Effects of Using Computers

Effects of Using Computers As the world is developing rapidly, people rely more and more on science and technology. When they define the concept of science and technology, â€Å"most people today think of silicon chips, iPods, high-definition TVs, and visual cell phones† (Wilson 320). Among those high-tech inventions, cars and cell phones are two scientific inventions that mostly affect people’s lives. For example, they can get to the destination faster or simply make a phone call to talk instead of taking time to write a letter. However, all of these effects do not stop there. As people can observe, they no longer work manually or by hand because everything have become computerized. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to believe that â€Å"in the future, computing is not computers any more; it is about living,† according to Nicholas Negroponte (27). In fact, the invention of computers has had both positive and negative effects on people’s development, such as, in humans’ social lives, in their jobs, and in human entertainment. First of all, humans’ social lives rely on computer invention because of its helpfulness. With the aid of technology, using computers with internet access is not an unusual way to communicate anymore. Since computers were invented, communication has become easier and quicker because â€Å"computers will join together to communicate with us and for us† (qtd. in Leone 13). For example, international students, who do not live with their family, can keep in contact with their parents via webcam. They can not only talk but also see each other’s face. Talking via webcam like that helps those international students feel like they are living far away from home. Maintaining better communications means maintaining a better relationship, so people might say that â€Å"computers can foster human contact† (Swerdlow 17). When people are bored or disappointed, they usually log in to chat room or facebook where they can meet many different and interesting people. For example, my friend’s brother immigrated to the U. S. ten years ago and left his girlfriend in Vietnam. The only thing that helped them keep in contact was the computers. They just kept chatting via webcam about how they lived without the other. Even though they did not live together, talking via webcam helped them maintain their relationship. Three years ago, they decided to get married. There are not many people reaching this destination, but computers provide people one way to keep their distant relationship. However, using online chatting to communicate has its own side effect which badly affects people’s privacy. Although computers have made communication easier, quicker, and more convenient, it has also brought the privacy concerning. For example, every time people visit a dating or chatting site, all of the activities that they make will be saved and â€Å"can be converted into permanent records that, when combined with innumerable other such records, can form a detailed profile of who we are† (qtd. in Wagner 59). It is scary to see our profiles online, meaning that people’s privacy is known as public information which they never expect to see. In addition, most people use a credit card to shop online, and every time they use it, that credit card can be matched to specific titles and be stolen easily. Using credit card to buy something online is so convenient; however, it is not safe because some online hackers can steal people’s account number and start using it illegally. In fact, using computer to access the Internet has impacted people’s privacy. Secondly, computers play a big role in people’s jobs because computers help people perform work faster and more correctly. Long time ago when computers were not invented, hundreds of people collaborated to trade stocks by using blackboards, chalk, and phones, and with much calculation, stock trading now is so much easier and quicker. It means people just simply turn on their computers, and all the information about stocks will appear on their screens. Sometimes, â€Å"human power is becoming increasingly ineffective in controlling the way information technology shapes our economic and political lives† (Swerdlow 21). For example, in the supermarket, there are too many products with many different price ranges, and computers help employees to complete the sum up transactions faster. In fact, no matter what jobs people are working, they need computers because the world has been computerized. Some people think that there is a lot of work that computers cannot perform. Yes, there is some work that needs physical movement or physical force, but computers can help people perform other tasks that require a complex thought process. According to Levy, a writer of Quarterly Journal of Economics in 2003, â€Å"computers cannot easily substitute for humans in these jobs but they can complement humans by providing large volumes of information†, he implies (30). For example, part of the truck drivers’ jobs is usually to carry goods in and out of the truck, and computers can not help them to do it. However, it can provide the truck drivers the navigation system to get to the destination quicker. Computers are an intelligent machine that can help people do various work through its various functions, so people cannot deny the crucial role of computers in people’s jobs. However, applying computers in the workplace also has a certain disadvantage. The major effect of computers is that computers create an unemployment problem. Unemployment is a serious conflict because employers no longer need much labor to run their companies when computers can help them in various aspects. In reality, â€Å"[computers] technology is enabling companies to extend their operations and enlarge their profits while reducing their workforce and the pay and security of those who remain by contracting out work to cheaper labor around the globe and by replacing people with the machines† (Noble 40). For example, employers are used to hire accountants to keep their business documents, but when they have computers, those accountants are no longer needed because the employers can handle their documents by themselves with the accounting software. Moreover, the increased use of computers in the workplace causes another serious consequence which is the decrease of employees’ work skills. According to Joan Greenbaum, a programmer at IBM company, he writes â€Å"in the language of work rationalization, the worker who does the same task over and over again†¦is being deskilled because she does not have a chance to use her own intelligence and knowledge† (63). Employees will not practice anything at all if they keep working on one work over and over again. They have computers which really help them do a major of work, so they do not really need to use their knowledge to perform their work. In fact, computers are really useful for employees to work on a variety of tasks, but there are some bad consequences following the computers’ advantages. Last of all, computers have influenced humans’ entertainment because they have some functions that televisions or cell phones do not. Mostly, children listen to music or watch movies with a CD/DVD player to entertain themselves, but when they know how to use computers, their use of those inventions is less than after they discovered the effects of computers. Evidently, â€Å"U. S. residents 13 and older consider computers more important for home entertainment than the CD player, stereo or DVD player† (Evangelista E1). A major of teenagers use computers to entertain because of the computers’ functions. For instance, televisions can not be used to go online, but computers can. Televisions do not have â€Å"hard drive† to store music and movies, but computers do. Moreover, computers also help teenagers exploit other different activities on the Internet, and one of which is game online. Playing games online has become very popular because of the advantages it offers. People do not need to come by a game store to find one because there are many interesting games on the Internet. People can also gamble online. Therefore, there is no doubting the truth that computers help people entertain themselves more effectively. However, entertaining via computers connected to the Internet may cause bad effects on people’s lives, especially teenagers. Among game online and movies, the violent images are the most common issue that most parents do worry about. They seem to act exactly like what they have seen in the movies or the games on the Internet. For instance, one of my friend’s younger brother, who is now sixteen years old, usually watches gangster movies, and his favorite one is â€Å"Young and Dangerous†, a Hong Kong gangster movie. He tends to act like a gangster and tries to be as cool as the main character, which he really loves to be. He even gets the same that character’s dragon tattoo on his back. About three years ago, he fought with another group of students of another school and was put in jail for six months. Therefore, online games and movies may mentally influence teenagers. Additionally, games and movies online also has a bad effect on teenagers’ physical development because they can spend most of their time sitting in the front of a computer, having their eyes glued to the monitor, and playing from early morning until midnight without eating anything. Playing games online is seemly like having drug abuse because when teenagers get into it, they will have difficulty getting out. Focusing too much on game online, teenagers have lack of exercise which directly affects on their physical growth, and they will become hypoactive which means they are less active and communicative. Therefore, most people, especially teenagers, should realize that watching movies and playing games online too much can cause serious consequences. As time has passed, scientists have invented many great high-tech inventions, and computer invention is one of those. In fact, every high technology has not only advantages but also disadvantages, so computers are not an exception. Computers have both positively and negatively impacted humans’ social lives, their jobs, and also their entertainment. Now, when people define the concept of science and technology, the first invention which they mention is the computers because computers have become a part of humans’ lives. Computers have many sophisticated functions to perform a variety of work, but people should remember that computers may cause bad effects.

