The Negro Artist And The Racial Mountain - 878 Words

Although Langston Hughes’ stories and essays were written almost 100 years ago, their messages are still relevant today. In his short pieces, â€Å"Who’s Passing for Who?† and â€Å"The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain,† he describes the social and economic disconnect between white and black Americans that he observed and experienced throughout his life. Both essays highlight the strong feeling of â€Å"otherness† that black culture felt—there is a clear divide between black and white cultures. â€Å"Who’s Passing for Who?† tells the story of a white couple who are pretending to be part black in an attempt to experience an authentic night out in Harlem. â€Å"The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain† illuminates the internalized racism black people experience as a result of their pressure to conform to the standards of a white-driven culture. Both â€Å"Who’s Passing for Who?† and â€Å"The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain† reflect white culture’s continuous appropriation of black culture and the effects this has on the black community. Both pieces emphasize the social hierarchy in place in America that historically and presently continues to keep black people at the bottom and white people in control. White people believe they are the norm and treat the black community as â€Å"others†Ã¢â‚¬â€which then creates feelings of internalized racism in the black community. In â€Å"Who’s Passing†, the white couple’s treatment towards the black artists highlights this mentality. Upon meeting them, they act as though theyShow MoreRelatedThe Negro Artist And The Racial Mountain873 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain† (1926) The article â€Å"The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain† by Hughes (1926), the author shows a situation that the African Americans felt underestimated for being black and attempted to embrace whites’ culture. This was because white people looked down on them during that era. He shows this by expressing his disappointment with a statement made by one of the most promising of the young Negro poets who says that, â€Å"I want to be a poet not a Negro poet,†Read MoreThe Negro Artist And The Racial Mountain : The Manifesto For Artists Of The Harlem Renaissance1787 Words   |  8 PagesBowen 7 Sunteasja Bowen Harlem Renaissance Dr. Bracks 2 March 2017 The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain: The Manifesto for Artists of the Harlem Renaissance ​The Norton Anthology of African American Literature suggests that the Harlem Renaissance was the â€Å"irresistible impulse of blacks to create boldly expressive art of a high quality as a primary response to their social conditions, as an affirmation of their dignity and humanity in the face of poverty and racism† (953). The Harlem RenaissanceRead MoreChallenges in The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain by Langston Hughes2027 Words   |  8 Pages In the words taken from the essay â€Å"The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain,† Langston Hughes offers insightful statements that verge on the boundary of being, in a sense, challenges. He is directly confronting the implicit wariness of social stratification in that he dismisses the societal need for humans to conform and to adopt personalities and views for themselves that are significantly molded by the outside world. Langston Hughes is saying that humans, no matter their circumstance or originRead MoreAnalysis Of Langston Hughes s The Negro Artist And The Racial Mountain ``1075 Words   |  5 PagesDuring the Harlem Renaissance emerging artists sought to redefine the image of African Americans through their works to counter misconceived stigma which included perhaps most importantly, the ill-founded scientific belief that they were incapable of creative expression. Consequently, the space of Harlem invited opportunity for collaboration and publishing while simultan eously establishing the ideal era for artists to fight for the unification and acceptance of black identity. Therefore, in thisRead MoreAnalysis Of Langston Hughes Poem, The Negro Artist And The Racial Mountain Essay1402 Words   |  6 Pagescanon of poetry, especially those influenced by different racial and ethnic backgrounds. To demonstrate my point, in this essay I shall be discussing in detail Langston Hughes and his piece Poem and why it should be included in the Norton Anthology of Poetry. I will contrast and compare it with Christina Rossetti’s Remember, and back up my arguments with selected quotes from Langston Hughes’ essay ‘The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain’. To begin, Langston Hughes’ ‘Poem’ is an example of howRead MoreThe Negro And The Racial Mountain976 Words   |  4 Pagesnotable poems, plays, and novels, Hughes also wrote essays such as The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain which Hughes gives insight into the minds of middle-class and upper-class Negroes. Prior to reading this essay, I never heard of, nor did I know, Langston Hughes composed essays, much less an essay that outwardly depicts aspects of life that most are accustomed to and see nothing wrong with. The Negro and the Racial Mountain formulated this view that Langston Hughes was more than a poet who wroteRead MoreThe Negro Speaks Of Rivers1548 Words   |  7 Pagesintroduced him to the poetry of Carl Sandburg and Walt Whitman, both whom Hughes would later cite as primary influences. By the time Hughes was enrolled at Columbia University in New York, he had already launched his literary career with his poem â€Å"The Negro Speaks of Rivers† in the Crisis, edited by W.E.B. DuBois. He also committed himself to writing mainly about African Americans. Leaving Columbia in 1922, Hughes spent the next three years in a succession of menial jobs and traveling abroad. He returnedRead MoreWhat Is The Negro s Racial Identity?940 Words   |  4 PagesNegro’s Racial Identity? Racial identity growth has speedily increased and reshaped during the Harlem Renaissance as some blacks writers were coming to terms with the fact that there some differences among the black community. Two writers created their own personal translation concerning the Negro in the course of these years. In Alain Locke’s essay, The New Negro, he presents the variation of the â€Å"new† and â€Å"old† Negro. On the other hand Langston Hughes essay, The Negro Artist and the Racial MountainRead MoreLangston Hughes : The Face Of Harlem Literacy1147 Words   |  5 Pagesthe time. However, Hughes has been recorded stating that the inability of black artist or artistry from black Americans were never popular because of the lack of originality the artwork had (Leach 36). He believed black art was so unsuccessful in America because of its lack of originality and distance from the artist. In his essay â€Å"The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain† he expresses his ideas on the black artist. Langston Hughes was brought up by his grandmother, Mary Langston, in Joplin, MissouriRead MoreContributions Of Langston Hughes948 Words   |  4 Pageschance to show what they can do, and many were interested in art music, and literature. African-Americans had amazing talents in all fields: composers, poets, journalists and artists. This gave Africa-Americans the opportunity to express themselves, their thoughts, and their talents. Langston Hughes used his talent to change the racial boundaries of the American society, and he became an important figure in the fight for equal rights. Langston Hughes wanted African- Americans to have pride in being black

Essay on Music in the Sixties - 1140 Words

Music in the Sixties My topic is Music in the Sixties. In my essay I would like to determine that events that occurred during the 1960’s had a significant effect on some of the music that was produced. I believe that certain music and musical events derived from peoples feelings and views on things that occurred during the 60’s. Some of these events include the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, politics, and society as a whole. There were many different stereotypes and prejudices. There was war going on, and there were many people who were trying to focus on peace. My main goal is to show how these events may have influenced people’s music, and also to emphasize how music was used to unify people despite all of the negativity that†¦show more content†¦Woodstock was a huge music and art fair that lasted 3 days in the summer of 1969. The site tells who sponsored Woodstock, what different people’s opinions were on the purpose of the festival, and what occurred over the course of the planning and duration of the concert. The promoters wanted to link the theme of the concert to the anti-war sentiment. Many people who were involved were stereotyped as drug users or left -wing politicians because of their appearances. These events, although intended to send a message of peace, also caused a great deal of conflict. In addition to this information we are given the names of the performers who participated in the concert. This site also has information of other events that took place during the 60’s, such as The Monterey International Pop Festival, which took place in order to show that pop music should be accepted as a serious art form, as jazz was. This event first took place in the summer of 1967. This site also includes additional links, but these are the ones that I felt were useful. The second source that I used is titled Colored Reflections lt;http://net4tv.com/color/index.htm. This site has information on the 1950’s through the 1990’s. In the 1960’s section, it starts off by telling us that the 60’s was considered the New Frontier since we had a young president, John f. Kennedy, in office. It says that he was †¦the inspiration for this new decade. (par.1) ThisShow MoreRelated Music and the Sixties Essays909 Words   |  4 PagesMusic and the Sixties What the music of the late 1960s and early 1970 are attempting to achieve is a protest to the U.S. government. From the lyrics of Neil Youngs Ohio performed by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, the vocalists are memorializing the incident that occurred during a protest about U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War in Kent State University where nine students were injured and four students were killed by the Ohio National Guardsmen who opened fire on unarmed students: Read MoreMusic of the Sixties Essay1105 Words   |  5 PagesMusic in the Sixties The music of the sixties went through tremendous change. It shaped mush of the music we hear today. From New Orleans came Jazz, from the East Coast came rock, from the West Coast came Psychedelic rock, and from England came the Invasion. In 1963 the Beatles shattered the dreariness of the music business. And with them came rock, the music of the sixties, and a music quite different from rock’n’roll. The jazz era had slowly faded away and in came the Beatles, possiblyRead MoreMusic, Culture And Ideology Of The Sixties Post War Generation1184 Words   |  5 PagesFrom the early basement concerts at the Cavern Club to the impromptu roof-top session atop Apple Studios, The Beatles were a phenomenon that influenced the music, culture and ideology of the Sixties’ post-war generation. With the spectre of their parents’ war behind them, British teens of the early 1960s ushered in a hitherto-unknown youth culture into a society ready for positive change. Paul McCartney said in conversation with biographer Barry Miles. â€Å"This working-class explosion was all happeningRead MoreSixties Music and How it Reflected the Changing Times Essay1715 Words   |  7 PagesSixties Music and How it Reflecte d the Changing Times The 1960’s in the United States was a decade marred by social unrest, civil rights injustice, and violence both home and abroad. These were some of the factors that lead to a cultural revolution. The revolution attempted to diverge the fabric of American society. Teenagers were living dangerously and breaking away from the ideals that their parents held. In the process they created their own society (Burns 1990). They were young andRead MoreThe Sixties Between The Microgrooves : Using Folk And Protest Music1766 Words   |  8 Pageswent from outspoken newspaper articles to large rallies, and during the Vietnam War, music was a prevalent tool in aiding the protests. Allowing political messages to be shared nationally, the music had touched the lives of the younger generation. Author Jerome L. Rodnitzky explains in his journal, â€Å"The Sixties between the Microgrooves: Using Folk and Protest Music to Understand American History, 1963-1973†, how music was â€Å" trying to be all things to all people†, which created a way for Americans toRead More Pop Culture in 1960s and 1990s Essay802 Words   |  4 Pages   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In comparing the sixties and the nineties, my first thought was how much popular culture has changed since then and how different society is today. The strange thing is, the more I tried to differentiate between them, the more similarities I found. Both the sixties and the nineties were about youth, creativity, free-thinking, and expression. With the nineties coming to a close and the popularity of anything ?retro, I decided to compare the fashions, people, music, and issues that definedRead More Changes Since The Sixties Essay878 Words   |  4 Pagestime guzzling metal detectors at the airports... or the schools. There were no grouchy warning labels on the records and no ratings necessary on the movies. And TV shows were acceptable to the whole family. Those were the sixties or at least part of it. Some of the 52 million sixties’ boomers called it the decade of peace, harmony and love mainly for the movement for peace and the â€Å"flower power† attitude. Others, a little more pessimistic, called it the decade of dissatisfaction because of the protestsRead MoreChanges Since the Sixties916 Words   |  4 Pagestime guzzling metal detectors at the airports... or the schools. There were no grouchy warning labels on the records and no ratings necessary on the movies. And TV shows were acceptable to the whole family. Those were the sixties or at least part of it. Some of the 52 million sixties boomers called it the decade of peace, harmony and love mainly for the movement for peace and the flower power attitude. Others, a little more pessimistic, called it the decade of dissatisfaction because of the protestsRead MoreChicanos And The Liberal Agenda1075 Words   |  5 PagesChicanos and the Liberal Agenda In the early sixties, when times were of segregation, racism and discrimination, Chicanos often suffered the most. It was a dark time for Mexican-Americans, who were negatively referred as ‘Chicanos’. Chicanos did not always have the empowered meaning it has today. In the early sixties, ‘Chicano’ was often used to refer to Mexican-Americans’ as lower class, ignorant and as a derogatory racial identification. Furthermore, racism, exploitation, inequality, conformityRead MoreHow 1960s Has Impacted And Influenced Today s Society1396 Words   |  6 Pages The sixties was one of the most impactful decades pertaining to culture revolutions; it is the decade that brought into play some of the problems and privileges that the present is dealing with now. The sixties brought the gay movement, women’s rights, the drug revolution, and has also impacted music as well. One of the most well-known things about the sixties is its music. Bands in the sixties started to break the conservative boundaries by talking about drugs and sex in their music; the drugs

