Saturday, August 31, 2019

Emotion Appeal Essay

The fallacy of ad hominem is an attack against the person of the one asserting a claim. The assumption made is that, as a consequence of the attack against the person, the claim made by such person is also false. 2. Ad hominem tu quoque This fallacy is possible to occur when a person made two inconsistent statements or a statement inconsistent with a prior action. It is assumed the claim later made is false because of the inconsistency without considering which or whether one of the two statements or actions made is really true. 3. Appeal to consequences of a belief Appeal to consequences of a belief makes the truth or falsity of a claim be based on the consequences that may occur if its truth or falsity is accepted. In this fallacy, if a claim will result to good consequences, it must be true and vice versa. 4. Appeal to authority Appeal to authority exists when a claim is asserted to be true based on the fact that it was made by an authority, who is in fact not an authority on that subject or is not qualified to make such claim. If the person to whom the claim is attributed is actually an authority or an expert, then there is no fallacy. 5. Appeal to emotion Appeal to emotion is the act of stirring one’s emotion to influence a person to accept that a claim is true. 6. Begging the question Begging the question is properly called as reasoning in circles. It involves a premise that contains an assumption that the conclusion is true, thus giving rise to a situation wherein the premise is used to support the truth of the conclusion while the conclusion is used to support the truth of the premise. 7. Confusing cause and effect This fallacy occurs when a person assumes one event to be the cause of another event just because these two events usually occur regularly together, when there may in fact be no justification or proof establishing such causal relation other than the fact that they often occur together. 8. Middle ground The fallacy assumes a position to be true just because it lies in the middle of the two extremes. 9. Red Herring This fallacy is used to direct the attention of the other person away of the main topic of the argument. The argument is diverted from the main issue to another issue which is not relevant, but s introduced under the guise of being relevant to the main issue. 10. Slippery slope This fallacy argues that one event will follow another event without giving a justification why. This usually occurs when the causation is too remote, such as when several other steps, which may not be inevitable, will have to follow before such claimed consequence may arise. 11. Straw man This fallacy occurs when a person attacks a distorted position of another person, as a consequence of which it is assumed that the real or original position is also falsified. 12. Who is to say? In this fallacy, a person asks the question â€Å"who is to say† or other similar questions, but already has a preconceived answer that no one is to say. As a consequence of this, it is accepted that the issue cannot be decided because no one is capable or qualified to decide on it.

Friday, August 30, 2019

The World’s Surprising Economic Superpower

The annual Fortune 500 rankings have become an iconic measure of corporate influence in the U. S. business world. But just as major league baseball's World Series stacks the deck in favor of U. S. baseball teams, the Fortune 500 is limited to U. S. companies. And just as the United States failed to end up at the top in this year's (genuinely global) World Baseball Classic, the relative position of U. S. companies changes once you step onto the global playing field. The United States still dominates the Fortune Global 500 with 140 U. S companies, its 30% share equaling roughly the United States' share of the global economy.That's twice as many as its nearest competitor, Japan, with 68 companies on the list. But U. S. dominance is clearly eroding. Most notably, a U. S. company is no longer at #1, with Royal Dutch Shell displacing U. S. -based Wal-Mart as the world's largest company with revenues of $458 billion. That's the first time a non-U. S. company has been at the head of the list since 1996. The 140 U. S. companies that did make the list combine for the lowest number since Fortune magazine began compiling the list in 1995. Recall that 2008 was particularly unkind to the United States.Within the span of a remarkable 12 months, household names like AIG, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, Wachovia, and Washington Mutual all disappeared from the list. The Fortune Global 500: BRICs Rising? The inevitable rise of the BRIC economies — Brazil, Russia, India and China — is now taken as holy writ among the U. S. business press. With the BRIC countries now boasting more than a quarter of the world's land area and more than 40% of the world's population, it's now considered inevitable that, in terms of size, speed, and directional flow, the transfer of global wealth and economic power is shifting from West to East.While it's true that the BRICs offer some of the best investment opportunities, in terms of companies on the Fortune Global 500, the dominance of the BRICs is still far from today's reality. The BRICs account for 58 companies among the Fortune Global 500. China stands head and shoulders above its rivals, with 37 companies on the list — a gain of nine companies from only a year ago. India has seven companies on the list, while Brazil has six and Russia has eight among the top 500. As pundit David Rothkopf observed, â€Å"Without China, the BRICs are ust the BRI — a bland, soft cheese that is primarily known for the wine that goes with it. † That said, even the Chinese companies on the list are hardly world beaters. Most are state-owned behemoths — not known for savvy or innovation. China's second-biggest company is the creatively named â€Å"State Grid,† which ranks (a shocking) #15 in the world. And in 2009, you can still win bets at almost any U. S. bar by betting someone that she can't name a Chinese brand. Most of the Chinese companies on the list are like a 7†² 5†³ basketball player who can barely dribble the ball.Sure, it's hard to ignore that he is an intimidating presence on the basketball court. But that doesn't mean that you'd want to put him on your All-Star team. And it's hard not to notice that the largest BRIC companies outside of China are largely based on natural resources — that is, â€Å"trust fund† countries pumping wealth from the ground. Take away the oil and steel industries, and Russia, India and Brazil all suddenly rank alongside Denmark, Austria, Ireland and Finland, with two Fortune Global 500 companies each.In terms of heft, the BRICs are still distinctively minor league. Brazil has one company in the top 100, Russia has two, India has zero, and China has five, totaling eight companies from the BRIC countries in the top 100. By this measure, the combined BRICs beat Britain alone — but not France. The Fortune Global 500: The World's Surprising Economic Superpower? With all eyes looking toward the inev itable rise of the BRICs, it's easy to spurn â€Å"Old Europe† as a global economic force. I'm guilty of it and I've spent my entire adult life here.There may be a handful of contrarians willing to say that China may not be all that it's cracked up to be. But in over 15 years of active investment reading, I can recall only a single book that ever viewed Europe's prospects in a positive light. Taken together, Europe's economy is not only bigger than the U. S. economy, but its companies also rival the United States for corporate oomph. The economy of Germany, with a population of 80 million people, is the size of China's, and it both exports more and boasts more companies among the Fortune 500 than its Asian rival (39).Throw in France (40), the United Kingdom (26), Switzerland (15), the Netherlands (12), and Spain (12), and the top six European economies boast an impressive 155 companies among the Fortune Global 500. Not bad for a combined population of 266 million — sub stantially less than the United States. Include the Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Norway and Denmark (combined population 19 million) landing nine companies on the list, and you skew the list even further in Europe's favor. And unlike the BRICs, the European companies are distinctly top-heavy.Germany has 15 companies in the top 100, France, 10; Britain, six; Italy, five; Spain, three; and Netherlands, two, for a total of 41. That far outpaces the United States' collective 27 companies on the list of the world's 100 largest. The Fortune Global 500: A Welcome Correction Parsing the Fortune Global 500 rankings offers an important correction to what you hear in the mainstream business press. First, on a country level, U. S companies still dominate the global economy. And Japan, for all of its widely publicized problems, is still a powerful economic force.Second, China plays a much smaller role in the real world than it does in your email inbox. Third, and perhaps most surprisingly, taken together, the European companies outrank the United States — both in the top 100 and top 500 of the Fortune Global 500. Think of Europe as a single country and you suddenly realize that it trounced both the United States and China in the Beijing Olympics. And it wasn't even close. Yet, consider how likely it would be that you'd ever subscribe to an investment newsletter that focused solely on investment opportunities in Europe.The broader lesson is that distinctions on national lines are increasingly irrelevant. A good example is Arcelor Mittal, the world's largest steel-maker, which grew its revenues faster than Google did over the past five years. Arcelor Mittal is technically a Luxembourg-based company, run by an Indian, who lives in London. And I'd be surprised if you even knew (or cared) that the world's #1 company, Royal Dutch Shell, is actually based in the Netherlands. For true multinationals, country of origin is so yesterday. And that's the way it should be fo r you in looking at your investments.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

The conflict of duties owed to the state and duties owed to conscience Research Paper

The conflict of duties owed to the state and duties owed to conscience - Research Paper Example The gravity of the conflict at this point is underpinned by the fact that Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, had just decreed that as a rebel brother, Polyneices’ body was not to be accorded proper and holy funeral rituals on one hand. In this light, Polyneices’ body was to be neglected in the battlefield, as carrion for scavengers and worms. On the other hand, because of the persuasion that her brother Polyneices deserves to be buried, Antigone is compelled by her conscience to burry Polyneices, despite the death penalty which may accompany this act. To show that all odds are against Antigone’s persuasion that Polyneices is granted proper burial, all the Theban Elders and the Sentry have pledged their support to support Creon and Creon’s edict concerning Polyneices’ body. Thus, in intending to have Polyneices buried, Antigone is actually going against the duties and dictates of the Theban state. Unlike Antigone, Ismene is not able to overcome the fear of capital sentence (Riley, 101). The truth above corresponds with that of the civil rights activist, Martin Luther King, Jr. Despite all the obstacles that had been placed against civil rights activism for the African American. The obstacles against engaging in civil rights activism for racial equality was imperiled by possible detentions, intimidating investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (the FBI at the time had formed COINTELPRO) and even possible violent ambush by white supremacist groups (Sussman, 43). On one hand were these state-orchestrated dangers as a real threat and as a reason for Martin Luther King Jr. not to engage in civil rights activism. On the other hand, was Martin Luther King Jr.’s strong and indubitable persuasion that the African American and other people of color had the right to be treated with dignity. King’s noble belief in racial equality prevailed over these dangers and setbacks and ultimately even over the love for his own life (Amin, 156). Again, according to Seamon, to show that the conflict of duties owed to the state and duties owed to conscience are a thematic reality in Antigone, Antigone and her sister Ismene are imprisoned temporarily, when they neither deny having engaging in Polyneices’ burial, nor shown any remorse for the act. It is also made clear that Antigone could eventually lose her life and the love of her life, Haemon. However, all these setbacks, however serious they are, do not shake or dissuade Antigone’s resolve at all. This is because Antigone and Ismene totally believed that it was right to burry Polyneices (Seamon, 279). The development immediately above parallels that of Martin Luther King Jr. King was totally convinced that African Americans and other people of color were equal to white Americans and as such, had to be treated equally in all spheres of human existence, public and private. Just like Antigone, King was also subjected to incarceration. King was arrested in 1963 and sent to Birmingham City Jail. Like Antigone, King lost his freedom, his character was assassinated (King was subjected to smear campaigns which portrayed him as a communist ideologue, an adulterer and as a man so controversial that only suicide could absolve him of his problems and controversies.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

The Impact of Good Corporate Governance in Internal Control Essay

The Impact of Good Corporate Governance in Internal Control - Essay Example As result, nowadays, the corporate governance has a significant role to the companies to escape from failures in collapses or fraud. However, the discovery and prevention of fraud are significant challenges facing the business environment. Therefore, the ways in which companies' deals with fraud may enhance either the internal control and independent internal auditor or the need for forensic accounting. The forensic accounting is increasing in many organizations to identify situation, systems and security weaknesses by design and advise measure to reduce and limited inherent risk in the organization. The Enron and WorldCom in the US corporate collapses and fraud shook the foundation of the financial system and corporate governance, therefore; regulators in the U.S reform corporate governance by established the Sarbanes-Oxley act in June 2002 and Cadbury in the UK, in 1992, which now combine code. This assignment will illustrate the impact of good corporate governance in internal cont rol and internal auditing function to prevent fraud and detection. 2. Corporate governance and the prevention of fraud and detection Through the decades, the increase of the complexity of organizational activities have resulted to the increase of the difficulty of their control.   However, a mechanism should be also established ensuring that the rules and the guidelines included in the firm’s corporate governance scheme are followed. In any case, the value of the corporate governance as a framework for preventing fraud and defection across the organization cannot be doubted. This view is analytically explained below referring primarily to the main aspects and the role of corporate governance as a strategic tool for monitoring the progress of the organization in regard to its aims and mission; at the next level, the role of corporate governance in preventing fraud is presented explaining the challenges and the benefits of the involvement of corporate governance in such activity. 2.1 Corporate governance – role and characteristics Different approaches can be used in order to explain the role of corporate governance in modern organizations. In accordance with Anand (2007) corporate governance is a framework that ‘incorporates almost every aspe ct of corporate life’ (Anand 2007, p.77); however, it is explained that in its common form, the corporate governance framework consists of rules that aim to protect the interests of the firm’s shareholders (Anand 2007). On the other hand, Du Plessis et al. (2010) note that the term ‘corporate governance’ can incorporate many elements; among these elements two are considered to be the most important: the promotion of the interests of the shareholders and ‘the regulation/ monitoring of the corporate conduct’ (Du Plessis et al. 2010, p.10).  