Global Financial Crisis: Causes and Effect Essay

The financial crisis that began in 2007 spread and gathered intensity in 2008, despite the efforts of central banks and regulators to restore calm. By early 2009, the financial system and the global economy appeared to be locked in a descending spiral, and the primary focus of policy became the prevention of a prolonged downturn on the order of the Great Depression. The volume and variety of negative financial news, and the seeming impotence of policy responses, has raised new questions about the origins of financial crises and the market mechanisms by which they are contained or propagated. Just as the economic impact of financial market failures in the 1930s remains an active academic subject, it is likely that the causes of the current crisis will be debated for decades to come. Financial Crisis The term financial crisis is applied broadly to a variety of situations in which some financial institutions or assets suddenly lose a large part of their value. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, many financial crises were associated with banking panics, and many recessions coincided with these panics. Other situations that are often called financial crises include stock market crashes and the bursting of other financial bubbles, currency crises, and sovereign defaults. Major causes of Financial Crisis Imprudent Mortgage Lending: Against a backdrop of abundant credit, low interest rates, and rising house prices, lending standards were relaxed to the point that many people were able to buy houses they couldn’t afford. When prices began to fall and loans started going bad, there was a severe shock to the financial system. Housing Bubble: With its easy money policies, the Federal Reserve allowed housing prices to rise to unsustainable levels. The crisis was triggered by the bubble bursting, as it was bound to do. Global Imbalances: Global financial flows have been characterized in recent years by an unsustainable pattern: some countries (China, Japan, and Germany) run large surpluses every year, while others run deficits. The U. S. external deficits have been mirrored by internal deficits in the household and government sectors. U. S. borrowing cannot continue indefinitely; the resulting stress underlies current financial disruptions. Securitization: Securitization fostered the â€Å"originate-to-distribute† model, which reduced lenders’ incentives to be prudent, especially in the face of vast investor demand for subprime loans packaged as AAA bonds. Ownership of mortgage-backed securities was widely dispersed, causing repercussions throughout the global system when subprime loans went bad in 2007. Lack of Transparency and Accountability in Mortgage Finance: Throughout the housing finance value chain, many participants contributed to the creation of bad mortgages and the selling of bad securities, apparently feeling secure that they would not be held accountable for their actions. A lender could sell exotic mortgages to home-owners, apparently without fear of repercussions if those mortgages failed. Similarly, a trader could sell toxic securities to investors, apparently without fear of personal responsibility if those contracts failed. And so it was for brokers, realtors, individuals in rating agencies, and other market participants, each maximizing his or her own gain and passing problems on down the line until the system itself collapsed. Because of the lack of participant accountability, the originate-to distribute model of mortgage finance, with its once great promise of managing risk, became itself a massive generator of risk. † Rating Agencies: The credit rating agencies gave AAA ratings to numerous issues of subprime mortgage-backed securities, many of which were subsequently downgraded to junk status. Critics cite poor economic models, conflicts of interest, and lack of effective regulation as reasons for the rating agencies’ failure. Another factor is the market’s excessive reliance on ratings, which has been reinforced by numerous laws and regulations that use ratings as a criterion for permissible investments or as a factor in required capital levels. Mark-to-market Accounting: FASB standards require institutions to report the fair (or current market) value of securities they hold. Critics of the rule argue that these forces banks to recognize losses based on â€Å"fire sale† prices that prevail in distressed markets, prices believed to be below long-term fundamental values. Those losses undermine market confidence and exacerbate banking system problems. Some propose suspending mark-to-market; EESA requires a study of its impact. Deregulatory Legislation: Laws such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) and the Commodity Futures Modernization Act (CFMA) permitted financial institutions to engage in unregulated risky transactions on a vast scale. The laws were driven by an excessive faith in the robustness of market discipline, or self-regulation. Shadow Banking System: Risky financial activities once confined to regulated banks (use of leverage, borrowing short-term to lend long, etc. ) migrated outside the explicit government safety net provided by deposit insurance and safety and soundness regulation. Mortgage lending, in particular, moved out of banks into unregulated institutions. This unsupervised risk-taking amounted to a financial house of cards. Non-Bank Runs: As institutions outside the banking system built up financial positions built on borrowing short and lending long, they became vulnerable to liquidity risk in the form of non-bank runs. That is, they could fail if markets lost confidence and refused to extend or roll over short-term credit, as happened to Bear Stearns and others. Government-Mandated Subprime Lending: Federal mandates to help low-income borrowers (e. g. , the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s affordable housing goals) forced banks to engage in imprudent mortgage lending. Excessive Leverage: In the post-2000 period of low interest rates and abundant capital, fixed income yields were low. To compensate, many investors used borrowed funds to boost the return on their capital. Excessive leverage magnified the impact of the housing downturn, and deleveraging caused the interbank credit market to tighten. Financial Crisis & U. S economy In 2008, the United States experienced a major financial crisis which led to the most serious recession since the Second World War. Both the financial crisis and the downturn in the U. S. economy spread to many foreign nations, resulting in a global economic crisis. On September 15, 2008, Lehman Brothers, one of the largest investment banks in the world, failed. Over the next few months, the US stock market plummeted, liquidity dried up, successful companies laid off employees by the thousands, and for the first time there was no longer any doubt a recession was upon the American people. Eleven months after the fall of Lehman Brothers, the U. S. remains in a state of limbo. Proposals for stimulus packages and other bailout plans have provided some relief, but it seems the most effective remedy thus far has been time. The facts are that approximately 6% of all mortgage loans in United States are in default. Historically, defaults were less than one-third of that, i. e. , from 0. 25% to 2%. A huge portion of the increased mortgage loan defaults are what are referred to as ‘sub-prime’ loans. Most of the sub-prime loans have been made to borrowers with poor credit ratings, no down payment on the home financed, and/or no verification of income or assets (Alt-A’s). Close to 25% of sub-prime and Alt-A’s loans are in default. These loans increased dramatically as a 9/30/99 New York Times article explained, â€Å"In a move that could help increase homeownership rates among minorities and low income consumers, the Fannie Mae Corp. is easing the credit requirements on loans that it will purchase from banks and other lenders. † To allow Fannie Mae to make more loans, President Clinton also reduced Fannie Mae’s reserve requirement to 2. 5%. That means it could purchase and/or guarantee $97. 50 in mortgages for every $2. 50 it had in equity to cover possible bad debts. If more than 2. % of the loans go bad, the taxpayers (us) have to pay for them. That is what this bailout is all about. It is not the government paying the banks for the bad loans, it is us!! Principally Senate Democrats demanded that Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac (FM&FM) buy more of these risky loans to help the poor. Since the mortgages purchased and guaranteed by FM&FM are backed by the U. S. government, the loans were re-sold primarily to investment banks which in turn bundled most of them, taking a hefty fee, and sold the mortgages to investors all over the world as virtually risk free. As long as the Federal Reserve (another government created agency) kept interest rates artificially low, monthly mortgage payments were low and housing prices went up. Many home owners got home equity loans to pay their first mortgages and credit card debt. Unfortunately home prices peaked in the winter of 2005-06 and the house of cards started to crumble. People could no longer increase their mortgage debt to pay previous debts. Now, we taxpayers are being told we have to bail out the banks and everyone in the world who bought these highly risky loans. The politicians in Congress (mostly Democrats) do not want you to know they caused the mess. In the 2006 elections, the Democrats took control of the House and Senate. There are plenty of videos on the Internet showing many Democrats including Senate Banking Committee Chairman Democrat Christopher Dodd and House Banking Committee Chairman Barney Frank, responsible with overseeing FM&FM, assuring us that there were no problems with FM&FM right up to their collapse. Not surprisingly, virtually all the investment banks that are in trouble and being bailed out are run by financial supporters of Obama and other Democrats. Secretary of the Treasury Paulsen was head of Goldman Sachs. The new head of the $700 million bailout is also from Goldman Sachs. This is like letting the fox be in charge of hen house security. It was announced that our government will infuse capital into the troubled banks. This gives whoever is in power of our government the ability to force the same kind of abuses that have caused this massive banking crisis in the first place. Barack Obama has received more campaign donations that any other politician in the past three years from Fannie Mae and Wall Street. FM&FC have been virtually private piggy banks of campaign contributions for Democrats for the past 10 years. Yes, a token amount went to some Republicans. And there is plenty of blame to go around in this financial crisis, but the reason it happened was 100% caused by a Democrat run government that forced a liberal policy initiated by President Clinton and reforms primarily blocked by Democrats. One would never know this by watching the news or reading newspapers. Until the majority of our citizens understand whom (government liberals) and what (liberalism/socialism) caused this mess, we will allow our elected officials, through massive inflation, to lower the standard of living of those of us who are financially prudent and give our earnings to those who are not prudent. The big excuse for the bailout is that credit markets have frozen up. But it is not true. There is plenty of credit available for good credit risks. The only way this can be rectified is to allow the people who made the mistakes to take their losses. It is called taking personal responsibility for one’s actions. Already we see that the bailout has had virtually no effect on the markets other than to cause huge sell offs because smart investors see that the U. S. is adopting failed liberal socialist policies. Our government is following in the footsteps of Hoover and Roosevelt. We do not need to have another depression, but the government is taking the steps to make it happen. The taxpayer financed bailout should be reversed immediately as it will only encourage more irresponsible fraudulent behavior. Impacts of Financial Crisis on Global Economy For the developing world, the rise in food prices as well as the knock-on effects from the financial instability and uncertainty in industrialized nations is having a compounding effect. High fuel costs, soaring commodity prices together with fears of global recession are worrying many developing country analysts. Asia & Financial crisis Countries in Asia are increasingly worried about what is happening in the West. A number of nations urged the US to provide meaningful assurances and bailout packages for the US economy, as that would have a knock-on effect of reassuring foreign investors and helping ease concerns in other parts of the world. India and China are the among the world’s fastest growing nations and after Japan, are the largest economies in Asia. From 2007 to 2008 India’s economy grew by a whopping 9%. Much of it is fueled by its domestic market. However, even that has not been enough to shield it from the effect of the global financial crisis, and it is expected that in data will show that by March 2009 that India’s growth will have slowed quickly to 7. 1%. Although this is a very impressive growth figure even in good times, the speed at which it has dropped—the sharp slowdown—is what is concerning. China similarly has also experienced a sharp slowdown and its growth is expected to slow down to 8% (still a good growth figure in normal conditions). However, China also has a growing crisis of unrest over job losses. Both have poured billions into recovery packages. China has also raised concerns about the world relying on mostly one foreign currency reserve, and called for the dollar to be replaced by a world reserve currency run by the IMF. Of course, the US has defended the dollar as a global currency reserve, which is to be expected given it is one of its main sources of global economic dominance. Whether a change like this would actually happen remains to be seen, but it is likely the US and its allies will be very resistant to the idea. Japan, which has suffered its own crisis in the 1990s also faces trouble now. While their banks seem more secure compared to their Western counterparts, it is very dependent on exports. Japan is so exposed that in January alone, Japan’s industrial production fell by 10%, the biggest monthly drop since their records began. Japan’s output for the first 3 months of 2009 plunged at its quickest pace since records began in 1955, mostly due to falling exports. A rise in industrial output in April was expected, but was positively more than initially estimated. However, with high unemployment and general lack of confidence, optimism for recovery has been dampened. In recent years, there has been more interest in Africa from Asian countries such as China. As the financial crisis is hitting the Western nations the hardest, Africa may yet enjoy increased trade for a while. These earlier hopes for Africa, above, may be short lived, unfortunately. In May 2009, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that Africa’s economic growth will plummet because of the world economic downturn, predicting growth in sub-Saharan Africa will slow to 1. 5% in 2009, below the rate of population growth (revising downward a March 2009 prediction of 3. 25% growth due to the slump in commodity prices and the credit squeeze). Some African countries have already started to cut their health and HIV budgets due to the economic crisis. Their health budgets and resources have been constrained for many years already, so this crisis makes a bad situation worse. Due to its proximity to the US and its close relationship via the NAFTA and other agreements, Mexico is expected to have one of the lowest growth rates for the region next year at 1. 9%, compared to a downgraded forecast of 3% for the rest of the region. Europe & Financial crisis In Europe, a number of major financial institutions failed. Others needed rescuing. In Iceland, where the economy was very dependent on the finance sector, economic problems have hit them hard. The banking system virtually collapsed and the government had to borrow from the IMF and other neighbors to try and rescue the economy. In the end, public dissatisfaction at the way the government was handling the crisis meant the Iceland government fell. The EU is also considering spending increases and tax cuts said to be worth â‚ ¬200bn over two years. The plan is supposed to help restore consumer and business confidence, shore up employment, getting the bank’s lending again, and promoting green technologies. Russia’s economy is contracting sharply with many more feared to slide into poverty. One of Russia’s key exports, oil, was a reason for a recent boom, but falling prices have had a big impact and investors are withdrawing from the country. Africa & Financial crisis Perhaps ironically, Africa’s generally weak integration with the rest of the global economy may mean that many African countries will not be affected from the crisis, at least not initially, as suggested by Reuters in September 2008. In recent years, there has been more interest in Africa from Asian countries such as China. As the financial crisis is hitting the Western nations the hardest, Africa may yet enjoy increased trade for a while. These earlier hopes for Africa, above, may be short lived, unfortunately. In May 2009, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that Africa’s economic growth will plummet because of the world economic downturn, predicting growth in sub-Saharan Africa will slow to 1. 5% in 2009, below the rate of population growth (revising downward a March 2009 prediction of 3. 25% growth due to the slump in commodity prices and the credit squeeze) African countries could face increasing pressure for debt repayment, however. As the crisis gets deeper and the international institutions and western banks that have lent money to Africa need to shore up their reserves more, one way could be to demand debt repayment. This could cause further cuts in social services such as health and education, which have already been reduced due to crises and policies from previous eras. The current crisis The housing bubble started to burst in 2006, and the decline accelerated in 2007 and 2008. Housing prices stopped increasing in 2006, started to decrease in 2007, and have fallen about 25 percent from the peak so far. The decline in prices meant that homeowners could no longer refinance when their mortgage rates were reset, which caused delinquencies and defaults of mortgages to increase sharply, especially among subprime borrowers. From the first quarter of 2006 to the third quarter of 2008, the percentage of mortgages in foreclosure tripled, from 1 percent to 3 percent, and the percentage of mortgages in foreclosure or at least thirty days delinquent more than doubled, from 4. 5 percent to 10 percent. These foreclosure and delinquency rates are the highest since the Great Depression; the previous peak for the delinquency rate was 6. 8 percent in 1984 and 2002. And the worst is yet to come. The American dream of owning your own home is turning into an American nightmare for millions of families. Early estimates of the total number of foreclosures that will result from this crisis in the years to come ranged from 3 million to 8 million. So far (as of January 2009), there have already been almost 3 million mortgage foreclosures. Another 1 million mortgages are ninety days delinquent and another 2 million were thirty days delinquent. Therefore, a total of about 6 million mortgages either have already been foreclosed, are in foreclosure, or are close to foreclosure. Six million mortgages are about 12 percent of all the mortgages in the United States. The situation could get a lot worse in the months ahead, due to the worsening recession and lost jobs and income, unless the government adopts stronger policies to reduce foreclosures. Defaults and foreclosures on mortgages mean losses for lenders. Estimates of losses on mortgages keep increasing, and many are now predicting losses of $1 trillion or more. In addition to losses on mortgages, there will also be losses on other types of loans, due to the weakness of the economy, in the months ahead: consumer loans (credit cards, etc. ), commercial real estate, corporate junk bonds, and other types of loans (e. g. redit default swaps). Estimates of losses on these other types of loans range up to another trillion dollars. Therefore, total losses for the financial sector as a whole could be as high as $2 trillion. It is further estimated that banks will suffer about half of the total losses of the financial sector. The rest of the losses will be borne by non-bank financial institutions (hedge funds, pension funds, etc. ). Therefore, dividing the total losses for the financial sector as a whole in the previous paragraph by two, the losses for the banking sector could be as high as $1 trillion. Since the total bank capital in the U.  S. is approximately $1. 5 trillion, losses of this magnitude would wipe out two-thirds of the total capital in U. S. banks! * This would obviously be a severe blow, not just to the banks, but also to the U. S. economy as a whole. The blow to the rest of the economy would happen because the rest of the economy is dependent on banks for loans—businesses for investment loans, and households for mortgages and consumer loans. Bank losses result in a reduction in bank capital, which in turn requires a reduction in bank lending (a credit crunch), in order to maintain acceptable loan to capital ratios. Assuming a loan to capital ratio of 10:1 (this conservative assumption was made in a recent study by Goldman Sachs), every $100 billion loss and reduction of bank capital would normally result in a $1 trillion reduction in bank lending and corresponding reductions in business investment and consumer spending. According to this rule of thumb, even the low estimate of bank losses of $1 trillion would result in a reduction of bank lending of $10 trillion! This would be a severe blow to the economy and would cause a severe recession. Bank losses may be offset to some extent by â€Å"recapitalization,† i. e. by new capital being invested in banks from other sources. If bank capital can be at least partially restored, then the reduction in bank lending does not have to be so significant and traumatic. So far, banks have lost about $500 billion and have raised about $400 billion in new capital, most of it coming from â€Å"sovereign wealth funds† financed by the governments of Asian and Middle Eastern countries. So ironically, U. S. banks may be â€Å"saved† (in part) by increasing foreign ownership. U. S. bankers are now figuratively on their knees before these foreign investors offering discounted prices and pleading or help. It is also an important indication of the decline of U. S. economic hegemony as a result of this crisis. However, it is becoming more difficult for banks to raise new capital from foreign investors, because their prior investments have already suffered significant losses. In addition to the credit crunch, consumer spending will be further depressed in the months ahead due to the following factors: decreasing household wealth; the end of mortgage equity withdrawals and declining jobs and incomes. All in all, it is shaping up to be a very severe recession.

