Mcworld Vs. Jihad Essays - McWords, McWorld, Terminology

Mcworld Vs. Jihad McWorld vs. Jihad Significant historical processes shape the world and society. The contemporary world is what we make it. Each action by our country, culture, society results in change. According to Benjamin Barber, there are two major forces shaping humans socially, and spiritually; the McWorld and Jihad. McWorld is a term for the commercial collective of the world, and Jihad, an Arab word for crusade, is used to symbolize all of nationalist, fundamentalist, ethnocentric, and tribal rejections of McWorld . McWorld is a scenario of commercial and technological interdependence. It is a virtual paradise consisting of spreading markets and global technology1. Barber states that half the time the world is striving for this McWorld but at the same time it is destroying the human spirit, turning us into mindless robots of conformity. The people who support this goal are the creators of the new gods: KFC, McDonalds, MTV1. It shapes the world because at one point, this goal of virtual paradise is linking the human race together for technological advancement and interdependency. However at the same time it is taking our values and twisting them to the point where mass murders and acts of terrorism effects us on a lower scale than that of a stock merger. Jihad consists of the all the crusades of tribes and peoples fighting for Babel1. Babel is the world that is full of ideals: all that is against technology, pop-culture, and modernity itself1. The world, however, will not work solely on one side of the McWorld-Jihad spectrum. The solution, according to Barber, is the ideology of Nationalism1. Barber goes on stating that, Nationalism established government on a scale greater than the tribe yet less cosmopolitan than the universal church and in time and birth to those intermediate, gradually more democratic institutions that would come to constitute the nation-state. Additionally, Barber says that the present day society is currently striving to recreate a world in which our only choices is either McWorld or Jihad, when in truth both have lost their democratic virtues1. To conclude, Jihad and McWorld are not really in competition, they compliment and balance each other out as Barber states in his writings. There is always a middle gr1ound or mixture of the two scenarios. For example, Iranian zealots keep one ear tuned to the mullahs urging holy war and the other cocked to television mogul Rupert Murdohs Star television beaming Dynasty, Donahue, and the Simpsons1. The relationship between McWorld and Jihad is the most interesting. Jihad not only revolts but abets McWorld, and while McWorld not only imperils but recreates and reinforces Jihad1; much like Ying and Yang. The relationship and the constant shift in domination is what appears to be shaping the contemporary world today. History Essays

Nurse-Patient Relationship Essay Example

Nurse Nurse-Patient Relationship Essay Nurse-Patient Relationship Essay Running head: Nurse-Patient Relationship 1 Nurse-Patient Relationship as a caring relationship Abra Nayo Central Connecticut State University Nursing 110-01: Introduction to Nursing Theories Dr. Linda Wagner November 28, 2011 Nurse-patient relationship as a caring relationship 2 The nurse-patient relationship is central to patient satisfaction and sets a tone of the care experience. Nurses are the health care professionals that spends the most time with the patients. By analyzing and understanding the factors that have the greatest impact on overall patient satisfaction, nurses can aim, and can focus their efforts, energies, and resources on improvements with the greatest potential to enhance the patients experience. There are many principles that nurses should use to build a healthy, careful balance of trust, and professional respect with the patients. However, there are also benefits as well as challenges to developing nurse-patient relationship. Ellen Meeropol(2011) in House Arrest, a captivating, and compelling fiction book, examines an unlikely relationship between two woman who , on the surface, could not be more different. Pippa is pregnant and under house arrest for the death of her daughter , and Emily is the nurse assigned to manage Pippa’s prenatal care. As the story unfolds Meeropol uses her twenty-year nursing expertise to describe the relationship of the two women. The question is what is that particular, purposeful relationship that nurse and patient sometimes partake? This paper will examine the nurse-patient relationship, showing the positive and the most challenging elements so that there can be a deeper understanding and admiration for patients and the impact on the nurse and the patients. The nurse-patient relationship is first based on caring relationship. It is a nurse’s job to care a patient’s medical needs. However, caring for their emotional well-being can also have just as beneficial an impact on patient care. The relationship between nurse and patient requires trust, as well as understanding . For a patient to disclose private or embarrassing details about their physical or mental condition, they need to trust that the nurse will treat them with dignity and respect. Furthermore, patients will only follow the advice of their nurse if they trust in his or her Nurse-patient relationship as a caring relationship professional opinion. This careful balance of trust and professional respect is one of the founding principle for a healthy and respectful nurse-patient relationship. Also, the nurse-patient relationship demonstrates an imbalance of power. Indeed, the nurse has a more extensive knowledge base in terms of care and treatment options. The patient might rely on their nurse and other health care professionals to advise them of the best treatment options for their needs. As a result , there can be unintended power struggle. The nurse , feeling he or she knows what is the best for the patient, can unwittingly influencing a patient to choose the best course of care is important for patient participation, nurses must learn to walk a fine line between influence and assuming control.

Anthropogenic and natural factor associated with high GHGs concentration in the atmosphere