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

The Pro's of Umbilical Cord Care (Triple Dye & alcohol) Research Paper

The Pro's of Umbilical Cord Care (Triple Dye & alcohol) - Research Paper Example Some of the methods were unsterile ad resulted in serious infections such as neonatal tetanus. Current umbilical care practices vary across different regions but have limited neonatal complications. Triple dye plus alcohol is one of the modern umbilical care treatments with several pros. The Pros of Umbilical Cord Care Using Triple Dye and Alcohol Regimen The kind of neonatal care given to newborn babies has great impact on the baby. Umbilical treatments aim at preventing infections during the cord separation. Umbilical cord is the cord that connects the baby with the placenta. It is mainly made up of blood vessels and acts as the connection between the mother and the foetus. After birth, the cord separates from the placenta, the cord stump dries and eventually falls, and the wound heals eventually. During the cord separation process, substances may collect and accumulate at the point of connection leading to infections. The cord takes about 5-15 days to separate. The umbilical stump provides a possible entry for bacteria. Therefore, there is need for use of appropriate treatment to aid the separation process, drying, and healing of the wound without infections. Antimicrobials are used to treat the umbilicus to fasten the cord separation and prevent bacterial colonization and other related complications of nursery infections as well as omphalitis. However, different antimicrobial work differently and may determine the time taken for cord to separate. Additionally, they may regulate the probability occurrence of any infections. Use of triple dye together with alcohol for treatment of umbilical cord is becoming a popular treatment for umbilical cord. The objective of this paper is to investigate the pros of Umbilical Cord Care using Triple Dye & alcohol. This analysis provides insights on how umbilical care impacts on nursing care. The paper will entail critical analysis of recent and relevant research related to the pros of using triple dye and alcohol in umbili cal cord care and make a conclusion regarding this method of nursing care. Triple dye is considered one of the most effective regimens for treatment of umbilical cord. A single application of the dye has been proved to prevent infections. However, the results are even better when triple dye is used together with alcohol. Studies have demonstrated that 90% alcohol is better in enhancing umbilical cord drying than other regimens such as povidone-iodine and Chinese herbs. Additionally, it has been proved that different regimen work differently in regions with different climatic conditions. However, some studies have shown that separation and healing occurs faster when Triple Dye is used together with alcohol. Discussion: Pro of Using Triple Dye Together with Alcohol for Cord Treatment    Umbilical cord care is one of the most important aspects of neonatal nursing care. This is because it greatly determines the health condition of the infant in the early stages after birth. Additional ly, the effectiveness of the care determines the survival rate of infants. The time taken for cord separation is greatly determined by the regime used for the care. Several studies have been done to establish the effectiveness of different regimes in determining the time taken for the cord to separate and the rate of infections following cord separation. The studies have established that the kind of regime used

Monday, August 26, 2019

The business problems occurring with the legalization of marijuana in Essay

The business problems occurring with the legalization of marijuana in the US - Essay Example However, businesses entering the recreational market are having trouble since marijuana is still illegal on a Federal State. This paper expounds on issues that businesses are having when entering the recreational marijuana business. In 1970, a law was passed by the US Congress to group marijuana under Schedule I drug jointly with other drugs such as heroin and cocaine (Stinson, 2015). Notwithstanding, Stinson (2005) notes that a total of 23 States in the US as well as the District of Columbia have gone ahead to legalize its use. The divergence of State laws and Federal laws have had significant effects on businesses entering the marijuana market. According to an article by Stinson (2015) published in the PEW Charitable Trusts website, banks have been reluctant to associate themselves with clients engaging in marijuana businesses. Banks play an important role in any business. Banks, according to Babb (2009) are the source of funds for businesses in form of loans. Marijuana business is not less important in this perspective. The fact that banks are declining to engage in business with people dealing with marijuana denies them access to funds. Lack of funds translates to inability to expand the business and also i nability to access products associated with the business on credit. Other than banks, individuals can access loans or funds from family members and friends. Under both the Federal and State laws, an individual cannot finance or invest in marijuana business if he or she is from another State particularly in States where possession of marijuana is illegal. This further curtails the ability of businesses entering the marijuana business from acquiring prerequisite funds. As an illustration, Wolf (n.d, p. 5) asserts that "Private lending is difficult in Washington by virtue of the Washington State Liquor Boards requirement that all financiers be Washington residents". Economic problems in the modern world have made it difficult

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Parkinson disease Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Parkinson disease - Essay Example The disease causes severe disability and is associated with high morbidity and mortality if untreated (Wirdefeldt, 2). Introduction of levodopa has decreased deaths and disability associated with the disease significantly. In this project, the clinical presentation, epidemiology, risk factors, treatment options and public education of Parkinson disease will be discussed with reference to recent literature. The exact etiology of the disease is yet unclear. It is likely that both genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of the disease. In about 10 percent of the cases, genetic factors account for the disease development (Bekris, 228). Environmental risk factors include rural environment, exposure to pesticides and herbicides, well water consumption and living in proximity to quarries and industrial plants. Biochemical mechanisms of disease development include 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) accumulation in mitochondria and free radical damage due to dopamines oxidative metabolism (Wirdefeldt, 3). Genetic factors are important in early onset Parkinsons disease rather than in late onset disease type (Bekris, 229). Parkinson disease is a disease of basal ganglia. The main neuropathological findings in this condition are presence of Lewy bodies and loss of dopaminergic neurons that are pigmented in the substantia nigra (Wirdefeldt, 3). The first clinical signs in Parkinson disease are motor signs. The signs are asymmetric. The first clinical symptom in most individuals is asymmetric resting tremor in the upper extremity. Eventually, the patients develop progressive bradykinesia, rigidity and difficulty in gait. Gradually, the axial posture flexes progressively and the strides progressively become shorter. Non-motor clinical symptoms include decrease in olfactory function, rapid eye movement behavior disorder, sleep disturbances, slowness in thinking,

Saturday, August 24, 2019

The Rhetoric of Pork Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Rhetoric of Pork - Essay Example Then he proposes some opinions and arguments to clarify making the avoidance from pork-consumption a commandment – they consume and stagger in smut, their flesh transmits disease – then enlightens why they mustn’t fulfill the logic. If there is a dire necessity, other farm animals will consume feces, moreover all undercooked meats have the possibility for scattering disease. The clarification he puts forth takes a methodology that has more to do with the economics and the assets needed to raise pigs for getting meat. Beasts that have ruminating bellies do quite fine with ingesting hard plants and grasses that human cannot consume, whereas pigs have bellies that resemble more with human beings and need to stake in the same food source. Pigs also need shadow or some exterior method of cooling their bodies, which is the reason they are observed to lurch in filth. Even the space is not well-matched for raising pigs, particularly with developing human inhabitants. Pig s flourish better in dense forests; whereas the needs of more human population causes woodlands to be wiped off to make room for harvesting fields. The area then starts to look more like a desert, plus it gets pricier to raise swine since their necessities are tougher to provide. In brief, Harris’ concept is that the prohibition of pigs arises out of the unwieldiness of nurturing them. It is very unlike the commonly supposed and argued cultural characteristic of not eating pigs. Jewish community in the United States, for instance, has no environmental need to keep abstinence from eating pork since the meat is supplied figuratively on a shoestring and American people on the whole are also not contending with pork for particular diets. Arguments of Mary Douglas Douglas proposed that food proscriptions sanctioned by religion as cited in Deuteronomy and Leviticus are amongst the resources by which particular groups uphold their preservations and exclusiveness, therefore providing them a robust identity or social emblems.  More tangibly, when a person declares his association with a certain group that he/she respects as his self-enclosed universe and outside whose boundaries he sees risk, menace, and hostility, he concurrently summons—openly or covertly—the many emblems of his social identity. There must be compactness between outrages that will make complete sense of all specific limitations. These prohibitions contaminate the individual, so by not consuming the vile animals, one can be clean or 'Holy', so these eating guidelines one way or another demonstrate holiness. Holiness is extensiveness, harmony, amalgamation, excellence. Holiness connotes protecting discrete classes of design. It includes specific definition, discernment and direction. The animals presented in sacrifice must be without imperfection, just like females must be cleaned after giving birth, so must the lepers be parted and ceremonially cleaned.  For instance, in the t ime of Leviticus, filthy lifestyles of a warrior prohibited him from combating. Animals that are hoofed and chew cud (sheep, cattle, goat, etc.) are  farm  animals used by the early Hebrews, therefore they are the appropriate food of these folks and a fragment of the social command. These are the means of support of the Israelites, so they are deliberated pure. The pig is also vile since it does not produce milk like cattle, yarn or hide like sheep so there is

Electronic notepad Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Electronic notepad - Essay Example Elecwrit notebooks will be small in size, portable, simple, customized covering and exclusively for writing purpose. In the start we will only target the Melbourne market however, at later stages we aim to target customer segments from other geographical regions of Australia. We will target the customers based on their income level and profession. Our major target market segments include students and working professionals. We will adopt premium pricing strategy in the beginning however, at later stages we may switch to price penetration strategy. To promote the products we will create a strong marketing campaign in which we will participate in the trade fairs and we will also visit the universities, colleges and companies. We will offer special wholesale packages to the universities and companies in the beginning. The financial information in the report shows that we will require an initial capital of $400,000 to start up the company and in the first year of operations our net profit is expected to be above $90,000. Therefore, we believe that Elecwrit will be a successful venture. Elecwrit offers high quality electronic products to those who are seeking trendy, stylish and easily portable products. We offer our products to a broad spectrum of consumers by offering them at affordable prices. To select the target market, the market segmentation strategy will be demographics market segmentation. The two variables including the income level and profession will be selected to segment the Australian market. Since the company will start its operations from the Melbourne market therefore, at the initial stage only the universities and companies in Melbourne will be targeted. Following table shows the target market of Elecwrit. We aim to target students and professionals with the income level of $5000 and above. The income level represents the individual income and not the household income. Since students