A Study on the Benefit of Children’s Exposure to Violence in Media as Described by Gerard Jones in His Book, Violent Media Is Good For Kids

A Study on the Benefit of Children’s Exposure to Violence in Media as Described by Gerard Jones in His Book, Violent Media Is Good For Kids Who better to help the younger generations through the angst and frustration that comes with the burden of growing up than a comic book artist? In â€Å"Violent Media is Good for Kids†, Gerard Jones writes about the positive aspects exposing children to violent media. Opening the essay with his personal experience and the outlet it allowed him as he was growing up, he slowly transitions into discussing other children’s similarly positive encounters. Jones argues that in most instances, it is helpful and healthy for a child to be exposed to violent media. The audience that Jones is trying to persuade seems to be very clear after initially reading the essay. Digging a little deeper, the essay was first published on the magazine Mother Jones’s website. In the â€Å"about† section on the Mother Jones website their mission is described as, â€Å"a strong voice for social justice: Racial discrimination, womens rights, environmental justice, and the plight of immigrant farmworkers are all issues you will find covered in the magazine from its first year of publication to the present† (Hochschild, Mother Jones: The Magazine). Learning about what the purpose of this publication stands for, it becomes even more apparent which audience that Jones is speaking to. As a very left-wing publication, Jones seems to be trying to persuade new parents of the same political views that raising their children around some violent media is okay. Gerard Jones spends the essay supporting his argument to these parents with minimal use of log os but great use of pathos and ethos. Gerard Jones opens his essay with the use of ethos, constructing his credibility by describing his childhood and how violent media positively helped him maneuver through his road to adulthood. Jones explains that as he was growing up, his parents taught him the same thing that many others are taught as children, that violence is not the correct way to handle conflict and that anger is a feeling to be left out of matters. Jones describes his childhood in the first paragraph, â€Å"My parents, not trusting the violent world of the late 1960s, built a wall between me and the crudest elements of American pop culture† (199). Although his parents made great attempts at stifling their child into a pacifist young adult, Jones discovered the wonderful world of Marvel and the Hulk. Identifying most with the Hulk, Jones imagined himself following his â€Å"fantasy self† which allowed him to do whatever he wanted, without a care of what disapproval may follow. Being an angry child that was able to channel his rage through comic books helps Jones solidify his position that violent media is not always as terrible as it is made out to be. As an adult, Jones is not only a comic book writer, but also an advocate for exposing children to violent media. Working alongside Melanie Moore, a psychologist, the two of them study the way violent stories help children develop in a healthy way. Demonstrating logos, Jones quotes his colleague, Moore, Fear, greed, power-hunger, rage: these are aspects of ourselves that we try not to experience in our lives but often want, even need, to experience vicariously through stories of others. Children need violent entertainment in order to explore the inescapable feelings that theyve been taught to deny, and to reintegrate those feelings into a more whole, more complex, more resilient selfhood (201). Adding a psychologist’s perspective, Jones is setting his point more firmly by bringing in an outside authority. Completing his method of relating his credibility to the reader, Jones turns the reader’s attention to facts from a person in the field of understanding the way the bra in works and habits of human beings. Delving deeper into his reasoning for being a credible source on the subject of children and violent media, Jones returns to the use of ethos to further establish not only his authority, but Moore’s. After discussing his history with the reader and establishing some scientific background, Jones gives some slight overview of the work that he does with the help of Moore. Jones states that he started a program called â€Å"Power Play† where he helps â€Å"young people improve their self-knowledge and sense of potency through heroic, combative storytelling† (201). Establishing that his is a topic he not only studies but is heavily involved in helps the reader believe that what he is saying is true. Jones is not only reading charts, answers from a survey, or however he and Moore conduct their research but is, instead, actively involving himself with children and including violent stories into their development. Giving the reader an understanding of how violence in med ia can help children, Jones is persuading the reader with examples of his work. Transitioning from heavy use of ethos, Jones turns to pathos near the end of his piece. Once he got the reader to understand him as an author, Jones seems to have set about getting the reader to understand the reason behind his passion. Telling the tale of a young girl he worked with, Jones describes that although her home life is not an ideal situation, listening to rap as helped her find â€Å"a theater of the mind in which she could be powerful, ruthless, invulnerable† (202). Jones explains that she went to college and became a writer while avoiding the use of the drugs her peers were using (202). He seems to be trying to put the reader into the mind of a struggling adolescent to feel empathy for the children who are not blessed with a peaceful life at home. Reminding the reader, possibly, of times when life was confusing and messy assists Jones in giving the reader a second to consider that maybe things would have been easier had they had an outlet to give their rage over to. This placement of the reader into the shoes of an angry adolescent is vital in Jones’ argument. Gerard Jones is a clear writer in thoughts and example, building a solid case in favor of letting children experience violent media. Jones makes great examples of real people to further his point because it gives the reader something solid to relate to. Additionally, his and Moore’s credentials gives the reader a writer that they can trust. There is a really strong building of trust between the reader and the writer throughout the entire piece with Jones spending most of his time establishing himself as a reliable source for the subject. At the end of this piece, it is hard to believe that most people will not be swayed into letting their children partake in an hour of Power Rangers.