Anthropogenic and natural factor associated with high GHGs concentration in the atmosphere In the Atmosphere, there are many chemical compounds that are described as greenhouse gases due to their characteristics. These gases allow solar radiation (shortwave radiation) to penetrate freely through the Earth’s atmosphere thereby heating the land surface and oceans. When the earth’s surface is heated and warms up, it releases the heat in the form of infrared light (longwave radiation), invisible to human eyes. Some of the infrared light released by the Earth passes through the atmosphere back into space. However, greenhouse gases will not let all the infrared light pass through the atmosphere. They absorb some and radiate it back down to the Earth. This phenomenon, called the greenhouse effect, is naturally occurring and helps to regulate and maintain the warmth of the earth’s surface. It is vital to our survival on Earth. Without the greenhouse effect, the Earth’s average surface temperature would be about 15Â ° Celsius cooler, and life would be u nbearable. Human activities, however, have contributed greatly to an increase in the number of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Emissions started to rise dramatically in the 1800s due to the Industrial Revolution and changes in land use. Although greenhouse-gas-emitting activities are essential to the world economy and a fundamental part of modern life, they have majorly contributed to climate change and the increase in the average global temperatures. Anthropogenic Factors Contributing to High GHGs Human activities result in emissions of four principal greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and the halocarbons (a group of gases containing fluorine, chlorine, and bromine). These gases accumulate in the atmosphere, causing concentrations to increase with time. Significant increases in these gases have occurred in the industrial era and the increase is attributable to human activities; The following are some of the contributors of increased Greenhouse Gases in the atmosphere from anthropogenic activities; Agricultural Activities The increase in Methane concentration is attributable to human activities in agriculture, natural gas distribution, and landfills. In agriculture, it is estimated that Rice cultivation releases methane roughly one-fifth to one-quarter of global methane emissions from human activities. Accounting for over 90 percent of all rice production, wetland rice is grown in fields that are flooded or irrigated for much of the growing season. Bacteria and other micro-organisms in the soil of the flooded rice paddy decompose organic matter and produce methane. Domesticated animals especially cattle emit methane. Methane is produced by cattle, dairy cows, buffalo, goats, sheep, camels, pigs, and horses. Most livestock-related methane emissions are produced by enteric fermentation of food by bacteria and other microbes in the animals digestive tracts; another source is the decomposition of animal manure. Livestock account for about one-quarter of the methane emissions from human activities, which total to about 100 million tonnes annually. Carbon Emissions Carbon dioxide has increased from fossil fuel use in transportation, building heating and cooling and the manufacture of cement and other goods. Deforestation releases CO2 and reduces its uptake by plants. Carbon dioxide is also released in natural processes such as the decay of plant matter. Carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions from anthropogenic activities. Most emissions associated with energy use result from the combustion of fossil fuels. Oil, natural gas, and coal (which emits the most carbon per unit of energy supplied) furnish most of the energy used to produce electricity, factories, in-vehicle engines and houses heating. If fuel is burned completely, the only by-product containing carbon would be carbon dioxide. But combustion is often incomplete, so carbon monoxide and other hydrocarbons are also produced. The supply and use of fossil fuels account for about three-quarters of human carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, one-fifth of the methane (CH4), and a significant quantity of nitrous oxide (N2O). It also produces nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC), and carbon monoxide (CO), which, though not greenhouse g ases themselves, influence chemical cycles in the atmosphere that create or destroy other greenhouse gases, such as tropospheric ozone. Nitrous Oxides emissions Nitrous oxide and other nitrogen oxides are produced because fuel combustion causes nitrogen in the fuel or air to combine with oxygen in the air. Nitrous oxide is also emitted by human activities such as the use of fertilizer which increases nitrous oxide emissions. The nitrogen contained in many fertilizers enhances the natural processes of nitrification and denitrification carried out by bacteria and other microbes in the soil. Human Induced Ozone Ozone is a greenhouse gas that is continually produced and destroyed in the atmosphere by chemical reactions. In the troposphere, human activities have increased ozone through the release of gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxide, which chemically react to produce ozone. As mentioned above, halocarbons released by human activities destroy ozone in the stratosphere and have caused the ozone hole over Antarctica. Halocarbon gas concentrations have increased primarily due to human activities. Principal halocarbons include the chlorofluorocarbons (e.g., CFC-11 and CFC-12), used extensively as refrigerants and in other industrial processes.

The Life and Times of Michael K Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Life and Times of Michael K - Essay Example Decolonization has transpired but the very attributes of colonialism is manifold in the tension of Black and White within the society. The Blacks in Africa and labor classes in the capitalist world have been tremendously crushed by the Whites and the capitalist classes of the society. Now among excellent writings exhibited by an array of scholars, one of the most crucial things that are to be noted is the way of obtaining freedom or to find an escape route from this state of struggle. The protagonist Michael K has been born with physical deformities and he is Black. He faces tremendous constraint in almost every aspects of living in the society with a dead mother. But facing challenges which are really not wanted in a civilized society, he never lost hope and kept ignited the fire of freedom within himself reflecting a post modern view of self liberation. Starvation has been one of the aspects through which Michael has went through and infused him with the realization of harsh realit y in the then society. It can be also regarded as a way of liberation against a life that is amalgamated with furious torment and outright negligence (Coetzee). Two anti colonial scholars Frantz Fanon and the Chinua Achebe are famous for their revolutionary writings on African context associated with colonial exploitation and freedom of the common masses from blood sucking colonial dominance and racial suppression. Their ideas will be discussed in this paper for highlighting the themes of starvation and speeches from the book, Life and times of Michael K. Frantz Fanon was a third world intellectual whose work is dedicated against colonialism with particular impact in Africa and his writings in the period of 1950s and 1960s especially Les Damnes de la terre explores the passion on the historical conditions of the anti colonial struggle. He grew up among the African slaves working in the sugar plantations and participated in the guerilla struggle against the pro Nazi French Vichy gove rnment. Fanon’s political vision is guided by the notion of European tradition of Marxist thought reflecting anti colonial dimensions. Fanon thought in lines of Marx that violent anti colonial struggle is necessary as a solution but he differed from Marx in the sense that he focused on the execution of revolution by the peasants and the social outcasts. Marx saw less potential among them. Fanon visualizes that these classes of the society are intensely subjugated by the capitalist class without receiving a minimal distribution of goods for sustaining life (Fanon, 1576). There is a continuous escalation in demand from the colonial power and in this process the common people are dragged into virulent poverty and they die of hope. In this aspect a link can be established where Coetzee metaphorically used the phrase, â€Å"It will close up as he grows older† (Coetzee, 3). This is in respect to Michael K’s physical deficiency of the mouth. Midwife stated this to the mother of Michael K giving a hope that it will heal up and deformity in Michael K’s mouth will diminish. But the deformity never diminished and it became a subject of mockery and discrimination in the society. Michael K from his very childhood has been deprived of access to essential goods and services that are necessary for maintaining a sustainable standard of living and has been subjected to mockery from time to time. Hope is not a solution. Revolution is