Capitalism Essay Example For Students

Capitalism Essay By definition, Capitalism is an economic system controlled chiefly by individuals and private companies instead of by the government. In this system, individuals and companies own and direct most of the resources used to produce goods and services, including land and other natural resources labor, and capital. Capital includes factories and equipment and sometimes the money used in businesses (Friedman, 5). Capitalism stresses private economic decisions. People are free to decide how they will earn and spend their income. Companies may choose which goods and services to produce and how much to charge for them. They also compete with one another to sell products. Nations whose economies are based on capitalism include the United States, Germany, Canada, and Japan. Although a private individual or group of individuals may control their income and a large section of an economy, the government can control some aspects of the economy in every nation. Capitalism is some times called Free enterprise, despite its limits established by the government. Many organizations and businesses flourish from the existence of capitalism. Non-profit organizations prosper from capitalism such as: The Roman Catholic Church. As one of the largest and most common religions in the world, the Roman Catholic faith is sustained through capitalism, for it is a capitalist organization. It can be considered a Capitalist organization in the fact that income is freely given in return for nothing. Ones religion can definitely influence their economic decisions, lifestyle and social status. The Roman Catholic Church believes that capitalism can become a type of injustice. For example, some people in capitalist nations can afford many luxuries. But at the same time, others lack adequate food, housing, and other needs. This unequal distribution of wealth results largely from capitalisms emphasis on individuality. The Catholic Church cites examples of inequality as incorrect. However, the church and other religious denominations thrive from others prosperity and income. Capitalism is a definite social justice issue. One reason why people do not necessarily feel obligated to help others less fortunate than him or hersel f is because the economy focuses on individualism, which leads to greed and hoarding. Another reason why capitalism is a social justice issue is that it deprives certain people of their human rights as well as the dignity and respect that all humans deserve. As a result, we can ask ourselves, are we truly free?On Independence Day we commemorate the birth of America as a free nation. But even more than that, we commemorate the birth of Americans as free men. At a single stroke, the Declaration of Independence and its ideas set America free from England, and set Americans free from their own government. The Founding Fathers instituted Americas government to protect the freedom of its citizens, and to secure their rights to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.These rights were created to secure freedom of thought and action for all Americans. Freedom of thought is the freedom of an individual to use his mind: to educate and inform himself; to make his own judgments; to reach his own conclusions; to set his decisions; to hold his beliefs; to choose the whole course of his life. Freedom of action is the freedom of an individual to act on his own judgment: to pursue his/her values; to strive for his/her goals; to work and to keep the product of his/her work; to associate and trade with others; to act for the attainment of his/her inner happiness. The implementation of individual rights had revolutionary effects. The freedom and progress that followed were unprecedented. Individuals, free from government interference, pursued their happiness restlessly and produced tremendous amounts of wealth in the process. Individuals took responsibility for their lives: for their education, their health care, their jobs, their retirement, and their money. While individuals acted by right, government acted by permission. In 150 years America became the greatest nation on Earth (Kronen, 72). .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc , .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc .postImageUrl , .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc , .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc:hover , .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc:visited , .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc:active { border:0!important; } .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc:active , .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uc6c2511d2ae1548e201b84c4e71f71cc:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Joan Of Arc By Jules Bastien Le Page Persuasive EssayBefore the turn of the century, however, while America still prospered from its founding ideals, a set of opposite ideals surged and gradually took over the old ones. In 1863, the institution of the military draft set the principle that individuals did no longer have a right to their own lives: the state did. From that day on every American no longer owned his life, but held it by permission. In 1913, the federal income tax was created and set the principle that individuals did not have a right to their productive efforttheir earnings. Governments role reversed from protector to usurper of our rights. From that day on every American no longer owned his income, but held it by permission (Pasley, 10,11)Along with peoples money, government took responsibility for their lives. Government assumed the task of providing the people with education, health care, housing, employment, and much more. The greater the share of peoples lives the government undertook to provide for, the more it taxed the people. To appease the masses, the richest were taxed the hardest. But all paid the price in the loss of our rights. Government became a devouring beast, and most of the American people approved of it. Regrettably, individual rights have been eroded to a point where we already lost much of the freedom they once secured us. The American people, once independent and free from government control, are now subject to all kinds of taxation and regulation. Today in our society, we need governments permission to drive, to work, to open and to run a business, and even to own and hold property. The government is no longer our servant; it became our master. The government, once established to ban the use of force among men, now is the greatest aggressor of all. In the name of helping the needy, it assaults the productive and strips them of their rights and property. But if productive Americans have no rights then no American has them either. America, born as a free country, has been transfigured into a welfare state, where the needs of some became a blank check on the fortunes of others (Tate, 44,45). But we are still in time to regain our rights if only we understand better their meaning, their value and their power. If Americans are to be the free again, and America is to remain the greatest nation on Earth, we must hold sacred our individual rights to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.America was founded on the noblest of ideals: the right of every individual to his life. America will only live as long as its ideals live in our hearts and in our minds (kronen, 102).

