterns of a society. As man evolved from being a solitary creature to living in communities, cultural values slowly became established and were represented by art works on cave walls. With time, circa 10,000 BC, the Stone Age witnessed the first time man created architectural structures to serve as housing for the family unit. As with the art forms that defined the Stone Age, 10,000 BC architecture was also inspired by the culture of its people. Therefore, architecture in the Neolithic era consisted of stone works arranged in circular form to accommodate both prehistoric man and the domesticated animals they kept for feeding. Here, the farming and gathering culture prevalent in the Neolithic age led to partitioning the home into rooms and sections for the keeping of both plant and animal life. The need for constant trips to water grounds and to gather food also played a role in advancing the creation of road paths for easy movement. The cultural influence on architecture also continued after the prehistoric era as can be seen in the architectural forms known as Mesopotamia architecture. In ancient Egypt, the belief in multiple gods and their direct influence on every sphere of human life led to the need to create elaborate homes for these gods on earth. Therefore religion played a huge role in architectural innovation as large monuments such as the Sphinx statues- tributes to the god Ra- were ingeniously built with the use of stone, mortar as well as advanced pulley systems which were marvels at that time. European architecture is not also bereft of cultural influences. In ancient Rome, large temples were also built to accommodate the many gods that influenced the roman society. But the architects in ancient Rome took innovation a step further by building civic structures such as the amphitheatre, triumphant arch, baths and gladiatorial grounds to cater for the entertainment, learning and relaxation needs of humans. While in medieval Europe, a culture of warring, annexation and external aggression led to the building of architectural marvels dedicated to the art of defending and attacking the enemy. With the advent of Christianity and the Christian way of life, the architectural landscape of Europe changed to accommodate the building of large cathedrals using ancient roman patterns as well as the Italian renaissance techniques which integrated perspective in architectural pieces to inspire the people. Islamic architecture also took inspiration from the architecture of ancient Iran as can be seen from the recurrent use of large domes and spires in the building of mosques. Finally, African architecture in the colonial era is a great indication of the effects of culture in architecture. This is because it integrated African, European, Christian, Arabic and Islamic cultures in the architectural masterpieces that can be seen across the continent. References: Fletcher, B. (1961). A History of architecture on the Comparative Method. 1st ed. New York: Scribner. Harland, J. and Bell, W. (2003). The Architecture of Ancient Greece: An Account of Its Historic Development. The Classical Weekly, 46(16), p.242. Sales Carbonell, J. (2014). Roman Spectacles Buildings as a Setting for   Martyrdom and its Consequences in Christian Architecture . Journal of Ancient Architecture and Archaeology. Buiskikh, A. (2007). On the Question of the Stylistic Influences reflected in the Architecture and Art of Chersonesos: Snake-legged Goddess or Rankenfrau. Ancient Civilizations from Scythia to Siberia, 13(3), pp.157-181. Shilliam, R. (2015). Colonial Architecture or Relatable Hinterlands? Locke, Nandy, Fanon, and the Bandung Spirit. Constellations, 23(3), pp.425-435. Williams, K. (2014). Architecture, Astronomy and Sacred Landscape in Ancient Egypt by Giulio Magli. Nexus Network Journal, 16(3), pp.825-828. Amirkhani, A., Okhovat, H. and Zamani, E. (2010). Ancient Pigeon Houses: Remarkable Example of the Asian culture crystallized in the architecture of Iran and central Anatolia. Asian Culture and History, 2(2).

Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 35

Marketing - Essay Example As noted by Masterson and Pickton, it is important in distinguishing a business function (23). Indeed, marketing is a major success factor for any business entity. First, marketing plays a crucial role in creation of utility. From the definition of marketing by Jain, it would be noted that marketing involves time, place and people (3). It is against this background that marketing is considered as a useful function in creating time, place and possession utilities. Jain supports this argument noting the critical marketing activities of transportation, storage and selling as the key players in effecting this creation of utility (32). Transportation creates the place utility by making goods and services available to customers at the desired place. Storage allows businesses to supply such goods and services at the time when needed. Finally, through selling, marketing provides the possession utility of the commodities being sold to the customers. Thus, marketing enables organisations to create utilities. For example, Coca Cola uses marketing to create the time utility by promoting its products during festive seasons, say Christmas Day. Such boosts t he sales of the products when needed. Indeed, marketing creates utilities for products of business entities. Marketing fosters the competitiveness of a business entity. This is particularly so through marketing intelligence. As defined by Masterson and Pickton, marketing intelligence refers to the information relevant for a business entity’s market which is gathered and analysed to help in decision-making (54). Marketing is the business arm that involves direct interaction with customers and prospects. It is therefore an appropriate strategy to use for collection of information from the market. Such information would be useful in the determination of market opportunity and penetration strategies. It provides business entities with appropriate

Creating a good system to report medical errors Thesis

Creating a good system to report medical errors - Thesis Example The best solution of the problem is to have comprehensive approach for different aspects of reporting of medical errors and related adverse episodes. The culture of reporting medical errors should be inculcated at all levels including hospitals, clinics, outpatient surgery centers, nursing homes, pharmacies and patients’ home. All the issues associated with reporting should be sorted out. The reporting of medical mistakes can provide invaluable advice to improve medical systems. Building a robust database error reporting system is the step towards delivering quality healthcare. Medical error reporting system should involve both adverse events and close calls nationwide. This will held healthcare providers responsible for any mishap leading to serious injury or even death of the patient. The reporting is automatically going to reduce negligent healthcare errors. This ultimately is going to reflect healthcare system to reach at the highest standard. NYPORTS system of New York de livers information to the state and hospital by identifying, analyzing medical errors and recommends strategies to ameliorate them. IOM has reported that the analysis of errors is very informative. The analysis of deadly mishaps which land up patients to bear life time fatal disabilities might be able to figure out the patterns of system flop. IOM recommends two types of reporting systems: voluntary reporting system and mandatory reporting system. These systems will able to identify potential precursors to errors and it will eventually focus on identifying threats to safety of the patient. The data of the error records should be kept confidential to protect privacy of very individual involved in dealing with particular treatment from patient to healthcare providers. Healthcare providers should be encouraged by their organizations to report committed or observed medical errors during the course of the service to patients. Learning from the mistakes is the

PESTEL Analysis Indonesia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

PESTEL Analysis Indonesia - Essay Example 40% of these forests lies within protected areas (FAO 2010). Forest clearing within areas zoned for timber, logging, oil palm, and mining accounted for nearly 45 percent of deforestation in Indonesia between 2000 and 2010, (finds a new study that examined forest loss within industrial concessions). Analyzing the greenhouse gas emissions in the Indonesia, currently, paper plantations are the largest source of carbon emissions during the period, accounting for more than a third of total industrial emissions. Oil palm follows up with 28 %, logging with 22%. Nevertheless, the percentages vary from island to island. In Sumatra, fiber plantations amounted to nearly 60 percent of emissions, while the palm oil industry in Kalimantan accounted for about 40 percent. Logging concessions were the biggest source of industrial land use emissions in Papua, Sulawesi, and the Moluccas. In the future according to the study: Relative contributions of the logging, fiber, oil palm and mining industries t o forest loss in Indonesia, it is expected that forest concessions continue to grow, due to political treaties and economic investment in logging. In response to the general idea that the process of logging is illegal, corrupt in Indonesia, the new Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar imposed a moratorium (suspension) on the issuance of all new logging, by allowing issuances to be fair, accurate, clear and accountable. The moratorium is likely to last between four and six months.