Sampling and Measurement Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Sampling and Measurement - Research Paper Example Data analysis and measurement was done properly and the right inferences made. The only weakness to this study was the sample size, which was not a credible representation of the population and could bias the report. The article â€Å"A National Study of Efficiency for Dialysis Centers† used the right sample sources by getting dialysis reports by freestanding facilities submitted to the HCFA (Health Care Financing Administration) and the IRFCRD file (Ozgen & A Ozcan, 2002). The Area Resources File also provided credible information with regard to characteristics of the population. The study sample was also sufficient having been a good representation in terms of percentage at ninety four percent of the population. On the part of measurement, there was a possible point of weakness in the number of procedures undertaken to assess the sample which could amount to duplicated effort from one stage to another. There was also the issue of homogeneity in the types of dialysis modalities by incorporating them into a common output category. This would raise the level of inaccuracy or deviation. The weakness in the first study could be addressed through increasing the sample size adequately to represent the population (Krejcie & Morgan, 2000). In the second study, there should be limited number of methods to assess the sample and derive conclusions to avoid duplication of effort and the various types and sources of dialysis should be handled separately to give a clear outcome for each. Ozgen, H. & A Ozcan, Y. (2002). A national study of efficiency for dialysis centers: an examination of market competition and facility characteristics for production of multiple dialysis outputs. Health Services Research, 37 (3), pp.

Agoraphobia Essay Example for Free

Agoraphobia Essay Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by anxiety in situations where the sufferer perceives certain environments as dangerous or uncomfortable, often due to the environments vast openness or crowdedness. These situations include, but are not limited to, wide-open spaces, as well as uncontrollable social situations such as the possibility of being met in shopping malls, airports, and on bridges. Agoraphobia is defined within the DSM-IV TR as a subset of panic disorder, involving the fear of incurring a panic attack in those environments. In the DSM-5, however, Agoraphobia s classified as being separate to panic disorder. The sufferer may go to great lengths to avoid those situations, in severe cases becoming unable to leave their home or safe haven. Although mostly thought to be a fear of public places, it is now believed that agoraphobia develops as a complication of panic attacks. However, there is evidence that the implied one-way causal relationship between spontaneous panic attacks and agoraphobia in DSM-IV may be incorrect. Onset is usually between ages 20 and 40 years and more common in women. Approximately 3. 2 million, or about 2. %, of adults in the US between the ages of 18 and 54, suffer from agoraphobia. Agoraphobia can account for approximately 60% of phobias. Studies have shown two different age groups at first onset: early to mid twenties, and early thirties. In response to a traumatic event, anxiety may interrupt the formation of memories and disrupt the learning processes, resulting in dissociation. Depersonalization and derealisation are other dissociative methods of withdrawing from anxiety. Standardized tools such as Panic and Agoraphobia Scale can be used to measure agoraphobia and panic attacks severity and monitor reatment. Agoraphobia is a condition where the sufferer becomes anxious in environments that are unfamiliar or where he or she perceives that they have little control. Triggers for this anxiety may include wide open spaces, crowds, or traveling . Agoraphobia is often, but not always, compounded by a fear of social embarrassment, as the agoraphobic fears the onset of a panic attack and appearing distraught in public. This is also sometimes called social agoraphobia which may be a type of social anxiety disorder also sometimes called social phobia. Not all agoraphobia is social n nature, however. Some agoraphobics have a fear of open spaces. Agoraphobia is also defined as a fear, sometimes terrifying, by those who have experienced one or more panic attacks. In these cases, the sufferer is fearful of a particular place because they have experienced a panic attack at the same location in a previous time. Fearing the onset of another panic attack, the sufferer is fearful or even avoids the location. Some refuse to leave their home even in medical emergencies because the fear of being outside of their comfort area is too great. The sufferer can ometimes go to great lengths to avoid the locations where they have experienced the onset of a panic attack. Agoraphobia, as described in this manner, is actually a symptom professionals check for when making a diagnosis of panic disorder. Other syndromes like obsessive compulsive disorder or post traumatic stress disorder can outside can cause the syndrome. [12] It is not uncommon for agoraphobics to also suffer from temporary separation anxiety disorder when certain other individuals of the household depart from the residence temporarily, such as a parent or spouse, or when the agoraphobic is left home alone. Such temporary conditions can result in an increase in anxiety or a panic attack or feel the need to separate themselves from family or maybe friends. Another common associative disorder of agoraphobia is necrophobia, the fear of death. The anxiety level of agoraphobics often increases when dwelling upon the idea of eventually dying, which they may consciously or unconsciously associate with being the ultimate separation from their mortal emotional comfort and safety zones and loved ones, even for those who may otherwise spiritually believe in some form of divine afterlife existence. Agoraphobia occurs about twice as commonly among women as it does in men. The gender difference may be attributable to several factors: social-cultural traditions that encourage, or permit, the greater expression of avoidant coping strategies by women, women perhaps being more likely to seek help and therefore be diagnosed; men being more likely to abuse alcohol in reaction to anxiety and be diagnosed as an alcoholic. Research has not yet produced a single clear explanation for the gender difference in agoraphobia. Although the exact causes of agoraphobia are currently unknown, some clinicians ho have treated or attempted to treat agoraphobia offer plausible hypotheses. The condition has been linked to the presence of other anxiety disorders, a stressful environment or substance abuse. Research has uncovered a linkage between agoraphobia and difficulties with spatial orientation. Individuals without agoraphobia are able to maintain balance by combining information from their vestibular system, their visual system and their proprioceptive sense. A disproportionate number of agoraphobics have weak vestibular function and consequently rely more on visual or actile signals. They may become disoriented when visual cues are sparse (as in wide open spaces) or overwhelming. Likewise, they may be confused by sloping or irregular surfaces. In a virtual reality study, agoraphobics showed impaired processing of changing audiovisual data in comparison with non-suffering subjects. Exposure treatment can provide lasting relief to the majority of patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia. Disappearance of residual and subclinical agoraphobic avoidance, and not simply of panic attacks, should be the aim of exposure therapy. Similarly, Systematic desensitizationmay also be used. Many patients can deal with exposure easier if they are in the company of a friend they can rely on. t is vital that patients remain in the situation until anxiety has abated because if they leave the situation the phobic response will not decrease and it may even rise. Cognitive restructuring has also proved useful in treating agoraphobia. This treatment involves coaching a participant through a dianoetic discussion, with the intent of replacing irrational, counterproductive beliefs w ith more factual and beneficial ones. Relaxation techniques are often useful skills for the agoraphobic to develop, as they can be used to stop or prevent symptoms of anxiety and panic. Anti-depressant medications most commonly used to treat anxiety disorders are mainly in the SSRI class and inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants are also commonly prescribed for treatment of agoraphobia. Antidepressants are important because some have antipanic effects. Antidepressants should be used in conjunction with exposure as a form of self-help or with cognitive behaviour therapy. Some evidence shows that a ombination of medication and cognitive behaviour therapy is the most effective treatment for agoraphobia.