Understanding Material Culture by Ian Woodward

Introduction Things we possess and own form part of our culture. These things shape our identity as they have a direct influence on us. In this article, I undertake a review of the book Understanding Material Culture authored by Ian Woodward. This book basically explains what material culture entails in a manner that is easily understood. The book specifically shows that consumption is an act of culture creation.Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on Understanding Material Culture by Ian Woodward specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Preview Ian Woodward makes a very comprehensive and yet simple to understand approach in discussing material culture. He organizes his ideas in a pragmatic manner making it a very useful starter text for students as well as an accompaniment for even the experts in this field. Using illustrations, the author discusses various aspects of material culture in manner that does not deviate from the main objective of the book which is to show the reader that consumption is part of culture creation and not slavery to culture industries. Understanding Material Culture The book is divided into four parts with a total of nine chapters taking up to 201 pages. The chapters in each of the four parts are structured well. Each chapter starts with a summary of the main points covered and at the end the author makes a short but detailed suggestion for further reading. The parts support each other and going through each is necessary in order to have a good understanding of the part that will follow. These parts are reviewed below and their significance is highlighted. Locating Material Culture This part discusses material culture in an introductory manner. This is done by examining the main concepts and terms common to material culture studies. A few case studies are highlighted to show the significance of understanding material culture in everyday life. As illustrated in the case of Helen, materials have aesthetic value (Woodward 6). Materials can also act as identifiers – people identify with different objects and the value attached to different objects differs from one person to another.Advertising Looking for book review on cultural studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Remark This part is important in showing that people do not just buy objects without a reason or because of being compelled by some forces but rather that consumption is made to fulfill some need. Indeed the author argues that industries in the process of production aspire to find out what people need and produce goods that satisfy that need. Theoretical Approaches to Studying Material Culture This part examines the ideas of significant authors who made remarkable contribution to the field of material culture. Marx’s views are first to be analyzed. The author points out weaknesses in Marx’s views on objects that people own. Marx observed that capitalism advanced exploitation of some classes of people and predicted that there was no possibility that it would keep on progressing. On the other hand, Lukacs’ views tried to address the weak sections in Marx’s observations. Lukacs tried to explain why men cannot rebel against abusive systems: he argued that products are deceptive and they blind people from seeing that the process of production is oppressive. This part also examines the Critical Theory as discussed by the Frankfurt School scholars. The author observes that the views and observations presented through the Critical Theory are relevant today and actually explain the production of commodities on large scale. He also examines the role of tastes and preferences in material culture. Remark This part is used wisely to bring out the views of previous authors who view the act of consumption as one that progresses enslavement of some class of people. The views that objects are deceptive and are symbols of enslavement best described as â€Å"crystallizations of the sweat, blood and energy of workers† (Woodward 38) are discussed. Objects in Action The third part examines the process through which objects turn from being just objects into acquiring status, aesthetic value and personal taste. It also looks at the correlation between material culture and identity. It shows how objects help in the formation of social identities and collective identities. This part shows that objects acquire cultural significance through narratives and performances. The manner in which an object is talked about shows how it is valued. An object which is not valued is usually ignored and the role it plays is often not recognized. A narrative brings a social life into an object and makes it a social object.Advertising We will write a custom book review sample on Understanding Material Culture by Ian Woodward specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Objects are also said to have â€Å"performative capacity† (Woodward 152). This happens when an object and a person become symbolic and complement each other. For instance, a bus conductor and a mobile ticket machines complement each other. Remark This part best brings out the argument that consumption is an act of creating culture and that it is made consciously without any form of enforcement. This part shows how objects make who we are. It is shown that the objects a person buys are for specific needs which are unique to the buyer. This is actually why the author considers consumption an art that requires skills. Part four makes the concluding remarks. The author recounts the significant ideas covered in the previous chapters and makes important remarks about them. The author has included a list of reference used in the book after the conclusion. Critical Remarks This book helps to create a new understanding of material culture. In a comprehensive mann er, it refutes bourgeoisie ideologies on consumption as proposed by Marx and chooses to view consumers as conscious beings who make deliberate choices of objects. The book views acts of consumption as emanating from the artistic nature of consumers as opposed to being due to manipulation. This book helps us to understand that acts of consumption are meant to bring out personality. In regard to consumption, the author claims that it is â€Å"merely one part of the process of building culture, through continuously expending, rebuilding and expending bits of it† (Woodward 97). It shows that objects have some influence on us though that does not mean that objects control us. The illustration of a home used in the book is best in understanding the argument of the author that consumption is an artistic act by the consumer. The home is used as a showroom by the owners for self expression. The organization of a home and the furnishing made speaks much about the material culture of th e owner. It is easy to learn a lot about the material culture of a person by examining his or her home. In reviewing Woodward’s book, Ossewaarde is in agreement that consumers create culture through consumption. He argues that consumptions should not be regarded as an act of slavery to capitalist systems but rather an act of culture creation (Ossewaarde 783).Advertising Looking for book review on cultural studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In the process of consumption, Woodward views choice and taste as key components, he says, â€Å"making choices is a fundamental skill, perhaps a duty, required for people who live in a consumer society†¦taste is a core component of this† (Woodward 6). Conclusion Understanding Material Culture is a text which attempts to show the significance of consumption in creation of a culture. The author refutes that consumption originates from manipulation by capitalistic systems and culture industries. He instead views consumption as an art which requires the skills of choice and taste. Works Cited Ossewaarde, Marinus. â€Å"Joint Reviews.† Sociology 43.4 (2009): 782-785. Print. Woodward, Ian. Understanding Material Culture. London: Sage Publications, 2007. Print. This book review on Understanding Material Culture by Ian Woodward was written and submitted by user Eileen Obrien to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Free Essays on Adopted Child’s Cry

How would you feel if you didn’t know yourParents? When a mother gives birth to her child it is the ultimate bonding experience. When a mother gives her child up for adoption, it is a self sacrificing act for the child’s best interests, but a painless one. All parents that is involved in an adoption arrangement will be concerned and worry about their child for many days of many years. Curiosity is powerful, and it isn’t uncommon to long to be reunited with one’s own flesh and blood. Adopted children have a right to know who their biological parents are. Health reasons, curiosity, and the need to bond with family are all significant factors that adopted children face in their lives. Hereditary diseases make it essential that a child knows who their birth parents are. If an adoptee considering starting a family and needs to know his or her chance on a genetic disease, the identity of his or her parents is obliged to be revealed. Also if and adopted child would like to know his chance of developing a hereditary disease that will not show effect pending old age, he or she will need information from his or her biological parents. In the case of rare blood disease or a needed organ transplant, an adopted child knowing who his or her parents are could save the child’s life. An adopted child should have the right to access knowledge about their heath, even if it means revealing the identity of both their birth parents. Every person wants to know where he or she came from. Most of us take for granted that we know our parents, grandparents, and cultural background. Try to imagine that you nothing about your relatives. A feeling of emptiness would surely overwhelm you. Every time a teacher assigns a family tree, or a report on one’s family history, adopted child would feel lost. Of course adopted parents provide a good and loving home, as a loving as any loving birth parent would provide, but adopted children will always be curious... Free Essays on Adopted Child’s Cry Free Essays on Adopted Child’s Cry How would you feel if you didn’t know yourParents? When a mother gives birth to her child it is the ultimate bonding experience. When a mother gives her child up for adoption, it is a self sacrificing act for the child’s best interests, but a painless one. All parents that is involved in an adoption arrangement will be concerned and worry about their child for many days of many years. Curiosity is powerful, and it isn’t uncommon to long to be reunited with one’s own flesh and blood. Adopted children have a right to know who their biological parents are. Health reasons, curiosity, and the need to bond with family are all significant factors that adopted children face in their lives. Hereditary diseases make it essential that a child knows who their birth parents are. If an adoptee considering starting a family and needs to know his or her chance on a genetic disease, the identity of his or her parents is obliged to be revealed. Also if and adopted child would like to know his chance of developing a hereditary disease that will not show effect pending old age, he or she will need information from his or her biological parents. In the case of rare blood disease or a needed organ transplant, an adopted child knowing who his or her parents are could save the child’s life. An adopted child should have the right to access knowledge about their heath, even if it means revealing the identity of both their birth parents. Every person wants to know where he or she came from. Most of us take for granted that we know our parents, grandparents, and cultural background. Try to imagine that you nothing about your relatives. A feeling of emptiness would surely overwhelm you. Every time a teacher assigns a family tree, or a report on one’s family history, adopted child would feel lost. Of course adopted parents provide a good and loving home, as a loving as any loving birth parent would provide, but adopted children will always be curious...