Friday, August 23, 2019

Medical Microbiology and Immunology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Medical Microbiology and Immunology - Essay Example In the U.K, the primary responsible animal for Campylobacteriosis is poultry. Immune defences against the infection can be both innate and adaptive. In most cases, Campylobacter infections are not medically treated. The infection is known to disappear on its own without necessarily having to undergo clinical procedures. However, severe cases are medically dealt with, where antibiotics are used to treat most cases. On the other hand, adaptive immune responses also apply. Frequent occurrences of the infection can cause the body to adapt to the infection and respond to its presence in the body in its own way. In such instances, the body develops its own defence mechanism to tackle Campylobacteriosis. Quite a substantial number of animals can cause Campylobacteriosis. In the case of U.K, poultry ranks number one. In this regard, the primary concern revolves around poultry and poultry products in relation to bacteria entry into the body, infection occurrence, and transmission of the infection. Intestinal tracts of poultry are the common grounds where Campylobacter jejuni bacteria are found (DuPont, 2011, p.307). Entry of the bacteria into the body follows consumption of contaminated or infected products. Since the bacteria can also be found in untreated water, drinking untreated water could also cause the infection. The life cycle of the bacteria primarily depends in the host environment, and is it passed through feces. The transmission of the infection occurs between animals and humans, specifically poultry in the U.K. There are a number of clinical features associated with Campylobacter infections. These are: fever, nausea, vomiting, cramping abdominal pain, and watery and sometimes bloody diarrhoea (DuPont, 2011, p.318). The infection manifests itself in a minimum of two days and a maximum of ten days. The infection can last for a period of up to seven days, with or without treatment. This

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Visit to Hill Station Essay Example for Free

Visit to Hill Station Essay Our school was closed for summer vacations on 18th May. It was very hot in Delhi. My parents decided to go to Niligiris. I too accompanied them. We packed our luggage and got ready for the journey. We went to Coimbatore by train. The railway journey was rather tiresome. From Coimbatore we went to Ooty by bus. We reached there in the afternoon and put up at a hotel. Ooty is one of the best hill-station of India. It may be called the queen of hill-station. It has many beauty spots. Next day, after breakfast, we were crowded with tourists form different parts of the country. People were making all sorts of purchases. After lunch we went to botanical gardens. We enjoyed the expense of horticultural beauty around our heart’s content. Niligiris has a healthy climate. It is a beautiful summer resort. The mountain slopes are covered with tall, green trees which present a caring sight at sunset and look very grand. The morning and evening hours are very pleasant. A cool breeze sets up and refreshes the mind. It makes one forget the oppressive heat of the plains. I felt happy in the company of nature. The bright hued flowers, the clouds sailing across the sky and the snow covered peaks of the high mountains in the distance filled my heart with joy. We stayed there for fortnight. I returned to Delhii reluctantly. The memory of my visit to Niligiris is still fresh in my mind.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Smoking, Alcohol and Obesity in New Zealand

Smoking, Alcohol and Obesity in New Zealand Introduction This research project is going to deal with three kinds of Maori trends, which have been issued from 1919 to the present and this research is going to identify and demonstrate about Smoking, Alcohol and Obesity. Those trends based on Northland, New Zealand. Additionally, each trend is identified by each difference question. Below question of bullet points demonstrate what this research project is going to do. Smoking: Why do Maori women smoke during pregnant? Alcohol: Why do young Maori people drink alcohol? Obesity: Why do Maori people have obesity? Those above questions are going to be shown by ethical and cultural considerations as following methodologies, which are literature review and statistical data and graph. Moreover, those trends are approached to Maori Hauora form, which is Te Whare Tapa Wha and the form consider Taha Tinana (Physical health), Taha wairua (spiritual health), Taha wanau (family health), Taha hinengaro (mental health). For three Maori health trends, this research is going to involve health services which are accessibility and Affordability. Accessibility is that many Maori have issues on transport such as own car and transportation. Affordability is significant barrier for Maori to access general practitioner due to too high cost. Methodology -Literature Review Literature review has plenty of sources for this research project. The example of resources is book, Internet, journals, government publications, dissertations, theses, electronic databases and reference materials. Those resources are helpful to understand and identify 3 Maori trends that I choose in existing knowledge. By using those resources even literature review makes the research project to avoid reinventing the wheel by undertaking research for which the conclusions are already known. -Statistical data and Graph Statistical data and graph provide factual data which is based on true events that is occurred in the past, thereby we can identify Maori trends. Additionally, those methodologies make this research easy to gather information and analysing trends. à ¢- Literature Review Smoking: Question1. Why do Maori women smoke during pregnant? As national hospital data from 1999-2003, 39 percent of Maori women over 15 years old smoked during pregnant. On the other hands, 12.5 percent of non-Maori women over 15 years old smoked during pregnant. Even though Maori women had higher percent of smoking rate during pregnant, they tried to cut smoking for being safe of their baby. Below table is shown how many Maori women were quit smoking for pregnant. Table 1. Smoking rate broken into age of Maori women Below bullets are shown why they keep smoking during pregnancy. Nicotine is addictive; Study participants smoked on average 9 cigarette per day even 52 percent participants smoked within 30 minutes of waking. The women are healthy; The Maori women have not had experience health problems regarding with smoking. So, their motivation to quit is for baby. Poor knowledge of increased risk; Maori pregnant women have poor knowledge of increased risk. So, they do not know what kind of effect baby is affected by smoking. For helping explanation, below table is shown. Table2. Belief statement about smoking during pregnancy There are not may support agencies to help Maori pregnant women. 82% of women recall being advised to stop smoking but few health professionals provided cessation assistance or referral. The delivered information was mixed; some women also felt supported to just cut down and were told not to quit as withdrawals could stress the baby. The most significant reason why women keep smoking during pregnant is because most women tried to quit with 2 weeks of finding out they were pregnant but only 2 pregnancies were planned for pregnant and on average women did not know they were pregnant until 7-8weeks even they do not make a book with Midwife until 11-13 weeks. They are surrounded by smokers; 62% of Maori population smoked. 67% of partners smoked. So, pregnant women can access easily in smoking area. Below table is shown environment. Table3. Environment – a) Social and b) Work Alcohol: Question2. Why do young Maori drink alcohol? Alcohol is widely used by youth of Maori. There were 1702 Maori students in the Youth’07 sample accounting for 18.7% of the total secondary school sample. 43.5% of all Maori students perceived that it was okay for people their age to drink alcohol regularly. Maori students think drinking alcohol was okay because 78% of their friends regularly drank alcohol. Additionally, 66% of students’ parents drank alcohol regularly at home. So, Maori students thought it was okay for them and below figure 1 is shown where Maori students get their alcohol from. Figure1. Percentage of source The most common problems associated with drinking alcohol were doing things that could have got them into serious trouble that is reported by 28% of current drinkers and getting injured after drinking alcohol (27%). 34% of all Maori students reported that within the previous month they had been a passenger in a car with a driver who had been drinking alcohol. Of those Maori students who had driven on a public road, 15% reported that they had driven a car after consuming alcohol. Additionally, drinking alcohol has affected in diverse way following bullet point will show. Increased risks of motor vehicle collisions, injuries and deaths Increased risks of crime Increased risks of sexual risk taking Mental health problems and suicidal behaviours Below figure 2 is shown that problems associated with alcohol use among current drinkers. Figure2. Problems associated with alcohol use among current drinkers Three of problem associated with alcohol use are noticeable which are had unsafe sex, done things that could have got you into serious trouble and been injured after you had been drinking alcohol. Diabetes Question3. Why is Maori higher rate of diabetes? There is variety reasons that make diabetes occurred and obesity is the most affected occurring obesity among diverse reasons. Below figure and table are going to show how many Maori population is obesity as dividing ethnic group. Figure3. Proportion of the population aged 15+ who are obese, by sex ethnic group Table4. Obesity prevalence rate, Maori, Non-Maori, 1998/1990, 1997 There are many Maori suffering diabetes and the population having diabetes in Maori are much higher than non-Maori. The population is nearly three times more common in Maori. Additionally, Maori being diagnosed have type 2 diabetes which are expected to significantly increase over the next 20 years with the biggest impact being on Maori, Pacific people and those living in deprived neighbourhoods. The main reason that many Maori are having type 2 diabetes is unequal access to and quality of diabetes care. Although there may be many other reasons to explain disparities of death and complications from type 2 diabetes, there is evidence that ethnic in access to and quality of care may play a role. Table5. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, deaths (2000-2004) and hospitalizations (2003-2005) by ethnicity and sex Maori age being diagnosed of type 2 diabetes are 47.8years, six years younger than non-Maori(54.2years) and the self-reported prevalence of diabetes was 3.5 times higher among Maori than among non-Maori and besides the risk for hospitalization because of type 2 diabetes is 4 times higher for Maori than non-Maori as above table4. Diabetes has a tendency to bring other diseases. By doing this, diabetic complications are suffered that is renal failure, lower limb amputation, eyes problems and heart disease. Even those diabetic complications are diagnosed more for Maori than non-Maori. Prevention of diabetes at a community level is predicated upon promotion of healthy diet, exercise and thus, weight control. However, policy and practice strongly believe behaviour change at the individual level is significant. It is unfortunately that this is going to solve diabetic epidemic and structural change at the level of taxation incentive, food regulation and advertising for healthy changes in manufacturing will be needed. Ngati Porou Hauora (NPH) on the East Coast is implementing a programme called Ngati and Healthy. Their purpose is reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus by promoting a lifestyle characterised by healthy eating and regular exercise and also increase awareness of diabetes and pre-diabetic conditions both amongst those at high risk of developing diabetes. Analysis By using those above literature review, this research was demonstrated three Hauora trends which are smoking, alcohol and diabetes based on question. In addition, the information of data in literature review is going to be analysed with bullet points. Smoking: why do Maori women smoke during pregnant? High percentage of Maori women smoke during pregnant Having poor knowledge of increased risks for baby. Pregnant women have know well 3 problems that is out of ten problems, which are low birth baby, breathing problems and sickness in infant and sudden infant death syndrome. Not enough support agencies to help Maori pregnant women Difficult environment to cease smoking at home and working place. There are many people smoke surroundings pregnant women. Being ware of pregnant late cause unplanned pregnant. Pregnant women recognise after 2 weeks. The delivered information was mixed Alcohol: why do young Maori drink alcohol? Having easy environment to drink alcohol by family and friends Not being ware of drink alcohol Nearly half percentage of Maori students perceived that alcohol use is okay 78% of Maori students friends regularly drink alcohol 66% of parents of Maori student regularly drink alcohol Most Maori students take alcohol by friends and parents. 28% of current drinker get into them serious trouble 27% of current drinker are getting injured after drinking 34% of all Maori students reported that within the previous month they had been a passenger in a car with a driver who had been drinking alcohol Drinking alcohol has affected in mental health problems and suicidal behaviours Diabetes: why is Maori higher rate of diabetes? Common disease in Maori population Three times higher than non- Maori population for Maori Type 2 diabetes expected to significantly increase over next 20 years Having unequal access to Maori for quality of diabetes care Diabetic complications are diagnosed more for Maori which are renal failure, lower limb amputation, eyes problems and heart disease. Significant treatment is weigh control NPH (Ngati Porou Hauora) is implement for promoting promoting a lifestyle characterised Conclusion This research dealt three Hauora trends from 1919 to this present day regarding each questions. In the smoking part, many pregnant Maori women smoke during pregnancy. So, they need to support to cease smoking by education. As the research dealt, many pregnant Maori women have poor knowledge what side effect coming when they smoke during pregnant. This is most significant issues and other important issue is unplanned pregnancy. Therefore, they smoke until they recognise they are pregnant. To prevent this kind of happening, health provider have to deliver information to Maori female even male also to make them aware of side effect of smoking surrounding pregnant women. In the Alcohol part, Most Maori students are exposure to easily get alcohol and most significant problems is Maori students is not aware of seriousness of drinking alcohol because of their surroundings. Alcohol use make problems in variety situation and it make Maori students injured even seriously. So, to prevent this k ind of situation, they need to be provided education. In diabetes part, type 2 diabetes is common disease among Maori even that disease is occurred three times higher than non-Maori. The reason that diabetes is occurred is closely relative with lifestyle and the rate of obesity is higher than non-Maori. So, Maori need to improve their life style by exercise, control weight and manage diet. References Health Quality Safety Commission New Zealand, University of Auckland Lessons from research with Maori Women(2006), Retrieved from http://www.hqsc.govt.nz/assets/CYMRC/Resources/RSP-Maori-Women-Smoking.pdf New Zealand medical Association, The New Zealand Medical Journal, Why Maori women continue to smoke while pregnant, Marewa Glover, Anette Kira(n/d), Retrieved from http://www.whakawhetu.co.nz/sites/default/files/why%20maori%20women%20continue%20to%20smoke.pdf Heath Promotion Agency, Alcohol Use and Maori Young People (2007), Retrieved from http://www.alcohol.org.nz/sites/default/files/researchpublications/pdfs/AlcoholENGLISHFact_Sheett_08LoRes.pdf The New Zealand Medical Journal, Binge drinking among Maori secondary school students in New Zealand: association with source, exposure and perception of alcohol use (2013), Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/read-the-journal/all-issues/2010-2019/2013/vol-126-no-1370/article-clark University OTAGO. (n,d) Hauora: Maori Standards of Health IV. Retrieved from: http://www.otago.ac.nz/wellington/otago067748.pdf