Socrates was a Wise and Harmless Man :: Argumentative Persuasive Argument Essays

Socrates and the Apology Some of the best sources of information about Socrates' philosophical views are the early dialogues of his student Plato, who tried to provide a faithful picture of the methods and teachings of the great master. The Apology is one of the many-recorded dialogues about Socrates. It is about how Socrates was arrested and charged with corrupting the youth, believing in no god(s) (Atheism) and for being a Sophist. He attended his trial and put up a good argument. I believe that Socrates was wrongfully accused and should not have been sentenced to death. Within the duration of this document, I will be discussing the charges laid against Socrates and how he attempted to refute the charges. One of the reasons why Socrates was arrested was because he was being accused of corrupting the minds of the students he taught. I personally feel that it is almost impossible for one person to corrupt the thoughts and feelings of a whole group of people. Improvement comes form a minority and corruption comes from the majority. Socrates is one man (minority) therefore it is less likely the youth have been corrupted by Socrates than by some larger group of people (educators, council members, jurymen etc...). Socrates was also put on trial for being an Atheist. In the argument Socrates has with Meletus, Socrates gets Meletus to admit that Socrates is Atheist and theist. Considering that both of these practices are totally incompatible, and Meletus admits to both of theses, maybe Meletus does not really understand what he is accusing Socrates of. I understand that back then; not believing in religion was considered a crime but to actually sentence someone to death for being different is totally uncalled for. Thirdly, because Socrates practiced making weak arguments strong (Sophist). Socrates was a traveling teacher and talked and challenged everyone he met. Socrates taught the art of persuasive speaking. He did not charge people money like most of the other Sophists did, but he did have similar beliefs as the Sophists. Sophists thought that our minds are cut off from reality and that we are stuck in our own opinions of what the world was like. Socrates believed that reason or nature could not tell us why the world is the way it appears. The Sophists' point of view is best summed up as this: we can never step out of the way things appear.

