The Best Ideas Arise from a Passionate Interest in Commonplace Things

The best ideas arise from a passionate interest in commonplace things Mankind has demonstrated a profound ability to draw inspiration from even the most mundane situations and surroundings. Throughout history, the commonplace has often spurred uncommon achievements for impassioned thinkers including Archimedes, Leonardo da Vinci and Isaac Newton. In modern times, the scientific community increasingly gleans groundbreaking ideas from the natural world in the emerging field of biomimicry.Archimedes’ eureka moment in the bath is the stuff of legend, but it is unlikely the great mathematician and inventor would have delivered the famed remark without pursuing his profound interest in hydrodynamics and the intertwined relationships of buoyancy and displacement. On one hand, water was (and remains) a ubiquitous presence for the seafaring Greeks. Likewise, anyone who has watched a child in the bathtub can relate to the simple joys it affords.Archimedes eponymous principle, however, t ook a natural interest in water and floating bodies several steps further to determine whether a crown was made of solid gold and better define the laws of physics. Leonardo da Vinci, the archetypal Renaissance Man, was unquestionably inspired by commonplace things throughout his feverishly productive life. One must look no further than the genius’s manuscripts and notebooks for evidence that da Vinci was intensely curious about some of the world’s most ordinary elements.Studies of the human body, certainly among the most familiar of forms, are likely the master’s most replicated composition. Perhaps it is no coincidence the Italian’s Vitruvian Man pen-and-ink sketch ranks among the most well-known and reproduced drawings in the world. Whether Leonardo’s passion and interest in reproducing the human body contributed to his other innovations and inventions beyond art is difficult to assess, but one thing is certain: da Vinci’s unquenchable th irst for knowledge of his earthly surroundings was inextricably tied to his ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.The unlikely course of events that lead Isaac Newton to formulate the theory of gravity offers an example of a revolutionary idea spurred by something as banal as a piece of fruit. â€Å"What is the invisible force that causes an apple to fall to the ground? † the great thinker wondered. While some have disputed the veracity of Newton’s apple incident, there is no doubting the role the everyday world played in conjunction with Newton’s observant and contemplative mind.While the laws of motion took years to fully devise and compose, there is perhaps no better illustration of the nascent brilliance the human mind is capable of revealing when awakened by the natural elements. Many of the world’s leading contemporary minds continue to find inspiration in their environs. Over the last decade, the scientific community has become m ore willing to turn to nature for answers to difficult questions. As it turns out, potentially outstanding ideas have often been tested and confirmed or rejected by the flora and fauna all around us through natural selection, according to pioneers in the biomimicry field.Proponents of biomimicry have studied humpback whale flippers as a means to improve wind turbine performance and plant leaves as a model for â€Å"green cleaning† process that some paints and building materials now incorporate. Clearly there is much still to be learned from nature. It has been a long time coming, but it appears many in the world are prepared to accept that the best ideas arise from a passionate interest in commonplace things. Perhaps necessity is not the true mother of invention – history demonstrates that inquiring minds and Mother Nature herself more often inspire greatness.