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Status Of English Language Education In China English Language Essay

Status Of English Language Education In China English Language Essay In today world, English language is widely used and the status of the language can viewed differently according to where it is utilized in several parts of the world. In some nations like the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland and Australia, English is considered a native language. However, Singapore, Philippine, India, and Malaysia regard English as a second language whereas other countries including Greece, Russia, Poland, Thailand, Vietnam, and others view English a foreign language (Bray Kashrus, 1985, 1992 as cited in Zhang, Zhang 2008). As the language of communication in numerous fields, both developing and developed countries have adopted and used English language accordingly. China, one of those countries, has accepted and utilized English in diverse domains, so that they may properly develop their country and build more relationships with outside world or vice versa. According to Ford, 1988 Bickers, 1999 as cited in Zhang (2008), English language has entered into China in nineteenth century through trading between China and western nations, and the first country in western nations, which did the trading with China, was Portugal and then British. After China lost in the Opium war to British, Hong Kong was abandoned, and other territories were open for foreigners and traders. During the period, a number of foreigners, especially English people and British mission schools flew into China. Since then, English teaching/learning has gradually become popular for Chinese people. As stated previously, the object of topic of this literature review is to find out how status of English language is in fields of education, business and economy, and international relationship from 2000 to Present. II. Literature Review Status of English language in education in China Hui (2001, p. 128) expresses that English is the most widely taught foreign language in China. In some cities, English is taught from grade 5 and some from grade 3 while in rural places, children in junior and senior high schools are allowed to have English class. In the junior and senior, two types of English books are used in which the first one is called Band 1 and the second is Band 2. According to English Syllabus for Jonior High School, 2000 as cited in Hui (2001), in Band 1, students are encouraged to be familiar with vocabulary, reading, listening, writing, and speaking. In colleges and universities, English is compulsory subject, and students are asked to study through Band 1 to Band 6, and they should complete six specific requirements; for example, familiar 4000 words, acceptable pronunciation and intonation, reading, listening, writing, and speaking (intermediate level). Similarly, according to Zhongshi Yu (2003), English language is considered one of the needed languages in Chinese educational system. In 2001, the ministry of education of China announced that English shoud be taught from lower level to higher one. In the lower class, all children from grade three are instructed English language so that they may develop their English ability before they go to higher education. The ministry further declared that for universities and collegues, English has to be used as a medium of instruction for several subjects such as information technology, biotechnology, finance, foreign trade, economics and law because these subjects have interrelation with English language. Due to this plan, provincial education commissions accordingly start to set up schedules for teaching English in many universties and collegues in cities (South China Morning Post, 2001 as cited in Zhongshi Yu, 2003). To facilitate English teaching/learning, the materials including textboo ks, classroom facilities, and testing centers are gradually developed in order that both teachers and students may find it easy to use them in their study because they are created locally (Peoples Daily Online as cited in Zhongshi Yu, 2003). Additionally, in the period, not only publish schools promote English but private schools also help encourage Chinese students to study English. Equally, according to a study by Zhiwei (2007), in order to help modernize the country, ministry of Education of China has strenghtened the English language teaching/learning through primary school to university level. In primary level, English is taught since third grade; in middle school, it is instructed as a main subject as other subjects such as Chinese language and mathematics while at university level, all students are required to learn English. To build up Chinese teachers ability in English, the ministry of Education has sent them to English speaking countries like the United States and the United Kingdom to have more trainings in English as well as to invite the native English teachers to share their knowledge and experiences to Chinese teachers and students. In addition, the ministry has as well promoted researchers to conduct more studies to explore more effective language teaching/learning strategies. Zhiwei (2007) states that to help make easy English teaching/learning, the ministry have established some textbooks and materials, so that the students can use and self-study; for example, English 1-4 volume, Functional English 1-4 volume, and Practical English Grammar. Zhiwei claims that before sending to next class or admitting to enter a course, students are asked to take different types of tests based on their levels; for instance, (1) basic grade tests, and higher grade test are done for students who are in English department, (2) 4-6 grade English test, a test for university students, (3) PETS, a co-operative item between Chinese and British, a test for publish, and (4) English Self-study text is conducted two times per year (in April and in October) for those students who want to test their English ability. Similarly, Zhang (2008) states that English teaching/learning becomes more and more popular in China; hence, a number of Chinese learners start to acquire English, and most of them want to be near-like English speakers. Based on ELIC website, an organization of English Language Institute in China as cited in Zhang (2008), numerous native-English instructors, especially from the United States, are hired to teach English in Chinese universities across the country. The organization adds that the reasons China rent those teachers because they are viewed as good models, and are considered effective trainers who probably provide better English knowledge to Chinese students in terms of pronunciation and accent, effective strategies and techniques, teaching styles, and others. Pennycook, 1998 as cited in Zhang (2008) also emphasizes that English teaching in China is constructed as a superior language since knowing English is believed to have a better understanding of the world making English speakers not only to be better teachers but also to gain superior knowledge of world. Likewise, based on Zhang (2008), English language is the most-studied foreign language in many educational institutions in China. From primary schools to universities, English classes are given and every student is required to attend English class from middle school to unversity level. In middle schools, English is tutored as a basic course which is similar to mathematics, sciences and Chinese language while in university level, English language is a compulory subject. Zhang (2008) emphasizes that university students has to successfully finish English course before graduating from the universities since they will use it in their workplace. So, if their ability in English cannot be qualified, they may not be employed. On the contrary, if their English ability is strong enough, they may be given a priority to work, especially in foreign companies. By the same token, according a study by Aimin Yan (2011), college English (CE) is highly recommended subject for undergraduate students in China. Their study was conducted with 20 graduates, from universtiy of Jinan in China, who have already possesed jobs for one or two years. The study shows that CE curriculum is a needed program in colleges because it provides a lot advantages to undergraduate students in their studies such as English for special purpose and billingual course as well as to gain advantages in workplace. The study also shows that graduate candicats need to have enough competence in English in order to be qualified for various positions in job market. In China, the most common jobs available are in businesses and in government organizations, and to be qualified for the job market, applicants need to make sure that they can use English in locating information, translating documents, and creating and editing English, especially in oral communication. As a result, CE program in colleges needs to be strenghtened to instill students ability in English to fulfill the schools requirement and to meet job market. Status of English language in business and economy Zhongshi Yu (2003) raise that in China, English plays a very important role in doing business, particularly in international business. In international business, business men and women need to use English to communicate with other foreign business people. Most documents including non-formal and formal are written in English. According to a survey study by Pang Jixian et al, 2002 as cited in Zhongshi Yu (2003), he found that a number of business people in China mainly use English throught faxes and emails to contact their business partners instead of using Chinese language. More importantly, English is officially used in joint venture contracts and in other agreements. The study also found that Chinese people work in the international companies are given English names, so that their managers can easily address them. Furthermore, English names are not only given to employees but they are also written on logoes of many international business; for example, Mcdonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, Cr oss Pizza, China Telecom, China Mobile, bank of China, agricultural bank of China, and commercail and industrial bank of China (Pang Jixian et al, 2002 as cited in Zhongshi Yu, 2003). Zhu (2008) asserts that due to development in a number of fields in China, business English is designed for higher educational institutions. Business English is a language used by people who work in business field, so selected words, expressions, grammatical structures are utilized in only business purposes. In China, English for business has its own characteristics, and English for business program allows the learners to build up English language skill and business management skill. According to Zhu (2008), English for business becomes an interest for a number of Chinese learners since it benefits a lot for their future. For that reason, business English program for undergraduate students was first run at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. In the program, the learners who complete all requirement subjects are awarded to get BA degree in foreign language or in business management. Based on Zhu (2008), another reason that English for business gain more interest is due to an incr ease of globalization economy. Thus, National Education Department has designed English for business in most universities in China so that when the students graduate, they may easily get a job in business companies. Johnson, (2010) illustrates that to expand trade inside the country and with the world, China may need to adopt English language because it could serve such purposes. After registering as a member of WTO, numerous foreign investments-western nations and the United Stated-come to China to do businesses, and more Chinese investments oversea are, as well increased noticeably. Johnson (2010) asserts that trading within a location or with local people is not enough, so Chinese traders begin to trade with foreigners, especially with the United Stated because most famous and large manufacturers are under the control of the United Stated. In other words, the United Stated is a central part in which all products and goods from different parts of the world could traffic under their power. So, the official language for both speaking and written form is English. For this reason, Chinese traders need to improve their knowledge to English language because they might enlarge their trading either with Chinese people or with foreigners. Johnson, (2010) further raises that knowing English bring Chinese people to have better job and benefit. In other words, English is probably a bridge to well-paid job or gate to reach working world. A big example raised by Johnson (2010) is 2008 Beijing Olympic Game which could be considered a great opportunity for Chinese people. Considerable Chinese people who have English knowledge would make much money, even taxi drivers because a number of foreign visitors entered China. Since then, more and more Chinese people are interested in English because they may earn a lot of money for daily job as well as in the next consequent famous events (China daily as cited in Johnson, 2010). Wang (2011) emphasizes that English is regarded as a demanded foreign language by a lot of Chinese people because fo the current need in working fields. As known that China has attracted many foreign investments-companies, factories, restaurants, shops and others-to come to do business, particularly from the United States, and the United Kingdom. Hence, many Chinese people who have English knowledge are given priority to have job opportunity since in daily operation, Egnlish is used to communicate between employees and employers. Besides oral communication, written form in English through faxes, and emails are commonly used to contact one another within workplace or to other workplaces. More importantly, the legal documents such as contracts and other agreements are officially written in English, particularly in joint ventures, and agreements of exhanging products and services. According to Rugman and Collinson, 2006 as cited in Wang (2011), most management teams in international bus inesses use English to communicate with their employees within the company as well as with other companies. Rugman and Collinson, 2006 as cited in Wang (2011) also point out that there are two different levels in communications in international businesses in which first one refers to a communincation between two independent business whereas the second one refers to a communication occurs in multinational business. Status of English international relationship Hui (2001) points out that after setting up opening door policy, Chinese government has reinforced English so that the country could probably understand and communicate with the world. Since Chinese citizen has adopted and used English, it has helped bring China to world. Probably due to the policy with integration of English in Chinese policy system, China gets involved with the world through numerous works with the United States. In addition, many foreign tourists visit China creating stronger relationship with the world. Hui (2001) further states that Chinese civil service and ministers go oversea to further their education in English as the time as more and more students get scholarship to continue their study at English speaking countries like the United State and Australia. Also, Gil Adamson (2004) state that China has become more and more popular in the world; therefore, more connections between China and other countries have to be built up gradually. And to help build up the connections and to make those nations understand China or vice versa, Chinese government possibly need to use English because it is an international language. Most Chinese documents, especially official documents from political leaders need to translate into English in order that other goverments find it easily to communicate. Based on Hung, 2002 as cited in Gil Adamson (2004), Chinese government has established Foreign Language Bureau and Foreign Language Press to help facilitate English language and translate the governments view to the rest of the world in which China has a connection with. Sun, 1999 as cited in Zhang (2008) raises that because of arrival of English, Chinese government could build up its prestige in international events which lift up China to the world. Zhang (2008) emphasizes that English becomes Chinese students passports for a better life. Chinese people who have English knowledge may find it easier to in foreign events or countries rather that those who do not know it. Bakhtin, 1984 as cited in Zhang (2008) demonstrates that to develop its connections through the world, Chinese government encourage all ministries to improve its own ability in English. Bakhtin, 1984 as cited in Zhang (2008) further explains that knowing English might provide Chinese people with good way to obtain benefits, social position and image. According to Zhang Zhang (2008), English teaching in China was reduced due to a cold war in 1950s and 1960s between American and Soviet. On the other hand, English returns to China with high speed due to an open-door policy created by Deng Xiaoping who wants China to be modernized with the world. Virtue of this, Chinese government has rebuilt a diplomatic relationship with the United States. For this reason, a number of American teachers, students, and scholars travel to China as well as other foreigners come to visit and reside in China. Because of better connections between China and the United States, China government has sent a few politicians to the United States or vice versa in order that they could exchange their concepts and learn each other. Lam, 1999 as cited in Zhang (2008) states that China government rents considerable English experts to help instill Chinese officials so that they may work effectively in jobs because they works as the countrys representatives Similarly, Song (2009) indicates that due to its open-up policy, China becomes an interesting nation attracted by the world. From time to time, China plays more important role in the world in fields of politics, economy, culture, and diplomatic. A few famous events; for example, 2008 Olympic Games, Shanghai World exhibition, and Boao Foru are consequently held in China impressing millions of people around the globe. Hence, to make China easily connect the rest of world or vice versa, Chinese people, particularly the ones who work in the government need to have English knowledge. Thus, English teaching/learning in China starts from low level (elementary) up to higher one (university level). Song (2009) reveals that due to department of English of Nanjing University, western cultures and ideas, and Chinese cultures and ideas are promoted in teaching/learning English courses. In other words, Chinese learners are encouraged to acquire both westerns and Chinas philosophy and culture at the same time so that the learners can use English expressions to substitute Chinese ones when there are not any equivalence to English or vice versa. Likewise, based on Jiang (2011), English is considered a golden award for Chinese people which could promote Chinas prestige and image in many international connections after China is registered to be a member of Word Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001. The international connection between China and the world is gradually accelerating as soon as appearance of English language in China. Through the connection, a few famous events such as international exhibitions, and Olympic Games celebrating in China, attract millions of people around the world to visit China. According to Li Li, a vice president of New Orient as cited in Jiang (2011) declares that the influence of those events can give China more power as well as prestige to develop the country faster. Onec again, because more and more Chinese people gain more English competence, their connections with the rest of world is getting better and better. In the same way, Su (2011) indicates that as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), China tries its best to take adantages of this chance to meet challenges. China has promoted and accelerated both products and human resources in order to compete with other nations. To export more products to the world, more companies and factories have been established, and run the companies and factories, human resources has been improved by sending them to well-known nations such as the United States, and the United Kingdom, so that they can develop their technological and English skills. Furthermore, to help build up their students knowledge in English, China has to reinforce billingual education. Student are requiresd to accomplish English since they have to face a plenty of international situations. Another benefit that China obtain after being WTOs member is international relation. English not only brings China to compete with other nations in terms enonomy but it also allows China to have closely relationship with the world, specially with the United States. Su (2011) explain that as English serves as a variety of benefits for Chinese people and its society, China is having more willingness and power to push better national image in internationa l arena and to encourage their students to step forward on ladder to reach the world of prestige. III. Conclusion According to mentioned above, status of English language may plays important roles in education, business and economy, and international connection. To some extent, arrival of English may also be one of the reasons that help develop and improve in China. It is non-avoidable thing for Chinese people to associate with others and to adopt the age of technology; as a result, it needs to accept English since it is a language of technology. Therefore, Chinese governments has emerged English education to help build up Chinese students ability in English from lower levels up to higher levels. Besides the importance of English in education, it also plays as a main role in doing business, especially in international businesses and international relationship. However, Jiang (2011) states that while English may profit Chinese people and its society, the negative impact probably come to Chinese people and its language, too. Professor Ma and professor Pen as cited in Jiang (2011, p. 198) emphasizes that there is a important connection between language and national security and English fashion in china is not a good phenomenon for the development of national language security, which is the component of national sovereignty. The fast spread of English language in China will more or less ruin Chinese language since many Chinese students pay less attention on their own language. According to my understanding, I would say that what China does to its country is properly right because it brings the development, prestige as well as status to the country. However, it may not be an appropriate idea to highly promote English without seeing the bad influence to the society. The more China tries to give value to English for their development; the bad impact will come to damage Chinese Language. As we know that, Chinese language is widely spoken and used if comparing to English. A number of Chinese people are around the world doing business, so its language is used accordingly. Nonetheless, if English is supported Chinese citizen, a number of next generations will more or less forget his or her own language (Chinese language) from time to time. Based on my point of view, Chinese government should reduce the image of English by emerging Chinese language wherever English is. Chinese language should be promoted to write in research articles and publish in international journals, Chinese governments should raise awareness that Chinese language needed to be preserved in order to defend its reputation, and last but not least, Chinese government should limit the number of English learning at all educational system.