Analysis of Peter Berger’s The Sacred Canopy Essay

Peter Berger’s The Sacred Canopy utilizes a version of social constructivism as the foundational framework of its argument. In accordance with his previous work, The Social Construction of Reality, Berger’s version of social constructivism states that human knowledge is explainable in social terms since it is causally determined by various social factors. Social reality, in this sense, is seen as generated by the actual and empirically ascertainable fixed habits of thought prevalent in a given society which are fixed since they are considered as the causal product of certain aspects of social reality. In this case, its â€Å"determinacy is derived from certain laws specifying the causal, social determination of cognitive processes† (Berger and Luckmann 12). This implies that human knowledge is not dependent for its determinate content upon some infinite hierarchy of negotiated agreements, nor is it fixed by standards of rationality that are themselves relative to the social setting in which knowledge evolves. According to Berger and Luckmann, â€Å"society is an objective reality (and) man is a social product† (23). In other words, social reality is a human construction since man and his habits of thought are shaped by social factors. Humans create social institutions, as they are iterated and typified. In this sense, social reality determines man but man also determines social reality. Within this scheme, social reality is not a social fact but it is something produced and communicated. Society is thereby a product of humans and humans are products of society. However, it should be noted that, humanly constructed worlds are constantly threatened by their creators’ â€Å"self interest and stupidity† (Berger 29). If such is the case, in order for society to maintain order there is the necessity to formulate [and in a sense construct] internal supporting structures. In Berger’s The Sacred Canopy, he argues that legitimation stands as the most important internal supporting structure (29). Berger notes that legitimation stands as the rationale for the creation of institutional arrangements (29). This can be further understood if one considers that legitimations belong to the objective side of our dialectic social relationship. Through repetition and their objective status, legitimations continually reinforce the institutional arrangements prevalent within a given society. Such a process stands as the anchor for the new [the children] and the forgetful as well as for the periods of collective or individual crisis where the veil between meaning and chaos grows particularly thin. In the same manner that legitimations reinforce social institutions, plausibility structures may also be considered as upholding such legitimations. Plausibility structures refer to the specific social processes that continually reinforce and reconstruct both the legitimating world as well as the result of such a world [the legitimated world] (Berger 45). The correlation between the plausibility structure as well as the process of legitimations are evident if one considers that when the plausibility structures are strong, the legitimations are simple and when plausibility structures are weak, the legitimations are stronger. Berger notes that religion [as a social institution] has been shown to take effect in both situations [instances wherein the plausibility structures are strong and weak]. It is within the aforementioned context that Berger considers the strength of religious institutions. Berger notes, â€Å"Religion is the human enterprise by which a sacred cosmos is established† (25). Such a statement can be understood if one considers that the steadfastness of religious institutions lies in its ability to locate human phenomena within a cosmological framework thereby providing the support for religious institutions a universal [in the sense   of cosmic] status. Such a status, due to its universal cosmic character thereby has the capability to transcend the mundane experiences of life thereby providing a new dimension for the analysis of human experience (Berger 35). According to Berger, the importance of such is evident if one considers that by providing human existence with various dimensions [e.g. physical as opposed to the spiritual], the socialized individual is given a framework of understanding reality [in its different levels] that enables the assumption of the possibility of the existence of peace and security within his role in society. In line with this, Berger notes that to locate an individual outside the protective spheres of a religiously legitimated world is tantamount to making him â€Å"deal with the devil† (39). In accordance with the aforementioned function of religion, Berger notes that one of the reasons that religion serves, as a prevalent [and effective] method of legitimation lies in its function as a powerful agency of alienation (87). Alienation refers to a condition wherein an individual forgets that he is co-creator of his world (Berger 85). It is important to note that alienation stands as â€Å"an overextension of the process of objectivation† in the dialectic relationship between self and society (Berger 85). Berger notes that through the objectivation of legitimations, alienation renders them virtually unassailable as long as an alienated conscious can be maintained. Within such a context, de-alienation may only occur as a result of the demise of a particular institutional framework. In relation to this, Berger notes that the function of religious legitimation is that of enabling theodicy wherein theodicy refers to the explanations of the human condition [e.g. life and death]. Theodicy, in this sense, is highly irrational since it necessitates a surrender of the self to the ordering structure of society (Berger 54). Consider for example the most prevalent form of theodicy: Christian theodicy. Within the framework of Christian theodicy, an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent entity [God] is depicted as suffering for humanity. Such a theodicy is questionable in relation to the existence and prevalence of various forms of disasters [both natural and unnatural]. In addition to external assailants of religious plausibility structures, Berger argues that Protestantism itself carried the seeds for its own destruction (129). In its critique of Catholicism, Protestantism enabled a more rational, individualistic world divided into secular and sacred spheres (Berger 123). As the secular sphere expanded to encompass everything outside of the church, Christianity became marginalized in a pluralistic society. It is within this context that the concept of pluralism arises. According to Berger, pluralism refers to â€Å"a social-structural correlate of the secularization of consciousness† (127). In addition to Protestantism, industrialization tends to lead the political order away from the influences of religion (Berger 130). This process compartmentalized religion into the private world creating a pluralistic market situation. Such a situation thereby fails to enable the continuance of the universal cosmological ordering function of religion. This is evident if one considers that within pluralistic conditions, various [and different and sometimes contradictory] conditions of truth exists. Such a condition, according to Berger, leads to a relativistic conception of reality which leads to a relativized theodicy and hence an unstable conception of reality.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As was mentioned at the onset of this paper, the aforementioned conception of social reality rests upon the framework of a socially constructed reality. It is within the context of this framework that I will assess the viability of Berger’s aforementioned claims as specified in his book The Sacred Canopy. Within the aforementioned context, a socially constructed conception of reality fails on the grounds that it accounts for all bodies of doctrine in a non-discriminatory fashion. This is possible since Berger perceives â€Å"‘reality’ and knowledge as initially justified by the fact of their social relativity†. Schutz’s influence here is apparent since such a conception is based upon an envisioned existence of â€Å"multiple realities†. Rationality then is perceived as relative in so far as the system allows the demarcation of individuals into social groups, which are seen as having different conceptions of rationality â€Å"on a pattern of a neat one to one correspondence†. However, if such a one to one corresponds occurs, how is it possible to consider the conflicting frames of reference [in relation to understanding reality] as different individuals converge within a social sphere. In the aforementioned context, the individuals specified may be specifically construed as individuals who belong within different religious groups. In a sense, the problem with the above conception of reality fails on the grounds that, in the same manner that a particular theodicy fails within a pluralistic society, such a conception of reality fails within a pluralistic society itself since in order to assume the existence of religious institution as a institutional structure which enables legitimation, it is important to account how such is possible within a society with varying [yet conflicting] theodicies. This can be best understood if one considers that, the aforementioned conception of reality fails on the grounds that even if it seems â€Å"to supply us with the fixed laws in terms of which the outcome of hypothetical cognitive processes can be determined†, these laws are fixed by the social context of the cognitive process. This however leans towards a form of epistemic hierarchy since the laws will also be constructed via a particular society’s presupposed notion of the existence of social construction. In Collin’s words, â€Å"we cannot define social fact as the product of a hypothetical societal discussion (since)†¦the laws†¦would rely for this hypothetical prediction are themselves social constructions, the outcome of societal consensus† (23). This thereby leads to the problem of regress. Works Cited Berger, Peter. The Sacred Canopy: Elements of a Sociological Theory of Religion. New York: Anchor Press, 1990. Berger, Peter and Thomas Luckmann. The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise of the Sociology of Knowledge. California: University of California Press, 1967. Collin, Finn. Social Reality. London: Routledge, 1997.