U.S economy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

U.S economy - Research Paper Example nce, economic indicators illustrate when the economy falls like in a recession and when the economy grows like during economic development (Griffis, ch.1). This paper will predict the economic future of U.S economy one year from now. In economics, economists develop laws of economic behavior based on the presumption that states do not count, but markets do. In economics, the most important issue is whether the presumptions generate a successful proposition that can be empirically tested and proven to be invalid or reasonable. From this perspective, the major challenge in the economic forecast is the neglect of the function of the state in economic concerns specifically international economic growth. In fact, national activities and policies are significant for economic results (Gilpin, R. & Gilpin, J. 61). Another challenge encountered when making economic forecast is the concept of weak efficiency. Weak efficiency is a theory that assumes that past forecasts play a critical function in establishing present predictions (Dovern 2). In addition, economists are less conversant with the regional cycles and trends hence the problem of predicting changes in these areas. Moreover, the error of incorrect revenue is anot her element that can create a problem in producing accurate forecast on the state of the economy. Also, data revisions pose a challenge to forecasts because when there is a structural change in the economy, the forecasting models need to be changes which may consume much time (Higgins 22). State and national economic predictions assist forecasters to generate an approximation of anticipated revenues from fundamental tax ground on the current price. In addition, other professionals in the budget department use the predictions to plan an expenditure budget and provide recommendations for the next fiscal period (Forsythe & Boyd, memo 3). The economic indicators do not impact the economy in the same manner. Generally, there are three types of economic

Jet Blue Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Jet Blue - Essay Example The resources are many in the JetBlue atmosphere, including the opportunities brought on by the shareholders invested in JetBlue, JP Morgan or LiveTv, the wholly owned JetBlue Subsidiary. It seems as though JetBlue has access to many perks based on affiliated companies and partnerships, and work hard to make new partnerships available to learn about and for those who own a company, to participate in. This directly reflects the internal environment of JetBlue, which is based on the strengths of the business being interconnected and in touch with the consumer and corporate strata. At the same time, the website isn’t wholly specific about what resources are directly used in forming the company or its core values, but JetBlue places a lot of emphasis on confidentiality, so it isn’t a huge surprise that this information isn’t readily volunteered. The Capabilities of JetBlue seem staggering, as the company has only been around ten years and already they’ve become a leading provider of commercial aviation services. Along with being capable of making more corporate alliances and to grow as a business, JetBlue also has the capability to serve as an example of a progressive company environment, as shown in the company’s â€Å"Code of Ethics,† community relations and â€Å"Code of Business Conduct.† These points of reference on the website emphasize diversity, company loyalty and a charitableness to the human condition that goes far beyond expectation. For example, there is a specific page on the JetBlue website where you can apply to be a part of the â€Å"we care† program, an opportunity for charities to submit to be on the website and to have customers donate to their causes, if the causes are in alignment with JetBlue’s core values. The core competencies of JetBlue seem to be in order, as well. The JetBlue Airways â€Å"Customer Bill of Rights† outlines the

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and Keurig Coffee Case Study

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and Keurig Coffee - Case Study Example This research aims to evaluate and present Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and Keurig that are operating in processed and packaged foods industry and their sector is coffee makers. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (GMCR) was founded in year 1981 as a small cafà © and combined its operations with Keurig in 2006; it has its head office in Waterbury, Vermont. As the case says, currently it is considered as the market leader in specialty coffee industry because it is offering top quality coffees, implementing innovative technology for brewing and fulfilling various socially responsible business practices. GMCR and Keurig had to master various skills to acquire top position in the market. GMCR is operating in coffee maker business and specialty coffee sector; it obtains, manufactures and then sells various kinds of coffee, teas, cocoa and other form of beverages in K-cup portion packs and coffee in conventional packaging style. It is believed that it is offering more than two hundred v arieties of hot beverages. In addition to aforementioned products, GMCR is providing wide selection of whole beans, ground coffee in fractional packs and ground coffee selections in bags that can be easily used by customers of At-home (AH) and Away-from-Home (AFH) markets; AH and AFH has much more potential of growth as no coffee brand has been targeting these attractive markets. The main issues and challenges faced by GMCR presented in the research.... Blanford is Chief Executive officer of GMCR. The financial highlights of the company are shown in the following figure (ttm stands for trailing twelve months, yoy stands for year over year and mrq stands for most recent quarter). (â€Å"Key Ratios of GMCR†, 2012) SWOT Analysis Strengths Valuable strategic partnership with Keurig – As mentioned in the case, it is GMCR’s biggest strength as incorporation of Keurig that is the leading manufacturer of single-cup brewing systems allowed it to enter specialty coffee market conveniently. It acquired Keurig License and all its licensees in 2006. It elevated its position from small coffee company to pioneer in specialty coffee market with K-Cup single serve brewing system of Keurig. Focus on coffee consumers – GMCR focuses on its valuable customers by offering them high quality coffee that is easy to make and can select from wide range of choices. It provides specialty coffee in simplified brewing machine that allo ws customers to choose from twenty-seven brands and about two hundred beverage varieties. Collaborations with well-known brands in market – GMCR has entered into collaborative agreements with various multi-channel distributors so that sales and awareness of GMCR and Keurig products could be increased as mentioned in the case. It is trying to reach as many consumers as possible by using various marketing avenues especially partnerships with leading brands such as Starbucks, Aramark, JC Penny’s, Cusinrt, Starbucks and Costco. Well-organized expansion plan – It has expanded its operations in Southern California and Canada by acquisitions and is opening new manufacturing plants in Virginia and California to support its fast growing expansion plan. Weaknesses K-Cup pack patent expiration – In September

Hamiltons and Jefferson's political philosophy Essay

Hamiltons and Jefferson's political philosophy - Essay Example Hamilton’s and Jefferson's political philosophy There were two camps who came head to head over advocating different ideologies; on one side there was Alexander Hamilton, the secretary of treasury under Washington who advocated a strong centralized government, while on the other hand there was Thomas Jefferson, the secretary of state under Washington and the third President of the U.S. who was against a centralized government and favored a republican government that would have more to do with foreign affairs and less with the laws that have been imposed in any state of the country. Jefferson opposed a centralized form of government feeling that it would threaten the notions of freedom laid down by the Constitution. Jefferson did everything that was in his power to make sure that America did not become the â€Å"new† England under King George III, which would be disastrous to the cause of the revolution on which basis the American nation had been founded. Alexander Hamilton had a different point of view. Alexander Hamilton could be considered an elitist who advocated that rich and well-born are the chosen ones to rule the country (Nagel 76). Alexander Hamilton believed that a country like America would not survive if it gives too much freedom to its states as doing that would mean fueling their desire of their own independence. Hamilton was like a deputy to George Washington and was quite effective in formulating the policy of incorporation of centralized government in the United States.... According to Hamilton, I believe the British government forms the best model the world has ever produced...This government has for its object public strength and individual security. (Pollard 69) He viewed the British form of government in the exact opposite context as was seen by Thomas Jefferson. Hamilton was accepting the good points of a centralized government point of view in the British form of government against the bad points of freedom laid down by the same government. The section of the U.S. politics from which Hamilton originated was very concerned with the survival of the 13 states that made up the United States of America back in that time, regardless of what the role of government was defined. However, he was quite sure that the vision put forward by Thomas Jefferson, a republican form of government, was in no way practical for the survival of states. Jefferson interpreted the constitution as sacred text that defines the rights of the government. According to Jefferson the government shall be defined in the following way: "Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." (Baghatur 239) He wanted to prove Hamilton wrong who proclaimed that a government with limited powers will not be able to guarantee the survival of

Key concepts of culture and leadership. Problem statement Essay

Key concepts of culture and leadership. Problem statement - Essay Example The success that Gene One has had in eight short years has presented a quandary concerning the strategic path Gene One’s future. Should Gene One execute of strategy of constancy and continuity? Will this type of strategy keep Gene One’s competitors from gaining ground on Gene One’s share of the market place over the next several years? After careful consideration of these perplexing questions, the leadership of Gene One has decided an alternate strategy, as Gene One has not achieved all that they have by continuity alone. Gene One has taken risks that were founded on sound strategy and faith that intelligent men and women with innovative ideas and unsurpassed drive and passion cannot be stopped. These type of people are winners and they accomplish their goals. These factors set the stage for constantly evolving ideas that provided multiple benefits that were accomplished in record time. Seldom has this type of success been achieved in the biotech industry which i s considered a risky business in some cases. That said, the Gene One leadership has decided that Gene One must be given an opportunity to experience its maximum growth potential before some piggy back organization with lucrative investors siphon off strategic market areas previously held by Gene One. As with any strategy, there are risks involved. However, due to Gene One’s financial stability, strong leadership and growth potential, these risks are just obstacle that can be turned into positive opportunities. Please note the following: While IPO capital is of extreme importance concerning Gene One’s preparations to go public, this topic can not be considered if it does not include job security and economic packages that reward the founders, board members and essential personnel at Gene One for their contributions that have led to the meteoric rise of Gene One over an eight-year timeframe. This is not a difficult problem to solve due to the strategy that

Public Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Public Finance - Essay Example It would also include government’s initiative and legal foundations established for such programs. The second part would be dealing with the effect of such welfare payments and programs on the labour supply decisions, and the last part would consist of the economic theory for explaining the effect of labour supply incentive of these social welfare programs, which is designed for the low income household. Empirical evidence would be also included to support such viewpoints. In order to understand the concepts of welfare payments and its relation to labour supply, firstly one needs to understand the concepts of welfare economics. Welfare economics utilises the perspectives and procedure of microeconomics, but the concepts can be exploited to derive macroeconomics assumptions. It assists in analysing and measuring social welfare, in terms of the economic society. The concept of welfare economics lays down welfare improvement framework in term of Pareto efficiency. The two convent ional approaches in welfare economics are: a) The New Welfare Economics Approach, and b) The Neoclassical Approach. Neoclassical approach was formulated by Marshall, Edgeworth, Pigou and Sidgwick. This theory assumes that utility is a scalable measure by judgement or observation. The preferences are stable and the additional consumption would increase the utility successively. This concept is also known as diminishing marginal utility. However, the new welfare economic theory is based on the studies of Parato, Kaldor and Hicks. This theory specifically explains the difference between the efficiency aspect and the distribution aspect of a discipline. The criteria of efficiency are treated with Parato’s efficiency and the compensation tests of Hicks-Kaldor. The concepts of welfare economics would be included in the study to understand the concepts of social welfare. Let us understand it with the help of utility function, which can also be derived from points on the contact curv e. So abundant utility functions can be derived from the production possibility curve, stated in figure 1. Figure 1 Figure 1 is a combined graph which would explain the efficiency between consumption and production and also include the ingredients of maximising social welfare. Each point on the curve represents the allocation of efficiency of the economic resources. It is Pareto optimum in the factor allocation, in consumption, in the interaction and in production. The curve MN represents a social utility frontier curve. Point D on the MN curve corresponds to Point C. Point D lies on the social utility frontier, as the marginal rate of substitution (MRS) of C is equal to the MRS of A. Similarly Point B corresponds to point E and both of them lie within the social utility frontier, which signifies inefficiency. This is because the MRS at C is not equal to Marginal rate of transformation (MRT) at point A. Although this was Pareto’s way of presenting the points of efficiency, bu t there is one point where the social welfare has maximized and that point can also be called as the point of bliss. This point is Z, where the MN curve is tangent to the highest possible indifference curve. After discussing welfare economics through graphical representation, the basic concepts of providing welfare payments to the low income households, would be studied. The term welfare is used to denote minimum level of social support and wellbeing for all