Hamlet Act 1 Summary, Scene by Scene

'Hamlet' Act 1 Summary, Scene by Scene This Act 1 summary of Shakespeares Hamlet sets the stage with the characters, setting, plot, and tone of this five-act tragedy. The play opens on the ramparts of Elsinore Castle in Denmark during a changing of the guard. The old king, Hamlets father, has died. The kings brother Claudius has replaced him, stealing Hamlets rightful place on the throne. He has already married Hamlets mother. The previous two nights, the guards had seen a silent ghost resembling Hamlets dead father. They ask Hamlets friend Horatio to watch on the third night, and he sees the ghost. Horatio convinces Hamlet to watch the next night. Hamlet confronts his fathers ghost, who tells him that Claudius murdered him. The dreary tone and harsh setting contrasting with the revelry within the castle foretell of the tragedy that is to come. Act 1, Scene 1 Summary On a bleak, frigid night, the guards Francisco and Bernardo tell Horatio, a friend of Hamlet, about the ghost they had seen that resembles Hamlets father. They convince Horatio to join them and attempt to talk with the ghost if it reappears. Horatio scoffs at the talk of a ghost but agrees to wait. As they begin describing what they saw, the ghost appears. Horatio cant get it to speak but promises to tell Hamlet about the specter. The darkness and cold, coupled with the apparition, set a dire tone of calamity and dread for the remainder of the play. Act 1, Scene 2 The scene opens in contrast to the previous one, as King Claudius celebrates his recent wedding to Gertrude in a bright, joyous castle room surrounded by courtiers. A brooding Hamlet sits outside the action. It is two months since his fathers death, and his widow has already married his brother. The king discusses a possible war and agrees to let Laertes, son of the kings lord chamberlain (Polonius), leave the court and return to school. Recognizing that Hamlet is upset, he tries to make amends, urging Hamlet to abandon mourning and stay in Denmark instead of returning to school. Hamlet agrees to stay. Everyone but Hamlet leaves. He delivers a soliloquy expressing his anger, depression, and disgust for what he considers incest between the new king and his mother. The guards and Horatio enter and tell Hamlet about the ghost. He agrees to join them that night to watch for another appearance. When Claudius scolds Hamlet for his continued mourning, referring to his stubbornness and unmanly grief, Shakespeare sets him up as an antagonist to Hamlet, who is unmoved by the kings words. The kings criticism of Hamlet (A heart unfortified, a mind impatient, An understanding simple and unschooled) implies that he believes Hamlet is unprepared to be king and is attempting to justify his usurpation of the throne. Act 1, Scene 3 Laertes says goodbye to his sister, Ophelia, whom we learn has been seeing Hamlet. He warns her that Hamlet, still in line to be king, will always put the kingdom before her. Polonius enters and lectures his son on how to conduct himself at school, advising him to treat his friends well, listen more than talk, dress well but not too well, avoid lending money and to thine own self be true. Then he, too, warns Ophelia about Hamlet. She promises not to see him. Polonius advice to Laertes seems rote, relying on aphorisms regarding appearances rather than offering honest advice to a son. With Ophelia, he is more concerned that she bring honor and wealth to the family than about her own desires. Ophelia, as an obedient daughter of the time, agrees to spurn Hamlet. Polonius treatment of his children continues a theme of generational conflict. Act 1, Scene 4 That night, Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus, one of the guards who had seen the ghost, wait outside on another cold night. The miserable weather is juxtaposed again with revelry from the castle, which Hamlet criticizes as excessive and damaging to Danes reputation for drunkenness. The ghost appears and beckons Hamlet. Marcellus and Horatio try to prevent him from following, agreeing with Hamlet that it might bring airs from heaven or blasts from hell. Hamlet breaks free and follows the ghost. His accomplices follow him. This scene contrasts Hamlets father, the good king, with Claudius as a drunken reveler and adulterer, and plays on the conflict between image and reality. Claudius appears more suspicious and foreboding than a ghost. Act 1, Scene 5 The ghost tells Hamlet that he is Hamlets father and was murdered by Claudius, who put poison in the napping kings ear. The ghost asks Hamlet to revenge his most foul, strange, and unnatural murder, and Hamlet agrees without hesitation. The ghost also tells Hamlet that his mother was adulterous with Claudius before the old king died. He makes Hamlet promise  that he wont seek revenge on his mother but let her be judged by God. As dawn breaks, the ghost leaves. Hamlet swears he will do what the ghost asks and avenge his fathers murder. Horatio and Marcellus find him, and Hamlet asks them to swear not to reveal anything of the ghost. When they hesitate, the ghost calls from below, demanding they swear. They do. Hamlet warns them that he will pretend to be crazy until he can exact vengeance. The old kings murder creates sympathy for the ghost rather than fear or revulsion, and his mothers adultery tips the scales against her. Hamlet has no choice but to kill the new king, establishing a conflict between his sense of honor and his Christian faith. Key Takeaways Act 1 establishes these plot points: The new king, Hamlets uncle, murdered Hamlets father.His fathers ghost appears to him to describe the murder and charge Hamlet with seeking revenge.Hamlets mother committed adultery with Claudius before her husbands death and married Claudius with unseemly haste.The ghost says Hamlet should let God punish his mother.Hamlet will pretend to be crazy while he exacts vengeance. Act 1 establishes these tones and themes: A sense of dread and tragedy is almost palpable.A conflict between honor and morality is established.Another conflict between appearance and reality.The antagonism between Claudius and Hamlet is part of a generational conflict reflected in Polonius and his children. Sources Hamlet. Hudson Shakespeare Company. Stockton, Carla Lynn. Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 1. Cliffs Notes, August 13, 2019. Summary of the Play. The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX.

Sustainable Agriculture and Ecology Research Paper

Sustainable Agriculture and Ecology - Research Paper Example When an ecosystem is able to maintain and retain productivity for a long period of time, it can be classified as sustainable. There are numerous defects in the methods by which humans conduct their agricultural activity. They often consider their needs and neglect those of other living organisms. This in turn results in destruction of these organisms which can have an effect on the ecological cycle and result in undesirable outputs from farming. The prolonged effects of such destructive methods of farming also include diminishing of biodiversity. The essence of agriculture is to create products for humans which they can use for food, or for recreational uses in cases of tobacco. Some individuals and countries also depend on agriculture for economic purposes; however this raises the question, if farming is intended to be beneficial and humans rely on the lands for numerous purposes, what is the essence of damaging land that brings a vast amount of benefits to society? While food produ ction in the past century has risen gradually over time, it has adversely affected soil productivity, which will have affects on food availability in the near future. Even though agriculture is a basis for humans well being by providing food, it also resulting in consequences on a wide scale to soil indiscreetly and must be changed to maintain needs of present without compromising food production for future generations. For this reason agricultural scientists have strategized methods by which humans can farm and benefit both themselves and the environment. The term sustainable agriculture was first used by Gordon McClymont, an Australian agricultural scientist. This paper will analyze the biological methods which have been used in sustainable agriculture and illustrate the mechanisms by which they are used. It will also analyze the reasons why implementing such policies is beneficial to society. One major benefit of sustainable agriculture is that it helps preserve and maintain the ecosystem, which despite ignorance of most individuals, has an essential part in many aspects of human life. Some of the major energy sources used by humans have been predicted to run out in the next few decades. Hence, the country will require ecosystems as an energy source and to some extent a financial resource (Day et al., 2009). Ecosystems as an energy source are also beneficial to the quality of air in the environment as they produce less harmful byproducts. The biodiversity in different nations will determine the amount of energy sources, which can in turn result in an improvement the nation’s economy. This situation requires ecologists to further studies into functioning of ecosystems and find ways in which they can be preserved and used as energy sources (Day et al., 2009). Other strategies such as implementing Participatory Learning and Action Research and Systems Ecology for improvement of approaches taken in research have been suggested. This in turn will enable t he formulation of strategies that allow a smooth transition of current agricultural methods into approaches that are more sustainable. The two procedures have similar foundations and hence can be merged and utilized to obtain sustainable agricultural transitions (Eksvard & Rydberg, 2010). The methods can be used to improve the decision making as they analyze human activity from a broader perspective and offer a large scale upon which patterns of human activity are compared. These two

What is the hejab Why has it become so popular in recent decades, Essay

What is the hejab Why has it become so popular in recent decades, France banned hijab in 2004 - Essay Example It is important to consider all these aspects because the hijab has grown to be a weighty and contested symbol that needs thoughtful decoding. Owing to its connections with various political as well as cultural representations in different circumstances, any analysis of the function of the hijab also has to take into account political as well as social elements that modern Muslim communities are faced with on a daily basis. Islam supports the notion that devout men as well as women ought to wear extremely conservative clothing in order to be able to focus on the aspect of daily communication with and worship of ‘Allah’. For women, this translates to wearing an outer garment that completely obscures the female form. This garment, the ‘Abaya’, is then rounded off by the ‘Hijab’, which is a veil that covers the neck and forehead (Bowen, 2010). This garment is primarily worn by women when they are in public places. However, there are even women who wear them in their homes. The more devout female devotees even add an additional net-like cloth, known as the ‘niqab’, over the eyes in order to completely cover all surfaces of the body. Such severity of dress is more common in nations with fundamentalist governments such as Saudi Arabia. However, in Western nations, women are more likely to don the simple veil, the ‘hijab’, to cover their hair an d neck area. According to Freedman (2004) in Muslim societies, it is considered that any girl born into the world experiences two births. The first takes place when the girl is physically bornand the second takes place upon reaching the age of puberty, upon which she is encouraged to adopt the hijab. The wearing of the Hijab is believed by many Muslims to have religious origins. According to Bowen (2010) the hijab was actually a gift from Allah to women. In a verse in the Holy Quran, Allah stated, ‘O Prophet! Inform your spouses