Monday, August 19, 2019

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Essay -- Psychology, Rational Behavioral

Brief history of the theory and theorist. In it's simplest form, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, (or CBT as it will be referred to from here on out), refers to the approach of changing dysfunctional behaviors and thoughts to realistic and healthy ones. CBT encompasses several types of therapy focusing on the impact of an individual's thinking as it relates to expressed behaviors. Such models include rational emotive therapy (RET), rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT), behavior therapy (BT), Rational Behavior Therapy (RBT), Schema Focused Therapy, Cognitive therapy (CT). Most recently a few other variations have been linked to CBT such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) (Harrington and Pickles, 2009). The main aspect that all of these branches of therapy share, is that our thoughts relate to our external behaviors. External events and individuals do not cause the negative thoughts or feelings, but, instead the perception of events and situations is the root cause (National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists, 2010). The idea of thoughts as they connect to behaviors can be traced back to Epictetus (55 AD -135 AD , Greek Stoic and Philosopher). He stated, â€Å"Men are not disturbed by things, but by the view which they take of them (Epictetus and Higgonson, 1944). Epictetus also wrote, â€Å"Do not strive for things occurring to occur as you wish, but wish things occurring as they occur, and you will flow well (Epictetus and Lebell, 1994).† In other words, see things for what they really are and good health will follow (Romaneck, 2007).† Another belief was that a sage or teacher was immune to unhappiness and misf... ...cur via story, instruction or through music enhancement (Deggs & Davis, 49. 2011). Homework for CBT clients may include reading suggested articles or books, taking surveys, journaling, recording thoughts and challenging negative automatic thoughts, creating timetables and graded exposures (slowing bringing feared items to the forefront). Guided discovery, structured sessions, homework and collaboration. Socratic reasoning/questioning (open questioning). Challenging NATS (Negative Automatic Thoughts), challenging core beliefs. ERP (exposure and response prevention). Cognitive behavioral therapy uses the ABC model. A stands for action or activating event, B represents beliefs or thoughts that are created from the activating event, and C represents consequences or how we react to the event. Homework is a key component of this therapy.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Reuven Malters Development In The Chosen :: essays research papers

Malter's Development in The Chosen One of the most emotional scenes from Chaim Potok’s The Chosen is when Reuven goes with Danny Saunders to talk to his father. Danny has a great mind and wants to use it to study psychology, not become a Hasidic tzaddik. The two go into Reb Saunders’ study to explain to him what is going to happen, and before Danny can bring it up, his father does. Reb Saunders explains to the two friends that he already known that Reuven is going to go for his smicha and Danny, who is in line to become the next tzaddik of his people, will not. This relates to the motif of â€Å"Individuality† and the theme of â€Å"Danny’s choice of going with the family dynasty or to what his heart leads him.† The most developing character from the novel is Reuven Malter. One of the ways that he developes in the novel is in hus understanding of friendship. His friendship with Dfanny Saunders is encouraged by his father, but he is wary of it at first because Danny is a Hasid, and regards regular Orthodox Jews as apikorsim because of the teachings of his father. Reuven goes from not being able to have a civil conversation with Danny to becoming his best friend with whom he spens all of his free time, studies Talmud and goes to college. Reuven truly grows because he leans, as his father says, what it is to be a friend. Another way that Reuven grows is that he learns to appreciate different people and their ideas. He starts out hating Hasidim because it’s the â€Å"pious† thing to do, even though his father (who I see as the Atticus Finch of this novel) keeps telling him that it’s okay to disagree with ideas, but hating a person because of them is intolerable. Through his friendship with Danny, studies with Reb Saunders, brief crush on Danny’s sister (who was never given a name), and time spent in the Hasidic community, he learns that Hasids are people too with their own ideas and beliefs that are as valuable as his. He learns why they think, act, speak, and dress the way that they do and comes to grips with the fact that he doesn’t have a monopoly on virtue. A third way in which Reuven grows, though the book doesn’t really talk about it a great deal, is in his appreciation of life, or cha’im in Hebrew. He almost loses his vision, his father nearly works himself to death, six million Jews are butchered in Europe, and Danny’s brother’s poor health threatens Danny’s