Re-writing a Creative Writing piece Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Re-writing a Creative Writing piece - Essay Example She entered the postgraduate door and nodded to greet the porter who was still on the telephone but was courteous enough to nod back. After checking for mail she turned towards the library, her head full of the dreaming spires and grey skies of Oxford. The hushed atmosphere of the library was like a second home. Mohamed searched his usual furrow of bookshelves, selecting a complete works of Shakespeare, a very large English/Arabic dictionary and the post-colonial journal that he was currently working his way through. He went back to the table where he left his briefcase, passing by the section for women’s studies. The hours passed just like minutes and when the college clock struck eleven, Mohamed retired to the prayer room. As he passed by the common room on the way back, he saw Alice beaming and showing a glint in her blue eyes. â€Å"Yes, but it is our culture. Our women do not feel that it’s unfair. Besides, Islam allows us to have four wives at the most. Usually, we can afford only one. But our society is compassionate. Children are born into a loving home with all that they need. The men do not need to go astray because they always have a woman at home for, for†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Yes, of course. And there are things that I find hard to understand. Sometimes I just don’t get what men are all about. Strange, isn’t it? We both come from far places to seek knowledge in this ancient place.† As I reviewed the article, particularly the dialogue, while taking consideration of the feedbacks gathered, I realized that there was a tendency for the two characters to indeed sound like the other. This was expected if the writer does not put himself into each character’s distinct natures. This could also be the reason why a reader would think that the dialogue sounds too formal or scripted. Because of this, I had to make sure that the manners in which Mohamed and Alice would state

Why Our Troops Battle Essay Example for Free

Why Our Troops Battle Essay Along the span of time and history, there are several reasons why certain countries would commence a war against another. Scholars would often state it as an alter ego principle, which is possessed naturally by any form of government, given of course the real disposition of any individual. Even until today, there exists a raging war between the United States of America and Iraq (Price, 2003). Thus, unlike before where power and supremacy has been the explicit reason, the contemporary society caters mysterious facts on why one country would want to conquer another. 9/11, global warming, Kyoto Protocol, biological weapons—these are just a few examples of the events that shook the world, and apparently started the 21st century warm. However, a blunt question sprouts in the schema of such activity, when will the war end? What are they fighting for? Every individual is astonished. Dredged in a coat of defining the events during the nineteenth century, Michael Perman, world-renowned political historian who has made numerous books establishing the twists and the turns which took place during the time when the North and the South had a clash in ideas and on perspective during the period after the Civil War, creating a new world of prose historical writing in several renditions of his books. The whole package of the scholarly monographic masterpiece on the events and the instances that endured during that certain time had been wrapped into one book – Emancipation and Reconstruction. Perceivably one of the most accurate and precise elaboration of the realistic events when both poles of the North and the South, it catered what happened to those citizens as well as with the political situation of the country upon reaching the edge of struggles. It was mainly defined as to be â€Å"winning the war, but on the other hand, losing the peace† (Perman, 2003). Historians’ quest for defining historical icons Amongst those who have had huge enthusiasm on historical events, Perman’s indulgence on the role of the civilians anchoring the federal governments’ constant involvement in Reconstruction often created a conflict with regards to the concerns on the state relations. During that era, added disputes of such, Southerners depended on the support taken from the blacks and the whites on the participation of those who had been freed. On the level of distinguishing the form and the effectiveness of democracy, the book rendered the precise illustration onto the limits adhered by the Northerners, as well as with the Southerners (Pickering Kisangani, 2006). The North enjoyed more on their rights on democracy, which as a matter of fact was only inhabited by 5 percent of black individuals. But the main gist of the event for the South’s downfall laid on the matter that they were cohesively divided into two, making them formidable to be in unison (Miller, 2006). The British invasion on the United Arab Emirates began consequently after the ntervention of Europe in the budding years of the 16th century with Portugal. A century and a half later, Dutch and British conquests began to outdo one another in terms of dominating the UAE. In the closing years of the 18th century, Britain eventually became the major dominating force in the Arab territory (Schofield Zenko, 2004). Both the contemporary ruling clans of Ra’s al Khaymah as well as Ash Shariqah, known as the Qawasim back in the days, grew to a significant level of marine power in the lower gulf eventually raiding maritime vessels from the British colony of India. After routing the naval force of the Qawasim, the British forces mandated in 1820 a number of treaties that brought forth and maintained a maritime truce. This later paved the way for the creation of the United Arab of Emirates after being labeled with the name as Trucial States. Two years after, the external security issues as well as the foreign relationship of the state with other countries became absorbed by British responsibility. The British continued its protective control over the area of the UAE until 1971. Over the course of these years, the inner affairs of the UAE were devoid of British intervention as the latter was more after the protection of the maritime commerce in the area of the Persian Gulf (Price, 2003). Moreover, it has been observed that part of the British control of the UAE established overall peace as well as the Western notion of territorial states was also introduced. Far more importantly, the cooperative characteristic among the seven emirates was further amplified after the formulation of the Trucial States Council in 1952. The foundation of the UAE’s Supreme Federal Council is traceable in such council (Goodman, 2006). The dilemma may evidently the main reason of the wars, which transcribed in Iran and in Vietnam (Lovett, 1987). Given the fact that history relevantly established which countries are the culprits and which are not—it is under the conviction and understanding of those who live in the present era as to which story they believe is credible. These perspectives may not be considered in other culture, but then the rule of moral standards is what prevails in this story. For every country suspected to be making grave activities which will shatter the advent of peace and prosperity worldwide, then the United Nations—controlled and supervised of course by the general masses—will make a move to eradicate the unlawful deed an eventually take all means in doing so. Diversity and cultural beliefs are no longer considerable when it is the lives of many which will be compromised. Conclusions and further remarks Perhaps there is no definite answer to the question on â€Å"truth† and acceptability—since each race, class or culture have different views and perceptions in life or on any other form of belief. Some may regard these moves as unjust, but it is the society who needs to speak and it is the responsibility of the government to answer their call and act upon it. It is the main reason why the United Nations has been created, so that the power is not only vested on one country alone, or on the wealthiest, or the most popular. Without allies and without the help of the full force amongst all nations, one country will not be able to succeed. And so the blame on why these countries have been â€Å"controlled† is because they would not agree. References Goodman, R. (2006). Humanitarian Intervention and Pretexts for War. The American Journal of International Law, 100(1), 107-141. Lovett, C. C. (1987). We Held the Day in the Palm of Our Hand: A Review of Recent Sources on the War in Vietnam. Military Affairs, 51(2), 67-72. Miller, R. A. (2006). Democratic Accountability and the Use of Force in International Law by Charlotte Ku and Harold Jacobson. The American Journal of International Law, 100(4), 980-986. Perman, M. (2003). Emancipation and Reconstruction (American History Series (Arlington Heights, Ill. ) (Second ed. ). Wheeling IL: Harlan Davidson. Pickering, J. , Kisangani, E. F. (2006). Political, Economic, and Social Consequences of Foreign Military Intervention. Political Research Quarterly, 59(3), 363-376. Price, M. T. (2003). The Concept Culture Conflict: in What Sense Valid? Social Forces, 9(2), 164-167. Schofield, J. , Zenko, M. (2004). Designing a Secure Iraq: A US Policy Prescription. Third World Quarterly, 25(4), 677-687.

Transcendentalism and Emerson Essay Example for Free

Transcendentalism and Emerson Essay * 18th century German philosopher Immanuel Kant * Refers to idea that in determining the ultimate reality of God, the universe, the self, one must transcend or go beyond everyday human experience * Intuition The Transcendental Club * Informal meetings that began in 1836 Concord, Massachusetts. In the home of George Ripley * Discussed theology, philosophy, and literature * Called themselves the Symposium or Hedge * What The Hedge Club Did * Sponsored two major activities * 1 Quarterly called The Dial * Edited by Margaret Fuller. * Also edited by Emerson * Subscription list was very small at the start and diminished until no longer in publication * 2 Brook Farm * Established in 1841 as a utopian community * Failed because a fire destroyed the main building and the thinkers weren’t always willing farmers Romanticism and Transcendentalism * Romanticism * 1. Importance of intuition * 2. Anti-authoritarianism – including a healthy contempt for the past * 3. Love of nature * Interest in social reform * National Literature * Transcendentalism * Heart of the romantic movement. * 1. Believed that an individual relationship with God was personal and was to be established by the individual and not the church * 2. Egalitarian – believing in the dignity of the common person and the common labor * 3. An epistemology – a different way of knowing; receiving higher truths Ralph Waldo Emerson What kind of writer was he? * Not a philosopher (too broad) or essayist (too limited) * He was a POET! A poet whose works were not always in verse * He said he was born a poet of a low class but he was, without doubt, a poet. * â€Å"His singing, he says, is in prose† But he is a perceiver and dear lover of†¦Ã¢â‚¬  ~ R. W. Emerson Bio * Born in Boston in 1803 to a cultured, but a poor family * Came from a long line of ministers * After his father died of TB, His Aunt took control of the family (she was a Calvinist) – Mary Moody Emerson * Entered Harvard at age 14 – graduated * After Harvard took a job as a teacher * Then went to work for his uncle to prepare to be a minister * Became a minister at Boston’s Second Church. * Married his sweetheart Ellen Tucker but she also died of TB * Was devastated and he was having problems with his beliefs so he withdrew from being a minister * Returned to Concord, Massachusetts and married Lydia Jackson Themes, Beliefs, Techniques * Themes: Individuals’ souls were part of a greater entity which he called the â€Å"Over-Soul† * Beliefs: He thought religious truth was an â€Å"intuition† – a very personal relationship with God. Most people lose their sense of wonder and delight, as they grow older. * Techniques: Striking imagery that appeals to senses, aphorisms (express wise observations about life).