Background information Essay Example for Free

Background information Essay Technology is known to be the best tool for efficiency and reliability. A professional having adequate information on information management is responsible for technology implementation in organizations. They are responsible for facilitation of computer related activities in a firm. They plan the communication network in an organization. Before any decision making in a company or organization, there is need to communicate to the top management. These professionals aid during this communication pattern by establishing both technical goals and business goals. They have the responsibilities of directing other computer related workers like the programmers. They are assigned to plan and perform such duties as upgrading and installing hardware and software, Implementing the internet and intranet in an organization etc. They also ensure the upkeep and maintenance of information systems and internal networks of an organization. They should view the information needs of the organizations they work with from an operational and strategic point of view. They are to keep a close watch to the organization to ensure that it does not pull behind its competitors. It is necessary for a company to employ an information systems manager. He is a person with good leadership qualities since he extensively works in constant interaction with the staff. He has a wide range of duties to perform in an organization among them; installation of computer systems, purchasing hardware and software, ensuring that there is backup systems incase of power crises. He is supposed to ensure a good strategic plan for a company and a policy that is of high quality standards. He has a staff of several workers among them; technicians, database administrators etc who are eligible to reporting to him. Advantages of an information system Information systems facilitate planning by providing the relevant information for effective decision making. It is sometimes difficult for managers to get into contact with operation scenes because of the complexities of organizations. Sometimes managers receive a lot of detailed facts. Information system minimizes the information overload. This is achieved through summarization of the large amount of data to avoid confusion. It is possible to decentralize authority. Information systems are able to monitor operations at lower levels and measure respective performance of these operations. This is effective for managers to make the necessary plans, procedures and implement change in an organization. It will facilitate coordination by making departments aware of requirements and problems of other departments. It functions in coordinating all the decision centers within an organization. Since it acts as a link between control and managerial planning, it makes control easier. Computers have reduced costs, increased data processing and the increased storage capabilities. Information needs. An organization has different departments in which there are different users. Each user has a different information need. The needs depend on where the user works, why he is trying to access the information and when he is accessing information. For a professional to come up with a good system design, he should have a careful study of and identify information needs within an organization. And also for effective providence of information services. Information needs have to be identified and this calls for careful study on the factors that affect information needs and therefore determining an effective method for collecting the information needs. There is need to follow a procedure when collecting information needs of users. There may exist different types of needs, but the information system requires only actual needs. And so there should be careful analysis on the gathered data to distinguish the actual needs. This will be able to discover ideas, tools, techniques and methods that will satisfy the users so as they can be able to meet their needs. Information needs present vacuums in the current knowledge of the end-user. Some needs are unexpressed by the users of which they are aware but do not wish to express. Another set of information needs includes those that the service provider shades light on but are null to users. A need is usually time bound and specific. Some areas that information needs depend on include: †¢ Position of individuals within an organization. †¢ The various areas of interest and departments where they work †¢ Activities engaged in at work. †¢ Factors that are motivating †¢ Consequences of information †¢ Recovering priorities. †¢ Availability of future ideas. Sometimes the process of identifying information needs becomes technical in the sense that. Researchers may find it necessary to go through original information which maybe unavailable. Same information is perceived differently by users hence interpretation becomes difficult. Some of the processes that aid in identifying information needs include: †¢ A careful study of the various disciplines that are of interest to the users. †¢ A study of an organization together with the surrounding environment. †¢ A special study to the environment of users. †¢ Keen study on the user. †¢ Conducting an interview that is formal to the users. †¢ Keep a record of the gathered information, analyzing and refining them.

Movie: One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest :: One Flew Over Cuckoos Nest Essays Film

Movie: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the movie, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's nest, there was a character named McMurphy, played by Jack Nickolson, who was admitted into a mental institution for medical testing after having been convicted of statutory rape. It was obvious that he was only faking and he thought that he could get off from having to serve his sentence in a work camp. He pretty much saw everything and everyone as a joke but the only person who he didn't fool was nurse Ratchet. He thought that he would be able to leave in a couple of months, the time of his sentence in the work camp, until he found out that he wouldn't be allowed to leave.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After a few days he began to see the patients as a group that needed more enjoyment in their lives and he wanted to try to find some way that they could get out and go to a bar and watch the world series. The nursing staff seemed uncaring to their lack of enjoyment to life and basically refused to allow the patients to even watch the game on the TV during their chores even after having took a vote where a mute patient nicknamed 'Chief' for the first time communicated that he wanted to watch the game. McMurphy had befriended Chief and later discovered that he was not deaf and dumb but was only faking his muteness and they planed to escape together.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  McMurphy later found out that many of these patients were here only because they put themselves here and didn't want to leave even though they had the option to. He tried his best to bring some life to these patients such as teaching them to play poker and gambling for cigarettes. He even went so far as to escape over a fence only to open the gate and to get the patients onto a nearby bus and drive them to the docks where he took them on a fishing trip. Also he arranged for his girlfriend and a prostitute to come to the institution at night with some alcohol and had a little party for them before he decided he was going to escape. The next morning one of the patients who was suicidal was found by the nurses in bed with the prostitute. Nurse Ratchet told him that he would tell his mother what he had done and the patient was found later dead on the floor from having had slashed his own throat.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  McMurphy never did leave and he was given a form of therapy called ECT,

Factors on the Four Functions of Management Essay

In regards to internal and external factors that can significantly influence the four functions of management, include such items as globalization, technology, diversity, ethics and innovation. Furthermore, all of these items pay an important role in the dominance of General Motors in the automotive industry. GM has changed manufacture attitudes to concentrate on some strategic priorities those being to become common, envision lean and compete fast, participate on a worldwide footing, cultivate the business and as a rule significantly keep their attention on the finished goods. General Motors is determined to be committed to a lean and familiar single, global manufacturing approach (Automotive Intelligence News, 2003). The external factor of globalization is a major factor in today’s business world. Globalization additionally adds to the factors of cultural diversity and cultural ethics as it pertains to business climate, culture and organization. Likewise, even in the US General Motors deals with the issues of diversity and values based of the many cultures that live within the country. Diversity can be both a help and a hindrance to the four function of management, in that when cultural diversity is utilized correctly it aids in all phases of business. However, if both the countries or the individual workers feel that their culture or beliefs are being looked down upon or are demeaned this can lead to serious repercussion. The same ca be said concerning the ethics each culture holds management must walk a fine line to ensure no vilification or no indignity occurs. Globalization needs a firm touch and a steady hand in the first planning, which entails what countries a company wants to build and sell their goods to, while maintaining a presence in that country. What value the product will bring, the cost of materials, taxes or tariffs, and if the people of those countries have a  need, the cost, and the desire to purchase their vehicles. As to organizing, in globalization GM must ensure that local customs will not be pushed aside and must they maintain a proper level of respect and decorum in dealing with the local population and their cultural identity. Manager must organize by creating a dialog with other countries on GM’s products, explaining the utilization of each countries environmental assets and capital, showing how that being a partnering country with GM will help their country and its people. They must correspondingly incorporate the concept of co-design and systems approach, during the organization function to ensure each country has the belief that they are truly partners with GM. General Motors is currently in the process of restructuring their Global Vehicle Engineering organization. The reason they are doing this is to enhance cross-system integration and to bring more coherent implementation across vehicle platforms. They are also further addressing the functional safety and compliance in its vehicles worldwide (GM News, 2014). Whereas this reorganization moves GM away from long-established regional authority toward an organization built on global functions. As to the role of leading, globalization brings with it a different set of problems and requirements. In General Motors situation the leading function of management, in the terms of what the role intention is remains the same and can be defined as the focus of guiding the activities of personnel with motivation. However, the challenges of doing so on a global scale are daunting because of issues in cultural difference, in ethics and diversity. Managers must have a working knowledge of the country’s culture, its ethical stances, and language differences both verbal and nonverbal. The controlling function of management within globalization again comes with its own set of issues that need to be overcome. Likewise, to be able to establish standards, then measure the performance in contrast to those standards and make corrective changes to those standards and plans that have been determined ineffective (Merchant, 1982). In a global setting put additional meaning to the controlling function of management. Management for General Motors have been successful in the endeavor and proof of this can be seen in how they continue to rank near or at the top the list of vehicles sold worldwide. GM is closing the gap on Toyota lead in sales, because of changes in how they are using the control function of management to correct the situation.  Since, GM began to renovate its vehicle roster into one of the keenest and newest in the automotive industry from one of the eldest and more outdated ones (Jie, & Horie, 2014). So any and everyone can see how globalization as an external factor affects a company such as General Motors in its operations of the four functions of management. Technology in this case should be considered both and external and internal factor that can affect a company such as GM. Since, technology deals with not only information and enterprise systems to run a business, it also deals with the creation of new products and equipment to be use in their cars and trucks. General Motors in being such a large global company have an extensive enterprise system to deal with employees, customers, security, and data collection to enable it to run both effectively and efficiently on a global scale. However, technology in the creation and advancement of products goes hand in hand with innovation. We can see how technology is part of innovation, in the way GM addresses the idea of a fully electric car that can go 200 miles between charges. Additionally, the connection of technology and innovation is seen in General Motor’s electric and gas hybrid car the Chevy Volt. GM similarly has an all-electric car that can go 82 miles on a charge called the Chevy Spark (The Denver Post, 2013). General Motor’s innovations created a need for better technology in electric car batteries, charging systems. They also created a need for electric charging facilities for people who are traveling on long trips, which are still under research as to cost, viability, and the possibility. All of this innovation leads to technology to design and build components that will be needed to compete in this sector of the industry. What is more, all four functions of management are thoroughly affected by globalization, diversity, ethics, innovation and technology as these elements play a crucial role in the structure and running of any business in today world economy. References Automotive Intelligence News. (2003). GM’s Global Manufacturing System – A System To Build Great Cars and Trucks. Retrieved from http://www.autointell.com/News-2003/January-2003/January-2003-1/January-03-03-p6.htm GM News. (2014). GM Restructures Global Engineering for Cross-System Integration. Retrieved from http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2014/Apr/0422-global-eng.html Jie, M. & Horie, M. (2014). Toyota Beats GM in 2013 as 10 Million Vehicles Seen. Retrieved from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-23/toyota-beats-gm-vw-in-2013-car-sales-sees-3-growth-this-year.html Merchant, K. (1982). Controlling Function of Management. Retrieved from http://sloanreview.mit.edu/ The Denver Post. (2013). General Motors working on 200-mile electric car, exec says. Retrieved from http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_24109259/general-motors-working-200-mile-electric-car-exec