Impact Of Media On Global Social Movements Politics Essay

Impact Of Media On Global Social Movements Politics Essay In this paper my aim would be to bring forth various views and theories of social movements and explore the evolution of global social movements in the recent past. In the later part of my paper I would be discussing the role of mass media in global social movements and would also include the concept of new media and contemporary social networks in the cyber space and their impact on global social movements. But first I would like to start with a few definitions and views on global social movements by eminent scholars and intellectuals. SOCIAL MOVEMENTS The term social movements was introduced in 1850 by the German Sociologist  Lorenz von Stein  in his book History of the French Social Movement from 1789 to the Present. Since then, the term has taken different meanings and interpretations. Charles Tilly  defines social movements as, a series of contentious performances, displays and campaigns by which ordinary people made collective claims on others  [1]  .  For Tilly, social movements are a major vehicle for ordinary peoples participation in public politics. Sidney Tarrow  defines a social movement as,  collective challenges to elites, authorities, other groups or cultural codes by people with common purposes and solidarity in sustained interactions with elites, opponents and authorities  [2]  . Scholars like Escobar see social movements as sources of alternatives, hopes and theories of how the world can be made differently  [3]  . Bourdieus argument on social movements is that, its not the market, as its tr ied to make us believe today, but the social movement, which has civilized the market economy while largely contributing to its efficacy  [4]  . Touraine, on the other hand, contends that social movements are not positive or negative agents of history, of modernization, or of the liberalization of mankind. They act in a given type of social production and organization  [5]  . His views differ from the romanticisers of social movements and from those who define a social action mainly in terms of effectiveness in bringing about social change or resistance, to varying degrees, like McAdam and Snow  [6]  . Social movements are also seen as organizational and political opportunities by some and as effects as well as results of power structures, class struggles and identity politics by others. Some like Rucht find the value by combining them and arguing that a social movement exists to the extent that the following qualities are co-present: In structural terms, social movement s are networks of groups and/or organizations; regarding their aims, they are attempts to fundamentally change society (including power structures and basic values) or to resist such changes  [7]  . Global social movements have intensified in recent years; some of these movements contest not only the actual nature and consequences of current global socioeconomic relations but also the very foundation governing them. One of the reasons may be the global economic and technological integration which has consistently been disarming the traditional welfare function of the state and in turn generating increased misery, inequalities and conflicts. This has provided grounds for citizens and civil society groups of diverse origins to express their resentment and advance claims in increased numbers. There has been an emergence and consolidation of global civil society which is believed to be bigger and wider, offering a positive response, even counterweight, to a narrow notion that linked globalization to economic processes alone. I would like to begin my discussion on GSMs with some theories relating to social movements. THEORIES OF SOCIAL MOVEMENT Typically, European social movement theorists tended to view contentious collective action through a Marxian lens, proffering structural analyses to varying degrees. However, a paradigm shift occurred which delineated old social movement theory (class based) from new social movement theory (culture based). I would discuss some theories relating to social movements like collective behaviour theory, resource mobilisation theory, political process theory, social constructionist theory, new social movement theory and the networks theory. Collective Behaviour Theory This theory states that social movements differ a little from other group manifestations, such as panics, crowds and crazes. Generally, this theory advanced the notion that social movements were little more than the most well-organized and self-conscious part of an archipelago of emergent phenomena, ranging from fads and rumours, to collective enthusiasm, riots, movements and revolutions  [8]  . There have been different approaches to this theory. Beginning with Symbolic interactionism which is a variant of classic collective behaviour theory wherein creative agency triumphs over structural determination, and the creation and interpretation of meaning are the key. This model views collective behaviour as the spontaneous development of norms and organization that contest the status quo, and provoke individual reactions to social disintegration, which then form into a general, collective response. Another version of collective behaviour theory parallels the overarching theoretical paradigm of structural-functionalism in an attempt to link broad, structural factors to specific occasions of collective behaviour unfolding in several necessary stages like, structural conduciveness, structural strain, generalized beliefs that provide meaning and motivation and events or actions that catalyse collective behaviour; physical mobilization of actors; and the absence or suspension of social control  [9]  . The third approach identifies Relative deprivation as the motivating force behind collective action represents another variant of classic collective behaviour