Art Can Be Functional Essay -- Argumentative

â€Å"We are in the presence of a work of art only when it has no preponderant instrumental use, and when its technical and rational foundations are not preeminent.†1 The words of George Kubler, a prominent twentieth century art historian, support the notion that art cannot be useful or necessary to society outside of its artistic expression. Kubler’s belief, however, is not solely a contemporary idea. The eighteenth century philosopher, Immanuel Kant, formally proposed this theory. Kant separated fine art from useful art, maintaining that an artist’s goal must be to convey aesthetic ideas through form and design. These ideas are original and creative and therefore have â€Å"purpose without a purpose.†2 In short, both Immanuel Kant and George Kubler, even though separated by more than a century, believe that art only exists for the sake of art, without any other functional value to society, and thus anything that possesses utility fails to be art. Initially, we can easily agree with this notion since art does exist in this form. Famous works of art such as Monet’s â€Å"Waterlilies† or Van Gogh’s â€Å"Starry Night† demonstrate that art exists for art’s sake. These artists express their ideas through form and design, giving the work â€Å"purpose without a purpose.† Even though art exists for the sake of artistic expression, we can also find art that defies the philosophy of Immanuel Kant. Bridges exist as art, and thus engineers exist as artists. Although bridges stand as feats of engineering that perform the task of connection, bridges also display great beauty. Undoubtedly, beautiful bridges evoke an array of emotions from observers, much the same as an inspired painting, and thus offer warnings that Kubl... ...ltimately, since the George Washington Bridge qualifies as art, while also utilizing rational and technical foundations to perform a useful function, we can easily disprove George Kubler’s belief. His shortsightedness denies the existence of the art and beauty that surrounds us everyday. Herein lies the biggest tragedy. To limit art to such a small sample of the creative prospects offered by the world only serves to diminish the experience of aesthetic pleasure. Instead, people can and do appreciate works like the George Washington Bridge, which offer artistic value, while still providing a service to society. Art can be found all around us; however, art is lost without people willing to embrace and appreciate it. In all actuality, art, as its primary purpose, serves to enrich our lives, but only brings pleasure to those who choose to see it. Art Can Be Functional Essay -- Argumentative â€Å"We are in the presence of a work of art only when it has no preponderant instrumental use, and when its technical and rational foundations are not preeminent.†1 The words of George Kubler, a prominent twentieth century art historian, support the notion that art cannot be useful or necessary to society outside of its artistic expression. Kubler’s belief, however, is not solely a contemporary idea. The eighteenth century philosopher, Immanuel Kant, formally proposed this theory. Kant separated fine art from useful art, maintaining that an artist’s goal must be to convey aesthetic ideas through form and design. These ideas are original and creative and therefore have â€Å"purpose without a purpose.†2 In short, both Immanuel Kant and George Kubler, even though separated by more than a century, believe that art only exists for the sake of art, without any other functional value to society, and thus anything that possesses utility fails to be art. Initially, we can easily agree with this notion since art does exist in this form. Famous works of art such as Monet’s â€Å"Waterlilies† or Van Gogh’s â€Å"Starry Night† demonstrate that art exists for art’s sake. These artists express their ideas through form and design, giving the work â€Å"purpose without a purpose.† Even though art exists for the sake of artistic expression, we can also find art that defies the philosophy of Immanuel Kant. Bridges exist as art, and thus engineers exist as artists. Although bridges stand as feats of engineering that perform the task of connection, bridges also display great beauty. Undoubtedly, beautiful bridges evoke an array of emotions from observers, much the same as an inspired painting, and thus offer warnings that Kubl... ...ltimately, since the George Washington Bridge qualifies as art, while also utilizing rational and technical foundations to perform a useful function, we can easily disprove George Kubler’s belief. His shortsightedness denies the existence of the art and beauty that surrounds us everyday. Herein lies the biggest tragedy. To limit art to such a small sample of the creative prospects offered by the world only serves to diminish the experience of aesthetic pleasure. Instead, people can and do appreciate works like the George Washington Bridge, which offer artistic value, while still providing a service to society. Art can be found all around us; however, art is lost without people willing to embrace and appreciate it. In all actuality, art, as its primary purpose, serves to enrich our lives, but only brings pleasure to those who choose to see it.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Should Animals Be Used for Scientific Research or Testing?

Should animals be used for scientific research or testing? Agli Panci Instructor: Eva Prifti Course: Composition I Time: Thursday, 15:00-18:00 From the early time humans survival was depended on animals, either as food or for transporting. Today we are using animals for a new kind of survival, we are using them for testing and experimenting medicines that we need for different diseases. All along this time, this experiments has helped a lot for discovering of new kind of diseases and medicine to cure them. I think that stopping of this experiments will bring limitation in scientific progress. However there are o lots of organization that try to protect animal rights but anyway for the moment is the only what that we have to test and experiment new way curing new or existing deceases. Although that many organization of animal rights think that animals should not used in medical research data shows that there are a lots of medications that we use today are invented due to animal research, because there are some animals who have similar body functions with humans. Reducing the human suffering as much as we can must be our firs priority, and then our second priority must be reducing of animal suffering or death. Is not the same as using humans and animals in medical research for discovering new diseases that my affect both animals and human beings, in this case we must use animals for research so we avoid human suffering as much as we can and after that our priority should be animals. For death bringers deceases like HIV or different tumors we need to do experimenting and tests with animals because it is the mos efficient way to find new ways to cure without having human suffering. Regarding to the second part that says that we must do our best to have the minimum of animal suffering has to a lot with ethics of the scientists that are doing this experiments. Regarding a survey conducted in the American Medical Association show that 99% of all active physicians in the U. S think that animal testing is the only way yo medical advancements. With today technology we can keep animal suffering in the absolute minimum. We can use anesthetics to minimize the suffering. Also to reduce animal suffering can be done by keeping them comfortable and in clean and healthy environment conditions. In other words is clearly possible to use animals in research without being cruel to them. New technologies of scanning that exist today like magnetic resonance, which make possible for doctors to learn about a certain disease from animals without making them suffer. According to studies there are thousands of death bringers diseases that are discovered from 1600's to 1990's due to animal experimentation. According to Animal Use and Abuse Statistics, more than 25 million vertebrate animals are used annually, and the number of invertebrates may extend to billions in United States. Above the scientific ethics of the scientist is the technology that is available to him, so our part is to do our best to avoid not needed hurting or testing. So we must take our benefits from this experiments but also to protect this animals from death. According to the US based, Foundation for Biomedical Research: â€Å"Animal research has played a vital role in virtually every major medical advance of the last century – for both human and veterinary health. From antibiotics to blood transfusions, from dialysis to organ transplantation, from vaccinations to chemotherapy, bypass surgery and joint replacement, practically every present-day protocol for the prevention, treatment, cure and control of disease, pain and suffering is based on knowledge attained through research with lab animals. Humans genes are 99% like chimpanzees, and many other basic functions like eating, seeing, smelling are in humans like in animals. As a result of this similarity , the feedback of these animals are a very good guide to possible reactions of human patients. It is very possible that humans and animals can get o lot of the same diseases, because of this we can make the research in animals and test new medicines in them firs and after this we can produce for humans. As we know from the theory of evolution animals feel pain and pleasure,because we share with them our emotions. So the people using animals for experimenting or different purposes should treat them with respect. Also the purposes for witch they are used should be legitimate. The groups defending animals have tried to distort the truth about what animals are used for. They refuse the fact that these researchers are important and declaim that animals shouldn’t be used for any reason. They argue that medical community doesn’t support the fact that animals are used in research and it is obvious that it isn’t the truth. Besides the modern technology used in animal testing not all the experiments finish successfully and millions of animals die each year. Another point is that there are a lots of medicines that are tested in animals but they have side-effects in humans. So this kind of experiments bring suffering and deaths in both sides, in animals and in humans. Because different species reaction differently on different medicines. Animal rights organization have tried to dis inform public about the different fact in animal research. They do not accept the fact that use of animal in research has given a very useful contribution in curing different diseases. Today about 95% of U. S medical schools do not use animals to experiment new medicines or for testing purposes. They are trained using the human stimulation that the today technologies can offer and doing didactic work. While there are trying to find other ways to animal testing and experimenting, what the best scientist can do for now is try to reduce the number of animals being tested. They are using modern technologies and new types of scanning to see the animal organism so they don’t actually need to apply surgery. Though it is hard to completely stop the animal resting, what we can to is prevent unnecessary tests by stopping certain products that don't require animal experimenting. In order that the pathogenesis of different diseases could be studied,doctors need animal experimentation as the only way at te current level of knowledge ,and it undertakes drug trials,vaccines to alleviate suffering for human and animals. To conclude, humans must try can to reduce the number of animals being harmed in these experiments aimed at benefiting society. References Cook, K. (2006, March 29). Facts about Animal Research . Message posted to http://www. pro-test. org. uk/2006/03/facts-about-animal-research. html PETA. Animal Testing Is Bad Science: Point/Counterpoint. Retrived from http://www. peta. org Research Animal Resources. Ethics and Alternatieves. Retrived from http://www. ahc. umn. edu University of Georgia. Animals Used in Experiments. Retrived from http://www. uga. edu