Why People Should Connect More With Nature Theology Religion Essay

Why People Should Connect More With Nature Theology Religion Essay In the twenty-first century, people have practically forgotten how important it is to connect with nature. Despite all the technological advances and scientific inventions that make us believe we have nothing in common with the rest of the animal world, we are still part of the planets fauna, whether we realize it or not. Needless to say, back when humanitys main achievements were the invention of a round wheel, or specific tools for farming agriculture, people were very dependent on nature and paid a lot of attention to the changes of its course. Now, with the technological revolutions and discoveries that made our past history, we seem to pay extremely little attention to nature, getting more and more disconnected from it every day. However, the links that were initially there, couldnt just disappear and there is a number of important reasons in favor of the statement that people should try to get back to basics and connect with nature more than they do today. First of all, nature has historically been the home for human beings, just like it remains a home for animals and plants (of course, with the exception of those that are kept in zoos and greenhouses). Nature is able to show us true beauty, without modifications, exaggerations and falseness. After all, isnt is a little ironic that people go to galleries and exhibitions to look at paintings of colorful flowers, mighty woods, green hills and fast clear streams; those simple things that they can easily observe in real life if they just get outside their urban environment that looms around them? Or the fact that people purchase recordings of calming sounds of nature, like what youd hear at night in the woods damped quavering of an owl, ringing flare of crickets and susurrus rustle of bushes. What we are in fact doing is trying to deceive our minds and make ourselves believe that we ARE in the wood, next to those owls, crickets and bushes, while we are instead trapped inside our tiny, wel l-furnished and packed-with-technology apartment. Secondly, in the era of absolute informational chaos and noise, it becomes more important than ever to be able to pause from the crazy pace of life and relax. Finding silence and peace in the global vacuum of competitiveness, haste and strain, is very challenging. We go to doctors to treat us for depression, insomnia and anxiety. We ask for prescriptions and pills, while what we should be doing instead is turning to nature for help. What can be more relaxing and stress-free, than a cup of warm herbal tea with fresh honey, on the porch of a cozy wooden country house with a view of a small natural lake, or little green forest, or beautiful mountains? Its the cheapest, simplest and most accessible treatment one can think of. We laugh at those freaks hugging trees in the park, or walking barefoot on the grass. However, these people remember something very important; something, most others have forgotten somewhere along the race to progress and prosperity: the key to being healthy, emotio nally sustained and resistant to everyday stress, is staying connected to nature and allowing ourselves to put all business on hold and take a break. Nature is about balance and harmony things we lack most living inside the swirling pit of urbanized cities. Sometimes, we escape, but so rarely and so abruptly, that such escapes can hardly help us re-establish our links with nature. People should seriously consider changing their routine and getting out into nature more regularly. When was the last time you took a walk to the nearby pond, or spent a weekend outdoors doing active sports? When was the last time you went hiking, or fishing, or took your family or friends for a picnic in the nearby park? We should try to move our weekly entertainment, as well as our holiday celebrations, parties and friendly gatherings, from homes, pubs and restaurants to lake shores, mountains, parks, forests, ponds, rivers and groves. The beautiful landscapes of America are incredibly rich and diverse and this is our true natural wealth that we unfortunately often forget about. Many parents and teachers today can remember hours spent in the great outdoors, called in only for dinner or when the last ray of summer light disappeared. Bookworm that I was, I can personally remember being told many days, Its a much too beautiful day to be inside. Go read that book in a tree! Today, childrens lives seem to be structured much differently, a world where the phrase Go play outside has been replaced by television programs, computer time, and Wii Fit. Modern humans lived in nature for most of their long history. Even once colonization into cities occurred, people were surrounded by nature in the fields and farms where they lived. And until thirty or so years ago, children still spent the bulk majority of their free time in contact with nature. Urbanization brought about parks and playgrounds to play in; fields, forests, and empty lots to explore; and even in nearby backyards. Children freely played, explored, and interacted with nature without restriction. Todays world is much different. Children no longer freely explore the world around them, and many have extremely limited contact with nature at all. Fear for safety, structured lessons and activities, and electronics are some of the main inhibitors to natural discovery that involve children today. Spontaneous interaction with nature is most often limited, at best. Free play in nature encourages children to create games with their own invented rules, conduct experiments with nature, and learn lessons that arent taught by anyone. These types of no rules situations promote inventive play and give children a deeper understanding of nature. While playground equipment is a perk of modern urbanization, its uses are more finite than those nature provides. Although equipment can be open-ended, imagined as a castle one day and a boat the next, nature is ever changing. Crossing a stream one day might become searching for treasures under river stones another day as the stream dries up. Tactile outdoor experiences teach children differently than a lesson or even reading about a subject can. Besides the educational benefits, connecting with nature has more benefits than might be obvious. Research shows that children who are allowed to explore outdoors are socially and emotionally happier and healthier. Unstructured outdoor play is also touted as one of the most direct ways to combat childhood obesity, a very real and prominent problem for children. Vitamin D exposure from the sun is known to help prevent a host of diseases, as well as treat and prevent depression. Richard Louv, author of  Last Child in the Woods, has coined a phrase to sum up the current state of the modern child: nature deficit disorder. He believes that contact with nature can aid in preventing and treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and that children need regular contact with nature to stay physically and emotionally healthy. I highly recommend his book if you are interested in learning more about these ideas. Outdoor play gives children the opportunity to value nature, and see it as an important part of of our world. This is a tangible way to ensure that we help them developing environmental stewards who will be both appreciative and respectful of nature as they grow. Here are a few ideas for incorporating natural play into childrens everyday lives: * Find a nature trail (or any place in nature, really) and encourage children to play, rather than just hike. Help children make up a game or collect bugs or leaves * Allow children a small patch of land as their own. This can be in a backyard or a school yard. One school where I worked had a childrens garden in the strip of land that ran right next to the side of the school building. Let them use their imagination to dig, garden, build, etc. * Invest in a few inexpensive outdoor exploration tools: bug box, magnifying glass, butterfly net, shovel, spade, and compass * Rather than working indoors, take lessons outdoors. Learn about water cycles from the true source, use nature to teach about categorization, or compose a symphony of nature sounds. Even a language or math lesson is more fun when done outside on a beautiful day Outdoor play gives children the opportunity to value nature, and see it as an important part of of our world. This is a tangible way to ensure that we help them developing environmental stewards who will be both appreciative and respectful of nature as they grow. Images used during study Stopping to experience our natural surroundings can have social as well as personal benefits, says Richard Ryan, coauthor and professor of psychology, psychiatry and education at theUniversity of Rochester. While the salubrious effects of nature are well documented, from increasing happiness and physical health to lowering stress, this study shows that the benefits extend to a persons values and actions. Exposure to natural as opposed to man-made environments leads people to value community and close relationships and to be more generous with money, find Ryan and his team of researchers at the University of Rochester. The paper includes four experiments in which 370 participants were exposed to either natural or man-made settings. Participants were encouraged to attend to their environments by noticing colors and textures and imagining sounds and smells. In three of the studies, participants were shown a selection of four images on a 19 inch computer screen for two minutes each. Half of the subject viewed buildings, roads, and other cityscapes; the other half observed landscapes, lakes, and deserts. The urban and nature images were matched for color, complexity, layout, and lighting. In a fourth study, participants were simply assigned at random to work in a lab with or without plants. Participants then answered a questionnaire assessing the importance of four life aspirations: wealth and fame (to be financially successful and to be admired by many people) and connectedness and community (to have deep enduring relationships and to work toward the betterment of society). Across all four studies, people exposed to natural elements rated close relationships and community higher than they had previously. The questionnaire also measured how immersed viewers were in their environments and found that the more deeply engaged subjects were with natural settings, the more they valued community and closeness. By contrast, the more intensely participants focused on artificial elements, the higher they rated wealth and fame. To test generosity, two of the studies gave participants a $5 prize with the instructions that the money could be kept or given to a second anonymous participant, who would then be given an additional $5. The second participant could choose to return the prize money or keep it. Thus, subjects had nothing to gain if they chose to trust the other participant, and risked losing their money. The result? People who were in contact with nature were more willing to open their wallets and share. As with aspirations, the higher the immersion in nature, the more likely subjects were to be generous with their winnings. Why should nature make us more charitable and concerned about others? One answer, says coauthor Andrew Przybylski, is that nature helps to connect people to their authentic selves. For example, study participants who focused on landscapes and plants reported a greater sense of personal autonomy (Right now, I feel like I can be myself). For humans, says Przybylski, our authentic selves are inherently communal because humans evolved in hunter and gatherer societies that depended on mutuality for survival. In addition, write the authors, the richness and complexity of natural environments may encourage introspection and the lack of man-made structures provide a safe haven from the man-made pressures of society. Nature in a way strips away the artifices of society that alienate us from one another, says Przybylski. Lead author Netta Weinstein says that the findings highlight the importance of creating green spaces in cities and have implication for planners and architects. Incorporating parks and other representations of nature into urban environments may help build a stronger sense of community among residents, she explains. By contrast, to the extent that our links with nature are disrupted, we may also lose some connection with each other, the authors warn. This alienation may help explain other research showing that urban as compared to rural dwellers show more reservation, indifference, and estrangement from others. On a personal level, Weinstein says the take home message from the research is clear: We are influenced by our environment in ways that we are not aware of, she says. Because of the hidden benefits of connecting with nature, people should take advantage of opportunities to get away from built environments and, when inside, they should surround themselves with plants, natural objects, and images of the natural world. The more you appreciate nature, the more you can benefit, she says.