Chinese religions Essay

The Chinese like any other race, had their own conceptual perspective of things that they cannot fathom or explain. Like their contemporaries they tend to â€Å"simplify things† by trying to attribute the unexplainable to the supernatural. They try to look deeper into things, taking into consideration the physicality and spirituality of objects, be they animate or inanimate. This outlook made the ancient Chinese come up with the concept of Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang is defined as the concept of balance between two contrastingly different, or opposing elements. The Chinese believe that Yin and Yang maintains the balance of all things and that it is impossible to isolate or exclude one from the other. The continuity of the Yin and Yang cycle is clearly construed as the balance that keeps everything in an orderly manner. The idea of harmony and balance are the main basis of the yin and yang concept. Yin and Yang did not come to existence in order to destroy or overwhelm one another, but rather to complement one another. The principle that each person is governed by both the negative and positive forces is central to almost all schools of Chinese thought. The Chinese believed that everything in the universe, including ourselves are constantly governed by the laws of dualism. The concept of Yin and Yang is echoed in various Chinese religions. It is essentially the basis and core of Taoism, and has a slight influence on Confucianism and Buddhism. The concept of Yin and Yang in Taoism hinges on the importance of maintaining the fragile balance between the Yin or positive force and the Yang or Negative force. This religion bases its teachings on the principle that both Yin (Negative) and Yang (Positive) contains a small part of one another, and that both of these two opposing forces exist not to destroy one another by the usage of an overwhelming force, but simply to emphasize and complement one another. This religion also preaches that although the positive and negative aspect of things go against each other they are essentially things that would emphasize the uniqueness of the same substance and nature like the others despite the appearance of differences between these two things. A good analogy of this would be mans’ concept of beauty. One cannot appreciate beauty if all objects look alike, if all things share the same features, then those things cannot be truly called beautiful, instead these things would be seen as plain or ordinary due to the lack of a viable standard to base this criteria. One can only distinguish beauty and perfection when its opposite, the concept of ugliness and imperfection exists. Confucianism, another religion that originated from China, also shows subtle hint of the Yin and Yang concept. Confucius, its progenitor, theorized an ethical approach to eliminate conflict. His teachings echo a slight hint of the yin and yang concept, in that he believed that the mingling of the positive and negative forces brought about the existence of all that has life, and has persistently applied this principle in all of his teachings. Confucius did not focus his teachings on the principles of dualism (yin and yang) alone, instead, he assimilated it to almost all of his teachings concerning morality. Another point that proves the influence of the Yin and Yang concept to the teachings of Confucius is the fact his teachings are always addressed to two groups of people, who happens to have a contrasting and totally different social status. As manifested further in his teaching, he asserts the proper manner as to how the Affluent should act towards the less privileged, a king to his subjects, a parent to his children, a man to his wife†¦the list goes on. The one thing that is highly noticeable on the previous analogy is that all of it is based on how a superior individual should act towards his inferior counterpart and vice versa. This further boosts the idea that dualism has a significant influence on Confucian teachings. As a whole, Confucius emphasized that the suffering endured by society arose because its constituents failed to act out in accordance to their respective places in society, it is his idea that people should play their role to the utmost to maintain the balance and harmony within the existing society. Another Chinese religion that the Yin and Yang concept has influenced to a certain degree would be Buddhism. This religion founded by Siddharta Gautama Buddha teaches that the main cause of pain and suffering is pleasure and desire, the concept, in itself is a paradox of duality, which is a very good indicator of the presence of the yin and yang concept. The main precept of Buddhism that preaches avoidance of pleasure and desire to avoid pain and suffering is a contradiction that suggests the influence of the Yin and yang concept. The principle of Yin and Yang and Buddhism are similarly congruent in the preaching of the belief in the importance of harmony and the maintenance of constant balance within the world. It is notable that Taoism, the Religion that conceptualized the Yin and yang concept, and Buddhism both allude to the belief that a person’s fate is totally dependent on the deeds committed during his lifetime. Based on these ideologies, the Chinese have developed the attitude of always trying to blend in to their environment in accordance to the concept of the Yin and the Yang forces. This is evidenced on their continued belief and usage of the principles of Feng Shui, the principle of adjusting one’s surrounding to direct the balanced flow of positive and negative energy to benefit man as a whole. The principle of Yin and Yang is also inherent in the practice of Chinese medicine. The main precept that they uphold in practicing Chinese traditional medicine is that, an imbalance of either positive or negative energy would cause sickness or even death to afflicted individuals, Thus, Chinese practitioners advocate that in order to be healthy one must always strive to have a balanced flow of energy circulating within his body. These are but limited examples of how the Chinese see and apply the principles of Yin and Yang to their daily life. This concept has formed a line of tradition or norm for the Chinese people, so much so that It is unheard of for any Chinese individual to disregard the harmony and balance within his environment, without resorting to or practicing any of the practices prescribed by traditional Yin and Yang believers. As of the present it is safe to assume that the Chinese people put great store in mingling smoothly with their surroundings. This is very evident on their attitude, and the way in which they were able to adapt to almost any environment known to man without relinquishing any part of their National Identity and Heritage (a Chinese could live in any part of the world, or be born on different countries, but essentially retains his Chinese posterity and would still be very â€Å" Chinese† with regards to his beliefs). The Chinese, are perhaps one of the most, if not the most adaptable people known on this planet. This is highly evidenced by their willingness to submit and accept their lot in society and at the same time trying to make the best out of it. Works Cited: â€Å"The Yin and Yang Theory† http://www. 168fengshui. com/articles/yin-and-yang-theory/ http://www. taopage. org/yinyang. html Yin and Yang in Acupuncture and in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) http://www. holisticonline. com/Acupuncture/acp_yin_yang. htm http://www. religionfacts. com/taoism/beliefs. htm http://fly. cc. fer. hr/~shlede/ying/yang. html http://www. essortment. com/all/yinyangmeaning_rosp. htm