Impacts of Cultural Differences Essay

College Graduation Thesis Subject: Impacts of Cultural Differences on International Business Negotiation Name: Chen Xiujuan Student No. : 0 8 5 1 0 3 4 0 Specialty and Class: Business English, Class 3 Department: Department of Humanities and Arts Supervisor: Liu Mifan Date: 2011-3-02 Contents Introduction1 1. Types of Cultural Differences2 1. 1Value View2 1. 2. Negotiating Style2 1. 3. Thinking Model2 2. Impact Of Cultural Differences on International Business Negotiations4 . 1Impact of Value Views Differences on International Business Negotiations4 2. 1. 1Impact of Time View Difference on Negotiation. 4 2. 1. 2Impact of Equality View Difference on Negotiation. 5 2. 1. 3 Impact of Objectivity Difference on Negotiation. 6 2. 2 Impact of Negotiating Style Differences on International Business Negotiations. 7 2. 3 Impact of Thinking Model Differences on International Business Negotiation. 8 3. Coping Strategy Of Negotiating Across Cultures. 9 3. 1 Making Preparations before Negotiation. 9 3. 2 Overcoming Cultural Prejudice. 10 3. Conquering Communication Barriers. 10 Conclusion11 Bibliography12 Acknowledgements13 Abstract The business negotiations under different cultural conditions come to cross- cultural negotiations. With the economic globalization and the frequent business contacts, cultural differences seem to be very important; otherwise they could cause unnecessary misunderstanding, even affect the result of the business negotiations. This means it is very important to know the different culture in different countries and the ways to avoid the culture conflicts in the international business negotiations. The article commences from the types of culture differences, then it explains the impacts of these culture differences on international business negotiation and finally it analyzes how to deal with the problem of the cultural differences correctly in negotiation process. Such a standpoint is emphasized: In the business negotiations between different countries, negotiators should accept the other party’s culture, and try to make him be accepted; then make a correct evaluation with the help of valid communication and discover their real benefits between them. Besides, we should know clearly and try to accept the culture differences as possible as we can. It is very important for the success of culture negotiations. Key words: Culture; Cultural differences; Business negotiation; Impact Introduction Along with the advancement globalization and China’s WTO entry, business enterprises in China have to face more and more business negotiations with foreign enterprises, especially with American enterprises. In these negotiations, Chinese negotiators sometimes feel uncomfortable, puzzled, lost, irritated and the alike, because of unfamiliar custom and behaviors demonstrated by American negotiators. Meanwhile, American negotiators confront the same situation. Cult rural differences between China and west countries could cause many problems. Therefore, understanding cultural differences and overcoming them is crucial in international business negotiations. Although the definition of culture is numerous and vague, it is commonly Recognized that culture is a shared system of symbols, beliefs, values, attitudes and expectations. Culture is a major determinant in business negotiation. So have a clear picture of culture differences if of great significance. . Types of Culture Differences The east countries and west countries have produced different cultures on the different continents. Among the different cultures, value views, negotiating style and thinking model appear more obvious. 1. 1Value View Value view is the standard that people use to asses objective things. It includes time view, equality view and objectivity. People may draw a different or even contradictory conclusion abo ut the same thing. Value view is one of the most important differences among the many factors. It can influence the attitude, needs and behavior of people. The value view varies from nation to nation, people know that the eastern person focus on collectivism, while the western people pay more attention to individualism. 1. 2. Negotiating Style Negotiating style refers to the tolerance and graces which the negotiator shows in the negotiation. The negotiators show their negotiating style through behavior, manners and the method of controlling negotiation process during the negotiation. The negotiator’s negotiating style has a bearing on their culture background. According to the culture differences, negotiating style falls into two types: the east negotiating style pattern and the west negotiating style pattern. 1. 3. Thinking Model Thinking model reflects the culture. Because of the influences of history background, continents, words and living method, different nations generate different thinking models. Surely, there is more than one thinking model of a nation, but one is more obvious compared with others. As a whole, east people, especially Chinese have strong comprehensive thinking, image thinking and curved thinking, while analytical thinking, abstract thinking and direct thinking are possessed by the west people. 2. Impact of Cultural Differences on International Business Negotiations With the rapid development of economy, we need to do business with businessmen under different culture background, so in order to reach trade agreement, it is necessary for us to study the impact of culture differences on international negotiation in global business activities. The impact of culture differences on international negotiation is extensive and deeply. Different cultures divide the people into different group and they are also the obstacles of people’s communication. Accordingly, it is required that the negotiator should accept the culture of each other. Furthermore, through culture differences, it is important that the negotiator reveal and understand the other party’s goal and behavior and make him or herself be accepted by the opponent to reach agreement finally 2. 1Impact of Value Views Differences on International Business Negotiations Value Views Differences on International Business Negotiations fall into three types: time view, negotiation style, thinking model. Each has big influences on business negotiation 2. 1. 1 Impact of Time View Difference on Negotiation. The time view which affects the negotiator’s behavior varies from east countries to west countries. The oriental or the Chinese negotiators are usually cautious and patient. They need to go through the phrases of coming up with proposes, bringing up objections and ending the trade which takes a longer time. And they hope to arrange rich time to go on a negotiation, thus knowing more about the opponent . They are good at long and continuous battle. While west people or we could say American people, consider time is precious. They tend to resolve problems swiftly. So, in business negotiation, American businessmen often complain about the delay and the lack of efficiency of negotiators from other countries, while these countries also make a complaint that the Americans lack patience. There is a popular saying among American negotiators and businessmen: It is prohibited to steal time. That shows the time view of Americans. To them, time means money. The time view of Chinese is cyclic. They use long-term and systematic viewpoints to value the importance of the topic. A famous people classify the time view into two kinds: straight-line time viewand cyclic time view. The former pay more attention to concentration and speed, and the later stress doing many things at one time. That they insist on different time view leads to different negotiating style and method. The American people represent the straight-line time view and they have a strong awareness of modern competition. They look for speed and efficiency. So they value time badly and consider time as a special commodity whose value could be assessed. They often use minute to calculate time . They hope to reduce negotiation time at every phrase and want to complete the negotiation quickly. But the Chinese time view is cyclic and they place emphasis on unity. Moreover, it is necessary to be punctual at negotiations. West people have a strong time view, if you don’t comply with the appointment time, they may give you a punishment and they will regard you as unreliable and irresponsible person. Being late for negotiation will give the west businessmen opportunities to exert pressure onyou, and then you will lose the status of being initiative. 2. 1. 2 Impact of Equality View Difference on Negotiation America went through the bourgeoisie revolution of striving for the equality and freedom, so they take equality into their heart. Americans stick to equality and fairness in business, and hope that both could gain benefit. When introducing the topic or situation, the west people would like to use concrete method, particularly data. Their negotiating method is that they will describe their viewpoint and propose at the beginning in order to get initiative. Under this principle, they would come up with a reasonable resolution which they think is very fair. In business relationship, the sellers from America regard the buyer as a counterpart. Americans are fairer than Japanese is sharing benefits. A lot of American managers think fair division of profits is more important than how much they could get. At this point, the east people are different. Because of the deeply influence of class view, they don’t pay much attention to equality. They usually adopt single-win strategy in business negotiations. When involving economic benefits they think much about their own benefits and profits and don’t give so much attention to the benefit of their partners. The market economic system of developed countries is quite mature, so west countries take win-win strategy more in negotiation; basically, they could take the benefits of both into consideration. 2. 1. 3 Impact of Objectivity Difference on Negotiation The objectivity in international business negotiation reflects the degree to which people treat any things. West people especially Americans have a strong objectivity on the understanding of issues. At negotiation table, Americans don’t care much about relationship between people. They don’t care if the status of the opponent is equal to theirs. They make decision based on facts and data, not people. The saying that public things use public ways is a reflection of American objectivity. Therefore,Americans emphasize that Businessmen should distinguish people and issues, what they are really interested in is the actual problems. But in the other parts of the world, it is impossible for them to distinguish people and issues. . 2 Impact of Negotiating Style Differences on International Business Negotiations The impacts of negotiating style differences on international business negotiation mainly exist in negotiating method and negotiating structure. Take the negotiation between America and China as a example, since the oriental care more about unity in thinking, they method they adopt in negotiation is from unity to parts, from the big to little, from the abstract to the concrete, that is to say they should each agreement on general terms, then begin to talk about the concrete terms. And usually not until the end of the negotiation do they make compromise and promise based on all the items, and then to reach agreement. The west people are influenced by analytic thinking, so pay more attention to logical relations between things. They consider more about concrete things than integrity. And they tend discuss the concrete items at the beginning of negotiation, so they often resolve the price, delivery and issuance respectively at first. And they may make compromise at every detail, so the final contract is the combination of many little agreements. The negotiating structure is linked with cultures. Negotiating structure mostly refers to the number of the participants. In business negotiation, the foreign delegation is usually composed by 3-5 people, while the Chinese one could be more 15 people. The foreign negotiators not only need to negotiate with their counterparts but also need to discuss with related person in charge or the government. When making the final decisions, the Chinese negotiators often discuss the results repeatedly from the workers to the board to avoid being decided by a single person. That results from the influence of collectivism. So they often said to their partners: Let us think about it. Let us discuss it. But the west negotiators could make the final decision without going back for discussion. That because their admire individualism and hard working. They have strong independence. They would carry on according to the best ways after knowing their goals. What’s more, most west people think that they have the ability to deal with the negotiation situation on their own. And truly, they are brave enough to take responsibility. 2. 3 Impact of Thinking Model Differences on International Business Negotiation The thinking model of Chinese tends to be comprehensive, concrete and curved, while the Americans are usually analytic, abstract and straight-line. We Chinese are accustomed to talking about general principles at first and then move onto details. To Chinese negotiators, the core is the general guideline, and the details are subject to the guideline. After figuring out the big picture, other problems are easier to resolve. It is the most obvious feature of Chinese negotiators. But west businessmen, especially Americans are likely to discuss the details first and try to avoid the principle. They value details very much and think noting about the unity. Accordingly, they want to discuss the details at the beginning of negotiation. They are direct and simple in negotiation. As a matter of fact, many facts show that General principles first have impact of constriction on the parts and details. For instance, our government insists on the principle that Hong Kong and Macao are undivided parts of China’s territory. In the important diplomatic negotiations such as Entering into relationship with America, Hong Kong’s and Macao’s Coming back into their motherland. It is under such principle that we established the tone of the negotiation and controlled the skeleton of the negotiation, thus we get the advantage and prompt the success of negotiation. 3. Coping Strategy of Negotiating across Cultures The culture differences in cross-cultural communication have various impacts on operation of enterprises. These differences will influence negotiation and management of transnational operation; what’s more, it may have bad effects on the harmonious relationship between our country and foreign countries. Maybe that will lead to the missing of market opportunities, the increase of trade cost and the low efficiency of company management. So, it is really necessary for us all to eliminate and avoid disadvantageous effects. 3. 1 Making Preparations before Negotiation. The negotiators must make good preparations if they want control the development of negotiation successfully in the complex situation. Only do they make good preparations can they make changes freely according to the situation of negotiation and avoid the happening of conflicts. Because the international business negotiation involves extensive aspects, more preparations are needed. The preparations often include the analysis of the negotiators themselves and the opponents; the constitution of negotiation group, elaborating the negotiating goal and strategy and going on imitation negotiation when necessary. When making preparations, you should try to know the opponents while you analyze yourselves. Analyzing yourselves mainly refers to studying if the project is feasible. To knowing about the opponents means understanding their strength such as credit status, the policy? business customs and regulations of their countries and the conditions of their negotiating members and so on. . 2 Overcoming Cultural Prejudice Tolerating different cultures and overcoming cultural prejudice contribute to better communicating with each other and understanding each other. West people often think that they are powerful, capable and experienced, so sometimes, we need to recognize then and give then some good comments. We should learn about the foreign cultures before negotiation a nd accept and understand their cultures in negotiation, because every country regard their own cultures as a matter of course and hope that their culture could be recognized and accepted. 3. Conquering Communication Barriers Two trains running at different railways in the opposite direction will collide with each other; maybe this is the best arrangement for trains. But to communication between people, there won’t be communications if people go ahead according to their own ways. Trains will collide with each other if they run on the same railway at the opposite direction. But if we measure by the objective of people’s communication, only we meet each other, can we have communication and friendship. In negotiation, sometimes we can’t make much progress although we have talked for long time. And sometimes both parties are not satisfied. After thinking, that is caused by communication barriers which happen easily in cross-cultural negotiation. We should make sure if there appear communication barriers, if so, we must overcome them. Generally speaking, we should pay more attention to the following three communication barriers in cross-cultural negotiation: the communication barriers caused by culture background of both; the ones caused by misunderstanding of the contents and information from the partner; the ones caused by not being willing to accept the opponent’s contents and ideas. Conclusion â€Å"Social Customs varies in different countries†. In a word, cross- cultural communication will meet the problem of culture differences surely. In turn, culture differences also influence all aspects of international business communication. To avoid or to resolve the culture differences is a huge task in international business negotiation. In order to step into the international market successfully, we must have the awareness of culture differences, acknowledge culture differences and understand different cultures. Try to know yourself and know them. What’s more, we should respect different behavior of businessmen under different culture background, and then we could reduce unnecessary conflicts resulting from not respecting the opponents. It is beneficial for both to form an atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation, reduce culture differences and turn disadvantages into advantages and benefits. Thus, we could avoid conflicts and obstacles, then to promote communication and harmony in international business negotiation. Bibliography 1]George Yule. The study of Language[M]. Cambridge University Press,2000:202-209 [2]Harvey, Paul,,â€Å"The Oxford Companion to English Literature† [M]. London: Oxford University Press. 1978:23-25 [3]Philip R Harris, Managing Cultural Differences [M]. Gulf Publishing Company, 1987:234-260 [4]Wang Cheng fa. A Glimpse of Foreign Land [J]. Kaifeng: Henan Univesity Press, 2000:58-62 [5]. [M]. : ,2000:2-6 [6]  · —— [M]. : ,2004 [7].. [M] : ,2003:340-342 [8]. [M]. : ,2001 Acknowledgements As acknowledgements for my paper, only I — the writer is responsible for the shortcomings. I much acknowledges my thanks to all my teachers, especially to Miss Liu Mifan, my supervisor, who has provides me support, critical ideas and careful suggestions. I also want to thank my family who always give me time, encouragement and secretarial services, especially my parents. Finally, my classmate and friends, who provided thoughtful and thorough reviews of my paper, must be acknowledged.

A Theory of Cultural Value Orientations: Explication and Applications.

A Theory of Cultural Value Orientations: Explication and Applications. Shalom H. Schwartz, social psychologist and author of  a theory of cultural value orientations has done research on  universal values  and how they exist in a wide variety of contexts. Most of his work addressed broad questions about values, such as: how are individuals’ priorities affected by social experiences, how do individuals’ priorities influence their behavior and choices, and, how do value priorities influence ideologies, attitudes, and actions in political, religious, environmental, and other domains.Through his studies, Schwartz concluded that ten types of universal values exist: achievement, benevolence, conformity,  hedonism, power, security, self-direction, stimulation, tradition, and  universalism. Schwartz also tested the possibility of  spirituality  as an eleventh universal value, but found that it did not exist in all cultures. Schwartz's value theory and instruments are part of the biannual  European Social Survey.His work presents a theory of seven cultural value orientations that form three cultural value dimensions. applies it to understanding relations of culture to significant societal phenomena. In this theory we can find Shwartz’s conception of culture, a conception of the normative value system that underlies social practices and institutions. He derived seven value orientations that are useful for describing and comparing societies. His research is based on analyses of data across 75 countries.Using the cultural orientations, Shwartz generated a worldwide empirical mapping of 75 national cultures that identifies 7 transnational cultural groupings: West European, English-speaking, Latin American, East European, South Asian, Confucian influenced, and African and Middle Eastern. There are briefly discussed cultural characteristics of these groupings. Also I’ve found   the examples of socioeconomic, political, and demogra phic factors that give rise to national differences on the cultural value dimensions, factors that are influenced by culture.