Free Frankenstein Essays: The Letters and Chapters 1 & 2 :: Frankenstein essays

Frankenstein: The Letters and Chapters 1 & 2 A first impression of Walton would be to say that he is extremely ambitious. He desires to go to the North Pole to "accomplish some great purpose". He has his own theories on what should be there, and will not rest until he has proved them. This is somewhat a 'Godlike' ambition, in that he wishes to be praised for discovering something new which will benefit everyone else in the world. The language used is also very much like Old Testament, Biblical; "Heaven shower down blessings on you". The image of Walton being 'Godlike' is enhanced by this. However, he is disrespectful of his family, as he goes against his fathers "dying injunction", which had "forbidden" him from embarking on a "seafaring life". He seems to be very egocentric, and not aware of anyone else or their feelings. He is deliberately disobeying his father to pursue a personal ambition. He is leaving his sister in England, and at the end of each letter he writes that he may not see her again, "Farewell my dear, excellent Margaret", "Remember me with affection, should you never hear from me again". Each time she receives a letter from him, she will be hopeful of his return and safety, and then he writes "Shall I meet you again?". This is selfish of him, as it will worry her even more about his expedition. Again this 'Godlike' theme reoccurs as he is doing what he wants to do. Having only been educated about this passion through his own reading, he cannot really be sure of what he will discover once he reaches his destination. His beliefs that "snow and frost are banished" from the North Pole seem as eccentric as believing that the earth is flat. But of course he doesn't see it this way, he needs to prove his own theory. After failing at being a poet he doesn't want to fail as a scientist and explorer either. He is confident in his beliefs and will stop at nothing, not even employment as an "under-mate in a Greenland Whaler", to get where he wants to be, and hopefully find what he wants to discover. In the second letter, Walton writes about his desire for a friend. As he has left all his acquaintances in England, he no longer has anyone to convey theories and ideas to, "participate" in his "joy", or comfort him in times of despair.

Essay on Camus’ The Stranger (The Outsider): Finding a Rational God th

Finding a Rational God through Nature in Camus' The Stranger (The Outsider)    Turning towards nature for fulfillment, The Stranger’s Meursault rejects the ideology of God as a savior and is consequently juxtaposed against Jesus Christ’s martyrdom, Christianity and the infamous crucifixion. To the inexperienced reader, Meursault appears to be an extreme atheist. Later in Albert Camus’ novel, he is revealed as a humanistic soul that’s in touch with the universality of the earth and soil he treads upon. Through the use of blunt and undefined nature images, Meursault’s revelations and newfound trust within an environment outside of society are softly whispered by Camus. In essence, Meursault imposes his need for meaning upon nature as well as upon a God who rejects him. Through this imposition, he hopes to acquire an immortality which is similar to a Christian afterlife. The arguments of nature as a religion and as an entity separate from God are jointly focused upon in the modern criticisms and interpretations of The Stran ger I will discuss. Pantheism, a quasi-religious worship of nature, comes into mind when looking at Meursault’s final communion with the world. Is pantheism a mere excuse for Meursault’s actions or rather a secret reality of his which the public is not ready to confront or understand? Icons and stereotypes accompany this enigmatic, suggestive natural imagery and are employed by Camus to show the irrationality in both society’s and Meursault’s assumptions of religion and of Christianity. One is left with the question of Meursault’s acceptance of death; is Meursault’s embracing of his fate representative of his fall into the abyss of traditional Christian faith or indeed a turn towards a happy medium in nature?... ...thood Without God.† In Mansions of the Spirit. Ed. George A. Panichas. New York: Hawthorn Books, Inc. Publishers, 1967. 313-324. Hanna, Thomas L. â€Å"Albert Camus and the Christian Faith.† In Camus: A Collection of Critical Essays. edited by Germaine Bree. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1962. 48-64. Harrison, Paul. â€Å"Scientific Pantheism: Basic Principles.† Elements of Pantheism. [cited from April 20 1999]. Availible from http://members.aol.com/heraklit1/basicpri.htm Peyre, Henri. â€Å"Camus the Pagan.† In Camus: A Collection of Critical Essays. edited by Germaine Bree. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1962. 65-70. Piper, H.W. The Active Universe. London: The Athlone Press 1962. Sprintzen, David. Camus: A Critical Examination. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1988. Woelfel, James W. Camus: A Theological Perspective. New York: Abingdon Press, 1975.      

Cannery Row :: essays research papers

Cannery Row is a relatively simple novel with basically little or no plot to it. Many critics are quick to call the novel trivial and second rate as compared with Steinbeck’s other works. However this book shows Steinbeck’s renewed interest in the comic portrayal of the basic, uncomplicated lifestyles of the working class. Steinbeck incorporates a few themes into the novel such as failure and historical themes like the depression era. The book is overall optimistic, but Steinbeck takes some off topic chapters to capture some of the darkness that happens within Cannery Row. The underlying story in Cannery Row is about Mack and the boys trying to hold a party for Doc. Mack and the boys are a group of unemployed men living together in the run down fish-meal shack. Doc is a very intelligent and caring man who runs a biological supply house. The boys set up a party at Doc’s place, but Doc is late to get there and the party ends without him there. The boys are upset about their failure. When Doc helps out their dog, the boys decide to hold another party for Doc. This time he is able to go to it and everyone has a good time. (sparknotes.com) Cannery Row does not have much of a plot, but it is still very active as a social document about the attitudes of society during the depression era of the 1930’s. Although the book was published after World War II had ended, it strongly suggests the depression period with both tone and spirit. The majority of the people in the novel are the unemployed are poverty stricken, but all are considered as the good people. There are also no antagonists in this novel, only people who tightly hold on to what they have, such as Lee Chong, and see everyone in distrust.

Bank of America Marketing Plan Essay

Abstract Bank of America is a financial institution, serving individual consumers, small and middle market businesses, corporations and Governments with a range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. I choose Bank of America for many reasons: it is brand name and good financial position largest bank in the America market and stable and growing sector in US. Through its banking and various nonbanking subsidiaries throughout the United States and in international markets, the Company provides a range of banking and nonbanking financial services and products through five business segments: Consumer & Business Banking, Consumer Real Estate Services, Global Banking, Global Markets and Global Wealth & Investment Management. Bank Of America Marketing Plan Current Situation Bank of America is a financial institution, serving individual consumers, small and middle market businesses, corporations and Governments with a range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. Through its banking and various nonbanking subsidiaries throughout the United States and in international markets, the Company provides a range of banking and nonbanking financial services and products through five business segments: Consumer & Business Banking, Consumer Real Estate Services, Global Banking, Global Markets and Global Wealth & Investment Management. In October 2013, Bank of America Corporation announced the completion of the merger of its Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. subsidiary into Bank of America Corporation. Competitors Some of Bank of America competitors are Wells Fargo, HSBC, JPMorgan, and Citigroup. Market Objectives Meredith Verdone, is Bank of America’s head of brand marketing. In an interview she said that the bank is trying to have more â€Å"humility† approach for a change. Bank of America focus is on customer needs. Bank of America has a new campaign; â€Å"life is better when we are connected.† Message of bank of America is to be in the background and help people in their day-to-day lives. Product Strategy Bank of America offers products and services to consumers and businesses. It offers checking, Savings, credit cards, loans, mortgages and investing options. Bank of America has competitive price based on the product and services they offer to their clients. Place Bank of America serves its cliental worldwide. It is based locally and internationally. Promotion Strategy The launch of the consumer campaign gave Bank of America’s retail branches, outfitting them with iPads and ATMs with videoconferencing capabilities– as well as improvements to the bank’s website and mobile offerings. Bank of America claims that they see 50,000 downloads a week of its mobile app. Action Programs Bank of America uses more human advertising and approach to its client. It wants to be involved with client’s day-to-day activities. They frequently advertise on television using real situations with the logo â€Å" life is better when we are connected.† Budget Bank of America’s annual marketing budget is $2billion. Measurements Salaries The average salary for measurements & reporting analyst bank of America jobs is $42,000. Average measurements & reporting analyst bank of America salaries can vary greatly due to company, location, industry, experience and benefits. WOT Analysis SWOT Analysis Strengths Weaknesses Strong brand name and good financial position Largest bank in the America market Stable and growing banking sector in US Excellent Service and product innovation Over 285,000 employee across the world Serves clients more than 150 countries ATM Convenience Weak asset position Consumer credit controversies Bad Mortgages Criticized by its customers for raising interest rates High staff turnover Weak wholesale banking Opportunities Threats Expansion in other countries Diversifying portfolios for customers Growing credit card value for the consumers Further consolidation in the banking industry Changing government regulations and financial crisis like recessions Competition from other banks Restrictions in capital market The Mission Statement of Bank of America: â€Å"Our mission is to offer lending and investment products that Serve low-and moderate-income individuals and families Improve underserved low- and moderate-income communities Create sustainable practices for the long haul†