Marketing Strategy Analysis for Emirates airline The WritePass Journal

Marketing Strategy Analysis for Emirates airline Introduction Marketing Strategy Analysis for Emirates airline IntroductionMethodologyTarget Market and PositioningStrategic formulationMarketing PlanImplement StrategicConclusionRelated Introduction As the airline industry is especially increasing and highly competitors so, there are many market share in the industry. Moreover, the airline industry is affected by the environmental (e.g. political, economics and etc.) that decreasing the number of passengers. At this point, there are many reasons, which have an affect on the airline industry to competitive among industry, so many airline companies need have developed their strategies to be more effectively in order to lead the market area. Emirates airline is one of the big company in the airline industry, but today there are large number of Airline companies are still growing in the market, which are looking for stealing a market share. In this point, with in the growing industry there are more and more choices for the customer to be able to chose the airline who they wanted to traveling with and yet still looking for the one which can serve their need also. Due to the hitting of economic slump, it’s sent the effect to the large commercial airline shrinks them and may not be able to expand the company. Therefore, the switching cost to the low cost airline has also created an impact on the Emirates airline. In order to maintain the business success and obtain customer to flying with, the airline also need to modify their strategies and service which could give to customer feels the different and added value after purchasing the products. The aim of this report, the author is trend to analyze and evaluate the strategic issues, which can be able to give and effectiveness for the airline to develop their strategic use to be more effectively. In this report will consist of two major parts: part one will analyze which strategic formulation and lead to implement strategic approach as gaining ahead competitive advantages from resolving the switching cost of consumer leak to the budget airline. In the following part, the author will recommend and conclude at the end of the section. Methodology In this research, the author trends to use a secondary data sources to seek and conduct this research. This is because of the use of the secondary, it’s also give the reader to gather information a wider range from the different sources which can justify and analyze in order to achieve the tasks. In addition, the use of the secondary data will also give an efficiency in term of saving time to conduct this research from the available sources e.g. The Internet, Books and journals are also an important in term of apply and develop with their own report. Target Market and Positioning In terms of performing the business, the marketer should be identifying who is the customers and understand the customer action for a product or service in order to providing the satisfy goods or service for them. Emirates airline is one of the air carrier, which have hardly felt the economic and airline down turn. There are three major categories of passengers: tourism and business, expatriates and transit passengers. UAE’s Tourism and Business segment Customers. Dubai’s emergence as a regional business and tourism hub that has provided Emirates airline plenty of room for increasing and has fueled regional air passenger traffic. Dubai aims to attract 15 million visitors by the next year. Therefore, Emirates airline should plan to take advantage from this situation that can make more passengers to the airline. Expatriates in UAE Because of Dubai economic is rapidly increasing, it has created huge demand of workface and the highly paid labor market is a major attraction for the various workface around the world. The diversity of population enables Emirates to plan their route; they have reached mutual agreement with almost all the national authorities around the world to operate in. Dubai operate in an â€Å"open sky† policy, which allow any carrier to compete with Emirates airline. Transit passengers Due to Dubai is the operational hub for Emirates airline; it is the best position to connect between Europe, Asia and Australia that can be support to the airline. Emirates has been using â€Å"connecting point† in the promotional of their marketing especially transit passengers, the well established and marketed wide range network enables their to prosper in particular segment. Strategic formulation Marketing Plan In order to identify Emirates airline strategic options, ANSOFF directional matrix can be used as a starting point to identify the options that are available. According to Aaker and Mcloughlin (2007), there are four possible alternative growth strategies that can be developed. It consists of market penetration, market development, product development, and diversification. (see appendix 1)    Marketing Penetration (Improving In-fight Service) Business focuses on selling existing products to existing markets drives growth strategy for Market Penetration. 1) Retain and boost market share of Emirate airlines product and services. 2) Protect market dominance of Emirates airlines existing markets. 3) Driving out competitors by restructuring mature market. 4) Enhance usage of existing passengers. Tele-communication is essential element in everyone daily life, in order to enabling passengers to make voice and data call over aircraft’s telecom system, Emirates would like to add communication while on the airplane, it would be very good service for the business passengers. Currently, Emirates have an expensive telecommunications method to make voice call and Internet, passenger’s mobile phone should be beam signal to the ground satellite system and from Immarsat, which is already installed on most of the Emirate airplanes. Marketing Development (Extending New Routes) Due to the number of services is increasing into new markets where company seeks to sell their product to new areas so, the launching existing services to new area or new market segments is a possible way to achieve this strategy. The objective of Emirates airline is building up Dubai into a popular aviation centre that will finally serve as an important universal long haul hub. It provides an alternative to the traditional European airline hubs as Heathrow Airport (London), Charles De Gaulle (Paris) and Schiphol (Amsterdam). The airline heavily promotes Dubai as a destination, offering reduced hotel rates as well as insight to event like the Dubai shopping Festival that hope to attract more travelers to the city. In order to improving the number of tourism, Emirates airline add new route and destination especially in UAE tourism. Due to the airline managed road shows and press convention to announce its entry to new city, these event allow travel agents, tour operators and local airline personnel in contact and gain information about Emirates’ new routes, holiday packages and other promotion that can give a advantage for the airline. After performing a new route to the country’s economic hub – Shanghai – the airline offers passengers a chance to visit the epicenter of China’s political and cultural activities. Because of China’s richest city in terms of historical value and has a heritage that dates back over 3000 years and houses marvels as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China and the Ming Tombs. The success of Dubai as an intercontinental hub, it has been facilitated by airline such as Emirates. The centre point of Dubai has become extremely important; because of it hardly two points on the globe where it is not logical or possible to use Dubai and connecting point, and it usually a good direct route. Product Development (Private Suite) Introducing new services into existing markets implies product development is strategy, which involves the development of skill and requires business to expand customized services that can apply to current markets. As Dubai is a hub for international business travelers, this is time to improve new product to provide for top-level business executives. The CEO’ imagine of multi-national company makes lengthy overseas journey to attend a board meeting that could have a main impact on the company financials. The fact, company would like CEO to be on top for the rested, refreshed and relaxed so, the cost of CEO’s air travel is doesn’t seem so expensive when comparing to service for them. Emirates airline has more services for business travelers that is reason why Emirates airline introduce high quality first class private lounges to attract business travelers. The premium class private suit would be fully outfitted with personal storage, coat cabinet and desk and individual mini bar. Long seat reclines to become fully horizontal couch and TV wide screen. Exceptional level of personal services including a gourmet and wines provided by specially trained multi-lingual cabin crews are the other value addition for this product. Related Diversification (Low-cost carrier) The last strategic option allows Emirates airline to exploit its competitive advantages in airline service qualities. Diversification is a strategy, where business sells new services to new market segment. It is more precarious strategy because of limited experience on particular new market areas (Lee and Carter, 2009). After the European low cost carriers are a successful, Middle East operator also started expression to explore new marketing concepts of â€Å"Frills-free† fly. The low cost airline is increasing at more times in the average industry. The low cost airline offers lower prices than traditional airline by fascinate promotion. The low cost has flexibility fare that is one reason why some people is switching cost to them. Air Arabia dominates exclusively to this low cost carrier service in UAE. Therefore, Emirates Airlines must decide how to respond this threat posed to the large expatriate market in UAE.   Among the options considered there is scope to introduce low-cost subsidiary of Emirates Airlines. Emirates Airlines be supposed to slightly spread from current marketing objectives to obtain the low cost airline market share and to retain its customer base of UAE expatriate market. This can be done launching new subsidiary to cater budget airline market. The key routes should be high demand and large number of expatriates home country like Egypt, India and Pakistan. In terms of Emirates Airline system, new budget airline is help to introduce new Al-Makthoum International Airport in Jebel Ail that is located on Dubai border. This will provide residents of Dubai and Northern emirates enhanced travel option to neighboring destinations. Emirates Airlines is placing lease order of for 200 aircrafts. The carrier is expected to use Airbus A320 or a Boeing 737 on lease basis for the first few years prior to acquiring ownership status. Implement Strategic As Mintzberg, Ahlstrand and Lampel (1998) the implement strategic is going to using after the marketing plan, it should be evaluated. The evaluation is necessary for extent the marketing objectives, it have been achieved during the specified time period. Improving In-Flight Service: Success criteria of deploying a system to allow passenger to use their mobile phones for communication, it is increasing market penetration. It can be measured in terms of voice and data usage and expansion of market penetration. There is not corrective action plan if it fails to respond. Extending new routes New destinations are implemented to achieve market development. Flight market occupancy is showed the result of this strategy. It needs to re-discover new destination if the flight occupancy level is lower than expected. First Class Private Suites The first class private suites is a new product of Emirate airline, it can be measured the success of the product. Quantitative measurement of this product would be number of booking or occupancy. If it fails, the corrective plan is reducing the tickets price. Budget Airlines Success criteria would be capturing new customer base for the airline. Since its separate operating entity we can estimate financial results of operating profit would be good measure to evaluate the success of budget airline subsidiary. Conclusion To conclusion, the related diversification options were suggested as the firm strategic business solution. The overall analytical approaches primarily from the positioning operational hub as a Dubai. However, the firm has high capability to expand its competencies and capabilities into other market areas that the resource based view approach is estimated as the most suitable one.