Management Class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Management Class - Essay Example ation that comes from ‘drug reps’ who does not have much scientific knowledge about the impact of drugs on patients’ lives because these people are only after the sales commissions, expensive gifts, awards, and bonuses they’ll receive from the company out of selling these drugs. It is advisable to limit this type of interconnection between the doctors and medical student(s) and the drug producer(s) in order to avoid ‘under the table’ or ‘red tape’ transactions and ‘lobbying’ between the two parties. A close personal relationship between the doctors / medical students and the pharmaceutical companies could result to converting these doctors as ‘pharmaceutical sales representatives.’ Thus, endangering the lives of the patients. Controlling the importation of drug ingredients such as the ephedrine and pseudoephedrine from the nine major producers worldwide including Mexico is necessary in order to control the spread of ‘meth epidemics’ throughout the California, Oregon and other part of the United States.2 By regulating the importation of these ingredients, the meth cooks will have a hard time searching for the main ingredients to produce crystal meth. Another strategy is to regulate the selling of legal drugs like cold medicines that contain these ingredients throughout the United States. Having a strict control over the selling of these products, particularly by limiting the number of cold medicines consumers could buy as well as having the consumer register upon each purchase, could prevent the meth cooks from converting these legal drugs into crystal meth. The two main strategies that the U.S. federal government implemented contributed to the success of controlling the meth epidemics over several areas in the United States. By implementing a strict control over the main sources of the ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, the government is able to prevent the meth makers from producing enormous amount of meth within the

Stereotypes and fantasies about the US South have been a major theme Essay

Stereotypes and fantasies about the US South have been a major theme in the development of US popular music - Essay Example The following analysis will seek to discuss and analyze the manner by which this particular song helps the listener to come to an appreciation and understanding of what the desire of the working-class black woman would be, a promotion and understanding of the idea that a greater self-determination was possible and therefore sees, an understanding and appreciation for a renewed emphasis upon feminism and a focus upon how the freedom and equality movement had grown from merely something that sought parity with whites to something that sought parity between the sexes. As such it is the hope of this author that this particular analysis can not only help to confirm some of statements with regards to the blues of the 1920s but also offer an alternative level of understanding with respect to the way in which this music was represented and presented within the particular time in question. The ultimate meaning and understanding that the song implies is with regards to a deadbeat husband who h as run off on his wife and lives a life on his own for over a year’s time. In returning, the woman of the house, exercising a degree of power and self determinism, recalled the way in which she answers the door and ultimately tells him to leave and not bother her anymore as she has started her own life. This is of course evident of a great degree of freedom, self empowerment, and self-determination that might not likely have been evidenced within another era. The songwriter recounts the way in which even though he asks for permission to come in and start a life together again, the woman refuses and states that she does not need his laundry, his rent, or his ones and twos (likely referring to any further children from this individual). In an era gone by, it would have been the requirement of the woman to wait for her husband, regardless of his indiscretions, and necessarily forgive these at such a time that he gained to reappear in her life. However, as was represented in this blues music of the 1920s, this working-class black woman was not willing to accept this as an alternative to the freedom and self-determination that she had already been experiencing within the past months. In addition to Hazel Carby’s understanding of the way in which the concerns and cares of the black working-class woman were represented within the blues of the 1920s, a very clear level of feminism and an understanding of greater freedom and equality was represented within songs such as â€Å"Sam Jones Blues†, the songwriter ultimately less the listener be aware of the fact that Mrs. Wilson not only refuses Sam Jones entry into her house, she has also learned how to leverage the legal system , filed and received proper divorce papers, and has her own employment; thereby making the existence of a man in her life ultimately superfluous (James 173). From the information that is thus far been provided, the reader can come to a clear understanding of the fact that the b lues of this particular era, as understood through the lens of â€Å"Sam Jones Blues† not only represented a shift away from the musical integration and utilization that had been leveraged in previous eras, it also dealt with a unique subject matter that was not formally discussed within songs prior to this era. Although infidelity and issues of adultery have long been topics of the human condition, and analysis of these from an empowered black woman’s perspective and the means through which she has the ability, will, money, and self

Reflection on Leadership Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Reflection on Leadership - Coursework Example Such a position demanded a competitive individual with high potential leadership, in training, experience and passion. The organisation was at the pioneer in an already saturated market. To maintain the position was receiving challenges daily and required leadership with a vision and mission as lain down in the organization’s statements. For this reason, desperate job seekers were not to be entertained in the application for the position, which made it vital to inform the interested persons through the job advert about particulars of the position. Secondly, it is a requirement legally with the consequence of familiarising the potential candidates with information relevant to their job, as well as, their expected responsibilities (Torrington et al. 2005). With this regard, the organisation had no choice but to follow the legal requirements. On this note, it is necessary to reflect on the nature of leisure centre undertakings, as there are scores of organizations offering such s ervices, but in illegitimate grounds. Such organisations stretch their operations to compromised levels, a fact that the general public is aware of. To avoid any suspicions and any doubts on the part of our potential candidates for the job offer, we had to lay down the job expectations. Lastly, the job description was an indispensable tool to us as the pioneers of the organisation. At the drawing board, we realised that, by describing the job to be carried out by the management we wanted to employ in the organization, it simplified the task of putting down the information needed by the job advertisement. Equally, the job description went deeper than just the title level; it enhanced the possibilities of obtaining competitive candidates (Torrington et al. 2005). At this point, it became handy to give the description of the job as Sports Facilities Manager in the sports department. The location of our organisation was also provided as Hatfield. Moreover, the responsibilities of the ma nager were provided as responsibility of supervision and management of our organisation besides assisting in the creation and development of the Leisure centre’s annual budget. With duties of facility planning, Inclusive of facility redesign, constructions, buying or selling together with leasing of sports facilities and supervision of the facilities, the manger had to be experienced. The manager was to be custodial over crews and staff, as well. There was the need to maintain clarity in the selection criteria to be subjected to the candidates so as to prevent hesitant selection decisions. In addition, explicit selection criteria assist in defining the most suitable procedure as well as the approach to the selection process. Therefore, at this juncture, it was necessary to compare the available theories in the selection criteria. In our case, selection criteria that are typically obtained in the nature of a person specification according to Torrington et al. (2008), was worth y to note. This was because person specification offers another recruitment’s key document aside of the job description. The crucial note with the personal selection criteria is its ability to define the ideal candidate profile negating the characteristics that could never be met fully. In agreement with Porter,

Methods for Resolving Small Scale Systems Problems Essay - 1

Methods for Resolving Small Scale Systems Problems - Essay Example General systems theory is often used to solve many problems. Problems are nothing new for human being. Since the creation of mankind, it is a common fact that human beings are continuously facing different problems and adopt various techniques to cope with these problems. Situations that may arise time to time always require some action to cope with them. Moreover, problems may be well defined and at small scale like opening a can, solving some mathematical problem and scoring in any specific game. On the other hand problems and issues may be of large scale. This may include the opening of a business which requires proper strategies, planning at each and every step. So, each and every problem always requires some specific strategy and solution. However, it does not mean that one solution is used to resolve any particular issue only and it is not suitable for some other problem. 2. After that you have to choose the strategy in order to solve the problem. For that purpose you should consider all those strategies and solutions that are available. Just adopt one that you think best out of all. Here, I want to mention that the basic reason to explain all the above mentioned details is to make it clear that problem solving always requires some specific phases whether short term goals are required to achieve or long term goals. So, here we can also say that problem solving of large scale systems can be applied to smaller scale systems as well because the basic thing to follow is to consider all the required phases accordingly. Now, I am going to explain briefly some of the systems methodologies that are described to resolve the problems of large scale systems. I will further explain that how these strategies can be applied to smaller scale systems. Basically, systems science and systems theory evolved to handle the real world and to resolve complex, intertwined, large scale and small scale systems problems. Remember, problems always contain some sort

The Importance of Press in a Democracy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Importance of Press in a Democracy - Essay Example However, we may only have one side of the information if we only look at one news program or if we only depend on local information. The Role of the Media in a Democracy According to the Center for Democracy and Governance (1999) the role of the media in democracy has two roles. The first role is that it gives citizens enough information about a topic to help them make "responsible, informed choices" (p. 5) rather than allowing them to act through misinformation or through ignorance. The second role is that it provides a "checking function" (p. 5) that points to elected officials to make sure that they uphold the oath they took in their particular office and that they carry out the wishes of their constituents. When we as citizens look at the media, we do expect that it will give us the information that we need to make good decisions. As an example, the Obama presidential campaign showed us how the media can inform us of what to do. Obama used Facebook as his major media contact and still uses this outlet today. People were able to ask questions and to follow the campaign from beginning to end. Many people suggest that this is how he eventually won the presidency, and this shows that he understood the power of the media. In a democracy, people are not under the influence of the government like in other countries. As an example, there are some countries that only receive the information that their government wants them to access. In some Muslim countries, as an example, any information that shows women as liberated will be blocked whether it is on television or on the Internet (Deibert, 2011). In this situation, the government did not want people to follow the protests in the Middle East for fear that it would affect them in some way. This again shows the power of the media on the opposite side. That is, the media can be used to manipulate the ideas of a country or it can be used to hinder the thoughts of the individuals living in a country. We hope that in a de mocracy, this does not happen. The Center for Democracy and Governance also states that the media must understand who they are communicating to in order to get the right message to the right people. They suggest that the audience for media attention includes: 1. Consumers 2. Individual producers (reporters, editors, technicians, business managers) 3. Content provider companies (wire services, think tanks, NGOs) 4. Training institutes, universities 5. Independent regulators 6. Media monitors (political polling agencies, policy institutes, advocacy groups, governments, advertisers) 7. Professional organizations (journalism and business associations) 8. New technology gatekeepers (infrastructure developers, software creators, trainers, investors). (p. 7). When thinking about these audiences, it is clear to see that each one would have a different opinion to express on any given topic. The media is therefore important to each of these audiences in order to make sure that they also can c ommunicate effectively to their constituents. Perception of Media Central to the important of media in a democracy is the way that the media and its message are received by the audience. Often, we are told that the media is biased to one side or the other and this can stop people from believing the media ("Perception", 2011). When the public perceives that the media is not telling them the truth or that it is not putting for the effort to bring forth all of the facts, people tend to