theory. In sum, this concept stipulates that a group decides to act collectively when people judge themselves as lacking certain resources in relation to another group. Resource Mobilization Theory The demise of the collective behaviour paradigm came about during the tumultuous 1960s with the advent of new social movements. According to McAdam  [10]  , theorizing social movements as a response to social strain was problematic in that it did not take the larger political context into consideration. In assigning causation of social movements to individual discontent, collective behaviour was considered abnormal and apolitical. Resource mobilization theory arose during the 1970s as a response to the shortcomings of collective behaviour theory. It held that in contentious collective action, passion gave way to rational calculation, and the collective good acquiesced to individual gain as mobilizing factors. Thus, activism relied on the ability of social movements to muster resources and engage in planned, rational action  [11]  . In this analysis, activists were not considered under the sway of sentiments, emotions, and ideologies that guided his or her action; rather, coll ective behaviour should be understood in terms of the logic of costs and benefits as well as opportunities for action Proponents of this model argued that increased personal resources, the professionalization of activism and the availability of external financial support could adequately account for contentious collective action. The focus, therefore, was on resource aggregation, and facilitation by social movement organizations (SMOs), formal or professional organizations that identify their goals with those of a social movement. In contrast to collective behaviour theory, which focused on why collective action occurred, resource mobilization theory attempted to answer the persistent question of how social movements organized and mobilized. Political Process Theory The political process model developed as an alternative to resource mobilization theory. Here, the success or failure of social movements depended on political opportunities created by ruptures in the institutional structure and the ideology of power-holders  [12]  . Three essential components comprise this theory. The first demarks the political structure as an external factor not under the direct control of challengers, but critical to a movements success. The second is an internal factor: the organizational strength of activists, the product of interaction between movement members, leaders and incentives. The final component is McAdams  [13]  cognitive liberation, or a change in group consciousness whereby potential protesters see the existing social order not only as illegitimate, but also as subject to change through their own direct efforts  [14]  . Thus, revolutions owe less to the efforts of insurgents than to the work of systemic crises which render the existing regime weak and vulnerable to challenge from virtually any quarter. Social Constructionist Theory Social constructionism approaches collective action as an interactive, symbolically defined and negotiated process among participants, opponents and bystanders  [15]  . Central to this theory is, the concept is of framing, which describes how activists make sense of their social worlds  [16]  . Frames constitute shared understandings and identities that generate the trust and cooperation amongst activists necessary for collective action. In the context of social movements, frames dignify discontent, identify grievances and assemble the grievances of various groups  [17]  . Grievances are framed in three ways. Diagnostic framing identifies a problem as well as a target for action; and prognostic framing suggests solutions, including strategies and tactics specific to the target. Together, they mobilize consensus, creating a base from which movements may recruit; however, collective action is not the necessary outcome of this process. In order for people to act contentiousl y, they must have compelling reasons to do so. Thus, motivational framing provides inspiration and rationale for action  [18]  . New Social Movement Theory NSM theorists stressed that social transformation is mediated through culture as well as politics narrowly defined, that the personal and the cultural are as politically real as, and are not reducible to, power struggles in the state and economy  [19]  . As Melucci, observes, Conflicts move from the economic-industrial system to the cultural sphere. They focus on personal identity, the time and space of life, and the motivation and codes of daily behaviour  [20]  . That is to say, activists in new social movements turned their gaze inward, focusing on issues as they affected their personal lives, and pursuing social change through politicizing culture. Networks Theory The concept of networks helps to address the division created by a narrow focus on identity, as mediated through cultural analysis, in social movement theory. According to Castells, New information technologies, by transforming the processes of information processing, act upon all domains of human activity, and make it possible to establish endless connections between different domains, as well as between elements and agents of such activities  [21]  . Castells observes that, As people organized meaning around who they were, rather than what they did, the process of globalization relied on increasingly integrated networks of instrumental exchange  [22]  . According to Appadurai, the result of globalized communication and mass migration is the creation of diasporic public spheres, phenomena that confound theories that depend on the continued salience of the nation-state as the key arbiter of important social changes  [23]  . The electronic revolution has facilitated the g lobalization of capitalism; it has also enabled the globalization of protest, as