Friday, August 16, 2019

Britain And France Lost Their Power Of Influence History Essay

After the atomic Bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki ; Stalin began to be leery of America. [ Stalin ] â€Å" aˆÂ ¦his leery character led him astray by imputing to Western authorities aˆÂ ¦ † ( He believed that the Americans wanted to hold an influence in Europe that would rule the communist parts of Europe ; one would believe that this belief would farther act upon his intuition. â€Å" From 1947 on Stalin regarded the consolidation of the two axis and the comparative growing of the US influence in Europe as a foregone decision. † ( Zubok and Pleshakou, Kremlins24 ) Future USSR leaders besides had the same premise of the West ‘s involvement in ruling Eastern Europe. †¦ † he [ Khrushchev ] came to believe that West Germany politicians were utilizing the United States to derive power over GDR and to travel to domination in cardinal Europe. â€Å" ( Zubok and Pleshakou, Kremlins 198 ) â€Å" Stalin ‘s ambivalency seemed progressi vely baleful from Western position, and Washington and London began to look at the Soviet enlargement sanctioned at Yalta and Potsdam in a wholly different visible radiation. â€Å" ( Zubok and Pleshakou, Kremlins, 37 ) The writer show indicates that â€Å" Stalin feared the Americans and the British would ‘renege the Yalta understanding. ‘ † ( Zubok and pleshakou, Kremlins, 41 ) Stalin ‘s overpowering intuition lead to the Occidents on intuition which made them increases their attending on the enlargement of communism in Europe ; through the Yalta and Potsdam conference. There were many miscommunications within the USSR ; which in bend caused them to misinterpret the power and influence of the West. Some of the chief misinterpretations were brought approximately by Litvinov and Molotov who Stalin looked for to acquire accurate information on the West. Litvinov, every bit good as most perceivers, failed to anticipate the nature and way of American ‘s postwar engagement in the universe. In fact, this cognition of the United States led him to the wrong premise that Washington might return to isolationism and withdraw from international organisations. He seemed to believe that it would be much easier for the USSR and Great Britain to come to an â€Å" amicable understanding † about the European colony if the moralistic and expansionist United States would non interfere. ( Zubok and pleshakou, Kremlins,38-39 ) The false information Litvinov provided caused the leaders of the USSR to misinterpret the strength of the West. â€Å" Stalin and Molotov strongly believed that the US- British differences would be acute plenty to forestall their collusion against the Kremlin. â€Å" ( Zubok and pleshakou, Kremlins, 95 ) The concluding papers sent from the Soviet embassy in Washington to Moscow on September 27, 1946, reflected Molotov ‘s thought instead than the positions of the embassador. The United States, the wire said, abandoned its prewar tradition of isolationism and was now driven by the desire for universe supremacyaˆÂ ¦ The American authorities would halt at nil â€Å" to restrict or free the influence of the Soviet Union. â€Å" aˆÂ ¦ The wire pointed out â€Å" a secret understanding † between the Unites States and England â€Å" refering the partial division of the universe on the footing of common grants. ( zubok and Pleshakou, Kremlins, 101-102 ) â€Å" The intelligence from Washington made the Kremlin leaders believe even more that they could destruct western integrity by revenging in West Berlin. â€Å" ( Zubok and Pleshakou, Kremlins107 ) This false information lead the USSR to desire to busy West Germany as a buffer zone to protect USSR and to distribute communism. The Marshall program was created by the Unites States to resuscitate the economic system of Europe. To the USSR the Marshall program was regarded as ; â€Å" The danger of American economic blackmail of Soviet Union ( the potency usage of economic assistance as purchase ) . â€Å" ( Zoubok and pleshakou, Kremlins,104 ) The USSR refused to hold any portion of the Marshall program. â€Å" The absence of the Soviet in Paris, Molotov seemed to believe, would assist worsen the tenseness in the emerging Western axis. â€Å" ( Zubok and Pleshakou, Kremlins,106 ) Many communist believed it was good for the USSR to non hold a portion in the Marshall program. Zhdanov commented that â€Å" Communists will derive nil through peaceable cooperation within coalitionaˆÂ ¦ they may alternatively lose what they ‘ve travel. â€Å" ( Zubok and Pleshakou, Kremlins,131 ) The United States initial purpose of the Marshall program was â€Å" aˆÂ ¦ as they [ USSR ] rapidly learned, was to strip the Soviet Union of its influence in Germany and cardinal Europe. â€Å" ( Zubok and Pleshakou, Kremlins,105 ) The miscommunication with in the USSR caused them to misinterpret the connotations of the Marshall program. The Western powers wanted to stop the influence of communism in Europe and in making so ; â€Å" Western powers and leaders behaved the lone manner they could- as enemies of the Soviet Union and socialist manner of life. â€Å" ( Zubok and Pleshakou, Kremlins,89 ) In order to incorporate the spread of communism the aˆÂ ¦ † British and American business zone would be united into ‘Bizonia, ‘ the U.S military personnels would remain, and the Sovietss would be excluded from control over the Ruhr industry. â€Å" ( Zubok and Pleshakou, Kremlins,100 ) The Unites provinces was rigorous to the containment of communism that â€Å" aˆÂ ¦it made clear that it would non digest a neutralised incorporate Germany that might gravitate towards the Kremlin. â€Å" ( Zubok and Pleshakou, Kremlins,107 ) This made the USSR gain the strength and influence of the West. The Kremlin swayers understood that â€Å" the harder they drove against Western political relations, the more their opposition contributed to the execution of American separationist program in Germany and Europe. â€Å" ( Zubok and Pleshakou, Kremlins,107 ) â€Å" By 1947 it had become crystal clear that the western leaders regarded their cooperation with Stalin during the war old ages as an unfortunate episode that was to be followed by considerable withdrawal. â€Å" ( Zukob and Pleshakou, Kremlins,114 ) Although the USSR still believed that it was owed a batch for its engagement in the war. â€Å" Khrushchev steadfastly believed that the USSR has been wronged, mistreated by the United States after the terminal of the Second World War. â€Å" ( zubok and Pleshakou, Kremlins,182 ) Khrushchev ‘s belief was back up by an proclamation from the TASS. â€Å" On January 13th, 1953 TASS announced that for old ages, there had been a secret plan to assassinate Soviet leaders and that this secret plan was directed by the Western intelligence bureaus † ( Zubok and Pleshakou, Kremlins,114 ) aˆÂ ¦ With this proclamation the USSR felt betrayed by the Allies it had fought with, and sacrificed a batch for. The USSR still felt tha t was to be owed a great trade for its work. â€Å" Two coevalss of Soviet diplomats after him [ Stalin ] believed that the Soviet Union was entitled to particular security agreements in Meleagris gallopavo † ( Zubok and Pleshakou, Kremlins,98 ) aˆÂ ¦ After the decease of Stalin, there were alterations in the regulation of the USSR. Before his decease Stalin ruled USSR with his ain involvement and temper in head ; which were driven by his intuition of the West. â€Å" Most Western analysts felt that the Kremlin ‘s enterprises after Stalin ‘s decease were either new, improved Soviet tactics in engaging the cold war or execution of policy designed to cut down international tensenesss bit by bit. â€Å" ( Zubok and Plshakou, Kremlins,139 ) Khrushchev who was Stalin ‘s replacement ousted Stalin and his signifier of regulation. Khrushchev wanted to â€Å" outfox the ‘dark forces ‘ in the united States- to do them abandon their policies of haughtiness, no acknowledgment, and strength towards the USSR. â€Å" ( Zubok and Plshakou, Kremlins,184 ) The perceptual experience and misperception from the US and the USSR were really of import. They influenced or started the fire of tenseness between the two states that would subsequently on lead to scientific rebellion of atomic arms ; and the cold war. The misgiving, usage of false information, the influence of capitalist economy in states that the USSR wanted to distribute communism, the deficiency of regard and that that the USSR received for assisting the Alliess in the 2nd universe war, and the decease of Stalin and a new leader all lead to the misperception and perceptual experience between the US and USSR which was the starting point of the tenseness between the two states.

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Led Zeppelin: A Decade That Changed Rock Music Essay