Finding number PI Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Finding number PI - Research Paper Example In modern times, however, with the advent of computers, the emphasis has shifted to the speed at which the value of Pi can be determined together with increasing the number of decimal places. This paper traces the history of Pi and the efforts made by mathematicians and astronomers to get closer and closer to the â€Å"precise† value of Ï€, and then discusses two methods for determining the value of Pi – one ancient method and one modern method. The very first attempts to determine the value of Ï€ date back to around 2000 B.C., when the Babylonians and Egyptians approached the problem in their own ways. While the Babylonians obtained the value of 3+1/8, the Egyptians obtained the value as (4/3) ^4 for Ï€. About the same time, Indians used the value of square root of 10 for Pi. All these values were based, essentially, on measurement of circumferences and diameters of circles of different sizes (Beckmann, 12-15 and 98-106). The first major step towards determining the value of Pi is attributed to the great Greek mathematician and physicist, Archimedes around 250 B.C. The ancient Greeks, with their penchant for precision, were interested in precise mathematical proportions in their architecture, music and other art forms, and hence were curious about better precision in determining the value of Pi. Thus Archimedes developed a method using inscribed and circumscribed polygons for calculating better and better approximati ons to the value of Ï€ and came to the conclusion: Subsequently, around 150 A.D., the Egyptian mathematician Ptolemy (of Alexandria) gave the value of 377/120, and around 500 A.D., the Chinese Tsu-Ch’ung-Chi gave Pi the value of 355/113. Many others like Ptolemy and Tsu-Ch’ung-Chi continued to use Archimedes’s method to calculate the vale of Pi to better approximations. Ludolph von Ceulen used this method with a 2^62-sided polygon to calculate Pi to 35 decimal

Rubbish Has No Value Essay Example for Free

Rubbish Has No Value Essay †¢ Introduction, explaining what rubbish is? Explaining what assignment is about. †¢ One wastefulness and affluence, how this affects rubbish, consumer society †¢ Two Thompsons Theory, recycling (one man’s trash is another man’s treasure), Jordan’s Junk art. †¢ Three – Stevegraphs/supply Demand †¢ Four – environment and rubbish †¢ Conclusion, do not introduce any new material!! Sum essay up. Remember word count and references. ‘Rubbish has no value’. Identify the arguments for and against this view. It can be argued that rubbish is a thing that has no worth; it is what nobody wants, it is disvalued, so it is worthless and has zero value (Brown, 2009, p105). ‘Value’ can be a complex term. Items have value because people value them. What is rubbish to one person may have value to another. Rubbish is seems can be quite contradictory! Throughout this essay it will be argued whether rubbish does in fact have no value. Your immediate thoughts on rubbish might be something straight forward like an empty crisp packet, you have eaten the crisps inside so now the packet is surplus to requirements and has no more use; it is now rubbish has no value and will be disposed of. But rubbish covers more than just this. There is also wasting, uneaten food is wasted, televisions left on standby is wasted electricity. Rubbish is the invisible part of consumption, the growth of mass consumption due to rising affluence and prosperity has contributed to the increase of rubbished produced. The rise in disposable income has allowed us to buy goods easier than ever before, this in turn has caused a huge rise in the manufacturing of consumer goods. We are living in a consumer society, it is now cheaper to replace goods rather than repair, and we have become a throwaway society. In 1983/84 the amount of household rubbish per person was 397 kg, in 2006/07 this increased to 508kg (Brown, 2009, p107). With this rise, the amount of rubbish we produce as a nation, for example packaging, outdated and broken items. These discarded items may no longer hold value to us as an individual but provides a lucrative business for the waste disposals business and recycling plants. It is not just household rubbish that is a problem, rubbish from shops; businesses supermarkets, manufacture, construction and agriculture cause a greater proportion of rubbish (Brown, 2009, p134) Michael Thompson wrote a book ‘Rubbish Theory: The Creation and Destruction of Value’. He categorises objects into three: †¢ Transient objects which are planned for ordinary use and their value fall over time for example clothing and mobile phones †¢ Rubbish which is items like worn out clothes obsolete phones, these items has zero value. †¢ Durable items are items where the value increases over time, such as works of art and jewellery. (Brown 2009, p122) Objects are produced for either transient or durable categories, items can move from transient into durable via the category of rubbish and are then revalued. Items lose and then gain value. An example of this would be Stevengraphs, silk woven pictures popular in 1828-88, many were made and sold but by the middle of the twentieth century they had become unsalable. It was during the 1960’s and 1970; s they were again being sold and as collectors’ items for vast amounts of money thus making them now an item of value. Their increase in value can be attributed to their aesthetic revaluation. The aesthetic judgement of the few caused the Stevengraphs to be revalued. Consequently there are items that can only be described as rubbish with no value which will end up at land fill. Other items start life with value but over time due to the changing fashions and improvements in technology they lose value and there are items that start life with a relative normal value lose their value and then increase value. The value of items can also rise or fall according to supply and demand, †¢ Price rises when demand increases relative to supply. †¢ Price falls when demand fall relative to supply. (Brown, 2009, p128) With regard to the Stevengraphs, their price fell due to lack of demand, the price or value increased years later due to a new demand for them. Other examples of items moving from the transient to durable category are vintage toys, at the time of production they would have been priced according to demand, then becoming surplus to requirements and having no value, years later the lack of supply or now supply as no longer produced along with an increase in interest would again give them value. Aesthetic and economic valuations are inevitably linked to some degree, and this tends to hold generally (Brown, 2009, p131) another form with aesthetic value which can also be described as rubbish is junk art. This type of art uses discarded objects which most would describe as rubbish in such a way they then become art. Chris Jordan makes photographic artworks that are computer-assembled from smaller photographs, these photographs are shots of mass consumption, plastic cups tin cans plastic bags cigarette ends (Brown, 2009, p131) – this is transforming rubbish into art. Using rubbish as art can be described as a form of recycling, what was once rubbish is now art? This also shows that the old saying of ‘one man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure’ still holds true today. Recycling is a relatively new initiative for households, a few years back everything we no longer required went into one bin which was then collected and dumped at a land fill. Now we separate plastic, cardboard, food waste, tins and glass. These items are recycled and used or made into many different things such as new cardboard, fertilizer. This is giving new value to items that were once thought of as rubbish. The UK has come a long way with recycling but we are still lagging behind the rest of Europe. The financial value of rubbish may change, to those in the rubbish collection and recycling business dealing with rubbish provides employment and income thus giving value to rubbish. The downside to this is the cost to each nation, the disposal of rubbish has to be paid for. Aside from the financial side to rubbish the environmental side needs to be considered. Rubbish can either go into landfill or be incinerated, this in turn causes pollution, complete disposal is hard to achieve. Consideration is needed towards our environment, if as a nation we continue to increase with mass consumption there will continue to be an increase in rubbished produced. The environment will not be able to sustain this. Global consideration is needed for future generations. In conclusion it would appear that rubbish does and does not have value. Our first impression of unwanted/discarded items would be they are rubbish and are sent to land fill thus having no value. However using junk art and recycling as examples it is clear that certain type of rubbish can have value. Items from household rubbish are recycled into new items. Other items that one might believe to be rubbish can be interpreted as art, bringing value to rubbish. For those in rubbish disposal, rubbish has financial value, but the cost to society and the environment show the negative financial value of rubbish. Items can change from having little or no value to items of collectable status with immense value. So in essence rubbish can have both, value and no value depending on the situation it is in.