The Broken Column and Olympia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Broken Column and Olympia - Essay Example The essay "The Broken Column and Olympia" focuses on the comparison of two paintings, "The Broken Column" and "Olympia". Common artistic practice and subjects within cultures suggests Ancient Egyptian art was created as a means of commemorating important people and the ancient Greeks made art to help them worship their gods and goddesses and to preserve their cultural myths. The Romans seem to have adopted elements of the Greek style and fused it with elements of the Egyptian style to develop an artistic approach intended to inspire and celebrate their cultural achievements. After the fall of Rome, the art of the Middle Ages became dominated by themes of Christian religious myths in order to reject the Paganism of the fallen Empire, incorporating religious, political and educational purpose. From here, the art of the Renaissance reflects the re-discovery of more ancient art forms fused to new scientific advancements giving it a historical and experimental purpose. As this skip throug h art history demonstrates, it is easily understood that art can be used for several purposes and it is often inspired or developed in some way so as to build on the past while reflecting the attitudes of the present. As an aspiring animator, the art that appeals most to me is that which takes risks and adopts a more modern or simplified representation of subject such as Edward Manet's groundbreaking "Olympia" entering into the modern period or Frida Kahlo's "The Broken Column" as an expression of surrealism. ... More than that, she is clearly successful in that she has a servant and lives within a very rich environment. Her servant is so dark that she almost becomes lost in the background color of the painting even though she stands at the edge of the far side of the bed. Because of the way he created the painting, Manet leaves it widely open to interpretation. â€Å"The public nakedness of a beautiful woman sometimes becomes a question of politics †¦ which actions are permitted under which unspoken and frequently changing rules† (Friedrich 1). Her appearance within the rigidly proper Victorian culture was shocking because she was seen as a very successful, beautiful and independent woman as compared to the mostly powerless women of the age. Therefore, her representation within polite society was a direct challenge to the rigid ideals of propriety and purity because the painting suggested that her behavior and character were accepted and even condoned within her society. In †Å"The Broken Column† (1944), Kahlo uses dreamlike images to illustrate her personal pain and suffering and line to hold everything together while also demonstrating an independent woman. The broken column of the title refers to the internal structure of Frida’s spinal column. This spinal column is seen through the torn skin and loosely twined bandages that are the only things holding her together. The broken column symbolizes her lack of a support structure and represents her sense of imbalance at the same time that it indicates one of her major sources of pain. Her skin is pricked all over with tiny pins, demonstrating that she is never free of the smaller pains of daily life. The pins continue down the right side of her body, which is the side that had been crippled by both

Linear Programming Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Linear Programming - Assignment Example Brass Ltd. manufactures two products named Masso and Russo. These products require machining and assembly hours for their production. The available capacity of each of these hours is limited. Also there are government controls on the maximum output of each type. Under these constraints, the company needs to develop an optimal production plan. The company also needs to know the impact of marginal increase in the constraints on its profitability. The selling prices of the products are also controlled by the government though demand is unfulfilled. The first assumption of the above model is the assumption of independence. This implies that the production of both products is independent of each other and so is their impact on the number of machining or assembly hours. Therefore, the two effects can be added to each other. The second assumption is the assumption of linearity. In other words it is assumed that a linear relation exists between the number of products and machining or assembly hours. This assumption makes possible the use of linear programming model for the given problem. The optimal solution can be obtained by solving the above model through Excel solver as shown in Figure 4.1 (Taha, 2009). In the beginning, the number of products of each type is taken as 1. The objective function value is the decision variable as it needs to be maximized. The number of products is the output variable while the constraints are given by the various inequalities. Sensitivity analysis is performed to notice the impact of a marginal increase in the value of machining hours and assembly hours on the objective function. From the figure, it can be noticed that when the available capacity of machining hours is changed from 700 to 701 hours, the profit increases by $15. When the available capacity of assembly hours is changed from 1000 to 1001 hours, the profit increases by $10. This increase in profit with marginal relaxation of