Analysis of Newspaper Research Report Results Essay

A study recently published in the San Jose Mercury News suggests the parents of obese children do not perceive their children as obese. An analysis of this study, its methods, and its findings is an important exercise in understanding the meaning and relevance of all research. The ability to read research critically and understand how it was generated allows us to identify possible design flaws or to realize the validity of its conclusions and make appropriate use of the data. The study was conducted through an internet research firm for the University of Michigan. Its goal was to determine the percentage of parents who realized their children are obese and to compare it to the percentage of parents that do not realize their children are obese. The participants were selected by simple random sampling and were considered a representative sample of American parents. The sample included 2060 respondents (Runk, 2007). The data appeared to be collected through internet surveys. The study was observational and measured continuous data sets including the height, weight, age, and gender of the participant’s children (Bennett, Briggs, & Triola, 2003). A body mass index greater than or equal to the 95th percentile in comparison to children the same age and gender was the criteria used for obesity in this study. The data from these children was then compared the national percentage of children considered obese by the same standards. Qualitative data pertaining to whether or not the parents thought their children were â€Å"slightly overweight, very overweight, or about right† was also collected (Runk, 2007). Although it was not specifically stated, I hypothesize the children studied were broken down into bins by age and gender. The first bin comprised of obese girls six to 11 years old and the second bin obese boys six to11 years old. For the 12 to 17 year old group the first bin included obese girls 12 to 17 years old and the second bin included obese boys 12 to 17 years old. I further hypothesize the parents of children in each group were binned according to their response to the qualitative assessment of their child’s weight. For each age group the first bin included parents who answered †Ã‚  very overweight,† the second bin included parents who answered â€Å"slightly overweight,† and the third bin included parents who answered â€Å"about normal† (Bennett, Briggs, & Triola, 2003). The findings in the six to 11 year old group revealed 15% of the children in this age group met the criteria for obesity. This finding was not significantly different from the national figure which reports 17% of all children in the United States are obese by the standard of this study. Thirteen percent of the parents of obese children in this age group categorized their children as â€Å"very overweight,† 37% classified their children as â€Å"slightly overweight,† and 43% reported their children were about right† (Runk, 2007). The findings in the 12 to 17 year old group revealed 10% of children in this age group met the criteria for obesity. This finding is significantly lower than the national figure for obese children. Thirty one percent of the parents of obese children in this age group reported their children as being â€Å"very overweight,† 56% reported their children as â€Å"slightly overweight,† and 11% reported their children were â€Å"about right† (Runk, 2007). Researchers concluded both age groups under reported the incidence and severity of obesity when compared to the national statistic stating 17% of all children meet the criteria for obesity outlined in this study (Runk, 2007). I agree the severity of obesity was greatly under reported in both groups. However, I disagree with the assertion the incidence of obesity was under reported in the six to 11 year old group. I believe the difference between 15% and 17% could easily be a coincidence. It may also have resulted because the internet was used to collect data and poor children are more likely to be obese and less likely to have internet access (Vieweg, Johnston, Fernandez & Pandurangi, 2007). I do agree that obesity seemed to be considerably under reported in the 12 to 17 year old group. A statistically significant difference (about 7%) occurred between that age groups 10% incidence and the 17% national incidence of childhood obesity (Runk, 2007). Such a large difference is unlikely to be a coincidence and supports the theory that obesity was under reported in this age group or  confounding was present (Bennett, Briggs, & Triola, 2003). Critical analysis of this data reveals many strengths and a few significant weaknesses in the design and implementation of this study. The goal is clearly stated, to determine the percentage of parents who realized their children are obese and to compare it to the percentage of parents that do not realize their children are obese. This goal was clearly accomplished for all the study participants. The source of the study is the University of Michigan which can be considered a reliable, neutral source. The sampling is sufficiently large, but whether or not it is representative of childhood obesity in this country is questionable. A serious problem with the sample exists as a result of using the internet as the setting. High proportions of obese children are socioeconomically disadvantaged and may not have internet access. The internet setting is likely to account for the apparent under reporting of obese children noted in this study and as such is a probable source of confounding. The criterion for obesity is well defined and could be easily measured in all the subjects, but I remain concerned a significant portion of obese children may have been inadvertently omitted from consideration. In the end, however, I find there is a strong practical use for this data. Healthcare providers are made conscious of the fact that the parents are, more often than not, genuinely unaware their child is obese. This data supports the decision to open a dialogue with parents and offer teaching about the dangers and prevention of childhood obesity the clear course of action. References: Bennett, J., Briggs, W., & Triola, M. (2003). Statistical Reasoning for EverydayLife, Second Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Addison Wesley. RetrievedDecember 5, 2007, from University of Phoenix rEsource HCS 438. Runk, D. (2007, December 24). Parents don’t realize their kids are fat. MercuryNews (San Jose). Retrieved December 28, 2007, fromhttp://www.mercurynews.com/healthandscience/ci_7799918?nclick_check=1. Vieweg, V., Johnston, Fernandez, A., & Pandurangi. A. (2007). Correlation between high risk obesity groups and low socioeconomic status in school children. Southern Medical Association. Retrieved January 12, 2008, from University of Phoenix library [EBSCOhost].

Law of Constant Composition in Chemistry

Law of Constant Composition in Chemistry In chemistry, the law of constant composition (also known as the law of definite proportions) states that samples of a pure compound always contain the same elements in the same mass proportion. This law, together with the law of multiple proportions, is the basis for stoichiometry in chemistry. In other words, no matter how a compound is obtained or prepared, it will always contain the same elements in the same mass proportion. For example, carbon dioxide (CO2) always contains carbon and oxygen in a 3:8 mass ratio. Water (H2O) always consists of hydrogen and oxygen in a 1:9 mass ratio. Law of Constant Composition History Discovery of this law is credited to the French chemist Joseph Proust, who through a series of experiments conducted from 1798 to 1804 concluded that chemical compounds consisted of a specific composition. Considering John Daltons atomic theory was only just beginning to explain that each element consisted of one type of atom and at the time, most scientists still believed elements could combine in any proportion, Prousts deductions were exceptional. Law of Constant Composition Example When you work with chemistry problems using this law, your goal is to look for the closest mass ratio between the elements. Its okay if the percentage is a few hundredths off. If youre using experimental data, the variation might be even greater. For example, lets say that using the law of constant composition, you want to demonstrate that two samples of cupric oxide abide by the law. Your first sample was 1.375 g cupric oxide, which was heated with hydrogen to yield 1.098 g of copper. For the second sample, 1.179 g of copper was dissolved in nitric acid to produce copper nitrate, which was subsequently burned to produce 1.476 g of cupric oxide. To work the problem, youd need to find the mass percent of each element in each sample. It doesnt matter whether you choose to find the percentage of copper or the percentage of oxygen. Youd simply subtract one of the values from 100 to get the percent of the other element. Write down what you know: In the first sample: copper oxide 1.375 gcopper 1.098 goxygen 1.375 - 1.098 0.277 g percent oxygen in CuO (0.277)(100%)/1.375 20.15% For the second sample: copper 1.179 gcopper oxide 1.476 goxygen 1.476 - 1.179 0.297 g percent oxygen in CuO (0.297)(100%)/1.476 20.12% The samples follow the law of constant composition, allowing for significant figures and experimental error. Exceptions to the Law of Constant Composition As it turns out, there are exceptions to this rule. There are some non-stoichiometric compounds that exhibit a variable composition from one sample to another. An example is wustite, a type of iron oxide that may contain 0.83 to 0.95 iron per each oxygen. Also, because there are different isotopes of atoms, even a normal stoichiometric compound may display variations in mass composition, depending which isotope of the atoms is present. Typically, this difference is relatively small, yet it does exist and can be important. The mass proportion of heavy water as compared with regular water is an example.

Why Are You Interested in Our College Interview Tips

Why Are You Interested in Our College Interview Tips Like many of the most common interview questions, a question about why you are interested in the college seems like a no-brainer. After all, if you are interviewing at a school, you have presumably done some research and know why you are interested in the place. That said, it is easy to make missteps when answering this type of question. Key Takeaways Be specific. Make sure youve done your research and are aware of the features that distinguish the college from other schools.Give a well-rounded answer. Try to find features on the academic and non-academic fronts that you can address.Dont focus on selfish aspects of attending the school such as prestige or future earning potential. Weak Interview Answers Some answers to this question are better than others. Your answer should show that you have specific and admirable reasons for attending the college. The following answers are not likely to impress your interviewer: Your college is prestigious. This may be true, but what distinguishes the college from other prestigious colleges? And why does prestige matter so much to you? What exactly about the colleges academic and/or non-academic features make you eager to attend?Ill make lots of money with a degree from your college. This certainly may be an honest answer, but it wont make you look good. An answer such as this suggests you care more about your wallet than your education.All my friends are going to your college. Are you a lemming? Your interviewer will want to see that you have selected the college because of your own educational and professional goals, not because you follow your friends blindly.Your college is convenient and close to home. Here again this might be an honest answer, but college is preparing you for the rest of your life. Proximity to home suggests that location is more important than your actual education.My counselor told me to apply. Fine, but youll want a better answer. S how that you have done your own research and that you are eager to attend. Youre my safety school. No college wants to hear this even if its true. Colleges want to admit students who are eager to attend, not students who look down on the school and are likely to transfer after a year. Give Your Interviewer a Well-Balanced Answer The interviewer is hoping that you are interested in the college for reasons other than peer pressure or convenience. Similarly, if you say you applied entirely because of a parent or counselors recommendation, youll be suggesting that you lack initiative and have few thoughts of your own. When it comes to prestige and earning potential, the issue is a bit more fuzzy. After all, name recognition and your future salary are both important. The interviewer most likely is hoping that you find the college prestigious. That said, you dont want to come across as someone who is more concerned with material gain and prestige than with pursuing your passions and getting a high-quality education. Many students choose a college based on sports. If you love nothing more than playing soccer, youre likely to look at colleges that have strong soccer teams. During the interview, however, keep in mind that students who are interested in nothing except sports often fail to graduate. The best answers to this interview question provide a balance of academic and non-academic reasons for wanting to attend. Perhaps youve always dreamed of playing on the schools soccer team and you really like the schools hands-on approach to teaching engineering. Or maybe you like the opportunity to be an editor for the literary magazine, and you are eager to participate in the English departments study abroad program. Know the College What you most need to do when answering this question is show the interviewer that you know the colleges distinctive features well. Dont simply say that you want to go to the college to get a good education. Be specific. Let the interviewer know that you were drawn to the colleges innovative first-year program, its emphasis on experiential learning, its Honors Program, or its international focus. Also feel free to mention the schools wonderful hiking trails, its quirky traditions, or its amazing lilacs. Whatever you say, be specific. The college interview is a great place to demonstrate your interest in the school, but you can only do this if you have done your homework. Before you set foot in the  interview room, make sure you have done your research and identified several features of the college that you find particularly appealing, and make sure at least one of those features is academic in nature. Finally, make sure you make a good impression by dressing appropriately and avoiding common interview mistakes such as showing up late, answering questions with one-word responses, or proving that you are clueless about the school