Causes of EU Integration with America

Causes of EU Integration with America Farid Muttaqi Question: Which is the relationship between internal European and external (American) motives for the start of European integration? Outline: Internal motives of EU integration Peace and Stability after WW Second The Global Influence Economical factor High Standards for a better life External motives (US) The factor of Economy and politics The Marshal Plan The Security factor and the US End Note The United States has strongly supported the European integration project since its inception as a means to foster democratic states and robust trading partners. The United States and the EU have a dynamic political partnership and share a huge trade and investment relationship. Internal Motives of Internal Integration Peace and Stability after WW Second: A second profit that Europeans coveted was peace and internal strength. This seems to have been particularly significant to the French, and various littler nations as they acknowledged their German neighbours. The French tried to bait Germany into close participation in the years promptly after the war while Germany was still generally feeble; it was suspected that Germany though had completely recuperated the country couldnt withdraw from these exchange contracts without significant expenses. Germany at this point seeking acknowledgement from its neighbours willingly went along. This yearning for territorial security could be seen in the advancement of forms, for example, the European Coal and Steel Community in 1952 it was discerned that supranational control, and international integration of these industries might make it unrealistic for any part country to ambush an alternate. Further due to the imagined monetary ties, hostility against an individual part state might be rendered adverse to the aggressor’s own economy. So, a second unanticipated rationale was maintaining peace, presumably with specific accentuation on discouraging Germany against hostility.[1] Due to the development of up to date military technology in the XX century, the urgency of this difficulty has developed spectacularly. The huge boost in the number of casualties, the amount of human pain, and financial decimation has reinforced calls for organisations adept of protecting calm, particularly during and after the catastrophes of the two world conflicts. Then, the danger of atomic decimation and self-decimation and the emergence of new nationalisms after the end of the East-West Bloc structure have accentuated this difficulty in new ways.[2] The Global Influence: Another important key component is a decline in international leverage. After WWII was over, the countries, particularly Britain and France which were the foremost world powers in the past started to comprehend that they are no longer having sufficient influence in the world if operating alone. The development of the USA and USSR, with their massive populations and geographical domination, had the financial and military power to absolutely engulf Europe in a ‘Cold war’ with force exerted from both sides. It became clear-cut that European governments could just want to control the activities of these key players in Europe provided that they jointly raise their voice.[3] Both the first atomic tests Soviet Union conducted in 1949 and the Soviet Coup in Czechoslovakia of 1948 has resulted in the atmosphere of urgency. Western and Central Europeans were dreaded by the Soviet take over; Western Germany was perceived as the most vulnerable to Soviet invasions. However, Germany’s friends were not snug with a remilitarised Germany, except for the situation when this would appear in the context of supranational collaboration. This yearn for defence commanded to military alliances, namely the North Atlantic Treaty administration which was put together firstly to keep the Russians out of Western Europe, but furthermore in order to make sure that to Germany does not get too militant inside the borders of the continent.[4] Economical factor: The original document which has established the process the of European integration is the Schumann declaration of May 9, 1950. This document was entitled after the France’s foreign minister and motivated by Jean Monnet, a professional and municipal domestic who performed a crucial function in setting up European institutions in the following years. The affirmation proposed that â€Å"Franco-German output of coal and steel as an entire has to be put under the joint roof. The later was implied to be the common High Authority, inside the framework of an association open to the participation of the other countries of Europe.† The design was inspired by security, as a way â€Å"to make it simple that any conflict between France and Germany becomes not only unthinkable, but materially impossible.† The coal and iron steel output start was characterised as â€Å"a first step in the federation of Europe.† [5] The Schumann declaration has resulted in creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) with participation of the six nations (France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg) in 1951. After that the ECSC was used as the institutional template for two suggested groups: the European Defence Community (EDC) and the European Political Community (EPC), which encompassed the formation of a widespread army, a widespread budget, and common organisations with important legislative and executive branches. The later would have fundamentally amounted to a European federation. This treaty underwent signing by the six nations in 1952 but failed to obtain ratification in the French assembly, and therefore the defence and political groups were not established in the end.[6] Local integration is routinely examined as one of the leading processes shaping the development of the European finances since World War II. Suppliers to the publications generally take one of the two advances to recognising its effects. The supporters of the idea of the narrative approach issue to influential persons (Jean Monnet, Robert Schuman, Jacques Delors), key events (the conclusion to pattern the European Coal and Steel Community or ECSC, sign the Treaty of Rome, set up the Singe Market) and fundamental forces (the fondness of trade goods and banking concerns for trade and economic liberalization, the acquiescence and even support of the joined States for European integration), implying that things would have turned out rather differently if they would not exist. [7] At the end of World War II, the promoters of European integration accepted that at the roots of the continent’s political and financial ills was its fragmentation in unaligned and unconstrained territory states. The nationwide borders in the beginning of the XX century had been very exorbitant, as authorities raised obstacles to trade and pursued â€Å"beggar-thy-neighbour† principles throughout the Great Depression, and chased hard-hitting nationalistic policies leading to conflicts of unprecedented manner. [8] Europe’s great achievement following the Treaty of Rome was to entire its Common Market which entailed eliminating tariff obstacles to intra-Community trade. However, quantitative restrictions were still utilized to limit trade in perceptive sectors (e.g., farming products made by powerful ranch lobbies, or chosen developed items whose household production was glimpsed as absolutely vital to national security). Obstacles beyond the borders (product standards and guidelines) were furthermore sustained initially.[9] Economics in a narrower sense can be characterized as one of the purposeful shortfalls: it has become progressively clear that the national markets in Europe were too little for reasonable production methods. Their mutual walling-off was only shrewd on a provisional basis and counting on the specific output part; in the long period, this threatened to outcome in a decrease of productivity and consequently furthermore a loss of the legitimacy of the country.[10] High Standards for a better life: The last impetus in the direction of unity, one more relevant in recent years has been the achievement of European integration. The constituent nations of the European Union relish high measures of dwelling, economic significance, steadiness and security. Numerous nations bordering the amalgamation find the benefits of members appealing; in preceding years it has been documented how the countries of south Europe came to enjoy measures of living comparable to those of the formerly more affluent North. No question that this wealth and steadiness is the aim of numerous east European countries that used to be communist have lately searched European Union membership.[11] External motives (US) The factor of Economy and politics: In the timeframe of 6-8 decades the US has played a supportive role in the monetary and political integration of Europe, while people in the USA simultaneously kept ambivalent thought patterns towards the European Union and has preserved specific interaction with distinct nations around the world. People in the USA throughout their history, perhaps inside the colonial time along with the early stages of the republic, already been tightly connected to continental Europe. They have got likewise looked at American integration from the viewpoint in their personal history associated with monetary and political integration and for that reason one may say that they fundamentally looked at the European integration indulgently.[12] In the beginning several years after the World War II Americans discovered that EU integration if seen as a specific necessity of time can and will lead to make sure that peace is established, as well as stability and democracy are established. Effective US organizations prompted EU economic integration by means of alike policies as the Marshall strategic Plan so as to support and generate the actual orders for prosperity that may assist to be a defensive wall against communism. US enterprise leaders in addition considered the chance of a substantial, wide open EU current market depending on liberal economic guidelines to be a promising and also worthwhile of purchasing. US policymakers thought to be that the materials well-being connected with the United States was significantly connected to the actual prosperity connected with Europe, equally the actual safety connected with the United States was known as intimately connected to EU safety. Generally speaking, EU monetary and also p olitical integration has become great for the United States, mainly because it has additionally been great for Europe.