Dyer-Witheford  [24]  observes: New information technologies therefore appear not just as instruments for the circulation of commodities, but simultaneously as channels for the circulation of struggles. Thus, social movements become increasingly global both in target and in form. The movements that oppose corporate globalization, like the Zapatistas and the Anti-Corporate Globalization Movement (ACGM), are prime examples of network-based social movements. My further discussions would primarily be based on this theory of networks in social movements with an emphasis on the rise of social networks in GSMs and their role in felicitating them. MEDIA AND GSMs In this part of my paper I would give a brief evolution of media as a tool for social change and would also discuss the use of ICTs in GSMs. I would give some examples of social media and would conclude this part with views of authors and scholars who are divided on the positive and negative role of media in social movements. MEDIA FOR CHANGE TRADITIONAL MEDIA Soon after the end of World War II the importance of mass media like newspapers, radio, cinema and television as accelerators in spreading ideas about progress and development began to be recognised. There are numerous examples in history where movements have been influenced by media. The issues at that time were more political than social but slowly, the same process was followed in carrying out social movements. It was already well documented how during War times radios and newspapers were used along with televisions to create a public sphere where people shared ideas and issues of common interest in a democracy. How leaders through their mesmerising speeches were able to instil patriotic feeling in their countrymen. These established norms gave way to the use of mass media in different social movements. In the Indian context one can find the use of such means during the Green Revolution, Family planning Communications. In Latin America, Paulo Freire (1971) used it for adult litera cy programmes. Even with the advent of the ICTs one can still find that the maximum amount of information dissemination in social movements, even today, is done through these means. May it be an environmental campaign or anti-corruption campaign, this mode still remains a dominant player in social change. NEW MEDIA: INTERNET The battles of Seattle, Washington, Prague and Genoa, with an unforeseen mixture of nationalities and movements, became world news. Interestingly, the new media seemed to play a crucial role in the organization of these global-protests. Internet has been widely used as a tool for social change and social movements in the recent past. I will illustrate some popular examples corroborating my statement. Zapatistas Movement Beginning in 1994, the Zapatistas used the Internet to turn a local dispute over land in Chiapas, Mexico into an international debate over the ill effects of corporate globalization. They incorporated their localized concerns over the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) into an international agenda opposed to global economic policies that usurp national political sovereignty and recolonize debtor nations. The Zapatistas and their supporters worldwide thus fashioned an ideology that rejected neoliberalism, which for them refers less to policy or theory and more directly to degrading environmental conditions and escalating human rights abuses  [25]  . Thus, they used the Internet to weave a new electronic fabric of struggle  [26]  to rally support for their revolution throughout Mexico and across the globe. The Anti-Corporate Globalization Movement The Anti-Corporate Globalization movement built on the foundations laid by the Zapatistas, using the Internet to connect with social justice activists around the world, to serve as a forum for education and discussion, and to disseminate information unavailable in the corporate mainstream press. The Internet was also critical in the logistical organization of the massive demonstrations against the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Seattle in 1999. This protest marked the birth of the ACGM, which gathered within its folds other activist movements, organizations and networks. For the first time in living memory, possibly ever, many different grievances and causes were represented under one broad banner: social justice. Thus workers walked arm in arm with environmentalists, feminists, human rights workers, farmers, and fair trade advocates. The Battle of Seattle marked the beginning of a new form of activism: the new communication technology that made the globalization of capital possib le also spurred the globalization of protest and facilitated globalization from below. The Internet was instrumental in both shrinking vast geographical distances, and in disseminating a new sort of global consciousness. There was also the increased use of SMSs by the protestors in organizing and carrying out their protests. There were termed as Smart Mobs, though it is still not a major tool of social movement it has had its impact during the 1999 Battle of Seattle, 1992 Critical Mass Bicycle demos of San Francisco and September 2000 protest in Britain over fuel price rise. Many social movements relating to environment, health, etc. have taken post Seattle through use of ICTs, social networking, websites, etc. The Coffee Party on Facebook is one such example of a movement that was initiated and primarily carried out on the social networking site Facebook. Though these developments seem to hold both a bright future for social movements and interesting times for social movement researchers, nothing assures us that movements always make society more democratic  [27]  . Tilly advocates that, technological determinism ought to be avoided and that one should recognize that not all new features of soci al movements result from technical innovations but