Avoiding Data Manipulation when Sampling Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Avoiding Data Manipulation when Sampling - Essay Example One of the important features in avoiding data manipulation when sampling is to be aware of the imperfections in the survey. There are an infinite number of means by which sampling exhibits imperfect features, and indeed, the idea of a perfect sample is a misnomer. Edwards (2010) indicates that even the color of a survey can alter sampling response. There are a variety of specific means by which researchers and statisticians seek to avoid these data manipulations in sampling. An overarching approach is to ensure that the survey method is designed in as clear and unbiased as possible. In these regards, Edwards (2010, pg. 26-27) identifies a number of key features to avoid, â€Å"failure of the questionnaire...failure to recognize differences between various kinds and degrees of canvass and to fit the questions to the type of canvass...failure to define the universe with enough precision and to provide a satisfactory frame.† Adhering to these methods greatly aids the research av oid data manipulation. In addition to these areas that must be considered when constructing sampling data, there are features that must be considered to avoid sampling bias. As a means of avoiding data manipulation in sampling its generally recommended that researchers implement random sampling as an overarching model. A random sample consists of a random sampling of survey participants and can be conducted through a number of means. Among these involve a simple random sample, stratified sampling, and cluster sampling, with their distinguishing features based on the means by which they select the sample group (Thompson 2002). When examining sample data from the random sample its important to consider the possible statistical error that can be included, as such errors can be utilized in data manipulation when in actuality they are necessary elements of the research. In these regards, human failure must be avoided as

Charles Dickens Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Charles Dickens - Essay Example However, the violence, human feelings and moral questions on the issue that Dickens raised cannot be questioned. French revolution, indeed, is an integral and significant part of history. It had its impacts on the minds and actions of people which cannot be denied. In that, Dickens concerns were true and honest. The events that the novel describes are beautifully and realistically portrayed. The novel makes the reader ‘live’ that age and understand the events of that period. Critics believe that Dickens was in favor of revolutionaries without paying much attention to the middle class social group of the 18th century and their contributions to the French revolution. T.A. Jackson (1930) suggests that the representation of Dickens is in support of the violent acts, cruel manners and vengeance to answer the feelings of domination that revolutionaries had. However, others view violence and revenge as a means of portraying the negativity of violent acts and the horrors of reve nge on the society, people and the involved parties themselves. Dickens depicts violence and revenge as the beginning of another violent and brutal disagreement rather than the end of the enmity that existed between two groups, a tale of two cities is analyzed to affirm Dickens’s firm believe on this notion . Annotated Bibliography Glancy, R. F.

The Management Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The Management Environment - Essay Example Although it is difficult to believe that Supply chain management is a recent concept since even Shakespeare discussed how ships and merchandise at sea can be at risk from various threats, the process of actually managing a supply chain through technology and modern communication tools is certainly a recent innovation. With reference to globalisation, logistics is simply the science of getting the required materials, goods or equipment to the right people at the right time and the development of this field owes a lot to the military history of civilisation which goes all the way back to the Roman era where armies had to be kept in supply even in far flung regions of the empire (Christopher, 2005). In the modern world, when supply chain management and the philosophy of logistics are combined in an efficient manner a company can become richer and more powerful than any emperor of the past. Supply chain management not only allows the right people to have the right things at the right time, it also makes sure that there is no wastage in the process and the overall costs of the business are reduced (Van Hoek, 2005). For the company, it could mean less mistakes in ordering the right part, making sure that production facilities around the world are occupied and that production matches the consumption as well as client requirements. Every business decision and every business choice comes with an associated cost which must be borne by the shareholders or the owners of the business which means that costs need to be reduced to ensure a healthy profit. An efficiently managed global supply chain does exactly that by cutting down costs in several important areas of business (Christopher, 2 005). Lummus and Demarie (2006) give the example of supply chain management experts such as Renee Gregoire and James Correll who discussed the importance of supply chain management with reference to

Case Study of diagnosis and treatment of Gout

Case Study of diagnosis and treatment of Gout A 50 year-old male presented for an evaluation of rapid onset of pain and swelling in his right toe. The patient reported that he had two similar previous episodes with the same symptoms lasting four to five days and was treated by emergency physicians. The patientà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s past medical history is significant for hypertension and treated with Hydrochlorothiazide. The review of systems was negative for headache, fever, chills, rash, earache, sore throat, cough, rhinorrhea, vision changes, weight loss, or change in appetite or disposition. The patient was afebrile, and this blood pressure was slightly elevated. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: General: The patient is a pleasant male who appears to be in no apparent distress. Vital Signs: blood pressure 123/48, heart rate 76, Temperature 38.3 and 98% on room air. HEENT: Extraocular muscles are intact. Pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation. Neck: Supple. No jugular vein distention noted. No carotid bruits noted. Lungs: Clear to auscultation bilaterally. No wheezes, rubs or rhonchi. Heart: Regular rate and rhythm. Normal S1, S2. A 2/6 to 3/6 systolic ejection murmur at the right upper sternal border. PMI is nondisplaced. Abdomen: Notable for laparoscopy surgical wound. Positive bowel sounds. Extremities: MTP is red, hot and swollen. Neurologic: The patient is alert and oriented x3. No focal neurologic deficits noted. Pathophysiology Gout is an inflammatory disease characterized by the deposition of uric acid crystals in and around joints, subcutaneous tissues, and kidneys. Although men and women are equally affected by gout, men are six times more likely to have serum concentrations above 7 mg per dL. Gout typically occurs during middle age and is uncommon before the age 30 years old. Women rarely have gouty arthritis attacks before menopause 1. Clinical Presentation Gout attacks are usually associated with precipitated events. Patients usually present with rapid onset of severe pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in one or tow joints. This pain and inflammation are caused by inflammatory response. Acute attack untreated attacks usually last two to 21 days depending on cases. There are four clinical stages of gout according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). The first stage is known as asymptomatic hyperurecemia. During this stage, the patients can have an elevation of uric acid in the blood but they do not have any symptoms yet. After more and more urate deposits around a joint and if any trauma triggers the release of crystal into the joint space, patients will suffer acute attacks of gout. This second stage is known as acute gouty arthritis. The third stage, known as interval or intercritical gout, involves the interval between acute flare gout attacks with persist crystals in the joints. When crystals deposits continue to accumulate, patients are likely to develop chronically stiff and swollen joints. This stage is called chronic tophceous gout. Some permanent damage to affected joints and sometimes to kidneys can be seen. This advanced stage is relatively uncommon if patients receive proper treatment. Differential Diagnosis Gout in the elderly is often polyarticular and involves upper extremity joints (especially proximal interphalangeal joints and distal interphalangeal joints). Women present 70% of the time with polyarticular disease rather than the classic monoarticular arthritis seen in men. Gout can be mistaken for rheumatoid arthritis because tophi may resemble rheumatoid nodules and rheumatoid factors often become weakly positive as people age. It may be difficult to differentiate cellulitis or septic arthritis from gout, particularly when a fever, leukocytosis, redness, or desquamation is present. The term pseudogout, for calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, belies the difficulty in clinically differentiating it from gout. For definitive diagnosis, joint fluid must be aspirated for culture and a search for urate crystals. Diagnostic Test The gold standard diagnostic test for gout is an arthrocentesis. The American College of Rheumatology has established 12 clinical criteria, 6 of which a patient must have for diagnosis. * Maximum joint inflammation within 1 day * More than one attack over time * Monoarticular arthritis (although gout can be polyarticular) * Redness of joint * Great metatarsophalangeal pain or swelling * Unilateral great metatarsophalangeal involvement * Unilateral tarsal involvement * Suspected tophus * Hyperuricemia * Asymmetrical swelling within the joint on x-ray * Subcortical cysts without erosion on x-ray * Joint fluid culture negative for organisms during attack Treatment and Management The gold of treating gout is to minimize or eliminate the urate crystals from the joints and other structures associated with them. Several aspects must be taken into consideration and each treatment regiment is varied from patients to patients. The three main objectives that FNP take into consideration are treatment for the acute attacks, prophylaxis against recurrent attacks, and management of hyperurecemia. Asymptomatic hyperurecemia: urate-lowering drugs is not recommended to treat patients with asymptomatic hyperurecemia. If hyperurecemia is identified, underlying causes such as obesity, hypercholesterolemia, alcohol consumption, and hypertension should be addressed. Acute gout: NSAIDs are being used as first-line therapy. Indomethacin (Indocin), ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen (Naprosyn), sulindac (Clinoril), piroxicam (Feldene) are also effective against gout. Corticosteroids: intra-articular, intravenous, intramuscular or oral corticosteroids are effective in acute gout. When one or two joints are involved, intra-articular injection of corticosteroid can be used. Intramuscular triamcinolone acetonide is as effective as indomethacin in relieving acute gouty arthritis. Triamcinolone acetonide is especially useful in patients with contraindication to NSAIDs. Oral prednisone: is an option when repeat dosing is anticipate. Prenisone, 0.5 mg per kg on day 1 and tapered by 5 mg each day is effective. Cochicine is also effective treatment for acute gout. However, majority of patients experience gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Patient Education If they are obese, they should be advised to begin a concerted program of supervised weight reduction (see Chapter 233), but to avoid starvation or very low calorie diets that may only exacerbate the risk of gout. Drinkers should be warned against binges. Maintenance of good hydration needs to be stressed to those at risk for nephrolithiasis. On the other hand, patients will find it comforting to know that severe dietary restrictions are unnecessary. Fasting should be avoided because it may precipitate an attack. The importance of treating an acute attack at the first sign of illness also needs to be stressed. For the patient with interval gout, a discussion of the risks and benefits of prophylactic therapy and the importance of compliance is indicated. Those taking allopurinol should be warned of the risk of a hypersensitivity reaction and advised to cease intake immediately and call the physician at the first sign of a rash, fever, or other manifestation. Pain management is the pri mary concern during acute phase of and attack. The patient should be advised to take analgesic medications as schedule. The joint should be rested as much as possible in a position of comfort. Ice, not heat, may help with reducing discomfort. Conclusion Gout is one of the most causes of acute monoarticular arthritis. Primary gout runs in families and follows multifactorial inheritance. The expanded use of agents that decrease uric acid excretion has significantly increased the incidence of secondary gout. The Fremingham Study suggested that almost half of new cases were associated with thiazide use. The FNP should be able to properly diagnose acute gout, treat it, prevent recurrence, and minimize the chances for the development of chronic gouty arthritis. Patients who present with asymptomatic hyperuricemia should be further investigated to prevent complications from this disorder.