[13] The actual causes regarding United States help were in reality very difficult in addition to its blurry character. America constantly supported EU integration regarding five motives the earlier had. In rising order, the reasons regarding USA help integrated the following: any desire to put into action federalist United states product within European countries; the trust that a built-in European countries will be better in addition to just rational; the expectation that EU co-operation inside the reams of security in addition to economical spheres would certainly minimize the Germany’s strength; the fact a solid European countries would certainly aid retaining the Soviet Union power. These kinds of causes were characteristic from the 1945-1950 intervals at time America took the lead to promote EU integration, largely within the Marshall Strategy. America seemed to be eventually left behind having minor choice, considering that the United Kingdom in addition to France the well- known alternatives in order to lead European countries -were of minor aid. Facing that issue, it turned out nearly left to America to supervise the EU post-war reconstruction upon quite a few levels. [14] The Marshall Plan: The particular Marshall Plan is usually viewed at the most productive episode in the record from the Cold War containment from the Soviet Partnership as well as communism inside European countries. The particular help to European countries used this economical as well as personal strength involving America to show rear ideological as well as politics menace, so that it was meant since over an endeavour to compliment this economic reconstruction involving European countries. National officials wished to refashion European countries in to a different model from the bundled single-market as well as blended capitalist overall economy of which currently was around in America. Therefore, this Marshall Plan was an expansion involving National household characteristics as well as foreign-policy targets stretching back to National record. Inside the fast ram from the plan’s coverage manufacturers were being this establishments from the Brand new Offer plus the policies from the time be tween the 2 globe competitions. Since Michael J. Hogan (1987) indicates, the item was to involve European countries into the almost generally overall economy of which shape which existed in America. Together with creating business multilateral, creating stock markets convertible, as well as permitting free-market causes in order to combine economic climates, national policymakers advised their transatlantic counterparts to prepare Western business revenue, financial panels, along with other devices involving capitalist economical setting up as well as regulation which were recognizable for them in America. National help was helpful to expose Western leaders for you to Keynesian tactics involving taxation as well as financial issues. In addition, it aimed for you to Americanize Western creation, promoting as well the engineering techniques. It was wished that this kind of parts as well as sites might make it easy for Europeans to sustain their restoration as well as result in high lo cated expectations. It was wished that a substantial, inner current market, similar to the one which was around in America, might generate economic climates involving range of well as well as increased costs involving production, combining in to a start multilateral program that might likewise always be best for the national organization. Hogan argues that by the means of these kind of as well as linked endeavours, the national leaders tried out for forging some sort of EU local community in which politics concerns might cave in for technocratic alternatives, downplaying redistributive politics battles for some sort of hunt for contributed great quantity – most by having an increased exposure of public-private strength sharing.[15] The Security factor and the US: It must not be disregarded that the European countries had been incorporated militarily, along with economic integration. After a couple of world wars have happened, the US was drawn into protection regarding liberal democracy with the European countries. National management had been more certain previously how the safety measures regarding the European countries had been intimately connected to their own safety measures and also well-being. The building blocks regarding armed forces safety measures had been constructed with the particular transatlantic connections. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for example. National management discovered that EU fiscal and also protection integration included in a compacted internet regarding transatlantic corporations remaking post-World War II European countries. Following disappointment from the EU Defence community (EDC) in the 1950s, people in America made a decision to join the duty regarding protection on their own, even thoug h taking fiscal integration and resultant success just as one alternate route to safety measures. Stanley Sloan offered famous particular battling dynamics from the fundamental transatlantic agreement: along with the US promising continued guidance with EU safety measures in return for a EU motivation to be able to assimilate alone pertaining to equally outside protection and also interior stability. Evolving and also deepening the particular two-centuries-old fiscal connection would likely furthermore provide safety measures by simply leading to politics and also societal hyperlinks that would help to make conflict in between Germany and friends unbearable completely. Consequently, people in America supported EU integration since US people’s representatives presumed that process would likely bind jointly previous predators which will help prevent a different â€Å"civil conflict† in Europe. Naturally, one may find those that view the national mind-set in the direction of the European countries in the post-World war II time while a mixture of equally benevolence and also hegemony (according to Brimmer).[16] Conclusion: At last, there have been a number of components which have made integration appealing to the peoples of Europe. In the beginning, there were anxieties over the threat of Soviet attack, and worry of a re-armed Germany. Unity was glimpsed as a means of stopping both interior volatility and external aggression. In supplement, from the end of the Second World War right through to the present there has been a desire for financial prosperity, and financial implication on the world view. Finally, it can be seen that harmony has been thriving, the constituent states of the European Union are amidst the world’s most evolved countries, and this is a powerful draw for outsiders to search members. So while the Soviet risk is no longer truth integration is still an appealing prospect for many of Europe’s nations.[17] Bibliography: Ben Bradley 2012, Post-war European Integration: How We Got Here, e- International Relations. Available at: http://www.e-ir.info/2012/02/15/post-war-european-integration-how-we-got-here/. Enrico Spolaore 2013, What Is European Integration Really About? A Political Guide for Economists, Tufts University and NBER (First Draft for the Journal of Economic Perspectives) p 5, available at: http://crem.univ-rennes1.fr/Documents/Docs_workshops_2013/2013-05-30_4_SpolaoreEuro-1.pdf. Barry Eichengreen and Andrea Boltho 2007. The Economic Impact of European Integration. Available at: http://dev3.cepr.org/meets/wkcn/1/1679/papers/Boltho-Eichengreen-Chapter.pdf. John Taylor 2007, Motives for European Integration since 1945, world issues 360. available at: http://www.worldissues360.com/index.php/motives-for-european-integration-since-1945-74142/. Wilfried Loth. Explaining European Integration: The contribution from Historians, available at: http://euij-kansai.jp/layouts/eu_sub/documents/publication/100508Loth_paper.pdf. Steven Ekovich 2009. American Views of European Integration: A brief history. The American University of Paris, Department of International and Comparative Politics, Paris, France, available at: http://oliver.efri.hr/~euconf/2009/docs/Session4/4%20Ekovich.pdf. Todd Alan Good 2001, Book review, H-Net: Humanities Social Sciences Online, available at: http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=5009. [1]John Taylor 2007, Motives for European Integration since 1945, world issues 360. available at: http://www.worldissues360.com/index.php/motives-for-european-integration-since-1945-74142/. Accessed on 28.12.2013 [2] Wilfried Loth. Explaining European Integration: The contribution from Historians, available at: http://euij-kansai.jp/layouts/eu_sub/documents/publication/100508Loth_paper.pdf. Accessed on: 28.12.2013, p 5 [3] Ben Bradley 2012, Post-war European Integration: How We Got Here, e- International Relations. Available at: http://www.e-ir.info/2012/02/15/post-war-european-integration-how-we-got-here/. Accessed on: 28.12.2013 [4] John Taylor 2007, Motives for European Integration since 1945, world issues 360. available at: http://www.worldissues360.com/index.php/motives-for-european-integration-since-1945-74142/. Accessed on 28.12.2013 [5] Enrico Spolaore 2013, What Is European Integration Really About? A Political Guide for Economists, Tufts University and NBER (First Draft for the Journal of Economic Perspectives) p 5, available at: http://crem.univ-rennes1.fr/Documents/Docs_workshops_2013/2013-05-30_4_SpolaoreEuro-1.pdf. Accessed on: 30.12.2013 [6] Ibid. p 5 [7] Barry Eichengreen and Andrea Boltho 2007. The Economic Impact of European Integration. Available at: http://dev3.cepr.org/meets/wkcn/1/1679/papers/Boltho-Eichengreen-Chapter.pdf. Accessed 30.12.2013, P 2 [8] Enrico Spolaore 2013, What Is European Integration Really About? A Political Guide for Economists, Tufts University and NBER (First Draft for the Journal of Economic Perspectives) p 2, available at: http://crem.univ-rennes1.fr/Documents/Docs_workshops_2013/2013-05-30_4_SpolaoreEuro-1.pdf. Accessed on: 30.12.2013 [9] Barry Eichengreen and Andrea Boltho 2007. The Economic Impact of European Integration. Available at: http://dev3.cepr.org/meets/wkcn/1/1679/papers/Boltho-Eichengreen-Chapter.pdf. Accessed 30.12.2013, P 15 [10] Wilfried Loth. Explaining European Integration: The contribution from Historians, available at: http://euij-kansai.jp/layouts/eu_sub/documents/publication/100508Loth_paper.pdf. Accessed on: 28.12.2013, p 6 [11] John Taylor 2007, Motives for European Integration since 1945, world issues 360. available at: http://www.worldissues360.com/index.php/motives-for-european-integration-since-1945-74142/. Accessed on 28.12.2013 [12] Steven Ekovich 2009. American Views of European Integration: A brief history. The American University of Paris, Department of International and Comparative Politics, Paris, France, available at: http://oliver.efri.hr/~euconf/2009/docs/Session4/4%20Ekovich.pdf. Accessed on: 31.12.2013, p 1 [13] Ibid [14] Todd Alan Good 2001, Book review, H-Net: Humanities Social Sciences Online, available at: http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=5009. Accessed on: 29.12.2013 [15] Ibid. p 6 [16] Steven Ekovich 2009. American Views of European Integration: A brief history. The American University of Paris, Department of International and Comparative Politics, Paris, France, available at: http://oliver.efri.hr/~euconf/2009/docs/Session4/4%20Ekovich.pdf. Accessed on: 31.12.2013, p 9 [17]John Taylor 2007, Motives for European Integration since 1945, world issues 360. available at: http://www.worldissues360.com/index.php/motives-for-european-integration-since-1945-74142/. Accessed on 28.12.2013