Illegal Immigration: Claims Making Analysis

I. Introduction and land flagitious in-migration from Mexico to the United States is a t revokeer line of work that has ca apply a slap-up deal of debate. there argon few(prenominal) pros and cons to having extra licit immigrants in the U.S., and some an(prenominal) masses come actu totallyy strong opinions on the issuance. From traditional intelligence activity organizations to members of special pursuit hosts, there shed been a broad deal of intelligence in abidanceation cla utilizations published on this reward. I chose this proceeds because it has new-fashionedly lead a actually popular loving worry in California, which is where I before long reside. Particularly in my hometown of San Diego, prohibited in-migration from Mexico is very(prenominal) prevalent.I grew up perceive irregular immigrant workers outside of home depot, on the job(p) in small taco shops by the beach, and doing various low paid jobs. under-the-counter in-migration into the United States is a topic that is frequently discussed and covered by the media, and I thought it would be use uping to research the assorted ways unlawful in-migration brings argon covered and packaged by traditional tidings antecedents and members of special inte placidity groups. Many individuals consider prohibited in-migration to be a genial riddle for various reasons.To start, according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), it is desired that illicit in-migration be U.S. taxpayers billions of dollars each grade. Money the presidential term has received in the form of taxes is used to pay for dirty immigrants medical c atomic number 18, gentility in national schools, and imprisonment (FAIR, 2011). Also, black-market immigrants take jobs that could be occupied by unemployed American citizens. Due to the item that these immigrants do non strike to be paid minimum wage, employers argon suitable to pay them very much less than qui te a little funding legally in the U.S. some early(a) reason immoral in-migration is considered to be a genial hassle is because it is often cadences linked with identity theft. Finally, outlaw(prenominal) in-migration is considered a trouble because umteen a nonher(prenominal) of these aliens bear down serious discourtesys and endanger US citizens. consort to Liberty Pundits, In the population subject field of a sample of 55,322 black aliens, researchers free-base that they were arrested at least a tot up of 459,614 times, averaging somewhat 8 arrests per felonious alien, (Liberty Pundits, 2010). For these reasons, many the great unwashed consider penal in-migration in the United States to be a serious affectionate job. The intelligence training names that I have selected to sight for this paper manage from a variety of sources. Half of them be from traditional news sources including first rudiment News, the center Tribune, the examiner.com, buzzle .com, and darwins funds.com. I chose the words from these sources because for the to the highest degree dower they put forwarded the social puzzle without making a exhaust argument on the topic for the close to part.In general, these news sources presented the social problem of illegitimate immigration and seeed two(prenominal)(prenominal) the pros and cons. The main focus of these terms is to fuck off attending to the claim. The rest of the clauses atomic number 18 from special lodge in group members such(prenominal) as Liberty Pundits, FAIR, and terce different blogs. I selected these articles because the authors had a very strong opinion on the social problem of illegal immigration. As a whole, the heading earreachs of these articles are very similar. The affectionateness and lower classes are the main target sense of hearing because they are the ones who are most directly affected by illegal immigration. The core and lower classes are losing jobs, payin g to throw, and dealing with the horror of illegal immigrants in the United States. magical spell the lower and eye classes are the target audience, many of the news sources in any case approach to grab the attention of a much larger group, all U.S. citizens. By saying that illegal immigrants are costing all taxpayers lots of money and committing many crimes, some of these sources target the undefiled U.S. population. In my paper, I forget analyze the different ways by which these articles present the social problem of illegal immigration. From the contain tender Problems by Joel Best, I allow for specifically be lambasteing slightly statistics used, domain enlargement, proportionality, and the use of counterclaims (Best, 2008). Even though these articles all cover illegal immigration in the United States, the way the topic is presented and covered by each source is different.II. traditional news articles Overall, the traditional news articles tend to bring up and dra w attention to the claims without giving their input or personal opinion on the topic. While certain articles may make it seem obvious that illegal immigration is a social problem by stating some of the downsides, they never outright say that something needfully to be through. In event, a bitstock of the articles not just now state the claims, hardly overly illustrate the counter claims as well. These articles are but stating the facts in a way that draws the most practical attention from the target audience.The ABC editorial high-ticket(prenominal) Aliens How Much Do black Immigrants rattling Cost? is a perfect simulation of an article that brings up a claim close to illegal immigration, only when also necks the counter argument. Instead of simply stating that illegal immigrants are costing the U.S. taxpayers to a greater extent than $ nose candy billion each year, this article also recognizes the positive economic impact that they have on our coun sift (Fahmy, 201 0, p. 1). By addressing twain sides of this debate, ABC is able to capture a much broader audience. People on both sides of the social problem, as well as multitude who do not live much about this claim will be interested in reading the article. The article posted on Darwins Money is very similar to the ABC article in many respects.The article starts out by saying, There are two sides to every story and states that the article will approach to be as objective as possible. The purpose of this article is to address both sides of the illegal immigration dispute and make the audience certified of this social problem. As stated in Bests book Social Problems, these two articles move to have isotropy because they are scripted about a very controversial issue (Best, 2008). The articles wish to address and bring up a problem without hard putting anyone in an exertion to keep the largest possible audience. My next article from a traditional news source, Illegal Immigration Problems , takes a slightly different climb up. every unless the last paragraph of this editorial are focused on the problems with illegal immigration. What Best calls domain e grindateness is used to draw attention to the fact that illegal immigration is a problem (Best, 2008). In this article, the problem is expanded to embarrass disease, crime, deprivation of rights, and insufficient recourses. However, at the end of the article, the author says, Is there a need to solve the issue of illegal immigration or are there illegal immigration pros and cons? Is it right to take conterminous action about illegal immigration? (Borkar, 2010). These questions imply that illegal immigration efficiency not be a problem at all.By doing this, the writer acknowledges the counterclaims and adds balance to the article. Although this editorial does not completely recognize illegal immigration as a social problem, it does spend the majority of the time discussing why illegal immigrants are such a proble m to the United States. The net two articles from traditional news sources are compose in a much different way. These two articles believe that illegal immigration is a problem, and fail to credit anything about counterclaims. The article in the Examiner, written by Joe Campana, focuses on the claim that, There is an insidious connection between illegal immigration and identity theft, (Campana, 2010) This tactic of victimisation domain expanding upon helps to attract a wider audience of people not only interested in identity theft, but also illegal immigration.The conglutination Tribune article, The human, monetary costs of illegal immigration, also makes it much much exculpate to the audience that illegal immigration is a problem. The reason the Union Tribune is able to write about how unholy illegal immigration is for our country is because the audience of this newspaper is comprised mostly of people living in San Diego, where illegal immigration has many negatively char ged affects on the people. In San Diego, many individuals have lost jobs due to the recent economic downturn, and the high prevalence of illegal immigrants gives the unemployed someone to blame.Domain expansion and statistics, specifically, are used in this article to help show the negative make of illegal immigrants on the people of San Diego. By saying that uncompensated emergency agency costs alone are nigh $154.9 million a year, it makes people upset that they must(prenominal) pay this money in the form of taxes (Bilbray, 2011). It roughly creates resentment towards the illegal immigrants. The domain expansion is also exemplified by bringing in job evil and unemployment and saying that at least part of it is caused by illegal immigration.III. Special matter to Articles Special interest articles tend to use a much different approach than traditional news articles when writing about the social problem of illegal immigration. In general, special interest articles are possib le to be much more solution in the way that they address the social problem. Rather than just stating a problem and trying to gain attention, they also sample to persuade the audience that something must be done to fix the issue or there will be negative effects on society. The articles written by Liberty Pundits and FAIR use crime and human beings safety as a way to convince people that something must be done to discipline illegal immigration. FAIR even calls illegal immigrants a, public safety issue, in the article (FAIR, 2011).By using domain expansion, the articles are able to gain a larger audience by instilling fear in the U.S. citizens who read this article. Saying that illegal immigration causes crime will make people want to get rid of illegal immigration because it will make them olfaction as though their safety is be jeopardized. FAIR also makes the audience panic-struck that illegal immigrants cause danger and crime by giving a very long list of crimes that illeg al immigrants have committed. Liberty Pundits also uses statistics to convince the audience that illegal immigrants, as a whole, are mostly criminals. In a study of 124 alien arrests, Liberty Pundits reports that 103 had prior arrests, 85 of the 103 had a felony, and 49 of those had multiple felonies (Liberty Pundits, 2010).Although these statistics may not be a reasoned representation of all illegal immigrants, to the average out reader these statistics seem very persuade and makes it seem as though almost all illegal immigrants are dangerous. In these ways, the two articles cause people to believe illegal immigration must be stopped, which also causes some of the audience to frame activists on the issue. By using statistics and domain expansion, the blogs Where Do All the New Jobs Go?, Economic costs of illegal immigration, and Illegal Immigration attempt to convince its audience that illegal immigration inevitably to be stopped. The article Where Do All the New Jobs Go? use statistics to show how illegal immigration almost double the number of jobs that need to be created to nurture the number of people in the labor squash.Two million jobs need to be created to incite U.S. born labor force entrants, 5.7 million jobs must be created when legal immigrants are added to that number, and a staggering 10 million jobs need to be created per year when we add illegal immigrants to that number (Stop Illegal Immigration Now, 2007). The article Economic costs of illegal immigration states that, An estimated 1,880,000 American workers are displaced from their jobs every year by immigration, (The American Resistance, 2003). Along with piggybacking the social problem of unemployment, these statistics are intended to magnify the number of jobs illegal immigrants are taking from U.S. citizens.Expanding the domain by piggybacking the social problem of unemployment helps to gain the set up of the unemployed and those whose jobs are threatened by illegal immigrants. I n addition, it is fire that the blog Where Do All the New Jobs Go? not only attempts to gain support on the issue of illegal immigration, but also attempts to gain activists by saying, contend your Congressman and Senators and local elected officials on the dot what they are doing to stop our problem with illegal immigration and vanishing borders. (Skymail, 2010). Unlike the traditional news sources, this article makes its views on illegal immigration clear and states that people need to do their part to fix the problem.IV. Comparison, Analysis, and Conclusion Traditional news sources and articles written by activists had many similarities and differences in the way that they discuss the issue of illegal immigration. While traditional news articles tend to simply bring up an issue to the audience and let them form their own opinions, the blogs and articles written by activists not only attempt to spread information about the issue, but also try to convince people that something n eeds to be done and to get the audience more involved with the problem. The close of the activists is to gain support on an issue, and ultimately to have something done to eliminate the problem. On the other hand, the final stage of traditional news articles goal is simply to find and write about interesting stories that will appeal to the largest possible audience.These articles often have balance and discuss both sides of the problem. Instead of just saying that illegal immigration is an issue and it must be solved, traditional news articles also talk about the positives that illegal immigrants bring to our country. On the other hand, the two types of articles also had many similarities. For example, both traditional news sources and articles written by activists used domain expansion and statistics. Both types of articles attempted to use these techniques in order to show the magnitude of this social problem and to gain the audiences interest.By using domain expansion, both typ es of articles are able to relate the problem to a larger group of people on a much more personal level. By doing this, the editorials gain the interest of a much bigger audience, which is as important to both types of articles. In addition, both traditional news articles and articles/blogs written by activists have similar audiences. Illegal immigration most directly affects the lower and middle class, therefore those are the people that these articles attempt to attract. Traditional news articles and articles written by activists also shape the public science of illegal immigration. For articles written by activists, organization the public perception is very important.The goal of these articles is to make the audience believe that illegal immigration is a serious problem and something needs to be done to stop it. By using various methods, the activists shape the publics opinion about the issue and convince them that illegal immigration is a serious problem. On the other hand, traditional news articles tend not to do the aforesaid(prenominal).These articles present the issue, and let the public form their own opinions on the problem. Overall, it is clear that the way in which social problems are constructed directly relates to the writer of article. While activists attempt to gain support for their cause and beliefs on an issue, traditional news sources simply attempt to present an issue and captivate the largest possible audience. Even though articles written by various sources may cover the same topic, the way the issue is constructed is generally very different.