Modern Economic Growth Essay -- Economics, Technological Progress

Theoretical model of modern economic growth shows that long-term economic growth and raise the level of per capita income depends on technological progress. This is because of without technological progress and with the increase of capital per capita, marginal returns of capital would diminish and output per capita growth would eventually stagnate (Solow, 1956; Swan, 1956). Studies have shown that â€Å"experience, skills and knowledge in the long-term economic growth is playing an increasingly important role† (World Bank, 1999). Despite how technological progress work on economic growth, and how there are different views on the role of in the end, but I am afraid no one would deny that technical progress in the important role of economic development. In this sense, for a country to achieve long-term economic growth, we must continue to promote technological progress. However, economic growth theory is analyzed in general, and usually under the assumption that in the closed ec onomy, and technological progress in a country not normally have taken place in various departments at the same time, and now the economy are often increasingly open economy. In this way, the technological progress in different economic impact on a country may be quite different. In addition, we assume that technological progress is Hicks neutral, is to an industry in itself, but technological progress also reflects the establishment of new industries and development. The new industries and technology-intensive industries generally older than the high, the use of less labor. Even the old industries, the general trend of technological progress is labor-saving. However, despite the long-term economic growth, technological progress is very important, and even if we... ... technological progress (the actual cost of the actual producer prices drop or increase) caused. (Note: Of course, if technological progress is the price of the product after the fall, FG Theorem is not established, so it does not necessarily affect the distribution of income, such as SS as shown in Theorem. However, a small country in the open cases, product prices given by the international market, so the assumption that commodity prices remain unchanged or valid, FG theorems generally be valid.) Obviously, if technical progress can not be changed after the factor prices, the production of the two departments, the capital / labor ratio would not change, then the imbalance in supply and demand factors will occur. If this imbalance can not be adjusted by the factor market, some elements will be in short supply, while the other elements will be unemployed or idle.

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway originates in Xining, capital of Qinghai Province, which is 1,142 kilometers (713 miles) long. With about 600 kilometers of the railway is built within the Tibet Autonomous Region, it is however, the first railway that linking Tibet with the western part of China, and it will extend from Lhasa, the Tibetan capital to Golmud, a traffic hub in Qinghai Province. Once the construction completed, it will become the longest and most elevated railway built on highlands in the world, and will later be extended to Shigaze and Linzhi in Tibet, and Yunnan Province in southwest China. The acme of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway is 5,072 meters above sea level, and more than 960 kilometers, or four-fifths of the railway will be built at an altitude of more than 4,000 meters. Nearly half of the railway (550 kilometers) will be laid on continuous and permanent frozen earth, and the rest of the railway will pass through the grasslands, natural reserve zone, wetlands, and also the arid desert region. The Chinese Government has wanted to build such a railway since the 1950s, shortly after the Communist Army took over control of Tibet. However, the project was postponed for decades due to the construction difficulties with the altitude, terrain, and also the shortage of capital sources. Nevertheless, the dream of building such a railway linking to Tibet has never been gave up by the Chinese Authorities, for which the construction planning, reconnaissance, and feasibility research study has been took place in Qinghai-Tibet plateau for many years ever since the 1960s. In 1984, the Xining-Golmud Railway was completed, the first phase of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, which is 815 kilometers long. However, the construction discontinued due to extreme weather condition, terrain, and altitude. In February 2001, the China State Council has approved the construction plan of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway after reviewed the official report submitted by the State Planning Commission. The construction project will take seven years to complete with a sum of 4 billion US Dollars (approx. 32 billion Chinese RMB) total investment. Building the world's most elevated and longest railways, indeed, is not only a trial to a Country's combine national power, and her technology level. In contrast to its several billion dollar of investment, the short-term economic benefit is incommensurate de facto, but it serves for a long-term economic benefit and extensively political and military meanings. Currently, the only transportation to Tibet is limited to ground and air transport, which is deficiency to meet the demand for developing Tibet's economy. In compare to the prosperous eastern seaboard, Tibet remains as the most backward region in China at a little bit more above the national average income for farmers and herdsmen. According to the Himal South Asian magazine (Sept 2002); the current disparity between rural, â€Å"impoverished† Tibetans and urban, â€Å"developed† Chinese then, is a problem for the Beijing administration. The dominant point of view in Beijing is that Tibet has been a messy backyard that remains an embarrassment; for they realize that a radically under-developed Tibet will tarnishes the image of a new China. It is neither the result of a coherent and successful policy, nor a carefully crafted plan to keep Tibetans down. It is an undeniable fact that, once the Qinghai-Tibet Railway is completed, it will bring a convenient transportation way to and from Lhasa, and it eventually lead to a result of overwhelming influx of Chinese migrants, unemployed, and the laid-off workers of the over-saturated eastern coastal cities to migrating to the Tibet Autonomous Region seeking for working and business opportunity. However, these Chinese do not come all the way here to Tibet just to preach Maoism or even Han-ism, and they are concerned about Tibetans only in as much as a Tibetan might endanger or increase their chances to make money. Their opportunities mainly depend on the large government-subsidized projects that fuel Tibet's tertiary economy. Without these, they would have to be left floating again and would drift to the next prospective region all over the country. This controversial railway construction plan has gained great attention for Overseas Tibetans and Tibetan observers over the world after the Chinese government reveal its plan as part of the so-called Western Development Strategy. The Tibetan Action Committee stated that they are afraid once the Qinghai-Tibet Railway plan completed, it will decimate the Tibetan's cultural and traditions and therefore it will destroyed Tibetan's unique identity and turn Tibetan to become sinicize. As the action committee still regards the presence of Communist administration in Tibet since the 1950s as an occupation; in contrast to what the Communist administration called it the â€Å"peaceful liberation†. Therefore, it is not too hard to understand for their worries of the railway construction that link to Lhasa will bring tightening military grip over Tibet , and a much faster and convenient way for logistics supply. Looking at it another way, once the railway is completed, Tibetan herdsman can easily sell their sheer product outside the border, plus more consumer products can enter Tibet which can be improve Tibetans' living standard, where the price will go down due to scarcity of goods. This will greatly benefit Tibetan throw off poverty and enter to a much faster economy development track, isn't it just great for everyone? As business is business, the company needs not to get involve into politic that much. Like the Chinese saying â€Å"The water that bears the boat is the same that swallows it†; if you take weapons like gun for example, it can be use for murder, robbery, self-protection, and of course, use by authorities to saving civilian's life. Thus, it is absolutely depending on how people use it; anything else is out of the question. What the Tibetan Action Committee worries can be taken as a consideration for the company while considered the offer, but it shall not be the sole consideration factor that affects the company on the railway contract offer by the Chinese Government.