Existence of the soul

Existence of the soul Introduction There are a number of big philosophical questions that commonly interest philosophers. Chief among these questions is the existence of the soul. What will become of me when I die? Will I cease to exist or not? And if I do continue to exist will I remain in my current form or that of another life form? These are questions which are frequently discussed when talking about the soul. Platos work on life after death is regarded as one of the very first pieces of written philosophical work on the existence of the soul. Platos Phaedo is an attempt to answer these questions; an attempt to prove that the soul pre-exist the body and that it continues to live after death. Platos Phaedo must therefore be discussed if a conclusion is to be reached on whether the soul pre-exist the body. Much of Platos work, unlike many other philosophical writings, is in dialogue. Platos dialogues are named after the central character, which in this case, is Phaedo. Besides Phaedo, other important characters in t he dialogue are Echecrates with whom the dialogue begins with, Socrates who is the main character in the dialogue, Simmias of Thebes, a follower of the philosopher Pythagoras and Cebes whom also is a follower Pythagoras. Phaedo centres on the death of Socrates, who was sentenced to death in 399BC for corrupting the minds of the youth and denouncing the gods. After the trial, Socrates is in prison waiting to be condemned by drinking Hemlock and this is the point of Platos Phaedo which begins to look at life after death. It is clear that the introductory section of the dialogue takes place from (60a) whereby Socrates after massaging his leg states that pleasure and pain are closely related, despite the fact they are opposites. The point Socrates makes here seems logical as empirical experience shows that people cannot appreciate the ups of life without having the downs. Socrates then goes on to claim that anyone wise will follow him to death, as a wise person or a philosopher long to be released from the body. This is an important point of Platos dialogue as it ignites the discussion of the immortality of the soul. Why would Socrates claim that those who are wise should follow him to death shortly? For Socrates death is simply a release of the soul from the body. Socrates believes that firstly he will be entering the company of good and wise gods and secondly he expects to enter the company of dead people that are better than those still alive, thus it is good to leave life (Daniel Hill lecture notes, 2008). Furthermore the body for Socrates is a hindrance for a philosopher seeking the truth. The bodys demands such as food, drink and sex are not the concerns of a true philosopher and more so the body cannot provide reliable information, our senses constantly deceive us. (A fine examplemaybe example). The truth is the real nature of any given thing i.e. justice in itself, which has never been perceived by anybody. In order to reach the uncontaminated truth one mu st be pure and uncontaminated. Socrates goes as far to say the philosophers occupation consists precisely in the freeing and separation of the soul from body (Daniel Hill lecture notes, 2008). However by arguing this point Socrates is presuming that life exist after death, something which provokes Cebes to raise an objection questioning Socrates line of thought by highlighting that it is widely accepted that when one dies the soul may be released from the body and dispersed like smoke and so destroyed Cebes challenge is one which Socrates must respond to and he does so by producing four arguments to support his claim that the soul is immortal. First is the Argument from Opposites which aims to show the cycle of death and rebirth must go on forever. Secondly is the Theory of Recollection which aims to show that the reasoning part of the soul did exist before birth, thus making it plausible to hold that it will also exist after death. Third is the affinity argument, which concerns its elf too with the reasoning part of the soul, in particular the nature of the Forms and the control of desires. The final argument Plato introduces considers the soul as the cause of life. The Argument of Recollection is what must be discussed in detail due to as stated above it concerns itself with the pre-existence of the soul. Theory of Recollection The Theory of Recollection is introduced by Cebes, who briefly outlines the argument as follows: that all learning is just really recollection and that by recollecting it shows that we must have learned sometime before; which is impossible unless our souls existed somewhere before they entered this human shape. So it seems that the soul is immortal (Daniel Hill Lecture Notes 2008). Simmias then asks Cebes to remind him how the proof of Socrates theory of learning as recollection goes and Cebes provides two reasons. Firstly Cebes puts forth that when people are asked questions, if the question is put in the right way they can answer everything correctly, which they could not possibly do unless they were in possession of knowledge (Daniel Hill Lecture Notes 2008); and secondly if you confront people with a diagram or anything like that, the way in which they react provides the clearest proof that the theory is correct (Daniel Hill Lecture Notes 2008). Cebes argument is very vague; howe ver the point he seems to be trying to make can be understood by using a mathematical question. For example if you were asked, what is 6+33? You would give the answer of 39, yet it is unlikely that you would have learnt that exact sum beforehand, so the fact that you recognised it shows that you must have learnt it in a previous life. Cebes answer for Simminas is allusive thus Plato introduces Socrates to give the argument in full detail. In Phaedo Socrates begins with the suggestion that one can only recollect what one has learnt at some previous point. Socrates too understands that recollection is the process of being reminded of something and uses the example of lovers who are reminded of the person they love, when they recognise a piece of clothing or any other private property owned by their lover (Plato 2003). However to have prior knowledge of all things gained from experience within the world would be absurd, thus Plato outlines what he means is that we have knowledge of abs tract entities or as Plato describes the knowledge of Forms. What does Plato mean by abstract entities or Forms? Plato means entities such as justice, beauty, goodness and holiness etc. The example he gives is equality. Plato writes in Pheado We admit, I suppose, that there is such a thing as equality not equality of stick to stick and stone to stone and so on, but something beyond all that and distinct from it absolute equality (Plato 2003). Its seems what Platos argument is trying to show is that there is a concept of equality which is recollected when we view certain objects, such as two sticks of similar length or if we feel the weight of two stones of similar weight and we know whether or not they are of equal weight because we understand the concept of equality without it ever being taught. However what must be understood is that Plato is not saying that equality is within the sticks and stones themselves, as they may appear equal to me but unequal to another; but rather by seeing the sticks and the stones that we get the idea of absolute equality.Socrates then continues to highlight that we are aware that sticks and stones do fall short of being equal, but to be conscious of the fact that they fall short means that we must have a the concept of what it is to be perfectly equal. However how do we know of this equality when Plato denies empirical knowledge as reliable? Socrates answers That we must have had some previous knowledge of equality before the time when we first realised (Plato 2003). Therefore Socrates deduces that we obtained our knowledge of equality before birth. So if this holds true with equality then it must hold true with all other abstract entities or Forms such as beauty and justice. However Socrates continues claiming that Each of us loses this knowledge at the moment of birth, but afterwards by pertinent exercise of our senses, recover the knowledge which we once had before, I suppose that we call learning (Plato 2003). Hence Socra tes concludes that all learning is recollection. Socrates then moves on to present an alternative explanation to support his argument claiming that someone who truly knows a subject ought to be able to explain it to others, yet most people cannot explain the things that he (Socrates) has been explaining to Simmias (http://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/phaedo/section5.rhtml). Socrates explains that if someone can be brought to recollect knowledge of the kind he is explaining and then able to explain that knowledge to others, then it goes to show that knowledge existed in a past life and it was forgotten the at birth. Simmias raises an objection to this point stating that perhaps we gain knowledge at birth, but Socrates simply reminds him that if we possessed it at birth then surely it would be absurd to lose it at the exact same moment we gained that knowledge. Socrates then concludes that the existence of the soul before birth is as certain as the existence of beauty, goodness, and all things in themselves that the soul supplies knowledge of when we see the physical things that approximate to them Platos argument Platos argument seems to be coherent and reaches a sound conclusion that the soul pre-exist birth. However the argument has been criticised by many philosophers due to the gaps within the argument. These gaps within Platos argument must be explored in order to come to a conclusion on whether the Theory of Recollection does prove that the soul pre-exist the body. A chief criticism of Platos theory of recollection stems from the foundation of his argument. Plato discusses two different kinds of knowledge; intrinsic knowledge of the Forms (goodness, beauty and equality etc.) and the recollection of knowledge, and this is where the problem lies. In Phaedo Socrates is intent on showing that what we know was present before birth However Plato gives no explanation of when before birth we acquire this knowledge or how. Further, if we did come into this world knowing of abstract qualities such as justice, holiness and equality etc, the next thought would be that when did we first come into co ntact with these abstract qualities?. Plato gives no time frame and this is important as it obvious that when we, as humans get to a certain age all of us tend to know similar concepts such as those of the Forms described by Socrates in Phaedo. Further, Plato maintains that no true knowledge can come about from experience and that knowledge is innate; therefore experience from a previous life could not have given us the knowledge of the Forms, such as equality, beauty and justice etc. On the other hand in Platos defence that it could be said that our very first soul was created with such knowledge; that is our first soul was created with the knowledge of Forms. However there are those that object to this line of view claiming that Plato does not provide an answer on how the cycle of birth and death of the soul begin? And if it has a beginning how can it end? (http://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/phaedo/section5.rhtml). Owen Mcleod highlights this fact stating If the soul cannot die, then the soul is indestructible. The general principle being assumed here seems to be that if x cannot die, then x is indestructible. But.If x is destructible, then x can die. This is clearly false. Inanimate objects of all sorts rocks, shoes, corporations can be destroyed, and hence are destructible, but they do not literally die upon destructionMore so is Platos meaning of equality. Plato advances equality not just as a relation to two objects but as a property in itself. Yet we wouldnt normally think of a single stick on its own of being able to have the property of equality and so forthFurther Platos knowledge as discussed above is not that of future events or empirical knowledge but that of the knowledge of the Forms. Therefore for the Argument from Recollection to work the Theory of Forms must be accepted. This is as Hackforth states: the doctrine of Forms is with that of the souls existence before its incarnation: in other words, they stand and fall together. Attempts to p rove the Theory of the Forms may succeed or fail, but what the significance here is that Platonised Socrates does not explicitly prove or justify the Theory of the Forms Another problem of Platos argument is regarding the type of judgment that Recollection of the Forms leads us to make.If as Plato states that everything we perceive in the world, including those sense perceived judgments; are sustained by the Forms, it would suggest that all human beings judgments are correct, as the Forms are pure truth. Yet this conclusion would be widely inaccurate as human beings make many incorrect judgments, the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster is a testament to this as it was human errors which resulted in destroying the lives of thousands of people. Conclusion Platos Theory of Recollection is a coherent argument and one which attempts to prove that the soul does pre-exist the body. Plato Phaedo works on many grounds due to the fact that we as human beings can relate too much of what Plato has written. It is widely accepted that when humans look at an object we can be reminded of a particular person or event. Therefore it does not seem strange to think of abstract qualities such as equality in the same way. Nonetheless, the Theory of Recollection rest upon premises which once examined shows misgivings within the argument. Plato Argument from Recollection relies heavy on his Theory of Forms which he assumes are not doubtable and due to this the Theory of Recollection automatically proves the existence of the soul. Yet the Forms are susceptible to doubt, as discussed before if humans decisions are imbued by the Forms then surely the Forms are doubtable as human beings decisions are incorrect time after time. Further modern day philosophy has simply described Phaedo as a religious doctrine supported by poets (Hackforth 1992), suggesting that Phaedo may have proved the pre-existence of the soul in Ancient Greek, yet now in the modern era it is must be seen as no more than a religious doctrine which was widely accepted at the time. Against modern philosophy Platos argument does not appear to be justified. Karl Poppers falsification theory, for example, demands that any suggestion that is put forward must be done so in terms that allows it to be falsified. If the idea requires certain assumptions that are impossible to prove, like the Theory of the Forms, then we cannot consider it as being valid Yet the context in which the dialogue was written must be considered when evaluating the Theory of Recollection. Socrates is condemned to death and his final hours are upon him, it is clear that Socrates purpose in the dialogue is to explain his views on death to his friends. Socrates lack of concern in the face of death surprises Cebes and Simminas and this prompts Socrates to convey his views on the immortality of the soul. Furthermore the period the dialogue was written, it was universally accepted that life existed after death. Thus Plato task is to link life after death to life before death. Therefore a modern reader must bare this in mind when considering Platos Theory of Recollection. Thus after examining Platos Theory of Recollection it can be concluded that though the argument is coherent, key premises are subject to criticism which undermines Platos argument. Furthermore with development of modern philosophy and developments in science the Theory of Recollection is subject to further failings, thus to a modern reader it would be difficult to accept the Theory of Recollection as golden proof for the pre-existence of the soul, yet at the time Plato wrote Phaedo the argument would have been accepted by a great number of people.

William Wordsworth Walking: Art, Work, Leisure, and a Curious Form of Consumption :: William Wordswroth Walking Essays

William Wordsworth Walking: Art, Work, Leisure, and a Curious Form of Consumption William Wordsworth spent a good portion of his life on foot, walking. Consider a sequence of Dorothy's journal entries: Monday the 14th, "Wm & Mary walked to Ambleside in the morning to buy mousetraps" (about 5 miles round trip); Tuesday the 15th, "Wm & I walked to Rydale for letters" (about 3 miles round trip); Wednesday the 16th, "After dinner Wm & I walked twice up to the Swan & back again" (3 miles), met Miss Simpson and walked with her to the Oliffs and then back to her house (another 3 miles); Thursday the 17th, "we had a delightful walk" (a couple of miles); Friday the 18th, "Mary & Wm walked round the two lakes" (about 6 miles); Saturday the 19th, "We walked by Brathay to Ambleside" (6 miles). Now such distances are not remarkable in fine weather, but these were walks from the 14th to the 19th of December 1801, and Dorothy's notes include "A very keen frost, extremely slippery," and "Snow in the night & still snowing," and "the evening cloudy and promising snow" (GJ 48-49). Undeterred by bad weather, Wordsworth (and Dorothy) gave walking a central position in their daily lives, even to the extent that not walking becomes a remarkable event. Dorothy records that on September 13, 1800, "William writing his preface did not walk" (GJ 22). And of course in better weather there were shorter and longer walking tours such as Dorothy's record of September 3, 1800, in which Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Jonathan Wordsworth left "after breakfast" to walk "upon Helvellyn" and returned home at 10 at night, having covered probably 15 to 20 miles (GJ 20-21)--a long, but not unusually long for them, walk. In short, Wordsworth habitually spent at least several hours a day walking, and it was not at all uncommon for him to spend entire days on foot. The central role of walking in Wordsworth's life suggests a number of interesting questions, but I will focus here only on those related to the theme of this conference, work and leisure. Obviously, much of Wordsworth's walking could be classed as leisure-time activity. There was probably no compelling reason for Wordsworth and Dorothy to walk twice to the Black Swan or for Wordsworth and Mary to circumambulate the lakes.