Led Zeppelin was formed in 1968 and disbanded in 1980. During that interval there were dramatic changes in rock music, its mythologies, the industry, and its audience. Through circumstance, design, and luck the band occupied a central position in some of the most significant of these developments. The band’s impact on rock was music was noteworthy: Led Zeppelin rewrote all the record books. All subsequent bands were measured by the standards it set. As with few other popular bands, the truth depends upon the perspective one takes. Since Led Zeppelin’s demise popular music and its institutions have changed significantly, in this paper, I will attempt to give both sides their due by sketching a measured image of the band and the role it played in the development of seventies rock music. It will be seen that the band emerged at a transitional period in popular music, and that partisans and critics alike hold it responsible for changes that characterized rock music in the seventies. Led Zeppelin was formed by Jimmy Page in late-1968. It rose from the ashes of the Yardbirds, a blues-rock band that, along with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, was one of the first-generation British groups. Despite the fact that it had been extremely successful in the United States, the group had little success in its native country. One of the band’s central claims to fame was that it employed in succession Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. Today, these musicians are revered as the holy trinity of white, English, rock-blues guitarists (Cole and Trubo 13-14). Page, a highly regarded session guitarist who played on numerous British hits, selected the musicians that would form his band. He first recruited another accomplished session musician, John Paul Jones, to play bass and keyboards. Discovering that his first choice for vocalist, Terry Reid, was unavailable he selected the relatively unknown Robert Plant. Plant, in turn, suggested a friend and former band-mate, John Bonham — â€Å"Bonzo† affectionately — to play drums. In their first rehearsal together, the four played the Yardbirds’ â€Å"The Train Kept a ‘Rollin. † The session has been described as â€Å"magic† by all present. The rest, as they say, is history (Yorke 21-3). Led Zeppelin, along with Blue Cheer, Black Sabbath, and Grand Funk, was a progenitor of the musical style known as â€Å"heavy metal† rock. As the name suggests, the genre features loudly amplified music that emphasizes the bottom register. Live or on a good stereo, its heaviness has a distinct somatic component — the throb of the guitar, bass, and drums can all be felt the in listener’s gut. Commentators interpret the genre as one of a number that emerged from the decomposition of psychedelic music in the late sixties (Straw 97-110), According to Straw, early heavy metal had three dominant stylistic traits; first, was the â€Å"cult† of the lead guitarist. Heavy metal bands were formed around guitar playing â€Å"geniuses† who were revered by fans for their instrumental prowess. As Weinstein reminds us, this extended to their use of, â€Å"A wide range of electronic gadgetry, such as wah-wah pedals and fuzz boxes† (Weinstein 23). Second, was the notion of the â€Å"power trio,† and other references to musical virtuosity. Unlike â€Å"pop† or commercial bands, whose relationship to musicianship was accidental at best, metal bands were made up of highly proficient musicians. Third, was the â€Å"supergroup† phenomenon, and the importance of extended solo playing that discarded the temporal limits of the pop song (Straw 97). As Weinstein observes, many of these attributes could also be discerned within pre-metal acts such as Hendrix or Cream (16-17). Later, the genre’s characteristics would sediment into distinctive stage shows, album cover designs, and audience dress and life styles. The success of this style has been interpreted as reflecting the emergence of a new rock audience, composed in Davis’ view, of, â€Å"Boys and young men between fifteen and twenty-four, an audience who like their rock to be loud, Anglo-Saxon, violent, 4/4, martial. The girls weren’t really at this party. It wasn’t a dance† (Davis 63). Audition tapes in hand, Led Zeppelin’s manager, Peter Grant, negotiated a five-album, ? 200,000 package with Atlantic Records in late 1969 (Lewis 45). In addition, the band was given complete artistic control over its music and album cover design. This was an unprecedented deal for a band that had yet to release a single album, and said as much for the negotiating skills of the principals as it did for the label’s expectations of the group’s potential for commercial success. In a move bound to raise more than a few eyebrows, the band removed the â€Å"a† from Lead Zeppelin, reportedly so that American fans would not mispronounce it. The magnitude of the deal would lead to charges that the band was based on â€Å"hype† rather than solid musicianship (Weinstein). Led Zeppelin’s early musical output fits squarely within the above stylistic categories. As Rockwell argues, its music was, â€Å"Essentially a prolongation of the nineteen-sixties British blues-rock tradition† (Rockwell n. p. ). Rather than offering a reinterpretation of the path laid down by its predecessors, the band’s music mutated the genre, creating a new offshoot. Two direct examples may be found on the band’s first album, Led Zeppelin: Willie Dixon’s â€Å"I Can’t Quit You† and â€Å"You Shook Me. † No mere covers, each song served as a point of departure for amplified, distorted, and shrieking musical efforts. Equally characteristic was the way Led Zeppelin offered up portentously expanded variants on American and British folk music. Songs such as â€Å"Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You† from the first album, or â€Å"Gallows Pole,† from the third, start with a vocal accompanied by an amplified acoustic guitar, building to complex tapestries of electrified sound and crashing drums (Yorke 72-4). These effects were realized by the way that Page used his guitar and electronic wizardry to explore the coloristic possibilities of distortion. Plant, on the other hand, used his voice like an instrument. This upset the vocal technique traditionally used by blues singers, which had required them to project emotion. Writing of this practice, Christgau argues, â€Å"Its influence on popular singing has been so widespread that, at least among males, singing and emoting have become almost identical — it is a matter of projection rather than hitting the notes† (n. p. ). Thus, singers like Bob Dylan or Neil Young who, by their own admission possessed little vocal talent, could be excused, or even revered, because of their ability to communicate not only lyrical content, but feelings. Plant’s vocals, in contrast, were devoid of feeling in the traditional sense. The expressive possibilities were found in the sound of his voice rather than in the lyric’s meaning (Lewis 67). No longer chained to lyrics, Plant used his voice as a sound rather than to express emotion, which often meant that a song’s lyrical content was often obscure or indecipherable. Led Zeppelin’s music did not emote in the traditional sense. Even the band’s acoustic work — sounds traditionally coded as â€Å"sincere† and â€Å"warm† — was sometimes interpreted as lacking feeling. The often meant that critics would interpret the band’s music as cold, or charge that it was just undifferentiated noise. With his characteristic penchant for hyperbole, Lester Bangs referred to Led Zeppelin’s music as, â€Å"The tonal equivalent of a 1933 Nuremburg rally (â€Å"Mighty† 62). An analysis of the band’s lyrical themes reveals a variety of topics and sources of inspiration. In Led Zeppelin’s early music, lyrical content, vocal style, and instrumental attack, often exemplify an aggressive, swaggering, male sexuality. All are found within the band’s â€Å"Whole Lotta Love,† one of its early hits. Recorded in 1969, the song has a â€Å"dirty† sounding, three-note riff, that has become one of rock’s most recognizable. Plant sung the lyrics, â€Å"borrowed† from Willie Dixon’s â€Å"You Need Love,† with his best histrionic ardor (Davis). Accompanied by the vocalist howling in orgasmic frenzy, the song’s middle section has churning, swirling, electronic sound effects that move from left to right speakers. On the same album, however, one finds â€Å"Ramble On,† a song that embodies and presages Robert Plant’s fascination with Tolkien-inspired imagery and Celtic themes. Undoubtedly, its lyrics owe a debt to traditional, blues-based tales of ‘ramblin men, who â€Å"have no time for spreading roots. † Ultimately, however, the song breaks from that mold by restating the narrative within the vernacular of an unrelenting, mythical quest for â€Å"the queen of all my dreams† (Lewis). Such songs are characteristic of Led Zeppelin’s output, and provide insight into what differentiated the band from its precursors. For Straw, one of the characteristics of their music was a, â€Å"Consistent non-invocation of rock history or mythology in any self-conscious or genealogical sense† (103). While he views this as a generic quality, it is particularly relevant to the analysis of Led Zeppelin’s music. Put differently, when Plant copped blues lyrics for a song it was rarely to evoke a specific musical mood or period. Instead, they became part of a larger musical dynamic. True, a song such as â€Å"Bring it on Home,† may have begun with the harmonica and voice mannerisms of an old, black, blues singer, but its inclusion was based primarily on architectural considerations rather than of a desire to pay homage to American urban music of the twenties and thirties. This misunderstanding is part of the reason that someone like Lester Bangs would write that Led Zeppelin’s, â€Å"Albums refine the crude public tools of all dull white blues bands into something awesome in its very insensitive grossness, like a Cecil B. DeMille epic† (â€Å"Review of Led Zeppelin† n. p. ). Rather than understanding the mechanics of the effect, or perhaps understanding but still not won over, critics found it easier to interpret the means Page used to achieve it. As it employed â€Å"inflated† or â€Å"excessive† means to achieve dynamic contrasts, Led Zeppelin’s music was often accused of being cartoon-like, the perfect intellectual nourishment for its young and uninformed audience (Cole and Trubo 49-50). According to Rockwell, â€Å"As it evolved from 1968 onward, Led Zeppelin became the first and greatest mass audience band built up through FM radio-play and live concerts rather than AM singles† (â€Å"Led Zeppelin and the Alchemy† 24). Christgau compliments this view, by observing that the band never â€Å"woodshedded† like Cream, that it had a mass audience from the start (n. p. ). Both facts reflected the changing structure of the music industry in the late-sixties and early-seventies. Traditionally, rock bands started at the ground floor. They toured in small venues and received local radio airplay, which they would then parlay into a local or regional base of support. Despite its commercial success, Led Zeppelin positioned itself as a band that lay outside the mainstream. Though it had a mass audience, the band’s fans felt as if they were members of a secret society. When their early albums were criticized by reviews in the Rolling Stone and other national music publications, they recoiled from contact with the music press. Unlike other bands, its members were rarely in the pages of music magazines (Lewis). Consistent with contractual stipulations, Led Zeppelin exercised absolute control over their artistic direction. They became known as a band that wouldn’t take shit from anyone. Tales of their contrariness have taken on mythic proportions. At a time when other popular bands were required to cut singles or engage in more subtle or obvious forms of merchandising, they were one of the few that had the power to abstain from these sordid affairs (Yorke 114-5). Despite many lucrative offers, the band refused to perform on television. These stories lent the band a distinctive mystique. Rockwell comments, â€Å"Led Zeppelin is a band that is almost a ritual among teen-agers and blissfully alien to the over-21-year-olds† (24). This combination of mass appeal and cult-like allegiance is an unusual and interesting phenomenon. In structure if not in meaning, the group was the musical equivalent of the Volkswagen Beetle. Even today, its status as a â€Å"people’s band† remains largely uncontested (Cole and Trubo 102). The hullabaloo surrounding the release of Led Zeppelin’s fourth album provides insight into how the band’s unique status was constructed. In 1971 it released its fourth album. Its jacket contained no words that would identify it as a Led Zeppelin album to â€Å"outsiders. † Inside, one found four â€Å"runes† at the top of the liner sleeve (Yorke 133). When asked to explain the rationale for this unorthodox packaging, Page replied, â€Å"We decided that on the fourth album we would deliberately downplay the group name and there wouldn’t be any information on the outer jacket. Names, titles, and things like that do not mean a thing. †¦ What matters is our music. We said we just wanted to rely purely on music†( quoted in Davis 141-142). Within the industry, confusion ensued over what to call the album. Critics labeled it â€Å"the fourth album,† or referred to it by catalog number, â€Å"Atlantic SD 7208,† while fans often referred to it as â€Å"Zoso,† a rough transliteration of the first rune. One does not have to challenge the sincerity of Mr. Page’s remarks to see how a belief that only music mattered, and that â€Å"Names, titles and things† had no relevance, might also function as an effective marketing tool. It played the game both ways: on the one hand, it affirmed the band’s distance from merchandising itself, while, on the other, it created an aura that drew suburban teens to record stores in droves (Cole and Trubo 73). Led Zeppelin toured North America every year from 1968 through 1973, returning in 1975 and 1977. The band had scheduled concert dates for 1980, although John Bonham’s untimely death halted their plans. The tours since 1973 were conducted with military-like precision. The band even went as far as leasing their own private jets to ferry them to and from shows (Yorke 142). The size of Led Zeppelin’s attendance and gate receipts were to become almost as legendary as its performances. In July 1973 the band broke the Beatles’ record for single concert paid attendance. The Beatles had drawn 55,000, with a $301,000 gross, to Shea Stadium in 1965. Yet that night 56,800 people paid $309,000 to see Led Zeppelin in Tampa, Florida (Robins 116). In 1977 the band played before 76,229 fans in Pontiac, Michigan, billed as the largest paid crowd for a single attraction in the history of rock. The band’s gross for the evening was $792,361, a record at that time (Swan Song Press Release). While its fans would proudly identify with the band’s â€Å"outsider† status, they also took a great deal of satisfaction in the band’s commercial success. This contradiction suggests that the rock ideology had mutated since the late-60, and that its oppositional stance had softened some, reflecting institutional changes that the genre and its audience had undergone during that time (Lewis). Plant and Page, around whom most of the show revolved, presented starkly different characters. On stage Plant was the front-man. He introduced the songs and chatted with the audience between them. The singer’s appeal was primarily to girls and young women. On stage he was, by turns, coquettish and phallic (Cole and Trubo 66-7). At one moment, he was a golden-curled, teeny-bop dream, provoking fantasies of castles and knights, at another, he was a groaning, pushing, back-door man, ready to break down the door to get what he wanted. Robins characterized his stage presence as, â€Å"Spirituality mixed with sexuality† (Robins 117). Unlike the singer, Page’s appeal was primarily to boys and young men. While the driving force behind the band, he almost never spoke to the audience. His is the silence of young boys, vulnerable and aloof. A waifish, Edwardian figure, Page’s guitar playing was accompanied by dramatic and grandiloquent gestures. On stage he often resembled a wizard marshaling the dark electronic forces at his disposal, an impression heightened by his reported dalliance with Satanism. He appeals to those who feel they have something important to say, but doubt their ability to say them (Davis). Led Zeppelin’s music always exceeded generic heavy metal boundaries. In the mid-seventies, however, these boundaries were eroding from developments within and without rock music. The stylistic diversity that marked its third and fourth albums was pushed even farther in later albums such as Houses of the Holy and Physical Graffiti. In each, the blues played a less prominent role, and the band’s lyrical concerns began to shift, in a generic sense, overlapping the terrain occupied by progressive groups such as Yes, King Crimson, and Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. In the mid- to late-seventies the distinctions between the audiences for heavy metal and progressive rock began to fragment (Weinstein 29). By the mid 70s, Led Zeppelin’s audience had become more varied. While still holding much of its traditional audience base, new groups such as Boston, Aerosmith, or Kansas, competed with the band for the allegiance of young listeners. By contrast, its music became part of the mainstream. In 1976, for example, the daughter of the president, Susan Ford, said on the Dick Cavett Show that Led Zeppelin was her favorite group. Not able to let its historical commitment to youth be outshone, the Democrats responded in kind. Speaking at the National Association of Record Manufacturers convention, Jimmy Carter â€Å"reminisced about listening to Led Zeppelin records during all-night sessions when he was governor of Georgia† (Davis 296-7). While anecdotal, both accounts suggest that Led Zeppelin had become something of an institution. As a signifier of youth, one needed only to refer to it to become cool. As is common in politics, however, the symbolism rang hollow. Although the undisputed ruler of America’s high school parking lots in the early seventies, by the dawn of the eighties Led Zeppelin was no longer able to unite different youth factions under its sonic umbrella. Instead, these same parking lots were the sites of tribal warfare, with one area given over to New Wave, another to Disco or dance music, and still another to Metal (Straw 101-3). Led Zeppelin was, arguably, the most commercially successful rock band of the seventies, all the while maintaining an aura that made its young audience feel as if it were part of a secret society. From their standpoint, fandom was an entry into a â€Å"community† the size of which has not been seen since. It was also, arguably, the most significant and influential rock band of the seventies. Emerging from the decomposition of 60s psychedelia, the band played a leading role in the development of the decade’s musical, performance, and business practices. Works Cited Bangs, Lester. Review of Led Zeppelin III, Atlantic SD 7201. Rolling Stone. (November 26,1970): NP. Bangs, Lester. â€Å"Mighty War Machine, Familiar as a heartbeat,† Creem. (February 1972) 62-63. Christgau, Robert. â€Å"A Power Plant† Newsday. (June 15,1972): NP. Cole, Richard and Richard Trubo. Stairway to Heaven: Led Zeppelin Uncensored. New York: Harper Collins, 1992. Davis, Stephen. Hammer of the Gods: The Led Zeppelin Saga. New York: Ballantine Books, 1985. Lewis, Dave. Led Zeppelin: A Celebration. Omnibus Press, 1991. Queenan, Joe. â€Å"Bookshelf: Sex V Drugs ‘n’ Rock ‘n’ Roll. † The Wall Street Journal. (August 28,1992): NP. Robins, Wayne. â€Å"Led Zep Zaps Kidz. † Village Voice. (February 3,1975): 116-118. Rockwell, John. â€Å"Led Zeppelin Excites Crowd at Garden But Somehow Delirium Wasn’t There. † New York Times. (February 4,1975): NP. Rockwell, John. â€Å"Led Zeppelin and the Alchemy of a Rock Group. † New York Times. (June 5, 1977): 19-24. Straw, Will. â€Å"Characterizing Rock Music Cultures: The Case of Heavy Metal,† in Frith, Simon and Andrew Goodwin (eds. ) On Record: Rock, Pop, and the Written Word. New York: Pantheon, 1990, pp. 97-110. Weinstein, Deena. Heavy Metal: A Cultural Sociology. New York: Lexington Books, 1991. Yorke, Ritchie. Led Zeppelin: The Definitive Biography. London: Virgin, 1993.