most of them from alterations in their social and political contexts  [28]  . Relying on ICT services also requires being able to cope with their risks and dangers therefore most 21st century social movement activity continues to rely on the local, regional, and national forms of organization that already prevailed during the later 20th century  [29]  . HOSTILE MEDIA One of the first detailed examinations of a social movement protest in the media focused on a mass demonstration held against the Vietnam War in Britain  [30]  . The demonstration involved approximately 60,000 protesters, most of who marched peacefully through the streets of London (with an insignificant number of protestors involved in violent actions). However, despite the overwhelmingly peaceful nature of the march, the media concentrated most of its coverage on the issue of violence  [31]  . There were differences between media outlets in their coverage; they were all united by the overall focus on the same limited aspect the issue of violence. The misrepresentation of this massive political rally, and the totality of the negative coverage across all media outlets led the investigators to conclude that such reporting poses extreme problems for democracy, which may only be remedied by some form of institutional rearrangement  [32]  . For any social movement to draw beneficial attention to its activities in the mass media, the first barrier it must overcome is the structural constraints of the medium itself. According to Herman and Chomskys  [33]  Propaganda Model, there are five filters through which all news must pass, that actively shape the medias content. These are (1) the size, ownership and profit orientation of the media, (2) advertising, (3) sourcing, (4) flak (criticism) and (5) anti-communist ideology, which can be interpreted as keeping the discourse within the boundaries of elite interests. According to Sidney Tarrow, The media are crucial in a social movements efforts to broadcast its demands. But the media are anything but neutral in the framing of activists concerns and events. On the one hand, the media provide a broad base for consensus formation that is difficult for movements to achieve on their own. On the other hand, while the media may not work directly for the ruling class, they certain ly do not work for social movements  [34]  . CONCLUSION The mass media is an important outlet for social movements, where the quality and nature of media coverage strongly influences how they are perceived in the public eye. It is important for social movements, whose transitional and adversarial nature weakens their ability to secure public legitimacy. Their outsider status, along with their usual resource-poor nature, means that traditional avenues of publicity are not easily accessible and forces them to rely on alternative methods to obtain media access. Traditionally, this involves some form of public spectacle like a protest to attract media attention. These activities have become accepted as mechanisms by which social problems are communicated in the public sphere, alongside public opinion polls and elections and they act as vital means by which citizens can signal their discontent  [35]  . Key to any social movements eventual success in reforming the current world order is its ability to garner majority support, which is severely restricted by the mass media. Global justice movements profess to want to mobilise entire communities worldwide to enable truly participative decision-making. However, if this is really the case, they need to consider whether the same media system that serves to naturalise and legitimise elite decision-making, can really encourage its antithesis, collective grassroots decision-making. It seems an anathema to even consider that by working on the terms set by the mass media, social movements are actually legitimising and tightening its hegemonic power over society, even while it simultaneously acts to de-legitimise or ignore the global justice movement. Therefore, it is time for social movements to take collective action. To start with, democratic media reform needs to be recast as an end in itself, a public good, not simply a means by which eac h movement can get its message out  [36]  . In this way, a media reform project can be linked to the wider array of social movements calling for a more equitable and participatory democracy.

French Revolution Essay -- essays research papers

The French Revolution lasted from 1789 to 1799. Although there were several factors that made the French Revolution possible, such as population growth, the expansion of the middle classes, and the rise of an informed public, there were three immediate causes of the Revolution. One was the diminished authority of the royal government. Another was the revolt by the nobility, who sensed a weakening monarchy. The third cause was the crop failure. The government of France was in a financial crisis. The country was deeply in debt from the financing of the wars of Louis XIV. To deal with the nation’s economic problems, Louis XVI called for a meeting of the Estates General in 1789. The Estates General was made up of representatives from each of the three social classes, or Estates. The First Estate consisted of the clergy, the Second Estate consisted of the nobility, and the Third Estate consisted of the commoners. The Third Estate, which made up 98 percent of the population of France, was underrepresented. Since the Estates General had to vote separately and by order, the Third Estate would almost always be outvoted by the First Estate and the Second Estate who would get to vote first. Because of this, the Third Estate wanted its traditional number of representatives to be doubled so that it matched the other two orders put together. When Louis XVI refused their demand, the Third Estate, led by Abbe Emmanuel Sieyes, changed its name to the Nation...