Mirror Images in Cat in the Rain Essay -- Cat in the Rain Essays

Mirror Images in Cat in the Rain      Ã‚   The opening paragraph of "Cat in the Rain" presented itself as a vivid painting, with Hemingway being the artist mentioned (Hemmingway, 167). This was the first in a series of mirrors that Hemingway placed in this short story. Reading this story was like being placed in a mirrored room, each mirrored wall being an element of the story reflecting upon another.    The reflection of Hemingway and the painter in the first paragraph was the first parallel that the reader is presented. However, unlike the inanimate paintings produced by the artists in the garden of the hotel, the nature of the images in Hemingway's painting changes throughout the short story. The description of the setting served more purpose than just setting the mood for the surface plot. The overall changes that occurred in the imagery was in accord with the condition of the American couple's relationship. The outside of the hotel was initially described as it would be in good weather, but gradually rain was set into the image. The dreary rain seems to lag through most...

Multi-User Dungeons

This lengthy article on avatars in Multi-User Dungeons (MUD) was informative and useful, though hard for the novice gamer to digest in one sitting. Literature attests to the gaming community using computers as tools to communicate and to link together friendships and partnerships. However, the article points out there is a danger of the gamer becoming overly involved in the community, and to remember that words on a forum/discussion board screen etc does not equate to an entity that reflects a physical community.I agree that there are differences and these need to be borne in mind during the gaming experience, however I find Rhiengold ignores the inherent similarities of virtual and physical communities with regard to their psychological processes (Agress, Edberg, & Igbaria, 1998). The article reviews MUD as a dynamic and â€Å"wild side† to the Internet. Rheingold contends that real magic exists here and that a person's identity is characterized by its fluidity. The imaginary worlds created with huge computer databases of programming languages deliver melodramas and satires, puzzles, education, leisure time and competition.With respect to the article's description of MUD communities Rheingold is somewhat over-exuberant in listing virtues of MUDs. There is an emphasis on fantasy, power, dominance, sexual prowess and violent injury or death. The goals as presented by Rheingold are economic dominance, fame and social power. Another criticism of the article is that it is not structured soundly. The history of MUD communities begins a page or so into the article. The piece then abruptly jumps to describing potential empirical functions of MUDs; such as observing them as â€Å"living laboratories for studying the first-level impacts of virtual communities†.Rheingold does not attempt to outline how such research could be undertaken, what would be measured or how participants would be ensured of informed consent. Numerous ethical dilemmas are obvious whe n considering the use of MUD communities as settings for collecting social and/or psychological data. Unlike the physical environment, MUDs are not â€Å"natural† and field research designs would need to be modified to maintain ethical standards and empirical rigor.Rheingold also suggests that the MUD environments could be used a research environment for evaluation of second-level effect of virtual communities on physical world relationships, such as with family, personal relationships, friendships etc. Interestingly, Rheingold points out that fundamental issue for the western culture are called into question with MUDs, social norms, values and expectations are adapting to the virtual (pun intended) anonymity the Internet can provide. He makes a good point that this in an important issue for a community where many relationships are mediated by technology.Unfortunately, the article has several disjointed jumps, with Rheingold distributing MUD history throughout the piece. He e xplores the idea of gaming being an addiction, due to several MUDders admitting to spending most of their waking hours immersed in virtual worlds. The concept of MUD community addiction is presented in the article as a â€Å"communication addiction† that needs to be experienced to be understood according to MIT's Media Lab Associate Professor Amy Bruckman; How do we feel about tens of thousands of college students spendingtheir time and government-sponsored resources to chase virtual dragons? To answer this question, you have to dive in and explore assumptions about what is a meaningful way to spend one's time. What are the value judgments implicit in various answers to that question? † Rheingold suggests that the first step is to investigate the fascination some gamers have with MUDding, to determine how obsession develops. Identifying unique features of the medium that engage a gamer psychologically and that meets a person's needs and expectations would inform about f ascination.He further states changing conceptualization about what is identity is the underlying cause as to how fascination develops into a dysfunctional obsession. Hence, to Rheingold, MUD communities are an extension of ongoing cognitive changes brought about by innovation, technological advancements and adaption of symbols to suit a communication-saturated society. MUD environments have allowed dissolving of social boundaries associated with time and space, as well as boundaries of identity. A gamer can pretend to be another; they can pretend to be many other people simultaneously.It appears to Rheingold that depersonalized modes of communication allow some people to be much more personal with each other as compared to a relationship in the physical world. However, he questions the authenticity of the human relationship within the cyber context, given the masking of the person and the distancing that the medium can provide. In this way he states that MUDding is not real life. Ho wever, he does not explore the potential for MUD to become a person's life, which from a constructivist point of view, would make the virtual a â€Å"real world† given that a person is seen as constructing their own reality (Riddings & Gefen, 2004).Overall, Rheingold focuses on issues of identity for the MUDder. One of the first activities that a person does when entering a MUD environment is to create an identity. They describe their character for others who inhabit or visit the MUD. It is through the creation of their identity, states Rheingold that the MUD community develops, grows, changes and maintains coherence for its members. It is the roles each gamer plays, points out Rheingold, that guides the socio-cultural value system of the community; †¦the roles give people new stages on which to exercise new identities,and their new identities affirm the reality of the scenario. The fluidity of identity is enabled by the participants being able to communicate using a num ber of public and private channel options; ? private e-mail ? person-to-person chat ? person-to-person chat ? â€Å"say,† â€Å"whisper,† and â€Å"pose† to anybody else in the same room ? form of group chat that uses the boundaries of metaphorical rooms as social boundaries ? turn on or off special-interest CB channels for other semipublic conversations across different parts of the MUDPoses and words are used to communicate meaning in the MUD environment. Rheingold describes the use of pose as useful though disembodied non-verbal language. Another word for posing is â€Å"emoting† and provides an added dimension to communication not possible in the physical world. For example, â€Å"[Instead] of leaving the room, you can disappear in a cloud of iridescent, bubble-gum-flavored bubbles†. Rheingold comments that first feelings of artificiality when posing soon disperse when one becomes aware of the added control they have over the ambience of the co nversation.Posing can provide contextual cues to that are not available through words on a screen alone. The added advantage of having creative powers within the MUD environment takes the experience beyond that of conferencing and or chat sites, â€Å"such as magic carpets that transport their owners to secret parts of the kingdom†. Other characters are able to steal or gain power of objects and avatars of others. As such, the social construction of valuing items and characters is similar in process to that which occurs in the creation of value systems in physical communities.Similarly, the social goal of power, over others and the material world, is a social concept that continues to be maintained in the virual world. Rheingold ignores this salient feature of consistency in what makes a community. In this way, MUD environment's can be considered â€Å"real† as they are experienced by individuals, and they do lead to the construction of social institutions, rules and c ommon goals mediated by a culturally-dependant language.The MUD culture is framed by the technology through which it is made visible and allows interaction, and also, by the physical world from which its computer hardware and software, and persons social rules came from. Much like Russian dolls, worlds within worlds. Navigation of the MUD community provides a learning experience for each character and they learn their roles to play. Gender roles are a dominant determinant of social placement and social expectations within the physical world. So too in the world of MUD.For example, tiny. sex and net. sleazing are techniques used predominantly by male characters to seduce female newbies into cybersex that is recorded and distributed across the globe via the Internet. As such, gender stereotypes remain within the virtual world, and women tend to be viewed as inferior, gullible and unworthy of treatment as equals. Despite social thought advances in the 21st century, the physical world c ontinues to exist within a patriarchial system that creates power struggles between dichotomies.The MUD communities do little to challenge the status quo of inequality with regard to gender, and in many ways (due to its anonymity) increase opportunities for people to act out anti-social behaviors. It must be kept in mind that these behavioral choices are grounded in physical world cultures, so that Rheingold's claim that MUD communities are unlike the â€Å"real world† in terms of social interactions is poorly supported. In conclusion, Rheingold delivers an indepth subjective critique of MUD communities. The critical review before you has evaluated Rheingold's interpretation and communication of the relevance and function of MUDs.Evidently, MUDding is an important psychological and social activity or â€Å"way-of-being† for many people, both female and male. This has sparked much debate in terms of addiction theories, gender issues and perhaps most importantly, ones se nse of identity. This paper has demonstrated that MUD communities have the potential to be research environments if ethical criteria can be met, and that in terms of social processes virtual communities have many similarities to those of the physical world from which they emerged.References Agres, C. , Edberg, D. & Igbaria, M. (1998) Transformation to Virtual Societies: Forces and Issues. The Information Society 14(2), 71-82. Rhiengold, H. (n. d. ) The Virtual Community. Retrieved January 12, 2007 from http://www. rheingold. com/vc/book/5. html Riddings, C. M. & Gefen, D. (2004) Virtual Community Attraction: Why People Hang Out Online. Retrieved January 12, 2007 from http://jcmc. indiana. edu/vol10/issue1/ridings_gefen. html